Vol. 91 No. 1 - Sept. 6, 2019

Creativity framed at show

Soccer starts with a win

Free food, free advice

Come see your professors’ artsy side in the staff art exhibit opening Sept. 12 — page 4

Meet the new soccer players and see how their season kicked off with a win — page 6

Mustang day brings free food and knowledge to students during opening week — page 3

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 6

Today is the last day to drop full-term classes in person without a W

Sept. 8

The last day to drop full-term classes on InSite without a W

Sept. 27

College closed in observance of Native American Day

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LMC wins the BVC cup Sport, study recognized

By HUGO CALDERON @Hugothegreat09

The Bay Valley Commissioner’s Cup is an award given to the school in the conference whose criteria consist of; respective finish of each sport and the GPA of the athletic program as a whole.

With the program having an average 3.1 GPA, the student athletes showed not only during games, but also for class.

The inaugural award was given to Los Medanos College as a result of what the athletic teams achieved last season.

The main purpose of the BVC Commissioner’s Cup is to acknowledge a solid athletic program.

“There’s good athletic programs in the

Bay Valley Conference so they [10 Athletics Directors of the schools in the BVC] came up with the criteria,” according to Richard Villegas, the Athletic Director of LMC. The way the process is set, all 10 Athletic Directors send over the statistics from their respective schools to the conference’s Sports Information Director. The director then gathers all of the information, which is sent to the Commissioner who then chooses which school will be awarded.

Women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and baseball all won a conference title and qualified for postseason play while men’s basketball Marc Lopez • Experience did not win a title, but qualified for playoffs.

Football is not counted when determining the The LMC baseball team celebrates after they beat See BVC, page 5

Mission College 11-7 May 4 to advance to playoffs.

District leader to retire

CSU East Bay tour offered A tour to CSU East Bay is coming up for those students looking for information about transfering to that school as well as information about careers. Those who attend will be provided information about academic programs as well as help from Career Services and the Student Life Center. Dress is business casual. The bus leaves LMC by the flagpole near lot A at 8 a.m. and is set to return by 6:30 p.m. To sign up, go to Career and Transfer Service desk on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center.

Chancellor will leave in March

By CHARLES REED Staff Writer

Start your future right In today’s age, networking is important for getting on the right path for your career. Los Medanos College has networking aids to allow you to get started in the field you want. Networking, for those not familiar, is one way to get potential employers to see your work so they know what experience you have. The CA Intern Network is a website to help students apply their college courses toward internships in companies to give those students exposure to these careers. For further information and requirements visit calinterns.org/ students.

Krys Shahin • Experience

President Bob Kratochvil poses for a selfie with George Olgin, Adrianna Simone and Girlie Sison during LMC’s Opening Day gathering in the Recital Hall Aug. 23.

Staff updated at Opening Day

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

Despite your type, donate No matter A, B or O, your blood is needed to save a life. This month you have a chance to give back and help your community at the Los Medanos College Blood Drive. It will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24 in the Library Room L-109 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you plan to donate, set up an appointment by calling the Office of Student Life at (925) 4737553.

To prepare for school starting again, teachers and staff of Los Medanos College go through what they call “flex week.” A meeting was held on Aug. 23 for all faculty to receive announcements on new and old projects happening throughout the year.

One of the most important things that President Bob Kratochvil

announced was, “both the Kinesiology and athletics complex and the student union are expected to be completed by the end of this term.”

Construction at the Brentwood center is moving at a fast pace and is expected to be completed by this time next year, fall 2020.

Breakfast was served to all the attending staff by EOPS student ambassadors at 8 a.m. Promptly at 8:30, the staff was ushered into the

Recital Hall 720, where President Bob Kratochvil began singing “good morning” to everyone which prompted laughter and applause before everyone settled and the meeting began.

Multiple new degrees were announced, those being: American Sign Language, Humanities, and Philosophy AAT. There were also new cer tificates which are 3D See OPEN, page 5

This summer’s announcement of Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred E. Wood’s retirement next spring brought positive reflections of his tenure as chancellor. Wood informed the district community in an email, July 17 that he would be retiring March 31, 2020.

After serving in higher education roles for 40 years, Wood decided it was time to retire.

“Due to personal obligations, and my belief that the district is ready for new leadership,” said Wood, continuing, “the district “The district is in a great place is in a great with a very strong financial position, place.”

— Fred Wood stabilized enrollment, and our faculty and staff are doing a tremendous job of serving our students and community.”

Wood is credited with many successes in his career. One achievement that stands out during his nearly three years as chancellor is bringing stability to the district during a time of enrollment challenges and significant changes in state funding for California Community Colleges.

Los Medanos College Bob Kratochvil had good things to say about Chancellor Wood’s tenure.

“In addition to joining us at numerous LMC events, he has attended meetings of our three Senates to engage in dialogue with our campus community on topics of institutional importance,” said Kratochvil. He continued by saying, “On many occasions, See RETIRE, page 5

LMC gets charged up for electric vehicles

By SPENCER BATUTE @BatuteSpencer

Electric vehicles are not just the future — they are the near future. Construction of 18 new electric vehicle charging stations in Parking Lot A is expected to be completed by the beginning of September, with the stations becoming operable around October.

The construction in the parking lot, which started at the end of July, is expected to finish some time in the beginning of September. However, the stations will not actually

be operable until October, as some PG&E system upgrades have still not been made and require coordination with the surrounding community.

Once the stations are online, people with a parking permit will be able to use them by paying a fee via the ChargePoint app or a ChargePoint card.

Users will be charged $0.42/ kWh during the first four hours of use. After 4 hours, users will be charged an hourly rate of $4. “However, this (rate) will be continually monitored See EVCS, page 5

Krys Shahin • Experience

PG&E construction workers create space for the new charging stations in Lot A.

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Perspectives

FRIDAY,

SEPT.

