The Viking News: Issue 3

THE VIKING NEWS TAKES A TRIP TO

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page 18 &19

T H E V IK ING NE WS

VOLUME LXXXV ISSUE III

Nothing is More Valuable Than Knowledge

November 3, 2010

- What’s Inside Chilean Miners Captivate the World page 4&5

Diversity at WCC: The Hard Numbers page 4 Election 2010: The Showdown pages 6 & 7 Photo courtesy of Journal News

A Student Life Pictorial pages 10-14

PACE STUDENT DANROY “DJ” HENRY KILLED White House Community College Summit page 24 Verizon Runs up Bill page 26 Womens Volleyball beats Dutchess CC page 34

Steven Draper Editor-in-Chief According to police, Danroy “D.J.” Henry, a 20-year-old Pace University junior from Easton, MA, was speeding away from officers who confronted him at Finnegan’s Grill at the Town Cen-

Still feeling the aftershocks from the worst recession to hit our generation, Westchester Community College (WCC) lost an additional reduction in the ongoing mid-year cuts.

5 DAY FORECAST

Valhalla, NY

only one not to return.

The fatal shots were taken at the cummulation of a chaotic night at the Town Center.

Throughout the night, sporadic fights broke out within the crowd of over 150.

In a Mount Pleasant news release, a police officer approached

MORE STATE AID CUTS FOR WCC Jheanel Walters Staff Writer

The VIKING NEWS

ter strip mall in Thornwood, NY. A Pleasantville police officer that was hit by the fleeing car is believed to have made the fatal shot.

The front-seat passenger also suffered a minor gunshot wound.

All three were treated at the Valhalla Medical Center, D.J. was the

At the start of the new fiscal year, New York’s sharp budget cuts left community colleges raising their tuition. A total of $2.2 million was cut from WCC’s own state funding and the reaction led to an extra $200 increase in tuition, much to the dismay of more than half the student body.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concluded that, after two years of making deep spending cuts to offset the recession’s impact, the state continues to face large budget gaps. New York’s state revenues for the 2011

Henry’s vehicle, which was parked in a fire lane. An officer knocked on the car window and Henry sped off.

Police said a Pleasantville officer tried stopping the vehicle but Henry accelerated into him, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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$200

since Fall ‘09 tution

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WEDNESDAY Nov.3rd

THURSDAY Nov. 4th

FRIDAY Nov. 5th

SATURDAY Nov. 6th

SUNDAY Nov. 7th

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H:60° L:45° Artwork by Andressa Micheletto

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November 3, 2010

PACE FOOTBALL PLAYER DJ SHOT AND KILLED CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

causing him to ride on the hood of the car.

In an attempt to pull the Pleasantville officer off the hood, a Mount Pleasant officer was grazed by the car.

Clinging to the hood, the Pleasantville officer shot at Henry through the windshield accoring to the release. These are believed to be the shots that killed Henry.

The car continued down the fire lane, heading toward another Mount Plesant officer who also fired at the vehicle. The car finally came to a stop after crashing into a Mount Pleasant police cruiser about 60 feet from where it began its run.

Witnesses dispute the police

report of what happened that night.

Dozens of Pace students say that the disc jockey inside Finnegan’s Grill warned them that police were arriving to break up a fight outside.

In a chaotic enviornment, Henry was leaving the bar and tried to avoid hitting the police officer standing in the road but failed. Henry continued to drive which resulted in officers opening fire.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Louis Alango said The Mount Pleasant officer who fired at Henry will be put on administrative duty.

Hundred of students held a

vigil on the Pace football field on Oct. 17th.

Anger over the death has deepened since the incident.

The Henry family’s attorney has made serious allegations of police brutality and disputing a claim made by police that Henry was drunk when he was driving.

The Henry family has also called for the Federal Justice Department to take over the case.

The Pace football team has also rallied together to accuse police of wrongfully arresting them when they were only trying to help Henry as he laid dead.

The Viking News will continue to report on this case as it develops in the coming weeks.

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC.

Photo courtesy of AP Above: Danroy Henry’s car at the scene of the incident at Finnigans Grill in Thornwood, NY.

Transfer Day 2010: Expansion into Gym Met with Lukewarm Attendance

Sergio Villatoro for The Viking News Students walk out of the new venue for Transfer Day.

Laura Anaya Staff Writer

more students attended Transfer Day last semester. But this did not take away the importance or success from Transfer Day. Like most things in life there are two different points of view to everything. But today in transfer day, the two points of view were pretty much the same. Both counselors/representatives and students seemed to agree that transfer day is a very important and essential day in a college’s agenda.

Some counselors/representatives even agreed that they reach out more to students during a transfer day than by all the advertisement they put out. During Transfer Day a student has the chance to talk directly to a representative of a college they are interested in and find out very essential information. This information mostly has

the four year process?”. These and many other questions were answered by many of the different counselors/representatives of these colleges.

One particular student said he likes to come to transfer day because “is like a market for your brain, when you can just pick a spot and get all the important information that you need”. Many students believe Transfer Day is not only a useful use of their time but also an essential day for any college. “Transfer Day allows many students figure out which college is right for them, even if they haven’t made a decision jet”.

Transfer Day also allowed these students to find out about new colleges they had not even heard of before. The major success of Transfer Day proves once again that WCC students are in fact concerned about their education and the presence of all these colleges proves that WCC opens many doors for the success of any one who is willing to work for it.

Some of the CUNY and Private/Public Colleges including Baruch, Lehman, Queens, York, City College, Berkeley, The College of New Rochelle, Concordia, Iona, Ithaca College

Sergio Villatoro for The Viking News

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 many Westchester Community College students were present at what seemed to be another successful Transfer Day. There were many different colleges who kindly gave up the presence of one of their counselors/representatives so they could help these students make one very important decision concerning the future of their education.

Some of the CUNY and Private/Public Colleges including Baruch, Lehman, Queens, York, City College, Berkeley, The College of New Rochelle, Concordia, Iona, Ithaca College and so many others were very helpful to these WCC students when it came to

finding out essential information regarding the college of their choice.

According to some students they decided to come to transfer day because they feel more confident and relaxed about the whole “stressful” process of transferring to a 4-year college after having a brief one on one session with a representative to the college they are interested in transferring to.

Although some students were a bit disappointed, they seemed to believe last semester’s transfer day was more organized and that more different colleges attended the event.

Some representatives were even missing from their booths and even some staff agreed that there was a major difference of attendance from students, meaning

to deal with how many credits are transferable and most importantly how many of those transferable credits are actually usable for the major in mind, throughout a brief session a student also finds out whether or not they are actually good candidates for either acceptance or even a scholarship. These representatives also provide the students with ideas of what classes to take next in order to gain a usable credit for their school.

After talking for a brief moment with a counselor from Queens College it seemed that most students have the same concerns when it comes to transferring to a 4-year college.

Some of the most common questions asked by a student are whether a particular college is the right one for the major in min and how many credits will be transferable.

What this counselor seems to believe to be the two most important questions are “how many credits will be usable? and how many will it take to complete

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November 3, 2010

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STUDENT CENTER TO RECEIVE $22 MILLION RENOVATION

18 Months will Yield a New Lounge, Dining Area, Study Centers, and Club Offices Shelly Williams Copy Editor The Student Center Building of Westchester Community College is getting renovated after the spring semester in May of 2011.

The project is expected to go out to bid in December.

The expansion of the Student Center is being spearheaded by the Physical Plant Project Administration of WCC with Kevin Garvey, Director of the Physical Plant and Robert Cirillo, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds.

The architect of the project is Perkins Eastman Architects PC. Engineers for the project have not been hired.

In an interview with Garvey, he explained the estimated cost of the project is about approximately $22 million.

The overall goal of the renovation is to provide an up-to-date facility that will convey and support the new lounge, study area, dining area, and the new study center upstairs. There will be new lights, new furniture, and a brand new state-of-the-art quiet area. This building will not be a green building like the Gateway Center, but rather a renovation to improve the infrastructure of the Student Center and the quality of student life.

The primary systems of the building have exceeded their

shelf life and upgrading the mechanical system, lighting, and the plumbing system will improve the building air quality and the energy performance. Changing the sprinkler system to meet current standards will create a safer environment. A new roof and the front light fixtures will extend the current life of the building. A secondary goal of the expansion is the integration of the infrastructure consisting of utilities, communication systems, fire alarms, and other control systems. The fundamental objectives consist of a replacement of the fundamental building systems in order to renew the building usable life.

The Student Center will not be shut down for renovation. Activities will still be operating as usual. The commercial kitchen and the security office must be operating throughout the construction. Renovation is expected to take approximately 18 months.

The most efficient use of the project money promotes the three phases of the renovation. Phase One is to construct a new commercial kitchen, dining area, local security office while the existing facility operates.

Phase Two is to move the existing security offices, dining area, commercial kitchen, and the lounge to the newly renovated space.

Phase Three begins with renovation on the old spaces of the dining area, security offices, commercial kitchen, the student life offices, The Viking News office, WARY, and the other offices downstairs in the Student Center.

The old kitchen and cafeteria space will be used for something else. Organizations such as The Viking News, WARY, and The Student Life Office will be move into other buildings on campus so they can do the renovation for those offices.

Garvey said, “The end result of the Student Center would not be totally unrecognizable but the students and staff will notice the changes.�

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November 3, 2010

Chilean Miners Captivate World : Shelly Williams Copy Editor Thursday August 5th, 2010, thirty-three Chilean miners were trapped by a collapse in the mine.

“The San Jose Mine which is about 800km (500 miles) north of Santiago is exceptionally known for its copper and gold. The mine is own by a private firm called San Esteban (bbc.co.uk/news).” Chilean president, Sebastian Pinera makes a public statement concerning the collapse of the mine.

“I personally promised the families of the trapped miners that rescue operations will continue with all the strength in the world.

I also pledge to thoroughly investigate, establish where responsibility lies, and punish accordingly (bbc.co.uk/news). Chile itself is a country best known for its copper and it is the world’s top copper producer. August 7th, 2010, a second collapse occurred. This collision did not only substantially block entrée to the lower parts of the mine and the ventilation shaft but also hinder rescue ef-

Photo courtesy of CNN.COM Above: A Photograph of the trapped miners on day 17 of their incredible survival.

forts. Due to the significant blockage caused by the collapse, all routes to exit the mine were seal between 400m to 500m (1,312 ft).

“Despite the collapse of the ventilation shaft, rescuers thought that the miners may have survived so they built a sequential amount of exploratory boreholes in order to send listening probes (bbc.co.uk/ news).”

About seventeen days later, rescue members found a note

that was secure to one of the listening probes stating, “Estamos bien en el refugio”- All 33 of us are well inside the shelter (Cnn. com).” The note was about the 700m (2, 300 ft) shelter down the mine where the miners had been staying. Communications were set up and emergency supplies including fresh water were whisked down the borehole to the miners.

“The men told the rescue teams they had access to a part of the

mine tunnel that was about 1km (0.6miles). They also said they had split into three groups for eating and sleeping. Their groups were grupo refugio, grupo rampa, and grupo 105. The groups were named after the shelter, the ramp, and level 105 sections of the tunnel where they had been trapped (cnn.com).”

After rushing emergency supplies to the miners, rescuers were now able to sent food, medi-

cal supplies, special clothing, camp beds, and other equipment to help make the men more comfortable. Since access to the mine tunnel was blocked, rescuers decided the best way of reaching the miners was to drill a shaft and winch the miners up to the surface. The rescue efforts took three different types of equipment used for drilling. One of the drill’s which is commonly used in the oil industry was used to widened the shaft, and the other two were raise-bore machines which drilled the pilot hole. “The pilot hole for the first shaft which was known as plan A, started on August 30th.

The purpose of Plan A was to aim for shelter. Plan B completed its pilot hole on September 17th and its aim was for a workshop (bbc. co.uk/news).”

The men will have to work with the rescuers by helping cleared the debris while drilling was happening. Their rest time was use for writing letters to their families, and sleeping. The men had to keep slim so they will be

Report: Changing Diversity Over the Years Kassandra Lopez Staff Writer Diversity is something that really characterizes WCC. The school has a broad variety of students from different parts of the world. From China to the Americas, the school has shown that our ethnicity is evident.

At first glance, it might look like the current recession we are in has affected the student body of the school. The truth is, if we really pay attention to the numbers, we can see that the economy has not really affected the percentage in attendance of the students.

From 2003 to 2008, the number of white students, who have the highest percentage of students studying at the campus, went from 52.7 to 48.0 percent. In the same years, the percentage number of Hispanic students attending the college went from 16.1 percent to 21.4 percent. Similarly, the percentage number of black students went from 18.4 to 20.2 also from the years 2003 to 2008.

Asian students are at the medium of the chart, being from 4.6 to 5.0 percent in those same years, and foreign students following with a percentage from 3.2 to 1.9 percent.

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC. Finally, the number of Native American students, being the smallest of the group, went from 1.2 to 0.7 percent. Those who were not identified, for whatever reason, got a percentage range of 3.9 to 2.8 percent.

The percentage of white graduate students from the years 2004 to 2008 went from 53.1 to 51.7 percent followed by the Hispanic students whose graduating percentage went from 16.9 to 20.6 percent and whose highest graduating rate was 19.3 percent in 2007.

The number of graduating black students went from 17.3 to 16.1 percent, with their highest

rate being in 2007 with 18.9 percent of graduates. The number of Asian/Pacific Islander graduate students from 2004 to 2008 went from 4.6 to 6.6 percent.

Native American, with still the lowest attending and graduating rates, stayed with 1.1 percent for both years in 2004 to 2008 with their higher rate being in 2006 with only a tiny increment of graduating students of 1.8 percent. Non-Resident Alien graduating rate from those same years went from 6.3 to 3.4 percent.

In an interview with Patrick Hennessey, director of the college’s public relations department, he stated that: “… the percent-

ages of the publications reflect the student body….as much as possible.” The “publications” refer to the different booklets in which demographic statistics show the different aspects concerning the student body.

Diversity is not only about ethnicity. This is why gender is also a contributing factor to the student body noting that in fall, 2003 the number of female students attending WCC surpassed that of men in the same year. The percentage of woman decreased by a little bit, from 56.8 to 55.7 percent in 2003 to 2008. Still, the male percentage on the other hand went from 43.2 percent in

2003 to a tiny increase of 44.3 percent in 2008.

The increase of diversity on the school and the hate crimes going on in the country, has led to WCC staff to implement ways to increase awareness of tolerance with people from different cultures. This is why Peter A. Voguel visited the school in the middle of February in order to raise awareness of diversity in the college, as mentioned earlier in the year.

These series of meetings continue, and the most recent one was this past Oct. 20, 2010 when the school held the Culture Prep Town Hall Meeting at the Davis Theater in the Gateway Center (home of the ESL programs, and where most of the foreign and English learners attend classes).

In this meeting, professors such as Glen Richards, Habiba Khokar, and Laurie Corey talked about the importance of having a diverse environment such as the one at WCC. Professor Glen Richards talked about ways staff can help increase awareness among students such as events during Black History month, and creating clubs and meetings that include different cultural foods, dances, etc. The Culture Prep is to have another meeting Oct. 27.

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November 3, 2010

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A Complete Report on Their Story able to fit in the capsule. Communication with the miners was essential in order for the rescue operation to go smoothly. Messages from family members from the surface were also sent in special tubes down to the miners.

“The families were now living in tents on the camp site dubbed Campo Esperanza since the accident and they were receiving food and water through charities and local authorities. By the request of the miners, a school was also set up for the children (bbc. co.uk/news).”

On October 9, 2010, amid scenes of jubilation on the surface, the Plan B drill penetrated the miners’ workshop. “Rescuers decided to enclose the first 96m (315 ft) after a video observation of the shaft was done to check the rock’s solidity. To prevent the rocks in the looser soil near the top of the shaft from being discharge and from barricading the rescue capsule, they welded sixteen six meter tubes together and put it into the shaft. A winch and a hoister were than installed on the rescue

capsule, bbc.co.uk/news).” The capsule is called “The Phoenix,” which is a mythical bird that rose from the ashes. There were many tests done on The Phoenix before the ascent of the miners began.

