The Advocate 11-20

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VOL. 101, NO. 11

SINCE 1950 12 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

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

Essential resource missing

BANDING TOGETHER

Transfer/Career Center cut with no adequate replacement

By Jared Amdahl OPINION EDITOR

jamadahl.theadvocate@gmail.com

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Showing concern — Local American Civil Liberties Union chapter Chairperson Antonio Medrano (right) participates in a candlelight vigil and silent march by Lot 7 on Monday. Faculty, staff and students came together to remember Andy Lopez who was shot by a sheriff deputy in Santa Rosa.

AnEVENING of remembrance

La Raza Students Union, Puente program come together to remember Andy Lopez with candlelight vigil

By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

A crowd of students and faculty held a candlelight vigil Monday outside of the Library for Andy Lopez, the 13-year-old boy who was shot to death by a Santa Rosa Sheriff last month.

On Oct. 22, Lopez was playing with a toy replica AK-47 as he walked to a friend’s house in Santa Rosa. Two Sonoma County sheriff deputies pulled their patrol car up behind Lopez and ordered him twice to drop the rifle. One deputy said he believed the rifle was real, and was being turned toward him. The deputies opened fire. Lopez was shot seven times, four times in the back and three in the side.

Contra Costa College La Raza studies professor Agustîn Palacios said he heard of the incident on the radio.

“When I heard about the shooting, it broke my heart,” Dr. Palacios said. “Rather than feel powerless, I wanted to voice how I felt about this

“We need to teach our children how to survive encounters with police officers.”

Dr. J. Vern Cromartie, sociology professor

senseless shooting.”

Palacios organized the candlelight vigil for Lopez in the quad next to the Library.

Monday, as the sun set over San Pablo, a small crowd of faculty and students gathered in the quad. They began lighting candles and tying white armbands around their arms, in a sign of support for all families affected by gun violence.

Palacios started a silent march around the fenced off SA Building.

The march consisted of the only eight people in attendance.

But as the marchers silently made their way back to their starting point, a crowd of students and faculty holding candles, exponentially larger than those who marched, greeted them.

Palacios gathered everyone into a semi-circle around him as he began addressing the crowd.

“Gun violence touches the lives of too many people in the Bay Area,” Palacios said.

As he finished speaking, Palacios gave the floor to the La Raza President Esmeralda Frias. Frias spoke about the culture of violence in the country, and how it worries her.

Every speaker questioned the training of police officers. And many attendees said Lopez’s race played a large role in his death.

Contra Costa College President Denise Noldon said, “I believe the fact that (Lopez) was a minority had everything to do with why he got shot.”

Dr. Noldon took the time to address the crowd. She said one thing she loves about the community at CCC is how they band together when faced with injustice.

“My heart hurts when I think about Lopez,” Noldon said. “But this small vigil can be a lightning rod for change.”

Q SEE VIGIL: Page 3

Contra Costa College student Erick Chivichon met with a counselor before attempting to transfer to the four-year university of his choice — UC Davis.

After numerous meetings with counselors during his four years as a CCC student, Chivichon said he was told the 19 units he was registered in for the spring 2013 semester, his last at CCC, would be transferable.

He said he was misinformed.

While meeting with a Saint Mary’s University counselor to discuss his options as a backup school, it was discovered that he had taken two units that were not transferable. Chivichon was told he would be unable to attend any classes at UC Davis until he earned those final two transferable units.

“I was going to UC Davis, I was in, I needed 19 units to make up the 60 units needed to transfer, and when the time came, I couldn’t transfer,” Chivichon said.

Chivichon attributes the error to the overworked counseling staff who misinformed him, and the lack of a Transfer/ Career Center on campus “I’ve been very involved in my time on campus,” Chivichon said. “I love this school. I stand up for this school’s name because it has a lot of potential, but (services on campus) do not go above and beyond their duty.

Because of those two units I wasn’t able to transfer. CCC needs to live up to its own goal of being a ‘premier college in our backyard.’”

The once helpful Transfer/ Career Center has been absent on campus since fall 2011, and there is no estimate as to when an adequate replacement will be installed.

editorial Student body in need of Transfer/Career Center

After two years without the vital resource, college administrators need to act quickly

page 2 College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said, “The transfer center is back. It’s there in the same room as CalWORKs and Single-Stop USA. We gave space back to the transfer center awhile ago.”

While there is a room dedicated to transfer information, all that is there for curious students are pamphlets they can read about transferring.

Students who walk into C C C ’ s Transfer/ “I wasn’t Career Center and able to inquire transfer. about the t r a n s f e r CCC needs process to live up are simply referred to to its own the counselgoal of ing department. being a The duty ‘premier of helping students college in transfer has been our backgiven to yard.’” counselors, an already o v e r b u r - Erick Chivichon, communications d e n e d major resource.

The line to see a counselor at CCC can have students waiting for more than a month in order to discuss transferring.

Counselor Andrea Phillips is currently in charge of assisting students with the transfer process.

Q SEE TRANSFER: Page 3

David retires, leaves behind 20-year legacy

By Cody McFarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR

cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com

As the fall semester of 2003 neared its first day, college employees crowded into the Knox Center to discuss and prepare for the year to come.

The college president delivered a speech about how it was going to be a bad budget year because the college did not receive as much money from the state as hoped for.

For his first year teaching at Contra Costa College, English professor Jeffrey Michels felt disheartened by a speech that could only be described as “gloomy.”

That is, until a thin man with an enormous presence and unfaltering optimism said, “I don’t care about money. This place is going to be fabulous.”

“He ran an exceptional drama department on a shoestring budget.”

Dr. Jeffrey Michels, English professor

Inspired, Dr. Michels spoke out to his new colleagues. “I don’t know who he is, but I want to be on his team.”

That man, who has served CCC and the surrounding community for two decades now, who is responsible for more than 80 student theatrical productions at the Knox Center — 10 of which he personally wrote for the college — and who has given his all to his students, is Clay David.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE Now retired, David was Fabulous — Former drama department chairperson Clay David now hopes to focus Q SEE DAVID: Page 3 on assisting the theatrical community and further developing his skills as an artist.

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Drama teacher looks forward to his new life outside of CCC, reflects on body of work

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2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “I’m used to writing the most unpopular stories in the world. I don’t care what everyone else thinks.

News is news.”

Susan Schmidt reporter, The Washington Post 1998 George Morin editor-in-chief Cody McFarland associate editor Brian Boyle news editor Jared Amdahl opinion editor Mike Thomas sports editor Veronica Santos Heather Wallin scene editors Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris assistant photo editor Lorenzo Morotti editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jeff Baker Jose Jimenez Ryan Margason Jamah Butler Evelyn Vazquez Stephen Son Marci Suela Anna Madoshi Staff photographers Camelia Dillard Staff illustrators Joel Ode 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 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 VOL. 101, NO. 11 L

Editorial Students hindered

Lack of vital resource leaves campus in need

C

ontra Costa College has had its fair share of problems through the years — the lack of a Transfer/ Career Center being one of them.

But the inability to re-open such a center or even provide an adequate replacement for it is shameful.

Since fall 2011, students in need of transfer assistance have been directed to the counseling department.

The process of meeting with a counselor can take up to a month.

There is currently no way for a CCC student to receive timely information on transferring to a four-year university.

As California pushes state community colleges toward student completion and success — degrees, certificates and transfer — CCC finds itself lacking some of the resources necessary to boost those results.

And with talk of future state funding possibly being allocated through degree, certificate and transfer rates rather than the number of full-time students enrolled on campus, CCC could soon be in a lot of trouble.

Transfer rates, and the fact that they could soon affect the amount of money CCC receives from the state, should be top priority for college administrators.

By having a Transfer/Career Center, one avenue for students to receive help and direction in their education would be available, and, ultimately, not only help the school financially, but boost the transfer rate of CCC students.

Making students wait four weeks to see a counselor to ask a question is a laughable means of helping students.

Members of The Advocate staff visited CCC sister college Diablo Valley College’s Transfer and Career Center.

Not only is there a large space for DVC students to receive help in a timely manner, they can be helped with transferring, employment, resumé building and personal statement writing.

College administrators might tell students here that CCC has a transfer center. But if one goes to where the Transfer/ Career Center is, the only help available to students are a few pamphlets outside the door — no staff members are available in the center to help students.

CCC has a single employee dedicating 40 percent of her time exclusively to helping students transfer.

There are three full-time and three part-time workers at DVC’s center Monday-Thursday to help its students.

There are ways to allow a Transfer/ Career Center to work. The college administration needs to realize these possibilities and make them happen.

Though both colleges are dedicated to educating students, DVC and CCC are in competition with each other. And if one just looks at the transfer assistance each college offers its students, DVC is definitely winning that competition.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N Moving

East Bay area provides experiences, memories

I

moved here from the Midwest in the middle of winter and entered an extreme culture shock.

Imagine a place with snowless weather and Bloody Marys without chasers — seriously California, where is my side of beer?

My husband and I drove for about a week from Chicago to the East Bay in a small silver Honda, packed to the brim with whatever we could fit, including our small dog perched atop a Jengapile of luggage and blankets in the backseat.