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“...two souls are sometimes created together and in love before they’re born.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Dante Harrold

Hillary Hetrick

HOPEFULLY USEFUL

HILL’S LINES

Obesity is a societal threat

Save yourself, follow your gut

America needs to change how it frames the obesity epidemic from an individual problem to a societal threat.

In the last few decades, America’s citizenry has seen a gradual and significant rise in its obesity rate. In 2018 the CDC reported that the adult obesity rates now exceed 35% in seven states, 30% in 29 states, and 25% in 48 states and the annual nationwide productive costs of obesity obesity-related absenteeism range between $3.38 billion ($79 per obese individual) and $6.38 billion ($132 per obese individual).

Society as a whole has failed to take the necessary steps that involve broad strict systemic changes needed to reverse this trend, and instead has largely blamed the obesity epidemic as being a result of individuals lacking virtue or as more people simply becoming lazy and gluttonous being the cause for the health crisis.

This approach to the obesity epidemic proves to be absolutely ludicrous when considering the fact that people are more physically active, or at least trying to be physically active, now more than they’ve been in the past.

Even with this, the rate of obesity has not abated. The CDC reported that Americans getting more exercise has yet to report a decrease in the obesity rate.

It must also be noted that even if a person genuinely desires to be healthy, the lack of regulations on the food industry allows for blatant deception that could his or her attempts to be healthy an unreasonble strggle .

Unhealthy food products are routinely marketed as not bad for you and also something that will help you get fit in an unhealthy way. For example, Frosted Flakes are constantly marketed as healthy even though they’re even more unhealthy than many other sugary imbued cereal.

Most Americans have been innoculated towards eating unhealthy food through deliberate attempts from corporations to tie such habits with enjoyment, and deliberately designing their food to be addictive.

Invaldidating the idea that this is merely the reslt fopeole makig bad choices.

When faced with these facts, people must recognize this problem is not something individuals should be expected to deal with alone. Society has to help them beyond simply telling them to be more healthy without giving the necessary level of support.

Setting up adequate regulations on the food industry is critical to combat the obesity epidemic — regulations like the ones society has placed on the tobacco industry have shown to be effective, so those should be implemented.

Regulations, such as higher taxes placed on food products, barring certain foods from being advertised to certain public platforms would inevitably lead to massive victories in the fight to curb the obesity epidemic.

This would include ads targeted towards children and any that hide potential health drawbacks of the food product itself.

Just placing a tax on soft drinks has lead to substantial success.

“Consumption of sugary drinks in Berkeley’s diverse and low-income neighborhoods dropped precipitously in 2015, just months after the city levied the nation’s first soda tax on sugar-sweetened beverages,’’ said the University of Berkeley describing a study on the effects a soft drink tax had on group If applied to other food products with the same rigor it is entirely reasonable to expect similar results.

It’s about time for American society to recognize the obesity epidemic as a threat to itself. Hundreds of thousands of people are affected, and if we do not try to stop it now, the entirety of America ‘s society will suffer tremendously.

Take a moment to think back to your early childhood, to the days where you were carefree and nothing but your happiness mattered.

Then think to that time at around age 4 or 5, you entered a public or private school.

It was there you met other students your age and were thrown into believing that you have to act like them and dress like them in order to “fit in.”

Let’s take just a moment to reflect on this time in our lives. If we didn’t act a certain way or wear just the right stylish clothes, we were singled out and teased. No one thought of being their own person. Everyone wanted to be just like everyone else, following the social norm.

I read two articles a while back on Psychology Today, one of which was written

by Dr. Mark D. White. He wrote, “be true to your core identity rather than faking a different one.”

It is important to not steer away from who we really are on the inside. I believe that trying to “fit in” damages our true identity. We get so caught up in being like everyone else instead of exploring what makes us different.

In short, this prevents the taunts of our peers but ultimately leads to stress since we begin to constantly worr y if we are succeeding in fooling everyone.

The article goes on to say that, “you want to present the best you to other people, so [it] means reflecting on who you are and who you want to be.”

If it is important to be who we are, then we need to work on improving who we actually are. To do this we must step away from the cookie cutter image people urge us to be.

It is best to just be yourself.

It sounds easy, but according to the second article I read on Psychology Today, Donna Arazie writes, “being true to yourself takes time and effort.”

We need to not only be ourselves, but also be authentic and true to who we really are.

Arazie said, “to be authentic means to find the key to happiness and success within one’s self, not within society.”

We don’t need to focus on fitting in. Our success in life depends on what we want, not what society tells us to want.

Standing up for ourselves is equally important. Arazie stated, “it takes courage, honesty and a desire to be free of other’s opinions.” She believes that it doesn’t matter what other people think. Her favorite quote is, “What you think of me is none of my business.”

As we go on with our daily lives, we need to take a second look at where we are now and where we want to be. Being who we are begins with what makes us happy.

From my own experience, I was working in the healthcare field, kicking myself forward in a career that was meaningful but was lacking my true passion. Looking back on my suppressed self, I was always happiest staying up half the night writing stories and song lyrics.

Now to prepare for my future, I came back to college to finish my associate’s degree instead of remaining in a career I’m not intended to be in. I want to be a testament that proves that our success will find us if we are true to ourselves.

I am going to follow my dreams and I believe that success will find me if I excel in what makes me happy. I believe that we all have that choice.

We each only have one life and if we waste it on trying to fit in, or getting ourselves stuck in a daily routine that doesn’t express our true identity, we will never find the true meaning behind our own lives.

If we strive to be ourselves, we will find true happiness.

Experience • Katie Loughran

Editorial

Going green for humanity

I

n human nature we expel the darkness in which covets and dwells within the world. We are taught to rid ourselves of any suffering we have experienced or at the very worst to endure pain until we no longer can, because the image of perfection means more to society than any of our souls, but we do not live in a “perfect world”. We live in a world that’s dying.

We don’t open our eyes long enough to see that 60 percent of all animal populations since the 1970s to 2014 have declined, as reported in the “Living Planet Report 2018” that was published by World Wildlife Fund. Instead, people believe that these innocent creatures with no voice do not feel, even as we’ve seen the signs that they mourn their own dead and have the capacity to love.

