October 15, 2007 - MiraCosta College

3|OPINION
4|ENTERTAINMENT
5|FEATURE
Oscar goes X
Robert
Blayney:
an American
hero
Halo 3
Sucks!
thechariot
October 15, 2007
volume 14/issue 9
MiraCosta College
Bush
approves
increase in
Pell Grant
SHEENA GIBBS
Content Editor
Photo by Tyler Jones
Student artwork echoes through the quiet
Art Club President Marilyn Huerta (left) and Vice President Holly Eskew discuss their artwork in the Quiet Room. The two students
are presenting True Colors, an exhibit of their earlier works, through October 19.
TYLER JONES
Editor-In-Chief
The Art Club is presenting True
Colors, a showcase of artwork by
club president Marilyn Huerta and
vice president Holly Eskew. The
women are holding the show in the
Quiet Room, in the Student Services
building (3400) on the Oceanside
campus.
The Quiet Room was designed
to allow students a place to escape
the noise and bustle of other areas
of campus. Students use the room
to study, read and take a break from
classes. However, because the Kruglak
Gallery is booked through the end of
the semester, Huerta and Eskew are
using the Quiet Room because it is
the only place available to them for
displaying students’ artwork. “If
students want to show their work, the
Quiet Room is our play pen. What we
need is a backyard,” said Eskew.
INSIDE
this edition
MCC art students would like to see a students don’t want their work in the
space designated solely for the display Quiet Room out of fear of it being
of their work. Without a gallery stolen,” said Huerta. Thursday
solely dedicated for
morning, Eskew
exhibiting students’
noticed that quarters
artwork, artists miss
used as part of a
the experience of
mixed media piece
Art is not just
learning to prepare
were stolen.
and host a show, price
“Not having a place
a picture on
pieces for sale, and
to exhibit student’s
the
generally gaining
artwork puts people
wall--it
knowledge of the
like Marilyn and
business of art. “Art
me in a position of
connects us,
is not just a picture on
activist rather than
Marilyn
the wall—it connects
artist,” said Eskew.
Huerta
us,” said Huerta.
There are eight
Unlike the Kruglak
wall mounted pieces
Gallery, which offers
on display: “In Shut
limited hours, the Quiet Room is open Down” 1993, mixed media on canvas;
during the Student Center hours, and “Hour Glass Decision” 1992, mixed
student artists wonder whether their media on canvas; “Jill” 1993, mixed
work is vulnerable to theft. “Some media on canvas; “Blue Girl” 1995, oil
OPINIONS 3
"
REVIEWS 4
"
JOBS
on canvas; “Fruit” 1997, oil on canvas;
“self” 1997, oil pastel on paper;
“Collections of the Unknown” 1997,
oil on canvas; “Banana” 1997, mixed
media on canvas. There are also three
table displays: “Conceptual Water”
2007, mixed media; “To Smoke or Not
to Smoke” 2007, mixed media; “Time
and Feathers” 2007, mixed media.
Kruglak Gallery Director Diane
Adams could not be reached for
comment.
Huerta and Eskew have plans for
future exhibits of student artwork
in the Quiet Room and at the “Blue
Gate Gallery,” a display case at the
art building.
True Colors runs through October
19.
7
On September 27, President Bush
signed The College Cost Reduction
and Access Act of 2007. The approval
of this legislation will increase aid for
needy students attending California’s
community colleges.
Enhanced assistance will be provided
to students in a variety of ways,
including an increase of the maximum
Pell Grant disbursement. The current
maximum amount awarded to students
is 4,310 dollars per year, but in the fall
of 2008, the Pell Grant increases to
4,800 dollars. The grant will continue
to increase each academic year until
2012, when the award reaches its cap
of 5,400 dollars per year.
The act will eliminate the provision
of the Pell Grant known as "tuition
sensitivity." This provision prohibits
California Community College
students from receiving Pell Grants
equivalent to community college
students from other states. “Tuition
sensitivity is something that most of
us have been fi ghting against for a long time,” said MCC’s Director of
Financial Aid JoAnne Bernard. With
the elimination of "tuition sensitivity,"
MCC students will automatically
receive up to 134 dollars per year.
The additional aid may be put towards
books, daycare, transportation, health
care and other student expenses.
Bernard explained that students
receiving the Board of Governor’s
Fee Waiver, along with the increased
Pell Grant, may no longer have the
need to borrow money to cover the
remaining costs of their education.
“[This legislation will] be a huge
help to MCC’s neediest students,”
said Bernard.
The Access Act will also reduce
interest rates on federally supported
student-loans. Once approved, studentloan applicants in 2008 will receive the
reduced interest rate of 6.0 percent
from 6.8 percent. There will also be
greater flexibility on college-loan
payments for active members of the
military.
NEW! Toes up, toes down 8
2|SPORTS
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
thechariot Spartan
soccer
“The liberty of the press
is a blessing when we
are inclined to write
against others, and a
calamity when we find
ourselves overborne
by the multitude of our
assailants.”
-Samuel Johnson
Editor in Chief
Tyler Jones
Managing Editor
Crystal Harris
Content Editor
Sheena Gibbs
Asst. Managing Editor
Aaron Durst
Senior Staff Writer
Byron Burke
Staff Writers
Billy Buster
Nick Funk
Chris Ahrens
Jillisa Badaraco
Jade Harrington
Staff Photographers
Randy Ommen
Matt Gose
Mike Landon
Layout
Alicia Juarez
Distribution Manager
Randy Ommen
Faculty Adviser
Jane DeRoche
The Chariot is the official
student publication of
MiraCosta College and is
published on a weekly basis.
Articles, opinions, cartoons,
letters to the editor, and
advertising do not reflect
the ideas or opinions of The
Chariot staff, MCC faculty,
staff, or administration. The
first copy is free.
The Chariot reserves the right
to edit articles and items for
space, and the right to refuse
to print articles or items that
contain libel.
Letters may be sent to the editor
by emailing The Chariot at
[email protected]. All
letters must be signed. Anything
submitted to The Chariot
becomes property of The
Chariot. The Chariot reserves
the right to cut letters for space
or edit for libel. Every effort is
made to print all letters in their
entirety.
