The Lariat

One of Irvine Valley's lesser-known sports has a history of making itself one of the better-known teams in the California Community College Athletic Association Women's Badminton Tournament. However, all Lasers will remain unknown to the 2008 round as the team's seven-year run of qualifying came to an end in Hart Gymnasium, Friday.… Post the First Comment

Veteran police officer retires after long tenure at Saddleback

by Kara Willingham in News

Officer Cloyce Kelly, a twenty-three year veteran of the Saddleback Police and a former United States Marine, celebrated his retirement at a luncheon ceremony May 1. Fellow officers, friends, campus staff and comrades-in-arms joined Kelly to celebrate both his professional service and the many friendships he had formed over the years.… 2 Comments

Gauchos host state tourney

Swimming and diving

by Megan Crothers in Sports

Saddleback College hosted the California State Swimming and Diving Championships this past weekend and found success in its home pool. The women's swim team placed sixth and the men placed 23rd, in a field of opponents that included community college athletes from Diablo Valley, Ventura, Modesto, Santa Monica, Sierra, Santa Rosa, Santa Ana, American River, Orange Coast, Chaffey, Long Beach, Cuesta, Chabot, Riverside, Grossmont, West Valley, San Joaquin Delta, Citrus, Sacramento, Golden West, Mt.… Post the First Comment

Saddleback ASG Election Results

The elections are over and the votes are in. Congratulations to Saddleback's new student president Kalin Kelly. At Kalin's side as vice president is Connor Ames. Liz Dayrit was elected the new Inter-Club Council Director. Health Science, Human Services, and Emeritus senator is Ryan Abila.… Post the First Comment

SC "Botanique" Fashion Show

On May 9 at 7:00pm Produced by The Special Events class "Fashion 147", the show will highlight student designs as well as fashions from local boutiques. Friday May 9 at the McKinney Theater. 6:00pm: Pre-show reception featuring food presentations from the SC Culinary Arts program.… Post the First Comment

IVC's Kashif Watson signs with Idaho

by John Franz in Sports

As announced by Irvine Valley's men's basketball coach Jerry Hernandez, sophomore guard Kashif Watson has signed with the University of Idaho. Watson averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor while playing in all of the Lasers' 32 games this past season.… Post the First Comment

IVC Commencement 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008, 4:00 pm. Ceremony will be held on the lawn in front of the Student Services Center. Students invited to participate in Commencement may RSVP online or call the Office of Admissions and Records at 949-451-5461 by May 16, 2008 to confirm your attendance and the expected number of guests you plan to bring.… Post the First Comment

Gauchos softball rolls through round one

by John Franz in Sports

The Saddleback softball team completed its sweep of San Diego City College during the first round of the regional playoffs. The Gauchos won, 8-1, last Sunday to win the series in a two-game sweep. Sarah Sutton hit two home runs and had a five RBI day, which included a three-run shot and a two-run shot.… 1 Comment

"A Night of Faith"

This event will be hosted by "The House on Campus." We are a Christian Club affiliated with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. At this event we will be having Pastor Brian Broderson from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa as well as other Calvary Chapel Pastors come down to Saddleback to do a Q&A.… Post the First Comment

IVC Psychology Conference

The conference will be held May 3-8 at 1:30 p.m. in the IVC Performing Arts Center. Keynote presentations: "False Memory Research: Past, Present, Future"; "The How of Happiness;" Student Research Poster Session. Space is limited so on-site registration may not be possible.… Post the First Comment

SC Commencement 2008

The Saddleback College Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Saddleback College stadium. For further information on commencement, please access the Saddleback website link.… Post the First Comment

Men's Volleyball

Irvine Valley College

For the second consecutive year, Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team finished on top. The Pacific Coast Conference champion Lasers (18-2)swept their way through both the semifinals and finals of the 2008 California Community College Athletic Association Men's Volleyball Tournamant to earn the third state title in program history.… Post the First Comment

Men's Basketball

Irvine Valley College

Irvine Valley's men's basketball's winningest season came to and end three points away from its first appearance�in the state tournament. The Lasers (27-5), who entered the playoffs seeded No. 6, sailed into the postseason with 33-point, 29-point and 16-point victories over Santa Ana, Cypress and Saddleback, respectively, to finish second in the Orange Empire Conference.… Post the First Comment

Women's Basketball

Saddleback College

by Cerise Ostrem and John Franz in Sports

The Saddleback women's basketball team finished its 2007-08 season with a 25-8 (10-4) record to clinch second place in the Orange Empire Conference. The No. 5 seeded Gauchos made it to within one game of the state championships, losing at Ventura in the regional finals.… Post the First Comment