We’ve closed our eyes to the fact that global warming is killing these animals, killing parts of the world, by burning the ozone layer, causing temperatures to skyrocket, poisoning the air we breathe. Did you know that in India the ground has cracked open and that 9 million people are without water in Chennai? The Washington Post wrote about it in the article from June 28:“As a major Indian city runs out of water, 9 million people pray for rain.” Most people can’t imagine the agony of at least one person out of 9 million.

In Brazil, the Amazon Rainforest has been on fire do to deforestation which would prove to speed up global warming. The Washington post’s main source in the article written Aug. 27, “What you need to know about the Amazon rainforest fires”, Thomas Lovejoy, of United Nations Foundation says “The Amazon forest holds something like 90 billion tons of carbon, and if that ends up in the atmosphere it’s not a good thing”. Even actor and activist, Leonardo DiCaprio, said, “The lungs of the Earth are in flames.”

What can we do about global warming or the fires in the Amazon when the consequences seem irreversible and catastrophic? The first thing you can do is do something about it, whether it is raising your voice to say that I one day want my unborn or already born children or grandchildren to be able to live in a world where they can have a future. You could donate, go green,become more educated in the topic,carpool to cut down the carbon from cars, volunteer, plant trees, or vote the one percent out of the office who refuses to believe global warming exists when the signs are all around us.

We as the Experience want any action taken to save our dying world and for you to know that you have the power to do something that can help this planet and society live longer if only for a few more seconds.

Letter from the Editor

Editor shares goals for the year

By KRYS SHAHIN

Experience Editor in Chief

With both of the previous beloved Editors in Chief getting accepted to and transferring to their top choices, I have been passed the torch and have taken up the mantle of lead editor of the Experience.

Though I am new to this paper, I have many ideas that will pave the way for the future. My goal for this paper is to dive more into the online initiative that former editors have created for us to easily access any and all information and news via our website or various social medias.

I, along with my staff, intend to push the use of social media into something that is more important and easier to understand for our readers through Twitter and Instagram at lmc_experience.

With our completely revamped website, www.lmcexperience.com, it is more interactive and easier to navigate for our readers. The community can access all of our social media to see what is happening around them as well as check out what we’re doing with our podcasts “What’s Your Experience (WYE)”, and “BackTalk.”

We on staff of the Experience understand

that the population of Los Medanos College is diverse and that public interest and opinion is changing at a constant rate. With what we have in store, we hope to change with the times and keep up with our community.

Hopefully, with the new online usage, we will not only be able to connect more easily but also be able to reach a larger portion of the students who go to LMC, but also those who live around and in the diverse community that creates us. Here’s to a great semester.

Reader Opinion Policy The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. If you are interested in expressing an opinion on campus, national or world issues, bring your submission to Room CC3-301 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

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

What would you make the LMC mascot?

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

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Cheethas because they’re fast” — Lucas Mcdonald

“A hyena because strat out in the country and migrate to the city” — Ababagar Ahamadzai

“Wolves because wolves go in packs” — Bryan Sancez

“A diffrent colred horse” — Dessiree Aponte

“Lions because they’re powerful” — Adriana Arceo

“Tigers because they’re a cool animal.”

— Camannisha Wiggins

“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 ............................ KRYS SHAHI Perspectives Editors........ ADRIANA IVANOFF and DANTE HARROLD Campus Editors ................ HILLARY HETRICK . and CHARLES REED Features Editors.................KATIE LOUGHRAN and SPENCER BATUTE Sports Editors ...........................ERICK AMAYA and JOSEPH JOHNSON News Editor .............................. KRYS SHAHIN Photo Editor ......................... HAZEL RECINOS Video Editor ...................... KELLY WILLLIAMS The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Campus Newswatch Remembering Lois Gatehouse

FRIDAY,

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“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

— Mother Teresa

A galloping success

Lois Gatehouse was an American Sign Language (A.S.L) instructor that was involved in a fatal car accident, she was apart of the World Language Department, teaching at the Los Medanos College Brentwood campus. “She was apart of the LMC family and our condolences are with the family and those who are affected,” said Los Medanos President Bob Kratochvil. Kratochvil said, “She was a really really good instructor and students are sad to hear the news.” Gatehouse will be truly missed and may she rest In peace.

What to do after Los Medanos

Getting close to graduating can be an awkward time in a student’s life. Difficult questions often arise: Do I need a four-year college? If so, where should I go to get the best education in my major? If you are struggling to answer those questions, consider a visit to the Los Medanos College Transfer and Career Services Center located in the Student Services Center on the fourth floor.

A workshop is also available on Wednesday Sept 18 from 4 to 5 p.m in SS4-412 on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center.

You can also make an appointment with a skilled transfer/ career counselor by stopping by in person or calling (925) 473-7444.

Food Pantry accepts donations

The Food Pantry is a great place to give back. Accepting non perishable food to the donation bins out-front of the office or come in and visit their friendly staff. They’re open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 9 to 3 p.m.

Located at SS-817 (by the Cafeteria and Veterans Center.) For more information about events and items they are looking for visit their website at studentlife@ losmedanos.edu or losmedanos.edu/foodpantry or call at (925) 473-7758.

Charles Reed • Experience

An LMC student studying in the CORE.

Seek the CORE for assistance

The Center for Academic Support is a great place to get knowledgeable and kind help for your assignments.

Offering tutors in Art/Humanities, ASL (American Sign Language), Bio 10,30,40,45,50, Business Excel Acct Bus 186, Chemistry 7, French, Music, Nursing, Recording Arts, Spanish and Speech. Help may also be offered at the Brentwood Center, where most tutors are available by walk-in instead of by appointment. Pittsburg appointments need to be made at least one school day in advance.

The center is located in the College Complex, Level 3 Room CO3-303.

Hours of operation are Monday and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. through 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. through 7 p.m., Friday (closed on September 27 Native American Day) 8:30a.m through 1 p.m., and even Saturdays from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m.