The Chariot is a
First Amendment
publication
Telephone:
(760) 757-2121 x6254
FAX:
(760) 795-6761
E-mail:
[email protected]
Newsroom:
MiraCosta College
One Barnard Dr.
Room 3441
Oceanside, CA 92056
The Chariot is a
member of:
stringing
losses
together
BYRON BURKE
Senior Staff Writer
Nobody ever said winning was easy.
The Spartan soccer team is fi nding out the hard way. The start-up program
that fl ourished in its fi rst few weeks has now gone a full month without a
victory since edging out College of the
Canyons on September 14. Perhaps
spoiled by early riches, the team is in
desperate need of a conference victory
to keep pace in the Pacific Coast
Conference.
The month of October began with
a tough road schedule. The Spartans
traveled to Chaffey College and found
themselves on the losing end in a 4-0
scalding. The loss was less indicative
of the team’s performance than it was
of Coach Camperell’s decision to
rest six starters in preparation of the
conference game to be played two days
later. A loss outside of the conference
has no consequence on the Spartan’s
hopes of making the playoffs, making
the decision to sit the starters an easy
one for Camperell.
The strategy unfortunately did not
yield the results the team had hoped.
The home opener on October 3 saw
the Spartans derailed by Cuyamaca
College who had come into the game
at an overall mark of 2-6. Cuyamaca
managed to post 3 goals, while the
Spartan’s closest attempts only
managed to kiss the crossbar and
nick the goal post, rendering the team
scoreless for the second straight game,
and a second straight conference
loss.
The contest on October 6 was a
tough one to swallow. While the
Spartans clearly controlled the fi rst half of play, they were unable to put
a goal away early on. With the game
tied 1-1 and only two minutes left on
the clock, the College of the Desert
scored on a breakaway goal that
appeared to be a clear offside call that
went unnoticed.
Having been outscored 9-1 in the
fi rst week of October, the Spartans overall record has plummeted from
4-1 to 4-7-1, and a conference record
of 0-2-1.
While the team is struggling
offensively, Mitchell Greene and
Jason Belcher have climbed into the
top five in offensive points in the
Pacifi c Coast Conference. The conference schedule will
repeat itself beginning October 19
against Palomar College. Despite the
Spartan’s struggles, the conference
is still within reach as each team has
suffered at least one loss or one tie.
Fantasy
Corner
The Bye-Week Bug has bitten all of
us this week with another four teams
getting a free pass. Not to mention
the injuries…oh so many injuries.
So this week, it’s about time we take
a look at good waiver-wire moves
to complete your roster in time for
Sunday.
Waiver Savior’s
QB Jason Campbell (WAS)—Don’t
look now, but Jason Campbell is
becoming an enticing option week
in and out. He is owned in only 30%
of all leagues, and is cutting down
on his INT’s and replacing them
with touchdowns. He’s a solid start
Notes from the nosebleeds
BYRON BURKE
Senior Staff Writer
No Padres and no Chargers this
weekend. That doesn’t mean we all
have to sell out and actually have a
productive Sunday. There are still
plenty of sports to be played, so if
you fi nd yourself with bye-week envy, here are some NFL storylines you may
want to follow.
Kansas City vs. Oakland. It sounds
as interesting as a healthcare debate
between Batman and Superman. Both
teams have been a chronic nightmare
on offense. But a strong defensive
performance thus far has kept both
teams in the hunt for the AFC West.
The contusion to Chiefs QB Damon
Huard has opened the doggy door
for rookie Brodie Croyle to take over
as the long-term starter. He looked
great in the preseason, but a rookie
is bound to make plenty of mistakes
against a secondary as competent as
the Raiders’. If we see the old Daunte
Culpepper for Oakland, the Raiders
can expect to walk away with this one
at home. If we get bad Daunte, Kansas
City is well capable of capitalizing
on his makes. Regardless of the
outcome, the loser of this game will
fi nd it diffi cult to stay in the race for a division in which the Chargers and
Broncos are still heavily favored.
Arizona @ Washington. Twotime MVP Kurt Warner looks like
he may take the snaps for the rest of
the season in Arizona. Matt Leinart’s
injury puts an end to any debate over
the quarterback platoon the Cardinals
had been successful with. Meanwhile,
out on the East coast, D.C. fi nally has a football team. Jason Campbell has
looked good, and halfback Ladell
Betts is still well capable of stepping
up if Clinton Portis’ knee stalls again.
Arizona has an opportunity to make
a run at the Seahawks for rulers of
the NFC West, a division Seattle has
gone unchecked in the last few years.
Washington needs to win this game
2nd Annual
MCC Tennis
Tournament
The Men’s Singles and Women’s
Singles matches will be on October
20, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The
Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles
and Mixed Doubles matches will be
played on October 21, between 9 a.m.
and 6 p.m. A 10 minute warm-up is
available at the scheduled start time.
Forfeit if player arrives more than 10
minutes late after the start time. The
cost is $10 for singles and $20 for
doubles teams.
against Arizona.
RB Najeh Davenport (PIT)—Fast
Willie Parker can’t seem to fi nd the end zone this season, and Najeh is not
only getting carries in the red zone,
but he’s getting looks in the passing
game. A few yards and a couple
of TD’s go a long way if you’re
desperate for a running back. He’s
high risk, but high reward.
WR Nate Burleson (SEA)—With
Shaun Alexander slowing down
by the game, the ‘Hawks are going
to have to rely on Hasselbeck and
company more and more each week.
With the injury to Deion Branch,
Seattle’s number one target, Burleson
looks like an enticing option. He’s
bound to scatter points against a
struggling St. Louis team.
MCC
Intramurals
to keep pace in a competitive NFC
West.
Tennessee @ Houston. Vince
Young still hasn’t forgotten about
being snubbed by his home-state
team. Houston had the opportunity
to draft Young in 2006 with the fi rst pick, but opted to take defensive end
Mario Williams instead. Williams,
a bust in his rookie season, made the
Texans front offi ce look foolish for drafting him over Young, who has
been a one-man wrecking crew since
day one in Tennessee. The tables
have made only a 90 degree turn so
far, as Mario Williams is showing
the potential that made him the top
pick, and quarterback Matt Schaub
has done everything the Texans
could have wanted to legitimize the
franchise. Keep in mind, Young is
2 and 0 against Houston in his young
career, the second win granted by
his 39-yard touchdown scramble in
overtime, reminiscent of his National
Championship win over USC as a
senior at Texas. The guy knows how
to win.
