By Sarah Gaskins
Staff Writer
Dedicated, kind, talented and successful are a few simple, yet truthful words that personify and describe CSUB's music professor Dr. Joel Haney.
Prior to Dr. Haney's teaching career here at CSUB, he strong-mindedly endured a long road of education to get to where he is today, in regards to his expertise in music.
His journey began when he made the decision to move to Minnesota to further his education in music. There, he attended the small Liberal Arts School of Saint Olaf College and declared his major in music as well as trumpet performance. Originally from Montana, Haney described his 900 mile transition to a new school as a "dramatic experience."
After he spent four years at Saint Olaf, Haney became a student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis for an additional five years. Upon completing his five years there, Haney received two master's degrees. He attained one degree in Trumpet Performance and the second in Musicology.
In the year 2000, Haney was accepted to Yale University in Connecticut where he earned his Ph.D. in Music History. After he graduated from Yale in 2006, he made his way to Bakersfield, to spread his knowledge of music as a music professor.
"I realized that I'm never going to get out of school!" Haney joked. His seemingly endless amount of years studying in school and his choice of occupation as a college music professor proves he has and always did have great enthusiasm and passion for the subject.
This is Haney's third year at CSUB and he definitely seems to be enjoying himself. "I like it here ... I like it here for a number of things," he said. "I like the people that I work with and I really enjoy getting to know and working with students," he added. Haney spoke highly of the music department here at Cal State by describing it as an extremely collegial environment. "There are very talented people working in this department," said Haney.
He became a lover of music during his early childhood years. Haney reminisced about how he and his family would often sing together around the dinner table. "Not sure that that happens anymore, but if it did, the world would be a better place," he said.
Haney grew up around music and everyone in his family was, in some way, musically talented. His father played both the French horn and the trumpet, his mother and sisters played the piano and his older brother played the trumpet as well. At the age of five, Haney began to show interest in the piano. He couldn't read music at that time, but he did try to make his own melodies.
"I liked the creative freedom of making my own tunes," he said. His mother eventually made him take lessons for two years, which he wasn't too fond of. Haney laughed, "I remember putting my head face down on the keyboard and crying."
In second grade, he followed in his brother's footsteps and pursued the trumpet. Unlike the piano, he loved the trumpet from the beginning and continually enjoyed playing it.
Sometime in his teen years, Haney's dream was to become a rock star in a rock band. With that in mind, he decided to teach himself how to play the guitar. He chuckled and commented on how appreciative he was for his parents allowing him to play the electric guitar in the house.
Haney also participated in jazz improvisation throughout high school.
During his college years at Yale University, a school friend of his got him to be a part of a rock/salsa/funk band. The 10 piece band developed the name 'Nate Link and the World Champions.' He and his fellow band members would play in different clubs in the New Haven vicinity. "It was great," Haney said smiling.
Throughout college, Haney had always thought he was going to be a trumpet performer. He eventually realized that he was actually incredibly interested in Music History, or what is also referred to as Musicology. He recognized this epiphany as a slight moment of crisis.
"I did not enjoy performing as much as I did before," Haney stated explaining his doubts.
He went from enjoying playing and creating music to talking about it. While he of course continued to take pleasure in playing instruments, he was greatly fascinated with learning about the tradition and intellectual side of music. Due to his inquisitive attitude towards his Music History classes he enrolled in at school and the encouragement of his professors, Haney made the transition from wanting to be performer to an educator. Although he is currently extremely busy with teaching, Haney tries to pick up his trumpet when he can find the time.
Haney distinctly remembers his first day lecturing at Cal State. When looking back on that specific day, he recalls being very nervous, but very excited as well. "I was prepared, but a little too prepared," said Haney. "I was so prepared that I'm not sure that the class understood anything I said!"
Being his third year here at CSUB, it is clear to see that Haney has adapted well and loves what he is doing. He did acknowledge that one of the biggest challenges he has confronted as a college professor, is to be able to fully communicate with undergraduates in an effective manner.
"However, that's my goal. To make information meaningful to my students," said Haney retrospectively.
As a music professor, Haney is inevitably a fan of various pieces and composers. Paul Hindemith, a 20th Century German composer, is a music genius in Haney's book. Another individual that would be a definite candidate for Haney's Top 10 list of favorite composers is Claude Debussy. He was 15-years-old when he heard Debussy's impressionist piece 'Nuages' for the first time. Its title means clouds, and the piece represents the shifting and movement of clouds in the sky.
"I was blown away by how beautiful it was," said Haney. He liked this specific piece so much that he wrote his dissertation on it.
"There are so many! Let me think of one more, and I'll throw the towel in," said Haney as he concentrated on who would be another all-time favorite composer.
He decided to go with the one and only, Johann Sebastian Bach. Haney described Bach's work as being beautiful, creative and expressive at the same time.
While Haney certainly is an admirer of Classical music, he also is a fan of popular music bands as well. "I'm a big fan of U-2. They have a very important message as well as musical style that I enjoy," said Haney. He also finds the depth and variety of the music produced by the Beatles pretty impressive. Led Zeppelin and Peter Gabriel were also mentioned artists that he likes.
When Haney is not entirely focused or busy with teaching music, he really enjoys reading a good book. He reads all three of the "Lord of the Rings" novels each year. "They have incredible substance about humanity," explained Haney. He also likes to read books either about theology or philosophy.
"Then of course there is my family," said Professor Haney as he shared how he most enjoys spending his time when he is not teaching. Haney is a husband and a father of two children. In fact, he and his wife welcomed the youngest of two into the family about a year and a half ago.
He is well aware of what a challenge it is to balance the time he spends on his career as a professor and the time he spends with his family as a father and husband. However, while he loves teaching music, he makes certain that it does not completely consume him.
Music has played a crucial role in the life of Professor Haney and it is his goal to extend his knowledge of it to his students. "My favorite thing about music is that it is an entirely different world from a visual world. It is an immense world with so many possibilities for expression and meaning. It is intimately connected with how I feel inside and it is a world that I can lose myself completely in."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Finance professor's journey to the states
By Hillary Haenes
Features Editor
A vast number of people who are born in other countries aspire to visit America one day, but Professor Mahdy Elhusseiny turned his dream of living in the United States a reality.
"I had a dream when I was young. My dream was to go to the states. When I entered the school of business at the university level, my dream was to go to the states and work on my Ph.D.," smiled Elhusseiny.
Born in Egypt, Elhusseiny graduated in 1990 with his Bachelor's Degree from Cairo University in Egypt. Here, he was hired as a teaching assistant and later moved to teach at the Higher Technological Institute business school for seven years. The Higher Technological Institute had a connection with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the institute nominated him to work with professors from UDC. When the professors left to go back to America, they sent Elhusseiny an application to come to the U.S.
He arrived in Norfolk, VA in 1999 and three years later, he received his Master's Degree in economics from Old Dominion University (ODU). This was the most difficult few of years of his life because he did not have a scholarship or citizenship from the School of Business. Elhusseiny chose to come to America and do whatever it took to make it in this country. He started working long weekends selling Greek foods all over the country, even traveling as far as Denver, Colorado in a three-day span.
"I used to drive freight trucks back and forth on the weekends and then come back to Northern Virginia. I worked very hard because I had to have at least $5,000 of tuition every semester and [money for] an apartment. At that time, I had my wife and newborn 6-month-old baby boy. I got married one and a half years before I moved here. We had to have like $8,000 for the semester and I had nothing. When I look back at those three years, I don't know how I made it," declared Elhusseiny.
Imagine a man, new to America, leaving his wife and newborn every Friday to take a catering company's truck to drive halfway across the country in three days. Then, when he came home for the weekdays, Elhusseiny had to study very hard to have citizenship in the program.
