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! Soccer star joins SCC n o i t i staff to coach womens d E k c a soccer B e m o SPORTS ON 4 c l e W • AUG 12 - SEPT 2, 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION • FAIRFIELD, CA • www.solanotempest.net •
An in-progress shot of the mural, which is now completed. The mural is located in the Adjunct Support Center in the 100 building.
Photo by Dagmar Kuta.
Mural class cancelled, volunteers paint on Dagmar Kuta Editor-in-Chief dkuta@solanotempest.net
We all know that Solano has a reputation for cancelling classes due to low enrollment, which usually causes students to feel resentment or frustration towards the administration. But at least one good thing has come from this during the summer: a unique mural in the new Adjunct Support Center. This new mural, entitled “A Continuous Thread: Learning Happens Everywhere, with Everyone,” was originally going to be designed and painted in the Mural Painting class (ART30B) taught by Ferdinanda Florence. The class garnered only three students by the cancel date. “I was willing to do the mural myself, but I really didn’t want to--not because of
the amount of work, but because I feel strongly that a community mural should be designed by a community,” said Florence, who was joined by only five volunteers to conceptualize, design, and paint the mural. “[Painting a mural] is a big responsibility, which should be shared by a group with different backgrounds and perspectives.” Volunteers Kathy Kearns, Richard Hendryx, Daphne Kuta, Dagmar Kuta, and Emily Sarda worked alongside Florence and began by reading surveys collected from adjunct faculty during the last year, and looked for “recurring themes, and concerns, issues, and phrases that stood out. One of our group noticed a painting on the wall, featuring a continuous contour line, and suggested that the continuous line fit the idea that learning is connective-that we depend on our connection to others to help us learn,” said Florence. We
then proceeded to trace, outline, and paint the mural in only four days. “I had heard fantastic things about the mural projects which Ferd [Ferdinanda Florence] spearheaded throughout the community and I thought ‘Why not!’ So, I approached her and she was thrilled to undertake this,” said Carlene Coury, who lead the Adjunct Support Center’s creation alongside Dave Pyle. “I was just elated that the project was going to happen.” “Artists often spend a lot of time being isolated, so this kind of collaborative effort is a nice change of pace, and I’m pleased with the results,” said Florence. The group spent a total of five days planning and painting the mural. “[I] wish we could have extended the timeframe, [but] I enjoyed the process and the final outcome,’ said Richard Hendryx, one of the original students of ART30B who
joined on the volunteer effort. “The other volunteers were great.” The reaction from the community? “Folks are really happy and it seems to brighten their day. I know it’s making me smile every time I see it,” said Coury. “People stopped by while we were painting the mural and their enthusiasm was gratifying,” said Florence. “Hopefully there will be a positive reaction once the doors officially open.” “Making communal decisions and solving conceptual problems together are at the core of mural painting--and they also are at the core of teaching and learning, which is what the Adjunct Center is all about.” *Note* This article was written by EIC Dagmar Kuta, who volunteered to work on the mural.
Local authorities react after crows infected with West Nile found on campus Addi Simmons Opinion Editor lsimmons@solanotempest.net
The Solano County Mosquito Abatement (SCMA) lab took action after a dead crow and an injured crow were tested for West Nile virus over the summer. On June 25, officials confirmed that both animals had tested positive and were infected with the virus. The crows were found near the Fairfield Campus Childcare Center and the SCMA immediately reacted by setting up mosquito traps on campus the following evening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Although there
are no medications to treat or prevent infection, people can reduce the risk of contracting the disease by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. Most people that become infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and less than one percent of those affected develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. “West Nile virus cases are not uncommon to Northern California. Fortunately, we were able to act swiftly to have the case identified. We also applaud the County authorities who immediately responded and took the precautions necessary to avoid any spread of the virus.” Said SCC Superintendent Dr. Jowel Laguerre. According to the CDC, there is no evidence that humans can contract West Nile virus by handling live or dead birds that are infected. However, one should use caution
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when moving or disposing the birds. Use gloves or inverted plastic bags to avoid direct contact, and dispose of the bird in a garbage bag. West Nile virus was originally found in Africa. In 1999, it was detected in the eastern United States. Since then, it has spread throughout the rest of the country and is well established in most states. In the state of California, if a person finds a dead or injured bird, they should fill out a report online, which will alert authorities. So far this year, there have been 1,123 cases of reported dead birds infected with West Nile virus. In Solano County there have been 28 cases, according to the California Department of Public Health.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.” - William Throsby Bridges