12
News ............................. 2-3 Features .......................... 4-7 Entertainment ................... 8-9 Sports ........................... 10 Calendar ........................ 11 Lifestyle ......................... 12 Volume 102, Number 3 October 16, 2013 IN THIS ISSUE EL VAQ ONLINE www.elvaq.com For the story and online slideshow of the Los Robles building demolition visit: www.elvaq.com Limited Winter Session Returns to End Drought F or the past three years, January and early February have left the campus resembling a ghost town rather than a learning institute. To the delight of many students and local businesses, a winter session will be held for the first time since 2010. The winter class schedule will be posted online Monday. The classes will run from Jan. 6 through Feb. 13 with priority registration starting Nov. 12. Students will be allowed to take up to five units this winter, which should come as a relief to those who hope to transfer sooner to a four- year university. The absence of a full winter schedule has been felt by nearly everyone on the Glendale campus and its surrounding areas. Though transferring out in two years was once expected of students, now it is almost unheard of. “I already gave up on transferring out in two years,” freshman Luis Davila said. “It’s a relief to know that at least I can speed things up by taking winter classes.” Without winter session, frustrated students have had to wait until spring to get the classes they need. Students with low priority are often forced to become part- time students or take classes elsewhere. Administrators point to a lack of funding for the absence of inter-session classes. “The state only funds us for classes up to a certain point,” said Ron Nakasone, vice president of administrative services. “If we had offered some these classes [See Winter, page 4] El Va uero El Va uero G LENDALE C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE El Vaquero Newspaper JUGGLING SKILLS: Student Clarke Surrey performs for the audience of ASGCC’s Talent Show showcasing his juggling skills on Thursday. Surrey placed second in the competition. For more talent show photos see back page. SWAT Trains in Los Robles Before Demolition T he Glendale Police Department’s SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactical) conducted a training exercise in entry maneuvers at the GCC campus on Oct. 9. The training took place at the Los Robles building, which has been demolished to make room for the new three-story College Lab/Services building. “It was a very good opportunity for our team to get real life experience,” said Sgt. Hess of Glendale Police Department. Campus police have a long- standing relationship with the Glendale police. help, we would do the same for them, but unfortunately the campus police department doesn’t have as many officers.” Montecuollo said the school was happy to accommodate the local SWAT team. “I was the former commander of the Glendale SWAT team when I worked with the Glendale Police Department, so I called them and asked if they would like to help us to destroy one of our buildings,” Montecuollo said. The Los Robles building was leveled on Monday. See center spread and www.elvaq. com for more exclusive photos. “They provide us with mutual aid response, a cooperative relationship, they come to assist us if we need their help,” GCC Police Chief Gary Montecuollo said. “If they need Photo by Jakey Galdamez PROTECT AND SERVE: The Glendale city SWAT team held training excersises in the Los Robles building on Oct. 9. Photo by Jonathan Williams By Alexander Davis EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER By Araks Terteryan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER Araks Terteryan can be reached at [email protected]

Oct 16, 2013

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Page 1: Oct 16, 2013

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Volume 102, Number 3 October 16, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

EL VAQ ONLINEwww.elvaq.com

For the story and online slideshow of the Los Robles building demolition visit: www.elvaq.com

Limited Winter Session Returns to End Drought

For the past three years, January and early February have left the campus

resembling a ghost town rather than a learning institute.

To the delight of many students and local businesses, a winter session will be held for the first time since 2010.

The winter class schedule will be posted online Monday. The classes will run from Jan. 6 through Feb. 13 with priority registration starting Nov. 12. Students will be allowed to take up to five units this winter, which should come as a relief to those who hope to transfer sooner to a four-year university.

The absence of a full winter schedule has been felt by nearly everyone on the Glendale campus and its surrounding areas. Though transferring out in two years was once expected of students, now it is almost unheard of.

“I already gave up on transferring out in two years,” freshman Luis Davila said. “It’s a relief to know that at least I can speed things up by taking winter classes.”

Without winter session, frustrated students have had to wait until spring to get the classes they need. Students with low priority are often forced to become part-time students or take classes elsewhere. Administrators point to a lack of funding for the absence of inter-session classes.

“The state only funds us for classes up to a certain point,” said Ron Nakasone, vice president of administrative services. “If we had offered some these classes

[See Winter, page 4]

GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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60% was73%

55%

45%

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El Vaquero Newspaper

JUGGLING SKILLS: Student Clarke Surrey performs for the audience of ASGCC’s Talent Show showcasing his juggling skills on Thursday. Surrey placed second in the competition. For more talent show photos see back page.

SWAT Trains in Los Robles Before Demolition

The Glendale Police Department’s SWAT team

(Special Weapons and Tactical) conducted a training exercise in entry maneuvers at the GCC campus on Oct. 9.

The training took place at the Los Robles building, which has been demolished to make room for the new three-story College Lab/Services building.

“It was a very good opportunity for our team to get real life experience,” said Sgt. Hess of Glendale Police Department.

Campus police have a long-standing relationship with the Glendale police.

help, we would do the same for them, but unfortunately the campus police department doesn’t have as many officers.” Montecuollo said the school was happy to accommodate the local SWAT team.

“I was the former commander of the Glendale SWAT team when I worked with the Glendale Police Department, so I called them and asked if they would like to help us to destroy one of our buildings,” Montecuollo said.