Upon arrival, we had limited kitchen items to prepare a meal, and had just spent too many hours crammed in an ever-shrinking sedan that we were itching to start exploring immediately. The easiest way to venture out into this new world was similar to how a baby explores — with our mouths. We were babies to the West.

The first few weeks living here we spent most of our time sticking close to San Pablo Avenue. Feeling somewhat displaced, we would fill our bellies with cheap food and even cheaper booze.

Almost a year later, I have managed my fear of driving through the hills and am more equipped to cook in my kitchen, but the experience has given me a self-proclaimed expertise of the food on San Pablo Avenue.

The Hotsy Totsy Club and accompanying taco truck is my number-one favorite place to eat out, and it’s technically not a food establishment. The Hotsy Totsy is a small dive bar with plenty

heatherwallin

clearly has a good time in the kitchen cooking for others.

The dining area is small and can feel crowded at times, but I like to grab a seat overlooking the grills on a stool at the bar (they do not serve alcohol) and partake in the fascination that is diner food.

Nothing beats the sound of meat sizzling on a scorching mesquite grill and grease popping as a basket of fries is dropped. Wash down your 1/3 lb “Big Burger” and generous serving of salted French fries with a chunky pineapple milkshake.

Pho Thai Hung is my third choice.

There is nothing fancy or visually appealing about this place. It’s quaint, minimal and has a no-fuss ambiance, but the Pho broth here is the most flavorful I have experienced. I love ordering the brisket and rare steak Pho and inhaling the fragrant steam that rises from the hot soup.

I push the rare meat to the bottom of the bowl to cook, add generous amounts of fresh herbs, and slurp away until the noodles are cool enough to eat. There is nothing dainty or pretty about eating Pho. I expect to drip juice and splash it everywhere as the noodles and meat are devoured. Once gone, I lift the bowl to my lips to finish off the broth.

This place is cheap, and Pho happens to be a cure for the common cold.

of weirdo vintage tchotchkes and velvet paintings. There is usually an obscure movie or television show playing on the big screen while the music is turned up to the perfect level of loudness — sound-drowning the drunk banter of various neighborhood regulars.

The charm about this place keeps me coming back.

There are a lot of interesting details and a DIY-aspect that makes it fun to look around.

It does not hurt that they serve a tall shot of Jameson.

To ease the inner-voice nagging me about consuming “another liquid dinner,” there is a taco truck parked in the lot. The service is slow, and it is not common to wait up to 20 minutes with bar patrons and neighbors who walked over with their dogs.

However, it is worth the wait and awkward small talk.

Patrons are encouraged to enjoy their food inside the bar. The pastor burritos are incredible and filling enough to stifle that inner voice of judgment.

My second choice for eating out is Al’s Big Burgers.

I was raised a latch-key kid on fast food and frozen pizzas — this place soothes my soul and numbs my Heather Wallin is a scene homesickness, but with a editor of The Advocate. quality that surpasses any Contact her at hwallin.theadcorporate drive-thru. This vocate@gmail.com. place is run by a family that

CampusComment

Has the lack of a Transfer Center on campus affected you?

“I had to take another semester here, because I wasn’t able to get an (counseling) appointment in time to transfer.”

“Not yet, but hopefully in the future this essential resource will return when I plan on transferring.”

Leizel Aggalut

Joanne Watts

nursing

nursing

“A lot since next semester I will be transferring, I wish there was a place on campus I could go to just get simple questions answered and not have to set an appointment.”

Ronnie Batton

JANAE HARRIS AND GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

communications

“It shortens your opportunity to get information for transferring since you have to go through the Counseling Office.”

“Not really. I try to find out everything by myself online. There’s a lot of information on the website.”

Davonte Sapp-Lynch

Francisco Mejia

“We really need one (Transfer Center). It should be here to help students in need.”

Melvin Oblepias

liberal arts

liberal arts

undecided

CAMPUS BEAT Follow The Advocate

Phillips devotes 10 hours a week to marketReceive breaking news and ing, giving brief presentations on transferring sports updates by following and advertising what the college offers for stuThe Advocate on Twitter and dents in need of transfer help, but believes it is Facebook. simply not enough. twitter.com/accentadvocate “By the time I give a presentation in a class facebook.com/accentadvocate and get back to my office, there will be messages and emails from people wanting to set up appointments for transfer information waiting for me at my office. There is definitely not only student interest, but a need on campus for transfer help,� Phillips said. “There is a space, but it is not being manned for the day-to-day Q ENROLL operations that a Transfer/Career Center would normally offer.�

The space that is housing the Transfer/Career Center is also shared by two other organizations, CalWORKs and Single Stop USA. Interim Dean of Student Services Vicki Registration for classes in the Ferguson understands the problem and is curspring 2014 semester begins on rently searching for a solution.

Monday. “We want to bring a transfer center back,�

Students can check on Insite Ferguson said. “We have a counselor (Phillips) Portal for their priority registration reassigned 40 percent of her time to transferring. dates of when they will be allowed The state needs to see results and right now we to enroll in classes. are working at getting everything in place and For additional assistance, con- preparing for getting back up to 100 percent of tact the Counseling Office at 510- where we were when we had a Transfer/ Career 235-7800, ext. 43936.

Newsline

Registration for spring semester

Drama program explores riots The drama department will host the play “Twilight: Los Angeles 1992� in the Knox Center.

Showings will be at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5-7.

The play focuses on the words of the people directly affected by the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors.

To purchase a ticket and reserve a seat, contact drama professor Tyrone Davis at tdavis@contracosta.edu.

Q HOLIDAY

College closed for Thanksgiving The campus will be closed on Nov. 28-29 in observance of Thanksgiving. Classes will reconvene on Dec. 2.

Q CHARITY

Local artists play basketball A Celebrity Charity Basketball Game and Food Drive will be held at the Pinole Sport Complex at 1549 Mann Drive in Pinole on Saturday.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the basketball game will begin at 5:15 p.m.

Tickets are $7 without a canned food donation and $3 with a canned food donation.

For more information, contact event coordinator at m1promosef@ gmail.com.

CrimeWatch Friday, Nov. 8: A subject reported lost property to Police Services.

Saturday, Nov. 9: A parked vehicle was hit in Lot 6.

Monday, Nov. 11: A student reported his bicycle was stolen while locked up to a bicycle rack near the quad.

Tuesday, Nov. 12: A faculty member forwarded a picture of a student holding a handgun for investigation. — George Morin

Correction In the Nov. 13 issue of The Advocate on page 3 in the article “ASU allocation supports campus life,� the Associated Students Union meets from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays in AA-143 not AA-145.

The Advocate regrets the error.

3

Transfer | Missing resource hurts students Q FROM: Page 1

Q PLAY

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16, 2011 l THE ADVOCATE

Center. But the work does pile up.

CCC sister college Diablo Valley, in Pleasant Hill, has a Transfer/Career Center open four days a week, with multiple staff members who are there to help any students who come in.

Student worker and DVC business administration major Eddie Kim works at DVC’s Transfer/Career Center and said, “We don’t do appointments here. It is all done with drop-in visits that are on a first come-first serve basis.�

DVC’s transfer center is a constant source of help and information to DVC’s students, in order to help them transfer. Students can walk into the Transfer/Career Center at DVC and receive a wide variety of help. There are staff members there to assist students with writing their personal statements, and with building their resumÊ. As students walk in, not only are they informed of upcoming visits from representatives from other colleges, but also of potential employers.

Kim said at any given time there are about three workers in the Transfer/Career Center. He said that there are a few slow times, but normally their time is completely consumed with helping students. “I don’t think just one person would be enough to do all of this work and efficiently help students,� Kim said.

CCC Academic Senate President and music department Chairperson Wayne Organ said, “Two things (CCC) is definitely lacking are a transfer center and a veterans center. There are just not enough resources available to students, and as we can see that would require space, something that the school will be very tight on over the next couple of years.�

Organ said that not only space would be a problem, but also occupying it with trained professionals who can adequately answer transfer questions is also important. He said the wrong person in that job could be disastrous.

Chivichon said he believes it is the college administration’s responsibility to help students with the transfer process in any way they can.

Chivichon put in all the work he was told was required of him to transfer. Yet, when the time came, due to no fault of his own, he was unable to transfer from CCC to UC Davis.

He will be attending Cal State-East Bay this January.

There are services outside of the transfer center and counselor meetings that students can use to help with the transferring process.

Students can make appointments with fouryear university representatives. Cal State-East Bay representative will be on campus Dec. 4 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.

David | Teacher leaves college after 20 years Q FROM: Page 1

director of the Knox Center and a professor and chairperson of the drama department at CCC from January 1993 to May 2013.

