Wednesday March 11, 2020
Serving the Rio Hondo Community
Volume 60 Issue 3
On This Day In 1967 Pink Floyd Released Their First Debut Single.
March 11, 1967 -Pink Floyd released their debut single “Arnold Layne” which began the Rock and Roll legends career.
DAVID MEDINA Editor-in-Chief
david.medina7987@my.riohomndo.edu
T
he English rock band Pink Floyd released their first debut single “Arnold Layne” which sparked their legendary Rock and Roll career. Pink Floyd performed for more than 30 years and sold over 200 million albums. This song “Arnold Layne” was not what they were famous for but it was their album that transfigured them in 1973, “The Dark Side
of The Moon”. Arnold Layne was a real life man who was a crossdresser in Syd Barrett(singer/songwriter) and Roger Waters’(bass/singer) neighborhood. The name Pink Floyd was created on the spur of the moment because another band at one of their shows shared the same name “Tea Set”. Barrett named their band Pink Floyd based off of two blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. In 1965 Barrett and Waters met well known sensational players Nick Mason (drummer) and Rick Wright (keyboardist/vocals). This
collaboration of gifted individuals made up Pink Floyd and shortly after Barrett’s death came co-lead vocalist and guitarist David Gilmour. It all started with a vision which they applied. Pink Floyd was known for their psychedelic rock which gained them a following and may have been stereotyped to attract hippie fans. They were unique because of their philosophical lyrics, extraordinary live shows, and experimentation. Albums by Pink Floyd were theme based. For example their album titled “The Wall” was about isola-
tion or alienation. “The Wall” was metaphorically used to keep away from society, pain, and sometimes family. Artists today still use this reference of “The Wall” in their own unique way. Another theme based album is “Wish You Were Here” which is about absence and for those not living in the present moment. This album was made after the unexpected death of Syd Barrett and explains how the band came together and coped. Last but not least is “The Dark Side of the Moon”, their most famous album. This album is about a
DAVID MEDINA/EPM lot of things that can lead to a dark place in life. Reasons that can lead to that dark place would be not having enough money, time, homelessness, struggles, violence, and grief. All these things can lead to mental illness or depression which are topics still relevant today. Although these albums are over 40 years old current artists and people are still bringing up topics that are similar to Pink Floyd’s philosophical lyrics and shows us that despite generational gaps, we are all connected somehow or someway.
NEWS
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Coronavirus Outbreak Causes Shoppers to Splurge on Products
LESLIE LOPEZ/EPM With the threat of the coronavirus lingering, shoppers have flocked to local stores to buy as many products as possible. At a Food 4 Less in El Monte, shoppers have essentially wiped out the water aisles. LESLIE LOPEZ
Reporter leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused panic among shoppers. As a result, stores in California are dealing with a shortage of products, such as medical masks, hand sanitizer, first aid kits, and disinfectant wipes. Since many locations have already sold out in some markets, one may expect restocks to occur as soon as possible. In reality, there is no clear information as to
when supplies will be filled up again. Some consumers have been stockpiling emergency supplies in case the coronavirus outbreak worsens. Pharmacy stores such as CVS, RITE AID, Walmart, Target, and Walgreens have empty shelves due to the outbreak and fear of the coronavirus. These empty shelves have come to symbolize our hysterics in terms of how we are responding to the outbreak, which has killed thousands of people across the world and an estimate
of 11 people in the U.S as of now. According to data from nielsen.com, the West Coast is “definitely leading the growth of medical mask sales.” Specifically, drug stores in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas have posted year-todate dollar growth of 340% and 541%, respectively, compared with this time in 2019. Across mainstream U.S. outlets, medical mask sales are up 239% year-to-date.”. There are also cases indicating that some people were overcharg-
ing for surgical masks in order to make a profit. Aside from emergency supplies, shoppers are also stocking up on rice, beans, dry food, water, bleach, canned food, snacks, meat, and toilet paper. As of January, produce departments in the U.S. “garnered average weekly sales of $1.18 billion... but ‘pantry produce’ (frozen and shelf-stable) could fill the gap if positioned to consumers properly. For example, frozen fruit sales were up 7% in the week ended Feb. 22, 2020.”
The term “coronavirus” has become taboo amongst Americans. Lingering fear over the virus has led people to congregate toward local stores. Stores are being crowded, and shoppers are piling up their shoping carts. Many are panicking and trying to buy as many supplies as possible. While information regarding the virus is scarce, preventative measures, such as washing your hands and avoiding touching your face, can help lower the risk of infection.
Mike Bloomberg Drops Out of Presidential Race
DAVID MEDINA/EPM
2020 Presidential Candidate Mike Bloomberg dropped out of the race on the morning of March 4, 2020. Now he supports ex rival Biden. EMILY DE LUNA Reporter
emily.deluna2549@my.riohondo.edu
Presidential candidate and former mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg dropped out of the Presidential race on the morning of March 4 after campaigning since early November. Bloomberg ended Super Tuesday with 53 delegates after Elizabeth Warren earned 61, Bernie Sanders 501, and Joe Biden 566 delegates. Bloomberg ended his campaign after spend-
ing $687 million dollars on advertising. Bloomberg went on to announce that he would endorse Joe Biden in his Presidential race. He stated on his Twitter account, “Three months ago, I entered the race to defeat Donald Trump. Today, I’m leaving for the same reason. Defeating Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. It’s clear that is my friend and a great American, @JoeBiden.”
Bloomberg supported his now ex rival after saying he’s known him for a very long time and supports everything he’s standing for. Biden went on Twitter that same morning to thank Bloomberg for his help and how his support will help defeat President Trump along with praising his work on trying to provide more gun control and his efforts for climate change. They hope that together they will be able to beat Trump and win the elections in November.
