The Advocate - Oct. 28, 2009

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B campus beat ◆ page A5

Team nets first win since 2006

Puente experts train rookies

CMYK

Shocking victory

Mentors

CMYK

sports ◆ page A8

campus beat ◆ page A6

Chefs nab silver spot Young cooks excel at crab competition

VOL. 93, NO. 8

SINCE 1950

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

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

16 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

College to trim courses

Union talks move ahead

Sections may see 10 percent orial overall cut

edit

Local schools, teachers still in negotiation

By Diana Reyes OPINION EDITOR

By Holly Pablo

Due to a lack of funding from the state, hours and courses for the spring 2010 semester are to be cut by 10 percent.

Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd said the number of proposed course section hours reduced has fluctuated, but as of press time Monday, the number of hours reduced for next semester is about 4,000.

“Early on, we were thinking we had to reduce 13 percent, and that still didn’t seem to be enough,” Floyd said.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Given the cutting of sections and increased competition in the job market after college, setting up a detailed, specialized educational plan is a must.

page A2

■ SEE COURSES: Page A4 JAMES HECK / THE ADVOCATE

As part of ongoing negotiations regarding the financial crisis to the kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) system, the local public school district and teachers union returned to the bargaining table Oct. 20-21 to reach a tentative agreement.

It was the first time since Sept. 15 that West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) administrators and United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) representatives met to discuss contract issues involving health care benefits, seniority rights, pay cuts, class size maximums and furlough days, among others.

Steve Hoffman, a teacher for Middle College High School (a secondary school housed on the Contra Costa College campus), said that among the afflictions felt by the teachers, health care is the main topic of discussion, because come January, employees’ spouses and dependents will no longer be covered.

These proposed changes are a result of the state budget cuts approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in July, which reduced $5.3 billion from K-12 education statewide.

Though the district’s revenue and expenditures balanced at $285 million last year, the revenue expected for the 2009-10 academic year stands at $251 million with expenditures of $270 million, WCCUSD spokesman Marin Trujillo said.

“We understand that (the cuts) are not fair,” he said.

“We just don’t have funding from the state, and we know that the community does not want us to spend money we

Looking ahead

PLANNING Strong focus, solid goals required in rapidly shifting job market

■ SEE SCHOOLS: Page A4

A CAREER

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Society stresses education as the universal key to success, but in these trying times, even the possession of a college certificate, bachelor’s degree or higher degree cannot guarantee instant job security.

Faced with the reality of a bleak labor market and the obligation to repay debts incurred from college loans, it is becoming more common for university graduates to move back into their parents’ home, settle for low-paying retail wages or return to community colleges to pursue other career endeavors.

Mechanical engineering major Tony Tran said the truth of the matter is that when students make decisions about their educational goals, they must be aware of whether or not their degrees will be of high demand in the industry.

The “Great Recession,” the worst economic plunge since the Great Depression of 1929, originated in December 2007 after collapses in the housing and credit markets forced consumers to reduce spending.

The slump has struck the United States’ wallet with severe work force reductions and an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, equating to 15.1 million people without work, according to September reports released by the United States Department of Labor (USDL).

Though the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is seeing improvement, economists say that unemployment is likely to worsen throughout 2010, because there is always a lag between production and job creation.

“Some parts of the recession (are) over, but tragically, employment is going to be the slowest to come back,” Contra Costa College Dean of Economic Development Priscilla

Budget reduced Buildings, Grounds funding sees slash

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With the economic crisis crushing statewide funding, budget cuts are striking community colleges down to the ground.

Alongside suffering a series of other cuts, Contra Costa College has reduced the Buildings and Grounds budget by 16.5 percent, directing its attention more toward the function rather than the fashion of the campus.

The department, which deals with the repairs and maintenance of the college facilities, will tighten its belt to focus funding on “what is urgent for teaching and learning to go on,” Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said.

In addition to reducing the budget of the program, the state also will not provide any scheduled maintenance funding, ■ SEE GROUNDS: Page A4

■ SEE JOBS: Page A4

Professor awarded top prize

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

Drawing from personal experiences and the experiences of those close to her, Lynne Knight channels her inspiration into award-winning pieces.

Recently, the part-time English professor, who has written thousands of poems, was awarded first place in the RATTLE poetry contest.

“I love poetry, because I think it speaks to the deepest emotions, and poetry can touch people all around the world,” Knight said.

Aside from being published in RATTLE, an ad-free publication of poetry and other writing, Knight has also written several books. Her love of poetry stems from her mother, who, though unpublished, wrote poetry as well

Knight remains happy for the recognition she has received for doing what she loves.

Her poem, titled “To the Young Man Who Cried Out ‘What Were You Thinking’ When I Backed into His Car,” was unanimously chosen out of 6,000 other entries as first by a panel of judges, she said.

“For RATTLE to recognize me is absolutely wonderful,” Knight said.

In addition to the recognition, the grand prize netted Knight $5,000 and her poem will be published in the upcoming edition of RATTLE for winter 2009 that will be released in December.

Knight is also in the midst of publishing her fourth book, titled “Again,” about the pain of losing something, and the joy of finding something new.

“I am very proud to have her here as a part of the Contra Costa College faculty,” said Helen Kalkstein, dean of the Liberal, Applied Health, Vocational Training and Athletics Division.

Kalkstein said Knight is an example of

the great things that come out of CCC and the talent that is here.

Not only has Knight captured the praise of her co-workers, but also that of her students.

Hazel Miller, a student and poet, has read Knight’s poetry and found the poems to be soothing and realistic.

“I have read a number of her poems and have found a great quality in all of them,” Miller said. “It would be a lie to say I had a favorite.”

A prime inspiration in Knight’s love of reading and writing poetry comes from her mother. Her mother kept journals of her works and would sometimes read them aloud to Knight. Listening to her mother’s melodies and rhymes sparked Knight’s interest in poetry and has carried her forward.

Knight’s favored style of poetry is narrative style, where the poem takes the form of a story that may have a simple SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE or complex meaning relating back to the Inspired — English professor and poetry plot.

■ SEE KNIGHT: Page A4 contest winner Lynne Knight teaches her English 142B class in LA-106 Wednesday.

CMYK

Knight’s calm poem wins national award

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

A2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “The First Amendment is about freedom and tolerance — to believe, speak, publish, congregate and lobby as you see fit, while allowing others to do likewise, even people whose expressions you find abhorrent.”

Maurice Fliess The Freedom Forum 1998 Holly Pablo editor-in-chief Sam Attal associate editor Asia Camagong associate editor 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. 28, 2009

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 VOL. 93, NO. 8 ●

Editorial Preparing necessary Self-motivation a must for returning students

A

college education is supposed to open the doors of opportunity.

With the economic downturn, however, those same doors may not open wide enough for the students seeking its treasures.

The crises originating from California’s financial disaster have limited college resources to the point that students are competing not only for grades, but also for limited seats.

But rather than waiting for seats to be taken from under them, it is the responsibility of students to pick up the slack and prepare for the semester early.

As a result of the $840 million in cuts to community colleges statewide, students have faced increased tuition costs, crowded classrooms due to enrollment increases, full waitlists and fewer section offerings to choose from.

Contra Costa College was forced to slash more than 30 sections this semester. Though the exact number of section offerings has not yet been determined, administrators have identified that roughly 4,000 instructional hours must be reduced from the spring schedule to balance financial deficits.

These cuts do not come as a surprise, and realistically, the severity of the budget crisis will continue far longer than just the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Truly, continuing students need to be a little more persistent in their educational endeavors, because waiting until the last minute to register for classes is a complete disservice to themselves.

Down on their luck, students experience the feeling of frustration within the initial days of the semester when they try to add courses but are instead turned away due to the lack of space.

Even waitlists have lost their promise to reserve a spot in the classroom, as the budget has forced professors to tighten their belts on the amount of students they are allowed to accept.

Caught in a time when the campus is limited on how much it can provide, it is up to students to take the initiative and find self-motivation through available resources.

Working with a counselor to produce an educational plan, for instance, can make the biggest difference, because it allows the student to gain a clear picture in his or her head about classes needed and the best way to balance them throughout future semesters.

The print edition of the spring schedule is expected by Nov. 16. Administrators said that open enrollment for continuing students is planned for Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 and noncontinuing students can expect to enroll Dec. 14-20.

By registering early and adequately preparing for classes beforehand, students can work to alleviate some of damage inflicted by the budget cuts.

These trials are endurable, depending on the steps students take to prepare.

JOEL ODE/ THE ADVOCATE

■ Life

Self-strength emerges from stranger’s story

F

or friends, we sometimes do things that we do not want to do.

One of these things is going to the nail shop.

A lot of my friends enjoy getting their nails done.

When it is suggested, my stomach begins to turn, knowing that I will be dragged along.

One reason I do not like going to the nail shop is because I get very impatient waiting for the 45-minute manicure, which can be longer if my friends also opt to get a pedicure.

Strange things always happen to us, and we often meet strange people.

But on one of these journeys, I met someone who would teach me perseverance through her battle with cancer.

When you are faced with the most challenging obstacles, sometimes you fight until the end.

She was sitting in the pedicure chair, getting her feet done. When we walked in, she smiled and gave a nod of the head.

She looked nice and had a strong presence.

I quickly gained her attention when I started to talk to my friend about all the violence that was going on in the Bay Area.

She swiftly joined in on the conversation, giving her opinion on what she suggested was an outrage and just one step away from genocide.

I agreed with a lot of her views and was intrigued about how passionate she was about the subjects and

statement, I thought. I asked if she was scared.

“Scared? I wasn’t scared.

I just had to prove to myself that I could get over it and keep on going. I would not let it defeat me, but I defeated it.”

I thought that with all how many good ideas she the stuff I go through, if I had in terms of solutions to just looked at it like that, the problems. the obstacles would be We started to talk about easier. “How did you do it?” the medical marijuana disI asked. pensary “I just never got down. I next door. stayed positive throughout She said When you the whole situation. And I she did not are faced told myself that the cancer mind it will leave my body if I conbeing there, tinue to live for the Lord as it is actu- with the and stay on my mission of a ally a safer greater future.” alternative most My life is a cupcake comthan getting pared to hers, I thought. it on the challenging She is a survivor, a real streets. life survivor, and she did not I laughed obstacles, let the cancer beat her, but in agreeinstead she beat it. ment.

That is the important Then, sometimes thing.

I told her When she was faced with how I you fight an obstacle, she did not give thought in. She stayed strong and did medical until the not make any excuses. marijuana I do not remember her could be end. name, but I do remember her used for story — and it was a powergood. She ful one. shared some of my same While I praise her for surviews but told me she did not want to try that treatment viving, I also salute the ones we have lost to this deadly when she was sick.

“Sick?” I wondered. What disease.

We all need to join the kind of sickness could this fight against breast cancer. If woman have? She looked we truly love those afflicted perfectly normal.

So I asked her what illness by breast cancer, we must make an effort to keep them. she had. “‘Have?’ You mean, ‘had’ Lamar James is news sweetie. I had cancer, but editor of The Advocate. now it is gone, and I am a Contact him at ljames. survivor.” advocate@gmail.com.

That is a very powerful

lamarjames

CampusComment

What are your plans for Halloween?

“(I am going to) stay at home where it’s safe and watch scary movies. (I will) hopefully be at the Fall Festival here on the 29th.”

“I have kids, so I’ll be taking them to the Hilltop pumpkin patch.”

“(I am) going to haunted houses and (hanging) out with friends.”

“(I am going to a) party in the city and kick it with friends.”

Shinita Allen

Harpreet Kaur

Jose Aguilar

“(I’m) working Halloween weekend.”

Chuckwunidum Amayioji

computer information systems

nursing

undecided

economics

“(I’m going to a) Halloween party with my boyfriend, and (we’re) dressing up as Velma and Shaggy.”

Faythe Del Rosario

Kyle McCoy undecided

CODY MCFARLAND, ROMAN YOUNG, ERIK VERDUZCO AND DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE

art

FORUM ■ Contentment

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A3

■ Mentality

Anxiety generates ‘active mind’ georgemorin

Season frees appreciation for existence

O

ver the recent years, I have looked at this upcoming season with much dread.

Summer full of joy and spontaneity, followed by the beauty and calmness of fall.

It was always a wonder to me why such a thing followed. It always looked like a punishment to show us how great we had it in the previous seasons.

I have always found myself to be a pretty active and outdoor type of person, so the change from warm to cold was a huge turnoff.

The things accompanying winter that most people would always look to and enjoy were never my fancy.

Quite the opposite, the way they were supposed to bring cheer and glee to my existence left me feeling down and stagnant.

I have never really thought of myself as having any social issues, but when winter came along, it seemed as if my subconscious would bring that part of me out.

Throughout my life, I have tried to keep myself occupied with things I felt were productive in the growing of my character. The feeling of being stagnant and not truly alive has always made me very depressed.

This feeling of melancholy unfailingly seemed to follow well into the end of February.

I tended to find my happiness out of biking and doing things outside with my friends.

But with the coming of winter, it tended to make me have to stay inside, leaving me with few options. Though most of these inside activities were fun, they left me feeling insignificant and inactive.

Slowly, as the sun made its way back into my life, things would start to look up.

Was this connection between winter and sadness psychosomatic? More than likely. But recently I have been able to appreciate more and more of what it brings us.

Lying in my friend’s room looking up at the ceiling and hearing the rain drops against the roof and windows brought a sense of beauty that I never truly appreciated.

As I relaxed up against a pillow and continued to look out the window, my friend and I proceeded to lie peacefully, backgrounded by the heavenly sound of the rain.

I closed my eyes and let it all set in and found myself floating in a comfortable darkness, being carried away.

I felt myself getting lost in this feeling of relaxation. It reminded me of when I was younger and would lay on the grass in parks near my house for hours on end without a care in the world.

That is when I realized winter is not a punishment, but a reminder to show us what is truly important. Not the constant need of accomplishment and feeling of being up to par, but the joy of being content.

By keeping me inside, it gives me time to reflect and take time to analyze, rather than be on the constant move – the feeling of being happy with the now.

I was too caught up in the need to feel alive by being productive, rather than being able to purely feel alive off of the fact that I was existing.

George Morin is a staff photographer for The Advocate. Contact him at gmorin.advocate@gmail.com.

‘I

repeatedly tell myself I’m doing all right. I undoubtedly believe it. It’s usually true. And then the smallest things affect me in ways I never thought possible.

When in less-than-ideal circumstances, nearly whatever I look at makes me want to bang my head into a wall until I pass out. Everything I hear makes me gag.

Uneasiness fills me up with every breath I take. I don’t want to burst. I isolate myself. I try relaxation exercises and they work.

I can’t do them forever.

After a few deep breaths, I repeatedly tell myself I am doing all right. I usually believe it. It is undoubtedly true. And yet the anxiousness returns.

I feel like I am going crazy.”

When I posted that Facebook note at the end of August, I had already been feeling that way for a month, but I did not expect to be feeling this way even now.

Everything I do has become difficult. For nearly three months now, I have been overanalyzing practically every single thing that I do.

crystaljoybis It is hard to go out with friends. It is hard to place commas. It is hard to get my words out. It is hard to go to sleep. I constantly look back and forth at what I am doing and I judge myself, thinking about what I have done improperly, what I should be doing next and what I need to do better. Simply trying to get a sentence out becomes a challenge.

Every thought leads me to another; it is a chain reaction – endlessly moving forward, left, right and backward.