Women's Basketball

Irvine Valley College

by John Franz in Sports

Led by Tiffany Smith and her 14.6 points per game, Irvine Valley's women's basketball team finished the year with a 18-13 record overall and 7-7 in Orange Empire Conference play. The Lasers made it into the first round of the playoffs, but their season was ended by a 86-37 loss at Ventura College in the first round.… Post the First Comment

Women's Tennis

Irvine Valley College

Irvine Valley's women's tennis team's appearance in the Orange Empire Conference championship was shortlived, as only one player survived past round one. Nedra Jenkins won her first round, defeating Saddleback's Emma Hulse, but lost to top-seed Brittany Bass from Orange Coast College.… Post the First Comment

Women's Badminton

Irvine Valley College

A rebuilding year temporarily knocked an Orange Empire Conference powerhouse off its thrown. For the first time in seven years, Irvine Valley's women's badminton team failed to qualify for the California Community College Athletic Association State Badminton Championship.… Post the First Comment

Baseball

Saddleback College

by John Franz in Sports

The Saddleback baseball team finished its season with a 23-21 record, but was only 9-12 in Orange Empire Conference play. The Gauchos' efforts came up just short of the playoffs. They tied with Riverside College for fifth place in the conference standings.… Post the First Comment

Men's Basketball

Saddleback College

by Will Mack and Cerise Ostrem in Sports

The Saddleback men's basketball team ended its season with a 10-20 record and 3-9 in Orange Empire Conference play. Cornell Jenkins led the team, averaging 12 points per game. Midway through the season, Nick Booker served as an interim coach after Bill Brummel stepped down.… Post the First Comment

Softball

Saddleback College

by John Franz in Sports

The Saddleback softball team finished this year 32-15, clinching the third spot in the OEC. The Gauchos defeated San Diego City College, 8-1, in the first round of the playoffs, Sunday. Saddleback is led by all conference players, Pitcher Lauren Molina, Catcher Krystal Navarro, shortstop Traci Everett.… Post the First Comment

Women's Tennis

Saddleback College

Saddleback women's tennis team finished the season ranked third in the South. Sophomore Erina Hung, South No. 2 seed, won the singles match at the Orange Empire Conference Championships, beating top-seeded Brittnay Bass from OCC. Hung, Andrea Warren and Rylee Stowell all received all conference honors in singles.… Post the First Comment

Track and field

Saddleback College

The Saddleback's track and field team's season is currently competing in the Southern California Championships. The women's squad is ranked No. 6 in the state. Sue Rodrigues finished forth in the 400-meter IH. Du Peebles took third in the decathlon.… Post the First Comment

Men's Tennis

Saddleback College

After 13 years of falling victim to College of the Desert, this was the season for Saddleback men's tennis team to finally call itself the match's victor. The Gauchos finished the season ranked No. 8 in the South. Bryce Keefer and Blake Emery finished 24 and 25.… Post the First Comment

Baseball

Irvine Valley College

The Irvine Valley baseball team is set to host a first round Southern California Regional playoff series for the first time in school history. The No. 4 seeded Lasers (29-15) narrowly came in behind Orange Coast College as third in the Orange Empire Conference.… Post the First Comment

Men's Golf

Saddleback College

Under the leadership of first-year coach Mike Rae, Saddleback men's golf team won its 30th conference in 39 years. By posting a 717 team score in the conference championship, the Gauchos also clinched its 10th consecutive Orange Empire Conference title.… Post the First Comment

Men's Golf

Irvine Valley College

Irvine Valley's men's golf team won its division title. Three IVC golf players made it to Orange Empire Conference championship: sophomore Aaron Levine, freshman Drew Exon and freshman Adam Ruppert.… Post the First Comment

Men's Tennis

Irvine Valley College

Irvine Valley's men's tennis team's appearance in the Orange Empire Conference Tournament was short and sweet, with no member reaching past the second round. The doubles squad of Lo/Jet Tabu fell to Riverside one match short of the semifinals after defeating a Cypress duo.… Post the First Comment

Swimming and Diving

Saddleback College

The California State Swimming and Diving Championships were held at Saddleback's pool, and the Gauchos swim teams seemed right at home with their performances. The women's team finished sixth and the men's team took 23rd. … Post the First Comment

Featured

Velvet Revolver lends drummer to students

by Anna Gleason in Arts

For rock and roll fans, certain opportunities rank as life time experiences. Among these are meeting a rock star, and Saddleback students were able to do just that May 3. Matt Sorum, drummer for such bands as The Cult, Guns and Roses, and currently Velvet Revolver, came to speak in FA 101 to a full house.

