The Guardsman, Vol. 152, Issue 6. City College of San Francisco

C I T Y C O L L E G E O F S A N F R A N C I S C O ’ S N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 3 5

Volume 152, Issue 6

TheGuardsman.com

November 2 - November 16, 2011, 2011

OCCUPY OAKLAND UNDER FIRE

IMAGES BY CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN

TOP: 150 Oakland Police, Sheriffs and Solano County Officers stare across a barricade of over 400 protesters at Frank Ogawa Plaza.

BELOW, FROM LEFT To RiGHT: A spent grenade on Broadway St. A protester pukes after police threw tear gas into the crowd. Protesters shield their mouths from tear gas and flee the area. Injured protesters show their scars.

Live Twitter coverage from the #OccupyOakland raid

by Joe Fitzgerald, Becca Hoekstra, and Clarivel Fong

Oakland Police raid on Occupy Oakland , where some 400 armed police fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash grenades into a peaceful protest of some 500 “Occupiers.” They had been booted from their campground at Frank Ogawa Plaza earlier that day, and were marching to retake the plaza.

As mainstream media outlets fled the scene, The Guardsman covered the event live via Twitter under the handle @sfbreakingnews. Our coverage was the third most followed twitter handle in the Bay Area for that night, and was retweeted as far as China, New Zealand and the UK. Follow The Guardsman at Twitter.com/SFbreakingnews.

Newspapers possible new target in herb war Sara Bloomberg CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Print publications advertising medical marijuana may be the next target of a recent federal crackdown on the substance, causing outrage among advocates and patients who hoped that Obama would decriminalize what they consider to be medicine.

Federal prosecutors in California announced earlier this month that landlords and property owners who rent buildings or land where dispensaries sell or cultivators grow marijuana would be singled out.

U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy,

ON THE INSIDE

who oversees areas in Southern California, announced her intentions to go after advertisements as well.

So far, Northern California media outlets seem unaffected.

Executive Editor Tim Redmond of the San Francisco Bay Guardian, said the weekly newspaper has not received any notices on the issue. A large chunk of the Guardian’s advertising are medical marijuana ads.

Redmond said he’s more concerned for the dispensaries.

“They support the local economy. They create jobs. It’s going to destroy a growing industry in California”, Redmond said, at a time when the economy desper-

PREPARE FOR DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Sugar skulls and altars Pages 6, 7, 8

ately needs growth. “If you shut down the dispensaries, they can’t advertise anyways.”

The federal prosecutors claim their decision to crack down on the thriving industry is related to concerns about profiteering and not to any directives from the Department of Justice.

However, the announcement came only a few months after the Department of Justice distributed a memo reversing what many considered to be the Obama Administration’s previous movement towards decriminalization. In 2009 the “Ogden Memo” encouraged federal prosecutors to direct resources away from HERB WAR Page 3

Inside the Occupations: SF and Oakland’s 99 percent

By Alex Schmaus CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Occupy San Francisco expanded from the sidewalk in front of the Federal Reserve to nearby Justin Herman Plaza with more than 300 protesters now living at both camps, despite increased threats of police raids.

The camp, with over 50 tents, was built in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which opposes the extreme inequalities of the wealthy and the middle class. Similar occupations

are popping up in hundreds of cities and towns across the country.

“Occupy San Francisco is a community,,” explained Sara Husain, 23, who moved to the Bay Area from Ohio six weeks ago.

Husain wasn’t surprised by the Occupy movement, “people are fed up, people are losing their homes, everyone feels it, a lot of people are working, but they still find ways to support us.”

A nurse at UCSF medical center and union member Randy Howell supports the Occupy

VIDEO - OCCUPY OAKLAND: Visit our YouTube for live video of the police crackdown on the #OccupyOakland march. youtube.com/user/TheGuardsmanOnline

OCCUPY SF Page 3

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NEWS

VIDEO - LELAND YEE INTERVIEW: Watch our full interview with Senator and mayoral candidate Leeland Yee, only at youtube.com/TheGuardsmanOnline

Feds reverse position on medical cannabis HERB WARS: Continued from front

entities that are in compliance with state laws.

California voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 1996 through Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act. In June, the department released the “Cole Memo”, stating that persons who cultivate, sell or distribute marijuana, as well as “knowingly facilitate such activities, are in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, regardless of state law” and “are subject to federal enforcement action, including prosecution.”

During his 2008 campaign, President Obama supported decriminalizing medical marijuana, saying that he would respect individual states’ laws on the issue but maintained his stance against full legalization.

Federal “Drug Czar” Gil Kerlikowske called for an end to the “war on drugs” rhetoric in 2009. Although the Administration is against full legalization, Kerlikowske said a shift toward a more balanced approach to drug enforcement and treatment was necessary for real progress.

By giving federal prosecutors the power to threaten legitimate, tax-paying businesses with closure, the Obama Administration is said by many to be escalating the very “war on drugs” it had purportedly ended.

Harborside Health Center, an industry-leading dispensary based in Oakland, was recently ordered to pay an extra $2 million in retroactive taxes, a move that could put them out of business. They’re currently appealing the decision.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the federal government recognizes that certain components of cannabis have medicinal value but only when administered through non-smoking methods, specifically

in pill form.

Jon Calvert, 29, has been a medical marijuana patient for two years and whole-heartedly disagrees. For him, pharmaceutical pills are not an option.

“I don’t take pills,” he says, because “I don’t like the way they make me feel.”

Marinol is one of a few pharmaceutical-grade pills containing synthetic THC- one of the active components found in cannabis. It is owned by Solvay Pharmaceuticals and approved by the FDA for prescription use.

Cannabidiol is another compound found in cannabis that many people find therapeutic.

Sarah Russo and Fred Gardner of the CBD Project, a grassroots organization dedicated to gathering information and research on the effects of Cannabidiol-rich strains of medical marijuana, said they have already been affected by the crackdown, despite not being directly targeted.

The CBD Project relies on its relationships with both dispensaries and testing laboratories in order to collect data and conduct research.

“Laboratories are in danger [of closing] and their clients [the dispensaries] are dropping off like flies,” said Russo.

Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, marijuana is a Schedule I substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. By contrast, cocaine is listed as a Schedule II substance, indicating that it has some accepted medical use.

“Rescheduling [marijuana] is the key to changing the system,” Gardner said.

The U.S. Army conducted it’s own research in 1929 and published its findings in the Panama Canal Zone Report, concluding that marijuana was not habit forming and not harmful.

BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN

Jonathon Calvert holds his medical marijuana card that he received for an injury, at the Church St Cafe on Oct 25. Calvert initially took doctor prescribed pain medication but did not like the effects, so he tried medical marijuana to ease his pain.

Despite the findings, Congress passed the Uniform Narcotic Drug Act in 1932, classifying marijuana as a habit forming drug. email: news@theguardsman.com

Mayoral candidates tackle City College issues

San Francisco’s 2011 Mayoral race is a crowded one this year, with many major candidates on the ballot. The Guardsman will be interviewing new candidates each issue in order to get to the heart of issues concerning you, our City College readers.

