Casey Flores, senior communication studies (opinion editor)
music: Lifehouse
book: the Bible
movie: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
superhero: Storm
animal: tiger
word: hallelujah

Tyler Kimmel, senior journalism (sports editor)
music: Taylor Swift & Eminem
book: “Summer of ‘98”
movie: “Elf”
superhero: Superman
animal: penguin
word: plethora

Jose Negron, freshman journalism (staff writer)
music: Blink-182
book: “The Last Lecture”
movie: “Billy Madison”
superhero: The Flash
animal: koala
word: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Jamie Rider, senior journalism (entertainment editor)
music: Radical Face
book: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
movie: “Garden State”
superhero: Black Widow
animal: bat
word: askew

Kate Sheldon, sophomore journalism (staff writer)

music: A Day to Remember
book: “The Great Gatsby”
movie: “Django Unchained”
superhero: Spider-Man
animal: dog
word: butthurt

Laura Zeno, sophomore computer information systems (website coordinator)
music: Taylor Swift
book: “Divergent”
movie: “Hunger Games”
superhero: Ironman
animal: zebra
word: tomfoolery

I came to Cal U in the fall of 2012 as a transfer student.  I had already finished my associate degree in general studies at community college and was ready to launch into my major.  Over these past two semesters, I have thought extensively about the benefits and that have come with being a transfer student, and there are many.  Although there are benefits, I also see a downside to transferring for many reasons. 

Ups

1) Community college saves money.

According to millionairecorner.com, students today are graduating with an average of almost $30,000 in debt.  Community colleges are more budget-friendly and may prove to be a wiser investment in the long run.

2) Community college is closer to home.

Typically, people live closer to a community college than a four-year university.  This close proximity gives students the chance to live at home, keep their job they had in high school and save on commuting.

3) Community college gives students more time to decide on a major.

If a student launches into a four-year university right out of high school, there is a lot of pressure to choose a major right away.  Students typically end up changing their majors two to three times.  Community colleges allow for students to test everything before committing to a bachelor program.

4) Community college offers the same general education classes.

Every student who earns a bachelor’s degree needs to complete general studies courses.  Why not do them where they are less expensive and oftentimes taught by professors with the same educational qualifications as professors from four-year schools?

While there are genuine benefits to attending a community college first, there is also much that students going into a community college as opposed to a four-year program will miss out on.

Downs

1) Students won’t have as much time to coalesce with like-minded people.

Whether it is within one’s major, club or with people with whom a person will make friends, coming to college with only two years left leaves less time for relationship and network building.  For example, most of my friends I have at Cal U are graduating next week, and that makes me sad.

2) Students won’t know professors as well.

The cool thing about four-year schools is that professors oftentimes teach a number of courses ranging from the 100-400 levels.  This provides students with an opportunity to really get to know professors, with whom relationships can prove to be invaluable.  Students will also better know which professors to avoid.

3) Students won’t know how stuff works on campus.

From meal plans to VIP, I was somewhat lost when I came to Cal U.  This fixed itself in time, but the learning curve was rather steep.

4) Students will miss out on the “college experience.”

Whatever the college experience means to you, you’ll miss out on it somewhat if you choose to attend community college first.

I first set foot on the Cal U campus in August of 2006. In two short weeks I will walk at commencement for the second and final time. These past 7 years have been a learning experience, but one lesson stands out among all the others: “it works if you work it.” This simple phrase is often uttered at AA meetings, but the same principles apply to one’s college career.

When I was a CA, I met students who spent their days locked in their rooms. They shunned programs, activities and chances to be social. Later, they would complain, “there’s nothing to do around here.” As an intern in Career Services, I met some others who told me they had done virtually nothing to benefit themselves, personally and professionally, during their years at Cal U. These students either didn’t know, or didn’t care, that there was a vast world of opportunities all around them. These same opportunities are waiting for you.

Stephen King once wrote, “college is always a time of change… the last major convulsion of childhood.” This is your chance to challenge yourself, to seek your independence and clarify your identity. You don’t pay thousands of dollars every year to sit in a few classes and take some tests – at least not entirely. You’re here to learn from experience. To “take chances, make mistakes, get messy,” as Ms. Frizzle told us.

My time here is coming to a close, but I’d like to leave you with a sincere hope that you will make the most of your college experience. Make friends. Lose friends. Break hearts. Have your heart broken. Take a job that terrifies you, because you’ll learn about yourself whether you succeed or fail. Get involved – join a club that interests you or start one that you’ll love. Play in the rain. Embrace your inner child while simultaneously growing into the adult you are meant to become. Never stop learning, from your classes and every interaction in this campus community.