Known on campus for his exuberance, love for the arts and humanities, socially relevant stage productions and unequivocal support for students from all backgrounds, David carries a presence that will not soon be forgotten. “He was quite popular with students,� Michels said. “He was a caring professor and has always been great at coming up with new ideas and getting people excited.�

Anjelica Reyes, former Middle College High School and drama student, describes David as “over the top, but in the best way.� She said he played a key role in getting her out of her “awkward high school phase,� forming her passion for performing and getting her comfortable on stage. “He was the one who really made me feel like I could be a star,� Reyes said. “He makes people feel like they are made for the stage, like they bring a life to the stage that no one else can.�

As a concurrently enrolled MCHS freshman during the 200405 school year, Reyes’ first experience working with David was in his Drama 120 class, then in the winter production of “A Christmas Carol.�

She said that he was a huge source of inspiration for her, regularly telling his students, “Don’t be afraid to shine.�

Reyes said, “He always built people up. That was a gift of his.�

Michels said building people up and bringing people together are two prominent gifts of David’s. “Clay understood the social and community building power of theater,� Michels said. “His plays reached a broad spectrum of the community.�

David’s multigenerational productions touched on socially relevant subjects and included not only students, but also members of the

community spanning all ages, from small children to retired adults.�

Sally Park Rubin, a director and producer whose son was a student of David’s, said that David is a fair judge in casting characters and always maintains an open mind.

Her son Sam Rubin was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at an early age. Initially having trouble with dialogue, Rubin found his voice through acting and took to singing and theater. At age 11 he was cast by David to play Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol.� He went on to act in several of David’s plays and was concurrently enrolled at CCC by high school.

David also helped Rubin get an internship at age 13 at The New Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. “Throughout my career, I have been an advocate for progressive theater that celebrates cultural pluralism. I support multigenerational outreach in theater arts and have fully embraced theater artists with disabilities,� David said. “My brother was a Special Olympics winner in track and bowling who helped me understand how to effectively communicate so that all individuals get the vision, whether it is Shakespeare or a choreographed Special Olympics celebration.�

Park Rubin, who describes David as a “jack of all trades,� said, “He’s got vision and he’s able to execute it.�

She said she has always been impressed with David’s strong stage direction and choreography, as well as his beautiful and elaborate sets and costumes. “He makes magic out of rags,� she said. “If you want something to come in on time and under budget, that’s Clay.�

Michels agrees. He said, “He ran an exceptional drama department on a shoestring budget.�

Unfortunately, the show could not go on. “Over the last few years, severe state budget cutbacks, staff reductions and shifts in college sys-

tems and administration adversely impacted the drama department,�

David said. “It became increasingly difficult to provide my students a quality learning experience consistent with my lifelong teaching and mentoring values and objectives. The time was right to shift gears and seek new opportunities.�

David Houston, humanities and philosophy department chairperson and professor, said, “It’s sad when the system’s needs of an institution overshadow the individual gifts and value of the committed teacher. He has a rare level of love and passion you don’t normally get from people.�

In his retirement, David has continued to work with actors of all ages and all walks of life. With various guest designer, director and lecturer slots at colleges and theaters throughout the country, his work to raise awareness and understanding of autism through theater arts and helping establish an altruistic arts initiatives association, David has been busier than ever since retiring.

He has teamed up with Rubin to co-write, direct and act in an eight-scene operatic and theatrical experience that delves deep into the isolation of autism, detailing the winding journey Rubin underwent to find his footing as an independent, capable adult in the world.

Titled “Samlandia,� the show is being produced by Park Rubin Media, of which Sally Park Rubin is owner and executive producer. “He’s a find. I’m glad he’s with us,� Park Rubin said. “It’s a loss for the college. The community really came together for his shows.�

David is also focusing his time on co-establishing an association that aims to teach and assist underrepresented students, artists and members of the community interested in the performing arts: the Cherangani Arts Initiatives.

Robert Leichtner, founder of Cherangani Arts Initiatives, said, “(The association) is a new organi-

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Vigil | Honoring Lopez Q FROM: Page 1

Attendees huddled together in the quad for protection against the wind.

Speakers urged change. Human health services major Alma Brown said, “I look at my brother, cousin and my own son and I have to ask what is happening in the justice system? Do officers get the psychological help they need?�

Though he was not in attendance, Police Services Lt. Jose Oliveira described the training that police officers go through in regards to shooting.

Lt. Oliveira said. “Police are trained to fire for the center of mass, because it’s very hard to hit a moving target, and pretty much impossible to shoot a gun out of someone’s hand.�

Oliveira said he believes no one person is going to shoulder the blame for the death of Lopez. He said he thinks the officer and the toy makers are equally to blame for the shooting. “(Lopez’s) death is a tragedy,�

Oliveira said. “I hope I never have to hurt anybody. But a 13-year-old with a gun is just as dangerous as an adult with a gun.�

Oliveira said he bought pellet guns at Wal-Mart that were so realistic some of the Police Services officers were incapable of telling the difference toys and the real ones.

Antonio Medrano, chairperson of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “This was a careless shooting. The officer didn’t even

wait for the boy to drop the stupid gun.�

Sociology professor J. Vern Cromartie said there needs to be a national, local and family response. “We need to teach our children how to survive encounters with police officers,� Dr. Cromartie said.

The vigil had a somber effect on the evening. As students approached the quad, loud conversations died almost immediately upon seeing the vigil. A few students even joined after being informed about the vigil.

Attendees and speakers said police officers need to be better trained on when to resort to deadly force. Many also said police need to learn to interact with minority citizens better. “I’ve never heard of a police officer accidentally shooting a white child,�

Cromartie said.

Counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez said, “It breaks my heart to have to tell my 13-year-old son that, because of his race, if he pulled out the toy gun that was a part of his Halloween costume while with his friends, a lot of people might see him as a threat.�

A small memorial of Lopez leaned against one of the benches in the quad.

As attendees of the vigil left, they stopped to place their candles around a photo of Lopez.

Before leaving for her office, Noldon said, “We can’t keep allowing our young men of color to be gunned down like this.�

zation aimed at advancing performing arts education and production, with a special emphasis on helping students, artists, schools and organizations who are interested in the theater and other performing arts, but lack the skills, experience and resources to move forward with programs on their own.�

Leichtner said David was the inspiration for the project and serves as program director and principal consultant. “Something I found unique and especially important about Clay was his tireless dedication to his students, and his empathy for the challenges many of his students were struggling with,� he said.

At this stage, Leichtner and David are researching, networking and developing collaborations with likeminded individuals and organizations, he said.

David, rising from French Catholic and Creole roots, was born on Nov. 13, 1962, in the outskirts of New Iberia, La. He received his bachelor of arts degree in theater from the University of Southwest Louisiana with minors in public relations, music and dance. He received his master of fine arts degree in acting from the University of Connecticut.

In his free time, he likes to spend time at his beach house with his partner, taking in the sun from his deck while painting in front of a backdrop of waves and redwoods.

The current drama department is working toward its Dec. 5 premiere of “Twilight: Los Angeles 1992,� Liberal Arts Division Dean Helen Kalkstein said.

Kalkstein said a full-time position is necessary for the drama department and one is currently being requested. The department is looking into bringing back the Young Actors Workshop, which was very successful in the past, she said.

Michels said, “We clearly need a strong drama department and we miss Clay now that he is gone.�

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l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

CAMPUS BEAT

Athletics copes with past cutbacks ILLUSTRATION BY LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

“Budget?” Athletic Director John Wade said. “We don’t have one of those. I wish we did, but you need money to have a budget.”

Within the athletic department at Contra Costa College, every coach still has to seek funding for necessary equipment from sources other than the college, including donations from the community, fundraising events and sometimes even paying out of pocket.

“In 2003 there was a significant California recession, where college and university funding was cut across the board by 43 percent,” Wade said. “(In athletics) we were reduced from a budget of about $112,000 to $66,000.

“It was a substantial cut,” he said. “We have not been able to recover.”

Student-athletes were affected by the California budget crisis with expenditures that used to be covered by the college, such as meal money, uniforms, equipment and transportation. The responsibility of providing such funding now falls on the shoulders of the coaches.

“There isn’t enough being done by the state to alleviate the financial strain being put on the (athletic) programs,” baseball coach Marvin Webb said.

College President Denise Noldon said that no one in particular is forcing the coaches to fund raise.

“It’s just the reality of the situation,” Dr. Noldon said. “No program on campus as of right now is getting 100 percent of its needs met.”

Last November, California voters passed Proposition 30 to create temporary taxes to fund education. The ballot measure increases the personal income tax of residents with an annual income over $250,000 for seven years and also increases the statewide sales tax by .25 percent over the next four years.

The sales tax will increase by one-quarter cent per dollar for the next four years and plans to generate state revenue to $6 billion during the first fiscal year, and smaller amounts each consecutive year until 2019.

“Proposition 30 looks like it should help

out a lot, but the states and the district — well, they react slowly,” Webb said.

“They make decisions looking at the long term because they have a budget to balance.

They don’t think of the immediate effect on the students or community.”

Coaches and athletic trainers around the state have had to manage producing winning teams without a budget and being understaffed for the past decade.

Men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller said that his budget of about $30,000 went to zero during the budget crisis in 2003.

“When the blade comes down, we (the athletic department), along with art programs, are the first to feel the pain,” Zeller said.

Noldon said, “Most of the athletic budget is used to pay for personnel and instructors, about 95 percent. That leaves a little less than 5 percent for everything else. We provide all we can give with the limit of the personnel cost.”

The college has been able to maintain athletic programs because of the willingness of the community, administration and student body to help support these programs and the extensive fundraising efforts of coaches and their teams.

“We all work together to keep every team afloat,” women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt said.

