1995_02 Insight February 1995

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FEBRUARY 22,1995
IN Focus
PAGE 5
15-year-old freshman a computer whiz
By Michelle Asacker
Staff Writer
Most 15-year-olds on campus are
weekend skateboarders who use the
sidewalks for skateboard superhighways.
Michael Randrup,15, is a bona fide
CSUF freshman working on a degree
in computer science.
Randrup lives with his grandparents
and runs a computer animation enterprise out of their home in Fresno.
Randrup's business, M.I.R. Graphics, for Michael Ian Randrup, provides custom animations, multimedia
music videos, custom music, 3D animations, morphing and commercials.
Randrup taught himself how to use
computers while living in Grants,
N.M.
While in Grants. Randrup started
developing a video game called "The
Sword of Old." He then contacted
Nintendo to try to sell his game.
Nintendo thought he was too small
a company, Randrup said.
Randrup said they needed subcontractors larger than "one person working on borrowed equipment in my
bedroom."
Randrup decided to develop the
video game and get it onto Shareware,
free software available to all on the
Internet.
The Sibola County Beacon, a local
newspaper in Grants, asked Randrup
to write a "Video Help" column in
which he provided tips for readers.
Randrup acquired a license agreement with a local video store, and it
was for their games thai he gave tips.
While in high school, Randrup entered local and regional science fairs.
He won first place in each.
Randrup also entered thc state fair
in Soccorro. N.M. As the judges
walked toward his table, his computer
caught a bug and his video game destroyed itself.
Randrup was left with recreating
one month's worth of work on his
video game.
He paid a visit to the school board
and was granted permission to recruit
students for a computer animation
class.
Randrup sent out school-wide applications from which 30 students were
selected, a teacher was chosen and
classes were under way.
His next project would be to produce a children's television show for
a local station that wanted S300 to do
the show.
Randrup didn't have the money.
Hc went to thc cable company and
requested free air time. Three 30-
minute shows were released and
raised money for the school.
Randrup had lo cut his television
career short due to family difficulties.
After his parents' divorce,,
Randrup's father remarried and his
stepmother adopted him. They also
divorced.
Photo by Tommy MonrMl/lnalght
Michael Randrup, 15, focuses on earning a Computer Science degree at CSUF.
BILL GATES,
WATCH OUT:
Through his custom animation company, M.I.R.
Graphics, Michael
Randrup created this
computer model of a ship
which will be used for a
battle sequence.
He went to live with his father who
literally couldn't feed him, Randrup
said.
His stepmother look him to New
Mexico to live with his biological
mother whom hc hadn't seen in 10
years, he said.
His mother couldn't handle his busy
schedule and told him to leave,
Randrup said.
He then went to live with his teacher,
Keith Thomas, for five weeks. "I owe
him a lot," Randrup said.
Finally. Randrup moved to Fresno
to live with his grandparents.
In the beginning. Randrup put his
business on hold lo get settled into his
CSUFclastcs.
Now Randrup works on an Amiga
4000/040 in thc den of his grandpar-
His first clients in Fresno were the
owners of Happy Steak rcsiauranl. for
whom he made a commercial that
aired on KMPH.
Randrup's one employee. Chris
Collins, 19, said lhat he and Randrup
met through a mutual friend. Collins
said he was looking for a job that paid
at least $5 an hour. Although he is still
in training. Randrup is paying Collins
$10 an hour.
Collins started using computers at
6 and still says that, "Any real programming I know, I learned from
Mike-
Collins said Randrup is very intelligent, "He's thc most mature 15-year-
old I've ever met."
Presently. Randrup is preparing a
presentation for the Fresno County
Employee Credit Union.
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,W. H.W.
ABC views liquor
as 'minor concern
for business owners
By Casey Angle
Staff Writer
The law books read that no <
under 21 years of age can c
alcohol.
In reality, underage drinking runs
rampant, and trying to curtail it is
not an easy job.
Faced with the task of curbing underage drinking, as well as several
other alcohol-related affairs, is the
Department of Alcoholic Beverage
Consumption, better known as the
ABC.
The ABC, established in 1955. has
the exclusive power to license and
regulate the manufacture, importation and sale of alcoholic beverages
in California.
Fresno's ABC administrator. Lupe
Garcia, says most of their complaints involve the sale of alcohol
to minors.
"Alcohol is becoming a problem
like it was in the '60s and '70s. It
seems more people are getting alcohol now at a younger age than
they were before," Garcia said.
A large portion of the ABC's work
is devoted to making sure alcohol
is sold in a legal and responsible
manner. This involves looking into
establishments near CSUF.
One hot spot for CSUF students.
Wiliker's at 1713 E. Shaw Ave., has
never been found in violation of
ABC rules since opening 11 years
ago, according to Manager Andre
Nicolet.
That doesn't mean it isn't prone
to an occasional visit.
"Because we're so close to campus, we've had police come in here
and go around to clients," Nicolet
said.
The visits are to double-check IDs
of the youthful-looking patrons.
Wiliker's may be free of violations,
but the ABC does sometimes catch
and punish violators. Abraham
Amira, owner of Bulldog's Liquor at
4968 N. Cedar Ave., reports that his
store was fined a year ago for accepting an expired ID.
Amira still feels his relationship
with the ABC has been good but he
has a problem with the store clerks
receiving stiffer penalties than the
minors. He feels more significant
punishment for minors who try to
buy alcohol would help.
"If the kids are scared to go out
and buy, then we'll eliminate some
of the problems," Amira said.
The ABC. through the Fresno Po-
lice Department, can run 'decoy'
operations to catch stores and bars
selling to minors.
"That's where they send in a person that's under 21 and what they' 11
do is have specific instructions for
this decoy who'll see if he can make
a purchase [of alcohol] from that
clerk, bartender or whoever it may
be.
"Once that happens, that particular person will be cited for the violation," Garcia said.
According to Garcia, the store
clerk or bartender must go to court
where he or she can be fined anywhere from $100 to $500.
Thc store or bar the clerk works
for will be fined from $750 to
$3,000 for a first offense. A second
offense within three years could
warrant a liquor license suspension
and temporary closure. A third offense within three years results revocation of the liquor license.
The ABC's work is not only about
catching minors and seeing if alcohol is being sold inappropriately.
For example, thc ABC will investigate if a bar is suspected of having prostitution, gambling or drugs
on its premises.
People could also have a run-in
wilh the ABC if you're over 21 and
buy beer for an underage friend.
Garcia noted that furnishing alcohol to minors could create problems
"Alcohol is becoming
a problem like it was
in the '60s and '70s. It
seems more people
are getting alcohol
now at a younger age
than they were before."
Lupe Garcia
ABC Administrator
for CSUF students.
"Because of the ages of most students at Fresno State, you're going
to find some that are just 21 with a
lot of friends that are under 21.
"The responsibility they have is
very great if they furnish alcohol to
their friends that are minors,"
Garcia said.
Garcia added that the penalty for
such a person is the same as that
for a clerk or bartender.
Fresno's ABC branch at 3640 E
Ash Ian Ave. is one of 26 in the state
and serves four counties.
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