Vol. 90 No. 2 - Feb. 22, 2019

Food review crew

Baseball gets rained out

Students showcase art

In the mood for some Nicaraguan food? La Fritanguera might just be the place for you — page 3

Not for the first time, another game has been delayed due to weather this season — page 4

The Student Art Show opened in the LMC Gallery Feb. 14. It will be open until March 9 — page 6

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New campus is underway

February is Black History Month Feb. 25

Umoja will be reading to children at Foothill Elementary.

Feb. 28

Last day to submit early SU1 graduation application.

Explore new opportunities Career Services will be hosting an Opportunity Fair in the Music Recital Hall March 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will cover internship, employment and volunteer opportunities. A partial list of attending employers is available online at the Career Services home page.

Apply for graduation The last day to apply for Spring 2019 graduation will be Friday, March 1.

Students can now apply through the InSite portal under the graduation tab, and click the link graduation application. Students can also submit their applications to Admissions and Records in Room SS-301.

Experience • A.R. Broom

A construction worker stands atop the roof of LMC’s new satellite campus as he works on the metal framework of the building.

Brentwood site is on track to open in 2020

By ALEX CAMILLI @A_Carnation

The implementation of an extended Brentwood campus has been discussed amongst administration since 1989.

Implementation is on its way and the new facility is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020.

Weather conditions at the site have not been ideal, but the construction management team working on the Brentwood project have yet to report any delays. The site is located off Marsh Creek Road at 1351 Pioneer Square in Brentwood, near the historic residence of homesteader John Marsh.

Currently, the campus is composed mostly of steel

framework and corrugated roofing atop concrete foundations. In the future, the space will offer additional classrooms, a library, tutoring space and a bookstore.

Parking has been a perennial issue that has plagued both the main campus and Brentwood center.

The new campus will be on 18-acres of land with a designated parking lot, unlike the current Brentwood Center.

Vice President of Business and Administrative Services Alexander Porter weighed in on how the stress of the current Brentwood centers’ parking affects pedestrians and students.

“As you know, we share the parking spaces with our

Experience • A.R. Broom

Metal reinforcements have been installed on site. commercial neighbors,” said Porter. “This creates an inherent strain, as our students and adjacent business customers compete for a limited number

of spaces.”

Large scale projects require means of major financial backing. Constructing the new campus was planned

to cost a total of $65 million, primarily funded through capital bonds. Bonds received through “Measure A” (2006) and “Measure E” (2014) will go towards structural improvements on colleges within the district.

Contra Costa Community College District is also funded by the number of students they serve. It is called Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) and since the LMC campus in Pittsburg is a full-fledged college the district gets over a million dollars from the state in addition to the FTES bonds.

Aside from sufficient funding, the new Brentwood center had to achieve center status authorization in 2012 to even

See BWOOD, page 5

Governing bodies meet First-time collaboration for groups

By ANTHONY MARTINEZ

Join the crab feed fundraiser LMC’s Classified Senate will be hosting their first crab feed in conjuction with the LMC Foundation. The event will take place Saturday, March 9 in the Cafeteria. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

The event is expected go on until 10 p.m. Tickets are $55 and should be bought in advance. Those interested in participating should be sure to bring cash for drawing tickets.

Salad, pasta, bread, chicken and all-you-caneat crab will be provided.

All of the proceeds of the event will go toward the Classified Senate scholarship.

Follow us on: @lmc_experience @lmc_experience @lmc_experience

@MttpPhoto

Experience • BreAnna Crawford

Faith Watkins shares insights about racism.

Watkins’ faith shaped by past

By BREANNA CRAWFORD Staff Writer

“I was called the N word in second grade and I didn’t know what it meant at the time,” said Los Medanos College Counselor Faith Watkins as she remembered her first experience with racism. “The boy who called me it said it with such anger and aggression and I knew something wasn’t right about it.”

As a child born to parents

who were born in the 1940s Watkins’ parents has molded her into the woman she is today. Her parents were both from Mississippi and lived at a time when there was an excruciating amount of racial hysteria against anyone who didn’t have white skin.

“My mom could only go to movies on Sundays because that’s the only day when black people were See FAITH, page 5

For the first time in Los Medanos College history all three governing bodies — the Los Medanos College Associated Students, the Classified Senate and the Academic Senate met to discuss future plans for the campus as well as other issues facing students, staff and faculty.

All three bodies were given the opportunity to interact with one another collectively and were charged with questions all had to collaborate on to answer.

The three presidents of the bodies — Joshua Bearden

Experience • Anthony Martinez

From left to right: Earl Russel Almazon, Jessica Wilson, and Dale Satre of LMCAS address the group. of the Academic Senate, Priscilla Tatmon of LMCAS and Nicole Almassey of the Classified Senate — were given the floor to introduce themselves. Attention then turned to LMCAS members who introduced themselves and their overall goals.

One topic of the meeting

was the hefty expense of textbooks on students.

“What we are proposing is to reduce the financial burden on students by encouraging professors with relevant subject matters to use free online textbooks,” said Dale Satre Treasurer of LMCAS. See MEET, page 5

Police Services is now front and center

By LILLY MONTERO @lilly_montero3

Experience • Kelly WIlliams

Police Services has a new home.

Police Services found a new home over the break, moving from the bottom level of the College Complex to a new building facing Lot A. The move was made shortly after the finishing touches of construction came to a close. Some construction is still pending but the move has made all the difference.

From both a visibility and tactical perspective, the new building has been a big help.

“Where they were housed downstairs didn’t allow a lot of visibility for them first of all, but

See NEW, page 5

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“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.”