“Before the men could enter The Phoenix and be hoister up to the surface, they had to wear a “bio-harness” designed for astronauts which will monitor their heart rate, breathing, temperature, oxygen consumption, and sunglasses to protect their eyes from the glared of the desert and to avoid eye damage. They also wore a helmet with built in communication to talk with the rescue crew. Elastic bandages were rapped around their lower legs to prevent blood circulation problems on the ascent (cnn.com).”

Sixty-nine days later, The Phoenix was now ready. Rescue members were sent down to help the miners put on the required equipment, help them into the capsule and show them how to operate it. It will take roughly an hour to bring one miner to surface and about half an hour

for the capsule to be hoister back down to the mine. As time went by, the estimated time was cut down between each ascent from an hour to twenty-five minutes.

When Urzua, the shift supervisor at the mind who was credited with helping the other miners endure the early days of their bondage embraced President Pinera and said, “We have done what the entire world was waiting for. We had strength, we had spirit, we wanted to fight for our families and that was the greatest thing (bbc.co.uk/news).”

President Pinera replied, “You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this. You were an inspiration. Go hug your wife and daughter (bbc.co.uk/news).” The public square was full to its capacity with people watching the events unfold. President Pinera was at the front of it all greeting each miner as they rose to the surface. One by one the men were brought up by The Phoenix to their love ones. After embracing their families, they were rush to the hospital for health reasons.

More State Aid Cuts for WCC and for students who depend on financial aid, this is just an extra load. Zackia Cabrera, a scholarship and aid recipient, stated, “I can’t afford tuition already, so if they raise it again, that’s just more burden on my family.”

Ricky Martinez wasn’t as surprised though, “It’s only odd because that is money the school can use. However, there is always going to be a reason for raising tuition.” But, according to Vice President and Dean of Administrative Services, Pat D’Imperio, “This will have no impact on tuition and fees for 2010/11. The college is holding the line on expenses.”

Although the economy appears to be slowly recuperating, most states’ funds are still in fragile shape and considering the growing budget gaps, revenues may continue to drop instead of improving. Spending and service cuts are more than likely and School Aid just might lose much more before the 2012 fiscal year.

Mr. D’Imperio, comment on the college’s predicament was, “At this point, we do not know whether there will be additional cuts forthcoming from the state or not, but we are certainly hopeful that we will not hear any further bad news from the State.”

People rejoice as each man was brought up. It took approximately twenty-two hour for all the thirty-three miners to be rescue. President Pinera made many statements during the course of the ordeal but one of his heart strung statement that stuck with the people was, “What ended as a real blessing from God started as

a possible tragedy. But the unity, the faith, the compromise, the honesty, and the solidarity of the Chileans in those sixty-nine days make us very proud (bbc.co.uk/ news).” Before the remaining six rescuers started their journey back to the top, they held up a banner that read, “Mission accomplished.”

Technology Building Gets New Rooms

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Fiscal Year fall short of $8.5 billion, an increasing 15 percent of the projected budget. A balanced approach to the shortfalls the state is now tackling is to just raise taxes and pass more budget cuts. According to the New York State Council of School Superintendents, Governor Patterson’s proposed contingency plan was approved in August by the State Legislature. The Assembly and the Senate authorized midyear School Aid cuts and payment delays. Aids such as Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), were first scheduled to be paid by the first business day of September, but were pushed to the end of the month and payment is still awaited. While some areas are spared spending cutbacks, School Aid has to sacrifice its already limited funds. School Aid includes approximately 25 percent of total state funds but when other spending areas are excluded from the reductions, Aid is almost 40 percent. This suggests that total cuts for the current year could approach $400 million. To contribute to the hopeful $1.085 billion in savings, WCC was subjected to an “unexpected” additional $197, 479 in reduction.

This new information have raised concerns about the effect this will have on tuition

Photo courtesy of CNN.COM Above: Chilean President Pinera holds up a note from the miners, “All 33 are safe in refuge”

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC.

Lucky students get the first look of the new Tech Lab. Outfitted with 19 Macc computers, 24 new PCs, projectors and other media equipment.

Julia John-Scheder Staff Writer The new student lounge in the tech building is a new and improved renovation of the old student lounge area.

Located on the first floor of the tech building it is encased by wide windows, which invitesbright students to hang out between classes.

Meant to be another place students can get together outside the classroom, adding to the college experience. There are several outlets for the students to plug in their laptops to work.

The tables and sofas offer

them a place to relax and meet with other students. The new vending machines offer a variety of snacks and drinks, “They’re great and better than the vending machines in other buildings” says one of the students.

Then there is the new Mac lab which is located at the bottom floor of the tech building in room 13D. All of the equipment in the lab is new. There are 19 new Mac computers, 24 PCs all equipped with Premium Adobe Software.

Two projectors in the room and a growing inventory of FLIP video recorders, ZOOM sound recorders, camcorders, microphones,

headphones, and tripods round out the recently expanded Journalism program at WCC. These tools are necessary when preparing students for the modern media world says Prof.

Luther, faculty advisor for The Viking and new teacher at WCC. He and his colleague Prof. Passariello enjoy teaching there because they get to show, not only tell students how things work in real life.

Professor Luther adds that “With these new labs, we now have the opportunity for our classrooms to reflect what’s really going on in the world of media, communications, and journalism.”

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NEWS

Election 2010: November 3, 2010

US Senate Seats Jay Townsend

Jay Townsend wants to re create an “American Dream” New York. Where the people of New York can create a “hub of commerce” and the trades and skills can be utilized for the betterment for the state. Townsend wants to create a place where the lower

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citizens on the social ladder can move up with their work and skills advancement for themselves.

Towsend wants public schools to be competitive private charter schools. He believes that tax cuts are more beneficial than paying taxes.

Townsend believes that if people have the money to spend, rather than recieve; Tax money will stimulate the economy and create more jobs.

Townsend belives that if there is more money to go around then it will lead to job creation and sensible spending for all citizens.

He wants to bring back the hard working attitude for NY state.

Chuck Schumer

Charles E. Schumer is running for the Senate for the third term in his prolong political career. In his previous term, he has sat on many different commitees in the Senate. He sat on the Committee on Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, and appointed by

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Sen. Harry Reid(D- Nev) to serve as the Vice Chair of the Democratic Conference.

A powerful figure in the Democratic Party, Schumer has voted Yes on many accounts for education reforms, unemplyment issues and the creation of jobs, the process of legalization for illegal aliens and other bills that include with environmental and foreign policies. Schumer There have been speculation that Schumer would be the new majority leader if he wins this elections and his fellow senaor Reid were to lose the election in his home state of Nevada. In the recent polls as of this month Schumer seems to be leading in this year’s race

SPECIAL ELECTION Joe DioGuardi

Joseph. J DioGuardi is a local politician and CPA from Ossining, NY who is running against Gillibrand for the NY Senate seat.

His views supported by a conservative base of voters. He is also representing the Taxpayers Party. He believes in cutting

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taxes, establishing a level playing field on education where schools can be competitive within their own education systems.

He recommends that for illegal immigration, the country needs to secure our border into stop the flow of illegal immigration and provide a new system for the immigrants who are here.

He is pro on veteran relations where he believes that veterans of wars should be treated with more benefits and has privileges because they have fought the country they love.

He is pro-life on abortion issue; he believes that life is precious and that the abortion system is a shame.

Kirsten Gillibrand

Kristen Gillibrand is entering her first real election where she needs to campaign to get votes.

She was elected with a special vote when Hillary Clinton left her Senate seat for Secretary of State.

She was picked by Gov. Pat-

erson to serve her state.

She has worked with Gov. Schumer to provide for state reforms in various categories. She considers her to be centrist because she does appeal to the republicans for her conservative view a lot of issues.

Her views are pro-choice on abortion, helping out business on economic reforms, pro equality for alternate lifestyles. She has turn her views on illegal immigration and have even co sponsor the Dream Act, which allows amnesty for students who are illegally here and providing them a way to citizenship. She has won her primary with a three to one margin over her opponent Gail Goode.

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November 3, 2010

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What You Should Know Good Day, Guvna!

Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo’s platform on, the economy, healthcare, and equality. Cuomo’s beliefs are that most of New York State’s economy is centralized by agriculture; and considering the industry is facing challenges such as high costs, low prices, and higher competition, the agriculture indus-

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lone grow from these challenges.

To bring forth such changes include: addressing the high cost of doing business, create innovative ways to access much needed capital, create new markets, capitalize on emerging technology to expand business opportunity for farms, sell locally grown food locally, and recognize our agricultural government bureaucracy.

Regarding health care Andrew Cuomo states “My Urban Agenda recognizes the need to address the chronic problems of underserved communities so that we can build a new New York,” in his “Urban Agenda” his plans are to expand access to government healthcare.

Cuomo’s stance on equality is to legalize gay marriage. To “make equality a reality” in New York.

Carl Paladino

Carl Paladino’s stance on the issues of New York; such as Healthcare, the economy, and equality.

Regarding health care, Paladino plans to “immediately cut Medicaid back to California levels, moving New York from by

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far the most expensive state for health care to more acceptable levels.”

Regarding the economy, Paladino plans to focus on the reduction of New Yorkers spending ; in hopes that New York can cut taxes, this freeing up capital for existing companies to grow, leading to the attraction of smaller firms and entrepreneurs.

As far as equality, despite a thorough search of his website; no thoughts on equality were found.

18th Congressional District Nita Lowey

Regarding job creation and tax relief Nita Lowey is for the economic relief and jobs creation bill.

When it comes to Economic growth and Equality, Nita Lowey wants women fairly compensated for their labors by allowing workers to challenge discriminatory wage policies for equal work.

The health insurance reform and affordability benefits that are currently available from Nita Lowey’s efforts are $250 direct

relief toward prescriptions for senior citizens, tax credits to those small businesses that provide medical coverage to their employees.

Lowey plans to make investments into medical research and ensure medical insurance coverage for clients with preexisting conditions.

Nita Lowey is for the fiscal responsibility of the government in that Washington must offset any new expenditure by an equivalent or lager savings account amount.

Nita Lowey was involved with the passing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Also regarding energy Nita plans to break dependence on foreign oil by investing in clean air technology and green jobs that will bolster our economy for decades.

Hate Crimes prevention ACT will give local prosecutors and Police Departments the ability to confront crimes of bias.

Cortes DeRussy

VS. Stepping into the race only after the GOP pulled its backing of candidate Jim Russell due to his controversial writings on race and religion, Cortes DeRussy is now on the ballot...sort of. DeRussy will be running as a “writein” candidate. Russell’s name remains on the ballot due to New York State election laws about candidate removal.

While he’s new to the race, former business executive DeRussy hopes he stands a chance,

telling lohud.com that “if we get the issues out, certainly we have a chance.” Still he admitted, “this is not easy.”

DeRussy considers himself a “true fiscal conservative and tax fighter who will stand up for the taxpayers of the 18th District.”

The 70 year old DeRussy is a resident of Yonkers and has lived in Westchester County for almost 40 years.

Jim Russell initially had the GOP backing him, however after antisemetic essays were serfaced, the GOP shifted their support to DeRussy.

Jim Russell

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November 3, 2010

Vampire Flies in to Quicken Viking Pulses Josh Jenkins Copy Editor

Photo by Josh Jenkins

“Garlic is better than ten mothers.” -- Ancient Chinese Proverb On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Westchester Events Board treated us Vikings to a special guest speaker from Ohio. High in the middle and round at both ends, Ohio is often dismissed as being home to LeBron James, Pert Plus and world- class roller coasters.

WEB helped broaden our minds by inviting Buckeye Stater Michelle Belanger to give a talk on the contemporary subject of vampires.

The speaker dealt fearlessly with the history of the global vampire community, as well as with her own personal background.

Students sat transfixed in the darkened student center for two great hours. The talk caused jaws to drop and pulses to quicken.

The subject of the vampire in literature was discussed first.

Many students nodded their heads at mention of Bram Stoker’s classic, “Dracula.” The Irish nov-

Above: Michelle Belanger revelaed to students the real vampire world this month.

elist penned his great tome one hundred thirteen years ago, but it has hardly been gathering dust.

Whether or not one buys into the notion of humans being immortal, it would be difficult to find a better adjective for the character

of Count Dracula himself.

Laycock’s “Vampires Today” was recommended to those who are interested in a modern scholarly approach to the subject. “We (vampires) want to understand it, too.” said Belanger. The Reagan- Clinton era is known as the “golden age of vampire cinema.”

Examples include “The Hunger” and “Interview with a Vampire,” in which Tom Cruise “almost kissed Brad Pitt.” Almost…

Michelle Belanger called herself a “psychic vampire.” This means that she feeds not on human blood, but on the vital energy emanating from the skin of her consenting associates. She “re-ups” twice monthly on the energy of four to five friends.

Without this, she says her energy levels lag. She began to realize the existence of her powers as early as the first grade, when she and her peers were running around a playground, playing games of “tag.” She also discussed the phenomenon of consenting adult vampires actually drinking one another’s blood. “They pair off, visit medical doctors for testing,

perform various ceremonies and then just start sippin’ easy,” she told the rapt crowd.

According to Belanger, these are very real activities, undertaken with deadly seriousness by thousands, and that today’s vampire community encounters discrimination surrounding

“

We are all ‘the other’ in some respect.

”

misunderstands and irrational thinkers. Belanger is looking to increase the peace by speaking for and about herself and her fellow vampires. She has published over a dozen books, lectured on college campuses, and hosted A&E’s television program, “Paranormal State.” She can be contacted through her official website, michellebelanger.com.

The modern popular culture obsession with vampirism was

also given some useful explanations. “Our idea of the outsider culturally keeps changing,” she said. “We are all ‘the other’ in some respect or another.” Belanger told the audience that she relishes her travels to coastal cities because she is attracted to our complex and diverse blends of tribes, attitudes, persuasions, backgrounds, directions, etc. The hopes and fears of “Middle America,” with respect to these diversities, were offered up as a reason for the massive appeal of the vampire myth in our mainstream culture. Myth or not, culture or not, she asserted that, “it’s here to stay when we begin to have fun with it…after all, these are the stories we are telling our children!”

America boasts a broad cast of titled and self-titled aristocrats from U.S. Senators to Hip Hop MC’s to Web- Loggers, and the difference between them and the village idiots seems to depend upon where one dines, breaks beats, or stares at her laptop. For two hours Michelle Belanger definitely rocked our little cave with her wings out wide.

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NEWS

November 3, 2010

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Sergio Villatoro for The Viking News Students had fun with blow up entertaionment in the Physical Education Gymnasium. Students took turns whacking a floating wiffle ball into an inflatable batting cage. The pep rally is one of a series of events sponsored by the Westchester Events Board.

Fall 2010 Pep Rally A Hit with Students Zackia Cabrera Staff Writer The pep rally held recently during Common Hour had students pumped before they even walked into the gymnasium.

When you first walked to the door, the Future Nurses Club was holding a bake sale for breast cancer research. They had cupcakes and brownies and all of the traditional items found in a bake sale.

The Westchester Events Board, referred to as WEB, was giving out free pom-poms, towels, and free raffle tickets to three individual events.

The first raffle was for a free paintball trip that WEB is planning for November, where the winner could bring a friend along for free.

Next was a raffle ticket for a VIP viewing of the movie Twilight: Eclipse along with free desserts -- only for you – (everyone else just gets popcorn) and the “best seat in the house” which is a couch where you get to lounge.

The last raffle ticket was for a Throw contest (shooting basketball hoops) that they were holding later on in the pep rally.

The prizes for the Throw contest included $5 for Dunkin Donuts if you made the shot directly under the hoop, $20 for the campus bookstore if you made the shot at the foul line, and $100 for Ticketmaster for any concert

of your choice if you made the shot at half court.

