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Skyline View The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, California
Volume XXXIV Issue 1
January 23, 2014
SF City College to remain open
Judge rules to keep CCSF open for students through the end of year while trial continues
www.theskylineview.com
Proposed billion dollar budget Gov. Brown plans new funds for California Community Colleges by Nico Triunfante TSV Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Steven Rhodes/ Creative Commons
Students protest during a March 2013 rally against the closure of their school. by Michelle Kelly TSV Interim News Editor
Shutdown of City College has been postponed as a San Francisco Judge overruled the closure mandate. The Judge Curtis E.A. Karnow ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by City Attorney Dennis Herrera on Jan. 2. The lawsuit targets the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and was filed in August of 2013. Herrera cited political bias and actions that were conflicting with ACCJC’s “open-access” mission statement. “The decision that was rendered was because [ACCJC] were out of compliance with federal guidelines and because of the incredible negative impact a closure of this scale would have,” Peter Anning, Marketing Director of CCSF, said. Two other lawsuits were filed by the American Federation of Teachers and the California Federation of Teachers but both were discarded by the judge. CCSF is not involved with the actions of
News Briefs • Flu Shots Skyline College Health Center is offering free flu shots while supplies last.
the city attorney. “The lawsuits are unusual, in that suits against accrediting commissions generally are filed by colleges affected by an accrediting action,” ACCJC stated in a press release. “Here, the college was not a part of the lawsuits filed. City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is not suing the ACCJC. In fact, there is no question that the college is seriously deficient in meeting the accreditation standards as was found by the ACCJC when it reviewed the college and made the decision to terminate the accreditation of CCSF.” “Judge Karnow reached a wise and thorough decision that vindicates our contention that accreditors engaged in unfair and unlawful conduct,” Herrera said in a press release. “Given the ACCJC’s dubious evaluation process, it makes no sense for us to race the clock to accommodate ACCJC’s equally dubious deadline to terminate City College’s accreditation.” As the news of the injunction has extended to students
CCSF has seen an improvement from its dwindling enrollment which was down 30% from the last year and has progressed to 17% below its normal numbers. Anning credits Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit and the massive marketing campaign the school initiated. “I’m glad to see there was an injunction from closing city college,” Ron Galatolo the District Chancellor said. “The injunction prevents the ACCJC from terminating the accreditation of San Francisco City College and allows all the parties involved in the suit to be heard before any final decision can be made.” CCSF will continue to be under review by the ACCJC and to operate as usual. The school is now planning for its Fall 2014 semester. “We will continue to do what we need to do in order to become accredited because we see the value in accreditation,” Anning said. “It’s not like the 375 issues that were brought up aren’t real, no one is disputing that.”
• Health Care Skyline Health Center is helping students sign up for ObamaCare. U.S. citizens should bring their social security number or document information for immigrant students. Students should also bring employer and income tax and federal income tax from the previous year. Located in building 2, room 2117A
One billion dollars of funding for California’s community colleges has been proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown in January 2014. Since 2010, student enrollment into California community colleges has dropped by 15 percent. The increasing high price point per unit, along with the costs of books, both factor towards the decreasing enrollment percentage. According to a summary of the governor’s proposal of the 2014-2015 state budget, Scott Lay, President of the Community College League of California, a nonprofit association for community college districts in the state, says that the proposed budget invests in student access, success, and equity; the core principles of community colleges. Lay says that of the one billion being funded, 592 million will go toward replacing deferred funding from the state, 155 million is for increased enrollment, 100 million for the Student Success and Support Program, 100 million to close the achievement gap of poor and minority students, and 87 million a piece for instructional equipment and maintenance. On the other hand, this funding
means that there will be more opportunities for student enrollment, more available classes, and more counselors or professors, if required. If passed, Gov. Brown looks for a three percent growth enrollment for the community colleges. According to his proposal, this funding is to serve the community’s higher educational needs and, over time, will be fully restored to pre-recession admission levels. However, according to Masao Suzuki, Head Economics Professor at Skyline College, the school will not directly be affected by the governor’s possible funding since it is a self-supportive school. “For Skyline College and the San Mateo District, we are what is called a self supporting or self sufficient district, which means our funding mainly or almost all comes from local property taxes and student fees,” said Suzuki. “We don’t actually get that much money from the state.” Skyline will get a couple things if the governor’s budget is approved. The money will help categorical funding, meaning it will be directed towards students of specific groups, including StuBillion continued on page 2
Michelle Kelly / The Skyline View
• Guest Lecturer To kick off African American History Month Skyline College is hosting a guest lecture by M. K. Asante, a best selling author, hip hop artist, and award winning film maker. This will be held on February 4, 2014, 11:00 - 12:30 in building Building 6, Rooms 6202-6206. It will also be streaming live on UStream.
Jan. 23, 2014
The Staff Interim Editor In Chief Will Nacouzi
News
Skyline View
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Treat yourself to a Skyline spa day Spa Information
Interim News Editor Michelle Kelly
The spa is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:15pm to 8:15pm and also on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 3:15pm.
