Nearing the end of the spring semester, there’s an extra bit of buzz around the campus as more and more students flock to the bookstore. This may be normal, of course, with the book buyback going on. But something is different this semester because good portions of those students are returning books that they rented from the Marauder Bookstore.
Yes, in case you haven’t heard, the bookstore is renting out their books, and according to the manager David Moyer, a little over 2600 books were rented out to students. “It far exceeded our expectations,” Moyer said. The rentals, however, haven’t netted the store much profit, but the manager had an answer for this as well. “It’s like Netflix. In the short run, we aren’t going to make much, but in the long run, we’ll be able to make a good return.” Moyer also stated that the program will likely return in the fall semester. “The program has a very bright future.” The bookstore would like to remind everyone that rentals are due back on Monday, June 6.
-by Josh Sanchez
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
FEATURES: Josh's Movie Recap
Once again, another Memorial Day has passed, and another semester is coming to a close. It’s been a crazy and crummy ride at the box office from February to June. Out of the 284 movies that have come out this year, I was only able to see six, five of which I was able to do reviews on. What movie was so horrendous I wasn’t able to soil the pages of our beloved Examiner with its name? We’ll get to that later. For now, I’d like to do a recap of the flicks I caught and see if what I thought are in line with the mainstream reception, or if my opinions of the films have changed.
I suppose we should do this chronologically, so the first movie I got to review was Tron: Legacy. Good god, but I still hate this movie. I saw it twice, once in standard HD and once in 3D, they both sucked just as bad; imagine dog poop in different shades. Seriously, this is the perfect example of where the industry has gone in terms of re-hashing old franchises and crummy sequels: it’s all about marketability, not about doing the old film justice by remaking it for the 21st century, or rebooting an ancient franchise with a sequel. Tron: Legacy is perhaps one of the stupidest flicks I’ve ever sat through, and its awesome soundtrack couldn’t save it. How sad is it that I’d much rather listen to the movie than watch it?
The second movie I got to review was Rango. This film has diminished quite a bit. Unfortunately, it seems that most people were not interested in the film. It received mixed reviews from critics, but it was well received by the people. Personally, I still think it was one of the better films to be released this semester. I’m a big Depp fan and that hasn’t changed. I don’t think that this flick will be remembered except as “that movie where Johnny Depp voiced a chameleon,” but that’s good enough for me.
Third on my watch list was the oh-so entertaining Battle: Los Angeles. After careful consideration, I’ll admit that this movie is really, really stupid. But I still love it and it’s my favorite movie that has come out this past semester. It’s not even a guilty pleasure for me; I just get so happy seeing all the violent tactical gunplay. I can’t help it that I love guns and explosions! Maybe that makes me weird or maybe slightly mental, but in any case, I can sit through the horrible story and the bad acting because I’m just that entertained by it.
Now the movie that brought about what is probably my most infamous review: Source Code. Yeah, I still hate. In hindsight, however, I can see why so many people loved the movie: it’s gripping and insightful on the surface. Unfortunately, this surface is only a millimeter thick. I still love the cinematography and a good portion of the acting. I also still hate the characters, plot and the holes therein. Seriously, there’s more plot holes in this flick than Littlerock has pot holes.
Fast Five represented my first video review and it was low tech, but I think I got the message across just fine and squeezed in a little humor in . Be on the lookout for more of those next semester.
Fast Five, out of all the movies I saw this year this one left me feeling bored. I can’t describe it any better than ‘meh.’ One of the big problems I had with it is that it’s a franchise about street racing, yet there’s only two street races in the whole movie. They didn’t even have the decency to show both of them on screen!
Now, we finally come to it. The worst movie I saw during the semester is far, far worse than Tron: Legacy. I am speaking about Auschwitz, a film about the holocaust directed by none other than Uwe Boll. Mr. Boll is the new Ed Wood of Cinema – or I would, except Wood at least has a capacity for humor.
As I was saying, Auschwitz is about the infamous Nazi death camp that claimed the lives of more than 1.6 million men women and children. The movie is so horrible I couldn’t even finish it all the way to the end – not because of the horrible cinematography, but because of the stupid way that Boll has bookended it with a documentary. All the people talking are German high school students. At no point do you get an opinion that is informed firsthand, or even really matters. I think Uwe will be in line for another Razzie; one can only hope that he sweeps the awards.
-by Josh Sanchez
I suppose we should do this chronologically, so the first movie I got to review was Tron: Legacy. Good god, but I still hate this movie. I saw it twice, once in standard HD and once in 3D, they both sucked just as bad; imagine dog poop in different shades. Seriously, this is the perfect example of where the industry has gone in terms of re-hashing old franchises and crummy sequels: it’s all about marketability, not about doing the old film justice by remaking it for the 21st century, or rebooting an ancient franchise with a sequel. Tron: Legacy is perhaps one of the stupidest flicks I’ve ever sat through, and its awesome soundtrack couldn’t save it. How sad is it that I’d much rather listen to the movie than watch it?
The second movie I got to review was Rango. This film has diminished quite a bit. Unfortunately, it seems that most people were not interested in the film. It received mixed reviews from critics, but it was well received by the people. Personally, I still think it was one of the better films to be released this semester. I’m a big Depp fan and that hasn’t changed. I don’t think that this flick will be remembered except as “that movie where Johnny Depp voiced a chameleon,” but that’s good enough for me.
Third on my watch list was the oh-so entertaining Battle: Los Angeles. After careful consideration, I’ll admit that this movie is really, really stupid. But I still love it and it’s my favorite movie that has come out this past semester. It’s not even a guilty pleasure for me; I just get so happy seeing all the violent tactical gunplay. I can’t help it that I love guns and explosions! Maybe that makes me weird or maybe slightly mental, but in any case, I can sit through the horrible story and the bad acting because I’m just that entertained by it.
Now the movie that brought about what is probably my most infamous review: Source Code. Yeah, I still hate. In hindsight, however, I can see why so many people loved the movie: it’s gripping and insightful on the surface. Unfortunately, this surface is only a millimeter thick. I still love the cinematography and a good portion of the acting. I also still hate the characters, plot and the holes therein. Seriously, there’s more plot holes in this flick than Littlerock has pot holes.
Fast Five represented my first video review and it was low tech, but I think I got the message across just fine and squeezed in a little humor in . Be on the lookout for more of those next semester.
Fast Five, out of all the movies I saw this year this one left me feeling bored. I can’t describe it any better than ‘meh.’ One of the big problems I had with it is that it’s a franchise about street racing, yet there’s only two street races in the whole movie. They didn’t even have the decency to show both of them on screen!
Now, we finally come to it. The worst movie I saw during the semester is far, far worse than Tron: Legacy. I am speaking about Auschwitz, a film about the holocaust directed by none other than Uwe Boll. Mr. Boll is the new Ed Wood of Cinema – or I would, except Wood at least has a capacity for humor.
