Advocate 4-18

WEDNESDAY l 4.18.18 OUR 68TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Richmond resident Carnell Williams writes “Fighter, Love, Family” describing slain Richmond resident Mark Henderson II during a vigil for Henderson on Thursday near Crescent Park in Richmond.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

SHOOTING DEATHS SPIKE Community gathers to support families after a week of heavy violence

By Ryan Geller

n “He wasn’t in the street

news editor

rgeller.theadvocate@gmail.com

Kids who have often come looking for Mark “Markie” Henderson II for a game of basketball or to toss the football in the park are standing around a tree in the center of a cul-de-sac with their parents.

The trunk is covered with pictures and a cluster of candles at the base of the tree is dripping into little pools of wax that are running onto the concrete.

Henderson’s death was the second of three fatal shootings that took place all within one week ending a 4 ½-month period with no deaths from gun violence in Richmond.

The vigil for Henderson, a former Contra Costa College student, took place three days after he was shot and killed in front of his parents’ Richmond home on Hartnett Avenue on the evening of April 9. Henderson was 29 years old and a single father to his 4-year-old special needs daughter, Ariel.

“He wasn’t in the streets in a bad way.

He did not sell drugs. He did not do anything that would come back on him. We don’t know why he was gunned down,” Henderson’s close friend and partner Tiana McKneely said.

in a bad way. He did not sell drugs. He did not do anything that would come back to him. We don’t know why he was gunned down.”

— Tiana McKneely, family friend

At the vigil, some of the parents are crying and some of the kids too. A few of the younger children just look slightly confused but aware that this solemn event calls for subdued energy levels.

The crime scene investigation tape has been taken down but the bullet holes in the townhouse style apartment building are easy to notice. Henderson’s family and friends have been remembering him by telling stories of his life.

On the night of the vigil, some of his friends were gathered around a cellphone that was perched on top of a car playing videos of Henderson.

Henderson’s last act was telling his friends to run as he turned to shield them from the gunfire said neighbor and friend of the Henderson family James Lintz, who witnessed the shooting.

The East Bay Times reported on the 4 ½-month reprieve from shooting deaths just days before Jovani Foster, 20, was shot and killed in the same neighborhood on South 55th Avenue Henderson on April 7.

At the vigil for Henderson a Richmond community group, known as Operation Ceasefire, showed up as did members of YA-NEEMA healing circle and supportive services.

Both groups are focused on emergency support for families of victims of gun violence.

“It’s not about going into someone else’s community and telling them what to do.

It’s about asking people in that community what they need,” DeWanda Joseph, of YA-NEEMA healing circle and supportive services, said.

“In 2016 we started a support group for parents of gun violence that meets two times a month. We have not stopped. We help people find work, we do mindful life projects. These (shootings) are interruptions, but we will continue to collaborate SEE SHOOTINGS, PAGE 3

Three things about

sexual assault you might not know:

1.) Sexual assailants are usually someone the victim knows 2.) Most sexual assault victims are under the age of 24 3.) Most rape cases are not reported right away SOURCE: SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING SEMINAR

Seminar warns youth

about sexual assault

By Jshania Owens staff writer

jowens.theadvocate@gmail.com

With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Contra Costa College Student Equity Program hosted a Sexual Assault Awareness and Intervention workshop in the Fireside Hall

April 11.

Contra Costa County Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves and Victim Witness Program assistant Marlen Valenzuela hosted the two-hour event, which offered an insightful SEE SEXUAL ASSAULT, PAGE 4 ISAAC BENIVADES / THE ADVOCATE

Squad wins final game of series Comets defeats Yuba College

Shooting death inspires vigil

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Quotable “Movies and TV are the center of our culture, alas.”

Alfred Appel sociologist 1992 Denis Perez editor-in-chief Anthony Kinney Michael Santone associate editors Ryan Geller Benjamin Bassham news editors Jessica Suico assistant news editor Robert Clinton Alondra Gallardo opinion editors Xavier Johnson Andrew Weedon scene editors Efrain Valdez social media editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate Staff Asma Alkrizy Sean Austin Isaac Benivades Joseph Bennett Dan Hardin Jshania Owens Gabriel Quiroz Leon Watkins Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 Member Associated Collegiate Press

California Newspaper Publishers Association

Journalism Association of Community Colleges

How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accentadvocate@ 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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018 VOL. 106, NO. 19

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EDITORIAL DEAD-END OPPORTUNITIES Reform measures lack pathway toward employment

L

ast October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 68 in an attempt to offer the prospect of a cost-effective education to a wider swath of California’s undocumented student population.

But after these students graduate into the workforce, is there a similar safety net to help them find gainful employment en lieu of their undocumented status.

According to the bill’s author, Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), SB 68 enables students to count years spent at a California community college or adult education toward AB 540 eligibility.

Furthermore, the bill will allow the completion of an associate degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). But after graduation, how do these students earn a living wage?

Legislation has been introduced in the past to ease the educational strain on California’s undocumented community, but without work permits or a clear pathway to citizenship, the problems always remain the same.

SB 68, which serves as an expansion to the landmark 2001 legislation AB 540, makes it possible for undocumented students at community college and other programs eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid.

Prior to SB 68, undocumented students would have to have graduated from and spent a minimum of three years in a California high school to qualify for in-state tuition. However, most undocumented students who grew up in California were forced to pay international student fees because they could not establish legal residency or had finished their secondary education in their native countries.

In order to ensure the state is not expanding a pool of people in an extremely qualified, yet legally unhirable demographic, the same energy Californians generate in support of AB 540 recipients should be afforded to that same immigrant population after graduation.

California should lead the way in offering work permits for AB 540 recipients, AB 68 graduates and DACA students to counteract President Donald Trump’s offensive on sanctuary cities.

Sure, students who were once barred from receiving a quality education because of financial restrictions can now attend college, but then what?

A lawyer who can’t practice law, a doctor who can’t practice medicine and thousands of undocumented graduates accepting jobs that they may not have gone to school for isn’t the right that so many of California’s students are fighting for.

Programs like the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that granted work permits, offer a significant percentage of undocumented youth a chance to work legally.

In California since January of 2015, residents who cannot establish a legal presence in the United States may still apply for a driver’s license — the same should apply for a work permit.

But today, new anti-immigrant laws are fueled by the demonization of the undocumented community as criminals. The mentality of this White House and many in its administration is one that values discriminatory laws rather than protecting the most vulnerable human interests. It is far-fetched in the eyes of the law, but only a small step in the eyes of a deserving community which has braved the path to earn their right to work high quality jobs.

