Solano Tempest

CNN coverage disappoints

3Amalur beckons gamers

3Women’s team wins DVC Tournament

A&E ON 4

OPINION ON 3

SPORTS ON 8

38 Studios

THE TEMPEST

FAIRFIELD, CALIF. www.solanotempest.net

THE VOICE OF SOLANO COLLEGE

VOL. 28, NO. 9

FEB. 22 - MARCH 6, 2012

Solano hits a bump in the road

Accreditation team places the college back on warning status John M. Glidden Staff writer JGlidden@SolanoTempest.net

Solano College is on a familiar accreditation sanctions road.

On Feb 6, Jowel Laguerre, Superintendent/President of Solano College, announced to the campus community that Solano’s accreditation has a few problems which must be resolved.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, which accredits California community colleges, highlighted nine areas in which the college needs to fix; with three of the areas needing immediate attention.

The three areas are: lack of planning processes for the college, improvement of Student Learning Outcomes (what students are expected to learn from a course), and more allocation of 8SEE WARNING, PAGE 6

Police salaries are lower than most colleges

By John M. Glidden Staff writer jglidden@solanotempest.net

Solano college full-time sworn police officers are being paid less than police officers at nearby colleges. According to a diagram furnished by the Solano Police Department, full-time sworn officers at the initial salary step only earn a monthly salary of $3,255.

There is a distinctive difference between Solano and neighboring colleges. At the same step, Napa Valley College pays almost $800 more than Solano. In addition, at the same step Santa Rosa Junior College, Contra Costa College, and Marin College pay around $1,200 more than Solano.

The most conspicuous difference between Solano and the other neighboring colleges can be found in ‘Step E/5’ where Solano lags a full $1,000 behind from the second lowest college at that step.

Solano employs two full-time sworn officers, Joe Ramos, and Kandy Carl-Smith, who qualify for one Source: community college websites

8SEE POLICE, PAGE 6

MORE ONLINE AT WWW.SOLANOTEMPEST.NET - Fats Waller musical delights audience members

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

-Winston Churchill

2

COFFEE BREAK

THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MARCH 6, 2012

campus calendar Feb. 9 - 26

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Musical Production SCC Theatre Thursday – Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Sunday 2 p.m. solanocollegetheatre.org

Mon, Feb. 22 Senior Night 400 Building

Workshop Times: 4:15-5:15 p.m.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

6:45-7:45 p.m.

Thu, Feb. 23 Superintendent’s Speech Room 626 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Critical Thinking Workshop Vallejo Center Room 122 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence Room 626 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Sat, Feb. 25 A Night for Haiti 1400 Building $40 a Ticket 7 p.m.

Mon, Feb. 27 Forming Questions Correctly Workshop Room 135 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Tue, Feb. 28 Alan Fleming’s Speech Room 626 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Reverend Gainey’s Speech Room 626 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Strategies for Learning Vocabulary Workshop Room 135 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Wed, Feb. 29

Food Demonstration and Nutrition Faire 1400 Lobby 11 a.m. – 1 p.m

Mar. 1-29

Smoking Cessation 1400 ICC Work Room 1427 Workshop Times: Thur. 4:15-5:15 p.m.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

6:45-7:45 p.m.

1400 Lobby 11 a.m. – 1 p.m

Quick and Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings Ingredients •

1/2 cup Caribbean jerk seasoning

•

18 fresh chicken wingettes (2 to 3 pounds)

•

2 cups honey barbecue sauce

•

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

•

2 teaspoons prepared mustard

•

1 teaspoon ground ginger

•

(add a little salt to taste, but the jerkseasoning is really all you need)- I use the Lawry’s brand

Black History Month... the lessons continue In today's society, where we see blacks widely represented in U.S. government, popular culture, and literature and elsewhere, the need for Black History Month has been called into question.

