‘American’ creatively looks into the life of comedian Bill Hicks
by Samantha Tata
28 April 2011
Daily Sundial
Finally comedy fans are able to spend a little more time with Bill Hicks.
Hicks has been described as the greatest comedian you’ve never heard of, and one of the most prolific comedians the United States has ever produced. A rather lofty title earned by a man who died at 32 years old of pancreatic cancer in 1994.
CSUN students cannot appeal elimination of financial aid if over 150 units
by Samantha Tata
27 April 2011
Daily Sundial
A.S. Academic Affairs Committee unsuccessfully proposed the creation of an appeals process against the elimination of financial aid eligibility for students with 150 units. Prior to the change, students were able to receive financial aid up to 180 units.
“It’s geared more towards non-traditional students and transfer students with excessive units,” said Mallad Kashnood, chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.
The new unit cap only affects a student’s ability to receive financial aid.It does not influence whether or not the student graduates, said Cynthia Rawitch, associate vice president of undergraduate studies.
Should a student enroll past 150 units, they become required to secure funding, whether it is through private loans or out-of-pocket.
A.S. allocates money to pay for fundraiser for Japan earthquake victims
by Samantha Tata
20 April 2011
Daily Sundial
Associated Students allocated $1,500 to fund the HOPE for Japan benefit concert in a motion that allowed them to indirectly provide aid to the country which has been devastated by massive earthquakes, tsunamis and seeping nuclear radiation from damaged plants for months.
The concert will showcase CSUN students performing spoken word, poetry, dance and musical pieces, including Jishin Taiko, CSUN’s Japanese drumming ensemble and cultural club, on Saturday April 23 at 6 p.m. in the USU Northridge Center.
Senator Melinda Hambrick advocated for A.S.’s funding of the event.
“Since we cannot donate directly to a non-profit organization, we’re helping fund the event that will raise money,” she said.
CSUN’s A.S. cuts entertainment budget
by Samantha Tata
20 April 2011
Daily Sundial
Associated Students reduced the budget for the organization in charge of providing students with entertainment, such as concerts, lectures and cultural events free of charge.
SPACE, Student Production and Campus Entertainment, had their summer program eliminated for a second year in a row and their ability to sponsor campus events was significantly reduced.
The organization lost a total of $11,000 for the 2011-12 academic year – $7,000 was cut from summer programs and $4,000 from spirit funds, which allowed them to provide free CSUN swag during campus events. The motions were sponsored by President Conor Lansdale and Vice President Neil Sanchez.
Bartender serves it like it is
by Samantha Tata
23 February 2011
The Mercurial
Of the thousands of bars in Los Angeles County, only one can claim that their drink slinger is the most contemptible in town. Three years into Yorlin Madera’s tenure at McCabe’s Bar & Grill in Santa Monica, his customers, through service evaluation on the review website Yelp!, dubbed him Meanest Bartender of 2008.
“I took pride in that,” Madera, 35, said. “It may sound anti-social, but I enforce certain rules so everyone has a good time, not just those who think they deserve extra attention.”
‘Natural’ isn’t always safe
by Samantha Tata
6 February 2011
The Mercurial
Some beauty products and dietary supplements intended for daily use contain compounds that, when reacting with the body, become carcinogenic, said California State University Northridge (CSUN) chemistry professor Dr. Gagik Melikyan.
Melikyan authored a new book, Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Antioxidants, Foods, Supplements, and Cosmetics, hoping to dispel the common misconceptions that products labeled “natural” are inherently benign, and that exposure to antioxidants, supplements and cosmetics cannot harm the body, despite the lack of scientific evidence to support these claims.
Using laughter as medicine at the Laugh Factory
by Samantha Tata
24 March 2011
Daily Sundial
In the years after the Laugh Factory opened its doors and lit up its stage in 1979, owner Jamie Masada passed out complimentary passes for the new club to drum up support and community involvement.
While canvassing Fairfax Street in West Hollywood, Masada handed out coupons valid for a free show and complimentary soda to the elderly that lived on the block.