Interim Features Editor Aaron Washington Interim Opinions Editor Josh Collier
Walk ins are welcome but you can make appointments by calling them directly at (650) 738-4165.
Interim Entertainment Editor Jordan Sweidan
Services Available: Makeup - $10 & up Eye Brow Shaping - $6 Eye Brow Wax- $10 Lip & Chin Wax- $10 ½ Leg Wax- $20 Arm Wax- $20 Plain Facial- $15 Esthetic Facial- $25
Interim Sports Editor Ray Garcia Staff Writers Matt Floyd Molly Downs Bianca Gonzalez Steve Perotti Nico Triunfante Lea Naqishbendi David Perez Alex Maffei Shaquill Stewart Chris DeJohn Renee Abu-Zaghibra Rene Bass Jose Deanda Jaun Garcia Cassandra Hock David Newlands Robert Nicholas Pabalate Joshua Picazo Aye Oo Faculty Advisor Nancy Kaplan-Biegel
Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us? (650) 738-4377 Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive
San Bruno CA 94066
The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised. The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.
Esthetic Facial w/ Anti-aging, Acne, Rosacea, or Hyper Pigmentation Treatment- $45 Peel with Treatment- $55 (advanced consultation required)
Building 4 features top of the line amenities to help you relax. by David Newlands TSV Staff Writer
Back to school blues can stress out even the most fearless student. Between new responsibilities, mountains of new information, and classrooms full of new people, a student’s hair can become as frazzled as their nerves. The last thing on people’s lists might be making time for a spa treatment, but a little “me time” might be just what the doctor ordered. Lucky Skyline students have
just the opportunity they need, located only steps away at the on-campus spa. Located in building 4, coordinator Kim Jackson oversees the activities of Skyline’s cosmetology students as they learn the ropes while running a fully operational spa. The spa offers treatments and services that range from simple haircuts to peels and waxing, and eventually massages and facials. Location is not the only benefit
File Photo / The Skyline View
for Skyline students. Every Monday through Thursday students receive a 20 percent discount on all services offered at the spa. At the nine week mark of the semester the spa will also be offering “free days” for anyone bold enough to receive their services from the program’s freshmen. Candice Dombkowski, head of client services, assures us that after nine weeks of training the students will be well-seasoned in their skills.
Open to the public but if you present your Skyline Student card you’ll receive a discount of 20%
Cosmetology Instructor Karen Nielsen is eager to get students and clients of all sorts to utilize the spa’s many services. The key is getting the word out. “If I really feel like spoiling myself, I might try it” Criminology major Samattra Vuthy said, “depends on the cost.” With the student discounts and many other deals on offer at the spa, you can’t afford not to spoil yourself this semester.
Billion dollar funds for California Schools Continued from page 1
dent Success Initiative, EOPS, the Learning Center, and the Disabled Resource Center, just to name a few. Additionally, the possible funding will go toward educational equipment and deferred maintenance. Although Skyline students will not have the same amount of help from the governor’s possible funding as other California community colleges, students still believe that it is beneficial for the rest of California’s students. “I think it’s a good idea,” Skyline College student Natasha Domingo said. “I know books are really expensive and a lot of people need help with paying for that.” Students that will be affected by the possible funding will benefit from it the most. “I think what he’s doing is good for students that can’t afford to go to college,” Laura Parada, a Skyline College student said. “For me, I have financial aid and EOPS, and it’s good for me because it’s saving me money. More help will be good for future students.”
FREE Tax Preparation Service If your 2013 income was less than $52,000
Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Feb 1 – Mar 29, 2014 Skyline College Bldg 8, Room 8209 (Closed Feb 15)
Call today for an appointment 650-738-7035
Have your taxes prepared by an IRS Certified Tax Preparer
Opinions Page 3
| The Skyline View | Jan. 23, 2014 | theskylineview@gmail.com
editorial
Online courses not to be taken lightly A new study shows that more students fail or drop online courses when compared to traditional classes It seems like taking an online class should an easy grade. The teacher can’t give you pop quizzes, no participation or attendance grade. You have some flexibility to choose when you want to do your homework. Well the fact of the matter is no. A new study just found that students who take online courses tend to fail or dropout more than students who take face to face courses. The study that was conducted and written by Di Xu and Shanna Smith Jaggar for the Community College Research Center. The study ran for five years, focusing on Washington State, and took place in tandem with a study based in Virginia. The study essentially came to the conclusion that students who took online classes would perform worse in these classes than they would have in a face to face traditional classroom environment. Skyline offers an array of online classes through its Distant Education Program. This program, for
the purposes of online classes, is the classroom to students. It utilizes a website called WebACCESS, a site where an instructor can post all the materials they would normally show in a classroom for students to view online. Students are expected to log on every day to check on assignments, do work, quizzes, and can chat with fellow students through forums. Most of these functions are ignored until the last minute, or outright forgotten all together by students. The classes themselves are on par with face to face classes in terms of the workload, and in some cases actually less or even more taxing than their face to face class counterparts. So why are students failing online classes more than face to face classes? Simple: online courses are a different beast to tackle. One should not think of these classes as something you log into just to take a test every week, and then forget about it until the next week. Online courses take a certain
Microsoft: A legacy in jeopardy by Steve Perotti TSV Staff Writer
In an attempt to produce a better product, Microsoft may have lost sight of the true goal. Once considered the dominant name in the console war, Microsoft is forced to sit by the wayside and watch as their legacy spirals down the drain with the Xbox One. When it was announced that the Xbox One, Microsoft's follow up to the Xbox 360, would not allow consumers to play pre-owned games on the console, there was a collective gasp throughout the gaming world. When Sony announced that their Playstation 4 would be fully compatible with pre-owned games, Microsoft was quick to back pedal in the hopes of salvaging their dignity. Considered by most to be the one of the most comically miscalculated moves in the history of the industry, it is Microsoft's lofty goals that have cost them the war with Sony for console dominance. If you go into any video game retailer and ask them which was a better selling system, the 360 or the Playstation 3, the majority of the time it will be the 360 that will get the nod. The systems overall interface, combined with a user friendly online experience, coupled with amazing Microsoft only shooters and adventure games, made it the obvious choice for the majority of gaming enthusiasts.
