The Advocate - Oct. 14, 2009

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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‘Blink’ classic

Group begins career strong

spotlight ◆ page A9

Grounded King oversees infrastructure

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scene ◆ page A12

sports ◆ pages A6-A7

Second chances Soccer seasons previewed

VOL. 93, NO. 6

SINCE 1950

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

20 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

State funds solar crafts

A FTER

◆ T HE L OMA P RIETA 1 9 8 9

THE SHOCK

County secures vaccine Nasal spray in brief to truncate West H1N1 spread ✔County

Stimulus plan gives district $1 million

By Adam Oliver STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

By Jon Pinlac

Seven thousand doses of the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine arrived in West County on Oct. 6 and are currently being administered throughout school-based clinics, health officials say.

The vaccine will become more readily available as time passes, and county health officials expect to have a substantial amount of vaccine by the end of the month.

“It’s expected that another 100,000 (doses) will be available by the end of October,” said Kate Fowlie, communications officer for Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS).

Whether or not the prior-

STAFF WRITER

Funded by $27 million of federal stimulus money awarded to cities around California two weeks ago, the automotive services and construction departments will expand to include more solar technology to prepare students for upcoming green jobs.

Richmond is receiving the most from the stimulus package, with a total of $1.5 million, followed next by the city of San Francisco, which will receive a share of $1.3 million, Dean of Economic Development Priscilla Leadon said.

Local counties and colleges will also be given a share of the federal aid.

The Contra Costa Community College District, Peralta Community College District and Sonoma County will all receive $1 million, she said.

Now that the finances are in place, plans are being made on allocating and utilizing the funds.

“The money will go into expanding two programs,” Leadon said.

Funds will be used to include more green and solar technology in the automotive services and automotive construction programs, she said.

The money will pay for green and solar equipment and technology for the students to work with. It might also possibly be used for more classes in the upcoming semester.

Automotive mechanics and collision repair student Daniel Guerra said the funds will be a great help, “That money will help us pay for equipment for hybrid technology and (other areas,” Guerra said.

In the automotive services department, plans are under way to allow the students to

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

■ SEE H1N1: Page A4

RS EMEMBRANCE aturday marks the 20-year anniversary, and the tension has only grown.

Although the Loma Prieta earthquake that rocked the state on Oct. 17, 1989 may seem like a horrible past nightmare, its vivid relevance constantly reminds Californians they are always on the precipice of another temblor.

In the B section of this week’s edition, The Advocate looks back at that fateful evening and turns a careful eye toward current disaster preparedness at the state, local and college level.

After all, as a campus sitting on the most dangerous fault in the nation, it is only a matter of time before we find out just how much we have learned.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD B4

Memoirs

Recollecting the devastating impact of the disaster that sent the Bay Area ground shaking

B5

Planning

Supply kits in need of maintenance; campus emergency procedures lacking cohesive plans

B8

Advice

Information about what to do before, during, after possible disaster broken down in detail

received 7,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine on Oct. 6.

✔ The free vaccine is available at 50 schoolbased clinics. ✔ Priority groups include pregnant women, people with health disorders, school children and adults age six months to 24 years old.

Program sees cuts Basic Skills Initiative reduces tutoring time

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

As the economy continues to remain unstable, many programs that exist within academic institutions become affected, such as the Basic Skills Initiative (BSI) program.

“The state has said that they would be reducing the normal allocation of funds by approximately 32 percent, causing (Contra Costa College) to reduce spending for BSI programs,” Vice President Carol Maga said.

The program focuses on academic fundamentals, out of a need to provide basic skills to students underprepared for college-level work, including those unable to pass the California High School Exit Exam, Maga said. It is funded by the state and money is allocated throughout the district.

Some areas that have been affected are supplemental instruction, used to provide ■ SEE BSI: Page A4

■ SEE SOLAR: Page A4

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Winless streak ends during final seconds Comets rush through Vikings in 20-17 win

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Splash of triumph — Football players drench coach Dave Johnson with water at Comet Stadium after the team’s 20-17 victory over West Valley College Saturday. The win ended an 18-game losing streak started in October 2007.

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and hold the Vikings (0-5 overall, 0-0 in the Coast Conference) to only one touchdown in the second half.

Comet quarterback Don Miguel Tutass came up big for the Comets in their victory, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR another two, including the game winning 3-yard score with just 24 seconds left in the Celebration rained down in the stands and game. on the field at Comet Stadium as the football “It’s a great feeling,” Comet running back team took the lead over West Valley College Sherard Allen said. “Everybody was running in the final minute of the game Saturday to around, the fans were cheering. It feels like win their first game since October 2007, 20- winning the Super Bowl.”

17, against Yuba College.

The last time the Comets won a game was The Comets (1-5 overall, 0-0 in the Bay Oct. 21, 2007 when they defeated College of Valley Conference) came back from a 10-0 Marin 35-29 at Marin, and their last home deficit at the half to score three touchdowns ■ SEE FOOTBALL: Page A11

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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A2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Once we acknowledge that freedom is to be understood as an indivisible whole, it is clear that wherever freedom of expression is threatened, it is the very human freedom that finds itself at risk.”

Fernando Henrique Cardoso president of Brazil 2001 Holly Pablo editor-in-chief Sam Attal associate editor Asia Camagong associate editor

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 VOL. 93, NO. 6 ●

Editorial Defending free press Student journalists fight prior restraint

Alec Surmani associate editor Cassandra Juniel spotlight editor Diana Reyes opinion 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 Jon Pinlac Kristina Plaza 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.advocate@ gmail.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, OCT. 14, 2009

L

os Angeles City College’s studentrun newspaper, the Collegian, is an award-winning publication that has been in continuous print for 80 years. Its staff of approximately 30 students works tirelessly to publish high-quality content while adhering to rigorous journalistic values.

The Collegian is a training ground for writers, reporters, columnists and editors, as are thousands of other student-run publications that hold to the same principles, standards and ethics.

But LACC’s president, Jamillah Moore, has made calculated attempts to hinder the students’ right to a free press.

She has tried to forbid a company working with the college from speaking to the student press; she has tried to pressure student reporters to sign releases for recording public meetings; she has violated California open meeting laws by requesting that reporters identify themselves; and she has attempted to silence the Collegian by slashing its budget by 40 percent — when the budgets of other student organizations were cut only 15 percent.

Adam Goldstein of the Student Press Law Center said that if he had to choose the biggest First Amendment offender in the country, he would most likely choose Moore.

And now, Moore is attempting to move the Collegian under student services, where the administration would have the option to edit all content, monitor stories and determine the direction of the paper.

An attack on free speech anywhere is an attack on free speech everywhere.

That is why student-journalists have come together to universally condemn the actions of Moore and the actions of any administration that makes deliberate efforts to break the free speech of student publications.

As students, we have been taught to expect an environment where freedom of speech will go uncontested.

And as student journalists, we expect our administrations to understand that we strive to be an objective voice of reason. But we also recognize that any publication that disturbs the comfort of the comfortable will be challenged.

Student journalists at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of New Mexico and the University of Oregon have seen such assaults on their rights.

This cannot stand.

We, as student journalists, come together today with a single message: We will not tolerate administrations that, for their own benefit, try to silence the voice of the student free press. We will continue to rebuke those in power who attempt to diminish that freedom, and we will not be silenced.

JAMES HECK/ THE ADVOCATE

■ Courtesy

Human decency more urgent than red tape

I

kept waiting for his face to show signs of life, but it remained steadfast in its stance, whilst rapidly losing vitality. Surely, no human could withstand blindly following something so trivial.

Is this where he pictured himself at 20-something: Standing behind the Nation’s Giant Hamburgers register at midnight telling another 20-something just trying to figure out what he and his friends would do with their lives that all half pie orders are to-go only, thus no fork?

The rationale fried my brain so much that I regressed to toddler functioning, my face mirroring his in some pre-adolescent stupor.

When I realized that this was clearly no reflection, as I have not sported the fauxhawk-apron combination in awhile, I looked around for the next logical explanation — practical joke.

But camera crews and kooky sound effects there came none.

This man had zero intention of helping my friends and I destroy our bodies in a dignified manner.

Shuffling awkwardly away with a tilted head and my hands floating at chest level, I sat down, face-up palms finding much-needed support and company on the table.

I explained the dilemma as best I could, answering essentially all their questions with: “I don’t know, he just won’t give me any forks.”

You could have grated cheese on their furrows.

We tried reasoning with the guy, but it proved to be less hopeful than our future

This editorial is reprinted with permission from the Cal State-Fullerton Daily Titan in support of the LACC Collegian.

alecsurmani if we kept up this futility.

Testing the waters with a half-serious suggestion of eating the pumpkin cheesecake with our hands, I quickly played it off as a joke with a transparent laugh and It does hook smile.

So, we not take came up with a plan.

My friend something would order a slice of as custard pie “for here,” dramatic and we would all as taking split the fork, trading a bullet or it off like real college students. fighting He rang my friend for a cause up devoid of even the to be a slightest notion that symbol the receipt might as well have of honor. been printed on red tape, handed him a plate and fork and resumed his duties, as stoic as ever.

As soon as my friend got back, we breezed through the sad pile of molded sugar and dairy and got out of there, lest the cashier throw in a free future mid-life crisis.

Walking back to the car,

we naturally made fun of the guy. One scenario involved him telling his pregnant wife that rapid contractions are no reason to drive faster than 55 (delivered in the cashier’s classic passive-aggressive drawl, of course).

But as we drove home clenching our stomachs, reacting to our just desserts begat by needlessly mocking another human being and by eating just dessert, I delved deeper past his unflinching, benzoyl peroxide exterior.

Here was a man who was slowly forgetting what it felt like to be a man.

Now, he was obviously still working at a job he could not possibly have enjoyed, as it was unlikely that he felt much of anything between 9 and 5, and that is commendable.

A real man performs duties he does not always want to do, because they must be done, chief among them usually manifesting in the form of oft-soul-crushing employment.

Being a man, nay a human, is largely about carrying out the noble actions, regardless of whatever rules are in place.

It does not take something as dramatic as taking a bullet or fighting for a cause to be a symbol of honor.

Sometimes it can be as simple as helping them attain and maintain the dignity waiting within the grasp of a common eating utensil.

Alec Surmani is an associate editor of The Advocate.

Contact him at asurmani. advocate@gmail.com.

CampusComment

Do you think the H1N1 flu vaccination is necessary?

“(People) are blowing the flu (problem) out of proportion.”

“If you’re participating in school, it’s definitely necessary.”

“Why not? It’s for your protection. (There’s) no reason not to get it.”

Leo Leonardo

Kimberly Six

Dajuan McDaniel

computer engineering

criminal justice

computer science

“Possibly. I think it would be important if it’s spreading around here.”

Gloria Jackson dental assisting

“I think all vaccinations are necessary, but I don’t think so in this area, because there don’t seem to be any cases.”

Alexis Barabad communication

MALCOLM LASTRA AND CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

“No. I try to stay healthy and keep my immune system strong.”

Andrew Lawrence physics

FORUM ■ Self-esteem

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A3

■ Love

Pieces of broken heart prevail alexandrawaite

Insecurities dictate image of self-worth

A

couple nights ago I found myself wide awake, sweating and shaking in my bed after abruptly waking up from a gruesome nightmare.

In my nightmare, I was being bullied by several girls.

Throughout their menacing, I felt above and impervious to all of their insults. That was, until, one of them climatically shot and killed me.

My nightmare was reminiscent of my childhood and early teenage years. All the memories of bullying and harassing around that age came back to me. Right then, it was clear how that type of behavior led to my issues of insecurity and low selfesteem.

Individuals handle insecurity in different ways. Some focus on others. They torment, seduce, manipulate, bribe or harm them in order to feel better and more secure about themselves.

For me, I subconsciously shut myself off from the world so no one could get close enough to harm me, only those select few people who were allowed in.

During my mental isolation, I would observe those around me. I tried to understand how they could be so socially confident, how they could make friends left and right while simply talking to people was hard for me. I wondered where they developed those kinds of skills and why they were unobtainable.

All I could do was wonder, because it seemed there was scarcely anyone to confide in about my problem.

I became so insecure and afraid that I could not be myself in front of people out of fear being judged and made fun of.

These insecurities did not end with my social networking but continued on into my academic work, personal activities, physical appearance and relationships. By being afraid to voice my opinion and be myself, I ended up losing my identity.

My next mistake was to ignore the problem and let it grow, until it developed into social anxiety.

Insecurity causes people to judge themselves harshly.

People with insecurity and low self-esteem are conditioned to think they are not good enough in whatever area they strive to be and perpetually struggle to be better.

Some may argue a little insecurity can benefit a person by pushing them to be superior and ultimately produce greater results.

But there needs to be a limit to this type of thinking.

Every person needs a healthy balance of positive and negative thoughts.

Dealing with insecurity can appear to be an impossible task. These personality disorders can be severely ingrained in the mind to the point where those affected are not aware they have the problem.

To overcome insecurity, people need to admit they have a problem and analyze the extent of it. They have to encourage themselves to change their intense negative mindset and take pride in their opinions and achievements.

Once that is done, ignorant insults and criticism can no longer harm a person.

Alexandra Waite is a staff writer for The Advocate.

Contact her at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

I

lay there on the couch in a friend’s apartment, my face wet with tears and my hands clutching my chest and my side as if I had just been stabbed. I might as well have been; it hurt that bad.

Ideas of giving up raced through my mind, whether on love or life, I hadn’t decided yet. By the end of the night, however, I had rationalized to continue with both. At least I can finally say that yes, I have been in love, and yes my heart has been broken.

The whole experience was all too reminiscent of the last film I saw in theaters, “500 Days of Summer,” an atypical romance/drama where a boy meets a girl, falls in love, but the girl does not.

Good vibes and strong companionship are not equivalent to love, though they can be easily mistaken. I began to question if love really exists, and, if it does, do we have a say in who we fall in love with? This reminded me of psychology, where I learned that love could be considered a choice, as well as a drug.

Based on my schooling, my concept of being in love was completely chemical.

Love is seen as a drug in the sense that it releases chemicals into the brain that make you feel good.

When love is no longer present and the releases stop, the pain felt is like a withdrawal. Viewing love as a choice meant that I chose not only who I want to love, but

ferent from reality, and we can never be certain of others’ responses. Often times when we love, we expect love back, though that is usually not the case.

If love is choice, as well as a drug, then shouldn’t we, as to what extent. I had never let responsible members of socianyone into my heart without ety, deny it? We have been taught to refuse drugs, to say first recognizing that I had no to all offers because of the the ability to love them, so lifetime of addiction and devup to this point what I had astation they have such a high learned made sense.

My psychology book logic tendency to cause, so why is love any different? went right out the window But love is different. It when I started romancing coincides with compassion with the girl who recently and dictates a lot of our broke my heart. I suddenly felt like I couldn’t stand to be behaviors and interactions.

There are varying degrees of anything less than her boylove, romantic love is just the friend, which was not going to happen anytime soon. She, hardest to analyze and the just like the female love inter- most painful to lose.

Even when we feel as if est from the movie, gave me there is no hope, we must the “We’re happy, why put a remember that as humans we title on it?” line. have an immense capacity for This was bothersome, but acceptable, up until the point love. We may feel as if we are putting our hearts on the she confessed to be in love line, but we cannot find love with someone else. I had without taking chances. fallen in love with someone “The person who risks who did not love me back. I nothing, does nothing, has was the main character in a depressing love story without nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may the usual happy ending.

I had never felt as strongly avoid suffering and sorrow, for anyone as I did then, and but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow in a split second that happiness manifested into pain and and love and live.” This is a quote by Leo F. Buscaglia, sorrow. The worst part was I Ph.D., late professor of still felt like I loved her. the University of Southern As the movie taught me, we often let our expectations California, which I now understand wholeheartedly. get the better of us. The outThe mental anguish and comes we predict in certain heaviness of heart are mere situations are drastically dif-

codymcfarland

side effects of a romance gone wrong. We feel our hearts sink down past our chests and into our stomachs, where they sit and burn, as if being digested. It is painful, but the sooner we digest the heartbreak, the sooner we understand it for what it is, the sooner we can recover. It is a daunting task, but in the end our capacities for love only grow.

I do not hate the girl who did this to me; in fact, I still love her with all my heart.

Things may not have worked out, but that does not mean I should give up on love or her friendship. The main character in the movie found this out, as painful of a process as it was, and so did I. We cannot always help the way we feel or the way others feel about us; it is simply out of our control. The concept of love is timeless, yet the feeling is only temporary. As we grow older, our bodies and minds change and we fall in and out of love. It is just the way the world works.

Though we may feel helpless at times, love will undoubtedly find its way back into our lives, as we will always possess the ability to love and be loved, no matter what.

The worst thing we could ever do is quit trying.

Cody McFarland is a staff illustrator for The Advocate.

Contact him at cmcfarland. advocate@gmail.com.

Standing against abuse Breaking the perpetually abusive cycle

By Diana Reyes OPINION EDITOR

A

romantic relationship is one of the most fundamental elements of a person’s life. At one point or another, we are bound to come across someone who we may find worthy of sharing an intimate part of our beings with.

Any form of relationship with anyone in our lives has some sort of impact on us. They can either build us up or bring us down, but sometimes it is almost a challenge deciphering which relationships are for the better or the worse.

The chances of knowing whether or not things are going to instantly fall apart between two people is beyond our control. In fact, the ability to distinguish the transition from what was once a healthy relationship to an unhealthy one may difficult too.

It is not a mystery that abusive relationships are not immediately identified. In fact, many relationships start off almost “perfect,” suffused by other feelings of sentiment. Although some relationships can be considered unhealthy at an early stage, most relationships do start off as “healthy” and later on shift to unhealthy behavior.

According to www.convenanthouse. org, “conflicts in relationships often creep up when one person sees the opportunity to take advantage of the other person’s low self-esteem.” When the shifting period begins and signs of abusive behavior surface, however, it is family, friends or other outside sources who are the first to recognize them.

The trust and dependency a person has developed toward a significant other generates denial or in most cases Stockholm syndrome — a psychological condition in hostage situations where the victim begins to sympathize with the abuser each time small acts of kindness are performed by the abuser, according to “Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser,” an article by

Joseph M. Carver.

One can instantly delineate the term “abuse” by the first thought that comes to mind, which for many is physical violence.

So what exactly is an abusive relationship? According to www. stoprelationshipabuse.org, an abusive relationship is a pattern of intimidating, domineering behavior from either a man or a woman in which one believes he or she holds the right to control the other.

Abusive relationships exist among any age range, race or ethnicity, social class and gender. Verbal, emotional, mental and psychological abuse can be just as painful and harmful as physical violence.

Information available on the Stanford University Web site indicates that compulsive questioning of everything the person is doing when they are apart, therefore setting restrictions on which friends they are allowed to spend time with or talk to, threatening to do something bad if they break up with them, making them feel unable to end the relationship, consuming alcohol or drugs and using it as an excuse for aggressive or disrespectful behavior, and having an uncontrollable temper and refusing to discuss or give reasons why, are all components of an unhealthy and abusive relationship.

Abusive relationships can become a pattern and a cycle that can go on for many generations. In most cases, the spouse is not the only person who becomes a victim.

Children who witness this type of behavior are more prone to engaging in abusive behavior in the future, whether they play the role of the victim or the abuser themselves. Most of the time, they are aware of the moral issue, but their exposure to such a lifestyle during their prime

and learning years, makes them grow accustomed to the behavior.

