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los angeles valley college’s
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The Studio City location gets a review from the Star.
the independent student newspaper
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September 12, 2012
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Volume 77 Issue 1.5
CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL COULD CHANGE DRIVING DISTANCE DEZIREE MILLER STAFF WRITER
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LORAINA AMEDEN | VALLEY STAR=
IN PLAIN SIGHT - On a Sunday ride, a cyclist rode the streets of North Hollywood unaware of the car behind him.
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oads may soon become a safer place to ride for cyclists if California Senate Bill 1464 passes by Sept. 30, mandating that drivers give cyclists 3 feet of space. The California Bicycle Coalition and the City of Los Angeles sponsored the campaign for SB 1464—also known as “Give Me 3”—because current California law has been unclear, only requiring drivers to “keep a safe distance” from cyclists. A law similar to SB 1464, SB 910, was proposed just last year but was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown last October. The governor has until the end of September to sign the new legislation into law. “I think it would be good to have the 3-foot cushion, but I don’t know that it will make a difference,” said Ismael Pascacio, a fire technology major who has been in a few bicycle accidents. “Drivers now still don’t pay attention.”
The campaign’s website explained that under current legislation it is not illegal to hit or injure a bicyclist with a car, but under the proposed law, drivers will have to pay attention or could receive up to $154 in fines if they pass too closely—even if the cyclist is not injured. In cases where a cyclist is injured after a car passes them too closely, a violator could face up to $959 in fines.
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I think it would be good to have the 3-foot cushion, but I don’t know if it will make a difference. Drivers now still don’t pay attention. -Ismael Pascacio, fire technology major
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Cyclists may gain a new protection from drivers on the road under SB 1464.
Tedd Rogers, a freelance writer and cyclist who runs the “Biking in LA” blog—which lists local bike rides and events, offers bike safety tips and covers bike accidents throughout Southern California—reported that 14 bicyclists in Los Angeles County have died this year. Rogers is skeptical of the “Give Me 3” bill.
“I’m very concerned that this law only covers passing within the same lane, which means that if a cyclist is riding in a bike lane, drivers can pass without having to give 3 feet [of] distance,” Rogers said. “I do think Gov. Brown should sign it. But [SB 910, which] he vetoed last year, was better.” Gov. Brown vetoed SB 910 because it required drivers to slow down to 15 miles per hour if the road is too narrow to give a cyclist 3 feet of space. Brown was concerned with the bill for traffic in urban areas, according to the California Bicycle Coalition. SB 1464 only requires drivers to slow down to a speed that is reasonable for the flow of traffic and road conditions. If signed by Gov. Brown by the end of the month, California would be the 22nd state to enact a specific minimum passing distance for motorists, according to the California Bicycle Coalition. To read the bill in its entirety, visit www.leginfo.legislature. ca.gov/ and search SB 1464. To see the California Bicycle Coalition’s stance on SB 1464, visit www.calbike.org/advocacy/safe-passing/.
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news September 12, 2012
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The Valley Star Info & Staff
ASSOCIATED STUDENT UNION READY TO SERVE VALLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS
THE VALLEY STAR is published by students of the journalism and photography classes as a learning experience, offered under the college journalism instructional program.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Courtney Bassler
OPINION EDITOR Kevin Jersey
The Associated Student Union sets goals for the 2012-2013 school year.
Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Materials published herein, including any opinions expressed and advertisements, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, the college, or any office or employee thereof.
SPORTS EDITOR Romeo Gonzalez
ASHLEY GOOSSEN
Editorials are the opinion of the editorial board only and do not necessarily represent those of the entire staff. Columns are the opinion of the writer. Letters are the opinions of the reader. Editorial and Advertising Offices are at 5800 Fulton Avenue Valley Glen, CA 91401 (818) 947-2576.
COPY EDITOR Ariel Waitkuweit
STAFF WRITER
PHOTO EDITOR Richard Razavi CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Diana Ortega STAFF WRITERS Jenna Bumgardner Julio Flores Ashley Goossen Sanyo Hazel Al Mascareñas Deziree Miller Jhanelle Rivera Richard Rossi STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Loraina Ameden Ray Blumhorst Morris De La Roca Maggie Hasbun Fatima Jimenez Antwone Mercer Erika Suplecova ADVERTISING MANAGER Chip Rudolph DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Michael Mykerchan ADVISERS Bill Dauber Rod Lyons
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With the fall 2012 semester under way, Associated Student Union President Vahe Matevosyan is already implementing many of the aspirations he has for the upcoming year, including raising awareness about Proposition 30 and the consequences for students found cheating, as well as trying to encourage student participation on campus. According to the ASU webpage on Valley College’s website, the main purpose of the ASU is to establish a student-centered environment on campus at Valley, and that’s precisely what Matevosyan says he plans on doing. “We need to focus on Proposition 30,” said Matevosyan when asked what he would first like to tackle as president of the ASU. “There’s nothing more important right now than the budget crisis.” With the election quickly approaching, Proposition 30 is receiving increased attention. The legislation would increase the sales tax by .25 of a percent for four years and increase taxes for people who fall into three high-income tax brackets starting at $250,000 for seven years, with the revenue going to schools. While 89 percent of the money would go to K-12 schools, 11 percent would go to community colleges.
