Outage leaves campus in dark Campus black outs leave students in the dark

Two unrelated power outages in the past three weeks caught many students and faculty offguard.

Classes were cancelled after the blackout on Nov. 9 but classes were cancelled at professor’s discretion on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Power went out on campus around 6:24 a.m. this morning Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016.

According to Maria Moe, spokesperson for the Department of Water and Power, she said it is a single phase condition and it could have been a blown jumper.

“We’ve received information before 8 a.m.” Moe said. “There are currently crews on Brahma Drive.” was about 8:45 a.m.”

According to Deputy Barreras, this power outage is not related to the recent power outage that occurred on Wednesday November 9, 2016.

When Paggi arrived to campus, she saw about 10 DWP trucks parked on Brahma Drive and Winnetka Ave, near the agricultural area on campus and is hoping they are working on it.

According to the Falafelicious owner Ofir Bass, when the power went out this morning, they called in the food truck to campus because they can’t operate without power.

“We can’t make food so we called in our food truck. It’s affecting us big time,” Bass said. “They’re keeping us updated, they’re coming every 20 minutes and letting us know.”

Pierce College student Lislie Abac, arrived to campus but she was not informed about the power outage.

“Someone told me near the library, I didn’t know until I came in today.”

Drama takes the stage, transcending time with themes of overcoming social norms and a universal tale of familial bonds that speaks to audience members across the spectrum with the production of August Wilson’s “Fences.”

Set in 1950’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the story follows the life of 53-year-old garbage collector Troy Maxson as he struggles to provide for his family. Troy, one-time home run king of the Negro Baseball League, grapples with his past and his youngest son, Cory Maxson. Cory, an emerging football star, sees the world though different eyes. Troy must come to terms with his past dreams and opportunities that were denied to him due to the color barrier, or risk tearing his family apart.

“What I love about this play is that it makes you think of your culture, other people's culture and the diversity, because we are living in a time that is very relevant,” said stage manager Karen Ashley. “I am so happy we are doing this.”

Director of the production Valorie Grear said that she decided to direct the play because it is an mportant work that speaks to a diverse audience as well as students.

The characters of the play include: Troy Maxson (Lester Purry), wife Rose Maxson (Victoria Rene Hubbard), best friend Jim Bono (Stan McDowell) , youngest son Cory Maxson (Jean Hyppolite), brother Gabriel Maxson (Cliff Ingram), eldest son Lyons Maxson (Kevin Linell) and 8-year-old daughter Raynell Maxson (Kiarra Beasley).

Wilson’s play provides insight into a time period when discrimination was rampant against people of color and it inspires everyone to see the heart of the human spirit, Grear said.

“When I read this play I understood something that I have not understood before, and I have experienced something that I have not experienced before and become immersed in a work that had the power to change me after I read it,” Grear said.

McDowell explained how Wilson’s plays are unique in that he shows something that hasn’t been seen on television or even in movie theatres.

“It's a play that actually gives voice to African Americans during a time period when they haven’t had a voice. That's the great thing about it because he does it in a artistic and powerful way,” McDowell said.

Actress Hubbard loves that this play is multifaceted and that there are lots of colors within the show that compels the audience to feel a lot of different things. She mentions that the relationship between Rose and Troy will be a familiar sight for viewers.

“As an audience member, I believe everyone will walk away from this particular play being able to relate to a lot of the ups and downs that Rose has encountered with Troy, but most importantly the forgiveness and the undying love for her husband,” Hubbard said.

Purry, who has been cast in numerous adaptations of Wilson’s work, said Wilson writes about every man and women in his stories.

“What I think is unique about Troy is, the same that is unique of all the characters, that they really are for real when you read and perform them,” Purry said. “You actually feel, see, and here real people that either you have known or know because they remind you of someone in your family or in your neighborhood, regardless of your ethnicity.”

“Fences” will be presented on Friday, Dec. 2 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 11 in the Performing Arts Mainstage. Tickets priced at $12 for students, $15 for senior citizens and $18 for general admisison can be purchased on brownpapertickets.com.

Pierce College associate professor of library science and department chair, Paula Paggi, her staff informed her about the outage before she received an a message from the college.

“Thankfully we have cell phones, my staff contacted me before we opened and said everything just went down,” Paggi said. “My staff is here at 7 a.m. to prepare. I connected with my dean who connected with vice president, and will let us know if we should shut down the campus or should open, so I let my staff know immediately what to do.”

According to Paggi, when the power went out this morning the emergency lights went on and Paggi is hoping the power will be restored for afternoon events she has scheduled.

“We’re keeping people informed, I’m keeping informed with my dean and VP,” Paggi said. “DWP is working on it, hopefully it will be up soon, that

The power went back on around 10:13 a.m. Please check with your instructor about additional information.

-Paula Paggi Department chair of library science