The Advocate - Oct. 6, 2010

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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Squads determined

Soccer teams strive for positive seasons

SINCE 1950 12 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

campus beat ◆ page 8

Snitching Forum evokes open thought

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sports ◆ pages 6-7

focus ◆ page 12

Paddlers compete Dragon Boat Festival celebrates culture

VOL. 95, NO. 5 THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

New law ensures entry

Dean takes open spot

Degree to clear path into CSU in brief

Elliott shifts roles, sees new campus

By Sam Attal

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

By Cassidy Gooding OPINION EDITOR

Next week, Contra Costa College will be lending one of its most dedicated administrators to its sister school, L o s Medanos C o l l eg e , for a ninemonth period.

Elliott Te r e n c e The Natural, E l l i o t t , Social and dean of the Natural, Applied Social and Sciences Applied dean will Sciences be taking Division, an interim will head position over to at Los LMC to Medanos fill in as College. the interim senior dean of instruction until the end of June.

With educational roots in the Bay Area extending to degrees from San Francisco State, Dr. Elliott started as a part-time faculty member at CCC 16 years ago. In 1997, he and African American studies professor Carolyn Hodge were hired full time to co-chair and revamp the withering African American studies department on campus.

The duo, both with degrees from SFSU and holding similar philosophies on how to revitalize African American studies, collaborated to give the department a new face while it was being threatened by the recent death of its former long-time chairman Fritz Allen.

“When I first met Terence there was an instant connection, and I was so excited that we would be working together,” Hodge said. “His seriousness and our simi■ SEE ELLIOTT: Page 4

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Smart cookies — Culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes prepares cookies as students watch him in the Three Seasons Restaurant Thursday.

Challenging the standard Chef

Sharkes focuses on basics to refine culinary lessons

By Cody McFarland SCENE EDITOR

Over the past five years the culinary arts department at Contra Costa College has been completely refreshed, shifting from a limited curriculum to a multi-faceted program built around fundamentals.

The department began its transformation in 2005 when chef Nader Sharkes was hired as culinary arts department chairman.

Sharkes has done everything to revitalize the culinary arts department, from refining curriculum and updating equipment to leading the transition “from fried food to fine dining,” culinary arts professor James Fink said.

“Before it was bagged fries and frozen hamburgers, now everything is prepared fresh daily,” he said.

After working at Diablo Valley College for 16 years, Sharkes said he felt there were no more challenges left for him there, and came to work at CCC. “I like challenges. They’re what make me happy,” he said.

It was his goal to rejuvenate the culinary arts department on campus, which at the time was “not so hot” and had problems with retention, he said.

Since his arrival, Sharkes has procured new equipment, including refrigerators, multimedia supplies and a catering van. He added the Express Café to the Three Seasons Restaurant and

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills last week that will help pave a smoother road for students planning to transfer from a community college to a four-year university.

On Sept. 29, Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1440, a law that will require the California State University system to accept students who obtain a transferspecific associate degree from one of the state’s 112 community colleges.

SB1440, known as the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, is planned to go into effect beginning fall 2011 and will give students status as juniors in the CSU system, said Chris Chavez, president of the California State Student Association.

Also signed the same day, Assembly Bill 2302 forces the University of California system to look into the implementation of a program resembling the type the CSU system will follow.

“Creating the transfer degree will help enormously, it will be the biggest boost for students,” said Jo Volkert, associate vice president for enrollment management at San Francisco State.

“There has been a lot of effort put behind this legislation.”

The transfer degree will be given to students who complete a 60-unit curriculum of general education courses of which 18 units must be in a specific field of study or major, Academic Senate President Richard Akers said.

Students will not be guaranteed admission into the CSU of their choice, but will be given priority to their local campuses, Volkert said.

Contra Costa College students who receive the degree will be given priority to San Francisco State and Cal StateEast Bay. Students will still need to apply to be accepted into individual departments at their campus, she said.

Students may apply into other areas if denied acceptance into a

■ SEE SHARKES: Page 4

✔ Governor Schwarzenegger signed in SB1440 and AB2302 on Sept. 29 ✔ SB1440, known as the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, gives students status as juniors in the CSU system. ✔ AB2302 pushes the UC system to begin designing a similar program ✔ Students who complete 60 units as set out by the degree road map, with 18 units from a specific field are guaranteed admission to the CSU system ✔ Students from our district will get priority to only SFSU and Cal StateEast Bay, not the CSU of their choice ✔ SB1440 is planned to go into effect beginning the fall semester of 2011

■ SEE TRANSFER: Page 4

Seminar teaches better, safer sex

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Engaged in pleasure — Sex educator Jo-El Schult goes over the secrets and myths behind lovemaking during the Have Better Sex event in the Fireside Room Thursday.

More than 50 people learned the physiology behind pleasure during the first Have Better Sex event put on by the ASU in the Fireside Room on Thursday.

A sex educator working on behalf of Good Vibrations, an adult toy store, gave a presentation that covered the anatomy of female and male genitalia, detailed the science behind sexual arousal and stressed the importance of safe sex.

“It was a good open group,” sex

educator Jo-El Schult said. “There was a level of comfort and (the audience) felt open and safe enough to share personal experiences.”

Instead of diss u a d i n g “Sex is always students so taboo, but from havignorance is ing sex, the event not bliss” promoted partners Angela Whiteside, pleasing ASU vice president of each other ambassadors in a safe, healthy and fun way. To give the audience a better understanding of what goes on leading up to and during an orgasm, ■ SEE SEX: Page 4

CMYK

‘Good Vibrations’ extends expertise

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “A newspaper...should tell the truth as only intellectual honesty can discern the truth. It should do what is in conscience needful and right.”

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 VOL. 95, NO. 5 ●

Editorial Attendees satisfied

James M. Cox politician, newspaper executive 1939 Sam Attal editor-in-chief Dariush Azmoudeh associate editor Lamar James associate editor Cassidy Gooding opinion editor

Relevent topics spark interest in student body

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 Hilberth Ibarra Natalie Estrada Cary Gooding April Halog Jermaine Harrison Cheuk Ko Lina Lam Janit Saechao Rodney Woodson Staff photographers 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, OCT. 6, 2010

N

o more than a year and a half ago, Charity Ruth Edmondson, an ASU senator at the time, spoke at a Women’s History Month Fireside Chat where absolutely no one attended.

Fast forward to Sept. 22, when Edmondson addressed an audience that was nearly over capacity during the “Snitching: Question and Answer” forum held in the Fireside Room. The forum was the first event put on by a new club called Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders, for which Edmondson is the president. The club aims to change students’ lives for the better and help out in the community.

The drastic change in attendance and attitude toward recent ASU events and events put on by student clubs like TSTL show that these groups are putting in a great deal of effort to create and promote strong gatherings with topics that appeal and relate to students in this community.

The ASU and student clubs need to continue promoting these types of events that deal with various important issues.

The events have not only allowed students to speak their minds, but also to acquire information they may not have already known. Many students shared their satisfaction with the event which gave them a chance to hear what experts had to say about snitching. The students were also heard and had their questions answered. “(The snitching forum) was definitely beneficial and the college should hold more,” nursing major Joanne Watts said. “A lot of people are not as informed. The more events that come, the more people will learn.”

During the previous ASU president’s tenure, the ASU was filled with apathetic members unwilling to advertise their events weeks in advance and generate topics that appeal more to students. Those members later paid the price with little to no one in attendance at their events throughout the year.

This semester, the ASU was given a major overhaul by President Joseph Camacho and has been reaching out to students through its Facebook page by inviting hundreds of people to events and conducting polls to get an idea of what topics Contra Costa College students are most interested in.

By the looks of the snitching forum and the Students Living Well: Have Better Sex event held on Thursday, which attracted another large crowd, the new promotional methods appear to be successful.

The ASU and student clubs should be applauded for their efforts to lead in a new direction. They are holding engaging events where students want to voice their thoughts about issues that matter to them outside of the classroom.

JOEL ODE / THE ADVOCATE

■ Success

Enjoying life proves grandest intention

‘B

ut I don’t want comfort... I want ... poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom. I want goodness. I want sin. Not to mention the right to grow old and ugly and impotent; the right to have syphilis and cancer; the right to have too little to eat; the right to be lousy; the right to live in constant apprehension of what may happen tomorrow; the right to catch typhoid; the right to be tortured by unspeakable pains of every kind... I claim them all.”

The former is a quote by the savage from the book “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. It is also a quote that I stand by.

The right to the unknown, the right to fail, and the right to be lost.

All too often do I hear the words of my family telling me to get my life together and have direction.

But what if I don’t have that direction or that plan yet? What if that is not what I choose to seek? The hunger for success and getting on with your life has never been my main desire.

I’m not saying that I don’t consider ever having my head in some kind of direction, but to say that direction is my ultimate route to what I truly wish to be is far from the truth.

It has never been in my persona to be a confident man who has his life all planned out. Besides my love for photography and human experience, I’ve never been too sure of what I’ve wanted.

But who does?

One night at the dinner

anything else. It removes the human spirit, and makes us focus on the end result too much. Rather than looking at how we feel at the moment and what we want out of the present, we look at what we are supposed to need. table I watched my mom as We’re too wired into makshe drew on a napkin while ing everything perfect and we ate dinner. Never knowrefining everything, making ing in my 20 years of life sure we don’t look bad. that she had the capability to We need to take time to draw with such precirealize that we are sion and flow, it broke constantly changSuccess me down to believe ing and growing she never was open as people, and that about it. what me may enjoy is As I pestered her and love today may about where and change something significantly when did she learned tomorrow. to draw, she told me to be lost you should andSoconfused about how in the with Philippines as a child what you want for she used to spend the make the yourself is undermajority of her time standable. Find drawing in class, but definition your calling, your her mom told her it hobby, what makes wouldn’t get her any- for, not you smile and conwhere in life. So she tinue to do it until stepped away from everything what you itoutdrains pencil and paper to of you. Success focus on her studies. is something you To see my mother read in a should make the at her age now lookdefinition for, not ing back and reflect- dictionary. what you read in a ing on the fact that dictionary. she never stayed with trying Even if I don’t make it to to develop her talent, made this thing seen as success, at me so confused and almost least I’ll be happy knowing even angry with her. that I lived my life.

I couldn’t understand how And I hope to never see one would give up something myself at 45 sitting in my they enjoy to merely be suc- two-story house with my cessful in society. This pres- wife and kids, and our new sure even extends today to be minivan saying to myself better and to keep up.

“Where did my life go?”

It’s understandable advice, George Morin is the photo but when this is impacted editor of The Advocate. into a children’s minds their Contact him at gmorin. entire lives, I feel it makes advocate@gmail.com. us more mechanical than

georgemorin

CampusComment

Do you think snitching is acceptable?

