Spring 15 Issue 5 by Oak Leaf News

Candidate information on page10

WWW.THEOAKLEAFNEWS.COM Issue 5, Vol. CXXXIII, April 6, 2015

SRJC will miss Nick Anast

Students mourn loss of beloved instructor JoshuOne Barnes and Faith Gates Investigative Reporter and Managing Editor Beloved Santa Rosa Junior College life sciences instructor Nick Anast devoted his life to teaching his students to use compassion to treat the person and not the condition. Anast died during a kayaking accident in Tomales Bay March 18. Anast, 55, grew up in Southern California; he attended SRJC before transferring to Sonoma State University and then UC Berkeley. He taught at Casa Grande High School and Napa Valley College before coming to SRJC in 2005. He was a fourth-degree black belt after doing Aikido for almost 30 years and loved to travel the world. Anast is survived by his 9-year-old son Cooper. “He was the most loving, accepting person I’ve ever met in my life,” said SRJC student Michael Moore, who took Anast’s class last semester. “He was the absolute best teacher I’ve ever had in my life. Everyone that was in his class became better people because of it,” Moore said. Marin County Sheriff ’s Lt. Doug Pittman said Anast, an avid outdoorsman, was kayaking with a friend when he fell into the water in Tomales Bay in Marin County. Efforts to pull Anast from the water were unsuccessful. A news helicopter spotted Anast

JoshuOne Barnes/Oak Leaf

Life sciences instructor Nick Anast teaching about brains at SRJC Day Under the Oaks in May 2014.

SRJC baseball team loses streak

After a seven game winning streak, the SRJC baseball team loses two straight games to Consumnes River College.

SPORTS, Page 8

in the water at around 6 p.m. He was dead when the Coast Guard reached him. “Nick gave his whole heart in his teachings,” said SRJC student Kellee Ziegler, who had Anast as her physiology instructor. “This was his true passion. He was inspiring, uplifting and he lived what he taught. He was a free spirit that loved life.” Ziegler said she will be forever thankful to Anast and her heart goes out to his family. “I had never met a teacher who was so impassioned, so energetic, so hilarious, and yet, could be all of these things while teaching a complex and vast subject,” said SRJC nursing student Rebecca Hildebrandt. “Nevertheless, he embodied all of these great characteristics, and he pulled it off seemingly effortlessly.” Dawn Michelle Tucker, a nursing student in her last year in the program, said she and her classmates posted on social media to comfort each other after finding out about the loss. Tucker said they are sad, devastated and shocked about losing Anast, whom she called an awesome person. Photo courtesy of The Press Democrat “His passion and curiosity for the natural Nick Anast and SRJC student Aaron Karres working in the Mahoney Library on the Petaluma campus world was totally inspiring and infectious,” in September 2010, putting together the skeleton of the giraffe “Fresno” from Safari West. Tucker said. “He worked tirelessly to lead his students through some of the toughest classes While in the Dominican Republic, Anast’s class, he would have everyone get up at the JC with compassion and determination.” Hildebrandt was thrilled to use what Anast and stretch. He would tell everyone to send That sentiment was echoed by dozens taught her. out good energy to those around. Moore of former students on the website “Nick had also taught us about the power said Anast would tell the class he would be ratemyinstructor.com, a site where of love, of touch and of their roles in healing. sending out good energy to them that night students can compare notes about their I made sure to include that while I was there,” and to look for it. teachers. Comments like “He was the Hildebrandt said. “I thought of Nick’s lessons “He just loved everybody,” Moore said. best teacher I ever had,” “most amazing” to us when I did this, and my eyes welled up Buffo echoed saying she felt his vibe, that he and “life-changing,” affirm how popular more than once when I remembered I’d never loved life and had love for others. the instructor was and how sorely he will get to share what I’d done with him.” SRJC student Erin Lydia organized be missed. Anast was teaching Biology 2.2 this a memorial beach bonfire gathering honoring Hildebrandt took Anast’s Human semester and Susan Wilson has taken over Anast March 21 on Limantour Beach in Physiology class last his class. Point Reyes. SRJC will hold a celebration of semester and kept in SRJC student Taylor Nick Anast’s life April 26 at 11 a.m. on the contact with him ever Buffo was in Anast’s Burbank/Analy lawn. “He was the absolute best since. Hildebrandt was class this semester. She “He was an awesome, awesome guy, and life teacher I’ve ever had in able to take a trip to the said Anast boosted her is fragile,” Tucker said. my life. Everyone that Dominican Republic to confidence to continue Grief counselors are on hand to help was in his class became work at a clinic and Anast nursing. students and faculty mourning the loss of the better people because of it.” donated money for h e r “A couple days into inspirational instructor. trip because of his love for spring break I wanted The 17-foot tall giraffe skeleton, “Fresno,” traveling the world. She met to go to class because I in the SRJC Mahoney library in Petaluma will -Michael Moore, SRJC with him March 16, only missed him. I was driving forever be a reminder of Anast as he took an student two days before he died. in the car when I heard entire summer to clean and assemble it before “When we finally the news and my heart donating it to SRJC. wrapped up our conversation about my dropped,” she said. “We came back to class “The saddest part was that so many students upcoming trip, I added, ‘In case I die, you were and you could just feel the mood. It’s been a will miss out on his class,” Moore said. an awesome teacher and a great friend, Nick,’ really difficult transition.” Hildebrandt once asked Anast why we miss I called to him. I could hear him laughing as Upon returning from spring break, people when they die, to which he responded, the door clicked shut behind me. I chuckled counselors were brought into class to talk “People aren’t just bodies. I believe they are to myself as I walked to my car,” Hildebrandt about the situation. Buffo said there were a lot souls too, and I think we are forgetting about said. “Little did I know that would be the last of tears. the role that love plays in this whole scenario. time I would see him.” Moore and Buffo both said an hour into That can’t be underestimated.”

Student Health Services benefits Student Health Services Center urges SRJC students to utilize free health resources.

FEATURES, Page 13

A life changes in a day An average day, forgettable to most, stands out among all other days of the year when a loved one abruptly passes away.

OPINION, Page 16

Petaluma Cinema Series continues

Petaluma Cinemas Series shows “Almost There,” depicting an elderly painter with a dark past.

A&E, Page 17

News

April 6, 2015

www.theoakleafnews.com

Measure H Sudden departure of SRJC police chief brings changes SRJC Police Department left juggling interims to hierarchy JoshuOne Barnes

Pio Valenzuela

Investigative Reporter

Staff Writer

Chief Matt McCaffrey’s departure from the Santa Rosa Junior College District Police left the department juggling three new chiefs over the past two weeks. During McCaffrey’s two-plus years as chief, the campus police department dealt with multiple controversies. McCaffrey accepted a position as captain at the Novato Police Department and his last day was March 27. “I want to thank Chief McCaffrey for his service to SRJC, and to let him know how much I personally appreciate all that he has done during his tenure at SRJC,” SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong wrote in a letter sent to all staff and faculty announcing McCaffrey’s departure. The college’s initial plan was to have Joe Palla, a two-time former SRJC Board of Trustees member and former interim police chief, fill the position. At around 4 p.m. on March 27 Interim Chief Palla sent a letter to district police employees in which he stated his plans for a smooth transition and encouraged the officers and dispatchers to bring any concerns they had to his attention to resolve them. “I place a high value on all employees and consider all employees a vital member of our team,” Palla wrote in the letter. “In order for us to be successful, we must have a wellfunctioning team.” The last time Palla served as interim chief, the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) allowed him to keep his retirement and work for a limited number of hours as interim chief while the district vetted and selected a new chief. But SRJC administrators were not aware of changes in the PERS regulations that forbid Palla from stepping in a second time. By 7 p.m. administrators realized they would not be able to bring Palla back in the capacity they had planned. The announcement came from Doug Roberts, vice president of business

After three counties voted yes on Measure H, nearly half a billion dollars and the responsibility to use the money correctly fell upon Santa Rosa Junior College President Dr. Frank Chong, prompting him to promote Vice Presidents Mary Kay Rudolph and Doug Roberts. Since February, Rudolph has overseen all state and federal grant programs, adult education and distance education. Meanwhile, Roberts took on new duties supervising information technology and the facilities’ planning and operations departments, while assuming fiscal oversight of the $410 million Measure H bond money. Additionally, SRJC will hire a director of capital projects to spearhead bond projects. The SRJC Board of Trustees approved the changes in its February meeting. The Board will also hire a director of distance education, but this position is unrelated to Measure H. February’s board agenda states “the internal restructure will be cost neutral to the District. The two new positions will be supported by Measure H funds.” According to state law and the text of Measure H, money from the bond cannot be used for administrator salaries, but the director of capital projects will work exclusively on projects for the bond. “It’s a common practice to hire staff to work exclusively on the bond,” Chong said. He said funds from Measure H would not fund the director of distance education and the board made a mistake in indicating so. Rudolph, senior vice president of academic affairs/assistant superintendent, said, “Dr. Chong has to focus on the big picture. The job has evolved and changed.” Meanwhile, her job and duties changed as well, and she said the decision to delegate some of the president’s responsibilities to her Continued on page 3 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

Left: Photo Courtesy of SRJC Right: JoshuOne Barnes/ Oak Leaf

Left: Eight-year SRJC district police officer Robert Brownlee is the acting SRJC Chief of Police after McCaffrey’s departure. Right: Matt McCaffrey is a captain at the Novato Police Department after being SRJC Police Chief for more than two years.

services, in an email he sent to police someone who is a peace officer to employees. fulfill that role,” Deal said. Roberts announced he would It is not unusual for an unqualified be the person in charge of the candidate to attempt to run a police department. “To be clear, Joe department when a chief leaves with will not be an immediate ‘supervisor’ very little notice, Deal said. “The to the sergeants. That responsibility, reason that it occurs is there’s a lack by necessity, will be mine,” Roberts of knowledge.” wrote. Palla would be a consultant to Police agencies that participate Roberts, according to the letter. in the POST program must adhere Some were surprised by the move. to regulations the agency sets. The Robert Edmonds, former SRJC SRJC District Police is in the POST student trustee program. and current “Most of the Sonoma County time, what we Community encounter is “I want to thank Chief and Local Law that they don’t McCaffrey for his service Enforcement understand the to SRJC, and to let him Task Force rules, and so we know how much I committee try to operate as personally appreciate all member, said an honest broker that he has done during he was shocked and provide his tenure at SRJC.” and he thought them with the - SRJC President Dr. Frank information to Roberts lacked Chong the expertise help them make needed to run the an informed department. decision, On Monday knowing that morning, the California agency that the selection process isn’t something oversees police training agreed with that gets done overnight,” Deal said. Edmonds. “[We] tell them here’s what the rules Alan Deal, assistant executive are, here’s where you find them, so director of the Peace Officer that will be my next phone call.” Standards and Training (POST), said By Monday evening, Roberts sent the rules are clear when it comes to out a letter to inform the department who can act as interim chief while a of the situation. “As it turns out, permanent one is chosen. “It requires because of POST regulations, I cannot Photographers JoshuOne Barnes Madison Anuskewicz Carin Huber Craig Gettman Catherine Ramirez

Layout Team Craig Gettman Catherine Ramirez

Distribution Dominic Jones and Candler Weinberg Investigative Reporter JoshuOne Barnes

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directly oversee the operations of the officers in the Police Department, for that we need to have an Acting Chief of Police,” Roberts wrote. In the letter, Roberts announced the appointment of Sgt. Robert Brownlee to the position as acting chief of police, a move that complies with POST regulations. SRJC spokesperson Ellen Maremont Silver announced the promotion in a press release. “We are pleased to announce that Robert T. Brownlee, who has served with our Police Department for eight years, has agreed to serve as [Acting] Chief of Police until we successfully complete our hiring process of a long-term Chief of Police. Joe Palla’s consultancy will help SRJC during this transition,” Maremont Silver wrote. Brownlee wrote to his fellow police employees that he had humbly accepted the district’s offer to be the acting chief. He wrote that, while he knew that the department had been through its share of difficulties, he knew its members were ready to face challenges head on. “We are committed to the very simple goal of making this organization better than it was the day before,” Brownlee wrote. “I challenge you to take this goal, make it your own, ask, ‘how can we make it better?’ and then do so.”

