To whom it may concern:
This letter is written in response to the article "AVC's Library doesn't know the value of a dollar." in the november 10 issue of the AVC Examiner. Although I was happy to see an article written about the library, particularly library reserves, I was very disheartened after reading the content. The article was somewhat misleading and contained several inaccuracies.
The article stated that "you can actually be charged a dollar when you have a reserved book checked out in the Antelope Valley College Library," this lead a reader to believe a student would be charged a dollar to check out a textbook. To check out a textbook you need to be a student, currently enrolled, and have an AVC ID. It is only later in the article that a clarification is made that the dollar would be charged only if the textbook is overdue.
The article also states "there are no posted signs describing the new policy anywhere in the library or anywhere els on the campus," there are posters stating the fine policy in both the library foyer and directly across from the circulation desk. Posters outlining the new policy were posted throughout the campus by Student Development prior to the policy taking effect. In addition labels are placed on the cover of every reserve textbook reminding students that there is a "$1.00 fine for each hour after the 1-hour checkout period."
The article continues "even the college website makes no mention of the policy on it's library page." This is also inaccurate. When you visit the library website, under Library Services "Circulation" there is a link that will take you directly to the fine schedule.
Finally, perhaps the most perplexing error is the caption under the article's picture stating, "Students may want to start saving their dollar bills since the BOOKSTORE instated the new policy." The bookstore has nothing to do with library policy. However the bookstore donates textbooks to the campus libraries of both the Lancaster and Palmdale campuses.
As I previously stated I was happy to see an article written about our library. But please, check your facts before publishing.
Thank you,
Marilyn Grant
Library Technician
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
CRAFT FAIR ENCORE!
A second holiday craft fair will he held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 at Antelope Valley College’s Cafeteria, 3041 W. Ave. K, Lancaster.
The encore event follows the annual fall craft fair that was held Nov. 13.
More than 50 vendors are expected at the fair, which typically features a variety of items such as jewelry, soaps, lotions, holiday decorations, hand-knitted and crocheted clothing, toys, purses, baby clothes, aprons, wood workings and leather goods.
Event proceeds support the college’s Classified Union Scholarship Fund. For more information on the event or to rent a space, call (661) 943-4995.
The encore event follows the annual fall craft fair that was held Nov. 13.
More than 50 vendors are expected at the fair, which typically features a variety of items such as jewelry, soaps, lotions, holiday decorations, hand-knitted and crocheted clothing, toys, purses, baby clothes, aprons, wood workings and leather goods.
Event proceeds support the college’s Classified Union Scholarship Fund. For more information on the event or to rent a space, call (661) 943-4995.
OPINION: Coffee Comparison
Sure, we all love our homes. At home, we can relax. But there comes a time when it’s just not possible to sit at home any longer. Sitting in an armchair in front of the TV, surrounded by 5.1 channels of sound, and we’re supposed to crack open a textbook? Or write that paper? When all the comforts of home provide a thousand excuses to not study or do schoolwork, what can we do? The answer is simple. Get out of the house.
Where should we go? Many students say Starbucks, others Panera Bread. It will be Starbucks vs. McDonalds vs. Panera Bread in a showdown of studying environments.
There are many attributes that create a great study environment. Factors that should be considered besides the obvious comparisons of price and coffee taste are: WiFi access, noise, seating, service, and what I like to call “attitude”. Lets get this contest brewing!
First, the coffee’s taste itself is compared. Starbucks wins. They have a way to make regular coffee taste great. It was also the cheapest. Second place goes to Panera Bread. The quality was just so-so, and it was the most expensive, but was better than third-place McDonalds’ watered down, stale excuse for coffee. According to Panera’s Bread’s website, they write the time each pot was brewed, useful if you crave the fresh stuff.
-By Kevin Kramer
Where should we go? Many students say Starbucks, others Panera Bread. It will be Starbucks vs. McDonalds vs. Panera Bread in a showdown of studying environments.
There are many attributes that create a great study environment. Factors that should be considered besides the obvious comparisons of price and coffee taste are: WiFi access, noise, seating, service, and what I like to call “attitude”. Lets get this contest brewing!
