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OPINION
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Last chance to see ‘The Rabbit Hole’
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Fremont, California
Vol. XXXVIX No. 12
Sarah Palin goes ‘rogue,’ in vapid book
November 19, 2009
Board postpones layoffs By Kyle Stephens Staff writer The Ohlone College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to postpone the anticipated decision to lay off six school employees to help compensate for a $700,000 budget shortfall, until the next board meeting, Dec. 9. The meeting began with a closed session that lasted from 3:30 to 4:45
p.m., an hour longer than scheduled. Trustee Garrett Yee apologized for the delay. The board opened to a full house of some 100 people in the new Student Center Building. Trustees were expected to vote to lay off six members of Ohlone’s chapter of California School Employees Association (CSEA). Several speakers addressed the board. First, CSEA President and
Chief Negotiator Linda Evers asked that the board to “uphold the letter of the law,” in reference to California Education Code Section 88017 (c), which states: “A classified employee may not be laid off if a short-term employee is retained to render a service that the classified employee is qualified to render.” Evers said CSEA interprets this to mean that student employees, who are employed “at will,” to be
terminated at any time, should be first to be let go to help cover the budget shortfall. CSEA also objects to the work of CSEA employees being contracted out to non-CSEA employees, further citing California Education Code Sections 88001, 88003, which define a “classified staff” employee versus “short-term employee.” The administration had attempted to close the budget shortfall,
due to mid-year budget cuts on the state level, by offering retirement incentives to long-time employees, plus proposed salary cuts by way of employee furlough days, mandatory unpaid days off. The administration and Ohlone’s two other unions, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the teacher’s union, the United Faculty of Ohlone (UFO) agreed Continued on Page 3
ASOC serves up turkey By Ean Taijeron Staff writer
Photo by Kyle Stephens
Interpreter Sheridan Gatherer addresses the Board of Trustees at Wednesday night’s meeting, where plans to lay off six union workers were postponed until the next meeting.
Building One was full of music, happy students and the smell of roasted turkey on Wednesday, as the ASOC, in their green jackets, served up their annual Thanksgiving Feast. For the donation of a can of food for the needy, students, faculty and staff received turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy salad, rolls and dessert. Also water or a soft drink. The ASOC executives were at the main table doling out generous portions of traditional Thanksgiving food to about 500 expected guests. The menu included: two 25-pound turkeys and eight turkey breasts, Continued on Page 6
Feds debate NUMMI at Newark campus By Kathryn Dixon Staff writer Fremont’s largest employer, the NUMMI auto plant, is scheduled to close in March, leaving 5,400 workers without jobs, and tearing through the economy of Alameda County like a hurricane. Up to 1,000 NUMMI suppliers are expected to close their doors when the auto plant closes, throwing another 21,000 workers out on the street. In an effort to find some kind of answer to the impending disaster, a panel of federal officials met with UAW officials and members of the public at Ohlone's Newark campus last Friday. The 28-person panel, hosted by Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont, included Ed Montgomery, executive director of the White House Council
on Automotive Communities and Workers, and representatives of the Departments of Labor, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Transportation, Health and Human Services, Justice, Agriculture and the Small Business Administration. Ohlone was represented by President Gari Browning, Associate Vice President Leta Stagnaro and Ohlone Foundation head Dave Smith, who is also mayor of Newark. Montgomery said that President Barack Obama recognizes the concerns of people in the Fremont area are unprecedented because of the NUMMI plant closure. “The President recognizes the casualties of the closure such as the workers at the plants and the workers in the supply chains,” he said. “ Therefore, the President put
together a White House Council to organize a federal response to work with businesses and to help people use the Recovery Act (the stimulus) passed by Congress to invest money to create new jobs.” Although offering no bailout of the NUMMI plant, Montgomery brought with him officials to address the impact of NUMMI’s closure. He said these officials would help the NUMMI workers and local leaders and businesses cut through the red tape and obtain federal assistance. Montgomery said federal government is a partner with state and local officials and workers and wanted to hear their recommendations regarding the NUMMI closure. “We need a comprehensive plan to deal with the NUMMI closure,” he said. “The President recognizes the closure affect the whole region
and has instructed a White House Committee council to visit here, and bring representatives from federal agencies. This is the beginning of the process and partnership – the first step is to find what the needs are here.” Montgomery offered concrete immediate federal assistance in three ways: First, Montgomery said workers could get additional training, health and unemployment benefits under a federal program for workers impacted by foreign competition, called “Trade Adjustment Assistance” known as “TAA.” This program provides training, job search, income support and relocation allowances for people who have lost their job or lost wages because of increased foreign imports. Three or more persons or their Union must file a petition for
these benefits to the Department of Labor. According local UAW President Sergio Santos, this petition is in the works. Second, Montgomery said that the federal Economic Development Agency would provide grants to the City of Fremont to redevelop the NUMMI site even though that redevelopment might not include providing new manufacturing jobs. Third, Montgomery said that Ohlone and other colleges and schools can provide retraining for the workers and funding is available through the stimulus and Workforce Investment Act. Congressman Stark addressed the public and said “After looking at the Newark facility, it is clear the existing relationship between Ohlone and NUMMI will be productive to Continued on Page 3
