volume 105 issue 01

the corsair • thecorsaironline.com • 1900 pico blvd. santa monica, ca 90405 •(310) 434-4340

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volume 105 issue 1• February 20, 2013 • santa monica college FiRST COPY OF THE CORSAIR IS FREE, EACH COPY AFTER IS 25C

photostory pg.6 Springing to life

opinion pg.5 The community

college experience

health & lifestyle pg. 11

Obamacare and religion

arts & entertainment pg. 8

African American art

news pg. 3Pepper spray reportexamines incident

sports pg. 10“Corsairs pull off

thrilling win”

Daniel Mccarty corsair

for extended coverage visit us at thecorsaironline.com • @the_c orsair • /thecorsairnews • /thecorsaironline

volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college 2 contents

E D I T O R I A L S T A F FAmber Antonopoulos ··· Editor-in-Chief

c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n ch i e f@gma i l . c omMuna Cosic ·············Managing Editor

c o rs a i r.mana g i n g@gma i l . c omElizabeth Moss ·············· News Editor

c o rs a i r. n e w spa g e@gma i l . c omMolly Philbin ·············Opinion Editor

c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n pa g e@gma i l . c omMerissa Weiland ······ Health & Lifestyle

c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e@gma i l . c omAlex Vejar ········· Arts & Entertainment

c o rs a i r. c a l e n da r pa g e@gma i l . c omDavid Yapkowitz ··········· Sports Editor

c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e@gma i l . c omDaniella Palm ········Multimedia Editor

c o rs a i r.mu l t im e d i a@gma i l . c omPaul Alvarez ·················Photo Editor

c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r@gma i l . c omAllie Silvas ···················· Web Editor

c o rs a i r.w e b e d i t o r@gma i l . c om Henry Crumblish ·········· Design TeamMikaela Osterlund ········· Desgin TeamCocoa Dixon ··············· Design TeamGimlet Rivera ·············· Design Team

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Students walk to and from class during the first week of school.


3volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college news

During a highly anticipated Board of Trustees meeting on April 3, 2012, 30 civilians were pepper sprayed, Contract Education was postponed, and Santa Monica College was thrust into the national spotlight.After a nine month investigation that

collected and reviewed information from surveys, police radio transmissions, and photographic and video records of the night in question, the panel released its findings in a 184-page report in January.President and Superintendent Dr. Chui

L. Tsang appointed an independent review panel to “consider the incident and to review policies, practices and protocols relevant to the college’s response to demonstrations and similar events,” according to a summary of the report.There are 13 recommendations issued

in the report to various departments on campus regarding planning campus speech events, training in emergency protocols, and a call for educating the campus community on protest rights and responsibilities.The investigation concluded that veteran

campus officers acted professionally, some protesters engaged in unacceptable conduct, and that inappropriate force was used by one officer.

Former Associated Students President Harrison Wills’ actions are brought under scrutiny in the report.“AS President Harrison Wills’ intention

to incite others to use force rather than reasoning is quite evident,” according to page 28 of the report.The report further stated that, “he

subsequently circulated the crowd telling people to use force to keep the boardroom door open. His attempt to incite others to perform illegal actions that evening crossed the line from lawful to unlawful conduct.”“That could not be further from the truth,”

said Wills. “To say I’m not a person of reason is a complete lie. Education is a right; it changes lives.”Protesters including Wills strongly objected

to the BOT meeting being held in such a small venue. Santa Monica College Police Department also claimed that they had requested for the March 2012 board meeting to be held in a larger room, according to the report.The BOT denied ever receiving this

request, and after the March meeting transpired without an incident, no such request was made by the SMCPD to move the April board meeting to a larger room.Conversely, the SMCPD report concluded

that the “confrontation” could have been avoided if requests to move the meeting to a larger room had been met.“I believe that if the BOT hopes to secure

the Business Building from any further turmoil from disrupting classes, they ought to consider moving the meetings when protests are expected,” said Joshua Scuteri, student trustee at the time of the incident, and the only student on the panel.“The mishandled incident of April 3

should never happen again,” said Scuteri. “Pepper spraying an entire crowd of people, without warning parenthetically, amounts to suppressive measures and it instills in people that protests are too dangerous to attend. People should be encouraged to speak out, never silenced.”Of the 13 recommendations in the report,

number nine stated that, “SMCPD policies regarding the use of less lethal weapons should be reviewed and revised.”Specifically, “explicit guidelines about

the allowable strength and composition of chemical agents should be instituted. The use of chemical agents in occupied buildings should not be used because of their impact on bystanders. Situations in which chemical agents may be deployed without warning should be explicitly delimited.”This recommendation was in response to

the SMCPD’s decision to pepper spray the crowd of protesters on April 3, where Green Party senate candidate David Steinman and a four-year-old girl were sprayed.According to the report, Sgt. Jeremiah

Williams was using Red Sabre, a non-issue pepper spray which contains 1.33 percent of

the ingredient oleoresin capsicum, without permission. Red Sabre is significantly stronger than department issued spray MK-3, which contains 0.2 percent OC.Williams resigned on Oct. 25, 2012.

