Issue 6

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The SRJC

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leaf

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President elect pg. 3

$150,000 piano...

...for a campus without music classes? p. 2 “Reservation Blues” explored through WOLM lecture series p. 6 Instructor releases book on local, sustainable architect p. 10 Soccer Team dominates the big 8 conference p. 11 November 21, 2011 Volume CXXVII, Issue vI

NEWS

2

November 21, 2011

New piano strikes chords of controversy David Anderson News Editor Many Petaluma faculty members and students are angry about the purchase of a concert grand piano by The Friends of Petaluma Campus (FOPC) committee, which announced the decision at the Petaluma Faculty Forum on Nov. 1.

The FOPC committee, an auxiliary committee of the SRJC Foundation, voted unanimously to purchase a 1917 Steinway grand piano for Ellis Auditorium. The piano, estimated costs of maintenance and programming, add up to a total of $150,000.

“We have students in need and reduced faculty,” said a faculty member at the Petaluma campus who asked to remain anonymous.

“We have needs that may serve more students in terms of equipment and our direct service to students, and that would have been a better investment for the campus.”

A reception for the piano was held Nov. 17 in Ellis Auditorium.

Approximately 30 people attended, including two faculty members and no students. The only people invited were those who directly contributed to the piano.

“There is a fund development strategy that has been developed by the foundation,” said Jane SaldañaTalley, vice president of SRJC’s Petaluma campus. “When you’re doing fundraising like this, you typically approach your major gift donors

first and try to provide an exclusive opportunity to experience something.”

SRJC transported the piano from Texas, and all travel was paid by the company that sold the piano. Red Bird is a private institutional piano selection center that helped FOPC get the best price possible.

In regards to why this particular concert grand piano was selected, Saldaña-Talley shared the process. “I contacted the music department and they suggested that I contact Dr. Leslie Dukes, accompanist and music coach at SRJC,” Saldaña-Talley said. “She then agreed to come with me to the selection center in Mischa Lopiano/ Oak Leaf Texas.”

William Bruno Santo demonstrated the 1917 Steinway grand piano for a small audience in Ellis Auditorium at SRJC’s Petaluma campus.

Christina Kauk, chair of the Friends of However, many students and you have to purchase your own “I don’t really know why [the facPetaluma Campus Trust and part- faculty think that this does not books. I think it would be helpful ulty] would be upset,” McClintock time faculty member at SRJC, said agree with the FOPC online state- if they could have provided us with said. “This is a project that has been that this purchase has been in the ment of: “Contributions are dedi- books or something,” Rodrigues underway for many many years, so works for a long time. cated to the betterment of Petaluma said. “I think it should have been I would think that the piano would “It’s not a new concept; it’s some- Campus programs and students.” used for educational purposes rath- looked upon as a real asset, particuthing we’ve had in mind all along,” Jessica Rodrigues, an SRJC stu- er than a piano that only serves a larly for student programming.”

Kauk said. “[The piano] was com- dent at the Petaluma campus, thinks few students.”

The Petaluma campus is ofpletely privately funded, so it’s not this is not the right time to be makWhen asked about what other re- fering two music classes for the taking any campus dollars,” she ing this kind of purchase. sources the Petaluma campus needs, spring semester: Jazz Appreciation added.

“It’s so expensive for classes and Kauk replied: “A campus like this is and Introduction to World Music. never going to be completely done. All music practicum classes using It’s always going to need more and instruments take place on SRJC’s we are very aware of those things.”

Santa Rosa campus, indicating that Another faculty member, who students won’t be able to use the also chose to remain anonymous, new piano. didn’t understand why the faculty The Petaluma campus will host was not informed of the decision an event called “A Touch of Vienna,” until after the purchase. on Dec. 4 in Ellis Auditorium, dem“We just learned about this de- onstrating the piano and its versatiltwo weeks ago, and I had a ity. The piano can also be rented by Advertise cision feeling this was in the works for a companies and accompanists who in The long time,” the instructor said. “We wish to host their own events.

Still, faculty members and stuOak Leaf, also hired a dean of student services that the faculty voted unanimously dents point to other Petaluma camyou’ll be against. This feels like one more ex- pus needs; classes are overcrowded happier ample of the administration work- and students have trouble paying ing on its own and not with stu- for their classes, books and other in the dents and faculty, and that does not necessities. rain. help the district move forward.”

“If [FOPC] can buy a $150,000 Kate McClinock, executive di- piano they can definitely help out rector of The SRJC Foundation, kids who can’t buy books,” said 527 - 4254 commented on the faculty members SRJC student Bayardo Ardila, curdispleasure with the purchase of the rently taking classes at the Petaluma piano during these tough economic campus. times for SRJC.

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NEWS

www.theoakleafnews.com

3

Dr. Chong to succeed Agrella as new president Michael Shufro Co-Editor-in-Chief Dr. Frank Chong will be SRJC’s next superintendent/president, only the fifth person to hold the position in the school’s 93-year history.

After more than a year of applications, interviews and committee meetings, the presidential search came to a close Nov. 18, when the SRJC Board of Trustees announced its decision to hire Chong, over the other finalist, Dr. Joel Kinnamon.

The Board selected Chong from a pool of 42 contenders vying to replace current President, Dr. Robert F. Agrella, who’s held the position for 21 years. Chong expressed his excitement to join the college and become an active member in the community.

“I am grateful for the trust that the Board of Trustees has placed in me and honored to become part of the vibrant, growing Sonoma County community,” Chong said, after learning he received the posi-

tion. “I look forward to working with faculty, students, staff and the community to carry on the legacy of one of California’s oldest and finest community colleges, and to help maintain Santa Rosa Junior College as one of the leading community colleges in America.”

To assist the board, a Presidential Search Advisory Committee, comprised of college-wide representatives, and Professional Personnel Leasing, Inc., a searchconsulting firm, provided expertise and suggestions in recommending finalists for the job.

“The Board is confident that Dr. Chong is the best fit to lead Santa Rosa Junior College considering the current and future challenges facing our college,” said Rick Call, Board of Trustees President. “Higher eduMischa Lopiano/ Oak Leaf cation is changing, and we feel Dr. Dr. Chong looks forward to joining the local community and a long Chong possesses the skills needed and rewarding career as the fifth president in the school’s history. to help guide us through the next phase of our long history of suc- superintendent/president will be plans are in the making for a welcess.“ formally announced by the Board coming ceremony in the near fuSet to begin work on office Jan. on Dec. 13. The Board also stated, ture.

11, 2012, Chong’s appointment as

Chong is the current Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges at the United States Department of Education in Washington, D.C. He formerly served as President of Laney College in Oakland and Mission College in Santa Clara. He also held the position of Campus Dean and Dean of Student Affairs at San Francisco City College. In addition, he served as Special Assistant to the Speaker of the California Assembly, and as executive director of a Bay Area community-based non-profit organization.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley in social welfare and Asian American Studies, and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. He also completed the Educational Management program at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and earned his doctorate in educational administration, leadership and technology from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York.

SRJC forensics ranks with the top teams in the nation Parris Mazer Staff Writer The Santa Rosa Junior College Forensics team is in the midst of another successful season and on pace to qualify for the state and national championships next March and April.

Along with overall success across events, SRJC holds nationally ranked first and fourth place in Community College Parliamentary

707-235-5432

debate teams as ranked by the National Parliamentary Debate Association.

The NDPA is the largest intercollegiate debate organization in the country, featuring roughly 250 schools.

For those who think of CSI and David Caruso when the term comes up, forensics actually refers to competitive speech and debate. Competitions are similar to those in track and field, where participants show of their rehtoric in a mix of different events. Events are divided into two categories: debate and individual.

Debates can be either one on one, in what are called LincolnDouglas debates, or two-person teams, a parliamentary debate. In a Lincoln Douglas debate, partici-

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program has ranked sixth, second and fourth among community colleges. Among all colleges, it has placed eighth, 11th, 18th and 22nd.

This year, the team holds a similar ranking to last year. Program director Mark Nelson thinks the team will be “very competitive by the end of the year at state and national championships.” However despite the team’s success, Nelson said they’re “not in it for team trophies...[we’re] in it for individuals to grow and learn.” On trophies, he, added, “It is nice when you get them though.”

The first place team of Brenda Nelson and Kevin Steeper, and the fourth place team of Mariah Noah and Jacob Christianson, make Santa Rosa Junior College the only com-

munity college in the country with two teams ranked in the top six.

Forensics tournaments differ from athletic tournaments in that they pit community colleges against four-year institutions like Cal Berkeley and UCLA. According to Nelson, SRJC tends to hold its own against them.