As I was saying, Auschwitz is about the infamous Nazi death camp that claimed the lives of more than 1.6 million men women and children. The movie is so horrible I couldn’t even finish it all the way to the end – not because of the horrible cinematography, but because of the stupid way that Boll has bookended it with a documentary. All the people talking are German high school students. At no point do you get an opinion that is informed firsthand, or even really matters. I think Uwe will be in line for another Razzie; one can only hope that he sweeps the awards.
-by Josh Sanchez
OPINION: All Hail The Son Of Caesar
Gray skies draped the mucky afternoon on Mothers Day as I found myself behind the frozen stone at Cold Stone Creamery, located in West Palmdale.
A ginger one to six PM shift; the plan was: get in, get out, get paid and buy some new bath mats for Mama from Bed Bath and Beyond; maybe a TLC album from Best Buy as well.
At around four in the afternoon, the store was deader than the corpse of Billy Mayes, a lustrous, black, and overly priced car whipped in a teen age-like frenzy, rumbling the Cold Stone parking lot.
Stepping out of his new Audi R8, he slammed the door, walked to the middle of the parking lot, pulled down his shades and winked at a [expletive deleted] mechanical mother of four, the other three infants were licking melted ice cream cones smothered about the sidewalk.
He strutted the rest of his way in, making his presence known with unsought nods directed toward the few common folk patronizing our store.
I turned to my colleague of cream, and in a star struck haze asked, “is that Baby Caesar, the son of Caesar?”
My partner confirmed my psychotic suspicions and I returned perturbed to my work.
By now, the line was growing with men and women without ankles, squeezing their way in, belly first, ass last.
After his patient waiting, I walked behind the Ghea (Ice Cream Display) and said sarcastically to the prepubescent Charlatan, “Hi welcome to Cold Stone, what can a create for you today?”
His acne-ridden face looked happily miserable, like the quivering face of man who just witnessed his high school girlfriend [expletive deleted] by the entire water-polo team.
His appearance was sloppy, wearing the street clothes of any desert rat hoodlum; this was an obvious attempt to blend in.
Fortunately for my readers I can pick out hacks and spineless silver spoon fed sports without character by scent; hacks possess the odor of ten [expletive deleted] bulls in a run-down McDonald’s and drive cars that are sure to kill them—always.
His lizard-like father, Caesar was not present, nor was his mother. So while he was still deciding, I worked up the courage to ask him where his family was.
He offered no comment or form of atonement, so like any failed seeker; I dropped my head and waited upon his request.
After all of the melodramatic anticipation, he squeaked out his order, “I’ll take a pint of your mint chip.”
I pulled the ice cream like a bronze champion, and slapped it on the stone.
First, I mixed in the tiny chocolate chips, then a brownie, and topped it off with some chocolate sauce for a sure diabetic relapse.
The ice cream I made, was fit for a Caesar, or in this case, the son of a Caesar.
After crowning his pint, standard protocol was to ask if he was interested in more cream.
I asked quickly, “Anything else for your party?” He shook his head in a disapproving manner; I smiled and guided the young stud to the register.
Over the register, I mischievously asked, “Anything for your Mother? I mean, she did squeeze you from her hot and sweaty womb.”
He whispered, “No,” like a rape victim in a library. I collected his cabbage, gave him his pint of decadence, and he swaggered his way out of our beloved store.
Walking to the back to cure my cottonmouth, a classic and daunting fact consumed me; we will never break the madness of social structures, nor will we ever chastise those with outright disregard for humanity and the once breathing earth that taught us how to behave.
What is truth if this is fact, and does Baby Caesar truly love his mother?
No, I bet he’s ashamed of her.
Him and Papa Caesar probably lock her in a padded room without windows, no light source to let in rays of optimism.
She’s either already decomposing or most likely hoveled on some cold Italian Marble floor being fed moldy Triscuit Crackers and Top-Ramen with the seasoning packet removed, while her only form of entertainment is a 20 inch HD TV playing CSPAN 2 on loop.
What moral fiber is left among the Caesar family, and am I the only half-drunken chief of turkeys concerned for the well-fare and overall social status of our desert community?
Please do not re-elect a family of undeserving, rancid and vile morality; observe a new ideal: Social Awareness.
- By Wes Horowitz
OPINION: The Upper Room
The tired cardinal gasped his last breath, clutching the ivory Crucifix upon his chest, alone in the dankest of holy quarters, “ Padre, take me to your Golden Cenacle, where I will shimmer forever in the kind rays of the Lord!”
There’s a new Cenacle and its located in Cairo, Eygpt, where the Dead Sea Scrolls hide, feel the spirit?
Eastern Educated priests and gallant southern state ministry bands across the nation have wound a new religious timer, a Contemporary Armageddon.
The Ancient Cenacle of the Holy Scriptures was equivalent to Vanity Fair’s 99 theses: Social Power (Yet to be written).
The Ancient Cenacle is better know as the venue for “The Last Supper”, indeed the first red carpet appearance for Holy Men.
It was also the groundbreaking site of the first Christian church, void of modern day saints and corrupt church affiliations; no vacancy for the devil.
Jesus’ pre-crucifixion party was held in the “Upper Room”, or the room of total enlightenment, exclusive, momentary, and existentially breath taking.
Present at the blessed banquet sat twelve ancient fathers of the Christian communities you learn to love or hate: Peter “prince of the apostles”, Andrew, James the Greater, James the Lesser, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
In vague recollections of my own unwarranted trips to Father Sierra Parish on Sundays, the Last Supper played out more like the third season finale of Sons of Anarchy.
In a dream-like awe, gathered at the Upper Room, fictitiously drunken and yet to be sincerely bored, Kelly McIntyre, a four year student at Antelope Valley College offered us a momentary state of peace and tranquility.
We were plotting the death of our night, when Kelly opened the door, or should I say window, to what we now call our “upper room”.
There’s no honest way of describing our “upper room”, but in terms, it could be best defined as a room with no limits, no boundaries: pure mercy and wisdom.
From a near distance, my comedic associate Carson proclaimed that rain was invading a nearby city, while a thousand winds of thought punished our minds.
Lightning proceeded, but ironically God was in our favor. For once, maybe this occurrence wasn’t a cruel joke.
Through an exchange of mirth, coughing vigorously, our upper room was unveiling its many newfound perceptions of hope, prosperity, and the natural serenity that lingers for the hopeful and destined doers: young republicans and trust fund babies.
After some time spent in my own “upper room” I decided that life needed more than little breaks of petty drunkenness, or hazy lapses, because time is ever shortening, like money supply in a bad economy or the bourbon in a drunkards flask.
Sadly there is no more gray matter, it’s either die an intellectual infant, or grow old into a stubborn statue; either way you choose time will crystallize us all.
To get to the upper room you must first battle your nerves like the unavoidable personal but public hanging waiting for you.
Like jealous monks, we felt doom pounding its hell fire from radicals on both sides; the tired men who proclaim absolute knowledge of the universe.
Our sanity and peace of mind now lies in the arms of religious drones that love the social merry-go-round, and in the winter coat pockets of a slew of poor bachelors that love their frozen TV dinners and leather interiors.
