Vol. 88 No. 5 - March 9, 2018

LMC’s club exhibition

Lindgren’s life story

Baseball strikes out

Campus clubs came out Tuesday, March 6 to showcase what their clubs have to offer to students — page 3

DSPS Counselor Haydee Lindgren shares her story about her path to LMC — page 4

The LMC baseball team struggled in the game against College of Marin Tuesday, March 6 — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates March is Women’s History Month March 26-31

Spring Recess

April 27

Last day with withdrawl from a full-term class

May 19-25

Final Exams

Food Drive makes way Los Medanos College Student Life is hosting the MLK/César Chávez Food Drive event in support of the LMC Food Pantry. through Friday, March 23. Students, faculty and staff can drop off canned goods or non-perishable items at the Office of Student Life or the Food Pantry. For more questions regarding the food drive, contact Student Life at studentlife@losmedanos.edu

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LMC offers new degrees PoliSci to fulfill interest in gov’t

LGBTQ for social justice curriculum

By ROBERT PIERCE

By KIMBERLY STELLY

rpierce@lmcexperience.com

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Los Medanos College will be offering a Political Science Associate of Arts for Transfer degree for the first time. Professors Ryan Hiscocks and Milton Clarke have collaborated with several members of the LMC faculty and staff including Dean Nancy Ybarra, Social Science Department Chair Dr. Shalini Lugani, Professors Edward Haven and Joshua Bearden and Eileen Valenzuela among others.

While LMC has offered individual political science classes in the past, this will be the first time the campus has offered the subject as a major — previously, most political science majors either took the major’s required classes as Diablo Valley College or majored in a similar subject such as Administrative Justice.

See POLISCI, page 6

Los Medanos College has added a new LGBTQ Studies for Transfer Degree to its roster of majors.

The decision was made official just a few weeks ago according to English and LGBT Studies Professor Jeffrey Mitchell Matthews, but the degree was the “Now we’re “I’m hoping result of a longer process. at the same that student “The process began three years ago. I created the point where activism will LGBT Studies course and thought, ‘why not do a the same thing degree?’” said Mitchell Matthews. rise a lot is happening throughout The core courses required to receive a degree in with gender the campus LGBTQ Studies include Introduction to Social Justice Studies, Introduction to LGBTQ Studies and Introducand LGBT and the tion to Gender Studies. studies.” community.”

“Next fall is when the intro to social justice course ­­— Ryan ­­— Jeff Mitchell begins. It’s the key course everyone has to take,”

Hiscocks

Matthews

See LGBTQ page 6

Can you feel the love?

Pi Day at Los Medanos The LMC Math department will be handing out free slices of pie in recognition of Pi Day at 1:59 p.m. in the lobby of the math building Wednesday, March 14. The date and time was chosen because the mathmatical constant of pi is 3.14159. Students, faculty and staff and invited to grab a slice and can drop off pie donations in the Math building Room MA-141 before noon the day of.

Experience • Brenna Enos

Widowed mother Margery (Ariel Dunn) and church group troublemaker Timmy (Teryn Macallan) in a heated display during rehearsals for “Hand to God.” The play opens March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater and will run March 9,10,12, 15,16,17,19 at 7 p.m., with a matinee March 14 at 10 a.m. Tickets: $15 general admission, $12 with LMC/military ID, $10 with middle/high school ID, $7 matinee.

Experience • Adria Watson

Student Ambassador Alexander Chavez.

LMC recruits ambassadors Los Medanos College is now hiring Student Ambassadors to work at high schools. Students can gain leadership and networking skills, learn about LMC programs and support services, have a $10 an hour pay and more. If interested, students can pick up an application at the Welcome Desk.

Town hall talks net nutrality

Political officials weigh in

By A.R. BROOM

abroom@lmcexperience.com

The Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal net neutrality last December, yet some are opposing the vote. California’s 9th District Representative Jerry McNerney met with his constituents and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, in a town hall forum at the Antioch Community Center Sunday, March 4.

Clyburn, who cast one of the two votes to keep net neutrality, answered questions on what the effects of the vote may be if the deregulation goes into effect in April.

Net neutrality — the idea principle that Internet service providers should not only enable access to all content and

applications regardless of the source.

The main concern proponents of net neutrality have is that if deregulated, it may give Internet service providers Experience • A.R. Broom too much power.

“It really puts it Jerry McNerney and Mignon Clyburn (seated) all into the Internet during the net nutrality town hall forum March 4. service provider’s hands to where they could make the act and abide by the rules as the FCC choice of making the Internet harder interprets them. However, if deregulation or easier to get,” said Los Medanos goes into effect, the governing body will be split between the FCC and the College student Alex Haas.

In the past, Clyburn said the FCC Federal Trade Commission.

Commissioner Clyburn said there are could issue a fine or other type of citation and order Internet service providers to See NET, page 6

Nursing takes on Wheels

By D’ANGELO JACKSON djackson@lmcexperience.com

As of this month, the LMC Nursing Department will be in partnership with Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa.

The LMC nursing department will contribute by way of donating money and volunteer drivers who will work along local routes to deliver food to Meals on Wheels participants.

Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa is a California non-profit charity organization. It was founded in 1990 and is part of Meals on Wheels, a nationwide program that is designed with the purpose of providing food

See MEALS, page 6

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Perspectives

FRIDAY,

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The Future of America

Perry Continente

What do you mean breaking news?

School shootings happen every week!

JUST THE WORST

Gun argument is a weak one A received letter to the editor by Mr. Dale Satre alleged that the idea that we have to ‘do something’ about gun violence is misguided and that high school students should not drive the debate on gun control.

The idea that these students shouldn’t be driving policy is confusing; these students are the survivors of a horrific attack that is symptomatic of our archaic and ineffective gun laws. They should be heard as they have unique, firsthand experience on the issue. Beyond that, their comments on the issue have been composed, well reasoned and delivered with a degree of grace that is shocking given the recent trauma they have endured. Students like Emma Gonzalez have given riveting, well-crafted speeches that have reinvigorated discussions about guns by giving a voice to the victims. Even if, as Satre says, young people shouldn’t be driving the discussion, the fact that they are disproportionality the targets of such shootings should be a concern.

Even discounting the student’s ability to affect democracy indirectly, many of them already are of voting age. Gonzalez, along with many of her contemporaries, are already adults. Even those that are not able to vote yet will be. These people are our future .

