The Advocate 2-10 by The Advocate

WEDNESDAY l 2.10.16 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

refreshing Website project cyber content aims to rebrand ‘virtual front door’

The district has contracted with New Creation for $24,500 to modernize the college’s online presence. The search for a marketing director to manage content is in its final stages. The director will also be responsible of ensuring a continuous flow of information.

District hires marketing agency to update college interface, improve user interactions after surveying public sentiment

editorial

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Conceptual ideas applied Flow of information should be continuously updated and ready for easy access online. PAGE 2

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

For three years Contra Costa College’s “virtual front door” has not received a major renovation to simplify its user interface, update its image or change its management system until now. “We are in the process of a redesign to our college website (contracosta. edu). The goal is to look at how we are branding ourselves,” Interim College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said. “Are we speaking to the right audience, who are we missing and what is on the website that is not relevant to students? “We have to look at the website as our virtual front door to the campus.” Mehdizadeh said the process has begun and she will be sending out a campuswide survey via an email blast on Friday asking people how is the website helpful and where it can be improved. The survey will be open for two weeks and the feedback will be used to determine what people want to be changed or remain the same. Chemistry major Isaac Diaz said sister college Diablo Valley did a sim-

“The website is a living animal that has had some tweaks here and there, but nothing on this scale.” James Eyestone,

technology systems manager

ilar survey when it was redesigning its website. “(DVC) gave us incentives to fill out the survey by entering us in a raffle to win a tablet,” Diaz said. “I didn’t win, but I filled out the survey.” He said the college should offer the same prize or maybe some sort of gift card to get people to provide feedback. She said that to ensure that the redesign is a significant one, the district has contracted New Creation Studio, a marketing agency, at $24,500 to produce 1,000 usable photos and three videos for the redesigned website. Medizadeh also said it is also in the final stages of hiring a marketing director for the college that will be responsible for ensuring that each department takes “ownership” of their

content so it has continuous improvements and flow of information. “It will be different than the one rolled out three years ago,” CCC Technology Systems Manager James Mehdizadeh Eyestone said. “The website is a living ani- She, mal that has had some along with tweaks here and there, Gilkerson, but nothing on this will be scale.” spearheadBusiness major ing the initiaPreet Sandhu said the tive to genonly reason he visits the erate input website is for the link to for website the library database or improvefor late start classes. ments. “It’s all right, but it could be more organized. It takes too long to find useful information. So it’s good that administrators are trying to make it more relevant,” Sandhu said. “I go usually go to Insite Portal or Desire2Learn to get the information I need.” Diaz said he agrees with Sandhu SEE REDESIGN, PAGE 4 ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

“

I love seeing the kids happy like this. It makes me happy inside. When I see the passion they have it makes me feel good. You can see some of them have potential to be great athletes.” — Chima Onyeukwu, Comet linebacker

‘STUDENT VOICE’ RESIGNS FROM PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH BOARD BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

Punt, Pass, Kick Health Bowl promotes community

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Football players teach kids, parents path to athletic achievement

BY Rob Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

To adhere to the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) initiative that encompasses all of its citywide programs, the City of San Pablo held its Punt Pass and Kick (PPK) Health Bowl on Saturday at Comet Stadium. PPK offers boys and girls the opportunity to individually compete against their peers in punting, passing and kicking contests based on distance and accuracy. With Super Bowl 50 taking place in the Bay Area this year, surrounding cities were invited to participate by holding local

activities for kids. “We just happened to be one of the cities that was prepared because of all that we deal with is promoting recreation in the community,” San Pablo mayor Rich Kinney said. “We felt it would be a perfect fit with (Contra Costa College) and its emphasis on sports and the great football program it has — we just think it was a great fit that would have a good turnout.” Comet kicker Loran Fonseca showed the kids the finer points of kicking while quarterbacks Cameron Burston and Louis Michael displayed proper techSEE BOWL, PAGE 4

As the search to choose a permanent college president enters its final stages, the Screening Committee has lost its only student representative. The Screening Committee, assigned to evaluate applications and interview candidates for the Contra Costa College presidency, will be without committee member and ASU President Nakari Syon as its members narrow the search to five semi-finalists. Syon said he is quitting the committee due to an overwhelming schedule of activities. The district Governing Board’s trustees will then reduce that number to three finalists to speak at an open forum in the Knox Center on March 3 and 4. Syon, solicited by district Chancellor Helen Benjamin to be part of the Presidential Search Committee Advisory Board last year, removed himself on Feb. 1 from the process leading up to Dr. Benjamin announcing the district’s final decision on March 17. “After meeting with the Dean (of Student SEE SYON, PAGE 4

ABOVE: Participant Jordan Barksdale glides over obstacles during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 PPK event at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

STREAKING COMETS WIN AGAIN AT HOME PAGE 8

Quotable “One clear idea is too precious a treasure to lose.” Caroline Gilman author, educator 1837 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Marci Suela art director Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Asma Alkrizy opinion editor Mike Thomas scene editor Robert Clinton sports editor Cody Casares photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Nora Alkrizy Benjamin Bassham Joseph Bennett Tobias Cheng Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Edwin Herrera Xavier Johnson Mickalea Manuel Yesenia Melara Jshania Owens Denis Perez Marlene Rivas Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Atorriana Young Staff photographers Perla Juarez Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Tashi Wangchuk Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 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, FEB. 10, 2016 VOL. 103, NO. 13

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL CONCEPTUAL IDEAS APPLIED Campus website in plans for much needed face-lift

ontra Costa College’s website, very much like it campus counterpart, has been undergoing a redesign of its appearance and user input now for three years and many students and faculty say there is still much work to be done. Without a dedicated webmaster, a lot of information on the current website goes unmonitored and outdated. The interim webmaster, who is fine and media arts department Chairperson Ellen Seidler, can only juggle so many online responsibilities while maintaining her daily duties. Notwithstanding, the college site needs someone who can respond to all of the changes various departments make often on a weekly or daily basis. Ensuring available information is not easy due to all the content: updating schedule changes, official and unofficial club or campus events that are listed in the campus planner, the times for meetings and providing additional assistance. The website directory for faculty and classified staff is currently one of the avenues of information that is outdated and lists the campus’ old phone numbers, despite the college switching over to the new ones three years ago. The search bar is restricted in its scope due to the pages on the site having little information present so searches yield limited results. Chemistry major Isaac Diaz said the search bar leaves much to be desired since it often does not show what the intended search was. The Advocate recognizes the initiatives taken on by the Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh and Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson to lead this campaign and starting the external survey as a positive update for change, although the flow of information and management of the web content needed to be addressed beforehand. The quick links and drop down menus are a step in the right direction that were part of the older update but many students find the format unorganized and cluttered, usually because of not having enough information readily available. Business major Preet Sandhu said the only reason he visits the website is for the link to the Library database or to check for late start classes. “I go usually go to InSite Portal or Desire2Learn to get the information I need,” Sandhu said. Data is simply not up to date, which is why some students may find what they need elsewhere. Information pertaining to Associated Students Union minutes, club guides with full names and adviser contact lists are regularly missed on the website. The hiring of a marketing agency and the delegation of site edits to one main person will augment the redesign in ways that will be new to and improve CCC. While the survey is available and collecting opinions, students and faculty alike have the opportunity to voice their discontentment with the site as a whole. This feedback in turn will play a pivotal role in how future students will see the face of CCC.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ REFLECTION

Living with loose skin affects self-esteem

nsecurities are left in the dark by a lot of people, and the last thing we want is to have that anxiety come into light. Every day I walk around this campus hiding something. For those who do not know me, I had bariatric surgery in 2011 because I weighed more than 600 pounds. However, getting most of the weight off through surgery came with repercussions. My body looks like a shriveled up version of the Michelin Tire Man. Human skin is amazing because of how far it can stretch — almost like a balloon. When a balloon gets inflated, it never returns to its original shape when it gets deflated. My body is like a deflated balloon and the only way to fix it is reconstructive surgery. The main concern is since this type of surgery does not fall under the bariatric category, my medical coverage would not cover the surgery because it is cosmetic. The only way my insurance will cover it is if this excessive skin gets infected. Insurance companies should cover reconstructive skin surgery because the whole point of my operation was to not only be healthy, but to feel like a normal person. When it comes the term “bat wings,” it can mean a lot of things. Bat Wings for a postoperative bariatric patient is having excessive skin on your triceps area. I always wear long sleeve shirts and hoodies to cover

you would work out the extra skin will go away. Working out is difficult when the skin in the way. All it does is increase the intensity of the exercise. And no matter how much I work out, my body still looks like a deflated balloon. my arms and body. Principal researcher at I remember coming Auburn University’s kineinto work at Peet’s Coffee siology laboratory Michelle and Tea on a hot day and Olson said, “Forget what I decided to wear a short you’ve heard about any sleeve shirt. During the specific exercise method or middle of my program being able to ‘pull I shift, I was the muscle to the skin’ – it’s chatting it up realized just not possible. It would with a cusbe nice, but exercise cantomer after that not cause the skin to pull I rung him into the muscle and shrink up. As I was these or tighten up.” handing him Surprisingly, Dr. Olsen his change, deformed said your skin has mushe looked cles. But its sole function at my upper parts of is to produce goose bumps arms in diswhen you are cold and my body gust. I was are unable to permanently already feelare tighten skin. ing uncomThe loose skin on me fortable symbolic covers the progress that with my bat I achieved. It is disheartwings being to what I ening to still see the same exposed on body parts after my way to have been flabby years of working out. Body work — his image plays a huge part in reaction through. a person’s self-esteem. didn’t help. At the end, I am thankEven though his reaction was childish, I realized that ful for the duodenal switch these deformed parts of my because it helped me get to body are symbolic to what where I am today. I would be either dead or have I have been through. His become handicapped lying reaction to my extra skin in bed all day without this did not really bother me surgery. But no one should that much because he was suffer the wrath of bariatric ignorant to my situation. surgery for a long time. The ironic part about my current situation is that Mike Thomas is the scene I look at my body in the mirror with disgust, but in editor of The Advocate. Contact him at mthomas. a playful way. theadvocate@gmail.com. Most people will say if

mikethomas

CAMPUS COMMENT

What improvements should be made to the college website?

