Vol. 163, Issue 1 | January 25 - February 8 , 2017 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE
SEVEN MORE YEARS
ACCJC reaffirms City College accreditation By Cassie Ordonio
of Trustees who stepped up to The college went from serving accreditation.” Protests boomed throughout ensure such a positive outcome,” approximately 100,000 to 65,000 cordonio@theguardsman.com Lamb said. students, according to the head- the City College community, as City College expected the unexIn 2012, the ACCJC was to count data in the college’s website. the teachers union AFT 2121 pected when it was reaffirmed its accreditation for the next seven years by a commission who once threatened its very existence. The news conference held in Diego Rivera Theater erupted to an encore and a standing ovation on Jan. 13 when Interim Chancellor Susan Lamb gave the official reassurance. “I got to admit, I was speechless––it was a singular moment,” Lamb said. Speechless was the appropriate response, because the college was aware the commission was meeting this month for a three-day period, and expected the news to be delivered close to Valentine's Day. Lamb received the email of confirmation just 30 minutes before she received a call from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) that afternoon, and City College's Diego Rivera Theater erupts to a standing ovation on Jan 13, 2017 after Chancellor Lamb expressed her gratitude shortly announced the college's reaffirmed accreditation. ( Photo by Cassie Ordonio/The Guardsman) after in an email sent to the college community. terminate the college’s accreditaThe Guardsman reported that and many more allies sounded “I especially appreciate the lead- tion. The following year the college the “ACCJC, in a 2013 lawsuit in the alarm to fight for fair ership within the Academic Senate, was on the verge of closing which San Francisco Superior Court by accreditation. “When a bully in power the Classified Senate, the Associated heavily impacted the devastating City Attorney Dennis Herrera, was Students, the Department Chair drop in student enrollment, caus- found guilty of ‘significant unlaw- is trying to do unreasonable Council, AFT 2121, SEIU 1021, ing a slight rift between faculty and ful practices’ in their attempts harmful things, that proper the administrators, and the Board administration. to terminate City College’s response is not accommodation
High cost of mandatory health insurance plan frustrates City College's F-1 visa students By Bethaney Lee blee@theguardsman.com
In Fall of 2016, City College hosted 920 students from around the world in the International Student Program, which despite large tuition costs, insurance premiums and fees, is delivering a program that international students have deemed rewarding- but costly. Student’s enrolled in the program with an F-1 visa, which allows the pursuit of academic studies in the United States, are subject to the American Association of Intensive English Program policy that requires mandatory health insurance on all F-1 visa students since 2012. Study Abroad Programs and International Student Insurance Coordinator, Jill Heffron, said that students may complain of the $822.00 cost for the sixth month coverage offered by the CCSF International Student Insurance Plan, but generally find it to be more affordable than
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seeking a provider themselves. For mer 2013 F-1 International Students Club Vice President, William Wu, confirms that while the price could be seen as expensive, after reviewing the options himself “acquiring health insurance through Ascension is one of the cheapest ways.”
City College’s provided insurance plan is brokered through Ascension Benefits and Insurance Solutions, which more than ten other Bay Area community college’s also trust as the sole provider of their student’s insurance rates and packages. “It is standard practice
for most colleges and universities to only offer one plan,” Heffron said. “This provides a cost savings, and the benefits of large group enrollment to our students, which might not be available if the student insurance enrollment was distributed across multiple plans.”
Former Vice President of the F1 International Students Club, William Hu, stands alongside other club members during a club meeting. “I participated at the F1 Club since my very first semester at CCSF,” Hu said, “it was a place where I could meet wonderful students who come from many different countries around the world.”
International Students continues on page 3
or acquiescence, but the proper response is resistance,” Mandelman said at the news conference describing the fight between the college and fair accreditation. The ACCJC’s new visiting team came to the college back in Oct. with new standards and practices that have been changed slightly over two years, but highlight four standards: focusing on improvement of quality, student outcomes, improving consistency and clarity of standards and practices. Since its extended accreditation, the college is focused on rebuilding enrollment. “The college has learned a lot, the Trustees will be keeping a closer eye on things than past boards may have and I'm confident seven years from now that we’ll get good news again,” Board of Trustee Tom Temprano said. The college community is hopeful history will not repeat itself. “I think the likelyhood is not a possibility because now we’re on a regular cycle. The accreditation crisis should have never happened in the first place, and it really was the commission out of control, and so hopefully this is a sign that ACCJC will be fair,” AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly said.
