PAC Invades the Fiesta Commission HQ

Not even pouring rain, lightning strikes and loud thunderclaps could dampen the spirits of Fiesta-goers as they braved the elements--some even spent the night!--to be among the first to purchase tickets to various official Fiesta San Antonio events being held around the city April 20-29.

I arrived at the Fiesta Commission Headquarters a little after 8 a.m. There was a wicked downpour occurring, but spirits were high among those waiting in line as they huddled under the Ashley Furniture tent, umbrellas and even windshield heat visors! Spirits got even higher as I started giving away black PACfest t-shirts with our colorful PACfest 2007 logo and our PACfest medals. You would not believe how many people collect Fiesta medals year after year! At one point, the crowd almost clamored over me until I assured everyone that there were plenty of medals.

Dr. Dan Rodriguez, PAC's Director of Student Activities; PAC Coach John Libby; and PAC student Sirena Abrego (a.k.a the Palomino mascot) arrived to the delight of those in line and the Fiesta staff inside, as Sirena handed out PACfest fliers and "chili" candies featuring our PACfest entertainment lineup.

At 9:30 a.m., with the rain still pouring, the Mariachi Palomino headed by Juan Ortiz arrived, which really excited the crowd inside and outside! The Commission had the mariachis play music for the old game of musical chairs. The participants were all royalty--King Antonio, a representative for El Rey Feo, and all the beautiful queens of different Fiesta organizations. Even Bexar County's District Attorney Susan Reed was there playing, but not for long as she was the first one eliminated!

Lots of photographers and TV news cameramen were there, so keep a lookout for tonight's news (Fox 29 or KSAT) or in tomorrow's paper for our Mariachi Palomino and Sirena Abrego. The Fiesta Commission has a blog site where they mention our appearance.

I have three XL PACfest t-shirts left that I will give to the first 3 people who come by my office this afternoon asking for one. Limit one per person!

I also have PACfest Medals to give out if you want one now!

PAC to Invade Fiesta Commission HQ

If you're looking for something fun to do tomorrow (Friday) morning, come to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission Headquarters at 2611 Broadway between 8 and 10 a.m. Dr. Dan Rodriguez, the PAC Palomino and her escort, and PAC's famous Mariachi Palomino and myself will be there handing out PACfest t-shirts and medals to people waiting in line for the doors to open at 10 a.m. signaling the start of Centralized Ticket Sales.

It's 5 p.m. as I type this, and a phone call to the Fiesta Commission confirms that people are already in line with tents in tow to spend the night to hold their place in line for the opportunity to buy tickets for Cornyation, Oyster Bake, Night in Old San Antonio and other Fiesta events. According to the Fiesta website, Ashley Furniture HomeStores, an official Fiesta sponsor, will be on hand Thursday to provide the first two people in line with recliners for the night.

I'll probably be in the office until 6 p.m. tonight, Thursday, March 29. If you're on campus reading this, come on down to my office and I'll give you a PACfest t-shirt!

Congratulations: Alba De Leon

Please join me in congratulating Alba De Leon, an Associate Lead Professor of Art/International Education Liaison at Palo Alto College, on successfully defending her dissertation yesterday at the University of the Incarnate Word, School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Her Dissertation Defense was on "Internationalizing Courses: A Case Study of Community College Faculty."

Congratulations, Alba!!!

Road Closure Notice

Quick reminder: As of Monday, March 26, the road in front of the Performing Arts Building—Building K—will be closed to traffic until Wednesday, April 4. I have been watching a lot of cars drive through Lot 6 only to have to turn around when they get to the area by the new parking lot. Please inform everyone you know who is used to taking the road in front of the Administration Building and the Performing Arts Building that it is closed to through traffic. Thank you.

ACCD Night with the Rampage

Hey, have you heard the one about a guy who went to see the fights and a hockey game broke out? Ha Ha Ha. OK, maybe it wasn't that funny. Anyway, this Saturday, March 31, is Alamo Community Colleges Night at the San Antonio Rampage hockey game. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m.

