The Advocate

WEDNESDAY 8.28.19 OUR 70TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

VANDERWOUDE RESIGNS Leader steps down after negotiations

Katrina VanderWoude

VANDERWOUDE WAS HIRED ON AUG. 6, 2018 AS THE 12TH PRESIDENT OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE AFTER THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT WAS REMOVED. SHE AGREED TO RESIGN ON AUG. 14, 2019.

By Cindy Pantoja

By Robert Clinton

editor-in-chief

associate editor

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

After spending several months on paid administrative leave, Dr. Katrina VanderWoude and the Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District reached an agreement that she resign as Contra Costa College president as of Aug. 14.

The decision was announced during a special meeting of the Governing Board held that day at the District Office A com- Martinez. in mittee of Dr. VanderWoude contituent and her two leaders at interim vice CCC will be presidents, Susan Kincade engaged and Carsbia were to partic- Anderson, placed on leave ipate in a May 29 pending an investigation process of a personnel to select matter, district Chancellor Fred an interim Wood said at the president.” time.

Board Trustee Greg Enholm made Fred a motion to accept Wood, the resignation Contra Cos- agreement during tra Commu- a closed session of nity College the board on Aug. District 14 and Trustee chancellor Andy Li second it. Three board members, Vicki Gordon, Rebecca Barrett and John E. Márquez voted in favor of the motion.

Gordon, who serves as board president, said VanderWoude will receive a severance package that includes the continuation of her $238,212 salary and health benefits for 12 months, and the payout of $19,216 of accrued and unused vacation time, as required by state law.

“The board thanks Dr. VanderWoude for her service to the college,” Gordon said.

In an email sent Aug 14, Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred E. Wood announced the administrative changes. According to the email, CCC Business Director Mariles Magalong will continue her role as the college’s acting president in the near term.

Magalong, however, has a longplanned vacation abroad beginning on Aug. 23, so disMagalong trict Executive Vice Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh will step in while she is away or until an interim president has been selected and is on board.

Dr. Wood said in his email, “A committee of constituent leaders at CCC will be engaged to participate in a process to select an interim president.

Please be assured that we understand the importance of having stability in leadership at CCC and we will work together to achieve that objective. We want to thank all of you who have kept the college moving forward during the past few months.”

While the Governing Board considered VanderWoude’s resignation as a step to move forward, this decision has divided the CCC community..

Manu Ampim, social sciences department chairperson, said the decision only brings light to the problems of racism on campus.

rcclintoni.theadvocate@gmail.com

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SEE INVESTIGATION, PAGE 4

ANALYZING BASTILLE’S NEW ALBUM

Following a tumultuous academic year defined by administrative upheaval, questions of transparency and the lack of a clear path to progress, recent decisions by Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred Wood have left many in the campus community with more questions than answers.

In a campuswide email dated May 29, Dr. Wood made public his decision to place Contra Costa College President Katrina VanderWoude on administrative leave pending the completion of an investigation of a personnel matter.

S u b s e q u e n t l y, on Aug. 14, Va n d e r Wo u d e reached a settlement with the district and agreed to resign (see the other I was story on this page). personally Several African American leaders interviewed on campus believe and was Wood’s call to remove the only not admonAfrican American ished about administrators in upper-man- telling agement stands anyone in stark contrast to calls for equi- what I was ty and inclusiveness in leadership asked.” presented to the Jeffrey chancellor by the Michels, African American United Staff Association Faculty vice (AASA) over a year president ago. professor In response, the AASA held a press conference June 5 in Fireside Hall to address these concerns and offer a forum for administrators, community members and students to voice support for VanderWoude.

AASA President John Wade, also CCC’s athletic director, said at the press briefing, “(We) want to be clear in our support for President VanderWoude and look forward to reviewing the findings of the investigation and believe complaints or allegations may be erroneous or unfounded. Dr. VanderWoude has the support at Contra Costa College and in the community. We await the completion of the investigation to bring closure and clarity to this matter.”

Wood (who is white) wrote in his email, details surrounding the nature of the investigation could not be revealed.

“As with all personnel matters, I am not able to share the details of the investigations. I know these decisions leave a leadership void at the college and our district is committed to mitigating the impact,” Wood wrote.

However, at the June 5 press conference, United Faculty Vice President Jeffrey Michels, also a CCC English professor, offered the over 50 people in Fireside Hall insight into the purpose of the investigation and the process, which many who support the ousted administrators see as flawed.

“I was personally interviewed and was not admonished about telling anyone what I was asked,” Michels said.

“One of the things that I was asked, and what I understood the investigation to be partly about, was if Dr. VanderWoude was prejudiced against older white women. I can’t imagine anyone asking that question if she had been a white man.”

Michels, said, “The question to me

“

Fred Wood DR. FRED WOOD BECAME THE EIGHTH CHANCELLOR OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE IN JANUARY 2017.

DR. WOOD CAME TO THE DISTRICT AFTER SERVING AS CHANCELLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AND UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS.

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh MEHDIZADEH BECAME THE 11TH PERMANENT PRESIDENT IN MARCH 2016.

SHE STEP DOWNS FROM HER JOB IN FEB. 8 2018.

MEHDIZADEH RETURNED TO HER PREVIOUS JOB AS VICE CHANCELLOR OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN MAR. 2018.

SHE AGREE TO BECOME CCC ACTING PRESIDENT IN AUG. 23.

Manu Ampim PROFESSOR AMPIM IS A HISTORIAN AND PRIMARY (FIRST-HAND)RESEARCHER SPECIALIZING IN AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY. AMPIN IS THE CHAIR PERSON OF THE HISTORY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT. HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN STAFF ASSOCIATION.

Jeffrey Michels JEFFEREY MICHELS WAS HIRED AS A PROFESSOR AT CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE IN 2002. HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FACULTY OF CONTRA COSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT IN 2007 AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2013. MICHELS SAID HE WAS INTERVIEWED AND WAS ASKED IF VANDERWOUDE WAS PREJUDICED AGAINST OLDER WHITE WOMEN. MICHELS DISCLOSED THIS INFORMATION DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN FIRESIDE HALL ON JUNE 5.

