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Mr. Smith goes to district
Important Dates May is National Bike Month May 24 Finals week: Check when your exams are scheduled. May 24 Last day of instruction and graduation.
Shave your head for kids Help prevent childhood cancer by donating your hair in the Shave 2 Save. event designed to bring awareness to children living with cancer. The event takes place Tuesday, May 14 in the outdoor quad from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information contact Student Life at ext. 3266.
Go overseas and learn Spend a spring semester in Florence, Italy or a fall semester in London or Paris, and get college credit whike you learn abroad. Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College students are eligible to participate in this district program. For more information contact the Study Abroad Office www.4cd.edu/ed/ syudyabroad.
Your Vote is your voice LMCAS elections will take place Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. Make your voice heard and vote online at www. losmedanos.edu/lmcas. Students will also be able to vote at a BBQ May 7 on the Student Life patio and will get a free hot dog and bottled water. For more information, or to view candidate statements, contact the Student Life office, ext. 3266, or go to http//www. losmedanos.edu/Groups/ lmcas/default.asp
Photos by Irvin Trigueros
From left, Chancellor Helen Benjamin and governing board members Greg Enholm, John Marquez, Sheila Grilli and John Nejedly listen to Eric Smith’s (top photo) greivance on April 24 at the district office in Martinez.
Seniority argued in open grievance hearing By PETER COSTANZA Staff Writer
Eric Smith, a custodian at Diablo Valley College (DVC), filed a formal grievance with the Contra Costa Community College District Jan. 18 that could impact how custodians bid for their work-stations at all district locations, including Los Medanos college. Smith finally reached the sixth floor of the district office April 24 in the final stage of the grievance process that is usually heard in closed session but, at Smith’s request, the hearing was open to the public. A decision will be made within 15 days of the hearing. John Nejedly, secretary of the district governing board said “this is the first time since I been here, 18 years, that we have somebody do it in public. I think it’s helpful for everybody to have this discussion this way.” The claim, according to the grievance document filed with Chris Leivas, vice president of Finance and Administration, read: “my seniority was wrongfully denied when it was time to bid on custodial work stations.” The document continued outlining Smith’s argument of how current practice of workstation
Photo by Irvin Trigueros
Gene Huff argues on behalf of the district. bidding violated his interpretation of the 2010-2013 union contract. The word “seniority,” or in this case the definition of seniority, is at the heart of the dispute Smith has with Public Employees Union, Local 1 (PUE) and the district. Smith’s interpretation of the union contract is that seniority is based on
Get creative with Anime Cosplay and prop workshops will be hosted by the Anime Unlimited club Fridays from 3 to 5 pm in MA-204. Those interested in Anime, cosplay or creating props are encouraged to attend these workshops. Club members promise lots of tips and ideas on how to begin creating your character. For more information, contact Sketch Choice or Stephen Charlton, 727-7802.
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District turns 65 years old
Success ceremony Students who are receiving a scholarship or transferring to a fouryear college are invited to participate and be honored at the Student Success Ceremony Friday, May 10 at 3 p.m. in the Recital Hall. To RSVP go to www.losmedanos./ edu/success. For more information contact Ashley Adams at 4392181 ext. 3266, or email aadams@losmedanos. edu.
how long you have worked in the district or – a specific classification. “The college’s interpretation of article 17.2.1 is that seniority is based on continuous seniority at the college,” said Leivas in a response letter that denies Smith’s original grievance request, dated Jan 25. Once a year custodians get to rebid for workstation assignment on their campus and the one who gets first choice is determined by seniority. The process is outlined in Article 17 of the union contract. Article 17.2 under the heading: Custodians/ grounds work stations and custodial shifts, reads: once the district revises/reestablishes work areas/stations, employees shall, within five (5) work days, be given the opportunity to bid on all current stations. The most senior employee at the work location shall be placed into the station of his/her choice. This process shall be followed until all stations are filled. “The contract does not say consecutive term … most senior could mean… accumulative term. Most senior could mean the oldest person on
We are planning on having our first meeting on May 16, This year marks an import- where volunteers will get some ant milestone in the history of marching orders on what they the Contra Costa Community will be doing. We hope to have more information in a month or College District. On Dec. 27, the Contra Costa so. We are also going to talk to some of the colleges Community Colto see what ideas lege District will they have.” be celebrating its The Contra Costa 65th anniversary. Community College In commemoraDistrict traces its tion of the event, roots back to Dec. district officials 27, 1948, where the are cur rently Contra Costa Board planning a celof Supervisors offiebration comcially declared the memorating the then-Contra Costa event involving County Junior Collocal, state, and lege District as a district officials, result of an election college faculty on Dec. 14. and students. “This is about our “CCCJCD was Although spe- students, so some one of 14 districts cifics of the cele- of the things we’re formed in the state bration, in terms going to be doing of Califor nia beof festivities, are are making sure tween 1946-1950 as still ver y much there is plenty of a result of the GI in the planning entertainment.” — Tim Leong Bill, the high influx phases, details of military and war are said to become much clearer a month at the time, and the new realization that education beyond from now. “A lot of the details haven’t high school was a requirement,” been worked out,” said Contra said District Chancellor Helen Costa Community College Benjamin. Upon its formation, CCCJCD District Director of Communications Tim Leong. “Details are was the first county-wide college still sketchy, but we’re looking in the state. See 65, page 6 at a December time frame. By SEAN TONGSON Staff Writer
Archive photo
The Library is not only for studying but a place to get help with research.
