Archive for February, 2010
MARIE’S MUNCHIES: Cup Café
Story and photos by Marie Rodriguez
Cup Café enjoys the same vibe as the Hotel Congress in which it is located, and boasts a menu that is capable of pleasing various palates.
The historic theme prevalent throughout the hotel is kept within the café as well. Chandeliers made with wine bottles hang suspended in air, while pennies tile the floor. There’s a classy charm amidst the candlelit tables and well-dressed staff.
Three different menus along with daily features make for an ever-interesting order every visit.
For breakfast, from opening at 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., diners may choose items ranging from simple eggs and toast to tequila-cured salmon, tofu scramble or biscuits and gravy.
Meals served during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. lunchtime include a popular tortilla soup, various salads, and creatively interesting fish and beef plates.
The dinner menu includes some items from the lunch menu and even the Hotel Omelet from breakfast. It is split between small plates and large plates, comparable to many restaurants’ lunch and dinner portions.
A “starving students” plan of food attack is best during the café’s happy hour weekdays between 4 and 7 p.m. Appetizers, any item on the small-plate menu, cost just $5 each and will satisfy a hungry appetite.
The Wild Boar Sloppy Joes, served with tempura jalapeno and rosemary sweet potato chips, are a personal favorite.
The two somewhat-mini burgers contain a surprisingly juicy beef, but they’re not too sloppy like your normal Joes. The coleslaw inside with strips of bell peppers adds a complimentary crunch.
The rosemary sweet potato chips make the plate better than good. What is predominately salty alone becomes sweet when eaten with a bite of burger.
An all-around delectable meal awaits at Cup Café. Your stomach will not be disappointed.
Cup Cafe
Address: 311 E. Congress St.
Reservations: 798-1618
Web: Hotelcongress.com/cup
Online Extra: Baseball displays offensive power, continues winning
By James Sargent
Photo by James Kelley
The Pima Community College baseball team finally got its offense going in the past three games against the University of Arizona Club team and Tucson Nationals baseball club. The Aztecs’ overall record has now blossomed to 4-6 on the season.
The doubleheader scheduled for Feb. 20 against the Gila Monsters of Eastern Arizona College was postponed due to rain. Pima’s double-header against Yavapai was moved to Feb. 25.
The Aztecs had a six-day layoff between their doubleheader sweep against the UA Club team and then a single game on Feb. 15 against the Wildcats. Pima pounded out 21 hits in a 19-0 win for its third win over the Cats this season.
“This win helped with the confidence of our hitters,” head coach Edgar Soto said. “Hitting is such a mental thing. Sometimes you just need some success to get you going.”
The Aztec pitching also dominated, as the four-man staff allowed just one hit in the shutout. Sophomore pitcher Richie Sandoval earned the win, striking out six and not surrendering a hit through four innings of work.
Freshmen Robert Ravago and Matt Pavelich pitched the middle innings. Freshman Ryan Retz threw the final three hitless innings, where he also struck out six.
Six Aztecs registered multi-hit games, with four batters picking up three hits each. Freshmen Abel Chavez and Leo Durazo, and sophomores Alex Ferguson and Pepito Moreno all had three knocks. Moreno also had three RBIs, while the other three batters knocked in a pair of RBIs each.
Pima split a double-header with the Tucson Nationals. The Aztecs lost the first game 8-7 but won the second 13-6.
Ryan Retz
The PCC baseball team hosted its annual Alumni Baseball Camp on Feb. 13.
The two-hour camp, run by former Aztecs who have played in the Big Leagues, featured players who are currently playing professionally in the minors.
Alumni who worked at the camp and provided drills to the children who attended included Arizona Diamondbacks’ hitting coach Jack Howell, St. Louis Cardinals’ outfield coordinator Tom Spencer, Cincinnati Reds’ scouting supervisor Clark Crist, former Major League players Gil Heredia and George Arias, Kansas City Royals’ Gilbert De La Vara, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Donald Veal, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jesus Castillo and current Mexico professional baseball player Jesus Cota.
“Jack Howell, who is currently the Big League hitting coach for the AZ D-Backs, gave us a lot of inspiration because he started off here at Pima,” Soto said.
Following the camp, a home run derby took place. To close out the day, the Aztec baseball team took on the alumni team in a nine-inning game. The current team trounced the alumni by a score of 8-0.
