San Jose City College Times, Vol. 83, Issue 4, Apr 4, 2017

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Voice of San Jose City College Since 1956

San Jose without women

Volume 83 Issue 4

Campus Art Show

Page 5 Tim Wise on-campus 4/ 20

(from left) San Jose residents Yasmin Orgat, Doaa Abdelrahman, Yasmeen Oden, Jane Kadah and Fatin Mustafa attended the rally on March 8 with handmade signs to support Muslim and women’s rights.

Organization encourages strike

By Jordan Elliott Times Staff

The “A Day Without Women” strike was held in honor of International Women’s Day in front of City Hall, in downtown San Jose, Wednesday, March 8. Citizens were encouraged to take the day off from paid and unpaid labor even if they couldn’t attend the rally.

The event was created by the Women’s March organization, which also held an event called Women’s March on January 21. According to the organizers, the purpose for the strike was to recognize the role women play in the economy, workforce and the world at large.

Organizers said the purpose of the event was to peacefully support the rights of women, productive and immigrant rights and equal pay.

“As the Women’s March, we are really interested in getting millennials and young women involved by going to our website and attending these rallies,” said Vicky Mattson, a volunteer for Women’s March.

Apart from the rally that took place from noon-2 p.m., there were other options to support the cause without actually taking the day off work.

Some students were skeptical about how many could actually participate in this event if they couldn’t take off work, “…if you’re not able to get there, there are other ways to support it,” said Jammaar Hall, 27, psychology.

Photo by Jordan Elliott Times Staff

Page 6

people speaking… it’s great. I’ve come away feeling like things are better than they were,” said Liz Chell, a participant at the rally.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, president of the California State Senate Kevin de Leon and a group of children with the Rise Up Program from Downtown College Prep also spoke to attendees.

When women lead

“I think at this point in time, in society, the fact that we have a president who shows such disrespect for women, even his wife… It’s affecting our children and generations to come,” guest speaker Aileen Casanave said.

The Women’s March organization suggested that wearing the color red, not shopping at all, or only shopping at minority and female owned businesses were also viable options.

According to www.womensstrike.org, the Women’s March organization intended to observe March 8 in a creative way that would unify all while not supporting corporations they deemed harmful.

“I’m very happy I came. The energy of the

See RALLY page 7

Page 4

King Library shuts doors on extended hours Benefit no longer extended to City College students

By Melissa Maria Martinez Times Staff

San Jose City College students no longer benefit from extended study hours at San Jose State’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

For midterm and finals weeks King Library extends its hours of operation to 24 for SJSU students; a privilege that was extended to SJCC students as well as other neighboring colleges.

However, the library’s administration has decided not to renew

the contract that would allow SJCC students to continue utilizing this benefit.

“We made a university decision to limit it to current SJSU students,” King Library administrator Silvia Ruiz said.

Ruiz said the library administration made the decision to exclude all except SJSU students given that their student service fees are used cover ‘all night study hours.’

“All of the existing contracts

First Place Melissa M Martinez Best Feature Photo

Second Place City College Times Staff Best B&W Advertisement

Second Place Reginald L Webb Best Newspaper Column

Second Place Hugo Legend Best Audio Slideshow

we had were not renewed and we are honoring any of those that were in place,” Ruiz said. West

Valley Community College’s contract will expire at the end May. President of SJCC Associated Students, Iriana Luna, is leading an effort to bring extended study hours to SJCC’s Caesar Chavez Library.

“For me personally I can’t go home after work and study,” Luna said. “I don’t have a quiet study room where I can go; it’s either my kitchen or my bedroom,” where Luna said she shares with three other siblings.” Luna said students benefit when they have

2017

CCity College Times awards

alifornia College Media Association Third Place Patrick Jenkins Best Illustration

First Place Hugo Legend Best Advertising Special Section First Place City College Times Staff Best Sales Promotional

a good study environment that allows them to focus and keep good study habits.

“I have research papers for all of my classes and now I have to find places open later to do homework.” Sports psychology major, Jammaar Hall said it’s hard for him to focus at home and he finds himself doing homework on the bus.

Luna said students are losing out with King’s decision.

“Students are not just losing a resource,” Luna said, “they are losing their ability to do well and succeed.”

Second Place Hugo Legend Best Advertising Special Third Place Hugo Legend Melissa M Martinez Best Multi Media Presentation

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25 EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

2 Opinion

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

How to reduce hours of commute Although Silicon Valley struggles with traffic, public transportation is still far behind

By Anne Caillat Times Staff

From an European point of view, Americans have a love-relationship with their car, and by extension, a hate-relationship with public transportation.

