The Advocate 8-31

Iron Chef competition fills locale Culinary students bring ‘Taste of Italy’ to clients

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.advocate@gmail.com

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts students Kate Bautista (left) and Genalyn Sabrinano prepare pasta for the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

WEDNESDAY l 8.31.16 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

SEE IRON CHEF, PAGE 3

MOBILE APP RELEASE HELPS EASE STRESS District joins Ellucian GO to expand access to online resources, promote distance education

in brief Ellucian GO is a phone app that supplements Insite Portal.

The app was designed by a third party developer to ease student access.

More than 12,000 devices used Ellucian GO during the first two weeks of fall semester districtwide.

The district configured its version of Ellucian GO in February, and officially launched it districtwide in July.

BY Marci Suela ART DIRECTOR

Team “Whatdahell” won the Taste of Italy Iron Chef cook-off at the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday at 11 a.m.

“It was fun, it is good practice — it is the first time my team won first place,” third semester culinary student Kate Bautista said.

Two spaghetti dishes, one with braised beef and red wine sauce, and another with clams and shrimp in a white wine reduction won the competition. “Whatdahell” came in first with a landslide victory of 41 votes.

“Fly Chicks” came in second with 27, and “Fancy Zoodles” had 21. There were six teams in total.

Before the competition results were tallied, confident Bautista said, “I guess it can be a little nerve wrecking, but we prepped all of yesterday, so we are ready.”

“The Iron Chef competition gives students a chance to feel what it is like (to work in a restaurant) — we have been preparing for the cook-off for about a week,” culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said.

Over 200 people showed up to the competition, Sharkes said. At one point, guests had

BURGLARIES, THEFTS BUILD SECURITY CONCERNS Unknown suspects in separate incidents take items worth $7,300

BY Lorenzo Morotti

msuela.advocate@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The balance between attending classes, going to work and having a social life can be hectic. But Ellucian GO, a phone app that works as an extension of InSite Portal, is making planning easier.

Contra Costa College student Carlos Rodriguez, a business major, said while he was on his way to work he tried accessing InSite Portal on his phone to register for classes for the 2016 fall semester.

“Priority registration is a big deal when you’re trying to get into an impacted class. You have to move fast in order to get a spot,” Rodriguez said.

“I had a tight schedule because I go to work right after class that day (of the registration date) so I tried to log onto InSite (Portal).

“It was stressful because InSite (Portal) was lagging, and some of the windows wouldn’t show up. If there was an app that can make this process easier, it would make my life easier.”

Since July 2016, Contra Costa Community College District joined the mobile application Ellucian GO for smartphones and tablet devices to help students like Rodriguez who are constantly on the move.

The district’s Information Systems Director Satish Warrier said Ellucian GO is now part of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which provides software and services for higher education management.

Warrier said students identify this software as InSite Portal.

He said Ellucian GO has the functions of InSite Portal for students to “make class schedules, see class offerings, view maps of the campuses and make payments.”

More than 12,000 devices were using Ellucian GO districtwide during the first two weeks of the fall 2016 semester, he said.

Construction equipment, maintenance tools, a Honda Civic used in classes and a golf cart were stolen from campus over the summer in separate incidents.

“All these are crimes of opportunity,” Police Services Lt. Thomas Holt said.

According to Police Service’s crime reports, this string of thefts (grand), and burglaries, at Contra Costa College have three things in common: The suspects have not yet been identified or caught.

Everything the unknown suspects stole was locked or chained.

Each incident happened late at night.

The total loss of four separate thefts and burglaries is valued at about $7,300.

About $5,300 of CCC’s property stolen, while Lathrop Construction Inc.’s losses was valued at $1,900.

The areas that were broken into were the Lathrop Inc. construction trailers in Lot 4 on Aug. Repairing 15, the Buildings and our ‘weak Grounds’ storage under link’ the Comet Stadium A lack of late bleachers on Aug. 4, the automotive services night patrols on department’s vehicle yard on Aug. 2 and the campus leaves Information Technology college property Department’s golf cart lock up near the Applied vulnerable to Arts Building on June 29. string of thefts, “In every one of these cases the stuff that was burglaries. taken was in well-lit PAGE 2

editorial

SEE ELLUCIAN GO, PAGE 3

SEE THEFTS, PAGE 3 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

Modern kitchen gives future chefs base

WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM EYES VICTORIES

Show provides thrilling plot line

Aqua Terra Grill provides culinary students with cooking equipment, clients with a memorable dining experience.

After having to forfeit last season due to a lack of players, a new coach seeks to revive the program.

Fantasy fiction tale spans dimensions, mixes retro feel and frightening drama.

PAGE 5

PAGE 10

PAGE 9

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

2

Quotable “We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams.”

Gene Wilder actor, 1933-2016 Roxana Amparo editor-in-chief Christian Urrutia web editor Marci Suela art director social media editor Lorenzo Morotti associate editor Benjamin Bassham news editor Robert Clinton opinion editor sports editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Cody Casares photo editor Denis Perez assistant photo editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate staff Sean Austin Vianney Carrillo Jose Chavez Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Naylea Hernandez Edwin Herrera Karla Juarez Perla Juarez Anthony Kinney Christopher Parker Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Reggie Santini Michael Santone Jessica Suico Jason Sykes Mike Thomas Efrain Valdez 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, AUG. 31, 2016 VOL. 104, NO. 2

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL REPAIRING OUR ‘WEAK LINK’ Campus needs patrols late at night, district support

A

bout $6,500 in property was stolen from campus in four separate incidents over the summer.

Roughly $4,600 was Contra Costa College’s property while $1,900 belonged to Lathrop Construction Inc., the company that built the Campus Center and Classroom Project.

The Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board can prevent future thefts and burglaries by hiring more police officers to patrol the campus late at night — because at that time the campus is virtually defenseless.

Three characteristics these four crimes have in common are: 1) the suspects have still not been caught, 2) the items were locked up and 3) all items were taken late at night when there are not any district Police Services officers on patrol.

“Maybe they found our weak link,” Police Services Lt. Thomas Holt said.

“Our weak link is that we do not have the staff to keep a relief officer on campus all night long,” Holt said. “We rely on outside police departments (San Pablo and Richmond) to help us during that time. We have a good relationship with them, but they cannot be everywhere at once.”

The areas where the items were stolen are the Lathrop Inc. construction trailers next to the Gymnasium in Lot 5 on Aug. 15, the Buildings and Ground’s storage area underneath the Comet Stadium bleachers on Aug. 4, the automotive services department’s vehicle yard on Aug. 2 and the golf cart lockup yard below the Applied Arts Building on June 29.

In the past, discussions about crime prevention at college administration meetings were focused on adding more surveillance cameras inside and outside buildings, and adding lights to poorly lit areas.

But neither kept these crimes from occurring.

The hardest hit in this string of thefts and burglaries was Buildings and Grounds, Lathrop Inc. and the Information Technology Department.

According to Police Services reports, Lathrop Inc. is missing 15 items, the most valuable being a $450 iPad and a $350 video camera. Buildings and Grounds is without three STIHL chain saws, valued at $250 each, and a $400 leaf blower.

An Information Technology Department golf cart, valued at $2,000 was stolen, as well as a 1994 Honda Civic LX sedan, valued at $1,500, that was taken from the automotive department.

Holt said the Civic was found off campus.

But the golf cart, which is used to lug computers around campus, is still missing.

Just like getting more lights and surveillance cameras, convincing the Governing Board to hire more police officers will take time, but having more officers on campus will help prevent crimes like these.

“Our staffing model right now is the problem,” Holt said. “We need enough police officers to staff people earlier in the morning, and have other officers stay at night.”

While prevention methods such as cameras in key locations and improved lighting are a good start, hiring more eyes and ears is the best way to stop theft before more tools, vehicles or equipment is stolen.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ SOCIETY

America obsessed with mass consumption P eople of sound mind can agree that American social values and our extreme focus on materialism have ignored the sovereignty of other nations as well as that of its own citizens.

The way this generation is being brought up on pop culture, with an emphasis on money, is sending our society into a death spiral of despair.

America’s culture of consumerism must change.

Our values and priorities must be adjusted for America to chart a path of healing throughout the states.

A perfect example of this is the way American culture has negatively affected Native Americans.

Today, many Native Americans live in poverty, abusive environments and communities that are disease-prone and suicidal.

Native American’s have undergone a myriad of traumatic experiences including loss of their sacred lands, loss of their communities and traditions.

Historically Native Americans have been the victims of brutal wars and systematic genocide.

These conditions have endured over the generations for hundreds of years.

The reality is that Native American rights is not the number one trending topic on social media, although it has been the longest in a line of humanitarian issues in American society.

It is scary because as a democratic society only a

globally.

Native Americans and other minorities have the imprint of racism etched onto their brains.

Police brutality, illegal immigration felonies, over taxing, consequences of global warming, water pollution and the list few of us have been able to could really go on. say “no” to wrong doings At the same time, “white in the name of equality.

But for most of us it is not privileged” citizens are easy to take a stand outside screwed over by the system as well. of our I believe as time goes by personal America’s more people are going to lives if culture of start caring. an issue Extraordinary change does not consumerism will happen by doing directly extraordinary work even affect our must though it is not an ordiown botnary thing to do. tom line. change.

I believe that extraorRecently dinary acts of justice will I have become ordinary acts been hearing so much because of the extreme about people who are conditions that consumer“woke,” or those who are ism and its negative effects aware of the reality of the will spawn in the future. rampant consumer-crazy People say let’s not buy society we live in. name brands because they I believe older people know it, our teachers know are made in factories that it, both our candidates for enslave women or deny basic human rights.

President know it, some Or how about the terms of the slave wage overseas boycott, sit-in or hunger workers in sweat shops manufacturing our clothes strikes?

Let’s boycott this comknow it and some of the pany because they practice immigrant children who were brought here by their wrongdoing. Or let’s shut parents escaping war know down that foundation’s activities because it’s doing it. crooked deals.

