12.05.14

Madden a good fit

‘RENT’ plays on stage

Vega shines on squad

Biology teacher spreads whimsy and life experience to his students. Profile inside — page 3

Drama Department opens its production of ‘RENT’ at the California Theatre — page 5

Ana Vega finds friends and opportunities as part of the LMC volleyball team. Profile inside — page 7

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Last day of classes.

Start of winter break

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Spring 2015 classes begin

Finals week upcoming

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Center nears finish line ‘One-stop-shop’ to open in the spring

By JOSEPH DELANO

jdelano@lmcexperience.com

The new Student Services Center will be up and running for the upcoming Spring 2015 semester.

The center, hailed as a “one-stop shop” by Los Medanos College President Bob Kratochvil, will house most of the student services under one roof and has a completion date of Dec 24.

With the exception of the Student Life Office and the Bookstore, departments such as the Welcome Center, the Office of Instruction, Counseling and DSP&S will be among the services provided in the central area.

The $16.7 million building is to be occupied by various offices beginning Dec. 15. The tentative schedule, available online at losmedanos.edu/ studentservices, has 18 departments and offices moving in over a five-day period. Most offices will open the day after they are relocated.

The 38,100 square foot building is the result of bond Measure A, which allowed for money to become available for the construction.

LMC Vice President Kevin Horan spoke on the ongoing construction of the building Experience • Cathie Lawrence saying, “We are very pleased to say that the project is A new water feature is what students who enter from the Outdoor Quad will See SHOP, page 10

notice first. This beautification is just the beginning of the new building’s design.

Hands up for Ferguson

Dec. 11 marks the start of finals week for the fall semester. A reminder: classes that start at 4 p.m. and into the evening will hold finals at the normal time. Confirm with your instructor as to the specific times for your finals.

Two more robbed at lake Trio used fake gun

By CASSIE DICKMAN

cdickman@lmxexperience.com

Kennedy-King spots open The Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship application is now available.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 2, 2015. The scholarship gives two $4,000 awards per year to members of underrepresented minority groups in California. There will be an upcoming workshop: “How to Write a Winning Essay” Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Center for Academic Support. Contact the Scholarship Office at 473-7520 for more information.

A group of students on campus organized a peaceful protest Tuesday, Nov. 25 in solidarity with the family of Michael Brown after the grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson, MO. officer Darren Wilson. Tyler Ward, above, reads the name of a victim of police brutality. LeRon Hill, left, sits among the group of protesters on the steps of the Outdoor Quad.

Photos by Bertha Aguilar • Experience

Bio class cleans up campus Hug a pet in the Library The Library will be hosting a Stress Relieving Pet Therapy session Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Reference Desk at 473-7575.

Students collect cans and bottles

By DAMIAN LEWIN

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

Environmental Health was the last topic for LMC students enrolled in BIOSC-005 this semester. For their final lab assignments, students set out to examine how often recyclable plastic water bottles are ending up in the trashcans on campus.

“Students need to understand this problem,” said professor of biology Sharon Wellbrook.

“It’s horrific the amount of plastic out there.”

Having designed the current curriculum for students enrolled in BIOSC-005, Wellbrook was inspired by fellow biology professor Ron Gallin and his own views towards recycling when formulating the lab assignments for this semester.

“He single handedly walks around campus and takes them out of the garbage can,” Wellbrook added, “he was my inspiration.”

Stressing on the importance and the benefits from properly disposing of our waste, Professor Gallin offers his own opinions towards the recycling practices at LMC. “It’s annoying,” said Professor Ron Gallin as he described to his class the amount of improperly discarded items he has personally viewed in trash bins. “There’s recycling bins all over campus.”

And he is right.

Located throughout LMC, green recycling containers are properly labeled for each corresponding item and in some cases are located See CLEAN, page 10

“If we all do just one little thing, it will really make a difference.”

— Sharon Wellbrook

The crime rate at Los Medanos College does not seem to be on the decline. An armed robber y took place at the school’s lake just after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the second in less than month.

“In the most recent incident, two students were confronted by individuals they did not know, and who demanded personal belongings,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “Both victims...were unharmed.”

A campuswide safety alert was sent out to students and staff via email the evening of Dec. 1, informing members of the college community about the crime, which occurred earlier at approximately 6:40 p.m..

Police Ser vices Lt. Ryan Huddleston of at LMC said in an interview the two victims, who were sitting on a bench near the LMC lake, saw three males approaching them. Only one of the suspects reportedly spoke — he was carrying what appeared to the victim to be a toy-replica, plastic firearm — and he demanded the female student hand over her bag.

She refused.

Both students reported to police they thought the man was joking and didn’t take the situation seriously at first.

But, Huddleston said the man then approached the male victim and told him to hand over his bag as well. He fled toward the college leaving his bag behind. The bag, which contained a few binders, was taken by the suspects.

Many things about this crime echo the events of the first robbery, which took place early last month on Nov 5.

Both incidents involved three unknown males wearing hoodies and a gun, or replica, was See CRIME, page 10

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“There are good reasons for being in jail — for protesting.”

— Tracy Chapman

Evan Dean

Tamara Seward

EV’S INFLUENCE

LADY T

Drinking isn’t a top priority

Watch yourself on the Internet

She lies on the floor, hands hugging the porcelain throne, wondering when her body will stop regurgitating her mistakes from the night before. It’s 4 a.m. and she has school in five hours. Homework still uncompleted, no gas in her car, and no money in her wallet.

Are you this girl?

He stumbled into his car, takes a deep breath, and is barely able to locate which key is the one to start his car. He leaves the bar and while driving he must do so with one eye closed because the one-lane road looks like two. Red and blue lights appear behind him, and that’s it – his life is forever changed. Are you this boy?

She wakes up the next morning, head pounding, and her belongings nowhere in sight. This isn’t her room, this isn’t her house, and she has class in the next hour.

Two others whom she does not remember the names of lay asleep in the room with her, so she quietly gets up and leaves, preparing herself for the walk-of-shame. The girl locates her purse and phone and walks out the front door. Are you this girl?

He is woken up by a throbbing pain in his arm and back. The arm held a huge gash, which looks like was put through a cheese-grater. His back, the same. It was road rash. He must have fallen sometime the night before, but he cannot remember for the life of him. Are you this boy?

She makes it to her class and her professor hands back her essay with a big red “F” along the top. She was not surprised because she had written it at 3 a.m. still inebriated from the night before. On the next one I’ll do better, she thought. Are you this girl?

He slept through his alarm, missing his first class of the day. There was a midterm and no make-ups. He had gone out for just one drink the night before, but recalling his night and upon opening his wallet, he remembered one drink turned into 10 and the $100 he needed to pay the rest of his rent was gone. Are you this boy?

Society tells young students that they should be at parties or at the bar. However, a lot of the time they do not know how to do this in a safe way. They do not know their limit.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around “25 percent of college students report academic consequences from missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades over all” for students who drink alcohol frequently.

The NIAAA also reports that more than 97,000, both male and female students, are subject to date-rape or sexual-assault from alcohol induced situations, 599,000 students are reported with unintentional alcohol-related injuries, and more than 150,000 students develop alcoholism or alcohol-related health problems.

If you or someone you know suffers from alcoholism or appears to have a dependency on alcohol you can find your local Alcoholics Anonymous chapters at www.aa.org or visit your doctor for any questions or concerns.

Pittsburg Alcoholics Anonymous is located at 825 Cumberland Street and their phone number is 432-3139.

She gets a phone call from a friend inviting her to go bar hopping. Although she plays with the idea of how much fun she will have, she decides to stay home and study for her quiz the next day. She gets a good night’s rest and aces her test. This girl could be you.

He is attends a party with all of his friends.

Someone offers him a cold one. “No thanks, I’m driving tonight,” he declines.

Driving home from the party, lights flash behind him. The officer walks up to the window, “Had anything to drink tonight, son?”

“Nope. Not a drop,” he said confidently.

This boy could be you.

The Internet is a great way to travel without leaving home. Introverted or agoraphobic people have a chance to new people without going having an anxiety attack. One can go on YouTube and find videos of virtually everything.

You can even find information and videos about your favorite shows before you see them. Can you say spoiler alert? Unfortunately you may not always like what you find. The world wide web also brings with it a load of problems.

One misspelled word can bring up hundreds to thousands of sites and information that can never be unseen in the mind’s eye.

If you’re not careful enough or are unaware of what’s out there you may infect your electronics of choice with a virus or overload it with trackers from various websites and web browsers that can slow down a computer enough so it is no longer useful.

You even have to be careful of clicking on links you receive in emails from trusted friends and family members. Hackers can steal identities easily with the click of a few buttons. Bank and credit card accounts are also more vulnerable with Internet accessibility.

Now there are reports of cyber-bullying, which has led to suicides. Videos and pictures of people, adults and children, are proudly posted to the Internet.

However, the easy availability for predators to reach their prey is what scares me the most. We’ve all heard of the Craigslist Killer as well as other well-known cases of kidnappings and murder where the victim or victims met the perpetrator online.

In 2003 Actress Annie Potts, best known for playing Janine Melnitz in “Ghostbusters” and Mary Jo Shively in “Designing Women,” made a TV movie called “Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story” that brought this point to light.

Julie Posey’s daughter was approached by a pedophile in a chat room online. Unfortunately at this time there were no laws to protect children from this sort of thing. The scene I remember most is her confronting a police officer, and he told her nothing could be done — it was free speech. Her reply, “Well God Bless America, but keep him away from my daughter.” Julie took it upon herself and went to great lengths to lure the pedophile out and he was caught.

I bring this up because a story similar to this happened right before Thanksgiving in Bay Point Calif. A well-known registered sex offender who had been chatting with an under-age girl on the text application was found in her bedroom closet. He has been arrested and an investigation is under way.

The Internet in itself is not a bad thing.