By Valerie Demicheva THE GUARDSMAN

After serving in the California State Assembly, Leland Yee became the first Chinese- American to be elected a California State Senator. Currently in his second term, he represents San Francisco and San Mateo counties. Throughout his career, Yee has supported legislation to protect children, the environment, and education. A former City College student, he lives with his wife Maxine, and their four children in the Sunset.

You and your 4 children attended City College. Why did you decide to send your children to City College?

I got a superior education when I went to City College. One of the best qualities of a junior college is that there are smaller class sizes. There are better opportunities for a student to get to know a professor, ask a lot more detailed questions, and get those questions answered. I think those are important assets for all higher education institutions. I got a much better education out of City College and wanted my kids to have that kind of experience.

City College had asked the city to cover $2.1 million dollars for basic utilities and only $250,000 was approved. Had you been mayor, would you have done that budget differently?

Where should City College look

Leland Yee

JOE FITZGERALD / THE GUARDSMAN

Senator Leland Yee speaks with Guardsman reporter Valerie Demicheva at his campaign headquarters on Oct. 24.

for its funding?

I have a history of supporting higher education. I am the only Senator to have consistently opposed cuts to higher education and the recent fee increases.

When there was an opportunity to increase funding to City College particularly, I worked with a number of other Senators to convince then-Governor Schwarzenneger that San Francisco ought to get an additional allocation for it’s non-credit classes. I was able to help get that for City

College. I’ve been a consistent supporter of higher education.

Had I been the mayor, I would’ve worked much closely with the chancellor, whom I know, and the President of the Board of Trustees, who I also know, to find the dollars to meet the needs of City College.

You’ve been quoted as saying you’re going to fight against administrative fat. So I’m curious, where do you see the fat in San Francisco’s government right now?

I have paid attention to some of the wasteful spending that went on under Chancellor Day’s administration. There were a number of top executives that I thought needed to be a little more concerned about how high their salaries were. There was one individual there who handles a lot of facility and developmental issues.

I think that any institution should look at how they can tighten their belts and reduce costs rather than putting it on the backs of students by increasing tuition.

What are your ideas for keeping big companies here?

We need to hold businesses accountable for the tax breaks they’re given to provide benefits to the city. If they make a promise to stay in San Francisco, then I want a guarantee that they’re going to stay here. If you’re going to generate x number of jobs, I want to make sure they generate x number of jobs for that particular tax credit. I have a bill that would revoke credits and benefits to businesses if they don’t fulfill their end of the bargain.

Is there a timeline? How long do companies have to hold up their end of the bargain?

We would evaluate that on incremental levels - six months, a year. I think the point that you raise that part of growing this economy is new industries emerging in San Francisco. One of the most resilient industries in California is Biotechnology.

They are extremely robust and well established. They are poised to do a lot more manufacturing.

It is extremely important that San Francisco captures some of those manufacturing jobs within this arena because those jobs can enlist educated individuals into that particular industry. You need to have a diversity of jobs if you’re going to keep a diversity of individuals living in San Francisco. vdemicheva@theguardsman.com

News

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CCSF Board says “NO” to Task Force reccomendations

By Berenice Avila CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The City College Board of Trustees rejected the draft report from the Student Success Task Force, who aim to financially support academically successful students at the expense of those in need.

The California Community College Student Success Task Force was created by the State under Bill 1143, with a goal of increasing transfer rates to fouryear universities.

The SSTF published several recommendations for students to receive funding: developing and implementing statewide assessment tests, participating in an orientation, having students declare a program of study early and requiring students to develop a strict educational plan.

President of the Academic Senate Karen Saginor said if the bill were to pass, “the recommendations would punish students by giving them less money.”

Students with more than 110 units and those with less than a 2.0 grade point average would have to

pay full price as soon as next year.

Many opponents of the bill fear the eligibility requirements would exclude many students in need and could lead to the dismantling of all non-credit courses across California community colleges.

“The only students who could have possibly benefited from this are those in small suburban schools,” Saginoir said. “Then funds become unavailable to those in need, especially students from immigrant or low income families.”

City College has an open admission policy, but the task force’s recommendations would change that. Saginor said the SSTF recommendations would limit the students who typically come to community colleges to find their way and prepare for a 4-year university. They would not only set boundaries, but would discourage those who don’t have opportunities for an education elsewhere.

During the Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting on Oct. 27, many disapproved of the task force’s recommendations.

“These recommendations are

Managing Editor Brian Rinker News Editor Saidy Lauer Culture Editor Catherine Lee Opinion Editor Gary Jay Sports Editor Ryan Kuhn

Karen Saginor, Academic Senate President, speaks about issues on recommendations by California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force on Oct. 26.

a threat to students who need our help,”said John Rizzo, Board of Trustees president.

Vice President Chris Jackson said, “If the state of California were truly interested in student success they would pass progressive revenue ear marked for education. City College of San Francisco recognizes that much work needs to be done to assure

VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN

Occupy SF protesters gather on Oct. 22 for a general assembly that takes place every day at 6:30 pm in Justin Herman Plaza.

movement. He worked with his union to set up first-aid centers at the Occupy San Francisco camp and several other occupations across the country.

“Everyone should have a right to basic health-care and that is what we are providing,” said Howell. “We’d like to fight for single-payer health-care, free education for all, a living wage for all, and we want a financial transaction tax passed in congress to make Wall Street and Big Business pay.”

Mayor waffles on Occupy The Mayor released a statement on Oct. 6, that he “understands and sympathizes with the anxiety and frustration felt by so many in our country caused by a lingering recession and joblessness... I support the spirit of the Occupy Wall Street movement that calls for peacefully assembling to protest and bring national attention to disparity issues.”

The arrests and alleged police beating of several Occupy San Francisco supporters during the night of Oct.16 raised doubts for many San Franciscans about how committed the Mayor’s office and police department are with protecting the “Occupiers’” right to

Online Editor Jon Bechtol

KATHERINE GELARDI / THE GUARDSMAN

student success including: more basic skill classes, additional professional tutors, common based classes, and greater funding for student support services.”

email: news@theguardsman.com

peaceful assembly.

During the public comment period of the San Francisco Police Commission meeting, Sean Semans was one of many who spoke about the arrests.

“I was wearing a backpack and my hands were full with a grocery bag of equipment when I was knocked back ten feet and kicked by an officer,” said Semans, a full-time SF State student. “Later in the evening, I was picked up and dragged by a group of officers until a senior officer told them to drop me. After being dropped I was kicked in the face by one officer and promptly kicked in the back of the head by another.”

Another arrested protester 19 year-old Zoe described how the zip-ties around her wrists were fastened so tightly that a police officer needed three different tools to remove them and allow blood to flow back into her hands.

“My body is still sore from when they dragged me on the ground, twisting my arms in ways I’ve never felt twisted before,” Zoe said.

The raid on Occupy Oakland Early in the morning on Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Occupy Oakland camp was demolished by police, who used tear gas, rubber bullets and

Multimedia Editor Brian Rinker Photo Editors Beth LaBerge Clairvel Fong Production Editor Becca Hoekstra Copy Chief Susan Boeckmann Social Media Editor Peter Hernandez

Bay Area mayors uncertain how to handle Occupy

OCCUPY SF Continued from front

Editor-in-Chief Joe Fitzgerald

“flash-bang” concussion grenades throughout the day and night to disperse several thousand demonstrators.