The Los Robles building was leveled on Monday. See center spread and www.elvaq.com for more exclusive photos.“They provide us with

mutual aid response, a cooperative relationship, they

come to assist us if we need their help,” GCC Police Chief Gary Montecuollo said. “If they need

Photo by Jakey Galdamez

PROTECT AND SERVE: The Glendale city SWAT team held training excersises in the Los Robles building on Oct. 9.

Photo by Jonathan Williams

By Alexander DavisEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

By Araks TerteryanEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Araks Terteryan can be reached at [email protected]

Page 2: Oct 16, 2013

El Vaquero

Send Letters to the Editor

EL VAQUERO1500 N. Verdugo Road

Glendale, CA 91208(818) 240-1000 ext. 5349

[email protected]

First copy freeAdditional copies $.25

DESIGN ADVISERCharles Eastman

El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the pub-lic. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at [email protected] or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

PRODUCTION MANAGER Richard Kontas

NEWSROOM MANAGERJane Pojawa

FACULTY ADVISERMichael Moreau

[email protected](818) 240-1000 ext.5214

ADVERTISINGJeff Smith

[email protected](818) 240-1000, ext.5493

MANAGING EDITOR Agnessa Kasumyan

STAFF WRITERSAlexandra Duncan

Aidan Rutten Ksenia Rabinovich

Monica Tecson-LopezAlexander DavisAraks Terteryan

EDITOR IN CHIEFSal Polcino

Letters may be reproduced in full or in part and represent only the point of view of the writer, not the opin-ion of El Vaquero or Glendale Com-munity College and its district. All letters must include the full name, address and phone number of the writer. You will be contacted before publication. El Vaquero is a First Amendment publication.

SPORTS EDITORJonathan Williams

2 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com

NEWS

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kathy Bakowicz Seneyda Rodriguez

WANTED:

students are improving. This is to show that GCC is in keeping up with state standards.

Senator of Organization Hailey Carlson reported that a sink on the first floor of the San Gabriel building is deteriorating and may cause safety hazards for students and faculty who are in wheelchairs.

Another matter discussed was the Inter-Organizational Council Olympics to be held Oct. 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero where there will be a

cash prize of $150 for the club that wins, as well as a trophy.

ASGCC also said that 500 scholarships are given every year and the majority of them are awarded in the spring. To apply for the scholarships, you must have a 2.5 GPA and submit your application today.

For more information on scholarships call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5591.

In its biweekly meeting, the ASGCC discussed several matters including secondary effects of the construction of the new College Services/Lab Building.

When the new building is complete, vacated spaces left by the departments moving into the building will be allocated to those in need of space and to other projects yet to be named.

Another item on the agenda

was the installation of filtered reusable water bottle fountains on campus, which the environmental club wants to provide to the student body. There will be small stations where students can refill their water bottles to help our environment to stay plastic free.

During the discussion, the student government also talked about the effects of the student- learning outcome. Some professors give out short exams to their students at the beginning and end of every class to see if

Student Government Discusses Plans for New BuildingBy Monica Tecson-LopezEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Monica Tecson-Lopez can be reached at [email protected]

El Vaquero and the Insider Magazine Win 11 Awards at Journalism Competition

El Vaquero brought home General Excellence

awards for college newspaper and for online journalism at

and feature contests, respectively, while managing editor Agnessa Kasumyan took an honorable mention for her news story.

Staff photographer Kathy Bakowicz took third place in the bring-in photo contest and received honorable mention for an on-the-spot sports photo.

Former editor-in-chief Eric Bourse recieved two honorable mentions, one for copyediting and another for on the spot sports story category.

Staff writer Leah Arzu won fourth place for her Magazine

the Journalism Association for Community College’s SoCal competition for student journalists and photojournalists.

The conference was held last weekend at Cal State Fullerton.

E d i t o r -in-Chief Sal Polcino was awarded a first place in the mail-in news category from last semester’s March 6 issue on the gun show ban protest at

the Glendale Civic Auditorium. Staff writers Alexander Davis

and Alexandra Duncan received second-place awards for the news

Opinion Article published in The Insider magazine

El Vaquero and The Insider came away with a total of 11 awards and will be competing again next spring at JACC’s State conference in Burbank. For more info visit: www.jacconline.com.

THE PROUD WINNERS: The El Vaquero staff shows off their awards at the JACC SoCal Conference in Fullerton on Saturday. The Glendale College newspa-per and the Insider magazine won a total of 11 awards at the annual competition.

Photo by Michael Moreau

GENERAL EXCELLENCE: El Vaquero won the General Excellence Award for both the newspaper and for its online edition.

Page 3: Oct 16, 2013

www.elvaq.com Wednesday, October 16, 2013 3

NEWS

OUT WITH THE OLD: Bulldozers from building contractor Mallcraft Inc. demolish the Los Robles building on Monday. Construction officially begins with a ground-breaking ceremony next Monday.

Local and State Bonds Will Fund Constructioncreate new classrooms. Some of the money from Measure G has already been spent on the health science building and the parking structure. The second is a state bond allocated by a vote of the electorate for funding education statewide under the name of Proposition 1D.

Glendale was awarded $33.5 million from the Prop 1D bond in 2006; however, when the economy crashed in 2008, the project was postponed. GCC finally got approval for its share of bond money from the state in July 2012. Eighty-six percent of the project will be funded by Proposition 1D and 14 percent will be funded by Measure G.

