The Telescope 63.8

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF.

MONDAY OCT. 26, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

VOL. 63, NO. 8

the-telescope.com ---

Student leader gives up seat; VP steps in

INSIDE

ENTERTAINMENT Boom boom

The world drum program teaches students to play and move to exotic beats

PAGE 13

MELISSA LERAY THE TELESCOPE

OPINION

Holy moly

Is it right to bar sex offenders from going to church?

PAGE 4

FOCUS

Good and scared 12 hot and scary places to go this Halloween

PAGE 7

SPORTS

Dynamic Duo Brothers push each other to victory

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BRIGHT FUTURE FLORA SILVA| THE TELESCOPE

Sarah Nichols (left) and Dianne Seraphin (right), dental assisting students at Palomar’s Dental Assisting Program, place a rubberdam on a typodont model, a life-like simulation of the oral cavity. The rubberdam is a piece of thin, stretchable latex or nonlatex material placed in the mouth to isolate individual teeth or groups of teeth from bacteria in the oral cavity.

Dental program struggles to meet high demand ALEJANDRA JACKSON THE TELESCOPE

In Palomar’s dental assisting program, students who apply must not only fight for a coveted spot in the department, but they must also be willing to work.

“Most people say, ‘Oh how are you so stressed out in school and stuff. You’re just sucking saliva?’

But it’s so much more than that…It’s really hard,” dental assisting student Megan Pralle said.

Despite the difficulty involved, the one-year program has more students than it can handle.

This semester marks the third year in a row there has been a waiting list.

The program can only hold 28 students, and for the last few semesters 20 to 25 of those students have rolled over from the previous year’s waiting list.

Health programs specialist Jan Burton said she feels that students are flocking to the program because of the recession.

Burton said many people are returning to school, and dental assisting is in high demand now in San Diego County. According to dentalassistant.net, a dental assistant in California can expect to earn almost $13 an hour.

Students who are waiting to enter the program are required to take DA 50, which is an introductory dental assisting class, but in addition they are also encouraged to take English 50, 100 or ESL 103.

Burton said that taking these courses will give students time to think about whether they really TURN TO

DENTAL PAGE 3

Associated Student Government president Andrew Bissell announced his resignation at the ASG meeting on Oct. 21.

Bissell told the other student leaders that he had decided to move to the university level and was no longer president.

Former Vice President Ann Hong then took over and called the meeting to order.

During the meeting Hong assumed the presidential duties and John Aragan was appointed the new vice president.

Bissell’s resignation comes after an investigation was launched last week on the Office of Student Affairs, which oversees the ASG. Former ASG students are accusing the office of mismanagement.

For more information, visit the Telescope’s Web site at http://www.the-telescope.com.

SARA BURBIDGE| THE TELESCOPE

Ann Hong became Palomar’s new student government president on Oct. 21.

School TV program offers extensive internship ARIANNA RIVERA THE TELESCOPE

CHRISTINA PARKER| THE TELESCOPE

Palomar College television anchors Cyrila Richardson (left) and Clay Murray (right) read their scripts from a teleprompter.

Many students focus on getting out of Palomar College, but across North County, radio and television majors are focusing on coming back.

Palomar College offers an award winning television program called Palomar College Television or PCTV. In the last five years it has won dozens of awards, including three Regional Emmy Awards. PCTV is the hub for distributing video content to about 110 other colleges.

PCTV offers extensive hands-on training. It offers its services for free to Palomar professors and even the students (as long as it is for a Palomar-related event). Professors can make instruc-

tional videos, also known as stand ups.

“Students can promote their clubs,” Bill Wisneski, PCTV producer said.

PCTV reaches all of North County (about 300,000 homes) and it is aired on Cox & Time Warner Channel 16.

However, it is also available on DVD, online and even through podcasting.

According to Wisneski, podcasting is an advantage for college students. It allows more flexibility, in the sense that they can carry and view their lectures (if offered) wherever and whenever they wish to. It also offers a better learning opportunity for those students who are visual learners.

Due to the fact that they do not have a large staff, interns play a major role.

PCTV has anywhere from three to 10 interns a semester. The experience of the interns varies from no experience to advance experience. In today’s world however, Wisneski said, “Many students are coming in with their own (technology) experience.”

Kenny Brock is one of those interns.

He said he started in June after hearing that Palomar College offers an award-

winning radio and television program.

He started by taking an editing class this past spring and in the summer he applied to be an intern. Brock is an editor and is currently working on a set of short videos for one of Palomar’s oceanography classes.

“Don’t take it as an elective,” Brock said. “Take it as a career.”

Even without his editing class, Brock has years of experience on a self-taught level doing editing. Although interns with no experience are welcomed, Brock said he recommends that any student interested in editing have some prior knowledge. “They can’t come straight out of high school and expect to be an editor,” Brock said.

As an editor, Brock said his day starts by meeting with other editors and discussing what they are working on and how they do their editing. He is then given hours of footage which he turns into to make three to five minute short videos. It is also his job to make sure, when working with a professor that his TURN TO

PCTV PAGE 3

2 | CAMPUS BEAT

Students honor loved ones with Dia De Los Muertos display

CAMPUS CALENDAR Monday, Oct. 26 • Phi Theta Kappa meeting at 1 p.m. in SU203.

• Free employment workshop at 11 a.m. in SSC-1.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 • Fashion Club meeting at 5 p.m. in Fash. #1..

• Gay/Straight Alliance meeting at 3:30 p.m. in SU-204.

• International Club meeting at 5 p.m. in SU203.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 • Free STD screenings are being offered at Health Services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 760744-1150, ext. 2380.

• Premed Club meeting at 4 p.m. in TNS-217.

• Associated Student Government meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. in SU-204.

Thursday, Oct. 29 • Black Student Union meeting at 11:30 a.m. in SU-17.

• Fashion Club meeting at 5 p.m. in Fash. #1.

• MEChA meeting at 4:30 p.m. in SU-17.

• Halloween Escape at 9 a.m. in the SU-Quad.

Friday, Oct. 30 • Tifaolemona Samoan Club meeting at 11 a.m. in SU-204.

• Palomar Engineering and Physics students meeting in SU-255 at 2 p.m.

What’s up?

Do you know something we don’t?

Let us know.

To submit story tips or events for the campus calendar, e-mail us at telescope@palomar.edu or call (760) 891-7865.

Police Blotter

Student members of the club MEChA created altars to loved ones and famous individuals on the second floor of the Palomar College Library on Oct. 20.

The altars where created in honor of Dia de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and Latin America to pray for and remember friends and family who have died.

It is a celebration of the lives of those who have passed away and also a day to prepare special foods in remembrance of them, according to Northern Notes, a Web site constructed by Northern Illinois University.

Dia de los Muertos,which translates to “Days of the Dead,” is traditionally celebrated on from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

The dates are in connection with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2).

Dia de los Muertos has Aztec roots and has been practiced for over 3,000 years, according to azcentral.com.

Dia de los Muertos is not considered a mournful occasion, but is instead happy and colorful.

Death takes a “lively, friendly expression,” according to www.dayofthedead.com.

Explains the same site, indigenous people believed that upon death, souls actually continue living in a place called Mictlan. They stay there until they are able to return to their homes to visit their relatives on Dia de los Muertos.

Drug awareness campaign on campus

Warrant arrest There was a warrant arrest at the Escondido campus on Oct. 13. The police report is currently unavailable.

By the numbers...

Campus Police officers caught two students breaking student conduct code rules on Oct. 10 when they were found “conducting inappropriate behavior in the classroom,” according to Campus Police. No further information was released.

Burglary and thefts There was a vehicle burglary at the San Marcos campus on Oct. 19. The police report is currently unavailable.

There were two petty thefts. One report is unavailable. The other involved stolen training tapes for athletics, which was filed on Oct. 19.

CAMPUS WEATHER

Tuesday, Oct. 27

In October, Campus Police have reported the following: • 16 graffiti cases • 6 lost district keys • 4 petty thefts • 3 medical assists • 2 drug arrests • 1 altered permit • 1 warrant arrest • 1 vehicle burglary • 1 student conduct code violation These numbers are cumulative from last issue.

JOHN GREEN | MCT CAMPUS

Try out this recipe for pan de Bring all ingredients to room Muetro, a popular treat on Dia de temperature (except for the los Muetros from about.com. water which should be very warm) before beginning.

• 1/2 cup butter In a large bowl, mix together • 1 1/4 cup water butter, sugar, anise, salt and 1/2 • 6 cups flour cup of the flour.

• 2 packets dry yeast In a separate bowl combine • 1 teaspoon salt the eggs and the water. Add the • 3 teaspoons whole anise egg/water mixture to the first seeds mixture and add in another 1/2 • 2 tablespoons orange zest cup of the flour. Add in the yeast • 3/4 cup sugar and another 1/2 cup of flour.

• 4 large eggs Continue to add the flour 1 cup at a time until a dough forms.

You’ll need to buy a glaze sepaKnead on a floured surface rately. for about 1 minute. Cover with a

slightly damp dishcloth and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Bring out dough and punch it down.

Remove about 1/4 of it and use it to make bone shapes to drape across the loaf (see below.) Or divide the dough into smaller pieces to create other bone shapes.

Let the shaped dough rise for 1 more hour.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes for smaller loaves and up to 45 minutes for larger loaves.

Holocaust survivor tells story of tragedy

Red Ribbon Week, an annual prevention awareness campaign for alcohol and drugs, will be observed at Palomar through Oct. 28. There will be booths set up from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m.on Monday through Wednesday of this week at the SU Building.

On Wednesday Oct. 28, there will be a booth that has sets of DUI goggles, which simulate what it is like to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Students will be able to take a sobriety test while wearing the goggles.

According to the Red Ribbon Coalition Web site, Red Ribbon Week was the result of a community outpour in support of the a Drug Enforcement Administration agent named “Kiki” Camarena, who was tortured and murdered in 1985 while he was investigating the Mexican drug cartels.

The Web site also states that,“millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the U.S.

Student conduct code violation

Monday, Oct. 26

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009

New professor joins Chicano Studies dept.

COURTESY PHOTO

A Palomar College counselor and winner of the Multicultural Heritage Award in 1989 has taken on a new role as a Chicano studies professor at Palomar.

Frank Puchi has been working at Palomar since 1989 and has long supported diversity on the campus and in the community.

Puchi, a high-risk youth growing up, went on to college to receive his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology and then continued on to get his master’s in education from Loyola University, Los Angeles.

Puchi has dedicated his time in the education field to helping Chicano’s better understand themselves, the environment they live in and the relationship between the two.

He will focus his classes on teaching students about the history of the Chicano relationship to the American political system.

A member of the Escondido Police Department Community Relations Board, the North County Collaborators and the Allianza Partnership, Puchi has long been an active member of the community.

He also serves as the project coordinator for the counseling department’s Future Teacher’s Diversity Corps program which is a nationally and regionally acclaimed teacher preparation program.

Puchi will be teaching CS 100 (The Chicano in the United States) and CS 102 (Chicano/American Political System).

For more information on Puchi’s classes, contact him at fpuchi@palomar.edu. or at ext. 2681.

Palomar College students crowded into the Governing Board room on Oct. 21, listening in silence as Yaja Boren shared her experiences.

Boren, a featured speaker during Political Science Days, held Oct. 21-22 by the Political Science and Economics Departments; was in fourth grade when Hitler’s army began to occupy her homeland of Poland.

“That is when people started disappearing,” Boren said.

She shared vivid recollections from a young girl’s perspective of how things progressively got worse for her and her family, and their fellow Jews.

Boren and her family lived in a one-room apartment in a crowded building.