Satre goes on to suggest that restricting assault weapons will “punish legal gun owners even more than they currently are,” to which I say, how are they being punished right now? Gun owners have the NRA, whose lobbying is so far-reaching and has such political power that any gun control legislation at all is almost guaranteed to be choked out no matter how reasonable it is. Characterizing gun owners as victims is outlandish.

The idea of raising the age of ownership is questioned by Satre, who suggests that raising gun ownership age is like raising the age to own a smartphone or the voting age, even bringing up that car accidents kill more than guns. He ignores that while cars kill more people a year and smart phones might cause distractions, they are necessary in the modern day. 24-hour accessibility is expected by many employers and vehicles are required for most people, but very few need a gun every day. Guns serve little to no utility in the modern day beyond sportsmanship and hunting.

Satre suggests that there is little correlation between violence and gun control, ignoring responses to gun violence by countries like Australia. Australia’s response after a mass shooting was to pass dramatic gun legislation; as a result Australia’s gun violence rate is .16 murders per 100,000 while the U.S. gun violence rate is 3.5 per 100,000. Implementing gun control resulted in dramatically reduced gun violence. Reports that Australia had increased violence rates post gun control have been described by Snopes as “false.”

A suggestion made by Satre that those who commit these crimes ‘slip through the cracks’ and that before we implement new laws we should enforce the ones we already have. This argument ceases to hold water when one realizes that the majority of recent mass shooters had legally obtained weapons.

Satre makes the argument that gun legislation is a “slippery slope” that will cause government expansion and an erosion of rights. This is insulting to everyone involved in this debate. The idea of a slippery slope is not meant to promote conversation; rather it ends dialogue without providing evidence. It would be just as valid to say that rolling back regulations would lead to an anarchistic society. The truth is that other countries have implemented legislation to dramatically curb gun violence by refusing to even consider this, we are cultivating a culture where violence is not only perpetual, but systems that support it are unassailable.

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Experience • Alfonso Camus

Editorial

Sexual affair is irrelevant

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n the most recent chapter of the Stormy Daniels-Trump scandal, Daniels filed a lawsuit against President Trump claiming that his lawyer coerced the former adult film star into signing a statement denying a sexual encounter between the two in 2006, which was then given to the Wall Street Journal.

If Daniels’ claims in the lawsuit turns out to be true, it will be undoubtedly interesting for the tabloids and completely irrelevant to politics or the Trump presidency. Why major publications such as the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times are taking on the story is a bit of a head scratcher. As much as the left bemoans President Clinton’s sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky being used as political fodder, why should they be harping on Trump’s now?

Both were consensual and both have little to no effect on the President’s capability in office.

Whatever your opinions about either man, neither deserve to have their consensual infidelity to be politically wielded against them. What a president does within the privacy of their own bedroom is irrelevant to the public as such acts have nothing to do with their fitness nor their policy positions.

It’s one thing to bring to light horrendous sexual assault accusations, which both presidnts have had made against them, but it’s another to attack a person’s sexual history. In a moment so centralized on sexual assault, wouldn’t it be more relevant to discuss the 13 sexual assault accusations made against Trump dating back to the early 90’s? Sexual assault is newsworthy.

Consensual sex is not. Leave the gossip and the slut-shaming to the tabloids.

School adds stress and success “Some people get an education without going to college. The rest get it after they get out.” Mark Twain.

As I stood outside of my first college-level math course, my hands were shaky, and my eyes welled up with tears. I simply couldn’t open the door. How many of us have found ourselves frozen in that kind of a moment?

We all have our reasons for attending college.

For some people it is for higher learning; for others, it is to pursue a passion. Some go to college to find their path in the world, others just to find themselves; family pressure and cultural beliefs may be what propels us to college, and some go to conquer a personal demon or to finish a quest from long ago.

Personally, I fall somewhere in between those last two categories.

I started community college immediately following my high school graduation 20 years ago. Life succeeded at derailing me as a young adult trying to maintain a healthy college/ work/life balance. Ultimately, due to family obligations, I was forced to choose work over school but the intent to return was always there.

As you can probably predict, I did not return to school right away because life is funny that way, continually heaping more onto your plate, never taking it away or lessening the load. It took me 16 years to return to college and it was only possible thanks to my incredibly supportive husband.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 25 percent of undergraduate students are over the age of thirty. Personally, though, I felt like I was on an island being in that age group. I knew people in my life that returned to college later in life, yet I was more afraid than ever. I was going to be one of the oldest students in these classes and I also hadn’t been in a traditional classroom in over fifteen years. I had no idea what it meant to be a student anymore.

I started with online classes, which helped me get my bearings, and while the online classes

Voices

Valerie Watts GUEST COLUMNIST

taught me responsibility, time management, and accountability, I was essentially a faceless name. Anonymity, for this introvert, made it easy to excel.

As students, we may not be aware of all the resources we have here at Los Medanos. I have yet to find a teacher who wasn’t willing to give a few extra minutes after class or to quickly respond to inquiries. There are math centers and free tutoring sessions that can help when the subject matter is beyond us, we have drop-in computer labs, and so much more. I’ll admit that I haven’t taken as much advantage of these programs as I should, but those that I have used have been incredibly helpful.

Another issue that we face as college students is “what next?” What will you do after your time at Los Medanos comes to an end?

Luckily, as Los Medanos students, we have resources such as transfer and career services.

We can schedule an appointment with a career counselor or attend a job fair on campus.

I am a 37-year old college student who will graduate soon and I still have absolutely no idea what I want to do. Before I applied to Los Medanos, this kind of uncertainty would have evoked a new set of fears, but instead, I am looking forward to my blank slate.

Looking back at the fear I had outside of that math class, it’s hard to believe how far I’ve come. Eventually, I walked through that door and conquered an old foe. It wasn’t an easy task but a doable one. Anyone can do it; open that door, make that phone call, fill out that application. You owe yourself the effort.

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D’Angelo Jackson D’ANGE-LOWKEY

Gatekeeping should be gone There’s an old song by legendary punk band NOFX called “It’s My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite,” a snide remark at the gatekeeping from within the sphere of punk rock and the lengths they have gone to make their local scenes inhospitable places for newcomers.

Gatekeeping refers to when people take it upon themselves to decide who gets to be part of a particular community or identity.

It’s something that comes from within every niche, particularly any medium within the realm of art, be it film, music, animation or painting.

I’m no punker myself but I’d be remiss not to say there is an observable amount of that same forbidding behavior in other circles.

People shouldn’t be down on each other like this, trying to police another’s identity in an artistic community for not always “being in the know” or not “getting it.”

I’ll even admit I was a bit of a gatekeeper back in high school during a period of my life I’d describe as a “movie phase” where I thought I was the leading authority on everything there was to know about film.

