The Whole Foods Story

By Deb Torrreso
Outreach Editor

Fast food; what a concept! There was nothing fast about watching a carrot grow, but I don’t think making crops grow faster was the idea behind it. It had more to do with meeting the changing lifestyles of consumers and their needs. People are spending more time out of the home which ultimately leaves less time to shop for and prepare meals.

The family experience of buying food from farms and local distributors, and sitting down together over a home-cooked meal has been replaced for many by grabbing a bite here and there, while connecting with loved ones via cell phone or texting. This devolution was unavoidable. The problem is that no one saw the long term danger to our health as a result of this lifestyle.

While fresh foods were the better health choice, they had to be consumed in a timely fashion; busy lifestyles were making it more difficult to do that. A viable option was to create foods that could be stored until someone had the time to prepare them. TV dinners and the microwave solved that problem. At the same time, in order to create a fast food industry and provide the convenience of keeping foods on hand longer, foods would have to be modified in some way.

One of the processes to make this possible would be the making of Trans fats-a process called hydrogenation (adding hydrogen to vegetable oil). This substance has since been used in the manufacturing of foods, allowing them to stay fresh longer and have a longer shelf life. Trans fats are found in many snacks and fast foods. Unfortunately, the effect of ingesting these fats on a regular basis can be devastating as it can raise cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.

It seemed like the world around food started moving at a faster and more competitive pace; mass production, packaging and marketing all played a role in the quality, or lack thereof, of the food we were putting in our bodies. Many of us didn’t realize the toll it took on the industry to develop new methods for food consumption.

A movie called Food, Inc. is as disturbing as it is informational as it takes us on a ride through the modern farming communities, examining the mistreatment of animals. Many farms have to administer antibiotics and steroids in order to keep animals alive under unhealthy conditions, and to “plump them up” for mass production.

Among many other issues, the movie takes a peak at the process of making packaged hamburgers. The producers report that hamburgers contain meat filler (which is used to create more product) after which it is cleaned with ammonia to eliminate the possibility of the E-coli bacteria. This process has itself actually become a competitive market. You can find more information at takepart.com/foodinc.

While many of the food industry’s dark secrets are surfacing, there is a light on the horizon as a result of it. There is a lot of buzz out there right now about healthy nutrition. There are informational books, classes, CD’s, and seminars popping up all over the place. Careers are being created in health coaching and counseling, and at the very least, there is an overdue awareness that if pursued, promises positive results.

Many people in communities are giving their time and energy to help change the nutrient-lacking path so many people are on by starting with America’s kids. British Chef Jamie Oliver is intent on “changing the way America eats.” He has been working within the school system of West Virginia to educate the kids, as well as the adults, in the benefits of eating more whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.

The country has witnessed Oliver slowly progress from being ridiculed by the naysayers, who believe there is not enough time and money to create healthy, proportioned meals, to evoking tears from appreciative parents and kids.

Don’t forget, kids eat what we let them. Their habits and behaviors are instilled from an early age and if no one tries to help change that, they may become overweight and unhealthy. Oliver proved his insights could arrest some of the thinking that leads to those behaviors - but it wasn’t easy.

For some kids, realizing they wanted to change this self-destructive habit was a painful experience; many of them had never gained the knowledge or support they needed to understand there were options.

Connecticut is following Oliver’s lead with a movement that is sweeping its way through Fairfield County to promote better health and wellness through exercise and nutrition.

Obviously, it’s easier to follow a healthy lifestyle if it’s started at a young age. Bringing this awareness to the school system is a crucial piece of the puzzle. A staunch supporter of this premise is Amie Haul, Director at From Your Inside Out. Haul teaches workshops using a new concept called Square Foot Gardening.

The kids learn to build a 4foot by 4 foot wood structure, divided into square-foot beds of organic soil. Haul teaches them what and how to plant. For example: as the beans grow up she has the kids build a trellis; and so on.

Haul believes in teaching kids better health by exposing them to growing their own foods, and understanding the value of eating foods that have not traveled long distances to reach the supermarkets. She wants to share with them the enjoyment of watching the vegetables and herbs grow, and to show the connection to how it affects their environment. The opportunity has been provided in part by Family Consumer Sciences (FCS), which is likened to “home economic” class.

According to Haul, building the gardens not only helps with woodworking skills, but helps to expand the abilities acquired for mathematics, history, sociology and spelling. There is also a positive by-product in that the kids are experiencing “the feeling of community and caring for something,” Haul said. “It’s really about getting people connected to each other, their food, the community and the land.”

Haul sees this project as a useful tool in life for these young people. Not only do students learn how to start and tend a garden; she also provides cooking classes where she demonstrates how meals can be made with these whole foods.

Fortunately adults are rethinking their eating habits as well. Parents, along with health care professionals are more aware of the positive effect good nutrition can have on health and lifestyle, and as a result are setting new examples by making changes in their own lives.

Yoga instructor Patti Tower, of Laughter with Yoga (www.thehappyyogini.com) has been slowly changing her eating habits over the last four years. She never thought she would give up certain foods like onion rings, but now she prepares the majority of her own food and eats very little processed and packaged foods-and no fast food.

“My advice to people just starting out is to drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before eating meals and chew food slowly and completely,” Tower said.

While changing one’s lifestyle can be a stressful option, taking control in even a small way could start someone down a path that leads to better health. Doing as little as replacing one unhealthy food with one healthy food, buying produce locally, and reading labels at the grocery stores to determine the fat and sugar content, are just some ways to make a big difference.

You can find more information as well as lists of farmers’ markets in your area at the following sites:
Northeast Organic Farming Association, (NOFA) www.nofa.org
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) www.farfresh.org/food/csa and www.csa.com

Good Luck and Think “Health!!”

Sports and Our Youth

By Veronica Pagan
Staff Writer

Bridgeport Raiders vs Danbury Vikings at Danbury's home field.
Photo by Veronica Pagan.

Any time you turn on the news there is talk of child obesity and other health risks to young people. Yet within the community there are sports offered to youth that can help keep them physically fit and academically motivated.

Pop Warner Football League was established in Bridgeport in 1987. The Pop Warner website states their goal is to inspire youth in the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness.

Bridgeport Pop Warner is a branch from Pop Warner Little Scholars, which is a non-profit organization in its 77th year. According to the Pop Warner site, their staff consists of volunteers and coaches who are trained to offer the best and safest programs for youth.

In southern Connecticut, there are 20 different teams offering football for children between the ages of 5 and 14.

Their practices start in August, before school starts. They usually are Mondays and Fridays during the summer. When classes start the practices are three times a week for one hour for the 5-9 year olds and two hours for the 10-14 year olds. The practices are held at Newfield Park.

My 6-year-old son, Eugene Barros Pagan, is a former player for the 2009 Season of the Bridgeport Raiders and a current player of T-ball for the Indians. He enjoys playing sports.

“I love football and baseball, I love running and scoring points, and I like making new friends,” he says.

For those who feel that football is a rough sport for children, there is always baseball. The season just started for the North End Little League (NELL), which was founded by Nell Carter in 1954.

Indians vs Marlins. A T-ball game at the NELL field.
Photo by Veronica Pagan.

Their practices are held half an hour before the games. The games are on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The games are held at the NELL field.

2010 League Information Officer Steve Bailer says, “This program teaches our youth respect and loyalty and good family values. This can also rub off on the families who may not have had such an experience as a youth.”

