The Advocate - Oct. 20, 2010

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

Salons evaluated

Nearby nail shops tested, reviewed

sports ◆ page 11

Stomped Soccer squad secures goals

CMYK

spotlight ◆ page 9

scene ◆ page 12

Drama fascinates ‘Mad Men’ revisits 1960s lifestyle

VOL. 95, NO. 7

SINCE 1950

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

12 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

Budget finally unveiled

PUMP IT UP

New figures disappointing

By Cody McFwarland

edit orial

SCENE EDITOR

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Proud smile — The new Comet cheerleaders perform an invigorating dance routine to raise students’ spirits two days before the Homecoming game in the Amphitheatre on Thursday. This was the first rally held this semester.

Raising COMET SPirit Rally

boosts student morale, wishes good luck to football team in Homecoming game

By Dariush Azmoudeh ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Contra Costa College Blue & Silver Day Rally drew a crowd in the Amphitheatre on Thursday to raise Comet spirit for the football team’s Homecoming game on Saturday.

The Comet cheerleaders pumped up the crowd as well as the football team to get ready for Saturday’s game against College of the Redwoods.

“I thought it was fantastic,” college President McKinley Williams said. “It was a beautiful day to show Comet spirit and I’m proud of everyone.”

The rally was set up by Marketing and Communication Coordinator Michele Jackson.

“I think this rally went very well for being the first one,” Jackson said.

“The only thing we could have done better is to have more Comets out there.”

Jackson, who is also adviser of the cheer squad, said her goal for the rally was to introduce the cheerleading squad to the school along with the football team and to bring the school

together. field.”

The rally began with a dance rouAfter the football players went back tine by the Comet cheerleaders, danc- to their seats, the cheerleaders gave a ing to “Boom Boom Pow” by the cheer that was to be used at the game.

Black Eyed Peas, followed by football They spelled “silver” and then “blue” coach Alonzo Carter giving a speech after which the crowd, mainly the footto the crowd about ball team, chanted supporting and parthe school’s color ticipating by show- “(The rally) was won- back and forth with ing up at the team’s the cheerleaders. derful, it was well game.

Williams gave “It was a good put together and it’s a speech about chance to get fan school pride and support and to good for the school. It his support for the try to get them to was a good job, well football team. the game,” Comet “(The rally) was approached.” safety Phillip wonderful, it was Henderson said. well put together Alonzo Carter, “It’s always good and it’s good for football coach to have that (extra) the school,” Carter man.” said. “It was a By extra man, good job, well Henderson meant the advantage of approached.” getting the crowd behind the team.

Carter said he enjoyed the cheerAfter his speech, Carter brought leaders’ introduction as well as each one of his players to the center Williams’ speech. stage, calling their names one by one.

“If you have the president behind “(The rally) helps us a lot,” Carter you, you know it’s good,” he said. said. “It was good and fun seeing (the Spectator and student Maria Rubio players) enjoying each other off the ■ SEE RALLY: Page 4

The budget wait is finally over, but the news is not all good for the state’s community colleges.

Though the long-winded efforts of state legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to agree upon an adoption budget appear to have paid off at first glance, the increases in funding detailed in the budget’s language are nothing more than a fallacy, Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said.

“As in past years, the state has effectively created a budget out of smoke and mirrors,” Hernandez said.

“This budget may appear impressive at first, but to me looks like the ones I’ve seen over the last five years – years when the state failed to reach its intended revenues and education paid

False funding

Though the recently approved adoption budget appears to benefit community colleges more than originally expected, history suggests revenues will not meet deferred payments, creating more economic hardship for colleges.

page 2

■ SEE BUDGET: Page 4

Donations growing

By Cassidy Gooding OPINION EDITOR

Updated early Monday morning, the fund being collected for the Martin Padilla memorial statue stood at $6,260, Senior Executive Assistant to the President Melody Hanson said.

Martin Padilla, former evening and Saturday program monitor, was struck and killed while driving to the college from his Pinole home in August 2008. Because of Padilla’s excellent service to the college, a committee was formed to find a way to PADILLA memorialize him.

“Martin Padilla was enormously dedicated,” said Academic Senate President Richard Akers, who explained that among his variety of positions throughout his 22 years ■ SEE PADILLA: Page 4

Tailgate celebration embodies school pride ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Following a football tradition, Contra Costa College held a tailgate party before the Comets’ Homecoming game Saturday on Stadium Drive between Lot 2 and Lot 3.

The event was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., continuing for an hour after the game’s kickoff.

Students, faculty and staff gathered before the game to enjoy food, karaoke and the presence of others all while supporting Comet spirit.

The campus club Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders sold beads and noisemakers to show support for the football team.

“We’re selling silver and blue beads to

represent our colors, and noisemakers to make noise for our team,” TSTL president Charity Ruth Edmondson said.

With the tailgate party being set up by the college, Student Life and the Associated Students Union gathered the student clubs and vendors to set up booths. Student clubs, programs and vendors were selling food and merchandise. Also being offered was fresh, organic produce from a farmers’ market booth.

“I went out to various farmers’ markets to get vendors to come out to the event today,” Student Life director Kelly Ramos said.

Barbecue grills were set up where faculty and staff grilled various foods, ranging from the traditional hot dogs and burgers to frog legs, all being offered for free along with chips and drinks.

■ SEE PARTY: Page 4

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Tastes like chicken — Academic Senate President Richard Akers serves barbecued frog legs by the Tennis Courts during the tailgate party on Saturday.

CMYK

By Dariush Azmoudeh

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “We (newspapers) are like oxygen. When we’re there, nobody says much about us. But can you imagine what it would be like without oxygen — or newspapers?”

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 VOL. 95, NO. 7 ●

Editorial Deferrals deceptive

Kavi Chongkittavorn editor 2001 Sam Attal editor-in-chief Dariush Azmoudeh associate editor Lamar James associate editor Cassidy Gooding opinion editor Cassandra Juniel spotlight editor Malcolm Lastra sports editor Alexandra Waite news editor Cody McFarland scene editor George Morin photo editor Christian Soto assistant photo editor Jermaine Harrison circulation manager Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Hilberth Ibarra Natalie Estrada Cary Gooding April Halog Cheuk Ko 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. 20, 2010

Late budget plan leaves district guessing

I

t appears as if students are in for another academic year full of waitlists, crowded classrooms, limited sections and minimal services.

It took 93 days after the start of California’s fiscal year to establish an adoption budget for 2010-11, setting a record for the latest budget deal in state history.

Anticipation was built only to end in disappointment. The new education budget, though sugarcoated to seem advantageous compared to previous projections, ultimately translates to another set of stagnant semesters, in which the college is not expected to grow, shrink or change at all.

The worst part is that legislators attempted to appease the demands of higher education with deferrals, otherwise known as notifications of payments to be reimbursed by the state to community colleges by July 2011 at the earliest.

The adoption budget includes $189 million in deferrals, the predicted revenues for which are not anticipated to be fulfilled – not by July, not ever – based on recent fiscal examples, according to Contra Costa College Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez.

Community colleges presented with deferrals are forced to take out loans from banks that will accrue interest and prove to be more costly in the long run.

If state revenues fall short, then projected deferrals will be reduced, if not entirely eliminated, resulting in a debt to banks that further harms the quality of education in California.

The ambiguity of the budget is heightened by the fact that the governor to be elected on Nov. 2 will be given the opportunity to revise figures upon entering office.

The competence of our heads of state comes into question: why did it take nearly three months over deadline to reproduce the tentative budget proposal if the only additions made to it were a string of IOUs history and educators deem misleading and unable to be met?

Detestable to say the least, such actions should be avoided at all costs in the formation of future state budgets.

As well, legislators should settle their differences earlier on and organize to produce an adoption budget on deadline.

Our district has made the wise decision to disregard the deferrals outlined by the new budget proposal. If the state actually accumulates expected revenues, the district will be granted its deferrals free of interest and the hassle of dealing with the bank.

Until then, district and college administrators need to hold out and continue the static state of operations with caution as to how much money the district is spending.

FAYTHE DEL ROSARIO / THE ADVOCATE

■ Society

Teen suicide rates rampant, avoidable

A

n unfavorable number that continues to rise is that of teen suicide.

The National Institute of Mental Health believes that as many as 25 suicides are attempted for each one that is completed. That means that for every teen suicide you hear of, there are probably at least 25 other attempts made.

This still does not cover the teenage suicides and attempts that are never publicized.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24 is suicide. The two things that cause more death among teenagers are car accidents and homicide.

There are many reasons why teens end their lives.

The leading cause is depression. Factors that may cause depression are anxiety, relationship problems, domestic violence, feelings of worthlessness and taunting, otherwise known as bullying.

Are we, as friends and/or family members, paying enough attention to teens or providing them the help they need? Are we recognizing significant changes in them, such as mood swings or periods of depression? The individual may be a victim of a hate crime or taunting, but have we reached out to them about it?

These are just some of the things to think about on behalf of those we care about who may be contemplating suicide.

They need our help; they’re in pain and it’s necessary to do everything we can to keep them on the right

and hung himself.

Although bullying situations like this may appear to be minor, even expected, there still should have been a sense of urgency taken on behalf of his mom. That moment may have saved his life. course. Many times, the Many people have heard signs may not be recognizable, yet when they are, those about Tyler Clementi, the 18year-old freshman at Rutgers are the times we need to do University in Piscataway our best. And that goes for parents, teachers, school and Township, N.J. who jumped from the George Washington church leaders.

Bridge in an apparent suicide There are times when a potential suicide victim may on Sept. 22.

