The Advocate - Sept. 15, 2010

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B Academic Senate president featured

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Support

Smoking rubber

Squad created to raise morale

Drift series hits Sonoma

VOL. 95, NO. 3 THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Rally helps lift spirit

Temblor rattles locals

COURAGEOUS COMET

Earthquake epicenter located near campus

AfricanAmericans encouraged

By Sam Attal

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

By Janit Saechao STAFF WRITER

For the fourth year, the African-American Male Leadership Conference was held Sept. 8 in the Fireside room.

The meeting is designed to educate and aid AfricanAmerican males, gearing them toward success in both their college careers and the rest of their lives.

Event organizer Athletic Director John Wade said his inspiration for the conference when it first began was the environment on campus, along with events happening in and around the community.

“The goal is to bring as many African-American males on campus together as possible to talk about their responsibilities as young men and encourage them to bring their ‘A’ game to the classroom and college,” Wade said.

Students quickly filled all available seats and some were left standing in the back.

Most attendees were young African-American men from Contra Costa College’s athletics teams.

The conference started off with the showing of “Sister Africa,” a slideshow with pictures of people and places all over Africa. It was followed by the documentary “Bring Your A Game,” a motivational film that features successful AfricanAmerican men encouraging other African-American men to do their best.

Featured at the meeting were guest speakers Chris Chatmon, Ed Reed, and Dr. Mark Alexander, all successful African-American men.

Chatmon stressed his opinion of the three keys to success: “passion, purpose, ■ SEE LEADERSHIP: Page 3

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

A small earthquake with an epicenter located less than half a mile from campus shook the Bay Area on Sept. 2.

The magnitude 3.2 temblor took place at approximately 9:35 a.m. and originated near the Broadway Street and Rumrill Boulevard intersection in San Pablo, said Chris Wills, supervising engineering geologist with the California Geological Survey. It was located on the Hayward Fault, which runs through Contra Costa College.

“It’s one of the more active faults,” he said.

Susan Garcia, public information officer with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Science Center, said although many residents felt and reported the incident, no accounts of damage were given. Garcia Quake said the temblor was a demonstration of a fault’s typical alerts behavior.

While geolo“These are friendly earth- gists warn quakes,” Garcia said. “They of a serious remind people that earth- impending quakes do happen and there’s earthquake, a lot of stuff we can do to Contra prepare for the big one.”

Costa Garcia said although the College smaller shakes may go unno- seems ticed and be forgotten, a large grossly earthquake is expected to unprepared. occur on the Hayward Fault in the next 30 years.

According to the USGS, the last time a major earthquake happened along the Hayward Fault was in 1868 when a magnitude 6.8 temblor hit the Bay Area. Thirty people died and it caused millions of dollars in property damage.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King felt last week’s earthquake in the Student Services Center and said the incident was smaller than what he normally would expect.

“It was kind of a thud,” he said. “It was real quick. Normally, I experience a rolling (sensation) for about 30 seconds.”

The Hayward Fault starts in San Jose and travels north. It runs through Lot 10, Lot 1 and the Bus Transfer Center.

The Student Activities Building, Student Services Center and Gymnasium sit on areas of the Hayward Fault Zone fractures.

King said although the campus is not earthquake-proof, its buildings are strong and some were recently worked on to help them keep stable if a large temblor were

edit orial

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Accomplished — Former student and Comet basketball player Savannah Stewart was sworn in as a Richmond police officer at the Richmond Police Department on Sept. 7.

MEETING HER DREAMS Family, friends elated to see player sworn in as police officer

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

The childhood dream of a former student has been achieved.

Savannah Stewart, who at the age of 5 told her parents she wanted to become a police officer, was sworn in to duty as a Richmond police officer during a ceremony held at the Richmond Police Department on Sept. 7.

Well-wishers consisting of many of Stewart’s family members and friends were in attendance, as well as many of her teammates on the women’s basketball team, coaches and representatives from the Vallejo and Hercules police departments, and from the Contra Costa Community

District Office. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and a few city council members were also present.

Her father, Desmond Stewart, said he was elated by his daughter’s accomplishments as he recounted her childhood.

“When Savannah was 5, she would make paper guns all of the time and watch the movie ‘The Terminator.’ Now that she has become a police officer, words cannot express how I feel,” he said.

It was difficult at first for her mother, Michelle Stewart, to believe that her daughter wanted to become a Police Officer.

“I did not believe her when she was young, yet it hit me that she really meant it when she became a police explorer while in high school,” she said. “She has always ■ SEE STEWART: Page 3

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■ SEE EARTHQUAKE: Page 3

Comets enjoy overdue victory

Sticky fingers — Comets wide receiver Najee Lovett (right) celebrates after catching a deflected ball and scoring a touchdown at Comet Stadium on Saturday. It marked the first time the Comets have won a opener since 2006.

Peninsula College 32-18 at Comet Stadium.

SPORTS EDITOR “It feels good to come out with the victory,” coach Alonzo Carter On Sept. 2, 2006 the Contra said. “This win was good, especially Costa College footfor the players, since ball team defeated Los they are so used to Medanos College 34losing. It’s good for ScoreBoard 26 in its season opener them to have a winComets 32 that year. ning spirit.”

The Comets had The Comets (1-0 Lobos 18 gone exactly four years overall, 0-0 in the Bay and nine days since Valley Conference) Next game: winning their first managed to seal their Friday at Diablo game of the season. first win of the season Valley College, 7 And Saturday the under Carter against p.m. drought ended, as solid the Lobos (0-1 overdefensive play and a all, 0-0 in the Coast late surge from the offense helped Conference) by forcing several turnCCC gain its first win of the sea- overs and running the ball well. son in the opener against Monterey ■ SEE FOOTBALL: Page 3

By Malcolm Lastra

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

CMYK

Works shown

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “I can’t imagine violating the First Amendment by trying to muzzle our students. If we did that, somebody would be hung in effigy.”

Chris Lamb provost and vice president for academic affairs at Middle Tennessee State University 2001 Sam Attal editor-in-chief Dariush Azmoudeh associate editor Lamar James associate editor Cassidy Gooding opinion editor Cassandra Juniel spotlight editor Malcolm Lastra sports editor Alexandra Waite news editor Cody McFarland scene editor George Morin photo editor Christian Soto assistant photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Corrin Bailey Hilberth Ibarra Natalie Estrada Elsie Fuller Cary Gooding April Halog Jermaine Harrison David Kelley III Cheuk Ko Lina Lam Kathryn Moreno Janit Saechao Rodney Woodson Staff photographers Kavion Gordon Qing Huang Adam Oliver Staff illustrators Roy Chan Joel Ode Faythe Del Rosario Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS E-mail: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 VOL. 95, NO. 3 ●

Editorial Preparing needed

Earthquake shows campus what can come

M

any local people felt a temblor on the morning of Sept.