When given the choice between a game on the 360 or the PS3, I would always choose the 360 game. Everything about it was better when compared to the Sony product. Surprisingly this is no longer the case. Current number comparisons between the sales of the Xbox One and the PS4 show that Microsoft is falling behind. In fact, the gap between the two systems seems to be growing at a fairly steady pace. The proverbial “bells and whistles” of each system are leaps and bounds above the previous generation of consoles, but it is the over abundance of "technological breakthroughs” that Microsoft is beaming about that has made the Xbox one such a negative in the eyes of the gaming public. Rather than focusing on video game entertainment, as they should, Microsoft has attempted to create a mass media tool that interacts with the user via voice commands and gestures. Rather than viewing such additions in a positive light, it is the general opinion of the public that it would have been better for Microsoft to simply focus on games, rather than keeping gamers connected to every social media site via their gaming console. Microsoft's legacy has been compromised to say the least, but the war between the two companies isn't over yet. Whether or not Sony will be able to capitalize on this is still up in the air.
Art by Avital Pelman/Special to the TSV amount of self-discipline. Students need to be on top of their assignments and test without a teacher nagging them to complete them. A student can easily forget they have an assignment to turn in or a test to take with all of their face to
face classes fresh in their minds. If students do not keep up with the workload it will pile on just like any other classes. Just because there is no physical work to be done, that does not mean that it can be pushed aside for a later date.
A student should be weary. Online classes do not warrant an easy A. If the workload for these classes are left to the back burner, or taken lightly, they will definitely come back to bite you in the rear.
Welcome to the Spring semester Hello Skyline students! This being the first View From Here for the semester, there isn’t really much to say besides the fact that “We’re back” for the semester and like every other class at this point, we’re still trying to figure things out for ourselves and the situation will be flexible for the next week or so. But this is to be expected and don’t be surprised if names disappear from our staff list, nor should you think badly of them. They are only students after all and they are no different from any other in the college. This is the first print issue of the semester and while it is a short By William Nacouzi one, we’re still getting into the swing of things here at The View. So over the next couple of weeks, It’s yet another year, another expect us to swing into full gear semester. which will last until the end of the Welcome back to the campus semester. and to the Spring semester from As I mentioned earlier, this seeveryone at The Skyline View, and mester sees the addition of plenty me from personally. That said, we of new students to the newspaper here at The View are happy to be and returning staff members. This back, with new additions to the is quite a positive development for staff and plenty of returning staff the program, as the experience and members. skills of both the new and returnThe presenence of new and ing staff will help bring The View returning staff members to the to the next level. View will only benefit us and the At this point, it is uncertain whethcampus. After all, even comparer all or a few will drop the class ing the various backgrounds and but is it surprising? This is, after cultures of previous staff members we were a rather interesting mix of all, still only the start of the semester where students are juggling and people from across The Bay. determining their own schedule for
The View from Here
the rest of Spring. So as to be expected at the start of the semester, the staff positions at this point are temporary until the permanent staff is selected. At which point, you will see changes in our staff list. Also don’t be surprises to see the words “interim” in front of the titles of the various editors positions in this issues and online at our website, they will be there until the permanent staff is selected. Which will be happening in a few weeks from now and then The View will have its permanent staff for the semester. Though at this point, it does make me sound like a broken record repeating that the changes that the state has made regarding the ability of students to repeat classes has affected us as a paper. But the positive is that it has given us the chance to develop a number of ways to improve the program and the experience for everyone on staff. That’s all for now, and welcome to Skyline College.