President Trump took to Twitter the same day to tweet about Bloomberg. “Mini Mike Bloomberg just ‘quit’ the race for President. I could have told him long ago that he didn’t have what it takes, and he would have saved himself a billion dollars, the real cost. Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joe’s campaign, hoping to save face. It won’t work!” he wrote. This is not the only time Bloomberg has been criticized throughout his
campaign. For example, during his first debate, Senator Elizabeth Warren harshly criticized Bloomberg over allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at his company. She pointed out that he signed legal settlements with female employees that required nondisclosure agreements. His past support of stop-and-frisk policies, which disproportionately targeted people of color, in New York haunted his presidential campaign, even as he expressed regret for them.
2 0 2 0
Did you know registration dates start earlier this year?
March 12 – SUMMER April 22 – FALL Classes fill up quickly! For assistance, visit LR101.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
4
Ceramic Artwork Highlighted at Rio Hondo’s ‘Eureka’ Gallery LESLIE LOPEZ Reporter
leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu
The Rio Hondo Arts Gallery is dedicated to providing opportunities for artists to show their artworks, as a way for one to start building their careers and for the audience to be educated. “Eureka” was held at the Rio Hondo’s art gallery, which took place in the Art Department, and was an exhibit that featured multiple ceramics artists’ work. The exhibit was open to the public and welcomed anyone to see what was on display from February 3 to March 7. The artists that had their work displayed for Eureka were Tetsuji Aono, Diana Madriaga, Tia Pulitzer, Katie
Queen, Armando Ramos, and Jenchi Wu. Eureka awas organized by Nikki Lewis and Katie Queen. A work of art starts from the moment the artist creates their hard work, which can be in the form of a brainstrom, to the day the gallery selects it for an exhibition and shows it to the public. It all starts with a vision and then artists apply that vision. Arts are considered as figurines, drawings, hands loom, sculptures, paintings, photos, architectures, installation art, and the list goes on. Sometimes, the work that is produced by student artists and displayed at Rio Hondo College could probably be at the same level as a work that is displayed at a museum. An art gallery
is traditionally the space in which art objects meet an audience member and the main function is to bring awareness or promote an art. Even if the artwork may be bigger or smaller than others, the importance is by creating art. One may express themselves with their creativity, share their story, some of their experiences, emotions, connections, inspiration, and so on. “There are two works in the show, ‘Moon Rabbit’ and ‘UPLIFT.’ Incidentally, I was inspired to make both works because I had an in-person connection with the animals that I then sculpted. The subject for “Moon Rabbit” was a Jack Rabbit I saw while walking in the wildflower fields near Joshua Tree State
Park,” said Tia Pulitzer, one of the artists from Eureka. “The piece titled ‘UPLIFT’ was from an encounter with a Dik-Dik at a petting zoo. It is one of the smallest species of Antelope and it is primarily found in the grasslands in Africa. Having an experience with these animals IRL was the starting point for using them in my work.” Diana Madriaga, another artist from Eureka, said “When I first started out, I used to work on a large scale. I created work that consumed me, mentally and emotionally. When I began teaching a larger course load it was impossible to make work that required so much focus. I adapted and began to create smaller work that was com-
ponent-based and much more detailed. I think that having the limitations has helped me create more sophisticated, and intricate work. In addition, with every new body of work, I teach myself a new skill. For this current series, it was the stained glass technique. I think it is important to continue to expand your knowledge no matter what stage you are at in your practice. It keeps the work fresh and keeps me always excited for a new challenge.” If one would like more information, call the Cultural Events Hotline: 562908-3492, send an email at arts@riohondo.edu, or visit the website at https://www. riohondo.edu/blog/event/eureka-gallery.
ALL PHOTOS BY LESLIE LOPEZ/ EPM
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Noa James shows 25th Installment of Bond Film, ‘No Time to Die,’ Postponed us ‘The Love Was Never Hidden’ Amid Growing Coronavirus Concerns KELSEY VILLALVAZO Reporter
kelsey.villalvazo4414@my.riohondo.edu
DAVID FLORES/EPM James hosted a listening party Feb. 16 at Serious Cartoons Records in San Bernardino for fans to hear his new project before its release date. DAVID FLORES Reporter
david.flores5487@my.riohondo.edu
For those that do not know of Noa James and have never heard his music, his new project, “The Love Was Never Hidden,” is a great introduction to the complex musician. Fueled with good vibes and positive energy, the Inland Empire artist provides the listener with the tools necessary to succeed and push through any negative situation by telling his stories of pain prior to triumph. James is a respected figure in the Southern California hip-hop scene for being a successful talent booker and an impactful live performer, as well as a mentor to many for the past 10 plus years. With his current project, James takes specific times from his own life, from his grandfather’s passing two decades ago to more recently him being alongside his life partner witnessing her overcoming depression. He reveals them to the listener along with how he felt during the troubling times and how he used them for growth. With only seven tracks and a playing time of 23 minutes, the project has no skips and everything sounds crisp and clean, thanks in part to the mixing and mastering done by Aye Brook of No Interference Recordings. This project teams James up with producers and artists he has recently collaborated with such as Brook and Nuglife, as well as long awaited collaborations such as with Portugal producer Holly. Released late February 2020 independently through his own company, “BrickToYaFace,” James provides listeners with audio goodness they can relate to
on their own terms. Starting off the project is “Cute.Ugly.World,” produced by Brook, which is not what the listener would first expect after glancing the flower filled album cover, due to immediate cold menacing piano keys as James tells us about his dark roots and how he overcame them: “I survived the hood holocaust, that Reagan raw, them broken homes, everybody lost, and foster care, will kill you off, and self hate, is Lucy’s claw, so I took a leap, not afraid to fall, not afraid of struggle, I conquered all.” By the end of the intro track, the listener will know that they are in for a unique experience as the song transitions smoothly into a rock and reggae infused joint. This project is filled with lyrics that are better than vitamins because, unlike vitamins, what James is saying here could actually help immediately through his advice sprinkled into each song. With the intro the listener could learn to be cute in an ugly world before learning on the next track “Miracle” to “get you what you want, the miracle is us.” By a third of the way through the project the listener may be feeling that this is unlike any hip-hop album out currently and that’s because James is meticulous with each lyric and note heard. Even if James’ work does not end up being a favorite of the listener’s, the musician’s positive approach to rapping should be appreciated. Equipped with the experience and tools to show others that there is a way out, James takes on the responsibility of spreading knowledge of positivity for all those willing to lend an ear first and then possibly their hearts.