2, when a 3.2 magnitude earthquake centered on the north end of the Hayward Fault shook the Bay Area.

Some were frightened, caught at a loss for what to do, while others were unfazed by the slight shake. Others slept right through it.

Since 2004, various buildings on campus have been works in progress toward earthquake safety. The Library and Learning Resource Center, the Liberal Arts Building and the Student Services Center are just a few of the structures Contra Costa College has recently revamped in its effort to be more prepared for the next quake.

This is because the campus sits directly on top of the Hayward Fault that starts in San Jose and runs through the Berkeley Hills on a path to San Pablo Bay. This puts not only the buildings, but also the people, on campus in a precarious position.

Retrofitting the structures, though a progressive way to be prepared, is only one measure required to truly prevent injury in the case of a serious earthquake. What if this big one, which seismic scientists say is likely to occur on the Hayward Fault in the next 30 years, does damage other than structurally?

The buildings remaining intact in the wake of a quake is all very good, but what if a bookshelf falls on a table of students, or an oven left unattended by fleeing chefs in the Three Seasons Restaurant kitchen explodes?

CCC does not currently have a nurse on call in case of emergencies. When a student gets injured on campus, they’re transported to the nearest hospital. If an earthquake like the one predicted happens, the entire community will be scrambling, and there may not be resources ready to help the injured.

From elementary school, children are told to crawl underneath their desks and grab one of the legs for support during an earthquake. Does this still hold true, or should everyone file out of the retrofitted buildings onto the grounds and wait the shaking out?

Since very few students are aware of the campus’ location on the fault line, and the college makes little effort to direct earthquake-safe procedures, people may be ignorant to the proper way to react. This in itself could lead to someone getting hurt.

One would think that since we live in California, and near a large fault that has the potential to erupt, earthquake safety would be on our minds. One would also assume that a community college with thousands of students in attendance would be appropriately equipped with the medical personnel and services necessary in an emergency situation.

We all need to be prepared for when the big one comes.

FAYTHE DEL ROSARIO AND JOEL ODE / THE ADVOCATE

■ Peer Pressure

Girls eager to please, turn out ashamed

W

e do almost everything with some back thought about gaining acceptance from peers, family and possible lovers. However, sometimes it can be taken to the extreme.

Some people, usually young girls in denial, lose themselves in their search for respect from others. They perform actions that show they are either not thinking for themselves or cause them to lose their integrity.

I have seen this too many times throughout the years.

There are girls I know who only seem interested in what is happening now or in the near future. I also have observed this mentality with the personas I have encountered while browsing several different popular sites like Facebook, Flickr and Tumblr.

I cannot stress how unhappy this makes me. The wanting of trivial attention makes me feel annoyed about it at times. I know someone (we’ll call her Kendra) who always tries extremely hard to make me notice her presence online by regarding nearly everything I have posted or updated for my own interests.

From knowing Kendra personally, I can tell she is doing this to have my affirmation as her friend. I know I should be flattered that someone is trying to place herself in my life, but I am not.

Being a female whose majority of close friends are male, I find actions like this clingy and think it shows little ability for having her

faythedelrosario own personal opinion about any subject.

Quite a number of girls have been using the Internet to follow the most popular trends as closely as they can, or to try to become an expert on things that are overrated, like pop-culture and materialistic ideologies, in the attempt to be well received by the majority of people they know or look up to.

Kendra tends to do this in social situations as well. The 20-year-old woman sleeps with various men. This is a cliché attempt to get the guys to develop feelings and become her boyfriends afterward.

However, this ends with an undesired outcome – people would address her with titles that are not the desired in a “girlfriend.” I used to think that this type of thing was only found in TV dramas and movies, but it’s part of her everyday life.

Girls who are too worried about finding lovers never seem to get to know their current infatuations well enough. They realize too late that they are with unwanted men who cause unnecessary grief and heartache.

Kendra is in the tough situation where the only thing she can do is seek the acceptance that she most likely will not end up obtaining because of her neediness

and actions.

Furthermore, the immature females of our generation actually disregard their stupidity and act stubbornly about it. I cannot possibly believe that someone can be so oblivious to what they are doing.

A mutual friend and I have told Kendra numerous times that what she is doing is not helping anyone out and is damaging her character.

However, she says what we speak is not true. She states that she actually does enjoy what “everyone else” favors, and that her good friends would agree.

The saying, “You’re your own toughest critic” does not apply to this situation. Most of these girls have someone who is willing to be honest with them. Yet, they get angry when someone tries to tell them that what they are doing is not right.

The only way young ladies (and a few men) might stop acting the way they have been is to continue to let them know it is not all right.

One should not have to keep looking for acceptance from other people and should learn to appreciate things for themselves.

If that does not work, then the only alternative is to start ignoring their actions and allow them to realize that insignificant mimicry will not get them more respect, good friends or a respectable relationship.

Faythe Del Rosario is a staff illustrator for The Advocate. Contact her at frosario.advocate@gmail.com.

CampusComment

How do you feel about the epicenter of the earthquake being so close to campus?

“The quake was also a mile away from my house. You can worry about it, but there is nothing you can do about it.”

“It was a wake up call.

It could have been on campus.”

“I didn’t even know it happened.”

“I didn’t care because to me it wasn’t really that big.”

Reggie Tano Chandi Williams undecided

Randi Johnson medical assisting

ROY CHAN AND FAYTHE DEL ROSARIO / THE ADVOCATE

business

“I feel that it is not safe being this close (on campus) to the epicenter.”

Harpreet Chalotra nursing

“It was really scary. If something were to happen, the school would not have been prepared for it.”

Alexa Lara nursing

Tayler Owens liberal arts

CAMPUS BEAT accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Twitter

Receive breaking news and updates by following The Advocate’s Twitter account, AccentAdvocate.

Newsline ■ MEETING

ASU asks for participation The Associated Students Union will host a “Meet the ASU” event Thursday in the Fireside Room from noon to 2 p.m.

The event will give students and ASU members a chance to share questions and concerns they may face.

Light refreshments will be provided.

■ DOCUMENTARY

Movie helps speakers

The documentary “The Real Great Debaters” will be shown in LA-100 at 3:30 p.m. Thursday by the speech department.

Following the documentary will be a presentation

by Eleanor Boswell-Raine, who will speak about communication skills.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Dr. Connie Anderson at 510235-7800, ext. 4544.

