The Advocate 9-24

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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WEDNESDAY l 09.24.14 OUR 65TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

NOWHERE TO PARK, WHY NOT HERE ?

Sinkhole hogs students’ spots: The student-dedicated parking Lot 16 has space to accommodate 41 vehicles, but has gone unused by the college for two years due to a sinkhole in the middle of the lot. Pending the approval of the district Governing Board, Lot 16 may be repaired and re-opened as early as spring 2015.

Project to stabilize, re-open Lot 16 requires approval

BY Cody McFarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR

cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com

SEE PARKING, PAGE 4

Annual festival sparks citizen involvement, fun El Sobrante Stroll draws large crowd,

PAGE 7

honors first responders

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

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L SOBRANTE — Thousands of people meandered up and down the middle of the street as they savored the inviting smells, sights and sounds of a rapidly changing community.

A section of San Pablo Dam Road, stretching from Appian Way and ending at El Portal Drive, was shut down to automobile traffic for The El Sobrante Stroll from 9 a.m. — 4 p.m. on Sunday.

El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce President Marie Carayanis had a part in creating

the now 21-year-old tradition in 1993. She said, “We started the stroll to primarily help small, local businesses.”

Community activists, food vendors, organizations, local schools and merchants housed booths that stood parallel in front of the local businesses as people strolled from one to the next.

Among the 200 different booths, Contra Costa College was represented at the base of where Hillcrest Road winds its way down from Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.

CCC automotive technology SEE STROLL, PAGE 4

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

APPLE RELEASES NEW iPHONE 6

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

TOP: Murphy Elementary School students take part in the parade during the annual El Sobrante Stroll on Sunday. The event draws thousands from around the East Bay. ABOVE: BMX rider Nick Noble shows off his bicycling skills during the annual El Sobrante Stroll on Sunday.

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Re-opening parking Lot 16 would return 41 parking spaces to students, but is not likely to happen until next semester at the earliest.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said Lot 16 was closed roughly two years ago after a sinkhole formed in its center. Due to the uneven and cracked surface of the parking lot, it was closed to prevent possible injury to students or property damage.

To prevent the hill from further landslides, the district is planning to stabilize the hill with a unique system known as the Geopier SRT system, King said. This project will include a pre-emptive stabilization of Lot 17 as well, and includes the resurfacing of both parking lots, he said.

“They pound these things into the hillside and they stabilize the entire hill,” King said. “The plan is to stabilize the hill before the next rainy season.”

These “things” are known as Plate Pile elements, which are non-displacement steel sections that can be driven into almost all soil types to stabilize downslope forces and provide resistance, thus preventing an otherwise eroding

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Quotable “Readers don’t expect us to be guided by situational ethics, to speak highmindedly then to pursue every hiccup as if it were the truth.”

Sandra Mims Rowe editor, The Oregonian, Portland 1998 Lorenzo Morotti editor-in-chief

Van Ly opinion editor Jose Jimenez sports editor Mike Thomas scene editor Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris Cody Casares assistant photo editors Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jared Amdahl Roxana Amparo Brian Boyle Robert Clinton Salvador Godoy Krysta Gonzalez Florinda Hershey Princess Hughes Mickalea Manuel Marlene Rivas Jason Sykes Manning Peterson Mark Wassberg Sean Whatley Staff photographers Jordan Khoo Staff illustrators Mayra Garcia Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 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: accentadvocate@ 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.

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Editorial

NO DOES NOT MEAN YES Push to alter college sexual assault policy

George Morin art director Cody McFarland Rodney Woodson associate editors

opinion

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 Vol. 102, No. 3

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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new piece of legislation to be added to the California Ed Code currently stands before Gov. Jerry Brown to either be signed into law or vetoed into the history books.

Senate Bill 967, if passed, will require colleges in California that receive state funding for student financial aid to install a standardized procedure for handling and investigating cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

It will also require these colleges to install and advertise outreach and prevention programs for victims of such cases, as well as inform respective campus student communities of their rights and responsibilities under the new law.

Sex crimes that happen on campus, or anywhere for that matter, are of an extremely serious nature.

While many sexual assaults go unreported, those that do show startling statistics.

In a White House report on sexual assault issued in April, President Barrack Obama said recent research has shown one in five women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college.

And according to a study conducted by the Education Department this year, sexual crimes are up by roughly 52 percent in comparison to a decade ago.

Senate Bill 967 is necessary to reduce the number of college students seeking sexual encounters while under the influence of mind altering substances.

Before students would legally be allowed to participate in a sexual act with one another, all individuals involved would be responsible for receiving an act of “affirmative consent,” verbal or nonverbal, from the other party.

This will reduce sexual assault cases by forcing students to make sure he or she wants to have sex with him or her.

A no never means yes. Yes means yes.

By putting the responsibility of gaining “affirmative consent” on the individuals involved in a sexual crime case, investigators will be able to determine if any laws, determined by the Ed Code, are broken in the process.

The law would be a powerful tool in the arsenal of the sexually assaulted.

And while a lot of people here at Contra Costa College would agree, The Advocate included, that the law is a huge move forward for the rights and protection of sexual assault victims, this is a pivotal moment for our college.

If CCC administration, staff and faculty fail to properly educate the student body on the changes to students’ rights and responsibilities under the new law, there will be potential for disaster.

One wrongfully accused and convicted student of a sexual assault crime would be one too many, and the parameters defined by this law leave little room for argument.

The Senate bill, however, is positive and will create a safety net for sexual assault victims.

This net must be tightly stitched.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N ABUSE

Domestic violence haunts its victims S

ince Ray Rice beat his then-girlfriend, two other abuse incidents have happened involving NFL players — Ray McDonald of the 49ers and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.

Not only do the incidents make the players themselves look bad, but the blatant botched cover-up the Ravens tried to pull casts a cloud of corruption and ugliness the likes of which the NFL has never seen.

As a survivor of a domestically violent, turned broken, home, I’d have to say if found guilty the players involved deserve no leniency in punishment.

I don’t remember much of my childhood from birth through age 5, living in Oakland, attending band practices with my uncle.

I also remember things that most would love to forget.

No older than 4, I stood next to my sister in the home of my older cousin.

My parents had been physically fighting in the car on the way to the cousin’s home. While on the road, I recall my sister and I attacking my father as he attacked my mother.

When we arrived, I can remember a feeling of relief.

I thought, “How could this continue. My cousin will stop this.” But much to the dismay of my mom, my sister and me, this person decided to allow this. I

their separation, my father continued his womanizing, abusive ways.

One jail sentence wasn’t enough because a couple years after being released, he found himself back in prison, this time for seven years. That first six-month sentence must not have been looked down the hall into good enough. the room my parents wresYes, for most of my youth tled themselves into, and my father was around, sort through the opened door of. The multiple girlfriends, I saw my father lift a chair, crashing it into the leg of my and failure to better himself mother as she screamed for in lieu of chasing sex, took its toll on his children, my him to stop. sister in particular.

We stood there, being It just seemed like when consoled by someone who he was there, he wasn’t and either didn’t know what to when he was in jail, he was do, was out of her mind in jail. Under the strict at the time, or whose missupervision of my hard placed love urged her to working mother, my sister console us rather than stop raised me — she raised both the abuse, possibly thinkof us. ing that this would help. It We made mistakes that didn’t. It still doesn’t. we are trying to correct The following day, as I sat on the arm of my grand- today. But hell, we were kids mother’s couch, my mother’s raising kids, mostly in a brother, Byron, heard of the house alone.

My dad is out of jail now incident, walked into the for what has been three kitchen and pointed a gun to the head of my father. He years. My sister and I are in our early 30s and our youth stood in front of my uncle, begging for him to lower his is gone. He missed it.

This may not be weapon, which he did. everyone’s domestic vioWhat’s scary is that, even lence story, but it’s mine. as a 4-year-old, I knew Domestic violence is a true exactly what was happencrime against humanity.

The ing. I knew exactly why he wanted to kill my dad. And I NFL should be ashamed. did not object.

Rodney Woodson is The only question I am an associate editor of The left with is, “Where would Advocate. Contact him at I be had he pulled the trigrwoodson.theadvocate@ ger?” Well, my parents split gmail.com. after that and, following

rodneywoodson

CampusComment Should the state be allowed to standardize how sex crime cases are handled at colleges?

“Yes, they should because it would restrict people in America. You are too free.”

“No, schools should not be involved. Being raped should not be exposed. It is about privacy.”

Ogheneyengbame Akpojiyoubi

Maria Lara

computer engineering

history

ROXANA AMPARO AND MAYRA GARCIA / THE ADVOCATE

“I think they should because the (victim) would not do anything about (a sexual assault) without someone helping them.”

Kimberly Cervantes undecided

“I do not think it is right because people could be lying. What if there are no witnesses?”

“I do not think that it is any of their business.

Their focus should be academia not personal issues.”

Alma Cardozo undecided

“If it happens at school they should intervene.

But if it is outside of school the act (sexual assault) should be enough to haunt them.”

Nicole Galvan Cortez chemistry

Alejandra Canelo liberal arts

forum N FASHION

roxanaamparo SECONDHAND TREASURES EVOKE FOND MEMORIES

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hey say that one man’s trash is another man’s come up.

My first time visiting a thrift shop was with my mom when I was about 5 years old.

She told me she would buy me anything that I wanted, and I was thrilled.

Now, this was long before I even knew that shopping malls existed, but I would still choose thrift stores anytime.

As a young girl, “anything” usually meant some type of toy that would keep my inquisitive self busy, since I was the only girl in the house and had no one to play with.