In an article found at www.achpediatrics.org, it is stated that children who witness violence in their community and homes have significantly higher numbers of items on the Checklist of Children Distress Symptoms when researchers evaluated and observed behavior problems.

A research study done by The American Institute on Domestic Violence showed that 85-95 percent of all domestic violence victims are female. More than five million women are abused each year and 1,232 women are killed each year by an intimate partner, therefore making domestic violence the leading cause of injury to women.

Many women also feel restrained from contacting authorities or taking legal action regarding the situation.

According to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, “Domestic violence is against the law, no matter what your legal status here is. The police are not supposed to turn you in to Citizenship and Immigration Services if you are calling to report domestic violence.” They keep themselves from reporting to the authorities by fearing deportation or anything that would bring attention to their illegal status in the United States.

The key to breaking free from this cycle of abuse, as with any other problem, is for the victim or the abuser to finally accept the problem and begin searching for a solution.

Most importantly, it is also necessary to be aware that anyone who is exposed to such a lifestyle is engaging in a lifetime of pain and serious health and emotional problems.

Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes. advocate@gmail.com.

JOEL ODE/THE ADVOCATE

A4 THE ADVOCATE accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Twitter

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

Newsline ■ HEALTH

Power walk takes course The physical education department will be hosting “Health Day at CCC” today from noon to 2 p.m. to celebrate the college’s 60th anniversary and the grand opening of the new football and track field.

■ ASU

Event to urge healthy living The ASU is hosting a blood drive in the Recreation Room at 9 a.m. and a Wellness Fair in the quad at 10 a.m. today.

For more information, contact the ASU at 510235-7800, ext. 4407

■ CAMPUS EVENTS

DSPS to host exhibition

DSPS is hosting an exhibition game of wheelchair basketball in the gym on Friday from 7-9 p.m.

The CCC Comets team will play the BORP All Stars. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the DSPS office at 510-235-7800, ext. 4310.

■ INFORMATION

College hosts transfer fair Transfer Day 2009 will be held in the plaza outside of the Student Services Center Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will feature representatives from many four-year colleges providing information on transfer requirements, academic majors and financial aid.

For more information, visit the Transfer/Career Center or call 510-2357800, ext. 4241.

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

Wright relocated, improving Defensive back showing signs of improving

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After one month of intensive care hospitalization treating serious injuries incurred at a home football game on Sept.

5, Comet defensive back Wali Wright is now being treated at a rehabilitation facility.

His mother, Piola Wright, said that the freshman player was moved from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek to Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital in Marin County on Sept. 28.

“He’s doing a good job of recovering. He’s coherent,” Piola Wright said. “He still isn’t speaking, but for the past month, we have all learned how to read lips.”

The 25-year-old player suffered from paralysis from the neck down, two fractures in his

Film series to educate As part of an ongoing film series to celebrate Disability Awareness Month, DSPS is showing a movie titled, “Plan F,” in LLRC-107 today at 1:30 p.m.

CrimeWatch Saturday, Oct. 3 A suspect was stopped for a traffic violation. It was determined that the suspect was an unlicensed driver.

The suspect was cited.

Petty theft was reported.

Monday, Oct. 5 Petty theft was reported.

A suspect was arrested for being drunk in public.

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Petty theft was reported.

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

Thursday, Oct. 8 A robbery was reported.

Friday, Oct. 9 A subject was stopped for a traffic violation. It was determined that he was an unlicensed driver. The subject was cited.

- Alexandra Waite

neck and a swollen spinal cord doing pretty good.”

Football coach Dave after colliding helmet-to-helmet with a running back from Johnson said the fact that Los Medanos College during Wright was relocated to a spethe first play of the season cialized facility shows he must opener. be recovering.

Wright has since undergone “Hopefully he just keeps (recovering),” two major surgeries. Doctors said. “(Wright is) our Johnson inserted two “I’m glad that pins into his inspiration now. he’s feeling neck to secure better. We still the fractures This whole season talk about it. on Sept. 7 and is dedicated to him, Every game, a tracheotomy we say a little basically.” was performed prayer.” on Sept. 10.

C o m e t Eric McDaniel, Doctors football playComet running back were unsure ers said they have not forwhether or not he would regain feeling in his gotten about their teammate.

Running back Eric limbs, but on Sept. 20, they informed Piola Wright of her McDaniel said that each player son’s ability to move his shoul- wears a black and white sticker with the number “26,” Wright’s der.

Since then, his mother said number, on the back of their he has been able to move both helmets. shoulders and he is regaining “He’s our inspiration now,” feeling in his back.

McDaniel said. “This whole “The doctors say it’s going season is dedicated to him, to take him a while to get his basically.” nerve system back working,” The fact that the injury Piola Wright said. “But he’s occurred during the first game

could be traumatizing, receiver Curtis Aguay said, but he hopes that Wright will be able to come back and play football with the team again.

Linebacker Marcelo Magdaleno-Medina agreed.

“When you play football, (injuries) are your worst fear,” he said. “We keep him and his family in our prayers.”

Magdaleno-Medina said a lot of the team members wanted to see Wright, but due to intensive care unit visiting regulations, only people on a list were allowed to do so.

Piola Wright said that visiting regulations at Kentfield are much more lenient, and her son is now able to see visitors.

Since the majority of Wali Wright’s immediate family resides in Southern California, his mother said the family is trying to move him to a rehabilitation facility in Artesia so he can be closer to home.

They are currently waiting for approval, she said.

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

Wright

The 25-yearold freshman defensive back was moved from John Muir Medical Center to Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital in Marin County on Sept. 28. He is now able to move his shoulders and is slowly regaining the feeling in his back.

H1N1 | Another 100,000 doses expected soon ■ FROM: Page A1

ity groups defined by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have to be instated depends on the availability of the vaccine, CDC Director Thomas Frieden said in a press release.

According to CCHS, the priority groups for the vaccine are pregnant women, children and young adults ages six months to 24 years old, and adults ages 25-64 who have chronic health disorders such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma or compromised immune systems.

Although the nasal mist vaccine is the only one currently available, the intravenous form of the vaccine is hoped to be available within the next couple of weeks, Fowlie said.

Not everyone may receive this intranasal vaccine, however, as the nasal mist vaccine is only recommended for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 due to its nature as a live vaccine, Fowlie said.

The intranasal vaccine uses a very small dose of a live agent similar to the virus in order for the immune system to remember and better identify and destroy the virus in the future. The vaccine is not expected to cause harm in those between the ages of 2 and 49, but is not recommended for children younger than the age of 2, pregnant women and people between the ages

of 26 and 64 with compromised immune systems.

Currently, the H1N1 vaccine is currently limited to elementary school children by appointment at the 50 school-based clinics in the county, but options for receiving the vaccine will expand as availability increases.

The vaccine will be distributed to health care providers, private clinics and will be offered throughout the county at drive-through clinics for free, Fowlie said.

Four drive-through clinics are planned for the county, she said, including one planned to take place at the Hilltop Mall in Richmond on Nov. 7. Both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots will be available at the drive-through, and people arriving by foot will also have the opportunity to get vaccinated, Fowlie said.

Yet, health officials maintain that anyone who can receive the vaccine from their health provider do, as the drive-through clinics are aimed toward vaccinating those who cannot make it to a provider.

Health officials encourage that all receive the H1N1 vaccine, as well as the seasonal flu vaccine, in order to protect themselves and the entire community from the virus.

According to the CDC, the vaccine is the best weapon against H1N1.

More than 600 children have already been vaccinated in the

“It’s expected that another 100,000 (doses) will be available by the end of October.”

Kate Fowler,

communications officer for Contra Costa Health Services

numerous school-based clinics throughout the county, and none have reported severe reactions to the H1N1 vaccine, Fowlie said. The virus is considered safe and is produced using the same techniques as the seasonal flu vaccine, which increases the vaccines likelihood of success, Fowlie said.

Many remain reluctant about receiving the vaccine, however, even in light of this information and for a variety of reasons.

“I don’t think the swine flu virus is more likely to cause detriment than the seasonal flu,” student Vanessa Herrera said.

Some feel that the vaccine is too new to know whether or not it may have adverse side effects, and feel that it is not of immediate concern.

“They’re still trying it out,” student Estefania Hernandez said. “I might get it, but it’s not going to take priority.”

The CDC said in a press release

BSI | Fundamentals absorb hit ■ FROM: Page A1

■ AWARENESS

CAMPUS BEAT

support for academic skills mathematics and English classes, as well as some sections of Math 118, Maga said. BSI funds are also used and have been cut to support tutoring services for English as a second language (ESL), she said.

Additionally, the First-Year Experience (FYE) counseling aspect, which assists students in learning how to succeed in college, has also been scaled back, as well as a small portion of the Umoja program, which focuses on retention of African-American students, Maga said.

Also, researching, which guides BSI leaders in designing future work for the program has been cut, Maga said.

If the state allocated more money, there would be additional support for students. Therefore, the amount of services to support students is reduced, thus affecting the students, faculty and administrators Students are affected due to fewer support services. Professors are affected, because they lose their resources.

“Seventy percent of the students who enter CCC each year are at a ‘basic skills’ level. So really, every department works with the students and could potentially benefit from expansions of BSI funding — or potentially suffer as a result of cuts,” Skills Center Coordinator Jason Berner said.

“I’ve just found it more challenging to think about what we can and cannot do with the resources that we have.”

He said that in the past, he might have thought about what the program can do with the resources given to it. Now, he thinks about what the program needs to do, and then prioritizes actions based on

what it can afford.

Helen Kalkstein, dean of the Communication, Liberal Arts, Skills and Services Division, also shared a before-and-after look as a result of the cuts.

“Prior to the budget cuts, there Committee looks at ways to was collegewide ESL tutoring and strengthen basic skills and ESL general tutoring, and the oppor- education at CCC said. Also, they tunity to hire more of them,” she decide on the use of their resourcsaid. “As a result of the cuts, there es and funding, Berner said. are fewer tutors.

“We compare quite favorably “Prior to the cuts, there was the to other colleges,” he said. “Even provision for adequate FYE coun- though we are not in good shape selor support,” Kalkstein said. financially, we are, in what we “Now, those have done. hours have been “Every department had“Wean have reduced.” acaEven with the works with the stu- demic skills budget cuts, all department for dents and could is not lost. several years,” As BSI potentially benefit Berner said. provides and “Also, CCC has from expansions of not had to spend supports statewide training BSI funding — or money on creatto address the ing programs.” p r o f e s s i o n a l potentially suffer as a He, along developmental with other tutors result of the cuts” needs of comand volunteers, munity college are offering Jason Berner, administrators, their time to Skills Center coordinator faculty and staff meet needs. in the areas of “There have basic skills and ESL instruction, not been enough math and English approximately 10 BSI commit- tutors, which affects everyone,” tee members recently attended a student Yvette Bravo said. “We conference where one of the key are finding ourselves having to topics focused on the process of volunteer our services, which is strengthening student success. why I tutor in Spanish.”

Fortunately, the conference There is something good to be was planned prior to the budget said, however, about working with cuts, allowing these members to less, Berner said. attend.

“In a way, there is something “One of the main topics of positive about saying we have a discussion at the conference was, little money or less. It makes you ‘How to make the most of the look at how you really want to funds that you have.’ Had we not help students,” he said. “Then, planned this in the budget previ- you figure out ways to do it.” ously, we would not have had this opportunity,” Kalkstein said.

Contact Cassandra Juniel at Headed by Berner, the BSI cjuniel.advocate@gmail.com.

Thursday that the vaccine is tightly matched to the virus and that the virus has been quite stable genetically, thus effective. Yet, the CDC did recognize the possibility of a mutation in the virus as the issue of most concern.

Aside from the vaccine, there are many precautions one can take in order to reduce his or her likelihood of contracting the virus.

“Hand washing is the single most important (way to avoid illness),” nursing professor Barbara Santina said.

Additionally, she recommended that students keep their hands away from their faces as much as possible, get good rest, drink fluids, maintain a good diet and even gargle two times a day with warm salt water in order to prevent sickness.

The symptoms of the H1N1 flu are similar to those of the seasonal flu, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and headaches.

As knowledge surrounding the H1N1 flu situation unfolds, CCHS recommends checking for updates on their Web site at www.cchealth. org. It also post updates on Facebook under Contra Costa Health Services as well as on Twitter at www.twitter. com/cocohealth.

Contact Adam Oliver at aoliver. advocate@gmail.com.

Solar | Jobs ■ FROM: Page A1

work more with hybrid engines and electric cars, Leadon said.

This will help professors to teach students how to convert and repair electric cars, she said.

It will also help fund a more efficient, greener method of painting cars, known as waterborne painting.

The method uses less energy than regular styles of painting cars and is also more efficient.

“I helped write the grant in the beginning stages,” automotive services department Chairman Peter Lock said.

It will, hopefully, help expand the basic maintenance program in construction, he said.

Leadon said that it will also finance solar technology classes, such as teaching students how to install solar panels and complete certifications on building green items for contractors.

The government money awarded to schools and cities is officially known as the Clean Energy Grant, Leadon said.

Funds will be allocated among Contra Costa College and its two sister colleges, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College.

Leadon said that many of the beginning automotive services courses that green jobs require are offered at CCC, but most of the classes to complete certain programs or complete an associate degree in the field are at DVC. Some of the money will probably help fund the photovoltaic system program, which is offered at DVC, she said.

But many well-paying jobs do not require students to complete those two-year programs, because knowledge and experience is usually enough to obtain a good job, Lock said.

Some of the current programs only take a few days or months to complete, Leadon said.

Contact Jon Pinlac advocate@gmail.com.

at

jpinlac.

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A5

Expenditure reductions fluctuate Budget cuts mar student services

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Downsizing enough spending to cope with the cuts enforced through the 2009-10 state budget, the college is left to provide only the education it can afford to offer.

Its offering, however, remains threatened by future state reductions on top of the remaining deficit dodged this year that promises to resurface in 2010-11.

“It’s a very difficult time for education, and it makes it harder for our students to get the services they need,” Vice President Carol Maga said.

Faced with the challenge to reduce the general fund budget by $1.1 million this year, Contra Costa College sent a report to the district in the beginning of October listing

the planned cuts on college expenditures, such as its C-contract and operating budget.

Maga said, on top of dealing with the demands of the general fund budget, the college is forced to deal with a $9 million reduction in funding for categorical programs districtwide. “(Things) are a moving target,” she said. “The state just lacks money and sucks it back up to their coffers.”

The C-contract money, which funds part- and full-time faculty, has faced a cut resulting in the reduction of the spring schedule by 13.5 percent, Maga said.

President McKinley Williams said, without the money to pay for teachers, the budget provoked a cut in the amount of classes and sections offered.

In addition, the college has reduced the number of its full-time equivalent students (FTES) goal, which measures every 15 units taken rather than an individual

headcount, Williams said.

Maga said, the state, which provides funding for CCC based on FTES, has placed a limit on the amount of money it will give to support the college.

As a result, the FTES goal has decreased to 6,273 this year.

Consequently, this could translate to students being turned away in the future, Williams said.

“We want to better the lives (of students), but (we are) in a position where we can’t service the need,” he said.

As cuts are also being enforced in the University of California and California State University systems, students displaced from those institutions may not be able to come through community college doors, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said.

“The irony is, since we’re also cut, the number of students we serve is also reduced,” she said. “(There will be) less classes to accommodate everyone who wants

“Wherever you look, we’re getting hit by budget losses and getting slammed around.”

Carol Maga, vice president

to enroll.”

Alongside the C-contract budget, the college operating and management budget are approached with another set of sacrifices.

Departments, administration and managers have all made a 1015 percent reduction in their operational budget, Maga said.

“Wherever you look, we’re getting hit by budget losses and getting slammed around,” she said.

Contact Asia Camagong at Magalong said that while these reductions cover the cuts made to acamagong.advocate@gmail. college spending alone, categorical com.

Burned building returns

‘Green efforts’ plant cleaner environment Program sprouts healthier policy

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

Coinciding with the global effort, more and more local efforts are being made toward protecting the environment and making it safe, clean and healthy.

According to www.gogreenlifestyle.net, “going green” refers to taking action to help preserve the environment by changing one’s lifestyle in an attempt to help reverse some of the damages that have been done to the planet.

More and more businesses are becoming green certified, meaning that they have put significant efforts towards reducing waste, recycling numerous items and reusing those that are reusable.

Contra Costa College’s collision repair program, headed by automotive services department Chairman Peter Lock, is one of the businesses striving to become certified green through the Bay Area Green Business Program, according to the president of Crockett’s Premier Auto Body and sponsor for CCC Dan Welsh.

The Bay Area Green Business Program assists, recognizes and promotes businesses that operate in a more environmentally responsible way. It is free and voluntary.

Standards for certification include complying with all environmental regulations that are applicable to a business, the ability to implement a variety of measures to save energy, water and other materials and reduction of waste and pledging to continue

the efforts.

“CCC will be the first of any community college to have any department (green) certified,” said Robin Bedell-Waite, program coordinator for the Bay Area Green Business Program. “I am excited that they are showing leadership to the business community on how to be green. There are many things they can do that are cost effective and protective of the environment at the same time.”

Categories of measures to be completed for certification include solid waste reduction and recycling, energy conservation, water conservation and pollution prevention. Although there are a number of measures to be completed under each category, Lock and his team have already completed 90 percent of them, he said.

Such measures may include, for example, the use of a waterborne paint system for painting vehicles, under the category of Pollution Prevention, and the reuse of waste paper for invoices and switch to recyclable paper, under the category of solid waste.

Lock said students are helping in the green efforts and are teaching one another.

“They are bringing in their batteries from home to the college and disposing of them here, for example,” he said. “They also bring in their own mugs for water, striving toward reusable eating and drinking utensils. The small efforts are big efforts when everyone participates, and they are proud of what they have done and do (it) to represent CCC.” One benefit to a green-certified business is the improved morale of workers and students Lock said.

“Morale among the students

DVC structure rises from ashes

By Sam Attal ASSOCIATE EDITOR

DESMOND SYLVA / THE ADVOCATE

Remodel, repair — Automotive services student Laura Salas wet sands the front of a bumper outside the Automotive Technology Center for class on Oct. 6. is high, as well retention, as 25 students have returned for their second year in the program. I currently have 68 students in my day class,” he said. “This is the largest second-year program I have had.”

After the process is completed, an inspection will occur with agencies such as the Contra Costa Hazardous Material Program, East Bay Municipal Utilities District and Pacific Gas and Electric.

Once specific measures are met, certification is made, Lock said. Annual re-inspections occur

to assess growth to the program.

The anticipated date for completion and inspection is targeted for the end of the fall semester, Lock said.

He said that with the efforts of so many people, including CCC administration and the district, the department will continue to practice green efforts and promote it amongst students, family and friends.

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

Students eye Cal State-East Bay Local CSU sees more applicants

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Transfer/Career Center on campus caters to prospective students transferring to four-year colleges and universities by providing opportunities to meet one-on-one with recruitment officers from those institutions.

Limited-time slots are always fully booked for Cal State-East Bay, student assistant Patricia Romero said, and generally, more students show up than can be seen in one day.

Increased interest from Contra Costa College students is seen in the center’s visitor logs and in combined application and transfer statistics to the university.

CCC’s undergraduate transfer head count enrollments to Cal State-East Bay increased in 200809 by 91 percent compared with last year’s figures.