It is only every now and then that I catch myself incessantly analyzing, and when I do, this is where I start to feel sick.

Slow breathing and listening to music excruciatingly loud seem to help me the most, but my unsuspecting mind wanders. It is thrust into a different form of overthinking.

Calming thoughts fill my

mind, usually relating to food. These thoughts make me wonder what I am going to eat at school once I have the time.

From there, I am led to thoughts of my friendships made in the past four years of being in school. I think of how much I care for them, where we are going to be in four years, where we are going to be in a decade.

I am halfway plunged into a dream that will undoubtedly end in a nightmare. A smile emerges. That studio apartment I want is going to be mine. Everyone is going to have families. I am going to have a family.

What happens to my thoughts from there? Being happy. Being happy. Being hungry. Being happy. Then it all ends. Having a family, a job, success, leads to death.

These topics plague my mind every day.

Though they usually manage to be linked in that order, my thoughts are never restricted to only that chain.

Penguins somehow make it into the bunch every now and then.

Some people reason that this is a phase I am going

through. They say that I am obviously trouncing this problem of mine, because I can recognize that I have a problem.

Many people often believe that everything in their lives is plummeting deeper and deeper into dark and confusing vortexes. The best that we can do is sit back and spiral down, knowing that we will someday get back up, or grab hold of something and stop, or at least slow the descent so that we land slightly more comfortably.

Skipping the use of hundreds of words and dozens of sentences that I have been fumbling with, I will say that for now, my way of coping with this issue is by embracing it. I try to see my overthinking as an active mind and that is nothing to be bothered by.

That last paragraph is edit number 19. And yes, I kept count, because I overthink and to me, it for some reason matters to my outrageously active mind.

Crystal Joy Bis is a staff photographer for The Advocate. Contact her at cbis.advocate@gmail.com.

Measuring maturity Frame of mind defines structure of real adulthood

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A

dulthood starts with a new course of action and ends with a new frame of mind.

On a day most would consider the typical rite of passage into adulthood, my sweaty hands clutched the steering wheel in front of me while a seemingly unhappy DMV instructor who introduced himself as “Diamond” sat to my right in the passenger seat.

It was the end of my driving test, and there was little optimism in my mind combating the worry from the fact that Diamond did not look the least bit impressed by my driving.

This was the moment that would determine whether or not I would have to keep relying on my parents for transportation or bumming rides from my licensed friends.

“Congratulations, you passed,” he said.

There was not any triumphant music playing in the background, and his magic words did not exactly trigger some physical transformation.

Yet, almost immediately, something in me felt a change as all the new responsibilities that came with getting a license began to flood my thoughts.

Like most, I thought this moment would instantly make me a grownup. Like most, however, I was wrong.

His three words were an invitation, not a greeting, into life as an adult.

Adulthood is an interior achievement that relies on emotional maturity.

It maps how a person embraces responsibility, integrity, control and selflessness.

Rather than varying on age or physical development, adulthood depends on attitude and the way one handles a situation.

Students agree, adding that maturity begins by embracing the power to take care of oneself and learning how to command that power.

“You have to have a certain level of maturity to adapt to the real world,” student

Ashlie Madigan, 25, said.

At the age of 18, despite moving out of her grandmother’s house, Madigan said she still did not consider herself an adult.

After joining the military, however, she found a sense of maturity being “old enough to protect the country,” she said.

In a world where some “buy booze over bills,” Madigan said adulthood is learning to prioritize and live by responsibilities. “(Adulthood) is still doing the right thing even when eyeballs aren’t on you,” she said.

Learning when and how to be classified as an adult is a curious case.

Some believe adulthood begins when they turn 18, lose their virginity, enter college or receive a driver’s license.

According to a collection of coming-of-age rituals collected on www. religioustolerance.org, various ceremonies signal the moment when a child is recognized as an adult.

In Judaism, boys and girls commemorate adulthood through the celebration of bat and bar mitzvahs after reaching ages 12 and 13.

Boys and girls in Korea between the ages of 15-20 commemorate adulthood through a Confucian ceremony called gwallye, in which ancestral shrines are visited to receive blessings.

With every different culture comes a pivotal moment meant to signal the transformation of a child to an adult.

Yet, when given a dated ritual to be considered mature, some lose the value of what it truly means to be an adult.

The MTV television show, “Sweet 16,” aired episodes of young girls preparing

for their debuts as ladies another year older and another year wiser.

The show, however, displayed nothing but one whiney teenager after another whose greatest tragedy in life was not getting a new, shiny car (despite not even owning a permit).

Maturity fell from their minds, as the sanctity of the ceremony became blinded by the very celebration created for its purpose.

Measuring adulthood looks into the core of the individual, calling to attention the importance of oneself and spreading that importance to benefit others.

In Janet Wilson’s “One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists,” chapters reveal the measures taken by children striving to establish peace in the world.

At the age of 12, Craig Kielburger created Free the Children, an organization giving aid to those victimized by child labor.

It has since then received international attention, completing projects and building schools in 45 countries.

Rather than being seen for his age, Kielburger was recognized for his goal and the responsibility he took upon himself to achieve it.

Adulthood is the attitude with complete control over what one does and includes awareness of how those deeds affect other people.

In a 2003 survey conducted by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center, 73 percent of Americans voted completing an education as the most important passage into adulthood.

Others suggested it was determined by being employed full-time, supporting a family, being financially independent, no longer living with parents, being married or having a child.

With each of these benchmarks comes a unifying characteristic: the constant growth of responsibility.

True adulthood focuses on the sense of being, shattering the illusions stemmed from age, sex or parties.

Emotional maturity is the utmost image of what makes a grown-up.

“Congratulations, you passed.”

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

JAMES HECK/THE ADVOCATE

A4 THE ADVOCATE accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Twitter

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

Newsline ■ WORKSHOP

EOPS/CARE to host event EOPS and CARE will be hosting a workshop to train EOPS and CARE students on WebAdvisor.

The workshop will run today from 3-4 p.m. and will be held in the Student Services Center, room SSC104.

For more information contact EOPS/CARE at 510-25-7800, ext. 4357.

■ SHOWS

Production to hit Knox The Dance Ensemble class will present its act, “Why We Move,” Nov. 6 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Knox Center.

Tickets are $20 for VIP pre-performance, $15 general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

For more information contact physical education professor Latanya Tigner at 510-377-5166.

■ FESTIVITIES

Puente Club to host dance The Puente Club will host its second annual “Dia De Los Muertos” dance Nov. 6 from 6-10:30 p.m. in the Recreation Room of the Student Activities Building.

Tickets are $6 with a college identification card and $8 without. Admission will be sold at the door during the night of the event.

Guests featured in the dance will include the Xicana Club, as well as the CCC Veterans Club.

Food and beverages will be offered.

■ CULINARY ARTS

Hot breakfast meals delight The culinary arts department now offers hot waffle breakfasts Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Individual waffles are served for $2 with the option of having fresh fruit toppings.

Eggs and potatoes are also being offered as hot breakfasts dishes as well.

■ ASU

Festival aims to honor fall The ASU is hosting the annual Fall Festival Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. in the Amphitheatre.

There will be music, games, contests, food and performances.

CrimeWatch Friday, Oct. 16 An officer responded to a medical report on campus.

Monday, Oct. 19 An officer responded to a medical report on campus.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 A robbery was reported on Mission Bell Drive.

Grand theft was reported on campus.

Vandalism was reported on campus.

—Jon Pinlac

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

Courses | Lack of state funding forces action ■ FROM: Page A1

She said the schedule is a part of the budget, therefore when faculty teach, a lot of the schedule is paid by the C-contract funds. The C-contract pays for all part-time faculty, and the overtime for full-time faculty.

“We only get a certain amount of C-contract money,” Floyd said.

Anyone working during summer, whether it is full- or part-time employees, librarians or counselors, carries a non-instructional load, and the contract covers them beyond their regular load, Floyd said.

“So, because the C-contract is tied to the schedule, we have to look at that as a way to reduce our budget,” she said.

Vice President Carol Maga said the state did not give them enough time to discuss the changes, which is why the subject was initially unforeseen.

“The budget was reduced, and the state said they won’t fund as much enrollment,” she said.

Division deans have further talked with department chairpersons about the decreased hours.

Discussions about flexibility within the schedule have been suggested in regard to reducing the number of sections occupied by each course, and also the consideration of factors with respect to those who are close to graduating or transferring, in order to prevent the possible extension of their remaining time at Contra Costa College, Floyd said.

“We are considering the fact that if classes are transferable, they should be left in the schedule since students need them for transferring,” she said. “If enrollment is low in a specific course, we are looking at canceling the class from the schedule. Our decisions are made around the discussion.”

Maga said they are trying to keep certificate programs, which are the transfer and career technical programs, as intact as they can.

Floyd said the schedule is expected to be out in print by Nov. 16, a week before priority registration for EOPS, DSPS, CalWORKs and

veterans.

“Students must enroll early due to the fewer classes available. Ongoing students get priority registration,” Maga said. “They must pay attention and do it as early (as possible). That way, they’ll get their best selection of courses.”

Open enrollment by appointment for continuing students begins between Nov. 30 and Dec. 11.

Also, open enrollment for noncontinuing students, or students new to the college, and the kindergarten through 12th grade system is Dec. 14-20.

“We really try to cancel as few classes as possible, because we want to turn away as few students as possible,” Floyd said. “We’re here to educate students.”

Maga said the proposal for the reinstatement of the classes being cut will all depend on the state budget and the amount of money they are able to fund the college.

“We’re on a down slope now,”

Grounds | Forces prioritizing 2009-10.

■ FROM: Page A1 “We are not immune to what’s going on around which pays for specific projects within the year, Vice us,” Magalong said. “As long as we don’t see (the President Carol Maga said. “(The cuts) are coming from left and right,” she economy) turning around, then we have to prepare doing more with less.” said.

Buildings and Grounds has formulated a list of Yet, while certain repairs and maintenance will be priorities working around the budget put on hold, changes outlined in the cut, addressing the needs of the colcollege Facilities Master Plan funded by bond money remain unharmed “We are not immune lege and the available resources to them. by the cut and will continue to be to what’s going fund“We have to be very wise and implemented to the campus.

The plan, funded by Measure A on around us. As prudent on how we spend our smaller budget,” King said. “(We’re) mainbonds approved in 2002 and 2006, long as we don’t taining what we currently have and features a list of changes to the college, such as the renovation, con- see (the economy) keeping what we have looking nice.”

Maintenance demanding immedistruction, retrofitting and refurbishturning around, then ate attention, including water leaks, ing of buildings. “(The master plan) won’t be we have to prepare electrical outages and uneven pavement, will be placed above improveaffected, and (we can) continue doing more with ments not posing any danger to colwith those projects,” Buildings and lege, such as a demand for new paint Grounds Manager Bruce King said. less.” jobs, Magalong said.

“That’s good news, and it’s nice that “The aesthetics might have to wait we have that voted by taxpayers.”

Mariles Magalong, and give way to the necessary and Still, however, the repairs not director of Business Services urgent (needs),” she said. supported by bond money will need When determining what is safe to be organized based on what the and what is not, Magalong said the projects will be college can afford through its general fund.

Magalong said operations threatening the safety performed based on its ability to making “teaching of the campus will be prioritized, while other aes- and learning conducive.”

Also, no solid prediction has been made regardthetic repairs will be put off and addressed at the end ing the possible cutbacks to the department in comof the fiscal year.

“There’s a lot of need on campus (and we) have to ing years. “(We get) what the state sends us,” Governing prioritize that need, (but) do those that we can afford Board President Sheila Grilli said. “We are just in a to do,” she said.

The percent cutback, which accumulates to a pot with 110 other community colleges.” $112,886 reduction, is on top of reductions to catContact Asia Camagong at acamagong. egorical programs and college expenditures totaling to a $2.5 million budget cut to the college for advocate@gmail.com.

Jobs | Specialization advised ■ FROM: Page A1

Leadon said. “Particularly, the graduating seniors at this point are facing more competition than they have in past years.”

The struggle for employment, however, is not limited to the newer work force. Across the nation, older adults and a willing-to-work retired labor force are being laid off and in turn, are facing difficulties providing for their families.

Senior citizen James Hillierd of Richmond said that he has been searching for work for about 18 months now, traveling to workshops and job fairs from this county all the way to Alameda County.

“I’m just trying to stay patient, calm and maintain my sanity,” Hillierd said.

“I keep knocking on doors. I went through school to get retrained, but now that I’m trained, there’s nothing to do.”

California is in one of the poorest conditions when speaking in terms of unemployment, with 12.2 percent of its work force currently without work, according to the USDL. The Employment Development Department’s September reports indicate that, historically, this is a record high for the Golden State.

Economics professor Wendy Williams said that statistics regarding work status are determined through a monthly survey of 50,000 households.

It does not account for people who work part-time but want a full-time job, however, or those who have stopped looking, otherwise known as “discouraged workers.”

If the underemployed and discouraged workers were actually reflected in the count, unemployment rates could be much higher, Williams said.

Kathleen Young, employer liai-

son at one-stop career shop East Bay Works in San Pablo, said the number of people living under unemployment benefits is also a different sector that needs to be considered.

“After a period of time, they drop off. But in terms of people who just don’t have a job, there’s twice the amount,” Young said. “They may be doing other things — caregiving, babysitting or mowing lawns. It’s the undocumented labor force.”

The Monthly Labor Force Data for Cities and Census Designated Places (CDP) found that 11.2 percent of Contra Costa County’s labor force was unemployed during the month of September.

“San Pablo is at 21 percent and Richmond is at 18 percent unemployment,” Young said. “I encourage people to go out of the area to look for work. They should be willing to relocate.”

Among changes of location, students should be willing to adjust to an industry’s changing needs.

The job market has changed drastically in the past 30 years or so, from a time when self-educated workers were deemed equally qualified in comparison with their trained counterparts.

Now, the modern day assumption implies that higher degrees ensure more defined skill sets.

With the world’s growing reliance on technology, it has become imperative for students to not only gain understanding of their major field of study, but to expand and specialize in other areas.

Every career field has become more technical, Leadon said, and a background in computer skills and quantitative reasoning will make students more employable.

Even the task of applying for a job is primarily seen online, through uploading a resumé to an

online server, she said.

“The world doesn’t want generalists anymore,” Leadon said.

“Students must specialize within their majors, find exactly what the industry needs or lacks and determine if it will be a growing industry for the next 25 years.”

For example, a person with a master’s degree in psychology may have more luck in the job market if they follow a specific career plan to focus on community psychology, and in turn, join professional organizations that specialize in that field.

“Students should meet with career counselors and be very specific in job titles,” Leadon said.

Through networking opportunities and internships, professionals can also lead students in the right path.

The practical, hands-on experience gives valuable insight as to whether or not the career choice is suitable.

“It’s not always what you know, but who you know,” Williams said. “Ask them what they went through, because they will tell you about the things they wish they would have known in college.”

The recession explores a new paradigm with much higher standards for future generations.

“People are living under an old paradigm and those with old-fashioned ways of doing things are barely hanging on, “ Leadon said.

“Parents tell their children that if they go to college, they’ll be able to find a job, but there’s no easy way out anymore.”

If the nation is truly easing out of the recession, there is still hope for today’s students, Williams said, especially if they become involved in student government and community efforts.

“Everyone’s got good grades.

You need more,” she said.

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

she said. “Next year is going to be difficult.”

Nursing major David Ramirez said the circumstances are bad, especially for those students trying to transfer.