SEE SUPPORT, PAGE 4

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATEINFOGRAPH BY DENIS PEREZ

SERIES OF 7 CCC WOMEN ART EXHIBIT PAGE 4

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Black faculty gather support for president

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

SUMMER NEWS ABOUNDS PAGE 6

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SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

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Quotable “Writing is the pie crust; facts, the pie.”

DISTRICT DISRUPTION

Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief

Xavier Johnson web editor Denis Perez creative director Daniel Hernandez social media editor Luis Cortes sports editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Fatima Carrasco Stacie Guevara Janet Lira Gonzalez Wanda Gonzalez Jojuan Johnson Luis Lopez Jose Rivera De’Jon Sylvain Staff photographers Mary Barnes Denis Perez Janice Spraggins Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: 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.

●

EDITORIAL

Michael G. Gartner. former editor and broadcast news executive 2001

Robert Clinton associate editor

opinion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST. 28, 2019 VOL. 109, NO. 1

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

Poor leadership halts progress, unites district in opposition

A

fter another whirlwind semester defined by administrative scandals on campus and inept management practices at the district level, the current stateof-affairs in the Contra Costa Community College District shows leadership does not always operate from the top down.

Despite these conditions, incoming freshmen and students nearing the end of their ed-plan requirements toward transfer are once again expected to grin and bear it.

In reality, these conditions are not conducive to learning and are, quite frankly, unacceptable.

The benefit of the doubt the district has been given on numerous occasions has been unearned and undeserved.

Leniency has not only been given by members of the campus community at Contra Costa College, but by the members of the CCCCD writ large.

Through the nonsense given to district students disguised as leadership, these same students have transferred to prestigious universities, won state and national awards and excelled through man-made administrative catastrophes that slowly fade into the back of our collective consciousness.

Our kindness has been taken for weakness.

District administrators were given a pass when a board member died of an overdose while on a trip to New Orleans representing students in this district.

Board trustee John T. Nejedly’s death on Oct. 9, 2016 was confirmed as an “accidental” drug overdose with multiple unspecified substances.

Their leadership was also sparred scrutinity when a credible claim of sexual harassment was brought forward against another CCCCD board member soon after.

In 2018, then district Governing Board President Timothy Farley retired following an anonymous accusation of sexual misconduct.

A preliminary investigation into the allegation found Farley’s accuser’s claim to be credible.

More recently, Chancellor Fred Wood’s failure to make a full-throated denouncement of repeated incidents racist graffiti was discovered targeting black students at DVC. His continued lack of response regarding these displays of hate leave many black students with the feeling that school is one of the many places in the country that proves their safety is not a priority.

On March 13 students at DVC staged a walkout after racist graffiti targeting black students was found in a men’s bathroom without an adequate response was given by campus and district administrators.

Last week, on Aug. 22, a message from sister-school Diablo Valley College President Susan Lamb detailed another similar message was found scrawled on campus property prior to the start of the fall semester.

Administrators have been silent and no attempt has been made to assure African American students enrolled in the district that their safety is paramount.

They literally have to pay for the opportunity to learn in this environment.

It’s time to stop looking the other way.

District administrators are supposed to be the people who secure our educational funding and who we trust to guide our education in a positive direction.

Recently, their actions show they don’t deserve that responsibility.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

■ SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram users anguished over outage L ast month’s 4.5 hour Instagram outage, which according to Newsweek affected an estimated 2.3 billion users, highlighted just how much power social media has over consumers.

The idea that social media has power over people was underestimated by most until the outage led to an unexpected level of frustration and confusion from users.

In this incident, outrage was expressed through slight comedic jabs via memes thrown at Instagram and its owner Facebook on the platform itself.

Most if not all people use social media daily, however, since its creation in the early 1990s, it has become more of a way of living than a way to pass the time. The average adult spends more than 11 hours per day on social media, according to Nielsen’s market-research group.

Social media has cemented itself in American history the same way television did in decades prior.

Future generations will live with the human-made phenomenon for the rest of their lives nd have already had their worldview warped by images highlighted on social platforms.

Today, social media stars like Logan and Jake Paul have a wider range of influence over young social platform dwellwers in the same way pop stars did for the MTV genertion.

For many of the people who grew up with these platforms at their fingertips, social media influencer or

Did those couple of hours give us a glimpse into the future of human civilization?

Instagram, Facebook and YouTube might not be relevant in 100 years, but for now it is here to stay.

Throughout the last couple of years, those comYoutuber is practically high- panies have faced backlash by consumers because of er on the list of desirable privacy concerns which occupations than pro athsparked conversations about letes or astronauts.

The average person can’t whether it’s worth giving up personal information for the wait to wake up and see what happened in the world right to use the product.

Instagram is the third while they slept. There is most significant social no avoidmedia platform behind social 79 percent ing Facebook and YouTube. media.

Today, social media is a big of the Humans have added part of life in the U.S. and the list across the globe but how U.S. itoftonecesbig of a component is it?

According to statista.com, evils population sary 79 percent of the U.S. popualong with currently has a social currently death, taxes, lation media account. conflict This is a massive spike has a minerals for from 2008 when only about electronics 10 percent of Americans and gluten. social had social media.

Social For most, if not all peomedia media ple, the first thing they makes life do when they wake up is account. more comcheck their phones accordfortable and ing to tech analyst firm is relied ReportLinker, however, upon for work by many most respondents look at people. their email prior to social The evolution of multiaccounts. media and sharing online In the same study, the has ushered in a change in results also showed that 83 human-to-human interacpercent of millennials ages tion.

18-24 kept their phones on The addition of a more all day and night. accessible version of AOL messenger, direct messaging, to social media has made it easier to communiLuis Cortes is the sports cate instantly with anyone editor of The Advocate. across the world.

Contact him at lcortes.theadBut what happens when vocate@gmail.com. it’s gone?

luiscortes

CAMPUS COMMENT How do you save money on textbooks?