"I remember one semester I didn't have enough money, so I had to delay [my education] for one semester ... I had no other goal. I had no other choice. I didn't come to the states to sell food ... This is what I keep telling my students, this is the only country that dreams comes true ... Don't worry about the current economic situation, this country has its own system, if you work hard you are going to make it," explained Elhusseiny.
Remaining goal-oriented, Elhusseiny came back from his three-month stay in Florida selling foods at festivals and made enough money to continue his education. He completed his Master's Degree and received citizenship for his Ph.D., which he quickly finished in three and a half years.
In August 2005, he completed his doctorate in finance from ODU. While he was working on his Ph.D., he was allowed to teach management and finance classes as a junket professor.
Elhusseiny accepted his first job as an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of South Dakota within a week of defending his dissertation. While he taught there for two years, it was here when Elhusseiny first got involved with and supervised the Financial Management Association (FMA).
"The FMA is basically a club for financial students. What we try to do is to build a bridge between our students and the community," said Elhusseiny.
Under his supervision, FMA had lots of activities and an outstanding chapter. In fact, their chapter of FMA contacted Warren Buffet and the students were on Buffet's buses to Omaha, Nebraska to personally meet with the richest man in the world - who is worth around $62 million. Elhusseiny's students asked Buffet questions about his career in the stock market, then after two hours of talking to Buffet, the students were sent downtown to a luncheon and dined with Buffet.
"This guy is very down-to-earth. This is the richest guy. He made all of his wealth by just playing in the stock market," said Elhusseiny.
After teaching for two years in the "freezing area" of South Dakota, Elhusseiny moved his family to a warmer climate, as well as a more diverse culture. Bakersfield became the family's new home in 2007 when he began his current position as Assistant Professor of Finance at CSUB. When Elhusseiny came here, the club had been around for years, but the FMA club was not activated, so he immediately applied and the club was re-chartered on January 10, 2008.
During the club's first quarter, it was activated nationally and internationally, the second quarter was spent building a website and holding an event, while during the third quarter, FMA students took a trip north to San Francisco to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
"I was driving them very crazy! It's the only way. This year we have a big goal. The big goal is to have our outstanding chapter. They show in the FMA newsletter every year, the outstanding chapter out of 3,000 schools in the nation," informed Elhusseiny.
This quarter, FMA put on an event called, Obamanomics: Social v. Free Market Capitalism. This event was free and open to the community. Local politicians, professors, FMA members and the community discussed current topics. Another exciting trip is planned for the Spring Quarter - in May the FMA students are flying to New York to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Although Elhusseiny has only been at CSUB for a couple of years, he has made a huge impact on our campus. Not only has his involvement with FMA proved successful, but he published four papers last year, which exceeds the expectation in service to the school.
"Professor Elhusseiny has become more than just a professor to me; he has become a friend and a mentor. He is not only a great educator and expert of finance, but he is someone that has motivated to get students interested in the field of finance. His office doors are always open to students, and I believe I speak for the rest of the board of FMA when I say that without him, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish the many things we have achieved as an organization," said CSUB's FMA President, Neeraj Rama.
Features Editor
A vast number of people who are born in other countries aspire to visit America one day, but Professor Mahdy Elhusseiny turned his dream of living in the United States a reality.
"I had a dream when I was young. My dream was to go to the states. When I entered the school of business at the university level, my dream was to go to the states and work on my Ph.D.," smiled Elhusseiny.
Born in Egypt, Elhusseiny graduated in 1990 with his Bachelor's Degree from Cairo University in Egypt. Here, he was hired as a teaching assistant and later moved to teach at the Higher Technological Institute business school for seven years. The Higher Technological Institute had a connection with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the institute nominated him to work with professors from UDC. When the professors left to go back to America, they sent Elhusseiny an application to come to the U.S.
He arrived in Norfolk, VA in 1999 and three years later, he received his Master's Degree in economics from Old Dominion University (ODU). This was the most difficult few of years of his life because he did not have a scholarship or citizenship from the School of Business. Elhusseiny chose to come to America and do whatever it took to make it in this country. He started working long weekends selling Greek foods all over the country, even traveling as far as Denver, Colorado in a three-day span.
"I used to drive freight trucks back and forth on the weekends and then come back to Northern Virginia. I worked very hard because I had to have at least $5,000 of tuition every semester and [money for] an apartment. At that time, I had my wife and newborn 6-month-old baby boy. I got married one and a half years before I moved here. We had to have like $8,000 for the semester and I had nothing. When I look back at those three years, I don't know how I made it," declared Elhusseiny.
Imagine a man, new to America, leaving his wife and newborn every Friday to take a catering company's truck to drive halfway across the country in three days. Then, when he came home for the weekdays, Elhusseiny had to study very hard to have citizenship in the program.
"I remember one semester I didn't have enough money, so I had to delay [my education] for one semester ... I had no other goal. I had no other choice. I didn't come to the states to sell food ... This is what I keep telling my students, this is the only country that dreams comes true ... Don't worry about the current economic situation, this country has its own system, if you work hard you are going to make it," explained Elhusseiny.
Remaining goal-oriented, Elhusseiny came back from his three-month stay in Florida selling foods at festivals and made enough money to continue his education. He completed his Master's Degree and received citizenship for his Ph.D., which he quickly finished in three and a half years.
In August 2005, he completed his doctorate in finance from ODU. While he was working on his Ph.D., he was allowed to teach management and finance classes as a junket professor.
Elhusseiny accepted his first job as an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of South Dakota within a week of defending his dissertation. While he taught there for two years, it was here when Elhusseiny first got involved with and supervised the Financial Management Association (FMA).
"The FMA is basically a club for financial students. What we try to do is to build a bridge between our students and the community," said Elhusseiny.
Under his supervision, FMA had lots of activities and an outstanding chapter. In fact, their chapter of FMA contacted Warren Buffet and the students were on Buffet's buses to Omaha, Nebraska to personally meet with the richest man in the world - who is worth around $62 million. Elhusseiny's students asked Buffet questions about his career in the stock market, then after two hours of talking to Buffet, the students were sent downtown to a luncheon and dined with Buffet.
"This guy is very down-to-earth. This is the richest guy. He made all of his wealth by just playing in the stock market," said Elhusseiny.
After teaching for two years in the "freezing area" of South Dakota, Elhusseiny moved his family to a warmer climate, as well as a more diverse culture. Bakersfield became the family's new home in 2007 when he began his current position as Assistant Professor of Finance at CSUB. When Elhusseiny came here, the club had been around for years, but the FMA club was not activated, so he immediately applied and the club was re-chartered on January 10, 2008.
During the club's first quarter, it was activated nationally and internationally, the second quarter was spent building a website and holding an event, while during the third quarter, FMA students took a trip north to San Francisco to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
"I was driving them very crazy! It's the only way. This year we have a big goal. The big goal is to have our outstanding chapter. They show in the FMA newsletter every year, the outstanding chapter out of 3,000 schools in the nation," informed Elhusseiny.
This quarter, FMA put on an event called, Obamanomics: Social v. Free Market Capitalism. This event was free and open to the community. Local politicians, professors, FMA members and the community discussed current topics. Another exciting trip is planned for the Spring Quarter - in May the FMA students are flying to New York to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Although Elhusseiny has only been at CSUB for a couple of years, he has made a huge impact on our campus. Not only has his involvement with FMA proved successful, but he published four papers last year, which exceeds the expectation in service to the school.
"Professor Elhusseiny has become more than just a professor to me; he has become a friend and a mentor. He is not only a great educator and expert of finance, but he is someone that has motivated to get students interested in the field of finance. His office doors are always open to students, and I believe I speak for the rest of the board of FMA when I say that without him, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish the many things we have achieved as an organization," said CSUB's FMA President, Neeraj Rama.
