The Advocate - Sept. 23, 2009

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

CMYK

Squads rebuild

campus beat ◆ page 6 Tribute: Celebration honors La Raza studies

Volleyball, football seasons previewed

scene ◆ page 8 Cut short: Event ends early due to low turnout

sports ◆ pages 4-5

VOL. 93, NO. 3

SINCE 1950 8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

New eatery opens soon

A MOMENT OF SILENCE

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As the college continues to institute safety measures like the sirens of the newly installed campus alert system, fewer and fewer law enforcement officials are available to heed the call.

In the wake of a $283,000 cut to the districtwide allotment for Police Services, each of the three campuses has had to scale back in nearly every department, Sgt. Jose Oliveira said.

Perhaps the most detrimental repercussion of the recent cutbacks is the dwindling number of police aides, an area of budget that has been slashed at Contra Costa College by almost 47 percent since 2007, Oliveira said.

In two years, the amount of police aides has shrunk from 15 to eight.

Some students say that with fewer authorities providing a presence, CCC may not be as prepared in the case of an emergency.

“That’s not good,” music major William Moore said. “You never know when something bad is going to happen.”

Police aide Jessica Miller agreed, noting that fewer police aides could lead to more

By Adam Oliver STAFF WRITER

■ SEE SUBWAY: Page 3

Police budget shrinks Economic cuts reduce surveillance guards

Subway helps bring more food options After nearly 18 months of planning and a delayed shipment, Subway will soon open in the Student Dining Room of the Student Activities Building.

Subway was expecting to open sooner, but after seeing its fair share of troubles with the loss of two pieces of equipment in a shipment, the opening day is still to be determined, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

In addition, he said, Subway must also await certification from the county health department after construction is finished, he said.

“Things never go quite the way you expect (with construction),” King said.

Administration, however, remains excited.

“We’re just happy to have them,” President McKinley Williams said.

Demonstrating the business’ optimism, the Subway truck previously located behind the Library and Learning Resource Center was removed Sept. 12-13 with hopes that the finishing of the location in the Student Dining Room would soon follow.

In accordance with the contract, Subway will remain in the Student Dining Room until the demolition of the SA Building, projected to happen sometime between 2011-2014. Due to the inevitability of the demolition, Subway will be using portable workstations and will be receiving bread from the owner’s other franchises, one located in Hilltop and another soon to be opened near McDonald’s at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and El Portal, King said.

Although the facilities are comparably limited, the location in the Student Dining Room plans to include all

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

■ SEE POLICE: Page 3

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Paying respects — Student Mark David prays for the fallen during International Peace Day hosted by the ASU in the Recreation Room Monday. The event brought together students, faculty and community members to commemorate those killed due to violence.

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O M M U N I T Y

REMEMBERS F A L L E N

International peace day honors violence victims

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After three weeks of planning and preparation, the ASU celebrated the annual International Day of Peace Monday afternoon in the Recreation Room to commemorate those lost to violence on communal, national and global levels.

“We know violence has increased (in the community) and with that amount, peace is important,” ASU activity coordinator Johanna Garcia said.

Students, faculty and members of the community were invited to light a candle and sign a banner of peace to honor loved ones and those

O N E S

Sirens installed Campus Alert System warns in emergencies

By Isaac Thomas

victimized by the consequences of war and societal disorder.

“It’s not just oriented on war, (it is) oriented on violence,” said Tania Pulido, ASU senator for international students.

The event was a movement to acknowledge the number of innocent people torn down by violence, she said.

“We want to emphasize the people that (are not) heard on the news,” Pulido said.

Tables adorned with white candles and balloons were assembled throughout the room, inviting visitors to light a flame to pay tribute to a life taken away too soon.

“This gives people a chance to vent emotions (after losing a loved one) and show their respect,” business major Zakiya Bomani said.

Though the rows of chairs in the room remained

“Shelter, shut and listen” has become the new set of instructions in the event of an emergency situation, following the implementation of the college’s Campus Alert System.

Installed on the roof of the Student Services Center in May, the alarm system consists of outdoor sirens that are used to warn faculty, students, visitors and college authorities of any crisis or emergency situation that may have an effect on the

■ SEE PEACE: Page 3

■ SEE ALERT: Page 3

PHOTO EDITOR

Community cleans local waterfront West County natives to pick up bay’s trash

By Diana Reyes STAFF WRITER

West County volunteers gave back to their community Saturday at the 25th annual California Coastal Cleanup held in Shimada Friendship Park located at the southern end of the Marina Bay Parkway in Richmond.

Coordinated by the California Coastal Commission, the worldwide Coastal Cleanup has been taking place for more than 25 years. Also, the event was co-sponsored by the Watershed Project, the city of Richmond, the Richmond Shoreline Citizen Response, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia.

Volunteers were asked to pick up trash, recycling goods and medical waste such as syringes. They were also advised not to come in contact with any dead animals such as birds, ■ SEE CLEANUP: Page 3

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

invites

Missing the mark In wake of budget cuts, campus security needs more than sirens in case of emergency.

page 2

Group effort — Bay Area volunteers work together to tidy up their environment Saturday at the California Coastal Cleanup in Shimada Friendship Park located at the southern end of the Marina Bay Parkway in Richmond.

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

Effort

edit orial

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2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Journalism can never be silent...It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.”

Henry Anatole Grunwald editor 1983 Holly Pablo editor-in-chief Sam Attal associate editor Asia Camagong associate editor Alec Surmani associate editor Cassandra Juniel spotlight editor Dariush Azmoudeh sports editor Lamar James news editor Brent Bainto scene editor Jack Anderson special projects editor Isaac Thomas photo editor Erik Verduzco assistant photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Natalie Estrada Anthony Farr Chad Garcia Malcolm Lastra Maria Martinez Jon Pinlac Kristina Plaza Diana Reyes Alexandra Waite Staff photographers Crystal Joy Bis George Morin Adam Oliver Desmond Sylva Brian Young Roman Young Staff illustrators James Heck Cody McFarland Joel Ode Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS E-mail: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters@ accentadvocate.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 VOL. 93, NO. 3 ●

Editorials Strategy necessary

Cutbacks to police aides demands retraining

T

he installation of the new district Campus Alert System has taken a step forward to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff in the event of a major emergency.

Though the equipment has been upgraded, the same cannot be said for the services expected to match it.

While the college seems to be moving in a positive direction, it appears to only partly address the larger goal.

Adding more factors into campus security, such as the alarm system, is a matter that fails to foresee where the core of improvements must take place.

Only by devising a plan that discusses current issues, instead of just future, will Police Services be able to efficiently target an effective solution.

The alert system addresses issues such as fire, chemical spills and other life-threatening hazards, but fails to provide security against incidents such as theft and vandalism.

This semester, three attempted robberies, one of which was successful, occurred near the Bus Transfer Center and neighboring areas on Sept. 1.

To compound this problem, Police Services has had to cut down the number of police aides by almost half in two years due to budget constraints.

Thus, even with an alarm system consisting of four outdoor sirens placed on the roof of the Student Services Center, there is no guarantee for a swift response should an emergency occur, leaving those on campus without direction or guidance.

Unless quality makes up for the lack of quantity, problems are sure to arise.

Equal planning and thought should have been put into developing the police forces as the alert system.

When there is no more money to demand and more crime to prevent, a precise plan needs to come into action for combating these issues.

In order to serve their college in the best way possible, police aides should cooperate with the group they intend to protect: those on campus.

By communicating with the students, Police Services will be able to address the weaknesses and vulnerabilities felt by students and faculty.

Working together and exchanging ideas will take a giant leap in providing quality assistance rather than blindly focusing attention on areas Police Services only believes to be vital.

Police aides must also be given the opportunity to make up for the vacant positions and undergo more training — learn more, provide more.

Combining the campus voice with an increase in training will enable Police Services to develop more strategies that will best help in dealing with emergency situations.

The solution is not to install more, but to instill more.

JAMES HECK/ THE ADVOCATE

■ Interactions

Friends disappointing one another inevitable

‘E

veryone is more disappointing the more you know someone.”

