Author: Bill Eaves

Campus

DMC proposes 9 gun-free zones

Bill Eaves

Bill Eaves beaves@foghornnews.com   In August, all public community colleges in Texas will be required to allow concealed handguns to be carried on campus by licensed owners. However, those planning to exercise their Second Amendment rights at Del Mar in the fall should know that there are several spaces designated as gun-free on campus. There are several laws that allow the administration to designate these areas, and Interim Chief of Security Lauren White explained why these spaces were recommended to receive the gun-free designation. “There are areas where guns will be prohibited. The Center for Early Learning is a daycare,…

Campus, Community

Del Mar safety program receives funds

Bill Eaves

Bill Eaves beaves@foghornnews.com Texas Mutual Insurance Co. has donated a $100,000 grant to Del Mar College’s driver safety program. Woody Hill, vice president of safety services for Texas Mutual, presented the check to Del Mar representatives Lenora Keas and Mary McQueen Jan. 25 on West Campus. “It’s our mission to promote safety in the workplace,” Hill said. “We want everyone to go home in the same condition they arrive to work in.” He expressed Texas Mutual’s desire to promote safety education in the community, which the insurer supports by donating to six campuses annually. This is Del Mar’s fourth year…

Campus

Veterans Services head takes new job

Bill Eaves

When she came to Del Mar five years ago to lead the Veterans Services department, Tammy Micallef didn’t have many resources. “This was not a department when I got here, this was one person,” said Micallef, a former chief in the Navy. She helped develop the department from a solitary worker in the registrar’s office to a solid department with a staff of seven.  Micallef will be moving on in January to become the director of veterans education at the Texas Veterans Commission.  “Leaving this job is about the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Micallef said.  Micallef described…

Entertainment, TV

Classic ’70s film gets remade for television

Bill Eaves

‘Westworld’ proves to be the hottest show on HBO In a TV landscape overpopulated with happy families and cops dramas, HBO delivers a sci-fi drama packed with mysteries, murders and machines. “Westworld” tells the story of a futuristic theme-park (designed to operate like the Wild West) populated with smart robots, acting out stories and role-plays specifically designed to allow visitors to live out any fantasy, regardless of how despicable. Some visitors simply want to visit the local brothel, others want to go on a bounty hunt, or shoot a cowboy in a duel at high noon. However, if you want…

Entertainment, Movies

‘Arrival’ is more than an alien invasion film

Bill Eaves

Director of ‘Sicario’ brings a strong sci-fi flick to audiences If “Arrival” is that movie about aliens that you really want to see, and you heard was good, but you haven’t gone yet — go see it. It’s hard to describe the beginning of “Arrival,” starring Amy Adams, without describing its ending. And that’s what was so amazing about it. This is a movie about first contact as much as it as about the consequences of love. Aliens do show up, yes. The main character, Louise Banks (Adams), is the world’s greatest translator and the U.S. government needs her to…

Campus

Del Mar remembers those who have served

Bill Eaves

As Del Mar College Vice President Rito Silva took a knee to plant a flag, he couldn’t help but think of his father. “I think of my dad every day,” said Silva, whose father was killed in Vietnam when Silva was just 8 months old. “I think of the sacrifice he made. I see serviceman here and I think of my dad and how he would be treated. I know I’m doing his name proud.” Silva joined several other college officials, faculty and students in honoring veterans during a memorial flag service ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 7. DMC…

Campus

Cosmetology event keeps vets a cut above the rest

Bill Eaves

The Del Mar College cosmetology program hosted a day of free haircuts for those who have served in celebration of Veterans Day.  “This is the second year we’ve done it,” said Lissa Gonzalez, cosmetology instructor. “It is a small token of our gratitude for the tremendous sacrifice that is involved in serving in the military.” Gonzalez estimated that 40 veterans stopped by West Campus to receive a haircut.  Dual credit students such as Rebekah Lee volunteered their time to cut hair.  Lee is a student at Flour Bluff High School as well as Del Mar. “You’re my first ever client,”…

Opinions

Election proves America is tired of lesser of two evil

Bill Eaves

I didn’t vote this year.  It was the first time in my life that I’ve been eligible and didn’t go to the polls.  Instead I spent time with my children and took a night gig at the Caller-Times, covering the election. I can’t explain exactly why I didn’t vote. I was so discouraged with the nominations this year that I shut myself down earlier than normal. When Barack Obama ran the first time, I believed in him. No president can ever do everything perfectly, but the surveillance state that we’ve become was a slap in the face of those who…

Entertainment, Movies

‘Doctor Strange’ another sure hit for Marvel

Bill Eaves

Strong casting and visuals set film apart from others “Doctor Strange” is a breath of fresh air in what has become an overly formulaic Marvel Cinematic Universe, telling the story of time, space, alternate dimensions and the metaphysical. Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a brilliant surgeon who fits every archetype of a doctor with a God complex. He is a narcissistic, wise-cracking jerk whose only purpose in life is the advancement of himself. He’s Tony Stark with a scalpel. After a typical anti-hero introduction, Strange crashes his Lamborghini, and destroys his hands. Seeking to repair his instruments of wealth…

Campus

With campus carry ahead, time to prepare is now

Bill Eaves

Del Mar College has been preparing for an active shooter for eight years by conducting training with faculty and staff. In addition to any practical training completed, Lauren White, DMC’s interim chief of security, hopes more students prepare mentally for the event, even if the FBI says you have a higher chance of being killed by a lightning strike. “You have to be prepared to take action,” said White, a former Corpus Christi Police Department officer. “The mindset of people committing these acts is to find and kill as many people as possible.” White suggested that anyone caught in a…