ISAAC BELIVARDES / THE ADVOCATE

■ ENTITLEMENT

‘Privilege’ heightens sense of responsibility

I

do not want to live in a country or world where every human does not have access to basic human rights, therefore, I recognize the benefits I was born into.

No one has to remind me of the advantages I have had in my life and I don’t have to be asked to use it as a voice for those who have not had the same advantages because I know it is my responsibility to do so.

Everyone is tired of the word “privilege” getting thrown around these days, and those who are privileged get offended and feel attacked when it is.

For example, this country’s system was established and is maintained to benefit white people and it discounts and alienates those who are not a part of that group.

Often white folks get mad and say it’s not their fault that they are white.

Apologizing for your white skin won’t do anything.

It is time to stop getting defensive, listen and become responsible for your privilege.

According to dictionary. com, privilege is a special right, advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people.

Given the fact that I was born in the United States, my Mexican family members see me as “too American” and I never really seem to fit in with them.

I feel at times that I am a privileged Latina because of my absent accent, my citizenship and my easy access

alondragallardo to education.

I feel like the primary reason I am privileged is because my light skin is closer to the girls on television with blonde hair.

The Apologizing majority of what for your you see around you white skin is white. won’t do In Spanish soap anything. It operas, sure they’re is time speaking to stop Spanish, but their getting skin complexion is defensive, not dark listen and and their hair is not become in its natural texture. responsible On for your television it is not privilege. normal to see a darkskinned woman or man with a natural afro.

When you do it is automatically pointed out as if it were a bad thing.

It is rare to see someone on television who lives with a disability as an everyday character on a show. It is infrequent to see someone speaking English with an

accent who is not looked down upon.

In children’s books and movies, you mostly only see the one-sided stories starring the lives of perfect white children who are capable and able to do whatever they desire.

I do not face the same discrimination or oppression as someone who does not carry the same complexion as mine.

However, my privilege only goes so far.

My first and last name doesn’t sound right, or rather, white. I grew up speaking another language and I have been raised in another culture.

Privilege and oppression comes in various different forms. Being privileged doesn’t mean you haven’t faced struggles or that you have not worked hard for what you have.

It doesn’t make you a bad person, but it also doesn’t make it right for you to deny your privilege.

If it makes you uncomfortable speaking about it, rather than shutting it out, use it to check yourself and acknowledge the inequality.

That discomfort may come from a lack of understanding of what privilege actually is.

Recognizing advantages and using them to uplift marginalized people should be the founding principle we all strive to live by.

Alondra Gallardo is a news editor for The Advocate. Contact her at agallardo.theadvocate@ gmail.com.

CAMPUS COMMENT When you picture the president of Contra Costa College, what type of person do you think of?

“Someone good with public relations, is professional and who cares about the community.”

“I imagine an approachable, interactive and inventive person.”

“I picture Mojdeh (Mehdizadeh) when I think of our president.”

“Someone who takes responsibility, authority and can give feedback to students.”

“I don’t even have an image in my brain of what the president would look like.”

“A person who is in charge and a good leader.”

Jubilee Nelson

Alfred Machacon

Julissa Martin

Alan Cortez

Reetman Sandhu

Amanda Colmen

English

JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

sociology

business

computer engineering

communications

business

campusbeat

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NEWSLINE n WORKSHOP

LEARNING SKILLS FOCUS OF MEETINGS The Office of Student Engagement and Success will host workshops in April and May that will focus on building skills to increase student learning capacity. All workshops will be in SA-227.

The workshop on April 30 at 3 p.m. will focus on teaching students what foods are best to eat for increased brain function.

On May 9 at 4 p.m., strategies to improve reading comprehension and retention will be the main topic for the workshop.

The final two workshops will be May 14 at 2 p.m. and May 16 at 11 a.m. These two sessions will teach students how to prepare for, and take, tests.

For more information contact the Adelante STEM Academy at 510-215-4815.

n STEM

ALUM TO RETURN, SHARE KNOWLEDGE Edwin Reyes, a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School and Contra Costa College alumnus, will be in Fireside Hall Thursday from 2:30-4 p.m.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about Reyes’ journey in a STEM field and how students can follow in a similar path.

On Friday, Reyes will hold a seminar on text mining social media using big data analytics in GE-225. After the seminar refreshments will be served in PS-109.

n CULINARY

ANNUAL FOOD AND WINE EVENT NEARS The 11th annual Food and Wine Event, hosted by the culinary arts department, will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Fireside Hall.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door (a souvenir wine glass is given after payment).

To purchase tickets, visit cccculinaryarts.eventbrite.com or call 510-215-3878 and/or email info@ contracostafoodandwine.com.

n HILLTOP

DEVELOPING MEETING OUTLINES PLANS The LBG real estate development team of David Goldman, Leslie Lundin and John Luk will be speaking about transforming the 77 acres of land that houses Hilltop Mall into a modernized walkable mixed-use community.

The April 26 event will take place at the Hilltop Mall conference facility from 1-3 p.m. at 2200 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond. To reserve tickets go online to area-hilltopbythebay.eventbrite.com.

The development team will discuss subjects surrounding redevelopment, entitlement, management, leasing, marketing and public relations.

For more information contact Gene Au at gene@gdcommercial. com.

CRIMEWATCH Wednesday, April 4: A fire was reported in the Knox Building at 7:39 p.m.

Thursday, April 5: At 11:44 a.m. a car was reported to be vandalized on Mission Bell Drive.

Thursday, April 12: A traffic incident occurred at the bus stop on Mission Bell Drive at 10:03 a.m.

— Efrain Valdez

— The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.

Local community members speak about slain family members taken by gun violence during a Survivors Speak vigil in John F. Kennedy Park Saturday in Richmond.

SHOOTINGS| Vigil honors slain Richmond native DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Continued from Page 1 with other groups to support survivors and those at risk,” she said.

Among the community members who showed up to support the Henderson family, there was already talk of another vigil for Mark Johnson Jr., who was shot and killed on Thursday morning (April 12).

Johnson, 35, was the third shooting fatality in Richmond in less than a week.

The Richmond community has mobilized in response to years of high homicide rates and neighborhoods have formed interlocking networks to help families heal from the trauma of gun violence.

Charlene Harris, with the Healing Circles of Hope, held a “Survivors Speak” event at Kennedy Park on Saturday. The organization brings together family members of victims to tell their stories.

“We live in a traumatized community and nobody has ever been treated (for the trauma), that’s why all the shootings are still going on,” Harris said.

At the event mothers and fathers spoke about the creative ways they learned to cope with the loss of a child. One mother spoke of how she had fed and clothed children who played together and who later became killer and victim in a senseless neighborhood beef.