My mom pointed out a beautiful, little porcelain teacup set and said we’d play together if I wanted.

That day I left the thrift shop for home with my first porcelain teacup set.

And ever since, my love for thrift shops has blossomed. I think they are wonderful.

Also known as secondhand stores, thrift stores are recognized for their cheap, affordable prices and wide variety of choices for a shopper to go crazy with.

I suppose I consider thrift stores my go-to places if I ever want to go crazy with $20. As hip-hop artist Macklemore would say, I “only got $20 in my pocket. I-I-I’m hunting, looking for a come up.” It is truly awesome.

In comparison to malls, thrift stores hold a more intimate and comforting feel to them because the shopper can allow him or herself to explore their individuality through simple, affordable shopping.

Visiting a thrift store is a new adventure every time because I am able to let out the little fashionista within me to search for my next outfit.

Prices on clothing are sometimes as low as $1-$3, or even a couple quarters if luck is on the shopper’s side.

We live in a society where our most expensive material possessions define us.

We are judged based on our appearances. Name brands and expensive items hold great value in the public eye because they expose the size of a person’s wallet. It should not have to be that way.

I will admit that I don’t spend much money on clothing because my mom and I like to take advantage of thrift stores and their sales.

They offer simplicity at its best and cheap gets cheaper with sales throughout the year.

Apart from being inexpensive, thrift stores are sometimes community oriented and economically friendly.

They purchase merchandise from local charities that serve the local communities, and recycle any unsold products. Community members can donate their unwanted clothing or household products, keeping goods and money in the community.

Thrift stores help community members thrive by creating and providing jobs for disabled and disadvantaged people. They aim for stronger, unified communities.

Honestly, one man’s trash is another man’s come up.”

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 09.24.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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N JUSTICE

Mexico needs to change

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country needs brave people to change, and people really need to have a clear idea of what they want their country to be like.

I have heard many people complaining about their government or about their country, specifically in Mexico.

People complain about the low salaries and new reforms and they complain about President Enrique Peña Nieto.

It is true that when a president wins an election he often does not want to help his people.

He wants to take everything for himself when the people could have a better lifestyle.

It is sad to see how politicians have luxuries and live lavishly, while poor people barely have something to eat.

The saddest part is that people are waiting for help without doing anything to improve their situation.

Forty million poor people can wait for help while the politicians spend all the money they can.

of independence as the president addressed the towns and people from the presidential balcony.

It is sad The indigto see how nation people politicians felt was Mexico is a rich country; because it has archaeology, beaches, the police have luxuries forests, deserts, gold and searched oil, but the people are poor kids as and live because all the wealth is in young a the hands of very few.

2-yearlavishly, They need honest politiold. cians or at least sensitive I share leaders who care about how while poor the idea the less fortunate suffer every of having day, lacking the necessities to a peaceful people live well each day. celebraIt is also outrageous how tion, but barely have Mexico’s leaders make deciI do not sions based on their own share the anything to interests. idea of On Sept. 15, Mexico’s treating Independence Day, their kids like eat. approach with secuthey are a rity angered many people. threat.

Thousands of people gathAccording to the Director ered in the Plaza of Zocalo in of Child Rights in Mexico, Mexico City with the intenJuan Martín Pérez, the tion to celebrate with the cry authorities violated the kids’

florindahershey

rights, their integrity and dignity. Never in history have kids had to be searched at a public event. I wonder if congressmen, senators and even the president of Mexico would be willing to go through a similar search.

It is true that Mexico is having a rough time and they need to be careful, but is it really necessary to check kids like criminal offenders?

It was a sad contrast to see the president of Mexico celebrating, surrounded by his children on his balcony while the police were treating kids like delinquents.

Government representatives need to remember that they work for the people, and they need treat them with respect. But people also need to demand what they deserve. After all, the president was chosen to work and build a better country, not to make it worse.

Florinda Hershey is a staff writer for The Advocate.

Contact her at fhershey.theadvocate@gmail.com.

Who are they? sition to an agreement to renew the partnership signed by former President Bush.

In 2011, combat troops were pulled out of Iraq.

The U.S. departure left a power vacuum in a large area that is now controlled by the Al Qaeda rebel group in Iraq.

BY Robert Clinton The group splintered in 2012. Some STAFF WRITER went to help fight in the civil war in rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com Syria where they fought against Syrian he declaration of war should leader and American foe Bashir Al only be considered after all Asad, all the while bolstering their peaceful negotiations have been ranks. completely exhausted.

The rebel uprising garnered symWe have been a country at war pathy from U.S. congressional warsince the Bush administration chose to hawks, who urged Obama to send retaliate against Iraq and Afghanistan millions in weapons of war to the after the terror attacks on Sept. 11. overmatched rebels — the same plan Potential Al Qaeda training camps of failure that the CIA used to arm in Afghanistan gave the United States and train Bin Laden’s group to fight plausible justification for invasion, Russia in Afghanistan decades earlier. although the majority of the Sept. 11 Even when Senator John McCain terrorists came from America’s largtraveled to Syria, he was pictured est ally in the Middle East — Saudi with the rebels — the same rebels he Arabia. would later plead with the President The false pretenses that led to our to destroy. invasion of Iraq spawned from the offThe rebel group Al Qaeda in Iraq shoots of Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terror saw numbers swell while fighting the group. bloody civil war in Syria.

The occupation galvanized defeated The rebel fighters in Iraq were so Iraqi generals, the war orphaned vicious that most Al Qaeda groups youth who became rebels, and the dissolved associations with them. innocent tribesmen whose livelihood The terror group, now known as and homeland were being decimated Islamic State in Syria, has claimed one

by American artillery. third of the country of Iraq, and has At the time, a large percent of Iraqi large oil rich lands in Syria which borcountrymen had never even heard of ders its Iraqi territory.

Sept. 11.

ISIS now controls a steady income The U.S. occuof oil money and the state of the art pation of Iraq weaponry left by the United States fueled the dissent for the Iraqi defense forces. They are among the rebel forces who, with no groups.

In 2011, after an eight year campaign, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani rejected offers from Obama to leave a residual fighting force in Iraq in oppo-

Islamic State Group rises to power in lieu of U.S. involvement

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resistance in some cases, were defeated

by ISIS. They lost their equipment and territory while (essentially) arming the opposition.

The rise of groups like ISIS is contingent upon an aggressive invader for the underdog to rise up against and fight.

ISIS provokes U.S. military responses by sensationalizing the beheadings of innocent American civilians in attempts to force the President into military action.

Bombing ISIS is like watering a weed infestation in hopes drowning them, and being shocked when you have double the weed problem a week later.

The Conspiracist View You’ll often hear ISIS referred to as Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL), mostly

by President Obama.

A Levant is a section of territory that controls Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Cyprus and southern Turkey.

In 2001, former Supreme NATO Allied Commander General Wesley Clark revealed criminalizing evidence.

Shortly after Sept.11, Clark saw a Pentagon war plan that detailed the invasion of seven countries in a five-year span. The targeted countries were Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran, Somalia, and Sudan — countries where we are currently engaged in military activity.

In skeptical circles it can all be traced back to a document from the ’90s — the Project for the New American Century Agreement (PNAC).

The document stated that in order for America to have another dominant country, the use of force would absolutely be necessary.

But the American people would need a Pearl Harbor type event to ignite their appetite for the sacrifices that war demands.

The document was signed by men who would, in the coming years, become part of President Bush’s cabinet and advisory team. Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks occurred, it set the precedent for conducting open-ended declarations of war and nurturing an environment conducive to birthing terrorist groups.

Roxana Amparo is a staff writer for The Advocate.

Contact her at ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com.

MAYRA GARCIA / THE ADVOCATE

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 09.24.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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Proposed bill shields victims College to adopt sex crime policy if SB 967 passes

BY Jared Amdahl STAFF WRITER

jamdahl.theadvocate@gmail.com

Newsline Q asu

CAMPUS TO HOST TRANSFER DAY The Associated Student Union is hosting the annual Transfer Day event in front of the Liberal Arts Building on Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Representatives from universities, state universities, local and private colleges and out of state colleges will be on hand.

Students will be able to obtain valuable information on transfer requirements, majors, financial aid and campus life.

For more information, call the counseling department at 510215-3936 or call counselor Andrea Phillips at 510-215-3914 or email her at aphillips@contracosta.edu.

Q citations

PARKING TICKETS CAN BE CHALLENGED Students can have their parking citations that have been issued on campus appealed by picking up a citation appeal request form from Police Services.

On the form, students must give a brief description of why they would like to appeal the citation.

Do not send any money with the request to appeal. Include copies of information detailing the explanation of why you are disputing the citation.

Upon receiving the citation, students have up to 21 calender days to appeal it.

Failure to pay or appeal the citation within 21 calender days may result in additional late penalties being assessed.

Repeated unpaid parking citations may result in the vehicle being towed and/ or impounded.

Please forward the citation, completed agency review form and any supporting documents to: Contra Costa Community College District, c/o Citation Processing Center, PO Box 22814, Denver, CO 80222-2814.

It can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to receive a response.

For more information about the citation appeal request form, contact Police Services at 510-2362820.

Q transfer

TAG WORKSHOP TO BE HELD IN CENTER The Barbara Hazard exhibition along with a quilt show will be on display in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1.

Barbara Hazard will have 30 2D images on both canvas and paper.

There will be many quilts from eight different artists during the show as well.

To make appointments or RSVP for workshops, please contact the counseling department at 510-2153936. For further questions, contact counselor Andrea Phillips at aphillips@contracosta.edu.

