Vol. 90 No. 3 - March 1, 2019

Kehlani talks motherhood

Add codes cause trouble

Baseball improves 7-7

Kehlani’s kept us “waiting” for music. Read the review of her new mixtape — page 4

To combat what has been called a “black market” of add codes admin created a new system — page 3

Mustangs take the victory over interdistrict rival Diablo Valley College in a comeback game — page 6

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F.Y.I. Important Dates March is Women’s History Month March 17

St. Patrick’s Day. Wear green.

March 20

First day of spring.

March 31

Last day of classes before Spring Break.

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VP off to Cypress College Porter returning to his SoCal roots

By LILLY MONTERO @Lilly_Montero3

Alex Porter, Vice President of Business and Administrative Services at Los Medanos College, will be leaving for Cypress College in Southern California.

Por ter’s appointment at the college begins April 2 and March 6 is expected to be his last day here at LMC. The Vice President’s exit comes as a surprise, but a pleasant one for the VP.

Por ter worked at LMC for the past two years, but is finally returning back to his Southern Californian roots.

After working at California State University Long Beach for 11 years, the initial move to Northern California was a big change for Porter. However, the position at Cypress is an opportunity for him to return closer to his true home.

“It was very difficult decision for my wife and I, but the opportunity to go “home,” to

be near our family and friends, was very important to us,” said Porter.

Making for the second administrative exit in two semesters, Por ter’s leave moves quite a few things around for Kratochvil. With Vice President Kevin Horan’s exit in the fall semester, Kratochvil went to work looking two new VP’s instead of one.

Like many other colleges in the district, President Kratochvil split what was originally

one position, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, into two positions.

The move comes in light of many major projects that are in-the-works or already underway.

“We have many different processes and new programs under development…having a single person on all of those “It’s been an exciting [is a lot to manage],” said and challenging two Kratochvil. years.”

For now, both positions are — Alex Porter See VP, page 5

New club for STEM

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.

By JESUS CANO @juicecano

New play to Pittsburg Written and perfomed

by LMC professor Steve Budd, “What They Said About Love” debuts at the Pittsburg California Theatre Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m. There will be a second showing March 3.

Tickets are $10/$12 and are available for reservation online. Tickets will be available at the door.

Experience • BreAnna Crawford

In honor of Black History Month, LMC student Zachary Castelluccio reads a book about Jackie Robinson to a group of first graders at Foothill Elementary.

Umoja reads to first graders

By BREANNA CRAWFORD @Lyniece_

Join Crab Feed to raise money LMC’s Classified Senate will be hosting its 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

For the last week of Black History Month, the Umoja Scholars Program had their annual BHM reading. Students and staff went to Foothill Elementary and attended first grade classrooms to read books about Black history to the children.

Student success and retention program coordinator T’Sendenia Gage enjoyed the opportunity to come and read to the children she said, because it was a great way to have children learn more and be engaged in black history.

“It was a very nice and less invasive way to share history, experiences and authors from African-American culture

with children,” said Gage.

As a proud black woman, Gage believes that children can gain knowledge no matter the age when it comes to learning about black history even when it isn’t Black History Month.

“February just happens to be Black History Month and oftentimes there is an underrepresentation of what that month means to the people and the history,” said Gage.

The Black Histor y reading was started by Dr. Akilah Moore who used to be the Dean of Math and Science here on campus. With the help of the Foothill Elementary School principal Yvonne Nelson and LMC counselor Faith Watkins, they created the pro-

gram and allows students and staff to have the opportunity to give back to the community.

“The readings allows the students to have a community connection between the college and the elementary schools,” said Watkins.

It encourages elementary students to want to attend college when they grow up, and to see someone that looks like them do it. Anyone can take part in the reading regardless of their race or ethnicity. LMC student Erick Amaya volunteered to read to the children as well, because he believed that it is important for children to grasp Black history as it is an important part of

See BHM, page 5

STEM students now have a better path to exposure within their field.

Advancement Towar d Achievement is a new club on campus established by LMC students Anthony Early and Matt Marchetti. The goal of ATA is to give club members an opportunity to be more involved within the STEM community, something both Marchetti and Early heavily target.

“Ideally I want to give our members an opportunity to experience what their field of study actually consists of,” said Earley.

Early hopes that participation in the new club will help STEM students understand transfer requirements to the four year level and help build their member’s resumes so they stand out to the universities.

“Ultimately, I want to give our members an opportunity to reach new heights in the stem community that’s outside of LMC,” he continued.

Marchetti says that a lot of the time, students are completing all the requirements for the STEM-related majors, but do not know what they will do when it is time to transfer or get their first job.

“We felt didn’t know what we were doing. We felt like more people needed to know what they were getting into,” said Marchetti.

The club meetings will See ATA, page 5

LMCAS takes leadership

By ELIZABETH MCLAURIN Staff Writer

The clouds of confusion and firey outrage among automotive enthusiasts after the enacting of California State Assembly Bill 1824 have finally subsided. From the ashes have recently come a bill co-authored by Jim Frazier, the state assembly member who represents Los Medanos College and surrounding areas, which plans to restore the correctability of the violation so many enthusiasts fear.

The two violations in question, which relate to the modifications of vehicle exhausts, can

Perhaps you have walked past the conference room to the left of EOPS on a Monday. You might have even walked by between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. and noticed a small group of students huddled around a square cluster of tables. But what you might not have known is those huddled students crammed in that room were your student government representatives.

The student government meets in Room SS4 412 every Monday to discuss various student issues, find ways to improve the student experience at Los Medanos College and make sure students are fairly represented on campus.