“It prevents them from transferring at the set time they want to, so it prolongs their stay here,” he said.

Ramirez said he was not entirely aware of the effect of the class reductions, but had noticed some economy-related changes, such as the cutbacks on paper.

“Teachers used to give us handouts,” Ramirez said. “Now some teachers are making students go on Web sites to print out assignments.”

He said he would have never known about the changes being made to the schedule if it was not for his physiology professor, who told the students about the cuts.

Ramirez said it is important for college administrators to raise better awareness of issues such as this one that affect students.

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

Schools ■ FROM: Page A1

don’t have.”

Trujillo and UTR President Pixie Hayward Schickele said they were not able to divulge the details of last week’s bargaining as of press time Monday.

But union officials are currently distributing the information to its members and are expecting to vote on the proposed contract, which will be retroactive to July 1 and run through June 2012, during the first few weeks of November, Schickele said.

In August, 93 percent of UTR members voted to authorize a strike. For precautionary reasons, the district held three trainings for substitute teachers in September.

Both sides are trying to avoid a strike in the interest of the students, Trujillo said.

“We hope to move forward and weather the storm together,” he said. “The most important thing is that we’re talking, and we’re trying to find a solution to a mutual problem.”

Schickele agreed.

“We are (negotiating) in hopes that we can figure a way through this mess,” she said.

The union is com“The most posed of approximately important 2,000 teachers serving in Richmond, thing is students San Pablo, Hercules, that we’re Pinole and El Cerrito.

Contra Costa College talking, is home to one of the disand we’re trict’s schools. MCHS, a WCCUSD institution, is trying housed in the Applied to find a Arts Building.

“The purpose of solution to (MCHS) is to give stuan opportunity to a mutual dents experience a more chalproblem.” lenging curriculum and to earn 60 transferable Marin Trujillo, college credits conWest Contra Costa currently with a high County School District school diploma,” MCHS spokesman Principal Hattie Smith said. “In some cases, they get an (associate degree).”

Though working on-site at a college location, the teachers are part of UTR and face the same contract negotiations.

Because of the overall reduction of funds, this semester MCHS was forced to decrease its work force by one teacher, which in turnlessened the number of students the school could accept by 10.

The 308 students at MCHS have not been affected as severely as their peers in regular schools, however, due to the fact that the school operates on both a master schedule and the college’s semester system.

Since students are spread apart in their schedules and take college courses, Smith said, the ratio of students to teacher class sizes is smaller compared to its sister schools.

CCC’s continuing enrollment increases, however, also affect MCHS students.

MCHS junior Lejon Butcher said that since they have to register for classes the same way that everyone else does, they face competition with college students.

“Otherwise, there’s not much of a difference from last year for students,” Butcher said. “We still pay $1 (fee) and get our books for free.”

Contact Holly Pablo advocate@gmail.com.

at

hpablo.

Knight ■ FROM: Page A1

Although poetry is not as appreciated in America as other countries, Knight still loves the medium.

That love is evident in her work, Miller said.

“Knight is a really good poet, and I can see why her poem was chosen as the final winner,” she said. “She deserves it as a writer and a poet.”

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

CAMPUS BEAT

Renovation brings new aesthetics Amalgamated facilities meet improvements

By George Morin STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

said. The ATC is one of the remaining buildings in the area to have not yet been renovated.

Connected to the ATC and occupying the same complex for vocational arts, the CTC was remodeled in 2006 to look and function up to par with the rest of the buildings on campus, Sanders said. This left the 35-yearold ATC with its original external appearance.

The goal of the remodeling is to make the two buildings look like one whole building, rather then one new and one old, Pyle said.

“We want to provide some consistency to the campus, it has been awhile since that building has seen any improvements,” he said.

The remodeling will not only bring a new look to the building, but better facilities, Pyle said. For example, the old roll-up doors that have been in use since the establishment of the building will be replaced.

“The remodeling will cover getting new roll-up doors, which will be great, since the old ones are very hard to pull up and down for some of the students,” Williams said.

Student Louie Gomez said the roll-up doors are heavy and old.

“We have a lot of women in our class and some of them have a pretty hard time pushing them up,” he said.

College Vice President Carol Maga said it is important that the ATC looks the same as the rest of the campus to establish a sense of beauty to the college.

Plans coinciding with the college’s Facilities Master Plan continue with the remodeling of the exterior of the Automotive Technology Center (ATC).

Funded by a capital improvement bond passed in 2002 for the Facilities Master Plan, the project will add exterior metal panels, roll-up doors, windows and window shades to the ATC to match the exterior of neighboring Computer Technology Center (CTC), college President McKinley Williams said.

Additionally, new windows and doors will also make the ATC a more energy-efficient building, which is one of the many goals of the Facilities Master Plan, he said.

The funding for the remodeling of the ATC is coming from the Measure A 2002 local bond funds, which was for $120 million, Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said. Project Manager Kevin Sanders said a company has already been assigned to the project.

“Southland Construction is assigned to the remodeling and should begin in midNovember with a 100 days completion goal,” he said.

With recent seismic retrofitting occurring around the college, some buildings have Contact George Morin been left behind in the pursuit for a more aesthetically at gmorin.advocate@gmail. pleasing campus, Sanders com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A5

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Remodel, repair — John Ashley II (left) and Sam Baugh of Pacific Coast General Engineering work on a storm drain in Lot 15 on Oct. 9 as part of an overall effort to renovate the campus parking lots. Funded by the Facilities Master Plan, the project is expected to be completed within two months.

COMPANY REPAVES LOTS

By Jon Pinlac STAFF WRITER

The closure of the parking lots near the Music Building for repavement and the delays of the process’ completion caused by the weather is increasingly irking students.

“The repavement of parking Lots 14 and 15 that began late September this semester is forcing the lots to be temporarily closed and unavailable for parking,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

This closure has caused many more students to park in Lot 17 and along Campus Drive, he said.

Although parking has often been an issue of annoyance for students and faculty, it is particularly more challenging for students with classes in the Biological Sciences, Music and Art buildings, psychology major

Stephanie Folger said.

“It’s just making things very difficult,” she said.

Folger has been taking breadth requirement courses in the BS Building this semester and has experienced the negative effects of the construction — compounded by the rainy weather — firsthand.

Not everyone, however, is being inconvenienced by the closure.

“It really doesn’t affect me that much,” Middle College High School math tutor Clifford Stewart said.

“I usually park near Police Services.”

But many students who are affected continue to face the burdens caused by the construction.

“It just causes a lot trouble, because students have to park farther away,” Folgar said. “It makes them walk farther and can cause them to be late for class. It’s especially hard during the fall

because of the heavy rain.”

The gauntlet of walking through the rain can not only cause students to be late for class, but soak their backpacks and papers, as well as their clothes.

The inconveniences and difficulties will not last very long, however, since repavings are not usually lengthy, yearlong construction projects.

“Repaving is about a 45day process,” King said.

Painting company Pacific Coast, which is in charge of the project, expects completion within two months.

This time frame, however, can be complicated by the rain.

“The process can be delayed by the weather,” King said. “We can’t pave when it’s raining or wet.”

Although the two-month outlook is short for construction jobs, it does not ease the burden that it places on students to find parking and

deal with the wet weather.

“I don’t think they should be doing construction when there are classes in session,” Folgar said. “They should do it on the weekends or in the summer.”

Over the past two weeks, segments of the parking lots have been covered by plastic to protect from the predicted rain and moisture. Sandbags also line the borders of the parking lots to protect from erosion.

The repavement was funded by bond money and will provide a better parking lot and give more space, King said.

Yet, once the lots near those buildings are completed, other repavements will begin, he said.

“After Lot 14 and 15, repavement on Lot 3 will begin,” King said.

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

Union negotiations spark new outlook

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As negotiations between the district and United Faculty (UF) association conclude with mutual satisfaction, administrators and professors plan to focus more attention on other levels of government.

UF President Jeffrey Michels said that although both parties were generally content with the tentative agreement for 2009-10, especially when looked at in the context of a national recession, employees at the district and its colleges must appeal to higher authorities.

“In order to represent faculty, we need to get more vocal at the state level,” Dr. Michels said.

“We need voters to understand that

investment in community colleges is investment in the economy.”

He said that convincing voters of community colleges’ importance will lead to legislation granting these systems more money.

Since state cuts prevented the district from increasing funds to most sections of budget, much of the tentative agreement concerns how salaries, compensation and time for faculty are organized.

Ballots for voting on the agreement’s ratification have been sent out and will be collected by Nov. 11, according to the UF Web site.

Although the agreement contains no salary increases for the academic year, it does stipulate that the district will set aside monies for health care cost increases and part-time faculty parity, as well

as add to total district funding for department chairpersons, according to agreement’s text available at www.uf4cd.org.

The state budget reduced funds for part-timers by more than half, Vice Chancellor of Districtwide Administrative Services Kindred Murillo said, necessitating a district effort to find money as a way to prevent pay cuts. This money will be taken from the reserve if need be, but only addresses the problem for the fall semester, as a spring semester fix will be discussed in future talks, Murillo said.

She said that paying faculty adequately is essential, because of all their efforts in these difficult economic times.

“We would be reducing our budgets a lot more if our faculty

were not being as productive as they are right now,” Murillo said.

“We’re serving a lot of students that financially we cannot afford to serve and the credit for that goes to our faculty.”

Coinciding with this effort, roughly $700,000 will also be distributed to the colleges to cover rising health care costs for part- and full-time faculty, according to the text of the agreement.

Additionally, Michels said district funds for department chairpersons were increased by about 25 percent, which will affect their reassigned time and stipends. This move was made in response to the added amount of work department chairpersons have had to do in accordance with student learning outcomes (SLOs) required by

the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

For fear of losing accreditation, administrators and faculty have had to put in more work assessing their services, which Michels said is both not represented in their pay and distracting to their duties.

“We’re being buried in paperwork and it’s not productive paperwork. The whole (SLO system) is out of hand,” Michels said.

This frustration, along with the need for more funds to provide better services, has driven district and college officials to begin new approaches to attaining their goals.

“The battle is at the state level,” Michels said.

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

Group explains mission Puente Club hosts explanatory event

By George Morin STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Outlining efforts — Counseling department Chairwoman Norma Valdez-Jimenez presents future Puente projects in the Fireside Room Wednesday.

Current Puente Club mentors outlined what it means to be a member of their group and what might be in store for new members in the Fireside Room on Oct. 21 The meeting started out with an introduction for former, veteran and new members of the Puente Club, each telling one another a bit about themselves over catered food from El Sobrante restaurant Kaliente.

Additionally, a Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow was on display to communicate the mission of the Puente Project.

“The Puente Project’s mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities earn college degrees and return to the community as mentors and leaders for future generations,” counselor Maritza Vande Voorde said.

The Puente Club was started in 1981 at Chabot Community College

in Hayward. Since then, the program has expanded to many high schools and community colleges throughout the state. Puente staff trains instructors and counselors to implement a program with diligent instructions, focused academic counseling, and mentoring by members of the community, Vande Vorde said.

Near the end of the event, each mentor was given a questionnaire going over what kind of techniques he or she felt were right for mentoring. Members then divided into groups, where they further discussed the topic.

Once done, they shared their opinions with the rest of the groups in the room.

In addition to the event, the Puente Club is planning similar get-togethers like Noche De Familia, academic skills department Chairwoman Elvia Ornelas-Garcia. This event will give people the chance to meet their mentors and mentees in the Student Dining Room from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 13.

“A lot of people who are in our programs don’t have that parenting or mentoring figure in their lives, so we want to bring that aspect to them,” Ornelas-Garcia said.

Mentors spend a minimum of at least nine hours with their mentee, she

said. Most of the mentors are returning Puente members themselves.

Also, the Puente Club is not exclusive to people with Hispanic backgrounds, but is open to anyone who is willing to make the commitment, Ornelas-Garcia said.

Counseling department Chairwoman Norma Valdez-Jimenez said Puente mentors are successful individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree and are able to share their experiences with new Puente members.

“I want to be that person who’s there if they need me, something past the friend aspect,” Puente mentor Aurelio Ciseneros said, “someone that’s that support they may have never had the chance to have.”

Ciseneros said he can’t wait to further help his community by continuing to be a mentor.

“It was an excellent and very informative event,” he said.

Valdez-Jimenez said the club is highly important, as people sometimes forget that local communities need a lot of help.

“We can’t forget where we came from,” she said.

Contact George Morin at gmorin. advocate@gmail.com.

A6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

CAMPUS BEAT

Local housing project in works Intercontinental students wanted

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As technology continues to shrink the world and different cultures slowly mix with each other and evolve new definitions for themselves, many communities place an increasing emphasis on the coping with and eventually thriving amidst globalization.

Contra Costa College and the city of San Pablo may soon be exemplifying this growing focus through construction of an international student housing complex just off campus.

San Pablo Mayor Leonard

McNeil said the project has the potential to benefit every party involved.

“It’s a way for the community college and the city to tap into globalization and provide educational services to students in different parts of the world and expose the students here to experiences, to young people from other countries,” McNeil said.

Although the concept is only 10 months old and has yet to be approved by the city, the current blueprint is to set up an approximately 50-unit facility in Mission Plaza that could house roughly 200 students, said Kelsey Worthy, San Pablo assistant city manager who is in charge of the project.

“The plan is for it to be 100 percent international student housing,” he said. “The secondary plan

is to look to other universities with international students.”

If there is still space left over, Worthy said, the remaining units would be open to market-rate rentals, essentially any other possible tenants.

There would be no financial or managerial responsibilities on the part of the college, as the city, landowners and banking institutions would take care of all funding and administrative details, which is part of what makes the project so appealing, Director of International Education Aleks Ilich said.

“The college’s primary role and responsibility at this point is to provide tenants,” he said.

Since the district already has a combined 1,300 international students, Ilich is optimistic that the college will be able to attract

enough tenants.

The complex, which will have a common room for students to mingle and make connections, is expected to have about 50 two-bedroom units with four students to a unit. Worthy hopes to break ground by the end of this year.

In order to do so, the project must be cleared by the Redevelopment Agency Board, composed of city staff and council members, and agreements must be set up with banks and contractors.

Ilich said that when he, Worthy and others involved in the project met with the San Pablo City Council, everyone was very excited about and supportive of the possibility.

He also said that if approved, the complex would also greatly benefit the city by creating an international

economic and civic area where international students live, study and shop predominantly in San Pablo.

“Their plan to make an international village would have a much wider effect (than just benefiting the college,” Ilich said.

Additionally, he said international students bring a lot culturally and socially to CCC by sharing experiences and interacting with other students, an observation he has seen since his department was first started at the college back in 1993.

McNeil said the college is currently looking for outreach opportunities in Africa, the West Indies and China.

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

Crab competition trains young chefs

By Crystal Joy Bis STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Perfect presentation — Culinary arts major Diane Borja prepares for the Crabby Chef Competition on Oct. 9 in the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Two students from the culinary arts department competed and came close to earning first place in the ninth annual Crabby Chef Competition at Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley on Oct. 11.

Diane Borja and Hugo Panuco, both culinary arts majors at Contra Costa College, took part in their first competition, an “Iron Chef ”style cooking contest that lasted 20 minutes and took second place.

“It was a good experience.

It was exciting,” Borja said.

Eight two-person teams participated in the cook-off, including students from the CCC culinary arts department and workers from McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurant chain, and other local kitchens.