CCSF campus police considering firearms By Nigel Flores nflores@theguardsman.com
City College held a campus safety open forum on Nov. 30 to discuss safety concerns within the campus community, including whether or not campus police should be equipped with firearms. The open forum took place to shed light on the City College Public Safety Management Study, an assessment that will analyze current public safety infrastructure to measure if it is equipped and prepared to handle any safety issues the college may face, as described by campus police. The crowd of eight, including campus Police Chief Andre Barnes, was led in their discussion by Steven Healy, a managing partner for the consulting firm heading the study – Margolis Healy. Healy took an opportunity early in the forum to discuss and explain the 911 Shield safety application that the college implemented. The application allows users to request escorts, report suspicious activity and view emergency resources. Violence on College Campuses The recent knife attack at Ohio State University, which left 11 people hospitalized, raised concern about safety on campus for Chris Brodi, a student health staff member. Brodi explained that he mostly feels safe when he is on the Ocean campus, but still worries Campus Police continues on page 3
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2 | news
Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
News Briefs
Elender Wall Memorial A Celebration of the Life of Elender Wallwill be hosted on January 28, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m.in the Diego Rivera Theatre, City College of San Francisco. International artist Elender Wall is a former City College student who died in Berlin on November 15 due to complications from thyroid cancer. She was 47 years old. Her parents are retired City College faculty members: David Wall from the Physics Department and Ellen Wall from the English Department. The memorial program will feature “Arias” performed by visiting artists and opera colleagues of Elender’s from Germany. It will also include music by Bach, Copland, Wagner and others. A special musical tribute will also be performed by Elender's aunt, uncle and cousin: well known old time country musicians Jim, Joyce and Carey Cauthen. Friends and family are welcome to give remembrances. A reception will follow in the theatre lobby, site of the Diego Rivera mural. All are invited. Donations can be made in the memory of Elender and proceeds will be given to help complete the Performing Arts Education Center (PAEC) at City College. This was a special project goal for Elender so that musicians, and in particular singers, would have an appropriate auditorium space for City College performances. Elender's name will be part of the donor's' wall in the new PAEC. Donations can be sent to the Bursar's Office, room 103, City College of San Francisco, 50 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco California 94112. -Madeline Mueller
Democratic leader advocates for affordable health care Thousands of chants echoed from the steps of City Hall from concerned San Franciscans who oppose the Republican Senate possibly gutting an affordable health insurance. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi vocalized her dedication on Jan. 15 to preserve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with her movement called #ourfirststand, while accompanied by local politicians, doctors and advocates. “(President-elect) Donald Trump and the Republicans in congress want to tear down the ACA. That plan is to make America sick again,” Pelosi said. Established March 23, 2010, the ACA, also known as Obamacare, was designed to serve people of all financial status. Though some of the Democratic Senate objected the repeal of the ACA on Jan. 12, the vote resulted a 51 to 48
outcome, according to The New York Times. “Sadly, we find ourselves in a place we need to worry about whether our lowest income residents will have insurance,” San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said. “The ACA has bettered the lives for too many Americans to be thrown out.” One by one, some of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, doctors, and advocates took the mic to justify how the ACA is important to Americans and to their personal situation. A mother, Kathy Forte, gave an example of how the ACA helped her family during a time of crisis, while she clung to a small framed portrait of her 24-year-old son. Forte’s son suffered from a stroke and hospitalized for four days last year in August. “If the ACA is repealed, my son Tom and thousands of other children who are covered by their parents in the Bay Area will lose these benefits,” Forte tearfully said. Many in the audience nodded their heads and murmured in agreement while others held signs that read “health care is a human right.” The ACA houses young adults under their parent’s insurance until the age of 26. “If it was repealed, many people who are on their family’s healthcare plans will be cut off, and that puts a lot of younger people in a very vulnerable position,” AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly said while present at the rally. The rally dispersed through a song lead by singer and activist Joan Baez. - Cassie Ordonio
Warriors quickly cut ties with former SFPD Chief Suhr The Golden State Warriors basketball organization recently hired, and quickly fired, former San Francisco police chief Greg Suhr who worked as a security consultant. Suhr was allegedly hired to help the team organize its ground-breaking ceremony of the team’s new arena in San Francisco. The decision quickly came under fire on social media because of Suhr’s history as a controversial police chief. Suhr was asked to step down from his post about 7 months ago after several shootings involving his officers, including an incident that left Jessica Williams dead on May 19, 2016. Williams was shot and killed by San Francisco police after allegedly fleeing from officers in a stolen vehicle. Suhr’s tenure as police chief was also marred by a discovery that members of the force exchanged homophobic and racist text messages. Many were critical of the move, including Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala who tweeted, “On it…”, shortly
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Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
Death of longtime CCSF librarian heartfelt by college community after the announcement. Iguodala was apparently referring to an effort to remove Suhr as a consultant. Selassie Blackwell, a San Francisco hip-hop who engaged in a hunger strike over Suhr’s actions as SFPD chief, told the San Francisco Chronicle, “I don’t want to throw the Warriors under the bus, but I think everyone in the Bay Area knows who Greg Suhr is. It rings a bell in everyone’s mind. Why would the Warriors hire him with his spotty record as a police chief ?” Mere hours after the Warriors announced the hiring of Suhr, the team cut ties with the former chief. “The last thing I want to do is cause a distraction for the Warriors during this incredibly positive time for the team and organization,” Suhr said in a statement. “I think this is in the best interest of everyone.” - Nigel Flores.