Opinions
The
Skyline View
Jan. 23, 2014
Fashion Dont’s: A Guide to Community College Fashion for 2014 By René Bass
TSV Staff Writer
When you look good you feel good. When you look better you feel better. No matter how many catchy phrases you come up with, when you begin your day with good fashion you have an allaround good day. Fashion is no doubt subjective. What looks good to me may be crap to you. Fair enough. However, just following basic fashion rules can make your comfort and self-esteem soar. The Skyline campus is full of fashion dos and don’ts. There are so many basic fashion rules that I will say, for starters, that I have seen yellow rubber ducky pajamas with fake Ugg boots, or Fuggs as I affectionately call them. I hate fakes because they scream how cheap you are and yet you want to fool someone that you have some type of fashion sense. Liar. There is an urgent need for basic fashion
advice. I want you to look good and feel good. You’re welcome. Understood, fashion sense comes from various sources. There are people who get their fashion sense from current trends. There are those that stick to classics. There are those who dress like their favorite celebrity or rock idol. Then there are those who just don’t give a boot. I would beg those who wear pajama pants and Fuggs to please, please, please stop wearing that outfit, no matter how late you wake up, no matter how much sleep you had, no matter how badly you need to do laundry. I am being nice even referring to that abomination as an outfit. Spend some time at the beginning of the week, plan some outfits and by all means stick to them. To resist temptation, get rid of those yellow duckies. Now. Who the Tom Ford knockoff is buying Fuggs anyway? What lies does she tell herself to take a poorly constructed replica that scuffs
Dear Skyline View,
with the slightest bump, the sole unevenly wears down, and the label on the back has some jacked up name, or misspelled variation of the real deal. Dirt clings to those dreadful things like metal to a magnet. Absolutely shameful. To make it worse, Fuggs look like matted, depressed sheep when worn in the rain. Put them out of their misery. Know that even the most fashion retarded person can assemble clothing pieces in their wardrobe to come up with a daily look that gets them through the day with comfort and a smile. Wear a basic tee, throw on a pair of jeans, and slip on some leather loafers and you will feel better about people looking at you as you skip up the stairs from the quad to your class in building eight. Yes, people look. I look. You can be a fashion do or don’t. It’s your choice.
The Trojan Man
Enjoy your sex the same way you enjoy sushi: Raw is better This is going to sound a little ironic coming from the Trojan Man, but I’ll say it anyway: condoms suck. Now, a lot people out there use condoms and that’s great, keep doing that, this article’s not for you, sorry. But for those who have rode the roller coaster without protection and felt every rise and fall to its fullest potential, this one’s for you. Once you crossed that line it’s tough to go back; however, if you are going to go that route, there are two precautions you should take to ensure your fun doesn’t come with life changing stipulations attached to it.
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Number one, and this isn’t to say that one is more important than the other. You and your partner need to get tested! “Hey babe, it turns out I have (enter name of random terrible std) my bad.” You meet a nice girl, you date for a while, and then you “hook up.” You don’t have any std’s and she tells you she’s clean. Then a week or so she gives you a call like the one above. Now you’ve reached the point of no return. Trust is nice, facts are better. Number two, definitely not a lesser precaution by any means. The woman in the relationship needs to be on some type of birth control, unless of course you two are trying to have a baby. There are plenty of options out there: the pill, the shot, an Intrauterine Device (IUD), or an implanted chip. Kids are awesome, but studying for finals becomes an even more ridiculous challenge when you’re staying up all night taking care of you newborn with a cold. As we start a new semester, and before we get into the more gritty subjects of the sexual realm, I’d like to remind everyone to use birth control and get tested with your partner before you engage in any type of sexual activity. Taking risks can be exciting, but do try and stay away from the unnecessary ones.
Letter to the Editor
Here is a letter sent to Chancellor Galatolo and Ms. Nevarez (Technology) at the San Mateo Community College District Administration Office regarding WebSmart canceling ALL classes even if most classes had been paid for. I also want to give big thanks to Skyline Dean Don Carlson for his concern and action and to Wellness instructor Mark Frederick for agreeing to “add” me into the class once session begins. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Mr. Galatolo and Ms. Nevarez, I fully understand that SMCCD wants full payment on classes by a certain deadline date or they will be cancelled. Here’s my situation. I enrolled for several classes a few months ago and paid in full, over $200. Monday, Jan. 6th, I enrolled for one more class (yoga, $46 due). Right after enrolling, a friend had an emergency health concern and I had to leave my house. I was unable to pay for the extra $46 due to no computer access. At midnight, ALL my classes were cancelled and now I’m on the waitlist. WebSmart should be smart enough to only cancel the classes that were not yet paid for. WebSmart should realize “These six units were paid for and will not be cancelled. This one unit class is not paid for and will be cancelled.” Can this be re-programmed? It’s just wrong. If I hadn’t been in Oakland Kaiser with a friend having a non-verbal seizure and emotional break down, I would have paid for the unpaid class. When classes are added, WebSmart alerts classes will be cancelled if not paid by the deadline HOWEVER NO DEADLINE DATE IS PROVIDED at the time of registration. Then the email stating classes will be cancelled arrived in my email box the same day classes were cancelled at midnight. I was not home or able to receive email as I was caring for my friend. This email notification should come 72 hours ahead, not the same day. And a reminder should go out 48 hours ahead as well. Amy Lynn Caplan
Features Page 5 | The Skyline View | Jan. 23, 2014 | theskylineview@gmail.com
Editor’s Eats
Gorilla Barbeque: Southern Barbeque A Highway Away Location: 2145 Coast Highway 1, Pacifica, CA 94044 eat, well, you could take it back to campus and make your classmates jealous with the smell of fall-off-the-bone ribs and warm corn bread, or you could just walk across Highway 1, pick out a little Zen spot on the beach, and dig in.