The college and the SMCPD declined to comment on his resignation.“Who was at fault, be it the police, the

administration, or the students seems to me incidental to the panel,” said Scuteri.Critics of the report claim that the

investigation was not extensive enough, and more feedback from students is necessary. Current AS President Parker Jean said at a recent BOT meeting that there was a “lack of community outreach before [the meeting].”“If there’s a controversial issue, you should

reach out to as many constituency groups as possible,” said Jean.“Students themselves need training in the

limits of free speech,” said Donald Girard, senior director of government relations and institutional communications.“The planning was deficient,” said Girard.

“The college believes it has the information it needs to plan for a future event.”Affected departments have less than two

months to report to Tsang regarding their compliance with the recommendations.The report can be found at http://www2.

smc.edu/review_panel_report/pdfs/Review_Panel_Final_Report.pdf

The Santa Monica College Foundation recently received $1 million for online education, the largest donation that the SMC Foundation has ever received for technology.Given by Conrad Lee Klein and Joan

Dempsey Klein, the donation created the Conrad Lee Klein Fund for Online Education. The Kleins hope to give back to students who may be struggling with financial obligations.“Joan and I both understand the problems

of poverty,” Klein said. “We were fortunate to overcome them. We want to try to help others so they too can find their way up the ladder of success. We believe that through technology, you can reach students of all economic levels.”The first $1 million will be used for the

maintenance of the college’s existing online education program. An extra $25,000 is to be used for other school initiatives.Conrad Lee Klein currently serves as

president of the Mark Hughes Charity Foundation and Joan Dempsey Klein is the senior appellate justice in the state of California. She also serves as president of the National Association of Women Judges.

The Kleins both come from working backgrounds, where higher education helped them get ahead.“My father didn’t believe that girls needed

education, were entitled to an education, or should have an education,” said Joan Dempsey Klein. “So it was a tough scramble for me to move on from the lifestyles of my mother and father. For me, education was the way to go.”SMC President and Superintendent Dr.

Chui L. Tsang applauded the donation and believes it will be a great help to untraditional students.“Online education provides an increasingly

vital alternative to the traditional college classroom setting,” Tsang said in a press release. “Working people, parents, individuals with disabilities, people who live outside the Santa Monica area and many others who cannot regularly attend classes on campus will benefit immensely from this extremely generous gift.”“This gift will allow SMC to use widely

available technology to broaden the scope of its offerings and serve many more students throughout the community and state,” said Vanessa Butler, director of the

SMC Foundation, in a statement.“We do not claim superior intelligence

in the fields of education or electronic or online education,” said Conrad when asked

how the money will be used specifically. “It’s a fabulously growing science, and we gave without limits or restrictions.”

Pepper spray protesters, police and BOT in questionHenry Crumblish

Staff Writer

Historic sum donated to SMC for technologyChristina williams

Staff Writer

Daniel Mccarty corsair

Conrad Lee Klein and Joan Dempsey Klein, generous contributors of the $1 million gift toward Santa Monica College’s online education program, enjoy a morning walk together next to the Pacific Ocean on the Santa Monica Beach Boardwalk on Friday.

The first day of classes recorded possession of marijuana for sale, hit-and-run property damage and defacing public property. Santa Monica College Police Sgt. Jere Romano confirms that the most common crimes on campus are petty theft, possession of marijuana and hit-and-run property damage.On Feb. 11 around 3 p.m., hit-and-run property damage occurred in the college's parking

structure, lot three, nearest to the Corsair Field. Minor damages included a broken rear passenger side light, as well as the white vehicle’s transfer paint. Information was taken, but there were no witnesses.The same parking structure had an incident of petty theft on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m., when a

parking permit was stolen from an unsecured vehicle.

Wednesday, Feb. 13 an adult was cited with possession of marijuana around 11:40 a.m. on the college's satellite Bundy Campus at 3171 S. Bundy Drive. A male student was seen smoking marijuana, and was later detained and issued a citation.Compared to last semester's first week of classes, these crimes are almost identical. Within

the first week of last fall, 13 crimes were reported, also including petty theft, possession of marijuana and hit-and-run property damage. Most incidents were of petty theft occurring on campus at the Liberal Arts and Cosmetology Buildings.Anyone who sees any suspicious behavior or crime is urged to call the Santa Monica

College police immediately at (310) 434-4300.

Crime ReportVanessa Barajas

Staff Writer


volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college 4 news

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With the onset of spring and the first day of classes, Santa Monica College finally unveiled the hidden structure on Pearl Street: a 400-space bicycle rack, located between 17th and 20th Streets. After months of construction, students slowly flocked to the

$600,000 structure, which took six months to complete.“It was a combination of wanting to update our current

infrastructure, but also expand it to meet the growing need,” said Genevieve Bertone, director of planning and development at the college. “It sends a message to the community and also stands as a beacon of sustainability.”The project was funded by Measure AA, a 2008 Santa

Monica-Malibu bond measure which allows the Santa Monica Community College District to issue bonds for improving infrastructure, among other things. In addition to bicycle racks, the site also offers 50 racks for

skateboards. “I think it’s good,” said Dillon Ferenc, member of the

Bikerowave DIY Bike Coop of Mar Vista. “I just don’t like that they built it next to the smoking area. Other than that

I’m happy with this new bike area.”Other students are not as content with the extra bicycle

space. “That’s a waste of money, you know,” said Ernest Gladstone,

an SMC kinesiology major. “I feel like with the current situation at school, we have other priorities at SMC.”So far, there has been one reported instance of petty theft.