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News

3 SRJC senators approve revised student constitution www.theoakleafnews.com

Maci Martell Assistant News Editor With student elections rapidly approaching at Santa Rosa Junior College, student senate members urge students to vote on an amended constitution they believe will best govern and represent the student body. The student senate approved the revised constitution and a newly established Student Bill of Rights in a senate meeting March 23. In another meeting March 30, the amendment to add the Bill of Rights to the constitution was struck from the ballot. According to Virginia Kerr, vice president of programs, certain administrators had concerns with some of the wording and framing of the Bill of Rights, believing it could conflict with school policy. Alex Smith, VP of membership and marketing said he felt disheartened with the removal of the Bill of Rights from the ballot, but the senate will not stop working on it. “I think it’s impossible for a document of this nature to be perfect, but we will continue to work on it until concerns are met and it can go to the students for a vote,” Smith said. Kerr said while the Bill of Rights may need more work to coordinate with policy, she felt the constitution came out stronger, clearer and less ambiguous than the former constitution. Student senate members started

revising the constitution in June 2014. Student Senate President Joshua Pinaula said one of the biggest focuses in the revision was making it more concise and representative of the whole student body. Dean of Student Affairs Robert Ethington said, “My philosophy as the Student Senate advisor is that students need to create a government that works best for them to accomplish their goals of serving their fellow students…within existing policies and laws of course.” With the reworking of the constitution, the change in senate position titles and the emphasis on student life, Pinaula feels they can encourage more students to participate in the college community. “When you create an environment you want to be in, then you increase the chances of people getting involved,” he said. According to Advisor for Student Senate Affairs Zack Miranda, the biggest change in this constitution is the revision of bylaws, making it more about the student body and who represents them. Bylaws are a set of internal rules and regulations for how procedures work in the student senate. “This is going to be a great way for them to try new things, rearrange the way their policies and procedures work to try to get more work done in a year and try to address students’ needs more quickly,” Miranda said. According to Miranda and Pinaula,

April 6, 2015

Daniel Kong/ Oak Leaf

Santa Rosa Junior College student senators strive to ensure accurate representation for the student body with a newly amended student constitution. It will provide the senate with the power to effectively serve SRJC students.

the election code went through a substantial revision a year ago to make it easier for students to propose initiatives and vote, thereby increasing student interest and involvement. “I think we’ve only done things to make it more fair to students,” Pinaula said. “There seemed to be ridiculous quantifiers to do anything if you wanted to get involved. We changed a lot of that up, so I think it’s a lot less corrupt.” Over the past year, the senate has been revising an unofficial Bill of Rights made in the 1960s along with the constitution to clearly state what rights students have on campus. Kerr feels the revising of the Bill of Rights was a little rushed, and there needed

to be more work done on it. Kerr intends to run for re-election, and one of her goals is to collaborate on restructuring the Bill of Rights for the next spring election. “I’d like to create a pathway of where this document should go,” she said. “I can definitely see it being a difficult road to go down. But I would like to see the academic senate [and the All Faculty Association] look at this; I would want as much input as possible.” Pinaula said he was less involved in revising the Bill of Rights. “I was way more focused on ensuring that the constitution was finished, because I think that’s a more vital document for the future of the college,” he said.

Miranda said he puts a lot of importance in the constitution, because it will provide better representation and benefits for students by expanding what the senate can do for them. “I see a lot of benefit coming with this new constitution,” he said. “The restructuring that they’re doing and the increasing of positions can help the student government do more work, do better work, in the future.” The constitutional amendments, along with other initiatives, referendums and prospective student senate representatives, will be voted on in the general student election during the third week of April. “Please vote on 4/20,” Pinaula said.

can vote for a new Student Senate gears unit-based enrollment fee Possible student fee: Students Mason Smith

Contributing Writer In the upcoming student elections, students may vote to approve a unit-based enrollment fee for a new student center, creating a space for students to relax and access various resources. If implemented, the student center will guarantee individual students and student organizations their own autonomous presence on campus. The facility will provide resources for health and wellness as well as a space for clubs, events and community issues. “Students who are happy are healthier,” Student Senate Advisor Ian Mauer said. “This will create the opportunity for students to feel comfortable on campus, make connections, make friends, get involved in clubs, get involved in activities and to be distracted from classes for a few minutes. These are all things that will make students more successful in the classroom.” The student senate, faculty and student body will

decide what services the student center will provide if the referendum is approved. “There is very much a commuter mentality,” Mauer said. “It’s demanding being a student, having a job, family and social life. If there are more facilities for students to hang out here on campus, it will bring more community and more life to the campus.” In addition to general facility updates, the fee will go to improving technology available to students. The fee is $1 per unit, with an annual $10 cap. If a student is enrolled for four units, they will only pay $4 toward the fee. Though it is variable to student enrollment, the Associated Student Senate and its advisors project it will have a $200,000 budget to allocate toward the new student center and other student community outlets should the referendum pass. Students receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program or the General Assistance program will be exempt from paying the fee requirement.

SRJC President delegates new responsiblities Continued from page 2...

and Roberts was no surprise. “We had been talking about it for six months or more,” Rudolph said. She said that both she and Roberts were good choices for the promotion not only because of their existing duties, but because of the length of their service at SRJC. “To have people like we do who stay for a long time is really good for an organization,” she said. Roberts, senior vice president of finance and administration services/ assistant superintendent said, “It’s a change in reporting. Because of the kind of budgeting oversight already under my auspices, the scope of the change isn’t that great.”

His new position provides more opportunities to create closer working relationships between the departments he oversees. He said prior to the change, I.T. and Facilities were two departments not reporting to a vice president. “There is a lot of day-to-day maintenance and management and it’s an advantage for those departments to have day-to-day oversight,” Roberts said. As senior vice presidents with more responsibilities, Rudolph, Roberts and their staff have more on their plate. “A reorganization of any level can have an impact on the working conditions for the faculty,” said Julie

Thompson, president of the All Faculty Association (AFA), which is the collective bargaining agent for all SRJC faculty and staff. However, she said, “There are no red flags for me.” Sean Martin, AFA’s vice president, said, “The bond is so important that it’s necessary to make adjustments.” Ultimately, the restructuring was a move to make sure that the bond is not put to waste. “If the only thing he did was to get the bond. he’s already submitted his legacy,” Roberts said. “The bond passes and the world’s different,” Chong said. “I’ve been there. I know how much work it takes to successfully implement a bond.”

up for SRJC elections Luke Heslip

Assistant Opinion Editor Election preparations and drafting of a new student constitution dominated the agenda of the Santa Rosa Junior College Associated Students Senate’s March sessions. The April 20-24 elections determine the 11 elected senators and the student trustee, who sits on SRJC’s board of trustees and has an advisory vote. The new constitution, if passed, provides two additional elected officers to join the senate. Initially these senators will acquire seats by appointment but will be elected starting Spring 2016. The senate allotted $5,000 for election expenses - $4,000 for student employee compensation and $1,000 for supplies. An additional $15,000 donated by the SRJC Foundation supplements the senate’s election efforts. The 2015 ballot will feature a completely revised student constitution which must receive a two-thirds majority of votes to attain legitimacy. If the students ratify, the constitution will go to the board of trustees for administrative approval. The document must comply with college policy and not contradict existing laws, such as the California Education Code. An ad-hoc committee also drafted a student

bill of rights but the Senate voted to withhold it from the spring ballot in its March 30 session, concerned it was not ready for board approval. Another major item on the ballot is the student center fee referendum, a dollar per unit enrollment fee with an annual 10-unit cap. The fund is discretionary and at the Senate’s disposal with the express intent to use for student community purposes. If levied, the fee would be mandatory with some exemptions like the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee wavier. As the elections draw near, referendum promotion elevated in priority and an awareness campaign is underway via vinyl posters and leaflets. The senate is in the process of composing internal bylaws, rules to govern the operations of the senate and establish policy. A motion to form an ad-hoc committee for the bylaws passed March 30. The senate set April 6 as a tentative date for a first draft. “Getting the bylaws done is the most important thing we can do right now,” said Associated Students President Josh Pinaula. In honor of SRJC life science instructor Nick Anast who died in a kayaking accident March 18, the senate donated $200 to his memorial committee. The senate allocated $2,100 to send two senators and an advisor to the Student Senate of California Community Colleges general assembly.

News Lecture discusses misconceptions of feminism and Islam

April 6, 2015

Catherine Ramirez Staff Writer

Two women glance at one another; one wears a hijab and is completely covered except for her eyes, while the other woman wears a small bikini with sunglasses covering her eyes. The same thought crosses their minds: what a cruel male-dominated culture she must live in. The cartoon sketch of these women was on display during the Feminism and Islam presentation Santa Rosa Junior College psychology professor Narmeen Nasseem held at noon March 26 in the Doyle Library. As part of the lecture series for SRJC Women’s History Month, Nasseem discussed some of the misconceptions people have about feminism, Islam and patriarchy. “I am Islamic. I’m a feminist. And I’m living in a patriarchal world,” Nasseem said. “I’m aware that there are misconceptions. And we’re living in a time where there is Islamophobia.” After welcoming the 20 attendees to the event and having everyone greet one another, Nasseem asked the audience questions about each topic — feminism, Islam and patriarchy—

then asked which religions have influenced them personally. Along with the personal accounts attendees shared about their experiences with religion, Nasseem talked about her own religious background. She had Muslim parents, Hindu and Buddhist friends and attended a Catholic school in Southeast Asia. “I found myself praying in many different languages and praying to different deities,” she said. When asked about her own stance on religion, she said, “I am not religious in the sense that I don’t follow any one of the religions, but I sure do have a clear sense that religion plays a very important role in society. The reason that I say that is because I think every religion has some fabulous guidelines as to how we can coexist.” The problem with religions like Islam, Nasseem argues, is human interpretation. “To me, the religion itself serves a real, critical role in our functioning,” she said. “But the way that we’ve interpreted it to where we justify the ugliness that we do to one another; that’s what I mean, it’s like no, I’m not a religious person.” The discussion led to religion’s role and influence on feminism, especially in Muslim countries.

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Daniel Kong/ Oak Leaf

Santa Rosa Junior College psychology professor Narmeen Nasseem gives a lecture on feminism and patriarchy in Islam.

“Through religion, feminism has been railroaded,” Nasseem said. However, Naseem argues that Islam has also had a positive influence on feminism. Her lecture slides stated that under Islamic Law, education was made a sacred duty for girls and gave women the right to own and inherit property. It also stated that the Qu’ran did not invent or introduce patriarchy, but rather the Islamic scriptures were written at a time in which the dominant culture was Middle Eastern patriarchy. Nasseem then discussed how

the definition and perception of feminism itself varies throughout different cultures. “For us as Westerners to look at Easterners and go, ‘God, first get rid of all this covering that you’re doing,’” she said. “That’s egocentrism in us... that you gotta do it our way because, you know, this is what feminism is.” Nasseem argued that for people to make any kind of change, they must function within the environment instead of putting it down. “Your cultural norms are not the

norms of the world,” she said. Nasseem received very positive feedback about her presentation. “I was just really happy to see the number of people who attended,” Naseem said. “I was disappointed to see, again, so few men in the audience as though feminism is something that is the domain of females.” After attending the event, SRJC student Harmony Caponio, 25, said, “It sparked a really good conversation on feminism. We are all in common agreement. We just all interpret it differently.”

Matthew Koch

Cesar Chavez’s wife, Helen Chavez, worked behind the scenes writing daily reports, addressing daily postcards, helping prepare chapter meetings, caring for eight children and working in the fields. She also participated in demonstrations, was arrested four times, marched in picket lines with her family and worked 30 years as a secretary, bookkeeper and treasurer manager for the United Farm Workers Union. Chavez provided important services to credit union members who would otherwise be denied, helping a whole generation of farmworkers raise themselves out of poverty. During this time, many political activists came forth. They expressed their thoughts and concerns through art because there were no representations of Chicana women in art before. Such artists included Yolanda Lopez, Frida Kahlo and Barbara Carrasco. Carrasco painted the iconic picture of civil rights activist Dolores Huerta; a member of the United Farmworkers Union led by Chavez. Carrasco chose the colors in her painting of Huerta very carefully. “[I] used a yellow ochre for her face, representing sunshine, the essence of her energy: a rose-colored blouse to symbolize her femininity and gentleness, ” Carrasco said. SRJC student John Bedell said, “I thought it was really good, informative, [I] learned a lot about Chicana art that I didn’t know about.” Through striving to accomplish gender-neutral conditions in the workforce, the Chicana Feminist Movement paved the way for women and activists alike, acting as a powerful source of inspiration.

Chicanas persevere Staff Writer

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The Chicana artists of the 1970s brought the Chicana Feminist Movement to its true potential with the artwork they created, serving as the first representation of political activism for the movement. A mix of more than 30 individuals between history instructor Allison Baker’s students and those who are interested in the movement met at the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus to honor Chicanas during Women’s History Month. The Chicana feminist movement emerged as the direct result of the Chicano Movement. Chicanos oppressed Chicanas, believing they should remain in their gender roles as stay-at-home mothers, as opposed to being a part of the workforce. “It was interesting learning of Chicana empowerment within the culture,” said SRJC student Lillian Seidlin. In 1969, 1,500 men and women attended the first Chicano Youth Liberation Conference in Denver where the Chicanos declared women were opposed to their own liberation. Fifty percent of the Chicanas were loyalists to the Chicano movement, believing ethnic immunity was greater than gender immunity. The Chicanas were unique; they faced what Baker referred to as “triple oppression,” because they constantly faced sexism, racism and classism. The Chicanas held the first national conference in Sacramento in the early 70s.

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News

April 6, 2015

of Trustees grapple with Redistricting: Board racially equitable district areas Luke Heslip

elections in which the entire constituency elects all trustees. The trustees’ terms are staggered in twoAssistant Opinion Editor year intervals so at least one seat is Sonoma County Junior College in play every election cycle. District (SCJCD) Board of Trustees The Santa Rosa area is three times held a public study session to consider larger than the other subdistricts and redistricting its subdistricts to ensure stretches from northern Santa Rosa into equitable trustee representation for Roseland, Rohnert Park and Cotati. Hispanic demographics March 25 in The size of the Santa Rosa the Bertolini Student Center. district makes it an incredibly Different community and state expensive area to run for a trustee organizations presented arguments position, in concurrence with the exploring the historic and legal steep income disparities between considerations of redistricting. neighborhoods like Fountaingrove The board called the session to and Roseland institutionally favor reevaluate the Santa Rosa area of the wealthier candidates. district or subdistrict Proponents of 3, 4 and 5. redistricting suggest The SCJCD is the Santa Rosa “The reason these divided into five area be divided laws are in place is into three separate areas, four of which to protect diverse have one elected regions reflecting communities.” trustee representing the diversity of the about 70,000 area, each with its - Joshua Pinaula, constituents. own elected trustee. associated students However, the The resolution president Santa Rosa area, would arrange the encompassing subdistricts into more than 200,000 proportionate trustee constituents, has constituent ratios. three elected trustees who each SRJC’s student body is more than represent the area collectively. 25 percent Hispanic, qualifying it as The SCJCD was originally an a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). extension of Santa Rosa High School The HSI status entitled SRJC to a $2.65 District. It gained autonomy in 1930, million federal grant in August. initially with three trustees elected from Supporters of reform contend the at the Santa Rosa area and two from Analy large system mitigates minority voice, in West County. The district grew to particularly of Hispanic residents, who include the Petaluma, Sonoma Valley make up about 30 percent of the district, and Cloverdale areas. according to Jessica Jones, former SRJC The three Santa Rosa trustees Associated Students president and attain office through at-large redistricting activist.