by David Newlands TSV Staff Writer
Price: $10-$15/person Some say that good barbeque only comes from St. Louis, Kansas City, or Memphis, but on a clear afternoon, one only has to look toward the grassy dunes of Pacifica to see the smoke signals of Gorilla Barbeque calling you to mouthwatering, slow cooked, meaty goodness right in our own backyard. In terms of quirkiness, Gorilla Barbeque checks off most of the standard boxes. The restaurant is housed in a pumpkin-orange train car just a Frisbee throw away from the popular Linda Mar surf breaks. The interior is done up in cold steel, unfinished wood, and enough random bumper stickers to wallpaper, well, a train car. They are closed on a seemingly arbitrary day of the week – Tuesday. They offer take-out only, and host a line of eager customers clear to the end of the parking lot from noon until closing – which happens whenever they run out of meat. The menu is simple and focused on doing a few things really well, namely meat and southern style sides. Gorilla offers all the classics:
Located on Highway 1, Gorilla BBQ is quite hard to miss. brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and hot links. They serve these straight up with a generous side of sauce, or they’ll sauce it, sandwich it, and smother it in cheese for you, if you are feeling dangerous. If you are feeling really dangerous you can slather your pants in the sauce. Take it from me, you’ll smell sweet and spicy all day whether you want to or not. When asked which entrée was his favorite, Pacifica local Rob Kahl was deliciously diplomatic, “All meats are created equal, and I will eat them as such.”
David Newlands/The Skyline View
Like most customers, Rob opts for a combo plate so as to avoid the tough decision of what single meat to choose on any given day. The number of meats in a combo is typically proportionate to the number of very hungry people it will feed. If all this sounds a little off-putting to the veggie minded individual, Gorilla offers hearty vegetable dishes like Portobello mushrooms, eggplant, and zucchini as entrées, and all their sides - rustic corn muffins, creamy mac
Editor’s Eats
Broken Record’s newest resturant offers an innovative menu, a relaxing environment and reasonable prices for college students by Lea Naqishbendi
Price: Under $10 per person Location: 1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112 Located in the Crocker-Amazon neighborhood at 1166 Geneva, Hood Grub is the newest restaurant to hit San Francisco’s local bar, The Broken Record. Offering a varied menu, at an affordable price, Hood Grub provides a satisfying experience with their casual urban atmosphere. As of the first of this year the bar’s restaurant changed ownership, presenting a completely new menu with some items adopted from the owner’s additional restaurant, located in Fremont, called The Vine. The food isn’t exactly what you’d expect to find in the “hood”, but the sense of community you find in a neighborhood you’ll find here. The restaurant has about ten tables and booths. When you order, instead of a number to place at
With quirks that slather on the atmosphere like so much sticky sauce, and barbeque that melts in your mouth and in your hands less than ten minutes’ drive from campus, Gorilla Barbeque is the perfect place to grab a bite between classes, or just bliss out on a meat orgy and forget you had class to go back to.
Photo (right) by Lea Naqishendi / The Skyline View
Hood Grub: Hip-hop dining at its finest
TSV Staff Writer
and cheese, red beans and rice, crispy slaw, and potato salad – are veg (but not necessarily vegan) friendly. While a slow-cook barbeque spot with no seating may seem like a tough place to pop in for a quick bite, quite the opposite is true. Since barbeque is a slow cooking process that yields long-lasting results, the food is ready to go as soon as the doors open. It’s only a matter of how fast they can cut it and plate it up. Orders are ready in less than five minutes, and you can nosh a complimentary lollipop while you wait. As for where to
Gorilla Barbeque is a true hidden gem, though not exactly top secret. The infamous Guy Fieri has endorsed it, even going so far as to spray paint his personal brand logo behind the door. Take that promotion however you like. If Fieri walked into my kitchen, fist bumping and “bro’ing” it up, I’d start shopping for better insurance and a can of gas. Hey, Fieri may not know the first thing about cooking, but he looks like a guy who knows a thing or two about eating.
your table, you’re given a street name of the surrounding streets, such as Madrid or Paris, which give a quaint touch to the restaurant. When seated, you’ll notice simple decorative pieces, such as graffiti art, lights on the ceiling to represent the stars, and a ball dropping from it that is an exact replica of the moon. The music ranges from 1990’s hits to current hip-hop. The volume is loud enough to put you in the mood, but not drown out your conversation. Though the menu is limited in selection, it is far from disappointing. All items are under $10, from appetizers to brunch or dinner items. Their Artichoke Dip is a must have, served in a half sized warmed artichoke, with toasted pita bread slices for dipping. If you’re into spicy cuisine, their much raved about “Spicy Pork Sammy” is dynamite, literally, and is served with deep fried pickles. The “Hood Burger” is served with a fried egg, cheese, and onions on garlic bread that is rich and will melt in your mouth. Sandwiches and burgers don’t come with fries, but do come with an order of their addictive “Sweet Tater Tots” served with candied bacon aioli. This is a restaurant you will not leave hungry.