What do they know?

If we don’t know our The American people, history, we are doomed to the youth, the small busirepeat it. ness owners, the working class and the 99 percent are Denis Perez is the assisthe leaders of the future. tant photo editor for The Collectively, people Advocate. Contact him at are “asleep” to issues that dperez.theadvocate@gmail. greatly affect America’s population, nationally and com.

denisperez

CAMPUS COMMENT How do you purchase your books?

“For my nursing program,

I usually buy them online.”

Angela Loera nursing

“I buy them with my financial aid or with my own money and then later reimburse myself with my financial aid.”

Mario Trujilla sociology

ROXANA AMPARO / THE ADVOCATE

“My mom was in the military and they now pay for my books.”

Rajan Washington

“I usually use my parents’ credit card. I buy them on Amazon, or sometimes from a third party.”

“I get them for free through Middle College.

They buy all of my books.”

Norberto Salas

mchs

kinesiology

mechanical engineer

Paola Alvan

“I have Amazon Prime. I can get them delivered quickly.”

Cynthia Laudenslager nursing

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

NEWSLINE TRANSFER

WORKSHOPS NEAR CONCLUSION The two final Transfer Workshops will be held in SSC-104 today from 9-10 a.m. and Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.

The topic is on Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), and how to use tools to give a high chance of transferring being accepted to its favorable college.

One of the tools, UC TAG is an offer where six UCs guarantee transfer admissions for students transferring from a California community college, if following IGETC transfer requirements. For more information, go to the website www. admission.universityofcalifornia. edu.

The other transfer assistance is called the Transfer Planning Tool.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

OPENING CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE A workshop on how to avoid plagiarism will be held in the Library on Sept. 26 from 2:30-4 p.m.

This workshop will teach students how to avoid accidental plagiarism when using Noodletools to cite sources.

This assistance can help students organize their notes, track resources and make sure the cited sources are in the correct MLA format.

The workshop will also show how teachers can check if a paper or part of a paper is plagiarized by using Turnitin, a tool that highlights all sentences in a paper containing previously published phrases and sentences.

CRIMEWATCH Wednesday, July 20: An officer received a report of a assault on campus.

Monday, July 25: An officer received a report of a theft at the Pool.

Saturday, July 30: An unknown suspect vandalized the lock to the automotive department’s vehicle yard.

Tuesday, Aug. 2: A vehicle was reported stolen from the automotive department’s yard.

Wednesday, Aug. 3: An employee in the Student Services Center fell, but declined medical attention. The employee stayed at work and complained about left elbow pain.

Thursday, Aug. 4: Maintenance tools underneath the Comet Stadium bleachers were stolen. The suspect is unknown.

An officer responded to a non-injury traffic accident on campus.

Monday, Aug 15: An unknown suspect broke into the Critical Solutions construction trailer in Lot 5. The suspect stole various tools and equipment.

— Lorenzo Morotti and Mike Thomas

CORRECTION On page 5 of the Aug. 24 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “Council Aims to Enhance Club Events,” ASU Public Relations Director Frances Sanson title was wrongly identified.

The Advocate regrets this error.

— 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.

LEFT: Sociology major Jingya Huang (left) and economics major Boya Zhang (right) mold dry clay into bowls during ceramics class on Aug. 22.

Students from all levels of ceramics design bowls that will be sold in the semi-annual Empty Bowls fundraising event.

IRON CHEF | Cook-off generates revenue for trips Continued from Page 1

WELCOMING

3

to be seated in the patio and the doors had to be closed to incoming guests because of a lack of seats. The culinary arts department’s Iron Chef cook-off raised over $1,000 in revenue from ticket sales alone.

Culinary department instructor Elisabeth Schwarz said, “The new location (of the restaurant in the Student and Administration Building) made it hard to anticipate what would happen, but we are happy with the huge turnout.”

Apart from the lack of seats, the lights kept flickering, and went out for brief minutes throughout the competition. That didn’t stop guests from getting back in line for seconds.

Guests paid a $5 entrance fee (drinks not included) at the door, and lined up in front of the buffet bar. Lasagnas, pastas, chicken

“Sometimes I feel like I have to be a chef and a babysitter. But they worked hard so we now let them enjoy what’s left of their art.”

— Nader Sharkes, culinary arts department chairperson

bombs and baby back ribs were some of the dishes guests could sample.

The culinary arts department will use the revenue from ticket sales to help students in the program cover part of their equipment expenses or the cost to study abroad in Italy, Sharkes said.

Each team offered them a small portion of its prepared dish to taste, evaluate and ultimately vote for the favorite. The teams had their names and dish description placed next

to each dish.

Sharkes and Schwarz were seen running from the buffet line to the kitchen throughout the cook-off until its ending at 12:30 p.m., when the winners were announced.

“Sometimes I feel like I have to be a chef and a babysitter. But they worked hard, so we now let them enjoy what’s left of their art,” Sharkes said.

The teams headed to the kitchen to enjoy some food and congratulate each other as the guests began to leave the Aqua Terra Grill.

City of Richmond social worker Diane Hill said, “It is awesome, everything is so greatly seasoned — my friends are taking a to go box home — compliments to the chefs.”

This year’s cook-off provided students and local community residents with a preview of the Aqua Terra Grill—which Sharkes said will open on Tuesday.

THEFTS | String of summer heists raises suspicions Continued from Page 1 areas, chained or locked up,” Holt said. “We always say to not leave your valuables in plain view, but that does not apply here because the majority of what was stolen was college property and we do our best to make sure everything is locked up and well hidden.

“But all these thefts, and burglaries, could be related. Maybe they found our weak link.”

He said because the district cannot afford to hire more police officers to patrol the campus, there are times late at night when there are no officers on campus.

“We rely on outside police departments (San Pablo, and Richmond) to help us during that time,” he said. “We have a good relationship with them, but they can’t be everywhere at once.”

District Police Chief Edward Carney said the district is currently working on revamping the surveillance camera network on campus to prevent crimes and catch suspects in the future.

Carney said while the current system does deter people from committing crimes, the use of surveillance cameras as forensic evidence is not as effective because they are installed in only a few areas on campus.

He said a more complete and modern camera system would help identify suspects.

“It will be a giant circle starting on the outside of campus and moving inward to cover the entrances and parking lots,” Carney said. “At the same time, we will install cameras in interior of buildings and expand outward so we will have a whole network.”

While Holt agrees with Carney, he said a more immediate solution to stopping “crimes of opportunity” would be to hire more officers to patrol more frequently, and late at night as a relief position.

“Our staffing model right now is the problem. We need enough officers to start patrols earlier in the morning, and have another officer stay on campus later,” Holt said. “But this is not something we can do right away — we have to promote this at the district level.”

Looting Lathrop, Inc. According to a Police Services Report, the suspect(s) broke into the Lathrop Construction Inc. trailers in Lot 4, adjacent to the Gymnasium, on Aug. 15. “(The burglary suspects) ripped the side off of the building to get in,” Holt said. “They cut the side of the trailer open in the middle of the night.”

While the Lathrop, Inc. construction trailers are being torn down today, construction workers will be leaving without a $450 iPad, $250 Cannon point and shoot camera, a $350 video cam-

era, various grinders, drills and saws valued at $500, two battery chargers valued at $210 and site equipment valued at about $100.

Critical Solutions Project Manager Alex Gourtzelis worked out of the Lathrop, Inc. trailers during the construction of the Campus Center and Classroom Project last semester.

“I heard they also ate some of their snack food,” Gourtzeliz said.

“It is unfortunate people would break into the trailer. But normally, in cases like these, the company will deal with these losses through its insurance.”

While Lathrop, Inc. will be compensated, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said the college is unable to mitigate its losses because its insurance policy does not cover losses under $10,000.

An inside job Two STIHL chainsaws valued at $250 and a $400 leaf blower were stolen Buildings and Grounds Department storage lock up under the Comet Stadium bleachers, next to the Softball Field, on Aug. 4.

King said he reported the equipment missing around 10 a.m., but only because there was no evidence of a forced entry into the storage room.

“I think it was an inside job. It is sad that school property was taken because we are without a budget to

buy more.”

He said the padlock was not broken and the door was intact.

“The chainsaws and leaf blower were hidden in the corner, and nothing else was taken,” he said.

“Whoever it was knew exactly what they were going to steal.”

He said the only people on campus with a key to open those padlocks are in the athletic, the custodial departments, Buildings and Grounds and Police Services.

The lock has been replaced and one chainsaw has been purchased, King said.

Grand theft auto Two other separate incidents thefts involved suspects breaking into the automotive services department’s vehicle yard to steal a 1994 Honda Civic LX sedan valued at about $1,500, and an Information Technology Department’s golf cart valued at about $3,000.

While Holt said the Civic was found, the golf cart is still missing since June 29.

Information Systems Manager James Eyestone said he reported the theft (grand) when he went to use in the morning.

“A cable locked it to the fence.

The fence was cut multiple times to free the lock and unwrap the cable from the cart,” Eyestone said.

“It will cost about $3,000 to $4,000 to replace.”

ELLUCIAN GO | Registration simplified through app Continued from Page 1 When Rodriguez discovered there was a mobile application that gave him access to InSite Portal at the beginning of August, he was ecstatic.

“When InSite Portal was working on my phone’s (web browser) I saw there was an ad that said there was a mobile app available,” he said. “I thought, ‘finally. It is about time.’ “(Ellucian GO) is an upgrade from trying to log on through a (browser) window.”

Ellucian GO released an updated version of its mobile application at the beginning of this year.

Warrier said because of its high quality and speed, unlike Ellucian GO’s older and slower versions, the district’s education and technology department moved forward in developing a version for the district using the app.

An advertisement for Ellucian GO is currently displayed within InSite Portal.

The mobile app is available for students’ districtwide at CCC, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges. A link to a set of instructions about how to access Ellucian GO is also provided.