First, the coffee’s taste itself is compared. Starbucks wins. They have a way to make regular coffee taste great. It was also the cheapest. Second place goes to Panera Bread. The quality was just so-so, and it was the most expensive, but was better than third-place McDonalds’ watered down, stale excuse for coffee. According to Panera’s Bread’s website, they write the time each pot was brewed, useful if you crave the fresh stuff.
-By Kevin Kramer
FEATURES: The Darbeau Sisters
The Antelope Valley is filled with talent. Many talents go unnoticed because of the category that it’s in. None fit the bill more than violin players Rosalyn, 19, and younger sister Nia, 13, — the Darbeau’s.
Rosalyn has been active in music since her adolescent years and has become admirable on violin.
“I’ve been playing music for about 12 years,” Rosalyn said. “I used to play the piano, but I wanted to try something new so I chose the violin and I stuck to it.”
Rosalyn got “tired of the piano” and “chose to play the violin.” It was nine years ago when she first picked up the four-stringed instrument.
“I think it’s a unique instrument and I really like it, I wanted to see how far I could get,” Rosalyn said.
And she’s gone far.
A recent Paraclete High School graduate, she attends California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she studies music. As
a matter of fact, she just got into the CSUN music program.
“I’m going to be a part of the CSUN orchestra,” Rosalyn said ecstatically.
She devotes around three hours a day to her music — two hours toward the violin.
As for Nia, she’s been playing the violin since she was seven, and also expresses herself as being devotional to her music. But unlike her older sister, she doesn’t have a set schedule or designated amount of time toward her music, it just so happens to vary by the day.
“It depends on how long my practices take,” Nia said about how much time she spends on her music.
Nia, a Hillview Middle School student, cites her older sister as the most influential person, musically, in her life.
“I was inspired,” Nia says “by my sister (Rosalyn). I followed into my sisters footsteps.”
The Darbeau sisters practices at the Palmdale Playhouse where they also do live performances. Nia participates in youth and community practices to better her skills. Youth and community do group and individual concerts as well as other special events that surround the community. Playing individually has become a tough obstacle for Nia to overcome.
“The hardest thing about music is the tryout and to play individually,” Nia said. “It’s only you playing and maybe with a piano accompanying you…”
Both the girls succeed academically as B average students and can play anything from classical to pop music. Rosalyn’s favorite classical piece is called “meditation” which is performed by Thais, and Nia’s is “the bee.” Nia wants to become a professional musician and be famous one day, while Rosalyn wants to be a solo performer, specifically in theatres. And if music wasn’t their driving force, it would’ve been soccer.
They’re the only children of Glen, their father who is vice principal of Pete Knight High School, and Starletta, their mother who is principal of California City Middle School. They described themselves as being a tight-knit family.
“They’re very supportive and they push me to reach the highest potential,” Nia said.
Palmdale Playhouse musical instructor Patricia Graham recalls her first encounter with the Darbeau girls.
“OMG I loved them!” Patricia said joyfully. “Rosalyn was like this little girl and Nia was this tiny little thing, and I just fell in love with them.”
Patricia has been teaching music for 25 years, 16 of them have been with the playhouse, and seven of them with Rosalyn and Nia.
“They work really hard and every week I get them to work on certain things and they come back and they have it down,” Patricia said. “And plus they just have a talent for music, some people are born with it and some people aren’t, and they were definitely born with it.”
Rosalyn truly devours and appreciates the time and effort spent with Patricia. The hard work and late night practices have proved to be worth it. Just take Rosalyn’s acceptance into the CSUN orchestra for example.
“We worked really, really hard last year because she (Rosalyn) wanted to become a performance major at CSUN,” Patricia said.
“That was huge deal that we overcame — earning the one spot open in the CSUN music program.”
“My teacher (Patricia Graham),” Rosalyn says “influences me because she’s really successful in what she does. She’s really, she really hardworking.”
“They are wonderful girls, they show excellence, they show integrity, they come from a wonderful family, they’re parents are awesome,” Patricia said. “They’re like my kids; they’re like my daughters they mean a lot to me.”
-By Donjai Richardson
Rosalyn has been active in music since her adolescent years and has become admirable on violin.
“I’ve been playing music for about 12 years,” Rosalyn said. “I used to play the piano, but I wanted to try something new so I chose the violin and I stuck to it.”
Rosalyn got “tired of the piano” and “chose to play the violin.” It was nine years ago when she first picked up the four-stringed instrument.