A retired married couple accepted the offer and attended the show, but did not look happy about it. Masada said they were miserable when they entered his club – looking down, grumbling, the woman following yards behind her husband.
The couple that walked out of the Laugh Factory, its walls lined with glass cases of shrines to comedy greats from the Marx Brothers to Richard Pryor, was wholly changed. Masada remembered they left with arms linked, beaming at one another.
“It was then I thought, this is the best thing I can do,” said Masada, who bought the club at the age of 16 and quickly transformed the brick building on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Laurel Avenue into one of the top comedy clubs in the United States.
A.S. approves usual policy after 90 minute debate
by Samantha Tata
16 March 2011
Daily Sundial
On Tuesday, the A.S. senate discussed at length an amendment to their proposed constitutional changes citing inadequate funds, centralized power and the preservation of democracy in campus elections.
Pending the approval of changing twice yearly elections to once, the senate debated to allow the next A.S. president power to appoint 11 vacant senate seats in the spring 2012 semester when those senators’ terms will expire without an official election to replace them.
Other alternatives included allowing senators elected in fall 2010 to serve an extra semester or conduct an election in fall 2011 to appoint senators to a six-month term.
Back and forth discussions lasted 90 minutes, even though A.S. policy already permits the president the ability to appoint representatives to vacant seats.
A.S. discusses cost of buses used for demonstration in Sacramento
by Samantha Tata
15 March 2011
Daily Sundial
Busses chartered by Associated Students to send a small group of CSUN demonstrators to Sacramento Monday for a protest of statewide budget cuts costs the group $2,103, averaging $96 per attendee. CSUN sent 21 students on a 47-passenger bus, which included five A.S. senators and two Sundial reporters.
The bus was reserved for 21 hours and cost $450 for the first five hours and $80 for each additional hour. A 20 percent fuel surcharge was added totaling $173 and an additional driver was added to the bill for $200, whom A.S. did not tip.
This is the second year in a row that A.S. has allocated funds from their transportation budget to shuttle students to the state capitol for the two-hour march. A.S. reserved four busses last year for about $3,000 but only sent two and a half to Sacramento.
CSUN students complain about A.S.’ lack of participation in protests
by Samantha Tata
9 March 2011
Daily Sundial
Students expressed their disappointment with Associated Students’ lack of public participation in CSUN’s March 2 protest against budget cuts during the senate session Tuesday.
“I want to express my disgust, it was disheartening to see,” said Krystal Brooks, 21, history major, before the senate. “People with power on campus need to encourage other students to become involved.”
The second annual rally against continuing financial cuts to state-supported universities called about 700 students, faculty and community members to the Oviatt lawn last Wednesday in a demonstration significantly smaller than the year before.
One of the protest leaders, Justin Marks, 22, English and Pan African Studies major, said he was encouraged by the maturity of this year’s education-oriented event but was disappointed in the continuing lack of A.S. involvement.
CSUN students demonstrate during March 2 protests against budget cuts
by Samantha Tata
3 March 2011
Daily Sundial
CSUN’s protest against budget cuts to California’s higher education incorporated lessons from last year’s demonstration. The idea of education as a human right drew mixed reactions from the student body in the day-long protest Wednesday.
The Oviatt Library lawn served as anchor for the protest. From 10 a.m. until about 5 p.m., students, teachers and community members participated in the action against implemented and proposed funding cuts to the CSU and UC systems.
The library was flanked on either side of its staircase with student-made banners reading, “Wake up, walk out!” The campus was also decorated with homemade signs displaying, “Quality education, not corrupt administration” and “Where have all the classes gone?”
Wednesday’s march was run by Activist Student Coalition, a student-run organization, in cooperation with other CSUN student groups including Students for Quality Education.
CSUN professor pleads not guilty
by Samantha Tata
3 March 2011
Daily Sundial
CSUN mathematics professor Tihomir Petrov pleaded not guilty in San Fernando Superior Court today to two counts of misdemeanor public urination.