Monifa Akousua’s brother, Marczari Martin, was shot at the Monterey Pines Apartments across from Kennedy Park and rushed to the hospital on April 8. This shooting took place

n “When my cousin was killed it

inspired me to begin doing work to heal our Richmond family. Our kids don’t have healthy avenues, they don’t have resources and the trauma causes them to be involved in crime.”

— Monifa Akousua, community organizer

the day after Jovani Foster was killed. Martin and Foster were close friends. Martin is expected to recover.

Akousua has developed her own personal response to the proliferation of violence in her community. She is holding a produce give-away in Kennedy Park on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She has also held book give-a-ways and neighborhood clean-up events under the moniker “Healed by Kosua.”

Monifa said, “When my cousin was killed it inspired me to begin doing work to heal our Richmond family. Our kids don’t have healthy avenues, they don’t have resources and the trauma causes them to be involved in crime.”

Monifa believes that healing can only take place if physical, spiritual, intellectual and social aspects of health are addressed.

The painful irony of Henderson’s death is that he was also focused on finding modes of healing that can keep kids off the street.

Henderson was a mixed martial arts fighter;

his dream was to open a gym for kids to train in martial arts and dance.

“Markie (Henderson) saw MMA as a healthy outlet, his fighting did not have anything to do with anger. It was more about getting out the frustration and aggression,” McKneely said.

“He believed in finding another outlet other than guns. He would say ‘why not fight professionally rather than trying to take someone else out who is part of the community?’”

Henderson, who played football at CCC, would often look after kids in the neighborhood, according to his father Martin Henderson. He recalled 7-year-olds knocking on the door and asking if an adult Henderson could come out and play.

Henderson was also a hip-hop artist and performed regularly at a neighborhood block party called “Put the Guns Down,” organized by his neighbor Elana Bolds.

“If you want to keep kids’ attention you have to keep it live,” Bolds said.

She said that the way to reach children is by helping kids find their passion.

“Some kids don’t think they have talent. We want to give them something to hope for, so we can keep them off the streets.

“I am also a funeral singer and for some of these families, I have sung for every son they had,” Bolds said.

Henderson’s family is raising funds to cover funeral expenses, and to support his dream of a community gym, at www.gofundme.com/ mark-strongman-henderson.

SEXUAL ASSAULT | District prosecutor raises alert Continued from Page 1 look into the prevention of sexual assault.

Graves, who works on sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse cases discussed the awareness of sexual assault on college campuses and issues of intoxication and how it confuses the concept of consent between two people.

The district attorney also talked about the importance of reporting incidents to local authorities and ending the culture of victim blaming.

“One in five women are victims of rape or attempted rape,” Graves said. “Ninety percent of the victims are under 30 years old and one-third are between the ages of 17 and 19 years old. The impact of rape on a survivor lasts a lifetime.”

He said, “Young men wreck their (victims’) lives, trust and respect for people,” he said about men who choose to become irresponsible in situations where they act against consent.

The case against Brock Turner, a Stanford University swimmer who was sentenced to six months incarceration after sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, was also explored.

“Passing laws don’t solve problems,” Graves said.

“Assaulters don’t care about the consequences. People have the power to effect change. ‘No’ is always going to mean ‘no.’”

Graves discussed actions that people can take to stop sexual assault from happening.

At the workshop, Graves asked attendees if they had ever stopped a friend from drinking and driving.

He talked about being a designated friend and steps people can take to avoid getting into questionable situations, like refusing to take a drink offered by stranger or leaving a party or event with someone they just met.

“If a guy gets drunk, we say it’s just boys being boys. If a woman is doing the same, she’s a ‘hoe’ and it’s her fault if some-

thing happens to her,” he said.

“No one deserves to be raped, regardless of whether they were drunk or not.”

Consent was also discussed.

“Affirmative consent is required (for sex),” Graves said.

“Legal consent requires the understanding of what someone says and does, and the capability of their consent.”

“Rape survivors don’t (usually) report or they report the crime much later,” he said. “Eighty to 90 percent of victims know their assailant. They can be friends, classmates, partners, acquaintances.”

Victim blaming also causes people to not report a rape out of fear of being judged. The reactions of survivors were also talked about.

“Frozen fright happens when the victim freezes as it happens.

They’re left in mental paralysis.”

A quote was shown from a survivor describing her feelings of terror and helplessness when she was raped and how making the right decision in the immediate aftermath can be imperative.

Valenzuela talked about what to do after an attack.

“You must get medical help and resources to check for any injuries and STDs,” she said, “Counseling also makes a difference.”

Two video clips were shown from the documentary “The Hunting Ground,” which details the reports of sexual assault on U.S. college campuses.

They showed two women from Harvard and Florida State universities who told stories of being attacked on campus and the lack of action taken by their respective schools.

At CCC, there is no overt way for students who don’t know where the intercom boxes are located to signal help when an attack is impending.

Psychology major Tayler Meulpolder said, “On campus I don’t see anything. They have that new intercom system, but that is not even completely working. Most people here use the

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Contra Costa County Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves talks to students about sexual assaults and how to prevent them in Fireside Hall on April 11.

buddy system, but that’s just because we don’t have anything else.”

Graves encouraged everyone to watch for signs, as well as the actions taken by the victims in the videos, which led to the attacks.

He pointed out the involvement of alcohol in both videos.

“Men are also victims of sexual assault,” he said, “with most of them being gay. Men usually won’t report assault due to perception, fear of judgment, unfair treatment or a belief that they won’t be believed.”

Masculinity and sexual identity also play a role in uniting the societal views of men and sexual assault.

Graves pointed out the flaws in society that tied in with the aftermath for the Florida State victim who faced backlash from her community, including victim blaming.

He also explained rules for people planning to drink or have

friends who are visibly intoxicated at a party.

“If someone is drunk, don’t leave them in a situation where they can be taken advantage of.

“Guys need to ask themselves — ‘would she do this sober?’”

Bystanders and friends can also help by encouraging the victims to get counseling.

“We need to keep having forums like the one we had today to increase awareness,” Graves said. “We cannot solve problems if we do not discuss them openly and directly. The younger generation are the ones best situated to break through the stigmas in society and change the way society views sexual assault.”

Valenzuela also talked about the California Victim Compensation Board, which assists victims who have been injured or threatened with expenses and services like medical care, mental health counseling and job retraining.

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“I know the ins and outs of the technology I work with and that has been very helpful when communicating with customers.”

