Spring 15, Issue 1 by Oak Leaf News

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Students counterprotest against radical preachers Page 2

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Issue 1, Vol. CXXXIII, January 26, 2015

Bear Cubs

Find out what it means to L-G-B-T When President Obama mentioned lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in his 2015 State of the Union address, he became the first president to acknowledge the lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of our community at a State of the Union. “As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture,” he said. “That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” This is not the first time Obama has made it clear that he is an advocate for equality with h i s

anti-bullying campaign that started back in 2011 and his “It Gets Better” videos with messages for LGBT youth who were affected by bullying. LGBT rights appear to be more controversial than ever. A quick web search will pull up thousands of photos of the president labeled as “Anti-Christian” or praise the president for the support they feel. In California, there are areas like San Francisco’s Castro District where people are welcomed to be who they want to be —where people are encouraged to explore their sexuality and dress as the gender that they identify with. While places like these exist, not every area is so welcoming. There are still areas like Lebanon, Ohio where Leelah Alcorn, a transgender girl, committed suicide on Dec. 28, 2014 because she felt like an outsider. Alcorn, having been biologically born male, belonged to family that did not support her decision to start a gender transition at the age of 17. “Either I live the rest of my life as a lonely man who wishes he were a woman or I live my life as a lonelier woman who hates herself. There’s no winning. There’s no way out,” Alcor n said. Al-

looking for repeat success Matt Rubel Staff Writer

Jarrett Rodriguez/ Oak Leaf

The sign for Bertolini’s gender neutral bathroom.

corn’s struggle raised awareness for other transgender teens across the United States but she wasn’t alone in bringing attention to the LGBT community. In the past year multiple celebrities have come out publicly as members of the LGBT community, among them Ellen Page, the star of “Juno,” and public figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook. “I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered,” Page said during a LGBT conference in Las Vegas. Last year, the low rating from LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index prompted Santa Rosa Junior College to improve the amount of support available on campus. Students in transition, who have not been able to change their names legally, are now allowed to change their roster names on their online cubbies and promised at least three genderneutral bathrooms. Now, with the recent addition of four gender-neutral bathrooms, questions arise: Do these students feel the amount of support they need? Do students feel safe to share their sexual orientation or sex that they identify with? And do other students support this recent movement for equality? Five members of the SRJC community shared their thoughts and experiences with the Oak Leaf to make others aware of their cause. Continued on Page 8.

The defending state champion men’s basketball team struggled early this season but is now firing on all cylinders, winning six of its last eight games. The Bear Cubs overall this year stand at 10-8, 3-1 and most recently held on in a tight 76-72 win against Sacramento City College. The season started in November and Santa Rosa Junior College went a meager 3-3 for the month. The Bear Cubs stumbled in December, losing three of their first four games in that month as well. Early season injuries hindered the team greatly, as it lost starting forward Corey Hammell to injury from a car accident and the tremendous long-range threat of Parker Farris to a broken foot. Since their return to the lineup, the team has seen rapid improvement, winning six of its last eight games. “We as a team are starting to figure out our roles, we’ve all had to adjust, plus we are finally healthy,” Hammell said. Recent games clearly show the Bear Cubs are on the right track, playing as a team, executing offense and showing an incredible ability to hit shots from behind the three-point line. The Bear Cubs have shot a very efficient 42.5 percent from behind the arc in league play and show no signs of slowing down. Entering the second half of league play, all games are very important if the team has any plans on repeating as the state champions. Major upcoming home games include Diablo Valley College, Cosumnes River College, San Joaquin Delta College and Sierra College. “We are learning everyday and will only get better as days continue,” freshman forward Arnold Silva said. Adopting the idea of taking it one day Continued on page 7

Joseph Barkoff / Oak Leaf

Davone Oliver drives the ball low into the key against DVC Jan. 23 at Haehl Pavilion.

News Street preachers spark student retaliation

January 26, 2015

www.theoakleafnews.com

Faith Gates

Managing and News Editor

Daniel Kong/ Oak Leaf

TOP: Street evangelist J.K. engages in a heated debate with SRJC students after proclaiming his religious beliefs on Jan. 15. BOTTOM: Cry to God member Peter Fetters takes a more calm approach to sharing his message in the SRJC quad.

Editors-in-Chief:

Jarrett Rodriguez and Nate Voge Managing Editor:

Faith Gates

@SROakleaf @theoakleafnews

Staff Writers Eden Anuskewicz, Madison Anuskewicz, Austin Burmester, Anne-Elisabeth Cavarec, Sean Curzon, Rebecca Dominguez, Craig Gettman, Nikki Goetz, Luke Heslip, Deanna Hettinger, Dominic Jones, Travis Labrucherie, Matthew Koch, Maci Martell, Catherine Ramirez, Alex T. Randolph, Matt Rubel, Kyle Schmidt, Devin Schwarz, Anthony Sosa, Pio Valenzuela, Candler Weinberg. Web Manager & Editing Coach Nathan Quast

Photographers JoshuOne Barnes Madison Anuskewicz Carin Huber Craig Getman Catherine Ramirez

Layout Team Craig Gettman Catherine Ramirez

Distribution Dominic Jones and Candler Weinberg Investigative Reporter JoshuOne Barnes

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Contact Newsroom: 707-527-4401 Ads Office: 707-527-4254 Anne Belden, Adviser: 707-527-4867 abelden@santarosa.edu

Copy Editors Carin Huber Beau Lino Alex T. Randolph

Students rallied a spur of the moment counter protest in the Santa Rosa Junior College quad on Jan. 15 after a group of self-proclaimed Christians started to preach their beliefs aggressively towards students. The group called Cry to God arrived around noon and took up position at the fountain in the quad. There were four members present, three men and one woman. All wore jackets and T-shirts that said “God Hates Sin,” “You Need Jesus,” “Fear God” and other religious statements. They each took a turn standing on the fountain “preaching the gospel.” The street preachers spread a message of repentance, telling students to turn from their ways or they will go to hell. The main speaker of the group, who went by J.K., refused to talk to the Oak Leaf. When he began speaking, it did not take long for students to respond. “I came out of class and they were yelling,” said SRJC student Rose Kitchel. Kitchel was the first student to stand against the evangelists. “I’m a Christian too, so I waited until he talked about judgment before I stepped in,” Kitchel said. “It felt like for me it was a moral obligation.” Kitchel got many students up on the fountain with her to try and make more noise than the speaker and to join hands around the fountain. “This is not OK. We can’t allow this hate speech,” Kitchel said. “We don’t hate anybody; we’re saying it out of love,” said Sister Evangelista, the only female speaker there from Cry to God. “We don’t do this for money, we do this out of love; love of God and love of man.” The group carried a sign warning sinners like “sex addicts,” “pot smoking little devils,” “all nonhomemakers” and “party animals” that God will judge them. “He was yelling and got in people’s faces and we didn’t get in his face until he got in ours,” said SRJC student Felicia Spencer. “A lot of people were crying.” J.K. yelled, “pervert,” “liar,” or “you’re going to hell” to most of those who spoke against him. Spencer said J.K. preached against

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gays and lesbians. Mori Waltz, an SRJC student who identifies herself as transgender, said she’s “hoping for a more pluralistic and diverse future.” A Christian SRJC student, Oliver Garcia, said what the evangelists talked about are the same Christian values of sin and repentance, but not teaching the way Christians should. “I’m fine with freedom of speech and freedom of religion but not how they’re going about it,” said SRJC student Andrew Bryden. “The freedom of speech argument presupposes that freedom of speech exists on an equal plane,” Waltz said. Robert Ethington, dean of student affairs, said the group is protected by free speech, but they have to sign in and cannot go into classrooms. Patie Wegman, dean of student conduct, said the group followed all the rules and that it was a “healthy expression of free speech.” SRJC student Halie Matlock said, “I think these people are here so someone will touch them and they can make money off of us.” Others said they make their money from lawsuits. “We’ve never sued anyone,” Evangelista said. She said J.K. and Kevin Farrer, two members of the group, are roofing contractors. The organization is based in the East Bay. Farrer founded Cry to God 33 years ago and, for the past 28 years, has been going to colleges to spread their beliefs. This is their first time at SRJC. “They always say if they just ignore us and keep walking then we will go away, but they don’t. They can’t ignore us,” Farrer said. “Junior colleges react a little more immaturely.” The conversation got very heated and people from the crowd threw water bottles and spit at the speakers. “By the grace of God we haven’t gotten hurt,” Evangelista said. When asked how the retaliation affects him, Farrer, smiling, said it doesn’t faze him at all. SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong came to see the commotion, but refused to comment. Associated Students President Joshua Pinaula was there, seen quietly standing next to the speakers and asking them to stop. Later he held a sign in front of them saying “Example of Ineffective Communication.”

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News

January 26, 2015

BSU pursues justice with Rohnert Park Police

Craig Gettman/ Oak Leaf

The SRJC/SRHS Black Student Union meets to watch a video prior to a club-funded movie outing to see “Selma,” the 2015 movie about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign and his famous march in 1965.

Maci Martell Staff Writer Black Student Union members from Santa Rosa Junior College continue to pursue justice for a racial incident that occurred in November in Rohnert Park. An incident that would have been expected over 50 years ago in segregated southern states became a reality for SRJC and Sonoma State University BSU members on Nov. 10, 2014 when a group of white, college-aged individuals approached them outside the Double Decker Lanes bowling alley slinging racist remarks and telling them to “go back to Africa.” As the club members were walking to their cars, one woman out of the hostile group pushed one of the female members of the BSU while calling her the n-word. BSU President Elias Hinit said the aggressive woman was ready to fight the BSU member, but her friends held her back. Instead of protection, BSU members were only met with further hostility and indifference from Rohnert Park Police officers, who arrived on the scene after the hostile group sped off. Under California Penal Code 422.6, it is a misdemeanor to interfere with or oppress a person’s free exercise of their constitutional

rights, by force or threat of force, based on their race, ethnicity or any other characteristic. “The investigating agency would have to conduct an investigation to determine if the elements of a hate crime have been committed,” said Santa Rosa Council Member Ernesto Olivares. “Hate-motivated behavior or racial slurs may not be enough to charge someone with a hate crime.” According to Hinit and the description of the incident, the hostile group’s racist taunts and actions implied a threat of violence, which could make the incident a hate crime. “Of course my peers felt threatened for their lives and wellbeing,” Hinit said. California Civil Code section 52.1 states, “The Bane Act provides protection from interference by threats, intimidation or coercion or for attempts to interfere with someone’s state or federal statutory or constitutional rights,” provided there is a “hate motivation.” Hinit said the police officers would not listen to the group’s story, even after they stated they were victims of a hate crime. Instead the officers countered them with hostility and repeatedly ordered them to “get off the street” and to “go home,” while wielding batons. As one high school student member of the club was walking away, one of the police officers

behind him told him to go to his car and repeatedly asked him, “Do you want to go to jail?” in an aggressive manner, Hinit said. Dr. Brian Phifer, assistant director of student affairs and BSU advisor, called into question RPPD’s racial sensitivity and cultural competency. Under California Penal Code 422.86, subsection 3, it is public policy to have “restorative justice for the immediate victims of the hate crimes and for the classes of persons

