The Connection

Volume 58,Issue Issue Volume 59, 3 1

Get Connected CRC hosts basketball state championships

The top men's and women's basketball teams competed for the state title at Cosumnes River College on March 9-11. Find out who won and why the event was significant to CRC. See Page 6

www.thecrcconnection.com

March 15, 2012

Amidst budget cuts and rising tuition costs, students march to the state Capitol in favor of...

Higher Education

Community college chancellor announces retirement

Jack Scott will end his 58-year career in higher education on Sept. 1. Read about his accomplishments and why he was significant to community colleges in a time of budget cuts.

See Page 8

Ceremony delivers hardcore punk album

Ian Graves | The Connection

Students protest against cuts and rising tuition costs at colleges across California at the March for Higher Education on March 5. Since 2008, California has cut $809 million from community colleges, and tuition costs are set to increase to $46 per unit this summer.

Protestors rally against increasing costs to education and demand funding was held to protest budget cuts to education, increasing costs to education and college accessibility.

Students chanted and shoutThousands of California students and citizens marched to the ed for most of the day and held Capitol on March 5, where a rally up signs, demanding lawmakers

By Ian Graves & Imran Majid Connection Staff

to restore funding to colleges. In million, according to a press rethe 2011-2012 state budget, com- lease by the California Commumunity college funding was cut nity Colleges Chancellor’s Office. by $400 million, and in Dec. 2011, “Fund our future is the mesmid-year trigger cuts reduced sage we’re trying to send,” said funding by an additional $102 See PROTEST, Page 8

Community colleges face unexpected crisis

By Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail.com Vocalist Ross Farrar Underground punk band Ceremony released their third album "Zoo” on March 6. The band continues to experiment with the sounds of post punk. Read more about this throwback album.

See Page 4

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Scan this QR Code with your smartphone or visit thecrcconnection.com to read the latest CRC news, vote in our poll, view photos and more!

The community college system in California is already in the midst of a budget crisis, and now they’re facing an additional $149 million in cuts part way through the semester.

The unexpected mid-year cuts come after property taxes and student enrollment revenues were lower than expected, according to the Community College League of California’s website.

The $149 million cut comes after January’s $102 million “trigger cuts” and the $313 million

cuts initially made for the 20112012 school year, bringing the total amount to $564 million, according to the CCLC budget page.

The Los Rios Community College District has had a total of about $26.3 million in cuts, with $6.8 million of the cuts coming from the “February Surprise,” according to the same website.

Cosumnes River College’s Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning Whitney Yamamura said that Los Rios will not be affected this semester.

“Los Rios has a long reputation for sound fiscal management,” See BUDGET, Page 8

Sacramento City Council approves arena proposal

By Vince Schwede vschwede.connect@gmail.com The Sacramento City Council voted 7-2 on March 6 in favor of a nonbinding term sheet to finance a new sports and entertain-

ment complex in the old railyard on the north side of downtown Sacramento.

The term sheet provides the financial responsibilities between the city, the Sacramento Kings and Anschultz Entertainment

Group–the arena operator–for while AEG will contribute $58.75 financing the $391 million arena. million.

“I was happy, excited and very Under the term sheet, the city will contribute $255.5 mil- emotional,” said Adriana Ortiz, a lion from parking monetization 24-year-old psychology major at and land sales. The Kings will be Cosumnes River College. “I’ve required to pay $73.25 million, See ARENA, Page 2

March 15, 2012 |

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Campus News

Arena: Approval allows for series of votes to begin construction

twitter.com/CRCconnection

Hawk's Eye CRC hosts music events Student musicians have been rehearsing for several programs in March and April. These events will be held in the Recital Hall.

March 15: College Chorus and Chamber Singers March 20: Jazz Band April 25: Composition Club All performances are open to the public and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Elk Grove Sports Bar & Grill Also known as The Sporty, EG Sports Bar & Grill has something to do for everyone.

Catch a show by Styx tribute band Renegade on March 24 or get on stage Sunday nights with Family Karaoke Night.

Tuesday Bluesday also offers an open mic night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Visit www.egsportsbar.com for more information.

Women's History Month continues at CRC On March 16 , a presentation titled “You’ve Come a Long Way Babe: Women in the Workforce Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” will be held in BS 129 from 10:45 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.

For a complete listing of all remaining Women's History Month events, visit our website at www.thecrcconnection.com.

Free income tax preparation for eligible students Students who have $50,000 or less income may be eligible for a free income tax return preparation.

Staff is available every Friday through April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in BS 140 to assist students with the process.

Get involved Want to get involved in Sacramento’s future? Attend City Council meetings every Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

To watch past meetings or to see the agenda for future meetings, visit www. cityofsacramento.org/ Elk Grove Fine Arts Center The Elk Grove Fine Arts Center is offering workshops and classes for the artistically inclined.

David Lobenberg is teaching Gestural Portraits on March 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.elkgrovefineartscenter. org.

More green The CRC Green Scene will present the GreenSCREEN film "The Future of Food" on March 15 and "Gasland" on March 27. The films will be shown in SCI 106 and will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

Sacramento Public Library The Sacramento Public libraries have many programs, mostly free, to choose from.

Knitting, story time, tax help, book clubs and Lego block parties are only a few events to choose from.

For more information, visit www.saclibrary.com.