Library lends support By ALEX DE SANTIAGO Staff Writer
If you’re an LMC student who does nothing but study, and needs a quiet place to do it, you probably spend most of your time in the library. But what does the library offer other than a quiet place to study or check out books? “I never really knew all of the resources available,” said former LMC student Jessica Martinez, who admitted she often felt intimidated in the library. “I don’t know if it was just a personal issue but I always was scared to ask librarians for help.” Martinez added. “We are very dedicated to helping students, we love for
them to come to us for help,” Technical Services Librarian Christine Park said. The library staff helps students browse the library catalog and look for textbooks or articles for papers and learn how to research. “Come to us at the reference desk, we are determined to help you,” Park said. The LMC library staff said they are always ready to help students every day with whatever they need. “We set up a booth on Mustang day,” said Electronic Resources Librarian Kimberly Wentworth. The library staff uses that time to talk to students about all of the resources the library has to offer. They
spend that time telling new students attending LMC how the library helps students specifically, and what they can do to make better use of the library. “We have a ton of resources to help students,” Electronic Resources Librarian Kimberly Wentworth said, as she explained the library catalog and the difference between the circulation and reference desk. “In general, the reference desk helps you with any books you need to research,” Wentworth said. She added, “ Generally, the circulation desk is a place were you could read books as well as textbooks that are See HELP, page 6
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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Larena Hernandez
Charles Powell
SIMPLY RINA
CORNER VIEW
We need to do better as adults
Hope for a better future
As a teenager, I always said that I didn’t want kids because the world is crazy. Anytime the news is on, you hear about kidnappings, and murders. You can’t trust anyone. Well I have a son and the world is still crazy, if not worse. There has always been violence, war, and a lack of justice, but in this day and age, these issues are on steroids. Children used to be able to walk around outside and play in the front yard. There was a time when there was no doubt about the movie theater being a safe place for a family outing. Your child was safe at school and in the classroom, and there was no question about how the teacher’s behavior was toward the students. People owned guns, and a marathon was just that. The kids were to be inside when the streetlights turned on and usually obeyed their mom and or dad. This way of living, for the most part, does not exist today. In my routine of boredom during a class break, I was on Facebook on my phone and scrolled passed a sketch of a man accused of a kidnapping here in Pittsburg. The kidnapping was unsuccessful and the twoyear-old little girl was “traumatized” but OK. I am guilty of being somewhat numb to these things, because unfortunately, this happens everyday. However, this one really hit home. Maybe it’s because it was here in Pittsburg, maybe it’s because I know that exact area, or maybe it’s because I am a mother. Just a few months ago, my nephews were approached by “an old man” and were told to get in the car. Thankfully, they knew to run inside the house, yet the man still got away. We have to lock our doors at night and keep our windows closed. The frightening thought of another school, your child’s school, being massacred is a possibility. Teachers are being fired and convicted of abusing kids, babysitters too. Let’s not forget about the teachers who engage in sexual acts with their students also. Wars used to be between countries, now they take place in our neighborhoods. It is a cold feeling to know that our children aren’t safe anywhere but it is the truth. It is up to us to set an example for the children around us. It is important to teach them respect, how to treat one another and to do the right thing. To have a sense of moral and compassion toward others. We need to educate them so that the same mistakes are not repeated. Many of the issues that we are dealing with today are caused by the poor decisions of others. The poor decisions from out of control kids who grew up to be out of control adults. Children who were abused, misguided or needed help but never got it. I read this quote recently, “we don’t need gun control, we need child control” and I agree with that. People have owned guns forever. Why is it now that all of these massacres are taking place? Now the types of firearms made available to the public can be another story, but I am talking about just a gun that can shoot one bullet at a time. Taking that privilege away isn’t going to change anything. Sure, there are tests and restrictions to owning guns, and it does vary from state to state, but people will always find a way to get what they want. Just like when alcohol was prohibited. Not to mention the fact that when someone buys a gun at a gun show, they do not have to go through the tests and background checks because they are not federally licensed, also many states fail to update the FBI on felons and the mentally ill, which gives them full access as a purchaser. Instead of voting and arguing about a solution, we need to focus on fixing the root of the problem; beginning with our children.
I had a friend point out to me my love for the early history of our county. I have come to understand a lot of people can find the past boring. I find it revealing. The world today moves at a faster pace than ever before. There is a push to go faster still. Communication zips by faster while too often language is truncated into snippets like “sup”. I found “what’s up” annoying to shorten it further is asinine to me. All of these trends build on things, which have come before from the progression of the ancient trade routes like the Silk Road and the ancient seafarers on the Mediterranean Sea to Polynesians on the Pacific Ocean ideas rippled out and spread for good and ill. Eventually horse and sail became obsolete with the development of the steam engine now the waters could be crossed faster, while the iron horse chugged across the land. Soon these too became passé as the telegraph, telephone, radio and television were introduced. There are so many ways for people to talk now, but I question how much is heard. Recently I heard a quote of George Bernard Shaw on the matter. “The problem with communication is the illusion it has occurred.” For me this is deeply thought provoking. I have fun afoul of it far too often in my own life and I see it time and time again in the interplay of people whether in one nation or between them. The story of the Cuyahoga River reveals a lot of this to me. Its name means crooked river so named by Native Americans given possibly by the Erie or Haudenosaunee perhaps more commonly known as the Iroquois. It is the only river I know of which has been set afire on multiple occasions. I would think a river burning once would have sent so many alarm bells off immediate changes would be made. Henry David Thoreau is quoted as saying, “The path of least resistance makes for crooked rivers and crooked men.” The Cuyahoga became flammable because of all the sewage and industrial waste, which was allowed to flow into the water from the 1800s to 1969 callous disregard for longterm impact turned a river into a tinderbox. I had heard about the Cuyahoga River burning years ago and it came to mind because of the attack in Boston. The two probably seem incredibly remote from each other. However, they fit together in my mind because in both instances people simply disregarded the sanctity of life in egregious ways. A fire burning on a river should have communicated horrible things are happening and steps must be taken to correct it. The bombing apparently was meant to protest America’s ongoing wars. It was a senseless act like so many others, which have occurred recently. There are far too many instances of people brutalizing each other in the annals of history. Lessons, which should have been learned long ago or perhaps, have to be re-learned constantly. What gives me hope is society does have a way of moving forward. If you wander along the hallway near the offices of the history, economic and political science professors on the second floor in the college complex of Los Medanos College there are many quotations. One of them by Thomas Jefferson reads, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” I hope people will learn to communicate more effectively. Live more peacefully and these outburst of violence be relegated to unrepeated history. May there be more random acts of kindness. Thank you to all the unsung people who do them.