“Of course my peers felt threatened for their lives and well-being,” - Elias Hinit, BSU president

terrorized by the hate crimes.” But the department has not taken any steps to restore justice in this matter. The night after the incident, Hinit filed a personel complaint with RPPD concerning the police officers’ conduct with the group. Hinit recalls the difficulty submitting a complaint through the RPPD website. A department representative contacted him several weeks later

stating the matter had to be filed inperson at the office and not through a submitted complaint form. Hinit said this could be intimidating for a person filing a complaint about an officer, and he thinks there is a disconnect between the department and the community. Hinit has since filed the complaint in person. According to the RPPD website, after a complaint is received, it is supposed to be assigned to a supervisor for further investigation. The filer of the complaint will be notified if the complaint can be resolved. The RPPD website also states, “If the complaint requires further review, it will be forwarded to the Director of Public Safety for a formal recommendation and then to the affected Division Commander for a final determination.” The complaint needs to be notified of the disposition of the complaint, according to the website. Hinit said he did not receive any updates regarding the outcome of the complaint. Brian Masterson, Rohnert Park chief of police and director of public safety, said he was not informed of the matter and did not receive any calls or complaints on the night of the incident. Masterson said he is concerned with this issue and plans to investigate it. Hinit is determined to see justice

done with this case. “We are aware of the proper protocol that you must follow and we will stay with this until there is an appropriate response,” Hinit said. “We do not want this to happen to another person.” In addition to the complaint, BSU members plan to write a formal letter to RPPD concerning the conduct of the police officers’ dealings with the club members. Council member Olivares expressed great concern about the incident and is advising the BSU members to speak with the Rohnert Park city manager to have the matter brought up to the Rohnert Park City Council. “The department is required by law to accept and investigate the complaint against the officers,” Olivares said. “This is why the city manager needs to know.” As for how the school is going to address the situation, Phifer said Jill Kelly-Moore, SRJC faculty member and department chair for Interdisciplinary Studies, stepped forward to conduct “non-violent, direct-action training” workshops with students, teaching them how to peacefully interact and deal with law enforcement. “Anytime there’s violence, or lives lost, or people’s lives being threatened, it’s an issue for us as a community,” Phifer said, “It’s crucial that we have ongoing conversations about it.”

Four gender neutral bathrooms open at SRJC Matthew Koch Staff Writer Santa Rosa Junior College has installed four gender-neutral bathrooms throughout the campus, with locations in the Bertolini Student Center, Bailey Hall and Button Building with development underway in Plover Hall. Sabrina Meyer, director of human resources, discovered through the LGBT Campus Climate Survey that SRJC is not accommodating to the LGBT community. The survey broke SRJC down by eight different areas regarding the environment for people on campus who are a part of the LGBT community. SRJC received only one star out of five in LGBT campus safety, LGBT support and institutional commitment and

LGBT recruitment and retention areas. While attending a public display of affection workshop, Meyer met a fellow staff member who came out as transgender. It became clear things could be better and more should be done. “SRJC, then, wasn’t as inclusive,” Meyer said, “making people feel awkward or confused as to which gender they resonated with.” As soon as this issue was made apparent, Paul Bielen, director of facilities, found an appropriate sign and applied them to the bathrooms last fall. “It’s great when we can all do our part to make this campus feel welcome to all students,” said Rhonda Findling, advisor to the United Sexualities club and active member of the Gay and Lesbian Employees and Friends.

Apart from setting up genderneutral bathrooms, Meyer also helped set up LGBT safe zone placards, which show support for members of the LGBT community. Placards can be obtained by contacting her at smeyer@santarosa. edu. Meyer has also set up the preferred name option accessible through the student portal, allowing students to decide what name they choose to be called. So far, students have raised little to no opposition against the bathrooms. “People are very pleasant about it,” Meyersaid. “It’s just a question about putting in regular, single occupant bathrooms.” Meyer has recommended Bielen install more genderneutral bathrooms, but has so far Daniel Kong/ Oak Leaf received no response whether or A gender-neutral bathroom located in Bailey Hall, part of SRJC’s LGBT movement. not he would.

News

January 26, 2015

Wet Lab costs $40k JoshuOne Barnes

Investigative Reporter When the Santa Rosa Junior College district police department held a botched training exercise in 2012 that sent one cadet to the hospital with alcohol poisoning, the subsequent investigation cost the school nearly $40,000 and resulted in no serious discipline for the officers involved, according to sources with knowledge of the investigation and documents released by the school’s attorney. The “wet lab” exercise, first reported about in The Oak Leaf in December, was a police training exercise in which three cadets volunteered to consume alcohol in order to study its effects. Senior officers did not monitor the cadets’ consumption of alcohol, and one cadet was transported to the hospital by ambulance at the conclusion of the exercise. One officer shot cell phone video of the two cadets, joking as they vomited and one passed out. The investigation into the incident was originally tasked to Lieutenant Dave Willat, the department’s second-in-command and an investigator licensed in the State of California. Mark Paschal, a Bay Area investigator who was not licensed by the state to conduct investigations at the time, was hired by the school to conduct the subsequent investigation. His services cost the school $17,283 according to his invoice released in a California Public Records Act request. Attorney Larry Frierson’s services representing the school in the investigation cost $22,016. Attorneys representing the officers involved divulged the fact that an unlicensed investigator conducted the investigation in order to demand that the officers receive the smallest amount of discipline available, according to an anonymous source with knowledge of the investigation. According to the source, the officers received a letter of reprimand in their personnel files. The letters of reprimand were not included in the documents SRJC’s attorney released in compliance with the CPRA request. Joe Palla, former district police chief who was the chief at the time, denied requests to explain why the investigation was given to Paschal. In late November, Lt. Willat declined to comment on the investigation or the lack of discipline of the officers involved, and referred questions to the current chief, Matt McCaffrey, who is the department’s spokesperson. McCaffrey referred all questions on the matter to Doug Roberts, vice president of business affairs, who forwarded requests for information to the school’s legal council. Frank Chong, SRJC president, refused to give any statements about the matter, citing the CPRA request and the school’s decision to have its attorney, Patrick Wilson, handle the request and release of information.

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Immigration forum meets to answer questions on Obama’s new policy Pio Valenzuela Staff Writer A panel of experts, including U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson, representatives from various organizations and other experts in the field answered the community’s questions regarding Obama’s executive actions on immigration reform at a public forum at the Steele Lane Community Center Friday afternoon. The president unveiled his plan for immigration reform in late November – an immigration accountability executive action. A fact sheet handed out at the forum states that the executive action aims to strengthen border security, focuses on “deporting felons, not families” and holds accountable undocumented immigrants eligible for a deferred action program. The congress members hosted the public event, which consisted of presentations from each panelist and a question and answer session afterward. Attendants were asked to write down questions on a sheet of paper provided to them and pass it down the aisle to give to the panel. Of the most discussed topics during the forum were the expansions of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), two programs that could provide temporary relief from deportation. Madeline Feldon, from the International Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), a non-profit organization that provides services to low-income immigrants,

emphasized the importance of seeking authorized legal counsel, meaning either an attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals recognized agency, such as the IIBA. Panelist Monica Toro, representing the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), emphasized that USCIS is not yet accepting applications for DAPA or the expanded DACA program. Pamphlets were available at the forum with the title “The Wrong Help Can Hurt,” urging that people beware of immigration scams. To avoid this, Toro stressed that people visit the correct USCIS website with the .gov domain. Due to the nature of the executive action, the continuation of these policies will be up to the next administration’s discretion. However, that the next president will undo the executive action is “politically unfathomable,” Rep. Huffman said. A member of the Sonoma County Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) and SRJC alumnus Jesus Guzman shared personal success stories of various immigrants he knows. In one story, a friend by the name of José graduated high school with a 3.9 grade point average and was offered a full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University, but was unable to go due to his undocumented status. However, after several years, he was able to finish his education and now works at an accounting firm in San Francisco, “doing great things,” Guzman said. Doctor Chong-Uk Kim from Sonoma State University talked about the economic impact of

Pio Valenzuela/ Oak Leaf

The Immigration Forum meets at the Steele Lane Community Center to inform the community about Obama’s immigration policy changes on Jan. 23.

deferred action to an estimated 4.7 million people. Gross domestic product would increase by 0.4-0.9 percent, Kim said. Laura Barrera, 38, was one of few attendees representing Latinos/as. She said that her biggest concern was what would happen after Obama leaves office. “Congress needs to stop playing politics with human lives,” Barrera said. She believes the president has done all that he can, and that Congress needs to do its part. “These forums are important,” she said, stressing that many undocumented immigrants do not attend public events such as the forum because “they’re still scared.” Two SRJC students, Hernan Zaragoza, 19, and Hector Jimenez, 18, attended the forum; both said that the forum was very informative and that they knew several people

who would be affected by the executive action. Zaragoza, a political science major, said he attended the forum for the “political aspect,” and to be familiar with events like it. Similarly, Jimenez studied sociology and said he wants to be an immigration attorney. A major theme of the forum discussion was the lack of legislation within Congress to further solidify immigration reform. “It isn’t where we need to be and we need to have legislation passed,” Thompson said, “The new majority in the Senate and the new majority in the House will have to pass a new bill on immigration reform to be relevant in the 2016 election.” For more information on the immigration accountability executive action, visit www.uscis. gov/immigrationaction.