The Santa Rosa subdistrict has had only one Hispanic trustee in its 85year history. Appointed to the board in 2004, Frank Briceno ran for reelection in 2006 and lost. In her presentation, Jones said the standing district paradigm underserves Hispanic SRJC students. “Trustees from this area are not adequately representing the community,” Jones said. The session’s purpose was partly to see if the multi-district system, having both at-large and direct district elections, complies with pertaining laws. The California Education Code states community college governing boards constituted by trustee areas face appointed redistricting “to adjust for population changes that have occurred since the last redistricting to ensure that each ward has equal population to maintain one-person-one-vote.” The Education Code permits multi-trustee districts depending on demographic makeup and other factors like district shape and population. The California Voters Rights Act (CVRA) requires college boards with at-large systems to monitor racially polarized voting and stipulates that at-large systems “may not be imposed or applied in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choosing.” Technically, any district with multiple trustees elected by the entire constituency violates the CVRA if it could be redrawn to “enable a protected class to influence the election.” Associated Students President Joshua Pinaula said, “The reason these laws are in place is to protect diverse communities.”

the victim knows the attacker. “They look just like regular people,” Peraza said. “They are our neighbors, our friends, people that we know. Good people.” Rapists don’t fit the stereotype of some evil-looking person lurking in the bushes, some unknown assailant; the rapist could be your date, your cousin or your classmate. Peraza noted that the Clery Act of 1990 requires colleges and universities to publish reports on campus crimes, including sexual assaults, and that a 2009 investigation found 77 percent of schools reported zero rapes in 2006. These numbers have raised questions —do people feel uncomfortable reporting this crime? And when they do report the crime, do people believe them? Between embarrassment and regret, the crime is rarely reported. Responses vary, Peraza continued, with some colleges wanting to protect their campus from negative publicity and others involving committees to determine whether or not a crime has actually been committed. In an effort to protect students from sexual assault, the recent White House report “Not Alone” noted that “One in five women is sexually assaulted in college. Most often it’s by someone she knows and also most often, she does not report what happened.” This report identified three steps to help bring this problem to light: campus surveys, engaging men in preventing sexual

assault and effectively responding when a student is sexually assaulted. The U.S. Department of Education threatened the loss of federal funding for schools that fail to address sexual assaults. The Office of Civil Rights noted 55 institutions of higher learning are under investigation for mishandling of sexual violence and harassment complaints. Last year California became the first state in the nation to enact a “Yes Means Yes” law, defining sexual consent. In another video portion of the lecture, Bill Chappel of National Public Radio News said we now have “a clean definition of when people agree to sex.

Photos courtesy of Joshua Pinaula

Some M.E.Ch.A students wear tape over their mouths to symbolize lack of voice.

The Associated Students Senate supports a redistricting resolution. The session was not a board meeting so it could take no action, however trustee Jordan Burns publically suggested forming an ad-hoc committee to address redistricting. The School and College Legal Services of California and the Community College League of California both rendered input on redistricting, mostly reiterating voting laws and reviewing redistricting history in the context of SRJC’s needs. They will continue to evaluate legal considerations and communicate with the board. SCJCD legal council Margaret Merchat said, “The safe harbor is to have one trustee per district.” Merchat acknowledged the complexity of equitable trustee districts and said at-large systems don’t necessarily discriminate. She said other factors like voter registration and turnout also have weight.

“I think it gave us all the information we need,” Student Trustee Omar Paz said after the session. “I want us to take action as soon as possible.” SRJC president Dr. Frank Chong said he thought the session was productive. “We will do something thoughtful,” he said. Burns said he wants community involvement going forward and to learn more about redistricting costs. “I think it’s a very important issue for the board,” he said. SRJC student Diana Kingsbury said, “People actually care about fairness and equality.” She thought the session was hopeful and showed how engaged the community is. Hasting Law School professor Robert Rubin encouraged the board to redistrict now. “If not you would disempower voters,” she said. “It’s about protecting the voter, not the candidate.”

The law goes further than the common ‘no means no’ standard, which has been blamed for bringing ambiguity into investigations of sexual assault cases.” SRJC counselor Rhonda Findling said, “We have got to change the culture we live in and the messages that encourage sexual violence.” Peraza shared a story about news commentator and rape victim Zerline Maxwell, who in her article “Five Ways We Can Teach Men Not to Rape” wrote, “It is not just about intervening, but all of the things that lead up to it—degrading and oversexualizing women and girls— that contribute to sexual violence.”

Some men have taken action. “It’s about community accountability,” said Eesha Pandit, the executive director of Men Stopping Violence. “We require men to talk to other men in their lives and tell them about these programs. It is important that we have community networks that hold men accountable.” More than 30 people attended “What is Rape Culture?,” including students and faculty members. They learned one in six women and one in 33 men will get raped during their lifetime. Oh, and the words on that average looking man’s T-shirt? “Chicks, wanna f---?”

SRJC lecture defines rape culture Bill Skoonberg

Contributing Writer He walked across the Bertolini Student Center lobby, an average looking guy, tall with dark, shaggy hair. He wore a long-sleeved shirt; open in the front, with a black t-shirt underneath. Nothing about him stood out until he passed by. Three words were printed on the front of that t-shirt, and those words might as well have jumped right off the fabric. In spite of outward appearances, this was not your “average” guy. The day before, in the same building, Santa Rosa Junior College counselor Erlinda Peraza, as part of the Women’s History Month celebration, lectured on the pervasiveness of rape and sexual violence in our culture. According to Peraza, rape culture is “a culture in which dominant cultural ideologies, media images, social practices and societal institutions support and condone sexual abuse by normalizing, trivializing and eroticizing male violence against women and blaming victims for their own abuse.” The numbers she shared are staggering. In the United States, 293,066 people are raped every year, meaning someone is raped every two minutes. Nine out of 10 victims are female. On college campuses this crime goes unreported nearly 80 percent of the time. There is a strong probability

• One in four women in college today have been the victim of rape, and nearly 90 percent of them knew their rapist. • Every 21 hours there is another rape on an American college campus. • Ninety percent of all campus rapes occur under the influence of alcohol. • College rape victims receive external injuries in over 47 percent of rapes. Courtesy of Crisis Connection Inc.

Sports

April 6, 2015

www.theoakleafnews.com

SRJC Sports Calendar Baseball April 7 2:30 p.m. at American River April 9 2:30 p.m. vs. American River

Softball April 7 3 p.m. vs. American River April 11 2 p.m. vs. Diablo Valley College April 14 3 p.m. vs. Diablo Valley College

Tennis Men’s April 7 2 p.m. 1st Round Playoff at TBD

Softball struggles midway through season Anthony Sosa

Staff Writer

ith the 2015 semester coming to a close, the Bear Cubs softball team looks to make a hard run into the Women’s playoffs before season’s end. With a 17-14 overall record April 7 and a 4-8 conference record, 2 p.m. 1st Round Playoff at TBD the Bear Cubs have to fight and claw through a tough playoff April 22 race. They are currently ranked 2 p.m. 2nd Round Playoff at TBD seventh in the Big 8 Conference. The Bear Cubs started off Swim and Dive their season strong, winning eight of the first 10 games. Men’s During this 10-game span, they outscored opponents 65-26, April 11 showing an impressive offensive NorCal Diving Championship display and pitching. The Bear Cubs are 9-12 in April 16 their past 21 games. “I think Big 8 Swimming Championship we started out really strong, but then came into a team slump,” Women’s said pitcher Dana Thomsen. Thomsen feels the team is April 11 coming together now and can NorCal Diving Championships fight for a playoff spot. at Delta College “We just have to keep our heads up and battle every game,” April 16-18 she said. 10 a.m. Big 8 Championships at The Bear Cubs owe a lot of American River their success to the pitching staff. Thomsen has totaled Track and Field 133 innings this season, with a 1.95 ERA and 176 strikeouts. Men’s Pitchers Rachelle Butulia and April 10 Denia Vera, have a combined 9 a.m. Maurice Compton Invitational 2.89 ERA, compared to in Oakland opponent’s 3.43 ERA. April 14 2 p.m. 2nd Round Playoff at TBD

Baseball

Softball

Scoreboard Golf

March 28 at Sierra L 7-2, W 5-4

March 26 Big 8 Tournament, #8 1st

Women’s

March 31 at Consumes River, L 4-0

Apr. 2 Big 8 Tournament, #9

March 24 at Diablo Valley, W 5-4

March 24 vs. Sacrament, L 4-1

March 26 vs. Diablo Valley, W 11-5

Tennis

Swim and Dive Men’s

March 21 at Modesto W 10-5

March 31 vs. Consumes River, W 10-5

against Butte College Feb. 21 at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Marv Mays Field.

March 24 Big 8 Tournament, #7 1st

March 21 vs. Sacramento, W 8-1

March 27 at Diablo Valley, W 8-2

On the offensive side, the Bear Cubs are streaky. The team has a combined batting average of .257. SRJC either scores in large amounts, or doesn’t score much at all. “I think when we come together as a team from a hitting standpoint, we will be unstoppable,” Thomsen said. When it comes to defense, the Bear Cubs have a .937 fielding percentage. Defense along with offense is another aspect of the game that SRJC must improve to have a possible playoff run. The Bear Cubs relies on team chemistry, and attributes that to being a main part of the team’s winning ways this season. “The best part of this softball season has not been the actual game, but the team itself. They’re like a family to me,” said shortstop Brianna Doane. This upcoming half of the softball season will determine if the team is willing to put in the work needed to move into a playoff spot. “I believe every single one of us can do it,” Doane said. “If we push ourselves and work hard, we can probably do anything. “A lot of this game is mental; if we can take the mental side out and just react, we could go all Joseph Barkoff/ Oak Leaf Top: Freshman Becca Steiner slides under the swiping tag of Foothill College’s infielder the way.” The Bear Cubs next game is at to steal second base Feb. 21 at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Marv Mays Field. 3 p.m. against American River Bottom: Bear Cubs softball catcher Becca Stenier lays down a bunt to get on first base College April 7.

March 21 vs. Sierra, L 58-49 March 21 vs. Sierra, W 75-29, vs. Consumes River, W 114-7

Men’s March 31 at Chabot, W 9-0

Women’s March 31 at Consumes River, W 5-4

Sports A little high, a little low

April 6, 2015

www.theoakleafnews.com

s the NBA regular season nears a close, fans have a chance to look back on what has been a wild and crazy last few months. The MVP race is the closest it has been since the days of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. There is a discrepancy in talent between the Eastern and Western Conference wider than Interstate 405. While topics like these tend to dominate the headlines, here are five storylines that have managed to skirt the public eye so far this season: - Parker Dangers Oncken, Staff Writer Opinion The Chicago Bulls as a title threat: any people still look at the Bulls as championship contenders, but most casual fans have written them off as pretenders due to injuries sustained by Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, both charter members of a Chicago starting five that is one of the best in the league. Fans fail to realize that both Rose and Butler will be back before playoffs start, thus reestablishing Chicago as a real title threat. During recent seasons, the Bulls strangled opponents into submission with unmatched defensive intensity this season. Its offense is forced to put up huge numbers for the team to win consistently. This Bulls team is capable of defending at a high level, and if it can recapture the magic, it would not be a surprise to see the team representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA finals.

Courtesy of USAToday

Philadelphia 76er’s General Manager Sam Hinkie shoots himself in the foot: 6ers GM Hinkie is the leader of an analytics-based revolution in the NBA. Hinkie hopes to complete a successful rebuild over several years by “tanking,” essentially trying to lose as many games as possible to obtain the highest draft picks through the NBA draft lottery process. This type of rebuild has not yet been successful. The biggest reason for its failure is the fact that Hinkie seems to have no idea what he’s doing. This point was clearly illustrated when he traded Sixers point guard and reigning rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams to the Bucks for a first round pick in the 2015 Draft. In a rebuild predicated on drafting and collecting good players, Hinkie traded his best one, seemingly giving up on CarterWilliams’ potential after less than two years. Moves like this one give definition to the adage “one step forward, two steps back.”

The Sacramento Kings fire Michael Malone: he Kings have been a mess for years. Between bad draft choices and poor management, the team can be counted on for 50 losses and a terrible net rating. At the beginning of this season, it seemed like it was about to change. Head coach Michael Malone quickly formed a strong relationship with temperamental superstar Demarcus Cousins, and turned the Kings into a team with pride and a sense they were playing for something. A roster jam packed with rookies and one-way players got off to a 9-6 start, picking up several quality wins in a stacked Western Conference. But, in true Sacramento Kings’ spirit, Malone was fired and the team fell head over heels into its annual season long tailspin. This overlooked storyline is potentially the most regrettable decision of the entire NBA season.

