Vallejo isn’t really that bad
Actor’s program: aaand cut!
Athletics are key to education
OPINION ON 3
A&E ON 5
SPORTS ON 8
FAIRFIELD, CALIF. www.solanotempest.net
THE VOICE OF SOLANO COLLEGE
VOL. 27, NO. 10
MARCH 16 - MARCH 29, 2011
Disaster in Japan affects SCC By Tessa Terrill Staff Writer
An 8.9 earthquake hit northern Japan on Saturday, followed by a tsunami that washed away cars, buildings, and caused devastating damage to Japan’s coastal cities. For those at SCC who have loved ones in Japan, it was a scary time. Marc Lancet, a professor of art at SCC, is one of those whose family was affected by the disaster. Lancet’s brother, Barry, and his family live in Tokyo, Japan. According to an e-mail, he was relieved to find that his family was safe. Barry gave the following account of the earthquake: The epicenter of the earthquake was 230 miles from Tokyo, but it was hit by a tremor that made building start to 8SEE JAPAN, PAGE 6
MCT Campus
The coastal regions of Japan suffered major destruction after being hit by an 8.9 earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.
SCC plans budget cuts By Vonique Stricklen Sports editor
During a February campus budget forum Solano Community College’s vice president of finance and administration Yulian Ligoso broke down three scenarios proposed by the Community College League of California. Of those three scenarios SCC decided to adopt the league’s mid-range scenario in order to make plans for the future, Ligioso said. “As a system we have seen the deterioration of the state budget for the last three years,” Ligioso said. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen it to this magnitude.” With Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to balance the state’s budget, higher education is facing further cuts. Last week an effort to place a tax extension proposition on the ballot stalled in
Sacramento. “This tax extension is probably the most significant item we as a system… ever had to face,” said Ligioso. SCC’s mid-range scenario assumes the tax package fails during the June vote but Prop 98 is still funded minimally. Fees will still increase from $26 to $36 per unit to offset losses of revenue and SCC will plan for a loss of an estimated 1,000 students. “We’re not trying to deter students from coming. We’re trying to communicate to the legislature that … if they don’t adopt this balanced approach … not just Solano College but all colleges, will likely not be in a position to continue to offer access in the quality of education that we have,” said Ligioso. Ligioso added that if the tax packet doesn’t go through it
could translate into a 15 percent reduction in revenue. “I think that might bankrupt a lot of colleges,” said Ligioso. In an effort to showcase the success of California community college students the League of California marched into Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Visalia, and Riverside legislative offices on March 4 with framed diplomas of alumni now attending law school. Once the league’s package is on the ballot then the voters need to support it Ligioso said. “Talk to your friends, your family, and legislatures,” Ligioso said. “Share your success stories, share how the community college education has so positively affected you.” For more information on the topic visit ccleague.net or cccco.edu.
MORE ONLINE AT WWW.SOLANOTEMPEST.NET
Travel program needs participation By Deborah Graham Staff Writer
A handful of classes in Solano Community College’s travel study program are relying on student participation to keep them afloat. Solano Community College Study Abroad/Travel Study (SATS) Program features classes taught in the U.S. and abroad. Two credited courses will be offering these travel opportunities this summer: Civil Rights Travel Course (Social Science 53) with psychology professor Karen McCord, and Travel Photos, (Photography 155), with instructor Ron Zak “The program was never really funded,” said Ferdinanda Florence, Travel Study/Study Abroad Chair. “The administration needs to be more le-
nient on student participation. Currently you need at least 60 percent participation from students for the travel course. Without the students enrolling in the course the travel courses can’t get underway.” Lorna Marlow-Munoz, SCC French teacher, knows this quite well. Munoz has taken her French conversation students on exchange visits to France since 2001. Munoz had hoped to get a travel course started this year; but the proposal was rejected due to low participation. She had 13 participants and needed at least 18 to get approval. “The dean would probably allow me to teach the course if I had more students.” said Munoz. “I am going to take the 8SEE ABROAD, PAGE 6
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Fear is not what’s important, it’s how you deal with it. It would be like asking a marathon runner if they feel pain. It’s not a matter of whether you feel it, it’s how you manage it.” - James Nachtwey
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COFFEE BREAK
LETTER TO THE EDITOR EditorI see that the people (not you) use the Tempest for a forum and not the classroom everyday as the troops have for over 40 years of history! READING is good, living the WARS on campus, in society, at the polls and in the Military is what makes this County and State GREAT. When WE travel to other parts of this small planet, we see ONE PEOPLE under Heaven and as a Collectivist Culture that we must nurture without walls and borders! This is what WE should be all about: the people come first and our democratic
system of legislation is where the POWER is! GET out the VOTE, educate and stand up for your fellow human beings! Ask the 10,000 plus students who have been mentored in the Behavioral Sciences, Human Services and other programs which I have had a direct hand! These are the people we need to remember who have been touched by us! Respectfully, Robert M. DaPrato, Class of 1971- 2013 Faculty, Educator of mankind from the classroom!