“The website should have fewer updates. After an update, the site lags.”

“The website should be more user friendly, but I don’t go to the website a lot. ”

Ben Lee

Jesse Gonzalez

fine and media arts DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

criminal justice

“In the beginning, there was a problem with getting access to the website. It could be solved with more technical support.” Mohamed Atia computer sciences

“Sometimes, I find broken links that need to be fixed.”

“It should be easier to find resource links.”

Michele Padilla

Elijah Morgan

kinesiology

mechanical engineering

“It should have a help menu for issues when you can’t connect your school email address to your personal email address.” Karlie Tran fine arts and media

forum ■ JOURNALISM

christianurrutia

RAPID ADVANCEMENT PRESSURES CHANGE IN NEWS COVERAGE

he changing state of news and the rapid flow of information dictates the platforms in which we consume all kinds of daily content. The medium currently is mobile devices, if not, a computer screen. Digitizing content meant certain media, like print, would become more and more obsolete. The print world is shrinking. Many publications survive only through a digital means now, with the common questions of how would print remain profitable. These same logical responses arise in the field of journalism about how does one earn a living or establish a career in something that is slowly dying or withering away? The easy answer is that you can make money in gathering and reporting information and telling stories in a variety of ways and across different media, but what the current business-model is implicating is how long it will last and what will replace it. Future gains within the digital journalism world are where the difficulty lies. For that, I and many individuals don’t have an answer available. Journalist Michael Rosenblum suggested in his article “How Journalists Can Make Money,” one way could be how journalists reorganize themselves with business ties. There is, obviously a need for journalism, perhaps a greater need than there has ever been. It will never go away, but the working-class of individuals shun the dreams of hopeful, prospective journalists when they mention “there isn’t any money in that.” Journalists can argue that while they may not be in demand like any of the emerging science fields, but many people are working for sites or blogs that pay well. Ultimately in the long run, working and soon-to-be professionals in the traditional print media will have to transition once they no longer circulate in print. Programming that can help integrate multimedia stories onto web pages is a starting point for the emersion between online storytelling and the fundamentals of journalism. Incorporating photos, text and interactive tools is the advent of such interaction between technology and reporting news. Multimedia and the use of our mobile devices allows us to report information like never before. Rosenblum suggests that, like many doom and gloom analysts say, journalism will die because of technology. This potential scenario would mean that the news will be soon covered and delivered by technology, not humans. Innovation is needed to mold the two fields together, computer science and journalism. Profitability would no longer become an issue, but instead reporting on the human condition and examining ourselves as a whole.

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■ POLITICS

Liberal socialist carries ambition D

emocratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is equipped to show his intellectual power for the needs of the American people, although some citizens are apprehensive about his use of the word socialist. Once again, Sanders is not a socialist. Let me rephrase that term correctly. He is a “democratic socialist,” an ideology that does not want to establish an all-mechanized government bureaucracy. We, the voters of this nation are absolutely overworked and tired of living as part of a disconnected government. Politicians always make promises on issues they hope to realign. Those promises are not promises. They are tools politicians use to manipulate the electorate to pulling the correct lever at the voting booth. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton almost lost the caucus in Iowa adding fuel to her ongoing controversial personal email server scandal.

democratic campaign, Sanders should have a significant breakthrough in the polls. Sanders is the leader in drawing large crowds wherever he goes. Several celebrities are pulling away from Clinton’s campaign in favor of Sanders. Millions of Americans The Vermont senator is across the nation, especially ambitious in every broad those in Iowa, have questions issue that is facing the U.S. about her untrustworthy From making education behaviors, as evident by her more affordable to breaking slide in the caucus voting. up the big banks of Wall That is why we must pre- Street that caused the U.S. cisely choose the candidate economy to collapse in 2008, who we trust in most, not Sanders even opposed the candidates that are going off disastrous Iraq War in 2002. the cliff and attacking other A startling issue that no candidates. Those are the candidate will footnote is leaders that are not going to the American multinational move this country forward. chain Wal-Mart. Sanders Or else this political system firmly opposes large corpowill become a reality televirations profiting from govsion show hoax. ernment welfare programs. We must use our intuition On education, “under the and analysis to carefully Sanders plan,” the formuextract that data to evaluate la for setting student loan who is the right choice. interest rates would go back Now that former to where it was in 2006. If Maryland Governor Martin this plan were in effect today, O’Malley suspended his interest rates on undergrad-

salvadorgodoy

uate loans would drop from 4.29 to just 2.37 percent, according to Sanders’ campaign website. Sanders would increase taxes significantly by the top 10 percent of Americans. This will be placed directly on promised infrastructure and job formation. The issue is bringing back manufacturing jobs from overseas. How are they going to help businesses determine the price of labor? One argument is raising the minimum wage creates higher costs to consumers. “Government that is big enough to give everything you need and want is also strong enough to take it away,” Thomas Jefferson said. The course of history proves that government is growing and liberty is minimizing. We, the American people, must stop this dysfunctional madness. Salvador Godoy is a staff writer of The Advocate. Contact him at sgodoy.theadvocate@gmail.com.

IMMIGRATION reform in political limbo Xenophobic ideal fortifies ‘modern day slavery’

have been granted immunity there are still 67,699 of the 112,784 pending cases unresolved, regarding immigrant children, according to the U.S. immigration program for Migration Policy. The overwhelming amount of children entering the country leads to BY Marlene Rivas detention facilities being filled. Many STAFF WRITER mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com of the children could not be claimed by their biological parents because he lack of immigration reform and the nonacceptance of immi- of the fear of being deported, so they grants entering the country has are put in the custody of other relatives. That would seem fine, but the been an big issue for quite some time negligence with which the process now. takes place causes many of these chilThe idea that many have, and refuse to see a different side to, is that dren to fall victim to “modern day slavery.” Such was the case of several immigrants come here to steal jobs, Guatemalan teens who were found in increase crime and benefit from the a rundown trailer park in Ohio where government’s aid without working they were being forced to work on an for it. People opposing immigration egg farm. do not take into consideration the This moved Ohio Sen. Rob reasons that lead people to choose to Portman to launch an investigation leave behind everything in hopes of into the process and policies regarding something better. the assigning of the immigrant chilIn many cases, the common facdren to “relatives.” tor for immigrating to the U.S. is the A 56-page Senate investigative violence occurring in their countries. report was recently released in which The main cause of the violence is gang the details of this negligence is related. Not only does the presence of explained. According to the report by gangs produce violence in the areas which they occupy, but gang members the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is an agency of the Department also recruit new members from ages of Health and Human Services, it did as young as 10 years old. not take the necessary steps to ensure They often do not take “no” for the protection and well being of an answer and the family of the the children. youth then opts for sending their Proper children to the U.S. According backto the Huffington Post in ground 2014, 69,000 children from checks, for El Salvador, Guatemala and the adults Honduras crossed the U.Sthat took Mexican border into the in migrant U.S. children, were The children and teens not done. crossing the border to the To make U.S. are doing so alone matters worse, — that is, without their sponsors were parents or guardians to permitted accompany them. Rather than being treated as refugees, nothing is being done for the children who have successfully crossed the border. While there are some who

to take custody of many children even if they were unrelated to them. Oftentimes the children were placed in homes that were not vetted first and were not visited later on. This process led to the labor trafficking of hundreds of migrant children. The children, subjected to labor trafficking, were kept in locations against their will and were forced to work long hours for little to no pay. In other cases, the sponsors gave incorrect information, so when social workers did attempt to check on the children they were not found at the address that had been given. Even when released into the care of biological relatives, the situation did not always go well for the children. One case was reported in The Washington Post. The article talked about a Salvadoran boy who was released into the care of his previously abusive father, despite having told this to a caseworker. The father was forcing him to work with no pay, kept him in the basement and offered him very little food. It is unacceptable that children who have fled their countries in search of safety now have the issue of not being properly represented or cared for by the country they thought would be their savior. If the U.S. does not want to provide the children that are flooding their borders any asylum, then the least it should do is ensure that the handling of these children is being carefully done. Regardless of their legal status in this country, they are still children and should not be subjected to abuse or carelessness, especially at the hands of the “great” United States of America. A reform in immigration policy is necessary so that families suffering through these or similar situations can have a chance at a normal life with as many opportunities and resources as they can acquire. And if the government does not want to assist these children or their families in obtaining legal stature, then the least it should do is to make sure that their temporary solution is actually carried out well in a way that does not put children in absolute danger.

Christian Urrutia is the editor-in-chief of The Advocate. Contact him at currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com. MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

campusbeat

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lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

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NEWSLINE FUTURE PROJECTS

COLLEGE TO DISCUSS $450 MILLION BOND Contra Costa Community College District Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said bond Measure E plans and phasing of upcoming construction projects will be discussed at the next College Council meeting on Thursday in LA-100 from 2 to 4 p.m. Contra Costa College was allocated $84.4 million of the $450 million awarded to the district, Pyle said.

