Echo Times May 2014 issue

Student projects to be featured in art show Page 8 College of Marin

MAY 13, 2014

‘The State of Things’ with artist Meg Regelous Page 6

Emeritus College celebrates 40th anniversary

Getting a 4-year degree at a 2-year college

Page 10

Page 2 Cover photo by Kevin Breakstone

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College of marin

May 13, 2014

News

Offering bachelor’s degree through community colleges under discussion

By Max Wolf-Johnson

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Echo Times College of Marin Kentfield, California Phone: (415) 485-9690 Learning Resource Center Room LC 32 Editor-in-Chief: Shirley Beaman Managing Editor: R.J. Heckelman Assistant Managing Editor: Chandra Smith Copy Editor: Chelsea Dederick Design Director: Chelsea Dederick Reporters: Max Wolf-Johnson R.J. Heckelman Chandra Smith Shirley Beaman Kyle Kelly Dino Moreno Johnny McEvoy Advertising Manager: Irina Zhelokhovtseva Office Manager: Rachel Mouton Media Editor:

n the near future California Community College students could be enrolling in baccalaureate degree programs– without having to transfer.

That is if SB-850 passes in our state legislature. The bill, authored by State Senator Marty Block from San Diego, and a bi-partisan group of 11 other representatives, aims to establish a pilot program that would allow a select number of California’s two-year colleges to offer a four year degree program.

“California needs to grant another million bachelors degrees by 2025,” said Senator Block citing research done by the Public Policy Institute of California.

“People need to get into the workforce to keep California competitive with other states.”

The rationale is that as California’s job market continues to evolve, more technical fields will be looking for higher trained employees.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “In 2025…41 percent of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree, [while] only 35 percent of working-age adults in California will have bachelor’s degrees.”

The bill would work by giving 15 community colleges in the state, selected by the Chancellor, the ability to offer a single baccalaureate degree program in a technical field. However once the pilot program ends, bachelorette degree programs could be spread throughout California’s two-year colleges.

If the proposed bill were to reach this stage it would have a major impact, as the California Community College system is the largest higher education system in the country, incorporating 112 colleges and 2.4 million students.

For perspective, the UC and CSU systems have roughly 230,000 and 440,000 students respectively.

This may be the endgame, but for now the bill still has a long way to go before the pilot program can even come into effect.

Chelsea Dederick Faculty Adviser: Tom Graham Email us comechotimes@gmail.com Marin Sun Printing prints the Echo Times using 40 percent recycled paper and 100 percent soy ink

Cover photo: Ceramic self portrait of artist Meg Regulous

Photo courtesy of the offices of Marty Block State Senator Marty Block leads the effort to meet California’s growing workforce needs by increasing baccalaureate degree programs.

SB-850 did recently pass a major hurdle when it was voted through the education committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote. Next up is the appropriations committee, which will examine how the bill is to be funded.

Senator Block has expressed that he hopes to find a way to fund the bill without drawing away any money that is already budgeted to support the exiting functions of community colleges.

If SB-850 passes this landmark it will hit the senate floor for a vote. “I’m pretty convinced that if it reaches the floor it will pass,” Said Block. If successful the bill will then be sent over to the state assembly to redo the entire process.

By September, SB-850 could have landed on the governor’s desk for signature.

It would then likely go into effect January 1st. Even so, the bill would probably not be implemented before September 2015.

Twenty-one states already offer similar programs.

In Florida, one such state, resident students can take bachelors degree courses for $1500 a term at the Miami Dade

College (previously the Miami Dade Community College).

For reference one semester at San Francisco State University costs roughly $7800 for a similar program.

While SB-850 does not articulate what the cost would be for a bachelors program at a California Community college, the assumption is that it would be significantly less expensive than the price of a UC or CSU. This could play a factor in students electing to seek a degree from a community college instead of state schools. However Senator Block believes there’s enough of a need for four-year degrees to go around: “Right now the UC’s and CSU’s just don’t have enough room to produce enough degree to satisfy workforce needs over the next 15 years.”

Since 2004 there have been four separate legislative attempts to grant community colleges the authority to give baccalaureate degrees.

However as workforce conditions continue to shift, and employees with technical degrees are in high demand, the time may be right for another attempt.

Critics of SB-850 say that it will change the primary intention of community colleges. Senator Block disagrees.

“It doesn’t really change the mission.

When it comes to workforce education, which has been the community college mission from the start, [they need to] meet the new industry standards.”

Whether offering four-year degrees would change the objectives of two-year colleges, it would undoubtedly change the way they operate, and the way in which students view their educational careers.

The senator believes this is a necessary shift to adapt to changing times, “Twoyear degrees aren’t enough anymore,” said Block. “There’s been a change in the industry.”

Even if he is right, his bill still has a long way to go before coming into effect, but in the near future College of Marin students could potentially be staying put in Kentfield to receive baccalaureate degrees.

Letters to the Editor Shedding light on transgender issues Dear Editor: Ms. Chandra Smith’s excellent article (“When ‘male’ or ‘female’ isn’t enough,” April 21) was well organized and thoughtfully reported.

The writing, the photo of Ms. Selena Martinez and her daughter, the elegant chart on page 7, and the subtle editor’s hand all kept this easily distracted reader on track. As a gay man, I was especially grateful for Ms. Smith’s reporting that the DSM [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders] recently

abandoned the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. This reminded me of the fact that homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder by the DSM as recently as the 1970s. Just as an earlier generation of journalists reported on the work of scholars and activists in that step forward, Ms. Smith’s reporting is helping our college understand transgender and intersex issues in a new light. Ending with student Kristian Sloan quoting Vonnegut was, of Ms. Smith’s many strategic decisions, perhaps her most masterful – “…you’ve got to be kind.”