Letter to the Editor

""We the People" must rebuild our economy through individual initiative and a shared vision."

by Michael F. McCarthy in Opinion

Some people think that the mortgage crisis could have been prevented if there had been more government regulation. But, the politicians who would provide this regulation are beholden to the very campaign donating mortgage lenders that they're expected to regulate.

The Starbucks Melting Pot

by Megan Crothers in Feature Blogs

Starbucks is the only place in the world where you can find such a random smattering of people; caffeine-ridden high school kids, depressed businesspeople, stressed out students, people on weird "this is our first date but not really" things, and creative, artsy sorts of people.

A Taste of Independence from the Newport Beach Film Festival

by Jessica Taylor in Showcase

For the third year, Saddleback filmmakers have entered the Newport Beach Film Festival's College Showcase. With a prime showing on closing night of the festival, a college garnered a sold-out theater for the first time ever. "In the other college showcases, I saw crowds of 25 or 30," said Charlie Myers, head of the film department.

How to get through finals

by Courtney Zupanski in Opinion

Final time is when we all start realizing how we could have done so much better in our classes. Maybe if we had done a little more homework or studying during the semester we wouldn't be worrying about getting a certain grade on the final to pass the class.

Local artists come together for Indie arts and crafts show

by Shannon Patrick in Life

Twice a year local artists from San Diego to Los Angeles come together in Santa Ana to sell handmade crafts and jewelry. The Indie Art and Craft Show hosted 60 "invitation only" vendors. Indie art is for independent and local artists. "Artists are chosen based on the quality of their art," said organizer Nicole Stevenson.

Saddleback students to hold fashion show

by Sarah Kovash in Life

Students of Saddleback's special events coordination and promotion course prepare for their spring fashion show, which will be held Friday May 9 at 7 p.m. at the McKinney Theatre. The name of the fashion show is Botanique, meaning botanical in French. The show features bright colors in addition to many flowers, fresh and fake, to coincide with the botanical theme.

Malagon: a fixture in the equiptment room and hearts of others

by Janelle Garcia, JRN 120 Contributor in Sports

Efren Malagon loves to help people. He is the Equipment Specialist Manager for Saddleback College. He is a past Saddleback student who used to volunteer as a Student Athletic Trainer in his youth. He is also a retired Fire fighter from Station 29 in Capistrano Beach.

Sports Profile

Hannahleigh Jasmine Garcia

by Janelle Garcia in Sports

Saddleback College Ballet Instructor, Lacey Yell opens the dance room door to her students and they all scamper in. They shed their street clothes to reveal black leotards and pink leggings. Two male ballet students awkwardly tug their black skin tight leggings into place.

Letter to the Editor

A Suggestion to Make Saddleback a Cleaner Campus

by Demure' Maciel in Opinion

Everytime I walk out of my history class in the Village, I always notice that the trash can by the door is completely stacked up to the brim with bottles and cans as well as trash. My suggestion would be to propose separate trash cans for waste and recycling bins for bottles and cans all over campus.

People watching at the gym

by Megan Crothers in Feature Blogs

For those of us who spend obscene amounts of time at the gym, people-watching can slip into the rank of "Extreme Sports". The gym attracts a wide variety of individuals who never cease to express themselves through the art of dance, weightlifting, and doing pointless exercises on the exercise balls that will most likely inflict injury.

Big band brings the house down with soul

by Bill Bridgeford in Arts

The Saddleback Big Band, ably led by Director of Jazz Studies Joey Sellers, gave an engaging and entertaining performance featuring student arrangements and original compositions April 30. The expertise of the musicians was evident throughout the performance, and even though their practice time was limited, lapses were few and for the most part insignificant.

Owner of a 1989 Honda Civic (EF)

by Domnic Gutierrez in Feature Blogs

Hey guys, what's up? Before we get started, I want to give you a little background information on myself. My name is Dominic, I'm a first year student at Saddleback, I drive a 1989 Honda Civic (EF), and I am pretty involved in the import scene. So let's get started with something that has been on my mind for the past couple of months.

Brasil Brazil fails to live up to expectations

Guest artist series brought lackluster performance to Saddleback.

by Bill Bridgeford in Arts

Brasil Brazil fails to live up to expectations

I really wanted to love this show. It should have been a great performance: two highly regarded vocalists, a tight backing band, entertaining dancers, bright colors, a very impressive display of "capoeira" (Brazilian martial arts), plus the fact that most of the band members come from one of the sexiest countries on earth.

Fashion insanity, not necessary

by Nikki Jagerman in Opinion

Flare jeans and flip-flops, bare legs and cleavage, and Crocs with anything. All of these combinations are big-time fashion no-nos and that make me cringe. Board shorts in January? Those should be tucked away in October and not seen again until April. The opposite goes for beanies and fur-lined jackets.

