Vol 60 Issue 4

Wednesday March 18, 2020

Serving the Rio Hondo Community

Volume 60 Issue 4

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO BY DAVID MEDINA/EPM

NEWS

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Rio Hondo Transitions to Online Courses to Combat State of Emergency due to COVID-19

SAMUEL GARCIA/EPM Schools across California have shut down operations to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. With these changes, schools like Rio Hondo College have ceased on-campus classes and will move all courses online.

SAMUEL GARCIA News Editor

samuel.garcia8465@my.riohondo.edu

The Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting March16 and declared a state of emergency to protect students and staff from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) giving Superintendent/President, Dr. Arturo Reyes, the authority to respond with appropriate action concerning this pandemic.

“COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge to all of us. Our focus is first on ensuring the health and safe-

ty of our students, staff and administrators, and second on continuing our service to our students,” Board of Trustees President Oscar Valladares said.

With the presence of COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, looming over the world, many schools in California have decided to transition over to online formats effective March 16. Modifications of activities, cancellations, and including the temporary closure of the district could be possible. There have been no reports of anyone having the virus on campus.

In an online statement released March 13, Dr. Arturo

Reyes, Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College, stated that the school will move to an online format from March 16 through April 4.

“The purpose of this change is to limit exposure to COVID-19 by preventing large groups from assembling on campus,” he stated.

According to the CDC, there have been more than 3,400 cases of the virus in the U.S., with about 200 cases reported in California.

CBS states that more than 169,000 have caught the virus, with the death toll hitting 6,500. However, of those 169,000 cases, nearly half of

them have recovered and “the vast majority” of these cases are mild.

While Rio Hondo shifts its curriculum online, the campus will still remain open to “offer critical services to our students, staff, and the community.” Resources like the RioSource Room food pantry will still be available to students, as well as the bookstore and school library.

While labs and other course sections with “specific requirements” were initially given the “okay” to continue on-campus/in-person instruction, the college - following a March 15 announcement - decided to move those

online as well.

“We understand that not every student will be familiar or comfortable with the online format, and we want you to know that we are here to support you through this process,” Dr. Reyes added.

For students having trouble acclimating to these new changes, you can contact the Distance Education Office at DEsupport@riohondo. edu, or you can call them at (562)908-3403.

It is recommended to always wash your hands and avoid touching your face. If anyone feels ill stay home and avoid crowds.

Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 Years in Prison EMILY DE LUNA Reporter

emily.deluna2549@my.riohondo.edu

American film producer and convicted sex offender Hervey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday morning of March 11th by a New York Supreme Court judge. Weinstein was found guilty on one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree. He was also acquitted of two more serious charges of predatoy sexual assault that carried a maximum life sentence. Wein-

stein’s career took a major dip in October of 2017 when, after years of rumors, several women openly accused him of sexual assault and harassment. Weinstein received accusations from more than 90 women, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman.

Weinstein’s accusers say he used his Hollywood status to befriend them and offered them movie roles to gain their trust. These stories lead women around the world to speak about their similar experiences at the hands of powerful men which sparked

the #MeToo movement.

Weinstein, who turns 68 next week, used a walker throughout the trail due to his recent back surgeries. After his conviction on February 24, he has split time between a hospital and a jail infirmary.

His lawyers tried to seek a shorter life sentence due to his age and condition, believing he won’t make it through his whole sentence.“Given his age and specific medical risk factors, any additional term of imprisonment above the mandatory minimum, although the grave reality is that Mr. Weinstein may not

even outlive that term — is likely to constitute a de facto life sentence,” Weinstein’s lawyers wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed the Monday before. During the Wednesday trial, Mirinm Haley and Jessica Mann, two of Weinstein’s victims, gave emotional statements about the damage he had done to both of them over the years.

After the statement, Weinstien responded with a 10 minute speech. He believed their relationships were consensual and suggested that he was a victim of rushed judgement. The judge, Justice

James A. Burke, stated that while Weinstein had no criminal record, several women had testified about other sexual assaults beyond the two for which he had been found guilty. “Although this is a first conviction, it is not a first offense,” said Justice Burke. After Weinstein’s sentence, he will be transferred from the city’s jail system to the state prison system. The agency that runs New York’s state prison said every inmate is judged to determine which facility meets their medical, mental health, and standard needs.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Master Performers Lead Master Class for Students ENRIQUE MEDINA Sports Editor

enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu

LESLIE LOPEZ/EPM Douglas Sumi prepares to play the next note to accompany Orson Van Gay’s performance of “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York,” from Porgy and Bess.

Orson Van Gay and Douglas Sumi Form a Memorable Collaborative Duo LESLIE LOPEZ

Reporter leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu

Rio Hondo College hosted famed collaborative duo performance, Orson Van Gay II and Douglas Sumi, Tuesday, March 9th from 7:30 pm 8:30 pm in the Wray Theater.

The event, which was opened to the public, made for a memorable evening because Gay, an operatic tenor, has a very unique voice that catches the audience’s attention, especially with command of the stage for a singer of his generation. For Sumi, one may feel emotions due the notes of the piano flowing very smoothly and astonishingly.

Opera is usually performed live on a stage and it is quite an experience. Great performances deliver powerful and emotionally direct art forms. Opera has a combination of dramatic narrative, especially with the range and vulnerability of the human voice, which helps express emotions with different approaches. Opera may open one’s eyes, feelings and hear the world from a different perspective.

Douglas Sumi, an American pianist, has collaborated with multiple artists and opera performers including Linda Watson, Sir Thomas Al-

len, Vittorio Griogolo, Carol Vaness, Vladimir Chernov, and Joyce DiDonato, to name a few. Sumi is able to adapt to different functions as a coach, pianist, vocal repertoire, and a conductor. As a coach, one is able to see the passion Sumi has for music and opera. When one asks for advice about music or singing, he explains in deep details of the specific keys that should be used, how to change the vocals, the posture of how one should have the body, precisement and etc. Sumi regularly coaches until this day and gives masterclasses across the country.