Bandtasmic Bandtasmic Community Event Showcase will feature the Harriet Eddy Middle School and Laguna Creek High School Bands. The event will be in the Gym at LCHS on March 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Families are welcome and admission is free.

Editor-in-Chief: Imran Majid Campus News Editor: Imran Majid Opinion Editor: Takara Campbell Lifestyle Editor: Ashley Boucher Sports Editor: Jon Wilson Online Editor: Tammi Kolesinski Copy Editor: Stephan Starnes Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati

Staff

Editors

The Connection Will Bouzeneris, Carlo Dela Cruz, Cody Durham , Demitri Fellines, Mike Hendrickson, Tracy Gilkerson, Ian Graves, Zachary Hannigan, Erik Juarez, Josh Lee, Ben Levy, Alex Mosqueda, Jon Peralta, Vince Schwede

The Connection is an award-winning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 400 newspaper production class. Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or Los Rios Community College District. The Connection is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC).

Letters to the Editor must be typed, signed and include the first and last name of the author and a phone number. They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

The Connection Cosumnes River College 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823

Telephone: (916) 691-7471 Fax: (916) 691-7181 Website: www.thecrcconnection.com E-mail: connect@crc.losrios.edu

It is the duty of The Connection to report all news with the highest accuracy, brevity and clarity as possible. All feedback regarding stories and photos should be sent to connect@crc.losrios.edu.

Jon Wilson | The Connection

Sacramento City Council approved a nonbinding term sheet on March 6 that provides the financial responsibilities for financing a $391 million arena in Sacramento. Fans cheered and chanted “Sacramento.”

Continued from page 1

been fighting for a year.”

Ortiz said she attended rallies, wrote letters to city council members and distributed fliers that she made herself.

She said she took her dad’s words to heart: to always believe in something and fight for it, regardless of the odds.

City Hall was at full capacity, as people filled the main chamber, the lobby, the upstairs area and the old City Hall. There were several notable guests, including Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof and Kings rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas.

Attendants who were against the arena spoke first, arguing that the proposal was too risky for a financially-strapped city and that money should be spent on other things, such as education and community centers. They also argued that the public should vote on the issue, since they are the ones bearing the majority of the financial burden for the new arena.

One of the speakers, Kim Sloan, 22, said that the city’s money shouldn’t be used on a “special interest” project, such as Sacramento’s basketball team.

“There’s so many things that [the city’s money] could be helping: education, the homeless issue here, poverty,” Sloan said.

“Wake up, people. This isn’t okay,” she said.

Those in favor of the arena spoke next, arguing that the arena is bigger than basketball and that it will revitalize Sacramento’s economy and provide jobs.

CRC counselor Mike Tavares said he turned down a job offer in Anaheim to stay in Sacramento and support the new arena.

“I could’ve easily left and become an Anaheim Royals season ticket holder and bought season passes to Disneyland,” Tavares said.

“Instead, I decided to stay here and fight for what I believe in because I love Sacramento so much," he said.

Tavares talked about his experience visiting the Staples

Center in Los Angeles and seeing families having a great time.

“In a way, I was jealous of what that city had, and I wish we had it here too,” Tavares said.

When the vote was tallied, the audience cheered and chanted “Sacramento.”

CRC student Gurpreet Singh, 20, a sociology major, said that the council’s decision was a huge accomplishment for Sacramento.

“That was the biggest hurdle and we got over it,” Singh said.

Singh said that a new arena means more jobs and a better economy for Sacramento.

“That’s the first thing and most important thing because that affects common and regular people more than millionaires and billionaires,” Singh said.

“I think it’s going to give Sacramento a new image,” he added.

The approval for the financing plan allows the council to make a series of votes needed to begin construction in 2013.

“It’s a huge investment in our future,” Ortiz said.

Student Government revamped after district-wide requirement

By Demitri Fellines dfellines.connect@gmail.com Effective May 31, the Associated Student Government will become the Associated Students of Cosumnes River College, after two and half years of planning.

Other changes in its structure will be added to the ballot during this year’s spring elections.

“The Clubs and Events Board and Student Senate are now two components of the student association at CRC,” said ASG Advisor Winnie LaNier.

The changes come in the middle of a district-wide order for restructuring. CRC’s revision was in compliance with Chancellor Brice Harris, who said the Board of Trustees requested a review of the student constitution at each Los Rios College in order to create consistency across the district.

The Inter-Club Council,

which previously served as the voice of student clubs and organizations, will be replaced by the Clubs and Events Board. The Joint Budget Committee will also be created from the Clubs and Events Board and Student Senate, LaNier said. The Committee will decide on funding for the student association, according to the revised constitution.

Not everyone feels that the constitution needed to be changed.

“I was a little bit uneasy about the situation,” said ASG President Christina Alvarado. “I was running for vice president at the time.

I wasn’t really sure what the heck was going on.”

Under the new constitution, 20 seats will be available for students to run for. Sixteen will be senator positions and four will be commissioner positions.

Instead of officers being elected from within the ICC, as

is currently, the Clubs and Events Board will be elected by the student body during the upcoming election.

Candidate hopefuls, such as 18-year-old classics major Giselle Obergin, have already read through the restructured constitution and know what is expected of them.

“It’s a little unorthodox, but I think it is a great learning experience and it will serve our school well,” Obergin said. “It definitely divides out the responsibilities more clearly than the previous structure.”