On Saturday, a girl parked her black-and-white Rally Bike at 10:30 a.m. and came back at 2:30 p.m. to find it missing, along with the lock she used to park it.“Historically, our bike thieves will attack at any time of day,”

said Sgt. Jere Romano of the Santa Monica College Police Department. Romano said that students tend to leave their bicycles

insufficiently locked, making it easier for thieves to steal. As a reminder, Romano stated that bicycles are not allowed

to be ridden on campus.The new bicycle lot will play host to a grand opening

ceremony on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. There will be a parade, giveaways, free food, guest speakers, and a bicycle registration workshop.

Pearl unveils new bicycle rackSimon luca manili

Staff Writer

Mark PoPovich corsair

Santa Monica College student Omar Nuñez inflates his tire at the bicycle racks located on the Santa Monica College main campus on Tuesday.

Allie Silvas & Elizabeth MossWeb editor & NeWS editor

BOT talks basic skills

Mark PoPovich corsairProfessors, students and trustees discuss improving basic skills for students at a meeting Tuesday night at Bundy campus.

Less than 13 percent of students at Santa Monica College are prepared for college level courses in English and math, according to a report prepared by Hannah Lawler, director of institutional research.The report, Basic Skills Data, was

presented to the Board of Trustees at their study session last night. Basic skills, as defined by Lawler, refers to wclasses that do not fulfill requirements for an associate degree of transfer.Breaking away from the traditional

structure at the monthly BOT meetings, the BOT held a roundtable discussion on the Bundy campus. Members of English, ESL, math, political science, and supplemental instruction departments discussed the report’s findings.Board Chair Nancy Greenstein shared that

the purpose was to “gather a group of experts from campus and have a conversation.”

The report states that about 73 percent of students who take the math placement exam perform at a basic skills level; 27 percent place at transfer level math. Additionally, 70 percent of those taking English placement land in the basic skills bracket.The report is reflective mainly of first-

time freshmen, said Lawler.The meeting also addressed

contextualizing material covered in these basic skills classes.Terry Green, of the math department,

commented on the textbooks chosen and

the real life examples used to aid students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.English professor Susan Sterr said that

the most exciting thing is “the marriage of basic skills and career technical education.” Sterr expressed that when students are placed in remedial courses, they do not feel like they are in college. Therefore, the material should be “married” with interest.Three of the 28 participants were

supplementary instructors, who are students trained to assist in lower-level classes. The Board listened to these

students’ advice about how to improve the effectiveness of the student learning

experience.One supplementary instructor, Amy

Rahimpour, mentioned the benefit of requiring study sessions for extra credit. After one student said he only attended for the extra credit, he admitted that the sessions helped him receive an A.Basic skills professor Jason Beardsley

explained that we may only be helping a few students at a time, but progress “is in the details, and that takes patience.”


5volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college opinion

Staff Editorial illustration by Jhosef hern corsair

Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of The Corsair and its staff. All signed opin-ion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Corsair accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. Send letters to [email protected]

The ‘C’ in community college stands for comfort zone

Aaron LeeCorSair CoNtributor

On-campus job opportunitiesJames coster

Staff Writer

Having a job while pursuing a college education is an important step in achieving independence and gaining responsibility. Despite the current poor job market, finding employment does not have to be a treacherous process due to the vastly untapped resource of on-campus employment.All full-time students are eligible for on-

campus Student Help employment, while part-time students taking six or more units, who are already receiving financial aid, can apply for Federal Work Study. Many Student Help jobs are exclusive to

their categories, as the budget is handled directly by each respective department at Santa Monica College. Because of this aspect, Student Help positions are limited and can be filled quickly, as diligence and determination are major factors of many prospective student employees.Students under Federal Work Study are

already receiving financial aid, since the need for employment in these students greatly outweighs those looking for extra spending money. SMC does an efficient job in giving these students priority, as the majority of positions available are exclusive to Federal Work Study.Whether under Federal Work Study or

Student Help, SMC offers a wide variety

of jobs. Students who are passionate about a particular field of study are given the opportunity to work alongside their professors in a professional environment, such as grading papers as a teacher's assistant."I value my job a lot," said SMC student

Alexis Williams. "The professor I work for and I get along well, and the workloads are all totally manageable. I doubt I'll ever have a boss that's nearly as understanding of a student's workload."The seemingly long list of paperwork and

steps necessary for on-campus employment can be a deterrent for many prospective student employees. Student Kristi Lauren suggested that students apply early."By the time I had submitted my

application and taken all the necessary steps, the position that I was aiming for was already filled," Lauren said.In addition to the dozens of pages of legal

jargon one must fill out, students are also required to make an appointment with the Santa Monica College Police Department to be fingerprinted, a measure that seems unnecessarily extreme.Despite the modest minimum wage, on-

campus employment is a commodity that many students fail to take advantage of, due to either laziness or misinformation. Not only is it a convenient means to making extra money, but also one of the most practical ways to contribute back to the school while receiving compensation in return.