– David Patterson, Libarian Kentfield Campus, College of Marin

The semantics of accreditation Dear Editor: Good job on your latest article on ACCJC. The only thing I’d say is that we were taken off warning, is not quite accurate as there were eight other major recommendations that we had to meet as well and did. And a tremendous amount of other SLO work done as well. We weren’t put on further sanction based on SLOs not being in our syllabi...

But that’s OK. Everything else was fine.

– Sara McKinnon, Academic Senate President and Accreditation Liaison Officer for COM

May 13, 2014

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News

High cost of education leaves students swimming in debt

By Kyle Kelly

W ECHO TIMES

ith California now claiming first place in the greatest statewide increases in the cost of college education, it’s time students knew why these expenses are so high and what their future options are.

From a parent’s perspective, the need for a college education appears so fundamental it can feel like a law of nature. They see the advantage as social.

More significantly they see it as economic. That is, until they have mortgaged their house – twice – sold the family car, and forgone their long awaited trip to the South of France, perhaps until another lifetime. So they pay now for a future well removed of them. Yet, their children’s future will be a prosperous one, they hope.

Sandy Baum, Senior Associate at the Institute for Higher Education Policy, Affiliated Consultant for HCM Strategists, and consultant to the College Board said, that the recent recessions’ toll on tax revenues has prompted a number of states to slash higher education funding.

“California seems to be the leader of that trend,” she said.

First, it should be noted that the most extensive costs come from fees imposed

In California, community colleges support a wide array of career options, educating 70 percent of our state’s nurses and 80 percent of our firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and emergency medical technicians. on out - of - state residents. Even so, there are many minor expenses that contribute significantly to the cost of California’s system of education. These aren’t hidden fees, so much as they are necessary nuisances, for example $40 parking passes, mandatory college healthcare fees, a curious “Activity Fee,” and grossly inflated food prices.

Long before the tallying ends, the textbook rental companies absorb every last cent from students. These companies are able to list their reading material at a few percentage ticks under the regular textbooks. The slight gap between rental and sale prices are the perfectly calculated amount to barely enable students to stumble gasping, exhausted of funds, into the next semesters’ financial shaming.

College costs have skyrocketed in recent years, well outpacing the rise of inflation. On average $30,094 at private colleges, $8,893 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,203 for any out of state students attending public

Comic courtesy of TMNews.com

universities.

Gordon Wadsworth, author of The College Trap, stated, “If the cost of college tuition was $10,000 in 1986, it would now cost the same student over $21,500 if education had increased as much as the average inflation rate but instead education is $59,800 or over 2 ½ times the inflation rate,” nearly 500 percent.

Such outlandish price hikes have resulted in a formidable disengagement in regards to public interest in schooling.

With an astonishing 15 percent of the country not having earned a high school diploma and a dismal 17 percent holding an undergraduate degree. This lack of educational proficiency spells disaster for the economic security of Americas’ workforce.

Despite financial woes, apparent throughout a number of private and state schools across the nation, there is another option. That’s the opportunity to attend a community college.

Institutions such as COM offer a perfectly viable option, which enables community members to achieve a higher level of education, along with a direct route to a four-year university, and all at an affordable cost.

In California, community colleges support a wide array of career options, educating 70 percent of our state’s nurses, as well as 80 percent of our firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and emergency medical technicians.

Twenty-nine percent of University of California Berkeley, and 51 percent of California State University graduates all began at California community colleges. Even 48 percent of all UC’s bachelor’s degrees in technology, science, engineering and mathematics began at community colleges.

Preparation for financial stability in one’s future is a key consideration for any college student, and California community college students, who earn a degree or certificate in the system, nearly

double their earnings within three years.

When asked, Financial Aide Specialist, Andrea Hunter felt the main reasons people forgo higher education are, “Cost of socioeconomic background and a lack of role models, also college can

at times be rather intimidating. Of course, some students don’t even know financial aide is an option. Non-profits are working towards fixing that though.”

While the average per unit costs in community colleges have gone up from $5 to $46 since 1985 (well above standard inflation and have more than doubled in the last 7 years), the community college option is still nearly three times cheaper than the average state school and ten times less expensive than the average private college.

COM and other statewide community colleges have proven time and time again to serve as strong incubators for higher learning, while remaining an affordable option for students and their need for financial stability. Hopefully, they persist in doing so for years to come.

This lack of educational proficiency spells disaster for the economic security of Americas’ workforce. All the while subduing millions of people’s opportunities to achieve a more proficient and secure place in a labor force.

Should the high cost of education continue, the millions of students who are left drowning in debt will be left with bitter disdain towards the educational system.

Sharpen your mind by completing your bachelor degree at USF in downtown Santa Rosa. Degrees now available in Management, Psychology, and Health Services.

LEARN MORE AT AN

InformatIon meetIng at the USF SANTA ROSA CAMPUS tuesday, may 20, 5:30pm

Learn more or to RSVP call 707.527.9612 visit www.usfca.edu/santarosa or email santarosacampus@usfca.edu

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College of marin

May 13, 2014

Travel

Travels with Shirley A frequent flier at 40 visits New York, Palm Springs, Chicago and Hawaii

By Shirley Beaman

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his year I turned 40. And I’m still in college. Yes, I needed some cheering up. I decided I missed travelling and that this would be the year I would endeavor to travel somewhere every month, as a gift to myself.