That same day, Occupy San Francisco received a letter from San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr titled, “You Are Subject To Arrest,” alleging the camp was in violation of numerous fire, health and park use codes.

Several hundred supporters gathered in Justin Herman Plaza, Wednesday night, to defend the camp from an expected police raid.

Bus loads of riot cops gathered in the early morning hours, but after supporters began to number in the thousands, the police department called off the raid.

The encampment continues to grow.

Many Occupy San Francisco supporters said they’re determined to maintain the encampment and are bracing themselves for further police action.

Support for Occupy San Francisco is growing at City College, where students have begun to gather in Ram Plaza every Thursday afternoon at 1:30pm in order to discuss how they might support the movement.

“American leaders have forgotten they need the public support. Everything has a threshold, a breaking point,” said Bobby Arenas, Associated Student Council president. “People are realizing that their backs are against the wall. All of our options have been taken away and the only choice left is to fight.

It’s now time to take the power back.” email: news@theguardsman.com

Staff Writers Brian Rinker Anna Shoriak Ryan Kuhn Gary Jay Rachael Garcia Lulu Orozco Lucas Pontes de Almeida Peter Hernandez Becca Hoekstra Gianne Nalangan Kevin Brown Staff Photographers Beth LaBerge Valerie Ayala Matthew Lambert Ezra Ekman Illustrator/Design Matthew Fung Multimedia Gary Jay Brian Rinker Joe Fitzgerald Saidy Lauer Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales

Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: (415) 239-3446 Email: email@theguardsman.com

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VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN

Two clowns and a pirate jam together on Oct. 22, at the Occupy SF camp in Justin Herman Plaza. The camp is constantly filled with music which keeps the energy up around the plaza.

California Newspaper Publisher’s Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges

News

4 | November 2 - November 16, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com

Mother of Kenneth Harding Jr. rallies at CCSF campus

By Lucas Almeida

build some awareness in order to prevent this from happening to anyone else,” said Chatman.

Kennith Harding Jr’s mother, “That’s my mission and goal in outraged by her son’s death, met life, because I don’t want anyone Thursday Oct. 20 with protest else to become another Kenneth organizers and supporters inside Harding Jr.” the cafeteria on Ocean campus Activist and City College to plan a day of awareness against student DeBray Carpenter avidly police brutality. spoke about Harding’s death in The National Day of Protest the weeks following the shooting, was held two days later in the calling for greater police accountBayview district.

Harding’s ability. Organizing protests and mother Danika Chatman was the speaking on television news, featured speaker at the protest. Capenter hopes Bayview will get Her primary goal in life, she said, his message. is to fight against the injustices “Whoever stands with the that led to her son’s death. police does not stand with the After the death of Kenneth community,” said Carpenter Harding Jr. Chatman moved from during a protest on Oct. 18, Seattle to San Francisco to rally against Harding’s death. against police Carpenter brutality with was arrested the Bayview shortly after community. the protest for “My life the third time changed oversince Harding’s night, my life death. is no longer “It hurts about me,” said me to know Chatman. “I’ve that people had to relocate supporting my from Seattle to son have been come out here brutalized and and fight this incarcerated battle.” by the police, On for speaking July 16, San out about what Francisco they saw,” said VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN police offiChatman. cers stopped Denika Chatman, mother of October Kenneth Hard- Kenneth Harding Jr., speaks to 22, hundreds ing Jr. on the OccupyCCSF about the alterca- of people in Third Street tion with SFPD that lead to the Bayview got and Oakdale death of her son in the Student Chatman’s and Union Center on Oct. 20.

Muni platCarpenter’s form.

Police message and asked him for a transfer. Harding marched in protest against police ran. Shots were fired. During the brutality.. firefight, Harding was shot and In response to Harding’s bled to death in front a crowd of death, City College Board of bystanders.

Trustee Chris Jackson is currently Police said Harding fatally working on legislation to reform shot himself in the neck.Witness- the SFPD Police Academy, whose es argue that Harding didn’t have a curriculum is approved by City gun. Many people in the commu- College. He plans to increase nity still have doubts about what community outreach from the happened.

SFPD to the Bayview and require “Everyday I’m reaching out more officers to live in San Franto students in high school and cisco city limits. email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com college classrooms, trying to THE GUARDSMAN

MATT LAMBERT / THE GUARDSMAN

Jody Wirt builds the afternoons playlist, which includes programming and various PSAs, on Oct. 28.

“Promos are mostly made by students. Right now we’re playing a series called “The Missing Voter,” to get people registered to vote.”

City College channels to air on AT&T

By Ashley Lalla CONTRIBUTING WRITER

AT&T U-Verse recently started carrying City College’s Educational Access Television (EATV) channels 29 and 75, increasing the broadcast range from the city limits to the greater Bay Area.

Comcast and Astound will continue carrying City College channels, but unlike AT&T they do not broadcast the channels outside of the city.

“We wanted to make sure the surrounding communities had access to college channels as well,” said AT&T’s Director of Corporate Communications John Britton.“It’s great exposure for the students in the Broadcasting Department.”

EATV channels broadcast student performances, board meetings and educational

programs. Students signed up for telecourses are able to view lectures and videos from the convenience of their own home.

A full schedule of the programs can be found on City College’s website.

Broadcasting student and intern Lawnele Jones, is excited to about broadcasting to a wider audience.

“If we have a broader audience we will be able to get our message out there. This will help us gain more attention for the school and receive necessary resources and funding. It can be used as a vessel to get our voices heard,” said Jones.

Even with the greater exposure, Maya Novelli,senior broadcast technician, explains a viewer would be unlikely to stumble upon EATV channels unless they were looking for them. AT&T

did not give the stations simple numbers easily found by mindlessly scrolling. Instead the channels must manually be selected them from the menu. However, she agrees, channel numbers or not, this newly acquired access is a benefit to the department.

“Previously we had coverage in the San Francisco area, now AT&T U-Verse has greatly expanded our reach,” said Novelli. “Suddenly our channels are blown across the Bay Area, from Sonoma County all the way to Fremont and the East Bay. I’m able to access our channels from home now and it saves me a lot of time.”

email: news@theguardsman.com

REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

Student robbed at gunpoint on Gennessee

By Misha Steier

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Police are seeking two suspects following the armed robbery of a City College student. The victim was walking on the 200 block of Gennessee St., when the suspects approached him. One suspect pulled out a black semi-automatic pistol and demanded the victim give him everything he had. The victim, fearing for his life, handed over his cell phone, computer, wallet and keys. The suspects then fled north on Gennessee St. Both suspects are described as 6 foot tall, black males in their 20s, according to City College police.

This robbery was one of 11

reported within a half mile range of city college in the past month.

According to Officer Rachel Hakes there are no plans to increase foot patrols as these incidents occured off of City College campus.

“Unfortunately, this can happen anywhere at any time.”

Said Officer Hakes. “It’s important for students to remain aware.”

The investigation is currently being handled by SFPD. Anyone with any information should contact the Ingleside Investagative Unit at (415) 533 1201.

Mills offers talented women who want an exceptional and personal education the opportunity to: • Get the classes you need to graduate on time.

• Earn merit scholarships totaling up to $19,000.

• Transfer with no minimum number of credits.

• Transfer without completing your GE requirements.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR SPRING 2012.