CCC Technology Systems Manager James Eyestone said the district used Ellucian GO’s

“The demonstration was about 20 minutes — the app was simple, easy and right there on your phone.

Students thought it was convenient because it was easy to access.”

— Erika Greene, former CCC Student Life coordinator

configuration and customizations tools to build mobile content to access the same data on InSite Portal.

Warrier said the element “my class schedule” is the only one that was originally created by the district’s education and technology department.

As of Aug. 24, he said “my class schedule” has been selected 12,441 times by students.

When the district approached CCC about the application in May 2016, Ellucian GO was already ready to launch, he said.

“We started considering the use of the app in February. We made multiple versions of the app and had people review them,” he said.

“The goal of the app was to make it as simple as we could and as fast as we could.”

When the development of the district’s ver-

sion within Ellucian GO was finished in May, he said an email was then sent to the Student Life coordinators at all the three colleges to receive student feedback.

“Although we were finished, we wanted to receive feedback from real students because they are the ones who will be using this app. I sent an email to all the (coordinators) to coordinate something with their students.”

Because former CCC Student Life coordinator Erika Greene was the first to respond, Warrier said he held a demonstration of Ellucian GO at the ASU meeting on May 9.

“When I received the email I immediately replied and told (Warrier) to come on by, especially when it benefits the students,” Greene said. “The demonstration was about 20 minutes — the app was simple, easy and right there on your phone. Students thought it was convenient because it was easy to access.”

According to the instructions, locate Ellucian GO in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and then launch.

When a list of colleges shows, choose the college you are enrolled in, or type the name in the search bar. The installation process should complete itself after selecting the college.

Then enter your InSite Portal username and password to access items on the log in menu.

4

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Change of scenery inspires fresh ideas, offers communal experience Architectural improvements: The Campus Center and Classroom Project is made up of the Student and Administration Building, General Education Building and the Fireside Hall Building.

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

RIGHT: The Student and Administration Building includes the Bookstore, Brix, Pronto and faculty and staff offices.

The building also houses student recreation rooms on the first floor.

RIGHT: The culinary department is now housed in the Student and Administration Building and has been furnished with modern kitchens.

RIGHT: Fireside Hall will be used to host community events and lectures.

The building will not be open to students until Sept.

13.

RIGHT: The General Education Building contains a high ceiling lecture hall on the second floor.

RIGHT: Brix is the new food vendor that offers students healthy food options and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Three years ago, the middle of Contra Costa College’s campus was an enclosed space that only construction workers could walk through.

“And then it felt like it happened overnight. We are in these new buildings,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “It just feels like wow, we are on a completely different campus.”

Walking through the middle of campus is now possible for students and faculty since the Campus Center and Classroom Project was completed before the 2016 fall semester.

Contra Costa Community College District Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said the const r uction of the three modern buildings is the largest and most expensive project in the district’s history.

“All three buildings were designed with students in mind,” Pyle said.

The three buildings are the General Education Building, the Fireside Hall and the Student and Administration Building.

The project was funded

by Contra Costa County taxpayers through Bond Measure A funds, he said.

Pyle said the price of the project was about $73 million.

“It was under budget, and on time,” he said. “The plans for construction must go through the Division of State Architecture (DSA) for review prior to construction. (The DSA inspectors) check for structural safety and code compliance.”

The cost included design, inspection and other steps necessary including construction.

King said, “The old Liberal Arts Building and some of these old buildings do not make you feel good about the campus. It really makes you feel like you are at a different school.”

CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “It is exciting to have modern, state-of-ofthe-art teaching and learning facilities for our students and employees.

“The buildings are beautiful.”

General Education Building From outside the General Education Building is a modern three-story structure, and inside its freshly painted white walls leading into classrooms filled with clean chairs and desks is just as welcoming.

The high ceiling, modern 201-seat tiered lecture hall on the second floor of the GE Building creates an inviting atmosphere for new and returning students.

“I call it an event building,” King said.

The lecture hall was first used during All College Day on Aug. 11.

Fireside Hall The Fireside Hall Building

is located between the GE Building and SA Building.

It is the designated spot to host community meetings, conferences, guest speakers and group lectures.

King said there is a big projector on the ceiling that will be used during these meetings.

It will remain closed until the ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept.

13.

Student and Administration Building The Student and Administration Building brings together CCC’s programs like Middle College High School, Student Life, the culinary arts department and the Bookstore in the public recreation room on the first floor.

The SA Building is now the improved hub of campus that is filled with study and dining spaces for students, King said.

The recently opened Aqua Terra Grill and Pronto cafe have replaced the Three Seasons Restaurant and The Switch, which were located in the Applied Arts Building.

Liberal arts major Amanda Wilkinson-Roybal said the dining space is a lot bigger and actually brings people together.

“I miss The Switch,” WilkinsonRoybal said. “But now I hang out in the (Dining Hall).”

Culinary arts program “One of the neatest features is the culinary program,” King said.

The culinary arts department was previously located on the second floor of the AA Building. Now it has its own amplified space on the first floor of the SA Building.

Fully modern cooking and baking kitchens, a classroom equipped with overhead TVs and an audiovisual component to provide firsthand observation for aspiring chefs gives the culinary arts program an extra edge in attracting and retaining students. “(The new culinary kitchens are) really slick,” King said. “I almost need a map to go through that place. It makes you feel like you are on a cooking show on the Food Network channel,” he said.

Food vendor A major update for the CCC community lies in its food options.

Now that the culinary arts department has a modern work space, and the only other food vendor on campus is not Subway, people on campus do not have to leave campus in search of options.

Pacific Dining, Food Service Management, provides food options from four stations: Brix Grill, Block & Barrel, Casa Solana and Arrezzio.

King said, “We got a nice cafeteria with Pacific Dining, who serves a bigger menu than what we used to have at Subway.”

Brix Grill offers a classic burger and fries menu with a few Comet favorites like “dad’s philly cheese,” and the “crispy chicken tender sandwich.” Arrezzio sells customizable pizzas, calzones and affordable bread sticks.

Casa Solana has its own spin on Latin dishes like tortas, tacos and burritos, while Block & Barrell offers an assortment of deli sandwiches and parfaits. Before the college agreed to a contract with Pacific Dining, Subway was the only available food option for students.

King said students have better options now that the Subway portable is no longer on campus.

The Student Dining Hall hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. King said, “And the prices are fairly reasonable.”

Veteran’s Center When the Student Life Office was located on the bottom floor of the AA Building, the Veteran’s Center was on opposite side of the campus in the Student Services Center.

These two areas are no longer separated by a multi-million dollar construction project.

It was known as the ‘Veteran’s Corner,’ King said. “No one really knew about it.”

Now, the center is located within

the Student Life Office on the first floor of the SA Building, close to the SSC. King said the Veteran’s Center is now a more “inviting” space for veterans than when it was tucked away in the SSC. The center is well-furnished with big brown couches, a big screen TV and chairs.

Green features King said a lot of the buildings’ features are “very green” features.

To be certified as a “green” program, it must maintain certain practices King said.

“But (the college) cannot get ‘green’ certification. That costs money, and we’d rather not spend money to get the certificate saying that a lot of the construction had to be done using green materials.”

However, one of the “neat” and “green” features is found in the GE Building, King said.

“In the GE Building, the windows and the stairwell are automated and are regulated by computers so that it can bring fresh air into the building. And if it’s too cold or too hot, people can close (the windows).”

King said the automated windows, and stairwell, will minimize the use of heaters or air conditioners in the building.

King said 160 trees were planted along the outside of the buildings. One tree in particular is a Mediterranean palm that stands tall in the middle of the Campus Center Plaza.

“I am a tree lover,” King said.

“And having a lot of trees is good for the environment.”

An assortment of plants, still sprawled out in rows of pots behind the GE Building, have yet to be planted.

“The soil does not have nutrients to keep the plants alive,” he said. “So they are adding manure to the soil.

“It will decompose and get into the soil and add the nutrients necessary. Then (the soil) will be tested to make sure it is good enough to hold the plants.”

Punch list Pyle said upon completion of the Campus Center and Classroom Project, a list was created to ensure that the lingering technicalities are looked at and fixed.

King said, “We call it a ‘punch list’.

“There are a lot of little things to fix, and of course in a big building like this there is probably a list of 40 to 50 items,” he said. “And (Lathrop Construction Inc. is) working on them.”

King said Lathrop Construction Inc. is the college’s public contractor and will be on campus for another month working on small details.

Mehdizadeh said, “Upon the conclusion of every project we always find elements we wish we could do differently. And that is just a part of the continuous improvement process. However, overall the spaces were well-designed and wellbuilt.”

Pyle said, “We have a very good teams on both the design and construction aspects.”

King said one of the items on the punch list is to put sanitary disposals inside of the women’s restrooms in the SA Building.

“One of the features (Lathrop Inc.) made a mistake on are the feminine napkin disposals that are not inside the stalls, and for ladies that is very important,” King said. “I always chuckle and say it must have been a man who did the design on that one.”

Another challenge that people on campus encountered was the brick sidewalk leading to the GE Building.

“It can potentially be a safety hazard,” King said.” “(The bricks) move and some of them have gaps in between them, and potentially might be a safety issue in the future.

So it is going to be a challenge to (maintain the bricks).”

Mehdizadeh said, “Every one of us must do our part to ensure that Contra Costa College is the oasis that our students, faculty, staff and communities deserve.”

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

5

Carpool’s marketing crashes program Weak advertising forces closure of ride sharing effort

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

The student carpool program at Contra Costa College will be shut down because of a lack of advertisement.

“Parking is such a premium for students,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “If more students do not participate we will have to close the program.”

The program is currently on the verge of closure, with no students participating and 15 reserved parking spots going to waste.

With no marketing strategy behind the program, students don’t even know it exists.

Last semester saw a huge decrease in use of the carpool program from when it first launched in the 2015 fall semester.