SRJC welcomes new academic deans Candler Weinberg Staff Writer Santa Rosa Junior College added two academic deans to its ranks recently after some vacancies from retirement. Josh Adams is the new dean of business and professional studies and Cathy Prince is dean of instruction and strategic program development. Both Adams and Prince have been with SRJC for several years. Adams, a native to Sonoma County, started working in information technology in 1993. He began his career at a doctor’s office while in high school where he helped build their computer network. He moved to San Jose at 18 to become Hewlett-Packard’s youngest customer engineer. In 2001, Adams discovered his educational passion as an instructor at Empire College. He started teaching at the United States Coast Guard Information Technology School in 2003. While with the Coast Guard, Adams continued his education,

earning his associate degree at SRJC. He furthered his education at Columbia College, where he completed his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in business administration. SRJC hired Adams as the instructional computing manager in 2011. Previously, he was the interim dean of business and professional studies. Adams is now completing his doctorate of education in organizational leadership at Brandman University. Adams loves creating relationships with industry partners, students, and other SRJC staff. He enjoys basking in the warmth of the people and culture at SRJC. “Being a native to Sonoma County, I have always respected Santa Rosa Junior College and knew I wanted to work here,” he said. “Santa Rosa Junior College helped make my dreams come true and it is truly an honor and privilege to serve SRJC’s students in achieving their dreams.” Cathy Prince began her career at SRJC in 2009 in student services as the manager of career development

LEFT: Catherine Ramirez/Oak Leaf RIGHT: Madison Anuskewicz/ Oak Leaf

LEFT: Cathy Prince, new dean of instruction and strategic program development. RIGHT: Joshua Adams, new dean of business and professional studies.

services. In her six years at SRJC, she has worked in both student services and academic affairs. She is an accomplished grant writer, having helped SRJC receive a $2 million federal grant. The grant writing part of her new position at SRJC is something added just for her. “My strengths are looking at all of the resources available for the district. Listening to more people with different people brings better resources to the district,” Prince said. “I love having contact with students. There is always something to learn here.” Prior to SRJC, Prince worked as a CEO and national trainer for

the Boys & Girls Club of America, where she wrote curriculum for their family support program. Prince is an alumnus of Sacramento City College and CSU Sacramento. Her thesis was a product of Plaza Comunitaria, the native language literacy program opened in partnership with the Mexican Consulate for residents in Sonoma Valley. It provided a free learning environment for adult learners to complete their elementary education, as well as improve their vocational skills and career opportunities. Adams and Prince bring major federal funding and experience to their job.

January 26, 2015

Sports

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On the Diamond SRJC Softball and Baseball teams look to improve last year’s postseason success

Stories by Anthony Sosa Photos by Joseph Barkoff

Young team must step up in new season Bear Cubs softball look to repeat playoff apperance T

aking second place in the 2014 Big 8 Conference, the Bear Cubs baseball team will work extra hard this season to end up in first place and possibly bring home a state title. The team finished last season with an overall 29-14 record. Led by head coach Damon Neidlinger, and assistant coaches Sam Gomes, Jon Nadale, Ben Buechner, Tom Francois and Sam Foster, the team will look to repeat the success that they had last season. “We have high expectations coming into every year,” said Neidlinger, who is entering his 12th season as head coach. Coming off a solid three-year run of success, last year’s team consisted of many third year guys, who have moved on to other schools. “It’s

a talented group of guys that are young,” Neidlinger said. “I believe they are capable of success, but we know this is a tough league with a lot of experienced players.” The Bear Cubs will have a very young team this year, with 30 freshmen and six returners. A young team begs the question of how inexperience will factor into play, but with a group of hardworking players, inexperience can be almost unnoticeable. SRJC only has one returning starting pitcher and one returning starting position player. Come opening day the team will have a lot of new faces on that field. “I’m going to try and teach these guys, and make them better for years to come,” said Weston Bryan, a returning player.

Joseph Barkoff/Oak Leaf

Freshman catcher Ryan Haug looks to make an impact behind the dish in the upcoming 2015 Bear Cub baseball season at SRJC.

Another challenge to the young team’s success is the leadership. SRJC will look to Bryan and Michael Reynolds, two returners to step up and lead. “They are both guys who show up every day and are accountable. They are hard workers, who lead by voice, but more importantly lead by actions,” Neidlinger said. The success of last year’s team was brought on by good pitching and defense. The Bear Cubs finished second best in the state with a 1.89 ERA, and second best in the state in fielding percentage. “It will be difficult for any team to repeat that kind of success,” Neidlinger said. Other notable players leading the way are catcher Ryan Haug, and pitchers Kyle Mitchell and Vijay Patel. These guys will need to step up and take charge to guide the new players joining the staff. Two newcomers who look to have an immediate impact for SRJC are freshmen pitchers Alec Rennard and Garrett Hill. Both could be looking at starting games one and two for the Bear Cubs. The Bear Cubs’ ultimate goal is bringing home a state title, last achieved in 2005. “Our ultimate goal is the Final Four and winning a state championship, and we can achieve this by working as a team,” Haug said. SRJC will play at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at Chabot College, returning home at 1 p.m. Jan. 31 also against Chabot.

he Bear Cubs softball team comes into the 2015 season with high hopes after making the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Santa Rosa Junior College made it to the second round of California Community College Athletic Association Super Regional Softball Playoffs, finishing the season with an overall record 31-13. Led by head coach Phil Wright and assistant coaches Mark Spaulding and Taylor Morgan, SRJC will rely on the five returning women and 12 rookies to take charge and lead the Bear Cubs back into the playoffs. “This is a completely different team; we have speed and really good

pitching,” said Wright, who is entering his fourth season as head coach. Wright continued, “They are young, mixed with freshmen and sophomores, who didn’t play last year, but they are all really good.” Sophomore Dana Thomsen established herself as an ace of the pitching staff last year. Thomsen dominated on the mound, posting a 15-4 record. “My goal is to be even better than I was last year, and to stay healthy,” said Thomsen, who missed a few weeks of last season due to being ill with mono. The Bear Cubs will lean on pitching to guide their success this season. With Thomsen as the ace, two other pitchers will take the mound to help: freshmen Rachelle “Weezy” Butulia and Denia Vera. “Our pitching staff is as good as anybody’s in the Big 8 Conference, a very good 1-2-3 staff,” Wright said. The team is also going to rely on Taylor Matthews at catcher and as a leadoff hitter – a rare combination. Brianna “Bri” Doane will be another big contributor to the team this season at starting shortstop. “I’m hoping to do really good, and to improve from how I did in my high school games, ” she said. With SRJC making the playoffs last season, other teams will be gunning to knock down a team that showed so much promise and success last season. “We’re no longer a sleeper team anymore, we have proved ourselves in the toughest conference in the state,” Wright said. The softball team’s last and only championship was in 1982. The Bear Cubs’ first game is at 10 a.m. Jan. 30 at home against Mendocino College.

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Sports

January 26, 2015

Women’s basketball slowly recovering from first-half slump Team rebounds entering league play Matt Rubel

Staff Writer

he Bear Cubs women’s basketball team is 8-10 after a win Jan. 16 against Sacramento City College; the team’s defense held off a late run for a 57-55 win. Although Santa Rosa Junior College gave away a big lead with turnovers, the team showed signs of improvement, especially the defense. “Our defense played well until the last two minutes,” said head coach Lacey Campbell. The team suffered some early season struggles that will be hard to overcome, but SRJC seems to be up for the challenge with most of the league schedule ahead. “We played a tough schedule so far, even though we played well in them. We lost some, which hurt our confidence,” Campbell said.

The beginning of the season was loaded with a tough schedule where the team fell behind early. The Bear Cubs went a less than impressive 4-7 in December, creating a hole for themselves going into league play, but the team stays optimistic. “We are a new team and we have a lot of heart, sometimes too much, but to be successful we are going to play with confidence,” said freshman guard Jenna Dunbar. The Bear Cubs are coming into a part of their schedule where the team has four out of six games at home in Haehl Pavilion. Home games are a must win for the Bear Cubs, who need to assert their home-floor advantage and win in front of their own fans. Dunbar is leading the Bear Cubs in many of the statistical categories, as well as being a floor leader. Dunbar has expressed the team’s desire to play hard every night for the rest of the season.

Patriots under fire Austin Burmester Staff Writer

Opinion

his year’s AFC Champion, the New England Patriots, are under investigation for allegedly using deflated footballs during their 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots are no doubt one of the best teams in the NFL and many, including myself, were not surprised by the win. The Patriots’ victory was a blowout, but shortly after, the win’s integrity came into question. Some people think slightly deflated footballs wouldn’t make too much of an impact on the outcome. Those people would be wrong. There is more to a deflated football than the actual weight of the ball. A deflated ball is easier to grip and catch, especially in Foxborough, Massachusetts where the weather conditions of rain and 40-50 degree weather aren’t preferred. The opposing team traveling to Gillette Stadium is already at a huge disadvantage, but if these allegations are true, it’s impossible to say how different the score would’ve been. Two hours before every game, the head referee weighs 12 footballs from each team. League rules require every ball to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh between 14-15 ounces. Walt Anderson, the AFC Championship game’s head referee, weighed all 24 balls and confirmed every ball was legally inflated. Allegations first began when Colt’s defensive linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted a pass thrown by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Once Jackson returned to his sideline he sensed the ball seemed a little light. NFL sources say Jackson handed the football to a member of the Colt’s equipment staff who agreed it seemed deflated. The Colt’s equipment manager notified Chuck Pagano, who then alerted Colt’s general manager Ryan Grigson, who

brought it to the attention of Mike Kensil, director of NFL operations. When head coach Bill Belichick addressed the media Jan. 22 he said, “When I came in Monday morning I was shocked to learn of the news reports about the footballs. I had no knowledge whatsoever of this situation until Monday morning.” Belichick has also told the NFL the organization will “cooperate fully with whatever questions they ask us and whatever they want us to do.” Brady, on the other hand, was not as calm and cool about the allegations. Brady told the media, “I have no idea. I think I’ve heard it all at this point. That’s the last of my worries. I don’t even respond to stuff like this.” Brady is one of the best, if not the best quarterback to ever play the game, and seems like a truly good person. If the allegations are true, many football fans would be shocked if he was involved. This isn’t the first scandal the Patriots have dealt with. In many sports fans’ eyes they are still cheaters. In 2007, the NFL investigated and eventually punished the Patriots for a staffmember videotaping the New York Jets defensive coaches’ signals. The scandal, later deemed “Spygate,” resulted in a $500,000 fine for Belichick, a $250,000 fine to the Patriots, and loss of the organization’s first-round draft pick in 2008. The “Deflategate” investigation is still underway. Regardless of the outcome the Patriots are heading to Super Bowl XLIX, but if found guilty, face removal of draft picks and likely a heavy fine. Those punishments won’t change the game’s outcome, but the Patriots organization will forever be tainted with two cheating scandals. Did the Patriots deflate their footballs to gain an advantage? Or was it the Colt’s defense that was deflated in their loss? We don’t know who will win the Super Bowl, but if the Patriots are found guilty and win, close to nobody will feel it is deserved.

“We are going to bring it Tuesday and every night after that,” she said. Currently Dunbar leads the way in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Sophomore point guard Taylor Graham leads the team in assists, averaging 3.5 set ups a game. While defensively it’s been a team effort, sophomore guard Alicia Mehtlan has had a big impact on the game averaging 1.1 steals and a block a game. The Bear Cubs have big games against Diablo Valley College, Cosumnes College, Modesto College and San Joaquin Delta College in the next two weeks. “We are taking it one game at a time,” Campbell said. “We will fight every game.” In the last week, SRJC has gone 1-1. The team rolled into a 52-48 win over American River College Jan. 16. The Bear Cubs then fell 70-57 to Diablo Valley College Jan. 23 at Haehl Pavillion. Their next home game is Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in Haehl Pavilion against Cosumnes River College.

Joseph Barkoff/Oak Leaf

SRJC guard Jenna Dunbar sprints down the court on a fast break after stealing the ball from a Diablo Valley player Jan. 22 at Haehl Pavilion.