Cartoon by Karl Compton
Editorial
Respect workers’ seniority
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he indispensable, laborious work of campus custodians, who sweep and scrub and keep our campus clean, often goes unnoticed. The tidy environment they provide facilitates studying and learning, and also enhances the school’s attractiveness to current and future students. Eric Smith has been working at Contra Costa College for over 23 years. After his hours were cut, he switched to a full time job at Diablo Valley College. Smith says he was happy to be working full time again, but there was a drawback. He was told his seniority in the district meant nothing when it came to picking workstations at a different campus, even though he was working in the same district. Smith argues that the Local 1 contract protects his seniority at different campuses within the same district, and he filed a grievance to settle the issue. Smith spoke to the members of the district governing board to argue his position. “There is nothing wrong with your interpretation,” Smith was told by a member of the board about his interpretation of the contract. “Your points are valid but it’s not just how we chose to see it and this is not the place for this to be decided,” another board member said to Smith. Under the now prevailing interpretation of the union contract, employees with less years working for the district, including employees who have not completed their probation period, get first choice of workstation over employees like Smith. The contract language regarding seniority is being interpreted by both the district and Local 1 union in such a way that you must use your imagination to read the same thing. Smith is still waiting for a final decision, but from the look of things, he’s already been overruled. The board members tell Smith that his points are viable, but that ultimately means nothing on the sixth floor of the district office. If the board of governors board room is not the place for this particular case to be heard, then why is it the last stop on the grievance trail?
Bill AB 1306, will it actually help? California Assemblyman Scott Wilk proposed Bill AB 1306 which will create the New University of California and a new style of learning. Currently we have the California Community College, University of California and California State University system which all offer traditional classes. However, the New University of California is taking education in a different direction. Bill AB 1306 proposes a system of education where you can get a two or four-year degree without attending any classes. The goal is to make college affordable and accessible for as many people as possible. The basic idea of the new education system is for students to learn on their own, using a method of their own choice, and then all the New University of California does is administer an exam in the course you choose. This bill seems like a good idea at first glance, especially to college students when they read you don’t have to be in any classrooms and that it is a lot cheaper than other forms of higher education. This system requires students to do all of the learning on their own. This means they either have to research and teach themselves, take paid courses elsewhere, or take massive online open courses (MOOCs). This bill is not the right course of action for higher education at this point. The higher education system has serious problems that should be addressed rather than adding another system that will most likely fail. Why will it fail? Because, students will have to teach themselves or seek out their own classes. Self-research is one of the main methods students can use to try to pass these exams because it is cheap and based around the individual’s schedule. However, this requires serious focus and dedication to education with literally no support through the New University of California. Students can also seek out paid courses wherever they would like and then can
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Joseph Jewett GUEST COLUMN
use that information to pass the exams, but the class you take will not necessarily follow the information you need for the exam. Furthermore, this defeats the purpose of the college being cheap if you have to pay for the class. Finally there are MOOCs — generally free massive online courses that offer educational resources. However, according to thedailyaztec. com, the “UC system attempted to launch its own courses through MOOCs last year and was not successful. The UC system was originally expecting to enroll non-UC students in 7,000 online courses.” Only one student enrolled in the system, so it’s safe to say it was a failure. There are many pros and cons to self-directed learning. I believe there are more cons though. Sure it’s convenient and possibly cheaper than other forms of higher education, but what quality of education are you getting? Are we qualified to teach ourselves? The answer to this is different for each person, but I think as a whole, society is not qualified or focused enough to teach themselves well enough to earn a degree. The workforce is currently having issues finding qualified workers, and the issue isn’t that there aren’t enough people working toward the degrees, it’s that many are not applying themselves and learning the concepts well enough to actually do the job. This will only get worse if we leave the teaching to the people who are supposed to be learning. This may be the right path for higher education one day, but now is not the time.
LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE
Experience
How do you handle stress during finals? C
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“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.................... PETER COSTANZA Perspectives Editor........... VANESSA FLORES
“I don’t study. I just relax.”
“I just take them.”
— Andrea Cuevas
— Anthony Andrade
"I just maintain good time management." — Sonia Sanchez
“I don’t get stressed, I just study what I need to.” — Arthur Perry
“I work out doing cardio, jogging, weightlifting to relieve stress.” — Yesenia Hernandez
“I don’t really get stressed or nervous during finals, I just chill. The worse that could happen is failing.” — Christian Escobar
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Campus Editors ................... KELLIE McCOWN and TERESA DATAR Features Editor....................BRENDAN CROSS Sports Editor ................ DAKOTAH ZABROSKI Photo Editor ....................... IRVIN TRIGUEROS Web Editor.................................. JESUS CHICO Graphics Editor......................KARL COMPTON Video Editor................................. ERIC MARTIN The LMC Experience is published Fridays by the journalism program. The newspaper serves 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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“To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” — Abraham Lincoln
Newswatch How to save a life Students present at Stanford
The 6th Annual Honors Research Symposium will be hosted at Stanford University this year on Saturday, May 4. Students from the LMC Honors program will be presenting their research alongside with other students from Northern California ommunity colleges. Registration for the Symposium is now open and the deadline for registration is Friday, April 12. Registration fee is $25. The link for registration can be found on www.losmedanos.edu/honors/research. For more information, contact Honors Directors Jennifer Saito or Jeannine Stein.
Advisors to be awarded Hosted by the LMC Interclub Club Council, this year’s Advisor Appreciation Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 8 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All clubs are encouraged to participate and join planning committees for the event. This is an opportunity to recognize and thank club advisors for their efforts and support. For more information on how to get involved, contact Student Life Coordinator Ashley Adams or ICC Chair Teresa Datar.