Nelson Oliveira, Director of Facilities said, “The steps for establishing or choosing a construction company was a long process. We had to contact a law office and an architect to put together a bid package that established what the school wants and needs. We had to ask questions like ‘have you done a $30 million building before?’ or ‘do you have your LEED certificate?’” A LEED certificate or a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate is a suite of rating systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods.

The project’s original cost was $64 million, however, due to the economic dip in 2008, bids for construction were lowered over the years. The construction bids ranged from $34.68 million to

Construction for the new Lab/College Services Building

has begun but the official groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. at the construction site below the parking structure.

The plan for the building was originally developed in 2004 under President John Davitt, who retired in 2008. According to Jim Spencer, campus architect for 20 years, the project was conceived from a 2002 master plan to update the school’s population capacity. In 2003, planning began for a one-stop center, the creation of more classrooms and the replacement of the temporary classrooms.

“Gradually, we realized that there’s only so much land — so we decided to merge the two [projects] together,” Spencer said.

Ron Nakasone, Vice President of Administrative Services said, “Everything in one place, sort of a one-stop shop.”

According to Spencer, the school toured one-stop centers around the state, going as far as San Diego to get a better idea of what other campuses had done.

Nakasone said the entire project, including construction and architecture, will cost $50 million. The construction alone will cost $39 million.

The project is being funded by two sources. The first is Measure G, a $98 million bond approved by the community in March 2002 that is allocated to repair and

$36.9 million and there were 13 bidders, according to Oliveira. The winning bidder for the project was Mallcraft Inc.

“It took 10 years from inception to actual construction,” said Spencer. “It was painful because of the long delay, but the delay worked in our favor because the bid cost was low.”

Extra fees or “soft costs” aiding in the construction project include: testing and inspection of the building, architectural/engineering oversight, construction management, contingency, equipment and furniture. The building will include additional labs and

classrooms, a culinary arts department, a newsroom for El Vaquero, student services, admissions and records, financial aid, EOPS, counseling and the Bursar’s Office. A bursar is a financial administrator.

Regarding the construction noise, Oliveira said GCC is trying to mitigate any inconvenience that it might cause students. “Classes impacted severely by noise were given soundproof boards for their windows. It’ll be noisy for about four months,” Oliveira said.

What will go into the vacated spaces of the San Rafael, Camino Real, San Gabriel, Aviation Arts,

John A. Davitt Administration and Sierra Madre buildings once construction is completed has not yet been decided. The campus development committee is in charge of overseeing the replacement of the classrooms in these buildings.

The after-effect that these buildings have on the campus is known as the secondary effect and the estimated cost to remodel these buildings is approximately $2.5 million. The secondary effect will most likely be funded by Measure G as well.

Campus CommentsWill you be attending winter classes?

Andrew Pirijanian19

Criminal Justice

“Probably not, because I’m looking to get a job or internship this winter. ”

Harold Ramirez19

Biology

“I will be at tending

in winter to get my courses done faster, so I don’t have to waste my time here.”

Karina Aguilar25

Communi-cations

“It depends. They might not have the classes I need. If they do, I might take one class.”

Brian Maya19

Electrical Energy

“I’ll most likely be on vacation in Mexico during winter session, so I can’t.”

By Alexandra DuncanEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Alexandra Duncan can be reached at [email protected]

Photo by Sal Polcino

— Photographed and compiled by Jonathan Caballeros

Page 4: Oct 16, 2013

4 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

elvaq.com

Faculty Jazz Quintet Swings to the Beat on the Main Stage

that the 7’s bright color scheme brings to mind a toddler’s play phone. The blindingly bright white background is also leaving eyes tired and sore, especially when using the phone in the dark.

Once updated, the phone’s battery life will be shorter compared to the spare juice iOS 6 left customers with even after hours of watching cat videos and playing Angry Birds.

The update also has new parallax and zooming functions, which give the phone a three-dimensional look. According to CNET, a website that reviews technology, this feature is actually causing motion sickness and vertigo in some users. The

Opinion: iOS 7 Irritates iPhone Users with Buggy Performance

The latest iPhone operating system has Apple customers

going bananas.This bubbly, bright and

colorful update, iOS 7, has left users confused, annoyed and even angry. While some are fearful of updating their phones from the current system, others are impartial to it.

The minimalist icons and thin, simplistic font of the update has given some users a fresh start while other users are left squinting and scrambling to read the time of day. Meanwhile, some users are even complaining

By Alexandra DuncanEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Alexandra Duncan can be reached at [email protected]

Winter Session Returns to GCC With 150 to 200 Classeshave gone under over the last year.

The convenience store Orange Stop on Cañada Boulevard shut its doors as did Wrap Express on Verdugo Road. The signs, tables and chairs are still there, but their emptiness is a cold reminder that without students around, they could not thrive. Other factors can contribute to a failed business such as a bad location or poor management.

“Business slows down a lot when the semester ends,”

during winter, the school would not be making any money.”

Some classes such as nursing have still been offered after the intersession was curtailed.

Decreased funding has forced many schools to make cutbacks. Nonetheless, last November, California voters passed Proposition 30, partially alleviating financial stress to public schools. The increased funding has allowed GCC to add

between 150 and 200 additional classes in January and February.