CrimeWatch Monday, Sept. 15: A student reported his laptop was stolen while in the Gym Annex Building. No suspect information was provided at the time of the police report.

Correction In the Sept. 17 issue of The Advocate on page 1, the headline, “Bookstore rental program eliminated,” is incorrect.

The ASU stopped additional funding to the program, but the book rental program is still active.

The Advocate regrets this error.

A new piece of legislation has found its way through the California Senate and into the office of Gov. Jerry Brown to either be signed into state law or vetoed before Oct. 9.

If passed, Senate Bill 967, which would be an extension to the California Educational Code, would require higher education institutions in California that receive state funded student financial aid to adopt policies that affect the way cases of sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are investigated and handled.

In addition, the college would be required to install and partner with prevention and outreach programs and resources for students on and off campus for such cases.

“Here at Contra Costa College the main thing is educating the campus community,”

Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson said.

Current legislation already requires colleges in the state of California to have policies in regards to cases of sexual assault or similar situations and provide resources to students.

But the additions to these laws would better regulate exactly how investigations of the like are conducted.

“A law like this is very beneficial because it will cause more cohesive communication between the college, the students and the state on both an educational and legal level,” Ferguson said. “I think CCC is on the right path, but I would like to see a little more education for our students (on the subject).”

Health and human services major Safi Ward-Davis said, “I think that such a bill would be good to have here at CCC. I know when we had the peer support group, we had a variety of students that came in for help.”

Under the potential law colleges would be required to, at a minimum, install outreach programs that include information for the student body, campus organizations, athletic programs and student organizations about the college’s overall sexual assault policy,

the benefits of an “affirmative consent” standard and the rights and responsibilities of students under that policy.

“There is a collaboration alongside West County Health Services with assisting students with these sort of cases,” Ferguson said. “The college has responsibilities to its students and the surrounding community.”

Nicknamed throughout the state as the “Yes means yes” law, colleges would adopt policies that require the practice of an “affirmative consent” standard when dealing with cases of sexual assault between students.

“Affirmative consent” is defined by the pending law as “an affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual activity.”

Before students would legally be allowed to participate in a sexual act with another, all individuals involved would be responsible for receiving an act of “affirmative consent,” verbal or non-verbal, from the other party.

“It takes care of the possibility of confusion,” Police Services Lt. Jose Oliveira said. “There are federal guidelines in place already for how college campuses are supposed to conduct and meet certain

requirements when dealing with these cases.”

“Affirmative consent” is an ongoing agreement from all students involved and can be revoked at any time.

By investigating whether or not a victim of a sexual crime gave “affirmative consent” to the accused, police and college investigators alike can Yes means yes easily deter- The Advocate mine whether examines posor not any sible changes laws were to the State Ed actually bro- Code ken between the parties involved.

Fe r g u s o n said, “It gives the victim more power and protection throughout the situation.”

College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said, “There has been a lot of focus on this sort of legislation. We have policies in place to inform students of their rights and where they can go in the case of one of these situations.” “(Information) needs to be more available,” Gilkerson said.

edit orial

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PARKING | 41 student parking spaces may return Continued from Page 1 hillside from sliding downward.

District Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said that funding for the hillside stabilization project comes from the Measure A 2006 bond and Measure E 2014 bond.

Pyle said that contracts have yet to be finalized or approved by the district Governing Board, so tentative dates for a beginning and end to the hillside stabilization project are not available, nor are any cost estimates.

“Our Governing Board has to approve large contracts before they can start,” Pyle said. “This requires a lot of staff work to put the contracts together. In October the board will consider the contract for hillside stabilization. The contracts for the resurfacing are still being developed.”

Though Lot 16’s re-opening is not expected to come this semester, students planning to return in future semesters are excited to receive 41 additional parking spaces dedicated exclusively to students instead of staff and faculty.

Student Christian Ramirez, who has a parking permit and regularly parks on campus, said he would greatly appreciate more parking for students. Ramirez said he has to get to the college 15-20 minutes early to guarantee that he makes it to class on time.

“I show up at 9:20 (a.m.) to get to my 9:40 (a.m.) class and I end up getting there right on time,” he said.

Chemistry major Lissette Gutierrez, who also has a parking permit, agrees. She said, “Parking is really bad around 10 a.m.”

Gutierrez said she often parks in Lot 10 for convenience, as all of her classes take place in the Liberal and Applied Arts buildings. Lot 10 is one of the largest lots on campus, is mostly for students and is closest to these buildings.

She said she would use Lot 16 in coming semesters if it were reopened because she will be taking classes toward her major in either the Biological or Physical Sciences buildings. Due to its proximity to these buildings, she said she would find it more convenient to park in Lot 16 than in Lot 10.

King said, “One downside is (Lot 16) is a non-ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) compliant parking lot. Due to the hill, it presents a major cost to make ramps.”

Because the grade of the hill is very steep in this area, King said the idea of building ramps leading to and from Lot 16 is “inconceivable.”

He added there are currently two ADAcompliant parking spaces in Lot 17 near the west entrance of the Art Building, as well as many ADA-compliant spots in Lot 15 outside

of the Music Building.

While outside of the M Building where he takes classes, retiree student and lifelong learner Jim Conran said he regularly sees students looking frantic while driving along Campus Drive in search of available parking. Often times the drivers glance in the direction of the vacant Lot 16, he said, which is fenced off with caution tape.

“It is a student-dedicated parking lot,” Conran said. “I bet if the staff needed more parking this lot would have been open for the past two years.”

After learning of the sinkhole underneath Lot 16, however, he conceded that if there was “clearly a physical hazard, then it makes sense to have closed it” when the college did.

Anthropology major Favian Audieri said that because he does not have a student parking permit, he regularly finds it difficult to find a parking spot near campus in the morning.

He described his usual struggle: “It’s two minutes before class and I’m still circling (Castro Road) to find parking. If I find a spot in time it’s never convenient. Parallel parking under pressure sucks.”

However, Audieri said he would rather take his chances than spend the $45 cost of a parking permit.

STROLL | Community celebrates first responders Continued from Page 1 Services professor Peter Locke said, “It’s the best location. (CCC) is right in the center of the stroll.”

Administration of justice department Chairperson Rick Ramos said he has attended the event since he was about 10 years old. Today, however, would be the first time Dr. Ramos was in charge of announcing each parade float over the loudspeakers.

Ramos introduced the local K-12 schools, businesses, clubs and non-profit organizations that marched in the 11 a.m. parade.

“Today we are honoring first responders,” he said. “It’s our theme — the folks who keep you and me safe, everyday.”

Driving CCC’s newly painted emergency medical science program’s (EMS) ambulance was adjunct professor Scott Weatherby, while CCC President Denise Noldon waved to the rows of people from the passenger seat.

That car ride was Dr. Noldon’s first time in the parade. “It was a lot of fun,” she said. “The people were responsive and it was good exposure for the college and its programs.”

Locke said that he and students from the Auto Collision course sprayed the blue and white details onto the EMS ambulance the week prior.

“We polished (the ambulance) and cleaned it up for the stroll,” Locke said.

He said that, after speaking with Ramos, he decided to bring CCC’s sim-spray machine, a virtual reality spray program that his students use in the garage.

Automotive major Rene Flores was at the stroll to help people test the sim-spray. He said he could not help but notice the welcoming atmosphere the event generated. “(The stroll) lets a bunch of people get together,” Flores said. “Watching the kids, parents and people laugh and enjoy themselves really warms your heart. It reminds you that the world isn’t all negative.”

Locke said, “Its good to show our faces to the community. A lot of people don’t even know that the college exists and that flabbergasts me.”

Biochemistry major Roshun Rahimi was one of four EMS students walking behind the ambulance in the parade. “(The stroll) is a great way to outreach to the community and have everyone come together

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

The Pinole Valley High School marching band struts down San Pablo Dam Road during the annual El Sobrante Stroll on Sunday.

to show first responders how much they are appreciated,” Rahimi said.

Regardless of the theme, the El Sobrante Stroll manages to attract more and more people every year.

Caryanis said, “Last year the (the chamber) recorded that about 20,000 people showed up, and this year we are expecting more.”

She said all the proceeds for the booths are to be used by the chamber to help beautify San Pablo Dam Road.

If people did not come for the food, parking lots full of classic American muscle cars or live bands, they came for the 1 and 3 p.m. BMX stunt shows organized by a local business, The

Pedaler Bike Shop.

Jeff Jerge, owner of the bike shop, said that over the past years the BMX show has had several different sponsors from Walnut Creek, Antioch and Santa Cruz.

This year, however, local riders Jason Lopez, Nick Noble and others rallied together to put on the stunt show.

“We are proud of the fact (the stunt show) draws people into the stroll,” Jerge said. “By blocking this area to (automobile) traffic completely, for just one day out of the year, really gets people out on the street to check out what their community has to offer.”

campus beat

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5

Library department Chairperson Andrew Kuo (center) explains search phrases while nursing major Elijah Fernandez (left) looks on during the “Searching Online Databases” workshop Sept. 17 in LLRC-107.

Workshop offers database tutorials Students arrive for extra credit, research tips

BY Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

Databases are meant to provide academic resources and list ample information for students writing research papers or any type of informative essays.

The “Searching Online Databases” workshop held in LLRC-107 on Sept. 17 did just that for everyone who showed up, also granting them extra credit for their respective classes.

Library department professor and Chairperson Andrew Kuo led the workshop and covered topics that included the definition of a database, the comparison between a database and the Internet and how to use different databases on campus and at home.

“For starters, it was a requirement for me to attend because of my English 142B class, but two, and more importantly, I’m very new to the college and wanted to absorb this sort of knowledge,” student Tatiana DeLacy said.