For appointments you can go in or call in at (925) 4737590 and for online consultations visit the LMC website search for the Center for Academic Support then click the link for online consultations for more info.The Center for Academic Support in the Brentwood Center is located in room 13.

Impact Conference for growth

Los Medanos College will host the Impact Conference next month, an event for students to gain experiences and possibly new skills for the world outside of college. It will be held in the Library Community Room L-109 on Friday, Oct 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The conference will feature a variety of related topics, including gaining leadership skills, learning to be an effective activist, and finding a way to give back to your community. Complimentary lunch and T-shirts will be provided.

Space is limited so please RSVP by Oct, 4 at www. losmedanos.edu/studentlife or email at studentlife@ losmedanos.edu or call (925)473-7554.

Services for job seekers

Job hunting can be hard and confusing. Not sure if your resume is adequate or perhaps your interview skills may be a little rusty. If so there is a service you might want to know about. On Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Center for Academic Support CO-303.

There is support in Reviewing your Resume, Preparing for Interviews, Networking Advice, and Job and Internship searches. No appointment is needed this is a free drop-in service.

What’s lost can be found

Los Medanos College lost and found has numerous items on campus. If you have lost an item, check with police services, which is located in the Campus Safety Building at the front of the LMC campus.

News briefs needed for print

If you have a news story, tip, or college news related idea for consideration for publication here’s what to do: stop by the Journalism Lab (room CC3-301) on the main level or email the Editor-in-Chief Krys Shahin or email her at krysshahin@gmail.com.

News Briefs: If you are involved in an event that you would like publicized or have a short announcement for the newswatch column, stop by the journalism lab fill out a news form.

— Compiled by Charles Reed

Erick Amaya • Experience

Teresea Archaga, director of Student Life, distributes food to students while Sabrina Kwist, dean of Equity and Inclusion, converses with a student during Mustang Day August 28.

Free food, free advice on Mustang Day

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

Mustang Day kicked off the fall semester with free food, provided by the Office of Student Life, and a booth for Student Services to assist students with any questions or concerns Wednesday August 29 in the outdoor quad.

Many student ser vices and clubs were present in an effort to attract new students into their programs. The programs had the opportunity to get a table and promote themselves to students who attended the event, as well as students who walked through the outdoor quad during the event.

A total of 10 student clubs were at the event recruiting new members. Among them was “Advancing Toward Achievement,” a STEM-based group entering its second semester as a chartered club on campus.

Advancing Toward Achievement club president Anthony Early said, “For today’s event, it’s just trying to recruit new people at LMC who do not know about the club and would like to be involved, but [have not heard] about us yet.”

The Office of Student Life, who organized the event, provided free food for students who attended the event. A total of 20 pizzas, 500 hotdogs, and 500 water

bottles were handed out to students.

“I think [the event] is going really well.

I’m really happy with the turnout,” said Teresea Archaga, Director of Student Life. She continued, “We actually have community partners this time around, which is a little bit different than what we normally do, so that’s even more exciting.”

Community partners who provided information to students were Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank and the Community Emergency Crisis House, among others. The food bank has been an important part of the LMC community since it was introduced, it allows students See DAY, page 5

Food Pantry is open to students in need

By KRYS SHAHIN @krysshah

A large, unlabeled, brown bag may be the difference between having food for the next few days or nothing to eat for those who depend on Los Medanos College food pantry.

The program allows any student to get free items that they need, once a day.

“As long as you’re a student and have a physical ID card, you’re welcome here. It’s just a program for students to go and get free food. We get a whole bunch of people, people from a bunch of different backgrounds,” said Jessica Wilson, a food pantry associate.

But how high is the need for such a program at a community college like LMC? According to a study by the Wisconsin HOPE lab, partnered with the National Student Campaign Against Hunger, upward of 25 percent of community college

students qualify as food insecure compared with 20 percent on four-year campuses.

“People really rely on the food pantry,” said Wilson, “The food pantry really helped me out in time of need and I’m thankful for that.”

There have been roughly 500 to 600 unique students who have used the food pantry since its creation in 2017 according to John Nguyen, Student Life Coordinator and co-founder of the food pantry.

“We have really been able to see the amount of good we’re doing,” said Nguyen, “it’s a community effort. It started off so small, now it’s a full department that helps so many people. It really is rewarding and heartwarming to be a part of, and I felt like it was my job and responsibility Hazel Recinos • Experience to help those around me after Abner Monter, student associate for the Food Pantry I realized my own privilege.”

See FOOD, page 5

at Los Medanos college, stocks shelves on Thursday.

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Features Artfully expressive

FRIDAY,

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“Sometimes it’s a little better to travel than to arrive.”

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— Robert M. Pirsig

Krys Shahin • Experience

Carol Ladewig, gallery director, and Alexis Eastland, gallery assistant, install Donna Fenstermaker’s painting for the upcoming staff and faculty show.

Staff exhibit opens Sept. 12

By SPENCER BATUTE @BatuteSpencer

The first art exhibit of the fall 2019 semester will open Sept. 12 and will comprise contributions by various faculty and staff members.

The exhibit will be open to viewers Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and will run from Sept. 12 to Oct. 13.

The exhibit will have no specific content or medium; rather, it will be a collection of any artwork that faculty and staff members have decided to contribute. The number of pieces shown is expected to range from 20 to 30, with staff

members contributing about two to three pieces each.

The work submitted thus far ranges from 3D, abstract work, to 2D, representational work.

Art and Humanities Chair Ken Alexander, for example, will be contributing a mix of old and new landscape works.

“My work reflects places I have seen and that have personal meaning to me,” said Alexander, “A mountain along the West Highland Way in Scotland; a waterfall which I kissed my now-ex-wife for the final time; and the vista of Contra Loma Regional Park at the end of Frederickson Lane; the place in which I ride my

Marquee El Campanil Theatre

Here are upcoming events at the El Campanil Theatre. n Sunday, Sept. 8 — John Acosta’s “Bee Gees Gold” tribute band. Show starts at 3 p.m. Adults: $29 Seniors: $27 Youth: $15. n Friday, Sept. 13 — El Campanil Children’s Theatre presents “The Best Haunted House Ever.” Opens at 7:30 p.m. Adults: $13 Seniors: $11 Youth: $9.

mountain bike and train for my long-distance walks.”