■ RESEARCH

Workshop aids students For new Internet users and those seeking help with searching the Web, a workshop will be hosted in the Library Sept. 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Free and open to all students, the workshop will go over general internet usage, navigation and research skills.

■ CAREER FAIR

Information provided The Associated Students Union is teaming up with the Rotary Club to host a career fair in the Fireside Room on Sept. 29 from 12 to 6 p.m.

Students looking for jobs or hoping to obtain information about careers are asked to attend.

CrimeWatch Wednesday, Sept. 1 An officer responded to a report of a group of students smoking marijuana at the creek.

Thursday, Sept. 2 An officer responded to a non-injury accident.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Faculty showcases artwork

3

By Natalie Estrada STAFF WRITER

The Faculty Art Show had everything from beautiful art to those pictures that inspire wonder, held Sept. 9 in the Art Building’s Eddie Rhodes Gallery.

The exhibit began at 4:30 p.m. with food assembled on the table, but only two attendees showed up to the event.

Due to the low attendance, the show ended at 6:30 p.m., an hour in advance of its expected closure.

The first pictures that draw the eye are “Limpir in the Forest” and “Tyson.”

These images are unfocused and made up of archival inkjet print, and involve a human body shape mixed with an animal.

In “Limpir in the Forest,” art department Chairman Eric Sanchez transforms a little girl skipping in the forest into a black cat with a determined face. The yellow haunting eyes glared at any observers in its path.

One person thought the photo was a racial remark, but there is nothing racial about it, Sanchez said.

He said he is looking into the relationship between pet owners and parental practices which is called “Animalia Hybrids.”

Another image that Sanchez displayed in the art show, titled “Tyson,” was of a male baby with the features of a pit bull.

Sanchez said he does not stick to one concept, even

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Eerie details — Art department Chairman Eric Sanchez talks about his piece titled “Tyson” during the Faculty Art Show reception held in the Art Building’s Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Thursday. The show displayed a variety of works such as paintings, sculptures, photographs and digital art. though he moves around art, science, and pop culture. “‘Animalia Hybrids’ refer to when people use their animals as their children. Now you see people using their pets as accessories, replacing their purses,” he said.

A sculpture by art professor Jiajun Lu, titled “Adam and Eve,” consisted of the limbs and headless torsos of a nude man and woman.

“I see my art as my lan-

guage and a way to express myself,” Lu said.

He said he sees his work as a mother sees her child, something that he has created and cares for dearly.

Art professor Donna Fenstermaker said a photograph she submitted was inspired by the place she used to live, and how she remembers it in her mind.

She said when a person leaves somewhere special to

them and comes back years later, it is never the same.

In her piece, Fenstermaker described the life experiences she had in her old town and how everything changed once she moved.

“I wanted to do a piece about something that researches the past,” Fenstermaker said.

At first glance the images in the frame appear to be nothing but scratches.

However, upon further examination, the outlines of a swimming pool and an overlook become evident.

In her collage “Bird on Plate,” Fenstermaker uses different photographs of grass, a bird and a table with utensils to create her work of art.

Contact Natalie Estrada at nestrada. advocate@gmail.com.

Stewart | Sworn in as officer Leadership ■ FROM: Page 1

done everything she was suppose to do and I am so very proud of her.”

Immediately following high school, Stewart enrolled at CCC in 2007, with the intention of majoring in criminal justice and playing on the women’s basketball team.

In May she received her associate degree in liberal arts from the college. In May 2009 Stewart graduated from the police academy at Napa Valley College.

“In her freshmen year, Savannah made the 10-member All-Bay Valley Conference team and averaged more than 14 points a game,” Paul DeBolt, coach of women’s basketball, said. “It showed immediately that she was a special person.

She was very focused, goal oriented and compassionate.”

Her public service work began in high school where she volunteered as a police explorer for the Hercules Police Department. Her commander from Hercules, Bill Goswick, watched her grow and accelerate toward her present position.

In addition to her work as a police explorer for Hercules, she worked in parking enforcement, then went on to the police academy in Napa and is now an officer with RPD, Goswick said.

“She has a good work ethic and carries the determination

and drive to do what is right, no matter what’s at stake. I am very proud of her. She’s going to help the city (Richmond) a lot,” he said.

Stewart was able to participate in an extended police academy program that accelerated her training to nine months, which is not typical of the standard training time.

“I had the opportunity to bypass the entrance application process. My commander, Bill Goswick, told me that there was a spot open and asked if I wanted it. My ‘yes’ was the open door to my future,” Stewart said.

To train at the academy in Napa, Stewart had to temporarily take time off from college and reluctantly leave the basketball team.

“She cried when she went to the academy because she did not want to leave her team,” Teri Williams, assistant coach of women’s basketball, said. “I encouraged her to go the academy. (After graduating), she was able to play for one more year.”

According to Officer Bisa French of the RPD, there are 20 women serving on the force of 193, five of whom are AfricanAmerican. Stewart, who is African-American and only 21 years old, is the youngest police officer on the force.

Stewart said that many individuals along the way have encouraged her; however, other

than her mother, the one person who stood out among everyone else was her former coach.

“There were lots of great professors and coaches that inspired me and showed a lot of love, but the one that made a significant impact in my life was coach Paul DeBolt. He was like a ‘father figure’ to me. Our relationship, as well as with the other players, went further than the basketball court,” Stewart said.

Stewart will officially begin her assignment on Sept. 26. She emphasized that police work is a type of public service that is all about helping others.

“A lot of people don’t know that helping people is what being an officer is about. People will remember you by it. Public service work is a great opportunity to help and is the way I want to be remembered,” Stewart said.

DeBolt said that he is impressed with Stewart’s desire to serve her community, especially at such a young age.

“Savannah wants to give back and help the community.

In five years, if all goes well, she will be a leader on the police force, as she strives to do everything the right way – not to please people, but to just do things right,” DeBolt said.

Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel.advocate@gmail. com.

■ FROM: Page 1

and profession.”

Reed delivered an empowering speech that ended on a positive note.

Student and baseball player Brandon Davis said the conference had a positive effect on the audience and was one of the more upbeat meetings he has been to.

“Feelings fade out, sometimes people forget about motivation, but this conference kicked things off,” Davis said, “I know after this the boys are going to be working really hard, at least for a week.

Hopefully it lasts longer.”

Contact Janit Saechao advocate@gmail.com.

at

jsaechao.

Earthquake ■ FROM: Page 1

to happen. He has confidence that the buildings would withstand another large shock as they did in the magnitude 6.9 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake on the San Andreas Fault when the college remained unscathed.

“These are fairly good structures,” he said.

Recently, the Liberal Arts Building was retrofitted with beams on its outside to help reduce possible damage, King said. The building is to eventually be torn down and be replaced with the Classroom Building.