Dubs and Cavs’ Get Chippy After dropping four games in a row to the Cleveland Cavaliers (including Games 5-7 in the NBA Finals), the Golden State Warriors cruised to a dominant 126-91 victory. The two teams have developed a fierce rivalry, but not everyone is ready to admit it. Prior to the MLK Day matchup, LeBron James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, "I don't think we have a rival in our game today.” Often, the things James says do not match up with his actions. Since he led his Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit to clinch Cleveland's first title in 52 years, he's taken more shots off the court than on it. From wearing an "Ultimate Warrior" t-shirt while carrying the Larry O'Brien trophy after Game 7, to placing a dummy dressed as Stephen Curry at the door of his Halloween party for guests to step over- James has taken petty to a new level. Warriors' star Klay Thompson, whose name appeared on tombstone cookies at that October party, called James' antics "childish." Draymond Green, who famously got tangled up with James in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, was caught in another battle with the Cavalier superstar. Green fouled James and was given both a flagrant and technical foul. After the game, he told CSN Bay Area, “regardless if [James] thinks this a rivalry or not, I know he wants to beat us – and we want to beat them. And that’s enough in itself.” Though the two teams split the season series, this rivalry will only be solved in playoffs. - Carlos Murillo & Nigel Flores
By Nigel Flores nflores@theguardsman.com
Julia Bergman, who played an instrumental role in the building of the Rosenberg Library and several schools in Central Asia,has died at age 71 due to complications following knee surgery. Bergman served as a City College librarian for 33 years, retiring in 2008. “Her role in the building of the [Rosenberg] library was every role you could imagine,” music department chair Madeline Mueller said, “she went in everyday with a hard-hat.” Mueller, a City College employee of over 50 years, says that Bergman played a pivotal role in gaining special funding for the library from former California governor George Deukmejian. City College librarian Karen Saginor recalls that Bergman educated herself thoroughly on the project and eventually began to review blueprints and attend
construction meetings. Bergman addressed even the smallest details, such as the height of chairs and the angle of lighting. “We have students from all parts of the world, and some
Julia Bergman relaxing in Khaplu, Baltistan. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Irwin)
people are taller and some people are shorter,” Saginor recalls Bergman saying, “we don’t want to end up with chairs that won’t work for all of our students.” Besides the library, the
Campus Police continued from page 1 about shootings and other violent incidents on other college campuses. “Those events happening in schools has become a thing,” Brodi said. Ohio State police officer, Alan Horujko, who was present during the Ohio State University tragedy, fatally shot
the attacker after he rammed into a group of people and started charging at others with a butcher knife. A faculty member, who claimed to have worked at City College for over 20 years, said that he keeps the incident at Ohio State and past incidents, such as the
Services for CCSF Students Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement
To help undocumented students, immigrants, and minorities succeed academically. Student Union 104A, 415-452-5919
Disable Student Programs & Services
Provides instruction, support services, and access to students with disabilities. It will also support students with disabilities in educationally related activities consistent with the mission and vision of CCSF and in compliance with federal and state laws. Rosenberg Library 323, 415-462-5481
the Women’s Studies department. Smith Hall 103-104, 415-239-3112
Project Survive
Peer educators, both women and men, provide resources and information to help students build intimate relationships based on respect and trust. They also offer students strategies for identifying, avoiding, and leaving abusive relationships. Cloud 402, 415-239-3899
Students Supporting Students
Provides support and resources for CCSF student veterans, their families, and the community. Cloud 332, 415-239-3486
Student-initiated program established to provide peer mentoring, course retention, and community service for under-served communities at CCSF with the intent to increase the transfer rates of students to four-year universities and to empower marginalized students and communities on campus. Student Union 203, 415-239-3660
Women's Resource Center
Multi-Cultural Resource Center
Veteran Resource Center
Provides information to women about resources available to them both on and off campus. Students run the Center and they work closely with a faculty advisor from
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Facilitates the building of community amongst all oppressed and marginalized people to achieve collective liberation and create coalitions and connections with
community serving organizations and use those relationships to teach students to be innovative, community-oriented, sociallyconscious leaders who can empower and unite our communities while succeeding academically. Student Union 209, 415-452-5256
Queer Resource Center
Seeks to empower the lives of LGBTQQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex) students at CCSF by uniting the diverse individuals in the community across gender, race, age, and economic standing, religion, and ability differences. Bungalow 201, 415-452-5723
Family Resource Center
Provides student parents space to do homework, network with other parents, and receive support through resource referral, a child-friendly computer lab, and a supervised child activity room for drop-in and the Parent Exchange Program (PEP). Student Union 201A, 415-239-3109
Bookloan Program
The Associated Students Bookloan Program loans out 3,000+ textbooks each semester. The program is student created and operated, and allows a student to borrow two textbooks until the last day of class in the same semester. Student Union 104B, 415-239-3914
Student Health Center
Project Shine
Part of a nationwide organization, that is a service-learning program linking student volunteers from City College with immigrant and elderly students in noncredit ESL classrooms. 415-239-3405 Office Batmale 366
2007 Virginia Tech shooting, in the back of his mind. “If you look at crime stats for urban campuses, it looks like there is a bubble over a campus. They are usually much safer than the surrounding community”, Healy said, “but there is no bubble around it, so they are not completely immune.” Another faculty member stated that she feels as comfortable on campus as she does down the street, because
“the college is in the middle of San Francisco and crime does not stop.”