Courtesy of NYDailyNews

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks dumpster fire: he Knicks hired 11-time Champion Jackson, arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, to serve as president and assume full control of the team. At the time he was hired, general opinion was he would ride in on a big white stallion, his shining armor reflecting in the sun, saving New York from its losing ways. Two years into the Phil Jackson era, things are not going according to plan. The team is in the midst of a historically bad season, and Jackson seems in over his head with no fall back plan. The public has given him the benefit of the doubt so far, but it’s time for Jackson to take some serious blame for the incredibly poor job he’s done. When storylines this juicy fly under the radar, you know it’s been an incredible, fascinating and entertaining season. The fact that the regular season is just a warm up for the excitement and fanfare of the playoffs should make any fan of the game of basketball happy.

Patrick Parnell Hockey

Kyle Mitchell Baseball

Rusti Foster Softball

Courtesy of USAToday

The real story behind Russell Westbrook’s triple-doubles: here is no doubt Westbrook is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. Adding to his intrigue is incredible athleticism, which allows him to do things that no one can. Over the last month, Westbrook piled up triple-doubles at an astonishing rate, collecting six triples-doubles over an eight-game stretch. But, this seemingly incredible level of play is quickly soured if you delve deeper into Westbrook’s statistics over the same time frame. Though averages of 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.8 assists are impressive, a shooting line of 41 percent from 2-point range, and 29 percent from 3-point range, while firing up 30 shots a game and turning the ball over at an alarming rate.

Erica Ruiz

(on the right)

Track and Field

What flavor of Ben and Jerry’s matches you?

I’m still on the Ben and Jerry’s voyage

Spectacular Speculous

Whatever is the sweetest

I don’t eat ice cream, only frozen yogurt

Favorite type of Girl Scout cookie?

Chocolate thin mints

Thin mints

I don’t eat them

Pancakes or Waffles?

Waffles with blueberries

Thin pancakes

Neither

Belgian waffles with fresh strwberries and whipped cream on top

Do you believe in ghosts?

Only the bad ghosts

Yes

April 6, 2015

Sports

www.theoakleafnews.com

SRJC baseball loses We are all mad here momentum in series March Madness is the greatest spectacle in American Parker Dangers Oncken Staff Writer

ith its six-game win streak on the line, the Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team faced Consumnes River College in a series March 31-April 4. In the first game, catcher Ryan Haugh continued his torrid streak at the plate, connecting for four hits, three RBIs and scoring four times. Bear Cubs ace Garrett Hill described Haugh as one of the hardest working players he has ever seen, in which someone who expects nothing less than the best from himself and strives to always continue improving. The Bear Cubs took an early 8-1 lead, fueled by RBI singles from Jake Scheiner and Bryan Weston, before the CRC offense broke through with a four-run fourth to make it 8-5. CRC had all the momentum, and looked like it might pull off a comeback for the ages, but it was not to be. The Bear Cubs won 10-5, bringing their win streak to seven. With a dominating performance, Bear Cubs pitcher Evan Hill came on in relief and retired 11 straight batters before finally giving up a hit. He took the air out a CRC dugout that began to believe they had a chance to steal a win. Assistant coach Tom Francois called the performance huge, and

pitcher Garrett Hill continued, “Evan is always one of our best guys out of the bullpen; someone who always seems to want the ball,” Garret Hill said. “The fact that he was able to come in and shut them down was huge because it allowed us to take back the games’ momentum.” In the April 2 game, the Bear Cubs lost a close 5-4 game on the road. It was scoreless, until both teams scored two runs in the second inning. Then in the top of the fourth, outfielder Bryce Nagata gave the Bear Cubs a one-run lead when he singled, bringing in Michael Reynolds. CRC tied the game at 3 in the bottom of the fifth. In the seventh, both teams each scored one, making a 4-point tie going in the eight inning. Then it was CRC who scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, which snapped the Bear Cubs seven-game win streak. In the April 4 game, it was a clsoe until CRC scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Bear Cubs tried to make a comeback with one run in the in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as SRJC dropped its second game in a row 2-1. SRJC sits at an 18-9 record, with a 7-5 conference record. The Bear Cubs next game is at 2:30 p.m. against American River College in Sacramento.

Collegiate sports, no other sporting event compares Matt Rubel Assistant Sports Editor

Opinion

he month of March has a tendency to fly under peoples’ radar, but March is also known for its madness, and it lived up to the bill once again this year. The NCAA college basketball tournament every March is the best sporting event on the planet. It has something for everybody. First, if you’re a drama seeker, look no further than the Kentucky-Notre Dame game. The supposed best team in the tourney, Kentucky, came back to win in overtime over the Irish— a game that contained more drama than an episode of “Law and Order.” Second, if you enjoy an underdog story, the No. 11 seed UCLA made the Sweet Sixteen, and maybe even more impressively, the No. 7 seed Michigan State Spartans were in the Final Four. With hopes of wearing the glass slipper, the Spartans are a true Cinderella story. This year’s tournament has provided more twists than an M. Night Shyamalan film, like No. 13 seed Georgia State upsetting the No. 3 seed Baylor Bears. Another No. 13 seed beat a No. 3 seed when University of Alabama Birmingham upset the Iowa State

The offseason:

Austin Burmester little experience? The 49er faithful will need a lot of faith to stay positive. The 49ers lost key players on Staff Writer both offense and defense during the Opinion offseason. These players include: linebackers Patrick Willis (retired) and Chris Borland (retired), running he NFL’s 2015 offseason back Frank Gore and wide receiver officially began Feb. 1, the Stevie Johnson. Even with these huge moment Malcolm Butler made blows to the roster, the 49ers are still a the game-winning Super Bowl scary team with a great defense and a interception on the 1-yard line. good quarterback who still has room Since then, almost every team in to grow. The 49ers are a team to watch the NFL has made some changes and not count out when discussing to its coaching staff or its roster— the playoff race for the 2015 season. especially teams in the Bay Area. Across the Bay, another NFL This year’s San Francisco 49ers’ team has made some much needed offseason was the worst in franchise offseason moves. The Oakland history. The 49ers went from head Raiders, a once powerful franchise, coach Jim Harbaugh, who took has been irrelevant since the 2003 them to three NFC Championship season. The Raiders are headed back games and a Super Bowl over a to relevance with moves made last four-year period, to present head year, such as the pickup of quarterback coach Jim Tomsula, whose only Derek Carr and outside linebacker head coaching experience comes Khalil Mack in the 2014 draft. from a European football team in Raiders fans are hopeful their 2006. Granted, he’s been with the franchise can turn things around team since 2007 as the defensive this upcoming season. During the line coach before his promotion. offseason, the Raiders have made But how can fans of a team that has changes to both their coaching staff experienced so much recent success, and their roster. The Raiders’ new put their trust behind a man with such head coach will be Jack Del Rio,

Cyclones in the first round. Third, if you’re just an oldfashioned sports fan, there is no better feeling than watching a game where a team has to win or go home, where survive and advance are all that matter. This makes filling out your bracket exciting. There’s a reason there is a million dollar prize for a perfect bracket, it’s nearly impossible to achieve. You are more likely to win the lottery then perfectly pick 67 college basketball games correctly. For all these reasons, the tournament provides excitement no other sport can provide. Some will ask, what about the World Cup? Isn’t that the most popular sporting event on the planet? Any time there are countries going at it, like at the World Cup, there is a patriotic element that brings a new crop of fans every four years. However, there lies the problem. Anything considered the best sporting event has to be every year. Otherwise, it becomes a novelty that is not up to caliber with annual events. Would you prefer to wait a year or four years? The answer is pretty simple. The only other thing that can even compare with March Madness is the College Football Playoffs or the NFL playoffs, but they share the same flaw.

It’s the best of the best competing and no chance for a sleeper to upset; it’s human nature to want to see David beat Goliath, but that can’t happen if there is no David. This year’s Final Four showcased Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Duke in a four-team battle royale. The teams playing Goliath are Kentucky, a storied program in Duke. Top-seeded Wisconsin and the feisty Michigan State Spartans team will play the role of David. There is no doubt the NCAA March Madness has already once again defended its title as the best sporting event of the year. Although, the David versus Goliath match-up didn’t come to fruition as Kentucky and Michigan State both lost Saturday night, the Championship will still be a great game. Duke squares off against Wisconsin— two No. 1 seeds, the NCAA player of the year Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky, and the winningest coach in Division I history, Mike Krzyzewski. Though Wisconsin knocked off the 38-0 Wildcats, they still are running into a juggernaut in the Duke Blue Devils.

A big dose of Jahlil Okafor in the end, will prove too much for the Badgers and Kaminsky in Indianapolis in the final game.

Raiders, 49ers changes make upcoming season worth the wait

who has past experience as a head coach (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2003-11) and also as a defensive coordinator (Denver Broncos, 2012-14). The Raiders have also made changes to their roster. They let go of a few key players: safety Tyvon Branch, defensive end LaMarr Woodley and LB Nick Roach. They were able to resign future Hall of Famer S. Charles Woodson and new signings such as: center Rodney Hudson from the Chiefs, LB Malcolm Smith from the Seahawks and LB Curtis Lofton from the Saints. Just like last year, the outcome of the 2015 draft will either make or

break the Raiders’ chances to be real contenders. Will the Raiders draft a dominant WR such as Amari Cooper (Alabama) or Kevin White (West Virginia) to give quarterback Derek Carr another weapon? Or will general manager Reggie Mackenzie beef up the defense with DE Leonard Williams from USC if he is still available? It won’t be impossible for the Raiders to make the playoffs next season, but with teams like the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers in their division, the chances are slim against them. We can’t foretell each team’s

new season outcome. The 49ers’ coaching staff could turn out to be a disaster and and the key losses to their roster could drop them below .500. Kaepernick and the 49er defense could also rise to the challenge and win their division, as they have many times before. The Raiders may end up with another losing season due to poor defense and bad coaching, or stun the NFL with a record over .500. It’s safe to say fans of both the 49ers and the Raiders are excited and optimistic about in the 2015 NFL season.

www.theoakleafnews.com

Sports

April 6, 2015

Catherine Ramirez/Oak Leaf

The Bear Cubs stand in a huddle after their victory against the Hawks of Consumnes River College March 31 at Cook-Sypher Field. The Bear Cubs have a 18-9 overall record and a 7-5 conference record.

Halfway home, Bear Cubs look to make push into playoffs

Catherine Ramirez/Oak Leaf

Right: Alec Rennard pitches against the Hawks of Consumne River College March 31. Bottom: A Bear Cub batter is safe at first base March 31 at CookSypher Field. The Bear Cubs won 10-5 against Consumnes River. SRJC struggled at the beginning of conference play, but have found their stride with a 7-5 record and sit second in the Big 8 Conference.

Anthony Sosa

Staff Writer

s the baseball season hits the halfway point, the Bear Cubs look to keep the momentum as playoffs approach, starting May 1. The Bear Cubs have an overall record of 18-9 and a 7-5 Big 8 Conference record, which currently has them ranked second in the Big 8. “I honesty believed this was goiong to be a transition year, but Damon has a way of knitting these guys together with hard work and repetition,” said assistant coach Tom Francois. Santa Rosa Junior College struggled at the beginning of conference play with three straight losses against undefeated San Joaquin Delta, but bounced back with two series sweeps against Sacramento City and Diablo Valley College. “We had a good preseason, but a rough start to the beginning of the Big 8 Conference,” said catcher Ryan Haug. But we have bounced back and really fought as a team.” The offense stepped up once conference play began, averaging nearly six runs per game. “We, as hitters, need to keep improving on getting better at timely hitting,” Haug said. “Which is fitting for runs and just flat-out keep hitting the ball hard.” Haug has been vital to the offense this season,

with a team-leading .377 batting average, .500 on-base percentage and 29 hits. Weston Bryan, Mitchell West, Jake Scheiner and Zach Hall helped fuel a productive offense for SRJC. Pitcher Garrett Hill has taken charge in the rotation; SRJC has a combined 2.68 ERA. Hill has a team-leading .66 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 41 innings pitched. Alec Rennard, Dustin Oliver, Evan Hill and Kyle Mitchell combined with Garrett Hill in a starting rotation that has provided the Bear Cubs with many quality starts. “I think we have to get mentally tougher; that would be the biggest improvement,” Garrett Hill said. “We definitely have the talent to do well and go far in the playoffs, and win state.” Throughout the season, the defense has made solid plays, committing just 27 errors in 25 games. The team has a .973 fielding percentage. To make the playoffs, the Bear Cubs need to win more series, like those against Sacramento City and Diablo Valley. “We got to continue to grow and compete one game at a time and one pitch at a time,” Haug said. “It’s about winning series. We control our own destiny, so we just need to keep playing as a team and win series anyway we can.” The Bear Cubs will attempt to sweep another three-game series when they play American River College April 7-11.

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Vice President of Committees: Erika Hernandez Ramirez

“As a pre-nursing student, I am pursuing one of the most challenging programs, but with one of the highest success rates. I will become a nurse-midwife and receive a doctorate degree in public health to bring systemic change that will illuminate the health care inequities that exist in our society. My primary focus as a healthcare provider will be to work in underserved and underrepresented communities.”

