Sal Polcino –– Staff Reporter
Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino is a professional jazz guitarist and published songwriter. He recently returned to school to study journalism, creative writing and communications. Polcino has been a copywriter for his small business for the last six years writing biographies, press releases and blogs for Jazz Punks LLC. Polcino, a first-year student at GCC, would like to combine his knowledge of jazz and writing to produce reviews and possibly a book in the near future.
Polcino comes from a long line of artists, musicians, writers, photographers, directors and producers.
Photos by Sal Polcino
Stories Written by Sal Polcino
L.A. Noir Author Shocks and Awes Audience
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
May 15, 2013
Filed under Features
Los Angeles crime writer James Ellroy entertained students, faculty and fans at the GCC auditorium Thursday in a presentation by the Los Angeles Writers Reading Series. After an introduction by event organizer Claire Phillips, Ellroy’s opening remarks both shocked and delighted the audience... (more...)
Not Every Discarded Box Is a Bomb
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
May 15, 2013
Filed under Opinion
Not long ago a discarded hatbox found at a campus parking lot most likely would have been kicked aside or ignored. Maybe a good citizen would have picked it up and chucked it in the nearest trash receptacle. Today, it sets off warning bells and a chain of events that is mostly over-kill. Now... (more...)
Vaqueros Clip Eagles on Stengel Field
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
May 2, 2013
Filed under Sports
The Vaqueros clinched its third straight WSCS division championship April 23 and advanced to the upcoming state playoffs by defeating the Los Angeles Mission College Eagles 4-1 at Stengel Field. The team raced onto the field to celebrate after the final out in the top of the ninth inning and... (more...)
Club Demonstrates ‘Sweet Science’ of Boxing
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
May 2, 2013
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
Not every popular club begins with a significant moment. The GCC Boxing Club started by happenstance with a conversation between two sports fans. History teacher Victor Nebrida and one of his students, David Archer, found they shared a passion for boxing. Nebrida suggested that Archer form... (more...)
Presidential Candidates Hold Forum
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
May 2, 2013
Filed under News
Students, faculty and Glendale community members gathered Thursday in the campus auditorium to meet the three remaining candidates vying for the job of president/superintendant of GCC. Rajen Vurdien, the president of Fullerton College, Farley Herzek, the interim president of East Los Angeles... (more...)
Vaqueros Win Third Straight Conference Championship
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
April 24, 2013
Filed under Top Stories
The GCC Vaqueros celebrate their third straight conference championship at Stengel Field yesterday after defeating the Los Angeles Mission College Eagles 4-1. Look for the full story and exclusive photos in the May 1 issue of El Vaquero.
Solar Fair Brightens Glendale
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
April 20, 2013
Filed under Features
A few clouds didn’t stop the sun from powering the Solar Faire at San Rafael Plaza on Saturday April 6, where Glendale community members gathered to learn how to harness renewable energy. The Solar Schoolhouse partnered with Glendale Water and Power and the Glendale Unified School District... (more...)
Vaqueros Tame Wildcats
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
April 8, 2013
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
In their second home field win at Stengel Field this week, Vaqueros’ starting pitcher Tei Vanderford quickly established his dominance with three up and three down in the top of the first inning which set the tone as GCC defeated the West Los Angeles Wildcats Saturday afternoon with a 6-1... (more...)
Basses Are Loaded At Glendale
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
April 3, 2013
Filed under Features
When three student bass players joined GCC’s jazz performance department last year, there were few options for them to showcase their talent. But this semester, with a large increase in participation in the jazz program, two more small combos have been added to accommodate the new additions.... (more...)
‘Walking Dead’ Soundtrack Reanimates the Series
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
April 3, 2013
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Entertainment
Lean back in a comfortable chair, slap on headphones, close your eyes and dream of zombies. Fans of “The Walking Dead” can relive their favorite moments while listening to songs from the soundtrack, released on March 17, by Universal Music Group and available on CD and digital download. All... (more...)
Glendale Election Results
Sal Polcino
April 3, 2013
Filed under News
Here are the results of Glendale’s election as of Tuesday after the polls closed and all ballots received before that date were counted. In the race for city council, incumbents Laura Friedman and Ara Najarian are the frontrunners and will most likely keep their seats. Despite the rumors... (more...)