Her father, a baker, was forced into hiding, and she recalls the night the Germans came for him.

Her mother was beaten until she finally took them to his hiding place. They never saw her father again.

Boren was 16 when the war ended, and came to the U.S. in 1949 after surviving five concentration camps, including Auschwitz.

She shares her story in two books, “We Only Have Each Other”and “There are No Strangers.”

Education is one of the only things that kept her going, she said, and she shared with students the importance of it.

To read more about Boren, go to www.the-telescope.com.

Employment workshop is offered to students

Students can get help with employment strategies at the free workshop that is being provided by the Career Center on Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. in the Governing Board room, SSC1.

The workshop will cover topics such as employment search strategies, competitive resume(s) and cover letters, in this economy where are the jobs, and how to keep your new job.

All students, staff and faculty are invited to the workshop. For more information students can call 760-744-1150 ext. 2194 or 2195.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Thursday, Oct. 29

Friday, Oct. 30

Saturday, Oct. 31

Sunday, Nov. 1

73˚/49˚

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72˚/51˚

77˚/50˚

SUNNY

SUNNY

SUNNY

SUNNY

79˚/55˚

75˚/54˚

75˚/50˚

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

NEWS | 3

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

School’s future looking (way) up

New planetarium planned to open in fall 2011 ASAKO SASAKI THE TELESCOPE

Palomar’s new planetarium will start construction in 2010, and will be completed by the fall of 2011.

If everything goes according to plan, the planetarium will be open to students and to the public during the fall semester of that year.

The old planetarium, built in 1965, was located in the Science Quad before being destroyed in 2008, the new one will be located between the Natural Science building and the library.

The planetarium is part of the renovations being paid for through Prop M money.

Prop M was a measure approved by voters in 2006.

According to an e-mail from Mark Lane, Palomar professor and the director of the planetarium, the total funds from Prop M are $6.8 million.

However, the planetarium will need some fund raising of $1.5 million more to cover the expenses of the equipment.

Palomar’s planetarium was the only planetarium in the California Community College system when it was built, and was the only public planetarium in North County San Diego.

COURTESY PHOTO OF PALOMAR COLLEGE

The above is a rendering of the front of the new Palomar Planetarium showing the transparent walls. Construction should be complete in 2011, and should be open to the public that fall.

Nearly a quarter of a million visitors enjoyed the celestial views and educational shows that the planetarium had offered.

Following the conclusion of the Spring 2008 semester and 43 years of operation, the planetarium was closed.

According to the Palomar planetarium’s Web site, the new planetarium will have a modern appearance such as a transparent front.

Lane said, “The biggest differences between the old and new planetarium are that the new venue will hold nearly twice as many people as the old one.”

“The technology of the new planetarium will be very modern and state-of-the-art compared to

the dated technology of the old planetarium,” he added.

“This will allow us to entertain a larger audience with a more dynamic show demonstrating some of the very latest ways to visualize the universe,” said Lane.

Currently, students are taking astronomy classes in the Natural Science building. The new planetarium will offer students taking astronomy classes a realistic presentation of the ideas discussed in class.

Instead of looking at images on a screen, students in the new star theater will be able to see a realistic showing of the concepts taught in class. There will be shows offered to the public, for these shows a discounted price is

offered and extra credit can be earned for some classes.

According to Lane, the shows will have many astronomy-related topics and will be narrated with many special effects.

These effects will be computer graphics combined with real images of objects such as galaxies, nebulae and more. The shows will be educational and entertaining with music and sound effects. Each show will be between 30 and 40 minutes long.

The shows are thousands of dollars to purchase, but planetarium staff is planning on making some of them on their own. It is currently unknown how much each audience member will have to pay, but

it seems that it will be comparable to the cost of a movie ticket.

Lane said, “Think of it as a show on the Discovery Channel but where the audience is able to go inside of the display. It will look like you are actually flying through space, or flying through a cloud or flying through a galaxy.”

“The planetarium will be able to simulate what it would be like to witness a meteor shower,” he added.

“I imagine that the teachers will be amazed at how realistic the view is and what they can teach their students about what it would be like to witness a meteor shower in real life,” Lane said.

videos but is also in charge of making sure the lighting and stage is ready. When PCTV films outside campus, she is usually the one to film the work.

Ragr is working at getting an associate’s degree in Art TV. The majority of her classes are radio/television related and she has done a lot of camera work. Ragr said she

enjoys being an intern because “PCTV is more hands on and you are actually working in a studio.”

Like any other job, PCTV will have its stressful days. However, “Bill has been in our shoes before.

He knows where we are coming from,” Ragr said.

Most of the PCTV interns stay for one to two years.They vary from

Palomar’s own students to students with a four-year degree.

PCTV is available for students with no experience but those with experience are eligible for a paid internship.

According to their Web site, “PCTV offers four to eight production internships each semester.

You will receive “hands on” train-

ing and experience on camera, audio,VTR, lighting and/or remote production. Unlike other internships, at PCTV students have the opportunity to produce/direct independent projects.”

For more information on how to apply for the internship, visit their Web site: www.palomar.edu/pctv.

belong in the dental assisting program.

Many students might find it difficult to keep up with other commitments while enrolled in the program. Burton strongly suggests that students refrain from having a job.

“It’s really hard to keep a job…I work a full-time job and I’m here full time and so it’s just really hard getting the time into studying and still do good in the class,” said Gloria Bayarito who also works as a medical receptionist at Graybill Medical Center.

Dental assisting student Melissa Rickley agreed. “I would just say don’t have a job.”

Palomar’s dental assisting proFLORA SILVA| THE TELESCOPE gram has the distinction of being the only one in North County to be Catherine Fry, Palomar dental assisting student, places rubberdam on a typodont model, accredited by the American Dental Association. a life-like simulation of the oral cavity.

In recent years the program has continually produced impressive results.

The 2008 class passed the state exam boards with a 95.5 success rate, which, according to Burton, is due to the rigorous training.

The waiting list that helps weed out some of the students who may not be entirely serious about the program, Burton added.

Students can expect to gain hands-on experience from working in a dental office, and by the end of the course they will have earned their X-ray license and be prepared to take the required California and national certification examinations.

There are no resources within the program to help students find jobs after graduation, but according to Burton, students usually have no problem finding jobs.

During the second semester, students spend 16 weeks actually working in a variety of dental offices around the county.

Each student will spend four weeks at four different offices, and often dentists will offer to hire some of the interns Burton said.

“I get a tremendous amount of calls asking if we have anyone that they can hire… because they know our program in excellent,” Burton said.

This positive reputation has some students hopeful about their future.

Pralle said she feels teachers go beyond the books, and finding a job will be easier because of the quality education she gained through the dental assisting program.

Palomar’s dental assisting program has been around for more

than 20 years but Burton credits much of the recent success to program director Denise Rudy.

Seven years ago, Rudy, a registered dental assistant with several other qualifications, restructured the program and changed the curriculum.

Since then Burton said she has seen a marked change.

Another way the program stays abreast of all the changes in the field is through Dental Advisory Committee.

The committee consists of educators and professionals in the dental field and meets twice a year.

The committee provides these professionals with an opportunity to discuss some of the changes being made within their field.

The results are then brought back to Palomar and used to reconstruct the curriculum.

PCTV

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

work matches with the professor’s lecture. Wisneski then approves the work or makes suggestions.

After the work is approved, if it is for a professor, they must approve the final work. When that step passes, it is then broadcast, Brock said.

Intern Brittany Ragr is in charge of the production. She shoots

DENTAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

4

| OPINION

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009

OUR VIEWPOINT

Student gov’t drama is unacceptable In the past week alone, Palomar’s student government has witnessed rumors of manipulation, a presidential resignation and an overwhelmingly long string of e-mails that cloud the drama even more.

Annoying or not, students absolutely need to care about these issues.

What does the ASG do for students?

The Associated Student Government is the students’ voice, and it’s completely unacceptable that there are allegations of manipulation expressed by past and present ASG members, faculty members and students.

The ASG affects every single student at Palomar.

Student money is used to run ASG. You are funding this organization whether you like it or not.

The ASG directly influences the Board of Trustees, a group that ultimately decides policies for the school. The Board of Trustees basically governs Palomar. They make decisions on issues such as class cuts and tuition. Palomar’s president reports to the Board of Trustees, and the group has the power to fire him. While ASG doesn’t directly make the decisions, they are a huge influence because they can make recommendations to the board.

Finally, ASG controls events at Palomar. They are responsible for organizing Comet Week, SpringFest and other school-wide activities.

So what’s the problem?

Former ASG members are coming forward to talk about some serious complaints.

“ASG has been a victim of micromanagement, intimidation and manipulation on the part of the OSA (Office of Student Affairs),” Andrew Bissell, former ASG president of the current semester, said at a Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 13. He spoke as a student and not on behalf of the ASG. “There is something horribly wrong with how the students of Palomar College are being treated by those who run the Office of Student Affairs,” Shaun Briggs, a former ASG senator and Palomar student wrote in an e-mail.

Last year’s ASG president, Robert Frederick, said that his final months in his position were “very disturbing,” in an e-mail sent on Oct. 15.

There are plenty more complaints where these came from.

The root of the problems allegedly lies with two Palomar administration members who are in charge of ASG. Fingers are being pointed at Sherry Titus, the director of the OSA and the advisor of the ASG, as well as Marilyn Lunde, the secretary of both OSA and ASG. Both Titus and Lunde ascertain that the allegations are not true. Palomar President Robert Deegan backs them up.

What can you do?

Palomar needs more than the silent opposition that’s circulating through e-mails. There is currently an investigation of the allegations being conducted by school authorities.

Get involved. Let Palomar hear your voice.

First, get educated. The Telescope stays as up-to-date as possible, so keep yourself updated. Form your own opinion on what’s going on.

You can also attend an ASG meeting. They’re open to the public and are every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in SU-204.

Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public as well. They are once a month in the Governing Board room at the Student Services Building on the San Marcos campus. The closed session begins at 4 p.m. and the open session begins at 5 p.m. The next meeting is on Nov. 10. You can also contact members of the Board of Trustees at 760-744-1150 ext. 2104.

Contact Palomar President Robert Deegan at rdeegan@palomar.edu or call him at 760-744-1150 ext. 2106. Let him know exactly what you think of the situation.

One e-mail or visit does have the potential to make a difference.

Please remember to be mature and courteous when voicing your opinion. Use common sense and judgment so that you can be sure that your thoughts won’t just be tossed aside as an unsubstantiated revolt.

MONDAY OCT. 26, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

EDITORS IN CHIEF | KELLEY FOYT MELISSA LERAY OPINION EDITOR | MAGGIE AVANTS FOCUS EDITOR | ALEJANDRA JACKSON SPORTS EDITOR | JEREMY LEAL PHOTO EDITOR | SARA BURBIDGE ONLINE/COPY EDITOR | ERIC WALKER

Dear Aunt Gertrude: I am a full-time student and communications major trying to transfer to Long Beach. I still live with my parents and my father got downsized. He has two jobs now and still does not make anywhere near what he did and has none of the benefits. One of my home chores is paying the bills online. It takes $4300 per month to keep the house going. I know that this sounds like a lot but we do not have a huge home, new cars or party lifestyle things are just outrageously expensive in San Diego County. Gasoline is 12 cents more per gallon than in Orange County. Our water and cable are double what my cousins pay in Huntington Beach.

I have a part-time job to try and help out, but money is so tight. My grades have been good until now.