CULINARY ARTS

DINNER OFFERS ROMANTIC SETTING The culinary arts department will be hosting its second annual Cupid’s Season Dinner on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Three Seasons Restaurant. The dinner will be a 5-course prix fixe menu at a price of $30 per person. Each attendee will receive one complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival. To reserve a spot, contact the culinary arts program at 510-2153878 or email culinary arts lab assistant Angel Chau at wchau@ contracosta.edu.

The decision to adopt a compressed calendar districtwide has been postponed until 2017 or 2018 due to continued negotiations between the faculty and classified staff unions and the Contra Costa Community College District. The United Faculty, representing full-time employees and the Local One, representing classified staff, are currently sorting out scheduling issues some departments have with shrinking from an 18- to16-week semester. UF Executive Director Jeffrey Michels said the issues related to shortening the length of a semester that need to be resolved before the UF members ratify the item to a Tentative Agreement for the Governing Board’s evaluation are focused on not changing faculty’s weekly hours “balance” and student success rates. “If we switch over to a compressed calendar, the earliest it could happen is 2017, or 2018 at the latest.” Contra Costa College’s Academic Senate President Beth Geohring said. “Hopefully we can have the district approve the tentative agreement so it can be sent to the State Chancellor’s Office for a final approval this fall.” Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said the district would need to submit specific information to the Chancellor’s Office stating how it plans to compress the academic calendar by two weeks. “The district needs to see that there has been ample dialog,” Mehdizadeh said. “Every constit-

WORKSHOP GIVES CLARITY TO LETTER

Students struggling to understand their financial aid award letters can receive assistance during the “Your Award Letter and You” workshop today hosted by the Financial Aid Office. The event will occur in the SSC104 from 9 to 10 a.m. This workshop will explain how to read and understand your financial aid award letter. For more information regarding award letters, contact the Financial Aid Office at 510-215-3958.

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Feb. 1: A student reported she hit a parked vehicle. Tuesday, Feb. 2: A student was referred to Police Services for causing a disturbance in the Computer Technology Center. Wednesday, Feb. 3: An officer was flagged down in the back parking lot of Police Services regarding a vehicle collision. — Marci Suela

— 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.

“We probably won’t have a full Tentative Agreement until May at the (earliest). In some areas, it’s an unreal challenge.” Jeffrey Michels,

UF executive director

of Registered Nurses that our students complete so many ‘clinical hours’ at a hospital a week,” Dr. Etheredge said. “And I’m not sure how we would do that if we went to a 16-week calendar.” She said nursing students currently are required to volunteer at a hospital two days a week, eight hours a day. “I don’t think we could ask our students to complete three days,” she said. “I just don’t know where this extra day would come from considering that other colleges have students who do ‘clinical hours’ at the same hospitals.” “A lot of us are in denial so we don’t like talking about it,” she said. “We hope (compressing the calendar) won’t happen — but it probably will.” Mechanical engineering major Valeria Avila said she does not think 16 weeks is enough time to cover the required learning material — especially in the physical sciences. “I missed one class session in physics last semester and I was so behind,” Valeria said. “I can only imagine what it would be like to lose two weeks of material if I were to miss one week.” Biology major Parsa Noori said

while he endorses a switch to a shorter semester, he understands how it could affect other students negatively. “It all depends on the student. Some people want to learn the material but need more time to learn while others come to class and struggle opening a book,” Noori said. “So 16 weeks could not be enough time for some and 18 weeks is a little too long and they get bored. “But this is a student issue,” he said. “(The ASU) should go around and talk to students and get a general idea of what they want.” Film major Francisco Garcia said while he agrees that losing two weeks affects students differently depending on their major, he is OK with the switch. “It would give students more time for a part-time job,” Garcia said. “And the longer breaks in between semesters would give the college the opportunity to add more courses during that time.” Local One President Mike West said, “If we want to provide a quality transition, we have to ask if our service to students would change or if it would rewrite faculty work schedules if we decide to switch to a compressed calendar schedule? — the answer has to be no to both.” Michels said the decision also raises the question if a shorter semester is really in a student’s best interest if they are trying to become a better writer, a mathematician or scientist? “All data suggests that students perform the same or better in a shorter semester,” he said.

REDESIGN | Website to receive more than a face-lift Continued from Page 1 which I use to register — I longer have the ability to mation sent from different taken leadership roles in in regards to the website needing a major update. “It’s kind of plain,” Diaz said. “I use Desire2Learn a lot more than Insite Portal,

don’t visit the main college website.” Eyestone said the key difference from a management standpoint is that each department will no

modify its own section. “The new website will be different in that regard,” he said. “All edits will be centralized to a main person who will upload infor-

departments — this will make sure the site is written in one voice.” Mehdizadeh said herself and Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson have

the process but will hand over most of the remaining work to the marketing director once he or she is hired in late February, early March .

BOWL | Kids, sports displayed at community event Continued from Page 1

FINANCIAL AID

uency needs to be included in this discussion.” And while the Faculty Senate Coordinating Council, made up of academic senates from CCC, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges, has taken a position in favor to reducing the academic calendar last spring — negotiations are ongoing, Dr. Michels said. The latest meeting between the unions, campus constituency groups and the district were held on Friday and discussions were “lively.” No agreement was reached. “We probably won’t have a full tentative agreement ready for the board until May at the (earliest),” he said. “In some areas it’s a real challenge. “Like in a course with science labs. Most professors require that their students conduct so many experiments in a semester, usually about an experiment in every lab — so adding extra 10 or 20 minutes to each lab doesn’t give enough time to do another experiment.” Michels said the departments that need the most work, in terms of rescheduling lab hours for students or making sure faculty do not work more than the districts mandated work week, are counseling, library, nursing, math and biology. Nursing department Chairperson Cheri Etheredge said they are opposed to reducing the length of the academic calendar because of issues with (science) lab hours have not been resolved in negotiations. “We are mandated by the Board

nique in passing for optimum yardage. Many members of the Comet football team helped inspire local kids to dig deep in hopes of discovering their inner athlete. CCC standout linebacker and sociology major Chima Onyeukwu was happy to give back to the community one more time before heading to Washington State University in May. “I love seeing the kids happy like this. It makes me happy inside,” Onyeukwu said. “When I see the passion they have it makes me feel good. You can see some of

them have the potential to become great athletes.” With more than 130 kids pre-registered through the website listed on the flier and many more that registered in person, the turnout was estimated between 120 and 200 participants in total. Aside from the PPK competition, a hula-hoop, jump rope and dance contest were all held prior to the announcements of the PPK winners. “Every kid gets either a junior size football or a regular ball. We also are handing out pedometers and water bottles to kids who take part in the coach Carter Challenge,” San Pablo Community

Service Manager Greg Dwyer said. “We’re all about healthy eating and active living, it’s in our general plan for the city. “Even when we have staff birthday parties we don’t serve ice cream and cake — it’s fruit and water. We’re hoping it starts a trend in everything that we do.” Kids were also urged to take the coach Carter Gridiron Challenge. It is an obstacle course similar to what skill position players go through after leaving the ranks of youth football. The NFL awarded grants to select cities that hosted Super 50 related events, but San Pablo was not awarded a grant so city funds,

along with sponsor support, put up the funding for the festivities. Since only a handful of local cities held Super 50 events parents came from cities surrounding San Pablo to give their kids a chance to show their stuff. “(Football) coach (Alonzo) Carter invited us. It was a good opportunity to bring my son and his friend out. We drove down from Vallejo,” parent Harold Burston said. “It is a good community event.” Kaiser Permanente, Mechanics Bank, Moler Barber College and a host of City of San Pablo-related organizations were responsible for sponsoring the occasion at CCC.

PRESIDENT | ASU representative leaves committee Continued from Page 1 Services Vicki Ferguson) I’m stepping back from participating in the search for CCC’s next president,” Syon said at the ASU meeting on Wednesday in AA-103. “I took the position because it was one of the requirements of being the ASU president, but I got to a point that it all became overwhelming.” Ferguson said Syon met with her on Feb. 1 to discuss resigning from the Screening Committee because of time constraints due to his busy schedule. At the meeting, Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene explained that the district is unable to fill the vacant student position on the committee because of its confidential information agreement with the Association of Community College Trustees Consultant, a search service for executive positions. “Being part of the (presidential) search is another task that I cannot manage on top of chairing the (monthly) District Governance Council (DGC), weekly ASU meetings, Internal ASU meetings, my classes and work all while being student body president — I hope you all understand,” Syon said. Social sciences major Elijah