“I buy used textbooks on Ebay.”

“I rent my textbooks from Amazon.”

Baynah Robertson

Kumar Dhakl

nursing

“I usually get textbooks

“I have a job so I suck

“I buy my textbooks

Jesus Sanchez

Carlos Mondragon

Lumus Russell

from other students who previously took the same class.”

nursing

computer science

FATIMA CARRASCO, JOSE RIVERA/ THE ADVOCATE

it up and pay the full price for my textbooks.” psychology

with a group of classmates and split the cost.” liberal arts

“Most of the classes I

choose don’t require texbooks.”

Jelaine Maestas

liberal arts & humanities

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.28.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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NEWSLINE VANDERWOUDE | College president agrees to resign PRESENTATION

FOOD PANTRY POP UP TO BE HELD Today the Associated Student Union will host an informative Food Pantry Pop Up in the Campus Center Plaza aimed at informing students about the Food Pantry on campus. There will be free groceries for all attendees.

FORUM

COMET RESOURCE DAY SET TO INFORM On Thursday the Associated Student Union will host Comet Resource Day in the Campus Center Plaza. The event will teach students about the various resources available on campus. Clubs and student government will be in attendance.

EVENT

BERKELEY TO HOST BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL On Sunday Sept 1 Casa De Cultura in Berkeley will throw a day-long party celebrating Brazilian Independence Day. The event will have live Brazilian music, dancing, food, and drinks.

ACTIVITY

PAN AFRICAN FESTIVAL SUNDAY The Afrocentric Oakland Crew will host the annual Pan African Festival in the Park on Sunday.

Mosswood Park in Oakland will be the site of the event, which will include a free day in the park with music, arts and crafts, dancing and games for adults and kids.

ACTIVITY

THE CITY MEETS THE TOWN EVENT SET The Oakland meets San Francisco meets Oakland Tour will be happening in Oakland and San Francisco on Satuday and Sunday.

The event will explore the cities’ food, art, history, and culture.

Participants will have the options of beginning their tour in either Oakland or San Francisco.

In SF, the tour will start with a flavorful and filling taste of an award-winning San Francisco origina food. Participants will then continue across the bay on board the San Francisco Bay Ferry, enjoying breathtaking views of Alcatraz Island, the San Francisco Bay, the Ferry Building Marketplace and the Bay Bridge.

In Oakland, guests will walk along the East Bay’s newly founded Jack London Brewing District and will visit four food stops that will enlighten the cultural soul. For more information call 510-6046546.

CRIMEWATCH Sunday, June 9 Graffiti was found on the west hand rail leading up to the Art Building.

Wednesday, June 12 Graffiti was reported written on a parking sign.

Wednesday, June 12 Graffiti was reported written on a pole.

Monday, July 1 A hit and run accident was reported near Lot 2 at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2 Graffiti was reported near the Physical Science Building in the morning.

— 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.

Continued from Page 1 “We are dealing with white nationalism, anti-black, and anti-Latino racism that takes place at the District Office and on the Contra Costa College campus,” Ampin said. “The lack of diversity and respected people of color here and in the District Office is still a problem.

So none of that changes (with VanderWoude’s resignation).”

During a press conference held June 5 at CCC, the African American Staff Association (AASA) voiced its belief that the complaints made against VanderWoude may be unfounded and an attempt to exclude people from African descent from higher administrative positions.

“The (CCC) campus has been gentrified. There’s been a systematic exclusion of faculty of African descent,” Ampim said.

“This began in 2017, so we documented and presented a disturbing trend where there were 28 consecutive hires in fall of 2017 and spring of 2018 and nobody was of African decent.”

Member of the AASA Michelle

Jackson said Governing Board Trustee John Márquez, who represents West County, voted to accept the resignation of the president. As a result (the AASA) will be looking for another candidate to run against Marquez because its belief is that he is not fully representing (the CCC community).

“This is the third African American that this district has shown unfavorable processes toward, including (for district chancellor and college president) Helen Benjamin, Denise Nolden (former college president) and Kartina VanderWoude and the consequences will be great,” she said.

Marquez said he could not give details about VanderWoude’s case because it was a personnel matter. However, he did suggest the negotiation was fair for both parties.

“This was a mutual agreement,” he said. “She agreed to a year of paid wages and medical benefits, so she can look for another job. She resigned as opposed as to what happens in other situations.” Marquez said.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

Contra Costa College Acting President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh addresses CCC faculty during the All College Day event Friday.

Ampin said VanderWoude only accepted the settlement because she was tired of endless negotiations and that all he district did was to pay her what they had to.

“They didn’t give her anything at all. That 12-month payout is what her contract stipulates,” he said.

During the public comment portion of the July 24 board meeting, VP of Academic Affairs Susan Kincade had an opportunity to speak to the board.

Kincade said she reported to district senior executives prolific acts of insubordination, however, instead of receiving help — she was put on administrative leave.

“I respectfully request that I, as well as Katrina VanderWoude and (Carsbia) Anderson, be publicly and wholly exonerated,” Kincade said.“ CCC Acting President Mehdizadeh said both Kincade’s and Anderson’s contract ended on June 30.

INVESTIGATION | June press conference gives insight

Continued from Page 1

was offensive on the face of it.

The president of the Academic Senate (Beth Goehring) is a white woman and our vice president (Kincade), now on administrative leave, is a white woman. I’ve never seen Dr. VanderWoude be anything but gracious and charming with everyone with whom she has worked.

“At the core, it is quite appropriate (for the AASA) to question if there is something racial.”

VanderWoude and Anderson were the only African Americans serving in upper management at CCC. Despite the process to bring VanderWoude to campus having been conducted under public scrutiny, the process to remove her has not been transparent.

Michels said, “I was part of the process that hired Dr. VanderWoude and that was a public process — she’s been placed on leave in secret. I’m not even sure the people making the decisions know all the facts.”

This is not the first time Michels has been at odds with the tactics of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, the law firm the district uses to conduct its investigations.

