The Telescope 62.19

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF.

MONDAY, APRIL 20 , 20 09

Top 10 stoner movies

VO L. 62 , NO . 19

Palomar falls short on state accreditation

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You’re safe:

PAGE 9

Despite the call Palomar is atop the Pacific Coast Conference by 3 games.

MAGGIE AVANTS AND MELISSA LERAY THE TELESCOPE

After four days of intense scrutiny by a state accreditation team designed to make sure Palomar students are getting their money’s worth, the team found Palomar has some great programs but also some of the same problems that were noticed five years ago.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges studies each school to determine its eligibility for federal assistance and acceptability of transfer credits, according to www.ed.gov, the U.S. Department of Education’s Web site.

Every college goes through a six-year cycle of continuous institutional review by way of annual reports, annual fiscal reports, midterm reports and comprehenTURN TO ACCREDITATION PAGE 3

ROB BACON | THE TELESCOPE

Palomar College’s third baseman, Matt Hubbard, catches a throw and then appears to tag the runner out but the runner from Mt. San Jacinto is engulfed in a cloud of dust and called safe. The game took place at Myers Field on April 7.

Nursing accreditation in question MELISSA LERAY THE TELESCOPE

Accreditation has Palomar’s nursing program in its sights.

Shoot it down or let it live.

The Governing Board tabled a decision last week as to whether to accept a new nursing degree that is controversial because it eliminates all history requirements.

The nursing department said the new degree meets n a t i o n a l requirements and is essential to keeping the department’s accreditation.

“Nursing does not see why this would not be a win-win situation. Ninety-nine point nine percent of faculty support it,” said Judy Eckhart, Palomar’s nursing program department chair.

The Governing Board room was overflowing, when nursing students, alumni and community supporters filed into the standing room-only meeting. To provide solidarity and

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visual support to speakers, Eckhart and Monika Brannick, the Faculty Senate President.

The item that they were there to show support was the new Associates of Science degree that the Nursing Program has created to appease the nursing program’s accreditation committee, the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission.

A 1999 visit from the commission put the nursing program on — LINDA DUDIK notice that it too Palomar History Professor had many credits for its degree and needed to reduce the credits. Many meetings over the next eight years brought no agreement about what to cut.

In 2007, the commission’s visit found that Palomar was noncompliant and it would risk losing accreditation if it did not reduce the associate’s degree to close to 72 units.

The program got the degree down to 80 units, but commis-

MELISSA LERAY THE TELESCOPE

We are not against the nurses.

”

OPINION

Legal pot could reduce border crime PAGE 4

Debate team wins awards

ROB BACON | THE TELESCOPE

More than 200 nursing students crowded into the Governing Board Room to show support for a new degree that will keep nursing accredited. sion said it was still too much, so the college created an associates of science degree that is 74 units. The six units cut were all history classes.

Before Eckhart and Brannick spoke, Palomar history professor Linda Dudik addressed the board to voice her concern that Palomar would be offering a degree that does not require any his-

tory education.

“We are not against the nurses,” said Dudik but added that she wants to maintain the standard instead of cutting history credits.

She said her concern stems from the fact that she and other history and American government faculty were given only 48 hours notice of the new A.S. degree.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘State of Play’ deals with changing press PAGE 6

Palomar College’s debate team won six medals from the Phi Rho Pi National Championships held in Portland,Ore., April 3rd to the 12th.

The championship is the longest tournament in the U.S. for both four-year and two-year colleges, according to Brandan Whearty, Palomar professor and one of the debate coaches.

The speech-forensic competitive season runs from August to April each year.

Competitions have four categories: Debate, Short Prepared, Interpretive, and Memorized.

The Debate-Parliament category saw the duo Alyssa Sambor and Derek Fritz taking silver.

In the Short PreparedImpromptu category Fritz took bronze. And the Interpretive-Prose category had Caitlin Teasdale taking bronze.

Brianna Roecks took silver in Memorized-Informative and Fritz received bronze in the same category.

Palomar’s debate team will be holding an intramural competition open to all Speech 100 and 105 students on April 25 and 26.

If students would like to be a part of the debate team, they may email Whearty at bwhearty@palomar.edu.

SPORTS

Comets upset No. 1 Orange Coast PAGE 14

2 | CAMPUS BEAT

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

CAMPUS CALENDAR

Career Awareness workshops offered

Trying to get started in that new career you’re studying for?

Get a head start by attending Palomar College’s Career Awareness Month’s workshops, which are being held in the Student Services Center (SSC-1) building this month.

With three April workshops left, the college’s Career Service Center is encouraging all students seeking employment to attend the workshops to help prepare for a career fair set for May 13.

The following workshops will be presented: • April 21: Effective Interviewing Preparation 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

•April 28: Displaced Workers 40’s, 50’s and 60’s 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

•April 28: Addressing Employment Issues and Answers for an Ex-Offender Population.

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Palomar’s Career Services are available to all Palomar students, staff and community members and offer resources such as an up-to-date computer lab,a career search data base as well as a career library and job search tools.

The Career Center staff is ready to assist all eligible persons with their career and educational needs. If students have additional questions, they may call (760) 744-1150, ext. 8157.

Tuesday, April 21 CAREER AWARENESS Effective Interviewing Preparation, a free workshop offered by the Career Services Center, will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Services Center Governing Board Room. This event is open to students, community members, faculty and staff.

FILM SERIES Palomar College’s Communication Department’s Cinema Program film of the week, “Reprise” (Norway, 2006), will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in room P-32.

Directed by Joachim Trier, it is about a pair of writers that find out life is not at all like fiction. The film is in Norwegian, but it is subtitled.

Wednesday, April 22 EARTH DAY Palomar College’s Inter Club Council is sponsoring an Earth Day event from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Quad.

Free SAT and ACT practice tests The Princeton Review has scheduled National Testing Day on Saturday, April 25, when teens nationwide can experience fulllength practice tests for SATs and ACTs and receive detailed score analysis.

The testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at both University of California San Diego in La Jolla or Rancho Bernardo High School.

The testing and score analysis are free and the results will be mailed to the student in 10 days.

Parents can also set up meetings with an expert to explain the scores to them.The test is offered to all high school students but space is limited and reservations are required.

Community college students who have already graduated from high school don’t need to take the tests again because they get automatic entry into a four-year college when they graduate.

The real test costs $45 while these tests are free. Aside from saving money, the practice tests help students become familiar with the test format, pacing, question types and physical and mental demands of the SAT and ACT. Since virtually all colleges accept the ACT some students may take both tests to produce the best results.

For more information, call (800) 2-REVIEW.

Find out more about financial aid Nearly every student worries about how they are going to pay for college but some may be unaware of the resources available to them.

Palomar College’s Financial Aid Department is offering opportunities to put that worry to rest with a financial aid and Free Application for Federal Student Aid workshop at 4 p.m. on May 4. The workshop will be held in the Student Services Center Governing Board Room (SSC-1).

The object of the workshop is to instruct current and new students on what FAFSA is, what is required for qualification, what different types of aid are available and how to fill out a FASFA form. It will also provide an overview for students about how Palomar College’s Financial Aid Department operates.

Patti Serafin, one of Palomar College’s financial aid specialists, said that the workshops will help prepare students for the next school year as well as explain the qualifications required to qualify for Cal Grants, Pell Grants and student loans and how to narrow the gap between government calculations and family contributions.

If students need more information concern-

CAMPUS EXPLORATIONS “Supply Chain Management: Pros and Cons of Globalization” will be presented by Pat Lupica, a Palomar Business Faculty, from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. in room P-32.

Planting muscles

COURTESY PHOTO|MCT CAMPUS

CONCERT HOUR

Jim Karas, of Personal Training, in Chicago, demonstrates exercise techniques in the garden. Picking up flats of flowers to plant is the equivalent of doing a squat with dumbbells. ing the workshop, contact Patti Serafin at (760) 744-1150, ext 3110, or visit palomar.edu/financial aid.

Filbeck at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2812 or e-mail him at rfilbeck@palomar.edu.

prevention Volunteers needed Assault workshops held for Arboretum day April is Sexual Assault Prevention Month and Grab your rake and shovel and join other volunteers at the Palomar College’s eighth annual Arboretum Beautification Day from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. April 25.

The celebration starts at the Arboretum Friendship Pavilion east of Comet Circle with coffee and donuts. Then there will be a lunch break featuring a sausage barbecue at noon for all volunteers.

According to the Palomar College Web site, palomar.edu/arboretum, the goal is to celebrate Arbor Day by revitalizing the college’s nature preserve.

All volunteers are asked to R.S.V.P. to Russ Filbeck by 4 p.m. April 23.

For more information about the Arboretum Beautification Day please call Professor

Police Blotter

Palomar is holding two workshops from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 21 in Room SU-18 and the second workshop is from 1 p.m.to 3 p.m.on April 22 in Room B-1.

As studies show that one in four female students will be sexually assaulted during their college careers, women should be aware of the dangers they face.

The workshops will include a brief overview of the history and statistics, and a discussion of the Rape Aggression Defense Class that is offered on campus and discuss possible dangerous scenarios and the resources available to those who have been assaulted.

For more information or to register, contact Karen Boguta of the Campus Police at (760) 744-1150, ext. 3977 or kboguta@palomar.edu.

taining $600. If you have any information on the theft call campus police at (760) 7441150, ext. 2289

Auto Theft

Drunk in Class On April 4 a Palomar student allegedly came to class in the E Building intoxicated.

The student was referred to Student Affairs.

Grand Theft On April 8 a woman visiting the school left her purse unattended in the P Building and it was stolen. Her wallet was reported as con-

Thursday,April 23

On April 14 a 2001 Saturn was stolen from Lot 12. If you have any information on the theft call campus police at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2289

Alcohol Possession A group of people were allegedly seen with open alcoholic containers in Lot 12 on April 14. Campus Police were called, but the alleged offenders were gone before the police arrived.