Palo Alto College, along with our sister colleges, will each have a table manned by a recruiter to distribute information and promotional items at the AT&T Center. Ms. Charlene Goliday from St. Philip's college will sing the National Anthem. Cheerleaders from PAC and San Antonio College will perform during the first intermission. College mascots will also be roaming the lobby area and college banners will be on display for all to see. There will also be a mystery ACCD guest riding the Zamboni!!!

Click here and get a ticket to Rampage Spurs ACCD Night for just $15 and then come to the AT&T Center box office and pick up your ticket to one of three Spurs games! That's two games for only $15* (*Ticket fees apply).

Here's a treat for the first 4 people who have read this far. I have some free tickets to the hockey game!

Envelope 1 has one ticket for Section 103, Row 28, Seat 13
Envelope 2 has two tickets for Section 103, Row 27, Seats 9 and 10
Envelope 3 has two tickets for Section 103, Row 27, Seats 11 and 12
Envelope 4 has three tickets for Section 103, Row 27, Seats 13, 14 and 15

You need to come by my office in ADM 112 to pick up the tickets--no phone orders, will call, etc. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Weather Update

The President's Office has been receiving calls wondering if classes are being held this evening. ACCD Police Chief Adams reports the storm currenting pelting San Antonio should pass in an hour. Classes will still be held this evening at PAC as planned.

Please remember if you come to a low water crossing...Turn Around, Don't Drown.

CineMujer Film Festival

It nice to know someone reads the blog! I had a staff member and work study come into my office this morning to pick-up a PACfest medal. There is still one left on my desk!

This week, Palo Alto College, in conjunction with the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, are presenting the 3rd annual CineMujer Film Festival in celebration of Women's History Month. Tonight will be the Opening Reception at 6 p.m. at the Esperanza Center located at 922 San Pedro Ave. PAC is contributing to the opening festivities by arranging catering by Las Cazuelas featuring chicken flautas, chips and salsa, guacalmole and queso, and aguas frescas. The reception and admittance to the film screenings are FREE and open to the public.

If you can't make it to the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, several films will be shown on the PAC campus.

Wednesday, March 28 at Noon in the PAC Performing Arts Center
Soledad is Gone Forever
14 minutes, 2005, USA
A young Chilean immigrant photographer realizes her recurring visions are real memories she has repressed for 20 years.

I Wonder What You Will Remember of September
27 minutes, 2004, Chile/USA
A haunting personal response to the events of September 11, 2001, informed and complicated her status as a Chilean citizen living in the U.S.

Thursday, March 29 at 11:25 a.m. in the PAC Performing Arts Center
Maquilapolis
68 minutes, 2006, Mexico/USA
Ten women employed in maquiladoras on the Mexican/U.S. border take a camera and narrate their experiences.

SGA Election Results/PAC Pop Parody

It is an honor to present to you PAC’s newly elected Student Government Association officers who will assume office May 14, 2007 for a one-year term. They are:

President Selso Casares
Vice-President Catherine Arriaga
Secretary Business & Treasury Jeremy Hammond
Senator of Campus Operations Kurt Oswald
Senator of Instruction & Curriculum Jonathan Lawson
Senator of Public Relations Marcos Madrigal
Senator of Student Activities Kimberly Cervantes
Senator of Student Services Thurman C. Reeves Jr.

Elections were held Wednesday and Thursday, and 404 PAC students—a record I’m told—voted!

Election results were announced after the conclusion of the Student Service Fee Advisory Committee sponsored "PAC Pop Parody" held today at noon in honor of Women's History Month. If you didn't see it, you missed some tremendous performances and beautiful vocals by Stacey Mazuca, Sirena Abrego and Rose Taylor. The performances by all three ladies would rival anything you see on "American Idol."

Rose took me back to the good old days with her rendition of songs such as "Chain of Fools; Crazy; Me & Bobby McGee; and Respect." Sirena was simply wonderful with her renditions of "Jesus Take the Wheel; Where Would You Be; Because of You; and Lithium."And Stacey Mazuca--well, if you haven't heard her sing, you're really missing out on a PAC treasure--sang "At Last; Orange Colored Sky; Love; and New York, New York." Stacey also "wowed" the audience with the beautiful dress she wore. Watching all three perform was indeed a wonderful way to spend a Friday lunch hour.