With the Padres out of the playoffs
for the fi rst time since earning backto-back division titles, GM Kevin
Towers has to begin the long process
of looking towards 2008. There are
now questions that must be answered
in the off-season. Is Trevor Hoffman
still the same guy that took us to
the big dance in 1998? If he isn’t,
who can succeed his legacy as the
number one stopper in the league?
Inexplicably, Hoffman blew two
opportunities to thrust the Padres into
the playoffs again. The uncertainty of
his contract status, and the fact that he
was waxed by the Rockies in the wild
card playoff may have Towers and
Hoffman examining their options. If
this is the case, walking in Hoffman’s
shadow is no easy job. Heath Bell may
be the immediate answer, especially
after watching him dominate a loaded
Rockies lineup to keep the Padres
in the game. He’s tough, nasty and
throws hard. He’s got all the makings
of a stopper, up to and including a
chin-devouring goatee.
Aside from the bullpen, the Padres
will have some holes to fi ll via free agency. Centerfi elder Mike Cameron may test the waters, and has expressed
interest to return to his hometown of
Atlanta. While there are some big
names on the market to replace him,
Andruw Jones being the fi rst in mind, Padres brass probably won’t offer a
lucrative enough deal to lure a big
name. Ditto for Torii Hunter. A
pickup like Aaron Rowand, however,
would be a dream signing. He’s a
blue-collar guy who hits well and
plays defense, and always plays tough.
Let’s not also forget that Ken Griffey
Jr. has likely played his last game as
a Red, and trade rumors involving
San Diego had been mentioned in the
past. If the Padres were ever likely
to pull the trigger on a name as big as
Griffey, the time is now, considering
he is 37 already and won’t demand a
long-term contract.
Assuming the Padres don’t re-sign
Milton Bradley, left field will be
wide open as well. Scott Hairston
looks primed to take over the opening
day spot in left. His bat has been
white-hot since joining the Padres in
a questionable trade that made GM
Kevin Towers look like a genius.
Should the Padres choose to move
in another direction, Luis Gonzalez
wouldn’t have to travel far, and he
would probably only command a
one-year deal. Adam Dunn, however,
would provide power in a lineup
without a big threat.
It’s unclear as to whether or not
the Padres will exercise a $4 million
club option on second baseman
Marcus Giles. He was a relative
disappointment, and lost his starting
job to injury. Though it was fun to
have the Giles brothers batting 1 and
2 in the order, it seems imminent that
the Padres will re-up elsewhere at
second base. Bringing back Mark
Loretta would be a popular decision
with fans, and a relatively cheap option
for a quality player.
The pitching rotation may be the
biggest question mark of all. With
only two out of fi ve spots fi lled in the ’08 season (Jake Peavy and Chris
Young), the Padres will probably look
to a combination of the farm system
and free agency to fi ll in the blanks. Let’s assume the Padres exercise the
$11 million dollar option on Greg
Maddux to keep him around. There
are only two spots left to fi ll. Kevin Towers loves Blue Jays pitcher Josh
Towers, but was unable to attain him
through trade last season. There’s no
reason he can’t work something out
with the Jays in the off-season to bring
him in. The fi fth spot in the rotation may be impossible to predict. Jack
Cassel showed promise in his limited
action. If his roll continues on through
next spring, he may very well fi ll out that 4th or 5th spot in the rotation.
Whatever the case may be, the
Padres will probably use the same
philosophy in the years past to build
this year’s roster. A couple of old
guys, a couple of young guys, no major
signings and another year of leaving
fans unsure if this team can contend.
Women’s
Soccer
schedule
Men's
soccer
schedule
October 17
MiraCosta @SD Mesa
3:15 p.m.
10/17 -- 3:15 p.m. at Imperial
Valley College
10/19 -- 3 p.m. at Palomar
College
10/24 -- 1 p.m. at San Diego City
College
10/26 -- 1 p.m. at Cuyamaca
College
11/02 -- 3 p.m. at Southwestern
College
11/07 -- 3 p.m. at San Diego Mesa
College
11/09 -- 3 p.m. at Imperial Valley
College
October 19
MiraCosta @SD City
3:00 p.m.
October 24
MiraCosta @IVC
3:00 p.m.
October 26
Grossmont @MiraCosta
3:00 p.m.
|3
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
OPINION
Halo 3 is the other woman
SHEENA GIBBS
Content Editor
Since the release of Halo 3 on
September 25, women around the
world have found themselves seemingly
“invisible” to their signifi cant others. I fi nd myself bewildered by how a guy can play Halo 3 all day and wonder why his
girlfriend seems upset? Now before all
of you “gamers” are offended, I would
like to provide some insight to how
ignored your girlfriend may feel.
Last week I came home to fi nd my boyfriend and his three friends, all
in their early twenties, huddled like
children on the fl oor around the TV. Without any sign of acknowledging my
presence, I was not at all surprised to fi nd that they were engrossed in the hypnotic
trance of Halo 3.
Worse than the highly addictive
Myspace, Halo 3 operates as a social
network where people can play
simultaneously, either against each
other or as a team. The ultra-popular
online-gaming has driven players to
spend over 650 million hours of online
gaming, according to Microsoft. The
lack of moderation has caused my
frustration with Halo 3 “play-time”
(PT) to mount, as my boyfriend and his
friends play an average minimum of 14
hours per week.
I do not have a problem with the game
itself. I initially viewed nearly all video
games involving weapons and violence
as inappropriate past-times that in no
way could have any positive effects.
After a number of debates, I realized
that I may have been a bit harsh with
my judgment. In an attempt to appease
my hostility toward video games and
understand what is so intriguing about
Halo 3, I decided to sit and watch my
boyfriend and his friends play.
After only a few moments, my
astonishment of hearing the “Live”
camaraderie shared by gamers from
around the world was replaced with
the shock of hearing what sounded
like children using profanity. I then
began questioning the importance
of Xbox Live, as most of the verbal
messages were complaints along
the lines of “Stop f***ing ‘screenlooking’!” Apparently they have
never heard of peripheral vision, as it
seems impossible not to look beyond
the perimeter of one screen.