Statistics released by university authorities indicate that 130 CCC

students enrolled in 08-09, outnumbering the 68 students in the previous year.

“All of the community colleges have seen an increase in admissions,” Cal State-East Bay Assistant Director of Enrollment Development Annie NogalesChandler said. “CCC has one of the highest (transfer) enrollments to the university.”

Named one of “the best of the west” universities for the past six years in a row by the Princeton Review, Cal State-East Bay is steadily becoming a firstchoice school for students, especially those majoring in business, nursing and education, NogalesChandler said.

The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, an agreement contract to ensure admission, was not heavily impacted from CCC to Cal StateEast Bay, and the university is not required to admit the majority of students from their geographical service area, Nogales-Chandler said.

“There is no definite reason for admission increases. Students are becoming persistent,” she said.

programs continue to suffer from the blows of the budget in “ballpark numbers.”

In September, EOPS and CARE were expected to be reduced by 32 percent, but the latest report sent from the district estimates a 40 percent cut to the programs.

Disabled Students Programs and Services is projected to endure a cut of about 48 percent, Magalong said.

Matriculation, which covers assessment tests and counseling hours, went from seeing a 62 percent reduction to a 51 percent cut.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Magalong said. “The figures are constantly changing.”

As the categorical program cuts continue to change, the cuts made for the general fund budget will only cover expenses for the current school year.

“Competitiveness (and) higher degrees are now needed to get the same jobs that did not require them prior.”

Robin Harrison,

Transfer/Career Center coordinator

through BART and public transportation. You don’t have to cross a bridge.”

Combined with the growing level of interest, the amount of applications submitted for transfer from CCC increased by 75 percent, from 178 to 311 in one year, Nogales-Chandler said.

Transfer/Career Center Coordinator Robin Harrison said that within the last few years, CCC has been serving more students than ever, thus many more students are transfer-ready.

“More students have become aware of the impact of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and even a post-secondary graduate degree,” Harrison said. “Competitiveness (and) higher degrees are now needed to get the same jobs that did not require them prior.”

Appointments to speak with recruiters from Cal State-East Bay, 20-minute time slots each, are always in high demand and those interested should schedule their meetings as soon as possible, Romero said.

“Generally, when the economy is bad, people return to school.”

Prospective student Robert Avellar said that in addition to the good publicity Cal State-East Bay receives in the press, student interest begins by word of mouth.

“A lot of people I know went to (Cal State-East Bay),” Avellar said. “Plus, it’s more cost-efficient than (University of California) and private (colleges).”

The two-campus university, with locations in Hayward and Concord, is convenient for students that have already planted their roots in the East Bay. Contact Holly Pablo at hpab“I work and have family here,” Avellar said, “and it is accessible lo.advocate@gmail.com.

A bigger Police Services building now sits on the Diablo Valley College campus after the old structure was burned to the ground last year.

The Pleasant Hill campus hosted a celebration on Oct. 1 to honor the completion of the structure and a fresh start for campus police.

“We had a wonderful opening,” Police Services Chief Charles Gibson said. “We’re feeling really good right now.”

The original 40 feet by 60 feet wooden building was burned down at around 2 a.m. on June 23, 2008, when an unidentified suspect broke in and committed an act of arson, Gibson said.

Nobody was injured, and by 2:35 a.m. the Contra Costa County Fire Department controlled the fire.

The building was soon removed a few days later and Police Services was temporarily moved to the Engineering and Technology and Business and Foreign Language buildings until the completion of the project.

“We definitely would like to get him in custody,” DVC Police Services Lt. Tom Sharp said of the arsonist. “(I am) worried about (the suspect) being out there.”

Nearly $275,000 worth of structure, furniture, equipment and data was lost in the fire, Gibson said.

The case is currently being jointly investigated by Police Services, the FBI and the Pleasant Hill Police Department. “(If) we don’t have the proper tools to do our job, it’s a threat to the whole district,” Gibson said. “It is an act of urban terrorism.”

Although no leads have come fourth, a total of $12,000 is being offered as a reward for any information leading to an arrest of the suspect, Gibson said.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department is offering $10,000 and Bay Area Crime Stoppers, an organization dedicated to solving crime in local communities, is offering $2,000 for information as well.

Even after losing so much in the fire, Gibson said having a new Police Services building is better helping those who use it.

The district spent more than $1 million on the project, which also funded a 448-square foot addition to the floor plan, Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said.

Compared to the last structure, the 2880-square foot area offers more room to train police aides and hold conferences.

“What seems like a curse may be a blessing,” Gibson said.

The building was to be completed

by January, but due to delayed construction work, the project took an extra nine months, Pyle said.

For additional information on the case or to submit a lead for the investigation, contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department at 925-288-4600.

Bay Area Crime Stoppers can be reached at www.bayareacrimestoppers.org.

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

A6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

SPORTS

Returning players look to playoffs

Soccer Previews | 2009

Experienced crop aims at conference title after missing postseason due to slump in ’08

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

A season after missing the playoffs by a few games, the men’s soccer team takes the field with a more experienced team in hopes of getting to the postseason and winning the conference title.

Coach Rudy Zeller aims to win the Bay Valley Conference with his team, which has improved since last year. This squad has greater depth, with seven returning players who bring experience.

“It’s our most experienced team since 2005, when we had seven returning players,” Zeller said.

“With depth and experience, I’m hoping we can make the playoffs and win (the) conference.”

Included in the group of sophomores are key players from last season, such as defender Tao Sabella and forwards Ricky Salazar and Diego Orellana.

Sabella, one of the team’s co-captains, helped out the team at key times during games and was the support beam of the defense, but unfortunately was unable to finish the season due to a torn quadriceps muscle.

The return of the attacking duo of Salazar and Orellana will be helpful to the Comets since the two accounted for more than half of the team’s goals last year. Orellana led the team with nine goals, and Salazar had five.

Last year, the Comets failed to make the playoffs because of a series of poor finishes toward the end of the season. Those results caused Contra Costa College to drop in the power rankings, thus falling out of the playoff contention spots. In the final eight games of the regular season, the Comets only won once and tied once, losing the six remaining games.

The team ended the season with a 6-11-4 overall record and a 2-7-3 Bay Valley Conference record. ”Last year, we had good first half of season but we lost four of our starters due to injuries, and we didn’t have the depth in position (to replace them),” Zeller said.

With a 28-man roster, the Comets do not have the same problem with depth as they did last year.

“We have a lot more talent on and off the field, more players we can move around. (We have) talent that can put players in different positions,” Salazar said.

Returning midfielder Andre Delgado has taken a larger role this year in the midfield, following the team’s loss of key midfielders from last year.

A newcomer who already made a name for himself on the team is goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez. Hernandez has already earned the title of co-captain alongside Sabella. The two of them, along with the rest of the defense, have allowed only 13 goals in the first 12 games played and earned six shutouts so far in the season.

“As goalkeeper and co-captain, I need to try to be a role model and to try to command defense,” Hernandez said. “Me and Tao (Sabella) need to work together to get the team working.”

So far in the season, the Comets have an overall record of 5-4-3, going 2-1-1 in the BVC, just one short of their overall total wins for 2008. Twelve games into the season last year, the Comets had four overall wins.

An improvement to this year’s team from last year’s is the commitment of not only the captains, but of all the players.

“Our captains are stepping up. Last year, they were lagging,” Orellana said. “We have more committed players. Our mind is on the league, and it’s paying off.”

Comet defense shows to have made an improvement by achieving more shutouts and allowing fewer goals. The defense’s ability to lock out their opponents’ attack in games where the Comet offense struggled scoring has proved invaluable, Salazar said.

“We’re very solid defensively. The defense helps by putting a lot of shutouts on the board, and they help to keep us in the game,” he said.

Although the offense has been lacking in a few games with troubles putting the ball in the net, after a 5-0 win against Napa Valley College followed by a 4-0 win against Merritt College, the Comet attack looks to turn things around.

Zeller said the team looks to play with a 4-4-2 formation, but is able to switch to a 3-5-2 just in case opponents play with five midfielders.

To add to that, he also said they need to have a more established defensive midfielder in order for the team to have a strong spine and Edgar Wenze has been able to fill that spot.

For CCC, the team to beat in the BVC is the reigning champion, Yuba College.

The Comets hope that their depth and experience will get not only to the playoffs, but also a conference championship.

“The goal for the team is to win (the) conference championship,” Hernandez said. “We have Aug. 28 at Fresno a pretty good team to accomplish this, but we 0-4 L have to stay focused.

Sept. 1 vs. Skyline Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh. 5-2 W advocate@gmail.com.

Sept. 4 vs. Modesto 1-0 W

Schedule

Coach profile

Coaches

Key game

Contra Costa College

VS.

Yuba College

head men’s soccer coach assistant men’s soccer coach assistant men’s soccer coach

Zeller

Rudy Zeller Mario Alvernaz Pedro Vasquez

Roster

0 0 3 4 The 49ers pose a threat to the Comets in their 5 6 goal of capturing the Bay Valley Conference title 7 and a berth in the playoffs. The two teams tied 2- 8 2 in their first meeting this season.

9 10 11 12 13 14 Overall record 17 6-11-4 18 19 Conference record 20 2-7-3 21 22 Conference finish 23 fourth 24 25 Returning players 25 Tao Sabella Jorge Abonce 26 Rickey Salazar Jimmy Medeiros 28 Diego Orellana Anthony Parker 29 Chris Garcia Ruben Nunez 30

When: Home: Oct. 30, 4 p.m.

Last season by the numbers

Jamie Harder-Cattell Jesse Hernandez Peter Jernigen Tao Sabella Ricky Salazar Edgar Wenze Diego Orellana Andrere Delgado Chris Garcia Jorge Abonce Francisco Vasquez Carlos Varagas Vinny Parker Juan Acosta Jordan Zerbini Jimmy Medeiros Anthony Parker Juan Carlos Vargas Morling Cortez Taylor Wilson Ruben Nunez Junior Ibarra Javiar Huizar Hugo Perez Sergio Garcia Jamie Sahagun Alfonso Martinez Rene Garcia

goalkeeper goalkeeper midfielder defender striker defender striker midfielder midfielder striker striker striker midfielder defender midfielder defender defender midfielder midfielder midfielder midfielder midfielder midfielder defender midfielder midfielder defender striker

freshman freshman freshman sophomore sophomore freshman sophomore sophomore sophomore sophomore freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman sophomore sophomore freshman freshman freshman sophomore freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman

Sept. 5 vs. Redwoods 0-0 T

Sept. 22 vs. Cosumnes River 1-2 L Sept. 25 vs. Yuba 2-2 T Rudy Zeller returns for his 12th year of coaching the Comets. He looks to command his experienced team to a playoff spot and Bay Valley Conference title, which escaped their grasp last year. This is Zeller’s most experienced team since 2005, which recorded a 15-2-4 overall record and won the BVC title. So far this year, the team has already matched the amount of conference wins by last year’s team.

Jernigen

Co-captain Sabella returns to command the Comets’ defense to keep opponents from scoring.

Sept. 29 at Napa Valley 5-0 W Oct.2 vs. Merritt 4-0 W Oct. 6 at Marin 1-2 L Oct. 9 Bye Oct. 13 at Yuba 4 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Merritt 4 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Marin 4 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs. Santa Rosa 4 p.m.

Sabella

Hernandez

Orellana

Hernandez brings leadership to the field and solid goalkeeping to the net as co-captain.

Sept. 15 at American Canyon 0-1 L Sept. 18 at Chabot 0-0 T

Key players

Orellana returns to the Comets for his sophomore year in hopes to lead his team to the playoffs.

Sept. 11 vs. Feather River 1-0 W

Freshman Jernigen looks to make his presence known with his shooting abilities and speed.

Oct. 30 vs. Yuba 4 p.m.

Nov. 3 at Napa Valley 4 p.m.

Nov. 6 vs. Merritt 3 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Marin 3 p.m.

Nov. 13 Bye

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A7

Restored squad bounces back to competition After program’s cancellation last season, new team seeks to regain goals in revival

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Schedule

The season so far

Sept. 4 at San Francisco 0-1 L

The Comets are still in search of their first victory of the season under coach Nikki Ferguson.

Contra Costa College opened Bay Valley Conference play by going 0-2 against BVC rivals Solano Community College and Mendocino College.

Sept. 5 vs. San Francisco 0-3 L Sept.15 at Shasta 2-5 L

Coach profile

Sept. 22 vs. Shasta 3-5 L

Coaches

Oct. 9 Bye

Ferguson

Oct. 2 vs. Mendocino 0-2 L

Oct. 13 vs. Marin 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Yuba 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Los Medanos 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 at Solano 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 at Mendocino 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 3 BYE Nov. 6 at Yuba 3:00 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Marin 1:00 p.m.

Nov. 13 at Los Medanos 3:00 p.m.

head women’s soccer coach

Roster 0 4 5 7 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 22 23

Nikki Ferguson takes over as Comet coach after last year’s canceled season. With previous assistant coaching stints with Southern University and UC Berkeley women’s soccer teams, Ferguson looks to bring competitiveness and commitment to his young team.

Ferguson has high hopes for his squad, as they show potential.

Despite not winning a game yet, the team is growing.

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

Key games

Nikki Ferguson

Sept. 29 vs. Solano 0-4 L

With an exciting young team full of potential, talent and commitment, the women’s soccer team seeks to recover from 2008’s canceled season.

Nikki Ferguson enters his first year as coach with a goal of bringing organization and a competitive edge to a team full of many freshman players, looking to bounce back from the cancellation of last season due to a lack of players. “(My main objective) is to actually have a complete season with a team,” Ferguson said. “I want them to put their best foot forward and compete.”

Ferguson was hired for the position in April after previous coach Laura Van Wart was not able to field a team of 11 players because of player eligibility problems last fall. Ferguson has previous assistant coaching stints with the Southern University and UC Berkeley women’s soccer teams.

“I was excited about getting the head coaching position,” Ferguson said. “This is my first experience being a head coach, and I’m up for the challenge.”

This season so far, the Comets are 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the BVC, with notable losses to rivals Solano Community College and Mendocino College.

Besides having Ferguson as a new coach, the Comets roster is filled with many fresh faces, and just one returning player from their 2007 season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Marianna Aguilera remembers the 2007 season as an unpleasant one, as the team did not win a game and lacked chemistry.

This year, the Comets know that they will encounter problems throughout the course of the season due to their roster of young players.

“One of our biggest struggles this season is that we don’t have (many) experienced players,” Ferguson said.

In addition to having a young team, the Comets are faced with the same problems that are common to other inexperienced

squads.

“A lot of the players have raw talent.

However, we have a lot of technical deficiencies, a lack of consistency and they’re still trying to adjust to the college game speed,” Ferguson said.

Despite these obstacles, the Comets have shown improvements and plenty of potential to be a competitive team.

“The team is committed to the program despite being so young,” Ferguson said.

“They try to find ways to become better, and they grow from game-to-game.”

Since almost all of the players are freshmen, Ferguson allowed the Comets to choose their own team captains for the 2009 season.

As a result, the team selected forward Marisol “The team is Mora and defender Elissa committed to Medina as its the program leaders.

“I feel proud despite being so to be a team captain,” Mora said. young. They try “I try to inspire to find ways to myself and the become better, team, and I want everybody to and grow from work together.” game-to-game” Medina was also excited Nikki Ferguson, about being coach named captain. “(I know that) I have responsibilities to help my team out, and I expect them to stay positive and work hard,” she said.

The Comets look to defense to push themselves throughout the season, as Ferguson emphasizes the importance of it in practice.

“Defense is the strong point to this team,” he said. “We spend time practicing defensive organization.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Ferguson creates a free offense for the team, allowing them to orchestrate their own plays on the field. With Ferguson’s guidance and team commitment leading the squad, the team looks to catch some opponents’ off guard and snag some wins.

“The team is starting to become more consistent in organization,” Ferguson said.

“I’m very excited about the potential of the Comet women’s soccer team.”

Contra Costa College

Marianna Aguilera Carolina Valero Elissa Medina Maritza Salinas Lorhany Silva Andrea Garcia Dorothy Briseno Jessica Menjivar Natalie Estrada Daisy Huizar Jessica Miller Claudia Garcia Nancy Bautista Marisol Mora

goalkeeper defender defender midfielder midfielder forward midfielder defender defender midfielder forward defender forward forward

sophomore freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman

VS.

Los Medanos College

When: Away: Oct. 20, 3:30 p.m.

Home: Nov. 13, 3 p.m.

The Comets look forward to playing against their district rivals, the Mustangs, who currently stand second in the Bay Valley Conference.

Key games

Last season by the numbers Overall record 0-1-0, season cancelled Conference record 0-0-0 Conference finish did not complete season Returning player Marianna Aguilera

Contra Costa College

VS.

Solano Community College

When: Away: Nov. 18, 6 p.m.

The Comets seek to even the score against the Falcons in Solano, who defeated them 2-0 in the first match between the teams at home.

Key players

Aguilera provides the Comets with a veteran presence at goalkeeper as its only returning player.

Miller

Midfielder Huizar brings crafty dribbling abilities and ball control to a very young Comet team.

Aguilera

Mora brings speed and shooting power for the Comets. She leads the squad as its co-captain.

Huizar

Mora

Medina First-year co-captain Medina hopes to help the Comets work hard and keep positive vibes.

Forward Miller looks to have a standout year as one of the team’s 13 freshmen players.

A8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

CAMPUS BEAT

Celebration honors college anniversary Event attracts retirees, alumni

By Cody McFarland STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

A general lack of student interest reflected by a minute younger crowd did nothing to hinder the success of the precursor event to the 60th anniversary of Contra Costa College. The college celebrated its anniversary Saturday in the form of a tailgate party and car show, followed by a home football game against West Valley College.

The event began that morning and took place in Lots 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 near the stadium. CCC Alumni & Friends Association, the Student Automotive Club and the ASU sponsored the party.

While a few students who did not belong to either of the latter two clubs showed up, a much older crowd helped to populate the event, with retirees, alumni and adult members of the community coming out to show their support.

“A lot of people didn’t come out, but there’s still a good turnout,” ASU senator and automotive services student Jim Gardner said. “It’s early for students on a Saturday morning. I’m sure they slept in instead.”

President McKinley Williams said he was happy to see a lot of retirees and was pleased with the turnout of people coming to celebrate the college’s 60th anniversary, even though it was only a precursor to the actual date still to come in February 2010.

“We’re all here for the same reasons,” Williams said. “To look at cars, enjoy music, watch football and celebrate that we’re one of the best community colleges out there.”

Some 25 cars, trucks and motorcycles of different makes and models, as well as of foreign and domestic descent, were lined up between Lots 3 and 4 next to the stadium. Most of them belonged to CCC students and faculty.

Grills were available for public use in Lot 2, and the ASU and women’s softball team were selling various grilled foods for those who did not bring their own.

People danced about happily, as the CCC All Star Blues Band attracted the interest of passersby, such as student Randall Huber.

He said he was completely unaware the event was happening and just came by out of curiosity after a morning class.

Leroy Mims, a retired CCC dean, said the event was beautiful and impressive, adding that he would love to see more events like

it in the future. He was also happy to see many familiar faces.

Automotive services department Chairman Peter Lock submitted his very own 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS to the show, which was once used as a pace car for stock car races. It is one of 3,200 made, with only around 500 still in existence today. He bought it from a friend and restored it in 1982, he said.