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Opinion
monitor November 19, 2009
Jeff Weisinger Gloria Franco Manika Casterline Nazia Mastan Jillian Sanchez Sports editor: Nick Zambrano Photo editor: Japneet Kaur Online editors: Max Stephens Kyle Stephens Staff writers: Miguel Cerda Ankita Chhabra Theresa Gutierrez Anika Dokes Kathryn Dixon Naijia Qadir Kelsey Bloom Lesly Hernandez Hyder Alikhan Tomás Ortega Shelby Lacy Jacob Schabert Ean Taijeron Tolo Dayo Photo staff: Manal Bejaoui Tara Lynn Lanning David Epperson Stuart Dawson Ian MacDonald Jimmy Patten Cheryl West Nelam Rafiq Ad manager: Anna BiaritzRoldan Ad staff: Christy Marovich Editor in chief: News editor: Opinion editor: Features editor:
Associated Collegiate Press / National Scholastic Press Association All American 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Regional Pacemaker 1988 Journalism Association of Community Colleges General Excellence Fall 1994 General Excellence Fall 2000 General Excellence Fall 2004 General Excellence Fall 2005 Offices are located in Room 5310 on campus, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont 94539-5884. Call (510) 659-6075. Fax: (510) 659-6076. E-mail: monitor@ohlone.cc.ca.us Opinions expressed in the Monitor are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of the staff, the college or the Associated Students of Ohlone College. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority view of staff members. Advertising material is printed herein for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an expression of endorsement or verification of such commercial ventures by the staff or college. The Monitor is funded by the district by the Associated Students of Ohlone College, and through advertising revenue. The Monitor is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Community College Journalism Association, California Newspaper Publishers Association, College Media Advisers and Society of Newspaper Design.
Opinion
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‘Going Rogue’ is Sarah Palin’s politics as usual By MANIKA CASTERLINE Opinions editor With Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton taking herself out of future presidential contention a few weeks back, it served as rationale for my idealistic best friend to start once again pushing the concept of yours truly becoming the first woman president. And under the massive pile of laundry in her Berkeley apartment, I might be able to find early drafts of Casterline for President campaign paraphernalia. But, what we as women fail to take into account is that while the leading lady of politics is no longer Hillary with her living history of political and personal baggage, the standard and in some respects the pressure of breaking that glass ceiling has been placed squarely on the shoulders of former Alaskan Gov.
Sarah Palin. Sarah is back on the stage of the political arena and in the process has “gone rogue.” Palin rose to national prominence on Aug. 29, 2008 when GOP candidate John McCain announced her as his running mate. And her role within the framework of the McCain-Palin 2008 ticket was to galvanize the conservative base as well as syphon away women voters from the Democratic party. The strategic question always has been how much of a political liability was she? Sure she can attract voters. But, she much like Clinton, Palin has become a polarizing figure. On July 3, 2009 Palin resigned from her position as the Governor of Alaska, citing that it was out of financial concern for the citizens of her state. Palin said, “With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election, I’ve determined it
is best to transfer the authority of governor to lieutenant governor, Parnell. And I’m willing to do this so that this administration can continue without interruption.” The most political thing about Palin is that she is the master at passing the blame onto the press or the side that opposes her. She has gone rogue on nearly any entity that dare question the lack of ethics she exhibited as governor. Palin claims that she does not conduct politics as usual. Yet, she bears striking similarity to Sen. John Kerry as a political flip-flopper. Palin initially campaigned on the platform that she was for the “Bridge to Nowhere”, which she later dismissed as a policy. Instead it became a road to nowhere. In her resignation speech, Palin addressed thematically that an individual ought to not just rest on the idea of doing what is most com-
fortable for them. Funny, because toward the end she utilizes an analogy that she states is comfortable for her and that is of a basketball point guard. But, that of course is just parsing Palin’s rhetoric. Palin makes her political return with the release of her book “Going Rogue: An American Life.” And this means a media blitzkrieg with interviews granted to Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey. “Going Rogue” is Palin’s chance to dispel any false accusations and gives her a forum to lay out the truth as she sees fit to print. However, it reads like a revisionist work of prose where she asserts that the McCain campaign that took a chance on a first term governor “bottled her up.” Palin goes on, to discuss the rumors about her husband, Todd Palin aka the “First Dude” through the following passage, “That day in sunny Texas when the divorce ru-
mors were rampant in the tabloids, I watched Todd, tanned and shirtless, take the baby from my arms and walk him back to the ranch house so Trig could nap while I made calls. Seeing Todd’s blue eyes smiling, I chuckled. Dang, I thought. Divorce Todd? Have you seen Todd?” I’m sorry but regardless of the 40 percent Borders member discount, I should not feel like I’m reading the political science version of the “Twilight” saga. Seriously, the fawning is for the genres of romance and young adult fiction. This kind of fictional tale harkens back to the idealism of a fairy tale, not of what reality is. And the book as a whole reeks of extreme narcissism in a way that surpasses what an autobiography typically encompasses. “Going Rogue”, is all about how Sarah Palin has been victimized by the media. Continued on Page 3
Looking for markers to help guide the way By KELSEY BLOOM Staff writer There are certain events that happen in America that are so significant that they stand as markers for our society and how it is developing.
