WEDNESDAY l 10.21.15 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Academic Senate endorses state’s desire to switch to Canvas District evaluates joining Online Education Initiative’s pilot program
TRANSPLANT DIGS ROOTS IN BAY AREA, THRIVES PAGE 11
BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorotti.advocate@gmail.com
The District Distance Education Committee (DDEC) organized demonstrations at its three campuses last week to inform people about the state’s offer for its colleges to pilot Canvas for free until 2018-19 by joining its Online Education Initiative (OEI). Representatives from Instructure, developers of Canvas’ online learning system, and California Community College Chancellor’s Office gave a presentation at Contra Costa College in LLRC-107 last Wednesday amid their districtwide tour. On Monday, CCC’s Academic Senate
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unanimously endorsed that Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board vote to join OEI’s pilot program before the January deadline after reviewing the results from an online faculty distance education survey. At the meeting, DDEC co-chair-
ABOVE: Online Education Initiative Statewide Program Director Steve Klein explains the district’s options with OEI at the Canvas demo last Wednesday in LLRC-107.
SEE DESIRE TO SWITCH, PAGE 3
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Filipino club exposes ‘forgotten’ culture invites
PAGE 9
— Steve Klein, OEI statewide program director
person and CCC’s Distance Education Coordinator Judy Flum presented the results of an online learning management survey that 40 professors answered. According to the survey about 60 percent of professors who have experience with Desire 2 Learn thought switching over to Canvas is something they would support, while 25 percent said they see little advantage and 11 percent said they are unsure. “As an instructor, I support the change from our current online learning system to Canvas,” Academic Senate President Beth Goehring said. “It has such unique
CONTRACT AGREEMENT INCREASES SALARY
Club
Satirical humor fills ‘Wonder of the World’
“When we say (Canvas) is free or at no cost to colleges, there is a cost — just that the (OEI) project is able to cover those costs.”
guest speakers to highlight Filipino lineage, history
BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Filipino American Student Union invited three guest speakers to talk about the cultural significance and forgotten history of Filipino Heritage Month on Friday in B-12. FASU club members, who helped organize the event, introduced CCC students to the three guest speakers. One of them was mathematics professor Edward Cruz, who serves as the club’s adviser. Cruz presented his musical instruments to the class, talking about different types of traditional Filipino music and dances.
“Many Filipino instruments are made of bamboo — a very lovely plant native in Philippines,” he said. “Filipino music has had some influences from the trade routes that carried (instruments) through Eastern Asia and Spain.” When Spain colonized the Philippines, he said the conquistadors left some of its influence in (Filipino) food and music. Cruz said that he was part of his Filipino folklore dance group in college and participated in the Filipino club where he gathered with other Filipino students as a community. SEE FASU, PAGE 3
ABOVE: Mathematics professor Edward Cruz plays a Gabbang during the Filipino Heritage Month event held by the Filipino American Student Union in B-12 on Friday.
Faculty receive 5 percent raise after negotiations BY Christian Urrutia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com
For the first time in nearly a decade, the district and United Faculty have negotiated a substantial raise of more than 2 percent for the contract agreement for 2015-16. The agreement was ratified at the district Governing Board meeting on Oct. 7, thereby increasing faculty salary by 5 percent, retroactive to July 1. The UF’s newsletter Table Talk states that the agreement raises salaries 5 percent overall with some variations based on faculty assignment type, adjusts faculty evaluation forms, adds steps to the full-time salary schedule and annualizes health-insurance premiums for parttime faculty. The district will also cover its full share (94 percent) of any increase in health care premiums, according to the agreement. “I think it is a real shot in the arm,” UF Vice President Jeffrey Michels, who is also a Contra Costa College English professor, said. “The raise is a good investment. Faculty are the product (of the college) and we are what we provide to the students. The better paid (faculty) are, the better they are at their jobs,” Michels said. SEE AGREEMENT, PAGE 3
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Quotable “We have a talk-show nation, and mainstream journalism has moved into that arena, with dangerous implications.” Carl Bernstein journalist 1998 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Jared Amdahl opinion editor Robert Clinton sports editor Mike Thomas scene editor Jose Jimenez spotlight editor Cody Casares photo editor Marci Suela editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Asma Alkrizy Benjamin Bassham Brian Boyle Joseph Bennett Keno Greene Xavier Johnson Magali Mercado Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Larry Wickett Staff photographers Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.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
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2015 VOL. 103, NO. 7
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM
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EDITORIAL DESIRE TO SWITCH Academic senates needs to take initiative, endorse online option
I
t is clear now. Since the Contra Costa Community College District experienced its first semester using Desire to Learn as its only online learning system, it should have picked its second choice — Canvas. The Advocate agrees that deciding between the four vendors that responded to the district’s request for proposals in order to select a districtwide online education vendor was no easy task. Especially in 2012 during times of economic uncertainty and ongoing budget cuts. This year, however, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office has received its largest budget in recent memory from Gov. Jerry Brown to bolster student success than it had anticipated when it created its Online Education Initiative in the midst of that recession. So when the state is offering to pay the district to switch over from the maddening lack of support from D2L as an online learning system to Canvas’ user friendly, regularly updated software through 201819, and at a discounted rate of two thirds of the price afterward without having to sever ties with D2L immediately — it is an obvious choice. The Advocate urges that the academic senates from Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College act quickly to follow the example set by Contra Costa College’s Academic Senate and endorse the switch over to a new online learning system that is much simpler for faculty, and especially students, to use. CCCCD Director of Communications Tim Leong said the Governing Board’s decision is anticipated at its Dec. 9 meeting. OEI Statewide Program Director Steve Klein said if the Governing Board voted to join, then the college would be able to begin the 18-month long transition period by April 2016. This timeframe would give faculty and students across its three campuses enough time to wean itself off D2L and embrace Canvas’ tools and resources. Further, The Advocate partially agrees with Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh who said the district was approached at a convenient time, considering that it just renewed its contract with D2L for another two years. At first it may seem like a waste of money, but Mehdizadeh said the experation date of the renewed contract with D2L coincidently matches up with time frame that would allow the district to adopt Canvas districtwide without having to endure another year of blackouts and its inept email system. But this scenario will only happen if people involved with the decision at all three colleges act quickly to ensure that the Governing Board will vote to join the OEI based off the recommendation that the district’s Consultation Council will share with the board at its Nov. 10 meeting. And while Klein said that if the state’s OEI funding runs out after 2019 the district would be stuck with having to pay $10 per student to keep Canvas, that amount would still be cheaper than D2L’s current annual rate.
MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE
■ SELF DISCOVERY
Plunge into martial arts reveals inner peace C ompared to the players on the football team I am a terrible athlete. I am 160 pounds and barely measure 5 feet 5 inches. I have an awful 40-yard dash time that would make an offensive lineman, who aren’t normally very fast, look like Bo Jackson in his prime. I can barely bench press my body-weight and I’m scared of the squat rack. Despite all of this I want to make a living as an athlete. More specifically, as a mixed martial arts fighter. But that’s OK, because I learned winning is not based solely on a physical prowess, but rather a combination of that, mixed with how I carry myself during an athletic event. For the uninitiated, mixed martial arts is a combat sport that is a combination of all martial arts. The base styles in MMA are kick-boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. For the past year I have been undergoing what I like to call my “internship” as an amateur mixed martial artist. I’m competing at the lower levels with amateurs to gain experience. So far I have earned a 2-2 record. I lost my first two fights and won my last two fights. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a human being this past year. The most important thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m not a serious guy.
I won both fights in dominant fashion. Being myself made a world of difference. When I was trying to be something I am not — a super serious machine — I felt uncomfortable and unfocused. When I let I do my best when I am go and was myself I felt my same goofy self, even unstoppable. in the midst of a dangerThis is ous competition. “Being a lesson I I learned this lesson can take in my second fight. After myself with me all losing my first fight my life. I made a I thought that maybe need to be I needed to get more myself and world of pumped up and angry like not worry the other guys I see in the difference. about what locker room. others have Unfortunately, I made When I done. As the decision to be serious the day before so was trying long as I’m improving my walkout music was and achievto be the theme song from ing my “Friends.” It was quite something goals then the contrast. I walked I’m on the out to the cage with the I am not — right track. intensity of Ray Lewis So, I and fought aggressively. a super guess I’m I got knocked out in 29 not that serious seconds. terrible of After my headache machine — an athlete. subsided I realized my It is somemartial arts is a reflection I felt thing I am of who I am. In order to best perform I need to uncomfort- improving on every be loose and have fun. I day. I able can’t get too pumped up should stop because that’s not the kind and comparing of person I am. myself to For my next two fights unfocused.” high-levI decided to just have el college fun. I had the announcer athletes and just work on introduce me as goofy being me, but better. nicknames like “Django Unchained” and “The Xavier Johnson is a staff Undertaker.” I smiled, writer for The Advocate. taunted in the fights and Contact him at xjohnson. even came out to goofy theadvocate@gmail.com. walkout music.
xavierjohnson
CAMPUS COMMENT
What has your experiences been with Desire 2 Learn?
“When a lot of people are on it, it crashes. This is really inconvenient.”
“It is good. I actually really like it. It is easy to use and the dropbox is helpful.”
“It is great. I can view all my assignments and do quizzes all in one place. It helps.”
“It’s great. I can view all of assigments, and quizzes all in one place. It helps.”
Chris Salabado
Tracee Ward
Amari Mount
Angelica Aleman
nursing
sociology
sociology
emergency medical services
“It crashes a lot. If we’re going to have D2L, teachers need to update it and actually use it.”
Jshania Owens jourmalism
Brenda Beltran nursing
XAVIER JOHNSON AMD DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
“It is helpful. It keeps me organized and on track.”
campus beat Follow The Advocate
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
DESIRE TO SWITCH | District seeks input for decision Continued from Page 1
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NEWSLINE SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE NEARS FOR STUDENT AID The Bernard Osher Scholarship application deadline is Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m. In order to qualify, students must have completed at least 24 units, have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, be enrolled in at least six units for both fall (2015) and spring (2016) and qualify for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOG). Applications can be submitted to the Office of Financial Assistance in Student Services Center. For more information contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 510-215-2810.
AWARENESS
WORKSHOP TO RAISE ALERTNESS, SAFETY Police Services and the Student Life Center are putting together a series of workshops to raise awareness among students, faculty and the Contra Costa College community on maintaining safe surroundings Thursday from 12-1 p.m. in HS-3. The workshops will aim to help students become more comfortable through emergency preparedness, a film presentation and live demonstration. For more information call 510215-2820.