“The volunteers, parents, and youth who participate in the program are willing to put their time in. Others are reluctant at first, but once the season starts they don’t regret participating,” says Bailer.

For more information about NELL baseball, visit http://www.eteamz.com/NorthendLL/
nellbridgeport@yahoo.com. To learn more about Pop Warner in Bridgeport, contact Alvin O’Neal at o_neal_alvin@sbcglobal.net, or 203-400-3164.

Forensic Expert Shares Experience with Students

By Kari Damato
Staff Writer

Dr. Henry Lee.
Photo by Kari Damato.

Dr. Henry C Lee, one of the world’s foremost forensic scientists spoke at HCC on April 28 about the role of forensic evidence in solving crimes, from ransom notes to designer shoes. Lee was a prominent figure in many of the most challenging cases in the last 45 years. A few of these cases include the O.J. Simpson trial, the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the Laci Peterson case and the murder of Helle Crafts, also known as the “woodchipper” murder. In addition, Lee has authored hundreds of articles in professional journals and co-authored more than 30 books.

Professor Samantha Mannion, coordinator of the criminal justice program and advisor to the Criminal Justice club, and Professor Joan Lloyd, the chemistry club advisor, thought that Lee would be the perfect speaker.

“Lee encompasses both the scientific expertise and criminal justice know-how. It will make the event the perfect cooperative effort between our two clubs,” said Mannion prior to Lee’s visit.

“We hope that students will come away from his presentation with a greater and more profound appreciation of the critical role that science plays in solving modern crime,” Mannion said. “Science is not perfect, but it has greatly narrowed the margin of error between guilt and innocence that has existed in law enforcement and our society for so long. Dr. Lee is an incredible engaging and entertaining speaker, and we are very pleased and excited to be hosting his presentation.”

Lee spoke in the events center, which was completely full. Immediately his great sense of humor and wittiness captured everyone’s attention. Lee said he came to this country “with $50.00 in my pocket and spoke no English, and now 30 years later I have lots of money but still don’t speak English.”

Throughout the seminar he handed out and even threw mini badges to people who answered questions correctly. As he spoke about the top 10 forensic scientists, he said, “He couldn’t believe the Chinese guy was number one [referring to himself].”

Lee started school in a community college, majoring in chemistry. After finishing school he was not able to attend his commencement because his family didn’t have money. He said he always kept in mind a saying he had learned: some people make things happen, some watch them happen, and others wonder what happened.

It was apparent that he would be the one to make things happen. He shared many photos from throughout his career, from his childhood, him receiving awards and being on talk shows.

Lee said, “This year no more talk shows, I am focusing more time on cases.”

He compared the show C.S.I and actual forensic work. He said the characters on C.S.I. never need warrants. “They carry a flashlight and find all the clues they are looking for, we have all different kinds of lighting and it’s hard to find clues with that,” he said. “C.S.I. also never shows any signs of stress or having to face the community, you need the public’s trust. It’s very important.”

Lee touched on a few of his more prominent cases, explaining his findings and what was involved. He related his different theories on the shooting of JFK. However, he said, “this is one case that will never be solved. When the original bullet was found, it was washed, removing all DNA.”

He concluded with information on the field of Forensics. “It has a lot to offer but it’s more important to find something you are good at and strive for your best,” he said

Lee stayed after the seminar for book signings and pictures.

Lee currently resides in Connecticut and is the Chief Emeritus for Scientific Services for the State of Connecticut and an occasional lecture professor of forensic science at the University of New Haven, where he has helped to set up the Henry C. Lee Forensic Institute. He is also a visiting professor at the East China University of Political Science and Law. Previously, he has served as Connecticut's Commissioner of Public Safety, the Director of the Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, and as the state’s chief criminologist from 1979 to 2000.

For more information on Lee and to purchase his videos and/or books, visit http://www.drhenrylee.com.

“Defining Moments” for Art Department on Display

By Tori Centopanti
Staff Writer



All photographs by Tori Centopanti.

An exhibit of faculty art work called “Defining Moments” made its debut in the Housatonic Museum of Art on April 7.

At the opening, over 40 pieces were on display and the smell of paint was still fresh in the air.

Paintings ranging from realistic to abstract adorned the walls, along with drawings, sculptures and photographs.

The pieces were chosen individually by each artist instead of by jury. This gave them the opportunity to showcase their best recent work.

The largest sculpture piece, titled “The Rusty Hinge,” was of an old door with chains wrapped around it and arms coming through. The artist is Art Program Coordinator and Professor of Graphic Design John Favret.

The piece was inspired by roadblocks he has personally encountered in life. “Some people really go head-to-head with somebody who’s unwilling to move out of the way,” he said. “I’m tired of banging heads.”

Favret’s paintings feature places he loves to visit. One depicts a dock with people swimming. Others are of a pastry shop and a pub, both located in New York where he used to live. All these were made using acrylic on canvas.

Professor Peter Rembetsy is the artist behind the other sculptures, which display lacrosse players and skateboarders. He captures the action of the sports with most of his models in mid-air and doing tricks.

Professor Andy Pinto said his paintings focus on “buildings that once symbolized the culture of America [that] are now eyesores waiting for demolition.”

He used acrylic on canvas to create a barn, brick wall, and diner. Another piece he submitted was of a bare tree made using graphite stick on paper.

“I feel that a painting is not a photograph; it should be the product of more information than one moment has to offer and should express a point of view,” Pinto said.

Professor Gus Moran’s works were among the most abstract of the pieces. All five paintings were made using oil on canvas and display people in various situations. They show a painter, a scribe, Indians, a woman on a taxi and a man standing on what appears to be wreckage.

Professor Tom Brenner’s pieces could be considered realism, but he adds abstract elements to them. He used unblended pastels on rough sandpaper to create the city scenes.

“I find inspiration in the urban landscape of Bridgeport, most especially in its decaying industrial architecture,” he said.

Professor Andrew Prayzner’s work displays two mug shots of captured drug smugglers with their faces pixilated beyond recognition. He used oil on canvas in order to blend the pictures to the desired effect.

“They have this dehumanizing, abstracting quality that shifts the portraits away from standard documentation and towards an overarching geometric abstraction that symbolizes a kind of power structure,” he said.

Other faculty artists that contributed include Juan Andreu, Jason Buening, Judy Corrigan, Carmine Picarello, Ernest Lopez, Tom Scippa, Stefanie Victor, Suzan Shutan and Janet Hayes.

Faculty art shows have been done annually for years, but this year was a little different. The art department is entering a new era, which is why the name “Defining Moments” was chosen.

When the previous art program coordinator, Ron Abbe, retired, Favret took his place beginning in the Fall 2009 semester. He has been making changes ever since.

Recently, several new adjunct professors have been brought in and many new classes are being offered to meet the needs of students. Even more classes will be added during the 2010-2011 academic year.

“For the first time all of our classes were full and that’s not typical,” Favret said. “We’re trying to expand what we offer but also raise the bar a little bit for the highest quality education we can give our students.”

The faculty’s exhibit may be over, but art lovers need not fear. The student’s art show will be on display in the Housatonic Museum of Art from April 29 until May 27.

The Treasures of Pleasure Beach

By Brandon T. Bisceglia
Co-Editor in Chief

All photographs by Brandon T. Bisceglia.

Just a few yards across the water from Bridgeport Harbor lies another world.