Janet Hammer and Nathan Fry, a long-time vocal duo from San Diego, will perform a variety of jazz standards from the 1930s and 1940s. Concert Hour is held at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday in Performance Lab D-10. It is free to the public.

LUNCHTIME MOVIE OF THE WEEK The Earth, Space and Aviation Sciences and Geoscience Connection continues it lunchtime film series with “Farming of the Seas.”

It will be shown from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room NS-125. Viewers may bring their lunch, or enjoy some of the free popcorn that will be offered.

Friday, April 24 MULTICULTURAL FILM SERIES The Multicultural Studies Department’s Cine Club presents “Gandhi” as their April film of the month.

Based on the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, it will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in room P-32.

Refreshments will be provided, and student parking lots 1 and 2 (main entrance) are available for this event.

ANGELS IN AMERICA Palomar Performing Arts Department presents “Angels in America Part I: Millennium Approaches” from April 17-26. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and Thursdays at 4 p.m.

What’s up?

Do you know something we should cover? 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.

CAMPUS WEATHER

Thursday, April 23

Friday, April 24

Saturday, April 25

Sunday, April 26

83˚/53˚

76˚/52˚

72˚/50˚

76˚/51˚

77˚/52˚

SUNNY

MOSTLY SUNNY

SUNNY

SUNNY

Monday, April 20

Tuesday, April 21

Wednesday, April 22

83˚/54˚

83˚/54˚

SUNNY

SUNNY

SUNNY

NEWS | 3

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

ACCREDITATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

sive institutional self study and an evaluation review, which is what Palomar College had during the second week in March.

“In California, this is the highest type of accreditation you can get,” said Rose Marie Dishman, a Palomar College governing board member, “This is a big accreditation.”

If Palomar fails the test and loses its accreditation, all classes become nontransferable for the school’s 33,000 students. Palomar won’t have a final answer on whether they passed until June.

“Over the last five years we’ve never hired less than 25 percent from underrepresented groups,” Deegan said. “In my first year of hiring, we hired nearly 40 percent of historically underrepresented groups. We’ll continue to work at that and see if there are things we can do to even improve on those numbers.”

As for the code of ethics, the governing board already has one in place, the college just needs to make sure that each constituent group on campus has one as well, he said.The college also is developing its structures for assessing student learning outcomes.

What students think

Students said they expect Palomar to pass accreditation every time.

“We don’t pay to make it better. The school What Palomar is doing right The college’s Early Acceptance Program, should be at the standard we need for stuwhich reaches out to local high school stu- dents to transfer,” said Palomar student dents, drew praise from the team, even going Patrick Pearce.

Other student said they as far as to say that it weren’t aware of the checksshould be used as a and-balances system. “I model for other colknew we were accredited, leges, Dishman said. but I never really thought Dr. Steven Kinsella, that they had reviews,” said site visit chair and Palomar student Alex Key. superintendent/presiSome students would like dent of Gavilan College, also com— PATRICK PEARCE to be informed with the mended Palomar on Palomar Student accreditation team’s recommendations by e-mail or the health and safety of its facilities, and said that the team was other means on campus.

Palomar student Tyler Voth said, “I don’t impressed with the college’s use of the Hispanic grant to expand the Escondido think we (students) need to know specifics,” but he does think that if students want more Education Complex. information, it should be available for them.

Pearce said, “Preferably in order to make What Palomar needs to work on Of the several recommendations the team my school a better place. It (the teams recomgave in considering Palomar’s application for mendations) should be posted somewhere accreditation renewal were student learning other than the Internet.” outcomes, code of ethics, more diversity in What happens now? faculty and a better connection with its planPalomar officials are waiting for a letter ning and budget.

“Student learning outcomes is really the from the accrediting team that will formally mantra right now in accreditation,” Dishman outline the recommendations to the college, said. “It is taking teacher A and teacher B, and will give Palomar 10 days to respond with and comparing how they teach as well as how supporting documentation on how the colthe students learn. Do the students transfer, lege is working on addressing these issues.

For the most part, the administration seems or do they drop out?”

But student learning outcomes, faculty hopeful that things will go well, but they diversity and the need for equipment replace- won’t know anything solid on Palomar’s ment are not new issues for Palomar. accreditation renewal until June, which is According to a letter received on June 30, when the accrediting commission will hold its 2003, following the college’s last accreditation semi-annual meeting to review college underreview, these same issues were raised. At that going accreditation.

“I’m just encouraging us all to look at this time, they were given two years to send a as a coaching/consulting opportunity,” said progress report to the commission.

Palomar College President Robert Deegan, Governing Board Member Michelle Nelson. who was hired shortly after the last accredita- “They came here and looked at us with fresh tion said Palomar staff is working on that eyes, and we’ve looked at ourselves and made certain we are on the right track.” issue.

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The school should be at the standard we need to transfer.

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United now requires obese passengers to buy second ticket JULIE JOHNSSON MCT CAMPUS

United Airlines may bump severely overweight passengers from sold-out flights.

Starting Wednesday, passengers who are too large to fit comfortably in a coach seat will be required to buy a second ticket or upgrade to business class, where seats are larger, if United’s flight attendants can’t find two open seats for them.

The Chicago-based carrier said it decided to adopt the tougher policy after receiving more than 700 complaints last year from passengers “who did not have a comfortable flight because the person next to them infringed on their seat,” spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.

Most U.S. airlines spell out similar rules in a legal document called the “contract of carriage” that establishes services and charges for flights, airline analysts said.

Southwest Airlines requires passengers who can’t comfortably lower their armrests to purchase tickets for two adjacent seats. Southwest will refund the cost of the second seat if a flight isn’t sold out.

Although the policy has been on Southwest’s books for a quarter-century, the low-cost carrier faced widespread backlash when it reminded consumers of its standards for larger passengers in 2002, as Southwest switched from plastic boarding cards to electronic tickets.

Southwest still gets plenty of mail on the issue, said spokeswoman Brandy King. But the upset customers are likelier to be passengers who feel they didn’t have enough room on a flight.

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Passenger issues of weight and proximity have become more sensitive in recent years as flights have become fuller. But as airlines adopt or toughen policies for obese passengers, some question how they can enforce such measures fairly.

“How do you eyeball someone and decide they’re not going to fit?” said aviation consultant Robert Mann, president of R.W. Mann & Co. “From a knees-to-seatback perspective, I don’t fit. I’m 6 feet 4 inches.

“It’s reached the point where it’s essentially impossible to sit in coach and have the person in front of you recline.”

United’s flight attendants, who will have the delicate task of enforcing the new policy, have traditionally sought to accommodate, free of charge, passengers who spill over their seats.

That hasn’t changed.

“We’ll first try to reaccommodate you on another seat on the flight,” Urbanski said. “If the flight is full, and that’s not often the case these days, you’ll be bumped from the flight.”

If this occurs, passengers will be forced to either find a flight with open seating or be required to buy two seats or an upgrade to a class of service with wide seats.

United said it will waive fees it would normally charge for chang— Robert Mann ing travel plans. If Aviation Consultant seating is not available and a passenger decides not to travel, the ticket will be refunded without any penalty, even if it is a non-refundable ticket.

The new policy for United, the thirdlargest carrier, is effective for tickets purchased on or after March 4, for travel on or after April 15.

It’s essentially impossible to sit in coach and have the peron in front of you recline.

”

4

| OPINION

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

OUR VIEWPOINT

Palomar’s accreditation may be at risk, yet no one cares Palomar students don’t know or care nearly enough about accreditation. And Palomar officials aren’t doing their part entirely, either: The school’s accreditation may be in danger, largely because the administration has failed to address issues they’ve been warned about for six years.

If a college loses its accreditation, students would no longer have access to federal and state grants and loans, and the school would not be able to receive state funds for operating.

And more significantly, those transfer credits students have accumulated will no longer be transferable.

According to the Council for Higher Education’s Web site, “Accreditation is the primary ‘reliable authority’ for federal and state government funding for higher education.”

Accreditation is a voluntary process, and colleges wishing to be accredited must go through it once every six years. During those six years, however, colleges must also submit a midterm report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

The last time that Palomar College underwent accreditation in was in 2003, and while it passed accreditation, it did not go without receiving recommendations for areas of improvement.

One of the major areas that Palomar was asked to improve in was by creating a process to measure student learning outcomes.

Three years later, in its midterm report to ACCJC, Palomar stated it had “taken the first step in formally recording the methods by which student learning outcomes are measured and student success is achieved,” and that they were “preparing the ground for truly formative change.”

Now, in 2009 as Palomar is undergoing another formal accreditation review, it has become painfully obvious that the college may not have made enough progress in this area to warrant a passing grade from the commission.

During the recent site visit from ACCJC, it was recommended that Palomar continue to work on its student learning outcomes. After all, it has had six years to create and maintain a process, and it has yet to do so. “First steps” and “preparing the ground” are not the same thing as making sure that a system is in place to measure how well students are being taught.

Aside from its lack of measurable student learning outcomes, the accrediting team also pointed out that Palomar needs to strive for more diversity in its faculty and staff. A quick look back at the recommendation letter from 2003 and the midterm report from 2006 will show that this is also not a new issue.

Now what?

Palomar waits.

The next step in the process is a report from ACCJC to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), which will then convene in July at its semiannual meeting, where members will decide whether to accredit Palomar.

The hang up is that ACCJC, as of this paper’s print time, has yet to send the report to Palomar — and as far as we know, the NACIQI has not received it either.

When ACCJC sends the report to Palomar, Palomar can then respond to the recommendations put forth and try and prove to NACIQI that Palomar deserves to keep its accreditation.

Had more progress been made through the last six years in the areas of questions there would likely not be as much anxiety among staff and the administration as to the question of Palomar’s accreditation. But there simply was not enough progress toward Palomar’s problem areas to alleviate this worry.

So every day ACCJC delays releasing their report, it creates more of a question as to “Why are they delaying it?”

That question will hang there, and not be officially answered until the report is received.