Pima also retired Rich Alday’s jersey, No. 26, placing it on the outfield wall at the Aztecs’ ballpark. Alday held the first head coaching job in PCC baseball history.
Chorale & College Singers to perform March 11
By Austin Driscoll
Pima Community College’s Chorale & College Singers will perform in concert March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre on West Campus.
Benjamin Sorenson directs the Chorale, a large mixed-voice choir, and the College Singers, a smaller mixed-voice choir.
Chorale concert selections will include “Hosanna to the Son of David” by Daniel Moe, “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson, “Six Chansons” by Rainer Maria Rilke and “Places Among the Stars” by Stephen Crane.
The College Singers will perform “Piccolomini Mass” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Sorenson performs regularly with the Arizona Opera Company and has directed the Chorale & College Singers since 1978. Sorenson has also prepared choruses professionally for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera Company.
Tickets cost $6, and are available at the CFA box office on West Campus. Box office hours are Tuesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. and one hour before performances.
For more information, call 206-6986.
ASK GABI: Manage time well
Story and photo by Gabi Piña
Welcome back, young grasshoppers. If you followed my basic rules to landing yourself a major stud, you’re ready for the next step.
Now that you’ve gotten a chance to cuddle up next to your [*insert preferred pet name here*] you can’t help but think, “What’s next?”
When in a new relationship, lots of people seem to wrap themselves too tightly around their significant other. They overlook the fact that other people are involved in their lives.
Think back to the people who stood by listening to you talk about your crush. Remember the people who dealt with your random mood swings and your somewhat annoying tendencies?
Ah, friends. You remember those, don’t you? You didn’t spare them all the mushy details. Now, spending some quality time with them is the least you can do.
Whenever you do find time to hang out with friends, don’t spend it chatting them up about cute things your beau does. Believe it or not, it gets rather exasperating.
Maybe this new person is the love of your life—I’m not one to judge—but odds are they’re not.
I’m blaming my cynicism on my still-somewhat-young age. You’re supposed to be going out on adventures, enjoying life. You’re not supposed to have your life consumed entirely by one person.
When something tremendously important happens in your life, odds are you’ll like more than one opinion. When in need, your friends can offer you a level of comfort that your significant other cannot.
You benefit from having both parties in your life because, in all likelihood, they have different beliefs. They both have your best interests at heart, but their advice probably differs considerably.
Managing your time wisely among your partner, friends and other aspects of your life will make things less complicated.
You’d avoid unnecessary drama and end up making everybody somewhat happy.
Signing off,
Gabi
If you’d like advice on something, please e-mail Ask Gabi at aztecpress@pima.edu or visit us at AztecPressOnline.com.
Issue 3 Horoscopes
By Taylor Bock
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You’re going to come across something seemingly amazing, Aries. But remember that things aren’t always as they seem. That deluxe ultra cheeseburger with extra bacon just might have a cockroach in it.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Sometimes you just have to realize when something is a bad idea, Taurus. For example, it may seem like a good idea to tell a dead baby joke. But it may be a bad idea to tell a dead baby joke to woman who just had a miscarriage.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Be nice to people today, Gemini. If one of your friends is low on cash for lunch, buy him something. Then next time you’re low on cash, you can say “But dude! I got you lunch last time! You totally owe me!”
Cancer (June 22- July 22)
Try something new, Cancer. Who knows? It could lead to some real good or even love. Maybe try rock climbing. When you fall off and get mangled on the way down, you could meet a cute paramedic when they take you to the hospital.
Leo (July 23- Aug. 22)
You’re on fire today, Leo! No really, you’re on fire! Quit reading, and stop, drop and roll!
Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
You have some good ideas, Virgo. Get out there and share them with the world. That electric toothbrush/toaster combination is pure genius. It’s sure to take off eventually.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Use your charisma to your advantage, Libra. Once you have someone in the palm of your hand, get them to buy you ice cream. Just make sure you and Gemini don’t choose the same guy, or else he’ll suspect something.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Stay cool, Scorpio. No matter what kind of crazy thing goes down today, keep calm and chill. If there’s a Godzilla attack, lean up against a streetlight and put on your shades. You don’t care if buildings are exploding. You’re just being cool.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21)
You need to slow down your head, Sagittarius. You’re thinking far too hard about things. Slow things down and think simple. If you can’t decide between ketchup and hot sauce, compromise and mix them together. It’s actually pretty good.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 19)
You’re the captain today, Capricorn. Command your hardy crew, take your ship to the seas and set sail for new lands. Or maybe just carpool to a movie theater if the latter option seems a bit too tough.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Good lord, Aquarius. You may be a cool person, but don’t get a swelled head about it. You aren’t God’s gift to the planet. Calm down your ego a few notches and don’t be such a jerk.
Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)
Do a little experimenting, Pisces. I would suggest a lengthy study on what shoes cause the most pain when you kick a guy in the balls. Finding willing participants will be hard, though. I suggest Gemini, he’s gullible lately.
Aztec Press Feedback: Why is gender gap considered a problem?
I read Mr. Manny Manriquez’s article [Issue 2, Spring 2010] regarding gender gaps in colleges across our country.
Why is female success regarded as male failure? Why is this statistic regarded as a problem?
Females have suffered approximately 5,000 years of patriarchal oppression, being told they could not attend school, prohibited from learning how to read, unable to own or manage money or property, considered chattel, routinely abused physically and sexually in cultures worldwide that accept rape/incest/abuse as common place entitlement of males.
Why does our chancellor show concern that women are excelling? Did he show this concern when females were the lesser statistical number, or is this misogyny?
I am encouraged by women’s rising success rate and celebrate breaking the mold that has held us in legal, emotional, financial and psychological bondage under the ignorance of male dominance.
Male dominance in education hasn’t historically ruled the world very well. We have been at war under their rule for a very long time. I applaud the success of all women, especially those from countries and cultures where males have been an obstacle to equality.
Kathi A. Sabot
PCC student
Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy
By Steve Choice
Imagine being fired from your job because you’re the wrong race. Or the wrong gender, age or religion. Maybe that’s not a total stretch to contemplate, since we know discrimination still exists.
But further imagine having the force of federal law support your firing. That’s what happens every time a U.S. service member gets discharged from the military for openly homosexual conduct or words.
The time to repeal the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has come.
Here’s how the policy works: the military can’t ask its members about their sexual orientation, nor conduct investigations into the matter.
Service members are then shielded from involuntary separation as long as they don’t openly declare that they’re gay or engage in homosexual conduct, such as marrying someone of the same gender.
As a sergeant in the Army Reserve, I’ve worked on cases for the government in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp (the legal section of the Army) where a service member was discharged based on homosexual conduct.
I’ve lived in the barracks with other soldiers. I’ve also been deployed to Baghdad for a year. That’s enough experience to formulate a general opinion of the people I’m in the military with.
What I see is that soldiers by and large wouldn’t be that bothered by the thought of serving with gay people.
Somewhat surprisingly, the policy isn’t really a topic of discussion. Then again, why express an opinion that may be unpopular with a superior officer if it’s not really necessary to bring it up?
The issue’s already been decided for us. Nothing gained in being the one that goes against the grain, right? Especially if the policy doesn’t affect you.
But it does affect people. Figures show that more than 13,000 service members have been discharged from the life and career they chose since the law was enacted.
As for “going against the grain?” A 2006 Zogby International poll shows that 73 percent of military personnel are comfortable with lesbians and gays.
That figure jibes with what I’ve observed in a much less scientific way. I base my opinion on the attitudes and beliefs displayed by the people I serve with.
The American military draws its members from the American people. More and more, America is becoming a country that’s accustomed to living and working with openly gay people. Our country has become far more accepting of gays than in the past. It’s just not that big a deal anymore.
It’ll be an adjustment when gays are ultimately allowed to serve in the military. However, I don’t think it’ll be too long lasting or have any significant negative effect on morale, unit cohesion or mission readiness.
Since we have one of the most flexible societies on the planet, I don’t foresee any major upheaval when it happens. In Army terms, to adapt to a new situation is to “adjust fire.” That’s what military members will quickly do.
Service members don’t join to get away from gay people, and the military isn’t some seething mass of anti-gay sentiment. If it were, one might argue that the ban needs to remain in place for the security of the nation.
The point is that it’s not. It’s not in countries where gays serve openly and it’s not here. The military I know isn’t hung up on gay people. It’s time to do what’s right and let everyone in.