Early Childhood Education major Irene Cuellar had similar reasons to attend.

“I want to have more knowledge about the databases and I’m taking library studies, so by attending I could earn extra point. It helps me find information for my research topic,” Cuellar said.

Students learned that databases are mostly copyrighted resources that a college, in this case Contra Costa College, has access to, due to paid subscriptions for electronic indexes.

Journals, newspapers and documents, many of which are in full text, comprise the electronic indexes.

DeLacy said, ”I’ve never done an abstract (topic) paper and I’m learning what to include. All of the topics (Kuo covered) I found informative. So every bit of it was incredibly helpful.

“It gave me a better understanding of what to do.”

Once students register and pay for classes, they are also paying for access to the qual-

ity resources and should take advantage of that fact, Kuo said.

“Databases are more credible than the Internet. They do show less results, but are credible,” Kuo said.

Cuellar said, “I don’t have to wonder whether it is good information or not.”

Kuo explained how each database shares common elements with one another, differences between basic and advanced search options and Boolean logic phrases.

“Depending on what you’re searching for, restricting the parameters is important for research,” Kuo said.

Cuellar praised Kuo’s instruction during the workshop.

The next workshop in the “Jumpstart Your Research Skills” series is “Improve Your Web Search Skills,” which will also be hosted by Kuo. The next installment takes place on Oct. 9 in LLRC-107 from 2-3:30 p.m. and will focus on teaching students to use search engines effectively.

ASU showcases future club activities

BY Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITER

mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Associated Student Union is combining two of its annual events in order to raise awareness and garner interest for campus events and clubs.

As decided by the ASU, the Fall Festival will incorporate Club Rush this year. The tandem event will be taking place, dependent on weather, either inside the Gym or on the Tennis Courts at Contra Costa College on Oct. 28 and 29 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

ASU President Antone Agnitsch said that this is an event that was created purely with the enjoyment of students in mind.

Student Reem Ali, who is returning for his second year at CCC, said, “I hope there will be more activities and involvement with students (this year).”

According to Agnitsch, there will be music, food and games for everyone on campus — from the adults and teens

to the younger members of the campus community in the Early Learning Center and Happy Lion Montessori School.

To get into the spirit of Halloween, there will be a costume contest with a prize for the first place winner, Agnitsch said. The ASU will be doing raffle giveaways throughout the event and there will also be an inflatable obstacle course, he said.

Thanks to the extra space provided by the Tennis Courts, there is room for new activities that have not been used in previous festivals, he said, such as a photo booth, henna tattoos, fingernail design and face painting.

He also said that the children from the ELC can expect festive treats and a pumpkin patch just for them.

Middle College High School student Kwame Baffo said, “I like how there’s something on campus for us high schoolers, too.”

This marks the fifth year that the

ASU has hosted the event, Agnitsch said. This year’s ASU Board wishes to give students the best college experience possible, he said, despite some setbacks imposed by the construction of the Campus Center and three-story Classroom Building.

Fall Festival and Club Rush were both originally held in the amphitheater, which was removed along with the student activities and humanities buildings to make room for construction.

Aside from the great fun that can be expected, the inclusion of Club Rush in the event will also help students, new and old, to find something of their very own on campus.

This will allow students to be informed about all the clubs on campus, and choose whichever ones fit their interests and needs, Agnitsch said.

With so many to choose from, everyone is bound to find at least one that can become a part of their experience at CCC, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA/ THE ADVOCATE

SUPREME COURT DECISION IMPEDES DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

BY Robert Clinton STAFF WRITER

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Last June the U.S. Supreme Court removed the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, allowing states with the worst records of voter misconduct to change their election laws without federal approval.

In light of this recent change, a group discussion was held in HS-101 on Sept. 17, the W.E.B. DuBois Lecture Series.

“The Constitution continues, to this day, to reflect the racist character of the community it represented.

“The past is not dead,” emeritus African-American studies professor Fritz Pointer said.

Other guest speakers during the talk were social science professors Majeedah Rahman and Karl Grant.

Sociology department Chairperson J. Vern Cromartie moderated the panel on the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s decision to roll back a portion of the Voting Rights Act. Attentive students listened to the trio of professors explain the finer points of systematic oppression, as well as expose the many avenues it used to escape history into our modern society.

Pointer began with a quick overview of the Voting Rights Act, and the injustices that made them a necessity.

He adeptly compared late Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, who in a landmark case in 1857, ruled against slave Dred Scott, who was suing his master for freedom in a free state, with current Chief Justice John Roberts.

Roberts recently abolished the safety net that protected minority voters in the most historically problematic sections of the country.

Professor Majeedah Rahman retraced the footsteps trailblazing women took by explaining the mechanics of historic gender-based suppression, and disclosed the partnerships that evolved with different ethnic groups in the quest for equal rights.

Rahman also bonded with the young women in the crowd who confessed they still feel the restraints of gender-based politics.

Grant laid out the finer details of the Supreme Court’s decision. It is intended to remove safeguards established for states with a history of voting misconduct, predominately in the South. ”Anything below the Canadian border is the south,” Grant said.

“It gives the states with the worst records a clean slate.”

Grant also spoke about the modern consequences of not voting.

He referenced elected officials, who were in charge of funding programs that have been known to monitor people through cellphones or watch people through laptop cameras, and said they may have been elected because of a lack of voter participation.

Student Atrix Thomas III said, “It’s important to fight to keep our right to vote as minorities.”

Grant ended the lecture when he asked the students, “What would 50 more years of not voting look like? What kind of potential oppression could be levied upon you?”

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 09.24.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Unleashed

REMOVING BARRIERS

MOVIES

This week: “The Equalizer” (R) “Jack and the CuckooClock Heart” (PG) “The Boxtrolls” (PG) “Believe Me” (PG-13) “Good People” (R)

BLU-RAYS

New releases: “Neighbors” (R) “Attack on Titan Part 2” (TV-MA) “Halloween: The Complete Collection” (R) “The Rover” (R) ‘The Exorcist: The Complete Collection” (R)

MUSIC

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Christina Chan (left), a registered nurse, applies a laser to the arm of Richmond resident Kao Saechao who is continuing the monthly process of removing a tatoo at the Removing Barriers clinic on Saturday. Removing Barriers services are available every third Saturday. It is located at the San Pablo EDC offices on San Pablo Avenue.

INK REMOVAL INCREASES CONFIDENCE

‘Removing Barriers’ clinic erases unwanted tattoos, burdens

BY Van Ly OPINION EDITOR

vly.theadvocate@gmail.com

New releases: Alt-J: “This is All Yours” Jennifer Hudson: “JHUD” Gazelle Twin: “Unflesh” Suicideyear: “Remembrance” Chuck Prophet: “Night Surfer”

GAMES

A tattoo can be a mark of the past that is hard to forget.

But there is a chance to erase the needled-ink and start over once again.

In partnership with the San Pablo Economic Development Corporation and New Skin Adult Tattoo Removal, Removing Barriers is a non-profit program that provides tattoo removal and multi-purpose job readiness.

Often times, tattoos can become a barrier in community re-entry, safety or employment.

The clinic operates on a monthly basis, every third Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. The cost of removal is $50 for San Pablo residents and $80 for non-residents.

Tattoo removals can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. At health organizations like Kaiser Permanente, the cost of just turning on the machine can cost $200, but SPEDC makes the cost of

fundraiser

“Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes” (E) “Hyrule Warriors” (T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

dents. Our whole aim is to make it free for people. All you have to do is show up and do what you’re supposed to do and you will get the fee back,” SPEDC General Manager Leslay Choy said.

But most of all, participants must be willing to commit to the program, she said.

Participants must be available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the twoweek span. Only one excused absence is allowed.

Unexcused absences will result in the participant’s removal from the program, but the participant will be able to apply for the next available two-week session if proper guidelines are followed.

In terms of tattoos, the inked markings on a person’s skin can affect a person’s interior.

“My tattoos are prison tattoos,” participant Matthew Carbajal told San Pablo’s fall quarterly publication of El Portal — the Gateway.

When a co-worker of Carbajal noticed his tattoos, he said he did not feel offended.

“Instead I felt sad and ashamed because I was recognized as a quintessential felon,” Carbajal said.

Choy said, “We’re not against tattoos. We’re making sure any barriers or safe community reentry — or anything affecting self-confidence — are gone.”

Because of the process of removing his tattoos, Carbajal said he is able to let go and start a new life. He is now in his final year at Golden Gate University studying business administration.

In the future, Choy hopes SPEDC will be able to serve more people, offer more job-readiness cohorts per year and extend clinic hours, or even add a second clinic.

The clinic is located at 13830 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D, San Pablo, CA 94806.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 510215-3189.

The next clinic dates are Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20.

Christina Chan (left), a registered nurse, applies a laser to the arm of Pittsburg resident Elizabeth Lopez who is continuing the montly process of removing a tatoo at the Removing Barriers clinic on Saturday.

Golf tournament funds scholarships Ultimate

New releases: “FIFA ‘15” (E)

tattoo removal affordable for less economically privileged populations.

“It’s called ‘Removing Barriers’ because a lot of people in the community have tattoos for one reason or another — afflictions, relationships, sometimes even abuse. It’s an opportunity to start fresh,” volunteer Raynato Castro said.

Once the tattoo removal process begins, program participants are given the opportunity to remove employment barriers through an intensive two-week job readiness program. The training covers financial literacy and soft-skills to help with interviews, resumés, online profiles and much more.

In order to qualify, participants must be willing to attend a mandatory information session and pay a $50 registration fee, which will be reimbursed based on accountability.

