Oak leaf Fall 2017 issue 2

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Volume cxxxviii Issue 2

November 13, 2017

January 28, 2013

News

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the oak leaf

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Hungry as a Bear Cub

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News

November 13, 2017

SRJC coach suspected in DUI murder Albert Gregory Managing Editor Editors-in-Chief

Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University communities reacted with disbelief to the news that Section Editors an SRJC football coach killed a 21-yearManaging Editor | Albert Gregory old SSU student in a drunk-driving A&E Editor | Ali Benzerara incident Nov. 6.

Deputy A&E Editor | Jett Williams “We’re all just in shock right now.

Co-Features Editor | Amoura Deering So many people are grieving right Co-Features Editor | Michael Barnes now for different reasons,” said SRJC News Editor | Brandon McCapes head football coach Lenny Wagner.

Opinion Editor | Grant Wetmore Sports Editor | Albert Gregory “Everybody involved needs prayers— Editorial Cartoonist | Rachel Edelstein the girl, her family, Logo and his family.

Multimedia Editor | Devin Schwarz It’s just tragic in every direction.”

Social Media Editor | Meghan Buckman California Highway Patrol booked Web Editor | Rachel Edelstein Logologoa “Logo” Tevaseu, 35, into the Sonoma County Jail Nov. 6 on Staff Writers two charges of drunk driving and Ian Crory, Chelsea Wood, suspicion of murder after he crossed Anthony Rea, Roberta MacIntyre, into oncoming traffic and drove head Terry Meunruakham, Charlotte on into SSU junior Paulette Quiba’s Maxwell, Lenita Marie Johnson, Jose Gonzalez, Matthew Wreden, Reina sedan on Lakeville Highway. She died Underwood on the scene.

“It’s a tragic situation, it’s a terrible Photographers situation, it’s a very sad situation,” said Photo Editor | Dakota McGranahan Ellen Maremont Silver, director of communications and marketing for Layout Team Santa Rosa Junior College.

Devin Schwarz, Dakota McGranahan, According to the CHP, Tevaseu was section editors and editors-in-chief driving drunk southbound on Lakeville Highway and was allegedly passing other southbound vehicles when his 2006 Dodge Ram pickup collided with Paulette Quiba’s northbound 2015 Toyota Corolla.

When the truck collided with Quiba, it caused three other vehicles to crash Newsroom: 707-527-4401 and sandwiched her between two of Ads Office: 707-527-4254 them with her still inside.

Advisor: Anne Belden: 707-527-4867 Officers, paramedics and firefighters abelden@santarosa.edu arrived on the scene, and CHP closed Lakeville Highway at Highway 37 Peer Assisted Learning Specialist and Old Lakeville Road. Paramedics Devin Schwarz transported three people to Memorial EMAIL Hospital to be treated for moderate oakleafstaff@gmail.com injuries.

Tevaseu was denied bail and remains Advertising Manager in custody. He appeared in court Ashley Sennette Wednesday before Judge Robert Laoakleaf-ads@santarosa.edu Forge and postponed entering a plea.

His next court date is Nov. 14.

Tevaseu’s drunk driving conviction LETTERS TO THE EDITOR in 2012 in Sonoma County led to the We appreciate your feedback. Send letmurder charge rather than the lesser ters to oakleafstaff@gmail.com charge—manslaughter. or to the Oak Leaf office. Letters “We believe in redemption at this should include first and last name and college.

There are so many people who be limited to 300 words. Letter may have had a tough time and at some be edited for style, length, clarity and point or another made a mistake,” taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

Maremont Silver said of the 2012 arrest. “If we didn’t hire anybody like that, we would really not be living up to our values of compassion and believing that people can learn and that they can turn their lives around.”

Santa Rosa Junior College is conducting an internal investigation of this incident and has advised all faculty, Check out our website: including the football team, not to www.theoakleafnews.com speak to the press at this time.

“This was a tragic accident, and our In 2017 we decided to hearts go out to the families affected by it,” said Dr. Frank Chong, supertransition ourselves into intendent and president of SRJC. the modern era by expand“SRJC is treating this as a confidential ing our online content and personnel matter.” pulling back on our print Quiba, a business major in her junior production. Eventually the year, moved with her family 10 years Oak Leaf will become an ago from the Philippines to Oakley, online-only publication.

Calif., where she attended Freedom This exclusive, digital conHigh School. She moved away from tent can be found daily at home to attend Sonoma State Uniwww.theoakleafnews.com versity in 2015.

“She was a very nice and caring person,” said Megan Backs, an SSU James Wyatt and Ali Benzerara

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student and Quiba’s roommate in 2016.

“Very hardworking, motivated and a wonderful student. She was also super friendly.”

Her sister, Phoebe Quiba, wants anyone with a sibling to make the most of their time together.

“You guys have the same heart. You came from the same womb; you were made by the same people,” Phoebe Quiba said.

Quiba was a member of the Accounting Forum, the Filipino American Association and Join Us Making Progress, her sister said.

“She was good to everyone, and you see that with the people she surrounds herself with,” Phoebe Quiba said. “She was like a magnet. People really identify with her and she’s easy going.”

She was a member of Phi Sigma Sigma at SSU and her goal was to be an accountant after college. Last summer, she worked as an intern with PwC Audit Services in San Francisco and the company offered her a job, Phoebe Quiba said.

An outpouring of affection has flooded Quiba’s Facebook page, including many SSU students.

“She seemed like a great person who was always smiling,” said Grace Ingrebretson, Sonoma State first-year student. “Every time I talked to her she was super sweet and friendly. She had a contagious smile.”

Her sister is trying to remember all the good times they shared like growing Top: Courtesy of Tom Rivas Bottom: Courtesy of Annemarie nucup photography up singing and dancing in their living Santa Rosa Junior College assistant football coach and outreach coordinator Logologoa room and Paulette’s love of Christmas. “Logo” Tevaseu (top) is suspected of murder in the DUI death of SSU junior Paulette “It could be the day after New Years Quiba (bottom), who was killed on her way home from a family celebration. day and she’ll start counting down until Christmas and then start watching decisions in life and in particular the to train faculty members and get the Hallmark channel,” Phoebe Quiba way we carry ourselves as young men.” them in shape. He also coached other said. “Everything positive you could Wagner met Tevaseu in 1999 at the youth sports, including his 11-year-old associate with her I do, and that’s why group home where Tevaseu was living daughter’s soccer team. when I see something happy nowadays in Boonville.

Wagner said Tevaseu was like a like people laughing, dancing, “The two years I was head coach at son to him but he needs to be held singing—I think about her.”

Mendocino College, we would go over accountable for his actions.

There is no known report of Tevaseu to the group home two or three times a “It’s hard man, because he did having a drinking problem and many year,” Wagner said. “We got to know all something really bad,” Wagner said. who worked with him on a regular kids there really well, and over the years “There’s a fine line between saying this basis have expressed shock at his we’ve had a handful of kids from that guy is a really good person but also then involvement in this incident. same group home come play for us.” offending the victim’s family and not “When I met Logo, he seemed very Wagner left Mendocino for SRJC being sympathetic for them. Of course responsible and he loved what he was the next year and recruited Tevaseu to I wanted to advocate for him, but at no doing,” said Tom Rivas, recruitment come play for him. point do I ever want to seem that any of videographer for SRJC football. “I “It would be like if you took one of us are insensitive to what’s happening wouldn’t have even thought that he did our really good players and put him with the family that was affected.” drink because he was in a 10-year-old’s Phoebe Quiba is not thinking about so professional on Pop Warner game,” what punishment Tevaseu deserves but and off the field.”

Wagner said. “That’s at the moment is staying neutral.

“Everybody involved what his game “I don’t have anger in my heart. I The college hired Tevaseu as an looked like in high don’t have hate in my heart for this guy,” needs prayers—the assistant football school.”

Phoebe Quiba said. “To me he didn’t girl, her family, coach and to work Tevaseu played even exist up until the moment that full time in the Logo and his family. football for two he took my sister’s life. I don’t have to financial aid office seasons for the wish badly upon him. It doesn’t change It’s just tragic in in 2015. He was Bear Cubs. He was anything so whatever he gets is what he recently given the an All-Conference he deserves.” every direction.” position of outreach linebacker and then She is using the lesson her sister coordinator for the trans-ferred to Texas taught her and emulating the way -Lenny Wagner, SRJC college where he Christian University Paulette lived her life. head football coach brings SRJC athletes in 2003.

“My sister is the most forgiving, to high schools, He returned most loving person that I know and continuation schools in 2015 to coach this is her influence on me,” Phoebe and elementary defensive line along Quiba said. “I don’t want to say he schools to try to boost SRJC enrollment. with his younger brother, former NFL deserves to spend the rest of his time His annual salary is $51, 936 plus a defensive lineman Martin Tevaseu. in prison, but I just hope he learned small stipend for coaching, according “For him to be back coaching with from this.” to Maremont Silver. me, it was like the ultimate compliment Phoebe Quiba is also urging “He was always positive and brought and ultimate pleasure. It was like one of everyone to not take you loved ones an energy that could only be matched your boys coming home,” Wagner said. for granted. by his partner in crime, Coach Martin,” Besides coaching and his work in “Losing a sibling is a feeling that said former SRJC running back outreach and financial aid, Tevaseu was compares to absolutely nothing,” she Ja’narrick James. “I was heartbroken also elected as the classified staff vice said. “I just want people to really make to see what had happened because he president, where he was involved in the the most out of their time they have was always really hard on us about our presidential fit campaign—a program with family because you never know.”

News

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SRJC police fail to inform community of sexual battery Chelsea Wood & Brandon McCapes Staff Writer & News Editor The first Friday back on campus from the North Bay fires, a female student reported she was sexually assaulted in a vacant Santa Rosa Junior College campus stairwell, an incident authorities failed to report through Nixle and the campus alert system for two weeks.

The student reported the Maggini Hall assault to police around 9 a.m. on Oct. 27.