— W.E.B. DuBois

Spencer Batute

Alex Camilli

GRAY AREA

ALEX’S ANTIDOTE

Free speech is vital to growth

Grammys fall from grace

In an era of civil tension, fake news, politically charged media, uncertainty over the integrity of the current presidential administration, the necessity of critical thinking and logical debate is higher than ever. Yet, collegiate education has come up short.

What is causing the national college system to so violently lurch? Political correctness.

In recent years, colleges across America have taken strides in creating more politically correct environments with the intent of making their learning atmospheres more accommodating to people of all cultures, races, religions, sexualities and genders.

Such intent is not a bad thing at all. In fact, it should be expected of all institutions of higher education. However, in the sweeping wave of mass political correctness, this intent has been to the extreme and universities are no longer forums of constructive debate and intellectual growth.

Many colleges are converting their campuses into “safe spaces” in which students’ ideologies and identities are protected from nearly anything in conflict with them. Again, with the intent alone to make schools more welcoming and receptive to students of all backgrounds.

But, the level of catering toward students’ feelings has become so doctrinaire that free speech has been almost entirely abandoned.

Books and historical texts are coming with trigger warnings — and sometimes banned outright.

A security guard at Modesto Junior College, as described in a 2016 Newsweek article

by Nina Burleigh, stopped a graduate from handing out a copy of the U.S. Constitution because he wasn’t inside a 25-square-foot free speech zone 30 yards from the nearest walkway.

Such incidents are hardly isolated, too.

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s 2019 report surveying the state of free speech across 466 U.S. colleges, 28.5 percent of the colleges analyzed have speech codes that “seriously infringe upon the free speech rights of students.”

Furthermore, as posted on the FIRE’s Disinvitation Database, there have been 379 disinvitations of speakers across national college campuses due to such restrictions since 2000.

In recent events, many guest speakers have had to be prematurely disinvited or removed from campuses as a result of angry, even violent protesting. In February 2017, violent protests stopped right-wing activist Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking at U.C. Berkeley; six people were injured, and caused more than $100,000 in damages to the campus.

When sensitivity is accommodated at such a high degree, public discourse and intellectual stimulation — two essential facets of higher education — are displaced by censorship and narrow-mindedness.

Instead of engaging in opposing viewpoints and learning how to properly think about important issues, students are being shielded from them, believing that any stance conflicting with their own is an intentional attack on their identity.

Even if the argument that colleges should exist to serve as ideological safe havens for students were true, the fact of the matter is that the world is not a safe haven. It is a battleground of viewpoints, and in this complicated social climate we live in, the skill required to differentiate between right and wrong is more important than ever.

For as long as they have existed, places of higher learning have functioned to prepare people in some way for the real world. As long as colleges continue to maintain politically correct agendas and perpetuate the idea of campus safe spaces, the future of free and effective thinking will remain uncertain.

The milestone of becoming a Grammy-nominated artist in the increasingly competitive music industry is gratifying.

But the 61st Annual Grammy Award nominations heavily relied on chart positions rather than recognizing the quality of the musician’s art.

On Sunday, Feb. 10, this year’s Grammy awards ceremony held at the Staples Center proved to be sub-par whether it be performances or the controversy surrounding “Music’s Biggest Night” that has fallen from grace in the recent years.

Quality control from a technical perspective is just as substantial as the emotion creatively expressed. Alicia Keys remarkably hosted the ceremony with graceful charisma but the disorganized production was difficult to ignore.

Quite a few performances had issues with the mix, an example of this is when artist Post Malone teams up with the Red Hot Chili Peppers unite to perform “Dark Necessities”. The lead guitars were ear piercing and lead singer Anthony Kiedis takes the stage missing cues throughout the song.

Another performance that felt poorly executed was the tribute to Motown that featured greats such as Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Lopez. Motown classics such as The Contours’ “Do You Love Me” and the Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman” were released when racial integration was more prevalent and to have them be lip-synched

by Lopez is an odd display.

Lopez received backlash from fans who strongly feel she doesn’t have the right to perform celebrating the 60th anniversary of Motown records. Robinson has even issued a statement defending Lopez, stating, “ The beauty of Motown is that we’re a family made up of black, white, Hispanic, Asian women and men. So I hope knowing these few facts helps you get your perspective together and think about the hate you’re spreading.”

Throughout the ceremony, multiple artists had their acceptance speeches cut short after winning a Grammy in a specific category. Artist Drake last attended the event in 2013 and being awarded “The Best Rap Song” for “God’s Plan” trophy, but he was cut off mid-speech by a commercial break.

Another instance of sub-par time management was when the category for “The Record of the Year” was announced and Donald Glover’s “This Is America”. In Glover’s attendance, his producer Ludwig Goransson and mixing engineer Derek Ali took to the stage only to have Ali’s speech snubbed.

More aspects of the award ceremony were cut short because pop icon Ariana Grande won the “Best Pop Vocal Album” for “Sweetener,” but producer Ken Ehrlich chose not to televise her victory. If the Grammys want to broaden their target audience, they should limit the time dedicated to critically-acclaimed artists of the past such as Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton. Acknowledging genres like pop, country, R&B, and hip-hop will attract a younger audience.

There needs to be a balance of newer artists introducing a blend of two genres like the opening performance that featured Camila Cabello and Young Thug’s Latin pop hit “Havana”. The Grammys have become a popularity contest which is destructive to the artists who don’t get nominated and even to those who do. The validation associated with this long-running ceremony creates a standard of the qualities that records are supposed to have.

The avant-garde element has lead to artists taking fewer risks and focusing more on the commercial success. Ultimately a song is a commodity, but the Grammys couldn’t have made it any more apparent.