The staf f exhibit, which occurs once a year, is being led by Carol Ladewig, a new addition to LMC. Ladewig ser ved as the curator and co-founder of the Oakland Art Gallery from 2001 to 2007 and put on many graduate shows for the California College of the Arts.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting and working with people in the art department, there are a lot of great people here,” said Ladewig.

Ladewig, who has only been with LMC for two weeks, will serve as the gallery curator

for at least the next year, under contract.

“Ar t at its fundamental basis is about critical thinking and problem solving,” said Ladewig. “I think if you can get someone’s curiosity going and stimulate their imagination, the critical appreciation doesn’t mean good or bad, it means how it’s put together and what

makes it work, and these are questions that apply to almost anything.”

Galler y assistant Sabrina Sor vari explained students should visit the art gallery “to see the range their teachers have and get to know the strengths of their professors.”

A professor himself, Alexander echoed Sor vari’s

“Annie,” the musical story of an orphan on a mission to find her parents, opens Nov. 9 and continues through Nov. 24. Ticket prices vary between $16 and $27. For more information, visit www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

Coming soon to Cinemas. n “It Chapter Two”— In theaters Sept. 6, directed

by Andy Muschietti. n “Hustlers” — In theaters Sept. 12, directed by Lorene Scafaria. n “The Goldfinch” — In theaters Sept. 13, directed

by John Crowley. n “Ad Astra” — In theaters Sept. 20, directed by James Gray. n “Downton Abbey” — In theaters Sept. 20, directed

by Michael Engler.

— Compiled from press releases and staff reports

sentiments as to why students should check out the exhibit.

“It’s good for art students to see their professors’ skills in action, but also to appreciate that one does not have to be an art professor to make art,” said Alexander.

The art gallery is located on the first floor of the library, near the coffee and snack stand.

Rock the pews with play LMC talent hits the local stage in song

By KATIE LOUGHRAN Staff writer

Pittsburg California Theatre

Pittsburg Community Theatre is set to “Rock the Pews” this Saturday with their upcoming performance of “Sister Act”.

The musical, based on the hit 1992 musical comedy film of the same name, will be directed by Dianna Schepers this September.

Los Medanos College student Brianna Peacock is currently taking part in the upcoming performance with the Pittsburg Community Theatre. The theatre and psychology major is overjoyed to be a part of the theatre’s latest play.

“This is my fourth show with Pittsburg Community Theatre and I am so grateful to be involved with this amazing theatre company. The cast of Sister Act is phenomenal,” said Peacock.

The cast and crew have been working on the play for a few months and are all very eager to showcase all of their hard work.

REVIEW CREW

‘Don’t Let Go’

Spencer Batute • Experience

Close-up shot of a bust by Julee Richardson, titled “The Things I’ve Seen.”

Lacey Terrell • Universal Pictures

Movie Summary: “Don’t Let Go,” starring David Oyelowo and Storm Reid, was released on Aug. 30. Jack Radcliff (Oyelowo, right) receives a haunting phone call from his recently murdered niece Ashley (Reid).

Jack, a detective, travels through time and technology to prevent Ashley’s murder. The movie runs for 1 hour and 47 minutes and is rated R.

“We started working on the show at the end of June and are excited to finally be able to perform it for a live audience. We are definitely going to ‘Rock the Pews’ and ‘Spread the Love,’” said Peacock.

Taking on the roles of Nun, Homeless Person, and Fantasy Dancer, Peacock is among the multiple familiar faces from

LMC who are taking part in the show.

Others include Elijah Sue and Desiree Capote, who are freshmen at LMC, as well as English professor Gregory Brown, who will be playing Monsignor in the performance.

According to the playbill, the musical follows a “wanna-be disco diva who witnesses a crime. Her only chance of surviving is to go deep into hiding, in one of the most unlikely places, The Queen of Angels Church, a convent full of tone-deaf singing nuns.

Set in Philadelphia, PA, watch as Deloris’ unique brand of funk comes face-to-face with the traditions of the church and how the strict order of is in for a change.

A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, ‘Sister Act’ is a reason to rejoice and ‘Raise your Voice.’”

“Sister Act” opens Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. and will run Sept. 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22.

Admission for the performance is $28 for adults and $22 for students and seniors (62 and older). The show will be held at the Pittsburg California Theatre, located at 351 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg, CA. For more information contact the box office at (925) 427-1611 or visit PCTCA.org.

HH

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Spencer says: ‘Don’t Let Go’?

Just let it go

Katie says: It’s a good airplane movie

“Don’t Let Go” is a well-produced, tightly directed sci-fi sleuth story that struggles to support the weight of its top-heavy plot.

The quality of acting is what you expect from a Hollywood hit, with decent enough writing behind it.

The synth-heavy, minimalist score is superb and tastefully implemented throughout the film.

Where most thrillers rely on big, cliche noises to elevate tension, “Don’t Let Go” uses ambient drones to emphasize the atmosphere of isolation felt by the main protagonist. A number of creative shots and transitions also add some unique flare.

The pacing is steady enough so that the paranormal plot device meshes believably with the world, but only to a certain point, it missed its mark.

The latter half of the film takes the rules and runs with them just a bit too quickly. What could have been head-spinning revelations end up falling flat because I was always one step behind where the movie wanted me to be.

It’s an entertaining ride while it lasts, but I didn’t walk out of the theater having felt anything new.

If you’re wondering if you should see this movie, here’s my suggestion to you: just let it go.

— Spencer Batute

If I had to describe “Don’t Let Go” in a few words, it was different than the normal approach to an airplane film. It leveled an amount of entertainment to keep a captive audience bored watching a two-hour flight movie but still be informative to learn new things.