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 16 - MARCH 30, 2011
Apathy eating away at SCC Editorials are the opinion of the editorial staff of The Tempest. The editorial staff includes the news editor, A & E editor, opinion editor, sports editor and the editor-in-chief. There is a disease that is currently spreading throughout the campus of Solano Community College, a cancer that is in danger of completely destroying the college from the inside out. That malignant tumor goes by the name of Apathy. Apathy, for whatever reason, is running rampant. From students on up to the faculty, it is as if all parties do not care about the future of Solano. Right now, the administration is kicking around Brewster Rockit
Important Dates Wed, March 16 Planned Parenthood Express Clinic Health Center 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Sat, March 19 Vegetable Gardening Workshop Horticulture Building 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sun, March 20 Deadline for $1,000 East Bay Association for Women in Science scholarships
Wed, March 23 Optional FLEX-CAL Day for SCC Staff/Faculty NO CLASSES
Planned Parenthood Express Clinic Health Center 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
Student Health Center open at Vallejo Center 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, March 24 “When We Were Colored, A Mother’s Story” 11:00AM-12:15PM The Board Room
Registering for Vegetable gardening Workshop Registration cost is $40 Students can register at: www.solano.edu/vistas For more information call: (707)864-7115
Sat, March 26 Vegetable Gardening Workshop Horticulture Building 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Thu, March 31 Optional FLEX-CAL Day for SCC Staff/Faculty NO CLASSES
Planned Parenthood Express Clinic Health Center 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Theatre
March 17-19 SCC presents Eurydice Solano Theatre 7:30 p.m.
Sun, March 20 SCC presents Eurydice Solano Theatre 2 p.m.
Thu, March 24 SCC Theatre’s Actor Training Program pres- ents The Three Sisters Harbor Theatre Suisun City 7:30 p.m.
Fri, March 25 SCC Theatre’s Acto Training Program pres- ents The Three Sisters Harbor Theatre Suisun City 7:30 p.m.
Seeking letters to the editor If you have something to say, a reaction to a story or an opinion on a topic, e-mail us your view at: tempest@solano.edu Or use the form on the Opinion section of our web site: solanotempest.net/opinion
EDITORIAL ideas that include cutting 200 classes. 200 classes, do you have any idea how many people will not be able to take the classes they need to transfer to a four-year university? 1,000 students. Let me say that one more time so that maybe it will sink in. 1,000 students. If you want to play Russian roulette with your future and gamble that it will not be you that won’t be able to get your classes then go ahead and sit there and do nothing. For everybody else, we need to start standing up for our future. We need to let the faculty and administrations know
that we aren’t going to sit here and let them throw away our future because our parent’s generation lied to us. Last fall, England raised tuition and the students let their voices be heard. They took to the streets 50,000 strong and in some cases, took their anger out on some buildings. It may not be the most responsible way to demonstrate your anger but at least they did something. Right now on the campus of Solano, nobody is doing anything. Maybe it will always be that way, but for the majority of us that are here to better ourselves we need to take this opportunity to stand up for our future.
OPINION 3
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 16 - MARCH 30, 2011
What lies beneath Administration doesn’t have students’ When I first decided to write this article, I was armed with what I felt was general public knowledge about the school’s budget crisis: 200 classes may be cut, enrollment fees increasing, etc. I was shocked by what I found. According to the Salary Schedule, which can be found on Solano’s website, two new salary ranges have been created. According to Lillian Nelson, treasurer of the Associated Students of Solano College, these ranges were created for two administrative positions. During the 09-10 school year, the highest annual salary obtainable was $135,473, but in the 10-11 school year, the Executive Vice President felt that being an “Executive” entitled him to an entire new salary of $145,473. The former Vice President of Finance and Administration, Carey Roth, resigned and was replaced by Yulian Ligioso. According to the Vacaville Reporter, Roth is currently suing the college for budget fraud. Ironically enough, according to Nelson, Ligioso, whose job is to regulate the budget, wanted a pay raise for his position. What then has happened to the previous administrative
By Khrystan Policarpio Staff Writer
salary ranges? ($102,740.40$135,473.37) It seems that no administrator is being paid at that level. According to the Vacaville Reporter, SCC Superintendent/President Jowel Laguerre receives an annual salary of $225,000 with a compensation package in things such as health, housing, travel and entertainment totaling $290,085. During a Superintendent/ President Cabinet meeting on March 3, the President of the ASSC, Mary “Lexi” Parmer, proposed a 15% cut in salary for administrators across the board. According to Nelson, Parmer was subsequently met with, “Do the students feel this way” by the cabinet. I have to say, yes, I feel this way.