No students signed up for the

program during the 2016 spring semester, King said.

The reserved parking lot for students using the carpool program was unused during the day until 4 p.m.— where it becomes a regular parking lot.

King said even though campus officials expected a rise in use of the carpool program due to the construction taking up parking spots on campus, it stagnated.

Campus construction saw the closure of three different parking lots, Lot 1, Lot 4 and Lot 16.

Students were hard pressed to find parking in time for their classes. Because of the difficult parking situation students began parking in the reserved Lot 5.

It’s unknown if they did it on purpose, or just because they did not know it was a lot reserved for students using the carpool program King said.

CCC Police Services Lt. Tom Holt said, “Because of the lack of information on the carpool program—we did have to write some tickets to enforce the reserved parking spots.”

“If more students do not participate we will have to close the program.”

— Bruce King, buildings and grounds manager

All the confusion surrounding the construction and the reserved parking ended up costing some students more money, but students were actively signing up during the programs launch in 2015 fall semester.

The program only has 15 spots, and only 8 of them were filled during that time Holt said.

CCC alum, and Editor-in-Chief for The Advocate, George Morin was one of the students who signed up for the program when it first opened.

“I only heard about it because I had to cover the Associate Student Union for The Advocate,” Morin said.

Despite the program being marketed to students through flyers

around campus, applications are inside of the Student Life Office, only a few people on campus were aware.

“We sent emails through the InsitePortal to all the students.

There are great benefits to signing up with the program,” former Student Life coordinator Erika Greene said. “A free parking pass, dedicated spot and a $50 dollar gas card.”

The program still does not have a strong enough marketing campaign its benefits aren’t being used by students.

After being contacted by an Advocate reporter, Marketing Director Brandy Howard refused to comment on the current marketing strategy to revive the carpool program and referred questions to Greene.

Greene said Howard worked briefly on marketing the carpool program toward the end of last semester.

“No one so far has worked on (marketing the carpool program since then),” she said.

Parking permits are $48 and

in brief Zero students signed up during the last two semesters.

Students receive a $50 gas card for signing up.

Program closure will be discussed by Sustainability Committee.

Poor advertising of carpool program was done by school.

parking is hard to find with the increase in enrollment, and the current seismic trenching has closed off half of Lot 6 until October, and Lot 1 until November.

“People like being in their own space with their own stuff. Not all the student’s schedules match,” Greene said.

Due to low numbers of students enrolling into the program, the Sustainability Committee has the carpool program on its agenda for its first meeting of the semester on Thursday at 7 a.m. in the R Building.

Location change increases store size Bookstore offers more variety after transition

BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

As of July 14 the Bookstore closed in its old location in the portable behind the library, and opened in its new location on July 19.

Located at the end of the Student and Administration Building, next to the Library and Learning Resource center and cafeteria, the Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The new store is larger, with more open space, and the high stepped ceiling, studded with lights evokes a large retail store.

There is even some seating under some trees out front, and a view of the Campus Center Plaza.

Customer Service Clerk Erika Greene said, “It definitely looks better (and) more modern.”

“I worked at the last one (in the portables), and the one before that (in the now demolished Student Activities Building),” Cashier, Cecilia Alvarez said, “It was definitely cozier in the last one.”

Cashier Andy Alvarez said the new loca-

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA/ THE ADVOCATE

The Bookstore is located at the end of the Student and Administration Building, next to the Library and Learning Resource center and the Student Dining Hall, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to

tion is “more on campus” and “more like a college book store” (as opposed to a high school operation.)

Cecilia Alvarez said the new store has a better selection, with more room for snacks, clothes, mugs and specialty items like water bottles with fruit diffusers.

The store even carries milk to go with the various new cereals on display.

It also offers gourmet coffee by way of an arrangement with the six-time first place Best of the Bay winner Catahoula Coffee Company, she said.

Bookstore Operations Assistant Nick Dunn said the Bookstore “will carry one standard (Catahoula) blend, and — rotate a blend every couple weeks.

“It’s nice to be out of the really tiny portable. We can carry all the books and supplies we couldn’t before,” he said.

He said, “(The old store) had weird little spots on the floor where the portables were joined together. I always tripped on the same spot.”

The new store even carries a small locked cabinet of Calculators, USB drives, earbuds and other cheap but useful electronics.

No opening is entirely smooth though.

Greene said that moving into a new place is going to be a little hairy.

Lines of students build up some every once in a while, mostly when classes end between noon and 2 p.m., she said.

The office in back had some difficulties

with its one-way mirrored window.

Cecilia Alvarez said, “at first there was no (reflective) film, then it was installed backward.” This allowed customers to see in, while those in the office couldn’t see out.

Thursday the mirroring was corrected.

The old mirrored film was stripped off, and a new one was squeegeed on, right way around.

For now a workstation at the front remains unoccupied until some finishing work can be done, and besides that Dunn said the store was “still waiting on some books.”

“Just check it out. Come see it”, Dunn said.

AQUA TERRA BRINGS MODERN DINING EXPERIENCE Students, instructors receive high-tech equipment in upgraded kitchen

BY Denis Perez ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The culinary arts department is working to establish Aqua Terra Grill as a legitimate dining experience, and a training kitchen that gives students a strong culinary education.

Culinary arts department instructor Claire Legas said people sometimes forget that Aqua Terra Grill is a training kitchen where students practice their culinary skills and abilities.

Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said state of the art equipment like an up-todate burner stove, utensils, tools and computerized ovens, combined with upgraded technology like a classroom filled with mounted T.V’s help students learn.

Sharkes said the culinary department has a great opportunity to educate its students to a higher level than before.

He said the main goal is to train our students, so it is a serious training program that is physically and mentally challenging, but that is how students grow.

Culinary arts department assistant instructor Shirley Blair said she is excited for the semester to start because the new kitchen is much bigger than the

old Three Seasons Restaurant in the Applied Arts Building.

Blair said students no longer have to share equipment, like fryers, and are able to cook without waiting for someone else to finish their dish.

Along with the new equipment, she said students also have more room to move around in the kitchen.

Sharkes said guest chefs have also been invited to visit Aqua Terra Grill and give in-class demonstrations to students and the community would like to attend.

Sharkes said Chef Hai Le will demonstrate Shanghai cuisine in September.

Chef Martin Yen will give a demonstration in November, and although Sharkes said he has not confirmed a date, Chef Bruce Aidells is on the list.

Sharkes said now that the modern facility is open and filled with equipment, students are now equipped to, “do things faster and in more quantities.”

He said culinary students already experienced the faster pace while cooking for the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition on Thursday at the Aqua Terra Grill.

“It was crazy,” he said.

The Aqua Terra Grill capacity is set at 100, but more than 200 people showed up to Iron Chef cook-off.

Although there was not enough space, and hosts had to start turning people away, everything else went great Sharkes said.

The dishes students will be preparing for the Aqua Terra Grill menu range from a $2 soup-of-the-day to sweet and sour chicken with garlic noodles for $7.

Blair said Sharkes divided students into groups of five to prepare dishes for a week and then rotate the team every week.

Along with selling deserts at Aqua Terra Grill, Lages said there will be students pushing desert carts around the campus selling pastries and treats while getting course credit.

The treats will change regularly she said.

Aqua Terra Grill, which is set to open Tuesday, features modernized black tiled flooring, a well-lit dining room, filled with dark wood tables and chairs, leather booths and a full espresso and juice bar.

There is a patio outside where customers can sit if the restaurant is full, or if they want to enjoy the sunshine Sharkes said.

There will be large umbrellas and outside heaters during the winter if the budget allows, Sharkes said.

The Amphitheater is located a few

feet by Rheem Creek and away from the Aqua Terra Grill’s patio.

He said it will be used for events where the culinary work of students can Sharkes be featured alongside performances.

With the holidays coming up, there is also an opportunity for festive events to be hosted as well in the Amphitheater Sharkes said.

Fundraisers to help the victims of the earthquake in Central Italy will also be held in the upcoming weeks in Aqua Terra Grill he said.

The culinary program has a connection with Italy because of the annual study aboard program he said.

Sharkes said that the Aqua Terra Grill could be a connecting point between students and the rest of campus.

People are able to connect with each other at a four-year campus, but it’s harder in the community college level because students come to campus and then leave after class he said.

We want people to have pride in their campus community as they would at a four-year, Sharkes said.

6

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

LEFT: Music department Chairperson Stephanie Austin (left) directs music major Laurena Alm (right) during Vocal Chamber Music class on Monday.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Musical variety fills fall schedule Semester offers festive events, shows featuring crooners

BY Efrain Valdez ADVOCATE STAFF

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The music department at Contra Costa College is preparing for big events and trips for the 2016 fall semester and 2017 spring semester.

Music department Chairperson Stephanie Austin said she is “very excited” for all the events coming up.

Her excitement peaked when she mentioned recent auditions.

“We just had our auditions to determine the Jazzanova and Jazz-ology teams for this year,” Dr. Austin said.

The results of the auditions were posted on her office door on Tuesday.

Students were very anxious and excited to find out which team they would be placed on.

These groups will have their first performance on Nov. 4 in Morro Bay at the Cuesta Festival.

The day before the Cuesta Festival, the music department will also be hosting its first Contra Costa College High School Chorale Festival on campus.

Austin said, “We’ve invited (high)

“We’ve invited (high) schools from around the area to come and perform, receive comments and tour our facilities.”

— Stephanie Austin, music department chairperson

schools from around the area to come and perform, receive comments and tour our facilities.”

In addition, the music department is also working on a big event for the spring.

“We’ve put together a collaboration between two orchestras and four choirs,” she said.

They will be performing a Grammywinning album that is comprised of 12 different songs, each sung in a different language.

The work produced by students in the music department wouldn’t be possible without the fundraising done by the students.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

“The students sell tickets for concerts, ads and ask for donations to pay for traveling expenses and CD recordings,” Austin said.