I am taking Biology 101 — a required subject that has zero bearing on my major and I am convinced I will never use. I just cannot wrap my head around formulas and the mechanics of microbiology. So I decided to drop the class last Friday because I was at work all day. I could be there to do it in person so I had to do it online. I could not get onto the school Web site Friday night and had the same problem Saturday night. I finally got on it Sunday, but I was one day late dropping the class.

So now I am stuck in a class I know I will flunk. It’s killing my GPA along with any chance of a scholarship. I would not mind it if I honestly thought knowledge about the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells would be something I would use. But it can destroy my life.

— Without a paddle

Dear Without a paddle:

I can relate to your situation on so many levels. Aunt Gert had her Biology midterm last Wednesday (bacteria and archaea consist of prokaryotic cells; all other forms of life are composed of eukaryotic cells). I am more than twice as old as you are, and in over 50 years those differences have never come up in any way, and I suspect it won’t in my remaining 40.

The academic model of the “well-rounded graduate” is a model that becomes less relevant as educational costs rise and the job market shrinks. But that is a rant for another day. On the bright side, there are ways to track your attempts to get on to the school Web site so that if the attempts show up you can get your drop. If they don’t show up you can petition for a W (withdrawal). This can be done through the Admissions office and will not affect your GPA. Good luck.

— Aunt Gertrude

Got a problem? Auntie G can help! Dating, money, school, whatever—send your questions to askauntgertie@aol.com.

Church ban goes a little too far ERIC WALKER THE TELESCOPE

When North Carolina legislators implemented a policy barring convicted sex offenders from attending churches that have day care facilities, it seemed like a perfectly good thing to do. They’re criminals, after all, so they don’t deserve the same rights as the rest of us, one might say. And do we really want these perverts around impressionable children attending Sunday school?

We need to try to help offenders become incorporated back into society. Things aren’t as black and white as the North Carolina legislators seem to believe.

“Sex offenders” is a vague term. Most people associate it with rapists and child molesters, but it can also refer to those who engage in lesser activities categorized as “sexual misconduct” — for example, streaking and public urination. These crimes are not necessarily commend-

VOLUME 63 NUMBER 8

CARTOONISTS | JOSEPH BONNET, ZACH MARCUS AD MANAGER | CRYSTAL EVANS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER | KEVIN THOMPSON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS | MATT NULL, CHARLES STEINMAN JOURNALISM ADVISERS | ERIN HIRO, ADRIAN VORE PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER | PAUL STACHELEK

The Telescope is published 11 times per semester. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

able, but they are certainly not on par with acts of Ted Bundy.

Of course, there’s always the issue of statutory rape. Perfectly consensual incidents caught by parents, or lied about after-thefact in a panic, or any number of things.

These people are still harmed, but these aren’t the ones the legislators had in mind when making these laws.

We should worry about the true rapists, child molesters, pornographers — the stereotypical offenders.

One might argue that people who would take the virginity from an unwilling child don’t deserve the same privileges as everyone else. But regardless of your opinion of the church, it helps a lot of people. Ex-criminals find salvation through God all the time, be it due to having nothing else to do in prison or a genuine interest in self-improvement.

What else can we do? Shove all criminals together in their own church? History shows that group-

ADDRESS | The Telescope, Palomar College 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 NEWSROOM | Room MB-1 PHONE | (760) 891-7865 FAX| (760) 891-3401 E-MAIL | telescope@palomar.edu ADVERTISING E-MAIL | telescopead@palomar.edu STAFF WRITERS |CAMILO BARRERO,TONYCAGALA,ROMYCHEAIB,STEPHANIE DAO, MELINAFICKAS,REBECCAFREDRICKS,BERTHANSEN,NIGELHARRIS,REBECCALEVIN, AMANDA MCCARTHY,DAN MCCARTHY,HOLLYMEZA, BECKETT MUFSON,CHRISTINA PARKER,MARYPAULET,JARRED POWELL,ARIANNARIVERA,TYPHANIE SHARFNER,TARA STEFANIUK,CHRISTIAN STINCHFIELD, JESSICATOURINO, AMBER VARNES, GRAIANNE WARD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS |SALVADOR AYALA,JESSICABABCOCK,STEVEN BALUBAR, CHRISTINABECHTEL,ALLEN J CARROLL,PHYLLIS CELMER,STEVEN DAVIS,KARADONOVAN,KEN FARREN,PATTYFIETES,YSENIAGARCIA,VICTORIAHARTMAN,DEB HELLMAN, HANNAH HOUZE,DUDLEYJOHNSON,COLLEEN LANGILL,LUCERO MARTINEZ,STEVEN MCCOLLUM,CORALMCMURTRY,ASHLEYPLAYER,NATALIE PLAYER,LAURATUCKLE,KEVIN WINTER

ing criminals only perpetuates crime, after all. Look at the prison systems for proof. That won’t help sex offenders rehabilitate.

A shining example is North Carolina’s James Nichols, a twotime convicted sex offender who found himself banned from attempts at self-improvement through his local church. “I believe wholeheartedly if it wasn’t for God, I don’t know where I’d be today. God’s blessed me with learning how to live a better life.”

Rape is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly — but these people aren’t all rapists. They’ve already been punished enough through jail time, the sex offender registry, and the humiliation of being known as a “pervert” to their peers.

It’s not fair to take away their one path to salvation. What’s next, banning offenders from attending school at Palomar? We have minors taking classes. We have a child development center.

Where does it end?

The Telescope welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters can be e-mailed to telescope@palomar.edu or delivered to the newsroom in Room MB-1.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be received one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

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OPINION | 5

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009| THE TELESCOPE

Lower the drinking age? No! CAMILO BARRERO THE TELESCOPE

The United States is part of a group of six countries in the world with a drinking age of 21.

Chile, Egypt, Honduras, Russia and Samoa, being the countries in the world with the highest minimum drinking and purchasing age.

But some organizations contend that actual minimum drinking age in America is not achieving its purpose and that it isn’t consistent with other age limits.

Organizations such as the National Youth Rights Association and college presidents from more than 100 colleges like Duke, Dartmouth, and Ohio State, have proposed to lower the minimum drinking age — just another occurrence that generates more chaos than it solves.

In the recent debate of whether the minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18, it’s been said that the current limit is not accomplishing its purpose to prevent highway deaths. In contrast, some say it’s promoting underground drinking and leading to off-highway deaths.

The numbers don’t lie. Since 1988 when the age limit of 21 was established nationally, approximately 1,000 lives per year are saved, and there has been a 16 percent drop in fatalities and drunk-driving accidents, according to data from Global Road Safety Partnership.

We are in a society that is used to drinking to get drunk and the thought of changing the drinking

age would be a bad one for two reasons. First, we wouldn’t know how to handle a transition of that kind. It would surely lead to disorganization and a complete rearrangement nationwide.

Second, lowering the drinking age would make the consumption of alcohol beverages easier for younger people, leading to more reckless acts on- and off-

life more students drink illegally than legally because when alcohol consumption is forbidden it becomes more desirable. This increases underage drinking, and if the minimum drinking age was 18 we would be witnessing the same vicious circle but in even younger generations.

New Zealand is a prime example of what happens when the drinking age is lowered. Not only did drunk driving accidents increase, but youths started to drink earlier and wild drinking intensified. In the 12 months following the decrease in the MDA, there was a 50 percent increase in intoxicated 18- and 19-year-old patients at one emergency room, according to United Kingdom government statisPHOTO ILLUSTRATION | MCT CAMPUS tics. highway.

The debate still remains alive It isn’t hard for a 16-year-old to and some may continue to push have access to alcoholic bever- for a lower drinking age in the ages. In high school kids aren’t U.S. Many rights have different socially exposed to others old ages of initiation in this country enough to buy alcohol, but are — some debatable, some represtill able to get alcohol somehow. hensible. Understanding this If the minimum drinking age case consciously by itself, withwere lowered it would mean that out diverting the attention in seniors in high school could pur- other areas that are not as imporchase alcohol for younger gener- tant as the human life, will give a ations, causing an increase in ille- better idea of the ramifications gal drinking. of a lowered drinking age. In this Some studies have found that situation, keeping the minimum among college students the drinking age at 21 for the comdrinking rates are higher than in mon welfare of United States’ any other group. During college citizens has been proven.

Fox hunting: a national pastime And thus, we now have “Obama’s War.” Perhaps, it would seem to the casual observer, that the White House Conservatively just has thin skin—or Speaking maybe an overly irritaDAN ble personaliMCCARTHY ty complex.

Whether the former or the latter, when President Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, Communications Director Anita Dunn and Senior Advisor David Axelrod come out and, with none of this administration’s characteristic vagueness, appeal to the media at large to ostracize, demonize and in all ways declare an information fatwa on Fox News, something much more insidious is certainly aloof.

Under the guise of trumpeting media objectivity (something the two networks in greater favor— CNN and MSNBC—should consider employing from time to time) Dunn, denounced Fox News as nothing more than an editorial agency “masquerading as news.”

Au contraire.

Fox does, thankfully, the work no one else will.

They ask questions, often getting answers that lack the Obama-love, as you might call it, that other, more liberal, or in the administration’s eye, “unbiased,” news outlets report.

Regardless of what Fox says, the simple responses are to always accuse them of spreading “misinformation and lies.” Preach what you practice, this is not.

As was attempted first with Rush Limbaugh and followed by Glenn Beck, the Left, spearheaded by the White House and trailed by bloggers and “activists,” is again trying most ardently to silence one of the few voices of dissent in the media apparatus.

Yet this is one step further. The two radio hosts are strictly commentators: they’re essentially a newspaper Op-Ed page, just infused with a microphone. Fox News, on the other hand, has both news programs and dedicated commentary shows as well—the task for the viewer is to distinguish the

two, though they are noticeably different. It’s just that their journalistic findings don’t jive with the image the Obama administration tries to paint for the public.

Now let me make something absolutely clear: I am not a particular fan of Fox News. For a period of two or three months during the spring, they became the right wing mirror image of MSNBC, often delving into “patriotism baiting,” with an obscenely injudicious application of star spangled banners and Americana type props. However, just because the mainstream media is so sycophantic doesn’t mean someone—in this case Fox News— should balk on filling the role of the watchdog.

What is flabbergasting is that the rest of the media aren’t wont to raise a finger in protest. Just imagine the raw furor had President Bush tried to pull a stunt like this. What if Karl Rove—someone who I am positive does not possess a surplus of fans in academia or the student body—asked Fox News to sever ties with MSNBC and CNN? Or said that he, and the administration he represents, doesn’t regard the New York Times as a legitimate news organization? Heads. Would. Roll.

Yet on the mere principle of the matter, there must be a suspicious curiosity and, to a degree, mistrust, between governmental authorities and the free press. We saw this to great effect with the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. The news media was not afraid to take on a sitting administration, nor were they cowed by the gravity of either situation to let the president have policy carte blanche.They executed the job of the media well: to ask questions.

Left unmonitored, a government espousing softstatism is only a hair’s-breadth away from fundamentally altering that face of America, and that goal that’s been repeated, reiterated and restated ad infinitum. People who pose questions simply get in the way, and to deal with them, it’s the same first down play they’ve been running for 40 years: ridicule, attack, marginalize and isolate.That mindset has become so engraved in the left’s philosophy that it permates all they do, and the two cannot be divorced.

You might say, with requisite tongue-in-cheekery, this is the only war liberals won’t run away from.

SPEAK OUT!

Will you be celebrating Halloween this year?

“

No, I’m a Jehovah’s Witness. Halloween comes from the day of the dead and I don’t believe that the soul survives.

”

—Ashley Runnels,nursing

“

Yes, it’s a tradition. My family always does pumpkins.