On top of this, we as a college aren’t even receiving what we are entitled to. SCC is entitled to a certain amount of money from the State (our “apportionment”) and we only receive part of our apportionment, the state keeps the rest. While, because we aren’t receiving what we’re due, tuition and fees go up (as per the states’ regulations) taking more money from the students. Then, as the state receives that money, they in turn give us a little more of our apportionment, but never the entire allotment. So, who suffers while the administrators live in luxury? The students. We are required to pay these increasing fees, we are the ones who lose required classes, and we are the ones that suffer, while administrators, at their leisure, create entirely new pay scales for their benefit. Instead of sitting around and letting the administrators have their way with our college’s money, I believe we should take a stand. Administrator’s salaries are public information. Instead of allowing them to make decisions for us, we should stand for what we’re entitled to.
Vallejo’s bad rep unfounded Vallejo’s notorious reputation has grown to scandalize the rest of the U.S. In 2008, Vallejo became the first city in California to declare bankruptcy. A few weeks ago, Forbes named it 9th on the list of the most miserable cities; soon after Newsweek declared it 2nd on the list of dying cities in the U.S. Now according to SFgate, Vallejo is the number one home for prostitutes and marijuana cookies. And you know what? They’re probably right. I’ve lived in Vallejo for 21 years. I’m not going to wear rosetinted glasses and say we don’t have crime, house foreclosures, homeless people, or money problems because we definitely do. I’ve never run into a prostitute in Vallejo or chomped down on a marijuana cookie, but I’m sure we have those too. It sounds terrible, but realistically Vallejo’s rise in crime and unemployment reflects the same thing happening all across the country. Last year, 43 out of the 50 states reported a rise in unemployment and subsequently a rise in crime. So, despite how much the other cities in the bay want to snub their noses at us, we’re really all going through the same hardships. Now this is where I’m supposed to say that despite all Vallejo’s shortcomings, it’s the people of the city that
By Gretchen Smail Staff Writer
make it great. Oh, please. Going to a chain store like Costco or Target on a busy day is like navigating a mine field of frazzled soccer moms and inconsiderate teens. And there are definitely streets where eye contact with the people walking by would probably not be the smartest thing to do. I’m kidding—sort of. It’s true we’re bankrupt and we are home to some snarky people. But we also have people like John Kelly and Lani Akauola, who started the Vallejo Barbarians rugby team in 2007 to give the males of Vallejo a way to exert their energy on their field rather than in the streets. We have Aaron Sencil and his sisters Monica and Angela, who lead the group Hui Tama Nui, a Polynesian Dance Production Company 8SEE VALLEJO, PAGE 6
CAMPUS CONVERSATION
“Is Charlie Sheen bipolar or bi-winning?”
“He’s full of winning.”
“He’s both bipolar and biwinning. His winning is drivin into his skull by a pole.”
-Craig Berger, Physics
-Marc Empera, 18, Criminal Justics
“By the book, he’s bipolar.”
-Lerenzo Valenzuela, 18, Criminal Justice
Angeline Aroha Todd news editor
Sharman Bruni a&e editor
Kailyn Chadwick Sarah Dowling Deborah Graham Cutter Hicks Kirk Jackson Rebecca Naranjo Khrystan Policarpio Gretchen Smail Tessa Terrill Katrina Tuttle staff writers
Matthew Johnson opinion editor
Vonique Stricklen sports editor
Samanda Dorger adviser
The Voice of Solano College nVol. 27, No. 8 Anthony Peters
editor-in-chief
“Winning, because he is a badass”
-Michael Lewis, 19, English
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 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 admin-
istration, 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. Memberships: Journalism Association of Community Colleges California Newspaper Publishers Association
4 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE TEMPEST n MARCH 16 - MARCH 30, 2011
Love, fate, and strange men
By Deborah Graham Staff Writer