That’s a quote that has become all too familiar to me.

The line is from the film “Synecdoche, New York.” In the movie, the protagonist struggles with his predominantly crippling neurosis (among other developing physical ailments), fueled by his sense of loneliness and alienation.

His depression starts when he and his wife decide to spend some time apart from each other.

He asks if he has disappointed her somehow, and she hesitantly responds with that line.

Our tendency to find what disappoints us about each other during the time we spend together is inevitable.

Sometimes it does not need to transcend a friendship to know that even in a given amount of time, our imperfections are drawn out almost naturally.

For typical families, disappointment is worked past with much more moral support and understanding. The issues vary from the closeness of family members, and the issues can be quite “typical.”

There is a different difficulty faced as friends become better acquainted; over time each person starts to realize what is wrong with the other.

Ultimately, there will always be something found in the other’s actions and mannerisms that is repulsive.

What is found to repulse

contempt toward personalities.

The turmoil becomes more evident as each person grows more intolerant toward the other.

The attempt to work against one’s own self for could range anywhere from improvement proves to be a the ambiguity of emotions struggle. in statements to the slightest How can the things that look of discomfort and failonce seemed fascinating ure at covering it up. about a person and served as People will purge their foundational toward the reladislikes in miniscule doses tionship become detrimento avoid arguments while tal, and do others see just a secretly asking if there could façade? possibly be something wrong The overbearing sense of with themselves. Interactions disappointment is a burden. are then suddenly impersonMore or less, we start to al, sometimes to the extent of realize that blaming each becoming other only goes so far before deliberately it ultimately becomes an We may excuse for what we confide scarce. in ourselves.

What never fully While changing can be follows is ideal and desired, it does the relanot stop the intrinsic pull of work past tionship inadequacies. reverting Though we may change back to an our flaws, what we hate about ouralmost preselves, or the way we friendship and if we respond or act to others, a insecurity slip-up is expected. immediWe may never fully work ately after do, there past our flaws, and if we do, each party there is no predicting how questions is no long it will last. his or her To stop all contact is drasown merit. predicting tic, even exacerbating.

“What The only way situations could I can get less unnerving is have possi- how long it by distancing, detaching bly done to will last. and respectfully disregardmake this ing things, if only for a few person feel the way he or she does about moments, before there isn’t much to come back to. me?”

Rationality is obscured Brent Bainto is scene and over-speculation is truth. editor of The Advocate.

How something was said or Contact him at bbainto. how poorly a reaction was advocate@gmail.com. taken add to an increasing

brentbainto

CampusComment

How do you think having fewer police aides on campus affect security?

“I think there would be more violence on campus, and it would be out of control.”

“Fewer police aides, I think, (is) going to make a lot of students feel less secure on campus.”

“I definitely say fewer police aides on campus would leave us especially vulnerable to car theft or vandalism.”

Gloria Cisneros nursing

Jermaine Holmes business administration

BRENT BAINTO AND DIANA REYES / THE ADVOCATE

Frank Whitson linguistics

“I think the lack of police (aides) on campus would make students feel less safe, especially for the students who are here during the nighttime classes.”

Maya Rodriguez

early childhood development

“If anything was to happen, (whom) can we look toward, because there’s no one around.”

“It’s just going to get worse as far as security is concerned.”

Elvin Tablan

Sarbjit Pandher-Singh MCHS

nursing

CAMPUS BEAT

accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Twitter

Receive breaking news and updates by following The Advocate’s Twitter account, AccentAdvocate.

Newsline ■ ARTS

Potter shares art traditions Pilo Mora, a Mata Ortiz potter, will be giving a speech about the ancient Mexican pottery traditions Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Art Building.

Admission is free.

■ SPORTS

Wright rehabilitating Injured Comet shows hope, moves shoulder

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Defensive back Wali Wright is now able to move his shoulder after more than two weeks of paralysis of his limbs from the neck down, resulting from injuries incurred at a home football game Sept. 5.

His mother, Piola Wright, said doctors informed her on Sunday that her son is regain-

ing movement in his shoulder.

“These little improvements are great,” she said. “They didn’t expect him to be doing as well as he is.”

Wright suffered two fractures in his neck and a swollen spinal cord after colliding helmet-to-helmet with a running back from Los Medanos College during the first play of the season opener.

He is in stable condition at the intensive care unit at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and has since undergone two major surgeries.

Two pins were inserted into Wright’s neck on Sept. 7 to secure the fractures and a tra-

The men’s soccer team invites all to a fundraiser home game against Chabot Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

Tickets will be $5, and all proceeds will go to Rich Zuniga, a former member of the 2006 team who was paralyzed in a car accident.

Food will also be sold.

■ HISTORY

Book shares district story The district is holding a book-signing event to celebrate its 60th anniversary living history book on Oct. 5 from 1-3 p.m in the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond.

The book costs $30.

To RSVP for the event, register online at www.4cd. edu or call 925-229-1000, ext. 1358.

CrimeWatch Tuesday, Sept. 15 Unknown suspect(s) vandalized college property.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 Suspect was arrested for being drunk in public.

Suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Battery report.

Thursday, Sept. 17 Unknown suspect(s) vandalized the men’s rest room in the Biological Sciences Building.

Friday, Sept. 18 Student was issued a misconduct referral to the dean.

Forgery report.

Officer responded to a traffic accident.

—Jon Pinlac

Correction In the article “Former president’s assitant dies” on page 5 of the Sept. 16 issue, there are two corrections.

It incorrectly stated that the Hospice of the East was ready to release Sophia Brown, but she refused any further treatment.

It should have read, “John Muir Health was ready to release Brown, but she wanted to stay at Hospice of the East Bay in Alamo.”

Also, the quote stating Brown was a hard worker should have been attributed to her son, Patrick Brown.

In the article “Football player injured, survives” on the front page of the Sept. 16 issue, the information regarding donations is incorrect.

Donations are payable to: Piola Wright Medical Fund c/o: CCC Foundation P.O. Box 6305 Richmond, CA 94806 The Advocate regrets these errors.

cheotomy was performed on Sept. 10 to assist him in his breathing and speaking.

Football coach Dave Johnson, trainer Brian Powelson and other athletic department heads visited Wright on Friday.

“He was smiling. He was trying to talk but couldn’t get words out yet,” Johnson said.

“It’s going to be a slow process, but he’s looking a whole lot better.”

Wright’s primary method of communication is currently through mouthing words and nodding or shaking his head in response to questions.

Piola said her son is alert

and visitors, including her, have been learning to read lips. “(Doctors) didn’t expect him to be as coherent and responsive as he is,” she said.

“But he’s doing it.”

Sister Shawntae Semien, said her brother is no longer sedated, and the swelling in his spinal cord is slowly reducing.

“I’m still praying,” Semien said.

Piola said it is necessary to see which limbs will be viable before he is moved to a different facility to begin physical therapy.

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo.advocate@gmail.com.

3

Wright

The 25-yearold freshman player is being treated for his injuries at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. He is fully conscious and has regained movement of his shoulder as of Sunday.

Police | Number of aides drops by almost half ■ FROM: Page 1

Fundraiser to help player

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

unlawful acts.

Additionally, Miller said that the role of police aides not only increases safety for students, but also provides a stable job for others in a struggling economy.

“It’s a job for us, and it’s how we’re (sustaining) in the community too,” she said.

Although the college has yet to actually fire any police aides, as it simply did not replace the many that transferred last spring, the student workers’ maximum hours have been lowered from 30 to 20, Oliveira said.

Despite this reduction, and in spite of the recent attempted and successful robberies in the

last few weeks, Chief Charles Gibson said Police Services will continue to ensure the same level of safety it always has.

“We will continue to provide the high level of protection we have with the people we have,” Gibson said. “When you have less people you have less people in less places. (However), the people we have will continue to do an outstanding job.

He said the college will still provide services such as escorts to any and all students that request them. Those in need, however, may have to wait if the current staff is busy.