“No Time to Die,” the 25th film in the James Bond series, has been postponed due to the numerous deaths and growing concerns caused by the coronavirus. The global theater marketplace has been heavily impacted, especially in Italy, Korea, and China. Many theaters have been shut down with more than 70,000 alone in China, crippling the world’s second biggest box office market, which have caused the markets to drop enormously. Due to the illness going around globally, a spokesperson for MGM stated in an interview with CNN Business last week
that “it didn’t seem achievable for the film to hit it’s high level of success.” Fans have waited over four years for the new movie, but petitioned to postpone the 5 billion dollar series because of the health concerns surrounding the film. Box offices predicted they would lose billions of dollars if released in the next couple of months. “It was a huge and very costly move,” said Matthew Belloni, editorial director for The Hollywood Reporter, on his Twitter account. “[It’s]…a sign of what’s likely to come with Hollywood’s big summer movies.” The coronavirus scare may also affect all the upcoming movies that are to be released in the upcoming months, of including Novem-
ber’s “Godzilla Vs. Kong.” Though this Bond film is the first major production to change its release date, Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comcast, told CNN Business that other studios might also consider “shifting the schedules of their global blockbusters in this way to ensure the best possible outcome for their films going forward.” Although postponement of the film might cause some upset among impatient fans, the wait will not be too much longer. MGM and Universal have given the Bond movie a UK release date of November 12 of this year, with the US release date a couple weeks later November 25. Worldwide release dates will also follow.
6
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY The 20th Anniversary of The Playstation 2
DYLAN PADILLA/EPM
Although technically overpowered by the Xbox and Gamecube, the PS2 acquired its success by offering games that pushed the console’s bounderies in both graphics and storytelling. Franchises such as God of War and Metal Gear Solid made sure to cement it’s legacy. DYLAN PADILLA Co-Opinion Editor
dylan.padilla2405@my.riohondo.edu
Despite being twenty years since its release, the Playstation 2 still remains as the best selling video game console in history with roughly one hundred fifty five million units sold around the world. The Playstation 2 was released March 4, 2000 and quickly embedded itself as Sony’s greatest console that took the gaming industry by storm. Many gamers today still remember its numerous releases and classics such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Dexter, and many more that remain as continuing series today on later installments of the Playstation franchise. At the time, the graphics introduced in the console
were groundbreaking for the new millenia and opened up more potential for the system’s software to experiment the boundaries of video games. This allowed video game developers to create a plethora of titles in several genres that come to approximately one thousand eight hundred and fifty different video games released just in the United States alone, as opposed to about three thousand eight hundred in the global market. In comparison, Microsoft’s classic Xbox had only eight hundred worldwide. The overwhelming amount of titles produced for the classic console never left any gamer short on gaming material for Sony had quantity and quality on their side. Role playing, action and adventure, and hack and
slash are a few of the many genres that it had to offer. The beloved Final Fantasy franchise is one of many role playing games with a strong following and their numerous fan favorite releases on the Playstation 2 are to credit for their success. Final Fantasy also helped birth another franchise known as Kingdom Hearts, an unlikely collaboration project between the Japanese company Square-Enix and Disney Interactive Studios that include both Final Fantasy and Disney characters. Metal Gear Solid may be the most recognizable action and adventure franchise to be a success on the console along with James Bond 007. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell was also part of the PS2 glory days as it was apparent that Sony had a fondness for video games
involving secret agents. Any mention of the PS2 wouldn’t be complete without mentioning God Of War, the bloody hack and slash series in Sony’s collection of great games. The main character Kratos has become a fan favorite icon that many gamers recognize as they look back on the original trilogy. In recent years, the God of War series has made a fourth main installment that hints a new trilogy with the new title simply called God of War that was released April 20, 2018. The game proved to renew and reinvent the series as it has won Game of the Year for 2018, backed with several high ratings impressing reviewers for outstanding graphics, story, and fighting mechanics. God of War spotlighted toxic masculinity and fatherhood.
Most of the success Sony has today is contributed and built upon the greats that built them twenty years ago and continues to grow. A majority of gamers have experienced the golden days of the PS2 whether they owned the console or if it belonged to a family member or a friend. The future of gaming was ever expanding and all the evidence needed to see that was in a small black rectangular box that had more memories inside than it could ever fit in its memory card. The console may be celebrating its twentieth anniversary, but the fans are celebrating a lifetime of fun and dedication to the franchise that has touched many and the inspiration they have created for the future that consumers will look forward to as well.