“When she reached the second floor landing, an unknown suspect came from behind her, grabbed her around the waist and groped her groin area outside her clothing,” according to an SRJC District Police Department statement on the incident.

The victim screamed and pulled herself away from the suspect, who let go and ran down the staircase towards the first floor of Maggini Hall. Police reported no one else was present at the time and no one witnessed the assault.

The suspect remains at large and is reported to be a Latino male approximately 25 years old, 5-foot 7-inches in height, with a medium-to-thick body size, wearing a washed-out blue hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

Although the incident was reported shortly after it occurred, police failed to inform the SRJC community until Nov. 8.

SRJC Police Chief Lorenzo Duenas initially told campus staff members through campus email the incident was reported through Nixle. In a later email,

Staff Writer

James Wyatt/ Oak Leaf

Though an Santa Rosa Junior College student reports whe was sexually assaulted in this Maggini Hall stairwell on Oct. 27, police did not realease a Nixle alert of the incident until two weeks later.

Duenas reported there was an error with the alert system.

“During this case, the incident/report was written and the investigation began immediately,” Duenas said.

“Because of the wildfires, many of us were present on campus and managing a multitude of tasks during this time in the end,” he said. “During the initial report, there was a reporting error and this incident did not come to the attention of management until Nov. 8.”

Duenas is investigating why the incident was not sent out immediately to alert

students and staff on campus.

“I think they should have let people know because that’s a potential danger to other women or anybody,” SRJC student Meea McMath, 19, said. “It makes me feel unsafe.”

The SRJC District Police Department emphasized the need for caution and vigilance when walking alone on campus.

Although this incident occurred in broad daylight, it is especially important to exercise caution at night.

Students and staff who feel unsafe and want a police escort while on campus are encouraged to call 707-527-1000.

SGA addresses absences, resignation News Editor

UndocuFund ayuda a personas indocumentadas Jose Gonzalez

Quorum breaks: Brandon McCapes

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an office, computer, phone and parking space.

Before SGA lost quorum, a business item regarding a leadership conference divided the student representatives. The week-long conference in San Rafael would cost SGA $1500 to send three members in June, after their terms have ended.

Adviser Hilleary Zarate said the conference was an opportunity for representatives to develop leadership skills, and while some SGA members expressed interest, others expressed concern.

“If we sent three people who are never coming back to this campus, the students on this campus are never going to see the benefits of this leadership conference,” Vice President of Committees Robert Martinez said.

Attendees voted to postpone the item until next week when more voting members may be present.

A motion passed to approve $250 for a

fire-relief event, and Pinaula said the clubs may donate another $1000.

University of California, Berkeley expressed interest in collaborating and donating funds for the fire-relief efforts. Vice President of Student Life Dori Elder said UC Berkeley’s contributions were very important because student organizations have been unable to raise funds following the fires.

“We need this so bad right now,” Elder said.

“They can’t fundraise right now because our community is stretched so thin. This is what our SGA does; we help our community.”

Student Trustee Sabrina Rawson issued a letter of resignation declaring she will resign from office Dec. 15 of this year. Navarro appointed herself to serve as one of two students who will choose a replacement for Rawson in the interest of expediency.

Lack of attendance once again broke quorum Nov. 6 after the attending Student Government Assembly (SGA) members discussed a resignation and the problem of chronic absences.

Only seven of 13 SGA members were present at the meeting, meaning the departure of any one would break quorum. At one point in the meeting, a member excused himself to the bathroom, temporarily breaking quorum. This sparked comments by President Evelyn Navarro.

“We lost quorum in the middle of this, halfway through,” Navarro said. “We’re losing a bunch of our folks and that’s kind of been happening lately.

Just keep that in mind.”

The regularly scheduled two-hour meeting was cancelled after quorum was broken permanently an hour into the meeting.

“I really appreciate everyone on SGA and I really Alaran (1 late) think highly of them,” Inter-Club Council Chair Koberle (3 unexcused) Joshua Pinaula said. “It’s not anything personal, Starr (1 unexcused, 1 late) but we should start disappointing people for the Gutierrez (1 late) sake of getting to business.”

According to Pinaula, SGA members are Rose (1 unexcused) expected to attend all meetings, although Carrillo (1 unexcused, 1 late) some allowances are acceptable for students with conflicting class schedules. Absences Diarrassouba (1 left early) can be excused by Navarro, however, excused Sansome absences do not change the attendance Zhang requirements for quorum.

Although SGA records absences, late arrivals Pinaula (1 late) and early departures, observations of five fall Elder meetings show late arrivals and early departures Martinez are not always recorded.

Student representatives opting for the Public Navarro Service Fellowship Program stipend receive $600 per semester and must attend all meetings, in Devin Schwarz / Oak Leaf addition to other requirements, although who Attendance of SGA members expressed by percentages, reflecting absences (excused or otherwise), late arrivals gets the fund is kept private. All members receive and early departures. The data, collected internally by SGA, under-represents late arrivals and early departures.

En respuesta a la destrucción que los incendios de North Bay que causaron a la comunidad de inmigrantes indocumentados, el programa UndocuFund comenzó a recaudar fondos para ayudar a las víctimas del incendio que no son representadas y que no pueden recibir ayuda federal.

Se estima que 38,500 inmigrantes indocumentados viven en el Condado de Sonoma y aquellos que sufrieron pérdidas en el desastre natural el mes pasado no califican para recibir asistencia de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) debido a su estado migratorio.

UndocuFund es una organización sin fines de lucro que brinda asistencia a residentes indocumentados del Condado de Sonoma afectados por los incendios forestales.

El fondo ayudará a las familias con viviendas temporales, reparaciones del hogar, alquiler, comestibles, artículos esenciales para el hogar, artículos de limpieza, gastos médicos y dentales, herramientas y útiles escolares.

El coordinador del programa Omar Medina, de 38 años, dijo que su organización también proporcionará materiales educativos a los estudiantes indocumentados de SRJC. Las personas que viven en el Condado de Sonoma con dominio limitado del inglés y temor a la deportación se muestran reacios a buscar ayuda.

En algunos casos, los inmigrantes evacuados se negaron a ingresar a los refugios por temor a la deportación, dijo el Sheriff Rob Giordano.

“Queremos asegurarnos de que las personas presenten la solicitud, “dijo Medina. “Queremos que sepan que no tengan miedo de venir y presentar una solicitud porque no estamos trabajando con ninguna agencia del gobierno.”

La organización tiene como objetivo recaudar $5 millones para las familias indocumentadas y hasta ahora ha recaudado casi $1 millón de más de 4,000 donantes. A partir del 11 de noviembre, UndocuFund había recibido más de 100 solicitudes de asistencia financiera.

Laith Ocean, de 20 años, es una estudiante del colegio de Santa Rosa que esta involucrado con UndocuFund.“En cuanto a mi rol, el centro Graton Day Labor es el patrocinador fiscal NBIYU (Unión Juvenil Inmigrante de North Bay) por lo que aceptan nuestras subvenciones porque no tienen fines de lucro y son de base,”dijo Ocean.“Junto con la Alianza de Justicia de la Juventud Inmigrante de California (CIYJA) recaudamos alrededor de $22,000 para ellos y conectamos a las personas indocumentadas con el fondo.”

El proceso de solicitud de una semana de UndocuFund utiliza un formulario de admisión simple, que se completa en las clínicas de solicitud con la ayuda de organizaciones asociadas de la comunidad. Los socios de la comunidad incluyen: Corazón Healdsburg, Defensa y Servicios Vitales de Defensa de Inmigrantes (VIDAS) y el Condado de Los Cien Sonoma.

Según el sitio web de la organización,“Al completar un proceso de revisión exhaustivo y la revisión y aprobación final del comité directivo, los fondos se distribuyen a las familias y personas necesitadas de acuerdo con los criterios y directrices establecidos.”

Todo el dinero recaudado se donará a las familias indocumentadas afectadas o desplazadas por el incendio.“El primer cheque que dimos fue para una familia que necesitaba un depósito para una casa nueva,”dijo Medina.“Estamos recaudando dinero para la recuperación a largo plazo. Hasta el momento, estamos buscando voluntarios para que puedan ayudarnos a correr la voz sobre UndocuFund.”

La próxima clínica de aplicación será de 10 a.m. a 3 p.m. el próximo sábado 18 de noviembre en el Centro de Desarrollo Humano de California en 3315 Airway Dr. Se puede encontrar más información sobre UndocuFund en undocufund.org.

Available in English at theoaklefnews.com.

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Fire donations exceed county capacity Roberta MacIntyre Staff Writer

The disaster recovery system, which includes Sonoma County emergency services, law enforcement and volunteer services, was overwhelmed after decision-makers failed to give information on how to donate to fire victims in the days and week’s following last month’s fires.

Sources working in the Sonoma County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said there were problems activating the local Donations Management Plan early in the incident. Sources also said there wasn’t accurate information regarding how donations of clothing and food would be managed.

According to the Bay Area Regional Emergency Coordination Plan’s Donations Management Plan, “Donated goods require significant attention. There are insufficient personnel resources to sort, clean, fix, discard, store, and/or transport donations to those in need and the number of warehouses and centers available to conduct donations and volunteer operations is not adequate.”

A few days into the incident, Red Cross Regional Communications Director Cynthia Shaw said the organization was trying to put a donations management plan together based on prior experiences from Hurricane Irma

in Florida. “We’re very close to having a program,” Shaw said.

According to Brandy Evans, president and CEO of Goodwill’s Redwood Empire Division, it was suggested to send out a message advising individual donors against donating clothing and merchandise right away.

“But the local voices, the true power voices in our community, were afraid of that message,” Evans said. “So what we chose to do instead was to let the donations continue to flow in which created in the end the same problem we knew was going to come.”

According to the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Emergency Coordination Plan’s Donations Management Plan, “Without clear guidance on what, when, and how to donate, the public repeats old patterns, such as bringing used clothing to undesignated sites.”