He said the firm necessitated the only unfair labor practice complaint in his tenure with the UF, which was a direct result of district investigations and whether they give faculty adequate information before asking questions during an inquiry. Instead, the UF contends the firm uses tactics in an attempt to trip people up or trap them into giving muddled responses or contradicting themselves.

“We don’t think that’s how investigations by employers of employees should be handled,” he said.

An Employee Labor Relations Board agreed with all the UF complaints but investigations into the firm are still ongoing, Michels said.

He said there are similarities

in the way many district investigations unfold.

“People, without having all the facts, say, ‘If the law firm is telling us that we need to do it then my hands are tied. I’m not making a judgment call, I’m just doing what I have to do to avoid a lawsuit,’” he said.

Michels said he believes there needs to be a community-wide conversation about how the campus moves forward and said, “If they appoint an interim president and vice president without dialogue with faculty and staff, I will personally lead the ‘no confidence’ vote that greets the new administrative team.”

The AASA believes Wood has made overt attempts to undermine VanderWoude by initiating two evaluations in violation of Section 6.2 of the 4CD Management, Supervisory, and Confidential Employees Personnel Manual (2004).

The first was conducted May 2, with a second administered May 14.

According to the AASA, this irregular deviation from the evaluation procedure is not in accordance with administrative policy and was done solely for VanderWoude.

In the AASA’s opinion, the actions of Wood are inherently unfair and biased and cannot be justified.

Michels said, “Everyone is underestimating how traumatic this has been and is going to be coming into the fall. It’s very hard to second guess personnel decisions based on investigations where we don’t know all the facts.”

Aside from the campus community, students and the AASA, local charters of the NAACP have also been enlisted by those opposed to Wood’s decision in hopes of providing impartial third-party oversight to the investigatory process.

Michels said aside from community leaders, a collection of faculty and staff also stand in

solidarity with VanderWoude.

“Many of us have gone out on a limb to support the president in a way that I have not seen very much. We’ve really gone out of our way to make sure the chancellor and the Governing Board know that we support her and want her to have a chance to make this work,” he said.

Former CCC president McKinley Williams was also flummoxed by the district decision to place VanderWoude on administrative leave and supports the effort to bring clarity to the situation.

“I’m in total support of the efforts that our faculty and staff are making and I hope the district will see the error of its ways and straighten up the mess they created,” he said during the press briefing. “For them to think that they can do something like this on this campus where we have a history of serving the entire community is atrocious. They’re going to take the administrative heartbeat of the college out of the function of leadership — that is something that should not have happened.”

Members of the AASA do not see the decision to place VanderWoude on leave as an isolated incident, but as the latest in a string of affronts to campus community members of African descent. Over one year ago, the AASA presented the chancellor with six areas of concern that negatively impacted the African American presence on campus.

Issues raised included the hiring of African Americans on campus, class cancellations, shared governance, campus environment, student concerns and enrollment.

To date, few of the concerns have been publicly addressed.

On the heels of the administrative changes, history, anthropology and geography department Chairperson Manu Ampim, who presented the information to the chancellor, wonders if Wood grasps the larger issue at hand.

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“We want the Governing Board to take a critical review of Chancellor Fred Wood’s decisions over the past 16 months.

The campus is at an all-time low and it happens to correspond with when Fred Wood became the chancellor in January 2017,” Ampim said during the press conference. “His decisions have led to the destabilization of the campus.”

Ampim’s request remains consistent with those made in previous meetings.

“We want diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring. Counseling STEM, upper-management at the president, vice president and academic dean level.”

Ampim presented information documenting the different standards African American focused classes are held to, which often leads to classes being canceled.

“Diversity can no longer mean everybody except us,” he said.

Retired classified staff member and current AASA member Michelle Jackson understands the connection educators at CCC should have with students and the surrounding community he also recognizes that connection becoming frayed.

“This campus community and culture means more to us than just a job or a paycheck. We grew up here. This is our community.

Discrimination is not a word.

It’s not what someone says to another. It’s an inherent practice and that practice is alive and well at CCC,” she said to people gathered for the press conference.

“This new management team does not have a clue about their job, this community and what it really means to discriminate.”

Students who attended the gathering also expressed frustration toward the administrative decision not to prioritize historically relevant courses.

As former president of CCC, Williams made the case most clearly: “We’re not a priority anymore. African Americans in West County or on this campus.”

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.28.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

‘Series of Seven’ display student work CCC students work shown

By Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Contra Costa College art department will celebrate the beginning of the fall semester with an art exhibition showcasing the work of seven of its most talented women artists.

The event is organized by Bridge ArtSpace located at 23 Maine Avenue in Richmond.

Iris AlRoy, marketing director of Bridge Storage and Artspace, said, “I have been trying to do something with Contra Costa College for so long. I have been trying to raise awareness of what we have at Bridge. We brought this show together, and I think it’s wonderful.”

The exhibit titled “Series of 7” opened on Aug. 26 and it will run through Oct. 25 Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The artists come from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and have dis-

n “I like to create

photographs that are unique, whether it’s a photograph of nature or newly created art of form.”

— Mitzie Yamamoto, photographer

covered art as a medium of self-expression.

The work in the exhibition includes photographs from Deepa Suresh, Lisa Lacabanne and Mitzie Yamamoto.

Yamamoto features 12 of her macro photographs (extreme close up photography) such the Erie, Wired and Blue Mask.

“I like to create photographs that are unique, whether is a photograph of nature or newly created art of form,” Yamamoto said.

Suresh’s work features pictures of nature at its most dramatic such waves clattering on the deserted seashore.

“My desire is to bring people inside the moments of beauty that occur and to

emotionally touch them,” Suresh said.

Lacabanne’s work includes three pictures of nature titled Baby Frame, Broken World and Cooking Hut. “This exhibit brings me full circle having these images shared in a museum setting. Carefully edited, printed, matted and framed with the guidance of CCC.” Series of 7 also includes paintings from Angela Douglas, Elmarise Owens and Paola Casillas with sculptures from Marva Reed.