Seeing the movie in theaters, left me a bit remorseful that I’d spent a little more than $8 on the ticket. The decent pacing and occasional unexpected moments warrant a rating higher than 1 star, but minimal thrill and decent acting still kept me interested.

The overall tone of the movie came off serious despite the clearly strange element of time travel that was forced into the movie to make it stand out. The convoluted sci-fi element comes up short, leaving the slow first half of the movie more boring than thought-provoking. The best parts of “Don’t Let Go” arrive towards the end where there is a brief viewing of action and tension.

“Don’t Let Go” is most likely going to become a film that will be forgotten or remembered for being uninteresting, but one thing’s for sure — it won’t win any Oscar or award.

— Katie Loughran

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

FOOD From page 3

Experience • Krys Shahin

A standing ovation along with cheering from staff and faculty for Rashaad McAlpine who was deemed Classified Employee of the Year.

OPEN

Spit- a spoken word show held by the LGBTQ+ faculty staff caucus, a workshop on Design, American Sign Lan- neuroscience, mindfulness guage and Spanish. and inclusive pedagogy, Keep Events and clubs that were Educating Yourself [KEY], and held from the previous semes- finally a student-life run event ter, spring 2019, were recog- called “A Place to Talk,” which nized for their success and were sessions that provided their effect on the students at safe spaces for students to LMC. These events consisted share and learn after the of; Cash for College, Sister tragic events of Sri Lanka,

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New Zealand, and Louisiana.

Rashaad McAlpine was recognized with a standing ovation and an award, being deemed “Classified Employee of the Year.”

Retiring Chancellor, Fred Wood began speaking about and praising LMC for the awards and records it broke this past semester.

“In 2018, LMC had the

highest number transferring to UC and CSU’s ever and since 2007, there has been a 123% increase in our overall student population transferring,” said Wood.

With a budget as a large topic in reference to the new projects, Wood brought up that LMC was awarded a large sum of money to help students in CTE programs.

“We were awarded a half a million-dollar California virtual college career technical-education, online-education initiative grant,” said Wood.

The event concluded with Kratochvil congratulating the newly tenured faculty and celebrating staff that has dedicated between 5 years to 45 years of service to LMC as a whole.

EVCS

BVC

monitored and reviewed by the district,” said Tracy L. Marcial, Energy & Sustainability Manager at the District Office.

The chargers use Level 2 circuitry — the most common type among public electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). The 240 Volt, 40 Amp stations yield about 25 miles of Range Per Hour (RPH), and can be used by any electric vehicle (EV) with the exception of Teslas, which require a certain adapter to use them.

One station will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and one will be van-accessible. Prior to this project, there were no EVCS on campus.

However, the addition of the EVCS displaced normal parking spaces. “13 Faculty spots were removed along with a few metered spots and now we’re tr ying to figure out where those are going to go,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil.

Owners of EVs often have to take extra planning steps so as to stay charged up. John Barnaby, an RN student, often has to leave school early to let his Tesla charge long enough for his wife to use it.

The addition of EVCS on campus “would be awesome,” Barnaby said.

Planning star ted when LMC was approved for a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) that partially paid for the construction of the EVCS, which were beginning to be required as part of the bond program and by building codes. Simultaneously, LMC applied for PG&E’s newly founded EV Charge program, which provides the design and construction of the electrical infrastructure for the EVCS up to the point of connection of the stations.

As a “disadvantaged community” that falls in the top 25% of communities in PG&E’s service area that are disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution, LMC also qualified for a different subset of the program which paid for the EVCS themselves with a small participation fee.

The project is projected to cost LMC less than $30,000 to install the infrastructure and EVCS. PG&E is providing funding for approximately $190,000 in infrastructure and EVCS. In other words, LMC is paying $30,000, to get a project valued at about $220,000.

Funding from both companies is in order to meet California’s clean energy goals, based on the California Energy Commission.

“Since the transportation industry in CA accounts for 40% of the greenhouse gases in California, achieving these goals will have a huge impact,” said Marcial.

the statistics because the team is not in the BVC. Another aspect of this new award brings is the inclusion of academic success, instead of just on the field, “They’re called student-athletes, not athletic students.

I think that’s an important distinction to remember that they’re student-athletes first.

I think it’s awesome that the BVC started this.” said Lou Panzella, head coach of the women’s volleyball team.

“The philosophy is to get students to come here and use athletics to come and get an education,” said Villegas “We tell our coaches to make sure [they] recruit good people, hopefully you get good athletes, but we need to get good students. We need to get student athletes that understand why they are here.”

This could help pave the way for LMC to be seen as a top-choice school for athletes coming from the Bay Valley Athletic League, the local highschool athletic league.

“I think our coaches have done a good job out there recruiting, getting out there in the community, into the local high schools and getting the local athletes to come to LMC” said Villegas.

This season, the soccer team has many incoming players joining from the BVAL. “I think we still need help getting the word out that local kids don’t need to leave to bigger programs,” said Sullivan.

Overall introducing the BVC Commissioner’s Cup should help with recruiting and for LMC to gain more exposure for being recognized Experience • Erick Amaya for having the best athletics Eryn Wheatley, 15, attempts to cross the ball into the Mustangs’ attacking area program in the BVC, accordin effort to extend their one-goal lead. ing to Villegas.

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RETIRE From page 1

that Wood’s work with the budget made funds more he has also highlighted the easily accessed at a lower hard work and accomplish- interest rate for projects like ments of LMC’s students, fac- the new Brentwood Center ulty, classified professionals, groundbreaking.

Reflecting on his career, and managers. We wish him all the best in his retirement.” Wood said, “he is most proud Governing Board President of is the opportunity to join Vicki Gordon expressed our governing board, faculty, that the district has been staff, and community leaders extremely fortunate to have in their work to support our Wood’s leadership over the students, that they deserve the recognition for the success past few years.