Students for Quality Education fighting for all students
By Destiny Cerezo
Staff Writer
"We are fighting for education," said Vanessa Rojas president of CSUB's Students for Quality Education (SQE) organization.
Rojas is one of the hard-working and devoted student volunteers within the CSU system advocating for the students of Cal State Bakersfield.
With budget cuts affecting the CSU system due to the state's economic downturn, Rojas represents the student component underneath the California Faculty Association (CFA) of the Alliance For the CSU.
According to Elizabeth Hoffman CFA Associate Vice President, the CFA is a broad coalition of students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, business and community leaders working to protect CSU funding.
"Our goal is to inform, educate and get students to voice their opinion about the budget cuts and all issues related to the Higher Educational system. Our main desire is to get students to get involved and get them to become activists about their education," said Rojas.
SQE has been around for nine years and there is one located on all 23 campuses in the CSU system.
"We need help, we need for students to work with us because if no one is involved, we can't make a difference," said Rojas.
Currently, six strong volunteers represent CSUB's campus and throughout the state of California, 70,000 alliance members have joined. Together the SQE and CFU are responsible for the restoration of the $97.6 million January budget proposal.
Because of the budget cuts, the CSU has lost millions of dollars, which effects all 23 campuses in many ways. If the state continues to take away from the "nation's largest public higher education system," fees will continue to increase, less professors will be hired and class availability will be limited. In turn, the result is postponing graduation due to students only being able to take certain courses once a year.
According to the website, allianceforthecsu.org, "It will be harder to get into and stay in the CSU. Thousands of students are already being turned away." The website also states that the budget cuts will effect "Latino, African-American, Native American, low-income and first generation students and veterans who rely on the state university to get a college education" the most.
SQE exists to turn the budget cuts around and provide funding for the CSU. All students can help, anyone who is interested in the higher education system.
First and foremost e-mail the SQE President at www.yourvoice_csub@yahoo.com and express interest and availability, sign up for the Alliance for the CSU. Tabling is an option as well, spread the word and set up a table, sign students up to help so that they can inform others of these issues. Hand out fliers. SQE provides students with all materials necessary to help recruit other interested volunteers. Assist with classroom presentations, the SQE President offers training to individuals willing to publicly speak of the organization. Most importantly, just get involved!
"I encourage our students, faculty, staff, alumni and labor unions to work together to tell our elected officials, as well as our local businesses, community and civic leaders, that the CSU is the economic powerhouse that provides the highly skilled professionals to the industries that make California successful and that higher education is a long-term investment that benefits everyone," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
Staff Writer
"We are fighting for education," said Vanessa Rojas president of CSUB's Students for Quality Education (SQE) organization.
Rojas is one of the hard-working and devoted student volunteers within the CSU system advocating for the students of Cal State Bakersfield.
With budget cuts affecting the CSU system due to the state's economic downturn, Rojas represents the student component underneath the California Faculty Association (CFA) of the Alliance For the CSU.
According to Elizabeth Hoffman CFA Associate Vice President, the CFA is a broad coalition of students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, business and community leaders working to protect CSU funding.
"Our goal is to inform, educate and get students to voice their opinion about the budget cuts and all issues related to the Higher Educational system. Our main desire is to get students to get involved and get them to become activists about their education," said Rojas.
SQE has been around for nine years and there is one located on all 23 campuses in the CSU system.
"We need help, we need for students to work with us because if no one is involved, we can't make a difference," said Rojas.
Currently, six strong volunteers represent CSUB's campus and throughout the state of California, 70,000 alliance members have joined. Together the SQE and CFU are responsible for the restoration of the $97.6 million January budget proposal.
Because of the budget cuts, the CSU has lost millions of dollars, which effects all 23 campuses in many ways. If the state continues to take away from the "nation's largest public higher education system," fees will continue to increase, less professors will be hired and class availability will be limited. In turn, the result is postponing graduation due to students only being able to take certain courses once a year.
According to the website, allianceforthecsu.org, "It will be harder to get into and stay in the CSU. Thousands of students are already being turned away." The website also states that the budget cuts will effect "Latino, African-American, Native American, low-income and first generation students and veterans who rely on the state university to get a college education" the most.
SQE exists to turn the budget cuts around and provide funding for the CSU. All students can help, anyone who is interested in the higher education system.
First and foremost e-mail the SQE President at www.yourvoice_csub@yahoo.com and express interest and availability, sign up for the Alliance for the CSU. Tabling is an option as well, spread the word and set up a table, sign students up to help so that they can inform others of these issues. Hand out fliers. SQE provides students with all materials necessary to help recruit other interested volunteers. Assist with classroom presentations, the SQE President offers training to individuals willing to publicly speak of the organization. Most importantly, just get involved!
"I encourage our students, faculty, staff, alumni and labor unions to work together to tell our elected officials, as well as our local businesses, community and civic leaders, that the CSU is the economic powerhouse that provides the highly skilled professionals to the industries that make California successful and that higher education is a long-term investment that benefits everyone," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
ISC plans annual dinner
Ashley Sizemore
Entertainment Editor
It's that time again for the International Students Club annual dinner.
This year it is called International Dinner 2009 and it will be held Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Runner Café and Stockdale Room.
The event is open to everyone. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 10 years of age. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased with the International Students Club adviser Jesse Chavez in the Admissions and Records office or they will also be available at the door.
Dalia Baadarani, President of the International Students Club is very excited for this event. She stated this is approximately the 10th annual dinner. Baadarani is a graduate student in the counseling program who is from Lebanon. She has been in the United States for 11 years.
Baadarani said that the members cook dishes from their own country and that there will be about 50 different dishes.
Along with good food, entertainment will be provided. There will be different cultural performances such as a Japanese dance, Indian dance and live Peruvian music.
Along with the performances, there will also be a fashion show.
"It is to show what people wear in their own culture," said Baadarani.
This annual dinner is well-known throughout the community and has a big turnout every year.
"Last year we sold all 300 tickets and it is what we aim also for this year too," said Baadarani.
According to their website, the dinner "gathers hundreds of people (friends in the community, students, staff and professors) to celebrate the richness of cuisine and share the food cultures of the world."
The website also says that International Student's Club is very unique in many ways. Students from all over the world meet regularly to organize cultural events, trips and social activities.
For more information you can e-mail Dalia Baadarani at dbaadarani@runner.csub.edu.
Entertainment Editor
It's that time again for the International Students Club annual dinner.
This year it is called International Dinner 2009 and it will be held Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Runner Café and Stockdale Room.
The event is open to everyone. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 10 years of age. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased with the International Students Club adviser Jesse Chavez in the Admissions and Records office or they will also be available at the door.
Dalia Baadarani, President of the International Students Club is very excited for this event. She stated this is approximately the 10th annual dinner. Baadarani is a graduate student in the counseling program who is from Lebanon. She has been in the United States for 11 years.
Baadarani said that the members cook dishes from their own country and that there will be about 50 different dishes.
Along with good food, entertainment will be provided. There will be different cultural performances such as a Japanese dance, Indian dance and live Peruvian music.
Along with the performances, there will also be a fashion show.
"It is to show what people wear in their own culture," said Baadarani.
This annual dinner is well-known throughout the community and has a big turnout every year.
"Last year we sold all 300 tickets and it is what we aim also for this year too," said Baadarani.
According to their website, the dinner "gathers hundreds of people (friends in the community, students, staff and professors) to celebrate the richness of cuisine and share the food cultures of the world."
The website also says that International Student's Club is very unique in many ways. Students from all over the world meet regularly to organize cultural events, trips and social activities.
