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TEMPEST

SCC students make skateboard movie

Miley Cyrus: Bangerz tour

FEATURES ON 4

Should the minimum wage be raised? An opinion piece OPINION ON 3

FEATURES ON 5

• VOL. 30, NO. 10 • MARCH 5-MARCH 18, 2014 • FAIRFIELD, CA • www.solanotempest.net •

New bus pilot program reduces fare for SCC students Ruben Rangel Opinion Editor rrangel@solanotempest.net

A new, reduced student price for public transportation may soon be possible in light of SCC’s recent bus pilot program.

By way of a regional grant the program has offered nearly 75 SCC students the opportunity to acquire a semester’s worth of bus passes for five to seven dollars, a fraction of the usual cost of 50 or more dollars for only one 31-day pass. The creators of the program seek to help alleviate some of the financial hardships that students face when commuting while also establishing an environmentally friendly alternative for driving students.

“This pilot program gives students the opportunity to experience what [our] long term goal will achieve,” said EOPS counselor Kamber Santa Maria who hopes the program will display the benefits of a reduced student transportation price.

In collaboration with the Solano Transportation Authority (STA), Santa Maria received a $40,000 grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for the college. These funds allowed the creation of the bus pilot program, the first step in creating a reduced bus fare for all students.

“Having the ability to ride all systems for a set fee each semester would not only help our students,” said Santa Maria, “but it will significantly increase the use of the public transportation system so it is a win-win for all of us.”

The program is meant to highlight the hardships of commuting students by providing a potential solution. Creators hope the program will show demand for lower rates. “Students were dropping out after skipping meals for bus fare,” said Lorenzo Hays-Phillips, ASSC Alumni Advisor and Student Leader, currently the man spearheading the pilot program. “Students would rather not eat to go to class… it was our plan to alleviate those concerns.”

The program enables a total of 75 students, 45 from the Fairfield campus, and 15 from the Vacaville and Vallejo campuses each, the ability to receive a series of monthly bus passes for intra-city transportation. Passes were available to students after signing up and filling out a survey. Though there are currently few spaces available for the program, reduced prices may be available to all students pending a student vote in ap-

Naama Angulo-Rios / Tempest

SCC Students board one of the buses that will soon be offering reduced fares. For more information about the program, contact Lorenzo Hays-Phillips at mr_assc_integrity@hotmail.com . proval of slight increases in student fees.

“In order to get my proposal approved we need to have a 2/3 student vote to add the transportation fee,” said Santa Maria.

It is now the goal of the Student Rider’s Committee, a student group involving members of ASSC, to begin an effort to gauge student reaction towards potential student fee increases. Whether the general student would agree to a fee increase will directly influence the possibility of the pilot program’s success. But for those who have already received the reduced fare, the reaction is overwhelmingly positive.

“This program feels like a blessing,” said full time SCC

student Makayla McCulley, a Fairfield campus student who received four 31-day FAST transit passes, a $200 value, for only $7.

“I feel more confident in getting here” said another student who received passes for only $5 due to being a part time student.

There are currently a few spaces open to participate in the bus pilot program. Direct any inquiries, feedback, or concerns to Lorenzo Hays-Phillips, by phone at 707-3843792, or by email at mr_assc_integrity@hotmail.com, or contact ASSC President Gabriel Johnson by email at gjohnson0815@gmail.com.

Nigerian student Dolapo Uthmen studies at SCC to better home country

by Leslie Rivera Staff Writer lrivera@solanotempest.net

Andro Palting / Tempest

Dolapo Uthmen supplements his studies by working on campus in the SCC bookstore.

Dolapo Uthmen is a Solano student from Nigeria. Currently Uthmen works at the bookstore at Solano Community College, so you may have seen him around campus.

Uthmen has been in the U.S. since 2010.

Before he moved to California he lived in South Dakota, but decided to leave because it was “too cold”. Uthmen’s coordinator gave him a choice between Texas and California, and after doing some research, Uthmen decided to come to California because he “wanted the weather to be more like home” and as we all know it’s always sunny in California.

Uthmen is from the Yoruba tribe, and he was raised bilingual. Even now Uthmen only

speaks his “local language” to his mother and English to his father. Uthmen said in Nigeria there are so many different tribes that speak different languages that you have to know English, even if its “pigeon English”(meaning “broken English” to those native to Nigerian).

Knowing English is imperative, Uthmen said, because Nigeria is so diverse that the united language is English so no matter where you go so you can understand and be understood.

All of Uthmen’s family is in Nigeria. He’s able to see and speak to them every day on Skype. Uthmen is planning to go back to Nigeria in the summer to see his family and friends. Right now Uthmen lives with the pastor of his church.

“They’re like a family,” Uthmen said.

Uthmen says he doesn’t have many friends at Solano because he’s shy, so most of his

MORE ONLINE AT WWW.SOLANOTEMPEST.NET It is not always a man’s worldw

friends are members of his church.