CCC music major Ci Ci Taylor said the sales of CD recordings, concert ticket sales and donations will be used to pay for as much of the cost for trips like the Cuesta Festival at Morro Bay, and instruments for the class.

Vocal performance major Laurena Alm praised the music department’s professors for instilling a sense of “family” and purpose among students.

“We either sink or swim

together,” Alm said.

Taylor praised Austin and the rest of the faculty in the music department for being so caring and helpful to the students.

She said the work done by the music department faculty has motivated the students to fundraise money for their program.

The music department is preparing for a year full of events, trips and fundraiser that will help its students and community grow.

ABOVE: (left to right) Music majors Carol Kessinger, Ci Ci Taylor and Ninoangelo Lastimosa engage in vocal exercises during Vocal Chamber Music class on Monday.

Shipping setback creates untimely inconvenience Major

BY Robert Clinton

hiccup

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

as classes begin without textbooks

OPINION EDITOR

Complaining about the price of collegiate textbooks is a common source of discontent for students across campus. However, when those books are not available for purchase it poses a new challenge.

Shortly before the beginning of the fall semester, textbooks from at least 38 courses were lost in transit by the United Parcel Service (UPS).

The shipping company found a portion of the lost payload but the bulk of the books had to be re-ordered.

A high priority email was sent on Aug. 12 to all faculty members by Darris Crear, operations coordinator for the Contra Costa College Bookstore, explaining the circumstances to instructors who may be affected by the shipping error.

“It happened a couple of weeks before the semester began,” Crear said. “I had to re-order most the shipment and as of now the books are incrementally trickling in.”

The notification also explained that rush orders have been placed to re-order books for some courses, but classes that use specialty books will take longer to replace because those books are special orders.

The bulk of the books are for English courses, but classes affected range from administration of justice to psychology and math.

“They kept telling me to check back in the Bookstore on Friday but the books weren’t

there,” psychology major Latifah Mills said. “I have the book now, but it took two and a half weeks. I had to keep going back to check because there was no notification letting students know that the books had arrived.”

The majority of students qu e s t i on e d by an Advocate reporter said they prefer to purchase textbooks online, taking advantage of student-centric systems like Amazon Prime or Chegg.

To prevent students from falling behind the 18-week class directives explained in course syllabi, instructors have implemented creative ways to keep everyone in class on the same page.

Health education professor Miguel Johnson said, “I’m pushing forward to cover the material in class the best I can.

I make sure there are books on reserve in the Library, and I have a lottery system in place so students can rotate the books I have available in class.

“So far I haven’t been receiving any emails from students with any complaints or problems.”

For returning instruc-

tors adjusting is not that difficult.

But some new, or part-time, instructors may not understand the difficulties in maintaining class pace and integrity.

“Psychology books were a week and a half late. La Raza studies is also delayed,” nutrition major Catherine Guevara said.

“I’m going to get books from Barnes & Noble, but what about the students with financial aid that have to buy books here?”

Students receiving federal aid are mandated to buy books

e n’t b e e n affected at

from the campus Bookstore.

The culinary arts department is among the courses listed with undelivered books, but as of now the missing textbooks have not posed an instructional problem.

“Our students have so much to buy when a semester begins. So because they have to buy things like uniforms, (and knives) we tell them to purchase the textbooks last,” culinary arts instructor Elizabeth Schwarz said. “So far we hav-

all.”

Thus far, students and instructors are adjusting to the inconvenience and making the best of an adverse situation.

“I post notes and do the best I can in class to explain things.” Johnson said. “But it will be difficult to maintain if this continues longer than about four weeks.”

Crear said UPS was not able to give an exact date as to when the delivery will be shipped in full.

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

7

ASU grant gives aides shift in style

LEFT: Administration of justice major Daquan Jackson (right) wears a new police aide uniform on patrol with fellow police aide Juan Flores (left) in the Campus Center Plaza on Monday.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

BY Anthony Kinney ADVOCATE STAFF

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

Police aides will be wearing new uniforms this semester thanks to a grant awarded by the Associated Students Union.

The ASU at Contra Costa College awarded the Police Services a grant of $2,500 to purchase uniforms after police aide Daquan Jackson applied for the grant early last spring.

Jackson, a criminal justice major, was the driving force for the uniform change Police Services Lt. Thomas Holt said. “(Jackson) managed basically the whole thing,” Holt said. “He carried it on his back. I just kind of oversaw it a little bit, but he picked out the shirts, he managed the money, he bought all the equipment. He basically did it all on his own.”

The new uniforms came as a relief since the police aides’ old uniforms were outdated and not as efficient while on duty.

Jackson said the new shortsleeve polo shirts are lighter in weight yet keep the professional look of the last design. The new police aide belts are similar to police officers’ belts that provide more flexibility, comfort and more tactical storage while on duty.

He said, “Our updated uniform pants now include cargo pockets for extra storage.”

The ASU’s Grant for Support provides 10 grants up to $2,500 every year to groups on campus, who may be in need of financial support, for students and student projects.

The process includes filling out the application and presenting a claim before the ASU Board. The board was clearly impressed with the effort Jackson and his team put into the presentation. Lt. Holt said, “I wouldn’t say the process is easy, but with (Jackson) doing the work and (former Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene) helping him, he made it seem easy.”

Greene was the one responsible for signing the grant before sending it off to the Business Office for the final approval.

“I had no problem signing the paperwork because of the work that had gone into it from (Jackson), the police aides and Police Services all together,” she said. “On top of that, they had the invoices together, turned the application on time and really answered questions from the ASU Board.

“It was something necessary to make the police aides more visible (on campus). It helps let (people) know who the aides are, and who the police officers are.”

It bought them up to a more modern age, in terms of the uniform and how they present themselves.”

Greene also praised Jackson for displaying leadership skills during the application process. “(Jackson) would come in and ask questions,” she said. “He asked what details are necessary for the grant. He kept in touch and kept us a part of his process, and that just shows what kind of leader he is. In terms of law enforcement, people like him are a plus.”

Bond measures ensure campus overhaul remains under budget

BY Christian Urrutia WEB EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

The finalization of the construction occurring from the Campus Center and Classroom Building Project was not only on time this fall semester, but is also estimated to be under budget by over of $1 million.

The budget for Contra Costa College’s three new buildings and plaza area originated from the voter-approved Measure A 2002 and 2006 bond measures. Projected excess amounts are to be spent on remaining bond measure projects as long as it is in accordance with the bond language.

District Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said, “The total (construction) project budget is $72,375,500, basically rounded to about $72.4.”

According to the information listed on the Contra Costa Community College District website, 4cd.edu, bond funds may only be used for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of college facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for college facilities, and not for any other purpose such as teacher and administrator salaries, or other operating expenses.

Pyle said, “About $67.6 million was used

from Measure A 2006, $4.8 million from Measure A 2002, and we’re trending (to be) under budget.”

CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “The District (Office) worked hard to obtain realistic costs estimates once the design was completed and approved through the Division of State Architects Office (DSA).

“The college, district and our project management team, Critical Solutions Inc., have worked diligently to ensure the project remains on budget (in this case slightly under), and on time,” Mehdizadeh said.

Pyle said, “The (district facilities team) is confident that it will have bond money in excess of $1 million left over once the estimates are done.”

He said it takes the district three to five months to configure the final numbers after the contractual closeouts with independent contractors through Critical Solutions Inc. The district has 50 to 60 contracts for the project.

Business Services Director Mariles Magalong said that in regards to the excess funds, the project is not completed, so the remaining funds will be used for future projects identified by the college.

Mehdizadeh also said the funds can be used for other planned Measure A 2006 and

Measure E 2014 projects.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King verified some of newer listed projects since he and Magalong serve as the liaison between the district and Critical Solutions Inc. King said, “An archway is in discussion that the school wants to install by the foot bridge entranceway to Student Services Center Plaza, a vision instilled by former CCC president McKinley Williams. Critical Solutions, Inc. is looking to receive (construction) quotes and then it would have to be sent for approval to the (DSA).”

He said another idea is to have a weather protection shield cover similar to one found at bus stops, installed at the drop off zone in front of Lot 2, on Comet Way. Pyle said, “We also have a financial close out (for the Campus Center Plaza) with DSA but the excess funds stay with the college as long as it is consistent with the bond language.”

King also said every additional item added to the surplus construction budget would have to be submitted to the bond oversight committee. The 11-member independent citizens’ oversight committee is to ensure that funds are used only for the projects listed by the college.

CENTER OFFERS ACADEMIC GUIDANCE, TIPS

BY Jaleel Perry ADVOCATE STAFF

jperry.theadvocate@gmail.com

The former Welcome/ Transfer Center at Contra Costa College is improving its services to help students accomplish their academic goals by splitting into two separate locations.

Due to the completion of the Campus Center and Classroom Project, the Transfer Center has relocated to the new Student and Administration Building.

The Career/Welcome Center will remain in the Student Services Center in Office 111.

CCC counselor and Transfer Center Coordinator Andrea Phillips said the new location of the Transfer Center (SA-227) has begun to do a great amount of good for students this year when it opened Monday.

“I feel strongly about what I do,” Phillips said.

“I want to help students take the right steps and transfer to the right four-year school for them.”

Phillips said, “I like to keep a clean environment for the students, make sure they know they have resources and that they can come to (SA-227) whenever they need help.”

The Transfer Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be closed on Fridays.

The Welcome Center is open

LEFT: The Welcome/ Transfer Center is open to students wanting assistance in the Student Services Center.

Workshops are regularly held in the center.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

The Career/Welcome Center and Transfer Center student workshops help students enroll into classes, schedule counseling appointments and meet with counselors as drop-ins as well.

There are usually at least three employees in both offices to provide assistance.

Both offices offer students access to computers and to employees who are there for assistance.

“The transferring process takes about (two to three years),” Phillips said. “We offer campuswide help to assist all students prepare for a four-year college.”