Experience • Sam Burgis

Editorial

Don’t jump to conclusions

T

he case of Jussie Smollet dominated the news cycle for the last few weeks. Smollet, a San Francisco Bay Area native, stars in the hit Fox musical “Empire.” Smollet claims he was assaulted in Chicago and gave a description of white men in “MAGA” hats.

Smollet also claims they poured bleach on him and tried to put a rope on his neck.

As the story developed it became more confusing as news outlets loosely shared unconfirmed information and updates.

The social media lines were drawn as predicted with many Trump supporters, assuming he was lying from the beginning. Fans of the show “Empire” in turn defended Smollet against accusations of him lying. What sticks out the most is the noticeably different energy many have about this case, but didn’t have when black people were being subject to false police calls for doing nothing at all. What tapped into the pulse of America was not just the typical ideological polarization, it was also a news pendulum that swung unpredictably.

The Chicago Police Department, infamous for its corruption, has been the source of much speculation surrounding leaks in the case. They tried to cover up the Laquan McDonald murder in 2015 for over a year. So their credibility is questionable. But it isn’t just the Chicago Police who lack credibilty, sometimes the media themselves tend to relax their ethic standards in a rush to be the first to release breaking news. In this case many media outlets leaned on unnamed sources and shared content that the Chicago Police themselves would say is false.

Is that fake news? Not exactly but it is dangerous as much as it is inaccurate.

Yet, some media outlets continued to rely on shaky “sources” for information even though CPD has an official communications liaison. So, it goes back to a consistent burning question in our country: All questions about the validity of Smollets claim aside,“has America lost its critical thinking ability?”

Mental health must be a priority Good mental health is the true basis of success. Individuals often prioritize other responsibilities in their life and tend to forget to take care of themselves. Through self-care, people are happier with themselves, more motivated, have higher self-esteem, reduced feelings of stress or anxiety, and tend to perform better in their everyday lives.

According to Mental Health America’s article, “Taking Good Care of Yourself,” positive emotions can actually build emotional strength and decrease stress hormones. So, the more positive a person is, the easier life will be as there will be less stress. It’s human nature to make others happier than people make themselves. However, If you make all of these sacrifices for other people it can be detrimental to your own mental health.

“1 in 5 college students have anxiety or depression. Here’s why: Financial stress, trying to balance school with work and social life and other personal issues.

It is important to take time off to make yourself feel happy and complete. Self-care can be as simple as getting the right amount of sleep, taking a short break, being around positivity, being around people who make you feel happy, or doing something you love.

According to a study done in Ghent and KU Leuven universities in Belgium, students who slept seven hours a night during the exam

Ariene De Manuel GUEST COLUMNIST

period, received scores 10 percent higher than those who got less sleep.

In the book, “If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?” University of Texas Business Professor Raj Raghunathan explains that people need to stop chasing external signs of success, and instead focus on what they actually need internally.

People forget to take care of themselves because they always try to push themselves past their limits because they think it’s the only way for them to be happy.

But in reality when you push yourself to the point where you can’t take it anymore, it will only cause you to give up. People may be judged by their grades, the amount of money they make, or recognitions they get, but none of that can define a person’s emotional mindset.

People make the mistake of believing the key to success is working hard but there’s more to it. As the old saying goes “Success is not happiness. Happiness is success.”

rEadEr opinion policy

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

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

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

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience

Who is someone you look up to in the black community?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor-in-Chief ...................... LILLY MONTERO Copy Chief ................................... A.R. BROOM Perspectives Editor............. NICK CAMPBELL

“Spike Lee, he portrayed an image in his movies of how the black community actually is.”

— Armon McRaven

“Simone Manuel, because she placed first in two swimming events during the 2016 summer olympics.”

— Joshua Ebert

“Allen Iverson because he started a lot of social trends and set a movement and sadly had to take the fall for it.”

— Malik Moss

“Michelle Obama because she handles everything with grace and she is so intelligent.”

— Montanae Haggerty

“Beyonce is truly inspiriational and she stays positive throughout everything.

Plus she’s a money maker!”

— Myla Turner

“Obama because he broke through the biggest barrier becoming President.”

Campus Editor............BREANNA CRAWFORD Features Editor ..........................MARC LOPEZ Sports Editors ....................HUGO CALDERON & JESUS CANO Social Media Editor ................... JESUS CANO Photo Editor.................. ANTHONY MARTINEZ Multimedia Editor................. KELLY WILLIAMS

— Raymel Cruel 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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“It’s all downhill from here, kids.”

— Ariana Grande

Multiple artists rock Berkeley

Hunny calls an audible

By A.R. BROOM

@AlexanderRBroom

What was initially a two artist show, which was canceled due the headliner getting caught in the snow, turned out to be a fantastic function with three artists in conjunction. Hockey Dad, an Australian surf rock duo were initially set to play alongside headliner Hunny, Saturday Feb. 9 at Berkeley’s Cornerstone Craft Beer and Live Music hall, but weather conditions made getting to the venue from Reno, NV impossible for Hunny.

Hunny later came through for their loyal fans, however, by announcing later that they would be making it to Berkeley the following weekend.

The opening act was Small Crush, an Oakland based PopRock group that offers up what they call “fun! natural fun!” with short tracks featuring lighthearted lyrics on those relatable feelings a lot of people have in our adolescence. None of the four are even in their twenties yet, but they sounded and acted like seasoned pros on stage, set up the crowd perfectly for a good time and enjoyed themselves in the crowd after their set.

San Francisco based Spooky Mansion went up for the second 30 minute set. Lead singer Grayson Converse pumped out wonderfully tight, sultry vocals, almost hopelessly romantic

REVIEW

Experience • A.R. Broom

After waiting a week, fans gather in the general admission section to finally watch Hunny perform on stage in Berkeley. lyrics, as well as dance moves to impress baby Groot. These provide what their Soundcloud describes as “music to kiss your boyfriend to.” It works.