“I feel a responsibility to make sure our voices, student voices, are heard and not overlooked by administration,” said Priscilla Tatmon, president of LMC Associated Students. “All the hard topics that are being talked about, I want that

See CAR, page 5

See GOV, page 5

Experience • A.R. Broom

Actuators like these are currently illegal.

Law targets enthusiasts Auto bill sparks controversy

By A.R. BROOM

@AlexanderRBroom

Experience • Lilly Montero

Adviser John Nguyen addresses LMCAS members, including new Senator Xuan Wen Hao.

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

— Dr. Mae Jemison

Dante Harrold

Haley Ahmed

HOPEFULLY USEFUL

GUEST COLUMNIST

Rape is abuse, not punishment

Some teachers lack empathy

The U.S needs to evolve in terms of how it see prison rape.

There is a notion that widespread rape in prisons and jails are not treated serious enough by the public because the majority of the victims are males. For example, popular HBO comedian Bill Maher joked about Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen’s indictment: “Michael Cohen famously said ‘I’d take a bullet for Donald Trump.’ Well, now that he’s looking at prison time, we’ll see if he’s willing to take a dick.”

Jokes about prison rape or glee at the prospect of men guilty of crime being sexually assaulted aren’t by any means rare.

Many people can recall at least a few they’ve heard from friends or associates, or seen in the media — whether that be movies, TV shows or even children’s cartoons.

Typically when celebrities are jailed many media outlets start humorously speculating about how and if they’re going to be sexually assaulted.

In this era of #Metoo, it is time for America to recognize widespread prison rape for what it is, a massive humanitarian crisis that sees the weak brutalized at the hands of predators. It is something that doesn’t hurt just a few bad guys but society as whole.

A lot of people accept prison rape to be a form of justice— compupance for wrong doers who’ve violated the law and social mores. They cheer on the prospect of bad men who’ve preyed upon the weak, being sexually brutalized in prison. But typically it’s the most vulnerable in society that are brutalized. Those who’ve been maligned and victimized in society are often the targets of sexual abuse in prison.

Non-heterosexual inmates are more likely to suffer sexual assault than their heterosexual counterparts. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that among jail inmates, heterosexual inmates reported lower rates of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization and staff sexual misconduct than non-heterosexual inmates.

Those with mental health issues are often targeted. The BJS reports that among state and federal prison inmates, an estimated 6 percent of those identified with serious psychological distress reported they were sexually victimized by another inmate. In comparison, among prisoners with no indication of mental illness, less than a percent reported being victimized by another inmate.

Prison rape must be understood as a massive injustice rather than a form of justice.

Minimizing the severity of this issue makes society more vulnerable to predators.

Prison staff is often complicit in the sexual abuse or the main abusers altogether, people who can freely go out in society and live their day to day lives.

Per the BJS data, about half of the incidents (51%) involved allegations of non consensual sexual acts or abusive sexual contacts of inmates with other inmates, 49% involved staff sexual misconduct or sexual harassment directed toward inmates.

The lack of attention this topic has given cover to predatory prison staff, who pose a risk to the general public than many of the prisoners they are tasked to guard. terms of upholding a system where such tales of sexual assault are so common.

Prison rape doesn’t have to be so widespread. Things can be done to decrease it. Society could decrease the amount of non-violent offenders sent to prison in the first place, then, have those in charge of inspecting prisons be non partisan and independent.

End the use of private prisons which often put profit over the safety and welfare of their prisoners. Society has the tools to end to the rampant rape in prisons, its not a matter if society could do it, but will it?

Have you ever had a teacher who just shouldn’t be in a classroom?

Sure, they may have the credentials. They may have the appropriate education and the expertise. They may have been teaching for a long time. But that doesn’t make them a good teacher.

I feel like this is a subject many students, especially college students, are afraid to talk about. It’s easy to just mind our own business when a fellow student is being treated wrongly by an educator.

After all, what are we going to do? Call out the person whom our grade depends on?

Stand up to the person who could negatively or positively affect our GPA??

Of course not. I don’t expect anybody to.

And nobody should have to.

But I see instances where such interventions are needed all the time. Educators treating students poorly, discouraging them, making the class nearly unbearable for the students.

Let me ask you a couple questions. Have you ever seen a student get thrown out of a classroom for asking a question? For possibly challenging the teacher’s knowledge?

Maybe even for daring to have a differing opinion?

Have you ever been given an ultimatum – either drop the class or sit still while a teacher sucks the confidence and motivation out of every student in the room, including yourself?

Have you ever had a teacher who doesn’t see you as a human, but rather as a butt in a seat? Not someone who has a life, a job, a family, medical conditions, mental health issues, etc. but rather a one-dimensional college student with nothing else to worry about?

It wasn’t until recently that I experienced these things myself.

Surely, many of you aren’t just butts-inseats, you’re human beings. Absolutely, we should communicate with our professors as much as humanly possible. It’s all we can do.

But some teachers can actually look at all of the effort a student puts into communicating and doing everything right, and still take it personally when we aren’t in class for a day or miss an assignment. So what can we do?

After much observation and talking to other students, I have come to the conclusion that some people simply lack the ability to see college students as anything more than just that: College students.

Because we’re lucky, right?

We live in a place where we get to pursue a higher education. We’re at an age where we’re supposed to be “invincible” and healthy and happy and prospering.

We have all the time in the world to have jobs and children and responsibilities and illnesses and lives. Right?

I don’t think so. I think a lot of us are dealing with these things now. We are not exclusively college students. Don’t get me wrong, education is incredibly important.

And wouldn’t life would be a breeze if we weren’t anything other than college students? I wish I could just be a college student. I wish I wasn’t so human.