LaNier stressed the importance of student participation that is necessary to make this move a success. She suggests that anyone who wants to get into something important on campus should get involved.

Packets containing more information are located in the Student Development Office.

Opinion | March 15, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

Editorial

Passive protests won't resolve issues More than 10,000 students and demonstrators marched to the State Capiat a glance tol on March 5 to protest the ongoing cuts to educaThe Issue: The tion. Speakers blasted lawMarch for March makers and demanded unites students funding for colleges. and protestors as The fourth annual they call for state March in March for Higher legislators to better Education took place in the fund schools midst of yet another fiscal crisis.

Our View: California CommuLawmakers are nity Colleges Chancellor desensitized to Jack Scott announced on the annual march. Feb. 21, that community A better method colleges will suffer an unto cause change expected $149 million budis to contact your get cut this year, according lawmakers directly. to a press release from the chancellor’s office.

Agree? Disagree?

The press release also Send comments to stated that the state governconnect@crc.losrios. ment cut $400 million from edu community colleges in the 2011-2012 budget.

An additional $109 million was slashed by trigger cuts. These cuts were automatically

enacted when the state falls short of its expected revenue.

Thousands marched, held up signs and expressed their disapproval of this abysmal and broken system.

Speakers at the rally criticized the ongoing cuts, along with rising tuition costs and fees. Community college fees are increasing from $36 to $46 per unit this summer.

It’s a scene that's familiar to those following the miserable state of California in recent years.

Budget woes and the subsequent protests began in 2009 when the University of California and California State University systems approved an increase in student tuition, while community college fees increased by $6 per unit.

The upheaval sparked outrage all across California, as infuriated students

rioted and protested the unprecedented changes to higher education.

It’s only getting worse.

Each year, the amount of angry students, dissatisfied with legislators and the state government, is constantly growing.

As a direct result of this image, desensitization to budget cuts has occurred.

Because of the ongoing cuts to education in recent years, the term budget cuts no longer carries any meaning.

These slashes in funding have become mundane, as the amount of money cut is simply an abstract number.

It’s a repetitive cycle of inefficiency and frustration.

An understanding of desensitization and a subsequent shift in thinking must occur.

Protesting at an annual event is not an active solution.

The images of angry

mobs are too worn out.

Claiming to be part of the 99 percent is not a solution either. The Occupy movement fails to have a unified message, and its participants fail to realize that their outrage is already recognized by legislators.

The solution to desensitization lies within making ourselves seem tangible to lawmakers.

Lawmakers know that enrollment at community colleges has shrunk by 10 percent since 2009, according to the chancellor's office.

Instead of taking the time to point out the disparity, call your legislator or write a hand-written letter about how the issue affects you.

Make your situation seem more real to those who will ultimately decide your future.

It’s better than being a face in the middle of an an-

3

Hawk Talk How do you feel about petitioners collecting signatures on campus?

“

You'll sign one petition and then another one will come up and ask you to sign their petition.

”

Abu Bah, 19 Liberal Arts major

They need to chill out “a little bit. I feel like we're being harrassed, almost. ”

Amos Washington, 20 Psychology major

Violence in school is caused by ignorance But we wept for those we didn’t know in 1999 when two misguided teenagers at ColumViolent crime in schools bine laid siege to their high school.

They killed 12 students and hasn’t gotten worse. They’ve gotten more attention, which is a one teacher and wounded 21 others before killing themselves. step in the right direction.

I can still picture the parents From third graders bringing handguns to class for protection and friends of the dead weeping to teens opening fire on a crowd inconsolably on the television.

We learned about those stuof students they were having issues with, students are using dents who died. They weren’t violence and guns to solve their just nameless faces. They became people we knew. problems.

It made us realize what hapA teenager at a suburban Cleveland high school opened pened at Columbine could hapfire on a group of students, ulti- pen anywhere, even to our chilmately killing three and injuring dren in our schools.

Though there have been othtwo others on Feb. 27.

While reading the many er deadlier school tragedies since accounts on the Internet, and as Columbine, such as the Virginia the mother of two teens, I had Tech massacre in 2007, everything else pales in comparison to déjà vu.

Violence occurs in schools so the heartbreak at Columbine.

The most recent data colfrequently, it seems to take a high body count for us to pay attention. lected by the School Associated Violent Deaths Surveillance Study We’ve seen it all.

We’ve become a calloused was from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. During that period, and desensitized nation.

By Tammi Kolesinski tkolesinski@gmail.com

there were 33 school-associated violent deaths in elementary and secondary schools in the United States.

After Columbine you might think that nothing so horrendous would ever happen again, yet the violence continues.

Since the shooters were bullied, the event spawned campaigns against bullying.

In a study the Secret Service conducted a year after Columbine, they found that of 37 school shooters up to that time, roughly two-thirds had suffered from some sort of bullying.

But blame was pointed in every direction after Columbine.

Music, violent films, teen use of anti-depressants and violent video games were among the scrutinized culprits.

Video games already had a rating system in place for five years before the “Doom” video game players went “Mortal Kombat” on their classmates. Movies and music had rating systems

“Personally they don't ”

long before that. bother me, it's very easy for “Dark” bands like Rammstein me to say no. and Marilyn Manson were especially ripped apart in headlines as Robin Bell, 39 devil worshippers.