The teams were given 20 minutes to prepare their dishes with the secret ingredient, pomegranate, which was announced right before the competition.

Borja and Panuco prepared a crab trio that consisted of

crab bisque, crab Asian salad and a crab cake topped with a dressing that utilized the secret ingredient.

“I didn’t think we were going to place at all. I was just hoping for third,” Panuco said.

He and Borja were the only team to create three items for their plate, while the other competitors took one-dish approaches.

Judging was based on presentation, taste, creativity and use of the secret ingredient.

Editor of Oakland Magazine Judy Gallman, a restaurant reviewer for the East Bay Express, chef May Tien and Anneli Rufus, and a member of Yelp Elite who won a recipe contest that was strictly for highly active Yelp members, made up the judging team.

The first place trophy was awarded to Anna Zulaica and Cristina Lau of Berkeley’s Kitchen. Despite no formal previous culinary training, the two chefs made crab crepes with a pomegranate and apple sauce.

Panuco said he and Borja were not insulted by the fact that inexperienced cooks took

home the trophy, as his team tried its best.

He said felt an adrenaline rush and was excited just to participate, but admitted to being disappointed in not placing higher.

Second place medals were given to the Panuco and Borja, while members of the third place team from Emeryville catering company Paulding & Company walked away with medals as well.

This was not the first time CCC students competed in the event, which first started in 2000.

Spenger’s Public Relations Manager Tom Walton said an average of 400 people were enticed to the Crabby Chef Competition this year, when only 50 or so people would come in earlier years.

Borja and Panuco both agreed that competing in the contest was a learning experience that taught them to “step up” more.

“We hope that we represented (CCC’s) culinary program to the fullest,” Panuco said.

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

Expanded courses reward college credit

By Jon Pinlac STAFF WRITER

In an effort to aid incoming high school students, the college is widening the number of courses students can use for college credit for passing Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores.

Around April and May each year, high school students take AP tests that are then scored over the summer

by AP teachers and college professors. The exams are managed by College Board, which also administers the SAT and ACT tests.

The scores from these tests are used to determine whether the student can be granted credit for certain col-

lege courses or have some prerequisites waived.

In order to gain credits or waivers, the student must receive a score of three or higher.

“Traditionally, AP credit for community colleges has only been given to math and English,” Contra Costa College counselor Frank Davis said.

Currently, most community colleges give course credit for AP exam scores for only a few courses — mainly beginning college-level English and math, Davis said.

But a framework for granting course credit for a variety of courses is being fully initiated this semester, he said.

“Now it’s being expanded to more courses, such as biology, chemistry, history, political science, economics, statistics and French and other language classes and a number of other courses,” Davis said.

He said the expansion of courses that can receive credit through AP exams will save students time and money.

Accounting and economics major Reggie Tano said, “It sounds awesome.

Students deserve to get those credits and waivers since they took those classes and the exams.”

The hours students would have been attending a class can be taken up by another, higher-level course or by

working, Davis said.

Additionally, students will also save money, since they will not have to pay to take the class.

“Everyone’s excited about being able to get credit for more courses through these exams,” Davis said.

He said saving money and time is particularly useful in these times when the economy is declining, unemployment is rising, personal income is decreasing, yet enrollment at all school levels — particularly community colleges — is increasing rapidly.

While widening the applicability of the AP tests at the college level, Matriculation Services Coordinator Kenyetta Tribble said the

college worked with the California Intersegmental Articulation Council to get agreement and certification for the exams that can receive credit.

Tribble said that although California State Universities have long accepted AP credit, community colleges needed to reach articulation agreements with individual UC campuses.

A statewide proposal for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements and certifications, involving almost all California community colleges, was set up and eventually agreed upon within the span of about a year-and-ahalf, Tribble said.

Although it has yet to have a major effect on the demand for certain courses this semester, Tribble said it will probably affect enrollment for many higher-level courses in the upcoming semesters.

Right now, the demand is for the prerequisites and other lower-level courses, Tribble said.

There have been more students as a whole enrolling this semester who have taken the AP exams, so it will probably affect classes by increasing the number of sections for higher-level courses, she said.

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

Visiting colleges enlighten

By Kristina Plaza STAFF WRITER

More than 40 representatives of universities from across the country provided information for transferring to four-year colleges at Transfer Day, held in the Student Services Center plaza Oct. 20.

Sponsored by the Contra Costa College Transfer/Career Center, the event gave students the opportunity to obtain information about colleges they are interested in, as well ones they previously had not thought about. “(Transfer Day) prepares you for transferring to a university you are interested in. Also, it is a lot cheaper (than actually visiting each college),” radiology major May Chao said.

Transfer/Career Center Coordinator Robin Harrison said it was important for students planning

to transfer to come to the event, regardless of when they plan to actually transfer.

She said, however, that the number of attendees was fewer than in 2008.

A theory for this occurrence is because of budget cuts, which might have driven away students and discouraged them from coming, Harrison said.

“We just need students to care more,” she said.

Harrison attempted to attract more students, however, by going through classes and promoting the event.

Yet, despite the lower turnout, college representatives spoke cordially of the event and its effective impact, as many students were well prepared in planning for their futures on deciding which colleges they might want to transfer to.

“The variety of the (representatives) offered here can increase the

students’ knowledge and give them the perfect opportunity to be able to talk to someone face-to-face,” said Deborah Tattoo, summer session representative for UC Berkeley.

“I’m a firm believer in personal contact.”

Also, John Caguin, a massage therapy school representative, said he was glad to be able to direct students on the path they want in order to pursue their ambitions.

Each table was well attended, as representatives distributed handouts and talked with the students about the college they represented.

San Francisco State and UC Berkeley were two of the colleges that grabbed the attention of a lot of the students this year.

Some students who attended Transfer Day said they felt that it was worth the time looking through transfer options.

Nursing major Patricia Romero, who expressed interest in attending

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Lending a hand — Sacramento State representative Josef Preciado (left) offers information to student Claudia Ledesma during Transfer Day on Oct. 20 in the Student Services plaza.

The Transfer/Career Center will Cal State-Sacramento, was grateful for the opportunity to obtain infor- strive to improve its efforts to help students transfer, she said. mation about the university.

Similar events and opportunities Contact Kristina Plaza at kplawill be made available for students za.advocate@gmail.com. in the future, Harrison said.

Powelson goes above, beyond call One-man show trainer helps athletes

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

Most colleges have teams of trainers to restore athletes into playing condition when they are banged up or worn out, but athletic trainer Brian Powelson is a oneman show.

Whether a player is down on the field or sore in the training room, Powelson is there to get that athlete back on his or her feet for the next round. He’s always on the sidelines doing his duty.

“It’s unbelievable considering all the student-athletes, and he’s just one person,” Athletic Director John Wade said.

When Powelson first came to Contra Costa College in 1994, he was a community service program instructor, and he took over the position of athletic trainer for a friend who was having a child. It was supposed to be a temporary job, but

the athletic director at the time decided to hire him.

At the time, being an athletic trainer was a part-time job. It was not until 2002 when Powelson became full-time, after Wade pushed the district to make athletic trainer a full-time position.

“Wade pulled some strings to make athletic trainer a full-time position,” Powelson said.

In addition to on-campus work with the student athletes, Powelson is also the instructor of the Fitness After Fifty class held at the Hercules Senior Center. He has been teaching the class for more than 10 years.

“It’s great,” Wade said.

“He gives to the community, not only at the college but also out in the community.”

Raised in San Bruno, Powelson grew up being around sports and always had an interest in athletics. He went to Serra High School in San Mateo, where he played various sports like track and field and football.

After graduating from high school in 1986, Powelson had an opportunity to play football at junior college, but he decided to go to Cal

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A7

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

One-man team — Athletic trainer Brian Powelson (left) helps College of Marin player Emmanuelle Orleans off the field along with Marin women’s soccer coach Carlos Campos at Thursday’s Comet home game.

State-Sacramento.

After finishing his general education classes at Cal State-Sacramento, Powelson went to his counselor, where he took a career aptitude test, and the result of his test was athletic trainer.

Following the test, he took a sports medicine course and part of his class was to spend time in the athletic training room. He performed well in the training room and became a student athletic trainer at Cal StateSacramento before receiv-

ing his degree in athletic training in 1991.

Powelson has been a key part of many athletes road to recovery, such as women’s basketball player Kandice Stewart, who tore her anterior cruciate ligament in November 2007. Powelson helped her through rehabilitation. “(Powelson is) very giving of himself (and) goes way beyond normal to helping the athletes,” women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt said. “I don’t know

what we’d do without him.”

Stewart said that Powelson helped push her through her training when she thought she could not come back.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him,” she said.

Powelson has developed strong relationships with numerous student-athletes.

He said that part of the job is interacting with the students, and if one cannot enjoy that, then he or she will not last long in the job.

“I enjoy working with the

athletes here. They’re fun to be around,” he said.

Powelson said he’d like to see athletic training classes at CCC so students have a chance to be exposed to the profession. “(The college and sports programs) can’t put a value on Powelson,” Wade said.

“We’re very fortunate to have him here.”

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

Inconsistent play costs team second win at all.”

Sophomore middle hitter Emily STAFF WRITER Hansen said the team seemed disorganized and failed to make any good Frustration and lack of effort got the serves in the first set. best of the volleyball team, as it lost in CCC’s poor play in the first set straight sets, 25-6, 26-24 and 25-23, at rolled over to the beginning of the home to Los Medanos College Friday second set, as they were behind 17-6 night. before calling a timeout.

The Comets (1-9 overall, 1-8 in the After the timeout, the Comets, with Bay Valley Conference) are currently a combination of spikes from middle on a three-game skid after being swept hitter LaShara Johnson and middle by the Mustangs (6-4 overall, 5-2 in blocker Efaraima Danao, rallied back the BVC). from the deficit and tied the set at 24.

“They (the Comets) need to come CCC was not able to rise to the occaout and play hard,” coach Azure’D sion, however, as LMC scored twice Nunley said. “We’re in a row and took the always going to be on second set 26-24. the losing end if we don’t “(The Comets) ScoreBoard come out ready to play.” showed more fight and Mustangs def.

Contra Costa College desire to win in the secComets looks for redemption ond set,” Nunley said.

25-6, 26-24, 25today as it travels to play “(But) it’s all about get23 Napa Valley College (8-6 ting over that hump and overall, 7-0 in the BVC), finishing (with a win).”

Next game: which defeated the team In the third set, Today at Napa in three straight sets on the Comets came out Sept. 25. strong, as they fired Valley, 6 p.m.

In the first set, the away at the Mustangs, Comets showed no positioning holes with effort in chasing down balls and were numerous spikes and creating a sizable confused in their positioning, as the lead of 17-9.

Mustangs attacked them with several This was one of the first times all spikes and aces. The set ended quickly, season when the Comets had a large 25-6. advantage over a team in a game.

CCC has displayed these mental “We knew we should have had mistakes throughout the season, losing the game,” freshman outside hitter their first set in all nine matches.

Christine Ambegia said. “We knew we “The first set was pretty bad. They were a lot better than LMC.” didn’t even look like a team,” Nunley The Comets became too comfortsaid. “(It was like) they weren’t awake able with their lead, however, and

By Malcolm Lastra

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Hands in the air — Mustangs’ hitter Kendall Davis spikes the ball over Comets hitter Christine Ambegia and Efaraima Danao at home on Friday.

Box scores Women’s soccer (Oct. 22) Marin, Contra Costa Marin 1 Contra Costa 0

1—2 4—4

First Half 1, Marin, Littee 3 , 25th minute.

Second Half 1, CCC, Mora 23 , 74th minute.

2, CCC, Huizar 15 , 80th minute.

2, Marin, Orleans 17, 84th minute.

3, CCC, Briseno 12 (Mora), 85th minute.

4, CCC, Huizar 15, 86th minute.

Yellow Cards Marin, Emmanuelle Orleans, 37th minute.

Individual statistics Goals — Marin — Littee, Orleans. — CCC — Mora, Huizar 2, Briseno.

Assists — Marin — none. — CCC — Mora.

Shots on goal — Marin — 6. — CCC — 8.

Saves — Marin —Joyce 4. — CCC — Aguilera 4.

Record — Marin 0-8-0 overall, 0-6-0 in BVC. — CCC — 1-9-0 overall, 1-5-0 in BVC.

Men’s soccer (Oct. 23) Marin, Contra Costa Marin 1 Contra Costa 1

1—2 0—1

First Half 1, Marin, Manneh 27, 7th minute.

1, CCC, C.Garcia 9 (C.Vargas), 29th minute.

Second Half 2, Marin, Manneh 27, 73rd minute.

Yellow Cards CCC, Andre Delgado, 58th minute.

Marin, Luis Argueta, 59th minute.

CCC, Anthony Palmer, 69th minute.

CCC, Tao Sabella, 90+ minute.

Red Cards Marin, Luis Argueta, 85th minute.

Individual statistics Goals — Marin — Manneh. — CCC — C.Garcia.

Assists — Marin — none. — CCC — C.Vargas.

Shots on goal — Marin — 5. — CCC — 2.

Saves — Marin — Orantes 1. — CCC — Hernandez 3.

Record — Marin — 2-5-2 overall, 2-1-0 in BVC. — CCC — 6-6-4 overall, 3-3-2 in BVC.

SportShort Wildcat offense approach not enough to overcome deficit Numerous turnovers and lack of offense doomed the football team Saturday, leading to a 39-20 loss to Yuba College in Marysville.

A shaky start buried Contra Costa College early, as the team simply did not come out to play in the first quarter, coach Dave Johnson said.

The Comets turned the ball over five times, three on lost fumbles and two on interceptions.

“We have to take care of the ball on offense,” Johnson said.

“When we play well as a team, a lot more things can happen for us.”

For its next game, CCC (1-7, 0-2 in Bay Valley Conference) takes on Shasta College (3-5, 1-1 in Bay Valley Conference) at home Saturday at 2 p.m.

Collectively, Comets’ quarterback Ryan Walker only managed 55 yards of passing, completing five of 13 attempts.

With the added use of the Wildcat offense in the second half, the Comet offense picked up, scoring 14 points.

“In the second half, Walker played real good. He made audibles and checked off the defense,” Johnson said. “ He got comfortable and made some plays for us in the second half.”

With the Comet defense struggling in the first half, the coaches decided to use some of the offensive starters on defense in the second half.

The move allowed wide receiver Michael Hicks to make 10 tackles at the defensive back position, forcing two fumbles.

“We can’t keep playing two quarters. We have to play the whole game,” Johnson said.

— Anthony Farr

allowed the Mustangs to bounce back from a 12-point deficit. LMC held its opponent to a total of six points and took the final set by a score of 25-23.

“We need to work on not letting the other team dictate the momentum of the game,” Nunley said. “Also, we can’t get frustrated and worry about the other team.”

It seemed as if CCC went back to its careless ways it showed in the first set, failing to hustle for loose balls, being disorganized in their formations and simply losing the fire they displayed early in the third set.

“We dropped our intensity,” Hansen said. “It seems as if when we gain points, we continue to rise. But as soon as we lose a couple of points, we continue to fall.”

Despite losing all three sets, the Comets showed in the second and third sets that they can put forth effort and compete with other teams, as they rallied back from a deficit and sparked a lead.

“We definitely need to transition better (in our positioning), because once we determine our opponents’ (game plan), we will be able to work together,” Ambegia said.

Nunley said, however, that the LMC game is only the midpoint of the season.