Uthmen’s passion is writing, but because he wants to be able to better his country he majors in biomedical science. “Biomedical science is something I can use when I go back home that would have an immediate impact on my country,” Uthmen said. If it was not to better his country he says he would major in something else. Uthmen says he plans on going back to Nigeria a few years after he gets his degree.

Since Uthmen is a part of the international students program he does not qualify for financial aid, so he pays full tuition. The cost for international students to take 15 units is $3,525 per semester. Uthmen has had to take this semester off to save the money for next semester, then he’s off to finish his quest to better his country.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent” - Susan B. Anthony

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THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 18 2014

OPINION campus calendar

March 5

DR.SSEX Spring 2014 Clinic 10:00 A.M – 1:00 P.M Fairfield (1400 Lobby): 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Vallejo Center (1st Floor):

March 6

Inter Club Council (ICC) Meeting 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Building 1400 Rm. 1421

March 10 Badminton Club open gym $2 fee at the door All equipment provided 6 p.m-9 p.m.

Building 1700

March 11

ASSC Meeting 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Building 1400 Rm. 1421

March 12

Health & Community Resource Faire 1 0 a.m. — Noon Building 1400 Lobby Student Health Outreach table 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Building 1400 Lobby

March 13

Sustainability Advisory Meeting Open to all students 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

March 14 Earn a Typing Certificate Tests available, photo ID necessary 2:30 p.m.

Building 500 Rm.502

March 19

CSU/UC Mini Transfer Fair 10a.m.-1p.m.

Building 400 first floor

March 20 Last day to petition for degree or certificate Submit petitions to office of admissions and records Info: admissions@solano.edu Text Anxiety Workshop 1p.m. - 2 p.m. room 1625

March 27 Ethnic Studies Presentation Series Frank Maurer Quail Ridge Wilderness Conservancy 1 p.m. -2:15 p.m.

Back Half of Cafeteria

Pacquiao looks to K.O. Bradley

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me come out with a proper decision win with a twice, shame on me. clear lead over Pacquiao.

This is quite possibly the mentality Boxing fighter Juan Manuel Marquez beManny Pacquiao and his camp have going lieves Pacquiao to win the fight. “If judges into the fight against Timothy do what needs to be done, PacBradley where Pacquiao looks quiao should win.” said Marquez to knockout Bradley in the in an article on badlefthook.com. match up and not let the deciAccording to badlefthook.com, the sion go to judges, again.

Vegas odds are close but are slightly The rematch between Pacin Pacquiao’s favor (-180, +160). quiao and Bradley will come The reality of the match-up is to us in April. The match up that both fighters have to win clear no one realistically saw comand decisively in match. Pacquiao ing is now becoming anticidoesn’t want to leave any doubt pated in the boxing world.

By Carlo Marzan in the judge’s mind that he lost Facing a controversial the fight and Bradley wants to Staff Writer decision loss against Bradley, prove that his previous “win” over cmarzan@ Pacquiao looks to redeem him- solanotempest.net Pacquiao wasn’t a flook. self of his previous defeat and If we were to look at things from come out with the victory over a records perspective, Bradley is the Bradley with either a knockout or a proper clear pick to win the fight; he is undedecisive win. feated (31-0) and already has a victory over Pacquiao doesn’t necessarily have to Pacquiao in their previous fight. However, come out with a knockout on Bradley for records tend not to impress fans and the him to get the win. While both Pacquiao press as much as performance does. Bradhimself and trainer Freddie Roach hope ley’s last two fights against Provodnikov for him to fight aggressively as he did in his (knocked out and concussed Bradley in the younger days of his boxing career, Pacquiao early rounds) and Marquez (won by split has to be able to fight the boxing match at decision) were close bouts that Bradley his pace. While an aggressive 25 year old easily could have lost but walked away with Manny Pacquiao could do work and apply the win. the pressure for the knockout, an older Pacquiao seems to be the more preferred Pacquiao would more likely have to grind fighter over Bradley. Everyone believes the match in a more controlled manner.

Pacquiao should have won the first fight, “Our objective is to knock Bradley out in so it would only make sense for them to the early rounds during the fight to avoid believe the same thing for the second fight. another controversial decision” said PacAt the same time, unless Pacquiao is fightquiao trainer and longtime friend Buboy ing against a Mexican fighter in a crowd of Fernandez to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. fellow Hispanics, Pacquiao is almost always It’s understandable that Pacquiao’s guaranteed to be the crowd favorite. camp doesn’t want the fight to go to deciA win on Bradley’s side would either be sion again. Pacquio doesn’t want to make an upset for Pacquciao or another possible the same mistake of letting the faith of the controversial win. Pacquiao is the clear match lie in the hands of the judges. The favorite to win the fight. He’s the crowd judges feel this way too. With the previous favorite, he was the believed winner of the decision giving Bradley the win having led first fight, and the overall more prestige to controversy, judges now look to betfighter over Bradley with more experience. ter analyze the match properly and give a Both the betting man and the casual boxproper decision victory, should the match ing fan would be having their money on come to that. the Filipino star. Bradley is the underdog What Bradley needs for the win is either in this fight, regardless of previous records. a knock out or clear decisive win each If Pacquiao gets the knockout victory, round. If Bradley were to keep the match it will make a big statement, saying a lot close and it were to go to a decision, Bradabout the first match loss. The more likely ley can’t expect them to give him another outcome would be Pacquiao winning each possibly controversial decisive victory again. round decisively and without question The chances of Bradley knocking out Pac- (judges). Bradley does not have anything quiao are also more unlikely as Pacquiao impressive coming into this match.