The reason given, accordvoice his or her concerns to ing to investigators, was that someone, yet it may have Clementi had sexual relations been considered a “minor” situation. I believe we should with a man in his dorm room that, without his knowledge, consider them all important was taped and allegedly because a minor thing can streamed over the Internet by turn into a major one fast. roommate Dharun Ravi and One such situation that hallmate Molly Wei. occurred in late September They were charged with was that of 13-year-old two counts of invasion of Seth Walsh from Tehachapi, Calif., who was continuously privacy. Both Wei and Ravi could face up to five years picked on by his schoolin prison, as well as the posmates. sible charge of a hate crime.

The kids at his school Unfortunately, there are discovered that he was gay many other examples of and began to harass him for young people who have it. On the day he committed taken their lives just weeks suicide, Walsh telephoned apart from the two menhis mother to pick him up tioned above. The point is from school. Even though she noticed fear in his voice, that young people are calling she had become accustomed out for help and many of us to regular panicked calls and are not hearing them.

There are a number of told her son to walk home. resources available for She eventually got him from school, where she heard troubled teens, yet the most important help we can prokids calling him names. vide is that of personally Walsh was especially upset reaching out to them. this time because someone he considered a friend was in Cassandra Juniel is spotthe crowd of kids. light editor of The Advocate.

When he got home, he Contact her at cjuniel. took a shower and, shortly advocate@gmail.com. thereafter, walked outside

cassandrajuniel

CampusComment

What did you think of Thursday’s rally?

“It was much needed.

I think we should have a rally before every game.”

“I’m glad people came out and showed school spirit.”

nursing

ROY CHAN / THE ADVOCATE

“It was OK. Nothing spectacular, but I’m glad they did it.”

“It was cool. I really enjoyed the music and performances.”

Tim Brown

Charmaign Holmes

Luis Vega Taliah Kirren

Nicole Maker

“Everyone had a good part in it.”

sociology

physical science

“It could have been better and longer.”

Riyada Jenkins

undecided

psychology

psychology

FORUM ■ Diversity

cheukko

Disparities to be honored, not ignored

I

t seems that in contemporary times there is an acute lack of activism within our society.

The lack of community activism is not new. It is easy to point to instances of apathy within the general public from the lack of voter registration to the lack of school involvement from parents.

People just don’t seem to care anymore.

Both of these examples can be traced to people’s lack of confidence in themselves because they are so discouraged by the state of the world, leading them to drop out of involvement in their neighborhood and community.

There have been many attempts to address the issue of community apathy, from government intervention in the form of welfare to build up those in need to President Obama’s “Yes We Can” campaign.

But the best way to have more people care about their communities is for young people to be proud of their culture. If they do not see their people in a good light, they will be demoralized and feel less inclined to uphold the values of their community.

In 1948, a prisoner by the name of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, also known as Malcolm X, learned of and read about the African Diaspora from his younger brother Philbert. Over the next 17 years he worked to better his community raising the self esteem of AfricanAmericans because he learned of, and was proud of, his heritage.

Whether you can relate to him or agree with him is not the point.

The important part is that he was able to change himself from a criminal to a community activist and leader by being proud of who he was.

During the civil rights movement, every person knew they had to serve as an example for the rest of their people to follow, so they had to act at their best.

The African-American demonstrators during the 1960s were proud to be who they were and had a firm foundation from which to draw strength. Sadly, children are not taught to be proud of their culture anymore.

A quick accusation of ethnocentrism is voiced if someone is seen to be too proud.

We are taught that we are all the same and that we are all of the same background, but that is not what we should be taught.

Telling people that we are all equal when we are not being treated equally can produce resentment.

We should be taught that we are all human beings and that all of us have a long and honorable heritage, but that no race, class, creed, or culture is stronger or better than any other.

We should teach tolerance and acceptance, not homogeneity. We are all, obviously, not around others of our same culture all the time, so we should respect and be interested in other cultures.

Children should be taught not only of their similarities to each other but also of their differences. We should celebrate our differences, not pretend they don’t exist.

Cheuk Ko is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at cko.advocate@gmail. com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

3

■ Intoxicants

War on drugs endless, useless

W

ith users ranging from early teenagers to senior citizens, Americans are trying to get a buzz by almost any means necessary.

Illegal or not, people have and will find ways to get their hands on their favorite intoxicants.

Lately there have been people getting high from drinking codeine syrup or inhaling aerosol computer dusters. Laws have been put in place to regulate what the public can become intoxicated by, and these laws change according to what people are using.

Alcohol is legal for citizens over the age of 21 and tobacco provides a slight feeling of relaxation for smokers over the age of 18, though a lot of people shy away from the two because of their deadly qualities.

Cigarettes continue to give users and those in contact with users respiratory problems and, in many cases, lung cancer. Alcohol destroys the liver and leads to many health problems.

rodneywoodson I’ve always wondered why alcohol and cigarettes remain legal when they both can be fatal. Marijuana is currently illegal, yet there has never been a case of someone dying from an overdose using only marijuana. What’s wrong with this picture?

Marijuana is known as a “gateway drug” because “experts” say that it can lead to harsher drug use.

Seriously? I’ve smoked some weed in my lifetime and am around marijuana users daily.

Neither I, nor any of them, have ever decided to kick things up a notch by snorting cocaine or shooting heroine.

The recreational use of prescription drugs is becoming more and more popular.

I don’t know what’s more discouraging: that legal

intoxicants are notorious killers or that America’s best pain medication is being used by people to get high.

Pain medicine does nothing to heal pain, it simply numbs the nervous system.

This means that non-drug users will be exposed to addictive drugs by simply trying to relieve their bodies of aches.

And the drug industry is poorly regulated. It seems you don’t have to be in need anymore to get doctor-prescribed medications. How else can anyone explain the fact that there are currently those who deal prescription medications on the street?

We are led to believe that getting drunk is fine as long as you are at home and over the age of 21. We can drink in bars, but it is illegal to be intoxicated in public and understandably to drive drunk.

Other than that we can only get high when we’re sick. But if they are all drugs and they all serve the same purpose, why not make all

drugs illegal?

The fact is people love to feel free from the stresses of the world by, at times, intoxicating themselves. Let’s not beat around the bush: if intoxication is bad, then it should be banned or competently regulated. Otherwise, why bother? People will always get what they need to get high.

As the war on drugs continues with efforts to rid the streets of dealers and users, more drugs keep sprouting up. The drug war seems to jail more people at the expense of taxpayers instead of stopping people from being involved with drugs.

Is there a solution to the drug problem? I don’t think so. As long as there is stress to be eased and fun to be had, people will always get buzzed. So choose wisely, because the wrong high can kill you.

Rodney Woodson is a staff writer for The Advocate.

Contact him at rwoodson. advocate@gmail.com.

Puppy Love Dogs engineered to protect, serve, cherish mankind

By Cassidy Gooding OPINION EDITOR

L

ooking over man’s vast array of inventions from the past century or so, many would point to computers, televisions or battery-powered cars as the innovations with the largest impact on humankind. These are all, of course, debatable, but one novelty most would not immediately place on this list is the Chihuahua.

Not only the Chihuahua, but the English bulldog, the golden retriever or the lhasa apso. They are man’s best friend, and perhaps the most rewarding creation in history. From their wagging tails to their endearing whines, the dog is man’s teammate, ally and most treasured companion.

But how did they get that way?

The dog is one species that looks like many, with more variation in size, shape and temperament than any other creature on the planet. Canis familiaris, which undoubtedly stemmed from the common wolf, has taken a 15,000 year odyssey from its ancestral form to the wildly diverse friends we’re familiar with today.

The American Kennel Club, a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the U.S., recognizes more than 200 different breeds of domesticated canines. Around the world, the number of breeds and mixed breeds is double that, thanks to centuries of aggressive selective breeding on man’s part.

Zoologists believe the domestication of dogs started with ancient humans capturing wolf cubs to keep as pets.

The first record of a specific breed dates back to ancient Egypt, where hunters selected the fastest of their packs to keep procreating. This Egyptian ancestor is represented today by a popular racing breed, the saluki.

It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that dogs were intentionally bred for look, rather than just utility. The Victorian era in Europe is characterized among many things by its burgeoning leisure class that was obsessed with perfection and design. From architecture to livestock, these Europeans were all about the “look good,” and it wasn’t long before this transcended to their dogs.

80 percent of today’s

breeds didn’t exist 130 years ago.

Since the 19th century, when the explosion of dog breeds started, humans have been conducting the longest-running eugenics experiment in history.

Eugenics is loosely defined as the quest for perfection of a species, and the way breeders have been controlling with whom their dogs mate has created many distinct styles and shapes of the animal.

We’ve bred dogs to be fast. We’ve bred them to be strong, obedient, perceptive tools to use for many different uses. German shepherds are widely recognized as police attack dogs. Bloodhounds sniff out bomb threats in airports. Newfoundlands search for and rescue hikers caught in avalanches. Even Chihuahuas serve as status symbols

peeking out from designer purses.

In addition to all of these traits, we’ve also bred dogs to love us.

In studies made by zoologists comparing a pack of dogs to a pack of wolves brought up in the same conditions under the same care, man’s best friend has shown he is called that for a reason.

Dogs, unlike even domesticated wolves, mimic their human master for approval. The dogs in the study showed a great deal more affection and dependence on their human than the very pack-centered wolves. They were also much more receptive to their master’s emotions and willing to learn trained behaviors.

A dog’s loyalty, therefore, and the feelings they incite in us, is not a learned behavior. Fido, Fluffy and Max were not trained to cater to our whims. The unconditional love we receive from them is inherent, a product of our species evolving together over the millennia.

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

FAYTHE DEL ROSARIO / THE ADVOCATE

4 THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010

accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

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Newsline ■ DEVELOPMENT

Human mind analyzed Early childhood education professor Sandra Moore will moderate a showing of the film “Boy in the World,” Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The film highlights a Down syndrome boy’s preschool years.