The Associated Student Government elections are April 20-24. Students can booths will be set up in the Bertolini quad in Santa The student senate has 11 elected seats, each with one-year terms. The stud one-year term. Candidates will have the opportunity to deliver short speeches Rosa at noon and the Rotary P Electronic polls close 11:

Alex Smith

“As VP of committees, I hope to create more opportunities for students to voice their opinions on all matters that affect us, increase awareness of open committee seats and use my previous experience as VP of membership and marketing to communicate with administration to make my goals happen. I firmly believe that SRJC students should be more knowledgeable on the decision-making process of the college, so along with more seats on college-wide committees, the process to sign up to sit on committees should be simplified and streamlined with an online form.”

Vice President of Advocacy:

Student Trustee: Elijah Egger

“One of the greatest unnecessary expenses the education industry lays off on students is found in textbooks, and in a time when there are literally thousands of free open-source textbooks available on the Internet there’s no good argument for why we should be paying for the same information that gets reprinted at a profit for every incoming class of students. Vote for me to become your student trustee and I will bring free textbooks to the SRJC.”

Sabrina Rawson

John Joseph Yanushefsky III

No statement or picture provided.

Hernan Rei Zagora Lemus

“Santa Rosa Junior College is here to serve the students, not the other way around. We need to understand that. Every single student on campus deserves the equal opportunity to achieve the success they strive for. If elected as vice president of advocacy, I will advocate for change. This college needs to represent its students and needs to support its staff.”

Associated Student President: Joshua Pinaula

“I care greatly about genuine communication. A lot of times I see student leaders who dress up and are only getting involved as a résumé-builder. I have not found this kind of practice to be for the benefit of students, and usually quite the opposite. My focus as a student leader is working on systemic changes.”

“Let me start out by saying I am not a politician. In striving for this position I do so, not for any personal gain, but for the experience of serving the student body of Santa Rosa Junior College. In fulfilling my contract to you, the voters, I will strive to constantly exceed all past performance. I will take the reins and be a beacon of leadership from my advisory position. I most certainly will not betray any of the positions that I stand firmly for or against.”

Executive Vice President: Hakeem Sanusi

“Last year I was elected vice president of Santa Rosa campus and served to help enhance life on campus. I am running for executive vice president because as a business student I am very interested in budgets and finances and if elected will work to make sure that the budget for this administration is managed responsibly. So vote Hakeem if you want success to the extreme!”

Vice President of Programs: Virginia Kerr

“My main goal as vice president of programs is consistent and visible student life as well as simplifying the bureaucratic processes that hinder student life and involvement. I’m excited for the coming year and look forward to making the SRJC campus fun as well as working with some new faces.”

Vice President of Santa Rosa:

Banner by Daniel Kong, Photo Editor

n cast ballots online through the student portal on www.santarosa.edu. Poll a Rosa and the Richard Call Building in Petaluma. dents will also elect a student trustee to the SRJC Board of Trustees also for a s to the students in election assemblies April 15 in the Bertolini quad in Santa Plaza in Petaluma at 2:30 p.m. :59 p.m. Friday, April 24.

Vice President of Organizations: Eduardo Arango (Petaluma)

“I want to bring a commitment to empower and motivate student clubs. As an intern at the leading nonprofit for small business development, I have worked alongside colleagues to: create a volunteer program, create an effective strategy for a nonprofit to gain new members, create an assessment for business owners to evaluate their skills and see which skills need to be improved, to name just a few accomplishments.”

Hector Jimenez Carrano (Santa Rosa)

“I plan on encouraging more students to join clubs by helping clubs promote themselves through trainings and workshops. It is important for students to be involved in activities outside of class because it increases their chances of continuing their education, instead of dropping out.”

Vice President of Petaluma: Jordan Panana Carbajal

“As VP of the Petaluma campus, I’ll be dedicated to make sure students are aware of the free resources SRJC has to offer, advocate for more ESL classes in the Petaluma campus and to listen to any student issues and concerns in the Petaluma campus. From my experience of being a club member to a student of color at Santa Rosa Junior College, there needs to be improvement in the school’s system.”

Arandas Alahan

“Despite our differences, we all share common goals. I can be a strong advocate for the wants and needs of SRJC’s diverse student body. I believe public service is a noble pursuit, and I genuinely look forward to advocating for your ideas and concerns. I would be honored to represent you in student government.”

Diana Kinsbury

“I plan to ensure students know what services are available; increase access to said services; and expand the Student Health Services budget for outreach, events and clinical services, by including non-credit students in the student health fee. I look forward to joining a community of dedicated, inspiring leaders to meet the needs of our students and create a healthier campus.”

Jaime Rose Kitchel

“I would work with Student Health Services and Student Advocacy to create a rape/sexual assault survivor support group on campus; create workshops about consent and reproductive health; and create a more accessible way for students to report sexual assault and rape to the proper authorities on campus. I would also work with faculty members to compile a Women and Gender Studies department, similar to the departments present at UC and CSU schools, with comprehensive classes covering the roles of women and LGBTQIA individuals in society, culture, history and the sciences… I believe that the vice president should be someone with a vision for the school and an eagerness to serve the students, and as a result I believe I am the right woman for the job.”

Vice President of Sustainability: Cheri Nicole Mclean

“Let’s face it, we as a species are up against some pretty big issues. With climate change, pollution, fracking, famine, drought and local and global turmoil, it’s difficult at times to picture a world without such things. Well, folks, it’s up to us to advocate, educate, conversate and demonstrate in order to truly manifest change and create impacts. Now who’s with me?”

Vice President of Marketing and Membership: Senay Debsay

“I want to advocate for the diversity of different students from different areas of the world and ethnicity throughout the campus. My main goal is to provide students the information needed for them to succeed in the specific areas they want to study. Lastly, increasing access for students who struggle financially to buy textbooks through the library reserve system is also another goal I’m currently trying to accomplish.”

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Features

Student Health Center:

Estefany Gonzalez/Oak Leaf

Nurse practitioner Catherine O’Neill on shift at the student health center.

Estefany Gonzalez Features Editor SRJC student Sandra Ruana received a major concussion prior to performing for a dance production. The 20-year-old dance major, sought treatment at the student health service center two days before her big prefromance. Through the help of her teacher, Ruana was given an emergency appointment at the health center before her dance performance. She said the doctor who helped her was thorough and explained her condition well. “He checked me and told me I couldn’t perform,” Ruana said. “He was talking to me, seeing how I felt, my symptoms and all. He gave me a chart of everything, to wear

sunglasses and put things on my ears so I wouldn’t feel so terrible.” Without health insurance, Ruana wouldn’t have been able to afford treatment anywhere else, but said the health center was a great resource. “They were really good help. I really liked going there,” she said. A common cold can cause a student to miss enough class to fall behind at any time during the semester. Focusing on studies can seem unmanageable once a student gets sick. The student health center offers students a place to get checked out for acute illness, sports injuries and reproductive services. Nurse practitioners, physicians and trained students are available on-site. Santa Rosa Junior College students can receive free visits to the health

April 6, 2015

Providing a valuable resource for SRJC students, covering what insurance cannot

center as long as they are currently enrolled in a credit course. Other students like Zebi Bogsky have insurance but cannot afford noncovered medical costs. The 26-year-old global studies major pays for his health insurance out of pocket. “I’m a waiter in Sonoma. I work at a Portuguese restaurant and obviously there’s no insurance there,” Bogsky said. It cost Bogsky $190 a month for insurance that covers certain medications, three doctor’s visits a year, one physical and a $6,200 deductible for anything else. A classmate recently helped him realize that the fees to use the health center are included at the start of each semester and he plans to take use of the benefits. “I’m already paying for it so I may as well use it,” he said. Bogsky has never been to the health center but he knows that by going, he can fill gaps in medical coverage that he wouldnt be able to receive through his own insurance otherwise. Nurse Practitioner Catherine O’Neill sees the clinic as an opportunity to get students to start thinking about their health and well-being. She has seen cases where students push their health aside because they felt they were invincible. “But anything can happen,” O’Neill said. “People don’t go and have their problems looked into because they don’t have insurance and then sometimes, if you let things go, they can become a big problem in the future.”

The health center offers over-thecounter medications and supplies, such as pain relievers, band-aids and cold and allergy relief medicine at no charge during office hours. “If they don’t have insurance and they can’t afford medication we can actually provide it for students here so we can make sure that they’re following directions,” she said. “Sometimes you’ll go to the doctor and they’ll tell you to get something and it’s too expensive.” Via the health centers’ partnership with community service agencies, students are offered reproductive health care. Services include different forms of birth control, STI testing and treatment, clinical exams and Pap smears. The $19 fee during the fall and spring registration covers the cost at no additional charge and is cut to $16 during the summer semester. “Men and women can come here if they need information about reproductive issues – STIs— they can do that kind of testing; women can get birth control,” she said. “We always have condoms here that we give out because we want to keep the students safe and want them not to suffer unplanned pregnancies.” Seeing a doctor usually requires a long wait and appointments can be hard to make between classes. The health center strive to help students take care of illnesses without interrupting their school schedules. “We want to keep the students healthy and going to class

and learning,” O’Neill said. “That’s our whole objective.” The center welcomes students to take advantage of the services they offer. “People should feel free to come in and talk about anything,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what your question is, we can’t take care of everything here but we can at least tell you where to go.” O’Neill said the best thing students can do to prevent illnesses during the semester is to go online and look at the student 101 section of the health services page for information on how to stay healthy year-round. LOCATIONS/HOURS OF OPERATION

SANTA ROSA CAMPUS Race Building, Room 4017. Office Hours: Mon., Tues., and Thurs. 8:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesdays 8:00AM - 7:00PM Fridays 8:00AM - 3:00PM TEL (707) 527-4445 FAX (707) 524-1858 PETALUMA CAMPUS Richard W. Call Building, Room 610, Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8:00AM 4:30PM TEL (707) 778-3919 FAX (707) 778-3901

Well-hidden treasures provide adventure in a box Carin Huber Staff Writer I crossed the rickety boardwalk to its end, then counted back the planks on the walk until I found the specified board. I knelt down, but hesitated to reach blindly into the dead weeds that tufted out from beneath the end of the board. Who knew what loathsome critters lurked in that darkness?

Curious about letterboxing?

Try it out at SRJC! The Oak Leaf is sponsoring a letterboxing contest. There are six letterboxes planted around Santa Rosa Junior College campuses. Follow the clues at:

tinyurl.com/letterboxcontest

Sign the logbooks in the boxes and take images from the boxes’ rubber stamps in your own log. Be the first to bring your completed log to the Oak Leaf office for fun and prizes! Prizes include a custom hand-carved rubber stamp, tickets to SRJC theater department’s production of “Footloose,” a gift certificate to Riley Street Art Supply, and more! The contest will conclude when all prizes have been claimed. Letterboxes may remain in place for adventure seekers until the end of the Spring 2015 semester. For letterbox clues all over the U.S. visit letterboxing.org and atlasquest.com.

Steeling my resolve, I plunged my hand into the weeds and felt hard plastic. I’d found the letterbox. This treasure-hunting hobby involves people following clues from websites to find hidden boxes. Each box contains a rubber art stamp, often hand carved by the person who planted it, and a small book of blank pages. Letterboxers take imprints from the box’s stamp in their own logbooks and leave imprints of their “signature” stamps in the box’s logbook. The mission each letterboxer must remember is to be discreet when finding and rehiding boxes, which can go missing when nonletterboxers find the box and tamper with it. People plant boxes in sites ranging from urban storefronts to miles-long hiking trails, so people can choose the level of activity required to find a box. I first learned about letterboxing from an internet search for rubber stamp carving. It appealed to my love of rubber stamp art, and offered lots of little adventures that would help me learn about the area in which I live. Letterboxing is also a health aide. I’ve never been interested in going for a walk just for the sake of walking. If there’s no destination, there’s no point in my mind. Letterboxing gives me a destination and gets me moving. Unfortunately, the contents of the box I’d found under the boardwalk were soaked from rain. Uncertain which of the two

stamps inside actually belonged to the box (the extra stamp may be a “hitchhiker,” moving from box to box) I took imprints of both in my logbook. The wet book made it impractical to leave my stamp image in it, so I decided to bring the box home with me to dry it out. When I got home I would post to the website on which I’d found the clues, letting other letterboxers know I had removed the box from its hiding place. I drove to the next letterbox site with my dad and his dog. As we approached the location I wondered how I could be discreet about this hunt. It was next to a post office and there were people coming and going. After waiting in vain for foot traffic to thin out, we decided to let the dog out of the car for a stretch. That turned out to be the trick. While Dad took the dog around to greet and distract people, I searched under the tree beneath which the letterbox was supposed to be hidden, but I couldn’t find it. Looking at the area in general, Dad pointed out that some dirt and rocks had been moved recently, probably to clear them out of the parking lot. The letterbox may have been buried or discovered and removed. Disappointed, we drove home where I posted about the missing box to the website. I still wanted a fully successful letterbox find, so the next day I talked my cohort Matt into going with me to find at least one of

three letterboxes hidden in a local cemetery. The directions for all three boxes started from the same point, but I found them all frustratingly difficult to follow. The landmarks were names on gravestones, and both Matt and I found it hard to read most of the grave markers in the diffuse light of the overcast day. As we reread the clues for one of the boxes, we realized we had stumbled upon a marker— a large cross that appeared halfway down the directions, so we went back to that point. The clues said to continue on

the path until it turned to the left, but we didn’t know which direction we were supposed to have come from. We decided that only one path met that criterion. We followed it to the curve and looked around for the next landmark, behind which we found the final clue. I moved aside a suspicious looking rock to find our treasure. The box was well sealed, the contents dry and intact. I happily exchanged stamp imprints with the box and re-hid the box under its rock, satisfied with a successful hunt.

