CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B
CMYK
Selections scarce
Campus provides limited food options
sports ◆ page 7
CMYK
campus beat ◆ page 5
scene ◆ page 8
Comeback
‘Madden’ revived
Midfielder returns after breaking leg
Videogame scores despite few flaws
VOL. 91, NO. 2
SINCE 1950
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM
THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.
8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE
Verdict reached in trial
GIVING SPIRIT
Former DVC admissions worker not guilty in scam By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR
To most students at Contra Costa College, evening and Saturday program monitor Martin Padilla was known as the man who always wore a red sweater. But Padilla’s trademark garment, often coupled with a collared shirt, tie and khakis, served as more than mere identification — it symbolized stability. “He represented things being constant and OK,” English professor Barbara McClain said. “You knew when (Padilla) was around everything that needed to get done would be and would be done well.”
The last of four former Diablo Valley College students accused of changing grades was acquitted of all charges Friday morning. A jury found Erick Martinez, who was charged with nine felony fraud charges for allegedly changing and adding grades for himself as well as his friends, not guilty after a two-week trial in a Contra Costa County courtroom in Martinez. “He has been completely exonerated,” Martinez’s lawyer Karen Moghtader, public defender, said Friday after the verdict. “We are extremely pleased. Erick is thrilled.” More than 50 former DVC and Los Medanos College students were charged in the last two years with felony fraud and conspiracy charges after five years of students at the DVC Admissions and Records Office would change students’ grades, often for money. District and DVC officials became aware of the grade changes when a professor noticed Martinez continually showing up on his roster although he had been dropped numerous times in 2005. DVC President Judy Walters said in an e-mail Monday that she was disappointed in the jury’s verdict. “We do not believe that this jury verdict means that Mr. Martinez is innocent,” the e-mail said. “It simply means the district attorney was not able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Martinez made the unauthorized grade changes when he was a part-time DVC employee in the
■ SEE RED SWEATER: Page 6
■ SEE DVC: Page 4
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
In memory of — Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez speaks of his friend and co-worker Martin Padilla, who was killed in a head-on collision Aug. 28 in Pinole, at a memorial in LA-100 Monday. Hernandez was drawn to tears in his speech, as were other speakers and many in the audience.
A
LEGEND
Night, weekend supervisor killed in Pinole crash By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nanette Barce-Padilla’s day went on like any other. “There was nothing unusual,” she said. She said sometimes her husband, Martin Padilla, would come home to eat lunch from his day job, working with developmentally disabled adults in San Leandro, but that day he did not.
taken too
“I got home at 5 (p.m.) and never even thought anything unusual happened,” Barce-Padilla said. After falling asleep watching the Democratic National Convention, the district attorney and a sheriff deputy woke her at 8 p.m. to tell her her husband had been killed just hours before. A 22-year veteran of Contra Costa College, Padilla died in a fatal head-on car collision Aug. 28 in Pinole. The death of 51-year-old Padilla leaves a hole with his family, as well as the college, as it looks to replace him and the countless duties he performed.
SOON
editorial Remembering the man underneath the red sweater Renaming of Student Services Center a fitting tribute for Padilla.
page 2 Padilla’s memorial For more on the service, see page 6.
Padilla, 51, represented stability, service at CCC By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR
■ SEE PADILLA: Page 6
in brief ✔ Former DVC admissions and records worker Erick Martinez, charged with nine counts of felony fraud ✔ Found not guilty by jury after two weeks of trial ✔ Last of four grade change operators charged in DVC case
Admissions director resigns; position open Assistant
By Brett Abel
to replace Blustajn until new hire
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
After a little more than a year and a half at Contra Costa College, Admissions and Records Director Ken Blustajn has resigned. Blustajn was the second director of the Admissions and Records Office in three years. Although he still officially holds the position until Nov. 14, Blustajn’s resignation was effective Aug. 26.
His resignation came quickly with little warning, said Shondra West, senior admissions and records assistant. “He didn’t really give us a reason,” she said. “(Blustajn) has other things to pursue,” Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said. Hernandez, Blustajn’s immediate supervisor, said the commute from his home in San Francisco and the start of a new family might have contributed to Blustajn’s resignation.
“(West) has been a stead heart in that position for years.” Frank Hernandez,
senior dean of students
In his time on campus, Blustajn undertook many projects, including upgrades to the college and district’s records system, Datatel, after the Diablo Valley College grade scandal
plagued the Pleasant Hill campus and the district’s records security. Until the position is filled, West, who has been working at CCC for just over nine years, will be acting as Blustajn’s replacement. “(West) has been a stead heart in that position for years,” Hernandez said. This is the third time West has taken this temporary position. The first time she filled the role was after 30-year admissions and records director and worker Jeanette Moore retired
in 2004, and then before Blustajn was hired in the spring of 2006. “I’m just filling in,” West said. “The only thing different (from before) is I attend more meetings, help more students and help resolve more issues.” West said if she runs into trouble, she can go to Hernandez for help. Moore, however, who preceded the last two admissions and records directors, still comes to help out on campus, often in the nursing depart■ SEE BLUSTAJN: Page 4
Culinary arts competition prepares chefs for semester
STAFF WRITER
Excitement was in the air and anticipation high for the Three Season Restaurant’s semiannual Wing Fling competition held on Sept. 3.
a specialty cookbook and presented “Sweet and Sour Spicy Chicken Wings,” made by Shawn Presley, Sierra Boyd, Jabari Davis, Tamera Blacknell and Louis Sandoval. “One purpose of hosting the Wing Fling competition is that it helps the students ease into the service mode as they prepare to open the restaurant for the fall semester,” instructional assistant Joyce Edwards said. Entrées were served with salad and bread and priced at $5 per ■ SEE WING FLING: Page 4
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B
By Cassandra Juniel
Drawing over 130 customers to the tasting and voting of their favorite type chicken wings, students from the culinary arts department put their minds, hearts and hands together in creating winning flavors. Taking home first place were Yolanda Ochoa, Emily Hansen, Joe Drouillard, Jodine Bautista and Matty Sadleir, who received roasting pans for their “Fire Kickin’, Finger Lickin’ Chicken Wings.” Second place winners received
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
CMYK
Restaurant gives a taste of flavors to come for fall
Kickin’ chicken — Wesley Dodger (left) and Emily Hansen serve Mayda Lorie some chicken wings at the semiannual Wing Fling, held at the Three Seasons Restaurant on Sept. 3.
CMYK
2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Newspapers no longer are the news, but they remain the only confirmation: Here it is, the news, black on white.”
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008 VOL. 91, NO. 2 ●
Editorials
Cees Nooteboom
Dutch novelist 1997
Justin Morrison editor-in-chief
Brett Abel
associate editor
Alec Surmani
associate editor
Jeff Carillo
Cherished colleague lost Death of long-time employee leaves community in mourning
sports editor
Francisco Rendon
spotlight editor
Regina Sarnicola Lauren Shiraishi
opinion editors
Lamar James news editor
Isaac Thomas photo editor
Toni Silva
ad manager
Paul DeBolt
faculty adviser
Staff writers
Sam Attal Dariush Azmoudeh Brent Bainto Marco Becerra Asia Camagong Mario Diaz Anthony Farr Ryan Jacques Marika Johnson Cassandra Juniel Jazmaine Mitchell Holly Pablo Diana Reyes Shahruz Shaukat Jon Zantua
Staff photographers Sam Attal Erik Verduzco
Staff illustrators
Wryan Castleberry
Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 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
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, SEPT. 10, 2008
T
he death of a long-standing college employee often has a significant impact on campus. In the case of evening and Saturday program monitor Martin Padilla, it sent shockwaves through the faculty and staff at Contra Costa College. Padilla, who was killed on Aug. 28 in Pinole when a suspected car thief and parolee crashed head-on into his sport utility wagon, was one of the most beloved individuals at CCC. He helped multiple people at the college, often simultaneously, performing a variety of actions. It did not matter how minuscule or seemingly unimportant the task was, Padilla would do it simply because the need was there. What’s more, he would often execute these many odd jobs while moving around campus, despite already completing a standard eight-hour shift at his day job working with developmentally disabled adults in San Leandro. “He must have put 20 miles on those shoes (every day),” biological sciences department Chairwoman Kathryn Levine said. Despite all the effort he exerted daily, Padilla somehow managed to work 60-hour weeks on a regular basis. According to earth sciences department Chairman James Duvall, part of the reason Padilla worked so much was because he was planning a nice retirement. This makes his unfortunate, untimely death all the more heartbreaking. Even though he may not have been given the opportunity to relax and enjoy his retirement, the time he spent at the college, including all the people he helped, was anything but in vain. Stories of him aiding students with car problems, where he not only tried to remedy their situation but would also wait until a tow truck arrived when he could not, are inspirational and a testament to what he stood for. To Padilla, simply offering the limited knowledge and services a single human being can provide was never enough. He was about putting forth the additional effort, even if it might be unnecessary or added extra strain to his already hectic schedule. This was because, as former assistant and friend Rene Martinez put it, Padilla genuinely liked helping others out with their problems. Even after retiring, Padilla planned on volunteering at a center that trains guide dogs for the blind, his wife Nanette Barce-Padilla said. Providing aid to those in need, without regard to personal inconvenience, is the essence of what student services should be about. Because of this, it comes as no surprise that on All College Day in 2004, then president Helen Benjamin proclaimed Aug. 18 as Martin Padilla Day at CCC to recognize the employee’s relentless dedication to better the college and its students. While such homage is admirable, it is not enough — particularly when most people on campus are oblivious to its existence. Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez has suggested naming the recently built Student Services Center after Padilla, a proposal The Advocate fully supports. Although the process involves a great deal of red tape and discussion by the College Council, as Hernandez said, “For an individual like that, you can never do enough to honor what he contributed.”