Without specific direction, wellintentioned individuals started inundating formal and informal shelters with donated food, clothing and toiletries although there was nobody to organize, transport or store it.

“We needed to tell the community to stop,” Evans said. “Even the food bank was saying ‘We’ve got more food than we can handle.’”

“Nobody has the resources to store all that stuff and wait for the

Web Editor and Social Media Editor The number of students seeking mental health services at Santa Rosa Junior College has doubled since last month’s fires, and the administration covered all its bases to successfully prevent mass disenrollment.

Dean of Student Affairs Robert Ethington led the response to make services available to students and encourage them to persevere through the semester following the fires.

“I believe that one contributing factor to the low number of students who dropped because of the fires is the immediate and comprehensive response from SRJC staff,” Ethington said. “We began communicating about all of the support services available to students on Monday, Oct. 9 and continually until classes resumed on Oct. 23.”

Despite over 900 students losing their homes, only 34 students completely withdrew from classes and 89 dropped one or more classes but remained enrolled as of Nov. 8, according to Freyja Pereira, dean of Admissions, Records & Enrollment Management.

Pereira also credits the college’s rapid and far-reaching response for the astounding retention rate.

“SRJC, especially Robert’s team, acted immediately to provide students with the assistance they needed,” she said.

In addition to academic and

Mental Health Therapy Appointments Santa Rosa campus in Plover Hall room 559 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

707-524-1595 Petaluma campus in Call Building room 610 Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

707-778-3919 SRJC Fire Relief Fund

Editor-in-Chief

Albert Gregory/ Oak Leaf

Santa Rosa Junior College provides a space in the basement of the Zumwalt Parking Structure for overflow donations from a Windsor emergency center.

day when somebody comes up and knocks on the door and says ‘OK I’m ready for my four blankets now.’” This point is made clear in the SF Bay Area Regional Emergency Coordination Plan’s Donations Management Plan.

Historically, Goodwill Industries has not been asked to be directly involved with city, county and state emergency planning. “Goodwill is not a first-responder organization,” Evans said. “When these situations arise, the best we can do is try and rally our troops and say, ‘OK where can we provide benefit?’ For my organization here, it really is around the transportation and the storage.”

Goodwill is still fielding phone calls from various organizations including county offices, law enforcement and schools. “We have all this stuff and we don’t know what to do with it and oh, by the way, now it’s starting to rain. It’s all going to get ruined if you don’t come and get it,” Evans said.

After experiences with the North Bay fires and Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, Goodwill is pleading with disaster relief officials to listen to what they can and can’t do and not repeat the same mistakes again. “We simply can’t allow this to happen again,” Evans said.

Wildfire Recovery Support Group Location: Doyle Library 4520 (4 Floor quiet room), Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m.

Santa Rosa Campus: 4017 Race 527-4445 Petaluma Campus: 610 Call Building, 778-3919

CalFresh (Free Food) and Medi-Cal benefits Enrollment: Nov. 1, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2017 Enrollment counselors are available at Student Health Services in Santa Rosa, Race Building.

Call 707-527-4445 for an appointment. Drop-ins provided as available.

Mindfulness Meditation Meetups

In Petaluma, Call Building, Nov. 29 and Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., or call 707-778-3919 for an appointment.

A student health magazine designed for SRJC students. From eating right to overcoming stress, all aspects of health are covered.

Link to Student Health 101: http://santarosa.readsh101.com/

Provides grants for current students, faculty and staff who have lost their $15 Flu Shots homes during the fires. studentlife.santarosa.edu/form/fire-re- For enrolled SRJC students Call for an appointment: lief-fund-student-application

financial counseling, the college has emphasized the availability of oncampus mental health services and referrals to outside providers in an attempt to help students transition back to school.

SRJC student Alex Simms, 21, has taken advantage of free therapy sessions at the Student Health Center after losing her home in the Oct. 8 wildfires.

“Their drop-in hours are really nice to have. I’ve taken advantage of them especially since my classes get out around the time they are open,” Simms said. “I know they have had staff come in from everywhere in the Bay Area just to have their services accessible to as many students as possible.”

Normal responses students suffered after the fires included confusion, intrusive thoughts,

Post-fire clean-up James Wyatt

SRJC fire response prevents drop-outs Rachel Edelstein & Meghan Buckman

November 13, 2017

shock, sorrow, extreme withdrawal, interpersonal conflict and fatigue.

Student Health Services warns that disrupted sleep is the most common and dangerous symptom. Sleep problems can spur a chain reaction of mental health disturbances.

“The most common symptom is losing sleep,” said Susan Quinn, director of Student Health Services. “That’s very problematic for a person’s health because the lack of sleep impacts the ability of your brain to process information and it influences your immune system. Without sleep you just can’t think straight.”

Quinn said that it is difficult to predict if symptoms will lead to further mental health problems, so it’s important students practice selfcare and seek help if they need it.

Santa Rosa campus Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Mi Casa (Garcia Hall, 860) Petaluma campus: Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Intercultural Center (Jacobs Hall, 116) Student Health 101 Magazine

“You have people who didn’t lose things in the fire, but it triggers feelings of loss and anxiety that are just as severe as someone who maybe lost everything,” Quinn said.

Dr. Bert Epstein, Psy. D., assistant director of Student Health Services, said issues around mental health are completely natural following the trauma Sonoma County faced last month.

“It’s very much an expectation and normal process for people to have challenging reactions to loss and trauma,” Epstein said.

However, if disruptive symptoms like lack of sleep persist beyond one month, sufferers should consider seeking resources to help manage these reactions.

More information about mental health services is available at Student Health Services.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed hazardous household waste (HHW) from 83 percent of the fire-destroyed properties in Sonoma County as of Nov. 11; however, toxic ash and erosion threaten to pollute the watershed.

“In the areas where you have wildland fires, the mudslides and debris flows are going to be a big environmental issue that will contaminate our water with sediment,” said Katie Gerber, a Santa Rosa Junior College environmental science and geography instructor.

“While the percentages are high and moving up there’s a lot of work to be done,” said Michael Hornick, media contact for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA leads a coalition of state and federal organizations to clean up Sonoma County that include the EPA, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (COES) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“The consolidated effort is designed to ensure that people remain safe, that the environment is safe and by doing this in a consolidated way, it can actually be done more efficiently,” Hornick said.

Phase one of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program is almost completed and contracted clean-up crews working with the Army Corps of Engineers will transition from removing hazardous household waste to phase two, fire debris removal.

The first part of the clean-up started Oct. 27. The EPA has since surveyed, collected and disposed the hazardous household waste of 7,000 residential and commercial properties.

Hazardous substances are ignitable, toxic, corrosive and reactive. Examples include fertilizers, batteries, antifreeze and propane tanks.

The EPA declared phase one was completed Saturday in Coffey Park.

FEMA is now urging homeowners of fire-destroyed properties to sign up for debris removal by the Nov. 13 deadline.

Signing up will give permission to the coalition of agencies to access private properties and remove waste.

Since winter and rainy season are near, FEMA expressed an interest in completing the cleanup before more rains hit and the potential for sediment pollution increases.

To combat sediment water pollution, cleanup agencies are using a multitude of techniques to protect the 617 threatened waterways in Sonoma County.

Hydroseeding is one common procedure to stabilize slopes from erosion. Gerber says hydroseeding uses a combination of water and some sort of pulp or carbon matter to the help seeds grow and keep soil in place.

To protect waterways from toxic ash runoff and sediment, wattles and other hay bale type filters are being placed near storm drains to reduce pollution.

Robert Dickerson, a CalEPA Engineering Geologist, said his work hours have increased, but his team is responsible for virtually all aspects of the clean-up to ensure the public’s safety.

“We’re going to restore, protect and enhance the environment to ensure public health and environmental quality,” Dickerson said, referring to CalEPA’s mission statement.

Sports

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Bear Cubs finish season strong in OT thriller Matthew Wreden Staff Writer The Bear Cubs football team earned its second win of the year in the final game of the year, 39-32 in overtime against the De Anza College Dons Nov. 11 at Bailey Field, less than a week after a Santa Rosa Junior College coach was arrested for murder.

“I’m very happy with our guys to finish the season with a win,” said SRJC head coach Lenny Wagner.

“We made some plays at the end of the game. I think [Kaylor] Sullivan played a great game.”

A week before the game against De Anza, SRJC defensive line coach Logologoa “Logo” Tevaseu, 35, was arrested for murder following a drunk-driving incident in which he drove head on into Paulette Quiba, a 21-year-old Sonoma State University student near Petaluma.

Despite the tragedy, SRJC maintained focused, sealing its second conference victory of the season.

“We really came together during this game,” said sophomore linebacker Majerie Taugavau. “We had to finish as a family. We did it for our big coach Logo.”

The Dons came out ready by moving down the field with ease on their first drive, but the Bear Cubs’ defense [2-7], [2-2] held them inside the red zone, forcing a field goal.

Five minutes later, freshman

quarterback Kaylor Sullivan found sophomore Matt Hyman wide open on a slant route, scoring the game’s first touchdown and making it 7-3, Bear Cubs.

De Anza opened up the second quarter with a quick score on a touchdown pass, taking back the lead.

“It was a very frustrating game for me,” said SRJC defensive coordinator Dante DePaola. “We hurt ourselves during the entire game and made a lot of mistakes.”

The Bear Cubs found the end zone again three minutes later, making the score 13-10.

With eight minutes left in the half, the De Anza defense forced Sullivan out of the pocket, and he threw an interception to a De Anza defensive lineman who nearly returned it for a touchdown. Moments later, the Dons made them pay with an easy touchdown run.

Sullivan struck again with four minutes left in the half, finding another open receiver for a touchdown.

“Kaylor is just a great guy. We always tell him we got him, he got us,” said freshman center Tariq Adams.

De Anza was not done, squeaking out another touchdown drive bringing the score to 23-20 at the half.

The Bear Cubs received the second-half kick off, and three minutes in, sophomore running back Willie Lepori scored, giving SRJC the 26-23 lead.