Do we have control over our destiny? Are there unseen forces manipulating us? Do you believe in free will? Matt Damon and Emily Blunt attempt to answer these questions in The Adjustment Bureau. They are the stars in this thriller about a politician (Matt Damon) who has a glimpse of what destiny has in store for him; and he doesn’t want any part of it. Director George Nolfi puts a spin on this movie adaption by author Philip K. Dick (Adjustment Team), into a sci-fi twist on love. The match-up between David (Damon) and Elise (Blunt) is indeed a wild ride on the rollercoaster of love. In the opening scene, Senate candidate David Norris, (Damon) who due to recklessness in his past, is practicing his concession speech in the restroom when a beautiful woman emerges from one of the stalls. They start chatting and before she leaves, she turns around and places a passionate kiss on his lips. David is quite taken. They have another encounter on a city bus and he learns her name is Elise. He gets her number and is determined to court her. This is where the story differs from your ordinary boy meets girl, boy gets girl concept. Director George Nolfi takes us on a wild ride of mysterious men in black suits and fedoras and romance. These are people who have this omnipotence over people’s lives. Their main agenda is to make sure people stay on the correct path of their destiny, and never deviate from it. Damon encounters Mr. Richardson (John Slattery) who is one of the case managers, in the process of
“adjusting” his friend. He reveals to Damon that they are here to make sure things go according to plan. Sadly, the relationship he wants to have with Elise is not a part of their plan. Elise is a dancer, whose connection with David is viewed as detrimental to her future. It is after this initial meeting the movie loses its footing and the plot gets convoluted. The movie spends time trying to figure out if it should be an action film or a romance film. They guy sitting next to me sighing every five minutes conveyed it best: cut back on the dialog and increase the action. I was wondering if I should run for a quick potty break, or take a quick nap and then suddenly as if the director knows you’re thinking, you are drawn back into viewing the screen with a chase scene in Mid-town Manhattan. We are led to believe that their love story chemistry is so strong that no element of evil will keep them apart, but Damon’s character is so wishy-washy it is hard to do so. On the other hand, this is a movie where guys can take their date to and satisfy her romantic side, but it also has enough suspense, an action that guys will like it as well. A downside I saw in this movie was the inference of the adjustment case managers being possibly angelic creatures and their “chairman” or head of their bureau as a supreme deity. The Adjustment Bureau wants us to believe that each of us will reach our destiny. It does have that Universal Pictures subtle message that even though we feel that free David (Damon) and Elise (Blunt) attempt to defy will exists, it doesn’t, and if it did we really wouldn’t fate to save their love in “The Adjustment Bureau.” want it. I give this movie 3 ½ out of 4 stars.
Panama Red is a local haven for artists of all kinds in the Vallejo community By Sarah Dowling Staff Writer
When you venture into Panama Red Coffee Company in downtown Vallejo you will notice the common attributes of any coffee shop: espresso machines, plentiful tables and chairs, the occasional whir of a blender piercing your ears.
The menu consists of many coffees and teas of different flavors. There are hot drinks such as espressos, hot chocolate to warm you up, and cold drinks such as smoothies and blended iced coffee delights to cool you down. If a customer is hungry, Panama Red has a display case next to the register brimming with coffee cakes, pound cakes, cinnamon rolls, cookies, crois-
Kailyn Chadwick/Tempest
As well as serving up food and drink, a great deal of art can be found around the perimeter of Panama Red.
sants and bagels. For breakfast, they have an egg and cheese croissant or bagel warmed with care. For lunch there are a variety of Panini sandwiches to choose from and potato chips and soft drinks can be included in a combo meal. The element that separates Panama Red from a typical coffee shop lies upon the walls and windows of the establishment and gives it a unique, inviting atmosphere. The element is art, which is the essential ingredient that makes this coffee shop stand out among numerous others. “We don’t want to just be a business in Vallejo, we want to be a part of the community,” said Panama Red Manager, Jay Seaver. Seaver spoke of how he started forming strong relationships with artists in the community, and began to transform Panama Red by letting these artists display and sell their work in his shop. One such artist is Bill Bloom, a sculptor who has been a part of the Vallejo artistic community for several years. Bloom’s ceramic sculptures are displayed throughout the shop upon bright-red pillars and cream-colored walls. “I get out there and meet people and make connections and make some sales,” said Bloom. Bloom also sets up tables on the lawn in front of Panama Red each week to display and sell his art in person. “It’s a natural thing to interface the community when you’re right there where people are. And it’s by the grace of Jay and Panama Red I’m able to be out there on their lawn and what a great place to be, I’m grateful,” Bloom said. As well as displaying his work, Bloom holds classes at his studio in Vallejo at 906 Marin Street. The classes take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00pm for $20 per class. Bloom can be reached at (707) 656-5553.