A two-and-a-half mile peninsula juts from Point-No-Point in Stratford’s borough of Lordship out into Long Island Sound, where it widens from a sliver of sand into a swath of land large enough to have once held one of the country’s premier amusement parks.

These days, Pleasure Beach/Long Beach West is in many ways a shadow of its former
self.

In 1996, the wooden swing bridge that connected the beach to mainland Bridgeport caught fire. The bridge was the only way for vehicles to get back and forth; without it, residents had to walk across from Long Beach in Stratford, take a boat, or swim.

Over the course of a century before the fire, the Bridgeport-owned portion of the beach had been home to all kinds of entertainment projects. In 1892, the first incarnation of the amusement park was built. In the 1930’s, the Pleasure Beach Ballroom hosted world-famous big band acts such as Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. Through the 1950’s and 60’s, the spot saw the construction of the original Polka Dot Playhouse, a roller skating rink, and other venues.

On the Stratford-owned half of the beach, over 40 cottages were built, many of which became so beloved by their owners that they continued to spend summers with their families at the getaways for years after the bridge burned and power lines began failing.

That’s all over now. The owners eventually gave up on the cottages as disagreements about money and the best use of the land between residents of both Stratford and Bridgeport caused both sides of the beach to languish in urban decay.

Scandal continues to characterize dealings surrounding Pleasure Beach/Long Beach West. Over the past few years, the now-abandoned cottages have been vandalized and looted, and a few of them burned to the ground in several cases of arson that still have not been solved.

In November 2008, Stratford residents voted overwhelmingly to sell their portion of Pleasure Beach to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for ten million dollars. The town agreed to do so under the conditions that the FWS remove the buildings, and that the area be maintained as a nature preserve that would be accessible to Stratford residents in perpetuity.

But that deal has soured, as the federal government has lowered its assessment of the property’s value and town officials have butted heads over who gets to lead any revitalization efforts.

Meanwhile, several of the structures on the Bridgeport side were knocked over by contractors without the city administration’s knowledge or approval in the fall of 2009. It was later discovered to have been okayed by the Fire Department. The wreckage still hasn’t been removed, and debates have sparked over whether it poses an even greater safety hazard than the dilapidated buildings did when they were standing.

Last month, the FWS constructed a temporary road from Long Beach so that workers could tear down the remaining cottages and haul away the wreckage.

But they’ll have to wait until the end of the summer to do it, because there are other residents on Long Beach West/Pleasure Beach. And they require some privacy.

That’s because they are protected species of birds, and their nesting area lies in the grasses along the shore.

During the warmer months, the beach is literally swarming. There are plenty of seagulls, of course. There are also least terns, a small bird that with a black eye stripe and white underbelly that can be seen diving for fish alongside the gulls.

The most famous inhabitants by far, however, are the piping plover. Walk for a few minutes near their territory, and you are bound to hear their unmistakable call: a single, short, high-pitched “pip.” You’ll probably also see them scouring the beach for insects in their trademark style, which involves running a few yards, stopping suddenly, then running in a new direction.

The birds of Long Beach West are vivid examples of the upside to the area’s abandonment. The terns were first classified as endangered by the federal government in 1985, because their preferred nesting habitats on sandy shores were also prime real estate for humans. The plover, which are classified as threatened, are picky creatures – if there are too many humans or other large animals around their nesting sites, they move out.

Ever since the bridge burned, plants and animals have slowly begun taking over all of Pleasure Beach/Long Beach West. Without anyone to repair the roads, grasses and flowers managed to sprout between the tiny cracks in the pavement. Year after year, they patiently worked to uproot the blacktop from those crevices.

Now many of the roads are inaccessible; you’ll be confronted with a thicket so dense that you may wonder for a second if you’ve accidentally wandered into the Amazon. Parking lots that were once divided into neat rows by yellow paint are instead lined in geometric patterns of eye-high grass.

Some of the plants that have infiltrated the peninsula are rare in Connecticut. Sea lavenders, which grow only in limited ranges of marshy soil, fan their pink and purple rosettes throughout the summer. Prickly pear cactus pokes up from the sandy parts of the beach.

All sorts of common creatures have also moved in. Deer, foxes, and raccoons have all been spotted. You can’t walk more than a few yards without stumbling upon a rabbit. Even an owl has claimed the rafters of the old restaurant.

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring sight is up in the air, where ospreys circle or perch on trees. A number of them have built gigantic nests on top of the now-defunct telephone poles.

When you come anywhere near those nests, you can feel yourself being watched from above. And if you get too close, be ready for a close encounter; these raptors have no reservations about swooping at humans to protect their broods.

It’s difficult to imagine such a place within sight of HCC and I-95. But despite the other-worldly atmosphere of Pleasure Beach/Long Beach West, there is a real possibility that one day Bridgeport and Stratford will follow through with one of the many plans that have been proposed over the years to “revitalize” the area. It may have only taken 15 years for the wild to return to the beach, but it can always be blinked away with the signing of a contract.

For now, the plants and animals will continue to enjoy the magic of the land as much as their human counterparts once did.

Why We Dream What We Dream

By Susan Smith
News You Can Use Editor

“To sleep, perchance to dream.” –William Shakespeare

In November of 1899, psychoanalyst pioneer Sigmund Freud published a book called The Interpretation of Dreams. Although people since the Egyptians had been interested in both the spiritual and medical aspects of dream content, Freud’s examination of the unconscious state introduced the first comprehensive analysis of dreams to the realm of modern science.

Psychoanalysts and psychologists since then have been indebted to Freud’s previous advancements in understanding the mental state during dreams. Today there are associations devoted solely to the comprehension and analysis of dreams, many headed by psychologists and other scientists dedicated to advancing our knowledge of the sleeping mind.

However, it is apparent that the margin of this knowledge still remains quite slim.

Today, the most detailed case study on dreams was reported by psychology professors at the University of California, who created The Quantitative Study of Dreams, an organization that analyzes the content of dreams. The study surrounded the detailed account of 3,116 individual dreams over the span of 20+ years by a woman named Barb Sanders.

Dream researchers today have psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud to thank for his pioneering study of the human mind, and his book, The Interpretation of Dreams.
Photo Courtesy of bu.edu.

This detailed collection of dreams was provided by Sanders herself during the years between the late 1960s and up until 1997. During this time, she would record the content, length and often her reaction to each dream. Essentially, Sanders’s report is merely an extensive dream journal.

However, this journal is increasingly vital to researchers today since the amount of medical research into the mind is so slim, and the only way to really study detailed thought of the human brain is through recorded experience. This lengthy record is especially critical when studying such an intangible subject as the human dream, since it provides dream researchers the ability to measure actual statistics, such as dream length and content based on variables like age and gender.

Extensive analysis of the Sanders study helped develop certain theories about the content of dreams, highlighting the idea that our dreams are usually formed by elements relating to significant interests, worries, fears, aspirations and ideas that we experience during our waking life. The psychologist G. William Domhoff, who recorded the results of the analysis, summarized that “Dreams are dramatizations, or enactments, if you will, of our thoughts.”

This may seem like an obvious proposal when you experience a dream about a former spouse - as Sanders often did - or a big test you have the next day. It is simple to see when the worries or concerns of the day have carried into the night, and with no conscious decision on your part, your mind is infested with the tribulations you have put off during waking hours.