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ANTWONE MERCER | VALLEY STAR
BEG TO DIFFER - The Associated Student Union Executive Board and President Vahe Matevosyan discussed hot topics for the upcoming semester during the Sept. 4 ASU meeting in Campus Center 104.
According to ASU Vice President George Markarian, “It’s important to get as much voter registration as possible. If Proposition 30 does not pass, community colleges will suffer $400 million in cuts.” This means that “20 to 25 percent of classes will be cut by next semester,” according to Matevosyan. Also, according to Matevosyan, there has been an increase in academic dishonesty. Due to this, another goal set by Matevosyan and the ASU is to raise awareness with students about the consequences that come along with cheating. “[I think] students are unaware that academic dishonesty at Valley can result in suspension or expulsion,” said Markarian. “Also, it stays on your records for a minimum of seven years.”
Matevosyan would also like for students to become more involved with activities and organizations available at Valley. “A lot of students just come to class and go home,” said Matevosyan, adding that one of his main goals during his term “is to increase student interaction on campus in clubs.” The ASU is very focused on being involved with the student body this year, urging students to participate in Rush Week, which started Monday with a 1950s-themed gathering in Monarch Square from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes events throughout the week, concluding Thursday with a pajama party-themed movie screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” inside Monarch Hall’s multi-purpose room at 3 p.m.
It’s important to get as much voter registration as possible. If Proposition 30 does not pass, community colleges will suffer $400 million in cuts. -ASU Vice President
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George Markarian
With the ASU’s goals set for the upcoming year, students expect to see changes at Valley in the 2012-2013 school year. “For the sake of students at Valley,” said child development major Iris Salazar, “I hope that the ASU is able to fulfill the goals it sets.”
opinion 3
September 12, 2012
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WOMEN NOT AN EASY FIX FOR REPUBLICAN VOTES The GOP should focus more on the whole party rather than one group. COURTNEY BASSLER EDITOR IN CHIEF
With Republicans like Rep. Todd Akin and vice presidential hopeful Rep. Paul Ryan making questionable remarks about rape and women’s rights, the Republican Party was in need of a makeover heading into the Republican National Convention. Its cover-up for its party members who made these headshak-
ing comments was to emphasize empowered Republican women at its convention rather than the diversity of the whole party. According to a CBS tally, 27.7 percent of the speakers were women—more than at any previous convention. The Grand Old Party does need the feminine vote. Another recent CBS poll stated that President Barack Obama has an 11-percent advantage among women over his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney. However, the GOP is missing the big picture. Once they planned their agenda
around women, an obvious target was mothers, and the party’s choice to stand on its soap box to make the average stay-at-home mom understand its party alignment was anything but the average stay-athome mom; it was the possible next first lady of the United States, Ann Romney. “It’s the moms who always have to work a little harder, to make everything right,” she said in her speech, which clearly targeted women. “It’s the moms of this nation—single, married, widowed—who really hold this country together. We’re the mothers, we’re
KEVIN JERSEY OPINION EDITOR
BRIAN CASSELLA - CHICAGO TRIBUNE
types of Republicans. There are more than just non-career women in the GOP. The party redeemed itself with women with the former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who rallied the right during her time as a Republican career woman. But, the GOP still missed the central point, which was to unify the whole party—especially with both parties losing more than 2.5 million voters since the 2008 elections while the number of independent voters continues to grow, according to a USA Today report. The Republican National
Convention website states that the party shares a “responsibility [involving] educating [themselves] about the positions of the presidential candidates and the parties they represent.” The GOP missed the mark. Educate the diverse groups of the party, which make the party so special, not just the easy emotional target. Educate the independent voters on why they should sway to the right, because when the GOP just centers on one or two groups of people, it will only bring together a handful—and this party needs a bowlful.
