Vol. 83 No. 11 11-13-15

A taste of Los Medanos

Images of the dead

Taking it to the net

Students and staff were offered a choice of flavors at the 6th Annual Soup Cook-Off Nov. 10 — page 3

A variety of artwork dealing with the Day of the Dead is now on display in the Art Gallery — page 4

The LMC women’s volleyball team took the court against Mendocino College Tuesday, Nov. 10 — page 5

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Celebrating a diaspora

African heritage admired

November is American Diabetes Month Nov. 20

Last day to drop classes with a “W” appearing on your transcript

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Nov. 26 - 28

Thanksgiving/Day after & Saturday college closed

Schedule out for Spring ’16 The Los Medanos Spring 2016 Class Schedule is now available for students who plan on registering for classes next semester. The new schedule can be viewed online at losmedanos. edu/schedule.

Experience • Chris Ruiz

“Samba Funk” dance crew leader Aytchan “King Theo” Williams performs on stage with a fellow dancer inside the Little Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 11 as part of an event focusing on the African Diaspora.

Apply now for Kennedy-King Applications for the Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship Fund are now being accepted.

The scholarship provides $10,000 to students from minority groups who will be transferring in the Fall 2016 or Spring 2017 to a four-year college or university. For more information on the scholarship fund and the many other scholarships offered at LMC, visit http://www. losmedanos.edu/scholarships/4lmc.asp.

See PANEL, page 6

Honoring LMC’s vets

HBCU Transfer Fair next week Los Medanos College will be hosting the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities Regional Fair here on campus Nov. 17. The college fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Indoor Quad. Following the fair there will be a workshop on how to transfer to an HBCU from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room, L-109. Be sure to bring your transcripts.

Students who qualify will have an opportunity to receive on-the-spot admissions. For more information go to http:// www.losmedanos.edu/ umoja/events.asp.

A diverse troop of Los Medanos College faculty, staf f, students and members of the community attended a panel discussion and dance performance focused on the African Diaspora Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11 in the Little Theater, which was so packed that some people had to sit on the floor.

Some of the students who attended were there out of their own personal interest, but some were there because they were urged either by their teachers or to complete assignments.

“You know what, to be honest, I didn’t hear a lot about it beforehand Nick Garcia asked me to come and so I came to watch it,” said LMC student Mariah Jeffers.

After longtime LMC English instructor Tess Caldwell introduced the panel consisting of English teachers James Noel and Michael Yeong and

Club to be chartered in coming weeks

By JAMARI SNIPES

jsnipes@lmcexperience.com

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

From left, LMC employees Diane Ferguson, Glenn Sobolik and Cecil Nasworthy were among those honored during a CCCCD meeting Nov. 11 recognizing the many veterans in the district.

The Veterans Club announced in a Nov. 4 meeting it will officially be chartered soon, after years of trying to make an official club.

This announcement came just in time for a series of events held in honor of Veterans Day. About 35 veterans were at the meeting, which was the largest amount of people to gather for the club.

“Today, we had more people here … than in ten years I would say,” said Reggie Turner,

Veterans Club adviser. “That’s good and that’s bad.”

Turner has been at LMC for a while and has been trying to get the Veterans Club running successfully.

“I’ve been here for almost 10 years. My passion, Tenille and everyone else who knows me, has been with veterans here,” said Turner.

There were some problems with getting the Veterans Club started in the past.

“The biggest challenge I would say would

Learning from the real world

Experience exhibits expertise Newspaper staff wins 12 awards

Career options explored at event

Experience Staff Writer

By ALEXANDRA RIVA ariva@lmcexperience.com

“I like the whole idea of a person being a book,” said Helen Benjamin, chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District, during the Books Alive! event at Los Medanos College Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Benjamin was one of many ‘books’ at the event, entitled ‘Keeping it Moving.’

“I’m really excited about being here today. I like being around students,” said Benjamin as she gave out advice and shared her story with students who asked to ‘check her out’ for 15 minutes increments before ‘reading’ other books.

Returning books Barbara Cella and Dan Rosenstrauch were available to rent, as were many first timers like Ivan Elizondo and Justin Stottlenyer from DOW Chemical.

“I’m after the inspiration,” said Elizondo.

His choice to become a mechanical engineer was influenced by his chemical engineer father, and his uncle, who was also a mechanical engineer. Although he grew up around the field, it was ‘what he wanted to do.’

Similarly, Stottlenyer was free to choose

See VETS, page 6

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Dan Rosenstrauch of Bay Area News Group and the Contra Costa Times takes part in the Books Alive! event Wednesday, Nov. 11. his career path and never felt pressured to become a chemical engineer.

“In high school I took chemistry. I liked chemistry, but didn’t want to work in a lab,” said Stottlenyer, who attended the University of Southern Florida. He then moved to Pittsburg to work for DOW Chemical.

“I would have a hard time working anywhere else,” said Stottlenyer about his job of over a year.

Aside from Elizondo and Stottlenyer, students could talk books from other careers and walks of life.

Deer Valley High School Principal Ken Gardner also offered up his stories and knowledge to LMC students.

“When I turned 17, my parents walked me over to the front door, candles still burning on my cake and said, ‘One year from now, you walk out a man, and you don’t come back,’” said Gardner about his

path to eventually joining the Air Force.

Gardner explained that his parents weren’t bad people but “that’s just the way it was then.” After the Air Force, Gardner went on to become a Police Lieutenant and Principal of DVHS. He says that “leadership is a common theme in all of his jobs” past and present.

Students circulated the room stopping to hear what books had to say and, some, even had lists of prepared questions for the ‘books.’

Like LMC students, the ages of the books were all across the board, adding a level of relate ability to the unique event. Food and drinks were offered to the partcipants and students at the event, which helped to make the conversations flow and ease nerves.

“I would definitely come back,” said Elizondo with a smile.

The Los Medanos College Experience won 12 awards in the annual Northern Regional Publications and On-the-Spot contests of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, awarded at the regional journalism conference Nov. 7 at California State University-Sacramento.

Experience Co-Editor in Chief Cassie Dickman won second place in Enterprise News for a series of 11 news stories published during the 2014-15 academic year on questions raised by citizens, representatives of BAR T, and a member of the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board about the site selected for the new Brentwood Center satellite campus.

“It was exciting to win second place because I put a lot of hard work into those stories, but I was more enthusiastic to win honorable mention in an On-the-Spot competition.