Along with the LA Building, the Early Learning Center, Library and Learning Resource Center and the Computer Technology Center were all seismically retrofitted as part of the college’s Facilities Master Plan.

Contact Sam Attal at sattal.advocate@gmail. com.

Football | Carter leads squad to win opener ■ FROM: Page 1

Friday, Sept. 3 “I was most happy with the level A petty theft was reported of intensity the team played with,” from the Bookstore.

Athletic Director John Wade said.

“Early in the game it was tenuous A student reported her and I couldn’t see any separation cell phone was lost in the between the teams, but once the Library. second half progressed I began to realize that we were actually going A person was stopped for to win the game.” a traffic violation and it was All of last year and the year prior, determined he was an unli- the team has seemed to struggle censed driver. establishing its offense and making any defensive statements as most Wednesday, Sept. 8 teams were well ahead of the Comets A theft was reported on by halftime. campus.

Against the Lobos, however, the CCC offense was able to score first Thursday, Sept. 9 on its second drive of the game and A person was stopped for managed to control the momentum a traffic violation and it was thereafter. determined he was an unli“We have young guys on this censed driver. offense who are playmakers,” Carter said. “They simply make things hapA person was stopped for pen.” a pedestrian stop and was Defensively, the Comets were found to be in possession of sound, as they hurried MPC’s quarmarijuana. terbacks numerous times, made a total of five sacks, forced fumbles — Cassidy Gooding with jarring hits and reeled in two

interceptions.

“Despite being real young on defense, we played well,” Carter said.

“Although we have talent, we must tighten up on our mental mistakes and clean up our passing coverage.”

The team is known for its offensive line committing a majority of their penalties with mental errors such as false starts and holding penalties, as they managed to have a total of 11 penalties in the game, though the Lobos had 10.

The group hopes to continue its solid defensive prowess and cut down on committing penalties in order to stand a chance in the road game against Diablo Valley College (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the NORCAL Conference) on Friday.

“We could have done better today since we made a lot of mistakes,” first year running back Jimmy Hines said. “We won, but we have to continue to work hard and clean up on mental mistakes.”

Despite coming into the game fired up defensively and scoring the first touchdown, the Comets offense started off slowly as the quarter-

back made rushed inaccurate throws and several dropped balls from the receivers.

“I was pretty nervous coming into this game since it’s my first one at CCC,” freshman quarterback Jeffery Anderson said. “When the offense started getting down I knew we had to get something going for us and not force our defense to be put against the wall.”

The Comets also had a problem with fatigue, especially on defense, as they allowed Monterey Peninsula running back Kyle Graf to break off a 68-yard run, setting up a Lobo touchdown in the third quarter.

“Throughout the game we were pretty fatigued,” Hines said. “One of the things we have to work on in practice is to run more because we got tired.”

The Comet crowd rallied behind the squad as the defense stayed aggressive and pressured the MPC quarterback as the Comets’ offense began to gain momentum.

CCC’s receiving play opened late in the second half, as freshman wide receiver Najee Lovett caught two

touchdown passes, one of which was caught in the end zone after two MPC defensive backs knocked both Lovett and the ball toward the ground.

“I trust my receivers and I know once I throw it up someone is going to get it,” Anderson said. “I’m blessed as a quarterback to have a depth of good receivers.”

Toward the end, the Comets held the Lobos to score only twice in the second half.

Despite the result, both CCC and MPC blocked one another’s extra point kicks five times, with the Comets only able to make one.

The team hopes to minimize its mental errors, stay durable during games and continue to play aggressive to keep the winning momentum throughout the season.

“If the team continues to have a winning presence and the fans come to the games, it boosts up the school’s enthusiasm,” Wade said, “I think the only way you get the old Comet spirit back is by winning.”

Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra.advocate@gmail.com.

4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010

FOCUS

Getting Sideways — Drifter Fredric Aasbo slides his Mark IV Toyota Supra around the track during round six of Formula Drift at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Friday.

Drift vehicles can vary from fourcylinder imports to V8 muscle machines.

SLIDI with

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Dance party — Disc jockey Arnell Benitez mixes a track during round six of Formula Drift at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Saturday.

A happy finish — (L-R) Third place winner Tanner Foust, first place winner Vaughn Gittin Jr competing in round six of Formula Drift at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Saturday. Winne

FOCUS

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

5

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

DING

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

n Gittin Jr. and second place winner Ryan Tuerck celebrate their victories after ay. Winners receive a cash prize and trophy after each round of the series.

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

In tandem — Drifter Daijiro Yoshihara and his V8powered Nissan S13 240sx (right) chase Mike Whiddett and his three-rotor RX8 during a round of competition at Formula Drift in Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway on Saturday.

The winner of each round is determined by the driver’s angle and speed as well as the amount of smoke produced.

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

The man behind the wheel — Second place winner Ryan Tuerck signs autographs for fans during round six of Formula Drift at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Saturday. Attendees were given the opportunity to meet and speak with their favorite drivers.

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Hands up — A crowd cheers on a model as she throws Nos-branded merchandise such as shirts and sunglasses to the loudest fans at round six of Formula Drift at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Saturday.

6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010

CAMPUS BEAT

Spirit raisers found Cheerleading squad formed

By Cody McFarland SCENE EDITOR

After roughly eight years without a cheerleading squad, the college has once again gathered a group of enthusiastic students together in hope to raise spirits in its 60th year.

Bringing back cheerleaders will ultimately provide the college a way to invoke school spirit and celebrate its anniversary, while also providing another extracurricular activity for students to get involved in, college President McKinley Williams said.

“We want to provide students every opportunity available to explore their interests,” he said.

“Starting a cheerleading squad was another attempt at making sure students have a variety of activities to participate in.”

Athletic Director John Wade said the addition of a squad will have a positive effect on the athletics department, that cheerleaders will gather crowd support and influence athletes to do their best.

“Cheerleaders create excitement, get people involved, (and) enhance the college experience,” he said. “I’m very excited about having a cheer squad. It’s long overdue.”

Though cost was a factor, it was not necessarily a budgetary issue that prevented the college from having a squad for so GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE many years, EOPS Manager and Give me a “C” — Cheerleader Monique Sampayo (left) cheers with co-adviser of the squad Vicki cheerleading co-adviser Vicki Ferguson in the Rec Center during the Ferguson said. The real challenge, cheerleading squad tryouts on Sept. 3. she said, was in finding a coach

or teacher with enough time and interest to instruct them.

Not only did many girls approach her showing interest in cheerleading, but Wade and Williams both asked about getting a squad together as well, she said.