The election of Barack Obama to the presidency, is in itself a clear marker of the huge steps forward that America has made concerning racism and our history of slavery. It is a very simple representation of our progress. Like the breaking down of the Berlin Wall, it is a triumph in society; just another
small step up the long ladder to world peace and harmony. There are other events that are not as understandable or clear. In a span of six months, four Palo Alto teenagers have taken their own lives by use of a Caltrain that runs through the heart of town. All four of these teens, ages 13 to 17, went
to Henry M. Gunn high school. They were different individuals and all killed themselves for individual reasons, but there is one obvious similiarity. These young men and women were in such a severe amount of pain that they reached a breaking point. The pain became greater than their young
hearts and minds could withstand. They did what seemed logical to them and they put themselves out of their misery. Liza Wataghani, an art dealer who has been a resident of Palo Alto for 23 years, recollects a particularly gruesome incident from Continued on Page 3
Campus Comment >>> What are you most thankful for? -
Arabell Britton
WILDLIFE “My house and friends.”
Brandon Chang NURSING “Food!”
Eric Willey
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE “My wife and daughter.”
Jessica Lagman
BUSINESS & ADVERTISING “My job, even though I hate it.”
Shanazz Ahmad PSYCHOLOGY “My family. ”
News
November 19, 2009 monitor
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Feds look for solution to NUMMI closure Continued from Page 1 develop. Ohlone can provide new technology training to get people trained n the next few years.” Stark encouraged NUMMI workers and Ohlone to begin networking to see what programs and grant application exist, and to transfer as much information as possible. He said, “We have the burden of finding job replacement for the workers. Stark specifically recommended that workers petition for TAA. He noted that attempts to encourage General Motors or Toyota to keep the NUMMI plant open have failed. He seemed resigned to its closure. Stark said he invites investors to look at the NUMMI facility and that it is great facility to train workers in new trades. Congressman Jerry McNerney said NUMMI and Ohlone College have a long relationship. He said he hoped that the college could train NUMMI workers to develop new job skills, possibly by doing so in the plant itself. His spokesperson Sarah Hersh said that that McNerney thinks important resources are available at the college for NUMMI employees and Ohlone should be part of the discussion about what
the college can provide to the workers and about what happens to the actual plant structure. Bob Wasserman, Mayor of Fremont, said Fremont and NUMMI were partners for 25 years. He wants immediate enhanced unemployment compensation benefits for the laid off workers, and to provide them with training opportunities with Ohlone and other training programs. He said he is concerned about the future of the 388 acre parcel, bounded on each side by major highways and by the new Warm Springs BART. Wasserman said he had just received a call from the Economic Development Agency and that it would provide Fremont with technical assistance and grants to provide workers with new jobs. Smith said that Newark will be severely impacted by the NUMMI closure and there is a “ripple effect on thousands of people in the community.” Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor, said the Department of Energy is supplying $100 million to train people in green technology this year and that the federal government will fund health care training. Stagnaro said Ohlone has set
up the Tri-Cities One Stop Center in Room 1211 at the Newark Campus which can provide training for NUMMI workers who are laid off. The Tri-Cities One Stop Center is located in Room 1211 at the Ohlone Campus. According to Yanni Zeng, student services assistant, the One Stop Center works with the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board to provide training and assistance to workers. Businesses can place no-cost job orders for new job openings at the center. The center is open to the public. Its website is tricitiesonestop.com. Telephone: (510) 742-2323. Stagnaro is a member of the board of directors of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, website: http://acwib.org/ NUMMI has been operated as a joint venture by Toyota and General Motors for 25 years and is still manufacturing Toyota Corolla cars and Toyota Tacoma trucks. A $19.4 billion bailout from the federal government was not enough to keep GM from going into Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in June 2009 at which time GM withdrew from its partnership with Toyota. In
August, Toyota announced it will not order any more automobiles from the plant after March 2010. Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson is still rallying to keep the plan open as long as possible, and said that he reached out to a Chinese car manufacturing business to use the plant. So far, there are no takers. Sergio Santos, the president of United Auto Workers Local 2244, said his union which represents most NUMMI workers is urging people to sign a petition not to buy Toyota cars and trucks if it won’t keep the plant open. Greg Young, NUMMI’s director of special projects said that NUMMI will close soon and the best and highest use of the property must be found in order to benefit the community. Before the panel discussion, President Browning provided Montgomery and his entourage with a tour of the Ohlone Center for Health Sciences and Technology at the Newark campus. The new $108 million campus is equipped with high tech teaching tools including a $600,000 mock hospital room with mannequins to train nurses. After the tour, there was a brief
press conference and several officials briefly addressed the audience, however, the panel discussion was closed to the public. Montgomery said Ohlone can obtain funds through two government programs to help bail out its anticipated $1.2 million budget shortfall regarding the general fund for 2010-’11. He recommended that Ohlone make applications to the Work Force Investment Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, known as the “stimulus.” Montgomery said funds from these programs can be used for job searches, career training, work retraining and vocational degrees. According to Michael Caligari, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Ohlone College received about $170,000 last year to backfill funding for categorical programs. He said the college will not apply for federal stimulus funds for the college’s general fund because that would involve job creation. However, the college will partner with state and local agencies as they go forward to create jobs in that the college will consult with them regarding providing training and education.