— Mae Guzman, aerospace engineer

Aerospace engineer Mae Guzman speaks to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students about her journey from Contra Costa College to UC Davis after her Stem Café seminar in GE-225 on April 4.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Aerospace engineer gives hope Alumnus shares life, experiences in college

By Denis Perez editor-in-chief

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

To fully comprehend her class studies, senior production aerospace engineer Gloria Mae Guzman kept her hand raised and always asked questions during her time at Contra Costa College from 2005 to 2009.

Then at UC Davis (where she transferred) she participated in multiple extracurricular activities.

In her junior year at Davis she obtained a three-year internship at United Technologies Company (UTC) and since 2012 a full-time job at UTC and Guzman.

Through all that, she kept asking questions about everything she said.

“It isn’t necessary for the people in my position to know how the aerospace technology we produce works because the plans are

there for the floor engineers to follow. But I have made it a goal to be able to build them myself,” Guzman said.

Therefore, when asked what she learned at CCC that she takes with her everywhere Guzman said, “To just ask questions so you know what the hell is going on.”

Guzman spoke to students about her journey from CCC to UTC during a seminar with CCC’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) majors in GE-225 on April 4.

Guzman, who emigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. in 2002, explained her work with life-saving systems in military jets and airplanes at UTC. “These technologies include canopy ejections, ejection chairs and rocket motors on F-16s, F-15s, F-22s, T-50s, Boeing 777s, Boeing 767s and Airbus 380s,” she said.

“I know the in and outs of the technology I work with and that has been very helpful when communicating with the customers,” Guzman said.

Because she is able to have a better con-

versation with her customers about the product she is building, she is able to work more efficiently with them, she said.

Chemical engineering major Vy Nguyen said when Guzman mentioned customer service being a key component to her success, there was a part of her that got excited.

“I have a part-time job as a cashier so I see that experience as a new value,” Nguyen said.

Building relationships with people is not something traditionally taught in her classes but now she sees it as helping out for her future, she said.

“I’m not the best communicator and I have an expectation that talking with people won’t be the most important thing, but I want to get used to it,” Nguyen said.

She said from Guzman’s talk she learned that part of communicating is also finding out what is going on in campus. Nguyen said that there are a lot of college services that she doesn’t use or clubs she isn’t part of.

Nguyen said she now would try to participate in more extracurricular activities to build up her knowledge about herself and

her interests.

“When I transfer I want to be involved in things that fuel my passion rather than the courses that are just laid out for my requirements.

I am doing OK in the classes, but none of them interest me the way I want them too,” she said.

STEM professor Seti Sidharta said getting Sidharta students inspired is the whole point of a speaker’s time with the students.

Since Guzman was very active during her time at CCC she was always a mentor for younger students, therefore having her back to share her life with students was natural.

Sidharta said, “The more the speaker resonates with the audience, the better the message is received.” Guzman was very relatable because she is like the students.

“She was the loudest one when she was here,” Sidharta said.

Astronomy class builds solar boat

By Anthony Kinney associate editor

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students from Contra Costa College’s Astronomy 298 Independent Study class are gearing up to electrify the crowd with their freshly designed solar-powered kayak at the 7th annual California Solar Regatta on May 4 and 5, hosted by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Working together in teams, participating students will design, build and then race their own solar powered boats at Rancho Seco Recreational Lake, 25 minutes outside of Sacramento.

Teams will be judged on speed, endurance and maneuverability during the event’s three races, according to the event’s information page on SMUD.org.

SMUD’s yearly hands-on educational competition is open to all high schools and college institutions in California which has allowed participants to gain valuable out-of-the classroom experience with renewable energy and engineering.

Headed by SMUD’s Energy Education and Technology Center, the CSR will span the first weekend of May with the high school level competition to be held on Saturday.

That Sunday will mark CCC’s first time ever competing in the annual event. CCC’s team, The Milky Ways will compete against other colleges for cup points tal-

“Testing went pretty well, but we found some minor problems we are going to need to fix.”

Gael Flores, physics major

lied over a series of competitions judged in a range of areas including boat design, sustainability, technology and three races.

Teams entering the competition must consist of a minimum of four students with a team leader or mentor, not exceeding 30 members.

There must also be a minimum of two certified pilots on each team to operate the boat during the event’s three boating contests; the slalom, sprint and endurance races.

The Milky Ways consist of around 15 active participants. The team is divided into three subgroups, each focused on a different aspect of the designing process: construction, electrical power and safety and marketing, physics major and crew member Gael Flores said.

Faculty adviser and physics professor Mark Wong said the project has cost about $500 so far. The bulk of the costs have been covered by grant funds specifically earmarked for student learning projects.

The solar panels were provided

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

A group of students enrolled in Astronomy 298, Independent Study, inspect a kayak with a mounted solar panel during a meeting in the Art Building on April 6. The kayak will be raced in the Solar Regatta boat competition at Rancho Seco Recreational Lake on May 5.

by the race organizers for free and boat safety equipment is being borrowed from members and advisors that have kayaks, he said.

According to event rules, boats may not be longer than 20 feet or wider than 8 feet and must be piloted by a certified operator who has passed a boating safety course prior to the race.

Participating teams may either custom build a boat from scratch or modify an existing boat to create a solar powered craft.

The Milky Ways fitted their kayak with two solar modules, electrical battery bank and DC-powered motor.

Flores said the modules will gather solar energy that will be stored by the boat’s battery bank which will supply the engine’s

power.

Although the group only got the kayak a few weeks ago, the planning process for the boat started last November. Though operating smoother now, figuring out how to approach the challenge, work within the given budget and organizing schedules for meetings were some of the team’s earlier challenges, Wong said.

However, the boat passed its first powered run in the water over the weekend.

“Testing went pretty well, but we found some minor things we are going to need to fix,” Flores said. “But other than that, I would say we’re right on schedule.”

Teams must request a design review from judges to receive cup points for their boat’s design and

sustainability features. During the review, students will answer questions about their boat and explain the use of solar, wiring, design, materials and mechanical operation of their boat to judges.

Astronomy professor and chair of the astronomy, physics, engineering and geology department Jon Celesia said getting good grades in class are pivotal for any student.

However, he said, hands-on experience can be more beneficial for students planning to join the engineering field.

For more information on this year’s California Solar Regatta, contact Suzette Bienvenue, SMUD’s Energy Education & Technology Center representative, via email at suzette.bienvenue@smud.org.

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Workshop explores new schedule Compressed calendar spurs concern, query

By Benjamin Bassham news editor

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

Despite low attendance, a compressed calendar informational session workshop aimed to clarify the effects of the college’s new schedule which goes into effect starting fall 2018.