Due to his vocal talents and performance, Van Gay has recognition across the United States. For opera, one may perform to express love, death, hope, and many other emotions one may struggle with a whole lifetime, or in a short amount of time.

Van Gay does remain involved in community projects to showcase opera. For example, Jimmy Kimmel’s annual Italian restaurant located in Hollywood, Italian American of Los Angeles, Voices of Hope Benefit Concert, just to name a few. In addition, Van Gay is also an actor and has appeared in some television commercials and starred in a variety of Netflix shows, including some foreign film.

After seeing a performance by tenor Orson Van Gay II and pianist Douglas Sumi last Monday night, Rio Hondo students from the music department got their chance to learn from these professionals with a handson master class.

The event took place in the Wray Theater last Tuesday afternoon and served as a workshop for Rio Hondo’s music students to get actual advice from learning professionals, them being Van Gay and Sumi. The workshop took place from 1pm-4pm as a number of vocalists and pianists alike had the chance to show Van Gay and Sumi their musical talent.

Right from the start, it was apparent the amount of passion and energy Van Gay and Sumi had in their willingness to help each and every singer. Some of the performances included a rendition of “Niño Chiquitito

Precioso” and Beethoven’s famous work “Tempest” on the piano. Each student had a set time on stage to perform and get their advice from Van Gay and Sumi to help enhance their performances.

Throughout the entirety of the training session, Van Gay and Sumi gave constant advice to each performer, pointing out both weaknesses and strengths. Both professionals managed to help out every performer with those weaknesses throughout the session. When reflecting on the advice given to him after the session, student Anthony Nuño mentioned the most helpful advice he got was “breathing support, singing from the core up.” This was a main focal point throughout the workshop because a lot of the strength and output that comes from the singer’s voice has to come from the core itself. Considering many of the songs sang were in Italian, this advice became helpful even more to each and every singer who went up.

With each singer going up to perform throughout the workshop, Van Gay and Sumi helped them all in a unique way. For some students, it meant using more breathing techniques to enhance their voice and for others, it meant moving around the stage to get more comfortable singing in front of the audience. Each and every student’s situation was different and Van Gay and Sumi were able to adjust and were able to help improve each of the performer’s weaknesses even in a short amount of time.

At the end of the session, one thing that both Van Gay left the singers with was with the advice that, “you [the performer] are in control in hundreds of minds… the greatest of performers hold your attention.” Both Van Gay and Sumi left each and every performer with something new to take into their performance and overall helped each singer gain something to take into their performances.

PHOTOS BY LESLIE LOPEZ/EPM Douglas Sumi and Orson Van Gay (above) prepare to lecture student singers from Rio Hondo’s music department. All students were welcomed to view the master class, even those who were not music majors (below).

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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On Their Way Back: The Inevitable Return of ‘Ugly’

MEGAN DE LARA/EPM Singer and guitarist Mario Quezada plays alongside Abe Castillo during the middle of their set at their reunion show. The band recently released additional EP, “Covered in Red,” on independent audio cassette label, Night Music Tapes.

MEGAN DE LARA A&E Editor

megan.delara9233@my.riohondo.edu

Even during unexpected rainfall, Long Beach’s 4th Street Vine – a prominent bar and venue down Retro Row – is packed. The reason?

It’s the return of Los Angelesbased band Ugly, a three piece modern-day testimonial to the post-punk movement of the late 70s. Based on the intensity of the crowd, you couldn’t tell the band has only been around for two years, let alone on hiatus for the past 8 months.

Their warm welcome back isn’t surprising, though.

Ugly’s sound succeeds in capturing key elements that made bands such as Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees iconic. The method in which the music is executed is natural, not forced, which makes the mix of ingredients – like eerie lyrics and reverberated effects – so delectable for the ear. The band’s songs are homage to our favorite “goth” acts from the past, not an imitation.

Though he would probably claim otherwise, much of Ugly’s prosperity stems from the creative drive of its founder, singer and guitarist Mario Quezada.

On stage he’s discreetly confident, no secondguessing himself. His fretboard work is accurate as his hand slides across the neck of his guitar, easily playing one chord into the other. Off-stage, Quezada is reserved if you don’t know him personally, but approachable. If you talk

to him about his work, he’s humble, grounded in his modesty, and seemingly unaware of his talent.

To those familiar with the underground music scene, Quezada’s name might ring a bell. He’s currently one of two guitarists for South Central’s distinguished punk quartet, Generación Suicida.

And while he’s accomplished what most musicians only dream of – played music festivals, toured over seas, and has recorded and released multiple albums – Quezada’s path to fronting his own project was inevitable.

Growing up in Koreatown, Quezada saw his fair share of grisly scenes.

Once while playing outside, he and his brother witnessed a group of men dispose a young woman’s lifeless body on a pile of rocks.

“She was limp, like slumped over,” Quezada recalled. “And we were like, ‘what’s going on?’ You know?

We just kept playing. Maybe she’s asleep. [Then] this guy came out of the apartment where she was slumped over and he touched her, and he just started screaming because she was dead.”

Quezada was only 7-years-old at the time, but though the reality was harsh, not all his early memories are dreary. It was during his childhood that his love for music was discovered, fueled heavily by his older sister.

“I have two older sisters…my mom was always working. And…on the weekends, my sister would wake us up and we’d start cleaning the whole house. I

was small, so I would stand on [the vacuum] and start singing stupid Doors songs, and Jimi Hendrix, whatever,” Quezada said. “Whatever my sister was listening to. I’m grateful that [she] got us into good music.”