WRYAN CASTLEBERRY / THE ADVOCATE
■ Reflection
Epiphany paves way for new chapter in life
T
he summer is over and we are back in college. To some, it means less partying. To others, it means complete dedication to their studies. For me, it is kind of hard to explain. The first day of the semester is always very interesting. We all want to know what everyone else was up to during those long months of “relaxation.” What made my summer different from others was not the people I met or the places I went, but the lessons I learned, realizing day-by-day that I was living my life too fast. I did a lot of growing up this summer. Just when you think you are at that stage when you know everything, you suddenly wake up and realize “I don’t know anything.” I must say that when this took place, everything began to fall apart. I went through a lot of life-changing situations, some of which I was not ready for. I was forced to make choices without knowing whether they were for better or worse. I had to say goodbye to things that meant a lot to me. I had to close specific chapters in my life in order to make room for bigger and better opportunities. At first, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. When all this was taking place, I could not picture better days. I could not see myself progressing, which led to isolation from certain friends and family, and I detached myself from goals and dreams I once had. The worst part of this is when
dianareyes you begin to distance yourself, you are ignorant to the fact that sooner or later you will need a shoulder to lean on. In my case, I was making those around me pretty angry at the things I was doing which led to them giving up on me. When my dad said to my mom, “Let her be. She’ll learn on her own,” I began to question, “Why would you make this easier for me?” You would think this is what you want to hear, but it is not. Around mid-summer, college was a closed chapter in my book. No more transferring to San Francisco State, no more Advocate, no more opportunities. I was willing to take life as it came. But if this is what I wanted, how come I did not feel any better about it? High and dry, thinking back on the experiences I had throughout my first two semesters in college, I felt less motivated to return in the fall. During that first year, everything I did, I did for someone else. A good friend of mine told me, “Sometimes you have to learn to appreciate yourself through the worst experiences. I think it’s time for you to start living for yourself rather than living for someone or some-
thing that wasn’t promised for you.” At one point or another, we become accustomed to our lifestyles no matter how harmful. The biggest downfall is when we begin to fear change because we are so familiar with where we are, we become afraid of maybe settling for less. I took a look at the people in my life and took their current status as guidance. I have hardworking friends, who attend college full time and also work, and I have lazy friends, who sit at home all day waiting for phone calls from others. They were not happy. They were just too used to their everyday lives, so they had already accepted it. It made me reevaluate the old phrase, “the mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I began to think twice about dropping out of college. I am one of those people who believes things happen for a reason, even if that reason is unknown to us. Months ago, I would not have thought I would be looking at things from this light. This is where I want to be, writing and sharing stories. If you learned something from this, take some time off from your daily routine and reevaluate where you stand and where you’re heading. As for me, I learned that life has its trials and tribulations, but I will be all right. Diana Reyes is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact her at dreyes.advocate@gmail.com.
CampusComment
What do you think of the food options on campus?
“Subway is good. It’s a nice addition.” Marc Tano astrophysics
“We need more options. College students need to feed themselves. There’s too much junk food.”
“We need more healthy vegetarian options like fruits. The minorities receive the worst food. DVC has more options.”
Betzabee Nicolas dental assisting
Henry Parker undecided
“I’ve never used the food services. I don’t know the options. I bring a lunch.”
“It’s not too bad. The food needs to be a little cheaper and we need more variety. CCC has the worst.”
Karen Saechao
Matt Gee undecided
“(They should have) organic, vegan, whole wheat and whole grains.”
Alex Tom radiology
undecided
“It’s good, as long as we have Subway. We need more options. If I can’t eat, I can’t learn. We need breakfast foods — things we can grab and go to class.” Rylan Sample philosophy
SAM ATTAL AND HOLLY PABLO / THE ADVOCATE
FORUM ■ POLITICS
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE
3
■ EDUCATION
New school year invokes new attitude shahruzshaukat
Voter’s views don’t fit two party mold
W
atching the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, I noticed that my political views do not align with either presidential candidate’s platform. While John McCain shares my support for a free market, lower taxes and less government spending, his plan to continue the war in Iraq has made him lose my vote. Barack Obama, on the other hand, opposes the current war, but has repeatedly voted for privacy-limiting bills like the USA PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Many voters who decide that they do not like either candidate, decide to vote for third-party candidates. As much as I would like for our two-party system to end, realistically, thirdparty candidates do not stand a chance of winning anytime soon. The last time the president was neither a Republican nor Democrat was over 150 years ago. The way I see it, the solution to this political mess need not lie in third parties. Democratic and Republican voters had other, better, options during the primaries. My current mind set was not present during the primary season. After watching a few debates, I threw my support behind Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic congressman from Ohio. Though Kucinich did not share many of my views about the economy, he won my support in a CNN debate. When the prompter mentioned that Kucinich was the only one in the debate who voted against the PATRIOT Act, he replied, “That’s because I read it.” He went on to talk about how the other candidates had changed their positions on the war in Iraq, the PATRIOT Act and other issues, and then asked the audience, “Just imagine what it would be like to have a president of the United States who was right the first time.” For the first time in years, it seemed like there was an honest candidate running who actually looked after America’s citizens and made sure their civil liberties were secure. It looked as if the country would be run the way it was written in the Constitution, and not just the way the President wanted. Kucinich lost the nomination to Obama, who I feel may have represented a change of physical appearance in American politics, but his voting record showed no change at all to the current system. But it seems to me at this point that while there are good options in each party during the primary seasons, voters do not seem to take the time to watch the debates or research the candidates’ voting records. Instead, they vote for whoever is popular at the time and then pity the state of the nation four years later. Because I am adamantly against voting for a candidate I do not fully support, I will not be voting this November. But hopefully, four years from now, I will have the chance to vote for someone I truly believe in. Shahruz Shaukat is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at sshaukat. advocate@gmail.com.
M
y attitude toward this college has gone through a major change. I first stepped foot on this campus four years ago, when I transferred from De Anza High School in Richmond to the Middle College High School program. I was completely oblivious to everything going on. I was intimidated by the size of the campus and how far apart my classes were. I did not have many friends here, just three old buddies from my middle and elementary school days. I felt trampled by other MCHS freshmen who were one semester ahead of me with their college classes. I soon got used to the curriculum and my classes seemed fairly easy. It was weird sharing a campus with some people more than twice my age, but I soon adapted. I noticed a sense of maturity hitting me during my sophomore year. Continuing my pursuit for an associate degree in liberal arts, I worked to bring home positive marks on my report card each quarter. I was rather passionate about my English and geometry classes, as I happily did all my homework early and read ahead in my textbooks.
a slacker and wanted to drop all my classes. Not eager to learn whatsoever, I developed a negative attitude I felt trampled toward my high school classes. by other They felt unnecessary I figured if I kept this up, my MCHS compared to my college classes, final two years at MCHS would be I even a breeze and I could quickly make it freshmen that but ditched those. I out of this hellhole. After all, being a began showing MCHS student did not mean everywere one up to my mornthing was a privilege. ing class an hour I felt envious of the college student who could drive and had nothsemester late almost every day. I was not ing stopping them from going off campus to grab a bite. My friends ahead of in favor of my actions, but still would drive off campus once or not feel an twice a week and take me with them. me with did urge to show up I began taking advantage of this to class or even option to the point where I was caretheir college to school. lessly ditching the majority of my By the second classes. My junior year was pathetic. I fractured my ankle over the sumclasses. semester of my junior year, I mer and had to use crutches to get set my mind on around for a month. Due to social and financial problems, I fell into an taking the California High School Proficiency Exam. The CHSPE emotional struggle. would allow me to skip high school That year consisted of some of once I passed and gain a Certificate the hardest college and high school of Proficiency. After much tedious classes I had ever taken. I became
samattal
arguing with my mother, she finally agreed to sign the papers and pay for the test. I then took the test and anxiously awaited the results. I passed. I was now able to exceed the MCHS 11.9 unit maximum. I quickly enrolled in 21.5 units. Near the end of summer, I sat myself down and figured out all the classes I needed to transfer and gain a couple of associate degrees. My first day of being a full-time college student went great. I attended my classes with confidence and, four weeks later, I still do the same. I am also beginning to take pride as a college journalist, even if the stories I write are far less important than the issues the more experienced writers on staff report on. Once in a while, I even show up to my newswriting class 20 minutes early just to find a good seat. For the past few weeks, I have enjoyed my classes and can finally say I truly enjoy attending Contra Costa College. Sam Attal is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at sattal. advocate@gmail.com.