I was stuck-up, and even at times parsed a person’s significance to me by how much they also knew about film.

That behavior ended up turning people away from the things I liked, and those who remained were about as insufferable as I was during this time.

I wasn’t exactly a very popular person and ended up having this major chip on my shoulder about it.

Since moving on, though, I still recognize several of the same traits I had back then in people from differing social circles, both online and in real life--of people on their high horses about whichever topic they are interested in and pushing people away because of it.

When I started college I was relieved that some like me had either matured or gone away.

But unfortunately college actually opened the door for other people to develop gatekeeping-like habits.

In a way this is worse because by the time most people reach college many of them are now at the age and in an environment where they can comfortably navigate the subcultures and scenes that are centered on their interests.

What eventually comes out from this is a base-broken scene that’s split between the more passive contributors of the community and the extreme and opinionated gatekeepers who have turned the community toxic.

It’s disheartening that a lot of gatekeepers do have a genuine desire to have others like the things they like as well and to even be understood by others.

But there is a certain passion about gatekeepers that can almost be admired in a way, being caught up in one’s own feelings on a subject to defend it so severely.

This behavior is damaging to artists where the attitudes of members of a community can potentially taint the image of certain artists in the eyes of a general audience from outside of the community, ruining the opportunity for expansion for the artists and even tarnishing their reputations.

In fact, gatekeeping is something that is also common among artists themselves.

In several artistic communities there is an abundance of in-fighting on the topics of what can be done to make art, what is or isn’t considered art, or even what are the qualifications one needs to have to be considered an artist.

It’s a frustrating world to step foot in and it’s easy to understand why when one’s legitimacy is always being tested or scrutinized. Let’s be open-minded about people’s preferences.

Experience B

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

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Rosa Parks because she stood up for what she believed.”

— Tessa Martino

“Rosa Parks because she helped all of the women get together for the culture.”

— Erick Estrada

“Margaret Thatcher, the first female British Prime Minister.

Getting into any major political leadership role is hard.”

— Hayden Pirtle

“Mothers. The mothers of America are the ones who give birth to the children of the future.”

— Anthony Amora

“Cardi B. Our generation has been dealing with a lot of cookie artists and she’s the prime example of starting from the bottom up.”

— Alexus Simmons

— Quentin R. Bufogle

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Who do you think is the most influential woman of all time?

C

“Remember: Guns don’t kill! — The dimwits who insist everyone should have the right to own ’em do!”

“Michelle Obama after she left the White House” — Jordynn Castleberry

“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 ........................ADRIA WATSON Copy Chief..............................LILLY MONTERO Perspectives Editor..................JORDAN NEEL Campus Editor ..............PERRY CONTINENTE Features Editor ........................BRENNA ENOS Sports Editors ........................JESUS CANO & HUGO CALDERON Social Media Editor ............. ROBERT PIERCE Photo Editors .............................CHRIS RUIZ & A.R. BROOM Web Editor ........................ KIMBERLY STELLY 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 Walkout planned Wednesday

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FRIDAY,

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“Why is it that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?”

— Malala Yousafzai

Students go clubbing

Los Medanos College Associated Students are organizing a walkout Wednesday, March 14 in coordination with the National School Walkout. The event will take place in the Outdoor Quad from 10 to 10:17 a.m. in honor of the 17 people who lost their lives to gun violence at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida Feb. 14.

S.A.C.H.E. club looks to help

The Students with Abilities Coordinate to Help Each-other or S.A.C.H.E. club is looking for students who are either already a part of Disabled Students Programs & Services or have an intererst in helping to spread the voices of students with disabilities to join their service-based club.

All students, staff and faculty are welcome to join, and you can email the club’s administrators at sache.club@gmail. com for meeting dates and times. For more information, visit their website at www.lmcsache.weebly.com.

Collegebuys.org offers deals

Los Medanos College students, faculty and staff can visit CollegeBuys.org for information on a host of exclusive deals on popular software programs such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, as well as discounted hardware from phone cases and charges to full laptops at up to 50 percent off. Visit the website today for more information. Collegebuys.org is sponsored by the Foundation of Califonia Community Colleges.

Botany classes offered

Several botany focused classes are being offered by the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanical Gardens. These classes include a workshop on how to tend to a native garden, seed propagation of native plats and even a five day trek through Joshua Tree National Park.

For more information visit www.nativeplants.org and check under the classes, field trips and workshops tab.

Those interested can also contact Linda Blide at bgardenreg@gmail.com.

CTE drop-in counseling

The Career Technical Education Program will be offering drop-in counseling for all of their program subjects. The table for dates, times and locations is as follows: n Wednesday, March 21: Child Development Center, CS1-110, 12:30-2 p.m. n Tuesday, April 10: CC2-255-ETEC Lecture area, 11 a.m.-12 .p.m. n Thursday, April 19: CC3-505-Appliance Service area, 4:30-6 p.m.

Appointments are also available. For more information, visit the fourth floor of the Student Services building or call (925) 473-7449.

Start Smart fights pay gap

Start Smart invites students to a free workshop designed to provide women with knowledge about the wage gap, salary benefits, and an opportunity to develop confidence and skills needed to negotioate fair compensation. The event is presented by LMC Transfer & Career services in partnership with the American Association of American Women.

The program asks students to join the ranks of some of the most powerful women in the country demanding equal pay and career opportunities.

The workshop will take palce in Library L-214 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is now open at tinyurl.com/fightpaygap.

Awesome Sign Legends

Assist students of sign language practice and help educate the public about deaf culture and American Sign Language with Awesome Sign Legends club.

Club meetings are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Room CC2-213.

For more information please contract Taydi bush at tbodley551@insite.4cd.edu or Yessenia Marquez at ymarquez941@insite.4cd.edu.

Senior Saturday hires students

LMC is looking for student leaders for Senior Saturday who would represent LMC, network and gain skills. the main events are April 21 and 28 and pay $11 an hour.

Trainings for the event take place March 9, 16, 23 as well as April 6 and 13.

Students can get an application at the welcome desk in Student Services SS3-320 or call (925) 473-7433 for more info.

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 Adria Watson at awatson@lmcexperience.com.

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

No items will be printed without the name and phone number of a person the staff can contact to verify information. Publication can never be guaranteed.

Experience • Adria Watson

Ricardo Black takes a selfie with “La Raza Unida” at the Club Day event. The club works to celebrate and bring attention to Hispanic culture. La Raza was selling tostadas as a fundraising effort.