When can we Palin’s Layoffs of six workers put off tell as a society book Continued from Page 2 years ago. A young man from the neighboring Palo Alto high school, was among the last players cut from the school basketball team. Later that night he went to the train tracks and laid down on them, waiting for his eventual relief. It happened within 150 feet of hundreds of screaming fans at the school football field, totally oblivious to what was happening just a few dozen yards away. We don’t know what caused him to take his life, though there are some people who are born with or naturally develop extreme mental imbalances. Some people are genetically hardwired to be suicidally depressed. But what about four teens from the same school, in the span of six months? There is no coincidence
there, what you have there is four people who were more sad and depressed than the inexperienced person could possibly fathom. There are four sets of parents out there, and countless more all over the country with a dead child. Dead because they were so sad and tortured they had to stop the pain. What does it mean, what does it represent? It means something hugely more significant than the countless daily tragedies in our society. And until we can find and understand what it is in our society can overcome our most basic animal instinct, the mere instinct to live that is shared by every single living organism, we will be lost. Until that day we will still be a people in the dark, looking for markers to guide the way.
Continued from Page 2 by the media. The book also fails to credit to its ghostwriter, Lynn Vincent, who has a history of anti-gay and racially charged remarks, and has gone so far as saying that President Barack Obama is the “face of the minority survivor of abortion.” While Palin might not endorse these radical viewpoints, the problem that I have is that people are drawing comparisons between Palin and Clinton. Yes, they are both polarizing women in politics that are criticized at times over the most absurd things. But, Sarah is not some stand-in for Hillary. The only kind of stand in I want to see or hear of Sarah Palin is stand-up comedian Tina Fey.
Continued from Page 1 to take five days furlough days to address the shortfall. Evers and CSEA Labor Representative Barbara Mays both said that they never said no to these furloughs, and that they had prepared a tentatively accepted “memorandum of understanding” with the board that protected CSEA employees, stipulating the postponing of any layoffs until the end of the school year in June, no hiring of non-CSEA workers to do CSEA employee jobs, and the retention of CSEA employees where a non-classified staff member (typically students) could be let go. Evers said the union was not “trying to remove student’s opportunities to work,” but that she was
nonetheless trying to protect the interests of her union’s members. UFO President and Chief Negotiator Dr. Alan Kirshner, who had addressed the board earlier, commented about the more apparent “controversial and adversarial” state of affairs between the board and CSEA. Kirshner also reflected on his views of the college as a greater community, that he wanted amiable solutions for all, though while he was “Happy that the board listened…obviously neither side was 100 percent happy in any fashion.” Health Center Counselor Rosemary O’Neil was honored with the Faculty of the Month Award, in recognition of her many years of service.
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monitor November 19, 2009
Features
Photos courtesy of Fremont Symphony
Larry Osborne left, conducts the Ohlone Symphony Orchestra. At right, the orchestra & Osborne receive recognition for their work.
Symphony Orchestra performs for Ohlone By anika Dokes Staff writer If you enjoy live music that is soft, soothing and enjoyable to the ear. Ohlone Symphony Orchestra is the place for you to come out and listen. The Ohlone Symphony Orchestra formerly known as the Ohlone Chamber Orchestra, is a group of dedicated volunteer musicians who perform great classical music for our community. They opened their seventh season this fall semester on Oct. 13 under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Larry Osborne. Osborne has been conductor of the Orchestra since fall of 2003, and he continues each year to conduct the orchestra and symphony who
make outstanding music. Osborne has several degrees in music performance and music education and has taught music education at all levels from elementary school through college. In addition to teaching, Osborne has been a member of the San Jose Ballet Symphony, a French hornist with the Opera San Jose, American Wind Symphony, San Francisco Opera Orchestra as well as the San Francisco Theatre Orchestra. He is not only an outstanding music director and conductor, but Osborne also has the passion to teach instrumental and string music to elementary and junior high students at Hayward intermediate schools as well in addition to three other elementary schools in the Hayward Unified School District.
Over the past several years the Ohlone orchestra has been receiving two sources of funding from the Associated Students of Ohlone College and ticket sales. Osborne said that “the Orchestra performs four concerts per season; but because of the budget cuts that are being made to some of the departments on campus the Orchestra is going to continue their second concert starting in March of 2010.” The majority of the co-orchestra members in the Symphony are enrolled at Ohlone and the rest of the Symphony and Orchestra members are not Ohlone students. The Ohlone Orchestra and Symphony boasts a variety of different age groups from 15 going all the way to 60 years old.
The Ohlone Orchestra and Symphony is open to college or professional experienced players who play the violin, viola, cello, trumpet, bass, flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, timpani as well as a host of other instruments. In the coming months, Osborne states, “The Orchestra has enormous plans to prepare for their second concert, which will be held in March and May of 2010.” The musical pieces that the Orchestra plans on playing include “Overture to the Opera “Nabucco” by Verdi, Serenada No. 10 “Grand Partita” featuring the Ohlone Symphony Orchestra Wind Players Mozart and Symphony No. 7 by Antonin Dvorak. However, for the May perfor-
mances the Symphony and Orchestra will also play “Two Fanfaves For Bass and Percussion by Richard Stravss as well as “Second Piano Concerto by Rachmaninoff with soloist Russell Hancock and finally Beethoven Fifth Symphony.”