Palomar students’ future existence will not be answered until July, so the limbo will hold. In the final outcome, will Palomar’s failure to fully meet up to the recommendations of 2003 come back to bite itself in the butt?

That would be unfortunate, but the administrators might need that kind of wake-up call.

MONDAY APRIL 20, 2009

JOSEPH BONNET | THE TELESCOPE

Decriminalize marijuana, stop the cartels SARA BURBIDGE THE TELESCOPE

If the United States decriminalized marijuana, the majority of the Mexican cartels’ funding could dry up, effectively stopping much of the violence in our southern borders.

Seventy percent — or $38 billion — in profit is going to the Mexican drug cartels from the sale of marijuana.

While legalization, which would not only make pot legal but also regulate and tax the drug, is the better policy, decriminalization, which reduces the criminal penalties, would be a good compromise.

In turn, it might create better relations between the United States and Mexico.

The violence crossing over the border proves we live in a global community. By decriminalizing marijuana, crime rates might drop and people on both sides of the border might not have to live in fear any longer.

If the drug cartels weren’t able to operate it might give the Mexican people a chance to invest in their own country and create better lives there.

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

EDITOR IN CHIEF | CRYSTAL EVANS NEWS EDITOR | MELISSA LERAY ASST. NEWS EDITOR | MAGGIE AVANTS OPINION EDITOR | ERIC WALKER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR | ALEJANDRA JACKSON FOCUS EDITOR | KELLEY FOYT SPORTS EDITOR | JARRED POWELL PHOTO EDITOR | ROBERT BACON

VOLUME 63 NUMBER 20

COPY EDITOR | ERIC WALKER AD MANAGER | CRYSTAL EVANS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER | KEVIN THOMPSON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT | CHARLES STEINMAN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT | MATT NULL ONLINE EDITOR | ANTHONY SCHWARTZ JOURNALISM ADVISER | ERIN HIRO 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.

Not only would decriminalization reduce violence but it would pump $27 million back into the economy, even without legalizing marijuana.

A recent announcement by Attorney General Eric Holder saying the federal Drug Enforcement Agency will no longer bust medical marijuana dispensaries leads one to think the current administration will have a more open drug policy. It may not legalize marijuana but at least decriminalize the drug.

Legalization won’t happen anytime soon. But in 20 to 30 years, when our generation is in power, a larger percentage of people will

POLLING PALOMAR

have gotten used to the idea of legalization and will have tried pot.

Regulation and taxation would create jobs and the money the federal government is spending on marijuana busts could be put toward better causes, like education.

The government taxes all kinds of things. If you want to smoke up your brain cells that’s your business.

It’s not the government’s job to mandate what is good or bad for a citizen.

If that was the case, alcohol, tobacco and tanning beds would be illegal.

How do you feel about legalizing marijuana?

• • • •

All for it For medicinal use only Against it Undecided/no opinion

To participate in polls, go to www.the-telescope.com.

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 | SARA BURBIDGE, HEATHER CAMERON, PAT CUBEL, SHOKO HACHIYA, MELISSA SHANTE, SHAUN KAHMANN, BARBARA ANN MAC LAREN, CHRIS MEYER, CASEY OLAYA, TYPHANIE SHARFNER, JAVIER TOVAR, LESETTE TUNNELL, KARA VERMEULEN, MATT WADLEIGH, GRAIANNE WARD, ROBIN WITT STAFF CARTOONISTS | JOSEPH BONNET

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS | PAT CUBEL, CIARA KEITH

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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MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

OPINION | 5

SPEAK OUT!

Do you believe that marijuana should be legalized for recreation?

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Got a problem? Auntie G can help!

Dating, money, school — she’ll answer any and all reader-submitted questions here.

No one should have the right to say what I can put in my body. It’s a beautiful plant.

Send your questions to askauntgertie@aol.com.

Dear Aunt Gertrude:

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— Benjamin Outland,philosophy

I broke up with my boyfriend about a year ago and have only gone out a handful of times.

The reason is there are just no nice guys. I just think it might be nice if a guy opened a door or wondered how my day went or even cared what I thought, but all of the guys I have gone out with are self-centered, overbearing and, in at least one case, rude.

What am I doing wrong? Where are the nice guys?

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If it does get legalized, people might abuse it. I’m in between.

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—Adrian Missier,economics

Lonely and Perplexed

Dear Lonely:

Yours is a complaint I hear all too often. Why are there no nice guys? The simple answer is there is no shortage of nice guys — there is a shortage of nice guys with leading man looks and Bill Gates wallets. You want a nice guy? They are all around you! Instead of going for physical attraction try going for good manners, a brain and the ability to carry on a conversation. These are the guys who will swim through a pool of sharks to bring you a cold drink on a hot day, the guys who will be there for you, who appreciate you: and isn't that the definition of a “nice guy?”

Dear Aunt Gertrude:

I am fat. I have been fat all my life. I have tried every kind of diet you can think of. Exercise every day and I am still fat. I am tired of being told that my being fat is a choice or a character flaw. It is really getting to me.

I hate those people who giggle behind my back as if the fat stops up my ears and I can't hear their cruel remarks. I am 5 feet 4 inches and weigh 310 pounds.

I hate my life. I am afraid if I don’t do something this weight will kill me.

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There aren’t many good reasons for it not to be legal in the first place.

There are worse drugs out there.

“

”

—David Zarra,English

It’s been proven that it causes psychosis. We have enough problems with alcohol. I do believe it leads to other drugs.

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— Diedre Harshbarger,English

Two Ton Tess

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Dear Tess:

I feel for you.

You are, by even the most liberal of definitions, morbidly obese. If you don't do something about it the fat can kill you.

Fat people suffer open discrimination all the time. Face it: People are generally not empathetic and enjoy making fun of someone they consider to be beneath them. It’s just the way things are. in your case I am afraid the answer may be medical. See a weight specialist there are a number of procedures that can help Gastric Bypass being the most radical or the laprascopic band.

The latter is an outpatient procedure that leads to a gradual but safe weight loss.

In the first month or two you lose about five pounds a month: Because of the band you physically can’t over eat without getting ill. But the band does not do everything.

You have to make a commitment to exercise, not eating between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., staying away from empty calories like soft drinks, candy and desserts.

In any case, there is no easy solution, but if you have the facts and make the commitment, there is hope.

Just remember: That beautiful blonde making fun of you today with be another gray-haired old wrinkled hag in 20 years.

I’m for medicinal purposes, not for recreation.

It should have limitations.

”

— Lindsay Barth,communication

“

I can’t agree. When I see people who use marijuana I get scared. They look different.

”

—Asami Iryo,undecided

The first car that is actually good for the environment MARK NOTARIAN THE TELESCOPE

Honda has fired the first shot in a new green revolution with the Clarity, which is the first zero-pollution hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to the public.

Clarity uses a chemical reaction combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power the electric engine. The exhaust is water. Honda’s patented fuel cell stack technology uses gravity to remove the water and actually makes the system even more efficient.

The result is a power plant that is three times as efficient as a conventional gas-powered car, twice as efficient as a hybrid, but still small enough to allow the

comfort and room American drivers and passengers expect.

The car itself is a sleek, fourdoor sedan with futuristic styling both inside and out, and tracking headlamps to improve driver visibility.

The car also has a high-tech instrument panel that not only gives you the normal readout but a glowing ball in the center of the speedometer that turns from blue when the car is being driven efficiently for optimum mileage to orange when you are using more power than you should be.

The attribute that makes this car really notable is how similar it is to a gas-powered car. Electric cars, though fast, quiet and nonpolluting, have four inherent disadvantages that the Clarity does not.

Even the best batteries will only get you a range of 150 miles, less if you have a heavy foot. In comparison, the Clarity gets 250 miles.

Batteries are heavy. The Tesla, which is an electric sports car built in San Jose, has a curb weight of just under a ton, and 992 pounds of that weight are the batteries — the weight makes handling a bit unbalanced.

Clarity’s fuel cell stack is small enough not to affect the handling, and enables the car to have a balanced weight ratio and more cabin space.

A battery’s life is five years at best, at which time the old batteries have to be replaced with new batteries and the old batteries, which are highly toxic, have to be discarded.

Clarity has one 12-volt battery as backup for the onboard electronics.

The Tesla takes over three hours to recharge — and that is only if you have Tesla’s special 210-volt connection for the car.

With conventional 110-volt batteries, a charge could take up to eight hours, while the Clarity’s fuel cell can be filled with hydrogen in about the time it takes to fill a conventional car.

Oddly this is the sticking point Detroit has had about Hydrogen fuel cells.There are very few corner hydrogen stations. There is very little hydrogen infrastructure.

Detroit is working on some interesting fuel cell projects, but is years behind the Japanese.

Honda is aware of the infrastruc-

ture problem but has set about solving it in a unique way: a home solar electric power hydrogen production system that makes the hydrogen to power your Clarity and a fuel cell that powers your home.

The Clarity FCX (Fuel Cell Experiment) will be “real-life“ tested here in Southern California, the nation’s largest automotive market. Two hundred of the cars will be leased and monitored in Southern California.

Much like the EV1 General Motors Electric car, Honda will own all the Claritys and at the end of the lease will take possession and do detailed study of the FCX in hopes of producing a second generation Clarity for mass release in about five years.