JAIME APARICIO/EPM
Franchises aside, the PS2’s success also brought surprise gems such as “Okami” and “Shadow Of The Colossus”. “Okami” brought a cell-shaded take on the adventure genre while “Shadow Of The Colossus” had the player slay 16 colossi that acted as puzzles onto themselves.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
7
Understanding the Sleepiness That Occurs Throughout the Day
MICHAEL MARTINEZ/EPM
A nap here and there doesn’t sound too bad when considering we all have to recharge our bodies; especially full-time college students. However, feeling the need to always nap during the day may lead to health problems that should be looked into by professionals. STEPHINIE PHAN Co-Sports Editor
stephinie.phan4180@my.riohondo.edu
Could Daytime Fatigue result in something more than just being tired? We’ve all been there, falling asleep in the middle of the day, and to top it off, in public sometimes. Sound familiar? A lot of the times people brush it off as not getting enough sleep or some other reason and sometimes that’s a big mistake. When you get enough sleep the night before, but still feel tired, that’s not a good sign. Doctors like Dr. Maurice Ohayon have told USNews that “Healthy people, without major medical conditions, are minimally sleepy throughout the day.”
He explained,”getting older doesn’t mean you have to be tired and sleepy. Excessive daytime sleepiness is mostly linked to a medical condition that deserves to be addressed by your physician.” Dr. Ohayon is talking about a study case called, hypersomnolence. Hypersomnia is “a condition where someone can experience significant episodes of sleepiness, even after having plenty of quality sleep,” according to Medical News Today. Anyone can get a mild case called acute that lasts around a month or less, all the way to persistent which lasts three months or longer. Unfortunately, this sleep disorder is very similar to another
disorder called Narcolepsy. Mayoclinic describes it as, “Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine and ultimatley your life. Narcolepsy doesnt just effect you but everyone around you.” Unlike hypersomnia narcolepsy is rare and a lot more dangerous seeing how your brain can shut off at any given moment at any time, putting the person at risk. Where hypersomnia is mostly caused by stress or an event,
for it’s not forever and can go away. Another sleep disorder that is more well-known is insomnia. Web MD describes it as “a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. The condition can be shortterm (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). It may also come and go. Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.” One more sleeping disorder that not many realize is called night terrors. Which is, “causes that aren’t due to underlying disease. If they occur infrequently, it’s a normal stage of childhood development. They also can
be caused by nightmares,” commonly found in children, but can also happen to adults. And in some cases, people can also develop serious and fatal cases of anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder. In the elderly, sleepiness during the day can be a result of low blood pressure, sugar, and other life-threatening possibilities. True that many pass by without us needing to do anything, but if we understood why we can’t sleep better then it would in turn help get the fixes you need sooner before you or another person gets hurt. Doctors advise if any of these sound familiar go talk to a specialist to see more options.
Fasting: Keeping Track of Your Own Biological Clock JESUS MARQUEZ Reporter
jesus.marquez1625@my.riohondo.edu
Individuals must now be aware of their biological clock for managing their caloric intake. Often people don’t know when to stop eating while others are open to restructuring their schedules. Intermittent fasting is a way to lose weight and have popularized the practice of delayed or restricted eating for many individuals looking to manage caloric intake. Fasting at night or in the morning can be good at times, but people’s schedules have to be on point. Night time is a great opportunity to do intermittent fasting because people often sleep and are not as active. Eating some nutrition or a snack can be
great in the evenings. When it’s night time people then could avoid eating bread, sugary drinks and greasy foods for a while. If people eat food overnight it leads them to gain weight because all they do is sleep horizontally. Most people sit and eat vertically which naturally helps you digest. Gravity and water help your digestive sytem do what it does best. After eating, people go straight to bed and store their food in their bodies and it can cause fat. On the other hand, people that leave their stomach empty overnight are likely to lose weight and get results slowly. Once morning comes, people can start the day by eating a well-balanced meal and have energy. Meanwhile, people that don’t eat in the mornings can be great to lose weight without
eating. Some people have early responsibilities and have less time to consume breakfast. Some people automatically have energy without having to consume anything at all. However, there are some consequences of fasting in the mornings. People at times lack focus, concentration, and energy when they are performing something throughout the day. Also, while performing any sort of labor, they can under perform at their task. That is why people must be aware of their biological clock because it keeps a consistent sleeping schedule, powers up peoples days, and most importantly, to eat several hours before bed time. Finally, try to rest your body because it helps you succeed and keeps your awareness active.
JUSTIN FUENTES/EPM
Knowing how your body digests food is key. Refraining from eating before bedtime is a good start to avoid the need to lose unecessary weight.
SPORTS
8
Epic Battle between Los Angeles and Philedelphia JESUS MARQUEZ Reporter
jesus.marquez1625@my.riohondo.edu
Los Angeles Football Club drew against Philadelphia Union with an epic score of 3-3 on Sunday night at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. Philadelphia Union took the lead on three occasions, but within minutes the Black and Gold quickly responded back every time to fire the back-and-forth affair. As the game started, both teams were not at their best in the opening stages. Philadelphia Union were on the front foot for a portion of the clash. They carried the momentum, at first. While, The Black and Gold had a sloppy start by passing the ball ineffectively to their teammates. LAFC grew into the game slowly and caused problems in the midfield. Forward Diego Rossi got on the score sheet, but the referee caught him clearly offside. After a good start from the home team, Philadelphia Union began to put pressure and attacked well.