Yes, a car is more than just some tons of metal: cars mean freedom, independence, job access …

By history, America is a car country, you can’t do anything without a car, you are nobody without a car.

But that’s a chicken-and-egg situation: if public transportation was really good, you could do everything without a car, owning one would be useless.

In Paris, France, nobody lives further than 3000 feet away from a rapid efficient public transport according to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

On the way to the working district, for a population of 12 million inhabitants in the Paris Area, the bullet train moves 1.2 million people on weekdays.

The frequency is one train every minute during rush hours.

According to the French Research Center Cerema in a 2010 study, only 11 percent of commuters drive in Paris.

In Paris, you know you’ll commute safer, cheaper and faster by public transportation, without mentioning the environmental sustainability and the health benefit of avoiding pollution.

In comparison, according to its website, Caltrain transports 60,000 riders on weekdays across the Bay Area for a population of 7 million inhabitants.

That means, in proportion, 10 times less than in the Paris Area.

During rush hours there is a train every 15 to 20 minutes.

The Caltrain is old, still diesel fueled (more costly to operate), and objectively slow.

Going to San Francisco from San Jose takes at least two hours using public transportation while it is 50 minutes drive without traffic.

And when it comes to the VTA, despite real efforts worth acknowledging, the schedule is so loose and the travel time so long that nobody capable of affording a car would seriously think about commuting by bus or light train.

On Nov 2, 2016, a study from the Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies showed that among the commuters in Santa Clara and San Mateo County, 74 percent drive single, 10 percent share the drive, only 6 percent were using public transportation (see illustrations on the right).

Technology Center, Room 302 San Jose City College 2100 Moorpark Avenue San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 298-2181 x3213

“A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transportation.”

Gustavo Petro, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia The same study revealed that the number of rush hours (meaning the time when the road system might have congestion) per day was already bigger in San Jose than in Los Angeles since 2014.

Every big city in the world struggles with public transportation issues.

Back to Paris, the dark side of the story involves a fight between inhabitants living inside the City and those living outside the City.

The public efforts in regards of public transportation has slowed down the traffic on the roads.

The low-income commuters coming from the edges of the region, where train coverage is still lacking, are double punished: they don’t benefit from the excellent transport network and they have bigger commute time when they drive.

But in the Bay Area, there is so much to do before being concerned by a “too many public transportation” issue.

The Bay Area has the perfect characteristics to offer an excellent transport network.

There are large actual needs. There is also a favorable geography for transport network: instead of being star-shaped, most of the traffic is one direction north-south.

Plus, all the big companies are located in a nutshell. That makes it much easier to create a train line, a big part of the traffic problem.

Last point, there is enough money in the valley to build a strong, efficient, fast network.

An offer of quality, which means safe, fast (let’s say less than 30 minutes for a San Francisco-San Jose ride) and regular (let’s say every 10 minutes) would save time to both private and professional workers’ lives, meaning a real gain in productivity for companies.

By the way, the tech companies strongly support the creation of a public network, as well as the authorities and local politicians, both democrats and republicans.

PHOTO BY Anne Caillat / Times Staff

Congestion starts at 2pm on the Highway I-280 near SJCC on March 22.

Rate of inhabitants living at less than 1 km from a rapid transit

Illustration by Silicon Valley indicators; source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

In 2015, 74 percent of commuters in Santa Clara and San Mateo County drive alone.

Illustration by Institute for transportation and development policy

In San Francisco, 41 percent of inhabitants live less than 1km from an efficient public transport.

So why doesn’t it happen?

Why there haven’t been more protests when the federal government, Feb. 17, by the voice of the new Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, decided to delay the decision about the $647 million needed for the Caltrain electrification project?

Closer to our SJCC students concerns, why the VTA decided to cut the offer on the bus line 65 arriving to City College for next fall?

I can’t help but think the answer is all about symbolism: cars mean freedom in a country where freedom is everything. Cars mean wealth in a country where everyone dreams to be rich.

But stop dreaming and let’s be pragmatic: the Bay Area deserves a great public transport network.

Editor-in-Chief Jordan Elliott

Photo Editor Benjamin Castro

Managing Editor Leslie Aguilar

Designer Nicole Newsom

Copy Editor Melissa Maria Martinez

Faculty Adviser Farideh Dada

Reporters/ Photographers Anne Caillat Lauren Quilty Reginald Lucious Webb Contributors Wenta Tesfaye McArthur Hoang

Illustration by Silicon Valley indicators source: Texas A&M transportation institute

San Jose had bigger traffic congestion than Los Angeles in 2014.