Next possesoin, De Anza tied

Albert Gregory/ Oak Leaf

Bear Cubs quarterback Zack Hugh runs for a first down en route to an overtime 39-32 win in the season finale against De Anza College.

the game with a field goal.

With only 19 seconds left in the third quarter, 6-foot, 5-inch freshman wide receiver Seth Vernon used his length to catch a jump ball in the end zone, lifting the score to 32-26, but De Anza answered tying the game 32-32.

After the Bear Cubs defense intercepted a De Anza pass, Sullivan, led the Bear Cubs down near the red zone, but the SRJC

Men’s soccer earn playoff spot with win over Modesto

Matthew Wreden / Oak Leaf

Matthew Wreden Staff Writer Sporadic rains didn’t deter the Santa Rosa Junior College men’s soccer team from earning a playoff spot, with a 3-2 win over Modesto Nov. 11 at Cook’s Cypher Field.

SRJC knew going into this game it was a win-or-go-home situation.

“Guys get in and the nerves start to get going,” said assistant coach Matt Barbetz. “You have to read the situation and react.”

The game started with all momentum going towards Modesto, with the first goal in the seventh minute. Later in the first half, Modesto scored again in the 37th minute, making it 2-0.

“We came into the first half playing

really tight,” Barbetz said. “Once we got to halftime we were able to talk to the boys and start making adjustments.

We wanted to come out playing a lot more loose in the second half.”

The Bear Cubs came out a different team the second half, scoring two minutes in. Freshman Ian Sanders found the ball inside the box and scored.

“The message was clear at halftime.

It was a reality check,” Barbetz said.

“The biggest adjustments we made were putting Sanders and Purewal in.”

Three minutes later, freshman Adrian Garcia found a goal off an assist from freshman Owen McCabe.

The Bear Cubs scored two unanswered goals in the first six minutes of the half.

Just seconds later, Modesto sophomore Jesus Velazquez stole the ball and made SRJC pay with a ridiculous left-footed goal from 30-yards-away, making it 3-2 SRJC. The Bear Cubs next game is still to be determined. The first round of the playoffs will begin Nov. 18.

32 overtime victory for the Bear Cubs.

This team has had to overcome a lot this season but got to finish on a strong note with its first conference win.

“I don’t think it had a big impact on the game,” Wagner said. “Especially for the guys that went out and played today.”

With the high turnover rate, the Bear Cubs look to build on this rough year with the hope that this year’s freshman will step up in January, come training camp.

Blockbuster trades stun NFL Anthony Rea Staff Writer

Opinion

The Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs men’s soccer team sealed a playoff berth with a narrow victory over the Modesto College Pirates Nov. 11 in Santa Rosa.

sophomore kicker Matt Thompson whiffed as he missed the would-be game-winning field goal.

The game went into overtime tied 32-32.

The Bear Cubs got first possession in overtime and scored quickly, making it 39-32.

When it came to fourth down on the ensuing possession, De Anza had one last chance to stay alive, but couldn’t find the first down line, sealing a 39-

Well you guessed it: this year’s trade deadline was insane. It has been one of biggest up-and-down years in the NFL. Star athletes are dropping like flies with injuries, and players who are usually fantasy studs have been fantasy duds heading up to the trade deadline.

The first trade bomb dropped when the New England Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick in the 2018 draft.

This was shocking because the Patriots traded third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Colts at the beginning of the season.

Now, with Jimmy Garoppolo gone, the Patriots have put all their eggs in one basket; even though they did sign Brian Hoyer to back up Brady. The general consensus is the Pats don’t plan on keeping Hoyer as their franchise quarterback when Brady retires. I’m not sure what the Patriots plans are, but for now Tom Brady is holding it down.

As for the Niners, they are going to have to resign or franchise-tag Garoppolo due to his impending free agency after this season. They don’t plan on playing him this season because there isn’t a point.

They are 1-8, have no weapons and no playoff aspirations. Hopefully they get some weapons for him in this upcoming draft or else it will hurt Garoppolo’s development.

Speaking of weapons, another blockbuster trade occurred when the

Carolina Panthers traded Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills for their third and seventh-round 2018 draft picks.

This is another surprising trade because the Panthers don’t have many wide receivers for Cam Newton. I don’t know how they will do with the absence of Benjamin.

The Bills on the other hand are getting a big, physical receiver who sometimes costs quarterbacks a few interceptions, but who will also make some unbelievable touchdown catches.

It’ll be nice for the Bills to finally have Benjamin, who currently has 32 catches, 475 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a lot better than the Bills No. 1 receiver Jordan Matthews, who has 21 catches, 239 yards and one touchdown.

With the addition of Benjamin, hopefully the Bills will throw the ball more and climb up for 29th ranking in passing yards. To do that, they need to improve their 31st ranking in passing attempts and trust their quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who’s proven he can get it done without committing many turnovers.

The Jay-Ajayi trade was the most lopsided of the deadline. The Eagles traded away a fourth-round 2018 draft pick to the Dolphins in exchange for the Pro Bowl running back. I can’t believe the Dolphins think Ajayi is worth a fourth-round pick. I understand you can find a running back anywhere, but there aren’t many running backs with back-to-back 200-yard games who finished third in rushing last season.

I’m sure he is a happy camper because he was a superstar running back with a below-average Dolphins’

offensive line. Now he gets to go to a much better offensive line on the Philadelphia Eagles. Ajayi will be more motivated, running for real purpose—a shot at the Super Bowl.

If this trade works out anything like the Adrian Peterson deal Philly fans will be pleased. The New Orleans Saints traded Peterson to the Arizona Cardinals, and in his first game with the Cardinals he had 26 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

In Ajayi’s first game with the Eagles, he was featured in a small role, but was quick to make use of his 77 yards and one touchdown.

That’s already an improvement from the 3.1 yards he was averaging per carry with the Dolphins.

Now, you can’t talk about running backs without talking about the offensive line, and the Seattle Seahawks woke up and finally traded their third-round 2018 and second-round 2019 draft picks for left tackle Duane Brown. This is huge for Seattle, which can now finally protect their most valuable player, Russell Wilson.

Take a look at the numbers for Seattle’s offensive line. According to profootballfocus.com, Seattle’s line ranks 19th in pass protection, has allowed Russell to be pressured 42.6 percent of his drop backs and is second highest in the NFL. Both of Seattle’s tackles are ranked in the top 50 in their respective positions.

With Brown, you’re getting a tackle who has only allowed one sack in the past 428 pass attempts.

This move could shore up Seattle’s offense and take that next step back to the Super Bowl.

6

Features

November 13, 2017

Millenials bring marijuana to mainstream Chelsea Wood

Staff Writer With the expansion of legalized marijuana throughout the nation comes the challenge of making cannabis more acceptable in a society that has long been against drugs.

In the 2016 election, seven states legalized either recreational or medicinal cannabis.

California was among those states to legalize recreational marijuana with the passing of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which allows people 21 and older to purchase regulated cannabis from licensed dispensaries.

Along with legalization comes the dismantling of cannabis’ stigma, mostly lead by the nation’s young adults, including Santa Rosa Junior College students.

In a 40-year long study on drug use in “Monitoring the Future,” published by the University of Michigan, data shows that marijuana consumption among people in their 20s is on the rise, while the use of illegal drugs like cocaine and amphetamines is on a decline in comparison to people in their 40s and 50s.

Marijuana users often won’t reveal their use because it’s more acceptable to have a drink than to light up. Fear of judgment and repercussions at work also motivate some to keep their usage private.

It bothers some students that cannabis is still less socially acceptable than alcohol.

“I have friends who smoke weed everyday, all day and they are some of the most successful people I know,” said Juana Nunez, 21, a Santa Rosa Junior College student and former cannabis smoker.

Nunez used cannabis to help soothe anxiety and depression as well as to relax and sleep but stopped in March. She initially slowed her intake to curb her tolerance.

Since her medical marijuana recommendation expired, she quit smoking altogether. “I will go back to smoking when it becomes recreational in 2018, but only CBD to help with my anxiety and pain,” Nunez said.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the non-psychoactive element found in cannabis that can be used for pain relief, anxiety and more. The more popular side of cannabis is

tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, which is the psychoactive element of the plant.

The human frontal lobe is not completely developed until the mid20s. So consuming cannabis regularly can have detrimental effects on cognition, which controls aspects like intuition, judgment, emotions and problem solving.

Contrary to marijuana user stereotypes, Nunez did not see a negative impact on her ability to perform in school and has maintained a 3.3 GPA as of last spring.

Cannabis can also have beneficial effects on reducing body pain.

At a young age, Cassie Beltran, 23, a kinesiology major at SRJC, was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder(ADHD) and anxiety.

She was prescribed countless pharmaceutical drugs that left her feeling like a shell of herself.

After obtaining a medical marijuana card, she felt like she could finally alleviate her symptoms safely without the side effects of prescription drugs.

Beltran is a 15-year Kempo Ju Jitsu athlete who also has four and a half years of Judo experience. These hobbies have led to her fair share of

Courtesy of Chelsea Woods Chelsea Woods / Oak Leaf

Marijuana plant during its flowering stage. It will soon be harvested and trimmed.

injuries, including a broken spine and subluxed shoulders.

Cannabis not only helps with her ADHD and anxiety, but also with the physical pain she has endured.

“It’s great after a hard training

Canevari’s off-menu special

session when my body is bruised and sore,” Beltran said.

Cannabis, a staple drug in college culture, not only relieves anxiety symptoms but can also ease stress levels.

Continues on page 7...

Michael Barnes

Co-Features Editor It’s Friday at Canevari’s Deli, which means it’s Italian cheesesteak day. Canevari’s cheesesteak is a construction of gooey cheese, finely sliced beef and fresh peppers. It’s one of the best sandwiches in Santa Rosa, and it’s only available on Fridays.

Canevari’s offers another special on Fridays, something off the menu; a trio of ingredients not found behind the deli counter, rather they are found outside the venerable Italian eatery and go by the names of Asher Cairo, Chadwick Tatum and simply, O.G. Collectively, they’re the sign spinning superstars strutting their stuff up and down Lewis Road and Mendocino Avenue.