For more information you can e-mail Dalia Baadarani at dbaadarani@runner.csub.edu.
Sizzling new Kabob House fires up taste buds
By Jeff Eagan
Staff Writer
If you're a student looking for an affordable and delicious lunch or dinner option, the newly opened Kabob House at 4701 White Lane will both fill your belly and exceed all expectations.
Arriving at the Kabob House late Wednesday night after class I found a family of 10 already happily enjoying massive plates filled with appetizing ground beef khoobideh kabob, steaming piles of Basmati rice topped with yellow saffron, and grilled vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.
I was heartily welcomed by brothers Ali and Reza Razmjou, owner and head chef, as I walked through the front door. I hastily ordered the number two, the shish kabob, which comes with marinated filet mignon, cut, skewered and flame broiled, served with rice and salad. Chef Reza went straight to work preparing my colleague and mine's meal. There were no freezers present. The Kabob House picks up their meat from L.A. twice a week to ensure the freshness and quality of the ingredients in their food. The flames rose from the grill as the sweet smell of fine cuts of beef and freshly peeled onions wafted into my nostrils.
Over two decades of cooking experience was evident in the way Chef Reza masterfully and passionately cooked the kabob and roasted the vegetables for the perfect amount of time. Chef Reza had previously worked at the luxurious Javan Restaurant in Santa Monica for 18 years, and he has brought his skillful culinary philosophy by using the freshest ingredients possible.
Warm pita bread accompanied my kabob and rice, along with fresh must'o khiar (plain yogurt, diced cucumbers and dry mint) and intensely flavorful hummus. I dug in with delight. The meat was savory, not overly marinated and very filling. One of the chef's hallmarks is to bring out the natural flavors of the meat, not to disguise it behind too many spices. The rice was warm, fluffy and cooked to perfection, enhanced by the elegant fragrance and taste of the bright yellow saffron. The vegetables were crunchy, flavorful and were a fitting compliment to the succulent filet mignon as I relished over the wholesome meal.
Other entrees they offer are the boneless chicken kabob, shrimp and salmon kabob, the favorite lamb shank, even a vegetarian kabob that looked tempting. The Kabob House is of the Persian persuasion and offers traditional dishes such as Gormeh Sabzi, which includes fresh green herbs sautéed and stewed with kidney beans, dried lemon cooked with beef and served with rice. Also is Gheimeh, a tomato-based saffron sauce, fried onions cooked with beef and served with rice.
Overall, this new restaurant will be an exciting addition and formative rival to the other kabob places in town like Flame-n-Skewers. They offer lunch portions ranging from $7.50-$9.95 that includes one kabob with the combo and for a couple dollars more, you can get the dinner, which has two kabobs from $10.95-$12.95, more than enough for the hungry student on the go. Suffice it to say, the lunch portion was enough for my stomach because I was pleasantly filled and satisfied. I strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a delectable, affordable and healthy meal. Their hours are 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Staff Writer
If you're a student looking for an affordable and delicious lunch or dinner option, the newly opened Kabob House at 4701 White Lane will both fill your belly and exceed all expectations.
Arriving at the Kabob House late Wednesday night after class I found a family of 10 already happily enjoying massive plates filled with appetizing ground beef khoobideh kabob, steaming piles of Basmati rice topped with yellow saffron, and grilled vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.
I was heartily welcomed by brothers Ali and Reza Razmjou, owner and head chef, as I walked through the front door. I hastily ordered the number two, the shish kabob, which comes with marinated filet mignon, cut, skewered and flame broiled, served with rice and salad. Chef Reza went straight to work preparing my colleague and mine's meal. There were no freezers present. The Kabob House picks up their meat from L.A. twice a week to ensure the freshness and quality of the ingredients in their food. The flames rose from the grill as the sweet smell of fine cuts of beef and freshly peeled onions wafted into my nostrils.
Over two decades of cooking experience was evident in the way Chef Reza masterfully and passionately cooked the kabob and roasted the vegetables for the perfect amount of time. Chef Reza had previously worked at the luxurious Javan Restaurant in Santa Monica for 18 years, and he has brought his skillful culinary philosophy by using the freshest ingredients possible.
Warm pita bread accompanied my kabob and rice, along with fresh must'o khiar (plain yogurt, diced cucumbers and dry mint) and intensely flavorful hummus. I dug in with delight. The meat was savory, not overly marinated and very filling. One of the chef's hallmarks is to bring out the natural flavors of the meat, not to disguise it behind too many spices. The rice was warm, fluffy and cooked to perfection, enhanced by the elegant fragrance and taste of the bright yellow saffron. The vegetables were crunchy, flavorful and were a fitting compliment to the succulent filet mignon as I relished over the wholesome meal.
Other entrees they offer are the boneless chicken kabob, shrimp and salmon kabob, the favorite lamb shank, even a vegetarian kabob that looked tempting. The Kabob House is of the Persian persuasion and offers traditional dishes such as Gormeh Sabzi, which includes fresh green herbs sautéed and stewed with kidney beans, dried lemon cooked with beef and served with rice. Also is Gheimeh, a tomato-based saffron sauce, fried onions cooked with beef and served with rice.
Overall, this new restaurant will be an exciting addition and formative rival to the other kabob places in town like Flame-n-Skewers. They offer lunch portions ranging from $7.50-$9.95 that includes one kabob with the combo and for a couple dollars more, you can get the dinner, which has two kabobs from $10.95-$12.95, more than enough for the hungry student on the go. Suffice it to say, the lunch portion was enough for my stomach because I was pleasantly filled and satisfied. I strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a delectable, affordable and healthy meal. Their hours are 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., seven days a week.
CSUB's 'Everyman' play gives mankind a message
By Rachel Leach
Staff Writer
This past weekend, in our very own Dorè Theatre, several performances of the historical play, "Everyman" was enjoyed by many. The play was originally written in the 15th Century and according to the program, has been read, studied and performed frequently as a classic example of medieval morality. If any of you are familiar with the book, "Pilgrim's Progress," this play was very similar; however it was a Catholic version rather than Protestant. The production served as an allegory and the characters were concepts or qualities, rather than human beings. Strength, Discretion, Good Deeds and Knowledge were just a few of their names.
It was an excellent play, one in which the audience could definitely relate to. Many times in our lives we may feel like Everyman and apply the struggle and journey he faced to our own life tribulations. The story of "Everyman" was not just about one particular man rather he was symbolic of all mankind.
In this compelling performance, the cast of "Everyman" took us on a journey, demonstrating our overzealous pursuit of worldly goods and their fleeting nature. It was thought provoking, yet also full of comedic moments.
Jared Grant, who will be attending CSUB next quarter, saw the play advertised and decided to go check it out. He said that although he is not Catholic, he felt it had great application and that it was a play for everyone to enjoy and to learn from.
"The play made me laugh while reminding me that there is a lot more to life than acquiring wealth and fame. You leave a more positive and memorable impression on the people you leave behind with your good actions, rather than material possessions," said Grant.
The action begins when God sends Death to summon the main character, Everyman. The play portrays a complacent Everyman who is informed by Death that his life is nearing its end. The act shows Everyman's progression from despair and fear of death to someone not afraid of death because he has come to terms with what is truly important and his good deeds save him. The play makes its dismal point that we can take with us from this world nothing that we have received, only what we have given--a very powerful message indeed.
CSUB senior, Michael Mejia, who played the central figure, Everyman, said this was his ninth performance at CSUB. His very first play was in high school where he performed "The Wizard of Oz." Mejia said it was a lot of fun, but didn't do another production after that until college.
While attending CSUB, he went and saw two shows at the school's theatre, then immediately decided to get back into it acting.