It’s time to think that public transportation is the future.

I believe in what Gustavo Petro, the former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia, said: “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transportation.”

The Times encourages comments and opinions from its readers.

Letters can be dropped off at or sent to: • The Times mailbox at Reprographics • Room 302 in the Technology Building • citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu Please do not exceed 200 words

citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu /sjcitycollegetimes

@sjcctimes

/sjcctimesonline

@sjcctimesonline

The City College Times is written, edited, designed and produced entirely by SJCC students All copyrights are reserved.

No part of The Times can be reproduced without permission.

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

opinion 3

Cultural assimilation

BY WENTA TESFAYE TIMES CONTRIBUTOR

Imagine it’s your first day of school and fear completely takes over your body. The only thought running through your mind is the time school will be dismissed. On the search for the first period class, the school hallways are noticeably full of chatter, with students talking and laughing amongst each other. The pace of your feet quickens as you struggle to find the first period class. As the doors to the class open, twenty pairs of eyes are staring directly at you.

Your feet race to grab an empty seat.

A deep sigh of relief escapes your lungs knowing the first ten minutes are over, only 167 days to go. While this feeling may sound familiar for many students across the country, it is perhaps deeply felt and memorable among immigrant children attending school in a foreign country to where the culture is unfamiliar to them. The language and cultural differences experienced as an immigrant contribute to seeking peer acceptance, identity crisis, and emotional constraints.

Peer acceptance is a yearning many have, no matter what the circumstance may be. As humans, we long to be wanted and accepted by not only peers, but by society as well. As an immigrant, due to the struggle of a language barrier, I went through this challenge of wanting to blend in with those around me and be accepted. I still remember the day I first set foot in an American school, the atmosphere was completely different from where I had come from, Ethiopia. Differences were present from the way the students dressed to the way they spoke.

As I looked around I realized I did not have much in common with my peers.

The way I looked, talked and dressed was so different. It wasn’t long before I started to imitate those around me because I desperately wanted to be accepted. I vividly remember kids calling me names, picking on me and making me feel so sad. I once remember when I got cornered by a group of girls asking me questions they knew I wouldn’t be able to answer because of my broken English. I had never felt as small as I did in that moment Often, immigrants choose to closely associate with people who have emigrated from the same region or speak the same language because it is familiar and feels secure. For many of us, adolescence is a time of great struggle in finding our identity and role in society. Along with this challenge, I had an additional hardship. As an immigrant student, I tried to learn and assimilate to the new environment.

I struggled with my identity and my role in society. I fought hard to blend my original cultural and personal values to new ones as I searched for my place in the world. The desire to blend into a new society while still holding onto my older cultural norms and values created a sort of internal tug of war. “I love the US, but I’m not fully American. I wasn’t born here, and I don’t get the culture references sometimes. At the same time, I don’t feel Indian either. I feel like I don’t have a country,” said 31 years old, Moti Billi when he was interviewed about his experience moving to America.

It’s hard to balance between who one is brought up to be along with what we want to become, causing us to be more confused and frustrated.

Many immigrant children who grew up in a new country can relate to feel-

ing emotionally constrained. That was another one of my struggles; I used to wake up every day dreading the school day, wondering when I would finally be free from that mental prison. Many days I found it a struggle to smile. Every little activity in my daily routine was unbearable, and I was constantly sad and depressed. I regretted leaving my friends and family back home, where I was never judged for who I was. I remember the laughter and good times as family members gathered around the living room while enjoying the traditional coffee ceremonies and the slow classical music playing in the background. At times, reminiscing about the past created an emotional toll that was so burdensome. I felt like I was standing in quicksand, the more I struggled to get out, the more I felt myself drowning.

Others who were around me asked me

if I was okay, but no one was willing to help, their only help extended as far as their words.

In conclusion, after the 167 days it became evident that I often found myself stuck between two opposite worlds. I struggled to plant my roots, yet honor my culture. Through my experience of moving from Ethiopia to the United States, it is evident to see how immigrant children experience several different internal struggles.