“Most of us are trying to get out of community college and move on,” sophomore Susie Fuentes said. “More classes for the winter will help a lot of us move on and finish the classes we need to transfer.”

The three-year suspension of winter courses has affected more than just students.

Businesses that surround campus rely on students to stay afloat. A number of businesses

Mohammed Yahhia of Kurry & Kabab said. “If there is a winter, more students will come.”

In an isolated part of Glendale, the GCC campus is a lifeline for the area. Miles away from downtown Glendale and other busy areas, the campus provides for the local economy. The only other real source of business for the restaurants located across from campus is Verdugo Park.

“I go to the skate park a lot, but I notice when the school is closed, it’s dead around here,”

[Winter, from page 1]

Alexander Davis can be reached at [email protected]

parallax function allows the background to move with each angle when the phone is tilted.

“I like it,” says Avareik Davoudian, student and iOS 7 user. “It’s something new and different.”

The update also comes with an all new control center, accessible with a single upward swipe. However, its sensitive toggle can sometimes be a major annoyance when scrolling up in an application.

The update has gone even further with upward swiping when closing applications. Rather than double clicking and waiting for your apps to start shivering, users can now close applications

with a single up swipe.Lucy Garibian, a long-time

Apple user said, “It’s confusing but it’s basically the same. You just have to get used to it.”

The iOS 7 camera and photo arrangement has also drastically changed. The square option on the camera is a useless addition to the redesigned camera; however the extra filters that were added save consumers the trip of going to an additional app solely used for camera filters. Also, thanks to the update, photos can now be organized by year into super collages.

One fallback leaving iOS 6 lovers in fear is going past the point of no return. Once iOS 7 is

updated — there is no going back.There are still a lot of bugs to

be worked out on the update and the uproar and complaints on every social network has proven how change can scare people.

This is the constant cycle of technology. Users enjoyed the comfort and familiarity that came with the iOS 6, however when it was first updated, its flawed mapping and navigation system were the center of controversy.

Apple has refused to comment to El Vaquero on the alleged bugs in the new system.

freshman Mike Forbes said. Nakasone said about 10

percent of the full curriculum will be available for winter.

Intersession classes are planned to continue to be offered in 2015 and and beyond.

FACULTY RECITAL: The Faculty Jazz Quintet performs “Fly Me to the Moon” on Thursday in the auditorium. Clare Delto sings, Cathlene Pineda on piano, Byron Delto on guitar, Chris Coulter on bass and Chris Rios on drums.

Photo by Raul Martinez

Page 5: Oct 16, 2013

www.elvaq.com Wednesday, October 16, 2013 5

OPINION

STEM Classes Will Now Address Climate Changeand science. Leaver said it was about getting instructors to feel “confident and comfortable” when addressing subjects like religion, science and climate change, whereas they “shied away” in the past.

English instructor Emily Fernandez said she attends the meetings because she is interested in issues surrounding climate change and wants to gain as many resources as she can for students in her English 104 class, which is specifically focused on that topic.

Having attended three of the meetings, she has gained a better understanding about the “specifics regarding the science of climate change.”

Although natural cycles contribute to the planet’s changing climate patterns, human impacts have done a significant amount of damage. The burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas, for example, has increased the pace of the planet’s

With the alarming effects of climate change becoming

more and more apparent, instructors are aiming to learn how to better explain the science behind the planet’s long-term changes in weather patterns and the effects these changes will have on both nature and society.

This semester, geography professor Darren Leaver is leading a series of STEM Courseware Initiative discussions to describe the causes and effects of climate change to campus instructors, aiming to prepare them for when they discuss the topic with their students.

“The real focus is to learn how to teach about climate change,” Leaver said.

Last semester, the school led a similar program focused on the conflict between religion

changes in weather and climate.With scientific evidence to

back up climate change and the human population’s huge role in this phenomenon, people should no longer deny human influence with a clear conscience.

According to a study published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), average global surface temperatures have risen at a rate of 0.15 degree Fahrenheit since 1901, with most of the warming having taken place during the past two decades. Atmospheric greenhouse gases, including water vapor and carbon dioxide, trap “outgoing energy” from the Earth’s surface, absorbing and retaining heat, according to policyalmanac.org.

The EPA further states that if greenhouse gases continue to be exploited, the acidity level of the oceans will increase.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that “the

warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” which is evident due to increases in the global average air and ocean temperatures, the melting of polar ice caps, and rising sea levels. For example, according to the IPCC, global average sea levels increased at a rate of 1.8 percent every year between 1961 and 2003. Addi t ional ly, average arctic t empera tu res have doubled over the last 100 years.

Leaver said that, in addition to rising sea levels and the glaciers that have “continued to melt [in the] last fifteen 15 years,” climate change can be seen in natural patterns and m i g r a t i o n s of certain species. For example, there are certain species of butterflies that break out of their cocoons before spring and certain animals migrate north earlier than usual.

Though climate change cannot be stopped, its effects can be minimized. Leaver says that one of the biggest fallacies is that if we begin changing our habits to reduce our carbon footprint, we’re going to stop climate change.

“Climate change is here,” Leaver said. “It’s going to be here for hundreds if not thousands of years. There is no stopping it, but what we can do is minimize what the impacts will be. Every little thing we do [not only as individuals, but as a planet] will mean that the worst case scenario is a little bit less.”