CRIMEWATCH Monday, Oct. 12: A student’s vehicle was taken without permission. The registered owner returned to Police Services to file a report. The vehicle was later located in Richmond. Monday, Oct. 12: A victim reported his vehicle’s license plate was stolen. Tuesday, Oct. 13: Two students were stopped on a pedestrian stop. They were found to be in possession of marijuana. The students were referred to the dean of students and left without further incident. Wednesday, Oct. 14: An officer responded to a call regarding a student requesting to be evaluated for a mental illness. The student was transported to Martinez County Hospital for further medical treatment. Wednesday, Oct. 14: An officer received a report of an auto burglary that occurred on campus. Thursday, Oct. 15: A male student fell while walking down steps. The student declined medical attention and was picked up by his mother. — Roxana Amparo
— The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.
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and responsive tools for faculty and students.” LAVA Division representative on the Academic Senate Rick Ramos was at CCC and Los Medanos College for OEI and Instructure’s demonstrations. Ramos said he was impressed by many of Canvas’ features, but being able to move courses over to the next semester easily without having to manually reset dates, its user friendly grader, the option to join a statewide course exchange program and its communication functionality are what supported his endorsement. CCC’s Academic Senate is the first among the three within the district to endorse the possibility of eventually severing from its current online learning system — Desire 2 Learn. “We all hate the way email works with D2L,” Ramos said. “The (Canvas) grader notifies you what assignment you have not graded because sometimes you get tired while grading and miss a couple. CCC struggles with FTES (state funding per 15 units). But OEI course exchange gives us the opportunity to teach courses to students from across the state and bring in needed revenue — And (Canvas) is a lot easier to use than D2L.” At CCC’s Canvas demonstration, Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh gave a brief history about how Canvas was a close second to D2L when the district made its decision to select one vendor four years ago and what has changed since then to a “small but mighty group” of 10 professors and faculty before opening the floor to OEI representatives. “We were worried about the communication system and went with what appeared to be a more traditional (internal) email system (with D2L),” Mehdizadeh said. “Interestingly enough, looking back now and assessing where we are today, the piece that we disliked the absolute most about our selection with D2L is the email and communication system.” D2L’s internal email system allows students to link their personal email accounts with its specialized internal system, but the notifications simply told you have an email instead of also presenting the message. The district paid $365,000 this last fiscal year CCCCD Director of Financial Services Jonah Nicolas said. “Four years ago (Mehdizadeh) talked about the district having to decide about learning management system,” OEI Chief Academic Officer Jory Hadsell said at the demonstration. “But we are in a very different place right now in terms of (state) resources that are available for distance education. “I have been with involved with distance education since 1998 and we have
“I think the decision has to be made by the entire college community. This includes faculty, management and to some extent students.” — Richard Robinson,
never had this type of (money available). So the paradigm has shifted and it is time to reassess options.” OEI Statewide Program Director Steve Klein said after 2018-19 the state will absorb about two-thirds of the cost depending how many colleges have joined the initiative and when. “(OEI) anticipates that continued funding from the state will be at about $10 per student for years after 2018-19,” Klein said. “If funding stays at $10 a year per student then the state will pay two thirds of the cost. “When we say (Canvas) is free or at no cost to colleges there is a cost — just that the (OEI) project is able to cover those costs.” State Vice Chancellor of Communication Paul Feist said that OEI is possible because of Gov. Jerry Brown’s special education initiative to increase student’s ability to complete educational goals through online support. Feist said the state is projected to spend $10 million over the first two initial years of covering Canvas’ cost. “The later years will be more expensive,” he said, “running from $2 million to $7.5 million (annually) depending on the number of colleges involved (with OEI).” District Director of Communication Tim Leong said before the Governing Board can make a decision, it must speak with its Consultation Council that is comprised of college presidents, distance education chairpersons and academic senate presidents from LMC, Diablo Valley College and CCC. Leong and Mehdizadeh said the Governing Board is scheduled to meet with the Consultation Council on Nov. 10. Academic senates at DVC and LMC have yet to endorse its distance education committee’s support of the OEI pilot program, DVC drama professor and DDEC co-Chairperson Becky Opsata and LMC Education Technology Trainer Courtney DiPutado said. But both said DVC’s and LMC’s demonstrations had a much higher turnout than CCC’s, with 35 and 25 respectively. At all three colleges, however, there were no
current students in attendance at the demonstrations. DVC Dean of Library, Education Technology and Learning Support Richard Robinson said while there were no students at the event, he and Opsata tired to get the information to as many people on campus through the Traveling Roadshow, Academic Senate meetings, and ASU meetings. Flum and DiPutado said CCC and LMC distance education reps have scheduled meetings in October to visit the ASU and further discuss what the OEI offering. CCC’s ASU Director of Recruitment and Training Luanna Waters said Flum is scheduled for its Wednesday meeting at 2:15 p.m. in LA-204. DiPudato said a mass email was sent out to faculty at LMC, but students were not notified about the demonstration. LMC’s Distance Education Committee wants to involve more faculty and student input at its meeting on Nov 2. before it makes a recommendation for its Academic Senate to endorse joining OEI, DiPutado said. “I think the decision has to be made by the entire college community,” Robinson said. “This includes faculty, management and to some extent students. “Students tend to rotate through (community colleges) quickly, but they have to realize that this is not just a change to another learning management system. It may seem like a shortterm change, but if the district does not want to be on an island by itself then it should strongly support OEI. I do not know what the future may hold, but I know it should be a shared decision.” Leong said in the contract between the District and OEI, it states that students opinions are not required considering that it is difficult even to get faculty to show up. “It is challenging to try to do something like this in the time frame that we have,” Leong said. “Particularly with faculty whose schedules are all over the map.” Both CCC and LMC have videos of the OEI and Canvas demonstrations uploaded on YouTube for students and faculty who were unable to make it to the demonstrations. Robinson said DVC’s IT department had trouble with the video’s audio and as of press time Tuesday has not been able to upload a video of its demonstration. An anonymous comment to question eight of CCC’s online survey said, “(CCC’s) YouTube video has garbled sound. So I didn’t my best to figure (OEI) from watching (the video).” Discussions continue to develop leading up to the district decision on Dec. 9.
FASU | Cultural experiences bolster diversity, unity Continued from Page 1 “I want my kids to hold to the Filipino traditions and culture,” Cruz said. “I spend my time teaching my son how to play these instruments. My daughter knows some traditional Filipino dances. It is good to express ourselves through art.” In celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, FASU club members had the chance to promote their club and express how it is important to all underrepresented Filipino students at CCC. FASU President Janelle Knudson said, “FASU means a lot to me. We want to build unity not only for Filipinos, but for all underrepresented groups.” Gerald Macadangdang, the co-founder of FASU and CCC alum, said that he had the idea to build a club to represent all Filipinos. “I thought of the idea during the Fall Festival last year,” Macadangdang said. “I saw the Black Student Union and other represented racial groups. I talked to (Knudson) to see if we could build one for Filipinos. “I feel that Filipinos need representation in this community,” he said. “I have established connections with some people who can
help us, including (Student Life Coordinator) Erika (Greene) and Cruz who is currently our adviser for FASU.” The guest speakers also introduced CCC students to Filipino history, stressing that only few know about it, and how many have forgotten their roots. The second guest speaker, Lily Ann Villaraza, chairperson of the Filipino studies department at City College of San Francisco, showed students a film about the Delano grape strike of 1965, when Filipino field workers refused to have their labor exploited through low pay in brutal working conditions. “Many people tend to associate the Grape Strike solely with Mexicans,” she said. “They don’t know it actually started by Filipinos.” Villaraza said Filipinos who struggled for agricultural rights were known as “manongs.” The majority were old men who could not marry because of their horrible working conditions. “All they were asking from farm growers was for a wage increase to get $1.40 an hour for 10 to 12 hours of work a day,” she said. “Then Filipinos got together and decided to strike for higher wages. They wanted to be treated better without fear of losing their jobs.”
The third guest speaker, “Then Filipinos got Kristian Kabuay, a Philippine script artist, said Filipinos lack together and decided to identity in culture and lanstrike for higher wages. They guage. “Identity is trust,” Kabuay wanted to be treated better said. “If there is no identity, without fear of losing their there is no trust.” He talked about the Filipino jobs. — Lily Ann Villaraza, CCSF writing system, and his attempts to educate students about the writing scripts. “I want to revive the writing script decipher their histories. and culture of the Filipinos, as they Cruz said he had also joined the are forgetting their roots. Filipino cultural night. “Through “It surprised me that Filipinos (Filipino) culture night, I watched did not have a language of their many Filipino dances based own, as they used the Roman on rituals and traditions. The alphabet to advertise their prod- Philippines has a very rich culture ucts. It seemed to me they were in dance and music.” trying to be someone else,” he said. Students seemed to enjoy the “They didn’t have something from panel discussion as Cruz invited their own.” several students to try out his bamHe started his writing script boo tube instruments. Students website, BayBayin.com to educate stomped the tubes against the people about the Filipino writing ground to emit the sound “that system. goes from high to low.” During her discussion panel, “The (Bamboo Tube) instruVillaraza included her experience ment was a cool experience,” in participating in the Filipino cul- health and human services major ture night, where students gath- Shelby Wichner said. ered as a community and engaged “I actually came here to volin their culture. unteer in helping for the event, She said culture nights are but I really enjoyed it. There were important events for youths to many things I didn’t know about understand Filipino culture, and the Filipino culture, such as the provide a time for Filipinos to Philippines having many islands.”
AGREEMENT | Additional state funding raises pay Continued from Page 1 The collective bargaining process allowed for the district to add at least 21 new fulltime faculty positions for 2016-17, seven of which will be hired at CCC, Chancellor Helen Benjamin said during the Oct. 7 Governing Board meeting. Other important items in the agreement mentioned are: ■ Part-time faculty annualized medical premiums beginning in fall 2016 for eligible members based on the average load for that member. ■ Revised evaluation forms to better reflect how student learning outcomes are being documented due to accreditation recommendations made to all three colleges. ■ A part-time equity hour, designed to help faculty recognize and support at-risk and underserved students budgeted within the
agreement. Much of this additional funding is supplied by the 2015-16 state budget for community colleges. Total funding from the state to community colleges is $7.7 billion, a 12 percent increase from 2014-15 fiscal year. The state budget also identifies $266 million to increase base allocation funding meant to ease the constrained funding environment colleges have experienced since the economic downturn in 2008. Also included in the state budget is $61 million for a cost of living adjustment bringing it to a little more than one percent for the 2015-16 year and $62 million to increase the hiring of full-time faculty. District Executive Vice Chancellor Eugene Huff said $1.5 million from the state budget will be used to hire the aforementioned faculty
positions at CCC. Michels said other priorities that were excluded from the agreement that the UF is hoping to address are equity issues. The UF established a Load Task Force during the 2014-15 tentative agreement intended to observe and improve lab load assignments. Load is the number and type of classes each faculty member teaches. Every class, depending on its type, carries a certain amount of workload value, UF President Donna Wapner said. The task force came into formation to review the lecture, lab, activity and composition class types in order to make recommendations on improving load amounts. Wapner said the task force’s initial focus is on science lab loads due to the rigorous amount of work that these classes demand, and the heavy workload it places on those instructors.