“Any time somebody calls, we want to provide service to the community,” Gibson said. “If we

don’t have the number of personnel, they’re going to have to wait a little longer.”

Even though CCC must make a number of adjustments due to the cutbacks, Oliveira said it could have been worse. Diablo Valley College, for instance, had its police aide allotment chopped by half in just one year.

Also, Gibson said the reductions as a whole could have been much worse without the help of the district’s reserve, or “rainy day” funding that is set aside each year to combat budget cuts.

“Now the rainy day is here,” Gibson said.

Contact Alec Surmani advocate@gmail.com.

at

asurmani.

Alert | ‘Shelter, shut, and listen’ Subway ■ FROM: Page 1

campus.

The system has been successfully installed at Contra Costa College, Los Medanos College, Diablo Valley College and DVC’s San Ramon Center.

District Emergency Services Coordinator Teddy Terstegge said, “In our area, there is a variety of emergencies that could happen.

Anything from chemical releases at a nearby refinery to shooting incidents.”

For shelter, people should go to a safe indoor location; for shut, people should close and lock all doors and windows; for listen, people should obtain more information from KCBS AM 740 and FM 106.9, or KTVU-2.

Terstegge said the district needed a quick way to notify as many people as possible on the campus and the surrounding communities that there is an immediately lifethreatening incident going on and that they should take appropriate action.

He said the district paid for the project with money that it put aside for emergency purposes.

Police Services Sgt. Jose Oliveira said an audio siren that people can hear on campus can be very beneficial, because not everybody has access to e-mails and automated phone messages that relay urgent emergency information.

The alarm system will be tested on the first Wednesday of every

month at 11 a.m. and will last approximately 30 seconds.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said tests are definitely a good thing to have, because there are still a few places on campus where the alarm cannot be heard clearly.

“In the future, we may have to make some adjustments to the sirens or get a second set of them so that they can be heard everywhere on the campus,” King said.

Posters are being displayed throughout the campus that include reminders of what to do in the event of an emergency when the sirens are activated.

■ FROM: Page 1

Subway staples, with the exception of the newly popularized pizzas.

This decision may be subject to change, however, as the business may consider adding the pizzas if student demand is great enough and if the facilities permit, King said.

Another one of the many elements that will be up for testing before being officially decided upon is the hours of operation. To accommodate night students, Subway plans to remain open until at least 7 p.m., but may cut hours if business is deemed not to be worthwhile, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said.

On top of covering all costs of renovation, she said, Subway will be giving five percent of all profits to the college.

As another condition of the contract, Contact Isaac Thomas at itho- Subway will be the only food option entering mas.advocate@gmail.com. campus until the reconstruction of the SA Building, after which a new bidding process will take place.

Some students embraced this decision, feeling that Subway’s move to a permanent location will be consolation enough for the lack of food options on campus.

“I’m cool with (just) sandwiches,” nursgoodbye. the awareness toward putting a major Mia Ascencio said. ing “(This event) shows how much stop to violence.

Additionally, many other benefits are we cared,” he said.

“This is a positive step in the foreseen for Subway’s new location.

Many came into the room to right direction since our comPeople will be able to eat their food withremember the lives of those they munity has been scarred by acts out having to walk to find a seat, which will once knew. of violence,” theater major Mark help rid students of the temptation to litter, “(The violence) needs to David said. “I completely comstop,” automotive major Renee mend (the ASU) for doing this, Williams said.

Also, students will be sheltered from McDowell said. “Innocent people because we have to be looking weather conditions making it a more comare getting killed every day.” out for each other.” fortable, convenient and “better location McDowell, who lost her nephA lack of management canoverall,” Magalong said. ew in a shooting three months celed the initial plans to feature Yet, some students still want greater the ago in Richmond’s Crescent guest speakers and a slideshow, limited food options, feeling the move to be Park, said students need to be Pulido said, but there are hopes an unsatisfactory change. more aware of the violence in the the event will gather itself again “It offers little advantage to the current Bay Area. next year. food situation,” student Corey Glatfelter “(The event) was a good idea, said.

Contact Asia Camagong at (because) students can be aware acamagong.advocate@gmail. of what’s going on,” she said.

Contact Adam Oliver at aoliver.

Many visitors enjoyed being com. advocate@gmail.com. given the opportunity to embrace

Peace | Candles lit, tribute paid ■ FROM: Page 1

empty, the number of candles lit and messages on the banner proved how many were drawn to spend a moment to remember the dead.

Garcia said the banner, which was decorated with various messages, will remain hanging in the room for the rest of the month.

“When I heard about (the event), I said ‘I have to do this,’” culinary arts major Tito Cano said. “We’re dealing with a lot of hell, and (we’re in) our own little war where violence is not the way.”

Saluting a family member who fell victim to gang-related violence, Cano said the event provided an opportunity to say

Cleanup | Annual project thrives in 25th year ■ FROM: Page 1

fish or ducks, however, due to the fact that it is part of their own natural habitat.

Gioia said that by the end of the day, there were more than 1,000 pounds of trash and more than 400 pounds of recyclables collected.

Richmond partnered with the city of Albany for the cleanup, which was focused along the San Francisco Bay trail, Meeker Slough, the beach shoreline and marshlands, Point Isabelle, the Albany Bulb and the Pinole Creek.

“Creek cleanups are very important because the water goes into the bay and we want to start on the main source,” Gioia said. “The idea is to educate people about trash and litter and to come together and clean the shoreline.”

Gioia said people from all over West County, young and old, attend annually to volunteer.

“We’ve had toddlers to folks in their ’80s,” Gioia said. “There’s always something for everybody to do.”

Director of Risk Management Mary Tanics volunteered at the

Coastal Cleanup for the first time this year.

“I work for Matson Navigation, which is an ocean navigation company,” Tanics said. “We are very aware of our coastal situation.”

Tanics said the cleanup would be a good opportunity to teach her 5year-old daughter to respect marine wild life.

Lindsay Foreman, a Watershed Project intern, was appointed to organize the cleanup. Foreman said the Watershed Project is a local nonprofit organization in Richmond determined to spread education and inspire local communities to participate in other community events in order to create awareness about marine debris and other issues.

“We are picking up and bringing awareness that garbage doesn’t go into trash cans, but instead it’s going straight to the ocean,” Foreman said.

Supplies such as trash and recycle bags, gloves and data sheets were provided to the public by the Coastal Commission. Each volunteer was given cleanup supplies and assigned a data sheet in which to record infor-

“We are picking up and bringing awareness that garbage doesn’t go into trash cans, but instead it’s going straight to the ocean.”

Lindsay Foreman,

Watershed Project intern

numbers are also used for annual reports and producing information for town meetings and high schools.

“Ninety percent of our oceans are really polluted with marine debris and (we’re) killing our animals,” Gonzalez said. “This problem is not only affecting wildlife, but it is also affecting us.”

Despite the cold weather, the turnout amounted to 350 volunteers.

Among the volunteers was Contra Costa College’s ASU. “It is a good way to progress,” ASU Senator Pedro Araujo said. “It is a great part of the green movement.”

Additionally, 13 members of CCC’s Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society also participated in the cleanup.

“We try to offer different community service activities, and we try to get members involved in activities other than just getting good grades,” AGS President Ruth Lopez said. “So what better way to get involved than to helping the community?”

mation about the litter collected, where it was found and how it was cleaned up.

Watershed Project Community Program Manager Juliana Gonzalez distributed the supplies and also gave information on the purpose of the cleanup and data sheets. She said the recorded data was tallied and then used to classify the types and levels of trash in all different stations in order to determine what sort of action should be taken.

The information will then be presented to an official in order to receive the appropriate funding to Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes. solve the problem. The total data advocate@gmail.com.

4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009

SPORTS

Football Preview | 2009

Coach profile

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Johnson

David Johnson takes over as Comet head coach after a winless 2008 season. Johnson, who has been on the Comet coaching staff for 25 years, looks to get the Comets out of their losing slump of 16 games.