When you stepped inside the gym for the actual rally, you could see inflatable attractions such as, Slam Dunk (a game where you play basketball on the inflatable court), Tee-Ball (a game where you play an inning of baseball by hitting the ball which is held afloat by rising air into certain areas that indicate certain plays, such as single, double, and a home run), and QB Blitz ( a two player competition game that is similar to football, where you have two minutes to get as many yards as possible).

They also had airbrush artists Greg Kaplan and T.J Mavrogeorge making free customizable airbrush trucker hats.

There was music playing at a high volume with dance and techno songs. There were a lot of happy faces and everyone was enjoying themselves.

Once everyone was seated and quieted down the pep rally began.

The WCC Step Team performed first. They used six chairs with six steppers (all female) to perform synchronized step moves utilizing the chairs in their performance. With music playing in the background, they all got on top of the chairs, jumped down, and did simultaneous splits which had the crowd cheering.

They did head spins and step moves that increased in speed

as each one of them did it going from the right to the left. They used hand and feet motions with more synchronizations of claps and slaps, walks and stomps. At one point, the step team had a mock dance battle with one half battling the other. For the finale, with the music pumping, a stepper did a spilt that had the crowd going wild.

Following the step team was athletic director, Larry Massaroni to introduce the athletic teams.

After an introductory speech, he called on each of the coaches to introduce their teams. Present were

volleyball coach Nicole Bowen, the men’s basketball coach, Tyrone Mushatt, the women’s basketball coach, Leon Payne and men’s soccer coach, John Kakavas.

The women’s soccer team was introduced by one of the players, Samantha Aldarondo. The last to be introduced was the basketball team who was introduced by one of its players.

After the athletes were introduced, most of them left the pep rally. The remaining crowd was still very large and while the music was blasting the coordinator and WEB member Dominick

Tedesco started the raffle. First was the paintball raffle. The winner was Akeem Smith. His lucky raffle ticket number was 5239248.

There was a bit of confusion with calling out the numbers, but his was the golden ticket.

Next on the raffle list was the free throw contest. The contestants were Carlean Cruz, Jonsy Hernandez, Gary Riefenheuser, Clayton Sterling, and Crystal Clarke.

The winning contestants and the closest ones to winning the $100 Ticketmaster prize were Carlean Cruz and Crystal Clarke.

They both made close shots at the half court mark.

Crystal Clarke had the crowd in suspense as she shot twice.

After each shot, the crowd still cheered her on.

Everyone, except two contestants, received a $5 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts and a $20 gift certificate for the campus bookstore.

The last raffle prize was won by an undisclosed person.

Key players in this event were Dominick Tedesco, who coordinated the event along with the WEB team; Adam Frank the Director of Student Involvement; Athletic Director Larry Massaroni; the Athletic Department and the all of the athletes; and the student body who made this all possible with their student activity fees.

For more information on any future events or upcoming trips planned by WEB, or if you want to join WEB and help with the planning, they meet every Wednesday from 12:30pm – 1:00pm in the Student Center Conference Room – which is located in the Student Center Basement, Room 019A.

Students gathered for some spirted dancing and cheering. The atmosphere left sports team optimistic about the new influx of school spirit.

Sergio Villatoro for The Viking News

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Health Office Sponsers Day for Alcohol Abuse Awareness Shelly Williams Copy Editor November 10, 2010, is Westchester Community College’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness Day, sponsored by the WCC Health Office, the Student Affairs, and the Psychology Club. It will be taking place during common hour in the Student Center Lounge between 11 AM – 1 PM. There will be nonalcoholic “mocktails” and free lunch on hand, as well free raffles and prizes. Counseling options will be available through the substance abuse agencies that will be present at the event. An extra credit incentive is also added for many of the students who attend the event. There will also be anonymous STD and H.I.V. testing.

One group slated to be at the event, Power Against Tobacco, is a community based coalition made up of organizations and private citizens of New York’s Putnam, Orange, Westchester, and Rockland Counties (poweragainsttobacco.org). The program is dedicated to reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other

tobacco related illnesses. They are also working to lower the prevalence of tobacco use, advertising, sponsorship and promotion through education, media and advocacy. “Our goal is to implement strategies and programs that will decrease the social acceptability of tobacco use within the four counties we serve in New York State. Our tobacco-free initiatives include Entryway Bans, Clean Outdoor Air, Smoke Free Housing, Tobacco Free Stores and Reducing Tobacco Industry Store Marketing .(poweragainsttobacco.org).”

There will also be Fatal Vision Goggles for the students to try out. Fatal Vision is an evidencebased training tool used to vividly demonstrate the concept of impairment and the dangers of alcohol and other drugs misuse and abuse according the group’s website (www.fatalvision.com). The group will offer different types of goggles that simulate drunk driving and drug driving both during the day or night. The goggles also simulate the measurement of anyone’s Blood Alcohol Content.

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November 3, 2010

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ISLAMIC CENTER CONTINUES TO SPARK DEBATE Rehan Sabri Staff Writer

Nine years after the tragic day of September 11th, 2001, a project called Park51 is being pushed that includes an Islamic center. One main reason behind this project is to ease the tensions and reclaim acceptability between Americans and Muslims. However, some families of the deceased victims of September 11th believe this is not a great idea and are out outraged.

Jason Gomez, a student here at Westchester Community College believes this is sacred ground; “we wouldn’t build upon a graveyard, so why build on Ground Zero which is basically a burial site of all the 3000 people who lost their lives.” An avid debate has been going on now for several months with no end in sight because both sides are so compassionately motivated. The mentioning of 9/11 in any conversation immediately sparks an emotional trepidation. The basis of the argument for the opposition of The Islamic Center is the matter of time and forgiveness.

Jim Riches, a former deputy with the New York City Fire Department lost his son Jimmy, who was also a member of the New York City fire department. Jimmy’s 30th birthday was on September 11th 2001.

Now Riches is one of the leaders towards the campaign of stopping the building of this community center. He was featured on Good Morning America saying, “the rest of the world needs to know that we do not put the blame on all Muslims, but that is the place where my son died and he would like it just as any parent would for it to be preserved.”

This debate has also brought up questions of people’s religious freedoms and the right to practice their beliefs wherever they like.

WCC student Craig Bruno feels strongly about his rights listed in the Bill of Rights and said, “By not allowing Muslims to practice their religion is “unconstitutional”. And Jamie Dolson also said that “it is a violation and it contradicts all the rights of religions put in the constitution.” President Barack Obama has supported the building of the Islamic Center because he states “people simply have the right to practice their religion anywhere.” However, President Barack Obama’s judgment

Photo courtesy of FOXNEWS.COM The location of Park51 or the Islamic Center. Clearly deterioting, this building has dumped salt on fresh wounds left by the attacks of 9/11. Opinions on the debate are raw and unfiltered by WCC students. The Viking News surveyed classes for their thoughts and asked about the political and social implications this debate has on the countries tolerance for the religion of Islam.

is believed by others to be in question because he himself is presumed to be Muslim. U.S. Department of Justice has also been reported to be in support of the building of this site due to Constitutional rights.

Thomas Perez, assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights leads that fight. They are putting plans in action for the $100 million, 13-story Islamic center which will include a 9/11 memorial. Also along with a 500-seat auditorium, classrooms, conference rooms, space for social events, a pool and a gym.

A recent survey was done at Westchester Community college to see how students felt about this matter. Out of a class of 15 students 7 approved, 7 rejected, and 1 person abstained. One of the questions asked, “With the elections coming up do you think the debate being stirred up by politicians and the media to garner votes for the upcoming midterm election in November”?

Despite the conflict of opinion on whether to build the Center or not, the students did not agree that the debate is being stirred up by politicians and the media due to this upcoming election. Not only did all students agree with this but used words as “definitely and 100 percent without a doubt”.

SHU UC WCC Viking News 9-29-10 Thursday, September 16, 2010 3:47:39 PM

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November 3, 2010

F E AT U R E S A Student Life Pictorial WCC Student, Andrea Oullette Documents a Day in Student Life; from Lunch to Cramming in the Library.

Q: My first question would be about your creative process.

What do you look for when you go out there and take pictures?

Do you have a theme in mind?

A: It’s kind of a little bit of both. Sometimes I go out there and I start off with a picture in my head that I’m looking to get.

Sometimes while I’m shooting, I find exactly what I’m looking for, but then also what people do, inspires me.

Q: How do you choose the pictures? What’s your editing process once you got the pictures?

A: Generally, when I’m editing, I’ll do a few passes, I’ll edit a few times. My first pass is my emotional reaction to the picture.

If I see what I immediately like, then I go to it again, and then I look for the composition. It has a lot to do with emotion for me.

I always want to feel something when I look at my photographs.

So, if I’m not feeling something from a photograph, then I usually discard it.

Q: How many shots do you take until you think you have enough to choose from?

A: My motto is, usually as a rule, is that if I don’t get it in the first 100 shots, then I’m not going to get it.

Q: How long does this process take usually? How long does it take for you to choose the right pictures?

A: That’s kind of a tough question. That depends on the project I’m working on. Stuff for

Julia John-Scheder Staff Writer

class, for homework, and stuff like that is usually a little bit faster for me than personal projects.

When I’m working on personal projects, it’s harder for me to go through them because I kind of have a connection to it. Some of

“

If I don’t get it in the first 100 shots, then I’m not going to get it.

”

them I don’t want to discard -something that might be good.

So it’s usually harder for me on personal projects than something

that I’m doing, you know, because I was requested to do it.

Q: Now a question about the technical part of taking the pictures. How, for example, did you get the people to be blurry in one of those images?

A: I put the camera on a surface that makes the camera very still and I used a very low shutter speed so that the wall would be in perfect focus. And because I’m using a low shutter speed, the people walking by would be blurry.

Q: Have you ever submitted your pictures to a contest?

A: Not in a long time, actually. I did once a really long time ago when I was first interested in photography. But I didn’t place or anything. I entered the contest, but I didn’t get in the top five or

anything.

Q: How was that experience having your pictures compared with other artist’s pictures?

A: Kind of nerve-wracking (laughing). It’s good to see what other people have out there. I draw a lot of inspiration from others, so it’s good to see what other photographers are working on and to see what inspires them. I see that as a way to improve my own photographs.

Q: Thank you so much that you took your time to answer my questions and I hope that we will see more of your pictures in the Viking.

A: Thank you.

November 3, 2010

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November 3, 2010

Does A Positive Attitude Lead to Success?

Nikki Lucchese Staff Writer

When questioning if a positive attitude leads to success, perhaps we should define what success actually means. This can become a very challenging task because frankly, the definition of success varies from person to person worldwide.

Living as capitalists, Americans generally measure success with money and instead, define each other in terms of how they make it. So, can a positive attitude with refined cognitive processes achieve financial wealth? According to new research the answer is yes! It is now widely confirmed that energy is ubiquitous and pulsating around every single living and non-living thing on earth at various frequencies along a positivistic spectrum. Studies now show that even our thoughts have a location on this spectrum and according to award winning quantum Physicist John Hagelin

“our body is really a product of our thoughts”.

Hagelin’s collaboration with modern philosopher Rhonda Byrne concludes a circular connection between our body, our thoughts, and energy. So now that scientists and medical doctors are willing to work together with psychologists and philosophers instead of battling each other with theories and vice versa, it will essentially be easier to help people who are in need of special care. For example, if a woman has breast cancer we can use mental therapy and reason, as well as, biological tests to determine why her disease has formed, and how to find the proper cure for this individual person. Every persons thoughts, situations, and beliefs are distinctly unique, so if “our body is a product of our thoughts”, then the breast cancer formed because of the thoughts or even perhaps from a lack of thought.

According to Byrne, if you change all of your negative cog-

nitive processes into assured, positive processes you will then change the frequency from which you omit energy. Well how do I do that? you ask. Lets simplify

“our body is really a product of our thoughts” this theory using a radio as a metaphor. Imagine yourself as a radio that’s tuned into a station that’s playing a song that you really love and makes you feel good, then the song ends and an annoying commercial comes on that’s representing a product you don’t approve of, so, you

change the station right away to find another beautiful song that makes you feel good. That is exactly what you should be doing with your mind throughout the day. Whenever you’re thinking positive thoughts, embrace them!

When you start thinking negative thoughts change the “station” immediately.

F o r those of you that made it this far you’re probably wondering, “how is all of this science jargon ‘gonna’ make me rich?” The conclusion is: the law of attraction.

The law of attraction states that like attracts like and, very simply if your thinking negative you’re attracting negative. If you’re thinking positive thoughts in relation to money such as, “I’m going to have twenty thousand dollars in the bank when I reach 27 years old”, you will then indeed have just that. However, the catch is that you must stay on that positive “station”. It is imperative that you do not stray from the positive side of the spectrum because, if you do stray you will create a

ripple effect where straying from positivism leads to a change in frequency, which changes the shape of your wavelengths, and then consequently changes the energy you omit. When the energy that you omit changes into negative energy you repel positive energy thus, you’re repelling all those nice positive twenty thousand dollar thoughts. Don’t expect to make a million overnight but set a comfortable goal for yourself that’s believable to you or else this tool will not work.

For all the skeptics out there who claim to know someone who is financially wealthy and not necessarily a “positive person” chances are they are in fact positive when, and only when it comes to obtaining money and that is not necessarily the ultimate definition of success.

For some, the word wealth is only thought of in terms of money but true divine wealth includes a balance and abundance of: Love,

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November 3, 2010

9 Reasons Season Four of Mad Men was its Best

Steven Draper Editor-in-Chief

pay attention. After a raucous night out with Don on a whiskeydrenched double date, our interest was even more peaked. Lane’s complexity came to light when we met his African American Playboy Bunny girlfriend. And despite being a grown man, Lane desperately tries and fails to gain his fathers approval of the taboo relationship. This failure cumulated to season fours most painful scene to watch.

1. Don Draper’s downward spiral… and redemption

Don’s demons came back full force in season four and pulled him down to rock bottom. Don plummets into deep depression, drinking too much, missing time with his kids and even getting rejected by women. Watching him claw his way back to being Don Draper—Master of the Universe, only surpasses watching his fall into the bottom of his bottle of whiskey. This season undoubtedly has Jon Hamm’s best work in the series.

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC.

8. The maturation of Sally Draper

2. Betty takes a back seat

I may be one of the few viewers that appreciates Betty Draper’s role on the show. Many fans of the show didn’t miss Betty’s passive aggressive attitude toward Don, doll-like physicality and cold heart to her own kids.

Last season held Betty’s biggest moves, when she finally left Don for Henry Francis, a local political figure. Season four gave us Betty in the best ways; seeing her bland marriage to Henry, oddly compromising relationship with a neighborhood trouble making boy, confessions to her daughter Sally’s child psychologist and even covering for Don’s desertion past. What’s Betty’s next move?

To Rye, NY and another new start.

3. We learn even more about Joan Joan Harris’ (nee Holloway) exceptional smarts and looks left us dumbfounded when she decided to marry the dopey Dr. Greg Harris. But, we’re reminded that an unmarried woman in her 30s in the 1960s might as well have

photo courtesy of AMC.com ABOVE: the cast of AMCs wildely popular 60s drama Mad Men. Mad Men has won the Emmy for Best Drama a record 3 times.

had two heads. In a true sign of the times, Dr. Harris is shipped off to Vietnam. Viewers got lucky with a deeper look into Joan’s past that revealed what she really might want. A past with multiple illegal abortions, that is. It also turns out that Joan’s feelings for Roger Sterling run deep enough to warrant some post mugging action. Christina Hendricks plays Joan in the perfect way, a femme fatale bridging the traditional Betty Draper and go getter Peggy Olsen. Boy, what a great thing to see Joan finally fight the agency’s chauvinistic disrespect.

4. The ‘60s are well underway

The Beatles are on the radio, the TVs have rounded screens and the brand new Sterling Copper Draper Pryce offices are an explosion of 60s mod design. Season four drops us in the thick of the 1960s as we all know them.