According to the Pew Research Center, the United States and China release the largest amount of greenhouse gases; however, only 40 percent of Americans and 30 percent of Chinese believe that climate poses a threat to their nations. In the United States, 57 percent of Democrats believe climate change in induced by humans whereas only 19 percent of Republicans are likely to claim that human activity has had an impact.

The Los Angeles Times, however, no longer accepts letters from readers who deny human impact on the environment,

By Agnessa KasumyanEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at [email protected]

according to reporter Paul Thornton. Leaver said that the government

has reacted very slowly to climate change, with states that are heavily invested in the oil industry more likely to be “apprehensive to change” and perceive regulations as the government intervening in the economy. Luckily, however,

he said the state of California tends to be more progressive and conscious of the env i ronmen t , which influences other states to follow in its example.

“We see it all the time that people are just overall resistant to change,” he said. “Other people don’t want to face the fact that maybe the planet’s future is going to be a little

different than what we see today. It’s an uncomfortable thought – maybe we get more heat waves, maybe we get more extreme cold spells, maybe we get more floods, more droughts, and some of those in the same location. People are uncomfortable with dealing with that reality.”

Another issue Leaver says has accelerated climate change is the fact that formerly poor countries have heavily increased industrial production in an attempt to equalize their standards of living to that of Americans; however, doing so has caused an increase in the burning of fossil fuels and exploitation of resources.

Americans consume more resources on a per capita basis than most populations. Though Americans comprise about 5 percent of the world population, they consume 24 percent of the world’s energy, according to a 2008 Washington State University report.

Though attendees of the STEM dsicussion on climate change are currently only professors Leaver would like to encourage more students to participate in the meetings and fill up a classroom of about 65 seats. The meetings will continue on Oct. 23, Nov. 6, 13, 20, and Dec. 4 in LB 222.

“Climate change is

here. It’s going to be

here for hundreds

if not thousands

of years. There is

no stopping it, but

what we can do is

minimize what the

impacts will be.”

—Darren Leaver

Page 6: Oct 16, 2013

6 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com 7o

Adios Los Robles

SAYING GOODBYE TO THE LOS ROBLES BUILDING: Three bulldozers attacked Los Robles,

completely demolishing the building Monday afternoon to make a way for the new College Services/Lab buil-

Page 7: Oct 16, 2013

6 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com 7o

Adios Los Robles

ding. Mallcraft Inc. tore down the entire structure in less than two hours. The Los Robles building was home to the culinary arts department, which has been temporar-ily relocated to the upper level of the cafeteria.

Photos by Kathy Bakowicz and Sal Polcino

Page 8: Oct 16, 2013

“Gravity,” the sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso

Cuarón, is visually stunning. Cuarón not only delivers a truly realistic (from what we can tell) experience from an astronaut’s point of view, but he also delivers an inspiring plot line with substance. The script was co-written by his son, Jonas Cuarón.

“Gravity” begins with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, played by George Clooney (“The Descendants,” 2011) and medical engineer Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock (“The Heat,” 2013) on a routine mission repairing a broken satellite. Stone’s first-time voyage into deep space leaves her nauseous while expert Kowalski floats and bobs skillfully throughout the various layers of the vessel.

Intel from Mission Control informs Stone and Kowalski that a Russian satellite has just exploded and is sending debris hurtling their way. However, it

8 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com

is too late to return to safety and Stone is sent hurtling into pitch black and terrifying silence while the satellite is violently shattered in the distance. Kowalski, the most charming astronaut we’ve ever come across, reassures her and acts as Stone’s crutch in an environment where a five-minute spacewalk can leave one without oxygen. Only through her six months of space training and Kowalski’s advice and years of space travel (not to mention sheer luck) can Stone be able to possibly survive the silent void of space and defy gravity.

Bullock accomplishes an amazing solo performance as the audience follows her desperation, panic and despair in this unrelentingly suspenseful survival flick. Clooney not only brings a lightness to the film but also a charm that adds balance to Bullock’s overflowing and intense but justified emotions. We are shown Stone’s perspective as we root for her survival.

“Gravity” travels to a new frontier when it comes to survival

films. It shows us just how terrifying space can be, especially when one is lost, spinning out of

control and losing all hope. Aspiring astronauts might

think twice about their future careers after watching “Gravity” especially when Murphy’s Law sets in for astronauts Stone and Kowalski.

At one point in the film, Stone is spiralling out of control after being hit by debris and we are shown the wide expanse of space. We glimpse the pure terror mirrored in her panicked eyes as she is caught utterly defenseless and exposed to the elements —the audience can’t help but feel afraid as well.

Steven Price’s score for the film builds up the blood-pumping suspense along with the ear-shattering echoes of Stone’s quickening heartbeat and over-hyperventilation.

Cuarón’s blend of animation and visual effects manages to create awe-inspiring images of the massive curvature of the earth and the never-ending expanse of space. It is no wonder that it took Cuarón nearly five years to create the film especially when it come to the advanced digital filming that went into the movie. It is a breakthrough in film technology and animation comparable to James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

Seeing this film in 3D or IMAX

3D is highly recommended. The 3D immerses you into Cuarón’s world and strikes you with space debris. “Gravity” is not just realistic — it is a virtual reality. We feel the struggle of Bullock’s character as her thickly gloved hand reaches at us for some tangible object to save her from floating away.