Some people don’t think travel is such a treat. In fact, for every fabulous travel experience I’ve had, I have certainly heard many travel horror stories. After an eight-year stint as an airport sales agent for a major airline at the San Francisco International Airport, I feel like I’ve seen it all--weather delays, delayed luggage, oversold flights, overweight bags, air returns, irate passengers, the list goes on and on. On the flip side, I’ve also experienced the delight of travelling in first class to Hawaii for $30. There was also the added bonus of being able to fly my parents in first class to practically anywhere in the world they wanted to go.

It almost made working in baggage service bearable. Almost.

In 2011, when he was 41, comic Louis C.K. put things in the proper perspective.

“How can people complain about flying?

They act like they were in a cattle car in Poland in the 40’s. I had to sit on the runway for 40 minutes...what happened then, did you fly like a bird incredibly…. did you partake in the miracle of human flight..you’re flying, you’re sitting in a chair in the sky...you’re like a Greek myth right now.”

I’m with you, Louis. I’m happy to bear the potential delays, breakdown of onboard wifi, middle seats-- I won’t even complain if I don’t get my first choice of entree inflight--the whole shabang is worth it to experience what the purpose of travel is: the destination. After being intimately acquainted with both sides of the ticket counter at SFO, particularly after working during and through 9/11, I can say that personal travel really is a privilege that I hope will and can be enjoyed by everyone

for years to come. The idea that we can board an aircraft in one place, and in a matter of hours be in a completely different country is truly amazing, and I’m glad I’ve taken advantage of this privilege as often as my schedule and pocket book have permitted. I remember flying to Hawaii on winter weekends to go swimming, and flying to New York on weekends to have dinner and a movie in first class. Then fly right back. How great is that, to just fly right back? Being a travel companion of an airline employee this year has given me this passport to the world, and in the year of my fortieth birthday, I intend to let the travel bug bite.

This year to date, I’ve travelled a total of 30,408 miles. Here are some of the experiences that correspond with those miles: JANUARY: As an occasional freelancer for ESPN, I travelled to Manhattan to work as a receptionist during Super Bowl week. I had a middle seat both ways on full flights, but the Super Bowl experience was worth it, and the icing on the cake was that my nephew played in the Super Bowl and got me a ticket to watch the game for my birthdaythat just so happened to fall on Super Bowl Sunday. Social media bragging rights: #I’mAtTheSuperBowlAndYou’reNot FEBRUARY: With my nanny hat back on, Winter break took me on another working trip to warm, sunny Palm Springs.

Although I spent 10 hours in Terminal 3 of SFO trying to get a seat out on the small 50 passenger planes, my patience finally paid off and I was rewarded by a lovely week in Palm Springs that included a phenomenal trip to the Living Desert. After feeding giraffes, riding camels, and feeding birds in the Australian Aviary interactive exhibit there, I slept all the way home on my 6am departure from PSP back to SFO. MARCH: I worked my first two NBA games at the United Center in Chicago as a runner. I was worried about flight delays due to the extremely cold weather in the Windy City. Chicago made New York feel

The author shares the spotlight with “Forever Marilyn,” a 26-foot-tall statue of film icon Marilyn Monroe in Palm Springs.

The steel and aluminum sculpture, made by artist Seward Johnson, was moved to New Jersey in April.

Photo byViviana Linne

like summer time. Luckily, there were no flight delays out of SFO or ORD. I flew two consecutive weekends in a row. My flying routine was the same both weeks.

I got off my job as a nanny on a Friday afternoon, and caught the redeye to Chicago the same night. After resting up on Saturday, we had a 4am call time at the United Center (that felt like 1am to me due to the time difference AND a change in daylight savings time!) All the flying was worth it though, to see two fabulous NBA games in a row from courtside. The Bulls beat the Knicks the first week. Seeing the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat the next weekend was thrilling. There were double technical fouls called, six blocks by the Birdman, and the game went into overtime before Joakim Noah and the Bulls would send LeBron James and the Heat back to Miami with a loss. The middle seat on the way home was worth it. I slept the whole way, anyway.

APRIL: Aloha, and welcome to Maui, Honolulu, and Maui again. The passing of a dear friend’s father took

me to Honolulu for 36 hours--by far my shortest trip this year. Spring Break then gave me the opportunity to enjoy Maui for a quick 4 day trip. Ka’anapali, voted the most beautiful beach in the world in 2010 and 2013 (the sign prominently posted at the entrance will remind you in case you forget) was unforgettable. The water was almost the same temperature as the air, and Leoda’s, my favorite place to get coconut haupia handheld pies, did not disappoint.

If I do nothing but eat, sleep and swim in Hawaii, it will be a vacation well spent.

Mahalo nui loa!

Life is too short not to travel and enjoy what the world has to offer. I’ve always tried to see the glass in the vase and not the dust on the table. So you may be stuck in a middle seat, the flight might be delayed here and there, and the onboard wifi may stop working midflight. That’s when you take a nap and hope you don’t wake up until you get to your next destination and begin your next adventure….until next time, bon voyage!

Photo by Shirley Beaman Sunset view from the Four Seasons Hotel in Wailea, on the south coast of Maui. A five-day stay on the valley isle was a great way to spend spring break.

May 13, 2014

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Features

Paint your car, learn a trade, and get a grade

By Johnny McEvoy

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re you looking to fix up or paint your car? Is it too expensive to take to a dealership? Would you like to do so for a fraction of the cost?

This may sound like an advertisement for a local autobody shop, but actually it refers to College of Marinʼs own Auto Collision Repair Tech program. Not only is it much cheaper to fix your car here, but you also learn important life skills as well.

This program offers a variety of courses for students to take to learn how to properly maintain or fix up their cars. These classes include dent repair, electricity and alternative energies, and automotive painting.

These classes are great for anyone looking to get in the automobile industry.