Williams said he understands Syon’s reason for stepping down from the committee. “Your personal life can cause friction with responsibilities at school and you have to make a sacrifice,” Williams said. Psychology major Angelica Serrano said while she doesn’t know exactly how much stress Syon is dealing with, she would “step back” from the committee as well if it became too overwhelming and started affecting her course work or her mental health. Engineering major Travis Crane said he does not agree with Syon’s decision to resign from the committee. “Not having a student perspective (on the committee) is definitely an issue,” Crane said. “Students’ needs should be reflected above departments’ needs (during the process). The new president needs to be someone who listens to students problems so they can be resolved — so the excuse that (Syon) has too much work won’t solve issues students have with the college.” Greene said because Syon decided to step down he no longer has access to any of the presidential search advisory committee meetings, or candidate screenings. Syon will have to wait until the

public forums in March to ask questions directly to the finalists or fill out a feedback sheet for Benjamin to review before consulting with the board. “It comes down to involvement,” Greene said at the meeting. “A person would’ve had to have been part of the committee from the beginning to continue to have input,” she said. “Right now there is no student voice in the process.” Interim College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said serving as DGC chairperson is a position that rotates among the ASU presidents at CCC, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College every four years. This year it is Syon’s turn to coordinate the flow of monthly meetings at the District Office in Martinez. “It takes a lot to step up and take leadership of DGC meetings on top of everything else,” she said. “It is not easy being ASU president, chairing DGC, while managing work and being a student, which is most important — but it is also important to have one’s priorities in order.” “I think it is important to have a student representative throughout the decision making process,” she said. “I’m sorry we don’t — but I understand his decision to part

with the process.” Criminal justice major Tasia Scott said while she does not know specifics about the search, both students and faculty deserve an equal voice in selecting a college president. “(The committee) should have a mix of students and staff who are involved and active on campus,” Scott said. “It needs people who know the culture of the campus.” Ferguson said, “(Syon) may have wanted to represent the student body during this search for a president but he realized the additional work was too much of a strain on him — I respect his decision because it shows his ability to critically think of balancing life and school.” She said Syon had the same responsibilities as faculty on the committee, but students often do not have as much control over their schedules. According to the Governing Board Meeting Agenda in section 43A of Agreements and Amendments, the district paid search firm ACCT $40,000 to conduct the nationwide search. Greene said that entails filling out an individual evaluation of candidates via ACCT’s website, and attending three meetings that can be an “all-day commitment.”

campusbeat

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There are a variety of services here today that a low income student should know about.” — Vicki Ferguson, dean of student services

WORKSHOP GIVES HELP, FREE MONEY

Cash for College immerses applicants in filing process BY Nora Alkrizy STAFF WRITER

nalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Business major Nicholas Kavuina plays the Go Fish Toss game during the Financial Aid Awareness Day event at the Student Services Center Plaza on Feb. 3.

Financial Aid Awareness Day melds grants, fun Staffers, attendees showcase desire to succeed in pursuit

of transfer, life goals

BY Yesenia Melara STAFF WRITER

ymelara.theadvocate@gmail.com

The third annual Financial Aid Awareness Day introduced students to resources on campus at the Student Services Center Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m on Feb. 3. Contra Costa College students were introduced to financial aid resources and programs available in informational booths and games. There were six booths during the event. “There are a variety of services here today that a low income student should know about,” Dean of Students Vicki Ferguson said, “The percentage of (CCC) students who filled out the FAFSA last year was 50 percent. This year our goal is 80 percent.” Financial Aid Specialist John Vehikite was at a booth letting students know about upcoming financial aid events, financial aid application deadlines, answering general financial aid questions and promoting their financial aid through social media. Nicole Garza, nursing major, said she received valuable information as she stopped by each

table. Garza said she didn’t know much about the services and programs the Financial Aid Office have to offer. She said that it is important to make more events like this one so new students can be aware of the opportunities available on campus. Sana Smith, DSPS student worker, said students will get information faster than they would if they were to walk into the office. Financial Aid Assistant Patricia Herrera said it is the first time that they organized the event during spring semester. The financial aid staff partnered with Police Services and the ASU — who helped them by purchasing the pizzas. Corporal Tom Holt said he and his team approached the ASU. “We want to be able to connect more with the students so we thought the Financial Aid Awareness Day event would be a great way to get to know them,” Holt said. He said he supports students making use of financial aid as it is a pathway to academic success. The Financial Aid Office made

the event fun and informational for students through trivia games. Financial Aid Assistant Stephanie Lamar was responsible for conducting the trivia games. When the students answered the questions wrong she made sure to tell them the correct answer so students had the right information. “We want students to always get payed, we want them to get the money,” Lamar said. Students also got rewarded for learning about the available resources and programs. If a student collected six stickers from each table they could trade them in for a food ticket and a chance to enter their names down for a raffle. Destiney Yenchay, computer information system major, said “bringing food is a good way to bring the crowd in.” “It’s beneficial and helps students find financial aid,” she said. Holt said they wanted to come up with a slogan for the pizzas. “Instead of being coffee with the cop, we thought of being pizza with the cop.” Lamar said that they had good feedback from students.

The Cash for College workshop is designed to connect students to financial aid and will be hosted at Contra Costa College in the Student Services Center today. The workshop, set for Feb. 17, will start at 4:30 p.m., offering students and their families the opportunity to obtain professional assistance with filling out their FAFSA applications or answering any questions. With the deadline for 2016-17 FASFA nearing, Contra Costa College students are immersed in the financial aid process. Financial Aid Assistant Patricia Herrera said the workshop is a good opportunity for students and their families to get step-by-step assistance. Cash for College workshops are designed to assist first generation college students and students from low income families in the application process so they can pursue their education and career/technical goals. “This workshop is open to anyone on campus who needs assistance in the financial aid process,” Herrera said. The workshop not only encompasses the financial aid application process, it offers students and attendees assistance with the California Dream Act application. The workshop doesn’t stop at assisting students filing their financial aid applications, it goes on to examine student’s eligibility for other types of Cal Grants and scholarships. A Cal Grant provides money for undergraduates and students in vocational or certificate programs that doesn’t have to be paid back. The workshops will help students and families prepare for college by providing application resources and assistance while completing and submitting their applications. “CCC has been reaching out and hosting this workshop in high schools in the past,” Herrera said. “But for the first time in a very long time, this workshop will be offered here at the college.” The Cash for College workshop has assisted high school seniors and their families in the college’s service area with filling out their FAFSA applications. “A high school student being expected to fill out the financial aid application is pretty demanding,” Gabriel Baca, undecided, said. Baca said he too was a former high school student who was expected to fill out the FASFA on his own. “I would have loved to attend a workshop that assisted me with my overwhelming application process,” he said. In order to qualify students must have their Social Security number ready, she said. A most recent Federal Tax form such as 1040 W-2 or bank statements will also need to be at hand while at the Cash for College workshop. Herrera said the information will not be shared with anyone, but it is needed when completing the forms. The workshop is open to all students, potential students and community members. “Many staffers from the financial aid office will be there ready to meet the needs of the students, families and community members that will be attending the workshop,” she said.

‘CHEF-A-HOLICS’ TRIUMPH IN IRON CHEF BOUT Contest among peers fundraises, builds teamwork BY Salvador Godoy and Denis Perez

“We have scholarships that allow culinary students the chance to enhance their skills by sending them to Italy.” — Jocelyn Samson, culinary arts student

STAFF WRITERS

accent.theadvocate@gmail.com

The “Chef-a-holics” won the Iron Chef Competition hosted by the culinary art department on Wednesday in the Three Season Restaurant. Contra Costa College student participants in the challenge were given a “Super Bowl tailgate” theme to work into their dishes. “The theme of the (Iron Chef) competition today is this weekend’s Super Bowl tailgate,” culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said. After receiving their theme student participants took a week to form ideas and concepts about what dish to make that would win over the diverse crowd that the event brings. The winners, “Chef-a-holics,” cooked up a soft pork bun packed with pulled pork topped with a creamy coleslaw. Other teams’ dishes included Korean Chili Aioli, Blazed Pork Bellied, Chicken Taco, Fish and Pork Sliders. HSI/STEM staffer like Ysrael Condori and his fellow staff also enjoyed their lunch in AA-110.

Construction workers found time to take a break from erecting the Campus Center and Classroom Buildings to relaxing near the buffet tables at the Iron Chef Competition. Some team members had a positive and energetic outlook while preparing the foods for guests who voted for their favorite dish. “My team gained a lot of confidence while preparing the food, we’re really proud,” culinary student, Joseph Ramirez said. Students were motivated and busy at work in cooking the dishes as the lunch rush came through. The competition continued up until 1 p.m. Then the teams were gathered and the results were announced. After third and second place were awarded their runners-up prizes the teams were ready to hear who was this semester’s Iron Chef Competition’s winner. “The Chef-a-holics,” as the winning team, won whisks, spachulas, lunch coupons and a crackpot. The money raised in the Iron Chef Competition goes straight into the culinary arts department

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts major Jocelyn Samson (right) jumps after hearing her team had won first place during the Iron Chef competition in the Three Seasons Restaraunt on Wednesday. fund. This competition is held every fall and spring semester to provide funding for scholarships that are given out to culinary students for a travel abroad program. “We have scholarships that allow culinary students the chance to enhance their skills by sending them to Italy,” culinary student Jocelyn Samson said. Last year every recipient of the scholarship was given $7,000 worth of financial coverage to pay for the cost of the trip across the Atlantic.

Samson said, “We have to come up with a certain amount of money so that more people can be accepted for the (travel abroad) scholarship.” Last year six culinary arts students’ hard work paid off when they received scholarships and studied abroad in Italy for 17 days over the summer. The Three Seasons Restaurant, located in AA-239, is open through Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Leadership switch inspires resurgence

BASEBALL/SOFT 20

Baseball team threads three-game winning streak, earns half of last season’s wins before conference BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The addition of six freshmen players and a new coach has injected renewed energy into the baseball team to inspire an undefeated run three games into the 2016 baseball season. Contra Costa College’s season last spring marked the end of coach Marvin Webb’s CCC career. Webb’s squad ended its season with a 6-29 record and nine straight losses. After the team’s late season losing skid, Athletic Director John Wade relieved coach “The Webb of his duties and hired assistant coach Brian practices Guinn as the new coach. are more Under Webb, the Comet baseball team had organized not had a winning season and the in the last 15 years. The lone bright spot players get for the 2015 season was a specialized third place finish in sto- attention. It’s len bases in the Bay Valley really helpConference. Although Guinn had ful.”— Allen a seat next to Webb in the dugout last season, the Ressler, sophocoach did not infringe on more pitcher Webb’s philosophy toward the game. Players on the squad last year knew the newly hired assistant had knowledge of what it takes to get players to reach their full potential. The coach has played baseball for the Oakland A’s organization and runs a private player development company. Guinn brought in a new coaching staff along with him. He said he wanted to start fresh in an effort to breed a new culture into the team. Shortly after his arrival, Guinn implemented a strength and conditioning program that saw baseball players flooding the weight room and running bleachers with all members of the team committed to the culture shift. The baseball team opened up the 2016 season with a start that contrasts with the early season performance in 2015. The Comets opened last season with a 0-3 record. This year, three games into non-conference play CCC came out of the gate running with a threegame winning streak.