Learn more about our generous financial aid and scholarships at our information session.

Thursday, November 10 • 10:30 am–2:15 pm

MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .

Oakland, CA admission@mills.edu www.mills.edu/transfer RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT WWW.MILLS.EDU/VISITFORM.

email: news@theguardsman.com City College — The Guardsman Size: 6” x 6” • Insertion date: November 2, 2011 Ad #21DREAM11

OPINIONS

The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | November 2 - November 19, 2011 | 5 DRUG WAR

Check out our visual op-ed about the recent crackdown on cannabis dispensaries. Landlords have been ordered to evict within 45 days; failure to comply will result in prison time and forfeiture of property.

www.TheGuardsman.com/category/op_eds/

The Guardsman Editorial

Occupy’s enemy in the shadows The middle-class crisis is finally at a tipping point, but the unrest growing among the unions and the 99% lack an obvious adversary, a place to direct their ire other than just the amorphous idea of “government” or “big banks.”

Let’s help point them in the right direction.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, is an organization that drafts “model legislation.” Model for whom? For big ol’ corporations that believe in privatization: of prisons, schools, sanitation... of everything.

When the Arizona government passed legislation allowing police officers to check people’s immigration status to screen for “illegals,” by whom was that legislation written? By ALEC, at the behest of a private prison company that wanted more business.

ALEC is an organization made up of republican senators, governors, and assorted politicians, as well as representatives from large corporations across the U.S. Its goal is to selectively seed legislation across state governments

MORE ON ALEC:

in order to deregulate, sway elections, cripple labor, and destroy http://www.alec.org/ public institutions by http://alecexposed.org replacing them with private ones.

Via NPR All those folks, http://tinyurl.com/3swhspq republicans and http://tinyurl.com/3owqan9 big businessmen, sit around a table a few all times a year and write out the legislation to bring back to rules their respective state capitols. of the game, They’ve drafted hundreds of strives to destroy the middle class bills, many of which have been and gut the social safety net, adopted word for word by state and no one is the wiser, mainly legislatures. because the average person just This may sound very shadow- doesn’t seem to care. organization and paranoid, but Getting away with all of this is actually ALEC is quite public shamefully easy since most of the about what they do. Go to the media is focused on Washington ALEC website, and they list all D.C., and on the broader political the republicans and big business- battles going on between Obama es involved. NPR also has some and those around him. stellar stories that tell the truth If you are with the Occupy about ALEC. movement, if you support labor, Most of the legislation and public education, or otherwise politics that affect people in support the 99%, you owe it to their everyday lives happen at yourself to know about ALEC, the state and city levels. It’s often and to spread the word. too mundane or complex for the Your ignorance is their fireaverage person to pay attention power. to. email: editor@theguardsman.com So ALEC swoops in, changes

Letters to the editor In his October 5 editorial, Gary Jay states that “[s]ince the Cold War, the US and Iran have been bitter foes.” However, Iran was a client state compliant to US interests from 1953 to 1979 following a clandestine US/UK-orchestrated coup in 1953 that overthrew the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. Given the self-righteous triumphalism in the aftermath of Gaddafi’s downfall in Libya, it would serve well to consider the real motives behind US interventions as opposed to ad nauseum repetitions of concern for human rights and the rule of law from those who care little about such novel ideas when violated by those subservient to our geopolitical interests.

Eric Park Student at CCSF

The City College VOICE

By Alisa Messer AFT 2121 PRESIDENT

Our community college system is based on the 1960 California Master Plan for Higher Education, an incredible document that assumed all Californians should benefit from postsecondary education. Under that plan, higher education was to be free.

Tuition increases though are only part of abandoning accessible community college education for all. Other changes to the mission of the community college come in the form of draft recommendations from the state-wide Task Force on Student Success, which California Chancellor Jack Scott has hailed as holding “real promise to open a new chapter for our system.”

Under the banner of “educational reform,” the recommendations claim that they will both improve educational successes and reduce costs. But they move us away from the comprehensive, open-access institutions Californians deserve.

The task force recommenda-

tions range from changing funding structures to professional development to curricula and beyond. For instance, one piece of the proposal would entirely rework the Board of Governors fee waivers available to lowincome students, now based on need, turning instead to a merit and progress-based waiver system.

The task force recommends and in some cases requires things of students that would create barriers rather than open doors.

For instance, it recommends that students declare a program of study upon admission. Students regularly face anxiety in trying to choose their majors. Piling major life decisions on students who are just trying to get acclimated is a bad idea.

This is simply one of many attempts within the recommendations to create a one-size-fitsall educational model.

Another worrisome suggestion of the task force is to combine various categorical programs such as matriculation and parttime faculty health insurance and office hours.

Veterans Corner

By Bob Hollingsworth CONTRIBUTING WRITER

What is PTSD? According to MayoClinic.com, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD for short “is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” In a May 4 2008 article of Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, “a military psychologist suggests making troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder eligible for the Purple Heart to help remove the stigma of a disorder affecting about 20 percent of combat veterans.” Some argue that awarding troops the Purple Heart who suffer from PTSD would undermine the value of the award. Traditionaly, the Purple Heart has been awarded to military men and women or, posthumously to the next of kin, of those that have sustained physical harm or impairment from the hands of the enemy during combat. This article also came just days after Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates mentioned that this matter needed to be looked into.

In 2009 the Pentagon issued a statement concerning this matter. Despite all the research that has concluded that PTSD is just as severe as phyiscal wounds in combat the Pentagon declined to honor service members who suffer from combat related PTSD with the Purple Heart. In an article written by Elvira G. Aletta, Ph.D, titled ,”PTSD and the

Purple Heart,” Dr. Aletta responded with the following, “Go ahead and ignore all the research and data collected by psychologists, neuropsychologists and psychiatrists the world over to define and develop diagnostic and treatment protocols for this horrible condition.” It seems that there are some real diehards at the Pentagon that still hold to old traditions and are unable to adapt to data and science even when it stares them in the face.

In the years since these articles there have been many more that have suffered from chronic combat related PTSD. When will the Pentagon and the Powers that be finally come down from Mt. Olympus and use their powers to honor all the heroes of combat and not just a select few. If they could ever award the Purple Heart for PTSD then perhaps it would provide some light for service members and veterans on a dismass path to recovery.

PTSD has been known to lead to strained relationships, divorce, financial issues, mental anguish, and suicide. Maybe it is time for the high ranking officers of the Pentagon and D.C. Politicians to leave the comfort of their desks and cocktails and serve in a combat zone with the United States Military. Since they will not likely leave Mt. Olympus, and mingle with the common man, they should just head sound science and listen to the voice of the Veteran. email: editor@theguardsman.com

The City College Voice is a recurring column featuring contributed editorials from the faculty of City College. This issue’s contributer is from the teacher’s union AFT 2121 newsletter, “UnionAction.”

Categorical funding, which includes many special programs for some of our most vulnerable students and part-time faculty, offers money for areas where districts might not otherwise spend responsibly.

Many districts would offer no part-time faculty health insurance whatsoever without these monies.

If the categoricals go away, faculty around the state could lose all access to these benefits, and students could lose access to their faculty in the process.