From prom queen
to pregnant teen
Early pregnancy creates issues for mother, child By Regina Sarnicola OPINION EDITOR
T
een pregnancy seems to be in the spotlight as of late. With the announcement of 16year-old Jamie Lynn Spear’s pregnancy earlier this year, news of 17 girls at a high school in Massachusetts who made a “pact” to get pregnant, and the more recent headlines of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s 17year-old pregnant daughter, it is a hot topic. To top it all off, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported the United States is experiencing its first increase in teen pregnancies since 1991. As if being a parent is not difficult enough, the role of parent falling onto a teenager’s shoulders only creates more of a challenge — a challenge felt by many in the United States, where we have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. According to the report released by the NIH in July 2008, the teen pregnancy rate has risen by 4 percent. Teen pregnancy, however, is an issue that affects more people than just the parents and children. A study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy done in October 2006 reported that adolescent childbearing is costing U.S. taxpayers an estimated $9 billion per year. The fact that billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being spent on something that is completely preventable, instead of something more demanding, is frustrating. Billions of dollars is a large sum of money and instead of being put toward ineffective programs like the “abstinence only” system or more extensive sex education programs in schools, could be used to work toward eliminating poverty, a definitive source of teen pregnancy. Impoverished teen girls often lack the proper understanding or education regarding pregnancy and contraceptive use. They are also less likely to be able to afford an abortion and have less access to available resources. Teen pregnancy also is cause for various health concerns. Younger girls are at particular risk because their bodies have not fully grown and matured and thus have an increased risk for complications such as premature labor. Teenage mothers are less likely to gain
an adequate amount of weight during their pregnancy, which can result in low birth weight. They have a higher rate of poor eating habits and are less likely to take the recommended daily prenatal multivitamins to maintain proper nutrition during their pregnancy. Additionally, they are more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take drugs, which can create increased health problems for the child. Possibly one of the scariest aspects regarding health risks teenagers face when having intercourse are sexually transmitted diseases. Contraceptive use is much lower among teens due to their lack of understanding and fear or embarrassment associated with having to purchase contraceptives. Therefore, this heightens the risk of contracting a STD, especially if teens are engaging in sexual activities with various partners. In the long run, five minutes of embarrassment when purchasing contraceptives at the local supermarket could result in avoiding more trouble in the future. While protection is effective, the only way to truly avoid getting pregnant or contracting an STD is through abstinence. Health risks are not the only obstacle teen mothers have to face. Socioeconomic consequences play into the equation as well. Young mothers have a higher chance of doing poorly in school — or dropping out completely — and are less likely to attend college. This lack of education often results in the inability to get a job that is financially stable and adequate to support a family and expenses a baby brings. What is often forgotten is how much the children can suffer. Most children born to teen mothers are raised in a single parent household, which does not just place additional strain on the woman to perform the duties of a mother and a father, but robs children of a male figure in their lives. Children born to younger mothers tend to not receive the proper amount of attention and care and also have a higher risk of also dropping out of school and becoming sexually active themselves at a young age.
While not being physically mature, teenage girls and boys are generally not emotionally prepared to be parents either. Having to suddenly worry and be responsible for another totally dependent human being, while still maturing and finding oneself, is not fair to the parent or the child. Many parents then tend to grow up alongside their own child. Instead of kids worrying about prom and college applications, their list of priorities contains finding day care and buying diapers. The media play a role too, as some movies, books and television shows tend to normalize and even glamorize teen pregnancy without always effectively displaying the harsh reality behind it. Furthermore, with celebrities like Spears making news, there are girls who are influenced by famous teens like her, what they see on TV and decisions their fellow peers make, no matter how serious. Reportedly, the 17 girls in Massachusetts wanted to get pregnant to have someone to “love them.” This is not unfamiliar with young girls who may want to get pregnant for the wrong reasons, including desiring a child who will love them unconditionally to hoping the pregnancy will keep the father in the relationship. The girls who strive for this attention and love are the ones who ultimately lack confidence in, and respect for, themselves. Many believe sex education in schools would effectively reduce the number of teenage pregnancies. Opponents argue that sex education only encourages earlier and more sexual activity. However, sex education should start at home. Not enough parents talk to their children about sex — the biological facts, consequences and the emotional aspects. The conversation should be a proactive and ongoing learning process. By being able to discuss sex comfortably, the child will be better informed to make decisions later on and better prepared to resist peer pressure. While in most cases teen girls are ill prepared to be parents, age is not always a determining factor in maturity level. Even though the majority of young adults are not ready to be parents, there are exceptions. Some girls who find themselves pregnant early on meet the challenge and prove to be adequate mothers. On the opposite end of the scope, there are adult women who raise children and are still childish and irresponsible. Overall, teen pregnancy is a common and largely preventable issue. From being a teen mother to knowing someone who is or will be, the subject is prevalent in our daily lives. As whenever something monumental like a child comes into a woman or man’s world, their lives will definitely never be the same. In the end, preventing teen pregnancy starts in the home. Pregnancy is not a light matter and should be taken very seriously for the sake of both the parents and more importantly, the child. Contact Regina Sarnicola at rsarnicola.advocate@gmail.com.
WRYAN CASTLEBERRY / THE ADVOCATE
4 THE ADVOCATE
CAMPUS BEAT
l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008
Newsline ■ CULINARY ARTS
Café, restaurant open for service The Express Café, located in AA-239, will be open today and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The Three Seasons Restaurant will open at 11 a.m. and closes at 1:15.
■ ATHLETICS
Shooting suspect remains at large Alleged aide shooter continues to run from police
By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The suspect in the November shooting of a Contra Costa College police aide is still at large. After 10 months on the run, Christon Parker has not been captured and the search for him continues, Richmond Police Det. Eric Haupt. Parker is wanted for the shooting of Edgar Rocha at the corner of Shane
He was wearing dreadlocks and had a goatee and mustache. There was also a $1.5 million warrant issued for his arrest and up to $15,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Haupt said he and the Richmond police have been active in the search for Parker. They have also found the help of federal agents. “We have some members of the FBI who work out of this office trying to locate him,” he said. The FBI has an office in Richmond
Drive and Mills Avenue, behind Lot 10, last year. He escaped a search of the Hilltop-Fairmede area conducted by 50 officers from five agencies that lasted into the night. “We’ve been working on it in the last two weeks where he may be,” Haupt said. “That’s all I can say at this time, I don’t want to burn it. “(Parker) is still being sought on a daily basis,” he said. When Parker was first named as a suspect in April, he was 22 years old, 175 pounds and 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Program to host exhibition game
and Haupt said its involvement is as a favor and not standard practice. “We sometimes reach out to them for their expertise and availability,” he said. Police were led to Oakland in the search for Parker in April when they tracked his cell phone, but Parker had dumped his phone days before police showed up and currently are not looking in an exact area for him. Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.
Fundraiser to wheel in cash, games
The DSPS Office, athletic department and college Foundation are currently recruiting players for an exhibition game of wheelchair basketball against the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) All Stars. The game will take place on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Anyone interested in playing should contact athletic director John Wade at 510-235-7800, ext. 4310.
Local outreach program hosts wheelchair event By Holly Pablo STAFF WRITER
■ ASU
Presenter from BAJI to speak A presentation titled “Bridging The Gap: Between Latinos and African Americans” will take place on Sept. 17 in the Fireside Room from 1 to 2 p.m. The presenter will be Gerald Lenoir from the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI.) The event is hosted by the ASU.
■ CLUBS
Student groups recruit in quad The annual campus Club Rush will be held in the quad today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CrimeWatch Thursday, Aug. 21 Victim reported the theft of a cell phone. Friday, Aug. 22 A vehicle was towed for expired registration. Saturday, Aug. 23 Officer responded to report of a robbery/assault at the bus stop. Monday, Aug. 25 Victim reported that unknown suspects vandalized her vehicle in Lot 15. Tuesday, Aug. 26 Subject was stopped for a traffic violation and it was determined that the driver was unlicensed. Subject was cited and released. Wednesday, Aug. 27 A student reported the theft of his bicycle. Wednesday, Aug. 27 Subject was stopped for traffic violation and it was determined that the driver was unlicensed. Subject was cited and released. Thursday, Aug. 28 Subject was stopped for a traffic violation and it was determined that the driver was unlicensed. Unknown subject vandalized the men’s rest room in the AA Building. Monday, Sept. 1 Officer responded to a medical report. Tuesday, Sept. 2 A vehicle was towed for having expired registration. Wednesday, Sept. 3 Subject was stopped for a traffic violation and it was determined that his driver’s license was suspended. Subject was cited and released. Thursday, Sept. 4 Suspect was detained and arrested for misappropriation of property. Student reported an injury. Two male suspects held a male victim’s arms while taking the money from his pockets. —Anthony Farr
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
In the wrong — A student’s windshield is blanketed with parking tickets Sept. 2, the day after the courtesy period ended. Free parking on campus ended Sept. 1 and police aides have been issuing $35 parking tickets since Sept. 2. Parking passes are available at the Bookstore and cashier’s window for $35.