Once a teenager, Quezada played in a variety of bands ranging from grindcore to hardcore, until he eventually landed a spot in G.S. in 2013. But there were avenues in addition to punk Quezada wanted to explore Jam sessions with then-bassist Hector Frausto began, which turned into the basic foundation of Ugly. The pair then recruited drummer Abraham “Abe” Castillo, although he was in other groups at the time, but still too good to pass up.

“We pretty much stole him from all the other bands [he was in],” said Quezada.

“He can jam whatever he wants, he’s versatile. You can just be like, ‘Oh, have you heard this?’ and he’ll be like, “I could do that.”

With Castillo on board, they were missing one final piece: a singer. At first, Quezada had no intentions of fronting the band himself.

When the group couldn’t find a vocalist to fill the spot, Quezada ultimately decided to start writing songs that would compliment his voice – and it worked.

Ugly’s first selftitled EP was released in November 2017. The songs dealt with themes such as heartache (“Been Here” and “Messed Up”) and selfreflection and realization (“Damaged Goods”), but also

experimented with a sinister side. Think of it as a sweet combination of The Cramps meets The Smiths, but with a little more edge.

But even with Quezada’s success with vocals, the band still struggled to find balance.

“[We] didn’t really do much,” Quezada said of the band’s early shenanigans.

“We were just lazy with it. We would play [shows] without practicing.”

Frausto ultimately left Ugly to join a more prominent band and fill-in Elias Jacobo, G.S.’s bassist, was unable to make the full crossover due to other commitments. Once again, the band was down a member and at a standstill.

After playing a handful of live shows, the band officially took a break in February of 2019.

Despite the setback, Ugly’s second collection of songs titled “Burn Me” was released a few months later.

The body of work included everything their self-titled offered, but showed growth in songwriting. The tracks related to each other á la a rock opera and told a story, rather than each a stand alone recording (the titles of tracks 3-5 read as “On My Way”/“Home”/“To Hell”).

Affection and turmoil are still probed, but in a way that’s more Andrew Eldritch than Steven Morrissey.

Regardless of the new release, the band remained stagnant without a consistent bassist. Patience was key, however, as a silver lining made its way in the form of Angela Gonsen – an experienced bassist and death

metal band alumna.

“I kept bugging her and bugging her and she finally gave in,” Quezada admits with a smile on his face. “[She’s] awesome and willing to go through some headaches with us.”

Fast forward to the present and the band is a trio once again. Now that Gonsen is locked in, Ugly plans to step into the recording studio, and Quezada hopes to change up their sound as well.

“I started this band because of my love for blues music and punk bands that would do the blues thing,” Quezada said. “I feel with this project we can just try different things, like a jam band but still keep it punk.”

But the new direction will definitely be a collaborative effort between all of the members.

“I know that [Castillo and Gonsen] are onboard and everything,” Quezada says, emphasizing the fact that teamwork guides their success, not egos. “I’m always the type to say, ‘Oh, what do you think?’ Like, let’s work together. I don’t like to be like, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be my way.’ I’m not into that.”

This time Quezada wants to “do it right” while still staying true to their DIY roots. With all idleness left in the past and a renewed vigor, anything is possible for the ambitious musicians.

For updates and show announcements, follow Ugly on Instagram (uglybanduglymusic) and stream their music on Bandcamp.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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Starbucks Starts a NextGen Cup Solution JESUS MARQUEZ Reporter

jesus.marquez1625@my.riohondo.edu

Starbucks Coffee starts to develop a more recyclable and compostable hot cup that could soon save the environment by 2022. The company announced recently about the details of new and more continuous cup technology from the NextGen Cup. The cup made its debut at Starbucks locations in three big cities in the United States and two big cities from around the world.

New York, Seattle, San Francisco, London, and Vancouver already have the cup that is making an impact. The coffee company studied twelve models before collecting BioPBS liner. The new cup has impressive features that other plastic

cups don’t have. The coating of the cup is made out of renewable material which is melted and spread on to paperboard before being used for the new cups.

The good news about these new cups is that they are recyclable and compostable. Which means Starbucks will no longer use plastic cup liners that adhere to paper cups. This prototype cup is a huge boost because people that drink from plastic cups throw them away in the sea. However, these new cups can save a huge amount of creatures that live in the ocean. Also, since the cups are recyclable, it helps the environment and keeps the planet all the more cleaner.

Moreover, the coffee company may be seeking feedback from its employees and most importantly, its customers.

ILLUSTRATED BY JAIME APARICIO/EPM

Even the tiniest of steps towards being environmentally friendly can make a difference. Starbucks is going a step further to perhaps inspire other companies to follow suite.

They may ask whether or not the prototype cups keeps the coffee super hot and prevents leaking. Starbucks stated that customers who use the prototype will not notice the difference from the current cup.

Recently this year, Starbucks announced it was going to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of waste it sends to landfills by half over the next decade. The companys main goal is to

have a more recyclable and compostable hot cup solution in two years. Another aim is to conserve and replenish fifty percent of all the water it uses by 2030.

Scientists Monitor Brains Replaying Memories in Real Time

ILLUSTRATED BY JAIME APARICIO/EPM

Many things can come into play when figuring out what happens in the human brain. Considered an important muscle of the body, the brain is also fragile in that even a surgery that is meant to save the life attached to the muscle can compromise memories stored in certain sections of the cerebral cortex.

EVELYN VARGAS Reporter

evelyn.vargas3749@my.riohondo.edu

Researchers monitored and conducted a study on epilepsy patients, at the National Institutes of Health.

During this study researchers monitored the electrical activity of plenty of brain cells, known as neurons, patients were also subjected to take memory tests.

Within these tests they discovered firing patterns of the cells happening when patients recognized a word pair were then replayed in fractions of a second before successfully remembering the pair.