Too many college success stories don’t fit the molds the task force is attempting to cram our students into. We shouldn’t

narrow our mission to exclude the great variety and complexity in our students’ lives and goals, corralling students into declaring majors as they enter, limiting access to courses that don’t fit neatly into a career path or defined course of study, and expecting them to attend fulltime and borrow their way to long-term indebtedness.

We owe California’s varied students— those returning at age 50; those who are first in their families to go to college; those who left high school with or without a diploma in need of basic skills; those who have a BA in a

no-longer profitable field and need retraining—a quality community college education.

We owe them access and success as part of a social contract.

We owe all of California the educated students we’ve promised and the educational system we have continued to grow into the world’s largest system of higher education. We can afford that promise—and not to keep it is far more expensive. email: amesser@aft2121.org

INFORGRAPHIC COURTESY OF UNIONACTION

Culture

6 | November 2 - November 16, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com

LEFT: The Garden, The After Hours Bar, and The Dog Park” altar by Carlos Castillo, at the Mission Cultural Center on Oct. 26, 2011.

ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO R Chiclets Skull, “Mi Reina e Candy skull, designed by P Mission Cultural Center on

Day of the Dea

a tradition of ar

RIGHT: A photo of Lorenza Guzman rests on an altar by Olivia and Margarita Munoz at the Mission Cultural Center on Oct. 26, 2011.

BELOW: Paul Zinser talks to an audience about his altar “Mi Reyna en el CIelo” dedicated to his mother Nellie Marie Friedman Peterson.

By Lulu Orozco THE GUARDSMAN

The Mission Cultural Center is hosting a gala reception on Nov. 2 for “Death in Parallel/Muerte Paralela,” a Day of the Dead exhibit which runs through Nov. 4.

On display are decorative altars, ranging from the traditional to the experimental, dedicated to friends and family members that have passed away.

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos in Spanish, is a celebration where family, friends and communities come together to pray and remember the dead.

Mission Cultural Assistant Nicole Crescenzi said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this exhibit, the energy that each artist puts into their work is so rich, I recognize the value of folk art and I see its relevance more than ever.”

Altars are beautifully arranged with “ofrendas” or offerings, such as sugar skulls, orange marigolds, candles, water and food then placed in homes, community centers and parks.

It is believed that the spirits return for the marigold scent, and the aroma of the foods that are offered to them on the alter.

The spirits take their offerings on Nov. 2, which is the official Dia de los Muertos, and after the spirits have departed the living consume the food and share it with their friends and family.

“Day of the Dead doesn’t only belong to Mexicans, it belongs to the community because we all mourn” said Chico Garza, a Mission Cultural Center tour guide. email: gorozco@theguardsman.com

PHOTOS BY EZRA EKMAN / THE GUARDSMAN

Details The Mission Cultural Center hosts a public party Dia de los Muertos Gala Reception on Nov 2 with special hours from 6:30 to 11p.m. $5 Admission, advance tickets available via Paypal Alters exhibit is open during regular center hours until Nov 5.

The Dia de los Muertos procession starts at 7pm at 22nd and Bryant Streets and marches to Garfield Park at 26th and Harrison Streets.

Culture

RIGHT: Three skulls, titled en el Cielo”, and American Paul Zinser on display at the Oct. 26.

The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | November 2 - November 19, 2011 | 7

RiGHT: Alter by Alfonso Ochoa.

ad installations:

rt and memory

VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN

Sugar skulls essential to altars on Dia de los Muertos Rachael Garcia THE GUARDSMAN

Edible artist Michele Simons is the director of the sugar skull workshop at the Galeria de la Raza and has been making them for the past three years.

“When I went to Mexico after my parents died,” she said “I was there during the Day of the Dead and saw the skulls.”

Sugar skulls are incorporated into most Dia de los Muertos altars. While many shops and bakeries sell sugar skulls, the edible jewels are often made at home or at workshops.

It’s a relatively simple process; sugar is packed into the skull-shaped mold with water and meringue powder and then left overnight to dry.

Royal icing is used as both decoration and glue for the skulls. Although skulls can be completely

edible, they’re pieces of art whose main purpose is for altar decoration.

“Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican ritual in fall celebrating life and death,” said Simons. The tradition originated with the Aztecs, she said. “They used real skulls back then: warriors’ skulls.”

Then Spanish brought sugar artists from Italy in the 17th century to Mexico. Even as the Aztecs disappeared the tradition of displaying skulls continued.

Paul Zinser has an altar for his mother on display at the Mission Cultural Center.

“I’d always call her mi reina,” said Zinser of his mother. The center skull is elegantly decorated with gems encircling the head, forming a crown, turning the sugar skull into his mother, his queen. email: rgarcia@theguardsman.com

VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN

Studio 24 at Galería de la Raza displays both painted and sugar skulls that are ready to decorate. Located on 24th street, children and adults can come in and create thier own sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos Cecile watches kids work on their skull while her mother helps her decorate her sugar skull on Oct. 23, 2011. For $5 ($10 for adults) children can make their own sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos.

8 | November 2 - November 16, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com

CULTURE

VIDEO - DENIKA CHATMAN SPEAKS: Watch Kenneth Harding Jr.’s mother speak at Ocean campus at a protest to create awareness against police brutality. youtube.com/TheGuardsmanOnline

Theater Preview:

Personal strife brings dynamic characters to life

By Peter Hernandez THE GUARDSMAN

With an intimate four-person cast portraying a dysfunctional family Tennessee Williams’ groundbreaking play “The Glass Menagerie” debuting at City College on Nov. 4 peers into a troubled world with incredible grace.

Escapism and selfreflection are at the core of this Southern story set during the Great Depression. When a father abandons his family an overbear-

ing and critical mother is left to raise her disabled and socially inept daughter and conflicted son.

Edna Rodis plays the overbearing mother Amanda Wingfield whose elegant yet confrontational composure creates a contradiction for her emotionally torn children.

“Then go to the moon, you selfish dreamer!” Amanda says to her son after denouncing him as useless when he attempts play matchmaker between his sister and an engaged man.

Rodis personally understands

the caring complexities of motherhood as she draws on her own struggle to mother a child who wants some distance.

“It’s a universal story,” said director and City College theater instructor Susan Jackson speaking of the empathic nature of family drama.

“Even if you know nothing about Southern mentality, you know something about annoying mothers,” she said.

Jackson, an avowed Williams fan, also directed “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Night of the Iguana” at City College’s

MICHAEL NERO / THE GUARDSMAN

Edna Rodis, left, and Diana Robles, right, rehearse Susan Jackson’s production of The Glass Menagerie at the Diego Rivera Theater on Oct. 29.

Details

Diego Rivera Fri, Nov 4 and 18, 8pm Theater. Edna Sat, Nov 5 and 19, 2pm Rodis acted Sat, Nov 12, 8pm in those as Sun, Nov 13, 2pm well.

General Admission $15 TennesStudents, Seniors, TBA Members $10 see FIRST WEEKEND FREE FOR CCSF Williams’ STUDENTS WITH ID catalogue Ocean Campus in the Diego Rivera Theatre of plays are Tickets available at the door; Advance defined by reservations can be made online at: his characters’ http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/ inner struggles Theatre_Arts/reservations1.htm Laura’s and apparent indecibrother sion creating a quintesinvites him sentially tragic situation. for a visit only to “He goes straight for the learn that he is already engaged. emotions,” said Jackson.