DVC | Suspect acquitted of charges ■ FROM: Page 1
Admissions and Records (Office).” Martinez’s defense argued that his grades were changed. However, he did not know how or by whom. “His grades were changed, but he didn’t know about that, which he testified,” Moghtader said. “When he noticed his GPA seemed higher than it should be, he asked for an audit.” District Attorney Dodie Katague, lead prosecutor, tried to convince the jury otherwise during the trial, calling for 22 witnesses, including Julian Revilleza who pleaded guilty to felony fraud and conspiracy charges and was recently released from his yearlong jail sentence. Katague also called two rebuttal witnesses, including district auditor Judy Vroman, after cross-examination. During Katague’s cross-examination of Martinez, he responded with “I
don’t know” and “I don’t remember” to many questions Katague asked to spark Martinez’s memory of the time he spent in class and in the Admissions and Records Office at DVC. “A lot of people don’t remember when you should be (remembering),” Katague said. “It doesn’t help. “Why doesn’t he know,” he said, “when he has access to WebAdvisor 24-7, works in (the Admissions and Records Office) and knows how Datatel works, but doesn’t know his grades. “Fourteen grades changed to A’s, but doesn’t know, is ridiculous,” Katague said. “Students know what their grades are going through school.” Moghtader said many people had access to changing grades and that her client really did not know who did it. “Who would have the motivation to change 14 grades?” Katague said to the defense that someone other than
Martinez changed his grades. Katague said Martinez’s case was different from the others who have been charged and sentenced for their roles in the grade scandal. “(Martinez) was the last one in the Admissions Office who was sitting there and changing grades,” Katague said. Three other former DVC students who worked in the Admissions and Records Office, Revilleza, Jeremy Tato and Liberto “Rocky” Servo all pleaded guilty to changing grades for hundreds of dollars at a time. Katague said the only students left to try are those who allegedly bought grades and no more who changed them. “This verdict won’t have an impact on what we have coming down the line,” he said. Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.
Blustajn | A&R chief quits suddenly ■ FROM: Page 1
ment, as well as in the Admissions and Records Office. “(Moore) has been here a long time, even after she retired,” West said. “Now (Blustajn) has retired she helps the program out a little bit more.” Hernandez said, “She’ll be helping out until I go out and advertise the position.” He said he would advertise the available position in October due to other work he is focused on now. “There are a lot of new people in (admissions and records) who are solid,” he said. Although the college is having a team from the accreditation commission come to the campus in mid-October, Hernandez said he is not worried. When the accreditation commission visited DVC last year, the college was slammed for not having checks and bal-
“(Moore) has been here a long time, even after she retired. Now (Blustajn) has retired she helps the program out a little bit more.” Shondra West,
senior admissions and records assistant
ances in place to prevent unauthorized grade changes. After the grade change scandal that occurred at DVC over five years, alterations to policy surrounding changing grades now includes the admissions and records director approving all grade changes at the end of each month. Hernandez said the people in the
Admissions and Records Office are competent and should be fine without a permanent director. “When they come in, we won’t have a director at (admissions and records),” he said. “Either way it wouldn’t be filled.” Hernandez, however, looks to have the director position filled by the new year and the next rush of student registration. “It’s such a detail-oriented job, it can’t take just anyone,” Hernandez said. “You have to have knowledge in (admissions and records). That’s a small pool to pull from. “Our sister colleges have interim and temporaries (heading Admissions and Records Offices),” he said. “We’re not the only ones going through this.” Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.
The Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program will be sponsoring an exhibition game of wheelchair basketball in the Gymnasium on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. It will be the first wheelchair basketball game at the school, DSPS Manager Sue Abe said. “It is centered to promote disability in a positive way,” Abe said. The Contra Costa College Foundation, DSPS and the athletic department are also co-sponsoring the event. Admission is free and open to the public. The fundamentals of wheelchair basketball are essentially the same as regular basketball, Jonathan Newman, who has been the coordinator of the BORP adult basketball program since 2000, said. The height of the basketball hoop and the 3-point line are the same. The difference is that the game is focused on a more horizontal level and is more of a group effort. “We are looking forward to coming to Contra Costa, playing a game, showing what we can do and giving people the opportunity to try it out,” Newman said. BORP is a non-profit organization located in Berkeley that provides children and adults with physical disabilities the opportunity to improve their health through sports, fitness and recreational programs. The BORP All Stars is the adult basketball team that will be visiting the college. These players compete professionally and will showcase their moves and techniques. “It should be good and we’re going to make this as exciting as possible,” team member Trooper Johnson said. “We’re going to kick butt.” The BORP All Stars will compete with what has been named the “CCC Comet” team, which consists of faculty members and students. “We do have a lot of students with disabilities. When people think of people in wheelchairs, they do not understand how skillful they really are,” Athletic Director John Wade said. “It would be fun for us to go into their world.” He is currently recruiting more faculty members and students interested in participating. Men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller agreed that the game is a good idea. “I think that the fact that we’re doing this program is excellent,” Zeller said. “I think it’s excellent for our campus to reach out to the community of disabled people and to make ourselves more welcoming and opening to them.” It is possible that there will be another disability awareness activity, possibly taking the form of a different sport, to look forward to in the spring semester, Wade said. “People should be aware and be able to participate in something to get a different view,” he said. For more information, contact Wade at 510-235-7800, ext. 4310. The mission statement of the DSPS is to provide support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations to students with disabilities so that they can participate as fully and benefit as equitably from the college experience as their nondisabled peers. Introduction of the wheelchair basketball game does exactly that. Abe expressed her hope for the program. “We are trying to include and encourage students,” Abe said. “We are very excited.” Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo.advocate@gmail. com.
Wing Fling | Three Seasons excites with delectables ■ FROM: Page 1
plate. Along with the purchase of a meal, each customer was given a red ticket to cast a vote for the group’s chicken dish they felt was the best. Upon entering the serving area, set up in buffet style, customers were greeted with a smile, given a plate and directed to the beginning of the line by student host Frances Brooks who said, “Everyone loves chicken wings.” Students worked in all capacities for the event and took charge, under the leadership of culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes, working as busboys, runners, expediters, waiters, cooks, maître d’s, cashiers and servers.
“In past Wing Fling competitions, guests were served from the front lines,” Edwards said. “With seven groups competing this year and the limitation of space, guests were able to travel through the kitchen area, enabling them to get behind the scene of the work area of the student cooks.” Although the restaurant only has a maximum capacity of 72, having classes set up at different times of the day helped everyone to be served, as it eased the process of seating and serving the customers, she said. The Three Seasons Restaurant and Express Cafe, both located in AA-239, officially opened on Tuesday. Both are open Tuesday
“Guests were able to travel through the kitchen area, enabling them to get behind the scene of the work area of the student cooks.” Joyce Edwards,
instructional assistant
through Thursday, with the Three Seasons available from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Express Café from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Vegetarian dishes are available, along with Starbucks coffee specialties.
“There are approximately 70 percent students and 30 percent staff and non-students that frequent the restaurant weekly due to the unique menu selections, as well as the low price of typical meals,” Edwards said. “The lowcost fees are charged for meals to cover the cost of groceries used for kitchen production and not for profit.” Students learn to work as a team and it is important for them to get the full experience of how a restaurant works, she said. The students showed this specifically within the Wing Fling competition groups, as they teamed to pick the specific recipe, the ingredients and worked
together for creating, presenting and preparing a dish that was pleasing to the taste as well as to the eye. New additions for the Three Seasons Restaurant this fall include an expanded patio deck, as well as large-sized monitors used to assist the instructors in directing and teaching the students. Additionally, the department is extending its versatility by growing some of the produce themselves as fresh herbs will be grown in the herb garden behind the Three Seasons, Sharkes said. Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel.advocate@gmail.com.
CAMPUS BEAT
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE
5
Tentative faculty agreement reached After negotiations, faculty to see change in district benefits By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
Eat fresh — The lack of food options on campus led administrators to recruit the Subway truck. Located behind the Library and Learning Resource Center, there are plans for a move to the Student Dining Room.
School hungers for food options By Asia Camagong STAFF WRITER
A lack of food options on campus is causing students of Contra Costa College to suffer after the closing of the cafeteria during the Library Building’s renovation. The Bookstore, culinary arts department, ASU and Subway trailer are temporarily filling the void caused by the cafeteria’s shutdown in the fall of 2005. “This is the worst place for food,” nursing major Saumas Mulcahy said. “If they didn’t have Subway, this place would be a joke.” Due to complications with the previous cafeteria vendors, the administration was compelled to seek alternative food sources, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said. Magalong made an agreement with the Subway trailer just one week before the start of the fall semester to offer their services on campus. “It’s not easy to find a vendor who will provide a temporary service,” Magalong said. The Subway truck, garnering much attention due to its loud generator, has been moved from the Amphitheatre to behind the Library and Learning
Resource Center, Vice President Carol Maga said. She said the administration is currently in the process of finalizing a contract with Subway to offer a more permanent facility in the Student Dining Room in the Student Activities Building. The ASU Snack Bar, located in the Recreational Room of the SA Building, offers students prepackaged foods, such as sandwiches and Hot Pockets, as well as chili cheese nachos and chicken Caesar salad. “It has been really difficult for the last few years because of the changing and limited options for students,” Student Life Supervisor Jennifer Ounjian said. Suggestions are encouraged, as the snack bar’s menu fluctuates based on the demands of the students, she said. The Bookstore extended its food options as well, providing Kinder’s sandwiches and salads along with a variety of chips, candies and sodas, Bookstore supply buyer Nick Dunn said. “The idea was to offer options to students who didn’t want to leave campus,” Dunn said. Students also have the option of the Three Seasons Restaurant, managed by the culinary arts department. It opened for the semester on Tuesday. “We consider ourselves part of the
service of the college community,” culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes said. The restaurant will prepare seasonal and nutritious foods at reasonable prices on a menu changing every three weeks, Sharkes said. Students, however, are disgruntled by the limitations. Student Elvin Tablan recalls options being the main issue. “I didn’t mind the cafeteria, because there was a system,” Tablan said. “Now it’s only about what type of sandwich you want.” Middle College High School sophomore Ellie Wilson, however, feels that the current food conditions are better than having just one cafeteria. According to a report released by Perkins + Will in March, a cafeteria will be placed in the newly constructed SA Building in 2011-14, in accordance with the Facilities Master Plan. The administration plans to send out more proposals for food vendors after the demolition and construction of the building. “Everyone is making the best of this tough situation,” Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said. Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong.advocate@gmail.com.