PACfest Medals

No one has come by to pick up the 3 PACfest Medals! There were only 600 or so made, and only the President has one so far!! Be the first in your department to wear one!!!

Peter Matthiessen Luncheon/Colloquium

Please pardon the short notice, but Gemini Ink has just informed me that an anonymous donor has purchased a table with seating for 8 for Palo Alto College students to attend a Luncheon/Colloquium tomorrow (Friday, March 23) at Pearl Stable featuring “naturalist, novelist, Zen priest, explorer and living legend, Peter Matthiessen,” free of charge. The event begins at noon. There will be an interview by Naomi Shihab Nye, and a book-signing following the event. Tickets for this event are being sold for $50.

If you are a student or know of any other student would like to attend the Luncheon/Colloquium, please call me or have the student call me at 921-5269 before 4 p.m. today. I need to provide a list of names to Gemini Ink by close of business today. Please remember that if you make a commitment to attend, you need to be there! If you have any questions, please call me.

SGA Elections

Spent part of my lunch hour today with Dr. Dan Rodriguez, Director of Student Activities, in the Student Center manning a table with ballots and a ballot box for the Student Government Association elections. Elections started at 9 a.m. this morning, and by 12:30 p.m. approximately 140 students had voted. It's nice to see democracy in action--it probably didn't hurt that one of the candidates running for SGA president--Selso Ceasares--was enticing voters with delicious cupcakes! I didn't get a cupcake since I'm not eligible to vote, but I'm told by some of the students that they were very tasty!!

The voting period for the SGA election is today and tomorrow, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Student Center, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Welcome Enrollment Center, PC 126.

PACfest Medals

The PACfest Medals are in! The PACfest Committee members will be discussing distribution during its next meeting on Tuesday, March 27, but I have 3 of them on my desk for the first 3 people who come to my office--no, one person cannot pick up all 3!

Race for the Cure

Tina Mesa, PAC's Dean of Learning Resources, is leading the college's Susan G. Komen 10th Annual Race for the Cure, scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at the Alamodome. The PAC team is hoping to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

In an email sent by Tina, she is asking faculty and staff members to join PAC in the fight by pledging your support of the PAC Palominos' participation in the Race, or contributing generously to Komen's San Antonio affiliate. Tax-deductible contributions will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically under-served communities in San Antonio and national breast cancer research.

For information on how to contribute or support the PAC team, please call Azucena Rodriguez-Guerra, Team Captain, at 921-5402.

PAC soon to be Smoke-Free!

Plans are currently being formulated on how to effectively communicate to Palo Alto College students, faculty and staff that the campus will be smoke AND tobacco-free beginning in the Fall 2007 semester!

Sometime this week the Student Affairs Council will meet to review a draft of the new smoking policy campaign; PAC's Student Government Association will also be providing input as well.

Soon, the days of exiting buildings through clouds of smoke or seeing classmates spitting tobacco residue into glass containers during class will be a thing of the past.

Should I Stay or Should I Go...

The right answer is to turn around!

Today's Spring Break excitement is brought to us by the weather! Heavy rains began pouring down on campus today during the noon hour, and by 1 p.m., a portion of West Villaret Boulevard from Poteet Highway 16 leading into the college triggered a concern regarding safe passage on a portion of the road that was underneath a foot and a half of water.

Campus police was contacted, and in turn the San Antonio Fire Department, which erected barricades to deter drivers from attempting a risky water crossing. Recommendations for exiting the college is via the westbound Loop 410 frontage road. On entering the college, you may consider the entrance off Loop 410 (but you would have to be travelling west), or the entrance off Jennifer Street by W. Villaret Blvd.

Thank you to Steve Sosa for braving the elements and taking the above photo!

Look, up in the sky! Is it a...

Those of us who made it to campus today--considering it's Spring Break--have been left scratching our head wondering what happened to one of the towers that is on the roof in the area between the Administration Building and the Student Center.