The second and fourth Thursday of each month, Panama Red hosts an open mic night from 7 p.m to 10 p.m. Seaver described the “eclectic” group of poets and musicians as very supportive of each other’s works and has yet to hear a “boo” at open mic night. I invited two of my Solano Community College classmates to Panama Red with me last week. Neither had ever been to the shop and I was interested in hearing what they thought and recorded their initial reactions: “I really like the atmosphere, the colors were really soothing, smelled incredibly good. Looking at the prices I thought they might be a little expensive, but after trying stuff its actually, they’re priced for their food, I mean the food is really good, smells really good, it’s a good atmosphere especially right off the ferry, you come in there’s a bunch of notices and newspapers. I really liked it,” Kristina Northcutt said. “Panama Red, it’s a good little coffee shop, it’s a good environment, you can just sit and chill, read, you know? The prices are high, but you really pay for the environment. It’s not so much paying for actual coffee, it’s really the environment and the environment’s good,” Dustin Chance said. The welcoming artistic atmosphere is what brings people back to Panama Red. Regular Art Johnston says that he likes the atmosphere and returns to Panama Red every day. Customers like Johnston are drawn to the aesthetic appeal and friendly service that go hand in hand with the restaurant. When I go into Panama Red, I see customers enjoying their food, their coffee, and each other. I see employees interacting with customers with warmth, respect, and joy. I feel welcome whether I am there for two minutes or two hours. Panama Red is my home away from home.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5
Budget cuts suck away at Solano’s theatre department By Tessa Terrill Staff Writer
The Actor’s Training Program has been at Solano Community College since 1988, but has now become another casualty of the SCC budget cuts. Chris Guptill and the Dean of Fine and Applied Arts, Leslie Rota, have decided to change the program due to its lack of enrollment and apportionment revenue. “Given the double blow of losing apportionment for our Youth Theatre programs (due to a legal opinion from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office) and the statewide budget crisis, there was just no way to justify supporting ATP in its current configuration,” said Guptill. Guptill also says that the money that the school would save by cutting the program will be small compared to the deficit that SCC has to overcome. Even so, it will have the same impact as any other program or department that will be making cuts.
Carla Spindt and George Maguire are working to revise the ATP program. “The reputation statewide for Solano College’s Theater Department, was the Actor Training Program and the opportunities it brought to the serious student. All colleges have a theater department, which we will indeed still have, but the reason for SCT’s notice was ATP. Already, I have had calls from students deciding to go somewhere else due to the cut of this program. We will have to re-define what makes us ‘special’ and ‘unique’,” said Maguire. He also states that the part-time faculty in the program will lose their jobs because of this change. According to Guptill and Maguire, the new program will not be taught in its usual conservatory style, but will be open to more students in the future. “The hope is that the classes can be opened to a broader cross-section of the campus community, increasing enrollment while reducing the expense,” says Guptill Students who have graduated from
Local happenings Solano Community Symphony performs The Solano Community Symphony will be performing their concert series entitled “Great Composers of the World” in two locations this season. The Fairfield Center for Creative Arts on Saturday March 19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. and the second on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from the box office at either locations one hour before the performance. Tickets are$15 for students to $24 for seniors/military and $27 for regular admission. More information can be found at www.solanosymphony.org. Solano Literary Society New on campus, The Solano Literary Society is a place for students who possess an interest in literature and its many genres. Students with similar interests will meet, read, and discuss known literature, and write and critique written pieces of their own. The Solano Literary Society meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 801. __________________________________________________
“We just want to see people here at Solano take literature classes more seriously and take literature as a whole more seriously and we want to see a love fostered for different types of literature, an intense love, a burning love.” -Co-President Evan Kincade Katrina Tuttle/Tempest
____________________________________________ Vallejo Waterfront Art The first and third Saturday of the month Vallejo artists, musicians, and writers will display and sell their work in front of the Vallejo Ferry Terminal from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Vallejo Waterfront Artists is a 501c(3) non-profit and all donations are tax-deductable. Artists who are interested can become involved in displaying their work as well. For more information visit their website at www.vallejowaterfrontartists.org. Standup comedy at Dimitri’s Lounge BET and Comedy Central regular Shang Forbes kicks off the new Thursday standup showcase at Dimtri’s Lounge March 24 and 25. ENJPRESENTS.com, a Sacramento based production company, has made plans with Dimitri’s to make every Thursday a comedy night. Forbes will be the first of many acts to make an apperance at Dimitri’s. Other comedians that ENJPRESENTS. com plans to bring to the stage are: Alex Thomas, Rodney Perry, Faizon Love, Lunell, Donnell Rawlings, and Leslie Jones. Forbes performances will begin at 8 p.m on March 24 and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m on March 25. For more information on the upcoming acts contact Patrick Jaye with ENJPRESENTS.com at foshowoff@aol.com.
ATP have gone on to schools such as Juillard, Columbia, and New York University. Some have also ended up on Broadway. Zackary Scovel, a second year ATP student, says, “I think ATP is important to the school.” He points out that the conservatory style of the program allows students to build a family and netSolano College Theatre work to fall back Lack of enrollment and money has led to proposed cuts on after ATP. in the Actor’s Training Program. (Shown is the theatre’s Scovel also sees last production of Dracula) the other side of the issue, and According to Maguire, some of the says that the change will be good be- changes to ATP will “hopefully” be put cause it will get more people involved into action by spring 2012. in theatre.