The show ended with a

50-minute bang provided by Hunny who had ever yone rocking through the entire set. There’s no doubt it had the other half of the venue, which the concert hall was closed

REVIEW CREW

‘La Fritanguera’

Experience • A.R. Broom

Details: La Fritanguera is a hole-in-the-wall Nicaraguan cuisine restaurant located in Concord on 1819 Colfax St. La Fritanguera offers various recognizable cultural dishes such as the El Nica sampler (pictured), chanco frito, carne desmenuzada, salpicón and mucho más!

‘Thank U, Next’ breaks barriers

By KELLY WILLIAMS @lmckellyw

Ariana Grande has been dominating the top of the music charts with hit after hit after hit. Now she’s breaking a new standard in the music industry with her latest album “Thank U, Next.”

This album is nothing but genuinely her as she opens up about all the hardships that have come her way.

From the Manchester bombing that took the lives of 22 individuals, to the death of her past love Mac Miller, “Thank U, Next” gives a look into her psyche.

Pop ar tists are usually restrained to timing when it comes to releasing new music, however Grande broke the status quo after the hit single ‘Thank U, Next’ released. Disregarding the typical pop star

REVIEW

timeline, Grande has released this new album just two months after the mega-hit.

Free from the constricting schedule, from now on she’s allowed to freely produce and release music thanks to the wonderful team behind her.

She’s the first female pop artist to do so and there’s talk of other female artists who will soon follow her lead.

For this album, she has been working below the desk and professing her mental health to her concerned fans. We saw this in her previous album “Sweetener” with references to her hardships.

“Sweetener” was supposed to be the thumbs up to move on. “Thank U, Next” is like her writing in her diary.

The track “ghostin” is especially personal with heartfelt lyrics that seem to stop the world completely.

Grande sampled Mac Miller’s song “2009” with a faint verSee ARIANA, page 5

off to, either a little jealous, or maybe annoyed.

Synthy and poppy at times, but totally loud and unafraid about themselves, Hunny’s unique, yet familiar sound

is easy to grasp on tightly to with audience favorites like “Televised,” “Vowels” and “Natalie.”

Cornerstone is worth dropping into before the show,

with a vast selection of good brew and food that you’d think fondly of in the weeks after.

Each of the groups are worth looking into if you want to have a great time.

HHHH

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Lilly says: Bomb.com

Marc says: Close to home

Alex says: Mm delicioso

La Fritanguera was my first experience with Nicaraguan food.

We ordered El Nica “The Ultimate Nicaraguan Sampler” and it was ridiculously good. The platter was large and serves two to three people.

It included chancho frito, carne, chicken, taquitos, gallo pinto, tostones, tajadas and maduros, queso frito and vigoron.

Admittedly, there was a lot of the food I wasn’t familiar with so there were parts of the dish I wasn’t into. The tostones, which are twice fried plantains, and vigoron, which included boiled yucca, were sadly tasteless.

Other than that, the plate was a big dish of deliciousness. I was especially surprised with the chancho frito, which I was expecting to be bland but was a fried heaven. Definitely looking forward to exploring more Nicaraguan food.

Hole-in-the-wall restaurants always seem to be the best places to eat. La Fritanguera hits close to home being a Nicaraguan cuisine restaurant and with its stellar food.

Being Nicaraguense, seeing familiar delicacies such as chancho frito, gallo pinto, tajadas, maduros and queso frito made me feel like Grandma was hard at work cooking a feast for my family.

My main course was one of my favorite dishes, ‘carne desmenuzada.’ This humongous plate slightly disappointed me in its taste. There is a distinct sour after taste from the tomato sauce used in the plate and was kinda hard to get over it.

Nevertheless, La Fritanguera deserves so much more business than it gets.

This restaurant may not be able to beat Grandma’s cooking but it’s worth the big bucks.

With an eating area a little larger than the room most of us sleep in, Concord’s La Fritanguera is a holein-the-wall to say the least. Serving up authentic Nicaraguan food is its specialty, but it comes at a heftier price than one might expect.

Much of the food was fried, and if you are not afraid of starchier foods like yucca and plantains, you’ll love it.

Plantain was served three ways on the platter, and yucca in a salad.

Cheese was cut into cubes and fried, as were some bits of pork, both delicious.

Dessert was a thick crepe, rolled up with sugar, butter and spice. It was all very nice, but seemed a little too pricey for what felt like a home cooked meal.

That said, I’ll be going back for those amazing little crispy morsels of fried pork.

— Lilly Montero

— Marc Lopez

— A.R. Broom

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“Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today.”

— Jim Harbaugh

Play versus study Softball team seeks balance

By MARC LOPEZ @KaptainMarc

Experience • Anthony Martinez

Baserunner, Neko Capsaliaris reaches homeplate during the bottom of the second inning before the game eventually got rained out.

Baseball rained out in 4th

By HUGO CALDERON @HCAL09

While spring is not far away, the winter season has been showing up and reminding everyone that it is still around.

On Feb. 20, the Los Medanos College baseball team was set to take on the Diablo Valley College in a preseason game that was not able to see its natural conclusion.

By the time the top of the fourth inning started, the rain came out to play.

What started off as a light drizzle that seemed like it was

going to disappear in a few minutes quickly picked up the pace, putting the game under a rain delay.

The delay lasted about half an hour before the decision was made to call the game.

This was not the first time a game has been rescheduled due to the weather this season.

Although there were already four innings played, the game going on before the rain already had eight total runs.

It started with the Vikings opening the scoring in the top of the first.