A psychedelic polka-dot painting works as a backdrop to Roger Sterling’s desk, a gift from his 23-year-old wife Jane. However, Don and Roger’s old-fashioned gray suits and hats in a sea of pastels are a subtle suggestion that the world is slowly and surely passing them by.

5. Peggy’s in full bloom

It’s hard to believe how far she’s come from the soft, naïve secretary we met in season one. A confident career woman exploring 1960s NYC with her lesbian friend Joyce and new love interest Abe, Peggy has come a long way from season one. In “The Suitcase”, probably the seasons best episode, Peggy stands up to a raging Don and proves that her success at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce wasn’t just luck. The everdeveloping relationship between Peggy and Don has been a fan favorite.

%&#$ THESE $&@# GEESE Shay McLennon Staff Writer While you’re walking to class, have you ever stopped in the middle of the path for a family of geese to pass by? Do you ever hear obnoxious screeching sounds from cars suddenly breaking because of feather bound waddling pedestrians?

Exactly where have these geese come from and why did they pick WCC as their nesting grounds?

You wouldn’t know it walking around campus, but these geese were once scarce due to hunters and the destruction of wetlands.

Due to these birds’ misfortune, they migrated from Canada to parts of

the United States. They prefer the combination of water and grassy areas for sleeping at night and lazing about during the day. It’s easy to believe that geese find the main campus their ideal migrating spot because of the abundance of grass and the small pond that forms in the parking lot after a good rain.

Of course people throwing food at them is something I’m sure the geese enjoy too!

As these geese get older, if they keep finding a certain area that isn’t crowded and is safe and full of food, they may aim for it in future years. But if the weather is bad, or the lake’s hospitality changes, they might be quite happy to move on to a new spot.

It is understandable that many, if not all students here are annoyed having to constantly stay alert to avoid step in something unwanted; or are being hissed, honked and squawked at.

The fact of the matter is that even if sometimes it feels like they are moving on, they aren’t. To us it’s school -- to them it’s home.

If you’re interested, you can read more about this on the Westchester Community College Facebook page. They recently discussed this issue on the “[bleep] these [bleeping] geese” thread on the Westchester Community College discussion board.

6. Roger’s world comes crashing down Oh how the mighty have fallen. Roger Sterling was on top at the end of season two, a new trophy wife, managing Sterling Coopers biggest account and having the time of his life doing it. But, at the end of season four, Sterling is increasingly unhappy with his new wife, still lusting over his ex mistress Joan and drinking like he hasn’t had two heart attacks. To top it all off, he loses Lucky Strike; the only account keeping Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce alive.

7. Lane isn’t just a nerdy Englishman

When Sterling Cooper’s new parent company sent Lane Pryce across the pond, viewers didn’t care that much about his stuffy homesick wife and cheery attitude. But, when Lane becomes a partner of the new Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, we began to

I honestly can’t stand child actors; their often awkward and forced performances take away from the real talent of adult actors.

But, 10-year-old Kiernan Shipka’s work as the oldest of three Draper children has me reconsidering.

Sally is the primary casualty of Don and Betty’s divorce and has dealt with the trauma in wild ways. Flagrantly disobeying her mother, cutting off her own hair, running into Manhattan to see Don and her developing sexuality has us appreciating Mad Men’s unvarnished look at the affect adults have on impressionable young kids.

9. The comedic stylings of Miss Blankenship

We have to thank Don’s fossil behind a desk Ida Blankenship for providing the show with some much-needed comic relief. After seducing countless young secretaries, Joan decides to stick Don with Ida. Ida’s foggy memory and constant pinching and whining one-liners won the hearts of fans instantly. Even in death, she bestowed upon viewers and uproarious scene as Joan and Pete tried to wheel her dead body out of the office without clients noticing.

MEET THE INTERN QUEEN

LAUREN BERGER Wednesday, November 10, 2010 11am-12 GTW Davis Auditorium WCC, Valhalla Campus

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N G N I O K T I V ES E TH GO

Shay McLennon Staff Writer On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the Westchester Community College’s Viking News Staff settled into a small blue van and headed to Stamford, Ct. for an impromptu bonding session to watch a taping of the Jerry Springer Show. We waited on line outside to get into the building for about a half hour, and another hour to be seated inside of the set. Inside of the building seemed to be quite a contradiction to the actual events that occur on a day to day basis as well as what we were about to witness. It was like corporate meets the Red Light District.

Before the initial taping of the show, one of the stage crew members got the crowd excited and riled up by throwing various prizes such as Frisbees, plastic shot glasses, pens, and coffee cup holders into the crowd. After that, the stage manager Todd came out and broke down the rules of the set. I have to admit this did initially confused me a bit because I remember watching the Jerry Springer Show and thinking that the audience must have so much fun saying all of those obscenities, and arguing

with the guests on the show. It is definitely a misconception.

Everything is directed in what we are allowed to do and when we are suppose to do, but it is still something fun to experience. Right before the taping begins, Jerry comes out and does a little standup comedy and talks with us. This honestly was extremely enjoyable for me because it showed how personable Jerry Springer is and how his humor isn’t scripted.

We sat through three different and extremely dysfunctional stories. Our first story was about a young woman whose fiancée cheated on her with a stripper he had met while out drinking with some friends. Apparently their night together was so fantastic that the stripper wouldn’t stop contacting the fiancée. The girlfriend came on to the show to called out the stripper on her behavior and tell her to leave her family alone! Overall there was cat-fighting, yelling, cursing; we got to chant “whore” in honor of the stripper and our stripper eventually had her turn on the infamous Jerry Springer stripper pole.

The second story was the most shocking out of the three.

A young man was there to apolo-

FEATURES

gize to his girlfriend for cheating on her -- typical, right? However, the twist is that not only did he cheat on her, but to add insult to injury he cheated on her with her dad who lives his life as an extremely ugly woman. Naturally the girlfriend was extremely upset and hurt by the situation. The father came out (whom we have dubbed as the infamous “momdad”) with little remorse for the situation.

This story was extremely humorous for the simple fact that the boyfriend initially came out to apologize to his girlfriend, to tell her it was a mistake and a onetime thing that would never happen again. However, as the drama progressed, the boyfriend’s form changed from apologetic to defiant. In turn, momdad revealed that “she” wants to be with the boyfriend and the boyfriend, although quiet on the response, noted the negativities of the girlfriend that mom-dad doesn’t have. All in all I think for the audience and for Jerry this story was kind of confusing. The boyfriend just couldn’t seem to form a straight thought.

Our last story was about a woman who had a one-night stand with a gentleman which resulted in pregnancy. She came

November 3, 2010

on the show to tell him he waslars. “A better haircut” was her going to be a father because forsharp reply. More insults were some reason she wasn’t able tohurled and even one of our own contact him without the help ofmembers, Andre, the sports edithe show. He was brought outtor for The Viking News, joined and the news was revealed toin on the fun. him. Obviously he denied claims He said, “This question to the child as well as taking theis for the guy who slept with paternity test to find out if themom-dad. Is it hard for you to child was his. It was one of thethink straight with a **** in your more tame stories and a bit sad,mouth?” because the women seemed pretEven though it was against ty genuine about letting this guythe rules to curse and will not into her child’s life but, the guybe on the show airing, we hope was vehement in the fact thatthat it will make it onto the Jerhe wanted nothing to with herry Springer’s Pay-Per-View. Of considering she slept with himcourse in all of this, we couldn’t without even getting her name.cap off the show without a few He mocked her for the tears thatwomen getting their Jerry beads she shed and told her he wanted(a gift given to women in the nothing to do with her. audience who flash their bare At the end of the show, thebreasts and guys who flash their security team brought out thebare derrières). guest and lines them up across After all of the commotion the stage for the question and hu-died down, Jerry did his “final morous insult session. We werethought” and we were finished once again told what not to saytaping. While the audience filed and whatever we do say, makeout, we Vikings stayed behind it funny. Jerry came back outto take a personal group picture and once we were on air, handswith Jerry Springer. He talked flew up to grab Jerry’s attention.with us for a bit and joked with One man asked the stripper howus. I would say it was a normal much she charged the fiancée tobonding session but for The Visleep with her, which was onlyking News Team; it was definite$20 bucks. Incredulous at thely right up our alley. cheap rate, another inquired how much she would get for $40 dol-

FEATURES

November 3, 2010

Lianne Nieger Staff Writer Having never truly watched the show, I had a very neutral view on things when I decided to go on the little trip to Stamford, Connecticut. Pretty soon though I recalled some details that I had picked up from the media over the years mentioning half naked girls wrestling in mud, and distraught pregnant ladies trying to locate their babydaddies—that’s when I began to feel some concern. Call me a snob, but I’ve never been one for Reality TV and the Jerry Springer show is probably the mother of all “trash television”. Still, I shrugged off the apprehension and signed the slip before entering the studio building, opening myself to a world of potential nudity, insult, food fights, profanity, and other such fun stuff without the possibility of suing.

Still, I was feeling rather positive about my situation. After all, this was my first time sitting in an audience for a television show Beth McGrail Alumni Mentor My mother taught me: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then, say nothing at all.” So with that in mind, this will be a very short summary of what I thought of my recent trip with The Viking News to see a taping of The Jerry Springer Show.

I was horrified when our EIC, Steven, emailed us a few titles of past shows that read: Misters or Sisters; A Prostitute Stole My

and I’m always up for new experiences—for the most part.

So I took my seat along with everyone else, expectantly waiting for some explanations as to what I would be a part of for the next hour or so.

Soon enough we all learned that we would be following a man’s instructions as to what we would be screaming, how long we would be clapping, and when we would need to stop pumping our fists in the air and settle down. Simple enough.

Before the start of the show, I think everybody was surprised to see Jerry come out and do a little standup before the cameras went on.

To be honest, at that point I wasn’t sure whether we were being taped or not, so I spent most of that time staring into the cameras, trying to locate any telltale lights and such.

Of course I then found out that the taping didn’t start until later. But I was game, and therefore I thoroughly enjoyed most of the jokes and when it was time for “lights, camera, action” I was content to clap as loud as I could manage.

Heart; I Kissed Your Man And I Liked It, and Lesbian Sisters At War. I was really, really dreading this trip. I thought it was pathetic that people with this kind of garbage going on in their lives would actually want it televised. What I thought just as pathetic was that this was considered entertainment by the people who tuned in to watch.

So, let me concentrate on the good stuff first. The driver of our van to and from the show was

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To be honest, it all went downhill from there.

The different stories of the troubled people brought to the set were not very exciting, and the few fights that occurred seemed instigated more by the crew (whom I could frequently see whispering to each other) than by the people themselves. I’m still not exactly sure as to what percentage of the goings on was scripted, and what was purely spontaneity.

When the show ended, we did get to shake hands and take pictures with Jerry himself, and it seemed to me like he was a rather nice man.

I do have to admit, however, that I came out a bit disappointed. When a show is known for its wild aspects and all one sees is a tame attempt at madness, it is quite a letdown. I suppose that with shows like these, which depend on unstable men and women, how great they end up being relies on the luck of the draw.

very, very nice. Ummm….what else? The pizza we ate at an Irish pub after the show was very tasty and playing songs on the juke box was fun.Seriously, though…was it as awful as I thought it would be?

Actually, no. It turns out that the whole show was carefully choreographed. The audience was “prepped” before airing -- and that was actually fun.

We were instructed when to jump out of our seats and pump our fists in the air and chant: “Je-

rry! Je-rry! Je-rry!” We were instructed when to groan and when to cheer. We were also instructed when to yell out classy stuff like: “Whore! Whore! Whore! Whore!”

I forced myself to watch the three separate “stories” unfolding on stage pretending I was sitting in on an improv class with ridiculous story lines. To me it seemed the “actors” never met one another until they got on stage.

I must say that Jerry Springer was funny and charming off-cam-

era and it was fun having our picture taken up on stage with him after most of the audience members left the studio.

Before that day, I’d never heard of Jerry Beads or what you had to do to earn them, so I’d say the most amazing thing I witnessed that day was when a pair of breasts were flashed pretty much in front of my face by an audience member sitting two seats away from me in the audience.

‘Nuf said.

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November 3, 2010

A Trip to Medieval E Without Leaving New

Julia John-Scheder Staff Writer Did you know that there are beautiful spots to visit this fall right in front of your house? If you need to get out of the house after all the studying you’ve done and because you can’t look at your books anymore, then it’s time to go outside, take a breath of fresh air, and relax. A good place to do just that is Wave Hill in the Bronx.

Located in the “backyard” of NYC, the public garden and cultural center at Wave Hill is the best spot to take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful view across the Hudson River featuring the wonderful colors of autumn. Not only is it a great place to get in contact with nature, but it also gives you the opportunity to see the work of contemporary artists. The art exhibitions at Wave Hill usually host artists who reflect on the relationship between people and nature. One such ongoing program is ‘Remediate/Re-vision’ which

runs through Nov. 28, 2010.

At this program, artists are raising concern about the area’s industrial and natural history, ecological balance as well as our personal responsibility to nature.

Another exhibition worth checking out is Jeff Slomba’s Alternating Currents which also runs until Nov. 28, 2010. His mixedmedia and sculptural installations explore the impact of invasive species and global trade on the local environment. Students only pay $4. For hours check their website www. wavehill.org If you’ve ever wanted to know how Medieval Europe might have looked like, then definitely visit the Cloisters in Fort Tyron Park in upper NYC. This branch of New York’s Metropolitan Museum is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods. The architecture of the building itself was inspired by French cloisters and represent a fu-

sion of art of the twelfth and fifteenth century. The Cloisters’ grounds also have a beautiful garden where they offer tours. For example, the tour known as ‘Mutter Natur’ can teach you about healing herbs, flowers and foodstuff. The museum also offers a Collection Highlights Tour every Sunday and Tuesday at 3 p.m. It is free with museum admission. For prices and museum hours check www.metmuseum. org/cloisters.

And then there’s always Central Park in New York City. You just have to hop on the train into the city, get out at Grand Central Terminal, and walk up Fifth Avenue to 59th Street. The short walk will keep you entertained with the sight of all the tourists sure to get a smile out of you; just watch them being stunned by the sights on Fifth Avenue, like the Abercrombie and Fitch store or the cubist über-dimensional Apple Store.

Once you’ve reached Central Park, head north

past the Central Park Zoo (where you can catch a glimpse on the sea lions) to reach the “Jazz Fork.”

There you can hang out, stretch your legs while listening to one of the many jazz band performing there for free.

Another really awesome thing to do is to take a movie sites tour. There are many options of tour companies, offering a perfect opportunity for all movie buffs to check out where their favorite movies scenes were shot. You can usually get a substantial discount with a promo code so check the Internet for the best values before you go. The best part is that most of the tours are led by actors!

So head down south toward NYC and get out of the house to enjoy the wonderful fall while it lasts!

November 3, 2010

FEATURES

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Europe w York

Photos by Julia John-Scheder

FEATURES

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November 3, 2010

Jekyll & Hyde: A Musical with Personality…

Lianne Nieger Staff Writer

For my fellow fans of the morbid, here’s a show that will keep you entertained. Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, directed by Robert Cuccioli. This musical puts a new spin on a Victorian tale, “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” written by Robert Louis Stevenson. The story at first spread worldwide due in part to its focus on the notorious theme of the nature of mankind.

Approached by the author in an uncommonly literal way, the story involves the division of a man into two polar personalities; the humane Dr. Jekyll and the vividly immoral Mr. Hyde. As I sat comfortably to see the show, I was impressed by the level of interest that was drawn from me invested in both of the personas. With heartfelt music, impressive special effects, and a talented cast, this dark musical proved it was worth the watch as one would expect from such a professional production at the local Westchester Broadway Theatre.

To give a little background, the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells of a man’s struggle to rid humanity of its evil nature.