Tuesday is best for finishing homework. Studies show it is the most productive day of the week. You can learn even more earning a bachelor’s degree from National University. Online. On campus. Non-profit. Don’t think you have time to learn something new? You just did.

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Sports

Not in our barn:

January 26, 2015

SRJC Polar Bears take down Boise State University in first home match of 2015

Joseph Barkoff/Oak Leaf

Left: The SRJC Polar Bears swarm their net minder Dominic Jones after a spectacualr performance and contribution in defeating Division II Boise State University 5-2 Jan. 22 at Snoopy’s Home Ice. Right: Alternate captain Josiah Nikkel circles around Boise State University’s net setting up to fire a backhanded shot on goal, helping to break BSU’s winning streak.

Joseph Barkoff Sports Photo Editor

he Santa Rosa Junior College Polar Bears slid onto the ice Jan. 22 against a fourth-ranked American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II powerhouse in Boise State University, and readily handed the Broncos their first loss since Sept. 27, breaking a 20-1 win streak and defeating BSU 5-2. Like a game of speed chess, with sticks, pads and a puck, the Polar Bears knew the game would be decided by fielding lines to countermove against BSU’s. “We tried to match up his[Josiah Nikkel]

line with their top line, and also try to get him out against a weaker line,” head coach Mike Kovanis said. Goalie Dominic Jones anchored the match pirouetting like a ballerina, spinning around his crease, knocking the puck away for a total of 19 saves on the evening. Jones was three minutes away from completing a shutout before finally allowing a puck past a crack in his wall. “It’s all a team effort basically,” Jones said. “I can’t score any goals so I just try to give my team the best chance for winning. I was just trying to rebound control.” The game opened with each team spending an equal amount of time harassing each other’s goalies until nine-and-a half minutes in Nikkel broke the score board silence putting

SRJC up 1-0. Nikkel stole the puck from BSU’s defender in the neutral zone, and proceeded to skate like he stole it, winding through the retreating BSU defenders to shoot while sliding on one knee towards the BSU net. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect, how good the other team was going to be,” Nikkel said. “But we were just acting like it was one of the best teams that we are going to play in the U.S.” Despite not capitalizing on backto-back power plays to end the first period, the Polar Bears took the lead into the second. The second period opened with a flurry, and with just one minute gone, Nikkel scored his second goal of the evening to put SRJC up 2-0.

Six minutes later, on a fast break, a leading pass from Eric Zagaki into BSU’s zone connected with newcomer Nick Harris. Harris fired a slap shot from the wing, zipping the puck past BSU’s netminder for his first Polar Bear score. “Seeing the new guys just doing work. They were playing awesome,” Nikkel continued. “Especially to come into a league and your second game is against a DII team, I gotta give it up to them.” Kovanis noted that getting the early lead generated momentum and confidence. Those lead to two more goals in the third, a sweet slapper by Josh Greenwell, and Steve Wolmarans with a beautiful slicing charge through BSU’s defense to a one-on-one past the net minder’s stickside.

“It was a fun game,” Jones said. “Being a DIII team and beating a DII team, that’s pretty up there. It brings up the confidence level for sure.” Which is a good thing for the Polar Bears. Every game left in the season is a must win for SRJC to make it into the playoffs. It will face off against division rival UC Davis Jan. 30 in Vacaville, then San Francisco State University in Oakland the next night. The following week is the end of the regular season and the Polar Bears will travel to San Jose to battle long time nemesis San Jose State University’s II team Feb. 6. The next night is the final game, and last home game of the regular season against SJSU’s DIII team at Snoopy’s Home Ice. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Continued from page 1

Joseph Barkoff/Oak Leaf

Parker Farris looks to make contact on a layup against Diablo Valley College Jan. 23 at Haehl Pavilion.

ahead, players know it’s an uphill battle, one that is just as important in preparation on days without a game. “We’re going to continue to work to our goal of winning another conference title one day at a time. This league top to bottom is as competitive as it gets,” Hammell said. The team still needs young players to step up when they are called upon, much like Silva did against Sacramento at home Jan. 16, hitting a crucial layup to give the team the lead during crunch time. “We needed to take back the lead after we were tied and I just happened to be the open man,” Silva said about his big shot. Performances like this will be needed down the stretch if this team wants to bring home the hardware and win state for a second year in a row. The team’s next home game will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in Haehl Pavilion against Cosumnes River College.

Sports Stars

If you were on a deserted If you could be someone If you died tomorrow island and could have one famous for one day who what is the last thing food what would it be? would it be? you would do?

Weston Bryan

Potatoes

Brianna Doane

Brandon Phillips

Go skydiving or cliff jumping

Pizza

Lana Del Rey

Spend time with family and friends

Mac ‘n’ Chesse, Kraft Original

Dennis Rodman

Baseball

Softball

Polar Bears Hockey team

#3 and #32

Sonic fast food

Money Mayweather AKA Floyd

Wrestle a bear Take a slapshot to the nuts by Al MacInnis

Taylor Brandford Shortly after telling her co-workers she was gay, Taylor Bradford, 19, a fifth semester Santa Rosa Junior College student started hearing rumors being circulated

about her sexuality. One rumor was that Bradford wasn’t really gay and she was using it as a pretense to halt the advances of some of her male coworkers. Another was she was actually dating a male coworker and was lying about her sexuality to cover it up. One of her co-workers even told her nobody at their workplace believed she was gay, Bradford said. Bradford said one of her male co-workers told her that guys see gay women as a challenge, something they can overcome with persistence rather than an innate identity. “Some of them just don’t understand the whole gay thing, but I don’t feel discriminated against. I just got a raise,” she said. Bradford, 19, became aware of her sexuality about two years ago when she fell in love with her best friend who was straight. A romantic relationship never developed and she suppressed her orientation for over a year, which she said was a cause of agony. While she hid from her sexuality, Bradford said she felt obligated to have a boyfriend. “For over a year I distracted myself with men,” she said. Since coming out she’s been much happier. Bradford said she feels comfortable coming out to most people, though not necessarily to some of her family. “I have an uncle who, if he knew, wouldn’t talk to me anymore,” she said. At Thanksgiving dinner, her mother steered conversations away from Bradford coming out to her relatives. She doesn’t think her mother has any problem with her sexual orientation. “She is being mama bear, making sure I’m not hurt by anyone,” she said. Bradford remembers walking through a mall, holding hands with her girlfriend and seeing people staring at them “in a what-are-they-doing sort of way,” she said, and while that manner of attention still makes her uncomfortable, she has learned to mostly ignore it. Bradford remembers when California passed Proposition 8, banning gay marriage, and didn’t understand why people wanted to make it illegal. Concerning the progress of gay rights, Bradford said things have evolved a lot in the last year. “I don’t understand why we wouldn’t accept it,” she said, referring to homosexuality being assimilated into mainstream culture. Bradford feels SRJC is welcoming and tolerant of people in the LGTB community. “There are a lot of eccentric people out there and they seem accepting of everything,” she said. Bradford has been attending SRJC for two years and is an undeclared major. Next semester she plans to volunteer in Italy, doing outreach for the homosexual community in Naples.

Katie Suoja

Every Color of t full spectrum

Estefany Gonzalez Huber, Craig Gettm and Madiso

SRJC English major Katie Suoja, 25, would not consider herself gay, straight, lesbian or bisexual. Instead, she prefers to say she doesn’t consider sex

when choosing a partner. When Suoja was in sixth grade she received an e-mail from her uncle saying that he would be going in for a gender reassignment surgery. “It was five or six pages telling us about what to expect and what would be happening to his body,” Suoja said. “He said he wanted my sister and me to always be happy with ourselves, to never let social stereotypes or sex get in the way.” She didn’t consider dating the same sex until she was 19 after ending her first serious relationship with a man. “I always try to stay completely open minded, but that was when I started dating [Veronica],” she said. Suoja didn’t hide that she was dating Veronica except when it came to her family. At the time Suoja was living with her grandmother, who was very religious, which is why she chose not to share her relationship at home. It wasn’t until the daughter of a close family friend saw her relationship status on Facebook that Suoja was outed to her family. Her grandmother confronted her about her sexuality later that same day. “I was getting ready to leave the house and she said, ‘You really hurt Jordan. She came home from school and she was crying hysterically because she thought you were going to hell,’” Suoja said. She was then given the choice to end things with Veronica or find a new place to live. “She told me she wasn’t going to support that kind of lifestyle in her house,” Suoja said. Since then her grandmother has learned to be supportive. Suoja’s younger sister Jessica has been dating women for over a year and is currently living with her grandmother. “She’s learned a lot from her experiences with me,” Suoja said. “She realized that it didn’t change myself or Jessica as a person, that it was just how we felt.” At the moment Suoja thinks most people have learned to be more respectful of others, especially at SRJC. “At the school I used to go to, I didn’t feel comfortable talking with other people about political views or anything like that, but at the Santa Rosa campus I’ve always felt very supported,” she said.

Features Editor

Trisha Seeyle

Trisha Seeyle, 24, is a Santa Rosa Junior College alumnus who grew up in Sonoma Valley, and knew she was different because of who she was attracted to. “I have always been attracted to boys and girls. Since I was little I always had crushes on both sexes,” Seeyle said. Seeyle kept this secret for a long time; it wasn’t until an incident in middle school that it was revealed. “My coming out was kind of different. I was at a boarding school and got caught hooking up with other girls and they told my godparents about it. So I didn’t get a chance to tell my family myself,” Seeyle said. Her family’s reaction was supportive and welcoming. Her friends and family told her they had known for a while and were waiting for her to come forward when she felt comfortable. After coming out, Seeyle felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Her cousin, Alexandra Hyde, said, “She brightens up the room when entering and [is] a very happy, loving and outgoing person.” Since coming out, Seeyle has had relationships with both men and women, but continues her search for that special person. Seeyle lives in Sonoma and spends her time with her friends, family and animals. “My advice to someone thinking about coming out is do what makes you the happiest,” she said. “If you want your family to know and they will support you on it then there should be nothing holding you back. I honestly don’t think it’s anyone’s business what you like.”

Student on The Street: “How d

“I fully support gay rights. It shouldn’t be a question whether or not they should be able to get married. It shouldn’t be up to our government, it should be up to the people.” Ashley Luna 17, undeclared

“They have it pretty good. People aren’t beating them up anymore because they’re gay. I think this campus is really open to being gay.” Raj Walker 19, Computer Science

“We are all human beings. We have to be equal [to] one another and move on to make better things and make love and peace and power.” Steven Covarrubias 18, arts/drama

“I’m not for it. I don do love them.”