The season is long and arduous, starting in September and ending in April. Co-Director of Forensics Hal Sanford said that he gauges the season on the outcome of March’s Community College State Championships and the Community College National Championships in April.

The next tournament is in Los Angeles during the first week of December.

Oak Leaf Newspaper brings home a full stack of awards Noah Diamond-Stolzman

Students and new patients welcome

pants are given the topic ahead of time, such as trade relations with China, and then debate a certain aspect of that topic.

In parliamentary debate, teams are told their topic at the start of the competition and told whether to argue in an affirmative or negative stance. They are then given 20 minutes to research and prepare their arguments.

Individual events include impromptu, on-the-spot speaking, poetry and dramatic interpretations of literature, among others.

The SRJC team has a history of success. In the NDPA, there are two separate rankings; a community college ranking and a second ranking, which includes four-year institutions. Since 2008, SRJC’s yearly

P

The Oak Leaf Newspaper has two new awards to add to its wall.

Presented by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges the Oak Leaf was given the General Excellence honor at the Northern California Conference held on Nov. 12 at Sacramento State University.

The General Excellence honor for the print publication was based off a submission of Oak Leaf papers from the Spring 2011 semester.

The current online edition was also awarded the distinction.

The conference, which 12 staff

N

ETERSE D E N TA L C A R E

Jeffrey I. Petersen, D.M.D. Susan Petersen, D.M.D. Edita Vasiliauskas, D.D.S. Point West Professional Building 2448 Guerneville Road, Suite 200 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

members attended, featured a day full of workshops and seminars presented by professionals in a variety of areas.

“They showed specific ways to use journalism in the practical world,” Parris Mazer said.

An awards ceremony for contests and submission articles concluded the conference, where five Oak Leaf writers were given awards.

Co-Editor-in-Chief Michael Shufro won an honorable mention

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for his mail-in feature article about the future of SRJC’s creative writing program in the face of budget cuts.

Contributing writer Phyllis Heagley won fourth place for her profile on Michael McGinnis, an SRJC instructor and the inventor of the “Superplexus” toy.

Staff writer Parris Mazer won fourth place in On-the-Spot News writing contest. Isabel Johnson, copy editor and opinion editor, won fourth place in On-the-Spot Copy-

editing. layout editor and state student president of JACC Benjamin “Brutus” Gruey won third place in On-the-Spot Opinion Writing.

Students from community college newspapers from all over Northern California, ranging from Fresno to the Oregon border, took part in the conference. Participants discussed how to address issues that arise in the newsroom, such as late stories and administrations that want to control the student voice.

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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

4 Isabel Johnson Opinion Editor

Handling the holidays, or not...

H

oliday movies are some of the cruelest mockeries of reality ever created.

The happy family overcoming their usual petty squabbles to gather around a delicious meal and exchange heartfelt mush is a lie.

Who the hell does that?

My family doesn’t put aside our issues during the holidays. We get worse. The added pressure to spend time together and be in the holiday spirit just makes everything that much more tense. If we’re not on the verge of an argument, somebody is almost in tears over memories of family members who aren’t with us, either because they died too young or they’re so pissed off they won’t talk to the rest of us anymore.

Most people seem to have some version of this family dynamic. The issue is, that if you met somebody obnoxious in a class or at work, you wouldn’t have to spend the most stressful days of the year in their company. If your family sucks, you still have to see them.

Trying to take time to relax and actually enjoy the day off is seen as being lazy, or unwilling to share in the family togetherness.

Hell yes, I’m unwilling to share in that nonsense. I’m in classes all week and have plenty of crap to deal with, I don’t need to take a day so close to the end of the semester to engage in family squabbles and dramatics.

If I go to Thanksgiving dinner, I can’t mention my dead mom, because Grandpa will get depressed. I can’t talk about my relationship, because my Grandma is having fits over me getting a civil ceremony and waiting to have a white wedding until it won’t bankrupt me.

If I talk about my brother, everyone will want to know why he’s eating with the other side of the family, and if he’s still dating that nice girl. My 17 year old cousin will pitch a couple fits about random teenager bullshit, and there will be yelling and sulking from that.

There will be interrogations. Why can’t people just be happy to see each other? Do we have to question each other about every tiny, unimportant thing so we can criticize it to everyone else later? Who the hell cares if Aunt whoever made a mistake 20 years ago?

My family clings to their grudges. You screw up once, and they will never, ever let you forget it.

There will be at least one drunk person being creepy for the entire night, and of course nobody will try to stop him (or her) from drinking any more. We’d rather discuss some other people’s problems than actually address the issues in front of our faces, even if ignoring it only makes it worse.

I’m going to spend Thanksgiving at home with my fiance, eating KFC ‘s incredible and easy Thanksgiving special with biscuits and fried turkey, which is awesome by the way.

I’m not going to stress over family drama.

I’m not going to worry about avoiding the subject of any dead people, only to have somebody bring it up later after he’s (or she’s) been drinking. I’m not going to pretend to be happy to see someone who has been a jerk to the whole family for years, but suddenly deigned to grace us with his presence again after obtaining a quick divorce and a drinking problem.

I will be at my house, hugging my pet rabbit, cuddling on the couch with my man.

There will be no additional stress, and no tiptoeing around a bunch of people who half the time seem to belong in an asylum. I love the crazies, but I just want to relax and enjoy the time off. I’ll deal with that nonsense at Christmas, when I don’t have classes to worry about.

November 21, 2011

Editorial

$150,000 later, and not a dime of improvement While the 1917 Steinway grand piano --recently purchased by the Friends of Petaluma Campus--is more than impressive as a gift, the instrument valued at $150,000 plays more to the wants of a few and less to the needs of the many students and faculty battling the economic crunch.

For more than a year, everyone from top administrators like Dr. Agrella to freshman just entering the school’s community have had to make tough financial decisions based around the school’s budgetary constraints.

Faculty and staff have seen more hours and less pay, not to mention those who were let go in the process. While departments have chiseled away courses from programs, students have faced a reduction in the availability of transferable and recreational classes.

There is no more money for student fieldtrips or staff development. Instructors now have particular quotas for the number of copies they’re allotted to make for their classes. Printers and computers are old and outdated, and the funds are drying up for when the school will need to purchase new

ones.

Should we be so lucky as a college community to have philanthropic friends, what either campus needs most is financial support for the immediate, urgent needs and practical items on the campus’s wish list: computers for science labs, chairs for classrooms with students sitting on the floor and basic appliances needed on campus.

In its mission statement, FOPC states: “[All] Contributions are dedicated to the betterment of Petaluma Campus programs and students.”

If the FOPC committee aims to improve the Petaluma campus’s programs and academic departments, and to further develop the campus as a whole, than why would committee members vote to use the funds they raised to purchase a showy musical instrument?

The piano is inaccessible to students in that its too delicate and luxurious for a beginning music student to put wear and tear on, while a brand new piano for students would be a small fraction of the cost of the Steinway. To boot, the campus itself only offers two music courses, neither of which are based in music

theory or practice.

Since learning of the FOPC’s purchase, several in the school’s community have reacted outraged and offended by the committee’s decision to spend so much money on a concert piano, and befuddled by the lack of effort put into communicating with faculty and students about the wants and needs on campus.

At a reception for the piano Nov. 17 at Ellis Auditorium, only a few faculty members and no students were invited. As an auxiliary committee of the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Foundation, several of the committee’s members hold positions in the school’s administration, faculty and staff including SRJC Petaluma campus vice-president Jane Saldana-Talley.

While the piano was privately funded and had been a planned purchase in the works for a few years, the decision to invest so much in so little boils down to our so-called Friends being out of touch with our fiscally squeezed college.

On the surface, a concert piano is a good thing, but for $150,000 during the worst budget cuts in decades, it’s time our Friends face the music.

Seeking balance between the land and the machines Armando Torres-Garcia Contributing Writer There is a truth that can only be found in landscapes untouched by Wi-Fi signals.

Beyond the murmur of computer engines and the clicking sounds of text messages being shipped off into space, a silent whisper reveals life’s secret: nature reminds you how to live.

Last summer I heard the whisper when I backpacked through Yellowstone Forest. As the deep colors of the meadows decorated my vision, I learned that high-definition wasn’t only a feature found in television.