Students get their game on
Honors Social Committee is hosting LMC’s Minuteto-Win-It competition. The competition is based of the game show and will consist of various games in which two-person teams will compete for the grand prize of two Schwinn Mountain bikes. The first-runner up team will receive two Razor scooters. All participants will receive other free goodies. Proceeds of the event will go toward the Veteran’s Campaign Scholarship Foundation. Early team registration costs $6 per team and is due Friday, April 26. On-site registration will be $10 per team. Form more information contact Byron Montilla 522-1921 or Teresa Datar 759-8223.
Contra Costa County American Medical Response Paramedics carry out an LMC student in a stretcher to an ambulance after the victim suffered an asthma attack inside the cateteria, Monday afternoon. A friend noticed her having trouble breathing, and rushed to call for the EMT’s inside the nurshing center for help. Nearby samaritans and campus police officer David Sano assisted the woman before paramedics arrived to take her to the local Kaiser Permanente Hospital. Photos by Irvin Triguerous
Photo by Irvin Trigueros
MESA tutor Brian Berdiago goes over biochemistry concepts with Nazera Fazli.
MESA seeks students
The Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement Program (MESA) is looking for students who are interested in graduating with degrees in science, engineering, and other math-based fields. MESA provides students with academic support, workshops and study sessions, tutors, transfer assistance, and scholarship opportunities, as well as possible internships with major companies like AT&T. Please contact Carol Hernandez in the Science Building, Room 211, or at 925-439-2181, ext. 3437.
DSPS looking for tutors The Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) is in need of volunteer writers and tutors. Student volunteers can receive perks such as early class registration. Those interested with extra time to spare are highly encouraged to share their time and talents with DSPS. For more information please contact Jenifer Garcia or the DSPS Center 925- 439-2181, ext 3133.
LMC honors STELAR students The Los Medanos College Student Engagement Leadership Award Recognition, or otherwise known as the STELAR awards, will take place this year on Friday, May 10 at 4:30 on the cafeteria patio right outside of the Financial Aid office. This award is an opportunity to recognize LMC student leaders and clubs that have shown outstanding leadership skills through projects and programs, and have been commited to growing in their leadership skills.
Summer registration started
Students interested in taking classes over the summer are now able to register online through their student WebAdvisor. The Summer session runs for 6 weeks from June 17 to July 25. While not all classes offered during the fall and spring semesters are available during the summer, a majority of classes offered are CSU and UC transferable. For more information, log onto the LMC website at losmedanocollege.edu.
Sistah’s invite students to club
If you are intrigued with books by African American authors, deep discussions, eating out, networking, movies, smooth jazz events, helping the community, and traveling with good girlfriends, join the Sistah 2 Sistah Girlfriends Book Club. Meetings are on the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information about dates and locations, log-on to www.meetup.com/sistah-2-sistah-girlfriends-book-club or on facebook at www.facebook.com/sistah.reading
Students are on fire Firefighting dreams become a reality at LMC
By KIERRA WARD Staff Writer
The Los Medanos College Fire Technology Program (FTP) is designed to train students to serve the public and protect them from the threat of fire. It teaches students how to work as part of a team to respond to all kinds of emergency and non-emergency calls while learning how to multitask and handle various apparatuses, “whether it is with fire hose and water, medical equipment, rescue equipment and ladders that can be 10 to 110 feet in height,” said LMC fire instructor John Kelleher. Mike Grillo, who teaches fire courses and chairs the Fire Technology Department, said students who complete the program master the skills and knowledge of tools and equipment needed to fight fire. These include methods for extinguishing flames, analyzing different fire situations, and understanding the chain of command. Training focuses on exercising both the body and the mind, and students are kept busy on a day-to-day basis writing, thinking critically,
pulling, climbing, carr ying and lifting. Program participation involves a lot of hard work and commitment, and the ability to handle the unexpected. “In every fire emergency, you go in not knowing what’s going to happen next. You might break your arm, fall down, can’t handle the smoke pressure,” said Davis. “When you enter a burning building you are confronted with very hot heat, which is sometimes hard to handle. The location is filled with obstacles and unknown hazards. You have to be very careful and pay attention to what you are doing,” said LMC Fire student Nick Legan. Kelleher explained that the classroom courses and handson training are designed to teach future firefighters “what to do during an emergency.” This year, the program has introduced new technology to enhance fire training, including “thermal imaging where the screen can pick up body heat and outline you in smoke,” fire instructor Joseph Robinson said. He added that the department offers five fire science
classes, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course and a semester-length fire academy, which prepare students for careers in fire service. Fire Technology is a handson program that also provides internship opportunities for students to work in fire stations and get experience. According to the program’s brochure, firefighters can earn $4,000 to $5,000 per month with generous retirement benefits. But for fire student Katie Davis, one of the best reasons to be part of the program is that “you get to learn how to protect your
community by saving lives.” Grillo explained that to join the Fire 1 Academy Certificate Program, students must complete competency requirements and 30 units of any combination of Fire Technology and Fire Academy courses with a 2.0 or higher GPA. They also have to complete a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), which is a pre-requisite and get a medical release from a physician. If you are interested in joining the program or have any questions, contact Grillo at 439-2181 ext. 3274 or email him at mgrillo@losmedanos.edu.
Club READ calls all bookworms KYLEE VALENCIA Staff Writer
How to get news published
If you have an idea for a news or feature story, or would like to annouce a campus event in the Experience, please send your information to Editor In Chief Peter Costanza, LMC Journalism, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, or email it to pcostanza25@gmail.com. You can also drop it by in the Journalism Lab, Room CC3-301. Please make sure to give about two weeks lead time for items to be published. — compiled from press releases and staff reports
Photo by Irvin Trigueros
Instructor Joe Robinson lectures to fire students about the statistics concerning deaths in the United States caused by fire.