GBT

the Rainbow, the m of sexuality.

z, Luke Heslip, Carin man, Eden Anuskenwicz on Anuskewicz

r and Staff Writers

Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey, 45, attended Santa Rosa Junior College as a student and employee between 1992 and 2002 at the Petaluma campus. Coming out as gay to SRJC co-workers and fellow students in 1997, Bailey recalls strong support from faculty and staff regarding LGBT issues. He said staff always handled the rare negative incident on campus appropriately. Bailey said that in 1998, “There was a thing going on where instructors and faculty and staff would post a sign on their [office] doors that that was an LGBT safe place.” He also recalls faculty defusing “hot-button” issues in classes. Instructors explained students were free to express themselves, but to do so non-confrontationally. One memory does sadden Bailey. Of a gay instructor who was not “out,” he said, “I will forever regret that there were no situations in which a friendship between he and I could have really developed.” The instructor’s absences due to ill health were passed off as flu. After his death, students learned he had been suffering from AIDS. Had they known, they would have offered their support. Bailey said the instructor, whose name he withheld per request, pushed him to excel in areas where he didn’t feel challenged. “We all loved him,” Bailey said. Bailey admires the professionalism and respect the faculty and staff show minorities. “I’ve always been a real fan of the JC,” he said, “because so much of my experiences were really positive both as a student and as an employee.”

Judy Leroy Mason Weaver Thoughts of not being accepted at school, home or in society were worries that current Santa Rosa Junior College student Mason Weaver, 20, had running through his head when he decided to come out to his mom at the age of 13. “I had this idea in my head that if anyone ever knew this about me I would be hated to the point where I wouldn’t have any friends anymore and that my family would no longer love me, and end up abandoning me because of it,” Weaver said. What pushed Weaver to come out was the pressure of relationships and sex. When Weaver first told his mom he was gay, it was an emotional and intense situation for him. He learned in middle school that being gay was viewed negatively. His mom told him that she “had always known that I was gay, and that it was not a big deal,” he said. “My mom until this day is the most supportive person I have ever met. She means the world to me and without her I really wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” Weaver said. Growing up in Sonoma and being bullied throughout middle school, Weaver believed if he went to a high school out of town he could finally be brave and true to himself. The musician/ songwriter decided to attend Art Quest in Santa Rosa, where he felt he still wasn’t seen for his talent and passion for the arts. The bullying on his sexuality continued. “I remember when I was first starting to get into song writing, a student in my Art Quest video class said to me that I was like a ‘talentless version of Adam Lambert,’ which is funny to think about now because my first R&B song I wrote for one of the singers at the JC was noticed by 14 time Grammy award winner Andy Newell as being likeable,” Weaver said. His friends, in fear that others would think they were gay too, began to distance themselves from him. Weaver tried hard to make new friends at Art Quest, but found that he couldn’t trust anyone. It seemed as if he had become everyone’s punching bag. “The more people knew about me in my life, the worse my life’s conditions seemed to get. It was like being a bird with unclipped wings, but still in a cage, which was society,” Weaver said. Now an SRJC music major, he finds ways to cope with the support of his loving family and friends.

Santa Rosa Junior College art history major, Judy Leroy, is taking a sex and gender class in support of anyone who has, or is in the process of sharing that they are members of the LBGT community. “It’s a very brave act, so I applaud anyone who has that kind of courage and I want to make the world safer for all these people,” Leroy said. This semester Leroy, 27, saw that Counseling 20 met the last of her requirements she needed to transfer to a UC. Erlinda Peraza teaches the class this spring on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. In her course description Peraza said class topics include the relationship between gender and sex, homophobia, sexism, male and female stereotypes and many other issues. Leroy decided she needed to take the course because she felt these issues are the most relevant topics to learn about in current society. “It’s constantly in the news: people talking about gay marriage and equality, but for every step we take we take two steps back,” she said. What Leroy likes best about the class is that she feels that Peraza is a counselor first and a teacher second. Leroy feels it’s her duty as a Californian to be informed and considers herself lucky to have the class available because there are parts of the country where others aren’t as lucky. “We have all these options or services that we can take and learn about,” Leroy said. “I think a lot of teens and adults even, have a lot of questions about their identity because they don’t fit into the social norm, and that’s actually our first paper, to write about how we fit into society.” Although Leroy thinks she would have received support at home if she had been born a lesbian, she knows there is still backlash, especially from older members of society. “It’s very much a generational thing, and they are right in a sense, that people who come out face a lot of challenges that we can’t even begin to imagine,” Leroy said. Leroy thinks support systems should be better for people going through these issues and that society as a whole should be more open about talking about sex and the human body. “It shouldn’t be as taboo as we make it,” she said. Leroy understands we all have a biological identity and she feels there are a million different options. “Not each person is what the next person is and that’s what makes us amazing,” she said. “We’re all multi-sided creatures, there isn’t just one or two stereotypes we all fit into.” Leroy is hopeful for change. “It seems like every other week there is a new state allowing gay marriage,” she said. “It seems so backward that we’re not allowing other human beings to have the same rights to raise families because it’s been proven that two moms or two dads can raise a child just as well.” By taking the sex and gender class, Leroy hopes to be more open-minded and hopes everyone in the class gets a better sense of who they are, who their friends are and where their families come from. “We were all molded into specific ways,” she said.

do you feel about gay rights?”

n’t support it. But I still Michelle Parrish 20, Psychology

“Don’t discriminate. It’s just like how black people used to be hated. In the future gay people will be loved, just like black people are loved. The Chinese too; when they came everyone hated them, now everyone loves them.” Tyrrell Salath 18, undeclared

“I dont judge them, but it’s just not within my belief system to say it’s right for a man to be with a man or a woman with a woman.” Hakeem Sanusi 20, Business Administration

“It hasn’t really affected me personally, but I believe that everybody should have a right to be with who they want or marry who they want.” Tiffany Meier 19, Kinesiology

January 26, 2015

Features

Bus bizzare:

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SRJC students share stories of bus experiences and encounters

Jeanine Flaton-Buckley/ Oak Leaf

The use of the public transit systems by college students is growing, according to the Transportation Research Board of the National Academics. Sonoma County Transit is free to ride for students and veterans.

Luke Heslip Staff Writer

n a Thursday morning, Chris Beebout waits at a Santa Rosa Transit stop for a bus in route to Santa Rosa Junior College. A stranger walks up to him and promptly says, “The world does not fully understand how trees take water from the ground.” Taken aback, the confused Beebout returns with the natural question, “what?”

The stranger proceeds to babble about scientific conspiracies and lies, for what seems like an eternity for Beebout. Beebout, like hundreds of other SRJC students, has experienced the weirdness of public transit - a realm where encounters like these are not only commonplace but expected. According to the Transportation Research Board of The National Academics, the use of public transit systems by students in college communities are growing. The TRB also states college

communities are encouraging use of public transit to lower vehicle emissions, especially in high population centers like the Bay Area. These and other socio-economic factors lead hundreds of SRJC students to regularly ride the bus to school. Only a few escape the seemingly inherent odd situations that characterize bus rides. Students who ride the bus usually have to have a strong stomach to get to and from school without becoming squeamish. The smells of the bus are many and mostly unpleasent. Thomas Sisson, an SRJC student recalled a bus ride where he witnessed a fellow passenger urinating on himself. The rest of the bus soon smelled the soiled passenger and the driver asked him to leave, Sisson said. “I felt so embarrassed for him, it was so bad,” he said. Urine is not the only unfortunate smell SRJC passengers have to endure. Beebout said a man who he describes as “really fat and smelly,” consistently sits next to him on his route to school and “stares at me.”

TOP: Courtesy of gosonoma.org BOTTOM: Jeanine Flaton-Buckley/ Oak Leaf

TOP: SRJC student describes the bus as the “gift basket of humanity.” BOTTOM: SRJC students board the bus on Mendocino Ave.

“I try to stare out the window but Not all peculiar bus encounters I know it’s happening,” Beebout said. are bad though – some can be The personalities that occupy the pleasant and informative. SRJC bus can be colorful and entertaining, student Mason Gilligan has but they often keep SRJC students experienced the positive ends of on their toes. bus rides. On one bus ride, SRJC student “There is this socialist activist Daniel Straub was riding home guy named Herold who is always when he noticed a transient looking riding the bus back and forth,” passenger staring obsessively at him Gilligan said. and his girlfriend. “He’s always talking about He never spoke to them, just politics,” Gilligan said, and passing stared intently with an angry look, out pamphlets to people and talking Straub said. to anybody who will listen about; When the staring passenger police militarization, the 60s socialist eventually reached his stop he revolutions, contemporary Americas stood in the political inactivity doorway of the and how he thinks bus, turned Castro was a good to Straub and guy. Straub described his girlfriend “He’s in his and started 80s,” Gilligan said. these sorts screaming “And you can tell of characters at them and that he’s actually explained in a a pretty educated as “transient stream of violent guy. I enjoy talking philosophers” profanities what to him.” he thought was S t r a u b wrong with described these them, Straub said. sorts of characters as “transient “It was pretty nasty, he really philosophers,” people who share supremely had a problem with us,” their version of wisdom to people he said. on the bus and “hold court even While some bus experiences can though there is none.” be unpleasant and violent, others Straub went on to characterize the can just be strange. bus as the “gift basket of humanity” A few weeks ago Sadie Bramlette, and that its passengers are made up an SRJC student, overheard an old of “people from all rungs of life.” man talk about “how he wants a For hundreds of SRJC students 25-year-old child bride to have this “gift basket” is a daily dosage another child with because all of of strange. They see it all, from the woman his age are past their disturbed homeless people, to prime and therefore not suitable screaming veterans, to sketchy to date,” Bramlette said. junkies, to weathered drifters. He then quoted scripture a Every Thursday morning few times and said something Beebout is greeted by the strange about one of the followers of man at the bus stop, talking about Jesus impregnating a 97-year-old how God’s Kingdom will destroy woman, she said. all forms of government, and Bramlette’s experience is one how mankind can have no way of shared by many who ride the bus. figuring out photosynthesis, and Peculiarity is simply an accepted other notions of the mysterious part of using public transit. “Transient Philosophers.”

January 26, 2015

Snapchat stories promotes politics

Catherine Ramirez Staff Writer

“Je suis Charlie! Je suis Charlie!” These are the chants you hear as you watch a 10-second video of young French adults marching in the Place de la République in France through a Snapchat story. Snapchat, an app used to share photos and videos in 10 seconds or less, created a “Je Suis Charlie” story in which anyone with the app could view the many photos and videos that streamed in from marchers during the event. Typically, Snapchat stories show major sporting, entertainment and social events, not current political affairs. However, it’s nice to see the serious change within an app once popularly viewed as the “sexting app” used among teens. It’s definitely a socially conscious movement, leaning towards political involvement within Snapchat. But if the app continues to show more current event stories happening around the world like the march in France, how much more can it be involved in the movement of social media activism? As powerful as a live feed is, a sequence of 10-second videos or photos shown in these Snapchat stories cannot fully educate the viewer of an event. There’s a reason why Twitter and Facebook were used effectively by Iranian citizens to organize the Iranian election protests in 2009, and then used once again to spark the Arab Spring in 2010. That reason is the ability to discuss and communicate with one another. With discussion, we are able to learn and educate each other. Education and communication have been key components of change since the beginning of social and political movements; something Snapchat stories will forever lack no matter how current or political the story is. However, the impact Snapchat can have with stories like “Je Suis Charlie” is introducing newslike events to their younger audience who may otherwise not care for current news affairs. The app may never have the same status of political activism that other social media apps have, but it can cause positive change within the youths’ involvement in political issues. And that, in its own way, is a step towards political activism.