The food is surprising for its location in that you would not expect to find a menu in a local bar to be this good or fulfilling. Though the restaurant is within a bar, you don’t have to be 21 to eat, as alcoholic beverages are served in the bar area at the front of the establishment. If you are 21, you can bring the drinks back to your table, or hang out in the front. The bar offers two flat screen televisions, pool tables, and on some nights bingo which make it a great hangout with activity to occupy your time. The restaurant and bar are cash only, so to spare yourself fees from the ATM within the establishment come prepared. Open seven days a week, this is a hole in the wall restaurant you’ll be glad you tried.
Entertainment Skyline View
The
page 6
Jan. 23, 2014
theskylineview@gmail.com
Movie
“Desolation of Smaug” hits on all points
Bilbo and friends close out 2013 with a blockbuster by Steve Perotti
TSV Staff Writer
The second installment in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” trilogy does not disappoint as Bilbo and company arrive at their destination, and audiences finally get a glimpse of the titular dragon, Smaug.
When it was announced that “The Hobbit,” J.R.R. Tolkien’s predecessor to “The Lord Of The Rings,” was going to be made into
a movie, there were whispers of whether or not the movie could do the book justice. By this point we all know that director Peter Jackson can do hobbits and dwarves justice with his eye for
detail, and his elves always seem to meet with the approval of the public. It was the books great villain, the dragon responsible for ousting the dwarves from their homeland of Erebor, that had fans weary. Thankfully, the dragon did deliver in every way imaginable. Easily the high point of the entire movie, the appearance of Smaug is breathtaking. We’ve been teased with the dragon’s final look since the closing moments of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” and the wait was most definitely worth it. With voice work and motion capture done by Benedict Cumberbatch, Smaug’s overall presence is awe inspiring. The depth brought to the character goes far beyond what was expected, and is even drawing comparisons to Andy Serkis’ award winning portrayal of Gollum in “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy. Easily one of the most detailed works of computer generated art in the history of film, the movie is worth seeing for Cumberbatch’s Smaug alone. There are a few parts of the film that will leave true fans somewhat frustrated. The inclusion of the she-elf Tauriel, a character not created by Tolkien but by Jackson, is one of the most annoying moments in the film. Evangeline Lilly fills the roll of Tauriel, and while she does so relatively well, we are forced to question her presence in the film as a whole. If the character wasn’t in the original text, why did Jackson deem it necessary to create the character for the film? Legolas, played by a returning Orlando Bloom, makes an appearance in the film as well. The problem is, like Tauriel, Legolas was not in the original text. Was Bloom brought back simply to make a visual connection between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord Of The Rings,” or was he brought back simply due to contractual obligations? Neither one of these characters was necessary for the film;therefore, they detracted from it bit by bit.
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Picture This by Dandy: An electronic scavenger hunt for photos by Jordan Sweidan TSV Interim Entertainment Editor
Price: Free Platforms: Android, Blackberry, iOS, Windows Phone
Just a few weeks ago at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Dandy released its first crowd-sourced mobile app available for multiple OS platforms, named Picture This. In order to use the app, you’ll have to either connect through Facebook, or create an account via your email address. Every day, a new photo challenge is up for grabs, and if that seems too out of reach, then there are also a number of ongoing challenges which can be taken on. When a challenge is tapped, the user is taken to a screen with the description of the challenge, as well as photos submitted by other users. These
can be sorted by trending, popularity, and most recently added. Users may also share these challenges through Facebook and Twitter. Just like any other social media, submitted photos can receive likes and comments. As appealing as this app may be, it does have its drawbacks. One of them being that its interface does not allow users to submit photos from their galleries. This makes sense as it removes the idea of using a photo from the internet toward the completion of a challenge. In my case however, there have been times when I would take a splendid photo, and end up forgetting that I could have
submitted it in the application. And unlike Instagram, Picture This does not currently have filters available when snapping photos, so you don’t have to constantly be annoyed by seeing #nofilter in captions. Regardless, Picture This by Dandy is a fun app that you can use to test your photo-taking skills against those of your friends, family, and strangers you may come across.