I wish that earlier this year, I hadn’t watched a boy who never spoke in class, finally work up the courage to raise his hand and ask a question.

I wish that, in return for his bravery, he hadn’t been ordered to leave the classroom loudly, aggressively, for “trying to act like he knew more than the teacher.”

I wish that I didn’t witness his absence from the class for the rest of the semester.

And I can only hope that it didn’t completely destroy his motivation and confidence to pursue an education.

So, tell me: have you ever had a teacher who just shouldn’t be in a classroom?

Experience • Isabelle Ortiz

Editorial

Congress gets all the tea

M

ichael Cohen, former attorney to President Trump, publically testified to Congress this week. Cohen went into careful and substantiated detail about his dealings as Trump’s attorney.

The highlights included previously known things like the President’s alleged affairs with multiple women, including former porn star Stormy Daniels. Hush-money is not uncommon in politics and even entertainment.

However, campaign finance laws in politics have a lot of legal complications. Cohen also touched on examples of Trump’s character. Cohen referred to Trump as a racist, conman and a cheat. But the new developments came in detail and context of how Trump made these statements.

As predicted, the Republicans on the committee attacked Cohen, saying he had no credibility because he had previously lied to Congress and has a prison sentence pending.

The irony that seemed to evade Republicans on the committee, was that Cohen was actually lying on Trump’s behalf and Cohen confirmed that at the hearing. Cohen didn’t just come into the hearing blurting out accusations, Cohen brought receipts.

Of the many documents submitted to Congress was the actual check Trump wrote to reimburse him for the payoff to Stormy Daniels.

Some Republicans defense of Trump was weak. Republican Mark Meadows even pulled the infamous “I have a black friend” card to defend Trump against Cohen’s accusation of racism.

Meadows cited a black HUD official, Lynne Patton, Trump Jr’s former wedding planner, as a rebuttal to the racism charge. Ultimately, the hearings are reflective of the pure political turpitude that this administration has made normal.

Do black lives matter to America?

Do black lives matter? That’s a question we all need to ask ourselves.

The Black Lives Matter movement was created in the aftermath of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, to bring light to a problem that is happening not only in America but around the world.

No one in the movement claims other lives don’t matter, just affirmed black lives matter as much as everyone else’s.

Studies have shown that black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than any other race. So does that mean those black women’s lives didn’t matter?

Many blacks grew up being taught a rules about what you should and shouldn’t do in public: don’t put your hands in your pocket, and if you get pulled over make sure your hands are visible at all times. It’s little things that can put fear into the hearts of black kids —especially young black men.

Some question the focus of the movement, asking that since all lives matter why should we emphasize black lives? It’s because few understand the challenges or appreciate the contributions of black Americans.

The movement wants to break the cycle of violence blacks experience disproportionately.

There will always be stereotypes of black kids being afraid of their mothers. But the truth is we are afraid of police and anyone who wants to see us dead.

There were more than 900 police shootings last year and a good majority of those people killed were black. Do their lives not matter because they were black? People wonder why the movement is active. It’s because they’re tired of seeing blacks killed over dumb and avoidable things.

I am tired of being scared when I get pulled over by the police that the officer will shoot me if I blink an eye. There will be people who say

Voices

Adesuwa Oiyemhonlan GUEST COLUMNIST

“I know what it feels like. I grew up around black people.” But in reality they don’t know what it feels like Being black in America means you have to always be cautions whenever you are doing anything — even your own home.

That means you can’t go out with your grandma without people calling the cops on you, claiming that you are robbing her.

Botham Jean, a young African American, was in his own home when he was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer who mistook his apartment for hers. Does that mean his life didn’t matter because she made a mistake? Or does it mean that America will turn a blind-eye to the problem at hand?

We as African Americans and Americans cannot let blacks continue to be killed.

When’s the last time you’ve been followed in a store or called a racial slur because you are trying to live your life? Or told that you should not play the victim? The truth is that just being born black makes you a victim.

So, does my black life not matter to you?

What about your neighbor or that little girl who rides the bus everyday just to get to school?

Do their lives not matter?

The next time you think of saying something bad about the movement remember this: We all bleed the same blood, our hearts beat the same way, so why doesn’t my life matter if I am simply trying to do what everyone else is doing, and that’s live my life? Being black isn’t the issue, the issue is that you don’t care enough.

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Who should have won Best Picture?

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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

“I didn’t really watch the Oscars but if I had to pick Best Picture, it’d be ‘Black Panther.’” — Anthony Chaube

“It should’ve been between ‘Roma’ and ‘Black Panther.’

They both are artistically challenged.”

— Emilio Gomez

“I think ‘Black Panther’ should have won. It was great to see a movie so diverse.”

— Shagoofa Khan

“I only saw two of the movies tha were nominated.

It’s unfair for me to answer that.”

— Orion McFaddin

“I believe best picture should have been ‘Roma’ or ‘The Favourite.’ I would say ‘Roma.’”

— Lorenzo Navales

“It should have been ‘Roma’ because it was the best picture. It was an awesome movie.”

— Janice Townsend

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 The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Campus Newswatch Food drive donations wanted

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“The time is always right to do what is right.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

Puzzling add codes

Student Life is holding an 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.

Seminar held at local museum

In commemoration of Women’s History and Black History months, the Pittsburg Historical Society and Museum will present Women in Local Politics and Community March 3, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The symposium is on the history of women’s involvement in politics, local government, and community in Pittsburg since 1945.

Panelists, including Curlie Jackson, Councilwomen Merl Craft, Shanelle Scales-Preston, and City Treasurer Nancy Parent, will share their experiences. The museum is located on 515 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pittsburg.