It has great possibilities both informational and just plain fun. Have you seen the dog in a spider costume running around town at night yet? Social media sites are a great way to meet new people or get in touch with family members around the globe. I myself have spoken with cousins I have not seen in about 10 years or more.

Sites like Ancestry.com can help you find information about your family members so you can create a family tree and share with future generations. Google.com can help you search for just about anything in the world including yourself.

How you choose to use the Internet and its vast knowledge is up to you of course. But be mindful of the dark side of the Internet.

We all should become more hyper-vigilant about attackers of ever y nature in this information age.

Everyone should be more careful about their own safety as well as the safety of their loved ones. I agree with Julie, God bless America. But let’s keep our children, and ourselves, safe.

Experience • Joey Fajardo

Editorial

Getting your point across

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fter former Ferguson Missouri police officer Darren Wilson walked free after killing unarmed teenager Michael Brown, the city broke out in a rash of protests and violent riots. The Experience believes that rioting and looting only discredit the efforts of those trying to make a difference when it comes to civil rights.

President Barack Obama told the citizens to be safe because “We’re a nation built on peace.” If you, however, have a basic knowledge of history you know this is incorrect.

We’re a nation built on racial tension, massacre and deceit but things seldom change for the better when people are inactive instead of proactive, which is why peaceful protesting is the solution for getting things done.

Other groups in different cities started similar protests in the name of unarmed person of color killed. Public figures showed support with the “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture. There was even a small demonstration in the quad on the LMC campus. These movements continued into the holidays with the Stop the Parade and Blackout Black Friday protests, even though CNN and ABC tried to censor participants.

It couldn’t be a more perfect time to rally for human rights. Racial tension in America is at a peak due to suspicious circumstances in other cases involving police and people all over the world are protesting marching for their human rights as well.

Peaceful protests do make a difference. Monday, President Obama promised that he would spend $263 million to re-train police offices overhaul their use of military weapons and to supply officers with 50,000 body cameras. We have a long ways to go in terms of social and financial equality but other than voting, peaceful protests are the only way to get things done.

Bill Cosby should explain his past The comedian. The family man. The rapist?

This encouraged three other women to Bill Cosby, commonly known for playing Cliff come to the media with their own stories of Huxtable in ‘80s sitcom The Cosby Show, has being sexually violated by Cosby. He had kept been accused of sexual assault by 18 different quiet in the years following the settlement, as women. Of the women, most have shared did as the media. That is until the issue came strikingly similar stories. They claim to have up again this year. been drugged when they were in a comfortable On Oct 16, comedian Hannibal Buress called setting and then sexually assaulted by Cosby. Cosby a “rapist” in his stand-up act, joking that Cosby rose to starhe is a role model even dom with his famithough many women had ly-friendly approach accused him of assault. to comedy, revolu“No, no. We don’t answer tionizing TV, showing that,” said Cosby in an an upper-middle class Associated Press interview black family connected upon being asked about to their culture. He the criticism from Buress.

LIZZY’S OUTLOOK has lectured black More women, came to youth. He was given the public with detailed the Presidential Medal stories of Cosby’s assaults. of Freedom, the highest honor any civilian could Despite major cancellations and postponement of receive and was the first black man to co-star his NBC and Netflix programs, he still receives in a TV drama. a crowd of fans at his comedy shows.

But how will this affect those who wish to be But how long will he continue to receive aplike him? Cosby’s image, not just for his audience plause from those who have looked up to him but also for those who look up to him. when he is suspected of violating so many women.

“Words and actions can be misinterpreted,” Does he expect to ride these allegations out Cosby said about a lawsuit in 2004. “I’m not and wait another 10 years for more, or will he going to give in to people who try to exploit me actually say something honest to set the record because of my celebrity status.” straight?

The lawsuit was filed but was soon dismissed These allegations are putting Cosby in a following claims the accuser and the accused horrible light, whether he is guilty or innocent. had resolved their differences. It was settled out Cosby should address the public and give his of court for an “undisclosed amount” in 2006. side of all the stories that have against him.

Lissette Urbina

Reader Opinion Policy

The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. All members of the Los Medanos College community — students, faculty and staff — are encouraged to write.

If you are interested in expressing your opinions on campus, national or world issues, bring your submissions to room CC3-301 and put them in the Perspectives Editor’s mailbox or mail them to Experience c/o Los Medanos College, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. You may also send them electronically through the Experience online newsite lmcexperience.com.

Letters and columns must be typed, signed and include a phone number for verification. They may be edited for clarity, content taste and length at the editor’s discretion.

Voices

What is your reaction when the fire alarm goes off at LMC? C

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“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

Editor-in-Chief ...................JOESEPH DELANO Perspectives Editors......... JAZMINE GORDON and KIMBERLY STELLY

“When the fire alarm goes off I would try and just go and try to get everyone outside and just try to get everyone out of the building.”

— Joe Ramia

“I don’t think anyone’s gonna take it that seriously.

It’s not that big of a deal.”

— Cre Gibbs

“I’m very startled and frightened. I don’t like the sound of the alarm. It’s very scary for the fact that maybe there is a real fire.”

— Sergio Ramirez

“In LMC I’m just like ‘Oh the fire alarm is going off, let’s just finish our lecture really fast.’”

— Jonee CarterWashington

“It depends on whether it’s real or fake because last time it went off, nobody did anything and it was on a weekend.”

— Cody Woolley

“I honestly can’t take it too seriously because when it goes off, I instantly think ‘Oh, who did something?’”

— Azaria Bynum

Campus Editor ....................CASSIE DICKMAN Features Editor ....................... DAMIAN LEWIN Sports Editor .............................STEVEN LUKE Photo Editors................... CATHIE LAWRENCE and BERTHA AGUILAR Associate Editors....................... JOSH WOOD and SUZZANNE SPERRY Web Editor ..........................BRENDAN CROSS 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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Barcelona beckons

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“The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school.”

— Alice Cooper

Debate hosts events

Interested in traveling to Barcelona next fall? The Study Abroad program will be offering the option to experience incredible architecture, cuisine and culture all while furthering your education in Barcelona in the fall of 2015.

A meeting for those interested will be held at DVC Wednesday, December 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in room LA-119.

If you are interested or would like more information, contact the Study Abroad Office via e-mail at Studyabroad@ dvc.edu or call 969-2507

Help available for parents

Los Medanos College’s California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) serves students attending LMC who receive financial aid and are parents.

Services include priority registration, educational and career counseling and educational workshops.

If you would like more information, call 473-7482 or visit the office in Room CC2-257. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Counselors ready to assist

Looking to make an educational plan, or review your current one? Do you need career advice or a personal counselor? LMC offers general counseling at both campuses.

Appointments at Pittsburg can be made in person, by calling the Counseling Department 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.

Alpha Gamma back in action

With a strong emphasis on community service, LMC’s Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) is looking for more members to participate in their meetings, fundraisers and other club activities.

For more information, including meeting times, planned activities and membership requirements, visit the AGS website at www.losmedanosags.com

Il Duomo di Firenze in Florence is an iconic landmark that students of the study abroad program may visit.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Jen Baney, right, expresses her views on the topic at hand while fellow teammates Christine Fountain, Sergio Ramirez and Harsh Joshi jot down some notes.

Tournament was held on campus

Team discusses Ellis Act

By RATTANA KIM

By KIMBERLY STELLY

rkim@lmcexperience.com

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Los Medanos College hosted its first competitive debate tournament, the Steeltown Invitational, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Of all the colleges in attendance, including Dominican University, University of California Los Angeles, University of La Verne and California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo, LMC was the only two-year institution with a team in the competition.

“The reason I chose [the name] Steeltown is because that’s one of the nicknames of this local area. Being in Pittsburg, I thought it was important,” said Debate Team Coach Kasey Gardner. “Hardly anybody from these Southern California four-year schools has ever been to Pittsburg before so I wanted to kind of theme the tournament around them getting to know this local area. That’s why I chose Steeltown, hoping they would understand that Pittsburg, Steeltown, must have an industrial base here.”

Although LMC’s debate squad did not win the tournament — top honors went to University of La Verne of la Verne, Calif. — individual pairs did place 9th, 10th and 11th out of the 24 competing.

LMC would have had to place in the top eight to advance to the elimination round. However, the winning team was University of Laverne.

“I thought it was amazing. Los Medanos

Los Medanos College held an impromptu debate Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Pittsburg California Theater. The Experience • Cathie Lawrence topic up for debate was the Ellis Act, a Debate member Brianna Klipp state law that allows landlords to evict all speaks out during the debate. tenants from their living units in order to “go out of business.”

The debate was held “to inform the probably outperformed everybody even though we didn’t get into the final round. public on a hot topic,” said the leader I feel like we performed so much better of the closing opposition Brianna Klipp.

One side argued in favor of the act and than San Diego,” said LMC debater and Honors Program President Collin Brown the other four debate team members arabout its last tournament in Southern gued against it. Those who were opposed California. “Every team was on their to the act had a more emotion-based game doing everything they could. We all argument. “Don’t take grandma’s house gave our all from what I heard from other away,” said debate team member Sergio debaters. Everyone was really happy with Ramirez, arguing that families would the turnout. We almost placed in every not have enough money to move after elimination round but we were one point being evicted.

The opposition which supported the act off and with that, that’s such a huge step countered by dismissing the claims that up from the San Diego tournament.”

Brown also mentioned the event was family members would be left homeless “very smooth” and heard the other schools because the state would offer tenants money and would give them time to find loved the “awesome” LMC campus.

What is unique about this debate is the housing. The opposition also used Genformat. This semester the debate team trification to justify their positions. Team has been transitioning from parliamentary member Yetunde Oganlege argued that debate into the World style format. It con- it was all apart of the capitalistic process.

Each person got four minutes to sists of two teams, each opposing team is composed of two different schools with make a case, but there were no judges. two debaters from each school. Essen- According to Klipp, there are no winners See HOST, page 10 in a public debate.

