The Channels

Adult Ed classes stay afloat

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Santa Barbara City College's Continuing Education department is figuring out ways to best serve its adult community in light of the state's budget crisis, the program's public information specialist said.

The program faced a financially fragile fall 2009 term when the department was informed of additional budget cuts and had to respond by cutting class sections even after the term's catalog was already printed.

Deep cuts loom for low-income student programs

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

California's budget crisis has continued into the new year and state heads are looking to cut funding for community colleges, including programs for low-income students.

Santa Barbara City College officials are meeting continuously to mull different plans should Sacramento leaders vote to slice funding for the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, Disabled Student Programs and Services and other categorical fund services like counseling.

Baseball team prepares for season opener Feb. 6

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Spring is around the corner and that means one thing - Vaquero baseball will have fresh, powerhouse transfers with their homegrown talent headlining the 2010 squad.

After coming up short en route to the playoffs last year with a mid season collapse, the Vaqueros are focused on an extended season.

City College student films Olympic Snowboard Trials

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"How embarrassing."

This is what 21-year-old City College student David Flieger thought as he rode down the base of the mountain, holding his arm to his body.

He had to tell instructor Natalie Phares he had sub-luxed his right shoulder after attempting to jump off a small cliff.

Men's tennis swept 9-0 by No. 2 seed

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Vaqueros lost another match Friday, falling 9-0 to No. 2 seed San Jacinto.

The season hasn't started brightly for the Vaqs. After losing a heart-breaker to Riverside on Thursday, they had to regroup in 20 hours for San Jacinto.

Even with the loss, Coach Don Lowry saw some positives during the trip and said he hopes the team will bounce back.

Cannon Twins lead softball team in a sweep

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Vaqs showed they could win by outscoring and out-pitching opponents during Saturday's softball game at Pershing Park.

City College blasted Foothill College 14-6 and 10-1 in their first two games of the season.

Twins Laura and Joan Cannon scored seven of the team's 14 runs in the first game, and the Vaqueros got a gem two-hitter from Jeana Carillo and Leana Caughman.

Men's volleyball wins consolation championship at Long Beach tournament

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The men's volleyball team kicked off their season at a tournament hosted by defending state champs Long Beach City College on Saturday.

After dropping their opener, they played host Long Beach and Santa Monica into a third set.

After getting back on track with two wins, SBCC came from behind to defeat Grossmont 31-29 for the tournament's consolation championship.

Dare to see the 'Density' exhibit

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A 22-foot long area rug made entirely of shirt labels may make spectators stop to contemplate the utter density of it all.

And if the rug doesn't stop them, maybe the perfectly chopped up bibles will.

The suitably named "Density" exhibit, showing in the Atkinson Gallery from Jan.

Festival features student work

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, more than 30 City College students will participate in the star-studded events by writing reviews, competing, and screening student films.

For six years City College students have participated in the 10-10-10, an all-regional student competition focused on writing and directing.

CD Review - "Y Not?" by Ringo Starr

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Why own Ringo Starr's newest album? The title song "Why Not?" won't give you the answer.

Unlike many musicians, Starr's style is not fixed to make every cut sound the same. His songs ring familiar to the Beatles, yet are made uniquely his own.

Instead of jumping immediately into the lyrics, most titles include an interlude so enjoyable one almost hopes the lyrics never come.

CD Review - "Animal" by Ke$ha

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

After a promising beginning with top singles both as featured artist in Flo Rida's "Right Round" and her own "Tik Tok," Ke$ha's debut album has reached No. 1. Fair enough, because Animal is a good collection of very different songs.

She sounds like a mixture of Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry who successfully blends party songs with provocative lyrics, like in "Dinosaur" and "Blah Blah Blah.

CD Review - "Davy" by Coconut Records

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"Davy" is the sophomore album by Coconut Record's Jason Schwartzman. A perennial Wes Anderson actor, Schwartzman has made "Davy" another one of his solo projects.

With vocal stylings reminiscent of the late Elliott Smith, the album offers a cohesive blend of songs with eclectic instruments.

E-books prove deceptive and untrustworthy, students say

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With textbook prices ripping off even the best penny-pinchers, students are turning to a cheaper means to maintain their school budgets. But despite downloadable "eTextbooks" at a fraction of the original price, students simply aren't buying-and for good reason.

Honor society fundraising for Haiti relief

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In relief efforts for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society plans to raise $5,000 over the next few weeks for three organizations. "This is a very important cause," said Devin DiNapoli, president of the society. "The country of Haiti needs all the help we can offer.

Local, organic coffee now served at cafeteria, campus cafes

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Column - Selfishness a key contributor to student success

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

It's 7:58 a.m. on the first day of the Spring semester and for some City College students this morning is considered a fresh start.

For others who are struggling to find parking, or stressing about being late, this is the first of many dreaded mornings to come.

Column - Smoking out state policies

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Has California gone mad? Can't its residents understand the consequences of legalizing marijuana? It's almost too late to do anything to stop it. Californians are most likely going to have a chance to vote this November on whether to make marijuana legal for anyone over 21, to grow, smoke, and even sell it.

Editorial - Laziness won't cut it

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With budgets tightening and the college cutting corners, Darwin's famous "survival of the fittest" theory seems to be coming into play here at City College. The exceedingly tight state budget for 2010-2011 was released nearly a month ago, and our Board of Trustees has been discussing the implications.

Column - Laptop note-takers face risky distractions

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Not many people can do two things at once, especially not when really having to concentrate. Everyday in class I'll sit behind someone who uses a laptop. Believe me, people are not only using them to take notes. Students are doing almost anything but studying: playing poker and other games, chatting with friends and browsing through online clothing stores.