Month: September 2021

‘Prisoners of the Ghostland’: a masterclass on how not to direct movies
Arts & Entertainment, Features, Opinion, Reviews

‘Prisoners of the Ghostland’: a masterclass on how not to direct movies

Story and image by Javier Dosamantes 'Prisoners of the Ghostland'Directed by: Sion SonoRating: NRRun time: 1 hour, 53 minutesShowing at The Loft Cinema Back in 2010, chicken franchise KFC launched the Double Down. It was a chicken sandwich that instead of having two pieces of bread to hold together the meat and fixings ... had two fried chicken fillets. The anatomy of the sandwich looked like this: a fried chicken fillet on the bottom, cheese, bacon and cheese in the middle, and topped off with another fried chicken fillet. It was a deliciously over-the-top and decadent idea. But without the bread to tie up the ingredients, the Double Down was incredibly messy and the flavors were too intense and chaotic instead of complementing each other.  It feels like good-tast...
Beetles take over the grounds at Pima
News, Science

Beetles take over the grounds at Pima

One of hundreds caterpillar hunter beetle that have taken over Pima Community College campuses. Story and photo by Carlos Miranda If you live in Tucson, you have to have seen these ugly-looking beetles a lot recently and wondered what kind of beetle it was. According to pest control company Truly Nolen, this bug is called a caterpillar hunter beetle. The beetle can be either black or a very dark green. The length of this beetle is about 38.1 mm, or 1.5 inches. It has six legs and two antennas. This beetle contains two wings with a rigged design-looking wing.  The caterpillar hunter eats edible insects. Its lifespan is about two to three years. The amount of rain that Tucson has experienced in the past couple of months has attracted the caterpillar hunter to come...
Electric avenue: Two events showcase electric vehicles
News, Science

Electric avenue: Two events showcase electric vehicles

You'll be able to check out a variety of electric vehicles such as this Tesla Model 3, at 2 electric vehicles events this week in Tucson. Story and photo by Josh Bailey Have you ever wanted to drive a Tesla? This Saturday, you might be able to do just that. In honor of National Drive Electric Week, two upcoming events in Tucson will be hosted by the Tucson Electric Auto Association.  From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, the association will be hosting the event to give a peek into the future of the automobile industry.  A wide range of electric cars will be showcased by independent owners, including those mentioned above. Electric vehicle owners will be on hand to answer questions. The event will be held downtown at Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., which is near...
Catalytic converter thefts cost drivers
News

Catalytic converter thefts cost drivers

By Joshua Bailey Wikimedia Commons: Ballista (license) You would think your car is safe when you’re out and about doing your daily activities.  Recently, that hasn’t been the case. Drivers in Pima County have been subject to a string of catalytic converter thefts that could put drivers at risk of receiving an up to $1,000 ticket.  The high ticket is because your catalytic converter, which corrals toxic fumes emitted by your car, is an important component in reducing pollution. If your catalytic converter is stolen, you’ll notice your engine roaring and screaming when you start your car, even in its lowest gear. Upon taking it to a mechanic, you’ll likely get the unfortunate news and have to pay up to $1,000 to replace it.  According to Gary Kasser, a m...
Germ warfare: Synexis purifies Pima
News

Germ warfare: Synexis purifies Pima

Story and photo by Carlos Miranda The Synexis Sphere can be found mounted in classrooms at Pima Community College campuses. Perhaps you’ve seen the gray round contraption hanging from every Pima Community College classroom and wondered what the heck it is?   These humming machines are called Synexis Spheres. Synexis is a biodefense company based out of Lenexa, Kansas. “The units have been scientifically proven to kill and reduce a wide variety of viruses and bacteria, to include COVID-19 and influenza,” said Tom Davis, chief of staff of Pima Community College. Davis said Pima bought 556 Synexis Spheres at about $2,500 each — for a total price of over $1.4 million — with the intent to install one in every classroom and lab.  “We realized that there are many more ...
Is STU 100 worth it?
News, Opinion

Is STU 100 worth it?