Black History Month has its roots in 1926, when historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson,

By Deborah traveled to Graham Wa s h i n g to n , Online Editor D.C. in 1915 dgraham@ to participate solanotempest.net in the anniversary of slave emancipation.

That trip inspired Woodson to establish Negro History Week.

The thought behind the month was due to the two prominent leaders whose birthday shares that month; Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Last semester I participated in a civil rights travel course that took me through four southern states. I was able to see parts of black history that I had only read about. The saddest part of my trip occurred while driving through Greenwood, Mississippi.

Carlita Robinson, 68, had been living in the Delta all her life.

She knew not to travel across the Yazoo River bridge, which historically has symbolized the racial separation in Greenwood, with whites living on the north side and blacks on the south. Robinson and her family were an unexpected stop on our journey. Their spirits seemed to be downtrodden from the years of injustice living with the Jim Crow laws.

“Nothing has changed from the 50’s, they are still beating us, we can’t cross that bridge, no jobs are available,” said Robinson. “I just sit on this porch and watch the world go by.”

This family felt that they were trapped in the 1950’s civil rights movement. Black history month is every day of their lives. She speaks of lynching’s, scarcity of jobs and schools still racially separated. It is imperative that Robinson and her

““Nothing has changed from the 50’s, they are still beating us, we can’t cross that bridge, no jobs are available,” -- Carlita Robinson family embrace all the wonderful contributions that blacks have contributed to American history and their own community.

Robinson did speak of attending Black History Month events in her community and taking part in last year’s civil rights ceremony.

According to a Newsweek article highlighting interviews by Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates and writer Raina Kelley, both agreed that Black History Month deserves celebration. Gates and Kelly note that it not only connects blacks to the struggles endured by our ancestors but also addresses the progress still to come in the black community.

“We're not even on the horizon of the time to end Black History Month. When as many Americans are as familiar with Harriet Tubman as they are with Paul Revere, then we can talk about ending Black History Month,” Kelley said.

According to a Feb. 2006 article on ABC’s website by Dwayne McDuffie, co-founder of Milestone comics featuring black superheroes, McDuffie also believes that it is necessary to continue Black History Month.

"It's a shame that black history hasn't been integrated into history courses all year round," McDuffie said. “It's important because you need to see yourself reflected in history."

I agree with McDuffie it is important that you see yourself reflected in history. When some of the Tempest staff did not know who the Tuskegee Airmen were before the movie premiered, this solidified in my mind that Black History Month needs to continue.

Directions •

Place jerk seasoning in a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken wings, a few at a time, and shake to coat. In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and ginger; set aside.

•

Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Grill chicken wings, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 12-16 minutes, turning occasionally.

•

Brush with sauce. Grill or broil, uncovered, 8-10 minutes longer or until juices run clear, basting and turning several times. Yield: 6 servings

•

This is the shortened version. You can add more sugar if the sauce is too spicy.

More on the web Check out The Tempest website to view our new podcast feature by staff writer Larry Ragland, “In my opinion” at Solanotempest.net

OPINION 3

THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MARCH 6,2012

CNN needs balance in news coverage Something happened in the world of TV news around the turn of the millennium. It became less of an outlet for the biggest news stories of the day and more of a battlefield for ratings.

Honest and hard-hitting TV journalism still exists, but you don’t see it as much anymore, as the major cable networks have given way to in-your-face graphics and commentators constantly blurring the line between what are fact and what is opinion.

Fox News and MSNBC’s flaws are well-documented, but where does that leave CNN- the pioneers of cable news?

Unfortunately, things aren’t looking so good for them. According to TV by the Numbers, 2010 saw the channel hit its lowest numbers in 15 years with only a 17 percent increase in viewers in 2011. It still remains in third place among the cable news networks, according to the Huffington Post. Granted, CNN is a lot better than Fox or MSNBC in terms of reporting, but its news coverage could still be a lot better. As Americans search for information on the 2012 presidential election, turmoil in the

Middle East, and changes in the U.S. economy, CNN simply hasn’t been doing the job it should.