Study abroad in Italy

‘Avenger’ Madden joins LMC staff

Florence awaits. Study abroad in Florence, Italy this spring. Experience amazing food, architecture and history all while furthering your education.

If interested contact the Study Abroad Office at DVC, 969-2507. The Study Abroad Office can be emailed at studyabroad@dvc.edu

By STACY KAUPANGER

skaupanger@lmcexperience.com

Help available for finals The Center of Academic Support will open later to help to assist students before finals. Reading, writing consultants and peer tutors available on Wednesday Dec. 10 from 4p.m. to 9p.m. Pizza and snacks will be provided for participants. If you have any questions, please call 473-7590

Get help to kick the habit

Are you trying to quit smoking?

The American Lung Association is offering a Freedom From Smoking Clinic to help tobacco users break the habit.

The clinic is being held on Wednesdays at the Pittsburg Health Center. The center is located at 2311 Loveridge Road – Cedar Room.

For more information, call (855) 421-3400 or call 431-2266

Auctions for textbooks Club read will be having an online auction on Dec. 17 to raise money for their club. You will have a chance to win a calculus or geometry textbook. You can submit your bids to READ_LMC@outlook.com

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.

Experience finishes semester This is the last issue of the LMC Experience for the fall 2014 semester. The newspaper will resume production in January for the spring 2015 semester. The first issue will hit newstands Jan. 23.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Passionate about bio

Photo courtesy of James Madden

Biology professor James Madden lets a tarantula walk on his face during a bird study on a river in Ecuador.

A superficial first look at LMCs newest Biology teacher, James Madden, may leave students feeling intimidated.

His crisp pressed slacks, collared shirts and defined, clean-shaven jaw could leave any student quaking in their Chuck Taylors. But one mention of Captain America, or any of “The Avengers” for that matter, and his eyes light up. That defined jaw relaxes and a boyish smile appears.

“Oh God,” he might lisp in his flawless imitation of Mort Goldman from “Family Guy.” Madden, 36 — “36 point seven five,” he says, “Write that decimal down, we don’t go from 36 to 37 in a day, right?” — grew up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. Raised with four older siblings and one younger,

he says money was tight.

“I got a job, a paper route, when I was 11.” Madden explains, “We had to do this thing, put money toward the house, to help out.”

As a kid, Madden grew up practically across the street from an aquarium, where he could hear the voices of sea life during the day.

“That’s when I first developed an interest in science,” said Madden.

He would often visit the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History.

Madden received a scholarship to attend Regis High, an exclusive school in Manhattan.

“I was surprised when I got in,” He says humbly, “A thousand students apply per year and only a hundred get in.”

See BIO, page 10

Task force making life easier for vets

By TAMARA SEWARD

tseward@lmcexperience.com

Steps have been taken on campus in support of veterans, as two counselors are now dedicated to helping those who have served.

Without the right resources, servicemen and women can find themselves having trouble acclimating to civilian life. They may learn various skills while they serve their country, but not all can be transferred to a civilian life and the jobs they need to support themselves and their families.

Some vets can go right back into the workforce while others opt to further their education.

No matter what they choose, veterans handle hardships of various natures as they go through this big transition.

“After reaching out to many of our veteran students,” LMCAS President Gary Walker said. “I realized that this group needs more support on campus.”

Showing support for veterans is close to his heart.

Working with Rikki Hall, senior Admissions and Records assistant, and Diane Ferguson with Veterans Education Services, Walker has initiated the Veterans Advocacy Task Force.

“Rikki and Diane have been so instrumental in helping me

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Members of the task force Diane Fergusen, Rikki Hall, Gary Walker and James Herring discuss helping veterans during their weekly meeting. to get the task force launched.

Their passion to support the Veterans, their families and allies shouldn’t go unnoticed,” he said.

Hall and Ferguson are also veteran certifying officials; they help verify student documents proving they are veterans.

Hall’s passion comes from her father having ser ved 4

years in the Navy and was in Vietnam. Her stepfather is also a retired Army captain after having served 20 years.

“The task force is a fantastic idea,” said student Stuart Wadsworth, who became involved after attending an LMCAS meeting. “But it is by no means a trailblazing effort on the part See FORCE, page 10

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“Besides being a guitar player, I’m a big fan of the guitar. I love that damn instrument.”

— Steve Vai

Six-stringed talent showcased Many genres performed at Guitar Recital

By DAMIAN LEWIN

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

It was an evening highlighting many talented musicians, as attendees were welcomed to the Recital Hall Dec. 3 for a free Guitar Recital presented by the LMC Music Department.

Performing many arrangements, from classical to modern day pieces, those who shared their skills with the audience made the event an enjoyable way to spend the evening listening to some well-played music.

Following a performance of “Joy to the World” by musician Eric Navarro, fourteen students in the Beginning Guitar Class took the stage to perform the Eagles’ classic rock song “Hotel California.”

Accompanied by music professor and guitarist Mike Williams, the students did quite well on their instrumental arrangement of the song. Blending both acoustic and electric guitars, and using musical tones to simulate the vocal parts from the original song, the group did very well on their interpretation of the song. With only a few minor timing issues, something that is very understandable when performing with such a large group of beginning musicians, the guitarists definitely showed the promise of excelling with their talents and ability to perform with their peers in front of an audience.

Taking the audience back to an earlier piece of musical history, the students of the Intermediate Guitar Class started their twosong set with “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Half the size of the preceding group, the students did an excellent job at performing this classical piece. Transposing the many orchestral layers to guitar, each guitarist played their parts with ease, and all maintained an even level of dynamics between each other making this a wonderful piece to listen to.

Next the group moved from classical to a more modern arrangement as they took the song made famous by four musicians from Liverpool and created a piece worthy of the songs original creators. The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” was definitely an unexpected surprise

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Experience • Bertha Aguilar

Singer and guitarist Zeke Nuez performs on acoustic guitar in the Recital Hall during the Guitar Recital Dec. 3. to hear performed by seven musicians, but using the same techniques as the beginner class, the musicians did remarkable at transposing the song into the instrumental piece they performed.

As the Intermediate Guitar Class left the stage, guitarists Kevin Villa and Zeke Nuez took their places in front of the audience to perform “Georgia on My Mind,” the song made famous in 1960 by legendary artist Ray Charles. With Nuez’ low end accompaniment sounding slightly out of tune along with Villa’s vocals occasionally going out of key with the instruments, this wasn’t one of the better songs of the evening. And lastly, the extended

“rock star solo” style ending seemed a little unnecessary for a quiet acoustical performance such as this.

Deviating from the event program, the duo continued their two-song set, this time with Nuez on piano with Villa providing the guitar tones. In their “E-minor A7 Medley,” Nuez again showcases his strong vocal capabilities as well as an additional talent of playing the piano. Performing chord and scale progressions over the piano, Villa did okay during this song.

However, some of the solo parts sounded a little rushed, often going out of key or sounding as if he wasn’t pressing down completely on the fret board. And once again, while somewhat

amusing to the audience, the ending could have done without an attempt at a solo.

Bringing his own arrangement of George Gershwin’s aria “Summertime” to the event, guitarist Josh Wood did very well in his performance. With lead accompaniment by Williams, Wood’s interpretation of the piece was played with flawless ease and arranged with a form that Gershwin himself would enjoy. Using complex chord patterns that encompass most of the fret board, Wood’s skills as someone new to the genre of jazz are definitely apparent.

Once again the Beatles were in the spotlight as guitarist-vocalist David Wood took See MUSIC, page 10

Recital gives small sound for small crowd Performers and crowd attendance fall short during second Student Recital

By DAMIAN LEWIN

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

Showcasing various vocal and musical styles, the LMC Music Department held a free Student Recital Dec. 2 in the Recital Hall highlighting four students enrolled the program.

While the performers did fairly well in each of their pieces, the small amount of attendees seemed to affect the stage presence of those in the spotlight.

Opening the recital, Raphael Raynor took to the stage to perform Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster’s “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” but with no microphone to boost his vocals, his quiet tone made it difficult to hear the words during some points in the song, often being drowned out by

REVIEW

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Vocalist Amber Griego performs Mariah Carey’s “My All” during the Student Recital in the Recital Hall Tues. Dec 2.

Among the stars at the recent AMAs

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ

bhernandez@lmcexperience.com

During one of the hottest nights in music — the American Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles — I was given the chance to sit next to artists such as Bastille, Imagine Dragons and 5 Seconds of Summer and attend the show as a seatfiller through the company Audiences Unlimited.

The AMAs were created in 1973 by Dick Clark after the ABC network lost its rights to broadcast the Grammys.

This year’s award show was hosted by Latin Rapper Pitbull and had exhilarating performances such as Imagine Dragon’s debut of “I Bet My Life,” as well as Sam Smith’s soulful rendition of his chart topping single “I Know I’m Not the Only One.” The show opened with a magical live per formance of “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift, which began with an elegant dinner scene and took its turn when Swift poisoned her dinner date.

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Overall the performance was a bit over the top but nonetheless entertaining and filled with fire and a series of background dancers. It ended with Swift opening the door to reveal a mystery date unaware of what is to come.

Swift was awarded the Inaugural Dick Clark Award for Excellence by international success Diana Ross, formerly of The Supremes.

Although called the American Music Awards, international artists dominated each category and shined.

Some of the most interesting parts of the evening happened off-camera during the commercial breaks, including a bizarre performance of “Little Apple” by the Chopsticks Brothers that was broadcast live to China. The act included bearded males dressed as mermaids, and the song won the International Song Award.

The next commercial break brought another award for Chinese Mandopop singer Jason Zhang, also known as Zhang Jie. He is the first Chinese artist to receive the honor See AMA, page 9

the natural sounds of the piano accompaniment.

