By Liska Koenig
CHIEF COPY EDITOR

One of San Francisco’s hidden gems of fine dining is right here at City College — The Pierre Coste Dining Room. Located on the Ocean campus, the PCR offers gourmet food at affordable prices.

It is here, where students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program learn the intricacies of front of the house operations in a fine dining setting.

“There are very few departments where you can be part of somebody’s learning experience and where students are so vulnerable,” said Tannis Reinhert, who teaches the class.

After a fire at its original Smith Hall location, the PCR reopened with a brand new, high-tech kitchen at the Statler Wing in 1985. The decade is easy to tell by the restaurant’s predominantly 80’s styling and the red and blue circular carpet pattern.

Upon entering, the tall, dark brown slate fountain and quiet background music make the restaurant a pleasant and peaceful change from the usual lunch rush at the main cafeteria. Plus, you can admire a replica of the Diego Rivera Pan-American Unity mural while you are eating your lunch.

With its white tablecloths and fresh flowers the PCR is fancy enough to treat that cute girl or guy classmate to lunch, or to amaze your parents when they come to town.

The dining room is open to the general public, including students and faculty.
The only thing it lacks, compared to “real restaurants” are the high prices.

While the menu isn’t as extensive as some downtown restaurants, it still offers enough choices to make your head spin with indecisiveness.

Featured are three main course salads, three sandwiches, five entrees, and daily specials. The beverage list includes specialty drinks, such as European-style lemonade and the non-alcoholic cocktail of the day, created by a student bartender.
The most expensive entree will cost you a whopping $10.25.

All food is made fresh to order from mostly organic and sustainable ingredients. Portions are generous enough to share with a friend or to enjoy leftovers for lunch the following day.

The PCR will also accommodate guests with special diet requests. If you have a gluten allergy or would like the vegan version of the vegetarian entree, don’t hesitate to ask.

Make sure to leave room for dessert — or start with the dessert course — if you’re in the mood for something sweet and delicious. The daily selection of all pastries and desserts are made by the pastry class and displayed on a dessert cart in the dining room. It frequently includes Creme Brulee, mousse au chocolate, cheese cake, and always fresh cookies and a cheese platter.

“I’ve eaten here numerous times and always had a fabulous experience. It’s a good place to have lunch with your friends or even meet your professor for office hours,” said City College student Avonelle Tomlinson, “The food is great and service has always been impeccable.”

Tomlinson knows what she’s talking about — she’s worked in the restaurant industry as a server for many years.

The only drawback about the PCR is its limited business hours. The dining room is open Mondays through Fridays at 11:15 a.m., but the last seating is at 12:30 p.m. Everything needs to be wrapped and cleaned up by 2 p.m., so the culinary students working at the restaurant can go to their other classes.

Pierre Coste Dining Room, 50 Phelan Avenue, between the main cafeteria and the student union building.

Groups of more than five guests should call (415) 239-3855 or (415) 239-3435 to make a reservation during lunch hours or (415) 239-3435.

MIHAIL MATIKOV / THE GUARDSMAN

By Jen Houghton
COPY EDITOR

It makes sense that 21-year-old City College student Allen Laspina is rolling a 1970 Cutlass Supreme with a 7.4 liter big block engine — he is used to driving a car with some power under the hood.

“I’ve had an ‘89 Camaro, ‘96 Impala, 2001 Mustang, and a ‘91 Firehawk. All V8’s, except for the Mustang,” he said.

MIHAIL MATIKOV / THE GUARDSMAN

Laspina acquired the car, which has a black metal flake exterior, through Craigslist for only $7,000 from a private seller in San Jose. “That was when gas was $4 a gallon, it was easy to get a good price,” he said.

In the six months since he’s owned the classic car, Laspina has reupholstered the interior, added custom skull locks and added proper muscle car wheels. When Laspina bought the car it had over-sized spoke rims and low profile tires. He replaced them with rally rims and tires with classic-style raised white lettering on the sides.

