By Amir Al Tamimi

EL CAJON–An Iraqi immigrant who came to the United States in 1976 is now helping refugees from his country on their roads to citizenship.

Steven Nazar Garmo had immigrated with his parents to Michigan, where he received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1986 and a law degree from the University of Detroit in 1990.

“From the beginning, I wanted to do something that helped people,” he said.  “I believe what I learned from my family of four lawyers and business owners was not just to do your part in helping others but to provide exceptional customer service with fairness, honesty, integrity and hard work.”

In Michigan, he  worked with the Chaldean Federation of America as a volunteer concentrating on helping Chaldeans (Iraqi Christians) who fled Iraq after assisting the U.S. military in the two Gulf Wars.  He consulted with the office of U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) in drafting legislation on refugees that was signed into law in 2008 by then President George W. Bush.

Now an attorney based in El Cajon, with one son attending Grossmont College, a daughter attending Valhalla High School, and another son  at the University of Michigan, Garmo said that legislation provides help to Iraqis inside and outside of the United States, in particular those needing to have their orders of deportation officially reviewed.

In 2007, Garmo worked on a bill that would have made it easier for Iraqi Christians to immigrate to the United States, but the legislation foundered in the House of Representatives after passing the Senate.

At his law offices at 124 W. Main Street, Suite 200, in El Cajon, Garmo provides pro bono services to refugee and other members of the community.  Anyone needing immigration help may walk into his offices in either San Diego or Detroit to receive a free five-minute consultation on any Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.

Garmo has spoken at immigration seminars around the world and has published papers in Arabic and English on U.S. Immigration Law. He said an article he wrote on the processing of visas has served as a guide for U.S. Embassies in Jordan, Syria and Iraq.

Garbo’s first wife, Linda, died of breast cancer in 2004.  Subsequently marrying Vilda, Garbo added Andrew and Anthony, her two sons by a previous marriage, to his family.

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Tamimi is a student in Media Comm 132A.  He may be contacted at amir.tamimi@gcsummit.com

The Griffin Center continued its celebration of Black History Month on Thursday, Feb. 16, with the food court serving Jamaican-inspired food and the Jazz Music Department playing classic jazz standards.

The menu included jambalaya, sweet chicken curry sandwiches, jerk chicken tacos, and chicken ranch pizza. Being a foodie, I was particularly interested in the jambalaya. As the man behind the counter said “they hooked it up with the jambalaya today.”

Mmm-mmm, a bowl of jambalaya (Photo: John Weber)

They say the first bite is always the best. I would have to disagree because every bite of the jambalaya tasted new and exciting.  There were tons of sausage and chicken. The rice soaked up the sauce perfectly and the spices weren’t too overpowering. It was some of the best jambalaya I’ve had in Southern California.

Malcolm Jones plays saxopone and Patrick Escalante trombone (Photo: John Weber)

I was about half way done with my food when the jazz combo started to play. The band consisted of Malcolm Jones on saxophone, Patrick Escalante, trombone, Neil Monteleone, keyboard, Dave Votel on the bass, and Eric Pratt on drums.  They played for a little over and hour with melodies like On The Sunny Side of the Street and All Blues.

Monteleone, who is originally from New Orleans, is one of the greatest Jazz pianists we have at Grossmont. Jones’s saxophone playing was smooth and full of emotion. Votel, Monteleone and Pratt make up one of the best rhythm sections that we have at Grossmont. You can tell that Escalante puts his heart into his music.

Throughout the performance students were sipping on coffee, doing homework, and simply listening. If you would like to see the Jazz combo perform again, Thursday, Feb. 28^th at noon is the last time they are playing for Black History Month in the Griffin Center.

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Weber is a student in Media Comm 132A.  john.weber@gcsummit.com

GROSSMONT COLLEGE– Nicole Harris led the way with 23 points and Stevi Cooper added 22 as the Lady Griffins blew out San Diego City College 77-30.

The Griffins jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. This was in part to the pinpoint shooting of Harris and Cooper. The basketball game was a mismatch as San Diego City College only played five players while Grossmont played all nine. By half time the game was out of reach for San Diego City College, however the second half was more competitive than the previous period. The break didn’t seem to disturb Grossmont as all nine players scored.

Wednesday  night, Feb. 15, at Griffin Arena was also a special event as Coaches vs Cancer took place. The annual basketball game where coaches wear pink clothing and players wear pink socks. There were also pink ribbons for those in attendance to help raise donations in the fight against cancer.  Simultaneously  it was “sophomore night,” Grossmont’s version of Senior Night. Coach Karen Caires  recognized all seven players and their families with kind words and gift bags.