Dean of Liberal Arts Jason Berner said in addition to reducing semesters from 18 weeks to 16, class times will be adjusted so the start and end times line up neatly. He said this is to ensure picking a schedule of classes is easier for students.

“Starting years ago, the district began discussing whether to reduce the semester to 16 weeks. We decided ‘yes.’ Contra Costa College and its sister schools will be on 16-week schedule starting fall 2018,” Berner said.

A noticeable change is the removal of finals week.

The tradition of altering class times for the last week of a semester will be set aside in favor of having finals during normal class hours.

Under the new schedule, more classes will be added on Friday allowing classes to be spread out more. Berner said an English class that used to be a four-hour marathon could be cut down to 3 hours and 25 minutes.

All colleges in the district are adopting the same schedule, which Berner said is becoming a California standard now with over 50 other community colleges already using a compressed calendar.

Berner said the change is also to make room for a planned winter intersession.

The intercession is a winter equivalent of the summer semester. However, the winter intersession will probably be implemented the winter after next, in 2020, he said. There will be a January-start cybersession in 2019 coinciding with a general increase of online and hybrid courses.

He said the fall semester would generally start later, Aug. 27 this year, to allow a small break between summer and fall classes. Fall classes will end at around the same time as before in December.

The winter intersession will run for 6-8 weeks, mirroring the summer semester. Spring classes will start DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE the first week of February.

EOPS counselor Julie Skoler (left) helps a student during a compressed calendar informational session workThe frequently asked shop at Fireside Hall on Thursday. question handout given at the info session said stu- library hours or other serbeing presented. Attendees whelmed.

“If you’re a students will not be required vices are planned. were given a list of example “If you’re a student who to take winter intersession Berner said late-start dent who has to classes and a profile of a has to work or take care of classes and students will still classes would still exist but work or take care hypothetical student, listing children, the fast pace might be able to take full time loads they may be eight weeks their needs and available feel overwhelming,” she said. of children, the fast with all morning classes. instead of nine. hours.

She said the same stuThe handout also stated At the beginning of the pace might feel overThe task then was to use dents might not have time that fees, tuition and finan- workshop Crayola markers whelming.” the information to create a to understand the schedule cial aid would be unaffected. were handed out to each workable schedule of classes fully, noticed the low attenHowever, that may change table. At the end of the pre- — Kristin Lobos, HHS major for their fictional student. dance and said the campus once intercessions are sentation attendees were Kristin Lobos, vice pres- should stay informed. implemented. given a little classwork to ident of the Health and Lobos said, “I’m here for Counselors’ availability help them understand the Webster said five vignettes Human Services Club, said my program. I want to keep will increase by 2.5 hours lesson. were designed to let students the event was helpful by my fellow students from my per week but no changes to Counselor Robert work with the information making her feel less over- program informed.”

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Bill enables student success AB 540 expansion offers discounted education options

By Michael Santone associate editor

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Eligibility requirements for undocumented students to receive in-state tuition and financial aid throughout the state of California has been expanded under Senate Bill 68.

Signed by Gov. Jerry Brown back in October, SB 68 broadens the qualifications of Assembly Bill 540 to include three years spent at a California Community College, adult school or secondary school.

Students can use a combination of any of these educational institutions to qualify.

“I am proud of our state’s role as an educational pioneer, and Senate Bill 68 expands our landmark in-state tuition law so that

more students can afford to pursue their educations,” California Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) said in an Oct. 5 press release. “Expanding in-state tuition to include community college and nontraditional students will make sure no students fall through the cracks.”

Lara who authored SB 68 also played a role in drafting AB 540 before its 2001 milestone decision.

“Students’ will to succeed always amazes me and as lawmakers it is our job to clear the way for them to go as far as their talents and drive can take them,” Lara said.

Additionally, SB 68 will allow students to qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid upon completion of an associate degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California or California State University.

Previously, to qualify for AB540, undocumented students were required to spend a minimum of three years and gradu-

“Expanding in-state tuition to include community college and non-traditional students will make sure no students fall through the cracks.”

Ricardo Lara,

California state senator

ate from a California high school or receive a General Education Diploma (GED).

For those who do not meet AB 540 requirements, the annual out of state cost of attending Contra Costa College is estimated at $7,924.

This includes $46 per course unit, plus $228 in tuition per unit, as well as a $26 capital overlay fee which brings the total to $302 per unit.

The difference in price between in-state and out-of-state fees is often the barrier that prevents students from pursuing their educa-

tional goals.

“There were many students who were missing out on AB 540 because they only had one or two years of high school completed in California,” CCC Director of Admissions and Records Catherine Frost said. “The expanded institution list has created many new opportunities for students. It shows that our government is supportive and understands their needs.”

The shift in policy is expected to increase the number of students who are able to take advantage of the bill leaving counseling departments across the state to prepare for a potential influx of students.

Counselors also hope to inform students who may not yet be aware of the changes to AB 540.

Counseling department Chairperson Sarah Boland said Frost came to the department meeting on April 11 to discuss the expansion of AB 540 and what it means for the large undocumented community at CCC. “We didn’t discuss the oppor-

tunities to reach out to students,” she said. “I will definitely bring the question up at our next meeting.”

Boland along with faculty and staff in the counseling department have continued their training on issues that plague the undocumented community since the election of President Donald Trump.

“There’s more advocacy for all of our students but particularly those who are most vulnerable,” Boland said. “Really it comes down to looking at the ways we can get this new information out to students.”

An updated form that reflects the expansion of AB 540 was sent to the counseling department via e-mail on Jan. 31.

Boland said that the counseling department is ready to handle the effects of the expansion of AB 540.

“We needed the training that Catherine (Frost) provided for us,” she said. “It’s a process moving forward to now relay the information to students.”

Symptoms of stress discussed at conference

By Jessica Suico assistant news editor

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

Today’s society calls for a lot of hustle and bustle, which can cause stress on an individual that could lead to forgetting about the importance of self-care.

Saturday at Maple Hall Community Center in San Pablo, clinical psychologist Cathia Walters-Knight addressed ways to handle stress during the Psychological Rehabilitation and Recovery Conference.

Knight discussed what stress is and what it stems from. With soft music playing, food being served and massage therapists on hand to serve attendees, the scene made for a relaxing environment to talk about self-care.

Dr. Walters-Knight said when most people think of stress they think negatively about it and believe all of it is bad.

She said there are three common types of stress — eustress, which can be positive stress that motivates people toward a goal; distress, which can be negative and cause mental and physical health problems leading to depression; and dysfunctional stress like sexual abuse or physical and mental abuse that can result in long-term trauma.