Aside from the vulgarity emerging
from “Live,” the amount of time
devoted to “PT” irritates me, and
probably your girlfriend, the greatest.
Countless times I’ve heard, “We’re
only going to play for an hour, babe,”
but of course that hour turns into
three or four. Granted, Halo 3 is
newly released so playing all day and
night for the fi rst couple of days is understandable. But after nearly three
weeks of close to daily “PT,” I am
confounded by how I see those around
me all-consumed by the sequel’s
“interactive storyline.” I fi nd no value in going out of your way to “interact”
with people across the nation when
you have a room full of friends and
loved ones being ignored, even if
you just want to piss someone off by
“corpse-humping” them.
And don’t think that playing late at
night will solve any problems, either.
Waiting until your girlfriend leaves or
goes to sleep before breaking out the
controller will just make her feel like
a chore, as if you are required to spend
time with her before you can play. Plus,
players will more than likely lose sleep
and awake irritable the next day, making
things worse in both their personal and
professional life.
After the Experience Points (EXP)
Ranking System was explained to me,
I have concluded that anyone who has
the goal of becoming an MM Skill(ed)
Offi cer cannot possibly contribute to a healthy, intimate relationship. There’s
a reason those “hard-core” gamers who
hang out at places like LanWorks all day
do not have girlfriends, unless of course
they are fortunate enough to fi nd girls who are as lame as they are.
I do not doubt the devotion of the
Bungie Studio staff, as the detailed
and creative graphics are astoundingly
realistic, and the originality of the story
is surprisingly innovative. However,
for those who think “inviting” your
girlfriend or wife to play Halo 3 with
you will pacify her complaints, think
again. She may give in a couple of times,
but understand that she will probably
not enjoy it. I was only watching my
boyfriend play and I could not care
less about who had the latest “running
riot” or “running rampage.” In my eyes,
Hollywood has the “Elites” and the
movie "300" has the “Spartans.” Let’s
keep it that way.
Fodder from the Spider’s Web
SPIDER VERTIGO
Commentary
Notes on Room 101. November
21, 2521.
Room 101--horrors beyond
human comprehension thrive,
fester and lie in wait for the next
“patient” to walk through the door.
Deception. “Where you at?” still
tap dances across my temporal lobe,
the migraine headache his partner.
A male anatomy and sex drive
enhancement jingle pounds in my
head, the refl ection of some smiling lobotomized cretin, oblivious to
the world around him, screams
at me from beyond the grave that
without his damned product, I am
not a man.
Friends, I am no longer a man,
not even human. What happened
in Room 101 has irrevocable altered
my being, starting with my DNA.
My appearance has morphed into
something I no longer recognize. I
used to think fi ghting for my right to speak freely, to communicate
with you in the past about the future
you are making, held some place
of importance in me. Now there is
nothing. A Nietzschesque blackness
shrouds itself coldly around my
soul.
I have tried to read my old
books, but the urge to go out and
BUYBUYBUYBUYBUY until
every cell in my body is satiated
(and that can never be). I lay down
my old friend Literature and spend
some time with my new friend,
Greed.
However, I cannot escape the
venomous tendrils of twenty-fi rst century marketing.
I see half-naked people hawking
foo-foo juice and hamburgers
looking like people screaming in a
house and cars being described as
“exquisite” and “epitome of luxury”
and I have heard every example
of bad grammar possible—Where
you at?-Chewphoria-Gotta have
Sweet—echoing in my brain but I
am fi ne, now I am fi ne, away from the sensory bombardment of your
advertising.
How can you tolerate such
offenses on the mind? I am
wondering if life is any better
today than it was in your time. We
don’t have the aggressive and mindnumbing marketing you do, but we
SPENDSPENDSPENDSPEND
more than you could imagine. We
have substituted the desire to buy
goods with the need to buy them,
the need to belong, the need to be
a part of Society, the need to not be
left behind, the need to be on the
cutting edge, but foremost, the need
to be loved.
The door to my cell is open
and I am standing in the threshold
wondering move to make next. Do I
give into the marketing madness that
I endured for more than a week, or
do I try to salvage what is left of my
humanity and individuality? Am I
really a person, or a product of the
media and marketing campaign wars
going on around me?
Is there anybody out there?
4|ENTERTAINMENT
MCCArts
calendar
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
Two Spoons stirs in
Image by Randy Ommen
Art
“Boom Time”
Mixed media by Irene Abraham,
Moya Devine, Cheryl Griffi ths, Kathy Miller and Judith Parenio
October 9 – November 1
Dance
An informal dance
demonstration
Room 204 at MiraCosta College,
San Elijo Campus
November 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Free admission
An informal presentation by
students in MiraCosta’s dance
classes, showcasing ballet,
jazz, modern, tap, ballroom,
commercial, Latin and world
dance forms. A demonstration
of Pilates mat work will also be
included.
Theatre
Blithe Spirit
By Noel Coward
Directed by Tracy Williams
November 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at
7:30 p.m.
November 11, 18 at 2 p.m.
Preview performance, November
8 at 7:30 p.m.
General admission, $12; seniors/
staff, $10; students, $8
Preview night: All seats, $8
Tables rise, vases fl y, and doors bang in this masterpiece of witty
repartee where the spirit world
collides with the English drawing
room. This perennially popular
1941 comedy tells the story of
Charles Condomine, a novelist
who invites a medium to hold a
séance as research for his next
book. The situation goes haywire
when the eccentric mystic conjures
up Charles’ dead wife, although
she’s visible and audible only
to him, a situation especially
displeasing to Charles’ living
second wife.
Music
“Defi nitely Dvorak”
Saturday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 21, 2 p.m.
MiraCosta Theater, Oceanside
campus
General admission, $10
students and seniors, $8
Fans of Antonin Dvorak will be
treated to a program featuring
some of his symphonic music; the
program will include his G Major
Symphony (No. 8).
“Frequency Sneak Peek”
Friday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.
Studio A, Creative Arts Complex,
Oceanside campus
General admission, $10
students and seniors, $8
MiraCosta’s new vocal jazz
ensembles will be featured in one
of the fi rst concerts in the recently opened Creative Arts Complex.
Come get an exclusive fi rst look at the exciting music these talented
students will present under the
direction of Matt Falker!