Campus organizations hold exhibitions Americans for Freedom: a conservative club that will be beginning their first meetings The second and final Club this semester. Chairperson Day of the semester gave 21 Jessica Anderson describes the Los Medanos College clubs one club as “A place for students last opportunity for recruitment with like-minded ideas about and fundraising last Tuesday. topics such as free speech and With plenty of food and snacks current politics.” Though the to sell, clubs had another day club intends to discuss condevoted to attracting interest servatism, all are welcome to in their group. join. They meet Wednesdays Clubs that celebrate heriin Music-710 at 3:30. tage like La Raza Unida, is for While many clubs are poanyone who wants to become litically minded, some clubs educated on Latinx culture. On are about having fun. Take club day, they sold refreshments such as tostadas and Experience • Adria Watson Anime Club, a club devoted to horchata. “Raza club is about Art Club President Marisa Bebeau demonstrates her Japanese animation and culture.

“We start every meeting with Latino culture, but you don’t talent at Club Day. Art Club is a gathering of artists a Japanese word of the day have to be Latino to join.” said across all mediums and diciplines to support and and a weird Japanese fact of Raza club member William Ta. collaborate with each other to improve their craft. the day, to do something fun “In meetings we talk about stuff for the club.” said Anime club like unity, leadership and community outreach.” Raza Club participates Fundraising Director Victoria Alexander president Bruno Snarr. Their meetings in community service, fundraisers, and explained, “Allies is about increasing are Tuesdays in CC-221 and Wednesdays events honoring Latino culture. Their awareness and respect for the LGBT CC-222 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Some clubs are devoted to perfecting meetings are held in CC-103 on Mondays community.” They do this through events from 3 to 4 p.m. such as the Queer Comedy Showcase or a craft, such as the Art Club. This club Not all clubs had food for sale. Some the Matthew Shepard fundraiser. They encourages all kinds of art from all kinds had crafts such as Allies club. Pins with meet Thursdays at 3 p.m. over Facebook of artists, holding a weekly showcase over various orientations and gender identities Live. More information can be found at PowerPoint to display what they’ve been were sold for donations of the buyer’s LGBTQ@losmedanos.edu or on their working on. “Most of our meetings are really just studio time for people to work choosing, and a vocabular y list was Facebook page LMC Allies. displayed for those who were interestIn addition to returning clubs, new on their art,” Art Club President Marisa ed in learning the terminology. Allies’ clubs are often formed, such as the Young See CLUB, page 6

By VERONICA ZESATI

vzesati@lmcexperience.com

LMC gets its London calling

By ALEX CAMILLI

acamilli@lmcexperience.com

Los Medanos College students will have an opportunity to earn college credits in the London in the fall. The Northern California Study Abroad Consortium has partnered with the American Institute of Foreign Study for 30 years to enable students to explore other cultures while continuing their academic studies.

Students usually enroll in four classes to give them plenty of time to learn about the British culture through firsthand experiences. Students can enroll in classes offered by the Contra Costa Community College, San Mateo County Community College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Los Rios Community College District — all participants in the consortium.

Although science and math classes are not offered, the

options available are diverse and include a “Magic, Witchcraft and Religion” course for people interested.

Everyone is required to take the “British Life and Culture” class plus three others, which consists of transferable general education classes like English, anthropology, business and history. The Study Abroad Program’s English Instructor Lisa Orta said, “We structure it that way so you can actually participate and pay the contra costa tuition rate which makes the study abroad program a lot more affordable.”

“You want to sit down with your counselor and revise your ed. plan.” Orta said. This should not be difficult because all the classes are transfer level and students may only have to change their predetermined courses for summer of 2018 and spring of 2019.

Students will depart from

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus.

If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level 1.

Inquiries must be made in person or no pick-up will be allowed to be made. A brief description of the missing items will be expected by people wanting to pick them up.

enrollment deposit, balance of fees and damage deposit.

Students will have to bring additional funds for food, airfare, and optional trips.

Financial aid and scholarship oppor tunities are available to cover the cost. It is crucial that students speak with their counselor as soon as possible to acquire any additional benefits.

According to research by the International Institute See STUDY, page 6

By D’ANGELO JACKSON djackson@lmcexperience.com

What’s lost may be found

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

San Francisco Thursday, Sept. 6 and arrive in London Friday, Sept. 7. There will be a mid-semester break from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26. Students return from London Friday, Dec. 7. The shared homestay entails that students stay with an English family that has housed students studying abroad in the past.

Shared homestay will cost $8,595 per person and the shared apartment will cost $9,995, which includes the

Blood drive returns

What’s lost may yet be found

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One. Inquiries must be made in person.

Photo courtesy of The Study Abroad Office at Diablo Valley College

The London Bridge is one of the many iconic sights that students who take the study abroad program will see when they travel to London in the fall.

Experience Archive • Xavier Valle

LMCAS adviser John Nguyen donates blood at last year’s Caesar Chavez blood drive. The blood drive is a frequent feature at LMC.

Los Medanos will host a blood drive this month for the Blood Centers of Pacific to provide students and staff the opportunity to donate blood.

It will be held on Tuesday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a bloodmobile outside of the library. Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time online but they are also open to drop-ins. The bloodmobile will also be available to off-campus visitors but they will need to pay for a parking fee.

The Office of Student Life under the leadership of Student Life Coordinator John Nguyen organized the event.

“It’s an opportunity for us to educate folks about how donating blood really does save lives,” said Nguyen, “and we wanted the community to be involved as well, which is why See BLOOD, page 6

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Features Marquee

Play in LMC Little Theater

A comedic play about love, grief, and an evil hand puppet that comes to life, Hand to God will be opening at the Little Theater at Los Medanos College March 8 and will run 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $15 for general admission, $12 for students or military with ID and $12 with a middle school or high school ID. A matinee showing will also be available March 14 at 10 a.m and tickets will be $7.

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Obstacles lead her to career path

“Maybe subconsciously I feel I was meant to work hard for a living.”

— Eartha Kitt

Counselor for Los Medanos College’s Disabled Student Programs and Services, Haydee Lindgreen has worked a variety of different jobs in helping students with disabilities.

Lindgren offers counsel

By VERONICA ZESATI

vzesati@lmcexperience.com

Experience • A.R. Broom

LMC Art Professor Judi Petitte and her assistant hang up a painting for the Art Guild of the Delta show on display in the LMC Art Gallery.