Blood drive March 26 at LMC

Blood Centers of the Pacific will be holding a blood drive at LMC March 26 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m in the Library, Room L-109.

To schedule your appointment, contact the Office of Student Life at (925) 473-7553.

Education fair for majors

If you are an planning on becoming a teacher, the Transfer and Career Services will be holding an Education transfer fair March 13 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The fair will include a transfer panel, Q&A session and tabling from schools such as Saint Mary’s College, Mills College, CSU Sacramento, and many others.

For more information please visit www.losmedanos.edu/ transfer or stop byt the Transfer and Career Services on the fourth floor of the Student services building.

Free Transfer Program trip

LMC Transfer Program is offering students a free bus trip to the University of Nevada Reno March 8.

During the visit students will learn more about their majors, recieve a tour of campus and residential halls, and become familiar with the study abroad progam and scholarships.

To register for the trip please visit www.losmedanos. edu/transfer/campustours.aspx.

Veterans hosting dance party

The Veterans Resource Center intvites members of the LMC community to stop by 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.

Manufacturing interns sought

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 presents 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.

Saxophonist performs at LMC

The Music Department and Honors Program will be presenting An Evening with Grant Larson. An active recitalist and proponent of new music, saxophonist Larson will be performing at the LMC Recital Hall, Room MU-720 March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be sold for $5. For more information contact Luis Zuniga at lzuniga@losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7810.

Positions at EBMUD

The East Bay Municipal Utility District is looking for motivated students who are willing to learn and grow within the water industry.

No experience is necessary because new staff will be trained on how to read and calibrate water meters at homes, troubleshoot problems, and repair broken meters, as well as other related tasks.

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.

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-in-chief Lilly Montero at lilly. montero3@gmail.com News Briefs: If you are involved in an event that you would like publicized or have a short announcement for the newswatch column, go to 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.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Experience • Isabelle Ortizz

Add codes deemed problematic

By KELLY WILLIAMS @lmckellyw

A new academic tool launched for instructors and students this semester.

It fixed a long standing problem, but consequently created another. Teachers, students and staff have struggled adapting to the technology of the new add-code system.

It was supposed to be an easy way to get students access to a class without the availability of sharing it or being given out to someone else, but it hasn’t been successful thus far.

The old adage from Los Medanos College staff is “a black market of add codes” which allowed anyone to be added to a teacher’s roster even if the class was already full.

However with the change in algorithms

this new system was hard to get off the ground. Students were unable to access the provided add code on the Insite portal.

On top of that LMC Staff had a hard time helping the unexpected amount of affected students.

As it stands, some students are still experiencing problems with an add code.

“We could never find the root of the problem but we had an accessibility to the site that students don’t have, so we would just add them,” says Lisa Avery of Admissions and Records. “The system is confusing and an on-going problem for most students.”

“I didn’t know how to do it, so my teacher just did it for me. Without it, I probably would’ve been confused,” says Julia Steele.

Most teachers have received training

on how to work with the system so there isn’t as much confusion when it comes to them being able to work the system.

Because of this though, teachers have found themselves burdened with student after student asking for help.

“I thought it was odd to me,” says Speech Instructor Marie Arcidiacono.

“The system still showed a dropped student on my roster and the waitlist would never show up either.”

Other students haven’t had an issue with the system at all.

“I never had any problems with it,” said student Luis Martinez.

While the system worked for some like Martinez, others, including faculty and students alike have struggled. The program for now seems to have an issue with consistency.

EOPS opens new club Purpose is to promote engagement

By BREANNA CRAWFORD @Lyniece_

The Extended Opportunities Program and Services (EOPS) at Los Medanos College has “[We aim] to been a helping hand to many students on campus while prodevelop student moting enrollment, retention, leaders that persistence and the success of want to get more students to push them further in their academic career. As involved on a continuation of the EOPS campus.” student advocates, students — Sirreck Brown-Smith like Sirreck Brown-Smith

decided there should be a club on campus to represent the EOPS mission to aid in student success, thus creating the EOPS Club.

Sirreck and other advocates like Jordan Sawyer and Hasuan Warren wanted to be able to be the student voice of the EOPS program, while also being able to “allow people to gain volunteer experience on and off campus,” said club President Brown-Smith.

Brown-Smith and others believed that it would be a good idea to have a club on campus that would allow them to stay organized as well as stay true to their mission. “[We aim] to help develop

student leaders that want to get more involved on campus, as well as build a sense of community within the EOPS program,” said Brown-Smith.

For students like Sawyer, investing himself into something that would not only help him, but also help others in his community and students in the EOPS program seemed like a good use of his free time.

“The EOPS club is an opportunity for me to be apart of something bigger than myself,” said Sawyer.

As for most new clubs that appear on campus, attendance has been a minor setback for the new club.

See CLUB, page 5

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“There’s always gonna be another mountain”

— Miley Cyrus

Little Theater improves access ADA rules applied

By NICK CAMPBELL @TheNCExperience

Tucked away on the third level of Los Medanos College, the Little Theater has hosted numerous plays over the years.

Its walls have seen countless students come through its lair and bore witness to countless talented actors. With plush new seating and a more open layout, the theater has been refreshed and well received.

The Little Theater has a long history and is part of the original college that was constructed in 1974. Grand as the Little Theater may be and despite its rich history, a glaring flaw hounded the Drama department. The theater was not easily accessible to those with disabilities.

The American Disabilities Act, or ADA, was signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The law incorporated elements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Discrimination against disabled people included the more easily recognized ones; vision impairment, hearing impairment and others. But it also covered disabilities that are not so easy to recognize.