Gary Kramer, an account manager at Snap On Industrial who has been involved with the program for 28 years, says, “It’s one of the only autobody programs that I’m aware of, at the junior college level. They do a great job preparing students for a job after school.”

Most of the classes are taught by Ronald Palmer. Mark Barrall, teaches Intro to Electricity and Alternative Energies.

These classes can be taken in any order the student wants to take them, but Palmer

Photo by Ronald Palmer The class’ six-year project, “The Green Thing,” was to convert a gas car into an electric car.

suggests following the order the classes typically come in: “Typically before you get ready to paint a car, you’ve got to get out all the dents,” said Palmer.

These courses are for anyone that’s interested in taking them. According to Palmer, in addition to the professional students looking to enter the auto-industry, his class also sees the general-education students simply looking for an elective

and wanting to work on their cars, and the life-long learners who want to learn a new skill.

The Auto Collision Repair Tech program offers two different automotive painting classes. ACRT 201, the beginner’s course, focuses on learning how to put on the primer and single stage solid colors.

Whereas ACRT 202, the advanced course, focuses more on metallic and pearl paints

to make the car look nicer.

There are many projects that students have worked on and will continue to work on throughout the years. One is the “Green Thing,” a dark green, electric, Volkswagen with no roof that has been a side-project for Palmerʼs classes for the past six years.

This vehicle was brought in as a beat down, non-running car. It has been completely revamped.

The car was painted green, which is where it got its name. The motor was removed and has since been replaced with an electric battery. The Green Thing is currently being wired by Palmer and his students.

The cost of working on your car here is much lower than it would be at a shop.

Students pay the normal fee of $46 per unit, no lab fee, and the cost of paint or supplies used. All tools are provided by the Auto Collision Repair Tech program. According to Palmer it would cost a student roughly $250 dollars to give their car a nice paint job in his class. When asked what that same quality of work would cost at an autobody shop, Palmer estimated about $2000.

Whether you are looking to find a career in the autobody industry, need an elective for units, or simply want to learn a new skill, look for COMʼs very own Auto Collision Repair Tech program and sign up for one of the fall 2014 classes.

‘Like’ if you are under the spell of Facebook

By Paula Spears

W ECHO TIMES

ho cares about privacy? Some Facebook users might ask themselves. College of Marin students have varying opinions.

My first interview was with a friend and Staff Administrator, Carole Perez. She said she wasn’t sure of all the rules but used it because it is her way of connecting with her grandchildren, and her two children living out of state. On the subject of how often she used it she said she checked in about four or five times a week.

As for her privacy being invaded she said, “Its a public site. If the government wants information on someone they will be able to get it.” Perez feels, “It’s a lost cause given how much information is already accessible to the government.”

Younger students such as Dylan Wilson, a former Redwood High School student said, “You have to be savvy with your personal page and make sure you only invite the people you want to converse with.”

It can get very tricky, as several of his friends got “busted,” as he put it, doing stuff they shouldn’t have been. I asked him to expand further, but he declined.

Regarding the privacy issue he said, “You have to be cautious about what info you put out there.” As Dylan put it, “Things can come back to bite you.”

Several international female students

Photo by Paula Spears Facebook and other forms of social media are a great way to keep up on current events, breaking news and what your friends are doing, but it raises questions about privacy.

I spoke with had a very suspicious attitude about giving out any information. In general Facebook users are concerned with the American government already having access to too much information.

They both had a defeatist attitude about privacy, but also stated they did not want to make it to easy for the government to get information.

When asked what concerned them most, they said, “Phone tapping and internet spying.” Even though they agreed Facebook is a good means of communication with their closest friends.

They said, “We only invite people we

know onto our personal Facebook page.”

“I activated my first Facebook page at the age of 15 and was instantly hooked,” said 20 year-old COM student Mckenna Silva. “Six months ago I deleted my Facebook due to privacy concerns. I think it’s important for people, especially adolescents to understand the dangers that can arise due to a lack of privacy via the internet.”

In court cases it is legal for an opposing attorney to use personal information posted on your Facebook page, as evidence against you in a court of law.

Law enforcement officials often go

undercover on social media. They use Facebook to gain information on potential suspects. Federal and State agents take full advantage of what the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service calls the, “Narcissistic Tendencies,” of some social media users, by tracking their usage and posts.

Also employers tend to look at a persons’ Facebook page to get more information on the individual who’s seeking employment. This can make or break the deal for some employers, as many of them take what is posted on Facebook seriously.

Search engines like ‘Google,’ which routinely sell their information to advertisers and data brokers, are being challenged in a class action lawsuit.

Google has filed a motion to dismiss the claims, on the grounds the Internet is a public information engine. A decision, however, has not been reached by the court.

Facebook users have varying perspectives when it comes to privacy and how much information they want to put out there in cyber space. We are all left to our own individual discretion about how much we feel is safe to put out there.

Certainly we all need to be informed about what the pros and cons are when it comes to using social media. Just remember the web is not anonymous, so for now post with caution, and remember privacy on the internet is just a myth.

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May 13, 2014

Feat

Meg Regelous captures ‘The State of Things’ “I am serious about my art, but I don’t take myself too seriously.”

By Leslie Lee

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n January 26, 2014, Aroma Café in downtown San Rafael hosted an Artist Reception for Meg Regelous, who has been an art student at the College of Marin for the last four years. Family and friends attended, as well as COM art students, art teachers, staff, and David Snyder, Dean of Arts and Humanities. The show, entitled, “The State of Things,” features Neo-Victorian style paintings, and modern art. It was on display through February 29, 2014.

David Snyder had bought a painting from Meg several years ago. “I own one of her (Meg’s) paintings. I walked into the student art gallery and picked out my favorite out of all of them, and it turned out to be Megs’,” Snyder says.