Not all colleges are as fortunate as CCC. For example, the College of Marin had to shut down its football program due to lack of funding, according to athletic trainer for the Mariners Joseph Scarcella.

DeBolt said, “College leadership has done its best to maintain and help fund the athletic department. And coaches (sometimes) will pay out of pocket if we have to.”

Recent funding Recently $10,300 was allocated to the athletic department from the College Operating Foundation to purchase new soccer goal posts and a new football sled and chute.

Liberal, Applied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics Division Dean Susan Lee approved the resource allocation request for a 10 percent reimbursement of the budget, along with an additional $5,000

“Some of this stuff has been here since I’ve been here.”

Brian Powelson,

Contra Costa College athletic trainer

on April 4, 2012. The request, submitted

by Wade, was done to ensure the safety of student-athletes and to provide them with up-to-date equipment.

Women’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said they received the new goals about four weeks ago through the budget augmentation fund.

In the request given to college administrators, the report stated that the old posts had been welded several times before.

“They (soccer goal posts) have been in need of replacement since I’ve been coaching here,” Ferguson said.

Noldon said that the college just purchased two new vans that can be used by any program on campus, but will be most beneficial for the athletic department since teams have to travel so often.

The resource allocation request submitted by Wade needed justification as to why the athletic department needed the additional funding.

In the past two years, student-athlete academic GPAs have increased in football, men’s basketball, baseball, women’s soccer and softball; along with an increase in the number of women athletes.

Sport programs on campus have also helped transfer many students to four-year colleges with scholarships who continue to play the sport of their choosing.

Football coach Alonzo Carter said that he has had at least 50 student-athletes receive scholarships in the past two years — “the most in California.”

During the 2011-12 season, 20 scholarships were given to football players, 15 the next year and, for the current 2013-14 season, the transfers are still pending.

Defensive back Greg Chucks said that he came all the way from Houston, Texas, to San Pablo, to play football for the Comets.

“It’s a blessing to be here at CCC. I’m thankful for what we have,” Chucks said.

“Football gave me the opportunity to do something good on the field, instead of something bad on the streets.”

Expenses Wade said each sports program on campus does not have the same amount of expenses. Smaller teams, such as basketball, volleyball or soccer, do not have to pay as much as the football program, which can have over 100 players on the roster.

DeBolt’s biggest expense for his women’s basketball team this year is buying shoes for his 10 players. But last year the program had to fundraise $5,000 to buy new uniforms.

“In basketball you don’t need a lot of equipment,” he said. “I’m not negative. I’m realistic about my budget.”

Coach Carter faces a harsher reality having to supply his roster of about 100 football players with uniforms, helmets, pads and all other necessities.

“It’s tough,” Carter said. “I try not to let the players think about the money situation.

It’s too stressful. We do the best we can and remain humble and grateful that the school does what it can.”

Webb’s baseball team also struggles with having to fundraise about $5,000 a year to support his program.

“Not having a budget affects the team, as well as recruitment,” Webb said.

The exception The only person on the campus with an athletic budget is the athletic trainer, Wade said.

The full-time, on-site athletic trainer for CCC, Brian Powelson, said, “I have a supply budget and it is just one person out of necessity to do the job.”

His job is very important in the athletic department and he has been with the college for more than 18 years.

“I evaluate, rehabilitate and prevent athletic injury,” Powelson said.

Powelson said that here and there he receives new equipment, but not frequently.

“Some of this stuff has been here as long as I’ve been here,” he said, referencing the taping tables and treatment tables where he treats injured players and performs duties like taping ankles to prevent them.

Helpful assistant mentors students

By Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

Animal biology piqued David Katz’s interest as a child and has guided him into a role where he aids students in understanding their own human anatomy.

Born in Arizona, Katz, a nursing major, said he was incredibly active in biology from a young age. His interested continued into his education at Contra Costa College where he became a teaching assistant in the biological sciences department.

“I started in the fall of 2010 and I needed a change in my life,” Katz said. “I had worked in restaurants on and off and aside from breeding snakes and working in the vivarium I felt burned out.”

Katz is a former breeding manager at the East Bay Vivarium and still works there part time. He attended the California Culinary Academy prior to his time at CCC. He lists his life hobby of breeding snakes and other reptiles as his main profession and currently serves as his primary source of income to pay his college fees.

“I am currently breeding 15 species of snakes and I have bred 130 species over the past 40 years,” Katz said.

Naturally, extensive experience breeding animals set the foundation for his future in biology and anatomy courses when he began to attend CCC. Dr. Ellen Coatney, biological sciences professor, said, “He shows a complete understanding

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Funny bones — Nursing major David Katz was born in Arizona and is very active in biology. He serves as a teaching assistant to help other students with their Human Anatomy classwork. of the material. (Katz) truly knows what is required and he can help students find their best method of learning.”

Katz contends he is just a slow but determined learner.

“I learn slowly, but I tend to learn everything thoroughly. I usually spend 20-25 hours a week studying additionally outside of the six hours I spend in class,” Katz said.

He said it is important for students to do the same amount of studying outside of class, especially if they have underestimated the course load involved in biology classes like Human Anatomy.

“The information is easy enough to learn but it is the high volume of information that make (biological science courses) a challenge,” Katz said.

Dr. Coatney said Katz tells everyone the truth about how difficult Human Anatomy class is, and

that is what she likes about him.

Nursing major Sandra Gonzalas, who attends an open lab run by Katz on Fridays in B-39, said she likes how there is someone else to help students outside of regular class time.

“Most of us in the open lab fully take advantage of (Katz’s) help because sometimes Dr. (Debra) Barnes is too busy helping other students usually because she is overwhelmed after class,” she said.

Gonzalas said Katz breaks concepts down completely and goes slower in his explanations than most teachers. She said he describes how to arrive at the answer step-by-step.

Sasha Qayumi, another nursing student, praised Katz’s devotion to helping students in the open lab that is typically held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Qayumi said there is always

confusion in class, but help from teaching assistants like Katz gives students a much better chance of passing.

Biological sciences department Chairperson Barnes agreed about how passionate Katz is for learning and for helping students. “(Katz) has helped out immensely in here. This is his general interest and he wants people to be interested in the material,” Dr. Barnes said.

Barnes said Katz has been very generous with his time. She said his help has allowed for her and Coatney to alternate between spending time lecturing or working on the cadaver with students as part of independent study.

“I can’t stress enough how helpful (Katz) has been to the students,” Coatney said. “By explaining what needs to be done in class he has been instrumental in assuring students can do well.”

Barnes said, “He loves to teach.

I don’t want him to go on and transfer but I know he has to. I have known people in the past who haven’t put in as much effort to help as he has. And I know he is really excited to move on.”

Katz said, “A lot of being a T.A. for me is the level of energy involved. I enjoy working hard.”

He plans to apply to Samuel Merritt University and hopes to eventually work in an emergency room.

Katz said he would also enjoy being a surgical nurse in another region, like Africa, which would have the added bonus of introducing him to a large variety of new insects and reptiles.

“There are a couple more prerequisites I have to fulfill before I transfer, but I plan to do an open lab in the spring because it’s fun. I love it,” Katz said.

Tutor helps students find their voice cations.

“I want to also get my A.A. in communications,” Callaway said.

“It wouldn’t make much sense to get my A.A. in English and major in English.”

Callaway said she wants to write science fiction or fantasy stoBy Brian Boyle ries. She loves to read, and some NEWS EDITOR of her favorite authors include J.K. bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com Rowling and Kelly Armstrong.

To students seeking tutoring in She may love to read, but once their speech classes, the faces of Callaway gets on the topic of the tutors in the speech lab in AA- CCC’s speech and debate team 113C are very familiar. she speaks with an intensity that Speech tutor Hayley Callaway’s serves as perfect proof as to why face may be more familiar than she is such a valued member of others. the team.

“They only let us get four units “She’s the humorous heart of from tutoring,” Callaway said. “If the team,” journalism major and there wasn’t a limit I could have speech and debate team member a whole 12 units just from tutor- De’Alundria Gardner said. “She ing.” brings her sense of humor with her This is Callaway’s first semes- and she really helps keep us calm ter as an official speech tutor for during tournaments.”

Contra Costa College, but she is no Callaway competes in both stranger to tutoring. speech and debate events. Though Callaway has also volunteered she is focusing on debate this her time to help tutor students semester, she said her favorite taking classes at CCC as a part of event is After-Dinner Speaking. the Transition ADS is a Program. The style “She’s the humorous whereof speech Transition the Program is a heart of the team. She speaker delivers program that either an inforbrings her sense of has had spot at mative or perCCC for the last humor with her and suasive speech 30 years, until the same she really helps keep with research, orgathis semester, when a lack of us calm during tourna- nization and structure as a space forced the ments.” normal speech, college to conbut on a humorvert their meetDe’Alundria Gardner, ous topic. ing space into speech and debate team member “ S h e ’ s storage.

(Callaway) The program focused on assisting students a very determined competitor,” between the ages of 18 and 22 with Gardner said.

Callaway has only one comhistories of chronic and severe social, emotional, behavioral and plaint in regards to speech and debate. Sometimes, she feels that academic challenges.