The challenge of wanting to fit in with those surrounding me while still keeping the values I was taught from my family and dealing with an identity crisis generated an emotional toll that seemed unbearable. Immigration can result in mental, emotional and physical strain. It can feel dreadful and lonesome for an outsider. ●

A love letter to San Jose City College

BY MCARTHUR HOANG TIMES CONTRIBUTOR

Dearest San Jose City College, We both knew that the day would come when our time together would end. How I didn’t know that my heart would grow so fond of you and how life, for me, would be forever changed. I didn’t realize that I was changing with each passing year until I, surprisingly, thought with a critical mind. How you let me make mistakes on my own and watched as I learned the ways of higher education. Although we did not always agree, you showed me how to artfully communicate disagreements. How your employees held me together when I just wanted give up and fall apart. It was in your dutiful servants where I saw your heart and soul…

To your English Department, with the Noe Torreses and Jessica Brehenys who worked tirelessly to help students write with power, structure and eloquence…

To your Math Department, with the Sid Singhs and Hasan Rahims who somehow made math manageable for non-STEM students…

NEXT NEWSPAPER: APRIL 25

PHOT BY BENJAMIN CASTRO / TIMES STAFF

To your Science Department, with the Sanhita Dattas who told me I have a vote every day to save this environment…

To your Communication Department, with the Shelley Giacalones and Leslyn McCallums who can’t hide their excitement about students finding their voices...

To your EOPS and Counseling Department, with the Olga’s and Karen’s who always found a way

to “make it happen for us students”….and the patience of your Andrea Lopez’s who would always squeeze a student in during a crisis…

To your Transfer Center, with the Carol Vasquezes and Lezra Chenportillos who showed this student that UC is an option…

To your DSPS, with the Tom’s and Mary’s who somehow managed to take care of each student, even when so understaffed…

To your Tutor Centers and Reading and Writing Center with the Evelyn Rojas and Peiman Gheibis who always supported our growth…

To your Library staff with Debbra Franklin and Dean Susan Hines, who open the doors to the trove of knowledge inside books...

To President Breland, the VP, Deans and Administrators who always made time for any students concerns…

To all the other SJCC Dutiful Servants, such as the Xiomara Martinez’s and Blake Balajadia’s who help our students find a path to success, I acknowledge thee, and wished I could have known all of you...

Oh SJCC, how I profess my love to thee! I stand before you, a changed student, ready to meet the world… I bleed and think Purple and Gold…

I vow to thee, that I will give back to our community, as you have so freely given…

Until we meet again, you will be forever in my heart and we are one mind, body and soul…

With Love and Admiration, McArthur

EMAIL US: CITYCOLLEGETIMES@JAGUARS.SJCC.EDU CHECK US OUT ONLINE: SJCCTIMES.COM

4 Campus News

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Effective female leadership and empowerment

When women lead

By Jordan Elliott Times Staff

The EVC Strong Women Leadership Conference was held by The American Association of University Women at the Evergreen campus Saturday March 18 from 8:45 a.m.2 p.m.

Guest speakers, a variety of ten different classes and a discussion panel were provided for students and guests to learn about effective female leadership and empowerment. The event also encompassed discussions about mental and physical health, LGBTQ rights and immigrant rights in the workplace.

“Get active, do something. We need more women at the decision making table,” said keynote speaker Chandra Brooks.

Brooks spoke during the opening of the event with a story about overcoming teen pregnancy, her career success despite facing adversity and introduced her three pieces of advice for the audience: ‘Success is disguised as hard work… be fearless… be your authentic self.’ She also added a fourth rule: ‘Get active,’ to the list, because she ‘doesn’t follow the rules.’

“These events are by women, for women,” AAUW’s new president elect Sharon Bouska said. “This is really advocacy for women.”

Members from AAUW volun-

teered to organize the event, and also participated in classes, discussions and activities with the mostly female audience.

“I see the future of San Jose here, the future of California and more importantly the salvation of America,” vice mayor of San Jose Magdalena Carrasco said.

There were 320 registered guests plus walk-ins that attended. English professor at EVC Yvette Abelow was ‘happily surprised by the turnout today,’ and hoped that this event would continue to occur every year.

“I think we’re seeing such a wonderful turnout since our administration is showing that women aren’t important to them,” Brooks said.

EVC president Henry Yong told the audience a story about his mother immigrating to the U.S. and how she inspired his support of female leaders.

“I know that you could have found other things to do this morning rather than coming to Evergreen Valley College for this conference, but your presence is very much appreciated because we still have work to do,” said Yong.

“Usually when women do things, we do them really well,” said Chandra Brooks.

Attendees were each able to take two of the offered classes before a panel of four guest speakers ended

Photo by : Jordan Elliot

Keynote speaker, Chandra Brooks, addresses attendees. the event with a discussion about leadership and their individual struggles.

“We’re here to inspire and motivate you,” said conference committee member Marjorie Clark, who wore a pink hat like supporters of the Women’s March promoted.