“They (have) seen every team in our conference this season thus far, and now they have to come out and be ready (to compete),” she said.

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

Game of the Week Football Contra Costa College VS.

Shasta College When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: Comet Stadium Records: CCC 1-7 overall, 0-2 in Bay Valley Conference. Shasta 3-5 overall, 1-1 in the BVC. Background: The football team looks for a victory in their last home game of the season against Shasta College on Saturday. The Comets aim to rebound from last week’s 39-20 loss to Yuba College. Currently, Contra Costa College is on a two-game losing streak after getting its first win since October 2007 against West Valley College on Oct. 10. Shasta, however, is coming off a 5314 victory against Solano Community College.

The Comets also seek to get another victory under their belt since losing starting quarterback Don Miguel Tutass to a season-ending knee injury.

— Malcolm Lastra

A8 THE ADVOCATE

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l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

Squad nets victory, ends 3-year slump Second-half run halts opponents

held the Mariners scoreless for more than 20 minutes. The offense still struggled, however, as they were only allowed one shot at a goal.

Although the Comets showed

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER decent effort on the defensive side, they allowed the Mariners to After having its season can- score when Sabrina Littee slipped celed last year, the women’s soc- by Comet goalkeeper Marianna cer program received its first win Aguilera for an easy score in the since Halloween of 2006, defeat- 25th minute. ing College of Marin 4-2 at home CCC has not held the lead of a Thursday. single game at halftime this whole The Comets (1-9 overall, 1- season and continued the trend 5 in the Bay Valley Conference) Thursday, trailing Marin 1-0 after bounced back from being down 1- the first half.

0 to the Mariners (0-8 overall, 0-6 “Marin scored a lucky goal,” in the BVC) to take the match by Ferguson said. “However, we way of four second-half goals. didn’t take any chances (on the “It feels good to finally get offensive end).” off the goose eggs,” coach Nikki In the second half of the game, Ferguson said. “They came (to the Comets stepped up their defenplay) and competed very well.” sive intensity, playing very physical The last time Contra with the Mariners Costa College won a and preventing women’s soccer game many of their goal ScoreBoard was on Oct. 31, 2006 attempts.

Comets 4 against Los Medanos “We weren’t College by a score of playing timid (any Mariners 2 1-0. more) after halfAlthough the time,” Comet Next game: Comets lost Friday’s defender Carolina Nov. 6 at Yuba, away game against Valero said. “We 3 p.m.

Solano Community (definitely) stepped College (13-1-2 overit up a notch.” all, 6-0 in the BVC) by Ferguson said a score of 9-0, they hope to regain that when the team played LMC momentum on the road against on Oct. 20, it got “pushed around Yuba College (7-6-2 overall, 4-2 in a bit.” Thus, he tried to create a the BVC) on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. physical point in the Comets’ game The first half against Marin was plan for Marin. the best CCC has played defenThe Comets put their first point sively this season thus far, as it on the scoreboard in the 74th min-

ute of the game, when forward Marisol Mora kicked the ball in the goal after a corner kick, tying the match at 1-1.

CCC continued its intense defense, as it stole the ball numerous times.

This resulted in midfielder Daisy Huizar pushing the ball all the way downfield to add another goal in the 80th minute, giving the Comets lead by a score of 2-1.

“Our physical presence made Marin frustrated,” Comet forward Jessica Miller said.

This was the first time all season that CCC took the lead in a game.

The Comets seemed to have control of the game, until the Mariners answered back when forward Emmanuelle Orleans drew Aguilera out of the goalposts and scored in the 84th minute, tying the game at 2-2.

Defense from both teams stepped up in the remaining minutes of the match, leading to repeated steals from both squads.

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE After the Mariners kicked the ball out of bounds near their own Success — Comet goalkeeper Marianna Aguilera (left) hugs goalposts, which resulted in a defender Jessica Menjivar after their 4-2 victory against Marin at Comet corner kick, CCC mid- home on Oct. 22. It was the Comets’ first win since 2006. fielder Dorothy Briseno received “Our hard work finally paid the season. the ball and kicked it into the off,” Miller said. “Words can’t “We can recover from today on goal in the 85th minute, giving the describe this win.” a physical standpoint,” Ferguson Comets the lead 3-2.

Valero said the team went into said. “At the end of (every) game, The Comets then responded by the game confident. (we need) to be competitive.” stealing the ball back and Huizar “We knew what we needed to getting her second goal of the do and we did it,” Valero said.

Contact Malcolm Lastra at game in the 86th minute, making CCC hopes to use the win to mlastra.advocate@gmail.com. the final score 4-2. set the tone for the remainder of

Comets fail to keep up with Mariners Offense slow to start, unable to take lead

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

The men’s soccer team was unable to bounce back from a poor first half in Friday’s home game, as it lost to College of Marin 2-1.

Taking a goal seven minutes into the game and trailing 1-0, the Comets (6-6-4 overall, 3-3-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) were able to find the equalizer goal in the 29th minute, thanks to midfielder Chris Garcia.

His goal helped end the first half in a tie.

But the Comets could not respond to the Mariners’ (2-5-2 overall, 2-1-0 in the BVC) goal in the 73rd minute.

“We did the best that we could,” Comet goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez said. “Everyone played their hearts out to fight back, but there was nothing we could do. We got unlucky.”

The defeat marks the second straight loss

for the Comets and the first time that they lost consecutive games this season.

Contra Costa College looks to rebound when it hosts Yuba College (8-3-2 overall, 4-0-2 in the BVC) Friday.

The first Marin goal came on the seventh minute, when a passing error in the defense gave Mariners’ forward Musa Manneh the ball to get the easy chip shot ScoreBoard over the Comet goalkeeper to Mariners 2 take the lead.

Comets 1 The Comets struggled to Next game: get their team Friday vs. Yuba, together in the 4 p.m. first half, particularly their offense, which rarely ventured deep into the Mariners’ side of the field and only had four shots in the half.

CCC forwards had trouble getting the ball, but when they did they could not get past the Mariners’ defense.

“We needed to play together,” Comet defender Alfonso Martinez said. “We

weren’t getting the ball to the forwards. We (couldn’t) get in good position to score.”

The first shot for CCC came 18 minutes into game, but the shot was taken from far outside of the box.

Eleven minutes later, the first shot inside of the box for CCC was taken.

After receiving a lob pass, Comet forward Carlos Vargas shot the ball, which hit the left goal post. The ball would return to the Comets, however, and Garcia would shoot the ball to the back of the net for the game-tying goal.

The Comets spent most of the time in the first half defending each wave of the Marin attack. CCC was successful most of the time, but as soon as the ball got into the midfield area, they would turn it over and the Mariners would start another attacking wave.

“We played too far back and gave them too much room to play,” coach Rudy Zeller said.

He said one of the keys to the Comets’ better performance in the second half was that the team closed down the open spaces that it had in the first half.

In the second half, the Comets’ offense

surged back and began putting pressure on the Mariners’ defense. CCC was able to convert their attacking pressure into five corner kicks but was unsuccessful in scoring any goals in the half.

Marin’s goal in the second half began on a corner kick, which ended in a header by Manneh. On the play, Hernandez dove to block the ball from entering, but a Comet defender collided with him and prevented him from making the save.

“We came out kind of slow in the beginning and we paid for it in the end,” Hernandez said.

This was the goalkeeper’s first game back since he dislocated his shoulder in a game against Marin on Oct. 6.

The Comets last shot at tying the game came with seven minutes left in the game, when forward Diego Orellana shot the ball over the Marin goalkeeper, but it hit the crossbar to save the Mariners. “(We) didn’t get a break. There are no easy games any more,” Zeller said. “Every game is compelling and demanding.”

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

QUARTERBACK DIRECTS TEAM

By Malcolm Lastra STAFF WRITER

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Lead by example — Quarterback Don Miguel Tutass looks to rally his Comet teammates from the sidelines instead of on the field due to receiving a season-ending knee injury.

Every team needs a leader. Whether it be on the field, the court or even the sidelines, any sense of leadership brings direction to a team.

Not everybody can be a leader, however, as it takes the ability to motivate, guide and have faith in, and patience for, one’s team.

While being forced to sit out the entire second half of the Comets’ Oct. 17 game against the College of the Redwoods after spraining his knee, quarterback Don Miguel Tutass displayed those leadership qualities as he continued to rally his teammates from the sidelines during their 41-14 defeat.

A Diablo Valley College transfer, Tutass came to the Contra Costa College program as a sophomore quarterback and quickly reshaped the Comets, helping them break an 18-game losing streak.

“Our previous quarterback didn’t bring anything to the team,” sophomore defensive back Tori Johnson said. “Don brings a fire to the team. He tries to take control, and he’s a pretty

good leader.”

The 21-year-old El Cerrito native grew up playing with several of his Comet teammates as a youth, from his days of competing in Pop Warner football for the West County Spartans and Pleasant Hill Rebels to his high school football days at El Cerrito High School.

“When I came to CCC, people already accepted me,” Tutass said. “I wasn’t used to the DVC feel. It just feels nice to come back to a family.”

Although the Comets started the season 0-5, Tutass kept his head held high and still had faith in his team.

“I try my best to lead by example,” he said. “As a quarterback, if everybody is looking at me as their leader, then I have to stay on top of my game.”

In the Comets’ first and only win of the season against West Valley College at home on Oct. 10, Tutass used his leadership and pure athleticism to drive the offense down the field and score the winning touchdown with less than a minute left to play.

“He has the mental toughness to be a quarterback,” freshman linebacker Kenny Kekow said. “The coaches put the game in his hands.”

Offensive coordinator Jordan Seidem said Tutass “just has a feel for the position.”

Tutass was born into a family of athletes and leaders, as his father, Helmut, coached high school sports for 30 years and his mother, Mary, coached and played volleyball for many years.

He has been involved in numerous sports growing up, playing for various volleyball teams, baseball teams and even being named national champion in judo at the age of 13.

A four-year starting quarterback for the Gaucho varsity football team and a four-year member of his varsity volleyball teams, Tutass received all-league Most Valuable Player honors for volleyball twice, as well as once for football in his senior year.

Currently, Tutass is the head coach for both the junior varsity and varsity El Cerrito High School volleyball teams for the past two years.

He said that he would hopefully like to continue his football play at a fouryear college, preferably San Diego State University, and to one day become a head coach or assistant coach of football at the college level,

following the footsteps of his parents and older sister, who are all coaches.

“He has good communication skills with people.

He really understands them, and that is what separates him from everybody else,” Helmut Tutass said.

Off the field, players and family describe Tutass as a leader and a down-to-earth person.

“Don is a social person and is always good to other people,” Mary Tutass said. “ He inspires people and tries to find the best in everybody.”

With Tutass likely to miss the remainder of the season with a sprained knee, he knows that he has to continue to be that same leader he was on the field from the sidelines and rally on his teammates and quarterback Ryan Walker, who will now take on the challenge of that position.

“Don is (exactly) what you want in a quarterback,” Walker said.

“He is always teaching me something, and at the same time, he learns from his teachings.”

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

Spotlight index:

SPOTLIGHT Transportation a hassle Students find trouble in daily

Halloween customs explained

CMYK

SECTION

travels

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With both parents gone to work, leaving her without a car to use, Kat Hernandez had no idea how long it would take to find an alternate way to get to school that day.

And so she waited, until her

seemingly helpless effort justified the belief that it was time to forfeit the endeavor.

“I have to work around my parents’ schedule, but oftentimes I find myself not wanting to go to school,” Hernandez said.

The Contra Costa College student is only one out of many on campus facing the challenge of dealing with the stresses of

transportation.

Complications such as not owning a car, relying on the bus, traveling in an unsafe environment and paying for transportation create a hindrance for those seeking education.

Consequently, the challenge may affect the motivation and opportunity for learners coming to school.

When selecting a mode of transportation, most keep in mind the factors of convenience, time and money.

Student Jesse Holliday, who uses the bus and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) systems to travel three days a week from Pittsburg to CCC, said his worry does not rest in the commute itself, but in the chance that he ■ SEE TRANSPORT: Page B2

Hygiene averts disease

More than just tricks, treats ◆ page B4

Sanitation practices key to avoid influenza Thrift shop fashions new trend

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

The seasonal flu period runs October through January, where flu activity is at its highest, and there is a tendency for individuals to practice good hand hygiene — more so, than other times of the year.

“I wash my hands a little more than usual, because it’s flu season,” Middle College High School student Michael MarshallThomas said.

Yet, proper hygiene and sanitation is a given and should be practiced and focused on every single day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“I have a problem with people who cough in their hands,” MCHS student Robert Lozano said. “If I was in a position to shake hands with someone after they coughed, I would do it (shake hands) out of respect for them and not to embarrass them, but would wash my hands immediately afterward.”

The spread of germs occurs as one touches others, after accumulating germs

Secondhand treasures attract page B5 ◆

■ SEE SANITATION: Page B2

Witchcraft, religions examined

Galaxy explored

Class discusses cultures, beliefs ◆ page B8 ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Neo-soul artist takes spotlight page B8 ◆

By Adam Oliver STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

With greenhouse gas levels reaching an all-time high in 2007, according to the United Nations, Americans are feeling as motivated as ever to do their all in reducing carbon footprints on the environment.

“Our lifestyle is ensuring that we continue to see a rise in greenhouse gases,” said Debra Berliner, climate action coordinator for the Ecology

Center in Berkeley.

If everybody in the world had the carbon footprint of Americans, she continued, 6.35 planet Earths would be needed to supply the world with all the necessary resources.

The carbon footprint is the sum of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced both directly and indirectly by one’s activity in a given period of time. It can be calculated using a number of online carbon emission generators that total the emissions produced at home, by transportation and indirectly by food, recreation and even fashion choices among many

others.

One’s carbon footprint can be reduced by a multitude of simple lifestyle, household and community efforts, from recycling and composting to working within the community to increase the environmental sustainability, Berliner said.

The average American household produces around 55,000 tons of CO2 annually, compared to an average household in Mexico that only produces around 10,000 tons per year, Berliner continued.

“We are living on this amazing inheritance,” chemistry department Chairman

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

City provides local, fun haven ◆ page B8

By Kristina Plaza STAFF WRITER

As the sun was setting and the sky slowly shifted to a rich shade of deep blue, students watched and acquired information about astronomy at the Star Party held on the rooftop of the Physical Sciences Building Thursday night.

“The most beautiful thing tonight is the moon,” astronomy department Chairman Jon Celesia said.

The moon was shown through a telescope, zoomed in enough to see details such as its craters and rocky surface. The telescope was also adjusted every minute or so as the moon slowly drifted away from the eyepiece.

■ SEE STARS: Page B2

Carbon footprints analyzed Choices affect environment

Skate park introduces escapes

Star Party engages astronomy students

Leverett Smith said.

“We are considered by most of the world to be fabulously wealthy.”

Although these statistics might be somewhat frightening, efforts to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced can be as easy as flicking off a light switch.

At home, one can improve house insulation and install weather stripping to reduce the amount of heat needed to keep warm during the colder months. To decrease the amount ■ SEE CARBON : Page B2

CMYK

Maxwell gets better with age

Practice makes perfect — Students Dennis McCollins (left) and Lauren Banayat practice a dance on Oct. 2 in GA-10 for an upcoming show. For the full story, see page B7.

In step — Students Miranda Harris (left) and Stanley Payne rehearse for “Why We Move” on Oct. 17 in GA-10.

Various classes will perform at the Nov. 6 show at the Knox Center.