Conditions like Autism, Bipolar disorder and Human Immunodeficiency Vir us (HIV). Discrimination was not the only grievance the ADA law addressed. The law also required businesses and employers to provide reasonable accommodation to disabled citizens.

Experience • Marc Lopez

Students rehearse for the upcoming play “Connected” in the newly renovated Little Theater. “Connected” will debut March 21 at 7 p.m.

The upgrades correlate to the theater’s debut, because LMC was constructed prior to this key legislation. Drama Instructor Nick Garcia noticed the lack of accessibility and went to work on fixing the problem.

Garcia reached out to department officials to address the problem. LMC officials were more than willing to assist

Garcia in making the changes.

“ADA access played a big role in our update and I couldn’t have done this without the help of Nancy Ibarra and Kevin Horan,” said Garcia.

Additionally, other departments helped to accomplish the goal of retrofitting the theater. In addition to the ADA improvements, Vice President of Business & Administrative

Services, Alexander Porter describes the other perks to the refresh. He notes the installation of a rocket booth in addition to the new upholstery.

But he also noted the challenges of doing a renovation of any scale.

“There’s always challenges with a building that was built in 1974. Our construction team worked with our contractors

made it difficult for disabled guests to have a comfortable view of the plays.

“People in wheelchairs would be forced to watch the play on the stage itself and that can be uncomfortable,” said Kubick-Boyd.

With the renovations complete, the stage is now set for our most vulnerable guests to enjoy the performance.

‘While We Wait’ for music Kehlani waits for motherhood

By ALEX CAMILLI @_Carnation

For avid music enthusiasts, 2019 is already shaping up to be a productive year for artists of all genres. Evidence of this comes from Oakland native Kehlani Parrish, who has graced us with a mixtape appropriately titled “While We Wait” released Feb. 22.

Hailing from Oakland, CA. Parrish has performed as a solo act after leaving the teen pop band Poplyfe and releasing 3 mixtapes and her critically-acclaimed

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Photo courtesy of Complex

to come up with solutions whenever encountered any issues,” said Porter.

With the updates complete, the theater not only saw its hallway reupholstered, but also new paint sprawled the walls that paired with new seating.

Drama student Greg KubickBoyd recalled the struggles of disabled theater guests. He noted how the old floor plan

debut album “SweetSexySavage.” Some may think her success happened overnight when it has been a long and difficult journey for her, which included a suicide attempt and a time at being homeless.

The hardships she endured are incorporated in her latest album which is a dreamy blend of R&B and alternative pop. Released through Atlantic Records this album is roughly 31 minutes of passionate ballads to complement the turbulent weather.

Starting off the tape is the track “Footsteps” which features Philadelphia R&B perfectionist Music Soulchild. Compared to her sound in previous projects it is comforting to know she’s strayed away from heavily processed pop production and to live guitar chords and organic

percussion.

Track 2 titled “Too Deep” immediately is heard Parrish bringing out more bite and charisma in her vocal performance. The groove has a certain swing that creates just the right amount of space for her to develop vocal harmonies. As for the mix, it only really develops after the chorus makes a couple passes.

“Nunya” a track list that features California rapper Dom Kennedy and Grammy award-winning producer Hit-Boy will probably resonate with some more than others. Parrish’s verse is explicitly triumphant that details her experience getting over a past relationship. The high-end of the pitched vocal sample heard throughout the track can be a bit See WAIT, page 5

Music Department set to mesmerize

By HILLARY HETRICK @hillarymhetrick

The Los Medanos College Music Department will be showcasing talents of its students in many events throughout the semester. For those who enjoy listening to musical talent, there will be plenty of opportunities to attend these events.

First is a spring jazz concer t, which the Music Department is still determining a name for. The event will be Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. General admission is $8, with students and seniors paying only $5. Professor Steve Ernest will be conducting.

Next, the LMC Music Department and Honors Program are hosting “An Evening With Dr. Grant Larson, Saxophonist.” This event will be held Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for all who attend. Professor Luis Zuñiga will be orchestrating the event.

The Spring 2019 Choral/Vocal Master Class Recital will take place Tuesday, April 16 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission will be $5. Professor Silvester will be conducting. This event will be presented by the LMC Music Department’s Choral/Vocal Division.

Professors Luis Zuñiga & Frank Dorritie are also hosting a USO Dance-themed event called “The Big Dance Party” in support of LMC Student Veterans Club and LMC Veterans Resource Center. At the

event there will be a costume and dance competition. This will take place on Thursday, April 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. and it’s free admission.

The event will be presented by the LMC Music Department and LMC Recording Arts Department.

The “25th Silver Anniversary Gospel Celebration Reunion Concert” will be on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m.

Admission is $25 in advance or $27 at the door. Under age four is free. This event will be presented by the LMC Music Department’s Choral/Vocal Division and Professor Henderson will be conducting.

There will be another untitled LMC Concert Band/LMC Orchestra Event. This will take place on Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Admission price to be announced at a later date. This event will be conducted by Professor Zuniga and presented by the LMC Music Department.

Lastly, there will be a second spring jazz concert, which is yet to be named, on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. General admission is $8 and students and seniors are $5.

This will be presented by the LMC Music Department. Conducting will be done by Professor Ernest.

All these events will be held in the Los Medanos College Recital Hall, room 720 of the Recording Arts Building. For more information on these and other events, inquiries can be made by calling the Music Office at (925)473-7805.

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

Daveed Diggs (left) and Rafael Casal (right) in “Blindspotting.”