”

— Chris Kirk,engineering

“

Yes, it’s the best holiday every! Candy for free! You can be anything you want to be.

”

—Amber Rallins, accounting major

“

Hell yeah. It’s the only time girls can dress like a slut and not get yelled at for it. There is lots of sugar.

”

— Mike Callaway,marine biology

“

No, it’s really overrated and too commercialized. It’s not my idea of a family holiday.

”

— Aaron Head,political science

What did others say? the-telescope.com poll results: Of course! You never grow out of having fun!

Nah, it’s for kids

Don’t know, don’t care I refuse to celebrate such a Satanic invention

I’ll decorate, but not do anything actively

This week’s question: Is there a homeless problem in San Marcos and Escondido? To vote go to www.the-telescope.com.

Halloween:

6 | OPINION

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009| THE TELESCOPE

Devil’s holiday or innocent fun?

AMBER VARNES THE TELESCOPE

Halloween used to be about the trick-ortreating, the costumes and the chance to indulge your creative side but now it is just another mock holiday that some people believe gives adults the chance to play dress up, even without kids, and allows for Satanists to celebrate and degrade many groups of people.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly two-thirds (63.8 percent) of American consumers were planning to celebrate Halloween in 2008, and 36.1 million was the estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters aged 5-13. This number doesn’t even include the teenagers and young adults who use the holiday as an opportunity to ditch regular attire for something risqué and join in on the candy-snatching.

Leave trick-or-treating for the children. If you are too old to carry a pumpkin-shaped candy bucket, then you are too old to go trick-or-treating.

As the years progress, adult costumes for Halloween tend to become more and more revealing.This holiday shouldn’t give anyone the excuse to walk out of their house with barely anything on.

Women's organizations also take issue with Halloween costumes, citing that they are sexist and increasingly risqué. It seems these days, the tighter and less fabric you have on, the better. What kind of message does this send to the children that see their parents or friend’s parents dressed this way?

Not only are these costumes inappropriate, but Americans in general are spending far too much money on Halloween costumes and accessories, which they could be using for more appropriate endeavors. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American consumer spent $59.06 on Halloween in 2008, up from $48.48 in 2007.

Although Halloween represents a chance to get together with family and friends and have a good time, why can’t we do so without offending or degrading a certain race, sex or age? There are many groups who have concerns about certain Halloween traditions.

For example, some religious groups find it very derogatory that people dress up as demons, ghosts, witches and werewolves.A lot of history is ignited when Halloween is celebrated.

According to History.com, the

“

holiday is a combination of the Celtic pagan ceremony of Samhain, and the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

Because Oct. 31 was the night before the Celtic new year, they believed the night was blurred between the living and the dead, and that the dead returned as ghosts— hence the name All Hallow’s Eve. The lines between the pagan aspects and Christian aspects of Halloween have become grayed over the centuries, but Christians such as Tom McKenny, who founded angelfire.com, said that most Christians don’t forget its origins as a pagan holiday with what they consider demonic undertones.

“I still celebrate Halloween with my friends, but I can see why some religious groups may be against the holiday and why they may be offended if kids and adults are running around in devil costumes,” Palomar student Lisa Gandery said.

Across the country,civil rights groups have complained that hanging ghosts resemble lynch victims. Many people decorate their front yards as mock graveyards and hang skeletons by nooses. What most do not realize is that this not only offends groups of people, but also threatens them.

“I understand why it is a concern to some (people), especially after everything that happens in our world today,” Palomar student Jason Matthewson said.

People should be aware of how public displays and images affect others.Whether it is a certain generation, women or children, Halloween sends out the wrong message.

While none of these groups seek to spoil the fun of Halloween, they do find aspects of it to be dubious, if not derogatory to some.

As college students, we should be directing our attention to more appropriate traditions, so let’s hang up our costumes and pillowcase candy bags once and for all.

These days, the tighter and less fabric you have on, the better. What kind of message does this sendtothechildren?

”

CAYLE LEIPERT THE TELESCOPE

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays, and in many ways, it is just like any other holiday: stores have sales, there is food galore and friends get together.

That doesn’t sound very pagan to me, so when did this traditional holiday become associated with evil?

Adults can let their alter egos out and dress up as super heroes, kids stuff their faces with candy. What other day in of the year can you go to your neighbors’ house and get free candy?

According to H i s t o ry. c o m , Halloween goes back to the 5th century B.C., when the Celtic summer ended and they held a celebration called Samhain to bring in the New Year. The festivities consisted of priests gathering around a bonfire and sacrificing, cooking and eating their crops and animals. Then they would give a piece of the remaining fire embers to each person in the community so households could start a new fire that would last all year. That seems pretty innocent to me.

But by the 4th century, Christians sought to create an alternative to the ghosts, witches and haunted experiences that had become part of Samhain.

They attempted to make the holiday more “holy” by celebrating the lives of Christian saints the day before Halloween. Thus the double standard began.

Nowadays, some Christian families are allowing more innocent costumes to be worn by their children, and many churches hold harvest festivals as an alternative to celeb ra t -

“

ing Halloween. Kids can dress up in biblical costumes and play carnival games.

Halloween isn’t Sunday school and bible lessons — it’s harmless debauchery and indulgence. I didn’t realize free candy and dressing up as a lady bug or ninja was such a hot and debatable issue.

But there are still some extreme religious groups that refuse to celebrate Halloween because of its so-called satanic roots. Too much paranoia can drive a person mad. People need to slow down, have a seat and just relax for a minute.

The world is not going to end if little Johnny sees a girl dressed as a French maid. I say expose kids to the real world now because eventually, they are going to see these things. Kids can not grow up sheltered from other celebrations and cultures.

Diversity and experiencing new things is what makes a person whole.

In America, Halloween is a time to have some much-needed fun. There are no relatives who come into town to visit, and instead of dressing in your nicest outfit for the grandparents, you can remember your favorite fallen celebrities and dress up as Michael Jackson or Billy Mays.

The holiday also has significant meaning in other cultures. In Spain they eat a pastry called Bones of Holy. In the evening, families go to a cemetery to visit deceased family members, keeping a vigil throughout the night.

Italy also has a Halloween pastry called Fave dei morti (Italian for “bones of the dead”). It’s a cookie made with almonds. In Japan they have a celebration called the Obon Festival. Water and food is placed in front of a photo of the dead.Then lanterns are lit and set afloat to light the way of the dead souls back to t h e i r families.

Just because some groups choose not to celebrate the holiday doesn’t mean it is going to disappear.

”

Halloween isn’t all about dressing up in goofy outfits and partying with friends. For many people it is an ancient tradition to memorialize the loved ones they have lost. Just because some groups choose not to celebrate the holiday doesn’t mean it is going to disappear.

JOSEPH BONNET | THE TELESCOPE

FOCUS |

MONDAY, OCT 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

7

Spooky Spots Cool things to do this Halloween whether near or far GRAIANNE WARD THE TELESCOPE

Avoid the party scene this Halloween with some of the best haunts southern California has to offer.

Out Of the WayAttractions Knott's Scary Farm Haunt 2009 For $2000 you can become a Very Important Monster and can have up to six guests get front-of-the-line entry into the mazes and a personal guide with dinner that night, and room to stay in, and breakfast in the morning.

CarnEVIL, The Gauntlet, Ghost Town with 13 new mazes like Lockdown-The Asylum and Jack the Ripper themed Terror of London are sure to frighten your socks off.The six stage shows will be bone chillingly good and all the regular rides will be open.The event goes through Oct. 31.There is a separate admission to Knott's Scary Farm.

Tickets are $53.99 at the gate and, depending on the date, range from $31.99 to $49.99 in advance. Group discounts available. Call 714-220-5163 for info.

8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park Calif.

Halloween Horror Nights Halloween, My Bloody Valentine and Chucky’s funhouse will all be gruesome mazes were guests will be lucky to make it out alive and the Terror Tram will become a life or death battle when they are locked into “The Containment Zone” with flesheating zombies. Zombies, killer dolls and renegade carnies! Oh My! Halloween Horror Nights runs through Oct. 31. Day-of-event tickets are $56.

Advance tickets are discounted and vary according to the event date. Front of line passes are available. "RIP" guided tours are available for $149 and require advance reservations. Call 818-622-5140 for more info.

8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park Calif.

D i s n e y ' s HalloweenTime and Mickey's Trick-orTreat Party This Halloween, Disneyland transforms into “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” providing a

tamer, more family-friendly Halloween alternative. And for big kids, “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” becomes all the spookier as well. This is going on through Nov. 1. Cost is included in Disneyland admission.

1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, Calif.

92802

Ghost Tours Ghostly Limo Tour Prepare for a creepy ride into the Ghostly history of San Diego’s dark and frightening past, via limo. Rated PG-13.

Participants meet at the William Heath Davis House in the Gaslamp at 6:30 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $50 for student and $45 for seniors.

410 Island Avenue, San Diego, Calif.

Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party To enjoy the nightlife at Mickey's Trickor-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure there will be an extra-charge.

There will be live music, trick-or-treat stations, craft-making, activities and other mildly spooky fun for tykes, as well as selected rides and attractions. The attraction is now open and goes through Oct. 31. Tickets are $39 ($42 on Oct. 30 and 31). Discounted advance tickets are available for certain dates.

1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, Calif.

Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain This event will feature six haunted mazes (including Lector’s Slaughterhouse and Escape of the Zombies), three scare zones, including Aftermath Alley, and shows such as Heckles and Twitch.

It has become a Fright Fest tradition to run the wooden coaster, Colossus, backwards, and to run other coasters such as X2 and Tatsu in the dark. Magic Mountain will also offer a more mild "Twick or Tweat" area in Bugs Bunny World with crafts, games, street entertainers and a stage show for younger kids. Visit through Oct. 31, cost is included in Six Flags admission 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, Calif.

Attractions Closer to Home Brick-or-Treat Trail and Brick-or-Treat Party Nights Legoland will be adding some Halloween fun to its regular attractions and shows.

Features will include in-park trick-or-treating on the Brick-or-Treat trail, costume contests for kids, live music and a stage show.

The Trail and Party Nights are going on no through Oct. 31.

Daytime Brick-or-Treat Trail events and Brick-or-Treat Party Nights are included in Legoland admission. The price for the Brick-or-Treat nighttime event alone is $35. Advance discount tickets available online from Legoland.

1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, Calif.

Halloween Spooktacular SeaWorld will present special shows, treats, and family fun at its Grated event now through Nov. 1. Cost is included in SeaWorld admission 500 World Drive, San Diego, Calif.

Park-Wide Balboa Halloween Family Day Balboa Park is the place to be this Halloween for safe, family-friendly adventures as 15 museums open their doors free to children as part of a park-wide Family Day on Oct. 31.

Kids 17 and under will be admitted free of charge with a paid adult admission, and together families c a n enjoy a rich variety of hands-

GRAPHICS BY MCT

on activities, music, performances and special programs, all free with museum admission.

Balboa Park, San Diego, Calif.

Dia De Los Muertos Elaborately decorated hand-made paper cutouts, wood, terra cotta and paper-mâché altars honoring the dead will be displayed in the courtyard of the Bazaar del Mundo Shops and Casa Guadalajara in Old Town San Diego and at Casa de Pico in La Mesa during the annual Celebration through Nov.4. This Hispanic tradition is a time to remember past family and loved ones. Call 619-296-3266 for more info.

Bazaar del Mundo 4133 Taylor Street. San Diego, Calif.

Gaslamp Walking Ghost Tour Internationally Certified Ghost Hunter and Paranormalists, Phinius G. Ashcroft and Herbert Tillinghast take you on a guest through the revitalized Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego.