Douglas’ work includes canvas oil paintings such Bebes Kids, Ice Queen, RIP Mac Dre and Space Jam. “A lot of my painting are cartoon characters based on TV shows I watched when I was a kid, Douglas said.

Owens work includes nine paintings of various media such Aurora (pastels), Plumage (acrylics) and Bold (pastels).

“My artwork are portraits of black women, I usually try to do something kind of special with the lips,” Elmarise Owens said.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Art is on display at the “SERIES OF 7” exhibit, created by seven women from Contra Costa College, at the BridgeStorage and ArtSpace in Richmond. This exhibit runs through Oct. 25 and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Casillas work includes seven acrylic paintings on canvas such El Gato, Sonrie and Nopalita.

“I was born in Mexico, so I incorporate a lot of stuff from my Mexican culture like Day of the Dead, Frida Khalo and the migration of Monarch butterflies,” Casillas said.

Reed’s work includes

seven ceramic sculptures such freckles, Inner Peace and RedBone.

“My style I would say is classical European merged in with African. I like the Roman sculptures, but I want the sculptures to look like me,” Reed said.

“Especially the texture of African hair and full lips.”

The art exhibit is dis-

played at Bridge ArtSpace in the main gallery, and it will have an opening reception featuring talks with the artist and refreshment on Sept. 7 from 4-7 p.m.

On Sept. 8 and Oct. 13, the gallery will host a meet and greet with the artists and food truck party from noon to 3 p.m.

STUDENT UNION SEEKS TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS Senators and officers required for group

By DeJon Sylvain staff writer

dsylvain.theadvocate@gmail.com

Contra Costa College welcomes the new school year presenting its first look into the newly elected Associated Student Union (ASU) board members.

The board welcomes Co-Chief Executive Officer of richmondCodes Preston AkubuoOnwuemeka as their new president for the 2019-2020 school year.

Upon requesting further information about the 2019 election process, ASU President Preston Akubuo-Onwuenmeka was not available for comment.

During the election process candidates developed a petition to gauge student areas of concern before the General Election and being selected by the ASU Board.

All students were able to vote with the use of the school’s online survey and were also able to vote in the Student Life Office.

ASU Senator Alfredo Angulo “wished more people came out and voted and took an interest in the voting process.”

All things considered the turnout was generous.

According to Angulo, there are a few positions that remain vacant and the ASU board plans to promote the open positions to

students interested in spreading awareness to the CCC community.

“We want to encourage students to join the board,” Angulo said.

He said the experiences “pushes them (students) to showcase their voice and exercise leadership” The board consists of the following: ASU Secretary Aman Butt. ASU Parlamentarian Edwin Velis and ASU Treasurer Dagim Tessema.

Also serving as representatives are Senators Erica Villegas Padilla, Kyler Williams, Blanca Castillo, Laicee Brown, Chris Siriyarn and Ricardo Sanchez.

The Associated Student Union serves as the voice for students at CCC. They are responsible for informing and raising awareness to issues and worries regarding the campus community.

The open positions consist of Director of Public Relations, Director of Shared Government, Director of External Affair, Executive Vice President, Parliamentarian, and Director of Recruiting.

ASU Senator, Ricordo Sanchez is set to fill the position of VP of Club Affairs as Angulo plans to assume the position of Executive Vice President.

“We plan to promote the open positions to the student body with the optimism that there will be interest in participation,” President of Club Affairs Charles Ramirez said.

The ASU bylaws state that students who

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

Chris Siriyam (left), Associated Student Union President Preston AkubuoOnwuemeka (middle) and Shreejal Luitel (right) meet in the Associated Students Union office in SA-109. are enrolled in at least five units and have an accumulative 2.0 gpa are able to fill open senate positions.

For those intrigued, contact the head of Club Affairs for more information.

Most importantly, the ASU provides an opportunity for students to have their voices

heard.

“ASU gives students a voice” said Angulo.

ASU’s focus this semester is to get more students involved with their community, put on more occasional events and to also fund and provide services to the student body.

Science Complex on schedule to completion

DANIEL HERNANDEZ / THE ADVOCATE

A D-Line Construction excavator carves out a hole in the ground to make way for concrete electrical vaults that will work for the utilities and water systems.

By Daniel Hernandez social media editor

dhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students can finally expect construction to begin on the new highly anticipated $68.86 million Science Complex coming in the fall semester.

Just a year ago, a perimeter fenced off the aged Liberal Arts and Health Sciences buildings for excavators to tear apart the structure.

Now, the second phase of construction is coming to an end while the search is on for a contractor to be commissioned for assembling the Science Complex.

On July 25, a pre-bid meeting was held for contractors to have an on-site presentation.

“The pre-bid meeting is a mandatory meeting where any contractor who plans to offer a bid for the project has to show up — it qualifies the contractor to offer a bid to the district,” Technology Systems Manager James Eyestone said.

According to project manager Mike Chambers with Critical Solutions (CSI), there are five companies placing their bid.

The bidding period will start September 4 and the award of contract is scheduled to be issued the day after District Board

approval on Sept. 12.

“We’re following the district’s process to decide who is going to actually do the main building portion of that project,” Eyestone said.

Ron Johnson, who was not available for comment, is president of CSI and in charge of overseeing the new building.

There are three phases called increments laid out for the building process. Increment zero was for Central Valley Environmental (CVE) to tear down the LA Building and HS Building along with removal of rubble.

“Increment 1 is just basically moving dirt,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. D-Line Constructors are the on the job for this phase doing the geographical work as dozers level the earth and trucks regularly enter the site to haul off excess backfill material.

Some roadblocks such as a redwood tree at the northwest wedge of the site couldn’t be removed until nesting season was over for native birds.

By the time D-Line ripped out the tree, the LA building was already gone.

“One of the interesting things they found was a well. No one knew it was there,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. During the ground excavation, workers found an encased hole with a pump at the bottom where the HS Building stood.

No clues were available to trace back who installed the now decommissioned well.

By May 24, Chambers obtained quotes from specialty contractors to fill the aban-

doned well to ensure that no contaminants will enter the groundwater.