MIHAIL MATIKOV / THE GUARDSMAN

After five muscle cars, what’s next for Laspina? “I just got my motorcycle license,” he said.

Left, B-Boy "El Jefe" faces off against "Big Boy Ricon," at right, in the all ages competition. MARCUS RODRIGUEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

By Greg Zeman
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A sea of arms and legs flashed and popped like firecrackers to the rhythm of blaring speakers at the Ocean campus Student Union last Friday. About 120 people, including veteran B-boys and newcomers, came together for a night of competition at a battle organized by “CCSF Breakin’ Fridays”, a student club that has been representing City College since 2003.

The briskly pounding breakbeat was the pulse of the crowd, and their collective breath hung mid-air to match the limbs of dancers who flipped and stalled with robotic precision. Steady tension of the open exhibition was punctuated by the crackling electricity of one-on-one combat each time dancers squared off at the center of a ring of rapt spectators.

The interaction between “up-rock” contestants incorporated inventive pantomime with blink of an eye timing, sent shockwaves through the crowd and elicited united screams of “Oh!” from those watching.

B-boy Rob Nasty, one of the event’s organizers and emcees, was pleased with the vibrant turnout. “It’s just a beautiful thing that all these B-boys … can have a community and come together for events like this. I’m really excited about it,” Nasty said.

People of all ages were present, including an enthusiastic group of children enjoying the high energy and positive vibe. B-boy Dre Boogie said the event was an important cultural lesson for the kids.

“I’m working at the Hunter’s Point Boys & Girls club, and we basically pulled them into a culture they might not be so familiar with, even though they’re so close to it,” said Boogie.

Some kids tried a few flips and handstands in the middle of the cipher, and one boy even called out a grown dancer to battle him. Other children were less confident, “I would break my head trying to do that!,” a young girl said.

Old school style was seen in several aspects of the event, like vinyl turntables, T-shirts representing various crews, and even a few pairs of fat-laced sneakers on people doing the moonwalk. It was an obvious devotion to the craft and culture of hip-hop that connected this battle to those of the past.

B-boy Jackal summed up the goal of the night, “People think that breaking is dead, but it’s still around, it’s not dead yet … we just want to represent that knowledge and put it out there to let people know.

By Marcus Rodriguez
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

By now most people have already seen, or at least heard of the movie “The Watchmen;” the dark, murky, two-and-a-half-hour anti-hero epic, adapted for film by Director Zack Snyder from the graphic novel written by Alan Moore.

For me, I remember first reading the graphic novel in my late teens, when my body carried the right combination of hormones, antipathy and paranoia for the story to make sense.

The film takes place in an alternate United States, on the eve of a nuclear escalation with Russia. After being successful in the Vietnam War thanks to deploying superheroes, Richard M. Nixon, played by Robert Wisden, is being elected to his fifth consecutive term as President of the United States.

The two-term presidential limit has been pushed aside in the face of a mob-like popularity for a man who, in this universe, is responsible for a victory in the ongoing Cold War. Angry riots flood the streets as news of his re-election hits television sets, during which two passersby say:

“To think I voted for him five times.”
“Better than the commies, right?”

If you’ve seen Snyder’s other film “300,” or are familiar with the graphic novel, then you know this is not Sunday afternoon fare for the whole family.

The film also has enough over-saturated sex and violence to satiate loyal fans of the book.

The movie works as a deconstruction of the superhero myth. The heroes in “the Watchmen’s” world are not the archetypes of humanity and decency that they are in other stories.

Billy Crudup gives a haunting and psychologically complex performance as Dr. Manhattan; a superhero so smart and powerful that he grows disconnected from humanity and his girlfriend Laurie Jupiter, played by Malin Akerman.

Also excellent is Rorschach, the brutal mad dog hero who exacts justice at any cost, played with rabid anger and vulnerability by Jackie Earle Haley.