Photo by Irvin Trigueros
Robert Ramsey talks to Reiko Kobuta about Club READ
Helping students succeed at Los Medanos College is the No. 1 priority of many on campus. “The goal of Reading and Education Advance Dreams is to encourage book donation and raise funds to create a textbook loan fund for Financial students, promoting both reading and education in the Los Medanos Community,” said James Spagnol, adviser of READ. The club was founded by Reiko Kubota in the fall of 2011 partially in response to
the fact that many students on financial aid are unable to purchase textbooks because their awards did not arrive soon enough. “We all got started because we all had someone from out class who are financial aid students whose checks go messed up,” said Reiko Kubota. “Some classes had participation points by being in class and having your books, and one lady from our class got a zero for about three weeks and I thought, ‘that’s not right’.” READ is currently looking for permaSee READ, page 6
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Samurai X is one of many close-by off-campus eateries available to students.
Local restaurants offer good variety
By ALEXANDRIA TAGLIAMONTE Staff Writer
Tired of eating at the same place day in and day out? Spending money on the same cuisine can get boring fast. At Fresh and Natural Café, located on the Los Medanos College campus, one may take a quick scan of the menu and can ascertain that the food is primarily modern American cuisine, and not much else. There are a few students at Los Medanos College that personally do not enjoy going to the Fresh and Natural Café ever yday during the short block of time that they have in between their classes. Los Medanos student Desti-
ny Hall says “Fresh and Natural Café has good food, but I don’t feel like going there everyday, it’s not like they have a huge variety of choices to choose from.” If you are in the same boat as Hall and are wondering where some students could take their hunger and wallets, one could simply drive around the area as there are plenty of local choices to choose from. Los Medanos student Tito Martinez says he goes to the Pittsburg Walmart shopping center, located not far from the Los Medanos campus, to buy his lunch some days. “There’s this Mexican market next door to Walmart called Don Pepe’s, they make everything from scratch, it’s so good and really
cheap, try their guacamole!” If homemade Mexican food isn’t your thing and your looking for something a little different, try sushi restaurant Samurai X right next door to Don Pepe’s. Los Medanos student Donna Eaves stops by the establishment every chance she can “Their sushi rolls are delicious and each roll is fairly priced, about six dollars each, plus they give you free miso soup! I love it there,” said Eaves. Perhaps if sushi is a little too adventurous for you, don’t worry, the Cheese Steak Shop in the Pittsburg Target shopping center is still alive and thriving. Los Medanos student
Music events
Photo courtest of Independentmusicpromoter.com
Album explores different sounds By BRENDAN CROSS Staff Writer
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band from New York City that originally formed in 2000. Their releases include “Fever to Tell” in 2003, “Show Your Bones” in 2006, “It’s Blitz!” in 2009 and their latest release, “Mosquito,” earlier this month. Their first three albums were all Grammy nominated for Best Alternative Music Album, although none have won. Their previous albums were definitely more indie rock focused, as “Mosquito” blends in a bit more electronic and dance type themes. The main single from the album, “Sacrilege,” provides the only real memorable song and will probably be the only one on the album that gets any decent radio play, but a few more songs do shine. The title track provides a bit of a throwback to some of their earlier material, all the while still mixing in more vocal reverberation and experimental
background instrumentation. The seventh track on the album, “Area 52” provides an interesting mix of vocals that harken back to Joan Jett type songs. “Slave,” the fifth track, has the best continual guitar riff of any of the others songs on the record. The album has 11 songs on it, while the deluxe version has 15, including a few songs played acoustically, a demo, and a live version of the title track. While this album is not their best, it is still definitely an overall good piece of work, although I always like to see bands stick with their roots rather than delve themselves too deep into trying to be what they are not. If you are new to the band and are looking to listen to some of their more popular tracks from previous albums, I would suggest “Maps” and “Y Control” from “Fever to Tell,” “Gold Lion” from “Show Your Bones” and “Heads Will Roll” from “It’s Blitz!”
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Marquee
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs fourth album, entitled “Mosquito,” features the hit single “Sacrilege.”
juST CLOSER.
The Los Medanos College Music Department offers various performances. Some performers will be students, faculty and visiting performers. Many concerts are free or low cost, and are held in the Recital Hall. For more information, call 439-2181 ext. 3218. n Saturday, May 4, 7-10 p.m. — LMC Gospel Celebration Concert. Admission: At door $17, in advance $15 n Thursday, May 9, 7:30-9 p.m. — LMC String Ensemble Concer t, Free admission n T uesday, May 14, 7:30-10 p.m. — LMC Spring Choral Concert, General Admission $5, Students and Seniors $4 n Friday, May 17, 7:30-10 p.m. — LMC Concert Band Concert, General Admission $5, Students and Seniors $3
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n “The Great Gatsby” Rated PG-13, Genre: Drama, Romance n “Peeples” Rated PG-13, Genre: Comedy n “Aftershock” Rated R, Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Horror n “Erased” Rated R, Genre: Action
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“I’m much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.”
— Jason Collins
Dakotah Zabroski BROSKI’S CORNER
An act of bravery from NBA player
Photo by Brendan Cross
The Mustangs congratulate one another after a must-win situation in a back-and-forth game that kept the team alive.