Cuarón has achieved an intimacy with the audience through 3D that makes the film such a breakthrough. Rather than tacking on cheap last-minute effects, he has deeply incorporated 3D into the film.

“Gravity” runs for 90 minutes and is rated PG-13. 5 out of 5 stars.

Cuarón’s ‘Gravity’ Defies Expectations

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Review o o o o o o o o o

o o o o o o o o

By Alexandra DuncanEL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Alexandra Duncan can be reached at [email protected]

GRAVITY: Alfonso Cuarón’s amazing 3D vision of outer space comes to life in “Gravity.” George Clooney and Sandra Bullock give electrifying performances in a nail-biting space adventure.

elvaq www.

com.

Page 9: Oct 16, 2013

the change may be necessary in keeping cinema alive.

“There have been a lot of changes,” Voight said. “But we’re still sitting in a seat and watching a screen. It’s wonderful when people get together and go to the theater. It’s a different experience to laugh with 1,000 other people.”

Voight, impressed with the industry’s advancements in technology, including improvements in sound, as well as Five Star Cinema’s modern design, said the theater is “going to be a success.” The theater itself uses a state-of- the-art Dolby sound system.

Mayor Weaver says the theater will help the city’s economy and be a “great addition to the city.” Similar to the Americana, he says it will encourage non-residents of Glendale who visit the city to spend their sales tax dollars here, especially with shops like Bloomingdales in the vicinity.

James Ganiere, president of Rio Vista Universal, a television and film production company, said that Five Star Cinema is “a marriage between entertainment and food.”

Omar Miller (“Beastly,” 2011), also present at the opening, said the menu is much “better” since his first dining experience at the theater. He said that when you’re already paying close to $20 for a ticket, you want “practical food” like sandwiches as opposed to “salmon fillets,” though the theater’s restaurant, Frame 128, also offers gourmet dishes.

Though it was difficult to picture how an indoor dining service within a movie auditorium could work without disrupting moviegoers, Five Star Cinema’s waiters were in and out quickly and efficiently, their servince welcoming. The comfort of the plush seats also allows viewers to enjoy screenings without their legs getting cramped up, which can make up for any lackluster movie viewings.

With the Americana, Bloomingdales, and the

newly renovated Galleria lining the streets of Glendale, it is difficult not to notice that the city is developing into an increasingly metropolitan and urbanized area. MGN Five Star Cinema, which replaced the Mann 10 Theater complex on Maryland, is part of the city’s growth trend.

After nearly $10 million in renovations since MGN’s purchase of the site in 2011, the theater finally held its grand opening on Oct. 3, attracting Hollywood actors and producers alike, including Academy Award winner Jon Voight, also known for being the father of actress Angelina Jolie. City officials, including mayor Dave Weaver, councilmember Ara Najarian, city manager Scott Ochoa, and former mayor Frank Quintero were also present.

Walking into the venue on its grand opening night, one would come across a Charlie Chaplin impersonator smiling at passerby with his signature mustache and droopy eyes, a Marilyn Monroe look-alike catching guests’ eyes with the actress’s infamous sultry look, and a living statue of a golden Oscar.

Guests were entertained with an assortment of performers, including samba dancers, a live snake dance, as well as music and a live band.

Upon entering the theater, moviegoers might assume they have entered a hotel lobby. Upstairs, customers will find themselves in the Red Lounge, which includes a full service bar, just before entering the auditoriums. With leather reclining chairs and an indoor dining service, the theater provides an encounter with film different from the traditional cinematic experience. Considering audiences’ growing reliance on Blu-ray and wide-screen TVs,

www.elvaq.com Wednesday, October 16, 2013 9

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Have you seen our magazine

Online Exclusives at: glendalecollegeinsider.com

?Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at

[email protected]

New Theater Changes the Movie-Going Experience By Agnessa KasumyanEL VAQUERO MANAGING EDITOR

Photo by Inessa Kasumyan

FIVE-STAR ENTERTAINMENT: Samba dancers performed for assembled guests, including local dignitaries, during MGN Five Star Cinema’s grand opening on North Maryland Ave.

Page 10: Oct 16, 2013

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

10 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com

Elizabeth Nelson Runs Like the Wind

She runs cross country for a GCC team that is second in

the state and has won the Western State Conference Athlete of the Week award two weeks in a row.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Nelson, 19, sure is ahead of the pack.

Nelson stands 5 foot 5, with her blond hair up in ponytail and a ribbon blowing in the wind. She seemed ready, in uniform, to get up and run.

“I need to be patient and just keep working hard,” Nelson said with some of her books in hand.

Nelson said she hopes to “transfer” on and pursue a scholarship after this track season. She enjoys her astronomy and sociology classes, but still isn’t sure what her major will be.

Nelson is in her second year on the Lady Vaqueros cross country team. She is the sophomore captain and, besides nabbing the athlete of the week award twice, she was nominated for the California Community College Athletic Association’s Athlete of the Month.

“It’s so unexpected,” said Nelson with one hand over the other on her lap. “My life isn’t that interesting.”

Nelson blew away the

competition at the the Golden West Invitational on Sept. 27, finishing first with a time of 18:28, nearly a full minute in front of the pack in the individual competition.

At the Mustang Challenge on Sept. 21 she bested the competition by 36 seconds to take first.

Nelson has some large shoes to fill. GCC alumni Grace Graham-Zamudio took the team to a state title in 2011 and made the All Western State Conference team.