In this film the heroes are vicious guns for hire, lost souls searching for redemption, pawns in global crimes, raving lunatics and ruthless CEO’s of international corporations. The innocent die, good guys don’t always do the right thing and … well let’s not spoil it.

Over all Snyder’s work has moments of power and bruising satire, but the story still feels more at home in its original form on the comic book page. My advice is if you’re in a pessimistic or chemically altered mood, go for it. But don’t expect to come out feeling like the film’s ubiquitous image of the smiley face.

RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

By Maahum Chaudhry
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ashley Allen, 20
“Fro-Licious”

At 20 years old, funky gal Ashley Allen describes herself as lazy, but still fashion-conscious. Now a Community Studies Major at UC Santa Cruz, the former City College student can still be easily spotted around Ocean campus where she comes to study.

The San Francisco native is no slave to fashion. She calls her style “San Francisco city kid. I don’t follow fashion. I just wear whatever looks good on me.”

What looks good on her happens to be a pair of corduroy skinny jeans, a T-shirt with a picture of Mick Jagger, and smudged white Chuck Taylors.

Allen styles her signature hairstyle into an Afro, but sometimes she’ll French braid the hair into a tall Mohawk. However she styles it, her hair always attracts attention. “People sometimes ask me if they can touch my hair,” she said.

She doesn’t shop very often, but when she does it’s at Crossroads, Urban Outfitters, thrift shops, and H&M. Every month she spends only $100 on clothes. “I don’t shop much because I just keep everything I have and wear it differently,” she said.

Even her keys, with various colored beads and a rainbow reptile her mom got her from Mexico, are an extension of her style. “My mom is super proud that I’m gay so everywhere she goes she gets something rainbow for me,” said Allen.

Photos and Story
By Megan Torres
PRODUCTION EDITOR

City College freshman Toby Fray bought his 1995 Pontiac Trans Am with an LT1 5.7 liter V8 engine from a dealer in San Jose.

After a mishap while backing out in a parking lot, Fray had to replace the front left spindle.

Fray used a large pipe cutter to chop off his muffler, giving it an obnoxious growl. Not having a muffler is illegal but the police have not yet seemed to notice.

“It’s one of the most inconvenient cars,” Fray said. “The trunk is tiny, the back seats are even tinier, it gets 10 miles per gallon in the city, and it’s long as hell, but I bought it because I figured I might as well get the bug out of my system while I’m still young and can get away with being a little irresponsible.”

Don’t get your hopes up Trans Am fans, Fray doesn’t plan on selling the car. That is, unless he gets a really great offer that would allow him to buy a better Trans Am.

Gaspare’s Pizza on 20th Ave and Geary Blvd is an old world style restaurant that has been open since the 1966. RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

By Liska Koenig
CHIEF COPY EDITOR

If you are in the mood for some great food on a student budget, here’s the plan: Get in your car and drive to 20th Avenue and Geary Boulevard, or take the 29-Sunset bus from Ocean campus, get off at the corner of 25th Avenue and Geary Boulevard and walk five short blocks to 20th Avenue. That’s where you’ll find Gaspare’s Pizza House, a casual Italian family-style restaurant and neighborhood institution.

Gaspare’s is not just another Italian eatery. Even I, a confirmed pizza-hater, will make an exception for their awesome thin-crust pizza. Stephanie Orr, who has been coming back for more since 1988, calls it “super crunchy with a hugely authentic Italian flavor.”

It’s affordable too: A large house pizza, like the Bruce’s Special (linguica, salami, mushrooms, garlic, olive oil, oregano, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce), will feed you and your friends for less than $23. Small pizzas start at $9.50 and appetizers or entrees won’t set you back more than $10 - $15.

A large number of items on the menu are vegetarian. Vegans, however, have to request special dishes if they don’t want to be limited to salads.