Daniel Kong/Oak Leaf

An SRJC student picks up a letterbox outside Emeritus while on her way to class.

April 6, 2015

Features

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Who Votes? The alarmingly low turnout among youth

Top: Courtesy of philly.com; Bottom: Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Top: Singer Will.i.am and rest of the Black Eyed Peas at a “Rock the Vote” rally. Bottom: Rapper Lil Jon demonstrates support for “Rock the Vote” in a video.

Luke Heslip Assistant Opinion Editor The midterm elections in November 2014 had a turnout rate of 36.4 percent, the lowest of any American election in 70 years. Voters 18-24 trailed behind every other age group. Americans under 30 make up 34 percent of the non-voting population, while constituting only 10 percent of the likely voting population, according to the Pew Research Center. Olivia Strouse, 20, a Santa Rosa Junior College communications major, said she hasn’t voted, but she thinks more young people would if they could vote through a smart phone application. “I would like to vote but I’m not registered,” Strouse said. Some SRJC students are too young to vote or otherwise ineligible. Raelle Jones, 18, a kinesiology major, wasn’t eligible to vote in 2014 due to her age, but she plans on voting in the future. Jones said young people don’t vote because it doesn’t affect their lives, “They have too much going on in their social lives.” SRJC political science instructor Rev. Michael Ludder said low student voter turnout stems from the American political establishment, which discourages voting. “Candidates are only looking for students that are already interested and involved, a very small number of the student population,” Ludder said. “The candidates do not truly want to reach out to the different student communities on campus because this would take to much time and effort.” Ludder said, “You win without listening or appealing to them in our winner-takes-all system. It’s not majority rule, its minority groups/parties fighting for power to rule the majority.” The U.S Census Bureau reported

Left: Courtesy of openlystare.wordpress.com Top: Courtesy of deliciouspictures.com; Bottom: Courtesy of sugarpop.com

Above: Rap Mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs wears a “Vote or Die!” T-shirt to help raise voter turnout. Top Right: Paris Hilton displays support for “Vote or Die!” campaign. Bottom Right: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian pose with President Barack

citizens ages 18-24 have consistently contributes to poor turnout. “We live in times where billionaires voted at lower rates than any other and corporations tilt elections and demographic, despite enormously conservatives suppress outright popular Rock The Vote campaigns, voting, ” Mannino said. “It all begins which attempt to mobilize young with campaign finance and followed voters through celebrity hosted events by convincing young people that and technological marketing from high unemployment rates and college pop culture angles. debts are ‘fair game areas’ for change Rock The Vote is the largest by sympatric candidates who then non-profit and non-partisan group receive their votes. ” herding young people to the polls Several SRJC students expressed and has been facilitating youth voting their disenchanted views of voting. since 1990. Nicole Floyd, 19, a paralegal and Madonna issued Rock The Vote’s English major, said voting was “slowly first PSA draped in an American loosing its effectiveness. ” Flag in 1990 and Snoop Dog led their She thought 2004 bus tour. most people don’t Rock The Vote take the time to estimated that “We should vote and research what 30 million young they are voting people stayed be involved.” home during the on, and many - Cristina Diaz, SRJC 2012 election. vote the way their economics major. The highest media outlets tell level of 18them too. 24 voter “I think [voting] participation it’s still important was in 1964 where 50.9 percent to keep going,” Floyd said. voted, compared with 2000 in Students sometimes referenced which 36 percent voted, the lowest ignorance as a precluding point. Participation rose in 2004 disqualification to vote and endorsed to 41 percent and again in 2008 increased voter regulation. to 46 percent. The 2012 election “Some people are not informed saw decline to 38 percent, New enough to vote,” said Molly Mercer, Republic stated. 20, a child development student. According to Childstats.gov, Other students doubted there are about 31.2 million adults voters’ ability to vote responsibly, who are 18-24 in the U.S., which is expressing skepticism as to the value 13 percent of the adult population. of universal suffrage. The 18-24 demographic has higher Biology major Kevin Casey said, unemployment rates than older adults “I feel like most of the people who do and higher rates of residency changes, vote shouldn’t.” Student explanations for the factors linked to low voter turnout, underwhelming voting average childstats.gov stated. varied, though disconnect was a In the 2012 elections, 43 percent frequent explanation. of California’s eligible voters under Active voter Taylor Combs, 21, a 30 came to polls, ranking California fire technology major, said millenials 28th in the country, the U.S. Census generally don’t vote because they Bureau reported. struggle to relate to the issues SRJC psychology instructor Dr. J. elections center on. Davis Mannino said eroding voter Other SRJC students held voting in access with cumbersome voting laws greater esteem, praising the voice and and insufficient youth engagement

influence voting produces. “We should vote and be involved,” said economics major Cristina Diaz, 19. “That’s where we have our say.” Idealism even shone through some students who maintain the gravitas of voting. “It has more power than people think it does,” said SRJC student Aaron Schneider. Concerning young people who don’t vote Schneider said, “They are either misinformed or they just don’t think their vote matters.” Students like Paul Coutman, 23, have austere voting perspectives. “If you don’t vote you can’t complain,” Coutman said. Coutman attributed low student voter turnout to voter apathy. Joshua Pinaula, the president of SRJC Associated Students Senate, said low student voter turnout was a product of a vicious cycle, of students not voting because they don’t think their interests are represented and their governments in turn neglecting their interests because they don’t need their votes to stay in power. “I would mainly attribute it to not seeing voting be effective, the sense that everything is out of your control and people are going to do what they want to do,” Pinaula said. “In an ideal system the significance of voting is

changing policy, in a compromised society it doesn’t work as well.” Pinaula said he thought the outcome of higher student voter participation would be more sustainable solutions via policy. “I think students would be more interested in systemic changes,” he said. He said the consequences of low student turnout are students not getting what they want. Pinaula encouraged SRJC students to vote in the student elections April 20-24. SRJC physics major Breanna Ogston, 19, shared her frustrations with the voting system. “It’s not necessarily hard, but it can be hard to understand sometimes,” she said. “It can get really complicated.” Ogston said people don’t recognize the value of voting until they are older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the eligible voting population has grown in each presidential election since 1996. The 2016 election is projected to be the most expensive in history. Young voters have the electoral capacity to decisively influence the outcomes in 2016, but early predictions indicate that the majority will continue not to vote. SRJC student Allison Strous, 20, said, “Our generation doesn’t vote because they don’t care as much.”

Daniel Kong/Oak Leaf

The Student senate makes custom lollipops in an attempt to remind students to vote.

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Opinion

April 6, 2015

Hiding in plain sight

Where is A story of growing up inbetween cultures the real America? when I was five years old, I’m not considered American. At the same time, I’m not what others consider Features Editor a true Latina. rom the moment my mother Growing up I was thrown into and I arrived in the United a gray area where I never felt States, I was told to never like I belonged in either of those share the fact that I was “illegal” categories. I wasn’t comfortable because I would get deported. discussing being a first-generation I never understood why kids at American until I became eligible for my school could talk so openly President Obama’s Deferred Action. about being undocumented The program allowed me a twoimigrants, or why they were always year work permit in the U. S. and to expressing such pride and honor obtain a drivers license. However, it about being Latino. was not a pathway to citizenship. I felt the need to hide behind my To apply for Deferred Action so-called “whiteness” and let people I had to reach out to the Latino make hurtful, racist Mexican jokes community, where I met people in front of me because I told myself who were in the same position they didn’t apply to me. I was. I found the MexicanI was so focused on assimilating, American community and I never I was willing felt so at home. I to abandon my remember sitting roots. Not even with a friend the Latino kids shortly after “My roots stem from applying considered me and Mexican. Most the Latino community. telling him my of them made They are part of me, mother’s name fun of me for “heart and even though I try to meant being so “whitesoul” in Spanish. erase them.” washed.” He laughed and I was born in told me I didn’t Mexico and I’m have to translate still not a U.S. myself to him. It citizen. I’ve lived in California for was in that moment I realized I had the majority of my life, but since forgotten what it was like to have a I was brought to the U.S. illegally conversation in Spanish outside of Estefany Gonzalez

Luke Heslip Assistant Opinion Editor

Courtesy of borderzine.com

A combination of Mexican and American flags representing Mexican-American students.

my immediate family. Once the fear of being deported was lifted I realized why the kids at my high school would sing in Spanish during our lunchtime. I understood why they told jokes in Spanish, why they happily enjoyed candy from the Mexican store in the student quad without worrying if someone thought they weren’t American enough. I understood why they were so proud of their heritage. My roots stem from the Latino community. They are a part of me even though I tried to erase them. It fills my heart with joy when I can sit and talk to my best friend in my native tongue, use Mexican slang and dance to salsa in her kitchen. I

like being able to make tamales by hand with my mom for Christmas dinner. I now comprehend that the traditions I grew up with were nothing to be ashamed of. They are a part of me. It doesn’t make me any less American for embracing them. I consider myself American because I grew up in California; my friends, family and loved ones all live here. I attended schools in Santa Rosa since kindergarten. California has been my home for 25 years. I like to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July and eat Thanksgiving dinner with friends. I now know that I am one of many in this new category of Mexican-Americans.

up and saw his body, the tears finally began to flow. It all just came out. I cried, bawling into my lap. I had to walk outside to get some air after releasing all the hidden pain. The day of his funeral, I didn’t cry like I thought I would. Everyone around me did but I couldn’t. I had no tears left to produce. The funeral was a healing session for me. A weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I could live life and not worry about how upset my mom would be or how I was going to laugh and be happy again. It was a

reassuring moment that life goes on. Would it be hard without him in my life? Yes. But would I be okay? Yes. My dad gave me the tools to keep going and to stay strong when things went wrong. It will be six years on Sept. 13 since my dad died. My loss has made me stronger; I love and care harder for people. I’m always there for them, not knowing if this will be the last time I ever talk to or see them again. Although he’s gone, he’s still here if I need him. All I have to do is say his name.

The day my life changed forever Robert Marshall Sports Editor

Five years, and the day still haunts me: Sept. 13, 2009. A day that will be etched in my mind for as long as I live. My dad lived with multiple myeloma for five years. He was supposed to live only one. His last five years required more than a dozen hospital visits. This time it was different. He had always come home after a few days, at most a week, but this time he didn’t. I was in my room watching TV when I heard my older sister walk into the dining room. I will never forget the words that came out of her mouth. “Papa died.” Immediately, my little sister started bawling. I went numb. I was 16 and had just lost my dad. Throughout the five years of my dad’s illness my mom told me to be prepared. But how can you? No matter how much I tried to wrap my head around him being gone forever, I couldn’t imagine my dad not being there — the man I expected to see me graduate from high school and college, the guy I called “Papa.” He was my foster dad — the only man I knew as a father. The man with whom I spent Saturday and Sunday mornings watching football, and hearing him yell at an Oakland Raider for running into the back of his own player as though they could hear him. A former California Highway Patrol officer, he called himself

an Okie, even though he was born in Arkansas. After hearing the news, our sister-in-law, who was already at the hospital, came and picked us up and drove us there. It was a somber ride as my sister-in-law and older sister cried in the front seats, while sharing memories of Dad’s corny jokes and his false teeth that he loved to show off to people; and the time he ran into the screen door and got mad at it. I entered the waiting room, where my family members cried and hugged. My niece stood and stared outside the window, while family members filtered in and out of the hospital room. My brother sat in the chair with his face expressionless. I walked into the room where my father lay; my mom sat by his lifeless body. He had a bright purple sore on his lip from an infection. He was pale, but most of all he looked peaceful, something he hadn’t looked like in five years. At that moment, I realized it’s OK he passed. I sat by his bedside and held his hand for a while, saying my last goodbyes. Surprisingly, I didn’t cry. After leaving the hospital, we began preparing for the funeral. My brother, after coming home, stood by the gate; kicking it repeatedly. My mom was quiet and dealing with the loss of her husband of 25 years. I didn’t go to school for the week before his funeral. I was confused, not knowing what to think or feel. The day we went to view his body was the day it hit me that Papa was really gone. The moment I walked

Courtesy of Robert Marrshall

Robert Marshall having dinner with his Dad and family at Christmas time.

I take special umbrage at the idea of “The Real America,” the concept that small towns and rural communities characterize the American identity more than other societal reference points, such as cities. This characterization is myopic and fundamentally erroneous. America’s identity, in its basic sense, is a set of civic principles such as freedom of speech and due process, not a regional hierarchy. Pundits like Glenn Beck, who wrote “The Real America: Messages from the Heart and Heartland,” perpetuate this offensively ignorant notion. Politicians like Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee use it as a political platform to generate votes. The geographical composite of America is too expansive and diverse for a single component to supersede the collective whole. A country of 300 million people over 3.8 million square miles of territory can’t be epitomized by the narrow margins of the American heartland. The relevancy of non-urban communities in the context of the American identity is great, but not absolute. Iowan farmers are not inherently more American or patriotic than citizens of Los Angeles or Chicago. Why would they be? Is it because they subscribe to traditional values and reject the fashions of coastal cities and progressive culture? San Francisco, for instance, is not part of the heartland or traditional America, yet is a monument to civil rights and tolerance, as the pioneering capital of gay rights. Tolerance and civil rights are as much American ideals as industrialism and social mobility; no part of America is more American than another. Categorizing a “Real America” and consequently a non-real America is divisive. Regional and cultural differences exist, yes, and pride in one’s region is natural but these differences should be celebrated as they highlight the wealth of American culture. However, using regional/cultural pride to devalue others, especially fellow Americans, is folly. It serves to exacerbate internal distrust and animosity, which is unproductive for the entire country. America is referred to as the great melting pot of cultures. It is a land where millions flocked to escape the ailments of the old world. It is a republic forged in unity. It must remain unified, not conforming to a single model of Americanism, but embracing the vast range of the American identity. There is no real America, only America.