They followed that inning putting up six runs.

It all started with Justin Tamelier hitting a single, reaching first base on a error.

Following after that, Christian Villa, hit for a double sending the ball deep outfield.

Earning a RBI and letting Tamelier put a run on the scoreboard.

DVC then went on to score four more runs before Nick Simmons stepped up to the Experience • Anthony Martinez plate. Simmons hit for a douCapsaliaris hits a double to get himself on base ble, recording two RBIs in the See RAIN, page 5

University of San Francisco

P L E A S A N TO N

LEARN TODAY. CHANGE TOMORROW. PROGRAMS IN: MANAGEMENT | NURSING (925) 867-2711 | usfca.edu/pleasanton 6120 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Ste. 150, Pleasanton, CA

CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE

before making LMC’s lone run of the game.

Student-athletes seem to get their title all wrong when their respected season comes into play. A handful tend to put the term “athlete” ahead of “student”. For coach Rognlien, head coach of the Los Medanos softball team, the term student is emphasized before the term athlete.

Don’t let their practices fool you on the depth of their team.

The numbers may be small during practices, but there is good reason for that. Some players have scheduling issues and Rognlien understands that players have lives outside of the diamond.

“We set our priorities based on education first, work second, family third and softball fourth,” said Rognlien. “We allow them to have extra time for classwork and tests. If they have to miss a practice, all they have to do is text me. We monitor their grades throughout the grading period.”

The team is looking forward to having a promising year filled with key talented players returning and a handful of new upcomers. Last year the team only had 12 members, but this year we can look forward to a healthier team of 16 members.

Some big names to keep an eye out for this season are sophomore Shaylyne Siino, freshman Jazmyn “Jazzy” Hanley and freshman Alexis Coleman See SBALL, page 5

LMC beats Napa

By KYLE FOSTER @NAPAKYLE

It was yet another nail-biter.

Los Medanos narrowly edged the Napa Valley College men’s basketball team, 87-80, on Wednesday night.

“I think we just got lucky and made shots,” Los Medanos coach Derek Domenichelli said. “They’re ver y well-coached, Napa has a phenomenal coach in Steve Photo courtesy of Kyle Foster Ball, their players play hard, LMC guard Nnamdi Vixon attempts to steal the ball. they’re competitive, they run great stuff. We just got lucky over 72 and lost I think. I don’t it I think,” Domenichelli exdown the stretch, we made think the offensive side of the plained. “We wanted to play. free throws, and we made basketball was our problem. We wanted the game to be in Yeah, we missed some stuff, the 80s. We didn’t want it to some big shots.”

Napa Valley (5-22 overall, but we’ll take 80 every night, be in the 60s, but to give Napa 3-12 Bay Valley Conference) and we’ll win some games. credit they hung tough and held multiple leads throughout But, we didn’t defend that they could’ve easily won this the half, but once the Mustangs well. We just had too many game tonight. But, to give our (18-9, 11-4 BVC) deployed their lapses where we didn’t help guys credit they were mentally tough at the last six minutes full-court press they gained the the helper very well.”

“I think we just got some of that game, a tight game to upper hand and pulled away.

“That’s the first time we’ve fresh legs in there with some make big shots and to make scored 80 and lost,” Napa Valley guys off the bench and we big free throws.”

Another thing gave the College coach Steve Ball said. got the tempo going a little “It’s the first time we’ve scored bit faster than they wanted See BALL, page 5

Murray’s audible is a risk The Oakland Athletics took a Las Vegas-type of gamble when they picked Kyler Murray in the first round of the MLB draft.

And who could blame them?

Murray had a stellar campaign that saw his value as a baseball player skyrocket. After transferring from Texas A&M to Oklahoma, Murray had to miss his first season of college baseball, and when he came back, he wasn’t healthy and his numbers showed.

He hit a .122 average with no extra base hits.

But in the season where he garnered attention, Murray balled out. He hit for .298 and had 10 home runs. That season, a healthy Kyler Murray was a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

The Texas native’s performance landed him on the top of the draft board and eventually a $3.16 million dollar contract to play ball in Oakland. At the time, Murray was committed to be a green collar player.

Then Murray crushed the 2019 college football season.

He lead the Sooners to a Big 12 championship win, ending the season ranked No. 4 according to both coaches and the Associated Press. Individually, he had 54 overall touchdowns with

Jesus Cano EAST COUNTY’S NO. 1 the addition of over 5,000 all-purpose yards.

Murray ended up winning the coveted Heisman Trophy — what seemed to be the writing on the wall for what sport he would lean more to.

Already having declared for the 2019 NFL draft, on Feb. 11 Murray declared he had sole intentions to become a NFL quarterback.

It’s a decision with Murray’s talent that totally makes sense, knowing his background.

The 21-year-old attended Allen High School in Texas, one of the best teams in which high school football is religion to the people of the lone star state. His high school team played more packed than most MLS stadiums will ever See RISK, page 5

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convenience for students and visitors,” said President Bob Kratochvil.

Now, students and staff can more easily find the station as it’s at the focal point of campus and the location also helps for a better response time.

“We have gotten overwhelming feedback from the public that the location of this building serves our community way better than our old station did,” said Senior Traffic Officer Mike Hotton.

With the Science building and the Library to the side of it and the gym behind it, Police Ser vices now have better access to some of the busiest areas on campus.

“Tactically we’re at a much better advantage here,” said Hotton. “There’s a much broader view of what’s in front of us when we leave the building front and back.”

The project turned out to be relatively cheap overall.

Contra Costa College was also in need of a new Police Services building and so the district designed the two structures simultaneously to save money.