It will be shown in the Library and Learning Resource Center and is free to students. It will provide viewers insight into the affects of Down syndrome on the developing mind of a young child.

■ IMPEDIMENTS

Library hosts dyslexia film The film “Inside Dyslexia” will be shown in the Library from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, offering students a peek into life with dyslexia.

The film is free and open to the public, and will follow three dyslexic teenagers living in New York City for two years of their lives.

■ CELEBRATION

Fall Festival extols season The Associated Students Union will be hosting its annual Fall Festival Oct. 27 in the Amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students are encouraged to participate in this celebration of the new season.

Cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones and Henna tattoos are just a few of the activities offered at the festival.

■ DRAMA

Thriller acted for Halloween Contra Costa College’s drama department will present “Sweeney Todd” in the Knox Center Oct. 27 through Oct. 30.

With a cast of 88 students, the bloody thriller will be played on stage in time for Halloween. Showtime is each of the four nights from 8 to 9:30 p.m., $15 general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

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

4274.

■ HALLOWEEN

ASU to hold festive party

Budget | Deferrals impose risks on colleges ■ FROM: Page 1

the price.”

Outlined in the budget is a series of deferrals that, when examined next to recent budgetary examples, prove to act as IOUs from the state that fall short of expected revenues and eventually impose cuts on colleges, he said.

These deferrals are notifications of payments to be reimbursed by the state to community colleges by July 2011 at the earliest.

“Our biggest fear (at the district) is that when the money is due in July, the state will not have met revenues to actually pay the deferrals,” Vice Chancellor of Administration Services Kindred Murillo said.

The budget includes $189 million in total deferrals for community colleges throughout the state, $14 to $17 million of which are allocated to the Contra Costa Community College District, she said.

Murillo suggests that the district does not use deferred funds to finance any operations, as the state may not fulfill their projected revenues to reimburse colleges.

“We don’t want to spend what we don’t have,” she said.

Contra Costa College Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said community colleges presented with deferrals are forced to borrow money from banks equivalent to the amount they are promised by the

state. Even if the state does achieve Murillo said the biggest issue surits revenue goals and pays the colleg- rounding the budget is uncertainty, es back, interest will have accumu- stating she is apprehensive to trust its lated on the loans and will ultimately figures and is concerned about revicost colleges more money. sions due to occur when a governor And this is the best possible out- is elected. come.

“The new governor is inheriting a If projections of revenues fail to mess,” she said. “Whoever it is will be realized, the state will have to have to review the entire budget and decrease the money it allocates to make necessary cuts if projections schools, putting colleges in debt with are wrong.” banks by reducing, if not entirely The adoption budget is an removing, their i m p r ove m e n t deferral payments. the predicted “The situation is very on “The situation is budget implevery unpredictable, mented by the unpredictable, anyanything can hapdistrict on Sept. thing can happen. pen,” Magalong 8, Magalong said. “The prusaid, yet the The prudent thing dent thing is just additional fundis just to know what ing it boasts will to know what has been given to us has been given to us only be fulfilled without spending if revenues meet without spending it. projections to it. It just might get taken away.” deferIt just might get taken finance The district rals. away.” used to accrue up The new to a million dollars budget proMariles Magalong, annually in interposes a 2.2 perdirector of business services est on its reserve cent enrollment funds, which have growth funding now been spent increase, with a compensating for education cuts, statewide impact of $126 million Murillo said. among growing community colFollowing the Nov. 2 election, leges. the entire state budget is subject to A backfill payment for categorical review by the newly elected gover- cuts made in the 2009-10 school year nor of California. returns $35 million to programs such

as EOPS, DSPS and CalWORKs at community colleges throughout the state.

Also, colleges have the opportunity to apply for funding in the form of two new grants; $25 million in economic and workforce development and $20 million in career technology educational programs grants will be awarded to schools deemed most deserving, she said.

Amidst all this, an additional $3 million in district revenue is predicted for this year. These figures are strictly hypothetical and have the potential to not be realized.

“All this budget does is give us hope to stay the same,” Hernandez said. “We’re never going to see those deferrals. I expect that by early spring there will be talk of revisions to the budget and our deferrals will be cut.

I hope I am wrong.”

Mid-year evaluations might prove that revenues are not met, and cuts may be seen as early as January, Magalong said.

Hernandez said the college will remain on the same level of functionality it exhibited last academic year. He hopes students realize from recent semesters that classes will fill quickly, section offerings and the availability of student services will remain limited, and classrooms will still be crowded.

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

Party | Staff, vendors serve food before game ■ FROM: Page 1

“We’re not charging for food. Everybody brings a little bit and shares,” Marketing and Communication Coordinator Michele Jackson said.

The other booths charged for food with vendors trying to make money and student clubs and programs trying to raise money for future projects.

The Puente Club sold chicharrones, Mexican pork rinds, to raise money for their club.

“We’re trying to raise money for the Puente Scholarship and to create new events to help the community,” Puente Club Vice President Sandy Teodoro said. “We hope to have some profit for our future projects.”

Students from the culinary arts program were present to sell food.

“We’re doing pulled pork, hamburgers and regular hot SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE dogs with tropical and regu- Singing with spirit — EOPS assistant Culoz “Cookie” Davis sings karaoke during the tailgate party behind lar lemonade. We also have the Gymnasium on Saturday. The event showcased many vendors and products and was held to boost empanadas,” culinary arts student Jennifer Gonzalez school spirit as part of Homecoming Week before the football team’s Homecoming game. said. could have used more stu- oke at the tailgate party, The money raised by where attendees sang. culinary arts will be used “I think (the tailgate party is) height- dent“Ipresence. think it’s not as sup“I’m loving it, it’s a great to send students to study ening our school spirit and in the long ported as it should be,” day,” college President abroad, she said.

Miller said. “It’s a great McKinley Williams said. “I Vendor Lesley Lara sold run, this will be good for creating a event to support school spir- think (the tailgate party is) items made by Indian women it. It should be packed to heightening our school spirit positive attitude.” that she has brought back help elevate the school and and in the long run, this will from trips to India. She told the athletic program.” be good for creating a posieveryone who went to her McKinley Williams, president Despite that, the cheer- tive attitude.” booth the story behind the leaders were present to do items and about the women Contact Dariush tory of where these items and staff were happy with a performance before the who made them. the event, softball coach Ed game. The Business Club Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.

“Every time somebody come from,” she said.

While most of the faculty Miller said that the event and EOPS hosted the kara- advocate@gmail.com. comes by, I give them a his-

Rally ■ FROM: Page 1

said she enjoyed the rally and that the cheerleaders and football team were pretty energetic. She said she thinks that the rally raised The ASU will host a enough school spirit that it Halloween Party on Oct. 28 will get a good crowd going from 8 p.m. to midnight in to the game. the Recreation Room.

“Now we have more Presale tickets will be people aware of the football available Monday for $5. team and hopefully more The cost will be $7 at the people will go to the game door for CCC students on Saturday,” she said. attending the dance.

Rubio said she was planning to go to the Homecoming game, hoping for a good game.

Williams said that he was happy to see faculty, staff and students at the event and had a positive feeling for the Monday, Oct. 11 Homecoming game.

A victim reported being “We’re going to win,” harassed on campus. he said. “The team is real pumped. It’s going to be A theft was reported on a great football game and campus. afternoon.”

CrimeWatch

An officer responded to a Contact Dariush medical report.

Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh. advocate@gmail.com.

— Cassidy Gooding

Padilla | Memorial funding swells cies, finally decided to have ■ FROM: Page 1 of service at Contra Costa a statue of Padilla’s likeness College, Padilla was most placed in the plaza in front widely recognized as night of the Student Services Center for all on campus to manager.

“At night, there is still a view. Along with the bust of Padilla, the great deal plan is for of stu“We’ve been sucthe statue dents and to include staff on cessful (in raisan informacampus,” ing funds) so far. tional placDr. Akers ard explainsaid. “All Martin was loved, ing why day, if and the money he’s being anything ememg o e s we’ve raised reflects rbered. wrong just how many peo“ T h e they turn plan is for to manple were affected by the statue to agement. be slightly At night, him.” greater than managelife size,” m e n t Richard Akers, said Akers, isn’t here. academic senate president “which Martin gives it became the go-to guy for any prob- an ethereal quality.” When the bust is finished at 10% lems.”

After proposing and veto- bigger than Padilla’s actuing a few different options, al measurement, it will be the committee, which con- “larger than life.”

The statue and plaque sists of four members from separate campus constituen- will be formed of bronze,

which according to Akers is the traditional medium for outdoor sculptures. Fine arts professor and renowned sculptor Jaijun Lu has been chosen to fashion the memorial piece, but cannot begin until the goal of $7,500 is accomplished.

The fund for the memorial sculpture opened on Aug. 12, and the committee, comprised of Akers, interim Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Dean Leverett Smith, Student Services and Instructional Support Coordinator Mercy Pono and Senior Dean of Research and Planning Tim Clow originally hoped to collect the necessary funds by the end of the fall semester.

It is a goal that is getting steadily more tangible, with more than $6,000 collected already.

In an attempt to spread the word about the effort to make this statue happen, Akers created a video homage to Martin Padilla’s

work. The video requested donations and, “spread like a virus from person to person,” Akers said, and brought in a great deal of money.

All donations to the fund are tax deductible, and can be made by writing checks payable to the Contra Costa College Foundation.

Donations may be dropped off in AA-203 until the end of the semester, when the plans will be finalized and begun.

After the bust is finished and erected, any remaining money collected will be rolled over into the Martin Padilla Scholarship, which is given annually to a transfer student of CCC. “We’ve been very successful (in raising funds) so far,” Akers said. “Martin was loved, and the money we’ve raised reflects just how many people were affected by him.”

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

CAMPUS BEAT

Vehicle burglarized on campus Student’s car ransacked, phone stolen

By Sam Attal

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Crime scene

“It was just random,” Oliveira said. “She didn’t have anything in open view.”