And above all else, be good to yourself. Remember – your time at Cal U is a chance to make your life into everything you want it to be, but you have to work it, and let it work for you.

Shane Assadzandi is an intern at the Cal U Counseling Center. He graduated in 2010 and will be walking again in 2013.

There are variables that get factored into a successful day at any Major League Baseball ballpark. Aside from the play of the respective teams, the overall atmosphere that the everyday baseball fanatic gets to experience is what can really be the deciding factor. Many baseball fans base their feelings on a day at the ball park on things such as views from their seats, weather on game day, in game entertainment and, of course, the food.

PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. was recently voted America’s best ballpark by sources such as tripadvisor.com and ESPN.com. The various food options that have become available to the fans that attend Pittsburgh Pirate games at PNC Park have grown within the past seven years. It is not a coincidence that this growth in the menu began around the time of the arrival of PNC Park’s current head executive chef, Adam Holt.

Holt, a Butler, Pa. native, his been working as the head executive chef at PNC Park and with Levy Restaurants since 2006. He trained at the International Culinary Academy and has used his skills to provide each and every fan that comes to a ballgame with an extraordinary dining experience in the many different areas of the ballpark. He puts the fan’s experience before anything else by interacting and receiving input from fans and enjoying his favorite things about working at the ballpark.

“I love working in a beautiful ballpark with great people and creating foods that go far beyond guest expectations,” said Holt.

Every year, PNC Park looks to enhance many elements of the ballpark and now they’re enhancing the dining element with the help of Holt. The different types of suites in the ballpark, including the World Series Suites, Cambria Suites, Club Suites, Lexus Club and Pittsburgh Baseball Club all contain different dining options to accommodate the appetite for every baseball fan that visits PNC Park. Fresh local ingredients as well as seasonal offerings and ballpark favorite choices inspired the new menu that has been incorporated by Holt and his culinary team.

The World Series and Cambria Suites are both suites where fans can watch the ball game and eat gourmet-catered food with just the purchase of the ticket. The World Series Suites, seven in all, were made in honor of the Pirates seven World Series appearances. The Cambria Suites, which are relatively new to the ballpark, are a combination of four one-room club seats that were combined together.

The Lexus club is the most luxurious club in the entire ballpark with seats located behind home plate and a restaurant-style atmosphere and bar located in the indoor area. This club level is strictly for Lexus Club members only and is the only one of the clubs in which other club members in the other suites cannot have access to.

The Pittsburgh Baseball club is the biggest of the five main club options and contains various different dining options for fans. The food is not included with the purchase of a ticket in this area. The new concepts located in the club are Bridges Burger Company and BBQ Pit. Bridges Burger Company, which takes on a theme dedicated to the various bridges located in the Pittsburgh area, contains a menu with various delicious burgers such as the “16th Street Burger,” which is your double bacon cheeseburger served with lettuce and tomatoes.  The new BBQ Pit concept tries to allow the fans to experience BBQ from different places around the U.S like Texas and Carolina style BBQ with items including brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken sandwiches. Holt and his team have also introduced different side item choices with this concept like tater tots with a twist. Fans may purchase tater tots either plain or with a seasoning that includes ranch and BBQ.

Aside from the various specialty items that the Pittsburgh club includes, there are also traditional “ballpark foods” such as hot dogs, burgers and nachos served at places such as PBC Grill and Bierbauer Grill.

Gunners Grand Slam sausages is also a fan favorite in this part of the ballpark, serving foot long hot dogs, kielbasa and Italian Sausage provided by Silver Star meats. This option also provides fans with a variety of different toppings that they may put onto their food choices.

In order to satisfy the sweet tooth, the Pittsburgh Baseball Club has also incorporated Wagner’s Pittsburgh Ice Cream Company stations in honor of Honus Wagner. This stop is where fans can choose from soft serve ice cream with a choice of toppings, ice cream sundaes and gourmet popcorn.

The gourmet menus that PNC Park contains as well as the always-popular ballpark favorites are characteristics that go into making the ballpark experience special for each and every fan that visits the park, which is something that is also special to Holt, who is known for his experience working in various different venues.

“It is all about the details,” said Chef Holt. “Using the best and freshest ingredients, creating food options that guests may be surprised to find at a ball park and the creative process of nailing every single detail that creates a one and only experience for our fans.”

Levy Restaurants is known as a company that looks to exceed the expectations of guests and fans at ballparks all over the nation, with PNC Park being a prime example of a venue with an outstanding menu and various elements that have a main goal of redefining what fans think of as ballpark food.