Another money-saving tactic was the modular construction of the building. The building was constructed in part offsite in Bakersfield and then transported and reconstructed on site. However, though the building was far more efficient, it wasn’t as quick as they had expected due to an array of issues.

Vice President of Business and Administrative Services Alex Por ter oversaw the building management of the project.

He’d hoped to move Police services into the building in October of 2018, but ended up pushing the move in date to January.

“The delays were attributable to a combination of weather, scheduling material deliver y/installations with sub-contractors, and insuring our sidewalk modifications in front of the structure were complete,” said Porter.

Fortunately, the delay was to their benefit. As Hotton pointed out, by moving at the beginning of the spring semester rather than the end of fall they avoided disrupting student life and began with a fresh start.

There are plans for an official opening ceremony for the building in the future said President Bob Kratochvil.

Additional plans are also in the works for how the old space will be used.

For now though, Police Ser vices is taking time to settle in and put the finishing touches on their new home.

get the stakes in the ground. able to go,” said Watkins of Director of Communications her parents’ experience. and Relations of the Contra Her father was from the Costa Community College small town of Raleigh and District Tim Leong explained had witnessed actions of the how center status can be Ku Klux Klan there. He was beneficial. so affected by the multiple “Center status means you lynching’s he saw growing up have reached a specific milethat to this day he hasn’t worn stone about the students that jewelry around his neck since.

Experience • A.R. Broom you serve, it’s not the same Construction workers were sure to protect an oak Both of her parents eventuamount of money as a full tree in the midst of building. ally made their way to Califorcollege,” said Leong. “Nevnia for work and for school.

“Everything is fine here, ertheless, it’s now an official number of students attending When her mother moved to I mean the reception can be designation by the state that in the future.

Inglewood, she experienced The resources that will be improved and I would say that says you are of a certain size true diversity for the first time. available at the new campus the new campus needs more and we give you 50 percent of “When she moved there what we would normally give will be 60 percent larger than space and faculty to make she went to a restaurant for the current campus and will sure the students have the a full-fledged college.” the first time of her life, I think The current Brentwood cen- ensure students can relax in resources they need,” said she was 20, and it was her first ter previously served a couple the spacious complex com- Milton. “It’s convenient for experience going out to eat,” classes until they moved into pared to a cramped corridor. more people who live in the Watkins said.

As for the main campus, Oakley and Brentwood area.” the leased building that used Coming from a place where student Danielle Milton spoke By next spring the new to be a grocery store. everyone looked like her, the Center status was not how content she is, but also Brentwood campus will be exposure changed her mothachieved but the new center stressed LMC’s room for completed after such lengthy er’s perspective on different planning. will enable LMC to grow the improvement. people and cultures. If it wasn’t for her grandmother who let her mother stay in California for seven years, her mother would have never had the From page 3 From page 1 From page 4 experience.

“I’m thankful for my grand“2009” with a faint version of it The idea was entertained for Storm trouble was the fact that mother in how she raised playing right at the beginning. moment but seemed to be lost Los Medanos had three players her kids to always do more Miller’s “2009” is from his last under the sheer happening of score 14 points or more. than her, and to not be afraid released album “Swimming” the meeting.

Raazhel Watkins led LMC to explore the world,” said which dropped before his Though there were other with 19 points on the night, Watkins. unexpected death. topics to be discussed the while Shane Landon added As the youngest of six sibIn “ghostin” Grande talks question of why this meeting 15, and Marcus Oducado lings growing up in Oakland, about how much she struggled had not occurred before in scored 14.

Watkins didn’t have to deal with the loss of Mac while still the college’s entire history “20 (Watkins) is a guy that with much racism. She grew engaged to Pete Davidson. dominated the conversation makes them go. We held him up with kids from different In one lyric she confesses, “I and managed to stump many to nine (points) last time, and backgrounds, which helped wish he was here instead / instructors and students. then the next couple games he her be able to appreciate difdon’t want that living in your “It’s so difficult to get every- had 26, 28, 24, 16, so he can ferent cultures and religions head / he just comes to visit one in the table and everyone score the basketball. He’s a as a young girl. She never saw me when I’m dreaming every included in the discussion is tough lefty to guard,” Ball said. color, she just saw people for now and then.” because of time schedules, “We tried to limit his touches who they were and didn’t focus Despite the song’s emotion- teachers are teaching and in the second half, but then on the color of their skin. al intensity, her sincerity is students are either at school 11 (Oducado) made some “I had friends that were first something her fans appreciate. or jobs or they have family to good shots.” generation American CamWhen asked on Twitter if take care of,” said Shagoofa As for Napa, Braxton Adderly bodians and first generation she’d be performing the song Khan an LMCAS member. led the way with 16 points Yemen,” she said. “Growing anytime soon she admitted the However, in spite of schedul- and four rebounds. Tomas up around these dif ferent song is currently not on the ing conflicts all bodies agreed Gomez-Espana and Malcom cultures made me appreciate set list for her upcoming tour that this kind of meeting needs Bracy added 13 points each the differences we all have.” as she currently can’t make to become more regular to as well. All of Bracy’s points She has always been init through the song without create better lines of commu- came in the second half. He terested with people and crying. nication among the bodies. also grabbed three rebounds, wanted to lend a helping The rest of the album is a There was some friendly while Gomez-Espana brought hand to those who were gomix of lighthearted and tender banter among the students in five. ing through rough patches songs, with more emotional and faculty, but above all unity Both teams will have their in their lives. She attended songs like “fake smile” and was emphasized. regular-season finales on Feb. Southern University in Baton other perhaps too honest “If you are on the oppos- 22, Los Medanos will host Rouge, Louisiana where she ones like “break up with your ing side and I am on on the Contra Costa in the battle got a bachelor’s degree in girlfriend, i’m bored.” In it other side, we can still find a of Contra Costa County at social work and went on to she delves into the desire to common ground that’s how it 7:30 p.m. get dual master’s degrees at take someone who’s already works in our democracy and Holy Names University. spoken for - but just temporarily our society,” continued Khan.