Nurse practitioners, psychotherapists, and paraprofessional healthcare staff provide preventive and episodic care, women's health services and psychotherapy. It also promotes health awareness and education. HC 100, 415-239-3110
Staff Editor-in-Chief Bethaney Lee News Editor Nigel Flores
preservation of the Diego Rivera mural was a passion of Bergman’s. Will Maynez worked with Bergman for 20 years and says that the two were “welded at the hip”. “Scholars would come from
Campus Police and Firearms According to Healy the police at the City College are one of the few “outliers” institutions, especially for the college’s size, that do not arm their officers with firearms. Arming campus police officers was a main focus of the forum and the discussion prompted different reactions from those in attendance. Brodi questioned why campus police are not equipped like every other officer in the city, but added that he feared arming officers would invite other problems and possibly provoke individuals to act violently. Students close to one faculty member have expressed that they feel safer with police being unarmed. The general consensus of those involved in the forum expressed that the campus is safe,
Culture Editor John Ortilla
Design Director Karen Sanchez
Opinion Editor Nancy Chan
Online Editor & Social Media Director Gardenia Zuniga
Sports Editor Robert Jalon Photo Editor Gabriela Reni Copy Editor Diane Carter
all over the place wanting to know about the mural and she would show them what she had,” Maynez said. Bergman worked to give people access to the mural and
Advertising Manager Cara Stucker Staff Writers Adina Pernell Patrick Cochran
make information about it more readily available. Maynez and Bergman were awarded the Art Deco Society of California 2015 Michael Crowe Preservation award. During the summer, when she was away from her obligations as a librarian and roles as a City College activist, Bergman traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan. She was able to help build schools through her work as Board chair of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), which is an organization that serves remote areas in the region. “When girls are educated there will be change. With change comes hope and with hope, maybe peace,” Bergman wrote in her Tamalis High School biography. During her work with CAI, Bergman worked closely with Greg Mortenson, who co-authored “Three Cups of Tea” and was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. “Always know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem,” Bergman wrote. “I live it, although it's hard to
but violent incidents are a threat to safety at City College. “We are different and unique- but we are not immune. And that’s why I have concerns,” Chief Barnes said. In the last 12 months, Barnes said that campus police have recovered fully operational firearms, such as a shotgun and revolver, several knives, and martial arts type weapons throughout the City College’s 11 campuses. “Weapons alone are not the only thing we want to look at,” Barnes said. “We want to make sure that we’re talking about officer training and ethical and legal responsibility for use of force.” Barnes says that the department is looking into adding a review committee to assist in deciding what kind of weapons and force would be used on campus, and will ensure any changes are up to legal standards.
Otto Pippenger Thomas Buck Bayleigh Spurrier Staff Photographers Franchon Smith Rachel Quynio Staff Illustrator Karina Schuler Auryana Rodriguez Contributors Cassie Ordonio David Horowitz
“Always know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem,” Bergman wrote. do sometimes. So that's how I live my life. And I'm happy.” Joy Durighello, who traveled with Bergman to Pakistan, said, “I still find it hard to believe that Julia's enthusiasm and boundless energy are now gone from our midst, but I know she has left her legacy in many places and in many hearts. I feel immensely fortunate to have known her.” A memorial celebration of her life is set for Saturday February 25th, 1 to 3, at the Pierre Coste faculty dining room.
International Students continued from page 1
Illustration by Karina Schuler
Hee Jin Kang, who enrolled in the International Student Program in Fall of 2015, is from South Korea and said, “even though it would have been a helpful resource if I had any sickness, I have never used the insurance. Moreover, I need to pay in every semester, and it is not a cheap price.” Heffron acknowledges that the cost may seem high to incoming students, but said there is the ability to set up a payment plan, or apply for a waiver of health insurance that can be issued; should the student’s insurance meet the college’s coverage requirements. “Financial obligations start from the high tuition fee, the mandatory health insurance, and school expenses like books,”
Jason Violette Madelyn Mueller Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales
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Wu said, “but it had been a decent journey while studying at CCSF, because I had the opportunity to meet and experience the diversity that the school holds.” Kang agreed that “as an international student, I was required to pay too much money, and it affected my decision of where to go,” but ultimately, “compared to other colleges, tuition at CCSF is cheaper, and I am very glad about that.” Wu said he only used his insurance once while attending City College, contributing to the 2015-2016 academic year, where students filed a total of 2373 claims, receiving medical benefits totaling $1,187,743.00.
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4 | culture
Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
Worldwide spring fashion week aims to turn heads with oversize couture attire
By Adina J. Pernell
apernell@theugardsman.com
Wherever you are in the world, fashion week draws style enthusiasts, celebrities, start-up designers, artists, the politically connected, social climbers, and everything else in-between to its hallowed catwalks. They come to feast their eyes on the wearable art that struts down the runway with confidence in effort to remain fashionably relevant. It is a bold, functional aesthetic that will make waves this season at the world’s most popular fashion weeks held in London, New York and Paris. “The trends have been veering towards maximalism the past few seasons after several years of very relaxed and frequently more athleisure-influenced collections,” said Tony Bravo who is an adjunct instructor at City College and a staff style reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. 90’s flavor, that give homage to Sporty Spice are making a strong comeback on the runway and in Milan, New York and London you will see everything from fashionable pajamas to sports bras worn outside of the gym. In Milan, “Donatella Versace led
the charge with graphic nylon parkas and leggings, while other brands like Max Mara and MSGM followed suit with athletic-inspired performance gear,” affirmed Brittany Adams in her fashionista article “8 Top Trends in Milan Fashion Week.” In London, designer Henry Holland’s, sloppy-esque but trendy, oversized T-shirts competed for space in uniqueness with Ryan Lo whose sleeves flowed past the model’s hands to create a weird silhouette that would make Bjork proud. While in New York, Lacoste and Alexander Wang started a trend of wearing designer robes. Room service anyone? And big names like Coach and Ralph Lauren used an esthetic that channels “Coyote Ugly” with western themed designs that took the sporty feel to the great outdoors. In Paris, heavy hitters like Balenciaga and Saint Laurent brought back the boxy-shouldered, power suit jackets of the 80’s, and Stella McCartney gave another nod to the 90’s with casual statement tees that screamed hard-core feminism paired with soft frilly skirts, reminiscent of a vintage episode of “La Femme Nikita”. Accessories on the runway have leaned towards wildly long, dangly
earrings and eccentric hats. While makeup trends seem to favor bold nude eyes with lush browlines, paired with nude or vibrant lips. Glowy, fresh faced looks are also in. “I'd expect fall 2017 will continue the current romantic streak with an emphasis on texture, fuller silhouettes (for women) and darker hues,” said Bravo. There are a plethora of designers vying to get into various fashion weeks worldwide, but Bravo called former Calvin Klein and Christian Dior designer Raf Simons’, sporty, Oxford-chic line of menswear- as the line to watch. And speaking of menswear, it was refreshing to hear the male models of fashion week are gaining a new look - diversity. The fashion world is moving to embrace new faces of fashion that are more diverse and inclusive in New York and abroad.In the mostly caucasian model castings comprised in part of Milan’s Fashion Week, we see a change. “Miuccia Prada opened her fall 2017 show over the weekend with Kaissan Ibrahima, who is one of the few people of color to have landed the coveted top spot at Prada,” said Janelle Okwodu in the article “Milan Men’s Fashion Week Is Finally
Embracing Diversity.” Along with a varied cast of models in the runways, fashion week, has escaped the confines of a physical location and gone online. Bravo contends that technology will play a huge role in shaping fashion week this year, and indicated that we will see more “special ‘experience based’ shows, social media only shows, buy-it-now platforms.” He credits a new shift in social media based shows that are being featured on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and other popular applications as part of “the ongoing evolution of New York Fashion Week [that] can be laid at the feet of Bay Area tech innovation.” In a September 29, 2016 article from the Chronicle, Bravo quoted Veronica Swanson Beard, the other half of a fashion duo that includes her sister-in-law Veronica Miele Beard as saying that the “experience is the greatest luxury today.” In today’s computerdriven fashion world of availability and instant
gratification, where shopping is literally at your fingertips, never has a truer word been spoken.