The sophomores who are leaving are Nicole Harris, Stevi Cooper, Eygiel Limbo, Ashleigh King, Shateara Henderson, Andrea Bird, and Darriel Hall. Thanks in part to hard work and dedication the graduating Griffin Woman’s class was sent out with a bang and finished the season with a winning record at 15-14.

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Spillane is a student in Media Comm 132A.  jimmy.spillane@gcsummit.com

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — How do couples meet? Almost every couple has a story they will happily tell if you ask them about it. Some met at bars while others were introduced by friends, and many met while going to college. On Friday, February 10, Grossmont held a pre-Valentine’s day dessert reception at the Health Science complex to celebrate the couples who met on the college campus over the last five decades.

The night was a huge hit for the 40 couples who were able to attend. It was a night filled with new friendships being formed and many others rekindled. A fine dessert table featuring chocolate and pastries was laid out for those with a sweet tooth, and live love songs were performed by vocalist Rachel Drexler accompanied by Steve Baker, Grossmont’s Dean of Arts, Languages & Communication, and fellow musicians James Morton and Doug Booth. The musical theme was love songs from the past 50 years.

Rick Griffin, the public information officer of Grossmont College, who met his own wife Jan here, collected some of the stories from other couples:   Wilfrid (Bill) Hopwood met Carla Cleeton while attending a bowling class in 1987 .  Married in 1989, they have three children–one of whom also attended Grossmont.  Chris Crawford met Randy Lee in a beginning volleyball class.  He continued with intramural games, and she became a cheerleader.  Now they’ve been married 30 years and have three children, one also attending Grossmont.  “You never know,” says his mother, “He may meet his future wife there too.”

Pauline Levikow spotted Tony Garcia in a Literature class but “it took two months for my future husband to talk to me.”  Then they spent an hour at lunch together and “in that short time I knew he was the one.”  That was 40 years ago, with two children and two grandchildren later.  “Grossmont College is part of our family history,” says Pauline.

Kate and Chad O’Donnell met after Chad started coughing up blood after a game that won him honors as Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week.  He went to the on-site EMT where he ignored his malady long enough to ask the emergency medical technician for a date on his birthday. She agreed to go, only if he agreed to go to the hospital. He didn’t go to the hospital and she didn’t go on the date.  But they saw each other a couple months down the road while taking summer classes at Grossmont and “from then on the love stuck,” Kate said.

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Sanders is a Media Comm 199 student.  Jenn.Sanders@gcsummit.com

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Student here have many choices in campus clubs. One of the newest clubs was represented by Amanda Odish during the Inter-Club Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Odish said there are successful Peer Counseling Clubs on numerous college and high school campuses throughout the nation. All train students to counsel their peers. In other words, students help other students deal with any possible problems that may arise while going to school.

Sometimes it’s just easier to talk to a peer than to discuss problems with a stranger. The club is open to anyone and everyone who wants to help others. As a new organization, the Peer Counseling Club  is looking for as many members as possible. Meetings are held on Thursdays from 11-12pm on the second floor of the Griffin Center.

Student John Weber relaxes after donating blood on campus (Photo: Dylan Burke)

GROSSMONT COLLEGE – Heath Science students were out in the main quad, while trained certified professionals from the San Diego Blood Bank drew students’ blood on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 14 and 15, during the Inter-Club Council event.

“Each student has a minimum number of hours to participate, we’re out here today fulfilling those requirements,” said first semester Health Science student Joyce Hazdra said. “We are not the ones who draw the blood, we’re telling students information about donating blood, answering questions and concerns and administrating everyone.”

Some students may indeed have had concern because it was the first time they had ever donated blood.  One of these was Summit reporter John Weber,who described the experience as follows:

“I wanted to give blood on Valentine’s Day because I thought that the greatest way to show somebody you don’t know hope and love is to give them the most intimate part of any human, your own blood. Plus I kind of found it humorous to be ‘giving away my heart,’ if you will, on Valentine’s Day.

“I have had blood drawn for hospital tests before, but this being my first time donating blood I had no idea what to expect.

“When I first got there, they had me fill out some paper work with a questionnaire. Some of the questions regarded if I had traveled, gotten a tattoo or had received any blood transfusions. I have not had any of those so I was in the clear to donate.