“I think it’s a unique instrument and I really like it, I wanted to see how far I could get,” Rosalyn said.
And she’s gone far.
A recent Paraclete High School graduate, she attends California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she studies music. As
a matter of fact, she just got into the CSUN music program.
“I’m going to be a part of the CSUN orchestra,” Rosalyn said ecstatically.
She devotes around three hours a day to her music — two hours toward the violin.
As for Nia, she’s been playing the violin since she was seven, and also expresses herself as being devotional to her music. But unlike her older sister, she doesn’t have a set schedule or designated amount of time toward her music, it just so happens to vary by the day.
“It depends on how long my practices take,” Nia said about how much time she spends on her music.
Nia, a Hillview Middle School student, cites her older sister as the most influential person, musically, in her life.
“I was inspired,” Nia says “by my sister (Rosalyn). I followed into my sisters footsteps.”
The Darbeau sisters practices at the Palmdale Playhouse where they also do live performances. Nia participates in youth and community practices to better her skills. Youth and community do group and individual concerts as well as other special events that surround the community. Playing individually has become a tough obstacle for Nia to overcome.
“The hardest thing about music is the tryout and to play individually,” Nia said. “It’s only you playing and maybe with a piano accompanying you…”
Both the girls succeed academically as B average students and can play anything from classical to pop music. Rosalyn’s favorite classical piece is called “meditation” which is performed by Thais, and Nia’s is “the bee.” Nia wants to become a professional musician and be famous one day, while Rosalyn wants to be a solo performer, specifically in theatres. And if music wasn’t their driving force, it would’ve been soccer.
They’re the only children of Glen, their father who is vice principal of Pete Knight High School, and Starletta, their mother who is principal of California City Middle School. They described themselves as being a tight-knit family.
“They’re very supportive and they push me to reach the highest potential,” Nia said.
Palmdale Playhouse musical instructor Patricia Graham recalls her first encounter with the Darbeau girls.
“OMG I loved them!” Patricia said joyfully. “Rosalyn was like this little girl and Nia was this tiny little thing, and I just fell in love with them.”
Patricia has been teaching music for 25 years, 16 of them have been with the playhouse, and seven of them with Rosalyn and Nia.
“They work really hard and every week I get them to work on certain things and they come back and they have it down,” Patricia said. “And plus they just have a talent for music, some people are born with it and some people aren’t, and they were definitely born with it.”
Rosalyn truly devours and appreciates the time and effort spent with Patricia. The hard work and late night practices have proved to be worth it. Just take Rosalyn’s acceptance into the CSUN orchestra for example.
“We worked really, really hard last year because she (Rosalyn) wanted to become a performance major at CSUN,” Patricia said.
“That was huge deal that we overcame — earning the one spot open in the CSUN music program.”
“My teacher (Patricia Graham),” Rosalyn says “influences me because she’s really successful in what she does. She’s really, she really hardworking.”
“They are wonderful girls, they show excellence, they show integrity, they come from a wonderful family, they’re parents are awesome,” Patricia said. “They’re like my kids; they’re like my daughters they mean a lot to me.”
-By Donjai Richardson
NEWS: Highland High School Home To Black Student Union
Highland High School is known for its outstanding athletic programs and its embracement of school pride. There is another element they can add to their resume — the Black Student Union (BSU).
“The whole point of the club for us is basically to help encourage students to recognize the culture and have development of respect of their own cultures and also respect other cultures as well and be empowered to do great things in education,” BSU coordinator and guidance counselor Gwen Shim said.
Of all the high schools in the Antelope Valley District, Highland is the only one with an African-American club.
“…I think it’s a great thing … for the students of course,” Shim said blissfully when she heard the news.
Shim asserts the club has been active for at least four years. The BSU is open to anyone of any race or ethnicity, any age. In fact,
BSU’s president and secretary are Hispanic, but Blacks do dominate the memberships.
BSU ranges anywhere from six to 20 members through year. There is however times when BSU becomes short-handed due to the fact that other members are engaged in other scholastic activities, like other clubs or sports, or some may have time conflicting schedules.
All grade-levels can be granted membership (the upper-classmen represents the majority of members) with the one exception that they maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. Although it is acceptable, Shim is always encouraging her students to be overachievers.
“I want my students not just to acknowledge what is standard, but to go above and beyond for themselves,” Shim said.