One of the classes available called ‘When Women Lead, Women Win!’ was led by Brooks. Other options for classes were about

self-defense, yoga for students to focus and de-stress, healthy meals, body positivity, campus sexual assault, consent for healthy relationships and financing college.

“We (women) need to be powerful, but we also need to be humble because you know what they call us when we’re a little too powerful,” said Brooks before several audience members replied with “bitch.”

“First lesson of leadership as a

woman: Lift other voices, open doors,” Brooks said.

Brooks also asked the audience “What does a leader look like to you?” and collectively the room discussed words such as inspirational, compassionate, humble, powerful and effective.

“I don’t want to downplay men, because there are some great male leaders,” Brooks said. “But we (women) think with our hearts.”

YOU’RE INVITED

To our prospective student events Discover the inclusive and welcoming community that is Pacific Oaks College. Explore our campus while learning about our degree programs, student resources, and an education that builds on your own life experience.

RSVP TODAY at

pacificoaks.edu/events

April 8 10 a.m.–Noon

April 11 Noon–2 p.m.

Information Session and Campus Tour at our San Jose Campus 1245 S. Winchester Blvd.

San Jose, CA

Visit us at Luis Valdez Leadership Academy Career Fair 1855 Lucretia Ave. San Jose, CA

pacificoaks.edu | 669.444.1357

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Campus Life 5

Art professor Deborah Kennedy (left) promoted her book “Nature Speaks: Art & Poetry for the Earth,” (right) by opening the SJCC art gallery to the public. Instructor Jim Maughn’s creative writing class presented poetry readings based on their experience of Kennedy’s art, March, 22.

Photos by Benjamin Castro/ Times Staff

Students gather in campus gallery for art show and poetry reading

by Jordan Elliott TIMES STAFF

SJCC art professor Deborah Kennedy opened the campus art gallery from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 to promote her science and ecology inspired work. The art show also promoted her book “Nature Speaks: Art and Poetry for the Earth.”

Six students from English professor Jim Maughn’s creative writing class read poetry and short stories inspired by Kennedy’s work.

“I want to solute your boldness to come up and share in this way,” Maughn told his students.

Kennedy told the audience that her show was where art, science and ecology meet. Her

installment titled “Changed Climate 2017,” featured nature and ecology books that were driven through with drywall screws.

“Sinning in the name of art,” Kennedy said.

The gallery showcased large paintings that featured materials such as soil, eco paper, recycled wood and plant material. One wall contained the original earth-toned ink illustrations from Kennedy’s book.

“Some of them took 40 hours,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy, who is one of the last artists to be featured on the Berlin Wall, also teaches two-dimensional design at SJCC.

Kennedy’s paintings, “Forgotten Fount I & II” includes materials such as ink, chalk, and acrylic on eco paper. March, 22.

The original earth-tone ink illustrations from “Nature Speaks: Art and Poetry for the Earth,” by SJCC art teacher Deborah Kennedy. March 22.

“Sinning in the name of art.”

Kennedy said.

Kennedy’s art installation “Changed Climate 2017” represents society’s ignorance of climate change. Science and ecology books were precariously balanced on drywall screws that Kennedy drilled through both new and burnt books.

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

6 Events

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Renowned educator Tim Wise coming to City College

A conversation with one of America’s most prominent activists

By Leslie Aguilar Times Staff

Anti-Racist activist and author Tim Wise is scheduled for an appearance at SJCC on April 20 in the school gymnasium, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

He will be addressing contemporary racial issues as well as taking questions from the audience.

Tim Wise is the author of “White Like Me,” and has spoken at more than 600 hundred institutions throughout his career.

According to best-selling author and professor Michael Eric Dyson, he is, “One of the most brilliant, articulate and courageous critics of white privilege in the nation.”

His topics range from criticizing white privilege, to examining policies that have historically oppressed minorities. Wise is also an outspoken defender of Affirmative Action, and has gained recognition for his work and speeches in favor of this policy.

Faces In The Crowd Compiled by Melissa M Martinez / Times Staff

What are your plans for spring break?

17th Annual Middle Eastern Heritage Month

Celebrating the wonders of the Middle East

By Leslie Aguilar Times Staff

“The main objective of this

In honor of Middle Eastern Heritage month, SJCC will be hosting three different events during the week of April 18 to 28, each focusing on a variety of cultural aspects such as art, poetry, and politics.

All activities are free and will be open to the public.

On Tuesday, April 18, there will be a musical presentation starring five musicians and singers under the direction of Nabila Mango.