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campusbeat
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
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ENGINEERING COURSES BOOST STEM INCENTIVE
We got a really good turnout today. It’s good to see people enjoying good soup in good pottery.” — Darrell Turner, culinary arts student
BY Benjamin Bassham STAFF WRITER
bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com
A need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees has driven Contra Costa College to offer new programming courses. Introduction to Engineering, ENGIN-112, which according to the CCC course catalog for 2015-16 introduces students to the engineering educational system, describes engineering disciplines, employment opportunities, engineering design and development process, was added previously. Now, two more classes have been added. As of this semester Engineering Design Graphics, ENGIN-200, is available. Programming for Engineering Science, ENGIN-170, will be available in the spring semester. Senior Electronics Technician Jeffrey Kamalian said, “There’s a demand in our service area.” Physics and engineering assistant professor Mark Wong said, “Some of our students were having to take (these classes) elsewhere and that’s not ideal.” ENGIN-200, which for now will only be offered in the fall semester, according to the catalog, covers the principles of engineering drawings in visually communicating engineering and introduces computer-aided design (CAD). Topics will include mechanical dimensioning, tolerancing practices and more. ENGIN-170, which will be offered only in the spring, will use the MATLAB environment to teach computer based problem solving, and object oriented programming. “MATLAB is a specific programming language that is often favored by engineering students. It’s useful for solving anything from simple to quite complicated math.” Wong said. “Lots of different engineering problems can be modeled in a MATLAB environment. For example you could model the tensile or compressive forces in a beam, or the current flow through a circuit.” Mera Horne, who also serves as a mechanical engineering instructor at UC Berkeley, currently teaches ENGIN-200 and will teach the ENGIN-170 course in the spring. She said, “ (The course) is a very essential program for all engineering transfer students to any UC or CSU.” Dr. Horne said it was taught at Diablo Valley College and CCC students who wished to pursue engineering transfer degrees were commuting there. Wong said ENGIN-200 teaches how to design using AutoCAD for 2D or 3D so that builders can understand what is needed to be made, or send it to a 3D printer or a computer numerical control mill. “A lot of people confused (this class) with drafting or CAD classes,” Horne said. “This class is much more than that. It combines both and more.” Electrical engineering major Abram Ballesteros, who is enrolled in the course, said, “(I like) the class because I’m getting to create. (I’m) using software to create things.” ENGIN-200 has 11 students this semester. Horne said the course is under enrolled, with the full capacity at 32 students. “I don’t know how much outreach has been done,” Horne said. Wong said the courses may be run the rest of the academic year if demand increases. Engineering major Ricardo Sanchez said, “It feels good learning a new thing. I never thought I would be doing 3D modeling. I was going to take it at DVC, but I saw that they had it here.”
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Local resident Denise Maloney examines a bowl during the Empty Bowls project event at the Applied Arts Building Patio outside of the Three Seasons Restaurant on Friday.
Empty Bowls assuages hunger, exceeds goal
BY Benjamin Bassham STAFF WRITER
bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com
Cooperation between the Bay Area Rescue Mission and Contra Costa College has raised $2,221 to fight hunger through the Empty Bowls project. Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement that raises awareness and assuages hunger. Michigan pottery teachers Lisa Blackburn and John Hartom started the project, which is now international. The Three Seasons Restaurant at CCC hosted Empty Bowls for the fifth time on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is the same day as World Food Day. Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said, “The event brings the community into the college, and showcases the students.” Guests had the opportunity to buy ceramic bowls and eat. Bowls cost $5 for students, $10 for non-students and $10 per additional bowl. Those who purchased a bowl received free soup refills and were entered into a raffle for additional ceramics. A total of 262 bowls were sold, of which 80 were bought at the $5 student price. Ceramics professor Mary Law said her students spent the first two weeks of the semester making the bowls — some made by herself and volunteer gratis employees, former students of the class. “We provide the bowls and the culinary people provide the soup,” she said. Chef Chris Dikes, the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s manager of culinary
“That tortellini soup, I’ve never seen anything quite like that, and I cook quite a bit myself.” — Jack Castro, CCC alum
arts, said he supplies some product for the soups. Sharkes supplies the rest and the students put it together. Dikes said collaboration between CCC and the Bay Area Rescue Mission raised over $2,100 last year. CCC provided a van to transport disabled or elderly guests, and the culinary students rolled out a “red carpet” though it did bunch up a bit at the doorways. Live music was provided by the Hilltop Ukulele Lovers Academy (HULA), a band of volunteers who play for charity events. Organizer and founding member Jon Cyr, a former culinary arts student and current volunteer at the Bay Area Rescue Mission said the group organizes by mailing list. When need arises he sends word and it is up to members if they want to attend. On this day, 15 Ukulele players answered the call. When the soup lids came off, HULA opened with a rendition of “All of Me” by singer John Legend and attendees began to choose bowls. The soups available were cheese tortellini in vegetable soup, New England clam chowder and roasted pepper ricotta crostini soup with herb oil. The weather was temperate and sunny, and refills were unlimited. Seats
filled up inside and out, with people eating in the restaurant, at temporary tables under awnings and in the patio outside by the redwoods. Laughing, talking and taking pictures, the guests mingled with ceramic artists, culinary students and ukulele players between numbers. Intermittently the raffle for some of the more valuable ceramics stirred the proceedings. Musician major Sandy McNeal said, “It’s a fabulous way to combine the excellent arts of the college.” People lingered at the tables of bowls, turning over and inspecting them. Engineering major Irina Tabor said, “It was really difficult to choose one. I kept going back and forth between five.” Culinary arts student Darrell Turner said, “We got a really good turnout today. It’s good to see people enjoying good soup in good pottery.” The culinary students did brisk business, with refill seekers hungrily competing with new customers, Jack Castro, former CCC student said. “That tortellini soup, I’ve never seen anything quite like that, and I cook quite a bit myself,” he said. The press of hungry people increased when the cheese bread ran out, then the clam chowder, followed by the tortellini. For a time the beleaguered roasted pepper soup stood alone with butter bread, then only plain bread. The culinary students pushed forward a squash and zucchini soup to fill the empty ranks, and hold the line against the ravening hordes. Sharkes said, “This is their event. It’s a student event. They perform well under pressure.”
ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE CLUB PLANS FOR ECLECTIC YEAR BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER
xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Law Club held its first introductory meeting on Oct. 8 in AA-133 to discuss plans for the new club and best practices. The club plans to meet in AA-133 every other Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Whether it will be the first, second, third or fourth Thursday is still to be determined. Members met to learn about how to proceed as a new club. Vice President of Club Affairs Safi Ward-Davis answered members’ questions about the procedures and duties that a new club must know. Ward-Davis discussed the best way to manage club finances, fundraising and preventing Club Rush internal conflict. The club also discussed possible events to be held. Law Club adviser Latressa Wilson Alford, an adjunct professor, said possible events include participating in Know Your Rights by the California Bar
Law Club adviser and administration of justice adjunct professor Latressa Alford explains what the club’s foundations are to prospective members in AA-133 on Oct. 8.
“I feel like this campus has a lot of help in the sciences and engineering department, but I haven’t seen too much push for social science areas.” — Nora Rodriguez, Law Club president
Association. Other events will be discussed in future club meetings. Law Club President Nora Rodriguez said, “We want to put together a Know Your Rights event co-sponsored by the Bar Association in mid-November. I’d like to keep bringing influential speakers to campus like we did in September, bringing Democratic Party political strategist Christine Pelosi.” Rodriguez wants to form a community for people pursuing
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
a law career. She said, “I feel like this campus has a lot of help in the sciences and engineering department, but I haven’t seen too much push for social science areas.” Law Club Vice President Kenyatta Carter said the club can be good for the campus as a whole. She said the club can help students know their rights. The club can be a place to answer student’s legal questions. The meeting had lower attendance than Rodriguez expected. Rodriguez said the attendance issue might be her fault due to a lack of advertising.
Carter said the club will fix this by getting in contact with more students and posting fliers. Despite the initial low attendance Rodriguez believes attendance will rise. She said during the meeting she knows several interested students that must not have gotten her messages. She also said Club Rush will be a great way to get new members in the club. Law Club will have a table during both days of Club Rush. Carter said Club Rush is a great opportunity to get new members. She said they expect to gain numbers with their presence at Club
Rush. Rodriguez said prospective club members should expect to have discussions on legal issues directly impacting the community. Also panel of students that have already experienced applying to law schools and law school itself is in the works. They can be a part of mock trials. “I feel like we have a very diverse group and I’m excited to see what this semester has in store for the club,” Rodriguez said, “I know I’m looking forward to seeing new faces and to form an incredibly active group of people.”
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FOOD VENDOR TALKS TO BEGIN BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
When students get hungry there are not a lot of food options at Contra Costa College. And it will remain so until the Campus Center and Classroom Buildings Project is completed before fall 2016, which is when administration will issue a request for proposal (RFP) to hire food vendors. Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said the college will make its (RFP) to hire additional food vendors to prepare for the new buildings. Magalong said writing the RFP and submitting it to the Contra Costa Community College District is scheduled to begin in January or February. But as of now, students who are short on time only have options to grab something to eat at Subway, Three Seasons Restaurant or the
Bookstore. “The food vendor selection is a competitive process,” she said. “Any food vendor can submit their application and then the district selects. The selection process is a joined effort between the district and college.” She said applications should be submitted to CCCCD Senior Buyer Ben Cayabyab, who reviews applications and provides vendors the deadline for submittal. “It is just like the vendors you see in other universities,” Interim Administrative Assistant Chena McKenzie said. “CCC will have more than one food vendor. So Subway will remain on campus.” Mariles said the top two or three food vendors must create a presentation that will best reflect the food and service they aim to provide students and agree to a taste test. Before the demolition of the old buildings for the Campus Center
“The food vendor selection is a competitive process. Any food vendor can submit their application and then the district selects. The selection process is a joined effort between the district and college.” — Mariles Magalong, director of business services
and Classroom Project began, Subway was in the Student Activity Building with a student dining area that provided ample seating. After construction is completed, however, Subway will move into the new Student Activities Building. Currently, Subway is temporarily housed in a portable adjacent to the Bookstore.