“I went to school to work of course. This added to her Better pathways of commuwith people like families, already her most recent hits nication were also stressed, From page 6 prisoners, kids. I have always “7 rings” and “thank you next” including the use of social been a people person,” said both anthems that show there’s media as a way to best get a categories of art: 2-DimenFrom page 4 Watkins. nothing wrong with spoiling point across and bring aware- sional Art, 3-Dimensional Art, After working in foster care process. your friends and moving on. ness to meetings, events and Digital Design, Photography, At the top of the second as well as selecting the Best for a while, Watkins decided Her fans are already scream- fundraisers. she wanted to try something inning, the Vikings were up 7-0. ing for more and Grande The validity of student in Show.

Jason Bray’s sacrifice bunt herself doesn’t seem to not voices was also touched upon.

The winners, who were new. She had gotten an offer to work for the Umoja Scholars brought in a run for Neko want to slow down either. The “We tend not to welcome granted academic scholarProgram at LMC for one se- Capsaliaris reducing the deficit pop star is currently working them enough or give them ships from the guild, include: mester. When she was invited to 7-1. with Tommy Brown on a duet. a chance to speak and actu- 2-Dimensional Art and Best The game will continue to the Winter Celebration to She has recently broken ally invite senators to speak, in Show- “Transformation” get a taste of what it would be Thursday, Feb. 21. the record that was formerly because they may be new, by Erika Her nandez and upheld by ‘The Beatles’ for [and] they may be intimidated 3-Dimensional Art: “Mi Papa topping Billboard’s char ts by people at the table,” said (My Father)” by Rocio Perez with three songs on her album, Sandra Mills of the Classified and “Perspective” by Sabrina Sor vari. Digital Design: not only making womans pop Senate. histor y but music histor y.

Overall, the meeting closed “Home” by Teresa Stewart.

Ariana Grande is a true artist with a consensus that more Photography: Untitled by that takes everything she feels could be done regarding stu- Breanna Valentine.

The show will continue and makes honest, sensitive, dent inclusion and that more and savage music that speaks communication among the through March 9, Monday truly to who she is and shines three governing bodies would through Thursday 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. to all those who adore her. be to everyone’s benefit.

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like working with the program, she was hooked.

“At the celebration you could see how passionate the students were about the program,” said Watkins. “The students and everyone there were so positive, and I fell in love with it.”

The program fell in love with her too, and she got an offer to work full time as a counselor and teacher. When it came to getting an education herself, Watkins didn’t have the support of her own teachers growing up.

“In my experience with K-12 I didn’t have much help. My parents paid money to put me in private school but I didn’t have much support,” she said. “A lot of African American students just don’t see themselves in education in a positive light.”

Watkins personally experienced the struggles of many African American kids going through the educational system. She wasn’t a fast learner so catching on to things was difficult. She keeps her own experience in mind when she works with students today.

“It’s easier to get the student that goes with the flow, the ones that are quick learners,” she said. “It’s more difficult to have someone who may be a little behind.”

That is why Watkins works so hard to help those who need an extra push to succeed in this educational system.

“Faith is understanding, helpful and always there when you need guidance,” said LMC Umoja Scholar Cajah Lacy.

Though she tries to be there for all her students, Watkins admits it is a constant juggling act. Being a mother, wife, counselor and teacher she sometimes has difficulty finding enough time for it all.

“It’s a constant balancing act, and I can’t give 100 percent to everything,” she conceded.

That juggling act could break some people down, but Watkins knows that “you have to take time for yourself and take care of yourself first.”

To do that means she must dig deep to find the strength to lend a helping hand to those who need it. LMC sophomore Jada Layne has witnessed this dedication.

“I love how passionate she is about young black people being successful through education and life.” said Layne.

BWOOD From page 1

ARIANA MEET

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UKULELES = HEALTH Music can lower blood pressure.

BBALL

reach.

It was a decision of heart over mind, but was it truly the best in the long run?

It’s also a Sin City gamble for Murray. He already had guaranteed money in Oakland and a lot of weight on his shoulders to be the franchise outfielder — many people even comparing to Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.

Murray should have chose America’s favorite pastime.

The guaranteed money was already on the table, plus the

SBALL From page 4

according to the coach.

Siino returns with acclamations to her name.

Siino was named 2018 Bay Valley Conference Player of the Year, LMC’s first softball player to win the award.

Last season, Siino had a .438 batting average, with six doubles, two home runs and 14 runs batted in.

Siino also was a runner-up Bay Valley Conference Pitcher

chances of him having a lengthy career are far higher.

With the massive amount and severity of the injuries in football, it is no surprise that many NFL years are done after three to four years.

Baseball on the other hand, has a significantly lower injury rate, and with a huge farm system wherever.

Murray had a rich farm system to go through, the Oakland Athletics. It has produced the likes of pl ayers such as two current gold glove winners in Matt Chapman and Matt Olson.

It was almost eminent for Murray to make it with all the resources given to him.

It does not mean Murray cannot have the same success in the NFL, the only disadvantage he has is the fact that he is short for a pro quarterback at 5-foot 10-inches.

But his speed has shown the to key. Murray reminds me of Michael Vick.

With the right tools, Murray can have a solid NFL career, but with baseball he could have had a successful career and knocked it right out of the park.

of the Year award.

Her earned run average was below four runs per game and was 2nd in the conference for most strikeouts.