an advantage. By doing so, they lose the respect and support of voters who demand the truth—or at least they should. Even more disappointing than the lack of honesty by the candidates is the lack of accountability from voters. Republicans recently held their national convention, and on this stage, with the eyes and ears of the country on them, they spouted enough lies to make a lawyer blush. The most egregious offender was vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, who used his reputation as an economic wonk to attack the alleged failures of President Barack Obama’s first term. Ryan claimed that Obama’s stimulus programs failed to create jobs, that Obamacare will increase the federal deficit, that welfare’s work requirements have been waived, and that cutting taxes would increase job growth. These statements were popular with the crowd, but groups including the
Washington Post, PolitiFact and FactCheck.org have revealed that they are also not true. Even Fox News, long a supporter of Republicans, called out the nominee, with Sally Kohn writing that “Ryan’s speech was an apparent attempt to set the world record for the greatest number of blatant lies and misrepresentations slipped into a single political speech.” And, Ryan was not alone. Fact-checkers found lies in the speeches of numerous convention speakers, including presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Yet despite their lies being revealed, Republicans suffered no backlash or loss of support among their voters, with a Gallup poll showing support for the Romney/Ryan ticket virtually unchanged after the convention. It’s easy to pick on the Republicans, especially since they just concluded their convention,
but Democrats are not innocent in this regard either. Although their lies may be less blatant than their Republican counterparts, a PolitiFact report found that a full 20 percent of Obama’s claims on the campaign trail were false. Yet, like Romney, Obama lost no ground among the public, and his lies went ignored and unpunished. Dishonesty is a character flaw, and there was a time when Americans held their politicians to a higher standard. Yet, voters continue to believe whatever they are told, and candidates continue to stray further from the truth with no consequences. Instead of being chastised for their lies, they are rewarded with fame, fortune and the possibility of a coveted position as the leader of this country. As long as this pattern continues, politicians will continue to push the envelope, saying whatever they think they can get away with, and it is the public that will suffer.
TRUTH OR NO CONSEQUENCES Politicians are stretching the truth and getting away with it as a trusting public believes what it is told.
LYING AND SMILING - Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan wave to the RNC crowd.
the wives, we’re the grandmothers, we’re the big sisters, we’re the little sisters, we’re the daughters.” But, it is not just the hardworking and “right-minded” single, married, widowed wives, mothers, sisters, grandmothers and daughters in the Republican Party who these candidates should target. They shouldn’t take up a quarter of their time together to focus on a single group within the GOP but should divide that time to address different ages, genders, races, ethnicities and social statuses. Mrs. Romney’s remarks surely created some eye-rolls by other
The lying politician is a tired cliché, lampooned for years on television and in movies. But, this outdated stereotype is finding new life in the current election cycle as politicos on both sides of the aisle ignore the truth in their attempts to woo undecided voters. As Election Day approaches and campaigns kick into high gear, both candidates are looking for an edge in a race that looks like it may come down to the wire. Yet, in a time where an endless supply of information is just a few mouse clicks away, politicians are relying on misinformation and lies to gain
valley life 4
September 12, 2012
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FIVE GUYS DOESN’T EARN FIVE STARS Events
LAVC
September Wednesday, 12
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ASU Rush Week for Clubs ASU clubs gather to promote student organizations. Monarch Square Free Admission ASU Office: 818-778-5513
Thursday, 13
1 to 3 p.m. ASU Inter-Club Council Meeting Student clubs gather for their weekly meeting with ASU representativies. Campus Center 104 Free Admission ASU Office: 818-778-5513 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. ASU Rush Week for Clubs ASU clubs gather to promote student organizations. Monarch Hall Free Admission ASU Office: 818-778-5513 4 to 8 p.m. YESS Life Skills Class Sponsored by the LAVC YESS Program Faculty Lounge Free Admission Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (YESS) Office: 818-947-2401 5:30 to 7 p.m. UC Transfer Agreement (TAG) Workshop Presented by UCSB Free Admission Library and Academic Resource Center, 200 Career/Transfer Center Office: 818-947-2646
The newly opened Studio City Five Guys Burgers and Fries doesn’t live up to its reputation.