And as fall 2016 nears closer, there will be competition among food vendors vying to serve CCC’s potential 6,500 students alongside Subway — the only external vendor currently contracted by the college. Magalong said the district originally contracted Subway through the same request process but “because of the restrictions we put on food options, only two food vendors submitted their applications, and one of them subsequently dropped.” “We were left with Subway, the only vendor that agreed to provide food service for CCC,” she said. “That is why (CCC and the district) will not limit or put any more restrictions on food options for vendors. It’s their choice,” she said. Some students complain about the limited food and snack options at CCC. “I got tired of Subway. It felt like you were stuck in a rut, having
to eat from the same place for so long,” former ASU senator Jesse Gonzalez said, “It is cool to know (CCC) will be (contracting) new vendors. I prefer tacos, or a food vendor that sells Shawarma and Sambusa.” Sociology and philosophy double major Shvata Malhotra said, “We should also have more vegetarian food options.” New food vendors may also provide more places for students to eat, as currently, there are limited spaces to eat, in the small tent and few patio tables near the Bookstore, and in the Three Seasons Restaurant. The limited space for students to find a welcoming place to eat lunch stems from construction. “I am really excited for the (possibility of) new food vendors,” anatomy tutor and sonography major Liliana Madrid said. “It would be cool to have some food options by adding places to eat.”
Event recycles to help funding ASU co-sponsors Jump for Jamaica fundraiser BY Joseph Bennett STAFF WRITER
jbennett.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Jump for Jamaica event was held outside the Student Services Center as a way to give back to the Jamaican community in the form of a creative project on Thursday. Contra Costa College’s Associated Students Union co-sponsored the event, which highlighted possible ways to make a jump rope by using different materials, including plastic bags. Representatives from Brandman University visited the campus to teach students about poverty situations that are affecting Jamaica and to raise funds to help build an orphanage, adjunct social sciences professor Majeedah Rahman said. Rahman decided to use available resources by making jump ropes out of plastic bags. Every jump rope that was made and used at the event was up for sale. The jump ropes were $2 each and the money that was raised was donated to the construction fund for the orphanage. The ropes that were not sold are still being sent to the same location in Jamaica so that children may enjoy them for free. Brandman University student Javier Valdovinos said, “This is a school project but I’m doing it because it is for a good cause.” Valdovinos said the private school aims to work with CCC to host an event like this every year, or at least support non-profit organizations. Valdovinos is also a doctoral candidate in the literature program at Brandman. He said, “The recycling part of the project is meant to get the plastic bags out of landfills.”
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Brandman University representative Jamel Thompson (left) spins the rope as computer science major Francis Sanson (center) jumps through it as sociology major Deija Rothenberg (far right) holds the other handle during the Jump for Jamaica event at the Student Services Plaza on Thursday.
“The more students get involved (with events like these), the more it will teach them how to handle different situations that are taking place here (on campus) and around the world.” —
, ICC president
ASU Vice President of Club Affairs and Inter-Club Council President Safi WardDavis said that she would like to see more people participate in school events such as this one. Davis said, “The more students get involved (with events like these), the more it will teach them how to handle different situ-
ations that are taking place here (on campus) and around the world.” Davis also said students at events like this are exposed to certain issues such as poverty and economic inequality in developing countries Rahman said, “I would like to visit the poorest school in Richmond or Oakland and I would like to give laptops, shoes, backpacks and all the necessities that students need but that are not receiving. “There must be a change in attitudes as well. Most Jamaicans are happier mentally and physically, yet they have less so that shows us that we must change (in lifestyle choices).” Jump ropes aside, for students passing by it just seemed like it was a regular event that served food. Rahman said if students did not ask what the event was about they would not have
known how much of a change they could make. She also said she plans to host more Jump for Jamaica events so students will remain updated with people faced with economic inequalities and how college events could help allieviate their struggles. The food served consisted of chicken legs and thighs, as well as beans and rice provided by the culinary arts department. Most of the plastic bags used were donations by students on campus or nearby grocery stores. Rahman said, “As a whole, the country of Jamaica is poor and that is why we selected it to help raise funds (to build an orphanage). “Countries in the future that we want to promote are other economically inegalitarian nations like Mexico and Guatemala,” Rahman said.
CLASSIFIED SENATE SELECTS GREENE TO REPRESENT CONCERNS Student life coordinator accepts high profile position
BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER
jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com
As the semester started, changes were implemented among faculty and classified administrators. Among them former Student Life Coordinator Ericka Greene was selected as Contra Costa College’s Classified Senate president. The job entails open communication with faculty, staff, administrators and Governing Board trustees, as well as dealing with issues and concerns of classified staff. Center for Science Excellence program Director Seti Sidharta said, “I have absolute confidence in (Greene).” Greene said she is prepared to face what is ahead of her and already has goals in mind. One of the focuses is increasing the number of participants during shared governing committees and raising the moral within students and camaraderie among faculty. She said she wants members of the classified staff to feel like they have a place to voice any rising concern. Another goal is to work on increasing
professional development through a variety of workshops for administration, faculty and staff members. A lt h o u g h Greene’s title may Greene come with a few obstacles due to the heavy workload it will require, she is prepared to confront a hectic schedule. Senior Administrative Assistant Lorena Cortez said she would like to see more events enacted to bring staff closer and improve cooperation between departments. Greene said she plans on working from experience and with enthusiasm help guide the classified staff in the direction they need to go. Greene will hold her position as student life coordinator and continue to work closely with the Inter Club Council (ICC) and the Associated Student Union. As coordinator, Greene uses diplomacy to bring clubs together to work toward common goals. As Classified
Senate president she hopes to translate those diplomatic skills to a larger stage and work to bring solutions to greater issues. Cortez said Greene’s experience and leadership capabilities will help ease the work load that the classified senate president is obligated to perform. “We need more of an involvement from all of us,” Cortez said. In order to make things work for the classified staff there must be a joint effort between both the members of the classified and the Classified Senate and the people that are working alongside Greene have to put in equal effort. Greene said she has another goal to improve the participation from the classified staff and improve involvement in shared governance as well as improving lines of communication among them. ASU President Nakari Syon said Greene is a people person, and her open-door policy invites cooperation and face-to-face interactions, which is usually the best way to communicate with her. Greene said she is working on an award in the honor of late Admissions
and Records assistant and athletic eligibility adviser Kay Armendarez. She said the recipient of the award would be expected to go above and beyond the responsibilities of a classified staff member. Greene said the award could initiate during the 2016 spring semester. Prior to taking on the role, Greene advised the ASU’s executive board and it provided her with a substantial amount of experience. She said gathering the entire classified staff has been a challenge in the past due to different schedules. Greene said she realized that being the Classified Senate president is a tough task, but she is prepared. Dr. Sidharta said she has worked alongside Greene while both were part of various committees at CCC. Sidharta said the experience collected by working on the committees strengthened her work ethic because Greene is familiar with the policies that must be taken into consideration. She said the Classified Senate works with the Academic Senate leadership on campus.
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LED LIGHTING ILLUMINATES PATH Lights improve visibility in Lots near Gymnasium BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
Contra Costa College installed LED lights in parking lots along the recently paved street near Student Services Center on Sept. 25 to increase security for students and save energy and money. The new LED lights cost approximately $64,000, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, as part of an architecture plan that transpired after the construction of the two parking lots in summer 2015. The construction of the two parking lots over the summer encouraged the installation of new LED lights that appear to be much brighter and energy efficient than CCC’s conventional lights. “LED lights produce more light and they usually last longer,” King said. “I am encouraging the rest of the campus to switch to LED lighting, as it saves a lot of energy and money that can be used for students’ education. That’s what we’re here for — the students.” CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE He said LED lights are safer than installing conventional lights. New LED lights have been installed in parking lots at Contra Costa College along the recently paved street near the Student Services He said it is time consuming and Center to increase security for students and save energy and money for the campus. The lights cost approximately $64,000. requires a big lifting truck to install, which is unsafe for workers. CCC’s LED lights “killed two birds with one stone,” he said as they illuminate the parking lots and street for those driving or walking at night, while saving the college’s energy and money. Senior Construction Manager Alex Gourtzelis said his role with the college is to ensure that lights are provided per the approved plans and specs of the district. “Everyone pays rate per watt,” Physics and astronomy departgram students Gourtzelis said. “The more watts “It was hectic having ment Chairperson Jon Celesia were brought you burn, the more expensive the helped make the program happen really long nights and to NASA in price will be. LED lights are power at CCC, physics and engineering there were times where Silicon Valley efficient, and burn less watts.” The NASA/ assistant professor Mark Wong to show off the California Space The LED lights in the parkI just wanted to give up said. final result. ing lots have replaced conventionGrant Consortium He said the purpose of this (building the robot), but I “ N A S A (CaSGC) al lighting in some areas, which BY Magali Mercado program was to attract people at paid for a bus Microcomputer include Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 5 and STAFF WRITER community colleges, students that kept trying. It took about a so we could and Robotics Lot 6. mmercado.theadvocate@gmail.com had yet to transfer and expose month and a half to build visit its facili- Internship Program “Parking lot areas definitely ty and we got allows 12 comStudents were given the oppor- them to the science, technology, our robot.” require lights,” King said. “CCC to present our munity colleges to tunity to express creative instincts engineering and mathematics has about 300 lights. We are still — Monty Saengsavang, computer projects to a and enhance their technical abili- (STEM) field. working on replacing conventional work on robotics Students were given lessons on ties by building robots with funclights because LED lights are better science major panel and we through coding. answered questional capabilities over the sum- how to use Arduino boards, an at illuminating (pathways) for stuTwelve CCC stuopen source microcontroller that was amazing and they were an tions and peomer. dents’ safety.” dents expressed ple could test NASA and allows people to be able to pro- amazing group,” Wong said. The LED lights turn on at 6 Students had the summer to out our robot,” their technical the California gram to create endless projects p.m., which will be helpful for stuand creative abilSpace Grant like robots, drones and helicopters, complete their projects but man- Vazquez said. dents taking night classes and cusaged to work through their diffi“I gained a ities through their C o n s o r t i u m coding and programming. todians and faculty who work late “Building was my favorite part culties. lot of experi- robots. ( C a S G C ) nights. Students learned “It was hectic having really long ence. It seems Microcomputer because with Arduino the posBut when time change happens, and Robotics sibilities of what you can create nights and there were times where hard at first but how to use mirit will get dark early so the lights Wong I n t e r n s h i p are endless and everyone had a I just wanted to give up (building eventually you cocontrollers to will turn on around 5 p.m., he said. Program gave big imagination when it came to the robot). But I kept trying. It get it. It’s a real- program projects LED lights are easy to discern took about a month and a half to ly rewarding during the sum300 students the opportunity to ideas,” Vazquez said. between the SSC and Gym because Students were given kits from build our robot,” computer science experience and mer. work on robotics projects using of their black curved design. I do plan on coding through a grant for two NASA and were able to create and major Monty Saengsavang said. “Before the construction of the add whatever they wanted, he said. They built their robots in the doing it again,” years. new parking lots, it was dark and “My team built a rover and Physics Lab on campus and at Saengsavang There were 12 students selected creepy to get to my class,” health said. from Contra Costa College and we were able to control it using their homes. and human services major Kathy Saengsavang said one of his Ideas for the worked in teams of four to cre- a PlayStation 4 gaming wheel Insixiengmay said. “Now after the ate whatever they wanted, engi- through a Bluetooth module. It favorite parts of the project was 2016 summer’s project are already new LED lights, I feel safe.” neering student Christian Vazquez was also able to stream video and when their robot started to work coming to mind. There are also low LED lights “Maybe next time I’ll make said. There was no limit as to what show us whatever it saw,” Vazquez properly with no complications. that serve as pathway lights for “Seeing it work without any something aerial, something I students could create. Each team said. students and faculty walking along Wong said he was impressed problems was great, everyone was couldn’t make this time around. was given a payment of $750. the streets at night. The program was applied by with the students and how they really excited to see it, being able I’ll have to see,” Vazquez said. Gourtzelis said the college plans Since the program was funded UC San Diego and a grant was needed little help when working to code and see it move in real life to install more lights around the rather than a computer screen was for two years, students will be able given to 12 community colleges on their projects. Campus Center and Classroom “There were only a few times exciting,” Saengsavang said. to return as well as new students across California with only three Building Project that is scheduled When the groups finished their will be able to sign up for the proin Northern California and CCC where I needed to give input and to be completed for the fall 2016 help out, but what they created projects at the end of the pro- gram next summer. was one of them. semester.