Participants will stroll under antique streetlights and past brick faced buildings and hear the tales of the men and women that died here ... and never left.

Meeting at the William Heath Davis House located at 4th and Island Ave.Tour starts at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, cost is $10.

410 Island Avenue, San Diego, Calif.

Ghost Tours at the Whaley House Take a tour through America’s Most Haunted House. With a spine chilling, hair prickling experience, may it be from the 9th step or a look through the window where one of the Whaley daughters threw herself out in a failed suicide attempt — or even from the tugs many guests have reported feeling on their clothes as they walked through the home. Tours are $6. For more information call 619-297-7511.

2476 San Diego Ave, San Diego, Calif.

8

| FOCUS

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009

Beautiful hotels, homes and haunted woods are bound to draw the living as well as the dead.

GRAIANNE WARD THE TELESCOPE

it was this curse that has caused many of the urban legends and paranormal activity that has been reported throughout the years. Coincidentally, there are also accounts of native Northern Diegueno Indians who once inhabited this land, dating back 9,000 years.

There are legends of abandoned insane asylums, gigantic owls that come down and swarm on helpless humans, and a witch that marks visitors the first time they enter the forest and if they return will kill them without hesitation.

The El Cortez The El Cortez hotel was opened Thanksgiving day in 1927 and hosted stars, celebrities and even presidents, but by 1981 the grand hotel was no more. It fell into disrepair and anytime before 2000 you could find news of how haunted the El Cortez was.

Thanks to renovations in the early 90’s until 2002 the real estate companies covered up the fact that several bodies were found on several of the top floors after it had been a crack house, drug haven and homeless retreat. There’s said to be a presence of a young boy around the age of six and a woman who may be his mother that may have died in the '80s haunting the place. The El Cortez is now an apartment building, however, so access to go ghost hunting is limited.

The Hunter Steakhouse One installment of Oceanside’s Hunter Steakhouse chain was once the site of the Buena Vista Cemetery, encroaching development made it very profitable to move the graves elsewhere and reuse the land once reserved for the dead. According to the construction crew, not all of the graves were moved and this oversight was covered-up in order to keep the project moving along. Employees sometimes report hearing their names called when alone in a room, witnessing chandeliers and fixtures move without obvious cause, doors slamming, and unexplainable chills. The steakhouse is located at 1221 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054.

The Robinson-Rose House Construction on the Robinson-Rose house was finished in 1853 by successful lawyer Judge James W. Robinson, who died four years later. After his death in 1857, Robinson's widow, Sarah Robinson sold the abode to Louis Rose. A fire destroyed the roof in 1874 and the building fell into ruins by the turn of the century. Other abodes were built on top of the foundation throughout the years.

Judge Robinson and his wife Sarah are said to haunt the abode in the form of cloud vapors, dressed in their 18th century attire, let their footsteps be heard, tug on women’s hair and play with the lights. They are also said to “enjoy an unauthorized ride up and down the elevator on occasion,” as the lifts inexplicably move on their own from time to time. The now-free visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The house is located at 2645 San Diego Avenue, San Diego.

Whaley House Suicide, executions, accidental poisonings and unfinished business — check. All the things needed to make a place haunted the Whaley House has. The Whaley House was doomed to have ghosts wandering its grounds since before the house was built with the execution of Yankee Jim (a man hung for stealing a boat to steal a bigger boat). While walking up the stairs guests have reported feeling a choking sensation just like he did while he slowly suffocated to death because the rope was too long for his tall stature.

Doors opening by themselves, heavy footsteps on the steps, music and singing, children laughing, a crying toddler in an upstairs bedroom, whistling, the smell of cigar smoke, the fragrance of perfume and the wonderful aroma of baking coming from the kitchen are all said to happen in the former theater, courthouse, and store that fell into disrepair and has now been turned into a museum. The cast of ghosts include Yankee Jim, Mr. Whaley himself, Whaley's wife, several unknown apparitions, a little girl, and two of the Whaley's children, one who died from scarlet fever, and the other that committed suicide. The Whaley House is located at the intersection of San Diego Avenue and Harney Street, in the heart of historic "Old Town" San Diego.

El Campo Santo Cemetery El Campo Santo Cemetery was a Catholic Cemetery that was started in 1849. Many early founding San Diegans were buried in this Cemetery. Only 447 graves are now visible even though the land all the way up to Old Town Avenue have bodies buried deep underneath them.

Since 1889 commercial businesses and San Diego Blvd. have rested atop unmarked graves the spirits of the bodies that lie beneath have found a new place visit. Poltergeist phenomena, unexplainable problems with lighting, electrical power, appliances and alarms, apparitions in the graveyard in full dress or half bodied, cars won’t start if parked near the graveyard and spots that will freeze to the bone. El Campo Santo Cemetery, 2400 Block of San Diego Avenue, San Diego, California 92110.

Star of India

ROYNON TILTON | THE TELESCOPE

The Hotel Del Coronado is said to be haunted by the spirit of a jilted lover who was found dead on the step of the hotel one morning in 1892.

Horton Grand Hotel The Horton Grand Hotel is a product of the Brooklyn Hotel and the Grand Horton Hotel being forged together in 1980’s. The hotel was reopened in 1990 a few blocks west of the heart of the renovated Gaslamp (historical red-light) District, rebuilt on the same plot of land where Ida Bailey's original 1880 - 1912 "cat house" once stood, during the wild booming days of San Diego's rapid growth period. Roger Whitaker (a man whose death is up for speculation) haunts room 309 and the hallway where one finds the room. He appears in person, shakes the beds, opens the armoire's doors, turns the lights on and off and moves objects. Sounds of someone playing cards can be heard when the room is locked and vacant. An indentation of a form can be seen on the bed, sometimes just after the maids make the bed. Madam Ida Bailey (who had a brothel on the site before the hotel was built) is said to welcome guests just as she did when she was alive. The hotel can be found at: 311 Island Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

The Star of India, is the oldest, working sailing ship in the country. When John Campbell decided to stow away on the ship as a teenager he had no idea he would be caught and put to work to earn his keep. While tending to the masts (100 feet high) he lost his footing and fell to the deck breaking his legs and dying three days later in extreme pain. The living can feel a cold hand on their shoulder when they’re near John’s mast, possibly a warning not to climb, or to let his presence be known. A Chinese crewman was crushed to death when another crew member brought up the anchor while he was in the area. Since the anchor took up the entire room the man had nowhere to go. There seems to be a constant cold spot in this area often felt by the living along with the smell of bread cooking that can be smelt from the desolate kitchen as well as many other manifestations and many other reasons for the dead to go about their business on the spooky ship.The Star of India sailing ship is docked at the Maritime Museum of San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.

Hotel Del Coronado The Del, as the hotel is known, was built in 1888 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Ask for Kate Morgan’s room, a young woman who in 1892 checked into the Hotel Del Coronado to meet her estranged lover for Thanksgiving. He never arrived to meet her, and a few days later, she was found dead on the hotel steps near the ocean. Since then, guests and staff of the Hotel Del Coronado have noticed strange breezes, ghostly noises and the pale figure of a young lady walking in a black lace dress. Within room 3502, more than 37 abnormal readings were taken by parapsychologists in a single day. Morgan’s also been known to walk with people if they walk near the beach late at night.

Elfin Forest The Elfin Forest was rumored to be inhabited by Gypsies and their social kin at the turn of the 19th century and well into to the 20th century, legend has it that when other natives of the land and citizens of local communities came in and drove off the Gypsies, slaughtering those who stood in their way, the Gypsies cursed the land of and around Elfin Forest. Apparently

ROYNON TILTON | THE TELESCOPE

The Whaley house is an eerie landmark entering Oldtown San Diego.

FOCUS | 9

MONDAY, OCT 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

KARA DONOVAN | THE TELESCOPE

Decorating a home’s front lawn is one of the most ubiquitous Halloween traditions around today. This home in Rancho Bernardo gets into the spirit of the holiday by placing several ceramic pumpkins all over it’s front lawn.

REBECCA LEVIN THE TELESCOPE

The Celtics believed that the night before the start of their new year (Oct. 31), the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead blurred and allowed for the druids (Celtic priests) to see into the future. In honor of this annual event, druids built large bonfires to burn crops and sacrifice animals in.

In lands such as Mexico, Latin America and Spain, a three-day celebration commemorating the dead begins on Oct. 31. The souls of dead family members are believed to come back to earth on this day to see their living family. Traditions such as the burning of candles and incense and the creation of an altar honoring the family member are also very common.

These are only a few of the traditions for a festival that has transcended both geography and time. However, the traditions for all holidays change with the times and Halloween is no exception.

As the holiday moved from continent to

continent, the idea changed until it became the trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples, creepy costume day we all know and love. But, what traditions do San Diegans have for this night of haunts?

The metaphorical list of annual Halloween events in San Diego County is enormous. However, one event doesn’t seem to make the list, but definitely deserves to be on it. For five years, Michele Marr of Oceanside has created an extremely elaborate set up for trickor-treaters who come to her family’s door.

“I’ve always like the mazes at Knott's Berry Farm, so we try to do a mini-version at the house,” Marr said. But one may ask, why go through so much work?

“It’s just a fun time of year…(and) it’s something for the kids to enjoy” Marr said. The house ends up a hot spot for trick-or-treaters each year.

Another avid Halloween lover is trick-or-treater and Palomar College student Maggie Velasquez. “When I was in Kindergarten … we (had) open classrooms and everybody used to go trick-

or-treating,” Velasquez said.

Though in recent years she has gone mostly to watch over her brothers, the excitement of dressing up and getting candy has always been present and was what began her fascination. “My friends used to talk about it all the time,” said Velasquez. “It got me interested.” Of course, there many of ways to celebrate the fright night.

“I usually go out … to the desert,” Shane Kitchens (also a Palomar Student) said, “If I don’t do that, I usually stay up (with my friends) and have a party.”

Kitchens has been keeping this tradition alive for seven years, along with his work friends. “I just kind of joined them, and we just continued it from there on out,” Kitchens said.

When it comes to creepy holiday traditions, the possibilities are almost endless; from elaborate Halloween set-ups in your own front yard to trick-or-treating with family and friends to having creepily themed costume parties with friends. San Diegans truly do love Halloween.

KARA DONOVAN | THE TELESCOPE

Decorations in front of a home in Rancho Bernardo.

Pop culture trends that will be affecting costumes this year ALEJANDRA JACKSON THE TELESCOPE

Halloween is nothing if not a one night wrap-up of the year in pop culture. Sure there are the old standbys like ghosts, hippies and devils but there’s just nothing like dressing up as your favorite hot mess celebrity even if it’s only for one night.

Kate Gosselin Once known for being the slightly harried and overbearing mother of eight on TLC’s “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” Kate Gosselin is now more famous for ignoring her children on live television, trading jabs with her husband in tabloids and for her asymmetrical helmet of hair, luckily some costume designer had the bright idea to recreate the infamous haircut in wig form.

Wear it with oversized sunglasses and a scowl for the perfect look. For added effect get nine friends to follow you around, 8 to play the “plus 8” and one to act as the camera man.

Michael Jackson Sad as it may be, death usually makes people realize what is important and for entertainment artists they are usually bigger in death than they ever were in life. No musician better exemplifies this than the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. From officially licensed jackets, to sequined gloves and gheri-curled wigs, the shelves will

FLORA SILVA | THE TELESCOPE

(Left) Claudia Cruz, of San Marcos Calif. tries on a Kate Gosselin wig at Party City in Escondido. Kate Gosselin is a reality star from the TLC series Jon and Kate Plus 8.