However, chances are you have also experienced dreams that are so bizarre you cannot begin to imagine any relatable inferences to your daily thoughts. For example, HCC student Storm Wyrt remarked on an unusual vision she experienced recently: “I dreamed I was killing rats! I was in some sort of room and they were everywhere, and I just kept stabbing them.”

When asked if she had any inkling as to why she encountered such an odd scene, she seemed clueless, remarking that she has “absolutely no idea” why she would imagine such a thing. For all intents and purposes, there is no relevant reasoning linking these strange visions to your daily experience. However, there are other mental explanations that may cause such unusual circumstances.

One theory is that our dreams may be associated with a connection to memory, an idea Freud introduced over 100 years ago. He proposed that memories stored years ago frequently surface in the unconscious state, often because something that day reminded you of that memory, whether or not you were consciously aware of it.

Freud himself did not recognize this possibility until he experienced it himself, when he explained a bizarre dream of a church tower that he was unfamiliar with. For years he saw the same vision of the structure in his dreams, thinking it was only something he created in his mind, until one day while traveling, “I then suddenly recognized it, with absolute certainty, at a small station between Salzburg and Reichenhall. This was in the late nineties, and the first time I had travelled over this route was in 1886.” It then became shockingly apparent to him that dreams can invite detailed memories from over 50 years prior.

Although modern science still cannot precisely delineate why we dream what we dream, there are some general interpretations of common dreams accepted by most sleep researchers.

Dr. Rosalind Cartwright, a doctor, author, and recipient of the Distinguished Scientist Award given by the Sleep Research Society, shared some insight on interpreting certain important dreams. “Usually we only remember the last dream of the night. That is the longest, most complex story, not to mention the most exciting one,” she explained. However, she advised that if a dream sequence was particularly vivid, unusual, or frightening, “we should stop and think about why we are dreaming that dream at this time.” By reflecting on the action in that dream, it is possible to form a general interpretation of why you dreamed what you did.

Paul McCartney claimed that the idea behind his song, Yesterday, was from a dream he had one night.
Photo courtesy of magazine.jamsbio.com.

For instance, many people have had the excessively scary dream where their teeth fall out. Cartwright explained that this physical decay is linked to a subconscious fear that the dreamer is “falling apart, or getting less attractive.” This may be why middle-aged or pubescent teen sleepers may experience such a nightmare.

Cartwright also mentioned less obvious scenarios. For instance, if you have a dream where you find a new or uncommon room in an otherwise familiar house or area, it could be an indication that you subconsciously believe there are hidden aspects in your family or relationships.

While interpretations like these seem probable, there is no precise scientific knowledge confirming that dreams provide interpretive allusions at all. And since sleep and psychology experts can rely only on individual case studies - like Barb Sanders - it is difficult to seamlessly insinuate meaning behind any subconscious ideas.

It seems the human mind has decided to keep us in the dark when it comes to the bizarre, confusing, complex reasoning behind our dreams.

Continuum 22: International Festival

On April 22, the International Student Association (ISA) and the Multicultural Club (MCC) will be hosting their annual International Festival. Host Brandon T. Bisceglia sat down with a few of the members of the clubs to discuss the upcoming event, as well as the clubs’ other activities.

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An Hour with the iPad

By Andrew Mathieu
Staff Writer

The iPad. Image courtesy of www.wired.com.

Ever since Apple announced the iPad a little over two months ago, reactions and expectations have been boiling and overflowing through word of mouth, print, and web. After months of proclamations like “second coming of computers” and “just a giant iPod Touch,” the iPad was released on April 3.

After going through dozens of reviews on apps, iBooks, and the device itself, I finally went hands-on a demo iPad at a local Best Buy. Here are my impressions:

Though I initially thought the device would be bigger, I got to see the iPad in all its half inch, 1.5 pound glory. It was heavier than I thought it would be as well, but it still felt nice to hold, giant touch screen and all. Since I had handled an iPhone before, the iPad’s interface was easy to use. Though the device could be held and viewed in both portrait and landscape mode, I opted for landscape for most of my hour long demo. After getting my bearings on the device, I started to try some apps.

I started with the Calendar, Contacts, and Notes apps that will be familiar to anyone who has used an iPhone or iPod Touch. These are not carbon copies, however - the larger, 9.7 inch screen makes these applications much better, with easy-to-read text and enhanced typing due to the larger, on-screen keyboard.

Next I watched some videos from the app of the same name, and was surprised by the quality and speed of the video. The quality varies, however, depending whether you’re watching videos downloaded from iTunes, video podcasts, or YouTube (which actually looks fantastic).

The built-in speakers sounded fantastic, and were surprisingly loud when I loaded an iTunes song preview. I rarely used earphones with my time on the device. However, similar to video, the quality varies depending on the source. It is also worth noting that a person can supposedly sign onto any iTunes account from the iPad, though I did not test it myself.

Photos look great on the larger screen real estate, and the ability to create albums and slideshows is welcomed. I was even able to save an image from Safari directly to the device, which was very convenient.

My overall experience with Safari varied. Some websites took a while to load, while others were clearly made with the iPhone in mind. For the most part, though, it was a good experience, and one that will hopefully get better as time goes on.

Finally, I played some games. All of them were blown-up iPhone games, but they still worked very well with the bigger screen (N.O.V.A. and Rock Band in particular).

All in all, I enjoyed my time with the iPad. It is a well made and thought out device, though the internet problems and high price keep me from recommending it to anyone who doesn’t have a spare $500 around. A better, cheaper version of this device, either made by Apple or another company, is probably on its way next, which is also something to keep in mind. The best advice I can give is to somehow try the device if you can. When it comes to the iPad, it is better to judge it from arm’s length.

HCC Hosts Law Enforcement Job Fair

By Shawn Gibson
Staff Writer

If you happened to be on the HCC campus on Friday, March 26, it might have appeared there was some kind of first responders training drill happening.

But it was not a drill; it was just the second annual Law Enforcement Job Fair, hosted by HCC.

Law enforcement and military officials converged on Beacon Hall with the hopes of attracting new recruits into their ranks. Recruiters were putting on their best faces to show why their branch of service or department of law enforcement has more appeal to an applicant. Bridgeport police were on hand with one of their K-9 units, who seemed more interested in chewing on his toys than the job fair.

Although the job fair didn’t draw hefty numbers of people, the participants were happy with the effort of the agencies.

"I was interested in the local police department and am glad they were at the job fair,” said Manuel Irizarry of Bridgeport.

Professor of Criminal Justice Joanne Anzenberger, who is also a veteran of the Stamford police department, is credited with arranging the event. She got the idea from a similar event hosted at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York.

Slightly down the hall, Cynthia Payne of New York Life Insurance Company offered free child identification services to any parent wanting to put their child’s finger prints, photos, DNA samples, or other identifying information on file with the company.

“Anzenberger invited the company in to provide the service to local children,” Payne said. She recounted that about 10 families came in and took advantage of the services being offered.

For more information on the New York Life Insurance Company, visit www.newyorklife.com. For information on recruiters, or to learn more about the Criminal Justice program at HCC, contact Joanne Anzenberger at 203.332.5212 or JAnzenberger@hcc.commnet.edu.

All photographs by Shawn Gibson.

Where to Re-Sell Textbooks

By Michael Penna
Staff Writer

With the end of the spring semester around the corner, you may be considering selling your used textbooks. Obviously, you want to make the most money you can.