Crime Reports Can Make You Paranoid
By Taylor Bock
Who can you trust? When you’re walking around town or just coming out of a grocery store, can you trust anyone nearby? If media depictions are any indication, no you can’t.
It’s possible I’m just being paranoid. Heck, that’s most likely what it is. But watching the news makes me nervous around any stranger.
You could be making a quick stop into Walmart for snacks and see a shady-looking character hanging around the entrance. So, you avoid him. Then you walk out of the store and a completely normal looking person could mug you.
There are reports of home invasions, child abductions, drunk drivers, rape and murder. I hear news about parents killing their infants or abusing them while the other parent does nothing. It all tends to be so local and close to home.
I know it’s near impossible to wipe out chaos completely, but there can’t be a reasonable excuse for why crime just keeps getting closer to places that are meant to be safe.
Admittedly, I grew up in a rather secluded location near Marana, so maybe I’m just not used to the idea of bad guys lurking outside my front door. My perception could also very well be warped from news and TV in general.
But you have to admit it’s scary that seemingly normal people are capable of doing these things.
Here’s the opening to a recent story in the Arizona Daily Star: “A Tucson mother of six was sentenced to 21 years in prison Monday for repeatedly stabbing a pregnant woman and the woman’s 13-year-old daughter.”
How can you not feel at least a little uncomfortable when you read something like this?
It’s one thing to watch cop drama shows like “CSI,” “Criminal Minds” and other prime time shows with these kinds of brutal stories. But when I hear about things just as brutal happening in real life, for lack of a better term, it freaks me the hell out.
I can’t escape the fact that these things happen, so I remind myself the world isn’t as dark and evil a place as the news makes it out to be.
Not everyone is out to get me and it’s just plain silly to live in constant fear. But there’s always going to be a nagging voice in the back of my head that asks, “Am I really safe?”
PCC offers creative writing workshops
By Laura Halverson
Creative writing can be challenging and fun.
Pima Community College will offer weekend writing workshops in March and April led by published authors, so everyone can tap into their creative writing skills.
Each workshop will meet on West Campus. Hours are Friday from 6- 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Workshop topics include:
- March 5-7: “Finding Yourself in a Poem.” Robert Longoni will help writers discover their voice in poetry.
- March 26-28: “How to be an Original Writer.” Meg Files will offer strategies on taking risks to create lively and fresh work.
- April 16-18: “Breathing Life into Your Character.” Susan Lang will explore strategies to bring characters to life.
- April 23-25: “Writing Environmental Stories.” Melanie Lenart will provide guidance on acquiring and incorporating environmental science into writing.
Files, a PCC writing instructor and award-winning author, started the creative writing workshops in 2000. Pima has since offered more than 95 workshops with authors including Suzanne Kingsbury, Lisa Dale Norton, Sheila Bender, Sharman Apt Russell, Nancy Turner, Steve Kowit, Susan Cummins Miller, Rita Magdaleno, Susan Lang and Juanita Havill.
As department chair for Pima’s West Campus writing and journalism program, Files oversees 17 creative writing courses and a growing journalism curriculum. She was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award and twice for the Pushcart Prize.
“Besides occasionally teaching a workshop, I myself sometimes register for workshops to renew my writing energy, get inspired, learn new tricks and give myself a weekend retreat,” Files said.
More than 60 students have already registered for workshops this semester, and the number is expected to grow.
“The workshops draw a wonderful variety of participants of writers at all levels,” Files said. “One workshop’s writers ranged in age from 13 to 89.”
Each workshop includes a variety of activities, with lots of hands-on practice.
“Most participants leave inspired, ready to go forward with new writing they’ve started during the weekend and, with new skills and insights, to tackle revision of previous writings,” Files said.
Students enroll in the workshops for two academic credits. Cost for Arizona residents is $103 plus $18 in fees.
For additional information, call Files at 206-6084 or visit http://www.pima.edu/announcements/201001/CreativeWriting.shtml.
Aztec Calendar
Compiled by Marie Rodriguez
Thursday, Feb. 25:
Feb. 25-26: Rodeo holiday, no classes.
Baseball vs. University of Arizona club team, 3 p.m., West Campus.
Through March 7: “Cinderella,” Proscenium Theatre, West Campus CFA. Wed-Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sun matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: $18. Details: 206-6986.