Social Services major Our family has never committed a violent crime and we love those bands.

There have always been bullies. There have always been mind-boggling, senseless crimes with and without guns.

In fact, one of the top four massacres at a school took place in 1929 when a disgruntled school board member blew up an elementary school in Michigan.

He was upset about losing his farm. This was long before video games and death metal.

I'm often reminded of ManI don't believe what they're son’s quote on Columbine, “This tragedy was a product of igno- doing is going to get what rance, hatred and an access to they want on the ballot. guns.”

Emily Zavala, 19 We need to continue to pay English major attention and educate. Ignorance is not bliss; it’s a massacre waiting Compiled by Tammi Kolesinski. to happen.

“

Photos by Ian Graves.

”

March 15, 2012 |

4 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Lifestyle

Ceremony travels back to punk roots

By Carlo Dela Cruz cdcruz.connect@gmail.com Bay Area band Ceremony broke out of the underground punk scene for their angst-filled intensity, but they ventured off for a more mature and focused sound with their newest album Fans of Ceremony know that Ceremony gradually changed their sound. They evolved their sound, with every album by looking back at older variants of punk rock.

Originally, they were known for songs filled with very fast drumbeats and guitars along with destructive vocals similar to the blunt powerviolence bands of the 1990s. By the release of their third album “Rohnert Park,” Ceremony embraced a more nostalgic sound similar to 1980s hardcore punk bands, like Black Flag and Circle Jerks.

Despite the divisive fan base when “Rohnert Park” released, Ceremony continued with the framework to help create “Zoo,” which also sounds much different than their predecessors. They have been aiming at being multidimensional in presentation.

This time around, the band embraced the era of punk where it was transitioning between the experimental sounds of post punk to the early stages of hardcore. Cer-

emony is able to evoke the nostalgic tone.

Songs like “Repeating the Circle,” “Hotel” and “Video” easily capture the isolating and hypnotic nature that recalls bands, such as Wire and Joy Division. The songs lack the straight forward nature of what the band recorded for their

This time around, the band “embraced the era of punk where it was transitioning between the experimental sounds of post punk to the early stages of hardcore.

”

Carlo Dela Cruz Connection staff writer previous albums and instead pursue detailed song writing.

Instead of the one-minute bursts characterized in their albums “Violence, Violence” and “Still Nothing Moves You,” the songs in “Zoo” have a more general song length. Ceremony lets the music flow instead of forcing the songs to last a certain length.

Vocalist Ross Farrar in previous albums sounded angry while discussing topics like his jail sentencing or how fed up he is of the static nature living in his home city of Rohnert Park. With “Zoo,” he is able to pull off a cleaner voice

Matt Gill | Special to The Connection

Guitarist Anthony Anzaldo entertains the wild crowd along with vocalist Ross Farrar, guitarist Ryan Mattos and bassist Justin Davis at their record-release show at 924 Gilman in Berkley, Calif. on March 10. while still sounding raw and discussing his personal observation of how people live in the modern world.

Even if they sound light in comparison to their earlier releases, there are still some raw and heavy songs, like “World Blue” and “Ordinary People”, that people

can mosh to.

Another aspect that makes Ceremony’s music unique is that it sounds appropriately rough and defies the norm of trying to be crystal clear. The dirty indierock production compliments the songs in “Zoo.” Fans of Ceremony’s older

records will unfortunately have some trouble listening to “Zoo,” but those who have an open mind or like older punk music will enjoy this satisfying album.

"Zoo" is now available on Matador Records. For the latest news and tour dates, log on to www.ceremonyhc.com.

New Hoa Viet delivers genuine Vietnamese cuisine

By Joshua Lee jlee.connect@gmail.com

If you’re looking for a nice warm bowl of noodle soup on a rainy or windy day or want a refreshing fruit smoothie on a warm sunny day, check out Hoa Viet. Hoa Viet recently opened right across the street from the Cosumnes River College campus.

The Hoa Viet located at 8251 Bruceville Road, the newest one out of many Hoa Viets in the Sacramento area, had its grand opening on Feb. 7.

Once customers walk in, they are immediately greeted with smiles and cheerfulness and seated in a nice Vietnamesethemed restaurant.

The spaces between tables are a bit close to each other so it’s hard to get out of the seats. Other than that, Hoa Viet has a comfortable atmosphere.

Hoa Viet specializes in Asian-styled noodle soups called pho and has a menu filled with different varieties. Pho is ricestick noodles with a chicken broth base along with customers’ choice of meat. There is also vegetarian pho, meeting the preference of customers.

If you’re not looking for pho,

don’t worry. Hoa Viet also offers a variety of rice plates that come with different types of meat, fried noodles and different types of appetizers like spring rolls, egg rolls and fried wontons.

The restaurant has different types of Asian condiments, such as sriracha sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and peppers, allowing customers to add any ingredients to appeal to their preference. The condiments are refilled immediately after customers leave, giving the next customers full bottles.

The menu also offers beverages such as soda, tea, fruit smoothies, as well as desserts like tapioca.

A large bowl of beef ball noodle soup, fried wontons and a plate of Chow Fun gave me a great first experience. They were perfectly prepared and satisfied my craving for Asian food.

The best part was the prices.

The proportions were fulfilling and definitely worth the money.