Cairo, 26, is a unique entertainer with an eccentric flair. Tatum, 30, lives with Down syndrome and O.G., 40, is a recovering addict. The trio uses these aspects of their personal lives to create the most entertaining and effective sign-spinning trifecta in Sonoma County.

Cairo has been spinning signs for a few years now.

“I used to be a dancing pickle and then I was a dancing cow,” Cairo said.

For Cairo, spinning signs is more than just a fun way to earn some quick cash, it’s a way of life.

“What I do is a job and I’m passionate about it. I get applauses and some tips, and sometimes I get flashes,” Cairo said. “Most people tell me, ‘you’re not going to be a sign spinner all your life,’ but if you enjoy what you do then why not take that chance?”

Cairo has an affinity for music and

dancing, two passions he utilizes to his benefit when sign spinning: “I can express myself and bring a smile to people’s faces,” he said. “I usually do a spin or pretend like I’m walking to the store with a bag.”

Cairo’s choice of music when doing his job consists of “Cher, Madonna and pretty much anything ‘80s.”

For Tatum, his musical choices are Michael Jackson on his CD Player and Adele on his iPod, the latter serving as a backup when the former runs out of battery.

His reasoning for spinning signs is simple.

“I like being loud,” Tatum said.

Living with Down syndrome limits a person’s options when entering the workforce, but Tatum isn’t allowing the diagnosis to prevent him from earning a living.

“I do this for five hours a day and four days a week I work at Amy’s Drive-Thru, cleaning the lobby and taking out the trash.”

Despite his disability, Tatum has career aspirations that go beyond spinning signs and taking out the trash. “I want to be a wine taster, jiggling the glass around and slurping the wine. That’d be really cool,” Tatum said.

O.G. is the veteran of the group, a recovering addict who will tell you he’s been sober for a year and 223 days, to be exact.

“I’m even off the mouthwash,” O.G. said.

O.G. has been spinning signs for more than 20 years.

Michael Barnes / Oak Leaf

O.G. is one of three long-term sign spinners who can be found outside Santa Rosa’s venerable Canevari’s Deli on Fridays.

“I started in like ‘93 or ’94,” O.G. said.

He admits living as a sober sign spinner isn’t easy, but it is rewarding.

“Sobriety is a bitch. It get’s boring, but I like getting out here and bringing positivity to people who are having sh***y or f****d up days,” he said.

His positivity hasn’t touched everyone he’s attempted to reach.

Canevari’s was the recipient of an angry tirade by one passerby who noticed O.G. one day.

“We had someone call us and tell us: ‘This is 2017. You should not have a black man spinning signs. Are you selling chicken and watermelon?

You should have him do something worthwhile,’” said Canevari’s manager, Vincenzo Chambrone.

“Some people just don’t understand.

They look at our sign spinners and think we subject them to standing out in the heat for little pay, but they came to us because it’s something they love doing.”

Owner Lou Chambrone, whose heart is as full as one of his homemade raviolis, took on the gamble of employing the unique personalities.

“They are the only advertising I do,” Lou Chambrone said. “They came in right off the street looking for work.

They don’t get a whole lot of breaks in life, so I’m happy to help.”

Chambrone’s decision to employ the three sign spinners right off the street raised some concerns.

“At first I was pessimistic about it, but there are people who come in every Friday because of the sign spinners,” Vincenzo Chambrone said.

The sign spinners not only provide a boost for the business, they provide a boost for customers as well.

“I get calls from people saying our sign spinners put a smile on their face and made their day,” Vincenzo said.

The novelty of employing sign spinners to promote a business or spread the word on a particular issue is nothing new; the practice dates back to 19th century London where citizens took to the streets to protest taxes.

Charles Dickens even once described those advertising with signs as “a piece of human flesh between two slices of pasteboard.”

The men spinning signs for

Canevari’s Deli are far more than simply flesh and bone. They are complex individuals providing valid contributions to the world around them, despite often being dismissed as nothing more than a human billboard.

Much like the old-world style, family-owned Italian delicatessen that is Canevari’s, the art of sign spinning is a novelty that appears to be in short supply in the modern age.

Regarded as relics of past generations, antiquated institutions in dire need of upgrades by future generations in the digital age.

However, like the mouthwatering sandwiches, pastas and raviolis found in Canevari’s Deli, the talents of Cairo, Tatum and O.G. prove that there’s always a place in this world for a deli that can serve up a savory, homemade, Italian cold cut and a person who can serve up a unique and stylized sign spinning routine to go with it.

Canevari’s Deli, located at 695 Lewis Road in Santa Rosa, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Features

www.theoakleafnews.com

7

Trimmigrants Workers return for seasonal jobs Chelsea Wood Staff Writer As fall continues, you’re bound to see more hitchhikers waiting with outstretched thumbs at freeway entrances headed north in search of harvest work. Many are young adults with a lust for green of both kinds.

One plant in particular draws people from all over the globe to three counties in Northern California known as the Emerald Triangle; Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity.

Every fall, hundreds of seasonal workers traverse to these counties hoping to gain jobs in a budding industry as seasonal cannabis trimmers.

It may seem like an unconventional job to some, but many desire it for the high pay, sense of adventure and love of marijuana.

The process of trimming includes pruning dried cannabis stalks of the non-psychoactive leaves to reveal THC-encrusted marijuana buds.

For locals and college students in the Emerald Triangle, this work can help make ends meet.

Trimming was a gratifying source of income for former Santa Rosa Junior College and Humboldt State University student, Joey, 26, of Santa Rosa, who did not want his last name used, because he earned money doing something he’s passionate about.

For five fall harvests, Joey made his way into the forested hills hidden within the Emerald Triangle to trim for local growers.

“I lived in Arcata. It’s a small community and chances are your friend grows,” Joey said.

In the underground world of cannabis production, pay is dependent on how much one can trim. A typical pay rate is roughly $200 per pound of marijuana trimmed. However, in more recent years, $150 is the average for a day’s wage.

In addition to cash payments, some farm coordinators offer food, alcohol, camping land and generous amounts of marijuana to smoke.

“I was lucky enough to see some of the last of the ‘outlawish’ spots. The whole trim scene won’t be the same in another five to 10 years,” Joey said.

Not all aspects of underground cannabis production are as pleasant as the pay and camaraderie.

Trimmigrants often camp outside on grow properties and face weeks of rain or sweltering heat, as well as the wildlife in the area.

“My biggest freak-out was a bear that was right by my hammock eating trash. I thought it might eat me.” Joey said.

No longer bearing the wilderness, he now works in the cannabis industry as a budtender at a local dispensary and credits his knowledge of cannabis and its production to his experience as a trimmer.

To trim legally, most collectives ask for a medical marijuana license.

Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, was passed in 1996 and enables people 18 years and older to purchase medicinal marijuana from licensed dispensaries. After 20 years of medicinal marijuana production under Prop 215, a new resurgence of cultivation regulations have come with the passing of Proposition 64.

Voters passed Prop 64, The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, in 2016. It allows for recreational marijuana use among people 21 and older. With this new expansion and regulation the demand for cannabis-related jobs in this prosperous industry has increased.

Now students can find jobs even closer to home than the Emerald Triangle. For third-year SRJC student and first-year trimmer, Shannon Strawn, 21, work is as close as Penngrove.

“My good family friends own the collective I trim for, I had been babysitting their kids, but they told me I could trim instead if I wanted,” Strawn said.

She works in what she says are safe conditions—in a friendly

Turning a new leaf: Continued from page 6. . .

“I think most students these days treat it like beer,” said Joey, 26, a dispensary worker and cannabis connoisseur. “It’s a way to de-stress after finals or to keep themselves from going crazy with the day-to-day stress.”

Millennial smokers as a whole are on the forefront of a new acceptance movement by creating and partaking in cannabis careers in this expanding industry.

“Millennials hold a majority of cannabis-related jobs these days, Joey said, “I personally don’t work with anyone over 35. Cannabis is giving economic power to millennials.”

Yet, the stigma behind cannabis remains strong among older generations who grew up during the “Reefer Madness” scare from the late

Rachel Edelstein / Oak Leaf

environment where employees are able to converse, listen to music and smoke.

In the regulated sector of cannabis production, trimmers like Strawn average nine-hour weekday shifts with common starting rates of $15 an hour.

For others who are pursuing independent careers, the cannabis industry is a great way to branch out and network.

“Working in the cannabis industry has been a blessing,” said Ariel Aum, 21, a budtender and patient consultant at Redwood Herbal Alliance. “You meet so many great people at the dispensary, it’s definitely a great chance to network and create connections.”

Aum is putting her income from work at this local dispensary towards cosmetology school.

The financial opportunities cannabis offers are endless, not only for the younger generations but also for those who grew up in the cannabis subculture of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

In a predominantly millennialled industry, Patti Silva, 60, an event and office manager at Sonoma Patient Group, began work at this local dispensary after a few harvests.

Silva trimmed for friends in Santa Rosa and Lake County in 2013 and 2014.

While she doesn’t trim anymore, the 40-plus-year cannabis user

Rachel Edelstein / Oak Leaf

found a new passion through the cannabis industry.

Silva was able to carve a path in a new career due to her knowledge of cannabis and previous experience as a trimmer.

“I love my job! It has allowed me to start a new career at the age of 59,” Silva said.

In the recent Northern California wildfires, Silva’s work experienced a financial hit during

a four-day evacuation period and subsequent power outages.

“Business has been slower the past few weeks,” Silva said.

Although the fires caused setbacks to this year’s harvest, the cannabis industry continues to expand.

Countless job opportunities will develop, not only just for millennials, but also for baby boomers who desire to start new careers.

SRJC students break the stigma of marijuana

1930s into the ‘50s, and with those who lived through the “Just Say No” campaign led by First Lady Nancy Reagan in the ‘80s.