The woodpecker’s echo taught me my voice is my social media; it bounced off the pine trees and rattled my eardrum. The night sky showed me how to put space between my words and leave room for observation. I silently watched the stars illuminate the sky EDITORS Editors-in-Chief: Spencer Harris and Michael Shufro oakleaf-editor@santarosa.edu A&E Editor: Keshia Knight Features Editor: Michael Shufro Multi-Media Editor: Noah Diamond News Editor: David Anderson Opinion Editor: Isabel Johnson Sports Editor: Spencer Harris Social Media Editor: Keshia Knight Copy Editor: Isabel Johnson Photo Editor: Mischa Lopiano Layout Editor: Brutus Gruey Web Editor: Quinn Conklin Advertising Manager: Brutus Gruey oakleaf-ads@santaro1sa.edu

like the embers of a campfire caught in the breeze.

Interacting with nature is like a dream I soon forget. As soon as I return to the concrete jungle of my town, it begins to lull me into a technologic slumber. Often, my mind is preoccupied with the buzzing earphones of my IPod to ever hear a bird sing and realize that it chirps for me. Text messages beg me to feel for their vibration while the sun rests calmly on my face. With so many distractions, I forget what it is like to be alive.

Mother Nature always reminds me. When I zone out she’ll blow a breeze that sends chills up my spine. Other times the flight of a falling leaf will catch my attention. As a journalism student who transferred from SRJC to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I have to spend a majority of my time in front of a computer.

The glow of the screen drains my energy to the extent that I can’t gather my thoughts and put them on the page. To alleviate the stress

CONTACT THE OAKLEAF Address: 645B Analy Village Santa Rosa Junior College 1501 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Newsroom: (707) 527-4401 Editor Line: (707) 527-4401 Adviser, Anne Belden: (707) 527-4867 abelden@santarosa.edu STAFF WRITERS Alex Campbell, Domanique Crawford, Sean Dougherty, Ken Kutska, Grace Williamson, Chardé Wydermyer, Parris Mazer

LETTERS Send letters to the Editor to: oakleaf-editor@santarosa.edu or to the Oak Leaf office. They should include your first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste.

Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

The Oak Leaf is published seven times per semester by the Journalism 52 newspaper practice class at SRJC. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff, faculty or administration.

Visit us on the web at: www.theoakleafnews.com

of school, I like to hike at least once a week.

The views from Bishop Peak at sunset always seem to clear my mind and give me motivation.

Living in the 21st century means that I have so many tools to help me understand the world. I consult my favorite search engine on a regular basis, but I have gained a different perspective thanks to nature. When I skydive from 13,500 feet, I see Earth for what it is: big, round and beautiful. I keep a mental picture of what it looks like from that altitude and review it when society tempts me to forget.

The trees bring me wisdom and the breeze brings me peace. Navigating through the forest of society can make me ignorant to the gifts that nature gives. The computer world is very inviting, but it will never be my way of life. With nature as my guide, my emphasis shifts from existing to living. When I turn off devices and turn on my senses I can sometimes hear the whisper.

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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

5

Stage-poets need more than words Michael Shufro

Co-Editor-in-Chief For a time I’ve had mixed feelings about poetry readings, and public readings in general. Not that live readings are necessarily bad in any sense, but the delivery and stagepresence of many readers can be too slow and quiet for the modern American stage, or at least for viewers and listeners attuned to television, film and the slew of modern digital technologies. Attention spans are not, from what I’m told, what they once used to be.

I’ll admit if I’m not transfixed by a performance I’m watching, my mind and attention are more prone to drift. And here’s the thing: I’m the guy who sincerely, wildly and madly loves and believes in poetry and fiction, and the limelight of every hardworking artist. But it’s not a matter of the art or appreciation of words and wordsmiths; it’s a matter of the art of commanding a stage, the art of performance and the art of spoken word.

We’re all familiar with the teacher who speaks in a monotone voice or carries through an entire lecture reading from a textbook perhaps with the dazzling aid of a slideshow. It’s not enticing, stimulating or even fun. But often the lectured subject is interesting, even

fascinating; it’s just not presented very well.

Poets who are also musicians, comedians or slam performers know this, and combine their talents and efforts to keep audiences engaged. But not all poets are meant to be performers; some I believe are meant to be simply savored, cherished and worshipped inside books.

I used to perform spoken word and slam poetry and maybe because I was and am still one of the literati, I find myself at one reading or another these days often enough. Recently I went to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and listened to poet Mary Oliver read a selection of her poems for about an hour. There were a variety of things I found captivating about her performance (discovering poems I hadn’t read before by her, hearing the tone and rhythm of her work aloud, and seeing a bit of the person and humor behind the poetry), but she is a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and one of the bestselling living poets in the world. Many who go to see Oliver are not going for an outstanding night of poetry performance, but – and this is in my opinion – to be in the presence of a legendary and world renowned poet.

More locally I went to the Downtown Petaluma Poetry Walk and the Sonoma County

Book Festival this year, and listened at each event to several poets and writers read from their work. There was without doubt a certain joy which came over me at seeing so many people celebrating books, but too often I found myself wandering off into trails of thought completely unrelated to what was being performed before my eyes. In order for many of today’s poets to capture the hearts and minds of today’s generation, they need to go beyond the written word and consider the theatre of modern culture.

Today’s audiences are not living in the Whitmanian rhythms or Dickensonian rhymes; they’re flooded in the rush-hour traffic of Eminem rap lyrics and the splitsecond flashes of Twitter Haiku. And if anything, between all of our cellphones, computers and TVs, the attention span of the average American only appears to be shrinking. But poets untrained for the stage need not feel at a complete loss; people all around are looking for a good performance or show, even if their base expectation is to be constantly enticed and entertained, even if it means more work for the artist or less thought for the viewer; even if it means ultimately changing how we think about language and art.

Student on the street

If the school received $150,000, how do you think SRJC should spend the money?

Can Zheng “Spend money to hire more teachers and remodel some buildings.”

Chad Martin “I think they should spend it by lowering the prices of classes and stuff ‘cause I heard they were going up next semester.”

Sadona Mondabough “Updating equipment, for classes like the Oak Leaf, and some of the business classes.”

Erin Brierly “I think if the school got money they should definitely work on parking, because they’ve gotten it so that they can have all the students go here but, it’s really difficult to find a parking spot, or if that’s such a trouble it would be kind of a deterrent for people to go here.”

Permille Pejdal “Refurbish the classrooms. I had English for a long time in that building over there, I don’t know what its called but there were no windows or anything, and fluorescent lights. I kind of gives you a headache because it flickers even if you don’t realize it. And I think they should maybe not spend money on the sign over by the parking garage saying open.”

Stephanie Listug “I would like to see some of the classes that aren’t being offered anymore come back. I know a lot of the conversation classes are gone, and we’re losing a lot of the obscure stuff.”

Aurora Williams “I think they should spend it on allowing people who can’t go to the school right now. They should give money to allow kids less fortunate to go to school.”

Billy Oertel “They should invest in a student bus pass program, because a lot of students such as myself have to ride public transportation to get here, and it actually can be quite expensive. In the past they had a bus pass program so the school actually subsidized bus passes for students.

SO you could get bus passes at a much lower rate. Just this year they actually stopped doing that.“

Dean Gooch “It’s not much. Probably equipment would be the best thing, I don’t know where. There’s so many equipment needs in this school. I just don’t know.

There’s equipment needs in all areas….There’s also a need for supplies. We’ve not a sufficient budget for supplies. So equipment and supplies.“

Quinn Conklin Web Editor

Advertising kills Google Music

G

oogle launched its music service last week and it is the worst of the bunch for turning users into shills. It is adequate, and still my choice for streaming music to my phone, but it is one thing to offer a free service to the “customer” and turn around selling his or her attention to advertisers. I am OK with that. It is another thing to make users be your ad department.

Google music makes it easy to buy and share music with the people in your circles. The problem with those shares is that they are only samples with a link to buy, or you can share the entire song if you purchase it from the Google music store rather than upload it yourself.

But Google music is not the only offender in this department. Spotify and Facebook really want you to use the services together and again Spotify is a product I use and like for streaming music on my computer. To play the music people share from Spotify on their social network of choice you need to become a Spotify user yourself.

Sharing music with your friends should be about turning them on to something cool, amazing or fun, not making another user for the company to sell to advertisers or worse an advertisement for a specific place for your friends to go buy the music that you are listening to.

This is not a problem that is confined to the internet. No, this is part of something bigger the music industry has dumped on us for years. Radio stations are able to sell ads to support playing songs, which in turn are ads for the albums we buy. These in turn are ads for the shows the artists play and even these have been corrupted into opportunities for vendors to sell us food, drinks and T-shirts.

I can live with that. I can avoid commercial radio, I can find music organically, from friends or by researching the influences of the artists I like. Now however, the music providers have found a way to commercialize even my friends’ recommendations.