Higher education was one of the many important topics President Barack Obama addressed during last Tuesday's State of the Union. For college students, who are constantly bombarded with tuition increases, it was a relief to see the president take a stand for affordable higher education."Through tax credits, grants and better

loans, we have made college more affordable for millions of students and families over the last few years," said Obama in his speech. "But taxpayers cannot continue to subsidize

the soaring cost of higher education." he said. "Colleges must do their part to keep costs down, and it’s our job to make sure they do."Obama proposed that Congress change

the Higher Education Act, which is due for revision this year, and to add greater stipulations that will determine which colleges receive certain types of federal aid."Now, even with better high schools,

most young people will need some higher education," he said. "But today, skyrocketing costs place way too many young people out of a higher education, or saddle them with unsustainable debt."

In addition to these stipulations, Obama's administration released the College Scorecard, which is an online, interactive tool (similar to College Prowler) that can be used to compare schools based on areas of interest and monetary value; or as the president put it, "where you can get the most bang for your educational buck."The College Scorecard website lists Santa

Monica College as having comparatively low costs, which is a good rating considering most community colleges nationwide cost more than California community colleges.Though SMC has a low net price,

according to the College Scorecard, the loan default rate is slightly higher than the national rate, meaning students are still struggling to make payments on their loans — even at a community college.However, acquiring a higher education

degree will prove to be rewarding when entering the work force and competing for a good job.As Obama simplified it, "the more

education you have, the more likely you are to have a job and work your way into the middle class."

A collegiate experience is more than sitting in class and learning from a textbook. It is a life experience where similar-minded students grow and excel in early adulthood independence. Most graduates, including professors, will tell you that most of the learning in higher education takes place outside the classroom. Community college is different though. A

sense of belonging can often be hard to find, especially for international students, out-of-state students, and even some local students.At four-year universities, students

are presented with a myriad of social opportunities that range from campus events, compulsory meetings with their dormitory floor, to late night food adventures with a roommate and the famous "p-word" — parties. In contrast, students at commuter

colleges like Santa Monica College are often subjected to a sense of aloofness and detachment. This is attributable to two things.First, many students have part-time jobs

and other unshakable obligations which result in a flurry of packing up books and writing materials followed by a quick-paced exit as soon as the professor says, "That's it for today."The second, more subliminal reason

is the presence of a comfort zone, more so, the lack of reasons or motivation to be uncomfortable. A large percentage of students at community colleges, like SMC, have the safety of high school friends, childhood hangouts and familiar neighborhoods. Therefore, there is no urgency to reach out and take that extra step in getting to know a stranger from class, or trying a new activity, unlike students at a four-year, where a social environment is pre-planned.

As an international student, I arrived at SMC last spring with a social blank slate. I soon realized that professors dictated connections for students who merely attended lectures. Solely lecture-style classes often led to an absence of relationships outside the classroom, while professors that encouraged discussion and exchange in contact information often fostered friendships among students.I was not lucky enough to have made

many connections through classes my first semester, so I joined clubs (the ones without loud music, short dresses and dancing people).I had a great time at Alpha Gamma Sigma,

the community service based honor society. It was a great avenue to meet new people and try new things. During one of the meetings, the founder and then-president of the college's psychology club, Narhyn Johnson — who is a member of AGS — handed out fliers promoting her club. Seeing as psychology was my major, I decided to attend a meeting the following week. While the packed room — filled with

students listening to a UCLA psychologist giving a presentation — was certainly an interesting experience, it was the announcements made at the end of the meeting that changed my life. There was one spot left for the trip to San Francisco for the Western Psychological Association conference. Feeling adventurous (and noting that the three-day two-night trip would only cost me $55), I signed up. One thing led to another, and a month later, I was running for the position of internal vice president. The trip up north also led to an opportunity to conduct research with Dr. Alex Schwartz, the club adviser.Since I first stepped foot on the campus, I

have learned and grown significantly. But, most importantly, I have found a community of students and professors who make my days worth waking up to. Now that's what I call a community college.


volume 105 issue 1 • february 20, 2013 • santa monica college 6 photostory

SpringingTo Life

Spring semester, a gust of fresh air for Santa Monica

College students.

Paul alvarez Jr. corsairStudents walk by the Humanities and Social Sciences Building as they head to class on Thursday.

aMy Gaskin corsair

Event organizer Angie Nhung Vo (lower right) poses for a photo with friends in the “Just Married” booth at the AS Valentines Day celebration.


volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college 7photostory

Paul alvarez Jr. corsair

Justin Paderes sits on the stairs of the HSS Building using his iPad as he waits for class on Thursday.


A woman sleeps in a chair located inside the library on the main campus of Santa Monica College on Thursday.

Paul alvarez Jr. corsairStudents walk by the Humanities and Social Sciences Building as they head to class on Thursday.