JESUS MANRIQUEZ/EPM LAFC’S 3-3 draw against Philadelphia Union was an instant classic. Back and forth the teams traded goals, highlighted by a free kick goal by Philadelphia Union center back Jakob Giesnes. In the match LAFC star Carlos Vela scored his 50th goal in the MLS. LAFC began to de fend sloppy during the game and that led for the Union to find a break in 30 minutes. Philadelphia Union took the lead through striker Sergio Santos who bagged his first Union goal with a stunning curler. Ten minutes later LAFC stood up when Carlos Vela scored his 50th goal in
the MLS with a curling free kick. After a decent first half, the Union retook the lead in just three minutes into the second half. Union center back Jakob Giesnes notched an absolute rocket from 40 yards past LAFC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. But, LAFC immediately made it
2-2 when Rossi curled a right footed shot to the far post. In the 69th minute, Philadelphia Union retook the lead yet again through midfielder Brenden Aaronson. The youngster was alone in the center of the box and scored his first career goal with the Union. Following the night’s
rollercoaster-like pattern, LAFC once again got the equalizer, this time was center back Eddie Segura. His deflected effort ricocheted in following a scramble from a corner kick. In the last ten minutes goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the Union alive with two great saves. After the final whistle the game ended as one of the most entertaining matches so far.”Fast game a lot of transition we created a lot of chances but in moments when we needed to be more precise and find the smart ways to slow the game down,” said Bob Bradley the coach of Los Angeles Football Club “take time to make sure that you get a play right we were not good enough of those ways and it never good to give up three goals.” Los Angeles Football Club must now shift their main focus on a CONCACAF champions match when they receive Cruz Azul who are on top of the Liga MX table on March 12. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union must get their first win of the Campaign against San Jose Earthquakes on March 14.
Rio Hondo Falls Short to Cuesta College
JESUS MARQUEZ/EPM Rio Hondo right handed pitcher Grace Acero showed a strong showing in the second game of the doubleheader against Cuesta College. She was able to keep Cuesta scoreless from the third inning on. JESUS MARQUEZ Reporter
jesus.marquez1625@my.riohondo.edu
Rio Hondo women’s softball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Cuesta College with a 14-6 loss in game one and 7-3 loss in game two on Friday, March 6. It was a tough back to back for the lady Roadrunners as they continue to keep the momentum going this season. Coming off a dominating 17-0 win versus LA Harbor
on Tuesday, March 5, their goal was to keep the winning streak going. However, Cuesta showed Rio Hondo how good a team they were and set the tone in both games. In the first game, Rio Hondo had moments of miscommunication and defensive mistakes early on that gave Cuesta the advantage in the first inning, going up 5-0. Cuesta catcher Claire Lohayza and pitcher Kat Cline were very well on the same page throughout, trying to confuse the lady roadrunners who
were at-bat. At the top of the second, Cuesta kept the momentum going offensively and scored four more runs. Despite the lady roadrunners scoring six runs from the second inning on, Cuesta scored five more runs in the last three innings and held on for a 14-6 win five-inning win in the first game of the doubleheader. The Cuesta win was highlighted by center fielder Emily Juarez, second baseman Bailee Crawford, and third baseman Maddy Mata who each drove in three runs to back a strong showing by starter Kat Cline. In the second game of the doubleheader, Rio Hondo came back strong in the early stages. After being 1-0 down, the Roadrunners stepped up and notched two runs in the bottom of the first. The lead would not last for long as a fire lit under the Cuesta offense, putting up a total of seven runs through the first two innings. Rio Hondo starter Madeline Peralta just did not have the swing and miss stuff she usually has as she gave her team all she could. The Roadrunners got a very good relief pitching performance from pitcher Grace Acero to keep them in the game, but the offense just could not string hits together. The Roadrunners would fall
short 7-3 in the second game of the doubleheader. Although the lady Roadrunners were giving the lady Cougars from Cuesta a hard time, they needed to improve in certain key areas. “We just need our pitching to improve and need our pitchers to hit their spots,” said Bianca Urquidi the head coach of Rio Hondo’s softball team after the game. “The defense usually will perform and then that will put them in the position
where we can score more runs.” The Roadrunners have made strides and have improved a lot from last year. They have a long season ahead of them to get more victories. The Roadrunners now have an overall record of 8-12 which is an improvement from last season’s 8-311 record. Rio Hondo has work to do as they receive Compton Tatars for a conference game on March 10th.
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM The lady Roadrunners were able to score nine runs in two games against Cuesta College, but it was not enough for a victory in either game as they fell 14-6 and 7-3.
SPORTS
9
Roadrunners Get Huge Sweep vs Compton Highlighted by Comeback Victory ENRIQUE MEDINA Co-Sports Editor
enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu
The Roadrunners came into the week determined, having been swept by a very strong Long Beach City College team last week, giving the Roadrunners a 2-4 SCC record. The matchup this week had the Roadrunners set to square off in a threegame series against Compton College (0-4 record). In their first matchup on Tuesday afternoon, March 3rd, Rio Hondo starter Steven Alvarez took the hill against Compton starter Michael Fletcher. Alvarez, who gave up two runs last week in the opener vs LBCC would improve upon this start, striking out four and only
giving up two walks in seven innings of one-run ball. The Roadrunners would score five runs to back Alvarez, including three runs in the top half of the fifth with two coming on an error and the other being knocked in home by an RBI double by first baseman Diego Flores. Five would be everything needed for the Roadrunners as left-hander Robert Valdez came in to shut the door and got the save on a 5-1 opening series win. The second game of the series would bring Freshman starter Eric Amaya to the mound against Compton starter Rafael Cortez in Thursday’s matchup. Amaya and Cortez both brought their best in what was a tough fought pitchers duel. Amaya would only allow one earned and strike out six, but
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM Infielder Diego Perez came up clutch in the huge 3-2 victory in the second game of the Roadrunners series vs Compton. Perez drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth with a one out tworun double.