Have an app you want to be featured? Send us an email @ entertainment.tsv@gmail.com Screenshot by Jordan Sweidan/The Skyline View
One of two positive additions to the film comes in the form of Luke Evans’ work as Bard, one of the men of Laketown, a town that lies in the shadow of Smaug’s mountain. Though his screen time was relatively short in comparison to the films other big name actors, like Cumberbatch’s Smaug it was Evans who helped to define the final moments of the film and give much needed emotion and depth to the overall story of the film. The second noteworthy addition to the cast is Lee Pace who portrays the elven king Thranduil, the father of Legolas and ruler of Mirkwood forest. In Pace’s character we get the opportunity to see a different side of the elven race, and one that is not entirely a positive one. Perhaps the most wasted opportunity of the film comes in the form of the Necromancer, a character that was referenced in “An Unexpected Journey.” While the character is mentioned in the original Tolkien text, the scenes throughout the movie were written by Jackson in order to extend the film’s running time. Originally, The Hobbit was planned to be two movies, but when the studio decided to make it a trilogy it was left to Jackson to add to the overall story to make the trilogy possible. Cumberbatch doubled as a voice actor for the Necromancer, and while his work was of course amazing, we didn’t get the opportunity to see the character in more than two scenes throughout the film. All negatives aside, “The Desolation of Smaug” is superior to “An Unexpected Journey,” and well worth the price of admission. The final moments of the film are a perfect cliffhanger that lead into the final film in the series, “There And Back Again,” which is scheduled to be released in December of 2014. The question that is plaguing Tolkien fans is this: how much of the film is going to be based on the literature, and how much is going to be coming from Peter Jackson directly? We’ll have to wait and see.
GAME ON! “Movie-Night Madness” Crossword Puzzle The
GameOn.tsv@gmail.com
Skyline View ▪ Jan. 23, 2014
9
Wow, so you guys dont want free Giants tickets?
Fine then! How about a free date out with your special
Directions: The quotes below all come from famous or recent movies.
person? Complete all the games on this page and turn them in, you could win TWO FREE MOVIE TICKETS. Yeah, you read that right. So get off your bums and get to playing! Return your completed game sheet to The Skyline View newsroom, located in building 8, room 8110 by Tuesday, Feburary 4th or take a picture of your completed newspaper and send it to the Game On email address above.
Skyline’s Got Jokes
What do you call four Mexicans in quicksand?
Quatro Sinko
Why don’t alcohol and calculus mix?
Because you should never drink and derive
Before marriage, a man years for the woman he loves. tt
After marriage, the “y” is silent. Go for the juggler.
How do you kill a circus clown?
Skyline View Sudoku Medium:
Easy:
Previous “Game On!” Answer Key: Crossword:
1. Dublin 2. Potato 3. Jamison 4. Snakes 5. Guinness 6. Celtic 7. Dropkick Murphys 8. Ireland 9. Shamrock 10. Riverdance 11. Paddys 12. Black Pudding 13. Blarney 14. Gaelic 15. Pot of Gold 16. Gerry Dams 17. Roy McIlroy 18. Leprechaun 19. Colin Farrell 20. George Bernard Shaw
Trivia Challenge:
1. Orange 2. Chicago 3. Boston 1737 4. Shoemaker
Easy:
Medium:
Hard:
Really Hard:
Across
2. “Although Kazakhstan a glorious country, it have a problem, too: economic, social, and Jew.” 5. “He’s good at getting his ass kicked. His name should be ‘ass kick’ instead.” 7. “What does Marcellus Walace look like?” 9. “I am the President of the United States clothed with immense power.” 13. “Humanity is just nasty and there’s no silver lining” 15. “I like to dissect girls. Did you know I’m utterly insane?” 16. “Poor Peter Parker, no mother. No father, no uncle. All alone.” 17. “We have a Hulk” 18. “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” 19. “I want you to draw me like one of your French girls.” 20. Momma always said, life is like a box of chocolates.
Hard:
Down
1. “I wasn’t high. I wasn’t wired. Just clear. I knew what I needed to do and how to do it.” 3. “When the world turns it’s back on you, you turn your back on the world!” 4. “You don’t know much about witches, do you?” 6. “We’re gonna be doing one thing and one thing only: killin’ Nazis.” 8. “Lets play a game of ‘GO F*** Yourself ’, you go first.” 10. I wrote 365 letters. I wrote you everyday for a year.” 11. “I want to be with your daughter. I’m good at it.” 12. “This date isn’t going well. I want to die all over again.” 14. “The power of Christ compels you!”
Very Hard:
Skyline
Upcoming Games
Sports
Baseball
Badminton
Feb. 2 @ Laney College, 12 p.m.
Mar. 13 @ De Anza College, 5 p.m.
Feb. 4 vs. Cosumnes River College, 2 p.m.
Mar. 21 vs. Fresno City College, 3 p.m.
Feb. 8 vs. College of the Redwoods, 2 p.m.
Mar. 25 @ C.C.S.F., 3 p.m.
Feb. 9 vs. College of the Redwoods, 11 a.m.
Mar. 27 vs. Mission College, 3 p.m.
Feb. 14 vs. Shasta College, 2 p.m.