To make matters worse they make it easy to share. One, maybe two clicks and you have done it. You have been not just the consumer of their advertising but also the delivery system. For me, this is going to far. I will not link my Spotify account with Facebook. I will not suggest songs via Google music. I will not tell my friends where to shop online.

This does not mean I will stop recommending music, but I will do it the way I always have: via YouTube.

YouTube lets my friends hear the song, read some thoughts on the video or the music. They can listen to the whole thing in their stream or on their wall, and if they don’t want to do that, they can still pop open a new tab and watch the video on YouTube.

Yes I may still be exposing my friends to an ad or two; that can’t be helped when we share links on the internet. What I am not doing is telling my friends where to buy their music. I am not offering my friends up like fatted calves as new customers and users for the music industry.

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

6

In the

know 11/23 Chris Isaak Christmas Show Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Person Theater, Santa Rosa 8 p.m. / $47.50, $67.50 11/25 My Fair Lady Premiere Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa 8 p.m. / $10-$18/ ages 7 and up 11/26 AKAProductions Presents Little Joe y La Familia and DJ Camacho Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa 7 p.m. /$30-$45 All ticket prices increase $5 after 11/23 / 21+ 11/30 Fall Cinema SeriesThe Passenger Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma 6 p.m. / $5 general, $4 students and seniors 12/1 Tommy Malone of The Subdudes Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa 6:30 p.m. / $15 advance, $18 day of show/ 21+ 12/2 Devin the Dude, the PYRK Band, The Hooliganz & the What, Front Line Soldierz and J-Real The Phoenix Theater, Petaluma 8 p.m. / $15-$20 12/3 SRJC Orchestra “Holiday Concert” Santa Rosa Bible Church, Santa Rosa 3 p.m. / $5 12/5 SRJC Jazz Combos Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa 8 p.m. / $5

Beyond the book: Ken Kutska Staff Writer A story that captivates and causes a person to read into an event, culture or person is what resonates from SRJC’s Solkov Work of Literary Merit (WOLM). This semester’s selected novel, “Reservation Blues” by Sherman Alexie, blends soulful humor with downto-earth situations involving a group of troubled people.

Over the years the WOLM has brought in books from all corners of the literary world, from last semester’s, “Into the Forest” by Jean Hegland, a dark tale about a postapocalyptic world, to classics like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.

Wayne Neel, an SRJC English instructor and a speaker on the Nov. 14 WOLM panel described the book and nomination process.

“Any department instructor can nominate books. He or she then present the book’s value at one or more meetings, some exclusively held to discuss past experiences with the novel, play or essay collection. Finally, an election is held to select books for the following year,” Neel said.

The WOLM started in the early ‘80s when a handful of English instructors implemented the program as a way to incorporate several teachers’ views in every classroom.

“One of several reasons was to encourage students to continue the study of literature,” Neel said.

All English 1A classes, about 1,600 students, read the WOLM book. Other classes including English 100 and 1B also often have the opportunity to read the book.

Each semester a lecture series accompanies the WOLM where students, faculty and the general

public learn from a wide range of scholars about the selected work.

Aside from the English Department, faculty and staff from several disciplines, provide insight into current events related to the WOLM selection.

The “Reservation Blues” lecture series commenced with a lecture

by Richard Speakes on blues artist Robert Johnson, a figure in “Reservation Blues.” At several points in the book, blues and rock n’ roll is referred to as the “devil’s music.”

The plot is the story of a group of young Native Americans who are trying to use music as an escape from the reservation.

Psychology instructor Brenda Flyswithhawks explained what life is like living on a reservation in a lecture called, ‘Living on the Rez...

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

The book depicts life for Native Americans in today’s society as extremely harsh. “Reservation Blues” sheds light on a group of people who have all kinds of trials and tribulations.

The Nov. 14 panel discussion included instructors Abby Bogomolny, Ed Castellini, Lori Kuwabara, Wayne Neel and Karen Walker,.

They discussed how “Reservation Blues” uses plot, theme, symbols and characterization.

The panel discussed how fiction and literature influence the personal lives of readers and discussed how Alexie’s humor in the book is exemplary of how to bring a lighter note to a dark story.

The history of the Spokane Native Americans and the region of Washington was also included in the discussion, used to explain the vices this particular group has. The past is brought up through songs at the beginning of each chapter and in characters’ dreams.

“Reservation Blues” gives in-

November 21, 2011

WOLM series examines life’s lessons through literature

sight into a group of people who are often misunderstood. English instructor Bogomolny, who has taught English for almost 30 years, said, “Many people have no idea of the bitter laws and policies our Indian brothers and sisters faced in the ‘land of the free’. Reading takes us into other people’s realities and helps us understand what it is like to be human in circumstances other than our own. This is always good.”

Neel added, “My Native American students seem to appreciate the subject. We have done other books

by Native American writers in the past. Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Ceremony,” Greg Sarris’ “Grand Avenue” and Louise Erdich’s “Tracks”.”

The WOLM for next semester will be Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Immortals won’t stand the test of time While “Immortals” isn’t a particularly bad movie, it shies away from the potential greatness that occasionally peeks through its overwhelming tapestry of blandness. It shows the chops to be a classic; a “Lord of the Rings” set to Greek mythology.

The plot contains nothing resembling a creative idea. Theseus has been chosen by Zeus to be the champion of humanity, for reasons hardly explained. He must stop King Hyperion from finding the mythic Epirus bow, freeing the Titans and overthrowing the Gods.

The entire script is handled hastily. The bow, which was built up to be a major plot point, is stumbled upon by accident, and then promptly disappears, only to be used briefly in the climax.

The fact that Theseus is a demigod in Greek mythology seems to be hinted at as the reason for his selection as humanity’s champion, but the thread

is never followed. That’s the least of the deviations from the source material; it goes as far as to rewrite the entire Greek creation story. The character development is almost nonexistent. After Theseus recovers

the bow, he is told by his sidekick not to expect to be treated any differently, when almost no scenes had been shown to set up how he was treated beforehand.

Theseus is supposed to be destined to be the great leader that humanity needs, but the only thing he does resembling leadership is giving an impassioned speech at the knockoff battle of Helm’s Deep.

Hyperion’s motives for taking on such a daunting endeavor as conquering the Gods is something that could have been built up into a big reveal in the third act. Instead, the audience is told in his first lines of dialogue that he is angry at the Gods for letting his family die of disease. On second thought, I’m glad that wasn’t made into a big reveal.

The main draw of the movie is the excellent combat scenes, which eschew the recent trends of substituting choreography for shaky shots and rapid editing. The fights

are shown in long, sweeping takes that display the action crisply and clearly, and makes good use of ramp slow motion -- having the action alternate from being sped up to being slowed down -- but manages to keep the use subtle. The God fights are where the movie is at its best.

The otherworldly powers of the deities are expertly conveyed, bringing with them a fitting sense of awe.

Unfortunately, all of the fight scenes are few and far between. There are only a small handful of mortal fight scenes, and they all end prematurely. However two God fights go on for a decent length, despite their infrequency.

There aren’t bad performances in “Immortals,” but nothing stands out. The actors competently deliver their paper-thin dialogue without sounding like they’re reciting lines.

Henry Cavill, as the noble Theseus, delivers the alternating rage and sorrow of the character, but none of it hits home. Whether this is the fault of the performance, or the lack of any real attachment to the character is hard to say. Mickey Rourke is interesting as King Hyperion, but he doesn’t stand out from the slew

Continued on page 7

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7

My Fair Lady keeps original script Domanique Crawford Staff Writer Whether as a book, film or musical, “My Fair Lady” keeps audiences captivated with its timeless story.

“It’s a play that has something to say to young people; it’s a play that can be enjoyed by anyone no matter their background,” said Laura Downing-Lee, SRJC theater instructor and the play’s director.

“My Fair Lady” is based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 play “Pygmalion,” with the book and lyrics written by Alan Jay Lerner, and music by Frederick Loewe.. The music is about a flower shop girl

named, Eliza Doolittle, who meets a phoneticist named Henry Higgins while selling him flowers. Higgins believes that he can change the way Doolittle speaks and turn her into a lady within six months time. The play shows the transformation of Doolittle, from flower girl to highclass woman.

“What I find interesting is that Doolittle is the one who comes to challenge Henry to teach her how to speak better,” Downing-Lee said. “She is also bright enough, she has the potential to learn, the desire to learn and the willingness to do so.”