“I think it is acceptable, because without snitching it would be hard to find the perpetrators.”

“Yes, if they were breaking the law to any extent.”

“Yes, if it is necessary.”

Irena Tabor MCHS

“Snitching on crime offenders is fine, but (whether it’s acceptable) is too situational.”

Renita Thomas Tom Vilaivilai sociology

ROY CHAN / THE ADVOCATE

early childhood development

Ben Hayung nursing

“No, I think people should mind their own business.”

“Yes, in certain situations involving loved ones.”

Tara Jones

Tiffany Baptiste

anthropology

nursing

FORUM

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

3

That’s Debatable ■ PRO

Should snitching be avoided?

Snitching offers felons freedom

Police informants aid crime-fighting

Network of whistleblowers used by crooks

R

ecently, a refusal from members of the community to inform police of criminal behavior has gained prominence, particularly in urban and inner-city neighborhoods.

This act, commonly known as snitching, has spawned a social phenomenon of disapproval that takes root in prison and organized crime culture, as well as hip-hop culture.

The arguments for and against snitching ultimately boil down to ethics, which vary from person to person. Some believe snitching in any form is wrong.

Others see varying degrees of informing police, some that qualify as snitching and some that do not. The most common definition of a snitch is someone who gives information to police for money or disciplinary leniency.

In an article titled “Bait and Snitch” that appeared in the online magazine Slate, author Alexandra Natapoff takes a stance against snitching, stating that it is a danger responsible for “producing bad information, letting criminals off the hook and inciting violence and distrust in vulnerable neighborhoods.”

Money or a shortened jail sentence should not be used as prizes for information.

Law officials should not trust convicted criminals, drug addicts in particular, as they may mislead an investigation or frame an innocent party.

The incentive should remain the good of the community. Money and benefits leave room for desperate accusations to provide criminals a way to escape full responsibility. Take those incentives away and see how many informants continue to cooperate.

A 2004 study by the Northwestern University Law School’s Center on Wrongful Convictions showed 46 percent of wrongful death penalty convictions are due to snitch misinformation.

The decision of who gets to inform in exchange for leniency is “often tilted toward higher-ranking veteran criminals who can tell prosecutors what they want to know,” reported by Laurie Cohen in a 2004 edition of the Wall Street Journal.

In this case, lesser criminals are handed to officials to serve full sentences while bigger criminals go free.

By keeping his mouth shut, a witness looks out for his family while embracing the moral idiom to treat others as you would like to be treated; in this case, not snitching because he does not want his family or himself to be snitched on. Being an informant poses risks, not only to the informant, but to his or her family as well.

■ CON

Outlaws apprehended with help from cooperatives codymcfarland

cassandrajuniel

Cody McFarland is scene editor of The Advocate. Contact him at cmcfarland. advocate@gmail.com

W

hen you typically hear the word “snitch,” there is a sense of the word having a negative connotation. In some ways, it may be that someone you know may have “snitched” on another; in other words, an informed person tells another about something someone did or said and was not supposed to.

Yet, before you consider the act of snitching to only mean something negative, you should understand what the word really means, and how local and national agencies can benefit from snitches.

Snitching is a slang word dating back to the 18th century. The dictionary defines it as “to inform on someone.”

Experienced local and national prosecutors and police officers contend that informants are invaluable investigative tools.

At the national level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that it employs 15,000 secret informants and the Drug Enforcement Administration has about 4,000 at any given time. You would consider the numbers noted above as a lot of “snitches.” However, when used at these levels, it is obvious that they are definitely needed.

Paid informants are mostly used in narcotic busts.

Law enforcement agencies are cautious about the use of informant information, and many do not allow informants to testify in court.

Instead, they are more likely to ask informants to help make a case, such as by introducing an undercover officer to a drug dealer.

A case where an informant was used in Jacksonville, N.C., last year brought great results.

A key informant was used in a huge federal drug sweep. Although the informant was wanted by police for assault charges, the results of receiving information from him were positive, with 45 suspects being charged with 394 felonies.

Officials conducted a national undercover operation from late 2008 to early 2009. Most of the suspects arrested as part of the operation pleaded guilty to drugrelated charges resulting in a few prison sentences.

Whether or not you consider “snitching” to be right or wrong, perhaps you may want to consider a case that drew local and national attention in October 2009.

A 16-year-old Richmond High School student was gang raped, beaten and robbed, as well as dehumanized, for approximately two and a half hours during a homecoming dance in a darkened alley near the school. As many as 20 individuals watched and/or were involved in the rape, which was a horrendous act. Additionally, there were many who chose to stand by and watch the incident while snapping pictures on their camera phones.

As many will recall, there was outrage by the city that none of the onlookers wanted to report it to someone. No one wanted to snitch on those committing the act, even though it was obviously a case where informing someone of this incident was necessary.

Consider for yourself if snitching is good or bad, right or wrong. Some may say it depends on the situation. This may be true, but in many situations, snitching may bring good results.

Cassandra Juniel is spotlight editor of The Advocate. Contact her at cjuniel.advocate@gmail.com.

FAYTHE DEL ROSARIO / THE ADVOCATE

4 THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010

accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

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Newsline

New club inspires thought Philosophy in film analyzed, applied to life

By Lamar James ASSOCIATE EDITOR

■ TRANSFER DAY

Colleges recruit

More than 30 colleges and universities will be on campus Monday in the Student Services Center Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Transfer Day. This free event will give students a chance to ask representatives questions about transfer requirements. For more information, call 510235-7800, ext. 4241.

■ DSPS

Series shows ‘Deaf’ flick The Disability Awareness Film Series is showing the film “Voices in a Deaf Theater” on Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. in LLRC-107.

The film follows a crew of hearing and deaf actors as they rehearse to present a theatrical production.

■ SEWING CLASS

Class offers needle skills A sewing class will be taught on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in AA-143. Enrollment costs $175.

For more information, call 510-235-7800, ext.

4292.

■ WORKSHOP

Library hosts GPA seminar A series of workshops will be offered for students with GPAs below 2.0.

Hosted by EOPS/CARE, the first of the workshops will be held in SSC-104 on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and will focus on issues concerning students’ difficulty with education.

■ RALLY

Comet spirit hosted The football team, cheerleaders and ASU will hold a Homecoming rally in the Amphitheater on Oct. 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Students and employees are asked to wear Comet colors blue and silver to support the school’s football team before its Homecoming game on Oct. 16.

The new club on the block, the Philosophical Movie Club, has made its debut with an energetic professor to back it up. The club hopes the semester will render loyal philosophyinspired students.

Getting its start after a number of students enrolled in a passionate and involved professor’s summer Critical Thinking class, they were interested in what more professor Roberta “Robbie” Kunkel had to teach them.

“This is a very exciting time for me and the students,” Kunkel said. “After teaching a summer class, I saw students who had an

the club.” Kunkel said.

Coolger said Kunkel’s spirit and love for philosophy were “contagious” and the way she taught the class inspired his enthusiasm to participate in the club.

He said the club will be watching a lot of documentaries, and will be taking ethical situations and conflicts from those movies to analyze and discuss what could have been different.

He said they will also be looking at the ethical and moral conflicts the characters face, and the solutions they came up with.

“We are really going to analyze and breakdown the film to see if the ethical and moral lessons are presented in a clear and logical way,” Coolger said.

According to Coolger, Kunkel has a unique way of teaching, and he likes how she applied philosophy to realistic situations that people may face.

“She helped me to understand philosophy, and helped me to understand the subject was more than just fancy quotes no one really understood,” he said.

Kunkel hopes that what she teaches the students will help them become better people and explore new trains of thought.

Coolger said, “Many people just watch movies on the screen and don’t realize there is a moral and ethical lesson to them. From everyday movies to dynamic documentaries that explore societal issues, all have a philosophical plot to them.”

Student Gillian Groszkiewicz said she is very excited to be a part of the club. She is hoping to hold an elected position, as she is a very active participant in the club. She too has taken one of Kunkel’s classes and enjoyed it. “ I was coming from a science background, but after

Transfer | Law guarantees ingress ■ FROM: Page 1

preferred major.

Although the transfer degree will not replace the CSU General Education requirements and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), many students will lean toward the new system since it promises admission through a simpler pathway, Chavez said.

“It’s great when we have victories like this,” Chavez said. “The original system is for a different time (and) a

different curriculum.”

Although many view the new law as a boost for students, some agree that the implementation of the transfer degree still remains hazy.

“The details have to be flushed out. We’re told to do nothing until we get more information,” college Vice President Carol Maga said.

“I’m optimistic but circumspect (and) interested to see how this is going to evolve.”

Dr. Akers said the process might take even longer to establish than the fall

2011 prediction. “It may be two years to be completely defined,” he said.

“Articulation and matriculation are going to work in harmony with this new law.

It’s going to be important (for California community colleges and the CSU system) to work together more efficiently.

“Students will need to demand these rights and opportunities, otherwise they will not get these benefits as soon as they should,” Akers said. “Students could force

this articulation to happen faster if they put this on their agenda.”

Community colleges will also have to mend and consolidate their existing curriculum in order to compete with the efficiency of the transfer degree, he said.

“Programs and departments are going to do more so they can compete for the same pool of students,” Akers said.

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

Elliott | Dean takes vacant position ■ FROM: Page 1

lar backgrounds really attracted me to him.”

Elliott took his turn chairing the African American studies department until he switched gears and became president of the Academic Senate.

There, he broadened his horizons helping students on campus until he was named dean of the NSAS Division in February 2008. As dean, Elliott describes his position as one of interdepartmental management.

“It’s really my responsibility to support the department. I evaluate the administration, any problems or concerns they may have, and ensure everything’s running smoothly.” Elliott said that he is up for the challenge of senior dean of instruction at LMC. Vice President Carol Maga agrees.

“Terence will be quite successful at LMC,” Maga said. “LMC is a college that’s a bit larger than ours, with a lot of diversity in its student population and staff.” Similar to CCC, LMC is the educational home to students from all backgrounds, which Maga believes will be familiar to Elliott.

“He’s very talented,” Maga said. “(LMC) can learn from his experience as much as he can learn from them.”

As senior dean of instruction, Elliott will be given the responsibility to oversee any issues dealing with the instructors of the college. The multiple division deans will report to him, and his position acts as a go-between for deans or instructors and higher administration.

In this role, Elliott will make sure instructors have all the resources and information they need to keep delivering effectively to their students.

“Terence is honest. He’s a person of integrity,” Hodge said. “He’s focused on students doing well, graduating and going on with their lives. Throughout the years, that focus has not wavered.”

Hodge is confident that Elliott will return with the same passion for education.

“I hope to come back with all the knowledge I gain (at LMC), along with a better understanding of what’s going on,” Elliott said.