Nelson didn’t lack humility while talking about Zamudio.

“She was an amazing person to run with.”

Men’s cross country captain Jorge Serrano ran with Zamudio and Nelson last year.

“You could see it in her eyes,” he said. “She’s focused,” Serrano said about Nelson.

Serrano and Nelson are both in their second year. They not only run together, but they are good friends.

“Our relationship transcends that of teammates,” he said. “We respect each other’s ability.”

Both the men’s and women’s teams are ranked in the top five in California. Glendale is the only school in the state to accomplish that. The Lady Vaqs team is ranked a close second behind

SPORTS

By Jonathan WilliamsEL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

Kristine Tuzon can be reached at [email protected]

For more information see:http://www.glendale.edu/athletics/

Jonathan Williams can be reached at [email protected]

Orange Coast. Family is a recurring theme in

the cross country department. Nelson’s older brother, Alec

Nelson, attends Humboldt State and runs cross country. A GCC alumni, he competed here for two seasons. Her half sister ran for the Lady Vaqueros and now lives in North Carolina. Her father, Jeff, is also a GCC alumni and ran cross country as well.

“Our family is pretty close,” Nelson said. Nelson’s mother Kathryn attended College of the Canyons, a rival of the Lady Vaqueros, and is now one of the assistant cross country coaches at GCC. Coach Nelson admits she can be tough on her daughter.

“My biggest flaw is I cannot take the coach hat off when I need to,” she said. “The balance is tough.”

Nelson said they still enjoy watching TV together, and watch cross country at home. She said she really doesn’t have any time do anything else.

“She works harder than almost everybody,” said Coach Nelson.

Head Coach Eddie Lopez is close to the Nelson family. Nelson’s father and Lopez’s younger brother, Joe, ran together at GCC in 1981.

“We’ve known each other for years,” Coach Nelson said.

She was recruited by Lopez after her stint at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita.

Nelson was emphatic that she receives the same treatment as her peers, sometimes even tougher. This causes them to butt heads from time to time.

“I can’t favor her,” Coach Nelson said. Her mom has to be the toughest on her, the younger Nelson said.

That toughness seems to be working. Lady Vaqueros cross country has won state titles in 2007, 2009, and 2011. In Western State Conference competition, GCC has captured a conference title every year since 2005.

Watch Nelson go for it all at the WSC finals later this month.

Vaquero Sports Summaries

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country:Oct. 4 — WSC Preview women — finished first men — finished first Saturday — Vanguard Invitational women — finished sixth men — finished fourth

Football:Oct. 5 — lost to Santa Monica 44-28

Women’s Golf:Oct. 9 — at Citrus College placed fifthMonday — Santa Barbara City College WSC placed fifth

Women’s Soccer:Oct. 4 — beat West L.A. 3-0Oct. 8 — lost to Antelope Valley 3-0Friday — lost to Canyons 3-0Tuesday — L.A. Valley

Men’s Soccer:Oct. 4 — lost to Moorpark 3-2Oct. 8 — lost to Oxnard 5-0

Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 4 — lost to Bakersfield 3-0Oct. 9 — lost to Antelope Valley 3-0Friday — beat West L.A. 3-0

Upcoming Events

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country:Oct. 25 — WSC finals at Oxnard 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball:Friday — vs. Canyons 7 p.m.Oct. 25 — vs. Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Friday — at Santa Monica 4 p.m.Tuesday — at Bakersfield 4 p.m. Oct. 25 — vs. Citrus 7 p.m.

Women’s Golf:Monday — WSC at Brookside 10:30 a.m Football:Saturday at West L.A. 1 p.m. Oct. 26 vs. L.A. Southwest 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer:Friday — at Canyons 4 p.m.Tuesday — vs. Allan Hancock 7 p.m.Oct. 25 — vs. Mission 5 p.m.

Results

For more information visit: www.glendale.edu/athleticSUPER STAMINA: Lizzy Nelson, 423, leads GCC at the Vangaurd Invita-tional on Saturday, in Costa Mesa. Nelson and the Lady Vaqueros placed sixth overall. The men finished fourth overall.

Photo by Bryan Ramos

Page 11: Oct 16, 2013

www.elvaq.com Wednesday, October 16, 2013 11

C a l e n d a r

On CampusCLUBS

I.O.C. Meeting — The third meeting for club repesentatives will be on Monday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in SC 212.

Fall Harvest — Various clubs will host fundraisers from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Plaza Vaquero.

FInanCIal

FAFSA Workshops — Get help filling out federal financial aid applications. Free. Tomorrow and Tuesday at 3 p.m. in SF 107, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m., Oct. 25 at 9 a.m., and Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. in SF 108. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5384.

Federal Entrance Loan Coun-seling Workshop — Learn how to apply for federal loans. Ad-vance sign up is required at the Financial Aid Office in the San Fernando complex. Oct. 24 at 12:30 p.m. in SF 105, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. in SF 107, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. in SF 108 and Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. in SF 104. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5916.

Free Money — Scholarships are available for students who have a 2.5 GPA and 12 completed units. More than 500 scholarships total-ing $300,000 are available. The deadline to apply is today. For more information visit: www.glendale.edu/scholarships or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5591.

leCTUreS

Science Lecture Series — “Col-lective Action and Stationary Bandits: Mathematical Models in Honor of Mancur Olson.” The speaker is Mike Allen, GCC math professor. Free on Tuesday from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in CS 177.

available in a variety of subjects. Referral from an instructor, coun-selor or librarian is required. Computers are available. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AD 232. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5333.