April 6, 2015

Opinion

From Indonesia to SRJC

EDITORIAL

International student seeks knowledge Anne-Elisabeth Cavarec Staff Writer

Thirsty for knowledge and inspired by the desire to study in an English-speaking country, Frengky Arya Saputra quit his job as supervisor for a multinational company specializing in sugar cane production in Indonesia to study at Santa Rosa Junior College, from Fall 2014 through Spring 2015. Born in Bengkulu province, Indonesia, Saputra was a serious student who benefited from the educational opportunities that developed after the independence of his country. At Lampung State Polytechnic, Saputra heard an idea that inspired him to come to Santa Rosa. After receiving a letter in English from a former student, Saputra’s English teacher, Nia Garyadi, said during class that she hoped one of her current students would also send her a letter in English one day. “That was the beginning of my journey,” Saputra said. “This teacher played a very important role to shape my dreams.” This brilliant idea became a fire in his mind when he learned about the Community College Initiative Program. Through scholarships the program enables students to study in the United States. Saputra said, “I was really happy and excited. I couldn’t sleep. I had insomnia.” The application process took seven months. Besides learning agriculture business and management at SRJC, Saputra, 25, admits living in Santa Rosa this year brought him another perspective on himself and others. “I was arrogant before. I didn’t like people criticizing me. Here, I changed the way I talk and treat people. I have improved my listening skills,” he said. With a bit of frustration, Saputra will go home at the end of the semester. “I would need at least another year to get the knowledge I want,” he said. On the other hand, Indonesian students and teachers are impatiently eager to hear his American stories. Saputra will not miss the disturbance he sometimes experienced observing women wearing short dresses, a taboo in his original culture. But he definitely will miss his American friends. “I met nice people. Not all of them are racists, like I thought before.” As he approaches departure from Santa Rosa, Saputra looks to the future serenely. “I prefer to dedicate myself to my country,” he said. His English teacher is sure he will inspire other students in turn, to embrace the extraordinary experience of living abroad.

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The Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees oversee everything at the college, from hiring the president to planning construction projects. Each of the seven board members represent a district in Sonoma County of about 70,000 people — except the Santa Rosa 3, 4 and 5 district, where three “at large” board members represent the district of 207,132 people collectively. Candidates from this area have to campaign to more constituents, pay more fees and, hypothetically, all three could live on the same street, which contradicts the intent of creating districts that reflect the community. At the study session to consider splitting up the Santa Rosa 3, 4 and 5 district, community support for redistricting was overwhelming. The Oak Leaf editorial staff agrees with the numerous organizations that back redistricting, including the SRJC Classified Senate, the All Faculty Association, the Sonoma County Democratic Party and the SRJC Black Student Union. SRJC created the Santa Rosa district in 1965 when Sonoma County was a very different place. Since then, the county’s population has about tripled, reaching 500,000 people. Latinos made up 5.1 percent of SRJC’s student body in 1970 and that number grew to 30.3 percent in 2013. The central area of the 3, 4 and 5 district, a proposed district, has the highest Latino concentration in

Illustration by Chantelle Bogue

Sonoma County — nearly 47 percent is Latino. If the board decided to break up the Santa Rosa district into three districts, Latinos in the urban core would no longer have their voice diluted in a district three times as populous as the other four. Hispanic students, many part of M.E.Ch.A, symbolically taped their mouths shut at the study session. Creating boundaries that better represent minority communities also complies with the education code and the California Voting Rights Act. California Education Code Section 72036 states, “The governing board shall set the initial boundaries of each

trustee area to reflect substantially equal population in each district as enumerated in the most recent decennial federal census.” Basically, the board set the boundaries that reflected the county’s population then, and now it’s time for a change. But this change won’t just happen. The board must move quickly through the complicated process. On KRCB news radio, former student trustee Robert Edmonds said SRJC is considering reexamining all the trustee areas to be cost-effective. This would slow things down. The board has to submit data to the registrar of voters

and pay a $30,000 to $40,000 fee to put the proposal on the ballot. Before that the board has to create a committee to conduct the research. Talking about it isn’t enough. The outdated districts could change with the 2016 voting cycle, or they could remain on the board’s backburner and not come to the table for another two years. SRJC president Dr. Frank Chong, on KRCB radio news, said he asked the board to study the issue of redistricting. The Oak Leaf urges the board do more than just look into the issue and be expeditious in its redistricting proposal so we can vote on it on the 2016 ballot.

Alternative rock expires, but classification remains Luke Heslip

Assistant Opinion Editor

Alternative rock music is obsolete, drained dry and finished. The genre’s inevitable decay honors a necessity of its temporary nature. The movement’s expiration is essentially a matter of identity. The movement is not entirely a style of music, which has general continuity in aesthetical rules and linage so it can uphold traditions thus furthering identity, such as Jazz or rhythm and blues. Alternative rock is closer to experimental alchemy and melding. The artists who executed the movement cultivated sounds that heavily incorporated multiple genres- namely classic rock, new wave, punk and metal, previously separated by convention into their music, and they formed unique artistic units. They were a dispersed community with loose adherence to basic themes, primarily music novelty and mutation. The style existed as bridges. With the connections they forged its brilliance. Therein is the inherent death of the genre. Once the needlework of its agents fused disparate heritages into fresh incarnations - as the Red Hot Chili Peppers did with punk, funk and Hendrix style guitar riffs and as Nine Inch Nails did with metal, industrial

and dance music - the impact be mistaken as grunge, but close and newness of the music faded. listening reveals the mediocrity Only so many successful of Bush’s imitation. chemical reactions could result Other Nirvana disciples are from the alternative formula, embarrassingly worse. 3 Doors and sadly the art of genre Down, Marcy Playground and blending grew stale and tired. most offensively Nickleback Exposure did much to dilute the pervert the ethos of Nirvana’s movement’s identity. Listeners built Seattle brand of hard rock. a tolerance to the experimental These pretenders did nothing marriage of pop and harsher to build on the templates of their sounds as it availed prominence, forefathers and falsely purport and the diminished shock value likeness to them. Nirvana was taxed the genre prodigiously. an alternative band because The followers it shattered of Nirvana are certain musical stark examples. boundaries The Seattle trio and spawned “Alternative rock is trademarked unfamiliar e m o t i o n a l l y extinct and should be music. That subdued art/ simply can’t be appreciated as is. ” punk-rock replicated to magnetism the same effect; with the guitarand so scions of centered values true alternative of the Led Zeppelin and Iggy bands are not alternative, they and The Stooges era of blues- are zealots of a bygone practice. rock. Their sound enveloped Alternative music was youth culture with pained lyrics “alternative” because it was and amp-overloading slashing the alternative to mainstream jams. Their musical descendants music. It was a counterculture, are far less laudable. a rebellion against the wasteland Bush, which pathetically of hair metal and bubble gum debuted in the grunge 80s’ rock. Duran Duran and their scene just three years after contemporaries left a creative Nirvana’s breakthrough album, vacuum on the 80’s airways. “Nevermind,” feebly mustered The Stone Roses and other copycat, self-loathing garage alternative titans filled that void band ditties, which sounded like but infiltrated the mainstream Kurt Cobain songs gutted of all in the process thus shedding the substance and originality. The alternative classification. bland riffs were loud enough to The genre began atrophying

when it abandoned the underground. When Radiohead became a household name and stormed the worldwide arena circuit it could hardly be alternative. When alternative players achieved renown they quit the environments that fostered their music and become something entirely not alternative. Alternative rock dethroned its rivals. Motley Crew buckled to the creativity of the Pixies.The genre occupied the spotlight and imbued itself in the music business establishment. Alternative music was thereafter impossible. The characterization is now overused to describe nearly every band or artist with an amplifier. There is no distinction between rock and alternative rock anymore. Kings of Leon, a straightforward blues-rock outfit with bluegrass tendencies, is considered alternative. Imagine Dragons, unmistakably a spiceless pop group, is also lumped in the alternative category by critics and fans alike. Alternative music has no meaning today and is used as a vague and irresponsible umbrella classification. Alternative rock is extinct and should be appreciated as is, a beautiful and explosive phase of contemporary music. Musical experimentation and innovation are not dead, only the alternative genre. Musical progress should not be inhibited by the inaccuracy of the alternative backdrop.

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A&E

April 6, 2015

James Baldwin

SRJC chooses author’s writing as Work of Literary Merit Rebecca Dominguez Staff Writer In the ’50s and ’60s a revolution began for racial equality that continues today. Due to the relevance of James Baldwin’s writing relating to current struggles against racial, sexual and economic discrimination and in celebration of his 90th birthday, Santa Rosa Junior College chose his writing as a Work of Literary Merit (WOLM). A number of events explored different aspects of Baldwin’s writing. English professor Michael Hale presented, “Between Civil Rights and Black Power: James Baldwin’s Prophetic Vision” March 30 at Newman Auditorium. Throughout the presentation Hale spoke of what changes Baldwin believed should be a part of the Civil Rights movement. Unlike most, Baldwin did not believe the focus of the movement should be solely on pushing for federal action. “[Baldwin] believed that not enough energy was spent to desegregate the human mind and heart,” Hale said. Baldwin’s main vision was a multiracial conversation about race issues in the United States. Baldwin believed all people need to undergo a transformation. Hale said Baldwin’s main concept consisted of two points: African-Americans’ need to gain self-confidence and white

Staff Writer Art. Abuse. Redemption. The documentary feature “Almost There” follows the life of a decrepit artist who has revealed his deepest, darkest secret. The film was screened at the Petaluma Cinema Series on Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus March 25 with codirectors Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden, who participated in an onstage interview and Q&A. In “Almost There,” the codirectors first encounter elderly painter Peter Anton at the Pierogi Festival in West Chicago. They

In the KNOW A calendar of upcoming events at SRJC

April 8 “Under the Skin” - Petaluma Cinema Series - 6 p.m. Pre-film lecture - 7 p.m. film. Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma Campus, $4-$5

Courtesy of TheNewYorker.com

Historic author James Baldwin has his writing honored as a Work of Literary Merit (WOLM) at Santa Rosa Junior College.

people’s need to engage in a selfconfrontation of history. “We find ourselves in a similar place that young people found themselves in 50 years ago, but we lack the tools to understand our situation because we have allowed our history to be taken from us and to be sanitized,” Hale said. “We must seek out this usable past in order to develop social movements for the 21st century. Reading Baldwin is an excellent first step.” Hale ended the lecture by listing organizations and events for people to get involved with on campus, such as the Black Student Union which meets from 5-6 p.m., Mondays in Senate chambers and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanist A de Aztlan (MEChA), which meet from 5-7 p.m.

in 4643 Bertolini Student Center. SRJC hosts the parents of the 43 missing students from Mexico at 10 a.m, April 7 in front of the library, and a Student Youth Conference will be held April 25 in Newman Auditorium. There are other WOLM events in April. Walter Turner, history professor at College of Marin and host of “Africa Today” on KPFA, will give a lecture titled “James Baldwin and History” from noon-1 p.m. April 6 in Newman Auditorium. The presentation will give information on the history of the civil rights movement. “Turner is a good speaker, a clear thinker and a great historian,” Hale said. Jewelle Gomez, author of “The

Gilda Stories” and “Waiting for Giovanni” will present “Race, Desire, and the Blues” at 3:30-4:30 p.m., April 16 in Newman Auditorium. Abby Bogomolny, chair of WOLM, said Jewelle Gomez’s play “Waiting for Giovanni” is about Baldwin and his decision and struggle to publish his book “Giovanni’s Room,” a novel about two gay men. The lecture will bring forth the interconnectedness of all of Baldwin’s sexual and racial ideas, said Bogomolny. All of the WOLM events are significant to the current issues people face today, including James Baldwin’s ideas and writings. “Baldwin is brutally honest and exquisitely poetic and that combination speaks to us,” Bogomolny said.

Petaluma campus screens documentary ‘Almost There’ Kyle Schmidt

become close friends with Anton and soon discover the artist’s collapsing house, cluttered with junk and a magnitude of mold. Rybicky and Wickenden try to help Anton tell the tale of his extraordinary life and publish his autobiographical scrapbooks titled “Almost There.” However, they discover Anton’s criminal past taking pornographic images of children. “He really didn’t want to become famous; what he did want is to be able to have his shame revealed so he can finally face it and be reconnected to his community,” Rybicky said. As their trust with Anton diminishes, the documentary

pivots to the redemption of Anton’s reputation to the community by helping him express his apologies. Rybicky said the internal meaning of his film is, “To prove that you can persevere through all different sorts of circumstances and still survive. I feel like that is still a good lesson for documentary filmmakers as well because it takes so much time and effort and perseverance to actually finish something.” Rybicky received his masters of fine arts at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is now a professor teaching cinema art at Columbia College in Chicago. He worked under big names in the film industry like Martin Scorsese and John Sayles.

Wickenden is an Emmynominated filmmaker experienced in editing, directing and producing. He is now collaborating with Oscar winner Morgan Neville to edit their upcoming film “Best of Enemies.” Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival Program Director Jason Perdue also visited the Cinema Series in light of the Film Festival on March 26-29. The Festival screened “Almost There” March 29 at Rialto Cinemas. “Almost There” is not available to the public and is currently in the film festival circuit. Upcoming films in the cinema series are “Under the Skin” April 8, “Salaam Bombay!” April 15 and “The Celebration” April 22.

