PCC Courier, October 12, 1989

PCC Theater Theater Season Opens with 'Hay Fever' The __ _ _ CO URIER VOL. 69 NO. 3 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 12, 1989 Improv Theater To Raise Food for PCC's Needy Michael Rocha News Editor Although students tend to think of the hunger problem on a na¬ tional level, PCC students don’t have to leave the college to be affected by this ever-growing mal¬ ady. PCC has its own hunger prob¬ lem. Some students can barely make ends meet, but the PCC population doesn’t know that, said Lana Fields, vice president of student services. “The more we research and talk about the hunger problem, the more prevalent it becomes,” Fields said. “The problem wasn’t really notice¬ able until we started telling people about it.” Because of the reality of PCC’s hunger problem, the AS Board launched last month an on-campus Food Drive, which would benefit the needy of PCC. So far, six large boxes of food have been collected. And in hopes of increasing that amount, a group of students in Ron Wilson’s improvisation class are vol¬ unteering their time and effort for an hour of improv that will raise canned goods for the PCC’s needy. The benefit, which is the brain¬ child of Wilson and Tena Rubio, co¬ ordinator of campus activities, will try to raise canned goods by asking each student to bring one can of food. The success of the improv hour, which will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Oct. 19 in R122, will depend on the willingness of students to bring in a canned food to help their fellow stu¬ dents. “The benefit will not only raise food for the Food Drive,” Rubio said, ‘ ‘but it will also promote the improv class and give the students exposure.” Although the drive began with a slow pace, Fields is optimistic that the improvisation will trigger an onslaught of donations. “The Food Drive is just starting to pick-up,’ ’ Fields said. ‘ ‘The first two weeks were rather slow. But after the teachers read the flyers in their classes, it started to pick-up. ‘ ‘The next step is to talk to Finan¬ cial Aid, the Re-entry Center and EOPS and start distributing the food to the needy. We should start dis¬ tributing the food in the next few days. Then we will continue collect¬ ing food. If we receive a lot of food, we might even make holiday pack¬ ages so our fellow students will have something during the holidays.” In the next few weeks, the suc¬ cess of the Food Drive will be meas¬ ured in boxes. And Fields hopes that there will be many boxes filled with canned goods and other non-perish¬ able items. But even if there were boxes and boxes of food, Fields feels there’s still a lot of work to be done. “I don’t feel like I’m doing enough to help PCC’s needy. But at least, this is a start. This Food Drive might be the catalyst to get all the students involved. Maybe the drive will show them that they can make a difference. I do hope it will heighten their curiosity.” “™Тмр!ю\жошГ™~ Oct. 19 Noon R122 Entrance Fee: 1 can of food Creative Parking Inga Kornev / The Courier CAR COLLISION “At 9:50 a.m. Wednesday morning, staff member notified the Campus Police of a traffic collision in Lot 4 which took out a light pole and did minor damage to the U building. Journalist To Speak on Relations Between Mexico and United States Michael Rocha News Editor In response to the burgeoning re¬ lationship between the United States and Mexico, one of the most power¬ ful and influential Hispanics in the journalism field will speak on Mexi- can-American relations in his lec¬ ture entitled ‘ ‘ Mexico and the U.S .-- Toward a Kinder and Gentler Rela¬ tion?” Sergio Munoz, the executive di¬ rector of La Opinion, the leading Spanish-language newspaper in southern California, will open this year’s Social Sciences Forum, an annual series that deal with major issues in today’s society. Over the years, Munoz, who has been active and influential in the U.S. media, has developed exten¬ sive knowledge of thepolitical scene across the border. Bom in Mexico, Munoz earned his undergraduate degree at the Na¬ tional Autonomous University of Mexico. He continued his post-gradu¬ ate work at The London School of Film Technique and at the Univer¬ sity of Southern California, where he earned his master’s degree. Before he became executive di¬ rector of La Opinion in 1985, Munoz was managing editor for a year. Munoz presently writes a weekly commentary on Portada, a news magazine. Munoz has contributed to the opin- ion/editorial pages of two of Los Angeles’ prominent newspapers: Los Angeles Times and Herald Ex¬ aminer. Besides his work with promi¬ nent newspapers in the area, Mu¬ noz also contributed his time to the National Hispanic Journalist Asso¬ ciation and the California Chicano News Association. He has built a strong following of admirers at USC, where he taught for 10 years, from 1977-1987. Fall Blood Drive Held to Save Lives Joe Yobaccio Staff Writer Picture this: you are driving home late Saturday night and you pass the scene of an accident. Con¬ fusion surrounds the scene and all you can see is twisted metal from the remains of what used to be a car. You get home and receive a call later that night to find out that your best friend was in that accident. He will die unless he receives blood- blood that is not available that night. Knowing you have the same blood type, you rush to the hospital to donate blood that will save your friend’s life. Many lives are saved as a result of blood being donated by individu¬ als like you. PCC, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is having a blood drive today and tomorrow in Harbeson Hall between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The goal of the drive is to attain 75-100 donations, Connie Hurston, AS adviser, said. “Our goals are often exceeded and the people who give are very supportive, which says a lot about the quality of people we have,” she said. Hurston said it would be “great” if those projections rose to a more impressive total of 200. Hurston stressed the importance of giving blood. “People need