"I just felt the urge to get back into it after not being a part of it for a while," stated Mejia. Currently, Mejia is waiting to hear from a few grad schools he applied to where he wants to pursue his true passion--writing.
Mejia really enjoyed playing the lead role in the play, "Everyman" and thought it had a very pertinent message. "Although I myself am not Catholic, and a lot of people aren't, the heart of it speaks to any religion or dogma. It has a very relevant message--your good deeds are important, that's really the impression you want to leave. Actions speak louder than words," said Mejia.
Though the play was strongly rooted in Catholicism, its message can be appreciated regardless of religious affiliation. Often, we value the wrong things in life, things that at the end of our lives will have little or no meaning, however in the end, we will be remembered and survived by our good deeds.
Be on the lookout for upcoming productions at the Dorè Theatre. The next performance is about the gold rush and is called, "Gold Fever" by Rita Grauer and John Urquhart. Performance dates are March 14-15. Students will then perform "Anna in the Tropics" by May 21-23, 28-31. For more information call 654-3150.
Staff Writer
This past weekend, in our very own Dorè Theatre, several performances of the historical play, "Everyman" was enjoyed by many. The play was originally written in the 15th Century and according to the program, has been read, studied and performed frequently as a classic example of medieval morality. If any of you are familiar with the book, "Pilgrim's Progress," this play was very similar; however it was a Catholic version rather than Protestant. The production served as an allegory and the characters were concepts or qualities, rather than human beings. Strength, Discretion, Good Deeds and Knowledge were just a few of their names.
It was an excellent play, one in which the audience could definitely relate to. Many times in our lives we may feel like Everyman and apply the struggle and journey he faced to our own life tribulations. The story of "Everyman" was not just about one particular man rather he was symbolic of all mankind.
In this compelling performance, the cast of "Everyman" took us on a journey, demonstrating our overzealous pursuit of worldly goods and their fleeting nature. It was thought provoking, yet also full of comedic moments.
Jared Grant, who will be attending CSUB next quarter, saw the play advertised and decided to go check it out. He said that although he is not Catholic, he felt it had great application and that it was a play for everyone to enjoy and to learn from.
"The play made me laugh while reminding me that there is a lot more to life than acquiring wealth and fame. You leave a more positive and memorable impression on the people you leave behind with your good actions, rather than material possessions," said Grant.
The action begins when God sends Death to summon the main character, Everyman. The play portrays a complacent Everyman who is informed by Death that his life is nearing its end. The act shows Everyman's progression from despair and fear of death to someone not afraid of death because he has come to terms with what is truly important and his good deeds save him. The play makes its dismal point that we can take with us from this world nothing that we have received, only what we have given--a very powerful message indeed.
CSUB senior, Michael Mejia, who played the central figure, Everyman, said this was his ninth performance at CSUB. His very first play was in high school where he performed "The Wizard of Oz." Mejia said it was a lot of fun, but didn't do another production after that until college.
While attending CSUB, he went and saw two shows at the school's theatre, then immediately decided to get back into it acting.
"I just felt the urge to get back into it after not being a part of it for a while," stated Mejia. Currently, Mejia is waiting to hear from a few grad schools he applied to where he wants to pursue his true passion--writing.
Mejia really enjoyed playing the lead role in the play, "Everyman" and thought it had a very pertinent message. "Although I myself am not Catholic, and a lot of people aren't, the heart of it speaks to any religion or dogma. It has a very relevant message--your good deeds are important, that's really the impression you want to leave. Actions speak louder than words," said Mejia.
Though the play was strongly rooted in Catholicism, its message can be appreciated regardless of religious affiliation. Often, we value the wrong things in life, things that at the end of our lives will have little or no meaning, however in the end, we will be remembered and survived by our good deeds.
Be on the lookout for upcoming productions at the Dorè Theatre. The next performance is about the gold rush and is called, "Gold Fever" by Rita Grauer and John Urquhart. Performance dates are March 14-15. Students will then perform "Anna in the Tropics" by May 21-23, 28-31. For more information call 654-3150.
Popular comic to hit big screen
By Patrick Arvizu
Staff Writer
On March 6, 2009, the highly anticipated movie adaptation of "Watchmen" will be released nationwide. Based on a limited comic series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "Watchmen" remains one of the most influential comic books, having been awarded various honors including a Hugo Award in 1988. "Watchmen" is also listed in Time's list of "100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present," compiled in 2005.
The initial run of the comic in 1986 and 1987 was a commercial success, and unsurprisingly, several attempts at film adaptations have been made in the past. According to a recent CNN article, directors such as "Terry Gillham, Darren Aronofsky, Paul Greengrass and David Hayter" have accepted the job at one point or another, only to be halted by "studio fears about the budget," questions about transitioning from comic to film, and "how the ending might be perceived in a post 9/11 world."
The director who ultimately created the film, Zach Snyder, is well known for his adaptation of another comic book series. As one of Snyder's first feature films, "300" broke box office records and became a pop culture icon, even if its highly stylized art direction, 2-dimensional characters and xenophobic undertones were the source of constant criticism and parody. Concerns with "300" should not transfer over to "Watchmen." It appears to be a movie with vastly different source material and, according to a CNN interview with Snyder, has more use of actual sets over color keying.
Alan Moore, a legend among comic writers, has stated that his goal with "Watchmen" was to write a story involving superheroes in a real world setting.
In a 2005 interview in Entertainment Weekly, Moore stated, "I... wanted to write about power politics. For me, the '80s were worrying. 'Mutually assured destruction.' 'Voodoo economics.' A culture of complacency... I was writing about times I lived in," said Moore.
Like the comic book series, the movie takes place in an alternate 1985. Superheroes exist and are present, but with few exceptions, have been outlawed. Richard Nixon is still president and serving his fourth term. The scandal over the Watergate break-in never occurred due to the murders of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The Vietnam War ended favorably for the United States and the Soviet Union is in the process of involving itself in Afghanistan's civil war. Global tensions are rising in this version of the Cold War, with Soviet concerns over the United States' superhero advantage, risking the start of another arms race or possible nuclear war.
The cast contains lesser-known actors from a variety of backgrounds. Academy Award-nominated actor Jackie Earle Haley portrays Rorschach, a right-wing vigilante who played a major role in the comic book. William Crudup, a Tony Award-winning actor most famous for his role as Will Bloom in "Big Fish," plays Doctor Manhattan, a blue-skinned superhero created out of a lab accident. Jeffery Dean Morgan, widely known for his role as Denny Duquette on "Grey's Anatomy," stars as The Comedian, a sociopath and source of Watchmen's bloodstained happy face icon seen in promotional material.
Despite multiple adaptations of his works, Moore refuses to participate with any movie versions. Moore has publicly distanced himself from the film version of "Watchmen," claming in a recent interview with an Australian newspaper, "[My works] weren't ever designed to be films ... They were designed to exploit all the things that comic books can do and that no other medium can."
Other comic books Moore has written that have been turned into feature films include "V for Vendetta" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
While Moore and diehard comic fans might not be happy with the end result, as some sections of the 12-part comic series undoubtedly need to have been edited to fit in the three hour time span, "Watchmen" appears as a good effort on the part of Snyder from the outset. "Watchmen" could be one of the first blockbusters of 2009.
Staff Writer
On March 6, 2009, the highly anticipated movie adaptation of "Watchmen" will be released nationwide. Based on a limited comic series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "Watchmen" remains one of the most influential comic books, having been awarded various honors including a Hugo Award in 1988. "Watchmen" is also listed in Time's list of "100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present," compiled in 2005.