Following Raynor’s per formance, attendees watched as student Jessica Motta wheeled out a marimba, a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone, for her instr umental version of Harold Arlen’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Although her performance of the song made famous by Judy Garland in the “Wizard of OZ” was done quite well, with no foul notes or soft hits heard, it seemed as though she struggled with what was coming next, often interrupting with the overall flow of the piece. Still though, her ability to transpose the melody to an instrumental percussion piece was impressive.

Next up, student Xavier Johnson

treated the audience to his version of the classic “Cheek to Cheek,” the popular song by Irving Berlin written in 1935 for entertainers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers for the film “Top Hat.” Johnson did a great job with the song, adding his own jazzy feel and accenting his stage presence with small dance steps and hand gestures.

Still though, whether it was the lack of an audience or the pressure of performing solo, it seemed as if his performance could have been strengthened by an added boost of confidence. But in his defense, even the pros still get nervous.

To close out the recital, with an ability to show a variety of range both tonally and dynamically, student Amber Griego walked to the microphone to sing Mariah Carey’s “My All.”

Although amplification was needed for her well-sung quieter verses, her vocals at some point were too much for a microphone and tended to be a little overpowering.

However, with more practice I’m sure ability to project her voice in all ranges will call for no need for additional amplification.

At just over fifteen minutes in length, it seemed that more per formers could have been added to create a longer event.

Perhaps this could also help boost attendance, something that always af fects the performance of any enter tainer.

Overall, although shor t and lacking a comfortable feeling by the performers, the recital was an entertaining way to spend a little time in between classes on a rainy afternoon.

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“The hardest job kids face today is learning manners without seeing any.”

— Fred Astaire

‘RENT’ wows audience

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

With fists raised high, actors Tanner Johnson (left) and Timothy Morris perform lead roles in the LMC Drama Department’s presentation of “RENT.”

Emotionally uplifting

By JAZMINE GORDON

jgordon@lmcexperience.com

LMC’s production of “RENT” wowed the audience opening night in Pittsburg’s California Theatre. The two-act play, directed by Drama Department chair Nick Garcia, focuses on real life experiences such as AIDS and same-sex relationships.

The LMC rendition of “RENT” features a diverse cast, with unique choreography and singing performances. Snippets of dialogue were set to music so the play was done in a song-after-song format.

More than 100 people attended the Dec. 3 show, and participated and cheered the actors on.

The story centers on a group of friends struggling in New York to pay their rent.

The characters displayed a variety of emotions —uncertainty, love, betrayal, and sadness — and the audience connected with those feelings.

There were vivid and bright moments on stage such as the scene with drag queen Angel (played by Xavier Johnson) and her boyfriend Collins (played by Richard Hayes) singing about their love for each other. And there were moments of angst, such as the scene in which Junkie Mimi (played by Zinah Abraha) tries to convince Mark’s friend Roger (played

by Timothy Morris) to go out with her.

Mark was uncertain, having recently lost his girlfriend to AIDS. The audience caught the numerous sexual innuendos of vari-

REVIEW

The LMC Drama Department’s presentation of “RENT” is now showing at the California Theatre in downtown Pittsburg.

Above, actress Zinah Abraha hangs on as she performs the role of Mimi. Right, Tanner Johnson watches as actors Xavier Johnson (far left) and Richard Hayes get ready to share an on-stage kiss.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Honor Club delivers

‘Pizza for a Second Chance’ a success

By TAYLOR STROUD

tstroud@lmcexperience.com

Even on a cold and rainy day, LMC’s Honors Club did its par t for their community Nov. 20 by hosting the fundraiser “Pizza for a Second Chance” for Pittsburg’s Opportunity Junction.

“It’s a program that helps people who were alcoholics or drug addicts get back on their feet,” said student Yamet Pizon.

The Opportunity Junction, located at 3102 Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch, offers easily accessible job training not just for alcoholics or drug addicts, but for anyone who needs it the most.

The organization has several programs offering training in computer skills, business skills and academic skills like English and math.

It even offers paid internships to graduates of the program to help instill the confidence to succeed.

The junction is always looking for funding and donations, for which the Honors club dedicated their Thursday.

The students of the Honors Club set up tables in CC3 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. selling pizza, sodas and water from $1 to $2.50. All profits

went directly to the organization.

“We’re constantly finding ways to reach out,” said member Addie Lyon of the club, although she said it is “mainly an academic club.”

Fellow member Danny Williamson added that joining the club requires a minimum 3.25 GPA, two honors classes per semester as well as fulfillment of club hours.

But helping out the community is nonetheless a huge part of the club’s purpose.

While community service hours are a requirement, the members seemed genuine and passionate to give back to their community in any way they could.

“Tomorrow we’ll be making 150 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to give to the homeless,” said Williamson.

And you’d better believe they will, despite any hindering weather conditions.

All bundled up in hoodies and scarves, it was obvious the club members probably didn’t anticipate the unusually dreary weather to be selling ice-cold beverages. Regardless, many students contributed to the cause, as they all seemed game for some piping hot pizza.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

ous characters throughout the play, as well as the inside jokes made by aspiring filmmaker Mark (played by Tanner Johnson).

The only problem to mar an otherwise quality show happened at the beginning, when there was some confusion about what was going on in the first singing number. I enjoyed the singing and choreography, as well as the lighting, which matched the tone of each scene.

I’m used to seeing LMC’s plays in the college’s Little Theater, so with its professional amenities the California Theatre was a step up with better lighting and seating. As a result of the improved lighting, the characters were more noticeable on stage.

And despite the confusing opening, the one hour and fifty minute play was exhilarating because it was so emotionally uplifting.

Johnson as Angel stole the show with his distinctive voice and raw talent. Abraha as Mimi stood out with her powerful voice and carefree personality. The entire cast worked well together to put on an amazing show.

Overall, I recommend, “RENT” because it connects to the everyday experiences we deal with as humans, and I could identify with the characters and feel their emotions.

The play closes Dec. 6, so act fast if you want to see this play. Tickets are $12-$18, and the California Theater is located in downtown Pittsburg at 351 Railroad Av. For information or tickets, call 427-1047.

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“Video games and computers have become babysitters for kids.”

— Taylor Kitsch

Video Games

Screenshot courtesy of Ubisoft

‘Far Cry 4’ shines

By BRENDAN CROSS

bcross@lmcexperience.com

Far Cry is one of the few video game franchises that I am glad to plop down the $59.99 price tag for with each new release. Far Cry 4 lives up to the other great games in the series, which is what I have come to expect from developer Ubisoft.

I poured 24 hours of my life into Far Cry 3, which I completed just a few moths prior to the release of Far Cry 4, of which I have already poured 19 hours into. I’ve yet to complete the 32 mission main story, having finished about 20 of them to this point.

I have seen from other reviews that people think the story gets stale, but up to this point, it has kept me entertained and wondering where it will turn next.

The main issue in Far Cry 3 was that with each passing story mission, it became repetitive. I felt like I was doing the same kind of thing over and over, which is fine for an open world game such as this, but Far Cry 4 keeps every mission fresh, constantly adding new elements as the game carries on.

Graphically, the game is absolutely gorgeous. I had to tone it down just a tad though in order for my computer to handle it without any lag or other issues. The vast mountain ranges and jungles to the

REVIEW

See FAR, page 10

Screenshot courtesy of Lionsgate

Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne) and Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) during a scene in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ‑ Part 1.”

‘Mockingjay’ a dud Shows promise, falls short

By TAYLOR STROUD

tstroud@lmcexperience.com

The Hunger Games series has reached a level of popularity that might even hold a flame to Harry Potter, but the series’ newest installment, Mockingjay Part 1, certainly doesn’t measure up to the first two films.

Since it’s the third film, it’s essen‑ tial to watch the first two otherwise your chance of understanding anything is slim to none. However, even as someone who has seen the films and read the books, Mockingjay left me fuzzy on the plot at times.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ‑ Part 1, released Nov. 21, was directed

by Francis Lawrence for Lions Gate Entertainment. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, with returns from Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The series follows young Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence, living in a dystopian society of Panem, which is composed of 12 districts under the forceful central government called the Capitol. Each year, the Capitol selects two young tributes from each district to fight to the death in the globally televised, Olympic-like, Hunger Games. Tributes must survive in a secluded arena of natural resources while avoiding being killed by the other tributes until only one is left standing.

Katniss, having been drawn into the games not once, but twice, made an incredibly bold decision at the end of the second installment, Catching Fire, that caused a rippling effect

REVIEW

Screenshot courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment

Creative ‘Planet’

By BERTHA AGUILAR

laguilar@lmcexperience.com

Sackboy is back and this time he brought three friends, Oddsock, Toggle and Swoop along for the ride in LittleBigPlanet 3. Together, the quartet must save Newton, an egomaniac inventor after he is possessed by three ancient Titans.

At the beginning of the game, you meet Newton, an inventor who kidnaps Sackboy and takes him to the world of Bunkum. Newton expresses the lack of creative juice in Bunkum. He unleashes three ancient Titans which in turn posses him, thus corrupting his intentions. In order to save Newton, Sackboy must then awaken three ancient heroes, which are the new characters in the game. They first defeated the Titans and now Sackboy has to go through different hubs within Bunkum to unleash and recruit the aforementioned heroes to save Newton from destroying the creative world of Bunkum.

First you have to finish main campaign levels to unleash marbles that when placed together will awaken the hero. You can also explore each hub for side quest and mini games. After you have thoroughly explored the hub you will be redirected to the next hub to unlock the

REVIEW

See BIG, page 9

Screenshot courtesy of Lionsgate

Natalie Dormer (Cressida) during a scene in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ‑ Part 1.” throughout the entire nation of Panem.

Mockingjay Part 1 chronicles those effects as the entire nation turns to Katniss for guidance.