“The city of San Pablo believes in economic opportunity for resi-

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

hopes to ease college students’ expenses through scholarships

BY Roxana Amparo STAFF WRITER

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Contra Costa College Foundation and the Mira Vista Country Club are coming together one final time to host the Swinging for Scholarships fundraiser on Monday.

The golf tournament Swinging for Scholarships is a fundraiser that collects money for CCC student scholarships and helps support various programs at the college, such as the athletic and nursing programs.

The scholarships assist students with their basic college expenses such as tuition, books and anything they need to help them achieve their educational goals, Eric Zell, tournament committee chairperson and member of the CCC Foundation Board, said.

The Sy and Beverly Zell Golf Tournament, Swinging for Scholarships, and accompanying awards banquet, is named in

remembrance of Eric Zell’s parents. Zell’s father, Sy, was once the president of the Foundation and Zell wants to continue the family legacy of helping students in need, he said. “(The event) is not about just raising money, but about making a positive impact on the community,” Zell said.

The golf tournament invites friends, clients and businesses from the community to swing for a cause: scholarships for college students.

Last year the event raised $80,000, and for this final year Zell wants to make sure it ends raising more money than any previous tournament.

“The goal is to net $125,000,” he said.

Tournament Coordinator Martha Parsons said that this golf tournament is a way to make college more viable to the larger part of the community.

CCC Scholarship Program Coordinator Jennifer Dyment

said, “Scholarships make a big difference in a student’s life. It is a wonderful gift to give to someone.”

Members of the community can invest in the education of students by taking part in the tournament or by donating.

The Zell family’s active engagement in the Richmond community since the late ’40s has built a strong community of supporters for the Swinging for Scholarships fundraiser in past years.

The positive contributions from the Zell family and members of the community links students with greater possibilities.

The event will consist of a golf tournament, cocktail hour, banquet and speeches from different community members.

The participating sponsors can purchase a diamond, platinum, or gold sponsorship of $25,000, $10,000, or $5,000 to donate towards scholarships.

It is not required that a donor play in the tournament to donate

— anyone can donate to support students and programs at CCC. During the golf tournament, participants gather throughout the golf course to play a scramble.

In a scramble, the golfers tee off their shots and then all take their second shots from the place the best first shot landed.

The tournament lasts around five hours altogether, Zell said.

After the golf tournament everyone comes together for cocktail hour followed by the banquet, he said.

To finalize the event, guest speakers give speeches and a previous Swinging for Scholarship recipient shares his or her story of what it was like to receive a scholarship funded by the event.

The event raises the most money of any golf tournament in the East Bay, Zell said.

Zell said he will continue giving back to the community after this event marks the end of Swinging for Scholarships.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 09.24.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

7

Apple faithful rally for upgraded iPhone

BY Rodney Woodson ASSOCIATE EDITOR

rwoodson.theadvocate@gmail.com

B

efore pulling up to the corner of the Fourth Street Apple Store in Berkeley at around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, I crossed my fingers, hoping for a short line.

Standing around spot number 50 in line, I realized my hopes of leaving the store and arriving home with the phone of my choice in a timely manner faded. Although smaller than the 6 Plus, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6’s 1,334 x 750 pixel display presents a perfect size for those who love iPhones and want a bigger screen, but would still like to be able to use the device efficiently with one hand.

One person who did not have to worry much about which phone to buy was San Francisco nurse Donna Collins.

“I got here at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday,” she said at around

11:15 p.m. on Thursday, standing in front of the Apple Store with its black curtains blocking the little Apple “OompaLoompas” as they scurried around to prepare the store for the upcoming event.

This was not Collins’ first time spending the night in a line with other tech enthusiasts awaiting the latest “i” device.

She has been involved in the process since the original iPhone was released in 2007. “(iPhones) are easy to operate,” Collins said. “I run a small (jewelry making/selling) business from it.”

The new A8 processor features a 64-bit architecture, which helps expedite downloads to a point never seen in any other hand-held Apple product.

The most noticeable features of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the screens. In 2012 Apple released the iPhone 5 and, for the first time, revealed a screen bigger than the 3.5-inch dis-

plays iPhones 1-4s have.

While spectacular in every way, the iPhone 6 Plus tells me that Apple basically decided to plunge into the “phablet” game for the sole purpose of attracting screen-size freaks.

The 6 Plus garners a couple more features than the 6, mainly manufacturer apps that behave like iPad apps, in addition to a mechanical photo lens stabilizer — which is actually pretty cool.

While these additions are nice, they do not do much in creating a big difference between it and its smaller counterpart.

In comparison to the 5s, not much is different thus far, when both are running iOS 8. Simply put, this phone is a bigger, better and revamped edition of its older version.

While the new hardware houses the future of the Apple phone series, the majority of new features come by way of iOS 8, which is available for

New features A8 chip, M8 coprocessor 4.7 inch screen Sleep/wake button moved Enhanced camera 6.9 mm thick iPhones 4s-6 Plus.

Though all of these devices operate with the new system, some features are not available on all of them.

Two employees at Koja Kitchen in Berkeley serve up dishes on Sept. 17.

JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

Fusion cuisine adds flair to restaurant scene Well known Kamikaze fries spice up menu

BY Janae Harris

to a golden crisp and topped with Korean barbecue beef, sautéed onions, kimchi, green onions, and then drizzled with signature sauce fter their appearance and Japanese style mayonnaise. on the Food Network’s The sweet and spicy toppings “Diners, Drive-Ins, and mesh so well with the crisp fries Dives”, many may have heard of that it creates a well-balanced texthe Japanese-Korean fusion food ture, making it a favorite on the truck, Koja Kitchen.

At a great price in a convenient menu.

Another go-to staple is the Koja, location, there’s no turning back which is comparable to a burger. once you’ve enjoyed what Koja Customers have a choice of vegKitchen has to offer. etarian, beef, chicken or braised It provides hungry patrons with pork. a mix of flavors that cannot be If a patron is not into sandfound anywhere else.

Koja’s Berkeley grand opening wiches, he or she may choose rice was November 2013. It is located bowls with different toppings and choices. at Telegraph and University avePrivate parking is free for the nues just three blocks away from first hour, and is walking distance the UC Berkeley campus.

Koja is known for its Kamikaze from the restaurant.

When you arrive you may find fries. The criss-cut fries are fried ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

jharris.theadvocate@gmail.com

A

Koja Kitchen Cuisine: Japanese-

Korean Fusion

Where: 2395

Telegraph Ave, Berkeley Price: $8-$10

a line , but do not turn away.

The wait time is not long. After ordering, the food is ready within a few minutes.

Just be sure to leave room for dessert and try the mochimisu, Koja Kitchen’s take on the classic Italian tiramisu.

Its version includes mochi, which is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice.

It is then topped with cocoa powder and a chocolate covered strawberry.

John Ko, a Berkeley resident who graduated from UC Berkeley last year with a history major, said, “My favorite is the short rib, even though they serve it only on the weekends. The trucks serve it daily”.

The bright lights inside the restaurant are black and red.

Kamikaze fries These criss-cut fries are fried to golden perfection and then topped with Korean barbecue beef, sautéed onions, kimchi, green onions and then drizzled with their signature sauce and a Japanese style mayonnaise.

This gives a nice decorative Asian feel when customers walk in the restaurant, and makes them want to dine in rather than ordering food to go.

There is a line to order food and a line to pick up your order.

As patrons wait in line they can decide what they want to order from flat screen televisions that show the automated menu and include a mini section showing scenes of Koja Kitchen on the Food Channel network.

The Koja Kitchen business opened in 2011 with three owners named Eric, Alan and Hiep.

The Japanese-Korean food truck travels from San Jose all the way to Sacramento.

To find its mobile locations customers have to follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Mochimisu Koja Kitchen’s take on the Italian classic, tiramisu.

Its version includes mochi, which is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice. It is topped with cocoa powder and a chocolate covered strawberry.

8

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 09.24.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Oakland resident Lorraine Bonner (left) describes her piece titled “Devourer” to Brentwood resident Julee Richardson (right) during the art reception in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Friday.

GEORGE MORIN/ THE ADVOCATE

Themes of human struggle exhibited

FALL FESTIVAL, BUDGET AMONG TALKS AT MEETING

BY Brian Boyle STAFF WRITER

Oppression, liberation on display at Eddie Rhodes Gallery

BY Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITER

mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com

A reception for an exhibition of artistic variety was held at the Eddie Rhodes Gallery this past Thursday in the Art Building at Contra Costa College.

Gallery coordinator, Dana Davis, talked about the importance of art and expressing one’s self with it.

“It’s about the human struggle and liberating an idea an artist has, by giving it form outside of yourself. It has a life then,” Davis said.

The exhibition, which will run through Oct. 2 in A-5, features a specific theme of liberation, struggle, and oppression.

Upon entering the Eddie Rhodes Art Gallery, an array of pieces are on display.

Framed work is hung on all f o u r walls.

Along w it h that, there is also a great array of sculpted pieces, which

Art should be available to everyone, especially on a college campus, to expand minds and larger ideas of humanity.”

— Lorraine Bonner, featured artist

“

stand their ground in the center of the room.

The pieces vary greatly and the individuality behind them shines through. Along with vivid oil paintings, there is also work that is signature to the artist that created it.

Caroyln Jean-Martin, one artist in particular, frames gunpowder that is melted down, and slightly burned, to represent society’s lack of value in that which is dark, in reference to skin color.

Other pieces, in the form of paper cutouts arranged together to form a picture, depict uniformed soldiers united in revolt.