(Right) Following his death, Michael Jackson became a popular costume choice. be packed with enough items to make roaming the streets of San Diego.

Twilight anyone’s “Thriller” fantasies come to This certified teen phenomenon will Halo Master Chief life.

It may be bulky, but the Chief’s definitely be influencing some cosarmor could prove a popular and recog- tumes this year. For the mysterious Star Trek J.J Abrams has done the impossible; nizable costume this year. The latest vampire family, the Cullens, don some he’s actually made it cool for grown installment in the Halo franchises, yellow contacts and plenty of white men to sport elf ears and a bowl cut. Halo 3: ODST, dropped on Sept. 22 and and neutral colored clothing. Complete This year there are sure to be plenty of in just a few short days easily became the look with some Cullen Crest jewelCaptain Kirks, Spocks and Uhuras the highest selling game of September. ry from Hot Topic.

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THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009

Dragons Child Iced Earth

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Who: Land of Talk, Eulogies, Black Mamba Where: The Casbah When: 9 p.m.

Cost: $10

Wednesday, Oct. 28

What: Off the Beaten Path: Vilolence, Women and Art When: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Where: University Art Gallery, UCSD Cost: Free

Thursday, Oct. 29

Who: Culture and Cocktails What: DJ, exotic beverages and art When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: San Diego Museum of Art Cost: $15

Rev 22:20 Pucifer

The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning Smashing Pumpkins She Rides Danzig Voodoo Godsmack H. Tool

Sanctified Nine Inch Nails

What: Halloween Costume Contest and Wine Tasting When: 5p.m.- 9 p.m.

Where: La Costa Wine Company, Carlsbad Cost: $15

FOG (Follower of God) performs onstage at Friday Night Heights in Valley Center. Friday Night Heights is a free concert held every Friday from 6-9pm at the Valley Center Community Center.

Metallica Concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Dec. 10, tickets on sale now. $64.50 ticketmaster.com

Kiss Concert at the San Diego Sports Arena on Nov. 27, tickets on sale now. $15.50-126. ticketmaster.com

Would your band like to be featured in The Telescope?? Email us!! telescope.entertainment@ palomar.edu

Freak on A Leash KoRn Ghosts Ladytron

Lover Boy/ Lover Girl Lords of Acid The Dope Show Marilyn Manson

YVONNE LANOTXFIRSTX XLASTX THE TELESCOPE

Saturday, Oct. 31- Nov. 18

NOW ON SALE

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Phantom Lord Metallica Driven Under Seether

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Stork and Owl T.V. on the Radio

DJ FOG raps to a higher power

Friday, Oct. 30

What: Flesh and Bone: A Halloween Group Art Show Where: Art of Framing, Hillcrest, Adams Avenue Cost: Free

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KEN FARREN | THE TELESCOPE

While many Palomar students listen to hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne or Jay-Z,with their explicit language and talk about sex, drugs, and violence, one Palomar student is rapping about the exact opposite.

Anthony Perez, who goes by the stage name of FOG (Follower of God), is a 26-year-old Palomar student who tries to spread the Gospel through rap while promoting God, instead of himself.

When asked about what influenced him to make his raps, FOG said, “I really appreciate ‘true’ hiphop, the artists that hip-hop, the artists that are real lyrical and have some real content. I started listening to this music back in 1991 or 1992; I was like in the third grade, living in L.A., and just fell in love with the music and culture.”

While many kids and students watch MTV and listen to hip-hop, FOG tried a different approach to rapping, “I feel the need to write about God, because that’s what’s in my heart. That’s the problem with most hiphop today, it’s write about God, because t h a t ’s

what’s in my heart. That’s the problem with most hip-hop today, it’s that people are writing about what they think will sell, or coming up with some AB-C Sesame Street rhymes to make another lame dance song,but it’s all gimmicks,”FOG said through an e-mail.“Real hip-hop is whatever is in your heart, like poetry, but most don’t really know the true essence of this culture.”

In 2004, after many obstacles to get his music career started, he recorded his first LP album called “Spiritual Alliance.”

According to his Web site fog40and40.com, “FOG’s main goal with his music is to bless, those who are believers,with something positive and Godcentered to listen to, and also for those who don’t know the Lord, something to take in through tight rhymes and beats.”

In his song “What U Want,” instead of rapping about violence like many of the rapping artists do, FOG raps about controversial issues like firearms and their negative impact.

“It’s the music that promotes sin and evil that is dangerous. Many of the kids listening to this stuff, start thinking it’s cool to gang-bang, sling rocks, or carry a gun and it ain’t, that life just leads to pain, destruction and, in the end, emptiness,” FOG said.

In his album, he spreads the Gospel through rap.

In each song, he starts with catchy, uplifting beats that pull people in to listen to his music.

“I would say that regardless of what you do or don’t believe in, you should check this out, because it’s real and from the heart. I worked hard to make sure all the beats and songs were different from the next.

There is too much music out there, where the songs all start to sound the same and it gets boring — this CD ain’t like that.”

Ultimately, FOG, who records with many other artists, said, “The reason that I write about God and Jesus is because God is the one who gave me the gift of music and flowing, so I feel it’s only right to glorify him and give credit to the one who gave me the talent.”

ENTERTAINMENT | 11

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

ALEJANDRA JACKSON THE TELESCOPE

Halloween and horror movies go together like candy corn and cavities, but it’s hard to know what to watch.

There are always the classics: “Friday the 13th,” “Halloween,” or “Nightmare on Elm Street” —but who hasn’t seen those a million times? Instead, check out some lesser known horror flicks that just might become the new classics.

Dead Snow “Dead Snow” follows in the wake of the many “sobad-it’s completely-amazing” horror films that have come before it with a premise straight out of fan boy dreams (or nightmares.)

The film follows seven Norwegian medical students as they travel up to their friend’s mountain cabin over Easter break. One night they are approached by a mysterious traveler who informs them of the mountain’s dark past.

During World War II, Nazi soldiers were stationed in the local village were they looted and terrorized the inhabitants.

Eventually the villagers took up arms and drove the Nazi’s out and up into the mountains, were they presumably froze to death.

But as any zombie fan knows, what’s dead doesn’t usually stay dead. From there on all, logic, plot and good sense goes completely out the window and what follows is an hour of senseless blood, gore and one of the most creative use of entrails of any movie in recent memory.

This movie is not for the squeamish or for those who take their zombie flicks too seriously but for the horror movie buff who collects low-budget, B-movies like fine wines; this will certainly be like the 1982 vintage to their collection.

Eden Lake The younger generation is scary and not just because they will probably be the ones defragging our computers or changing our diapers in 50 years. If the news is to be believed, they are violent little terrors who are bringing guns to school and engaging in schoolyard brawls just so they can film it and put it on YouTube and now a film has come along that taps into that fear.

When kindergarten teacher Jenny and her boyfriend Steve decide to go away for a romantic camping trip next to an idyllic lake, they are hell-bent on enjoying themselves, even in the face of a gang of loud and rowdy teens they decide to stay rather than be bullied away.

Unfortunately for the two lovers and especially for Steve, who is planning on proposing, —this group of

kids isn’t about to leave these two.

After the accidental death of one of the teen’s dog at Steve’s hand the nightmare really begins. Steve and Jenny are forced to battle for their lives against an enemy they never saw coming.

“Eden Lake” provides some legitimate thrills and doesn’t bank on blood and special effects to get its message across which is a refreshing change of pace.

The movie also refuses to end on a positive note, the ending of this movie will stick with audiences for days after and leave them looking over their shoulder the next time they pass by a group of teenagers late at night.

Fido There is something inherently wonderful (and kind of wrong) with a movie the opens with asking a group of schoolchildren, “So, how many of you have had to kill a zombie?” Such is the world of “Fido,” a movie that asks audiences to believe in an alternate 1950s era universe were irradiated gas clouds passed over Earth’s atmosphere and brought the dead back from their graves with a hunger for flesh.

What follows is a zombie war (Max Brooks would be so proud) that only ends once a scientist for Zomcom creates a collar that transforms the ravenous killers into docile servants.

Enter the Robinson family that has just gotten their first zombie to avoid being labeled as freaks by the rest of the neighborhood which has long ago jumped on the “zombies-as-pets” bandwagon.

“Fido” isn’t the average zombie movie; this movie is smart, like really smart, something you don’t often see in the recent string of “torture porn” films society had become so enamored with.

“Fido” has a lot of fun smashing ‘50s stereotypes to a pulp and making jaws drop with an implied affair between Mrs. Robinson and her zombie.

Let the Right One In In the all-encompassing media firestorm that was last fall’s release of “Twilight,” it might have been easy to miss another vampire romance, one done with a lot more subtlety and terror than its teen counterpart.

Like “Twilight,” “Let the Right One In” centers around Eli, a hyper-intelligent, super agile teen vampire with moral qualms against drinking blood. Unlike “Twilight,” Eli is 12, a girl, and if she steps out into the sun, she really will burst into flames.

The object of her affection is Oskar, a lonely teen with an apparent fascination with knives and unsolved

RANDY MACK BISHOP | MCT CAMPUS

murders. A match made in heaven.

What this movie lacks in action it makes up in suspense and quiet intensity. It always feels like it’s just about to boil over but it never does.

Even the most gruesome deaths are done with an apparent sense of nonchalance. Take middle-aged housefrau Ginia, who gets attacked by Eli but manages to escape.

One morning she wakes up in the hospital after realizing that she has become a vampire. Rather than live her life as a monster she asks the doctor to open the blinds and then simply bursts into flames. No dramatic music, no build up, just the image of a woman flailing and screaming as she is engulfed.

For two hours “Let the Right One In” creates this tension filled romance against the stark white night of a Swedish winter. The ending could be seen as happy but really it’s just kind of open ended.

The movie never really provides any resolution to how this human-vampire love story is supposed to play out so die-hard romantics need not apply.

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12 | ENTERTAINMENT

MONDAY, OCT.. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Video game ‘Brutal Legend’ suffers from genre confusion NIGEL HARRIS THE TELESCOPE

real-time strategy system. In these sections of the game Eddie commands a heavy metal “Brütal Legend” is the latest army. game from Tim Schafer, featurEddie has to manage a steady ing an all-star voice cast. flow of fans, the games form of The story is about Eddie resource management, in order Riggs, the best roadie to have to summon units. Though he ever lived. Eddie is cast into tries to direct his forces, but another dimension — and they never seem to go where awakes in a heavy metal fan's you want them to. dream world. Eddie The challenge doesdecides he will do bat- VIDEO GAME REVIEW n’t necessarily come tle with all others to from the game play make sure that metal itself, so much as the prevails. controls and an awkThe weapons of ward camera. choice: an ax and a The game also has a guitar, for slashing lot of driving and performing facesequences in it, and melting metal solos. although the game is Brutal Legend Eddie wields his ax mostly medieval, it against General takes the liberty of HHH Lionwhyte, the principroviding you with a ple villan, who represents all hot rod to mob around in. that is glam rock and The voice cast in “Brütal Doviculus.

Legend” is incredible. Eddie is Eddie is not alone in his voiced by Jack Black, with quest; he joins up with Lars appearances from other famous Halford and his small rebellion metal musicians including the to stop the forces or hair-metal. Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Beginning as a hack-and- Osborne. slash action adventure game, Most of the dialogue in the “Legend” features standard game is very clever and wellcombat and copious amounts of written and doesn’t have the blood. Part-way through the problem of being too specific, COURTESY PHOTO campaign, the mechanics of the so players don’t have to have a game shift from a simple action wide knowledge of the history Heavy Metal rocker Eddie Rigges fights against the evil forces of hair-rock. control scheme to a challenging of metal.