The local music scene for Western Pennsylvania has definitely seen its up and downs over the past five months. From the loss of a few venues in the music scene to the birth of new bands and talents, 2013 will always be a year musicians in the scene will remember.

One of the most memorable things is the Keynote Café closing down. The Keynote was a great venue that always made patrons feel at home. The venue will be missed and hopefully soon those in the scene will find a new place to call home.  Despite the loss, there are still some venues worth checking out this summer such as The Altar Bar, Scumbags Skate Park and The Smiling Moose.

This year has also shown promise for the bands in the scene. With more bands going on the road and making names for themselves it is exciting to see what the future holds for these musicians.

Some bands that you should keep an eye on this summer are Insult to Injury, Chicos Del Muertos and Trophies.

On a more personal note, I want to thank everyone who allowed me to feature them in the Locals Only article and radio show this past semester, along with WCAL and the “Cal Times.” Without them these things wouldn’t be possible. To everyone who reads the “Cal Times,” make sure you find yourself at a local show this summer. It is a great experience and you will appreciate it greatly. Until September, thank you for reading Locals Only and the “Cal Times.” See you in the fall!

by Jamie Rider
entertainment editor

“Something Old Something New” is not only the title Hey Compadre’s new self recorded album, it is also a direct reflection of the members who make up the band. Hey Compadre first came together back in 2009 with its three original members, Steve Ventura, Nate Wright and Britton Sloan. In 2012, the band added a few new fresh faces from California University of Pennsylvania, Paul Sheppick, Mike Meketa and Izzy Yohn.

The album has a mostly pop feel to it, but the band incorporates multiple instruments used in various manners that make it hard to pin down an exact genre. There’s a rock element in the guitar riffs and the use of the trumpet in five out of the six tracks gives the listener an impression of a slight ska influence. The band uses guitars, keyboards, a trumpet and drums to round out the sound they have.

“Something Old Something New” features catchy lyrics that are easy to pick up after listening through the songs only a few times. Listeners can hear that the construction of the songs have been thought out and the words all work towards something. Everything compliments everything else.

The only downside is that the vocals in some places on the album feel a little weak. They miss the mark on the feelings being portrayed in the songs, but this is such a minor detail that getting through the album isn’t a problem. Listeners can overlook it and still get enjoyment from the music.

Hey Compadre played their first show back in January of this year and have another live show coming up on May 26 at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh. Tickets are $12 and are on sale now.

“Something Old Something New” is an album full of entertaining music and it will be interesting to see where they go from here. The lack of a defining genre isn’t a hindrance in any way; it might even be their greatest strength.

by Cal U Public Affairs
for the Cal Times

Two distinguished alumni will address graduating students when Cal U holds Commencement ceremonies May 17 and 18 in the Convocation Center. In separate ceremonies, Interim President Geraldine M. Jones will award nearly 300 master’s degrees and 1,000 bachelor’s and associate degrees.

Dr. Deborah Ann Shanley, Class of 1974, will address master’s degree candidates at 7 p.m. May 17. The dean of the School of Education at Brooklyn College since 1998, Shanley’s work with multiple college and community constituencies earned her a Humanitarian Award from the CUNY Consortium for the Study of Disabilities and the Medgar Evers College Worker Education Program.

Her current work focuses on creating collaborations and partnerships with New York City schools and cultural institutions as vehicles for extending teacher preparation beyond academic walls.

During the ceremony, master’s degree candidates will be vested in their academic hoods.

Mark Camillo, Class of 1976, will address bachelor’s and associate degree candidates at 10 a.m. May 18. A law enforcement and security professional who specializes in emergency preparedness operations, he is credited with directing the security operations of some of the most critical infrastructures in the world. During 21 years as a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service, Camillo completed three separate assignments at the White House, served as deputy assistant director and chief technology officer for the agency, and coordinated security operations for the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He currently is a senior fellow at the George Mason University Center for Infrastructure Protection and senior vice president for strategic planning at Contemporary Services Corp., a national leader in event security and crowd management.

Doors to the Convocation Center will open two hours before each ceremony. Both ceremonies will be streamed live online; for a link, visit www.calu.edu.

More information about Commencement, including links to directions and parking information, is available at www.calu.edu/events/commencement.

by Capt. Robert Prah
for the Cal Times

Select service members from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge after successfully completing a series of qualification tests from April 26 to 28.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is a decoration awarded by the German Army and authorized by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force for soldiers or airman who meet or exceed qualification standards. To be awarded the badge, a German liaison officer must be present, therefore, German Sgt. Maj. Christian Schneider, liaison officer for the U.S. Army at Ft. Lee, presided.