“I want to provide knowledge and give insight to people on how to handle stress. In

our society, everyone is stressed, so if I can help alleviate or give tips, I want to do my part,” Dr. Walters-Knight said.

Contra Costa College health and human services professor Mary Johnson said, “This year we wanted to give everyone the feel of a conference off campus and allow those who have never been to a professional conference a chance to be a part of it. That is why we chose Maple Hall as the location this year.”

The event was held at Argosy University in Alameda in 2014 and 2015. The past two years it was held in the Community Center near Helms Middle School.

The exercises Dr. Walters-Knight taught at the gathering were lessons she has learned in her profession and from training and workshops that she has attended, she said.

San Pablo resident Kathy Insixiengmay said, “I have forgotten how important selfcare is and I have put my self-care aside because of how busy life can get.

“I want to learn how to take time for myself without feeling guilty. I feel a lot of people don’t take time for themselves because they’re always on the go.”

Insixiengmay said she attended the event last year and really liked it. It also will help her in her future work in the health and human services field.

RYAN GELLER / THE ADVOCATE

Psychology major Ockemia Kates said, “Professor Johnson encouraged me to come to this event. She knows I have a lot going on in my life right now, so she pushed me to come get great tips on how to handle stress.”

Dr. Walters-Knight said signs and symptoms of stress are lack of sleep, low energy, pain in muscles, headaches, frequent colds

Professor Aminta Mickles (left), health and human services major Victoria Fairchild (middle) and LAVA Division Dean Lucille Beatty speak during the Psychological Rehablitation and Recovery Conference on Saturday.

and infections. Stress triggers and releases cortisol and adrenaline into the system, which activates the body’s fight or flight response.

If these response mechanisms are activated on a regular basis, the hormonal spikes can cause a lot of physical and emotional problems, she said.

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scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.18.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

LEFT: New York City’s Cardi B released her debut album “Invasion of Privacy” on April 6 and it has already reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

RAW LYRICISM STUNS DOUBTERS

By Anthony Kinney associate editor

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

H

ip hop’s newest female act Cardi B bares all for the world to hear while effortlessly turning skeptics into believers with her debut album “Invasion of Privacy.”

Once one of those skeptics, I tried to drown out the praises of Cardi-crazed fans and ignore her insanely successful single “Bodak Yellow,” in hopes of not falling victim to the earworm.

After listening to her debut album and discovering that alongside her beauty does come “bars,” I now too believe she’s stomping out the competition in her Christian Louboutin “bloody shoes.”

Released on April 6, “Invasion of Privacy” is both bold and vulnerable, flawlessly reflecting both complex sides of the female gangster rapper.

Her newest project gives fans a full dose of Cardi B’s brash personality and infectious charm.

The Bronx-born pole dancer turned MC allows her uncensored New York City flow and gritty pretty gang-banger persona to shine over a wide-spanning collection of head-nodding beats that perfectly wrap around Cardi’s unique voice and brazen, yet introspective, lyrics.

Cardi sets the album’s tone on the piano-led intro “Get Up 10,” where she lyrically paints her life’s picture of “nothing to everything.”

She raps about growing up poor in the Bronx and using stripping as a way to make a living for herself.

She opens the album with the line, “They gave a b**** two options: strippin’ or lose, used to dance in a club right across from my school.”

On one long winded verse, “Bardi” details the obstacles she overcame to get where she’s at now and promises there’s no turning back for her.

She raps, “I went ALBUM from rags to riches, REVIEW went from WIC to lit, “Invasion of only person in my fam Privacy” to see six figures.” ★★★★★ As the track fades, Artist: Cardi B the album immediateGenre: Hip Hop Label: Atlantic ly changes to match Records Cardi’s new flamboyRelease date: antly expensive lifestyle April 6 with the bass-soaked track “Drip,” featuring Migos.

Cardi maintains that same altitude throughout the album, apart from “Ring” and “Thru Your Phone,” the album’s lighter and more personal tracks.

Bay Area inspiring R&B artist Kehlani helps on the sing-song ballad “Ring,” where the pair illustrates the feelings of a dying fling on a relaxed, but poignant, beat.

The slowest track on the album, “Thru Your Phone,” is undoubtedly the project’s most passionate.

Heartbroken by a cheating boy-

friend, she uses the emotionally-rich piece of work to detail how she exacts revenge in her own way.

Cardi displays her lyrical prowess on the album’s flex anthems, like “Money Bag” and her impressive remake of a 2001 Project Pat classic dubbed “Bickenhead.”

Over a sampled beat, she cleverly re imagines the head-banging dirty south classic “Chickenhead” from a female perspective on a guaranteed “summer block party” anthem.

The boogaloo-infused Latin trap song “I Like It” plays as an energetic crossover track with an infectious trap beat carried by an irresistible Latin groove underpinned by a dynamic sample of the Pete Rodriguez’s 1967 track, “I Like It Like That.”

The highlight of the album’s 13 songs turns out to be the Chance the Rapperassisted track “Best Life.”

The motivational feel-good track touches on Cardi’s troubled childhood and how blessed she feels now positioned in a better situation.

She raps, “Went from small-ass apartments to walking red carpets, pissy elevators, now every dress is tailored,” over an airy snare-packed Boi-1da produced track.

What I found most impressive was Cardi’s dynamic flow and clever wordplay over the entire album.

Elusive and slick, Cardi uses the moody body of work to solidify the fact that her lyrical capability is extensive

and versatile.

She flexes the broad range of her lyrical flow on the album’s club bangers while staying more direct and on-topic on its more subject-based ballads.

Though still considered a new artist, Cardi’s debut album is lyrically strong and engaging, enriched with summer twerk anthems and bass-heavy “get money” ballads.

But, I believe the pain and relatability behind her lyrics is what drives most fans to Cardi’s catalog, as well as her themes of female empowerment through pioneerism.

Cardi keeps the album features to a minimum, showing she can make smash hit records on her own without the help of a popular artist.

This is similar to the solo success of her single, “Bodak Yellow,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the second ever female solo artist to reach its peak, following Lauryn Hill in 1998.

Blasting out the gate in a fireball of success, “Invasion of Privacy” has already sold 255,000 equivalent album units in its first week, earning its rightful place in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Cardi’s “Invasion of Privacy” is an ebullient and polished piece of work that introduces new fans to Cardi’s hypnotic flow and timeless themes, while giving old fans what they’ve been craving since the release of last year’s mixtape, “Gangsta B**** Music, Vol. 2.”