Most of the food is under $10, being affordable for anyone on a budget.

Hoa Viet provides fast and great service. Waiters and waitresses immediately refills drinks before customers’ beverages get to the bottom. The workers and manager provide a comfortable

Ben Levy| The Connection

Thai basil, lime, sprouts and chilies are served with pho. Patrons will also find Sriracha, jalapenos garlic, hoisin and chili flakes in oil at every table. Condiments are quintessential to the pho experience. environment with friendly smiles and greetings. It’s a great place to go with big groups or for a casual date.

Joanne Tran, the manager of Hoa Viet, said it gets good business because it’s right across from the college and right off the freeway.

So if you’re looking for a fast and friendly place to eat with great food and service, Hoa Viet is the place to go.

Author’s score is out of five stars.

Ben Levy| The Connec-

A warm bowl of Beef Ball Noodle Pho topped with Srirachi, hoisin, and thai basil. Generous serving sizes make Hoa Viet a steal.

Lifestyle | March 15, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

5

I’d like some ‘Pizza Pleezz’ Trending

By Tammi Kolesinski tkolesinski.connect@gmail.com

All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad bar at a bargain price is the draw to Pizza Pleezz, a family restaurant that opened on the corner of Bruceville Road and Elk Grove Boulevard Jan. 1 of this year.

Dinner costs $4.99 plus a drink and kids under seven eat for $2.99.

Diners were greeted with a smile and given friendly service by cashier Ashley Weiss at the cash register.

“We have 15 to 20 kinds of pizza,” Weiss said.

They are happy to make whatever kind of pizza you’d like using their more than nine pizza toppings.

If you don’t see what you want on the buffet, ask and Pizza Pleezz will create your own style of pizza that you do desire.

The Hawaiian and pepperoni pizzas were fresh with lots of crisp crust bubbles and the friendly employees often replenished the offerings with fresh pies from the oven.

Even though they weren’t tossing their pizza dough in the air like a traditional pizzeria, Weiss said the dough is made on premises.

While the salad bar was small and only had seven items to choose from, along with a big bowl of mixed iceberg lettuce, it was clean, fresh, full and regularly attended to.

They also had five salad dressings including a home-made ranch dressing.

The pasta was slightly overcooked, though it wasn’t mushy.

It was nice to have two choices: plain penne pasta or penne with garlic, Parmesan and basil.

Now

The basic red-sauce was most likely from a can and doctored with Italian herbs and seasonings.

It was nice and thick and flavorful, and a little sweeter than Nana used to make.

The garlic bread was soft and buttery.

Share your thoughts at thecrcconnection.com

“

If you don’t see what you want on the buffet provided, just ask and Pizza Pleezz will create your own style of pizza that you do desire.

Compiled by Cody Durham, Josh Lee, Carlo Dela Cruz. All photos are courtesy photos.

”

Kony 2012

Tammi Kolesinski Connection staff writer

The campaign is to make the Lord’s Resistance Army leader, Joseph Kony, famous by raising awareness about him and the LRA’s actions.

“I feel it’s wrong we aren’t doing more than we are,” said Dayanand Selvaraj, 23, a digital media major.

“We could easily take him down.”

For dessert, they even had a cinnamon and sugar pizza to satisfy the sweet tooth.

In addition to the dine-in buffet, restaurant-goers could choose between the buffet or filling up a to-go container for $4.99.

They have a 12-inch Deli Pizza sandwich on the menu for $6.99 and whole pizzas to-go from $4.99 for a plain 12-inch cheese pizza and up to $6.99 for an all meat, vegetarian or special.

Pizza Pleezz has a very plain yet clean dining room with two flat screens tuned to ESPN. There are some logos painted on the walls and a long Pizza Pleezz banner over the pizza bar.

They don’t serve beer or have video games, but Pizza Pleezz’s food is fresh, and the price is right for the budget-conscious family or starving student.

Author’s score is out of five stars.

Peyton Manning

Ian Graves | The Connection

Will Dyer, Pizza Pleezz pizza maker, creating a custom pizza upon a customer’s request. Below, a customized olive and mushroom pizza.

This issue’s gift card winner is... Bao Lee!

On March 7, the Indianapolis Colts officially released 14-year veteran quarterback Peyton Manning after a neck injury put him on the disabled list for all of last season.

“His skill set is varied,” 18-year-old business major Greg Nabong said. “It’s messed up, and it’s going to be costly to the Colts.”

Snooki MTV’s Snooki, from “Jersey Shore,” and her new fiance, Jionni are expecting their first baby. With the popular star’s party image, the news stirred comments. However, Viorica Poteras, 38, accounting major said, “She is nurturing. There’s something about her that’s nurturing.

“I think she’ll be protective.”

Street Fighter X Tekken Street Fighter X Tekken was released on March 6 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

The new game features characters from both Street Fighter and Tekken series.

“The game is simple where players of all skill levels can try it out and learn the fundamentals,” said 23-yearold David Davis, a psychology major.

March 15, 2012 |

6 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Sports

Both men's and women's basketball teams wrap up season in third round of regional playoffs Women's team has one of its most successful seasons ever

By Cody Durham cdurham.connect@gmail.com The Cosumnes River College women’s basketball season came to an end after a loss to Foothill College on Feb. 29.