The Nutcracker The Fremont Symphony Orchestra will put on their production of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 and 7 p.m as well as on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. For tickets, contact Ohlone’s Box Office @ 510659-6031
Egyptian students form Q&A panel By Nazia mastan Features editor Ohlone offers its students an opportunity to attain an education. However, our exchange programs allow us to enrich ourselves with the beauty of diversity. Sixteen Egyp-
tian students are currently studying at Ohlone on scholarships. The students are enriching our daily interactions with their rich culture and points of view, increasing our learning experiences through simple exchanges. Ohlone’s Speech Deparment is
putting on a panel of our scholarship students from Egypt; a question and answer session here at Ohlone college. It will be held today, Nov. 19 from 12 to 12:50 p.m. in Building 3, Room 3102. There will be three Egyptian students on the panel who have received
scholarships to attend Ohlone, these scholarships have benefitted our college community immensly in expanding our outreach. The students will be speaking and answering quesitons on various topics. Some topics such as the geography, religion, politics and
Nutcracker at Ohlone
The Berkeley City Ballet is being featured at Ohlone College with their winter production of The Nutcracker. It will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1 and 5 p.m. as well as on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 1 and 5 p.m. The Nutcracker will be in Ohlone’s Jackson Theater.
the rich culture of Egypt have been outlined for them to discuss, while a wide range of questions may be asked. According to Eddie West, who is director of Ohlone's International Programs and Services department, the panel’s goal is to share the Egyptian student's personal experiences. Also, to enlighten Ohlone students and staff about Egyptian values and culture and share in the spirit of International Education Week. IEW or International Education Week is organized by the Department of Education, and is from Nov. 16-20. It is a nationaly observed week that celebrates international students and educational exchanges. Many colleges across the nation are putting on similar forums and discussions that highlight the contributions that foreign students give our institutions. International Education Week offers Americans an opportunity to prepare themselves for successful interactions with actors of the world stage, by allowing their students and staff to gain a greater appreciation for cultures that they come into contact with every day, as does Ohlone with our large foreign student body. Come join Ohlone today in celebrating the enrichment that we receive by our Egyptian students.
Features
November 19, 2009 monitor
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Alice not found in this ‘Rabbit Hole’ By Kelsey bloom Staff writer Is there a correct way to grieve? Is there a right way to feel? This is the question boldly and searingly proposed by The Ohlone Performing Arts stunning production of Rabbit Hole, the 2006 Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. The plot of Rabbit Hole is very much a cliché by soap opera standards. It focuses on the enormous strain on a family brought about by the death of a young child. It has bitter squabbles, miscommunication, violent outbursts, denial, suspicion and grief. Everything you would expect from an episode of “Days of Our Lives.” However, what sets this play apart from all those is the heart-wrenching realism and authenticity of how a mere cast of five characters reacts to these massive challenges. These types of dramas almost always have a certain equation to them, the characters are expected by the audience to react a certain way to these situations. A mother coping with the loss of a young child is expected to be erratic and wildly emotional, or to still feel that way, but to express those emotions carefully and subtlety. Becca (played by Stacey Lynn Bell) is not them, Becca is devoid of all emotion entirely, an android. This is not how a mother reacts to a dead son? She is supposed to show the world her pain, to prove to the world how much she loves her son.It is hard not for the audience to deny these reactions as poor writing or poor acting. But as the show goes on, with the characters dutifully trudging through their daily lives, the façade starts to chip away. We learn that Becca is not an android, in fact, she is all too human. It becomes painfully obvious that, as the matriarch of the family, she is accustomed to always being in control of her world, a great source of strength to her eccentric mother and insecure sister. It is for those very reasons that she is terrified
by the prospect that her emotions will turn her into a smoldering heap of rubble. She is a woman so terrified by her own grief that she denies it, tries to purge it from herself, lest she fail herself and the family that depends on her. Although this play has characters displaying emotions and reactions that may seem alien to some of us, it works because it has authenticity. Although we may think that we would never react to a crisis in a certain way, be it in a drama or reality, we are that way because we are all individuals. The cause and effect of these characters interactions and crises they face, their emotional equation, is shown in a way that is so very authentic. The audience understands that although they might react a certain way, it is because they are not the characters. It is a play that makes empathy accessible to all people, not just those whom the story relates to. The essence of this play is peacefulness and understanding. It shows us that as people trying to solve the problem that is our own lives, we must step back and realize that we are all different, and react to things different ways. It teaches us, stunningly, that empathy is our greatest tool of communication. When we understand each other, we understand ourselves. Despite all that, this was still a production of the Ohlone Performing arts, and as usual there are certain variables in the play that are left to their creative control; lighting, staging, sets, blocking, acting, etcetera. They were a total afterthought, not even worth noticing. Why? They were flawless, in every category. All that could be perceived on stage that night were artists, doing art the right way, the true way, and my, was it beautiful. The Rabbit Hole is continuing next weekend on Nov. 19-21 @ 8 p.m. in Ohlone’s Theatre. Tickets are on sale at the Box Office which can be reached at (510) 659-6031.