Ballots were passed out for people to vote on the Best in Show and their favorite domestic and imported cars.

First place domestic and Best in Show went to #70, Paul Walker’s 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle. First place import went to #24, Ricardo Mendoza’s 1996 BMW. The two winners were awarded congratulatory certificates from the Student Auto Club.

The club also raffled off a PlayStation 3 for $5 a ticket or five tickets for $20, and oil changes for $1 a ticket or six tickets for $5.

Winners will be announced Oct. 29.

Lock facilitated the event, but did not do any of the coordination.

That job, he said, was in the hands of Gardner.

“Jim was instrumental in putting this event together,” Lock said. “He gave the push that we all needed.”

Gardner organized the car show portion of the event and used old

BRIAN YOUNG/ THE ADVOCATE

Rockin’ the house — The CCC All Star Blues Band, featuring President McKinley Williams (second from right), performs at the tailgate party Saturday outside the Gymnasium. contacts from previous shows to attract rare and unique cars for the event. He is responsible for recent car shows that have been held on campus and is planning one in April for the ASU’s Unity Day. “I like the way cars bring people

together,” Gardner said. “If you’re a car person, you can’t help but unify with other (car enthusiasts).”

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland.advocate@gmail. com.

Film series stresses disability awareness DSPS program hopes to erase stereotypes

By Cody McFarland STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

In honor of Disability Awareness Month, Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) began its second annual film series on Oct. 5. The series includes 10 short films, no longer than an hour each, that document the struggles of men and women with various disabilities.

The first film, titled “Spit It Out,” dealt with stuttering.

Co-sponsored by DSPS, the Library and staff development, the film series is designed to educate students on the challenges faced by the disabled community and the way

in which they live, Library department Chairwoman Ellen Geringer said.

All films were purchased last year by the DSPS in order to raise awareness and were chosen by Geringer.

They range from films on autism, to blindness, to Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a rare genetic condition that challenges communication between the right and left sides of the brain.

“It makes you see we all have difficulties and all have different ways of dealing with them,” Geringer said.

One film in the series will incorporate the help of an outside member of the disabled community that will bring in a guide dog, DSPS Manager Yasuko Abe said. This will teach those who attend how to act around guide dogs as well as the blind, she said.

Six people attended the first film, which was titled “Spit It Out” and focused on

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stuttering. Five of those in attendance were Middle College High School students, however, who left before the film finished.

There is an expected increase in attendance as the month goes on and more students are made aware, Abe said.

“No one knows it is Disability Awareness Month,” she said. “That will change when word gets out.”

Some teachers assign attendance to the series or a single film from the series for course credit or extra credit, Geringer said.

These actions increase student interest, and the discussions that follow the films are always very powerful, she said.

Moderators lead these discussions and provide expository information on their topics before the films, Abe said. “(You are able to) see and document the coping strategies of people with disabilities,” psychology professor Mickelle Arnold said.

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland.advocate@gmail.com.

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SPOTLIGHT

HAPPY DEMEANOR

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

A9

Honoring the ‘King’ Manager’s care garners respect from employees

A friendly presence — Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King takes a break from cleaning up after a leaky roof in the Applied Arts Building Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

Lacking high towers, a wooden drawbridge or even a moat, the campus does not fit the stereotypical vision of a palace at first glance.

Despite what it lacks, however, the college should be acknowledged as nothing short of fit for a king.

Name any structure on campus and it would be difficult to find one without a connection to Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King.

Working at Contra Costa College for two-and-a-half years, King utilizes his leadership toward making the structure enjoyable for students, faculty and members of the community.

“He makes sure the campus itself is looking good,” student worker Desiree Young said. “The campus has an image to maintain, and he makes sure that service maintenance workers are on task with the job.”

With a strong work ethic coupled with a love for the college, King has a dedication to make the campus as functional as it is beautiful. “(The campus) looks better and says we have a nice school, and it (isn’t) just ratty and old,” Middle College High School freshman Iris Williams said.

Alongside his responsibility to make decisions regarding the physical structure of the college, King exudes a charm that makes working with him enjoyable.

Young said, “He actually cares about people that work for him, personally and professionally. To have that in a supervisor is very rare.”

Standing tall with an easygoing attitude, topped with an impenetrable drive to address the needs of those on campus, King ensures the maintenance of the

college’s facilities are stable.

Twenty years later, King was “He is service-oriented and approached with a proposition to customer-oriented, and that’s buy Cooper Trucking, a Pittsburg what it takes to get the job done,” dump truck company.

Director of Business Services By gaining control over the Mariles Magalong said. business, he experienced leaderThrough ensuring the safety of ship to a degree unlike before, structures, upgrading high-volt- with more responsibilities in age electricity or repairing holes regard to management, cost conin the ceiling, King works for the trol, decision making and “a little future of the facilities and has a of everything,” he said. history of qualifications.

When he reached 50, King At the age of 58, King has decided to retire and the sell the experienced leadership in many trucking business before joinforms that outline his ability to ing Community Vocational Enterprises, cast decisions benefiting the a nonprofit organization in needs of the “(King) is people and the San Francisco service-oriented and assisting discampus.

B o r n customer-oriented, and abled people and raised learn custodial in Southern that’s what it takes to work.

California, “It was very get the job done.”

King held onto enjoyable,” he a thirst to help said. “(They Mariles Magalong, people in a were) so gratedirector of business services hands-on way, ful they could learn a skill accomplishing goals by making contributions where they were able (to work).”

Yet, with his wife in poor that could be seen, he said.

After graduating from health, King realized the 90-minWestmont College in Santa ute distance between his home in Barbara with a major in business Concord and the organization in and management, King worked San Francisco stalled him from at World Vision International, a coming to her aid.

“I felt so helpless being so far Christian humanitarian nonprofit organization, for a year and a away,” he said.

The transition has since then half.

Working at the time of the benefitted him in terms of much Vietnam War era, King was sta- more than just distance.

In 2006, King landed the job tioned in Cambodia for a year, where he helped refugees while as the new Buildings and Grounds working closely with the United manager at CCC. States Agency for International Since then, every day has chalDevelopment. lenged King with a new issue to It was in Cambodia where tackle, as strange or ordinary as he would meet his wife, Neavy, it may be.

“It could be as crazy as a wild whom he remains happily maropossum in class, to ravens digried to for 34 years.

“It was one of the best things ging on the soccer field or normal I have ever done,” King said. issues that come up day-to-day,” “I went on the other side of the he said. world to meet my wife.”

While maintaining a profesAs the war wound down, King sional stance on his duty to make decided to move onto another the campus a “premier school,” job as the vice president for the King looks at his job as fun rather facilities management of Bank of than work, he said.

America.

Contact Asia Camagong at For five years, he traveled throughout Asia, assisting with acamagong.advocate@gmail. com. facilities and operations.

South Asian club embraces diversity

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Within a moment on campus, the common eye can see that the college is home to students of many faces from different places.

Yet, acknowledging the existence of diversity does not provide the same amount of satisfaction that can be attained by understanding it.

For its first time on campus, the South Asian Students Association (SASA) invites students to broaden their worldview by learning about the many cultures of South Asia every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in HS-101.

“We already know about our culture, values and morals, (because) we were raised on that,” SASA Vice President Harmeet Singh said. “We want people of other cultures to

know about it and have a decent knowledge about our heritage.”

Additionally, the club plans to support its members by providing them with helpful information to transfer to four-year colleges, tutoring and opportunities to become involved in their community, Singh said.

“We’re about helping the students out as much as possible,” he said. “(We want) just about everybody to succeed in life.”

After a few weeks of planning and preparation, SASA emerged from a desire to “unify all the South Asians,” Singh said.

The club seeks to spread information about different South Asian groups.

Ranging from Indian, Pakistani, Tibetan and various others in surrounding areas, SASA will allow members to embrace the cultures through presentations and celebrations of religious holidays, Singh said.

As a new club on campus, SASA has attracted members to join with its promise

for a cultural awakening. “(I joined) to learn new things and become more open-minded and diversify myself,” student Samuel “We’re a diverse Uwahemo said. college, and (we Many events are encourage) all races under disto come through cussion for the club this and learn about year, such (other) cultures.” as nights of movHarmeet Singh, ies, games Students Association and bowl- South Asian president ing where members can socialize and bond, he said.

The club also hopes its members will participate in a variety of organized com-

munity events where they will volunteer at local temples, churches and mosques, SASA President Zoya Sait said.

While promoting social gatherings and volunteer work, SASA also plans to offer students educational assistance by arranging transfer workshops and tutoring sessions.

Sait said the workshops will feature guest speakers presenting students with advice on transferring, she said.

Prospective members with cultural backgrounds outside of South Asia are encouraged to join and spread their knowledge about other worldly cultures.

“We want people to spread knowledge about our culture, (but also) tell us about their specific culture,” Singh said. “Basically, we want to get those people to tell us what they’re about.”

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong. advocate@gmail.com.

Parker balances life despite challenges

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

From the small details like telling a student that his shoes are untied to the big details such as planning as ASU event, Henry Parker proves that one can turn his or her life around with a positive attitude.

After realizing the “street life” was not for him, Parker turned his energy and focus around, eventually resulting in his becoming vice president of clubs for the ASU. ASU President Kristina Bautista said Parker is very enthusiastic about what he is doing and wants to see more community and campus interaction.

“As a friend, he is very positive and makes you want to believe in yourself. He believed in me, even when I did not believe in myself,” Bautista said. “That is the kind of person he is.”

She said Parker helped her to become president and pushes her to become great at whatever it is she is doing.

Student Jose Medina said Parker is a good person who does his best to look out for everyone else.

“You can always see him around campus either helping someone or promoting an

event for the ASU,” Medina said. “Sometimes I wonder, when does he look out for him?”

Medina said Parker does a great job in the ASU, as he is very creative and open about his support for the campus.

Parker said he wanted to become an ASU member because he believes in the college “I feel that it has great opportunity and will produce great people in the long run,” Parker said. “If each one teaches one, then maybe we could accomplish greater things.”

Student life worker Gigi Green said Parker is very passionate, dedicated to what he believes in and willing to go to the extreme for his beliefs. “(Parker) wants to do some great things once he obtains his associate degree, and he is working quite hard to get it,” Green said.

Parker said he loves to help out the community.

“I think it’s important, because more children need mentors, and me being a mentor means that I can help some of them out and change a life,” he said.

ASU Senator Ryan Oswald said Parker cares about the education of others, and once he takes someone under his wing, he makes sure that he or she is approaching his or her goals with as much drive and dedication as Parker is.

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Building a framework — Recently elected ASU Vice President of Clubs Henry Parker works on organizing the details of future campuswide events at his office in the Student Life Center Monday. He wants to set up more mentoring.

“Henry has been doing a great good of balancing his family life and his school life,” Oswald said. “He does a great job of planning and promoting the ASU events and getting others involved on what’s going on.”

Parker said that while life may get rough sometimes, one has to stick it out and just keep going, as giving up should be the last thought that comes to mind.

“You should always strive to do your best

and never forget where you came from,” he said.

ASU secretary Jasmyn Oliver said that although Parker was just elected as vice president, he already takes his job very seriously.

Contact Lamar James at ljames. advocate@gmail.com.

A10 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

SPORTS

Comet protects goal with pride Player stands by colleagues while injured

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

The defense of a soccer team is always judged by the amount of goals it allows, and to put together an unstoppable defense, a solid goalkeeper is necessary.

Freshman Jesse Hernandez has been a key element for the Comets’ performance so far this season. He, along with the rest of Comet defense, has six shutouts and 50 saves in 12 games. The team has an overall record of 5-4-3.

“He’s a warrior,” coach Rudy Zeller said. “He works extremely hard, trying to push himself harder all the time. He’s the most valuable player of the team, pushing more than his load of the team. He’s a joy to be around.”

Hernandez is a graduate

of Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. He played for the Northgate soccer team for three years, one year on junior varsity and his last two years on varsity.

In his senior year in high school his team made it to the North Coast Section (NCS) semifinal game, where it lost to Tennyson High School 21. That year, he won his second Defensive Player of the Year award, winning his first while he was on the JV team two years earlier.

“He has the capacity to play for a Division I or Division II team if he commits himself,” Zeller said.

This is Hernandez’s first year on the team. He said he was supposed to play on the team last year but had a commitment playing for a club team.

Hernandez is currently attending classes at Diablo Valley College but plays for the Contra Costa College soccer team because CCC is the only college in the district with a men’s soccer team.

An avid fan of the sport,

Hernandez enjoys watching Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid. He said his favorite players are Barcelona striker Thierry Henry and Mexican national soccer team attacking midfielder Giovanni dos Santos.

He roots for the United States and Mexican national teams.

Despite being a freshman on the team, he has already earned the respect from his teammates, along with title of co-captain alongside defender Tao Sabella.

“He’s our leader,” midfielder Peter Jernigan said.

“He pushes us. He saved us in a couple games, and he’s always there for our team.”

Unfortunately, however, the goalkeeper is currently injured with a dislocated right shoulder. To be exact, he has an acromioclavicular joint sprain and will be out for a few weeks.

“It’s hard on him, because he loves to play the sport. He was mad. He didn’t want that to happen,” defender Juan Acosta said. “He just wants to be out here playing the sport that he loves.”

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Human wall — Comet goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez has helped his team record six shutouts so far this season and a 5-4-3 overall record.

Hernandez injured his shoulder in CCC’s 2-1 defeat of College of Marin at Kentfield on Oct. 6. He said he should return by Oct. 27.

With the Comets ahead 1-0, Hernandez deflected a hard shot from outside the box, with the ball returning to a Marin player who drove it toward the goal and shot.

Hernandez stretched out his arms to make the save but landed on his right arm.

“My arm felt weird. I wanted to keep playing, but I

knew it wasn’t the best decision. I tried to get up, but my shoulder couldn’t support my weight,” Hernandez said.

Even though sidelined with the injury for a few weeks, he said he will be at the team’s practices and games to support them.

Before his injury, Hernandez allowed 11 goals in the 939 minutes that he played.

Zeller said that with the absence of Hernandez, the defense needs to play better

to prevent their opponents from easy shots on goal, and the offense will need to produce more goals.

Comet left back Hugo Perez, who had some goalkeeping experience in high school, will put on the gloves.

But with the team’s star goalkeeper out, Zeller said, “It’s like having a football team without its quarterback.”

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

Course encourages runners to trek campus

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With myths like the fountain of youth, it seems as though a chance at living longer is nothing but a distant fantasy.

Yet, the real secret to a prolonged life is only a few steps away.

Responsible for the arrows spray-painted on the concrete around campus, the power walk and run path has

been completed after nearly a year of planning and preparation, promoting exercise as a stride toward healthier lifestyles. “(We want) people to focus on health this year,” Vice President Carol Maga said. “In difficult times with financial problems, we want to maintain health from all the stress.”

Open to students, faculty and members of the community, the complete trail totals 3.3 miles and travels

throughout campus.

“More exercise gives more chances for life expectancies to be longer,” physical education professor Robert Creer said.

The path passes by several campus buildings, such as the Gym Annex Building, Student Services Center, Biological Sciences Building and Early Learning Center. “(The trail) goes all the way up to the top (of the campus) with up and down leverage,” Creer said.

Exercisers are encouraged to establish their own benchmarks. Participants are not obligated to travel the entire course, as the benchmarks will vary depending on the individual, he said.

“It’s not about aggressive exercises,” Creer said. “(It’s just about) taking a nice, healthy walk to build endurance.”

In addition to taking advantage of the public walk and run path, students are invited to enroll in PE-156, a

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one-unit physical conditioning class that will provide basic health and fitness concepts beginning Monday.

The first class will be an orientation to acquaint the students with the instructors to organize a workout and diet plan and provide any additional assistance based on the needs of the individual, Creer said.

On Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., instructors will be available on the track to

provide assistance to students.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said the path gives light to the campus scenery by going through the creek, passing hills and old buildings.

“The course is made for everyone,” King said. “(It is good) to encourage people to get healthy.”

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong. advocate@gmail.com.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A11

PHOTOS BY ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Broken up — Comet defensive back Duane Hooper (left) swats a pass away from the hands of Viking wide receiver Perry Burnhart in Contra Costa College’s 20-17 comeback win over West Valley College at home Saturday.

Football | Victory at last together.”

■ FROM: Page A1 Before the game, a tailgate party took win was against Gavilan College 20-17 on Sept. 21 of the same year. With the win, the place in Lots 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to celebrate homecoming and the district’s 60th anniComets snap their 18-game losing streak.

Contra Costa College looks to keep its versary. A spirited crowd of retirees and momentum when it begins BVC play on alumni rooted the team on.

West Valley College took the lead early Saturday at 1 p.m. against College of the Redwoods (0-5 overall, 0-0 in the BVC) on in the game during the first drive, when Viking running back Hashim Houston ran in Eureka. for 37 yards in six attempts, Trailing the Vikings 17-14 but it was not enough to get to with less than three minutes ScoreBoard the end zone. So the Vikings left on the clock, the Comets settled for a 26-yard field received the ball 32 yards Comets 20 goal for the 3-0 lead. away from the end zone on Vikings 17 The Comets’ passing game a Vikings’ punt. CCC’s final had trouble getting in rhythm drive consisted of almost all Next game: in the first half, going 4-forrunning plays, except for an Saturday at 11 for 34 yards. But the runattempt at a touchdown pass College of the ning game carried the team in on third down from Tutass to Redwoods, the first half with 91 yards. wide receiver Michael Hicks 1 p.m.

West Valley led 10-0 at the that came up incomplete and half. brought up a fourth down.

CCC totaled 184 yards Instead of attempting a field goal that would tie the game and rushing for the day, thanks to main conpossibly send it to overtime, the Comets tributors Allen, who had 10 attempts for 62 decided to leave their quarterback on the yards, and Tutass, who racked up 72 yards field to try for the risky lead, and it paid on 20 attempts.

Comets’ kicker Justin Naterman could off with Tutass’ 3-yard run for the touchdown. Not only did the touchdown give not get his kicking on track, he missed two the Comets the victory, it was also the first extra points and had a blocked field goal.

“We made mistakes, but we kept in the time that they took the lead in any game game,” Johnson said. this season.

Normally in games this season, the “Today, we played four quarters of football instead of a half or a quarter,” Comets have trouble running the ball and coach Dave Johnson said. “It was a team become more of a passing team. But in this effort today. We played together, we won game the opposite was true.

Elation — Football coach Dave Johnson (center) receives a hug from his son, offensive lineman Devin Johnson (72), after the Comets’ 20-17 victory over West Valley College at home Saturday. The win ended their 18-game losing streak.

The drive that opened up the scoreboard for the Comets came in the third quarter, when linebacker Joshua Richardson intercepted a pass from Viking quarterback Kyle Cool.

From there, the Comets rushed for eight yards and threw for another 36, including a 27-yard touchdown pass from Tutass to wide receiver Kenneth Green.

“Now that we see what a good week of practice does, the team will practice harder.

It’s good for the upcoming conference games,” Tutass said.

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

Lack of effort cripples squad Inconsistency leads to loss in three sets

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER

Consistency and effort were not present in the women’s volleyball squad Friday, as the Comets lost to the Yuba College in straight sets.

Contra Costa College (13 overall, 1-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) displayed a poor performance in 53 minutes of play, as Yuba (4-3 overall, 2-0 in the BVC) swept them in all three sets with final scores of 25-7, 25-10 and 25-6.