NASA provides internship program, ‘space’ grant in brief
STEM students build robots, improve skills
FALL ‘ALL SPORTS’ FESTIVAL AIMS TO RECOGNIZE ‘DRIVE’ ASU,
BY Benjamin Bassham
Inter-
bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com
Club Council host bi-annual function
STAFF WRITER
Club Rush gives students the chance to get exposed to clubs on campus or to promote their club as well as fundraiser and obtain sign-ins, and is scheduled to run Oct. 27 and 28 on the Tennis Courts by the Gym Annex Building, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene said, “I (like to) see all the clubs come together and see what (the community) is about.” Last year’s fall Club Rush was harvest themed. This time it will be All Sports Festival themed. Inter-Club Council (ICC) President Safi Ward-Davis said, “Whatever team you like — we want you to represent it if you like it — from soccer to swimming to cricket.” Attendees may wear whatever sports equipment suits them as well as decorate their table as the sport of their choice. But ASU President Nakari Syon said
the festival will also show its support to CCC’s sports teams. “We want to acknowledge all sport teams on campus throughout the event,” Syon said. “Our goal is to Syon acknowledge all student-athletes because (Contra Costa College) is the foundation to support their drive.” During the fall semester, sport teams that are amid season are football, soccer and volleyball. The ICC will provide the first day’s free food, and the ASU will provide the second, with $400 budgeted for the purpose, Syon said. There will be seven inflatable jumpers including one slide, one speed pitch, hoops for basketball and a gladiator joust, which consists of a inflatable arena and some padded poles, which participants may pummel each other for fun.
“We want to acknowledge all sport teams on campus throughout the event. Our goal is to acknowledge all student athletes because CCC is the foundation to support their drive.” — Nakari Syon, ASU president
Visitors can look forward to popcorn and cotton candy. “We’re still trying to lock down the last couple vendors,” Ward-Davis said. Despite the success of the corn vendor during last year’s fall festival, “the corn man” will not be returning and the gelato vendor has yet to confirm, Ward-Davis said. Music will be disk jockeyed by Student Services Center and Instructional Support Coordinator Kenneth Reynolds.
The college’s collection of student clubs has seen a rapid expansion in the last year, Greene said, swelling to 20 clubs. Among the new clubs are the Community Organizing and Political Action club (COPA), the Law Club, the Armed Forces Support Group, Writer’s Block and the Revived Foodies Unite. There was an attempt to arrange an early Club Rush in the middle of September, but that plan fell through, and it was scheduled at the usual time. During the last Club Rush there were 12 clubs set up outside of the Tennis Courts. There might be more this time, and there is a contest that ICC puts on for every Club Rush to see who has the best table and most signups. Recent Club Rush events have ranged from passable to lackluster attendance, for which the ongoing construction in the middle of campus has received much blame.
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“ Cancer diagnosis shocks ‘family’ It was a pretty bad diagnosis. You can never be ready to get news like that. I was in disbelief. it took me a while to get my head around that.”— Zachary Shrieve, former volleyball coach
Beloved volleyball coach battles against illness with support
BY Robert Clinton
Former volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve embarks in a direction to explore alternative treatment options after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
With the addition of many new faces to the faculty this semester at Contra Costa College, there is one glaring absence. Physical education professor and volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve will not be returning to campus this year after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer. Shrieve has also taken a leave of absence from his job teaching English at Richmond High School. The 46-year-old coach showed no signs of any overt illness, but lingering fatigue and slight abdominal pain initially caused Shrieve to seek medical treatment on Aug. 23. Shrieve stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle to his students, even instructing the “knives over forks” theory, exploring the idea that changing eating habits from animal-based to plant-based can help control or eliminate diseases like diabetes and cancer. That is why he was in abject shock when doctors informed him that he had cancer and it had metastasized from his abdomen to other parts of his body. The cancer is mostly affecting the omentum, a lacy fat layered connective tissue that covers all of the organs. Five days later, doctors informed Shrive that his cancer was terminal and the coach was given just two years to live. “It was a pretty bad diagnosis,” Shrieve said. “You can never be ready to get news like that. I was in disbelief. It took me a while to get my head around that.” Undeterred by the odds, Shrieve and his family prepared to fight the disease and are committed to explore every method in existence toward finding a cure. With limited medical options, the first step was to remove as much of the cancerous cells as possible with surgery. Then began the grueling process of chemotherapy. “They removed 20 different small spots in my abdomen but they couldn’t get it all,” he said. Following the surgery, Shrieve suffered an infection in his surgical wound. He said he thought the excruciating pain was part of the recovery process, so he toughed it out before returning to the hospital nine days later. The wound had to be re-opened and cleared of infection which set back the start date for chemotherapy. Richmond High School Athletic Director Rob Collins was one of the first people notified of the prognosis. “It reminds all of us of our own mortality and that every day is a blessing,” Collins said. “I’m glad he’s surrounded himself with friends and family.” Feeling that Kaiser Permanente was more concerned with comforting his final days rather than aggressive treatment, Shrieve and his family have taken matters into their own hands and begun to seek alternative methods of treatment.
FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE
“As coaches and athletes we always try to control things as much as we can and when we cannot it is difficult,” CCC men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson said. Non-traditional methods of treatment can be costly. Shrieve’s uncle Jim Whitty set up an online fundraiser at youcaring.com to help ease medical expenses. The account reached its stated goal of $50,000 in 72 hours, but donations are still being accepted. The family has a long list of treatment centers that it plans to visit. His odyssey began Oct. 12 at UCSF Cancer Research Center and continued in San Diego at the Gerson Institute last week. Gerson employs an alternative to western medicine offering non-toxic treatments for cancer and other degenerative ailments. While in San Diego, Shrieve will also visit the Optimum Health Institute. Also on the list of treatments
is cutting edge viral oncology treatment. Researched at Johns Hopkins, it is a process that attacks the cells by introducing viruses to specified hosts, killing them from the inside without total body degradation like chemotherapy. Doctors at Johns Hopkins pioneered research that defined cancer as a genetic disease and were among the first to develop therapeutic cancer vaccines. “We have all known people who have gone through things like this so you know it is possible, but you never expect it,” CCC Athletic Director John Wade said. “To be such a great guy, it is the furthest thing from your mind.” Aside from his positive disposition with colleagues, Shrieve’s upbeat demeanor resonated with his players and students alike. “He is like a second father figure,” Richmond High School student Joshleen Ayson said. “He always pushes us to do our best and when we succeed he is always
there to give us a high five — he is a great teacher.” The outpouring of admiration and wishes are usually reserved for funerals, but Shrieve said it is something he wishes everyone could experience. “You find out how much you really mean to people and make connections with people you have not spoken to in ages.” he said. People from past and present have found ways to leave messages, share thoughts. He said he even learned of a college friend who was so influenced by Shrieve that he named his son Zach years later. “There are things that I never would have learned without going through this,” Shrieve said. Without the signs of fatigue Shrieve said he would have never suspected that there was any major problem. The physical education instructor still advises that people make regular visits to their primary care doctors.