Opinion

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EDITORIAL

anta Rosa Junior College students responded to evangelical Christian radicals Jan. 15 with a small counter-protest, echoing an international debate about the interaction between free speech and religious extremism. Evangelical Christian radicals from the group ‘Cry to God’ arrived on the SRJC campus around noon that Thursday and began provoking students, getting in their faces and yelling that all female non-virgins deserve to be raped, and that we are all going to hell. In response, SRJC students argued with the radicals and organized chants. Many students felt that this type of speech should not be permitted on a college campus. If SRJC were a private university it could enforce a code prohibiting certain discriminatory harassment, like Emory University did in 2007. Despite the radicals’ abhorrent sentiment, SRJC is a public campus, and because the evangelists did not disturb any classrooms, their freedom of speech is protected under the Constitution—just like free speech protects the student counter-protests. Advocating that certain groups should not be allowed on campus is hypocritical. Just like the French were hypocritical for arresting comedian Dieudonné after he made a Facebook post supporting terrorism, two days after millions marched in the name of free speech. Censorship, as history has shown, does not solve the problem. Furthermore, yelling back at them is only giving them what they

Ilustration by Chantelle Bogue

“You are all going to HELL!--unless you join us.” want. Students and college administrators should never try to keep people from preaching because they could end up funding their cause. A Christian student at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia, won $25,000 from the Virginia Community College system after campus police forced him to stop his offensive preaching on campus. Groups like the Westborough Baptist Church seek lawsuits then use the money from these lawsuits to perpetuate and expand their cause. Even though we have the freedom to yell back, it would have been more impactful to remain silent. In Charlie Hebdo’s case, silence was not an option. If the cartoonists didn’t caricature the prophet

Muhammad they would have been holding a double standard, treating Muslims with extra sensitivity than other religions that they routinely ridicule. Publications like Charlie Hebdo have an important role in society, forcing us to not take our religion or ourselves too seriously. Yes, their methods could be offensive, but they also had a clear, benevolent message. Additionally, the Charlie Hebdo massacre cannot be viewed as an isolated incident of retaliation, as the counter-protest at SRJC can. No one deserves to die for something they said or drew. Ever. Members of the same terrorist cell committed the Jewish grocery store murders days after the Charlie Hebdo killings and, as the story

unfolds, the murders seem less about avenging a blasphemed prophet and more about a greater, more complicated issue of Islamic extremism existing throughout the world. The Oak Leaf would never caricature any religious figure, but we accept that some publications push the boundaries of free speech. As a society we accept it, just like we did last Thursday when students met angry words with angry words. We had the chance to be violent and reactionary, like the terrorists, but we didn’t. The Oak Leaf supports free speech, in all forms, offensive or not. Though, in the face provocateurs like the Cry to God evangelists, silence is the best response.

Prudence in the wake of terrorism attacks in Paris Luke Heslip Staff Writer

he massacre of 17 Parisians between Jan. 7 - 9 dealt a harrowing wound to the world psyche. Events of this nature bring in their wake a period of acute rawness and mobilization that have powerful effects on their pertaining regions. The instinct in these horrific situations is reactionary, as governments and peoples scramble to compensate for the institutional weaknesses they perceive responsible for their vulnerability. Such was the case in the United States after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, where an act of terrorism gave rise to the Patriot Act, expansion of executive authority and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the Parisian murders, the French government, to secure domestic safety, has deployed thousands of French military personal and police. Both the French government and people are voicing calls for aggressive action against radical Islam and more comprehensive counter-terrorism efforts. Yet amid the bitter anguish is a profound sense of solidarity. On Jan. 11. more than a million people marched in a unity rally in Paris, according to BBC. Leading the march were 40 world leaders hailing from countries as diverse as Palestine, Turkey and Spain.

Millions more marched in towns all over France, many bearing the now iconic slogan “Je suis Charlie” in honor of the journalists slain at the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo. Rumblings of Anti-Islamic sentiment in Western Europe, and notably Dresden and other eastern German cities have erupted into anti immigrants and anti Islamic rallies, according to the Huffington Post. These demonstrations of intolerance are insidious and can bring disaster if they attain popularity, as was seen in Nazi Germany. Reactionary hate and paranoia are two of the worst scourges of human judgment; they must be kept at bay. In these times of tragedy it is critical that the global community proceeds prudently. Calamities such as the recent Parisian massacre and the less covered slaughter in Nigeria set a dynamic mood for action. This has the potential to change the trajectory of a society, and it must be directed responsibly. A tragedy of such magnitude is cause for serious re-evaluation, especially in the realm of terrorist attacks, which have evolved considerably since the War on Terror began. The centrally planned schemes of a younger Al Qaeda are now less common. Homegrown terrorism and loosely coordinated attacks staged by small groups have become the norm, as was seen with the Boston Marathon Bombings in

2013. Governments and counter terrorism agencies need to adapt to this by vesting their energies into battling radical ideology, not waging occupational wars in countries that have high concentrations of terrorist organizations, as the U.S and international groups like NATO have done in the last decade. Neither should religious or ethnic minorities be subjected to laws that designate them on the basis of such classifications. The use of social media in terrorist recruitment poses a major problem. Terrorists can launch their agendas with a simple social media account. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has utilized this to an astounding effect by drawing thousands to join in their campaign to create a caliphate in the Middle Eastern region known as the Levant through various social media outlets according to The New York Times. Since the Paris killings, French authorities have openly discussed instituting more intensive monitoring of social media and email accounts of individuals and groups suspected of terrorist activity, and curtailing French citizens from traveling to Syria and Iraq to participate in the militant incursions there. Greater vigilance on the Part of French intelligence agencies is wise, they should aim to be able to detect violent plots and thwart them. They must however maintain restraint, hyper sensitive

and overreaching intelligence polices can create a rift between government and citizens which exacerbates domestic problems; as the U.S.’s recent NSA scandal has demonsrated. Measures to prevent future killing sprees are paramount, but they shouldn’t trample civil liberties. How can a nation whose identity rests on pillars of tolerance and free speech devise laws that combats hate speech and radical organizations without abridging personal liberties and subjecting certain groups to discriminatory treatment? Only by thoughtfully containing violence, and not suppressing or punishing speech that is inflammatory or controversial. If speech doesn’t directly threaten violence, than it should be lawful. Despite the foggy nature of Western terrorism policies, what constituents terrorism and how it should be countered, individuals, regardless of creed, ethnicity, nationality or culture should be welcomed into the fold of mankind, if they are committed to peace and coexistence. Terrorism isn’t the by-product of religions like Islam or Middle Eastern cultures; it is wanton violence. This should be the basis of which civilized societies are contingent upon. This should be a premise of their security laws and calculated into their judgment. The horror and devastation of terrorism should be handled in a pensive and sober manner.

www.theoakleafnews.com

Opinion

January 26, 2015

Caregiver career chronically underpaid DeAnna Hettinger Staff Writer

n-home caregiving is a rapidly expanding industry and one of the fastest-growing occupations in Sonoma County. This increase is due partly to the large percentage of the retirement age population. Demographically, Sonoma County is a popular destination for many seniors and boasts an abundance of caregiving jobs in the area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, we will encounter what is referred to as the “silver tsunami,” a product of the baby boomers, approximately 76 million people born between 1946 and 1964. This can be a promising sign if you are serious about a career in caregiving as the baby boomers leave the workforce. However, being an in-home support services (IHSS) caregiver myself, it sometimes feels like a thankless job, especially when assisting the severely disabled or handicapped whose needs are extensive and beyond basic caregiving. This, of course, is not the client’s fault but there is no definitive line between the needs provided and the pay received. IHSS workers are paid by the state and the Health Services

Department oversees the program working in this industry special. For locally. The workers, who provide example, she has jumped out of an care for the disabled and elderly, airplane (tandem of course) not once, earn $11.65 an hour. That’s $2.65 but a shocking 32 times. Her mom, above the minimum wage and is who also jumps, refers to it as a “mood an insult to those of us who work enhancer.” Brianne is also in a steady relationship, going on for more than in the industry. IHSS should not be confused with 10 years and leads as normal a life as In-Home Services (IHS) providing possible under her condition. Kristen Torres, a caregiver paid skilled and licensed care of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational by IHSS, said, “Honestly, I do not feel like I am paid nurse (LVN). enough. If I wasn’t Most caregivers really good friends I know are not in “I couldn’t imagine with my client, it for the money. Un f o r t u n a t e l y, working for someone it would not be worth it. I couldn’t oftentimes they are who is critically ill... imagine working forced to choose for someone who monthly between and only getting is critically ill, has paying their rent paid this much.” dementia, or deepor bills, because seated emotional they don’t make - Kristen Torres, problems and only enough to survive getting paid this on while living in IHSS Caregiver much.” the expensive Bay IHSS workers Area, which is a have lobbied major downside of for years, in both contract talks the industry. A lot of times workers are drawn and in public demonstrations to a specific client, which may make to the Sonoma County Board of the job especially worthwhile. One Supervisors for pay closer to $15 of my clients, Brianne, is in her 30s, an hour. Their most recent raise, and wheelchair-bound for life due from $11.50 to $11.65 an hour, to a neurological disorder called was approved in July 2013. Living wage advocates expressed Friedreich’s ataxia. Brianne has the kind of attitude toward life that makes disappointment with the board’s

decision last year to leave out inhome caregivers from a living wage measure. Living wage ordinances are similar to minimum wage laws in that they set a baseline amount workers must be paid, but differ because wages are tailored to meet a specific group’s cost of living. The three cities in Sonoma County supporting living wage ordinances are Sonoma, Sebastopol and Petaluma. North Bay Jobs with Justice, a group comprised of labor, environmental, faith and community groups, proposed a $15 per hour minimum wage in hopes of duplicating a successful campaign like Santa Clara, one of the Bay Area’s wealthiest counties. Supervisors passed a comprehensive living wage law setting a minimum pay for about 15,000 county contractors at $19.06 per hour. Until the pay is equal to the quality of care for in-home county workers and independent contractors, the industry will remain in flux and both sides of the equation will suffer. Caregiving can be a very rewarding career as it is truly a life-saving gift for many who need it. Unfortunately, it is a service that is being neglected by short-sighted people who don’t realize that one day they may need it themselves.