Math Discovery Center — The remodeled facility offers in-creased computer access and drop-in tutoring for all levels of math. Students must be be cur-rently enrolled in a math course. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AS 103. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5362.

PlaneTarIUM

Afternoon with the Stars — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime program high-lighting the planetarium’s fea-tures. “SagA*: Our Supermassive Black Hole” will be presented on Monday and Oct. 28 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in CS 257. For infor-mation visit www.glendale.edu/planetarium or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5275.

ART GALLERY

“Lazy Susan 3: Go Figure” — The exhibit showcases work by by Judie Bamber, F. Scott Hess, Gegam Kacherian, Jim Morph-esis, Eloy Torrez and Mahara T. Sinclaire exhibition curator and GCC art instructor The exhibit runs through tomorrow. Free. For gallery hours call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5663.

MeeTInGS

Board of Trustees Meeting — The second board meeting of the semester will be held Monday at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall.RKOPS

WOrKSHOPS

Introductions and Conclu-sions— How to write creative lures and titles for your essays and how to write meaningful con-clusions. Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in AD 232.

HealTH

Flu Shots — Flu shots are avail-able for credit students and em-ployees Monday through Thurs-day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $15 cash.

Meditation — Guided by insight meditation facilitator JoAnna Harper with no prior experience needed. Free. Oct. 23 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in AD 223.

Nicotine Anonymous — Nico-tine Anonymous Group meetings sponsored by GCC Alcohol/Drug Studies Program are every Mon-day through Dec. 9 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in CR 231. For infor-mation contact Jessica Gillooly at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5471.

Mental Health Counseling — Free and available to all students. For information or to schedule a appointment visit the Health Center in the San Rafael Build-ing. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nutritional Counseling — Free.For information or to schedule a appointment visit the Health Cen-ter in the San Rafael Building.

PARKING

Closure — Lot 31 will be closed Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. The Civic Auditorium parking structure will be closed from noon to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 25.

Los Angeles Writers Read-ing Series — Speaker is Craig Clevenger, reading from his book “Dermaphoria.” Clevenger is a neo-noir author whose previous book was the novel, “The Contor-tionist’s Handbook.” A question and answer session will follow. Free and open to the public. Oct. 24 in SC 212 at 12:20 p.m.

Cultural Diversity Lecture Se-ries — “Consumer Culture: We Need to be Educated Consum-ers.” The speaker is Hollie Mar-tin, an English instructor. Free on Oct. 24 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in Krieder Hall.L

drIll

Great California Shakeout — The annual earthquake drill is Thursday at 10:17 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On” at that time. The AlertU emergency text noti-fication system will be tested at the time of the drill. Sign up for AlertU by texting GCC to 253788 and reply “Y.”

MOVIES

Friday Flix: — Students and staff can attend a screening of the 2000 comedy-drama “O Brother Where Art Thou?,” directed by the Cohen Brothers and starring George Clooney and John Turtur-ro. Free on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334. Then on Oct. 25, Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic sci-fi horror film “Alien” will be shown. The film stars Sigourney Weaver and John Hurt. Students are encour-aged to bring snacks and drinks. A discussion facilitated by in-structor Mike Petros follows both screenings.

TUTORING

Learning Center — Tutors are

EVENTS

Swap Meet — Upper campus parking lot Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to the pub-lic. For information, call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5805.

Construction Starts — Ground-breaking ceremony for the new College Services/Lab Building will be held on Monday at 4 p.m. at Lot A.

Archives Presentation — Car-los Ugalde, GCC emeritus profes-sor of Latin American Studies and former adviser to the Association of Latin American Students, will present “Volume I of the Archives of the Latin American Studies and ALAS 1980-2013” to the GCC Library. The presentation will be held Tuesday at 12:20 p.m at the Student Center.

ASGCC Fall Sports Rally — Vaquero team accomplishments and upcoming events will be highlighted. Oct. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Harvest Hoedown — The GCC Parent Education Association will host an event with rides, pet-ting zoo, stage shows, carnival games, train ride, costume pa-rade, pumpkin patch, food, and crafts. Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Life Skills Parking Lot (Lot B). For more information, email [email protected].

Pumpkin Pie Sale — Pumpkin pies will be sold by the slice. Sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Studies Club. Oct. 31 from 10 am to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Fall-O-Ween Event — Celebrate the holiday and season with mu-sic, food and more. Sponsored by ASGCC. Oct. 31 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

HAVE YOUR CAMPUS EVENT LISTED ON

THE CALENDAR PAGE

• Email the event details to [email protected].• Call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349 and leave a message on our 24/7 event hotline, we’ll get right back to you. • The deadline for the Oct. 30 issue is Oct 24.

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12 Wednesday, October 16, 2013 www.elvaq.com

Students Strut Their StuffLIFESTYLE

GCC’s GOT TALENT: “Prince Chrono,” top, performs at ASGCC’s Talent Show last Thursday. Kevin “Jan” Raagas, left, and MyoungGuk “Googi” Park dance to the hip-hop rhythm during the competition.

Photo by Monica Tecson-Lopez

Photo by Jakey Galdamez