This will be taking place in Room T-415 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On April 20, a panel of SJCC professors, authors and educa-

annual celebration is to inform the College Community about the history, rich culture and about the hopes and aspirations of all the peoples of the Middle East” Sami Ibrahim, chemistry professor at SJCC tors, will be hosting an evening of poetry from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m, in the community room located in the Student Center.

The following Tuesday, guest speaker Dr. Sharat G. Lin will

be presenting a review of the political and economic forces that have shaped Middle Eastern countries, as well as what the future might hold for the people who live in those areas.

This event will be taking place in GE-121, and starts at 7:30 p.m.

“The main objective of this annual celebration is to inform the College Community about the history, rich culture and about the hopes and aspirations of all the peoples of the Middle East,” said chemistry professor Sami Ibrahim in an email.

Past presenters have included linguists, poets, diplomats, fine artists, calligraphers, singers and folk dancers.

Iranians celebrate Persian New Year A glimpse into Iran’s rich culture

By Leslie Aguilar Times Staff

While the typical American might feel that 2017 is already in full swing, Iranian-Americans are preparing for one of the most widely celebrated festivities in the world, the Persian New Year, or Nowruz.

Nowruz, or as its literal translation ‘new day’, falls on Tuesday, March 21. This 12 daylong celebration focuses on the idea of rebirth and renewal, as well as welcoming the arrival of Spring.

It is celebrated by Iranians of all religions.

Intricate ceremonial displays decorate Iranian households, it is one of the fundamental traditions of Nowruz. The display, consisting of seven items that in Farsi begin with ‘s’, symbolize the prom-

ising blessings of the new year.

- Senjed , the wild olives of the oleaster tree, symbolizes love.

- Samanu, a sweet pudding made of germinated wheat, symbolizes wealth.

- Somaq, berries that represent the color of sunrise - Seeb, an apple that represents health and beauty - Serkeh, vinegar that symbolizes age - Seer, garlic that represents medicine - Sabzeh, small sprouts that represent rebirth These objects are vital for any table display, or ‘Haft Seen’.

Families gather around the table and hand out gifts to one another, later going out to visit older family members.

Iranian families also place a re-

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

ligious book on their Haft Seen.

Others substitute religious texts for a book of poems, such as ”Shahnameh: The Epic of Persian Kings”, as the final touches to their displays.

More than 75 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, an ancient tradition that can be traced back to the days of the Persian Empire. The typical greeting, ‘Nowruz Mobarak’ is echoed in many Iranian households, and is accompanied with a hug or kiss on the cheek.

Families clean their houses, eat traditional foods like sabzi-polo-mahi, or salmon and herbed rice, and welcome in the New Year. Friends and family gather to enjoy each other’s company and wish each other a year filled with blessings.

Mina Alsadoon Age: 25 Major: ECE, specializing in special Needs I want to take a small road trip to Santa Cruz to see nature.

George Valenci Age: 18 Major: Social Issues I dont’t know yet, but I can’t wait for the weather.

Amir Sayaa Age: 41 Major : None I’ll be in town.

Frank Allard Age: 43 Major: Laser Technology I’m going to Reno.

Maria Jose Chavez Age: 20 Major: English

Debbie Age: thirty-something Major: Nursing

Studying.

Babysitting.

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Campus Life 7

Seasonal sports teams update

Photo by Melissa M Martinez

Promise to San Jose students City investment will benefit some incoming high school graduates

By Melissa Maria Martinez Times Staff

San Jose Promise was launched May 9 at San Jose City College where San Jose-Evergreen District chancellor, Debbie Budd and San Jose City College President Byron Breland joined Mayor Sam Liccardo and other local leaders to officially launch the city-wide initiative to make community college affordable and accessible for all San José high school students.

However, not all incoming high school students eligible to receive a San Jose Promise scholarship will be awarded one.

“There is a limited number of spots essentially available, it’s not an unlimited program where everyone would be awarded San Jose Promise,” Public Information Officer Ryan Brown said.

The promise is a “last dollar scholarship,” which is meant to fill the unmet need after applying and receiving Federal Aid first—such as the Bog Waiver and Pell Grant.

The launch of the San José Promise is funded by a two-year grant from the California College Promise Innovation Grant

Program, which awarded SJECCD $1.5 million to be divided between its two colleges, Brown said.

The district will set the criteria students will need to meet to be eligible.

“We’re still working to finalize some of the exact details on how we’ll identify which students qualify.” Brown said. “The primary thing we know right now is that it will be open to students who graduate from high schools within the school districts that are partnering with us on the promise.”

These include: Eastside High School District, San Jose Unified and Campbell Union School District.