Wilson said she is worried about parking in that same area, which is the closest student parking lot to Police Services.

“I don’t want to park in that lot anymore and it’s right behind the police,” Wilson said. She said she is also worried that there are no cameras in the campus lots.

The report came after another student had her four-door 1991 green Honda Accord stolen from upper Campus Drive near the Music Building on Sept. 30.

Wilson said she is not too worried about the overall situation since she did not lose much.

“I’m not really upset, they couldn’t get into the trunk so they couldn’t get into anything important,” she said.

“I’m glad (the car) wasn’t stolen.”

Oliveira said there are currently no leads in the case but students must try and protect their own vehicles by taking precautions.

“Just remember, not that it applied in this scenario, (to) make sure valuables are locked up and are not in plain sight,” he said.

A student’s vehicle was burglarized on campus between 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 8.

Student Brandy Wilson said her Samsung cell phone was stolen from her fourdoor 1995 Acura Legend, which had been ransacked while parked in Lot 10.

“It was crazy,” Wilson said. “Everything was scattered everywhere.”

She returned to the car at 1 p.m. after parking it on campus earlier that day and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. When she came back again at 2:30 p.m., her doors were all unlocked and the car was a mess.

Police Services Sgt. Jose Oliveira reported to the crime and said the thief ripped the driver side door’s weather stripping in order to gain entry to the vehicle, making the case an act of burglary and vandalism. The glove box, from which the cell phone was taken, was Contact Sam Attal at satpreviously locked but was tal.advocate@gmail.com. also forced open.

A student’s four-door 1995 white Acura Legend was burglarized in Lot 10 behind Police Services on Oct. 8 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. The student’s cell phone was stolen and the car’s weather stripping was damaged.

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Speech team comes out victorious

By April Halog STAFF WRITER

The Contra Costa College Speech and Debate team recently placed fifth in the Santa Rosa Speech and Debate Tournament that was held at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The tournament lasted three days, from Oct. 8 to 10, pitting the Contra Costa College team against other community colleges such as the Santa Rosa Junior College and Diablo Valley College, as well as California State Universities such as San Francisco State,

Cal State-Chico and San Jose State.

Several members of the team placed in multiple speech categories.

Beulah Agababiaka placed first place gold for the impromptu speech category, Jael Agababiaka won third place bronze for After Dinner Speaking, Kelly Sekins became a finalist in Communication Analysis on Saturday and Sunday and became a finalist in Impromptu speaking.

Middle College High School student Margarita Romo-Romo placed fourth place in Persuasive Speaking for her speech on mountain

5

top removal for coal mining and Devin Gamble won fourth place overall speaker for Parliamentary Debate.

These accomplishments add to the team’s long list achievements, which include attendance at the UC Berkeley Tournament in fall 2009 and several trophies and medals from various speech tournaments.

Despite the team’s winning record, the Speech and Debate Team’s teachers and coaches do not push for students to win, but instead push them to learn.

“Learning a new skill is paramount to a medal,” said Julie Labrincha, the assis-

tant director of forensics and one of the team’s coaches.

Labrincha has coached the team throughout her eight years teaching at CCC. “Some teams win and some teams struggle, but in the end we always succeed because we are a learning based environment,” Labrincha said.

For education major Ashley Schauer, who placed fourth in the Informative Speech category for her speech on macular degeneration and new telescopic lens for sight restoration, winning is not the goal when participating in speech tournaments.

Schauer said, “It’s not important to win, it’s important to grow (as a speaker).

I’m proud even if we don’t win because we (the team) work so hard.”

This is one of several speech tournaments that the team plans to participate in this year.

Next, the team will participate in the speech and debate tournament that will be held at sister college DVC in Pleasant Hill in two weeks.

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

Winners

1st Place for Impromptu: Beulah Agababiaka 3rd Place for After Dinner Speaking: Jael Agababiaka Finalist Communication Analysis: Kelly Sekins Finalist Informative Speaking: Ashley Schauer Finalist Persuasive Speaking: Margarita Romo-Romo 4th Place Overall Speaker for Parliamentary Debate: Devin Gamble

Repercussions of Proposition 13 debated Educational ramifications far-reaching

By Cody McFarland SCENE EDITOR

To inform students of the negative impact Proposition 13, passed in 1978, has had on education in California, a new club on campus gathered local politicians to debate the proposition’s consequences.

The Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders panelist debate, titled Prop. 13 and Education Today, was held on Oct. 13 in the Fireside Room from 1 to 3 p.m.

Panelists included Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Laura Wells, Mayor of Richmond Gayle McLaughlin, Richmond mayoral candidate Nat Bates, former state legislator Robert Campbell and San Pablo City Council member Paul Morris.

With the exception of Morris, who took a neutral stance, the panelists all agreed that Proposition 13 has had a horrible impact on education in California and is due for revision.

“Proposition 13 poisoned our education system and people need to know about it,” TSTL President Charity Ruth Edmondson said. “Even those who are for (Proposition) 13 know it

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Speaking out — Laura Wells, Green Party candidate for governor, speaks on the Proposition 13 debate panel in the Fireside Room on Oct. 13. failed the education system.

It was the unintended consequence.”

Many residents throughout the state are unaware not only of the proposition’s negative impact on education, but even of its existence, Edmondson explained.

When voters approved Proposition 13 in 1978, it capped property tax at 1 percent of purchase price and limited annual increases to

no more than 2 percent if warranted by inflation.

Through a series of laws and ballot measures, a different form of funding for education came into play and the state is now responsible for more than half of school budgets.

“Before 13, local schools were funded about 67 percent from local property tax, 8 percent from the federal government and 25 percent

from the state. After 13, those numbers were reversed – funding was shifted,” Campbell said.

“Suddenly the state was accountable for 67 percent; the fed remained at 8 (percent), but now the local taxes are only responsible for 25 percent.”

Since the state is relying heavily on income, sales and corporate taxes for its money and California is in a reces-

sion, all of those taxes get decreased. Lower property and income taxes mean less money for the state and thus the county, with education suffering because of it.

“It’s species-imperative to take care of the next generation. That’s what this is about: making sure future generations get the education they deserve,” Wells said.

TSTL Vice President and CEO of Public Relations Anthony Yancy explained that the proposition is ultimately a double-edged sword; while it works well for homeowners, it is effectively crippling the state education system.

“We want to make students more aware of the better opportunities they will have if they get out and vote,” he said. “Their voices will be heard.”

Yancy encourages students to ask candidates, “If you’re not bettering my education, then why should I give you my vote?”

“Students need to understand that we have the power to vote and take California back,” Edmondson said.

Campbell said that Proposition 13 is never going to be completely removed, but it can be modified through the initiative process.

He believes that it will change incrementally, that it is only a matter of finding solutions that will appeal to the public before it is modi-

fied.

According to student Henry Parker, member of TSTL, it is the objective of the group to put students in the spotlight, to address educational and community issues with them and find solutions to show them they can make a difference.

“The club is very selfempowering,” he said. “We want students to see that people have passion. That passion will inspire them to get involved.”

Though Edmondson felt the event went very well, she said she would have liked to see more people in attendance.

A speaker was placed outside of the Fireside Room, projecting the debate to anyone in the amphitheater.

Although the room was full, Edmondson hoped students would be gathered outside to hear the panelists.

Wells said she was pleased with the turnout and course of the debate, adding that the presence and involvement of students in events geared toward bettering education is “a testament to the youth and the human spirit.”

“I wish every community college would host events like this. The environment on this campus really builds your energy. There’s not another like it,” she said.

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

6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010

FOCUS

Hungry for pumpkins — Competitors race to eat their pumpkin pies in the annual pumpkin pie eating competition at the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin

Festival in Half Moon Bay on Saturday. The event marked its 40th anniversary of drawing crowds to the “World Pumpkin Capital” with its festivities.

The Great

pumpkin patch Photos by Qing Huang

Abundant choices — Harvested pumpkins are displayed across the ground on Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm at the festival in Half Moon Bay on Saturday.

Heavyweight champion — Sacramento pumpkin grower Ron Root shows off his 1,535 pound pumpkin during the festival in Half Moon Bay on Saturday.

Massive affair — Crowds flow through Main Street during the annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay on Saturday.

More than 10,000 people visit and participate in the festival’s activities each year.

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

7

Prescription drugs endanger lives Narcotic abuse proves harmful

By Lamar James ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Abusing prescription drugs can be defined as taking too many of the painkillers a doctor has prescribed or overusing diet pills for faster results, among other things.

For whatever reason the drug is used, over using it can be a danger to one’s self.

In recent ads running on television, parents are advised that teens are no longer buying drugs on the streets, but are finding them at home in medicine cabinets. In this decade it has been more commonly seen that teenagers and young adults are abusing prescription

medications. medications for the effects it has on “We mostly see people abusing the body, and there has been a rise pain medications,” Contra Costa in the number of people who are college nursing professor Maryanne abusing stimulants,” McCullough We r n e r - M c said.

Cullough said.

Stimulants “People initially get “Drugs that fall are psychoacinto that categotive drugs that the drugs for valid ry are Vicodin, increase activreasons, but someand Valium. ity in the brain.

People initially times their consump- Examples of get the drugs for stimulants are valid reasons, tion is not being mon- nicotine, cafbut sometimes feine, cocaine, itored.” their consumpand amphettion is not being amines.

Maryanne Werner-McCullough, monitored.”

The probnursing professor Just about lem begins every drug has when people the potential for abuse, and they who are prescribed the drugs start can all have some kinds of proper- to take them for the effects, and not ties that people can become depen- the underlying problem they got dent upon, she said. them for.

“We see people abusing pain “When people stop taking the

medications for the pain, or the problem they have, this can turn into a problem of overdosing, and building a dependency upon the drug,” McCullough said.