The district and the United Faculty have reached a tentative agreement over benefits for the 2008-09 academic year, district and union officials said. The contract agreement was reached between the UF and the district’s Human Resources Office, but has not been ratified. UF President Jeffrey Michels expects it to be ratified by district faculty by the end of September. Included in the agreement reached over about 10 days of negotiations during the spring are a 2 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1 of this year, an agreement for a new description of A/C, or overload, and a dental insurance deal for part-time faculty. “It’s a lot of small steps,” Dr. Michels said. “I feel good about the agreement and hope the faculty do too.” Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Gene Huff said faculty members would not know their salary increase for the year until the state budget is passed. Faculty salary is calculated by a formula that was decided in last year’s negotiations, he said. Due to the limited budget from the state, however, there may be no cost of living adjustments (COLA), which is up as much as 5 percent, Michels said. If there is any adjustment, it will be slight, said Michels and Rudy Zeller, UF vice president. “There possibly might be some COLA,” Zeller said. Although Michels hopes there will be a COLA, even as much as 1.67, he is prepared for not receiving any. “We’d like there to be a COLA, even if it’s not the full COLA,” he said. Michels met with Republican East and Central Contra Costa County Assemblyman Guy Houston and said he was less optimistic about receiving a COLA afterward. “We’re not keeping up with the cost of living with our salaries,” Michels said. He said despite the lack of a COLA, the salary increase is progress in getting the
district’s faculty “back up to competitive range. We’re doing better than most districts this year.” Zeller estimates growth at 3.5 percent and said he understands no other community colleges are getting any pay increase. By increasing salary, Zeller said, the district is placing itself among the top three Bay Area college districts. “Last year was a footstep,” he said. “It showed good faith. If we are going to be a top college in the country, the salary should reflect that. We are going in the right direction.” A new benefit in the district is a dental insurance plan for its part-time faculty. Through Delta Dental, there are two plans available to part-timers, which Huff said are comparable to the plan full-time faculty members receive. “The district will pay into the program a proportion of the premium,” he said. For example, Huff said, if a part-time faculty member works half a full schedule, the district will pay that minus 6 percent of that person’s premium — 44 percent. Delta Dental, however, requires at least 100 employees sign up by Friday for the program or it will be dropped, Zeller said. The district is one of a few to offer dental insurance to part-time faculty members, Michels said. “We’ll see how important it is to our part-time faculty if they sign up,” he said. “I think it’s a really big step. The availability of A/C, or overload, was also adjusted in this year’s UF negotiations, allowing for more time and pay. “It’s a nice step, but not quite as far as we might have hoped,” Michels said. Although time for maternity leave was changed in negotiations, Michels said changing the amount of time given for family leave was not accomplished. In addition to that, changes to calculating office hours, including online time, were topics not changed in this year’s agreements, Michels said. Despite this, he is pleased with the progress made in the negotiations and the framework set for next year’s deals. Michels said he would run for re-election as the UF president next year to try to accomplish some of the tasks he was not able to this year, as well as some that were not on the table. Contact Brett Abel advocate@gmail.com.
at
babel.
Internship seminar generates positive feedback By Isaac Thomas PHOTO EDITOR
The Center for Science Excellence held a student presentation sharing summer internship experiences on Friday in PS-132. CSE students were asked to come to the seminar with slide shows and answer questions for the audience and professors. “The goal of the seminar was to encourage our students to apply for these internships that are available to them,” CSE Director Seti Sidharta. On the panel of students were Contra Costa College students Carolina Almanza, Rudy Badaracco,
Cruz Peregrina, Alfredo Hernandez, Amrit Hothi, Sam Woodruff and Yibo Sun. All of the students were offered summer internships by a program named Community College Internships, which offers paid internships for community college students who are studying science, engineering and technology. “The application process is a very long process. We encourage our students to apply for the CCI internships over the Christmas break,” Sidharta said. “Most kids are scared to apply at first, but then they end up applying and getting good paid internships. You just have to look.” Where the students choose to attend these internships is fully up to them.
“You get a few offers from different agencies and then you choose the one that fits you the best,” Peregrina said. He was chosen to complete his internship at a 10week assignment at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His job was to test electronic lab equipment and record in a database, whether or not the equipment passed safety inspection. Woodruff was accepted to complete an internship at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he studied transition medals. “I believe that I got my specific internship because I wanted to do some dangerous form of science,” Woodruff said.
Among the other students in the seminar, there were all types of scientific internships. Almanza talked about how she was on a research team developed to test the effect of cannabinoids on cancer cells at the California Pacific Medical Center. Badaracco studied physics and engineering at UC Davis. Similarly, Sun studied biological science at UC Davis. Overall, student reaction was positive. “The seminar was very informative and interesting. I am absolutely going to look for an internship,” student Daniel Nowitski said. Contact Isaac Thomas advocate@gmail.com.
at
ithomas.
Long-time teacher shares experience Multimedia ace moves to top of art department By Diana Reyes STAFF WRITER
Former Contra Costa College student and current multimedia professor John Diestler is the new art department chairman, as of this semester. Diestler embarked on his journey at CCC as a student in the spring of 1967. In 1970, before he could graduate, however, he was drafted. Three years later, he returned to CCC as a student employee, eventually becoming a full-time faculty member as an art and multimedia professor. For over a decade, Dr. Richard Akers, who worked with Diestler for several years, has served as art department chairman, before becoming Academic Senate president this year. In 2006, Akers took a year off working on his doctoral degree, resulting in the selection of Diestler as temporary department chairman, giving him a glimpse of the position he would eventually
hold permanently. “Although the experience was good, I felt more hands-on in the classroom and lab,” Diestler said. His goal to serve the college community and students, as well as doing what he could for the art department, however, was still significant. According to Akers, Diestler was appointed art department chairman not only for the experience he already mastered, but also for his seniority. “(Diestler) has been here for around 25 to 30 years. His life has been CCC,” Akers said. “I am sure (he) will bring stuff to the art department that I couldn’t. “(Diestler) is a technology guy, therefore his skills definitely (will aid) the department,” he said. Due to increased workload, Diestler gave up his Graphic Communication 140 (Photo Imaging and Enhancing) class, which he taught for 20 years. With instructional assistant Eric Sanchez in the art department, not many classes are being canceled, Diestler said. Introduced to the class by Diestler over a period of time, Sanchez will teach this semester’s Graphic Communication 140 class. “He asked me to teach the
class and I seized the opportunity,” Sanchez said. In addition to his chairmanship duties, Diestler is teaching Art Appreciation, Digital Photography, Digital Art and helping oversee the art and graphics labs. “This is an exciting year,” he said. “Classes are really full. More students are taking classes, which shows that people are interested.” Diestler also plans to add new courses in the department. He said that with the addition of the jewelry class when Akers was department chairman, the expansion of the art department has been really good. “I would like to add an ethnic art class,” he said, “It’ll be good for people to express their ethnic backgrounds through art.” With hopes to expand the art department, Diestler said he would like to keep all the programs and the promise to hire more staff members. Additionally, he would like to rehire staff members who were laid off. Diestler said he wants to focus on student interests and make connections with them to address their wants and needs. “He has a good relationship with teachers and staff,” Sanchez
ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE
Man of many talents — After taking over for former art department chairman Richard Akers this semester, art and multimedia professor, and former Contra Costa College student, John Diestler plans to add new courses and expand the department. said of Diestler. Akers is sure that Diestler will have a better relationship with the staff than he did, due to his talent of sharing his vast amount of knowledge. Similarly, Sanchez said Diestler’s willingness to collaborate is one of his strongest attributes. “(Diestler) shares his experience with the college and is always looking at ways to collaborate with other departments across campus since he is well connected,” Sanchez said.
In addition to his communication skills, Diestler is also a dedicated father and husband. “His family is high on his priority list,” Akers said. “I recognize that probably the biggest struggle would be juggling the relationship with his family and his time at work.” Diestler has a daughter who is currently taking classes at the college and his wife, Sherry, is speech department chairwoman. Akers said he capitalized on Diestler’s skill sets and willingness to better the art department.
“I hope that (Diestler) keeps doing his best as he’s done at every job he’s had,” he said. “Even though at times there are very few support systems.” Many in the art department are excited about Diestler’s potential as chairman and about the next year. “This is a really good upcoming year with a lot of good opportunities,” Sanchez said. Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes.advocate@gmail.com.
6 THE ADVOCATE
CAMPUS BEAT
l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008
Display of reverence — Faculty, staff and students give a standing ovation in memory of Martin Padilla during college President McKinley Williams’ closing speech at a memorial in
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
LA-100 on Monday. The event honored the former evening and Saturday program monitor, who was killed in a head-on collision on Aug. 28 in Pinole.