Aryianna Miller is one of many CCC students who visit the

Welcome Center looking for help enrolling into classes.

This is Miller’s second year at CCC, and she said she goes to the Welcome Center often.

“I come here often when I need help because the employees are always helpful with whatever I need help with, even though they are really busy at times,” she said.

The Welcome Center provides assistance not limited to only CCC. To make sure you get the class you want, you can enroll into classes at Diablo Valley College, or Los Medanos College at CCC’s Welcome Center.

Since the beginning of the fall semester, a lot of students will roll into the Career/Welcome Center asking questions.

Now they are able to also make

use of the Transfer Center.

The Career/Welcome Center and Transfer Center also allows students to schedule appointments with four-year school representatives.

Both offices also offer drop-in counseling sessions for students that cannot schedule one, Phillips said.

The Transfer Day is an on campus event for students looking to gain information about which school interests them the most on Monday.

The Transfer Center is orchestrating five campus tours this fall for students, free of charge, Phillips said.

8

spotlight

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

“

BAY AREA ‘POUTINE’ LACKS TANG, OPEN LATE

This event exposes students to options they would not consider.”

— Ebelio Mondragon, admissions adviser UC Berkeley

By Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

M

ost restaurants are good because they have such a wide variety of items on the menu. But there is always that one restaurant that specializes in just one thing, or different variations of one dish.

And at that is the case at “Smoke’s Poutinerie” on Durant Avenue in Berkeley, near Telegraph.

If you are American, you’ve probably had cheese fries, or chili cheese fries, at some point.

But wait—fries with gravy on top? That’s just genius.

FOOD This dish is called “poutine,” REVIEW and it originated in Quebec, “Smoke’s Canada in the late 1950s. It conPoutinerie” tains French fries, cheese curds, and then gravy on top.

Cuisine: Poutine Different restaurants use Where: Berkeley Price Range: $$ different cheeses to smother the potatoes.

I first tried this dish the first week in August during my summer vacation in Portland, Oregon, and absolutely loved it.

So I had been searching for a place to get some good quality poutine in the Bay Area, and finally found “Smoke’s Poutinerie.”

Just keep in mind that you might be packed like sardines up against sweaty college students who smell like beer while waiting in line to order food.

The atmosphere and overall ambiance of the restaurant is more student-oriented than family-oriented.

It is probably not a place to bring a date, but more like a “roll-up-your-sleeves and get messy” kind of spot.

While poutine is made with three ingredients (fries, melted cheese, and gravy), you can add on extra toppings for between .75 to $2 per topping.

I ordered the “triple pork poutine,” which includes fries, cheese curds, pulled pork, bacon and sausage with gravy on top.

Smoke’s Poutinerie offers three different serving sizes — the “snack size” ($4.99); “meal size” ($6.99), “wow size” ($10.99). I made the mistake of ordering the “wow size,” and not being prepared for just how much food it was.

It was a gigantic box with its contents spilling over the top of the box. I could barely eat it through half of it and I can eat a lot.

The blend sweetness of the pulled pork and the saltiness from the gravy, cheese and sausage was all right.

The poutine itself was OK, but not the best I have ever had.

Overall, I would give it three out of five stars.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts major Marianna Romero (right) fills out a form during the 4th annual Financial Aid Awareness Day held in the Campus Center Plaza on Wednesday.

Financial Aid Day boosts access to transfer funding

BY Naylea Hernandez ADVOCATE STAFF

nhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Financial Aid Awareness Day attracted curious students to the Campus Center Plaza on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to find out more information about the various types of financial aid offered.

Representatives from different universities set up booths at Contra Costa College so students could browse for financial aid resources.

Students began at the CCC resource table where they were provided with a yellow activity sheet that included the names of the representatives who were at the booths.

The goal of the activity sheet was to have students walk from one booth to the next to receive financial aid information from different schools.

Students were then given a sticker for their yellow activity sheet as an indicator that they had visited each booth.

Ebelio Mondragon, admission adviser for undergraduate admissions at UC Berkeley and spokesperson at one of the booths, said this event would accomplish a number of things for everyone participating.

“This event exposes students to options they would not consider,” he said

after handing pamphlets out to several students. “The best part is being able to help students realize what their plans are after Contra Costa College will be.”

Many students found the information helpful and were happy to participate in various parts of the event.

Kajn Minahio, one of the students who participated in the activities said, “There are many programs to learn about today, and it is really nice finding out about new (financial aid programs) that I wasn’t aware of.”

As students gathered stickers for their yellow activity sheet, the atmosphere was lively.

Students were surrounded by bubbles as they moved from one booth to an other while modern dance music blasted from behind the CCC resources table.

When asked about how helpful he found the event, CCC student Tyler James said, “I think this really helps a lot of people get active on finding what kind of financial aid they can get for themselves. The yellow activity sheet is really helpful too, and it is good to get some food.”

Once students filled their activity sheets with stickers and completed filling out the back of their sheet with information, they were given raffle tickets and the chance to play games for more

tickets.

Game participants were asked trivia questions about financial aid and then were given the opportunity to play for a raffle ticket.

These games included a bean bag toss, ring toss, and plinko.

Raffle prizes included gift cards, school gear and utensils for their classes.

Along with being handed raffle tickets for their completion of the yellow activity sheet, students were also handed a red ticket to get free food.

A hot dog, bag of chips, water bottle, can of soda and a cup of mini churros were given to students with red tickets.

As she placed an orange sticker on a student’s activity sheet, student Abigail Diaz said, “It is good to be informed on the different programs the school has to offer.

“Each one of these programs is designed to benefit student’s educational plan.”

Every student who attended left the event with more knowledge about the different kinds of financial aid available to them.

This allows students who were not fully aware of all the financial aid resources a chance to become familiar before transferring to the university of their choice.

MURAL ACCENTUATES MESSAGE, EMBRACES COMMUNITY GROWTH

BY Denis Perez ADVOCATE STAFF

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

RICHMOND — The Re-Entry Success Center unveiled its “Freedom’s Expression” mural located in its lobby on Aug. 15 to inspire the formerly incarcerated and bring the community together.

Located on 912 Macdonald Avenue, the center provides resources and opportunities for the formerly incarcerated and their families.

Rebecca Brown, founder and president of Further the Work, a nonprofit organization located in Richmond, designed and wrote the proposal to the city of Richmond for the “Freedom’s Expression” mural.

“Once people see it (the mural) they will see themselves being able to start over and grab hold of redemption,” she said.

The mural is intended to send out a message of welcoming and acceptance, Brown, the chairperson of the Re-Entry Success Center Steering Committee, said.

Event host and reentry coach Dameion King said the mural is the cornerstone of the center.

As a formerly incarcerated

member of the Richmond community, he said Contra Costa College’s health and human services department holds a significant role in his post-incarceration development.

King said he gives credit to health science department professor Aminta Mickles for solidifying his “perspective of humanity.”

He said he appreciates the work people like CCC EOPS Outreach Coordinator Ken Reynolds do to help reduce recidivism.

King said the mural succeeds in conveying the center’s welcoming message. It is an opportunity for people leaving prison and re-entering society to re-gain a sense of ownership of their community through the message of the mural and the center.

He said one of the problems formerly incarcerated people face is not being able to feel a sense of community due to a lack of ownership.

Brown said the committee wanted the mural to answer the questions “Who are we?” and “What do we want to declare?”

Lead artist Desi Mundo said the ongoing project extends that sense of ownership by asking the attendees for feedback by having them

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

write their goals, accomplishments or words that give them resolution on a piece of paper in the shape of a leaf, and at a later date have it posted on a tree on the mural.

The concept is that as the center grows, so will the members, the tree in the mural and its leaves, King said.

Seven community artists, two committee members of the Re-Entry Success Center and two professional artists — 11 people in all — were chosen to work on the mural. The project went from May to August.

Brown said the group met for two-to-three hours every Monday night for 12 weeks to create the mural.

Community artist and member of the Re-Entry Success Center John Johnson said the mural rep-

resents community unification.

Johnson said the mural project brought strangers together to form one unit that did something worthwhile for the community.

He said the project is unlike any other he has encountered and feels like the essence of family.

Community artist and lawyer Robin Lipetzky serves as chief public defender for Contra Costa County.

She said she holds a position where she is the last defense of a community member from going into a system where his or her path to rehabilitation is not definite.

She said it was special to be able to use art to help the formerly incarcerated come out of the program with a positive mindset.

Brown said since its opening in November 2015, the Re-Entry

The “Freedom Expression” mural was unveiled in the lobby of the Re-Entry Success Center in Richmond on Aug. 14. The mural emphasizes the welcoming spirit of the center.

Success Center has been able to help 240 members free of charge in eight key areas — family, housing, legal, employment, health and wellness, education, finances and public benefit.

Also, on-site third party partners help and support members.

Some include the Center for Human Development, which is available for families; Shelter Inc., available for housing; and Leap for Education, Inc., an educational resource King said.

He said the presence of programs like The Re-Entry Success Center have been increasing since a decade ago. Programs at places like college campuses and in communities result in a growing focus to help the formerly incarcerated re-enter society through education and discipline that comes with it.

scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

9

Unleashed

MOVIES

This week: “Mechanic: Resurrection” (R) “Hands of Stone” (R) “Southside with You” (PG-13) “Don’t Breathe” (R)

BLU-RAYS

New releases: “The Jungle Book” (PG) “Me Before You” (PG-13) “The Night Manager” (TV-14) “Citizen Soldier” (R)

MUSIC

New releases: Britney Spears: “Glory” Vince Staples: “Prima Donna” Glass Animals: “How to be Human” Cass McCombs: “Mangy Love”

GAMES

SPECIAL TO/ THE ADVOCATE

Steampunk airships ignite the heavens Author of ‘Dresden Files’ releases first book of new series

By Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

B

eautiful, and not nearly long enough for its bountiful story, “The Aeronaut’s Windlass” aggravates me, and I demand more.