The NIH Clinical

Center was part of the study for the patients with drugresistant epilepsy whose seizures cannot be controlled with the help of drugs. The team led by Dr. Zaghloul temporarily had been recording electrical currents of the drug-resistant epilepsy patients living with surgically implanted electrodes which main function is to monitor brain activity in hopes of successfully identifying the source of the patient’s seizures.

Within this period of time, it allowed researchers to have an opportunity to study neural activity during memory. This study helped with the examination of activity used to store

memories of past events, memories, experiences, which scientists call episodic memories.

An epilepsy case of patient H.M. back in 1957, provided a breakthrough in memory research. The patient was not able to recall new experiences after part of his brain was surgically removed to diminish his seizures.

Soon after, research has pointed out to the idea that episodic memories are stored, or encoded, as neural activity patterns that our brains replay when triggered by things such as familiar scents or something as simple as the riff of a catchy tune. However the way it happens is yet unknown. In these past two

decades, rodent studies have also been suggested with the idea that the brain may store memories in unique neuronal firing sequences. Alex P. Vaz, B.S., an M.D., Ph.D. student at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina along with the leader of this study decided to test it out on humans.

This study was conducted to analyze firing patterns of individual neurons found in the anterior temporal lobe, referred to as a brain language center.

Currents were recorded when patients sat in front of a screen and learned word pairs such as, cake and fox.

Researchers discovered that unique firing patterns

of individual neurons were linked with learning each new word pattern.

Another study conducted by Dr. Zaghloul and his team discovered a link between the ripples recorded in the anterior temporal lobe & the spiking patterns seen in the process of learning and memory.

“Our results support the idea that memories involve coordinated replay of neuronal firing patterns throughout the brain,” said Dr. Zaghloul. “Studying how we form and retrieve memories may not only help us understand ourselves but also how neuronal circuits break down in memory disorders.”

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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Coronavirus Mutation Could Reveal How It Travels

ILLUSTRATED BY JAIME APARICIO/EPM

With the coronavirus still looming in the country, precautions are being taken seriously all the more. Warnings of being self-quarantined are circulating all over social media in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Although, with the annoyance of hoarding customers, buying supplies is now an unecessary challenge for those trying to stay healthy indoors.

BRYAN CHAVEZ Reporter

bryan.chavez5634@my.riohondo.edu

Everyone is now familiar with the coronavirus and how it quickly began to spread across the world with its fierce contamination. Now researchers are studying the virus and its genome sequence. These sequences share information on how the virus has spread and evolved.

Christian Drosten, a virologist in the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, had a sequence of the virus from a German patient in Italy that was infected

with the virus. His genome looked similar to the one that was reported in Munich, Germany. These mutations were not seen a month ago from the sequences in China.

Drosten gave rise to an idea that could have meant that the outbreak in Italy came from Germany. German public health officials said that they eliminated the spread by tracing and quartining all 14 contacts of the 14 confirmed cases.

Drosten later tweeted that the newly sequenced genome “is not sufficient to claim the link between Munich and Italy.” He

thought it could be just as likely that a Chinese variant carrying those three mutations could have spread to both countries.

“As the outbreak unfolds, we expect to see more and more diversity...

And then it will become easier and easier to actually put things together,” said Richard Neher, a computational biologist at the University of Basel who seems to disagree with Drosten.

Another computational biologist at Scripps Research Kristian Andersen said “The sequence data were

most informative early on.”

She also talked about how the first sequence that was found in January revealed most basic questions: like what pathogen is causing the disease? The sequence that followed were so similar that it was thought that there was a single introduction from animal to human population.

If the virus had jumped from animal to animal it would have shown more variety during the first human cases. For example when researchers sequenced the second virus genome in Washington - from a teenager diagnosed with the virus

February 27 - it looked like a direct descendent of the first genome that was found 6 weeks earlier.

China accounts for 80% of the COVID-19 and since it is early in the outbreak most genomes still look very similar which makes it hard to draw conclusions.

Scientists are beginning to look for genome diversity for mutations that change the virus and how dangerous or how fast it spreads. Most changes to the genome does not alter the virus’ behavior Drosten said, the only way to confirm mutation is to study the cell.

SPORTS

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Professional Sports and NCAA Affected By Coronavirus TONY RUIZ Reporter

tony.ruiz0556@my.riohondo.edu

As we all know the Coronavirus has the world going into a frenzy. We have seen how schools and some job sites are being closed due to this virus but never would have thought the sports world would be affected by this. Some sports were taking little steps in helping to prevent the spread of the coronavirus but now its been taken to the next level due to its national outbreak.

Now we are seeing multiple leagues suspending their seasons, some leagues are moving games to different cities, and others are just banning all fans and media from attending events.

The NBA has recently announced that the rest of the 2020 season will be suspended after finding out that Utah Jazz starting Center Rudy Gobert and Point guard Donovan Mitchell have both tested positive for the coronavirus. The NBA was the first league to suspend all operations and are expecting the following leagues to do the same. The NBA was already telling players to avoid handshakes with fans and take all the proper precautions but now that players are affected they are shutting down its operations.

The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of us know that

March is a huge month for the NCAA and its basketball season. But all conferences have decided to suspend their tournament games for the health of their players.

Originally, the NCAA March Madness was still scheduled to continue but with no fans in attendance but has since been canceled.

The University of Duke and Kansas became the first schools to suspend all athletic competition for the foreseeable future due to coronavirus. Also the University of Southern California has been the first NCAA Football team to suspend spring football due to the coronavirus.

The NFL has also suspended all their operations as well and is asking all their employees to work from home. Multiple NFL teams have suspended their pro day travel due to the coronavirus and have also announced that they will be canceling all 30 pre draft day visits to their facilities.