BRIAN YOUNG / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

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SPOTLIGHT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

Zhoushan city officials visit Possible study abroad program discussed

tration. “(It is) a very nice campus,” Tang said. “It is a big difference between your college and our university.”

Tang said he and the delegates and administrators came to the college, because their

By Diana Reyes OPINION EDITOR mayor is interested in community colleges here in the United States.

Delegates and administrators from Williams said the visits are research for a Zhejiang Ocean University in Zhoushan, six- to eight-week program that the univerChina paid a visit to discuss a study abroad sity has in mind for its campus. program for teachers Friday.

“They’re working on a program to train The visit was planned to discuss the teachers from Zhejiang Ocean University to interest and proposal of bringing educators come to Contra Costa College for English to Contra Costa College with the objective and educational enrichment and also workof providing them the opportunity to experi- ing in the city and community businesses,” ence teaching, working and studying in the Williams said.

United States.

He said plans are set for summer 2010.

President McKinley Williams said the Additionally, they are also planning on city of Richmond and Zhoushan are long- bringing students from Zhejiang Ocean time established sister cities.

University to partake in the study opportuniDr. Zhibo Tang, director of the depart- ties CCC offers, Williams said. The planning ment of science and technology at the uni- is still in progress. versity, said Zhoushan has been a sister city SuiFen Liao, coordinator for the interto Richmond for 15 years. This was his third national student office at the university, time visiting Richmond and second visit said the delegates want to send teachers to CCC within the year, which is how he and students to CCC because of the study became familiar with some of the adminis- abroad program, which would benefit them

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Globalized — Zhou Guohui (left), mayor of the Zhoushan Municipal peoples’ government, talks to student Sharon Henry (far right) near the Library and Learning Resource Center during a tour of the campus Friday. by learning methods of how English as a second language (ESL) is taught here in the United States.

“They want to put them in an environment where English is spoken. Therefore, they are encouraging them to participate in community service work,” Liao said.

Williams said the delegates appeared to be very interested in CCC, as well as the programs offered and the number of international students there are.

“They were very interested in how our

college runs,” he said. “We answered all their questions, and that was when they began asking about our exchange program.”

Tang said all the activities will be arranged and provided by the Chinese government and university. The number of teachers is still pending, but it is estimated that a number of 10 professors will be participating in the arrangements, he said.

Contact Diana Reyes advocate@gmail.com.

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Sanitation | Prevent Transport | Difficulties arise ■ FROM: Page B1

from touching surfaces and objects throughout the day and by infecting oneself by touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

In order to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infection, there are measures that can be taken.

Practicing hand hygiene is key toward prevention of illnesses in public, at health care facilities, at home and in schools.

Washing one’s hands often with soap and water, as well as using alcohol-based hand sanitizers (which require no additional water), is one of the best measures to prevent getting sick and spreading illness to others, according to the CDC. Soaps and sanitizers come in different forms, although sanitizers should “If I had be used where soap and water to interact are not readily with a peravailable, or as a follow up to son who I hand-washing just noticed with soap and coughing water.

Some sugin their gested situahands, I tions for washing, before and would offer after, are: when preparing foods them a hug and before eatinstead ing, especially when handling of a hand poultry and shake.” meats; treating wounds or giving medicine; Beulah Agbabiaka, Middle College High touching a sick School student or injured person; inserting or removing contact lenses; using the toilet or changing a diaper; and blowing one’s nose and handling garbage.

Although this list is not conclusive, there is never a time when one should not wash or sanitize enough, according to the CDC. As alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended, the type of soil which may be present on one’s hands significantly impacts the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

CDC officials say time of year is considered to be the cold and flu season and both are highly contagious.

Although always preventable, there are measures that can be taken to

■ FROM: Page B1

curtail their spread.

According to the CDC, every year in the United States, on average more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from flurelated causes.

Colds and flu are spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets of the coughs and sneezes, called “droplet spread.”

“Droplets spread through the air and deposit onto the person that is nearby’s nose or mouth,” said Janet Frias, a health and human services representative from Cal State-East Bay. “The cold and flu virus may also spread onto a person when they touch the respiratory droplets that come (from sources) such as from a desk, computer keyboards and doorknobs, before washing their hands.

They are ‘live’ on these surfaces two to eight hours from being left on.”

Also, coughing in one’s hands, although at one time the way taught by parents, is now not the recommended way.

“If I had to interact with a person who I just noticed coughing in their hands, I would offer them a hug instead of a hand shake,” MCHS student Beulah Agbabiaka said.

To prevent spread, it is recommended that people cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue and discard the tissue right away, according to the CDC. Frias also reminds others to be mindful regarding high contact areas, such as telephones and doorknobs, which should be cleaned regularly.

“In the bathroom, I use paper towels to open the door for fear of others not washing their hands,” MCHS student Deheshta Samad said.

Although the initial doses of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine are also available, at the current time, it is only being given to individuals who meet certain criteria. Additional doses will be made available later in the year, according to Contra Costa Health Services.

For daily updates to seasonal and H1N1 flu information, including instructions on what to do if infected, log on to www.flu.gov.

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

may not be able to later afford it.

“Transportation is rough, (and I) anticipate rougher times,” he said.

Relying on the Tri Delta and AC Transit buses, Holliday spends about $130 to purchase monthly bus passes from both centers. In addition, he pays for a $48 ticket to travel on BART. Yet, currently living without a job, the promise of maintaining such a system is nebulous and an alternate plan to get to school is unknown, Holliday said. “(I might) have to start scraping from the bottom,” he said.

Transportation not only demands a sacrifice in the wallet, but also in time.

Holliday said it takes about two hours to get to CCC from his home. “(Sometimes), I don’t know what to do, (because) I don’t want to get a letter from (professors) because of tardiness or absences,” he said.

Time could also be extended depending on possible bus schedule delays or if one happens to miss a bus, resulting in the option of waiting for the next to arrive.

Holliday said the extra wait could possibly serve as a danger factor for students needing to use public transportation at night.

“The bus drivers (won’t) get up to say anything, because they have a schedule to keep and peo-

ple on the streets know that,” he said. “It could be dangerous.”

Middle College High School sophomore Chris Preciado said that missing a WestCAT bus could result in an hour-long “(I have wait for the next to to) wake arrive. up early As a result, some to go to students take the school and i n i t i a t ive plan things of waking up earlier ahead and to increase how to get their chancto certain es of catching the bus places. and making it to school Buses don’t on time. always go “(I have to) wake where I up early to go to need to go.” school and plan things Chris Preciado, College High ahead and Middle School student how to get to certain places,” Preciado said.

An added stress some encounter is the distance from bus stops to their destination.

“Buses don’t always go where I need to go,” Preciado said.

In order to reach the YouthWORKS offices, Preciado

said he has to get off the bus at the Richmond BART station and walk for 30 minutes to reach the Civic Center.

Others not reliant on bus systems, however, feel unaffected by any transportation problems.

Student Luis Moreno, who has his own car, finds little obscurity in getting from place-to-place.

“I could go anywhere, and there’s no real difficulty in terms of transportation,” he said.

With the exception of gas prices and traffic, Moreno said his schedule remains unaffected.

Other drivers try to alleviate stresses of transportation for their friends by carpooling.

“I have a car, and if it saves someone an hour bus ride, then I’m glad to help,” student Chelsea Joshi said. “It’s not as easy when you don’t have a car.”

To others, walking or riding a bike is seen more as a preferred option rather than a last resort.

“The more you can depend on yourself and not some mechanical device, the more time you have,” chemistry professor Joseph Ledbetter said.

An avid bicycle advocate, Dr. Ledbetter prefers to walk or ride his bike when traveling to avoid the ecological and economic “hassle factors” of driving.

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

Stars | Event studies the sky ■ FROM: Page B1

A 12-inch Meade telescope, with a smaller auxiliary telescope mounted atop the astronomical telescope called the finderscope, granted up close and personal glimpses of the stars and crescent moon visible during the night.

Binoculars were also available for use.

Celesia demonstrated to the students how the Meade telescope works. The light comes down the tube and hits the back of the primary mirror, about 12 inches wide. The light then focuses onto the mirror in front, called the secondary mirror. Lastly, Celesia adjusts the eyepiece for preferred magnification.

Jupiter was also visible through the night. Looking through the Meade telescope, one could see three dots connecting a straight line on the left side.

Additionally, zodiac constellations such as Sagittarius and Capricorn were peeking through the sky. It was hardly noticeable, however, from the

reflection of lights from school lampposts and such.

“I’ve always loved the stars. Especially more if the physics aspect of it interests me,” architecture major Christopher Fonseca said. “I never had the opportunity to do this. What fascinates me too is how the moon moves so quickly.”

Additionally, students raised money for the devices. The base price of the telescope is about $4,000.

“It makes it all feel more real. You really need to start getting to know the sky,” Celesia said. “All ages come out, and it becomes a nice community thing for everyone to attend.”

Math major Francisco Perez said he feels privileged to have been able to come to the event.

“It’s not too often you can use the telescope here,” he said.

Contact Kristina advocate@gmail.com.

Plaza

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Carbon | Lifestyle changes may improve environment ■ FROM: Page B1

of electricity used, it is important to remember to turn off all lights that are not being used and unplug any appliances that are not in use, Berliner said.

Shopping secondhand for household items and clothing allows for the reuse of still functioning items, which eliminates the carbon emissions that would have been produced from shipping and manufacturing that new product, she continued.

“The best type of recycling is reuse,” Dr. Smith said.

There are also many lifestyle changes one can make to decrease one’s impact on the environment, with other associated benefits.

Riding a bike or walking short

distances instead of driving can be healthy, fun and decrease emissions, Berliner said.

Buying local organic foods may cost more, but they have the benefit of not being treated with pesticides or transported a far distance, which decreases environmental impact, said UC Berkeley Director of Sustainability Lisa McNeilly.

Watching the amount of meat one consumes can also cut down on the amount of CO2 produced, Berliner said, as cows expel methane through belching, flatulence

and manure. Additionally, methane is a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than carbon.

Although the volume of CO2 may dwarf that of other greenhouse gases, other gases still play a significant role in affecting the environment given their calculated CO2 equivalencies, McNeilly said.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills are the largest human-related source of methane. By recycling and composting, one saves reusable materials from ending up at landfills to decompose without oxygen, releasing methane.

Even something as simple as using things longer before replacing them with newer technologies

or fashions can be a good lifestyle change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Smith said.

Community actions, Berliner said, hold the most potential for producing enduring and highimpact change.

Berliner said that she challenges people to go one day considering what in their personal and communal life they might change to make for a more sustainable society without unnecessary use of CO2 emitting processes and products.

In the morning, one may go to one’s usual coffee shop and realize he or she is using Styrofoam cups instead of biodegradable ones or allowing regular patrons the option of bringing in their own cup for a

discount.

Later in the day, one may arrive at work and notice that many of the computers that are not in use are still on and running and that much of the paper in the office does not get recycled.

There are so many small actions one can take to address the amount of carbon emissions being wastefully produced in our community, Berliner said.

Berliner said that by actively changing one’s community to promote sustainability, it is “making it easier by changing the infrastructure and scope of what is available to them.”

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

SPOTLIGHT

Student solves ciphers

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

B3

GET WITH THE PROGRAM

Programmer decodes against professionals

By Jon Pinlac STAFF WRITER

Computer programming is more than just crunching numbers and code into a machine.

To decode and program computers one needs to be determined and sharp.

“It takes a lot of brain power and focus to complete the tasks (of decoding computer programs),” student Tareq Saif said.

Saif, who has been attending Contra Costa College for three years, was named first place winner of the Intel Code Breaker 2009 contest on Sept. 24.

Held in San Francisco as a part of the Intel Developer Forum 2009, the competition was open to all programmers — both professional and beginning.

In the contest, Saif competed with experienced adult programmers, as well as students like himself, to win first place.

The 18-year-old was surprised that he won, since he considers himself to be only a moderately experienced computer programmer.

The second place finisher, Alan Yee of Cisco Systems, was only four seconds behind Saif’s time and the third runner-up was Martin Wojtczyk of Bayer Healthcare in Berkeley was just seconds after that.

“Compared to the average user, my knowledge about computers is fairly advanced,” Saif said, “but when compared to all the professionals out there, I’m light-years behind.”

Thanks to the Intel forum, Saif has gained more clarity about where his computer skills stand compared to the industry’s demands and standards.

At the forum he was able to see, meet and connect with other programmers, software developers and device-makers.

Saif was able to hone his skills and knowledge through various workshops and

CRYSTAL JOY BIS / THE ADVOCATE

Machinist — Student Tareq Saif, who was awarded first place in the Intel Code Breaker 2009 contest after competing against professional and beginning programmers in San Francisco on Sept. 24, studies on his laptop in the Amphitheatre Thursday. The computer science major was able to learn more about the profession at the event. sessions offered, and he gained insight into the future of technology through various discussions featured at the event.

“I’m very proud of Tareq,” computer science professor Thomas Murphy said.

Murphy teaches computer programming classes at CCC and considers Saif to be one of his best students.

He is doing exactly what all students should be doing and probably much more, Murphy said.

Saif does the academic work that involves obtaining good grades and completing the program requirements.

But on his own time, he also does the extra work to learn the skills that will get them hired in a career field.

Murphy, who was also announced as

“Compared to the average user, my knowledge about computers is fairly advanced.”

Tareq Saif,

winner of the Intel Code Breaker 2009 contest

Murphy brought Saif, because he applied himself and showed a lot of initiative.

Although knowledge and talent is a key ingredient to success, it is not the only ingredient — nor is it the most important, Saif said.

It is just as important to have good instructors and schools to help develop and enhance those talents.

“Murphy is one the best instructors that I’ve ever had,” Saif said.

He said that Murphy, along with other professors in the program, make CCC’s computer programming department one of the best in the area.

an Intel Black Belt Software Developer in August, was the one who brought a few students, including Saif, to the forum.

The professor and his students’ attendance was paid for by the Intel corporation, who gave each student tickets that were valContact Jon Pinlac ued at $1,500. advocate@gmail.com.

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Club offers support for war veterans Organization helps vets get reacclimated

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

With the influx of veterans returning from military service seeking a better education, Contra Costa College is striving to become a better resource for them.

To accommodate them, the CCC Veterans Club was formed in August for just this purpose, with a mission stating, “To provide a supportive organization to service members, Veterans and their loved ones in reaching their goals while attending CCC.”

No membership fee is required and the key focus is to point veterans toward getting started in school through counseling, financial aid and meeting other administrative needs.

“We are now actively recruiting, making our presence known and putting together fund-raising events,” CCC Veterans Club President Joseph Camacho said. “There are other things we would like to do in the future for veterans, such as offer scholarships for books and employment workshops, for example.”

Camacho said he has a vision of the club being a one-stop shop for new students, getting them all the benefits available to them the easiest and quickest way possible, especially since

many are unaware of what is available.

He also wants to help those veterans that feel alienated.

“We want to let people know we are here and that we are normal. We are not a dirty secret,” Camacho said.

The CCC Veterans Club hosted its first meeting on Oct. 14 to introduce the group and its officers, welcome new members and review their roles.

“I am happy to see the CCC Veterans Club come together and looking forward to working with the (veterans) and dependents at CCC in the upcoming semesters,” club Vice President Kelly Carlisle said.

She said the government Web site for veterans, www. va.gov is good, but the club

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wants to serve as a beacon Room at 6 p.m.