For some on campus, there are still concerns about the use of cannabis as a form of medicine.

“I might be a little biased, but I don’t think that it’s good to use in any way,” said SRJC Nurse Practitioner Kit O’Neill-Conover.

O’Neill and her family were impacted by marijuana when her younger brother began smoking at age 12. He later dropped out of high school to begin work with someone who sold cocaine and marijuana.

Eventually, he began making methamphetamine and subsequently spent time in prison.

“I’m sure there are people who can use it recreationally, like alcohol, and

be perfectly safe,” O’Neill said, “I’ve never had anyone come to me saying that they felt like they had a problem.”

The movement toward cannabis acceptance and normalization is also led by colleges, which are historically known to be centers of cultural change. Sonoma State University has plans to expand its cannabis seminars into a complete certificate course.

While SRJC offers plenty of courses that cover the wine industry, and more recently courses in brewing beer, the school still has yet to release courses in cannabis education and production.

“Cannabis is clearly a growing industry. It’s eventually going to happen,” said SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong, in a press conference with The Oak Leaf.

Courtesy of Chelsea Woods Chelsea Woods / Oak Leaf

The booming marijuana industry in California is leading SRJC to explore creating a future certificate program and ignore the negative stigmas connected.

He said the school has discussed plans with Sonoma County Growers Alliance and CannaCraft for a cannabis certificate program.

Despite some pushback from older generations, the stigma

behind cannabis and its users is slowly being dismantled by a new generation of smokers who are leading productive lives and positions in the cannabis industry.

Food insecurity: the worst crisis you can’t see Brandon McCapes News Editor Santa Rosa Junior College running back John Mumphrey’s week isn’t easy.

Mumphrey moved to Santa Rosa from Anaheim to play football for the Bear Cubs last summer and he commits at least 30 hours each week to practice, work-outs, team meetings and games.

That’s in addition to his regular academic work load. Players are required to take on at least 12 units each semester, although most take between 15 and 20.

Mumphrey doesn’t have the time to work and gets by on money he saved during high school. Sometimes this puts him in a situation where he has to choose between paying bills or buying food.

“It’s stressful because I have to worry about more than school and football. I have to worry about eating, too,” Mumphrey said. “You’ve got to take care of yourself and make sure you’re healthy because if you don’t, you’ll start slacking in school and on the field. If I don’t take care of myself, no one else will.”

Mumphrey is one of an estimated 3,500 SRJC students affected by a plight much less visible but more pervasive than wildfires: hunger. According to a University of Wisconsin study of California community colleges, 13 to 14 percent of students face food insecurity, which means their ability to afford food is not consistent or reliable. Students suffering from food insecurity have to prioritize their educational goals and other basic needs over healthy nutrition.

“Sometimes their schedules are so crazy,” said football coach Leonard Wagner. “They’re going from one thing to another without a chance to get food. But I think the challenge for our student athletes is more that they don’t have the money to eat.

They’re trying to live with very little food.”

Wagner’s hands are tied by NJCAA guidelines that prevent him from giving financial assistance to his players, but he tries to connect them with services that are available to all students.

He believes the problem of food insecurity is a wider issue on campus, affecting more than student athletes. “I think it’s pretty severe on our campus,” Wagner said.

Although SRJC has not conducted a scientific survey specific to food insecurity, a third of respondents reported that financial problems and pressures from employment were barriers to staying in college, according to a survey the Office of Institutional Research conducted in 2016.

DeAnna Rogers, head of the Basic Needs Resource Center in Bertolini Hall, works with Student Equity to help give students access to services that may help ease their financial burden.

Providing access to resources is an easy way to decrease food insecurity and increase enrollment retention.

“The cost of living in Sonoma County keeps getting higher and higher,” Rogers said. “It’s not just students but faculty who have to make tough choices when everything is this expensive.”

Rogers worries that as the cost of living in Sonoma County continues to rise, financial pressures will force prospective students to abandon their educational aspirations for the workforce. SRJC has faced a decrease in enrollment in recent years and the full effect of October’s fires on enrollment remains uncertain. Providing more help to students who struggle with food insecurity and meeting other basic needs may be a way to prevent further drops in enrollment, which negatively impact the school’s budget.

As a member of the Black Student Union, Sabrina Rawson provided free meals to student athletes. As student trustee, she has worked with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Student Government Assembly (SGA) to expand food banks on campus.

“If you’re in danger of not being able to pay your bills, there is no way you’re going to be able to afford the books, transportation, tuition and food,” Rawson said. “Food is the most expendable item when it comes to providing for yourself.”

Shannon Deller, 18, is a psychology major struggling with food insecurity. “I choose to pay for rent, my phone bill and bus fare over food. I’m hungry all the time, but I’ve kind of gotten to a place where I’m like, ‘Well, I can’t eat.’” Despite this, Deller and her roommate, nursing major Cat Williams, 20, don’t take advantage of services SRJC or the community offer.

“We go to cheap grocery stores like Grocery Outlet. Our food

“I couldn’t afford food if I didn’t work on a farm.”

Charlotte Maxwell/ Oak Leaf

Vice President of Student Health Services Ryan Sansome helps a student at the Student Government Assembly and Phi Theta Kappa’s Wednesday food bank outside Bertolini Hall. The student organizations are working to institutionalize a food pantry to combat food insecurity on campus.

staples are rice, tortillas, cheese, noodles and cereal,” Williams said. “We’ve been talking about food stamps—we need to get on food stamps.”

Nurse practitioner Cynthia Dickinson tries to get students connected with the many services available to help them cope with food insecurity through SRJC’s Student Health Services.

“I was surprised when I came to the college to find that students had not eaten until 2 p.m. They were coming into the health center feeling pain in their stomachs,” Dickinson said.

“They hadn’t eaten that day because they didn’t have food.

It was mostly towards the end of the month because they were living month-to-month or on some kind of stipend.”

Dickinson said most students are not aware of the benefits they can receive from the state’s CalFresh program, which can provide qualifying applicants with up to $200 each month for food. Only a quarter of students referred see the process to the end. Dickinson also directs students to food banks on campus, including one that her office operates on the Petaluma campus. In addition to the food banks SGA and PTK operate in Santa Rosa, campus food banks serve an estimated 500 students each week.

Student Ambassador Nick Coole said students rely on the food bank he works at in Petaluma. “There were people who came to campus specifically for this,” he said. “We’ve got a few people who are getting food for their entire family for the week.”

Students can find resources for dealing with food insecurity at Student Health Services and the Student Resource Center.

SGA has taken steps to work with clubs and other campus organizations to create a permanent food pantry available to all students throughout the week.

Nursing major Natalie Hernandez, 33, is no stranger to hunger. “I’m a single mom and food insecurity is actually the story of my life,” she said.

She is grateful for SRJC’s resources, including the food banks, but she acknowledged for a lot of people struggling, it is difficult to talk about.

“People are embarrassed and no one knows what you’re going through or what to say or what to do for you,” Hernandez said.

“People get ashamed. But for people who go through it, every little bit helps and is appreciated.”

For former SRJC student Ben Gruey, 29, the sacrifices he made paid off. Gruey was enrolled at SRJC full-time from 2011 to 2014 when he was homeless. He slept on rooftops and dumpster-dived to sustain himself while he pursued his academic goals.

Gruey went on to UC Santa Cruz where he completed

“Honestly, I probably spend 30 to 40 percent of my paycheck on food every two weeks.”

undergraduate degrees in computational mathematics and applied physics. He is currently in a master’s program and plans to go on to complete his Ph.D. “I thought, ‘I can stay in school or support myself with a job,’” Gruey said. “I chose to stay in school because I knew it would get better later on. Staying home and being homeless and not having any food was taking a step forward.”

Gruey didn’t take advantage of services the administration offered due to the stigma attached to asking for help.

Only a handful of peers and instructors knew about Gruey’s situation. “Most of them didn’t know. I think in general the student body around me didn’t know or wouldn’t have guessed,” he said Sophie Ammerman, 18, is a member of PTK and helps out at one of their club-sponsored food banks. She agrees that stigma is a major barrier to helping the food insecure, who may be suffering needlessly.

“I grew up food insecure, and whenever I needed food, I was really embarrassed to ask about it. I totally understand where they’re coming from.”

David Goodman, director of the Redwood Empire Food Bank, which partners with SRJC to provide food distribution on campus, agreed.

“Stigma is the biggest hurdle for everyone. Suddenly you find yourself as an adult and the only way you’re going to get food is if somebody feeds you. Our society, especially these days, has this myth that if you go to school, get a job, and work hard, everything will be OK, but the fact is that’s not true,” Goodman said.

Goodman believes the problem of food insecurity, including the stigma around it, is due to its lack of visibility.

“So many things have led to a person being in the situation where they go hungry. One out of seven people is food insecure, but they’re invisible. Hungry people look like you and me,” he said.

Goodman sees the problem as solvable if institutions like SRJC step up to deal with it. “They could be doing more—I don’t think they’re doing anything right now. You’ve got a couple people helping fellow students out, but that has nothing to do with the JC. You can provide people with nutritious meals for very little.”

Mumphrey is grateful for the food pantries and CalFresh benefits he takes advantage of. Despite the NJCAA’s rules, Mumphrey said he has one more place to go if he needs help.

“Coach Wagner’s doors are always open for us, so that’s another good resource,” Mumphrey said. “He always says, ‘If you need food just come on in.’”

“Some days I’ll only eat once. When the food pantry is open, I’ll go there and get some stuff.”

EDITORIAL

Hunger pangs

Bear Cub stomachs growl for a palatable solution

The administration responded admirably to last month’s wildfires for at least one of the following reasons: it was the right thing to do and/or to prevent mass disenrollment that would devastate the school’s budget. Santa Rosa Junior College was overwhelmingly successful in preventing drop-outs by going above and beyond to provide affected students with everything they needed to stay in school, from food and clothing to mental health services, new textbooks, laptops and cash transfers.