The world is built superbly.

It is very alien to our own, but never disorienting. It’s not like our world, but it’s home for its characters. It feels solid and lived-in.

The land is drowned in mist, and humanity survives, huddled in vast spires, rising high above the clouds, and above the deadly creatures of the surface. Each spire is a self-contained nation dependent on the service of armadas of air-ships, held aloft by etheric crystal technology. Tension is high between Spire Albion, where the story is set, and its rival, Spire Aurora.

This new “Cinder Spires” series has no relation to any of Jim Butcher’s established stories. It’s a steampunk-ish setting, but deviates from the genre.

The book has its flaws, (and I will come to them), but what eclipses every complaint I could have are Captain Francis Madison

‘Stranger Things’ a chilling a group of friends searching

“Killer Instinct” (M) “Attack on Titan” (M) “God Eater 2: Rage Burst” (T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

— Cody Casares

Grimm and the AMS Predator.

Grimm shines throughout. His history and past companions are sprinkled tantalizingly through the book, while his current actions remain the focus. He is at his best under pressure, and nearly every scene he’s in is riveting.

I adored his interactions with past friends and foes, like the deliciously obnoxious Captain Ransom and her ship Mistshark.

The true showstoppers of the book are the ship battles. I keep going back to read them again, and I genuinely think the entire book could have been set on the Predator. The final battle deserves some kind of award. An animated movie based on it would be stunning.

Wandering around on Spire Albion just bogged the story down, more ship action please!

As usual, Butcher makes detail count. Every named character has a distinct personality. Even characters that are only mentioned briefly are distinctive enough to make me ache to know more about them.

Predator’s crew is too good.

The bad-tempered engineer Journeyman is wonderful, stuckup Commander Creedy grows on you, and mister Kettle, the experienced sailor, feels comfortingly reliable. I cared more when mister Stern, a minor character from the crew, got hurt than when any of

the main trio almost died.

Now we come to it. The book’s single letdown is that trio of characters; Gwendolyn Lancaster, Benedict Sorellin and Bridget Tagwynn. They are dull. They bumble through the world, reactively, never making the world dance to their tune, and I don’t feel much attachment to them.

They’re not awful, just unexciting, which makes them stand out in the otherwise sparkling cast.

The first big scene that was built up for Bridget and the others to show their mettle got abruptly canceled and led into a bit where Captain Grimm saves the day.

Benedict remained static throughout. For good or ill, he never had a moment where he stood out. Perhaps he bothered me less because the story was never told from his perspective. In retrospect, I’m not sure he was a main character.

Gwendolyn and Bridget’s best moments came from interactions with other, better characters. In Bridget’s case it was getting to know Folly the etherialist, and for Gwendolyn it was when she and Journeyman got technical and carried out some maintenance on the Predator. Honestly, Predator should be counted as a main character. I love that ship and everything involving it.

Anyway, neither character was interesting in their own right, but

at least they allowed the best characters to shine brighter.

Folly’s presentation is odd, seeming at first like a side character, then growing to become a downright intriguing member of the main cast, despite having the least time dedicated to her.

The problem is, with all these great characters, like Folly, there just isn’t space left for the trio to grow. I think some essential parts got left out, and this book needed to be a third longer. Their personal history, the individual adversities they overcome and their relationships to each other are nothing I haven’t read before.

Maybe the story could have benefited if the trio were condensed into a single character, who meets the other two in the next book.

The last of the main cast is Rowl the cat. This world has intelligent cats, and this one is a fluffy terror. His interactions with Bridget are charming enough, but he’s an arrogant thing.

The larger plot of the series is still largely veiled, with just a couple of the Enemy’s pawns revealed, so far.

Jim-butcher.com says Butcher intends to finish the next book of his “Dresden Files” series before he writes the sequel to “The Aeronaut’s Windlass”, so readers are doomed to starve for a while.

Write faster Jim. I’m hungry.

Netflix original uses 1980s flair as hook tale about

New releases: “Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (E)

LEFT: Jim Butcher’s “The Aeronaut’s Windlass” mixes steampunk technologies, magical wars and intelligent cats.

for their missing pal

By Mike Thomas ADVOCATE STAFF

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

‘S

tranger Things” is a chilling tale that keeps viewers hooked on each episode. The show is a suspenseful and intriguing tribute to the 1980s.

“Stranger Things” is like a comic book mixed with 1980s adventure movies like “The Goonies.” The music choice fits the mood well. Hearing great bands like “Toto” and “Jefferson Airplane” during the show is great way to express love for the 1980s. The background techno theme music will touch viewers’ souls.

The song is symbolic of the friendship of four outcast boys surviving a 1980s elementary school world and playing “Dungeons and Dragons” in the basement.

The debut season of this Netflix exclusive series features eight episodes. The small town of Hawkins, Ind. is turned upside down when Will Byers, a local 12-yearold boy, mysteriously disappears. Three of his best buddies, Mike, Lucas and Dustin are eager to go on an adventure to find him after playing a 10-hour game of

“Dungeons and Dragons.”

During the adventure they find a peculiar girl named Eleven. She breaks out of Hawkins Laboratory because she is mistreated. The boys suspect she may know Byers’ whereabouts. Viewers slowly learn that Eleven has powerful psychic abilities.

During their quest to find Byers, the boys’ friendship hits a snag. They start to lose trust in one another when Mike and Eleven’s relationship starts to build.

It is hard for Lucas to build trust with her because he is jealous and afraid of losing his best friend. Since Eleven was born and stayed in the lab all of her life, her communication skills are poor.

The boys have a hard time understanding her and she has a hard time understanding the boys.

Winona Ryder plays Joyce Byers, Will Byers’ mother. Ryder shows great acting range. She’s known for always playing crazy and obsessive characters in movies. Viewers will feel empathy of a mother losing her child, but at the same time feel like she’s lost her mind.

Seeing Ryder play a mom trying to keep it together, shows how far her acting

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

“Stranger Things” follows the disappearance of a young boy, and a telekinetic girl who helps his friends in their search, while the boy’s older brother, mother and the town police chief start their own investigations.

career has come.

David Harbour plays Jim Hopper, a character that plays a key role in the show. He tries to convince Joyce that the odd things she is seeing and hearing are grief and to tell her he’s experienced the same thing with his daughter’s death. Hopper does everything by the book until an obstacle stands in his way. He is quick to knock someone out cold to gain some evidence.

“Stranger Things” is some-

thing different than the average thriller television series with redundant narratives. The show gets stranger as the series progresses. The show is perfect for binge watching.

Some of the other interesting recurring characters should have been developed more, like the boys’ science teacher, Mr. Clarke, who passed a lot of knowledge about physics to the four 12-year-old boys.

10

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

RIGHT: Women’s soccer coach Brittany Castillo helps Christy Garcia remove tape from her ankle during soccer practice at the Soccer Field on Monday.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Coaching hire revives program High octane coach fuels culture shift

By Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After an abysmal showing in its previous two seasons, netting just one win in 2014 and forfeiting the entire season after one game in 2015, the women’s soccer team has plotted a fresh course starting with newly hired coach Brittany Castillo.

After former coach Amanda Beckenhauer walked away from her coaching duties following the collapse of the 2015 season, Athletic Director John Wade was handed an opportunity to shift the program onto a different heading. “(Castillo) was always feisty, even when she was here as a player. I’m kicking myself because I didn’t consider her sooner,” Wade said. “She doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and her ability to work through adversity is what makes her stand out. She’s a good fit.”

Castillo was an all-conference player for the Comets women’s soccer program, earning first team honors in 2001 and 2002.

She earned an selection to the Sophomore Bowl in 2002, and she also played on the Comet softball team while she completed her lower division academic work at Contra Costa College.

“No doubt there is history here at CCC. Its outreach to the community, the family atmosphere and caring — absolutely.” Castillo said. “I live in Fairfield, so I could have taught at Solano, but I would rather drive right past that campus to come here because of the pride that I have for CCC.” As a Bay Area native, Castillo’s soccer pedigree stretches far beyond her playing days for the Comets.

Post CCC, Castillo achieved her bachelor of arts

from San Francisco State and competed on its soccer team in 2005. She coached high school soccer for two years at Hercules High before returning to SF State to pursue her master’s degree, which she earned in 2010.

Castillo also played for the Tottenham Hotspurs, a soccer program that is an extension of an English Premier League club located in the Bay Area for more than 25 years.

Her playing and coaching experience led her to an assistant coaching position for UC Berkeley women’s soccer club for two seasons.

Club sports, at the university level, are offered by colleges that compete with other college teams but whose games do not fall under National Collegiate Athletic Association jurisdiction (NCAA).

These teams are typically for athletes who want to participate at a higher level of competition, but do not have enough units to compete in NCAA level sports.

Coaching players who want to be here is one thing.

However, following a dissolved season with a coach who all but set a dumpster fire in her wake is the epitome of changing a program in disarray.

Castillo has already begun taking steps to turn the program around.

Upon arrival, the coach met with Student Life officials to ensure a booth for Club Rush which garnered the attention of some of the many athletic prospects on campus.

“I wanted to represent the program,” Castillo said.

“I wanted to get out there and make myself approachable and let the girls who did sign up know my expectations of them.”

Castillo even created “cccwomenssoccer,” an Instagram account for the squad.

“I want to be as involved as I can. I want to make sure I help them academically because that’s the real reason they are here.”

— Brittany Castillo, women’s soccer coach

Aside from a larger presence on campus, practice for the women’s soccer team now looks a lot different than it did during these last two years.

The culture shift is similar to what happened after Brian Guinn replaced Marvin Webb as coach of the Comet baseball team prior to last season.

Practices are crisper, as more regimented players build on in-game skill sets while continuing to focus on the fundamentals of the game.

Cardio training has also been more of a focus, as a portion of each practice is dedicated to running suicides and taking laps around the football field.