‘Blindspotting’ to show at Maya

By ALEX CAMILLI @_Carnation

In honor of Black History Month, which will soon pass, the Black Student Union will be hosting a free screening of the independent film “Blindspotting” at Maya Cinemas, an independent theatre located at 4085 Century Blvd in Pittsburg, CA. The event begins with a 5 p.m. check-in Thurs. March 14. Prior to the movie showing, a discussion will

take place courtesy of the Dean of Equity & Inclusion Dr. Sabrina Kwist and Coordinator of Social Justice at Mills College Sasha Brown.

The themes introduced in “Blindspotting” cover sensitive topics such as racism, stereotyping and gentrification in Oakland. There will be a trigger warning before the movie begins due to the stereotypes portrayed.

“It was chosen because of the

relevance currently and the wrongful deaths committed by police officers,” said BSU president T’Keyah Taylor.

“It also shows how society is impacted by hate and ignorance.”

The film portrays acts of police brutality committed against black people seen in the Philando Castile and Stephon Clark cases. Castile was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, See BLIND, page 5

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overwhelming.

However, the raunchy lyrics are overshadowed by the sheer quality of the song “Morning Glory.” Prolific producer, Oak Felder, engineered this track to establish a “feel good” mood. Parrish elaborates on the pleasures of herself together enough to not require validation on her appearance from the opposite sex.

The sixth track “Nights Like This” featuring recording artist Ty Dolla $ign (Tyrone William Griffin Jr.) was one of the pre-releases that teased the tape’s release. Parrish recalls how much it means to her to finally release a song with her longtime friend in an interview

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From page 1 happen on a monthly basis, from 4-5 p.m. in room CC2228. The adviser is chemistry instructor George Perdrizet.

Marchetti says that some goals that are set is to get involved with the Bay Area Science Fair, with the addition of getting to shadow a lot of professionals within the industry. An example Mar-

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American history.

“Talking to young children about black history is important because they should know the suffering people of color went through,” Amaya said.

The children were excited and engaged with the stories of the Black History that Gage and Amaya were telling.

“I really enjoyed when the students expressed to their teacher that they didn’t want to continue with their planned day, because they wanted me to read more to them” said Gage.

Amaya was also both happy with the responses they got back from the children.

“Hearing the excitement from the children when Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists were mentioned made me smile,” said Amaya.

As Black History Month comes to an end, the stories and histor y carr y on. The month which originally used to be only the second week of February, Negro History Week, has impacted the lives of many Americans.

Minnesota July 6, 2016.

On March 18, 2018, Clark was fleeing police before he was shot eight times for pointing what was believed to be a gun at the officers that was later revealed to have been a white iPhone. The shooting took place in Sacramento and created widespread protest across the country.

Oakland has been known as a cultural melting pot, but how it is depicted in the film is not at all far from reality. In a city where gentrification and racial stereotypes are commonplace, the interactions amongst the cast make for a timely narrative.

for Beats 1 with Zane Lowe.

“We’ve like made songs and they’ve just never come out cause it just hasn’t been the time,” said Parrish, “This is just the perfect time for us both to put this record out.”

Sonically, things begin to wind down on the track “RPG” that brings in ambient grand piano chords with triplet hi-hats and unorthodox percussion.

Atlanta singer 6lack’s voice complements the emotional production with a verse detailing bouts with depression.

Another pre-release “Butterflies” brings in a pitched vocal sample that is mixed in better than the one on the song “Nunya.” The track is almost void of drums until

the last forty seconds. Parrish delivers a moving spoken word verse that is reminiscent of Jill Scott’s “Love Rain.”

“Love Language” is the final track and deconstructs resent- From page 3 ment in relationships to a mere However, Brown-Smith is not vernacular. Glass bowls create letting low attendance stop the an interesting melody and when club from prospering. After paired with the orchestral hits recruiting about 70 members during the chorus creates an in the first year of the club’s intimate harmony. The 808 is creation, the club has helped used creatively gliding in time the EOPS program serve over with the tempo of the track.

250 students during its Kickoff Even though it seems like event, donated 28 books the the second half of the project the library and aided in the was more thought out lyrically, building of more connections this mixtape is enough to hold between students and the us over until her album. Until EOPS program. then let the woman welcome As president of the fledgling her daughter expected to be club, Brown is more than happy born in just a couple months. with their accomplishes so far, but he’s ready to do more, like providing an array of volunteer opportunities for students as but gain more experience in well as building a community what they will be doing in the within EOPS that, “values STEM field,” said club mem- giving back to the community, ber Kobina Arkaah. “I have while also developing student faith that with the guidance leaders within the program,” of our club organizers we said Brown. will know more about what For information on how to to expect in the fields that we join the EOPS club contact hope to study.” them at lmc.eops.club@gmail.

The club is still in the com or you can drop in on their process to generate funds to meetings every Friday from accomplish these future goals. 10 to 11 a.m in Room SS4-412.

chetti provided is potentially getting to tour the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and taking a trip to the Byron Airport.

One of the goals of the club is to establish connections and knowledge they can pass on to future members.

“I believe that this club will make it easier for those who want to not only find out more

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is going to make it worse for all of us,” said Rivas.

Rivas claims that more than 20 people in his circle have been adversely affected by the legislation, some of those with stock exhausts.

Jason Dearman, LMC’s Automotive Technology depar tment chair, believes Frazier’s bill is taking a step in the right direction, but still thinks there is too much regulation on vehicle noise.

“I disagree with the regulation in total, but if he’s willing to walk it back, that’s great,” said Dearman.

Dearman, who proclaimed his enjoyment of custom cars, is in favor of having emissions reduction equipment, and even noise limits but wishes for simpler regulations.