Another event is schedthrough which all things one would normally have uled in honor of Veterans to search for will be easier Day on Nov. 11, with details to follow, accessed.

Carlisle T h e “We want to let said. number of Meetings v e t e r a n s people know we are for the enrolled at CCC to date here and that we are club occur is 33; and in normal. We are not the second Wednesday 2008 it was a dirty secret.” of each 30. m o n t h , In its iniJoseph Camacho, but the tial stage, CCC Veterans Club president N ove m b e r the club meeting will will strive to make their presence known. be held on Nov. 4.

Some of the areas the On Thursday, the CCC Veterans Club will participate club will look into include in the Fall Festival. Also, on employment and GI Bills Nov. 6, it will co-sponsor a for veterans, Camacho said. dance, along with the Puente They also will continue to Club, called the “Dia De Los partner with other clubs for Muertos” (Day of the Dead), campus events.

Senior Dean of Students to be held in the Recreation Frank Hernandez, who was instrumental in getting the club started, said it was formed in response to the rise in veterans from the Iraq War. “There are a number of veterans coming from Iraq and other deployments that are hitting the community colleges. Many of the community colleges are not prepared for their return,” Hernandez said.

“We did not have the time or resources to pay extra attention to veterans coming back.”

He said veterans were identified through a distribution of information in 2008 and subsequently the thought of developing a club came about, despite the scantest of resources.

Hernandez said that out of all of this emerged Camacho and Carlisle, who were willing to help organize and lead the club.

Also, Hernandez said CCC is participating with sister campuses, discussing best practices for their veterans programs.

Under favorable consideration is the possibility of a transfer program for veterans through Cal State-East Bay, he said.

“All are excited about this proposal,” Hernandez said.

CCC’s admissions and records, under the leadership

of Director Michael Aldaco, plays a key role in the identification of veterans.

The department is the keeper of the data for students on campus, made available through the admissions applications, as well as through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications.

“My role is to help pave the way for success,” Aldaco said. “Through the admissions department, we serve as the liaison between the veterans and the veterans administration.”

When a veteran enrolls at CCC, his or her first interaction is with Norman Lopez, admissions and records assistant, who provides information on benefits for them.

Eligible participants are veterans, dependents of veterans and those on active duty.

“My focus now is to serve as a back-up in getting information to the veterans,” Lopez said.

For a veteran to receive benefits through CCC, he or she must have an education plan in place and on file, which is where the counselor comes into play.

Counselors Norma Valdez-Jimenez, Bob Webster and Frank Davis serve this population.

Davis said, “A veteran will come in to see me requesting benefits from their GI Bill. My role is to prepare a three-year education plan for them that are specific and precise.”

Aldaco said those at the college are trying to make CCC “veteran-friendly.”

They are seeking to do all they can to get troops home, and then provide them with quality education for whatever their goals might be, he said.

“I think what you will find at Contra Costa College is that the staff and faculty are eager to serve this population the best way possible,” Aldaco said. “We expect it will grow as troops come home.”

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

B4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

SPOTLIGHT

Night of Fright Halloween customs stem from various Celtic, Roman, secular traditions merged together

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Much like the assortment of sweets found in an eager trick-or-treater’s bag of goodies, Halloween draws roots from a variety of sources, both secular and religious.

Before costumes and candy, this autumn holiday signified the meeting of points, the transition – fall to winter, outdoor harvest to indoor self-cultivation and, in the more abstract sense, life to death.

About 2,000 years ago in parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, the Celts ushered in the new year on Nov. 1 with a festival known as Samhain.

According to www.history.com, the event was held on Oct. 31, a day before the Celtic new year began, when it was believed that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.

The Celtic people thought ghosts returned to earth to cause trouble and damage crops.

Presence of otherworldly spirits, however, was also believed to make predictions about the future easier and more accurate, according to the Web site. Druids, or Celtic priests, recognized these prophesies and shared them with others, providing comfort and direction for the upcoming cold, dark season.

These druids, according to www. holidays.net, would meet in the hilltop in the dark oak forest and light new fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. As they danced around the fires, the season of the sun passed and the season of darkness would begin.

On the following day, many people would parade around in the skins and heads of recently sacrificed animals.

Also, some would wear masks to fool wandering ghosts into thinking the townspeople were fellow spirits. These acts evolved into the current practice wearing of costumes.

When the Romans conquered much of the Celtic territory in the first century of anno domini (A.D.), they integrated various traditions into Catholicism, according to www.howstuffworks.com.

In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV officially established All Saints’ Day for May 13, to collectively honor all saints at one time. This date was moved in the next century to be observed on Nov. 1.

The celebration was also called, according to www.history.com, All

Hallows’, meaning that the day before, what was once Samhain, was All Hallows’ Eve. This term morphed into the name we now refer to the event as: Halloween.

Additionally, at the end of the 10th century, the Catholic Church established All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead.

These three holidays, Samhain/All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day, were often and continue to be celebrated together, particularly in present day Mexico where they are referred to as Los Dias de los Muertos, meaning The Days of the Dead.

America’s first immigrants brought these traditions to the country, along with other familiar customs many associated with Saturday’s festival.

Trick-or-treating evolved from the English and Irish practices wherein poor children would beg for food. Families would make simple bread desserts with currant topping, called “soul cakes,” according to www.howstuffworks.com.

As the children would go door-to-

door and collect these treats, they would have to say a prayer for the dead relatives of each person who gave them a cake. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling,” evolved into the act whereupon children who visited the houses in their neighborhood would be given ale, food and money.

In the late 1800s, however, Halloween began to mold into a celebration less about the religious aspects of spirits, as well as the already common habit of pranks, and more about the secular focus of community and neighborly get-togethers, according to www.history.com.

This led to the now iconic acts of group trick-or-treating and lighthearted gatherings popularly associated with the fall festival today.

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

Haunted places in the Bay Area Antioch, Brentwood, Gravity Hill – In the 1950s, a school bus was driving home from a field trip, but skidded into a wash and all the children drowned. If you go there, put your car in neutral around the turn, you get pushed up the hill. It’s supposedly done by the victims who are trying to stop you from the same fate.

Vallejo, Naval Training Station – The ghost of a World War II sailor has been seen by various witnesses going down a ladder into the engine room. He then walks to a cubbyhole where there is only a desk and a chair.

The mysterious apparition then disappears back into the thin air from whence it came.

San Francisco, Abandoned Army Hospital – It is said that the ghosts of the soldiers who died within in the hospital located in Park Presidio continue to roam its halls. Although the building remains fenced off, trespassers who have found their way in claim to have heard footsteps, seen light reflections and felt cold drafts.

San Francisco, Whittier Mansion – Many believe to have seen the ghost of William Franklin Whittier, the former owner of the house. People have reported seeing shadowy outlines and feeling ice cold presences around the basement and the servant’s quarters. Others have felt uneasy while being around the basement area.

PAGE DESIGN BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Vallejo, Lake Herman Road – This is one of the places where the infamous “Zodiac” murdered a young lady and her boyfriend back in the ’60s. The hangout of the Zodiac was supposedly on this road as well. The road is nothing but abandoned ranches and utility buildings now, but a strange mist hugs the top of the hills to the left on most nights, rather than sticking to the lake to the right. It is said to be on the right side of the road where the Zodiac supposedly wrote taunting letters to the police.

Electronic voice phenomenon equipment recorded picking up a strange heavy berating that seemed to come from a woman, and a strange feeling of not being alone.

source: www.theshadowlands.net and www.hauntedbay.com

Symbols of Halloween Often seen as spiritual animals, cats are considered to sense good and evil spirits.

Black cats were believed to be incarnations of people under a spell, commonly associating them with witches during the holiday.

Alternatively, black cats were also often thought to be witches in disguise.

According to ancient beliefs, Halloween was the night that supernatural powers would be at their strongest. Witches are seen as tellers of fortunes and cast spells, both good and bad. The image of witches has been changed throughout centuries, but the Wicca religion promotes them as a symbol of self-empowerment and wisdom.

Ghosts are a universal symbol for spirits.

As an ancient Celtic tradition, it was believed that spirits would return to the earth as the borderline separating the world of the living and dead dimmed for one night.

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SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

B5

���� Secondhand shopping popularity rises among youth; vintage, retro fashion entices shoppers thing from a department store,” she said.

Not only has thrift shopping proven to be SCENE EDITOR beneficial economically, but it has also offered people an outlet for sculpting distinguished Now a staple of modern attire, contem- personal styles. porary thrift store shopping has transcended James said that vintage shopping offers a frugality to provide a retro fashion sense for way to further define oneself. younger generations.

“For a lot of people, (thrift shopping for Many have speculated and agreed that vin- distinct clothing) expresses individuality,” she tage novelty has definitely made a comeback said. in society.

Michael Gurule, a CCC student, said vintage Lacey James, manager of the Mars clothing is unique and each purchased item has Mercantile thrift store in Berkeley, said thrift a certain sentimental value. Additionally, he shopping has become a lot more popular and said that secondhand clothing is comfortprominent with youth because of the country’s able. “It’s like living in a previously lived in economic downturn, as well as due to numer- space; it’s more comfortable than a new room,” ous urban magazine promotions. Even numer- Gurule said. ous clothing lines model styles around retro As opposed to department stores, thrift apparel. stores often provide manageable prices for “Current trends have been following vin- shoppers. tage (styles),” James said.

“It’s cheap, basically,” Avid thrift store shopper Torres said.

Kat Balmes said she prefers Complementing the recy“Just because it’s secondhand clothing. cled items, new products are secondhand “It seems like older clothalso integrated. Vanroekel ing is made much better than shopping, it doesn’t said that many new items new material,” she said. offered are often due to overThe growing popularity mean that they’re any stock of department stores. of thrift stores is also attribThrift stores worldwide less than anything uted to eminent cultural fighave allowed an outlet for from a department shoppers to purchase with ures. Balmes said musicians and actors and actresses, little concern of budget store.” both past and present, have expenditure, as well as proinfluenced the vintage clothvided an outlet for people Kat Balmes, ing comeback. to donate used clothing, thrift store shopper Many thrift store locaelectronics and furniture for tions in the Bay Area have recyclable use. been seeing a growth in younger shoppers.

James said thrift shopping also allows peoEl Sobrante Thrift Town employee Marline ple to give back to the community by donating Vanroekel said that she has seen more youth used or unused things to others. interested in vintage clothing.

Not only do thrift stores provide affordable “A lot of people may not be interested at commodities, many also donate a portion of first, but they (usually) find something that proceeds to different organizations addressing they like,” she said. different societal issues.

Contra Costa College student Paul Torres Along with nationally renown organizaadmitted to having a disposition to thrift tions such as Salvation Army and Goodwill, stores.

California-based thrift chain Out of the Closet “I’m a fan (of thrift stores),” he said. has a number of locations in the East Bay alone Though he had prior misconceptions, Torres and a dollar of each purchase made is donated contested and said secondhand clothing, such to fund the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, as coat blazers, flannel button-ups, novelty Berkeley Store Manager Najib Benhaddou jackets and nostalgic shirts, are among the said. fashionable articles found at thrift stores.

Vanroekel said that Thrift Town donates a “It’s other people’s clothing,” he said. “It portion of its proceeds to a program for the was kind of hard to believe that other people mentally disabled. wore (these things).” “(Thrift Town) has helped fund for activiBalmes said people should take time to find ties such as field trips and parties,” she said. out what is offered at thrift stores.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto.

“Just because it’s secondhand shopping, it doesn’t mean that they’re any less than any- advocate@gmail.com.

By Brent Bainto

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Local thrift shops

Thrift Town is a truly eclectic secondhand store in the sense that it carries a wide variety of clothing, accessories, furniture and appliances, among various other types of items for sale.

It was first established in 1972 and is located at 3645 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante.

Buffalo Exchange is a buy/sell/trade clothing store located at 2585 Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley. It has a knack for carrying the most popular vintage and contemporary fashions.

Not only do they pay patrons for their garments, but they also donate any other clothing they may bring in.

Out of the Closet is unique in that it is owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. One dollar from each purchase is donated to the foundation and certain locations offer free HIV testing and counseling. Out of the Closet is at University Avenue and California Street in Berkeley.

Goodwill is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for people with disadvantages and those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Stores carry clothing, furniture and appliances with locations throughout the Bay Area.

INFOGRAPHIC AND PHOTOS BY CODY MCFARLAND / THE ADVOCATE

B6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009

SPOTLIGHT

Visual art center instills pride Disabled find outlet through creative crafts

upon,” Coleman said. “I think to be able to offer them to do something really fantastic is very special.”

She said that it makes the students happy to be spending time on their artwork, but it makes them even happier when they sell that work.

Artists at NIAD go on to sell their work in their online gallery and in their studio gallery and have sent pieces to places like Los Angles and San Diego, to as far as New York, Coleman said.

Cisneros said a lot of the students who attend NIAD have not had, and do not need, any prior art experience to become a selling artist.

Fifty percent of the proceeds go to the artists when they sell a piece of art, and the remainder goes to the art center.

Additionally, the NIAD receives donations from different companies around the area The most recent of these donations came from Chevron Corporation refinery in Richmond, which gave the center $2,000 on Thursday.

Additionally, the NIAD center also accepts student internships at any time of the year for college credit and experience.

For more information, send a cover letter and resume to admin@niadart. org.

By Isaac Thomas PHOTO EDITOR

RICHMOND — Nestled within the heart of Richmond on 23rd Street stands a nerve center of creativity, imagination and inspiration.

It is a place where having a developmental disability does not get in the way of one becoming a creative genius.

The National Institute of Art and Disabilities (NIAD) is a nonprofit visual arts center and program dedicated to helping disabled adults express themselves in a way that instills a sense of independence, pride and purpose.

“We believe that even if you have cerebral palsy, ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE or you have mental retardation or you are autistic, you Sketching from the soul — Phyllis Carr (right) spends her lunch Thursday practicing drawing with Ray still have the capacity to be Brown at Richmond’s National Institute of Art and Disabilities, a center for adults with disabilities. a gifted artist,” Executive Director of the NIAD Patricia sional gallery and possibly be vague and abstract.”

Coleman said. sold.

The NIAD opened its “The program gives our students an She said NIAD proThe facility includes a doors in 1982 and grants outlet to put some of their personal vides student artists with the 1,000-square-foot gallery, access to the many who freopportunity to learn drawfull art studio and a gar- quent its structure five days issues out there in a visible way that ing, painting, printmakden area where students can a week. doesn’t have to be spelled out.” ing, ceramics, textile arts grow all types of fruits and It serves up to 50 adult and jewelry-making with vegetables. students with developmental Patti Cook, the help of professionals to “The program gives and other disabilities.

National Institute of Art and Disabilities jewelry instructor guide them through the steps our students an outlet to Coleman said there is a and help them find their indiput some of their personal universal appreciation for years, said the students pro- in abundance, he said, and issues out there in a visible the kind of art one finds at vidual styles. much of it would be of high way that doesn’t have to be NIAD. Contact Isaac Thomas at Studio Manager Andres duce impressive work.

Good paintings, good enough quality to be repre- spelled out,” jewelry instrucCisneros, who has been “The population that we ithomas.advocate@gmail. working at NIAD for 25 prints and good jewelry are sented or shown in a profes- tor Patti Cook said. “It could serve is often looked down com.

Festival to honor fall holidays Annual event to unify campus through games, music, food

By Kristina Plaza STAFF WRITER

Music, games, contests, food and performances will soon fill the Amphitheatre Thursday, as part of the ASU’s annual Fall Festival.