Living in San Jose is expensive and paying for tuition, textbooks and other education related necessities grow more difficult each day.

Photo by Melissa M Martinez

Alyssa Vidal, 19 pitching in games against Siskiyous March 19. Vidal has been pitching since she was 5.

Softball

Women’s oftball season kicjed off Jan. 31 at SJCC as lady Jags beat Folsom Lake 8-0. The team has played 29 games so far this season and their overall average is 14-13 to date. Their next game is in Saratoga agianst West Valley at 3 p.m.

“The primary barriers that we hear about often are the cost of tuition, textbooks and transportation,” Brown said. “We want to make sure that students know that through The Promise (a city-wide initiative) and the EcoPass (a student government initiative,) those three major barriers will be removed for students.”

Photo by Melissa M Martinez

City College’s Track and Field Throwers Victor Cruz and Joshua Moralas practice their discus throw at SJCC March 27.

Track and Field

RALLY continued “We can stand in solidarity with women, and as Muslim women, we are going to fight the double-edged sword of imperialism,” said Jana Kadah, a rally participant.

Kadah came to the rally with a group who held signs and posed for photos. Bonnie Laster, a retired teacher and volunteer at an elementary school attended the rally and met Carol Lamont, a fellow strike supporter.

Lamont said she was inspired by the event’s turnout. “…we have to come together more and more,” said Lamont, “Standing together makes us stronger.”

“We must unite the women of the world and unite the good men, like my husband, for our cause,” said Laster.

Liccardo made an appearance on the podium and delivered a speech to the remaining partakers.

“I just want to say how wonderful it is to see a sea of red out here,” Liccardo said. “Thank you so much for speaking out on behalf of all of us who know that what’s happening in Washington today is not our future.”

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

SJCC Track and Field team won first place in the 4x 100m relay against Stanislaus State at the Stanislaus Warrior Open in Turlock California This year Track and Field Throw Coach Ron McKee has 2 throwers, 20-year-old engineering major Victor Cruz, and 20-year-old kinesiology major Joshua Moralas.

“They both throw all four things: Shotput, Discus, Hammer, Javelin,” Mckee said, and “Victor Cruz is within 18 centimeters of the automatic standard for the state meet.”

Their next competition is in Oakland California April 8 According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, females comprise 28 percent of managers worldwide. Even in the Silicon Valley’s tech industry, women are underrepresented and make up 32 percent of the 125,000 Apple employees.

“I’m thankful for the speakers of color, women of different colors, different religions and backgrounds,” said Jayden Lee, a rally participant who attended with Rise Up for Justice. “One of the positives, if I can even say this, of Trump, is seeing marginalized people coming together. There are more coalitions forming.”

The rally was spread across the Bay Area, including San Francisco City Hall and Justin Herman Plaza, Cal’s Sproul Plaza in Berkeley and the Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland.

Liccardo emphasized the importance of middle-class citizens uniting for a common good.

“It’s important that the silent million in the middle are heard by the community,” Liccardo said. “It’s important that those targeted by xenophobia and hatred know they’re not alone.”

2017 Softball Schedule

DATE

11-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 18-Apr 20-Apr 25-Apr

OPPONENT West Valley Monterey Peninsula Chabot Hartnell Gavilan Cabrillo College

2017 Track and Field Schedule

DATE

8-Apr 15-Apr 21-Apr 26-Apr 29-Apr 5-May 13-May 19-20 May

OPPONENT Maurice Compton Invitational Ed Adams Bob Rush Invitational Coast Conference Trials Coast Coference Finals Northern Cal Trials Northern Cal Finals CCCAA Championships

2017 Golf Schedule

DATE

5-Apr 10-Apr 17-Apr 26-Apr

OPPONENT Modesto Monterey Livermore Lodi

LOCATION Saratoga Monterey San Jose Salinas San Jose San Jose

TIME 3 PM 3 PM 11 AM 3 PM 3 PM 3 PM

LOCATION Oakland Salinas San Mateo Monterey/Salinas Monterey Cupertino Cupertino Sacramento

TIME TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

LOCATION Modesto Monterey Livermore Lodi

TIME 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM TBA

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com

8 Campus Life

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Former Jags speak out SJCC women tell their stories

By Anne Caillat Times Staff

In honor of Women’s History Month, the SJCC Professor of English Michelle Blair invited five former and current SJCC students to share their story in the Tech auditorium, on March 7.

Blair was expecting the audience would be inspired by the stories “because every of them was a story of life who ended up at SJCC.” Kerry Jensen, 46, an undergraduate English student, now at San Jose State University, was one of the speakers. She valued the project because it was showing stories of community colleges students.