“After I filled out my personal information, I had to wait in the queue. They were extremely busy that day so I ended up waiting about an hour and a half.

“Once I was inside, they took my blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. The nurse inside does this very interesting procedure where she pricks your finger and then takes a sample of your blood to test how much Iron is in it.

“I got to choose one of the ‘beds’ that were inside after the initial screening was done. Once there, the nurse came over to rub Iodine on the inside of my arm and attempted to find my vein. If you hate needles then you’ll hate the next part. The needle, which was pretty thick, broke my skin with a pinch and a sting. There was no more pain to endure after that point.

“As I sat around I couldn’t help but notice how weird it was to see other students getting blood, essentially life, drawn from them and there they are just sitting there texting or listening to their Ipods.  Sure enough as time dragged on, I too simply joined with the others, for I grew bored.

“About 20 minutes later I had filled up the package and I was done. The staff offered me Chips Ahoy cookies and cranberry juice and I gladly accepted. Being my first time donating blood I have to say it is quite the experience and I will definitely do it again. I encourage anyone else thinking about donating to give it a try.”

* Burke, a student in Media Comm 132B, covers the Health Sciences.  Weber is a student in Media Comm 132A on general assignment.  They may be contacted respectively at dylan.burke@gcsummit.com and john.weber@gcsummit.com

CAMP PENDLETON, California–Marines and sailors stationed here are devoting this week to honoring service members injured in combat from all over the world; this is a great opportunity for them to showcase their new  facility for Wounded Warriors.

An international assemblage of Wounded Warriors gathered Feb.13 to kick off this year’s Marine Corps Trials for the Warrior Pentathlon.  The event is being hosted by the new Wounded Warrior Regiment located at Camp Pendleton, where a state-of-the-art facility for injured service members helps them transition into the next phase of their lives.

Competitors from allied forces included the French, British, Australian, Canadian, and, of course, American military.  The warriors gathered for a Valentine’s Day American barbecue, which was hosted by the USO, a nonprofit organization priding itself for its support of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Among the USO volunteers were members from the Little Italy Community, members of the Jewish community including former Anti-Defamation League regional director Morris Casuto, and former Marines.

The Marine Corps Trials had the Wounded Warriors competing for Pentathlon spots in  an international competition that will include Swimming, Cycling, Running, Shot Putting and Shooting.

Many high-ranking officers and enlisted service members came out to support the cause and week-long event.  The servicemen and women lined up for their evening chow; smiles and cheers flooded the area as they waited for their hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, hotdogs and potato salads.  To their surprise they were offered an unlimited supply of apple pie, cookies, and sweets.

The experience was unlike any other; everyone involved could feel the sincerity of thanks and compassion in the air.   Volunteers felt they couldn’t do enough in comparison to what these brave men and women have sacrificed; there was that common unspoken understanding.

The Wounded Warrior facility includes a full gym outfitted for nearly any exercise imaginable; there is an outdoor pool; an underwater treadmill for low impact therapy; an outdoor wall for rock climbing.

There is also a Mental Health clinic on the second floor to accommodate warriors with “invisible” wounds.  The goal was to put everything in one place that a Wounded Warrior may need from physical to psychological therapy.

These individuals are provided with a facility to help them transition through their hardships.

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Quijas, a student in Media Comm 132A, covers veterans and military affairs for the GC Summit.  He may be contacted at matt.quijas@gcsummit.com

The only community college student to enter the national competition, LaForest’s entry was one of 78 submitted nationwide.   He will receive his award April 15 at the annual BEA National Convention.

“We are very excited that Grossmont College Students are recognized for their achievements at a National level,” said Media Communications Prof. Evan C. Wirig.

” I am almost as jazzed as Evan, because Eric was in my class too, which is a writing class,” said Michael Grant, the Media Communications department chairman. “All media begins with an idea, a piece of paper, and a student’s knowledge about what to do with those starting places, which will eventually involve print, video, audio, radio, and film, or some combination of these. Each time one of our students scores in this way, it gives all Media Com faculty and staff pleasure in sharing in the achievement.”

(Click below to hear the award-winning entry)

NCRD Z A

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Preceding provided by the Media Communications Department at Grossmont College

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — For the past few years, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has been able to lessen the brunt of the state’s funding crisis by budgeting frugally and being incredibly conservative – even pessimistic – in predicting the amount of money we would get from Sacramento. For this fiscal year, we were able to avoid much of the effect of midyear cuts by assuming the worst-case scenario regarding state funding. 