One side of the tower facade wall appears to be torn off from below the window of the tower to the base of the roof. Opinions vary as to the cause. Some feel it was a lightning strike, while others feel it was a tornado (a small pin-point strike, perhaps?), to a strong gust of wind, to one who speculated that it was bird strike in retaliation for the screens that has been placed in the ceiling below the roof, eliminating a place for birds to roost!

If you have to come to work during Spring Break, it's nice to have a mystery to solve!

The Pulse

Yesterday, in-between meetings, I was walking through the Student Center where I observed the stage crew for "Girl in a Coma" setting up their equipment on one side of the aisle, and Dr. Denise Barkis Richter and her students putting together the latest edition of "The Pulse--A student newsletter in touch with the heartbeat of the community" on the other side. My literary impulse took over and I stopped for a moment to observe the students putting together the newsletter with grit and focus. Seeing me standing there, Dr. Richter thoughtfully brought me a copy of the newsletter "straight off the press."

Once I got home and watched Haley Scarnato make it into the final 12 of "American Idol", I pulled "The Pulse" out of my bag and settled in my favorite chair (okay, I actually laid on the coach) to read it. If you haven't gotten your copy, I strongly urge you to pick one up--the articles in the newsletter covered a wide-range of topics and were well-written and informative.

The lead story by Jennifer DuPriest on "Persistence Pays Off for College Students" offered helpful advice--without being preachy--to help students through their college journey. Other pieces of information that I found interesting included one provided by Raymond deLeon that noted "...400 current students are using their veterans' benefits at Palo Alto College," and in an article by Brittany Wilton "Trip to Greece Opens Eyes, Warms Hearts" that reveals that there's a waitress in Greece that doesn't approve of guests having breakfast in their pajamas!

The story that really captured my attention was by Javier Lopez, "Web 2.0 Making the World a Smaller Place." I got to read how Alyssa Lazo confessed that "MySpace has consumed my entire life into it," and that, according to Lopez, 3,267 MySpace pages list Palo Alto College as the user's current school. With a Spring enrollment of just under 8,000 students, it looks like approximately 40 percent of our population is a registered user of MySpace! Lopez also noted that there are 262 PAC professors listed on RateMyProfessor.com. The article ends with Lopez quoting Lazo as saying "Imagine the world being without the internet. That would be something."For those of us alive while the internet superhighway was just an idea in Al Gore's mind, I'm sure we would all agree that the world was indeed a different place without the internet.

Commencement Update

Just got back from a meeting regarding PAC's 20th Anniversary Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at Freeman Coliseum, beginning at 7 p.m. For guests who arrive early, we are planning to have one of PAC's locally renowned musical groups perform at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The committee has made a recommendation regarding the keynote speaker which I will be taking to the President tomorrow for approval.

For you history buffs, PAC first held its graduation ceremony in Spring 1987. There were three (3) graduates: Beatrice Ruiz received an Associate in Arts, and Karen Armstrong and Carol Joyce Terrazas received an Associates in Science. I am going to see if I can locate these graduates in order to invite them to our ceremony.

The next graduation ceremony occurred in Summer 1987. One student received an AS degree and 10 students received an Associates in Applied Science.

This year, we're anticipating approximately 300 students to particapte in our graduation ceremony. While the deadline to register for graduation was Feb. 28, try calling Linda Cooke at 921-5343 to see if you can still participate. You really owe it to yourself and family members and friends to cross the stage!

Study Abroad in Turkey

Students, great news if you're looking for something to do at the end of the Spring semester. Palo Alto College has a Study Abroad Program to Turkey!

The History, Religions, Art and Cultrue of Turkey will be offered during Maymester 2007. Class runs from May 14-31, 2007. Travel dates to Turkey are May 19-29. Participants must be enrolled in classes for academic credit or Continuing Education credit. Courses offered are:

Dr. Jacobs-ENGL 2332-World Literature I
Dr. Jacobs-ENGL 2341-New Voices in Literature
Prof. Marcotte-HUMA 1301-Intro to Humanities
Prof. Marcotte-HUMA 2323-World Curltures and Global Issues

Cost is $3,065. this price includes roundtrip airfare, airfare fuel surchage (as of September 2006), all hotel transfers to and from airports, transportation between cities, admissions to sites, breakfast and dinner daily and the services of an English speaking guide. This fee also includes tuition, fees and books for six hours of academic credit courses (reduce fee by $200 for Continuing Education courses).