Elliott was awarded the position at LMC in early September, after he

applied against stiff competition.

“They chose me because they felt I was fit for the position,” Elliott said. He also said that he wasn’t worried about acclimating to the new responsibilities, as the position is “an ongoing training session.”

In his absence, chemistry department Chairman Leverett Smith will take the reins of NSAS dean. An email sent out Monday by President McKinley Williams confirmed that Dr. Smith, who has been teaching at CCC since 1994, will fill the position for the interim period of Oct. 11 until June 30, 2011. The administration, however, is hopeful for Elliott’s return.

“The chance to try new roles at new colleges is exciting,” Maga said. “When you’re offered a job with a beginning and an end, it’s always beneficial.”

“I’m sure Terence is going to be successful wherever he goes, he just needs to come back,” Hodge said ruefully.

“I didn’t give him permission to leave forever.”

Contact Cassidy Gooding at cgooding.advocate@gmail.com.

Sharkes | Chef emphasizes basics ■ FROM: Page 1

recently the Switch kiosk, both of which extend hours of operation and allow the department to sell more food. He also designed the logo and set up the organic garden located outside the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Every April, the department hosts its annual food and wine event, implemented by Sharkes in 2007 as Wednesday, Sept. 22 Officers responded to a a fundraising opportunity physical fight between two to send selected students to females in front of the Gym study culinary arts abroad. “(Sharkes’) improveAnnex Building. ments to the program are marvelous,” Academic Thursday, Sept. 23 A dog was hit by a vehicle Senate President Richard in Lot 6. The subject driving Akers said. “He has done more than all of his predewas arrested for warrants. cessors to make the program very successful.”

Monday, Sept. 27 The curriculum of the An employee reported previous department did not sustaining an injury while place the same emphasis on working. certificate job placement that the program now does, Wednesday, Sept. 29 A student reported a for- Akers said.

In the old program, stumer student harassing her. dents were taught a loose skill set for a single style Thursday, Sept. 30 A victim reported her of cooking, whereas now, vehicle stolen from the cam- students are provided the means to hone a variety of pus. skill sets that include kitchen — Cassidy Gooding and dining room experience

CrimeWatch

interest for critical thinking.”

Kunkel said she had to think of a way that students could get more involved beyond the classroom and apply the critical thinking process outside of the classroom.

“I wanted to give students a (deeper) outlook on ideas that would come up in class,” Kunkel said. “I did not just want to leave the students with wandering thoughts. I wanted to help them think more about those thoughts and ideas,” Because the club is still fairly new, Kunkel is still working out the details with students. As of this time, the club has not elected officers, but has students who are interested in holding positions. One student, Noah Coolger, shows a great passion in the continuation of the club, Kunkel said.

“After Noah took one of my classes, I could see that he had a love for philosophy and was interested in joining

and diverse food styles, chef Jacki Rosen said.

Sharkes is solely responsible for the selection of menu items served at the Three Seasons. The entrees not only teach students different styles, but also keep the program fresh, she said.

“The menu choices are based on skills we need to emphasize when teaching students,” Sharkes said. “The items change every three weeks and the students are evaluated quarterly.”

He said that after each evaluation, he chooses entrees that will help students in areas they were previously lacking.

Even within such a large department, Sharkes manages to find positions for all of his students so that everyone has a purpose and is working in some way, Rosen said.

Sharkes’ students look up to him because he respects them and treats them like equals, Fink said. His dedication to teaching them and passion for the culinary arts are very apparent in the restaurant, he said.

“There’s no substitute in our field for the one-onone attention that students

receive,” culinary arts professor Claire Legas said.

“Chef Nader has a constant presence in the kitchen and the students appreciate that.

Being available to students both during class and outside of class hours is a hallmark of his teaching style.”

Sharkes said he believes in giving 110 percent in all that he does, and that as a leader he tries to work harder than his students to lead by example, providing the expertise, technique and work ethic they need to get jobs in the culinary field.

“He has taught me a lot,” third semester culinary arts student Edgar Moreno said. “I didn’t know anything about cooking in the beginning. He taught me the basics and everything I know now.”

Sharkes began teaching culinary arts as a part-time instructor at Los Medanos College. He opened his own restaurant in San Mateo, called Orphee, which he later sold when he went to work at DVC. Focused on teaching the fundamentals, he hopes to establish a foundation for his students to use as a spring-

board, Sharkes said.

As part of his curriculum, he said he tries to emulate the tasks and work environment of a regular fine-dining restaurant to better prepare his students for their careers.

“I want to make sure my students are employable,” he said. “The program is designed to create culinary workers, not necessarily chefs.”

Though some students plan to become chefs later on, Sharkes said doing so would first require years of outside restaurant experience and personal discovery.

Sharkes provides his staff with a set of fundamentals to teach, but leaves room for them to develop their own teaching methods.

“As a supervisor, (Sharkes) has always been willing to allow me to follow my own teaching style and set my own expectations for the students,” Legas said.

“I’ve appreciated this freedom to be able to be the kind of hands-on teacher that I like to be.”

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

taking Ms. Kunkel’s class, I gained a respect and love for philosophy,” Groskiewicz said. “Her class really made me want to learn philosophy and encouraged me to participate and further the learning process.”

Philosophy is an everyday thing for her now, and she wants to continue to be able to apply things she has learned to life. “(Kunkel) really makes you eager to learn, and keeps the students wanting more,” she said.

For those that find it hard to make social connections at school, this club will provide opportunities to do so.

“This will be the club to come to to have snacks, watch movies, and meet new friends,” Groszkiewicz said.

“This is the same thing I do on the weekends, so it should be fun.”

Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail. com.

Sex ■ FROM: Page 1

Schult used a vagina puppet and a dildo as visual guides for instruction.

After the presentation, a raffle gave attendees the chance to win condoms, lubricant and educational books if they bought a ticket for $1.

The event was only open to people 18 years old and older because Good Vibrations holds the same policy in its stores, Schult said.

Fruits and beverages were available to students on a table in the back throughout the event.

Health and human services major Taliya Oden said events like this are important because they allow people to be educated about having safe sex through tips from experts.

People asked various questions and Schult made sure to answer all of them.

Nursing major Islam Ayyad said the presentation was descriptive with Schult’s use of life-like figures of human genitalia.

Have Better Sex is a fourweek series that will include segments on how to have “safe and hot sex” and avoid domestic violence, ASU vice president of ambassadors Angela Whiteside said. This event marked the first time the college has had a seminar on how to have better sex, Whiteside said. “(The college) should hold more of these (events),” Ayyad said. “They get a lot of information out that people do not know.”

Whiteside said she would have liked to see more students attend the event, but she appreciated the diversity in the audience.

“The more comfortable people are with their sexuality, the less sexually transmitted diseases they will get, the fewer pregnancies and the better sex they will have,” she said. “Better sex means better relationships.”

Whiteside originally intended the presentation to include sex toys, but was restricted from showing them after receiving concerned e-mails from faculty members.

She said the faculty’s concerns were valid because of the presence of Middle College High School students on campus and those without proper identification, but the ASU is trying to do the same thing faculty members do in their classrooms.

“Sex is always so taboo, but ignorance is not bliss,” Whiteside said.

The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 8, but the ASU needed more time in order to find and reserve strong speakers for the series, Whiteside said.

“We wanted educated speakers, not someone who just tells students to wrap it up,” she said.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite.advocate@gmail. com.

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

5

Friendly, exuberant clerk honored Hintz wins employee of the month award

“Everyone knows (Hintz) on campus because she’s everywhere three times a day. She always has that friendly smile that’s infectious.”

By Adam Oliver STAFF WRITER

It is nearly impossible to attend Contra Costa College without at least recognizing the kind smile and friendly demeanor of shipping and receiving clerk Sheri Hintz.

“Everyone knows her on campus because she’s everywhere three times a day,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

“She always has that friendly smile that’s infectious.”

From 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hintz delivers and receives packages and mail from every building on campus, ensuring the steady flow of information and deliveries that are essential to “keep the campus moving,” President McKinley Williams said.

It is for this reason that Hintz was awarded classified employee of the semester.

According to Williams, the award is given to an employee “that is respected by everyone on campus and dedicated to maintaining the premier status of the college by the work they do.”

Raised within walking distance of the college in the Rollingwood neighborhood of San Pablo, Hintz graduated from De Anza High School in 1980. She continued her education in 2000 at CCC, attending night class and delivering mail as a student worker.

After graduating with her associate degree in business management, Hintz became a permanent employee of the college in November 2006, delivering mail out of the Student Activities Building until being moved to shipping and receiving in the R Building in 2008.

This move brought new responsibilities, Hintz said, as she took on the task of delivering and receiving packages as well.

King, Hintz’s supervisor, said that many of the packages she deals with are very valuable and time sensitive, and that Hintz handles these deliveries excellently.

“She’s very accurate in her work,” King said. “(She makes) very few mistakes, if any.”

Fellow shipping and receiving employee C-M Pippins, who works closely with Hintz, agrees.

“It’s almost like she’s perfect. No one’s perfect, but she’s close to it,” Pippins said.

Another quality that distinguishes Hintz as an exemplary employee is “her commit-

Bruce King,

Buildings and Grounds manager

tion, Williams said, and is always willing to accommodate the often strict time constraints imposed upon her.

“We develop and transmit a lot of communications, and she helps maintain that constant flow of information on campus,” he said.

Without the high precision of her services, countless problems could arise in nearly every department on campus, he said.

“It’s a very critical job,” King said. “She’s an important cog in the machinery of the overall college.”

Additionally, Hintz never hesitates to help in any way she can, no matter the task.

“She never says no to any assignment she’s given,” Williams said. “She’s very helpful. She’s really eager just to provide quality service to those who need it.”

In the Buildings and Grounds Department, Hintz is always willing to aid in other areas of the department and do what needs be done, King said.

The obstacle of large and cumbersome packages is not uncommon for Hintz, as she has little trouble delivering large shipments or even pallets of goods to different regions on campus. Requiring familiarity with heavy machinery, Hintz delivers pallets across campus via forklift with ease, King said.

“She jumps right on it and does better than anybody else,” he said. “She’s great.”

But it is not only her work ethic and reliability that make Hintz an exceptional employee, it is her greeting and affable personality.

“She greets everybody in a warm and corADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE dial fashion,” Williams said. “She just has a All smiles — Shipping and receiving clerk Sheri Hintz has been honored as way about her that endears people to her.” classified employee of the semester for her hard work. She is known around “You’d be hard pressed to find one percampus for her warm personality and welcoming smile. son on campus who wouldn’t say that they like her,” Pippins said. “She’s a joy to work ment to doing an excellent job,” Williams Robby, 29, just to stay for each work week. with.” said.