This worst-case scenario came to pass in December, and we were ready for it. However, recent news from the state is even worse. We were prepared for the $6.3 million midyear cut we got (the Tier 2 state budget trigger), but now we’ve learned that we can expect an extra 3.3 percent deficit – or about $2.8 million – this year, due to a major shortfall in student fee revenues collected at the state level. Fortunately, we’ve got savings to cover this reduction. Unfortunately, spending this one-time savings drains our defenses against more cuts looming next year.

For the last three years, our Governing Board has approved a conservative annual budget anticipating a midyear state budget reduction, ensuring we don’t spend more money than we receive. Each year we spend sparingly and roll forward all possible savings to offset budget cuts and cost increases in the following fiscal year. This stewardship has guided us well through the mayhem of the continuing California budget crisis. This year, we were able to carry over $8.2 million from 2010-11, which is what protected us from this latest budget hit we just suffered. 

Now our piggy bank is dangerously low. We will have less than half our usual savings to carry over to 2012-13, which again promises higher costs and lowered revenues. We are already taking action to delay some critical midyear hires that were previously approved, cut purchases, reduce supplies and operating expenses, restrict travel, and defer facility projects.

 
Even with those steps, the state budget scenarios for 2012-13 are forbidding. Governor Brown’s budget depends on voter approval of a tax increase in November, but many are doubtful that the measure will pass. If the initiative does pass, the District would still have a $3.7 million shortfall, even with the austerity measures we are already taking. If the tax package fails, our shortfall would grow to more than $6.8 million. Most troubling, we’re looking at cutting more than 200 class sections if the tax measure passes and about 450 sections if the measure fails. That’s on top of the 1,600 sections we’ve had to cut over the past three years.

Alternative tax proposals and negotiations are underway to amend the Governor’s proposals and restore our funding, and we are deeply involved in this advocacy work. Meanwhile, we are obligated to prepare for our current prospects. Our success formula remains the same: prepare for the worst and advocate powerfully for the best.

Next year’s budget prospects are the hardest we have faced yet. Our Districtwide Strategic Planning and Budget Council (DSP&BC) has begun developing collective solutions to address our expected deficit, and welcomes your suggestions. You may contribute ideas via your DSP&BC representative or the electronic Budget Suggestion Box, which is available at budget.suggestions@gcccd.edu.  (You also can view all the background budget documents on the DSP&BC Intranet Site.)

We’ve got a bumpy ride ahead of us, filled with continuing uncertainty, but our commitment to working together, transparently and fairly, remains steady. I’ll keep you posted and we’ll hold budget forums to keep you updated as information becomes available.

One continued assurance is that our GCCCD leaders, our Governing Board, and I will do everything in our power to maintain our principles of protecting our employees and serving our students. I appreciate your support and understanding as we continue finding solutions together.

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Miles is chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Lea Anderson installation at the Hyde (Staff photos)

By Barbara Boyd

Mmmultiplicy exhibit piece by Lea Anderson

GROSSMONT COLLEGE–If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Hyde Art Gallery, then you are missing out on a  unique opportunity. In the gallery you will see an abstract installation, “Mmmultiplicity,”  by Lea Anderson who is a former Grossmont student.

Anderson graduated from Grossmont College in 1997 with an A.A. in painting and drawing. When she was a student here, she studied with sculptor Jim Wilsterman.  Her former professor asked her to come back to celebrate Grossmont’s 50th anniversary and her professional accomplishments. Her art work, some may say, is as unique as she is.

“Lea is drawing on personal history and attempting to translate her own memories into visual formats,” said John Chwekun, curator of the art gallery.

The art exhibit is soon leaving: Feb. 23 is the last day to see the exhibit. You might not be an art major, or know anything about art but you don’t need to be, to enjoy the exhibit.

“I’d simply encourage patient and thoughtful viewing, without getting caught up in expectations about what one is supposed to get out of the experience,” said Chwekun.

“An attentive and questioning kind of engagement with a work of art leads to a meaningful relation to it.  After spending some time with the art, students may want to read the information we have posted in the gallery which includes the artist’s thoughts about what is on display.

“Beyond that, it may help to come to the gallery with a friend and discuss the work afterwards. The act of articulating our thoughts verbally to others can sometimes help us clarify things for ourselves.”

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Boyd, a student in Media Comm 132A, may be contacted at barbara.boyd@gcsummit.com