By TROY HUTCHISONPima Post   Most Pima Community College students looking to earn their associate degrees must take a one-credit class called “College Success/Career Planning," better known as STU 100. What is STU 100? It is a class that prepares new incoming students for what to expect during their college experience and helps them understand how to prepare for their classes and get help in those classes if needed. Depending on several factors, the class could be a valuable experience or a waste of time. From my experience, it is a good class for new students going to college. It makes the transition from high school to college a smoother one and will provide the student a better understanding of the expectations and what is needed to succeed at Pima.  “This clas...
Pima Women’s Soccer in Top 10
Sports

Pima Women’s Soccer in Top 10

By Alex Jimenez Pima Community College Women’s Soccer will look to beat rival Phoenix College in conference play on Saturday, a rematch of the thrilling season-opener. The Aztecs currently have an overall record of 6-1, their best start since the 2015-2016 season. Pima enters this week ranked No. 7 in NJCAA’s top 20 after consecutive wins against Yavapai College and GateWay Community College last week.  Pima versus Phoenix is becoming one of, if not the most, anticipated game of the season. The two teams have matched up a number of times, including last season’s Region I Championship game when Pima fell to Phoenix 2-0. Phoenix College finished its season by winning the National Championship and came into this 2021-2022 season ranked No. 1, before Pima took down Phoenix Co...
Aztec Men’s Soccer No. 1 in nation
Sports

Aztec Men’s Soccer No. 1 in nation

By Alex Jimenez After two weeks at No. 2, Pima Community College men’s soccer has taken the spot as the No. 1 team in the country.  The Aztecs remain one of two teams still undefeated in the NJCAA DII men's soccer Top 20. However, Pima will face Phoenix College at 7 p.m. Saturday, and the Bears will be hungry for revenge on their home turf.  Phoenix College entered the season ranked No. 12, according to NJCAA’s Preseason Poll, before falling on a three-game losing streak, kicked off by none other than Pima’s 1-0 victory in the first game of this season.  Pima also defeated Phoenix College in last season’s Region I Championship game 2-0. Pima Men’s Soccer head coach David Cosgrove knows a repeat of last year’s success is not an assumption -- a season-long e...
Cryptocurrency: not so cryptic
Business, News

Cryptocurrency: not so cryptic

By Alex Jimenez  Courtesy Creative Commons Cryptocurrency has grown to be one of the biggest financial phenomenons across the globe, and people are making (or losing) money, yet not many people know what it is. Simply put, crypto is a digital currency. It can be traded online and often used as a form of payment.  How it works Crypto uses a technology called blockchain, which is essentially a network of computers around the world that is recording the transactions. Each block contains records in code, and together all the blocks create the blockchain.  As quoted in a Forbes article: “Imagine a book where you write down everything you spend money on each day,” said Buchi Okoro, CEO and co-founder of African cryptocurrency exchange Quidax. “Each page is simila...
Check out free Pima art exhibit ‘Egress’
Arts & Entertainment, Bernal Gallery, Features, Pima Arts, Pima News

Check out free Pima art exhibit ‘Egress’

By Alex Jimenez Pima Community College will host Egress - an art exhibit with work from three London-based artists.  Admission to the exhibit is free and is being held at the Louis Carlos Bernal Art Exhibit on PCC’s West Campus through Oct. 8. The art displayed is all made on paper and was completed during the COVID lockdown by Alice Browne, Anthony Banks and George Little.  All three of the artists attended the Royal College of Art in London. “Each artist explores abstracted themes about London from ‘Leftovers’ left on tables to the surrounding English environments to imagined ideas about San Sebastian to Orbits,” said gallery director David Andres in the exhibit introduction. “‘Egress’ is but a snapshot of what was produced.” George Little’s art uses restaura...