“They (the Comets) played a scrappy game,” CCC coach Azure’D Nunley said. “I feel that they need to come with more intensity.”

CCC’s offense did not The Comets’ next game is at home against Laney step up to aid their poor College (1-1 overall, 0-1 in defensive play as they set up many scores for the 49ers. the BVC) today at 6 p.m.

CCC entered the game The Comets lost the first with only six players on the set 25-7. “ O u r roster due to offense wasn’t several injuScoreBoard ries, compared good,” Comet to the 49ers’ 11 team captain 49ers def. and middle players.

Comets 25-7, hitter Emily The 49ers 25-10, 25-6 Hansen said. started the first set with a 4“We weren’t Next game: 0 lead before attacking Today vs. Laney, enough.” the Comets The Comets answered 6 p.m. continued their back with two consecutive poor play on spikes. CCC and Yuba went defense in the second set, point-for-point from then as the players showed no on until the Comets became effort in chasing down balls, unorganized in their defen- instead hesitating and waitsive positioning, allowing ing for their teammates to 49er middle blocker Fiona pursue it.

Newman and setter Laura “They need to hustle,” Thorpe to exploit several Nunley said. “They need to holes, attacking their oppo- talk to each other on the nents with numerous spikes court and adjust.”

The 49ers punished the and serves.

SportShort Squad allows two penalties in 2-1 loss to Mariners With the loss of goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez to injury in the first half and two costly penalties made in the second half, Contra Costa College (5-4-3 overall, 2-1-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) fell to College of Marin (1-4-2 overall, 1-0 in the BVC) in Kentfield by a score of 2-1 on Oct. 6.

The Comets’ offense started off slowly in the first half until forward Diego Orellana scored a goal against the Mariner defense, putting CCC up 1-0.

CCC’s defense controlled the remainder of the first half. Late in the first half, however, freshman Comet goalkeeper Hernandez was

forced to leave the game after suffering a separated shoulder while blocking a Marin goal attempt. “(Hernandez has) been our MVP,” coach Rudy Zeller said. “Just the shock of not having him return to the game affected the team.”

Hernandez is due to be out for three weeks.

The Comets gave up two penalty kicks and Marin capitalized on both, making the score 2-1.

“Hopefully, we can rebound (from the loss) next game,” Zeller said. The Comets host Napa Valley College Friday at 4 p.m.

— Malcolm Lastra

Box scores Football (Oct. 10) West Valley, Contra Costa West Valley 3 CCC 0

7 0

0 6

7 — 17 14 — 20

First Quarter West Valley — Dukic 26 yd kick.

Second Quarter West Valley — Williams 15 yd pass from Cool (Dukic kick) 2:22.

Third Quarter CCC — Green 27 yd pass from Tutass (Naterman miss) 1:16.

Fourth Quarter West Valley — Vigil 15 yd pass from Cool (Dukic kick) 14:53.

CCC — Tutass 5 yd run (two-point conversion good) 13:10.

CCC — Tutass 3 yd run (Naterman miss) 0:24.

Individual statistics Rushing — West Valley — Houston 14-36, Brodack 7-27, Cool 6- (-14), Reynolds 14-63. — CCC — Allen 10-62, Tutass 20-72, Smallwood 9-20, Burden 2-4, Hicks 2-26.

Passing — West Valley— Cool 11-25-1 113. — CCC — Tutass 11-26-0 99.

Receiving — West Valley — Williams 3-19, Carter 1-10, Vigil 4-59, LaBouff 1-4, Reynolds 1-7, Burnhart 1-18. — CCC — Green 3-48, Hicks 4-18, Allen 3-34.

Missed field goals — West Valley — None. — CCC — Naterman 1.

Record — West Valley — 0-5 overall, 0-0 in

Comets for their mistakes, as Yuba went on a 12-point scoring run, six of those points coming from unanswered serves from Thorpe.

Yuba took the second set by a final score of 25-10.

The same costly mistakes that haunted the Comets in the first two sets were displayed early in the final set as the 49ers finished them with a 25-6 set win.

“When they have fun, they play well,” Nunley said.

“When they play frustrated, they play off.”

Although Hansen said that CCC played its best defensive game, the defense had several failed digs and was not able to find its spot on the court, as many of the points given to the 49ers were caused by disorganization in defensive positioning.

This in turn forced the team offense into bad hitting positions.

Coast. — CCC — 1-5 overall, 0-0 in BVC.

Volleyball (Oct. 9) Yuba def. Contra Costa 25-7, 25-10, 25-6 Individual statistics Aces — CCC — Escorcia 3. — Yuba — Thorpe 9, Music 3, Johnson 2.

Spikes — CCC — Danao 2, Johnson 2, Ambegia 1. — Yuba — Newman 7, Uhland 7, Minetti 1, Thorpe 1, Savage 1, Music 1.

Blocks — CCC — Danao 2, Johnson 1.

— Yuba — Newman 3, Uhland 2.

Record — CCC — 1-3 overall, 1-2 in BVC. — Yuba — 4-3 overall, 2-0 in the BVC.

Schedule Football at College of the Redwoods, Saturday 1 p.m. at Yuba College, Oct. 24 1 p.m.

Men’s soccer vs. Napa, Friday 4 p.m. at Merritt, Tuesday 4 p.m. vs. Marin, Oct. 23 4 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Laney, today 6 p.m. at Marin, Friday 6 p.m. vs. Los Medanos, Oct. 23 6 p.m.

Women’s soccer vs. Yuba, Friday 1:30 p.m. at Los Medanos, Tuesday 3:30 p.m. at Solano, Oct. 23 3:30 p.m.

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Reaching out — Comet hitter LaShara Johnson dives to make a save against Yuba College at home Friday. The Comets lost the match in straight sets.

“We need to remember each others’ movement (on the court),” freshman outside hitter Christine Ambegia said. “Everything has to be on point in positioning. If you get a good pass, you

will get a good set. If you get a good set, you will get a good hit.”

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

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

Yuba College When: Friday, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Soccer field Records: CCC 0-6-0 overall, 0-2-0 in the BVC. Yuba 5-4-2 overall, 2-1-0 in the BVC. Background: The women’s soccer team looks to return from its bye week after a 2-0 loss against Mendocino College. The Comets, who are still seeking their first victory, host Yuba College. The 49ers come off a 3-1 loss to Solano Community College, but have won five games out of their last six.

—Malcolm Lastra

A12 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed

Movies

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

SCENE

Classic pop-punk album revisited

ROCK SHOW

By Brent Bainto This week: “Where the Wild Things Are” (PG)

SCENE EDITOR

“The Stepfather” (PG-13) “Law Abiding Citizen” (R)

DVDs

New releases: “The Proposal” (PG-13) “Land of the Lost” (PG13) “Drag Me to Hell” (R) “Jackass: The Lost Tapes” (NR)

CDs SPECIAL TO/ THE ADVOCATE

Enthused — Bassist Mark Hoppus (top) and guitarist Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 perform before thousands of fans during one of their sold-out performances over the summer.

New releases: Lightning Bold: “Earthly Delight” The Flaming Lips: “Embryonic” Bob Dylan: “Christmas in the Heart” Michael Buble: “Crazy Love” Mario: “D.N.A.” Bowling for Soup: “Sorry for Partyin’”

Games

Citizens walk in ‘harmony’

By Adam Oliver STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

RICHMOND — With a 2009 goal of raising more than $200,000, the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) hosted its 23rd annual Harmony Walk to End Hunger here Saturday.

Started in 1966, GRIP is an interfaith association established throughout the Bay Area in 43 congregations from Berkeley to Alamo working

together to provide shelter, food and job opportunities for the needy, GRIP Executive Director Arthur Hatchett said.

GRIP provides meals and emergency housing for homeless individuals and families and works to promote the goal of self-sufficiency through employment services, he said.

As the largest fundraising event held by GRIP, the Harmony Walk to End Hunger produced more than $60,000 in funds last year and hoped to generate around $150,000 this year, Hatchett said.

Financially, GRIP survives off of fundraising and donations and receives donations

“Obscure: The Aftermath” (PSP – M) “Way of the Samurai 3” (XBOX360 – M)

Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

Lost Treasure

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto. advocate@gmail.com.

in the form of food from both stores and congregational members, he said. Chevron Corporation, Mechanics Bank and others provided the funds to drive the program’s largest event.

Volunteers sponsored by family, friends and other willing donors walked three miles through the central Richmond neighborhood, stopping at two rest stations along the way. The walk was preceded by registration and refreshments at 8 a.m. along with the official start led by the El Cerrito High School Marching Band at 9 a.m.

The walk started at the Richmond Civic Center and

moved down Nevin Avenue to 23rd Street, up Barrett Avenue to the Mechanics Bank rest stop on 42nd Street, down Macdonald Avenue to the second rest stop at the GRIP “Souper Center,” and back to the Richmond Civic Center for the post-walk festivities.

After crossing the finish line, participants were greeted with music, food, booths and a prize drawing to reward their efforts.

The amount of money generated by the event is yet to be determined, but the GRIP officials are expecting a good outcome.

“Overall, (the event) was

really a great effort, it went really well,” Hatchett said.

“We just love how people come out here, and it’s really great to get everyone involved,” Westendorf said.

Additionally, the event drew a surprising number of youth volunteers, Hatchett said. He said it is great to see so many young people taking action and getting involved.

In alliance with GRIP, many organizations including Rubicon and the Red Cross also set up booths to promote their messages and services.

Contact Adam Oliver at aoliver.advocate@gmail.com.

Latest PostSecret reveals ‘Confessions’ ASSOCIATE EDITOR

“Pokemon Dungeon Sky” (DS – E)

is displayed in transitions of songs such as the absurdity of reaction to a sexually transmitted disease and the implication of bestiality.

Even though Blink182 exhibited an attempt at maturity in 2003 with its self-titled album before its unprecedented hiatus, listening to “Dude” almost dismisses all of that and restores the band back to its prime.

When I heard about their comeback over summer, I was absolutely ecstatic, already knowing that I owed it to my teenage years to finally see them live, though I ultimately came to the conclusion that it just would not be the same, as seeing them now would almost compromise the Blink-182 image that has stayed with me for so long. The Blink-182 I knew from albums preceding their self-titled release may have since been long gone, but I will always treasure the profound impact “Dude Ranch” has had on me.

Hunger awareness draws community

By Alec Surmani

New releases: “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (PS3 – T)

With a much-desired comeback finally in full fruition, including a closing tour and pledged sixth studio album, Blink-182’s roots mustn’t be forgotten.

As every musician or band has a pinnacle release, Blink-182’s was its sophomore and major label debut album, “Dude Ranch.”

Though this technically was not the first album I owned of Blink-182’s, this was one that I can fully say summarized how I felt a majority of my high school life, and it continues to reflect many aspects of my current life. Listening to “Dude” delivers a strong emphasis on the sort of self-structure (or lack of one) that has brought me from my past to present.

A flood of emotions, generally in the gray areas of joy and desolation, overwhelm me with a sense of utter contentment, no matter my current disposition. At 15 years old and coming to grips with reality, I identified more and more with “Dude,” basically saying “Yes! This is exactly how I feel,” as if it if were the sound

track to my life.

Blink-182 was not exactly a group of lyrical geniuses, but they spoke truthfully about heartbreak, love, obsession and just being young and immature, no matter how irreverent and adolescent they seemed at their age during the album’s production and release.

Their genuine brand of pop-punk simplicity defined them as a group musically and lyrically.

Even though they were arguably a musically candied and more refined product of punk rock culture, they connected with youth and in some ways much more than provoked ideas of political rebellion and anti-establishment.

Every song contains such unforgettable melodies and choruses that fans, former and current, easily recognize them and quickly sing-along.

In terms of timelessness, “Dude” sums up memories of being young and self-conscious, but is blunt about things such as amusing vulgarity. Blink-182’s signature gutter humor

Every child hears it at a young age. Given time and a certain degree of subtlety, it begins to shape perceptions and consequently actions. Occurring at both the conscious bookreview and subconscious level, the believed axiom, elevated so by social reinforcement and credence “PostSecret: offered from Confessions on the self, dictates countless decisions Life, Death, & God” based on its valid★★★★★ ity, and what that Author: Frank Warren validity means.

Yes, truth hurts. Genre: Culture But what the saying leaves out, however, is that the alternative hurts more.

This is the essence of PostSecret, an online community art experiment wherein people divulge their secrets on postcards and mail them anonymously to a single man in Maryland who organizes and shares them.

Gaining popularity through its nexus, www.PostSecret.com, the project grew into an object

of nationwide interest, spawning several museum exhibits, multiple cross-country tours and five compilation books.

The latest in the series, “Confessions on Life, Death, & God,” finds a loose theme perhaps best summed up by one of its contributors: “I’m worried that if I don’t stop overanalyzing myself and human existence I’m gonna go crazy like my cousin has.”

Not all of the offerings are this bleak (some are bleaker). Secrets range from laments on how one woman’s mother refuses to attend her daughter’s wedding because of the groom’s religion to hopes that there is sex in heaven.

More than just gossip or church confession, it is a forum of thoughts, emotions and experiences.

Given their rarely-voiced status, many are filled with shame, such as those embarrassed about their struggle with having too many opportunities and not knowing what to do with them: “Sometimes I am envious of women unburdened by the freedom to be anything they want to be when they grow up.”

Others are transitions or realizations that carry a weight beyond their companions’ simpler,

SPECIAL TO/ THE ADVOCATE

Unhidden message — Anonymous message excerpts from a PostSecret compilation illustrate a profound connection between complete strangers and readers.

but no less valid, secrets: “I never feared death — until I became a mom.”

Although a majority of the book’s readers are not going to be mothers any time soon, the above personal statement remains universally relatable.

That is the true value of the work and overall project.

Great art does more than just trigger reactions. It changes people.

PostSecret is therapy. It makes people laugh; it makes them feel less alone; it makes them feel more comfortable with who they are or who they want to be; it makes them feel loved.

Part of what makes this possi-

ble is the fact that the whole effort is truly by and for the community.

Its creator, Frank Warren, has always asserted he is essentially just the person who receives and puts together the secrets. All the content is just human sharing.

Thus, it holds more power and more potential for instilling selfempowerment. Instead of just telling people what to think, feel or do, PostSecret helps people find the truth — the truth that can only be found by being honest with oneself.

“Today I realized I am allowed to be happy.”

Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani.advocate@gmail.com.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

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THE DAY THE BAY SHOOK Picking up the pieces — An employee of local store Grocery Outlet at 2079 23rd Street in San Pablo cleans up after the damage sustained in the wake of the Loma Prieta earthquake on Oct. 17, 1989.

The floors were covered with fallen merchandise.

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Tremors rattle in memories Do you think Contra Costa College is prepared for an earthquake?

No: 79%

Out of 200 people randomly surveyed on campus, 79 percent said CCC is not prepared for an earthquake.

editorial The federal, state and college approach to earthquake preparedness lacks foresight and sufficient effort.

By Alec Surmani

magnitude

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

arlier that Tuesday evening, she walked about her Oakland home, a fivemonth-old infant the focus of her attention. While preparing to pack for a flight to Seattle later that night, Rose Muller felt something.

“The walls just started undulating. Everything started jumping off,” she said. “I ran outside with my baby, because I didn’t know if the building was going to collapse.”

Muller said the walls took a nearly liquid-like appearance.

“It was really scary,” she said.

falling off of shelves.

Although the epicenter was in Santa Cruz County, much of the destruction occurred in the Bay Area, with 42 fatalities alone resulting from the collapse of the Interstate 880 Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland.

“The earthquake occurred in the Revealing the weaknesses Santa Cruz Mountains, yet some of the Felt as far south as San Diego and up most dramatic (effects) happened in the through Sacramento County, it caused 63 Marina (District of San Francisco) and deaths, 3,757 injuries and roughly $6-$10 Bay Bridge and Cypress structure,” said billion in property damage, according to the Susan Tubbesing, executive director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Birthed along the San Andreas Fault in (EERI). “That really brought to everyone’s an unpopulated forest of the Santa Cruz attention the effect of soil conditions.”

Mountains, the temblor shook the college, Chuck James, information systems but luckily led to little more than a few items ■ SEE HISTORY: Page B3 The Contra Costa College nursing major’s experience was no isolated incident, as the 6.9 moment magnitude 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which marks its 20-year anniversary Saturday, created countless similarly frightening instances.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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Historical data:

E

Yes: 21%

Outlook negligent

Recollecting details of temblor after 20 years reveals deficiencies in disaster preparedness

6.9 63

deaths

3,757 injuries

$6-10 billion

in property damage

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Preparedness:

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OPINION

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ILLUSTRATION BY CODY MCFARLAND/THE ADVOCATE

Editorial

Worst-case scenario Imminent threat of Hayward Fault running through campus demands better preparation procedures, supplies, retrofits at college, state, federal level

T

hey weren’t official. They weren’t adequately trained. They weren’t prepared with a plan. But they were usually the first on the scene.

Neighbors across the disaster area rushed to aid their comrades caught in the wake of the Loma Prieta earthquake, which rocked California exactly 20 years ago this Saturday.

A sense of urgency and explicit priorities was all they needed.

Sure, they had help from firefighters, police officers, military personnel and other civic services. But the fact remains that hordes of strangers, without hesitation, coalesced into one rescue effort with the sole basis to help their fellow humans.

If our communities can band together during a panic to save lives, then surely we can band together during (relative) peace to save lives through preparation.

San Francisco and Oakland might be on their way to enacting the necessary changes made apparent by the temblor, but there is still much to be done at every level.

Instituting programs like Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE) and organizing clearer systems for communication between different agencies is a great start. Yet, there are more areas to target than just the services that respond to the crisis.

Although the 25-mile long rupture

along the fault was based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, perhaps the most drastic effects of the earthquake were felt in San Francisco’s Marina District and Oakland’s Interstate 880 Cypress Street Viaduct. This calls to attention the effect of soil conditions and how sturdy building foundations are just as important as reliable support agencies.

San Francisco tried to address this issue and pass a bill last year requiring retrofitting for soft-story buildings. City council voted it down.

Without measures like the above proposal, the next earthquake will be that much more devastating. Moreover, this upcoming natural disaster is likely to hit the Hayward Fault within 30 years and be even more severe than Loma Prieta, said Dr. David Schwartz, coordinator for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for Northern California.

Unfortunately for Contra Costa College, the Hayward Fault, regarded by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute as the most dangerous fault in the nation, runs right through the campus.

The college was essentially unharmed in 1989, mostly because the earthquake erupted on the San Andreas Fault.

Given our lack of a definite college emergency procedure, consistent emergency supplies, full-time campus nurse and concrete

plans for remodeling certain buildings in need of retrofits, we will probably not be so lucky next time.

This would be more understandable if college and district officials were trying harder to improve our safety. Yet, even the actions made with earthquake safety in mind come off halfhearted.

A new Campus Alert System, including sirens atop the Student Services Center, was instituted this semester, but little has been done to spread the word about its functionality other than a few fliers. The emergency supply cabinets have some food and water items, but many of them are expired or in short stock. Some structures like the Liberal Arts Building have undergone retrofitting, but other parts of the campus in need of modification, such as the Applied Arts and Music buildings, remain neglected with no current plans for change.

By not addressing all of the areas in need of attention and working together to improve them, we are being myopic and neglectful.

United Faculty President Jeffrey Michels accurately summed up CCC’s present outlook on natural disaster safety.