would leave the game losing 1-0 after 5 innings. The Roadrunners would give the ball to righthander Nick Juarez in the top of the sixth and he would continue where Amaya left off giving the Roadrunners a much needed three innings of scoreless relief keeping the game 1-0 going to the bottom of the eighth. Even with the strong pitching, the Roadrunners could not drive runners in, striking out 11 times against Cortez and failing to cash in on some golden run-scoring opportunities. The bottom of the eighth would be crucial as the Roadrunners were trailing against a winless Compton ballclub. “Our backs were up against the wall, having pressure on us and knowing that if we want to make playoffs we wouldn’t be able to lose to Compton,” Juarez would emphasize after the game. Knowing the pressure behind them with needing to beat Compton, the bottom of the eighth would be where the tide shifted, as the Roadrunners knew they had to pounce on a game where they had so many opportunities. Pounce they did because the Roadrunners would take the lead after a Matthew Raffety single with runners on first and second would tie the ball game and a Diego Perez two-run double with one out would bring the Roadrunners a 3-1 lead. After a close
scare in the top of the ninth, relief pitcher Garrett Paschal finished off Compton, leaving runners on first and second after allowing a run, earning the save in a 3-2 Roadrunner victory. When asked about his go-ahead hit after the game, Diego Perez explained, “I was trying to relax and take the ball to right-center.” Perez would also stress how important the victory would be for the ballclub saying, “our ballclub has been battling back all season in the late innings, and now we’re starting to figure out what we need to take charge of.” The win was pivotal for the team’s morale going into Saturday for the final game of the series as the Roadrunners were this time able to hop on Compton early in the series’ third and
final game. The Roadrunners were able to take a 5-2 lead through six innings, backing a strong five strikeout, onerun performance by starter Evan Foor. The Roadrunners put pressure on Compton in their five-run attack, led by RBI’s from Diego Flores, shortstop Charles Sousamian, and right fielder Matt Hickman. The lead would stick as reliever Nick Acedo shut the door and earned the save in the 5-2 victory. The Roadrunners were able to bounce back in a huge way from their series loss against LBCC last week and earned a hard-fought sweep against Compton. The Roadrunners move to a 5-4 record in SCC play as they hope to continue the momentum against Ventura College (2-7 Conference Record).
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM The Roadrunners outscored Comtpon 13-5 in there three game series. Through all three games Rio Hondo starters only allowed four runs.
Tough Matchup With Long LeBron, Davis Lead Beach Helps Spark Confidence Lakers Past Bucks in Potential Finals Matchup
GERARDO HERNANDEZ Opinion Editor
gerardo.hernandez3565@my.riohondo.edu
The Rio Hondo Women’s Volleyball team began their contention for the conference title on Friday, March 6, 2020. After a strenuous preseason in which they worked on building from the success of last season, Head Coach Teddi Esko says she is excited for the start of this year’s beach volleyball season. Although they took some tough losses on the day, she believes they will have a winning season that will culminate in several of her pairs competing for the title during playoffs. In their first conference appearance as teammates, Sophomores Nicole Vazquez and Vania Maciel highlighted that they had “good communication and stayed positive” during their battle with Long Beach that went to three matches. The sophomore duo is categorized as Team One in their ranks,
BRANDON GARCIA Reporter
brandon.garcia2887@my.riohondo.edu
GERARDO HERNANDEZ/EPM Beach volleyball had a tough battle in their opening matchup in SCC play. Their next match is vs El Camino on March 13th. which signifies that they will face the best of the best in their pending matches. In another matchup on Friday morning, Mara Sanchez and Stephanie Perez played a scrappy match against their “doubles.” This means they were up against a Long Beach duo who had the same attacking style. The Rio pair would battle through, but ultimately fell short. Stephanie’s comments after the match were that although they started conference with a tough loss it just “motivates [them] to practice more for
next time.” They still have another matchday set where they will be able to get their revenge, only this time it will be set at Long Beach’s courts. Mara states, “We’re always seen as the underdogs when we face Long Beach, so that just gives us more reason to try harder.” Now that this is their second season as partners, Mara and Stephanie are eager to stun Long Beach and prove to them that “a team from the hood” can show up and defeat a college program that boasts having a former olympian as their head coach.
Friday, March 6th, Staples Center held a large crowd and was sold out with fans excited for the big game. The Los Angeles Lakers held the Milwaukee Bucks in what was a thriller for all fans watching. The Lakers won the match 113 -103 and were led by LeBron James who tallied 37 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. He also received major help from his co-star Anthony Davis who added 30 points and nine rebounds. This game was highly anticipated because of the possibility of these two teams meeting again in the NBA Finals. Another reason many were excited was because of the matchup of Lebron James
and Giannis Antetokounmpo, both of whom are leading the MVP race. Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, unfortunately for him, it was not enough to beat the Lakers. The Bucks led for most of the first half but were outscored and outplayed by the Lakers throughout the second half, especially during the third quarter when the Lakers went on a huge 18-0 run that helped propel them to victory. The Bucks currently have the best record in the NBA, while the Lakers have the second best. A game between perhaps the games two best players and the games two best teams ended in a Laker victory. This game ultimately proved as a huge test that the Lakers are serious title contenders.
OPINION
10
Social Expectations
Sweat and Smile
KELSEY VILLALVAZO - EPM Exercising produces serotonin molecules in your body, otherwise known as “the happy chemical.”
KELSEY VILLALVAZO Reporter
kelsey.villalvazo4414@my.riohondo.edu
Exercise has a very positive impact on your mind and body! It keeps you healthy mentally and physically. It improves your mood, improves self-esteem, increases feelings of energy etc. When you workout endorphins are released, which leads to lower levels of stress, fatigue and depression.