The first day started out with in-processing on the campus of California University of Pennsylvania. A total of 89 service members came to Cal U to vie for a chance to earn the prestigious German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. Service members could not be flagged and or barred from reenlistment or carry a profile in order to participate in the event.

On an early Saturday morning, 89 participants took part in several testing events at Adamson stadium on the north part of Cal U’s campus. Following some of the track and field events, the qualifying participants moved to the swimming portion of the testing at Herron Recreation and Fitness Center. Day one concluded with marksmanship abilities on the pistol range at Westmoreland County Community College Public Safety Training Center in nearby Smithton.

The standard for the event was five shots at three 25-meter targets with a 9mm pistol in a standing firing position. Hitting each target at least once, service members qualified for the gold badge with hitting five of five, silver badge with hitting four of five, and three targets earning the bronze. Up to three attempts were authorized to participants at this event.

The last day offered the long jump and high jump as well as make up testing for those who were unsuccessful on Saturday. With the morning temperature nearing 55 degrees and the rain falling all morning, participants moved to the Student Association Incorporated’s cross country track. Service members began their road march in their Army or Air Force combat uniform with rucksacks, weighing a minimum of 33 pounds. Participants could achieve the gold by completing 7.5 miles in 120 minutes, 5.6 miles in 90 minutes or 3.7 miles in 60 minutes.

The event was a test of individual strength, not a competition against other service members. Only 51 service members were present at the awards ceremony on Sunday evening. 27 Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers successfully earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge on Sunday.

They represent the 1-110 IN, 1-111 IN, 1-112 IN, 2-112 IN, 328 BSB, D/112 (AT), 28 MP Co., and HHC/56 SBCT.

The remaining graduates represent the University of Pittsburgh Army & Air Force R.O.T.C. program, Colorado Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and Active Army. In addition to the service members in the tri-state region, Cal U welcomed back Staff Sgt. Chris Catlin, of Colorado Springs, Co. Staff Sgt. Catlin was the 2007 Cal U Homecoming King and is also an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.

Cal U students Joshua Hager, Joseph Haas and Zachary Graybill each earned the gold badge. They are members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 1-110 IN.

The decoration is authorized for all German Soldiers. In the United States military, the German Armed Forces Military Proficiency Badge is one of the few approved foreign awards for wear on the Army Service Uniform. The badge is round on its center and displays the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The badge is awarded in three grades. Grade I is presented in bronze, grade II is presented in silver, and grade III is presented in gold.

Awards were given out in Carter Hall on April 28. The event began with 89 medal hopefuls and ended with 51 medal recipients.

32 individuals earned gold, 17 earned silver and two earned bronze.

Anthony Calderone, 26, of Belle Vernon knew he wanted to own a pawn shop after graduat- ing from California University of Pennsylvania. After finishing his high school education at Belle Vernon High School, Calderone went to Cal U for international studies, business and economics and graduated with a master‘s degree in legal studies.

After working at Gem’s Quick Cash in Belle Vernon for two years, Calderone had the idea to open his own pawn shop, with no better place than the town of his college alma mater in California Borough. He opened California Cash Fast on Wood Street on April 15 – United States Tax Day, with items in the store varying from microwaves and air soft guns to iPods.

Calderone said that electron- ics are definitely the most popular item in his store.

“My electronics case filled up within the first week,” he said. “I try and buy anything, really… anything that can be resold.”

Calderone said he could have really used a shop like this to make some extra cash when he attended school at Cal U.

He said he is determined to operate his business honestly.

What he wants students and locals of the California area to know is that he tries to pay a fair price and he will always try and go higher than what most other shops will pay.

Officers assisted the California Police Department with a call for a man entering an apartment without prior authorization and physically harassing one of the residents on April 24. It was found that the suspect was an ex boyfriend of the victim and further investigation will be conducted by CPD.

Disorderly people

 University Police assisted California Borough Police at the intersection of Second street and Wood street with two disorderly people on April 24 at 5:21 p.m.

Nude yeller

 Officers responded to a call for a half dressed male screaming obscenities in the second floor hallway of Carter Hall on April 26. Upon arrival the subject had been calmed by his mother and was escorted back to his room without any further incident.

Missing wallet

 University Police received a report of a missing wallet on April 27 at approximately 5:23 p.m. The wallet was reported missing somewhere between main campus and the football stadium sometime before 5:00 p.m. on this same date.