Friday, Feb. 26:
Women’s basketball vs. Mesa CC, 5:30 p.m., West Campus.
Men’s basketball vs. Mesa CC, 7:30 p.m., West Campus.
Through March 7: “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” exhibit, Tohano Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission: $2-7, with discounts available. Contact: 742-6455.
Saturday, Feb. 27:
Softball vs. Arizona Western College, noon, West Campus.
Baseball vs. South Mountain CC, noon, West Campus.
Through July 3: “Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life and Legends,” Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m. Student admission: $3. Contact: 624-2333.
Sunday, Feb. 28:
Block party hosted by Bringing Legends & Creating knowledge for B.L.A.C.K., UA Mall, 5-10:30 p.m. Contact: Constance.Strickland@pima.edu. Free.
A Sunday Drive with Public Art, The Pioneer Building, 100 N. Stone Ave., #303, 1:30-4 p.m. Cost: $18. RSVP: Rebecca at 624-0595, ext. 10.
STS9 with Emancipator, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Doors open 7 p.m. Admission: $17.50 in advance, $20 day of show. Contact: 740-1000.
Monday, March 1:
Softball vs. Lake Michigan College, 2 p.m., West Campus.
4th Annual Fiesta De Saguaro, 10361 E. Old Spanish Trail, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact: 733-5153. Free.
Retro-Lution with DJ Sean T, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Ladies free until 11 p.m., $3 otherwise. Contact: 622-8848.
Tuesday, March 2:
Baseball vs. Central Arizona College, noon, West Campus.
Women’s tennis vs. Mesa CC, 1:30 p.m., Tucson Racquet Club, 4001 N. Country Club. Free.
Softball vs. South Mountain CC, 2 p.m., West Campus.
Wednesday, March 3:
Brown Bag: Women’s History, Noon-1 p.m., Canyon Café, Northwest Campus. Contact: 206-2121.
Through March 7: Arizona Winter Festival Hunter/Jumper Show, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road. Free. Contact: 762-9100.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers, 7 p.m., Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Admission: $35 in advance. Contact: 740-1000.
Thursday, March 4:
Men’s tennis vs. Glendale CC, 1:30 p.m., Tucson Racquet Club, 4001 N. Country Club. Free.
Through March 31: Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training. Most games begin at 1 p.m., call to confirm. Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way. Tickets: $5-$18. Contact: 434-1111.
Through March 7: Tucson Cine Mexico 2010: A Festival of Mexican Film, Harkins Theatres Tucson Spectrum 18, 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz. Various times, see Web site for schedule. Free. More info: http://clas.arizona.edu/cinemexico
Friday, March 5:
Tucson Clean and Beautiful, 9-11 a.m. Join students and staff in cleaning up Calle Santa Cruz. Contact: Desert Vista Student Activities. Free.
Brook Adams on the Ukulele, Bookmans, 1930 E. Grant Road, 6-8 p.m. Free. Contact: 325-5767.
Harlem, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Begins at 9 p.m. Admission: $5. Contact: 622-8848.
Saturday, March 6:
Climb to Conquer Cancer sponsored by American Cancer Society, 6 a.m.-noon, West Campus, south parking lot. Registration information: 320-6380.
March 6-7: Rummage sale fundraiser for Phi Theta Kappa, 6 a.m.-noon, 463 S. La Jolla Ave. (near Broadway/Swan.)
March 6-7: Greater Oro Valley Arts and Cultural Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Northwest Campus parking lot. Free. Contact: 206-2121.
Pig Party at the Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, 1100 S. Randolph Way, 1-3 p.m. Admission: $7. Contact: 791-4022.
Sunday, March 7:
Green Volunteer Day: Giant Reed Removal at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Contact: 971-2385.
Oscar Night America 2010, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress, 5-9 p.m. General admission: $25. Contact: 547-3040.
S.I.N. (Service Industry Night), Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Contact: 622-8848.
Monday, March 8:
Softball vs. Delta College of Michigan, 2 p.m., West Campus.
“The Being,” The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 8 p.m. Admission: $2. Contact: 795-0844 or loftcinema.com.
Happy Hour at Delectables, 533 N. Fourth Ave., 3-7 p.m. Prices: $9-$15. Contact: 884-9289.
Tuesday, March 9:
Desert Vista annual Used Book Sale, cafeteria, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.. Details: 206-5068.