“Instructing any team or club is very time consuming,” Wade said. “A lot of teachers can’t put in that time. It’s good to have found some that can.”

Ferguson and marketing and communications coordinator Michele Jackson donned the task of becoming co-advisers of the cheer squad, taking up such responsibilities as planning the tryouts, fundraising and acquiring uniforms.

The tryouts took place in the ASU Recreation Room on Sept.

1-3, a three-day process in which those trying out learned and practiced a routine the first two days and on the third day performed before a panel of judges.

Women trying out were judged on their technique, dancing ability, jumps and spirit, Ferguson said.

“We’re looking for good technique, but most of all we want to see them having fun with it,” she said.

The first tryouts were held in June and judged according to a rubric reused for the second set of tryouts, to ensure fairness, Jackson said.

A total of 10 cheerleaders make up the squad, four selected from the first tryouts and six from the second.

Williams, who had watched the tryouts, said he really enjoyed and appreciated the enthusiasm of those trying out and could see an obvious and strong interest

in becoming cheerleaders among them.

“Some see cheerleading as a small, unimportant thing,” Ferguson said. “Where I come from (Alabama), it’s a sport.

These girls are athletes.”

Ferguson, having cheered in high school and college, said cheerleading is just as demanding as other sports and requires a great deal of time, dedication and ability.

Student Marlisa Wilson said it felt great to make the squad, that the tryouts were fun and she liked the routine. Although she was nervous at first, her anxiety turned into excitement as she performed for the judges, she said.

“I want the squad to be successful,” Wilson said. “I want to make the fans proud, increase their participation and all around boost school spirit.”

Immediately after its formation, the squad was invited to perform off campus at the El Sobrante Stroll. For the time being, however, they are going to “take it slow” and perform almost exclusively at home games, Jackson said. The only exception will be performing at nearby schools, such as Diablo Valley College and Laney College, to show off “that great CCC spirit,” she said.

Football coach Alonzo Carter said he is glad to see cheerleading brought back to CCC. “We definitely want cheerleaders. We need all the school spirit we can get,” he said.

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland.advocate@gmail. com.

Fund increase to support EOPS students

By April Halog STAFF WRITER

Extended Opportunity Program and Services, also known as EOPS, is a statemandated counseling program that provides support for low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. The program was established at Contra Costa College in 1970 after Senate Bill 164 was passed by then Gov. Ronald Reagan in Sept. 1969.

Today, the program still continues to flourish in its promise to help students with its various services and helpful staff. The program offers support services such as book support, scholarships, fee waivers for University of California and California State

University applications and academic and personal counseling.

This fall, the EOPS program has increased the coverage for the book support services from the $225 limit from last spring to $300.

EOPS/CARE Outreach Coordinator Kenneth Reynolds said that this decision was based on the allocation of last year’s budget by the state, as there was extra money to roll over for the fall semester. The state gives the program a set amount, and if any money is left over at the end of the year, it adds to next semester’s budget, he said.

This is a definite help for students, Reynolds said, as the prices for books increase every semester, making it difficult for students to afford them.

Full-time student Julia Carabajal, who joined the program during the summer, said that without the money, “it would’ve been more of a struggle to pay for books.”

The extra money from the state was a needed assistance, since the program underwent a 39.6 percent budget cut, program assistant Chau Tran said.

Approximately 450 students received book support this fall, EOPS program assistant Sarn Saepharn said.

Many more would have received the money, but there was a large number of students that were cut off from the program due to failure to comply with the program’s requirements such as maintaining a 2.0 grade point average for each semester in the program.

Since the budget cuts, the counseling program grants funds to, on average, 550-750 students a semester.

Before the budget cuts, the program used to service an average of 900 students per semester.

This increase is temporary, however, and only for fall semester at the moment, Reynolds said. The program is not sure if it will be able to maintain that budget for future semesters, he said, since the budget is mandated by the state.

There is a possibility to gain the 39.6 percent worth of cuts back to the program if the state is able, however, Reynolds said.

Contact April Halog advocate@gmail.com.

at

ahalog.

Ramos to direct ASU defense class for women in the future. She also hopes to bring a lot of local businesses PHOTO EDITOR and begin to bring local farmers’ markets to the campus.

Kelly Ramos is now the backbone to the Ramos is a very strong woman and has new ASU. an amazing work ethic, ASU president, and Former Student Life Director Jennifer Ramos’ husband, Joseph Camacho said.

Ounjian was assigned the position of interim Ramos has worked with outreach groups senior academic/student services manager at throughout the Bay Area, including Former the district, and in doing so must take a one- Fostered Youth and the Concord and San year leave, leaving the ASU position empty. Francisco Veterans Association, Camacho At the ASU retreat held in the ASU said. chambers, Senior Dean of Students With the low budget, Ramos was Frank Hernandez assigned the student initially nervous with how the ASU life director position over to Ramos, was going to get things going. who was then working at the Financial “But as more time came along, Aid Office.

I realized that the ASU senators Four internal faculty members went have everything in place,” she said. for the position, and one dropped out Ramos “They’re very diligent and a bunch of of the running toward the end for go-getters.” personal reasons, Hernandez said. The four Camacho said his wife’s enthusiasm for members were interviewed by a committee her job is great, and she seems to do it almost to see who was the most fit for the position. effortlessly. “(Ramos) has a great deal of experience “She loves what she does, and I’m very across this campus and would be a great glad to have her as a part of our team,” he addition to the ASU,” Hernandez said. “She said. “It’s like a match made in heaven havhas worked with Financial Aid Office, out- ing her here to help out and push us.” reach, scholarship workshops. I have a lot Ramos said she will be present to advise, of trust in her and in her upcoming endeav- give suggestions and help push the ASU any ors.” way she can.

Ramos has a lot of energy, creativity and “I hope I can maintain and give justice to innovation and is a very competitive person, Jennifer Ounjian’s position until her return he said. Since she has spent a lot of time in in a year. Until then, I hope to help bring the Financial Aid Office helping students, some unity to this college,” Ramos said. she has had a lot of experience with custom- “I’ve worked a lot with other groups around er service and should be able to help students the college and hope we can all collaborate with their questions, Hernandez said. together. I want to find a way to supplicate to She is poised and is very good at articu- the students and collaborate with them.” lating herself and what she wants, which is Director of Financial Aid Viviane something the college needs in a position LaMothe and Leadership Institute member like this, he said.

Lissette Pontier pushed Ramos to get her Ramos spent three years working within resume together and apply for the position, the Financial Aid Office, and also spent time she said. as a student at the college.