In July, wood and steel pilings were driven into the ground to hold back erosion and decay from the hillside at the western edge.

For the final weeks of the phase, space was dug out for large concrete electrical vaults along with sewer and utility components.

Chambers said D-Line has about a month left on site before they “take away their toys,” referring to the construction equipment, which leaves everything ready for the next group to continue.

The awarded contractor will receive a notice to proceed on Sept. 23 and have 21 days to mobilize onsite and begin the final phase by laying out the foundation. Steel beams that are manufactured off site will be placed into the building’s assembly in the weeks that follow.

From then on, the project is expected to last for 650 days to substantial completion and 60 days to final completion.

“The biology and physical science buildings will be combined in there, so they’ll have all the amenities for chemistry labs, fit with cadavers and kinesiology,” King said.

Funded by Measure E and with the estimated date of completion in 2023, the new Science Complex designed by SmithGroupJJR will feature three floors, a 55-seat planetarium and an upgraded observation deck.

This will be a much-needed update to existing equipment in the aged Physical Sciences building.

campus beat

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5

LEFT: Culinary arts major Robin Jassa (middle right), Kassane Clay (left), Brandon Williams (middle left) and Elizabeth Razo, celebrate Jassa as he wins a scholarship for a trip to Italy at the Food and Wine event on Sunday.

Tour exceeds expectations DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary students learn Italian cuisine in authentic setting

By Fatima Carrasco advocate staff

fcarrasco.theadvocate@gmail.com

After a year of fierce competition and vigorous fundraising 10 culinary arts students fulfilled their goal of learning the finer points of cooking from authentic Italian chefs.

These students were all able to “get certified” and “learn from other cultures,” Culinary Arts Department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said.

Still excited about Italy and with a spark of joy in her eyes Maggie Alinsod will never forget the things she learned in Italy.

“We went on field trips and learned different methods of cooking and how things were done. We found out there were no processed foods in Italy

because everything is made from scratch. Whatever it is you need you have to make it, want tomato sauce, you make it.”

Nader said the process was like any earned-scholarship to study abroad.

The students had to apply, get interviewed and then the Chefs would select the students they believed had earned it.

“I’ve been here for 14 years.

We’ve been sending 10 students per year for the past 12 years,” Nader said.

The chef said he began sending students to study abroad when he worked at Diablo Valley College.

There he would also host a “Food and Wine Event” and fundraise money to send a collection of students to study in

other places like France and China.

Students like Erika Marks, who serves on the department’s student advisory board, earned the opportunity to study abroad in the past and remembers the trip as a life changing experience.

“My lifestyle changed, the way I eat and the way I look at things. Over there (Italy) everything is so peaceful. During lunch time everything shuts down. It is the most important time of the day and after a few hours everything opens back up. They are enjoying life there,” she said.

At Contra Costa College, this life changing experience begins an entire year in advance.

Eligible students who apply

Student bargains +

Hulu and Spotify $4.99 for both services

Free for four weeks $1 a week after free trial 60% off Adobe Creative Suite

$19.99 a month

50% off Amazon Prime

$6.99 a month

ILLUSTRATION BY XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

deals available at discount price

By Jose Arebalo advocate staff

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

The true cost of attending college is made up of more than just the price of classes and textbooks.

Going to class is a commitment that takes away the opportunity to work with that time instead.

Because of this, it should come as no surprise that many products and services come at a discounted price for students hoping to weather the economic hardship of student life.

There are even apps dedicated to helping students find discounts.

One place that provides access to multiple deals students can download and sign up for UNiDAYS. It is a service that com-

piles discounts from a wide range of vendors including discounts on food, clothing, tech and travel.

Another good tool is studentbeans, an alternative option that is easy to use and differentiates from the previous site with discounts on health and beauty.

While it is important that students get their gear ready for the semester, there are other subscriptions to consider as well.

Many publishers also provide discounted rates for subscriptions of their product for students.

The New York Times is free for four weeks, then subscriptions cost just $1 per week following the trial period.

In a more paced out schedule, the Economist offers 12 issues for

$12. Another publication, the Wall Street Journal offers students one month of news for $1.

Even entertainment and technology can come at a discounted price for students.

The Adobe creative cloud comes at a 60 percent reduced cost if students sign up with a .edu email address. Students can sign up for Spotify Premium and Hulu for $5 a month.

This is a great deal considering that Spotify for students is $5 alone.

To cover most online shopping needs Amazon offers a prime membership with a free trial for six months, and 50 percent off membership thereafter.

for this scholarship to Italy were required to participate in the Food and Wine Event, search for sponsors and show consistent growth in order to get chosen for the learning experience.

While overseas, students lived in cabins at the Alimini Smile Village Club located on the Salento Adriatic coast of Otranto, Italy. Here they were to study and learn about, pizza and leavening, preserved foods, wine, pasta and other traditional Italian dishes like “Primi Piatti.”

“It was amazing, it was a dream — I don’t know how to explain it. It was so beautiful and everything was so much better out there. Flavors and everything.” third semester culinary arts student Elvia

Lozoya said.

The group of travelers from CCC were all amazed by the Italians way of life.

From the very moment they woke up to going to the kitchen and learning to make new dishes in new ways, to visiting Italy’s cities rich in history full of monuments and statues.

“You would wake up every morning and everything was different. You would see people so happy. Everything is so natural. It was amazing,” Alinsod said.

She also said, “Their soil is different, red volcanic soil, maybe that’s why their food tastes different — better. It was like a laboratory.”

“Now I understand why I’m doing things the way I’m doing them. There are things I would

DRILL PREPS FOR ACTIVE SHOOTER

By Daneil Hernandez social media editor

dhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

On Aug. 21, Contra Costa College conducted a shelter in place drill to train staff on how to react in an active shooter event on campus.

At 9:48 a.m., the fire alarm sounded and people across campus were instructed to shelter in place by Police Services until an all clear notice was given to evacuate.

“We evacuate every building at least once a year as a training exercise. What we have been trying to incorporate are the shelter in place aspects of it,” Police Lt. Thomas Holt said.