Student-athletes have already begun to buy into Castillo’s system.

“I think (Castillo) is awesome. She is a cool person and she teaches us a lot of information without overloading us,” freshman Comet forward Dontella Stanley said. “She is the best coach I’ve had since high school.”

As a coach Castillo knows the first thing she wants from her team — commitment. But the real work goes on off the playing field.

“I want to be as involved as I can. I want to make sure I help them academically because that’s the real reason they are here,” Castillo said.

Women’s soccer expands roster, prepares for season Team returns to action after season of shame, dishonor

By Efrain Valdez ADVOCATE STAFF

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The women’s soccer team is preparing for the start of the 2016 fall semester after it forfeited the entire 2015 season under its former coach because it did not have enough players to field a team.

The only returning Comet from last year, defender Mary Sanchez, said she is “excited and motivated” to finally play a full season of soccer for Contra Costa College.

The first game of the season is at Skyline College on Friday. One could hear the eagerness in her voice when she mentioned her plans for this season.

“Our goal for this season is to actually play a full season and have that experience of being in a routine,” Sanchez said.

First-year women’s soccer coach Brittany Castillo admitted that the women’s soccer team at CCC has had “an issue” in the past with putting a team together.

Sanchez said, “Coach (Castillo) has been working hard on getting a solid group of girls who are hard-working and are ready to dedicate themselves to the team.”

Castillo said her goals for this season are to “get the group of girls on course academically and get them to a fouryear university.”

“It is all about setting a realistic tone and expectation for the athletes so they know what they are getting into,” she said.

CCC student Nataly Rendon said that she would be more attracted to playing soccer at the school if provided some kind of “beginners’ camp” for soccer.

“It would help people like me who

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Administration of justice major Ingrid Gonzalez dribbles through cones during soccer practice at the Soccer Field on Monday.

do not play learn the basics of soccer,” Rendon said.

“The benefits of playing for the women’s soccer team are endless,” Castillo said. “Having a counselor that is dedicated to the team will help you throughout your career at CCC. Things

like early registration, team bonding and building personal relationships are a few of the many benefits of playing.”

Sanchez praised coach Castillo on the “dedication and hard work” that she’s put into the women’s soccer team. “(Castillo) wants the best for every-

one and she is passionate and committed to us,” she said.

The women’s soccer team is preparing for a season full of obstacles, expectations and, most importantly, the task of bringing the program back into relevance under a new coach.

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

“

BVC CHAMPS LOSE FIRST GAME, SEEK RESURGENCE

11

It was difficult when it was happening, but losing that first game (against the Rams) was a wakeup call.”

— Jordan Flechero, Comet striker

The Comets break even in opening tournament

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

Winning the 2015 Bay Valley Conference championship last season secured the men’s soccer team a second consecutive spot in the Northern California Regional Playoffs against the same opponent — Fresno City College.

The Comets lost both playoff games to the Rams in 2014 and 2015, but that did not stop Contra Costa College men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson from scheduling a rematch to open the 2016 fall semester.

The CCC men’s soccer team (1-1 overall), made up of three sophomores and 24 freshman players, opened its 2016 fall semester with a 9-3 loss, a defensive debacle, but held on to a 2-1 win against Clovis Community College at a tournament at Lake Tahoe Community College on Friday and Saturday.

“Playing quality teams to open the season lets players know where they fall short as a team,” Ferguson said. “About 80 to 90 percent of these guys are first-year players. So to go into a game against a team like Fresno without any competition under their belt is tough.”

The Comet striker Jordan Flechero tapped a low cross sent to the near post from the right edge of the box by Comet right wing Jose Hernandez to score the winning goal against Clovis with 22 minutes left to play on Saturday.

Flechero said it felt “amazing” to score the game-winning goal. He said he thanks God for the opportunity to score, especially after the 9-3 loss to Fresno the day before.

“It was difficult when it was happening, but losing that first game (against the Rams) was a wakeup call,” he said. “We took that loss as a team and made it into something better. Teamwork is most important.”

Ferguson said while this year’s squad is mostly young and inexperienced playing at the community college level, it is the largest and most talented group he has had since he took over the men’s soccer program in 2014.

He said playing teams with pedigrees as recognized as Fresno’s is a crucial step in getting talented individuals to play well together.

“Even though we lost, by the end of the tournament we performed better,” Ferguson said. “It took a lot out of us, but we grew a lot and truly understand the importance of executing a game plan — especially now that we know what kind of competition is coming.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla said Fresno’s pace during the counter attacks, or the barrage of lofted through balls, shocked a lot of the freshman

PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet soccer players fight for possession of the ball during a defensive one-on-one drill during practice at the Soccer Field on Monday.

players, even though the coach gave the team prior warning. “(Ferguson) told us at one practice that Fresno likes to play the long ball over the defense, and that it was going to be their main method of attack,” Escamilla said. “I thought this Fresno game was a test from the outset. Fresno has always had respect as a quality program.

“So for us to play (the Rams) in the first game of the season, and losing it badly, really taught us what kind of competition we should expect the rest of the season.”

The squad elected Escamilla (12 shutouts and 136 saves last season), sophomore center back Edgar Yepes (2015 BVC Defensive Player of the Year and MVP) and freshman defensive fullback Alfonso Munoz to captain the team through a challenging schedule.

“I would never choose the captains because at the end of the day the players are in the driver’s seat. We just mentor them,” Ferguson said. “I agree with the team’s choice. They did a good job to cast their votes based on personality — and not based on ability.”

Even though the Comets buckled defensively in the opening game against their playoff rivals the Rams, CCC still managed to score more goals in one game against Fresno than it could over its last two playoff games.

“The fact that we were able to score more goals in this game (against the Rams) than we have over the past two seasons is a positive highlight that we can take with us,” Escamilla said. “Our defense did not get the job done, but our attacking players got three goals in the back of the net.”

Munoz said the team was training for this game against Fresno for weeks leading

A Comet soccer player takes a shot on goal during practice at the Soccer Field on Monday. The first home game for the Comets will be Tuesday against Modesto Junior College.

up to the tournament. “(Ferguson) was preparing us for the game against Fresno at practice,” he said.

“He warned us about (the Rams) being a reputable program with a long history of beating good teams before we became rivals. I’m excited to represent this community against quality teams.”

Ferguson said he is proud of the team for evaluating its weaknesses against Fresno and implementing the changes against Clovis in its next game. His only frustration is that it did not come sooner.

“The frustrating part for me is that we were preparing for that exact game for weeks, but with the way they played you couldn’t tell,” he said. “These players are a talented group, but because they are so young they did not understand the importance of execution. The defense was sloppy and we missed chances on goal.”

The Comets need to solidify its defense and make sure its offense can finish its chances when it faces Modesto Junior College at the Soccer Field on Tuesday.

‘REBUILDING’ TEAM EMBRACES SEASON OF CHANGE Fresh

start promotes confidence in youthful lineup

BY Xavier Johnson SCENE EDITOR

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The upcoming season for the Contra Costa College women’s volleyball team marks the beginning of a time for change.

Last year the Comets had a winless 0-16 Bay Valley Conference season. The team was unable to win a single set last year, losing every game 0-3.

Former assistant coach Christy Tianero is at the helm as coach for this year’s squad. Tianero leads a team of 12 players, which is an improvement over last year’s small seven-player team.

She said the team is in a rebuilding mode as eight of the 12 players on the team are incoming freshmen athletes.

She said having a full team will help them late in games because key players will now be able to rest.

Angel Garcia is one of the eight freshmen student-athletes joining the team.

Garcia played volleyball for Hercules High School.

“I’m a little nervous about playing in college,” she said. “It’s a new experience and I don’t know what to expect.”

Tianero said practices are focused on communication, which was a key issue last season.

“During the summer practices the team was playing great. They were loud when communicating and playing better as a team,” she said.

Team chemistry off the court is another point of emphasis for Tianero.

She said the team didn’t get along at times last year and that’s not something you can have at a high level. Everyone needs to be on the same page, she said.

Comet sophomore Amy Palomares said, “We’re all still in the ‘getting-toknow’ each other phase, but we are

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

bonding well early on in the season. It’s a good sign.”

Palomares said this year the team will be better prepared for the season.

Redshirt Comet freshman Mariah Marinho said the team is engaged during practice. Marinho said all the players are working hard and practices are productive.

Palomares said she is impressed with the skill level of the freshmen players.

Tianero said the incoming players are good, but they just need experience playing at the college level.

The Comets played two preseason

“We’re all still in the ‘getting-to-know’ each other phase, but we are bonding well this early on in the season. It’s a good sign.”

— Amy Palomares, comet sophomore

games against De Anza College and Chabot College on Saturday. The team lost both games 0-3.

Tianero said the preseason games

LEFT: Defensive specialist Jacqueline Tianero hits the ball over the net during volleyball practice in the Gymnasium on Monday.

are valuable for building team chemistry and gaining experience.

“I did not expect to have any preseason games so it is great that we’re able to fit some games in before our first conference game,” she said.

The Comets will play their first BVC game in an away contest against Mendocino College on Sept. 16. Their first home game will be on Sept. 21 against Laney College.

“This is just the beginning of a process,” she said. “This year’s team will be better than last year’s and we will keep getting better every year.”

12

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.31.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Taste of Italy welcomes patrons, community Photos by: Cody Casares, Denis Perez and Christian Urrutia

focus LEFT: Culinary arts students fill the plates with food for customers waiting in line during the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

RIGHT: Culinary arts major Kyle DeLos Santos transfers hot noodles into an oiled pan where they will dry out to prepare and serve during the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

Culinary arts students Daniel Barrios (left) and David Virdrine slice up racks of ribs during the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

RIGHT: Culinary majors Genalyn Sabrinano, Kate Bautista and Kyle DeLos Santos celebrate their victory in the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday in the Student and Administration Building.

Culinary arts student David Virdrine divides up pork loins during the Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.