Art Guild of the Delta

Running now through April 6, the Art Guild of the Delta will be showcasing their work at the Los Medanos Art Gallery. This gallery will be available to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

El Campanil Theatre events

n On Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. magician Nick Fedoroff will be providing entertainment with a magic show that involves illusions with a side of humor. Tickets will be $20 for adults and $10 for youth under 18 years if age. n America’s Got Talent finalist Brenden and James will be coming to the El Campanil theatre Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m. This show will include a variety of covers from famous artists such as The Beatles and even broadway hits such as songs from Phantom of The Opera. Tickets to see this duo will be $29 for adults, $27 for seniors 62 and over and $12 for youth under the age of 18.

For more information on future events, please visit elcampaniltheatre.com

Diablo Valley College shows

n A tale of unrequited love by playwright William Shakespeare, the play Twelfth Night will be performed at Diablo Valley College March 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and March 11 and 18 at 2:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $21, student tickets with ID are $11, Senior tickets with ID are $16 and faculty and staff member tickets are $16. n Godspell 2012, a musical based on the story of Jesus’ life, will be playing at DVC May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and May 13 and 20 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets to see this broadway adapted musical will be $21 for adults, $11 for students with ID, $6 for seniors with ID, and $16 for faculty and staff members.

For more information on future shows, please visit dvddrama.net

As a counselor for Los Medanos College’s Disabled Student Programs and Services, Haydee Lindgren helps students walk the straight and narrow path of academics.

You’d never be able to tell that, as a child, she said she was considered one of the “naughty” kids.

As early as elementar y school, Lindgren was told she was “stupid” for not being able to pay attention in class, for talking instead of working, and for being too hyperactive.

Symptoms of her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder flew under the radar, dismissed as simply childish misbehavior.

Her parents, who were immigrants from the Philippines, had little understanding of learning disabilities. In addition, they had a low-functioning autistic son who needed supervision at all times which left them with little time to spare for Lindgren between work and keeping the family together.

As the oldest child and only daughter, Lindgren felt responsible for her brother, and to help protect him from her parent’s tumultuous relationship.

This situation would lead

to her future interest in social work, wanting to rescue kids who had witnessed similar domestic turmoil. Yet, growing up, she had no idea of what her future held.

“I was first generation, I didn’t know anything about college. It wasn’t even something I thought of as part of my future,” she said. “I was focused on sur viving, just getting through to adulthood, just managing to live in my family.”

With no specific plans of her own, she followed her high school friends to Diablo Valley College. She worked hard and tried her best to study and succeed in classes, yet found herself failing most of them. She was placed on academic dismissal after being on academic probation for two semesters in a row and had to see a counselor.

“I remember crying with this counselor saying, ‘I’m too stupid, I don’t belong here’ and the counselor said, ‘Have you ever thought that maybe you just learn differently?’”

At first Lindgren was insulted, thinking this was just another person in her life telling

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

her she was stupid. However, after more explanation, the counselor convinced her to take a learning disability test and she was finally diagnosed with ADHD. She received necessary accommodations in her classes and that helped her get back on track with her academics.

After three years there, Lindgren transferred to California State University Fullerton, where she also received

accommodations to help her succeed. She completed her undergraduate studies, majoring in sociology.

“I knew I wanted to work with people,” she said. “I wanted to do some sort of helping profession, whether it related to my brother’s disability, or domestic violence.”

Unable to find a job after graduating, she left Fullerton to move back to the East Bay

By PERRY CONTINENTE

Brentwood crawl includes 311 Oak Street, a dive bar specializing in inexpensive drinks, Crown and Crow, a cocktail bar with one of the best whisky selections in Contra Costa County, and Manheim, a tap house with 48 beers on tap.

This event is characterized by its intensity, a huge quantity of people flood the streets with long wait times and huge amounts of people. This crawl is a great option for people who want to have a wild night.

Slightly more relaxed but still quite lively is the Streets of Brentwood Crawl which features the bars in restaurants like CreAsian Bistro, Attraversiamo, and the wine and beer bar Vine and Grain.

Vine and Grain is a wonderful option for those who want a

A taste of Irish heritage St. Patrick’s day beer, wine and celebrations

Movies just released n “A Wrinkle in Time” Rated PG Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi n “Game Night” Rated: R Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy n “Red Sparrow” Rated: R Genre: Suspense, Thriller n “Death Wish” Rated: R Grenre: Action, Adventure n “Annihilation” Rated: R Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Suspense

Experience photo

by Adria Watson

Staff Writer

St. Patrick’s day is almost here and the Pittsburg and Brentwood area has a great variety of places to safely celebrate. Everything from quiet bars full of classic cocktails to rowdy pub-crawls.

St. Patricks day, while fun, can also be dangerous with many drunk drivers taking to the road despite the danger caused to themselves and others. People who chose to partake should take steps to stay safe, whether that’s a designated driver or taking a taxi safety is of the utmost concern this March 17.

If you are looking for a more high-energy evening, the typically packed pub crawls in both downtown Brentwood and the Streets of Brentwood are your best bet. The downtown

REVIEW Above: Bar area at Crown and Crow in downtown Brentwood.

Right: Outdoor lounge area at a wine and beer bar, Vine and Grain at The Streets of Brentwood.

Experience • Perry Continente

See DSPS, page 6

See PUBS, page 6

The ‘Masters’ to recite music

By BRENNA ENOS

benos@lmcexperience.com

An educational evening filled with a variety of different selections will be available to students Tuesday, March 20 with the Spring 2018 Master Class Recital. Held in the Los Medanos College Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m., this recital will feature the guest clinician Professor Burr Cochran Phillips.

A professor of Voice and Opera at University of the Pacific-Conservatory of Music, Phillips has had a big taste of both performing and teaching music such as playing with the Dallas Symphony, Sacramento Opera and teaching music at the Big Bear Lake Festival of Song.

Joining Phillips during the recital will be LMC Associate Professor of Voice and Opera Ivanna Taratula-Filipenko, who is an Operatic Mezzo Soprano and will be performing along with some LMC vocal students from Music 65 & Music 67— a private lessons music course.

Presenting the Master Class Recital alongside the LMC Division of Vocal and Choral, LMC Professor Silvester Henderson absolutely believes that this evening, while entertaining, is also beneficial to music students who attend because it “is also an incentive [to] transfer.”

Students will be able to learn from professional musicians who have furthered their education and they will also have the opportunity to see what it is like to be a professional musician.

“Bringing faculty and artists from other colleges enhance the music experience of our students because they get another perspective on what to expect in the real world,” said LMC Music Professor Luis Zuniga.