“She’s just a very dedicated, very consciContact Adam Oliver aoliver.

A testament to her dedication, Hintz entious and reliable worker,” King said.

Hintz also readily takes on the task of advocate@gmail.com. travels from her home in Suisun City where she lives with her two sons, Michael, 18, and sending out rush mail for the administra-

Universities to present answers

By Faythe Del Rosario STAFF WRITER

Representatives from 32 colleges and universities will be on campus Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Transfer Day 2010. The event will be held in the Student Services Center Plaza.

The variety of representatives will provide important information on transfer requirements, available academic majors, financial aid and more. “I strongly recommend people attend if they are serious about transferring,” Transfer Center Coordinator Robin Harrison said.

San Jose State University,

California College Of the Arts, UC Berkeley and Cogswell College are just some of the schools that will be represented at the annual event.

Many of the schools that are going to have representatives at Contra Costa College on Monday will only be here for Transfer Day. Some colleges, like Humboldt State University, are using Transfer Day to speak to students who might not have much information about the college.

“We are a smaller state university that needs to do a lot of outreach to potential students,” Humboldt State admissions counselor Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth said.

Harrison said, “They are coming

to our campus to (recruit) students to their school.”

Humboldt State, like the other colleges at the event, will have a table with different items that people can pick up, Hitchcock-Tinseth said. Representatives will have pens, candy, informational pamphlets and other materials available.

Transfer/Career Center intern Abril Lopez helped advertise the event for students by putting up fliers around campus. She also has been announcing it to her classmates to get the message out about Transfer Day, she said.

With the upcoming event, there will be more help and understanding in order to get the requirements to

transfer, she said.

Many are unaware of what classes are needed to go to the school they desire. Transfer Day was scheduled to help mediate that.

“Students are taking a lot of units that they don’t need,” Harrison said.

Right after the event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the representative from UCLA will be giving a workshop in H-6 that Harrison has also been advertising to the public.

The workshop will go into more detail about UC applications and the admission process, she said.

Contact Faythe Del Rosario at frosario.advocate@gmail.com.

The Five Ws Who: Transfer/ Career Center and 32 colleges and universities What: Transfer Day 2011 Where: Student Services Center Plaza When: Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Why: To provide students with fouryear college transfer information

Student celebrates art, life Employees, friends laud Mure’s talent

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

In honor of her 75th birthday, Contra Costa College art student Eddie Mure celebrated the occasion in style, like few others.

More than 100 people including friends, family members, colleagues and teachers spent the afternoon of Sept. 19 at her birthday celebration and Art Exhibit Reception at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, where an array of artwork Mure has produced over the last decade was displayed.

The formal dinner reception included a speaker who is the pastor of her church, Dr. Kevin B. Hall, presentations from her family, proclamations and acknowledgements, including one from CCC President McKinley Williams, and remarks made by friends.

It was a grand reception for a special woman who Academic Senate President Richard Akers considers as “a grand lady of art.”

“Eddie has been an inspi-

ration to the young and the old. She is not afraid to do the work. When she first came to my class, she came in with a work ethic where she took her assignment on like it was an 8 to 5 job.

It really showed,” Dr. Akers said.

Akers said Mure is the kind of student you only get once in a lifetime.

At a young age, Mure did not have the opportunity to complete her education, yet when the opportunity arose at an older age, she decided to pick up where she left off.

“With a desire to return to school, I was tested and placed in the 11th grade at Harry Ells High school.

After graduation, I wanted to continue my education and therefore enrolled at CCC,” Mure said.

Mure has gone through CCC twice. She first began at the college in the late 1970s, majoring in culinary arts and business management. At the same time, she worked full time in the culinary department of Herrick Hospital in Oakland.

She completed the culinary arts program in the early 1980s.

When Mure retired, she said that she wanted to return to her “alma mater” and did so, this time majoring in a

different form of art.

“I had always been interested in arts, but could not make a living in it as I had to take care of my children and prepare to send them to college,” Mure said.

Akers said her background was mainly in culinary arts; however, (culinary arts and art) are related skill sets.

Mure said she learned presentation using different colors, which all melted into her artwork.

“In her work, she makes a cultural connection from her past – she draws on that.

Her work speaks of the history of her heart and soul,” Akers said.

This was displayed in one of her pieces at the celebration titled “Winged Victory,” which is a historical triumphant piece.

Not only does Akers admire Mure, but she also thinks well of him.

“He is a wonderful teacher, and he has allowed me to grow,” Mure said.

She has grown in the world of art, where she produces five mediums: stone, bronze, clay, acrylic and oil.

She favors working with clay and bronze.

On display at the reception were canvas art, abstract oil on canvas, clay hand

sculptures, marble, stains and welding – to name a few.

To build her knowledge in ceramics, she attended Merritt College, under the tutelage of Susannah Israel from 2003 to 2007.

“I think all of Eddie’s work is interesting – she has been organized from the start,” Israel said.

“Age does not matter, also. There are a lot of people Eddie’s age (creating art). She has the wisdom that goes with someone who is 75 years of age. She had it when she was 65 years old,” she said.

Mure’s work is known to carry “feeling,” as one former co-worker, Gary Watt, said.

“Many of the black sculptures remind me of the South – repression and so on. There is a lot of feeling in her sculptures, paintings and other pieces,” Watt said.

Although Mure does not sell her work, there is one print on canvas that was donated to the Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund that received, much to her surprise, $750.

For the future, Mure says she will continue to pursue her work in art at CCC. Most recently, she was invited to be the featured artist for the entire month

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Diverse talents — Art student Eddie Mure returned to CCC in her retirement to pursue her artwork through sculpture, pottery and painting. of February at the Three Seasons Restaurant, in honor of Black History Month.

Mure said she found her niche in art and encourages anyone at any age to find their dream and follow it.

“I had to first make a life

for my children, and then come back to my dream. It will not come easy, but you have to work at it,” she said.

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

6 THE ADVOCATE

SPORTS

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010

Comets want conference title

Soccer Previews | 2010

Ferguson takes over men’s soccer team with eyes set on Bay Valley championship, playoff berth

By Dariush Azmoudeh ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Despite a change in the coach six games into the year, the Contra Costa College men’s soccer team looks to continue strong and has its sights set on winning the Bay Valley Conference title.

It has been a little over a week since coach Nikki Ferguson took over the men’s team, but in spite of that he looks to help the team achieve its goal of becoming BVC champions.

“Our goal is to win the conference and make the playoffs,” Ferguson said. “We are talented enough as a team to make that happen. It’s a realistic goal.”

Ferguson replaced Rudy Zeller as the coach of the men’s team after Zeller took a leave of absence due to personal reasons following the Comets’ 0-0 draw to Chabot College on Sept. 17. In addition to taking over the men’s team, Ferguson still continues coaching the women’s soccer team, where he enters his second year.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Ferguson said. “It’s a different game than the women’s game. It’s a little bit faster, but I’m enjoying the change of pace.”

Last year, the Comets finished third in their conference, earning a 6-4-2 BVC record and 10-7-4 overall. In those 21 games, their offense scored 39 goals.

In the six games with Zeller this season, the Comets won only once, earned one draw and four losses. So far in the season, the Comets have a 3-6-1 overall record and a 2-2-0 BVC record.

Ferguson coached his first match with the men’s team on Sept. 21 at Cosumnes River College where the Comets lost 1-0.

While the transition of coaches is sometimes difficult for a team to get used to, the Comets are adapting well to the changes.

“We didn’t know what to expect (of Zeller’s leaving),” Comet defender Steven Henry said.

“But Nikki is doing a great job of stepping in and keeping us focused.”

For Comets’ goalkeeper Kevin Esquivel, it doesn’t matter who is the coach as long as the players are doing what they are supposed to.

“There isn’t a difference. The coaches aren’t playing,” he said. “It’s up to the players. Things are going the right way despite who is the coach.”

After taking over the team, Ferguson made some changes in tactics by removing the sweeper and making a flat backline. He said he extended the width backline so that the outside backs can attack more to help out the offense.

“We’re playing with a more attacking personality,” Ferguson said.

He also said he is changing the attacking formation from a dynamic to a possession style, in order to get “combination plays and crossing situations.”

Before Zeller went on his leave of absence, he talked about the recruiting and preparation he went through in the offseason.

“My main focus (during the offseason) was

recruiting and finding new players,” Zeller said.

“Last year we had seven returning players and this time we have five. It’s a process of rebuilding every year.”

He looked to build his team around his five returning players by going to different areas, from Richmond to Concord, recruiting new ones.

“We picked up a lot of kids coming over from various schools,” Zeller said.

“We have a good mix of players.”

A number of Comets players are students from Diablo Valley College, who are unable to play there due to a lack of a men’s soccer team. Los Medanos College also lacks a team and players from there can come to Contra Costa College to play intercollegiate men’s soccer.

“We have players from over the hill,” Zeller said. “We have 16 players from here and 9 from over the hill.”

Esquivel said that the unity of the team is their strongest point and despite going to different schools, the players have created a bond that they share on and off the field.

Recruiting was important for the Comets since they were not going to have any goalkeepers or forwards returning. Despite that, Zeller was comfortable with the goalkeeping circumstances.

“Our goalkeeping situation should be pretty good,” Zeller said. “I feel our goalkeeping is our strong point.”

Having found a goalkeeper early, the team looked for replacements on offense. The Comets found forwards Iury DaSilva and Kenneth Henry, who are currently the team’s top scorers with five and three goals, respectively. In addition, the Comets have become more deadly in aerial plays.

“We do a very good job in the air. They all bring something different to the table,” Ferguson said.

“They are really starting to play with one another and creating (plays) for others rather for themselves.”

The Comets seem prepared to take on the season with all the players wanting to win the BVC championship title.

“We’ve been working hard in the off season,” Esquivel said. “We’ve been working hard for all of this. We have high expectations.”

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

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE

Last season by the numbers Overall record 10-7-4

Sept. 8 vs. Delta 2-1 L

Roster

Conference finish third Returning players Juan Acosta Sergio Garcia Hilberth Ibarra Alfonso Martinez Jamie Sahagun

Key game

VS.

Sept. 4 vs. Redwoods 6-0 W

Mario Alvernaz Pedro Vasquez

Conference record 6-2-4

Contra Costa College

Schedule

Assistant coaches

Yuba College

When: Home: Oct. 22, 4 p.m.

Away: Nov. 9, 3 p.m.

The Comets seek to claim the top spot of the Bay Valley Conference from the 49ers this season. Despite tying twice and winning one game against Yuba last season, CCC was unable to gain playoff contention.