The Comets beat City College of San Francisco 5-2 on Feb. 2 and 6-2 on Thursday. The squad then shut out Mission College 2-0 at the Baseball Field on Saturday. Last season the Comets only won one pair of back-to-back games, that being a two-game home and away series against Laney College, nearly one year ago. The Comets continued their non-conference schedule on Tuesday after press time, traveling to Mission College in Santa Clara. Athletic Director John Wade said there’s a lot of excitement about the baseball team this season. A lot of things are still up in the air because this is a new situation, but the excitement is there, Wade said. As the team was whittled down by Guinn and the coaching staff, the dramatic fall off in the size of the team that occurred last year was noticeably absent. Comet sophomore pitcher Allen Ressler said there is a lot of energy being tossed around during practices. He said last year it was hard to get good practices in because the roster lost players due to injury or academic ineligibility. This year the team has a good spirit, most importantly from the incoming freshman, Ressler said. With the season underway, complete BVC stats are not readily available. New players for CCC are already setting the pace for the type of season they expect to have this year. Jamal Rutledge is batting .600 in 10 at bats and outfielder Darrick Parnell is batting .833 with six at bats. Ressler also pitched seven innings of onehit ball, with two stolen bases, leading the Comets to their third win in a row in his first outing of the season “The new guys on the team come to every practice ready to work hard,” he said. “The practices are more organized and the new coaches help each player get specialized attention. It’s really helpful.” After visiting Sierra College in Rocklin on Thursday, the Comets will host three straight games beginning Saturday against De Anza College at 1 p.m. They host Santa Rosa Junior College Tuesday and City College of San Francisco on Thursday. Both games are set to begin at 2 p.m. CCC will begin BVC play March 1 at Napa Valley College at 2 p.m.

ASSISTANT COACHES

AT A GLANCE Head coach: Brian Guinn (1st year)

Jonathan Tucker John Nelson Jashua Cephas

Key returners: Antonio Straughter, pitcher; Evan Ray, outfielder; Darrick Parnell, outfielder

Guinn

Key losses: Lumus Russell, Timmion Hughes, Arturo Parra

Key newcomers: Darrick Parnell, Sean Jackson, Jamal Rutledge

LAST SEASON BY THE NUMBERS Overall record 6-29 Conference record 4-20 Conference finish seventh

Jamal Rutledge Bryce Hutchings Lawrence Duncan Antonio Straughter Allen Ressler David Gustafson Austin Nicholds Derrick Parnell Trevor Tachis John Velasco Sean Jackson Chris Brue Justin Tonge Eric Whitfield Joseph Banks Jake Dent Brandon Owens

Feb. 11 at Sierra College 2 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. De Anza College 1 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. Santa Rosa Junior College 2 p.m.

ROSTER 1 3 5 7 8 9 10 14 17 22 23 24 26 27 30 31 42

SCHEDULE

infielder outfielder catcher pitcher infielder guard infielder outfielder infielder infielder pitcher infielder pitcher outfielder pitcher pitcher utility

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

Feb. 18 vs. City College of San Francisco 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at Diablo Valley College 1 p.m. Feb. 27 vs. Diablo Valley College 7:30 p.m. March 1 at Napa Valley College 2 p.m. March 3 vs. Napa Valley College 2 p.m. March 5 at Mendocino College noon March 8 vs. Mendocino College 2 p.m. March10 at Laney College 2 p.m.

KEY PLAYERS

March 12 vs. Laney College 12 p.m. March 15 at College of Marin 2:30 p.m. March 17 vs. College of Marin 2:30 p.m. March 24. vs. Folsom Lake College 2:30 p.m.

Ressler pitcher

Duncan catcher

Rutledge infielder

Whitfield outfielder

March 25 at Folsom Lake College noon

orts

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Coaches, players seek redemption

TBALL PREVIEWS 016

Despite low participation in women’s sports, softball team aims to rebound from winless season BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comet softball team slogged through a difficult 2015 season, finishing with a 0-27 record and in the basement of the Bay Valley Conference. This year, Contra Costa College welcomes the opportunity to right some of the wrongs that plagued the softball team last year. Coach Karolyn Gubbine returns for her third season as coach after overcoming last year’s challenges of fielding a team short of eligible bodies, while lacking even more in terms of experienced players. This Comet squad features five returners and six freshmen. All but one of the women have live action softball experience. “Last year was rough, but I think we are going to have fun this year,” Gubbine said. “The games are going to go a lot smoother.” Fans who attended Comet games last year were routinely treated to mercy rule stoppages and injury-related forfeitures. Fielding a complete squad has been tough for local community college women’s athletics in all sports across the board. After failing to field a complete squad the CCC women’s soccer team was forced to cancel its 2015 season. In basketball, Merritt College, Napa Valley College and Los Medanos College were all forced to cancel their 2015-16 seasons after failing to field complete squads. “Dealing with the flakiness sucks,” Gubbine said. “Recruiting on this level is an everyday struggle. Kids go where the flashy names are so athletes at schools that aren’t established don’t have the pedigree or the same mentality as other kids.” The coach began collecting players almost immediately following last season. With a larger group, Gubbine has been able to split players into different fielding positions more often to give them the ability to work on position specific skills. Most important is the overall shift in attitude of the team. “Now we have people here who really want to play,” sophomore catcher Gina Balan said. “Everyone has a positive attitude and we have increased our overall experience level.” In agreement with Balan is second year shortstop Angelica Espinal. “You can see it in the way we react to the little things,” Espinal said. “Before when we

made mistakes it was hard to get past them. Now we pick each other up without dwelling on mistakes — we use them as tools to learn to get better from.” Not all of the Comet players experienced last year’s bitter performances that now fuel this team’s new appetite for success. First-year player Nancy Bernal was oblivious to the trials and tribulations that marred the Comet season last year. “I didn’t hear much about last year,” Bernal said. “I just came out to compete, have fun and bond with the team.” Gubbine placed the “Now rangy freshman at second we have base and is confident she people who can handle the responsiregarding coverreally want bilities age, even as the position is widely considered the to play. position that requires the Everyone most thought, excluding the has a pos- catcher. Also expected to show itive attiimprovement and have a tude and more important role in the team’s success going forwe have ward is Stacey Fernandez. increased Last year, she came to the our overall squad with the least expeand ended the year experience rience showing the most improvement of any member of the level.” team. — Gina Balan, “She’s been putting in a sophomore catcher lot of work and it has been showing,” Gubbine said. “She’s a great learner.” CCC takes the field to begin its season tomorrow in doubleheader action in Hayward against Chabot College. CCC was forced to forfeit its first game after failing to make the trip to Salinas to play Hartnell College last Wednesday. The game was missed when players did not met all of the requirements needed to be eligible. “It’s completely unacceptable to forfeit games due to things like grades, physicals or paperwork issues,” Gubbine said. “It doesn’t just affect you. There are nearly 100 people who get inconvenienced when a game gets canceled last minute.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

SCHEDULE Feb. 11 at Chabot College 1/3 p.m. March 8 at Diablo Valley College 1/3 p.m. March 10 at Mendocino College 1/3 p.m. March 11 vs. TBA @ Ohlone Tournament 3 p.m.

ASSISTANT COACHES

AT A GLANCE Head coach: Karolyn Gubbine (3rd year)

Claire Scott Alex Fernandez

Key returners: Catherine NieveDuran, infielder; Angelica Espinal, sophomore; Stacey Fernandez, pitcher

Gubbine

Key losses: Cicily Ragsdale Key newcomers: Sidney Davis, Anna Palter, Maritza Panuco

March 12 vs. TBA @ Ohlone Tournament 11 a.m./1 p.m. March 17 vs. Folsom Lake College 1/3 p.m.

LAST SEASON BY THE NUMBERS Overall record 0-27

March 22 at Los Medanos College 1/3 p.m.

Conference record 0-17

March 24 vs. Solano Community College 1/3 p.m.

ROSTER 1 5 6 8 9 10 14 15 16 25 28

Zuylema Higrada Garcia infielder Sidney Davis pitcher Regina Balan catcher Amy Polamres infielder Anna Palter pitcher Maritza Panuco infielder Brittany Butler infielder Angelica Espinal infielder Stacey Fernandez pitcher Nancy Bernal outfielder Catherine Nieve-Duran outfielder

freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman sophomore sophomore freshman sophomore

Conference finish sixth

March 29 vs. Yuba College 1/3 p.m. March 31 at Napa Valley College 1/3 p.m.

KEY PLAYERS

April 5 vs. Mendocino College 1/3 p.m. April 12 at Folsom Lake College 1/3 p.m. April 14 vs. Los Medanos College 1/3 p.m. April 19 at Solano Community College 1/3 p.m.