April 10 “The Alexander String Quartet” - 7:30 p.m., Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma Campus, $15-$26

April 13 “The Congressional Apportionment Controversy” - noon-1 p.m., Newman Auditorium, free

April 15 “Salaam Bombay” - Petaluma Cinema Series - 6 p.m. Pre-film lecture -7 p.m. film. Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma Campus, $4-$5

April 16 “Race, Desire and the Blues” 3:30-4:30 p.m. Newman Audtorium, Free

April 17-19, 23-26 “Footloose” - A high-energy adaptation of the 1984 screenplay that mixes today’s top hits with classic chart-toppers. 8 p.m. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and 2 p.m. 19, 25, 26 - Burbank Auditorium, $12-$22

April 20 “Sustainability and Higher Education” - noon-1 p.m., Newman Auditorium, free

April 22 “The Celebration” - Petaluma Cinema Series - 6 p.m. Pre-film lecture - 7 p.m. film. Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma Campus, $4-$5

-Devin Schwarz, Staff Writer Left: courtesy of kartemquin.com, Right: Kyle Schmidt / Oak Leaf

Left: Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden, directors of the documentary “Almost There.” Right: The duo discuss their filmmaking past at Carole L. Ellis Auditorium at SRJC Petaluma campus.

A&E

April 6, 2015

Jazz recital at SRJC livens up Burbank Nikki Goetz Staff Writer Toes tapped as amazing jazz music played in Burbank Auditorium during “Jazz Night” on March 27. The Night Band kicked off the show. The band, previously a class at Santa Rosa Junior College, features professional musicians from around Sonoma County. They still perform at the college, continuing the legacy. The band consists of 18 members performing with saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass, drums, piano and guitar. The band played songs such as “A Foggy Day in London.” The music made the audience bob their

heads to the beat and tap their feet. Following The Night Band, was the Oak Tones, an a cappella group created in Fall 2013 by Stacy Rutz at SRJC. As an a cappella group, their voices are their instruments. They performed “My Funny Valentine,” from the musical “Babes in Arms” and ended with “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” from the movie “Mulan.” Rutz said, “Jazz is improv and soul and being in the moment.” The night ended with Jerome Fleg, director of instrumental music, conducting the SRJC’s Day Jazz Band. The band has 30 students playing a variety of instruments, like The Night Band. Songs played included “Basie’s Beat” and “If I Had Known” as well as “The Lady

is a Tramp,” accompanied by Rutz singing and ending with “You Dig.” “Jazz music, it swings and it’s music with improvisation. Those are your key two elements of jazz,” said Fleg after the show. “When you look at those two that opens up a world of infinite numbers of songs and styles.” Everyone who performed did a phenomenal job and gave their all in an outstanding performance that made the audience sway to the music. “These concerts are called ‘Jazz Night’ because there is a little bit of everything- jazz band, jazz combo, and vocal jazz,” Fleg said. The next “Jazz Night” will be May 15, at Newman Auditorium.

The Night Band setting up onstage in Burbank Auditorium at Santa Rosa Junior College on Jazz Night, March 27.

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Nikki Goetz/ Oak Leaf

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The Spatials Under the radar, worth a look Craig Gettman Staff Writer

Once in a while, a game comes along that practically begs for attention. “The Spatials” is such a game. An under-the-radar indie game, “The Spatials” focuses on building a space station and managing the citizens who operate it. The goal is to create a thriving tourist spot, starting from a small, barren asteroid and expanding from there. To achieve this goal, you are tasked with two categories of missions: “bounties” and “planetbased.” Bounties consist of passive missions that require only that you select your crew and send them out to various locations to gather resources or intel. Planet-based missions are almost exactly like “Star Trek” away missions where you select a crew, go shoot some bad guys and collect loot. While the base-building portion is fun and interesting, the real appeal lies beneath the surface. All of your crew members have their own unique personalities, needs and wants. Thus, keeping your crew happy becomes critical

to your success as a space station manager. There’s also a wide variety of upgrades for your station. Unlocking them requires you to venture out and complete missions on different planets and asteroids. To have the best space station around, you’ll want to take full advantage of all the technology you can get your hands on. The planet-based missions are repetitive: most of them consist of the same “go here, kill/destroy this” formula. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself talking to someone, but it’s rare. Also, it would be nice if you could manage the outcome of the bounties: unless you have a stellar crew, your chance of success as the game progresses reduces drastically. Still, to build a successful, thriving station, you must complete these missions. Planets contain valuable resources to produce food and goods, and completing bounties allows for gaining valuable experience or intelligence for your crew. All together, there is no part of this game that feels unnecessary or unfair. Overall, the game is a wellpolished, enjoyable experience. It’s a great deal for $12.99 and is currently available on Steam for both Windows and Mac.

Astrology -Haley Elizabeth Bollinger , A&E Editor

Aries:

Contemplate and Leo: Of all the voices in create your fantasy. Gather your head, listen to the one inspiration from your deepest that yells the loudest. Don’t desires. A change of attitude is talk back. needed to find passion.

Sagittarius:

Certain sequences repeat. Faint smells recall moments from the past to the present. Snap out of the past and into the now.

Taurus: Torch away obstacles Virgo: in your path. Don’t feel remorsful for those who misunderstand and can’t grasp your riot. It’s a zoot suit riot.

Sometimes life is Capricorn: Drop the a scribble. Jump inside your attitude dude. No one likes box of happiness and love. an entitled goat. Learn to Don’t worry about what’s share. Let it go! Let it go. inside the box.

Gemini:

Spark speeches Scorpio: Sting the that triumph trickery. Seek, heavens with your tail. Just do not hide. Expect the make sure you’re still around unexpected. to tell the tale. Otherwise, you’ll fail.

Aquarius:

Cancer: Act in a way which Libra:

Pisces: Procrastination prevents a person from their full potential. Make time now, tomorrow is too far away.

Beauty, filth and mirrors your core beliefs. Your grace. Which one shows the self-worth will sky-rocket. Just most exquisite taste? Choose light up the sky like the Fourth wisely. of July.

Project the positive energy you possess into your enviroment. It will boomerang back at full force. You’ll be hit with happiness!

A&E Florence, New York, Santa Rosa: www.theoakleafnews.com

April 6, 2015

Four different pizza restaurants provide a plethora of options

Devin Schwarz Staff Writer

Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar

Price $$$ 53 Montgomery Dr. Traditional Italian dining with a chic twist exists no more than two miles away from Santa Rosa Junior College at Rosso Pizzeria. An immaculate open kitchen, divided between hot and cold prep, draws the eye upon entering Rosso. The food is a mix between classic and hip with the popular margherita pizza made with tomato, basil and mozzarella; offered with or without chicken liver as a topping. The housemade Caesar salad dotted with chili paste is another must-have. If you have time and money Rosso is a must-visit for a date night, a friends night out or a simple night of delicious food and classy drinking.

Bread, cheese and sauce: there’s no better combination. Pizza has stood as a staple of American cuisine almost since its arrival in the late 19th century. Here are four Santa Rosa pizza joints that are a slice above average.

NY Pie

Price $$ 65 Brookwood Ave. If you enjoy friendly service, good company and delicious New York style pizza, you’ll feel at home at NY Pie. New York pizza is similar to Italian style in that it has a thin stone-baked crust; the difference is New York often serves pizza in large slices that must be folded down to a reasonable size. Located around the corner from Rosso, this place is an easy trip from downtown or SRJC. While you may not find a wide variety of high-end wines here, you will still enjoy delicious pizza. The menu is simplistic; a selection of “favorites,” such as Manhattan or Central Park make for quick ordering, but custom orders are also an option.

Joey’s Original Pizza

Price $$ 727 Mendocino Ave. Joey’s strives to offer high quality and good prices to a variety of guests, it’s an awesome spot for any meal of the day. Only a stone’s throw from SRJC, this is a great place for a leisurely lunch in that weird threehour gap between classes. Joey’s menu also has a series of “originals” such as the Mendo Monster or Mario D’s Neapolitan. There’s also a unique variety of toppings to help you make every order unique. Joey’s Original Pizza has not revolutionized the industry or brought pizza into the modern age; they have simply taken a classic and perfected it. If you’re looking for true, American pizza, look no further then Joey’s.

Pieology

Price $ 2280 Mendocino Ave. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Pieology, part of a chain of restaurants popular in Southern California and the South Bay that recently graced SRJC with a new location just down the road. Pieology offers “Subway-style” ordering with your choice of seven different sauces, six cheeses, seven meats and 15 different fresh ingredients. This allows for a unique sort of customization not often found in most restaurants. The employees boast that every order will be complete in fewer than five minutes. Although Pieology is part of a corporation, it deserves merit. It’s a unique, fresh take on pizza and it offers a great choice for picky eaters.

Craig Gettman/ Oak Leaf

Left to Right: Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar, NY Pie, Joey’s Original Pizza, Pieology - all of these restaurants are located within 2 miles of Santa Rosa Junior College. Try one and enjoy a slice.

A new ‘Cinderella’ marks the return of a classic tale Alex T. Randolph Copy Editor Conventional wisdom says all the world’s stories are just variations on seven basic plotlines. There is no denying, however, that some variations are more popular than others. Disney’s “Cinderella” is the latest in a long line of movie adaptations of the age-old tale. As a matter of fact, this movie is in the same

vein as last year’s “Maleficent”; a live-action movie based off one of Disney’s classic animated properties. But while “Maleficent” took the original plot of “Sleeping Beauty” in a radical new direction, this movie faithfully sticks to Disney’s original “Cinderella,” telling the story we already know while taking great pains to make it as enchanting and entertaining as possible. Ella – Cinderella being a cruel nickname for her in this version

Courtesy of Eggplante.com

Cinderella (Lily James) steps out of her enchanted carriage as she arrives at the ball.

– is a more interesting character than past adaptations. This is partly because Lily James does a good job as the titular character, bringing out her inherent sweetness without being cloying, and partly because there is more focus put on Ella. The audience actually gets to see what her life was like before her parents died, and she makes her own dress for the ball instead of her animal friends making it for her. This Cinderella has more personality and is more proactive than Disney’s last version, in which she was a pretty face who only passively reacted to what was happening to her. Prince Charming (Richard Madden) is given similar development; he’s named Kit in this story, and his relationship with his father is greatly expanded on, to the point where they have arguably some of the best scenes in the movie. Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother is also fun to watch, especially near the end when we catch a glimpse of the human being behind the cruel façade. On the down side, Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger have very little to do as the wicked stepsisters. The movie has a more realistic interpretation of the fairy tale than past adaptations. Costumes and accents appear to be invoking a specific period in history. Politics of the past briefly surface from time to time; for instance, the fact that Ella’s

house is her parents’ ancestral home is given as a reason why she stays with her abusive foster family. The film also significantly downplays the more fantastic elements of the story – Ella still talks to animals and considers them her friends, but the animals don’t talk back. In stark contrast to this is the Fairy Godmother scene, where magic and the fantastic are in the forefront. Helena Bonham Carter steals the show in her one prominent scene, hilarious in her strangeness, playing the Godmother as quirky but with hints of wisdom. Even without the extravagant special effects, her appearance would still be one of the most memorable. The best scene is unquestionably the ball, as it should be. This is due in large part to the art direction, which is top notch throughout the movie, but in this scene commands your attention like nothing else. Everything from the extravagant outfits to the larger-than-life ballroom is breathtaking. That iconic scene when Ella descends the grand staircase in a splendid dress to meet the prince has never looked better than it does now. “Cinderella” doesn’t try to be anything other than a very good retelling of the Cinderella formula. If you’re sick of that formula, you won’t find anything to change your mind here, but if all you want is a worthy adaptation of a famous fairy tale, then this movie delivers in spades.

‘Footloose’

SRJC theatre arts department set to cut loose this April Sean Curzon Staff Writer Kick off your Sunday shoes. “Footloose” is coming soon to Burbank Auditorium at Santa Rosa Junior College The play is directed by Wendy Wisely, with choreography by Lara Branen, vocal direction by Jody Benecke and musical direction by Nate Riebli. “Footloose” features Erin Galloway as Ren McCormick and Sydnie Johnson as Ariel Moore. The play is based on the 1984 film of the same name starring Kevin Bacon. It tells the story of a small town that needs a hero, a hero who’s got to be strong and got to be fast and got to be fresh from the fight. Chicagoborn Ren McCormick moves to the small town of Beaumont only to discover that dancing is illegal. McCormick must defy local law and teach these small town people how to cut loose. Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie wrote the stage adaption. Pitchford wrote the film screenplay and co-wrote some of the songs used in both the film and play. Wisely is interested in bringing the themes and energy of the film to the stage. “I am a child of the ‘80s. I fondly remember the movie with Kevin Bacon,” she said. The play is a musical that uses songs from the film, including “Footloose,” “Holding Out For a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy.” Wisely said doing a musical with pop songs is just a different genre and more accessible to a general audience. “I sang some of these songs. The cast already knew some of them,” she said. She hopes the audience has a fun time. “I want to see people dancing in their chairs; people dancing out in the aisles,” Wisely said. “Footloose” plays at 8 p.m. April 17, 18, 23-25, 30, May 1, 2, at 2 p.m. on April 19, 25, 26, May 2 and a final show at 3 p.m. on May 3.

Tom Chown/ SRJC Theatre Arts

Sydnie Johnson and Erin Galloway, stars of the upcoming musical “Footloose,” pose.