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Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
19th annual SF IndieFest to showcase 91 independent films By John Ortilla jortilla@thguardsman.com
On Jan. 11 the founder and director of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest), Jeff Ross, and his programming team spoke at a press conference pertaining to the complete lineup for the 19 SF IndieFest on Feb. 2-16. The festival will showcase productions from independent films and digital programs from around the world, consisting of 43 feature films (37 narratives, 6 documentaries) and 10 events to go with 48 additional short films. In 1998, Ross found no avenue to showcase his friend Rand Alexander’s film “Caged,” and decided to create a four-day event that drew in over 3,000 people. This year the film festival celebrates its 19 anniversary and draws crowds of over 11,000 film fans. “Our team curators and filmmakers watched hundreds of feature films that were sent to us, and we are excited to show them at the festival,” Ross said. “We have a short film curator, Jon Gann, who considered
1000 short films before selecting 48 to present in this year’s shorts programs.” Ross said this year the festival will be showcasing unique and exciting comedies, thrillers, dramas, documentaries, local, foreign and bizarre films to San Francisco. “We have local films and filmmakers from the Bay Area that will also screen at the festival,” Chris Metzler said. “Every single film here has something special, and some people will love or hate them, and some films represent the art and culture of San Francisco.” The press conference featured two films “Folk Hero & Funny Guy,” and an Australian film “Down Under.” The first film is a music-infused, roadtripping-buddy type comedy, which will be featured on opening night the first day of the festival. The second film is a rather dark comedy that takes place after a race riot, following two groups that are out to make trouble and unexpectedly meet each other, resulting in dire consequences. “These are some great independent films we handpicked that you won't get to
Illustration by Karina Schuler
Graduate Sooner. "Diamond" Dave Whitaker at City College on Jan.23, 2017 (Photo by Gabriela Reni/ The Guardsman)
By Jason Violette
Special to The Guardsman
Find out how. cel.sfsu.edu/ccsf City College’s Ornamental Horticulture Zen garden shrine.
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place at the Roxie Theater, Brava Theater, and Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Theater. Additionally, special events will take place at 518 Gallery and Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
Opening night of SF IndieFest on Feb. 2 featuring “Folk Hero & Funny Guy.” Photo Courtesy by SF IndieFest.
Local legend “Diamond” Dave Whitaker mentored Bob Dylan
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see anywhere,” Jennifer Morris said, “we are excited to bring some of the most innovative and new independent films from around the world to San Francisco audiences.” The film festival will run from Feb. 2 through Feb. 16 and the screenings will take
Bob Dylan is an American icon and folk paragon who is now the first singer, songwriter to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for literature. City College student, poet, philosopher, rambler and Mutiny Radio host “Diamond” Dave Whitaker not only knew Bob Dylan back in the day, but served as a mentor to Dylan. “Diamond” Dave Whitaker has evolved in conjunction with San Francisco throughout its history for the last half century. He is a local legend, a cultural curator, and advocate of freethinking whose personality radiates
to play their uniquely styled music. Whitaker first met Bob Dylan in 1961 at the University of Minnesota, when mutual friend, Bonnie Beacher, bumped into a “bummed out” Dylan who was wrestling with his life’s journey. After Beacher listened to a young Bob Dylan, he said, “I know where you need to be,” and took Dylan to Whitaker’s house. It was in Whitaker’s living room “where music was going on, where talks of radical politics are going on,” said Whitaker, that the two met for the first time. Whitaker recalls that it was through his friendship to Dylan that he was first introduced to musician and folk patriarch Woody Guthrie. “It was when I gave Dylan, Woody Guthrie’s autobiography ‘Bound For Glory' a book about riding freight trains, playing picket lines, hobo camps and other dives, that Dylan learned of Guthrie,” Whitaker said. “It changed [Dylan’s] life.” After closing his eyes,Whitaker recollected a story of himself and Dylan attempting to locate and speak with Woody Guthrie. He said Dylan located Guthrie at Greystone Park Mental Hospital in New York City. “We tried to call [Guthrie] but could not talk to him due to his disease,” Whitaker said Guthrie suffered from Huntington’s disease. Whitaker said Dylan hitchhiked from
Minnesota to Madison, Wisconsin where he stayed with other folk singers who were brought together by their shared radical ideas. According to Whitaker, Dylan continued to travel to Chicago, Illinois and finally New York City. “In those days there was no modern interstate system, and this is back when there was only three main highways, so it took Dylan a few weeks to make it to New York,” Whitaker said. A few weeks later Dylan sent Whitaker a postcard, with Guthrie pictured playing a guitar stickered with “this machine kills fascist” on the front, and smoking a cigarette. “Do you want to know what the card said,’ Whitaker asked. It read: “Dear Dave, I met Woody, He like’s my stuff. –Bob.” I asked Whitaker when was the last time he and Bob Dylan had spoken and if he had any clue as to if and when Dylan would accept the coveted Nobel Peace Prize? “It had been years since we’ve spoke, Bob will take his time as he always does and do what he thinks is best,” he said.