Two students study before class in the halls of HSS Building on Thursday.


volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college 8 arts + entertainment

Rachael GarciaStaff Writer

Hot. Sticky. Sweaty. Music.

rachael Garcia corsairHundreds of people gather at the Outside Lands music festival located in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park Sunday Aug. 12, 2012

Just in time for Black History Month, Santa Monica College held a reception for “African American Treasures: History and Art from the Collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey” at the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery on Friday evening. The collection is organized in chronological order from left to right, with each piece displaying an integral part of American history and its involvement with African Americans. The story of African American culture is told by using paintings, sculptures, illustrations, and historical documents. Featured throughout the exhibit is a letter from Malcolm X to his editor, a letter from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to his literary agent, an illustration named “First Colored Senator and Representatives,” and many more historical documents and art pieces.The pieces in the room show the visitor that history does not just exist in textbooks. There are many sketches, illustrations, sculptures, and paintings ranging from traditional landscapes to abstracts, all created by African American artists.Professor Ron Davis, chair of the art department, described the collection as a “global setting for art.” Members of many different communities showed up to the opening. Among them were administrators, trustees, professors, SMC students, artists and Santa Monica citizens. Artists who were in the collection showed up to the

opening as well. “It’s important to get out into the local community and see the artwork,” said SMC student Heather Tijman, an art major. SMC President and Superintendent Dr. Chui L. Tsang expressed the importance of the exhibit, calling it “a rich and wonderful collection to help students learn about the rich history of America.” Trustee Rob Rader called the exhibit “a unique collection that needs to be seen.” “The collection is both aesthetically

and socially significant,” Rader said. The Kinseys are a retired couple who reside in the neighboring Pacific Palisades. They are collectors of art and historical documents. “I collect the art of the living, and my husband collects the art of the dead,” Shirley Kinsey said. The Kinseys gave two tours of the gallery throughout the evening, and spent time describing the importance of each piece in the collection.“African American history is American history,” Shirley Kinsey said. “We need to learn more about

each other’s culture as well as our own.”Bernard and Shirley Kinsey will also be hosting a lecture at the Broad Stage titled “The Kinsey Collection: Black History Explored Through Art and Legacy.” The event will take place on Feb. 28 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a reception in the art gallery. Gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The exhibit will be at SMC until March 9.

SMC celebrates African American artRyan Sindon

Staff Writer

DaviD J. hawkins corsairBernard Kinsey (right) shakes Mack Massey’s hand (left) after receiving a signed copy of the book with his father Bruce Massey (center) at the African American Treasures exhibit on Saturday at the Santa Monica College Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery.

From '80s Brit alternative rock, powerhouse DJs, rappers featured on your mix CDs in middle school, and this year's hottest indie acts, Coachella is bringing a wide variety of performers to the Indio Valley beginning on April 12.The Stone Roses, Blur, Phoenix, and Red

Hot Chili Peppers are headlining, backed by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Lumineers, Wu Tang Clan, Bassnectar, Social Distortion, the Postal Service, Modest Mouse, Jurassic Five, and more. With a lineup like that, no wonder passes sold out in a matter of minutes.But Coachella is just one of the many

music festivals happening in California this year for music lovers to attend.Downtown Los Angeles' FYF Fest brings in

cut-off-short-wearing kids ready to jump in the pit. Last year’s tickets cost $89, about a third of the price of Coachella tickets.Strictly a hip hop fan? Not a problem. San

Bernadino’s Paid Dues has you covered. This year, Murs, Dom Kennedy, Scarface, Immortal Technique, TECH N9NE, Macklemore, De La Soul and Nipsey Hussle will be taking the stage.Then there is the annual alternative punk

and rock festival, Vans Warped Tour, which kicks off at Club Nokia on March 28.If you start heading north, you have the

option of San Francisco’s Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, both held in the famous Golden Gate Park. Outside Lands has the same type of layout as Coachella and similar pricing. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a free festival featuring bluegrass bands as well

as sporadic big names such as Patty Smith and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and John Paul Jones.This year’s Bottle Rock Napa Valley brings

four days of the region's best wines to festival-goers, along with performances from The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Flaming Lips, Janes Addiction, and The Shins.How do you choose from the smorgasbord

of options? According to Santa Monica College students, price is a big factor in the decision-making process.Evan Schunk, 22, says he grew up listening

to the Postal Service and would love to see

them at Coachella, but claims "I’m not rich," so he will not be attending. Though he has never attended Coachella, Schunk has been to Outside Lands, and prefers the all-weekend experience over a single night show.Most large-scale music festivals cost around

$300, while a solo concert ticket price normally averages around $60. Chris Perkins, 23, says he’s planning on

attending Paid Dues, but not Coachella."I wish I could, but it’s too damn expensive,"

he says.For some students though, these festivals

are worth every penny.Lindsy Warner, 20, has been attending

Coachella for the past two years, and is planning on keeping this tradition going."It's worth the money for me because it's

a once in a life time opportunity," Warner says. "You can't not have an amazing time while you're there."These festivals showcase other things

besides music, whether it be art, sustainability, comedy acts, up-and-coming artists, or award-winning wine and food.So find the one that fits your niche, and

start saving up that change in your tip jar.


9volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college arts + entertainment

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Once again, it is time to hand out that little golden man to the stars of the film industry. For the 85th time, the Oscars red carpet

will be rolled out on Sunday in front of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The focus of the awards is usually on the

big categories: Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress in Leading Roles, and Best Actor and Best Actress in Supporting Roles, where the competition seems to be fierce this year.Of the nine nominees for Best Picture,

many students feel that either Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" or Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" will take home the Oscar this year. "'Lincoln' was probably the best movie

last year, but 'Django' was really good too," says Santa Monica College acting student Andrew Jones. Fellow acting student Alyssa Piperis felt

that 'Django' would win the award, because "it was great."When it comes to the Best Actor award,

Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln" and Denzel Washington in "Flight" seem to be the favorites among students. "I know it is a cliche, but Daniel Day-Lewis

was really — I mean really — good," Jones

says. Acting student Tiger VanDervort's pick for

Best Actor is Denzel Washington. "I really liked the scene where he visited

his family, and then went out and met the media outside the house," he says. "To me, that was really good acting." For Best Actress, Jessica Chastain in "Zero

Dark Thirty" and Naomi Watts in "The Impossible" appear to be the two top picks among students. "[Chastain] was absolutely great in 'Zero

Dark Thirty,'" Piperis says. "I would go with Naomi Watts,"

VanDervort says.SMC student Nazgol Gorji believes Anne

Hathaway has a good chance of being awarded her first Oscar for her supporting role in "Les Misérables." "[Hathaway] was really good in Les

Misérables," Gorji says. "She deserves an Oscar."But the Academy Awards would not be

complete without some Oscar snubs. Ben Affleck, the recipient of the Best

Director award for "Argo" at this year's Golden Globes, is not nominated in the same category at the Oscars. SMC student and film enthusiast Michael

Lim says that he wishes Leonardo DiCaprio were nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in "Django." "He played a much harder part than

Christoph Waltz, even though he was really good too," Lim says. And when it comes to Best Picture,

VanDervort has a different pick in mind. "'Argo' and 'Lincoln' were good, but I

would have wanted 'Flight' nominated," VanDervort says. Only time will tell which movies and actors

will take home awards on Sunday.

And the Oscar goes to...

Niklas Thim Staff Writer

IllustratIon by Jhosef hern

The Third Street Promenade is very well known and visited for its shops, movie theaters, restaurants, and bars. But just when you think you have

experienced it all, its nightlife has even more to offer: a comedy theater.Every Friday and Saturday night at 10

p.m., a few members of an improvisational comedy group gather onstage at M.i. Westside Comedy Theater to make the audience laugh and clap nonstop.On Friday night, tables and chairs

surrounded the stage and red bricks dressed the walls. The lights dimmed as the show began.The comedians did not wait long to get

the audience to participate. Each scene became a game where the public played an active part. Some of them even joined the comedians on stage, much to the delight of the rest of the audience.“It’s a fun evening — a different evening,”

said Aaron Krebs, co-owner of the M.i. Westside Comedy Theater. “People come for parties of all sorts, like birthdays. It’s a great place for dates too.”Open seven nights a week, the comedy

theater provides a wide variety of shows to attend. Krebs, also a cast member of the IMPROVable show, explained the secret of its popularity Friday night.“I think it makes itself popular because it

is so different,” he said. “You can always go to a movie, you can always go see a music show or a stand-up comedian but this show is interactive with the audience.”The comedians were full of energy,

jumping and dancing all night long.

The secret for this high-energy, fun and interactive performance?“A lot of sugar,” Krebs said.While some of the comedians are actors

or writers, others are everyday people.“It is not just about acting; it can be

anybody,” Krebs said. “We have classes here, people take the classes, and then we have auditions about once a year to put more people in the show.” Ulrika Beitnere, a UCLA student from

Latvia, seemed to enjoy the show.“It was really fun, even if I didn’t get

the sense of every word,” she said. “I still understood most of it.”Mission IMPROVable originally started

in 1995 in Chicago and toured nationally before settling down in Santa Monica three years ago. The improv comedy group went from Disney cruise ships to the music festival Lollapalooza, performing for hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.

M.i. Westside Comedy Theater is located in the alley behind Third and Fourth Street at 1323-A Third Street Promenade. The easiest way to get there is to park in the near parking structure of Fourth Street and Arizona Avenue.Tickets to the one-hour show are $10 and

the venue is 21 and over. Tickets can be purchased at westsidecomedy.com.What are you waiting for? Call your

friends and enjoy a night of comedy.

Marine GasteStaff Writer

Doing the IMPROVable

Marine Gaste corsair

Rendel Leatherman (left) and Aaron Krebs (center) interact with audience members, while Lauri Roggenkamp (right) dances onstage during the Mission IMPROVable show at the Westside Comedy Theater on Friday. Mission IMPROVable can be seen every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m.


volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college 10 sports

Sigh of relief for women’s basketballDavid Yapkowitz

SportS editor

Corsairs pull off thrilling win

Trevor ArgoneStaff Writer

There was just one problem for the Citrus College Owls: Corsairs’ forward, David Nwaba.The Santa Monica College men’s

basketball team had given up an eight point lead, and were clutching onto a two point lead after Owl’s star Steven Thornton Jr. stole the ball at half court and soared in for a layup.With the game hanging in the balance,

Nwaba attacked the rim, getting fouled and converting on one of two free throws. His defense on the other end forced Citrus into a bad shot and allowed him to leap out on the break, icing the game with a rim rocking, two-handed slam dunk, as the Corsairs held on for a 73-68 win.Nwaba, the clear standout on both sides,

finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks. There was little he couldn’t do. In the absence of both of SMC’s centers, he was even assigned the task of defending the paint. With the game’s final outcome still in

doubt, he was also asked to play the entire second half.“I’m usually in the whole game,” said

Nwaba. “Having only two fouls throughout the second half, I knew I could be more aggressive.” With this victory, the Corsairs improved

to 14-7, and 6-3 in conference. They now

find themselves primed for a high seed in the upcoming Western State South Conference Tournament. According to head coach Jerome Jenkins,

this season has been a very impressive showing, considering the Corsairs entire roster is made up of freshman. “Everyone on our team has the green

light,” said Jenkins. “Nwaba’s our Lebron James, but everyone on our team has the green light.” The completely new roster says a lot

about Jenkins’ ability to put a winning team together on the floor. Two years ago, he coached the SMC men’s basketball team to the conference championship. He admitted, though, that having a player

like Nwaba does not hurt. “I don’t take him out,” said Jenkins. “He

could have played all 40 minutes if not for foul trouble.”With the kind of chemistry the team has

been playing with recently on the court, and with Nwaba’s leadership combined with Jenkins’ guidance, the Corsairs have high hopes of possibly hoisting another conference championship banner by season’s end. They will take their aspirations out on

the road for the conference tournament beginning Thursday at College of the Canyons.