Espinal infielder

Balan catcher

Bernal

outfielder

Higrada-Garcia infielder

sports

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Comets win “ three straight

It was a classic pitchers’ duel. They pitched well and we only had one walk. The hard work is showing by the results on the field.”

Baseball squad strings together perfect start to season

COMETS

2 0

PANTHERS

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After ending last season on a nine-game losing streak, the baseball team is off to an impressive start by earning its third win in a 2-0 defensive battle against Mission College (1-1) on Saturday in Santa Clara. Only four days into the 2016 baseball season the Comets (3-0) have already earned half as many wins as the team did in the entire 2015 campaign. Starting Comet sophomore hurler Allen Ressler pitched a gem of a game by throwing 6 ⅔ hitless innings until giving up his first knock in the seventh inning. Ressler also managed to steal two bases. “It was a classic pitchers’ duel. They pitched well and we only had one walk,” Comet coach Brian Guinn said. “The hard work is showing by the results on the field.” The Comets take the field Thursday to face Sierra College at 2 p.m. in Rocklin. Outscoring their opponents 11-4 in the first two games of the season, Mission posed a different challenge to the Comets as it had only given up one run this season. CCC jumped out in front in the second inning when a pitch in the dirt got past the Mission catcher, allowing CCC base runner John Velasquez to score from third. Following the Comets’ early run, the Saints held out until the middle innings. CCC was poised to score after Bryce Hutchings sprinted to third base after a fielding error by the Mission first baseman. With Hutchings itching to reach home plate, a bunt by Justin Tonge

was fielded by the Saint pitcher, who tossed the ball to his catcher forcing the out at home. The bang-bang nature of the play, and the angle the umpire who made the call had, forced Guinn to make his way to the plate to discuss the particulars about the play with the umpire. “From my angle it seemed like the catcher was blocking the plate. But the umpire has the final say,” Guinn said. The Comet base runner, safe at first, eventually stole second but was stranded when CCC hit into an inning ending out at first, saving the Saints from being down more runs. The second run for the Comets came in the eighth inning on a bloop hit over Mission’s second baseman. The shot was just high enough for Comet Sean Jackson to round third, beating the throw home to secure the run. A two run advantage was all it took for Comet pitcher Joseph Banks to close the door on the possibility of a Saint resurgence. Banks’ effective pitching kept Marin off the board and relatively clear of Mission’s lineup finding any hitting rhythm. “I feel good about our chances after today because they were the toughest opponent we’ve faced so far. So I’m confident,” Banks said. The energy and atmosphere in the dugout is the polar opposite of last year’s team. Guys were on the rail talking it up until the final pop up was caught to end the game. “We’ve been working since the fall on chemistry,” sophomore Comet pitcher David Gustafson said. “We have more experienced teammates that step up, doing the little things we didn’t do last year.”

— Brian Guinn, Comet baseball coach

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Comet first baseman Chris Brue slides back to second base and is able to make it to third when Mission second baseman Adam Rios was unable to field the ball.

TEAM SWEEPS MARIN, SEALS CONFERENCE TITLE Basketball squad extends winning streak to nine games at Marin

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The men’s basketball team (20-6 overall and 9-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) crept one step closer to capturing the conference crown by completing a season sweep of the College of Marin with an 86-81 win on Feb. 3 in Kentfield. With only six players available for action, the undermanned Mariners (1211 and 6-4 in the BVC) were ripe for the taking, yet the prospect of falling out of championship consideration was more than enough motivation to fuel an attempt at an upset victory. “Our hats are off to Marin for coming out hot so early,” Comet coach Miguel Johnson said. “We weren’t prepared mentally for the challenge that Marin wanted to knock us off.” During the game, the Mariners shot 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the 3-point arc.

After being up 14 points early, Johnson pulled starters Larry Wickett (15.5 ppg) and Bobby Syvanthong (eight ppg). The resulting disjointed play saw that lead evaporate from 14 to 6 and eventually to a two-point Mariner lead. “It was an ugly performance,” Wickett said. “We are still on a winning streak, still learning from mistakes. It’s a matter of being fully focused for 40 minutes.” CCC lost its intensity from the second it saw what remained of the Mariners. Players who posed the biggest challenges in the previous match would no longer be a factor, causing the Comets to let down their guard. Marin’s three-headed guard attack kept the Mariners afloat by spearheading the offensive attack to tally 70 of the 81 total points that the Mariners scored in the game. “We are a good team. We just strug-

gle with some things defensively,” Comet forward Tyrell Chenevert said. “They are not major things. They are things that we can adjust. It’s just a mental thing.” After being up by double digits and then down by two, the Comets escaped the first half with a four-point lead of 39-35. The Comets get a chance to atone for their poor performance in the final BVC match-up of the season — a home contest against Merritt College tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium. The Mariners put up a valiant fight, but six players and three primary scorers were not enough to stop CCC. Last Wednesday’s win at Marin gives CCC a 2.5 game lead over its closest competitor in the BVC standings. With the Comets’ season sweep of Marin and Merritt College’s 10-point loss to Marin on Jan. 7, they have all but captured a playoff spot. The Comets host the BVC con-

ference tournament COMETS beginning Feb. 16 but those games do not count toward conference standings or in deciding the confer- MARINERS ence champion. Having top five percentages in three major statistical categories in the BVC, third in steals, fifth in assists and fourth in rebound margin and four players averaging double figures, the Comets have all of the ingredients that make up a successful team. The challenge for the Comets and coach Johnson is to find the right mixture of talent to ensure the squad remain composed on both ends of the court while harnessing the turbulent energy of its scorers. The ability to capture and focus this energy will be the determining factor as to how successful the Comets will be on their playoff run.

86 81

BVC Champion’s sage voted as Coach of Year BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The men’s soccer team failed to seal a playoff berth or win a Bay Valley Conference Championship for almost a decade prior to the now BVC Coach of the Year taking control of the program in 2014. BVC coaches voted Comet coach Nikki Ferguson as the best in the conference for leading Contra Costa College to its first BVC title in 10 years and a second consecutive playoff spot. “(Ferguson) deserves the award,” freshman goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla said. “He works hard with his players and always made us think of the soccer team as a program and never as just a team.” While the Comets (12-6-4 overall, 8-1-3 in the BVC) lost 4-1 in the NorCal Regional Playoffs in the first round to Fresno City College on Nov. 21, their overall performance was an improvement from the season before — in which

CCC was handed a 3-0 shutout by the same team when it reached the first playoff round. Ferguson said while he was glad that he was named Coach of the Year, he is more proud his players will be able to “relish in the culture and history” they have brought back to the program over the last two years. “He was very calm after that loss (to the Rams),” sophomore Comet defender Alejandro Gonzalez said. “He was proud of us. It was a big step for us to make playoffs two years in a row while winning the conference title this year.” The Comets longest losing streak was three. These stats provide a reflection of Ferguson’s philosophy and culture that the players in the program have adopted. The philosophy proved to be successful as three Comet players were recognized by the CCCAA for outstanding play. “It’s hard as a player to accept losses and keep a positive outlook on what’s really ahead of us,”

Escamilla said. “If there is a negative mindset there is no growth. Losses and frustrations are part of the game, but he helped us learn how not to linger in the past.” Gonzalez said Ferguson was able to stick to his technical philosophy in the midfield from the start of the season even though players took a while to adjust. “I was shocked to hear his style of play,” Gonzalez said. “He had some weird ideas, but should take full responsibility for our achievements because at the end of day we got good results — and that’s what matters.” Ferguson’s wife, Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson, said while soccer is part of who he is, his passion really is helping students succeed in reaching their career goals. “Coaching isn’t all about the game,” she said. “Yeah it’s where his passion comes from, but it’s focused on providing a right of passage for the youth. “Coaching is not all about

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet coach Nikki Ferguson gives his squad an impassioned speech before taking the field under the lights at the Soccer Field.

knowing what drills and plays to run. It’s about teaching life skills to students through teamwork, and problem solving,” Vicki Ferguson said. “These critical thinking and communication skills that athletes learn on the field can be applied off the field for them to be successful reaching their goals.” “(Ferguson) helped me a lot,” Gonzalez said. “He saw I was struggling, but told me to keep pushing forward. I’m a shy guy, but he showed me I’m capable of doing whatever I want to do in life if I keep trying.” Despite CCC being the only men’s soccer team among its sister colleges Diablo Valley College

and Los Medanos College, Athletic Director John Wade said Ferguson has rekindled a strong connection to the community that surrounds the CCC campus by “capitalizing on a wealth of talent.” “We have the smallest campus in our district,” Wade said. “But when we are talking about soccer, we are nearly giants.” “We played to represent not only the program or the college, but our community as well,” Escamilla said. “It’s where most of us come from, San Pablo and Richmond. We grew up here. We played for our community and did better because we wanted to show the world what we are made of.”

campus beat

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Process to lift probation status alters Short

BY Robert Clinton

video,

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

online quiz streamline removing academic progress, probation

SPORTS EDITOR

Within the Financial Aid Office, students who seek to regain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and have their registration restrictions lifted, will now be able to take the probation level 2 quiz online instead of attending sparsely scheduled meetings in a group setting with counselors, beginning this semester. But Contra Costa College still has (SAP) meeting dates for June of 2014 posted on its website. Those meetings were only held on Wednesday and Thursday, and occasionally on a random Tuesday. The quiz is located at www.contracosta.edu under academic progress. A 21-minute YouTube video explains the information needed to complete the test. “Shifting from a live workshop to an online quiz with an instructional video will give access to more students hoping to fulfill their probationary requirements,” Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said. “Before, students had to hope their schedules coincided with the workshop dates. “Even if the dates work out, there still may not be enough seating to accommodate everyone who needs to take the test.” The move was not just to help the process along for students, it was also part of an overall shift by campus administration to streamline accessibility of the educational process. A seemingly constant work-in-progress, financial aid has never been a one size fits all endeavor. “I think the process is fine, but not the criteria they base the judgments on,” music major Darrick Parnell said. “I understand maintaining a pace of progression but to withdraw from a class and have that affect a student’s financial aid eligibility seems like another way for the state to make money by forcing students to pay tuition fees for merely adjusting their schedule to accommodate actual life.” Requiring students to pass at least 67 percent of their course load cumulatively per semester, including in-progress, incomplete or withdrawal, leaves some

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Students who need to clear their academic probationary status can take an online quiz to fulfill the requirement instead of attending prior mandatory workshops held by counselors.