Squad hungers for first win in 23 months; coach Johnson aims to prove leadership

Coaches David Johnson Rodney Webster George Pye Ray Dryer Greg Pedemonte

football coach assistant football assistant football assistant football assistant football

coach coach coach coach

Roster

With a crop of new and talented players, the Comet football team looks to bounce back from last season’s embarrassing 0-10 record.

David Johnson takes over as head coach with a goal to win at least six games this season, saying that the team is hungry for victory after a winless season.

“They don’t want to go through that again and neither do I,” he said.

This year’s coaching staff appears to be more helpful for the players in preparation for the season. “(The coaches) are more helpful and understand what to get done. (They are) helpful to turn the team around, to be productive,” wide receiver Michael Hicks said. “We’re hungry to come out of this slump.”

Johnson was hired to take the head coaching position back in January after former coach John McDermott was fired in November right after the team’s final loss of the 0-10 season. Johnson has spent 25 years on Contra Costa College’s coaching staff, primarily as a defensive coach.

Last season under McDermott, the Comets were blown out in most of their games, getting shut out three times and only coming close to winning in their final game of the season, losing because of a couple missed field goals in the closing minutes.

The last time the football team won was Oct. 20, 2007 against College of Marin by the score of 35-26. Consequently, the Comets are currently on a 16-game losing streak, three from the final three games of the 2007 season, 10 from last year’s winless season and three from the first three games this year.

Already 0-3 this season, which includes losses to rivals Los Medanos College (456 loss at home) and Diablo Valley College (64-15 at DVC), CCC looks to snap its skid in the upcoming game against De Anza College at Cupertino on Saturday.

During the offseason, the Comets had a big turnout of student-athletes to try out for the team.

“We began with close to 100 players.

Now its down to 80, but only 70 will suit up to play,” Johnson said. “We’ve got more players than uniforms.”

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Sept. 5 vs. Los Medanos 45-6 L Sept. 12 at Diablo Valley 64-15 L Sept. 19 vs. Hartnell 34-16 L Saturday at De Anza 1 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs. Gavilan 1 p.m.

Oct. 10 vs. West Valley 1 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Redwoods 1 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Yuba 1 p.m.

Oct. 31. 1 vs. Shasta 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Solano 1 p.m.

Nov. 14 Bye

Last season by the numbers

at

Overall record 0-10 Conference record 0-6 Conference finish sixth Returning players Michael Davis Justin Naterman Damon Brown Amer Hawari Devin Johnson Tevita Feao Thomas Wilkerson

Key players

Freshman McDaniel gives the Comets speed and power to their running game.

Hicks brings speed and reliability to the receiving core as its only returning player.

Johnson

Tutass, a sophomore transfer from Diablo Valley College, looks to bring leadership to the Comets.

Hicks

defensive back freshman kicker freshman quarterback sophomore defensive back sophomore running back freshman running back freshman wide receiver freshman defensive back sophomore defensive back freshman wide receiver sophomore quarterback sophomore quarterback freshman defensive back freshman wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman tight end freshman defensive back freshman defensive back sophomore defensive back sophomore running back freshman running back freshman running back freshman defensive back freshman defensive back freshman running back freshman running back freshman defensive back freshman running back freshman kicker sophomore tight end freshman defensive end freshman running back freshman defensive end freshman linebacker freshman linebacker freshman defensive tackle freshman defensive end sophomore linebacker freshman linebacker freshman defensive lineman sophomore defensive end sophomore linebacker freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman feshman defensive end freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman freshman offensive lineman sophomore offensive lineman freshman defensive tackle sophomore defensive lineman sophomore offensive lineman sophomore wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman wide receiver freshman tight end freshman wide receiver freshman tight end freshman defensive tackle freshman defensive tackle freshman defensive tackle freshman

SPORTS EDITOR

Schedule

Johnson said he needs to try to identify the best players and to keep whoever does not make the roster to continue to train with the team to play next year.

Additionally, he said there is good competition between the players for roster spots.

As a result of statewide budget cuts, however, the football team did not have a scrimmage game this year and had to resort to playing intrasquad scrimmages in order to get prepared for the regular season.

Johnson said that the team’s offseason went well, and it got better in both conditioning and strength.

In addition to the large roster, the team is full of new young faces, with only a dozen or so returning players.

“There are not a lot of sophomores. We got a really young team,” defensive end Amer Hawari said. “The young players need to adjust to be playing at the junior college level.”

Even with the amount of talent on the team, one thing that is key is to work together.

“If we come together, our defense can stop anything, and our offense is like a lethal weapon,” defensive tackle Tevita Feao said. “We’ve got two great quarterbacks who can put the ball anywhere on the field and can scramble, running backs who can cut up and turn the field, wide receivers who can catch anything that gets near them and our line has a lot of size.”

Johnson said the players who will lead the offense are quarterback Don Miguel Tutass, running back Erick McDaniel and Hicks.

Tutass comes to the Comets after spending last season at DVC, while McDaniel returns for his second year with the Comets and baseball player Hicks trades his bat for a helmet and pads.

On the other side of the line, defensive end Amer Hawari and Feao, both of whom are returning for their second year, look to frustrate opponent’s offenses.

“We have good offensive and defensive line coaches. They’re pushing these guys through their drills and getting them mentally and physical ready,” Johnson said.

McDaniel

Sean Ramsey Victor Mendoza Don Miguel Tutass Yanni Iosua Erick McDaniel Tyrell Smallwood Myron Mooring Tori Johnson Omaka Johnson Michael Hicks Raymond Pinkston Ryain Walker Malcolm Aiavi Curits Guay Kenneth Green Steven Lockhart Johnathan Zrihon Niko Aumua Carlos Ortiz Cameron Fuller Michael David James Zeigler Keon Burden Sherard Allen Stephan Cox Wali Wright Dana Wood William Peoples Justin Moore Duane Hooper Jamaris Knighten Justin Naterman Octavious Jackson LeAndrew Manto Marcell Hunter Kent Owens Joshua Richardson Nicholas Allan Timothy Wallace Justin Plair Kenny Kekow Marcelo Medina Damon Brown Amer Hawari Raeshaad Wesley Edgar Vega Juan Hernandez Oscar Romero Dominic Brown Daniel Bird David Varner Khristian McCants Raushawn McCants Devin Johnson Douglas Stevenson Jamaal White Tevita Feao Thomas Wilkerson Donovan Walker Bryse Pittman Marlon Boddy Reggie Glover Mariano Skinner Marquis Wimple Marcus McClarty Donell Lewis David Moton

By Dariush Azmoudeh

Tutass

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 42 44 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 64 65 66 69 70 71 72 74 75 77 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 93 95 99

New faces seeking to clear losing slate

Johnson returns to the team to bring veteran presence to the offensive line.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

5

Volleyball Preview | 2009

Chemistry emerging in roster full of bright-eyed freshmen

Schedule

Sept. 18 Bye

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER

Sept. 23 at Los Medanos 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Napa Valley 6 p.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Mendocino 6 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Alameda 6 p.m.

Oct. 7 at Solano 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Yuba 6 p.m.

Oct. 14 vs. Laney 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Marin 6 p.m.

Oct. 21 Bye Oct. 23 vs. Los Medanos 6 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Napa Valley 6 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Mendocino 6 p.m.

Nov. 4 vs. Alameda 6 p.m.

Nov. 6 vs. Solano 6 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Yuba 6 p.m.

Nov. 12 at Laney 6 p.m.

Nov. 18 vs. Marin 6 p.m.

With much determination, team chemistry and a positive attitude, coach Azure’ D Nunley and her volleyball team prepare to hit the hardwood this fall and improve upon last year’s two-win season.

Nunley is eager to see how the season goes for her team consisting of many first year players and two returners, team captains Emily Hansen and Rose McGinleyBradley.

“We have a pretty good team,” Nunley said. “(The players) are all going to contribute in some ways.”

Multiple players and Nunley agree that this season’s team contains more talent and potential compared to last year.

“We have better all-around talent this year,” Hansen said. “Almost all the girls have played on a team before and have volleyball experience.”