“I agree with the exhaust laws all the way to the [post-catalytic conver tor oxygen sensor,] keep the environment clean,” said Dearman. “But ever ything after that, it doesn’t matter, it’s not an emissions problem...

When you take that [freedom to modify] away, you take away people’s ability to build a car the way they want it.”

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brought out from the student perspective so it can be easier to work together with administration to change different policies and different things on campus.”

As is the case with nearly every governing body, student governments are also subject to rules and standards by which they’re expected to govern. And here at LMC, there is no shortage of pages that make up the Los Medanos College Associated Students bylaws.

Arguably, its most powerful and prominent language is displayed up front, where the value and importance of student representation reads loud and clear.

“It is vital that the students of Los Medanos College are provided with the proper representation in every element of campus business,” it states.

“LMCAS positions are held with the intentions of giving the student body a voice and the means in which to use it.”

The bylaws provide the mission and vision under which the LMCAS operates — a mission car ried out every semester through the dedication of countless hours by a small group of passionate students. This small group is, for all intents and purposes, the collective student voice on campus, with the obvious idea being that student needs are best understood by the students themselves.

LMCAS is made up of three tiers – officers, senators, and representatives. The variations in each position are minimal with officers having the most notable and well-defined roles.

Officer positions include president, vice president, treasurer, commissioner of campus events and commissioner of publicity and outreach.

Student government meetings are more formal than an outsider might expect.

sale which come with said devices straight from the factory. These laws put citizens at risk for costly violations at the discretion of law enforcement officials which they may not be able to fix, and have to deal with after the fact.

Some enthusiasts, like LMC student Alex Rivas, believe these laws will leave room for discrimination. Rivas says he understands where the law may be coming from, that it’s meant to lessen nuisances due to noise from cars and motorcycles alike, but he does not see the need for such fines when enthusiasts already spend enough money on their cars.

“I don’t see the point in [making the fine mandatory;] they’re going after a small portion of the population, hoping to get a big effect,” said Rivas. “[You] could have the quietest exhaust on [a] Mustang and still be able to do donuts.”

For Rivas there is no true correlation between having a loud exhaust and those who do stunts with their cars.

“There’s a broad spectrum of automotive enthusiasts and going after one group of us

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Ever y meeting starts with attendance, where Tatmon calls roll. A record of who’s in attendance is important because a certain number of senate members must be present for the meeting to take place. This is called a quorum and it’s a requirement that at least 50 percent of the board be present.

Other formalities exist too, such as amendments and motions and second motions to the first motions. Then more votes and tallies. It’s all very governmental, appropriately so, but formal etiquette and language aside, meetings are the best way for students to address student government with their concerns, issues, needs or ideas. Every weekly meeting is mainly dedicated to the current state of student life at LMC. John Nguyen, staff advisor to LMCAS, sees student government as the most effective channel for students who want to talk about their struggles and successes.

“It’s representation at a relatable level,” said Nguyen. “Student government members are also students, they can relate to the feeling of being a student.”

One of the most notable functions of LMCAS is handling the student budget.

Every semester, every LMC student is responsible for contributing a kind of contribution to the LMC campus. Five dollars from every student goes into a budget controlled by student government. With these funds, LMCAS is able to host events and provide free snacks and drinks. Various clubs on campus can also request funds to pay for activities and supplies for their groups.

The weekly meetings offer a space for lots of topics to be discussed. Topics have ranged from student safety and student engagement on campus, to a proposal to supply feminine hygiene products in campus restrooms. There is action to backup all that

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It has been especially gloomy in the Bay Area, with a massive storm front which hit last Thursday. Pittsburg is expected to have scattered showers into the next week. Temperatures will have an average high of 59 degrees and an average low of 45 degrees next week.

now come with a fine of up to $1000. But according to the SEMA Action Network, a lobbying group supported by the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, fines of that severity are rarely given on the first offense.

Introduced last year by the State Assembly’s Budget Committee, AB 1824 was a direct request from an unknown member of the former Gover nor Jer r y Brown’s administration, according to Nannette Miranda, Communications Director for the Office of Assemblymember Phil Ting, chair of the Budget Committee.

The fourth section of the Assembly Bill only pertains to two existing California Vehicle Codes. Section 27151(a) states that a person cannot modify their exhaust to be louder than the legal limit of 95 dB. The Bill also refers to Section 27150, the other citable code in AB 1824, which says, “no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.”

This law is not just problematic for modified cars enthusiasts. There are currently vehicles available for

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discussion.

“Some issues brought to our attention were the ADA buttons around campus weren’t working and that the water quality was bad in the refillable water stations and those got fixed immediately,” said Nguyen.

In the final meeting of 2018, it was a time for goodbyes as seven senate members announced conflicting spring schedules that wouldn’t allow them to participate this. But, according to Nguyen, high turnover in student government is the norm.

“We see this every semester. Students can’t make the commitment due to class schedules, but I already have three new applications for senator positions,” he said.

It was clear that many outgoing senate members weren’t exactly thrilled to leave their posts, and a few took extra time to express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

Senator Marco Mendez took a special detour to quickly thank, not only his fellow peers, but also reflect on the impact his time in student government has had.

“It’s been such a pleasure working with you guys and I think LMCAS has really helped me to develop as a person, also as a student,” he said. “I’m really thankful for all the people I’ve met. I’m gonna miss you guys.”

Tatmon, who said new openings are new opportunities for other students, reflected on her own experience: “I got to meet a lot of different people and network, so I thought it was very helpful and helped me grow as person.”