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THE TEMPEST n MARCH 16 - MARCH 29 , 2011
Speech and Debate argues their point By Rebecca Naranjo Staff Writer
Speech and debate coach Neil Glines led the team to the state championships this year where they hope to once again make a return to nationals. “Speech and debate is a great opportunity to watch students take the skills they have and hone them competitively,” Speech and Debate Coach Neil Glines said. Since the speech and debate team recruits from Speech 1 classes, the team has had a variety of students on the team ranging from English and political science majors all the way to philosophy majors. The team doesn’t just focus on recruiting public speaking majors and will take anyone who is interested in improving their public speaking skills which
adds variety to the team. The team works very hard all year to prepare for tournaments. They meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to practice their individual speeches and hold practice debates. The students practice parliamentary debates, in which the speakers are presented a topic and have 15 minutes to prepare with a partner. The debate itself runs for 45 minutes. The team is currently headed to the California State Championship Speech Tournaments held by the California Community College Forensics Association at the Warner Center Marriot in Woodland Hills California from March 16-20. The host for this year is Moorpark Community College. Even though Solano roughly has brought home 60 awards, the
competition is still stiff. “This is definitely a group effort,” said Glines. “There’s activity across the board as all the students have won about the same amount of awards in the various tournaments. The competition is good and primed to do well, but the students have worked hard all year. We always place, so that bodes well for the state and national tournaments. We hope to repeat what we did last year. We won a gold medal in debate during state and won a silver medal in debate during nationals.” The speech and debate team will be hosting their semiannual Speech and Debate Night at the SCC main campus in the theater building on Tuesday, March 29. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the debates begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be
Tsunami has locals worried 7 JAPAN: FROM PAGE 1
sway, and objects to fall from shelves. Barry said that Tokyo had not suffered any structural damage, but that it took him over 10 hours to walk home from his commute, which usually takes an hour by train. None of the trains were running, and were out of commission for the rest of the day. “In short, all is well here. However, my next New Years’ resolution may be to move to
place that does not have earthquakes,” he said. Faculty at SCC also had Masakazu Kusakabe on their minds. The honorary faculty member who helped build the kiln at SCC had not been heard from at the time of the quake, and for sometime after. He lives in Fukashima, which was hit harder than Tokyo, according to Lancet. When Lancet finally got a response, he was relieved to find that Kusakabe had not been hurt in the disaster.
“We are feeling constant aftershocks but it looks like other places have been hit much worse, fingers crossed for the time being,” Kusakabe wrote in an e-mail. President Laguerre sent an e-mail to faculty members expressing his sympathy to those at SCC with friends and family in Japan. He asked faculty and staff to refer any Japanese students to the counseling center if they are seeking support. “We want to be there for one another in time of need,” he said.
Libby Simos
The Speech and Debate Team with many of their awards. $10 at the door. “It’s a good opportunity to check the team out,” said
Glines. “It helps the students to see what we actually do in competition.”
Program needs travelers 7 ABROAD: FROM PAGE 1
students anyway even though it is not a course” Since Zak began his travel course in 2004, he has taken photography students to Buenos Aires, Argentina and New York City. This summer the program will be heading to Paris, France, July 5-20. The cost of the trip is about $3,045 air/ room (shared twin) and $1,814 for room only. Zak is hoping one day to take students to Cuba to experience the culture and get some great photos. “Many students have their own funding, or support of family members to assist them. If they don’t have that, then there are no additional resources to offset the program,” Zak said. This is the third time SCC has offered the civil rights travel course. The course was designed to travel to places that were significant to the South and the civil rights movement. The course started in 2009, with trips happening every summer since. This year’s June trip includes a nine-day tour
across Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The cost is $1,595 (for double occupancy) and $1,845 for single room occupancy. “We had to step up our fund raising efforts this year because ASSC has denied us funding in the fall and not even taking applications in the spring,” McCord said. To offset the cost this year for students, a peace walk fundraiser is planned for Tuesday, April 5, from 1-2 p.m. on the SCC campus starting at the clock tower. Lala Myrick, who has gone on previous trips with the travel course, hopes that people will contribute as well. “Being a part of this experience and in the face of the movement has made history real and will affect me for the rest of my life.” Myrick said. McCord would like to see the program grow to include a civil rights tour in the North; to include places such as North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. and New York.
Vallejo residents can be proud of their home 7 VALLEJO: FROM PAGE 3
that travels around performing cultural dances for the public. Recently they were at the Bay Area Discovery Museum teaching children about Polynesia through dance and song. At the beginning of the show they proudly called Vallejo their hometown. We have David Ramandanoff, who conducts the Vallejo Symphony, a group of over 50 musicians who not only give seasonal performances, but also travel to Vallejo and Benicia middle schools to teach children about music and the arts. We have the teachers who help run Vallejo’s three wellknown colleges: Touro University, the California Mari-
time Academy, and of course the Vallejo branch of SCC. The Maritime Academy is only 1 out of 7 degree-granting maritime academies in the U.S. And of course there are the countless people who help run the local Christian Help Center and St. Vincent de Paul Society, the firemen, and the police force. All honest people who are trying to make Vallejo work despite all the bad things said about it. Vallejo may have financial woes and criminal activity, but the people are full of life and looking to make a positive change in a city that has all but been condemned by the news. From where I’m standing, we’re not dead yet.