AARON DURST
Asst. Managing Editor
On a Friday night with not much to do near MiraCosta College,
the 2Spoons Coffee house emits a warm glow at College Plaza.
The atmosphere is so relaxing that any thought of productivity
is quashed by fresh roasting coffee and the buzz of blenders.
Table top games and books are strewn about, taking up
residence where the last user left them. The furniture is
fashionable. The art is appealing. The service is satisfying.
Offering free Wi-Fi Internet access brings in the laptop
loungers, while the lattes lure in the coffee connoisseurs.
Entertainment varies by night, but starting at 8 p.m.,
expect music from MCC bands or endure the open-mic
night. Outside the café, tables and chairs form an
audience seating area while the performers set up closer
to the shop with their instruments and amplifi ers.
With prices ranging from $2.50 to $4.75 per
beverage, 2Spoons Coffee serves up strong
coffee and sweet smoothies. Muffi ns, cookies and pastries line the display case at the front
counter while the espresso machines sit austerely
at the back with the ever-ready blenders.
Parents and children enjoy the environment
with plenty of carpet and beautiful images
hung on the walls. “I tried to make it look
like a living room,” said owner Derek
Caputi.
Reviews
Photo illustration by Alicia Juarez
"Lifeline" thrives More than macaroni
with soul jam
on the “Grill”
MATT GOSE
Photographer
TYLER JONES
Editor-In-Chief
In a decade
where music
is
over
saturated with
overdubs and
synthesizers,
it’s nice to
hear an album
like Ben
Harper’s “Lifeline.”
The latest offering by Harper and
his band, the Innocent Criminals,
delivers another semi-acoustic, soul
jam gem. Each of the album’s eleven
tracks exudes a feel reminiscent of
the golden days of Motown echoing
the likes of Marvin Gaye and Wilson
Picket.
With its many catchy rhythms, it’s
easy to overlook the lyrics. Covering
a wide range of subject matter, from
the Dylan-esque preaching in “Fight
Outta You” to the downhearted lover’s
lament in “Put it On Me,” one may
hear something not commonly heard in
most modern music—integrity.
Despite its many similarities to
the classics, the album somehow
maintains a fresh sound rivaling
today’s chart toppers. If simplicity and
sincerity is what you’re into, give Ben
Harper’s “Lifeline” a listen.
relaxation
T
h
e
Macaroni Grill
breaks from the
conventions
of a chainoperated Italian
restaurant.
The first
noticeable difference is the restaurant’s
atmosphere. The Macaroni Grill is
dark and lends itself to an intimate
dining experience not found at the
Olive Garden.The food, though, is
where the Macaroni Grill saps all other
Italian chains of their olive oil.
Appetizers are fresh and use simple
flavors to enhance the food rather
than bombard the taste buds with
twenty fl avors in one dish. Entrees consist of pizzas, pasta (my favorite
is the create-your-own pasta using a
selection of more than 21 ingriedents),
and Garfi eld’s favorite, lasagna. The appetizers go from $2 for a salad
to $13 for the seafood sampler, and
entrees are no more than $20, with the
Boursin fi let mignon reigning supreme. Reservations are not required and
casual attire is appropriate. All
who enjoy good Italian food need
to go out to Escondido and see why
the Macaroni Grill is my favorite
restaurant.
X-rated fi lm voted as If only scars can kill
year’s Best Picture
CHRIS AHRENS
Staff Writer
T
h
e
Academy of
Arts handed
over three
Oscars to
“Midnight
Cowboy”
(1969). Picking
up an additional two Oscars, one to
Best Director John Schlesinger, the
other for Best Screenplay to Waldo
Salt, still leaves room to boast three
more nominations for performances
by Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman and
Sylvia Miles. With classic lines like
“those rich women are begging for it,
paying for it too!” and “I’ll snatch you
bald headed,” you may even chortle.
Schlesinger’s genius in artistically
framing and illustrating each scene
allows viewers to experience the
reality of the movies “issues.”
Filming techniques brilliantly clutch
the feel of the underground New
York fi lm movement, concentrating on the importance of strong human
connection, sexual or not. Although
the same film is now rated “R,” it
remains in the original text. Those who
appreciate directors who don’t cop-out
to censorship will enjoy this fi lm. NICK FUNK
Staff Writer
Does anyone
remember
that movie
“Scarface” and
the spectacular
shootout at the
end of it? The
video game
takes place where the movie left off,
where Tony Montana is having a big
shootout with gangsters at his home.
First of all, the writers should have
never rewritten the ending or even
try to make the movie into a game,
even though the game answers such
questions like what happend if Tony
Montana survived. It might have
been a cool sequel to watch if he did
survive, but in this game he does, and
his empire is taken over by a rival
mob. He wants to take back what is
rightfully his, creating an interesting
take on Scarface. The game is like
Grand Theft Auto where a person goes
on missions, but the missions of this
game are boring, a real yawn. The
action for this game could have been
more challenging and I found myself
wanting to go sleep right after playing
it. Gamers, if you see this game on the
shelf don’t even bother with it. Spend
your money on something that's a little
bit more entertaining.
|5
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
FEATURE
Who's the hero here?
MCC icon memorializes Robert Blayney
JILLISA BADARACO
Staff Writer
On a warm afternoon I found myself
under an impressive tower marooned
with rust. I was told it used to chime.
Closing my eyes, I tried to imagine
its sound. A robust ringing fi lls my mind. Silly as it may sound, this tower
provides solace. Absentmindedly
brushing off a cobweb, I ponder about
the young man who was the reason for
the assemblage of such a structure.
Who was Robert Monroe Blayney?
According to a letter from his high
school principal (on display in the
library lobby) he was a “fi ne scholar” and “gentleman.” Also an awardwinning artist--a hero. Bob Blayney
was honored with a purple heart medal
during World War II, the war he never
lived to see come to an end.
It happened in France, 1944. Robert
Blayney died in combat. Chances
are Blayney might have attended
MiraCosta College had his life not
been so regrettably short.
Parents Dana and Eleanor highly
valued education. Both left to serve
as petty offi cers in the Navy when World War I was declared. Twentynine years after the passing of their
son, the benevolent Blayneys decided
to bestow a gift upon MiraCosta
College’s campus. A skilled designer,
Dick Young, was employed to craft
a 44 foot carillon. $25,000 later, the
Blayney Tower was born. A service
was held on June 1, 1973. There were
300 spectators at the event.