The upper room isn’t cyclical be any means, and from now on, it seems, that the only ones destined to find it, will have to either serve a higher purpose or cause; that or slip Kelly twenty dollars at the window.
These days we’re running out of breadth in our upper room. No pity for boundaries or qualifications; it’s the mere lack of imagination in our clan of failed seekers and social dropouts.
At this point it’s best to be positive, living in a state of panic and poverty could drive any person down. A few codes of ethics for the “Upper Room” might get you by:
1. Burn all of your possessions, take off your clothes and walk back into the forest.
2. Treat your mind like a somber tiger Lilly, learn to be still and listen to the ground; it speaks.
3. Rub your face with mud from the earth, let it dry in the sun and let the rains be the only thing that cleanses you.
4. Drink from the top of every river and use nature’s medicine.
5. Those who abuse earth’s beauty in anyway are deserving of ten days in a tribal stockade.
6. Knowledge is everything, remember that you are temporary, and what you leave should be permanent in spirit, not squander.
7. Eat from the stocks of grains, pick berries; learn to bake on hot stones.
8. Use what the universe offers as a humble gesture, appreciate the casual but always thrive for genuine progression.
9. Keep in mind that you can only foster the journey, never neglect the one’s you love.
10. Love all things, the cosmos, the mortal, and the unknown.
When we choose to understand, we really sing Hallelujah. So you of little worth, you too can believe; like any fledgling yet cultured stooge.
- By Wes Horowitz
Sunday, May 29, 2011
FEATURES: Examiner News Editor travels abroad
Natasha Castro, News Editor for the AVC Examiner will be traveling on a 10-day tour of Germany, France and England. She departs on May 30 and will enjoy such sights as Big Ben, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Checkpoint Charlie.
Castro is traveling with current and former students of Quartz Hill High School, and will be documenting her trip through Telestial's Travel Journal.
To follow Castro's journey, click here.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Photo: Charter College Student Massage Clinic vists AVC
Photo by Jason Hemsath:
Charter College student Carlos Lopez gives Miki Sui a massage.
Today from 11-1p.m., Charter College Student Massage Clinic gave free massages in the student lounge. The Charter College also gives massages Monday through Friday at their clinic.
To find out the location and hours, call (661) 341-3544.
News: Correction of fact from faculty union president
To my campus community,
The other day, my notes from the Town Hall Meeting were sent out to the
Classified Employees (with my consent), and from there, they apparently traveled
all around campus. In them, I had left a note that called Ms. Deb Wallace, the
Vice President of our college, a liar. I put it in caps in my notes because I
was shocked that she would lie. I never intended that particular statement for
public consumption in any case (I had intended to figure out what the
discrepancy was), but anybody would be upset to be called a liar in any case.
I wish to apologize formally to Ms. Wallace for having subjected her to such a
thing, especially as it is clear that I was wrong, and that she was right. The
Chancellor's office does indeed have a B & C scenario in its planning and
communications documents. I was terribly mistaken.
As an academic, I value truth and facts. They are the only things that keep the
barbarians from the gates. I am deeply sorry for having been so mistaken and so
publicly mistaken about a point of fact, and for having been so unprofessional
as to have let that statement be made public.
Thank you,
Dr. Susan Lowry
The other day, my notes from the Town Hall Meeting were sent out to the
Classified Employees (with my consent), and from there, they apparently traveled
all around campus. In them, I had left a note that called Ms. Deb Wallace, the
Vice President of our college, a liar. I put it in caps in my notes because I
was shocked that she would lie. I never intended that particular statement for
public consumption in any case (I had intended to figure out what the
discrepancy was), but anybody would be upset to be called a liar in any case.
I wish to apologize formally to Ms. Wallace for having subjected her to such a
thing, especially as it is clear that I was wrong, and that she was right. The
Chancellor's office does indeed have a B & C scenario in its planning and
communications documents. I was terribly mistaken.
As an academic, I value truth and facts. They are the only things that keep the
barbarians from the gates. I am deeply sorry for having been so mistaken and so
publicly mistaken about a point of fact, and for having been so unprofessional
as to have let that statement be made public.
Thank you,
Dr. Susan Lowry
News: Budget meeting... gone wrong?
A budget meeting was held in the cafeteria at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, to discuss the most recent projections for the coming fiscal year. Among the budgetary gibberish and jargon, two things were made very clear; no one knows whether or not things are looking up for sure, but administration is planning for the worst possible scenario which includes a base pay cut of 8% “for everyone.” Dr. Fisher emphasized.
The budget meeting wasn’t only about planning for the worst, but also the announcement of what are being called “Shadow courses” which are classes that will be available if things move toward the financial positive. These shadow courses won’t actually be live on the June 6 fall semester course listing but are going to be planned and ready to go in the event of a budget that allows for them.
As this fiscal year comes to a close, the college is looking at a bottom line in the black adding approximately $3 million to the reserve fund.
With that in mind the projections for next year, based on the worst case scenario, show a net loss of another $2.3 million.
During the Q&A session following the meeting, concerned staff members sought answers to questions Dr. Fisher felt needed to be discussed with supervisors and not at the meeting. Tension began to mount and the conversation turned from discussion to a heated demand for answers.
Dr. Fisher's final thoughts on the meeting:
Pamela Ford, Classified Union President's commentary:
-Photos, video and story by Russell S.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Photo: Pulmonary Function Test
Photo by Jason Hemsath
Pulmonary students, Isaac Onwveqhusi (left) and Raymond Rocha (right), conduct a free Pulmonary Function Test today with Roger Green (left) and Miki Sui (right) as test subjects. Testings will continue until 3p.m. in the Student Lounge.
NEWS: What is one contest where the losers are actually the winners?
Antelope Valley College’s Rotaract Club held a campus wide ‘Biggest Loser’ contest. The concept of the contest was taken from the hit reality show, where contestants see who can lose the most weight.
“It’s just to help students focus on their health,” said Rotaract Club President Gabriela Rios. “I think that’s one of the main things they lack as college students.”
The contest has been going on since the start of the spring semester in February. Now that the semester is nearing its end, contestants had their final weigh-in last Thursday.
Contestants tried different things to take off the pounds.
“I had just stopped eating meat for a while. I was just eating fruits and vegetables and drinking a lot of water,” said contestant Tuski Mason, who lost 12 pounds. “Don’t forget exercise. I play basketball every other day.”
Other contestants also had success losing weight. Eventual contest winner Kimesha King lost 18 pounds. Another lost a total of three inches.
Jamba Juice helped sponsor the event. Team leader Karly Koeb and cashier Samantha Romero from Jamba Juice were on hand last Thursday, selling smoothies to the student body. Ten percent of the proceeds from the sales went back to the Rotaract Club.
“On a corporate level, we just like to [sponsor the event] because it goes back to the community,” Koeb said.
Participants received gift bags and a Subway gift card for competing in the contest.
“We’re just trying to help them with a way to eat healthier, feel a little bit better about themselves,” said Rios. “Hopefully it will help them in academics as well.”