While Catching Fire ended on an intense cliffhanger, Mockingjay Part 1 slowly eased into the plot without even briefly reminding the viewers of where the story left off. It was almost as if you needed to watch catching fire directly before watching Part 1 to know where Katniss was, or who the characters were. Again, even with knowing the story, it took some effort to piece together the setting.

To the film’s credit, Mockingjay Part 1 does begin with Katniss in an extremely fragile state of mind, so it’s possible the director took liberties so that she wouldn’t jump back into action after experiencing trauma. This would explain the film’s slow start and drastically less explosive nature.

But to analyze the film without com‑ paring it to its predecessors, Jenifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson gave fantastic performances. It’s hard to imagine how their characters must feel at this point in the story after

going through such anguish and inhumanity, but they conveyed the emotion beautifully and powerfully.

The plot of Mockingjay is not about an explosive plot, but rather the development of the characters, and building the stage for the next film. There is some action, but for those expecting to see an epic battle, stay tuned for the saga’s conclusion next year.

With all that said, Mockingjay Part 1 is certainly not a bad film.

The acting was superb, and the production was true to the imagery in the books. Because the final book was split into two parts, a few details were left out.

But perhaps they should have left some of the dull, unnecessary details out to leave room for something a bit juicier. However, the promise of something exciting is what will bring the audience back to theaters next year for Part 2.

I would tag this film as a “must-see” only for the true fans that need to see it before the series’ conclusion. Now that is going to be a smash.

Trailer ‘Awakens’ fanatics

By DAMIAN LEWIN Screenshot courtesy of Rockstar Games

‘Grand’ remaster

By DERION DAVIS

ddavis@lmcexperience.com

Rockstar Games is a developer known for re-mastering its video game titles and with the Nov. 18 release of Grand Theft Auto V for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, they went above and beyond what many fans would have expected from a new generation re-release.

Not only does the re-mastered version of GTA V include increased display resolution, better lighting, more consistent frame rates and higher quality textures, it also consists of interesting new features, bonus content for returning players, and a much better experience than the original.

The biggest change for the new generation version of GTA V is the all-new first-person camera. This lets you play almost the entire game from the viewpoint of the characters, from driving cars, bikes, and planes all from a first person perspective. The first-person camera isn’t perfect though. Running around corners and driving certain vehicles can be challenging at times and overly sensitive. Nonetheless the game was not originally created to accommodate that type of gameplay, but it’s still pretty good and it’s definitely more immersive.

REVIEW

See GRAND, page 9

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

“Grover!” I shouted in response to a character’s voice off-screen.

Screenshot courtesy of nerdreactor.com Then, appearing on a giant movie screen, the image of a little green A scene during the teaser for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” alien appeared before me for the first time in my life. The voice was the same, but this if they are heroes or villains, it’s nice to see a new side of wasn’t the blue puppet on Sesame Street that I was so the galaxy far, far away, one that shows more diversity accustomed to, this was someone completely different, both racially and sexually than previous chapters in the saga. As usual, some unnecessary cute item needs to this was Yoda. be added to appeal to younger audiences. First it was My life as a Star Wars geek had officially begun.

Now, over thirty-years later, the saga will continue with Ewoks, then it was Jar-Jar, this time in the form of a the combined efforts of Disney and Director JJ Abrams rolling droid. What is this, some sort of R2-D2 offspring? at the helm. This past “Black Friday” the world got it’s Hopefully it receives a better response than its “cute” first peek at next years release of Star Wars: The Force predecessors.

So what will become of this newest addition to the Awakens. With an overwhelming response by curious viewers worldwide, the 88-second teaser trailer has saga? Will the success of Abrams’ reboot of the Star already accumulated over fifty million views on Youtube Trek franchise reflect in this attempt? And most impor‑ tantly, who is that dark figure with the newly designed alone since its release. lightsaber?

Half of those are mine.

Left with only a few brief scenes for now, fans will have Overall the trailer is awesome. We don’t see much going on during the teaser, but what is briefly shown to wait until May when the next official trailer is released was enough to give me chills, leaving nearly every hair and we’re given a bigger look at the whole picture. Until standing on edge as the Millennium Falcon raced across then, be patient and steer clear of the rumor mills. Now time to get back to bull’s-eying womp rats in my T-16 the sky once again.

We get to see the new faces of the saga. Still unknown back home. See you at the movies!

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“I would like to instill in people just to work hard. As long as they keep at it, their dreams will happen.”

— Misty May-Treanor

V-ball a love for Vega

Found best friend along the voyage

join the volleyball team when she first came to in the Bay Valley Conference.

LMC too, but her new job schedule conflicted “It’s pretty exciting to know with the volleyball schedule. that it hasn’t happened in 11 years After a two year layoff from the court she found and to know that I’m on the team a way to make it work. that made that “I knew (head coach) Lou happen,” Vega (Panzella) because I practiced Quick Hits said. “We all did on one of his club teams so I it together and it’s was always in communication Sophomore pretty exciting. It’s with him, and my best friend just that I can say Second-team all-conference

By STEVEN LUKE Taylor Morgan played on the my team made the sluke@lmcexperience.com team,” she said. playoffs and it hasn’t 5th in state in total attacks - 1080 Hard work and a positive attitude are important Her friendship with Morgan happened in 11 years, attributes for an athlete to have. Those attributes was a huge reason for Vega 22nd in state in kills - 307 it makes you feel good.” were instilled in Mustangs outside hitter Ana Vega making it work because they The team finished the from her time at Liberty High School and helped had a long history as teammates and became season with four players earning awards. her earn second team all-conference in the Bay best friends because of it.

The reason for the team playing that well Valley Conference.

“We didn’t exactly become close right away and earning that many awards was the team’s “Once I started playing I fell in love with it,” but we were friendly right away,” Morgan said, personality. They communicated well, played Vega said. “I was decent, and when you’re good continuing, “she was and always has been a great as a team and were resilient. That resiliency is at something you just teammate.” what Vega said is the most important attribute want to play it more. I They first met when of the team. just fell in love with it the both played on the “We all have that mentality of ‘that point the moment I started freshman team at Liberty is in the past’ and let’s move on to the next playing.” together and their friend- one,” she said. “I’ve been on teams where That love star ted ship grew as they both we lose a point and we get in a slump and when Vega joined her made varsity together as we can’t get back. With this team it’s first team in the seventh sophomores and they be- really different because we may lose a grade. came best friends during couple points but we keep fighting and She had always been their senior year. don’t give up.” an active and energetic “We’re pretty close.

That’s the way Vega plays her game person and playing We tell each other every- and that’s why she fit in so well with spor ts was the best thing,” Vega said. “This this team, and it is those moments of way for her to focus semester we carpooled resiliency that she will always remember that energy. every Tuesday and Thurs- about this team.

Growing up in a Mexday because we have the Now that the season is over those ican household to two same school schedule and memories will stay with her, and she loving parents she knew we have the same break.” will try to make more as she moves on one thing, she didn’t Their friendship extend- to state college. She’s applied to San want to play soccer like ed off of the court, but on Jose, Sacramento, East Bay and San the other kids in her it was where they first Francisco. She has no preference, culture. She also didn’t bonded. Because of that but she is just hoping to get in, and like basketball, so she bond they didn’t just play possibly continuing her career there, turned to volleyball and Experience • Cathie Lawrence together, after graduating but it’s not a deal breaker. it stuck. they also coached the “If it happens it happens and if it Mustangs outside hitter Anna Vega is Now it is something second-team all-conference.

Liberty freshman team doesn’t, I’m okay with it,” she said. she can’t get away from. together.

“It is definitely more competitive, but “I’ve ref fed, I’ve After five years togeth- if it were to happen I’d be more than coached and I’ve played so I’m always around er playing and coaching at Liberty, this season happy.” volleyball,” she said. together was memorable for both of them as Wherever she goes she will continue She did get away from playing, though. For they reunited. her path towards her business degree two years after graduating from Liberty High “Our time together at LMC has been great es- that she hopes will help her move up School Vega was not on a team as she began her pecially because we had each other this season,” in her present company, State Farm collegiate career.

Morgan said. “I really couldn’t have imagined this Insurance.

“I first had gone to DVC and I had a class at 7 season without her.”

While she may or may not continue a.m. and I live in Brentwood so I would have to This season will not only be memorable for the to play volleyball on her journey, the leave my house at 5:50 a.m.” two of them, but it will be memorable in the history sport will always be a part of her life.

Getting up that early wasn’t working for her of LMC as well. The Mustangs made the playoffs While nothing is certain in life, Vega and playing volleyball at DVC did not fit into her for the first time in 11 years behind Vega, Morgan will always have volleyball, Morgan and schedule, so she came to LMC. She wanted to and the rest of the ladies after finishing second her family, and that may be all that she needs.

Postseason play comes to a halt Mustangs lose to No. 1 seed Cabrillo on the road in Aptos

The most productive season for the Mustangs in 11 years came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Cabrillo College Tuesday, Nov. 25 in Aptos. Outside hitters Lindsay Baynes (4) and Taylor Scriven (3) slap hands after a point (top photo). Middle hitter Jade Hall leaps to strike the ball back to the Seahawks defense (left). During a time-out the team circles around head coach Lou Panzella as he gives the game plan (above).

Photos by Cathie Lawrence • Experience

how they played.”

Mustangs Outside Hitter Taylor Scriven spoke highly about Cabrillo’s strengths, and echoed how happy she was with the team’s accomplishments this season in making the playoffs.

“They are an undefeated team for a reason. They are a very strong team and they don’t make many errors.

By BRENDAN CROSS I’m just really proud we got here,” and CATHIE LAWRENCE she said. bcross@lmcexperience.com Panzella has seen his squad imThe No. 16 seed Los Medanos prove each year during his three College Mustangs volleyball team years as the head coach, finishing with headed to Cabrillo College in Aptos records of 4-17, 11-13 and 14-12 and Tuesday, Nov. 26 to face off against hopes that making the postseason this year will give the No. 1 seeded them something Seahawks, who to build on for are the defending Season stats next season. state champions.