Because it was more of a real-world journalistic news situation, which is a harder See JACC, page 6

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Perspectives

FRIDAY,

NOV.

13,

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“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.”

— Rollo May

Elizabeth Fonseca

Kimberly Stelly

GUEST COLUMNIST

SOCIALLY UNWELL

Is Black Friday really worth it?

We are more than our names

As the holiday season starts to peak, it’s that time of year when national retail chains start to gear up for discounted price matches and the inevitable deals that come with Black Friday. The common thing that has been brought up, is what this means for the typical family unit as well any social unit in the United States.

These changes being seen due to Black Friday’s recent transformation into Gray Thursday, has been consistently seen by the press and has been making it’s way into national attention.

Americans are witnessing families that are no longer sitting down to eat Thanksgiving dinner, but rather waiting in line at the nearest local Best Buy to get the newest HD smart television. So this brings up the question to the public, what does this mean to our once wholesome family gathering around the turkey now that this shopping craze has invaded it? Is the actual holiday special anymore?

Black Friday has existed in some shape or form throughout the decades. The first time the term Black Friday was used was due to the financial scandal in 1869 under Grant’s era of presidency, however the earliest notion we have that Black Friday existed in regards to shopping spans all the way back from the 1960’s.

The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving day started in 1924 and later became the day marked before shopping season began.

“Black Friday” has since then become a cultural phenomenon and landmark for Americans to get their Christmas shopping done early because of “once in a lifetime” deals. But is it really a unique day to shop?

For one thing, it has been pointed out by many media outlets that luxury items will be “extinct” in their discounted price quickly in retail stores if you are not there in store to purchase it yourself, however, those same luxury items are being sold in their original company’s holiday sales that take place in days before and after this specific “blow-out day” of sales. Another addition to this argument is online shopping and how recently it has been making a wave in the market of sales during the holiday season. E-commerce is set to expect “online sales to rise 11 percent in November and December”(Wahba.2015) and will top that with Cyber Monday.

Since people are able to find these same deals elsewhere, on the Internet and in stores, why do we find ourselves sitting outside of Target at 1 a.m. on a Friday? This newfound American holiday has its faults in practice and it doesn’t merit its special podium in the media’s attention.

Major retailers like Target and Wal-Mart moving their special day of sales to Thanksgiving Day. Many families are having to change their Thanksgiving to accommodate their loved one’s working schedules at these stores or their need to get that new Apple watch that is on sale.

As recent as last year, there were petitions against these big retailers by the U.S. public to stop Gray Thursday and allow us to enjoy our Thanksgivings as a whole family and in peace before bolting out to shop for our Christmas presents the next day.

An example of one of the petitions that called to public attention was Hallie Dilworth’s, a freshman in the University of Texas, who stated “Thanksgiving should be spent at home with the family, not pushing through crowds trying to get deals on things we don’t even need.”

This year that statement should hold true with the outrageous amount of people in the United States that will be skipping their family time to buy the latest new products in stores.

These products can be found any other day and time, so why obsess over it on this day?

Raven Symone annoyed audiences countrywide when she said she wouldn’t hire anyone name with a name like “Watermelondrea.” Though these sorts of ignorant comments have come to be expected from her, she makes an interesting point about how a person’s name affects the way society sees them.

People often joke about black sounding names as if these jokes are still funny. In fact, we probably all know someone who keeps regurgitating the urban legend of the woman who named her kid Le-a (pronounced Ladasha) or reciting the entirety of the infamous YouTube video, “Top 60 Ghetto Black Names.”

Of course it’s not just black people who have faced ridicule for the decisions of their parents. Latinos also face scrutiny for their occasionally lengthy, “ethnic” sounding names.

This is also an overused trope in mass media as well. In Disney Channel’s “the Suite Life of Zack and Cody” there was a bellhop by the name of Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya del Rosa Ramirez. He was likeable for his thick accent and long name.

Though it’s funny to poke fun at ourselves sometimes, it’s annoying when a specific group of people become known for something that doesn’t actually define them. A name is just a label and just because people assume things about your persona based on how your name sounds, doesn’t mean you have adhere to their ideas.

This doesn’t happen to our Brads and Ashleys of the world. Sure people of European descent get called out for naming their kids like “Apple” or “Bronx Mowgli,” but it has very little impact on their lives.

In a study done by MIT-University conducted in 2001 entitled “Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination,” researchers sent in fake resumes to places looking for workers and those “applicants” with white-sounding names were twice as likely to get hired than those whose names don’t fit the Eurocentric norm.

Bill Maxwell, writer for the St. Petersburg Times has covered this study extensively and agrees with the findings of the MIT researchers saying employers react a certain way when they get applicants with names like “Tyrone” and Loquisha.”

It’s sad to think we can’t take someone seriously because their name might not have a deep meaning or it’s too long or has too many consonants.

When people start asking questions, it makes for an uncomfortable time no matter how harmless their intentions are. In the wrong setting, it’s just plain insensitive.

Sometimes I’ve had to be the expert on all things black and I’ve been asked about what goes through the minds of black parents when they name their children. I tried to explain because I used to wonder the same thing but now I just tell them “I don’t know, what was going through your parent’s head when they named you?”

There is nothing to be done in a lot of these cases. You can’t legally change your name until you’re eighteen and even then, you risk “disrespecting your birthright” and you might even have to pay a fee in some states.

Also, here’s a thought: some people like their unique names. Just because a name isn’t typical or Eurocentric doesn’t mean it’s a bad one.

Can we stop attributing certain personality with ethnic sounding names please. For those who have these names, it probably makes them uncomfortable. It’s one thing if it was always light-hearted fun but it almost never is when it comes down to it because it affects people outside the world of comedy.

Award-winning cartoon (see story page 1) by Joseph Delano • Experience

Editorial

Work together, effect change

H

ave you ever had an issue within your local community that you wish more people knew about? Well that’s what we’re here for. We’re here for you, for the community, to use this newspaper as its megaphone, its problem solver, it first response crew, its source of news. News organizations can only be relevant when the community collaborates, works together and makes its needs and wants known.

There is a need within our community to create a closer bond. A community that collaborates is not only aware, but is more alive. Its voice is loud and the resulting solutions can be swift and lasting, but how exactly is that done?

The generic answer is to actually talk to neighbors, get involved in your children’s schools and keep contact with local leaders. But there are other solutions out there that can create a more present community. We have social media, the space and population size for large community events and of course, the local and national news outlets.