She applied for and was accepted into the Emerging Artists Show at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts in Healdsburg. This exhibit was on display March 12, 2014 through April 27, 2014. (http://www.healdsburgcenterforthearts. com/red-dot) Regelous’ style is eclectic, drawing from a variety of influences and mediums. A casual observer would find it difficult to look at a piece of her work and assign a label to it, such as “That’s a Meg Regelous.” Her boyfriend, Kevin Breakstone, says that his favorite thing about her work is that “she has a voice.”

Indeed, upon closer examination one can see a tonal consistency in her work.

She also uses gentle humor. Her featured piece, of two Victorian ladies facing each other, has one with a bird’s nest on her head saying to the one with the rose bush on hers, “You’ve got a rose bush in your hair”. An anatomical heart being examined by a disembodied stethoscope has the words painted on the canvas, “What seems to be the trouble?”

Regelous states that humor in art can “access a certain place inside our hearts that nothing else can. I am serious about my art, but I don’t take myself too seriously. Humor opens people. It is a lightheartedness that I think is important to me and consistent with the way I see the world.”

This show reflects only a portion of Meg’s artistic talents and creations. She not only paints, but works in a wide variety of mediums including print making, metal-smithing, sewing, sculpture and ceramics. She has created fine jewelry, curiosity boxes, mixed-media lighted sculptures, and ceramic sculptures. Meg would like to be recognized as a multimedia artist and be taken seriously as an artist.

She says, “Some people think if you are a fine artist that you need to be pigeon holed into a single discipline.”

Meg owns a very affectionate English Bull Dog named, Milou, a bee hive, and 16 chickens: 14 hens and two roosters.

Her favorite chicken is Melodi, a Buff

Photos by Kevin Breakstone Artist Meg Regelous and her pet chicken, Melodi, a Buff Orphinton hen.

Orphinton hen. When Meg first picked her up from Petaluma as a chick, she fell asleep in her hands. On the drive home, Melodi would peep in distress if Meg did not put her hand in the box. “So I knew we’d be very close, says Meg. “ She has always been so cuddly. Now full grown, she knows the sound of my voice, and if I

ever since she was three or four. She remembers scrutinizing the quality of her lines and thinking to herself, “this needs to get better.” In Spring, 2010 she started studying art at the College of Marin.

Some of her mentors are art professors, Katrina Wager and Jack Scott. She says she references the aesthetics of Jack Scott’s drawings and paintings. Other artists that influence Meg are varied: Beatrix Potter, Edward Munch, Joseph Cornell, Leonardo Da Vinci , and her friend and fellow artist, Shannon Ryan. Meg completed her high school education at Marin Oaks, which she credits for providing her with a solid foundation in art, literature and film as literature. After high school, Meg moved to Chicago for a year, where she lived with her older sister, Bronwen and her brother-in-law. There she worked at odd jobs, and Photo courtesy of Meg Regelous visited the Art Institute Hand-made ceramic doll heads and other examples of of Chicago three times Regelous’ artwork can be seen on her Instagram page. a week. Meg feels that the art and architecture am sitting down, she will come climb into in Chicago was wonderful and influenced my lap and nuzzle into my neck and hair. her both as a person and as an artist. The She will also study my face closely.” Meg fashion and art depicted in the late late is the kind of person who rescues earth 1800’s and early 1900’s in New York, worms from sidewalks after storms.

France and England has also influenced Meg has taken her art seriously Meg’s art.

– Meg Regelous, Artist

Art professor Katrina Wagner says, “Meg is one of the most creative and conscientious students I have ever had-She has clear ideas for her art that she makes in an awesome variety of media: printmaking; painting; ceramics; jewelry and drawing. Her passion is unexcelled and her craft is extraordinary, especially considering that she is a Community College student; her work indeed seems to be on a graduate level. I am certain that she will make a name for herself in the art world and I am confident that she will go on to further develop her very personal and already thoroughly thought out vision and will realize that vision in amazing works of art.”

A native of Marin County, she currently lives with her mother, Vicki Wadick, a registered nurse at Sutter Pacific Medical Center. Her mother, always supportive, has converted her living room into an art studio for Meg. Meg can paint for up to fifteen hours in a day. She says, “Sometimes when you get caught up painting you don’t want to stop.

Some days I get up, brush my teeth, take a short break, and stay up to 5 am the next morning painting.”

As an artist Meg says she wants to communicate her love of art through her work. “I want to communicate my adoration of animals and materials and techniques. Obviously I really enjoy referencing some of my favorite artists and paying homage to them. I love the creative process. Making connections is part of the creative process, it is an incredible exploration and it makes me realize how affected I have been by my environment, and I can see that something I have created has been in my life for the last 15 years. The creative process can involve sleepless nights, and weeks involved in working through processes, such as the physical application of paint to canvas.

“I’d love to expose more people to my art, which is both terrifying and exciting for me. I would love to make at least one connection from showing at Aroma, if I make one connection with another person who is interested in art it’s worth it. As a professional artist, I just want to keep being prolific. That’s all I know. I have no expectations to be well known. I just want to continue practicing and to build my voice as an image maker. “ Meg Regelous’ friends call her “The Last Unicorn.” She looks exactly like Lady Amalthea, the name the magician Schmendrick named the Last Unicorn when he turned her into a woman. Her

ECHO TIMES

May 13, 2014

ture

“Box With Cat Skull,” a mixed-media piece that includes a real skull and bones.

“The Collectors,” a mixed-media piece that includes hydrocal masks and electric lights.