Downing-Lee has taught and directed at SRJC since 1999. Before coming to SRJC she worked

Pianists, flutists perform at SRJC Parris Mazer Staff Writer Community pianists played the role of harmonic historians at an SRJC-sponsored recital focusing on classic French composers. Experienced musicians and music majors performed the recital as part of a community education class taught

by Florence Aquilina.

The class performed impressionist music by French composers from the turn of the 20th century. Their compositions sound different than “traditional” classical music in that they manage to create many unusual

sounds rarely heard from the piano.

In the words of Donovan Sheets, a music major at SRJC, “French composers sound new to the ear.”

The most featured composer was Claude Debussy. He is credited as the man who brought impressionism to music. According to pianist Tatyana Goodhart, his music defined the transition between the romantic period and the modernist period of music.

Nine pianists and two flutists played in the concert. Each pianist played one solo set, and there were several piano duets. The flute players provided beautiful melodic accompaniment to the piano in several pieces.

The piano performance class,

as a performance specialist for the Theatre Department at the University of Central Missouri for five years and held positions with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse and Kansas City’s Coterie Theatre. “With Laura being the director, I am sure it is going to be great,” said Zenasia Reed, SRJC theatre art student.

My Fair Lady, the Broadway sensation, has been playing for more than 50 years and has been performed nearly 3,000 times. Unlike most renditions, Downing-Lee decided to stick with the original script, instead of cutting some scenes as most directors do. “You will see the ballroom scene: a scene that is not very important but is fun

which allowed recitals such as this was recently cut due to budget constraints. It was turned into a nontransferable community education class. This creates a problem, for every music major needs a perfomance class.

Pianist Connie Holbrook was upset at the relegation of this class to community education status.

“This was once the top musical class for students headed for a degree in music. When the class changed to a community education course, it forced students out of taking it because it doesn’t count towards a degree,” she said. Holbrook got her music degree from Berklee College of Music and she said, “Flo and this class is better then any I took there.”

to watch,” DowningLee said.

Though the play takes place in 1901, it addresses contemporary social issues.

“The play has to do with class. Education and the way in which we speak and how that can box us in,” Downing-Lee said. “With everything going on in the world, theatre can be both inspiration and refuge.”

The play runs at 8 rium. Tickets are available for prep.m. Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, sale at the box office or an hour be10 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, Dec. fore every performance.

3, 4, and 10 in Burbank audito-

Immortals

Continued from page 6

of other villains in the tradition of epic fantasy films. Luke Evans brings the only impressive performance to Zeus. He shows some potent emotions roiling under the surface of the thinly written character.

The art direction seems to be the one place where a heavy investment has been made. The color palette, the sets and the costumes all work hard to give the movie a strong, unified feel. The entire movie looks fantastic and holds interest when everything else happening on screen is boring. The costumes especially stand

out, going for a simple design, while still having excellent subtle details.

The Gods’ costumes have an unique art deco style that still builds off of archetypal images. While only three Gods are addressed by name, someone with even a cursory knowledge of the pantheon will be able to recognize most of them based on their outfits alone.

The interesting aspects of “Immortals” makes me wonder if something integral was left out by producers, and if a director’s cut could make it the classic that it deserves to be, but the amount of blandness and underdevelopment feels too overwhelming to be fixed with a few changed scenes or edits.

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Beyond the classroom: Craig Lifto

Contributing Writer

He was a lawyer and then a miniature-model maker. Those careers for Hal Sanford were a good way to make a living, but they didn’t bring him the same happiness he experiences today.

If you spend a class session or talk to him for a few minutes it is evident Sanford has a passion for teaching speech. He has taught speech at Santa Rosa Junior College since 1994. If it’s up to him he will teach until the day he decides to retire. “If I could push a button and only do one thing, it would be teaching speech and forensics,” Sanford says.

Sanford teaches different types of speech classes, and coaches SRJC’s speech and debate team. He is a representative for the Academic Senate and a member of the Mass Communication Task Force on campus. He uses his experience and knowledge to get the most out of his students and forensic team members.

Sanford grew up in Glenbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. At Glenbrook High, Sanford joined the debate team, and struggled at first to build a compelling argument. “A debater from another school walked up to me and looked at my tiny recipe card evidence box, and said, ‘Ah, Sanford, you’re not smart enough to be a debater. Why don’t you find something else to do, loser,’” Sanford says. His struggles continued until he met a man who believed in him.

George Stege was the teacher who molded Sanford into a good debater. Sanford credits Stege with spending as much time as was needed to improve his debating skills. Stege had such an impact on Sanford’s debating skills that Sanford became Illinois state champion his senior year. One of the schools that Sanford and his partner defeated along the way to the championship was the school of the debater who called Sanford a loser.

Just as Stege went out of his way to make sure Sanford’s debating skills continued to improve. Sanford wants to go the extra mile for his students.

Current student Sophia Lufrano notices Saford’s dedication. “I never felt comfortable speaking in

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Rohnert Park 707-584-4001

November 21, 2011

Speech instructor Hal Sanford inspires students to speak in public

be looking at her. Sanfront of an audience, ford wanted to make but after a debate, Hal her go through with it. offered to meet with me “I asked the students to to discuss my anxiety put their heads down about speaking in front while she was giving of an audience. That her speech. ‘I told her, gesture alone makes me See, nobody is looking, more comfortable.” proceed.’ She went on to Sanford received a give her speech.”

Bachelor’s of Science Sanford asks his from Northwestern class at the beginning University in speech, of the semester to raise and a law degree from their hands if they are University of Southern uncomfortable givCalifornia. ing speeches in public.

Sanford became a He is one of the people litigation lawyer at a who raises a hand. It is prestigious law firm in a method that helps put Los Angeles and after students at ease from a few years decided bethe beginning. “He took ing a lawyer wasn’t the off the pressure of getright fit. His next career ting up and he made me choice could not have feel like I would be fine been more different. if I put forth my best efHe decided to fort,” Justin Brown, an get into modeling.

SRJC student said.

Not “runway modelSanford has heard ing,” Sanford jokes, countless speeches in but building miniature his years at SRJC. “My models. His new caclassroom is a safe reer choice turned into zone for students to exa book titled “The Ilplore their lives. ” He lustrated Modelaholic.” has listened to revealSanford says, “It basiing speeches about adcally speaks to the addiction, rape, prison diction of collecting life and physical abuse. and building models.”

“Especially in Speech His new career path 1A and Speech 60, I like took him on a jourstudents to choose their ney building miniature own subjects because models for films and that’s where their inmusic videos. Sanford terests lie. I provide the clients included high techniques for them to profile celebrities like effectively express their Michael Jackson and Mischa Lopiano/ Oak Leaf insights.”

James Cameron.

Hal Sanford records the time and gives critiques to the members of SRJC’s Forensics team. Sanford was once a There is one particuThe music vid- state champion in Illinois and now continues to pass his knowledge onto SRJC students. lar speech that draws a eos he worked on for tearful response from Jackson were “Smooth taking a “self evaluation,” and con- nance and I take seriously my work Sanford.

The speech topic by a Criminal” and “Leave Me Alone.” cluded teaching would make him on the Academic Senate and comstudent was about practicing safe “In Smooth Criminal, I helped the happiest. mittees,” Sanford says. “However, sex.

The student had props like a construct a huge death-ray laser He first started teaching at So- interacting with students is what condom and a banana and started gun positioned inside a mountain, noma State University in the Up- it’s all about.” He wants to give stumanned by actor Joe Pesci,” Sanford ward Bound program, classes fo- dents the confidence to believe in talking about safe sex methods. She says. His work for James Cameron cused on teaching first generation themselves, and the skills to make gets to the middle of her speech and was on the Oscar-winning film, college students from low-income that confidence not a mere empty tells the class that she contracted the AIDS virus. The student was taking “The Abyss.” families. His job at Sonoma State affirmation.

When his wife became pregnant led him to his current position at He knows speaking front of the class for guidance in delivering with their daughter, they decided SRJC, which he loves. a group makes many people un- effective speeches, so she could edthey didn’t want to raise a child in Sanford says the most gratifying comfortable. One former student ucate people about practicing safeLos Angeles. He moved to Santa parts of the job are watching stu- refused to get up in front of the sex. It reinforces to Sanford that he Rosa in 1991 and needed to find dents grow in their speaking abili- class and give a speech due to stage made the correct career choice. “I another job because of the lack of ties and interacting with other stu- fright. What bothered the student really believe in what I do.” filmmaking in Santa Rosa. He re- dents. “I appreciate the importance so much was that everybody would Continued on page 10 turned to law for a brief time before of shared gover-

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SRJC club promotes sustainability Alex Pozzi

Staff Writer When the new Bertolini Student Center opened, Students for Sustainable Communities (SSC) created the green squad to educate students and faculty about proper waste disposal. Last semester SSC conducted a trash audit to convince administrators to support the Talloires Declaration, which President Dr. Robert Agrella signed in April, 2011. The declaration is an internationally accredited plan that provides educational institutions with a framework for achieving a sustainable future.

