On March 18, the SDSU Children’s Center’s “A is for Art” Sneak Peek will be held in conjunction with its Open House and Explore SDSU. A is for Art is a program of the Center which showcases the amazing potential for creative expression by children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Attendees will get a sneak peek of the 10 paintings created by each classroom at the Center, and one special painting created all the children who attend the Center. The event will also feature family art activities, opportunity drawings, Center tours, refreshments and music.

This year each classroom is studying an artist, who lives and works in the United States. This group of artists is as diverse and the children who attend school at the Center. For example, Carmen Herrera is a 101 year old Cuban-American abstract painter who sold her first painting at age 89, Emmi Whitehorse is a Native American who’s abstract paintings reflects her natural surroundings in New Mexico, and Jeff Elrod is a Texas artist who uses a computer to come up with a beginning idea for a painting and then transfers it to a canvas. These three are just a few of the artists that the children are learning about. The children will create a group painting in the style of the artist their classroom has chosen. They will use the materials, techniques and processes that their artist uses to create their own masterpieces.

The Sneak Peek is the kick off for “A is for Art” and leads up to the Exhibition, which is held April 22, at the Mingei International Museum, in Balboa Park. The 11 paintings will be available in a live auction with all funds raised going to the Center.

“A is for Art” Sneak Peek at the Open House

Saturday, March 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m., SDSU Children's Center

“A is for Art” Exhibition

Saturday, April 22, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park

To learn more about “A is for Art,” visit childcare.sdsu.edu/aisforart. Art is an important part of the curriculum at the Center, and both these events are a great way to see all that the children are learning.

Recently MBAC Instructional Coordinator Paul Lang experienced his dream of chartering a boat and sailing in an exotic location.  In this article Paul shares the story of his experience that could inspire you to do the same.

I’ve wanted to go on an exotic sailing vacation since learning to sail for the first time more than 20 years ago. For one reason or another, I never got around to planning a sailing-specific vacation over all that time, but after hearing countless stories about other sailors’ trips to locations with warm weather, warm water, and steady winds I finally decided last year that it was time to organize a bareboat charter to the British Virgin Islands (BVIs).

In most locations sailing charters are available either as a bareboat charter or a fully crewed charter with a chef. A bareboat charter is what the name implies – you are renting a bare boat without crew. We went with this option and booked a 48’ catamaran from The Moorings and chose to have them provision the boat for us. This means that when we arrived we stepped onto a boat that was ready to go and already stocked with our food for the trip.

My wife, Robin, and I were joined by our good friends Rick, Mike, Marisa, Amoret, and Sascha, making for a total of seven people on the boat. Of the group I was the only one with a significant amount of boating experience, but everyone was willing to learn and help where possible.

At first glance, the Moorings 4800 catamaran we chartered was a little intimidating due to its sheer size (especially its width), but I found it to be an easy boat to manage, even without a lot of knowledgeable crew. Because all lines are lead to the steering station I found the 4800 to be surprisingly easy to sail.

We had a lot of windy days on our trip, but I found I could set, reef, and trim sails by myself. Under power, the 4800 is very easy to maneuver. With twin engines the boat has the ability to spin in place using, making it easy to fit the boat into confined spaces with a lot of control.

Most of the sailing I’ve done has been in and around California where many of the great sailing destinations are far apart and the ocean is relatively cold. The British Virgin Islands are a popular location for bareboat charters because the island chain is basically a perfect sailing destination. The year-round water and air temperatures are both about 80° F, the wind is consistent, and the distances that have to be sailed between destinations are very short.

In the BVIs it was amazing to sail where there are so many places to visit within a short distance. We stopped at two or three places each day and we didn’t usually sail or motor for more than a few hours at a time.

On our first full day on the boat we visited the Baths, snorkeled at George Dog, and picked up a mooring in front of Bitter End Yacht Club. Mike and I went kiteboarding while the rest of the crew went to happy hour at Saba Rock.

The water was warm and clear and every place we visited was beautiful. Sacha made a comment at the end of the first full day that summed it up. “If the whole trip was just today, I’d be happy.” The crew already felt like the trip exceeded their expectations, and we still had six more days to go.

The rest of the week flew by and we explored as much as we could. We met countless great, friendly people and probably spent more time in the water swimming and snorkeling then we did on land.

Even though we moved quickly I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of the BVIs. After waiting a few decades to plan my first sailing charter vacation, I’m already looking at the calendar and trying to plan our next sailing vacation.

By Paul Lang, MBAC News
Paul Lang is the Instructional Coordinator at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center.

Associated Students is offering three $500 scholarships for part-time student employees.