-By Kevin Michael Kramer
NEWS: Palmdale Sheriff's Station honors fallen deputy with memorial wall
“‘No greater love has any man who has laid down his life for his friends,’ John 15:13. In this case in law enforcement it goes beyond that, because they lay down their lives for people they don't even know," said Sergeant Kyle Blistline before the opening prayer for the May 11 memorial for Richard Hammack, who was only 31 when he was killed in the line of duty.
The Palmdale Sheriff’s Station has a memorial service for Hammack every, year but this year was special. This year they got to dedicate a beautiful patio that the station was able to raise money to construct in memory of the deputies who have lost their lives.
Hammack is the only Palmdale deputy who has been killed on duty.
May 11 1994, Hammack and the narcotics bureau were serving a search warrant when the suspect who was selling meth out of his house began shooting at the deputies. Hammack was able to gain entry, but was shot several times and died from his injuries.
He was engaged and had recently found out that his fiancé was pregnant.
"Richard was one of these ‘okie doke’ kind of guys. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was very easy-going and full of life," Captain Bobby Denham said while reminiscing about his friend. "He would be humbled to see all of this today."
Hammack played a big role in the Antelope Valley and at the station.
"He constantly talked about being a deputy sheriff. When he made it, he went to work and loved it just like he knew he would. He convinced me to come down and take the test. So here I am 20 years later, trying to follow in a big man’s footsteps," said Hammack’s cousin Sergeant Allen Young.
Various public figures came to show their support as well, such as City Manager Steve Williams, Public Safety Director Anne Ambrose and City Councilman Mike Dispenza.
The patio area is currently at the half-way mark of being completed. The actual patio and the brick wall are finished.
The Palmdale deputies and volunteers all had an opportunity to buy a brick for $30 that has their name, rank and when they started engraved on it.
The station and the boosters have a lot in the works including a raised concrete area for an outdoor kitchen, ceiling fans, misters, lights and sound system and a granite wall with the deputy's Oath of Office, a list of the fallen deputies and a giant bronze star with a water feature.
"We decided that no matter how long it took, or how much it cost we were going to do it right, because that was the right thing to do," said Denham.
The station is currently putting together an order for their second round of bricks. With the amount of people who were there to show their support, the patio should be done in no time.
-By Sarah Niemann
Thursday, May 19, 2011
FEATURES: Greeks on Campus: Alpha Iota
As a community college, AVC may not have fraternities or sororities, but we have Greeks of our very own: Alpha Gamma Sigma. Our chapter here is Alpha Iota, our honor society. It’s for students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average per semester or a 3.5 right out of high school.
Once you qualify to be apart of Alpha Iota, you will be notified. Afterward, it’s up to you. You can go to SSV 180 and pay $30 to be a non active member or $15 to be active.
Being an active member means participating in about 15 hours of the activities that Alpha Iota is involved with on and off campus. They do a lot of charity work and fundraisers such as car washes, helping out in homeless shelters and donating blankets to sexual assault victims.
Alpha Iota does a lot on campus as well; they help with the ASO food pantry and also took on the rather big project of helping pick up all of the trash to keep AVC clean.
“Our impact is not always recognized by the students, but trust and believe a lot of the things we do really make an impact on the students directly and indirectly”, said Tuski Mason, Officer of Public Relations for Alpha Iota.
What they’re putting together now is a dodge ball tournament on May 28. As of right now, it is just open to clubs. “We’re trying to get the faculty to get a team together too,” said David Navarette, the member who is organizing the tournament. Each team that wants to participate has to have at least six people and pay a $15 registration fee; the winning team gets the money for their club.
If you really want to play, you can join a club’s team even if you aren’t a part of the club.
For the people who don’t want to get pelted with dodge balls, you can go to just watch; it’s $3 for students and $5 for everyone else.
Alpha Iota is here to teach students about being a part of something. These students work hard to be considered in our honor society and learn how to become leaders; they are a big part of our campus and our community.
-by Sarah Niemann
Once you qualify to be apart of Alpha Iota, you will be notified. Afterward, it’s up to you. You can go to SSV 180 and pay $30 to be a non active member or $15 to be active.
Being an active member means participating in about 15 hours of the activities that Alpha Iota is involved with on and off campus. They do a lot of charity work and fundraisers such as car washes, helping out in homeless shelters and donating blankets to sexual assault victims.
Alpha Iota does a lot on campus as well; they help with the ASO food pantry and also took on the rather big project of helping pick up all of the trash to keep AVC clean.
“Our impact is not always recognized by the students, but trust and believe a lot of the things we do really make an impact on the students directly and indirectly”, said Tuski Mason, Officer of Public Relations for Alpha Iota.
What they’re putting together now is a dodge ball tournament on May 28. As of right now, it is just open to clubs. “We’re trying to get the faculty to get a team together too,” said David Navarette, the member who is organizing the tournament. Each team that wants to participate has to have at least six people and pay a $15 registration fee; the winning team gets the money for their club.
If you really want to play, you can join a club’s team even if you aren’t a part of the club.
For the people who don’t want to get pelted with dodge balls, you can go to just watch; it’s $3 for students and $5 for everyone else.
Alpha Iota is here to teach students about being a part of something. These students work hard to be considered in our honor society and learn how to become leaders; they are a big part of our campus and our community.
-by Sarah Niemann
Zuii Eyeshadow in Jade
I love green shadows, but was really disappointed with this one. It’s got a silver undertone to it that just isn’t attractive to me. It was also incredibly hard to use. The swatch to the left is heavy as can be!
As you can see, the pigmentation here is awful. This drives me up the wall because Rose Mist, the other color I own from them, is pigmented and works great. Maybe it’s a fluke, but it’s still disappointing to me.
Unlike Rose Mist, this packaging was fine. I like that the pans on these could easily be taken out so that you could put them in a palette. I might do that with Rose Mist and put it into a MAC palette with my other pinks. Read More
Father time you thief!
Last week, there I was in my brightly lit room, sitting in complete and utter frustration. I did not know what to do. I was lost. I had read two books, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi and Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov, and I could not think of one single way to interrelate the two. I was sitting there in the middle of my bed for hours staring at a piece of paper, and nothing clicked. The sun was starting to set, and I had been there for hours shifting my eyes between my cell phone, to my computer, to my paper. And this went about for the longest time. Then, all the sudden, my brain decided to wake up. I was writing so fast that I could not completely understand my notes. I found over five similarities. I sat there in triumph, and smiled with revenge at Father Time, for he took away so much precious time. My biggest problem and dislike in writing has to be getting a paper started, but I also detest researching, so this research paper that I have to complete for my critical thinking course has been like a small child running through the neatly organized files of my mind. This week I plan on finding two more sources at the library for my research paper, and putting this unruly child to bed. Read More
Friday, May 13, 2011
FEATURES: Copper Hill hits Palmdale
Copper Hill, a local cover band, began the second set of their performance at Fresco II in Palmdale a little after 11 p.m. I wish I had been there to hear it that second set.