SSC is a club dedicated to spreading environmental awareness, creating sustainable education and giving students the tools they need to be activists on campus and in the community. “The more students we can get to help us with our advocacy work, the more effective we will be,” said Jessica Jones, the co-founder of SSC and current Associated Students President.

Currently, SSC is working toward getting Fair Trade Organic coffee into the cafeterias and kiosks on campus. Fair Trade is a nonprofit organization that certifies products come from farmers and workers who are well compensated.

SSC will partner with Thanksgiving Coffee later this month to hold a tasting to see if the campus community likes the brew and would be willing to make the switch.

SSC is also working with a local non-profit to promote carpooling for the SRJC community. This program would allow students to use their smart phones to quickly find a ride with someone else in their proximity that is heading the same direction. The program will bring a sense of fun for carpoolers and inspire students to commute together more often. “This will make carpooling popular and a fun thing to do,” Jones said.

Students are encouraged to get involved by attending SSC meetings, which run branches on both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. Meetings are held every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. and all students are welcome. “My mission is to bring a greater collaboration of students faculty and administrators to work together in order to make SRJC more sustainable,” Jones said.

In addition to SSC, SRJC offers a slew of sustainable agriculture classes, many of which are held on Shone Farm. Twelve miles from campus, 365 acres of farmland serve as an outdoor learning laboratory for the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department. Shone Farm, one of the largest agricultural sites in the California Community College system, has 120 acres of forest, 100 acres of pasture, 70 acres of vineyards, 12 acres of crop production and four acres of

apple and olive orchards.

The farm offers programs in viticulture, wine studies, equine studies, animal science, sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. These programs produce a variety of “Shone Grown” products, marketed specifically to SRJC’s Culinary Café and sold through farm stands both on and off campus, at local restaurants, markets and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

“I greatly appreciate those who prioritize supporting local agriculture, even during challenging economic times,” said Robert Landry new Sustainable Agriculture Program Director at SRJC. After earning his bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas State he attended UC Davis, where he was offered a departmental fellowship to study plant sciences. Now he teaches seasonal community supported agriculture classes (CSA), Intro to Sustainable Agriculture, Crop Planning and Production, Organic Gardening and Food Production and various Specialty Crop Production classes.

With the growing awareness about sustainability the career opportunities in the field are immense.

“Students at the JC are uniquely situated to actively take part in making a difference in sustainable agriculture through both school and community activities,” Landry said.

It is important the JC is an active member of the sustainability movement, Landry said. “In order to ensure that we continue to prosper as a society, we must learn to live within the constraints of our natural system,” he said. “Sustainability strives to achieve just that. In order to meet the current and future demands of a growing global population without sacrificing the health of our entire ecosystem, we must invest in living sustainably in every aspect of our lives.”

Outside of SRJC, local businesses have joined together to promote localized living. Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative (GoLocal) is a network of locally owned businesses, residences, non-profit organizations and government agencies with a goal to get businesses “working together to build a resilient thriving local economy,” said Terry Garret, a GoLocal Team member.

“When the money we spend here stays here, it helps boost our local economy by creating economic multipliers,” Garret said, adding that money goes back into local schools, public buildings and parks. “There is a heightened sense of awareness in the general population about the importance of buying local and being sustainable, really we’re just going back to the way we shopped in the ‘50s.”

Community Market, located near SRJC behind The Last Record Store, is a GoLocal business member. It is a non-profit workerrun market that promotes healthy

Stock Image

The GoLocal Cooperative networks community businesses and organizations to strengthen the local economy.

food and sustainable agricultural practices. It is the “first and longest lasting health food store in Sonoma County,” said Melissa Mentin, Community Market employee. The goal of Community Market is to raise awareness about what people eat and to educate people on nutrients, she said.

Know when to register for Spring 2011 classes

Priority 1: Continuing students with 42-90.5 units Registration Dates: Nov. 28-29

Priority 3: Continuing SRJC students with .5-23.5 units Registration Dates: Dec 7-8

Priority 1A: Priority 2 & 3 students with couselor Registration Dates: Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Priority 4: New students with a Counseling 270 class Priority 5: New students with an orientation Registration Dates: Dec. 9

Priority 2: Continuing SRJC students with 24-41.5 or over 91+ units on file Registration Dates: Dec 5 and 6

Open Registration for All Students: Dec. 12

Next door, Gaia’s Garden, the vegetarian buffet restaurant is also a GoLocal business member. They offer a 5 percent rebate on purchases and accepts GoLocal Bucks. Gaia’s Garden offers a free Chai Tea for the GoLocal Rewards Card’s first visit and a free meal for every $150 spent. Susan Church, owner of Ga-

ia’s Garden says as a business person she is always looking for new ways to market that are beneficial to the community.

“You can drive down to In N Out in your Prius, but if you are still eating in the past we don’t have a future,” said Ari Camorota of Gaia’s Garden.

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November 21, 2011

Instructor’s book explores prolific architect

Maybeck flourish. Wil- nasium at UC Berkeley, which building he designed on the Prinson would continue to is still in use. Wilson notes that cipia College campus is considered weave Maybeck’s work Maybeck recognized Morgan’s tal- a National Historical Landmark, a into his life as a subject ent and taking her under his wing feat not many colleges can boast for his college thesis, a was another example of Maybeck’s about. book topic and as a key “forward thinking.” He not only Wilson’s book features more figure in his curricu- employed Morgan, America’s first 300 photos ranging from Maylum. independent female architect, but beck’s designs of houses, churchOver his 15-year he was what would be considered es and college campuses. The tenure at SRJC, Wilson today a green architect. book also includes the architect’s has used Maybeck’s “Maybeck deserves to get cred- personal sketches provided by work to illustrate the it for being the first American ar- Maybeck’s descendants. Wilson importance of archi- chitect to use sustainable design in believes that Maybeck deserves tecture in his classes. his work,” Wilson said. “ He pio- more credit and used his extensive “It is one of the most neered that in the 1890s, and ev- knowledge of the architect to auimportant art forms,” eryone thinks it is so new.” thor a truly remarkable book.

Wilson said. “We can’t Maybeck had been using the In addition to the book, Wilson have a civilized society “green” philosophy from early on will give a lecture on the architect without architecture! It in his career. He used all natural as a pioneer in design on Jan 30, incorporates all other materials that were not disguised 2012 in Newman Auditorium. forms of art.” in design, calling them “open use of Wilson also conducts architecturWilson finds most natural materials honestly stated.” al walking tours each semester to art history textbooks His buildings were unique to each give interested parties a chance to have little to no infor- client, constructed in a modern, see the brilliantly designed buildmation on architecture. energy-efficient way with reference ings of Bay Area architects.

Possibly because they to earthquake and fire safety.

While Maybeck has been Wilknow very little about “What really made him ahead son’s prime focus for some time, it or do not care to em- of his time, that makes him the he is moving forward with comphasize it, he said. But first green architect was his inte- piling a new book about the legacy Wilson devotes time gration of his buildings into their of the American World’s Fairs. He in his classes to the environment,” Wilson said. “He currently teaches art history classStock Image art form, and uses his integrated them by how he cited es four days a week and said he is Mark Wilson demonstrates the importance of architecture to his classes with his book on Bernard books as a tool. them into the site and with things honored to teach at a college that Maybeck’s masterful buildings. Maybeck is a 19th century architect from the Bay Area.

In addition to the around it like the views, natural tries to support all areas of artistic Maybeck book, Wil- light, breezes and sets of plants.” expression. ried to the same woman all his Keshia Knight son has written three others, one Maybeck was one of the first “Architecture teaches us, better life,” Wilson said. “Does that mean of which, “Julia Morgan: Archi- American architects to design in- than any other tool what life was he doesn’t deserve as much credit A&E Editor tect of Beauty,” will be re-released door-outdoor living spaces, walls like for people that came before because his life wasn’t as colorful?

Walking through the magnifiin March 2012. The book focuses of windows, decks and open floor us,” Wilson said.