Many team members said they are confident in the new roster and its potential.

“We have a lot of diverse talent, and we’re going to take that and use it effectively,” McGinley-Bradley said.

Nunley said the main issue the team will have to deal with this season is chemistry between players, which was lacking last season. As a result, she said, the team ended the season with a 2-16 overall record, going 2-12 in the Bay Valley Conference.

“We had a hard time jelling together last year,” Nunley said, “There was no team chemistry.”

The 2009 squad, however, shows improvement in this area.

“We have a lot more chemistry this year,” Nunley said. “This team is starting to jel better than last year’s team.”

The team is also hoping that its spring and summer conditioning pays off during the season, despite having some minor flaws during the process.

“The offseason was kind of difficult, (as our players) always have spring and summer classes,” Nunley said, “We get people who come out and drop off.”

Despite the awkward schedules and difficult conditioning, the team pulled together by the end of the offseason.

“The conditioning was very hard at first, but we all really felt stronger at the end,” Hansen said.

With spring and summer conditioning giving the returning players a chance to

“We’ll just have to see who emerges this season. They all want to be here, they want to play hard, and they know that they can bring something. I really think we can take some games and surprise some teams”

Entering her fourth year as Comets head coach, Azure’D Nunley looks to improve from last season’s 2-15 record. With two returning players and a roster full of new faces, Nunley is looking forward to this season’s talented roster and hopes to surprise teams this season.

Azure’D Nunley, volleyball coach

form team chemistry, it also gave firstyear players a chance to show their skills and form bonds with the team.

Freshmen Efaraima Danao, Courtney Kihara and Christine Ambegia said they are excited and looking forward to the upcoming season.

“I can’t wait to play with the team,” Danao said. “I feel that we’re going to have a good season.”

Other first-year players agreed.

“I have good hopes and confidence (for the upcoming season),” Kihara said.

The Comets are entering the fall season without veterans Allison Nava, Lisa Lee, Syble Maxie-Hooks and Christine Gillette.

Nunley said she is unsure which freshmen will break out this season, but she knows that all of them are bringing talent and excitement to the team.

“We’ll just have to see who emerges this season,” she said. “They all want to be here, they want to play hard, and they know that they can bring something.”

The Comets are confident that they will make an impact this season and also have a successful one.

“I really think we can take some games and surprise some teams,” Nunley said.

“We just have to fight hard every game.”

McGinley-Bradley said the team has the “will to win.”

“I feel that we can beat anyone,” she said.

Similarly, Hansen said everyone needs to give it her all each game.

“We want to win, but we want to play well as a team,” she said.

Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra. advocate@gmail.com.

Coach Azure’D Nunley

volleyball coach

Roster 2 3 4 5 8 10 11 14 15 22

Courtney Kihara setter Juliana Correa defender Emily Hansen outside hitter Rose McGinley-Bradley middle hitter LaShara Johnson middle hitter Christine Ambegia outside hitter Grecia Solis outside hitter Anna Carmagnolia outside hitter Allyce Escorcia middle hitter Efaraima Danao middle blocker

Sophomore captain Hansen brings leadership and experience to the Comets this year.

McGinley

Hansen

Kihara

Johnson

Kihara brings energy and positive vibes to her teammates on and off the court in her first season.

Rose McGinleyBradley comes off of a knee injury and hopes to provide a veteran presence.

freshman freshman sophomore sophomore freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman

Last season by the numbers Overall record 2-16 Conference record 2-12 Conference finish sixth Returning players Emily Hansen Rose McGinley-Bradley

Key games

Contra Costa College

Key players

Johnson gives the Comets a defensive presence as a freshman middle hitter this season.

Nunley

Sept. 9 at Hartnell 25-15, 25-10, 25-11 L

Coach profile

Team looks to overcome previous poor season with talent and positive attitude

VS.

Marin College

When: Home: Oct. 16, 6 p.m.

Away: Nov. 18, 6 p.m.

The Comets will be looking forward to playing the team newly added to the Bay Valley Conference, College of Marin, this season.

The Mariners are newcomers to the conference and the Comets will look to take the advantage of the unexperienced team in both meetings this season. The Comets, however, are largely inexperienced as well, returning just two sophomores.

6 THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009

Group analyzes violence in area Event emphasizes importance of safety

“I love my community. If enough people get involved it can be a great place. If I give up I am letting the bad guys win.”

By Alexandra Waite STAFF WRITER

Students and faculty discussed possible ways to stop violence in the West County community during the Fireside Chat held Thursday in the Fireside Room.

Hosted by the ASU, “Town Hall Meeting: Stop the Violence” drew in a large crowd, with several attendants having to sit and stand against the walls in order to listen to an array of speakers. The presenters included officers from the San Pablo Police Department and district Police Services, and a CCC mental health counselor.

Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Division Dean Terrence Elliott set the tone for the event with a sentiment on peace.

Elliott discussed the beauty of the community and the urgency for students to stay involved in activities to make a change.

He then boosted the morale of students by reminding them Richmond is the city of pride and purpose and asking students, “What is your purpose?”

“There is nothing wrong with Richmond,” Elliott said. “It is our home.”

The event showed students they are not alone in wanting to put an end to violence.

“I learned a lot of people felt the same,” student Elana Bolds said. “It’s good to hear both sides, the positive and the negative.”

The first half of the event included speeches about types of crime in the community.

According to the San Pablo Police Department, gangs in the community are one of the largest causes of violence. As a form of prevention, the department focuses on helping troubled children and leading them toward the right path.

“The problem with the youth is parents are constantly working,” Capt. Walt Schuld said. “The problems are right in front of them, but the parents don’t see.”

At the college, however, the main priority

SAFE ZONE

Elana Bolds, student

of Police Services is to make sure students feel safe. Recruitment Officer Tonya Lett spoke about the recent robberies occurring around the Bus Transfer Center and vandalism on campus.

She provided some tips to students on how to handle a robbery. First, she said, students must always be aware of their surroundings.

“Two of the (robberies) involved the victim being alone, on a cell phone and unaware,” Lett said.

She suggested if a student is on a cell phone, they should at least be observant.

Also, Lett said a student should never fight over any of their belongings. “(Those) are replaceable, your life isn’t.”

Lett encourages students to keep the Police Services number in their cell phones.

“Calling other police departments takes longer and time is important,” she said.

The CCC dispatch number is 510-2362820. The main dispatch number, including the San Pablo and Richmond police departments, is 510-233-1214.

The second half of the event was a discussion among the speakers and the audience in an attempt to find solutions to community violence.

Students were adamant about coming together and making a change.

“I love my community. If enough people get involved it can be a great place,” Bolds said. “If I give up, I’m letting the bad guys win.”

During the discussion, stories were told of police officers wrongfully incarcerating students off campus.

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Fed up — (Left to right) Lasonja Alexander, Elana Bolds, Kyle McCoy and Emily Fields discuss ways of putting an end to violence in the community at the “Town Hall Meeting: Stop the Violence” event held in the Fireside Room Thursday.

“When that happens, you need to go to the police station and file a complaint against that officer,” San Pablo Police Lt. Mark Foisie said. “Then they can perform an internal investigation.”

Students, faculty and police officers agreed that one solution to the violence is

to create a better relationship between the public and law enforcement. “(We have to meet) students and let them know (we are) friendly,” Lett said.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

New signs promote graffiti policy, rules Tagging plagues walls of men’s room; notices posted to deter future crimes

By Jon Pinlac STAFF WRITER

A rise in graffiti across the men’s rest rooms has led to the posting of new signs across the campus to discourage vandalism and increase awareness of the overlooked and costly problem.

“Graffiti on campus is outrageously bad,” said Darlene Poe, the custodial manager whose department is in charge of removing the graffiti strewn about various campus buildings.

Graffiti and vandalism is an ongoing problem at Contra Costa College and other colleges, but in the spring semester of 2009, the campus saw an upsurge, particularly in men’s rest rooms, Vice President

Carol Maga said.