with originality. Whitaker first set out for San Francisco in 1957 to be apart of the “Beat” movement, an American social and literary movement centered in the artist communities of San Francisco. Gallivanting through San Francisco’s Little Italy, Whitaker met poets and philosophers such as, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and other social misfits and anarchist. Having left the country to go to Israel in 1958, Whitaker returned stateside landing back in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1961. In Minneapolis, Whitaker continued to expand on concepts introduced to him by Kerouac and Ginsberg, nurturing the spirit of the “Beat” generation by encouraging people
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6 | opinion
Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
Trump poses threat to global security By David Horowitz Special to The Guardsman
It is very hard to understand why any sane and knowledgeable American would support expansion of our weapon nuclear arsenal when even a regional nuclear skirmish involving 100 warheads would likely devastate all life on Earth. Yet President-elect Donald Trump stated his support for nuclear expansion on Dec. 22 on Twitter: “The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.” He followed up his statement with Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe program.“Let it be an arms race,” he told her. “We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.” It would be absurd to begin a nuclear race, because nuclear weapons are pointless for anyone who cares about human life or understands their environmental consequences. Nuclear weapons are unholy disasters waiting to happen, and only useful as threats which do not distinguish between an infant and a terrorist. A study published by the science journal Earth’s Future in 2014 found that if even 100 of the smallest (15-kiloton) nuclear bombs were detonated, firestorms would blow five megatons of black soot 80 kilometers high. The soot would block the sun,
absorb its heat and destroy 20 to 25 percent of Earth’s ozone layer. This blacking out of sunlight would then reduce global surface temperatures to their lowest level in 1000 years. Arctic and Antarctic ice would increase by up to 25 and 75 percent, respectively. Such an expansion of ice at the earth’s surface would cool Earth further by reflecting a larger amount of sunlight back into space. Increased cooling and ultraviolet radiation would threaten food supplies across the globe, possibly triggering a nuclear famine.
the Earth’s Future study takes into account only 1.8 percent of the U.S.’s nuclear capabilities—without factoring in how much more powerful nuclear bombs have become. The U.S. has been making hydrogen bombs since 1952, which are sometimes more than a thousand times as powerful as “Little Boy”—the 15-kiloton bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Yet, the U.S. still has more than 5700 nuclear warheads today, according to the Federation of American Scientists. That being the case,
CCSF Tarot General Forecast By Adina Pernell apernell@theguardsman.com
Adina Pernell is a reiki master, energy worker, crystal healer, massage therapist and student of the esoteric. Adina uses “The Druid Animal Oracle” tarot deck created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, which features original illustrations by Bill Worthington. Working with animal energy is about tapping into the universal force of nature and all that Mother Earth creates in the animal kingdom. Chances are, you’ve used colloquialisms like “wise as an owl” or “sharp as a hawk”; using the archetypal energy of the animal world helps produce a clearer picture of possible life paths to take.
Advice: Earth Dragon Represents: Power, Potential, Riches Discover the beauty that lives inside of yourself and others. If you start this year on a positive note and don’t give into despair, no matter how bleak things look, you only stand to gain. Believe that you can achieve your goals. Look for otherwise overlooked opportunities to succeed. One person’s dirt is another person’s treasure. Have you looked at yourself in mirror lately? Really looked at yourself ? Consider all the unique gifts that you have to offer the world. Is it your dogged determination? Your poise under pressure? Your honesty? You have assets that go beyond your GPA or the number of zeros in your bank account. Tapping into those skills might very well attract both scholarly accolades and income, if you pay attention to your own brand of personal power.
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A single 300-kiloton W-87 warhead dropped on San Francisco’s epicenter would kill an estimated 200,000 people and leave 332,000 others with third degree burns, according to a digital map designed by nuclear historian Alex Wellerstein. “I will be the last to use nuclear weapons,” Trump told NBC’s Today program last year when discussing his plans for dealing with the Islamic State terrorist group. “I will not be a happy trigger like some people might be. I will be the last. But I will
never, ever rule it out.” My own feeling is that only someone with the moral standing of a mass terrorist would consider
using nuclear weapons as political leverage. The president of the most powerful nation on the planet should be the last person to view them as a option. Furthermore, it makes no sense to spend $20 billion a year funding an enormous nuclear arsenal when all the nuclear warheads any nation would ever need already exist. Luckily, the world has made some progress in the anti-nuclear movement. In terms of numbers, there are less than one-fifth of the 63,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled during the Cold War. It would be a crying shame if our country should allow one woefully misguided human being to bring anti-nuclear progress—of our country and the world—back to square one.