Linda Chavez, a teacher with because there are no regularly the Transition Program, said, enforced judging standards for “(Callaway) was terrific. She their competitions, that a lot of would work one-on-one with stu- judges cite arbitrary reasons for dents that needed her the most. I their decisions.

Speech department Chairperson wish I had her working with me Sherry Diestler said, “(Callaway) now.”

Chavez said there were other is a lot of fun, but when she’s comstudents who would volunteer, but peting she goes all out.”

Diestler said that when her that Callaway was the most faithrounds in tournaments are over, ful and the most regular.

Graduating from Middle Callaway would go watch the comCollege High School in 2012, petitors from the university and Callaway directly entered Contra CSU level compete in order to Costa College. She is majoring in learn how to improve her own English, but also hopes to receive abilities.

“She’s like a sponge,” Diestler her associate degree in communi-

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

5

LOQUACIOUS

Callaway brings familiar face to speech lab

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Gift of gab — Hayley Callaway can be seen in and around the speech tutoring center in AA 113C giving help to students. Callaway has aspirations of one day being an English teacher. said.

Callaway truly invests herself in the speech and debate competitions.

“Sometimes, before a competition, I get really nervous,” Callaway said. “But I’ve only ever cried outside of a round once.

Callaway said the one time a debate round brought her to tears was due to a biased judge, who

Callaway said had spent the round showing blatant favoritism to her opponents, and allowed her opponents to verbally attack her debate partner.

Despite how intense a round can become, Callaway said she loves being a part of the speech and debate team.

“I love knowing that I did really well in a round,” Callaway said.

“It’s just such a great feeling of personal satisfaction. Win or lose it’s just a great feeling.”

Debating may be in her blood, with an older sister who works as an attorney, but Callaway said she wants nothing to do with a career in law. She hopes to work as an English teacher.

“She’s going to be a fantastic teacher,” Diestler said.

Speaker Showcase highlights oratory skills

By Evelyn Vazquez STAFF WRITER

evazquez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The speech and drama departments held their annual Student Speaker Showcase at the Knox Center Thursday.

Speech department professor and Chairperson Sherry Diestler began the event with a speech welcoming the audience and briefly explaining the performances of the night. Performances included a variety of parliamentary debate demonstrations, persuasive speeches, drama performances and many more.

One of the performers was communication major Drake Jensen who performed a persuasive speech to raise awareness of cancer and lymphoma. Through his brief jokes, the audience responded with laughter and applause.

Digital film and drama tech students presented videos portraying awareness of

different issues such as smoking tobacco and peer pressure. Drama tech students also showed a demonstration of theater functions such as lighting, sound room location and terminology used on stage.

The last performance of the night was a parliamentary debate demonstration by speech and debate team members. The topic of debate was whether or not the California education system should ban homework.

After the performance, speech and debate coach Darren Phalen said he was amazed to see his students do so well on stage, especially the performance of his speech and debate student Erick Chivichon.

Speech and debate team member Hayley Callaway said, “The performances were put together really well and I saw everyone work really hard toward their performances.”

Diestler said she was impressed with how well the speech and debate team delivered their performance. She said the most important factor is that they enjoyed it.

JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

With arms wide open — Student Erick Chivichon performs a speech during the Speaker Showcase held in the Knox Center on Thursday.

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6 THE ADVOCATE

SPORTS

l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

Group pushes toward playoffs

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

10-player Comet squad revamps offense in 2013

Basketball Previews | 2013

Comets plan to further postseason progression with a mixture of veteran and first-year players

Women’s basketball team seeks to improve with new roster additions, offensive gameplans

than the last two seasons,” Johnson said. “We

By Mike Thomas are going to lean on Mize and Baulwin for some SPORTS EDITOR sophomore relief this season.” mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com Last season Mize made the BVC AllIn its second consecutive playoff appear- Conference team, and led his team with 11.6 ance, the men’s basketball team lost in the first points per game. round of the California Community College The Comets are currently 1-2 after the State Basketball Tournament at Cabrillo Las Positas Tournament from Nov. 7-9 in College 65-57 on March 1.

Livermore.

The Comets finished the 2012-13 season Both losses were double figure losses to 21-8 overall, and 12-4 in the Bay Valley Chabot College and Columbia College, but the Conference, earning them second place.

Comets did beat De Anza College in a triple This season CCC has a 14-man roster with overtime 93-85 thriller in the second round of only four returning sophomores. the tournament.

Men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson Freshmen guard Armein Outing said he has a smaller number of players this season, thinks being small is the reason they lost two but has faith that they will be able to compete games at Las Positas. with the top BVC teams.

Mize is averaging 21.3 points per game this He said the focus this year will be to get season, and Outing is right behind him with back in the playoffs.

19.7.

He said this year’s freshOuting said he is enjoying men would take turns rotatplaying at a high “We want to come out level andbasketball ing into starting spots. is off to a great start “We want to come out competitive and try to in a Comets’ uniform. competitive and try to obtain He brings versatility and obtain a postseason scoring a postseason opportunity,” to the team, and is Johnson said. “We are startaveraging 1.3 steals per opportunity.” ing four freshman this season game. and I like this group of guys.

“It’s a great experience, Miguel Johnson Hopefully we will be combut the college level is a little Men’s basketball coach petitive.” harder than high school level,” The Comets have sophomore guards Davion Outing said. “I will bring scoring accountability Mize and Fletcher Brown returning, who were speed and defense to the point guard position.” on the team last season.

The Comets are eyeing two teams in the The other sophomore players were red- BVC — Yuba College and Merritt College. shirted last season, but one notable returner is The 49ers have won the conference eight guard Dave Baulwin. consecutive seasons, and CCC lost at Yuba last The players want to see a conference cham- season 89-60 on Jan. 4. pion flag when this season is over.

“I want to face Yuba College again. They The Comets will be without sophomore won our conference eight years players Justin Pollard, Johnathan Caldwell- in a row,” Mize said.

Hudley, J’uan Parker and Jacob Monroe.

“They beat us by 20 The team’s height left with those four; they plus points last seaaveraged 6 feet and 3 inches in height. son.”

“We are small and young this year, and we The Comets split have four returning sophomores this season,” the series with the Mize said. “We want to win the conference Thunderbirds last and get a conference championship banner season. dropped for CCC.” Merritt has The Comets’ weakness right now is attack- beaten the ing the basket. men’s basIn practice the CCC players sprint up and ketball team down the court to help them practice being in Oakland aggressive, and they also run attack the basket the last eight drills, where the players lineup in two single years, and this file lines, and sprint to make lay-ups while squad wants to rotating in a circle. end that streak.

The Comets have a lot of young players “I am waiting who can shoot 3-point shots, and that is some- for Merritt College thing Johnson’s playoff teams have not had away because we in the past two season. The team will rely on haven’t beaten them the returning sophomores to lead the freshmen away for eight years,” players, and to make big plays for this young Outing said. “I want to break Comets’ team. that streak.”

“Our main focus is learning how to attack the basket. Our ability to hit 3-pointers is better

Key returners: Davion Mize, guard; Fletcher Brown, guard; Phillip Secrease, guard Key losses: Larry Wicket, guard; Pershante Hill, guard; Justin Polard, guard; Juan Parker, guard Key newcomers: Dujuan Smith, guard; Armein Outing, guard; Kennon Noble, guard

Last season by the numbers Overall record 21-8 Conference record 12-4 Conference finish second

By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

With four returning sophomores and six freshmen, the women’s basketball team is set on securing a spot in the California Community College State Basketball Tournament in the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt begins his 28th season after the Comets (1513 overall, 8-6 in Bay Valley Conference) placed fourth in the BVC last season.

Contra Costa College finished beneath third place Solano Community College (14-10 overall, 11-3 BVC), second place Laney College (15-12 overall, 12-2 BVC) and conference champions Mendocino College (19-8 overall, 12-2 BVC) last season.

DeBolt said that he has a young team this year with a lot of energy.

He said that his team seems to get along and work hard together.

“We are small but fast,” DeBolt said. “We are preparing with the post-season in mind.”

The last time the Comets were able to win a post-season game was in 2007.

Assistant coach Chanel Antonio said she believes that the squad can break that streak this year.

“This is a completely different team,” Antonio said after practice last week.

Antonio said, “They are building a sense of unity and it shows on the court.”

DeBolt continues to practice the “full court” style of play.

“Our offense is ready to go, it’s the defense we need to develop,” DeBolt said. “This is a team that can challenge its competition.”

Assistant coaches Jason Maples DeAngelo Mack Ivan Allison

Roster 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 15 20 24 32 35 44

Dujuan Smith Armein Outing Ladra Befford Fletcher Brown Wilford Carney Dave Baulwin Davion Mize Andre Newell Kennon Noble Marcel Jones Timothy Jordan Lowell Hall Jovell Vance Kevin Wise

guard guard guard guard guard guard guard guard guard guard forward forward forward center

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

BVC schedule

BVC schedule

Jan. 4 vs. Yuba College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 vs. Yuba College 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 at College of Alameda 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 at Laney College 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Napa Valley College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Napa Valley College 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 vs. Mendocino College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 vs. Mendocino College 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 at Los Medanos College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. College of Marin 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Merritt College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 vs. Solano Community College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 BYE Jan. 29 at Yuba College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. College of Alameda 7:30 p.m.