Photo by Manal Bejaoui
Professor Kenney Mencher’s art classes have put together this montage of a scene from ‘The Rabbit Hole.’
Winter Showcase
The Nature of Conflict
By MANIKA CASTERLINE Opinions editor The annual Winter Dance Showcase performed to a sold out Ohlone NUMMI Theater just last year. This year promises to deliver the same resoundingly magical momentum. It will also highlight the talent of over 100 Ohlone dancers. Ohlone’s Dance department will exhibit the diversity of dance through a several styles and techniques. It will feature several jazz, tap, contemporary, salsa, ballroom, and possibly a hip hip group that is currently in Taiwan. Bliss and iLLusion dance companies will also each have an act within the showcase. The music that will accompany the performances ranges from mainstream pop to a track off of Michael Buble’s latest release “Crazy Love.”
Photo by Accalia Calip
Brenda Ahntholz, Speech and Communications professor will present a Brown Bag Seminar entitled Nature of Conflict in Lesbian Relationships. The Seminar will focus on her master’s thesis from the University of Northern Iowa. Qualitative data in the form of interviews showed her that the primary path to intimacy between lesbian couples is communication.
“The spring production is more about the bells and whistles while the winter showcase is more informal,” according to Director of Dance, Janel Tomblin-Brown. Dancers from the showcase are will be donning items from their personal wardrobes for their costumes. While the Winter Showcase seems like a low key affair, some of the dance teachers are basing performances in the showcase as a final for their dance students. This ensures grueling dance sequences and heart racing beats with artistic drive. All for the enjoyment of the comunity. The winter showcase will be held at the NUMMI Theater in Ohlone’s Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are for $10 and proceeds go to fund the Ohlone College dance department.
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November 19, 2009
News
ASOC serves turkey dinner for students Continued from Page 1 mash potatoes, ham, and even mixed vegetables. They also had desserts such as German chocolate cake, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies, which were all homemade. Representative at large and head of the Thanksgiving Committee Nayyara Shaik had great expectations for this year’s feast and all were upheld. “I’m very happy to see the people enjoy the food and also happy with the turnout,” said Shaik as she served the mandarinspinach salad during the feast. She was also pleased to have most of the senators there to help her. Later as she served drinks, Shaik said, “A few could not make due to sicknesses, but other than that all of the volunteers showed up.” Even former ASOC President Jackie McCulley came to help with the feast. Shaik will also be serving
food on Thursday at the Newark Campus. This is the first year the ASOC is having the feast there. After people donated a dollar or a can for charity, they got in line to be served. After they got their food, most left, but others stayed in building one to talk and eat with friends. When interviewing students, Adrian Sutton remarked, “I loved the ham, and I’m not so big on the vegetarian dish, but the salad was fantastic.” When asked what she thought of the event in general, she said, “It was a lovely surprise, I just biked here 10 miles and I was really hungry.” ASOC members were well prepared to serve the students due to their Thanksgiving Committee meeting yesterday. During the meeting, Nayyara used a PowerPoint to show the senators what they would be serving, the time window, and
Photo by Nytasia Calip
Building One wasn’t so dead Wednesday at the Thanksgiving feast, served to students, faculty and staff by ASOC members. even a floor plan of Building One to show what and where things would be. This year, the Thanksgiving was a great success for the ASOC, and for charity, as the money donation box was full and the canned food drive bins were filling up.
Ohlone planning for emergencies By Hyder Alikhan Staff writer Ohlone’s College Council met Monday and came up with an “Emergency Preparedness Program.” Their objective was to fulfill compliance with accords set by the California Commmunity College System Office. The program prepares for emergency response to disaster, accidents, serious incidents, and to be ready to provide assistance to other schools or agencies. Previously, the Ohlone web page did not include information regarding what the procedures were for health emergencies or pandemic or epidemic situations. “The web page has been revised to include, health emergencies, pandemics and epidemics and additional resources and information,” said Steven Osawa, head of Campus
Security. Emergency Procedures and Action Plan Information bulletin notices are posted on campus. A new Hazardous Materials Business Plan has been put into place, as has a text message-based emergency mass alert system for all subscribing students and employees - it is a free service. The Ohlone radio station KOHL 89.3 FM, and TV station, ONTV Channel 28 will provide additional broadcasting information and messages from the Press Information Officer. Talk-a-Phones will be installed on the both Ohlone campuses. Talka-Phones are emergency communications and Wide Area Emergency Broadcasting System. Its currently on hold due to budget cuts. Talka-phones are located in Lot C and N, Quad, Lot H – CDC and Palm Bosque/Athletic Building.
Campus Events Classified Ads Leadership positions available with City of Fremont Environmental Services Advisory Commission. For details email Ken Pianin at kpianin@fremont.gov. Easy going A student and excellent baby sitter, house sitter, dog/cat sitter, elderly caretaker and tutor available. Email: angelyabs@yahoo.com.
November 19 Great American Smoke-Out, all day 19 Egyptian scholarship students will describe the geography, politics, religions, economy and culture of their home country in a forum starting at noon in Room 3102 19 Nature of Conflict in Lesbian Relationships, by Brenda Ahntholz, professor of speech and communication studies, 1 to 2 p.m., Room 3102 19 Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meeting at the Green Room, Smith Center, 4 p.m.