The surrounding communities including Pittsburg, Brentwood and Antioch, are the furthest thing from quiet. We have a beautifully rich, multi-ethnic cultural environment. Antioch has now surpassed Richmond in population, Brentwood grows produce and food, feeding the entire state of California and Pittsburg remains dear to many peoples heart for its conducive family-shaping environment.

We make up the voice of a large portion of the East Bay region, and we should never forget the power and relevance we hold along with the potential for change on a larger stage.

With this in mind, a more collaborative community would only elevate and enrich the bond that exists between the people that populate the surrounding communities and we, the newspaper staff, would feel at ease knowing that we’re doing our job: representing the voice of the community.

Letters to the Editor

More stress-relieving events for students DEAR EDITOR: In the issue of the Experience that was released October 16th, a story was published entitled ‘Huggable dogs relieve stress.’ Not only do I believe the article was very well-written and was lighthearted enough to bring even more stress relief to readers, but I also believe that it highlights a topic that is not covered enough.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 80 percent of college students claim that they are frequently or often anxious or stressed throughout the duration of the school semester. Another 75 percent reported to have experienced their very first anxiety episodes in college.

With stress and anxiety being such a prevalent issue ailing a large portion of our peers, I think it is incredibly important to run more columns such as this to not only bring light to this issue, but to also inform the college students on our campus on how the can combat the stresses that come hand in hand with being a college student.

With the end of the current semester coming up, I believe it is the most opportune time to give people pointers on this so that our student population can go into finals as de-stressed and confident as possible.

— Marc Dale

Major information needed DEAR EDITOR: I will begin by voicing my gratitude towards the Los Medanos College newspaper. It continues to inform us and bring us information that is important on our campus, but there is one issue at hand that I do recognize —that being — more information and resources on undergraduate majors.

Many of us come to Los Medanos to receive

Voices

a better education but many of us are not sure which path we can or should take. Lets use me for example: I came to Los Medanos three years ago as a biology major — just a decision based on interests, although two years into my major and rigorous prep classes, I learned that I enjoyed the communication and business field much more. How could I have prevented such a loss of time?

In my opinion, more resources and information on majors we could be interested in.

Everyone has a major in mind but if we could be better informed or encouraged through events or tests to see what we actually are interested in will be a game-changer and can even help guide us into majors we really like.

I know our college newspaper can help with that, possibly, by creating events that can show us all the majors offered, information on those majors and what campuses are to choose from as well as more counselors that can guide us towards schools that specify in that major.

Many of us read our college newspaper and if we could get more content of majors or events on our campus more often it will make a big difference to help guide our future.

— Edward Villa

Reader Opinion Policy The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. If you are interested in expressing your opinion on campus, national or world issues, bring submission to Room CC3-301 and put it in the Perspectives Editor’s mailbox, mail to Experience c/o Los Medanos College, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565, or send electronically through the Experience newsite lmcexperience. com. Submissions must be typed, signed and include a phone number for verification. They may be edited at the editor’s discretion.

What are you most looking forward to during the upcoming holiday season?

Compiled

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Joseph

Delano

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience L M C e x p e r i e n c e . c o m

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Spending time with my family and eating a bunch of food.”

— Jake Teal

“I am looking forward to the results of the art competition held by the Delta Art Guild, because I am entered in it.”

— Solomon Uhuru

“Getting together with my family and going on vacation with them, either to Cancun or Cabo.”

— Cynthia Colmenares

“Time with family, people I love and care for, and FaceTiming with my best friend in the Navy.”

— Vanessa Garcia

“Family and seeing old friends and not having to write papers.”

— Richard Stanfield

“I’m looking forward to enjoying time off from school and spending time with family.”

— Genevieve Williams

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Editors-in-Chief ...............DAMIAN LEWIN and CASSIE DICKMAN Perspectives Editor .....YETUNDE OGUNLEYE Managing Editor...................JOSEPH DELANO Campus Editor....................LISSETTE URBINA Features Editor............BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ Sports Editor.......................BRENDAN CROSS Photo Editor......................CATHIE LAWRENCE New Media Editor .................. JAMARI SNIPES Special Projects Editor..........LUKE JOHNSON Copy Chief ........................ KIMBERLY STELLY The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Campus Newswatch

American Diabetes Month

FRIDAY,

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“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Event spotlights health

American Diabetes Month is an annual awareness observation designed to focus the nation’s attention on the issues surrounding diabetes and those who have been impacted by the disease.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. There are three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

About 5 percent of people who have diabetes have type 1 and there is currently no cure.

Most people with diabetes — 9 out of 10 — have type 2 diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin well and is unable to keep blood sugar at normal levels.

Those who are at high risk for type 2 can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes.

These changes include eating healthy, increasing physical activity and losing weight.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $245 billion.

For more information, visit www.diabetes.org.

CSU workshops set for fall

Transfer Services are offering fall workshops for students interested in transferring.

The next workshop will be learning to complete UC applications for schools like UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara and more.

They will be Nov. 16 and 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The workshop on Nov. 16 will be in presentation with UC Davis.They will all be in Student Services Building Room 412.

The workshops will be hosted by transfer counselor David Reyes.

Experience • Alexandra Riva

Chase Hendrickson-Jones of Inflatable Adventures climbs the medium difficulty section of the rock wall during the Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Festival Nov. 10.

Kaiser provides activities at festival

By ALEXANDRA RIVA ariva@lmcexperience.com

Photo from www.stmarys-ca.edu

Designed in the Mission Renaissance style, the chapel is the center of St. Mary’s College.

It is a place of reflection and consideration for all students, no matter their religious or cultural backgrounds.

Free campus tour available

Unsure of where to transfer? Sign up for the Transfer Center’s upcoming university campus tour online: St. Mary’s College: Dec. 4. Registration is now open.

The Transfer Center will provide transportation.

For additional information, registration, future tours and tour suggestions contact the Transfer Center at 4737444 or check out its website losmedanos.edu/transfer/ default.asp.

The Transfer Center is currently located in Student Services, SS4-435.

Allies to hold weekly meetings

Los Medanos College hosted the Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Festival Tuesday, Nov. 10 to educate students and staff about making healthier and smarter lifestyle choices.