“Big Rooster,” mixed media.

resemblance to Lady Amalthea extends beyond her willowy grace, long pale blond hair and fair skin. Like Lady Amalthea, Meg is a magical creature, for she carries the magic of art into her life and her work.

Those who view her creations feel this magic resonate within them.

She has a show called “Heart Crept In,” from the 20-26th of May, at the Prince Gallery in Petaluma.

Interested parties can contact Meg Regelous at megregelous@msn.com

“The State of Things,” one of Regulous’ oil paintings.

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College of marin

May 13, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Student art show at Fine Arts Gallery

By Dino Moreno and Roddy Heckelman

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ollege of Marin art students have been offered the opportunity to show their work in the schools own student art show. There will be various works, from all kinds of artistic styles aimed to showcase the skill of the students, and success of the faculty.

The show will encompass 40 different student’s art from all different art classes at the college. It is taking place in the Fine Arts building gallery, from May 2nd, until May 15th.

There is no theme to the show itself; it is solely for the students to showcase their own styles, their work, and the skill level of artists at the college. Over 250 pieces were submitted to the show, and were looked at by three faculty jurors, who selected a total of 60 pieces to be shown at the gallery.

The jurors included COM fine and visual arts instructors, Allan Widenhofer, Katrina Wagner, Master of Fine Arts in painting, and Bill Abright who has been at the college since 1975.

Students were allowed to drop off art right after Spring Break, and had no time constraints for producing their pieces. In fact some pieces had been worked on for the whole semester. Chris West, gallery instructor, said about the show, “There is a wide variety [of art] that represents all classes offered. Everything from ceramics, to sculptures, to jewelry.” As well she mentioned that the show represented, “a pretty honest cross-section of classes offered.”

Students who submitted their work also have the option of putting it up for sale. Many students are asking prices seen at professional galleries, and should be with the quality of works being presented.

“I am really proud and overwhelmed by interest in show. The ability to participate Art show: Continued on next page

Photo by Katrina Wallace College of Marin staff prepare the Fine Arts gallery for the student art show.

Photo by Roddy Heckelman

Photo by Roddy Heckelman Above: “Caden,” by Diana L Benet

Above: “Sorrow,” Oil painting by Spence Snyder

Below photo by Roddy Heckelman “Walt’s Wave,” Oils, by Monica Oggero

Photo by Roddy Heckelman Above: “Play Time,” ceramic, saggar-fired by Andrea Rubin

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May 13, 2014

News Student art Art Show: From previous page is a very integral part in becoming a practicing artist,” said West.

The school offers a gallery management class, which is responsible for putting together the Student Art Show. According to West, “The Gallery Management class offers learning the ins and outs of how a gallery works.

Its hands on, and allows a student to get a unique opportunity to learn how to run the space. Students gain valuable experience from this class.”

The Gallery Management class has actually been responsible for putting on all of the art exhibits this year. The class offers valuable experience in the art field and the set-up and production of galleries. West is looking forward to an exciting year of exhibits and student work in the fall.

Gallery Schedule When: May 2–15 Where: College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery (Performance Arts Building)

Stuart Tanenberg appointed new College of Marin trustee

By Johnny McEvoy

S

tuart Tanenberg was selected as College of Marin’s newest trustee at a special meeting held by COM’s school board on April 1st of this year. He was sworn in directly after being selected.

Tanenberg fills a role left by Dr. James Namnath, who moved to the Sacramento area for his job as a chemist.

Namnath had previously been commuting to Davis but his job was relocated to Sacramento and decided the commute was just too far to justify anymore: “It is sad to leave Marin County but it is best for me and our planet that I have a short bicycle-able commute.”

Tanenberg was selected at a special meeting held by COM’s Board of Trustees. After Namnath’s resignation, the vacant position was advertised in local newspapers. Fourteen applications were received, seven of which were chosen to be interviewed. After several rounds of interviewing and voting to narrow the field, Tanenberg was eventually chosen.

Tanenberg brings a lot of experience to the board having served previously on Larkspur School District’s School Board.

He is excited to serve on COM’s school board: “Over the years I’ve served on

“Stuart has had a lot of experience in a wide range of issues we face. His ability to present as ‘ready from the get go’ was what put him over the edge.”

– Stephanie O’Brien, School Board President various boards and councils and it’s what I love doing. Hopefully I bring something to the table.”

“Stuart has had a lot of experience in a wide range of issues we face,” School Board president Stephanie O’Brien says, “His ability to present as ‘ready from the get go’ was what put him over the edge.”

Tanenberg says there are 3 main areas he would like to focus on as a COM trustee. The first is student success and ensuring that students have all the tools and technology necessary to succeed.

Next he would like to increase enrollment

by attempting to get students to look at COM as an alternative to going directly to a university or state school. Finally Tanenberg would like to focus on fiscal responsibility here at COM. Tanenberg, a resident of Marin for over 40 years, now resides in Larkspur with his wife. They have 2 adult children who have since moved out. Tanenberg is the founder and CEO of Beressi Custom Manufacturing, a local quilting and furnishing company.

Tanenberg has looked to get on COM’s school board in the past, applying to an open seat in 2007. Tanenberg ultimately finished second in the voting to Annan Paterson of Novato. Tanenberg believes that at that time the board was looking for a representative from the Northern part of Marin, but that did not seem to be a problem this time.

Tanenberg has already started serving as a part of COM’s school board, he attended his first board meeting on April 15th. We all look forward to seeing what Tanenberg brings to our school board and the COM community as a whole. He is the second COM Board of Trustees member to join COM’s Board in the last year, along with Brady Bevis of Novato.