The Hawks finished the season with a 21-8 overall record, made it to the third round of the Northern California regional playoffs and finished second in the Big 8 Conference.

“This was the best season I have had since I’ve been here,” head coach Coral Sage said.

The Hawks closed the book on its 2012 season, as the team contended for the conference championship all the way up to the final game of the regular season.

Although they didn’t come home with the top spot, their second place finish is their best ever in conference.

They were able to play and

win at a high level despite injuries to players such as appendicitis, a broken wrist and multiple sprained ankles.

“No matter what came up, we just kept moving forward,” Sage said.

The season held many memorable moments but was highlighted by a 60-59 win at the buzzer on Jan. 27 against fifth ranked Santa Rosa.

“Beating Santa Rosa was a first for CRC women’s basketball,” freshman forward Nikki Gordon said. “We were down by two and Natalia Gibson hit the game-winning three-point shot.”

Gordon added that a bar was set for next season as the team continues to improve each year.

“Last year the Hawks made it to the first round [of the playoffs].

This year we made it to the second round, and next year we hope to make it even further,” she said.

One key asset to the Hawks

success this year was the production of sophomore guard Andraquay Quinnine.

The California Community College Athletics Association named her to Second Team AllState. In addition, Quinnine was also named CRC’s Student-Athlete of the Month in November.

Quinnine’s teammate, sophomore forward Natalia Gibson, also received the Student-Athlete of the Month honor in January.

Gibson averaged 13 points and nine rebounds during the month.

Although the season's over and a new crop of players will come and go, Sage said this season will go down as one of the Hawks’ best.

“Finishing second in the Big 8, a 21-8 record and third round Jessica Leary | The Connection of the state playoffs, this in itself speaks for what we did this year,” Sophomore guard Andraquay Quinnine goes for a layup against a she said.

Hartnell defender. Quinnine was named Second Team All-State.

Men's team ready to regroup in hopes of winning title next year

By Cody Durham cdurham.connect@gmail.com

Ian Graves | The Connection

Sophomore forward Tony Gill led the team in scoring and was named First Team All-State and First Team all Big 8 Conference.

Cosumnes River College men’s basketball brought its season to an end with a loss to Santa Rosa Junior College in the third round of the Northern California regional playoffs on Feb. 29.

This is the second straight year the Hawks lost in the third round of the regional playoffs.

They finished with an 18-13 record.

“We started off really well.

Then all of a sudden we couldn’t buy a basket,” head coach James Giacomazzi said about the playoff loss. “They were the better team that day.”

Although the Hawks fell short of its state championship goal, the team was able to play competitive basketball all year, beating five ranked teams.

The Hawks could have easily

won a handful of game this season.

Six of the team’s 13 losses came by five points or less, including two losses in overtime.

“We could have easily been a 20-win team,” Giacomazzi said.

“However we were a little snakebit in those games.”

Out of the Hawks’ 18 wins this season, only seven came against teams in its Big 8 conference.

Different colleges have won the conference championship in the last three years, proving that the conference is competitive.

Sophomore forwards Tony Gill and James Tillman played well all season, and were named to the First Team All Big 8 Conference, with Gill also being named to the First Team All-State.

“That definitely means a lot,” Gill said. “Just to be recognized with those other players is defi-

nitely an honor and something I’m very grateful and thankful for.”

Sophomore forward Ryan Salmonson, who has only been playing basketball since his freshman year in high school, received an honorable mention for the All Big 8 Team.

“It’s huge,” Salmonson said.

“To come this far, it shows that all my hard work is paying off.”

While the season held many memorable moments, both Giacomazzi and Gill said that beating Santa Rosa on their home court was the most memorable.

Santa Rosa had been undefeated in conference play until the Hawks beat them 90-64 on Feb. 16.

The Hawks look to rebuild in the offseason, as only two freshmen will return next year.

“We are going to go in and try to get ourselves ready to win a Big 8 Conference Championship,” Giacomazzi said.

CRC hosts community college championships

By Ian Graves & Jon Wilson Connection Staff Cosumnes River College hosted the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships for men's and women's basketball on March 9-11.

This was the first time CRC has ever hosted the state championships.

The event brought several benefits for the college. “[There were] many good comments on how well it was run and how nice our facility is,” CRC Dean of athletics Liz Belyea said in an email. “We had five TV stations here and got good press on the event as well as the plight of athletics in the budget crisis.”

Belyea also commented on the privilege of hosting the state championships.

“It is a great honor to represent CRC, the Big 8 confer-

ence and also the event host, the head coach Brian Crichlow said. mination pays off.” was. We were coming here to win California Community College “It’s been about three years so it’s “Win it, we were going to win," a state championship. We said Athletic Association,” Belyea said. bringing us back, putting us back Fresno City head coach Ed Madec that before we got here that was “It helps us to have visibility and on the map. Hard work and deter- said. “That’s what our mindset our goal and carried out the plan.” positive exposure as a college and department.”

Looking for a spot in the championship game on March 11, the top four women’s teams competed on March 9, and the top four men’s teams competed on March 10.

The men’s championship game came down to Fresno City College and Yuba College.

The women’s championship game came down to Mt. San Antonio College and Foothill College.

Both winning teams outscored their opponents by 10 or more points, as Fresno City won 77-62 and Mt. San Antonio prevailed 68-58.