“We’re of fering health screenings for students and faculty alike. They’re preventative health screenings — hardly painful,” said Mike Otto of Clinical Health Appraisals Inc. Otto explained the entire screening process being offered, which took around 12 minutes to complete.

Clinical Health Appraisals

Inc. provided cholesterol and glucose screenings, as well as stations for students to check their blood pressure and body mass index. Other businesses at the festival included Massage Garage, Inflatable Adventures and Fresh Approach.

Chase Hendrickson-Jones and Oleg Karpuk, Inflatable Adventures representatives from Sacramento, were optimistic about the event.

“Greatest crowds ever,” said Karpuk about LMC students.

“The people hung out here for about half an hour. That’s a lot longer than at other events.”

LMC student Elliott Ab-

Experience • Alexandra Riva

Sketch Choice gets a complementary massage as a part of the event. dullah, was brave enough to climb the wall as his friends attempt the rock wall brought looked on. to campus. After signing a waiv“I want to tr y it, but I’m er and choosing the difficulty scared to try it,” said LMC of the course, he attempted to See HEALTH, page 6

LMC cooks goulash galore

SOUPER CREW

LMC Allies will have meetings every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. in Library Room L-105.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance, provides information, support and community for gay, lesbian, bi, trans, queer and questioning people in the LMC area, and for their straight family and friends.

Meetings and events offer a safe, friendly and inclusive place and time for our community to convene.

For more information, call 473-7861, email the group at lgbt@losmedanos.edu or stop by the Q*Spot at College Complex Room CC1-117

In the spirit of friendly competition, Co Editor-in-Chief Cassie Dickman and Managing Editor Joseph Delano took it upon themselves to conduct their own taste test.

Daily cancellations online

Save yourself from making an unnecessary trip to campus for a class that has been canceled.

Professors sometimes cancel classes unexpectedly and often can’t tell their students in person.

The LMC website offers a daily class cancellation page for students to see if their class has been canceled.

For the list of daily cancellations, visit www.losmedanos. edu/classcancel.

The LMC Experience Facebook page also posts class cancellations as well as other campus updates. Visit www. facebook.com/lmcexperience.

Graduation application dates

Students who plan to graduate in spring 2016 can apply for graduation once they have registered for spring classes.

The deadline to apply for spring 2016 graduation is March 1. Please see your counselor to make sure you are on track.

Counselors ready to assist

Looking to make an educational plan or review your current one? LMC offers counseling at both campuses.

Drop-in hours are offered throughout the week and change on a weekly basis. Students must have a student ID number and a photo ID to meet with a counselor.

Appointments on the Pittsburg campus can be made at the Counseling Department in the Student Services Building, Level 4, calling in at 473-7449, or by visiting www.losmedanos.edu/counseling and clicking on the Make an Appointment link.

Appointments at the Brentwood Center can be made in person, or by calling 513-1625.

What’s lost may yet be found

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One. Inquiries must be made in person or no pick-up will be made. A brief description of the missing items will be expected by people wanting to pick them up.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

CASSIE’S PICKS

Experience • Chris Ruiz

Akila Briggs shares her pepper and carrot soup with Richard Trager at the LMC sixth annual cook-off.

1 Thai Coconut Milk Chicken

by Lisa MacFarland 2 Tortilla Soup

by Tiffanie Foster 3 Le Potafe Por Toi

by Dan Griffin

Benzler takes first after snafu

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ

bhernandez@lmcexperience.com

Although DSPS Administrative Assistant Sylvia Benzler, was crowned the winner of Los Medanos College’s sixth annual soup cook-off with her Cheesy Chicken Chowder Tuesday, Nov. 10, it was only after Kathy Griffin from Business Services revealed that her Soup-er Hero Tomato Soup, that had initially won, actually came from Safeway.

The event is put on annually to help the Classified Senate, a sponsor for this event, raise money for student scholarships. Last year, the event raised $887.16.

This year the event was able to raise $800 for student scholarships.

“The goal is our students and to provide Classified Senate scholarships for them. It was meant for A) people to enjoy and B) to benefit the students in the scholarship program,” said Griffin.

Participants were able to join the competition as an individual, group or department.

Maurice the Mustang came out to encourage others to try some of the soups being sold. There were no ingredient restrictions

for soups, but in order to avoid allergic reactions, each contestant was required to list the ingredients to their entries at their serving table so customers can see what’s in each soup. Bowls of soup with a slice of French bread cost $4 and soup shots were a dollar each.

Soups at this event ranged from classic soups like broccoli cheddar or gumbo to unique entries like Thai coconut milk chicken soup and pumpkin sausage.

“It’s fun to be out here in the quad and it helps bring in scholarship money for the students,” said Senior Foundation Director Ruth Goodin, who entered the competition with an Italian wedding soup. “It’s made with love and everyone could use a little love.”

Judges for this event were Athletics Counselor Michelle Mack, LMC student Robert Reilly, EOPS Assistant Yasmine Flaggs and Dean of Counseling and Student Support Jeffrey Benford.

“The first place winner gets a wrought iron soup ladle and a certificate with their name on it, second and third place winners See SOUP, page 6

JOSEPH’S PICKS 1 Thai Coconut Milk Chicken

by Lisa MacFarland 2 Beef Sausage & Chicken Gumbo by Shandra West 3 Tortilla Soup

by Tiffanie Foster

COOK-OFF JUDGES’ PICKS 1 Cheesy Chicken Chowder

by Sylvia Benzler 2 Tortilla Soup

by Tiffanie Foster 3 Minestrone

by Kristina Haynes

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Features Marquee Movies just released

Quotable

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“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Day of the Dead inspires

n “Spectre” Rated PG-13 Genre: Thriller, Adventure n “The Peanuts Movie” Rated G Genre: Family, Animation n “Room” Rated R Genre: Drama n “The 33” Rated PG-13 Genre: Drama, True Story n “My All American” Rated PG Genre: Biography, Drama n “By the Sea” Rated R Genre: Romance, Drama

Brentwood open mic

Presented by Brentwood Writes, an adjunct of the Brentwood Art Society and the Brentwood Community Library, City of Brentwood Poet Laureate Kati Short will be hosting a free open mic. All short work, poetry, short story, nonfiction or any other creative work is welcome. Participants are allowed five minutes each to perform. Open mic is held at the Brentwood Community Center in Conference Room B on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

El Campanil events

The El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W Second St., Antioch. For ticket sales and additional information visit elcampaniltheatre.com or call 757-9500. n Presented by the Vagabond Players, “Too Old For The Chorus, But Not Too Old To Be A Star,” a musical about men and women who find themselves to be suddenly 50 will be performed Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $10 for youth 18 and under. n The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in the show “Dorothy in Wonderland” on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for youth 18 and under. n Starring acclaimed performer Jim Curry, there will be a tribute to the music of John Denver matinee show Sunday Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors and free for youth 18 and under with a paid adult.