Memorial celebrates life of campus ‘hero’ Service remembers late Martin Padilla, helps college grieve By Justin Morrison EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
An emotional memorial service for Martin Padilla was held in LA-100 on Monday at noon where faculty, friends and family gathered to bid him farewell. Padilla, who served as evening and Saturday program monitor, was killed Aug. 28 in Pinole, when a suspected car thief and parolee crashed head-on into his sport utility wagon. After an opening speech by President McKinley Williams, the floor was turned over to Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez, Classified Senate President John Christensen and finally Academic Senate Vice President Leverett Smith before an open microphone was offered
for anyone with something to say about the late Padilla. “It was so touching,” wife Nanette Barce-Padilla said. Padilla’s father, mother and two sisters attended the service, beside his widow. “They needed to hear what he actually did for the college. His mother was crying, but she was happy,” she said. Williams organized the service after seeing the state of grief around campus following Padilla’s death. “(I) was taken aback by the people grieving and really in a state of shock,” he said. “It was apparent to me that it was just something we needed to do.” Padilla was a real asset to the college, and as referenced by many of the speakers who went up to the podium, always willing to help, Williams said. “(The memorial was) a way to grieve for him and bring closure to the loose ends. I think it was very important for CCC to go through this,” he said. The service was not only a chance to provide closure and honor Padilla, but
to also help the campus with its grief, Hernandez said. For some, there is still more mourning, but it “puts us on the road to healing,” he said. “It’s a very good start and a necessary one,” Hernandez said. According to counselor Al Zuniga, the college provided Padilla with a place to resonate his soul. Zuniga said he spent 45 minutes at a time talking to Padilla, but never got to say, “I love you.” The service gave Zuniga that chance. “I’m sure he heard me,” he said. It gave Barce-Padilla a sense of closure as well. The outpouring of emotion from the campus and all the e-mails people sent helped her feel better, she said. “When we first got married, we used to fight about how much he was (at CCC),” Barce-Padilla said. “But as we were together, I realized how much he loved what he did.” Hernandez remembered Padilla as a
ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE
Blossoms for the bereaved — Denise Chan, assistant to the college Foundation director, presents the family of evening and Saturday program monitor Martin Padilla with sunflowers. “blue-collared hero” who would always be there when somebody needed him. Padilla was easy to be taken for granted at times, Hernandez said, but his spirit of giving needs to be remembered. “He was so simple, yet so powerful,” Hernandez said. “I admired how he never wavered.” The service offered solace for the campus, Williams said. “It was a good way to bring everyone
together and help one another grieve and express our feelings,” he said. For Barce-Padilla, it was overwhelming. “I just don’t have enough words to say thank you,” she said. “They did us a great favor and it was nice to hear them talk about Martin and it helps ease the pain.” Contact Justin Morrison at jmorrison.advocate@gmail.com.
Padilla | Beloved night, weekend monitor dies in head-on collision ■ FROM: Page 1
“I was just shocked (when they told me),” Barce-Padilla said. “I was just crying.” Padilla, who was the evening and Saturday program monitor and easily recognized by his collared shirt, tie and red sweater, was killed on his way to the college when a parolee suspected of stealing a car crashed the Nissan he was driving into Padilla’s sport utility wagon, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s officers said. Capt. Daniel Terry of the Sheriff ’s Office said, around 4:05 that afternoon, 28-year-old Michael Jason Moore, who Terry said has an extensive criminal his-
tory and was wanted by the sheriff’s Parole Office, led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through Pinole and on Interstate 80 until he exited the freeway, speeding down Pinole Valley Road. Although he momentarily lost the deputies pursuing him, Terry said, Moore lost control of his vehicle around 4:15 before colliding into Padilla’s vehicle. Terry said Padilla was pronounced dead from blunt force trauma at the scene. “It’s a tragic end attributed to the total disregard for anyone else or public safety,” Terry said. Moore is currently at John
Muir Hospital being treated for head injuries sustained during the crash, Terry said. If medically cleared from the hospital, Moore will be transferred to the county’s main detention facility in Martinez, Terry said. After pursuit, the police lost sight of Moore, Terry said, and did not see the fatal collision. “We are still retracing our steps,” Terry said. Sheriff ’s Office spokesman Jimmy Lee said the incident is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, the Pinole Police Department and the CHP. “There should be different layers to it,” Lee said. “Because it
was in Pinole, they handle traffic, it was our pursuit to begin with and the CHP’s expertise in traffic collision.” Moore is currently charged with gross vehicular manslaughter — the unlawful killing of someone else without knowledge or intent — felony failure to yield, resisting an executive officer and a parole violation, Terry said. The manslaughter charge, however, could be raised to murder in the second degree, Terry said. “We’re talking to the district attorney about a (second-degree murder) charge,” he said. Padilla’s death came not only as a shock to his family at home,
but also to those he saw everyday at the college. His stability during the nights and Saturdays was one that did not go unrecognized, although it was sometimes understated. “I could count on my hands the number of times (Padilla) missed because he was sick,” college President McKinley Williams said. “He was very dependable.” Padilla was known for his help across campus, frequently on the move to aid various students, administrators and faculty at any time. “His concern about the college and our students is legendary,” Williams said. “Evening faculty
tell stories about how (Padilla) helped them in one way or another.” In his place, his assistant Melissa Cavenecia will be patrolling the campus until a full-time replacement is found. Cavenecia has been working with Padilla since last year. “Everything he did, I had a chance to do it a couple times,” she said. “Pretty much, I know what I’m doing. “I picked up a lot from him,” she said. “He was a great person. I want to make him proud.” Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.
Red sweater | Campus ‘angel’ exemplified service, unselfishness ■ FROM: Page 1
In order to maintain this regularity, Padilla worked tirelessly across the campus, completing a variety of tasks ranging from making copies for an instructor to aiding students when their car batteries failed. Biological sciences department Chairwoman Kathryn Levine said Padilla would often arrive at the college around 4 a.m. on Saturday, despite staying on campus late the night before, to turn on the boiler, ensuring heat would be available for classes starting at 9 a.m. “He did so much more than his description,” Dr. Levine said. “If they found someone who could do everything in the job description, they’d only be doing about half of what (Padilla did).” Sadly, the college must perform such a search, as Padilla was killed on Aug. 28 in Pinole when a suspected car thief and parolee crashed head-on into Padilla’s sport utility wagon during a police pursuit. Coroners announced Padilla, 51, dead at the scene, in front of Ellerhorst Elementary School less than a mile from his home, from blunt force trauma, Contra Costa County Sheriff Capt. Daniel Terry said. Padilla’s service was held on Sept. 2 in El Cerrito and the college honored him with a memorial on Monday in LA-100. Although a tribute has yet to be made official, Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez has suggested naming the Student Services Center after the college employee of 22 years, as he considered Padilla to be the epitome of service. “For an individual like that, you can never do enough to honor what he contributed,” he said.
Padilla and Hernandez began working at CCC within a year of each other, both starting as adjunct faculty. As they continued working at the college, taking on different roles, they maintained a strong relationship. Hernandez described his former co-worker as one of the most giving people he has ever met, with the ability to recognize needs even when unspoken. Although Hernandez was not working Aug. 29 when news of Padilla’s death spread through campus, he returned the following Tuesday to find out just how much the loss had affected faculty and staff. “I was taken aback by the emotional residue still in people,” he said. Counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez helped a number of persons who came in to grieve and share their memories of the man in the red sweater. She said the experience was not only trying for the people they saw, but for the counselors as well. “It’s difficult for us as counselors too, because we were close to him,” Valdez-Jimenez said. The loss of Padilla had such a profound impact at CCC because he touched the lives of so many people on campus, President McKinley Williams said. No group at the college felt the Padilla’s influence more than those involved in PACE, or the Program for Adult College Education. Designed to further the education of working adults, PACE typically organizes evening and Saturday classes. This meant Padilla’s occupation served as the perfect complement and he quickly became a staple among those in the program. “For the evening population and faculty, he was the college,” Lee Brelie, PACE co-coordinator, said.
Even though it was his job to make sure everything on campus ran smoothly at night, Padilla was also the man who took care of the college when nothing did. During a blackout, Brelie recalled, it was Padilla who escorted people down stairs with a flashlight and made sure they arrived at their cars safely. Such ample effort exemplified Padilla. “He would do When the SSC first opened in June and anything for students were unable anybody. That’s to locate it, he did not just give them direchow he was” tions, Padilla walked them to the building Nanette Barce-Padilla, and helped them find wife whatever service they needed, Brelie said. According to Padilla’s assistant and student worker Melissa Cavenecia, he liked to be thorough and finish tasks ahead of time. His former assistant, Rene Martinez, agreed and said that working with Padilla was always a delight. “His personality was the kind that made you want to work for him and support him and what he was there for,” Martinez said. Padilla’s devotion to CCC and his occupation was such that, although he worked 40 hours a week at his day job helping developmentally disabled adults in San Leandro, he still tallied about another 20 each week on campus. Nanette Barce-Padilla, Martin’s wife, said her husband liked to work and 60-hour weeks were often
the norm. Martin and Nanette met in 1990 through a service where people discover new friends and sometimes love interests. His gentle eyes and soft-spoken demeanor attracted Nanette and the two married each other less than a year later. She would soon learn of his unselfishness and commitment to aiding others. “He would do anything for anybody,” BarcePadilla said. “That’s how he was.” Although they never had children, the couple loved their many pets, including two birds, a cat and two dogs. Keeping in line with Padilla’s desire to assist those in need, both the cat and one of the dogs were rescued from separate animal shelters. Born in Merced to Joseph and Joanna Padilla, Martin’s upbringing involved such lessons of helping others, as he attended Catholic school at a young age. It was here that Padilla began the practice of wearing his characteristic outfit, including the red sweater, Barce-Padilla said. The religious origins of his attire are coincidentally appropriate, as Brelie referred to him as the “angel who oversaw the college at night.” While such strong sentiments are common offerings given to those who die, McClain said even the most familiar of platitudes were applicable when it came to Padilla. “All the superlatives and accolades people say about other people — they were true about Martin.” Contact Alec Surmani advocate@gmail.com.
at
asurmani.