The Doomsday Clock was created by scientists to demonstrate how close scientists believe Earth is to its destruction, with midnight symbolizing annihilation. Original photo of Donald Trump by Nathan Congleton. Changes were made. https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ legalcode (David Horowitz / The Guardsman)
Overall Mood of the Campus: The Hare Represents: Rebirth, Intuition, Balance 2017 is a year ruled by the energy of the number one the year of new beginnings. In contrast, being all about endings, 2016 vibrated with the energy of 9. Political regimes ended, relationships ran their course, as did careers, and famous people died. You might have felt this intensely during the end of 2016 when Mercury retrograde affected communications,waylaying life and travel plans forcing you to sit down and reconsider your future goals. This spring semester, the mood on campus will be completely different. You could feel as if everything had changed as classes are canceled, new board members step more fully into their roles, and new teachers come to the campus. During this time, stay flexible and use your intuition more than ever. It will be your greatest ally and guide. Trust your gut instincts completely. They won’t steer you wrong. Balance your intuition with practicality and don’t run headlong into anything without a clear plan of action. Plan your semester this way and once you've decided on a course of action, don’t do anything by halves. Follow through by leaping right into the task at hand.
opinion | 7
Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
a quick quiet. by nancy chan
Our 2016 U.S. presidential election caused a unique disturbance thanks to launching an unprecedented boom in fake news. During the three months preceding election day, a Buzzfeed analysis found that bogus stories outperformed journalistic ones by garnering 8.7 million Facebook shares compared to news outlets’
7.3 million shares. The most shared fake news election story claimed Donald Trump had Pope Francis’ support. Other viral falsehoods involved Hillary Clinton selling weapons to Islamic State fighters and Clinton’s legal ineligibility for presidency. These three share one source: Ending The Feds, a hyperpartisan
fake news aggregator. As it turns out, a large swath of fake news invoke anti-Clinton sentiment, and not particularly because of pro-Trump supporters. Pro-Trump stories were profitable. In Dec. 2016, BBC Magazine’s “The city getting rich from fake news” detailed how apolitical Macedonian teenagers saw the American presidency as a digital gold rush. Many earned over $1000 in ad revenue a week from plagiarizing right-wing articles, then selling them to Facebook for sharing to conservative audiences. They justified their actions because heftier earnings meant “expensive clothes and drinks” in a region where monthly wages of $371 are normal. Fake news sharers and creators alike remain unapologetic. Paul Horner, an Arizonian, has earned his living for over six years through writing fake news. He’s convinced hundreds of thousands of people online into thinking he was Banksy in 2013 and 2014. In December 2016, Horner told the Washington Post that he thought Trump’s inauguration is “because of me.” “His [Trump’s] followers don’t fact-check anything—they’ll post everything, believe anything,” Horner said. “His campaign manager [Coren Lewandowski] posted my story about a protester getting paid $3,500 as fact.” The entire story was fabricated to become a Craigslist ad. He justified his actions by saying he’s a satirist who enjoys “getting lumped in with The
Onion. His content, he insisted, takes time to manifest, unlike what he called other fake news sites: “BS sites” or “horrible sites.” Even if time is money—and Horner’s not hurting, if he’s raking in $10,000 a month from operating 10 separate sites—people of his ilk put their own work hours on pedestals that showcase moral bankruptcy. Proper satire stimulates thought, makes its identity obvious and is enjoyable. The Onion’s Google web description reads “A farcical newspaper featuring world, national and community news.” A few of my Onion favorites have headlines like “Wealthy Teen Nearly Suffers Consequence” and “Top Theoretical Physicists, R&B Singers Meet To Debate Meaning Of Forever.” Horner, on the other hand, is kidding himself when he relies on the impression of credibility. His sites have legitimate-sounding names such as the News Examiner or ABCnews.com.co. There’s a reason why an Onion article about Mike Pence cutting conservation funds for adulterous elk actually seems probable if it weren’t for the publisher. It’s because truth is often stranger than fiction. As Barack Obama once said, “As long as it's on social media, people start believing it. And it creates this dust cloud of nonsense." Lines must be drawn, no matter how unlikely a given scenario seems.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg learned the hard way. He went from saying “More than 99 percent of the Facebook content you see is authentic” three days after Trump’s win to acknowledging Facebook’s “greater responsibility than just building technology that information flows through.” The Facebook Journalism Project was announced Jan. 11, 2017 to strengthen ties between Facebook and the news industry. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, partnerships with news outlets such as the Washington Post and Vox have been arranged. Still, the project is a relatively tiny step. We must be critical readers ourselves. After all, confirmation bias allowed many Democrats to believe Trump told People Magazine that Republicans are the dumbest voters in 1998 because he’s known for saying inflammatory things. I’m not saying everyone should conduct thorough investigations every time questionable statements appear. But the next time you read an article, read more carefully. Read past headlines and interesting parts—assess the publisher, presented information and your biases. it pays to think better—to not be viewed as a walking ATM by those who want to take advantage of our suspicions or political affiliations.
Look Within: The Wolf (Reversed) Represents: Intuition, Learning, The Shadow When the wolf card manifests itself in reverse, it’s a message that you need to go within yourself to find the answers you seek about how to approach life. You may not feel the need to be social. If this time of change and upheaval becomes too much to handle, don’t be afraid to find a solitary spot on campus to hide in for a bit until you come back to yourself. The political climate will only get more intense both on and off school grounds. This may make you feel mentally combative. It’s probably a good idea to avoid direct confrontations for the moment and instead rediscover your own feelings about current events. A hidden side of yourself might shock you with its profoundness. Examine it when you are in solitude and can spend time in deep philosophical thought. When you study during the first half of the semester, you’ll probably find that you are more interested in the soul of the material rather than reciting dry facts.