The last time the Lady Corsairs tasted victory, the new year had not even started yet. As the clock ticked down to zero, the looks

on the players’ faces said it all.In the midst of a trying season, the Santa

Monica College women’s basketball team could hold their heads a little bit higher on Wednesday night.On the heels of an eight game losing

streak, the Lady Corsairs came out strong, en route to a 56-47 victory over the Glendale Vaqueros. Prior to the game, SMC was the only team in the Western State South Division who had not yet recorded a conference win. For a large portion of the season, the

Lady Corsairs have been a team of two halves. They may start strong, but falter as the game progresses.This game appeared to be no different.

Despite getting out to a decent start, SMC found themselves trailing 24-22 at halftime, thanks to a Glendale three to beat the buzzer. “We weren’t rebounding well in the first

half,” said head coach Lydia Strong. Despite losing the early momentum

and falling behind, the Lady Corsairs regrouped and turned it up a notch in the second half. After trailing 28-26, the Lady Corsairs

used a 14-0 run to take a commanding 41-28 lead. There would be no looking back after that.

The Lady Corsairs used a combination of defense and rebounding to solidify their victory. The second half surge was fueled by

reserve forward Asia Watts and starting guard Aniese Palmore, both of whom crashed the glass relentlessly, keeping the ball alive and gaining extra possessions for the team. Watts and Palmore combined for 16 rebounds, 11 of them coming on the offensive end. Their defense was powered by a

smothering press that the Lady Corsairs had not shown before. “My assistant coaches worked on the press

in practice,” said Strong. “And we executed it beautifully.”The press, as well as an strong overall

defensive performance, helped limit Glendale star guard Olivia Ochoa. “Our goal was to limit [Ochoa]; she killed

us the last time around,” said Strong. “She takes about half their shots and I think we did our job.”The Lady Corsairs were led offensively by

reserve guard J’miayah Alston, who came off the bench to score 13 points. Starting forward Hannah Naefke chipped in with 10. With only a couple of games remaining in

the season, the Lady Corsairs look to close out the season on a higher note. Their last home game of the year will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs. Paul alvarez Jr. corsair

Freshman forward Hannah Naefke drives against a Glendale Community College defender last Wednesday at home.

DaviD J. hawkins corsair

Freshman forward J’ryon Moss lays it up against two Citrus defenders in a powerful victory at home last Wednesday


11volume 105 issue 1 • February 20, 2013 • santa monica college health + lifestyle

Contraception debate divides Obamacare and religionTina EadyStaff Writer

Is gluten-free the way to be?Eva Underwood

Staff Writer

haJunG shin corsair

A woman shops for gluten-free bread mix on Friday.

Gluten-free diets seem to be increasingly common these days. Even the corner grocery stores carry products with gluten-free labels. But some people are still uncertain about what being gluten-free means, and if it is the right diet choice for them.According to the Gluten Intolerance

School's website, gluten can be best described as a protein that is found in grains such as barley and wheat. Gluten is in foods, such as pastas and breads.When people who are gluten-intolerant eat

foods containing gluten, they suffer from a range of symptoms that vary from person to person. Some of these symptoms include bloating, constipation, arthritis, depression, anxiety, irritability, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, migraines, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and other symptoms. People who have extreme sensitivity to gluten have to be cautious when dining out, as gluten can appear in unexpected food items, such as salad dressings and sauces.There are people who choose to live gluten-

free, but others are forced into changing their habits for medical reasons.Santa Monica College nutrition professor

and registered dietitian Dona-Rae Richwine has been living a gluten-free lifestyle for the last 10 years. She was forced into the lifestyle for medical reasons after living three years with an itchy rash she developed upon eating foods containing gluten.“It's not difficult, but the biggest drawback

is you can’t fall back on the gluten-free products," says Richwine. "If you really want to be gluten-free, you really have to do a lot of your own cooking."Richwine does not think it is a good idea

to live gluten-free unless it is medically necessary.“Unless it’s known that you’re allergic or

have intolerance, there’s no reason or no known benefit to being gluten-free," she says. "It’s a nutrient. And just like all trends, people are looking for some kind of quick fix, or way to feel better."For those looking for a local place to shop

gluten-free, Whole Foods in Santa Monica on Montana Avenue has a downloadable list available online of all gluten-free products available. It includes a broad spectrum of

items such as baby food items, baked goods, candies, beverages, and even bar soaps.SMC's food court is also getting in on the

gluten-free action.“There have been more [gluten-free]

grain-type products available [such as] cookies, breads, pastas, and tortillas,” says Beth Kimball, who works at the Campus Kitchen in the cafeteria.SMC film student Laine Neil has been

practicing a gluten-free diet for the past three months. While Neil is able to find gluten-free options available in the cafeteria, she does wish there were more options available.Neil says she would appreciate “gluten-free

bread options, or even if they just had labels to make it easier to differentiate.”Neil started this diet when she began

reading health books in hopes of finding a cure to clear her skin.After reading into the positive effects of a

gluten-free lifestyle, she decided to give it a try.“In two weeks, my skin was already

clearing up," she says. "It was the only thing I changed, so I decided to stick with it.”