19 Learning disabilities informational meeting (no meeting on Thanksgiving break) Room 7107, Student Services Center, Building 7, 12:10 to 1:30 p.m. 19-20 Men’s Baseball home, inter-squad game, home field 19 Women’s Basketball away vs. San Joaquin Delta College, at 6 p.m. 19 Spring 2010 China Trip Information Night Room 7101, Building 7, 7 p.m.
19 Last day to drop fullterm classes with a W grade
19 & 20 Fall Theatre Production: Rabbit Hole by Ohlone College’s Theatre and Dance Department, 8 p.m.
19 High school matinees for the fall theatre production: Rabbit Hole by Ohlone College’s Theatre and Dance Department, NUMMI Theatre, Smith Center, 10 a.m.
20 Science Seminar: Hang Gliding in the Real World, Room 3201, 1:15 to 2:05 p.m.
19 Thanksgiving Feast, (Newark campus) Central Hub, Newark campus, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 19 Open mic poetry reading in the library, noon until 1:30 p.m.
Shasta College Tourament, all day at Redding
December
24 HIV Testing Clinic, Student Health Center, Room 7302, Building 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 24 Re-Entry Students Support Group, Room 7207, Building 7, Student Services Center, noon to 1 p.m.
1 Art Gallery Exhibit continues: Pergamon, Large academic drawings of the Pergamon Altar by Rob Anderson, instructor at the Atelier School of Classical Realism. These drawings were made from direct observation. Open through Feb. 6, 2010.
24 Inter Club Council (ICC) meeting, Room 6105, Building 6, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
1 HIV Testing Clinic, Student Health Center, Room 7302, Building 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
24 ASOC meets every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m.
1 Re-Entry Students Support Group, Room 7207, Building 7, Student Services Center, noon to 1 p.m.
24 Women’s Basketball home vs. Foothill College, 4 p.m. 25 Men’s Basketball, home vs. Cabrillo College, 7 p.m.
1 Inter Club Council (ICC) meeting, Room 6105, Building 6, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
28 Men’s Basketball away vs. Gavilan College, Salinas, 5 p.m.
1 ASOC meeting every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m.
November 19, 2009 monitor
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2 Bingo Cafeteria, Building 5, noon 2 Campus tour meets on the second floor of Building 7, outside Admissions and Records 3 Let’s Play Chess! Cafeteria, Building 5, 9:30 a.m. 3 Learning Disabilities informational meetings Room 7107, Student Services Center, 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. 3-4 Winter Dance Showcase by Ohlone College’s Dance Department, NUMMI Theatre, Smith Center, 8 p.m. 5 Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet , 2 and 7 p.m., Fremont Symphony and Yoko’s Dance Academy, Jackson Theater. Also, performance Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.
20 Fall Theatre Production: Rabbit Hole by Ohlone College’s Theatre and Dance Department, 2 p.m. 20-21 Women’s Water Polo State Championship, all day 20-22 Men’s Basketball
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The Monitor invites your comments. Letters should be 250 words or less and include your name and relationship to Ohlone. Letters become property of The Monitor and may be edited for spelling and length. Campus Events listings are free for college-related events. To have your event added or to place an ad, contact Jacque Orvis at (510) 659-6075 or e-mail monitorads@ohlone.edu
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Page 8
Ladies dominate Feather River in Allender’s debut By Jacob Schabert Staff writer The Ohlone Lady Renegades basketball team started the season with a bang on Saturday as they beat the Eagles of Feather River by the score of 78-59. Ohlone came out looking sharp from the get-go, playing with an energy and intensity that lasted the entire length of the game. This was the first win as a head coach for Julie Allender, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant. “It feels really good,” said Allender following the game. “I felt confident going in. We had a couple real good weeks of practice and their competitiveness really showed the past week.” The Lady Renegades started the game very active on defense, forcing many turnovers that led to fast-break points to get an early lead. Ohlone also had its share of turnover issues in the first half, but that was fixed early in route to a dominant effort on both sides of the ball that resulted in an early lead that the Lady Renegades would not relinquish. When Ohlone had the ball, they made the most of their possessions, making more than 50 percent of their shots, while keeping ball movement
a huge factor in confusing the Eagle defense. Jasmine Rubin was the offensive star of the game, scoring 30 points on the night on 14 of 22 shooting, including back to back 3 pointers early in the game. “She did a great job and took great shots,” Allender said, regarding the sophomore. Rubin also contributed 10 rebounds for Ohlone, with an impressive 6 offensive boards, however she was not alone controlling the boards in the game. The Lady Renegades did an excellent job out-rebounding Feather River all night, gathering 39 rebounds overall. Ohlone built their biggest lead of the night late in the first half when they took a 21-point lead. Feather River grinded the rest of the half, cutting the lead to nine points just before halftime. Ohlone would take no part in letting the Eagles get back in the game. Ganeaya Rogers nailed an offbalance deep two-pointer as the buzzer went off to signal halftime to crush the souls of the Eagles and give Ohlone a 14-point lead. The Lady Renegades didn’t quite dominate as much, but still played a solid second half, outscoring Feather River by five points. Rubin’s 30 points was by far a game high. Rogers had 16 points
on the night, making exactly half of her shots at a nice 50 percent clip. The Milpitas High alum Rogers nearly had a triple-double on the night, finishing with nine assists and eight rebounds. “Getting out in the open court and passing, that’s what she does best,” Allender said regarding Rogers’ style of play. Crystal McLaughlin dominated the boards for the Lady Renegades, finishing with 12 rebounds overall, and keeping the Eagles’ posts in check not allowing Feather River to get over 10 points in the post. “I felt like we took a lot of good shots, we did a good job on the defensive glass, we had a little trouble early on with turnovers, but we cleaned that up. They played really hard, and we have great kids.” Allender added. “We rebounded well for our size, we really preach to them boxing out, trying to win the battle of the boards and they’re really buying in to what we’re preaching.” The Renegades take on the Mustangs of Delta College tonight, at 6 p.m. in Epler Gym. Last year the Mustangs finished in the top four of the state and are projected to play at just as strong of a level this season, so we are sure to be in store for a great game.