will probably look to keep the pace in each Outside of his undefeated streak, Bradround and not be too reckless. Going for ley hasn’t done anything to prove to us that the knockout punch would leave Bradley he should be the odds out favorite over open to Pacquiao’s knockout punch. The Pacquiao to win. While Bradley does have key to Bradley’s victory would be to win a chance, it’s looking for dim. each round decisively over Pacquiao and Pacquiao gives Bradley a right during their previous fight on June 9, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada Courtesy of www.mp8.ph

OPINION 3

THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 18, 2014

Minimum wage increase may have unprecedented effect Raising the minimum wage seems to be one of the college-age students’ greatest current concerns. After all, who doesn’t want more money? Unfortunately, this issue isn’t just black and white. While there are a great number of advantages to raising the federal minimum wage, the disadvantages are there as well and a lot of students may not realize what implications could arise from a paycheck increase.

The Congressional Democratic proposal, headed by President Obama, would raise the federal minimum wage to 9.00 an hour within the course of two years or 10.10 an hour -in three steps- in 2014, in 2015, and 2016.

After reaching 10.10 in 2016, the minimum wage would adjust annually for inflation as measured by the consumer price index, according to a recently released report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

CBO examined the projected effects of a minimum wage increase on employment and family income and the results leave something to be desired.

According to the report, raising the minimum wage to 10.10 could reduce total employment by about 500,000 workers, in two main ways. The first being that businesses, having to compensate for paying their workers more, would raise prices for the customers, which would in turn create less spending and less need for workers. The second is that raising the minimum wage would make hiring workers more expensive than other possible investments, such as machinery that

The federal minimum wage isn’t a ‘one-size fits all’ kind of deal.” could replace these low-wage workers, which would cause less hiring to take place.

Right now, the individual state minimum wage ranges from significantly below the current federal minimum wage, which is 7.25, to way above. The lowest state minimum wage is a tie

By Addi between Georgia and Wyoming at 5.15 Simmons an hour, and the Staff Writer highest is Washinglsimmons@ solanotempest.net ton at 9.32 an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Not only can the federal and state minimum wages be vastly different from one another, but depending on the city you live in, it could contrast even more.

According to an article in Bloomberg Businessweek, currently San Francisco has the highest minimum wage of any other city in the United States at 10.74 an hour. Of course, most of us also realize that the cost of living in San Francisco is significantly

higher as well.

In the military, if you live off base, the government gives you money for housing, which will rise or fall depending on the cost of living where you choose to reside. Maybe we should take some advice from this system and raise minimum wage at the local level first to fit everyone’s needs justly, based on the cost of living in their chosen locality.

The federal minimum wage isn’t a “onesize fits all” kind of deal. 7.25 isn’t sufficient for minimum wage workers in San Francisco, but in places where the cost of living isn’t as high, like a small town in Texas, 7.25 is fair.

As the economy changes and inflation rises so should income. But increasing minimum wage would create a ripple effect, and companies, especially small business owners, better be prepared to add money to all of their worker’s paychecks, not just those earning minimum wage.

Since state or federal laws can supersede each other based on which one offers a higher minimum wage, we should first increase minimum wage according to the cost of living in a community and then, based on those numbers, make changes to the federal minimum wage, following the state. If we begin at the local level first, we can then determine where the overall federal minimum wage should stand.

VOICE YOUR OPINION

If you have something to say, a reaction to a story or an opinion on a topic, email us your view: tempest@solano.edu Include full name, and contact information (for verification purposes) and be advised that letters may be edited and/or shortened for length.

ON THE WEB Check our website for more letters at: Solanotempest.net

campus conversation reporter: Mitchel Bobo photos: Dagmar Kuta

What changes would you like to see student government accomplish?

“Solano is diverse… any student government should represent student population [and] be aware of students needs”

“I would be nice if they ha s school catalogs out earlier… it seems like when they do have it out school nearly started”

-Ninga Jesus Undeclared

-Chris Young, Environmental Science

The Tempest is published by Solano College students. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the individual writers and artists, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the college’s governing board, the administration, the faculty and staff, or the Associated Students of Solano College.