Four lesser known apps take spotlight

By Xavier Johnson scene editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

W

ith near limitless options in the app store, it’s overwhelming sifting through what’s good and what’s a waste of time, storage space and potentially money.

There is a set of popular apps like Spotify and Waze that have a solidified place in the public conscious. However, there are a plethora of lesser known apps that are eminently useful.

CityMapper With Caltrans, BART, AC Transit, SolTrans and Muni, among others, public transportation can take someone pretty much anywhere within the Bay Area. Navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps provide lackluster experiences when looking for public transportation information.

CityMapper, however, gives surprisingly accurate real-time transit schedules for all the available public transportation services, even bikeshare in the city. It also provides clear directions, transfers and all, making it easy to navi-

things while preparing you for the coming zombie apocalypse.

Part game, part fitness app, “Zombies, Run!” is a narrative heavy running app that places the user in the running shoes of a survivor in the gate a familiar or unfamiliar city. midst of the zombie The clean user interface and easy to apocalypse. personalize home screen sets the app The app has more apart from other all-in-one transit apps. than 200 story missions, base building Wunderlist mini-game and basic A powerful to-do list app, 5K to marathon Wunderlist offers one of the most custraining programs. tomizable and user-friendly experiences While running in the realm of productivity apps. there are occasional One of the best aspects of Wunderlist zombie attacks where the compared to other to-do apps is the pace is sped up creating a ability to customize each list to fit into fun, motivating factor to keep the greater context of the user’s life. people pushing themselves Wunderlist uses multiple ways of instead of sticking to a safe, monotgrouping tasks or loosely related lists. onous pace.

With folders and hashtags it’s pretty Making running into an active game easy to group small tasks without mak- is a great way to make running fun for ing the user interface a cluttered mess. those that struggle to find motivation The app is also particularly strong to just get up and run for the sake of when used to collaborate with others. running.

Wunderlist is easy to share and edit among multiple people. The app is also Cash App accessible on any device, from tablet to Is there a phrase heard more by colcomputer. lege students than “I’ll pay you back?”

It’s not always viable or preferred to pay Zombies, Run someone back with cash.

Sure, there are fitness apps that track This is where the Cash App comes calories, runs or heart rates. “Zombies, in. Similar to the popular app Venmo, Run!” is the only app that does those Cash App is a peer-to-peer method of

ISAAC BENAVIDES / THE ADVOCATE

transferring money.

The strength of Cash App is it’s simplicity. The user interface is inviting and easy to use. It’s easy to introduce someone to Cash App and within two minutes have them signed up and ready to pay you back.

Cash App also allows funds to show up immediately for a one percent fee, which further sets it apart from the Venmo app.

sports

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“

■ OFF THE RECORD

efrainvaldez

STADIUM SITE IN QUESTION AFTER BLUNDER

The defense played pitch-by-pitch. That way we were ready because we were focused on that pitch alone,” — London Penland, infielder

Comet Tyler Brown claps his hands in celebration after reaching second base safely during Contra Costa College’s 8-2 win against Yuba College Saturday on the Baseball Field.

T

he Oakland Athletics front office is once again tainted by its broken promises as the team continues to search for a location in the East Bay for a new baseball-only ballpark.

When A’s President Dave Kaval announced last year that Peralta Community College District land near Laney College would be the site of the new ballpark, the organization felt reborn.

It was like the fan base that has been overwhelmed with letdowns, thanks to ownership for the last 20 years, was finally getting what it deserves.

That quickly ended as the Peralta Governing Board voted down the stadium plans. A’s fans didn’t get what they deserved. They got what has been an Oakland sports tradition — mediocrity.

Even though this failure shouldn’t be blamed on Kaval, he still broke the promise he made during the 2017 fan fest, an annual preseason gathering of A’s fans at Jack London Square.

He told fans the organization would have a ballpark location by the end of 2017, and yet here we are.

In recent weeks, Kaval sent a letter to Oakland and Alameda County officials proposing that the franchise pay off the $137 million debt owed by the two public entities for the renovations done on the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum when the Raiders moved back to the East Bay in the 1990s.

The A’s are offering to take over the debt owed by city and county in exchange for ownership of the Oracle Arena and the surrounding land where they could build their own stadium.

Even though the A’s proposal to pay off the Coliseum debt has had less push back than previous locations (Howard Terminal and Laney College) and would be helping the city by taking over a large public debt, should we even care? This could be another fizzled proposition in the works.

Yes, it’s understood that Oakland politicians have historically sucked, but Kaval should not continue to arouse false hope in A’s fans with suggestions of a new proposed stadium location. Until the deal is done everyone should tune out these PR stunts.

Kaval keeps teasing this tortured fan base — sorry, Giants fans, you haven’t been tortured with outlandish proposals that have gone nowhere.

Kaval and the restructured A’s front office do deserve credit for embracing Oakland’s roots and showing appreciation to the city’s residents. However, only filling half of the 47,000 seats available for baseball games at the Coliseum for the opening series of the season against the Los Angeles Angels is depressing.

Then in the second home series the A’s drew fewer than 10,000 fans for each of the three games, which should scare fans about the possibility of the team leaving Oakland.

With a core of talented young players, the A’s have a chance to open a new ballpark with exciting prospects who are entering their primes.

By desperately wanting to get a stadium deal done, Kaval has been too quick when announcing proposed stadium sites and that has discouraged many fans. The longer it takes to get a revenue-generating stadium deal done, the more likely it is that A’s General Manager David Forst will resort to selling off or trading the team’s talented, young prospects.

It is starting to look like the beginning of the end of A’s stay in the beautiful East Bay. It’s sad to think the region might be left without a baseball team simply because of a complacent front office.

Efrain Valdez is the social media editor of The Advocate. Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

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DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

comets smash yuba in series finale

By Denis Perez editor-in-chief

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Contested early innings ending in a 4-2 Comet lead skyrocketed Contra Costa College (6-24 overall, 2-13 in the Bay Valley Conference) to an 8-2 win over Yuba College (13-21 overall, 4-11 in the BVC) during the third game of their three-game series on the Baseball Field Saturday.

After the Comets drew first blood and scored the first run of the game in the third inning, Yuba came back with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. But the Comets responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and for the remaining five innings the Comet pitching and defense didn’t allow a run.

Comet infielder Tyler Brown said a lot of the 49ers’ threats were stopped before they became runs because COMETS of good pitching and strong communication in the field.

Brown said there were times when they were caught with the bases 49ERS loaded.

The team has been focusing on learning how to collectively come back and not get “rolled over,” he said.

“Even if we lose momentum, we have to get it back and when a man was on base we

8 2

got the important outs,” Brown said.