If this isn't your first semester at Housatonic, at some point in time you have probably sold used textbooks at the Follett bookstore right here on campus. After all, it's convenient.

There are plenty of options if you want to sell your textbooks, one of which is online buyback.

Online retailers sometimes offer the best price, but there are downsides.

Convenience may be the most prominent of the issues with online retailers. If you're looking to make money quickly, online retailers aren't the way to go. Not only do you have to ship your books to the company, which can take days, but most companies also have a policy where they won't accept textbooks if they find them to be in an unacceptable condition. So even if you ship your textbooks, the whole process may end up being a waste of time.

Let's say you just finished your Western Civilizations II course and want to sell back your textbook. In this case, let's say your textbook has the ISBN (a 10-digit code printed somewhere on the back of the textbook) of 9780393932362.

For a used copy of this book Amazon.com offers $15.75, Bookbyte.com offers $18.25, and eFollett will give you $13.00.

But before you sell your textbook you must consider each retailer's policy, as there are several differences between them.

As an example, one of eFollett's policies is that "excessive highlighting, underlining or other markings may decrease a book's buyback value." According to Bookbyte's policy, if over 75 percent of the book is written on or is highlighted, it is not eligible for buyback. On the other hand, Amazon accepts books with highlighting, notes, or other markings as long as the item is not a study guide or a workbook.

What qualifies as "excessive" in this case? And will Amazon really accept a textbook that is covered with excessive markings?

These questions are just some of the problems with online buyback: in some cases, it just isn't possible to know the value of your book until you send it in.

Conversely, by selling your textbooks at brick and mortar stores, you can save a lot of time and effort.

"It's pretty quick to just go in and out of the bookstore here on campus," said Kim Nania, a second-semester student at HCC.

As opposed to online buyback where you are almost sure to encounter an uncertainty, buyback at brick and mortar stores is much easier. You can get your textbook quickly appraised and walk out of the store with cash in hand within minutes.

In spite of the convenience issue, if you decide to take your chances with online buyback to make the most money, it is important to do your research beforehand. Look only for reputable online retailers, and be sure to read each one's policy with a careful eye. If you're sure your book qualifies for buyback and you are willing to wait to get your money, online buyback might just be the option for you.

HCC’s Enrollment Continues to Break Records

By Jasmin Carmona
Staff Writer

This spring, HCC set a new record for enrollment with a total of nearly 6,000 students, an increase of 14.6%

The enrollment profile for the spring semester says the total number of enrolled students is now at 5,903, while last spring there were 5,152 students attending HCC.

This makes HCC the fifth largest of the 12 Community Colleges in Connecticut and the second highest in enrollment increase.

The majority of students are continuing, and of those students 94.8% are seeking degrees. Almost 12% of student enrollments are new students. For many, this is their first time in college. Of these students most are female, and part-time students are leading in enrollment.

The number of students enrolling doesn’t seem to be slowing. “We might even have more on the way come fall,” said Registrar Jim Connolly. Connolly said this “increase was expected, so I’m not really surprised.”

Due to the economic situation, Connolly had figured more students would be enrolling since so many unfortunate people lost their jobs this year alone.

“Now that our school has put in new buildings, it is bigger and becoming a more quality school,” he said. “People are noticing the changes and the school is affordable, so I can see why we are getting more and more students.”

HCC President Anita Gliniecki agreed in an email that the reasons for enrollment were planned and intentional. “The college has worked to understand and implement strategies to increase student retention semester to semester,” she added. She also has noticed an increase in the number of students attending full time.

“I can only assume that the poor economy is resulting in more students pursuing educational programs to improve their ability to attain or retain a job to transfer to a baccalaureate program without debt,” Gliniecki said.

According to Mark Herzog, Chancellor of the Connecticut Technical College Community System, student enrollment is now more than 55,000 throughout the community colleges, a 38% increase from what it was 10 years ago.

Approximately 65% of the student population is over the age of 22. In addition, the recession has caused many adults who have lost their jobs to enroll. Many of these older students are staying longer and graduating from the system, while younger students end up transferring to state schools in the University system.

Yet the increase is not all good. Herzog said, “Services have not kept up with enrollment because of cutbacks in state funding.” These cutbacks have caused libraries to close early, as well as support labs, leaving students at a disadvantage.”

Herzog also mentioned that “we’ve lost 177 staff this year that serves the students.”

HCC has to ensure that the buildings are kept clean as more students are using them. The college needs to ensure there is sufficient parking as well.

Gliniecki said, “As HCC has more students, this does result in the need for more student services such as advising, counseling, tutoring, financial aid and library access.”

“The fact that we keep growing to me is indicative of the pent-up demand from the years before Beacon Hall was opened, when the college could not offer any additional courses due to lack of classroom space,” she added.

Lauren Martin, a student at HCC, is currently in her fourth semester and has been working for Student Activities for two semesters. Martin said, “I’ve definitely noticed the increase of students attending and think it’s great.”

“I love HCC and think it has so much to offer,” she added. She also believes the increase has to do with the economy. “More people are going to school now to have a higher level of education.”

“Students can use Housatonic as a tool where they are able to save in order to finish,” said Counselor Marilyn Wehr. The main goal is to give students the opportunity they need in order to graduate. Wehr said, “Here students have an affordable alternative.”

Many students have mentioned to Wehr the friendly atmosphere they have encountered at HCC. “There is an intimate setting at our school, and a lot of our staff takes time to really help everyone as much as possible,” she said.

History Club Promises to Deepen Members’ Knowledge of Connecticut

By Tori Centopanti
Staff Writer

History Club members from left to right: Secretary Adriana Cedeno, Fernando Moura, Rachel Florrie Fletcher, Faculty Advisor Dr. David Koch, ‘Web-mistress’ Fannai Dixon, President Justin Tracey, Solange Fyfield and Melissa Domond.
Photograph by Tori Centopanti.

The History Club is ready to make history come alive at Housatonic after being approved February 4 by the Student Senate.

According the club’s constitution, the purpose of the club is to broaden members’ perspectives on history, particularly of Connecticut and the surrounding region, to provide history-related educational and recreational opportunities, and to serve the community.

“I want to see it become an institution here at HCC that’s a lively, vibrant organization with good student participation,” said History Professor Dr. Kevin Boylan, advisor to the club.

The club has gotten off to a great start since forming near the end of 2009, with about 30 students showing interest and its organizational members actively working to plan events.

“From what I’ve seen so far, I think we have all the elements in place to really make an impressive splash on HCC’s community,” said Assistant Professor of History Dr. David Koch, another advisor to the club.

Eventually, they’d like to take a trip to Washington, D.C. or Gettysburg, but there’s a lot of local history they can explore in the meantime.

“I think people are more familiar with, say, the battlefields of the Civil War down in Virginia than they are with the history of Connecticut,” Boylan said.

One trip that is being arranged involves visiting the Mark Twain House and Museum as well as the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, both located in Hartford. No official date has been confirmed, but they are aiming for the week after spring break.

According to Koch, the club is interested in seeing “some of the stuff you wouldn’t find every day.” Among his suggestions is Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden.

“It’s really a hiking trip, but [it] was actually a civilian conservation core project that was begun in the 1930’s as a Depression Era project,” he said.

The idea of inviting a civil war reenactment group on campus, or visiting one, is also being looked into.

“It’s more about what we can potentially do rather than what we’ve done so far,” said History Club President Justin Tracey, who is also the Opinions Editor for Horizons.