“Last spring, there was a rash of graffiti, primarily in men’s bathrooms,” she said, “which prompted us to enforce it more.”

The women’s bathrooms have been largely unaffected from the wave of graffiti on campus, Maga said.

Nursing major Ben Hayunga said, “I think the graffiti in the men’s bathroom (in the Library) kind of dampens it, makes it look nastier.”

To discourage further acts of vandalism from occurring in the future, large, blue signs that cite the 811.2 section of the California Penal Code have been installed, informing people of the punishments that face criminals.

Those caught destroying college property could face a

maximum of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

“The new signs were put up to make people think twice about it,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

He said graffiti and vandalism cost a lot in damages, money, manpower and chemicals and paint.

One of the new signs posted is in the men’s bathroom in the Library and Learning Resource Center.

“We recently renovated the Library Building and put in new mirrors, and a few days later they were already scratched and marked,” King said. “We’ve replaced them, and then soon afterwards when we check back, they’re scratched and marked again. It just breaks my heart.”

He said vandalism takes away funds that could have been used for other purposes benefiting students.

Although there is no new policy, only new signs acting as deterrents, Maga said the recent increase in graffiti has created a stronger fervor to catch criminals and prosecute stricter punishments.

Police Services Sgt. Ryan Huddleston said, “Graffiti on campus is something we take very seriously. When graffiti on campus is reported we document it and take pictures.

“We work with other local agencies and check with other schools and campuses to get information and see if there any similarities in the crimes reported,” he said.

In addition to the section 811.2 signs, the college has a

strict, no tolerance policy on graffiti adopted in May and outlined in the College Procedures Handbook: “To maintain a pleasing and inviting atmosphere, the college has established a no tolerance policy for graffiti.

“Anyone caught placing graffiti or otherwise defacing or vandalizing college grounds, furniture, equipment or facilities will be subject to disciplinary action and/or prosecution to the full extent of the law.”

Students and others on campus can help curb graffiti, vandalism and other crimes by reporting it to the Police Services at 510-235-7800, ext.

4207.

Contact Jon Pinlac at jpinlac.advocate@gmail.com.

Event honors shift in La Raza leadership Florycanto celebrates Palacios, Mexico

“I was involved in keeping the department alive, but now I feel at peace. It gives me the greatest pleasure to pass the torch on.”

By Crystal Joy Bis STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Beginning as a tribute to Mexican Independence Day, Open Mic! Florycanto evolved into more than a celebration of a country’s freedom.

Thirty-year head of the La Raza studies department Alfred Zuniga passed the torch to new hire Augustin Palacios at the event held in the Recreation Room Sept. 16.

“I was involved with keeping the department alive, but now I feel at peace. I have a lot of things that are really precious to me, and this is one of them,” Zuniga said to Palacios. “It gives me the greatest pleasure to pass the torch on.”

As a token of respect, Zuniga presented Palacios with an authentic Huelga flag from 1969 to commemorate the ceremony.

Palacios, who is now the current department chairman of La Raza studies, also organized the event.

Florycanto means flower and song, and it is the Aztec metaphor for poetry. Florycantos have been going on since the 1960s as a part of the Chicano movement, but this is the first Florycanto event at Contra Costa College.

Everyone was welcome and encouraged to present a piece during Florycanto by simply reserving a slot for him or herself.

Most of the presentations were poetry.

Also, there was spoken word about the hardships that come with having colored

Alfred Zuniga, counselor

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Say it loud — La Raza studies department Chairman Augustin Palacios reads a poem during Open Mic! Florycanto held in the Recreation Room Sept. 16. The event honored Palacios’ recent appointment and Mexican Independence Day. skin, a few jokes that played off of Emiliano Zapata’s last name and even a video presentation about Texas workers on strike and their march to Austin.

Palacios said he wanted people from all cultures and backgrounds to perform.

“It’s not just for Latinos,” he said.

Student Ashley Alexander Shauer helped to fulfill that aspect. She performed a poem, titled “Memories of a Quinceañera,” which was about her first encounter with the Mexican culture and how it felt for her to be

looking in as an outsider.

Attending her first campus event, Alyssa Saechao said she enjoyed Florycanto and found it interesting.

“I didn’t think there would be this many participants,” Saechao said.

Counseling department Chairwoman Norma Valdez-Jimenez, who has been a full-time counselor at the college since 1998, said the new event is all thanks to Palacios.

Student Daisy Huizar said most people in the United States think Cinco de Mayo

is Mexican Independence Day. Whereas Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory against the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, Mexican Independence Day commemorates the day when Mexico declared independence from Spanish rule in 1810.

“I think it’s great that they’re celebrating it. This event is good to educate everyone,” Huizar said.

Palacios said that for future events like these, he wants to have a featured poet as well as some music and dance. He was unsure about being able to fill up two hours at first, but the event ended a few minutes past schedule.

“It was excellent, better than I expected and well attended. If this place is available Oct. 12, Indigenous People Day, we’ll have another one,” Palacios said.

Free food and drinks were available for performers, along with free chips and salsa for those who came to take part in the celebration that day.

Contact Crystal Joy Bis at cbis. advocate@gmail.com.

Miscues cost Comets again Rash of penalties prevents Comets from first win

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER

Several forced turnovers, insufficient offensive play, mental mistakes and personal fouls got the best of the Comets Saturday, resulting in a 34-16 loss to Hartnell College at Comet Stadium.

Contra Costa College (03 overall, 0-0 in the Bay Valley Conference) hung in the game through two quarters, with the Panthers, trailing just 14-3 at halftime, but several personal fouls and late fourth quarter miscues prevented the Comets from getting their first victory.

The Comets open up BVC play on Saturday against De Anza College in Cupertino at 1 p.m.

The game began well for the Comet defense as linebacker Yanni Iousa had two sacks and defensive tackle David Moton Jr. added another sack on Panther quarterback Yan Cyr on the opening drive.

Answering back on the following offensive drive, however, was Cyr with an 83-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tim Smith in the first quarter.

Hartnell (1-1 overall, 0-0 in the Coast Conference) scored quickly in the second quarter, moving the ball downfield and finding the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Ricky Rodwell.

CCC tried to answer, but offensive penalties forced them to settle for a 29-yard field goal by kicker

Justin Naterman.

On the Panthers’ next offensive drive, quarterback Bradley Smet threw an interception to Comet defensive back Dalaneo Revels to close out the half.

“We came out strong in the first half,” Iousa said.

Coach Dave Johnson also said that he was proud of his team’s play in the first half and that the defense stepped up.

In the third quarter, Hartnell struck the Comets with the combination of Cyr and Rodwell moving the ball down the field, resulting in a oneyard ScoreBoard touchdown Comets 16 run by Panthers 34 r unning Next game: back Saturday at De Kiero Anza, 1 p.m.

Small.

O n t h e next Comet possession, Tutass was intercepted by Panther defensive back Mark Ramos.

After a Comet personal foul penalty and defensive end Amer Hawari nabbing Cyr in the backfield for the team’s fourth overall sack, Hartnell responded with a 45yard touchdown run by Rodwell, giving him his second score of the game.

“The long touchdowns were caused by blown assignments on the defense,” Johnson said.

After the Hartnell kickoff, the weak play of the Comets’ offensive line forced Naterman to punt a high kick pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory.

On the Panthers’ first offensive play, running back Lorenzo

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

7

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Go long — Panther wide receiver Tim Smith and Comet defensive back Sean Ramsey both reach for the ball during a deep pass in the second quarter of Saturday’s game at Comet Stadium. Hartnell won the game 34-16.

Preston fumbled the ball, which was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by Comet linebacker Kenny Kekow.

“I (saw) the ball on the ground.

I didn’t hear a whistle and ran it in,” Kekow said.

Following the touchdown, the Comets committed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, forcing them to kick off from their own 7-yard line.

With the help of a Comet late hit call, Hartnell punched the ball into the end zone with Rodwell scoring on a 3-yard run, giving him three touchdowns on the day.

Rodwell finished with 125 yards rushing on 19 carries.