Shows at the theater

The California Theatre is located in Pittsburg at 351 Railroad Ave. For ticket sales and additional information call 427-1611. n In its third year, VETJAM, featuring Doc Kraft and Company and Billy Schaub will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

Tickets for this event are $10. n Erik “Awesome” Alston is bringing comedy to the Bay Area Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. at “The Erik Awesome Comedy Show.” Tickets for this event are $20 general admission and $25 at the door. n The comedic coming-of-age story of “13 the Musical” is being brought to the theatre beginning Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. and will continue Nov. 21 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Elysse Green and Michael Burks as “Sophie” and “Commander Osembenga” in the LMC’s latest production “Ruined.”

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Instructional assistant Eric Sanchez installs his piece “Homage to CA Farm Workers” in preparation for the art show.

New art show open at the LMC Gallery

By CRYSTAL DAMIAN Staff Writer

The reception for the Días De Los Muertos exhibit was held in the Los Medanos College Art Gallery Thursday, Nov. 5 to kick off the show that will be open through Dec. 10. The exhibit’s theme represents the concept of the Mexican holiday and the name translates to the Day of the Dead.

The reception created a celebration that involved viewers and provided themed refreshments.

A table was used to create a traditional Day of the Dead altar adorned with meaningful objects to remember loved ones who have passed on. Altars typically display photos, flowers, fruit and coins, as well as any item that represents the dead, and art gallery director Judi Pettite encouraged gallery visitors to contribute to the altar by placing an item that symbolizes the passing of one of their own loved

ones. She said the items can be anything significant to them and will be given back to the owners at the end of the exhibition.

The show features sculptures, drawings, paintings and other artistic installations. The paintings were done in bright colors to inspire celebration for the dead.

This exhibit featured artists both from LMC and as far away as the East Coast. New York artist Margaret DeLima’s sculpture was in honor of her sister who passed away peacefully in her sleep in 2008, and many at the reception were interested in hearing her story. The sculpture is named “Blue Jeanna,” and the use of blue as its primary color represents being calm and free. It is a blue figure floating in a sea of blue, surrounded by blue sky and labeled with Cursum Perficio that translates as “my journey is over” or “I finished my journey.”

Two works of art displayed in

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Student Jennifer Holderman setting up the altar with photos of people who are remembered. the show and admired by gallery visitors were both created by members of the LMC community. As you walk through the art gallery, your eyes are drawn to the large piece by Eric Sanchez, instructional assistance for art, drama

and journalism. The creation is a lady skeleton with long flowing hair, holding a large basket of fruit with skull heads all around.

The other piece, made by LMC student Angel Arreola, is See DAY, page 6

SPORTS MEDICINE

more teamwork Photo courtesy of imdb.com

Daniel Craig plays James Bond in the new Ian Fleming adaptation, “Spectre.”

‘Spectre’ strengthens ‘Bond’ Latest film proves to be a worthy addition to series TYLER MORTIMORE

tmortimore@lmcexperience.com

“Spectre,” the latest film in the James Bond series, continues Daniel Craig’s winning streak as the British spy with a license to kill.

Director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Skyfall”) begins his movie with a vir tuosic long shot, the camera following Bond around a vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration in Mexico City. Of course, things don’t stay civil

REVIEW

long and Bond ends up in a harrowing fight for control of a barrel-rolling helicopter over a plaza full of people.

Not surprisingly, this ends with Bond coolly smirking and adjusting his tie.

After the underwhelming title song, the movie picks up with Bond being castigated by M played by Ralph Fiennes (“Harry Potter,” “Grand Budapest Hotel”) for the Mexico City debacle. M explains that MI6 is being absorbed by another agency that’s looking for any excuse to shut down the 00

program. He asks Bond to keep his gun barrel cool for the time being. Bond politely declines. He has a secretive meeting of the world’s most powerful criminals to attend.

The movie’s action sequences are spectacularly staged, from the helicopter stunts in the opening to a high-speed chase through the streets of Rome to a bit of plane skiing in the Swiss Alps. Like “Skyfall,” the finale is perhaps a bit less thrilling than what precedes it, but it still supplies a satisfying See BOND, page 6

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, you deserve excellent care. Our talented team of sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists can help you stay on top of your game.* To learn more, visit kp.org/diablo.

*By referral only.

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Sports

Trivia

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What is the most combined goals scored in a single NHL game?

A: 21 (Twice)

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Experience • Joseph Delano

LMC’s outside hitter Caitlin Sadler spikes the ball as Mendocino’s middle blocker Rebecca Martinez and outside hitter Jamie Mertle attempt to block. The Mustangs are third in the Bay Valley and need to win the last two matchups of the season against second-place Napa and first-place Yuba to have a shot at the playoffs.

Volleyball tramples Eagles

By TYLER MORTIMORE

tmortimore@lmcexperience.com

Winning 5 of their last 6, Los Medanos College Mustangs volleyball waltzed to another easy victory against Mendocino College Tuesday, Nov. 10, winning three games to none.

Mendocino never looked quite threatening and LMC freshmen Caitlin Sadler and Taylor Green led an explosive, if not sometimes inconsistent, offense to 25-17, 25-12, and 25-13 wins.

Head coach Lou Panzella said he was proud of how his team played.

ALUMS OF THE WEEK

“The girls stepped up, [they] played pretty well,” said Panzella. “We served the ball really well, Linsey Baynes had 11 aces.”

The Mustangs started out slow in the first game, getting a solid lead then stalling out, allowing the Eagles to get themselves back into the game.

A strategic timeout at 23-17 allowed LMC to gather their wits and get the two points to finish out the game.

The second game began with a 10-1 LMC run. LMC continued to dominate the game,

but once again, struggled to finish once they hit 22 points.

Mendocino managed to score six quick points, but LMC were unlucky not to finish the game when a nice kill was called back due to player contact with the net. The game ended 25-12 on a good kill by Sadler.

After a group of Mustangs warmed up for the third game by seeing who could successfully pat their head whilst rubbing their belly, they raced out to a 14-1 lead on the back of a superb run of serves by freshman Aubrey Dejesus and

Basketball tips off

a couple of precise kills by Sadler.

The win brings LMC to 11-3 in conference play, one game behind Napa, who they play at home Friday night.

Napa won 3-0 the last time the two teams met, but LMC will need to beat them as well as conference leaders Yuba next Tuesday to force a tiebreaker match.

“We’re still in the mix. Last night we had to win, and we did,” said Panzella. “We still control our destiny. We have to get a little bit lucky, but it’s still out there for us to get.”

LMC wins preseason opener by 28

By XAVIER VALLE

xvalle@lmcexperience.com

With the first half closing in, LMC’s Andrew Hall hit a 3-pointer to make the score 56-42 heading into the locker room.

The Mustangs continued to do what worked in the first half in the second, stifling Simpson even more, only allowing 30 second half points while putting up 44 of their own.

“I thought our offense was superb and we played unselfish. We moved the ball, we made the extra pass, we looked for open teammates.

I thought our commitment to making the extra pass was superior,” said Domenichelli.

“Only work we need is our defensive side and rebounds.”

Freshman guard Mark Thomas led the scoring for the Mustangs with 20 points.

The Mustangs next contest is the to Solano Tournament at Solano College against Gavilian College, Friday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence The first Bay Valley conference game will Freshman Osh’e White goes up for the rebound as not be until Jan. 5 of next year against Alameda on the Mustangs home floor.

LMC defeated Simpson University JV 100-72.

The Los Medanos College Mustangs men’s basketball team played their first preseason game of the season against the junior varsity team from Simpson University, winning 100-72.

LMC head coach Derek Domenichelli was excited about his roster outlook this season.

“There are only three sophomores from last year’s roster so I expect something brand new this season from my guys,” said Domenichelli before the opening buzzer.

The three sophomores on the roster are guards Matt Sisneros, Justin Smith and Jeff Brown.

The Mustangs came out strong on offense Tampa Bay Buccaneers with great passing and solid communication Sterling Moore, LMC amongst the guys on the floor, especially when defensive back in 2007. trying to get it in the paint. n Sterling Moore (NFL): One of the highlight-reel plays of the game contributed an interception, was the first dunk of the Mustangs season by a forced fumble and three freshman Demauriaye Smith. tackles in the Tampa Bay Buccaners’ 32-18 loss to the New York Giants. He is just two tackles shy of 100 in his career (five seasons). n Taylor Scriven (NCAA volleyball): leads Alcorn State in kills (185) sets played (89).

She also has 124 digs to go with the team’s 11-21 record.

Alcorn State plays Alabama State (16-13) in the final game of the regular season Saturday. n Terrance Polk (NCAA football): had four receptions for 83 yards in Ottawa’s 34-24 defeat to Kansas Wesleyan.

Ottawa plays the last game of the regular season at Friends University Saturday in wake of the death of offensive lineman Sam Brazeal, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident Wednesday. n Shawn Vasquez (NCAA football): rushed for 53 yards and a touch down off 14 carries in Texas A&MExperience • Brendan Cross Kingsville’s 43-25 victory over Tarlenton State. In their LMC defensive midfielder Lynette Chavoya battles previous meeting a month with Napa’s midfielder Danielle Meuse during the earlier, Tarlenton State won, Mustangs 2-1 loss Nov. 10. Their final game of the 38-34, in comeback fashion. season is at Marin Friday, Nov. 13.

Game squandered

Football loses close call .500 record still in sight

By RENEE SMITH

rsmith@lmcexperience.com

The Los Medanos College Mustangs football team lost a tight contest to the Shasta College Knights Saturday Nov. 7, 29-28.

Quarterback Gabe Taylor (9-20, 101 yards, touchdown, interception) set the pace early with a 21-yard run to the end zone, but the two-point conversion was intercepted and returned 98 yards by Shasta making the score 6-2.

There was more back-andfor th action in the second quarter as Taylor found wide receiver Angelo Moore (2 receptions, 66 yards, touchdown) for a 15-yard touchdown with a successful extra point from kicker Blessing Wainiwheh.

The Mustangs took an

11-point lead, but the Knights answered back with their own 15-yard touchdown scamper.

The Knights also failed their two-point conversion attempt as Los Medanos headed into half time leading 13-8.

Shasta found momentum in the second half as they ate up over 6 minutes during a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown pass from quarterback Timothy Naylor (25-34, 242 yards, 2 touchdowns) to wide receiver Mikel Frost (9 rec, 75 yards, 2 touchdowns).

The score gave Shasta the lead, while the successful conversion put them up 16-13.

Just two plays later LMC’s running back Billy Wells (30 attempts, 242 yards, touchdown) showed his athleticism s he ran 56-yards for a score.

The Mustangs had a chance to extend their lead the next drive but were stuffed inside the 10 yard-line four times, unable to score, turning the

ball over on downs.

The final quarter saw a few lead changes.

Taylor, with 6:07 left, once again rushed his way into the end zone to make the score 26-23 after the extra point.

The Mustangs didn’t hold that lead for long as the Knights Connor Silveria (22 attempts, 97 yards, 2 touchdowns) had a 31-yard run for a touchdown (failed extra point) making the score 29-26 with 3:10 left in the game.

LMC tacked on a safety late but it was not enough “I thought this was a well played game and it went to the very last second,” said Taylor. “[Shasta] made plays when they needed to and we didn’t.”

The Mustangs are 4-5 overall with one game left in the season at Mendocino Nov. 14.

“We want to end our season 5-5 and be able to send the sophomores off with a win,” said Taylor.

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Back Talk

VETS From page 1

be the unintentional lack of urgency of the part of the campus in recognizing the need for an organized veterans oriented club,” said Turner. “Another challenge encountered through the years was the inability to mobilize our student vets population into forming a club.

This lack of internal unsustainability contributed to the lack of an organized veterans presence on campus.”

The center will include counseling ser vices, peer tutoring, computers and space for veteran students to hang out.

The goal of the club is to support veterans and their dependents while also bringing awareness of the unique struggles they frequently face.

Now that the club is going to become official the members hope to host many events.

“We have some really exciting things in the works. The club officers and I have been networking with numerous organizations,” said Justin Kerns, president of the Veterans Club. “We feel that, with their assistance, we will be able to offer a dynamic range of information, services, and activities to make the LMC Veterans Club a truly valuable resource to our members and the campus/surrounding community as a whole.”

“I joined the LMC Veterans Club because I have seen veterans clubs at other colleges and universities create a very strong veterans community and improve the availability of information and services for veterans at those institutions.” said Kerns. “I would love to see that type of impact right here at LMC.” “We had a great attendance at our initial meeting and we are planning to hit the ground running in order to maintain this momentum,” said Kerns.

Starting Nov. 18, the meetings will be ever y other Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Room 365 on the third floor of the College Complex. The Executive Committee will make an effort to have informative speakers, food and refreshments at every meeting.

“I am humbled and honored to once again serve as club advisor. It has been a long journey from where we started years ago to where we are now. But based on the interest and sheer energy emitted at our initial meeting, I see nothing but great things happening with this club,” said Turner.

JACC

Some veterans activities happened Nov. 10-11 that included honoring veterans and providing them with a lunch.

The first event was Veterans Day Obser vance Nov. 10, hosted by LMC President Bob Kratochvil. A small group of faculty, staff, students and local veterans gathered on the front patio of the Student Services to honor veterans.

There were moments of silence to show respect and two guest speakers spoke about their experiences as veterans.

The first speaker was Anthony Amador, an LMC student and vice president of the Veterans Club. Amador had served in the United States Navy.

The second speaker was Major. Dale Cook, a retired veteran from the United States Marine Corps and an Iwo Jima survivor. He talked about his experience when he was in World War II. “It was an honor having Mr. Cook, a World War 2 veteran who served at such a significant battle as Iwo Jima come to the campus to talk about his experience,” said Kratochvil. “Fewer and fewer WWII veterans are living, and it was a tremendous privilege to have him on our campus to speak.”

On Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m., the Honors Club hosted a veteran’s pizza lunch for veterans to stop by and eat.

Later that day, the Contra Costa Community College District recognized veterans, including district employees, prior to its monthly meeting.

The awarded district staff were: Diane Ferguson; James Mar tin; Cecil Naswor thy; Leonard Price; Glenn Sobolik; Reginald Turner; Jimmie Cromartie; Charles Gibson; Herb Lester; Ray Pyle; Troy Ricard; Richard Robison and Richard Stollings.

The district also recognized Veteran Center supporters at each of the three colleges including The Sentinels of Freedom, the David and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Lennar Urban and PG&E. The Sentinels of Freedom, a nationally known non-profit organization that serves veterans, was recognized with contributing $75,000 to the district to fund the Veterans Center at each of the three community colleges.

“The [LMC] Veterans Resource Center space has been designated, planning for the interior space is underway, said Kratochvil, “and it is expected to be open for our student veterans in the spring 2016 semester.”

From page 1

feat,” said Dickman.

Photo Editor Cathie Lawrence took home three awards for photography. She won both second and third place honors in Online Photo Essay for two multimedia photo presentations in the online edition of the Experience, and second place in Photo Essay for a package of photos in the print edition of the Experience.

“It’s always nice hearing that you have taken an award for the work you have produced,” said Lawrence. “I was elated, taken aback and surprised to hear that I took three awards at this semesters JACC NorCal Conference… I guess you could say I feel three times happier with this semesters wins.”

T wo members of the staf f also won awards for their work designing pages for the print edition of the Experience: Managing Editor Joseph Delano won Honorable Mention in Front Page Layout done during his tenure last year as editor in chief Sports Editor Brendan Cross won Honorable Mention in Inside Page Layout.

“It felt nice to have my work recognized. Although I don’t do it for the awards, I do it for the experience,” said Delano.

The work last year of several former staff members was also honored. Former Experience cartoonist Joey Fajardo won both second and third place in the Editorial Cartoon category for two cartoons published last year on the Perspectives Page. Former staf f writer and photographer Suzzanne Sperry won second place in Video Journalism for an online video feature about a guitarist

on campus. And former staff writer Stacy Kaupanger won second place in Profile Feature Story for an article focusing on biology instructor James Madden.

Students attending the annual regional conference also had the oppor tunity to compete in On-the-Spot Contests based on a presentation by keynote speaker Cristi Hegranes, founder of the Global Press Institute, on her work to train women in developing countries to report on important issues and spark change in their communities. Two members of the Los Medanos College delegation were honored for their onsite work covering that speech: Joseph Delano won fourth place honors in On-The-Spot Editorial Cartoon for his illustrative interpretations of the speaker’s comments.

Cassie Dickman won honorable mention in On-The-Spot News Writing for her written interpretations of the speaker’s comments.

Experience adviser Cindy McGrath praised the work of the LMC student journalists who won awards at the conference, and emphasized that their pursuit and achievement of excellence continues.

“The staf f is filled with dedicated and creative students, and I am proud of the work they do every week,” said McGrath. “Awards are a nice acknowledgment of their efforts, but the real prize is the experience that will prepare them for transfer to four-year schools, or for jobs as print, online or broadcast journalists when they leave LMC.”

Web

E X P E R I E N C E

PANEL From page 1

“math extraordinaires” Dr. A’kilah Moore and Kwadgo Poku, the event began. Two students asked the panel questions while the panel responded accordingly.

Panelists were asked to explain their personal racial labels. Though Poku considers himself an African-American, he said “I don’t think I’m different from any other person in America who is black.”

Noel, whose Caribbean-native family moved to England, explained a popular label nowadays is “black British,” but he doesn’t quite identify with this label, because racial identities are “quite complicated.”

“Sometimes racial labels can be problematic because they don’t tell the whole story.”

Yeong said “Jesse Jackson came up with the term African-American, but I define myself as Afro-American.”

“I really got a lot out of it and it was totally not what I was expecting,” said Jeffers.

All four-panel members noted the “Motherland” as being a high priority and great inspiration for them.

Yeong, who’s been to Mali and Senegal, said “I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about African people and my connection to Africa.”

Both Noel and Moore have never been to any part of Africa but have expressed interest is going. Moore explained she is waiting until her kids get older and Noel noted that it’s definitely on his bucket list.

In an effort to bring light to the topic of unification, the speakers were asked about commonalities between black people all over the world.

“Perseverance, tenacity and resilience — black people ev-

F R I D AY,

erywhere have those things,” said Moore. “We can survive, we can figure it out, we can make it through anything.”

Yeong said a lot of cultural similarities are centered on language. He talked about the difficulties and advantages of being part Jamaican and part Chinese. He then joked that the line “Chinese from the waist up and black from the waist down” got him a date once, which went over big with the audience.

Noel said a common link “is in the way black people express themselves through music,” particularly politically themed music. “In England, there was a deep sense of protest, especially in the 60s.”

The music usually dealt with social injustice and poor treatment of people of African descent, not only in England but in North America as well.

The time allotted for the panel ran out but not before they were asked what inspired them to immerse themselves in the field of work they’re in.

Yeong said he’s had “various black and brown teachers” who’ve encouraged him to further his education and “become a good teacher.” While working as a high school teacher in New York City, he observed the differences in “the way those teachers taught students and how.”

A group of people left after the first part but this didn’t discourage the next act, a group of dancers who call themselves “Samba Funk.”

Emphatic dance crew leader “King Theo” Aytchan Williams told the audience that this wouldn’t be an experience where you can just observe the performers; there would be plenty of chances for them to participate as well.

“The African experience is not a lecture — it is not a

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spectator sport,” he said.

To illustrate this point, there was a call and response from one of the troupe’s drummers and audience members did not hesitate to participate.

Betwixt drumbeats, King Theo gave short history lessons about the ceremonies behind these songs and the history of the dances exhibited. He explained why he and his crew call themselves, “funkquarians” — it’s to honor African ancestors who struggled during the Transatlantic Slave Trade but specifically the babies who were thrown overboard on the journey to North America.

To make things more inclusive, Williams said, “Just because you speak Spanish, doesn’t mean we aren’t talking to you.” And he added that there are people of African descent all over the world.

Volunteers were then invited down for a mutual dance lesson lasting for about ten minutes. Attendees clapped and stood for those participating on stage. The dance moves were a combination of traditional South American and African dance moves and retro to contemporary African American dance moves.

The ending of the dance segment signified the end of the event and the collective of audience members made their way out of the theater.

LMC student Du’Praiseja Smith, who was only able to make the second half, said the show lived up to her expectations.

“I was not disappointed.

My favorite part was when everyone got to dance onstage.

The part that resonated with me the most was during the drum call, when he asked what the drums were saying to us,” said Smith, “that they were speaking.”

HEALTH SOUP From page 3

From page 3

child development major Janae Seei, while she watched Abdullah climb.

For students seeking a more relaxing activity, Massage Garage was there to help to offer such services. Keri Denney and Tania Watkins “thought the event was going well” and chatted with students as they massaged them.

Across from Denney and Watkins, was Aaron Winner with Fresh Approach, a mobile farmers’ market. Fresh Approach, was not just at LMC for the event but has been coming to campus every Tuesday for the last several weeks.

“Our goal is to promote healthy eating, mainly in low income areas,” said Winner.

Fresh Approach is based out of Concord and is focused on helping people create and maintain healthy eating habits by offering nutrition courses and other information to, predominantly, low income families.

“Pittsburg, by USDA standards, is a food desert,” said Winner.

each get a certificate with their names,” said Senior Account Clerk Linda Maniscalco.

As the cook-off dwindled down and the contestants started to run out of soup, Judge Coordinator for this event Sandra Mills began to announce the winner.

At that moment, Grif fin also made an announcement about one of the soups she had entered into the competition.

“In this soup cook-off, what happened was my plane was delayed out of Denver on Monday the 9th and I was unable to make my classic clam chowder.

I had already planned to buy Safeway’s Tuscan Tomato Basil Soup as a third soup,” said Griffin.

In a tur n of events, a soup Grif fin donated to this event that had actually come from Safeway and was not meant to be entered in the competition, won the first place prize.

“Because I didn’t make it, I informed the judge coordinator — the one that carries the soup to the judges — that if it

should somehow win, that I was recusing myself,” said Griffin.

Grif fin had disqualified herself even though the judges found the tomato soup to be a winner.

“This was all in jest, and to let our LMC Community know just how good that soup is, but certainly not to belittle anyone’s homemade masterpiece,” said Maniscalco.

Afterward, the real winners were announced with Sylvia Benzler’s Cheesy Chicken Chowder coming in first place.

Tiffanie Foster’s Tortilla Soup and Kristina Haynes’ Minestrone took second and third in the competition.

In addition to the cook-off, Student Life also hosted a blood drive and soccer rally and game that day. The Classified Senate also held a raffle of prizes at the Soup Cook-Off. The prizes included ceramics, a makeup mirror, various gift baskets and more.

“It’s just a great event, we had a great turn out and it was the perfect day for it,” said Benzler.

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

BOND From page 4

conclusion.

Lea Seydoux, the wonderfully talented French actress of “Blue Is The Warmest Color” fame, joins Craig. Her Madeleine Swann is a more combat-competent Bond Girl than many of her predecessors, and Seydoux and Craig have good chemistry from the jump.

On the anti-democratic side, Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds”) brings his playful-but-sinister delivery to the movie’s villain, Franz Oberhauser, leader of the shadowy organization.

Waltz sells every line, even some of the film’s clumsier expository dialogue the Bond franchise is known for. Dave Bautista (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) plays the mercenary who is chosen to hunt down Bond. The 6’6” Bautista is a former WWE wrestler, and looks like quite the natural when he throws the boozing spy through walls.

Though Roger Deakins set the bar high in “Skyfall,” cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (Interstellar) captured gorgeous images of Mexico City, London, Rome and Tangier.

The jewel of Craig’s impressively consistent Bond run is still “Casino Royale,” but Mendes has done an admirable job of staving off the late-stint slump that many of the former Bond’s have suffered.

Craig’s four films’ continuing storyline, a first in the series, is seemingly wrapped up here.

His battered Bond completes his arc in style.

DAY From page 4

a striking acrylic on canvas piece was used on the Días De Los Muertos flier. The painting, named “The Eyes of La Cantrina,” displays a women’s face painted with the Day of the Dead sugar skull makeup and features blue hair and piercing hazel eyes.

The show attracted many students, some from art classes, others walking by after leaving the Library, including the Grim Reaper himself who made a friendly visit to the show in full costume.

Pettite said students have asked numerous times over the years about creating a Day of the Dead celebration in the gallery, so she thought “it was about time to have one.”

If you are interested in viewing Días De Los Muertos, or contributing to the altar on display, the show will be open for this celebration through Dec. 10.