The band started playing at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. After three drinks, an interview with lead singer Donna Sweikow, and an hour and a half of music, I was walking through the parking lot, having sort of been kicked out of the place. But more about that later.
Copper Hill’s regular lineup consists of lead singer Donna Sweikow, guitarist Carl Newton, bassist Tom Lawlor, keyboardist Dave Robison and drummer Randy Simer. On April 30, local actor, writer and musician Chris Cooke filled in for Simer.
The band has an extremely polished sound, a rarity for many bands in the Antelope Valley. Part of the reason the band sounds so good is that they have been playing for a long time.
“Copper Hill’s been together for about twelve years now,” lead singer Donna Sweikow said. “It was a different lineup, different musicians. My keyboard player Dave Robison has been with me the whole time.”
Sweikow and Robison started playing together in Test Flight, Antelope Valley College’s band, in the early 1990s. The band, originally playing country music, did not have a name yet.
The band’s name came about when Robison spotted a new housing development in the Santa Clarita Valley called Copper Hill. With Sweikow having red hair, the name fit perfectly. Ironically, years later, the band would meet its maker, so to speak.
“We did a private party two years ago at a lady’s house in Acton and her boyfriend came in. He said, ‘Do you know that I was the head guy on the whole thing? I built 673 homes over in that development,” Sweikow said. “They were so jazzed to have band named Copper Hill.”
The band was set up at the south end of the dark bar of Fresco II. What looked to be a hundred different cords were plugged into amplifiers, speakers and instruments.
The crowd was made up mostly of men and women in their 40’s and older. The place exuded a certain kind of class that comes with the higher priced menu items. Here, men were just as likely to order a glass of wine or cocktail, as they are a beer. In fact, the old-fashioned that I sipped was made expertly.
Their first set included other classic tunes like Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny,” The Romantics’ “What I Like About You,” Badfinger’s “No Matter What,” and a couple Fleetwood Mac songs.
Carl Newton’s epic guitar solos set the crowd on fire, and fill-in drummer Chris Cooke didn’t miss a beat, singing backup vocals with the rest of the band in perfect harmony. Sweikow moved throughout the crowd singing directly to several patrons. She exuded confidence and charisma.
Copper Hill is a band that anybody looking to escape the boredom that occasionally sets in here in the Antelope Valley won’t want to miss. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to me when I was kicked out of Fresco II.
The band had just kicked off their second set with the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believing,” when a man introducing himself as Lenny stood next to me and asked me what I was writing down in my notebook. I explained that I was writing a review of the band for the AVC Examiner. Lenny proceeded to tell me that they had caught a man in the restaurant who was copying the menu and food items.
I showed him my notebook so he could see that it was all notes of the band. Lenny didn’t seem convinced. He remained standing next to me. Finally, I said I would leave if it would make Lenny more comfortable. He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face told me that it was indeed time to leave.
I learned three things on the night of April 30. The first was to not miss a single performance of Copper Hill, as they seriously rock. The second is that I love a good old-fashioned. Or three. The last and most important thing I learned was to never write inside a notebook at Fresco II.
-by Kevin Michael Kramer
The band started playing at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. After three drinks, an interview with lead singer Donna Sweikow, and an hour and a half of music, I was walking through the parking lot, having sort of been kicked out of the place. But more about that later.
Copper Hill’s regular lineup consists of lead singer Donna Sweikow, guitarist Carl Newton, bassist Tom Lawlor, keyboardist Dave Robison and drummer Randy Simer. On April 30, local actor, writer and musician Chris Cooke filled in for Simer.
The band has an extremely polished sound, a rarity for many bands in the Antelope Valley. Part of the reason the band sounds so good is that they have been playing for a long time.
“Copper Hill’s been together for about twelve years now,” lead singer Donna Sweikow said. “It was a different lineup, different musicians. My keyboard player Dave Robison has been with me the whole time.”
Sweikow and Robison started playing together in Test Flight, Antelope Valley College’s band, in the early 1990s. The band, originally playing country music, did not have a name yet.
The band’s name came about when Robison spotted a new housing development in the Santa Clarita Valley called Copper Hill. With Sweikow having red hair, the name fit perfectly. Ironically, years later, the band would meet its maker, so to speak.
“We did a private party two years ago at a lady’s house in Acton and her boyfriend came in. He said, ‘Do you know that I was the head guy on the whole thing? I built 673 homes over in that development,” Sweikow said. “They were so jazzed to have band named Copper Hill.”
The band was set up at the south end of the dark bar of Fresco II. What looked to be a hundred different cords were plugged into amplifiers, speakers and instruments.
The crowd was made up mostly of men and women in their 40’s and older. The place exuded a certain kind of class that comes with the higher priced menu items. Here, men were just as likely to order a glass of wine or cocktail, as they are a beer. In fact, the old-fashioned that I sipped was made expertly.
Their first set included other classic tunes like Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny,” The Romantics’ “What I Like About You,” Badfinger’s “No Matter What,” and a couple Fleetwood Mac songs.
Carl Newton’s epic guitar solos set the crowd on fire, and fill-in drummer Chris Cooke didn’t miss a beat, singing backup vocals with the rest of the band in perfect harmony. Sweikow moved throughout the crowd singing directly to several patrons. She exuded confidence and charisma.
Copper Hill is a band that anybody looking to escape the boredom that occasionally sets in here in the Antelope Valley won’t want to miss. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to me when I was kicked out of Fresco II.
The band had just kicked off their second set with the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believing,” when a man introducing himself as Lenny stood next to me and asked me what I was writing down in my notebook. I explained that I was writing a review of the band for the AVC Examiner. Lenny proceeded to tell me that they had caught a man in the restaurant who was copying the menu and food items.
I showed him my notebook so he could see that it was all notes of the band. Lenny didn’t seem convinced. He remained standing next to me. Finally, I said I would leave if it would make Lenny more comfortable. He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face told me that it was indeed time to leave.
I learned three things on the night of April 30. The first was to not miss a single performance of Copper Hill, as they seriously rock. The second is that I love a good old-fashioned. Or three. The last and most important thing I learned was to never write inside a notebook at Fresco II.
-by Kevin Michael Kramer
Thursday, May 12, 2011
NEWS: Mental health presentation set for Oct. 7
English Professor Scott Memmer and adjunct professor Julie Jacobson will give a presentation about mental health to students and faculty next semester in early October.
The presentation titled “Healthy Mind, Healthy Life: Teaching Our Students, Teaching Ourselves: Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes Through the Application of the Principles of Positive Psychology,” will introduce students and faculty to techniques that can be used to promote mental health and combat stress.
Memmer will cover three areas in the presentation, the first of which is positive psychology. Positive psychology, according to Memmer, is the in part, the study of happiness and how we make ourselves happy.
Positive psychology gained wide notice in the 1960s as an alternative method psychotherapy. Instead of the standard psychotherapy methods that focus on the negative aspects, positive psychology focuses on positive aspects of people’s lives.