THE ADVOCATE REKINDLES 65 YEARS OF MEMORIES Former
BY Roxana Amparo
staffers,
ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com
editors gather to respect news legacy, future
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
During an evening filled with memories, laughter and tears of joy, former and current Advocate staffers gathered on Saturday night to celebrate and remember years spent in the newsroom during the first ever Advocate reunion dinner. Despite the years apart, former Advocate editors and supporters rented the ballroom at HS Lordships Restaurant in Berkeley to reconnect and commemorate staffers who have passed away but have not been forgotten by giving scholarships in their memory. About 94 former staffers and supporters attended the event. “I think this is a testament of how many people love (adviser Paul DeBolt) at Contra Costa College and throughout the West Contra Costa Unified School District,” Melissa Navas, 20012002 Advocate editor-in-chief, said. “The Advocate is so prominent.” For 65 consecutive years, the award-winning newspaper has thrived with the support and commitment of the college, staffers and faculty advis-
ers, including DeBolt, who has served as journalism department chairperson since 1980 and was editor-in-chief of the paper in 1974-75.. The reunion solidified the strength of journalism although some former staffers chose a different career. The Advocate was the foundation where it began, coming together with a common goal — to give a voice to the voiceless. Navas, who is presently the press secretary for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, said she was looking forward to connecting faces to names of the actual people that inspired DeBolt to share his stories over the years. Former sports editor Will White said since 1980, when DeBolt was hired by Contra Costa College to be the adviser of The Advocate, DeBolt has imprinted himself on the lives of his students by “demanding excellence,” “(DeBolt) is the glue. He’s the foundation. I would not be here if it weren’t for him (and The Advocate),” he said. DeBolt’s welcoming words took the group back in time when the newsroom was located in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery, before it was moved into AA-215 in 1983.
DeBolt said during those times, before computers and technological advancements, providing the college with a newspaper meant physically cutting and pasting and developing photos in a dark room. Fine and Media Arts department Chairperson John Diestler said when reminiscing about old times, “CCC was one of the first schools to have digital photography.” Genoa Barrow, 1994-1995 editorin-chief, said the reunion will happen again. “Within five to 10 years,” she said. “Maybe 10.” For the first time, three hall of fame inductee awards were given to former staffers Jim Sanders, Karen de Sá and Peter John LaCrosby for their contributions to The Advocate and in their journalism careers. “I was an activist. I wanted to make some change,” de Sá said. Currently, she works as an investigative reporter for San Jose Mercury News and has written stories that exposed the inhumane conditions in California’s youth prisons and foster children shelters. De Sá said, “The Advocate and DeBolt gave me a life.” She said she
remembers DeBolt holding her infant child while she wrote stories. Having a passion for photography, LaCrosby took photos for The Advocate in the early 1990s and went on to capture local, state and national news. “I say everyone is a star because everyone is made up of star matter,” he said. “We all have the potential to burn bright with passion.” In memory of three former Advocate staffers who impacted the award-winning newspaper, three memorial scholarships were given to current staffers; Associate Editor and former editor-inchief Lorenzo Morotti, Sports Editor Robert Clinton and Associate Editor Roxana Amparo. The Con Garretson Memorial Scholarship went to a student dedicated to responsible reporting (Morotti), the John Baldonado Memorial Scholarship to a student dedicated to sports reporting (Clinton) and the Rowena Millado Memorial Scholarship (Amparo) to a female student who thrives to further journalism integrity. Other activities included raffles and reflective speeches of those who once were part of The Advocate team.
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scene
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
LEFT: Nu-Nhi Nguyen (right) and Ken Mikami from World Traveling Pizza Makers garnish a pizza with marshmallows for their Smores pizza during Pizzafest in Berkeley on Sunday.
Unleashed
MOVIES
This week: “The Last Witch Hunter” (PG-13) “Jem and the Holograms” (PG-13) “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” (R) “Steve Jobs” (R) CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
BLU-RAYS
New releases: “Jurassic World” (PG-13) “Z for Zachariah” (PG-13) “Testament of Youth” (R) “Kwaidan” (R)
MUSIC
New releases: Deerhunter: “Fading Frontier” Demi Lovato: “Confident” Neon Indian: “Vega Intl. Night School” Coheed and Cambria: “The Color Before the Sun”
Annual Pizzafest fundraises for charity Nonprofit agency funnels revenue, helps impoverished BY Christian Urrutia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com
BERKELEY — Hundreds of local residents ventured to Gilman and 9th Streets on Saturday for an ensemble of pizza and beer, and in support of a charitable cause. Pizzafest, an all-you-can-eat pizza festival, was a collaborative effort between The Companion Group, a kitchen product company and Building Opportunities for SelfSufficiency (BOSS), a non-profit organization meant for improving the lives of the homeless. This second year event featured 13 pizza teams, each with their own ovens and equipment, as well as dough and some ingredients provided by The Companion Group. The eclectic array of pizza consisted of specialty items such as Smores, nutella chocolate spread, bananas, figs, prosciutto and chicken tikkla masala to name a few. Two brewing companies, Lagunitas and Fieldworks supplied various favors of pale ales and other beer to accompany the vast options of pizza. Patrons paid $20 for the entry fee or an advance ticket for $10 that included unlimited pizza and beer and were given three tokens to vote for their favorite selection. Proceeds from the ticket, beer and raffle sales all go to benefit BOSS,
Three to host 5th Annual Chocolate and Champagne
New releases: “Guitar Hero Live” (E) “The Talos Principle” (T) “Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut” (M)
Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week. — Christian Urrutia
— Jeannie Swafford, BOSS communications manager
particularly their Children Learning Center where many homeless children are behind in reading and writing skills, BOSS communications manager Jeannie Swafford said. “The goal is self-sufficiency and The Companion Group was (immensely) helpful in reaching out to us and it is humbling to be involved,” Swafford said. Chuck Adams, CEO of The Companion Group said the company was looking to partner with a nearby organization to host an event similar in vein to Oktoberfest festivals. “Since the Harrison (shelter) was nearby it was a great opportunity for us and we’re community orientated and people love (pizza),” Adams said. San Francisco resident Adjani Nicholso agrees. “My friend told me about this event who lives here in Berkeley and pizza for $10 is not bad. It’s a big turn out. I would definitely come again,” he said. Judy Levin, an Oakland resident added to the sentiment. “I came last year and it’s a great cause to help out with and where else do you get the chance to eat all the pizza you want.
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Chuck Childers, from Upper Crust Pizza, tends to a fresh pepperoni pizza during Pizzafest in Berkeley on Sunday.
“The competition is fun and they do great job,” Levin said. Life of Pie’s executive chef Michael Greenberg said his group was fortunate enough to win last year’s competition and now they are defending their title. “The sponsors put in amazing work and it is a great pleasure to help. BOSS could end up receiving a lot of money and we try to do a lot for the community, for us to do that, it’s nice to see,” Greenberg said. As the recipient of all the money earned during the event, BOSS plans to continue its four strategies to help overcome homelessness— emphasizing on health, housing, income and social justice. One important example from these strategies, specifically the income
strategy is the payee program that BOSS endorses and helps homeless individuals apply for. “Often times these individuals don’t have a place to go and cash out their checks, once they earn them, so we do check deposits as a service. We try to help them pay their phone bill and provide them with cash. We also try to encourage them to open checking and savings accounts, one step closer to self-sufficiency,” Swafford said. Swafford added that most individuals without housing have phones since communication or access to the Internet is nearly impossible without it and most times need a place where they can take care of the bill. The payee program provides that necessity, Swafford said.
Sugary delights, bubbly sustain funding Seasons
GAMES
“The goal is self-sufficiency and The Companion Group was (immensely) helpful in reaching out to us and it is humbling to be involved.”
event
By Keno Greene STAFF WRITER
kgreene.theadvocate@gmail.com
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ive music and sugary delights will set the mood at the 5th Annual Chocolate and Champagne event Sunday in the Three Seasons Restaurant from noon until 3 p.m. The culinary arts department hosts the event to help students gain the opportunity to travel the world in the department’s study abroad program. Tickets are available for purchase in the culinary arts department in AA-234 for $25 in advance and $30 at the door. This past summer, six students traveled to Italy in part because of fundraising like this. The trip to Italy every summer provides a promising experience that allows students a hands-on exposure to the rich quality of cuisine in other parts of the world. The music department’s Jazzanova and Jazz-ology groups, featuring soft Brazilian melodies (with scat technique vocals and instrumentation) will provide music to create an ambiance
for all to enjoy. The music ensembles will have their good vibes pressed up and packaged for purchase in their latest CD titled “One Clear Day.” The music sets the mood for the event, but every year the chocolate is the star of the show. Last year more than 200 attendees were graced with chocolate pasta and chocolate covered bacon that may be on the menu again. Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said, “Chicken mole with chocolate sauce will be prepared this year” to add a twist to the traditional dish and flow with delectable savory-sweet palette. The beverages will be native to the area, with all of the vendors having ties to the Bay Area. Monticello Vineyards in Napa, Oakland’s Rosenbloom Cellars, and Chrissa Imports in San Francisco will provide those legally tolerant of the 12 percent alcohol content fine domestic and European beer, wine and liquor to compliment their taste buds with beverage pairings and their food of choice. The intense flavor of
FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE
Former culinary arts student and Rock Wall Wine Company employee Dalton Davis pours a rosé champagne during the second annual Champagne and Chocolate event held in the Three Seasons Restaurant on Nov. 14, 2012.
chocolate pairs smoothly with the right wine. Veering away from the buzz there is something for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. “We have Purity Organic,” Angel Chau, culinary instructional assistant said, managing the new and returning vendors for Sunday’s event. Specializing organic for everyone, Purity Organic manufactures drinks that feature organically farmed ingredients. Third semester culinary
arts student, Audrey Borreani, said, “This year I would like to make sweet treats with champagne to add a variety to the range of chocolates offered. Last year I made spicy macaroon and a honey goat cheese puff. This year, maybe champagne macaroons and fruit caviar,” she said. Delving into the science of food, Borreani said, “People forget poached fruit compliments the chocolate when served with champagne.”
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“ Play depicts life’s dark side liberated.”
Cass is an older woman who typically fits under the housewife stereotype. But she eventually becomes
— Milea Reeves, Middle College High student who plays Cass in the production.
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Hilarity, despair captured in riveting portrayal of love, reality
BY Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR
mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
Fear and desperation were on display in the play “Wonder of the World” at the Knox Center Friday as Contra Costa College students gave a stellar performance throughout this hilarious tale. The cast included eight characters, each with unique personalities and dark backgrounds before they crossed paths with each other. The play is set in contemporary times in Niagara Falls, New York. During changes in scenery on stage, the stage blacked out and crew members, dressed in black, moved props. While setting up for the next scene, the audience got a nice preview of what was going to happen next. David Lindsay-Abaire’s dark comedy is about a woman named Cass Harris, who leaves her husband after discovering his shameful secret fetish.
Upon making the discovery, she decides to go on a random adventure to find out what she has been missing in life. Before marrying her husband she had created a list of the things she always wanted to do and try in life. “Cass is an older woman who typically fits under the housewife stereotype. But she eventually becomes liberated,” Middle College High School student Milea Reeves, who played Cass in the play, said. “She’s fed up with her husband with his creepy and disgusting habits.” Cass’ personality could be interpreted as selfish. Her commitment to the list helped the audience see her as a self-centered person, but really she is a woman trying to enjoy her new single life. Reeves said she believes Cass is misunderstood and not a selfish person. It is just a way she is able to worry about herself and being single.