“His honesty, integrity, of our district and our three thoughtful leadership, and excellent colleges.”

The board has already passion for students were exactly what the district launched the replacement proneeded during this time,” cess hiring a national search Gordon said. “We will miss firm to find a new chancellor, his leadership and he will be and now Wood plans to “work in the shadows” as a consultant a hard act to follow.”

Gordon also gave a nod to to answer questions from the Wood’s work on the budget, applicants as well as from the securing benefits for Commu- trustees.

The board will be deciding nity College faculty specifically with retirement and healthcare soon who in the district will coordinate the hiring process, for those members.

Another accomplishment scheduled just before winter Gordon pointed out was break.

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for improvement.

Sullivan elaborated that the team is going to work on its fitness and over time will develop better chemistr y, resulting in a much neater style of play.

“Hoping to peak in November is the goal,” said Sullivan.

“We’re going to make our mistakes and struggle at points now, but I think as long we’re ready to make a playoff run and we’re fit, then that’s most important.

to receive free canned goods to take home.

“We have some clubs [and community partners] tabling which is pretty good, more than normal, that’s always good,” added Archaga.

Mustang Day allowed students to be social, meet new people and learn new things.

“It’s great! You get to meet people and there’s free food, and it’s a good way for people to find somewhere where they fit in and be themselves,” said second-year student Carla Martinez.

At the end of the event, Archaga made sure to thank everyone who attended the event and those who helped make the event the success that it was.

“I want to say a big ‘Thank you’ to all my friends who stepped up and helped me at Brentwood yesterday and Mustang Day today.”

From page 6

PREV From page 6

Through two games, LMC is 2-0 and have outscored opponents 11-0, with Gomez racking up five goals in that span.

Visit https://www.losmedanos.edu/soccer/index.aspx for more information on the soccer team’s roster and schedule.

From page 3

The pantry has become an important source of student support on campus.

“Students don’t have to stress about when they are going to get their next meal.

They can focus on their classes. It’s just one less thing the students have to worry about,” said Ja’Net Kent, a food pantry associate.

The idea of the food pantry first surfaced around 2015 when English teacher and co-founder of the food pantry Scott Warfe noticed students hesitantly asking for more food when it was offered to them.

“I used to bring snacks to every class, like granola bars for essay writings or tests and I would have some students come up and ask if they could have more than one and I’d say like, ‘yeah, they’re there for you!’ That’s when I started to think about starting an English Department food pantry or something like that,” said Warfe. “I just wanted to destigmatize that people are needy. The ultimate goal is to ensure people are on campus and completing assignments.”

Once Warfe noticed the need, he got to work on figuring out a way to create something that would allow those in need to have necessities.

“We applied for a campus grant because we found out some crazy statistic like one in ever y six students, or something, had some sort of food insecurity,” said Warfe, “So we got the grant but we weren’t allowed to buy food with it, so what we did was we bought the fridges, and the space itself. Then the food came from the Contra Costa Food Bank.”

TOMS Social Entrepreneurship Fund and The John Muir Community Health Fund also helped with a generous donation.

“Even with that though, we rely on food drives, donations from communities, and students. We have collaborated with other schools who hopped on board after hearing about it,” said Nguyen. “Even students who work at the food pantry donate monthly or out of their paycheck in order to keep it running.”

Money and other donations help ensure things other than food are available to those who need them.

“There’s diapers, hygienic things, toothbr ushes and toothpaste, female hygiene products, more than just snacks,” said Nguyen.

Students are encouraged to use the food pantry, located in the main College Complex by the cafeteria, as much as they need.

“I want people to take advantage of what is out there for them. If they don’t someone else is going to. If it’s something that is going to benefit you, use it,” said Warfe.

FBALL From page 6

Despite not making the playoffs last year, the football Mustangs hope the new season will bring success their way.

This year is a young and fiery team, with many new faces and some old ones from last year with a couple sophomores returning to be the leaders the team needs.

The Mustangs expectations for this upcoming season are no different from the other teams in their conference, so things will not be easy, but the team is ready for the challenge.

“I feel great, our scrimmage went great and I’m excited for the upcoming season,” said freshman Oryan Atualeval.

Some key players to watch this season are: Sophomore QB Nikita Jegers, Sophomore DL Maruise Cunningham, Sophomore OL Jared Troxell, Sophomore OL Ryan Vanderwerf, Sophomore CB Ronnell Snell, Sophomore LB Heamasi Latu, and Sophomore LB Miles Cunningham.

With the upcoming season, the football team intends to exceed the expectations that they have already placed within themselves. The football program looks to help collegiate athletes get to the next level and go above and beyond it.

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“Nothing is given.

Everything is earned.”

— Lebron James

Soccer team looks to repeat Preview of the season

Stangs win first contest

@juice_cano

Staff writer

By JESUS CANO

By JESUS CANO

The Los Medanos College women’s soccer team is coming off one of its greatest seasons in history. Continuing this trend, this is the first time in a record 24 years that LMC won the Bay Valley Conference and resulted in a home playoff game.

Graduation took its toll on the team with many key contributors from last year’s squad having to move on. LMC will certainly need many of its new players to step up in order to provide another championship to the team.

“We lost a lot of starters to graduation, so it’s mostly a new group,“ said four-year Head Coach Zach Sullivan.

“The goal is to win the conference every year, we know we are the team to beat from last year, so will get every team’s best effort.”

Last year’s success attracted many local talents from high school leagues such as the Bay Valley Athletic League and the Diablo Athletic League.

“This year we are going to rely on some incoming players to step up fresh out of high school. We are loaded with talent. Our attacking options will make practice competitive,” said Sullivan.

One of the few returners is sophomore Holly Gallagher, one of LMC’s most versatile players. Gallagher will primarily play defense this season alongside sophomore Marymar Mejia.

Freshmen Nayeli Martinez Rojas and Michelle Cisneros will step in for the Mustangs in the backline. Marianna Giovanetti, who originally committed to University of San Francisco, will create an immediate impact for LMC. Besides defense, there is a completely different lineup for the Stangs.