Cognitive therapy is another area that will be covered in the presentation. Cognitive therapy suggests that it is our thoughts that cause our emotions, not outside factors like people or situations. Cognitive therapy aims to change the way we think, which in turn, will change our emotional response.
Memmer explained that cognitive theory is all about empowering people to do for themselves, in part, by not being so hard on themselves.
Cognitive therapy, which typically takes less time than psychotherapy, is just as effective if not more effective than anti-depressants alone, according to Memmer. Memmer is very critical of anti-depressants and other prescription drugs.
“I’m not a doctor, but there are other things we can do for ourselves,” Memmer said.
Mindfulness is the final aspect of the presentation. Mindfulness relies heavily on the philosophies of the Eastern world. A major portion of this, according to Memmer, is the simple notion that our mind and body are one. Also according to Memmer, western society has typically shunned such ideas, but studies have showed their usefulness.
Included in the concept of mindfulness are the techniques of meditation.
“I hated it at first,” Memmer said before explaining that he now uses guided meditation. “The mind will chatter, but it’s okay.”
The presentation’s goal is to get students and faculty into a better position to handle the stress of everyday life.
“Everyone has some sort of challenge or hardship that they have to face,” Memmer said.
If there’s anyone that knows about challenge and hardship, it’s Scott Memmer.
From the time Memmer was born, his mother, Doris, suffered from mental illness. That illness reached a terrible height when Memmer was in his late twenties, when Doris took her own life.
Memmer sank into a depressive state for ten years.
“I didn’t know where to turn,” he said. The concepts of positive psychology, cognitive therapy and mindfulness “may have saved my life.”
Now, Memmer is in a place to help others cope with the stress of everyday life. He doesn’t mind speaking about this past to help others.
“I’m an open book…” Memmer said. “One of the reasons I love teaching is that you can mentor people.”
As finals approach, Memmer also has some advice for students who are feeling stressed out or depressed. He advises people to get a good amount of sleep, to not isolate oneself and remain social. He advises against alcohol use. Memmer suggests reading self-help books and boosting the body’s natural endorphins by exercising.
The presentation is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 7. Students, faculty and staff members interested in attending can check the events calendar and check back here for more information starting in the fall semester as the event draws nearer.
-Kevin Kramer
Lakers and Celtics eliminated, but the show must go on
The two teams that have won the previous three NBA titles, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, have been booted out of the playoffs and the league seems to be headed into a new era.
The two veteran heavy teams, along with the San Antonio Spurs, witnessed their playoff runs cut short as they head into the offseason. The former NBA powerhouses have the whole summer to figure out where it all went wrong and how to improve with the fact that their teams are not getting any younger.
The Lakers have to get quicker and more athletic while the Celtics need to add younger players who are talented enough to replace Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal.
Still, basketball fans should embrace and welcome the new era of exciting basketball led by the Miami Heat, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Chicago Bulls.
-by Benjamin Min
NEWS: ASO Spring 2011 election results
Student Trustee
Sandra Govin 162
Brenda Casey Fourr 45
ASO President
Terrance Myers 113
Tiffani Taylor 85
Total people voting = 272
Of that:
223 completed
46 were incomplete,
3 decline to vote
Election of Student Fees and
Constitutional Changes
Spring 2011
ASO Constitution changes
Yes 67
No 10
Student Activities Fee
Yes 70
No 18
Student Health Services Fee
Yes 63
No 29
Total people voting = 105
Of that: 85 completed
20 were incomplete
0 decline to vote
*Results taken from Antelope Valley College Associated Student Organization’s Facebook page.
Additonal questions can be addressed by current ASO President Enrique Camacho at asopresident@avc.edu.
Sandra Govin 162
Brenda Casey Fourr 45
ASO President
Terrance Myers 113
Tiffani Taylor 85
Total people voting = 272
Of that:
223 completed
46 were incomplete,
3 decline to vote
Election of Student Fees and
Constitutional Changes
Spring 2011
ASO Constitution changes
Yes 67
No 10
Student Activities Fee
Yes 70
No 18
Student Health Services Fee
Yes 63
No 29
Total people voting = 105
Of that: 85 completed
20 were incomplete
0 decline to vote
*Results taken from Antelope Valley College Associated Student Organization’s Facebook page.
Additonal questions can be addressed by current ASO President Enrique Camacho at asopresident@avc.edu.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Photo: Passions rallied at Walk Out
Photo by Courtney Unander
Susan Lowry, President of Faculty Union, rallies the crowd outside the administration building at 12p.m. on Monday, May 9.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Today from 10am - 3pm High Desert Medical Group and Heritage Health Care hosted a Life Festival at the AV mall. Named "A Tribute to Mom!", the festival provided attendees with free entertainment from Molly Wineland, free health screenings, children's activities and a mall full of vendors.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Photos: Daycare Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Photo by Jason Hemsath
Cinco de Mayo comes to the Child Development Center as children and Daycare staff make paper flowers and break piñatas.
OPINION: Counseling Mishaps
It looks like the old saying of “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself” is true.
Let me explain.
The end of the school year is fast approaching. On June 3, many students will close their books for the last time, finishing their studies at Antelope Valley College and leaving for greener pastures.
I will be among them, waiting for my last class to end so I can get on with my life. Cue the “Pomp and Circumstance,” right?
Wrong. This will be the second time I have “finished” school at AVC, and it looks like there may be a third time.
In the spring of 2009, I graduated AVC with an Associates Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences. I had also taken all of my California State University transfer units. Or so I thought.
One year later, as I applied to graduate from California State University, Bakersfield, I was told by the counselors at CSUB that an AVC science class I had taken way back in the winter of 2008 did not meet their requirements for science.
I was completely shocked, because the counselor I had seen at AVC had said it would count. The counseling office had even “CSU Certified” my transcript before sending it to CSUB.
On a return trip to the AVC Counseling Center, I asked to speak with the counselor who made the error. I learned that AVC no longer employed the counselor. Gee, I wonder why.
Flash forward to this spring. I have since taken the appropriate science class, which still bugs me because the first science class I took in the winter of 2008 means absolutely nothing. I am all set to finally move on from AVC for good, and even graduate from CSUB. Cue the “Pomp and Circumstance,” right?
Wrong. I am now learning that one of my transferable communications classes might not be transferable after all. There is a debate about which articulation agreement this particular class falls under. I took this class in the summer, between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 years.
If the administrators use the 07-08 agreement, the class is accepted and I will be done with AVC and will graduate from CSUB. If they use the 08-09 agreement, it means more school for me, and probably more angry rants like this one.
What are they doing in that counseling office? It is their job to know things like which classes can transfer and which cannot. Savvy students will want to check and double check with whatever school they are planning on transferring to, just to make sure there are no mistakes.
The bad counseling issue does not seem to be isolated at AVC. A search of the internet will return dozens of stories where college counselors unintentionally misled students.
One such instance, according to consumeraffairs.com, has a University of Phoenix student complaining that an enrollment snafu caused by a counselor resulted in that student losing three hard-earned credits.
I worked retail for many years, if any salesperson had made claims that were false, there would have been severe consequences. But at the end of that day, a consumer could just return the product and get a refund.