SPORTS 7
THE TEMPEST n MAR. 16 - MARCH 29, 2011
Gloomy weather does not derail Solano By Kirk Jackson Staff Writer
“We expected to win from the start, that’s our expectation, every conference game,”
Overcast weather conditions did not derail the Falcons from achieving victory yesterday. The Solano Community College softball team began conference play with a bold statement taking the first two games against the Mendocino. Playing a Bay Valley Conference double header, the Falcons continued their league supremacy from last season by winning the first game in dominant fashion 7-1. “We expected to win from the start, that’s our expectation, every conference game,” said coach Terri Pearson-Bloom. The entire team played a role to victory by displaying effective pitching and strong hitting. Melissa Logan picked up her third victory pitching the entire game, allowing one earned run off of seven hits while striking out six players and walking one. Logan also contributed on the offensive side with two hits, one of which included a sac fly RBI in the first inning. Outfielder Nicole Punla scored two runs and infielders Jennifer Ringle and Katie Payne both drove in two RBIs. Not shaken by such dismal weather conditions freshman pitcher Hannah Wilbur started the game off strong, striking out seven batters and allowing only two hits. “Defensively we did look really good and our pitching was awesome,” said Bloom. “We still have another pitcher who didn’t throw at all that’s outstanding so we like double headers in conference because we have three great pitchers.” The Falcons made their push in the fifth inning, beginning with a bunt single from Kim Perreira to start their charge. After a stolen base from the quick feet of Perreira, outfielder Janeice Faulstich batted in a single and Perriera was in at
-Katrin Tuttle/Tempet
Solano Community College’s Nicole Punla gets ready to steal base, February 15, 2011.
-Terri Pearson-Bloom softball head coach third base. Even with a failed home base steal attempt from Perreira, outfielder Lena Gonsalves batted in a single that eventually ran in Faulstich. Punla came up big again driving in two runners from a single with the bases loaded. Three runs scored in the fifth inning held off the Eagles during their late rally in top of the seventh. Falcons won the second game of the double header 3-0. “That game was close at the end and that could have been a game that went the other way. Our pitcher was unbelievable and threw a two hitter in the second game but they have three kids who have hit homeruns and I was worried they would hit a long ball to win it if we didn’t get some runs in there.” Said Bloom. According to Bloom, these games are especially important. “Sets the tone for the rest of the season, Mendocino was the only team that beat us last year,” said Bloom. Even though the Falcons began conference play undefeated, it’s still early in the season and they look to make improvements. “I think offensively we didn’t execute a couple of sacrifice bunts in key situations so we got to work on that. We need to work on hitting, we hit well in the first game and we did not hit in the second game we barely scored those runs. We just made stuff happen we didn’t truly drive the ball. We got to work on that,” said Bloom. The Falcons next home game is March 15 against Napa Valley College.
BASEBALL
Falcon’s Defeat Los Medanos By Rebecca Naranjo Staff Writter
Solano Community College men’s baseball team continued their five game winning streak Saturday defeating Los Medanos 5-2. Mustang catcher Blaine Johnson scored the first run off of pitcher Mitch Wilhite double for an RBI. Falcons dominated in the bottom of the third
with shortstop Patrick Johnson’s triple; Johnson was ran in by second baseman Derron Ard’s single; Ard was ran in by utility Tony Uyeno’s single; Uyeno was ran in by catcher James Mossholder’s; and catcher Victor Romero was ran in by baseman Gene Nanney’s single. The Falcons next conference game is March 15 against Contra Costa College in San Pablo at 2:00 pm.
GAME CAPTURE Mar. 1 – March 14, 2011 Detailed information regarding games can be found at solanotempest.net/sports.
Softball Thu Mar 10 - Mendocino (DH) 7-1 W; 3-0 W Sat Mar 12 - Ohlone Tourney Redwoods 9-1 W Sun Mar 13 - Ohlone Tourney Monterey Penisula 5-2 W
Baseball Thu Mar 3 - College of Marin 6-3 W Sat Mar 5 @ Mendocino 8-2 W Tue Mar 8 - Laney College 12-5 W Thu Mar 11 @ Yuba 5-2 W Sat Mar 12 - Los Medanos 5-2 W Swimming Sat Mar 12 @ Marin Invitational Arthur Jackson placed 1st in 1 and 3 M dive; Women’s Swim team placed 3rd overall.
-Mealani Maldonado Falcon digs to pick up Mustang ground ball.
SPORTS CALENDAR Mar. 16 – March 24, 2011
1pm - Baseball @ College of Marin
Detailed information regarding games can be found at solanotempest.net/sports.
Tue Mar 22, 2011 1pm - Softball - College of Marin (DH) 2pm - Baseball - Mendocino
Thu Mar 17, 2011 1pm - Softball @ Contra Costa 2pm - Baseball - Napa Valley Sat Mar 19, 2011 8am - Swimming @ Modesto Diving Invitational
Thu Mar 24, 2011 2pm - Baseball @ Laney
8
SPORTS
THE TEMPEST MAR. 16 - MARCH 29, 2011
Athletics is vital to education Vonique Stricklen Sports Editor
Fans react during the Cal baseball game on March 12, 2011 at AT&T Park.
Cal’s Kyle Mueller applies pine tar to his bat in the ondeck circle.
Fans mug for the camera before the Cal game.
Katrina Tuttle/Tempest Photos
Cal’s pitcher Kevin Miller winds up for his next pitch against Rice University.
In an amazing 15-inning four-hour and thirty-six minute standoff, the University of California Berkeley men’s baseball team took out their struggle to maintain a “winning” baseball program on the field against Rice University. “We were down early, and to a very good team. Some teams could have just chalked that up to a loss but our guys wouldn’t let that happen,” said head coach of University of California Dave Esquer. “They scratched and clawed and even though we were trading punches there at the end, no one was able to knock anyone out. We just needed to come out on top.” Last month the UC Berkeley announced that rugby, women’s lacrosse, and women’s gymnastics, three of its five athletic programs on the chopping block, made the requirements to be reinstated but men’s baseball and men’s gymnastics did not. Jerry Brown’s new plan to balance the state’s budget could diminish revenue to respective schools. “If we’re looking at an allout cuts kind of situation... I believe that at the state-wide level there is going to be different discussions as to what our mission is and who we are as a system,” said Yulian Ligioso, Solano Community College’s Vice-President of Finance & Administration. “I would imagine at that point in time that everything is going to be on the table.” Cal’s athletic situation cannot be determined as an isolated incident for only Division I universities. Soon all forms of higher education will look to their programs and determine what is important to the education system and what is not. Currently, Solano Community College is undergoing a division re-organization and has already eliminated key administrative positions. “At the end of the day when the funding really diminishes, you are going to have to prioritize. Do I offer athletics, or do I offer math and English?” Ligioso said. “And those are going to be some very, very tough discussions.” So what’s important, athletics or an education? Armijo football and baseball head coach Mike Singer said: “Athletics is an education.” A 2008 study in The International Journal of Behavioral
Nutrition and Physical Activity shows a positive relationship between physical activity and intellectual performance, stating “Physical activity has positive influences on concentration, memory and classroom behavior.” “In baseball, how do you act when you strike out? How do you act when you get a base hit? How do you act when you get a home run? And I tell them ‘You got to be the same,’” Singer said. “You know they say athletics builds character. No, it doesn’t. Athletics shows your character.” It’s unfortunate to see such a proud and historically rich university like Cal lose their athletics programs. During Cal’s March 11-13 Baseball Classic, alumni from different eras and their families came to support the team during the program’s last games. Burton Fretz, former thirdbaseman for Cal in 1988, was proud to catch a foul ball in the bottom of the second hit by outfielder Austin Booker. “It’s kind of a ‘never say die’ attitude for our team and that’s how we feel about our program. We’re going to keep working and raising money and we think it’s a when not if. So we just got to keep working at it,” Esquer said. Not everyone gets a degree or even goes to college. There are so many other avenues for education than the traditional math and science. Math can’t teach you how to carry yourself, and just because you know language doesn’t mean you know how to speak to someone. Physical education and athletics can provide that controlled environment for young people to approach issues and work out problems. Physics and geometry can be applied on the mat or at bat; speech is applied when articulating to a reporter or your coach why something didn’t work and where the error occurred; and behavior can be seen and corrected by the right people if needed. It’s time to think outside the box about our education system. Let’s think about things that can stir people from apathy and get them involved in politics and not just know the terminology. We need to think about what’s going to make the next generation intelligent and also what will also make them inspired. For information on Cal athletics visit: calbears.com or savecalbaseball.com.
SASO kids brings Olympics to Solano swimming pool Cutter Hicks Staff Writer
Solano Aquatic Sea Otters held possibly their last Junior Olympics as Solano Community College March 4-6. Children ages 8 to 16 compete for the best times in up to seven events at the Sierra Nevada Short Course Junior Olympics. Those events included the breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly stroke, all with varying distances. The athlete with the best time would got on to the finales at the end of each day.
Swimmers with eligible times were able to qualify for Far Westerns and Sectionals. Participating in the event were 25-30 teams consisting of 600 registered athletes. Parents volunteered their time to help out while venders opened their canopies for photography, swimsuits and snacks, said Camille Anderson. For more information about the Sierra Nevada Short Course Junior Olympics visit www.swimsaso.org and www. sn-swimming.org.
- Katrina Tuttle
Anna Christiansten swims in her lane at a swimming event at Solano Community College.