SPORTS
Mustangs trample CCC in 61-7 rout Comets fall flat in season opener to district rivals By Jeff Carillo SPORTS EDITOR
PITTSBURG — Facing a bigger, faster and more physical Los Medanos College team, Contra Costa College was simply overmatched in a 61-7 loss on Saturday night at Pittsburg High School. The Mustangs dominated the game from the start, striking for three quick ScoreBoard touchdowns in Mustangs 61 the first Comets 7 quarter, two of Next Game: which Saturday, c a m e vs. DVC f r o m at 1 p.m. L M C running b a c k Thomas Hampton. CCC’s next game is against Diablo Valley College on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be played at Hercules High School. “Our physicality just wasn’t there,” sophomore defensive lineman Sakpa Kpaka said. “Physically, we just weren’t ready for them.” The Comets missed several
tackles in the open field during the first half, which saw Hampton torch CCC for 96 yards and three touchdowns. LMC dominated the ground game, rushing for a total of 383 yards against the Comet defense, as opposed to only 24 yards rushing total for CCC. “Their team just wanted it more than us,” coach John McDermott said. “They were hitting harder, they were faster and they were bigger.” CCC’s offense sputtered for most of the game, as quarterback Royce Hughes struggled to find a rhythm in the first half. Hughes missed open receivers down field and completed only eight passes on 23 attempts in the first half. Blocking up front from the offensive line was stagnant, Hughes said, and caused some of the poor throws. “We came out soft and we just started slow,” he said. “What we need to do next time around is to go hard and not play around at the start.” The offense had its best drive of the night at the start of the second half, when Hughes connected with wide receiver Alberto Johnson for a 66-yard touchdown. CCC continued to struggle, however, failing to put any additional points on the board for the rest of the game. Hughes threw three interceptions in the second half after throwing none in the first half. He
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE
7
BURNED
JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE
Left in the dust — LMC running back Thomas Hampton outruns defensive backs Jason Villaruz (42) and Jesse Jacobs (25) on his way to the second of four touchdowns on the night. The Mustangs rushed for 383 yards against the Comet defense. finished 15-of-40 with 225 yards passing with one touchdown and three interceptions. “The offense needs to step up and they need to get better,” McDermott said. “They didn’t give our defense much to work with and they gave them terrible field position all game.” Despite a poor start, McDermott
said, CCC’s defense played a better game in the second half. “I thought the defense played a great game in the second half,” he said. “They got beat up early, but they settled down.” CCC allowed 146 rushing yards and only 56 yards passing in the second half. “It was tough all game long,”
Kpaka said. “As a defense, you need to feed off of your offense, and tonight it was difficult and we couldn’t get in a rhythm.” McDermott cited this game as an “evaluation” game to build on. “Our tackling needs to improve, but we’re going to take this game and analyze where we need to improve and the areas we need to
focus on to get better,” he said. CCC wide receiver Johnson was the lone standout for the offense against the Mustangs, catching six passes for 114 yards and the Comets’ only touchdown of the night. Contact Jeff Carillo at jcarillo.advocate@gmail.com.
MIDFIELDER STRIKES BACK Orosco returns to soccer squad after broken leg in 2006 By Jeff Carillo SPORTS EDITOR
JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE
Road to recovery — Vidal Orosco worked his way back into CCC’s starting lineup this season after missing last season with a broken leg. The defender practiced all year with the Comets while undergoing rehabilitation.
SportShort Defense highlights Comets’ first victory, team gets shutout, 2-0 The Comet men’s soccer team started the season on Friday with a 2-0 win over San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. The game was fairly even, coach Rudy Zeller said, with each side taking 12 shots on goal. Both goals came in the first half. Striker Ricki Salazar opened the scoring on the 10th minute and midfielder Andre Delgado scored the second goal near the end of the first half. Defense played a large part in the shutout, Zeller said, with Comet goalkeepers Luis Montano,
who played 70 minutes, and Frankie Carrasco, who played the final 20 minutes, earning a total of four saves. “We played good for our first match,” Zeller said. “This has the making of a good team.” CCC takes on Chabot College on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at home. The game will be a fundraising benefit with all proceeds going to the recovery of former men’s soccer player Rich Zuniga, who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2006. — Dariush Azmoudeh
Standing at a mere 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing only 146 pounds, Vidal Orosco is smaller in stature than nearly all of his men’s soccer teammates. Despite this limitation, Orosco has garnered the respect of his teammates and coaches through his sheer determination, work ethic and energetic style of play on the field. Just two seasons ago, Orosco thought his playing career was over when he broke his leg during a Comet game. Now he finds himself back on the Contra Costa College men’s soccer team in 2008. The redshirt midfielder rehabilitated and worked out extensively with the team during practices last season and has now earned a spot back in the Comets’ starting lineup. The injury occurred in a game against Chabot College at home during the 2006 season. The Comets were tied 0-0, when Orosco suffered a broken right leg on a play where he went into a slide tackle and collided with an opponent. The sight of Orosco lying on the field unable to stand up under his own power resonates in the mind of coach Rudy Zeller. “I’ll never forget that game,” Zeller said. “It was just a shame to see (Orosco) go down like that.” After the collision, the next thing Orosco remembered was the cringing sound of the loud crash and the deafening pop in his leg as he attempted to stand up.
Box scores Football (61-7)
Contra Costa, Los Medanos CCC 0 0 7 0 —7 LMC 20 13 14 14 — 61 First Quarter LMC — Clift 15 yd pass from McDaniels (Crosby kick) LMC — Hampton 27 yd (Crosby kick) LMC — Hampton 1 yd run (Crosby miss) Second Quarter LMC — McDaniels 1 yd run (Crosby miss) LMC — Hampton 8 yd run (Crosby kick) Third Quarter CCC — Johnson 66 yd pass from Hughes (Naterman kick) LMC — Hampton 6 yd run (Crosby kick) LMC — Carson 34 yd run (Crosby kick) Fourth Quarter LMC — Carson 44 yd run (Crosby kick) LMC — Akins 12 yd run (Crosby kick) Individual statistics Rushing — CCC — Smith 7-8, Hughes 107, Gallon 4-2, Johnson 1-1, Villaruz 4-6. — LMC — Hampton 15-133, Thompson 5-11, McDaniels 1-1, Carson 5-86, Brown 2-17, Akins 9-49, 3-17. Passing — CCC — Hughes 8-20-1 225, Johnson 0-1-0 0. — LMC — McDaniels 8-14-1 164, Carson 0-0-0 0. Receiving — CCC — Allen 2-70, Zrihen 1-5, Johnson 6-114, Smith 2-17, Gallon 1-7. — LMC — Clift 3-71, Masters 1-12, Stoddard 2-68, Hampton 1-8,
“It just sounded like a hard crash,” he said. “I broke my shin guard completely on the play and I heard the pop and I just thought right there that it was over.” As he was carted off the field and into the ambulance, Orosco believed that his days playing soccer were ultimately over, a frightening thought for the midfielder. “I was just scared that I wouldn’t be able to play the game I love anymore,” he said. “I was in tears, screaming in pain on the field.” On top of that, Orosco injured his left knee just one year earlier, as the Richmond native had surgery on his left knee to repair his ACL and his MCL. After choosing to put his leg in a cast, rather than take a chance on a risky surgery that would have put him back on the field faster, Orosco underwent six months of difficult rehabilitation. Surgery would have placed a metal rod in Orosco’s leg, but it ran the risk of ending his career completely if he ever injured the leg again. “I thought it was just too risky to go with the surgery,” he said. “The bone could’ve been shattered if something happened again.” What inspired Orosco’s comeback most was the talent and strong play of the men’s soccer team last season. The Comets finished with a 9-10-3 overall record, and a 7-3-2 mark in the Bay Valley Conference, a big leap from 2006 when Orosco last played for CCC. “Last year’s team blew me out of the water with their talent,” Orosco said. “They really made me want to get out on the field with them and play.” Once he was off the cast, he began his rehabilitation by going to physical therapy sessions and rebuilding the strength, primarily in his ankle, which lost most of its mobility. “It was like starting all over and learning to walk again,” Orosco said. He also made frequent visits to 24
Palacios 1-8. Missed field goals — CCC — Naterman 0-1. Record — CCC — 0-1. — LMC— 1-0.
Schedule Football Saturday vs. Diablo Valley, 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Hartnell, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 vs. De Anza, 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at Gavilan, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 BYE Oct. 18 vs. Redwoods, 1 p.m.
Hour Fitness, working out on the stationary bike five days a week and performing balancing exercises to help put pressure on his legs. Once CCC resumed practice for the 2007 season, Orosco joined the team, even though he was not on the roster. He attended every team practice in hopes of playing in 2008, which was extremely difficult, Orosco said. “It was hard to keep up and I wanted to do more,” he said. “I made myself work twice as hard to get back to playing at a higher level.” Despite his limited play on the field, Orosco remained one of the most popular players on the team. “He’s a cool guy with everyone,” Comet defender Matt Wade said, “and he gets you to open up and play.” “On this team, he’s probably the coolest and funniest guy we have,” fellow midfielder Francisco Camacho said. “He’ll mess around with people and mix things up, which always makes things more fun.” The 25-year-old limped for nearly the first month of practice, but worked his way back to the top. In six months, he was back playing at 100 percent. “He helped out the team a lot last year and now,” Camacho said. “The fact that he kept coming to practice less than 100 percent and gave it his all kept our team in check and gave us something to build on.” Zeller remarked on the progress Orosco has made since last year and the overall excellence he represents on the field. “He’s the type of player and person you want on your team,” Zeller said. “On the field, he’s got great skills and off the field, he’s a guy you love to be around and he’s what you want out of a student-athlete.” Contact Jeff Carillo at jcarillo. advocate@gmail.com.