There is an old English proverb that says, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," meaning that prevention is better than a cure.However, Americans only use half of the

preventive services recommended, and the primary reason is cost, according to the Department of Health & Human Services.The Affordable Care Act, which provides

preventive health care services for women, is being opposed by religious institutions. They are not willing to pay for employee benefits that cover preventive care, specifically contraception, because it raises "a deep moral concern," Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez states in a recent press release. "The government does not have the right

to require the Catholic Church or other institutions to pay for products and services they find immoral and unconscionable," says Gomez."I think the Catholic church is consistent

with their tradition," says Dana Del George, a religious studies professor at Santa Monica College. "Contraception has always been seen as God's jurisdiction [according to Catholic tradition]. It has never accepted an increase of human power."Scientists and other experts at the

Independent Institute of Medicine recommend that the HHS should "provide contraception with no co-pay or deductible because the health benefits are tremendous for women using it."According to the HHS, almost all women

have relied on contraception at some point in their lives, but more than half of these women, between the ages of 18 and 34, struggle to afford it."I'm Catholic, and I think it's ridiculous,"

says SMC criminal justice student Diana Araiza. "Personally, I'm against abortion, but if a woman wants birth control, they should have it."In a press release from the HHS, human

services secretary Kathleen Sebelius states,

"the administration is taking the next step in providing women with coverage of recommended preventive care at no cost, while respecting religious concerns." This proposal exempts the preventive

health care plans for churches and religious organizations, including certain religious employers.According to the HHS, the act will also

accommodate other nonprofit religious organizations and religious institutions of learning because of their objection on religious grounds.The federal government will not subject

religious nonprofits that are required by state law to provide contraceptive coverage. They will not be subject to enforcement

until Aug. 1.The cost will be shared by the insurance

companies and other third parties.According to the HHS, these participants

"would receive coverage through a separate individual insurance policy without cost sharing or additional premiums." These proposed rules are open to public comment until April 8. The problem seems to be with the

accommodations provided to Catholic charities and Catholic education. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

issued a statement on Feb. 7 that states, "the new rules show improvement but fall short of addressing the church's concern."According to the HHS, the ACA will

allow 47 million women guaranteed access to additional preventive services without paying more at the doctor's office. They will also add more preventive services, such as HPV DNA testing for cervical cancer and gestational diabetes screening. The services will also include HIV and

STI treatment, contraception, breastfeeding support and supplies, domestic violence screening, counseling, and annual well-women visits to determine which preventive services are appropriate."With the exemption from the

contraceptive coverage requirement for religious employers, the ACA can improve access to comprehensive quality health care for all women," states the HHS.

Photo illustration by Mark PoPovich corsair

Religion and contraceptives clash in the United States.


volume 105 issue 1 • february 20, 2013 • santa monica college 12 health+lifestyle

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The flu has been spreading like wildfire, engulfing one person after another. But sometimes even the flu shot cannot

prevent you from becoming infected.“The flu shot didn’t do anything; I got it,

and since then I got the flu twice this year,” says SMC student Richard Martinez.The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention emphasizes that everyone should get the flu shot to prevent themselves from getting the virus. The CDC says the shot is 60 percent effective.The CDC offers other ways to prevent the

spread of the flu, such as washing hands regularly, avoiding touching the eyes, mouth and nose, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces often.But what if you do all of these things, and

still get the flu? The CDC says to stay home and rest for the first 24 hours that you start to experience flu-like symptoms.Most SMC students are well aware of the

flu and are trying their best not to get it, especially during the stressful first few weeks of classes.“I can’t get sick right now,” says SMC

student Alex Chaverra. “It is the first week of school, and if I miss any class I get dropped. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”There are a limited number of flu shots

available in the health services office. The fee for the shot is $15 and there are a few

allergy restrictions, including allergies to eggs or latex.Some students avoid getting the vaccine

because of the fear of the flu shot making them sick.“I always thought that the flu shot was

supposed to make it so that you don’t get sick,” says Christina Escalante, a first-year SMC student. “I didn’t get the shot and I haven’t gotten sick, but I bet if I would have, I would be sneezing and coughing right now.”The CDC reassures that the flu shot does

not cause the flu. However, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, rare symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, and feelings of discomfort or weakness, but these symptoms typically last only one to two days.There are any number of reasons a person

may contract the flu after receiving the flu shot.According to the CDC, these include

exposure to the flu prior to getting the shot, contracting an illness with flu-like symptoms, or exposure to a strain of the flu not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. Also, a person’s health and age factors may cause them to become immune to the vaccine.The good news is that, according to the

CDC, this year’s flu season peak is now over.

What to do about the flu?Luis AriasStaff Writer

volume 105 issue 01

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