6

| ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT’S HAPPENING Monday,April 20 Who: Lykke Li w/ Afternoons and DJ Gabe Vega What: Indie Where: Belly Up Cost: $16-18 More info: www.bellyup.com

Monday,April 20 Who: Hillsong United What: Christian Rock Where: Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Cost: $20-25 More info: www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

Tuesday,April 21 Who: UB40 w/ The Devastators What: Reggae/ Roots/ Funk Where: Belly Up Cost: $75-80 More info: www.bellyup.com

Thursday,April 23 Who: Queensryche What: Heavy Metal/ Progressive Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $39.50-72.50 More info: (619) 200 BLUE

Friday,April 24 Who: The Devil Wears Prada w/ A Day To Remember, Sky Eats Airplane and Emarosa What: Christian/ Hardcore/ Metal Where: Soma Cost: $15 More info: www.somasd.com

Saturday,April 25 Who: Matt Costa w/ The 88 and Mothers Sons What: Indie/ Folk Where: House of Blues Anaheim Cost: $17.50-20 More info: (714) 778 BLUE

Saturday,April 25 Who: Pateon Rococo w/ Skalavera, Cabeza de Gallo and Quinto Sol What: Ska/ Latin Rock Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $22.50-$45 More info: (619) 299 BLUE

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

‘State of Play’ tackles issues ROGER MOORE MCT CAMPUS

As dense as a Watergate era newspaper and as immediate as a blog, “State of Play” is an absolutely riveting state-of-theart “big conspiracy” thriller.

It’s an often brilliant collision of political scandal, murder, a privatizing military and the rapidly evolving journalism that may (or may not) remain democracy’s watchdog once newspapers, “instant history,” are rendered history by a culture that has abandoned them.

An all-star cast headed by Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck Americanizes (somewhat) and gives the Hollywood touch to what began life as a terrific BBC-TV thriller in 2003.

It’s the story of a scruffy but accomplished reporter (Crowe) using and protecting his college roommate (Affleck), now a congressman, when the House member’s secret girlfriend mysteriously dies and scandal erupts.

Reporter Cal suspects there’s more to this death than a simple D.C. subway suicide.

His rattled onetime pal, Congressman Collins, seems to catch on, too.

Maybe this Blackwater-ish defense contractor that is being investigated by Collins is to blame.

Cal reluctantly brings in the Washington Globe’s fresh-faced and snarky new political blogger (Rachel McAdams) on the story.

“I’m just trying to help you get a few facts in the mix the next time you upchuck online.”

The veteran reporter forgets his ethics as he digs for his friend and sees connections between the subway suicide and a murdered pickpocket.

The blogger struggles to learn basic legwork of reporting on a story that has murderous implications.

COURTESY PHOTO

Newspaper editor Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren, left) questions reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) in a blistering political thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders, "State of Play."

Robin Wright Penn is the wife wronged by the affair, Jeff Daniels is the political heavyweight struggling to do damage control and Helen Mirren is the feisty editor (Bill Nighy played the role on TV) who curses and demands a story “before it’s ready.”

“State of Play” is an embarrassment of acting riches, with Oscar nominee Viola Davis having a one-scene cameo as a coroner, Jason Bateman making a brief, pivotal appearance and Harry Lennox as that most hardboiled of hard-boiled cops.

“Who do you think I am, Bambi’s baby brother?”

In condensing the British

series (set in London at Parliament) into a compact two hours, some of the political flavor is lost and some of the surprises, frankly, spoiled, revealed abruptly.

But the charismatic cast, brisk pacing and snappy dialogue (writers Billy Ray, Matthew Carnahan and Tony Gilroy are credited) mask some of those shortcomings.

Crowe makes his character the life of the piece, quick-witted, sarcastic, bluff and smart.

But is Cal as smart as he thinks?

“State of Play” is a puzzle picture, all too ready to take us down one primrose path only to trip us and make us consider

another. And then another.

The last of those misdirections seems unnecessary, but director K e v i n MOVIE REVIEW Macdonald ‘State Of Play’ (“The Last King of HHHH OUT OF FOUR STARS Scotland”) keeps the STARRING: Russell Crowe, p u l s e Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, pounding Robin Wright Penn, Helen and the Mirren, Jeff Daniels mind racing as he jugRATED: PG-13 gles the film’s several plots, always with his ear tuned to the last word of that title: Play.

‘Dragonball Evolution’little more than fluff ROGER MOORE MCT CAMPUS

We’ve had to wait decades, enduring first subtitled Hong Kong films and later sputtering Hollywood attempts at turning him into a conventional Chinese character actor, for our first chance MOVIE REVIEW to see the great Chow ‘Dragonball Yun-Fat cut Evolution’ up the way he does in HH “Dragonball Evolution.”

OUT OF FIVE STARS Whatever STARRING: Justin the director Chatwin, Jaime Chung, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun-fat (James Wong of “Final RATED: PG Destination”) was going for, whatever the studio intended in this film adaptation of a beloved comic and video game, Chow saw his chance to chew the scenery.

And he took it.

As Master Roshi, mystical martial arts master, owner of a dragonball and of late, trainer to young Goku (Justin Chatwin), Chow goes for the laughs, and

lands them.

“Believe it punk, you’re gonna get your clock cleaned,” he says when we and Goku meet him. He mugs. He grins. His every move is a calculated bit of tomfoolery. And he’s a stitch, almost the only reason to see this warmedover Far Eastern fantasy.

Th e death o f Goku’s g randpa and a n ancient prophecy that says Goku must gather all seven magical dragonballs lest the world face apocalypse now or by the next total eclipse has brought Goku to Roshi.

The lad just turned 18, just turned the tables on the bullies at Unitech High and just scored

points with the hatch Chi Chi (Jaime Chung). But now he’s off gathering dragonballs with the six-shooting sidekick Bulma (Emmy Rossum). Roshi should come along for the ride. And the laughs.

It’s a silly film that goes down a lot easier than it c o u l d thanks to a n awareness of t h a t silliness.

A bandit straight out of “ R o a d Wa r r i o r ” (Joon Park) signs on. Roshi goes to seek another magical talisman from another master (Ernie Hudson of “Ghosbusters” at his most inscrutable) who tells Roshi his plan to save the Earth won’t.

“Well, when you put it that way,

the plan sucks.”

You have to know a little something about Mr. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, to get how funny that is coming out of Chow’s mouth.

The villains are led by a demon, Lord Piccolo, with Jim Carrey’s Mask make-up (James Marsters).

The effects involve a lot of swirling balls of light, big explosions and a very convincing house collapse. There’s a lot of talk of legends and “airbenders” (an anime, manga and Asian fantasy convention). The settings are exotic corners of modern or remote China, glossed over in a sort of alternate sci-fi reality. The fights, though, are classic Hong Kong wire-work zany. As is the dialogue.

“Shadow Crane Strike! You fall for that every time!”

It’s perfectly watchable junk, as even the worst of Wong’s films (“The One”) manage to be.

Purists are apparently up in arms over the film’s deviations from the game and comic traditions (it opened in Asia a year ago). But to those spoilsports I have two words “Uwe Boll.”

ENTERTAINMENT | 7

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Picks and pans: ‘Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride’ and more JUSTIN HOEGER MCT CAMPUS

DRAGON QUESTV: HAND OFTHE HEAVENLY BRIDE “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride” is the latest remake of a heretofore unreleased “Dragon Quest.” VIDEO GAME REVIEW Unreleased in America, anyway.

This installment takes the main playernamed character from childhood to adulthood as he endures Dragon Quest V: many trials and even Hand Of The gets married on the Heavenly Bride long road to defeating Nintendo DS a great evil.

HHH This hero has an OUT OF FIVE STARS affinity for the world’s RATED: 10+ monsters and can recruit a stable of them to fight alongside him in the game’s battles.

The combat is like that in other “DQ” games brisk and turn-based. The charming graphics and music may be even better than those in last year’s DS version of “Dragon Quest IV.”The story is engaging, the writing is good, and the game is challenging without being merciless.

DESTROYALL HUMANS: PATH OFTHE FURON “Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon” is the first game in the series not to jump ahead a whole decade; this one and the Wii-only game “Big Willy Unleashed” both take place in the 1970s.

The graphics are much more detailed than in previous “Destroy All Humans” games, but they’re lacking on the Xbox 360, with objects that tend to pop in abruptly. The game isn’t polished to a shine, but it has an amusing charm.

Alien invader Crypto is living large in

Las Vegas stand-in VIDEO GAME REVIEW Las Paradiso, running his own casino and tangling with local mob elements.

But as he is getting back up to speed with his new weapons and ship, he Destroy All begins to hear a Humans: Path Of voice in his head that The Furon urges him to develop Xbox 360 his hidden potential.

HH The game OUT OF FIVE STARS play is still pretty RATED: T familiar, though Crypto possesses and destroys hapless humans, collects their DNA and flies around in his saucer while taking on missions and side jobs scattered around several large, free-roaming areas.

ONSLAUGHT With a control scheme similar to “Metroid Prime 3,” “Onslaught” makes for a decent arcadestyle shooter.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW The player goes through numerous levels on a massive bug hunt. The planet that serves as the game’s setting is overrun with numerous and belligerent cybernetic insects.

Onslaught Different guns Nintendo Wii work better on difHH ferent enemies the OUT OF FIVE STARS shotgun is good for RATED: T swarms, the burst rifle is great for flying threats, and the rocket launcher works well against tougher, slower foes, for example.

The Wii Remote is used to shoot, aim and turn, and the Nunchuk controls movement, grenades and melee attacks.

The setup is simple but effective much like the rest of the game.

COURTESY PHOTO

Silversun Pickups, Ida Maria invoke 1990s iconic artist with new albums

Christopher Guanlao (left), Nikki Monninger, Brian Aubert and Joe Lester make up the Indie outfit Silversun Pickups.

GLENN GAMBOA MCT CAMPUS

like only a promising taste of what she will accomplish as an artist.

IDAMARIA"Fortress 'Round My Heart" Grade: A

SILVERSUN PICKUPS "Swoon"

Ida Maria may be bouncing around on the irresistible fuzzed-out guitars of her breakthrough hit, “I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked,” but she's really not that simple. And it's those unexpected complexities that the Norwegian rocker tucks into her debut “Fortress 'Round My Heart” (Island) that make it one of the year's best albums.