Saddleback's Cole 'bullies' all the odds

by David Bro, JRN 120 Contributor in Sports

Mike Cole (4), 20, of Foothill Ranch, is known by his Saddleback Gaucho baseball team mates as the "bully". Cole hits the ball like a bully, maintaining his batting average in the low 400's, and is anything but a bully. Collin Rooney (5), Shortstop, and Max Burnett (11), catcher, commented on a few of the team's nicknames for Cole but stuck with the latest; they thinks it's the best so far and the furthest from the truth.

Sports Profile

Kelli Larson

by Paige Therrien in Sports

Kelli Larson may be the most important player on Saddleback College's softball team, and she doesn't even get to wear a uniform. "In a year I get to get out there again. I can't wait because I already miss it so much," the 19 year old says, her bright, celery-tinted eyes sparkling in the light.

Fish Fest doesn't disappoint

by Sarah Komisky in Life

With temperatures in the 90's, being outdoors doesn't sound like the best idea, but for Fish Fest 2008, it was. The 7th Annual Christian Music Festival hosted by 95.9 The Fish provided a laid back summer atmosphere with music, food, and merchandise that didn't disappoint.

The advantage of knowledge and how it can save people's lives

by Ian Randolph in Life

Allan Laird, a retired engineer turned math tutor at Saddleback has been tutoring in the Learning Assistance Program for 22 years. Most of his tutoring centers on algebra. In 1997 he was awarded "Tutor of the Year." He is a charismatic man, who at 87 years old has achieved most of his goals and continues to live a fun and healthy life doing what he loves.

Gosling shows a softer side in Lars and the Real Girl

by Sarah Komisky in Life

There rarely comes a film that can make you laugh and cry but "Lars And The Real Girl" is one of them. Besides Ryan Gosling fans and Indie flick lovers, the film was pretty much unheard of when released in theatres in 2007, but with the release of the movie on DVD, it's finally getting the exposure it needs.

THINKing outside the box

Stop the Insanity! Revising Expectations on How to Achieve an Israeli-Palestinian Peace

by Bill Bridgeford in Opinion

Insanity has been defined as the continuous repetition of an action with the expectation of different results. A succinct example of this is the Middle East peace process. Any person who at this point expects that a workable political solution can bridge the gulf that separates the Palestinians and Israelis should have their sanity closely questioned.

The Fast and The Furious Ways�

by Domnic Gutierrez in Feature Blogs

Hey, what's up everyone? So last article I told you that I would speak of some relatively inexpensive ways to modify your car. Well, as I'm thinking of the ways right now, if you don't already know this stuff, you shouldn't call yourself a tuner. Well right off the bat, you have the I/H/E setup.

Summer Jobs: boring or beneficial?

PRO

by Sarah Kovash in Opinion

The free time provided by summer vacation is perfect for picking up an extra job and making extra cash. Most students have a packed schedule during the school year and can't work enough to make any significant amount of money. Between classes, homework, lab hours and extracurricular activities, it's difficult to fit in an extra shift or two, if there's even have time for a job at all.

The Americans view on love and marriage

by Chris Zawacki in Opinion

"Life is short. Have an affair." Appearing next to an attractive set of lips with a vertical finger gently touching them creating a seductive shhh, this is the slogan for the Ashley Madison Agency, a dating website for individuals already involved in a relationship, but looking for something extra.

Summer Jobs: boring or beneficial?

CON

by Anna Gleason in Opinion

With summer fast approaching, arrays of thoughts rush through our already overloaded and bogged down brains. With finals, term papers, and all the other school oriented stresses, do we really need one more thing to make us crazy? Getting a summer job, would just be that extra thing that could help push us over the edge.

Reality shows, not reality

by Kelley Marble in Opinion

Every television network has one, in fact, so does every d-list or washed up celebrity. There seems to be no guidelines or values in order to produce one and MTV is most likely the mecca of them. Reality television shows are a dime a dozen these days. Since when did it become a priority to find love for the likes of Bret Michaels, Tila Tequila and Flavor Flav? Did they not find enough pseudo love on the road in the early 90's? As whiney and cliché as it sounds, it's the truth.

Your actions, your life

by Jessica Taylor in Opinion

Accountability is what keeps peope on the straight and narrow. I can't help but roll my eyes every time I hear a student give one excuse or another why they couldn't do "something." Don't get me wrong, I'm even guilty of this and I can't think of a single person who is not guilty of trying to pass the buck.

Athlete of the semester for Irvine Valley College

Peter Johnson: Sophomore outside hitter