“Even if the dates work out, there still may not be enough seating to accommodate everyone who needs to take the test.” — Monica Rodriguez

students who adjust schedules for work or athletics on probation. That happens no matter what grades were received in the completed courses. Level 2 Probation also occurs when a student earns a cumulative GPA of under 2.0 for two consecutive semesters. After one sub 2.0 semester, enrollees are issued a warning which constitutes Level 1 probationary status. (SAP) notifications come by message to your InSite mailbox. Students that take the quiz must pass with a score of at least 70 percent. The test covers common issues students face. Previous workshops that had good turnouts like unclear educational goals, work or school overload, underutilized campus resources and how and when to approach a professor

when you think a problem may be on the horizon again. The quiz is located on the same page beneath the video. It consists of 10 multiple choice questions, all related to the probationary process. As for the downside, the test seems easily passable, as the answers can be plucked directly from the video to the multiple choice questions without students committing any of the material to memory. “You have to wonder if they retain the information,” Athletic Director John Wade said. “If the process was both in person and online maybe (more) people would be reached who learn better through either of those processes. Regardless, you have to do something to help them

*O " 3VU

in brief Online sessions offer more opportunities for students to counter probation. Quiz is located at contracosta.edu and is accompanied by an instructional video. The move is part of an overall campus shift to an digital learning experience. The quiz is only 10 multiple choice questions that seem easily passable.

get back on track.” Scores are submitted within one business day upon completion of the exam. Probationary holds will be removed after passing. If the student does not pass he or she will be notified through their InSite mail. After successfully completing the quiz, the administration estimates a wait time of 24 to 48 hours for probationary holds to clear before students can sign up for classes.

DEAN’S LIST CULTIVATES ATMOSPHERE OF SUCCESS BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

WHY NOT BREAK OUT OF IT IN AN 8IZ OPU CSFBL PVU PG JU JO BO ‘ATMOSPHERE OF OPPORTUNITY’? A"UNPTQIFSF PG &YDFMMFODF Staff positions areas of The Advocate, the mostthe decoratStaff positionsare areopen openininallall areas of the The Advocate, most ed two-yeartwo-year college newspaper staff in the United decorated college newspaper staff inStates. the United States. Mostneeded neededare arewriters writers(news, (news,sports, sports,feature feature and and opinion) opinion) and and phoMost photographers. No — just a willingness to learn and tographers. No experience experiencenecessary is necessary — just a willingness to learn excel. and excel. Sign up Production (Jrnal 122-0458, 3 units) and Newsand Sign up for forNews Newspaper Production (Jrnal 122-0458, 3 units) Practice (Jrnal 110A-4073, 1-2 units) for the fall semester. Newspaper Practice (Jrnal 110-0456, 1 unit) for2016 the fall semester. Questions? Email Emailfaculty facultyadviser adviserPaul PaulDeBolt DeBolt(pdebolt@contracosta. (pdebolt@contracosta. Questions? edu) or edu) or come come by by The The Advocate AdvocateNewsroom NewsroomininAA-215. AA-215.

Achieving goals that have significant value is a great feeling, but when others notice your hard work and dedication that makes it even better. That is what the Dean’s List is all about, acknowledging those students have achieved great academic success for an entire semester. The Dean’s List, also known as the honor roll, is posted at the end of each semester. “Many times when I leave my office students are standing in front of the list taking pictures,” Dean of Students Vicki Ferguson said. Students work hard all semester trying to achieve the best possible grades they can and when some attain outstanding success in passing their classes they are recognized. And believe it or not there are many students who are excited to be a part of a special group such as the Honor Roll. “The Honor Roll is important and it is something you should strive for all the time,” student Alysia Viergutz said. In order to be named to the list a student must maintain a 3.0 or better with 12 units or more for the duration of the semester. Qualifying students are named to the list and the list is posted in the Students Services Center lobby. To go along with the postings, the dean of students sends each student an email congratulating them for their accomplishments for the semester. Even with the personal emails and wall postings in the SSC, some students still believe those on the Honor Roll should receive more recognition. “We could promote it better to give students more recognition,” Ferguson said. “Students are excited to see that their hard work (is recognized by the college).” Students on the Dean’s List also qualify to become a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma which is the College’s Honor Society. Alpha Gamma Sigma recognizes scholastic achievements of students on a statewide level.

scene

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The latest comedy from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen revolves around a kidnapping plot and communist connections during the production of a Roman epic titled “Hail, Caesar!”

Satirical work prods cinema’s ‘golden age’ BY Christian Urrutia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

he stylishly sleek and a wonderfully captured period-piece feel to the latest Coen brothers’ movie heightens the film visually, but overall the story turns out rather underwhelming and leaves some wanting more. “Hail, Caesar!” is a comedy-musical directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen and is their most slapstick film since 2008’s comedy “Burn After Reading.” It is set in 1950s Hollywood around a studio “fixer,” Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) working at Capitol Pictures. The film takes place during a time when the movie industry was attempting to win back audiences from the encroachment of television and made crazy epics, westerns, and big-budgeted films that reflected the golden age of cinema. Satire, subtle gags and clever one-liners strengthen the somewhat slow-paced sto-

ryline that bounces between Mannix searching for one of his major clients when he turns up missing and another client of Mannix’s, Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich) as he moves up the Hollywood food chain as an actor. Ehrenreich, as Doyle, is by far one of the film’s best qualities as his portrayal of a small-town naive cowboy turned Hollywood actor steals the show every scene he is in. One of the most memorable scenes is where he and a prestigious, well-known, British director Laurence Laurentz (Ralph Fiennes) thoroughly repeat a line over and over again because of Doyle’s limited grasp on British diction. Yet despite how comedic the Doyle subplot is, the meandering and then interweaving plot points are also what takes away from the film or weakens the story. The overarching storyline focuses on Mannix’s top client, Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) disappearing during the production of Capitol’s biggest picture, “Hail, Caesar!”

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Coen Brothers’ Comedies “Raising Arizona”

When a childless couple of an ex-con and an ex-cop decide to help themselves to one of another family’s quintuplets, their lives get more complicated than they anticipated.

a Roman epic. This ongoing mystery “Hail Caesar!” and Doyle’s Starring: George rise to promClooney, Josh inence make Brolin, Alden for a mostly Ehrenreich interesting, Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen at-times conWhere: Century voluted but Hilltop Richmond entertaining, Genre: Comedy narrative that skips out on potentially interesting characters by short-changing them. Clooney’s Whitlock receives most of this cheapening effort, though his appearances are sporadic throughout the film. This, at the hands of the directors, is disappointing. Whitlock is brought to life fantastically by Clooney, but is underplayed at the end. The brothers make good social commentary on the times, tying together bribery, communism and artistic merit all at once. The writing and tension build up cannot be faulted, but the satisfying conclusion simply isn’t there in this outing. MOVIE REVIEW

“The Big Lebowski” “The Dude” Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire also named Lebowski, seeks restitution for his ruined area rug and enlists his bowling teammates and friends to help get it.

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” In the South during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.

Richmond residents Shelley Okimoto and Stuart Ake, sit across, Oakland resident Alexis Miller as they enjoy a nice conversation in Point Richmond’s newest cafe, Kaleidoscope Coffee, located in Park Place on Sunday afternoon.

Modern java brewery forges into Richmond the atmosphere it emanates. msuela.theadvocate@gmail.com Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope’s Coffee tudents can seek refuge aesthetic of at Kaleidoscope Coffee brick walls Cuisine: Cafe from distracting cramp and Victorian Where: Point spaces and loud blending sitting area Richmond Price Range: $$ sounds. With its quiet and compliments mellow ambience, students can its vintage appreciate the inviting atmosurroundings. sphere and enjoy a decent cup Although these of coffee brewed from beans elements may grown locally. seem to clash with a traditional Its hours range from Sunday cafe, the geometric decor offset to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the classic components to creFridays and Saturdays 6 a.m. to ate a modern look. 11p.m. A semi-circle trail of giganKaleidoscope Coffee is tic beige triangles hangs in located at 109 Park Place in the middle of the room, from the heart of Point Richmond’s bottom of the left brick wall to historic downtown. New custhe ceiling, and ends against a tomers can easily fall in love white wall. with the cafe by aesthetic alone. The furniture also contribThe composition and color of utes to the modern look as the cafe is appealing to the eyes the tables with wooden tops with warm colors that reflects and metal frames are compleBy Marci Suela ART DIRECTOR

FOOD REVIEW

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

mented with sleek black chairs. These tables are strategically spaced out and allows guests to talk aloud with a friend within their respected area or comfortably eat alone. If someone is seeking sustenance from a meal, Kaleidoscope is limited in its food options. The only option that can satisfy a growling belly is a prosciutto, turkey or avocado sandwich with sourdough bread. Toppings in the sandwich

include goat cheese, fig spread, mixed greens, apple slices and thinly sliced red onions. The selection for sides are salad, hummus or chips. Other food options come from local bakeries and companies like Tara’s Organic Ice Cream, gluten-free pastries from Bacano Bakery in Emeryville and regular pastries from Ardent Mills Bakery in Stockton. The coffee beans are also made locally by Wrecking Ball Coffee.