Key players

Feb. 5 at Napa Valley College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Solano Community College 7:30 p.m.

Key newcomers: Ahjahna Coleman, guard; Raven Caldwell, guard

Overall record 15-13 Conference record 8-6

Jan. 24 BYE

Feb. 5 at Napa Valley College 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 vs. Mendocino College 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 vs. Los Medanos College 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 at College of Marin 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 vs. Merritt College 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Solano Community College 5:30 p.m.

Roster Ahjahna Coleman Jewel Rogers Raven Caldwell Shante Mass Aaliyah Brigham Carol Oldan Kaylah Jones Tynisha Adams Joie Wyatt Briah Davis

guard guard guard center guard guard guard guard forward center

freshman sophomore freshman sophomore freshman freshman sophomore freshman sophomore freshman

Conference finish fourth

Jan. 29 at Yuba College 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. Laney College 5:30 p.m.

Keith Allison Teri Williams Angelita Hutton Chanel Antonio

3 4 5 10 11 14 22 25 33 34

Last season by the numbers

Jan. 22 vs. Solano Community College 5:30 p.m.

Assistant coaches

Key players Caldwell

Feb. 19 vs. Merritt College 7:30 p.m.

Key losses: Famh Fong, guard; Allyson Roberts, guard; Shanyla Love, forward, Jeannay Washington, forward

He added that if the team can remain healthy and play well, it could finish in the top 10 in the Northern Region.

Returning forward Joie Wyatt said that having so many freshmen on the team has had a positive effect on the sophomores, forcing them to become leaders on the court.

She said she is confident that the team will do well this season.

“We really don’t have any star players on the team. Everyone is playing their roles and that’s good for any team,” Wyatt said.

She said last “This is a year the squad was unable to completely place for the different playoffs.

“This year team. They it seems better. The sopho- are building a mores have sense of unity matured and and it shows are bringing the freshman on the court.” with them,” she said.

Chanel Antonio, Noticeable women’s basketball new talent assistant coach on the team includes freshman Ahjahna Coleman.

DeBolt and Wyatt both said she is talented on both ends of the court and is able to make 3-point shots and attack the basket.

Another freshman who has shown potential as a leader is Tynisha Adams.

DeBolt said that she has matured the most on the team and is a good defender.

Point guard Jewel Rogers returns to the team after earning a spot in the BVC All-Conference team last season after she led the conference in points scored per game.

Wyatt also had an excellent 201213 season, with a scoring average of 10.5 points per game, only 5.9 less than Rogers 16.4.

Sophomore forward Shante Mass said that the team has good players in all positions.

“We should be good,” Mass said.

“We’ve got speed and shooters.”

DeBolt agrees with Mass and said that there are many talented players on the roster sheet this year.

“We are not going to rely on one or two players, we rely on everybody,” DeBolt said.

Coleman

Feb. 14 at College of Marin 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Merritt College 5:30 p.m.

Key returners: Jewel Rogers, guard; Shante Mass, center; Kaylah Jones, guard; Joie Wyatt, guard

Wyatt

Feb. 12 vs. Los Medanos College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. College of Marin 5:30 p.m.

Head coach: Paul DeBolt (28th season)

Rogers

Outing

Newell

Mize

Feb. 7 vs. Mendocino College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 at Los Medanos College 5:30 p.m.

At a glance

DeBolt

Head coach: Miguel Johnson (8th season)

Johnson

At a glance

7

8 THE ADVOCATE

SCENE

l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

The American way — Moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton is one of the many moonshiners who appear on the show “Moonshiners.” They illegally make alcohol in the woods of the Appalachian Mountains.

The show airs on Discovery at 8 p.m.

Tuesdays.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

‘Moonshiners’ brews up a classic sure — viewers will find themselves laughing hysterically at the characters.

Moonshine is the distilling of corn mash and turning it into a clear whiskey with a high alcohol level.

The show takes place in the

By Ryan Margason Appalachian Mountains with disSTAFF WRITER tilleries in North Carolina, South rmargason.theadvocate@gmail.com Carolina and Virginia. “Moonshiners” Who would have thought making shows the process of making the moonshine could be so educational yet moonshine from beginning to end so comedic for something that people — from the stills being made, to gathhave been doing for more than a cenering the corn mash, sugar and yeast, tury? right up to the fermentation process.

“Moonshiners” features a cast of It even captures how the characters hilarious characters. gather their materials while trying to With the combination of Tickle, a avoid arrest. main character who is drunk for most There is no better cast on television of the episodes, and Jim Tom singing that represent the lives of mountainhis catchy jingles, one can see why eers than Tim, Tickle, Jeff, Mark, Bill, people enjoy watching the show.

Josh, and Jim Tom. Viewers may find themselves feelThis season, Tim makes the deciing a sense of excitement while watch- sion to make moonshine legally. With ing “Moonshiners.” Perhaps this is the Tim going legal, Tickle takes charge reason many tune in. One thing is for of a whole territory for moonshining

Discovery channel original fascinates

in Virginia. While in tvreview North Carolina, Jeff and Mark will be making some of the most moonshine the country has ever seen.

“Moonshiners” In South Carolina, +++++ Bill and Josh will try to Starring: Marvin have a successful sea- “Popcorn” Sutton, Tim, Tickle, Jesse son of making moonNetwork: shine, after nothing but Discovery bad luck last year. One Time slot: can only wonder if Bill Tuesdays, 8 p.m. and Josh will have any Genre: Documentaryopportunity to make drama moonshine this season.

As for Jim Tom, he continues to make traditional copper stills.

“Moonshiners” is an informative program as it documents a process that is very much a part of American history, especially in the years of Prohibition. It talks about the history of making moonshine in America,

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from President Washington making rye whisky at his distillery in Mount Vernon to bootleggers racing in the 1930s after Prohibition and the birth of NASCAR. From the dangers the cast must face in order to gather materials and running from law enforcement, there are plenty of reasons to watch the show. It is also one of the only shows in which one can learn from a mountaineer.

The moonshiners must always look out for the law in their line of work.

Making the product is illegal. Part of the entertainment is watching a deputy sheriff and an Alcohol and Beverage Control agent discuss what they must do to catch moonshiners.

The theme of the show is to let people know that moonshining and bootlegging is not dead, but alive and strong. This is a way of life for some people in the Appalachians.

Moonshiners airs on the Discovery Channel on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m.

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. . . and maybe more than one.

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SCENE

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

9

Eminem’s latest album excites New songs, content from influential rap icon satisfies listeners

By Jose Jimenez STAFF WRITER

jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Guess who’s back again. Shady’s back, so tell a friend. On Nov. 5, Eminem released his eighth studio album titled “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” It is a follow up to the controversial “The Marshall Mathers LP” in 2000. The 15 tracks and one very humorous skit fill up the ear drums for a good hour.

The last time Eminem released an album, “Recovery” in 2010, he received 13 Grammy awards and every other album he has released has either cdreview gone platinum or diamond.

People may be familiar with the three singles that have “MMLP2” each reached over +++++ 1 million views on Artist: Eminem YouTube, most notaGenre: Rap Label: Shady bly, “Survival,” the Records anthem for the newly Release Date: released video game, Nov. 5 “Call of Duty: Ghost.”

The weakest song, “Berzerk,” pays homage to the Beastie Boys’ funky beats and nostalgic ways.

And the most current single, “The Monster,” featuring the lovely Rihanna, relates to all of the misfits.

The two team up once again, this time to establish a rally cry for people who have ever felt uncomfortable with themselves.

Beautifully, Rihanna sings: “You think I’m crazy and that’s nothin’”.

Out of the three current singles, “The Monster” is by far the best one.

“Bad Guy” leads the album off and picks up right where his single “Stan,” from “The Marshall Mathers LP,” finished. It is about a fan all grown up and bitter that Slim Shady forgot all about him.

It is the theme of the entire album.

Eminem switches from Marshall Mathers to his alter ego, Slim Shady.

“Rhyme or Reason” is a brilliant track. Eminem takes the classic song “Time of the Season,” originally performed by The Zombies, and completely changes the chorus to talk about his relationship with his father.

He speaks in the second person and boasts that his last album went

diamond, therefore this one will go emerald.

“So Much Better” follows Shady’s “Kill You” from the “Marshall Mathers LP.” This time targeting women and ending it the only way he can: “I’m just playin’ b-, you know I love you.”

Another track, “Legacy,” digs deep and dishes out the best of his lyrics.

On the track titled “***hole,” Skylar Grey, who was featured on Dr. Dre’s 2011 hit, “I Need a Doctor,” sings the chorus as soft and elegantly as only she can. “Everyone knows you’re an ***hole la la la.” This track shows Eminem’s lack of interest in public opinion.

Eminem’s honesty is brutal.

“Rap God” will have to be listened to about two or three times before one can fully catch and understand what Eminem’s persona is all about. The third verse executes and shows us why he is the best at taking words and connecting those lines like crossword puzzles.

“Stronger Than I Was” completely shows Slim’s softer and sometimes unusual demeanor. He sings halfway through the song and right before you can hit the skip button, he is lyrically speaking to his listeners once again and makes us want to nod our heads to the beat.