Readers may take up to five copies of The Tempest free. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents.

Member: California College Media Association • Journalism Association of Community Colleges • California Newspaper Publishers Association • Associated Collegiate Press

“Bigger math lab on the Fairfield campus, every time I go in there it’s crowded”

“More school activities. To bring more people together”

“The wait for nursing is always so long. There should be more classes or teachers”

-Leonard Moring Bio Technology

-Ebonique Sturghall, Nursing

-Marion Alcaraz Nursing

TEMPEST

THE

THE VOICE OF SOLANO COLLEGE

Christine Butler editor-in-chief

staff photographers: staff writers: Naama Angulo Rios Justin Johnson Leslie Rivera Addi Simmons copy editor: John Glidden

news editor: Dagmar Kuta opinion editor: Ruben Rangel sports editor: Carlo Marzan

Naama Angulo Rios Andro Palting *

*

*

features editor: Mitchel Bobo online editor: Deborah Graham photo editor: Dagmar Kuta

faculty adviser: Samanda Dorger

contact us: It is Tempest policy to correct any errors in the paper.

Please contact us if you spot one.

To get in touch with us: phone: (707) 864-7000, ext. 4361 e-mail: tempest@solano.edu postal address: SCC, Room 1861 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, California 94534

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THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 18, 2014

FEATURES Dr. Dog rallies a raucous crowd

Dr. Dog play a raucous show in San Francisco, enrapturing the audience with harmonious ballads alongside melodic rock and roll.

Mitchel Bobo Features Editor

of sounds. Saint Rich played music with a nod towards things to come, as their guitarist braced the attendees with a vocabulary of slashing and sharp riffs.

mbobo@solanotempest.net

Dr. Dog played a career-spanning set of booming full-tilt rock and roll, well coupled with openers Moses Sumney and Saint Rich, on March 1 at the Warfield in San Francisco.

Sumney began the night with a sultry batch of his panty-dropping songs, which recall Andre 3000’s “The Love Below.” Sparse accompaniment including only a drummer alongside Sumney’s guitar and high-pitched vocals allowed Sumney to cradle the crowd in an intimate fashion.

One could hear bits and pieces of Otis Redding and Al Green filtered through a contemporary kaleidoscope

The fellas of Dr. Dog have made a name for themselves with their penchant for some of the most melodic rock and roll around, but last Saturday they flexed a different type of musicianship which was more than fitting for a live performance.

The night began with some of the outfit’s more heavy tune, immediately clutching the crowd with a tight grip, a grip they would not relinquish until the last song of the night. Songs like “That Old Black Hole” and “Love,” off of their most recent album, “B-Room,” demanded the crowd’s attention while doubling as an ode to the city’s past as the epicenter of the psychedelic 60s.

However, the band did not shy away from the more

poppy side of their material, playing harmonious ballads such as “The Truth” and “Too Weak to Ramble.”

Dr. Dog displayed their supreme musicianship at full-tilt. Each band member contributed vocals as Dr. Dog cemented their position as one of the most vocally talented groups of today. The ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ not only bolstered their wall of sound, but incited a similar reaction from the crowd. Guitarist Scott McMicken and bassist Toby Leaman took turns on lead vocal duties, at one point even switching instruments.

It’s no secret that San Francisco is one of the most heralded regions of musical performance – for both musicians and audiences alike, and the guys of Dr. Dog seemed to be taking full advantage of this opportunity, as they capped the night off with a six song encore.

What more could you ask for?

Solano students make a diabolical, untrustworthy skateboard movie Justin Johnson Staff Writer jjohnson@solanotempest.net

Some bastard kids are making a film that could shake the world of skating FOREVER!! Solano Students made a skating movie that will be shown soon and are still looking to pay it off, with the help through donations. “There is a theme of the video and that theme would be to represent the skate scene of Vallejo and Benicia.” says Solano student Chris Young about his latest project, “Diabolical Bastard”.

“There is no set plot like a beginning, middle and end, just each skater would get a song designated to them, so each person has their own song and theme as well.” said

Young. He would also like to give most of the credit to Luis Arnold, “The brains, the cameraman, editor, and one of the best skaters in the world. Without him, none of this would’ve been possible.”

The skaters and people shown in the video have grown up and skated with each other and have made a number of skate movies and their most recent one they are calling their “thesis movie.”

“There are eleven of us Bastards, and yes, we are funding the whole movie premiere and making of the video through our own pockets,” Young said. Along with Young there is also Solano student Cole Mogannam featured in the video.

Through their website, www.diabolicalbastard.com, people interested can watch videos of the skaters and look at picture and posters made for the film. The film even has an official 70-second trailer, which shows impressive skating, gnarly fails, and certain four letter expletives. And from there you can also go to www.indiegogo.com/projects/ diabolical-bastard-premiere, a link provided on their site, where you can buy tickets ranging in increments from $10 all the way to $1,000, with each pay option having different rewards.