The event will occur from 12-4 p.m. and is free for all students at the college to celebrate Halloween and other various fall holidays.

“We want our kids to feel like they could unify with other students. We want to boost their morale and (allow) students to just have fun,” ASU Vice President of Clubs Henry Parker said.

There will be costume, dance and pumpkin-carving contests, he said. Students are

welcome to sign up in a sheet in the Student Life Center or simply show up at the event.

Although the festival attracts an older crowd, one can still get the same old trick-or-treating idea from past childhood experiences, Parker said.

The dance competition, dubbed “The Jerk Contest,” is named after the song “You’re a Jerk” by the New Boyz. It will be held inside the Student Dining Room.

Winners will receive gift certificates and cash prizes.

First-prize winners will be awarded $25 in cash.

A dance performance will also occur in the Amphitheatre.

The event is reminiscent of a carnival, except without the rides, Parker said. He also

said that about 50-75 people are expected to come join the festivities.

Students are also decorating the Student Dining Room with different Halloween adornments, such as spider web stickers on the door, plastic bones on the trees and bats hanging from ceilings.

Only six or seven clubs attended last year’s Fall Festival, Parker said. This year, however, 15 clubs are participating in the event, providing services or goods for fundraising purposes.

“Our motive whenever we throw these kind of events is for students to be able to interact with other people on campus,” ASU President Kristina Bautista said.

The clubs will be selling

different sorts of food, such as popcorn and cotton candy, and handing out free candies.

The International Club will host a version of an off-campus restaurant in its booth, and the ASU will be selling Jamba Juice.

Nachos and tacos will also be on sale, ASU Senator Pedro Araujo, who is also a member of the Latino Student Union, said.

If rain occurs, the event would be relocated inside the Student Dining Room.

There will also be members of clubs recruiting to give students the chance to become more active at their college, Bautista said.

Contact Kristina Plaza at kplaza.advocate@gmail.com.

The 5 Ws Who: The ASU and campus clubs What: Will be hosting the annual Fall Festival complete with music, games, costume, dance and pumpkin-carving contests and performances.

The Student Dining Room will also be decorated with Halloween adornments.

Where: Amphitheatre When: Thursday, 12-4 p.m.

Why: To unify students and boost their morale, while simultaneously allowing them the chance to just have fun.

Magic, witchcraft, religion course enchants students Cultural theories explored in class

By Diana Reyes OPINION EDITOR

Although the class discusses it, Jayne Smithson’s Anthropology 150 class is not about religion.

Rather, the anthropology professor analyzes attributes of religion, such as magic, divining and talking to the dead. The course is centralized on the existence of the supernatural, as well as the differences of how it is culturally interpreted.

Magic, Witchcraft and Religion, which meets Tuesdays from 6:309:20 p.m. in LA-207, discusses not just the anthropology of religion, but also what it accomplishes for people.

Anthropology, Smithson said, is the science and study of human behavior, and the class is only a small portion of the functions and study of the supernatural. “(It is) such a huge subject. You need at least six subjects to cover the course of anthropology,” she said. “The students learn the different ways each culture embraces different belief structures, which influence the view of the world.”

Smithson has been teaching the class for more than six years. She said there are always a few students who sign up for the class knowing

“Any knowledge is going to what to expect. Some initially sign up for the class hoping it will teach give you power over your own them alchemy and magic, but that life,” he said. “It’s anthropology.

(It is) an objective view of cultural is not the case.

“I don’t think people really behaviors.”

Smithson said her plans for know what they’re getting into (in this class), but they pretty much the remainder of the semester are seem to enjoy it,” Smithson said. to discuss aliens and possession, along with Native “The funny thing is American shathat no one ends up “(The class) is a manism, which is disappointed.”

Jason Melgard, cross-section of the a process for psychic, emotional and anthropology major, various cultural spiritual healing said the class is for exploragenerally what he viewpoints and and tion, discovery and expected. aspects of knowledge gather“(The class) is ing about nonmaa cross-section of witchcraft and terial worlds and the various cultural religion.” states of mind. viewpoints and Student Anya aspects of witchGoldie said her craft and religion,” Jason Melgard, student he said. “We have motive for taking learned about the this class came differences between institutional- from her interest in different culized spirituality (and) religion and tures, as well as her curiosity to individual practitioners, such as learn various types of magic and sorcerers.” outlets of expression.

The class has also developed “The class is better than I some insight on various rituals, as thought, because I have a great well as knowledge on altered states teacher,” Goldie said. “It’s a little of consciousness, both drug-related different, but in a good way.” and spiritual, Melgard said.

She said she enjoys how pasIn addition, he emphasized that sionate Smithson is about the subthe importance of knowing which ject, because it helps students keep way to develop the knowledge focused in class.

“She’s very animated,” Goldie gained from the course. Melgard believes people should be aware of said. “I know it keeps everyone else the distinction between the nega- participating and focused. It’s one tive and positive ways to use the of those classes where people are information. like, ‘Yeah! I’m going to class’.”

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Magical enactments — Anthropology professor Jayne Smithson acts out the curriculum for her Magic, Witchcraft and Religion course in LA-207 on Oct. 20.

Coinciding with Halloween, the Melgard said. “My only complaint class has been studying magic and is that it’s not enough hours and not enough days a week.” witchcraft.

Smithson said that, as far as Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes. existing, magic is within the realm advocate@gmail.com. of thought. “(It is) a very interesting class,”

SCENE

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

Maxwell croon serenades fans

Unleashed

Movies

Concert showcases soul singer’s talent

my life pass me by/or I can get down and try/work it all out this lifetime/work it on out this time,” the entertainer invited the crowd, which exceeded 10,000 people of

By Holly Pablo all age groups, to join in singing.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Based on the participation from audience members whenever Standing amid an orchestral prompted by Maxwell to make ensemble, Maxwell’s voice was some noise, the crowds that filled the strongest and most powerful instrument during a concert at the the stadium consisted of mainly couples and groups of single Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord women enjoying a girls’ night out. on the evening of Oct. 17.

During times when he tried to For the past 15 years, Maxwell has blessed the world with beauti- call a reaction from the men in the audience, he received ful music that speaks to the soul and warms even the eventreview nearly no response. While it was not a major surprise, coldest of hearts. it was somewhat amusing.

With his sultry lyrics As if complementing his and undeniable charm, new album, which Maxwell the 36-year-old neo-soul refers to as the “mature” artist proves that just like “BLACKand “dark” segment of a a bottle of fine wine, his summer’snight trilogy of albums that will tour” crafts are only getting betcontinue for the next two ★★★★★ ter with age.

Headliner: years, the singer and entire Whether fans are curMaxwell orchestra were dressed in rently in a relationship, Where: Sleep matching attire. unattached or mending a Train Pavilion in The men donned black Concord broken heart, Maxwell’s suits with white buttonpoetic verses are motivatup shirts and the women ing enough to evoke hope wore long, black dresses. in the most despondent of spirits.

The sameness of their wardrobes The tour, accompanied worked, as it helped unify and by supporting acts Chrisette complete the stage setup.

Michele and Common, comes Different combinations of colafter Maxwell’s eight-year hiaored lights illuminated the white tus from the spotlight and the release of his fourth studio album, background of the stage and its floor throughout the night, how“BLACKsummer’snight.” ever, in some instances, a blinking For more than two hours, the white light was blinding and disBrooklyn, N.Y. native performed new songs and a variety of career- tracting.

But Maxwell never lost the spanning sets, from the sensual crowd’s attention, especially since tunes of “’Til the Cops Come surrounding both sides of the Knockin” from his 1996 debut album “Urban Hang Suite,” to the arena were two gigantic projection screens that showcased the enterliberating melodies of “Lifetime” tainer’s every dance and step. from his 2001 album “Now.” Unlike many of today’s artists The result, simple and soulful performances about being in love who have ventured into the land of audio processors, such as Autoor dealing with lost love, shows Tune, Maxwell’s latest album was that Maxwell’s music will conrecorded in the studio with live tinue to transcend time. musicians rather than machineWhile crooning beautiful lines made instrumentals. from the 2001 hit, like “I can let

B7

This week: “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” (R) “Gentlemen Broncos” (PG) “The House of the Devil” (R) “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” (PG)

DVDs

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Soul power — Maxwell sings to swooning audience members with his uniquely soothing voice during a performance from his nationwide “BLACKsummer’snight” tour in support of his new album.

Thus, the stage renditions of these songs were amazingly precise, if not better, than what is heard through the CD recordings because of their involvement. If the ensemble were not part of the tour, the concert would have been incomplete.

The most anticipated song of the night had to be “BLACKsummer’snight” premiere release, “Pretty Wings,” which served as one of the closing songs.

The lullaby is a reminiscent and bittersweet song about meeting the right person at the wrong time.

The song ended with a tremen-

dous emission of white feathers that swirled like magic through the crowd.

It was one of the most striking performances of the night.

Because Maxwell wrote the song about his last relationship, it felt as if he sang it with a different and indescribable energy.

The artist knows how to engage the audience because he not only expresses experiences that many people can or will relate to, he shares that he is living proof of it.

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

New releases: “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (PG) “Nothing like the Holidays” (PG-13) “Orphan” (R) “Whatever Works” (PG-13) “Battlestar Galactica: The Plan” (NR)

CDs

Dance ensemble show to entertain Knox Center to host ‘Move’

hesitation in their movements.

Soon, the music stops, and she walks onto the floor to explain what they did wrong and what they did right.

“I want you guys to be like

By Chad Garcia STAFF WRITER smooth rocks, so I can just move you around,” she says.

Asata Iman is busy trying to This is the Egyptian Belly get her students to decide what Dancing course, and physical costumes they will wear. education professor Iman is The women rummage preparing her pupils for their through various skirts and shoes show “Why We Move.” to be deciding what they like best. held in the Knox Center Nov. Colors of green, red and black 6 at 7:30 p.m. The production are chosen. They have rehearsed will include Iman’s group and well, and there appears to be no performances from other dance

groups from various physical education courses at the college.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

Iman then replays the music and physically instructs what she would like to see her students do. The process requires a lot of patience and practice.

Student Uzamaka “Amaka” Ofoegbu said the class is something like a family unit.

She said that they have to be very close and comfortable with one another to be able to

coordinate their movements.

This semester, the Knox Center performance will include Ofoegbu’s class, as well as students from the Dance Ensemble course.

The class allows all the professors to choreograph a session with their particular class for the event.

“This was thought of last year,” said Latanya Tigner, physical education professor who helped coordinate the production. “This class had replaced Dance Production, a sort of precursor to the now

Dance Ensemble.”

She said the move opened up a variety of positions for students, as basically all dance classes are allowed to perform.

Students will have a chance, however, to perform their own choreographed dances.

In terms of dance, Tigner said the production will have lots of variety and will display the various talents of the college.

Contact Chad Garcia at cgarcia.advocate@gmail. com.

Dead by Sunrise emerges in ‘Ashes’ Side project band makes solid debut

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

“Out of Ashes,” the debut album from Dead by Sunrise, delivers strong and deep tone lyrics while incorporating alternative and metal sounds.

Despite “Ashes” being its debut album, Dead by Sunrise already consists of well-known rockers from other bands.

It was created by Linkin Park’s lead singer Chester Bennington as a side project band with Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh, both members of Orgy and Julien-K. The band also includes other members of Julien-K. The album consists of vocals from Bennington and a tempo similar to Linkin Park, with a hint of Julien-K’s electronic beat.

“Ashes” has similarities to Linkin Park’s latest album “Minutes to Midnight,” because it contains mostly fast-tempo

songs and some slow songs that are meant for the lyrics to express more.

The lyrics of the song take a similar tone to most of Linkin Park’s, but have a darker and more personal influence, as Bennington talks about the experiences that he went through in the dark periods of his life.

Bennington cdreview came up with a few of the songs while creating Linkin Park’s “Minutes to Midnight,” but he “Out of Ashes” said he felt like it ★★★★★ Artist: Dead by was not right stySunrise listically for that Genre: Alternative band.

Label: Warner “Let Down” Brothers Records Release date: starts off slow Available now and calm while Bennington sings the intro, before breaking into a heavy beat with drums and guitar.

The song’s shift in tone transitions from calm to heavy without changing the overall mood. The lyrics speak about avoiding the

New releases: Between the Buried and Me: “The Great Misdirect” Devendra Banhart: “What Will We Be” Tegan and Sara: “Sainthood” TransSiberian Orchestra: “Night Castle”

Games

New releases: “Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time” (PS3 – E) SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Band on the rise — Dead by Sunrise includes the vocal talents of Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington (middle) and Julien-K guitarists Amir Derakh (left) Ryan Shuck (right).

repetition of mistakes.

“Crawl Back In” is the bestknown song of the album, as it was the first released single. Its lyrics have similarities to certain Linkin Park tracks.

The guitar parts in the song, such as the opening and the solo, add to the overall feel of someone’s need to escape.

Overall, the album gives an enjoyable mix of guitars and

drums, along with tempos that accompany the lyrics.

Any fan of Linkin Park should give this album a try to hear a different, yet familiar type of rock.

The album is not anything monumental, but it is something to listen to while waiting for the next Linkin Park album.

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

“Tekken 6” (PS3/ XBOX360 – T) “Forza Motorsport 3” (XBOX360 – E) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

B8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT 28, 2009

FOCUS

Blowing in the wind — The Richmond skate plaza has a 20-foot windmill inside the park. It is one of the plaza’s signature features.

SKATING IN THE

RICH

Opening of the Richmond Nicholl skate plaza offers alternative activity Story and photos by Isaac Thomas

F

rom the second you set your wheels down on the slick concrete, you know you are about to get into something special.

Children from Richmond no longer have to worry about being kicked out of spots around the town for skateboarding in unauthorized areas.

Richmond’s Nicholl skate plaza, located at Nicholl Park on Macdonald Avenue, is the only standing skate park in West Contra Costa County since the closure of Hercules’ skate park in 2004 due to vandalism and graffiti.

The skate plaza has a lot to offer to the locals of the area, with endless possibilities of grinds and transitions.

There is something at the plaza for everyone. The street obstacles are the main attraction at the plaza, with

a circular pyramid and elevated and curved manual pads.

Also, the A-frame rail is one of the most popular obstacles at the plaza. Its kicker ramp setup allows for additional pop and round rail, making any type of grind possible.

The skate plaza has become a become a popular hangout spot for adults and children alike.

Recent talk about skate parks opening in the neighboring cities of Pinole and El Cerrito set the bar high, but the Richmond skate plaza delivered.

Its construction was just a small step for skateboarding, but a giant leap for the city of Richmond and West Contra Costa County.

Contact Isaac Thomas at ithomas.advocate@gmail.com.

Going for it — Local skater Clint Ayres does a backside lip slide at the Richmond skate plaza Oct. 20. The A-frame rail has become one of the most popular obstacles in the park.

Cone Zone — Hercules resident Kyle “OC” Neesan ollies over a cone placed on top of the huge hump Sunday at the Richmond skate plaza Sunday.

A better day —Pro skater Karl Watson shows up to the Richmond skate plaza Sunday and signs some autographs for local fans.

Flipping out — Local skater Jinny Robinson goes for a nollie hardflip at the Richmond skate plaza Saturday.

Huge gap— Hercules resident Kyle “OC” Neesan pops a huge ollie over the manual pad/funbox at Richmond skate plaza Sunday.