The initial run of the comic in 1986 and 1987 was a commercial success, and unsurprisingly, several attempts at film adaptations have been made in the past. According to a recent CNN article, directors such as "Terry Gillham, Darren Aronofsky, Paul Greengrass and David Hayter" have accepted the job at one point or another, only to be halted by "studio fears about the budget," questions about transitioning from comic to film, and "how the ending might be perceived in a post 9/11 world."
The director who ultimately created the film, Zach Snyder, is well known for his adaptation of another comic book series. As one of Snyder's first feature films, "300" broke box office records and became a pop culture icon, even if its highly stylized art direction, 2-dimensional characters and xenophobic undertones were the source of constant criticism and parody. Concerns with "300" should not transfer over to "Watchmen." It appears to be a movie with vastly different source material and, according to a CNN interview with Snyder, has more use of actual sets over color keying.
Alan Moore, a legend among comic writers, has stated that his goal with "Watchmen" was to write a story involving superheroes in a real world setting.
In a 2005 interview in Entertainment Weekly, Moore stated, "I... wanted to write about power politics. For me, the '80s were worrying. 'Mutually assured destruction.' 'Voodoo economics.' A culture of complacency... I was writing about times I lived in," said Moore.
Like the comic book series, the movie takes place in an alternate 1985. Superheroes exist and are present, but with few exceptions, have been outlawed. Richard Nixon is still president and serving his fourth term. The scandal over the Watergate break-in never occurred due to the murders of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The Vietnam War ended favorably for the United States and the Soviet Union is in the process of involving itself in Afghanistan's civil war. Global tensions are rising in this version of the Cold War, with Soviet concerns over the United States' superhero advantage, risking the start of another arms race or possible nuclear war.
The cast contains lesser-known actors from a variety of backgrounds. Academy Award-nominated actor Jackie Earle Haley portrays Rorschach, a right-wing vigilante who played a major role in the comic book. William Crudup, a Tony Award-winning actor most famous for his role as Will Bloom in "Big Fish," plays Doctor Manhattan, a blue-skinned superhero created out of a lab accident. Jeffery Dean Morgan, widely known for his role as Denny Duquette on "Grey's Anatomy," stars as The Comedian, a sociopath and source of Watchmen's bloodstained happy face icon seen in promotional material.
Despite multiple adaptations of his works, Moore refuses to participate with any movie versions. Moore has publicly distanced himself from the film version of "Watchmen," claming in a recent interview with an Australian newspaper, "[My works] weren't ever designed to be films ... They were designed to exploit all the things that comic books can do and that no other medium can."
Other comic books Moore has written that have been turned into feature films include "V for Vendetta" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
While Moore and diehard comic fans might not be happy with the end result, as some sections of the 12-part comic series undoubtedly need to have been edited to fit in the three hour time span, "Watchmen" appears as a good effort on the part of Snyder from the outset. "Watchmen" could be one of the first blockbusters of 2009.
Coraline: Friendly or frightening for children?
By Katie Richie
Staff Writer
Coraline, an animated stop-motion film, came into theaters Feb. 6 has caused quite the controversy from the parenting world. This PG film about a young girl named Coraline transports viewers to an upside-down world filled with magical wonders and horrifying revelations.
This animated film was aimed for a younger crowd but critics and parents alike are warning that Coraline should be viewed with a close eye. The movie starts off well with Coraline wishing she had a more interesting world to explore. After her family moves to the middle of nowhere she soon wishes she was back home. She is sick of the rain, her parent's mundane attitudes and her uninteresting neighbors. While Coraline searches for more interesting activities to entertain herself, she discovers a secret door that ends up leading her to a whole new world every night after she goes to sleep.
This world is a flipped version of the reality she currently lives in except for some major changes. Her parents are more compassionate and interesting, her neighbors are amazing entertainers and her life is no longer dull. Her "other" mother spoils Coraline with delicious food, amazing presents and exciting adventures.
As she continues through the world she discovers that everything in this "other" world is not what it seems. Though this world seems almost perfect she soon realizes that she misses her real home. This is where the scarier, less child friendly plot enters the picture. Buttons for eyes, a claw-handed mother, and soulless children are just some of the revelations Coraline discovers about this separate world. As the plot takes a scarier turn, many viewers are going to question whether or not this movie is really appropriate for their children.
The overall consensus of the movie-watching world is to make sure your child is mature enough to view Coraline before jumping on in. It turns out that the film is for the darker audience. If your children enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Monster House then they should be fine viewing Coraline.
Though Coraline is not the typical fairytale, it is a wonderfully made film. The animation, plot, and acting were all stupendously done and every scene keeps you entertained and anticipating what happens next. Even with all the current controversy surrounding the films ideal audience, I still recommend viewing it. I would advise that the younger audiences be prepared for darker plots and scenes in the film.
Staff Writer
Coraline, an animated stop-motion film, came into theaters Feb. 6 has caused quite the controversy from the parenting world. This PG film about a young girl named Coraline transports viewers to an upside-down world filled with magical wonders and horrifying revelations.
This animated film was aimed for a younger crowd but critics and parents alike are warning that Coraline should be viewed with a close eye. The movie starts off well with Coraline wishing she had a more interesting world to explore. After her family moves to the middle of nowhere she soon wishes she was back home. She is sick of the rain, her parent's mundane attitudes and her uninteresting neighbors. While Coraline searches for more interesting activities to entertain herself, she discovers a secret door that ends up leading her to a whole new world every night after she goes to sleep.
This world is a flipped version of the reality she currently lives in except for some major changes. Her parents are more compassionate and interesting, her neighbors are amazing entertainers and her life is no longer dull. Her "other" mother spoils Coraline with delicious food, amazing presents and exciting adventures.
As she continues through the world she discovers that everything in this "other" world is not what it seems. Though this world seems almost perfect she soon realizes that she misses her real home. This is where the scarier, less child friendly plot enters the picture. Buttons for eyes, a claw-handed mother, and soulless children are just some of the revelations Coraline discovers about this separate world. As the plot takes a scarier turn, many viewers are going to question whether or not this movie is really appropriate for their children.
The overall consensus of the movie-watching world is to make sure your child is mature enough to view Coraline before jumping on in. It turns out that the film is for the darker audience. If your children enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Monster House then they should be fine viewing Coraline.
Though Coraline is not the typical fairytale, it is a wonderfully made film. The animation, plot, and acting were all stupendously done and every scene keeps you entertained and anticipating what happens next. Even with all the current controversy surrounding the films ideal audience, I still recommend viewing it. I would advise that the younger audiences be prepared for darker plots and scenes in the film.
Homecoming: a first hand glance
By Nathan Campbell
Online Editor
I approach the check-in table outside the conference room in the Marriott Hotel where homecoming was this year. Anxiously, I inch forward with my homecoming ticket in hand. I have been waiting in line for almost half an hour as I watch an altercation between the party in front of me and the event staff unfold.
Apparently, the four girls did not have tickets to the event - a new feature this year to ensure that the event space would not be filled past capacity and were angered at the fact that they had just waited in the long winding line only to be turned down at the door.
With only a modicum of interest I noticed that a male behind the table - presumably one of the homecoming event staff members - was yelling at the girls on the other side to the point of being physically restrained by a female companion to his right.
Right then, I knew that this year's homecoming was going to be different from the past four I have attended at CSUB.
This year would be different anyhow, because ten days earlier I had been presented at a basketball game as a nominee for the illustrious title of homecoming king, along with a good friend of mine - Eddy Lee.
Nominee or not, I was not wanting to miss this year's homecoming, because it would hopefully be my last as a student, so I made sure to get a ticket the Monday before the dance. I was surprised to hear that the tickets were nearly out - and indeed, did run out several days before the event.
That seemed to be the biggest frustration I heard from my fellow classmates, and their guests, in the wait to reach the front of the line at the Marriott. I was standing in front of some members of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority who were pretty distraught that many of their sisters were unable to attend, because they had not known about the shortage of tickets.