This does not include passport fees, personal spending, lunches and tips for guide and driver. Scholarships and Financial Air are available. For more information, contact Dr. Jacobs at 921-5046 or Professor Marcotte at 921-5035.

Death Penalty Discussion

BOOKS ON SALE IN THE
PAC BOOKSTORE
Free Food Reception and Book Signing after lecture!
(Purchase book before event)

MEET
Joan Cheever,
Author of “Back From The Dead”

A Look at the Death Penalty
TODAY, March 6
11:25 a.m.
Performing Arts Building, 100B
PALO ALTO COLLEGE

Sponsored by
Palo Alto College
And
Student Services Fee Advisory Committee

Potpourri of Information

Students, are you ready to make a change on campus? The Student Government Association will be holding elections March 21 and 22 for all office positions. Campaigning begins today and ends March 22.

What, you're not an official candidate yet??? Contact the SGA Office located in the student center in person, or call 921-5538, to let them know you want to run for office. If you feel better conducting your campaign over the internet, email the SGA office at pacsenat@accd.edu

As previously mentioned, voting will be held on March 21 & 22 at the following times and locations:
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Welcome Enrollment Center, PC 126

Election results will be announced Friday, March 23 during the PAC Pop Parody Performance in the Performing Arts Center at Noon.

2007 South Texas Club Sports League Basketball Championship Tournament

A Men's and Women's Basketball Championship Tournament was held over the weekend in the PAC Gymnasium with college teams from Coastal Bend College, Cy Fair College, Northwest Vista College, Our Lady of the Lake University, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, Southwest Texas Junior College, and St. Philip's College.

Congratulations to PAC's Men's Basketball Team who placed first in the tournament, followed by Southwest Texas Junior College and Coastal Bend College. In the Women's Division, first place went to San Antonio College, followed by Northwest Vista College and Coastal Bend College.

Sunday's Express-News

There was column in Sunday's Express-News Views section written by Art Vega regarding the late Willie Velasquez, founder of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. It's well worth a read, and consideration by our PAC family, especially when you consider that Willie's wife, Jane Velasquez, is our Community Outreach Coordinator, and Carmen Velasquez, who heads PAC's Scholarship Office, is his daughter.

Lady Palominos win Volleyball Championship

Sometimes (well, maybe more than sometimes!), I'm the last one to know things.

This morning I picked up my copy of "The Ranger" and was pleasently surprised to read that PAC's Lady Palominos had won a volleyball championship tournament last Sunday! According to the sports article written by Diego A. Rios, Palo Alto College defeated Coastal Bend College--THE TOP RANKED TEAM--twice to be crowned champions for the fifth year in a row!!!

Writes Mr. Rios: "...despite a 4-10 season record, (PAC) played a strong tournament, winning four matches back-to-back to win the championship."

CONGRATULATIONS to PAC's Lady Palominos Volleyball Team!!!

Basketball Awards Banquet

Tomorrow, Leandro Esparza, Coordinator of PAC's Recreational Activities and Sports, along with Basketball Coach John Libby, will host a Basketball Awards Banquet for the South Texas Club Sports League for 2006-2007.

Women's team from the following colleges will be at the banquet: Coastal Bend College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, and Southwest Texas Junior College.

Men's team from the following colleges will be at the banquet: Coastal Bend College, Cy Fair College, Northwest Vista College, Our Lady of the Lake University, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, Southwest Texas Junior College, and St. Philip's College.

PAC's very own Stacey Mazuca, winner of the University-level Mariachi Vargas Vocal National Competition will sing the National Anthem at the banquet, with an invocation offered by Pastor Eliazar Bonilla, Vida Abundante Church of God.

Award Categories will be Regular Season Champions; Coach of the Year; All-League; League MVP; and Academic All-League.