The MLS is also suspending play for a 30day minimum beginning immediately, and U.S Soccer canceled upcoming friendlies involving the men’s and women’s teams as well as youth national team training camps. CONCACAF announced it was suspending its Champions League tournament, postponing what would be last Thursdays quarterfinal between LAFC and Mexico’s Cruz Azul at

TONY RUIZ/EPM Many of the major sports leagues in this country and around the globe have been suspended indefinitely or for certain amounts of time due to the Coronavirus.

Banc of California Stadium.

With the MLS season just two weeks old, league officials are hopeful games can be resumed in a month, allowing for postponed games to be rescheduled and a full 34 game schedule to be played.

The MLB and The NHL become the last two pro leagues to suspend their operations. There has been

known reports of coronavirus in Florida and Arizona where spring training is being taken place.

The MLB said they have banned all media and press from games and were looking for new locations to host their games so the season can go as planned. But after finding out that all leagues are canceling their operations they have

decided to the same, with the MLB season perhaps not starting until 2 months after its usual start. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was the last to suspend all operations for his league. The goal for the NHL is to resume play as soon as it is possible and appropriate, so that they will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup.

CCCAA to Postpone Spring Sports Indefinitely ENRIQUE MEDINA Co-Sports Editor

enrique.medina4922@my.riohono.edu

The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) announced on Thursday, March 12th, that it would be postponing all spring sports indefinitely.

The decision was made immediately with a vote by the Board of Directors due to the rising concerns of the rise of COVID-19, or as others know as the coronavirus.

The decision to postpone all spring sports includes the decision to postpone all practices and games indefinitely for all sports, no matter if in season or not.

This decision means essentially, that Rio Hondo among all other Community Colleges in the state of California will not be playing sports for the time being. A similar path to what many professional

sports leagues all across the U.S and all across the globe are making within the past week.

The spring sports affected at Rio Hondo by the announcement are the Rio Hondo baseball team, the Rio Hondo softball team, the Rio Hondo swim and diving team, and the Rio Hondo beach volleyball team.

All four teams were in the midst of their respective seasons with goals in mind to reach the playoffs and now that may not be possible with the CCCAA’s recent decision.

These teams may be left with nothing to play for at all this come seasons end.

Along with affecting not only affecting Rio Hondo’s team’s chances at playoffs and team success, the decision, in general, has an effect on many people. Those who are most affected by the decision are student-athletes.

Many student-athletes will be left without playing their respective sports for a while and for many, they will be left without playing the sport they love and are passionate about.

This also hugely affects student-athletes and their student-athlete eligibility, their chances to potentially reach four-year universities, and their chances to potentially get scholarships of any sort to any future institution that they may attend.

Coaches are also those that are most affected from this decision because now they will not get the chance to recruit potential Roadrunner athletes for their respective programs because many other high schools and community colleges are also getting shut down due to COVID-19. It takes away financially for potential funds for each team’s program and

ILLUSTRATED BY ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM The CCCAA ultimately had to make the tough decision of postponing all spring sports for California Community Colleges, including those for Rio Hondo College. is a big hit as a whole to everyone involved.

With the decision, the CCCAA Convention has been cancelled and to combat eligibility status, the CCCAA will stay in contact with the NCAA and NAIA throughout the process to come up with the answer to the lingering question of eligibility. The plan is for the status of all CCCAA championships to be

resolved at a later date.

Although the move has disappointed many athletes and those involved, it was one that was immediately made and had to be made with rising concerns about COVID-19. Ultimately though, as it has been seen recently, the move was made to protect all people that are around us including students ,faculty, and our families.

SPORTS

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With the Spread of the Coronavirus, Sports Fans are in a League of their Own STEPHINIE PHAN Co-Sports Editor stephinie.phan4180@my.riohondo.edu

STEPHINIE PHAN/EPM Many sports fans around the globe have felt clueless over how to spend their time now that seemingly ever major sport and sports league has been suspended for the time being. Fans all around the world though, have found different ways to enjoy sports in their everyday lives.

With the pandemic happening and everyone worried about COVID-19, professional sports season have been suspended or canceled due to concerns and the news didn’t sit well with certain people and some are extremely disappointed. College sports were also called to a stop in the middle of March Madness leaving a large wave of disappointment and anger amongst die hard fans.

Many have decided to take their frustrations on the internet, exploding saying that this isn’t fair and some have made light of the situation making skits on saying not all sports are dead. Horse racing is still not canceled even with the emptied bleachers and so far has no news of doing so.

Many fans are retaliating by saying it’s our choice and many give their sympathies to what’s happening. Some are even desperate enough for

sports that some have even streamed a race of marbles on tracks or broom shuffleboard in the desperation of filling their entertainment.

Others are doing a bunch of mock NFL drafts, mock drafts for fantasy baseball season, watching old reruns and highlights from the past, and even watching stuff like fishing and even learning new rules and being a player themselves, online. Many NBA players such as Trae Young and Luka Doncic have moved to trying to become video game streamers too without anything to do in the meantime. Fans and players alike all over the world have mix emotions and each have different ways to deal with it.

Sports teams and corporates hope that whatever happens that people can ultimately stay safe and will not do anything that will harm anyone in any way. It’s a tough time for all sports fans, but it is also a time many are taking to spend time doing other interesting things and overall, spending more time with family and loved ones.

Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg Recap: Champions Knocked out in the Last Week of Soccer BRYAN CHAVEZ

Reporter

bryan.chavez5634@my.riohondo.edu

The Champions League returned after its week long break from first leg of the round of 16. Each team faced each other one more time in the second leg for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The fixtures started off with the second leg matchup with RB Leipzig taking on Tottenham on Tuesday March 10th. The first leg ended with a 1-0 score with RB Leipzig having the lead and the always important away goal. The German club never looked like holding back with the final score ending in a 3-0 win for the home side.