Use of the fire alarm is to train staff not to automatically evacuate. The idea is that when there is a shelter in place, people must stop and assess the situation before making the judgment for choosing their next move. Using senses such as hearing gunshots or smelling smoke was not included in the drill.

In the event of a real emergency, campus police can send out alarms and transmit messages through the classroom notification system installed in each campus facility.

They can give orders immediately to classes and receive status updates.

“What we train is run, hide, fight. Run if you can, hide if you can’t, but when you are hiding, know you might have to fight,” Holt said.

In the event someone chooses to hide, they must prepare to protect themselves at all costs, such as barricading the door and engaging in physical altercation with the shooter.

Holt holds a forum at the fireside hall around the beginning of each semester where he discusses what to do when an earthquake strikes, a fire breaks out or a shooter is on campus.

In each classroom, an evacua-

tion plan is detailed with clearance routes on the walls. But a crucial piece of information nowhere to be found on these emergency plans are descriptions of how to act during an active shooter situation.

During the emergency exercise, Middle College High School classes were being held in the Applied Arts and General Education buildings. MCHS teachers and staff were given the notice the day before that the drill would last 15 minutes.

MCHS teacher Stephen Hoffman said, “The fire alarm wasn’t what I’d been expecting, which added a little to the realism of the drill. The first thing I did was lock the door and explain how we would make the room appear vacant.”

The class turned off all the lights and silenced their phones for about 45 seconds before being instructed by an administrator to walk over to parking lot 10.

Students gathered personal belongings and continued aimlessly outside of the AA Building until directed to the parking lot.

Caden Cotton-Blake, a MCHS student, described his initial reaction as, “It wasn’t the jolt you usually get, it was just like another fire alarm and then when they told us that it was the shooter alarm, it made me feel kind of uneasy.”

Communication fell short between students and staff, MCHS student Emme Do said.

“After the drill was over and we were standing in the parking lot, that’s when I found out it was a drill. All that fear that was in me was for nothing,” she said.

For Hoffman, he found it to be a sobering experience, saying, “It really struck me, more than at any other point in my teaching career, how the students were looking to me for direction. That was a humbling reminder for me.”

He complimented his students for their cooperation.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.28.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

spotlight

What you missed this summer

Updates on political debates, immigration, historical celebrations and more

elections nCampaign season is underway with presidential hopefuls establishing policy positions and rallying potential voters.

An unusually large field of democratic presidential hopefuls has defined field thus far. the mix of contenders has split the party into factions of centrist democrats and progressives.

U.S. Border nThis summer was filled with tragedies and one of the most atrocious human rights violations was the inhumane conditions found in ICE detention centers along the southern u.s. border. Facilities were filled over capacity, understaffed, and left children without the proper necessities for basic hygiene.

world cup n The u.s. Womens national soccer team took home the title at the 2019 fifa WOmen’s world cup final. They took the match Three to zero against the republic of ireland. They made headlines claiming their fourth championship in the eighth edition of the FIFA womens world cup in france.

Sudan nSudan has been in political turmoil since the overthrowing of their leader Omar al-Bashir. A council of generals took power on april 11th.

Protesters have faced deadly crackdowns from the junta organization and fear that no compromise to end the violence has increased internationally.

July 4 nFireworks lit up the sky as the residents of San Pablo gathered together to watch the July fourth celebration under the night sky at El Portal Soccer Field. The event was put together by San Pablo Community Services featuring games, food and live entertainment at no cost.

Gop nOpponents have began to emerge for President Trump as a portion of his party’s elected officials are considering finding a primary opponent to unseat him. Joe Walsh a congressman who was aligned with the tea party and Bill weld former governor of massAchussets are considering running against the president.

pride n The community came together for the fifth anniversary of Richmond’s Pride festival at Marina Way Park on Sunday June 2 at 10 a.m. Fifty years after stonewall, the LGBTQ community is thriving in a city that embraces their mark. international Pride celebrations also commemorated the landmark moment.

shootings nMass shootings are on the rise in 2019 with 270 incidents taking place according to the Gun Violence Archive. In 2018 there were a total of 338 mass shootings. More recently tragedy struck close to home as a gunman struck down three victims at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

fires nnations around the world have contributed to rising greenhouse gases bringing about the very real repercussions of climate change. this year has seen moderate wildfires outbreaks in california with a record low since 1998 according to an analysis of state fire records.

Amazon n The world is in shock and reeling upon learning of devastating fires consuming parts of the Amazon jungle in brazil. President Jair Bolsonaro’s response has faced scrutiny from the international community. He has promised to deploy 43,000 troops to fight the inferno.

sports

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7

LEFT: Biology major Sindy Mendoza kicks a ball to goal during the women’s soccer practice at the Soccer Field on Tuesday.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Coach strives for stability, recruits for upcoming season Women’s soccer team has low participation numbers, despite season starting soon

By Denis Perez art director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Coach Ted Steen was hired to revamp the women’s soccer program and from its summer class group, the team has gained two committed players, biology major Sindy Mendoza and psychology major Noemi Gomez.

Contra Costa College women’s soccer team is looking to recruit 16 players before its Sept. 27 season opener.

“We are building a presence,” Steen said.

Last year the soccer team did not collect enough players to field a regulation team and have a full season.

Steen hopes to change this through a growth mindset.

“We are looking for effort over outcome,” Steen said.

No one is stuck at their level and there is always room for improvement. There just needs to be an outlet for the female athletes to practice their skills, Steen said.

To promote the program, the team has been setting up an informational table in the Campus Center Plaza to get students to sign up for the team, further engage the community and build a reputation.

From tabling, the team has gained another member, criminal

n “My coaching philoso-

phy is to educate studentathletes to have fun, while learning life skills.”

— Ted Steen, women’s soccer coach

justice major Jasmin Cervantes.

The women’s team will host pick-up games open to everyone in the public on the Soccer Field Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, Steen said.

The goal for the women’s team this year is to show people CCC has good talent, Gomez said.

“We just have to be patient,” she said.