After the loss, coach Johnson expressed disappointment.

“We made mental mistakes in the second half,” he said. “We had problems scoring in the red zone.

We made many turnovers and a lot of penalties.”

Tutass finished the game going 23-33 for 248 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Hicks had 84 yards on seven receptions and one touchdown to lead the Comets.

Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra.advocate@gmail.com.

Squad unable to escape scoreless draw Offense struggles with scoring goals

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

The men’s soccer team was unable to end its drought of goals carried over from its last game, tying Chabot College 0-0 in Hayward Friday.

Coming off a 1-0 loss to American River College, the Comets (3-2-2 overall, 0-0-0 in the Bay Valley Conference) ScoreBoard gave it their all in the secComets 0 ond half trying Gladiators 0 to get at least one goal, but Next game: the Gladiators Friday vs Yuba, (2-1-2 over6 p.m. all, 0-0-0 in the North Division Conference) kept the Comets out.

“We played good but just couldn’t score,” Comet midfielder Jordan Zerbini said. “Can’t blame nobody, everyone had a chance to score.”

The Comets will begin conference play in their next game at home against Yuba College (4-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 in the BVC) Friday at 6 p.m.

Despite not scoring a goal in the game, the Comet offense applied a lot of pressure

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Break away — Comet midfielder Diego Orellana (right) shakes off Gladiator defender Dupree Gant in Friday’s game against Chabot College at Hayward.

Despite CCC’s numerous shots on goal, the game ended in a 0-0 tie. on the Gladiator defense, especially in the second half. After halftime, the Comets managed 15 shots, with 10 of them being on goal.

Unfortunately for the Comets, Chabot goalkeeper Conrad Garcia was able to stop all the balls that went his way, keeping each of his opponents’ shots out of the goal.

SportShort Lack of players on bench contribute to shortcoming Traveling with a smaller 13-player roster hurt the women‘s soccer team in a 5-2 loss to Shasta College in Redding Sept. 15.

After trailing the Knights (2-3-0 overall, 0-0-0 in the Golden Valley Conference) early in the game, the Comets (0-3-0 overall, 0-0-0 in the Bay Valley Conference) were able to turn the game around with goals by midfielder Lorhany Silva in the 20th minute and midfielder Dorothy Briseno in the 25th minute to take a 2-1 lead.

Shasta would score again to end the half, however, at a 2-2 tie.

Contra Costa College was unable to hold onto the tie and the Knights took the lead and the victory with three goals in the second

half, a deficit the tired Comets could not erase.

In spite of the loss, coach Nikki Ferguson had positive things to say about his young team.

“The team showed a lot of heart and character,” Ferguson said. “It was the first time that I saw the players show emotion and excitement about competition.”

CCC’s next game is against Solano Community College Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at home and will serve as the Comets’ Bay Valley Conference opener.

The Comets had to travel to Redding with a shortened 13-player roster due to injuries and players who were unable to make the long trip.

— Dariush Azmoudeh

“(I’m) proud (of them) for giving their all,” coach Rudy Zeller said. “They have to work hard and (be able to) put the ball in the back of the net.”

One of the Comets’ closest chances at scoring came in the 62nd minute right after a throw-in. Comet forward Peter Jernigan went face-to-face with Garcia and shot it,

Box scores

Record — Hartnell — 1-1 overall, 0-0 in Coast. — CCC — 0-3 overall, 0-0 in BVC.

Football (Sept. 19)

Men’s soccer (Sept. 18)

Hartnell, Contra Costa Hartnell 7 7 13 7 — 34 CCC 0 3 0 13 — 16 First Quarter Hartnell — Smith 83 yd pass from Cyr (Diaz kick) 5:50.

Contra Costa, Chabot Contra Costa 0 Chabot 0

Second Quarter Hartnell — Rodwell 1 yd run (Diaz kick) 13:25.

CCC — Naterman 29 yd field goal 6:38.

Second Half No goals scored.

Third Quarter Hartnell — Small 1 yd run (Diaz kick) 9:53.

Hartnell — Rodwell 45 yd run (Diaz miss) 3:48.

Fourth Quarter CCC — Kekow 5 yd fumble return (Naterman kick) 14:36.

Hartnell — Rodwell 3 yd run (Diaz kick) 13:45.

CCC — Hicks 5 yd pass from Tutass (Naterman miss) 2:16.

Individual statistics Rushing — Hartnell — Cyr 7-1, Rodwell 19-125, Small 1-1, Smet 2-53, Miranda 1-4, Day 3-10. — CCC — Tutass 9-22, McDaniel 11-14, Smallwood 7-13, Naterman 1-6, Allen 1-12.

Passing — Hartnell— Cyr 9-13-0 176., Smet 4-15-1 64. — CCC — Tutass 2333-2 248.

Receiving — Hartnell — Bangloy 1-5, Smith 4-132, Gatlin 3-48, Rodwell 1-5, Miranda 5-50. — CCC — Hicks 7-84, Green 6-70, McDaniel 3-26, Aumua 1-14, Mooring 4-45, Smallwood 1-7, Allen 1-2.

Missed field goals — Hartnell — None. — CCC — None.

0—0 0—0

First Half No goals scored.

Yellow Cards Chabot, Rauol Noumbissi.

Individual statistics Goals — None.

Assists — None.

Shots on goal — Chabot — 4. — CCC — 14.

Saves — Chabot — Garcia 14. — CCC — Hernandez 4.

Record — Chabot — 2-1-2 overall, 0-0-0 in Coast. — CCC — 3-2-2 overall, 00-0 in BVC.

Schedule Football at De Anza, Saturday 1 p.m.

Men’s soccer vs. Yuba, Friday 6 p.m.

Women’s soccer vs. Solano, Tuesday 3:30 p.m.

Women’s volleyball at Los Medanos, today 6 p.m. vs. Napa, Friday 6 p.m.

only to have it to be blocked and return to Jernigan, who shot again. But this time, the ball hit off the post.

“Everything was going good, but we couldn’t get it in the back of the net,” Comet goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez said.

The Comets’ defense was able to hold their end by clearing balls and holding Chabot to only a single shot in the second half, which came toward the end of the match.

The Comets had eight corner kicks in the second half for a game total of 11.

In their previous five games, the Comet defense was able to hold off its opponent and allow only one goal.

On the other side of the field, however, the offense could only score two goals in those five games.

“Defensively we’re doing extremely well.

(We) just need to find a way for the other side to play good,” Zeller said. “We’ve got seven goals scored and seven goals taken.

If you don’t count our first two games (4-0 loss, 5-2 win), we only allowed one goal in our last five games, which is good. But we only scored two (goals), which is not.”

He said center midfielder Andre Delgado was the engine of the attack, because he was able to create chances and play the ball through to his teammates to get past the Gladiator defense.

“We played very well. We deserved to win,” Zeller said.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Game of the Week Men’s soccer Contra Costa College VS.

Yuba College When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Where: Soccer field Records: CCC 3-2-2 overall. Yuba 4-2-0 overall.

Background: The Comets look to open Bay Valley Conference play with a win over the 49ers. CCC looks to end its goal drought against Yuba, which is coming off an 8-0 win over Shasta College. This game will match the 49ers’ powerful offense against the Comets’ strong defense. Last year, the two teams faced each other three times. Yuba was at the better end of the series with a tie and two wins, both by a difference of a single goal.

—Dariush Azmoudeh and Malcolm Lastra

8 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed

Movies

SCENE

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009

PREACHING THE WORD

Festival presents ways to conserve energy, money

This week: “Surrogates” (PG-13)

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

“Pandorum” (NR) “Fame” (PG)

DVDs

New releases: “Observe and Report” (R) “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” (PG-13) “Battle for Terra” (PG) “30 Rock: Season Three” (NR)

CDs

New releases: Brand New: “Daisy” Diddy: “Last Train to Paris” Basement Jaxx: “Scars” Pearl Jam: “Backspacer” Three Days Grace: “Life Starts Now” Why?: “Eskimo Snow” Islands: “Vapours”

Books

New releases: Craig Ferguson: “American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot” Margaret Atwood: “The Year of the Flood: A Novel” Matthew Latimer: “Speech -less: Tales of a White House Survivor” Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

Green gospel sprouts hope

ROMAN YOUNG / THE ADVOCATE

Light of God — Music artist Eugene Cole serenades the Nicholl Park audience in Richmond Saturday as part of the Gospel in the Park festival. More than 400 people gathered to share gospel and embrace their religion.