Daniel Indelicato, the owner’s son, ensures everything is up to satisfaction. RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

Walking into Gaspare’s is a bit like taking a trip back in time. Not much has changed in the decades it’s been open. Square tables with red and white tablecloths furnish the center of the room and can easily be pushed together for larger groups. The walls are lined with cozy green Formica booths, which feature old-school music boxes. A mere 25 cents will get you three songs - only at Gaspare’s can you eat pizza while listening to “Hit the Road, Jack” by Ray Charles.

The murals inside the restaurant were painted in 1956 by Robert Lupetti, originally famous for his nude portraits in brothel settings. (No nudes here, just scenes of Italy and San Francisco.)

“I have seen people come here on their first dates and later got invited to their wedding,” server Angela Locke said. Loyal patrons who have moved away regularly return during their vacations to San Francisco. A relocated Gaspare’s fan even took a bunch of half-baked pizzas back to the Philippines.

Gaspare Indelicato himself is another reason why people like to go there. He’s a native of Siculiana, Sicily and it’s obvious that running an Italian restaurant is a way of celebrating his heritage.

“My dad has a special gift,” oldest son Daniel Indelicato said. “He walks into a place and somehow everybody becomes his friend.”
Daniel Indelicato, an alumni of the City College Culinary Department, recently opened a second restaurant in San Rafael. The menu at his place is similar to Gaspare’s in San Francisco and just as popular.

Gaspare’s Pizza House and Italian Restaurant, 5546 Geary Blvd. at 20th Avenue, San Francisco, (415) 387-5025 )open daily for dinner service.)

or

Gaspare’s Pizzeria, Ristorante & Bar, 200 Merrydale Road, San Rafael (415) 472-7101 (open daily for lunch and dinner service.)

The fighting 501st Legion of Stormtroopers pose for the fans at WonderCon on Friday, by the main entrance of the Moscone South lobby. SOPHIA HERNANDEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

By Sophia Hernandez
PHOTO EDITOR

Arch-nemeses Batman and the Joker were spotted… laughing together? The Green Goblin gave Spider Man a… high five?

For the 23rd year, WonderCon, the Bay Area’s annual comic book celebration, united fellow enemies under the roof of Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco. Comic book readers, video gamers, science-fiction and fantasy lovers gathered from all over the country to enjoy the event.

“My wife and I are here from Boston [Massachusetts],” Star Wars fan Richard Gill said. “It’s fun to follow conventions when we have the time.”
“Watchmen,” the graphic novel-turned-film, was the theme of the three-day event. A special panel of cast members joined by the director, Zach Snyder, and book co-creator, Dave Gibbons, in the Esplanade Ballroom was so popular that fans had to be sent away due to full capacity of the venue.

Additional panels and workshops were offered in other conference rooms. People lined up for hours just to make sure they had a seat to catch a glimpse of the new Star Trek movie trailer and wait for surprise guests.

While the mainstream media was featured, small press was not forgotten. Fifty exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their work; for some, such as City College of San Francisco student Desmond Miller, it was the first time.

“I’ve always wanted to make comics,” he said. After seven years of hard work, Miller, along with Slumberland Press, released “Hansel and Gretel,” the first issue of his fantasy comic.

The second issue will be available in March at Whatever… comic shop in the Castro. He has also written two other comics, “Foxhunters” and “Go Getters,” both displaying his talents in a variety of manga and superhero genres.  “I try to include everybody. I didn’t do it because I’m a black gay male. I do it for everyone,” Miller said.

David Mcneal, left, from Manhattan, N.Y. faces off against Oakland, Calif. resident Kevin Chan at Capcom's Street Fighter IV booth during Wondercon 2009 at the Moscone Center Feb. 28 in San Francisco. Chan drew a crowd to the Capcom booth with a 53 match winning streak, broken only by the closing of the convention for the evening. ALEX LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

Comics were the main attraction for thousands of people drawn to the convention. However WonderCon had something in store for all ages: The San Francisco Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival featured more than 130 films for children and young adults, while Japanese animation was presented at the event east of the Moscone South lobby.