For those who are not music majors, this recital still provides entertainment regardless as the evening will be filled with a variety of different music genres ranging from classical, musical theatre, pop and even gospel.

Admission to the Master Class Recital will be $5. For additional information, please contact (925)437-7805.

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“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”

— Billie Jean King

Jonathan Little A LITTLE LOVE

Giants look to contend

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

LMC’s Daniel Glorioso gets picked off by a Marin pitcher in the final out of the game during the Mustangs’ loss to the Mariners.

A struggle continues

Mariners prove to be too formidable for LMC

By HUGO CALDERON Staff Writer

Los Medanos College struggled against College of Marin on Tuesday afternoon by a final score of 10-2.

LMC headed into the game with a 3-2 preseason record, coming off a narrow 5-4 loss to Merced College.

On the mound, for the Stangs Austin Cannedy put his team in a sticky situation allowing all of the bases to be loaded in the top of the first. He acted promptly by striking out Merced’s James Harwel.

The Mariners were the first to take the lead. In the top of the third Alex Davis hit a single to get on and then an RBI sacrifice fly by MacLean Meyn extended their lead to 2-0, putting the Mustangs in a hole early in the game.

LMC shor tstop Jason Ochoa’s single was enough for James Biles to record a run, cutting the Mariners lead in half.

LMC’s newfound hope to take the lead was put down in the following inning. Marin took advantage of various Mustang mistakes, increasing their lead by four runs. Adam Hussian’s single hit deep towards right outfield was enough for him to put up two RBI’s while Owen Hamilton and Dominic Burke each made unearned runs to keep extending thier teams lead.

The Mariners ended the inning with a score of 6-1.

Hussian would further extend his team’s lead by hitting a towering homer against Jonathan Little’s pitch, with

Davis getting his second run batted in of the game as well.

Mustangs’ Victor Anguiano was slotted into outfield where he was slowly but surely adjusting as Marin only scored two more runs.

“I feel like I could have done better in the outfield. I was two for three and the ball I missed,” said Anguiano.

“Behind the plate I kind of came in short notice. I got the job done, no mistakes there. At the plate today I went zero for four. I’m fine with the three barrels but the one strikeout was not ideal.”

Anguiano has four RBIs and one run throughout preseason.

Los Medanos Mustangs ended on a good note, putting up a run in the seventh inning. Jose Vasquez hit a RBI to make the final score 10-2, his ninth RBI of the season so far.

“I think we just gotta keep doing our thing. You can say we didn’t play as well as we could have, but it doesn’t mean we have to start over tomorrow. I think we just have to get back to executing the simple things,” said head coach Anthony D’Albora.

“When you’re getting beat like that it’s easy to tuck your tail between your legs and I think there were enough guys that came in to execute pitches in the game.”

Los Medanos College host Napa Valley College at 2 p.m on Tuesday March, 2018. For more information on the Los Medanos College baseball Experience • Cathie Lawrence team visit www.losmedanos.edu/ Mustang Josiah Peterson catches a ball hit deep into the outfield. baseball/.

Just like the Oakland A’s column that was published last year, I made an outlandish prediction for how the 2017 San Francisco Giants season was going to go for the team in the city by the bay. I said that the Giants had the team to challenge the Dodgers, the Cubs and go to the World Series. However that didn’t happen, and in fact my prediction was way off. The Giants ended up finishing the 2017 season last in the National League West division with a record of 64-98, tied with the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.

The way the Giants played last year caught many fans by surprise, because with a roster that includes Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Madison Bumgarner and many household names that play at an elite level, we expected the best and last year wasn’t the best. The 2017 Giants were hit with the injury bug for a good portion of the season, as their starting nine players played together only a handful of times throughout the year. For Giants fans, it was hard to watch, and as a viewer it was difficult to know what Giants team we would be getting on a game-to-game basis.

On those days fans were wondering if we were going to see the team that has won three World Series championships or the team that couldn’t find its way out of a cellar.

The 2017 season was frustrating and the Giants front office knew that changes needed to be made if they were going to contend in the following season.

Throughout the offseason, the Giant’s front office were looking to upgrade their outfield, bullpen, and looking to add depth to have options during the 2018 season.

However, the big news of the winter from the Giants was the pursuit of 2017 NL MVP Giancarlos Stanton, and taking on his 295-million-dollar contract. Throughout the process, the Giants were looked at as the favorites to land Stanton, but the efforts were for nothing as the front office had to watch Stanton slip right through their fingers as he was acquired by the New York Yankees, after Stanton denied the Giants trade for him. So after spending two months focusing on Stanton the Giants need to find a

See PREV, page 6

First years stand out Recruits shine bright for Stangs

By JESUS CANO Staff Writer

UKULELES = HEALTH Music can lower blood pressure.

Community college is the illustration of an alternative path for the popular and inevitable four-year institution road. This is the case even for student athletes.

Student athletes who come to schools like Los Medanos College for sports come to finish their grind playing the sport they love just for fun — or with hopes to hit the next level of competition.

But there are teams like LMC softball that have struggled to put up numbers on its roster, resulting in lackluster performance from the team in recent seasons.

The biggest obstacle the Stangs face is that many players put the team at the bottom of their priorities, according to head coach Tim Rognlien.

“Some of our players have to put schoolwork and family before us,” said Rognlien. “The fact that there isn’t as big of an opportunity to play pro ball compared to other sports makes it less motivating.”

Rognlien said that the team has only had the entire team together one time this season, and it has reflected in the team’s per formance. They

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Mary Borlongan attempts to record an out reaching for the ball thrown by captain Brittany Bangert. are currently 3-4 in pre-conference play.

Some of the team’s key players are the few new recruits on the team.

Two players that the team has to rely on are freshman Shay Siino and Mar y Borlongan, who ser ve as the two starting pitchers for the short roster. They have also produced at the plate, as Siino is hitting .538 and Borlongan is at .593.

“I wanted to play at LMC because I really couldn’t stay away from this game.” Borlongan said.

LMC’s veterans have also

produced for the team. Ashley Derby, who lead the state in batting average as a freshman last year, is at .429 this season with two home runs and 6 RBIs. One aspect that Rognlien says his program has excelled in is maintaining a high grade point average throughout the season, which at one point he said five of the LMC players were named academic All-State players during his five season tenure.

The lack of players has been a consistent issue for the program. The Stangs look to continue the season on a strong note.

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while she searched. She volunteered at various facilities, including an independent living center in Concord. When they had an open position for case manager, she scheduled an interview and was quickly hired.