Like many of Jackson’s The son in the play is Tom productions, an element of hope Wingfield a conflicted man who concludes the tragedy. performs menial work in a ware“I think Laura has some hope house to support his family while at the end.

She broke her shyness longing for the life of a movie star and made a connection, ” said and writer. His character parallels Jackson, referring to Laura’s relaTennessee Williams’ life. tionship with O’Conner.

Actor David Williams’ weak These delicate personal and indecisive tone complements dramas create a brooding relaTom’s inner struggles, while tionship in the Wingfield’s small his sophisticated personality and stocky movements create a Southern apartment, and the compelling contradiction in itself. drama spirals with gripping Laura Wingfield, played by emotional scenes that celebrate the delicate and cheery Diana the fabric of Tennessee Williams’ Robles, has a permanent limp and expertly-crafted dramas.

The play is also considered to an introverted social demeanor. be Williams’ most autobiographiShe lingers over her father’s cal piece.

Williams’ own brutish possessions, including his old father abandoned his family leavrecords and victrola. ing his mother to raise him and “She’s kind of agoraphobic,” his mentally handicapped sister. said Robles.

Perhaps his mother was as overExternal struggles and ironies bearing as Amanda Wingfield. occur, such as Laura’s eventual friendship with Jim O’Conner, email:phernandez@theguardsman.com played by Alexander Watson.

Behind the scenes of Dia de los Muertos: Personal traditions of altar building in honor of loved ones

By Anna Shoriak THE GUARDSMAN

For the holiday of Dia de los Muertos celebrants build temporary altars in memory of loved ones who have died. It is a traditional activity incorporating spiritualism, symbolism, family, faith, and community.

“Death isn’t mourned, it’s celebrated, which is what I really enjoy about this holiday,” said Miguel Chavez, who has been celebrating this tradition for 25 years. “I like to remember jokes and pranks that those who have died used to play. For me, it’s a time to laugh and remember.”

Growing up in Los Angeles, the rituals, preparations, and traditions of Dia de los Muertos were big events in Chavez’s community, with months spent in preparation.

“My family plans out what we’ll need and we make necessary arrangements with the florist and the baker. We also clean the house from top to bottom, to welcome the dead,” Chavez said.

The Chavez family celebrations include prayer, decorating sugar skulls and building altars decorated with candles, religious icons, paper flowers, live marigolds, photographs, and tamales and mole as offerings to their ancestors.

“Every year since I’ve moved to San Francisco, I build a personal altar in my apartment for my Abuelo and my Tio. I like to place their favorite cigars around it, some cerveza — the things they really enjoyed in life.”

“Mi Tio was a prankster and a comedian, so I have a whoopee cushion on my altar, too. Mi Abuelo‘s favorite food was fish tacos, so I always make sure to grab some of

those for him. I also love to go to the Mission and pick out the sugar skulls for my altar,” Chavez said.

Rather than placing his altar on display in a public place like some celebrants, Chavez chooses to keep his altar a personal matter.

“I like to mourn on my own which is why I don’t partake in the public altars, but I appreciate looking at all the other people’s altars. It’s nice to know that you’re not alone in your grief.”

Public Altars Altar maker Victor Martinez will display his public altars, which were made in memory of his sister and grandmother, at the Festival of Altars in Garfield Park in the Mission district on Nov. 2.

“For me, Dia de los Muertos is a very spiritual time, it lets us speak with our departed loved ones,” Martinez said.

“I’m of the belief that the spiritual world is able to listen to our prayers during this time. It’s definitely a time of healing.”

Like the Chavez family, the Martinez family also builds altars to place on loved ones’ graves, however their celebration has more of a religious focus, which includes holding a graveside vigil with prayers and hymns.

“Growing up with a strict Catholic faith, we didn’t party like some of my friends’ families,” Martinez said.

“Dia de los Muertos was centered around attending church services followed by prayers, and then the making and presenting of our altars. Now that I’m older, I enjoy attending church services, followed by the festival and street party afterwards.“ Anyone interested in displaying an altar at the Festival

of Altars at Garfield Park, from 6 to 11pm, can check in at the Marigold Project information table near the Garfield Park clubhouse on Nov. 2. Many altars will be in progress or completed by long-time altar makers for viewing during the day.

The Dia de los Muertos procession organized and led by the Rescue Culture Collective starts at 7pm at 22nd and Bryant Streets and concludes at Garfield Park at 26th and Harrison Streets. email: ashoriak@theguardsman.com

ANNA SHORIAK / THE GUARDSMAN

Miguel Chavez shops for items to add to his alter for Día de los Muertos in the shop Casa Bonampak at 1051 Valencia St. on Oct. 26.

The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | November 2 - November 19, 2011 | 9

SPORTS

Follow us on Twitter @SFBreakingNews for breaking news live election coverage on Nov. 8.

City College Athlete Profile

From Sao Paulo to City College

The Rams new power forward brings international experience to the court.

By Lucas Almeida THE GUARDSMAN

Young athletes dream about becoming professional players playing alongside with their idols in the best leagues.

For freshman Gabriel Aguirre, it is not different and now City College will be that next step towards his goal.

Aguirre, a 6’10” power forward from Brazil, has had basketball in his blood since he was a young boy. Growing up in Sao Paulo, he played for Brazil’s national team since he was 15 years old and more notably played for Brazil’s U-18 national team when they faced the US in finals of the 2010 FIBA Americas Championship, earning the silver medal.

But even before he was playing on a world wide stage representing his country against the best in the world, his love for the game stems from his family roots.

Aguirre’s father, Gustavo, played professionally for Argentina’s national team from 1972-82.

“When I was a kid he would always take me to practice and I would always go shooting. He is the one who made me passionate about basketball,” Gabriel Aguirre said.

Before Aguirre arrived in the U.S., he first started his career playing for a local basketball team in Brazil named Palmeiras.

After playing for Palmeiras for about five years, Aguirre said he travelled to Spain for about two years and played for one of the elite teams for under 18 players in Cajasol.

“I had the opportunity to be champion of the L’Hospitalet, a tournament that brought together the best teams and players in Europe,” he said.

With a good amount of experience under his belt as a member of Brazil’s national team playing across in Europe, Aguirre’s parents decided to visit City College this past January and were impressed with the opportunity to play basketball and get a degree at the same time.

“In Brazil, usually you can’t do that. You either play ball or go to school. If you play basketball in Brazil you don’t have time to go to school,” he said.

Like any other athlete with big hopes and dreams playing professionally, Aguirre expects greats things to happen playing for City College during his freshmen season.

“Even though this is my first season here at City College, I plan

BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN

Power forward Gabriel Aguirre warms up before practice for the City College men’s basketball team on Oct. 27, 2011.

to just play well for the Rams anddo my best to help the team go to the playoffs,” Aguirre said.

While at City College he also plans on transferring to a big Division-I school to continue his basketball career and finish his degree. While always thinking about the future, Gabriel said he thinks is too soon to think about universities he would be interested in playing for.

“I wouldn’t be able to decide right now, I just got here few months ago. There are many top schools out there with great basketball teams. I will have to analyze calmly,” Aguirre said.