For example, $10 gets you a bottle opener, one ticket to the premiere, and a shout-out on the Diabolical Bastard’s Instagram page and website. And the next pay option of gets you the same prizes along with a DVD

of the film and two tickets to the premiere.

And so on, bigger the prizes with bigger the donation.

All of the money donated will go to paying for the theater costs. The group’s goal is to raise $3,000, and as of mid-February they are one-third of the way to making up the cost.

Donations will be accepted until March 19.

The premiere will be held at the Empress Theater at 330 Virginia St. in Vallejo at 7 p.m. March 22.

FEATURES 5

THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 18, 2014

Miley went BANGERZ

Christine Butler Editor in Cheif cbutler@solanotempest.net

Tongues, twerking, and a giant hot dog are the ingredients for an outrageous concert. And who else could pull all of that off other than Miley Cyrus? Her Bangerz Tour started on Valentine’s Day in Vancouver, Canada. She gave a fearless show in Oakland on Feb. 24.

The opening of the show was a warning to everyone of how crazy the next two hours would be. Cyrus had a video playing on the screen and her face came on the screen with her eyes rolling around and her lips puckered up. The beat of her song “SMS (Bangerz)” came on and dancers came out dressed up in furry animal costumes. After a few minutes of that Cyrus’ mouth on the screen slowly opened and as her right eye winked her tongue came out. But it wasn’t just the infamous Miley Cyrus tongueto-the-side look that she is now known for. The tongue was actually a long slide and she came out of the opening and down the side landing on the left side of the stage waving at her fans in the a red sparkling bikini outfit with feathers on the shoulders ready to begin the fun.

A tongue slide isn’t the only crazy thing Cyrus had. She kept amazing her fans all night.

Cyrus’ show was jam packed with surprises.

In the middle of the show Cyrus surprised the crowd by showing up on a second stage towards the back of the arena. On that stage she performed a few songs with a country acoustic sound. She put a great country twist on Outcast’s song “Hey Ya.” Cyrus also performed her godmother Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit “Jolene.” “Someone Else” was the last song Cyrus performed before her encore and while singing the song she was flying in the air on a giant hot dog–yes that’s right–a hot dog. She went from the back of the stage to the front and stopped over some fans in the front row of the floor seats and made a u-turn and exited the stage.

dance moves, and cursing. Her age allows her to say and whatever she pleases and that’s exactly what she did and does. Cyrus doesn’t care what people are saying about her, “you’re always going to make people talk. You might as well make them talk for two weeks rather than two seconds,” said Cyrus on her one-hour MTV special “Miley: The Movement.” Cyrus also said, “I don’t apologize for anything ...

I’m always going to do something different.”

Cyrus’s performance drove over 300,000 tweets per minute on Twitter.

According to newyorkdailynews.com, Cyrus’ management was getting calls from parents complaining, saying the rest of the tour should be cancelled because she went to far. Everyone got a small warning of what Cyrus wanted to do in her “Can’t Be Tamed” video in 2010 and we also got a taste of the new Miley Cyrus and what she was going to be doing after her 2013 Video Music Awards (VMA’s) performance.

By now parents should know about Cyrus and what she’s doing so if they don’t want their children exposed to her behavior than they should’ve done a little more research on Cyrus before taking their children to her concert or letting them go with their friends.

Facebook/Miley Cyrus

Cyrus throws fake money to the crowd while singing “Love Money Party”.

In Cyrus’ encore she performed her two number one hits “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball.” For her last hurrah she sang her hit “Party In The U.S.A.” while her dancers were dressed as historical figures in the U.S. such as The Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, and even Bill Clinton.

Speaking as a fan, Cyrus’ concert was one of the most fun concerts I’ve ever been to and I truly loved and enjoyed every second of it. As a reporter I think the world should always be on their toes when it comes to Miley Cyrus and be ready to be blown away with whatever she has planned next after her tour this year.

She’s coming out, being free and fearless, and she isn’t holding anything back for anyone. I for one can’t wait to see what’s next for this country/hip-hop/pop artist.

Cyrus wasn’t afraid to let go and just be herself. She was sexual on stage, doing vulgar

Facebook/Miley Cyrus

Cyrus struts her stuff in the opening of her Bangerz Tour.

Gamers club shoots up the college Carlo Marzan Sports Editor cmarzan@solanotempest.net

to show their full potential, they could do whatever; you can’t stop screen peeking, you know?”

First-person shooters gathered in the 1400 building to compete in a tournament to see who was the best.

The first person to get 20 kills or the time limit, which is five minutes, gets reached decides the winner of each bracket.

No need to worry as the people gathered were a part of the Gamers Club and the participants weren’t actually firstperson shooters but rather gamers, ready to play the firstperson-shooter video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2”

First place and third place went to local SCC students Philip Crisosto (1st) and Andrew Alexander (3rd) while second place was taken by high school student Giancarlo Zertuche.