“To us this tower is our gift of
love to MiraCosta College.
It symbolizes not only
the very deep
love we
have for
our son,
Bob,
but it
stands for much more love involving
many people. We hope it will
infl uence the young and old for years to come. This is our way of expressing
lasting affection and respect for our
talented son…a true American,” said
Eleanor.
What a number of students and
staff do not know is the Blayney
Tower’s current location is not its
original one. At fi rst, the tower sat smack dab in the middle of MiraCosta
College. Obviously, things have
changed since the groovy times of
the seventies. Only a few years ago,
Blayney relocated to the front of the
administration building. Blayney
Tower was rededicated on Veteran’s
Day 2004. At the rededication, a
recording of Eleanor’s emotive speech
was played.
Now, a giant clock tower is the
school’s main landmark. Maybe a
clock is an upgrade? After all, the
clock tower is very practical. Who
needs a watch when a larger than life
clock sits atop a perch that is visible
from nearly every part of the campus?
Memorial Schemorial!
Little known fact number two:
MCC’s clock tower is also a cell phone
tower in disguise. Under pounds of
plaster and ceramic lay wires and
waves. We traded in Robert’s chimes
for potentially tissue warming rays.
Try not to worry too much. There
still is no proof that
links towers and
power lines to
cancer…yet. At
least it did not
come out of
our pocket.
Cingular
paid for “all
upgrades
and improvements, plus $600 dollars
a month for using the location”
according to MiraCosta College
Classified Senate Council Minutes
September 10, 2002.
Eleanor compared her son’s
memorial to the Statue of Liberty,
stating her wish for Blayney Tower to
stand for the freedom for which
he died. Are not memorials
supposed to stay where
they are? The Lincoln
Memorial, Jefferson
Memorial and the
Statue of Liberty are
special, treasured
and a source
of pride. They
are symbols
of something
honorable. At
MiraCosta
College, we
are privileged
enough to
have such
a piece of
our own.
Are towers
built to be
moved
f r o m
location
to location
as if they
were some
seasonal
decoration? As if
they were Christmas
lights, strung for a
few months, then
back to the garage
when the weather
changes? Robert’s
legacy deserves
dignity and
respect, not to be tossed about from
location to location like some ugly
painting you wish you could trash
but cannot on account of it being
a gift from a loved one with
questionable taste.
Photos by Matt Gose
6|STUDENT LIFE
They sure schooled
me on that!
JILLISA BADARACO
Staff Writer
I make my way around this hilltop
haven of a school, I cannot help
but overhear odds and ends of the
conversations around me. Common
topics of discussion: the great weekend
so-and-so had or gossip about the
scandalous actions of some brazen
female that shocked us all. (“Oh, NO
she didn’t!”) But the majority of the
chatter is whining about poor grades
in a class where the teacher really
“sucks.”
P e r h a p s
students simply
do not know the
myriad resources
available to them.
My favorite is
the Tutoring and
Academic Support
Center (TASC).
For most students,
that passing grade
is not going to fall
into your hands or
manifest itself onto
transcripts without honest effort, so
supplement lessons with students
who are just like me and you, but you
know, smarter.
Ever heard of the 80/20 principle?
“The Pareto principle (also known as
the 80-20 rule, the law of the vital few
and the principle of factor sparsity)
states that, for many events, 80 percent
of the effects come from 20 percent of
the causes.” Find more info at About.
com.
I have visited the Tutoring Center
a couple of times and every tutor
I worked with was very patient
and friendly without a sliver of
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
Need money for
your education?
Visit the Scholarship Office
condescension. That study session
with Ben (utterly charming fellow) and
later Erika (sweeter than saccharine)
turned out to be surprisingly effective.
Because I did not have to scour my 20
pound book and re-teach myself all
the problems that mangled my mind
in math class, my study time for the
week was diced in half!
What I am getting at is I changed
my actions so that the 20 percent of the
time I spent studying accounted for 80
percent of my results
(great test grades
and a more profound
understanding of the
material).
Walking through the
doors of the learning
center reminds me of
a scene in Disney’s
“Beauty and the
Beast”--the one where
all the spoons and
forks perform a sort
of cabaret dance for
Belle before serving her dinner. Like
the singing silverware, college is
packed with math, anthropology and
science whiz kids who are so ready to
serve, so eager to help you kick ass in
a tough class.
Though the Principle of Least Effort
seems more appealing, why not push
yourself a little more? Few sights are
sweeter than a giant red A on an exam
or paper you gave everything you had
to write. The natural high induced
by high grades is all MiraCosta
College students ought to know. Stop
reading this and go make a tutoring
appointment.
MiraCosta Foundation
scholarship
The deadline is approaching for the
MiraCosta Spring 2008 Scholarship. The application deadline is October 23. Over $500.00 in awards is available. Applications are available on both
campuses or can be downloaded
from the Scholarship website: http://
www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/
ScholarshipProgram/index.htm.
Genentech Scholars
Program
For eligibility and application, visit: http://www.gene.com/gene/about/
community/education/scholars.jsp. The application deadline date is
November 30. Awards up to $7,500.
SEMA Scholarships are available for
students interested in a career in the
specialty automotive industry. To find
out more about SEMA Scholarships
and to download an application visit:
www.sema.org/scholarships. The
application deadline dateis April 18,
2008.
Help Scare
Away
Hunger
The MiraCosta College Service
Learning Program will sponsor the
2nd annual food drive, “Scare Away
Hunger," October 15, through October
31. The program is seeking donations
of cash and $5.00 grocery store gift
cards (submitted to The Foundation
Office in building 1000). Canned
food items will also be collected
(drop off containers will be located
in the library, bookstore, wellness
center, cafeteria, and service learning
office). Students will sell tickets for an
opportunity drawing and Halloween
goodie bags during this time. All
proceeds will benefit the MiraCosta
Emergency Food Pantry for students.
Study Abroad in
Florence, Italy
Spend most of your
spring semester studying
in Florence, Italy with other
MCC students.