There are also others meant to symbolize how greatly, and mostly, women are affected by war.

Their creator, artist Judy Johnson-Williams, said she loves the ambiguity and unpredictability that art allows.

Another artist, sculptor Lorraine Bonner, uses her work to symbolize the oppression that African-Americans face, as well as issues that involve all walks of people. Her pieces are in black

and white in order to depict “social construction of whiteness and blackness, which forms a hierarchy,” she said.

One piece in particular, of a man with a target on his chest, is meant to show how AfricanAmerican men are targeted. She said the piece is also supposed to represent police brutality against them.

Another Bonner piece depicts a person who is bound around the eyes with barbed wire, and held by two hands made of money.

This display is designed to show how money has a hold of people in the world today.

Bonner is thrilled by the idea of art being represented in shows such as these.

“Art should be available to everyone, especially on a college campus, to expand minds and larger ideas of humanity,” she said.

The art department will be hosting these events on a monthly basis. Each will have a different theme so that there may always be something new and intriguing.

Professors fight to save landmarks History lost in quest for profits

BY Mickalea Manuel STAFF WRITER

mmanuel.theadvocate@gmail.com

History professors Manu Ampim and Carolyn Hodge will be speaking about a cause they have been passionate about for many years: The Save Nubia Project.

Supporters can attend an informative lecture by Ampim in the Knox Center from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, which will feature a four-minute video on the Nubian energy crisis followed by a 45-minute power point and question and answer segment.

The event is meant to bring awareness to the ancient artifacts that are in danger of being lost because of the Nubian government’s energy development projects.

Ampim said he would like to get these archaeological sites preserved as world heritage sites by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which would mean no one could touch these sites and damage them in any way.

The Save Nubia Project was started

by Ampim in 2012 after many years of doing field research in 19 African countries, including Egypt and Sudan.

He started realizing that damage

was being done to artifacts due to manmade dams.

“I started documenting the damage that was being done to these historical landmarks and artifacts in 1994,” Ampim said.

The country’s governments are building dams for profit with no concern for the citizens and artifacts that have been around for thousands of years, Ampim said.

Two of the dams have damaged parts of Kush and Nubia by causing flooding.

Citizens have reached out for national help and the help of Ampim so that these dams will not continue to be built and further destroy their country and the historical artifacts, he said.

Anthropology professor Lisa Schwappach said, “Egypt and Nubia were a contiguous culture and, to learn more about Egypt, we need to explore the roots of civilizations all along the Nile.”

The Greeks invaded Kemet in 323 B.C. The Greeks, under the power of Alexander the Great, changed the name of the country to what we now know as Egypt, Ampim said.

“Kemet is the original name for Eygpt and it means land of black people,” he said.

The dams that are being built in Nubia are to generate electricity, but Ampim believes there are other options.

He said one of the best alternatives would be solar power and, with this country being a desert, it would get

5 W’s The Save Nubia Project Who: Manu Ampim and Carolyn Hodge

What: Bring awareness to

endangered ancient artifacts in Sudan

Where: The Knox Center When: Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Why: Sudan’s government

is building dams for profit with no concern for its citizens

excessive sunlight which is all solar panels need to generate power.

Hodge said, “The artifacts are disappearing and the history and culture of an ancient African civilization are being lost because of the dams that are being built. If we don’t save Nubia, that history is gone.”

Raising money for Save Nubia will go toward helping the citizens build a museum to store their artifacts and would help Ampim further his research with a team of experts.

He said other colleges stream their games, and the attention.

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Fall Festival was the primary topic at the Associated Students Union meeting on Sept. 17 in AA-207.

ASU President Antone Agnitsch said, “Really there is no budget (for Fall Festival).”

Agnitsch presented the board with an estimate from the company Astrojump for multiple inflatable activities to take place at Fall Festival.

“I’m going to tell them (potential Fall Festival vendors) our budget is a lot less than it is so we get a good deal,” he said.

Agnitsch said it would cost $1,000 per day for the ASU to have a “wrecking ball” game where students would hurl inflatable medicine balls at each other, a gladiatorial jousting game, an inflatable bounce house for children at the Early Learning Center and an inflatable obstacle course for older students.

ASU assistant Diksha Chhetri asked, “We have all these activities for boys, why don’t we have something specifically for women?”

Chhetri went on to suggest, and volunteered to research, what it would cost the ASU to have a nail-art and henna station for female students to enjoy.

The idea was met with approval all around the board.

“I like that idea,” Agnitsch said. “If that’s something you guys (the ASU Board) want, just go get estimates.”

ASU Executive Vice President Huong Vu said she contacted the San Francisco-based company Photo-matica about renting a photo booth for students. She said the cost would vary depending on the length of time they wanted the photo booth during each day of the Fall Festival. She said the ASU should consider the option that allowed for four hours per day at the cost of $750 per day.

Anushma Maharjan, who was voted in as the ASU’s newest senator during the meeting, said she knows someone who works as a DJ, and may be willing to work the Fall Festival.

ASU adviser Ericka Greene said Maharjan should get an estimate from her friend, but warned that it must be an official looking document.

The subject of food at the Fall Festival advanced little at the meeting. ASU Treasurer Zoey Li suggested the ASU serve hot dogs, candy apples, cupcakes, popcorn and cotton candy. Agnitsch, however, pointed out that without a food handler’s license, no one on the ASU could “serve” anyone food.

“We should have an outing one day where all of us (on the ASU Board) should get our food handler’s licenses,” Agnitsch said.

Debate broke out during the meeting over whether the ASU should adopt an official budget for Fall Festival, in order to have more information to work with vendors.

Agnitsch was against the idea, saying he wanted to begin negotiating with vendors immediately.

Safi Ward-Davis, ASU vice president of club affairs, motioned to table the discussion after she and Agnitsch went back and forth in debate over the prudence of a budget.

The ASU took the time to approve the payment of invoices for their ASGA trip to Washington, D.C., later this year. The ASU’s budget for the trip was $7,500.

The invoices the ASU voted on at the meeting were; the registration costs of $399 per person, the per diem allocations for food money, which came to $192.50 per person, and the cost of their flight from Jetblue, which is $509.07 per person. The costs workout to $1,527.21 for airfare, $577.50 for a week’s worth of food and $1,596 for registration.

Ward-Davis gave her report from the weekly InterClub Council meeting. She said this week’s was the first meeting, and it involved mainly laying out the bylaws and rules for a club.

One rule of note she mentioned was every club’s requirement to put on two events per semester for students.

The ICC meets every Tuesday in HS-101 from 2-4 p.m.

Ward-Davis said at the end of the meeting that the ASU needs to investigate issues with parking meters on campus. She said the meter in Lot 10 did not accept cash, and the meter in the parking lot near the Student Services Center was taking student money without dispensing tickets.

sports Defensive catalyst aims to leave mark Sophomore

BY Lorenzo Morotti

center back

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

provides a strong backbone in the defensive third

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Teamwork and communication within the defensive backline in professional soccer is sacred.

A professional team without a strong voice resonating from the defensive third of the field will struggle as the season unfolds. This rule is also true for any soccer team, even at the community college level.

The men’s soccer program at Contra Costa College fortunately has a center back this season whose characteristics fit the criteria of a professional player.

Nineteen-year-old CCC sophomore Bradley Alman played for the U-13 (age 13 and under) Diablo Football Club (DFC) in 2008, when it won the North American Youth League’s Super Y League North American tournament. Alman was also a part of the East Bay all-star high school team as a senior.

DFC is a soccer club partnered with the San Jose Earthquakes and the U.S. soccer development program based out of Walnut Creek.

It has produced world-class players such as U.S. Men’s National Team striker Chris Wondolowski.

CCC coach Nikki Ferguson said there is no question of Alman’s commitment to the success of the soccer program.

“He understands the importance of leaving his own legacy when his eligibility is up (at CCC).

(The coaching staff) hopes he can walk away with confidence that the program is better when he exits than when he entered,” Ferguson said.

When Alman first joined the team in 2013. He said he did not know anyone and it took time to settle into the team.

“I think I’m the only guy to come out of Berean (Christian High School) who went to CCC.” Coming back to the team as sophomore was easier. He said he now feels fully accepted into the Comet soccer family.

“I love soccer,” Alman said. “I love the team and the atmosphere created by a team working together to reach a certain goal.”

Comet freshman striker Bryan Vega said, “(Alman) doesn’t quit.

He is very aggressive in the back and has a big voice. He is always looking up and checking in with everyone. I play all the way up front as a (striker) and I can still hear him yelling at me to get back in position.”

Comet freshman Nicolas Bob said he played against Alman in a high school all-star game and alongside him when they were both part of the U-13 DFC team.

“I played every sport besides football and hockey growing up,” Alman said. “Soccer was the one I was best at, so I stuck with it.”

Bob said, “It was really difficult.

When we were younger (Alman) was a lot smaller than I was at the time, but by junior year in high school he wasn’t. It was like (Alman) transformed into a whole different player.”

I feel more A l m a n g r aduated comfortfrom Berean able when C h r i s t i a n School in (Alman) is High Walnut Creek in behind me. 2013. He played varsity for BCHS He is the as a junior and backbone scored one goal. said he of the de- Alman rejected offers fense and I from San Diego State, Cal Stateplay better Sacramento and decided to enroll knowat Diablo Valley ing I have College after not getting into Cal someone Poly-San Luis who I can Obispo.

D u r i n g trust if the games, the play gets defensive backhas to react past me.” line to quick coun— Nicholas ter-attacks down Bob, Comet the left and right freshman wings of the PLGßHOGHU field, which, if left unguarded, can allow threatening crosses into the penalty area.