Dr. Jekyll is afflicted with feelings of remorse for his father’s mental illness. He pleads with the elite of society to allow him to experiment for a cure that will allow him to perpetually banish such illnesses. Needless to say, they do not allow such research, because they consider it an act against God. Dr. Jekyll is then left with no choice but to use himself as the lab rat. Though the antidote he had been working on was supposed to eliminate the dark side within him, instead it creates an alter ego by the name of Edward Hyde. This new identity sharing his body interferes greatly with the doctor’s life, creating discord between himself and his loving wife while unleashing havoc within the delicate society. The results of this one man’s experiment are both delightfully gruesome and insightful, delving into the idea that to push one’s dark side so ruthlessly could lead it to presenting itself in a most dangerous manner.

But though I am now familiar with the philosophic aspects of the tale, coming in to the theatre I had very little knowledge of the storyline. I’d been aware only of the fact that some man would go through a metamorphosis that would turn him into a thoroughly bipolar individual. I heard that the story was not a light one, and therefore I couldn’t help but be skeptical when I understood it to be a musical full of song and dance. In about a matter of seconds I overcame all initial inhibitions. The play begins with a dramatic song about the hypocrisy of society, in which the people one sees on the street are two-faced (a reoccurring idea). The music was aptly dramatic and the voices all created a haunting harmony. At no point was there a struggle to regain the success, and the cast went on with energetic momentum through the numerous songs. My personal favorites were Murder, Murder for its demonstration of the lovely quality of the entire cast’s voices, and Confrontation for the sheer acting skills it took for the actor of both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

(Xander Chauncey) to sing-fight with himself. I was overall impressed with the larger-than-life voices the actors possessed, and I could see the looks of admiration in the audience’s face. The performances were only enhanced by the smooth choreography and vivid costumes worn by the actors who managed to pull off the uptight Victorian fashion statements.

Being an individual that respects technology yet has less knowledge of it than the average person, watching the musical provided me with a fantastic chain of surprises. To my friend’s shame (and, likely, merriment), I slightly lifted off the seat with each prop that suddenly popped up from underneath the stage, each smoke and fire effect, lighting, and certainly realistic sounds that caught me off guard each time. This aspect of the show furthered my interest in the show, and somehow made me feel like a little child watching magic tricks. I suppose I should have known better than to be so taken by a little prop manipulation, but whenever Dr. Jekyll

lab would rise out of nowhere or a bright light would shine on Mr. Hyde’s face to make him look yet more menacing, I forgot all about my usual cynicism. Perhaps it is a part of the magic of being in the dark that allows the stage to become the viewer’s world for a few hours. I definitely felt transported.

Responsible for said transportation, however, were not only the props themselves but the very capable actors. The multitalented cast tirelessly danced, sang, and spouted lines with flawless British accents (at least to my ears). No voices cracked, which is quite a feat after one sings for nearly four hours, and the dancing flowed even with high heels and long trailing dresses. I expected acting that would be overly theatrical, as that had been my experience in the past with high school productions, but of course this was a show on a very different level. I did not doubt the love portrayed between Dr. Jekyll and his wife, nor did I have a problem believing in the multiple personalities. Somehow, with the help of

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…Or Two body language and tone, Xander Chauncey—the star of the show— managed to transform himself into two very different characters without breaking stride.

I could go on and on about the professionalism with which the musical was carried out and the many talents of the actors, but I think I’ve already made my opinion clear. I vehemently recommend the viewing of Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical at the nearby Westchester Broadway Theatre. At the end of the show, the audience along with my friend and I stood up to applaud the cast as they bowed, and I waited there listening to the enthusiastic clapping. Nobody was disappointed. If somebody had told me before that I would find watching two personalities trapped in one body argue with each other entertaining, I would have been offended…and maybe searched it on YouTube later on.

Now, however, I must confess that insanity has its charms.

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November 3, 2010

Opinions

Opinions

Community College Summit Echoes Familiar Sentiment Dionne Hutchinson Staff Writer President Obama called Community Colleges the “unsung heroes of America’s education system.” I totally agree with this statement. Westchester Community College has transformed my life as a student. I am on my way to my career goal after a ten year break. I appreciate what community colleges offer, which are gateways to the American Dream.

The New Gateway Building at the WCC is truly the “gateway to the future,” as the students gain the experience of a two-year College, which propels them into their career or to further their educations at four-year colleges.

Community colleges have not received the credit they deserve and are sometimes looked down on.

Jill Biden and Pres. Barack Obama address viewers nationwide about the importance of Community Colleges like WCC There are testimonies by prominent people who can testify that to the United Nations Food and to command a mission. She began tronic Data Systems. Perot has their community college experi- Agricultural Organizations. He her studies by earning an associ- worn many hats throughout his ences started them down success- was also the first man of Hispanic ate degree in mathematics from prolific career. One of them is ful paths. heritage to serve as Director of the Corning Community College… community college student- beGaddi Vasquez, who is the U.S. Peace Corps. where there is now an observa- fore studying at the Navy Acadfirst in his family to have earned Eileen Collins, a pilot-turned- tory in her name. emy, Perot attended Texarkana a college degree, started out at astronaut, is another great examH. Ross Perot became a two- Junior College.

Santa Ana College. Vasquez is ple. Collins was the first woman time independent presidential It’s not where you start your currently the U.S. Representative to pilot a shuttle craft and the first candidate and founder of Elec- journey to the American Dream,

it’s the journey and where it takes you that should motivate you to start. There twelve hundred community colleges in our nation.

The purpose of the Summit was to boost the schools that provide millions of students with skillstraining and a less expensive path to a college degree. Enrollment in community colleges increased by seventeen percent from two thousand seven to two thousand nine, due to the economic downturn.

The schools enrolled mostly laid off workers searching for new skills as families were forced to downsize their educational goals.

They downsized in terms of the cost factor, but not the educational value. Our community college has some of the most committed professors and instructors in the nation. Our community college offers students experiences they may not get at a four year college, yet they are grossly under-funded. However, there are private institutions, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which announced the launch of a thirty five million dollar, five-year competitive grant program to boost community college graduation continued on page 27

ETHICAL STANDARDS IN EVERYDAY LIFE Gricel Vettesse Staff Writer Ethical standards are believed to be crucially fundamental values necessary in creating a civilized society. Without them, civilizations collapse. In fact, the Declaration of Independence is a collective belief of all who signed that morality and ethics such as integrity, fairness, honesty, and respect for others and for the law are the core elements needed in building a strong nation. We as citizens believe it as well, and although different societies may have slightly different standards, the essential principles of what is morally correct prevail in most of them. In some cases, when it is apparent to the citizens of free societies that ethical values are falling by the way side, they demand the government intervene. The question is, are we to bring all of our ethical issues into legislation? Do we really believe government can and should fix all the injustices as-

sociated with unethical behaviors of its citizens? Fortunately, many of us are realistic and understand that government and laws cannot solve all of our ethical problems, if they did, crime would vanish. As a result, scholars, social researchers, and businesspeople have devoted themselves to the study of ethics, personality traits and the internal communications that lead us to unethical behaviors.

Ethical standards have become one of the most talked about topics in our society. In recent years, we witnessed and suffered the consequences of unethical behavior in corporate America. In the highly publicized case of Enron, former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay, former CEO Jeffery Skilling, and former CFO Richard Causey were convicted of committing accounting fraud by creating partnerships that the company used to inappropriately amplify profits while simultaneously removing billions of dollars of debt off their

balance sheets. The unethical actions led everyone to believe the company’s financial picture was far better than it actually was.

Subsequently, they falsely enlarged the company’s stock and bond prices. The Enron ignominy was soon followed by more scandals from other major companies such as WorldCom, Boeing, Tyco International and so on. More recently, greedy borrowers, mortgage lenders and the banking industries have been blamed for the economic recession that threatens the entire U.S. economy today.

Government has taken some corrective actions by pursuing those who have broken the law and punishing them accordingly. Also new laws have been enacted to make sure accounting records are transparent and business executives are more accountable for their actions. For those of us who wondered, “Why have these successful and highly educated people risked their freedom, their reputations, their businesses and

their families by making unethical choices?” Here are some possible answers.

In his book, International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, Charles Hill lists five root reasons of unethical behavior: (1) Personal Ethics, (2) Decision-making processes, (3) Organizational Culture, (4) Unrealistic performance expectations and (5) Leadership. According to Hill, “Business ethics are not divorced from personal ethics.”

Most of us learn ethical behavior early in life from our parents, in religion classes, in school, from personal experience or by observing others. Naturally, those who have not had role models committed to enforcing values and teaching ethics tend to be ambivalent when confronted with ethical dilemmas and often lead toward making unethical decisions. In the decision-making process, according to Hill, some of us do so because they “fail to ask, ‘Is this decision or action ethical?’ The

fault lies in the processes that do not incorporate ethical considerations into business decision making.” Combined, values and norms provide substantial information to the society of what is the right thing to do and how to execute ethical behaviors. Hill includes “Unrealistic performance expectations” as another cause leading to unethical behavior in organizations. More often than not, companies are greatly focused on competitive goal setting. While setting goals usually promotes friendly competition within departments, as well as yielding valuable results, when factors such as time constraints or commission compensation are added, employees are dangerously influenced to act against what is considered ethically correct in order to achieve results. Clearly, by obliging their employees to make unethical decisions, the risk of this deviated business trend is that firms may lose control of the entire operation. Ultimately, continued on page 27

November 3, 2010

Opinions

25

Your Taxes:

Why Are They Feeding Unhealthy Lifestyles?

Jheneal Walters Staff Writer

Medicaid, unemployment insurance, welfare and food stamps, all government assistance, all funded by taxpayers, all at an extreme high this year.

Approximately 43 million Americans fall into the ranks of relative or extreme poverty and depend on the rest of the nation to be fed, clothed, sheltered, educated and medicated. Compared to the lower numbers of December 2007, 50 million Americans now have Medicaid and 42 million rely on food stamps. Those receiving unemployment insurance have quadrupled to 10 million and 4 million are now on welfare. The numbers have been increasing since the start of the recession and so has our taxes.

Federal programs for the poor are generous and exceedingly over the top. As noble as it is, the system is without a doubt being abused, creating an unfair and unjust equation between the independent and the dependants. I must say I am sorry, but I do not pay taxes to support others for their entire lives. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind someone else supporting me for a while, but

that would defeat the purpose of independence, wouldn’t it?

Beneficiaries were once the homeless, single mothers, unemployed, reformed drug addicts and alcoholics. Now, recent middle class families are thrown into the mix and of course, the greedy who finds ways around the eligibility requirements. Congress has approved expanding the benefits to accommodate those who qualify for aid, therefore, spending has ballooned into outrageous proportions in the last two years. Spending for Medicaid is an enormous $273 billion, unemployment is up to $160 billion, food stamp programs at $70 billion and welfare now costs $22 billion.

The programs do require those between ages 18 and 60 to register for work, seek employment or enroll in a training program. However, when your living arrangement is being paid for by others, it sometimes leaves the impression that there is simply no need to make do for oneself. The goal of anti-poverty is to reduce the level of poverty in the United States, but instead has given rise to laziness, dependency, greed and a lack of ambition among young people. This

Cyberbullying Not Just a Trend Molly Stazzone Staff Writer Let’s face it, we all have been bullied or witnessed a bullying in our lives. I for one was made fun of in middle school because of the way I looked. Perhaps for other children and teenager, they experienced it in a different way. I believe kids start bullying others because they are either jealous, insecure with themselves, or they don’t have a good family structure back home. I also think that cyber bullying is worse than making fun at someone.

There is a big difference between these two ways of bullying.

Cyber bullying can ruin a person’s reputation instantly, and it could affect them for life. A good explanation of cyber bullying would be the Rutgers University’s student Tyler Clementi, who said he was gay and his roommates taped him on YouTube engaging in sexual routines. As a result of this occurrence Tyler committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge. Bullying in person can lead tomany insecurities also, but many people bounce back from

this act of mistreatment. On the Ellen Dangerous Show, celebrities talk about how they were bullied and how they overcame their enemies. Ellen has a new donation that will help troubled kids, and end bullying as we know it.Cyber and in-person bullying are different because the internet will always be used. Also, that college student probably didn’t want anyone to know about his sexuality, but now every American can go on YouTube and watch his video. That is the worst thing that can happen to someone; having the whole nation watching someone they don’t even know humiliates them self on the internet I suggest every elementary, middle, high school, and college should have an assembly, or a pep rally that shows these kids and teens what it feels like to be bullied. MTV has a television series called “If You Really Knew Me” where different high schools focus on one aspect, understanding how teenagers really feel. I think by telling each other how they feel and why they feel this way, teenagers won’t be bullied or feel unwanted in the world.

creates a vicious cycle, trapping each generation of a family waiting on the Government to make provisions for them. There have been stories of young girls still living at home, getting pregnant, just to collect a welfare check as their own personal allowance.

Now, if that’s where my money is going, something definitely needs to be done, no delays.

Taking money from one group to support another is all good and well when there is a reasonable cause. The needy includes: orphanages, foster children, homeless, disabled or the extremely poor, not moneygrubbing, irresponsible, slothful and undeserving individuals.

My taxes could be used to pay for tuition, books, bus fare and other necessities.

Before the Fall semester began, my friend asked if they gave Financial Aid for pocket money, I laughed and said no. His reply was, “I’ll just have my parents pay and the Fin aid I get is all mine.” There are students who solely depend on Financial Aid and for students to collect when they don’t need it, is depriving others of much needed assistance.

The same goes for able-

bodied adults, sitting on their haunches, depending on us to pay their way through life, is a shame. There are available jobs out there, from civil services, department stores and small businesses to individuals employing, especially now for the holiday season. The YMCA and some municipal Government offer free training programs and WCC offers career services, connections and advice. There are also agencies to help with literacy and job preparedness, all for free. They just have to get up, go out and be willing to work hard for the little that is being offered and stop putting the burden on us, because we are taxpayers also!

I complain about the taxes I see in my paychecks, in the supermarkets, the stores, everywhere, because I could use it. It would serve me better knowing my money was going to a beneficial cause. However, unemployment remains in the 10% region, Government dependency is growing rapidly and Federal spending is only elevating our taxes. I say, “Give them a limit, an ultimatum and then cut them off!”

Interested in Expressing your Opinion?

The Viking News thevikingnews@gmail.com 914.606.6768 Editor-in-Chief Steven Draper Managing Editor Candy Frazier News Editor SangHoon D. Lee Sports Editor Andre Aivazians Copy Editors Shelly Williams Josh Jenkins Art Director Joe Khan

Staff Writers Natalia Bernado Greg D. Cash Safiya Davidson-Guilliams Nick Genovesi Dionne Hutchinson Dora Jelensky Kassandra Lopez Shay Mc’Lennon Lianna Neiger Rehan Sabri Molly Stazzone David Uyehera Mark Vasey Gricel Vettese Patricia Villate Jheneal Walters Morgan White Victoria Smith

Chief Photographer Sergio Villatoro Student Alumni Mentor Beth McGrail Faculty Adviser Eric Luther The Viking News is published bi-weekly by the students at Westchester Community College Letters to the Editors can be submitted in the following ways: email: thevikingnews@gmail.com

Email us at thevikingnews@gmail.com

in person: Student Center - Rm 020

Opinions expressed within these pages do not reflect the opinion of the editors, administration, the faculty or faculty advisers.

26

November 3, 2010

Opinions

Cell Phone Companies: How They’re Charging YOU for Unused Service In this current economic climate, no one likes to hear the words “oops” and “sorry” when it comes to their money. Companies who are looking to stay in business are offering better deals to keep their customers, however Verizon never got that memo. Since last year, customers have been complaining that Verizon is charging for services they never used or signed up for.

While other companies tried putting their customers first, Verizon did exactly the opposite, tiptoeing around complaints and denying that there was a problem.