LMC’s playoff stampede
Baseball on successful ‘Mission’ to advance By BRENDAN CROSS Staff Writer
The Mustangs live to fight another day as they defeated the Mission College Saints 8-5 in Santa Clara. Although they were fifth in their division, the Mustangs made the playoffs as an 18 seed and had to face off against the 15 seed Saints in a single-elimination game. It looked to be a pitcher’s dual early, but the runs poured on late. LMC starter Ben Polansky and Mission starter Brett Solano matched four scoreless innings, but in the bottom of the fifth Mission struck first with the help of two LMC infield errors and a balk that pushed one run across. LMC broke out of their hitting slump as they scored two runs in the sixth and added another four in the seventh, finally getting to Solano and Kyle Fimbrez, who came out of the bullpen after Solano was pulled. Ryan Lacy started off the scoring with a single that scored Alex Laidley. Later in the inning Christian Kaplan hit a sacrifice fly medium depth center that scored Jimmy Gardner to give LMC the lead. Kaplan said, “I was just trying to get the barrel to the ball, and I knew it was carrying here so I was just trying to get it out, and the count was 2-0 so I was just sitting on a fastball.” Along with Jimmy Gardner and
Kelly Starnes, Kaplan added another RBI with a single to right in the seventh. He said, “It should have been a walk, I swung at ball four but he just left one up outside so I just poked it into right.” In the bottom of the eighth, with the LMC leading 6-1, Mission struck for four runs. Polansky, who was still in the game, loaded the bases with no outs and was pulled for Peter Nyznyk, who is normally a starter but was available out of the bullpen for the game. Nyznyk took a few batters to find his groove, as he allowed a bases clearing triple by Andy Furia and a sacrifice fly that scored Furia by Reed Kienle to make the score 6-5. He did get out of the inning striking out two and leaving LMC with the lead heading into the ninth, however. About the eighth, Polansky said, “I kind of lost it there in the eighth and I feel like I have an eighth inning curse, it’s happened all year.” As far as starting Polansky or Nyznyk, LMC head coach Anthony D’Albora said, “We thought about it for a while [starting Nyznyk]. Could he have started today and been great? Sure, because he’s Pete and he’s always good for us. But we knew it was Ben’s turn and he was really good in our inter squad game on Saturday. Not that I needed a vote of confidence for him, but I just could
Photo by Brendan Cross
Ben Polansky gets ready to deliver in a win or go home game. tell the look in his eyes that he was ready to pitch. He was as good as we could have asked him to have been.” With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, catcher Dylan Bezayiff laced a single to the opposite field that scored two and provided LMC some breathing room heading into the bottom of the ninth. Wyatt Foreman, who started the year as a first baseman, has pitched more as of late and closed out the game. He got in a bit of trouble, allowing the first two runners to get on, but got out of the inning without being scored upon, highlighted by a double play ball
that ended the game. Talking about the atmosphere and game, D’Albora said, “At practice yesterday we talked about how no one expected us to be here, let alone with this game, and that is a fun feeling to have sometimes, as a team you have nothing to lose and it’s a dangerous feeling for the other side. I give our guys a lot of credit because they played with some reckless abandon today.” LMC, being the 18 seed, has to play the one seeded Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa in a best two of three series Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4.
LMC Giants beat A’s By CHRISTINE MENCHACA
healthy
Staff Writer
Bragging rights returned to the LMC Giants last Friday when the bi-annual faculty-staff softball rivalry as the team defeated the LMC A’s 26-19. It was a per fect day for softball, as dozens of faculty, staff and students came out to enjoy the afternoon sunshine and either play in or watch the game. Staff ranging from buildings and grounds to IT to the Math Department all came out to engage in some light-hearted trash talk and friendly competition. “It’s a great mix of people,” said Bob Estrada, bookstore manager and designated Giants captain, adding that the game gives “the oppor tunity for staff to interact who normally wouldn’t.” The bi-annual event has become more popular and competitive in recent years as the staff members divide themselves by their preferential Bay Area ball club, either the Giants or A’s. This system provides for team loyalties and makes the event more competitive, as teams “fight for bragging rights” until the next staff game, explained Estrada. A’s captain and computer and network service specialist Elaine Ortiz agreed that the game makes campus life more entertaining.
Twelve-year NBA Veteran Jason Collins recently just announced that he is gay, making him the first ever openly gay male athlete in the Big four sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). Now that he has come out of the closet and is still actively playing what does that mean for other athletes. In todays world homosexuality has been embraced and accepted by many, however, it is still opposed by some. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver sparked controversy with his anti-gay remarks during this last Super Bowl. “I don’t do the guys. I don’t do that,” Culliver said. “We don’t have any gays on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff,” Culliver said. Even ESPN analyst Chris Broussard had anti-gay remarks, specifically regarding Jason Collins coming out of the closet. “I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is... If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be... that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ,” Broussard said. It may be comments such as Broussard’s and Culliver’s that have prevented other athletes from coming out. Athletes that are in the closet are afraid to announce their homosexuality because of the fear of backlash and flack they will get. While many don’t mind it, it’s the people that do mind it who standout to these athletes and make them fearful to come out. What Jason Collins has done by announcing that he is gay is heroic. It takes a great amount of courage knowing that there would be immediate criticism, yet he still said, “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.” Even though he isn’t the biggest of names in sports, the statement he made is a powerful one. I think many closet athletes will follow his footsteps and eventually openly gay active athletes will no longer be an issue. Collins has started the domino effect. Technically Collins will be a freeagent at the end of the season and isn’t guaranteed to land a spot on a team next year. Still, he has made a step in the right direction, for equality, and in my eyes, he is a huge role model. Once a big name with the caliber of NBA-star Lebron James or NFL-star Tom Brady, then it will have a bigger effect, around all leagues. But for now See HERO, page 6
lifestyles
HELPING YOU thrive
Put Some Power on Your Plate
By William Lide, MD ot all foods are created equal. While some offer relatively little nutrition, others are packed with beneficial nutrients that research shows can help prevent disease and maintain health. And they taste great, too! Here are a few examples of “wonder foods” that deserve a place on your table:
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Shane Wilson and Rashaad McAlpin playing ball. “The games give us great morale as a staff,” said Ortiz, “It’s just nice to get out and do something different.” The game started after a staff luncheon around 1:30 p.m., and a mood of light-heartedness quickly filled the air. Staff and students mingled and joked around good naturedly, as they organized themselves for the game, one A’s staff member
even quipping, “Giants’ players don’t get gloves.” The seven innings were filled with big hits and even bigger laughs, as the A’s held on to a sizable lead for most of the game until the Giants came back to take a seven run lead for the win. The game was filled with many home runs, errors, and staff members making See SOFT, page 6
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Avocados: Rich in fiber and oleic acid, which helps lower overall cholesterol levels while raising “good” HDL cholesterol. Quinoa: A deliciously nutty South American grain that delivers an abundance of complete protein, plus manganese, magnesium, and iron. Low-fat yogurt: A great source of muscle-building protein and bonebuilding calcium, plus beneficial bacteria that help boost the immune system. Onions: Full of quercetin, a powerful flavonoid that protects against cancer; research indicates eating onions may also reduce heart disease risk. Chili peppers: Their heating element, capsaisin, appears to inhibit inflammation, clear congestion, and reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots. Parsley: More than a garnish, packed with Vitamin C, heart-healthy betacarotene, and cancer-fighting folic acid. For more tips on eating well, check out Kaiser Permanente’s Web site at www.kp.org/nutrition. This article is proudly sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. William Lide, MD, is Physician Site Leader for the Pleasanton Medical Offices.