“You don’t really realize you need emergency supplies until there’s an emergency,” he said.

Let us hope that is not a premonition.

CampusComment

Do you think Contra Costa College is prepared for another earthquake?

“I don’t think very much, because I haven’t really heard any information about it so I’m assuming we aren’t really prepared.”

Sharilyn Treas

“(The college) is not prepared because of a lack of proper foundation, and we’re on a hill.

It’s not stable.”

“If we had an earthquake, we would not be safe. There is nowhere to go.”

Aebe Gennaro

health sciences

“I don’t think there is anything else for the school to (do to) prepare for an earthquake.”

Keanu Kanaka’ole Chin

phlebotomy

dental assisting

Elissa Medina psychology

“I don’t think we are prepared. I personally don’t know of any first aid facilities on campus other than the training room, and it is (in athletics).”

Al John Jose Carolina Valero kinesiology

MALCOLM LASTRA AND CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

“I honestly don’t think we are prepared for an earthquake, but I don’t think people are dumb enough to be running around in panic.” undecided

SPOTLIGHT A FTER

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History | Earthquake points out areas for improvement Priolo Special Studies Zone manager for the National act, which requires the Institute for Earthquake California Division of Mines Engineering, said the failure and Geology (now known of the Cypress structure was as the California Geological due to its construction on Survey or CGS) to compile soft mud. Similarly, more detailed maps of the surface buildings in the Marina traces of known active faults District fell under their own and prohibits construction of weight because many were houses within these zones built on uncompacted, sandy unless a geologic investigaground. These sand deposits tion shows that the fault does saturated with nearby water not pose a hazard to the prosources, in a process known posed structure.

Also, the California as liquefaction, to form a slurry that served as a poor Seismic Hazard Mapping Act of 1990 establishes that foundation, James said.

Dr. David Schwartz, the CGS produces maps coordinator for the National showing areas where potenearthquake-induced Earthquake Hazards tial Reduction Program for landslide and liquefaction Northern California, said the hazards exist and requires earthquake and its devastat- studies to identify if these ing effects provided impor- hazards are present prior to tant lessons for California certain types of land develand shook a lot of institutions opment or construction.

These acts played heavily out of their complacency. “(The earthquake) was a into the creation of the colshot across the ship’s bow, lege’s Facilities Master Plan, and a warning that we’ve which calls for some form of got big earthquakes down demolition, construction and the road,” Schwartz said. retrofitting for every building on cam“Caltrans has pus, Buildings done a lot with bridges “(The earthquake) and Grounds and freeways. was a shot across M a n a g e r Bruce King (Pacific Gas the ship’s bow, said. and Electric) In order has upgraded and a warning that to build new its substations we’ve got a big structures, the and transmission lines. earthquake down college had to conduct East Bay the road.” trenching near (Municipal the Student U t i l i t y Activities District) Dr. David Schwartz, coordinator for the National Building, and the San F r a n c i s c o Earthquake Hazards Reduction behind the P u b l i c Program for Northern California Humanities Building, Utilities Commission have been ret- near the tennis courts and by rofitting the locations where the Comet Stadium concesthere are major pipelines sion stand, King said. Holes roughly 20-feet deep were along the faults.” dug in regions near the fault to survey soil and ultimately Faulty foundation Regarded by the EERI determine future fault activas the most dangerous and ity in that particular area.

Following the testing, the soon-to-erupt fault in the nation, the Hayward Fault college was given approval has prompted numerous to rebuild the SA Building changes in local, state and just slightly farther toward the H Building, given that it federal policies.

The fault, which cuts into fits seismic safety standards, the CCC campus through King said.

Also, the Liberal Arts Lot 10, Lot 1 and the Bus Transfer Center and can be Building and Library seen above ground in the Learning Resource (which line of cracks and diverted was almost completely sidewalks, has not had an demolished before being rebuilt and reinforced), earthquake since 1868.

Schwartz said that if an Computer Technology and earthquake were to hap- Early Learning centers have pen on the Hayward Fault all been seismically retrofit, today, the damage would be King said. “(Retrofitting) helps much more extensive than that of the Loma Prieta tem- ensure our safety,” he said.

But, although additional blor. The USGS estimates that more than five million structures that needed seispeople would be affected mic retrofits, such as the and more than $165 billion Applied Arts and Music of property damage would buildings, have tentative dates set for completion, likely occur.

Various legislation has King said others in need of been passed to address this remodeling do not. These fear, such as the 1972 Alquist- include the Gymnasium and

■ FROM: Page B1

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Wrong place, wrong time — Falling bricks and debris from the UC Hotel slam into parked vehicles on University Avenue in Berkeley during the Loma Prieta Earthquake on Oct. 17, 1989. The rumble caused $6-10 billion in property damages across the state of California.

Physical Sciences, Biological Community Emergency Sciences and Gym Annex Response Teams (CERT) on buildings. campus, as well as a broader radio system in the case of Being ready phone lines failure.

Forming more concrete All members of the Safety plans for seismic retrofits is Committee at CCC, which is not the only area, however, made up of various faculty that the college can improve and staff, have CERT trainits earthquake preparedness. ing, committee Chairwoman Although the “shelter, Mariles Magalong said, but shut, listen” policy associ- there is still a certain lack ated with the Campus Alert of cohesion and communicaSystem was recently insti- tion within the group. tuted this semester, little has Athletic equipment manbeen done to inform students ager Denine Colbert, buildabout it and how it works, ing monitor for the Women’s United Faculty President Locker Room, said that Jeffrey Michels said. the last time she attended He said that if there is a a building monitor meeting definite college plan, much was four years ago.

“There’s a lack of trainof the faculty and staff do ing that we should have once not know what it is.

“We’re very poorly pre- a year or twice a year as pared,” he said. “In the case refreshers. We should meet of emergency, I don’t know regularly,” Colbert said.

Building monitors, who the plan.”

Dr. Michels said that while are all members of the Safety there is a certain amount of Committee, are responsible prudence in devising a plan, for stocking and maintainthe subject does not come up ing the seven campus supply much in college or district cabinets, which are supposed to be stocked with sustemeetings.

In contrast, Cal State- nance materials, first aid kits Northridge, which felt trem- and other emergency items. ors of the 1994 earthquake Yet, the containers vary from in Reseda that caused $400 building-to-building. million in property damage When The Advocate to the university and the col- observed three cabinets durlapse of its 2,500-car park- ing the week of Oct. 4-11 in ing structure, invested much the AA, Art and GA buildeffort into emergency orga- ings, inconsistent distribution of supplies and various nizations on campus.

“We did not have an emer- expired food products were gency operational center (at found, some dating back to the time of the earthquake). 2006. Also, only a 24-pack We do now; it is extremely case of water or less was robust,” said Jeff Craig, the found among each cabinet. university’s network project Along with this desire for manager who was employed more training and supplies, at the time of the temblor. the college also lacks an on“Each team member knows campus nurse to examine those with injuries. their responsibility.”

Craig said Cal StateWhile there are numerous Northridge now has registered nurses among the

faculty, as well as students with basic training, nursing department Chairwoman Angela King-Jones said that it is not the same.

“We’re hired to teach, not to (provide) care for the student body,” she said.

Michels said the administration made a push for a campus nurse some time ago, but the possibility of having one became too expensive, leaving the college without a medical professional available to students.

“Where would you go if you needed medical attention? I don’t know what the answer is,” he said.

Although college President McKinley Williams said that having a campus nurse any time soon is unlikely, there are still many ways students can prepare themselves for an earthquake, possibly reducing the likelihood of needing immediate medical care should one occur.

weeks, their electricity is out for four or five days, their phone lines are down.”

Schwartz gave the example of the 2007 Alum Rock earthquake in San Jose.

Although major earthquakes are considered to be 6.5 magnitude and above, and the temblor two years ago only reached 5.4, cell phone service was still disrupted.

In terms of supplies, Tubbesing said people should fill their emergency kits like they are packing for a camping trip.

“If I’m going camping, what would I need? (People should be able to) make themselves comfortable for 72 hours,” she said.

Additionally, Tubbesing said people can help prevent injuries by bolting down bookshelves, computers and other heavy objects.

Information and activities related to earthquake safety will be offered throughout San Francisco Saturday, as part of the city’s “The Big Rumble” preparedness fairs and block parties. Additional information about the events can be found at www.shakeout.org/sanfrancisco and more facts and advice about earthquakes in general is available at www.usgs.gov.

Tubbesing said Californians should do more research, be better prepared and start looking at earthquakes as definite components of the future, rather than possibilities.

“People should know it’s going to happen,” she said.

“It’s a matter of when it’s going to happen.”

A secure homestead Developing a communication plan that does not rely on phone service is critical, Schwartz said. People should know where there family is and how they can congregate, as everyone is likely to be together at the time of the emergency, he said.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to help people prepare and be self-sufficient, Schwartz said.

“Everybody talks about it for a few days then it falls out of the conversation. You’re more worried about the truck next to you as you’re driving on the freeContact Alec Surmani at way,” he said. “But people will be surprised when their asurmani.advocate@gmail. water is gone for a couple com.

College rests on unstable land Fault proximity poses danger

By Adam Oliver STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ERIK VERDUZCO/ THE ADVOCATE

Crooked ways— Shifts of the Hayward Fault can be seen in this photo, taken of Castro Road in front of the Student Activities Building Friday.

Regarded by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute as the most at-risk fault in the nation, the Hayward Fault runs directly through the college and is overdue for a major seismic burst.

Beginning in San Jose and traveling north through the Berkeley hills, the fault runs through Lot 10, Lot 1 and the Bus Transfer Center, and outlets into the San Pablo Bay. Surrounding areas are also at particular risk, as faults tend to have many small surrounding fractures. The Gymnasium, Student Activities Building and Student Services Center rest on some of the Hayward Fault Zone fractures.

Having produced an earthquake at an average of 140 years apart in the last five occurrences, Oct. 21 marks the 141st year since the Hayward Fault’s last quake in 1868, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The temblor measured a 6.8-7.0 magnitude and caused 30 deaths and millions of dollars

faults are 27 and 23 percent, he in property damage.

The looming Hayward Fault said.

Although the college’s proxearthquake is expected to be of similar magnitude to its prede- imity to the faults may seem cessor, but will affect an extraor- frightening, most of the builddinarily more developed and ings on campus are in condition populated society. to withstand the projected 6.7-7.0 According to a 2008 release magnitude Hayward quake or are by the USGS, if the 1868 scheduled to undergo construcHayward Fault earthquake were tion to be in such a condition to reoccur today, more than five soon, Buildings and Grounds million people would be affect- Manager Bruce King said.

Many of the results verifyed and total property damage would likely exceed $165 billion. ing this conclusion were deterWhen the Hayward quake does mined by a process called seismic trenching., hit, roads will be closed and A FTER THE SHOCK he said. During underground gas trenching, surveyand electricity ors dig a roughly lines will be cut, 20-foot hole in a specific region as well as many forms of com- T HE L OMA P RIETA near the fault to munication. survey soil and “The Hayward Fault has the ultimately determine future fault single highest probability of pro- activity in that particular area. ducing a large, damaging earthGeologists have carried out quake in the next decade (in the seismic trenching near the SA Bay Area),” San Francisco State Building, behind the Humanities associate professor of geosci- Building, near the tennis courts ences John Caskey said. and by the concession stand, The chance of an earth- King said. quake in the Bay Area within As a result of this testing, the next 30 years is predicted the college was given the OK to to be a 62 percent possibility, rebuild the SA Building withwith values varying by fault, San in the fault region just slightly Francisco State geology profes- farther toward the H Building, sor Raymond Pestrong said. given that it fits seismic safety The likelihood of a quake on standards, King said. Also in the the Hayward and San Andreas fault zone, the SSC was approved

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before its construction in 2007.

“As we take down a building, we build a new one up to code,” college President McKinley Williams said.

Yet, amid all this construction, some buildings are still surviving on patchwork until the future construction detailed in the Master Plan is executed, King said.

Buildings and Grounds has had to patch cracks caused by fault shifting in both the Art and Biological Sciences buildings, he said.

As a part of the Master Plan, King said all of the buildings will be built up to code and away from areas that put the buildings at greater risk. Construction planners have avoided placing any buildings directly on the Hayward Fault line, consistent with the closing of neighboring El Portal Elementary School because of its situation on top of the fault, he said.

Seeking to prepare CCC for the occasion of an earthquake, management on campus has listened to geologists and seismic surveyors and is working to make the campus as earthquake safe as possible, King said.

Contact Adam Oliver at aoliver.advocate@gmail.com.

B4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

Temblor causes massive damage

SPOTLIGHT A FTER

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THE SHOCK

Earthquake kills 63, injures 3,757 others

By Diana Reyes OPINION EDITOR

Moments away from the beginning of the third game of the Giants vs. A’s 1989 World Series in San Francisco, the Loma Prieta earthquake rocked Candlestick Park at exactly 5:04 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1989.

With a moment magnitude of 6.9, the quake was centered near the Loma Prieta peak in the mountains of Santa Cruz south of San Jose. Resulting in 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries and an estimated $6-$10 billion in property damage, Loma Prieta is recognized as FILE PHOTOS / THE ADVOCATE the first large temblor to jolt the burgeoning Lucky — A Chevron Corporation truck remains unscathed underneath a portion of the Interstate 880 Cypress Street urban region since the Great San Francisco Viaduct that did not collapse during the Loma Prieta Earthquake on Oct. 17, 1989.

Earthquake of 1906.

Association of Bay Area Governments building.” and a half collapsed, causing 42 deaths, (ABAG) consultant and former Earthquake Viramontes said that after the earthquake, according to the USGS. and Hazards Program Manager Jeanne the city received about $10 million worth of Most of the buildings and their foundaPerkins said that according to the information state funds for earthquake retrofitting. tions in San Francisco’s Marina District research ABAG gathered related to housing Nearly 20 years after the temblor, how- were destroyed, creating massive landslides, and transportation systems, more than $6 ever, public affairs specialist for the United damage of dams and ground cracks in large billion worth of damage was suffered among States Geological Survey (USGS) Leslie areas. the 16,000 uninhabitable housing systems Gordon in Menlo Park said California is Stein Ove Sandvik, project manager for with the exception of buildings and approxi- probably not as prepared as it could or Lindquist Custom Construction, worked on mately 142 road closures occurred. should be for another earthquake. some of the reconstruction of the Marina Perkins said Oakland, San Francisco and “We are prepared better than a lot of District.

Watsonville, a city in Santa Cruz County, other places in the world, but not enough,” He said the reason why the area suffered suffered the most damage. she said. the most damage is because the houses on Charlie Eadie, land use consultant for At the time of the Loma Prieta earth- that area are built on sand.

Hamilton-Swift Land Use in Santa Cruz, quake, Gordon was in a computer class in “The process is called liquefaction,” said the city and Watsonville’s downtown Palo Alto. She said that after seeing the dam- Sandvik said. “When you shake sand, it turns areas were the most affected areas due to age on the street, she realized the earthquake into liquid. So if you have something heavy soft soil. was bigger than she had originally imagined. on top of it, it sinks.”

A total of six deaths in Santa Cruz County Despite the mass of power outages, however, Liquefaction also caused severe damand approximately a million square feet of her neighborhood was one of the ones that age to the coastal areas of Oakland and office and commercial areas of downtown, did not lose electricity.

Alameda. along with two-thirds of the Rick McKenzie, staff Michael Hughes was editor-in-chief of business district downtown, research associate for the UC The Advocate from 1989-90 during the “I saw a huge were damaged or destroyed, Berkeley Seismological Lab, Loma Prieta earthquake. he said. said the administration buildHughes was assigned to report the damcloud of yellow Eadie said recovery for ing California Hall, located on age of the Cypress Street Viaduct for that the county has been a long, dust as a result of Oxford Street, suffered severe week’s edition of The Advocate. gradual process. Initially, it and redevelopment According to Hughes, people were brick buildings damage took five years for the process took two to three months to trapped under the remains from the colto come to a turning point and collapsing.” complete. lapsed freeway. While several were dead, Search and rescue— A U.S. Navy Sea another five before the area McKenzie said the others remained buried alive.

Dragon helicopter lowers a cementwas fully restored. response from the commu“(It was) a hectic rescue going on in Charlie Eadie, cutting tractor to explore the scene.

Hamilton-Swift Land Use “I live on Marine Terrace, nity was satisfactory overall. Oakland,” Hughes said. “Everyone was land use consultant which overlooks downtown,” The wave period was between there. There were huge 18-wheel media people working. Everyone took a city to he said. “I saw a huge cloud 15-20 seconds. Even though trucks and helicopters with tractors hanging cover.” of yellow dust as a result of the brick build- they were long period waves, there was not a from them.

The Advocate was the only community ings collapsing.” violent shake at UC Berkeley.

“Supernatural things were at play,” he college paper to publish a timely newspaper Like many that evening, Eadie was at “I was at the lab about to go home,” said. “It was beyond anybody’s comprehen- about the Loma Prieta earthquake, Hughes home preparing to watch the World Series. McKenzie said. “(But) instead of going sion.” said.

Luckily, his house did not suffer any dam- home, I did everything I needed to get inforHughes was on the Comet Stadium foot“We continued our publishing schedule age. mation about the earthquake in itself, such as ball field at the time the earthquake hit, inter- uninterrupted,” he said. “What was challengIn September, Richmond City Council the magnitude, epicenter, damages.” viewing a coach he was writing a feature ing was to get the paper out because there member Maria Viramontes told The Advocate Among the damage afflicted throughout story on when he saw the bleachers ripple. was so much news and information availthat the city’s Civic Center was remodeled for the Bay Area was the collapse of a 50He said that at the time, The Advocate able. The challenge was to figure out what public safety, since the bricks in the building foot section of the upper deck of the San published its paper on Friday mornings, to include in our stories as far as what was were not considered earthquake safe.

Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, causing two making Wednesday evening the scheduled relevant to the college and the surrounding During the Loma Prieta earthquake, the cars to fall to the lower deck, resulting in a deadline. The Advocate staff wanted to pub- community.” original police building suffered damage. fatality. lish an issue about the Loma Prieta earthThe Loma Prieta earthquake was strong In 2002, former Richmond Mayor Mary During the bridge’s closure, ferryboats quake. enough to create damage, but a lot depended Anderson made the decision to move the from San Diego and Washington were The Contra Costa College campus was on the nature of the architecture, Hughes police headquarters to Marina Way while the shipped to relieve the strain from the traffic closed and the power was off, however, said. process of rebuilding the original building by providing transportation along with Bay which meant they would have no access to “(CCC) was surprisingly unaffected,” he took place, Viramontes said.

Area Rapid Transit (BART). their newsroom. said. “Let’s just hope the next big one isn’t “That was the police building. The people The Cypress Street Viaduct portion of “We snuck computers into my living on the Hayward Fault.” who were in there were the people we needed Interstate 880, a double-decked section that room and created a small newsroom and to help us,” she said. “If another tragedy went through West Oakland, also suffered worked through Wednesday night,” Hughes Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes. happened, they (might) be buried under that severe damage, when approximately a mile said. “There were around seven to nine advocate@gmail.com.

College left unscathed after earthquake Tremors only knock items from shelves

By Cody McFarland STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

Those on campus during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake were amazed to have made it through the rumble unharmed and that no structural damage was sustained in the tumult.

Though it left no more than some items fallen from their shelves, everyone could feel, as well as hear, the furor of the earthquake.