The most rewarding thing for Boylan is seeing the enthusiasm shown by the students. “I wish that all my students were so taken with history when I’m teaching,” he said.

“The fact is that we’re always heartened to see people finally becoming enlightened and seeing what the true best academic subject in the world is, which is of course history,” Koch said with a smile.

The idea for this club was a joint effort by Boylan and Koch.

“Our intention was to give students who had an interest in history a greater outlet for that than perhaps our curriculum could offer,” Boylan said, referring to HCC’s lack of a degree or certificate in history.

“I think it’s really filling a gap that needed to be filled,” Koch added.

Tracey got involved “accidentally” after writing an article about the club last semester. “I gained an interest in it, and I actually played a vital role in creating it and getting people to sign up,” he said.

Students interested in joining can contact the club’s officiers through their official Facebook page, which is titled ‘Housatonic Community College History Club.’

To keep up to date with their future events, trips and activities, you can also visit the Student Activities calendar on HCC’s webpage.

The club meets every second Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Room 317 of Beacon Hall.

Continuum 21: Press Conference with Rick Torres

Rick Torres is a Bridgeport native running for the Republican nomination for House Representative in the third district against Democratic incumbent Jim Himes. On March 22, Torres held a press conference in the Horizons newsroom with the paper’s reporters. Here are some highlights from that conference.

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Chronic Surgery

By Jacob Kirton
Staff Writer

Guard your heart for you may never know what’s after it

Society today is a perverse one. So much rebellion is a bound in a once controlled and structured world. Many people would even attest to today as being the fabled, and familiar end of times. Today, we as people strive to succeed our latter day ancestors and become greater than what we were destined to be, our minds are often the strongest weapons we have.

In the year 2010, the world is on the brink of bringing sorcery back into the daily routine of life. As we turn on the radio, watch movies or even go to a neighboring country, we hear the glorification of drugs. These mind altering substances place the body on a plane that allows for outer body experiences and death alike.

Music is a big part of our culture, and has always played a role in shaping human beings. You can turn on the radio, and listen to Lil Wayne rap about sipping syrup, and popping pills without restraint. This behavior once looked upon as strange has become a norm among the youth . People don’t understand that music is a gateway to the soul. What we choose to fill our minds with will dictate our actions. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.Imagine what the world would be like if every morning before people left their driveways they lit up a joint.

One of the most widely used drugs is alcohol, hell it’s even legal. Drinking has become one of Americas past times. President Obama had a couple beers at the white house to settle a racial profiling dispute between a cop and Harvard professor. The image of alcohol in particular is shown as a moment cheers and great times. This may sound great with people being real with one another but the drawback is acting out on guilty pleasures.

Always drunk and never sober I hungered to get a bit of action when the mood was dull. The people I choose to hangout with always seemed to be into something with someone. One night I was out drinking with a friend in New York. We were at this small get together and ended up beating this instigator up. It was night time and we didn’t have anywhere to go so we were sat on the sidewalk. My friend was drunk and falling asleep as I paced back and forth. Out of nowhere these 5 cars roll up packed out with a bunch of guys with bats and pieces of wood. They hop out, push me aside, and grab my friend. I lost my temper and started swinging at any and everything. The leaders told everyone to stop so he could speak to me. We negotiated a little while longer, and they left but that night just led to a string of other dangerous events because of my drunken stupor.

As for pot, people feel that smoking a little is not as dangerous as sniffing a line of cocaine or taking a pull of crack. What people fail to realize is that whether its plants or powder the effect is the same: total loss of self and dignity.. Early sophomore year in high school was when my years of experimentation started. I became rebellious and lawless never caring what my actions may produce as long as I was able to laugh in the end. My kindhearted nature would increase being friendly although deep down I was a walking time bomb. If the wrong person rubbed me wrong I was ready to snap regardless who they might be because of these influences.

These feelings of euphoria that many associate with being “High” are defining what really makes you person. I can think back to a song that had that line “I want to be sedated” For a country bent on creating a sense of freedom for all, drugs have definitely enslaved us.

When I smoked Pot I liked being an intellect. There was once a time when I was smoking with a friend and we were discussing the cure to aids. He said I couldn’t figure it out and I told him give me a day. As I started walking down the block to my house my mind was spinning in all these directions for possible solutions with the cure. I came up with quite a few ranging from UV light exposure to bio-engineering new eosinophils. I never tested any of these theories but many of them felt like they could actually work. Although my mind traveled to these various distances to enlighten and inspire, it was the paranoia of reality that never sat well with me.

When one partakes of the ritual of “Smoking Weed”, they are handing the keys of their life over to an unknown entity. People take on otherworldly characteristics when under the influence. Some people become pranksters like Loki the Norse God from certain mythologies. Others tend to have a nasty approach in life and become lovers of self. It always seemed no matter how bad or good the situation may be life was a joke smoking weed. I could not have a serious conversation with my girlfriend or look my parents in the eye because I was too highto think at the time. It always felt that when I was high I had all these ideas but no motivation to enact them but yet when I wasn’t high I was motivated but had no ideas to enact. Smoking weed life is always question of what’s next rather than here we go. Maybe that’s why people move on to harder things after experimenting and losing luster.

As thoughts become loose and reality a fleeting mist of jumbled thoughts and false emotions, the brain becomes unaware of what is happening around it. If only I could go back in time, and warn everyone to eradicate those thoughts that are so hard to control. Do Not Do Drugs!

Break Free and Save

By Desirae Williams

Staff Writer

My heart starts to beat a little faster, my hands clam up, the line gets longer, and cashier is looking at me with those, "you know your card wont work if I swipe it through a third- time" eyes. Finally the cashier asked if I would like to use another form of payment. Yea right, like I had that option.

Visa used to my friend, my confidant, that someone I could depend on. Obviously, not after that last pesky situation.

I was knee-deep in debt and needed some a way out or I would be buried beneath it pretty soon.

As a debtor, I embodied Kanye West's rap lyrics, "I'm addicted to spending before I get it". It is as if he created that song for me. He perfectly captured the essence of the blessing, and curse of purchasing unnecessary items without having the means to do so, plus, getting away with it, all in the name of interest!

It was at 18 when the credit card company sought to destroy me, by gearing up their best army. They recruited me and others who were unaware of the disadvantages of advanced monies. Amex, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover all suited up their elite soldiers and veterans to the “plastic game.”

They boldly hunted me down to “sign on the dotted line”. As innocent as I was, so was I ignorant, and allowed Visa to conquer over the other choices, and accepted a loan of fifty dollars in exchange for a one-hundred and fifty dollars.

What was I thinking? Other than noticing how small the text size was becoming as I attempted to review my terms and conditions, not much.

As I replaced my cash with plastic, I managed to pile up bills (tabs) at a variety of vendors. So to sustain my “lifestyle” I had to use a card (or two) to cover whatever my money did not. I completely exhausted all of my other funds just to stay afloat.

Realizing that my tumultuous relationship with my old time companion would eventually become abusive, I searched for a way to restructure my spending. Who helped me the most? Suze Orman.

Orman is a motivational speaker, and hosts of CNBC’s , The Suze Orman Show. She provides on-air financial information that ranges from wise investments to how much to save, along with various other programs on the cable network. I even checked out her site www.suzeorman.com and found helpful tips that I eventually adapted into my routine. Most of the available resources were truly inspiring and perfect to adapt to my advantage.