In the interest of fairness, I should start out by pointing out what CNN does right. During analyses of news stories they do allow both sides to talk about the issues, the on-air personalities are likable and reasonable, and when they actually do report on major stories they do a good (if not entirely thorough) job. It comes off as the most earnest of the major networks, which makes its current shortcomings more disappointing.

One of the biggest problems with CNN is the lack of balance between hard and soft news. On Feb. 8, I tuned in to “Anderson Cooper 360” because I wanted to catch up on the news instead of watching prison documentaries on MSNBC or having Bill O’Reilly yell at me for some reason on Fox. What did I get? A small-town murder story followed by a sexual assault case followed by another murder story followed by a giant shark off the coast of Japan.

Basically, it felt like the TV version of AOL’s homepage. I know it’s not easy to fill up 24 hours of

By Nick Sestanovich A&E Editor nsestanovich@ solanotempest.net

news, but those kinds of stories should be spread out so that equal time can be given to things like the presidential primaries instead of three grisly stories followed by an interesting (if not entirely necessary) personal interest story. Anderson Cooper’s a smart guy, so I can’t imagine he goes out of his way to do these stories.

Even when CNN does devote a lot of screen time to major stories, they still take a backseat to the lesser ones. On the Feb. 10 edition of “360,” about 13 minutes was spent on Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky requesting loosened bail restrictions, which was about 10 minutes longer than their coverage of Syria’s uprising and four min-

utes longer than coverage of the GOP primaries.

That’s not to say I think the Sandusky case isn’t newsworthy, but it doesn’t have the weight of the other stories. On the following day’s edition of “Newsroom,” Syria again got three minutes of screen time while a segment on smartphone apps for Valentine’s Day clocked in at four.

CNN needs to find the right balance so that the more important news stories are getting the most coverage.

I don’t want to give off the impression that I’m condemning CNN. I like CNN. I want them to deliver the news in a better manner, and I expect more out of the pioneers of cable news.

Competing against the other networks should not be as much a concern as delivering the news in a balanced, hard-hitting way. Even if they remain the third place cable news network until the end of time, at least they can be the third place news channel with the best reporting, and that should be what matters.

VOICE YOUR OPINION

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TEMPEST

Come visit The Tempest in room 1861 between 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday to learn more about the newsroom and discover if a position as a writer, photographer, or cartoonist is right for you.

campus conversation

What do you think of Black History Month?

“The only way I knew about it is because it was on Nickleodeaon; not in the news.”

“It acknowledges our past, our heritage and our struggles to this point. It’s respect for what happened in the past.”

“It needs to become more informative. I see more signs for bake sales on campus then I do for black history.”

Miranda Olvares, 20 photography

Todd Abubakav, 21 criminal justice

Iza Bersola, 19 psychology

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 administra-

Derek Poindexter, 23 counseling

THE TEMPEST The Voice of Solano College nVol. 28, No. 8

tion, the faculty and staff, or the Associated Students of Solano College.

Sharman Bruni editor-in-chief

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

Memberships: Journalism Association of Community Colleges • California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Education is the key element.

We have to educate ourselves if we intend to move forward. College is the key.”

Sharman Bruni news editor Nick Sestanovich a&e editor

Ben Gogna sports editor photo editor Deborah Graham online editor opinion editor

Camille Levasseur Larry Ragland John Glidden Mark Beierly Sam Zaghloul Tim Hosford Valentino Hicks Vigil Talton staff writers

Phillip Temple cartoonist Samanda Dorger adviser

“I’m proud of how far we have come...but I also see a danger in us not taking education more seriously. It causes us to backdrop.”