Take “Oh My God,” which is essentially a rock 'n' roll prayer with an incredibly catchy hook. “Find a cure, find a cure for my life” is her opening mantra, but Ida realizes that's an error by the time she hits the chorus of “Oh my god, you think I'm in control? Oh my god.” Though she grows increasingly unhinged with screams and shrieks and even a bit where seemingly a choir of angels asks, “Is this fun for you?” she never slows the song's breakneck pace, moving from hope to despair in a little over three minutes.

Ida can make an impact sonically as well, mashing together a girl-group delivery and sweet, sweet high notes with some Strokes-styled jangling guitars for “Louie.”But perhaps the biggest surprise given all the stylish, upbeat guitar work on the album is a pair of ballads, the wistful “In the End” and the vulnerable, emotional “Keep Me Warm.” They are signs that her pop songs barely scratch the surface of what Ida Maria can do as a singer, just as “Fortress 'Round My Heart” feels

Grade: B-plus To anyone who came of age in the altrock revolution of the early '90s, the Silversun Pickups' “Swoon” (Dangerbird) is as recognizable as Courtney Love's baby-doll dress and as comfortable as a Kurt Cobain cardigan.

Yes, singer-guitarist Brian Aubert's voice sounds a lot like Billy Corgan, and as the dreamy, ambitious songs of “Swoon” float by, it's easy to pick out a Nirvana-like guitar riff (“Catch and Release”), some Soundgarden churn (the first single, “Panic Switch”) and a whole lot of My Bloody Valentine droning. But when it's all assembled this meticulously with so much charm, there's little reason not to “Swoon.”

TAKING BACK SUNDAY: HOT SONG Taking Back Sunday isn't kidding about this “New Again” thing.

The group's first single, “Sink Into Me” (Warner Bros.), sounds dramatically different from anything they've done before, with pulsing guitars; a revved-up rhythm track punctuated by hand claps and “Hey!”; a super-catchy chorus, and Adam Lazzara essentially handling vocals on his own in a confident, more powerful voice. “Sink” is a sign the new TBS lineup comes ready to raise its game.

8

| FOCUS

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

Palomar celebrates Earth KARA VERMEULEN THE TELESCOPE

gered species.

The National Environmental In the shadow of the Vietnam Policy Act (NEPA) requires the War, Lake Erie’s pollution government to factor the envireached unsafe levels, factories ronmental impact of proposed spewed chemicals into the air projects and to evaluate reasonand rivers, and the production of able alternatives. gas-guzzling cars drove oil conTo comply with NEPA requiresumption. Any one of the above ments, an Environmental Impact problems would create a media Study (EIS) is prepared for each frenzy and outrage from the pub- project that details the effects lic today. on the environment and is But in 1960 America, aware- reviewed by the Environmental ness of the environment was just Protection Agency. beginning to surface.

In 1990, 200 million people Earth Day wo rl dw i d e was just an participatidea in 1969 ed in Earth My primary objective to Sen. Day with G a y l o r d in planning Earth Days the focus of Nelson. “My increasing p r i m a r y was to show the political recycling objective in efforts, p l a n n i n g leadership of the nation according to Earth Days that there was broad and Earth Day was to show Network the political deep support for the enviIn more leadership of recent years the nation ronmental movement. celebrations that there of Earth — SEN. GAYLORD NELSON Day was broad have and deep focused on support for creating the environmental movement,” clean energy.

Nelson reflected in a 1980 artiEarth Day 2009 will cle. launch the Green Generation On April 22, 1970 American Campaign that focuses on creatcelebrated the first earth day. ing renewable energy and green According to Earth Day Network jobs, and calling individuals to 20 million people participated in commit to a responsible, sustainrallies at schools, universities, able consumption of resources. parks and auditoriums to save Palomar students are taking the environment. practical steps to protect the “It was on that day that environment.

Americans made it clear that Student Caitlin Steinman carthey understood and were pools and makes sure that items deeply concerned over the dete- that can be recycled don’t end rioration of our environment and up in the trash. Corey Thortonthe mindless dissipation of our Trump reduces his shower time resources,” wrote Nelson in to save on water.

Earth Day 1970: What It Meant.

Every year Earth Day serves as “It forcibly thrust the issue of a reminder that the environment the environment quality and is a precious resource that we all resources conservation into the play a part in protecting. To political dialogue of the nation.” learn more about Earth Day, the In the 10 years after the first Green Generation Campaign Earth Day, more than 10 pieces and ways to help the environof legislation were passed ment visit the Earth Day including acts to improve air and Network’s Web site at water quality and protect endan- www.earthday.net.

“

”

ROB BACON

| THE TELESCOPE

Little Lakes Basin, near Mammoth Mountain, Calif., is a reminder of what we have to lose if we are not careful with the environment.

Earth Day Week Events in San Diego • Green Jobs and Career Workshop April 21 The event is at the City of San Diego Environmental Services Ridgehaven Building from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $35 advance and $40 at the door.

This event is an opportunity to learn about the new green and clean technology and be prepared to get a career in emerging green jobs. It will educate you how to be successful in this economy with the stimulus money coming in.

• Ahimsa April 24 and 25 Stella Nova Dance Company will present Ahimsa at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre in La Jolla at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $22.

“The concerts will include an environmentally conscious evening of dance. There will be ‘green’ vendors in the lobby, recycled programs, vintage/recycled costumes and props.

This is an evening of environmentally themed dance.

• America’s Finest Green-City Forum • Earth Bash April 22 The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Solamar Hotel in Downtown San Diego. The cost is $55.

There will be political leaders who are specialized in subjects such as climate change, sustainability, renewable energy, public plans, job creation and resources available from the stimulus, and the regular fiscal year appropriations and budget cycles. It is an opportunity to hear, talk and interact with our leaders.

April 25 There is a fundraising event called the Earth Bash. This event is a three hour cruise aboard of the Hornblower Inspiration, a three level luxury ship, with DJ’s, local bands, comedians and a dance floor. Performing artists include Matt Commerce, Mary Dolan, Jay Bird, Lauren O’Brien and DJ Schugar.

Boarding begins at 8 p.m. The cruise departs at 9 p.m. and comes back at 12 a.m. The cost is $49 in advance.

FOCUS | 9

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Counterculture celebration at its ‘highest’ BRIDGET ASKELSON THE TELESCOPE

Reggae music fills the air, bongs are lined up on coffee tables, a group of guys sit in a corner attempting to perfect their talent of blowing smoke rings, and the overwhelming smell of burning herb fills the air.

To many this sounds like a hippie-inspired scene from a movie, but for others it’s just an average April afternoon.

Joints, ganja, doobies, weed or pot, the name makes no difference, in the world of marijuana no names are definitive, except 4/20.

On April 20 every year, frequent, social and even occasional marijuana smokers come together to celebrate this underground holiday.

According to snopes.com, a Web site designed to find the truth behind rumors, 4/20 originated in the 1970s by a group of high school boys.

They attended San Rafael High School, which is located in California, and would meet at 4:20 every afternoon to smoke.

Today, the term refers to the specific time of day to smoke and as April 20.

Jem McAdams, both a professor and swim coach for Palomar, had never heard of 4/20.

“I do not understand the pur-

pose or meaning behind this,” McAdams said. He added that he believes that people will look for any excuse to think that smoking pot is okay, but it is not.

McAdams said that he has heard every excuse imaginable to justify smoking but remains unimpressed.

“Kids smoke to feel rebellious or to prove they can do anything, even if it is wrong,” he said.

Some students share very different opinions.

Kailyn Servis, currently in her third year at Palomar decided not to celebrate 4/20, this year. Last year’s holiday was spent immersed in Kanye West’s music at his Glow in the Dark Tour.

“Everyone celebrated that night, even if you weren’t planning on it,” she said. According to Servis, one of her good friends will be celebrating with his entire work office. “His boss even has a beer bong on hand.”

“I smoke from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.,” joked Aaron Anaya, who is finishing his final semester at Palomar. But this year Anaya’s plans could not be more different. On April 20, he plans to call and wish his friend happy birthday.

“I always think of her when I smell ganja,” he says.

Although Anaya does not cel-

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ROB BACON

Palomar students, Jason (right), and his friend, Will (left), say they have prescriptions for the medical use of marijuana. ebrate the holiday himself, he knows many people who do. He remembers being invited to 4/20 parties where everyone would listen to Bob Marley and

smoke.

Anaya said that his religion shows him that these types of ‘holidays’ can be childish and therefore decides not to partic-

“Perilous Play” about marijuana.

In it, a character declares, “If someone does not propose a new and interesting amusement, I shall die of ennui!”

Another character produces a box of hashish-laced bonbons, and hedonism ensues.

not be used to grow plants.

An industry spokesman denied that the seeds made birds high, but an ardent marijuana foe, Dr. Victor Robinson, had previously written that the seeds had caused birds to “dream of a happy birdland where there are no gilded cages, and where the men are gunless and the women hatless.”

Ten things you might not know about marijuana MARK JACOB MCT CAMPUS

Monday is April 20, known to marijuana users as “4/20,” a counterculture holiday recognizing America's most commonly used illegal drug.

The number “420” is code for marijuana, and was most likely invented in the 1970s at San Rafael High School in Marin County, Calif., where a group of students known as the Waldos met at 4:20 p.m. to light up.

Since then, the number has shown up on T-shirts and on clocks in such movies as “Lost in Translation.”

A dime bag's worth of other marijuana facts:

1.

In 19th century Nepal, the marijuana harvest was performed by men who ran naked through fields of flowering plants and then had the sticky resin scraped off their bodies and f o r m e d into bricks of hashish.

2.

Marijuana is known for its mellowing effect, but it has fueled many warriors in history.

The word “assassin” is

believed to come from the hashish taken a millennium ago by Arab killers (called “hashshashin” or “hashish eaters”), though some historians doubt they were under the influence while on their missions.

Mexican bandit Pancho Villa's henchmen were pot smokers.

And some believe Zulu fighters in South Africa were high on dagga, a.k.a. marijuana, when they attacked the Boers at Blood River in 1838. The Zulus lost 3,000 fighters, while only four Boer were wounded.