Game of the Week Football Contra Costa College VS.
Diablo Valley College When: Saturday, 1 p.m. Where: Hercules High School Records: CCC 0-1 overall, 0-0 in the BVC. Diablo Valley 0-1 overall, 0-0 in the Golden Gate Conference. Background: The Comets take on district rival Diablo Valley College in their first home game. Due to the construction on the football field, however, the game will be played at Hercules High School. Last season, CCC suffered its worst loss of the year on the road against the Vikings, 57-0. The Comets hope to have more success rushing the ball, which they failed to do against Los Medanos College Saturday. — Jeff Carillo
8 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed
Movies
Faculty showcases own work Professors prove their ability with personal creations
This week: “Burn After Reading” (R) “Righteous Kill” (R) “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys” (PG-13)
DVDs
New releases: “The Forbidden Kingdom” (PG-13) “Baby Mama” (PG-13) “Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour” (PG)
CDs
New releases: Metallica: “Death Magnetic” Mitch Hedberg: “Do You Believe in Gosh?” Gym Class Heroes: “The Quilt” LL Cool J: “Exit 13” Jessica Simpson: “Do You Know”
Books
SCENE
l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2008
By Sam Attal STAFF WRITER
Years of hard work and talent filled the empty space of the Eddie Rhodes Gallery during the fourth annual Faculty Art show. Held from Aug. 18 to Sept. 5, the gallery hosted 17 faculty members’ artwork with media including copper, cast iron, black and white prints and gelatin silver prints. The show was held to display the potential of the faculty and staff, former art department chairman Richard Akers said. “I believe it “Most is essential that we practice what of us are we teach. I don’t working believe you can teach without artists in one practice,” Dr. way, shape Akers said. With pieces or form.” from both fulltime and adjunct Eric Sanchez, faculty, the galinstructional assistant lery’s walls were filled with artwork. Some works resided on small display pillars and even on the floor. The majority of the artwork was created on campus in their respective departments. “Most of us are working artists in one way, shape or form,” art department instructional assistant Eric Sanchez said. Upon entering the gallery, attendees would first notice three pieces of art department helper Ray Jeffre’s ceramic horsehair and raku pottery. “I just enjoy making things — it’s a thrill. (If) you come to my house you’re going to have something to drink out of a mug I made,” Jeffre said. In the corner of the gallery stood a
bronze casted self-portrait of Akers, co-created with beginning figurative sculpture instructor JiaJun Lu, who cast the stone base for the head. The walls were decorated with a variety of paintings, photographs and digital prints. A wire statue portraying a dancer, created by professor Wendy McDermott, hung high up on the west wall of the gallery next to two digital prints created by art department Chairman John Diestler. A couple of digital prints created by Sanchez showing a scanned cockroach multiplied in Adobe Photoshop stood on the north wall. According to Sanchez, the cockroach was rearranged nine times by the arms and legs before scanned. Alongside Sanchez’s prints stood two traditional black and white photographs created in a darkroom by photography professor Ron Moroni. The photographs showed what Moroni described as statues portraying humans and humans portraying statues. The eastern wall showed off a mock camel head made with a torn apart boot and fake hair. Created by Art Appreciation professor Mark Leavitt, the piece was designed to hold symbolic meaning toward the current war in Iraq. Alongside the camel, painting professor Frank Cole displayed a painting created with acrylic on campus, displaying both art and text. On the southern wall stood two oil paintings created by professor Donna Fenstermaker. “I think it’s a strong show,” Akers said. “All this work came out of this school.” Additionally, the show exhibited some works for sale. Prices ranged from $20 to $3,700. The pieces are still for sale. For more information, contact the art department at 510-235-7800, ext. 4261.
Breaking the mold — Former art department chairman Richard Akers poses with his selfportrait, “In the Woods,” in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Sept. 3. Akers is currently serving as Academic Senate president.
Contact Sam Attal at sattal. advocate@gmail.com. SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE
Football franchise scores with latest release Refined graphics, realistic movement refresh ‘Madden’ By Dariush Azmoudeh STAFF WRITER
The new football season means a new “Madden” game. Over the years there have been many NFL video games, from “GameDay” to “Blitz” to the “2K” series, but none has lasted as long as the “Madden” series. “Madden,” now entering its 20th anniversary, is the only officially licensed NFL game. The series has always placed
friends, siblings and even enemies up against each other to see who gets bragging rights. With this year’s new features, the rivalries are about to heat up. Each gamer now has a Madden IQ, which determines how good a gamer is. Gamers with low Madden IQs playing against someone with a high IQ will get an assist by the computer so the game will not be totally one-sided. The new EA SPORTS Rewind is something gamers will really start a fight about. It is basically a redo on plays and can be helpful at times, but it’s also cheap. Let’s say one is playing defense and catches an intercep-
tion, returning it 50 yards for a touchdown. After the play, however, his gamereview opponent can hit the rewind button and the defense loses its interception and “Madden 09” touchdown, and ★★★★★ his opponent gets Studio: EA the ball back. SPORTS Remember Genre: Sports MSRP: $59.99 when the NFL told their players to tone down touchdown celebrations? Well in “Madden 09,” players take it up a notch and can perform a variety of moves, from spiking the ball to doing a slamdunk on the goal post.
mode and there is no way of telling what the opponent’s away jersey is. Overall, however, “Madden 09” is a good game. First-timers might get frustrated by getting sacked and throwing interceptions all the time, but the Madden IQ is there to help. For people who have “Madden 08,” they should wait a little longer for the price to drop before getting this game, but for anyone with extra money, the new features make it worth buying the latest version. Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail. com.
Time-tested plot draws audience into Depression
New releases: Neal Stephenson: “Anathem”
‘Petrified Forest’ analyzes 1930s era of hardships
Rick Riordan: “39 Clues: Maze of Bones”
By Sam Attal STAFF WRITER
Suzanne Somers: “Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness” Thomas L. Friedman: “Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — and How It Can Renew America” Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.
A big upgrade is the realistic running movements. Players dodging and breaking tackles now look like the real thing. The graphics are better as well. Players look more realistic and the stadiums look like the actual thing, inside and outside. But the game is not perfect, and there are some glitches. For example, after kicking a field goal from about 40 yards away on a fourth down and having it fall short and into an opposing player’s hands, the play stops and gives the kicking team a first down from the position they kicked it from. Aside from glitches, there are also design problems. The uniform selections have no preview
JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE
Choked up — Actors Kyle Johnson (left) and Craig Eychner confront each other over the love of the protagonist, in the Masquers’ Playhouse’s version of “The Petrified Forest,” running through Sept. 27 in Point Richmond.
Point Richmond’s Masquers Playhouse is hosting “The Petrified Forest,” a 1936 play of love, crime and the hard times of the Depression Era. Displaying the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the 1930s, the whole play takes place in a small-time gas station diner located in the desert of Black Mesa, Ariz. The first act features the hardworking Gabby Maple, a waitress working at her family’s diner. Maple, portrayed by Laura Morgan, expresses her desire to one day leave the family business to pursue her goals of becoming a successful painter in France. She studies French art and poetry in her free time, wishing to one day delve into the culture. Her grandfather, a retired old-timer simply known as “Gramps,” portrayed by George Adams, wishes to remain in Black Mesa while her father, Jason Maple, played by John Burke, wants to move to Los Angeles. Gabby and her father remain in Black Mesa due to Gramps’ decision to withhold the family savings. Another worker, Boze, is a hopeless romantic ex-football star desperately trying for Gabby’s attention. Played by Craig Eychner, Boze constantly throws himself onto Gabby who simply gives in while in search of love. A traveling Englishman named Alan Squier, played by Kyle Johnson, soon enters the diner, spic-
ing up Gabby’s search for an attractive and well-educated man. Squier speaks of his travels and his past as a husband and writer. Gabby soon gives into Squier and decides to accompany him in his travels. Squier declines the offer and continues his journey, leaving Gabby depressed and alone at the deserted diner. A twist in the plot keeps audience members’ eyes on the stage as a mobster running from the authorities soon holds the diner hostage and continues onto the second act. The script, written by late screenwriter Robert E. Sherwood, accurately portrays life during the end of the Depression Era, but can still apply to today’s youth. “I enjoy how relevant (the script) is to today,” Morgan said. With themes of love, and the pursuit of hopes and dreams, the play relates to today’s generation. “It was an old storyline with a modern twist,” attendee Alfredo Smith said. Although the play displays minimal action, the actor’s wise talk and humor keeps the audience well entertained. “The actors were fantastic — my eyes did not leave the stage,” audience member Rima Smith said. “The Petrified Forest” will run until Sept. 27 with showings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday matinee times are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 each and reservations can be made by phone at 510-232-4031 or online at www. masquers.org/tickets. Contact Sam Attal at sattal.advocate@gmail. com.