14-12 overall record “It’s been an Cabrillo showed awesome seawhy they were 11-3 conference record son. For how the top seeded we started the team by sweep- 7-2 home record year and where ing the Stangs we are now, I in three sets, 6-5 away record am extremely 25-12, 25-14 and happy for our 25-8. With the 1-5 neutral record girls that we got win, Cabrillo here. It would improved their 1,099 kills (13th in state) have been nice spotless record 3,554 total attacks (1st in state) to have a fairy to 28-0 while the tale ending, but Mustangs end 1,055 assists (6th in state) fair y tales are their season 14just that, fair y 12 while sporting 214 service aces (10th in state) tales. We played an 11-3 confer1,795 digs (5th in state) well, we have ence record. something we Despite the can build up for loss, head coach 48 total blocks (83rd in state) next year,” he Lou Panzella was said. satisfied with 1,361.5 points (20th in state) The season is what he saw from 560 errors (3rd in state) a definite sucthe team. cess since it was “I was pleased 100 sets (4th in state) the first time the with our effort.

Mustangs made Our girls worked .152 hitting percentage (57th in the playoffs in 11 hard, they bat- state) years. tled to the end.

LMC also We just lost to 13.6 points per set (45th in state) shined in seva much better eral statistical team, there is no shame or embarrassment in categories, such as finishing 1st in total attacks with 3,554, 5th in digs that,” he said.

Seahawks head coach Gabrielle with 1,795 and 6th in assists with 1,055.

For more information on LMC Houston-Neville was also pleased volleyball contact head coach Lou with her squad.

“I am proud of the girls,” she said, Panzella at lpanzella@losmedanos. adding “I felt like they played very edu or call him at 925-473-7610 or steady so I was really happy about 510-685-1784.

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Cooper finds strength on the field

By LOGAN JONES

ljones@lmcexperience.com

The stench of the Los Medanos College locker room flares the nostrils and padding up excites cornerback D’metrius Cooper, who is eager to get on the field.

He had a long day, but football requires a lot of work. He cannot quit now, he needs to keep going and release some aggression.

Cooper learned early on that nothing comes easy in life and relentless hard work is the key to success.

As a child he grew up in Oakland and was raised by his single mom, Ariene Cooper, who worked multiple jobs. She would drop Cooper and his twin brother Darius at their aunt’s house while she struggled to make ends meet.

“We didn’t know if she was gonna get us in the morning,” said Cooper.

“She was working three jobs.”

Cooper remembers his mom explaining that hard situations aren’t won by soft people, and when he and his brother were 9 years old they moved to Antioch with their mom who by then had gotten a single job that provided for the family with a more stable schedule.

His mother’s new job proved the value of dedication to Cooper, who is currently midway through pursuing an associate of arts degree in kinesiology. He credits his education for his football opportunities. “I couldn’t play football if I wasn’t going to school,” said Cooper.

For him, football is therapy and football is life. The sport first attracted him because of the physicality which would calm him down. However, it takes a lot of commitment.

8

“When a mind is clear and positive it can’t be stopped.”

— Tito Ortiz

Isaiah Harper SIDELINE VIEW

“You gotta give your life, you really got no time,” he said. But his value for dedication doesn’t allow him to waste that time. His current position at corner is why he wants to get leaner, stronger and faster.

The cornerback’s job at the defensive end focuses on reading passes, quick feet and reaction, and tackling to be able to cover your zone or receiver.

“You want the receiver you’re guarding to have zero catches,” he said. He has gotten stronger by increasing his bench by 60 pounds since last year. However, he still thinks he can do better.

“I’m really not that fast and I got some extra weight,” he admits, “and sometimes I forget to eat well… I just eat like sh*t ya know.”

This gives him motivation instead of crushing his inspiration.

His inspiration comes from his mom and twin brother. He and Darius spent a lot of time with each other growing up and they always have Photo courtesy of D’metrius Cooper had each other’s backs.

D’metrius Cooper is dedicated to football as it provides him with Cooper also inspires his brother motivation toward a brighter future.

Darius who believes nobody puts more effort into his goals and rela- two minutes later be perfectly cool “I liked hitting people to let out tionships than him. with each other. We’ve always been my anger and aggression to calm “He’s one of the hardest working close no matter what.” down,” said Cooper. people I know, he’s a locomotive But now they face a geographSince football is a more physical that just keeps going and never ical barrier. Darius and his mom game, it became a way of relieving quits,” said Darius, adding, “And moved back to Oakland, where he stress. When he thinks everything he’s always been there for me and now works and attends school. It’s is going wrong, he said, football our mom.” Darius believes he has a hard for Cooper at times, who lives brings him back and puts things twin brother for a reason and that he with his godparents in Antioch, but into perspective. wasn’t meant to be alone. memories help him out.

“Nothing else matters, when I’m out The everlasting brotherhood, It was Darius who actually played there, that’s it, that’s all I have to do loyalty and camaraderie come from football first and turned Cooper on to is play ball, and I like that,” he said. having a relationship with his brother. the sport. Cooper preferred baseball After recently completing his “Sometimes we’d be playing and basketball in his early years as an freshmen year on the LMC football together and get into it,” he said athlete, but he finally found his true squad, he hopes to build on his skills laughing, “We’d have our fights and passion with football in high school. and improve play next season.

Peterson penalty falls short

The extremely talented NFL running back for the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson, has been charged with reckless assault during his recent child abuse case. These charges were based on evidence proving he excessively beat his 4-year-old son with a switch, a flimsy tree branch.

Peterson removed the leaves from the tree and shoved them in his son’s mouth. Afterward, he made his son pull his pants down and began whipping him with the switch.

His son had stomach-churning lacerations on his back, buttocks and scrotum and had scratches and bruises on his thighs and outer legs. The son told the police about the frequent physical punishments and claimed his dad used belts and switches the most. When a grand jury found reason to indict Peterson, the NFL suspended him for the remainder of the season. Peterson appealed his suspension and a decision is about to be handed down. Personally, I believe he deserves to have football taken away from him and he should receive any sentence the courts decide to implement.

He is quite fortunate to have the ability, talent and opportunity to have made it to the NFL and become one of the biggest football stars today.

According to 2012 NFL statistics, out of the 100,000 high school students who play football each year, only 215 of them will make it into the league — a 0.2 percent chance of professional success in football. Those talented enough to be drafted into the NFL should never abuse their position and good fortune. Peterson has abused his and should be held up to the same

See NFL, page 9

Not your average fighter

By JORDAN ARANDA

jaranda@lmcexperience.com

Photo courtesy of Audrey Anderson

Student Audrey Anderson shows off her intimidating moves.

Imagine a petite 14-year-old girl just beginning her freshman year of high school and she’s sparring against a 22-year-old, 6 foot, 200-pound male.

Audrey Anderson beat him the first time, but he doesn’t quit. In fact he demands a rematch in which she will beat him again.

And then she finds herself 3-0 and leaving her opponent with an extremely bruised ego.

Since sparring is a way to practice moves you are learning against an opponent without intent to harm or risk serious injury, it shouldn’t be a dangerous activity, besides there is the ability to tap out at any time. But it turned out not to be an ordinary sparring session.

healthy

“He got mad, so he boxed me,” referring to the term in which one, either with hand or fist, delivers a blow to the ear, “and my left ear drum sort of burst,” said Anderson, 18, who is now permanently deaf in her left ear after the incident.

“I got him in an arm bar and I almost broke his arm, but I didn’t,” said Anderson.

“He was eventually banned from the gym.”

Although at the time of the incident Anderson was only a beginner, it didn’t stop her from continuing her Jujitsu training at Ground Games in Brentwood, which has since closed its doors.

Before closing, Ground Games took part in an intermural competition with another gym, in which Anderson placed third.

“I don’t let people hurt me.”

See FIGHT, page 9

— Audrey Anderson

lifestyles

HELPING YOU thrive

‘Tis the Season to Stress

H

by Dr. Mary Klemm

owever you celebrate the holidays, and whoever you’re celebrating with, if you’re like most of us, stress is part of the picture. Shopping, cooking, traveling, entertaining—there’s so much going on at this time of year it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few tips for keeping your cool and enjoying the season instead of suffering through it: • Plan ahead. You’ll have a better holiday if you don’t wait till the last minute.

• Make time for yourself. Maintaining your fitness activities, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep are the best gifts you can give yourself.

• Don’t overdo. Set realistic limits on holiday spending, eating, and alcohol consumption.

Going overboard won’t make it a better holiday—but will add to your stress.

• Let it go. Accept that you can’t make everyone happy or control how everyone behaves. Do your best, then relax and focus on the pleasures of the season.

• Volunteer. Doing something special for the less fortunate in our world expresses the true holiday spirit and will lift your spirits, too.

For more information on time management and stress reduction, check out the Kaiser Permanente websiteThisatarticle www.kp.org. is proudly sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

William Lide, MD is a Physician Site Leader for tha Pleasanton Medical Offices.

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volunteered to fight Goliath, this huge giant. David, only supplied with a pouch full of stones, defeated Goliath and the Israelis defeated the Philistines.”

Jujitsu is only one among many passions of Anderson’s, she also enjoys art, reading, Disney, and sign language.

Anderson is finishing up her first semester at LMC, but she already knows what she wants to do with her life.

“I want to be a sign language interpreter. I learned it in elementary school and it was fun,” said Anderson.

It wasn’t until she was in high school where she saw a sign language interpreter in one of her classes that she decided that it was something she wanted to do.

No doubt sign language came in handy when Anderson lost permanent hearing in her left ear during a Jujitsu incident.

When not in school, Anderson can be seen engrossed in books, usually a mystery or a her favorite comic, Batman, or singing along to Disney’s “Frozen,” binge-watching reruns of “Supernatural,” and attending church.