Due to a lack of funds, Ramos has been “I have a love and passion for this col- asking for volunteers to help out in the ASU lege,” she said. “My father, Rick Ramos, has chambers. worked here for many years, and I spent a lot “I want to make the ASU a place students of time here as a young student. I’ve always can come to ask questions and feel at home,” been interested in this sort of thing. I spent Ramos said. “I want them to realize that we a lot of time in student government in high are here for them and to help them.” school and different outreach programs.”

Contact George Morin at gmorin.

Ramos hopes to create and add a lot of things to the campus, including a self- advocate@gmail.com.

By George Morin

LAMAR JAMES / THE ADVOCATE

Clubbin’ — Christian Club President Norma Prado and Vice President Ana Ortiz explain the goals of the club to student Tommie McClough during Club Rush in the quad on Sept. 8. The event is hosted by the ASU every semester.

SPORTS

Team lacks Rocky start in need of solid resurgance play T

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

7

A NEED FOR DEFENSE

rodneywoodson

he beginning of fall sports has been disappointing so far for the Comet women’s soccer team. In its first four games the team has yet to score a goal and has given up 20.

Though the defense is showing signs of promise, the lack of offense is holding the Comets back.

Their woes are not due to poor effort, because I have seen game-to-game improvement. What I would love to see is the energy on defense displayed on offense.

In both of their home games, about 90 percent of the game time was played on the Comets’ side of the field.

Comet goalkeeper Maggie Junco has been the team’s most outstanding player so far, especially against Cañada College, diving for balls and shouting out directions while being the anchor of the defense.

Yet when the ball crosses midfield things go awry. It seems that only forward Vanessa Johnson is aggressive in trying to score and maybe two other random players jog gingerly across the field and seldom help out.

Though there are players who still stand out in the Comets’ defeats, I cannot put the blame solely on the few players who do not. The team, however, is showing improvement and an increase in effort.

A key factor in the team’s struggles is due to the handful of players who are academically ineligible, making the Comets have only 13 active players to compete against teams with complete rosters.

Among the active players, there are a few who are new to the sport and are trying to learn the college game.

Coach Nikki Ferguson is optimistic about the team’s performance saying that it will keep getting better as long as the squad keeps playing hard and performing with passion.

I hope so, because I would like to report something positive about the team after a game instead of just the Comets being shut out.

A majority of Comet sports teams have been dismal in recent years, and the addition of new coaches on the football and volleyball teams might help turn CCC’s athletic misfortunes around.

As far as the women’s soccer team, I believe they will continue to get better over time. Ferguson is doing a good job improving the team so far, but it is a process.

Hopefully they can turn things around by the start of conference play and put some wins together.

Rodney Woodson is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at rwoodson. advocate@gmail.com.

Squad suffers second defeat against Colts

By Rodney Woodson STAFF WRITER

Tougher defense and a more physical playing style did not equal a win for women’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson and the Comets, GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE as they are “struggling with Kicking around — (L-R) Midfielder Daisy Huizar and defender Teressa Jimenez try to defend (middle) competing” after their 5-0 loss to Cañada College on Cañada College midfielder Doris Vargas at the soccer field on Sept. 7. The Comets lost 5-0 in their second game against the Colts after they displayed a lack of offensive coordination.

Sept. 7. minor right thigh injury after The Comets (0-4-0 over- pletely played on Contra the Comets’ only shot of the ing was called.

The defensive battle the game. all, 0-0-0 in the Bay Valley Costa College’s side of the game.

The pushing and shoving ended with a corner kick Ferguson said the team Conference) were much field.

Comet goal- was evidence of Ferguson’s that was shot in by Colt had a few players playing more physikeeper Maggie game plan to play physical Alexandria Warren, which with pre-existing injuries cal against the Junco recorded and with passion, resulting was deflected in by Comet that were aggravated during Colts (2-0-0 ScoreBoard nine saves and in multiple bodies hitting the midfielder Alexandra Waite the previous game. overall, 0-0-0 made some turf. Puhido hit the ground while trying to make a save.

He does not feel the in the Coast Colts 5 great plays hard after colliding with a This goal was the first in a Comets need to change Conference: Comets 0 while the Colts Cañada player while push- string that Cañada scored on much about their game play, N o r t h were driving ing toward the goal in the three out of four shots. but the team just needs to Division) Next game: The frustration was visi- play with more passion and toward the goal. first half. than they Today vs. San She sat out with an undis- ble in the actions of Johnson, compete to the best of their With the Colts were the preFrancisco, 3 p.m. reeling off 22 closed left shoulder injury as he went back and forth abilities. vious week shots compared but returned later in the sec- arguing with a linesman There are a lot of players against San after a controversial call. to just one from ond half. new to the sport of soccer Joaquin Delta Shortly after, Comet as well as a few players The beginning of the secthe Comets, College when however, it was difficult for ond half was a stalemate, as defender Moni Rodriguez who are not playing due to they were defeated 8-0. the physical play continued. fell to the ground after sus- eligibility, he said, but they Midfielder Daisy Huizar CCC to stay in the game.

The Comets allowed Cañada defender Nicole taining her third leg cramp are getting better, and he’s and defender Lizette Puhido happy about the improveled the charge defensively 10 shots in the first half, Hoffert fell hard while chas- late in the second half.

Huizar said that after ments that the team is makfor the Comets, with for- which produced two goals ing a ball toward the sideline ward Vanessa Johnson in for Cañada by forward after colliding with Johnson, being down two at the half, ing. there was no need for change Vanessa Garcia and mid- yet there was no penalty. control of the front end.

Contact Rodney Comet midf ielder and that they just wanted With the lack of inten- fielder Cythnia Mora.

Huizar’s shot off the Angelina Peña fell from a to continue playing hard. Woodson at rwoodson. sity on offense, however, the first half was almost com- crossbar in the first half was hard bump as well and noth- She also said that she had a advocate@gmail.com.

Rams buck Comets to win 4-2 Constant errors hurt squad in loss

By Dariush Azmoudeh ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Comets took on one of the top men’s soccer teams in California Friday but found trouble in their own defense, which resulted in a 4-2 home loss to Fresno City College.

In the first half, both teams were playing with the same rhythm and were offensively equal except for the halftime score of 3-2 in favor for the Rams (3-2-1 overall, 0-0-0 in the Central Valley Conference).

After taking an early goal in the fourth minute of the second half, the Comets (1-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 in the Bay Valley Conference) began to struggle on both ends of the field, but mainly on defense. They were defending poorly and making too many passing mistakes.

“We let them play all over us.

We didn’t pressure them enough.

(We needed) more communication, effort and take (the game) more

serious,” Comet midfielder Jaime “They’re a good team,” DaSilva Sahagun said. “They are a good said. “We kept up with them until team, and we knew (that). We their fourth goal.”