Why can’t a similar, though much cheaper and more costeffective program be implemented to end food insecurity among SRJC students, when it would clearly have a positive effect on student success and enrollment?

When The Oak Leaf began reporting on the opening of a student government food pantry, it immediately became clear that the real story was the invisible crisis of hunger happening all around us.

Food insecurity is difficult to talk about for a number of reasons, but the main reason is its lack of visibility on two fronts. First, a hungry student looks exactly the same as a wellfed student. The aspects of hunger directly related to suffering are similarly less visible. Lack of mental clarity, anxiety over where to get the next meal and tough economic choices, such as dropping out of school to get a second job, aren’t problems your classmates can see.

Secondly, the stigma around not being able to feed oneself prevents the food insecure from asking for help. The lack of discussion around this issue, due to shame and the American “bootstrap” mentality, prevents those in poverty from access to higher education—a tool that can provide a better quality of life.

Food insecurity is an aspect of a larger issue: poverty. We all know how hard it is to make ends meet in Sonoma County.

Rents are high, and with the reduction of housing stock caused by the wildfires, it will be a surprise to see any positive resolution to this problem in the near future.

Sonoma County is booming, however, there are too few good jobs to be had to merit such a high cost of living. Unfortunately, high-paying jobs are only available to those who can wade through the challenges of poverty and receive specialization at an institution like Santa Rosa Junior College.

Food insecurity can be singled out and focused on more easily than other factors of poverty for one reason: it’s extremely solvable. There is enough food—and donated food to boot—for everyone. The problem is distribution: getting surplus food into the mouths of those who need it.

Jose Gonzalez/ Oak Leaf

SRJC is in the midst of a budget crisis due to reduced enrollment rates in recent years. The college needs to focus on removing the barriers of poverty on enrollment by helping alleviate its most fixable element.

We commend the efforts of Phi Theta Kappa and President Evelyn Navarro’s student government for confronting this issue head-on. They hope to institutionalize the food pantry so it won’t be dependent on dedicated students who may soon transfer.

But to institutionalize something, you need an institution. The administration needs to step up as well.

When SRJC President Frank Chong spoke with The Oak Leaf in September, he acknowledged that the issue was severe, but stopped short of taking any responsibility to solve it the way he and his colleagues would with fire-relief efforts.

“To me this is a student leadership project and it shouldn’t be taken over by the administration,” Chong said. “That needs to be a policy issue. Maybe we need more food stamps, maybe we need more public assistance. I don’t want to turn the college into a food bank.”

What happens when you’re hungry?

• Hunger pangs are caused by the walls of your stomach rubbing together when empty.

• Food feeds your entire body, not just your stomach.

Without proper meals, your brain begins to lose power leading to fatigue and loss of focus.

• A hungry body must conserve energy, and the first victims are the kidneys and liver. Their filtration ability is stifled by the lack of food. Incidentally, this is why you get drunk faster on an empty stomach.

These symptoms are temporary and relatively inconsequential when you simply miss a meal, but for food insecure individuals they can cause permanent damage and are a source of constant discomfort.

Dr. Chong, nobody is asking you to. We simply ask you to take responsibility for your students like you so admirably did during and after the fires. Use the college’s political and financial power to help remedy a far-reaching yet unseen plight on campus.

More time and effort can and should be invested to make students aware of services available to them through state and federal assistance programs. Low-cost food resources should also be made available on campus to help ease the financial burden of living in Sonoma County, so current and prospective students alike have the opportunity to pursue their goals of higher education.

Fighting food insecurity is cheap. The SGA gets all its produce for free and pays Redwood Empire Food Bank only 19 cents per pound for dry goods like bread. The college needs a comprehensive food security program.

SRJC has ignored the problem of food insecurity for too long.

It’s time for the school to do something about it. As students, our minds are full but our bellies are empty.

Features Meet the new SRJC faculty

10

November 13, 2017

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John Stover, Sociology

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: In these early days of my new career here at SRJC Petaluma, Q: What is your favorite junk food?

I am focused on developing my students' newfound sociologi- A: Ha! I'll admit I love drumsticks cal imaginations and helping them understand how they can address the racial, social and economic injustices that plague our cultures and communities.

awhile!

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: I was involved in community and musical theater all the way

same! #LiveYourDream

and pizza every once in

Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

A: Do what you love and never give up. I tell my students the Q: How do you relax at home?

A: My partner is a great cook, and we like to have dinner parties

through my undergraduate years, and I dreamed about flying to California and becoming a famous actor.

and play [Settlers of] Catan—nerd alert part two.

Q: What is your best college memory?

A: As an undergraduate I loved the way people from different Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field? racial, ethnic, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds came A: I fell in love with teaching when I saw how much I could

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together to learn from one another. In graduate school—nerd alert—I loved studying in coffee shops with my besties Nori and Sarah.

help students become more socially aware and engaged. I'm so honored to do what I do every day, and I love my time in the classroom.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: I want to continue to inspire and educate student nurses Q: What is your favorite junk food? to be safe professional leaders of our community.

A: Popcorn and McDonald’s ice cream cones are my favorite

Debbie Morikawa, Health Sciences

junk foods.

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: Educating student nurses, which is what I’m doing now, Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received? and my colleagues are very supportive. My dream job as a A: Follow your passion. child was to be a nurse. I used to wear the same outfit our school nurse wore twice a week.

Q: What is your best college memory?

A: My best college memory is becoming friends during my Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with people who formed a group called the Rabble Rousers. We still get together.

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Matthew Martin, English

Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

A: My elementary school nurse inspired me to become nurse someday.

Q: How do you relax at home?

A: I swim and watch Netflix.

a

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Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

A: I hope to help students achieve their goals, create spaces A: If you're going to give so much of your life to something,

for students to publish their work and tell their stories and to make sure it is something you love. contribute to a community focused on big ideas and excellence. SRJC is a really special place, and I hope to add to that. Q: How do you relax at home?

A: I read, take my dog for a walk or watch Netflix.

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: I always wanted to be a chef. Luckily living in Sonoma Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

County, we are always surrounded by such great food and A: I've always believed an education is one of the most powproduce, so I get to pretend I know what I am doing in the erful things someone can obtain. When I was at Palomar kitchen.

College in San Marcos, I had an English professor who really inspired and challenged me. Her class forced me to ask quesQ: What is your best college memory? tions, think critically, introduced me to authors and perspecA: Probably sitting in coffee shops with friends just talking tives I hadn't considered and really inspired me to become about classes. College really allows you to explore the world a more thoughtful human. She became my life-long mentor, and having those moments with friends to think and dream and if I can do even a small fraction of what she has done for about life was really valuable. me for my students, I will be happy.

Q: What is your favorite junk food?

A: Anything covered in cheese.

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Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

William McCracken, Industrial Trade Technology A: I look to move the machine tool technology program towards an Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received? advanced manufacturing training center, a place where students can A: To always stay student–centered; to keep the needs of the students gain the job skills to be employable in a 21st century manufacturing first and foremost. They are our customers. When they complete our facility or start their own business in whatever their interests may be. programs, they are the representation of what we teach.

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

Q: How do you relax at home?

A: To run a record store which I was able to achieve in the early 1980s A: By spending time with my wife, Robin, and daughter, Margaret,

in San Francisco. It was called Government Records and was located in walking my Chihuahuas, taking long motorcycle rides along the coast an old firehouse in the Mission District. on my Triumph and enjoying an occasional glass of Pinot Noir on our back patio. We feel very fortunate to live in beautiful Sonoma County Q: What is your best college memory? and to have the privilege to teach at Santa Rosa Junior College.

A: Receiving my degree. My family was in attendance, and it was a very proud moment. I tell that experience to all my graduating stu- Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field? dents to convince them to walk during graduation. It is a celebration A: Teaching has been the most rewarding experience of any of the of years of hard work and every student should experience the joy of work I’ve done. Working with students from the first day they step into walking across the stage and receiving their degree. my classroom, helping them achieve their goals and the culmination of watching them walk across the podium receiving their degree gives Q: What is your favorite junk food? me a sense of pride like they were my own family.

A: Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream. Consume responsibly.

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Features11

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Jennifer Castello, Health Sciences

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: To help nursing students reach their fullest potential.

Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

A: Do something you love so that your job isn’t work.

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: To work in a hospital.

Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

A: The feeling I get when I help someone.

Q: What is your best college memory?

A: Graduating with honors from nursing school.

Q: How do you relax at home?

A: I relax at home by sitting on the couch with a glass of

Q: What is your favorite junk food?

A: Red Swedish fish candy and See’s Dark Chocolate Bordeaux.

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wine, watching recordings of “Grey’s Anatomy” or “The Voice.”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: This is a hard one. Anything I can sing along to.

A: I hope to provide an inclusive learning environment for my students, a place where they feel that they have not only the re- Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received? sources and tools to succeed mathematically, but also the capability A: My adviser/mentor told me that everyone has a different path of doing so.

Hannah Winkler, Math

even if they want to get to the same place. This resonated with me as I deliberated the decision to not get a Ph.D., knowing I wanted to teach but being concerned about what my peers were choosing to do. She said I needed to make the right decision for me.

Q: If you eat eggs, how do you like them prepared?

A: Over-easy! Runny yokes are so good.

Q: What was your favorite class as an undergraduate?

Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

A: A combinatorics and graph theory class. It was so much fun A: I took a calculus class in college and the professor was just and motivated me to study combinatorics in graduate school.

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Q: What is the soundtrack to your life?

Cindy Fleckner, Health Sciences

"

amazing. I saw someone else who enjoyed math like I enjoy math, and he inspired me to continue studying mathematics.

A: Sweet potato fries.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: To share my passion of dental hygiene with the students, help them achieve their goals to graduate with the highest Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

A: "Do what you enjoy." standards!

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: Court reporter.

Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

A: The flexibility of having a career and raising a family.

Q: What is your best college memory?

A: Meeting and making life-long friendships.

Q: How do you relax at home?

A: Hanging out with my mini Dachshunds, family time and

Q: What is your favorite junk food?