0 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 27

Kevin Esquivel Victor Guzman Juan Acosta Hilberth Ibarra Andrew Manriquez Eduardo Quiroz Edgar Padilla Jamie Sahagun Sergio Garcia Iury DaSilva Alessandro Storniolo Kenneth Henry Ori Onn Jamie Balderas Victor Acosta Ryan Gordon Daniel Ramirez Steven Henry Jose Ayala Joe Cosso Alfonso Martinez Francisco Navarro Ruben Hinojosa Cassius Botelho Alex Duenas

goalkeeper goalkeeper defender defender midfielder midfielder defender midfielder midfielder forward defender forward midfielder forward defender defender forward defender defender defender defender midfielder midfielder midfielder defender

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

Sept. 17 vs. Chabot 0-0 D Sept. 21 at Cosumnes River 1-0 L Sept. 24 vs. Marin 3-1 W Sept. 28 at Merritt 2-0 L Oct. 1 vs. Napa Valley 3-0 W Oct. 4 at Yuba 3-0 L Thursday at Modesto 4 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs. Merritt 4 p.m.

Freshman Esquivel hopes to provide a wall for the Comets’ defense as a goalkeeper.

K. Henry

Esquivel

DaSilva

J. Acosta

Leading the squad in goals scored, firstyear DaSilva looks to continue his offensive presence.

Sept. 14 vs. American River 3-1 L

Tuesday at Marin 4 p.m.

Key players

Acosta brings veteran leadership and solid defense for the young Comets as a sophomore.

Sept. 10 vs. Fresno 4-2 L

The first-year cocaptain looks to provide leadership and goal scoring abilities to CCC.

Oct. 18 at Napa Valley 4 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Yuba 4 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Santa Rosa 4 p.m.

Oct. 29 vs. Marin 4 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Merritt 4 p.m.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Team hopeful for fresh start in new season

7

Returning coach seeks to rebound from last season’s finish with youthful group

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR

With solid defense, new players and team chemistry, the women’s soccer team looks to compete and improve from last season’s (1-13 overall, 1-9 in the Bay Valley Conference) finish.

Nikki Ferguson enters his second year as the Comets’ coach with hopes to establish positive vibes among the team and help the squad become better fundamentally to build for next season.

“If we can maintain a positive mentality the players would want to come back and compete for this program,” Ferguson said. “I want to end the cycle of getting a team full of new players and have at least 11 or 12 players return instead of just one and two.”

The Comets are returning only two players this season from 2009 with the addition of 15 first-year players.

Ferguson said the off-season went well for the squad with about 24 girls coming out to practice and try out for the team.

Despite a lot of players showing up to the off-season training, the Comets lost several of them due to poor grades, personal reasons or a loss of interest in playing.

“The off-season was great and we looked good on paper, and if everything stayed in tact we could’ve been at the top of the conference,” Ferguson said.

“However we lost a lot of athleticism from those players who left, which really hurt us.”

Due to the loss of players, the Comets welcomed players who were new and inexperienced to the sport of soccer.

Compared to last season’s team, Ferguson believes that this year’s Comets team is not as athletic or experienced.

“Just from an athletic standpoint, the players last year were more athletic and experienced,”

Schedule Aug. 31 vs. Delta 8-0 L Sept. 7 vs. Canada 5-0 L Sept. 10 at Shasta 2-0 L Sept. 13 at Delta 5-0 L Sept. 15 vs. San Francisco 4-1 L Oct. 1 vs. Marin 3-0 L Oct. 5 vs. Mendocino 3:30 p.m.

Friday at Los Medanos 3:30 p.m.

Assistant coach

Coach profile

1 2 5 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 23 24 25 26

Magaly Junco Joanna Gobea Vanessa Maceo Lizette Puhido Angelina Pena Analy Juanez Maite Buenrostro Juliana Correa Natalie Estrada Daisy Huizar Teresa Jimenez Moni Rodrigez Vannesa Johnson Joanna Oblepias Alex Waite Harsharan Bhangu Grecia Padilla

goalkeeper midfielder forward defender midfielder forward midfielder midfielder midfielder midfielder defender defender forward forward midfielder defender forward

Overall record 1-13

Oct. 19 at Solano 3:30 p.m.

Conference finish fifth

Oct. 22 vs. Yuba 1:30 p.m.

Returning players Natalie Estrada Daisy Huizar

Contra Costa College

VS.

Los Medanos College

When: Away: Friday, 3:30 p.m.

Home: Oct. 29, 2 p.m.

CCC hopes to challenge and compete against the current Bay Valley Conference leader Los Medanos College. The Comets fell to the Mustangs twice last season but the squad still has high hopes.

Despite lacking experience, the young squad hopes to make a defensive presence and keep the competitive intensity against LMC. So far the Comets only scored one goal this season.

Freshman co-captain Rodriguez looks to create a defensive prowess for the Comet squad.

Junco

Sophomore Huizar provides leadership and ball control to the young Comets team.

Rodriguez

Forward Johnson hopes to establish her presence on the CCC squad with her shooting abilities.

Huizar

Nov. 12 at Yuba 3 p.m.

Key games

Key players

Johnson

Nov. 9 vs. Solano 3 p.m.

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

Last season by the numbers Conference record 1-9

Nov. 5 vs. Marin 2 p.m.

Coach Nikki Ferguson returns to serve his second season as the women’s soccer coach with hopes of improving from last season.

Ferguson looks to establish fundamentals and team chemistry to his young squad. Despite having only two returning players, Ferguson believes that the young team’s solid work ethic will build up for later years. After the leave of absence from men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller, Ferguson was appointed the new coach, thus making him coach of both teams. Ferguson said he looks forward to his new challenge in coaching both squads.

Roster

Oct. 15 vs. Redwoods 1 p.m.

Oct. 29 vs. Los Medanos 2 p.m.

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

Denine Colbert

Tuesday at Marin 2 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Mendocino 3:30 p.m.

Ferguson said. “About 70 percent of our players have never played competitively.”

Despite the lack of athleticism in this season’s group, several of the players understand where they are as a team and try to focus on building team chemistry.

“Everybody puts in effort,” freshman midfielder Teresa Jimenez said.

Progress is something that the young Contra Costa College squad is trying to build toward as Ferguson said the team puts in a lot of hard work during practices and in games.

“The best thing I can say about this group is that they show up and give it their all,” Ferguson said. “We (CCC) are better than when we first started.”

So far this season the Comets (0-6 overall) have not won a preseason game and only scored one goal. In majority of “Everybody puts athose games in effort. A lot the offense had an of girls aren’t on barely opportunity to the team they are score due to the ball usuactually trying.” ally being in the opponent’s Teresa Jimenez, possession. midfielder Due to F e r g u s o n ’s defensive approach toward the team, several players try to utilize team defense, sometimes sacrificing an offensive mentality. “(Our lack of scoring) goes back to the abilities of our players. Since we are so inexperienced, we spend a lot of time defending rather than attacking,” Ferguson said. “We are short-handed of players with an attacking (offensive) mind frame.”

The Comet players agree that defense is the main thing they try to emphasize on the field with hopes of building an offensive approach as the season continues deep into conference play.

“We have to practice more on shooting,” freshman goalkeeper Magaly Junco said.

“We do a lot of defending and passing drills in practice.”

Ferguson hopes to establish technical skills and fundamentals in his young Comets to carry on toward future seasons.

“I’m excited for the efforts the team shows,” Ferguson said. “So far the players haven’t quit on the team.”

The first year cocaptain brings solid blocking and communication skills as a goalkeeper.

8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010

Panel informs students

CAMPUS BEAT

Snitching discussed during open forum

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

Controversy filled the Fireside Room as panelists and members from a packed audience went back and forth throughout the “Snitching: Question and Answer” forum held Sept. 22.

Hosted by campus club Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders, the event’s discussion revolved around reporting crimes, otherwise known as snitching, and the safety and moral issues attached to it.

Audience members could direct questions to any of the seven people on the panel, and each chosen panelist had four minutes to answer. “(The) event was so successful,” TSTL President Charity Edmondson said.

“We were able to create a safe place for people to be heard, share their stories and get answers to their questions.”

Edmondson said TSTL’s Interest goal is to raise awareness about what is going on in peaked the “subculture of the streets” Increased and to advise people to disreefforts by gard the subculture if it ruins the ASU their personal integrity. and campus The first thing society clubs have needs to do is change the elicited stu- word “snitching,” she said. dent particiBefore questions were pation. open to the public, TSTL asked each panelist, “What do you want the public to leave with today?”

In one response to the question, the Rev. Andre Shumake said people should know the term “snitching” does not apply unless the person doing it is a part of the crime.

He said as long as the person calling the

edit orial

page 2

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Speaking out — The Rev. Andre Shumake speaks to the crowd about his opinions on reporting crime to the police at the “Snitching: Question and Answer” forum in the Fireside Room on Sept. 22. police is not involved in the criminal act, the correct term is “reporting.”

“A lot of people do not understand what snitching is (and) see it as a bad thing,” nursing major Joanne Watts said. “(The event) helped me to understand (that) there is a different side to snitching.”

Also on the panel, early childhood education department Chairwoman Intisar Shareef explained the psychology behind snitching from the perspective of a young child transitioning into an adult.

“We formed habits as the foundation was laid when we were really young,” Dr. Shareef said. “We were taught to keep family business in the family; it is not a big leap to remain silent from in your home to your community.”

Several audience members expressed a

fear for their lives as a reason that prevents them from reporting crimes to the police.

Most were unsure of the policies that involve arrested criminals being released back on the streets where they can harm whoever they believe reported them.

Police Services Officer Tim Thomas said some reasons for releasing suspects include the suspect working undercover for the police as a deal to keep him or her out of prison, or having an alibi.

Adding to Thomas’ answer, Police Services officer Javon Sanders recommended getting in contact with the district attorney’s office or the mayor’s office to voice concerns, and to go out in the community and investigate.

“You don’t have to go far from yourself to stop the problem,” Shareef said. “Parents

and adults need to be more mindful of what comes out of their mouths around children.”

Watts said the event helped her learn safe ways to report a crime to the police, such as using the anonymous tip line.

“It was a good, powerful event based on change,” TSTL Vice President Ramon Walton said. “You still had some people with that mindset that snitching is bad and you’ll get killed if you do it. I think (more events) will change the mindset.”

Edmondson said TSTL plans to have a follow up event on snitching sometime after its education series dealing with the upcoming election.

Contact Alexandra Waite at advocate@gmail.com.

awaite.

DVC president retires for health issues

By Cody McFarland SCENE EDITOR

The short but advantageous tenure of Diablo Valley College’s president came to an end Friday.

After only three years, Dr. Judy Walters retired due to health reasons, leaving behind a stable foundation where there once was doubt, scandal and poor communication.

“Walters has had such a strong impact in only three years,” district Chancellor Helen Benjamin said. “She is very energetic, very committed and most engaged when it comes to her work.”