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ECHO TIMES

May 13, 2014

Features

Emeritus College celebrates 40th anniversary

By Chandra Smith

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ECHO TIMES

tudents here at COM, rumored to be apathetic and relatively uninvolved, might take a hint from the impressively active student body of the Emeritus College. Started in 1974 with a federal grant and seven courses its inaugural semester, the EC has been a nationally exemplary program. Through the community education program here, the EC now offers 42 classes a quarter, 220 classes each year.

Emeritus College is a college-withina-college here at COM, designed to fit the needs of Marin’s lifelong learners who are nearing, or who have entered retirement.

Both the student association Emeritus Students College of Marin, and the Emeritus College are turning 40 in June, and neither show signs of slowing down.

It is not unusual for a community college to have an emeritus program, but not many are like the one here at COM. ESCOM organizes parties, speakers, and is very hands-on with the creation of the curriculum, and all on a volunteer basis.

Karen Hemmeter is one such volunteer, having served as the ESCOM council co-president, and currently as the

Photo by Chandra Smith Pat Currier, a life-long learner, enjoys a game of bridge at the Emeritus Center.

office manager in the Emeritus Center.

She knows how special the program here in Marin is, compared to the others in the state. “They have established these life-long learning programs at places like Dominican, Berkeley, all over the country, and they all have paid staff,” she says.

Student association ESCOM has 600 members. Membership grants access to 24 clubs that meet regularly on the

Kentfield and Indian Valley Campuses, and a monthly newsletter. For members 55 and older, membership includes voting privileges and the option of applying for financial assistance with an EC classes.

A history of activism: In 2010 the IJ reported on the loss of free classes through the EC, which angered local seniors.

Marian Mermel was the 2010 co-president of ESCOM. “This college does not want to lose seniors who vote, pay taxes and support local issues [...] One group of students should not be more important or less valuable than others. I think the college has lost its way,” she told the IJ. This group of Marin County students was angered, and so organized and did something about it. Hemmeter is proud to be among the activist seniors who were able to affect change. “Because there is this organization of 600 members and this active council, they were able to funnel this anger and approach the administration in an organized fashion to say ‘what can we do?’” She said.

A lot of people here are living on social security, despite the fact they live in Marin County, and they need financial help to take these classes that make a real difference in their lives. “That’s a pretty strong significant voice for maintaining classes and programs for people over 55,” Hemmeter said.

Jason Lau, director of Community Education, is impressed and happy to be working with ESCOM’s curriculum committee. “The program was transformed into a self-supporting fee-based program.

We could not run this program without them,” he said.

For the joy of it: It is hard to miss the 20 or more rambunctious bridge club members who usurp seven or eight of the cafeteria tables every Monday from 1:00 to 4:30 pm (i.e. lunchtime). “We’re just a bunch of kids playing cards,” says Hank Adams, regular Bridge Club attendee and member of ESCOM. Dick Park is the ESCOM council’s co-president, and chair of the curriculum committee. “Just the knowledge that we’re enabling older people from all kinds of

backgrounds to continue to learn – not just serious stuff, but social and fun stuff as well [is satisfying]. Especially to help seniors keep from being isolated,” Park says.

Isolation and depression are real dangers to the aging in our society, where family and community integration can often dissipate. This is in stark comparison to other countries or parts of the Pacific, where elders are honored, respected, and often a central part of every family unit.

“Depression is the biggest bugaboo of aging,” former department head of the EC Henry Mamet told the College of Marin Times in 1979. Mamet felt that the intellectual stimulation, paired with the social aspects of the classes and activities are paramount in combating the depression that is a real threat to the elderly in our county.

The active activists of Marin: When the program was just five years old, Lair Smyser wrote about it for The College of Marin Times. “A unique aspect of Emeritus College is the democratic process of curriculum development and supervision. Through the [previously] Associated Students of Emeritus College (ASEC), members meet regularly to set policy, suggest and review courses, establish scholarships, sponsor meetings and social events, and in general, govern their own program.”

Our aging population in Marin is not interested in being set out to pasture.

They are not going “gentle into that good night.” To that effect, the guest speaker for ESCOM’s June meeting and anniversary celebration will be Dr. Simon Melov, professor of Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

Hemmeter was impressed with the institute after a recent tour there. “It’s really amazing. Their whole goal is to – not increase lifespan, not to try to get us to live to be 110, but to increase helathspan – to help [us] not die decrepit, but die healthy and youthful.”

The community has been saddened by the recent passing of Don Polhemus, a retired doctor and well-liked ESCOM member. Polhemus was popular among his peers, and worked tirelessly to edit the widely-circulated ESCOM newsletter.

“He was a very committed, very dedicated individual,” says Lau. A kind man, Polhemus lead the Book Banter Club at IVC, and was a perfect example of a happy and lively healthspan.

“That has been sad,” said Park. “And of course [this] has thrown up another challenge to us. We now need to find another editor at the newsletter,” he said.

For Park, the favorite part of his 17year involvement, next to serving on the council, is his dedication to Chorus Emeritus. “It has not only provided me the opportunity to keep singing, but to expand my knowledge of music as well. I’ve been doing it for 17 years, and I’m going to keep doing it until I get it right,” he says. Let’s all keep doing it, until we get it right.

May 13, 2014

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ECHO TIMES

Sports Basketball team ends season with 15-12 record

By Kyle Kelley ECHO TIMES

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ith a good deal of fresh talent, the COM basketball team showed signs of surpassing their own high expectations at the beginning of their season. This failed to pan out due to a number of key losses early on. “Every game become a playoff game scenario,” said second year head coach Dave Granucci. The failure to perform in a crucial opening half to their season may have cost the team a shot at a state title, but it brought something else much needed to the team, a humbled awareness of prominent talent across the league.