Ian Graves | The Connection “This is our fifth state championship but we haven’t been here Mt. San Antonio head coach Brian Crichlow celebrates with his team after winning the state title at in a while,” Mt. San Antionio CRC on March 11. This is Mt. San Antonio's fifth California Community College State Championship.

Sports | March 15, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

7

Baseball player will leave mound for mission trip Freshman pitcher Austin Ales will put baseball career on hold and leave CRC for two years

By Zachary Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail.com Cosumnes River College baseball player Austin Ales will take the ultimate leap of faith.

The freshman pitcher is putting his beloved baseball career aside to follow his religion.

After he stares down batters for a season with the Hawks, Ales will set his sights on a two-year mission trip.

Growing up, Ales balanced his love for baseball and involvement in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Ever since I was a little kid my dad started me in baseball, around 4 years old,” Ales said.

“I’ve always kept with it. I love the game.”

Ales religion also was introduced to him at a young age and he still follows it to this day.

“My parents were in the church before, so we kind of grew up in it,” he said. “But now that I’m older, I’m keeping with it and I want to be involved in the religion still, I want to be living it.”

With a 14-year baseball ca-

reer in the books, Ales will hang Although Ales is putting up up his cleats and leave in the fall those numbers, he knows this for a trip to an unknown location. trip is something he needs to “I won’t know where I am go- do. Even if Ales was drafted into ing until the end of April,” he said. professional baseball this year, he However, Ales said he had would not miss out on helping his no problem choosing his religion religion. over baseball.

“I would go on my trip,” he “I’m fine with it,” he said. “I’ve said. “It will be worth it in the always wanted to do this ever long run.” since I was a little kid. It’s not going to be a downer on my life.

Baseball will still be here when I come back. I’ll just start where I left off.”

Still, Ales does admit he will miss baseball when he’s gone.

“I probably won’t get to play at all, so I’ll be missing that a lot,” he said.

The goal of the trip is to introduce and spread his religion to others.

“I’ll be preaching my Gospel out there,” Ales said. “I’m just trying share what I know with others.”

Ales plans to continue playing baseball with CRC when he gets back. He expressed interest in it as a possible career.

“If I get the chance and was lucky enough to go somewhere, I would definitely love to go play baseball professionally,” he said.

Ales is averaging more than nine strikeouts a game to go with an earned run average below two Ian Graves | The Connection in the 2012 season, according to Freshman pitcher Austin Ales is averaging over nine strikeouts a game and has an ERA below two. the CRC Athletics website.

Early walks and errors cost the Hawks against rival Hawks give game away in first inning and fail to get key hits late in game

By Vince Schwede vschwede.connect@gmail.com The Cosumnes River College Hawks lost their second straight game to the Sacramento City College Panthers 6-3 on March 8, dropping to a 5-8 overall record and a 0-2 conference record.

The baseball game was played at Sac City, even though CRC was the home team.

“Obviously the first inning is what cost us,” CRC head coach Tony Bloomfield said. “They got five runs on no hits. We came back and fought back and had our chances and just didn’t execute the hits when we had our chances to score more runs.”

The Hawks scored three runs on eight hits, while the Panthers scored six runs on four hits.

“It’s a good win, but we still haven’t played very well,” said Panthers assistant coach Deskaheh Bomberry, who took over when head coach Andy McKay left the game due to illness.

“There’s a lot of areas to improve on. They handed us a few things, and we took advantage of them, but we need to play a lot better if we want to keep being successful.”

Panthers’ sophomore pitcher A.J. Quintero got the win, pitching seven innings and giving up three runs and seven hits, while Hawks’ freshman pitcher Alec Miramontes got the loss, giving up five runs on no hits through one inning.

“I know I didn’t have my

best stuff today,” Quintero said.

“When you don’t have your best stuff, all you got to do is compete and hopefully it turns out your way.”

The Panthers took advantage of five walks and two errors in the first inning and jumped to an early 5-0 lead. CRC freshman pitcher Blake Harrison relieved starting pitcher Alec Miramontes in the first inning.

Harrison gave up two hits and no runs in the next four innings.

With three hits and a couple of throwing errors by the Panthers in the fourth inning, the Hawks scored three runs to get back into the game.

Hawks’ sophomore left fielder Wil Gilliland, who stepped to the plate with two on and one out, bunted the ball towards the right side of the infield. Quintero grabbed the ball, sprinted to first, dove and tagged Gilliland. The first base umpire called Gilliland safe, but the home plate umpire overruled the play by calling him out.

“It relieved a lot of stress off me,” Quintero said. “It just got my mind back to focus on the next pitch.”

In the next at-bat, sophomore center fielder Colby Brenner grounded out to second base to end the inning.

Although the Hawks got runners on base in the seventh and eighth innings, they hit into two inning-ending double plays.

The Panthers added one more run in the eighth inning off a wild pitch by CRC sophomore pitcher Paul Hendley.

With two down and the bases loaded in the bottom of the

ninth, Hawks’ sophomore catcher making costly errors.

Shawn Wheeler hit a foul ball that “They got to clean up their was caught by the first baseman act,” Bloomfield said. “This is the to end the game.