Students interested in joining can go online to the LMC website to find information about senate meetings or how to apply. If there is one part of LMCAS the entire board can agree on, it’s increased participation.

“It’s our responsibilities to advertise that and spread the word,” said Tatmon.

A basic understanding of social patterns and injustices is important for an individual to fully appreciate the content.

LMC Student William Cruz gave his opinion on the film to be featured at Maya Cinemas.

“After watching the movie it didn’t really resonate with me on a personal level,” Cruz said, “I can’t give it a specific rating cause I couldn’t really relate to it.”

Students who want to attend can reserve their seats here: https://dbelman.wufoo.com/ forms/rx6sdyo1ebu9e1/. Any seats that remain unclaimed will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

From page 1 being filled by people with long histories in the college district.

“Gail Newman who has been here for about twenty years… [and] is serving in an interim capacity [as Vice President of Student Services],” said Kratochvil.

Sally Montemayor Lenz is filling in for Vice President of Instruction.

Having the two, Kratochvil hopes, will create some consistency while they look for people to fill the three Vice President positions.

Recruitment for Vice President of Student Services will end March 4 and the process

will continue with about a month of committee review, paper screening, and finally there will be an open forum for the candidate to address the college.

As for the other two VP positions, administration is still determining which they will seek to fill first. There are a few moving pieces in the administration right now, but the president is aiming for stability in the interim.

“It has been a challenging and exciting two years at Los Medanos College,” said Porter.

“I feel the college is poised to achieve even greater things than they already have.”

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“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

— Babe Ruth

Baseball takes 5-3 victory

Improves to .500

By MARC LOPEZ @KaptainMarc

Never take any opportunity for granted. One of these days, your number will be called and it will be up to you to seize the moment. Los Medanos College’s own Taylor Maldonado did just that.

Maldonado star ted and played tremendously in his first official game of the 2019 season in the 5-3 victory against Diablo Valley College. Maldonado played like an absolute madman. Maldonado had three out of the four hits for LMC, three out of the five runs batted in for Los Medanos and to top it all off, his runs batted in were all home runs. Both home runs, solo home run and two-run home run, were hit to left field.

“I came into the game looking for the approach to hit the ball hard anywhere and everywhere,” said Maldonado on his performance. “I’ve been working so hard in batting practice to tr y and get my swing where I want it and it showed today.”

While Maldonado put in the work on offense, Josh Penrod recollected himself following a rocky start to the game.

Penrod pitched for five innings, allowed seven hits, three runs, a home run and

four walks. Penrod struggled in the second inning allowing two runs and two hits but the following two innings he pitched were lights out. His final inning , Penrod gave up a home run but managed to finish the rest of that inning.

“He had to battle through a little bit of a feel for his pitches,” said head coach Anthony D’Albora. “I don’t think his command was as good as he wanted early in the game and it’s easy on days like that to let it snowball on you and fight through it in anger and fight yourself.”

Penrod was replaced by Cole Christiansen, who was the game’s winning pitcher.

Christiansen pitched for four innings, allowed only two hits and two walks.

“As the game went, I think we loosened up a little bit,” said head coach D’Albora. “I think Cole on the mound was a big part of that. He came into the game and loose, he threw strikes and was confident.”

The Stangs later came back to tie the game by the sixith, scoring on errors and a fielder’s choice. They took the lead in the seventh inning with Maldonado’s two-run home run.

LMC’s season opener will be against Contra Costa College Experience • Jacob Mejia on March 5, 2019.

Josh Penrod went five innings deep, allowing two unearned runs for LMC during its win over DVC.

Mustangs finish season with a win

Young team ends conference with 2-8 record

By RAAZHEL WATKINS @raazhelwatkins

Experience • Kelly Williams

Olivia Sanabria sets up the play.

The Los Medanos College women’s basketball team hosted Contra Costa College on their Sophomore Night and last game of the season on Feb. 2.

Seuvahnia Kuka and Olivia Sanabria were the only two sophomores to be announced in the pregame sophomore introductions, in the game that ended with a final score of 80-77.

To start the game CCC won the

opening tip ball but the Mustangs forced a Comet turnover and capitalize by scoring a layup to open up the game.

The start of the game went back and forth at a fast pace and it was a fast break almost every play. The first quarter ended with the Mustangs trailing 16-25.

The Mustangs struggled to get enough stops in the second quarter and continued to trail. Seuvahnia Kuka hits a half court buzzer beating shot to spark a run and to end the first half.

Going into the second half, the Mustangs continued to trail but slowly gained momentum and started to close the gap. Kuka and fellow guard Bria Greenhouse pushed the tempo of the game and led the momentum shift in

Next challenge, playoffs

The Los Medanos College men’s basketball team fell to intra-district rival Contra Costa College 89-79 in its final Bay Valley Conference game of the season. Los Medanos finished BVC play with an 11-5 record.

Despite the loss, the Mustangs still qualified for the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs. They will make the three and a half hour trip to play the College of Sequoias on Friday, March 1.

Left, Raazhel Watkins attempts to get past a CCC player.

Experience • Kelly Williams

favor of Los Medanos bringing the score to 53- 55 with the Mustangs still trailing.

The pull out the win over the Comets to conclude their season with the final score of 80-77. The Mustangs were led by Greenhouse who had a game high of 29 points and Kuka who had 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The Mustangs finished up the year with a 6-16 record and despite the record, head coach Richard Villegas says, “We could have ver y easily been in second place. We were very competitive and we were in every ball game.” Head coach Richard Villegas Experience • Kelly Williams talked about how proud he is of his team saying, “These young ladies Marahya Guinto forces her way through. worked hard and never gave up.”

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