Men’s tennis vs. Paradise Valley CC, 1:30 p.m., Tucson Racquet Club, 4001 N. Country Club. Free.
Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Proscenium Theatre, West Campus. Tickets: $6. Details: 206-6986.
Tours of Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., noon. Admission: $2 suggested donation. Contact: 547-3040.
Wednesday, March 10:
Students Against Drunk Driving Presentation, 10-11 a.m., Northwest Campus Level 2. Contact: 206-2121.
Through March 14: Arizona Desert Finals, Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road., 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Free. Contact: 762-9100.
Owl and the Sparrow/One Hit Wonders, The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Admission: $6.50. Contact: 795-0844 or loftcinema.com.
Band classics on tap for March 9 concert
By Austin Driscoll
Photo courtesy of PCC Center for the Arts
The Pima Community College Wind Ensemble will perform a collection of band classics and popular favorites for its March concert.
The concert, under the direction of Mark Nelson, will take place Tuesday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the PCC Center for the Arts Proscenium Theater on West Campus.
Highlights will include Gustav Holst’s “Second Suite in F.” Flute section leader Chris Smith will be the featured soloist in “Concertino” for flute and band by Cecile Chaminade.
Additional compositions include “A Cole Porter Spectacular,” “A Festive Overture” by Alfred Reed and “National Emblem March” by E.E. Bagley. “Galop” from “Comedians” by Dmitri Kabalevsky will feature xylophone and marimba soloists Lauren Barnett and Zach Whittier.
The program will also spotlight the brass ensemble, flute ensemble, clarinet-saxophone ensemble and the percussion ensemble, with an original work by percussion major Derek Pan.
Admission costs $6, with discounts available. Tickets are available at the CFA box office on West Campus. For more information, call 206-6986 or visit www.pima.edu/cfa.
FYI
PCC Wind Ensemble Concert
When: Tuesday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Proscenium Theatre, West Campus
Tickets: $6
Box office: 206-6986
“The Wolfman” Bites
By Taylor Bock
“The Wolfman” is a good example of a movie that truly could have been great, but just didn’t live up to its potential.
The original “Wolfman” had a good enough plot. In the 1941 classic, Lawrence Talbot comes home to make amends with his father, meets a nice girl and then gets bitten by a werewolf.
This remake is hit-and-miss, with great special effects but overused horror sequences and bland acting.
The movie opens with Lawrence, played by Benicio Del Toro, coming home to England after hearing that his brother has gone missing. When he arrives, his eccentric father (Anthony Hopkins) tells him his brother was found savagely torn to shreds.
When Lawrence tries to investigate his brother’s death, he’s attacked by a werewolf. Obviously he becomes a werewolf, and a very thin plot is born.
I could analyze the acting, but it’s easier to just tell you that it’s lame. It doesn’t outright suck, but it could very well put you to sleep.
Hugo Weaving as Inspector Abberline and the other side characters are better than the lead actors. I would watch a sequel or another unrelated movie starring just that supporting cast.
Hopkins wasn’t terrible either, but you can tell this was just another paycheck for someone of his caliber.
“Wolfman” really shines at special effects. Well, it almost does. Everything involving the Wolfman himself is superbly done. But the scares in the first half are essentially things coming out of nowhere and going BOO!
Whenever the Wolfman enters a scene, the acting becomes worth sitting through. In a time when moviemakers use computer-generated imagery for just about everything, the special effects crew put together an amazing and perfectly crafted costume.
It’s a true modern homage to the design of the original Wolfman. He walks on two legs, his clothes are shredded and torn, and his face is flat rather than a long muzzle.
You can tell there is an actor underneath all that makeup, and he might not be terrifying by modern standards, but it sure makes him a hell of a lot cooler.
The movie does use CGI for sequences where Wolfman runs along rooftops on all fours, but the transition is seamless.
Speaking of transition, not since “American Werewolf in London” have I seen such convincing transformation sequences.
Lawrence’s skin stretches, his bones break and twist, his teeth rearrange in his gums and he truly sounds like he’s in pain. While most of Del Toro’s acting falls flat, he sure can play savage and crazy.
“The Wolfman” will satisfy your inner gore-hound. Wolfman rips off heads, severs limbs and generally ruins everyone’s day. These sequences are few, but long and satisfying.