There, she assisted people with intellectual disabilities, teaching them to live independently. She helped them manage their budgets, make appointments, live healthy lifestyles, maintain hygiene and also encouraged them to take part in recreational activities.

Eventually, in her mid-20s, she landed a job working for Child Protective Ser vices (CPS), a career she had envisioned when she was young.

But the nature of the job took a heavy mental toll. She was assigned horrific cases of severe abuse and child molestation, and she felt anxiety about the power she held over the families she reviewed. After nine months, she decided to get her master’s degree and pursue a different career path.

The moment of change for her came Sept. 11, 2001. She remembers driving to work and hearing about the tragedy on the radio.

“I think it kind of shook me up and made me realize I just wasn’t happy there,” she said.

“I wanted to make a change in my life.”

She began asking those close to her, friends and family, to suggest career paths that might fit. Her boyfriend at the time suggested college counseling, which prompted her to see a school counselor herself.

That’s where she learned about disability counseling, which she hadn’t realized was an option she could specialize in.

San Francisco State had the counseling program she needed, so she applied and was accepted. She got her master’s degree in rehabilitation with an emphasis in college and that, combined with her work experience as a case manager and in CPS, landed her a job as UC Berkeley’s Disability Specialist before she even graduated.

She spent almost 10 years there, mostly assigned to chronic illness cases, which was different from her previous experience with developmental disabilities.

Later, she was assigned to help students with autism and began a social coaching program to help them learn and practice social skills. She did almost no academic advising at this job; instead mostly handling other issues such as negotiating reduced course loads with professors and assessing necessary accommodations for students.

With such a huge, ever-growing population of students, the work at Berkeley was rigorous and non-stop. As a new mother to a baby girl, Lindgren decided she wanted a more balanced and less hectic lifestyle, and she found it at LMC. Since Spring 2015, Lindgren has been working in LMC’s more quiet and personal environment. Students come to her, not just to discuss what accommodations they can receive with the paperwork they have, but with their lives, goals, concerns, and ambitions

“As far as classes are concerned…we will be offering our American government class as well as classes on California politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and constitutional law — all of which will be transferable,” Hiscocks explained.

“No longer will LMC students interested in political science have to take classes at other campuses in the district. They can stay here, study with our department, and earn their Associate Degree for Transfer in political science.”

The new degree will not solely affect political science majors however, as with it come several new classes to the general education curriculum, including International Relations this semester and Comparative Politics and Constitutional Law next semester.

“I can’t speak about what took place before I was here, but I can tell you that student success, especially as it relates to helping the students in our discipline transfer to a four-year university, is the main objective of the program,” said Hiscocks.

“Being able to add another degree here at LMC as well as helping our adjuncts grow professionally will be icing on the cake.”

The new additions present new opportunities for students of any major, and the staff and faculty are eager for them to be fully implemented.

“In the sense that it’s giving them another social studies option, I think it’s really good,” Bearden said of the new degree and the “exciting new courses” that Hiscosks and his team have come up with.

LMC student and political science major Jacob Neel will be graduating after this semester and will not be able to experience the full benefits of the new degree, but is optimistic on how much it will help future students.

“I think it’s going to affect them positively,” he said.

“For a lot of students that just don’t have the ability to drive over to DVC… they can now confidently major in political science.”

Neel also hopes that the increased focus on the subject of political science will be a breath of academic fresh air and will bring new perspectives to campus.

“I’m hoping with the new degree… social movements at LMC will finally catch up to DVC,” he said, in reference to the numerous political clubs available on the Diablo Valley campus, giving the Men of Color Association as an example. “I’m hoping that student activism will rise a lot throughout the campus and the community.”

According to Valenzuela, the earliest the degree could be offered is the Fall 2018, and the latest is Spring 2019.

“For those students, out there who are interested in political science, keep your eyes open … other developments are yet to come,” Hiscocks said. “If you have any questions about the new degree in political science, please stop by CC-217 and talk with us.”

only two harms that the FTC can rule on, only after the harm is done and that the FTC is not a rulemaking authority.

Clyburn seemed unsettled by the split governance.

“From where I sit, we’re gonna see uncertainty in an over whelming number of people who cannot see relief in real time,” said Clyburn.

“There will be an inability, or an unwillingness to institute any changes that will prevent something from happening in the future.”

Ajit Pai is the chairman of the FCC, a well-known opponent of net neutrality and a former Verizon Communications employee.

“He thinks that the 2015 rules deterred innovation and investment, he believes in certain instances that we don’t have authority,” said Clyburn.

“He fundamentally believes that the market forces will take care of itself and the ISP has no incentive to do harm and that there are enough market based deterrents because they want to make money and serve and connect and do all these things.”

Political Science Professor Milton Clarke doesn’t see the policy panning out in the way Pai believes it will.

“Is that a good enough justification to give them this power to regulate traffic? I don’t know, I’m not buying that,” said Clarke. “You could see companies like Comcast and Time-Warner saying, ‘Well, if you wanna have these kinds of speeds of the Internet, you’re gonna have to pay this kind of money.’ It makes total sense — it’s an excellent business model for them.”

“The deregulation is just gonna narrow their access even more, because it’s gonna give the major Internet companies more power to regulate who gets it and who doesn’t,” Clarke continued. “It’s gonna be a wild west now, it’s gonna be wide open and that can’t benefit folks that particularly that don’t have the resources.”

Aside from the direct costs that users may face, Commissioner Clyburn voiced concerns that Internet service providers would have the ability to abuse the new power to their advantage.

“Without having an open Internet, the stories told on social media, the movements of recent time would not of happened,” said Clyburn.

“A free and open Internet does not allow for that type of gatekeeper or editor or owner of an outlet to suppress what’s obviously going on in communities.”

For those concerned, Clyburn offered a bit of comfort.

“There is no opinion maker, policy maker, or elected official too small to talk about net neutrality if that’s something you care about,” said Clyburn.

From page 4

MEALS From page 1

for elderly people who are unable to provide or prepare nutritious meals for themselves.

They provide a hot meal before noon for five days a week and feed at least 1,600 elderly each week, as well as cold meals to keep in the refrigerator.

The typical Meals on Wheels recipient in Contra Costa is 80 years old and either lives alone or with another co-dependent spouse with one or more debilitating conditions. Many of them also live just under the Bay Area basic income standards of living, making them unable to afford much in way of providing or acquiring food, medicine, or utilities.

Meals on Wheels is funded through a variety of resources including client contributions, and because of this they are able to subsidize over 415,000 meals a year.

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Bebeau said. “We’re planning on starting art workshops and critique days for improving our art.” They meet Fridays at 1:30 p.m. in room CC-307.