Imagine receiving your phone bill month after month with increases for something you never used and when you call customer service, they refuse to reverse the charges or at least offer you an incentive. When this happens, polite individuals can

lose their charming demeanor instantly because they are being cheated of their hard earned money. When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approached Verizon about the glitch in their system, the phone com-

pany blatantly lied and refused to admit their blunder. With an ongoing investigation, Verizon finally apologized to the public a year later. At this point, customers were already withdrawing their contracts.

what will you do?

For Kenny, a Construction Management major, the RWU experience has been all about building. As a Community Connections coordinator, he spent the summer building relationships with the entire freshman class in addition to nearly 80 community partners at volunteer sites around the state.

When that was over, he built a sense of community by constructing a Post-it Note mural that included reflections from the entire freshman class. But that’s not all. The resident assistant is also a member of the student volunteer association and alternative spring break, where he’s been building houses and playgrounds for families and schools in need. What will you do?

www.rwu.edu

One Old Ferry Road • Bristol, R.I. 02809 (800) 458-7144 • (401) 254-3500

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discoveryourself

Jheneal Walters Staff Writer

When it comes to money, the poor is crying foul and the rich wants more. Westchester Community College students have enough to worry about with state aid cuts, rise in tuition, cost of living and studying without having to worry about overcharged bogus phone bills. Something has to be done to curb the power these big phone companies have over our cell phone costs. Yes, Verizon, along with AT&T and T-Mobile, provide us with a service, but that does not give them the right to overly charge their patrons for thing things they are not using.

Victoria Smith, a Verizon customer stated “I was being charged $10 a month by Verizon since spring of 2010 for Verizon navigation. I called and the response I got was that the only way to get rid of the navigation was directly from my cell.”

The FCC is in charge of regulating interstate and international communications by

radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. They are in the process of convincing Congress to grant them the ability to regulate phone companies’ internet access.

Phone companies are in hopes of Congress not granting The FCC this proposal. In previous circumstances I may have agreed with the latter group, but after Verizon’s cat and mouse games I believe someone should be a part of the decision making when it comes to data services companies provide. While the companies may be right about this solution being a “costly intrusion” and a hindrance to their investment, I think with time and working out a few kinks, it can work to our benefit as consumers. Shakira Narain, another Verizon customer told me, “I was being charged for a non-existent Iphone for four months even though I own a Blackberry. I had a late payment so they used the overcharge to cover it but I felt that they should

Kenny

have done more.”

Radio and television is a part of the FCC’s jurisdiction, so why can’t the phone companies suck it up and answer to others the way we answer to them? If they were fined for their negligence and still pay the obligated refund to customers, would that solve the issue? Verizon might be the only company known so publicly for doing this, but I am positive they are not the only ones who have made these mistakes. Something permanent must be done to avoid all future occurrences and if using Verizon as an example, I have no problem with that scenario.

Now owing up to $90 million in compensation to 15 million past and present customers, let’s hope Verizon doesn’t hesitate to reimburse outraged customers. Consumers should be adamant about being credited for what they are obligated to because after what we witnessed, Verizon won’t take action unless under pressure.

Class of 2012 Brewster, N.Y. Construction Management

Opinions

November 3, 2010

27

ETHICAL STANDARDS IN EVERYDAY LIFE continued from page 24 managers need to look at both the positive and negative potential consequences before setting goals. In Hill’s opinion, “leaders help to establish the culture of an organization, and they set the example for others to follow. It is not what leaders say that matters, but what they do.” Lamentably, too often, unethical behavior from top and middle managers are immediately apparent to lower level employees, who consequently follow suit. When confronted with ethical dilemmas, leaders who have not incorporated a value system that includes strong ethical standards will probably respond with more flippancy than those who have such a system in place. Michel Dion, a reporter for the Journal of Financial Crime wrote, “There is no substitute for strong ethical stances among corporate employees, from the

top executives to the blue collar workers.” With all ethical dilemmas, a leaders’ thought processes can and do significantly influence what action he or she takes.

Business leaders’ values and what they imagine will happen in response to their actions affect their thought processes. At its most basic level, ethical managerial leadership involves discerning right from wrong and acting in accordance with such judgments.

One group of values that seem to be universally accepted includes wisdom, kindness, self-control, and courage. In the situation where the leader does not have an internalized value system, an otherwise good person may make unethical decisions. In addition, at times, full rationality gives way to quick rationality, which finds leaders considering solutions to the fundamental elements of a problem without taking into account all of its complexities.

In our current economic

plight, the corporate community has evoked the nation’s business schools to take a more deliberate look at the study of ethics.

Beth Gardiner, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, wrote an article depicting the role of business schools on the subject of ethics.

She found that though the study of ethics was once an unpopular subject, now it has captured the attention of many business schools and leaders since the financial crisis highlighted the devastation that could happen by unethical and irresponsible business practices. She discovered that many schools in the past deemphasized the study of ethics, assuming the students were aware of the importance of responsible behavior. In addition, by focusing on profit without talking enough about a company’s wider responsibilities, “we gave people the impression that only profit counts,” she says. “We must bring out the other elements.” She also pointed

out a survey by the “London Association of M.B.A.’s and northern England’s Durham Business School…administrators rated ethics the most important subject for students in the current business climate. Seventy-nine percent of schools and 59% of alumni questioned said M.B.A. programs should teach what’s called a stakeholder approach – focusing on companies’ responsibilities to communities, customers, employers and society at large – rather than encouraging students to think only of their obligations to shareholders.” Inclusively, some critics interviewed by Gardiner believe that “if corporations do not act responsibly, there is no way the economy can keep on growing.”

Unethical practices in the corporate and government sectors are not concerns exclusively for the experts. It concerns us all because it affects us all. It is a persistent threat to the pros-

perity of our country. Making ethical decisions is not always easy and, at times, the obvious solutions may have personal or professional drawbacks. These decisions can often benefit from creative thinking that explores ideas beyond the usual responses.

Scholars suggest we examine our thoughts when confronted with ethical choice points. In making ethical decisions, allow honorable values to guide your judgments and avoid playing mental games that undermine ethical behavior.

Ask yourself the question, “is it ethical?” rather than, “is it legal?”

These are two equally important, yet very distinct concepts. While abiding by the law is crucial for every citizen, being committed to ethical standards reflects upon our own humanity and, in its purest form, transcends the values generally accepted in society.

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC.

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CC Summit Echoes Familiar Sentiment continued from page 24 rates.

In Two Thousand Nine, WCC had twelve hundred seven graduates (one thousand fifty six with Associate degrees and one hundred fifty one with certificates). An Evaluation of College Experience was conducted

by WCC and the respondents to the survey continue to give positive response on several broad questions. Over three fourths of the graduates felt their goals were met by their college experience. The overwhelming majority (ninety six point one percent) of the graduates were either satisfied or very satisfied when asked about their overall WCC experience. With regards to the quality of instruction, ninety eight point six percent reported the same.

The majority of our graduates consider being able to achieve their personal growth as a part of their reason for attending WCC. Of the eight sub-goals listed, ninety seven point nine percent felt WCC was either very effective or somewhat effective. For the six questions exploring job-related goals, almost ninety percent of the respondents consistently indicated that WCC had been either very effective or somewhat effective in helping them to achieve these goals. When asked whether colleges prepare students for the work force, sixty two percent said

yes for community colleges and sixty eight percent said yes for four-year schools.

“President Obama’s goal of adding 5 million more community college graduates over the next decade would represent a 50 percent increase in the number of students graduating,” according to the American Association of Community Colleges.

This is a crucial piece of President Obama’s goal for the U.S. to produce the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by Twenty Twenty. Obama signed a two billion dollar piece of legislation this year, which will be directed to community colleges over the course of four years. Unfortunately for us, that was far less than advocates had hoped for. “We are in a fight for the future, a fight that depends on education,” the president said.

Education is the gateway to our dreams and community colleges have opened that gateway wide for all to walk through.

November 3, 2010

Opinions

28

I Double Dog DARE You SangHoon D. Lee News Editor

Recently, my cousin who is elementary school told me that he was going to start DARE in his fifth grade class.

D.A.R.E, which is an acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education , is a national program that was developed by a police officer Daryl Gates from the Los Angeles Police System in 1983. The curricula is implemented and taught in about 80 percent of the school systems in the United States and in more than 40 countries worldwide. In fact, everyone should know what “DARE” is if you went to public school here in the United States.

The DARE program uses a 3-stage program to educate the growing pupils; they enter the elementary school in the fifth grade, junior high school in 7-8th grades and once more at the high school level. DARE teaches about drugs and its usages, domestic and gang violence, self esteem, and how to conduct yourself in a good and moral character.

Typically, a police officer comes into the classroom and lectures about the curricula.

The officer speaks about the program’s ideas, concepts, and experience when it comes to drugs and violence. Honestly, I think it’s not the best way to deliver a message to the young minds that are sitting in their little chairs. In my experience, it was interesting for me to learn about the drugs I didn’t know about.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for DARE I wouldn’t have even learned about marijuana or cocaine at all because I kind of grew up

WHY

a “goody two-shoes” until I hit high school. It might be more effective if DARE was a class that was more like an everyday course where it was more of an “in your face” constant reminder to students to stop using drugs and be positive about yourself. As of now, it’s like a ten week course in which each week you cover a different section and move on.

I feel that DARE is a waste of time because few students are going to be like, “Wow, this is bad. I shouldn’t do this because the police officer told me not to in school.” I feel that the program is redundant with the social changes within our generation and needs to be modified along with contemporary changes. The program has a lot of great informative sections and a lot of data that really explains to the reader why they should not be taking drugs or causing violence to our society, but I don’t think that the lesson are really geared to be truly absorbed by the students.

People’s simple curiosity often comes into play when it comes to taking drugs; kids want to see what a drug is like or what can happen to their bodies if they take it. Peer Pressure is also big when it comes to drug on the younger levels. The idea of fitting in with a group of friends is a key for an active social life. If a student feels lonely and he can join a group of kids if he does what the other people are doing, what is going to stop from not joining them? She/he wants to feel like he is in the zone with his new people and not out in left field. If a student needs comfort and he finds

that getting “high” on a drug is going make him feel better about himself, is that boring officer really still going to be in his head when the kid has the chance to take drugs?

While peer pressure and self esteem issues are big factors that move people towards

TRANSFER TO

drugs and other illegal materials, there are a lot of different reasons why drugs are big in the education institutions so DARE needs to expand its scope of discussion topics.

I firmly believe we can decrease the use of drug use in the school system if the

public administration and local officials make an effort to really crack down on drug trafficking and drugs within their own community; they need to get the drugs out of the kid’s hands before worrying about getting them out of their heads.

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November 3, 2010

Opinions

29

Response: Westchester Guardian is Wrong on Hiring Freezes Nikki Lucchese Staff Writer

year institutions. Cob goes on to building project is not an ad- get laid off and lose their jobs from ing their children who are cursay these parents “took out sec- equate angle for attack because costs being cut, it’s not to be taken rently attending WCC. ond mortgages on their homes” it’s already paid for! The Gateway personal. Business can be selfish, Some students who attend A lot of mixed responses were and “cashed in their 401k‘s”. Center fundraising has been in but business is also, hopefully, logi- WCC are financially well off generated to a recent article about How about a different perspec- progress since 2004 which means cal, Business is business and that’s and don’t need or want a fancy Westchester Community College tive? Let’s respond to Cob with a the money was obviously invest- all there is to it. degree. On the flip-side, even if budget cuts and hiring freezes in point = prove equation. Accord- ed and locked into contracting Cob states that the “grade thir- some students who are currently the Oct. 14 issue of the Westches- ing to Cob, the county is accused deals well before the recession hit. teeners” are the “kids” who “didn’t attending four year colleges could ter Guardian newspaper. of being “penny wise and pound Adjunct teachers may be quite make the grade in high school potentially be wasting their parI.M. Cob’s article in the Oct. foolish” for opening the “state more overwhelmed then usual but wanted a career that required a ents liquidated “401k” because 14th issue titled When Hiring of the art Gateway Center” and but they can still be just as tal- two year associate degree or certifi- they’re not so “stellar” now that Freezes Don’t Actually Work laying off faculty and ordering a ented and positively capable as a cate program.” My question to Cob they’re in college, does that make clearly made people pretty agi- hiring freeze until December 31, full-time permanent professor. In is, “Is there a problem with that?” them a “thirteenth grader”? tated. First of all, Cob used the 2010. He then immediately ques- fact, some of them may even be While Westchester is a very The point is that an economic voice of nameless students at tions if a “small part-time adjunct more capable because they work prominent county, not everyone recession is stressful on everyone random four year universities to staff” will be capable of handling part-time thus, balancing the here wants to attend Yale and Har- and no one wants to lay people label Westchester Community the demands of the college and stress of a heavier workload bet- vard. Some families don’t feel Ivy off or get laid off. Also, WestCollege students as “grade thir- the Gateway Center in a sarcastic ter with more free time.

League Colleges are a worthwhile chester is a very diverse county teeners” who “may not have had light.

Let’s face it, college is also investment and some don’t neces- with many class levels and many a stellar academic record.” That One wonders if Personal Fi- a business and cutting costs is a sarily think that a four year college unique individual situations. The aside, the article was nothing but nance 101 is on Cob’s transcript. cardinal rule in a time of reces- investment is the smartest move New York State population is an opinion piece that attempted The Gateway Center is a brilliant sion, so is WCC and Westchester financially for anyone! Sure some roughly 19.5 million people and to convey the feelings of students investment on the county’s part County really wrong for layoffs towns want to “keep up with the ranks number 24 on the Bureau and administrators at WCC, only because it has created more physi- and hiring freezes? Cob ends Joneses,” but some simply do not. of Labor Statistics unemployment without any verifiable statements cal room for prospective students his article with this conclusion: When you compare the course con- rate chart with an 8.3% unemfrom anyone who currently at- to enroll, thus creating more jobs “to cut jobs at an institution that tent of community college with that ployment rate. Since Westchester tends this college. for “part-time adjuncts” and strives to teach employable skills of four year institutions, there are County populates roughly one The article portrayed WCC county revenue for the future. The to the masses just doesn’t make often very slight differences. WCC million people that would make as a very unstable, last resort- keyword here is “future”. When sense”. In my opinion, the only has so much more to offer other Westchester county’s unemploytype college that became man- the recession comes to a gradual person that this should and does than a household name. No indi- ment rate less than one percent. datory for all the “kids” whose end, there will be a larger staff at make sense to is the person han- vidual’s situation is exactly alike so Seeing as I.M. Cob himself still parents got laid off and couldn’t than ever dling the WCC finances.

While generalizing Westchester residents has a job, I’d hope he realizes that JOB WCC 9-116G • 10before.

X 7 • SUNY WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE - VIKING NEWS afford to keep them in their four Not to mention the Gateway it’s always upsetting when people is even more tasteless than insult- things could be worse.

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Sports

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SPORTS Whats Inside NY Rangers Lean on Rookies.................page

32

Athlete of The Week........................page

33

NY Yankees Memories........................page

33

Womens Volleyball Defeats Ducthess CC......page

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Mens Soccer Trounces Rockland CC...........page

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MLB World Series Report....................page

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NY Knicks Comeback.........................page

38

A Brief History of WCC Athletics Steven Draper Editor-in-Chief What do Mohammed Ali, Rocky Marciano and NY Yankees trainer Steve Donohue have in common? They’ve all been to WCC. A 30 minute interview with Athletic Director Larry Massaroni revealed just the tip of the rich history of WCC Athletics.

Mohammed Ali and Rocky Marciano both sparred and jabbed in the Physical Education Building’s boxing ring with Stephen Acunto. Both boxers where filming for their film, “The Art of Boxing.”

Acunto, now 88 is still employed at WCC and teaches the nations only credit course in boxing. Also as an advisor to the boxing club, Acunto actively trains beginners in the art of boxing.

NY Yankees Assitant Trainer Steve Donohue was a member of the class of 1977.

A gym on Battle Hill Avenue in White Plains, NY was the location of WCCs first sport team, men’s basketball. The men’s basketball team would lead an illustrious life in the region, winning countless championships.