Earnestine Polk, music

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

4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MAR. 6, 2012

THE TEMPEST nFEB. 22 - MAR. 6, 2012

“Amalur”delivers true fantasy adventures

MAGIC moments

By Sharman Bruni Editor-in-Chief sbruni@solanotempest.net

Curt Schilling may be a new player in the gaming circuit, but he certainly knows how to assemble a good team. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because of his baseball career pitching for the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox. Under Schilling’s company 38 Studios, fantasy and Sci-Fi writer R.A. Salvatore, cartoonist/ writer Todd McFarlane, and game designer Ken Rolston, (from the likes of Elder Scrolls III and IV) came together to bring “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning” to PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3.

The first thing that came to my mind when I started playing this game was that I must be playing “Fable 4” with a mix of “World of Warcraft” thrown in. The landscape of the world is similar to the Fable world of Albion. There are various hidden treasure chests throughout the world, dive spots, well scripted side-quests to drown in, and although you don’t have a pet in “Amalur,” you can kick chicken to your heart’s content.

I was almost disappointed when I realized there were no demon doors in “Amalur.”

Your character starts off by waking up resurrected on the top of dead bodies. You are brought back to life by the Well of Souls, a gnome invention that up until your “awakening,” was unsuccessful. You get to be known as the Fateless One, and while everyone else in the game has a destiny set forth that can be read, you do not have a chosen path. This will be further explained in greater detail during the main quest and it explains many events that happen in Amalur.

Similar to Tarot readers, there are fateweavers in the game that can read destiny cards revealing an individual’s future. These fateweavers are useful later on when you want to reshuffle your skills points. It will cost you gold, but it is useful if you change your mind from wanting to specialize in melee to ranged weapons or magic.

Destiny cards can be gained in the game and selected once at a time depending on your levels in might, finesse, and sorcery to add certain bonuses to your character.

For example, the Warden card requires 14 points in might and 14 in finesse. It adds a 17 percent melee attack damage bonus, 10 percent ranged attack damage and 5 percent chance to critical hit.

The main quest is interesting enough, but leave it to me to become so immersed in side quests that I forget all about the storyline itself. Attempting as many side quests as possible is the most fulfilling way to play the game and gives you the most bang for your buck, especially considering that new games on the 360 are $60+.

Besides Skyrim, I looked forward to this game more than any other for 2012, and so far, I’m not disappointed.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5

“‘Awakening’ is a metaphor for how we can elevate our ordinary lives and find the power to awaken our potential.”

-- Richard Plunk

“The Magician” is another powerful photograph from Richard Plunk.

“Awakening” is one of two photographs by Richard Plunk on display in building 1800A.

© Richard Plunk

© Richard Plunk

Solano photography student creates evocative and inspirational images

By Camille Levasseur Staff Writer clevasseur@solanotempest.net

Richard Plunk is unassuming and humble.

He’s a quiet, intense young man of average height wearing plain black glasses. Most wouldn’t give him a second glance if they were to pass him on campus, but one thing that truly does deserve a second glance is his art. Richard has a creative knack for seeing things no one else does and is the kind of person you hope succeeds. Taking nothing for granted, he clearly has found passion in an art he loves.

His art can be found in the student photography exhibit located in building 1800A. The photography is displayed along two main hallways and covers a wide range of techniques- ranging from classic black and

white, portraiture, and digital to more unusual media applications.

Plunk is in the latter category. His surreal photography definitely packs a big punch and creates an immediate emotional reaction.

Plunk explains that his inspiration is partially based on his longing for a time when childhood magic and amazing things could still happen in everyday life as found in his photograph titled “Awakening”.

“Awakening is a metaphor for how we can elevate our ordinary lives and find the power to awaken our potential.”

Referring to one of his two surreal photographs in the exhibit, “Awakening” is a small but lovely photograph that shows a plain corner of a living room with a young woman floating above a chair. This extraordinary event taking place in an otherwise ordinary room is encapsulated by the luscious lighting and “cotton-candy like”

texture of her dress to create a dreamy quality.

Born in South Carolina to a military family, they transferred to Yakota Air Force Base, Japan when he was 3 years old. It was here he spent most of his childhood. He moved back with his family when he was a teenager and eventually received a psychology degree from UC Berkeley. After working a few years in that field he knew it wasn’t a good fit.

Not sure what to do next, he decided to take a few classes at Solano Community College.

On a whim he took Photo 30 with Ron Zak and was hooked.

“He was so inspirational and made me feel that I could be a creative person and sparked the motivation to pursue this dream.”

When asked about how his psychology degree has affected his work in photography, plunk said he draws from emotions.

“I’ve always been interested in what motivates people and I knew I wanted my

art to communicate a message. I try to think of an emotional story or character when I’m working on a photograph. I get lots of feedback that people really connect emotionally to my work so maybe that is what comes through.”

Three years since taking his first class, he’s taken almost every class offered at Solano and is working towards compiling a finished collection. He also plans to transfer and finish his Master of Fine Arts degree so he can teach someday. In addition to regular classes, he’s taken advantage of every opportunity the photography department offers. This also includes their travel photography class.

“I’ve been to Paris and New York, both trips were amazing.” There’s a group of about 15 students that travel together visiting museums and specific locations setup by Zak. These students get an inside look at what

it’s like living the life of a professional artist, with the added benefit of visiting sources of inspiration and making friendships that will last a lifetime.

Zak, department chair of the photography department, explains the next trip in summer. “We are going to Cuba and are about 60 percent full but still have room for a few more students if they are interested.”

If students want a glimpse of what a photography trip looks like, our next hallway exhibit planned for March 2012 will showcase photography from the group’s recent trips to Burma and Paris.

The exhibit is an opportunity to step outside ordinary life and experience something magical at SCC. Stay tuned next month for further updates and keep your shutters open.

Photography trip to Cuba

-This travel course will be offered for the 2012 summer session, June 13 to 27. This is a 3-unit photography course, PHOT 155.

-If interested contact Ron Zak at rzak@solano.edu for more details and course requirements.

Visit SolanoTempest.net

for additional stories, including Mark Beierly’s review of “Ain’t Misbehavin’”

6 THE TEMPEST THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MARCH 6, 2012 Solano put back on warning status after accreditation team visit 8 WARNING: FROM PAGE 1

resources to the Vallejo and Vacaville Centers in the form of library services.

Solano’s accreditation woes date

back to Feb. 2006 when the ACCJC found that Solano had eight minor problems which needed to be corrected, according to the commission’s Oct. 2005 visiting

team’s report. Three of the eight problem areas are the same areas noted in the 2012 announcement.

The ACCJC did not place Solano on sanctions for the eight minor

problems but did request a progress report the following year in 2007 regarding the correction of the eight areas.

Solano submitted the progress report but the ACCJC found that Solano suffered from the lack of staffing stability, fiscal stability, and leadership in the form of the governing board delegating authority to the president of the college. Due to these issues, in Jan. 2008 the ACCJC placed Solano on ‘warning.’

A warning is issued when the commission finds that an institution has “pursued a course of action which deviates from the commission’s eligibility criteria, standards of accreditation, or policy to an extent that raises a concern regarding the ability of the institution to meet accreditation standards,” according to an ACCJC report.

By Feb. 2009, Solano had yet to resolve the issues affecting the college so the ACCJC placed Solano on ‘show cause.’

Show cause is issued when the commission finds an institution in “substantial non-compliance with the commission’s eligibility requirements, accreditation standards, or policies,” according to the same ACCJC report. The institution must show cause why its accreditation should not be withdrawn at the end of a stated period, the report says.

An institution must develop a closure plan when placed on show cause. Solano crafted a closure plan.

“For students who have completed 75 percent of an academic degree and educational program, arrangements shall be made to permit those students to complete their requirements for a degree and educational program elsewhere,” according to Solano’s closure plan.

The closure plan also highlighted that Solano would store all academic records and financial aid transcripts, staff would receive lay-off notices, and disposition of district assets would occur.

Solano’s governing board hired the services of a ‘special’ trustee in the winter of 2009. “The Board of Trustees shall immediately begin the process of retaining an independent contractor to act as a special trustee in order to provide support and guidance to the Board of Trustees and District administrators,” according to a resolution approved by the Governing Board.

Accreditation Timeline -Jan. 2006: The ACCJC finds that Solano has problems which need to be corrected, requests a progress report -2007: SCC submits a progress report -Jan. 2008: ACCJC places Solano on ‘warning.’

-Feb. 2009: Solano has yet to resolve the issues.

ACCJC places Solano on ‘show cause.’

-June 2009: SCC is put on ‘probation’.

-Feb. 2010: The commission recommends SCC continue on probation -Feb. 2011: SCC removed from all academic sanctions.

-Feb. 2012: ACCJC places Solano Community College back on ‘warning’. source: ACCJC

In June 2009, the commission recommended that Solano be moved from show cause to ‘probation.’ Probation is the step above show cause and a step below warning.

“Probation is issued when the commission finds that an institution deviates significantly from the commission’s eligibility criteria, standards, or policies or fails to respond to conditions imposed upon it by the commission,” according to the commission.

Solano submitted a comprehensive report to the commission in the fall of 2009 outlining the corrections the college made to the areas of concern.

In Feb. 2010, the commission recommended Solano continue on probation and submit a similar report to the commission in the fall of 2010. Solano did submit a detailed report to the commission.

The commission accepted this report and ultimately removed Solano from all academic sanctions in Feb. 2011.

SCC Police salaries compared 8 POLICE: FROM PAGE 1

of the steps referenced in the diagram. The remaining sworn officers are part-time and paid at an hourly wage.

According to Governing Board minutes, the four part-time sworn officers, Stephen Chu, Clarence Johnson, Richard Hornfischer, and Charles Womack, are paid at hourly wage of $18.78. These officers are employed for a full year from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

In addition to the sworn officers, Solano employs two permanent

part-time community services officers, Jesse Branch for Vacaville and David Brannen for Vallejo, who provide night time services at the Vallejo and Vacaville centers.

The CSOs were hired by the Governing Board a few weeks ago at range 5. According to the 200809 Operating Engineers salary scale, range 5, step 1 pays around $26,000; since the CSO’s are parttime they earn around $13,000 per year.

SPORTS 7

THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MAR. 6, 2012

women’s basketball

Women’s defense control Yuba College and win 77-41

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Solano forward Marissa Dunn goes up for a lay-up in the first half against Yuba College guard Emily Toledo.

Read more on the women’s basketball season on the Tempest website: www.solanotempest.net

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Solano College guard Ruby Leon goes around Yuba College guard Cathy Soneouthay and drives to basket in first half.

men’s basketball

Solano men’s basketball fall to Yuba College , Feb. 8

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Pregame introduction for Solano players against Yuba College, Feb. 8.

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Solano Guard, T.J.Teding, lays up over Yuba defender in second half, scoring six total, Feb. 8 at Solano.

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Solano guard, Dustin Aubert drives to basket against Yuba defender Feb. 8 at home.

Solano forward Chris Edens goes up for two against Yuba guard Anthony Romero of Yuba College.

Read more on the men’s basketball season on the Tempest website: www.solanotempest.net

8

SPORTS

THE TEMPEST n FEB. 22 - MAR. 6, 2011

Women’s softball eyes seventh consecutive conference title

By Ben Gogna Sports/Photo Editor Bgogna@solanotempest.net

The Solano women’s softball team has softball their sights set on a seventh c o n s e c u t i ve conference title.

“We’re excited,” said Terri Pearson-Bloom, head coach for the Solano Falcons.

“We are currently six-time defending and are on pace to win our seventh consecutive Bay-Valley Conference championship.”

“We have a very young team this year,” Pearson-Bloom said. “We only have four sophomores out of

“The momentum of the game was always in our favor so I think that is something good to come out of the first game.”

-- Lisa Abbott, assistant softball coach 15 on the team. The rest are all freshmen.”

The players to keep an eye on, Pearson-Bloom says, are Joanna ‘Jojo’ Searle, Chelsea Shipley, both strong defensive players, and Taylor Sakurada -- all three are batting high in the lineup.

“I expect a lot of good things from her,” said Pearson-Bloom, about freshman Darian Quist-Richard, the starting center fielder out of

Armijo High School.

With the team’s great sophomore leadership, and the strong young talent, Pearson-Bloom said, “We’re just waiting to see how they develop to see how far we are going to go this year, but our goal is to win our seven consecutive conference title.”

Solano beat Diablo Valley College 3-1 on Thursday Feb. 9.

“I believe that we dominated over

transfer to the university of san francisco in

sacramento At the University of San Francisco, we hold you to a higher standard. We challenge you to apply what you learn in the classrom to practical experience.

Now offering 2+2 Degree Programs: ▶ B.A. in Communication ▶ B.S. in Business Administration ▶ B.A. in Psychology

For more iNFormAtioN: sacramentocampus@usfca.edu www.usfca.edu/sacramento 630 K Street, Ste. 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 916. 920. 0157 facebook.com/usfsacramento twitter.com/usfsacramento

USF Sacramento Advantages: ▶ Small class size ▶ Flexible schedule ▶ WASC-accredited ▶ Close to all public transportation ▶ Guaranteed registration ▶ Centralized location ▶ Discounted parking ▶ Reduced tuition

softball calendar 28-Feb American River 1-Mar Delta 8-Mar College of Marin

DVC,” assistant coach Lisa Abbot said. “Even though they had more hits than we did.”

“The momentum of the game was always in our favor so I think that is something good to come out of the first game,” Abbot said.

Starting pitcher Hannah Wilbur had seven strikeouts and one walk. Solano’s Courtney Williams scored the first run and no errors were made the entire game.

Abbott said the errorless game play is why Solano dominated DVC. Conference game play starts in the middle of March and players to keep an eye on are Darian QuistRichard, Chelsea Shipley and Monieka Takeda-Torix.

10-Mar Ohlone Tournament 11-Mar

Ohlone Tournament

13-Mar Los Medanos* 20-Mar Mendocino* 22-Mar Yuba* 27-Mar Napa Valley* 29-Mar Contra Costa* 3-Apr College of Marin* 5-Apr Los Medanos* 12-Apr Mendocino* Home games in bold

Pulling away in first half, Falcons left College of Marin in the dust

By Ben Gogna Sports/Photo Editor Bgogna@solanotempest.net

almost matched her stats scoring 13, the first meeting she scored 15. Leading scorer guard Ruby Leon came away with 19 points, 11 in the first half. “It was slow at first, but our defense picked it up and scored our points,” Leon said.

The Bay-Valley Conference tournament started on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 and basketball the Solano Falcons Four of the five women’s basketball starters scored in first challenge was double digits, as well as to play against College of Marin.

Kayla Campora, scoring 13, eight The Falcons previously played the scored in the second half. Leon College of Marin, Jan. 25, and brought the crowd to a cheer won 90-36. This game ended in sinking a jump shot at the buzzer similar fashion, routing Marin before the half.

72-45, a great start to the tournament.

“The win was good, it will get us on to the next round,” guard Tara In their first meeting, leading Cooley said. scorer forward Shannon Rankin scored a season-high 25, but in For more stories, visit this meeting, Marin held Rankin www.solanotempest.net to 11. Forward Marissa Dunn

Ben Gogna/Tempest

Solano player Aleesa Gilmore goes up for two before being fouled by Marin guard Esella Dominquez, BVC Tournament, at Solano, Feb. 14, 2012.

Change the World from Here

follow Solano sports stories go to: www.solanotempest.net