Back Talk
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Two army classrooms in Camp Stoneman in Pittsburg was the District’s first instructional site in September 1949, and would serve as the future site for LMC. A month later, a small temporary campus opened up in the Richmond Waterfront area utilizing three buildings ser ving several hundred students. Nearly 65 years later, the magnitude of the growth of the community is reflected in the county’s population and number of students. In 1949, the population was only 249,232. Nearly 65 years later, Contra Costa County has grown to over a million people, with the Contra Costa Community College District having grown from one to five facilities. Today, Contra Costa Community College has 35,775 enrolled students, although prior to budget cuts that number was near 62,000. “We look at these kinds of celebrations from a number of dif ferent fronts,” said Leong. “We want to first of all acknowledge the support of the community to pass bonds in Prop 30 which cut back budget reductions. Now that we’re getting back on the right track, along with all these other things in terms of legislation, we need to do our part in terms of promoting student success, and reminding the community of the contributions of life we’re making to Contra Costa County.” Leong noted that the District is eyeing more growth in the near future, including expansion of the LMC Brentwood Campus, as well as
facility improvements to the DVC San Ramon Campus and Contra Costa College. “We have leased space for building a 17-acre campus at the site of the Brentwood campus,” said Leong. “This is all thanks to the bond measures.” Milestone celebrations are done on a regular basis by the District. Attending the celebration are elected officials from the community, state, district, and the colleges, including many students from all colleges. Amongst those representing Los Medanos College will be Math Department Chair Julie Von Bergen. “I am looking forward to an anniversary event that includes student success stories throughout the past 65 years, and learning more about the history of the district,” said Von Bergen. Leong notes that above all, this is a community celebration, and a chance to say ‘thank you’ to the community while showcasing the talents and minds of the students and also to encourage other students. “We’re going to be inviting a lot of folks,” said Leong. “This is about our students, so some of the things we’re going to be doing are making sure there is plenty of entertainment from our students. You will have music, singing, drama, and gospel. In addition, we want to use this as opportunity to speak and promote some of our programs, the kind of things we do, what our students do, to showcase our tremendous growth, and to help plant the seed to say we’re committed to keep transforming the lives of our students.”
HERO
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Photo by Irvin Trigueros
V.P. Kevin Horan hits the ball in the bi-annual staff softball game, April 26 as Irene Sukhu watches on.
SOFT From page 5
cracks about each other. A notable play of the game came in the third, when tech and ser vice staf f member Rashaad McAlpin cracked the ball over the softball field fence, almost reaching pavement, to hit a grand slam and help the A’s to an early 9-1 lead. After the loss, McAlpin joked, “It was a good game... and we’re all champions, but
OPEN From page 1
campus, there is no definition,” said Smith. “For them to just arbitrarily throw a definition on it, when it could be several, doesn’t make sense to me. Now what makes sense is Article 22, the article about seniority.” Article 22 reads: The parties agree that seniority in the District or in the classification is based on hire date in the district or classification. Unit President of PUE local 1 explains why Article 22 is in the contract. “Ed code requires all contracts to have that statement in it, and its application is really only for layoffs,” said West. Smith was hired in the district in 1987. He worked three years as a custodian at Contra Costa Community College (CCC) before taking a higher job classification as a Shop Equipment Assistant on the same campus. For two decades he worked in that department until his position was scaled back in 2010. “After 20 years in the auto shop they cut the position in half. So to survive… I went back to custodial,” said Smith. The only position open in the custodial department was at DVC. When he got to DVC two other people started the same day, and Smith explained how they determined who had the most seniority at that time – the luck of the draw. “I had like 23 years at that time, somebody had about six years, and somebody had about five years. We had to draw straws. I drew the shortest… the guy with six years was in the middle, the guy with four or five years, out of us three, had the highest seniority,” said Smith. Smith said when he was initially hired, the way custodians picked stations was done differently — the person with the most district seniority had first dibs on what work station they preferred, and that is in line with the union contract since nowhere in the contract does it says site seniority according to Smith’s interpretation. West says that the union’s interpretation is the way it is being implemented now and has been for some time. “The interpretation and the application of senior at location
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I hit a grand slam.” In the end, it came down to a surge in Giants’ hits and collapse in A’s defense, that allowed the Giants to come back and eventually win the game. “We made good hits,” explained Ortiz, after the game. “But we had trouble and were benevolent on defense.” Despite the result, both Estrada and Ortiz applauded the “good fan support” of the
spectators. Throughout the game the crowd interacted playfully with the players, as staff members called back and forth to each other from on and off the field. LMC President Bob Kratochvil even stopped by to watch the end of the game and offer some key game advice to his staff. Students who came out to watch the game were allowed a rare chance to see LMC staff
in a different environment. “It’s always funny to watch the staff let loose,” said student Penelope Challenor, who came out to watch the game and support the staff for her second faculty game. “You get to see a different side of them,” said Chanllenor. Bragging rights go back up for grabs next fall, when the next LMC staff softball game will take place sometime in the fall semester. From page 5