People can become hooked if they are not using the drugs in the prescribed fashion, and depending on the person and the drugs, some can become hooked faster than others because of their tolerance levels.

Student John Austin said he has not abused drugs, but knows people who have and noticed that drugs can take people out of character.

“When people don’t have the drug of their choice, they become very irritable, and mad,” Austin said. “People who are abusing drugs will go at any length to get, whether it is from doctors, street vendors, friends, or someone else

yielding it to them. They will find ways to get it.”

Austin said he did not know if the abusers he knew were using the drugs for the effects, or if they were trying to escape something psychological.

People who are abusing drugs can be any member of society, but Austin knows the ones who are addicted need help.

“The people who I know abusing drugs are not bad people, they just need help to get off of the drugs. It really can’t be done alone,” he said.

Austin said he knows people are getting really bad when the drug takes them out of their character and they start to do things they would normally not do.

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

Commonly abused prescription drugs Hydrocodone

Methylphenidate

Hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, is the most abused prescription drug in the U.S., according the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A mix of synthetic codeine and acetaminophen, hydrocodone relieves pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to stimuli and acts as a cough suppressant.

Common medications containing the substance include Vicodin and Percocet. The imitation codeine portion is proven to be highly addictive and will elicit symptoms of withdrawal, such as nausea, cold sweats and vomiting, when regular users halt usage. These addictive properties breed a deadly habit, as the acetaminophen portion of hydrocodone gradually destroys the liver.

Methylphenidate, the psychostimulant most commonly prescribed as a treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is similar to both amphetamines and cocaine, although its effects are generally milder and less pleasurable.

The drug is contained in brand name medications such as Ritalin, Concerta and Methylin, and increases alertness and focus while blocking hunger and fatigue. Though popularly viewed as study drugs, these medications are also abused as an easy and unhealthy way to lose weight.

It is addictive, can be overdosed and puts a great deal of stress on the heart by increasing heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

Marijuana

Codeine

Marijuana, commonly referred to as “weed,” has been discussed in terms of legalization for years, a dream and nightmare for the varying ideologies of Californians who are slated to vote on the drug’s legality in the election on Nov. 2.

Strong arguments have been made to legalize marijuana, as it has many uses that are recognized and utilized in modern medicine.

The problem lies with the people who choose to abuse the medication in order to get high.

Codeine syrup has been rising in popularity across the U.S. over the past five to six years. Its notoriety stems from rappers who brag about drinking or “sippin’ syrup” on a regular basis, often times mixed with Sprite to form a drink called “Sizzurp.”

The increase in the abuse of this drug has forced the government to put age limits on over-the-counter syrups such as Nyquil that have sedating qualities similar to codeine.

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHICS BY CODY MCFARLAND AND RODNEY WOODSON / THE ADVOCATE

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE

8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010

CAMPUS BEAT

Zine Collective revamps, improves Student-run magazine revived

By Cheuk Ko STAFF WRITER

The group dedicated to producing student-run magazines, or zines, has been revived after a short half-year hiatus by La Raza studies professor Augustin Palacios. The group calls themselves The Zine Collective.

Zines are self-published magazines in which profits are not the main purpose of publication.

According to Palacios, The Zine Collective is for the creative, deviant, disillusioned, inspired, philosophical and artistic minds, to write and share anything that students

wish to publish.

The collective is interested in works of creative thought and publishes and distributes prose, poetry, artwork, photography, social and political commentary, and intellectual opinions, Palacios said.

Palacios leads the group.

Though not an official club by ASU standards, the group meets every Thursday at 2 p.m. for 50 minutes in LA-28, on the bottom floor of the Liberal Arts Building.

“I like it low-key,” Palacios said.

“We’re not even affiliated with the college.” It is a group for any student to submit anything.

“It has no official rules,” Palacios said, describing The Zine Collective as a group “for all us other weirdos.”

Students may submit anything that they please, may it be art,

funny cartoons, music videos or poetry in any language.

One poem, for example, submitted by Palacios himself, called Desnuda Eres, was written in Spanish. “Any language is fine,” he said.

For student Luiz Castillo, The Zine Collective is there for students who want to “bring the message (they) want to bring out.”

Palacios “(There is) really no structure, because this is not a class,” Palacios said. “People are here because they want to be here, and in the end the group gets the (final) say.”

That is not to say that The Zine Collective does not check for mistakes, however. Palacios, along with students, can help with edit-

ing or proofing. “(The Zine Collective) is not for us to criticize over,” student Oscar Cañedo said. “(The Zine) is there (for people) to learn to accept criticism without offense. If you want feedback, you ask for feedback.”

“You have the final say,” Palacios said. “It’s your poem.”

The group is lax when it comes to writing a zine. “Why are we hanging out, doing nothing?” Palacios said. “That’s what we do, nothing.”

Anything can be submitted for publication at any time, although Mondays are the recommended submission days, and all submissions are to be sent to ccczinecollective@gmail.com.

“There are no due dates and you’ll never need deadlines,”

Alumnus presents expertise

Palacios said.

All pages are black and white with the exception of the cover page.

The process of producing the Zine itself however, is notoriously slow, as it only meets once a week and takes time for the final product to be printed, Palacios said.

“We meet one week, next week we submit, third week: hopefully it’s printed.”

There was also a zine club last year, according to Castillo, but only one zine was published.

“It was only here for a year, once per semester,” Castillo said. “(This year) I’m looking for people to commit, as last time people backed out.”

Contact Cheuk Ko at cko. advocate@gmail.com.

Novel car to race in Texas

By Natalie Estrada

By Lamar James

STAFF WRITER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Professors and students joined together in LA-100 Friday to hear a plea from Hastings School of Law graduate and Contra Costa College alumnus, Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Mark E. Jackson.

Jackson, who was invited by the college to speak to students and encourage them to consider a career as an attorney, brought information to assist students determine their interest in going to law school, the steps to get there and career opportunities that are offered with a law degree.

Jackson also made an appeal to students to diversify the arena of law.

During the lecture, Jackson gave good and bad reasons for wanting to become an attorney, and presented students with an overview of what needs to be done to obtain this goal.

Jackson said there is a lot to be done to get into law school, but that should not discourage anyone. He said that like with anything else you would like to be good at, it takes hard work and focus.

“Most people would like to become attorneys because there is a lot of money involved, and we are all taught the money is the most important aspect in career choices.” Jackson said. “That is a very bad reason for wanting to become an attorney, because there is a lot of rewarding work that can come from it.”

Jackson said the road to becoming an attorney is very challenging and involving, but sticking with it will be beneficial at the end.

“Many people think of a degree in criminal justice as a requirement for becoming an attorney, but that is a misconception,” Jackson said.

As he explained, any major can prepare you for law school; it is all about the dedication and the will to succeed which will get you a law degree.

Growing up, Jackson’s high school grades were not all that good, “But when I stepped on the CCC campus I knew it was time to get serious, and this is where the focus started,” he said. “Instead of focusing on a particular

from urban areas,” CCC President McKinley Williams said.

Student Aisha Woods said the lecture was very informative and Jackson delivered the information in a persuading way.

“I had to come as a class assignment, but Mr. Jackson really made me want to look more into law,” she said.

“There are so many different arenas of law that you can apply what you learn to any one of them and be passionate about it,” Jackson said.

For the first time, 10 students have formed a team at Contra Costa College that will be competing next spring in the Shell Eco-Marathon.

This marathon gives students all over the United States the opportunity to build a fuel-efficient car that will be put to the test.

The car can either run on internal combustion or electric mobility, but has to be built to specific guidelines.

“The weight of the car and the driver has to be 300 kilograms, so the objective is to keep it light and sturdy,” said team leader Quang Le. The team, dubbed the Eco Comets, has already designed the prototype and will start building the actual vehicle when it has the materials.

The car will be running on bio fuel that will be provided by the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Team member Zenas Saephan said he’s glad he has the opportunity to work with something that has to do with what he plans to do in the future.

The race will be held in Houston, Texas.

Each driver will get the same amount of gas and will go around a track. The objective is that the vehicle runs until the gas is out. The car that goes the farthest wins.

“I think it’s a good idea to build something so small but yet very efficient,” student Daniel Saechao said.

The Eco Comets have been looking for sponsors to help them pay for their endeavor. “We need sponsors,” Le said. “We have money, but having more sponsors would really help.”

This is CCC’s first time going to the Shell Eco-marathon, but not the first time Shell has hosted the event, which is also held in Europe and Asia. It’s an event that unites students interested in figuring methods for using fuel more efficiently.

As for the Eco Comets, they are determined to successfully complete the project, Saechao said.

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

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

LAMAR JAMES / THE ADVOCATE

Handing advice — Contra Costa alumnus and Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Mark E. Jackson hosted a discussion with students in LA-100 on Friday. In this talk, Jackson explored what law school has to offer students. major, focus on the core skills that will get you to and through law school. Some of the core skills include reading, writing and math.”

After focusing on the core skills and what you will need to get into law school, explore the different schools and find the one that will work for you.

“There are different programs which will help you get through. You have to utilize and take advantage of what they are offering.”

“It is very critical to expose students to lifelong professions, and it is very important to encourage students to think about becoming an attorney because more are needed

ADVERTISEMENT

Service offers job support Campus office aids with search

By Jermaine Harrison CIRCULATION MANAGER

The holiday season is right around the corner, which means a lot of businesses and retail stores will be hiring for what they like to call “the peak season.”

Many students will be looking for jobs, meaning that those without a job will need to get serious about working, writing a resumé and going out to find a job.

“Look for (jobs at) stores that are hiring for the holidays, and you will eventually become a permanent worker,” student Jada Reuerente said.