His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 4 at San Fernando Superior Court where the prosecution will make an offer. Pending the defense’s acceptance of that deal, the case could go to a jury trial as soon as May.
Arvand Naderi, one of two defense attorneys, said even if convicted, Petrov would be able to petition the court to expunge his record.
A.S. to lobby D.C. for Pell Grants
by Samantha Tata
23 February 2011
Daily Sundial
CSUN President Jolene Koester and A.S. Vice President Neil Sanchez with California State Student Association (CSSA) will lobby for students’ health care, approval of the Dream Act and the maintenance of Pell Grants in Washington, D.C.
Koester, Sanchez and the CSSA will present their concerns March 1 and 2 to the staff members of California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, as well as the staff of various state representatives.
“In my personal opinion, Pell Grants are the (main) lobbying point,” Sanchez said.
CSUN freshmen are the second largest recipients of Pell Grants in California with 42 percent of students receiving aid, trailing only CSU Fresno with 47 percent, according to Education Trust’s 2008 data.
Matador bookstore offering more rentals, ebooks
by Samantha Tata
24 January 2011
Daily Sundial
In an effort to save students money and increase access to course materials, the Matador Bookstore has doubled the availability of rental books from last year and introduced 200 digital titles for the coming semester, said Amy Berger, store director for the Matador Bookstore.
“In the fall term, we rented over 15,000 books to more than 9,200 students, saving them more than $500,000,” Berger said. “And, although they represent a small fraction of sales, we are working toward a digital world.”
The expense of textbooks has become a common talking point on campus, particularly over the past decade.
Elio DiStaola, director of public and campus relations for Follett Higher Education Group, said this growing sensitivity to price has run parallel to economic concerns.
CSUN faculty discuss peeing professor
by Samantha Tata
30 January 2011
Daily Sundial
CSUN’s Mathematics department faculty met Friday in Live Oak Hall to discuss the ongoing investigation of professor Tihomir Petrov.
Petrov faces two misdemeanor counts of urinating in public, and is scheduled to be arraigned in San Fernando Superior Court on March 3.
He taught at UC Irvine from 2003 to 2006 and was most recently on the tenure track at CSUN.
The meeting, led by the CSUN Provost, Dr. Harry Hellenbrand, allowed the faculty to ask questions and express their opinions.
“Common questions were, ‘How dangerous is this person? Is he being (mentally) assessed? Will we be notified?’” said Michael Neubauer, CSUN mathematics professor. “The provost assured us that he is concerned with the safety of anyone on campus.”
While some faculty were concerned, others disagreed that the case warranted a high level of attention.
CSUN professor accused of urinating on colleague’s door gets extension
by Samantha Tata
27 January 2011
Daily Sundial
The CSUN mathematics professor accused of urinating on a colleague’s door was granted a 30-day arraignment extension today in San Fernando Superior Court.
Mathematics professor Tihomir Petrov, 43, faces two misdemeanor counts of urinating in public.
“We’ve requested this extension in order to engage in informal discussion with the prosecutor and gather further evidence,” said Garret Weinrieb, one of the two defense attorneys.
Petrov was allegedly caught on surveillance camera urinating on an office door in Santa Susanna Hall.
Traveling lovebirds bring sweet relief to festivals
by Samantha Tata
3 September 2010
The Mercurial
Operating out of a 10′ by 20′ jungle green food-grade tent adorned with flags and “all the fixin’s on the top,” husband-wife business partners Dave and Dani Rosenthal and their small but loyal crew have faithfully served Renaissance fairs and music festivals from New England to Florida. dave’s mini donuts offers a menu boasting fresh, quality items amid otherwise questionable fair-food.
“We are a business that believes in quality and service,” Dani said in an interview. “Sometimes you get one or the other but seldom do you get both, especially at traveling shows.”
While many featured festival vendors may employ artificial means to serve their product as quick as possible, Dani insists that such shortcuts will not be taken in their tent.
Samantha Tata 