For the City College men’s basketball program, their coaches express that Aguirre is an exceptional player who will be of great help to this year’s season.

“He really knows how to play

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in terms of concept. His passing is pretty exceptional, he’s a good shooter and he is just really skilled,” said assistant coach Adam D’Acquisto.

Comming off a state championship last season with team chemistry being big part of their success, head coach Justin Labagh already thinks Aguirre is integrated with his teammates.

“They love playing with him because he is just so skilled and his mass body cue is really high,” Labagh said. “I even think they hang out with him on the weekends.”

The season did not even started but sophomore point-guard Eric Jarod Tillman and shootingguard Mackenzie Moore have similar opinions about Aguirre as a player and as a teammate.

“He is a big part of our team,

something you don’t see out of most 6’10 players. He can shoot the ball and he can pass. Gabe bring a lot of things to the table for us,” Tillman said.

Even away from the gym, Aguirre has been an impact on the team.

“Off court he is a very fun guy,” Tillman said. “He is always lit up with a smile trying to make you laugh.”

With basketball in his blood and a winning attitude to succeed in his heart, Gabriel Aguirre has accomplished a lot in 19 years.

Now he looks to the future and as member of City College’s basketball team, he looks to add something else to his basketball resume; help the Rams become once again state champions. email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com

CCSF CLASSIFIED ADS Fort Mason Student Art Exhibition and Sale Free Admission Dec. 2nd, 3rd and 4th The faculty and staff of City College of San Francisco’s Fort Mason Art Campus cordially invite the public to attend their 37th Annual Holiday Student Art Exhibit and Sale. This occasion gives the community an opportunity to visit the art facilities at the Fort Mason Art Campus and to see and buy student work from the classes held there.

Work in the following areas will be presented: photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, ceramics, drawing, jewelry, and painting.

The exhibit and sale will begin with a preview reception on Friday, Dec. 2nd from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, and will run through the weekend: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3rd and 4th, from 11:00 to 5:00 PM.

While you are there, please visit the CCSF Faculty Art Exhibition on display from Nov. 23 through Jan. 24 in the Coffee Gallery located in the lobby of Building B. Entrance is free.

The Fort Mason Art Campus is located at lower Fort Mason, across from the Marina Safeway @ Laguna St. and Marina Blvd., in Building B (floors 1 and 2).

Sports

10 | November 2 - November 16, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com

Rams 2011-2011 Season Previews

Basketball Men’s

Women’s

By Sam Diaz

By Ryan Kuhn

THE GUARDSMAN

THE GUARDSMAN

The plan for the defending 2011 State Champions this year is simply to “win” said head coach, Justin Labagh.

With the tip-off to the 20112012 season only weeks away, the City College men’s basketball team is working hard to gel and build chemistry in hopes of repeating last year’s run to becoming state champions. With new key players and a new style of play, the Rams look forward to starting the season against Hartnell College on Nov 29.

Entering his ninth season as their head coach, Labagh, a threetime California Community College coach of the year, led the Rams to a 27-1 record last season defeating Citrus College 83-81 to win their first state title since 1962.

This season, Labagh is committed to continuing his success as he looks forward to the start of competition.

“Were playing a completely different style, so I’m looking to forward to seeing these guys gel.” he said. “I think once they gel and get confidence together it’s going to be really fun because we’re going to play faster then we’ve ever played.”

The Rams are entering this season as a brand-new team. With the absence of last year’s entire starting line up, including De’End Parker who averaged 12 points a game (now moving on to UCLA) and forwards Fred Sturdivant and Collin Chiverton (continuing onto Division I schools as well),

the Rams are looking to fill these shoes with returning sophomores and a very good recruiting class, or as coach Labagh said, “one of the best ones we’ve ever had.”

This season the Rams have acquired ten new players including Shawn Smith, Namuji Madoshi, Delon Wright, Gabriel Aguirre, Stuart Wesonga, Kanu Aja, Jamal Ford, Joseph Slocum, and McKenzie Moore, all of whom are working hard to defend the championship.

“We out here working hard trying to defend the title that somebody already set for us, so we just going to work hard and try to do the same thing over again,” Moore said.

Other than these new faces, City College has a lot of proven talent with six returning players who have tasted the sweetness of championship success. Ivan Dorsey, Garrett Moon, Myron Respress and Jarod Tillman, all of whom had playing time last year, will play significant roles on the team.

“I feel like we all like brothers, we around each other away from basketball, and everything, I feel like its going to be a good year for us.” Tillman said.

City College will host their first tournament of the season Nov. 11-13 with the Tip Off Classic.

email: sdiaz@theguardsman.com

A

fter finishing No. 2 in the state last season — their highest ranking and best overall record ever in the school’s history — there is just one more accomplishment lacking for City College women’s basketball.

Winning a state championship.

Last March the Rams were just one win away from that goal, but lost to Santa Rosa Junior College in the finals. Now, nine months later, the team is lacing up their shoes for a fresh start with new faces and a new attitude.

Only five players are returning from last year’s team, but the 2011-2012 freshmen class makes head coach Jamie Hayes feel very optimistic.

“We have a lot of new faces coming in but I really think they are going to have an immediate impact especially in the post,” said Hayes, who is in her tenth year coaching. “Our post game is significantly stronger.”

With the departure of last year’s starting power forward Shawnte Taylor and point guard Hallie Menses, who transferred to Weber State and Long Beach State on scholarships, City College will feature a freshmen tandem of Araymis Edwards-Glenn and Rachelle Smith.

Edwards-Glenn, a 5’8” forward, attended Westbury Christan in Houston where her team finished 39-1 last season having won the state championship three times in the last four seasons.

“In high school I came from

a three-time state championship team, and I came here because they have a record of winning,” she said.

Smith comes from across the Bay from Oakland and at 6’0” looks to give the Rams more size in the post.

Sophomore Janis Peterson, who averaged 22 points a game and was the Coast Conference scoring leader, returns this year.

“I feel like I have to get stronger mentally, keeping myself in the game even when I make mistakes,” Peterson said. “I’m really close with a lot of my teammates and they all look up to me, so I think it’s my responsibility to keep the team together.”

She won’t be alone as she has fellow returning sophomores Stephanie Lu, Samantha Hunkin and Chiarra Ducan-Perry to help take City College back into the post season.

“The sophomores realize that they were so close and they definitely want to go back,” said Hayes looking back on last year’s 27-win season. “I think that pretty much anything can happen.”

City College will get a chance to play Santa Rosa twice this season as both teams will play in each other’s pre-conference tournaments. But for now the Rams look toward their first game of the season against Mission College on Nov. 7 at 5 pm in the Wellness Center.

Everyone is anxious to start the season.

email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com

ABOVE PHOTO BY BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN

ABOVE PHOTO BY VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN

Garrett Moon (33) goes in for a dunk during practice on Oct. 27 at City College of San Francisco.

Kayla Rivera rushes around the court during practice on Oct. 31, 2011. The women’s basketball team is working hard to claim the title of state champions by practicing from 4 to 6pm everyday.

Sports

The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | November 2 - November 19, 2011 | 11

Seahawks snap soccer win streak with scoreless tie Rams 0, Cabrillo 0

By Lucas Almeida THE GUARDSMAN

STEPHEN HERALDO / THE GUARDSMAN

Nicole Yap (10) elevates and drills the ball to split Foothill’s Motade Atanda (3) and Kelsey Moore (14). Yap finished the game with 18 kills, 27 digs, three aces, and a block.