“Students should consider all local retail areas, such as the Hilltop Mall, that has numerous stores that will be seeking help for the holidays,” Contra Costa College’s Job Placement Center Specialist John Christensen said.

Many employers require that a person must provide a clean drug test, and submit a resumé with an application as well as references.

Employers post job listings on the website www.collegecentral.

com/contracosta, a URL provided employees by the way they dress. by the Job Placement Center.

“Students should dress accordThe website provides part time ingly, such as no street clothes, and full time job referrals, online job sportswear or hip-hop clothes,” listings, referrals to federal college Christensen said. work study on campus jobs, referChristensen said that even if a ral to internship opportunities and person is unable to get the job, or an a professional resumé along with a interview, one should always dress cover letter. nicely or appropriStudents ately, and should could either avoid overdress“Look for (jobs at) have their resuing. stores that are hiring mé ready to post “Be available on the website or for the holidays, and for the actual work simply turn it in time, and be fit for you will eventually by going to the the job by showJob Placement become a permanent ing (the employer) Office located that you want to worker.” in the Student work,” student Services Center Clarice Martinez Jada Reurente, on campus. said. student If potential If students applicants don’t would like to know how to make an appointcreate a resumé, they can go to ment with Christensen, they can the Job Placement Office and get a simply drop by the Job Placement sample resumé along with a sample Office and let him know what they cover letter to submit to employers. are seeking.

“Students should place their Christensen said he will work cover letter, resumé and references with students to help them find a in a folder with their application to job that fits their time schedule and turn in to the employer, while still abilities. looking and calling around for other Contact Jermaine Harrison at jobs,” student Irene Menor said.

Students should also keep in mind jharrison.advocate@gmail.com. that employers judge prospective

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Shiny and Shimmery The Advocate reviews popular local nail shops Precious Nails Location: 3872 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante A small but powerful presence can be felt from the family-oriented atmosphere of Precious Nails, located in El Sobrante.

The employees of the salon are sure to make you feel as comfortable as possible. With four nail stations and two pedicure chairs, the staff members at Precious Nails really take the time to satisfy the customer.

While waiting for service, there is always a friendly conversation going on, or a Korean movie or soap opera playing on the 17-inch television posted in the corner of the salon. The smell of acrylic and acetone lets you know there is heavy-duty nail maintenance going on.

For students on a budget, the prices are very reasonable and the service is at its best. While waiting at Precious you will always hear the latest news or gossip about who has been coming in and out of the cannabis shop next door.

Since this is a friendly atmosphere, children feel welcome to wait for parents. The intimate space at Precious Nails is decorated with nail art and different photos of nail designs.

Be sure to always make an appointment ahead of time because Precious Nails is always known to be full.

— Lamar James

Tammy’s Nails and Spa Location: 2801 Pinole Valley Road #C, Pinole Tammy’s Nails and Spa is a local business in Pinole that specializes in making women feel beautiful.

The salon is very accommodating to people who are looking for manicures, pedicures or even those wanting to get hair removed from their body. The place has a variety of colored nail polishes to choose from on the back wall, and there are a few work stations where work occurs.

People can either make an appointment by phone or simply decide to walk in. The employees are quick at providing help to anyone who walks through the nail salon’s doors.

The price for a full set of acrylic nails is $25. The other options the salon offers are also reasonably priced.

The staff is friendly and polite to anyone who decides to go to them for their beauty needs. They smile and have a bit of small talk with the people they are assisting.

The service is very satisfactory but there is somewhat of a language barrier between customer and employee. More specific requests might not be fulfilled because the manicurists might not understand what is being asked. This can be frustrating for customers.

If you are looking for charming, friendly people who will cater to your needs in a speedy manner, Tammy’s Nails and Spa is the place to visit.

— Faythe Del Rosario

AP Nails Location: 454 Appian Way, El Sobrante AP Nails is a small nail shop sandwiched between a Mexican restaurant and a Subway. The shop is barely noticeable when passing by, but once inside, the place is more spacious than one would think.

This shop doesn’t appear to be busy, so walk-ins are welcome. The people there are very friendly.

They are quick to acquaint themselves with customers and their requests. Their services are the same as most other nail salons, with the obvious manicures, pedicures, acrylics and fills. Their nail polish color selection is quite small and redundant. Most colors are different shades of orange or red and the few colors that aren’t lack vibrance and are dull looking.

The women working are sociable, but rather hasty with their work. They are not very thorough when filing nails, leaving some longer or sharper than others. They also lack consistency when painting nails. At times the coating turns out uneven and the polish bubbles after drying. But more than anything, AP Nails is convenient for those living in small El Sobrante. The people are friendly and the service is fast, but if you are looking for perfection, you won’t find it here.

— Janit Saechao

Rose Le’s Nails Location: 3800 Klose Way Suite D, San Pablo Rose Le’s Nails is located in the Hilltop Plaza near the Century 16 movie theater in Richmond. It’s a small family owned shop. It’s not fancy, but not run-down looking either.

The atmosphere is very low key and it seems like a quiet place. When customers walk in, they are greeted right away. The staff seems nice and friendly, but quiet.

They charge a fair $12 for a manicure, which entails the basic routine: soaking nails, filing them, buffing out the nail surface, adding the cuticle cream, pushing down the cuticle, clipping them out, and giving a hand massage.

There were a variety of nail polish colors to choose from. They first applied a base coat, added two coats of nail polish and finished with a top coat.

The staff seemed gentle and professional. A manicure here is worth returning for.

— April Halog

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE

9

10 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010

Squad soars to win

SPORTS

DIVING IN GLORY

Comets triumph against Corsairs

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR

Consistent defensive play and a solid passing attack helped the football team win its first conference game 27-9 against the College of the Redwoods Saturday at Comet Stadium.

Contra Costa College (3-3 overall, 1-0 in the Bay Valley Conference) approached the Corsairs (0-1 in the BVC) with a versatile passing mentality as three receiving touchdowns helped seal the team’s second straight victory.

“I’m happy to get our third win,” coach Alonzo Carter said.

“It’s the first time in a while that we had back to back wins and it feels good to (accomplish) that.”

The Comets look to get their SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE third straight win in a road game against American River College Soft hands — Comet defensive end Niko Aumua scores a touchdown as a wide receiver in the second quarter against the (4-1 overall) this Saturday at 1 p.m. College of the Redwoods Saturday at Comet Stadium. CCC defeated the Corsairs with its passing game to take a 27-9 win. in Sacramento.

COR controlled the momentum Corsairs through the air. get the ball to our (fast) players and forcing two fumbles and nabbing and making sure we don’t have of the game in the first quarter with “We (the Comets) have been let them do their thing.” two interceptions. those mistakes,” Carter said. “We strong runs from running back doing a little extra work on catchThe result of this mental“(Defense) has been our staple (the coaching staff) have to beat Malik Wilson, which led to a field ing the ball in practice,” Carter ity was a 30-yard touchdown by (this season),” Carter said. “Our that (philosophy) into the players’ goal by kicker Morgan Johnson. said. “Our receivers have been receiver Najee Lovett thrown from defense has been carrying us the heads because we don’t want to Despite falling behind 3-0 enter- (putting hard work) into catching Anderson in the second quarter. whole year and we pride ourselves beat ourselves (with penalties).” ing the secthe ball as it is real key for On the next offensive drive, (on being) ranked top 25 in the After giving up a late score to ond quarter, us to not drop the ball.”

Anderson led the Comets down state.” the Corsairs, the Comets were able ScoreBoard the Comets Despite throwing a the field as he found defensive end CCC continued its effort on to finish out the win. quickly woke touchdown in every game (wide receiver on the play) Niko offense, scoring twice in the secScoring in the red zone has Comets 27 up from their this season, Comet quarter- Aumua on a 7-yard lob pass in ond half, once when Anderson been another issue the Comets Corsairs 9 early slump back Jeffery Anderson was the back of the end zone to extend connected with Lovett again for a look to address for the remainder to regain often rushed into hurried CCC’s lead to 14-3 going into 59-yard touchdown. of the season. m o m e n throws due to the opponents’ halftime.

Although the Comets played “We have to clean up (our red Next game: tum for the pass rush. However, against “When they put me back as well, penalties, notably on the zone scoring) because we are leavSaturday at remainder of the Redwoods, Anderson receiver, I make sure I don’t miss defensive side of the ball, still ing (points) on the field,” Anderson American River, 1 the game. looked comfortable find- any catch,” Aumua, who is a starter proved to be a problem CCC is try- said. “To be a good ball club, we p.m.

So far ing his receivers from the on defense, said. “I was thrown ing to fix as the squad committed can’t be leaving (points) on the this season, pocket. to twice so far this season and I nine, eight of them coming in the field. If our offensive line comes CCC has normally attacked its “I knew going into this game have caught touchdowns on both second half. together, we’ll be pretty good for opponents with a physical run- (Redwoods) was going to be (receptions).”

“Penalties weren’t a major the rest of the season.” ning game, which would eventu- playing a soft cover two zone, Defensively, the Comets played problem. But we had a couple of Contact Malcolm Lastra at ally wear down opposing defens- so we knew a lot of our quick with intensity and physicality as little things that happened. For the es. However, the Comets showed routes could work against them,” they hurried the Corsairs quarter- most part we have been emphasiz- mlastra.advocate@gmail.com. a new tactic by decimating the Anderson said. “I just wanted to backs, sacking them five times, ing on cutting down on penalties

Multi-talented athlete succeeds on gridiron Player displays solid work ethic

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR

The definition of an athlete is one who is skilled physically, mentally and emotionally in an athletic endeavor.

Although there are plenty of great athletes in sports, some set themselves apart from others by being put into the class as playmakers — those who show up on game day ready to make a gamechanging play.

Comet sophomore defensive end Niko Aumua perfectly fits the mold of an athletic playmaker.