I also tried to get a refund for the extra class I had taken. It turns out that they don’t give refunds for counselors’ errors. Someone, somehow, sometime, must hold these people accountable.
Until that time comes, I will wait in a chair at the auditorium of CSUB on June 10, dressed in a cap and gown with my fingers crossed. I write this anonymously, but it may be easy to figure out who I am. I’ll be the one whose name isn’t called during the commencement ceremony.
Cue the “Pomp and Circumstance,” right?
-By Anonymous
OPINION: Gun Control Is Oppressive
I am a gun nut, as most of you know from my review of Battle: Los Angles. I adore everything and anything that fires a lead or steel projectile at several thousand feet per second. That said I find the gun control laws in The Republic of California to be more than substandard, indeed I find them utterly oppressive. In what ways are they oppressive? I’m not sure that even our legislators know about all of the laws they have passed and how they affect the gun owning citizen. For a brief summery I’ll inform you what your rights are as a citizen of the US and a citizen of California.
Starting us off is banned weapons in the US it is illegal to purchase or have a fully automatic center fire rifle or sub machine gun without a Federal Firearms License Class 3 (FFL3) in California it is illegal to own a fully automatic weapon, the only exception, is if you have had that weapon before 1989 and registered it with the Department of Justice. The reason this is bogus is because nearly every other state in the US will allow you to have just about any firearm imaginable so long as it meets with Federal regulation.
That is not to say that you can’t have a center fire rifle. In fact the Supreme Court recently ruled that the second amendment is a right and not a privilege, however they also ruled that it has “exceptions” and this will keep the current laws the way they are now.
Ammo capacity in magazines is limited to 10 rounds for every fire arm, and all detachable magazines in assault weapons have been banned. I do not believe in this law, because every single weapon technically has a detachable magazine, my M91-30 Mosin Nagant has a five round magazine, it is not easily detached but it can be detached, if its ammo capacity were over 10 would I be in violation of the law? It is not clearly defined anywhere in the penal code.
The thought process behind this law is also heavily flawed the idea is that by having more than one magazine it will be more difficult to fire a semi-automatic rifle and reload rapidly. This simply isn’t true, the Russian SKS is a completely legal fire arm, it has a 10 round internal magazine this magazine can’t be easily detached but it can be reloaded very rapidly through the use of stripper clips. And there are even deadlier rifles that are legal such as the US M1 Garand which takes eight 30-06 rounds and is easily reloaded.
Probably the worst laws in California regarding weapons however are the laws that regulate carrying weapons. In California you are well within your rights to openly carry any fire arm so long as it is unloaded, unloaded meaning that there is no rounds in the magazine or chamber, and if the magazine is detachable it cannot be inside the magazine well. But if you are outside city limits in the wilderness it is legal to carry a loaded firearm for defense purposes. Inside city limits you may open carry a gun so long as you aren’t within 1000 feet of a public building such as a library, city hall, or police station. Just as well you cannot carry any fire arm onto any school grounds this includes the parking lot.
Concealed carry is a hot button issue in California but like the assault weapons issue it is not controversial in many other states. California has a “Shall issue” concealed carry law, which means that it is up to the county Sherriff or City Police Chief to decide whether or not you should be allowed to carry a fire arm.
Additionally those seeking to obtain a license must pass a back ground check and be determined mentally fit, this is determined by a doctor, the person must also take numerous tests to see if they are morally fit and are proficient with the weapon of their choosing. all at the citizens expense of course, you must also present a “good cause” this really means that in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco it will be nearly impossible to obtain a concealed carry permit, while in rural places like Inyo County, or Tuolumne County it is relatively easy to obtain a permit.
So what do I make of all this? I think it’s just all an attempt at squashing crime and that there are good intentions behind these laws. But that does not change the fact that many of these laws are made from a protectionist mindset, when will the laws stop? Do we want to end up like the UK where the government has banned fire arms all together with the exception f shotguns? No, I don’t think Californians will tolerate that. Personally I believe that not only is it every citizens right to carry a fire arm it is every citizens responsibility to be able to defend themselves and others. If that means carrying guns then I believe we should be allowed to do so.
But does that mean that everyone should carry a gun? Of course not, all I’m saying is that it should be the citizen’s choice to carry not the government’s choice. But if you are going to carry a fire arm whether open or concealed you must become a proficient marksman with that weapon system. You cannot simply fire your gun every three months or so at the range and be expect to be able to defend yourself and others in a life threatening situation. You have to train with your firearm and you must realize the huge responsibility that comes with carrying an object that was designed with only one purpose, to kill other human beings.
Before you do anything though you should check with your local police station and find out about the law yourself. Individual cities may have their own ordinances regarding fire arms that may be out of line with the state law itself. Always be safe when handling a fire arm, never keep a fire arm loaded when it’s not in use and always remember to point it in a safe direction, Shoot smart and safe.
-By Joshua Sanchez
NEWS: Walk Out
Monday, May 9 between 12p.m. and 2p.m., AVC students, faculty, and classified staff will be joining hands in a peaceful protest against the current class cuts. At this time, students, classified staff and faculty from all divisions will be walking out from their classes and rallying together outside the administration building.
Dr. Susan Lowry, President of Faculty Union, could not be more adamant about the importance of Monday’s demonstration.
“We live in a valley that finds the college and students invisible… if enough of us are out, we will be visible at least briefly,” she said. She also mentioned how the budget cuts have affected her personally and caused divisiveness among her colleagues.
“I think it’s very important that we show solidarity.”
The Student Union and the Classified Union will also be presented at this protest and Enrique Camacho, ASO President, is determined for this to be peaceful and go without any problems. In a Facebook mass message, Camacho outlines a set of rules that ALL protesters are required to abide by.
"ASO, the faculty and classified unions, as well as all participants of this non-violent event agree and will follow the following Points of Unity:
1. We will conduct ourselves peacefully and nonviolently, with respect for all people we encounter.
2. We will make decisions collectively.
3. We will not destroy any property of the College
4. We will not bring alcohol or nonprescription drugs.
5. We will not bring anything that can be construed as a weapon (think airport security).
6. We will accept responsibility for our nonviolent actions, and we will not lie nor use depiction to escape the consequences of our actions.
7. We will not harm anyone, and we will not retaliate in reaction to violence."
Everyone is welcome to come to this event as long as you and your guests behave in this event.”
-By Courtney Unander
FEATURES: Concerning the Code of Conduct
Fighting, academic violations, damage of school property, and many other things are associated with the Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Code of Conduct can be found on the school website in the Student Handbook, under Classes & Enrollment as well as in in the college catalog.
Guidelines for Student Conduct focus on six main policies, and also state procedures for discipline related-to standards.
Academic violations include dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. Violation of class assignments, examination rules and communicating or transferring information to another student is also related to academic violation. General college violations include forgery, alteration, obstruction or disruption of teaching, engaging in expressions, unauthorized entry, and violation of college policies, theft or damage, and use of personal portable sound amplification equipment. Computer usage violations include theft or abuse of computer resources, but not limited to many other things. Behavior violations include a number of many situations ranging from disorderly conduct to committing sexual harassment and even gambling on district property. Substance violations include unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance listed in the California Health and Safety Code. Weapons violations include possession or use of the weapons described in the Code of Conduct.