Alman seems to know exactly where he needs to be positioned to either leap above or punt the ball clear of attacking players’ reach.

Comet assistant coach Andres Orejuela said, “(Alman) clears the ball 100 percent or even 200 percent of the time.

“When I played soccer, my position was goalkeeper and I always wished I had a player like (Alman) on my team.”

Bob said he has been put into the center back position by the Comet coaching staff, but he said he is more comfortable playing as a center defensive midfielder, just above the defensive backline.

“I feel more comfortable when

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‘THE ANCHOR’

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QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

(Alman) is behind me. He is the backbone of the defense and I play better knowing I have someone who I can trust if the play gets past me.”

Alman has neutralized a staggering number of crosses and filtered passes sent into the defensive third of the field throughout the course of non-conference play during the 2014 season, but he is also capable of scoring.

Bob said his most memorable moment was when Alman scored a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area against Chabot College on Sept. 19.

“I know when (Alman) sets up for a shot he must be really confident he can score. So when he

turned and blasted it in, it was pretty amazing,” Bob said.

Ferguson said Alman’s main role is to help maintain good organization defensively, while providing depth during possessions to create moments for the team move into the attacking third.

Bob said Alman rarely talks about a future where he is playing at the professional level.

“A bunch of us on the team are always encouraging him to contact scouts. (Alman) can play at the D-1 level. He has the potential.

Hopefully he listens.”

Orejuela agrees.

He said, “(Alman) is ready at the next level.”

Comet sophomore center back Bradley Alman warms up before CCC’s 3-1 win against Chabot College on the Soccer Field on Friday.

COMET COACHES PUT ON SUSPENSION Coaches statewide under fire over missing statistical entry deadline

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

A Comet coach was hit this fall with a six-game suspension for the late submittal of individual player and team stats during the 2013 season.

Former women’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson, who is now the new men’s soccer coach after Rudy Zeller stepped down, was sanctioned.

Ferguson was limited to the parking lot for the first six games of his inaugural 2014 season as the Comets’ men’s coach because of a change made to the California Community College Athletic Association Constitution and Bylaw 4.3.3.

The change to the bylaw states that all California community college athletic coaches or representatives are required to update their roster information on the cccaastats.org website before any game and input the results with complete and accurate stats no later than two working days after each contest.

The change was formally adopted to be effective on July 1, 2013 after the CCCAA Board of Directors and Management Council Chairs issued a memorandum on Oct. 1, 2012.

“It has been very frustrating,” Ferguson said. “And ultimately, the ones being punished here are the students (athletes). All I can do now is deal with (suspension) and move forward.”

After serving his six-game suspension, Ferguson coached the Comets to a 3-1 win against Chabot College on

Friday.

Comet assistant coaches Jon Scoles and Andres Orejuela replaced Ferguson on the sideline for the six games he missed, but he was able to lead the team during practices.

CCCAA Executive Director Carlisle Carter said the Comet coaches were penalized for not switching over stats from the now unofficial ccsoccernews. com, which was used throughout the 2013 Comet soccer season, to the official cccaastats.org website.

Carter said he sent four emails to Contra Costa College Athletic Director John Wade beginning on Sept. 12, 2013.

Ferguson, however, was not the only coach under scrutiny from the CCCAA. Volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve said he was aware he was put on probation after failing to post the stats for a couple games last fall. He inputted them promptly after being notified.

Merritt College men’s soccer coach Imed Doss was also sanctioned with a six-game suspension. Doss said the suspension has affected the program’s overall game record immensely.

“It’s one-third of our season considering we only play 18 games.”

Bay Valley Conference Commissioner Shirley Baskin said seven other BVC member athletic programs have had coaches suspended this fall for failure to post scores as specified in the CCCAA bylaws.

These include Laney College’s wom-

en’s volleyball coach, both of College of Marin’s soccer coaches, Napa Valley College’s women’s soccer coach, Solano Community College’s women’s soccer coach and both of Yuba College’s soccer coaches.

Carter said, “The case of (CCC) is like many other colleges in the state that did not heed the warnings.”

Out of the 14 men’s and women’s soccer programs in the Bay Valley Conference, seven coaches were suspended, Carter said.

College of Marin Athletic Director Matt Markovich said he had two soccer coaches suspended.

But, just like in the case of former CCC men’s soccer coach Zeller, both Marin coaches stepped down after the 2013 season and will only have to serve their suspensions if they again return to coach at a California community college.

“This change was meant to be a positive step,” Baskin said. “Unfortunately, (CCCAA) did not realize the impact it would have until many colleges across California did not post stats.”

Carter said the 2012-13 college year was intended to be used as a year of transition. He said participating colleges were put on notice that failure to file statistics or any attempt to mislead by submitting erroneous statistics would result in being prohibited from participation in non-conference games.

Ferguson said he and Zeller worked over the summer to move all of their teams’ stats from last season from

the old website to the cccaastats.org site. They said, however, that CCCAA did not specify which statistics were required of them in the emails.

Ferguson said, “(CCCAA) intentions to create a level of uniformity was good, but to suspend coaches without providing any prior training is harsh.”

Doss said he also spent the summer working on reviewing the 2013 season and inputting the stats. But when he sent them in, (CCCAA) responded with an email saying they were not correct.

“The amount of stats (the CCCAA) is asking for is ridiculous,” Doss said.

Ferguson said, “There is obviously an issue with the system if we have this many (coaches) suspended. There is a major flaw in the (CCCAA process).”

Wade said CCC does not receive an equal amount of funding that many colleges in Southern California do.

“Most (colleges) down south have sport information directors (SIDs) who would be in charge of recording and inputting stats. For CCC to bring someone like that onto the payroll would cost about $50,000 per year at the low end.

(It’s) money that (CCC) does not have.”

Markovich partially agrees with Wade. He said COM also does not have a SID. “It is difficult to keep stats without a (SID). But if (coaches) are doing their best throughout the season to keep up with stats when the new bylaw came down, these suspensions should not have happened.”

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COMETS

3 1

GLADIATORS

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Comet defender Brad Alman (center) jumps up for a header during the first half of CCC’s 3-1 win against Chabot College at the Soccer Field on Friday.

Stable backline suppresses scoring

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

Three goals provided a brace and a stable defensive backline helped the men’s soccer squad hold Chabot College to scoring on a lone penalty kick late in the second half at the Soccer Field on Sept. 19.

Contra Costa College (3-31 overall) ended non-conference play with a 3-1 win against the Gladiators (1-1-2 overall) despite CCC having wingback Enri Refunjol ejected after being shown his second yellow card at 83 minutes.

Referee Victor Mba booked Refunjol with a delay of game penalty and a handball inside the penalty area when he got in the way of a Gladiator cross pass sent from midfielder Alexis Lizama.

The Gladiator late penalty kick, converted by Ramon Alcazar for the team’s only score, became a consolation prize when Chabot failed to clear the ball out of its attacking third at 58 minutes, which led to a CCC goal.

Comet midfielder Missel Hernandez headed the attempted clearance from just outside the center of the penalty area toward center back Bradley Alman, who stood 20 yards out from goal at the right edge.

“When the ball came to me I was instinctively going to turn and shoot,” Alman said. “But I looked

up and noticed that there was no one within 15 feet so I lined up (a shot) and kicked it as hard as I could.”

His right-footed shot slammed into goal, just inside the far post, past the outstretched Gladiator keeper Oswaldo Zamudio to bring the score to 3-1 with 32 minutes left in the game.

The Gladiator offensive drives, focused along the wings, rarely posed a threat to the Comet defensive backline that forced attacking players to rush wayward cross passes into the penalty area.

Chabot proved to be a more dangerous threat during counter attacks by sending long aerial passes from the midfield.

Comet keeper Jose Ayalas’ positioning diffused possible scoring situations for the Gladiators when he rushed out to recover the ball before the Gladiator attacking players could reach it.

Ayala also dove for five total saves until he was subbed out for Stephane Vanier after sustaining a muscle injury and taken off the field during the second half.

The Comet offensive pressure managed to produce 10 shots on goal compared to Chabot’s nine, by the end of the game.

Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said, “Today we played with a certain level of confidence and a sense of urgency in the attacking third of the field.”

He said this tactic created many

turnovers in front of the penalty area and gave nine of his starting 11 players opportunities for shots on goal.

During the first half, CCC’s quick one-two passes along the wings created six of those scoring opportunities. Attacking players Bryan Vega and Brian Santos each scored during quick counter attacks at four and 14 minutes, respectively.

The first goal of the game developed along the left sideline. A filtered ground pass from CCC left back Jesus Villagrana found striker Byran Vega onside about 25 yards from goal, as he sprinted diagonally into the penalty area.

Once inside, Vega rifled the ball in mid-stride, which ricocheted off the inside of the crossbar and into the goal.

“I was shocked,” he said. “It seemed like the ball was going over the (goal) but it dropped at the last second and went in.”

CCC then managed to keep control of the tempo by applying pressure in the midfield and the Chabot defensive half, to force turnovers. The squad was rewarded about 10 minutes later.

Santos snuck the ball into goal at the far post with his head when right fullback Alejandro Gonzalez delivered a short cross from the right side of the penalty area.

The Comets are scheduled to open Bay Valley Conference play at Yuba College at 4 p.m. on Friday.

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Comet forward Kaleb Aguilar (left) keeps possession of the ball during the first half of CCC’s 3-1 win against Chabot College at the Soccer Field on Friday.

Comets blank in preseason finale Scoring issues persist as season commences

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Failing to get its first win of the season, the women’s soccer team played Hartnell College and lost 3-0 Wednesday at the Soccer Field.