It wasn’t scandalous [as Wright’s cent open-air rotunda and around on Morgan’s work and life and plans. The private houses he deThe next time you walk around with his five marriages and many the mystical lagoon, it is hard to includes her time as Maybeck’s signed could be used in modern the grounds of the Palace of Fine mistresses], so he wasn’t as fabelieve the Palace of Fine Arts’ student. Morgan would help May- design magazines and passed off Arts think of how different it mous, but he should be.” grandeur was almost never envibeck on different projects as a sup- as house built today, despite their could be if Bernard Maybeck was Wilson hopes his book brings sioned as it stands today. Origiplemental assistant, but their most construction in the early 1900s. never given the chance to design to light and promotes Maybeck’s nally constructed for the 1915 notable project together would be The Palace of Fine Arts might be it. It might not be as spectacular as legacy outside of the Bay Area Panama-Pacific International Exthe design of the women’s gym- Maybeck’s most known, but one it is today. with never before published inforposition to house large collections mation. The book is the of art and sculptures, only promifirst comprehensive acnent Bay Area architects were incount detailing Maybeck’s vited to submit proposals. Even entire career and includes though he was not on the planning personal stories, letters committee’s list, architect Bernard and drawings provided by Maybeck successfully fought for Maybeck’s family. the chance to design what is conWilson’s fascination sidered one of the most beautiful with Maybeck began buildings in San Francisco. as an undergraduate at Despite this accomplishment, UC Berkeley in the late Maybeck never got the recog1970s. His Berkeley apartnition his masterful talents dement overlooked the First served, even though his work is Church of Christ, Scienvisible throughout the Bay Area, tist, designed by Maythe state and the country. beck in 1910. A few years According to SRJC art hislater as a part of group tory instructor Mark Wilson, who attempting to save Berkecompiled a new book about the ley’s architectural legacy, Berkeley-based architect, titled Wilson met the architect’s “Bernard Maybeck: architect of eldaughter-in-law Jacomegance,” the reason for the lack of ena Maybeck, whom his notoriety could be Maybeck’s perbook is dedicated to. They sonal life was too boring compared would continue a friendStock Image to those of his famous colleagues ship for years that helped Bernard Maybeck’s legacy fills San Francisco with some of the most recognizable buildings in the Bay Area such as the Palace of Fine Arts . such as Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wilson’s admiration for “Maybeck was happily mar-

Sanford

Continued from page 8

Humor in the classroom is also very important to Sanford sometimes hops over tables instead of simply walking around them. If you ask a question, he might walk to where you are sitting and talk to you face to face. “I like how he brings humor into his classroom through

interactions and conversations beyond just lecturing,” Brown says.

Of his use of humor, Sanford says, “My job is not to scare people, but to empower them.” What you see in the classroom from Sanford is what you get outside of SRJC, he says, “much to the embarrassment of my wife and daughter.”

It is skills and teaching philosophies like this that led him to

receive two prestigious awards for his contributions to forensics. In 2010, he was voted “Coach of the Year” by coaches from the Northern California Forensics Association. The other award he received that year means the most to him.

It is the Collie-Taylor coaching award, based on a student vote by all competitors at the Phi Rho Pi community college national cham-

pionships.

In his down time, Sanford loves playing the guitar. He used to play in a band called the “Ultimate Staple,” a cover band that played a lot of Jimi Hendrix tunes. His biggest gig with the “Ultimate Staple” was playing the United Service Organizations in Chicago.

While Sanford’s life has followed many different paths, nothing

seems to bring more joy than being an educator. “When I look back on my 17 years of teaching, I’m grateful for how much my students have taught me. They have stimulated my mind, warmed my heart and touched my soul. There is no more rewarding contribution than helping people achieve their potential.

That is what teaching is all about.”

SPORTS

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Soccer team takes the Big 8 title Alex Campbell Staff Writer All season the SRJC women’s soccer team has laid the foundation for a deep run into the playoffs in its quest for a state title. Hard work and dedication early in the season combined with experience from victories over competitive non-conference opponent’s City College of San Francisco and Skyline College gave the team a fifth straight Big 8 conference championship. It also gave them an overall record of 151-3 while helping prepare the team for a grueling schedule.

Conference play was fierce and the team was battle tested, achieving an outstanding conference record of 10-1-3 while facing rivals Diablo Valley, Modesto and Cosumnes River.

Their work has paid off and now the Lady Bear Cubs have earned the number one seed and will have home field advantage throughout the 2011 CCCAA women’s soccer NorCal regional playoffs.

“Typically in the JC games, teams have to travel the day of. They have to get up a bit earlier and get on a bus. San Joaquin Delta College has to come here on our field with our fans, huge advantage to play at home,” head coach Luke Oberkirch said.

Conference selections.

Midfielder Lauren Curtin, played a solid season finishing tied for 14th in the state and fourth in conference with 12 goals scored.

The Lady Bear Cubs are peaking right now, riding a six game winning streak and having not lost since September.

Round one of the playoffs was a showdown against number 16 seed Delta on Nov. 19.

SRJC will host round 2 against the winner of the Evergreen Valley and American River match on Nov. 22. If the Lady Bear Cubs win that game they would host round 3 on Nov. 26, hopefully earning a win and advancing Mischa Lopiano/ Oak Leaf to the CCCAA state Shelby Nieto power kicks the ball across the turf with the Lady Bear Cubs dominating the field, leaving their opponents in the dirt. championship Dec. 2-4 The Big 8 conference has recog- cumulating 67. Also named to the goals against average, nearly twice in Sacramento at Conized the superb play of sophomore All-Conference team was sopho- as good as any other keeper in the sumnes River College. forward Cara Curtin and awarded more goalkeeper Tara Funk who is conference.

Admissions to playoff games at her an All-Conference selection dominating in the cage and is one Sophomores Lauren Curtin, SRJC are $8 general and $5 for seand Outstanding Offensive Player of the top three goalies in the state. Lisa Shaw and Cami James as well niors, children and students with of the Conference. Cara led the state She allowed only seven goals this freshman Alex Coffaney round out I.D. with 28 goals as well as points, ac- season and had a remarkable 0.43 the rest of the Lady Bear Cub’s All-

Injured linebacker strives to play again Peter Dowd

Contributing Writer Strength, determination and perseverance can all be used to describe Austin Shull. Shull has overcome adversity and blossomed into not only a highly regarded scholar, but also a decorated football star.

His dreams were almost crushed in high school and yet again at SRJC, however, through hard work he has realized his dream and strives everyday to accomplish it.

Shull was born at Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa to parents Susie and Brian Shull, and has one older brother. Shull’s parents wanted to channel his vast energy into

11

something positive and signed him up for pop-warner football at age 11. He began playing linebacker and fell in love with both the game and the position.

When he began playing at Montgomery High School, he started on the junior varsity team, but quickly rose through the rankings.

By the end of his freshman year, he was playing for the varsity squad.

Throughout his high school career, he continued to be one of the top players on the team.

Shull exemplifies how a student athlete should approach academics. Besides excelling on the field, he also shined in the classroom. He ended his high school career with a 3.67 GPA and received scholarship

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offers from Sacramento State and San Jose State to play football, but a devastating knee injury put those plans on hold.

It was the second to last game before the playoffs during his senior year when the injury occurred.

Montgomery was playing Ukiah in a league game and Shull was pursuing the opposing running back when one of his own teammates ran into his leg while it was planted.

“It was like it was in slow motion and I couldn’t do anything about it,” Shull said. After the play, Shull laid motionless on the field. His ACL and MCL were torn, and it seemed his football career was over.

Instead of attempting to rehab his knee after high school, he decided to move to Butte County and attend the Butte Fire Academy. “The only other thing I could see myself doing except playing football would be a fire fighter. Ever since I was a child I looked up to my dad who was a firefighter,” Shull said.

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he could completely abandon the sport he loved or go through the hellish process of rehabbing his knee again. With support from his parents, Shull decided to go through rehab.

“I saw what life was like without football and I couldn’t go through with it,” Shull said. As soon as doctors allowed Shull to begin rehabbing his knee, he was at it. “It’s going to be a long journey, and this might be the last shot for me.”

The SRJC football season ended on Nov. 12. Shull was disappointed to see the season end without him on the field, but did not get discouraged and continues to gear up for next season.

Since his injury occurred early in the season Shull did not give up a year of eligibility to play JC football. He plans to continue playing linebacker next year and come back faster and stronger than ever. When the SRJC football season starts next year, count on Shull leading the defense out onto the field.

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five months in the academy the football itch was too much to resist, so he began the long process of rehabbing his knee and getting back into football shape. “Even a couple months without football was almost too much to take,” Shull said.

During the rest of the 2010 winter, Shull endured countless hours of physical therapy and by the 2011 summer, he was able to become football fit once again.