A blood drive was sponsored by the Heinlein Society and brought the masses together for a worthy cause. Last year, blood donations totaled up to 72 pints!

Blood donor Phillipe Morone said, “It’s awesome how people are willing to help those in need. Things like this often get forgotten about. It’s a wonderful sight to see.”

WonderCon 2009 was a rousing success that encompassed everything from a blood drive, to panel discussions, book signings, and countless comic-centric activities in between. As comic book culture and the number of attendees continues to grow, WonderCon 2010 promises to be an even greater industry extravaganza.

Every time I go to explore San Francisco,  I discover the city is full of unique things in the most unusual places. And Sydney G. Walton Square is just that — unique in an unusual place.

‘The Fountain of Four Seasons’ sits in the center of Sydney G. Walton Square. JESSICA LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

This square, named after San Francisco businessman Sydney G. Walton, is located only a few blocks away from The Embarcadero and downtown. It is surrounded by Front Street on the west, Jackson Street on the south and Davis Street on the east and  Pacific Avenue at the north end.

What makes this 2-acre square so special are the numerous pieces of art displayed there.  The little park houses several sculptures, including “Penguins” by Beniamino Bufano, who also has his sculpture “Saint Francis of the Guns” at City College’s Ocean campus at the base of the stairs leading up to Science Hall from Phelan Avenue. Other sculptures include the “Fountain of Four Seasons” by Francois Stahly near the center of the square and the beautiful heart-shaped  bronze sculpture “Big Heart on the Rock” by Jim Dine.

‘Pine Tree Obelisk’ by Joan Brown sits at the edge of the square near Front and Jackson Streets. JESSICA LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

If you’re an art lover, like I am, you can take a free self-guided walking tour of the park. The guide briefly explains each creation, gives you information about the artist, when the piece was completed, and talks about the significance of it.

The square is also the home of the Colombo Market Arch, which was originally a part of the old Colombo Market that thrived here in the early 1900’s. It was popular among Italian workers, farmers and immigrants, who went there to buy produce and common goods.

During lunch time, Sydney G. Walton Square becomes a popular lunch spot for people who work in the financial district. But during the morning and late afternoon hours, the park is perfect for laying the sun, studying or catching some z’s. It’s quiet and peaceful..

Portrait of Georgia O’Keefe sits near the fountain. JESSICA LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

Whether you’re walking in the financial district and need a place to rest, want to relax or have a picnic, Sydney Walton Square is a perfect choice.

For information about the self-guided walking tour, browse to The Barbary Coast News‘ article on Sydney G. Walton Square.

Stephanie Abney , 21

MARCUS RODRIGUEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

“Gwen Stephani”

By Liska Koenig
CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Stephanie Abney likes to keep people guessing about herself. “I like to shock people, I don’t want to be average. No way,” she said.

The 21-year-old culinary major is a vegan and tries to avoid buying animal products but sometimes she just can’t resist. “My jacket is pleather, but my Steve Madden shoes are definitely leather,” she said.

Shopping on a student budget, Abney has become an experienced bargain hunter. She gets most of her stuff from Nordstrom’s Rack and Urban Outfitters, with the occasional excursion to used clothing stores like Crossroads and the Painted Bird. She’s also no stranger to Web sites like eBay or even Craigslist.

“The most I’ve ever spent was a little over $300 for a Marc Jacobs purse,” Abney said. Every six months she cleans out her closet and anything she hasn’t worn in a while she sells at used clothing stores.

MARCUS RODRIGUEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

“My body is my canvas and my clothes are one of the ways I like to express myself,” she said.
One day she wants to be as famous as her idol, No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani. “LAMB, Gwen Stefani’s clothing line, is my favorite, “ she said, proudly displaying the big picture of a lamb on her purse.