In fact, losing momentum was a key in their previous games against Yuba College.

In the first game of the series at home on April 10, CCC led 5-1 until Yuba scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Comets could not come back in the bottom of that inning and lost 8-5.

During the game in Marysville on Thursday, the Comets led 4-3 going to the bottom of the eighth inning. But by the end of the inning, Yuba had scored seven runs and defeated CCC 10-4.

Comet infielder London Penland said the third game of the series on Saturday was different.

“The defense played pitch-by-pitch.

That way we were ready because we were focused on that pitch alone,” he said. “When the ball does get hit against us, the mentality of every player on the field is to get the ball and get an out.”

He said defensively and offensively the Comets executed their plays.

And it was in the bottom of the sixth inning when CCC took advantage of its momentum to extend its 5-2 lead to 7-2 and solidify their victory after those two runs were scored.

Comet Antonio Nobriega reached base on an infield single bringing Robert Swanson to bat. On a swinging Swanson strike, Nobriega stole second base. Then Swanson’s single to center allowed Nobriega to sprint from second base to home.

After Swanson made an out on the bases, the next hitter, Malik Pruitt, singled, stole second and then scored on a Penland single, giving the Comets a 7-2 lead.

Coach Brian Guinn said the team played up to its potential and got a much-needed win in that third game of the series versus Yuba. The Comets only other BVC win of the season came on April 7, a 5-4 victory over Laney College in Oakland.

Guinn said there are six games left on the BVC schedule — three-game series against Mendocino College and Napa Valley College — and he hopes his players keep executing their plays and keep up the momentum they gained with the win over Yuba.

He said the Comets are finally beginning to understand the game at this level and are clicking as a team.

“We have a young team, but they are getting used to the collegiate level and are getting better as they adapt to it,” Guinn said.

The Comets will face Mendocino in a three-game series starting on the road in Ukiah Tuesday (after press time) at 2:30 p.m.

On Thursday they will host Mendocino on the Baseball Field at 2:30 p.m., with the final game of the series at Mendocino on Saturday at 1 p.m.

CCC will play Napa Valley next week, hosting two games, with the season finale on April 27 on the Baseball Field at 2:30 p.m.

Renovation design in final stage Athletic facilities’ refurbishment is still set to begin in 2019

By Efrain Valdez social media editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The athletic department facilities’ much-needed structural renovations are set to begin on time in 2019 and will take place for about 18 months with the cost of the project still within the allocated $29.4 million budget.

Contra Costa Community College District Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said the renovation design plans on some of the oldest structures on campus are on target to be submitted to the Division of State Architecture (DSA) within the next month or two.

In August 2016, the College Council at Contra Costa College unanimously voted to allocate $21.7 million from Measure E (2014) and $7.7 million from Measure A (2006) to renovate the Gym Annex, Gymnasium, Tennis Courts and both the Men’s and Women’s locker rooms.

CCCCD Project Manager P.J. Roach said that the district will take the design to the DSA’s Office in Oakland and from then they go over the plans with the staff there.

Pyle said, “They are a permit agency that approves (construction) projects like this one and it could take them four to six months to look over the designs to approve them.”

He said placing portable classrooms and renovating and re-purposing the Tennis Courts to accommodate multiple sports like basketball, tennis and volleyball, will be the first work done.

Pyle said during the renovation portable classrooms would be placed between Comet Stadium and the Tennis Courts to accommodate the classes that would usually take place in the Gym Annex Building.

The Tennis Courts renovation will consist of removing the old concrete and replacing it with a new surface that has boundaries painted on for the other sports.

The winch and handle for the tennis nets and the outer fence will also be replaced.

The placement of portables and re-purposing the Tennis Courts first is important because students need the classroom space and so that physical education activity courses can continue meet on the campus Tennis Courts, CCC Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King.

Pyle said, “We are really excited to be adding a lobby to both the men’s and women’s locker rooms and to the east side of the gym. That’s where the new main entrance (of the Gym) will be.

There will be a concession stand, some offices King and a classroom will be added too.”

Contra King said that the Costa foyer and main entrance College area of the Gymnasium Buildings would have a ticket booth and and incorporate the renGrounds ovated rest rooms that manager. will make the area “very presentable.” The current rest rooms for the Gym are located outside.

Pyle said, “We initially had plans to do the construction in separate stages, but it seems like we won’t be doing that because it’s more cost effective to do the work all at once.”

Measure E & Measure A $21.7 million in 2014.

$7.7 million in 2006.

To renovate: Gym Annex, locker rooms, tennis court To add: Concession stands portables INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

That decision will bring some complications to both the basketball teams and the women’s volleyball team.

Basketball coach Miguel Johnson said the teams would possibly have to play games at Diablo Valley College or at Helms Middle School.

“We will have a set locations for the teams once we get closer to volleyball season in the fall 2019 or basketball season in the winter,” he said.

The Pool, however, will not directly be included in this athletic department renovation project due to the lack of money allocated.

“The Pool is going to be done as a separate project because of the lack of funding,” Roach said. Funding for renovating the Pool has not been allocated, although efforts have been made to have it be a part of this renovation project.

Roach said campus and district officials have been in search of allocating leftover funds from past projects for the Pool.

“I’ve also heard about trying to get some contributions from the city of San Pablo or other sources,” he said.

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focus

Neighborhood mourns shooting of role model

Photos by: Denis Perez For

more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com

ABOVE: Community organizer DeWanda Joseph holds up a candle during a vigil for Mark Henderson, who was gunned down on April 9 around 9 p.m. in front of his home near Crescent Park in Richmond.

The vigil allowed community members to speak about the vital role Henderson played as a mentor for Richmond’s youth.

RIGHT: A Richmond resident, who identified themselves as a family friend of Mark Henderson, holds a custom-made shirt of Henderson and his daughter during a vigil for him near Crescent Park on Thursday.

Community members recounted stories of the times Henderson helped them.

LEFT: Abene’ Clayton of Richmond writes “Heal The Rich” around the grove that circles the cul de sac where Mark Henderson lived and was shot during a vigil for Henderson near Crescent Park on Thursday.

Community members wrote messages on the concrete about Henderson and his life and death.

ABOVE: Fairfield resident Thiasawn Mitchell (left) and neighbor Hasson Hutson (right) watch a video of Mark Henderson during Henderson’s vigil near Crescent Park on Thursday. Henderson, an amateur martial arts fighter, was shot in front of his home on April 9.

LEFT: Candles, flowers, empty alcohol bottles and balloons adorn the spot where Mark Henderson was shot and killed on April 9 near Crescent Park on Thursday.