“Sometimes people don’t take community colleges seriously enough but it is a valid part of our education,” Jensen said.

“I’m an older student, when I decided to go to college, I couldn’t just drop everything I was doing. We push too many people to get 4 four year degrees. Vocational training is a very important part of our economy”.

During the presentation Jensen told

how, despite many life events, she never gave up the idea of studying and how she could, at 46, transfer from SJCC to SJSU, hoping to graduate by 2019.

“I would like to say to the students: don’t give up, if it is going to take you a long time to finish your education, don’t worry, stick with it and finish,” Jensen said.

Among the other stories that day, Shameka Rast, 22, talked about her aspiration to become a firefighter.

Amanda Fuehrer, 28, spoke about her battle to find a job despite her disability and the depression she was suffering from.

Sia Saquee, 21, spoke about her journey from being an international student to becoming the president of the SJCC Student Government.

Delia Martinez, 53, reminded the audience of the daily fights of going to school for someone with a disability.

Pauline Allegrini, 21, CSU East Bay Law major was in the audience.

“It was inspiring, emotional,” Allegrini said. “When you see them, you don’t realize they have this kind of story. It made

Photos by Anne Caillat / Times Staff

From left to right, Shameka Rast, Amanda Fuehrer, Sia Saquee, Kerri Jensen and Delia Martinez, tell their stories in the Tech Auditorium on March 7. us realize the people’s background and the struggle some people overcame.”

Blair expected that the stories would make feel the students more aware.

“Maybe we’ll start a movement about ‘telling your own story’ and what that means and how that makes you feel better,” Blair said.

The event was hosted by Jason Adkins, from the President’s Art and Lecture Se-

ries and the stories were coming from a project of book about student’s stories that Blair, who teaches a memoire class, had for a long time.

Blair interviewed SJCC students and selected 22 stories of men and women. She’s now looking to publish them as a book.

“I have been touched by their stories,” Blair said, “and I wanted to compile them.”

Made from scratch: the cooking corner The easy French recipe of quiche ‘Lorraine’

By Anne Caillat

Times Staff

The quiche Lorraine comes from the east part of France in the region Lorraine, close to Germany. The word “quiche” comes from the German word “kuchen,” meaning “cake.”

The traditional recipe of quiche Lorraine has few ingredients: bread dough, eggs, cream and smoked bacon.

In the 16th century, the quiches were cooked every two weeks in the unique village’s bread oven. That particular day, the farmers came from all over the countryside to cook their bread for the next two weeks.

At the end, when the oven was still warm, they cooked the quiches with the rest of the bread dough, and then they ate the quiches all together.

Nowadays, the quiche is still an easy dish that French people make for their close friends or family, when they don’t want to spend too much time cooking or if the fridge is half empty: they know that a quiche is always welcomed.

But since the 16th century, the recipe has evolved and diversified: today, the quiche is made with pie crust dough and it is not unusual to see quiches with broccoli, even tuna or mushrooms. Basically, you can make a delicious quiche with almost everything you find in your fridge.

You can serve your quiche as a starter or as an entree, cold for a snack or warm for a full dish. With a green salad side, it is a healthy and complete meal.

Below, I suggest a quiche Lorraine with a little variation: I added onions and shredded cheese, that’s my favorite recipe.

TOOLS 1 bowl 1 pan 1 pie pan Parchment paper 1 wooden spoon 1 fork A good knife to chop the onion INGREDIENTS The dough: - A pre-made pie crust (good enough) - Or a homemade one: mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1⁄3 cup butter, 3 tablespoons cold water.

NEXT NEWSPAPER: April 25

photos by anne caillat / times staff

The filling: 3 eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 onion 1/2 cup diced bacon or lardons 1/2 cup swiss or cheddar shredded cheese a bit of salt and pepper RECIPE Heat the oven at 370 F. Put the parchment paper on the pie pan and roll out the pie dough on it.

On the pan, cook the bacon and set aside (don’t add oil, the fat from the bacon is enough).

Chop the onion and cook it on the same pan used for the bacon.

In the bowl, mix the eggs, cream, salt and pepper with the fork.

Pour the bacon, the fried onions, and then the egg mixture on the pie dough.

Sprinkle the cheese on the quiche and bake for about 30 minutes. When the color becomes golden, it is ready: enjoy!

All contributions to publish a recipe are welcomed: if you’re interested to share a recipe, please send an email to the Times at citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu and tell us why you chose it.

The Times will be happy to print it.

EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: sjcctimes.com