Artist Sees Through His Darkness
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California State University, Fullerton AILY ITAN Monday, October 3, 2005D www.dailytitan.comT Volume 81, Issue 18 Inside This Issue Artist sees through his darkness Sports After losing his sight, Men’s soccer photographer helps beats UNLV others share his vision By MATT BALLINGER Daily Titan Staff Kurt Weston searches through his bag until he finds a film canister. He pops the lid, tilts his head back and in two passes swallows the nearly 20 pills inside. Three times a day, adhering to a strict schedule, Weston swallows the pills that make him fatigued; that give him high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and diarrhea; that keep him alive. The 60 pills and twice-daily injections keep Westonʼs immune system from the ruthless devastation of AIDS. He contracted HIV in the early 1980s, he thinks. Strong Titan “I was really quite healthy until I offense outlasts got sick,” Weston said. But in 1991, he was hospitalized Rebels in overtime, with pneumonia. Doctors told him 2-1, for second win he had only three T-cells, which are the immune systemʼs fire alarm. of season When T-cells are severely depleted 6 – a healthy person has between 800 and 1,200 – the body becomes an easy target for infection. By 1995, cytomegalovirus retini- Opinion JAMIE FLANAGAN/Daily Titan tis, an AIDS-related infection, had One of Kurt Weston’s goals is to show the world that visually impaired artists can create stunning work like those on display now through next year. ravaged his vision. Weston was liv- Editorial: ing in Chicago and had been work- Common sense ing as a fashion photographer, but Catch-22: a need for a battery of gram at Cal State Fullerton. the world as an impressionistic relies on his technical knowledge winters in the Windy City were pills that makes him feel terrible, “Personally, thereʼs no one that I painting. Faces are a blur of flesh and years of professional experi- about building in taking their toll. So Weston sold his but that keeps him alive. Alive to have a higher amount of respect for,” tones. ence. Photography is about framing disaster-prone areas condominium and moved in with curate an art exhibit, to be creative said Paul Weston, Kurt Westonʼs But photography provides focus. and lighting, he said. 4 his brother in Southern California. with his photography, to work with younger brother. Weston can make a print and, “The focus part is the most dif- Around that time, AIDS medica- outreach organizations that teach Kurt Weston is blind in his left using intense magnification, see a ficult part for me,” he said. tions were becoming increasingly young people about HIV and AIDS, eye and mostly blind in his right personʼs features. effective. And so began Westonʼs and to begin a masterʼs degree pro- eye. Out of that right eye, he sees When taking photographs, he WESTON 3 Volunteers flock to offer needed aid teering. 250,000 people in the Gulf Coast. Training in disaster services consists “Many [people] were miss- American Red Cross Before jumping on the first plane “Imagine that you are having the of two three-hour classes, and being ing family members, not knowing asks for help; locals, to the Gulf Coast, officials advise worst day of your life, and people deployed requires a minimum 10- if they were at another shelter, or Student claims people to sign up with an organiza- keep coming up to you asking what day commitment, with the average worse,” Heintz said. “To offer them students respond tion coordinating relief efforts, such they can do to help, over and over,” deployment being 21 days. help and hope was as uplifting for that group with as the American Red Cross. Mattern told him. In recent weeks, Orange County me as it was for them.” terrorist ties By MELISSA VALBUENA The Volunteer & Service Though most volunteer after a Red Cross has sent more than 1,000 Heintz plans to return in the mid- For The Daily Titan Center, in the Titan Student Union disaster, organizations always need people to the Gulf Coast region, dle of October.The Red Cross also allowed to protest Underground, can refer students to help, Mattern said. As months go Norton said. They join 163,000 needs local help. on campus last Millions of people answered several organizations. on, the desire to help tends to wane. other trained relief workers sent to Norton helps with clerical work the call to donate money for the Amy Mattern, coordinator of the Donna Norton, a volunteer at the the area. in the Office of Volunteers whenever semester Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Volunteer & Service Center, said Orange County Chapter of the Red Registered nurse Marjorie Heintz she has time. People in the program 4 Now that