Captain Marcel Sabitzer scored a brace, with the first goal coming in the 10th minute and his second just 10 minutes later. Substitute Emil Forsberg came in the 87th minute and scored with his first touch of the game to secure a ticket to the next round. For Tottenham, they were eliminated in the round of 16 just a year after being runners up after reaching the final against Liverpool.

In Spain, Valencia hosted Atalanta with the match being played behind closed doors due to precautions regarding the coronavirus.

Atalanta, the away team, had a 4-1 lead over Valencia from the first leg. For the second leg the game did not disappoint with both teams fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The game ended in 3-4 with the Italian team going through the next round.

Slovenian international Josip Iličić scored all 4 goals making him the third player to score more than five goals over two legs of a Champions League knockout tie with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo being the other two.

Valencia came into the game with hopes of progressing into the next run.

Kevin Gameiro scored a brace with his goals coming in the 21st and 51st minute of the game and 20-year-old Ferran Torres putting his mark in the game with his goal in the 67th minute making it his second goal of the tournament. For Atalanta, barely in its first Champions League

ever in club history, progressed to the quarterfinals in its first appearance evr on Europe’s biggest stage.

Paris Saint-Germain received an in-form Borussia Dortmund in closed doors for similar reasons from the game that was held in Spain on Wednesday March 11th.

The first leg saw Dortmund win 2-1 at home courtesy of two fantastic goals from 19 year old Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland.

The game did see PSG score a very important away goal scored via Neymar from a Kylian Mbappe assist. PSG finally qualified to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016, after a dissapointing loss in the second leg last year against Manchester United without PSG star Neymar on the field.

The French club this time won the game 2-0 with goals from the Brazilian Neymar in the 28th minute and Spanishmen Juan Bernat in the 45th minute, finally getting over their brief Champions League curse.

In England, the defending champions Liver-

pool faced off against Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Many favored Liverpool going into the matchup, but in the first leg, head coach Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid came away with the 1-0 upset victory in Spain after a goal in the first few minutes by Saul Niguez.

Many were excited for the second leg, as many were interested to see whether a very scrappy and good defensive Atletico Madrid team could finish off the second leg upset at Anfield. The match lived up to its expectations with the game having to go to extra-time, the final score ended 3-2 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate with the Spanish club knocking out the defending champions.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored the game’s first goal in the 43rd minute and it wasn’t until extra time when Brazilian Roberto Firmino scored the second goal in the 94th minute which saw Liverpool advancing to the next round with a 2-1 aggregate lead. Atletico took advantage of goalkeeper Adrain error as Marcos Llorente scored an important

away goal in the 97th minute from a Joao Felix assist and Llorente would score his second just eight minutes later in the 105th minute. With Liverpool attacking in high numbers Morata was able to counter-attack and score his goal in the 120th minute of the match which gave the away team a ticket into the next round. The matchup saw Diego Simeone’s side beat another strong European club in the Champions League again.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak the rest of the Champions League games have been suspended until further notice. The games that were left from the round of 16 were the matchups between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Juventus against Lyon, FC Barcelona against Napoli, and Bayern Munich against Chelsea. It is still unknow how the rest of the Champions League will play out due to the coronavirus but UEFA has considered a mini-tournament amongst other solutions. As for know though, there will not be Champions League soccer until further notice.

OPINION

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Don’t Panic, It’s Organic KELSEY VILLALVAZO Reporter

kelsey.villalvazo4414@my.riohondo.edu

Relax a little... Marijuana, also known as weed, cannabis, or flower is a psychoactive drug used for medical or recreational purposes. It has been around for years!

At first it wasn’t used to get high, but as herbal medicine.

Marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which alters the mind and can also contain other compounds such as CBD that don’t alter the mind. Marijuana has been at the center of controversy for decades because there are many pros and cons to using cannabis.

Weed affects everyone differently. Medical mari-

juana has been used to treat a variety of conditions. For example, it is good for glaucoma; an eye condition that can cause blindness. Intraocular pressure causes damage to the optic nerve.

Cannabis is beneficial because it lowers intraocular pressure for hours at a time.

It’s also useful against eating disorders such as anorexia for those also who simply have appetite loss. It is used with cancer patients because it helps in treating nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, along with chronic body and joint pain. Studies have found that cancer patients who smoke marijuana need less pain medication. It is used for depression, and post traumatic stress disorders as well.

Aside from marijuana being used for medical purposes, it is used for recreational purposes also. A great deal of people really enjoy that marijuana high. Cannabis provides a euphoric, chill, and relaxed feeling. You may feel amused, giggly, creative and hungry depending on the type of weed you use. Sativa strains are known for giving a “mental high” which is what boosts the creativity and energizes the person to partake in some activity.

Indica dominant strains, however, are the sleepy or mellow high that marijuana is known for. If you have insomnia, this is the way to go. You’ll sleep like a baby! Sounds amazing, right?

Unfortunately, not everyone

experiences the same high.

Marijuana isn’t always a pleasant experience.

“Harmless marijuana” does have its negative effects, as do most things. Kevin Barman, a professor at Rio Hondo stated “Harmless marijuana causes schizophrenia, manic, paranoia, and anxiety”. Weed falls under three different categories: hallucinogens, depressants and stimulants.

Weed can cause a drug induced psychosis or episode, depending on the person. It affects everyone differently and should not be taken lightly. For those that already have a mental disorder or illness, marijuana can actually worsen those illnesses.

Smoking high doses of mar-

ijuana can leave you feeling distorted with reality. It may cause you to see things or hear things that aren’t there; and that’s when the paranoia kicks in. Marijuana will definitely impair your brain short term and affect your motor skills. People have admitted to having really bad trips while being high off of weed.