Los Medanos College President Peter Garcia assumed the position of DVC interim president on Friday. His appointment is set to expire at the end of June 2011.

In the meantime, the district is searching to find a permanent president for the

as a result, the Accrediting Pleasant Hill college.

LMC Senior Dean Commission for Community of Instruction Richard and Junior Colleges sancLivingston filled the vacancy tioned DVC to show cause created in Garcia’s absence. for accreditation.

Walters helped move the “(Walters) has been really helpful in orienting the new sanction from “show cause” to “probation,” the president with the colfollow-up report for lege,” Dr. Benjamin said. “She’s been most which is due Oct. 15. helpful in making this It was up to Walters transition smooth.” to raise morale and Upon entering her increase communicapresidency in 2007, tion within the college Walters worked on Walters during such difficult correcting the unautimes. thorized grade changes that “I increased communicacaused a scandal and threat- tion, reorganized committee structures, and made sure ened DVC’s accreditation.

With the help of faculty, people were interested and classified staff and adminis- involved,” Walters said. “I trators, she began compiling wanted to renew the energy information and identifying among people on campus procedures and practices and prove that, yes, we can that needed changing, while work together — we have keeping the community before and we got things updated on their progress. done.”

At the same time, a comWalters also had to deal prehensive accreditation with the Police Services report showed that there building at DVC being were unresolved issues from burned down and power failas far back as 2002 and, ures on campus.

She legitimized plans to build a new facility for student services, food services and culinary arts, the ground breaking for which is scheduled for early 2011.

And she took on these daunting tasks amidst the worst budget in the history of California.

“The college is positioned to move forward,” Contra Costa College President McKinley Williams said. “It is now a stronger institution.”

Walters announced her retirement on June 29, deciding to do so after being diagnosed with coronary artery disease in March.

“It caused me to reassess my life,” she said. “I looked at how much time and energy I was spending at work compared to with my family.”

The first thing Walters intends to do in her retirement is gain her health back.

She plans on working with health counselors to build

a regiment of diet, exercise and rest, she said.

Walters hopes to spend a lot of time with her husband and five grandchildren and plans to travel, participate in community theater productions, read and play music in her free time.

“I might even go into politics,” she said.

Whatever happens, Walters said she will ultimately remain involved with DVC, as she only lives seven minutes from the campus, and intends on fundraising for the college.

Walters began her work with California community colleges in 1974 in San Diego. Since then, she has worked throughout the state, performing various roles at community colleges from San Diego to Sacramento.

In 2006, while working as president of Berkeley City College, she was asked by the Contra Costa Community College District and management at DVC

to submit an application for DVC president. She said her accomplishments at BCC and reputation throughout the state were the district’s reasons for acknowledging her as a candidate.

Walters said her retirement party, which was held at the DVC culinary arts department restaurant on Sept. 28. was “absolutely phenomenal.”

“It was a wonderful party,” she said. “I was touched and thrilled by everyone who came.”

Walters was presented with a resolution from the DVC faculty praising her for her work at the college.

“When any faculty or group of people does something like that for an individual, it really says something about that person’s character,” Benjamin said. “She will truly be missed.”

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

Students attempt to build powerful, portable marvel

By April Halog STAFF WRITER

Computer science professor Tom Murphy and a handful of students are currently working on building a supercomputer named “Little Al.” When completed, Little Al will contain the power of four computers and will fit in a metal briefcase.

Murphy plans to use Little Al as a teaching tool for students, to make games that will only work on Little Al and put it on display in trade shows.

All parts of Little Al were donated to the group. According to group member Alejandro Ramirez Escanellas, Intel has provided four Intel Xenon CPUs, four Intel Blade LAMAR JAMES / THE ADVOCATE Server motherboards and a switch, Attention to detail — Student Edward Thang unplugs the hard which is a piece that serves as drive to “Little AI,” a portable supercomputer, in the Computer the network drive. A 7-inch LCD monitor was donated by Display Technology Center on Monday.

Link, and Newegg.com, a computer hardware and software retailer, has provided the RAM. Computer science major and member of the project Edward Thang said Little Al currently has 98 gbs of RAM, but there’s a plan to upgrade up to 192 gbs of RAM. There are four CPUs in the computer, each connected to a motherboard. The processors are hyper threaded to manipulate the operating system into believing there are eight cores in order to achieve doing multiple tasks at once at a faster rate.

The motherboard holds all the pieces together and is the key to all the parts receiving power and being able to communicate with each other.

Instead of using a conventional hard drive to store information, a 40 gbs solid-state drive will be used in its place. The computer will run on Debian, an operating system that pre-dates Linux. For the most part,

the operating system works, but it is not perfect. However, Thang said, “We are currently working out the problems.”

This project stems from another supercomputer Murphy helped build with several other college professors called Little Fe back in 2006.

In addition to using Little Al as a teaching tool, Murphy also plans to have the supercomputer achieve a world record of World’s Most Powerful Portable Computer.

In order to achieve that record, the computer must be a standalone computer that contains a keyboard, mouse and a screen. Additionally, it must weigh no more than 22 lbs and has to run for at least 30 minutes.

After Little Al’s completion, Murphy plans to make more Little Als and possibly build a Big Al. Contact April Halog at ahalog.advocate@gmail.com.

SCENE

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

‘Sky High Sports’ thrills

Unleashed

Movies

Bounce house offers ageless fun

Along with the reasonable prices, Sky High offers great deals for birthday parties, and discounts on Mondays and Wednesdays.

By Malcolm Lastra At each trampoline platSPORTS EDITOR form there is a staff member At my job when I overhear to supervise and enforce the talk about what my co-workrules, Jumpers are not allowed ers did over the weekend, one to jump on the trampolines of the activities that is always with socks on or to perform mentioned is how much fun double jumps. Another rule they had at Sky High Sports. that is heavily enforced is the After researching Sky time limit you have on venuereview the trampolines. Once High online, I discovered it and it brought me your allotted time runs back to my childhood, out, the staff chaperone with trampolines on the will make you get off the floors and walls. platform and you have “Sky High Located in a giant the option to pay for Sports” warehouse-like building another hour if you want. ★★★★★ off I-680 toward the Sun Location: The most fun thing Valley Mall in Concord, Concord to do at Sky High is the Price Range: $7- dodgeball games. The the place was not too hard to find with a logo $10 per hour staff picks teams of eight banner emblazoned people and referees an across its front. intense dodgeball game.

Walking into the huge air Along with dodgeball games conditioned building, the first and tournaments, Sky High thing noticed will be the four offers aerobic classes for adults trampoline platforms along and children. with a foam pit filled with kids, Lively party music is played young and old, and parents that makes you want to jump jumping around having a good and stay active. You will get a time. good workout by jumping on You’re allowed a maximum the trampolines as it exercises of two hours to jump. The your leg muscles and works out prices are not bad, as it is $10 your cardiovascular system. for the first hour and $7 for Although the majority of the second hour. Once you pay, Sky High’s attendees are chilyou’ll receive a colored wristdren, adults of all ages have fun band representing the hour for as well. which you have paid, and if Contact Malcolm Lastra at your time runs out staff asks mlastra.advocate@gmail.com. you to leave the trampolines.

This week: “My Soul to Take” (R) “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” (PG-13) “Life as We Know It” (PG-13) “Letters to Father Jacob” (NR)

DVDs

New releases: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (R)

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Flying high — Pinole resident Andrew Holtclaw does a flip in the air at Sky High Sports in Concord on Sept. 15. Sky High Sports attracts a wide range of people to its doors, from families to teenagers looking for fun.

Video game fans compete for cash Guild throws tournament

By April Halog STAFF WRITER

Students and visitors gathered in the Recreation Room to play video games on Friday.

The Contra Costa College Computer Graphics and Gaming Guild, otherwise known as “C4 G3,” hosted a video game tournament in which participants competed for a cash prize.

While the overall objective of the event was to have fun, gaming guild Vice President J.T. Maillet said, “I want to attract more people to the (recreation) room and the club.”

Games available on several Playstation 2 consoles were

“Marvel vs Capcom 2,” “Soul Calibur 2,” “Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike” and “Guilty Gear XX:Accent Core.” “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” was on display on the Nintendo Wii, “Super Smash Bros. Melee” was playable on the Nintendo Gamecube, and “Super Street Fighter IV” was available on both Playstation3 and Xbox 360.

Though there were many games available for play, the main attraction was the “Super Street Fighter IV” tournament.

In order to compete, participants had to pay an entry fee of $5. The money went to a winners’ pot that was split between the winners.

Many gathered to watch as gamers went head to head.

There were a total of 10 participants who were separated

9

by brackets. Participants had a Winning 2 rounds equaled one choice of either playing on the match. In order to advance in PS3 or Xbox the winners’ 360 and also “It’s a great oppor- bracket, players had to win had a choice tunity for people two out of of playing using either three matches. to get together a controller Those who or an arcade and do what they were elimihad a stick. love: playing video nated F i r s t second chance place winto compete games.” ner Cameron by advancing Rojas took the in the losTerrance Chrisman, ers’ bracket if grand prize of student they won two $25 using Ken as his main out of three character, while second place matches. As for the grand finawinner Emsley Fraizer, who le, a winner would be declared advanced by winning the los- after winning three out of five ers’ bracket using another pop- matches. ular Street Fighter character, The majority of the competitors showed that they were Ryu, won $10.

Jorge Carmona, won third highly skilled at the game. place and the prize of $10. Student Efren Aguilera said,

”There are a lot of good competitors here. I’m impressed by how some stack up well with other gamers.”

While some came to compete, many came to enjoy themselves and interact with other gamers. “I think it’s a great opportunity for people to get together and do what they love: playing video games,” said student Terrance Chrisman.

C4 G3 is a club that wants to design video games. The club’s members are artists, programmers and game developers at different skill sets and experience levels. The guild plans to hold another tournament in the future, but wants to showcase the games they are working on.

Contact April Halog at ahalog.advocate@gmail.com.

Music professor stands in spotlight

By Natalie Estrada STAFF WRITER

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Deep note — Music professor Roger Letson performs for the audience during the Faculty Recital Series in the Knox Center on Sunday.

ed one of the fast-paced songs, he told the audience that they were welcome to come dance on the stage.

No one accepted his offer, but the song was so catchy that the audience began to clap along and even tap their feet to the rhythm.

“Today was so special, every artist should be honored of themselves,” attendee Yoshkio Oda said. “Not only Roger, but the band was wonderful.”

As the band walked out, members of the audience screamed, “encore” at the end of the performance, as they did not want the band to leave. The band gladly played another song for the audience and Letson joked about having five more songs to go at the end.

Letson said for a Sunday afternoon, the outcome for the show exceeded his expectations.

The concert began at 3 p.m. and ended a little after 5 p.m. Tickets were $20 general admission and $10 for students, with the proceeds going to the vocal and piano programs.