As we all know, there is always a consequence for your actions. There are nine standards that describe the procedure for discipline related to standards of conduct: Admonition, reprimand, temporary suspension by instructor, disciplinary probation, restitution, campus community service, withdrawal of consent to remain on campus, suspension and expulsion.
As a student here at AVC before you want to start acting out it is a good idea to read and understand the college code of conduct. By reading these guidelines and policies you will be more aware of the consequences you will face before you decide to violate any of them. AVC wants the best for their students, but unruly conduct will not be tolerated.
-by Katrina Green
The Student Code of Conduct can be found on the school website in the Student Handbook, under Classes & Enrollment as well as in in the college catalog.
Guidelines for Student Conduct focus on six main policies, and also state procedures for discipline related-to standards.
Academic violations include dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. Violation of class assignments, examination rules and communicating or transferring information to another student is also related to academic violation. General college violations include forgery, alteration, obstruction or disruption of teaching, engaging in expressions, unauthorized entry, and violation of college policies, theft or damage, and use of personal portable sound amplification equipment. Computer usage violations include theft or abuse of computer resources, but not limited to many other things. Behavior violations include a number of many situations ranging from disorderly conduct to committing sexual harassment and even gambling on district property. Substance violations include unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance listed in the California Health and Safety Code. Weapons violations include possession or use of the weapons described in the Code of Conduct.
As we all know, there is always a consequence for your actions. There are nine standards that describe the procedure for discipline related to standards of conduct: Admonition, reprimand, temporary suspension by instructor, disciplinary probation, restitution, campus community service, withdrawal of consent to remain on campus, suspension and expulsion.
As a student here at AVC before you want to start acting out it is a good idea to read and understand the college code of conduct. By reading these guidelines and policies you will be more aware of the consequences you will face before you decide to violate any of them. AVC wants the best for their students, but unruly conduct will not be tolerated.
-by Katrina Green
Mother’s Day Outfit Ideas
Since Mother’s Day is coming up, I thought I would post a few outfit ideas, whether your kids are taking you out, or you’re taking your mother out. This first outfit is somewhat casual but still nice enough to wear out to a restaurant. I’ve tucked a white shirt into a floral skirt and added simple accessories. If you prefer heels, throw on some peep toes... Read More
Rainmeter: How To
So I'm welcoming back my laptop after a few fatal errors and I'm pleased to report that everything is working relatively smooth. That being said, lets get the ball rolling with some more of the Rainmeter/objectdock awesomeness.
Rainmeter is a tough one to get the hang of, but once you get the basics it's enough to work with. If you want to get Rainmeter... Read More
Rainmeter is a tough one to get the hang of, but once you get the basics it's enough to work with. If you want to get Rainmeter... Read More
Lakers against the ropes down 2-0
Lakers continue to struggle against the Mavericks.
The defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers have lost both games at home before heading to Dallas on Friday.
After dropping a close game 1 in their Western Conference semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers struggled to find their rhythm once again in game 2.
The Lakers seem to have no answer for the Mavericks high pick-and-rolls that usually consists of Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.
Game 3 will be held on the Mavericks’ home floor where the Lakers will have to find a way to come back to the Staples Center with the series tied and 2 apiece.
-by Benjamin Min
Perez named Player of the Year
Adriana Perez has had another outstanding season.
The Marauders’ starting catcher Adiana Perez has been named Foothill Conference Player of the Year. By winning the award two years in a row, Perez has become only the second player to do so in AVC history.
Perez has led the team in RBIs and home runs amongst many other statistical categories and is on route to breaking coach Cindy Vargas’ batting average record. Vargas was the first player to win consecutive Player of the Year awards with the Marauders.
Marauders’ Christian Carbajal was also recognized as the Pitcher of the Year.
-Image by Avi Ithier
-Story by Benjamin Min
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Fire season is here.
Photos: 'Dirt & Other Poetry' Art Exhibit
AVC art students show off their photography of local scenery in conjunction with poetry which exemplifies desert life.
FEATURES: Tom's shoes get to steppin'.
The shoeless flock to the street, banners held high and stickers in their soles.
With whoops and hollers they took to the streets. As people in their cars showed support or distaste by honking approvingly or disapprovingly, though it was difficult to discern the difference, they marched on, waving their signs in the air. In the face of adversity, they stood strong, focused, and united. And barefoot.
From 20th Street West and Avenue K to 10th Street West, just short of 50 Antelope Valley inhabitants gathered together on Tuesday April 5 at 5:30 p.m. under the umbrella of the worldwide TOMS Shoes event: “One Day Without Shoes.”
The organization, TOMS Shoes, founded by Blake Mycoskie, specializes in mobilizing efforts to bring shoes to children in countries stricken with diseases caused by volcanic properties in the soil. One of the most prevalent diseases contracted is a debilitating and disfiguring disease called podoconiosis, a form of elephantiasis. With proper footwear, this disease is 100 percent preventable. TOMS slogan, “One for One,” is a promise that for every pair of shoes bought, a pair will be given to a child in need
Once a year, TOMS Shoes and its supporters unite to spread awareness around the world with “One Day Without Shoes.” Last year, Helen Masferrer, Antelope Valley resident, heard about a group walking in Venice for the TOMS cause and prepared to join them. “But then I thought, you know, I want all my friends and family to be there so let me do something here in the AV!” With Masferrer’s vision, the AV Walk in 2010 hit the mark with nearly 100 attendees. But although the number of those walking this year was significantly less, the lack in walkers on April 5 2011 was made up for in spirit.
Students from schools all over the Antelope Valley joined in for the day’s event, putting aside school pride and uniting, not for a school mascot, but for the dignity of the human race.
Antelope Valley College student, Cynthia Johnson, has attended the TOMS AV Walk for the last two years and she says that the cause is very important to her. “We Americans take so much for granted every day. Everyone knows to wear their shoes [and] that it could be dangerous without them, and we have paved roads and sidewalks. I don’t think people realize that there are people that live in harsher [conditions] that don’t have shoes… and its hurting them.”
Others who attended included lead singer of local band Mae West, Brian Torsney, who joined the group sporting the latest fashion in footwear: the bare foot.
Through all of this, Johnson said that through the “One for One” promotion and “One Day Without Shoes”, “TOMS provides a way to help.” Mycoskie says going one day without the luxury of shoes is being “part of a movement that is helping provide new shoes for millions of children who need them.”
Many went home that Tuesday evening tired, feet sore and covered in blisters. Those who walked said they consider it a small price to pay and while it may seem like a small feat the impact of TOMS Shoes and “One Day Without Shoes” can be seen halfway across the world. When a child, feet covered in dirt and mud, opens a small brown box containing two small shoes, their life will be forever changed.
-by Courtney Unander
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