Cannabis can be harmless or harmful. Nowadays it isn’t as natural as it used to be; there are so many biochemically enhanced cannabis products that it’s difficult to decipher which marijuana alternative is best for the type of high you seek. Everyone is different and handles things differently, based on your state of mind, mental and physical health.

Sick Just Got Real GERARDO HERNANDEZ Opinion Editor

gerardo.hernandez3565@my.riohondo.edu

Three months into the new year, and we are already scrambling to hit the reset button. Just as our hearts were recuperating from the loss of a Los Angeles legend, the world seems to have gone up in flames with the rise of a new flu-like illness commonly known as the Corona Virus. When it began, some of us scoffed at the idea that a sickness from the other side of the world could make an impact on our daily lives, but here we are. A few days into the “social distancing” measures and some of us are already suffering from cabin fever.

There are those who take this matter lightly. Whether it be an immature display of machismo or an educated decision to hit the streets and go about casual bar visits, some people aren’t letting the Corona hype phase their daily life. We’re learning which of our peers are willing to enact changes to their daily life to

KELSEY VILLALVAZO Reporter

kelsey.villalvazo4414@my.riohondo.edu

There were 417 mass shootings in the last year alone. School shootings have been a serious matter nationwide. School shootings go all the way back to April 1999.

The first shooting, which occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado is known as a “blueprint for shooters.”

2019 had the highest rate of school mass shootings.

Every year approximately 2,900 children are killed from gunshot wounds, researchers have estimated 3 million American children are exposed to shootings in general yearly. Whether it’s school

be a good neighbor and which of us simply do not care about the troubles of others.

I’ll admit that when the talks about the virus began, I didn’t pay much attention to how severe the consequences could be. When I did my “google research,” it seemed to me that the recovery rate highly outweighed the mortality rate, and so, there was no need for fear. I still don’t think panic to be the best reaction. I think that the quality of life that we’re blessed with in the United States blinds us to the advantages we have over the rest of the world. Oftentimes, people complain about luxuries that our neighbors in the Americas can even fathom to have.

Whether it be our communication avenues or our emergency evacuation measures; our society is heavily structured to overcome trouble in the event of a disaster.

The United States is taking the necessary precautions in order to contain the virus as much as possible. It’s been stated that European doctors

in countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy recommended government imposed “self-quarantine” policies long before the corona pandemic took the hold that it now has on these nations.

So, now Mayor Garcetti has suggested the closure of bars, restaurants and gyms and I find that a necessary inconvenience. The fact of the matter is that we need our local representatives to step up and lead. Initially, we could not contain the virus on the various incoming cruise ships and flights from affected parts of the world. We’re seeing the consequences of that now. However, Garcetti speaking up against public gatherings at a time when we are still able to call for these preventative measures is important. That’s a brave decision on his part because it’s not a popular dialogue to have, but I do find it necessary at a time like this.

I observed as people took to the stores and warehouses and cleaned out isles of toilet paper and water. To this day,

that motion doesn’t seem like the right move to make.

We have to display courage in troubling times. Courage in the form of rationing responsibly and being a good neighbor to the elders in our community. Yes, we are realizing the severity of a situation that has proven to be lethal to a susceptible fraction of our social circles, but we cannot let ourselves get swept in the momentum of the panic movement.

I can’t say I’m disturbed too much by all the hysteria; it’s just a mild sense of disappointment that so many people are barely tuning in to practicing good hygiene.

I’m almost laughing as I say this, but I’m still serious when I admit that I’m a little grossed out that this hygiene game is news to some of you.

Washing your hands, using a paper towel or your sleeve to open public doorways, and sanitizing consistently should already be part of your daily life. Moreover, coughing and sneezing inside your shirt should already be what you’re

practicing in order to not “spray” those germs everywhere. It’s not just a Corona Virus preventative measure, it’s a germ spread prevention tactic that you should know from kindergarten.

Nonetheless, we’re still at a critical point in our history in terms of setting precedent for how we resolve virus pandemics in America. We have to utilize our intelligence and rationality when we go grocery shopping. We have to display grace and composure when we’re lining up and conversing with our neighbors. It’s a pretty serious matter now, even if we’re not susceptible to the tragic outcome of the virus, because we are still putting the lives of others at risk. Just be responsible and adhere to the social distancing imperative.

It’s practices like this that are going to quell this frenzy sooner rather than later and we will all be able to get back to our normal lives. Buy a hand sanitizer for your car, one for your backpack, and wash your damn hands!

Gun Violence: Who’s to Blame? shootings, community or home shootings this severely impacts children.

Children who experience violent crimes are more likely to fall into substance abuse.

Not only do they suffer from drug and alcohol abuse but also suffer from things such as anxiety, post traumatic stress disorders, depression.

Whatever the case, it is obvious that these individuals are not recieving the help that they require. There is a lot of talk about mass shootings being racially charged and I think that that correlates with the rise of misguided patriotism that the president has sparked within the white nationalist community.

I’m not saying that Donald Trump is to blame for the shootings, but I do feel he is part of the reason that these white shooters began to feel entitled to raise their biased opinions.Another issue with mass school shootings is how these children are getting their hands on guns, and who in reality is responsible for it.

Parents of the victims and assailant always want to blame the schools and the kids that are “bullying the shooter”.

In reality it’s a matter of homelife, mental health, and partial parent responsibility.

Bullying may in fact play a major role in the kids decision in shooting a school, but where did the child learn to

express this anger in such a manner? No kid or young adult just gets up one day and says “today i will be shooting up a school.” Media also has effects on kids. Not only kids, but adults too. They portray it is cool to have guns. Music videos, video games, movies all these influence a person’s mind, especially a child with an innocent, and developing mind. Researchers also found that kids with mental disorders such as psychosis, manic, and depression felt they could only find a way out by pulling the trigger.