Talk about a buzzkill.

3.

Louisa May Alcott, author of “Little Women,” wrote a short story called

| THE TELESCOPE

4.

Around 1900, the U.S. government briefly grew marijuana along a stretch of the Potomac River to study the plant's medicinal value.

Today, a more potent plant has risen on that site: the Pentagon.

5.

A white Chicago jazz musician named Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow moved to Harlem in 1929, declared himself a “voluntary Negro,” and began selling marijuana.

Known as “The Man Who Hipped the World” and “The Link Between the Races,” Mezzrow sold fat joints called mezzrolls. Soon a new piece of Harlem slang emerged: Something genuine was described as “mezz.”

6.

Marijuana interferes with short-term memory so that users forget what they just said or did. Not only that, marijuana interferes with short-term memory so that users forget what they just said or did.

7.

Before Congress voted to ban marijuana in 1937, the birdseed industry got the bill amended to exempt marijuana seeds (known as hemp seeds) as long as they were sterilized and could

8.

Billy Carter, the late brother of former President Jimmy Carter, believed the illegality of marijuana was part of its attraction.

“Marijuana is like Coors beer,” he said. “If you could buy the damn stuff at a Georgia filling station, you'd decide you wouldn’t want it.

9.

One of the least typical supporters of the decriminalization of marijuana was conservative icon William F. Buckley, who died in February.

Buckley once sailed his yacht into international waters so that he could smoke pot without breaking U.S. laws.

10.

Bill Clinton said famously that he smoked marijuana but “didn't inhale.” President Bush has never admitted taking the drug, but his drug use was strongly suggested in recorded conversations between him and a friend, the interestingly named Doug Wead.

Only one of the three 2008 contenders is an admitted exdoper. Hillary Clinton and John McCain denied during the 2000 campaign season that they had ever smoked pot.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, has said, “When I was a kid, I inhaled frequently. That was the point.”

ipate.

The plans and opinions all differ but for many, 4/20 means allowing nothing to stop them from having a good time.

top stoner flicks CARRIE RICKEY MCT CAMPUS

1.“The Big Lebowski” 2. “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” 3.“Dazed and Confused” 4.“Dude, Where’s My Car?” 5.“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” 6.“Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” 7.“Half Baked” 8. “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” 9. “Repo Man” 10.“Up In Smoke”

our staff picks • Pineapple Express • Super Troopers • Super High Me • Reefer Madness • Friday

10 | FOCUS

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Fast and fun: But glissading can also be a shortcut to the emergency room R. SCOTT RAPPOLD MCT CAMPUS

scious. He sprained his shoulder, wrist and left foot, bruised his tailPlodding down Mount Shavano bone and suffered severe punclast fall, his legs weary from hav- tures to his elbow and right shin. ing hiked to the top of the 14,229- Rescue crews carried him off the foot peak in the Sawatch mountain in the freezing dark.

Mountains, Igor Kulish saw an “I really did think I was going to angel. die when I was falling,” he said.

The Angel of Shavano is a snow If done right, under proper snow field on the peak near Salida, conditions, glissading can be a Colo., which under the right condi- thrilling way to descend in 10 mintions resembles a heavenly figure utes a peak you spent five hours with arms stretched upwards. climbing, without the burden of “I wanted to save time and ener- carrying skis. gy. I was tired,” said Kulish, 28, a All you need is the ax, maybe relative newsome snow comer to pants or sturdy Colorado, rain pants, and a who was spring snow that climbing his is soft and wet, 13th fourbut still firm teener.

“I enough to dig an thought, ax into. If it’s a ‘Hey, a river powder day, of snow. It grab some skis will take me — Igor Kulish, glissader instead.

1,000 feet But Kulish’s lower than I am now.’” story shows what can happen That he is alive today is a mira- when it is done wrong. Several cle, he says, thanks to the angels of people have been killed in recent Chaffee County, Colo., Search and years in Colorado’s mountains.

Rescue.

“At least with skiing or snowHe lacked the right gear or boarding, your body is not your experience for glissading — a slide surface. When it’s just your mountaineering technique in body, you’re taking all the impact,” which climbers slide down snow, said Joe Slivka, a mission coordieither sitting or crouching, using nator with Summit County Search an ice ax to control speed and and Rescue, which last May direction — on snow that was responded to the death of much too hard and icy. He sat in Breckenridge, Colo., teenager the snow and slid, and lost control Michael Henthorne, who was halfway down the snow field, slam- snow-sliding without an ice ax at ming against several rocks before Mohawk Lake and went over a a large pile knocked him uncon- cliff.

“

People don’t realize falling down an icy slope is the same as falling straight down.

”

PAUL BERSEBACH| MCT CAMPUS

Carrie Turbow glissades about 900 feet to by-pass coming down the 99 switchbacks on the Mt. Whitney Trail. Glissading is where a climber slides down snow on his backside and uses an ice axe like a rudder to control speed.

In the spring of 2007, experienced mountain climber David Worthington died after a fall on Humboldt Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.The Denver Post reported he was glissading and tried to control his descent with a trekking pole.

In March 2004, Kyle Fitzpatrick was killed in an avalanche on La Plata Peak in the Sawatch Mountains in Colorado. A report by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center indicated he and two friends were glissading, with adequate gear, which triggered the slide that buried him.

Experts say evaluating snow conditions is the most important part of safe glissading.

“It’s kind of good corn snow, that stuff that freezes overnight. You

climb it when it’s hard and you glissade down when it softens up.

The key is to get off steep slopes before they get too soft,” said Spencer Logan, an Avalanche Information Center forecaster.

Spring avalanches tend not to be as large as those in winter, but they can be heavy like concrete and “beat you up and push you around.”

“If you sink your ice ax in and you can’t hold yourself there off the ax, it slides too much, you probably shouldn’t try to glissade off it,” Slivka said.

Climbers should evaluate their own abilities.

Slivka suggests that, before trying a 2,000-foot glissade high on a fourteener, people hone their skills at lower elevations, with long

run-outs in case they lose control.

Climbers can also learn self-arresting techniques, controlling yourself on a slide, in mountaineering courses offered by groups such as the Colorado Mountain Club.

Kulish admits he didn’t know what we was doing when he decided to glissade. After three weeks in a wheelchair and months of recovery, he still has weakness in his left foot, which didn’t stop him from summiting Mount Sherman recently. He still plans to climb all the fourteeners — he just may walk down.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize falling down an icy slope is the same as falling straight down,” he said. “My advice is just to stay away from the snow if you don’t know anything about it.”

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FOCUS | 11

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

You’ve probably heard of Nancy Reagan’s war on drugs, Laura Bush’s “Ready to Read, Ready to Learn” initiative and Hillary Clinton’s efforts to reform the national health-care system. Maybe you’ve heard how Dolley Madison saved George Washington’s portrait from destruction during the War of 1812, or how Eleanor Roosevelt served in the United Nations. You might think you know all there is to know about our nation’s first ladies, but we’ve scrounged up some facts that may surprise you.

Lucy Hayes (1877-1881) banned all alcoholic beverages from the White House, earning her the nickname “Lemonade Lucy.” But the first lady didn’t stop there — she also forbid card playing, pool and dancing.

One thing she didn’t ban, installing the first flush toilets in the White House.

BY MAURA DIERINGER AND LINDSEY FRANK, MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRIS WARE, LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER

History lesson First lady fun facts Martha Washington (17891797) was the first first lady to appear on a U.S. postage stamp.

Dolley Madison (1809-1817) was a devout user of snuff tobacco.

Louisa Adams (1825-1829) had the scare of her life when her infant son was snatched from her arms in New York in 1807. She followed the assailant and recovered her baby.

Though a first lady, Anna Harrison (1841) never even saw or lived in the White House, because her husband died before she had the chance to join him there.

Margaret Taylor (1849-1850) prayed every night for her husband’s defeat in the 1848 election.

Caroline Harrison (1889-1892) put up the first Christmas tree in the White House.

Helen “Nellie” Taft (19091913) was the first first lady to own and drive a car and to smoke cigarettes. She also planted the first cherry tree in Washington, which was a gift from Japan.

Edith Wilson (1913-1921) was a descendent of Pocahontas.

Florence Harding (1921-1923) was accused of poisoning her husband, a widely unpopular president. While no formaevidence was ever found, the first lady did forbid an autopsy of her husband’s corpse.

Eleanor Roosevelt (19331945) was not very interested in cooking, and once served hot dogs to the visiting king and queen of England.

Mamie Eisenhower (1953-1961) was a fan of “I Love Lucy,” and never missed an episode of “As the World Turns.”

Extremely superstitious, Nancy Reagan (1981-1989) kept a large talisman at home to ward off evispirits, never stored her shoes above head leveand refused to change if she accidentally put on an article of clothing inside out.

1789 Martha Washington became the first first lady.

1809-1817 Dolley Madison was the first first lady to be associated with a specific project or cause. She helped found a home for orphaned girls in Washington.

1850 Abigail Fillmore established the first library in the White House.

1878 Lucy Hayes became known for helping citizens of Washington, especially Civil War veterans and their families.

1890 Caroline Harrison helped raise funds for The Johns Hopkins Medical School on the grounds they would admit women to the program.

1933–1945: Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong supporter of rights for women and blacks. She also oversaw the creation of a National Youth Administration to help people find work and preached the New Deal doctrine across the country.

1961-1963 Jacqueline Kennedy put a focus on family and art, and promoted the cultural and historical preservation of Washington. She helped make the White House a museum of

American history, and rejuvenated the neighborhood surrounding the White House.

1965 Lady Bird Johnson lobbied for the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 for better road planning and fewer billboards on federal highways.

During her time in the White House, she fought to make American cities more beautiful by planting flowers.

1974-1977 Betty Ford founded the Betty Ford Center in California, an alcohol and drug treatment center.

1977-1981 Rosalynn Carter was one of President Carter’s closest advisers, sitting in on many Cabinet meetings. She was an honorary chair of the Commission on Mental Health.