The program costs
$4895 and covers the cost
of air fare, transportation,
accommodations, cultural
activities, and medical/
travel insurance.
Eligibility requirements
are: completion of 12, GPA
of 2.0 or higher by the end
of Fall 2007, and at least
18 years old at time of
departure.
Contact the Institute
for International
Perspectives in Room
3443 or at 760.795.6897
for registration materials.
2007-08 Community College
Real Estate Education
Endowment Fund
A scholarshipis available for students
majoring in Real Estate. Download
the application at www.cccco.edu/
divisions/ss/financial_assist/real_
estate.htm Application filing period:
September 6, 2007 – March 14, 2008
The Foundation for
Developmental Disabilities
This organization is offering a
scholarship for students planning
a career or working in the field of
child development, developmental
disabilities or a related field. A
maximum of $3,000 per applicant
may be awarded. Application: www.
sdrc.org\sdicdsf and tab on “Peterson
Scholarship.” The application deadline
is November 16.
For more information, visit the
Scholarship office in building 3000
on the Oceanside campus.
CSU Application
Workshops
for Fall 2008
Transfers
Oceanside Campus
October 16, 10-11:30 a.m., Room
1201
October 24, Noon-1:30 p.m., Room
1201
October 29, 4-5:30 p.m., Room 1201
November 21, 4:30-6 p.m., Room
1201
San Elijo Campus
October 15, 1:30-3 p.m., Room 112
October 23, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Room
108
November 5, Noon- 1:30 p.m., Room
107
UC Application
Workshops for
Fall 2008 transfers
Oceanside campus
November 1, 4-5:30 p.m., Room
1201
November 9, 12:30-2 p.m., Room
1201
November 21, 4:30-6 p.m., Room
1201
San Elijo campus
November 19, 1:30-3 p.m., Room
112
November 27, Noon-1:30 p.m., Room
107
MCC Chariot
October 15th edition
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
the
FUZZ
MCC Officer Rebecca Arnold answers your
questions
Dear Fuzz,
I was wondering if you could tell
me what happens if I get a ticket on
campus. Is it a “real” ticket or just
a warning that stays within your
department?
Tickets on campus are “real” tickets.
Tickets issued by police officers
from Mira Costa College Campus
Police are no different than if you
receive a ticket from an offi cer of any other department, such as Oceanside
Police Department, Carlsbad Police
Department or California Highway
Patrol. If you are stopped by a police
offi cer on campus, you are to do the same thing you would when getting
pulled over by any offi cer. Pull over to a safe spot on the right side of the
roadway and be prepared to show the
offi cer your driver’s license, insurance and registration. If you receive a
ticket, the offi cer will ask you to sign it. This is not an admission of guilt,
but a promise to appear in court. The
ticket will have your information, the
violation of the vehicle code and the
date and location of the court where
you are to appear.
Some of the violations you may get
pulled over for on campus are: crossing
a double yellow line (yes, this means
if you chose to crossover the line to
go around a speed bump, you can get
pulled over and cited), not wearing
your seatbelt, speeding (the speed limit
is 25 miles an hour on campus and
10 miles an hour in the parking lot),
expired registration (yes, even if you
need to get to class and have no other
transportation), and failing to come
to a complete stop at stop signs (this
means a full stop, not just a tap on the
brakes or what some call “California”
stops or “1-2-3-4 go!” stops). Be very
alert while driving on campus as
staff and students walk about campus
getting back and forth from classes
and to parking lots. Pedestrian traffi c can be very dangerous. It is best if you
prepare ahead of time for your day’s
journey, so you can obey the traffi c laws that will save you and someone’s
life, time, and money. Lives and
tickets are costly! If you have any
questions for “The Fuzz” contact
Offi cer Rebecca Arnold (760757-2121 x6519 or [email protected]
NOW HIRING!!!
Permanent Part-Time Package Handler
Must be 17 1/2 years old, lift up to 70lbs,
Be available to work Monday-Friday
Shifts: 3 a.m.- 9 a.m.
5 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Pay Rate: $8.50/hr-$9.50/hr
Seasonal Driver Helper
Must meet UPS Driver Appearance Standards
Able to meet driver in delivery area
Available to work during the day, Mon-Fri (on call basis)
Hours will vary with delivery area
Must be at least 18 years old
Must be available to help October 1st-December 31st 2007
Pay Rate: $8.50/hr
Apply Online at
www.upsjobs.com
|7
COMMUNITY
University
Transfer Center
Did you know???
• The top three transfer major to
UCSD fall 2007 were:
- Biology
- Political Science
- Visual Arts
• UCSD has new Transfer Fridays…
These special events are designed
to introduce transfer students to
UCSD. To reserve your space
go to:
Question: Does it really matter what
4-year university I transfer to if I hope
to be competitive in the job market?
Answer: According to Wall Street
Journal article titled “Any College
Will Do” the nation’s top CEOs say
that succeeding as an executive “has
more to do with leadership talent and
a drive for success than it does with
having an undergraduate degree from a
prestigious university.” They go on to
mention that it is “a person’s capacity
to seize opportunities, immersing
themselves in their interests, becoming
campus leaders and forging strong
relationships with teachers.”
Question: How much will it cost to
transfer to a CSU or UC campus?
Answer: The costs vary depending
on which campus and the type of
services you will need. The current
cost for tuition only at CSU campuses
is approximately $3,144 per year. The
total estimated cost for CSU campuses
which includes housing, books, and
other fees is about $17,318 per year
(living off campus).
For UC campuses, tuition is about
$7,521 per academic year and the
total estimated cost is about $22,090
per academic year (living off campus).
Please visit the Mira Costa Financial
Aid offi ce for further assistance.
Question: I’ve heard fellow students
mention using ASSIST? What is it?
Answer: ASSIST is an online studenttransfer information system that shows
how course credits earned at one public
California college or university can be
applied when transferred to another.
ASSIST is the offi cial repository of articulation for California’s public
colleges and universities and provides
the most accurate and up-to-date
information about student transfer in
California. Go to www.assist.org to
check it out!
Scholarships
Need money to attend school? Apply for a spring 2008 MiraCosta
College scholarship, available to continuing full-time students and parttime students, transfer students, and high school students enrolling for
the spring 2008 semester. Applications are available in the Scholarship,
DSPS, EOPS, and Financial Aid offi ces located in building 3000 on the Oceanside campus and in the administration building on the San Elijo
campus. The application deadline is Tuesday, October 23. For more
information, call (760)795-6751, www.miracosta.edu/StudentService/
ScholarshipProgram.
Tidbits
Students need to help canvas and
distribute local paper.
Appointment setters needed.
Hourly plus commision.
Call for recorded information
1-800-651-4707 ext. 1505
stay
HEALTHY
Need Help
Staying Healthy?
Take advantage of MCC’s
Student Health Services
(760)795-6675
Walk-ins welcomed
Flu Shots!
San Elijo- 9:30-1:30
Oceanside- 8:30-3:30
$15.00 /No appt. needed
Give the Gift of Life
Blood Drive
Oceanside
Oct 18—10 am to 3 pm
Parking Lot 1B
Health Services Hours:
Oceanside Campus
Bldg 3300
M/T/W/F 8 am -4 pm
Th. 8 am- 7 pm
760-795-6675
San Elijo Campus
Adm Bldg.
M, W, Th. 9 am - 2 pm.
760-944-9444 x7747
Free Confidential Personal
Counseling
is available at Oceanside & San
Elijo
For information or to set up an
appointment
Call Health Services (760)7956675
STUDENT
Clubs
Monday
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 8:30 a.m., on the
East Patio,
Anime Club, 4 p.m., Club
Room
Tuesday
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 8:30 a.m., on the
East Patio
Wednesday
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 8:30 a.m., on the
East Patio,
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 12:00 p.m.,
Room 3601
Thursday
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 8:30 a.m., on the
East Patio
Kung Fu Movie Night, 7:30
p.m., Club Room,
Friday
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship 8:30 a.m., on the
East Patio,
Student Ambassadors, 12:00
p.m., Temescal
Fencing Club practice,
1 p.m., Gymnasium
BACK PAGE
|8
Don't let Tyler and
Byron have all the
fun.
Join the Chariot
staff
Toe jam
The Tyler and Byron Show
This week: the new season of "South Park"
Tourette’s Syndrome may not be a
laughing matter for those who suffer
from it, but for Eric Cartman, it is just
another day in South Park, Colorado.
Of course anything from Cartman is
going to be tasteless, that’s the point of
his character. The second episode of
the season killed me with a giant turd
shown on an ultra sound machine like
a baby. However, some key characters
missed the fi rst two episodes, such as Kenny, Kyle and my personal
favorites Timmy and Jimmy. I give
“South Park” one toe up.
Making fun of Tourette’s syndrome
and Bono is no way to enter a new
season for "South Park." "South
Park" obviously peaked a few
years back and is avalanching back
towards mediocrity. Last episode
saw no Kenny, Kyle, Cartman or
Mrs. Garrison. That’s pitiful. When
was the last time "The Simpsons" left
Homer out of an episode, or "Family
Guy" ignored Peter and Stewie? I
give this part of the season two-big
toes down.
Like to write?
Think taking
photos is fun?
Are you artistic?
Want to make
new friends and
learn about your
college?
Come to Room
3441 on the
Oceanside
campus or email
mccchariot
@yahoo.com
October 15, 2007
MiraCosta College
Upcoming October events
Institute for International
Perspectives
Mid-term Ice Cream Party,
Wednesday, October 17, noon
to 2:00 p.m., IIP offi ce Language Conversation Cafe,
Wednesday, October 31, noon
to 1:00 p.m., Aztlan A
International fi lm series
October 26
“Mostly Martha”
(Germany, 2002)
Friday 1 p.m., San Elijo Campus,
Room 204
Friday 7 p.m., Oceanside Campus,
Room 3601 (Little Theatre)
Service Learning Events
Wednesday, October 17,
TERI Inc. is looking for crafty
volunteers to help decorate
holiday wreaths for the re-grand
opening of their Oceanside thrift
store on Coast Highway. Contact
Lori Piccirillo at (760) 721-1706
Ext.122 or send email to lorip@
teriinc.org.
Saturday, October 20: Girls
Incorporated is having a
symposium focusing on Hispanic
Awareness. Three to four
volunteers are needed to assist
in various ways. Volunteers must
be available from approximately 9
a.m.-1 p.m.. For more information
contact Connie Pongyoo at (760)643-4067 ext. 2566 or email to
[email protected]
Saturday, October 20, the
City of Oceanside Parks and
Recreation and Oceanside Police
Department needs you! They
are looking for volunteers to
participate in a Community
Painting Day. Volunteers will
help paint a mural behind John
Landes Recreation Center located
at 2855 Cedar Road in Oceanside.
Genentech is sponsoring the
painting party. Painters should
participate from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free lunch will be provided to
all that attend. Please wear old
clothes. All supplies will be
provided. HELP BEAUTIFY
YOUR COMMUNITY!! Meet
by the baseball fi elds. For more info call Eileen Turk (760) 4355529.
Bookstore Hours
Enjoy a FREE
soda or coffee
on us!
Take this coupon
to the cafeteria and
receive a small soda
or coffee courtesy
of The Chariot
Newspaper.
Offer valid 10-15-07 through
10-19-07
Oceanside Campus
Bldg. 3400
(760) 795-6630
October 1-Nov 30
Mon-Thurs 7:30 a.m.
to
7 p.m.
Fridays closed
San Elijo Campus
Bldg. 300.
(760) 634-7830
October 1-Nov 30
Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.
to 7 p.m.
Fridays Closed
Introductory Meditation
Workshops
Meditation & Mindfulness
Saturday, October 27
10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
THE PERFECT“MEET
“MEET YOU
THERE
PLACE”!
THE PERFECT
YOU
THERE
PLACE”!
Come celebrate your “Inner
Admission: $5
Bean” at the 2Spoons Coffee
(Students with valid student ID: Free)
House!
MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus,
3829 Plaza Dr
Room 407
Oceanside CA 92056
Please e-mail meditationforjoy@yahoo.
760-724-1220
com to sign up.
FREE WIFI INTERNET
Come celebrate your “Inner Bean” at the 2Spoons Coffee House!
3829 Plaza Dr Oceanside Ca 92056, 760-724-1220
Located adjacent to TJ Max and Performance Bicycle less than 1 mile from the College