Esports is the terminology used in regards to competitive video game play. Slowly but surely, competitors of Esports are becoming more common and recognized as a possible career as opposed to just a hobby for some people.

“I’ve been playing since the first Black Ops came out back in 2008,” Crisosto said.

“I didn’t know what to expect.”

Twelve competitive gamers showed up to the tournament on February 21, but prize pay-out was cut to the top players.

Gaming Club member Jacob Travis laid down the rules for the competitors of the tournament.

“No cheating,” Travis said. “Everyone is allowed two minutes to set up their class; they have one minute to actually get settled in their seats before they set up their class. We set up rules hardcore since some maps get cut off in certain screens, so we want to make it fair. Everything besides no maps is free game, they have maximum limits, anything

“It was cool and fun,” Zertuche said. “I didn’t know what to expect, either. I kind of thought I was going to lose.”

“I felt like I just lost it at that point, I couldn’t win,” said Alexander, who was winning going into the final round but was not able to score enough points to get first place.

A losers bracket tournament was held were Travis took first place is, followed by Stephen Landicho in second and Jessica Savoy, the only female competitor in the tournament, in third.

With a strong showing of support for the Gamers Club, club president Geff Freiere looks to continue on with

video game tournaments for the Gamers Clubs activities.

“Pokemon is next in line the second tournament in March,” Freire said.

Along with tournaments are the weekly club meetings that Freire looks to have in honor of Women’s History month.

“Due to March being acknowledged by the governing board as the women’s history month, I was considering we can do the next gamers club meeting Metroid-themed in order to honor Samus Aran- the first female protagonist in video games. Metroid came out in 1986 and nobody knew until you beat the game that under that armor, Samus was a girl. So, in honor women’s history month it wouldn’t hurt to have it all Metroid themed,” Freire said.

Freire also mentioned the division 3 section of gamers club (academics, computer science) where they look into creating a game engine, along with a game to go with it.

“It’s a top town game, 16-bits so if you know super Nintendo it will look familiar. How it’s looking so far it might actually resemble, game play at least, Legend of Zelda: Link to the past. The division 3 meetings are on Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:30- 2:30. Come check it out, beginners are welcome and have fun with it.”

Gamers club meets every Friday from 1-3 p.m.; one hour of business and another hour of gaming.

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NEWS

THE TEMPEST n March 5 - March 18, 2014

Local professor, farmer Glenn Burgess enriches children’s program Jonathan Beserra Staff Writer/Contributor

Dagmar Kuta / Tempest

Solano Community College nursing instructor Glenn Burgess provides the children’s program with a genuine farm animal experience. Burgess brings in farm animals every month to promote a positive learning experience for children.

Recently Burgess brought in three chickens: two hybrid chickens, and a black Wyandotte. Two classes interacted with the chickens, and both were given the opportunity to pet and feed the chickens.

The children were bursting with excitement, although there were a few that seemed anxious about the presence of the chickens. Patrice Spann, head teacher of afternoon preschool in the Children’s program, said she appreciates this opportunity for the kids.

“They learn how to not be afraid of animals, and how to treat them [with respect],” Spann said. The children are also taught more about the animals, including the ASL signs for each animal, what they eat, and where they live.

Burgess mentioned that this experience works as a kid therapy for not only regular children, but also special needs children.

Why does he do it? Burgess points out the gaping smiles of the children.

“That’s why I do it” Burgess said.

‘Empty Bowls’ project to raise money for county residents Dagmar Kuta News and Photo Editor dkuta@solanotempest.net

Solano Community College ceramics classes are designing, glazing, and firing bowls to donate to the Empty Bowls chapter of Solano County.

These bowls will be sold as a fundraiser in support of hungry people in Solano County.

The Empty Bowls Project holds numerous fundraisers every year around the country to raise money for those in need. Each fundraiser has a soup buffet, where patrons purchase a handcrafted bowl and eat soup. Then, at the

Addi Simmons Staff Writer lsimmons@solanotempest.net

jbeserra@solanotempest

Two children who attend the Children’s Program at Solano Community College smile while petting one of the hybrid chickens brought in by Glenn Burgess last month.

Andre Miranda awarded prestigious internship at Stanford

end of the night, they take home the bowls as a reminder of the poverty and food insecure peoples in their areas.

Solano County’s event is happening March 15, from 4-6 p.m. Contact Renee Baptiste at the Solano County Food Bank to reserve a spot.

Professor Kathy Kearns, who teaches ceramics classes at Solano, has been hard at work making bowls for the event.

According to data from 2011, approximately 16 percent of Solano county residents are afflicted with “food insecurity.” This means that over 16,000 people in our county alone have trouble obtaining enough food to survive.

Andre Miranda is a 20-year-old computer programming major at Solano that just recently secured a prestigious internship at a United States Department of Energy National Laboratory operated by Stanford University called SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) National Accelerator Laboratory.