While the cafe dedicates its Mondays to student customers to maintain tranquility, Kaleidoscope offers a variety of weekly events that includes not only the typical open-mic night on Thursdays nights. The cafe is famous for hosting a storytelling time slot on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., which is a great way for unacquainted community members to connect as they share relatable experiences and tales of love, identity and adventure.

spotlight

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Pagan celebration breeds indulgence

CULINARY HONORS ‘CUPID’S SEASON’

Friends, family, lovers splurge more on Valentine’s Day gifts each year despite festival’s ‘questionable’ history of animal cruelty, nudity and orgies

BY Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITER

mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com

SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

o some it is a Hallmark holiday, a remnant of a time past but carried on to bilk the gullible public out of millions of dollars every year. To others, it is an opportunity to express the depths of one’s love in a concentrated effort every Feb. 14. Whether symbolized by half naked babies firing passion dipped arrows or by the 190 million cards exchanged every year (according to the greeting card association), Saint Valentine’s Day has evolved from its questionable roots. Two schools of thought govern the origin of what we now know as Saint Valentine’s Day. The first is that the day is fostered from Lupercalia, a lively sexual Roman Catholic festival that took place Feb. 13-15 centering on fertility. In the festival, participants sacrificed a dog and a goat as young men and women stripped naked. Then, the men would flog the women with the animal’s hides as a gesture to bolster fertility. The dates also coincided with what was believed to be the beginning of the mating season for local birds. The second, and more infamous theory, involves the Roman Empire and Emperor Claudius II. In an attempt to fortify his army with fighting men, he forebode the soldiers from taking wives in hopes that their total dedication would be given to glory on the battlefield. In total defiance of the ban, a Christian priest, St. Valentine, held clandestine marriage ceremonies to unite soldiers and the women that possessed their hearts. When the emperor heard of the weddings he had St. Valentine imprisoned. It was in jail where the priest fell in love with the jailer’s helper, who was also the jailer’s daughter. The forbidden love earned the priest an execution sentence to be carried out on Feb. 14. The prisoner gave one last letter to his love. And as the sword removed his head from his body she read the last

line of the letter — love your Valentine. The tradition carried on well into the Rome’s acceptance of Christianity. The church gave the people clothes but kept the themes of virility and copulation. Since its inception, Valentine’s Day has not been all joy and pain. In the Middle Ages young lovers drew names to determine who their Valentine would be. They would pin the name to their sleeve so that everyone would know who their love interest was to be. Thus spawned the saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve.” From naked parties to beheadings, none of the original participants in this ancient ritual could have foreseen what kind of profit juggernauts pagan celebrations would become. Retail spending last year reached nearly $19 billion in the U.S., with the average American spending $142.31 with only $96.63 going to a spouse or significant other, according to the National Retail Federation. Fifty-eight percent of Americans are planning to buy for other family members, while a disturbing 21.2 percent plan on shopping for a Valentine’s Day gift for their pet. Flowers still top the list as the most sought after gift, in particular the red rose. Historically known as the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, its bud stands for strong romantic feelings, keeping it tops on the list of most sought after adornment for Valentine’s Day bouquets. But to the average participant the real question has to be what defines love. Is it sex drive, romantic love, passion or the calmness and security of being in a long-term relationship? In any case, love is displayed through gifts as 47 percent of American consumers spend roughly $1 billion every Valentine’s Day. And 75 percent of that revenue is provided by chocolate sales — a treat that

has been a symbol of love since the Aztecs thrived during the 14th and 15th century in Mexico. The monetization of love makes dealing with matters of the heart exponentially more intense. Today, financial reasons rank just above social isolation and relationship problems as leading causes for suicide in the era of modern affairs of the heart. With the divorce rate hovering comfortably above 50 percent, one has to wonder if dancing naked in the streets while being beaten with animal hides is a more reliable way of choosing a mate (American Psychological Association).

ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

By Robert Clinton

The second annual Cupid’s Season Dinner will be held on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Three Seasons Restaurant in AA-239. Valentine’s Day will be celebrated while simultaneously generating funds for scholarships for Contra Costa College’s culinary department, culinary arts Chairperson Nader Sharkes said. The event is organized by culinary arts students to raise funds for the department’s future trips to Europe. Guests can expect a five-course meal accompanied with a glass of champagne for guests over 21. Culinary arts assistant professor Elisabeth Schwarz said the culinary students are thrilled to have the chance to show off their skills in a romantic ambiance accented by candlelight, music, delicious food and great service. The food menu for the evening will begin with a warm mushroom turnover and amuse bouche to open up the palette. A green mix consisting of Chioggia beets, young greens, goat cheese, sherry vinaigrette and hazelnut will then be served to accompany the appetizer. Afterward, servers will parade a house made fettuccine with smoked salmon and Meyer lemon cream to people’s tables. The entrée for the event will be braised short ribs served with gold roasted mashed potatoes and carrots. And finally, chocolate zinfandel will be served as a Valentine Day dessert to complete the meal. Sharkes said the restaurant provides a wonderful space for couples seeking a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. The dining area will be decorated with candlelight, roses and even a red carpet at the entrance. Former culinary arts student Ron Webster said his band is “ready to set the atmosphere of love” through music. The idea to organize a Valentine’s Day dinner was introduced by culinary students Topaz Sanders and Lauren Patrick. They said they wanted to bring something new to the department. After brainstorming, Patrick said they came up with the idea for the Valentine’s Day event and she even picked the name. There will also be photography available, which will also be provided by students. Reservations are still being taken and can be made by calling 510-215-3878, or by emailing wchau@contracosta.edu. They can also be made with students of the department.

■ LOVE

Romantic stressors cloud holiday’s origin T

Flowers, balloons

eclipse

Valentine’s Day pagan values, rituals

he red and pink colors displayed proudly on Valentine’s Day were not always roses and balloons. Instead, the holiday’s hues came from a bloody tradition that lacks the romance it is thought to embody today. During Roman times the tradition of the romantic day started off as the Lupercalia festival, an annual fertility celebration celebrated mid-February where men sacrificed dogs and goats and slapped the women with the hides of the slain animals. As shocking as it appears, the act had Roman women lining up because it was believed to bring fertility — it lacks the chocolate and flowers of today’s celebration, but it is an interesting concept nonetheless. It wasn’t until the 1300s that Valentine’s Day became associated with love and romance when English poet Geoffrey Chaucer recited the poem titled “The Parliament of Fowls” during a royal feast on Feb. 14, 1383. During the celebration’s early

roxanaamparo years love letters and handmade sentiments were popular. Entrepreneurs in the United States started producing Valentine’s Day cards in the 1840s. Today, spending countless dollars on stuffed teddy bears and chocolate is sweeter than slapping your lover with a slayed animal. Valentine’s Day isn’t what it used to be. Now, the size of the teddy bear or the density of the bouquet measure love. Unlike haunting Roman traditions of fertility, the traditional stereotype is for the man to ask a woman to be his valentine. Sixty-one percent of flower purchases come from men and 39

percent are women, according to history.com. Sweets and goods are associated with the idea of love and buying goods for that special someone is part of the romantic sentiment that the holiday has come to represent. It is no surprise 58 million pounds of chocolate are bought during the lead up to the Valentine’s Day holiday, according to Nielson Holdings, a global information and measurement company. Generally, the man has to come up with a creative way to ask the woman to be his valentine. But while some wait patiently for their future-to-be valentine to ask them out on a date, some oppose the idea because although it is the “day of love,” some in the U.S. celebrate the day as Single Awareness Day. Those anti V-Day folks oppose the idea of a romantic candlelit dinner or walk on the beach but instead join together for anti-Valentine’s Day events such as raves or parties, or throwing themselves

a pity party alone at home. And now, through social media, the idea that Valentine’s Day should be celebrated with that special someone has been altered to include those who upload giant teddy bears and bouquets of roses onto Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other online media, all while others busily scroll through their timelines wishing to get a special message. Although the idea that Valentine’s Day is for pure romance may have been adopted in the 1300s, those opposed to celebrating the day with a special someone can share time with their best friends. It also can be a day to treat yourself to a special lunch or walk. It is acceptable to spend Valentine’s Day with a friend or even a pet despite what you see on your social media feed. Roxana Amparo is an associate editor of The Advocate. Contact her at ramparo.theadvocate@gmail. com.

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Gridiron games promote healthy energetic lifestyle Photos by: Cody Casares FOR

focus Community members and participants warm up during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 Punt Pass Kick event at Comet Stadium on Saturday. The event was part of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) campaign.

MORE PHOTOS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

Comet wide receiver Raquan Jones (left) works with King Ascencio as he bounds through the Coach Carter Challenge during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 Punt Pass Kick event at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

Participants warm up their legs with a 50-yard dash during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 Punt Pass Kick event at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

Alenah Corona reels back for a place kick during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 Punt Pass Kick event at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

Comet quarterback Cameron Burston speaks to participants about playing football at an young age during the San Pablo Super Bowl 50 Punt Pass Kick event at Comet Stadium on Saturday.