Scholarship Requirements:

1. Applicant must be a current A.S. part-time employee*, and in good standing.
2. Applicant must carry a minimum of six (6) units at San Diego State University, in the current and following semester.
3. Applicant must have completed four months by opening of the filing period as an A.S. employee (need not be continuous), but must be within the last three years. The filing period opens on Wednesday, March 8th, 2017.
4. Student must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or in the absence of 2.75, a 3.0 in the last 24 units of work.
5. Applicant must complete and file application by 4:30pm deadline.
6. An employee is eligible for one scholarship per academic year. (i.e.: an employee who was awarded a fall A.S. Scholarship will be ineligible to apply for spring.)
7. We encourage all eligible employees to apply. Foremost consideration will be given to undergraduates and employees who have never received an A.S. Scholarship.

Evaluation will be based upon academic achievement, essay, campus and community contribution, financial need & longevity of A.S. employment.

Applications and guidelines are now available online on at as.sdsu.edu/admin. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 5th.

Vote in the A.S. General Elections!

Voting begins at 8:00am on March 13 and runs through 7:00pm on March 16. Simply log in to the SDSU WebPortal, and click on A.S. Elections to cast your vote. It only takes minutes! As you prepare to choose your representatives, visit the A.S. website to review the candidate statements and learn more about their plans if elected. Also, attend the debates for the candidates for Executive Officer positions on March 6 & 8 at noon in the Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard in the Union, to learn more about their goals, ideas and answers the important issues facing A.S. and SDSU. You are also invited to attend the announcement of the election results at approximately 8:00 pm on March 16 in Montezuma Hall, in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

For additional information visit as.sdsu.edu/elections

Enjoy some great pizza and help the SDSU Children’s Center. Join them for their next Eat Out Fundraiser, Saturday, March 4, from 4 to 8 pm at Oggi’s Pizza Express in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Just download a flyer from the Center’s website (give one to your friends) and present it to the cashier. A percentage of your bill will go the Center to help support this year’s “A is for Art” events.

Visit childcare.sdsu.edu and click on “Special Events” to download an event flyer. Fliers are also available at the SDSU Children’s Center and at the A.S. Office.

1. What is your name, job title and major?
   My name is Ellie Miranda, and I am the Front Desk Office Assistant for the A.S. suite. I'm currently pursuing my bachelor's in criminal justice with an emphasis in psychology. And this is my last semester at SDSU!
2. Which A.S. department do you work in?
   I’m the first person you see when you walk into the A.S. office, so my job consists of helping everyone that comes in and answering all their questions.
3. How long have you worked for A.S.?
   I have been with A.S. for a year and a half now, and I love every minute of it.
4. If you won $5 million what would you do with it?
   I would pay my student debt off, buy my mom her dream house and travel the world.
5. What is your favorite dessert?
   Oh definitely, pumpkin pie! I don’t care what season it is, it always a good time for pumpkin pie. 
6. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
   Ghost Rider in Knott’s Berry Farm. I love the fact that it’s made out of wood, goes incredibly fast and gives me an adrenaline rush. But, Disneyland will always be my number one amusement park.
7. Who is your favorite singer / musician / musical group?
   Hands down, Blink 182. I first started listening to them when I was in fifth grade and since then, I been a huge fan of theirs. I just love their style. I was fortune enough to see them last September in Viejas Arena and it was amazing!
8. What is your favorite book?
   “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk. This book was intense the whole way through — I just couldn’t put it down. I got to say my favorite quote from the book is “the lower you fall, the higher you’ll fly.”
9. What is your favorite sports team or who is your favorite individual athlete?
   The LA Lakers, even though they haven’t done so well. I’ll definitely miss the Black Mamba era. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so I'm representing my city.
10. What do you want to be when you grow up?
    My lifetime career goal is to an FBI agent for the Behavioral Analysis Unit. This career consists two of my favorite things: psychology and law. I got this inspiration from watching “Criminal Minds” growing up. I’m hoping to be the next Aaron Hotchner.
11. If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go?
    I would love to go back in time to the 90's! Even though I was born in the mid 90's, I think it would of awesome to be a young adult during that era!
12. What was or is your favorite subject in school?
    Psychology! It’s so interesting to learn about how our mind works, why we act the way we do, and the ways we can make ourselves better.
13. Who is your favorite actor or actress?
    Leonardo DiCaprio! I love everything about him. Let’s take a moment and give thanks to his parents for bringing him to this world.
14. Is your favorite part of working for A.S.?
    My favorite part of A.S. is the family environment. I love coming into work! Everyone is friendly and supportive of one another. Working at the front desk, I have the opportunity to meet so many people that make A.S. function! Being part of this organization is amazing.
15. Which A.S. staff member has inspired/supported you the most? And how?
    Janice Dils! I’m grateful that she gave me the opportunity to be part of the A.S. family. She’s truly one of the best people I know. I can always count for her support and to laugh at my jokes. Her dedication and passion to A.S. is inspirational. I would say she is the glue that keeps the office intact. I swear she has the answers for everything and anything. I will forever treasure and love our friendship.