He even dukes it out with another wolfman in a no-holds-barred werewolf death match. The plot twist that introduces the second wolfman is silly and unnecessary, but does make for a dramatic fight scene.
The ending is something you can practically see coming from the beginning of the movie. The moment, like several other scenes, tries invoking emotion but just doesn’t use enough effort to make it viable. They end up being devices to further the plot and get to the next Wolfman sequence.
“The Wolfman” is worth seeing if you’re sick of the vampire craze. It’s a welcome change and the special effects are great.
But don’t let it sucker you into thinking the acting will be any better than your average horror film. Just because the characters aren’t dense teenagers doesn’t mean they can’t still be dense adults.
As always, the monster becomes the star of the show while everyone else is just wolfman food.
Men’s tennis opens season March 2
By Daniel Gaona
Photo by Daniel Gaona
Sharif Moustafa’s key to success in the upcoming season for the Pima Community College men’s tennis team is simple: stay focused.
“I just want these kids to be focused for one match at a time,” the first-year coach said. “Each match is a conference match, so it will be tough.”
The Aztecs officially kick off the season March 2 at Mesa Community College.
“This team is looking really good right now,” Moustafa said.
“We’re looking forward to getting the win and starting out the season strong with a good conference win,” he said, “but at the same time the guys need to know to take it one step at a time and not start looking to the future.”
The Aztecs were supposed to have one more practice round in a “Living the Dream” tournament Feb. 19-20, but it was cancelled due to the rain.
“We were planning on playing in it but unfortunately with the rain and everything they had to cancel it,” Moustafa said.
However, Moustafa saw a solid showing the previous weekend at the Border States Open, another adult tournament. Pima’s No. 1 player, Andrew Barnett, and No. 2 player, Alan Barrios, played each other in the final of the open singles. Barnett won 6-2, 6-2.
They also teamed up to win 7-6, 6-2, in the open doubles final.
“They have been competing really well and taking on good leadership roles,” Moustafa said about his top duo. “There is nothing bad I can say about them.”
Alan Barrios
Two days after the Aztecs open their season, they will return home to face Glendale Community College on March 4 at 1:30 p.m.
All of Pima’s home meets will be at the Tucson Racquet Club, located at 4001 N. Country Club Road. Admission is free.
After a short break, Pima will retake the court at TRC on March 9 against Paradise Valley Community College. That meet also starts at 1:30 p.m.
With everyone eligible, women’s tennis ready to start season
By Daniel Gaona
Eligibility issues will not be a problem this year for the Pima Community College women’s tennis team.
Last year, the Aztecs had to wait nearly half the season for their No. 1 player to be eligible while dual-enrollment was being processed. This year, all eight women are set before the team’s first meet.
“We’re all officially eligible,” head coach Gretchen Schantz said. “We have eight players and they are all eligible to play.”
Pima will travel to Eastern Arizona College on Feb 25. The Gila Monsters are once again the conference favorite but the Aztecs hope to change that. Schantz said she just wants to compete well against them.
“We are looking forward to getting on the road and starting out the season,” she said in an interview earlier this year. “We’ve had a lot of practice so I think we are finally ready to play.”
Last year, Eastern won the first meet 6-3 in Thatcher but Pima split the season series with a 6-3 win at home.
The Aztecs will host Mesa Community College on March 2 for their home opener. They will then have consecutive road games against Glendale Community College on March 4 and Paradise Valley Community College on March 9.
All home meets are at 1:30 p.m. at the Tucson Racquet Club, located at 4001 N. Country Club Road.
The team’s final rehearsal before opening the season was cancelled because of rain. The “Living the Dream” tournament will most likely be rescheduled for a later date.
“It rained pretty hard, so unfortunately we didn’t get to play any matches,” Schantz said about the tournament. “We started warming up and then it started raining.”
Pima did compete in the Border States Open on Feb. 12-14 at the TRC.
The likely No. 1 doubles team of Gabriela Rodriguez and Mary Croswell won the 4.0 heat, 7-6, 6-3.
Rodriguez and Croswell also faced off in the finals of the 4.0 singles heat. Rodriguez won 6-2, 6-1.
Lucy Gaynor made it to the finals of the 3.5 heat, but lost 3-6, 6-7.
Schantz said she was satisfied with the double teams and saw things that she liked.
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