COURTNEY BASSLER EDITOR IN CHIEF
T
he five-member family who founded Five Guys Burgers and Fries started a burger chain that now has a cult-like following on the East Coast, but this burger joint may have a harder time collecting fans on the West Coast. The burger at the new Studio City location does not live up to the Five Guys standard. Those who order the Little Burger for $3.89 or Little Cheeseburger for $4.49 will be filled, but they may not be fulfilled. For those who are not fans of a heaping amount of sauce, make sure to stress when ordering to go light on the sauce, or purchase a Cheeseburger for $6.09 or Burger for $5.49 that has an extra patty to compensate for the extra sauce. The signature well-done hamburger patty is not a problem. It’s not dry—a tendency with a well-done patty from the grill. Although this location may not completely live up to the first part of its name, the fries are worth ordering. Fried in peanut oil, there are two options: Five Guys style and Cajun style. The Five Guys-style potatoes are classic french fries with a little salt. The Cajun-style fries have a salty tone, but the aftertaste gives
a Louisiana kick. Both styles of fries are served with two condiments: classic ketchup and the more unusual option of malt vinegar. Both choices pair well with either fries. A regular size of either type of fries is $3.09 and can easily be shared by two people. The hot dog, priced at $3.29, is grilled—like Five Guys’ burgers are grilled—juicy and well done. The hot dog cut in half can accommodate a higher volume of toppings, especially with the number of topping choices, ranging from classics such as tomatoes and pickles to specialized items such as green peppers and grilled mushrooms. Do not be fooled by the $2.89 Veggie Sandwich: this is definitely a sandwich and not a burger, and there is no veggie patty. Instead, the sandwich consists of a bun and whatever “toppings” have been ordered. The chain provides a free application for iPhones and Androids, as well as the option to order online. Those who place an order online can usually get in the line to pick up an order and avoid the line for those ordering the old-fashioned way, but beware: this location may sometimes not have enough staff to support both lines, so even customers who order ahead might have to prepare for just as long of a wait as those ordering in the restaurant. Five Guys’ prices, however, are friendly to a student budget and leave the customers feeling full, especially with the free peanuts available.
MAGGIE HASBUN | VALLEY STAR
CUP O’ FRIES - Fries at Five Guys Burgers and Fries are served stuffed in a cup and overflowing into the bag.
Although this location off Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Ventura Boulevard needs a bit of work, the newly opened burger joint has promise. Five Guys is at 12930 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City and is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. To look at the complete menu or the variety of toppings, visit www.fiveguys.com.
FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES Little Burger: $3.89 Little Cheeseburger: $4.49 Cheeseburger: $6.09 Burger: $5.49 Regular fries: $3.09 Hot dog: $3.29 Veggie Sandwich: $2.89
12930 VENTURA BLVD. STUDIO CITY 11 A.M.-10 P.M. EVERY DAY WWW.FIVEGUYS.COM
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COMING UP IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: STUDENTS GET A RUSH:
THE NEWLY FORMED CLUB DAY REFORM COMMITTEE ORGANIZES THE CAMPUS’ FIRST RUSH WEEK WITH A GOAL OF IMPROVING SCHOOL UNITY
VALLEY COLLEGE’S ASTRONOMY GROUP TURNS ITS EYES SKYWARD: THE STARGAZERS CELEBRATE THE SKY WITH STAR PARTIES, LECTURES AND PLANETARIUM SHOWS
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CAMPUS RADIO STATION LAUNCHES NEW “PROFESSOR OF THE WEEK” SERIES The campus radio station welcomes instructors for a new weekly series.
September 12, 2012
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MEDIA R e le a s e s ON DVD TODAY
SANYO HAZEL STAFF WRITER
Valley College’s radio station, KVCM FM 95.1, will soon introduce a new weekly program, “Professor of the Week,” in which it welcomes instructors from various departments. The program, which is the brainchild of the station’s director, Jason Beaton—known as Mr. B to some of his students—was created “to help advanced broadcasting students hone such real-world skills as how to conduct a live interview while promoting the station by featuring a new professor each week,” according to Beaton. Advanced students such as Jewel Valerio, known as “Old Skool Jewel” on the air, see the benefit of this type of on-the-job preparation that could lead to the start of a new career. She went from being a brand new student at Valley to her current position as station manager. “It’s a wonderful opportunity,” said Valerio. “So many people don’t even know the campus has a radio station. The ‘Professor of the Week’ show is a great way to promote KVCM and let the campus community know that we are here and we care about what’s going on.” Among the first to be featured will be John Arnold from the para-
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN ANTWONE MERCER | VALLEY STAR
LIVE FROM VALLEY COLLEGE - Broadcasting instructor Jason Beaton and his students stream live on KVCM radio many different events. The station will start welcoming instructors to its new “Professor of the Week” series later this month.
legal department, Alan Cohen of the emergency services department and Alfred Zucker, the chair of the English department. Instructors interested in being featured on “Professor of the Week” can submit a brief biography and 10 questions covering the topic of their choice to Beaton at kvcm@lavc.edu. On the program, the instructors will be interviewed by an advanced student, allowing them the opportunity to raise awareness about an issue, express an opinion or talk about
current events, according to Beaton. There is no voting, and until the station gets more submissions than can be accommodated, this opportunity is open to all instructors who wish to participate. Other highlights to come from KVCM include the return of the well-received “Ask the President” program, which had its debut on the station last year. The show features Valley President Sue Carleo speaking about topics that relate to the college, including educational issues
and the various challenges that educators face today. “A lot of people want to hear what she has to say,” said Beaton about Carleo’s “Ask the President” program. The station is also considering adding an “Administrator of the Week” series soon. KVCM’s “Professor of the Week” series can be heard Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m. on FM 95.1 and streamed live at www.lavc.edu/ kvcm.