The 6-foot-6 inch Aumua is the undisputed leader of CCC football team’s defense, as he is seen everywhere on the field trying to make a play, whether it be sacking a quarterback, chasing down a player for a tackle or even catching touchdown passes while playing offense.

Simply put, Aumua does it all for the Comets, serving as the team’s long snapper, gunner on CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE special teams, wide receiver and Prime time playmaker — Sophomore defensive end Niko Aumua displays playmaking abilities on the field as he also plays wide defensive end.

“We (the Comets) are ranked receiver, long snapper, and gunner on special teams. After graduating, the Comet has aspirations of being an NFL player. top 10 in the state in every defen“He was an all-conference rugby has made me a smarter tack- wide receiver ability.” he is able to talk to us.” sive statistic, and a large part of Along with converting Aumua Aside from football, Aumua’s that is him,” coach Alonzo Carter player at both (wide receiver and ler.”

After graduating from Alameda to a defensive end, Carter also interests include spending time said. “He currently leads the team defensive end) positions,” Carter said. “Every High School in 2008, Aumua challenged him to gain weight for with family and taking speech and in tackles, tacktime we took a year off before enrolling at his new position. Aumua respond- drama classes. les for losses “I’m glad to see played against Contra Costa College in 2009. ed by bulking up 35 pounds in the “I took drama in my first and sacks. He (Aumua’s) turnAlameda, we While playing on last season’s offseason. semester last fall and I have been has found a joy had to game- 1-9 squad, Aumua played wide “I’m glad to see his turnaround taking it ever since,” Aumua said. in making plays around as a person plan against receiver and had troubles on and as a person and player. He is now “So far I have done two plays, on defense.” off the field that caused him to be on track to getting his A.A. degree the ‘Michael Jackson Tribute’ and Carter said and player. He is now him.”

Despite his suspended for the majority of last this upcoming spring,” Carter said. ‘Josephine’s Pirates.’ At the end of he has known on track to getting success in foot- season.

“He has only been playing his this month I am going to be in the Aumua since ball, Aumua “He sat out the majority of new position for half the season play ‘Sweeney Todd’.” his days coachhis A.A. degree this didn’t play the his first year (at CCC), as he had and he has already gotten offers Aumua has high hopes of ing at Berkeley upcoming spring.” sport until his issues with coaches,” Carter said. from Division I schools such as attending a Division I college after High School, freshman year When Carter was hired to coach Washington State University.” leaving CCC to continue to play when his team Alonzo Carter, of high school. the Comets, he changed the menFellow Comets respect all of football and try to make the NFL. went against football coach Aumua’s only tality and character of the team and Aumua’s hard work and enjoy him “It has been a pleasure watchAumua while athletic back- Aumua as he switched his position as a teammate. ing him grow and seeing his proghe was attending ground prior from receiver to defensive end.

“Niko is a real cool person. ress,” Carter said. “If he continues Alameda High School.

“I wanted to convert him back He’s inspiring and keeps us level- to stay focused we may see him Even through his playing days to that was playing the physical to defense because I felt that he headed in the game,” linebacker play on Sundays.” in high school, Aumua has been sport of rugby.

“I have been playing rugby for better suited the position,” Carter Stephon Cox-Gilmore said. “Just known as a playmaker, playing Contact Malcolm Lastra at outside linebacker, defensive end (many) years,” Aumua said. “As said. “I had seen the potential he because he’s talented he doesn’t far as the way I tackle in football, had as a defensive end with his separate himself from the team as mlastra.advocate@gmail.com. and wide receiver.

SPORTS

CCC kicked in 3-0 loss

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

11

FAILED SHOT

Squad fails to establish solid overall play

2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, catching the Comets off guard.

Junco said that as a team CCC needs to do a better job communicating. Defender Harsharan Bhangu said it took the team some time

By Hilberth Ibarra to get into the game, as the STAFF WRITER Comets started off a little Poor communication, slow.

Once they got into the early goals and the lack of offense led to the 3-0 defeat game, CCC played strong. of the Contra Costa College The team only gave up one more goal women’s soccer in the second team against the finishing College of the ScoreBoard half, the game well Redwoods at defensively. home on Friday.

Corsairs 3 Even though In spite of the Comets 0 the Comets are loss, the Comets s i g n i f i c a n t ly (0-10 overall, 0-3 Next game: improving, they in the Bay Valley Friday at Yuba, are still strugConference) say 1:30 p.m. gling to find they have shown their rival’s i m p r ov e m e n t net. Midfielder throughout the Joanna Gobea season.

“In every single game we said, “We need to focus on have improved,” goalkeeper making shots.”

Defender Moni Magaly Junco said. “Since the very first game we have Rodriguez agrees. “We need been improving a lot as a to do better attacking the ball. We need to work on team.”

The team looks forward offense,” she said. This will to its next game against Yuba be one of the keys to winCollege at home on Friday at ning games in the future.

All agreed that they have 1:30 p.m.

However, the College of shown major improvement the Redwoods got an early and if they continue to work

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Missed attempt — Comet defender Harsharan Bhangu (middle) misses a kick while being pressured by Corsair defenders Bri Averill (left) and Kara Schimike on the soccer field Friday. hard, they will continue to get better.

Junco said, “Every game that we play is a learning experience. We take what we did wrong in the game

and go over it in practice. It is always a learning phase for us.”

Coach Nikki Ferguson gives the team a lot of credit for the effort they put in.

“They put in hard work on a day-to-day basis to make themselves better. I think technically we continue to improve every single day,” he said. “I have a lot of

respect for our team because they don’t quit.”

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

Comets clinch victory in closing minutes

By Dariush Azmoudeh ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Entering the final minutes of Friday’s game against Merritt College, the Contra Costa College men’s soccer team was seeing its halftime lead slipping away to a tie.

But with a series of passes, the Comets scored the go ahead goal to earn the 3-2 home victory.

During stoppage time, Comet forward Andrew Balderas knew that the result of the game depended on him.

Following a pass from forward Daniel Ramirez, Balderas was left in the box to fire a clear past the Thunderbirds’ defender and goalkeeper to give the Comets the victory.

“We were losing our composure, but I told the team to keep composure and to pass the ball,” Balderas said.

“I knew I had to make that shot.”

Composure was key for the Comets’ victory after allowing Merritt to score two consecutive goals, which gave the Thunderbirds the 2-1 lead.

The match up between these two teams served as an important game in the Bay Valley Conference as the

Comets (5-7-1 overall, 4-2-0 Esquivel said.

BVC) overtook Merritt (5Esquivel had a total of 6-2 overall, 3-2-0 BVC) for seven saves in the game. second place in the conferMerritt’s second goal ence. came on a penalty kick in the “Merritt is a second half. good team and “We came ScoreBoard a strong side,” into the game Comets’ coach knowing it was Comets 3 Nikki Ferguson a win we needThunderbirds 2 said. “By (this) ed. We found being a league a way to keep Next game: game, you composed and Friday vs. Yuba, expect it to be get the victory.

4 p.m. physical and I felt we grew demanding.” a lot today,” The Comets Ferguson said. play their next game with a The game-winning goal chance of taking first place that Balderas scored was his against conference leader, second goal of the game.

Yuba College (9-2-1 overall, His first goal was also 5-1-0 in the BVC), on Friday important for the Comets, at home at 4 p.m. who were trailing 2-1, to tie After taking an early the game back up in the seclead at the end of the first ond half. He scored on the half with a goal by forward 83rd minute, off a rebound Kenneth Henry, the Comets from the Merritt goalkeeper. gave up a goal on the 65th “Usually after they score minute on a questionable call on us, we go down but we as it appeared that Comet kept fighting and fighting. defender Juan Acosta cleared After our second goal, we got the ball right on the goal line. momentum,” Comet defendHowever, the linesmen gave er Steven Henry said. “We the goal to the Thunderbirds. stayed composed. We worked “It was hectic because as our asses off today.” a goalkeeper, you hate to get Contact Dariush scored on. (That) goal today was a goalkeeping mistake, Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh. but for us it wasn’t a goal,” advocate@gmail.com.

Comet goalkeeper Kevin

Box scores Women’s soccer (Oct. 15) College of the Redwoods, Contra Costa Redwoods 2 1 — 3 CCC 0 0 — 0 First Half 1, Redwoods, Averill 9, 3rd minute.

2, Redwoods, Averill 9, 8th minute.

Second Half 3, Redwoods, Visser 14, 62nd minute.

Yellow Cards CCC, Alexandra Waite.

Individual statistics Goals — Redwoods — Averill 2, Visser. — CCC — None.

Assists — Redwoods — None. — CCC — None.

Shots on goal — Redwoods — 7. — CCC — 2.

Saves — Redwoods — Malfatti 2. — CCC — Junco 4.

Record — Redwoods — 7-5-1 overall, 2-1-1 in GVC. CCC — 0-10-0 overall, 0-3-0 in BVC.

Football (Oct.16) Redwoods, Contra Costa Redwoods CCC

3 0 0 6 — 9 0 14 0 13 — 27

First Quarter Redwoods — Johnson 32 yd field goal 11:09.

Second Quarter CCC — Lovett 30 yd pass from Anderson (Munguia kick) 3:00.

CCC — Aumua 7 yd pass from Anderson (Munguia kick) 0:28.

Third Quarter None Fourth Quarter CCC — Hines 6 yd run (Munguia kick) 14:10.

CCC — Lovett 52 yd pass from Anderson (missed kick) 7:18.

Redwoods — Edwards 2 yd run (missed kick) 1:30.

Individual statistics Rushing — Redwoods — Wilson 11-37, Jensen 2-5,

Edwards 10-43, Fisk 6-(-3). — CCC — L.Green 8-19, Hines 8-31, Burden 1-9, Allen 5-18, Anderson 8-27, Morrow 1-(-3).