“Everyone is capable of being a starter this year and it shows with the competitiveness at practice,” said Gallagher. “I think everyone really wants to be here and once we get more into season those connections between us based off the drive to win will be strong.”

One of LMC’s strong links will be its versatility. Sullivan mentions that he has plenty of players that can play all

Erick Amaya • Experience

Mustang Mariah Minhares, No. 7, dribbles against two Bakersfield College players. around the pitch like Anissa Gomez, Isabel Dumapit, Alicia Cardenas and Las Positas transfer, Eryn Wheatley.

LMC will need to replace top goal scorers Charissa Day (11) and Sofia Kerns (9). They will have a plethora of Pittsburg High School alumni at its disposal with Litzy Ramirez, Nayeli

Carbajal, Jocelyn Guttierrez and Mariah Minjares, in addition with the late arrival of Sarah Figueroa.

Freshman Alissa Caburnay is the starting goalkeeper. As a senior at Antioch High School, she tallied 179 saves.

Similar to last season, LMC has

Football looks for redemption

By JOSEPH JOHNSON Staff Writer

As the fall semester begins, the Los Medanos College football team is approaching its upcoming 2019 season. Last year LMC had a 3-6 record and did not make the playoffs.

The first game of the 2019 season was an LMC-hosted scrimmage against Monterey Peninsula College Aug. 28.

Players within the football team have high expectations for the upcoming football season. “Our defense has picked up a lot, MPC couldn’t really get a completion on us,” said sophomore Isiah Pitts.

There are many other improvements that team-members have noticed with the new team this year and are feeling confident with what they are seeing.

“We’re really sticking together as a team and are bonding really well. I feel like we can win a bowl game this season, I have faith in my coaching staff and my starters,” said Pitts.

LMC will be playing against Gavilan College Friday September 6, their expectations are high against the opponent because last season they had shut them out 22-7.

See FBALL, page 5

scheduled a tough non-conference schedule. Five out of the seven opponents the Stangs will be squaring off against made the playoffs, including San Joaquin Delta College who made an appearance in the California final four.

See PREV, page 5

It may only be one game into the year but the Los Medanos College women’s soccer team is ahead of many of its predecessors.

In at least five years, LMC has not been able to capture a victory on opening day. But that streak was snapped Friday afternoon. The Mustangs started the 2019 campaign by defeating yearly Southern California opponent Bakersfield College 1-0.

“We are way ahead of last year,” said head coach Zach Sullivan. “It’s a lot of new players but we played well together. Tactically we created a lot of chances, especially at the end.”

The tables turned from last season, as LMC was on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat vs. Bakersfield.

And It didn’t take long for the reigning Bay Valley Conference champions to let everyone know — they are for real.

In the third minute, LMC scored its first goal of the season. Freshman Litzy Ramirez Cuevas was alert, intercepting a pass from Bakersfield. She dribbled five yards before connecting with freshman Anissa Gomez, who scored the only goal of the game.

Just like the arrival of the Popeyes chicken sandwich, business was boomin’ for the Stangs.

“So far playing at a JuCo [junior college] level has been great,” said Gomez. “It’s more intense and upbeat than high school for sure, but it’s only been one game and I’m excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”

The young Mustang team relied heavily on its defense vs. Bakersfield. Returners Holly Gallagher and Marymar Mejia provided the veteran experience, but newcomer Isabel Dumapit adapted quickly to the JuCo style of play.

Freshman goalkeeper Alissa Caburnay recorded three saves and earned her first college clean sheet.

Despite starting with a victory, just like the team, the season is young and there is plenty of room See WIN, page 5

Joseph Johnson • Experience

LMC football team scrimmages against Monterey Peninsula College in a preseason game at home.

Defending champs return Volleyball team faces tough preseason play

By HUGO CALDERON @Hugothegreat09

Hazel Recinos • Experience

Shelby Bryant looks to make a play during a practice session.

Last season, the Los Medanos College Women’s Volleyball team added yet another Bay Valley Conference title to their resume, but ended their play-off run in the first round.

This year, the team starts off on a new slate.

“Last year is history. Its done. Its gone. It’s a whole new season with a whole new cast of characters.” said Lou Panzella, head coach of the women’s volleyball team. “We start from scratch, I like our team and think we have the opportunity to do well, but until we do it, we haven’t done anything.”

Not only did the team win a conference title, the Los Medanos College athletics program was awarded the BVC Commissioners Cup, which is

awarded to the school in the conference that finishes the highest in all of their respective sports — excluding football — and has the highest cumulative GPA, for which LMC had a 3.1.

“I think that having an athletic GPA as a big component is a big thing.

I thought I was going to nominate our team for academic All-American team, but only one team [Feather River College] managed to do it. We missed out by two-tenths of a point.” said Panzella.

One of the goals that the team has is to qualify for Academic All-American this season, according to the 2018 All-Bay Conference coach of the year.

The Mustangs have played against strong opponents during its preseason, which serves as an opportunity to get the team used to playing against top-notch competition.

Some of the schools LMC faced include San Joaquin Delta College, Sierra College, College of San Mateo, and Gavilan College, which finished top four among the NorCal schools last season.

“It’s better to play [tougher competition] during preseason, that way when we get to the regular season we’ve already played the best of the best” said Amaya Mixon.

Panzella did acknowledge that one drawback of playing a tough preseason schedule is that if the team suffers a lot of losses, the confidence might go down before the regular season starts.

One of the biggest setbacks the Mustangs face is losing four players from last season, all of who made the All-Bay Conference first team- Emily Jones, Sophia Clavido, Nuru Boone, and Mercedes Nicholson.

While the team has six returning players, two are currently bound to the sidelines due to injury.

“We’re definitely putting in a lot of hard work, it’s just tough because we have a few injuries that just happened, so we haven’t started off as strong as we wanted to,” said Kristina Salazar, another returning player.

The Mustangs kick off conference play on the road against Laney College Sept. 18.