Hanley, according to Rognlien, is an outstanding third basemen from NorthGate High School with great power. In Rognlien’s eyes, she is a “real strong” prospect this season.

Coleman is currently in a position battle Hailey Vollbrecht for shortstop.

Rognlien says both are battling it out extremely hard and that both are exceptional at the position.

Rognlien added that the group of players he has currently are the hardest working bunch in his five years of coaching Los Medanos softball.

“I see us being very competitive this year and we hope our fans come out and see some of the softball these girls are playing,” said Rognlien.

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Campus Newswatch Food drive donations

Student life is holding a MLK Jr./ Cesar Chavez food drive to help support the LMC food pantry. Bring your non-perishable items to the office of Student Life or LMC Food Pantry Feb. 11-March 29.

Scholarship for grabs

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Photo by Hazel Recino

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“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations”

— Dr. Mae Jemison

Avante-garde art showing

The Academic Competition is a one-day event designed to motivate students to achieve scholarly excellence at LMC. it is also a fun and interactive way for students to compete academically.

Students participate in teams of four in the following subject areas: English, science, and social science. The competition will be held March 30 in the LMC Gymnasium. Scholarship awards from $500 to $2,000 will be given to the winners of the competition. For information visit the office of Student Life.

LMC blood drive

Blood Centers of the Pacific will hold a blood drive at LMC March 26 from 11 a.m- 3 p.m in the Library, Room L-109. To schedule your appointment, contact the Office of Student Life at (925) 473-7553

Big band dance party

The Veterans Resource Center intvites members of the LMC community to join them in the LMC Recital Hall April 17 to celebrate the third anniversary of its opening with the Golden Gate Radio Orchestra. This is a USO dance-themed event with a costume and dance competition with music presented by the LMC music and recording arts departments. For more information visit losmedanos.edu/ music/events.aspx or call (925) 473-7805

Band opportunity

Do you play a musical instrument? Join the LMC Band & Orchestra and earn college credit. Opportunities are available for Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble and Musical Theatre. The music department is located in the main College Complex near the bookstore. Contact Dr.Luis Zuniga at (925)473-7810, lzuniga@losmedanos.edu for more information.

Photo by Sam Schneiderman

Above: Miranda Alexander observes the variety of art on display on the gallery during the opening of the annual student art show. Top photo: Campfire, a painting by Jasmine Abusafieh shown behind Mortality, a piece by Sophia Omelas.

LMC creativity dazzles guests

By DANTE HARROLD Staff writer

Tech workshop

Want an opportunity to learn new skills and move into more advanced technical positions? There will be a special application workshop Feb. 28, 2 to 3 p.m in the LMC College Complex Room CC1-121.

From more information contact Cynthia Perez-Nicholas at cperez@losmedanos. edu or call (925) 473-7428.

Interns wanted

The California Community Colleges Advanced Manufacturing Team is working to connect students with internships for up to 150 hours. Pay would be $15/hour.

Students will work 15-20 hours per week around their school schedule. Applications are now open. For questions contact Mark Martin at markmatin@peralta.edu or call (650) 284-7728

LMC Club Day

Have you wondered what it would be like to join a club? On March 6 LMC clubs will be fundraising and selling food during Club Day in the indoor quad. For more information contact the Office of Student Life at (925) 473-7554

Experience • Anthony Martinez

Above: Bearded Elf, a sculpture by Miranda Alexander.

Positions at EBMUD

The East Bay Municipal Utility District is looking for motivated students who are willing to learn and grow. No experience is necessary because new staff will be trained on how to read and calibrate water meters at homes, troubleshoot, and repair broken meters. There is opportunity for increased pay up to $73,000 per year over three years. Applications start in March.

For more information contact Cynthia Perez-Nicholas at cperez@losmedanos.edu.

Lost and Found

LMC lost and found has numerous items found 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.

Far right: Students Taylor Seers, Josh Ebert, and Sam Burgis examine Brass by Chance Nelson Right: A gallery vistor looks at Love after life, a painting by Taylor Seers.

Photo by Angela Beatty

The annual Student Ar t Show opened in the LMC gallery Feb. 14. featuring the creative talents of enterprising art students. The art captivated the audience gathered for the opening reception. Among the work debuted was a deformed green-eyed clayman sculpture

by Sabrina Sovarni, a painting of an eyeball flying through space by Taylor Seers, and a head in a hand by Kylie Riddle.

The event was free to the public, and it had a flood of people, discussing and admiring the work on display. A few could be heard appreciating the shows variety and the unique pieces of art.

“The art shown was a lovely distribution of the different talents the students hold.” said Rebecca Talley, director of the Art Gallery.

Nick Nabas, an art history instructor, said he appreciated the diversity of the art.

Many of the attendees held close relationships with the artists whose works were on display. These people seemed genuinely delighted at seeing their loved one’s work highlighted at the event.

LMC student Akira Briggs observed the artwork and said that the exhibition of students’ hard work shows the attention to their creativity is “what they deserve.”

The works of art were judged

by Edgar Tumbaga, president of the non-profit Art Guild of the Delta. Tumbaga judged the four

See ART, page 5

Photo by Hazel Recino

How to report news

If you have a news tip for a story, or a short item you would like considered for publication, here’s what to do: stop by the Journalism Lab (room CC3-301) on the main level or email the editor and chief Lilly Montero at lilly.montero3@gmail. comNews 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 and fill out a news form. No items will be printed without the name and phone number of someone the staff can contact to verify information. Publication can never be guaranteed.

Photo by Kristina Zuroff

— compiled from press releases Photo by Ryley Lim

Above: Perspective, a sculpture by Sabrina Sorvani. Left: Visitor takes a photo of Transformation, a piece by Erika Hernandez.