“She even said so herself. She never did anything without considering someone else first,” Cass said. “So I really think her selfishness wasn’t from herself, but it was from a fact that someone disappointed her in unspeakable ways,” she said. During her journey, she finds a sidekick, a new lover and a strange married couple. Her unintentional sidekick Lois Coleman is an alcoholic carrying around a barrel. She was played by drama major Kaitlyn McCoy. Coleman plans to commit suicide by jumping off Niagara Falls in the barrel, but her random friendship with Cass makes her re-think a lot about her miserable life. “She’s a super alcoholic. She goes to Niagara Falls to get revenge on her husband for leaving her,” McCoy said. McCoy said, “So (Lois) is going to kill herself in a pickle barrel
because he loves pickles and she meets Cass on the way, but she ends up changing her life.” Darian Espinoza, undecided major, played Cass’ new love Captain Mike. He is very shy, but is also the voice of reason in the play. The captain is the sanest out of all the characters in the story. He lost his wife due to an enormous jar of peanut butter falling on her head. After that tragedy, he tries to kill himself by jumping off the waterfall. “He’s really strong actually. He attempted suicide, but got over his wife by trying to move on with Cass,” Espinoza said, “He believes God help him build up his strong personality.” Desperation is a key part in this play, and students revealed it really well. The dialogue was mediocre, but it was the acting that kept this show alive.
ABOVE: (Left) Malea Reeves (Cass) explains why she wants to visit Niagara Falls to Kaitlyn McCoy (Lois) and tries to convince her to come along during the “Wonder of the World” performance at the Knox Center on Friday.
Coffeehouse hosts release party for local band Deep-rooted soul defines sound, feel of Los Cenzontles
rancheras and corridos. Music that is known as ranchera is traditional Mexican folk music that is By Magali Mercado STAFF WRITER most likely mmercado.theadvocate@gmail.com performed by os Cenzontles, which mariachi band translates from Nahuati or a solo artas “The Mockingbirds,” ist. Corridos released a new album Oct 13, are narrative titled “Alma Campirana.” songs that To promote their album can be poetic. release the group held an They can be album release party at Freight about oppres& Salvage sion, hardCoffeehouse ships and MUSIC in Berkeley on the daily life REVIEW Saturday. of people. “Los Cenzontles The group This gives - Alma has already the album a Campirana” released classic feel. Artist: Los more than 20 In a press Cenzontles albums, docrelease, Album: Alma umentaries vocalist Campirana Producer: Los and videos Lucia Cenzontles recording their Rodriquez Genre: Ranchera, music. They said, “The Corrido are known for lifestyle Release Date: Oct. 13 being in touch that created this music from with their Mexico’s countryside is disMexican roots appearing. Fabiola and I grew and using traditional Mexican up with these rancheras and and modern instruments. corridos.” The band consists of four There are 10 songs on the members: Eugene Rodriguez, album. The songs on the album Emiliano Rodriguez, Fabiola are classic stories and songs Trujillo and Lucia Rodriguez. being retold by Los Cenzontles They have taken a different and given a unique twist. direction with their new album. With the song “La Rielera” The album is traditional; it a story of the Mexican embraces traditional Mexican Revolution turned into a corrimusic and culture. The style dor. The fast upbeat guitars are of the album is a mixture what really grab the listener’s of songs that are known as attention right away.
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The song “El Asesino” is a corridor composed by Felipe Valdez Leal, and is a classic that has been recorded by many artists. It’s a story about love and murder. It is about a man who is called “the murderer” who is being looked for by law officials because he killed his lover. She made a fool out of him even though he loved her. It is a dramatic song though it does not seem that way because of its slower tempo of the beat. “El Povorete” has a ranchera
style to it. The band accomplishes this sound by using mariachi style instruments, like the guitar called the vihuela, 12-string guitars, and a guitara de golpe. The song “Ojitos Verdez,” which translates to green eyes, is one of the more favorable upbeat songs of the album. Pepe Albarra originally composed the song and was made a huge success when sung by the Mexican duet group Las Palomas. The song is about a
person wondering where his/her lover with green eyes is. It is important to know Spanish in order to understand the songs because they are all sung in Spanish. It is the women of the group who sing the songs. Their voices are synced perfectly and create beautiful harmonies. Spanish is not needed to enjoy the Mexican country-style beats. The album is interesting but if the band had composed more of the songs it would have made the album more creative and authentic.
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sports
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
Lackluster scoring effort leads to loss Problems continue to plague squad deep into conference play
COUGARS DEFEAT COMETS
25-12, 25-21, 25-6
BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER
xjohnson.advocate@gmail.com
The volleyball team struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm losing in straight sets 25-12, 25-21 and 25-6 against the College of Alameda (4-12 overall and 2-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) on Wednesday in the Gymnasium. Contra Costa College (0-8 overall, 0-8 in the BVC) also dropped a straight set match to Solano College (8-4 overall and 8-0 in the BVC) 25-6, 25-9 and 25-12 on Friday in Fairfield. CCC held an early lead at 3-2 versus Alameda, but neither offense got into a groove. The tight score opened when the Cougars created two consecutive four-score runs that brought the score to 11-3. They were able to keep offensive pressure on CCC. In Fairfield, the Falcons let fly a bombardment of shots that prevented the Comets from mounting any sustained attack. The team’s next game is on Friday against Mendocino College in the Gymnasium at 6 p.m. Unnecessary mistakes gave away points in both games and prevented CCC from building any momentum. Alameda was able to capitalize on the error-prone CCC offense to win the first set 25-12. “The first set is usually rough. We have to figure out how the other team plays and how to react to what they do,” Comet middle blocker Skylar Moore (one kill, three digs) said. After losing the first set on Wednesday, the Comets showed signs of life. The second set started off rough with the Comets trailing 10-3. Alameda found its offensive rhythm through the play of middle blocker Nadia Bedard (eight kills, eight service aces). During the early 10-3 run, Nadia scored three service aces. The Comets were able to fight their way back from the early defi-
“
It went so well. They were actually having fun and communicating. That’s why they were playing so well.” — Christy Tianero, volleyball coach
“The first set is usually rough. We have to figure out how the other team plays and how to react to what they do.” — Skylar Moore, middle blocker
cit with good communication and ball movement. That same strategy was lost on the squad in the contest versus Solano on Friday. Against Alameda, mistakes by CCC were minimized and plays were effective. Comet coach Christy Tianero said the team found its rhythm in the second set. “It went so well. They were actually having fun and communicating. That’s why they were playing so well.” Tianero said. The Comets were able to capitalize on their offensive rhythm and sloppy play by Alameda to bring the score to 22-21 with Alameda leading the set. The Comets failed to close out the set as Alameda scored three unanswered points to win it 25-21. In the third set the Comets fell apart. After scoring two early points to gain their first lead of the evening, the Comets let Bedard score three consecutive service aces against them. CCC tried to come back but the Cougars exploded with a 10-point run. Alameda leaned on good ball movement of Bedard and setter Ameleah Ceron for its offense. The Comet offense slowed to a near halt and errors caused the team to give up unnecessary points. “I don’t even know what happened to be honest,” Comet outside hitter Deanna Craighead (three kills, eight digs) said. The Comets lacked hustle at Solano and against Alameda. Fatigue overwhelmed them as CCC lost the third set 25-6 and lost the match 3-0. “They just lost it,” Tianero said, “They lost what they found in the second set.”
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Falcon outside hitter Claudia Diaz strikes the ball to Comet setter Paula Sanchez during Contra Costa College’s three-set loss at Solano Community College on Friday.
BEAR CUBS SHUT OUT COMETS, SNAP STREAK Scoring drought, nagging injuries guide team to defeat COMETS
0 2
BEAR CUBS
BY Robert Clinton
Comet defender Jesus Villagrana (right) fights for possession of the ball against Bear Cub midfielder Jovani Carolino during Contra Costa College’s 2-0 loss to Santa Rosa Junior College at the Soccer Field on Friday.
SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
The men’s soccer team held California’s 2nd ranked squad, Santa Rosa Junior College (11-1-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big 8 conference), scoreless through the first half, but ultimately lost 2-0 in its final non-Bay Valley Conference game of the season on Friday at the Soccer Field. Before the Bear Cubs snapped the Comets’ four-game undefeated streak, Contra Costa College (7-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in conference) had not lost since its 2-1 home loss against Yuba College (9-4 overall, 5-0 in conference) on Sept. 29. After being shut out, CCC remains in second place in the BVC standings. Depending on the results from Tuesday’s conference matches, CCC may have a chance to close the fivepoint differential between second and first when it visits Marysville to play BVC leaders Yuba Friday. Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said he schedules high ranking non-conference opponents to bolster his team’s power rating and his team’s prospect for making the postseason. “Strength of schedule helps but every game is important,” Ferguson said. “At the end of the day you have to play every game like it’s your last — like every game is a playoff game.” This year, the Comets have faced three of the top 10 ranked colleges, according to the California Community College Athletic Association. These teams are Evergreen Valley College (4th), Lake Tahoe College (9th) and the Santa Rosa (2nd). With its leading scorer Pedro Rodriguez (third in the BVC with nine goals this season) back on the field after missing multiple games with a sprained foot and fresh off of a two-goal performance against Merritt College on Oct. 13, CCC was poised to bring the fight directly to the Bear Cubs. The Comets controlled possession with crisp passing as it attempted to find the soft underbelly of the Bear Cub defense throughout the first half, but at 58 minutes Santa Rosa scored. Reeling back from Bear Cub striker Wilson Briggs’ goal, CCC pressed
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
“Strength of schedule is important but every game is important. At the end of the day you have to play every game like it’s your last — like every game is a playoff game.” — Nikki Ferguson, men’s soccer coach
forward into the attacking third, but quickly had to hustle back to defend a counter attack at 63 minutes. A Bear Cub break up in the middle momentarily halted in front of the goalie box until Santa Rosa midfielder Marco Barragan’s pass found midfielder Jovani Carolino who shot the ball through a forest of legs past Escamillo and into goal. Carolino’s goal came just five minutes after Briggs’ to seal a 2-0 away shutout. “They were a strong team,” Comet sophomore defender Davis Okonkwo said. “I think we played good in the first half — in the second we just dropped
the ball.” Santa Rosa has only given up four goals all season, yet has only scored more than three goals in only two games. Santa Rosa took its first shot in Comet territory, which was adeptly saved by Eduardo Escamilla (three saves). Escamilla is ranked 11th in the state with 58 saves so far this season, according to cccaasports.org Offensive attempts were not lost for CCC in the first half. At 11 minutes in the game the squad advanced the ball up the field during a 2-on-3 counter attack led by forwards Brian Santos, Bryan Vega and defender Benjamin Reiter. The trio strung passes between defenders en route to the goal only to have the Comet’s attempt thwarted by Santa Rosa goalie Arturo Ornelas. The first half ended 0-0 with both offenses unable to score. In the second half, however, the nagging injuries that plagued CCC began to affect the game. First, right-winger Comet Hugo Hernandez was benched after a linger-
ing knee injury forced him out of the game. Hernandez collided knees with an opposing player in the Comets’ previous win at Merritt College. Then CCC’s offensive catalyst and team’s leading scorer Rodriguez tweaked his ailing foot and was forced to modify his play by dialing back his offensive aggression. “It just wasn’t right like it was before,” Rodriguez said. “If it was anything else I could get through it, but I just can’t plant my foot down correctly.” After stopping three shots in the first half and three early in the second, a shot by a crossing Briggs from defender Sebastian Huerra just inside of the box put Santa Rosa up 1-0 13 minutes into the second half. Reeling from the goal and pressing forward into the attacking third, CCC quickly found itself hustling back on defense. A Bear Cub break up the middle, momentarily halted in front of the goalie box until Santa Rosa midfielder Marco Barragan found fellow midfielder Jovani Carolino who shot the ball through a forest of legs past Escamillo, and into the back of the net.