KRISTEN STEWART, CHARLIZE THERON, CHRIS HEMSWORTH TO READ THE VALLEY STAR DVD REVIEW, VISIT WWW.LAVALLEYSTAR.COM OR SCAN THE QR:
sports 6
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VALLEY COLLEGE KEEPS ITS COMMUNITY FIT Valley President Mary Lee, who was
The Valley College Fitness Center offers workout equipment to students.
Access to Valley’s pool and president from 1981 to 1994 and track offers fitness options opened the athletic amenities to the to the community. community, and it was continued by
ASHLEY GOOSSEN
SANYO HAZEL
Hidden in the South Gym next to the Aquatic Center, the Valley College Fitness Center boasts nine treadmills, 13 bicycles and 10 elliptical machines as well as dozens of various weightlifting and resistance machines for students and the rest of the community. “The facility is used by roughly 200 to 300 students per day,” said athletic department secretary Lu Grella, “mostly by students involved in sports such as basketball, water polo, swimming, cross country and track.” The Fitness Center is not only used for classes but is also open to all students as a workout facility Monday through Saturday. After being closed the first two weeks of school due to orientation, the center opened this week to students and the public. “It’s really nice having a gym at school mainly because of the convenience that it offers,” said undecided major Joey Stark. Valley’s Fitness Center offers students the same amenities as many other private gyms—such as LA Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness— including workout machines and a
Valley College keeps the “community” in community college, allowing the general public access to its pools, stadium, track and other facilities. According to Athletic Director Jim Fenwick, the plan is to keep it that way. “Plans for our new facilities have been taken off moratorium and are back on track, which definitely include public access,” said Fenwick.
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
ERIKA SUPLECOVA| VALLEY STAR ALL-AGE FITNESS- Members of the community took advantage of Valley College’s Fitness Center.
staff available to assist students for less of a strain of the wallet. While use of the Fitness Center is free to students, monthly membership at the local 24 Hour Fitness, on Lankershim Boulevard between Magnolia and Chandler avenues, starts at $54.99, and membership at the local LA Fitness, on Coldwater Canyon Avenue between Magnolia and Chandler avenues, starts at $39.99 a month. “[The center] saves you a few hundred dollars a year in gym fees,” said communications major Camila Tabar. “The use of the equipment offered to Valley stu-
The moratorium Fenwick refers to is a district-wide one imposed last October on the nine campuses’ combined $6-billion construction plan. The moratorium was lifted last month. The concept of public access to
President Tyree Weider who followed her. The tradition remains strong with current President Sue Carleo. Hours of availability for the track and stadium are Monday through Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. for no charge. Currently, there are 20 to 25 community members who utilize the track every morning. The pools are available Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. to the general public so long as they have purchased swim passes. One can be purchased at the pool or through the community services department, which manages the pools. On Saturday and Sunday, access to the pools is also available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone with a pass or for a fee of $2.50 per person. “Our son is learning to swim here, [which] may save his life some day,”
said Shahunik Nazinya, whose son takes swimming lessons at Valley. “We really like the facilities, and it’s nice that everyone has access.” There is a wide range of classes and lessons available to children and adults, starting at $25 per session. Most offerings are on a monthly basis.
For a fee, other facilities available to the general public seeking to stay active are the Fitness Center and the campus tennis courts. To learn more about hours of availability and fees, contact the community services department through its website, www.lavalley.augusoft.net or visit the department’s offices located in the South Gym. Those interested in scheduling a special event at the track or a pool party may do so by calling Cyndi Maddren, who manages the school’s master calendar, at 818-947-2421. Disclaimer: Sanyo Hazel is a staff writer for the Valley Star and a part-time employee with the community services department.
dents should be utilized and taken exercise facilities started with former full advantage of.” The center also includes modern amenities private gym members are used to. Scattered throughout the center, there are multiple television monitors and radios for entertainment while exercising. The workout facility is open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Its hours of operation Friday are from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is open to the community Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and MORRIS DE LA ROCA | VALLEY STAR 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. GROUP MOTIVATION - Richard Lawson and members from his RLS Dance Fit Walk Group exercised on Valley College’s track during early morning hours.