“Believe me, you could feel the (Applied Arts Building) roll,” said Melody Hanson, senior executive assistant to the president. “It was like a ride at Marine World.”

Hanson, at the time pregnant with her now 19-yearold son, said the college was lucky to have avoided any damages.

Journalism department Chairman Paul DeBolt was just down the hall in his office AA-215 when the earthquake hit. The building shook “pretty bad” for 10-15 seconds, and he felt as though he was going to fall through the floor, DeBolt said.

As soon as the shaking stopped, the power went out and there was widespread panic across campus, he said. Students and faculty tuned in to radio broadcasts for answers, only to find out that part of the Bay Bridge had collapsed, among other things.

Classes for that Tuesday night were immediately canceled. Upon inspection, things around campus were found knocked off of shelves, but that was it, DeBolt said.

Michael Hughes, editorin-chief of The Advocate in 1989, was on the football field during the team’s practice waiting to interview one of the coaches when the earthquake struck.

“I saw the bleachers do

a wave with no people in the only reported damage them,” Hughes said. “The on campus was six broken field rippled, power poles plates in the culinary arts shook; everything was visu- department. Other than that, the campus suffered a power ally rolling.”

Though there were bits outage that lasted 27 hours and pieces of visible earth- with no phone service, which quake damage in the area resulted in the cancellation of Tuesday night directly classes and around the campus, the “Believe me, you classes all day We d n e s d ay college did could feel the and Thursday. not prove to D a v e be an anoma(Applied Arts Cassani, ly, as much of the surround- Building) roll. It B u i l d i n g s ing area went was like a ride at and Grounds supervisor at unscathed as Marine World.” the time, conwell, Hughes firmed that said.

Melody Hanson, An issue there were senior executive assistant of The no structural to the president Advocate was damages at published that all.

Friday, Oct. 20, 1989, proThe epicenter of the Loma viding detailed written and Prieta earthquake was about photographic coverage of 70 miles away on the San the disaster, where it was Andreas Fault, an entirely announced that the campus different line than that of the sustained no structural dam- Hayward Fault, which runs ages during the temblor. through the Contra Costa In the publication, Pete College campus.

Goodson, manager of busiGeologists say that every ness services in 1989, said 230-235 years, an earthquake

occurs somewhere along the Hayward Fault. Had the earthquake occurred along the Hayward Fault, the probability of the campus sustaining any damages would have been much greater, DeBolt said.

Current Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, “I feel very safe on the campus, despite it being on the Hayward Fault.”

There are a few buildings on campus about 35-40 years old that have moved or shifted over time, but not as a direct result of the earthquake, King said. He has repaired warped door frames in the Art Building and cracks in the sheetrock in the Biological Sciences Building accordingly.

Doors and windows can warp from something as slight as a change in weather conditions and sheetrock can be plastered and painted over to make it as good as new, structurally and aesthetically, King said.

Also, he assured that the main support beams on cam-

A FTER

THE SHOCK

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L OMA P RIETA

pus are all stable and that many of the buildings have been seismically retrofitted.

Outside geologists come to CCC regularly to do seismic trenching and inspect the soil for safety. King has been in these 20-feet-deep trenches with the geologists to study the sediment, where they can determine whether or not there is an earthquake hazard.

This information is relayed to the Department of State Architecture, with the two closest locations in Sacramento and Oakland, King said. The department then advises where to build and where not to, based on the geology reports of the campus, he said.

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland. advocate@gmail.com.

SPOTLIGHT A FTER

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

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THE SHOCK

Emergency procedures necessary Campus expects better planning

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Residents of California know that the San Francisco Bay Area is a beautiful place to live, and undoubtedly, it also has a rich history of earthquake disaster that comes with the territory.

The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake was the last major destructive earthquake to shake the Bay Area. It is not a matter of if these unpredictable and inescapable disasters will happen again, but rather, when they will.

Contra Costa College lies on the active Hayward Fault. Though Loma Prieta left the campus mostly unscathed, there is no telling what may happen in the future, particularly if an earthquake were to happen on the Hayward Fault.

“The reality is, we live in a fault zone,” said John Christensen, employment development services specialist and Student Services Center building monitor. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to know what to do in a disaster, but I don’t think you can ever prepare enough.”

Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez, who was employed with CCC during the earthquake, said college personnel are better trained now than they were before.

“It’s not going to be perfect,” Hernandez said. “However, we’re never battle tested until it happens.

It’s just the nature of the beast.”

Training is key Since Loma Prieta, the college has made efforts to improve faculty and staff preparedness with emergency preparedness trainings.

College President McKinley Williams said that by nature of an emergency, it is impossible to be totally prepared because many unanticipated things could follow.

After an earthquake, for instance, in addition to nursing injuries, electrical damages might cause a fire, punctured pipes may be releasing gas and broken water mains may cause a flood.

Williams said that by completing training, the managers and other staff have learned ways to respond and take proper action during a crisis.

District Safety Coordinator Ted Terstegge manages the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course trainings, in which attendees learn response skills, such as first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fire safety and disaster psychology.

Currently, there are 29 staff members and one student from CCC, Associated Student Union

Senator Jim Gardner, who have training, he said, and the next sescompleted training, Terstegge said. sion will be held within the coming The course is extended to all months.

Biological sciences professor staff in the district, and though the list is usually full, those interested Christopher Tarp said one reason why he was chosen as a buildshould contact him, he said.

Gardner said the training would ing monitor for his department is be beneficial for students, and because he has been teaching at the though they are not invited to take college awhile as a full-time prothe course at CCC, they should fessor, and is on campus a lot.

Time restraints make it diffiseek offerings in the community.

Gardner is confident in the cult for building monitors to meet, but it must be CERT team. He somehow coorsaid the certified dinated in the members are “It’s everyone’s future, Dr. Tarp employed in a responsibility to said, otherwise variety of college d e p a r t m e n t s . know what to do in a if an emergency does occur, there Their wide range disaster, but I don’t would only be of expertise will help create a think you can ever chaos.

“Building solid team durprepare enough.” monitors need ing an emergency, he said. to remain calm John Christensen, The districand cool as to employment development services not cause any twide safety specialist procedure plan panic,” he said.

“Preparing for is undergoing maintenance, Terstegge said, but this kind of thing is just as (much a) part of my job as teaching biolshould be online shortly.

“Generally, I would say, yes, ogy.”

(CCC) is prepared, but certainly, we can always do better. We’re Supplying safety not as prepared as I’d like us to be As a public institution, CCC is but we’re working on those areas,” looked upon as a designated disashe said. ter relief center for neighboring The campuswide procedures on communities.

Art department co-Chairman the Safety Committee’s Web site is an outdated version from 2006 and Erik Sanchez said that state employwill be updated when the CCC’s ees, faculty and staff are obligated Web site redesign is completed, to stay and offer assistance during Safety Committee Chairwoman an emergency if they are physically able to do so.

Mariles Magalong said.

For this purpose, Terstegge said the college stores an oasis unit.

Monitors take lead “We have shelter materials for Each building has at least one designated person responsible for up to 100 first responders or workbeing the eyes and ears during an ers,” he said. “For example, if we had a big earthquake and we needemergency.

But currently, the team lacks ed to have people housed at the cohesion because training or meet- college for several days, we would ings within the group are not regu- have the things needed.” larly scheduled.

The trailer contains items such “We could be standing here as lanterns, flashlights, pillows and and an earthquake could hit,” said blankets.

Custodial manager Darlene Denine Colbert, athletic equipment manager and Women’s Locker Poe, who is also on the Safety Room building monitor. “The Committee, said the college would Fitness Center has a lot of heavy be swift to help another local orgaequipment. If someone got hurt, nization in need, just as they would how can we help them without a hope outside agencies would help first aid kit, and how can we treat the college in dire circumstances. them if we do not have the trainBut the disaster supply cabiing? nets, which are equipped with “We don’t know any of those small stashes of water, food and things. We need the hands-on train- nonperishables throughout seven ing,” she said. locations on campus, are outdated These building monitors over- or inconsistent, as shown through see their area and inform faculty uneven distribution and masses of and students about emergencies, expired goods. such as ensuring that the building Diestler said that during an is completely evacuated and com- emergency situation, the cabinets municating with police dispatchers are meant to ensure campus occuabout the status of injuries after an pants sustenance for at least 72 hours while they wait for outside earthquake.

Terstegge said a four-hour train- agencies’ help. ing program that began in January Magalong, who also acts as was created for the safety monitors. director of business services, said So far, half have completed the the group is in charge of purchas-

ing supplies and replenishing the cabinets at least once a year. The task, however, has not yet been completed for the 2009-10 academic year, she said.

In addition to building monitors, physical education department Chairman and men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson said many professors and coaches in the athletic department are trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

They have a stretcher, wheelchair and other supplies that would be helpful if needed, Johnson said.

tion methods should be proactively created, because in a disaster, “we can’t rely upon our emergency communication systems to be active.”

Educating the student body As the oldest college in the district, nearly all of the buildings on campus present seismic concerns.

During the summer, the Liberal Arts Building, a structure with considerable traffic throughout the day, was seismically retrofitted to strengthen the building, Magalong said.

“The fault lines are a concern, of course, whenever we have a renovation or reconstruction,” she said. “We study the dangers very carefully.”

In addition to strengthening the buildings, paper postings of evacuation plans were replaced a few years ago with permanent placards.

But besides noting the placards, students said that more information about campus safety preparedness is needed on their end.

“In high school, there were always fire drills and such. We knew where to go if there was something wrong,” international business major Sarita Deleon said.

“It’s not like we’re kids, but (students) spend a lot of their time here. We need to know an organized method to avoid chaos.”

Nursing major Ileen Quimora agreed.

“It would be helpful if teachers took a few minutes to explain the emergency procedures in the beginning of the semester.”

While Tarp agreed that educating students in these areas is important, professors might argue that it takes away valuable time needed to teach their class curriculum.

Spreading the word Modern communication has been made easier due to the accessibility of e-mail and cellular devices, but improvements are still needed.

When former police aide Edgar Rocha was shot just outside campus grounds at the corner of Shane Drive and Mills Drive in November 2007, the college implemented a shelter-in-place procedure.

Magalong said college personnel contacted teachers via telephone and e-mail. She said it was impossible to inform everyone, however, especially if they were not near their devices.

“Another issue was that some people said there was not enough information,” Magalong said.

“They knew to shelter-in-place, but they didn’t know why.”

Art department co-Chairman John Diestler, also a building monitor, recalled a shelter-in-place a few years ago after the college learned of a possible chemical spill at the Chevron Corporation refinery in Richmond.

“I remember walking around telling people to stay in buildings,” Diestler said. “We needed to physically tell people, get the word out.”

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo.

This semester, the district introduced a new emergency alert sys- advocate@gmail.com. tem at CCC, Los Medanos College and Diablo Valley College and its San Ramon campus. The system utilizes outdoor sirens that would Does Contra Costa quickly alert the public to shelterCollege’s faculty and in-place should a hazardous incistaff adequately prepare dent happen. students for natural Magalong said one problem disasters? within the system is that a different sound indicating campuswide evacuation is not in place, because Yes: the development team figured it 21.5% would be difficult for most people to differentiate the two.

The system is still new and the No: Safety Committee is still working 78.5% on updating the campus safety procedures, which is available on their Web site.

Also, emergency telephone Of the 200 people kiosks are located throughout camsurveyed at random on pus, and building monitors should campus, 21.5 percent have access to two-way radios that said CCC adequately communicate directly with Police prepares students.

Services.

Diestler said more communica-

Leadership:

Supply cabinets lack maintenance, attention Expired rations present concern

least once a year.

The cabinets, housed throughout the campus in the Applied Arts and Gym Annex buildings, the Early Learning, Student Services and Automotive Technology centers,

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the Gymnasium and the proximities of Police Services, are generAs history indicates, the disaster ally the same, Custodial Services supply cabinets, meant to ensure Manager Darlene Poe said. campus occupants with access to The Advocate observed three first aid materials, food and water cabinets during the week of Oct. for three days in the case of a 4-11 in the AA, Art, and GA buildmajor emergency, lack consistent ings. maintenance.

In addition to finding inconsisThe idea of having these emer- tent distribution of supplies, such gency cabinets originated when a as the AA building cabinet having former professor’s son began the more supplies than the one housed project as part of an Eagle Scouts in the GA building, it was clear that mission in the the cabinets had not early 1990s, Safety been replenished in Committee mem- A FTER THE SHOCK some time. ber Richard Akers Labels showed said, but in recent expiration dates years, the care of the on peanut butter cabinets has fallen T HE L OMA P RIETA for February 2009, short. cases of canned “It was in 2002juice for November 03 that it was put to light that things 2008 and power bars for November were outdated,” Dr. Akers said. 2006, among many others. Also, “Like everything else, it comes only a 24-pack case of water or less down to money.” was found in each cabinet.

Director of Business Services Poe said although they would Mariles Magalong, who also serves like to purchase pricier foods with as Safety Committee chairwoman, shelf lives that will last substantialsaid the committee is responsible ly longer than what are currently in for checking emergency equip- the closets, it is necessary to live ment, medical supplies and replac- within their resources. ing expired food in the cabinets at The college allocation for these

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safety supplies have been cut this fiscal year, down $250 from $2,500, Magalong said.

“Even before, the college didn’t have a lot of money devoted toward those things,” she said. “There was even a year when all we could afford was the actual cabinets. But each year, we do try to add more (supplies).”

Some non-perishables found in the cabinets included first aid kits, portable toilets, radios, extra batteries, blankets, water purifiers, basic medical supplies, flashlights, hygienic products, trash bags, caution, duct tape and many others.

“In terms of first aid, what we have would be enough until help arrives,” Poe said. “If people are hurt, that is our priority.”

These items, however, varied from location-to-location.

For instance, cots, a checklist of recommended inventory and inspection logs, though last dated Feb. 7, 2002, were only found in the Art Building. Akers said these things were put in place while he was the building monitor years ago.

One possible reason for the disparities is because these designated building monitor volunteers hold keys to these resources and can make individual maintenance decisions. Current Art Building monitor John Diestler said the department made it a habit to consume

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Neglected — Peanut butter dated to expire in February 2009 was found in the emergency supply cabinet, alongside a variety of other edibles that passed their expiration dates. foods when the expiration dates were near and someone would simply pay a few dollars out of pocket to replace them.

Employment development services specialist John Christensen, who was in charge when the supply cabinet was housed in the H Building, said he also individually replaced items.

Building monitor Denine Colbert said there needs to be more communication between the moni-

tors and the Safety Committee, because at this point, the lines of responsibility are hazy.

“The last time I attended a building monitor meeting was four years ago,” Colbert said. “There’s a lack of training that we should have once a year or twice a year as refreshers. We should meet regularly.”

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

B6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

SPOTLIGHT

Trained committee aims for safety Monitors responsible for risk reduction

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

In 1989, California was shook by the Loma Prieta earthquake, with devastation and tragedy as the aftermath.

Many current students were mere infants or not even born yet and do not remember much about it. But the Safety Committee, made up of senior faculty and staff and a student, is in place to ensure preparation in case of a similar event.

The 14 members meet on the first Friday of every month and are responsible for making sure the college campus is safe and secure.

“We take on any issue on the campus that affects students’ safety,” said Dr. Richard Akers, Academic Senate president and Safety Committee member. “When safety concerns are brought to our attention, we take on the

issue and try to solve it, to make it a more secure and safe campus.”

He said each structure on campus is assigned a building monitor.

Akers said the group’s duties range from putting up a fence to block a frequently misused, illegal parking space to being ready for a major earthquake like Loma Prieta.

“We make recommendations, develop plans and help around with individual problems that students have that concern safety issues,” Akers said.

After serving on the Safety Committee for 10 years, he has seen a lot of changes come from the group’s actions.

Safety Committee Chairwoman Mariles Magalong said the committee’s budget cut from $2,500 to $2,250 this year will not stop the committee from performing their expected tasks. “(The budget cuts are) not a big difference, but we are still doing our best to meet what we need to be prepared,” Magalong said.

Some college employees, including all of the assigned building monitors, have taken

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Buildings to stand firm, remain strong Renovations strengthen old structures

By Brent Bainto SCENE EDITOR

Despite being located along the Hayward Fault Zone, buildings on campus were found to have overall dependable structural stability, especially with select problematic buildings being retrofitted in recent years.

Buildings such as the Library and Learning Resource, Computer Technology (CTC) and Early Learning centers (ELC) and, most recently, the Liberal Arts Building, have been areas of concentration for seismic retrofitting, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

Withstanding the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the campus has remained structurally sound for the past 20 years, he said. And although the campus was unscathed with virtually no damage resulting from the underlying fault, recent concerns were brought to the attention of senior administration regarding earthquake safety.

Contemporary unease of the LA Building in particular and its questionable vigor was addressed over summer and action was quickly under way, King said. Retrofitting was done to ensure the safety of the building until the complete teardown and replacement with the Classroom

tual demolition of the LA Building, he said.

King emphasized the Building, the neighboring importance of having safe vacated Humanities Building and new facilities for staff as well as the Student Activities Building are set to and students. “(Retrofitting) helps come down to make way for replacements, King said. ensure our safety,” he said.

Before any further conPanels of concrete were installed along the bottom struction is affirmed and floor of the LA Building in plans are carried out, howevorder to share movement er, seismic trenches are dug during an earthquake and around campus for geoloseismically lock the building gists to examine samples in place, Department of State from the soil layers, he said.

Reports are Architecture ( D S A ) A FTER THE SHOCK then reviewed by the DSA i n s p e c before deemtor Melvin ing the Weidner said. grounds safe “The panels give an T HE L OMA P RIETA enough for constructing extra level of protection,” he said. “There’s new buildings.

The LA Building, Library a greater level of assurance that (everyone) will be (which was almost completely demolished before being safe.”

Administration had a rebuilt and reinforced), CTC great mindset to not “roll and ELC have all been seisthe dice” for another three to mically retrofit as part of the four years before it is demol- college’s Facilities Master ished in regard to the LA Plan, King said.

Although those buildBuilding, Weidner said.

As the campus stands, ings needs were met as far King said that structurally, as seismic retrofitting, the it would be able to withstand a 2008 Facilities Master Plan report by design firm another earthquake.

“I think we can weather Perkins + Will also states (another) major earthquake,” that corresponding buildings still require modifications. he said.

Built in 1963, the Music Though there is no guarantee of overall campus Building has inadequate resistance against another plywood shear walls in the earthquake, King said he wooded portion and insufbelieves that he can be in any ficient roof-to-wall anchors building and feel confident in concrete portion. Plans to retrofit are set to take place about being safe.

Weidner said stringent in 2011, King said.

Divided into two parts, requirements force the college as a whole to be pre- the Physical Sciences Building, with its laboratory pared for temblor.

In addition to the even- rooms half built in 1954 and

mittee is working on is the smoking policy that has been implemented. Gardner said it is not being adhered to, so the group is making suggestions on how it can enforce the policy more effectively.

“Buildings and Grounds also (does) a good job. Students reported the lighting on campus in some areas was bad, so we worked with (Buildings and Grounds Manager) Bruce King, who is also a Safety Committee member, to put up better lighting,” he said.

Magalong said the recently appointed districtwide emergency procedures coordinator, Ted Terstegge, has also done a lot to get the district and college prepared in the event of a major emergency.

Terstegge said he has made an effort to work with the committee and whatever their needs are.