Psychologists say exercising helps with mental illness. Some people think that mental illness is caused by genetics and others think it’s caused by the environment in which one is in. According to the diathesis-stress model the two causes are intertwined. Many young adults are diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Although they may be genetically/biologically passed down, your surrounding environment plays a vital role. When you change your environment it can help you change your mindset. When people feel depressed they tend to isolate themselves. They don’t like to go out, they don’t like to talk to people (friends and family), and they refuse to take part in physical activities. This leads to anti-social behavior and becoming socially awkward. Sadly, this static lifestyle contributes more to their state of mind and mental illness. On the other hand, here are people that have been diagnosed with depression and it has been passed down genetically, but don’t allow
themselves to stay depressed. I am one of those people. I have battled depression for as long as I can remember. My father’s family have all been diagnosed with severe depression and take medication for it. I, on the other hand do not. I prefer exercise over medication because physical activity is key to a healthy state of mind. It not only makes you look good but it helps you feel good, internally. Have you ever heard of runners high? That’s right, it’s actually a real thing. Scientists have found that when you are active and go running you experience runners high, which is chemicals releasing those chemicals are called endorphins. The higher the quantity of endorphins you release, the more euphoric the person feels. You don’t need to go running to feel high in life. Any exercise you enjoy and do will contribute to that feeling of positivity. Some people enjoy working out alone, but others prefer to do an activity, such as hiking, with a friend. In many ways, going with a friend is
DYLAN PADILLA Reporter
dylan.padilla2405@my.riohondo.edu
KELSEY VILLALVAZO/EPM Engaging in outdoor activities is a fun way to combat the lows of life and also highlight the highs! more enjoyable because you can motivate each other to keep going when the other is running out of energy. I personally love to hit the gym! I go running but my favorite of all is pilates. I enjoy exercising because it keeps me mentally healthy. Whether you are experiencing high level of stress or simply want to keep your body in shape; exercising is therapy. Exercising gives you happiness!
Kobe Crash Pictures Distributed BRANDON GARCIA Reporter
brandon.garcia2887@my.riohondo.edu
February 24th, 2020 The Los Angeles Lakers held a memorial for Kobe and Gianna Bryant.; both of whom passed away late January. It was later found out that Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, had filed a wrongful lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter crash late January. Allegedly, pilot Ara Zobayan, who also died in the crash, failed to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft and was negligent. Zobayan had been cited previously in 2015 for violating visual flight rules minimums. On the morning of January 26th, 2020, the day the tragedy took place, it was clear to everyone that no planes or helicopters should have been flying. Now, maybe we’re all still just hurt at the loss of Kobe and the eight other souls, but I just think it’s ridiculous that a pilot who had shown signs of carelessly operating an aircraft under dangerous circumstances could be allowed to continue using his pilot’s license. Early that morning I drove to my mother’s house in Koreatown which is about 20 minutes from where the accident occurred. It was extremely difficult for me to see even one car ahead of me because of the dense fog. Now, I’ve never been in a helicopter,
but I am sure it is much more difficult to operate than a car. The fact that they had to hover and circle around for 15 minutes, just further proves that they should not have been in the air that morning. Even the Los Angeles Police Department had mandated their ranks to ground all of their helicopters that day because of the weather conditions. This further supports the arguement that that aircraft should not have had the clearance to travel on that fateful morning. I hope that this tragedy will spark action for legislation which requires the suspension of operating aircraft when the police department of any given territory declares a nofly rule. It is important to note that Zobayan, the pilot, had already been cited for flying recklessly and should not have flown that day. Moreover, adding insult to injury, it was discovered that deputies who arrived on the scene took photos of the crash and distributed them among their department. As a Kobe fan I feel disgusted that law enforcement would do such a thing. Any act like this whether it’s towards a celebrity or not, this should never happen. I believe anyone involved in that situation should be terminated immediately. These sheriffs are the daily enforces of the law in our communities and its
upsetting that they felt entitled to take photos of such a tragic event. It was not done so to be included in a report; this deputy took that photo with his personal phone to be shown in a perverse act of amusement. It is not only disrespectful to those that passed, but also to their families. Those were people’s loved ones and for their death scene photos to be exposed like it’s a trophy is disgusting. I would never wish this upon anyone, it embarrasses me as a human being knowing that there are people like that in this world. We must respect the ones who have passed and also the ones closely affected by this tragedy. As Angelenos, we are automatically tuned in to the sports around us because the city feeds off of the energy that championships produce. Big name players are always willing to come play for not only the Lakers in basketball, but the Dodgers in baseball, and the Kings in hockey. But what hurts the most is that Kobe was one of our own despite not originally being from Los Angeles. Similar to the effect that Maradona, the soccer legend, has all across Argentina for the happiness he produced while representing the nation in tournaments; Kobe had earned gained respect all across the United States for how he proudly represented us in world basketball tour-
naments and, of course, at the Olympics. It’s infuriating that law enforcement acted the way they did when they took those graphic pictures of the bodies amongst the wreckage. Sheriffs, Officers and Deputies are supposed to bring us, the citizens, peace of mind by knowing that the streets of our neighborhoods are being patrolled by steadfast men and women. Not only that, but these men and women who swear an oath to uphold justice are more consistently being linked to instances in which they act dishonorable. It has been reported that the officers who took the photos were ordered to delete them. I feel that if the deputies have been identified, then stricter disciplinary actions should be taken against them. More and more, we are seeing law enforcement agents that feel they are able to grossly act “above the law.” I believe Vanessa Bryant should and will win the case against the company because those families deserve justice. We can only hope that this serves as a lesson to law enforcement when it comes to handling tragic cases; especially when it comes to our loved ones. What is for certain is that the helicopter should not have been in the air that day and as a result, we all were hurt and will continue to mourn the loss of the man who brought LA joy.