Niehuis said that Letson is a friend of his and a master at what he teaches.

On occasion during the show, Letson would do a little foot shuffle after hitting a note. He would then point to one of the musicians and they would continue on with a solo. All the musicians did at least one solo during the performance.

The Knox Center was filled with an audience that screamed and clapped throughout every song during the Faculty Recital Series on Sunday.

The concert, which featured a live performance by music professor Roger Letson, was open to students, faculty and the community to attend. Letson sang solo in the first appearance of the 2010-11 season. He was accompanied by pianist Walter Bankovitch, percussionist Joey Niehuis, bassist Ken Okada and trumpeter Modesto Briseno.

Letson put the performance together with the help of music department Chairwoman Stephanie Austin. They started planning the event during the summer and the first and only rehearsal was on Friday for about three hours, Letson said. “(Letson) is a masterful teacher and backs up his teachings with his performance,” audience member Emily Perdri said.

This was the first time all the musicians played together in a concert like this, even though they have been friends for years. “We just connect,” Letson said. “I tell them what I need of music and we just respond together.”

The music ranged from slow jazz to Contact Natalie Estrada at nesan upbeat jazz that made the audience jiggle in their seats. Before Letson start- trada.advocate@gmail.com.

“The Karate Kid” (PG) “Splice” (R) “The Human Centipede” (NR) “The Secret of Kells” (NR)

CDs

New releases: Bruno Mars: “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” Bring Me the Horizon: “There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It” David Archuleta: “The Other Side of Down” Ciara: “Basic Instinct”

Games

New releases: Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light (DS - E10+) NBA Elite 11 (PS3, PSP, XBOX360 - E) Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3.

XBOX360 - M) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

10 THE ADVOCATE

SPORTS

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010

Comets defense seal shutout win Squad holds Storm scoreless in 3-0 result

pressure by the Comets’ defenders.

Napa Valley College coach Les Carroll stood and screamed at the team from the bench, as the Storm played out of sync.

Although CCC was ahead by one goal, coach Ferguson still felt the team played

By Rodney Woodson STAFF WRITER “sloppy.”

He told the team at halftime that it needIntense defensive pressure fueled the ed to improve on passing and receiving as men’s soccer team as it shut out Napa well as speeding up its game play.

Valley College 3-0 on Friday at the soccer The beginning of the second half mirfield. rored the first.

Since CCC (3-4-1 overall, 2-1 in the The contest became physical as Napa Bay Valley Conference) lost to Merritt Valley’s frustrating evening continued College on Sept. 28, coach Nikki Ferguson thanks to the Comet defense. said that the team has worked on its indiA high pass to Comets striker Kenneth vidual defense in preparation for the Storm Henry forced him and Napa Valley goal(0-3-2 overall). keeper Pedro Garcia to collide in the air The Comets pressured Napa Valley for as both were attempting to make a play on the entire game. the ball.

“Once our forwards defend, The ball deflected off of it filters throughout the rest the head of Henry, as Garcia ScoreBoard of the team,” Ferguson said. pulled him down hard to Comets 3 “Fortunately, our forwards get the turf, thus causing a yelhigh pressure which makes it low card for Garcia.

Storm 0 easier for the guys defending The foul resulted in a behind them.” penalty kick for the Comets Next game: Because of the Comets that Henry put into the net Thursday at smothering defense, it put the past the Storm’s diving Modesto, 4 p.m. squad in great offensive posigoalkeeper. tions.

“Offensively, we wanted Due to the positioning, the to stay organized,” Henry Comets were able to attempt five shots said. “(Although) we were good, we know before midfielder Ori Onn scored the we can play better.” game’s first goal.

He said that they planned to use their CCC defender Steven Henry said the “wing men” more on the offensive end to team wanted to come out stronger than take an advantage of the wider field. they did in their previous games by workDefensively, he said they played great. ing with more defensive intensity. He also “We shut them down today,” Henry said that the offense was successful because said. “The defense played too raw.” the forwards were able to play well with the The Comets record stands at 2-1-0 since midfielders. coach Ferguson took over as the men’s socThe defense helped create space for the cer coach. offense as they were able to maintain manCCC striker Iury DaSilva scored the to-man separation and attack the Storm’s contest’s final goal. defense.

Contact Rodney Woodson at rwoodNVC was held to a minimal offensive output in the first half, remaining under son.advocate@gmail.com.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Time for celebration — (Left to right) Ori Onn, Steven Henry, Sargio Romero Garcia, and Francisco Navarro celebrate Ori Onn’s goal during the first half against Napa Valley College on the soccer field on Friday.

Veteran coach manages soccer programs Leader driven by enthusiasm

By Hilberth Ibarra STAFF WRITER

Nikki Ferguson, coach for both the women’s and men’s soccer teams at Contra Costa College, wants to improve the soccer programs by using his ample experience as a player and a coach.

Born and raised in Gadsden, Ala., Ferguson started to play soccer at the age of 5, when a coach approached him and his mother and he decided he wanted to join a soccer team.

He played recreational soccer until the age of 11 and then played in competitive clubs through high school. He played at Martin Methodist Community College, and then was given a full scholarship to attend Carson Newman College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in science.

After college he went on to

play the sport professionally with the Baltimore Bays.

As destiny would have it, Ferguson suffered a serious injury that prevented him from continuing to play. Not wanting to leave the game behind, he began to coach.

“I really loved it. I loved being on that side of (the game),” Ferguson said. “I loved playing (soccer) but I was really able to give on the coaching side of things.”

Once he recovered from his injury, he decided not to return to playing and instead moved back to Alabama to be close to his family and continue coaching.

“The day I moved home, I passed the soccer field where I started and I pulled over to see who was playing. It just so happened my nephew was playing,” Ferguson said. “I got involved in his team and then took over the program. It turned into a profession from then on. That is how it all started.”

Ferguson’s experience as

a coach includes 15 years of coaching youth in recreational leagues, six years of coaching high school soccer and most recently coaching both men and women’s soccer at CCC. The highest level he has coached was when he was the assistant coach for the women’s soccer team at the UC Berkeley, a NCAA Division I school.

“My philosophy (as a coach) is based on my players,” Ferguson said. “I figure out the personalities of the players and what makes the most sense in supporting them and making them successful.”

Forward Vanessa Johnson of the women’s soccer team appreciates the time Ferguson takes to understand his players.

“He likes to work us hard and he really cares about us,” Johnson said. “He takes the time to listen and tries to understand.”

Now that he is the coach of both the women’s and men’s teams he has his work cut out

for him.

“He is used to juggling multiple teams. I think he can handle it,” defender Moni Rodriguez said. “I think everything will work out,” Ferguson is not deterred.

His hope is to take both teams and turn them into strong and respected soccer programs.

“I just want it to be respected. At the end of the day I want people to want to come here and play. I want people to look at us not just as soccer teams but as a soccer program,” he said.

Soccer is more than a game to Ferguson as it is also about opportunity.

“The most important thing for me about the game is that it doesn’t discriminate against anyone,” Ferguson said.

“There is always a place for anyone to play regardless of your race, creed or color or your physical abilities as anyone can play.”

Soccer has given Ferguson many opportunities in his life that he may not have had

otherwise.

“Soccer provided the opportunities to go places and see things that I probably wouldn’t have seen without it,” Ferguson said. “It provided me an education, an opportunity to go overseas and provided me lifelong friendships and enriched my life.”

This is what he hopes the CCC soccer program can provide to its players: opportunity.

Outside of coaching soccer Ferguson is a fun-loving family man.

Ferguson is married to his wife Vicki and has two children, Naomi and Isaiah.

Being a husband and a father is very important to him and his players can see this as well.

“He is an all around family man,” Rodriguez said. “He is a genuine person.”

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibarra.advocate@gmail. com.

Ferguson

Coaching both the men’s and women’s soccer teams, Nikki Ferguson enjoys giving others an opportunity in the sport he loves.

Ferguson hopes to spread his passion for the game of soccer around to his players through leadership.

Course offers skills, exercise

By Hilberth Ibarra STAFF WRITER

Even if you do not want to play a sport competitively, Contra Costa College offers many opportunities to experience different sports and learn how to enjoy them while at the same time getting some exercise.

Comet volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve teaches PE 135, a tennis course, from 9:10-11 a.m. each Saturday at the campus tennis courts as students have the opportunity to learn the basics of tennis and have fun while getting exercise.

“I just want to have fun,” Diana Mendigo, a culinary arts student, said. “I like PE classes and I just wanted to learn something new.”

The class is a semester long, and offers one unit which fulfills a physical education requirement.

The course also meets partial CSU general education requirement for Area E — Lifelong Understanding and SelfDevelopment.

There are no prerequisites to enroll in the class.

In PE 135, students learn the fundamentals of tennis, including how to hit the ball forehand and backhand, how to serve the ball and how to keep track of the score during a game.

Students have a range of skill levels coming into the class, as there are many beginning players, some who have never even hit a ball before.

Shrieve hopes that everyone who takes the class improves their game and enjoys the sport.

He said he has played tennis recreationally since he was a child.

“It is a great lifelong sport. You can play when you are a little kid until you’re 70 years old, and get the cardio workout that you are looking for, and not be bored,” Shrieve said. “Instead of running, walking or swimming, which can be a little monotonous, you can get out there and run around on the court, be social and have some fun,” Besides the fundamentals, PE

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Precise swing — Student Walter Minja practices his swing on the Contra Costa College tennis courts on Aug. 28 during the PE 135 tennis class. The course offers an introduction to the sport of tennis with students learning the fundamentals and rules of the game.

135 is a great way meet other people, Shrieve said.

“I want to meet tennis friends to go play with,” student Sametta Grilia said.”

Shrieve also hopes that students will continue playing tennis as a regular activity and a way to get

some exercise.

“Even if someone has never played before, they should come out and gain experience,” Shrieve said. “We have rackets (and we can) just give you a racket and it may be something someone will end up liking.”

Whether you want to make friends, have fun, fulfill a PE requirement, stay in shape or become an advanced tennis player, the class is open to everyone.

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibarra.advocate@gmail.com.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

11

Squad struggles against Mariners Opposing offense hurts Comets in loss

The Mariners scored their third goal on a counterattack in the 55th minute when Escobar made a chip shot over Junco for her second goal of the game.

Junco prevented Escobar from scoring her third after hustling toward the goal to

By Dariush Azmoudeh ASSOCIATE EDITOR stop the shot. Junco had six saves for the game.

Despite a better offensive effort, the “We did (well),” sophomore midfielder Comets were unable to stop the College of Daisy Huizar said. “We didn’t give up. We Marin’s attack as they lost 3-0 at home on fought even though we were losing.”

Friday.