Hurricane Rita has hit the many students have been coming to Cross, said her organization expects immediately wanted to go to the get jobs that best fit their skills, she Gulf Coast region, the need for help her looking for ways to help. One the need for volunteers in the Gulf area to help. Two days after she said. Those with specialized skills, has grown. eager student wanted to leave right Coast to last through December, contacted the Red Cross, Heintz such as Heintzʼs nursing skills, get For students whose wallets canʼt away, but Mattern convinced him possibly longer. went to Houston and then to Baton deployed first. Volunteers can do Surf Report handle another donation but still to go to the Red Cross first, which In order to join, people must Rouge spending two weeks working administrative work, and assist with want to help, the answer is volun- has provided assistance to more than attend a one-hour orientation. graveyard shifts. food, clothing and blood drives. Huntington 1-3 ft. ankle to waist- high; fair conditions. String theory Students ‘Stand Up’ for a San Clemente 1-3 ft; ankle- to chance to defend civil rights waist-high; fair condi- tions. ACLU hosts second “Right now, when our values and the Zilo Network, which reaches freedoms are in jeopardy, it is vital college campuses across the coun- annual scholarship that the next generation of civil lib- try. The winning essay writer will Compiled from www.surfline.com ertarians stand up for their rights,” receive a $1,000 scholarship and writing contest said Anthony Romero, executive have his or her work published on By COURTNEY BETH PUGATCH director of the ACLU. “We want the ACLUʼs Web site, and in future Weather Daily Titan Staff the college students and the young ACLU publications. people of America to use their cre- “Sometimes Americans can take Today The American Civil Liberties ativity to discuss civil liberties and their constitutional rights for grant- Mostly Sunny Union and Zilo Networks Inc., an issues that impact their lives.” ed,” said Edward Fink, chair of the 78º/55º entertainment hub for young adults, Radio-TV-Film department at Cal have launched the second annual “ State Fullerton. “I think the ACLU Stand Up For Freedom contest for We want to open competition is a worthy effort to Tuesday two scholarships. the eyes and promote studentsʼ deeper under- Sunny “The contest focuses on what the ears of America’s standing of their rights.” ACLU continues to do for fighting youth. The deadline for the contest is 82º/56º and acquiring rights for everyone,” Tuesday at 8:59 p.m., and submis- said Monica Jara, vice president of sions should be made at contestʼs Wednesday communications for Zilo Networks Monica Jara Web site, www.zilo.com/aclu. In Inc. “We want to open the eyes and Zilo Networks vice president addition, a waiver must be signed Sunny ears of Americaʼs youth.” ” and submitted through the mail, 91º/59º The national contest, which began postmarked no later than Tuesday. July 4, challenges college students Panels of three celebrities will “I encourage and have encour- Thursday between the ages of 18 and 29 to use judge contestants on creativity, mes- aged students to participate. Iʼve their creativity and knowledge of sage and effect of the video or already sent an e-mail through the Sunny the political system to defend their essay. RTVF e-mail server to our students. 88º/61º rights by either writing a 500-word Oscar-winning director Ron Hopefully one of them will enter,” essay or producing a 30-second pub- Howard, Judge Alex Kozinski of Fink said. Friday lic service announcement. the United States Court of Appeals Entries that do not win will be Sunny This yearʼs contest themes are the for the 9th Circuit, and Grammy- featured at the Eureka International Patriot Act, censorship and racial winning artist Rob Thomas are just Film Festival that will be held later 85º/60º injustice. Organizers suggest focus- three of the many judges expected in the year. The nonpartisan film ing on only one theme in the essays for the event. festival is dedicated to showing JUNNUN QUAZI/For The Daily Titan and public service announcements. The winner for the public service socially conscious political films. The deep sounds from CSUF student Nick Schaadt’s double bass But contestants are encouraged to announcement will receive a $5,000 The Zilo television network will Compiled from The Weather Channel fills Birch Street at Friday’s Brea Jazz Festival. submit multiple entries, focusing on scholarship and have a chance for also show the first and second run- each of the themes. his or her video to be shown on ner-ups during its programming. 2 Monday, October 3, 2005 www.dailytitan.com [email protected] • (714) 278-4415 Calendar Fiery gaze OCT.