Ralph Arietta, a NJCAA, NY State Basketball Coaches and WCC Hall of Fame inductee, coached the legendary 1984 division one Final Four men’s basketball team and continues to teach at WCC. Over the years WCC has had soccer, wrestling, baseball, swimming, lacrosse, and a division one football program.

Other sports teams include women’s softball, women’s and men’s golf, women’s basketball and soccer.

Baseball started its first season in 1969-70 and Football began its first season in 1970-71.

Both teams helped open the new Physical Education Building back in 1969.

The football program has

10 + ‘84 500 Football Championship Titles

Men’s Basketball Team to be inducted into WCC Hall of Fame

Games won by the Baseball team over 40 years.

also seen incredible success while it was at WCC. Winning ten NJCAA Championship titles and producing professional players like San Diego Chargers linebaker Shawn Lee, the football program at WCC was one of the best in the nation.

So why did the team dissolve in 1992? Finances and deteriorating interest. Throw in the state of the economy in 2010 and you have a football program that is steaming for a comeback.

Other professional players that WCC produced include;

Mickey Whalen, an All-American soccer player and NJCAA Hall of Fame member, Wrestling Champion Shawn Kemp, Vin Stanziani and Chris Alleva signed with the Sherbrooke Expos of the senior Quebec League in May 2010.

The baseball team reached a milestone in 2009, 500 games won from 1970-2009.

The men that have shaped the athletic legacy of WCC haven’t been forgotten. Current Athletic Director Larry Massaroni was preceeded by Winston Nicholas, Wendell Mims, Tony Mezzetesta,

and Buzz Keef, the first Athletic Director.

WCC’s coolest sport? The cricket team.

The next Hall of Fame ceremony is on Saturday, November 20th at Juniors Restaurant in New Rochelle, NY. Inductees include the ‘84 men’s basketball team, ‘71 football team, Softball coach Len Spena and Athletic Director Larry Massaroni.

The ceremony begins at 7PM and ticket prices are $50. For more information call Tony Mezzatesta at 914.606.6954.

Sports

32

November 3, 2010

POINT TAKEN

Photo courtesy of NYPOST

Rangers Fans Banking Dangerously on Stepan Steven Draper Editor-in-Chief

the star-talent that can make this sustainable. The question now is whether they’ll keep this up when their stars return. Here’s to hoping.

Rookie Derek Stepan has rare characteristics (like scoring a hat-trick in his first NHLgame) but it’s difficult to imagine him not wearing down a bit at some point this season. Instead of that happening on Broadway where the pressure is often suffocating, Stepan should play his first 82game season in the minors. And if he really is ready for the NHL, Stepan should start on the second or third line where he won’t be expected to gel with Gaborik right away and can develop slowly like Artem Anisimov did last season.

It’d be ideal for Stepan to play three games on the first or second line while Chris Drury recovers from his finger injury to get his feet wet, then be sent to Hartford.

There is no doubt that Stepan will be an NHL star, but I don’t think there’s any rush or incentive to forcing him into such a difficult situation. The Rangers aren’t a Stanley Cup contender and adding Stepan won’t change that. So there’s no reason to put unrealistic expectations and pressure on him.

To read the rest of our coverage pick up our issue anywhere on the Main Campus of WCC.

Info sourced from nhl.com

Thu Nov 4, 2010 Rangers @ Flyers 7:00 PM MSG(HD) Fri Nov 5, 2010 Rangers @ Devils 7:00 PM MSG 2 Sun Nov 7, 2010 Blues @ Rangers 7:00 PM MSG PLUS(HD) Tue Nov 9, 2010 Capitals @ Rangers 7:30 PM VERSUS(HD) Thu Nov 11, 2010 Sabres @ Rangers 7:00 PM MSG(HD) Sun Nov 14, 2010 Oilers @ Rangers 12:30 PM MSG(HD) Derek Stepan playing at Wisconsin

Who are these guys and what have they done with the New York Rangers? Without three of their most important players the Rangers have won three straight, and more importantly, they’ve transformed into a hard-working, fun-to-watch, legitimately solid NHL team.

As Rangers fans know all to well, it’s the less-talented teams in the NHL that are often the toughest to play against. The New York Islanders haven’t had many household names on their squad over the last few years but they always give the Rangers headaches and are never an easy win for anyone. The Islanders compensate for their lack of talent with hard fore-checking, team play, and outstanding efforts across the board every night. (Ironically, this year Rangers’ cast-off P.A. Parenteau is on the Islanders’ top line and has a team-leading nine points).

Perhaps a small dose of the Islanders’ medicine is what the Rangers needed. The Blueshirts still have star power, but three of the team’s biggest names are out of the lineup and the Rangers have been forced to adapt. The

team realized in its first game without Marian Gaborik that things would be different. No longer could teammates sit back and wait for Gaborik to create offensive magic. No, if the Rangers wanted to score at all without their offensive stars, it would take extra effort and other players would have to step up.

And that’s exactly what’s happened. A week ago it seemed like the Rangers were destined for an early season collapse. Now before our very eyes, the Rangers have turned into something to be proud of. A relentless forecheck, incredible efforts by Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky, much-improved work ethics from a dozen other guys, an offensively revitalized Michal Rozsival, the fearless shot blocking of Dan Girardi, improved play from Brian Boyle, a renewed interest in sticking up for one another, the youthful vigor of Derek Stepan and that guy Henrik in net have combined to turn the Rangers into a winner.

There’s one key difference between the Islanders and Rangers. The Islanders play hard every year, but lack the talent to stay in the playoff hunt as the season drags on. The Rangers have proven they can match the Islanders’ nightly effort, but will be adding

Photo courtesy of NYPOST

Sports

November 3, 2010

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

33

The Yankees are More than a Favorite Baseball Team

Rich Rielly

photo via google

Candy Fraizer Mamaging Editor

Westchester Community College’s co-captain of the baseball team Rich Reilly’s hard work does not go unnoticed, so the Viking News decided to go and talk to the man that helps make Westchester’s baseball team tick.

Q: So, how long have you been playing baseball?

A: Around ten years at least Q: So where are you from, where did you play before Westchester?

A: I’m from Yonkers, when I went to Stepinac high school I played there, and then I came here.

Q: Now, you just told me that you guys finished up your fall season. What were some things that you wanted to improve on?

A: I thought we had a really good fall season; we had a good line up. We played a lot of runs.

We actually thought that pitching was going to be a problem at first, but in the fall we actually did well, pitching wise too.

Q: And you play first base right?

A: yea I do Q: Are you planning on playing in the spring also?

A: Yea definitely, I plan on playing in the spring; and then moving on to a four year college.

Q: I know Massroni, mentioned a school that you were planning on attending in Florida, what was the name of it?

A: Northridge University Q: He said that’s like a base-

ball factory, is that true?

A: yea it is, so…hopefully.

Q: Now, is this something you see a career coming out of, whether it is playing or maybe coaching?

A: Yea, in some way, I want to be able to stay around the game Q: So how would you describe you team as a whole?

A: I guess you can say we’re a pretty close team. Like the team is an experienced one. For example we have good freshmen coming in who are going to help us a lot.

I think Westchester is good, because we have people that come

“

to win the cham-

A: The line up plays a big part, and just to keep scoring.

Because if we play a lot of good games; not many teams will be able to beat us.

Q: Is there anything thing that you guys are doing to boost the attendance of games? I know that your main focus is winning; but is there anything else?

A: yea do just focus on playing. But maybe we could do things like getting stands, advertising, and things like that.

Q: So how do you like your coaches? Do they give you that positive energy to keep you guys going?

A: They’re good. Yea definitely, b but a lot of it has to be us too.

Q: So how long have you been captain?

A: I came in last spring, and then I was made captain this season Q: So tell me about Stepinac High school A: well I went there for baseball; I did well there. Senior year I was MVP, we had a good division. We made it to the city championship both the years that I was there. Then I couldn’t play sophomore year because I left previous to that year and went to Mount ST. Michaels in the Bronx. And when I came back they had some rule saying that I had to sit out because of my leaving.

Q: So where do you see yourself once school is over.

A: Hopefully dealing with some kind of baseball management, I just want to somehow get a good job dealing with baseball.

pionship. That’s actually a must.

Because, if we don’t, I’ll just feel like a disappointment.

“

Steven Draper & Candy Fraizer Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor

from all over; like we get students that come from up north, and further south of Westchester, and even the Bronx. While there are some schools that only get students from around their area.

Q: Well I’m sure you’ve come up with a set of goals for this season; but is there anything you have in mind for spring?

A: well number one, just to win the championship. That’s actually a must. Because, if we don’t...I’ll just feel like a disappointment.

Q: What do you think is going to factor into you guys winning?

What makes a New York Yankees fan, a Yankees fan? Take a stroll down memory lane. Do any of your memories consist of Yankee games? Sitting on the couch with your father watching the game, your eyes dry from trying to stay up late, because the game lasted way past your bed time. Or visiting the old Yankee Stadium; the smell of popcorn and hot dogs filling the air and to go along with it, the loud roars of New York Yankee fans! Chanting along with the crowd: “let’s go Yankees!”

Considering I wouldn’t be able to give it justice, I figured I talk to a real Yankees fan. Someone who could better put things into perspective, on how much being a Yankee fan affected him throughout the years.

My search to find a true Yankee fan began in the library, and considering everyone was “busy” studying, I took to the gateway center. So there he was; sitting in the gateway centers café with his navy blue Yankees cap on. So I approach him with the obvious question: “excuse me, are you a Yankee fan” it seems like a not so intelligent question to ask considering he was wearing the Yankee cap, but just to be on the safe side I did it anyway. So after asking the first question, we began our journey of Yankee memories. Christopher Vega, born and raised in the Bronx, NY had this to say.

Q: What does the Yankee symbol mean to you?

A: To me the Yankee symbol is a symbol of excellence, a long legacy of greatness … it’s a symbol of New York Q: What age would you say you became a Yankee fan?

A: Ever since I could remember, about five or six years old.

Q: Was there a specific game you could recall that made you so passionate about the Yankees?

A: A specific game? There’s more like a specific player…Don Mattingly Q: Was there anyone who influenced you to become a Yankee fan?

A: My father, he’s been a Yankee fan since he was a kid. He grew up in the Bronx like me. He used to watch every single game from first pitch to last pitch.

Q: Did you watch with him?

A: Yea, I used to watch until I fell asleep, sometimes I would have to go to sleep in the middle of the game because it was past my bedtime.

Q: As a child, were Yankee games what you looked forward to, or did it gradually happen as you got older?

A: Oh no, definitely since I was a kid. That’s what I did; at seven O’clock I would be watching the game, while kids my age would be doing other things.

Q: What the wildest thing you could recall happening while you were at a game?

A: Well …I remember being at the game where the Yankees fought the Orioles. I’ve also been to Yankees VS. Red Sox games where the stadium would be so loud that it would feel like everything was vibrating, almost like an accordion.

Q: So considering you’re a Yankee fan, how do you feel about the Yankees losing in the playoffs?

A: The Yankees got out played. Texas dominated the series; I feel we were lucky to get the one win that we did.

Q: So what will you are doing when Baseball season is over? Do the Yankees get put to rest until spring?

A: Nope, the chase for twenty eight has started already. A real Yankee fan is a fan all year round.

Not just during the playoffs, or because they win a world series.

Sports

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November 3, 2010

Womens Volleyball Team Surround Falcons in 5 Sets

Photo by Andre Aivaizians Women’s Volley team warms up for their eventual defeat of Dutchess County. Lead by Nicole Angelo, featured as Athlete of the Week in Issue II, the Vikings were able to anniahlate Dutchess County in 5 sets. This past weekend, the team would have played in the championship tournament. Look for a full report in our next issue coming out November 17th.

Nikki Lucchese Staff Writer Vengeance was definitely “served” to the Vikings Volleyball team on the October 14th game where they battled the Dutchess County Falcons. The game that took place at home was needless to say a stressful one since the score was tied up every quarter of every game!

The WCC Vikings who already defeated Dutchess this season had planned to “Dominate” them again however, it was Dutchess who had the final word with a score of 15 to 8 after a 5 round game.

But don’t be dismissive yet, the WCC Vikings women’s volleyball team put up a very brutal fight.

The first round that began promptly at 7pm was tied up after fourteen minutes with a score of 14-14. All of the team members worked cohesively and displayed great communication skills, but

the players that made themselves most apparent right from the start were Nicole Angelo #4 who served with massive power, and returning player Paulina Quinones #5 who displayed amazing reflex and blocking abilities.

According to Angelo and Quinones, volleyball has been their “passion” since 7th grade.

It very well should be since they both practice two hours per day!

Their dedication surfaced at the end of round 1 with a well deserved victory score of 25-23.

The anxiety began to surface throughout the first half of round 2 with a neck in neck score until the peak of round 2 where Dutchess took the lead with 10-6 and Viking’s coaches called a timeout to regain some composure.

Regain composure they did by making a fierce comeback equipped with a triple Ace that turned the score into 24 to 24. Sadly, after all of the Vikings impressive comeback efforts of a three

Ace round, Dutchess led the victory for the second round with a game point win. Round three was initially “all Dutchess” as they led the way with a 3 to 4 point advantage of a beginning score of 03 to 06 and a halfway score of 9 to 13.

A humorous heckling line judge brought some light to the situation for the Vikings however, humor alone wasn’t enough; they

Womens Volleyball Vikings: 3 Dutchess CC: 5

needed a miracle to bring this game back to “domination”. Immediately thereafter the Vikings scored five consecutive points and tied up the game at 14-14 midway through! Then their miracle came when they took the lead with some fabulous block-

ing and a kill that closed game 3 victoriously with a 25-16 win. At this point it was Dutchess who needed the miracle.

Based on looks alone it seemed that Dutchess was loosing stamina, but clearly that was not the case when Dutchess served the Vikings some humility throughout game 4 where they led the way with a initial score of 11-5 after only 6 minutes in, and a final score of 25-10!

At this point both teams were tied with 2 victory game wins each which called for a 5th game showdown that ended with complete satisfaction for the Dutchess County Falcons. “It was hard fought” said by Lauren Wilson the Falcons head coach, “It was an even matchup and everyone played well.”

The noblest illustration of first-class sportsmanship was after the intense rollercoaster ride came to a saddening halt, a smiling Nicole Angelo stated, “We all played awesome”. The presence

of the Vikings coaches was clear throughout the entire game as professional, supportive, and in essence, family figures.

The Vikings head coach Nicole Bowen, a former volleyball athlete and “father” of the team, communicated through timeouts at very thoroughly calculated moments. The assistant coach Iman Mims the “loving mother”, was the voice of the team who called out instructions to the players who were overlooking play necessities.

Assisting coach Melody Ramirez finalized the family as the big sister who also verbally gave important tips throughout the game.

All of the women played with an effortless grace, and maintained relentless stamina until the bitter end.

The game was mostly a volley of power and intimidation because the teams are equally skilled but, nevertheless, equally impressive.

Sports

November 3, 2010

35

Sergio Villatoro for The Viking News

Vikings Trounce Rockland Zackia Cabrera Staff Writer This Monday the 11th the WCC Soccer team went up against Rockland County. The match started off on a pleasant afternoon with good weather and warm temperatures that was perfect for a game. WCC kicked off and began playing aggressively against Rockland County. Their attacks and defense had been relatively equal until WCC began to pick up the pace and started to play more aggressively. They eventually had a lead on Rockland County and although Rockland County defended their goal fiercely with good attacks and nearly scoring a goal, it wasn’t long before WCC got their first and second goal.

Throughout the first half most of the game was fairly decent but player 23 John Cleary was playing very aggressively and charged at Rockland County’s player 10 resulting in a yellow

card. Later on in the game there were many close goal shots for WCC, player 4 Nicholas Kolaj had taken a shot at the goal and had about a 90% chance at scoring but he kicked it too high and missed.