To be or not to be Charlie: a question of freedom of speech Anne-Elisabeth Cavarec Staff Writer

corridor of blood leads to the newsroom of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. There, on Jan. 7, 2015, in the heart of Paris, the deafening noise of Kalashnikovs blasts preceded the silence of the deaths. The victims were Charb, Cabu, Honoré, Wolinski and Tignous. They were killed for being journalists and cartoonists. Actors of the freedom of speech while practicing their work, they were the main target of two Islamic terrorists who wanted “to kill Charlie” on behalf of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental principles of the French Republic, as written in The Declaration of the Rights of the

Man and of the Citizen in 1789. This principle is also in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights established in 1948: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” This is the freedom, among others, that the soldiers of terror would like us to forfeit. For that goal, they use the pretext that imagery of the Prophet Muhammad is blasphemous, according to their interpretation of the Quran. In French law as well as in International law, the concept of blasphemy doesn’t exist. The UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that the restrictions to the freedom of speech are “any advocacy of national, racial

supporters of free speech gather on the Marianne statue in Paris, France

or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.” When Charlie Hebdo was sued by Muslim groups, French courts determined that – despite the shocking nature of the caricatures to the Muslims’ sensibilities – they do not fall within the definition of the restriction of freedom of speech. In 2005, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, causing uproars. Charlie Hebdo republished them in 2006 to show support for their colleagues. Since that time, Charlie Hebdo has been under constant threats from extremists. In 2011, an arsonist set a fire that destroyed Charlie Hebdo’s offices and since then, the publication director has been under special police protection. In spite of these threats, using humor, ribaldry and derision, the

cartoonists have pursued their work with satire towards national and international politics, social issues, and Jewish, Muslim and Catholic religions. Of course, their caricatures did not please everyone every time, but a number of them amused, moved and inspired. Since the cartoonists’ deaths, “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”) has become an international slogan for all concerned with freedom of speech. On the other hand, the slogan was altered by those who felt offended by the publication of caricatures of Muhammad. During the protests around the world in the last days, we can read on the banners “Au diable Charlie!” (“Go to hell Charlie!”) or “Je suis Mohamed.” But to say “Je suis Charlie” doesn’t mean one must agree with or like the caricatures published in Charlie Hebdo magazine. It is about defending the right of the journalists to publish them, and the right of each citizen to read any newspaper. Four days after the attack, 4 million people stood up and walked across France to claim values of freedom of speech and the separation of Church and State. A united and passionate response to terror and violence is echoed in the lyrics of the Song of the Partisans in 1943: “Friend, if you die / A friend comes out of the shadows / in your place.” Try “to kill Charlie”? Charlie Hebdo fearlessly published a new issue the week after. Regular circulation jumped from 30,000 to more than 7 million copies. Every morning at dawn, people continue to crowd around the newstands to buy it – each reader a beam of light resisting the darkness of Courtesy of Stephane Mahe, Reuters ignorance and stupidity.

No shame in starting small Domanique Crawford Opinion Editor

Forced to a dinner party with your parents, you have to suffer as their friends drone on about their children’s academic accomplishments. Brad is at Stanford to become a surgeon and Jessica at Julliard will be the world’s greatest ballerina. Amongst the polite inquiries, someone finally asks what school you are attending and your academic goals. Your head hangs low as you explain you’re attending a community college. The conversation stumbles and condescending accolades of “how nice” are dispersed. Your community college attendance is considered “less than,” inferior to a university education. But should you feel ashamed? There is a lot of pressure to graduate from a prestigious institution when the main focus should be on obtaining a degree. Many successful people began their education at a community college and have worked their way to the top of their fields. SRJC graduate Jonny Gomes is now a left fielder for the Oakland Athletics. Tom Hanks started his career at Chabot College, and poet Gwendolyn Brooks graduated from Wilson Junior College. The No. 1 reason to attend a community college is because the cost is cheaper, and with Obama’s proposed “America’s College Promise” to make community college tuition free for “responsible students,” more students will have access to higher education. According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees at public two-year colleges for the 2014-15 school year were $3,347. At public, four-year colleges the tuition and fees were $9,139 not including room and board. The average annual instate two-year college tuition in California was $4,945 for the 201314 academic year, stated collegecalc. org. America’s College Promise would create a partnership with the federal and state government to cover the cost of tuition. This would allow for full-time community college students to save an average of $3,800 in tuition per year. To qualify for the program students have to be at least half time and maintain a 2.5 GPA, according to the White House fact sheet. Community colleges provide students with two-year obtainable degrees and certificates in specific trades, allow disabled students and high school graduates to obtain extra help with general education credits and offer transfer programs to four-year universities. According to a study by The Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2018 we will need 22 million new workers with college degrees. This College Promise will help students reach their academic goal. The shame belongs to those who belittle any form of higher education, not those seeking to further their education.

A&E

January 26, 2015

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LumaCon: a local alternative to Comic-Con Alex T. Randolph Staff Writer The biggest surprise was how quickly it all came together. It was only September of last year when Connie Williams, teacher-librarian at Petaluma High

School, read an article about the annual San Diego Comic-Con from a library journal and wondered why the Bay Area didn’t have a convention of its own. While not an avid reader of comic books, Williams has many students who are, and she values comics as both a literary and visual learning de-

Courtesy of afterellen.com

vice. Deciding to try to organize a comic convention here in Sonoma County, she called Nathan Libcap, a librarian at Casa Grande High School; Kate Keaton, then the teen section’s librarian at the Petaluma branch of Sonoma County Library, and Joseph Cochrane, the Petaluma library’s branch manager, to see if they wanted to help. They were glad to. In fact, everyone was glad to help – Copperfield’s Books, Outer Planes Comics and Games, Brian’s Comics, local professional comic creators and even amateur comic creators attending Casa Grande and Petaluma high jumped at the chance to participate in the convention. “There is nobody who has not said, ‘This is a fantastic idea,’” Williams said. “It just took [on] a life of its own.” Four months later, LumaCon, the Bay Area’s first-ever comic convention, was held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Herzog Hall in the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. The focus was on literary skills, featuring both professional and upand-coming comic creators and illustrators. Volunteers, mostly high school students, ran the convention, setting up the events and asking for donations at the front

desk. The majority of the 15,000 attendees were kids and teens. LumaCon had a table for arts and crafts, large blank posters to draw on, an “artist’s alley” that featured both professional and high school artists who gladly drew pictures for anyone who asked, a section that sold baked goods and a makeshift auditorium. Guests included Stephan Pastis, creator of the popular newspaper strip “Pearls Before Swine,” Paige Braddock, current creative director at the Peanuts Studio and creator of the long-running comic “Jane’s World,” and Thomas Yates, famed comics illustrator and current artist on the long-running newspaper strip “Prince Valliant.” Independent creators included Maia Kobabe, creator and publisher of “Thief ’s Tale,” and Alexis E. Fajardo, creator of “Kid Beowulf.” Brent Anderson, artist on the critically praised comic series “Astro City” was also slated to appear, but couldn’t attend because of a family emergency. LumaCon’s many events included a live action role-play (LARP), an all-ages cosplay competition that wrapped up the con, and several panels where guests would talk

about their experiences. Braddock appeared with Eisner award winner Brian Fies and Leapfrog art director Michael Stribling to talk about their inspirations, their careers and give advice to burgeoning creators about getting started, chief of which was “don’t get discouraged.” Kobabe, Fajardo, blog creator Kim West and Sean Fahey, founder of Black Jack Press, also had their own panel on the risks and rewards of creating and selling their own works. Kobabe related how all her comics were printed out at home and hand-stitched together. Pastis had a panel all to himself, where he spoke of the trials and tribulations of writing a daily news strip and his experiences meeting with his personal idols and famous cartoonists such as Bill Watterson and Charles M. Schulz. There was also a panel on the non-profit Star Wars Museum Rancho Obi-Wan and the life and works of cartoonist Richard Thompson. Many who attended LumaCon considered it a success. Dan Radovic, owner of Outer Planes, was pleased to see how many kids attended, as attracting the younger generation was one of the main points of the convention.

The First Bad Man Petaluma Cinema series Rebecca Dominguez Staff Writer

Strange and captivating, Miranda July’s novel “The First Bad Man,” tells the story of Cheryl, a neurotic and slightly crazed woman who has an odd obsession with a board member at work. She is convinced that she sees the soul of a child she deemed as hers when she was nine, in other people’s children. Cheryl’s life is thrown off balance when her boss’ volatile daughter Clee comes to live with her. “The First Bad Man” is by no means a “must read,” but once started it’s hard to put down just from the sheer peculiarity of the story. Almost every character is fatally flawed by design and there is no explanation offered as to why. Readers are just expected to note these oddities and move forward. The two main characters, Cheryl and Clee, with some unspoken agreement, seem to enter into strange relationships with one another with almost no transition, moving from enemies and physical fights to a maternal relationship, to dating, to co-parents and then to no relationship whatsoever. Not only was the relationship between the two characters confusing, but there is also the constant unsettling thoughts of the main character, Cheryl. From her creepy sexual fantasies to her wild imaginings that she is able to mentally converse with babies, it’s difficult sifting through Cheryl’s internal narrative.

The story’s purpose is completely unclear for the majority of the book. With every new relationship discovered between the two main characters I found myself more and more confused. Despite its bizarreness, “The First Bad Man” is addictive. Once through the first few chapters, stopping is not an option if you want any kind of explanation for the questions the characters’ interactions raise, but there is a large measure of disappointment coming the reader’s way. None of those questions are going to be answered. The ending was satisfying in a superficial way, namely every audience loves a happy ending. But after I turned the last page I was left with one overwhelming question: What? “The First Bad Man” is not an earth-shattering book that would lead to any revelations but if you have a few hours to kill it’s an interesting read. I would give it three out of five stars.

Courtesy of afterellen.com

Author Miranada July holding her novel “The First Bad Man.”

Sean Curzon Staff Writer

The 2015 spring Cinema Series begins Jan. 28 with the Oscar-nominated film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and ends with the ‘90s classic “Pulp Fiction.” Since the fall 2009 semester The Petaluma Film Alliance has hosted the Cinema Series on the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus. The Media 10 class helps host the Cinema Series. The films are open to the public with general admission costing $5 and student admission costing $4. The series is broken into three sections. The first section of the film series is about last year’s biggest movies. Three of the movies, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Boyhood” and “Birdman,” are currently nominated for best picture. The middle section has films chosen to showcase a particular aspect of film, such as production design, acting or cinematography. For example, “Under the Skin” was chosen for its use of sound. The final section showcases world cinema. Class instructor Michael Traina said, “I like to start and end with something crowd pleasing.” The Cinema Series will also feature discussion with some of the directors. On Feb. 11 director Jen McGowan will discuss her film, “Kelly & Cal.” She is the first female director of a narrative film to be present at a screening of her film at the Cinema Series. “Movies are about entertaining people,” Traina said. The Cinema Series is for “helping the audience decode the images.”