On the Rams’ offense, forward played good, but we made mistakes Eligio Morales was the name that that cost us the game.”

After the loss to kept causing trouble for the Comet defense Fresno, the Comets ScoreBoard by exploiting its left look to fix their side and finding a clear defense and turn their Rams 4 pathway to the CCC bad luck around in Comets 2 goal. their next game on He played a huge Friday at home at 4 role on all four of p.m. against Chabot Next game: Fresno’s goals by scorCollege (2-2-0 overFriday vs. all, 0-0-0 in the Coast ing one and getting the Chabot, 4 p.m.

Conference: North assists on the others.

Division).

Comet goalkeeper Kevin Esquivel had six The Comets’ offense kept up with the Rams in saves in the game. the first half, with both teams taking “We’re having a tough time playseven shots each, but the second half ing as a team,” Comet coach Rudy told a different story. Fresno outshot Zeller said. “We’re playing indithe Comets 8-1 in the second half. vidually, not getting our marks right Comet forward Iury DaSilva or organizing our defense.” scored the team’s tying goal, hitAlong with defensive organizating the ball off his head on the tion and working as a team, he said 25th minute from a lob pass by the Comets need to improve on their midfielder Cassius Botelho. CCC’s energy, speed and winning loose second goal came toward the end of balls. the first half, on a shot by forward He said the two goals the team scored were flashes of good work, Daniel Ramirez.

Box scores Football (Sept. 11)

Men’s soccer (Sept. 10)

Monterey Peninsula, Contra Costa Monterey Peninsula 6 6 12 18 — 18 CCC 6 12 19 32 — 32 First Quarter CCC — Hines 9 yd run (kick blocked) 11:50.

Monterey Peninsula — Davis 11 yd pass from Connors (kick blocked) 8:46.

Fresno, Contra Costa Fresno 3 CCC 2

Second Quarter CCC — Hines 7 yd run (kick blocked) 9:08.

Third Quarter Monterey Peninsula — Graf 2 yd run (kick blocked) 6:37.

CCC — Hal 19 yd fumble return (Munguia kick) 3:07.

Fourth Quarter Monterey Peninsula — Graf 7 yd run (kick blocked) 14:56.

CCC — Lovett 59 yd pass from Anderson (Munguia kick) 14:36.

CCC — Lovett 15 yd pass from Anderson (kick blocked) 9:03.

Individual statistics Rushing — Monterey Peninsula — Graf 20-126, Connors 5- (-10), Gordon 2-32, Fales 4-18, Farias 1-4. — CCC — Green 20-86, Hines 8-29, Burden 2-2, Allen 6-24, Anderson 4- (-7).

Passing — Monterey Peninsula— Connors 6-10-1 63, Fales 10-13-1 81. — CCC — Anderson 7-13-0 117, Keyes 13-0 18, Tobler 0-1-0 0.

Receiving — Monterey Peninsula — Graf 3-20, Chernetsky 3-37, Davis 1-11, Farias 4-52. — CCC — Green 2-19, Allen 1-9, Hines 1-12, Burden 1-10, Williams 1-7, Lovett 2-74.

but it needs consistency in playing.

“We learned a pretty good lesson in this game,” Comet defender Juan Acosta said. “We’ve got to control our tempers and get the quick touches.”

In the past four years the teams have met four times, with the Rams winning three of those games.

Over the years, Fresno City has proven to be a powerful force by consistently being one of the top teams in the state and making it to the playoffs.

Last year, the team was ranked No. 5 statewide and made it to the semifinals of the State Tournament.

“I always choose to play Fresno because they’re always one of the top teams,” Zeller said. “They have always been a tough team.”

Zeller said playing a tough team, such as Fresno, shows him where his team is in terms of quality of play.

“It’s a way to measure a team, and we’re not measuring up,” he said.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Game of the Week Volleyball

1—4 0—2

First Half 1, Fresno, McEowen 13 (Morales), 9th minute.

1, CCC, DaSilva 9 (Botelho), 25th minute.

2, Fresno, Amarillas 7, 29th minute.

3, Fresno, Morales 11, 32nd minute.

2, CCC, Ramirez 16, 44th minute.

Second Half 4, Fresno, Montellano 22 (Morales), 49th minute.

Yellow Cards CCC, Juan Acosta, 16th minute.

CCC, Alex Duenas, 62th minute.

Individual statistics Goals — Fresno — McEowen, Amarillas, Morales, Montellano. — CCC — DaSilva, Ramirez.

Assists — Fresno — Morales 2. — CCC — Botelho.

Shots on goal — Fresno — 10. — CCC — 3.

Saves — Fresno — Martinez 1. — CCC — Esquivel 6.

Record — Fresno — 3-2-1 overall, 0-0-0 in CC:ND. — CCC — 1-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 in BVC.

Schedule Football at Diablo Valley College, Friday 7 p.m.

Men’s soccer vs. Chabot College, Friday 4 p.m.

Missed field goals — Monterey Peninsula — None.

— CCC — None.

Women’s soccer vs. City College of San Francisco, today 3 p.m.

Record — Monterey Peninsula — 0-1 overall, 0-0 in Coast. — CCC — 1-0 overall, 0-0 in BVC.

Women’s volleyball at Napa Valley College, Friday 6 p.m.

Contra Costa College VS.

College of Alameda When: Sept. 24, 6 p.m.

Where: Gymnasium Records: CCC 0-0 overall, 0-0 in the BVC. Alameda 0-0 overall, 0-0 in the BVC. Background: The Comets open up Bay Valley Conference play coming off a tough scrimmage against the College of Marin on Sept. 8. CCC displayed troubles in communication and inconsistency between sets. The Cougars have been the only team that CCC has managed to defeat in the past two years, holding a 3-1 record against them. The Comets are hoping to start the season on a good note with a win under new coach Zachary Shrieve. CCC finished the 2009-2010 season with a 1-15 overall record, 1-15 in the Bay Valley Conference, which placed them last in the conference. Alameda finished second to last in the BVC going 2-17 overall, 2-14 in the BVC last year. CCC also enters the season with a team full of new faces as there are no returnees from last season to the team.

— Malcolm Lastra

8 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed

Movies

This week: “The Town” (R) “Never Let Me Go” (R) “Alpha and Omega” (PG) “Easy A” (PG-13) “Devil” (PG-13)

DVDs

This week: “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (PG13) “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 5” (NR) “Letters to Juliet” (PG) “Paper Man” (R)

CDs

New releases: Linkin Park: “A Thousand Suns” Trey Songz: “Passion, Pain And Pleasure” Of Montreal: “False Priest” Weezer: “Hurley” Brandon Flowers: “Flamingo”

Games

New releases: Halo: Reach (XBOX360 - M) Swords (Wii - T) Intellivision Lives!