On “Love Game” Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, the only other rapper featured on the entire album, break-

down the relationship between a man and a woman. This tag team tandem is truly unfair to the world of hiphop. Lyrically these two men are on a whole different level. However, Aftermath Record’s support of other West Coast artists is clearly present on this track.

“Headlights” is Eminem’s apology to his mother, Debbie Nelson. By far, this is his most personal song on the album. The chorus, performed by Nate Ruess of Fueled, will

forever be embedded in the minds of listeners. It is a brilliant collaboration.

However, before Eminem can get any more sentimental, he finishes the album with “Evil Twin,” a track featuring his alter ego Slim Shady versus Marshall Mathers. The song is filled with curse words and homophobic slurs. But with Eminem giving his listeners new stories to deliver, the album is worth every penny.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Bistro serves up California dishes with new twists perfect because of the dimmed lighting, candles in each table and a variety of music playing in the background.

The noise level is typically comfortable.

However, when patrons

By Evelyn Vasquez gather to watch sports on the STAFF WRITER plasma television located in evazquez.theadvocate@gmail.com the bar area, there may be times when it Driving through the historic can become streets of downtown Pinole, foodreview noisy. one can find a great restaurant Staff at the serving delicious American entrance are fusion. wonderful and Pear Street Bistro is a reshelpful. taurant that serves California “Pear Street Once you cuisine, but the food is fused Bistro” are greeted, together and inspired by dish+++++ Cuisine: you are seated es from all over the world.

American fusion almost immeThe menu is filled with a Where: 2395 San diately if variety of dishes such as pasPablo Ave, Pinole Price Range: arriving with a tas, meats and seafood. small group.

Placed in the friendly com- $10-20 It is best munity of downtown Pinole, advised to the location of the restaurant make a reseris ideal.

There are other restaurants vation if one plans to arrive and bars surrounding the area with a large group.

The restaurant is somewhat but parking is not an issue.

The restaurant is the perfect small, therefore accommodaplace to dine for any occasion. tions for larger groups without a reservation may be difficult.

Because of the welcoming As soon as you are seated, atmosphere, it is the perfect waiters are efficient and ready venue to gather with friends to serve you. or family.

If, for starters, you want The décor of the restaurant is modern. The atmosphere is to indulge in something light,

Historic Pinole houses delicious fusion restaurant

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Fusion food — The Pear Street Bistro, located on San Pablo Avenue in downtown Pinole, offers new takes on traditional California cuisine while providing excellent service and atmosphere.

it is recommended to try the bruschetta, ciabatta bread topped with mozzarella, basil leaves and fresh tomato.

Also a delightful starter is the PSB crab cakes served with Creole-Cajun aioli and a frisee salad with bacon vinaigrette.

Although the overall service was good, it did take quite a bit of time to get all the dishes ordered.

If in the mood for seafood as the main dish, it is recommended to go for the Thai coconut curry linguini with prawns.

This delicious dish is served with mushrooms, caramelized red onions, green bell peppers and shaved ginger in a creamy Thai coconut curry sauce.

For a meat option, try the grilled angus steak.

The dish includes seasonal vegetables with the choice of various sauces such as a wild mushroom reduction for the steak, and many sides such as steamed rice, quinoa and more.

For those with a sweet tooth and that still have room for dessert, the seasonal fruit

tart is tasty.

As the dessert plate was put on the table, it looked very sweet but was actually perfect.

The tart was filled with apple bits and cinnamon drizzled with caramel.

The tart is a great size for two people to share because it is also served with vanilla bean sorbet.

At the end of the meal you can feel just about satisfied and not overly filled because the portions of the dishes are ideal.

10 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

SPORTS

Its a celebration — Lorran Santos celebrates his goal in the 75th minute of their game against Yuba College at the soccer field on Nov. 12.

The Comets finished second in the Bay Valley Conference.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Comet defensive rally beats 49ers Soccer team finishes season with 2-0 win

By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comets’ solid defense shut out Yuba College 2-0 with Contra Costa College’s offense scoring two goals late in the second half during its last game of the 2013 season on Friday at the Soccer Field.

Comets’ center midfielder Lorran Santos and right-winger Davis Oknokwo each scored from the edge of the penalty box, about 20 yards out from goal.

“I told the team to be patient and that’s what they did,” men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller said postgame. “We were ScoreBoard rewarded during the last 10 minutes with Comets 2 two fantastic goals.”

49ers 0 CCC (7-2-3 Bay Valley Conference, Season over: 11-6-3 overall) fin10-6-3 overall, ished second in its 6-2-3 in the conference after BVC defeating the last place 49ers (1-9-2 BVC, 2-14-2 overall). The victory was not worth enough power points for the Comets to win the BVC championship over Merritt College (9-1-2 BVC, 13-3-4 overall) however. The Thunderbirds concluded the season with 29 conference points, five points more than the Comets.

In the California Community Colleges Regional Standings CCC placed 18th.

Unfortunately for them, only the top 14 from the Northern and Southern regions are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

Zeller went with a 4/2/1/3 formation and started sophomore keeper Gustavo Rojas for his final game as a Comet.

The Comets’ defensive backline consisted of Brad Alman, Luis Raymundo as the two center backs between right fullback Samuel Mendez, and left fullback Enri Refunjol who patrolled the wings.

Roberto Calixto and Erick Medrano repeatedly pressured turnovers in the midfield to trap the 49ers on their side of the field.

Playing in the wings were Juan Pablo Gutierrez in right field and Bobby Gonzalez in the left to support center attacking midfielder Jose Aguilar and center forward Marcos in the attacking third with crosses into the penalty box.

Moments after the starting whistle, the Comets were in control of the possession. Short triangle passes in the backfield between the defense and midfield kept 49ers strikers chasing after the ball.

Most of the game was spent on the Yuba half of the field. Holding the ball in the backfield using quick and precise passes, the Comets lured 49ers into being out of position. This tactic left the Comet players in the wings open to receive multiple aerial passes.

This tactic tormented Yuba. They were lucky the Comets were unable to score earlier.

The first opportunity at goal was at the 7th minute of play when Aguilar received the ball in the center left field about 30 yards out from goal. He dribbled it past two Yuba defenders and was able to connect the inside of his right foot with the ball. Aguilar curled it high and toward the opposite post but before it could drop into goal, the crossbar denied him the point.

The Comets had 10 shots by the end of the game, more than tripling Yuba College’s

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Happy camper — Men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller laughs after being soaked with water by his players after their victory over Yuba College, 2-0 at the soccer field on Nov. 12. three shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Victor Alcantar was the most vital player for the 49ers. He managed to prevent seven goals.

Besides relying on their keeper, the 49ers were dependent on counter attacks.

However, their breaks down the wings or center of the field usually dissolved before reaching the midfield. The Comets’ defense was able to get back behind the ball to strip Yuba’s attacking players of the ball.

CCC held a total of 70 percent of the possession by the end of the match.

Whenever Yuba managed to win the ball the Comets ensured that it would not be for long. Off the ball work rates by Aguilar, and Solis in midfield kept the pressure on Yuba.

This forced hasty long diagonal or forward passes into CCC’s territory that were easily intercepted by the Comets’ defensive backline in the air or on the ground.

Fullbacks Refunjol and Mendez constantly patrolled the wings at a fast pace.

Long diagonal crosses by these players in the backfield at times zig-zagged the ball up the field in only three passes.

The second half saw many more chances at goal for CCC’s strikers but each shot was unable to penetrate Aclantar’s reach.

With 15 minutes remaining, a play starting in the left side of the midfield saw

Marcos break down the wing. Once he hit the edge of the box he quickly cut back and released a square pass to Lorran inside the center circle and left edge of the box.

He controlled the ball and brought it over to his left side before connecting the outside of his left foot with the ball. Lorran’s shot seemed to be veering to the right before suddenly dropping down and left into the corner of goal.

“I’m actually right footed,” Lorran said.

“I’ve been practicing with my left for a while and finally got an opportunity to try it.”

His goal gave the Comets a 1-0 lead.

The flow of the game remained constant, as CCC kept up its attack by building plays from the backfield.

In the final moments of the game a long pass from the backfield reached Gutierrez just barely outside the box. He was able to pop it up using the top of his head, the ball came down and before its second bounce, Okonkwo, who had already made the run from the left midfield, hit it on a volley.

He rifled the ball across the penalty box from the left edge into goal past Alcantar who was left hugging the near post.

“I’ve wanted a goal all season so when I saw my chance I didn’t think I just reacted,” Okonkwo said.

“I was elated.”

Softball coach proudly steps up to plate

By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

The softball team at Contra Costa College has found a new coach, and is preparing for the start of its spring season.

The Comets were left without a coach at the beginning of this year when former softball coach Otis Yelverton left to coach at another junior college.

Luckily, it did not take long for the college to find Karolyn Gubbine, who was eager to take the position. Though her coaching resumé is short, having only served as an assistant coach for Pinole Valley High School’s softball team from 2012-13, this is not only Gubbine’s first time as a head coach, but it is also her first time coaching at the college level.

“Softball has been a passion of mine for many years,” Gubbine said. “When the opportunity arose, I jumped at it.”

And, at least to her players, she is already improving the Comets’ softball squad.