Thanks to the advice I decided to just be straight forward with myself and face all of the “pink” and “green” bills that were in my name, along with filing a credit report from an accredited financial institution, and laying it in front of me so that I was aware of the damage that was caused.

This was like a cleansing process for me because I took the first step to controlling my life and reshaping my future in a positive manner. I was no longer going to pretend as if a bill or a payment was not due for services that I received.

Also, I decided to use my money in the most beneficial way, to break my financial chains loose from around my ankles, and rise to the occasion of better money management.

Actually seeing what I accumulated over time made me a little hesitant to proceed, but the process was necessary. I then created a permanent list of the creditors, services, and products that were due payment, and decided to contact them directly to clarify every condition.

After my grand tally, I decided to pay ten dollars a month on every bill and I had a total of six. I figured out how much time it would take to pay off each bill and then paid extra if necessary to try to close it faster. In addition to paying off older bills, I managed to put money aside in a savings account for emergency purposes.

Now it was hard to deal with the errors of my ways and try to tackle the issues that I created. But instead of continuing down the same path, I embraced a new philosophy in life, now, I make sure to remember that no matter how bleak the situation looks I know that I could resurface from any dilemma if I don’t ignore it. So embrace the challenges, and you’ll come out on top.

The lessons learned from this situation far exceeded the problems faced.

“Making Up Your Mind”

By Vincent Altamirano

Staff Writer

Some families already have their share of expectations for you, others are willing to listen to what you have to say. Make a career choice; the one you want.

Not everyone gets the opportunity to decide their own career path. Family opinions can influence your decision to either follow the career they wish you to follow, or, to do what you enjoy.

Students are caught in the middle, and are faced with these tough choices; either cut your losses and follow your family’s wishes. Or, pursue the career you truly enjoy, and disappoint them for not going through with their expectations.

A few years ago, I was put into this situation. My parents set expectations for the career they wanted me to follow. At that moment, I felt that it was a matter of time before my parents would understand that my career path was to be solely based on what I wanted pursue.

Not long after turning 17, my parents asked, “So, do you know what kind of career you would like to have?” I did not have a firm answer because I hadn’t made up my mind just yet. I told them it was either building computers or being a marine biologist. My dad’s facial expression changed from the curious look to the kind of look that wanted me to consider other options. “You know, you can always go into the medical field, you can be a doctor or pharmacist. These are well paying jobs,” dad said. Not much else was said after I told them again what I wanted to be.

After our little chat, I knew it was a matter of time before my mom or dad found the opportunity to bring it up again. I thought to myself, “If they do ask me again, maybe they expect my answer to be different, it won’t be.” A year went by and the question was asked again by my father.

“Vinny, have you given any thought to maybe following a medical career?” My response was quick and concise, yes and that maybe marine biology or computer science wasn’t for me, I had considered writing as a possible career choice. That answer aggravated him because he brought up my grandparents also wanting me to go into the medical field. The career I was leaning towards is the kind of career that does not pay well when compared to a medical doctor.

It was stressful for me to know that I was expected to pursue the career of my parent’s choice. Sure, I could go into the medical field and get a well paying job and make my family proud. The problem with that was my lack of skill in the chemistry department. The important question at hand was, “Will I enjoy following this career?” The answer was most definitely no; I just couldn’t see myself working as a doctor until retirement. I did however see myself working for a publishing company.

When it was time to enroll at a college, my aunt asked me, “Do you know what major you’d like to follow?” I told her anything that involves writing. She smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter what major you choose, as long as you enjoy doing it.” After hearing this I told her about my parents wanting to push me into the medical field and how I couldn’t see myself working in that field for years. She said not to worry about it, let her do the talking to my parents and hopefully they would understand.

My parents understood alright. When I found out I was accepted at Uconn, they told me, “Congratulations, you’ve made us proud! Follow what ever path you want to follow. You can be anything you want to me, the choice is yours.”

Not everyone gets the opportunity to decide their own career path. While some students struggle to convince their parents to let them follow the career path of their choice, others give in and “go with the flow.”

My thoughts needed to be voiced to my parents, I was determined to follow the path I wanted, they understood. Now, I am working towards the career path of my choice!

Rastafarian Invasion!

Larry DiNota
Staff Writer

Local reggae phenomenon I Anbassa will conduct a free concert at the Performing Arts Center in Lafayette Hall at 7pm on Thursday, March 11th. If you haven’t added this to your schedule yet, you should, cause’ you’re in for a course in modern reggae.

I Anbassa will also hold a reggae culture workshop at 2pm earlier that day.

"I'm going to speak about Rastafarian culture and where the roots reggae is from," says Front Man Ras N'gosi. "I want us to have a small discussion on topics in our world..., environment..., [and] society that mean a lot."

The band will collaborate with the audience to create a song relevant to the attendants. The exercise is designed to invoke the Rastafarian spirit of unity- as N'Gosi says, "Unity is strength."

I Anbassa, an all original roots reggae group, features extremely talented musicians from diverse musical backgrounds: progressive rock, jazz, folk, blues, metal, soul, and bluegrass- to name a few. “It's plain to see we're all from different backgrounds...different genres of music, yet we come together for a purpose. We have like minds. We have like ambitions." says N'Gosi.

* * *

The group came together in July 2009 after a chance encounter between N'Gosi and a local Bob Marley cover band, Green Stripe. Green Stripe had been backing local reggae performer Irei Feelinz, for a two month contract at the Chef's table in Fairfield.

"Irie would feature different reggae artists, and one of the artists that he featured was N'Gosi. He was by far the best. We all really wanted to play with him. A couple of months after the Irie Feelinz gig, he contacted me," said Lead Guitarist Mark Lyons.

"It was instant chemistry. A week later we had a 9-piece band." N'Gosi recollected.

Since then I Anbassa has wasted no time accumulating both a respectable fan base and reputation.

At their most recent performance on February 20th, the crowd was amazed by their incredibly entertaining performance.

Julia Hymans, director of premiums and promotions for WPKN said "They're a great local band...one of the better ones around here, and they're great people. I've been supporting them for a while."

And Julia wasn't the only member of the crowd who was impressed.

Throughout their impressive long sets, the audience is constantly engaged.

The performance began with a thought provoking narrative courtesy of dub poet and Tonic Brewer IsIdu. After priming the room, IsIdu bowed out, and handed the reins to N'Gosi. As soon as the music began, the crowd erupted into celebration. Few who stood remained sedentary. The venue was intoxicated with laughter, dance, and positivity. Two hours later, nothing had changed.

The show ended at 1:30am, but the crowd wanted more.

"The music was great, their presence was phenomenal, the energy was beautiful- the whole thing was beautiful," said spectator Mike as he stood curb side smoking a cigarette.

Mike's friend Jose added "They had the energy level. They killed it." Rahz, a spectator, jokingly added “I have cancer. After viewing that show, it’s cured.”

I Anbassa's performance was not a onetime success. "They've played for us five or six times," co-owner of the Acoustic Cafe, Jessica Apple said, "They usually turn out around one hundred people, which is about capacity for us."

Continuum 20: Veterans at HCC

Host Brandon T. Bisceglia stops by HCC’s Veteran’s Center to speak with Veteran’s Representative Ernest Johnson, Veteran’s Club President Jason Terlecky, and Vice President Uri Kaffe about the challenges that veterans face in adjusting to civilian and student life, as well as the pros and cons of entering the service.