1981-1989 Nancy Reagan headed the “Just Say No” campaign to combat drug use.

1993-2001 Hillary Clinton headed the Task Force on National Health Reform and in 2008 became the first first lady to run for president.

2006 Laura Bush received an award from the KuwaitAmerican Foundation for her efforts to improve the living conditions and education level of children around the world.

2009 Michelle Obama became the first black first lady.

Match-up

Mary Lincoln (1861-1865) held many séances in the White House in an attempt to communicate with the dead.

Match the first ladies with their maiden names 1. Martha Washington __ A. Bouvier __ B. Todd 2. Dolley Madison 3. Mary Lincoln __ C. Bolling __ D. Robinson 4. Lucy Hayes 5. Ida McKinley __ E. Bloomer 6. Helen Taft __ F. Herron __ G. Pierce 7. Edith Wilson __ H. Saxton 8. Anna Coolidge 9. Jacqueline Kennedy __ I. Rodham 10. Elizabeth Ford __ J. Dandridge 11. Rosalynn Carter __ K. Davis 12. Nancy Reagan __ L. Webb 13. Barbara Bush __ M. Goodhue 14. Hillary Clinton __ N. Payne 15. Michelle Obama __ O. Smith

12 | NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Conservatives protest against high taxes SARA BURBIDGE MCT CAMPUS

Across the country, Republicans and their conservative allies sought to ignite a grassroots rebellion against President Obama on Wednesday, staging scores of Tax Day "tea parties" to demand tax cuts, lower federal spending and smaller government. But the effort came with a risk: In the current economic crisis, with half a million or more jobs vanishing each month, many Americans seem less concerned about how much Washington deducts from their pay checks than whether they will have a pay check at all.

At issue is whether the antitax, anti-government spending message makes Republicans seem out of touch or tone deaf to present-day reality.

"Nothing is as pressing a concern as the economy," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, noting that even among Republicans the political salience of the tax issue is not what it once was. "The economy overwhelms everything else."

Polls show Americans are more comfortable with what they pay in taxes than at any time in the last quarter-century.

And Obama's high approval ratings for handling the economy suggest that most people accept his argument that a major increase in federal spending is necessary to blunt the crisis.

Obama has also sought to inoculate himself by building modest tax cuts for most Americans into the massive stimulus bill, while talking continually about how today's higher spending must give way to frugality and hawkishness on deficit once the economy rebounds.

So far, Obama seems to be controlling the debate.

"A lot of the discussion has been focused on government spending, but the voters are still focused on one number: the unemployment number," said David Winston, another prominent Republican pollster. "Any time you are not talking about jobs, you are talking about topic No. 2 for Americans.

Republicans need to translate the tax and spending issue into jobs."

At least since the days of

Ronald Reagan, Republicans have thrived on the anti-spend, anti-tax message _ despite the fact Republican presidents have actually presided over major expansions of the federal deficit.

Today, however, the economic climate is far different, as evidenced by the November election in which the country picked a do-more, spend-more presidential candidate over a do-less, cuttaxes candidate. And though Republicans insist the Obama budget will ultimately put upward pressure on taxes, for the present at least Obama is cutting taxes instead of raising them _ albeit modestly for most workers.

The one element in the conservatives' message that pollsters say could resonate down the road is the issue of government spending. While most voters seem to support the idea of a surge in outlays now, there is strong underlying concern about deficits stretching into the future.

“One thing you don't want as a sitting president is a populist movement that disagrees with you,” Winston said. Right now, the protests may fall short of critical mass. “But the question is, what does this look like two to three months from now,” he said.

In recent years, the April 15 deadline for filing federal income taxes has become an opportunity for political theater across the political spectrum.

And Obama did not pass up the opportunity either.

Flanked by families and individuals he said had already taken advantage of his package of payroll tax cuts and home buying subsidies, Obama declared, “we start from the simple premise that we should reduce the tax burden on working people while helping Americans go to college, own a home, raise a family, start a business and save for retirement.”

In cities around the country, meanwhile, thousands of tea party participants took to the streets waving signs with slogans like “I'm Not Your ATM” and calling for a stop to the headlong bailout spending that they feel will ultimately saddle the country with a heavy and growing tax burden.

Amid claims that the Republicans had orchestrated

Professors host green workshops SARA BURBIDGE THE TELESCOPE

PAUL BERSEBACH| MCT CAMPUS

Bernadette Walton of Charlotte, N.C., makes her way through the crowd during the Tax Day Tea Party rally on the lawn at Charlotte City Hall, Wednesday, April 15.

More than 2,000 protestors rallied at Charlotte City Hall. the tea parties, Tim Phillips, head of Americans for Prosperity, insisted they represented a grass roots uprising.The Republican Party, he told an interviewer on MSNBC, was “too disorganized and unsure of itself to pull this off.”

In a rainy Lafayette Park outside of the White House, 56-yearold Virginian Laurie Isaacs said she was there to express her own outrage, not promote any political agenda.

“I've never protested anything in my life,” she said. “But we've

got to send these idiots a message: Enough is enough.”

Republicans, however, did their best to leverage the teaparty fervor for political advantage, offering visitors to the Republican National Committee Web site the opportunity to send tea bag postcard to a host of administration officials, including Obama. Fox News commentators exhorted people to join the protests, and conservative politicians like House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., extolled the effort in Tax Day statements.

Palomar College professors are hosting an ongoing lecture series to help students learn to live green.

The lecture series Campus Explorations’ theme is: The Environment and Sustainable Living. To get student involvement, the program offers lectures from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in P-32.

The theme has inspired the graphics communications department to incorporate environmental awareness as part of each class, they said. By infusing green into curriculum, it creates a way of thinking about sustainability.

The department recognizes that environmental awareness is a reality to the industry, not just a fad.

The “green part of the class is another part of design, part layout, part printing issues,” said Lillian Payn, the department chairwoman.

Printers are now using recycled paper and substitutes for paper and ink from sources that biodegrade easier. They select raw materials, such as tobacco and hemp instead of petroleum to create paper and soy ink for their designs.

Layout-wise it creates new career possibilities because of the growing Web industry. This means less paper and ink marketing and more distribution on the Web, which saves trees and the environment.

Sande Andre, professor of interior design and architecture, said she gets her students involved in outreach and service learning. Her students are currently participating in the redesign of a learning center and another project working with the Luiseño tribe.

Andre said everyone has a “completely different view with their green agenda: economics, politics, world religion, but all have a piece in a sustainable world.”

She added that she recognizes that celebrating our “richness in diversity” and having an “ethical way of living” is the only way people can work together.

Palomar program aids former foster children AMANDA MCCARTHY THE TELESCOPE

Sandra Ramirez, a Palomar freshman, found adjusting to college life a challenge. The classes were fast-paced and teachers gave her less time to finish assignments than she was used to having, she said. Additionally, Ramirez had to fill out confusing paper work and applications.

That’s when she found Anel Gonzalez, from the Guardian Scholar program. The program has helped 250 students who have been emancipated from foster care at 18 reach their academic goals, Gonzalez said.

The program staff tries to help students, whether filling out the FAFSA or assistance apartment hunting. “We’re kind of like their family,” Gonzalez said.

The program encourages community among its students. It has hosted several events such as bowling and pizza nights to help

connect students. Participant John Hollins said he likes the meetings because they give him a chance to see how his peers are doing.

The program also hosts meetings on the third Tuesday of every month. Each meeting has a guest speaker on topics ranging from money management to making healthy food on a budget, Gonzalez said.

Topics such as these are important, Gonzalez said, because recently emancipated adults are “expected to live in the real world, but they don’t have the soft skills to succeed.”

During the program’s lifetime, there has been a marked decrease in the amount of students who drop out of college.

Before the program, the dropout rate of students who had been in foster care was extremely high.

According to Gonzalez, the rate has fallen and now equals the

general dropout rate for Palomar. dents helped plan and run the The Guardian Scholar program event. was founded four years ago after Ramirez served on a panel to the County Office of Education answer high school students’ contacted Palomar about creat- questions in the most recent ing a program to assist foster College Connection Day. She care students in the transition said the experience was interestbetween high school and college. ing. The day was needed to “get There was originally one student more foster youth to apply for involved in the program; today scholarships and go to school,” there are 42 she said. students in the A regionprogram. wide conferPart of the ence will be program’s purheld for col— ANEL GONZALEZ lege pose is to help staff, Guardian Scholar Representative high school foshigh school ter care stucounselors dents learn about resources and foster parents on April 17. available to them.

The goal of the conference is to This year, Guardian Scholar equip people to help young hosted the Palomar College adults who lived in foster care be Connection Day, which gives successful in college. The conferhigh schoolers an opportunity to ence will be held at Cuyamaca hear from college students about College, Gonzalez said. life after high school and emanciGonzalez has worked with a pation. Guardian Scholar stu- financial aid adviser to promote

“

”

We’re kind of like their family.

sensitivity to Guardian Scholars’ backgrounds.Teachers and social workers first send students to her so she can help them with paper work and introduce them to the Guardian Scholar program, she said.

There is also a scholarship associated with the program. It’s called the Guardian Scholar scholarship and is made available to students by the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, Gonzalez said. Students who receive the scholarship check in with a counselor twice a month.

Ramirez said there were more resources such as scholarships available to students than when she first started looking into college. However, Gonzalez said she does not feel like the resources available are enough. She said it would be nice to see even more resources, such as on-campus jobs or housing, made available for students.

DIVERSIONS | 13

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Horoscopes

By Linda C. Black

Aries (March 21-April 19) Don't tell anybody, but for the next several weeks you're even better at business. You can bring in more money, effortlessly. It's partially because some of your plans are beginning to work.

Your efforts are paying off.

Taurus (April 20-May20) Take a few moments to meet with friends and get your stories straight. Decide what you want to accomplish. They can do it, with your help.