Sophomore second basemen Sinoti Iosua said, “Practices have been going well. We’re being taught a lot of new techniques and coach Gubbine has been really focusing on the defense. There’s been a lot of improvement.”

The game has been a part of Gubbine’s life from the beginning.

She said she has always played — from T-ball all the way through college.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

League of her own — Softball coach Karolyn Gubbine is working to instill a solid defensive core in her softball players. Practices are Tuesday-Thursday from 3-5 p.m. on the Softball Field.

Gubbine graduated from Pinole Valley High School in 2006. “(Gubbine) was team captain her senior year. She was my best hitter,” Pinole Valley High softball coach Tiffiny ValdehuezaGoode said. “She’s a good athlete, and she’s a leader on and off the field.”

After high school, Gubbine went on to San Francisco State University, where she majored in art and continued playing softball.

Gubbine said art has always been another passion of hers, her favorite artists being surrealist Salvador Dali and the street artist Banksy.

Playing as the Gators’ catcher,

she would rank as SFSU’s top run scorer during the 2009 season with 28 runs scored. Her batting average was an equally impressive .310.

After leaving college, Gubbine got to try her hand at coaching when she landed a job as assistant coach at Pinole Valley High, where she would get to continue working with her former high school coach, Valdehueza-Goode.

“She’s been helping out (at Pinole Valley High),” ValdehuezaGoode said. “She’s a great teacher.

She’s a little quiet, but she knows how to demonstrate to her players what she wants them to do. A lot

of coaches can tell players what to do, but not many can actually show them.”

Gubbine said she does not like to yell at any of her players during games, which is somewhat rare in a coach at CCC. Iosua said, “She’s very softspoken. Coach (Yelverton) had the football background, so he could yell, but she’s more understanding.

Having played before, she knows what’s going on in everyone’s head, and really gets us thinking about the next moment.”

“The moment” is what softball is all about for Gubbine.

“I love the moments you get

when playing softball,” Gubbine said. “Getting your turn up to bat in a tied game and being able to get that big hit, or the winning run or a diving catch to end an inning.

I like that it can come down to anyone at random. You never know when your chance will be, but you work so hard for it, and that’s what makes playing worth it.”

Valdehueza-Goode said it is how “multi-dimensional” Gubbine is that makes her such an asset as a coach. She said Gubbine knows and understands almost every position, and is able to demonstrate how to play it in almost any given situation to her players.

Valdehueza-Goode said she believes pitching will be Gubbine’s greatest challenge as a coach.

At the moment, Gubbine has her softball team of approximately four sophomore players and about eight freshmen focusing on their fielding, to get a good defensive core established well before the season begins, Iousa said.

Iosua said she thinks that the softball team’s greatest strength right now is their hitting. Iosua and Gubbine echoed that they believe, as of right now, the team’s greatest weakness is its lack of players.

Both want to remind students that the softball team is still recruiting anyone who wishes to learn how to play or who wants another chance to play before transferring.

The team’s practices are during their class, Tuesday–Thursday from 3-5 p.m. on the Softball Field.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

11

Mustangs dodge Comet defense

PHOTOS BY QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Disappointing defeat — (Left) Los Medanos College linebacker Marcus Fenderson taps the ball away from Comet wide receiver Terrance Barnes during Saturday’s game against Los Medanos College at Comet Stadium. (Top right) Comet wide receiver Larry Cornish III runs past Mustang defensive lineman during the second quarter. (Middle right) Comet wide receiver Larry Cornish III dives for a touchdown but is dragged down at the 1-yardline. (Bottom right) Comet running back Davonte Sapp-Lynch jumps over the Mustang defensive line for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Comets fell to the Mustangs, 3326. Shasta, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa colleges are all co-Bay Valley Conference champs with 4-1 BVC records.

Comets’ successful regular season ends with loss to Los Medanos College at home

By Mike Thomas SPORTS EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

Giving up 206 yards to penalties, the Comet football team lost 33-26 to Los Medanos College (7-3 overall, 4-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) Saturday in Comet Stadium.

Due to a three-way tie for first place, Contra Costa College, LMC and Shasta College are co-BVC champions because each team has won once against each other.

“You guys are champs, but you’re sharing it,” football coach Alonzo Cater said during his postgame speech to his team after the loss. “We had several opportunities to win this game and I’m looking at a 10-0 team that refuses to be great.”

Despite the loss, the Comets (7-3 overall, 4-1 in the BVC) still earned enough points for a second consecutive bowl game berth.

CCC will play Hartnell College at Cabrillo College in Aptos, Calif., in the Living Breath Foundation Bowl at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Comet defense had problems stopping the run and gave up 319 rushing yards against the Mustangs. On third downs, LMC quarterback Adam Nesheim used read-option plays where the quarterback has the option to keep the ball and

ScoreBoard Mustangs 33 Comets 26

Next game: Saturday vs. Hartnell College, Aptos, 1 p.m.

“We lost ourselves in the hype of the game, but we fought hard at the end.”

Davonte Sapp-Lynch, Comet running back

run or hand it off to the running back.

“Our defensive ends were biting and they were rallying up from that,” Comet linebacker Travon McGillbra-Brooks said about the defense not being able to contain the read-option. “Penalties were the big key to the loss today and really our whole season.”

Unsportsmanlike penalties by the Comets also kept the Mustangs offense on the field.

At the beginning of the game, LMC got the ball on the Comets’ 37-yard line after a failed onside kick attempt by CCC. That drive lifted the Mustangs to a 6-0 lead as LMC running back Shawn Vasquez scored a 17-yard rushing touchdown.

After Comet running back Davonte Sapp-Lynch made a huge 51-yard run gain, he ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 8:37 left in the first quarter. CCC led 7-6.

But CCC’s defense set the tone in the first half when sophomore defensive back Daquan Stewart made Vasquez fumble after a gain of 10 yards.

That turnover set up Comet quarterback Malik Watson’s 1-yard TD pass to wide receiver Anthony Stewart, extending the team’s lead to 13-6 in the second quarter.

Momentum shifted again when kicker John Adams’ punt was blocked by Mustang linebacker Jacob Catala, putting the ball on CCC’s 15-yard line.

That put LMC back in the game. Vasquez ran for a 2-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 13-12 with 2:57 left in the half.

Sapp-Lynch said his team came out “too hyped” and underestimated the Mustangs.

“Penalties and special teams are the most unnoticed elements of football, but those can determine who wins the game,” he said.

The Comets came out overconfident in the second half, and just like that the Mustangs scored two TDs making the score 26-13 with 9:15 left in the game.

CCC started to gain back its momentum when Sapp-Lynch scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, bringing the score to 26-20.

Unfortunately for the Comets, on the most crucial play of the game, the Comets then gave up an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

CCC scored another TD to bring the score to 33-26 with 3:35 left in the game, but LMC used up all the remaining time running the ball.

“We lost ourselves in the hype of the

game, but we fought hard at the end.” SappLynch said.

Watson had a bounce-back game with 212 yards passing and a touchdown, and Sapp-Lynch had 153 rushing yards with two touchdowns.

The Comet defense forced three fumbles and recorded 72 tackles in the game.

The Comets have to clean up the penalties for the bowl game next week. CCC still leads the state in penalties with 175 for 1,615 yards.

Carter was upset with some of his sophomore players for not playing smart and getting unnecessary penalties.

“I’m disappointed with certain individuals, especially my sophomore players,” Carter said. “We invest a lot into you guys and, in my 23 years of coaching, I have never led the state in penalties.”

Before the Comets knew about the bowl game berth, Carter wanted to let this loss soak in the minds of the football players before telling them.

Cleaning up penalties will be the focus for the bowl game on Saturday, and CCC lost 37-34 at Hartnell on Sept. 28 and ended the game with 16 penalties.

Carter said if CCC gets another game, they better take a look in the mirror and change their character first.

Watson said, “When we know if we are in a bowl game, we are going to make sure not to bring the penalties with us.”

Dissecting the loss First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

The Comets started the game with an failed onside kick.

That set up a 17-yard run for Vasquez. The Comets bounced back to lead 7-6 after the first quarter.

CCC extends the lead to 136, but the Mustangs get back into the game by blocking an Adams punt. Vasquez scores another rushing touchdown, but the Comets still lead 13-12.

Penalties kill the overconfident Comets offensively and defensively. The Mustangs take the lead with Nesheim’s 1-yard touchdown run. Offense gets shut out in the third quarter.

The Mustangs make it a two possession game to gain momentum. An 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown keeps the lead at two possessions after a Comet score.

12 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2013

FOCUS

A community affair — San Pablo resident Justene Anderson paints a mural to cover local gang graffiti at the Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship church in San

painting

Pablo on Sunday. Volunteers of the church and community came together to cover up graffiti on a fence near the church.

FOR

PEACE Photos by Qing Huang

An artistic approach — San Pablo resident Justene Anderson paints a mural to cover local gang graffiti at Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship church in San Pablo on Sunday.

Helping hands — Volunteer Mini Vela paints a mural to cover local gang graffiti at the Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship church in San Pablo on Sunday.

All in the details — Richmond resident Mahalo Fernidad paints a mural to cover local gang graffiti at the Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship church in San Pablo on Sunday.

Volunteers of the church and community came together to cover up graffiti.