Rams knock off Owls as season winds down Rams 3, Foothill 2

By Taylor Clayton THE GUARDSMAN

There was a lot of hype going into the match-up between the top two teams in the Coast Conference as the Rams (17-5, 7-2) faced off against rival Foothill College (16-5, 8-1) to inch closer to the top.

With one single play, outside hitter Nicole Yap, changed the face of the match when she hammered three straight kills in the third game to take a commanding lead that would eventually propel the City College to a five game victory 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 15-7 at the Wellness Center on Oct 28.

Then with the series tied again at 2-2, City College took an early lead in the fifth match and never looked back when Yap collected two aces ending the match on an 8-0 run. She finished with a team high 18 kills and three blocks.

“It was definitely our biggest win of the season because we were looking for our revenge win,” Yap said. “It’s a major boost to our confidence. We are like a whole new team after this win.”

Earlier in the season, City College was handed one of its only two losses in the conference when they lost to the Owls in Los

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@guardsmansports on Twitter for live in-game updates!

Altos Hills on Oct. 7.

Foothill came into the match undefeated in Coast Conferences matches and Rams head coach Saga Vae said he knew this win was important to gain momentum as they head towards the end of the season.

“This was a big win,” Vae said.

“We have the talent, we just need to have everyone on the same page, healthy, and reaching our goals day by day. I think we have been doing that this whole second half of the season.”

While Yap was a dominant force next to the net, the win took a total team effort. Setter Christina Lopez finished with 56 assists and sophomore libero Crystal Lee made 39 digs. Middle blocker Romona Vae also contributed with 11 kills.

The Rams next game will be against Skyline College in San Bruno on Nov 2 before they go on to play the No. 2 ranked team in the state Cabrillo College on Nov. 9.

Outside hitter Christina Lim will not be available for the game against Skyline having suffered a sprained knee and will be out for at least 7-10 days. email: tclayton@theguardsman.com

The City College men’s soccer team fought until the last minute but failed to defeat Cabrillo College on Oct. 25 when neither team was able to score.

With the tie, the Rams (12-31, 7-1-1) snapped their six game winning streak but remained atop their conference with two weeks to go in the season.

“I think we played hard and the toughness in the way we played was really good but I just don’t think we played smart enough today,” head coach Adam Lucarelli said.

He believes that missed opportunities in the first half kept the team from scoring.

The Rams started the game by pressuring Cabrillo on the left side of the pitch. Sophomore leftwinger Wu Lo created scoring opportunities crossing to the box, but the offense could not capitalize on them.

In the fourth minute, Lo fought for the ball passing it to freshman midfielder Pedro Sarabia who right-footed the ball curling near the post but missing high.

The first half continued

with the Rams pressuring the Seahawks but they were held at bay for the majority of the match by the Cabrillo defense.

City College found itself trapped by Cabrillo’s defensive strategy. And on the offensive side the Seahawks relied on freshman midfielder Miguel Acero who tried to push the offense.

Rams freshman Cameron Leaver said he thought the team didn’t play their best against Cabrillo’s game plan.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the beginning but we just weren’t playing on what was open and we kind of stepped down to their level,” Leaver said.

As the second half started, the game continued very aggresively with both teams fighting for the ball.

The Seahawks had their best chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute when Acero fought for the ball and crossed perfectly for a free header in the box, but freshman forward Alan Barrientos was too slow to head the ball in to score.

Three minutes later the Rams countered with their best opportunity to score when Jaime Barragan received a pass from Jessie Cineros. Barragan’s shot was

not quick enough to get by the Seahawks’ goalie and the game remained scoreless.

“Jesse sent me a wonderful ball and I tried to lob it over the goalie but he was really good and got to it,” said Barragan.

City College also faced West Valley and Ohlone College but results were not available in time for publication. email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com

1961 team to be honored Before their next game against Hartnell College on Nov. 4 the Rams will honor the 1961 championship soccer team who went undefeated. Kick off will be at 4 p.m. after the pregame celebration.

12 | November 2 - November 16, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com

SPORTS

UPCOMING GAMES:

Nov. 5 vs.

Foothill College, 1 p.m

Nov. 12 vs.

Santa Rosa 1 p.m

PLAYOFFS TBA

EZRA EKMAN / THE GUARDSMAN

Quarterback #7 Turner Baty throws a pass to wide receiver #12 Roman Runner against the College of San Mateo on Oct 29, 2011 where the Rams stay undefeated (8-0) coming back in the fourth quarter to win, 17-14.

FOOTBALL ESCAPES SAN MATEO

City College comes back in the fourth quarter to improve to 8-0.

Rams 17, College of San Mateo 14

By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN

EZRA EKMAN / THE GUARDSMAN

Defensive tackle #55 Steve Hill celebrates after City College defeats their closest rival, the College of San Mateo, in San Mateo, Calif. on Oct 29, 2011

SAN MATEO, Calif–Rams quarterback Turner Baty summed up the game against the College of San Mateo on Oct. 29 in five words. Great teams sometimes win ugly.

After falling behind early in the fourth quarter, City College clawed their way back to keep their perfect record in tact when Baty threw a 26-yard pass to Caleb Hollie that set the quarterback up for a 1-yard run with 8:13 left to put his team on top 17-14 to eventually seal the win.

With the majority of City College’s games being decided an average 36-point margin, head coach George Rush said he was proud the way his team performed.

“I like the intensity we brought and we need to make the plays that we did to win,” he said.

On the sideline, the intensity was running through both the players and the coaching staff knowing that a win will be one step closer to a Norcal Conference championship and the right to play for a spot in the state championship.

It’s hard to coach a game with the intensity as big as it is,” Rush said. “It gets you going and the knots going on Thursday and Friday nights before bed but that’s why you play. You want to be in these games.”

The Rams got out to an early lead on the opening drive just two minutes into the game when Baty threw a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Roman Runner. It was Runner’s eighth touchdown pass of the season.

For a team that averages 511 yards

a game, Rams offense were held to their lowest yard total for the season with only 304 yards for the game.

On the season, San Mateo came in ranked second in the state for its defense.

“San Mateo played better defensively than I though they were going to,” Rush said. “We had opportunities to blow the game open but it didn’t happen.”

It took 28 minutes but San Mateo’s offense finally woke up as they scored on twice on drives to close out the first half and open the second half with Bulldogs quarterback Miles Freeman ran 90 yards setting up a score and then passed for 54 yards to make the Rams trail for only the second time all season.

Despite being down in the fourth quarter, Rush said he thought his team responded very well managing the clock.

After the game, Baty, who finished passing for only 267 yards, a touchdown and was also sacked a season high four times.

“They had a great defense and I was glad we found a way to pull it out,” Baty said. “In close games, mistakes happen. You have to bounce back and we did today.

The Rams will play their final regular season home game on Nov. 5 when they welcome Foothill College who have lost their last two games to San Mateo and Santa Rosa.

For City College players, they only have one goal.

“We have a goal and that is to become National Champions,” Baty said.

Kick off is at 1 p.m. email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com