‘Da Vinci’ author’s long-awaited sequel proves a disappointment TYPHANIE SHARFNER THE TELESCOPE

“The Lost Symbol”, Dan Brown’s sequel to The Da Vinci Code, is a long-anticipated disappointment. Think M. Knight Shamalan’s “TheHappening”: high expectations for a mediocre follow up.

The Lost Symbol follows Robert Langdon, Symbologist as he tries to find his kidnapped mentor, the prominent Mason Peter Solomon.

Brown’s latest thriller finds Langdon unexpectantly summoned to Washington D.C. DAN BROWN under later what is discovered to be false pretense.

Brown does a wonderfully redundant job at letting the reader know just how unexpected this adventure begins, the synopsis in a macro sense, is the same as in “The Da Vinci Code.”

Langdon unexpectedly gets pulled into an adventure by morbid signs leading the way-— in this case a hand literally pointing the way.

At some point early on, Langdon draws suspicion of a law enforcement official who threatens to arrest him.

Inevitably Langdon is forced to go on the run and “find the truth before it’s too late.“ Of course, there is a lovely damsel in distress who ends up being integral to the story and Brown leads the characters through a maze of symbols, secrets and religion that makes any conspiracy theorist salivate.

Set in Washington, D.C., the American setting is different from “The Da Vinci Code” and for American readers it is nice to learn about some of the mysterious legends associated with U.S. history—for example the Unfinished Pyramid.

Brown defines the Unfinished Pyramid as “Adorning every onedollar bill in circulation, the Unfinished Pyramid waits for its shiny capstone, which hovered above it as a reminder of America’s yet-unfulfilled destiny and the work yet to be done.”

Some of the subject matter is reminiscent of the National

Treasure movies, which leaves the reader feeling the book lacks the credibility of its predecessor.

At times, Brown seems to get trapped in the details of the scenery. This happens so much that it can halt the readers focus and gives the impression of importance to things that are not.

The fast pace and page turning magic from his previous works seem to have been replaced by a history professor’s lecture.

Partially because Brown takes his time setting the scene, which mainly involves the Capitol Building—or partially because Langdon and his love interest, Katherine Solomon, don’t meet up for quite some time, it is not until Chapter 26, which is a little less than halfway through the book, does the pace begin to quicken.

It seems to takes Brown this long to get into the groove, but once there, it’s Brown as expected.

Finally a reader can experience the edge-ofyour-seat action that makes the reader wonder if they are reading a completely different book.

Eventually it does make for a good read, but it’s still essentially “The Da Vinci Code” set in Washington.

Catching up with his earlier novels would be more worthwhile, and definitely don’t pick up a hardback copy of “The Lost Symbol”, wait for it to come out in paperback.

?

To offset some of “Legends” mature content, each cinematic cutscene offers the player an option to cull outcoarse language or the game’s signature gore. Including the content filter opens up “Brütal Legend” to a youger market. Perhaps other game developers should take their lead.

The game’s soundtrack is easily one of its strong points. The music in “Brütal Legend” really sets the atmosphere of a heavy metal world and covers a wide variety within the metal genre, having something that everyone into metal can enjoy.

The game’s visuals are stunning. The characters are easily identifiable as Tim Schafer’s creations but they feel almost as if they have a Tim Burton spin on them. The world, however, seems a bit prohibitively small. Despite the impressive graphics, there are also game play and cutscene inconsistancies, though they are minor issues.

“Brütal Legend” teeters on the rent-or-buy line. It is definitely a humorous game with some cool concepts, but the genre incongruity really takes away from the overall experience. Still, the game is worth checking out if only to get a couple laughs.

‘Onk Bak 2’ Lacks Substance NIGEL HARRIS THE TELESCOPE

“Ong Bak 2” has all the action a viewer could ever want in a movie, but it lacks the substance to be worth the ticket price.

Tony Jaa stars as Tien in “Ong Bak 2,” set in feudal Thailand with a rebellion freshly quelled Tien seeks to avenge his family. Tien proves his worth to the outlaw king, Chernang, who teaches him all aspects of martial arts.

Tony Jaa makes his directorial debut in “Ong Bak 2,” which is really isn’t a sequel besides the same name, and Jaa doesn’t exactly start out on a good foot.

The characters are shallow and require more development. The dialogue, with what little there is, tries too hard to be the driving force of the film’s narrative. It fails to do anything other than provide a laugh.

MOVIE REVIEW “Ong Bak 2” struggles to bring a story together. The film’s antagonist is revealed ‘Ong Bak 2’ too late in the movie, leaving a viewer wonH dering why he or she is watching the movie OUT OF FOUR STARS at all.

STARRING: Tony Jaa, Sorapong The story progresses too slowly for the Chatree, Sarunyu Wongkrachang audience to stay interested. Jaa’s love interRATED: R est might as well not be in the movie with how minor a role she plays.

The film also has a lot of flashbacks, but the flashbacks in “Ong Bak 2” are events that have already been shown, and some of them happen not even a half an hour prior to the scene being shown again.

Had Jaa removed these sections, he might have been able to build the film’s narrative to wipe away some of the confusion.

The cinematography only adds to the confusion. Jaa’s sense of camera work is awful. It’s as if the film’s entire budget was spent on good camera work for the fight scenes and the rest of the movie was an afterthought. The visuals in the film were all about rain and mud in an attempt to give the film a gritty feel.

Instead, it just distracted from what was going on onscreen. The visual cues were heavy handed, focusing on plot points for far too long to make sure the viewer picked up on them.

The film’s climax and resolution come out of nowhere almost as if to dare the audience to ask what just happened.

In contrast to all of the negative aspects, Jaa’s performance shows his diversity in the martial arts. Known for his excellence in Muay Thai, Jaa displays a wide variety of fighting styles, including an incredible show of his weapons knowledge. Jaa’s fight scenes are beautifully choreographed.

The film’s action scenes are elaborate and complex, yet the fights flow seamlessly together and feel almost as if you are watching the actors perform a very unique and complex dance rather than a violent fight. The fight scenes are the only aspect that keeps this movie afloat.

“Ong Bak 2” has a lot of excellent action scenes, and although that is mainly what I am looking for in an action movie, I found myself wanting to fast-forward to only watch the parts where Jaa was ripping out the bad guys’ tracheas.

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

ENTERTAINMENT | 13

DRUMMING AND DANCING ROB HARMELING THE TELESCOPE

Performing arts and cultural diversity have always gone hand in hand, which is why many students are now drumming and dancing to a very old, yet unique beat.

The World Drum and Dance Program at Palomar was founded and developed by Director Patriceann Mead, who came to Palomar in 1997 from New York. Mead said that she has put together one of the most comprehensive World Dance program in Southern California and has incorporated many different dance traditions, including AfroCuban/Brazilian, Middle Eastern, Hawaiian/Tahitian and Spanish Flamenco.

Mead’s World Drum and Dance Ensemble is a culmination of both the Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian drum and dance classes, which celebrate the traditions of the African diaspora brought to Cuba and Brazil during the colonial slave trade.

“The influence of African music and dance traditions within both cultures is what I want to share with the students and is what we celebrate in this class,” Mead said.

The drum and dance classes meet every Wednesday evening in room D-6 in the Performing Arts building, where the students can be seen dancing and drumming to the rhythmic beats unique to their namesake. One noticeable aspect of the classes is the live music and song provided by the drummers and dancers. This oral tradition sets Palomar’s Drum and Dance program apart from other colleges.

“The dances tell stories,” said advanced student Julann Lodge, who has taken both drum and dance classes on and off since 2001.“They are the hot point of my week.”

Lodge added that the classes “provide a musical bridge that students of many ethnic backgrounds can relate to.”

“When students finish the program, they’ve had an opportunity to experience a wide vari-

ety of cultural dance,” Mead said.

In following tradition, the dance students wear colorful Cuban style skirts or Brazilian sarongs. The instruments and costumes are provided to all the students.

In 2005, Mead brought Cuban artist Silfredeo LaO Vigo from Cuba into the program to instruct the drum classes, team teach the Salsa class and co-direct the Ensemble.

Vigo’s classes focus on Cuban Rumba and Franco Haitian as well as Brazilian Samba styles.

Using timbadores, segundos and quintos, which are hand drums better known as congas, the drum class offers a unique opportunity for beginners to play along with advanced students, while giving the advanced students the opportunity to play in the ensemble once their skills are proficient.

Advanced student Robin Adler is particularly fond of LaO Vigo’s style.

“He’s more traditional in the way he passes down instruction,” Adler said. A singer by profession,she is attending her third drum class at Palomar College. She said she hopes to incorporate the style into her own music.

Flight attendant Rene Noga-Shook also takes time out of her busy schedule to attend the drum class. Shook began in the World Dance class but said the drumming was so much fun that she not only enrolled in the drum class herself, but recruited her sister also.

Shook enjoys how the drum patterns go with specific dance rhythms.

“You really lose yourself in the class,” NogaShook said.“The class is a nice break from the world.”

The World Drum and Dance ensemble performs on and off campus at various community events each year. They are also planning a performance in the Palomar Student Union PHOTOS BY DEB HELLMAN| THE TELESCOPE for December.

The World Drum and Dance Ensemble meets every Wednesday evening in the Performing Arts building.

For more information on courses and performances, go to www.palomarperforms.com (click on Faculty, then Patriceann Mead)

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| COMET SPORTS

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009

Matt Christian leads Palomar ROB HARMELING THE TELESCOPE

The Palomar men’s football team owned Wilson Stadium Oct. 7, beating Santa Ana 41-27 and increasing their overall standings to 6-1 for the season.

The Comets took a commanding lead early on, scoring 17 points in the first quarter and 14 in the second, leaving Santa Ana trailing 31-10 at the half.

Quarterback Matt Christian, returning from the injured list games, led the assault completing 17 of 31 passes for 225 yards while rushing for 76 yards on nine keepers. Christian stated he had some grip problems due to the taped hand but said it wasn’t anything he couldn’t play through.

Palomar’s first touchdown came just two minutes into the game following a fumble recovery by Comet Lorenzo Davis, which set up the 17yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Paul Moore.

Davis also rushed for 65 yards and gained 42 yards on kick returns.

Running back Tyresse Jones ran for two touchdowns and 49 yards on eight carries while running back Noel Phillips ran for 65 yards on six carries and had one touchdown.

Wide receiver Javon Reynolds had six receptions for 83 yards.

The Comet’s offense could not take all the credit for the victory, however. The Palomar defense held Santa Ana to only one field goal until the last play of the half, when quarterback Jordan Thomas connected with tight end Mario Pineda for a touchdown.

The Comet defense also recovered two more Santa Ana fumbles, one DEB HELLMAN| THE TELESCOPE by Tyler Seau in the second quarter and the other by Tevin McCaskill Palomar’s Paul Moore (#1) catches a 17-yard touchdown pass while Santa Ana’s Eddie Stowe (#29) tries to deflect the ball on Oct. in the third. Both recoveries led to Palomar touchdowns four plays later.

17 at Wilson stadium. Less than two minutes into the game the Comet’s were on the board in Palomar’s 41-27 win over the Dons.

The Comets final scores of the game came in the third quarter with a 25-yard field goal by Kevin Ditch, his second of the night, and the second touchdown by Jones.

Ditch also kicked five one-pointers after the touchdowns.

The Comets were their own worst enemy in the fourth quarter, inundating themselves with unnecessary penalties, two of which were roughing the passer calls that came on third and long yardage for the Dons. Both penalties gave Santa Ana much needed first downs and helped to set up their last touchdown.