Gemini (May21-June 21) You may not feel like doing much of anything.This is OK.You can sit back and watch and listen for a while. Make sure you're up to date on all the latest changes.

April 20 - April 26

Libra (Sept.23-Oct.22) Concentrate on your work and find ways to streamline your production. You're being forced to do this through necessity, but that's OK.You get creative under pressure.

Scorpio (Oct.23-Nov.21)

You may not be quite ready yet to concentrate on your job. Can you get a "well" day off? Can you come up with a good reason? If you want to sleep all day, tell them you're sick. Spring fever.

Sagittarius (Nov.22-Dec.21) There's work to be done, but you probably don't feel like doing it. Can you get someone to cover for you? This would be an excellent day to read a good novel in bed.

Cancer (June 22-July22) Capricorn (Dec.22-Jan.19)

Meetings should go well for you now. You'll all come up with The next four weeks should be good ideas and make practical choices. Proceed as if you know lots of fun. You and a person you what you're doing. Your odds of like will have many interesting conversations. Is this love? It success are good. could grow into that.

Leo (July23-Aug.22) Conditions favor bookwork involving other people's money.

This includes the household account, if everyone pitches in.

Figure out what you can spend on treats, once the bills are paid.

There'll be enough money.

Virgo (Aug.23-Sept.22) Encourage your mate to proceed as planned. He or she may be getting nervous about an unfamiliar task. Imagination and determination are required.Your partner has plenty of both.

Aquarius (Jan.20-Feb.18) You may be a bit worried about expenditures you'll have to make soon.Will you have enough to get what you need? It appears that you will, but not everything you want. No problem.

Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)

The material you've been studying is beginning to make sense.You knew it would happen eventually, but it's still a surprise when it does. As a nice side effect, your self-confidence is improving. You're winning.

14

| COMET SPORTS

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

Comets win two of three versus Mt. San Jacinto and OCC JEREMY LEAL AND JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

The Comets won the battle of Southern California baseball supremacy when they beat No.1 ranked Orange Coast 2-0 in a showdown at Myers Field.

With the tournament win, the secondranked Palomar Comets were the first team this season to shutout Orange Coast Both teams are known for their offensive output, but the game turned out to be a pitchers’ duel.

Palomar’s Sam Jew pitched a jewel of a game. He combined with Casey Edelbrock to pitch a two-hit shutout.

"He doesn't blow up the radar gun.

He just pitches," Palomar coach Buck Taylor said of Jew, who improved to 7-0 with a 1.39 ERA. "He changes speeds, and he sinks and runs the baseball. He pitches backward, and you have to have confidence to pitch that way.”

The only hits that Orange Coast got were a pair of singles in the second inning win.

The Comets also won the next day when they beat Mt. San Jacinto 7-3.

“I felt good, it was a good job of responding,” Coach Buck Taylor said.

“We did a great job yesterday of responding,” he added. “We faced another good arm today, and I think we weathered the storm and got through him.”

Bobby Shore was the starter for Palomar. He went five full innings and had seven strikeouts.

San Jacinto struck first in the third

inning when they got two base hits off Bobby Shore. Shore managed to keep the damage minimal allowing only one run that inning, and still struck out the side.

Palomar responded in the same inning when Mitch Ferguson led off the bottom of the third with a single. Victor Martinez moved him to second base with a sacrifice bunt.

Matt Hubbard followed with another single that put runners on first and third with no outs. It was a sacrifice fly from Alfonso Casillas that scored the first run, and balk from the opposing pitcher that scored the second.

Palomar scored twice more in the next inning making the score 4-1 in the top of the fifth.

Mt. San Jacinto was down, but not yet out. They scored two runs in the top of the fifth with a hit batter, a double and a single off of Shore.

Another sacrifice fly for Palomar from Brenden Webb in the bottom of the fifth made the score 5-3 going into the sixth inning.

Travis Strong took over the pitching duties in the sixth inning and threw until the ninth inning.

In the seventh inning Palomar added some insurance runs to its lead when Casillas hit his fifth home run in six games over the right field fence.

“I felt confident when I went up to bat. I’ve been seeing the ball very well,” Casillas said after the game.

Aaron Edwards finished the game for Palomar, closing the door on Mt. San Jacinto in the ninth inning.

CIARA KIETH | THE TELESCOPE

Comets pitcher Sam Jew was named MVP after he pitched a two-hit shutout against Orange Coast

COMET SPORTS |

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

SPORTS ON DECK

Monday, April 20 MEN’S GOLF Palomar vs. Riverside 10 a.m at Moreno Valley Ranch

Tuesday, April 21 SOFTBALL Palomar vs San Diego Mesa 3 p.m. at San Diego Mesa

BASEBALL Palomar vs. San Diego Mesa 2 p.m. at Palomar

Thursday,April 23 BASEBALL Palomar vs. Southwestern 2 p.m. at Southwestern

MEN’S TENNIS Ojai Valley Invitational Tournament All Day TBD

WOMEN’S TENNIS Ojai Valley Invitational Tournament All Day TBD

Friday,April 24 MEN’S TENNIS Ojai Valley Invitational Tournament All Day TBD

WOMEN'S TENNIS Ojai Valley Invitational Tournament All Day TBD

Saturday,April 25 BASEBALL Palomar vs. Southwestern noon at Palomar

MENS AND WOMEN'S TENNIS Ojai Valley Invitational Tournament All Day TBD

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

WANT MORE SPORTS? If you can’t get enough sports from Palomar and beyond, check out sports blogger Jarred Powell at: sportswithjarred .wordpress.com

15

Comets stay focus, Beat City College 14-0 JEREMY LEAL THE TELESCOPE

Palomar softball beat San Diego City College by the mercy rule, 14-0. They had nine hits and scored 11 runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Alex Hutchinson was the starting pitcher for Palomar. It took no time for Hutchinson to take control of the game. She struck out two batters in the first inning and immediately set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Palomar offense was just as quick to strike against San Diego City. Shawna Barrow led it off with a base hit. Barrow put herself in scoring position by stealing second base. Andi Anti came up following a strikeout from San Diego City’s Erika Beasley. Anti fouled off two balls deep to the left side. She finally was able to straighten one out over the left field fence for a tworun homer.

“It felt really good. It felt really nice to go 3-for-3 with a home run against (Beasley),” said Anti after the game.

“I was just trying to get a base hit. I wanted to score Barrow.

She’s on base, I can’t leave her out there.”

ROB BACON| THE TELESCOPE Hutchinson blew through the top of the second inning just as Chelsea Blackman shades her eyes while delivering a strike during a home game against Southwestern College on Feb 25 quick as the first. She picked up another strikeout.

In the top of the third, looked like the lack of rest didn’t Hutchinson shut San Diego City In the bottom of the inning, Hutchinson continued her domi- affect her arm. down in order picking up another Palomar continued to hit well. nance. She struck out two more “I was fine. Monday was not strikeout. .Coach Mark Eldridge Outfielder Melissa Elliot got a San Diego City batters, bringing one of my strongest days pitching said that in softball you don’t base hit to start off. Andrea her total to five strikeouts in wise. Personally I would have need as much rest as you would in Nedden followed up with another three innings. graded it a C,” Hutchinson said. another sport, such as baseball. . single. Becca Mussatti picked up Hutchinson had just pitched “So today, when I came out, I told The Comets record stands at an RBI when she drove in Elliot two days before this game, in myself ‘I know I can do better.’”

19-15 and 11-1 in conference. with a single. which she secured the victory. It In the next half inning,

Comets close to title, beat Imperial Valley 14-0 JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

Palomar extended its conference lead to a full game when they shutout visiting Imperial Valley 11-0.

Pitchers Alex Hutchinson and Chelsea Blackman combined for a no-hitter while Amanda Avila went 2-4 with a three-run home run.

“We asserted ourselves as the first place team and we needed to play like it,” Head Coach Mark Eldridge said.

Palomar played as best of a complete game as they have played all season. Their best is coming when they really need it. The Comets played sound fundamental softball and played as though they belong in first place.

“We got on them in the first inning and didn’t let up on them,” Eldridge said. “The hitting was good and fielding was good and we played like the best team in the conference.”

Imperial Valley never had a chance to get on track. The closest they came to getting on base was a walk in the first inning. Hutchinson did the rest, striking out seven batters. This included striking out the side in two innings, meaning no one reached bases.

“I started out rocky and I walked the first batter, otherwise I would have had a perfect game, Hutchinson said. “Overall I rated this game a B.” Palomar played like a team on a mission. Players overwhelmed Imperial Valley and denied them any kind of offense.ImperialValley also didn’t help its case by commit-

ting errors on routine ground balls and infield fly balls that routinely look catchable but were dropped.

The Comets reached base by playing sound fundamental baseball, a single here, a single there.

Once they reached base, they didn’t gamble, just ran the bases smartly. Until the fourth inning, no one had a more than a base hit until Avila hit a three-run homer.

“She throws in and out and we all caught on to her,” Avila said. “Once we got her timing down it was easy.”

The Comets made this win look easy and showed they are the team to beat in the Pacific Coast Conference.

“We want it (conference championship) and it’s hard to stop a team that wants the championship as bad as we do,” Hutchinson said.

Later on during the week, Palomar beat San Diego City Knights 14-0. They struggled against the Knights two weeks earlier, but showed they learned from their mistakes.

Prior to that game, City had knocked off defending conference champ Grossmont 2-0.This helped Palomar into first place team in the Pacific Coast Conference. The Comets will have played at Grossmont in a game that could decide if Palomar will be the conference champions once again.

They have a one game lead on Grossmont in conference.

Grossmont however beat Palomar 5-4 at Grossmont so the odds of Palomar winning are even.

ROB BACON| THE TELESCOPE “We’re ready for them,” Palomar's Shawna Barrow bunts for a base hit during a home game against Imperial Valley.

Eldridge said.

16 | COMET SPORTS

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

No. 2 Palomar

shuts out

No.1 Orange Coast 2-0 in a battle for Southern California supremacy