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sports | 8
Vol. 163, Issue 1 | Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 2017
Former CCSF soccer player Andy Altamirano rises to the top By Gardenia Zuniga gzuniga@theguardsman.com
From humbling days at City College of San Francisco to exciting soccer games playing for San Francisco City Football Club, Andy Altamirano is scoring his way to the pros. “Honestly, after City College, I was done playing soccer. A good friend of mine, Emmanuel Jimenez, who is also a soccer player, pushed me to try out for the team and I got in,” says Altamirano. “I did not take my first year (2014) at City College too serious. I will go to class, but wasn't
really focused. However, soccer was what inspired me and the coaches kicking my butt was what pushed me to be where I am today,” shares Altamirano while giggling. “Are you trying to be a dishwasher or soccer player,” coach Adam Lucarelli (Ccsf Soccer) told me every time I will slip on my act with academics. He was a great coach even though he kicked my ass more than anyone else.” “The coaches at CCSF pushed me to continue and not give up,” Altamirano continued. His journey has taken him to San Francisco
State University, where he is finishing his educational career by studying Business Administration. “The first year playing soccer at CCSF was good, but the second year got even better when I scored a goal that moved us to the quarterfinals,” he shares. “It's the best feeling, although I don't do the most like taking off my shirt to celebrate, but it's an amazing feeling that I can't explain!” Altamirano scored in City College’s 2-1 win over heavily favored Las Positas College to send the Rams to the second round of the 2014 playoffs.
“My family is from Mexico D.F. (the capital, Mexico City) and they have always encourage me to continue to pursue my dream. I will love to play for the PUMAS in Mexico D.F. one day if given the opportunity,” says Altamirano Altamirano will continue to pursue his soccer path after college by continuing to try out for soccer teams in Mexico. “I will be happy playing anywhere, even if it's the LA Galaxy,” he continued with a laugh. “It's all about playing. It's my dream and at any Altamirano (right) steals the ball from his oppogiven chance, I'll continue to nent at a soccer game at Stanford University, 2016. Photo courtesy of Andy Altamirano. play soccer.”
Sports Game Calendar JAN 25, 2017 JAN 28, 2017 FEB 1, 2017 FEB 4, 2017 WOMEN'S MILLS COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL BASEBALL BASKETBALL MEET San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Noon at Mills at Skyline at Contra Costa at Ohlone WOMEN'S TENNIS 5:00 PM FEB 7, 2017 5:00 PM San Francisco DH WOMEN'S TENNIS MEN'S BASKETBALL at San Francisco WOMEN'S Diablo Valley San Francisco 12:00 PM BASKETBALL at San Francisco at Ohlone Alumni Doubles San Francisco 2:00 PM JAN 27, 2017 Scrimmage at Skyline BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL 7:00 PM Napa Sierra San Francisco DH at San Francisco at San Francisco at Laney FEB 2, 2017 FEB 8, 2017 1:00 PM JAN 31, 2017 BASEBALL WOMEN'S WOMEN'S BASEBALL Contra Costa BASKETBALL BASKETBALL Laney at San Francisco San Mateo San Francisco at San Francisco FEB 3, 2017 at San Francisco at Chabot 1:00 PM CCSF QUAD MEET 5:00 PM 5:00 PM WOMEN'S TENNIS 2pm at CCSF (Chabot/ MEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL San Francisco CSM/Foothill/CCSF) Canada San Francisco at Solano WOMEN'S TENNIS at San Francisco at Chabot Santa Rosa 7:00 PM at San Francisco San Francisco, CA
Sports Awards 2016 Men's Soccer Team Jamal Bernardez -- Defender of the Year Coast Conference 1st Team: Gian Marco Zancanaro Kanata Ishida Christian Carranza Bobakr Hussain Jamal Bernardez
2nd team: Chris Finlez Tobi Oladapo Jonathan Hernandez David Salas
Football Team Namane Modiese - Running back (offensive player of the year) California Footbal Conference All-League Team: Easop Winston - Wideout Robert Valencia - Offensive lineman Jean Eason - Offensive Lineman Deante Fortenberry- Defensive Back Chaz Briggs - Linebacker Raymond Ellis - Defensive Lineman
Female Soccer Team Jesse Bareilles - Coast Conference North Player of the Year / CCCAA All-Region and State teams. Rebecca Killmartin - Coast Conference North Defender of the Year Jeff Wilson - Coast-North Co-Coach of the Year 1st 2nd Jesse Bareilles - Fwd Angelica Gonzalez - Mid Rebecca Killmartin - Def Shannon Garcia - Mid Daniela (Sarahi) Gutierrez -Fwd Sydney Alvarado - Mid Danielle Nicotera - Mid Jocelyn Amable - GK Honorable Mention Jazzlene Hererra - Def Olivia DelRosso - Fwd Christy Jensen - Def
Women’s volleyball 1st Team Coast-North Conference: Kijana Best -- Coast North conference MVP/ CCCAA All-state team Jennifer Quarters-Styles-- All NorCal region team Isoke Springer Pamela Dungo Pepa Malleltulua
Women’s water polo team: Honorable mentions by the All-Coast Conference Team: Freshman Ashley Davis (led 2016 year’s team) Amelia Hobbs Paola Diaz
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