“The internship is working with them on a project that they have me doing. From what I know now they have what is called a stress-strain rig. The scientists interact with this machine through a computer and so Andre Miranda that’s what I’d be doing,” Miranda said.

The internship will begin this and thought I might as well apply,” summer and Miranda is being Miranda said. provided with housing on campus “Andre is an excellent student during his time at Stanford. whose interests are in electrical engi“I’ll be in the culture of the four neering and computer science,” Lutz year university and with a place like said. “His family is from Brazil and Stanford, it’s pretty exciting but I’m he hopes to use his education to help most excited about the project part the people there in some way.” of the internship. That by itself will Miranda said he would like to help set me up for the rest of college with make technology more convenient valuable experience,” Miranda said. and easily accessible for people who Internships usually begin as a more wouldn’t normally have the means to observational role within a company afford such things. or project. However, Miranda said “Figuring out a way to make he is thankful that this internship is peoples lives easier is a huge thing. more hands on.

Technology is kind of viewed as not “From what I hear, a lot of people a need but more as something on with engineering internships start the side. People who are struggling out just doing paper work and work in their day to day lives, how are they their way up. I’m kind of like thrown going to use technology to make into the deep end but they give me their lives easier? That would be mentors. The guys that work there something I would be happy doing is have like PhDs in Physics and will figuring out a way to make people’s kind of guide me through it. But, in lives easier.” the end I’ll come out with the project For students who plan on applying with my name on it,” Miranda said. for internships, Miranda said the Miranda first found out about the hardest part is getting started. internship through a presentation “Just do it,” Miranda said. “I think that SCC engineering professor a lot of people get stuck in the first Melanie Lutz set up. process where maybe they’re not con“Dr. Lutz contacted the people fident with their abilities and other from Stanford that are part of this stuff, but just go for it because you program that they have for comnever know how many people they munity college students and she got hire or what they’re looking for. They them to come out here and do a know you don’t have experience so presentation for our class and anyone don’t psych yourself out before you else that wanted to see it. I saw it actually apply.”

Dagmar Kuta / Tempest

Bowls hand-crafted by SCC students and teachers in preparation for the ‘Empty Bowls’ fundraiser.

For more information about the event, contact Renee Baptiste at the Solano County Food Bank.

INFORMATION

Dagmar Kuta / Tempest

Professor Kathy Kearns poses in front of a firing kiln with bowls she has just glazed for the Empty Bowls Project.

Register online at www.foodbankccs.org/events.

The event is March 15, 4-6 p.m. and costs 15 dollars per person, or 40 dollars for a group of four.

Dagmar Kuta / Tempest

SCC student Stephanie Hambright smiles as she carves designs onto the bottom of a bowl she had previously thrown on a pottery wheel.

SPORTS 7

THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 18, 2014

Contra Costa denies SCC win in final game of season Carlo Marzan Sports Editors cmarzan@solanotempest.net

In an attempt to end their season with a win, Solano Community College men’s basketball looked to record one last win before their season was over.

No such luck.

Solano was bested by Contra Costa, 81-57, on Feb. 21.

SCC’s Ryan Shandi scored 21 points and added three rebounds. While Solano’s Jamarae Moss gave Contra Costra trouble with his height, hitting three blocks and capturing five rebounds and Tim Mohr netted six rebounds.

“Solano is a good team. I

think by us attacking the basket, we got the two big guys Morisson and Moses, said Contra Costa’s head coach Miguel Johnson.”

My hats off to them, (SCC head coach John) Nagle does a good job, we just came in ready and focused.”

With the win, Contra Costa earned a playoff spot.

“I think our conference was tough, especially playing on the road. Most teams usually win at home. If you’re lucky to snatch one on the road, that’s good. So this win for us was really big.”

Johnson said.

“It’s a little bitter, but we really enjoyed this year,” said SCC sophomore Daniel Badger, about the desire for the Falcons to finish the

season with a win.

“The main goal for us was academics and working hard and giving it everything we’ve got, and think we definitely did that,” added SCC sophomore Ryan Sandhi.

Even with a season of seven wins and nine loses, Nagle couldn’t be any prouder of his team.

“I just love my players; I love their investment, I love how tough they are, I love their sacrifice, so I couldn’t be happier for them. I always want better results in wins and losses, but my guys are 3.0 (GPA) students, 90 percent of my players are on the dean’s list, they’re preparing for the rest of their lives so I’m just really proud of them.”

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Andro Palting/Tempest

Solano Falcon Ryan Sondhi drives for a lay up while Contra Costa Comet Armein Outing looks on at Solano Community College on Feb. 21, 2014.

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American River College holds a clutch win over Solano Carlo Marzan Sports editor cmarzan@solanotempest.net

Losing is never fun, especially games that come down to the wire and even more so with games where you should have won.

Solano was faced with this feat on February 25 against American River College. In a game that went into an overtime 10th inning, River College took the victory over Solano 5-6.