When the 2011 SRJC football season began, Shull was the starting linebacker.

In the opening game of the season, Shull was on the kickoff coverage team. As he ran to cover the kick he planted his foot awkwardly and tore his ACL for the second time.

Shull recalled having the thought “Oh god, not again.”

His dream looked like it was crushed again. Confused, hurt and angry Shull recalls being carted off the field thinking “Why me?” It was time for him to contemplate retirement from the sport he loved.

Shull had a decision to make:

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SPORTS

12

November 21, 2011

Volleyball team bound for playoffs Parris Mazer Staff Writer With a decisive victory over conference foes the American River College Beavers, the SRJC volleyball team clinched the Big 8 Conference championship along with a playoff berth. The Lady Bear Cubs will enter the NorCal playoffs as the second seed behind Cabrillo and play

their first home match on Nov. 22.

The Lady Bear Cubs finish the season with an overall record of 26-2 with a conference record of 14-1. The team’s only conference loss came against Sacramento City College on Nov. 11 with the match going the full five games and SRJC barely losing. The squad also finished undefeated at home.

The first game in the match against the Beavers was highly competitive coming down to the wire

before SRJC won 25-22. The second game was fought equally hard with both teams making incredibly tough digs, throwing themselves on the hardwood floor seeming to disregard whatever burns and bruises they might endure. Despite the Beavers making crucial saves, SRJC won the second game 25-23.

The third game began with a hard-fought rally with both teams hitting the deck to make athletic, improbable saves and it seemed the

third game would be another battle.

After the Beaver’s libero made a gasp-inducing save in the middle of the court sophomore Taylor Nelson became awkwardly turned around, but was able to make a deft save along the sideline, ensuring the first point while shifting momentum toward SRJC. “I haven’t even thought about it yet... I’m just happy I got it up and over the net,” Nelson said.

After taking the lead 20-11, SRJC scored five straight points to finish

the third game 25-11, and take the match in three straight games.

“We feel really good, this game is a confidence booster,” sophomore Sam Siebert said. “We feel we’re ready to go in and dominate the playoffs.”

The Lady Bear Cub’s number two seed ensures at least three home playoff matches. “In the playoffs home court advantage is a big deal,” head coach Kelly Wood said.

With divisional playoffs beginning Nov. 22, the SRJC volleyball team is shaping up to make another deep run at the title.

Prosthesis enables SRJC coach to live out his dreams

began training vigorously to walk even hosted a TV show titled “What’s “Tom’s statistical record keeping the entire way without a wheelchair Cookin’” for 20 years. However, he al- is an invaluable part of SRJC baseor any additional help. ball. His detailed statistical record ways wanted to coach baseball.

“Light the Fire Within.” That is Francois admits he was no super- keeping enables me, as the head what the torch read and Francois star baseball player as a youth, but coach, to post statistics that support holds those words true to his heart he always had a passion for baseball. my decisions about who is playing and could only compare carrying When he arrived in Santa Rosa a few and who is not playing and why,” the torch to the birth of his children. years ago, a door for coaching base- SRJC head baseball coach Damon Simply put, pure magic. The doors ball opened when he met a Mont- Neidlinger said. flew wide open for Francois after this gomery High School football coach The players witness Francois’ magical moment. at the gym. He met the school’s ath- smile and laughter on the field and He was asked to speak to schools letic director and was immediately cannot help to crack a smile too. “I and organizations, and was influ- hired. Francois has now coached see a man who is filled with joy, loves enced to tackle the adventure of high school baseball, travel baseball God and brings happiness to everyspeaking in jails and prisons. He and SRJC baseball. one around him,” SRJC shortstop found himself contacting every orHe can be seen sitting in the Bai- Nick Rodda said. ganization that could help his cause. ley Field dugout with a smile on his The Bear Cubs are now a part of Mischa Lopiano/ Oak Leaf Francois’ wife Carol figured he could face and a pencil in his hand as he his family and Francois even calls the 2002 Olympic Torch Bearer Tom Francois helps to coach the SRJC baseball team. be “a hole in their calendars to fill.” diligently records all the statistics for players his “30 other grandchildren.”

Francois knew Carol was right and the Bear Cub’s baseball team. FranFrancois has experienced many of “I didn’t feel remorse, I didn’t feel Dalton Johnson regret, I felt relief. My goal was if I ultimately knew he belonged in the cois can work up to three hours on life’s adventures and understands his his stats, breaking them down in adventure will never stop. “Live simcould walk with a cane for the rest of schools and the prisons.

Contributing Writer “Let me touch one, God,” Fran- everyway possible and he takes this ply, speak kindly, love generously and my life, I would be happy, because I With his crisp uniform, Tom was sick of that damn chair,” Fran- cois prays to his Lord and savior process quite serious. leave the rest to God,” Francois said.

Francois looks like any baseball cois said. while he sits incoach ready to go into battle with an Francois received his first pros- side his truck opponent. He wears his number 42 thetic leg on May 23, and right away before every visit jersey in respect of the great Jackie Gene Paré, national and world cham- to a prison or jail.

Robinson, straightens his SRJC base- pion racquetball player, invited him Francois recalls ball cap and shouts words of encour- to play racquetball again. Francois an eye-opening agement to his players. What doesn’t had his doubts, but they would not experience his meet the eye test is the fact that Fran- stop him from trying. After weeks first Christmas cois is an amputee after having sur- of practice he was back on the court here in Santa gery to his right leg in 2001. and the duo beat able-bodied teams Rosa while handHis prosthetic right leg is de- and won a state championship. This ing out food at signed with stickers from his grand- gave Francois confidence in his leg St. Rose Church.

4415 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 to 3317 Chanate Rd, Santa Ros... http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=4415+sonoma+hwy,+santa+rosa,+c... daughter including a big San Fran- and his life.

A man named cisco Giants sticker, an example that Francois’ doctor had warned him David recently Francois has more spirit in a single of a lifelong limp if he didn’t do exer- released from jailDirections to 3317 Chanate Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 prosthetic leg than most people have cises and physical therapy. Francois found himself in4.7 mi – about 12 mins in their entire body. went to work. He strapped weights the real world in A simple pain in the calf for and telephone books on his stump need of aid and Francois after a day of racquetball and lifted them up, did side-to-side asked Francois to was much more complex than it exercises and gradually he found meet his family. appeared. After the usual icing and himself becoming stronger.

With tears resting Francois saw a doctor who What many would see as a di- rolling out of his informed him his pedal pulse nerve saster, Francois viewed as a blessing eyes, Francois in his foot could not be found. Clot- in his life. He credits his prosthetic recollects how he ting had occurred from his knee leg for opening many doors for him, was honored as down, and the next seven months changing his life forever. One may David said, “This would result in 12 surgeries using lose an arm or a leg, but Francois is the man that cadaver veins, donor veins and syn- notices that an amputated soul is the brought me to * * NEW LOCATION * * thetic veins. They all ended in failure. worst thing to lose. the Lord.” FranA man full of adventure and opti“Through hard work and perse- cois simply let New mism found himself in an unknown verance, anything can happen. You David know that Location place. He popped vicodin like candy to can move mountains if you put your he and the Holy Come visit us at our spacious ease the pain, he was in a wheelchair mind to it,” Francois said.

Spirit had done and newly renovated health and found himself exhausted and deOne door that opened for Fran- that, and he was center located at 3317 Chanate pressed. That’s when he realized there cois would have been an historical just the Lord’s was something more to his life.

Road, #2C in Santa Rosa. and honorable event for any man messenger.

“I prayed to Jesus to put me in the or woman from the United States.

After a life full direction he wants. I didn’t ask him to While working security at the Xilinx of adventures and For additional information or save my leg, but I knew that there was company, Francois was nominated careers, Francois to make an appointment call: more in life for me and I wanted him to to hold the Olympic torch during the is now living his show me the direction,” Francois said. dream as a base707.537.1171 2002 Winter Olympics.

The time had come to permaFrancois was baffled, but honored ball coach. He nently handle the pain of disappoint- that his co-workers felt that he ex- worked in the Directions from previous ing surgeries and finally amputate emplified the Olympic spirit and was meat business clinic location Francois’ right leg. After a night of one of 200,000 nominees looking to for 38 years, was prayer, the spiritual man woke up be one of 11,500 torch holders. He also a police ofon March 25, 2001 with a calmness beat the odds and two months later ficer in the town and peace he had never before expe- he was notified he would be repre- of Campbell for rienced. An hour and a half later, he senting the Olympic spirit. Francois 33 years and *Call to see if you qualify looked down and it was simply gone.

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