Player 22 Antonio Britto had the chance to score a corner kick but

the first half was a series of corner kicks, close calls, and near goals for WCC. Throughout the second half of the game WCC and Rockland County played even more aggressively. It was a series of corner kicks, free kicks, tackles, and near goals. WCC had a lot of opportunities to score goals in this half, with the crowd getting riled up and excited only to quiet down begrudgingly when the players simply passed the ball to the closest player on their team.

Rockland County had become faster during this half and took the ball away from WCC often but even though WCC ended up taking it back most of the time it wasn’t long before Rockland County’s player 17 scored a goal making the score 2-1. WCC Player 25 Anthony Scolpini tried to score another goal and made a close range shot but was stopped by the goalie.

There was about 15 min left

in the game and WCC was fueled by a determination to win. WCC had the ball now and player 15 William Santizo kicked the ball to player 23 John Cleary. Player 23 John Cleary took a shot at the goal but was not close enough, player 15 William Santizo ran for the ball and kicked it as hard as he could and ended up scoring another goal for WCC making the score 3-1. Now WCC was attacking Rockland taking every opportunity to score. Rockland County came very close to making a goal with a long shot but missed. As the game drew to a close WCC ended up as the winners of this game.

The players on both teams all shook hands and congratulated each other on a game well played, and even though WCC won the Coach John Kakavas was not happy with the way the game played out and had this to say about the team, “They did not play simple soccer, instead they

ToMensread the rest of our coverage Soccer pick up our issue anywhere on Vikings: 3 the Main Campus of WCC. Rockland CC: 1

he also missed. There had been a good advance from Rockland County’s player 17 but it was called by 2 defenders from WCC. An exciting point in the game was an unexpected one. A player from WCC had kicked the ball so far from the field that it went over the bleachers. The crowd became very excited after that, hooting and blowing horns. The rest of

decided to play their own style of soccer, which they are not capable of doing… This was our 7th win and I’m happy that we won but I am very displeased with the way that they played. Every team can pretty much blow this team out…

Boys come out here trying to be the super stars that they aren’t. In short I was pleased with the result but not with the way we achieved it and tomorrow they will be disciplined by a lot of physical fitness. They don’t want to listen, then were going to have to reinforce our style of play.”

When asked about where he planned to go from here Coach Kakavas stated that they are “Going to work hard to make it into the regional championship, and after that hopefully make it into nationals for the first time in a few years.”

Their next game will be against the “Borough of Manhattan Community College” on Saturday 10/16/10.

Love Sports and want your voice heard on International, National, and Campus Sports? The Viking News is hiring Sports writers for the fall and spring semesters. TheVikingNews@gmail.com or 914.606.6768

Sports

36

November 3, 2010

JETS BACK UP SMACK TALK

Photo courtesy of NFL.com Although the game didn’t end in favor of the Jets, Quarterback Mark Sanchez believes the game was a “wake up call” to the season and a good point for his team to focus more. The Jets lost to the Ravens in a low scoring game, 10-9. It was not the result that the home fans wanted.

Daniel SangHoon Lee Staff Writer

The New York Jets opened the season with a big bang. They were broadcast on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, a program a majority of football fans watch.

The Baltimore Ravens came into town to battle the hometown favorites.

Although the game didn’t end in favor of the Jets, Quarterback Mark Sanchez believes the game was a “wake up call” to the season and a good point for his team to focus more.

The Jets lost to the Ravens in a low scoring game, 10-9. It was not the result that the home fans wanted.

Prior to the season, they were selected to appear on a reality TV show on HBO called, Hard Knocks. It’s a small open window to their training camp and the screening of player inter-

actions. The show lasted about a month with shows appearing each Wednesday in the month of August.

There was a lot of publicity with the show because of Jets’ head coach, Rex Ryan. Ryan’s boisterous attitude and his antics made the shows really appealing for the common viewer. There were many scouts and experts who predicted that the show was going to be a distraction, but the team had no signs of the early season nausea.

There are many factors that make this season a worthwhile one. The Jets opened up a new stadium for their fan base with state of the art facilities. For instance, The New Meadowlands Stadium which holds 82,566 football aficionados. There was a PSL system that got season ticket holders to pay a lot of money for their seats. The Personal Seat Licensing plan is where ticket holders are

required to buy a right for their seats tickets. There was an outcry from the fan base because the majority of those ticket purchasers protested the monstrously high prices.

There is a rule with the National Football League in which teams need to sell-out their tickets in order to have media coverage.

If they can’t, the NFL has the right to block their broadcast from going on national television. The Jets’ front office slashed ticket prices to accommodate the demands of the fan base.

Last Season, the team was two quarters away from the Super Bowl in the AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, Payton Manning and the Colts used their air attack to bomb the porous Jets’ secondary.

Coach Ryan has taken the team from the “same old Jets” to a product that people can really sink their teeth into.

Bringing this no hold bar

theory, Ryan has recreated this team with a stout defense and a creative offense to tackle the best in the league. During the summer, they brought a lot of new faces to the team with hopes of bringing the prized trophy home to the Big Apple.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, Santonio Holmes and a few other players were coveted off-season and were promised a chance play in the Super Bowl if they signed with the team.

Second Year quarterback Mark Sanchez looked brilliant in the early six games of the season. In the span of five games, he threw eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

The running game is highlighted by future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson and second year running back Shonn Greene from the University of Iowa. Last year, the Jets used their version of “Ground and Pound” game to lead the league in rushing last

year.

The Jets are now at 5-1 with spending this week on a bye.

There are 10 games remaining in the season.

The Jets hope that their defense comes around to being that top notch caliber defense from a year ago.

The offense has been on fire with scoring a lot of points compared to the offense quagmires that they were last year.

The Jets are a team the people are really rooting for this year because their franchise hasn’t won a Super Bowl in 41 years.

The team has gotten a lot younger and the Jets have drafted successfully in the past five years.

As the season rolls on, the Jets are hoping that they can bulldoze over their opponents and take off to the Promised Land. Hopefully, Disneyland !

Sports

November 3, 2010

37

WORLD SERIES 2010 UNDERWAY

VS. Mark Vasey Staff Writer

Tonight Oct. 27, the 2010 Major League Baseball World Series got underway between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants. The Rangers are representing the American League and the Giants are representing the National League. This is an intriguing matchup because both the Rangers and Giants were not the favorites in their respective leagues to make it to the World Series. The Giants upset the Phillies in the National League Championship Series, while the Rangers upset the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, with both series taking six games in a best of seven format.

The Giants and Rangers made it to the World Series playing very different styles. The Giants are known for their strong pitching staff headed by Tim Lincecum, a two time National League Cy Young award winner.

The Cy Young Award is given each season to the best pitcher in both the American and National Leagues respectively. The Giants boasted a Major League leading 3.36 team ERA (Earned Run Average) during the regular season.

The ERA is the amount of runs allowed by a pitcher or pitching staff on average for every nine innings pitched. On the other hand, the Rangers have garnered a reputation as a team that wins by outhitting and outscoring its opponents. The Rangers, led by the bats of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero,

paced the Major Leagues in both hits and batting average while also being fifth in runs scored.

Coming into the game one matchup between these two teams, a debate rages on whether the pitching of the Giants will overcome the offense of the Rangers or vice versa.

Game one was billed as a pitcher’s duel between the Rangers’ Cliff Lee and the Giants’ Tim Lincecum. Lee and Lincecum have both won Cy Young Awards showing that they are two of the best pitchers in all of Major League Baseball. Lee won the American League Cy Young award in 2008 by winning 22 games while astonishingly only losing three. His ERA in 2008 was a miniscule 2.54.

Tim Lincecum won the National League Cy Young award in both 2008 and 2009. Lincecum won 18 games in 2008 and 15 games in 2009 while losing five in 2008 and seven in 2009. Lincecum’s ERA was 2.62 in 2008 and 2.48 in 2009.

Both pitchers were expected to dazzle in game one but that was not the case.

Lincecum’s night started out poorly from the beginning. The first batter to face Lincecum was Elvis Andrus, the Rangers Shortstop, and he singled on a changeup that was left up and over the middle of the plate. This would be the beginning of a rough evening for Lincecum. The Rangers scored in the first inning on an RBI single by Vladimir Guerrero that hit off Lincecum’s lower left leg and bounced toward right field.

Before the Giants could recover the ball, Andrus had come home to score on the play. Lincecum

later worked out of trouble by getting Ian Kinsler to ground into an inning ending double play but the Rangers had taken a 1-0 lead.

Cliff Lee breezed through his half of the first inning allowing a broken bat flare down the right field line hit by Freddy Sanchez but nothing else. Lincecum would allow another run in the second inning. After Bengie Molina singled and Lee shocked everyone in the stadium by doubling to the left center field gap, the Rangers had runners on second and third with one out. Andrus came up to bat and proceeded to hit a sacrifice fly to center field that was deep enough to score a slow running Molina. Lincecum got out of the inning with only the one run scoring but the Rangers had a 2-0 lead over the Giants. Lincecum seemed to settle down after this allowing for the Giants to come back.

The Giants needed Lee and the Rangers to make mistakes and they did. In the bottom of the third inning, Jaun Uribe reached base on an error made by the third baseman Michael Young mishandling a ground ball. The Rangers would go on to make four errors in the game. After getting Lincecum to pop up a bunt attempt, Lee hit Andres Torres with a pitch putting runners on first and second. Sanchez then doubled for the second time scoring Uribe.

Buster Posey followed with a base hit scoring Torres. Both mistakes made by the Rangers in the inning came back to hurt them when Uribe and Torres scored. This was really the turning point of the game and the Giants would never

look back. Those two runs that tied the score at two were the first of eight unanswered runs scored by the Giants.

The Giants scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break the 2-2 tie and build a lead that would become insurmountable. After getting Lincecum to ground out, the wheels really fell off for Lee. Torres doubled to left followed by Sanchez who doubled to the left center field gap.

This was Sanchez’s third double of the game and he was one of the offensive stars for the Giants. After Posey struck out, Lee walked Pat Burrell. Cody Ross, who was the MVP of the National League Championship Series, followed with a base hit scoring Sanchez and giving the Giants a 4-2 lead.

Huff then followed with a base hit up the middle scoring Burrell.

This was the end of the line for Cliff Lee as he was taken out after only lasting four and two thirds innings and throwing 104 pitches.

The two runners left on base were Lee’s responsibility. The Rangers brought in Darren O’Day to pitch to Uribe. After missing badly with two sliders, O’Day came in with a fastball that tailed over the middle of the plate and Uribe unloaded on it. Uribe hit a three run home run which gave the Giants an 8-2 lead. Lee’s stat line was finished and he was charged with seven runs with six of them being earned.

In the top of the sixth, it looked like Lincecum was going to take control of the game. He struck out Guerrero and Nelson Cruz to start the inning. Lincecum had only struck out one bat-

ter to this point so it looked like a good sign. However, Lincecum would then walk Kinsler and give up a run scoring double to Molina. After Mitch Moreland singled hitting Lincecum with a line drive, David Murphy came on to pinch hit singling to score Molina. Lincecum would be taken out of the game after five and two thirds innings allowing four runs. Lincecum fared better than Lee but was unable to go deep in the game.

The score remained 8-4 until the eighth inning when the Giants added three insurance runs to stretch the lead to 11-4. The Giants added these runs with the help of shoddy defense by the Rangers.

Guerrero, who doesn’t normally play in the outfield, looked out of place in right field and misplayed too many balls hit his way. Two errors were made by Guerrero in the inning on balls hit by Edgar Renteria and Sanchez.

These three runs were important because in the ninth inning the Rangers scored three runs in an attempt to come back. This prompted the Giants to bring in their closer Brian Wilson who closed out the game for an 11-7 Giants’ victory. This game was supposed to be a matchup of two very talented pitchers, but instead turned into a high scoring game with sloppy play usually not seen in playoff baseball. The Rangers made four errors and the Giants made two errors. Playoff baseball is exciting because you never know what will happen next. For game times and TV schedules you can check out mlb.com.

Sports

38

November 3, 2010

New York City Meet STAT City Why the Knicks Don’t Need Lebron James Daniel SangHoon Lee News Editor

The National Basketball Association opened their season this week. Over the summer off season it was frantic with free agency. The superstars of the game decided to move from the their respectable clubs. Some of the names that were on the market were: LeBron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson and other excellent ball players. The whole process with each player signing with their new team or staying with their old team was portrayed like a reality show with many different personal egos. The biggest cast member of this show or viewing was Lebron James who decided that he needed to have a show on ESPN to announce the decision of this next destination.

The New York Knicks

were the front runner to bring King James from Cleveland to his coronation on 7th Ave. The process didn’t happen because King James want to take his skills and talents to South Beach in Florida to play with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade whom the Heat signed few days before they signed Lebron James. The Knicks were baffled this move because surely they knew that Lebron wanted to come the Big Apple play in Blue and Orange. New York needed a savior to save their basketball team.

While LeBron didn’t come to the Big Apple but Amar’e Stoudmire did and fans are excited to be a big man in the paint ever since the days of Patrick Ewing. The Knicks have approached the team with adding fast up-tempo players that can move and dish the out for the open. They have draft from the European League and have moved to a more of a transition game. One of Amar’e game style is the ability bring it to the hole and dominate on the slam dunk. This aspect will ignite the fans of New York will be uplift to see the Garden on its climax again pretty soon.

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Sports

November 3, 2010

Papa John’s Scores Home Field Advantage as Official Pizza of New Meadowlands Stadium, N.Y. Jets and N.Y. Giants LOUISVILLE, Ky.-(BUSINESS WIRE)--While New Meadowlands Stadium shares its facility with two NFL teams, it is now home to only one pizza provider – Papa John’s.

“We are excited to be the Official Pizza of New Meadowlands Stadium and to provide special offers to Jets and Giants fans, and other visitors to this incredible stadium” Resulting from a partnership announced today by Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) and New Meadowlands Stadium, all 82,000-plus fans attending each New York Giants and New York Jets home games, as well as other stadium events, are able to enjoy the fresh taste of Papa John’s.

Papa John’s pizza will be sold at pizza stands throughout the stadium and will be available on suite and club menus beginning mid-November.

The sponsorship further enhances Papa John’s position as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowls XLV, XLVI and XLVII through the 2012 NFL season, and brings to 14 the number of NFL franchises for which Papa John’s is the official pizza sponsor, including the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins.

“From the earliest building plans to the final construction of the stadium, we have paid the utmost attention to delivering the very best fan experience,” says Mark Lamping, President and CEO of New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC. “Partnering with Papa John’s further proves our dedication to superior quality in everything we do and sell here.”

“We are excited to be the Official Pizza of New Meadowlands Stadium and to provide special offers to Jets and Giants fans, and other visitors to this incredible stadium,” said Richard Schragger, NYC Co-op President for Papa John’s. Papa John’s has over 130 locations throughout the tri-state area.

“Consistent with our brand promise, Papa John’s always delivers better ingredients, better pizza, which, in our eyes, makes for a better football experience,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer.

As the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, Papa John’s is offering Free Toppings Football -- a large pizza for $10 with up to three free toppings.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For 10

of the past 11 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment.

Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLV, XLVI and XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

The New Meadowlands Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, sets the standard for venue excellence, with stateof-the-art technology, comfort and amenities. With a full seating capacity of 82,500, the New Meadowlands Stadium is the third-largest stadium in the National Football League.

Highlights include four massive 30’ X 118’ HD video display boards in each of the stadium corners; a 48” X 1810’ ribbon board that circles the interior bowl; 2100 + HD Monitors throughout the stadium; and 20 HD video pylons ranging in size from 20’ X 40’ to 20’ X 60’.

Outside the stadium, a 350,000-square-foot outdoor plaza will boast fan-centric activities and pregame entertainment zones.

The new stadium will have numerous dining options, wider concourses and more HD square footage than any other stadium in North America. A signature amenity of the stadium is the brand new rail line that drops off passengers directly in front of the stadium.

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