Giovanni Torres scored three runs for Solano with two hits and two walks to base (BBs). Alvaro Rubalcaba was able to push three RBIs and Daerion Evans with one.

“Feels pretty good, seeing the ball better. I just want to get on base for my team” Torres said.

In an intense and heated game with American River College, the Solano Falcons held onto a 5-3 lead over the American River College Beavers, looking to win the game going into the ninth inning. Determined to have the game go the distance, the Beavers applied themselves against Solano and scored two more points to tie the game and push Solano to score one more run in the bottom of the ninth and finish the game. Solano felt the pressure on them and couldn’t score any runs in the ninth innings, failing to close out the game and pushing it to a 10th inning. While both teams pitching were on point, the American River College Beavers were able to score one run in the 10 inning while also stopping Solano from getting to home plate, finishing off the game 5-6.

Solano couldn’t find the execution to finish off the game and walk away with the victory. Failure to get some points they could have earned early in the game and missing pitch opportunities in the late innings kept them from getting the win.

“We just didn’t execute as we usually do. We were in a position to win” said head coach Scott Stover.

“Our guys just have to get their minds right, have a better approach to the game and just stay real positive” “We need to stay competitive throughout the whole game, we can’t take our foot of gas pedal “said infielder Tucker Bishop.

Solano’s next home game will be on Saturday, March 8 against Santa Rosa College at 1:00 p.m.

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8

THE TEMPEST n MARCH 5 - MARCH 19, 2014

SPORTS

SCC women finish season perfect in conference play Carlo Marzan Sports editor cmarzan@solanotempest.net

Seventen wins and no loses in conference play.

Yes, the Solano Community College women’s basketball team is that good.

“I don’t care where you play, who you play, what conference, what state, whatever you want to say; to go undefeated in

conference play is really, really hard,” said SCC head coach Matt Borchert.

another conference win, ending the season with a 17-0 in conference play.

Even with the high level of difficulty that the Bay Valley Conference brings, the Solano Falcons women’s basketball team was able to pull off such a feat and go undefeated in their conference this year.

“What we do off the court, like the love we have for each other off the court, translate on to the court” said SCC’s Ariel Clay.

“You’re feeding off of your teammates, you’re feeding off of the love you have for everyone else.”

After beating Contra Costa College 94-78 on Feb. 21, the Lady Falcons notched

SCC’s Taylor Hamilton scored a double-double,

scoring 24 points and dishing 10 assists. Hamilton, along with Clay and SCC freshman Nikki Andaya, each recorded six rebounds; helping to keep the ball in Solano’s possession and away from Contra Costa.

With their win and current position, Borchert still stays focused and determined.

“You wake up tomorrow, and all you did was win, you have to go back to win.

Ultimately, no one really cares except us, our tight circle of family and friends; but everybody else, they just keep working,” Borchert said.

The team has many hopes and predictions going into the playoffs.

“We really want to get to the final four, I mean that’s our goal from the beginning,” Borchert said.

“We’re trying to get to L.A. Let’s get to L.A.,” Hamilton said.

Solano played their first playoff game against Cosumnes River on Feb. 28. The Falcons came out with the victory, winning over Cosumnes River 73-61, pushing Solano further into the playoffs. The remaining playoffs games are still to be announced.

Andro Palting/Tempest

Solano Falcon starting player Nikki Andaya brings the ball down the court at Solano Community College on Feb. 21, 2014.

Pep Band rallies up for Sophomore Night Carlo Marzan Sports editor cmarzan@solanotempest.net

To help contribute to the hype and celebration of Solano Community College’s last home basketball game of the season and in celebration of Sophomore night, Vincent Pitzulo brought his high school pep band from John Swett High School along with a couple of college students to cheer on the Solano Falcons.

“When Matt [Borchert] and I were trying to get a pep band together, it was kind of getting off to a slow start just getting college students.

We wanted to have a big finish, so that was kind of the plan,” Pitzulo said.

The band brought more hype and enthusiasm to the game. Playing during the warm-ups and time outs encouraged both the teams and the audience to enjoy themselves and give a great performance.

“It was kind of exciting because we heard that the girl’s team was pretty good,” said high school senior Sarah Sergent. “I’m looking forward to actually going to college, just experiencing this.”

During half time of the men’s basketball game, the pep band performed on court for the people in attendance, giving off a exciting performance.

Pitzulo looks to make this a school tradition for sports.

“We’re going to do the same thing next year,” says Pitzulo.

“We’re hoping we can get some more community college students to fill it out, so that’s the plan. We’ll be meeting again next year and we’ll rehearse Tuesday nights and anyone who can play an instrument can come.”

Andro Palting/Tempest

Solano Falcon players Taylor Hamilton and Denisha Lundy double team Contra Costa Comet player Jewel Rogers at Solano Community College on Feb. 21, 2014.