sports
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
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It’s aways good to have someone with a wealth of knowledge to talk to. Learning to understand tendencies and how to be in the best position to make plays is key.” — Jackson Finch, defensive back Defensive back Jackson Finch learned the mastery behind tackling and hitting from a young age because of his father. That enabled him to perform well on the field even after experiencing a severe injury during his high school years.
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Football legacy fuels instinctive skills, hunger to uplift others Athletic genes, intuition gauge Finch’s dedication to school, community
BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
For an athlete to reach peak performance many variables must come into play; hard work, dedication, sacrifice. But the most important factor comes from within, the intangible for which there is no statistical category. For Contra Costa College sophomore safety Jackson Finch, football is second nature to him — it is in his blood. “He (Finch) is a gym-rat. He is a coach’s son. He has great football instincts and pedigree,” CCC football coach Alonzo Carter said. “He is one of those guys that you say just give me a little bit more because he could be special.” There is a history of football in Finch’s family. His father (first in the family to attend college) played linebacker at the University of Illinois and got an opportunity to play in the NFL as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His older brother, James Finch, played defensive tackle at Tennessee State University. Born March 24, 1996 in Indianapolis, Indiana as the youngest of four kids, Finch and his family moved to Riverbank, California when James Finch’s (his father) job was relocated. The move offered the household a welcomed chance at life in a warmer climate. While his father coached the defensive line at Riverbank High School,
Finch (who was barred by his parents from playing football until the sixth grade) began playing quarterback for his youth league. By 10th grade he was playing varsity for Modesto Christian High School. “My parents didn’t want me to play football because some of those coaches have kids doing all kinds of things,” Finch said. “My father knew without learning the proper technique for hitting and tackling it can get dangerous.” The dangers of football became extremely real for Finch before the start of his junior year in high school. Playing quarterback in a practice game he was grabbed by the collar and dragged to the ground, wedging his foot beneath his body. The tackle separated his ankle and broke a bone in the growth plate in his foot. On the bright side, when doctors re-set the ankle, the broken bone settled back into place eliminating the need for surgery. With playing time limited after enduring nine months of rehabilitation, Finch’s father transferred him from Modesto Christian to Central Catholic High across town. At the time, Central Catholic was poised to make a championship run and all of its skill position players were in place. Having played defense part time in the past, the now senior was eager to get on the field and prove himself any way that he could. It was then that Finch made the permanent switch from quar-
“He is maturing. He plays smarter now. In high school it was more about natural ability and less about technique.” — Malcolm Hale, Comet receiver
terback to safety. The team finished its 2013 season with a 15-1 record. Finch also nabbed an interception in the team’s 36-23 CIF Division IV Championship win against Bakersfield Christian High School. Using the season for rehab, Finch was never fully healthy during the championship run — which is why the 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety failed to dazzle college scouts during his senior workout day. “We did not let him get too down on himself,” James Finch said. “I have gone through injuries so I showed him that he can recover from anything if he stays focused and works hard.” As a 3.2 gpa student and NCAA eligible following high school, Finch and his father agreed that community college offered a better opportunity to hone his raw defensive talent. The Comet connection was made when former Carter defensive coach and Finch’s cousin Pat Henderson recruited the safety and introduced the coach to Finch’s dad. “This (CCC) was the best place for him,” James Finch said. “I respect the way Carter develops his players and
teaches them responsibility and how to be strong men.” After earning four interceptions and 20 tackles in his championship season in high school, Finch leads the Comets with three interceptions after six games this season as a sophomore. With his father, Finch breaks down most opponents’ game films to learn better ways to interpret their passing plays. “It is always good to have someone with a wealth of knowledge to talk to,” Finch said. “Learning to understand tendencies and how to be in the best position possible to make a play is key.” CCC receiver Malcolm Hale played against Finch in high school and recognizes the strides he’s made in his game. “He is maturing. He plays smarter now. In high school it was more about natural ability and less about technique,” Hale said. “Finch is a good player and captain. He is not out there playing for himself — he wants everybody to shine.” The product of a solid nuclear family, Finch regularly saw his father help people from all walks of life and serve as a positive role model for those who did not have anyone to look up to in life. “My father was always helping someone. I want to be someone people depend on like him,” Finch said. “I want to give back to troubled youth. That’s why I chose sociology as a major,” he said. “I didn’t have to experience the worst in life to know the world can use more positive people to uplift others who need help.”
Last second heroics leave record unblemished Fourth quarter score gives team decisive victory BY Jose Jimenez SPOTLIGHT EDITOR
jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com
Fresh off a bye week and midway through the 2015 season, California’s 21st ranked Contra Costa College football team faced a Yuba College (3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pac 7) team looking to avenge last year’s loss. Saturday was a close game and CCC (6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Pac 7 Conference) trailed in the fourth quarter, but got the game-winning late scoring drive and won, 16-13. The Comets finished off the 49ers with their longest drive of the game, going 10 plays for 87 yards featuring the second touchdown connection of the game between wide receiver Malcolm Hale and quarterback Cameron Burston. “We started off good offensively. We got on the scoreboard early and put drives together, but couldn’t finish,” Burston said. “I
didn’t really get into a groove until the end but my team helped me keep a level head and pushed me to finish strong.” Burston finished 13-25 for 157 yards and two TDs, losing one fumble and said overall it was a well-fought game. The Comets return to action this Saturday to battle the College of the Redwoods at Comet Stadium at 1 p.m. “I was a little concerned coming off the bye week, especially heading into a road game since road games are always tough,” Comet coach Alonzo Carter said. Carter said the team had two great goal-line stands — holding Yuba from scoring twice from the 1-yard line and blocking two 49yard field goal attempts. According to the California Community College Association website, Yuba College entered the game ranked 56th overall in yardsper-game at 309.4 CCC is ranked third overall in passing yards per attempt with 9.9 yards per throw. Yuba prepared to have its hands full with CCC’s thriving passing game.
“Our winning streak can be credited to all of out coaches. They make sure we are mentally and physically prepared every week. — Billy Nicoe Hurst, Comet defensive back
“We weren’t in rhythm the entire game on offense but our players on defense came through,” Carter said. Linebacker Ted Noble, along with defensive back and Jackson Finch all played solid games, Carter said, as Finch had one interception and the group held Yuba to less than 100 yards passing. The offensive and defensive lines of CCC were off of their games on Saturday allowing Yuba to rush for 254 yards, compared with 147 yards on a 3.3 average gain per rush for the Comets. Running back Harris Ross, led the team in rushing with 54 yards on 10 carries, but could not get anything going after suffering an ankle sprain.
At halftime the Comets led 10-6. Yuba running back Austin Thompson, rushed for his second TD on a 31-yard run late in the fourth quarter. CCC was in an unfamiliar position, down 13-10 with under three minutes left to play in the crucial Pac 7 game. That’s when they went on their 10-play, 87-yard drive. Burston was sacked seven times, but the Comet defense kept Yuba quarterback Jackson Hopking in check. He finished the game 5-20 for 49 yards, zero TDs and one interception. The entire offense could not get anything going until the very end, when it mattered most, and the defense did enough to keep their winning streak alive. During preseason workouts many people, including Comet Athletic Director John Wade, said it would be a long shot for the Comets to continue their dominance because of all the turnover the team was experiencing at several key positions. Now CCC is setting all kinds of school records while boasting unique up-tempo schemes from
Carter and the rest of COMETS the coaching staff — Jeffery Anderson and DeAndre Green. Carter said his coaching staff helped 49ERS a lot, especially in that last drive on Saturday with the entire offense struggling. The coaches have adapted and dating back to CCC’s 50-21 defeat to West Hills College-Coalinga back on Sept. 13, 2014, the Comets have won 15 consecutive games including 12 straight road wins. In fact, their last regular season road loss was in September 2013, versus Hartnell College, losing by a field goal 37-34. “Our winning streak can be credited to all of our coaches,” defensive back Billy-Nicoe Hurst said. “They make sure we are mentally and physically prepared every week.” Burston agreed and said the team’s focus during all four quarters of every game this season is because of all the hard work and dedication on and off the field before game days.
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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.21.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
Reclaiming the streets of Berkeley
focus LEFT: Children assemble to watch Jon Merker of Jon’s School of Music during the Sunday Streets event on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley Sunday.
Photos by: Cody Casares FOR
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RIGHT: Berkeley High School student volunteer Nehar Ali chaperons Wendy Xia’s daughter as she quells a simulated trash can fire during the Sunday Streets event on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley Sunday. The demonstration was provided by the Berkeley Fire Department.
Todd Schriger spawns bubbles for a group of children using his homemade bubble wand during the Sunday Streets event on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley Sunday.
RIGHT: Cyndy Wight performs a Kurdish dance for audience members during the Sunday Streets event on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley Sunday.
Sarah Brown from Zumba exercises during the Sunday Streets event on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley Sunday.