“I see that they are met and coordinate with them to make sure things are preformed to make all campuses safe,” he said.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training so that they are able to assist anyone in an emergency.

“We have some emergency supplies stored around campus, and A FTER THE SHOCK CERT monitors have keys to open up storage rooms and T HE L OMA P RIETA administer help,” Magalong said.

ASU Senator Jim Gardner serves on the committee and said the group tackles numerous different issues.

“For instance, I am working with the AC Transit people to see if the sheriffs that are parked along the (Bus Transfer Center) are paid to be there by their agency, or if they just sit there on break,” he said.

Gardner said that if they are being paid, why are they not there all the time, so that they could help combat some of the robberies happening in that area.

He said that one of other issues the com-

Contact Lamar James at ljames. advocate@gmail.com.

Recent retrofits Retrofitted buildings 1: The Early Learning Center’s retrofitting was done in 2004.

1

2: The Liberal Arts Building’s retrofit was done this year.

3 2 5 4

Hay

ward

Faul

t

New buildings 3: The Computer Technology Center’s retrofitting project was completed in 2005.

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4: The Library and Learning Resource Center’s remodeling was completed in 2007.

5: The new Student Services Center was completed last year.

INFOGRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL AND BRENT BAINTO/THE ADVOCATE

its lecture rooms half built in 1973, has K-braced frames that are scanty in the longitudinal direction and no lateral bracing at exterior walls with windows. The lay in tile ceilings are also not secured.

There is no set date on start and completion, King said.

The Women’s Locker Room, built in 1961, lacks proper locker anchorage.

Built in 1979, the Applied Arts Building has discontinuous shear walls and insufficient drag elements.

Modification is set to start early next year, King said.

The Biological Sciences Building, which was built in 1960, has inadequate shear walls, tension-only braced frames, roof diaphragms and wall anchorage. King said there are no concrete plans for renovation yet.

Erected in 1956, the Gymnasium contains inadequate roof diaphragm horizontal steel bracing, diaphragm chords, wall-toroof anchorage and inadequate connections between walkway and gym structure.

There are no current plans for modification, King said.

The Gym Annex Building, built in 1967, has discontinuous lateral load path through glazing/louvers along the north and south walls and inadequate wall-to-roof anchorage connections along the east and west walls. There are also no cross ties in the high roof in the east/west direction. King said there are not any plans for retrofitting the building at the moment.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto.advocate@gmail. com.

Campus nurse position remains in limbo Off-site medical help encouraged

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Victimized by budget cuts in the mid-1980s, the absence of school nurses on campus has left the college with no one to treat the wounds of the student body as it at one time did.

Once providing services such as birth control counseling, extensive referral to off-campus help and proper wound dressing, the school nurse was lost along with several dollars in the college budget, nursing professor Cheri Etheredge said.

“When the budget is tight, school nurses get cut,” she said.

While there are services to transfer students to a hospital in an emergency, a school nurse remains void on the list of elements for safety preparedness.

Students in need of immediate medical attention are encouraged to contact Police Services and Emergency Medical Services on campus to transfer them to a hospital, President McKinley Williams said.

Consequently, most health services are to be found at a location off campus.

“Any emergency could happen, said, for more critical situations and (there would be) no one here requiring health services without to do anything about it,” student delay, the best option is to dial 911.

Aneka Boykin said.

With the amount of money for “They have the necessary equippersonnel, facilities, contracts and ment needed to treat an emergency other resources required to house situation,” she said.

While the college lacks a school a school nurse, the college is miles away from embracing the addi- nurse, it does have nurses on camtional strains on the pus.

King-Jones, budget, Williams A FTER THE SHOCK alongside the facsaid. ulty in the nursing “It was disdepartment, is a regcussed, but didn’t come to fruition,” istered nurse.

Not to be conWilliams said. “The T HE L OMA P RIETA fused as school reserves can’t provide all the services (students) per- nurses, King-Jones said faculty members are given a different sonally need.”

Many students feel an aversion “scope of focus.”

“We’re hired to teach, not to to the idea of the college not being equipped with an available school (provide) care for the student body,” she said. “There’s a big difference, nurse.

“It’s kind of scary, and I just and it’d be great to have that facility assumed we had a nurse, (because) on campus. But it’s a huge underthere are a lot of potential nurs- taking.”

Yet, the campus is not deprived es (on campus),” student Julio of students with the capability of Guzman said.

As the college lacks school performing certain basic health sernurses, students agreed the campus vices.

Students from the nursing lacks a certain amount of safety department retain various skills preparedness.

“It’s good to be prepared (by that can provide some assistance having) someone who knows what during a dire situation should the they’re doing,” Guzman said. “(It need arise, she said.

“With guidance, a nursing stuwould) give us a sense of some dent can be a (big) help to the comsecurity.”

Nursing department munity in case of an emergency or Chairwoman Angela King-Jones disaster,” King-Jones said.

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Equipped with the abilities to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and check vital signs such as heartbeat, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and respirations, nursing students can provide some form of help should the situation demand it. “(These skills) help every situation, but does it take the place of a (school) nurse? No, it doesn’t,” King-Jones said.

Though there is a nursing program on campus, there cannot be a dependency on the department for disasters, she said.

“If there were injuries on campus, do not depend on the nursing program to help with the injuries,” King-Jones said. “The first one to call would be 911.”

One of the features the district has implemented to contribute to safety preparedness on campus is the installation of two automatic external defibrillators (AED) in the Health Sciences and Gym Annex buildings, she said.

If someone witnesses another going into heart dysrhythmia, using an AED on the patient would stabilize the heart to a normal beat, King-Jones said. “(The installation) was a big step for the district to recognize this is something that could save a life,” she said.

Despite the number of alternatives for medical assistance, the

Deprived:

Do you think it is important to have a nurse on campus?

No: 3%

Yes: 97%

Almost all of the 200 people surveyed on campus at random, 97 percent, think a campus nurse is important. establishment of a school nurse remains far from becoming a reality at the college.

“We can’t see any nurses (on campus) in the future, not in this budget climate,” Williams said.

Unless money is taken away from another service or the students tax themselves, the funds to support the existence of a school nurse are not a part of any plan, he said.

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong.advocate@gmail. com.

SPOTLIGHT

Bay Area sits atop dangerous faults

A closer look Rodgers Creek Fault: Nearly 40 miles long, it is expected to slip within the next 30 years.

Rohnert Park

Vacaville

Napa

Petaluma

Strain mounting on Hayward line

Fairfield

San Andreas Fault: A 25-mile long rupture along it caused the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Novato Vallejo San Pablo Bay

San Rafael

San Pablo

Contra Costa College

Oakland San Francisco

Alameda

Daly City

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

Hayward Fault: Running through the college, it is deemed the nation’s most at-risk fault.

San Leandro Hayward

San Francisco Bay Fremont

Half Moon Bay Mountain View San Jose San Gregorio INFOGRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL/THE ADVOCATE

most likely to produce a large earthquake in the near future,” Senior Seismic Geologist for the California Geological Survey Keith Knudsen said. “It’s been a long time.”

By Sam Attal Although geologists can estiASSOCIATE EDITOR mate when the fault will shift, Northern California has a 99 there is no way to tell where on the percent chance of an earthquake fault the earthquake will initiate, with a moment magnitude of 6.7 Schwartz said.

Within miles of the northern tip or greater striking in the next 30 years, United States Geological of the Hayward Fault lies another fault running through parts of Santa Survey (USGS) officials say.

Although the Bay Area lies Rosa and Healdsburg. The nearly on many particular geological 40-mile-long Rodgers Creek Fault faults, only three are of major ends in the San Pablo Bay where the Hayward Fault concern to its residents, said Dr. A FTER THE SHOCK begins.

The fault is David Schwartz, expected to rupture coordinator for in the next 30 years the National and may disturb Earthquake Hazards Reduction T HE L OMA P RIETA the Hayward Fault as well, Schwartz Program for said. Since both N o r t h e r n faults lie within miles of each California.

The Hayward Fault extends 50 other, it would not make a difmiles from the San Pablo Bay ference which one was to slip, as down through Fremont and cuts the other would as well, he said. through Contra Costa College and The shake from one of the faults the heavily-populated cities of would send a major shock through Richmond, El Cerrito, Berkeley, the entire Bay Area.

Schwartz said there is a greater Oakland and San Jose. It is deemed as America’s most dangerous probability of an earthquake on fault, Executive Director of the the Rodgers Creek Fault than the Earthquake Engineering Research Hayward Fault.

He said that through radiocarInstitute Susan Tubbesing said.

The fault last generated an bon dating and data from Mission earthquake in 1868 of 7.0 mag- Delores in San Francisco, the nitude, according to the Berkeley USGS discovered that the Rodgers Seismological Laboratory. The Creek fault last slipped and caused shock caused nearly $300,000 in a large earthquake between 1690property damages, five deaths and 1776.

Running from Cape Mendocino 30 injuries.

Geologists expect a large to near Southern California’s earthquake on the fault to cause a Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault major disruption to the Bay Area, is also a major threat to the Bay Area in the event of an earthespecially within the East Bay. “The Hayward Fault is the quake, Schwartz said.

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B7

“The Hayward Fault is the most likely to produce a large earthquake in the near future.”

Keith Knudsen,

senior seismic geologist for the California Geological Survey

“A large earthquake on the Peninsula section of the San Andreas fault would shock much of the Bay Area,” he said.

According to the USGS, the San Andreas Fault has a 21 percent probability of having an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater within 30 years.

The fault caused the 6.9 magnitude 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that struck the Bay Area. Sixtythree people died, 3,757 were injured and $6-10 billion worth of property damage occurred.

Also, the fault caused the 1906 San Francisco earthquake measured at a 7.9 magnitude.

According to the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, both California and Nevada experienced the shake of the fault.

More than 3,000 people died in the 1906 earthquake and 225,000 were injured. The earthquake also caused nearly $400 million in property damage.

Schwartz said that a similar disaster is expected to happen within the next 30 years.

“That fault is due to fail, and when it fails, it’s going to be big,” he said.

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

San Pablo forming emergency services City establishes support groups

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

Planning ahead can bring about a significant difference in one’s life and the lives of others around him or her, and in many cases, it is important enough to be made a priority.

The same relates to planning ahead for a major disaster, including the most commonly feared in California — earthquakes.

Preparation is time critical not only individually, but also collectively for a city, town or state.

Emergency plans are in place for the city of San Pablo, ensuring all activities run efficiently, smoothly and as orderly as possible in an emergency, city officials say.

Referred to as the Emergency Operations Plans, it is currently in revision with an updated version due to be published by the end of the year, San Pablo City Manager Brock Arner said.

With that said, the responsibility of getting these actions to happen fall upon the shoulders of the disaster preparedness coordinators, he said.

For the city of San Pablo, the disaster preparedness coordinator is Andrea Ignacio-Barter, who shares some of the many tasks she is responsible for.

“My job is to prepare our community for any disaster and everything that entails,” Barter said.

She said some of the layers of responsibility in both her and Gerk’s position include: effectively and efficiently mitigating; preparing for and responding to emergencies within her jurisdictions; working collaboratively with partners at all governmental levels, communi-

Continuous and constant comty-based organizations and private industry in advance to accomplish munication and coordination is the first goal; equipping staff with kept with other agencies such as the proper training and equipment; the American Red Cross, Federal and building awareness, increasing Emergency Management Agency outreach and providing training to (FEMA), Community Emergency the community, so it is able to sus- Response Team (CERT), 211 and tain itself before, during and after others, well in advance of a disaster, Ignacio-Barter said. an emergency.

Along with the many tasks “There is constant coordination that come under an Emergency and collaboration with all of our Operations Plan, there is a disas- partners ahead of time,” he said. ter team, consisting of individuals “It’s a rule of thumb not to use a disaster to learn who your partners from each city department.

“I have confidence in the emer- or resources are.”

The public, howgency team. They have not been tested A FTER THE SHOCK ever, is encouraged by a major emergento become self-sufcy, but I have confificient in planning dence in the staff,” for emergency situations. Periodically, Arner said.

Carter said there T HE L OMA P RIETA Pacific Gas and is a city safety comElectric and other mittee that includes representatives utility operations provide guidance for the home in case of a major from each city department.

“A copy of the Emergency emergency.

Tips from the guides include Operations Plan is kept with each such information as emphasis on one,” Ignacio-Barter said.

He said the city should have a the need and directions on how city disaster council, made up of to strap one’s water heater to the the mayor, city manager, depart- wall, preventing it from tipping backward. ment heads and others.

Arner stresses the importance A clearinghouse, called the Emergency Operations Center, is of families putting together what used for direct response to the com- is called the 72-Hour Emergency munity in case of an emergency Supply Kit. It is individually taior disaster situation and exists for lored to meet the basic survival the city of San Pablo, located on needs of each family for three days the ground floor of the San Pablo to a week, he said.

Police Department, Ignacio-Barter “We want the public to take said. action and take care of themselves,” Taking the lessons from the 1989 Arner said.

Loma Prieta earthquake, the city of Suggested storage is a 32-gallon San Pablo is now proactive and has trash can and may contain items applied for grant funds to mitigate from battery-powered radios and infrastructure for city-owned prop- first aid kits, to sanitation items and erty, Ignacio-Barter said. nonperishable food items. More He said buildings are being information on how to set up the kit brought up to code and new ones can be found at www.72hours.org.

The city of San Pablo particiin construction are required to be, thus limiting damage, so that the pates in many community events, structure can survive a major earth- using a Comcast channel and other quake. resources listed on its Web site to

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build awareness and increase outreach about the local hazards in the area, Arner said.

Presentations are also made upon request through CERT, available in English and Spanish, promoting responsiveness in the event of a disaster, he said.

In addition, the Contra Costa Community College District has developed an emergency plan headed by Emergency Services Coordinator Ted Terstegge also covering an array of emergencies from aircraft collisions through weather emergencies.

Event-specific guidelines are provided that include what to do during an earthquake, if one becomes trapped as a result of an earthquake and what steps to take afterward, Terstegge said.

Training for emergencies occurs through CERT, which educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may possibly impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations, Terstegge said.

CERT members can also assist others in their neighborhood or workplace, should the situation arise where professional responders are not immediately available to help.

The service known as 211 serves more than 240 million Americans and provides free and confidential information and referrals. It is a national toll-free, three-digit phone number to call for information about local health and social services and enables individuals to find out vital resource information within their community quickly and easily.

This valuable means of information most importantly plays a major role in disaster response, as it eliminates the tendency for misdirected and guessing of calls,

Readiness:

Do you have an emergency plan at home in case of an earthquake?

Yes: 37% No: 63%

Of the 200 random people surveyed on campus, 63 percent said they do not have a home emergency plan.

Being informed

The Advocate provides a look at what people can do before, during and after an earthquake to increase safety.

page B8 Terstegge said.

Drills occur for the city of San Pablo typically on an annual basis, whether it is participating in a functional one, tabletop or the biannual CERT disaster drill, Arner said.

“We’ll do a series of problems for local individuals, and an analysis will assess how the emergency was handled,” he said.

In the event of a disaster, San Pablo plans to utilize numerous sites, depending on the nature of the emergency.

“Not all predetermined locations will be open, which is the main reason that we do not publicize locations in advance,” IgnacioBarter said. “The sites will be better known, depending on the emergency and available resources.”

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

Local emergency centers Doctor’s Medical Center 2000 Vale Road San Pablo, Calif. 94806 510-235-7000

Kaiser Permanente 901 Nevin Ave. Richmond, Calif. 94801 510-307-1555

The Salvation Army 4600 Appian Way El Sobrante, Calif. 94803 510-262-0582

Concentra Medical Center 2970 Hilltop Mall Road Suite 203 Richmond, Calif. 94806 510-222-8000

Staffed with certified physicians and nurses, Doctor’s Medical Center houses an emergency department providing residents of the area with quality health care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Open to treat medical and psychiatric emergency conditions, the facility lends its services to patients under its medical plan. Whether seeking surgery, therapy or other forms of health care, relief can be found at Kaiser.

Serving individuals in West Contra Costa County, the community center provides various forms of emergency assistance and programs, such as food boxes, utility assistance, shelter and other disaster services.

The center accommodates patients with a list of available doctors and surgeons. Medical personnel serve patients with emergency medicine and surgery performed on the site.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ASIA CAMAGONG/THE ADVOCATE

B8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2009

A FTER

SPOTLIGHT w T HE L OMA P RIETA 1 9 8 9

THE SHOCK

Standing on shaky ground

N

obody can ever be prepared enough for an earthquake. Disaster can strike at any time, and without an emergency survival plan, safety is knocked off the list of guarantees. By knowing and understanding the critical elements needed before, during and after an earthquake, however, a portion of the chaos can be avoided. In times of disaster and distress, education is paramount and can ultimately determine the degree of repercussions felt throughout and following the occurrence. Providing a list of necessary supplies and advice, The Advocate hopes to assist readers in remembering that safety is everyone’s concern and can be attained through proper planning.

w BEFORE

Set aside packaged food with a long shelf life and water must last at least 72 hours.

Sustenance Safety

Preparation is essential when ensuring access to basic necessities after an earthquake. The storage of vital supplies and equipment helps to provide comfort and relief. It is through safety preparedness that most are able to pull through disastrous quakes.

Electronics

Survival kit maps needs

Radios channel updated information and developments throughout the disaster.

Stored vitamins and medications provide special nutrients needed for deficiency.

A flashlight and extra batteries fight power outages by providing an alternative light source.

Keeping a first aid kit at hand offers medical relief for injuries and wounds.

Fire protection devices prevent the inhalation of fumes and the spread of flames.

Safe shelter protects life

Driving

Outside

Finding the right source of protection during an earthquake can save lives and prevent injuries.

Inside

w DURING

In older buildings, find refuge under a doorway, that is within close reach.

Beware of standing near objects that might break or fall, like glass windows or vases, during the earthquake. It is best to stay in an open area or take cover, holding the same position until it is safe to move.

A stable piece of furniture can also serve as a safe area for protection from falling objects.

Avoid standing close to surrounding trees and other debris that could potentially be loosened by the earthquake.

Take caution near light posts and telephone wires. If the structures are broken, they may cause severe physical damage.

Standing beside wires and posts could result in being electrocuted by any dangling power chords.

When on the road, stop as quickly as safety permits and remain in the vehicle. Do not stop under or close to buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires. Seek a detour to avoid traveling on roads and bridges that may have been damaged by the temblor.

Prepare

Measures toward coping with disaster revolve around treating wounds, ensuring security and listening for further news regarding the aftermath of the tremors.

Having proper medical and utility supplies handy can prove to be beneficial for addressing dire emergencies such as natural disasters. It is also crucial to keep a close listen for prompts regarding further instructional assistance and special guidance.

Secure

Action heals after tumult

Revive

w AFTER

source: Federal Emergency Management Agency and United States Geological Survey

Treat wounds to prevent infection by applying rubbing alcohol and fresh bandages over injuries.

Turn off indoor water lines and gas valves to reduce the risk of dangerous floods and gas leaks.

Keep an ear out for breaking news updates and more information regarding the status of the disaster.

Contact 911 for an ambulance to receive emergency medical attention from trained professionals.

Create a list of emergency contact numbers. When safe, locate the nearest landline and dial close family and friends.

Prepare for secondary shockwaves that may be strong enough to inflict additional damage.

They can occur within hours, days or weeks of the earthquake.

INFOGRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL/THE ADVOCATE