Contra Costa College (0-7 overall) started off the game allowing Hartnell to score a goal one minute into it on a corner kick by forward Saihra Zamundo, assisted PANTHERS

by Karina Alvarez. That quick goal would be telling for how the rest of the first half would go.

The Comets were COMETS unable to execute offensively and struggled to keep possession of the ball in the first half. They only managed to get three shots on goal for the entire game.

“Our formation and positioning was off in the first half,” coach Amanda Beckenhauer said.

Slow starts have become normal for this Comet team thus far this season.

The Panthers were on an offensive tear, scoring goals in the first minute, another goal in the 19th minute and another in the 45th minute of the opening half.

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CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Comet defender Mary Salazar (right) battles for possession of the ball against a Panther midfielder during CCC’s 3-0 loss to Hartnell College at the Soccer Field on Sept. 17.

The final two goals were scored by Panther forward Vanessa Moreno and wing player Maritza Nava, respectively.

In the second half of the game CCC turned things around and applied better defensive pressure, which allowed them more offensive possessions.

The Comets were still unable to register a goal as the scoring drought continued making it six straight games the women’s soccer team has failed to score.

When asked about the lack of scoring, Communidefender Deanna Guzman said the team cation was needs to shoot more and better be more aggressive.

Defender Daniela than in the Flores-Reyes added, first half.”

“Communication was Daniela better than in the first Flores-Reyes, half.” defender The players were more vocal and their energy was higher during the final 45 minutes of the contest as efforts to stop the Panthers from scoring were a success.

Beckenhauer said the team had been working on long passes offensively to open up more opportunities for the Comets to score.

Bay Valley Conference competition begins this week as the Comets gear up to play Solano Community College today at 3:30 p.m. at the Soccer Field.

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sports

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49ERS DOMINATE IN STRAIGHT SETS Lack of reserves remains a problem for volleyball team

49ERS DEFEAT COMETS

25-11, 25-11, 25-17

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Beginning Bay Valley Conference play, the volleyball team lost in straight sets against the Yuba College 49ers on Friday.

The high-energy Comets came up short of the victory.

The 49ers had their way, sweeping CCC (0-1 in the BVC). The 49ers won the sets 25-11, 25-11, and 25-17. The Comets have been making on-the-fly adjustments since the beginning of the season.

Outside hitter Rachelle Cuevas said, “We just couldn’t cover.”

Yuba executed offensively, throwing stunts and fakes at the Comets. The chemistry was natural among the 49ers.

The Comets would respond with great effort defensively, but the lack of height hurt the squad. Middle backer Valeria Avila sat We played out once again with an ankle injury, which left up to our the Comets vulnerable competidefensively.

CCC struggled to tion.” cover ground in the Zachary game, which allowed Shrieve, Yuba to pick and volleyball choose wherever they coach wanted to place the ball.

The 49ers’ ball control was superb.

They mixed it up with different plays and kept the Comets off balance defensively.

Offensively CCC showed potential but could not execute effectively. The Comet passing game was hit and miss.

Setter Micaela Zaragoza-Soto said that CCC needed better ball control and better passing.

The Comets did not back down from the challenge presented by the 49ers, despite being overmatched.

“We played up to our competition,” coach Zachary Shrieve said.

The squad has some positive things coming for the team this upcoming week. Key defensive player Avila will be back, and the team will put to use a new on-court position.

Shrieve will assign a player as the libero. The libero’s job is primarily defensive, focusing on receiving serves.

The Comets expect the additional role to provide a better defensive attack going forth. The Comets hope to be back at QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE full strength next week. CCC continues conference play at College of Alameda Comet outside hitter Rachelle Cuevas (right) attempts to loft the ball over the net toward 49er outside hitter tonight at 6 p.m.

Victoria Helm during CCC’s loss to Yuba College in the Gymnasium on Friday.

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Football squad bounces back after blowout Offensive rhythm inspires special teams heroics, leads squad to clutch road victory COMETS

43 38 TIGERS

BY Robert Clinton STAFF WRITER

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The football team redeemed itself after last week’s disappointing loss, taking a 211-mile trip to Reedley College (1-2 overall) and holding on for a 43-38 victory in a nail biter on Saturday.

The offense made great strides after its previous performance, completing nine of 17 passes on third down plays. The improvement helped establish a rhythm and cut down on costly three and outs.

The Comets return to action versus Merced College at Comet Stadium on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Against Reedley, quarterback Jonathan Banks continued his influential play, compiling 292 passing yards on 24 attempts. He went on to manufacture six touchdowns, but was also responsible for four turnovers.

“I wanted to get the ball to our playmakers,” Banks said. “And when I saw the pocket collapse I just ran.”

Solid line play paved the way for the Comets (2-1 overall) to rack up 232 total rushing yards. Aggressive play calling allowed the team to tear off four yards on every carry from scrimmage. CCC led 7-3 after the first quarter. The defense

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Playing with purpose is what it’s all about.

It’s about who wants it most, how much does it matter to you — at this point in the schedule everything matters.”

— Alonzo Carter, Comet football coach

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held the Tigers without a touchdown until four minutes were left in the first half.

The Comet second quarter was the polar opposite of what they brought to the game last week. The squad commanded two long scoring drives after being pushed back to their own end zone.

One, a 13-play 92-yard scoring drive, preceded by a 78-yard touchdown strike from Banks to receiver Frank Stephens — a drive that started 99 yards from the end zone. CCC led 20-10 at halftime.

“I just want to thank the offensive line for giving me a chance to get my receivers involved,” Banks said.

Following the break, good fortune continued to flow in the Comet direction. Another touchdown run by Banks, followed by a second Stephens’ TD grab put CCC ahead 34-10.

The Tigers matched CCC’s offensive output for the quarter.

The difference being a spectacu-

lar 98-yard botched Reedley extra point, which was returned by Comet defensive lineman Clarence Corbin.

“Playing with purpose is what it’s all about,” Comet coach Alonzo Carter said.

“It’s about who wants it most, how much does it matter to you — at this point in the schedule everything matters.”

The final quarter saw the Tigers make a push to steal the victory from CCC. But the defense, led by Amari Mount and his five tackles and one sack, was not about to be broken. Chibu Onyeukwu matched Mount with five tackles and one sack of his own.

The Comets’ bend-but-don’tbreak defensive strategy thwarted the Reedley aggressive offensive push. It also gave the Comets the final opportunity to put the game away for good.

CCC sealed the victory with a 2-yard touchdown run by Banks with 2:33 left in the contest.

Football (Sept. 20)

Contra Costa College, Reedley College RC 3 7 13 15 — 38 CCC 7 13 16 7 — 43 First Quarter CCC — Banks 28 yd run. Fonseca kick is good. 4:38 RC— Carter, Chance 34 yd field goal. 7:26 Second Quarter CCC — Stephens 78 yd pass from Banks. Fonseca kick is good. 14:22.

Banks 11 yd run. Fonseca kick is blocked. 6:39.

RC — McLaughlin, Ter 24 yd pass from Stell, Sean Jr. Carter, Chance kick is good. 3:15.

Third Quarter CCC — Banks 5 yd run. Fonseca kick good. 12:41.

Stephens 33 yd pass from Banks. Fonseca kick is good.

5:55.

Corbin 98 yd extra point. 3:56.

RC — Allen, Joshua 5 yd run. Chance kick is blocked. 3:56.

Banks, Dalon 52 yd interception return. Chance kick is good. 2:49.

Fourth Quarter RC— Mathis, Rico Jr 45 yd interception retrun.

Chance kick is good. 2:49.

Kaaihe, Dexmon 43 yd fumble return. 2 pt conversion pass

by Brooks, Elijah is good. 2:39.

CCC — Banks 2 yd run. Fonseca kick is good. 00:06.

Individual statistics Rushing — CCC — Banks 17-103, Ardoin 19-64, Holcombe 14-32, Story Jr. 3-13, Torrez 1-7, Williams 1-3. — RC — Harrison 19-72, Brooks 6-30, Allen 2-5, Stell Jr. 4- -10.

Passing — CCC— Banks 13-24-292, Williams 01-0. — RC — Stell Jr. 16-30-163, Allen 1-6-20.

Receiving — CCC — Stephens 5-195, Barnes 2-53, Taylor 3-25, Hale 1-14, Cornish 2-5. — RC — Araujo-Lopes 6-76, McLaughlin 5-63, Weakley 2-29, Harrison 2-9, Horton 1-4, Chambers 1-2.

Missed field goals — CCC — N/A — RC — Carter 1-1.

Record — CCC — 2-1 overall — RC — 1-2 overall.

ABOVE: Comet running back Marshon Ardoin runs the ball in for a touchdown during CCC’s loss to West Hills CollegeCoalinga at Comet Stadium on Sept. 13.

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Dragon boats fill the bay Photos by: Qing Huang FOR

MORE PHOTOS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: CCCADVOCATE.COM

ABOVE: The front of a dragon boat is on display during the 19th annual San Francisco National Dragon Boat Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco on Saturday.

focus

LEFT: Janet Sok, a Long Beach resident, celebrates with her teammates after competing in the 19th annual San Francisco National Dragon Boat Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco on Saturday.

The festival is the largest competitive dragon boat festival in the U.S., attracting more than 120 teams from all over the nation and even some from Canada compete.

LEFT: Dragon boat teams compete against each other near the Bay Bridge during the 19th annual San Francisco National Dragon Boat Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco on Saturday.

RIGHT: Dragon boat teams paddle against each other during the 19th annual San Francisco National Dragon Boat Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco on Saturday.