Movie dates

The Grand Budapest Hotel - Jan. 28 Boyhood - Feb. 4 Kelly & Cal - Feb. 11 Birdman - Feb. 18 Only Lovers Left Alive - Feb. 25 Hero - March 4 The Children’s Hour - March 11 Almost There - March 25

Election - April 1 Under the Skin - April 8 Salaam Bombay! - April 15 The Celebration -April 22 Performance - April 29 Bagdad Café - May 6 Pulp Fiction - May 3

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A&E

January 26, 2015

Sarah DeFors: Kickstarting a star What to eat on your feet Devin Schwarz Staff Writer

Courtesy of Daniel Catelli Photography

Windsor-born musician, Sarah DeFors, 17, poses for a photo shoot, singing a song off her album and playing her guitar.

Nikki Goetz Staff Writer While most high school seniors struggle with finishing their last year, Sarah DeFors, 17, a young singer-songwriter from Windsor, California is creating an adult-contemporary album with Transformer Studios in Los Angeles, California. Her love for music started at a young age; she learned to play the piano at 3 and violin at 4, but around 11 or 12 she became ill with a blood infection and did not go to school for a year and a half. DeFors put music on hold so she could get well. After taking time off sick she soon returned to singing, taught herself to play the guitar and relearned the piano while writing songs every week. At 15, two producers saw DeFors perform at an open mic-night and invited her to a songwriting expo in Durango, Colorado where she submitted a country song to be picked for showcases. She was one of 40 picked to do showcases

and was asked to distribute with a Nashville publisher in Tennessee. She worked with different people to discover what kind of artist she wanted to be. She was also performing shows for St. Frances Yacht Club, house parties and charity events. DeFors later met Devin Buttner, a partner at the Los Angeles Social Media Marketing Company, who has worked with other music label companies and his partner Dean Dichoso, a professional musician who also worked with labels. For two days a month, for 11 months, DeFors would travel eight hours to Los Angeles to work on her debut album with Buttner and Dichoso. DeFors has started a page on Kickstarter.com, a fundraising vehicle where she created a campaign to help her with the costs of travel, printing CDs, packaging and distribution costs. Anyone can go on to donate money or watch the video clip of her incredible voice and her day-to-day life working on the album, made by Dima Otvertchenko. If she does not raise her goal

on Kickstarter, she won’t be able to receive money already donated and will push back the release date of her album. If money is not raised she will switch to Indiegogo.com where she will get the money donated to help release her album sooner. “Sarah’s passion exceeds her age,” Buttner said. “She writes songs with a youthful innocence that connects with audience across multiple genres. It has been a great pleasure to see Sarah grow while working on these songs. She is definitely an artist to watch out for.” DeFors advice to those who want to pursue a music career is, “Just go for it, you can’t get anywhere or be the exception to the rule without putting in the work.” DeFors is living proof that with dedication and hard work, one can go far, and she will only go further with her dreams. DeFors’ Kickstarter page can be found at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1182098255/ sarah-defors-debut-ep

For many college students, sitting down and enjoying a meal is a luxury that is far out of reach. Luckily for students at Santa Rosa Junior College we have wonderful establishments that allow a fast food experience without the fast food regret. If you’re an Asian food junkie like me, you probably already know of Silver Moon, the Chinese fast food restaurant that fits nicely into the college strip mall and has been fitting nicely there for 23 years. While this may not be the healthiest choice, it is cost effective, fast and easy to take with you. Yng Li, an employee at the establishment, when asked to describe the restaurant to someone new, said, “Simple, easy and fast.” The most popular dish served at Silver Moon is teriyaki chicken, kept warm in a dark sauce that must hold the secrets to the universe. This delectable choice is sure to please everyone who tries it. Another great thing about Silver Moon is the price; due to its large menu there are options to fit anyone’s budget, and more importantly anyone’s appetite. Whether you want an individual portion of food starting at around $3 or a full meal with an entrée and two sides starting at $8, there is something for you here. But keep in mind: if you’re a health nut, this grease laden MSGfest is not for you. I also asked Yng Li why she was in the food industry, to which she replied, “To make a living.” After a few jokes she added, “and for the joy of service.” Not into chewy noodles and chicken fat and still aren’t watching your weight? You can go next door to the Sebastopol-born favorite, Mombo’s Pizza. Another efficient choice for the broke college kid, this place gives

quality and quantity for its price. SRJC student Ginger Nelson, 18, described Mombo’s in three words: “Delicious, friendly, quick.” This amazing, homemade experience does however come at the obvious cost of heart health and the oddly-unique cost of options. When you think of a pizza place you think of choices, but if you’re looking for a one-slice-out-the-door experience at Mombo’s, your choices are pretty limited. Often there is an option of pepperoni, cheese and one toppingladen special; such as vegetarian or Hawaiian - but this is it. The workers are glad to add on to a slice of cheese pizza but will charge you a dollar extra for each topping added. With a price range that begins at $3 a slice these additions can add up quickly. This limits the few toppings options available if one is on a budget and narrows their market to people who like one-topping pizza. If you’re looking for ultimate choice and availability of healthy options look no further than my No. 1 pick for food near SRJC, Ike’s Delicatessen. A menu consisting of over 40 choices and a vegetarian menu that is as large as it is delicious, Ike’s takes the cake, or fresh-baked Dutch crunch rather, as my favorite eatery in SRJC’s area. Ike’s also offers a number of free and premium toppings addable to any sandwich, which extends the menu choices tenfold and allows for numerous customization options. Jeff Jackson, a cook at Ike’s who has been working for the establishment for over two years describes the experience of Ike’s as “most unique and over the top, yet refined at the same time.” But this grandeur does not come without a price, in this case literally, Ike’s sandwiches range from $8$12 and it can be a hard place to enjoy regularly on a college student budget, but I would argue you get your money’s worth in quality as well as sustenance.

SRJC raises curtains in 2015 Auditions commenced as Santa head director. Kyle Schmidt Theatre Arts Department Chair, Leslie McCauley, said, Staff Writer “The show really takes a stab at everything, but it is making a Rosa Junior College’s Theatre Arts point about where immigrants Department opens up its curtains stand in the relationship to the this spring semester with upcom- United States and our past.” ing productions including a unique Following the “American comedy, musical and dance show. Night” production is “Footloose,” Starting on March 6, SRJC directed by Wendy Wisely. “Footbrings the original piece “Ameri- loose” focuses on Ren McCorcan Night: The Ballad of Juan mick, played by returning actor José,” written by Richard Montoya. Erin Galloway, a new resident in The production is a satirical com- a town that bans dancing, paredy that portrays a young immi- ties and Rock ‘n’ Roll music. Ren grant named Juan José, played by chooses to teach the town how Marcos Rivas Sanchez, who mis- to become “footloose” and aims takenly falls asleep while studying to lift the ban. The SRJC Theatre for his citizenship test. During his Department decided to base it on slumber he finds himself among the 1984 Kevin Bacon film inhistorical and pop culture figures stead of the recent 2011 variation. like Sacagawea and Bob Dylan “Footloose is an amazing dance who give him life advice. Theatre show and Lara Branen-Ahumada’s faculty member Reed Martin is choreography is going to be abso-

lutely amazing. We will also have a live rock band,” McCauley said. “We’ve got wonderful design teams on both shows.” To conclude the semester, the theatre hosts the “Spring Dance Show 2015” in collaboration with the Department of Kinesiology, Dance and Athletics. The dance show runs May 8-10. “‘The Spring Dance’ show is always very exciting; it’s a collection of many different dance styles from modern to jazz to hiphop,” McCauley said. The ticket price for each production ranges from $10-22 and will be offered to SRJC associated students with the CubCard Plus for free. Visit www.santarosa.edu/ theatrearts/index.html for more information.

Catherine Ramirez/ Oak Leaf

TOP: The Silver Moon restaurant serves delicious, affordable Chinese food. BOTTOM: Ike’s Place is not cheap, but it is healthy and delicious.

A&E 16 Volcanoes, sun and ‘spacerock’ heat up Planetarium January 26, 2015

Haley Elizabeth Bollinger A&E Editor

Make a journey around Santa Rosa Junior College and discover the Planetarium. The 40-footdiameter and 27-foot-high dome theater is a gem on the SRJC campus. The SRJC Planetarium is one of the biggest space science facilities in the California Community College system. Inside the dome is a Goto model GX-10 star projector with the ability to reproduce the sky onto the dome, revealing the sun, moon, planets and stars in their proper positions. The spring 2015 semester is booked full of educational and entertaining shows providing students and visitors with a chance to learn about space and science in an engaging and visual environment. “First Friday Night Sky” is a monthly show. The show gives an overview of the night sky for that particular month and shares details about what planets are presently viewable from Earth and the current phase of the moon. Admission to this show is free with donations gladly accepted and will be shown at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, March 6, April 3 and May 1 of the spring 2015 semester. “Volcanoes” is the first of the regular shows starting this spring.

The presentation will deliver insight about what causes volcanoes on Earth and will go into detail regarding a range of volcanoes in western North America, the Cascade Volcanoes and volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands. It will explore evidence of volcanic

“I like both subjects of volcanoes and the sun, and the live musical concert under the stars because they feature local talent, Astronaut Lullabies is one of my favorites.”

- Ed Megill, Planeterium Director activity on the moon, Mars, Venus and one of Jupiter’s moons, Io. The show will run Jan. 16 to Feb. 15 every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. General admission is $8 and $5 for children 13 and under, and students with ID. Find out why the Aurora Borealis happens at “The Sun.” The show will highlight different types of stars: high mass, medium mass and

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low mass. It will discuss how our low mass star, the Sun, was formed; its stellar life, sunspots, solar flares, the effects the sun has on Earth and how our sun compares to other stars in our galaxy and farther in the universe. The show will run Feb. 20 to March 29 with shows every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. General admission is $8 and $5 for children 13 and under, and students with ID. The SRJC Planetarium also has a returning live concert show, “Astronaut Lullabies.” Sonoma county composers Jim and Kathy Ocean will perform a collection of “space rock.” The songs are astronomy related and choreographed to visuals providing time to contemplate life on Earth and our part in the universe. The show will run at 3 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 8 and March 8. General admission costs $15 and $10 for students. “I like both subjects of volcanoes and the sun, and the live musical concert under the stars because they feature local talent, Astronaut Lullabies is one of my favorites. But it doesn’t take away from my enthusiasm about regular shows and Friday Night Live shows,” said Planetarium Director Ed Megill. Find out more information about Courtesy of SRJC website SRJC Planetarium at www.santarosa. TOP: Visitors to the planetarium are greeted with amazing pictures of the stars. edu/planetarium. BOTTOM: The GX-10 star projector creates a cloudless night sky indoors.