Big 8. You can’t play that way in “We had our chances,” Bloom- the Big 8. You’re going to lose in field said. “We just didn’t execute the Big 8. You got one bad inning, there at the end.” and you get crooked numbers up Coach Bloomfield said his in the scoreboard, you’re going to team needs to play “the full nine lose games.” innings consistently” and stop

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Sophomore second baseman Jake Schu fails to recover a wild throw by pitcher Paul Pendley.

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Campus News

Protest: Occupy protestors join in to support Millionaire's Tax Continued from page 1

“

There's no more important issue for the business community than higher education because we've always conveyed the best and brightest minds from our system.

Alex Pader, former president of the Student Senate for California community colleges. “Making sure that education remains excisable, affordable and of a highquality.”

The march ended at the steps of the Capitol building, where speakers addressed the imporGavin Newsom tance of higher education and the Lt. Governor growing barriers of college entry associated with increasing cuts.

“You need to hold us account“We need to do something able to those words and actions,” dramatically differently and that’s Newsom added. really what I hope today repreOccupy movement protestsents,” said Lt. Governor Gavin ers also participated in the event Newsom. “A willingness of people in support of the Millionaire's Tax to step up and step in to this de- of 2012. The tax, which was also bate and put a face on these cuts, a rallying point for student proand make the case to the legisla- testers, proposes placing an adtor that ‘you’re not representing ditional tax on Californians who us and you’re not doing justice to make more than $1 million annually. The revenue would be used the future of this state.’”

”

to fund public education.

“I like that it was peaceful and everyone was in control,” said Cosumnes River College student Alexandra Oster, a 20-year-old anthropology major. “I felt like that got the message across clearer than it would of if people were getting hectic and out of control.”

Tuition costs are set to increase at California community colleges from $36 to $46 per unit in the summer. Newsom stressed that lawmakers care and that “we’re not doing justice to our redirect.”

“It’s not just about the students and their family,” Newsom said. “It’s about business and labor coming together. There’s no more important issue for the business community than higher educaIan Graves | The Connection tion because we’ve always conveyed the best and the brightest Speakers at the March for Higher Education on March 5 addressed minds from our system.” the importance of higher education in California.

Budget: $149 million in cuts will be deferred until 2012-2013 pected cuts, $107 million of the shortfall is because of a “dramatic Yamamura said in an email. “Beincrease” in students receiving the cause the surprise is so late in the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, fiscal/academic year, and because according to a media statement we are fiscally sound, we will de- from the California Community fer the impact of the cuts to next Colleges Chancellor’s Office. year (beginning July 1st).

Jason Newman, a history “Over the course of next year, professor and Los Rios College the college will cut its scheduled Federation of Teachers CRC offerings by 2 percent. There will President, argued against the fee be other measures in an addition waiver being bad. to the schedule cuts to make up "I do not think that the budget for the shortfall in revenue,” he shortfall stems from community said. college students using the BOG Of the $149 million in unex- fee waiver,” Newman said. “But Continued from page 1

I would argue that the BOG fee waiver is now subject to potential cutbacks because of the shortfall in state revenues."

Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris talked about the impact of the cuts in an email sent to all Los Rios employees.

Since the beginning of the budget situation, classes were cut and staff health benefits were reduced. Other areas of the budget were cut and the district reserves covered the rest, Harris said. Other cuts for the 2011-2012 year, ending June 30, are not planned,

he said.

“However, these mid-year cuts and the possibility of an additional $12.3 million in reductions in the coming year if a tax initiative does not qualify and pass in November will certainly require even more drastic measures,” Harris said in the email.

“We still do not see layoffs in the future, but a more significant impact on students and employees is likely unless our funding begins to be restored soon.”

Harris also said that “long-

range planning” for the crisis will extend through the 2013-2014 school year.

CRC President Deborah Travis said students must also take responsibility for their goals.

“We will continue to make it a priority to provide the core classes students need in our programs,” Travis said. “We are doing everything we can to ensure access for students, but these are difficult times and students will need to be proactive in their educational pursuits.”

California community colleges chancellor announces retirement

By Alex Mosqueda amosqueda.connect@gmail.com After a 58-year career in higher education and public service, California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott announced on March 6 that he will be retiring from his position on Sept. 1.

“I have greatly enjoyed my work since becoming chancellor on January 1, 2009,” said Scott in a statement sent statewide to all community college systems. “It is true that it has been a tough time for community colleges because of the financial difficulties of the state of California.”

“But I have been received warmly in Sacramento and on college campuses by trustees, faculty, staff, administrators and students. I have proudly represented our colleges before the Legislature, the governor and many other audiences,” he said.

Scott oversaw the improvements made to many technical education programs and strengthened services for veterans pursuing higher education. Scott was an advocate for the increase in investments and supported transfer process from community colleges to California State Universities. In

Jack Scott “hasChancellor been committed to the

effectiveness of California community colleges and the success of the students they serve. In these challenging times Dr. Scott's leadership has been strong and constant, providing vision and advocacy.

”

Deborah Travis Cosumnes River College President addition, he supported the addition of the Associate Degree for the Transfer program, according to the chancellor’s office press release.

“Chancellor Jack Scott has been committed to the effectiveness of California community colleges and the success of the students they serve,” said Cosumnes River College President Deborah Travis in an email interview. “In these challenging times Dr. Scott's leadership has been strong and constant, providing vision and advocacy.”

“His knowledge, passion and perspective on the importance of public higher education in California will be missed,” she said.

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