NEWS: Jacob Hefter Foundation: Showing Families How to Stick Together

Jared and Angela (left) Jordan and Alan (right)

The Jacob Hefter Foundation is a local community organization ran by Alan and Angela Hefter. The foundation was started about two years ago after the tragic Metrolink train crash in September of 2008.

The crash was caused by the train conductor being distracted by texts on his cell phone; therefore ignoring the red light signal on the track. The metro link train then collided head on with a Union Pacific freight train resulting in the death of 25 innocent people.

Jacob Hefter was one of the victims of this crash.

Jacob was attending California State Long Beach to pursue his career goals in becoming a Kinesiologist. He was a valedictorian graduate of Palmdale High School and on the Varsity Golf team. He was very involved in medical programs offered at the school such as the Health Careers Academy. For his senior project Jacob organized and ran an Area 15 event.

Area 15 is a mock car crash situation showing the real life consequences of drinking and driving to high school students. At the end of the project Jacob made the following announcement: You think this was fake, but this could happen to any one of us, so we need to make the right choices.

Unfortunately Jacob’s life was unwillingly taken because of another mans decision to make all of the wrong choices while being responsible for every passengers safety on that train.

The Jacob Hefter foundation focuses on spreading the word about the dangers of texting while driving. Studies from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute show that a person receiving or sending a text message spend 4.6 out of every 6 seconds with their eyes off of the road.

The Hefter family and friends hold fundraisers all around the Antelope Valley to raise money for the foundation. The money will eventually be rewarded to students who show a promising ambition in the medical field.

Jacob’s mother Angela expressed that Antelope Valley College is a great place to start a career in medicine and would like to award the scholarships to students in the situations such as transferring to finish their costly post secondary education in medical school.

Some of the fundraisers and awareness projects that the Jacob Hefter Foundation put on is the Glow Golf Fundraiser, “Don’t Text and Drive” Awareness Day, and the Jacob Hefter Memorial Golf Tournament, which is held at the Rancho Vista Golf Course in Palmdale.

The first annual Glow Golf Fundraiser took place on Sept 25 at Desert Aire Golf Course. Patrons were invited to participate in a glow in the dark game of golf, decorate themselves in glow bands, enjoy a delicious dinner, and challenge themselves to putting while wearing beer goggles.

“Don’t Text and Drive” Awareness Day was established on Sept 12, 2010 and is recognized by both cities of Palmdale and Lancaster. This year, Chili’s Restaurant teamed up with the Jacob Hefter Foundation and held a fundraiser to raise proceeds at both Lancaster and Palmdale Chili’s for the foundation. Over 300 people enjoyed good food for a good cause.

The Jacob Hefter Memorial Golf Tournament is the foundation’s main event. It is held every year at the Rancho Vista Golf Course. In 2011 it will be held on the 14^th of May and is scheduled to kick off next year at 9:00 A.M. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome and the entry fee is only $100 per golfer. Dinner tickets are also available for $25 per person.

For more information about the Jacob Hefter Foundation or to make a donation through PayPal, please visit the website www.jacobhefterfoundation.org

All proceeds and donations go directly to The Jacob Hefter Foundation.

- Photo and story by Alexandra Doty

TECH: Java Anonymity

So a few years ago I stumbled across a java based program that lets you hide your identity on the web. Back then it was still pretty glitchy and not really useful for the average person. Now its fairly stable and incredibly useful.

You might be saying to yourself "Ok... get to the point..." Well here it is; in recent years Google has started a new trend of tracking everything you do online.

How? With tracking cookies, search history, and your gmail account. Ever notice those suspiciously placed ads on your search page? Yeah well it's no coincidence.

Anywho, thats just the tip of the iceberg, it's not just Google, all of your favorite social media sites do it too. And that is why I'd like to take the time to tell you about JonDo.

Taken directly from the website "JonDo is a free, open-source and highly portable (Java-based) client software for accessing the JonDonym services. Its primary use is the anonymisation of web site requests against web site operators, internet providers and the anonymisation service Operators."

Translation: This little guy will let you use java to tap into internet anonymity and rid yourself... Read More

-By Russell S.

SPORTS: Marauders Are Left Thinking What’s Next

AVC QB Josh Firm in Saturdays Marauders Game

Try, try, try and try again that is what the AVC Marauders football team did this past Saturday when Compton Center Tartars defeated the Marauders 13-7 making this the fourth straight loss for the Marauders this season.

The Marauders started the game with successful defensive stops in the beginning of the first quarter. “Our defense has improved from past games” said Marauders Coach Perry Jehlicka in a telephone interview.

Late in the first, AVC Quarterback Josh Firm put together a 75-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard running touchdown from running back Ron Scott and a Point After Touchdown putting the Marauders on top 7-0.

AVC QB Josh Firm throws to WR Isaiah Culver

AVC Running back Ron Scott runs for AVC‘s only touchdown of the night

Compton answered back with its 70-yard drive and ending with a 1-yard running touchdown evening the score 7-7 at the closing of the quarter.

Tartars' drive

In the third quarter AVC attempted a 45-yard field goal that would have given the Marauders a 10-7 lead instead, it was block and recovered by Compton. “That shifted momentum to their side” said coach Jehlicka.

During that play AVC Marauders lineman Juan Hernandez was injured and was evacuated to the hospital for further treatment. “He suffered a tibia fracture and had surgery on Sunday” said the Marauders’ Coach.

Compton blocks Marauders 3-point field goal attempt

Injured Marauder is treated by team trainer

It was all Tartars after they completed a 93-yard drive in the third quarter with a 50-yard pass and unsuccessful PAT putting Compton on top 13-7.

Compton Scores their second touch down of the game

The Marauders tried to show some life in the last two minutes of the game, but were later sacked by Compton’s defense with no time on the clock.

The Marauders (0-4) will go on the road and try to win to have a better second halve of the season. They face East LA College Huskies (1-3) Saturday Oct. 2. “We can’t look at the past. We have to focus on the task at hand and get a win” said coach Jehlicka.

- Photos and story by Avi Ithier

EVENT: Support Group

Are you having self-esteem or stress related issues? How about problems with your children? If you are having these, or any other problem, AVC’s counseling department may be able to help.

Every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., AVC will be hosting a support group in SSV 108.

AVC students are encouraged to come and talk in an open, relaxed environment that is designed to help you grow. No appointments are necessary—walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, please call (661) 722-6300, extension 6338.


-By Dani Jean Keinz

NEWS: Congress Meets Looney Bin

During an interview with Jorge Ramos, the anchor of Univision’s nightly newscast, Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez made an offensive remark that many people are now very angry about.

In Spanish, she claimed that “the Vietnamese” and Republicans were trying to take her seat in Congress, a seat that she says belongs to the Hispanic community, and therefore to her.

The district is 70 percent Hispanic and 9.5 percent Vietnamese.

Her opponent, Republican Assemblyman Van Tran, asked for an apology last Thursday.
Tran, who immigrated from Vietnam at the age of 10, says the 47th congressional district belongs to the people, not an individual ethnicity.

Many people believe that Sanchez said these things under the assumption that only the Hispanic community would hear them since they were being broadcast on a Spanish-speaking network.

Others believe that Sanchez is simply showing her true racial traits.

Whichever you believe, it is certain that Sanchez has lost a great deal of supporters.

-By Dani Jean Keinz

OPINION: YouTube Heroes-Small Gestures, Big Impact

Antoine Dodson, Jacob Isom. Everyday people made modern day folk heroes by the power of the internet and their unique personalities. Their names may not ring a bell, but remember the guy from the Bed Intruder video-“you better hide your kids, hide your wife”? That’s Antoine Dodson.

Jacob Isom is the skateboarder from Amarillo, TX that snatched a Quran that was to be burned from a BBQ grill and uttered the now famous phrase, “Dude, you got no Quran!”

YouTube has changed the way the world watches videos. Each month more Americans watch You Tube than watch the Super Bowl. According to You Tube’s statistics enough content is uploaded to make 60,000 feature films a week. When a video catches the imagination of the public it goes viral, popping up everywhere and shared via email link with everyone.

Dodson, a 24-year-old Alabama native rescued his sister from a would- be rapist in her bedroom and became an overnight internet sensation from his angry interview with a news crew the next day.

On July 28, Dodson was interviewed and passionately spoke directly into the camera, trying to warn people of the attacker prowling the Lincoln Park housing project. His use of street slang and his lack of pretension connected with people.

The Gregory Brothers auto-tuned his interview, set it to music and the rest is internet history.

With 24 million page views, a single sold on iTunes and T-shirts for sale, Dodson has made enough money to buy a house for his family and get out of the projects. You can buy a t-shirt at http://www.districtlines.com/Antoine-Dodson-Bed-Intruder

He plans to go back to school, finish his business degree and open a small business to help support his family.

Watch the video-you’ll be singing “Hide your kids, hide you wife,” for the rest of the day

Jacob Isom, a 23-year old skateboarder heard that a Christian group named Repent Amarillo was planning on burning a Quran in a local park. In an interview with Shira Lazar, Jacob explained his reasoning.

“I decided to try and stop him because we don’t let people step on other people’s religion in this country.”

Isom snuck up behind the pastor that had already poured lighter fluid on the Islamic holy book and snatched it from the grill.

He then uttered the words that made him famous, “"He said something about burning the Quran and I was like, 'Dude, you HAVE no Quran' and ran off," Isom later gave the book to a local Muslim leader for safekeeping.

The news video got the auto-tune treatment and boasts close to 400,000 page views. Jacob Isom works at a local pizza parlor and previously posted cooking videos on You Tube. He is selling T-shirts with his face on them for $15 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110587675366

The skateboard he used when he made his escape with the holy book is for sale on eBay. Jacob Isom’s Skateboard http://cgi.ebay.com/120621420475

He hopes to buy a food truck to sell pizza by-the-slice with the money he makes. His other dream is to be in the High Times magazine. High Times sent him a care package of T-shirts and books and plans to feature him in an upcoming issue.

People argue that these people aren’t really heroes that the views on You Tube come from people making fun of these unique characters. Dodson’s sister would have been raped if he hadn’t intervened. He gave his interview to warn others of the danger and his personality struck a chord with the internet community.

While the world endlessly debated the burning of the Quran scheduled at multiple places in the United States, Isom took action.

The pastor of Repent Amarillo, David Grisham, was left with nothing to burn and slunk out of the park, accompanied by the jeering voices of the crowd. The Facebook page of Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo has 3,800 friends now, compared to the 40 friends that they had before the Quran snatching incident.

Two men found themselves in extraordinary situations and responded with love and bravery-that’s why Antoine Dodson and Jacob Isom are heroes. Their You Tube videos remind everyone-we all can be heroes

-By Tricia Tighe

NEWS: Fraud Warning

Fraud warning – an unknown con artist going by the moniker of Tyre Hall is selling fraudulent subscriptions to the AVC Examiner.

Hall arrived at the residence of Connie Jo Crowder of Lancaster late in the afternoon on Aug. 7 and “sold” an eight-week subscription to the AVC Examiner for $18 with papers purportedly arriving every Sunday.

Crowder describes the fraudster as a very polite and clean cut African American with medium dark skin and short curly black hair. Dressed in a white t-shirt with a design in grey and black, black chinos pants, noticeably clean brand name shoes and a sparkling stud in one ear.

Hall filled out a subscription form for the Los Angeles Times saying that the Times was “sponsoring” the Examiner. Hall used source code 04-0510, which is used by the Times, to add validity to the whole process.

Please keep an eye out for this miscreant, and call the Los Angeles County Sheriff with any information on this case at (661) 948-8466.

-By Chris Gonzalez

FEATURES:Strange Poetry Games in the Park

For clarification on behalf of the reader—this article is about a poetry game that was about a book review which was posted on the blog of a printed magazine called Pank, based in the state of Michigan.

Nicelle Davis, an adjunct English professor at AVC, organized the happening on Saturday Aug. 28 advertising it as a “poetry reading”.

Beyond that description, none of the participating students had the faintest idea as to what Davis had in mind.

The event was to put Marjorie Tesser’s award winning book “The Important Thing Is…” to use in the spirit of a book review to be published on the Pank Magazine blog.

According to Davis in her blog entry, the book comes with a box of game cards and instructions that “give only one rule—break all the rules”.

The concept behind the book and activities on Saturday was that by organizing the given words, the reader or participant would be able to construct meaning unique to their outlook or philosophy.

“The list poems ask, is it more important to keep a clean record or to see the cup half full?” Asks Davis, adding, “Or is the most important thing in life really to discover how non sequiturs connect?”

The lack of a specific description might explain the low turn out, but since it occurred in the Antelope Valley during the slow first weekend of the semester, someone was bound to show up.

At Marie Kerr Park, the six students that arrived participated in a series of games involving signs with the words: thing, this, love, family, space, hurt, health, quiet and sex.

One game was a mad dash to photographer Jason Hughes as he documented the event, while another game was a slide race on the park’s play set.

Participants were expected to run competitively while holding the cumbersome, paper signs with the chosen words.

The winner of each game would then have the choice of rearranging the words in whatever order he or she wished.

The results were cryptic and strangely sexual since no matter where the word “sex” was positioned the poem became oddly dirty–this was half the fun.

Something perhaps as interesting as the poetry itself was that local professors from AVC happened to be writing blogs and articles intended for international audiences, on the small happenings here in the AV.

Pank Magazine is a non-profit literary collective that publishes its work daily on the web as well as monthly in the printed magazine and annually in the Pank Little Book Series.

First founded in 2006, last year the magazine had a readership of over 80,000.

Davis is a regular contributor and has published several pieces on the main website and blog.

Like most artistic happenings in the AV there was much confusion and impromptu creativity to be had.

This goes to show that if one follows the mysterious advertisements at the local coffeehouse, anything can happen.

- Amber Lucido

NEWS: Applied Music Cut, the Struggle for Existence

It has been two years since the applied music program was cut during fall of 2008. Since then, AVC has longer offered an Associate’s Degree in music.

The program had existed since 1990 when Dr. David Newby had the program approved and has been a model for other community colleges ever since.

However, while El Comino College, College of the Canyons and Los Angeles Mission College have all been able to retain their related programs even during the state’s budget crisis, AVC hasn’t.

To clarify what the program entailed, the school offered one-on-one instruction for music students with adjunct and full-time professors that specialized on that particular instrument.

There was also a solo performance component that required each student to perform with accompaniment in front of an audience of peers as well as in a group recital at the end of the semester.

The classes MUS 291 and MUS 292 were equivalent to what would be offered at any music department at a Cal State or University of California and were transferable units making the transition from community college to a four-year a smooth process.

This is no longer the case since the lack of these credits may jeopardize the students standing as a junior.

The reasons college administrators gave were financial, with particular concern over the costs of individual instruction.

Those in the music department were not so much asked but informed of the decision.

Newby said “I had no say in the matter,”

This is not the first time this has happened in the program’s history.

In 2004, challenges to applied music led to the addition of a co-requisite enrollment in a large ensemble.

However, the nature of the program itself and the classification of music classes as elective humanities courses insure its constant struggle for funding.

Many community colleges appear to go through cycles were the administration challenges the course’s existence, and the faculty later retaliates through steady persuasion or changing the structure until finally some aspect of the program is revived.

College of the Canyons went through a similar process in 2007, only the students’ parents were unrelenting, forcing the program to be continued under a different name, lessons to be no longer taught by adjunct professors and enrollment to be limited.

“Without the parents we would not have the program back,” K.C. Manji, Applied Music coordinator, said.

Though an Associate’s Degree in music is not necessary to transfer to a four-year’s music department, the Applied Program was a cornerstone in the preparation of AVC music students for a performance degree, a degree in education or whatever future in music they considered.

The program made private lessons accessible to many students, and now with this option gone, students are discouraged, as their skill levels have lowered.

“I had no soloist experience or lessons before college,” said Tim Skinner graduate of AVC and now a clarinetist studying for his Master’s Degree in performance at the University of New Mexico. “AVC turned us into solo musicians and started me on the right path.”

Most music schools require their applicants to audition, and now, as of Fall 2010, AVC promises to prepare its students in music theory, ear-training, ensemble repertoire and music history, but not in the basic playing of their own instrument.

“Community colleges are required by law to provide the same opportunities as any Cal State or UC,” said Dr. Berkely Price of the AVC Music Department.

Newby already has another strategy in the works to bring the program back.

The proposal could possibly involve classifying practice time as lab hours that would then receive a greater reimbursement for the college from the state.

Yet this is tentative.

-By Amber Lucido

FEATURES: A Delightful Discovery at the Antelope Valley Fair

If you have ever had the pleasure of spending the day at the Antelope Valley Fair, you know it is an over-anticipated event filled with the town’s finest cowboys, gangsters and junior high school wolf packs.

One of the last things you would count on is meeting a friendly, multi-talented performer with a rock solid resume.

Let 2010 be known as the year that we all stand corrected.

Spike McGuire is to be considered one of the most down-to-earth performers in the entertainment circuit today, and hopefully you caught a glimpse of him on the Hypnotist Stage during this year’s fair season. I got to see him three times!

His act “Comedy that Rocks” was an impressive variety of entertaining stunts and comical mischief that left the audience cheering, “Rock on Spike!”

This young performer was born into a circus family. His mother Deborah hired his father Mark as a performer at the world famous “Circus Circus” show in Reno, Nev.

“I literally grew up around all of the best circus acts,” McGuire said.

Impressively, he performed in front of his first live audience at the Ziegfield Theater in the Bally’s Casino to more than 2,000 seats. Did I mention that this happened when was just four years old?

Whether it be strumming his guitar at your local open mic night or touring county fairs with his comical fire juggling act, McGuire proves again and again that he was born to perform.

Having a Bachelor’s Degree in theater with an emphasis on acting from Columbia College in Chicago is not too shabby either.

McGuire is also very involved in music. He writes, records and performs acoustic political post-punk music all over the world.

“I have been on a world tour for 18 years now, but the only countries that will have me are the U.S. and Canada,” said McGuire.

With such a wide variety of talents and an educated background, McGuire is sticking loyal to what he loves: making people laugh, traveling and getting babes.

“I never wanted to be the best juggler in the world, just the funniest,” says McGuire. “These days, it is a lot easier to be a juggler [to find jobs], then trying to be an actor.”

While performing at the Antelope Valley Fair, McGuire added some extra “lights and action” to his act.

When performing his nightly street show, the Fair Representatives felt it would be best if the fire was substituted with a few large glow-in-the-dark juggling balls.

Using this new prop, as well as two light up yo-yos to perform death defying stunts, McGuire single handedly broke the local stereotype of, “he who gathers crowds with flashing tricks is associated with selling ecstasy to minors,” and was questioned by the police with regards to his intentions at the fair.

Overall, Spike McGuire is a stand-up guy, stand-up comedian and a stand-up citizen.

With his witty tricks and banter, he makes every area of entertainment he touches more memorable. If you can’t resist the urge to know more about this multitalented performer, log onto his website at www.comedythatrocks.com or www.spikemcguiremusic.com.

It will be well worth your time.

And yes ladies, he is single.

-Photo and story by Alexandra Doty

OPINION:AVC Healthcare

For most students the first day of classes in college is very hectic.

The beginning of this semester was especially hard on students battling the triple-digit temperatures and blistering sun.

These high temperatures are dangerous not only for students, but for athletes and employees on campus as well.

To help the student body help cope with these high temperatures I tried to contact the Student Health Office on campus to get advice on how we can all beat the heat.

To my dismay we do not have a Student Health Office located on the Antelope Valley College campus.

We only have a Student Health Services information wall located in the Student Services Building that has pamphlets on various illnesses and diseases.

Having attended another community college in Los Angeles County, I was absolutely astonished that we did not have health professionals on campus that we could receive services from.

I took my search to the AVC web site where I learned that we have a “Care-A-Van” which is a van that has a nurse practitioner and staff that come to AVC campus every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It is available to all full-time and part-time students enrolled at AVC.

In order to receive services you have to call to make an appointment (listed on AVC website) and you have to provide your AVC ID card, proof of residence, social security card or your medical card and/or family pact card if it applies.

According to the AVC Student Health services page The “Care-A-Van” provides services such as: annual physical exams, pap smears, blood pressure checks, flu shots, TB tests, pregnancy testing, mental health assessments, contraception, vaccines for children, STD testing and treatment, referrals to doctors and specialists and patient programs for prescription medications.

College of the Canyons, Los Angeles Mission College and Pierce College—all community colleges within a close proximity to AVC in Los Angeles County offer on campus health services which are open four days and week and offer the same services and more.

Not only do these other colleges receive the same services that our campus receives from the Care-A-Van but, they also provide a nutritionist, weight management and chronic disease education, family planning, mental health counseling and a self-help center that provides non-prescription medications.

COC, LA Mission and Pierce fund their Student Health Offices with a fee that is paid in each student’s tuition. COC’s fee is $17 a semester and LA Mission and Pierce’s fee is $11 per semester.

Most services are free but some services do require a small fee.

To a part-time student who does not qualify to be on their parent’s health insurance plans or for students who do not receive insurance from their employers it is very beneficial and convenient to have someone available on campus to help them with their health care needs, even if it requires a small fee.

What was most shocking to me is that we have sports teams and classes available to students in which they need to perform physically well in regardless of the weather.

During the extreme heat we experienced during our first week of class not having a licensed health care professional on campus could have proven detrimental to any student on campus.

In other words, in case of an emergency we would have to simply, without any other option, call 911 to have that person transported the nearest hospital.

Nationwide, student athletes have literally dropped dead playing team sports, which have enacted these schools to invest in defibrillators to revive anyone without a pulse or vital signs.

Without a Student Health Office these types of life saving methods are not available to us and could lead to a tragic outcome for any of us on campus.

COC and LA Mission College have defibrillators available, and Pierce has several defibrillators across their campus.

According to the Student Health Office at College of the Canyons, “There are no laws that require community college campuses to provide a Student Health Office or life-saving equipment on campus.”

The only way AVC can obtain a Student Health Office and life-saving equipment like a defibrillator is through our Associated Student Government and through legislation.

Even though it is hard enough for most of us to afford our tuition as it is, I think for just a few more dollars a semester we too can have all of the services that our surrounding college campuses have.

We would not only have a healthier, safer and more prepared campus but we could have the peace of mind that we have a professional medial staff on campus most of the week to do so.

-By Lynette Liberda

ANNOUNCEMENT: Construction Closures

FACILITIES PLANNING AND CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT

CLOSURE OF PARKING LOTS #10 AND #11

OCTOBER 1, 2010 THROUGH FEBRUARY 5, 2011

Construction of the Solar Panel Parking Structures in Parking Lots #10 and #11 will commence on Friday, October 1, 2010.

Both parking lots and Entrance G will be closed from October 1, 2010 through February 5, 2011.

Staff parking presently located in Lots #10 and #11 will be relocated to Parking Lots #9 and #12.

Student parking is available in Parking Lots #1, #2, and #3 on the west side of campus and Parking Lots #12, #13, #14, #15 and #16 on the north side of campus. Please encourage students to allow extra time to find parking and for walking to classes.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated while we build a better campus.

Contact Facilities Planning and Campus Development if you have any questions.

EVENT: Transfer Day

On Tuesday September 28th from 10a.m- 1p.m at the Fine Arts Quad., the Transfer Center will be hosting TRANSFER DAY 2010. This event will bring more than 30 college and university representatives to campus to provide students, staff, and the community with information on transferring to a baccalaureate granting institution. It is a day of information, motivation and celebration.

I would like to invite the entire Antelope Valley College campus to participate. Administration, faculty and staff are encouraged to show their support for the transfer mission of Antelope Valley College by:

• Wearing a hat, sweatshirt, T- shirt from your alma mater (graduate or undergrad)
• Encourage students to participate in Transfer Day and other transfer activities
• Visit the Fine Arts Quad during Transfer Day to welcome the representatives to our campus
• Talking to students about your own university experiences


The staff here at the Transfer Center is committed to increasing our transfer numbers, let’s continue to work together to assists our students in achieving their goals.


Sincerely,
Evita Antwi
Education Advisor
Career/ Transfer Resource Center

NEWS/FEATURES: Time Lapse Project Updated

NEWS/FEATURES: Time Lapse Project updated

If your computer was not able to open the time-lapse video of the new Health and Sciences Building being constructed on campus, it should work now. The link is the same

http://avconline.avc.edu/rbalogh/HS.avi

Please let me know if you are still having problems. If your connection speed is slow, you may need to give it a minute to download before it will play. Rick Balogh, Math/Science/Engineering

FEATURES: AVC Auction is a Huge Success

On Saturday, the college warehouse threw open its massive doors to the public and auctioned off its surplus inventory.

Buyers crowded around the auctioneers from High Desert Auction, clutching their yellow bidding paddles and vying for bargains.

Some items, like a large walk-in freezer were purchased for as little as $5. Trevor bought the large freezer to sell for scrap metal. “I got it for cheap and that’s $90 of scrap metal, combined with the other thing I bought, I spent $15 to make $150, it’s a pretty good day.”

Bargains were to be had-but it definitely was buyer beware. The advertised coke machine needed work-the coin feeder was hanging by its wires, spiderwebs crisscrossed the bottle dispenser and decals were peeling away from its sides. But for $25 it was worth a shot at making it beautiful again.

Football goalposts went for $40 but the running joke was how the heck would you get the 30 ft. long poles home?

A Toyota sold for the parts was jokingly described by the auctioneer as, “needing just a little TLC to make it run again!” A mustang that was even in worse shape sold for $75. One wife forbid her husband from bidding more. “When will this be ready for us to ride in, when I’m retired?” the forty-something woman remarked.

While some people looked they walked right out of the TV show “Hoarders” and were bidding on nearly everything, others came with a bidding strategy and a list.

Janie Hodge, executive director of Paving The Way Foundation http://www.pavingthewayfd.com needed office display equipment. She bid on and won a bulletin board and a brochure stand to display pamphlets. ” I came here to get two things for our office and I got those things.”

Paving the Way works in the community, providing education about community beautification, anger management and domestic violence. Being a non-profit, Hodge doesn’t have a huge equipment budget so this auction is a godsend to her.

The oddest item in the auction? Large plastic buckets reeking of formaldehyde that were labeled, “Brain”, “Livers” and “Brain#2”. They actually were sold, even though they did look like they came out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab.

Four basketball hoops were purchased for $20 for a Sunday school playground. The item with the biggest bid was forklift that was sold for $1200.

This 1954 Packard Patrician brought $900 for the college, it had been sitting out in the sun a long time.

A whopping $12,300 was made for AVC and was one of the highest totals ever in the history of this auction. The annual event generally brings in $5,000-$10,000 according to Stan Moore, coordinator of AVC ‘s Warehouse and Inventory.

-By Trisha Tighe

COLUMNS/OPINION: Good Music or Bad Taste?

So curiosity finally got the better of this reporter and I went to You Tube to listen to Cee Lo’s “F___ You” song. Dozens of different parents groups are complaining about this song, because of its potty- mouth lyrics.

“I see you driving ‘round town with the girl I love and I’m like f___ you” the song opens with this line and describes a woman whom Cee Lo is pining for and her new, presumably rich boyfriend. The catchy, Motown-infused tune is irresistible, and will have you humming along even if you’re against such rough language.

“F--- You “ has been a target for criticism, especially by the Parents Television Council, a non-partisan media watchdog group. Dan Isett, their director of public policy commented that Cee Lo’s song is... Read More

-By Trisha Tighe

EVENT: AVC Auction House

So You Want to Buy a Used Coke Vending Machine?

Antelope Valley College goes green by holding a surplus auction in its warehouse on Saturday, 9/18 at 9 a.m.

The items range from a 1954 Packard Patrician to lockers to a Coke vending machine. The auction is held annually to help the college clear space for new projects. Bargains can be had for the savvy shopper-but be sure to know the value of what your bidding on.

A complete list of auction inventory can be found at http://www.avc.edu/administration/busserv/warehouse.html, but interesting items include:

Basketball hoops
Lockers
A cardiac monitor
File cabinets
Planter boxes
Fire-fighting equipment
Projection screens
A laser smoke filtration system (I don’t know what it is either, but it sounds cool)
Microwave ovens
Exercise bike
Sound mixer boards
Arc welder systems
Golf equipment
Football goal posts
Copiers
Fork Lift
Bedroom and living room furniture
White erase boards and much more!

The doors open at 7:30 a.m. for the prospective buyers to inspect the goods; bidding will start at 9 a.m.

Location: On 30th Street West, turn west on avenue J-8, then turn in entrance “L”. The AVC Examiner staff will be there, stop by and brag about your bargains!

-By Tricia Tighe

SPORTS: Week 1 College Power Rankings

Alabama is obviously my top team in college football. If there were any doubts, the won the national championship last year, and they play in the SEC. Now let’s get to business.

1. Alabama (1–0) Up Next – (18) Penn State (1–0)

The blew out their week one opponents. That was even without reigning Heisman award winner Mark Ingram. Penn State will be a tougher challenge but that ‘Bama defense will be too fast for Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions.

2. Ohio State (1–0) Up Next – (11) Miami (Fl.) (1–0)

Marshall was no match for Terrell Pryor and the Buckeyes. Then again the Hurricanes aren’t the Thundering Herd are they?

3. Boise State (1–0) Up Next – OFF

They squeaked out a win against the former seventh best team in the country, Virginia Tech. They have the next week off but could be on their way to a national championship game.

4. Texas (1–0) Up Next – Wyoming (1–0)

Texas didn’t look overly impressive against Rice but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. Plus I think Colt McCoy’s replacement, Garret Gilbert, will be great sooner rather than later.

5. TCU (1–0) Up Next – Tennessee Tech (0–1)

They took out formerly ranked Oregon State, but it wasn’t an overwhelming win. I believe they will continue to win and get another BCS bowl berth.

6. Florida (1–0) Up Next – South Florida(1–0)

John Brantley didn’t play the greatest but then again he is replacing Tim Tebow. Let’s give the guy a little slack and time to develop.

SPORTS: Week 1 NFL Power Rankings

New Orleans Saints rejoiced this National Football League season, when they concluded the year with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. But that was then, and this is now.

Who now hold the title as the best team in the NFL? Is it the reigning Super Bowl champs? The losers? Or even a surprise team?

Did anyone help themselves through free agency or the draft? Lets break down this issues NFL rankings, 1-32.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Record Prediction (13–3)

Yes they lost to the Saints but I have a single name for you, Peyton Manning, the quarterback only 4-time Most Valuable Player winner in NFL history. They have won 12 games every year since 2003 and don’t look for them to slip.

They added defensive end Jerry Hughes in the draft to increase the pass rush, get wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez back from injury and most importantly, get safety Bob Sanders back from injury too (well for now anyways).

Bottom line, they have a top three offense and a top 10 defense. They are obviously Super Bowl contenders once again.

2. New Orleans Saints – Record Prediction (12–4)

Have they stopped partying in New Orleans? They bring hope to a region that was decimated by Hurricane Katrina.

In football news, they will be good once again. QB Drew Brees leads the potent offense, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams continues to think of fearsome schemes.

They have a ball-hawking defense but will be without Pro Bowler S Darren Sharper for the first six weeks due to being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after offseason microfracture surgery on his knee. Yes last year’s first round pick Malcolm Jenkins has made the switch to S (where he belonged afterall) but don’t downplay Sharper’s influence and leadsership.

3. Dallas Cowboys – Record Prediction (12–4)

Jerry Jones’ wet dream would be to host the Super Bowl in his stadium and then have his team play there. Well he might actually get his fantasy.

This team is loaded. And sure Dallas always seems to be loaded, but this is different. QB Tony Romo has actually won a playoff game now, they have three starting caliber running backs, a Pro Bowl tight end, multiple weapons at WR, and a quality line. And all that is just on offensive. Read More

-By Clayton Fawcette

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SPORTS: AVC Loses Its Season Opener to Citrus

For the first time in 13 games AVC (2-2) was shut out. Last time they were shut out was October 6 2009 against Foothill Conference rivals San Bernardino Valley 1-0. Last Tuesday marked the first time AVC suffered a shut out at Marauder Stadium, as they went down 3-0 to Citrus (2-0-1) last Tuesday Sept. 7.

Citrus, who is in the Western State Conference and hasn’t played against AVC since 2000, drew even on the series at one game apiece, as they gave AVC a dose of their own medicine by shutting them out. AVC beat Citrus 6-0 in 2000.

After a scoreless first half, Citrus took control in the second scoring three unanswered goals — beating AVC to almost every loose ball and dominating the pace of the game with their physical style of play.

“The first half we outplayed them, but we didn’t connect,” AVC head coach Jerry Stupar said. “When they had the opportunities going into the second half, they connected on those opportunities … opportunities that we should have connected on.

“They were comboing a lot, they were cutting a lot, and we were diving in on that,” Stupar said.

“They physically beat us to balls,” AVC team captain Carla Hager said. “We weren’t ready for that, we came out real soft.”
Emphatic winds caused a bevy of problems for both teams. Going with the wind, a pass from the sweeper to a midfielder would sail deep into the opposing team’s territory. But this was more acceptable than going against the wind — every time the ball was kicked in the air it would backspin causing miscommunication and a ball of confusion.

So teams had to rely on short passes. Citrus mastered the short pass game as they took advantage of the defensive breakdowns, while AVC struggled. The predominantly freshman AVC team certainly has some tweaks to work out within their system.

Some adjustments, both mental and physical, have to be made before any chemistry can begin to build.

“We weren’t connecting very well,” AVC forward Beatrice Giles said. “We need to learn from this game that we need to work as a team and connect on our passes and talk to each other.”

AVC has not dropped two straight games since 2008. They host L.A. Mission (0-3), another Western State Conference team, at 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Marauder Stadium. In the two games played dating back to 2008, AVC has never lost to Mission, beating them 2-0 in 2008 and 3-1 in 2009.

-By Donjai Richardson

NEWS: Banner Upgrade Successful

To AVC Students and Employees:

Information Technology Services personnel completed the scheduled upgrade to the Banner student records database in record time last weekend. The service outage started at 8:00am on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and was completed by 12:45am on Sunday, 16 hours earlier than expected. Under Computer Systems Manager Katherine Mergliano's direction, Database Administrator Micheline How, lead this effort, assisted by Programmer Analysts Daniel Williams and Scott Tuss.

While we recognize that Student Services and Academic activities were affected by the outage, we were pleased to be able to restore services so quickly. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve the availability and reliability of all systems and services.

-Connie Moise
Director, Information Technology Services

NEWS/FEATURES: Time Lapse Project

"Greetings Everyone,

A time-lapse 3D video (no glasses required for viewing)) is now on the web and will be updated weekly (every Monday by 3pm) until the new building is completed. Click on the link below each week to watch our newest building project take shape! Cheers, Rick

http://avconline.avc.edu/rbalogh/HS.avi "

An E-mail from Richard S Balogh

BULLETIN: Service Outage

To AVC Students and Employees:

A service outage that will affect students and classes, as well as administrative and records database access, is scheduled to begin at 8:00am on Saturday, September 11, 2010 and end by 5:00pm on Sunday, September 12, 2010. Since there is never any good time to perform an extensive system upgrade, we have reviewed all possible windows and identified this weekend as the best possible date for the required upgrades. Affected production systems include the following:

• myAVC
• Blackboard
• Banner
• DegreeWorks
• Xtender Document Imaging

While we recognize that Student Services and Academic activities will be affected, we hope that by scheduling the outage for a weekend, fewer students will be affected. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve the availability and reliability of all systems and services.

-Connie Moise

Director, Information Technology Services

NEWS: Chili's Donation Day

On Monday, September 27, Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurant will be donating 100 percent of their profits to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

There is no catch to this wonderful event. According to Chili’s, all that you need to do is “show up hungry.”

If you would like to donate before then, Chili’s has an ongoing program where you can color a picture of a chili pepper and donate $1, $5, $10 or any other amount you would like to.

It is their hope that everyone in Lancaster will show up for this event so they can donate a large amount of money.

-By Dani Jean Keinz

COLUMNS/NEWS: Craigslist “Adult Services” Censored

Over the weekend classifieds site Craigslist removed their “Adult Services” section without any warning.

Craigslist as many of you may already know is a website for classified, where you can buy anything, and I do mean anything. One of these “things” for sale are people.

While no reason was given for the closure of the section one would think it has partly to do with the human trafficking controversy Craigslist has been plagued with.

CNN reports “Craigslist's adult services section, which replaced "erotic services ads" two years ago, counted more than 7,000 ads in a single day.”

The link to the page itself has been blocked and it was replaced with a black bar that reads censored. Read More

-By Antonio De La O

SPORTS: Women's Soccer Heads to West L.A.

Beatrice Giles scored two goals to help lift AVC over former coach Jimmie Avalos and the West L.A. Wildcats 4-1, last Tuesday.

Giles played varsity all four years for the Lancaster Eagles making second-team all conference her junior year and first-team all conference her senior year, and is establishing herself as a consistent player on the field scoring four goals in three games.

“We just wanted to put them away and just show them what we have,” Giles said.

“She a true forward,” Stupar said about Giles.

Leslie Chinchilla of AVC usually plays a fullback but was positioned at the forward spot for this game, and
knocked in their first goal in the first half. Stupar’s rotation system is a part of his philosophy that continues to cause trouble for other teams.

“They had a breakdown on their defense, I just got a through ball and I just scored,” Chinchilla said.

Marisol Vite of AVC recorded final goal late in the game, as AVC ended its preseason on a positive note with a 2-1 record.

AVC opens up its regular season hosting the Citrus Fighting Owls at 4 p.m. at Marauder Stadium Tuesday September 7.

-By Donjai Richardson