“Religion is a big part of my life,” said Anderson who is a group leader for annual retreats her church puts together.

“We were on the bus on our way to a retreat and the guys put a song on the karaoke and they all started to sing the song from the ‘Titanic.’

We were shocked that they knew it, but it was so funny,” said Anderson.

Like religion, the skills she learned while training will always be a big part of her life.

“We were like ninjas,” said Anderson recalling her time in the gym.

Since Anderson no longer trains in a gym, she still gets to show off some of her signature moves when prompted by her cousins who are brave enough to go against her.

NFL From page 8

should still have unsupervised custody of his son. Famous people, especially athletes, receive special treatment when it comes to law enforcement and I feel the child’s safety could be in jeopardy.

Although Peterson has apologized for his actions and claims he will never use switches again, how credible can these words be? Even after the incident occurred, texts were found between the football player and the child’s mother, and in them Peterson was boasting and bragging about how badly he beat the young child. This shows he is not sorry for what he did, he is sorry he was caught.

The NFL wants to keep its star player around, so the child’s best interest is being lost in a political battlefield.

Peterson received community service hours and that is simply not enough. Any regular parent would have had child services to answer to and most likely lose custody of their child for this level of abuse. The photos of this little boy’s body are revolting and heart breaking and it should receive more than a slap on the wrist.

Peterson’s punishments so far are not equal to the crime and justice should be served for this little boy’s suffering. The fact that he was even able to have his appeal heard is absurd and I hope the forthcoming decision this month is not in his favor. Abuse should not be tolerated. Peterson’s methods of discipline went too far and he should be brought to justice.

GRAND

following hero and so on. In each hub you will be given a gadget by the curator that must be used to fully complete each level. There are a total of five gadgets, although you will only use four.

The first hub is Manglewood swamp, there you will awaken the first hero, Oddsock, a dog-like companion that can jump off of walls and runs much faster than Sackboy.

He can also jump from wall to wall to reach higher areas.

You will meet the curator, Marlon Random, who assists Sackboy in finding the marbles to unlock Oddsock. He is the most active curator as he is constantly assisting the player.

He presents Sackboy with one of the most fun power-ups, the blink ball.

With this tool, Sackboy can teleport himself from portal to portal to better assist him in making his way through the different levels that Manglewood has to offer.

Once Oddsock has been unlocked, Marlon Random will then send you off to your next destination, Ziggurat.

There, you will meet the next curator Papal Mache. He is scatter-brained and forgets important information, like how to help you attain the marbles, but he does offer some encouraging advice to Sackboy. Another power-up is unlocked in this hub, the hook hat, which helps Sackboy attach to grind rails throughout each level. Once all three marbles have been found, the new hero is awaken, Toggle.

This gentle giant is the much bigger companion, he is best for moving heavy objects, but can also become small to run through small tight spaces and walk on water.

Finally, you will move onto Bunkum Lagoon, it’s curator Pinky is a feisty lady, but she is also interested in helping Sackboy find the final hero, Swoop, a bird that can reach high places, lift blocks and grab other players to fly them to higher places. In this hub, Sackboy will get the final power up, the boost boots, which as the name suggests gives Sackboy an edge by giving him an enhanced jump to allow him to reach higher areas.

Soon after you unlock Swoop the game comes to an end and although this storyline is less extensive compared to LittleBigPlanet 2 and the original, you still have fun in playing this immensely creative game, but the fun does not stop there. You can access the online community to play in user-generated levels, so possibilities are endless. Since creating your own levels can be overwhelming at times, LBP 3 has a new game mode, the popit puzzle academy, which introduces you to create mode.

Like all new games, you will encounter some glitches such as getting stuck behind a layer or fall far down below the level requiring you to restart at the last checkpoint.

Another annoyance that you could encounter is failure to respawn at your last checkpoint.

This will force you to restart the level and lose progress.

Besides those problematic encounters, the graphics of the game are incredible.

There is never a dull moment, especially among friends. All stages are very different and offer numerous collectables.

The only down side to the new playable characters is that they can only be played in the hub in which they were unlocked in. All in all LBP 3 is a fun-filled enjoyable game that you will want to play again even after you have conquered the whole game.

AMA

From page 6

The visual upgrade is by far one of the most noticeable features of the new-gen GTA. There’s a bump in the pedestrian and traffic density and an increase of foliage and wild/domestic animals in the city and countryside.

Also, there’s higher-quality textures and effects, including reflections, shadows/lighting and weather effects.

With all that in mind, the city of Los Santos in GTA V resembles the city of Los Angeles.

But beyond the visual upgrade, Rockstar Games utilized both of the platforms’ unique controller features.

For the Xbox One, the controller vibrates when utilizing

DEC.

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2014

From page 6

From page 8

standards as any regular citizen.

During the continuation of the case, Peterson is being paid, which is reasonable for the time being. However, at some point he should be permanently suspended from the NFL, especially if his appeal is granted. He left physical marks on his son and treated him with utter brutality — he deserves to receive the same treatment from the law.

Some think this punishment is too harsh. For example, USA Today suggests, “The answer obviously isn’t to beat Peterson with a switch. It is to give him a timeout — specifically a suspension — along with instruction in how to behave.”

I have to disagree because this man has seven children, one of whom passed away from abuse. Peterson, of all people should understand the risk of physically beating a child to the point where they have deep lacerations, bruises and scratches. Peterson’s 2-year-old son died due to physical abuse and negligence conducted by the mother’s boyfriend. Losing a child must be the worst pain any human could feel so Peterson logically should be against such harsh punishments.

Spanking and what Peterson did are in completely separate categories, in my opinion, and after seeing photos and hearing statements from the child, I feel he deserves to be permanently removed from the NFL. In addition, Peterson should face legal consequences as well.

I question whether Peterson

FRIDAY,

BIG

FIGHT Instructors from both gyms claimed the first and second place winning spot.

Anderson’s fighting didn’t start with Jujitsu, but with two near altercations with a group of three boys from her high school who teased a friend of hers.

“They were going to fight me,” said Anderson recalling one of the instances in which she approached the three boys. “It wasn’t a real fight since nothing happened, but a friend literally had to carry me away,” She officially started Jujitsu after a friend dragged her to one of her classes, and Anderson said her favorite moves are arm bars and flipping opponents.

“My favorite thing to do is to flip people,” said Anderson, “it makes me happy.”

And as for arm bars, “if I can pull their arm out sideways,” she said gesturing with her arm out, “I can break it in at least six places.”

Which is probably how she was given the nickname Batman. A close friend gave it to her one day during church.

Eventually others caught on, first at the church, and then it spread to Liberty High School where she was a student.

“I was walking around school and someone turned to me and asked if I was Batman, and I was like ‘how did you know that’,” said Anderson.

As for injuries, there have been bruised ribs, dislocated joints, and light sprains, all of which she has inflicted on opponents with bodies much larger than her small frame.

“I don’t let people hurt me,” said Anderson whose only injuries are bruised ribs, and two broken fingers unrelated to her Jujitsu training.

“She reminds me of David from a story I heard in church called ‘David and Goliath’,” said Priscila Rodriguez, “David was this young teenager who

E X P E R I E N C E

From page 4 a weapon and for the PS4, they made some excellent use of the controller’s integrated speaker.

While being chased by the police, you can hear the dispatchers on call and see police lights flashing on the controller’s light bar.

Also, you can use the touchpad to change weapons and/ or the radio station.

If you’re not a big fan of GTA or you just don’t think it’s the right game for you, you should buy a copy of it anyway for either of the nextgen platforms.

I guarantee that nine times out of 10 you’ll have a brandnew perspective on the game and it just might become one of your favorites.

for Best International Artist, and his acceptance was filled with an awkward but genuinely excited speech. However it was confusing as to why he chose to accept the award in English when that part of the show was only being broadcast to China.

The night ended with a performance of Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Lopez’s hit single “Booty.” ABC executives, worried about just how much of their assets the duo might expose, aired it on a three-tofour-second delay. Fortunately, the performance was extravagantly choreographed while also being able to emphasize her famous body part without the need for censored interference.

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9

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Back Talk

CRIME SHOP From page 1

involved, but Huddleston said they can’t be sure the crimes are connected.

“We don’t know, we can’t tell based off the loose descriptions,” said Huddleston, who explained that in the first crime the victims did not get a good look at the assailants because it was dark — they couldn’t even say what color their clothing was — and in the second two of the men were not seen up close.

Both crimes also occurred after sunset, a time when students and members from the community are prohibited from hanging out around the lake.

“We have tried to tell people the lake is closed from sunset to sunrise,” said Huddleston, adding this area of the campus is dangerous at night because it is poorly lit and unpopulated.

Even during the day, he said, there are not a lot of people around.

“There are signs posted at various locations around the lake regarding its closure at night,” he said. “We are evaluating the locations and wording of that signage and are evaluating the need for better lightning near and around the amphitheater where the most recent incident took place.”

The day after, Kratochvil visited the site where the recent crime took place, “to see the area first hand” and found, even though he said the area seems adequately lit, three light bulbs did need to be replaced and the south side of the lake did not have any light posts.

Huddleston said there have been talks of putting in additional lighting by the lake but that is not something his office has control of.

He added that Police Services is taking the situation seriously and will focus patrolling the area around the lake more, “but we can’t be everywhere at once.” So he offered a few safety tips to students: n Don’t walk around looking at your phone or with headphones in your ears, and pay attention to your surroundings. n If you see something repor t it, no matter how insignificant you think it is. n At night, walk to your cars in groups or Call Police services for an escort.

Kratochvil also wants students to know the college is not taking these incidents lightly and is doing what it can to make the campus more secure.

“Safety of our students and our employees continues to be a very high priority,” he said. “Campus personnel are taking steps to respond to safety concerns and to prevent crimes to the extent possible.”

If you want to report a crime or ask for an escort, day or night, contact Police Services at (925) 439-1505.

FAR From page 6

many animals roaming the land of Kyrat, where the game is set, are detailed extremely well.

Aside from the main story, there are side missions you can take on that intertwine well with main missions. If you go into this game only expecting to do the main story, you will only experience about a third of what the game has to offer.

That is a testament to how much content is packed into it.

I had a lull while playing Far Cry 3, about halfway through, and with the fourth installment I have yet to experience something like that. I could easily see spending another 19 hours on finishing the stor y and seeing what else this game has to offer.

I wholeheartedly recommend this game for fans of the Far Cry series or anyone looking for a beautiful game with a storyline that will keep you interested throughout.

From page 1

on-time and on-budget. In any construction project of this size and scope there are unexpected challenges that arise, however, the project team has done and continues to do an outstanding job working together to resolve the issues and keep the project moving forward.”

Space currently occupied, referred to as “swing space,” will have a couple of tentative uses. Some offices, like the LMC Foundation office will move into the space currently used by the Office of Instruction, which will tentatively be moving into the new building Dec. 16.

Other spaces, like the one that the Counseling Department is currently occupying, will eventually be converted into classrooms.

Senior Dean of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Kiran Kamath will vacate her space in the Library and move to College Complex Level 4 in the Core. Her vacated space will make room for a planned remodel in the hopes of housing the Professional Development Department, for which the funds are already allocated.

Kamath went on to say, “it’s nice that LMC can have some soft space for professional development for employees to gather and learn from each other.”

“I’m going back home, in a sense,” said Kamath, referring to her previous position as CTE dean when her office had been in CC4.

“It’s nice for the planning department to have a permanent home,” since the department had been “homeless” for a while, eventually settling down in the library for a year and a half, she said.

Kratochvil is also looking forward to the move of his office, saying, “We’re looking forward to the relocation of the President’s office to the Campus Complex.”

He hopes that the more central location for the various services can build a strong unified core for students, faculty and staff.

The new building is separated into two floors. Designated Student Services 3 and Student Services 4, the levels measure 14,418 and 16,222 square feet, respectively, with an additional 7,470 square feet split between the two levels.

SS3 will house the Assessment and Welcome centers, Admissions and Records and Financial Aid, among other departments and offices.

SS4 will be home to the President and Vice President’s offices, the Counseling Department, EOPS/CalWORKS and Transfer and Career Services, along with other rooms and offices.

For more infor mation about the construction and development of the Student Services Building, visit the LMC Construction webpage at losmedanos.edu/construction

MUSIC From page 4

to per form his version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” With a soft range hinted that had a slightly raspy feel, Wood’s vocals added a great feel to his guitar playing.

Although a little off timing sometimes, which may have been intended, the song was done well and highlighted Wood’s abilities as a solo performer. Although enrolled as a beginning student of guitar, vocalist Theresa Harris took to the stage minus an instrument to perform Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” with guitar accompaniment by Williams. If Harris’ abilities as a guitarist match her talents as a singer, then this musician has potential to exceed in her endeavors. In an amazing performance, Harris and Williams stunned the audience with their version of the timeless classic.

I would definitely love to hear more from her in the future.

With his electric guitar combined with Williams’ acoustic, Jordan Price received well-deserved praise after his performance of an excerpt from Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance.” Using complicated scales and progressions, Price flew up and down the neck of

Web

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BIO

CLEAN FORCE HOST

“I’m passionate about teaching, but I have other passions as well. I’m passionate about the environment, social justice and logical thinking. I like a good argument.”

The call of these passions became too much for him and at 31 he joined the Peace Corps and began his humanitarian trek across the world.

“The world is an f-ed up place.” Madden states matter of factly. “And I need to do something about that.”

Madden soon found himself in Ecuador, South America where he says the hardest thing for him to overcome was ignorance in its purest form.

“You can’t just shout calculus at a kindergartener. You can’t get mad at ignorance.” Madden leans forward to explain, “You want to shout at someone when they litter, ‘That’s bad for the environment!’ but they just don’t know and that’s ignorance.”

Madden, a defender of animal rights, vegetarianism and essential human rights currently hangs his hat in an apartment in Oakland where he and his long-term girlfriend have made a home. He can be found tending to a small green patch of land between buildings.

“I grow tomatoes, kale, mint, cilantro, peppers, that sort of thing,” he explains in his not-yet-watered-down Brooklyn accent.

When Madden isn’t working full-time at the California Academy of Sciences, he rides BART and then buses in from the city to teach Biology of Human Health at LMC. “I have to appeal to a variety of teaching styles,” Madden explains of his formal attire and high expectations of students but relaxed classroom environment. “If things are too formal it would mean students would be sleeping, and it wouldn’t be enjoyable for either of us.”

Madden’s sense of humor makes his class enjoyable and easy to learn in, but it’s his clear objective to never leave a student behind in the curriculum that sets him apart.

His syllabus clearly states. “Let us maintain high standards and help each other meet all expectations. Let us always be there for one another.”

To explain a classroom setting where the class doesn’t move forward until everyone understands the material, Madden explains, “This is a community college and to me community implies working together and helping each other.”

Students seem to be receptive to this approach as current student Andy Dorsey claims, “Professor Madden has made my transition back in college a pleasant one. I wish lectures could be like this in all my classes.”

So if you see newbie Professor Madden in the halls, don’t be intimidated. Simply give a Captain America salute and a smile.

directly next to a trashcan.

So how much is being thrown away?

“There’s a lot of stuff that’s ending up in the trash,” said Biology Professor Steve Waters.

Waters, whose own biology students partook in the assignment, stated that one problem area on campus that shows the most lack of recycling is the Weight Room.

This is evidenced by one student returning with three full sized garbage bags filled with water bottles he found in the trash cans.

Overall, in just one class session with his students, they managed to collect ten full garbage bags of recyclable items that were improperly disposed of.

“Have we cleaned it up?”

Waters asked. “I don’t know the answer to that.”

Although some students came unprepared to sor t through garbage, wearing nice clothing or failing to remember the lab was to take place, many students were able to see how recycling practices on campus are.

“I expected there to be more,” said student Beatriz Hernandez, surprised by the amount of bottles she had found, including one of many alcohol bottles discovered by students.

As the students now have a better understanding of the benefits of recycling and how the habits a small portion of society such as the LMC community can have a positive impact.With many students taking place in this final assignment, each going out at different times to collect their recyclables, Professor Wellbrook offers one piece of advice in hopes that the future recycling practices on campus will change.

“If we all do just one little thing,” she said, “it will really make a difference.”

From page 3

his guitar with the skills of a classically trained musician.

Indeed a high point of the evening, Price’s techniques raised the bar for his fellow musicians on campus.

To close the event, Zeke Nuez took the stage one last time as a solo performer to entertain the audience with his take on Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade.” Despite the off timed maraca-sounding tones coming from Russell’s “right foot” sidekick, the tune was quite enjoyable to hear.

Once again Russell shows the audience his abilities as a singer, this time incorporating a vocally simulated trumpet sound. Having per formed many songs throughout the evening, Nuez’ take on the classic R&B song was a nice way to end the evening.

Overall the night was put together great and the skills of all those who performed definitely made this recital a wonderful event to attend for all who enjoy the sounds of the guitar. With a large variety of genres spanning across many years of musical influences, the night left attendees with a new appreciation for the students’ multiple musical talents.

From page 1

From page 3

From page 3

of our school district.”

The VATF want to change all that. They hope to establish a veteran’s center with a designated “quiet spot” where student veterans can distress without having to leave campus between classes. The center will have education and counseling areas as well as be geared to helping the student veterans thrive in civilian life.

“It will most definitely be a positive driving force in veteran retention as well as overall morale for the veterans, which means a tremendous amount to me,” added Wadsworth.

Although in its early stages, the task force is building steam. They hope to get a big group together to attend the Governing Boards Meeting in Martinez Dec. 10 to introduce themselves and invite members to a Veterans Appreciation Dinner.

The dinner, still in the planning stages, will be held Feb. 6, 2015 at 6 p.m. and include special keynote speakers, community partners, etc.

When James Herring, retired from a memorable career of active duty in the USAF, was looking for a program to help him make that transition the best way possible for himself and his family, “I’m glad I found the PTEC program at LMC,” he said, adding, “Hopefully we can form a network of support for veteran students at LMC whom are going through the same transition.

“Emergency needs should be met,” said Ferguson, an Air Force veteran herself, adding, “Support the warrior not the war.”

In January the VATF wants to charter the LMC Veterans Club again and recruit veterans, family members and allies as well as members of the surrounding community.

At this time the VATF meets in Room CO-420 on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

tially, there are four different schools in a debate, with two different schools versus another set of two different schools. One school can help the other school on their team but must make themselves stand out more.

In the past, the debate team competed in Parliamentary debate, which two debaters from LMC went up against a team of two from another school.

It was focused on how many arguments a team can make rather than the performance.

“It’s definitely dif ferent from the format that I was trained in, the Parliamentary debate, but I like it because it’s really focusing on the students actually coming up with arguments that’s going to affect the real world,” said debate team assistant coach and speech professor Marie Arcidiacono.

There are four different ways for a team to win a tournament: Help the bench, the other school on one’s team.

Come up with an extension, a unique perspective aside from the bench’s argument.

Tear apart the opposing side’s arguments.

Excel in speaking style based on criteria such as fluency, good posture and articulation.

Unlike Parliamentary, World is focused on the best performance. Arcidiacono describes this style as being more creative and less rigid.

Although hosting a tournament is a lot of work, the debate coaches believe it was a success due to the team and the supportive LMC staff.

“I can tell you how happy we were that it ran on time,” said Arcidiacono. “We had a great feedback from other schools that came so we would like to see the Steeltown Invitational become a yearly tournament.”

If you have questions, please contact Gardner at kgardner@ losmedanoscollege.com.

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