Remember the last time you were asked to go out with a group of friends and said yes even though you didn’t want to go? Do you also remember being pressured or questioned as to why you didn’t want to go out? I do too, and it’s perfectly fine to not need or give a reason. Perhaps not everyone can relate to this exact situation, but in many ways we have felt an overwhelming sense of dread deep inside when we’re pushed to do the things we don’t want to. Fine, I understand it’s not good to use it as an excuse to not do anything or if it shows bad patterns of isolation. However, maybe our ideas of a good time just don’t correlate. There are many explanations as to why we have these feelings about not always wanting to go out with friends. The first could be that the group chemistry does not mesh well. Anything fun can feel empty if it feels as though you’re left on the sideline trying to get a word in with someone more engaging to the group. You’ll always feel left out if you don’t have anything to say. A conversation that ends the moment you join it was never worth being apart of in the first place. Another issue is that your friends may put you in uncomfortable situations. Again, if you’re not with the right people then you won’t be willing to do some things you wouldn’t do with others. It’s frustrating when a friend can’t seem to understand that and tries to make every single plan you make with them into a group activity most of your ideas start to fall through. If not, it’s simply just the plans that were made that don’t sit well with you. No single non legal drinker would join their coupled friends for happy hour at Applebees, but still would because of social expectations. Last resort for reasoning is just the complete opposite, no reason at all. You don’t need to be in the middle of a million problems coming from every direction to say no; just say no. Say “I don’t want to because I don’t feel like it.” Giving your time to others just because it’s expected gives the illusion that you’re “missing out” although that is not always the case. It’s easy to get caught up in doing what others want, but it’s harder to realize you feel alone because you’re getting caught up in what others want and not what you want. Do yourself a favor, stand your ground and do what makes you happy.
OPINION
11
Rookies Breaking Records: Why You Should Watch The NBA. ESTEVAN MACIAS Reporter
estevan.macias6303@my.riohondo.edu
The NBA is truly experiencing a renaissance period. The fear of a super team is gone and the title is up for grabs as any playoff bound team has a chance of winning. What has people most excited, though, is the amount of young players impacting their teams already. Recently, SLAM Magazine’s twitter released a graphic of all the best players under 21 asking how good this team would be and the fact that the picture instilled fear in my eyes at the idea that any three of these players would join together a super team would rise again. This list includes the Celtics new star Jayson Tatum turning 22 this year. He has already cemented himself as the leader of the team and has improved in every single stat line from his rookie year in 2017. Last season, Tatum averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, and a 3 point percentage of .373. This season, he pushed the Celtics
to where they are now standing 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference and doubling his averages with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and a 3 point percentage of 396! You cannot talk about young players without mentioning the superstars Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. Both of these players were last year’s best rookies and as far as this year goes, they have continued to build on that momentum. Apart from being one of the most entertaining matches to watch all season, the 2020 was a great introduction to these two players and their playing styles. Agressive attacking and intelligent defending are just some of the characteristics of the style of play you can expect. Take Doncic, for example, who is averaging 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists all while being too young to even buy drinks in the U.S.! We knew this guy’s potential when he won the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award. That same year, Trae Young
proved to us that he could ball. This guy is just pure entertainment; from crossovers to nutmegs, he does it all for the show and to win. If that’s not enough to convince you to check out a Hawks game, then maybe the 11 games where he has scored 40 points will. I mean, there’s a reason that he was Gigi Bryant’s favorite player in the NBA. 2019-2020 rookies have been making a statement of their own. Let’s start with the man everyone knows: Zion Willamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, he got injured early on and missed a big chunk of the beginning of the season, but he made sure to make his presence known when he returned in early January. Since then, he has been posterizing defender across the league with his powerful slam dunks. Not only that, but he has also shown his grit when it comes to defending his team’s net, proving to be a force of nature. This young star attracts attention across the league for his athleticism and agility despite having a
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heavier than usual structure for a basketball player. To sum up Zion in one statistic: he is the first teenager in NBA history to score 20 points in 11 straight games. Even though Zion Williamson soaks up much of the limelight in this new crop of youngsters, we cannot take away the work of Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. The reason I feel he should be so highly regarded is the leadership he displays. This is particularly notable because its not common to see a rookie putting the team on his shoulders and assuming that leadership role. Morant has pushed his team to the number eight seed while passing the Las Vegas projected wins statistic for the entire team with the season not even ending yet. He has taken up the mantle of point guard and already cemented himself as the star of the team and the potential of being the representative of the entire city. Needless to say,the future of the NBA is in good hands and now, more than ever, is the best time to get into basket-
ball. While all these teams are great options to support, there a few more if none of those were interesting enough for you. Sacramento Kings have a great young core and are currently one of the fastest teams in the NBA, studded with the likes of De’Aaron Fox at the young age of 22 and Marvin Bagley III at 20. The team has proved themselves to be a real threat as in the last 10 games as they have a 7-3 record against competitive teams such as the Clippers and Heat. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are already a great team currently sitting at the 5th seed in the West the team has traded it way to a bright future. As for 2020 and 2022 they own two top 10 protected draft picks which they can use to build around their 21 year old point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The team is slated to be highly regarded for several years to come. Needless to say,the future of the NBA is in good hands and now, more than ever, is the best time to get into basketball.
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!
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