According to Shim, there is an unprecedented high rate of BSU members that graduate from high school on time and further their education — whether it’s a junior college, CSU, UC, trade school, cosmetology school, and so on.
Club meetings are held Wednesdays after school from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m., but is often subject to change. Discussions regarding upcoming community and school activities are a commonality, but nothing serves as a hotter topic than fundraising. BSU’s funds come from fundraisers and donations. A current project in the works is getting the community to approve toilet trees for the homeless. Toilet trees are hygiene products, like toothpaste, soap, peroxide, wash cloths, feminine products, etc.
“The students are trying to work on getting a fundraiser (donation) to get toilet trees for the homeless,” Shim said. “We are waiting for our approval … everything we do as an operating club at the high school has to go through ASB (Association student Body).”
Last year they collected canned goods to give to the states program in Palmdale.
“We try to do different things where we can connect with the community and allow the students to recognize that giving back to the community not only helps us but it also makes us feel good,” Shim said. “The students who have participated in the group, I think that is gives them a sense of pride, they learn about community involvement and working at a business level.”
Next on the list is to present a showcase on African-American culture, as well as other significant cultures for black history month. Participants will be active in singing, dancing, poetry reading, and so forth in order to highlight positivity. BSU hasn’t established a sold identity — showing up randomly at events hasn’t earned them much recognition either, as far as being a part of or hosting a “traditional” or “annual” activity — so this event could be foundation of the clubs success.
“I just would like for my students to remember that education is important and to think of their options and be positive students and remember that their reflecting Highland High school, their families and their community and they want that to be positive,” Shim said.
- Donjai Richardson
“The whole point of the club for us is basically to help encourage students to recognize the culture and have development of respect of their own cultures and also respect other cultures as well and be empowered to do great things in education,” BSU coordinator and guidance counselor Gwen Shim said.
Of all the high schools in the Antelope Valley District, Highland is the only one with an African-American club.
“…I think it’s a great thing … for the students of course,” Shim said blissfully when she heard the news.
Shim asserts the club has been active for at least four years. The BSU is open to anyone of any race or ethnicity, any age. In fact,
BSU’s president and secretary are Hispanic, but Blacks do dominate the memberships.
BSU ranges anywhere from six to 20 members through year. There is however times when BSU becomes short-handed due to the fact that other members are engaged in other scholastic activities, like other clubs or sports, or some may have time conflicting schedules.
All grade-levels can be granted membership (the upper-classmen represents the majority of members) with the one exception that they maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. Although it is acceptable, Shim is always encouraging her students to be overachievers.
“I want my students not just to acknowledge what is standard, but to go above and beyond for themselves,” Shim said.
According to Shim, there is an unprecedented high rate of BSU members that graduate from high school on time and further their education — whether it’s a junior college, CSU, UC, trade school, cosmetology school, and so on.
Club meetings are held Wednesdays after school from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m., but is often subject to change. Discussions regarding upcoming community and school activities are a commonality, but nothing serves as a hotter topic than fundraising. BSU’s funds come from fundraisers and donations. A current project in the works is getting the community to approve toilet trees for the homeless. Toilet trees are hygiene products, like toothpaste, soap, peroxide, wash cloths, feminine products, etc.
“The students are trying to work on getting a fundraiser (donation) to get toilet trees for the homeless,” Shim said. “We are waiting for our approval … everything we do as an operating club at the high school has to go through ASB (Association student Body).”
Last year they collected canned goods to give to the states program in Palmdale.
“We try to do different things where we can connect with the community and allow the students to recognize that giving back to the community not only helps us but it also makes us feel good,” Shim said. “The students who have participated in the group, I think that is gives them a sense of pride, they learn about community involvement and working at a business level.”
Next on the list is to present a showcase on African-American culture, as well as other significant cultures for black history month. Participants will be active in singing, dancing, poetry reading, and so forth in order to highlight positivity. BSU hasn’t established a sold identity — showing up randomly at events hasn’t earned them much recognition either, as far as being a part of or hosting a “traditional” or “annual” activity — so this event could be foundation of the clubs success.
“I just would like for my students to remember that education is important and to think of their options and be positive students and remember that their reflecting Highland High school, their families and their community and they want that to be positive,” Shim said.
- Donjai Richardson
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