This was even true of Angie Gonzalez and Suzanne Mendoza who were the past homecoming queen and queen nominee respectively, who had to find a way to arrange entrance to the event after the tickets were all given out.
While waiting in line, I could not help but notice a member of ASi and his date walk straight past the line and into the dance after being told that members of ASi did not have to check in. I guess position has its privileges.
Once inside, the homecoming looked much like last years -even down to the casino games, which seem to become a staple of CSUB events.
The hors d'oeuvres seemed a bit sparser, which seems to be a trend as I remember my first homecoming including a full buffet style meal.
At midnight, the king and queen were announced - Jamaal Tolbert and Wendy Martinez won. Soon after, the dance began to empty out. I saw a shoeless girl leaning on her friend for stability as they hobbled out of the hotel - an apparent victim to over indulgence of the two onsite cash bars.
So if you missed homecoming, because you didn't get a ticket, or were those girls who got turned down at the door or just weren't clever enough to sneak in like a number of individuals I know - that was essentially it.
I can honestly say you didn't miss much.
Online Editor
I approach the check-in table outside the conference room in the Marriott Hotel where homecoming was this year. Anxiously, I inch forward with my homecoming ticket in hand. I have been waiting in line for almost half an hour as I watch an altercation between the party in front of me and the event staff unfold.
Apparently, the four girls did not have tickets to the event - a new feature this year to ensure that the event space would not be filled past capacity and were angered at the fact that they had just waited in the long winding line only to be turned down at the door.
With only a modicum of interest I noticed that a male behind the table - presumably one of the homecoming event staff members - was yelling at the girls on the other side to the point of being physically restrained by a female companion to his right.
Right then, I knew that this year's homecoming was going to be different from the past four I have attended at CSUB.
This year would be different anyhow, because ten days earlier I had been presented at a basketball game as a nominee for the illustrious title of homecoming king, along with a good friend of mine - Eddy Lee.
Nominee or not, I was not wanting to miss this year's homecoming, because it would hopefully be my last as a student, so I made sure to get a ticket the Monday before the dance. I was surprised to hear that the tickets were nearly out - and indeed, did run out several days before the event.
That seemed to be the biggest frustration I heard from my fellow classmates, and their guests, in the wait to reach the front of the line at the Marriott. I was standing in front of some members of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority who were pretty distraught that many of their sisters were unable to attend, because they had not known about the shortage of tickets.
This was even true of Angie Gonzalez and Suzanne Mendoza who were the past homecoming queen and queen nominee respectively, who had to find a way to arrange entrance to the event after the tickets were all given out.
While waiting in line, I could not help but notice a member of ASi and his date walk straight past the line and into the dance after being told that members of ASi did not have to check in. I guess position has its privileges.
Once inside, the homecoming looked much like last years -even down to the casino games, which seem to become a staple of CSUB events.
The hors d'oeuvres seemed a bit sparser, which seems to be a trend as I remember my first homecoming including a full buffet style meal.
At midnight, the king and queen were announced - Jamaal Tolbert and Wendy Martinez won. Soon after, the dance began to empty out. I saw a shoeless girl leaning on her friend for stability as they hobbled out of the hotel - an apparent victim to over indulgence of the two onsite cash bars.
So if you missed homecoming, because you didn't get a ticket, or were those girls who got turned down at the door or just weren't clever enough to sneak in like a number of individuals I know - that was essentially it.
I can honestly say you didn't miss much.
Project Runway teaches what not to wear
by Nathan Campbell
Online Editor
Students, staff, faculty and representatives from several local employers descended on the Stockdale Room last Thursday for the Career Development Center's second annual Project Runway event.
Project Runway - taking its name from a popular TV show - is a fashion competition between teams of students and staff to see who can best exemplify proper business attire. Each team consisted of three members - one for each category, which were: business formal, business casual and what not to wear.
According to Jane Evarian, Director of the Career Development Center, the even was held to help students identify, what exactly is proper attire to wear to a job interview, as well as to give a chance for students to interface and network with the employer representatives who were judging the teams.
EJ Callahan introduced each team, and did his best to describe their attire as they strutted down the Christmas light runway.
The outfits were about what you would expect to see around the water cooler: your classic suit and tie, pant suits and vests - worn by both sexes were a common appearance. However, by far the most entertaining category of the night was the "what not to wear."
The student participants seemed to take this as an open invitation to dress as ridiculously as possible - and for some, to act pretty inappropriate as well.
Faith Perry was actually one of the more reserved contestants wearing a torn tie-dye tank top, jeans and baseball cap. "I just tried to wear the craziest colors I had," said Perry about her outfit.
Others in her category wore everything from bathrobes and pajamas to some incredibly tacky ties.
After all of the teams had walked the runway, the judges conferred and came back to offer some advice.
One of the judges, Jennifer Bravo from Brown Armstrong spoke to the crowd about employer expectations.
"A lot of what you're wearing as business formal would actually be business casual," said Bravo.
This comment was specifically aimed at some contestants who wore a dress shirt and tie, but not a suit jacket.
She went on to say that she recruits for her company at CSUB and several other nearby state universities, and said that they seek out "different calibers of students," which makes one wonder what exactly she was implying by telling the CSUB audience that.
In the end, team Fade to Black won. Stephen Muchinyi, ASi Vice President of Legislative Affairs, was the team's business formal model. He was wearing a Richard Harris two-piece suit, a lavender Ted Baker tie, a cranberry colored Geoffrey Beene shirt.
Fade to Black's business casual model Robert Tincher wore a pinstriped vest, red dress shirt and tie from Express.
Jason Goklaney, the team's what not to wear model, wore a black hoody, which he stripped mid-walk to reveal a black print tank top to go along with his white board shorts and flip flops.
The winning team was awarded $150 in Visa cards, second place team "Fashionistas" won gift cards to Target and third place team "Fashion Police" won $15 gift cards to Starbucks.
Online Editor
Students, staff, faculty and representatives from several local employers descended on the Stockdale Room last Thursday for the Career Development Center's second annual Project Runway event.
Project Runway - taking its name from a popular TV show - is a fashion competition between teams of students and staff to see who can best exemplify proper business attire. Each team consisted of three members - one for each category, which were: business formal, business casual and what not to wear.
According to Jane Evarian, Director of the Career Development Center, the even was held to help students identify, what exactly is proper attire to wear to a job interview, as well as to give a chance for students to interface and network with the employer representatives who were judging the teams.
EJ Callahan introduced each team, and did his best to describe their attire as they strutted down the Christmas light runway.
The outfits were about what you would expect to see around the water cooler: your classic suit and tie, pant suits and vests - worn by both sexes were a common appearance. However, by far the most entertaining category of the night was the "what not to wear."
The student participants seemed to take this as an open invitation to dress as ridiculously as possible - and for some, to act pretty inappropriate as well.
Faith Perry was actually one of the more reserved contestants wearing a torn tie-dye tank top, jeans and baseball cap. "I just tried to wear the craziest colors I had," said Perry about her outfit.
Others in her category wore everything from bathrobes and pajamas to some incredibly tacky ties.
After all of the teams had walked the runway, the judges conferred and came back to offer some advice.
One of the judges, Jennifer Bravo from Brown Armstrong spoke to the crowd about employer expectations.
"A lot of what you're wearing as business formal would actually be business casual," said Bravo.
This comment was specifically aimed at some contestants who wore a dress shirt and tie, but not a suit jacket.
She went on to say that she recruits for her company at CSUB and several other nearby state universities, and said that they seek out "different calibers of students," which makes one wonder what exactly she was implying by telling the CSUB audience that.