Director of Student Life, Teresea Archaga, organizes Club Day. This is her second year of organizing club days twice a semester. When asked about the experience she said, “It’s exhausting, it’s fun, it’s rewarding, and in the end it’s satisfying.” On the subject of creating a club, she said, “It’s so easy to start a club. All you need is a filled out charter packet, four officers, an advisor and you’re set.” For more information on starting a club, visit the Office of Student Life or call (925) 473-7554.

After starting a club, you may seek representation in LMC’s Inter-Club Council (ICC). The ICC is a body of representatives for the clubs on campus who meet Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 in CC-213.

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theories of race and ethnicity and feminist theory, to examine, analyze and compare social and political movements, and consider the ways that we currently understand and have historically understood various constructions of sexuality, gender identity and behavior”.

Mitchell Matthews, who has been advocating for LGBTQ representation on campus since he first began working here, plans to be even further involved in implementing these new courses, including the LGBT Studies class he has already been teaching online.

Though such classes have only been available online as of late, he plans to make an in-person comeback.

“I only have three or four semesters left. I’d like to get back to teaching in person before I retire.”

This is one of many steps taken by the LMC community to represent a historically marginalized group.

“I look at it as historical progress,” said Mitchell Matthews.

a new plan and acquire players that can lead to success in 2018.

Only two days after the Stanton trade went down, the Giants made the surprising acquisition of all-star third basemen Evan Longoria. Longoria saw a lot of success in his ten years in Tampa Bay, as he racked up many All-Star game appearances, and solidified himself as an elite third baseman. In 2017, it was a down year for Longoria as he had a batting average of only .261, but he drove in 86 RBI’swhich is a category the Giants struggled with in 2017.

After upgrading at the thirdbase position, the Giants made another trade for an all-star and former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen, who played nine years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. For McCutchen he had a solid bounce back season in 2017 slashing a batting average of .279 and had 88 RBI’s. For the Giants, they made trades that could be considered risky due to the age of the players but are solid to the extent that they are performing well, The Giants are looking to contend in 2018.

After the two big deals of the winter for the Giants, they were able to make small deals with outfielder Austin Jackson adding depth to a struggling outfield, and relief pitcher Tony Watson to bolster a bullpen who in years past have dominated Major League Baseball. With the team now set and ready to go, and rookie prospects such as Steven Duggar, Tyler Beede and Chris Shaw,the team looks ready to contend in 2018.

A few key aspects for Giants fans to pay attention to this year are scoring runs, the effectiveness of the bullpen and maintaining depth to build success. If the Giants can succeed at those three levels of the game we could see a very competitive NL West the features the NL champs Los Angeles Dodgers, the rising power of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the young Colorado Rockies.

The 2018 San Francisco Giants on paper again have the looks of playoff caliber team, and as the season goes on we will have to see if the Giants veteran approach will lead to a successful 2018 campaign.

Look for the black and orange to compete in the NL west as it may be hard to bring down the rivals to the southern Los Angeles Dodger’s but if they can win ball games and build success look for them to compete in 2018 and push toward a postseason berth.

other of scholarship opportunities have deadlines soon. A refundable damage deposit is required and is incorporated in both housing options. All students must submit the $450 deposit and tour deposits when completing the online enrollment form.

Wi-fi is accessible and students will be able to take advantage of a London Transport pass, which is valid for unlimited access on underground

trains and buses designated for travel zones. Field trips are included with some of the courses available but there is also an optional four-day trip to Scotland that comes with round trip transportation.

Oppor tunities to lear n outside the classroom are plentiful, because most museums in London are discounted and homework assignments may include experiencing different educational attractions.

Experience • Perry Continente

E.J. Phair Brewing Company features a rustic shed inside housing a table as well as darts for those who like to play as well as eat and drink. The brewery and resturant is open to all ages.

PUBS From page 4

party atmosphere, but also want wine options. Most of the resturants also serve food making the Streets of Brentwood crawl more balanced.

Pittsburg’s brewer y E.J. Phair is also a popular option to celebrate. The brewpub serves beer and food specializing in pizzas cooked in their woodfire oven and salads. E.J. Phair brews their own beer making it one of the few in the area that do so, making the restaurant a great choice for people who love craft beer and good food.

Finally, for a more restrained location, the small cocktail bar

LGBTQ From page 1

said Mitchell Matthews.

There are several other required courses that fall into this degree including LGBT Literature, Psychology of Human Psychology and Teaching in a Diverse Society.

Some of these courses have already been implemented – LGBT Literature is already being offered and taught by Professor Liz Green.

Mitchell Matthews said it’s important to bring more LGBT-centered courses to the campus because “it’s the future, it’s where we’re at.” He then mentioned the parallels between today’s academic push for LGBTQ centric curriculum and push for Afrocentric studies in the ‘60s during the Civil Rights Movement.

“Academia responded and embraced it. Now we’re at the same point where the same thing is happening with gender and LGBT studies.”

According to the course description, this degree seeks to “incorporate queer theory,

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of Education, the “average cost of studying abroad in a foreign countr y hovers around $18,000 per semester.” Fees per person can vary depending if you choose to stay in a shared homestay or a shared apartment with a roommate. Free Application From page 3 for Federal Student Aid is the our students, our faculty, and first financial aid program administrators to sign up and students should contact and to donate blood.”

According to Nguyen, the event has been put on for over the last 10 years in a partnership with Blood Centers of Pacific as a way to persuade others to donate blood. He said he also hopes the event will continue for years.

Blood Centers of Pacific is an organization that, through cooperation with businesses, community groups, synagogues, schools and colleges have been able to provide blood for over 50 hospitals and upward of 50,000 patients through California over the last 70 years.

The centers rely on nurses, physicians, laboratory assistants and more to cover as much ground as they do, which even then is not extensive enough.

According to Blood Centers of Pacific, 38 percent of the US population is a type O positive blood type, the universal donor, yet only 10 percent actually do.

Students can contact Blood Centers of the Pacific at www. bloodcenters.org/locations/ and donate at the Antioch donor site at the Blue Rock Center on Mondays from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

Barrelista in Martinez is an option for those looking for a more quiet night.

The bar specializes in carefully crafted cocktails and barrel aged beers. The cocktails tend to be spirit forward, classic styled drinks appealing to those who like to slowly sip something strong.

The tiny space also de-emphasizes crowds while keeping an intimate atmosphere.

The wealth of diverse options in the area ensure that there is something for everyone who wants to partake in St. Patrick’s day festivities.