Most of these kids were on psychiatric medication that could have triggered an episode.At the end of the day,

these same kids are getting their hands on fire arms and pulling the trigger. Seeking help is important whether it’s because you’re getting bullied, or because you have a mental health issue. Getting help is the number one thing to do but should be followed by having a healthy support system in the form of a confidant. For example, someone to talk to whether it’s a therapist, a family member, a teacher, a friend or anyone that can advocate for you, has been proven to have a positive effect. Keeping all schools and students safe along with reducing violence as a whole, is the number one priority universally.

LIFESTYLES

Rio’s Pizza

El Paisano Newspaper Editor-in-chief DAVID MEDINA News Editor SAMUEL GARCIA Opinion Editor GERARDO HERNANDEZ DYLAN PADILLA Lifestyle Editor JOHNNY FLORES Sports ENRIQUE MEDINA Sci&Tech JAIME APARICIO A&E MEGAN DE LARA Photo Editors MICHAEL MARTINEZ Broadcast Director BRAYAN ALTAMIRANO Broadcast Assistant MANUEL SMITH

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LESLIE LOPEZ/EPM Rio’s Pizza was established since 1979 and offers fresh pizza on the daily.

LESLIE LOPEZ Reporter

leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu

Looking for a different place to try pizza? Try Rio’s Pizza, located in three areas.

The restaurant is located in South El Monte, Montebello, and Pico Rivera. For the

hours, it depends on which location the customer wants to go to. Check at riospizza. net for their hours so one will know when to go.

The purpose for Rio’s Pizza is to provide a location where one may have a moment for themselves, forget about the things that have been going on, to have fun

with your family or friends, enjoy delicious food the restaurant has to offer, to help relax, and to enjoy small moments in life.

Rio’s Pizza offers the community of Montebello, South El Monte, and Pico River, the signature pizza that is made fresh every single day.

The restaurant uses a secret dough mix recipe that has a combination of very specific ingredients, the pizza’s cheese comes from Wisconsin, being 100% Italian, and uses fresh Italian red sausage, was assembled by the restaurant’s owner’s grandparents.

This pizzeria place dishes up not only pizzas, but also offers standard pies, sandwiches, wings, pastas, salads, and a space with video games. If a customer can not go to Rio’s Pizza for their food, one could get their desired food delivered to your home, work, school, party, event, office, and etc.

Kimberly Aceves, a former customer, stated, “I have never tried a pizza like this before. Most pizzas taste the same, but this one is different. It’s one of the greatest pizzas I’ve

ever tasted. Trust me, you will not be disappointed and recommend this place.”

According to riospizza.net, the website indicated, “It was 1979 and my Dad, a high school teacher and the head football for the Chicago City Champs, decided to make a major career change. He moved us from Illinois to California to open and operate a Barro’s Pizza in Montebello. His cousin John Barro, along with his brother, Angelo, were the owners of the Barro’s franchise and had been encouraging my Dad to open up his own franchise. I even starred in a 30 second Barro’s commercial that was aired before all the Dodger’s games back in 1982. By 1992, most of the Barro’s franchises had moved to Arizona, but my family had built very strong ties with the community of Montebello, so my Dad decided to take down the name Barro and put up our family name, Rio. And we have been known as Rio’s Pizza ever since. Being able to bring Rio’s Pizza to the City of South El Monte could not be a better fit or a more perfect time.”

Tobacco Free Campus Coalition

Advisor WENDY CARRERA

Reporters EVELYN VARGAS KELSEY VILLALVAZO BRYAN CHAVEZ JESUS MARQUEZ EMILY DE LUNA LESLIE LOPEZ MICHAEL MARTINEZ TONY RUIZ STEPHINIE PHAN JESUS MANRIQUEZ 3600 Workman Mill Rd. Whittier CA 90601 (562) 692-0921 EXT. 3345

A Congressionally Recognized Publication

MICHAEL MARTINEZ/EPM Group of students gather together with the help of Compadres to clean up the campus of Rio Hondo.

MICHAEL MARTINEZ Reporter

michael.martinez56980@my.riohondo.edu

Rio Hondo is in the works of starting a new program on campus to have a smoke free campus. Compadres is a tobacco free LA county program which is a state funded program that works to eliminate tobacco addiction and increase health equity.

Compadres did a survey with students on campus about smoking many of them supported the cause for their health reasons such as asthma, that is when Shani-

na Phillips the director of student life and leadership wanted to make a change.

Phillips wanted the program to be run by students to have that connection between both students, Phillips also states how important it is to have a smoke free campus for every student’s health but the environment around the campus which is all brush and fears of a possible fire.

The compadres are now meeting with a group of students which are teaching students how to talk to other students, planning a peti-

tion, training and making a presentation.

The group of students came up with a group name (FAAR) Fresh Air At Rio. This past meeting FAAR did a campus cigarette butt clean up and broke up into groups to find old cigarette butts, students did a school wide clean up and found approximately 300 smoking products in total.

One of the leaders on campus Albert Lopez a Student Success Coach who gathered the students together to start the program, Lopez stated

“I wanted to lead this program to help students bridge the connection together so they don’t feel intimidated, and want clean air for every students even including the wildlife we have to protect them from eating and drinking the harmful chemical polluting the water and food source.” One of the students Pricilla Mendoza states “I want there to be a resource for students who want help.” If you are looking for help there are many apps to help or you can reach out to a helpline (1800-NOBUTTS).

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COMMUNITY Rio Hondo Postpones “A Taste Of Rio” Fundraiser

The Rio Hondo College Foundation

APRIL

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2020 VIP Preview – 5:00 p.m.

General – 6:00 p.m.

A festive evening in support of Río Hondo College Delicious foods, wines, craft beers & delightful entertainment Help fund student scholarships & student success Make educational dreams come true!

$75 - General • $125 - VIP Early Bird Discount until March 13 $50 - General • $100 - VIP