during sophomore night in Epler Gymnasium as the lone three sophomores playing in their final game as a member of the Ohlone volleyball squad. “It was the last game, we just had to go for it,” Lam said. “It’s very disappointing.” The Lady Renegades hung tough with the Lady Rams throughout the entire set, hanging around within a point or two early in each of the three sets. However, in the first set, with Ohlone taking the early 4-2 lead to start, CCSF would fight back, taking advantage of Ohlone miscues to go on a 6-0 run to take an 8-4 lead. CCSF would not look back once they took the lead and would take the first match 25-16. “I think it was a combination of trying to be relaxed and trying to
do too much,” Peñaflor explained. “Something was a little bit off.” Despite coming out relaxed and loose in pre-game, Ohlone came out tense and “on their heels” to start the match. “They served us pretty tough,” Peñaflor added. Going into the second match, Peñaflor made Jayme Leftridge serve first, switching up the rotation which put her up against Rams server Vivian Lee. Peñaflor’s adjustment worked as he planned in the second set as both the Rams and the Lady Renegades fought back and forth throughout. The second set saw five lead changes to start off, getting the match to 10-all. With the game tied at 16, the Lady Rams snapped out of their funk and went on a 9-0 run, winning the
Photo by Tomás Ortega
Lady Renegades guard Ashley Valenzuela leaps for a layup. Up next for Ohlone will be Delta College, tonight at 6.
Volleyball honors sophomores in final home game By Jeff Weisinger Editor-in-chief “We just got to bring it.” Much similar to the words of Ohlone sophomore middle blocker Kelly Idle, Lady Renegades Head Coach Jeremy Peñaflor claimed that Ohlone had to bring it to the Rams in order for the Lady Renegades to defeat City College of San Francisco. However, it was the Lady Rams who brought it on Wednesday night, sweeping Ohlone in three sets 2516, 25-16 and 25-19. “We should’ve went in a little more upbeat, a little more positive,” Idle said after the game. “We wanted it and we did our best.” Idle, along with opposite hitter Kayla McManus and libero Kimberly Lam, were all honored
Photo by David Epperson
Kayla Mcmanus, left, and Kelly Idle attempt to block a spike from the CCSF middle blocker. The Lady Renegades lost in three sets.
second set 25-16. CCSF took a 3-6 lead to start the third set and never looked back, winning the third and final set 25-19, after Cao’s serve flew out of bounds to end the match. With the season now in the books, Penaflor will look forward to the
2010 season, with six freshmen returning. “I’m not disappointed, I’m looking toward the future,” Peñaflor said. “We have the foundation for a great program.” “I wish them luck for next season,” Idle added.
Ohlone continues winning ways, tops De Anza, 74-61 By Ankita Chhabra Staff writer The Ohlone Men’s Basketball team is ready to take upon a new season with a single thought in mind, to do it better and bigger than last year. With an already impressive opening tournament, the Renegades faced off against De Anza College, winning the game, 74-61. “ We had a good defensive effort throughout the whole game, which was the main reason why we were able to win,” said forward Lavon Gray. Having a fresh, new team this season with some returning players, Head Coach John Peterson expects this team to be a great shooting team. Taking into account De Anza’s record of 1-2, it could have been assumed that this would have been an easy game for Ohlone. But, both teams put up a good defensive effort in order to keep the other from gaining too much of a lead. The half concluded with a 32-32 tie. “As a team, we need to improve on our rebounding,” said Peterson,
reflecting on the first half. The Renegades did not look any less determined than the Cougars in the second half to swing the win in the game in their favor. “We pulled away in the second half because we were good with our defense,” said Gray as Ohlone got control of most possessions during the half. Though Ohlone gained a quick lead, the Cougars showed their frustrations as an argument broke out on the court. Both the Renegades and Cougars had a player ejected. The remaining half was close until Scott Clark caught fire and led Ohlone with 23 points. “We had 30 turnover this game, so we need to take better care of the ball,” reflected Peterson which he thinks is necessary for his team to be seen as an elite team. The Renegades will be heading off to Redding this weekend to participate in the Shasta College Tournament. Considering their flawless record of 4-0 so far and their on-and-off court team chemistry. Ohlone hopes to place high in the tournament.