“Things got a little rough in the second half,” Head Coach Joe Early said.

“That last drive they scored on never should have occurred.”

The Comets also had three interference calls and a face mask penalty.

Running Back Tyler Lavea had his game cut short when he tore his MCL (medial collateral ligament). Lavea said he can walk on it but expects to be out for three to six weeks.

DEB HELLMAN| THE TELESCOPE

Quarterback Matt Christian (#5) had 76 rushing yards on Oct.17 against Santa Ana.

COMET SPORTS | 15

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

NEED TO RE-CHARGE

SPORTS ON DECK

Norv Turner’s Chargers are stumbling around without a leader

Wednesday, Oct. 28

MARCIA C. SMITH MCT CAMPUS

MEN’S SOCCER

Norv Turner is a kind fellow, a pleasant man who, right now, might be too calm and congenial to be an NFL coach.

The San Diego Chargers, their season and the remnants of the Super Bowl-bound myth have been collapsing around Turner for six weeks, and he remains kind, pleasant, calm and congenial.

Grace under pressure is necessary for triage nurses, air-traffic controllers and golfers. Not for NFL coaches at the helm of a talented but underperforming team.

If there has ever been a time that Turner should hurl a headset, split a clipboard, punch a tackling dummy, raise his voice or, heck, show an elevated heart rate, it’s now.

His players don’t need an apologist who’s merely aware and concerned about the team’s play. They need an impassioned, fire-breathing coach who preaches accountability and takes responsibility more than he cites the silver linings surrounding their shortcomings.

They need to hear emergency alarms and air-raid horns and not merely what Turner said which was “We’ve got to do better. We’ve BRYON OLLER| MCT all got to play better.”

Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins breaks up a pass intended for San Diego Chargers Vincent His Chargers have stumbled to a record of Jackson during the first quarter, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

2-3. They’ve fallen 3 games behind a newly fumble twice and recovered one, which led to decent Denver Broncos team in the AFC West, placency and imminent concession.

From the outside looking in, the players’ a Matt Prater field goal and a 27-23 Broncos’ making the winning of a fourth consecutive posture reflected that of their coach who fourth-quarter edge. divisional crown unlikely.

Orton, who passed for 83 yards in the first They have the same number of victories spoke to reporters at his Tuesday news conferthis season as Oakland, and the Raiders don’t ence at Chargers Park and said “I thought we half, was sacked only once for a 2-yard loss and finished with 229 yards and two touchhave Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, did a lot of things better than we have.”

Then Turner half-con- downs on a 20-of-29 passing night.

Antonio Gates or Shawne ceded a litany of Chargers’ “We’re not getting the (quarterback) presMerriman.

We’ve got to do errors. A national televi- sure from the outside that we’re used to getGiven the talent at their sion viewing audience, a ting,” said Turner, whose defense ranks 23rd skilled positions, the better. We’ve all got city, 68,615 spectators at in the league and ties for third-lowest in sack Chargers, even with Qualcomm and even life of total (seven). injuries, shouldn’t be lug- to play better.

Mars could have seen the Turner didn’t name names, though that forging around a losing record.

— Norv Turner Chargers’ deficiencies. mer Pro Bowl linebacker Merriman, who had Rightfully frustrated, Head Coach Perhaps this was why 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons (2005-07) Turner used the word and has none this season, comes to mind. the Chargers left the He could have called out former Pro Bowl Qualcomm Stadium field after their Monday “obviously” 10 times in his 21 minutes at the cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who led the night 34-23 defeat to the Denver Broncos with podium.

“That game obviously was a very winnable NFL in interceptions two seasons ago but hastheir heads bowed, their bodies and minds game for us,” said Turner, whose Chargers led, n’t made a pick this season. Or the aging bruised and their shoulders stuck in a shrug.

Confidence had left the building. The only 23-17, in the third quarter even after letting Tomlinson, the former NFL rushing leader passion seemed with the fans, chanting, Denver’s Eddie Royal score a pair of touch- who has gained only 140 yards and had one “Norv’s gotta go!” in the stadium and “Mar-ty, downs on a 93-yard kickoff return and a 71- touchdown through his three games?

Turner “absolutely” believes the Chargers Mar-ty,” for the dispatched former Chargers yard punt return.

The Broncos constantly pressured Rivers at have the talent to win. He also said, “We’re coach Marty Schottenheimer, in the parking quarterback. The Chargers left Denver’s Kyle capable of winning that football game if we go lots.

In the post-game locker room, where you’d Orton alone long enough that he could have out and play as good as we’re capable.”

And who’s in charge of that? expect to see defiance and head battle-cries, booked his flights and hotels for the Pro Bowl.

The Broncos sacked Rivers five times, offiOne name comes to mind. Saying Turner, rested players who had been numbed by the cold comforting compresses of apparent com- cially hurried him five times, forced him to though, wouldn’t be kind.

“

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COMET SPORTS IN BRIEF

WOMEN’S SOCCER Palomar at Grossmont, 1 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Palomar at Imperial Valley, 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30 MEN’S SOCCER MiraCosta at Palomar, 1 p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER Miramar at Palomar, 3 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Palomar at San Diego City College, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31 FOOTBALL Fullerton at Palomar, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 MEN’S SOCCER Palomar at Victor Valley, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 WOMEN’S SOCCER Palomar at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL San Diego Mesa at Palomar, 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 6 WOMEN’S SOCCER

Men’s water polo beats Southwestern at home

Palomar at Cuyamaca, 3:15 p.m.

Wesley Lacroix scored six goals on Oct. 14 as he led Palomar to a 21-16 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory over Southwestern at Wallace Memorial Pool.

Mitch Tenney contributed three goals and five assists for Palomar. P.J. Worthington also had three goals.

The victory moved the Comets to 9-9 on the season and 3-3 in conference play.

Palomar wrestlers finish third at Socal tourney

Palomar won three of four matches on Saturday to take home a third-place finish in the Southern California Community College Dual Match Championships that was held at Palomar.

The Comets defeated West Hills 44-4, beat Rio Hondo 38-9, lost to Cerritos 21-17 and defeated Cuesta 30-10 in the third-place match.

Santa Ana defeated Cerritos 32-6 in the championship match and will face the Northern California champion for the state dual title later in the season.

The Comets’ top wrestler, 157-pounder Clayton Macfarlane, won by fall against West Hills, by fall against Rio Hondo, by 10-2 decision against Cerritos and by technical fall versus Cuesta.

Palomar at Cuyamaca, 1 p.m.

KEVIN WINTER| THE TELESCOPE

Kyle Smethurst (#3) looks to pass in this 21-16 victory over Southwestern at Palomar on Oct. 14.

Baseball players commit to university programs

Palomar baseball players Alfonso Casillas and Scott Myers have made early commitments to the University of the Pacific and the University of Oklahoma, respectively, for the 2011 season.

Casillas, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound sophomore first baseman from Vista Murrieta High

School in Murrieta, led Palomar with a .442 average during the 2009 season, when the 36-13-1 Comets won the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship, advanced to the Super Regional finals and were ranked No. 11 in the nation.

Casillas finished with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 35 RBIs as a freshman and was a first-team all-conference selection, a firstteam CCCAA all-state pick, and a first-team community college All-American.

Myers, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, is a transfer from Saddleback College where he was 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings as a freshman last season. Two years ago at Beckman High School in Irvine, he was 7-3 with six complete games, a 1.51 ERA and 82 strikeouts as a senior.

Soccer Player wins Athlete of the Week

Palomar soccer player, Johnny Topete, who has played a huge role in what so far is a first-place run by the Comets, has been selected Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Men’s Athlete of the Week for all sports.

Topete scored three goals in the week that ended Oct. 18. He tallied two unassisted goals in a 2-2 tie with San Diego Mesa and added a goal in a 3-0 victory over Imperial Valley.

VOLLEYBALL Palomar at Cuyamaca, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7 FOOTBALL Palomar at Orange Coast, 1 p.m.

For updated Comet scores, go to www.the-telescope.com.

Swim Instructors Wanted Instructors $12-19 / hour Customer service $10 /hour Contact Brett at (760) 744-7946

16 | COMET SPORTS

Your sport’s punishment

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Avilez brothers excel, run through the competition

other exercises that prepare the team for their intense meets. Cameron also dedicates an hour every night to Peyton and Eli, B.J. and Justin, strengthening his core.

Serena and Venus: What do these ath“I am training while other people are letes have in common? They are all sib- looking at YouTube,” Cameron said. lings who excel in their respective Alex said that it is not only physical sports. The Manning brothers dominate strength that a runner needs to sucthe gridiron, the Upton brothers rule ceed, but mental strength, as well. Alex the baseball diamond and the Williams dedicates a majority of his time to readsisters command the tennis court. ing. There are many books that respectPalomar has a sibling duo of its own. ed cross-country coaches have written Alex and Cameron Avilez are both rare that Alex studies to improve. While talents that together are leading the Cameron said he doesn’t read as much Comet’s cross-country team to success. about running as his brother, he does The Avilez brothers began running at watch films. a young age. Alex, a 20-year-old sophoAlex said that he and his brother more, started running at age 6. He was progress at the same rate during the seaan influence on his younger brother son. The first race is always the hardest Cameron. Cameron said that he saw for them, but with each race they Alex running and he wanted to be like improve. The first race is also the first him. From this point on, they shared a time in the season where they get to see passion for running. results from their Alex said that they I am training while training. don’t talk very much “It is harder to during practice but other people are looking train during the have mutual respect for o f f - s e a s o n each other when they at YouTube. because you are training. Cameron don’t get to see — Cameron Avilez your hard work said that they somePalomar Cross Country pay times have differences, off,” but running was always Cameron said. a meeting point for them.

Alex and Cameron’s styles in running “We do our own thing in training, but are quite the opposite. Alex is a power we talk about how we are feeling,” Alex runner, and Cameron is a distance runsaid. ner. Alex excels in the shorter disAlex has been the top Palomar runner tance, and Cameron excels in longer in all five of the Comet’s meets this sea- distance. Alex is able to start at a faster son. Cameron has finished in the top pace than Cameron. three for Palomar in the last three Despite the fact that Cameron and meets. Alex’s best time is 20:45 at both Alex have always excelled at running, Brubaker Invite and the Foothill Invite, they have other reasons why they while Cameron’s best is 21:16 at the choose to dedicate so much to crossBrubaker Invite. All of Palomar’s meets country. are four miles long.

“There is a team aspect that is differThis success can be attributed to the ent, even from track-and-field. hard work that the Avilez brothers, as Everyone goes through the same well as the entire cross-country team, intense training together, and everyone put in while training. develops a high respect for each other,” “You just have to do it. Get out there Alex said. “We become close friends.” and train,” Cameron said.

Cameron described the feeling he There is a quote about cross-country gets when he is running, “It’s you verthat states this: “My sport is your sport’s sus yourself. For four miles at 7 in the punishment.” morning, do you have what it takes? It The cross-country team practices feels good.” everyday at 6:50 a.m. These practices Alex plans to attend Cal State Chico consist of four-mile runs at race pace and Cameron is working to attend and 400-meter repeats among many Adams State College in Colorado.

JEREMY LEAL THE TELESCOPE

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

Above: Alex and Cameron Avilez use the stairs to train on a team run on the beach.

Bottom: Alex Avilez finishes his run at the Palomar Invitational that was held at Guajome Park on Sept. 11. Bottom Right: Cameron Avilez picks up the pace at the Palomar Invitational.

DEB HELLMAN| THE TELESCOPE

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DEB HELLMAN| THE TELESCOPE