When asked of Coach Granucci what the team’s expectations were at the beginning of the year he had this to say, “Goal going into the year, win our league, make the state tournament, and go deep into the playoffs. Last year we got robbed from getting into the state game. We had so many new guys this year, but we felt that they were talented enough to put ourselves in a position to win our league.” He went on further to say, “We didn’t exceed our expectations, but the way we finished the season was a testament toward the team as

a whole, understanding that they weren’t as good as they thought they were and built from there.”

One of the reasons expectations were high from the start was because of standout players like Pierre Carter, who earned a spot on the All Bay Valley Conference First Team after a season average of 14.5 points per game, 5 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. Both Neal Chavez and Paul O’ Sullivan brought life to the court, with noteworthy accomplishments both on and off the court as well.

Neal who returned to the team this year after a two-year hiatus did so in supreme fashion averaging 9.3 points per game shooting field goals at 43 percent while making more than 28 percent of his free throws. In his year off, Neal had spent a good deal of time traveling the globe to places such as South Africa, where he taught math and science to underprivileged children for three months, and New Zealand where he spent a month backpacking and surfing the coastline with friends. Now back playing for the COM basketball team he seems to feel more at home than ever.

Paul, who took his first year off after graduating from Sir Francis Drake high school in 2011 has been an ever excelling

Photo byAlan Dep / Marin IJ Guard Neal Chavez averaged 9.3 points per game this season.

star for the team, this year making a difference both on and off the court as he welcomed into his home newcomer to the team Stan Kaya, a foreign exchange student. “It definitely brought us closer

together and made us work harder, said Paul, living with him was a constant reminder to work hard and remain competitive towards both our goals as well as those for our team as well.” When asked if what he’d learned from playing on the COM basketball team would ever translate into his later life as an adult, he was quick to answer, “Absolutely, you learn to cooperate with a group of people so as to achieve a greater end result.” Paul wasn’t alone in sharing space with fellow teammates as he stated that it’s common among players, “a number of the guys live together” he said, and perhaps that played a role in what become a necessary team oriented unification for COM late in the season.

With another great year come and gone, the COM basketball team and its supportive fans will be able to reflect fondly on a number of well deserved wins, nail biting finishes, and buzzer beating heartbreakers. Next year will see the return of nine of their original starters, and the arrival of a series of newcomers, either red shirting or straight from high school, pining for an opportunity to build upon the rising legacy of what is sure to be a rewarding and accomplished organization for years to come.

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Calendar Events Advanced Voice Class Recital: From the Garden—Flower-Themed Songs It is one of poets’ and composers’ favorite topics, in any style—the beauty of the flower.

Our Advanced Recital students will explore the repertoire of art song, aria, musical theatre, and contemporary music to bring you a beautiful musical bouquet.

When: May 19, 11:10 a.m.

Where: Lefort Recital Hall, PA 72 Kentfield Campus Jazz Ensemble/Dance Band Tony Lindsay, special guest An evening of classic soul and R&B with the College Dance Band, featuring Tony Lindsay of Santana and special guest Juke Joint.

When: May 16, 7:30 pm Where: The Seahorse 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito Admission: Tickets: $10 Marin Oratorio Plays Johannes Brahms Liebeslieder-Walzer and Ein deutsches Requiem Brahms, the enchanting and the eternal, will be presented in this program of two of his most timeless works. The Liebeslieder-Walzer and Neue Liebeslieder-Walzer, his lavish Viennese settings of love poems of dalliance, affection, and unrequited passion, will feature guest vocal soloists Christa Pfeiffer, Katherine McKee, Colby Roberts, and Jeffrey Fields.

They will be accompanied by pianists Paul Smith and Jeffrey Paul. A full orchestra will accompany the Marin Oratorio chorus for the majestic Ein deutsches Requiem. Brahms, the agnostic, spent years shaping this work not as

Track & Field State Meet When: 5/16-5/17, All Day Where: San Mateo

a dogmatic and liturgical mass, but rather as a personal human requiem and solace for all humankind.

When: May 17, 8 p.m., May 18, 3 p.m.

Where: James Dunn Theatre Kentfield Campus Admission: $20 general; $15 students, seniors, employees, and alumni. Tickets: (415) 485-9687 and online.

Beginning Voice Class Recital: Just Offstage Our beginning singers have been working all semester preparing for their first performance.

This is always an exciting experience, sharing the thrill and courage of singers stepping in front of a real audience. You will hear a lovely mix of folk songs and art songs, and maybe even a short aria as the singers are allowed to make their own choice from within the class repertoire. Come celebrate with us.

When: May 19, 2:10 p.m.

Where: Lefort Recital Hall, PA 72 Kentfield Campus College Chorus: Songs of the Sea Boyd Jarrell, director Jeffrey Paul, accompanist Ever since humans first set off to sea, music has been our constant companion: songs of travel, songs to assist our labors, and songs to remember our loved ones far away. Join College Chorus as we present our delightful survey of sea songs from around the world.

Music of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Mary Lynn Lightfoot, and Alan Ridout will be featured.

Bon voyage!

When: May 20, 7:30 p.m.

Where: James Dunn Theatre Kentfield Campus

Dates to Remember Last Day of classes before Final Exams: May 16 Final Exams for Saturday Classes: May 17 Final Exams May: 19 - 23 Holiday - Campuses Closed: May 26 Final Grades available: mycom.marin.edu: June 11

Do you have what it takes to be a journalist?

Then add your voice to the Echo Times next semester!

We are currently recruiting writers, editors, photographers and designers.

Sign up for JOUN 115 and/or JOUN 122

Stop by LC32 or call 485-9690 for more info

May 13, 2014