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Living in a Lost Generation

By Susan Smith
News You Can Use Editor

Is the growing comfort of the online world aiding the enhancement of communication for our generation, or is it slowly sacrificing our future?

There is a harsh kind of bitterness that ignites when someone older than us talks down on our generation. We’ve all heard it. This sort of wasted youth talk, where the elder speaker revels at “how different it is today,” and openly (sometimes literally) frowns upon the distasteful attitude and lack of morals our generation represents to them.

Maybe it’s because I too am growing older, but I can’t help but agree with them, with an underlining sadness that is almost shameful.

Don’t get me wrong: I can’t begin to portray myself as the ideal model for today's youth. But I have recently began to feel our generation is becoming very distant from the rest of the world. It seems there is a lack of physical communication between my peers, as if the older we get, the more recluse and antisocial we become with each other and society.

I began to notice this lack of communication last year. I was sitting in class, waiting for my professor to arrive. I was not alone in the room, as 15 or so other students were also sitting idly by, preparing for the next hour of tedious comprehending. The strange thing was, with as much in common as we all had (whether it be age, clothing style, or the class itself), the room remained completely silent for the entire 15 minutes before the professor arrived. Not only were no conversations started, but any intent of communication was avoided at all costs. It almost seemed we were all following some combination of prison rules in that classroom, where eye contact was avoided and staying as far away from the person sitting next to you was necessary to retain that comfort level we worked so hard to achieve.

But what was really noticeable was the constant clacking of every single cell phone in the room. Not only were we uninterested in any interaction with the people around us; we couldn't stand to be bored for even a few minutes. It was like we had some subconscious need to always be communicating with something, as long as that something didn't breathe or speak.

This, of course, is assuming our peers continue in the physical world at all, or if the remainder of our generation will be survived solely through the digital world of social networking sites.

Yes, Facebook.

Again, as a disclaimer, I want to mention that I am no stranger to the beautiful world of statuses and photo comments. Nor do I intend to ever walk away from a world where I can express my favor, concern, or acknowledgment of something with the simplicity of a "like" button.

But if the majority of your ideas and conversations have solely been through type for so long, I would think the margin for error would be slim. But again, I am surprised.

I often click through pages of profiles and come upon one post after the next where the message can hardly be deciphered due to unending grammatical errors and sometimes even a lack of any real words at all. I don't believe perfect spelling or punctuation is always necessary, and yes, in the fast world of the web, we're expected to shorthand here and there. But come on: we were taught in middle school how to conjugate simple verbs. I just can't understand how suddenly "Your going?" or "Their they are" are littering the pages of senior college student profiles.

This frequency of grammatical errors may not seem to be a pressing problem since, after all, it is only Facebook. However, the toll of living in this online world unhindered by basic education is beginning to become drastically noticeable. In fact, in a recent article from the Canadian Press, it was remarked that the frequent use of "social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, are all being blamed for an increasingly unacceptable number of post-secondary students who can't write." The article included the results of a study from the University Of Waterloo, Ontario, where 30% of their freshmen are failing to meet the minimum standard of an exam testing their skills in basic English grammar.

The fact that these results are already becoming present when the popularity of digital communication is still fairly new is troubling to me. If this phenomenon of the encompassing digital world continues, what will the future hold for the education of generations to come? Will simple communication and grammar be unobtainable to them? And possibly more troubling, will the English language be ruined in an attempt to relieve the stress of a society who refuses to learn anything above the bare minimum?

There's no telling whether this estranged quality of communication and ignorance will improve or decay the future of society, or if those in the future will come to terms with living, as I do, in a lost generation.

Star-Crossed Lovers?

By Peter Glagowski
Arts and Entertainment Editor

Friendships are hard to come by. I have met tremendous people, but contact with girls has been minimal.

There have only been two real good female friends, but I was never able to receive a female perspective on my problems from them, not to mention fall into a true love.

But, lately, I have been enjoying hanging out with a great woman that my friend Joe presented.

She is the complete opposite as far as self-image and confidence goes, but shares vital common interests, like video games, music, and films. She is an extremely spontaneous, heart warming, and welcoming person. Plus, she has more life experience than I will probably have.

At one point that bastard Cupid struck me with an arrow because this girl was riving my brain constantly. When I looked at her face, my legs became numb as the mind drifted into bad territory.

The last time this happened to me, I made a complete and utter ass of myself. She more than likely cared about me as a friend, but I just couldn’t deal with just that.

In retrospect, the things I said and did were moronic, and wish I could take everything back. I wish to be able to one day look into her eyes, and not have a sexual attraction. Instead, I want to like a girl for her intellect. I wish to one day lend an ear to her problems, and relieve her of her burdens.

The same goes for my current friend. When I talk to her, I feel as if maybe I’m putting on a facade to gain interest. While I genuinely care for her, is it only because I have an eye for her beauty? Do I not have the ability to call women merely “friends?”

Something is really rotten in the state of Denmark. I sometimes lay restless at night wondering why I cannot just be happy with just a friendship. Why do I lust for more?

My friend Rob put it this way, “Just ask her to a simple date. If she says no, you can shrug it off and still keep that wonderful friendship.”

It is true that putting too much thought into sex will sour up the whole ordeal, so I need to take deep breaths and try to simply listen to her. I may have my thoughts of us being together, but that probably isn’t what is going on in her mind.

Perhaps my hormones are acting up?

But my heart knows that pursuing this relationship is the best course of action. I have never met a girl like her before, and, fortunately, I’m confident that she will still be my friend if she unfortunately cannot be my lover. So, I’ll ask her out.

Spring 2010 Club Day

On February 17, HCC's clubs and student groups had the chance to showcase themselves and attract new members. Here are some pictures from that day.

Student Senate

Black Student Union

Veteran's Club


Performing Arts Club

Multicultural Club / International Student Alliance

Early Childhood Education Club

History Club

Gay-Straight Alliance

Women's Center

All photographs by Brandon T. Bisceglia

Continuum 19: The Status of the Student Senate

The Student Senate is going through many changes this semester. Acting President Michael Belletzkie and Treasurer Konrad Mazurek talk with host Brandon T. Bisceglia about the Senate’s attempts to increase its membership, to reinforce accountability, and to offer opportunities for all HCC students to participate in the governance of the college.

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2008 Wages of HCC Deans & President

The following data was provided to the Connecticut Yankee Institute for Public Policy by the State of Connecticut Comptroller’s Office in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the organization. It is part of their CT Sunlight Project, which seeks to increase transparency in order to empower citizens “to hold State Government accountable for their spending.”

Among other things, the database lists all 2007-2008 wages for employees of HCC, which is a State-owned institution. It should be noted that although college salaries are funded in part by taxpayer dollars, private sources, such as tuitions, also make up a portion of the total.

The Connecticut Yankee Institute for Public Policy is a libertarian-leaning nonprofit 501 (c) (3) think tank.

Elizabeth Roop - Academic Dean:
$98,397

Hendrickson, Ed.D., Avis D. - Dean of Students:
$99,228

Thornton, Robert H. – Dean of Outreach Services:
$129,361

McNamara, Paul S. – Dean of Administration:
$169,967

Gliniecki, Anita T. – President:
$166,576

Welcome Back

The staff at Horizons would like to welcome the students, faculty and staff of HCC back for a great Spring 2010 semester! We have many exciting new projects planned for the semester, so come back often to find out more.