In the end, team Fade to Black won. Stephen Muchinyi, ASi Vice President of Legislative Affairs, was the team's business formal model. He was wearing a Richard Harris two-piece suit, a lavender Ted Baker tie, a cranberry colored Geoffrey Beene shirt.
Fade to Black's business casual model Robert Tincher wore a pinstriped vest, red dress shirt and tie from Express.
Jason Goklaney, the team's what not to wear model, wore a black hoody, which he stripped mid-walk to reveal a black print tank top to go along with his white board shorts and flip flops.
The winning team was awarded $150 in Visa cards, second place team "Fashionistas" won gift cards to Target and third place team "Fashion Police" won $15 gift cards to Starbucks.
Missed opportunities cost softball series against UC Santa Barbara
By Mark Nessia
Staff Writer
Inconsistency and missed opportunities cost the CSUB softball team the series against visiting UC Santa Barbara. The Roadrunners (7-8) lost the series, 2-1, including a 6-0, two-hitter, loss in the final contest.
The Roadrunners had an opportunity to score runs in the final game, despite not recording a hit through three innings, when a fielder's choice, walk and an error loaded the bases for Danielle Lyman with two outs in the inning. Lyman entered the weekend batting .548, with a team-leading three home runs, but flew out to deep left to end the threat.
"That was just a poor performance on our part," said CSUB head coach Kathy Welter. "You have to give some credit to their pitcher. She pitched well, and almost had a no-hitter against us until the very end. Part of it was that, but a lot of our weaknesses all showed up at the same time against them."
UC Santa Barbara (11-7) accumulated 11 hits in third game, while the Roadrunners didn't get their first hit until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Roadrunners also committed three errors in the game, which led to two unearned runs.
The Roadrunners nearly won the first game against UC Santa Barbara when Lyman, once again, came up to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, down by one. Lyman struck out looking for the third, and final, out of the game resulting in a 4-3 loss.
The Roadrunners were able to capitalize in the second game against UC Santa Barbara when, down 6-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, freshman Justeen Maeva hit a three-run home run to send the game into extra innings.
Following international tie-breaker rules in extra innings, in which a runner is placed on second base to start each inning, Maeva came through once again, in the bottom of the ninth, with a double to center field to drive the winning run home for the 7-6 win.
It was the first time the Roadrunners have won against UC Santa Barbara since beating them, 2-1, on Feb. 25, 1992.
"They beat us both games in a doubleheader last year, so it was good to get a win against them," said Welter. "I thought the first game that we lost, we had a good comeback going. That game could have gone either way."
Welter implemented a few changes to the team's defensive lineups, as well as the designated player, in the series against UC Santa Barbara. The changes led to players playing different defensive positions, as well as pitcher Brittany Johnson batting.
"I think we have a lot of players who can play lots of positions," said Welter. "There are several players on the team that are better offensively than defensively, and others who are better defensively than offensively, and so to try and balance it out is kind of a guessing game. You can't really know until you know how the pitchers are going to be throwing, and how the other pitcher is going to be throwing so it's just kind of a guess. But I thought we needed to try something else, just to look at some other options."
Johnson got her first collegiate hit over the weekend, going 1-for-4 over the three-game series, but lost the two games she started.
"Our pitchers have been struggling," said Welter. "I think Brittany (Johnson) the first day, after giving up some runs, settled down. That was the fewest runs that we've held them to - four runs in that game. After that, we just gave up too many runs, gave up a lot of walks and the defense wasn't as sharp as it should be."
Welter said defense and pitching usually go together, and that they feed off each other. When one is strong, it takes pressure off the other, but when both are struggling, it puts pressure on the other part of the equation.
"We're struggling in both departments right now," said Welter.
The Roadrunners will travel to San Jose State to play a four-game series on March 6 and 7. In preparation for the contest, Welter said that the team needs to work on staying mentally strong and not getting down when an opposing team scores runs. But Welter's main focus is generating more consistent play from her team so they don't have a good day followed by a bad day.
"It's better to have moderate days all the way through," said Welter. "At least have a chance to be in every game. A lot of things we just have to keep working on, and some things just take time. Some of the weaknesses are there because somebody is young and just needs experience. We just have to keep going at it, but the key thing is to stay mentally tough, so we don't get down and frustrated and not pulling together the win."
Staff Writer
Inconsistency and missed opportunities cost the CSUB softball team the series against visiting UC Santa Barbara. The Roadrunners (7-8) lost the series, 2-1, including a 6-0, two-hitter, loss in the final contest.
The Roadrunners had an opportunity to score runs in the final game, despite not recording a hit through three innings, when a fielder's choice, walk and an error loaded the bases for Danielle Lyman with two outs in the inning. Lyman entered the weekend batting .548, with a team-leading three home runs, but flew out to deep left to end the threat.
"That was just a poor performance on our part," said CSUB head coach Kathy Welter. "You have to give some credit to their pitcher. She pitched well, and almost had a no-hitter against us until the very end. Part of it was that, but a lot of our weaknesses all showed up at the same time against them."
UC Santa Barbara (11-7) accumulated 11 hits in third game, while the Roadrunners didn't get their first hit until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Roadrunners also committed three errors in the game, which led to two unearned runs.
The Roadrunners nearly won the first game against UC Santa Barbara when Lyman, once again, came up to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, down by one. Lyman struck out looking for the third, and final, out of the game resulting in a 4-3 loss.
The Roadrunners were able to capitalize in the second game against UC Santa Barbara when, down 6-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, freshman Justeen Maeva hit a three-run home run to send the game into extra innings.
Following international tie-breaker rules in extra innings, in which a runner is placed on second base to start each inning, Maeva came through once again, in the bottom of the ninth, with a double to center field to drive the winning run home for the 7-6 win.
It was the first time the Roadrunners have won against UC Santa Barbara since beating them, 2-1, on Feb. 25, 1992.
"They beat us both games in a doubleheader last year, so it was good to get a win against them," said Welter. "I thought the first game that we lost, we had a good comeback going. That game could have gone either way."
Welter implemented a few changes to the team's defensive lineups, as well as the designated player, in the series against UC Santa Barbara. The changes led to players playing different defensive positions, as well as pitcher Brittany Johnson batting.
"I think we have a lot of players who can play lots of positions," said Welter. "There are several players on the team that are better offensively than defensively, and others who are better defensively than offensively, and so to try and balance it out is kind of a guessing game. You can't really know until you know how the pitchers are going to be throwing, and how the other pitcher is going to be throwing so it's just kind of a guess. But I thought we needed to try something else, just to look at some other options."
Johnson got her first collegiate hit over the weekend, going 1-for-4 over the three-game series, but lost the two games she started.
"Our pitchers have been struggling," said Welter. "I think Brittany (Johnson) the first day, after giving up some runs, settled down. That was the fewest runs that we've held them to - four runs in that game. After that, we just gave up too many runs, gave up a lot of walks and the defense wasn't as sharp as it should be."
Welter said defense and pitching usually go together, and that they feed off each other. When one is strong, it takes pressure off the other, but when both are struggling, it puts pressure on the other part of the equation.
"We're struggling in both departments right now," said Welter.
The Roadrunners will travel to San Jose State to play a four-game series on March 6 and 7. In preparation for the contest, Welter said that the team needs to work on staying mentally strong and not getting down when an opposing team scores runs. But Welter's main focus is generating more consistent play from her team so they don't have a good day followed by a bad day.
"It's better to have moderate days all the way through," said Welter. "At least have a chance to be in every game. A lot of things we just have to keep working on, and some things just take time. Some of the weaknesses are there because somebody is young and just needs experience. We just have to keep going at it, but the key thing is to stay mentally tough, so we don't get down and frustrated and not pulling together the win."
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