(DS - E) Prison Tycoon: Alcatraz (PC - T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

l WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010

SCENE

Social icons shown in art Bay Area event exhibits Akers’ ceramic pieces

By Cassidy Gooding OPINION EDITOR

Richard Akers, Contra Costa College’s Academic Senate president, was featured at San Francisco’s first Ceramics Annual of America exhibition and fair Sept. 10-12.

Held in the Herbst Pavilion of Fort Mason, the exhibition played host to hundreds of pieces of ceramic art, including those of Akers.

“San Francisco is trying to become the ‘City of Clay’,” Akers said, similar to the way Seattle is known as the “City of Glass” or Paris is revered for its painters. Even though he’s attended and shown works in many shows all over the world, Akers commended the CAA as the best show he had seen dedicated solely to ceramics.

With a turnout of hundreds of people over a three-day period, the fair displayed all sorts of pottery, from huge statues to small figurines. Akers’ pieces, which he calls “Sociological Stalagmites,” towered over the rest of the works, reaching about 7 feet in height.

“My works feature layers of icons from society,” Akers explained. Totem-pole like in design, the “stalagmites” rise from the ground in separate and connected pieces, fashioned together with metal hooks.

Into each block are carved said icons, which included the familiar faces of Arnold Schwarzenegger, George W.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Testament — Academic Senate President Richard Akers presents a ceramic tower at the Ceramics Annual of America exhibit in San Francisco on Sept. 11. The piece, titled “Cores from Ground Zero,” features dual towers paying tribute to the 9/11 tragedy.

Bush and other political figures, as well as religious symbols and objects like computer keyboards, guns, television remotes and hand cuffs.

“All the pieces really flow together well,” San Francisco resident and ceramics student Rex Dacanay said. “For such big works of pottery, the tiny details and bigger messages really blend pretty seamlessly.”

During the show, fans and connoisseurs were welcome to admire or purchase the varied pieces. Prices ranged from $50 to $25,000. Akers’ three

pieces were tagged at $18,000, $19,000 and $20,000.

“At an international show in Hong Kong last year,” Akers said, “I made $25,000 before lunch.” This show, however, he was not so successful. Though he said he was received very well, not one of the towers were bought by the patrons of the exhibit — a great disappointment, considering the money Akers invested into showing his work.

Though disheartened, Akers said, “When you’re an artist, that’s the way it is. This is a dif-

‘Madden’ tweaks winning formula any game. Gamer complaints have led the company to issue

By Rodney Woodson a game update to fix these STAFF WRITER glitches by early October.

This is still a game worthy With another installment in of purchase even with the the Madden NFL game franchise, developer EA Sports has dismal changes. The graphics have been upgraded, giving the outsmarted itself. While addplayers a more realistic look, ing new features on “Madden in addition to the new player 11” to speed the game up, it motions. The improved changed a lot of things that faithful Madden gamereview presentation solidifies the visual effects, makfans have grown to love. ing this the most realisThe addition of tic looking Madden to “Gameflow” allows date. players to push a button The franchise mode and have the computer “Madden 11” is still fun giving you call a play for them. ★★★★★ This feature is effective Studio: EA Sports a nice glimpse of what it is like to run an NFL in shortening game time Genre: Sports team. by calling plays strategi- MSRP: $59.99 However, I would like cally without necessitatto make one suggestion: ing the gamer to choose stop putting the NFL’s plays based on his or elite players on the cover of her own tactical rationale.

EA Sports also added “auto Madden releases. Every year sprint,” which allows the com- since “Madden 2001,” with former running back Eddie puter to determine when you should run fast or not. In addi- George, the player on the cover has sustained an injury durtion to changing the audible ing the season. This has been and “hot route” systems, EA has unnecessarily changed key known in the football world as “The Madden Curse.” features of the game.

The curse has caused cer“Gameflow” takes the strattain players, such as running egy out of the game, which back LaDainian Tomlinson, to is a key reason for its popudecline appearing on the cover. larity. It is a good thing that Call it superstition, but check “Gameflow” is an optional the facts; numbers do not lie. feature.

This cover has Super Bowl While EA Sports added all of these features, it left out the XLIV MVP Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. emphasis on the most imporWhy not just put John tant aspect of any game: the game play. The artificial intel- Madden on the cover? The only way he’ll get hurt is ligence has taken two steps backward. Half of the time the by stepping off the Madden defenders are out of position or Cruiser and if that happens, so be it. At least the NFL’s star they are missing tackles.

This makes it nearly impos- players will no longer be at risk. sible to stop the characters of running backs Chris Johnson Contact Rodney Woodson at and Adrian Peterson, who can rwoodson.advocate@gmail.com. very easily run for 350 yards in

Of his 15 pieces, one of the three Akers brought along with him is a testament to the American tragedy of Sept. 11. Many of the images in his double towers, named “Cores from Ground Zero,” speak reminiscently of the terrorist attack. And mixed in with the flames and police badges and visage of Osama Bin Laden is Superman’s iconic symbol.

“Superman was the hero of my day,” Akers said. “We didn’t have 9/11. We didn’t have Osama or Bush. We had Superman, and he always saved the world.”

“I like how they all tell a story,” San Francisco resident Sue Fox said of Akers’ works. “Or many stories, actually. I like the way the technology and religion are put together on the same level, because there are so many ways that they’re the same thing these days.

“I’m really sick of hearing about religion, so I usually tune that stuff out, but it’s more subtle here. I’m not beat over the head with it, and since it doesn’t step out so aggressively at me, I like to see it. I want to listen.”

The definition of a “ceramic” object is something made with clay and hardened by heat. After each piece is detailed to the artist’s liking, it is placed in a kiln to solidify. This process, when done right, makes the piece very durable.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in South America and China, and was very impressed by their ruins. Some people say that my work looks very ‘Mayan,’” Akers said, “And they are similar; I took the idea of making ‘ruins’ out of contemporary icons and elements of our society.”

In this way, he put a modern spin on ancient works of art.

“We wouldn’t know anything about ancient cultures — or even that they were there – but for these ruins,” Akers said. “And ceramics last. These will be the ruins of our society.”

ficult league to be playing in, and a tough economic market at this time.”

Even though he didn’t make any commissions, Akers was offered paid teaching workshops and countless compliments. He said the trip wasn’t a total waste. He’s even excited to play a more elaborate part in the second show next year.

“As next year will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I’d Contact Cassidy like to see if I can get a special show,” Akers said. “9/11 is the Gooding at cgooding. central theme in a lot of my advocate@gmail.com. works.”

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