Passing — Redwoods— Jensen 2-7 8, Fisk 10-23-2 84.

— CCC — Anderson 26-38-1 294.

Receiving — Redwoods — Wilson 1-9, Howard 1-(-1), Donaldio 1-4, Flood 3-24, Smith 2-22, Brooks 2-14. — CCC — K.Green 6-58, Morrow 2-17, Lovett 8-130, Williams 4-59, L.Green 2-6, Allen 2-23, Aumua 1-7, Hines 2-15.

Missed field goals — Redwoods — None. — CCC — 1.

Record — Redwoods— 0-6 overall, 0-1 in BVC. — CCC — 3-3 overall, 1-0 in BVC.

Schedule Football at American River College, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. vs. Solano Community College, Oct. 30, 1 p.m. at Shasta College, Nov. 6, 5 p.m. at Yuba College, Nov.13, 1 p.m.

Men’s soccer vs. Yuba College, Friday, 4 p.m. at Santa Rosa College, Oct. 26, 4 p.m. vs. College of Marin, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. at Merritt College, Nov. 2, 4 p.m. vs. Napa Valley College, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.

Women’s soccer vs. Yuba College, Friday, 1:30 p.m. at Mendocino College, Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m. vs. Los Medanos College, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.

Women’s volleyball at Napa Valley College, tonight, 6 p.m. at Laney College, Friday, 6 p.m. vs. College of Alameda, Oct. 27 6 p.m.

Standings Football Bay Valley Conference W Contra Costa 1 Shasta 1 Solano 0 Yuba 0 Redwoods 0

L 0 0 0 1 1

Overall W L 3 3 1 5 5 1 2 4 0 6

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Getting a header — Comet forward Kenneth Henry heads the ball during the game against Merritt College on the soccer field Friday.

SportShort Volleyball squad unable to keep up its momentum as it falls to the Mustangs Poor communication and bad passing caused the volleyball team to lose in three sets despite winning the first in results of 26-24, 20-25, 1925 and 18-25.

The Comets (2-5 in the Bay Valley Conference) self-destructed at home against Los Medanos College (3-5) on Friday night.

“We weren’t talking (to each other) at all in the game,” Comet hitter Lynn Iosua said. The communication was good during the first set, but after that, Iosua said, the team was quiet.

The Comets trailed for the entire first set and only managed to take the lead when they scored the final two points of the set. CCC trailed early in the second set and never managed to recover as they lost three straight sets.

CCC setter Jazmine Mendoza said the team became overconfident after its come-frombehind win in the first set. She said the team thought it would be able to sweep the Mustangs had it been able to maintain solid play.

Comet volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve said they needed to pass better and not put balls over the net that were easy to hit. “When we have trouble, it’s because we’re not passing the ball well.”

Iosua said it was Comet mistakes that lost the game. When CCC did make mistakes, the Mustangs were consistently able to capitalize.

Taking advantage of Comet mistakes helped to provide point separation for the Mustangs as

they won all of their sets by a minimum margin of five points.

CCC had multiple opportunities to make plays on a few balls that were hit in the center of surrounding Comets, but nobody was able to take advantage.

“Everyone looked at each other and depended on one another, but nobody made a move,” Shrieve said.

As the team continued to struggle, Shrieve said that he made some rotation adjustments.

Despite the changes by the coach, the Comets were still unable to slow down the LMC attack as Mustang hitters Briana Barham and Jessica Ulloa scored a combined 19 kills.

The Mustangs chased down almost every ball and were able to make plays on balls that seemed to be out of reach. CCC was able to overcome a five-point deficit in both the second and the fourth sets but lost both due to LMC strong play and CCC errors.

Mendoza said that the Comets were tentative and they needed to be more aggressive.

Shrieve said that the Comets needed to fight harder to get digs and keep the ball up. He said that the team needs to work harder and that although it had a rough outing it is improving.

The Comets visit Napa Valley College tonight at 6 p.m.

— Rodney Woodson

12 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010

SCENE

Unleashed

Movies

This week: “Paranormal Activity 2” (R) “Inhale” (NR) “Kalamity” (R) “Punching the Clown” (NR)

DVDs

This week: “Predators” (R) “Please Give” (R) “Until the Light Takes Us” (NR) “The Six Wives of Henry Lefay” (PG-13)

CDs

This week: Kings of Leon: “Come Around Sundown” Bob Dylan: “The Bootleg Series: The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964” Shakira: “Sale el Sol”

Games

This week: Fallout: New Vegas (PS3, XBOX360, PC - M) DJ Hero 2 (PS3, XBOX360, Wii - T) Vanquish (PS3, XBOX360 - M) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

‘MAD’ AGE Revisited

Drama portrays stormy decade

hearsay by constantly smoking anywhere they please. Scenes of employees chugging down glasses of liquor in their offices also occur frequently throughBy Alexandra Waite out each episode, making ubiqNEWS EDITOR uitous drinking and smoking a Those of us who did not live hallmark of the show.

“Mad Men” is not only powthrough the 1960s often take erful through its accurate alignfor granted the abundance of ment with historical events, rights we possess, regardless but the plot also finds strength of race and sex, and the significant medical breakthroughs from its elaborate structure.

Not one element of the plot that have given us a better can be overlooked throughout quality of life. the series, as even the smallOne viewing of an episode est factor can of “Mad unlock a new Men” can put tvreview perspective on that apprecia“Mad Men” a situation or tion quickly ★★★★★ a character’s Starring: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth into check.

Moss, Christina Hendricks story. This is Set in the Network: FX what makes the ’60s, the Time slot: Sunday, 10 p.m.

Genre: Drama show endlessly series follows entertaining the life of and addictive: Don Draper, creative director of an advertis- everything has substance.

The series has something ing agency located on Madison for everyone to enjoy and feed Avenue in New York City, in into, whether it’s the visual and out of the office.

The show immediately hooks style, complex plot or witty dialogue. Although mainly the viewer with its incredibly classified as a drama, “Mad precise detail in regard to the Men” incorporates funny oneera in which it takes place. liners and humorous situations Everything about the series to counterbalance the serious is unapologetically accurate, aspects of the plot. to the point where it makes Several themes persist those unfamiliar with the social mores of the decade extremely throughout the show, including sexism, feminism, adultery, uncomfortable.

Back in those days, scientific racism and homophobia, and each is manifested through evidence proving the harmvarious subplots. ful health effects of cigarette The greatest example of smoking was just beginning adultery is personified through to emerge, and the characters exhibit their disregard for such Draper’s cheating ways. In

almost every episode of the series, Draper sleeps with new women, leaving his soon to be ex-wife Betty, to take care of his children and stay up late at night waiting for his return.

No one in the show is perfect — most are far from it. But the audience must decide if they can see past the imperfections of the characters and grow to like them, or at least conclude those negative qualities are too overbearing to forgive.

Though many cannot get past Draper’s tendency to sleep around, others choose to consider his unique and tumultuous history, which constantly haunts him and clouds his judgment. Acquiring this insight makes it easy to see he is one of the most complex and developed characters to ever appear on television.

Jon Hamm, who plays Draper, portrays this persona exceptionally well with an ease of tapping into a horde of emotions. Hamm can go from being cold and stern in one scene to sentimental and sensitive in another.

In season four, Draper begins to unveil his tender side when he starts writing about his emotions in a journal. His ability to unleash his thoughts on paper is a drastic change from previous seasons when he would bottle everything up, which further separated him from his family.

The blatant sexism that exists in the advertising agency of Sterling Cooper Draper

Pryce may shock those who are lucky enough to be unfamiliar with such behavior. Executives during the era made no secret of objectifying their secretaries, which often led to sexual advances, or caused women not to be taken seriously.

Peggy Olson, originally Draper’s secretary, breaks this mold by being crafty enough to shine through those expectations and becomes the first female copywriter in the office.

Olson fights for respect from her peers, and though she rarely gets it, she allows viewers to recognize and appreciate how far women’s rights have come in the past 50 years.

The fashion, hairstyles, and makeup of the characters prove to be truly and commendably authentic of the ’60s.

Every article of clothing worn on the show is no different from anything people actually wore in that decade, from the stiff and uncomfortable suits to the full-body women’s lingerie.

“Mad Men” transports the audience back to a time when women and minorities had to fight against prejudice every day in order to gain a better place in society.

While the series is intricate and well constructed, the plot is ambiguous enough to be interactive and challenges the viewer to formulate diverse interpretations.

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

Lead roles Don Draper

Previously the creative director of the Sterling Cooper advertising agency, where he produced ad campaigns and client relationships, Draper is one of the founding partners of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. After divorcing Betty Francis, whom he has three children with, he now lives in New York City.

Joan Harris

As office manager of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Harris is the rock of the new agency.

Though she had a lengthy affair with Roger Sterling, she married Dr. Greg Harris, a surgical resident. She quit in anticipation of her husband becoming chief resident, but was forced back into the agency when he failed to get the job.

Peggy Olson

Now a copywriter with her own office, the Brooklyn native originally worked as Draper’s secretary until she moved up and contributed to two successful campaigns. Olson constantly attempts to achieve equality with Draper and other colleagues, but receives mixed reactions.

Roger Sterling

Partner of the new agency and a World War II veteran, Sterling has suffered two heart attacks but continues to smoke and drink. He impulsively divorced his first wife Mona to marry Draper’s previous secretary Jane Harris.

Pete Campbell

He works in account management at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Campbell is a partner and held a similar position at the old agency.

He lives in an apartment, which is partially financed by his in-laws, with his wife Trudy.

His affair with Olson resulted in a child.

Betty Francis

A former model and ex-wife of Don Draper, Francis quickly married politician Harry Francis after her divorce.

She separated from Draper after discovering his infidelities, but did not consider divorce until she grew close to Harry Francis.

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE