Physical education is no joke
3 Theatre debut goes hyperactive
OPINION ON 3
A&E ON 4
3 Football team stays hopeful SPORTS ON 8
THE TEMPEST
FAIRFIELD, CALIF. www.solanotempest.net
THE VOICE OF SOLANO COLLEGE
VOL. 28, NO. 11
MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
Children’s program is more than just babysitting By Deborah Graham Staff Writer dgraham@solanotempest.net
Malissa Hayden watched patiently as two preschoolers worked out a sharing issue at Solano College’s children’s center last week. Hayden, 20, is an early childhood education (ECE) major at Solano Community College. The children’s program at Solano Community College gives her an opportunity to put into practice what she is learning. For Solano College ECE students, this is not just a baby sitting center, this is their classroom “This program teaches students the right way of doing things; everything is done by the book,” Hayden said. SCC’s Children’s Program started in the 70’s as a child development laboratory for the early childhood development department. The program is the laboratory school to support the early childhood development department and the human development department. The program offers both full and parttime programs for children between the ages of six months through kindergarten. Approximately 130 children attend the
Deborah Graham/Tempest
Two preschoolers work together at the children’s program science area. program daily, with 528 families on the waiting list. There are also morning and afternoon sessions for three and four-yearold students. Director Christie Speck says it is wonderful that the program supports the ECE students and human development students
to gain foundation skills. The program is committed to serving SCC students who are parents. “SCC children’s program is the only lab school in Solano County,” Speck said. “The students are able to put theory to practice by coming to the center and actu-
ally working with the children.” On Jan. 5, Gov. Jerry Brown released a 2012-13 budget proposal that would cut child care and development programs. Speck said that the major funding for the laboratory school comes from the California Department of Education. She noted that SCC does contribute a portion as well, but the deep cuts proposed by Brown would hurt the program, primarily low-income families. “Families who pay little or nothing for the children’s program would lose our services,” Speck said. “We don’t know how many families we would lose through attrition but we lose about 60 families a year. If some families are able to pay for services, this option would allow us to continue the lab school.” Amanda Pacheco, an early childhood education student who has been with the program for a while, says she loves the ability to get the hands-on experience. “I love working with the children,” Pacheco said. “You receive a lot of help from the teachers and other staff members. You really get to apply all the training you learn from your courses. This is definitely not a babysitting program.”
Club celebrates Japanese version of Valentine’s Day By Mark Beierly Staff Writer mbeierly@solanotempest.net
Many people would acknowledge Valentine’s Day as the day we celebrate our loved ones or the concept of love. The Japanese celebrate another holiday similar to Valentine’s, called White Day. On March 14, the Japanese, Taiwanese, and South Koreans observed White Day, when the men give chocolates, cookies, or other gifts to women in return for gifts they received on Valentine’s Day. Japanese culture dictates that on Valentine’s Day, only the women give chocolate and other gifts to men. The idea of appreciating our loved ones on two different days may be a surprise to other cultures. Solano Community College’s Japanese Arts and Culture Club called attention to White Day by celebrating the holiday at a booth near the cafeteria and the ASSC of-
fices. The club celebrates many aspects of Japanese culture from food to traditions such as origami. “The club enjoys most aspects of Japanese culture and usually discusses the cuisine, customs, and its most popular anime within the club,” said Ike Cooper, club president. The celebration of White Day is a prime example of how the JACC (Japanese Arts and Culture Club) gives Solano College students a taste of Japanese customs. “The club also gives a chance to showcase the club members’ talents and artworks,” said JAC club member Angelica Cabanlit. The intention of JAC club’s events and fundraisers is to show how Japanese culture affects other people. The club members made homemade plush dolls of famous Japanese pop culture icons like Pokémon and other Nintendo characters. Club member Lisa Gurlin made key chains, Moogle charms, and mini origami to demonstrate the uniqueness of Japanese
MORE ONLINE AT WWW.SOLANOTEMPEST.NET - Football and aquatics program cuts
Mark Beierly/Tempest
JAC club members sell homemade items at their booth on White Day. culture. In observance of White Day, many of the club members made white chocolate and Japanese style cookies for sale at the JAC table booth. White Day, the male partner’s turn to cel-
ebrate the validation of a loving relationship, is a time honored custom that is not only celebrated by the Japanese but by Solano Community College’s JAC club.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.” -Albert Einstein
2
OPINION
campus calendar Wed. March 21 Student Health Center- Health Faire 400 building downstairs lobby 11 a.m. – 1 p.m Mental Health Therapy Main Campus Room 1409 Workshop Times: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m Tues. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m
Thur. March 22 Last day to petition for May graduation 400 Building - Admissions and Records
Tues. March 27 ASSC meeting Vacaville Center 12:45 pm – 2:30
SCC Guest Reader Series Clive Rosengren “Murder Unscripted” Room 703 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Sat. March 31 4th annual SCC Cosmetology Club Hair Fashion Show SCC Theater 5:30 pm
THE TEMPEST n March 21 - April 3, 2012
Cutting athletics is not the answer As many students know now: on Wednesday, March 7 the football and aquatics programs were cut as the governing board voted 4-2 on the decision. Although I am not involved in either program, I have been a student at Solano Community College since 2006, first taking extracurricular classes in high school and then as a college student up to the present time. While it may have taken me a long time to figure out what I wanted to major in, one thing that stayed solid with me throughout my years here is the opportunities that physical education classes on campus have presented me with. As a senior in high school, I began taking judo with Sensei Tanaka and loved it so much I stayed in the class my whole senior year. Tanaka’s class instilled confidence in me, taught me respect, and motivated me to keep active. I was honored to be at the ceremony that presented Tanaka with his 8th degree black belt and was proud to know that
correction The photo on page 6 of Occupy Education marchers in the March 7 print edition of The Tempest should have been credited to Kelcey Cromer.
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our college had won such a large number of awards in division meets. I never thought back in 2008 that Tanaka’s class would be cut and probably wouldn’t have believed it if I had been told back then.
The British Journal of Psychiatry published a study in 2010 in which participants were asked a series of questions relating to their level of physical activity. The study found that individuals who stuck to a regular routine were less likely to By Sharman be depressed than those Bruni who did not practice Editor-in-Chief Although I do not regular exercise. If you sbruni@ speak much about go to Google and type in solanotempest.net depression and exercise it, I have struggled with serious depresin the search bar you will sion for much of my teen years be overwhelmed with myriad of and all my adult life. To be able similar results refuting the validity to take classes on campus and of exercise’s benefits, not only for force myself to work out when I body, but the mind as well. don’t even want to get out of bed has been extremely beneficial to College students are stressed out my health, both mentally and enough as it is with classes and physically. I can personally thank fiscal concerns. To take away Coach Marks, Coach Borchert, athletic program on campus is Coach Cardinal, and Coach not only a step, but a leap in the Pearson-Bloom for being such wrong direction. The athletes and excellent teachers and inspiring teachers were not given a chance me to go above and beyond when to raise the money to keep their it comes to physical education, for programs, and for Coach Marks believing in me when I did not and Coach Parrish, their jobs. believe in myself. The governing board members let
the public know that the decision could be rescinded if enough money came in, but fundraising doesn’t always come easy, especially when those who must raise the funds did not know until the last minute. “I don’t think cutting any kind of sports is the right answer,” said governing board member Phil McCaffrey during the Wednesday meeting. McCaffrey and Honeychurch were the only board members who voted to reject the cuts. I may not be a member of a sports team on campus, but I stand firm and agree with McCaffrey whole-heartedly that cuts in physical education are NOT the right answer. Instead of spending our budget on exorbitant legal fees and unnecessary expenditures, we need to put the needs of our students and teachers first. We are the life and breath of this college, not a side note to be glanced at momentarily and tossed aside.
Solano board meeting was democracy in action If you happened to miss the news, the Solano Community College governing board on March 7 held a meeting approving the laying-off of two faculty members, and cut the football and aquatic programs.
It made me proud when students from various majors pleaded with the governing board to keep the football and aquatics programs. By John Glidden Staff Writer
be associated with Solano College. It should be noted that the week before, jglidden@ It made me the school’s adminsolanotempest.net proud when istration, not the students from board, made the various majors unilateral decision to pleaded with the slash summer school. governing board to keep the footIt is curious why the board is not ball and aquatics programs. clamoring to make the decision to cut or retain summer school It made me proud when faculty themselves. Remember, it is an implored the board and school election year. Such news is quite administration to take another sobering and distressing; yet there look at the health and benefits is a silver lining. Yes, I’m serious. numbers. You may ask, “John, how can It made me proud when the you have such optimism about governing board representative Solano in the face of bad news?” for the Associated Students of It’s simple. For over two hours, Solano College student governstudents, faculty, staff, and ment raised her voice to make members of the public exercised a clear that these cuts were unacsacrosanct principle: the right to ceptable; when the career/technipetition their representatives. cal education senator refused to yield the floor because he wished Arriving at 5 p.m., I carefully to be heard under the ASSC and strategically found the seat report, and when other members on the end of the row next to the of the ASSC student government speaker’s podium. I had a front became vocal and demanded to row seat to democracy in action be heard. and it made me damn proud to
It made me proud when faculty presented a petition to the board which asked that the police department be retained. It made me proud when students presented petitions to the board asking that summer school be saved. It made me proud when the welding professor spoke about his students and how they were changing their lives for the better. It made me proud when the father spoke about how his two children have benefited tremendously from the education and care they received from Solano’s children center. And it made me proud to see the Solano Aquatic Sea Otters come out to support the aquatics program and keeping the pool open. Hopefully, these cuts can be reversed. If not, it was an honor to witness such democracy in action.
OPINION 3
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
Women broaching the glass ceiling? Women are still struggling to get into roles that have so long been male dominated March is Women’s history month. The rights that today’s generation takes for granted were the same rights women struggled to attain years ago. The struggle continues. A March 24, 1986 article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) , by Carol Hymowitz and Timothy D. Schellhardt, “The Glass Ceiling: Why Women Can’t Seem to Break the Invisible Barrier That Blocks Them from the Top Job,” is credited with coining the phrase, “glass ceiling.” It has been more than 20 years and to me the playing field is not completely level. If we look back at the the late 1700’s during the pre-industrial era, women were often seen as delicate and unable to complete tasks that required strength and intelligence. While the men did the real “heavier” work such as hunting and plowing, women did household chores such as watching after the children, milking cows, and washing clothes. As years went on, a woman’s place continued to be solidified in the home taking care of the household and catering to their husband’s needs. Unmarried
When she entered the office for an interview the second question she was asked, aside from her name was, “So are you going to have any more children?”
women weren’t allowed to own property. They weren’t allowed to sue or be sued. They couldn’t even make a contract. However, when married, she would give up her name and all her possessions would then go under her husband’s name.
By Deborah Graham Online Editor dgraham@
everything about the position and knew was a top candidate for the job.
solanotempest.net My girlfriend, Esther Wilson, last When she year opened her entered the office own jewelry shop. the second question she was It was something she had been asked, aside from her name was, thinking about for years. She and “So are you going to have any her husband and two children more children?” had been struggling financially, due to her husband’s disability She responded, “My husband she was the major bread winner. and I haven’t decided that. Are She worked for a company in midyou and your wife going to have town Manhattan that was on the any more?” She didn’t get the par of a Facebook corporation, job. Experiences like this made fast-paced and quickly moving up me aware that women continue Forbes ladder. to face challenges in being fairly evaluated for their qualifications. She had been working there According to a July, 2005 15 years. Last year she decided edition of “The Economist,” to put herself out there and go an article written by Booz Allen for that senior management Hamilton, a consulting firm position. She dressed sharply the that monitors departing chief day of the interview. She knew executives in America, found that
0.7 percent of CEOs were women in 1998, and 0.7 percent of CEOs were women in 2004. In between, the figure fluctuated. But the firm says that one thing is clear: the number is “very low and not getting higher.” I don’t feel that we have begun to put a dent in the glass ceiling. Women are still struggling get into roles that have for so long been male dominated. It is so important as women, with the economic downfall, that we capitalize on the changing attitudes about gender roles at home. We need to empower and encourage other women to take advantage of the doors opened in the workplace by prior generations of women. We need to continue that fight until we see five women making up the top 10 list in Forbes magazine. That will be a time we women can then truly say, “We have overcome.”
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The Voice of Solano College nVol. 28, No. 11
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4
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
Production shines light on ADD “Distracted” combines comedy with emotional intesity By Nick Sestanovich A&E Editor nsestanovich@solanotempest.net
For years, the question of whether or not to prescribe ADD children with Ritalin has been a major concern. In “Distracted,” Solano College Theatre’s final production of the 2011-2012 season, that issue will be explored. Lisa Loomer’s 2007 play about a 9-year-old boy with ADHD and his parents’ decision to medicate him has been running off-Broadway since its inception while focusing on topics like parenting, teenage and child angst, the intrusion of technology in society, and the morality of prescribing drugs to hyperactive children. Under the helm of George Maguire, it will be performed at Solano for the first time. “I saw the show at its premiere at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I loved it,” Maguire said. “It’s funny, but it talks about a serious issue.” Maguire chose the play because he felt the subject matter would be beneficial to Solano students. “Part of why I did it is because it is an issue parents are facing today, but I also think that it affects the students,” Maguire said. “People over 20 are rarely diagnosed, so this really affects the young as well as current or future parents.” The cast features actors of all ages which Austin McLellan, who plays the 9-year-old son Jesse, feels has been an eye-opening experience. “I was nervous because I didn’t know anybody and I thought that since I was just a kid, they would all treat me that way,” McLellan said. “But I’ve felt very comfortable.” The play has a lot of comedic moments as well as emotionally intense scenes which allows the actors to constantly change moods, according to Sara Sakurada who plays the angsty teenage neighbor Natalie. “There are scenes where Natalie gets sad, so I have to be sad, and scenes where she’s very upbeat, so I have to be upbeat,” she said. “I find it enjoyable going through different moods in this play.” The actors draw inspiration for their roles from experiences with others and trying to imagine themselves in such situations. “There’s a kid in the musical theater I was in who had ADD symptoms,” McLellan said. “He was all over the place and switched doing things all the time. I take from my own experiences with other kids and bring it to my role.” “It’s a lot of taking what I was
Photos by Mike Padua
Jesse (Austin McLellan) becomes transfixed by television while his parents (Melanie Bandera-Hess and Henry Swensen) watch with concern.
“It’s funny, but it talks about a serious issue.” -Director George Maguire
like in high school, so I pull from what I know I felt like,” Brittney Smith, who also plays Natalie on certain dates, said. “I listened to a lot of sad music to prepare, but I’m usually a happy person, so it’s easy for me to do both.” The parts require the actors to step out of their comfort zones, which has proven challenging for them taking on such intense roles. “Jesse cries, and I find that hard because I’ve always played happy characters, and I’ve never dealt with this kind of sadness,” McLellan said. “I’ve also never shouted swear words, so I would look over to my mom during the auditions to see if she was OK with it.” For Smith, the most difficult part was hitting the “highs and lows” that Maguire expected of her. “When I get done with an emotional scene, I have to shake it off,” she said. Despite working with such heavy material, the actors agree that what really lights up the rehearsals is the cast. “About 90 percent of having
fun in acting comes from the other actors,” Sakurada said. “We’ve developed close relationships with each other.” They also love the hard work of the director. “Everybody adores George,” Smith said. “He’s gotten me to come out of my shell since I’ve always had stage fright.” With such a committed cast and provocative topics, “Distracted” will likely lead to a lot of discussion. “In every play, you learn something, and this play gives a real understanding of the fact that students may have to face this as parents,” Maguire said. There is coarse language throughout, but Smith encourages audience members to look past that. “People should watch the whole thing because it’s such a good play, and they should not leave because there are swear words,” she said. “They should focus on the message.” “Distracted” will be performed from April 5 to April 22 at the Suisun Harbor Theatre. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available at the box office and are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and faculty, and $13 for students and children.
Austin McLellan plays the role of a boy living with ADHD.
“DISTRACTED” -April 5 to April 22, 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. -Suisun Harbor Theatre. -Tickets are available at the box office and are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and faculty, and $13 for students and children.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
“Masked Rider: The First” provides top-notch action In the bowels of if not all, the stunts Netflix, I found a were done with FROM THE movie that is uniwires and stuntmen, BOWELS OF versal in its appeal: not CGI (not that NETFLIX a Japanese movie I have anything By Sam Zaghloul released five years against CGI). SomeStaff Writer ago based on a televibody actually had to sion show from the kick a dude while ‘60s that was never driving a motorcyreleased in the States, “Masked cle--a motorcycle fight scene, guys. Rider: The First.” (Also called That’s awesome. I have mixed “Kamen Rider: The First”) It’s the feelings about the plot itself, timeless story of a college research though. It’s very much focused assistant (Hongo Takeshi, played on the love triangle between the by Masaya Kikawada), who is three main characters. That’s not kidnapped by the secret society really a bad thing, since it’s pretty known as SHOCKER and turned subtle and low key, with no big, into a cyborg soldier brainwashed overly dramatic displace of affecinto serving them. Eventually, he tion or sloppy make out sessions. breaks out of the brainwashing… It’s adult about it. but not before the love interest, There’s also a subplot about two a reporter named Asuka (Rena kids in a hospital, the significance Komine), is led to believe that he of which isn’t completely apparkilled her fiancé (what with him ent until much later in the movie. previously holding up the dude While it’s not that distracting, by the neck and the throwing it can feel a bit like padding at him 20 feet to side before being times, and your mileage may de-brainwashed). To make matters vary on how necessary it is. The even more complicated, SHOCKsubtitles in the beginning of the ER sends another cyborg, Hayato movie (yes, there’s no English Ichimonji (Hassei Takano), to kill dub, man up and deal with it) are him…and he also has the hots a bit…overly literally, but after the of Asuka. Melodrama and face first five or so minutes it really punching ensues. starts to improve quickly. The action, which is the real To sum it all up, I really enjoyed reason we’re all here, is fantastic, this movie, if only because years well-choreographed, and fastof watching “Power Rangers” has paced. It’s just the right balance programed me to think that A: between being over the top and helmets are awesome and B: kungrealistic. I like the fact that most, fu fighting fixes everything.
Affording video games during the recession
Creative Commons
As the video game market increases, it’s important to save every penny.
By Larry Ragland Staff Writer lragland@solanotempest.net
Putting a muzzle on entertainment spending as a gamer has been a necessary step in keeping our collective heads above water. As gamers, this can have devastating consequences. I’m not a thief so I won’t steal or pirate games, but I will save every legal dollar I can when mulling a purchase. Times have been a bit tougher the last couple of years. I am much less likely to take a gamble on a title at full price. If anything, nowadays I’m more apt to wait for it to hit the used rack. I don’t necessarily like to do that, but not because of the developers missing out on being paid for their work. I often feel as though many, if
not most, just aren’t worth the full price of admission. That and every used game represents either someone’s distaste for a title, or they hated giving it up and needed the trade in credits. To combat this tactic many developers have turned to locking out multi-player options or only allowing you so much online time with a used purchase. Without a code that locks the game to original owner, you are forced to purchase the online pass (usually $10 or so). This works well for me because I don’t feel that every game should have an online mode. If it isn’t implemented well, then what’s the point of having it? Especially when you have major online contenders across all genre of gaming to contend with. You can’t just make an online
shooter or another online fighter, another MMO…you have to bring something to the table if you are going to be relevant. Over the last few major releases I have managed to get more out of the games that I have and when I do eventually get around to them, they’ll be cheaper. The drawback, of course, is that you miss out on the initial water cooler conversations and your pile of shame stack keeps getting bigger.It used to bother me not being part of the initial wave of gamers diving in. But with buggy games, mediocre online play, and day one DLC already announced before launch, I’ll just wait awhile, save a few bucks and buy it when the bugs are gone, the DLC is all included, and the price is half of what it was.
6 THE TEMPEST THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012 Fire Academy expands its horizons Governing board appoints new member to replace Claffey By Camille Lavasseur Staff Writer
clavasseur@solanotempest.net
As the sun peeks over the fire station in Dixon, 27 new recruits storm into the yard for another day of fire hose training. “We teach ‘em to squirt it, put fires out, throw ladders and rescue people” Chief Richard Mackenzie said. Mackenzie was in the first group of new students who graduated from the Solano Community College Fire Academy in 1977. Tall and robust, his booming voice accepts no dissent from the students. He’s come full circle since entering the program more than 30 years ago. Spending over 20 years teaching fire candidates while still being a full time firefighter has given him a unique insight into what new students really need on the frontline. Offered only a couple times a year, the academy is the real “hands on” portion that puts practical application to concepts learned in the classroom. With new teachers and expanded courses that focus on advanced level skills; this program has earned a reputation
within the fire community for producing exceptionally qualified recruits. This in turn gives the recruits an edge when
The students come from all over the county and are expected to put in 720 hours of training in the academy to gradu
most recently hired. This “hands on” experience gets passed on to the fresh faces of new students just entering the field, like Alayna Woody, an army reservist who hopes to become a firefighter one day. The only woman in the group of 27, she’s small but strong. A part time boxer for physical fitness, she said she’s always wanted to be a fire fighter. She doesn’t hesitate when she talks about how generous the teachers are with their experience and how much the training has meant to her. “The most exciting part was when we got to put on the full gear with air tank and enter a smoky house to rescue someone,” Woody said. You had to find the person in all the smoke, the adrenaline was pumping and… this is why I got into it, this is what I want to do with my life, rescue Camille Lavasseur/Tempest people” Although the proFire technology program provides hands on gram budget still presexperience for participants in Dixon. ents the most challengit comes to finding a job Students train in full ing part of his new job, in an extremely competi- firefighter gear Monday Chief Mackenzie says he tive profession. through Thursday 8 a.m. is appreciative of all the “Some of our newest - 4 p.m. All of the teach- support he gets from the courses are high angle ers are either retired or committed teaching staff rescue, trench rescue, active firefighters and and the state of Califorhazardous materials and bring invaluable expe- nia. our expanded wildland rience with them with fire training,” Mackenzie Chief Ron Karlen and said. Frank Drayton being the
By John Glidden Staff Writer jglidden@solanotempest.net
In a 5-1 roll call vote, the Governing Board appointed Catherine Ritch to the governing board to replace James Claffey who passed away on Feb. 6. Trustee McCaffrey was the lone trustee to vote against the motion to appoint Ritch to the governing board. Ritch will represent Fairfield, Green Valley, Travis Air Force Base, and Cordelia. The seat is up for election in Nov. “I’m stunned. I’m very grateful and I will do whatever I can do to help the college,” said Ritch after the meeting. Ritch acquired the references of Linda Seifert, Solano county supervisor, Gary Stanton, sheriff-coroner for Solano county, and Christina Arrostuto, Executive Director of Solano’s First Five program. The other potential appointees under consideration were David Brannen, Monica Brown, and Michael Wright. Prior to the interviews, Mark Taylor, CIS professor and member of the Solano College Faculty Association informed the governing board that the members of SCFA held a vote and Brannen received
ing board. Currently, Monica Brown is a teacher at Green Valley middle school. Brown garnered references from Michelle Coleman, trustee on the Solano county board of education, Mayrene Bates, trustee on the Solano county board of education, and Helen Tilley former board member on the Fairfield Unified school district. “If we don’t promote SCC, we are not going to make it. I love the diversity here,” Brown said in her interview to the governing board. “We need to go lobby and talk with the elected officials,” Brown also said to the board. The other applicant Michael Wright gathered references from Harry Price, mayor of Fairfield, John Mraz, council member for the city of Fairfield, and Chuck Timm, former council member for the city of Fairfield. “I believe in being open and transparent to the college,” Wright said to the board during his interview. “I have a lot of experience reducing expenses. I feel I’m the best candidate from this prospective,” Wright also said to the governing board. There appeared to be some confusion before the governing board voted. Trustee McCaffrey,
John Glidden/Tempest
Ritch is appointed as the new governing board member. a majority of the votes; receiving the endorsement of the SCFA. “[David] has a student point of view, been a member of the governing board during the accreditation dark period a few years ago. He is uniquely qualified [for the position of trustee on the governing board],” Taylor said. Brannen garnered references from Jesse Branch, current community services officer at the Vacaville center, Tom Henry, former special trustee who was assigned to the governing board due to accreditation problems, and Robert Jensen, former interim president of Solano college. “The college needs leadership from within. I love this district because it took me from a truck driver to UC Berkeley,” Brannen said in his interview to the govern-
through voice conference, attempted to make a motion; however board president Thurston recognized trustee Chapman instead. Trustee Chapman moved to approve Ritch as the new trustee. The motion was seconded by trustee Keith. Trustee McCaffrey attempted to make a motion to approve Brannen as the new trustee. Trustee McCaffrey was instructed by board president Thurston that a motion was already under consideration. After the vote, board president Thurston told trustee McCaffrey that he could make his motion which trustee McCaffrey demurred to do so since a majority of the governing board approved the appointment of Ritch as the new trustee.
SPORTS 7
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
BASEBALL
Falcons first baseman Nick Spini breaks wrist, out for weeks
Photo Credit: Ben Gogna
Solano Falcons OF Zach Welz, freshman player, hoping to score in bottom of the 8th against Los Medanos March 10, 2012. Photo credit: Tim Hosford
Nick Spini, first baseman for the Solano Falcons injures wrist during Saturday, March 10 game against Los Medanos Tim Hosford Staff Photographer Thosford@solanotempest.net
Solano Community College first baseman Nick Spini, a freshman, broke his wrist during the home game against Los Medanos College on Saturday, March 10. Spini received a Colles fracture while attempting to catch the ball, according to Alison Aubert, head certified athletic trainer. Kelly Stairns, freshman from
Los Medanos, was running to first base after his hit and collided with Spini.
Ben Gogna Sports Editor/Photo Editor
Spini will be in a cast for about six weeks and is out for the season, Aubert said.
Solano Falcons, 2-3, 5-12 overall in conference failed to make a comeback after Los Medanos, 4-1, 9-7-1 overall, scored three insurance runs on four consecutive hits in the top of the seventh.
A Colles fracture is a wrist fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal (posterior) displacement of the wrist and hand, according to a Wikipedia. SCC lost to the Los Medanos Mustangs 7-2.
Photo credit: Tim Hosford
Alex Crosby hits a single in the game against Los Medanos on Saturday, March 10.
schedule 3-22 1PM YUBA COLLEGE - DH FAIRFIELD 3-27 1PM NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE - DH NAPA 3-29 1PM CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE - DH SAN PABLO 4-3 1PM COLLEGE OF MARIN - DH FAIRFIELD
home games in bold
Falcons fall to Los Medanos 7–2 Bgogna@solanotempest.net
The Falcons only two runs came from Zach Welz scoring on a sacrifice fly from Alex Crosby in the bottom of the sixth and Aaron Brasher when Jed Groeneway hit a double in the bottom of the seventh. Pitcher Adam Kruzona started for Solano pitching 3 1/3 innings
giving up one earned run and reliever Ben Monroe came in pitching three innings giving up three earned. Pete Nyznyk starting for Los Medanos pitched seven innings only allowing one earned run.
8
SPORTS
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012
Softball starts strong Winning three in a row on Sunday, March 11, the Falcons win the championship game against Feather River 12-1. Ben Gogna Sports/Photo Editor
SOFTBALL
Bgogna@solanotempest.net
The Solano Falcon softball team (8th ranked) won the Silver Division Championship at the March Madness tournament in Fremont. The Falcons went 2-1 in Saturday beating DVC 10-6, Cabrillo 7-6 (in 9 innings), and then losing to Fresno 8-4. Winning three in a row on Sunday, the Falcons eliminated Consumnes River 12-10, DeAnza
6- 5, and Feather River 12- 1 in the championship game. Sophomore pitcher Hannah Wilbur saw some action in all six games pitching 30 innings on the weekend earning four wins and throwing 30 strikeouts. Darian Quist-Richard led offense batting 11 for 25 with two doubles and six RBIs and Taiylor Sakurada went 10 for 19 with two doubles, one triple, and seven RBIs.
The Falcons, currently first place in conference, with a 2-0 record (10-7 overall) pursue 7th consecutive Bay Valley Conference title.
FOOTBALL
Football coach holds out hope
The team is coached and led by Terri Pearson-Bloom, head coach of Solano Softball. Terri has led the Falcons to seven BVC Chamionships. 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
schedule March 22 - Yuba College - Fairfield March 27 - Napa Valley - Napa March 29 - CCC - San Pablo
“Solano Falcon Softball team had a great weekend of competition winning the Silver Division Championship” -- Terri Pearson-Bloom
Photo Credit: Ben Gogna
Coach Floyd Burnsed talks to his off-season conditioning class Monday, March 12. Burnsed discussed the cancellation of the fall football program. Ben Gogna Sports/Photo Editor Bgogna@solanotempest.net
John Glidden Staff Writer
practice times would be 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. with no practice on Fridays.
Jglidden@solanotempest.net
transfer to the university of san francisco in
sacramento
With the football program voted to be cancelled at last week’s governing board meeting, Solano Community College football coach Floyd Burnsed acknowledged the setback the team faces, but says classes must go on. Burnsed, head coach of the Falcons, spoke to team athletes and staff at a meeting Monday, March 12, about the cuts.
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“The meeting was to keep the football players abreast of what I know as far as what our chances are of keeping the program,” Burnsed said. “I have no idea of what the chances are, as of yet.” Burnsed told the athletes that they can transfer to other community colleges and that they would immediately be eligible. Burnsed also discussed the requirements to play football. He discussed the summer school program, eligibility requirements, and “red-shirting.” Athletes who redshirt can extend their eligibility by practicing but not playing during an academic year. One point Burnsed hammered home to students was that they needed to be eligible, even if it was for another team. He insisted that academics are “number one,” and that players need to get credits to be eligible for the season. Burnsed wanted to let players know that if there isn’t a team next season, that players still need to train so they could be in shape for when and if they decide to transfer to another school.
Change the World from Here
“Actually right now, we aren’t doing a whole lot. We have a class called off-season conditioning,” Burnsed said. The coach said
“We can fundraise to raise money to play football,” Burnsed said. Burnsed says he has options for fund-raising, but is waiting on direction from the board. “We are getting ideas about fundraising, but as far as starting a fundraising campaign, we need to wait and make sure that it is a go,” Burnsed said. Solano Community College governing board voted four to two Wed. March 7, to cut the football and aquatic programs and lay off two coaches for next year. The majority of the board — Pam Keith, Thurston, Sarah Chapman and A. Marie Young — said they supported cutting the programs and positions because there’s a chance it could be rescinded. Athletes and coaches said Wednesday that they are open to fundraising if it means keeping the programs and positions afloat. “This is my family,” said Kevin Marks, assistant coach to the football program at Solano College, addressing the governing board as he pointed to at least 20 football players who attended the meeting. “Do the right thing. Save the program,” Marks said to the governing board. In 2001, the football team was cut for a year because of lack of funds. In 2002, Burnsed brought the team back, and in 2003, his first year as coach, he led the team to a 5-5 record. The following year the Falcons won the conference title. Burnsed has also led the Falcons to back-to-back conference titles in 2010 and 2011.