New Hendrix Music Resurrected
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
March 19, 2013
Filed under Arts and Entertainment
Although die-hard fans may welcome “People, Hell and Angels” with open arms, this latest posthumous release from legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, may represent the scrapings on the bottom of the musical petri dish. The distinct... (more...)
No More Gun Shows at Civic Auditorium
Sal Polcino, Staff Reporter
March 19, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories
Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero cast the deciding vote March 12, at the city council meeting, which passed an ordinance by a 3-2 margin, banning gun sales and possession on city property. The city will terminate its contract with the gun show at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. City Attorney Michael... (more...)
Proposed Gun Show Ban Draws Protesters
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
March 6, 2013
Filed under News
In the wake of the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., Glendale City Council members reacted quickly by voting at their Jan. 22 meeting, to draft a proposal that will ban gun shows held on city-owned property. The proposal, which passed by a 4-1 margin,... (more...)
Homeless Program Seeks Volunteers for Census
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
December 6, 2012
Filed under Features
California’s economy may be on the rise but homelessness is still a major problem throughout the state and the rest of the country. Nationally, 21 out of 10,000 people suffer homelessness, but according to a report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, America’s homeless population... (more...)
Jazz Bands Swing in Concert
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
December 6, 2012
Filed under Arts and Entertainment
GCC jazz ensembles turned in a dazzling performance at the campus auditorium Saturday night before an enthusiastic audience of more than 100 fans, families and friends. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble, led by jazz faculty member Clare Delto, opened the show with its version of “Ain’t That a Kick... (more...)
California Elections Roundup
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
November 14, 2012
Filed under News
California voters made some very important decisions on Nov. 6, some of which will have a profound effect on GCC. Proposition 30 which would allocate much needed funds to state colleges. Proposition 32 would have prohibited unions and corporations to deduct money from employee’s paychecks... (more...)
New Thriller by John Sandford a Must-Read
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
November 14, 2012
Filed under Arts and Entertainment
Here’s a warning to serious fans of the mystery novel: do not open John Sandford’s “Mad River” at bedtime if sleep is on the agenda. Mad River roars along like the rapids, twisting and turning the plot and teeming with action. “Mad River” follows agent Virgil Flowers as he chases... (more...)
Swing States Get the Blues
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
November 14, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Seven of the nine swing states turned blue giving President Barack Obama the electoral votes needed to remain in office for the next four years. The popular vote, however, was too close for comfort. Obama won by a mere 2 percent. So close that if not for the Electoral College system, the election... (more...)
Students Need to Get Out and Vote!
Sal Polcino, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Attention all California college students; there are two really scary events on the horizon: Halloween is tonight and in six days, the general election. Everyone knows that All Hallows Eve is meant to be terrifying, but not everyone is aware of the frightening implications if certain decisions... (more...)
Gentle Giant Soars With Eagles
Sal Polcino, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2012
Filed under Sports
Long before Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach, Andy Reid, led his NFL team to the Super Bowl, he helped the GCC Vaqueros win the 1977 Western Conference Championship. Reid, 54, who was born in Los Angeles and attended John Marshall High School, began his college football career playing on the... (more...)
Obama, Romney Clash In Second Debate
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
October 18, 2012
Filed under Top Stories
President Barack Obama and his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, locked horns for the second time yesterday in a town hall style debate with questions presented by undecided voters. Obama, focused and alert, came out swinging in this, the second of three scheduled presidential debates. Both... (more...)
‘Argo’ Is Argo-ably Best Film of Year
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
October 17, 2012
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories
Argo is a spy-thriller that combines elements of drama, intrigue and comedy. Ben Affleck’s third outing as a director may be his best yet. Affleck, director of critically acclaimed films such as “Gone Baby Gone” (2007), and “The Town” (2010), has taken a declassified file from the... (more...)
Biden Comes Out Ahead in VP Debates
Sal Polcino, El Vaquero Staff Writer
October 17, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Heading into a four-game series down 0 – 1, Vice President Joe Biden needed to score big to bring the Democrats back into the race. He did just that, dominating the debate against Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Unlike Jim Lehrer in the first presidential debate, moderator Martha Raddatz, senior foreign... (more...)
New Parking Policies Affect Students, Guests
Sal Polcino, Staff Writer
September 20, 2012
Filed under News
A young woman, while trying to use the new pay station at the main campus parking lot, threw her hands up in frustration and stormed off to her car. Could this be the shape of things to come? Not according to music major Allen Fuentes, who has been using the new parking system to purchase day-passes... (more...)