from the business agent that wrote that language, who was a custodian, meant the person that is the most senior at that location,” is the one who has worked at that par ticular campus the longest, West explained, adding that even though there are examples in the past of a different process, they have no effect on the union’s and district’s current interpretation of the contract. “Somebody at some point before me decided they wanted to reward people that stay at a location for their length of service, they wanted to give those people a reward,” said West. “There are examples of where it was misapplied. I believe the violation was on the management side, it was not on the employee side. The employees that this was done for basically violated the language in the contract. Those managers are nowhere in the district now, at that site and those employees were happy with the way it was applied so they kept quiet about it.” A vote to determine the interpretation of the wording in Article 17 was conducted in September 2012. Before the election West said he spread the word about the issues. Smith said he offered to attend each Brown Bag lunch meeting and explain his own position but was told the union would be able to explain both sides fairly. “We have what’s called a brown bag series so every month. I go by the custodial areas and we have a meeting,” said West. “Since April 2012 I have been talking about this issue. The custodians decided they wanted to do a vote to help clarify or change the language if they so choose, because Eric has some very good points. When you are bumped from one site to the next you go to the bottom of the bid list and is that fair?” Smith said he feels the custodians may not have understood the ramifications of this decision, and the vote should not be sanctioned because the language should be defined in negotiations, not in a vote. “I feel that if you are going to change something that major you should change it in negotiations,” said Smith adding, “I understand why a person would want to do that but what they don’t un-
Collins announcement is only a stepping-stone for what is to come for athletes. The fact that Collins has gotten support only emphasizes the argument that more and more people, especially athletes not only accept but welcome openly gay athletes with open arms. Collins describes his support as “incredible.” People from all over congratulated him on twitter with tweets such as “We are extremely proud of Jason & support his decision to live his life proudly and openly.” From the Washington Wizards; the team on which he plays on. His Twitter account was at around 3,500 followers before the incident and has grown monumentally in size to just over 99,000 followers and counting since the announcement. I believe that it takes an “Your points are well-made. I understand incident like this to spark change. I mean once Collins what you are saying but I’m not sure that announced he was gay, the they belong here...perhaps a way for you news spread like wildfire. With todays media and technology, to add change is to get involved in the will get out lightning fast, union and clarify some of the language.” word and I believe that within the — Vicki Gordon next couple of months at least one, if not many more closet derstand, in my opinion, is Article 17 and explained why athletes will be less fearful and that it weakens the contract it is included in the contract. come out of the closet. and if something happens “Ar ticle 22 talks about Just like Jackie Robinson later on in the future when seniority, classification and was the first African-American you’re older and less able to hire date and that’s for ed to play the sport of baseball in do some of this stuff, you’re code purposes, determining the Major Leagues, Collins is put in a bad position.” the layoff and reemployment the first and will lead the way. During the hearing board rights that an employee has,” member Vicki Gordon, trustee said Huff. of Ward 2, let it be known Huff continued his rebuttal that negotiation is the route to Smith’s grievance explain- From page 1 Smith would have to take to ing that they have a different put on reserve or also check see any change of the current interpretation than Smith. out books.” interpretation. “I would note, most imporIt is also important for stu“Your points are well made. tantly to me as someone who dents to understand the key I understand what you are say- actually interprets contracts differences between a college ing but I’m not sure that they regularly for the district, that librar y and a community belong here,” said Gordon. is my job. Article 17 talks library. “I think my point is, it seems about site seniority, so just “The biggest dif ference that everybody has followed to emphasize, site seniority, between the LMC Librar y through with how it’s been is nowhere in Article 22,” said and a public library is really in done for a long time and that Huff. Adding “we agree to Mr. the materials we have in our perhaps a way for you to add Smith’s notion, that he has a collection and in the types of change is to get involved in very legitimate interpretation, instruction we provide to our the union and clarify some of it is just not the agreed-upon users,” Library Director Christhe language.” terms.” tina Goff said, adding that the After Smith presented his After the hearing Smith case in the hearing, Huff ar- wasn’t hopeful about the gued on behalf of the district pending outcome. and Local 1. “I expect them to deny my “Mr. Smith has laid out a grievance,” said Smith adding From page 4 reasonable interpretation of “once Local 1 sided with the Molly Haley swears by it, “Oh the contract language, a very school district, I basically my gosh, their sandwiches are viable definition of seniority knew it was over with, but it great, a little pricey for my and what site seniority might wasn’t going to stop me from budget, but it’s a nice treat be. But that is not what has carrying it out to this conclu- for me when I’m tired of the been negotiated, that is not the sion, making sure people hear cafeteria food.” interpretation of the contract what I have to say.” And if all these fine establanguage,” said Huff. Smith said the next step in lishments don’t stick out to Huff said the district also his fight is to take his case to you, here is a helpful hint if looked at the application of the union board at the first you’re looking for ways to Article 22, how it is relevant to opportunity he gets. save your money or find food
HELP
FOOD
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-nent funds for students who cannot afford their books and who also can’t afford to lose class participation points, but until that happens members are working to raise money to buy textbooks for students. Fundraising efforts include hosting barbeques through Student Life and attending Contra Costa Library functions, and money raised help create textbook loans for students on financial aid. READ also plans to have a drawing for book prizes, a Mother’s Day fundraising event and will also discuss what to do for Earth Day. “Our advisor James Spagnol got up at five o’clock in the morning to go to a fundraising book sale, and any books that did not sell were donated to Los Medanos College. We are very [lucky] to have James who puts in as much time as the students do,” said Kubota. READ is always looking for new members and has weekly meetings Wednesday at 2 p.m. inside the Drop-In Lab CO-211 on the second floor of the College Complex. Club members are also considering adding meetings on Tuesday and Thursday. “The more students who join the and the more money the club can raise,” said Kubota, “the fewer students will go to class without books.”
LMC library purchases materials based on the programs that are offered at the college. “So our collection is very relevant to the courses and assignments students are working on,” said Goff. The LMC librarians also view themselves as advocators. “Another area of difference is in how we approach our role as teachers in the librar y,” said Goff. The library staff wants to teach students how to learn, so they can take those research skills with them and apply them to everyday lives. more specifically tailored to your needs. Try packing a lunch for your long school day, or if you do not have time to make food at night for the next day because you are so exhausted from your day of studying, Los Medanos student Danny Iverson says, “If I have time to go home to eat lunch, study there, and still have enough time to get back to school, I’ll do that, I don’t live very far so I don’t mind it.”