With violence on the rise in the city of Richmond, residents would seem to be in need of a little inspiration. That is just what they received Saturday.

Radio station KDYA 1190 AM The Light, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Sims Metal Management sponsored the annual Gospel in the Park festival at Nicholl Park. The free event featured some of the top Bay Area gospel artists, including the Solomon Brothers, April Wright-Hickerson, Eric Claybon & Reign, Yvonne Cobbs-Bey, D. Thomas & Judah Praise, Eugene Cole, Sons of the Soul Revivers and Derrick Hall & Company.

More than 400 people gathered together throughout the day to hear the abundance of gospel music, with many sometimes singing along and waving their hands to the beat.

Gospel in the Park was not only a concert, but a day of entertainment for the entire family as well.

Vendors set up booths throughout the park selling their goods, ranging from food and drink items to jewelry, clothing and insurance services.

As there was something for everyone, the children also had the opportunity to get their face painted, to moon jump and be entertained by costumed characters like Spiderman.

The theme for the 2009 event was “Go Green,” emphasized by KDYA representatives.

“We are to take care of the Earth that God has given us,” radio weekend announcer Clarence Ivory said.

One of the goals of the event was to empower people with knowledge needed toward conservation efforts. After each performance, tips for conserving energy and saving money were made by a KDYA or a PG&E representative.

“Did you know that you can do some of the simplest things to help green efforts, such as bringing a canvas bag to the grocery store in place of using a plastic bag, or using a CFL light (qualified compact fluorescent lamp) in place of a regular (incandescent) light bulb,” radio announcer Kevin Blitz said.

An added bonus for the day was the giving away of an Energy Star refrigerator, compliments of PG&E. Individuals that completed entry cards for the refrigerator also became eligible to win several pairs of dinner tickets for two at local restaurants, as well as tickets to another gospel event in October.

A goal stated by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin is for Richmond to be the first green industrial city in the United States. Gospel in the Park joined in this effort to bring awareness to citizens, reminding them of their social responsibilities.

Gospel in the Park has previously been held in other cities such as Vallejo and Oakland.

“This is the fourth year in Richmond and the third at Nicholl Park,” KDYA Business Manager Melissa Santamaria said.

She said her company, PG&E and Sims Metal Management teamed up as sponsors, and this was the first time that the concert has been a “green” event.

“With environmental concerns, it was a good idea to inform our local community, since we (KDYA 1190 AM The Light) are located here in Richmond,” Santamaria said. “Also, there are things that are going on in the city, and this is like an outreach to the community — a family event.

This helps to have it (gospel music in a public park) within the community, because it is positive and brings people together.”

With concern for Richmond youth, one attendee appreciated the event, specifically for its focus on helping young people.

“Anything we can do to bring young folks together to stop them from destroying themselves is a good thing,” Sandra Wimberly said.

Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel.advocate@gmail.com.

Music event fails to attract interest

By Cody McFarland STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

Rap and hip-hop beats blared in the near-empty music room, but were not accompanied by any vocals. As members of the Urban Music Group (UMG) sat around anxiously waiting for performers to arrive, it was apparent that things had not gone according to plan. This was the Urban Music Group’s first-ever Open Mic event and it was designed to showcase the talents of student musicians.

“There’s a bunch of talent here on campus,” UMG President Willy Leblanc said.

“We just need to bring it all

here.”

Leblanc said that the point of the Open Mic was to get people to come out, have fun and jam. The winner of the competition would have received four hours of studio time and the opportunity to be featured on the newest Contra Costa College compilation. The more experienced members of UMG were planned as judges for the competition.

“I don’t look at it as a failure, I see it as a small success,” Leblanc said. “I don’t believe in failure.”

The event was scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Friday in M116, but was cut short at 2 p.m. when no one showed up.

Admission was $5 for the gen-

“I don’t look at it as a failure, I see it as a small success.”

Willy Leblanc,

Urban Music Group president

eral public and $3 for performers. All funds go to the club account for hosting future events, working in the studio and getting outside artists to be featured on tracks, Leblanc said.

“Instead of waiting for them to come to us, we’ve got to go out and get them,” UMG member Bryan Henderson said.

There are at least seven

more Open Mics still to come, he said. Originally slated for the first Friday of every month, future sessions might possibly be held on different days, since the least amount of students are on campus on Fridays, Leblanc said.

At the end of the year, UMG will have two compilations — one from the winners of the Open Mics and one from the members of UMG. It also plans to host a huge blowout concert with one grand prize winner receiving an artist promotional package, which includes a written bio with a photo shoot, free studio time and a video shoot, Leblanc said.

Members of the UMG share

a passion for music and utilize the studio on campus, he said.

Many struggling student artists benefit largely from the studio time they acquire from the group, Leblanc said. He said the group provides great opportunities for artists to express themselves and show their talent. “(We accept) any and all genres of music,” Leblanc said.

“We don’t discriminate.”

UMG members said they each need to put themselves out there more and raise awareness, as to draw in a big crowd for next time.

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland.advocate@gmail. com

Café provides venue for local musicians El Sobrante eatery home to concerts for emerging artists Sam Attal ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Once a month, musicians in West County have a venue to showcase their talent. Located in a small El Sobrante shopping center at 3550 San Pablo Dam Road, Jennifer and Todd’s Café Soleil, a family diner, hosts a small performance for local artists.

Music Nite at Café Soleil is a grassroots event held by café owner Jennifer Arrouzet and Contra Costa College SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE music major Mac Esposito on the last Giving it her all — Suzanne “Shazam!” Cimone jams with members of Sunday of every month.

Divided by Trumpet and Mystery Dope during Music Nite at Cafe Soleil “Live music is something not acces- in El Sobrante Aug. 30. sible to people in our area,” Esposito said. “People want to hear live music. ers, lunch and dinner specials while cians) to create a fun atmosphere,” It’s in our blood.” enjoying the music. The event brings local band Mystery Dope percussionist The monthly gathering hosts local in people of all ages looking for quality Natalie Excoffier said. “I don’t really musicians who may not have the food and quality music, Esposito said. care about the money.” resources to perform and local audience Mystery Dope guitarist Dylan “It’s a hip joint,” he said. “It’s turnmembers in West County who may not ing into a real cool spot for people to Greengard said the event creates a posihave access to live music located in San kick it.” tive atmosphere with larger crowds.

Francisco, Esposito said.

Musicians enjoy performing there, “There’s a lot of energy (when) lots Attendees of all ages may sit and even when playing for no profit. of people come out,” Greengard said. eat the restaurant’s variety of appetiz“It’s a great opportunity (for musiThe monthly event started in June,

when Arrouzet was looking to “bring a little culture into El Sobrante (that was) needed here.”

During that time, Esposito was looking for ideas for ways to showcase his bands Divided by Trumpet and Mystery Dope. The two came together to create Music Nite.

The first and second Music Nite, which happened on June 28 and July 26, did not bring in many people, Esposito said. The last event held on Aug. 30, however, drew a full house.

“It’s amazing that we’re able to draw in so many people,” Excoffier said.

Esposito said he wishes to promote local music out to local people through the event, but is currently having a difficult time finding performers.

Since the event is not held in open microphone style, musicians must contact Esposito prior to the show and provide a sample of their music to see if it is appropriate for the all-ages event.

Esposito also said he only wants to showcase local musicians rather than professionals in order to bring “artistic community to this area.”

The next Music Nite will be Sunday at 7 p.m. To perform, e-mail Esposito at macesposito@gmail.com.

Contact Sam Attal at sattal. advocate@gmail.com.