Gomez, who has been selected as team captain said, during summer practice and now during the semester, it is vital that the low participation numbers don’t get to her.

“You just have to bring your all,” Gomez said.

For her, that means bringing a good spirit and being in a good mood. Coach Steen’s positivity during practice enables her to do that every practice, she said.

The women’s soccer team will practice from Monday to Friday from 8 to 10 a.m. for the first four weeks of the semester. After that, the team will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from

8 to 10 a.m. And the games will usually be played on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.

During practice, Steen goes over fundamentals while creating an environment where the team members feel safe, he said.

Steen, 29, had been working as the assistant women’s coach at Diablo Valley College. That team’s record last year was 14-12-6 in the Big 8 Conference. Steen also coaches outside of the collegiate level and in community leagues.

“My coaching philosophy is to educate student-athletes to have fun, while learning life skills,” Steen said.

During the summer, Mendoza saw the team had different skill levels and Steen was able to work with that. Soccer is a team sport, so having a coach that can do that is going to be very important as the season starts and the women start to develop themselves in different ways, she said.

For Mendoza, she knows soccer will always be there for her, as a sport and as a training ground for herself. Having a space to play soccer at the collegiate level allows her to escape the burdens of school, she said.

“I am an athletic person and I love soccer because it is something that I identify with,” Mendoza said.

ADVERTISEMENT

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Comet defender Ashley Portillo (right) battles for possession of the ball during a home game in the 2017 season, the last time the women’s soccer team played.

8

scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.28.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

BASTILLE rELEASES

'DOOM DAYS''

‘Still Avoiding Tomorrow’ In Their New ‘Apocalyptic Party’ Album DANIEL HERNANDEZ

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

DHERNANDEZ.THEADVOCATE@GMAIL.COM

It can feel like the apocalypse is upon us when all that is talked about are the threats of climate change, chaos created by destructive politicians and fighting a battle with our internal conflicts.

As a soundtrack to accompany the chaos, British alternative rock band Bastille published their third album “Doom Days” with a theme.

The project is an audio experience in which life is expressed through the eyes of four fictional characters.

“Doom Days” is Bastille’s most experimental album yet, having a wide range of sounds compressed into 11 tracks without too much compromise reflects the lead singer Dan Smith and the band’s signature creativity when it comes to songwriting. Their second album “Wild World” was about confronting reality while “Doom Days” is the opposite, fixing their minds on being ignorant and naïve just to have a good time. The album is intentionally short and fast running, as if time is warped when partying through the night.

Over the course of one night, Bastille captures the emotions felt while the characters attempt to escape the horrors and drama of the outside world though partying, but everything soon backfires.

The album starts with the fast-paced song “Quarter Past Midnight” detailing level headed people returning home for the night while an ambitious group of friends remain on a mission to chase adventure.

They want to lose control of their senses but search for some stability while they’re still sober enough to do so.

But why stop with making “Bad Decisions” (the second track) when the night is still young?

The night is juxtaposed to Brexit and a difficult relationship.

Highlighted in the song are the lyrics “feeling lower than the Sterling” which represents the confusion with holding onto something harmful for the sake of invulnerability when they know the consequences are negative.

Perspective changes to a prudent partygoer who notices that others caught themselves in “The Waves” of their escapist mindset and wonders what

will happen to them.

The moods of partygoers begin to polarize in “Divide”.

Two characters face friction when one tries to leave the party but the other wants them to stay. A ballad that alludes to the detached relationship between citizens perpetuated by their opinions on current politics.

With a techno electronic dance beat, speed picks up with the track “Million Pieces.

Although the main purpose of the night is to “just drink, f*ck, dance right through disaster,” someone is snagged into talking about politics. Stating that “the king’s a clown” and “don’t look outside, the world is ending,” is wanting to deny ALBUM REVIEW all the facts and leave those problems for “DOOM DAYS” the morning when the time comes and instead shed themselves of all troubles and let loose while they are still alive.

Artist: Bastille The noise made discussing politics is Genre: Alternative louder than the music itself and breaks Pop an unspoken rule of the party.

Label: Virgin EMI In the title track, the character is Release Date: June 14 “livestreaming the final day of Rome” during the middle of the party and has a sudden realization of the actual disaster playing out as they speak.

The track “Doom Days” is the last song written for the album and has 30 verses that shine a reflection of today’s society and the way people react to chaos around them.

Selective hearing is the character’s coping mechanism to what they are seeing and ultimately decides to free himself from the phone’s negative effects by putting it down.

The repetitive sounding track, “Nocturnal Creatures” describes the feeling of liberation and the having the ability to be hedonistic.

At the lowest point in the night, “4AM” is being in a state of grogginess and contentment of being surrounded by the intoxicated people that they love.

In a song about a casual encounter, “Another Place” relates to when opposites finally unite. However, breaking promises and deceptiveness diminishes what a better life they could have if they were in a different situation.

The night is running out of time. “Those Nights” is someone begging to feel normal again with a human connection and understanding that they won’t be alive forever has caught up to them.

Days are numbered and with doomsday upon them they must act fast. However, before they can, the clock strikes 5 a.m. and they fall asleep.

It is 8:34 in the morning, asleep on the kitchen floor a call comes in from a friend to set their minds straight.

All the drama and anxiety of the night that came rushing in is washed away by a small piece of human interaction and injects a dose of euphoria.

In an ironic twist, the phone that they were trying to escape all night comes in to save everything.

Available On: Vinyl 7" Singles CD Cassette

1. Quarter Past Midnight 3:19 2. Bad Descions 3:10 3. The Waves 4:01 4. Divide 3:52 5. Million Pieces 4:12 6. Doom Days 2:18 7. nocturnal creatures 3:52 8. 4AM 4:08 9. Another Place 3:32 10. Those Nights- 4:30 11. joy 3:13 12. When I Watch The World Burn All I Think About Is You (Demo) 3:12 13. Easy Days (Demo) 2:52

by

bonus tracks

Tracklist INFOGRAPH BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: BASTILLEBASTILLE.COM