Huizar was on both ends of the field The Mariners’ (3-4-0 overall) speed and helping out on defense and leading the passing left openings in CCC’s (0-6-0 over- offense by taking a total of five shots. She all) defense where Marin forward Diana took several shots from outside the box and Escobar was able to score twice. When it almost scored one shot that hit the crossbar seemed that the Comets were turning up after being deflected by Mariner goalkeeper the heat on offense, Escobar scored the first Catherine Ramos. goal of the game in the 38th “I saw an opportunity minute to give Marin the openand since we were losing, I ing lead. thought anything (would) ScoreBoard “We have to be a little help,” Huizar said. more organized,” coach Nikki During the second half, Mariners 3 Ferguson said. “I think we get Comet forward Juliana Correa Comets 0 lost (in the flow of the game) had a few runs toward the sometimes.”

Marin goal but was impeded Next game: The Comets lost their sixth by the speedy Mariner defendFriday at Los straight game of the season. The ers. The improvement in the Medanos, team hopes to end its slump Comet passing in the second 3:30 p.m. when it plays against district half led their offense to crerival Los Medanos College in ate opportunities to strike at Pittsburg on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Marin’s goal.

“We lost, but in the end I’m proud Ferguson said while CCC’s passing was of what we did,” Comet defender Moni OK, it could have been better.

Rodriguez said. “We did our best. We had a “We did OK, but obviously it’s never couple of shots on goal.” good enough even when (the passing could Offensively, Contra Costa College made be) better,” he said. “We found spaces an improvement by getting a total eight behind them (Marin) in which we distribshots, but defensively it allowed Marin to uted the ball.” attempt 18 shots.

In comparison, the second half proved to “I thought we had a much better second be better for the Comets as they were able to half than the first. We created some chances get organized and improve their play. and had some opportunities,” Ferguson Ferguson said the team’s offense worked said. “I’m really happy that the team con- better in the second half because of Correa tinued to compete and tried to find ways to and forward Vanessa Maceo working well (take shots).” together.

Marin’s other goal in the first half “I thought we were not organized. It was came on a penalty kick by forward Molly an issue we addressed at halftime.”

Scheufler after a foul inside the box that Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmouCCC goalkeeper Magaly Junco committed deh.advocate@gmail.com. on Escobar.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Foot battle — Forward Vanessa Johnson (left) battles against a College of Marin defender on the soccer field on Friday. The Comets’ inability to control the ball during the game led to their defeat.

Team toppled in three sets Over hit balls lead to errors in CCC defeat

playing aggressively you begin to lose (sync).”

Problems in moving around to get the ball continued to haunt the Comets throughout the second set as they were late to hitting several balls and moved slugBy Malcolm Lastra gishly as many points were SPORTS EDITOR scored by Marin.

The Comets hope to play Mental mistakes such as over-powered spikes and more consistently and take lack of movement toward better shot opportunities the ball hurt the volleyball against Solano Community team as it fell in three sets College (14-3 overall, 4-0 in 25-23, 25-17 and 25-23 to the BVC) today at 6 p.m. in the College of Marin Friday the Gym. “We have to work on in the Gymnasium.

The Comets (1-1 over- staying on our feet and all, 1-1 in the Bay Valley squatting down,” outside Conference) showed resil- hitter Lynn Iosua said. “We ience in staying competitive stand up straight too much through the match. However, and that equals bad hitting the Mariners (3-4 overall, 3- and passing.”

After a time out after get1 in the BVC) were able to capitalize on CCC’s mis- ting down 10-3 in the second takes and took the match in set, the Comets began to take momentum away from the three sets.

The Comets were also Mariners with several kills without sophomore outside from outside hitter Iousa and hitter Melanie Raquel due to Mendoza to bring the squad back into the game. personal reasons.

“When you’re down in a “We were out of sorts since Melanie couldn’t play match you can’t get worried tonight,” coach Zachary about the score,” Shrieve Shrieve said. “Our rota- said. “I try to remind the tions weren’t the same. We team to continue to play played well but it wasn’t the aggressively and they will normality so the chemistry play better if they do so.”

The Comets displayed was thrown off.”

The first set began aggressiveness, however rough for CCC as Marin they used too much of it as took an early 17-6 lead as over-powered kills had gotthe Mariners attacked the ten the best out of CCC as the open holes in the Comets’ Comet players would often hit the ball too hard, causing defense.

At times, players were it to go out of bounds and looking lost and confused give the Mariners points.

The Mariners took the in their positions as balls fell to the ground, giving the second set 25-17.

Despite the squad being Mariners points.

“Some of the players too aggressive on the kills, were put in new positions CCC showed strong effort that they weren’t used to,” in creating a majority of its freshman setter Jazmine points with aces.

“Getting aces is good, Mendoza said. “We just had but it is a risk,” to try and get Shrieve said. comfort“There are able (with our ScoreBoard times in the adjustments).”

Mariners def. game where The Comets you go for the were able to Comets ace, but we try bounce back 25-23, 25-17, to avoid aces in the set and 25-23 and errors be within one as we can’t point with key Next game: afford to give spikes and conToday vs. Solano, the opposition necting aces.

6 p.m. easy points.”

Despite the Consistency late rally, the and control Mariners took the set 25-23 after a bad of the momentum proved to cost the Comets as they serve by the Comets.

“I told them to keep their would fight back into the heads up and to keep playing game after losing ground aggressive,” Shrieve said. and creating a large deficit “In volleyball, once you stop to the Mariners. They could

SportShort CCC fails to beat Eagles as defense allows over 400 yards in 38-28 loss A good start wasn’t enough to keep the Comet football team ahead in their 38-28 loss to Mendocino College in Ukiah on Saturday.

Contra Costa College (1-3 overall) began well and took the early lead on a 3-yard run by running back Leroy Green in the first quarter, but the Eagles (3-1 overall) fought to tie up the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass to end the quarter at 6-6.

“We had the opportunity to maintain (control of) the game,” coach Alonzo Carter said. “We were going toe-totoe with the 16th ranked team in Northern California.”

A punt return for a touchdown by wide receiver Jordan Morrow in the second quarter put CCC ahead again, but two touchdowns by the Eagles left the score 18-13 at halftime.

Carter said that quarterback Jeffery Anderson and wide receiver Antoine Williams had their best game of the season, as Anderson threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns and Williams caught one touchdown and had three catches for 131 yards.

Anderson’s two touchdowns in the second half kept the Comets in the game, but it was not enough for the victory.

Despite the loss, Carter was proud of the team’s effort in the game.

“Even though we lost a tough game, it showed me something about the kids — that there was a real positive energy,” Carter said.

Carter said one problem CCC faced against Mendocino was that the Comets spent most of the game on defense and allowed 493 yards.

The Comets’ hope to end their slump this Saturday at home when they take on Gavilan College at 1 p.m.

Carter said that the team hopes to improve on its offensive line play and tackling as it prepares for a big game against Gavilan.

“It’s do or die,” Carter said. “We need this win bad. It is so pivotal to our season for morale reasons.”

— Dariush Azmoudeh

Box scores Women’s soccer (Oct. 1) QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Over the net — Comet setter Jazmine Mendoza spikes the ball toward the Mariners’ side of the court during Friday’s home loss. not get a solid grasp of the game’s momentum.

“It was a lot of frustration in keeping our momentum,” Iosua said. “It’s hard to catch up after those huge deficits and maintain the intensity we need.”

CCC came off to a good start in the final set, taking the lead for the first time during the game.

However, Mariner setter Carli Weaver and outside hitter Stephanie Nave attacked the Comets’ open holes and notched a 15-6 advantage.

The Comets were able to rally back once again late in the final set, and after an

exchange of points by both teams, Marin managed to seal the victory with a 25-23 set win.

“I think we played good despite Marin being a good team and us losing one of our key players,” Mendoza said.

Other players stayed positive and hopeful after the loss.

“We just have to stay on top of our game,” Iosua said.

“Mistakes got the best of us today.”

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

College of Marin, Contra Costa Marin 2 CCC 0

1—3 0—0

First Half 1, Marin, Escobar 9, 38th minute.

2, Marin, Scheufler 3 (penalty), 43rd minute.

Second Half 3, Marin, Escobar 9, 55th minute.

Individual statistics Goals — Main — Escobar 2, Scheufler. — CCC — None.

Assists — Marin — None. — CCC — None.

Shots on goal — Marin — 9.

— CCC — 2.

Saves — Marin — Ramos 2. — CCC — Junco 6.

Record — Marin — 3-4-0 overall.

— CCC — 0-6-0 overall.

Men’s soccer (Oct. 1) Napa Valley College, Contra Costa Napa 0 0—0 CCC 1 2—3 First Half 1, CCC, Onn 12, 35th minute.

Second Half 2, CCC, Henry 11, (penalty kick) 10th minute.

3, CCC, DaSilva 9, 32nd minute.

Yellow Cards Napa, Pedro Garcia, 10th minute.

Individual statistics Goals — CCC — Onn, Henry, DaSilva.

Napa— None.

Assists — Napa — None. — CCC — None Shots on goal — CCC — 7. — Napa — 3.

Saves — Napa — Garcia 4. — CCC — Esquivel 3.

Record — Napa — 0-3-2 overall.

— CCC — 3-5-1 overall, 2-1-0 in BVC.

Volleyball (Oct. 1) Marin def. Contra Costa 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 Individual statistics Aces — CCC — Iousa 3, Antienza 3, Sanchez 3, Farinas 1. — Marin — Shubin 1, Weaver 1.

Spikes — CCC — Williams 1, Iosua 1, Mendoza 5, Farinas 3. — Marin — Cabral 1, Rhoades 3, Shubin 1, Hatcher 2, Weaver 1, Beaman 1, Murphy 1.

Blocks — CCC — Sanchez 1.

— Marin — Hatcher 1, Beaman 1.

Record — CCC — 1-1 overall, 1-1 in BVC. — Marin — 3-4 overall, 3-1 in BVC.

12 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2010

FOCUS

Breaking a sweat — Dragon boat paddlers heave and toil in synchrony while racing along the shore of Treasure Island during the annual San Francisco

Dragon Boat Festival on Sept. 25. Teams from all across North America participated in the competition that drew thousands of attendants.

photos by Qing Huang

Giving good luck — A dragon head serves as a customary Chinese symbol of fortune at the San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival on Treasure Island Sept. 25.

Scenic view — Dragon boats seen in the foreground of the Bay Bridge push through the water in the San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival on Sept. 25.

Packed shore — spectators watch and cheer along the shore of Treasure Island as dragon boats glide across bay waters during the annual San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival on Sept. 25.

The event is the largest dragon boat race in the United States and attracts thousands of people nationally.

More than 110 teams and 3,500 paddlers raced in the competition.