Apr. 8 vs. De Anza College, 3 p.m.
Spring 2014 sports preview:
Baseball
Little brothers no more
Pitching leads the road back to the playoffs by Ray Garcia
TSV interim Sports Editor
The grass has never been greener, as so it seems with the upcoming Trojan baseball season. After a disappointing, injury-riddled 2013 season, the team returns a bevy of sophomores along with a huge cast of freshmen, with hopes to again contend for the league championship and beyond. “We’re an experienced team,” said Coach Dino Nomicos. “We have a chance to compete for the league championship but ultimately we’re looking to get back to the state playoffs.” The team has 19 first year players, but that inexperience is belied by the battle-tested 12 players who are returning from last year’s squad. “We took our lumps (last year),” Nomicos said. “We were young.” “Last year was tough. It was a little fork in the road,” said left fielder Dabian Canales. “It definitely will be different this year.” After a trying last season, those returning feel more prepared, and will help the newcomers adjust and try to get them to contribute to the team. “As sophomores, we progressed and can teach the freshmen and give them leadership,” Canales said. The team lacked consistent pitching last year, and a great deal of it was due to inexperience. The team ERA last year was a ghastly
5.62, a number the team hopes to lower. “We’re starting as an experienced offensive club,” Nomicos said. “(But) this year our strength is pitching. Our success will come down to our pitching.” The pitching staff is one of the deepest the team has had in years, according to pitching Coach Tony Brunicardi. “It’s a good group of pitchers, a lot of depth,” Brunicardi said. Bryan Hidalgo will get the call on opening day. Other pitchers of the tentative main rotation include Daniel Madigan and Aldo Severson, but starting pitchers are strongly based on matchups. And there are plenty of good pitchers with whom Coaches Nomicos and Brunicardi can throw at opponents. “There are so many good pitchers on the staff,” Hidalgo said. “But it’s an honor to start on opening day.” “There are guys who could be in starting roles on top of the three quality starters,” Brunicardi said. “It’s a good problem to have.” Some of those key pitchers include Cage Gascone, Tommy Caufield and Sean Collins, along with returning closer Daniel Morales. The team faces stiff competition from within the conference, but the team believes they have something besides their talent that can’t be quantified in numbers: chemistry. “We have better chemistry this year around. It’s like a brotherhood,”
Canales said. Of course with the beginning of the season, optimism is going to be at a high, but this is the year the team believe they can go all the way. “The team has a chance to do something special. We have a shot to be pretty good,” Brunicardi said. “We will battle this year for the first three spots,” said Nomicos. “We play for the state playoffs.” Extra innings * 10 of 14 players from last year’s squad received baseball scholarships from four year schools. * Four games will be shown live on the internet this upcoming season. * Preseason All-American right fielder Joey Carney is recovering from a broken ankle. He is on the mend for the next three to six weeks, “maybe,” according to coach Nomicos The success of the team will ultimately come down to the pitching, which is the deepest it has been in years
Badmiton Preview:
Schedule
Fresh Start, New Mindset for Trojans by Shaquill Stewart TSV Staff Writer
A new season brings new players, coaches and a fresh start to do better than last year.That is definitely the mindset of this year Skyline Badminton Team. With the small numbers of bodies Skyline Badminton will be at a disadvantages but it won’t be a hindrances in what coach Fosberg wants this season. “Our biggest challenge would have to be the small number of student athletes we have on the team. It’s always challenging to compete with De Anza College and CCSF who have a very large student body and are also strong badminton areas” said Fosberg via email. De Anza College won the Badminton cham-
pionship last spring. After a disappointing 3-5 team record last year Coach Fosberg come in this year with a different mindset for team. “We will be emphasizing fitness and endurance in practice to stay strong through three hour matches” said Fosberg via email describing the biggest focus this year for the team. This year team will be returning three players from last year Carla Montanes, Clarisse Domingo and Katrina Diaz who will definitely bring leadership in doubles’ and singles competition. Also Anna Nguyen who was a key contributor from last year will joins the coaching staff. “ Anna’s knowledge of skills and strategies will really benefit
Photo (top) by Renee Abu-Zaghibra / The Skyline View
this year’s team” said Fosberg the elements that Anna Nguyen will be for Skyline.With the return of players helping the newer players transition from either high school or a different country they know they will have to compete strong individuals and doubles to be successful. “ The team is like a family. Everyone is supportive of one another and very welcoming. The players who have immigrated may have challenges such as language or cultural differences but all of the student athletes are so encouraging and helpful that the transition is made easier. And Skyline is the best at providing resources to those in need and emphasizing student success”. Skyline begins right out the gate on Mar 13 against De Anza.
Full 2014 Skyline Badminton Schedule Mar. 13 Mar. 20 Mar. 25 Mar. 27 Apr. 8 Apr. 17 Apr. 22 Apr. 29
at De Anza Fresno Fresno at San Francisco Mission De Anza San Francisco at Fresno at Fresno at Mission
5:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT 3:00 PM PDT