to stop and think why it’s important. One of these days it might be them who need the blood,” she said. “People who are strong and healthy have a responsibility. We have to look out and care for each other,” she said. Hurston said that many students and faculty seem to feel that donat¬ ing blood will be a burden on they busy schedules. “It only takes an hour. The nurses are excellent and people feel good about themselves after donating. It puts people in touch with being a human being. It is truly a gift of life, ’ ’ she said. Barbara Webb, the Los Angeles area regional representative of the American Red Cross, explained the process of donating blood to help first time blood donors overcome their fears. Prior to having their blood with¬ drawn, each prospective donor an¬ swers a confidential questionnaire. The donor’s blood pressure, pulse and temperature are also taken. After this, a small blood sample is taken from the donor’ s ear lobe to determine if he has a safe hemoglobin level. Finally, the donor’s blood is drawn, which only takes about 10 minutes, Webb said. “Those who are afraid shouldn’t look at the needle,” she said. “They should bring a newspaper or a teddy Fifth Oxford Trip Promises Unique Experiences Gigi Hanna Editor-in-Chief Students who wish to apply for the Spring Semester in Oxford program can still submit applica¬ tions in C209. The deadline for applications and the required let¬ ters of recommendation, essay and $200 deposit is Monday October 16. The program, now in its fifth year, provides students the opportunity to study in one of the oldest learning centers in Europe: Oxford University. Students attend PCC classes taught by PCC instructors, Lisa Davis, Eileen Eckstrom and Joe Spiro, in the Ex¬ amination Halls in Oxford. Classes run Monday-Thursday, leaving Fri- day-S unday free to explore historical cathedrals, world-famous museums or even quaint villages on their own. The program lasts from February 8- May 31. During this time, students will also have a two week Spring Break (March 30-April 15) during which they can travel more exten¬ sively in Britain or on the continent. Although the classes end May 31, students may request that their re¬ turn tickets be dated later. Davis, the coordinator of this year’s program, who also taught classes in Oxford during the Spring of 1988 program, said she was so impressed with the program that she applied to be coordinator this year. “The ato- mosphere of being there amongst scholars from all over the world is exciting and conducive to learning,” she said. The field trips to the Midlands will delve into the heart and roots of the Industrial Revolution. “There’s really something for everyone,” Davis said.The trip is open to all PCC students who have completed or are completing 12 unhits. The cost of the program is $3495 which includes round trip airfare, lodging in a British home, two meals a day and all listed excursions. Financial Aid is available. Applications are available in C209. bear or a friend to take their mind off everything else.” Webb said people should eat a large meal before donating to in¬ crease their blood sugar. They should refrain from performing heavy exercise for at least five hours after giving blood, but other than that there are no other limitations, Webb said. Another fear blood donors ex¬ press is fear if contracting AID8. “We use a brand new needle and plastic bag for each person. Noth¬ ing is re-used,” Webb said. Once the blood is taken, it is screened for transmittable diseases. If is determined acceptable, it then goes to local hospitals where it can be used to save up to 4 lives, Webb said. Only a pint of blood is taken and the human body can regener¬ ate that amount within 24 hours. A person can donate blood every 8 weeks, according to Webb. Webb said that to be an eligible donor, you must be 17 years old, at least 1 10 lbs. and in good health. "You dont' want to wair for an emergency to donate blood. You want to have enough blood on hand for an emergency," Webb said. Roseann Renzullo, a PCC stu¬ dent, said that giving blood is a necessity. “I give blood because our nation depends on it. It’s the difference between life or death.” Newsline LITERARY INGENUITY Submissions are now being accepted for the 1990 edition of Inscape. Inscape, which pro¬ vides students with the opportu¬ nity to get published, is PCC’s annual literary magazine. Inscape needs short stories, poetry, black and white art and photographs. These submissions can be fic¬ tion or non-fiction. All submis¬ sions should be turned in to any English teacher or in the English Department office, C217, no later than Nov. 20. Name, address and telephone number should be included in the entry. Inscape is printed by PCC’s print shop and is usually ready for sale in the bookstore by the follow¬ ing April. KPCC FUND DRIVE Did you know that PCC has a listener-supported radio station? Some of the best music, news and information is provided by KPCC 89.3 FM. The semi-annual on-air fund drive will begin Nov. 3 and will run until Nov. 13. All funds will pay for advertising, press releases and equipment. A donation of $30 will provide a patron with a monthly program guide which will include all pro¬ gramming-music, news and information. ASSEMBLYMAN VISITS Assembly speaker Willie L. Brown, Jr., the most powerful man in the California Assembly, will speak at PCC about the role of community colleges in California’s higher education system. The event will take place in the PCC Forum at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. The lecture is free and open to the public. MUSICAL DEBUT The J. Ross Reed Memorial Wurlitzer Pipe Organ will make its musical debut in PCC on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. in Sexson Auditorium. Tickets are available from 10:30 p.m.-12 p.m. daily at the doors of Sexson. Tickets are $5, $10 and $15. The $15 ticket includes dinner. Inside SMOG AND OZONE There are different factors that affect the levels of ozone in L.A.'s air. 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