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: Ultimately, I want to do my little part to disrupt systemic inequalities

that exist in the U.S. around ethnicity/race, language and socioeconomics.

I want to help first generation college students bolster their math skills and shift their mindsets around their math ability. I hope to help students who say things like, “I am not good at math” and “I am not a math person” to make radical identity shifts toward seeing themselves as mathematicians and competent math learners. The greatest contribution that I can make is to help students who would not otherwise pursue STEM careers, to gain access to a high-quality math education that leads them to pursue higher education options previously out of their consideration.

I love to knit.

ing assets of first-generation college students in mathematics. It was an ethnographic study examining problem-solving approaches in a Yucatec Maya Village in the Yucatán.

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Felicia Darling, College Skills

Q: What is your favorite junk food?

A: Popcorn with butter.

Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

A: “Keep asking questions!” by Chris Gulde in the Provost Office at Stanford.

Q: How do you relax at home?

Q: What was your dream job as a child?

A: I like dancing to Motown and R&B and playing with my daughter’s A: A medical doctor, but I lacked the socioeconomic resources to pursue little Rat Terrier/Chihuahua mix called Riley. that goal at the time.

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Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

Q: What is your best college memory?

A: I was a first-generation college student who lived in poverty as an A: I did not go to college as a traditional student. My best college memory adult. I wanted to do something that could help other first-generation stu-

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was when I was 50 and getting my Ph.D. at Stanford. I was so happy when I was awarded a Fulbright. It validated my research pursuits of illuminat-

Daniela Kingwell, ESL

dents break the cycle of poverty by gaining access to STEM careers.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish here?

A: My favorite junk food is chocolate. It's healthy, right?

A: As a non-credit ESL instructor, one of my goals is to help students transition to credit classes. I teach students English as a Second Language, and Q: What is the best career advice you’ve received?

I also teach them about SRJC as a whole. For example, I invite counselors, A: To do something I love. I'm so lucky to have a career that I am pas-

teachers and other guests to come speak to students. We take a tour of the sionate about, working with diverse people every day. I learn as much library and find out how to get services, such as student ID cards and health or more from my students as they do from me. care. In general, my job is to help students feel comfortable in a new country, with a new language and in a new school system.

Q: How do you relax at home?

A: I relax at home by taking a walk with my dog and playing with my Q: What was your dream job as a child? daughter.

A: As a child, I dreamed of being a pilot. I wanted to travel the world and see new places.

Q: What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

A: I was inspired to teach English as a Second Language because I Q: What is your best college memory? grew up in a bilingual household—German and English. Because of A: My best college memories include spending time with friends and study- that, I continued to study languages throughout high school and coling what I wanted. lege. One day I asked myself what I was interested in, and the answer was teaching and languages. As an ESL teacher, I get to use both of my Q: What is your favorite junk food? passions every day.

12 opinion

November 13, 2017

#METOO -Anonymous

I’m in my second year at Santa Rosa Junior College. I see people laughing and playing in front of the library. Everyone looks normal and comfortable, the same way I looked when I first arrived from Hong Kong.

New to America, I thought people would be as pure as my classmates in Hong Kong. Americans are easy to talk to and everyone seems friendly. Everything was going well in my life until late October of 2016.

I liked him, so when he called and asked me to go out, I chose to trust him, even though it was 2 a.m. He said he had something to tell me. He picked me up and drove me to his friend’s house. He handed me a glass of straight rum and asked me to drink it. I didn’t think twice, I drank.

I was buzzed. He carried me to his friend’s room. He started taking off his clothes. He also asked me to do so, but I said, “No.” He said, “It’s alright. We can do it.”

I refused to take off my clothes.

He tried to pull off my pants. I struggled and pushed him away. I was feeling sick and threw up on the bed.

He turned on the light.

He asked why I kept refusing and called me a bitch.

I felt sick and confused. He pulled off the covers. He turned off the light and sexually assaulted me with his finger because I wouldn’t let him my pull pants off.

After that, I fell asleep, still a bit drunk.

The next day when I woke up and went to the restroom, I was bleeding.

It was so painful. I felt like I was not a virgin anymore. I wanted to use my cellphone to call my friends, but I couldn’t do it. I knew I was raped.

What makes it painful is not wanting my parents and family to know about what happened. I know they love me so much, being an only child. My parents in Hong Kong are the kindest people in the world. How will they feel knowing that I have been raped in America? I didn’t care about what he did to me, I cared about how my father would feel because he cares about me so much. I worried about what my family would think of me.

One month later, I grew depressed and it lasted for half a year. I felt trapped, like it would never end. I felt like I was unable to see my future.

Fear doesn’t solve problems, so I chose to talk with a friend I trust. She has been supportive, reminding me there is always someone who cares.

I know this happened more than a year ago, but sometimes it still feels like it was yesterday. I am writing about this now because most of my friends have had similar experiences, worrying about how others will judge them.

In our society, people blame the victims. Some of them might blame me for going out at 2 a.m. or drinking and think that’s reason enough to be raped.

Women are often told, “You wear too short of dresses,” or “You come home too late. That’s why you deserve to be sexually assaulted.” It’s difficult for some to understand how hurtful this viewpoint is when it comes to victim blaming.

For my friends who have experienced sexual assault, the person who should be blamed 100 percent is the person committing the rape. Don’t blame yourselves because you chose to trust them. You know that you have tried your best to overcome the bad memories.

There is nothing wrong with you. Please don’t change who you are no matter what experiences you have been through in life.

EDITORIAL

Individuals can stop sexual predation D

o egotistical people seek power? Or do powerful people become egotistical?

When people use their position of power to leverage unwanted touch or an unwilling audience to a sexual encounter, the victims have little recourse.

We inherited a culture that teaches us to blame ourselves if we experience sexual assault, and to operate under a code of silence if we are aware of others committing sexual assault.

We can tell victims over and over to stop self-blaming. We can teach young women, and all genders, how to protect themselves: don’t dress provocatively, don’t drink too much, don’t travel alone.

But these are Band-Aids, not a solution. These Band-Aids reinforce problematic gender stereotypes that inhibit us from questioning our inherited culture.

It may seem overwhelming to consider how to make changes at the top.

What can be done to stop a rich and powerful man from abusing his privilege in the privacy of his office or bedroom? How do we stop all the other sexual predators from making the series of choices that bring them to the point of committing assault?

One answer lies in that series of choices. If you witness the actions a predator

takes, say something. Choosing to remain silent is enabling the problem.

As the Weinstein Effect quickens a national reckoning of sorts, this is the time to fuel our ability to call out sexual predation when we see it.

It’s not easy, and the stakes are high. Being accused of sexual assault, for example, has serious consequences, the least of which being a ruined reputation.

We need better language for these transgressions. Using “sexual assault” as an umbrella term for a wide variety of actions is unhelpful. We can’t treat unwanted touch the same way we treat violent rape, though we must be equally vocal about both and everything in between.

There was a time when we didn’t know that you could be raped on a date or by your spouse. Now we know.

We used to keep silent about sexual misconduct in Silicon Valley, among Hollywood moguls or politicians. Now we don’t.

Let’s develop more words and practices to call out and address our colleagues, acquaintances, family and friends to protect current and future victims of sexual predation.

Enablers used to keep silent about sexual predation. Now we won’t. We can’t.

Just the tip:

Speak up about sexual assault Amoura Deering Co-Features-Editor “She was asking for it.”

This is a phrase we hear all too often when the topic of sexual assault comes up. In America, we live in a male-dominated, hypermasculine culture where we try to protect men more than women.

Sexual assault is an umbrella term used by most to include unwanted sexual contact, rape, sexual harassment and sexual abuse.

Rape is unwanted sexual contact and/or intercourse. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex, as well as foreplay like fingering.

Most rape and sexual assault cases are never reported. The reasons for lack of reporting vary, but the reason heard most is the victim thought nothing could or would be done.

Speaking up is important if someone is giving you unwanted contact and attention. It’s a tough hurdle to cross, but I urge you to speak up. The weight of being a victim of a sex-related crime is immense. I know personally how it feels and how difficult it can be.

You could be struggling with thoughts like, “I deserved this” or “I can’t let anyone know about this because…,” but here is the truth: you did not deserve this. Nobody ever deserves to be forced into having unwanted sex and nobody should ever make you feel unsafe in your own body.

If fear is what’s keeping you quiet.

Start small by telling your pet. The act of getting your story out for the first time can be less daunting if a human can’t hear.

I have a pet guinea pig, Necco, and I told him what happened knowing full well he didn’t understand and couldn’t physically help me. That experience humanized the assault and helped me realize that the situation was real. The text messages and voicemails living in my phone are also real. It gave me the strength to know that I could talk aloud about what happened.

You can talk to a friend, parent, relative, teacher or a person who

is completely removed from your life. The more you speak about assault, the less power your perpetrator has over you.

It also allows for more of an opportunity to receive help. Confiding in someone else can be intimidating.

Laying your story and emotions for someone else to hear isn’t easy.

The fear of being judged could prevent you from talking to someone, but if someone is going to judge you for telling your story, that person does not deserve a place in your life. Victim blaming is an all too real thing and is disgusting.

There is no excuse for assault ever. Period. Male or female, you are never asking for someone to sexually assault you. It does not matter how you carry yourself, what you wear, or your previous relationship with a person, they have no right to force themselves on you.

Seeing a doctor post-assault is a smart choice because her first priority is your physical and mental health. She can test you for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and for women, possible pregnancy.

She can connect you with a therapist to help with the mental trauma that comes from any type of assault, but especially rape.

Santa Rosa Junior College provides students and faculty with a program to report any sexual assault or harassment. Title 9 can help you launch an investigation and help with no contact orders if your perpetrator is affiliated with the college. These are great assets and I highly recommend speaking with them when you’re ready.

Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that will never fully go away, but it can and will get better.

Please speak up.

This isn’t your fault.

National Sexual Violence Hotline: 1-888-999-5545 for English or 1-888-568-8332 for Spanish

A few bad apples shouldn’t ruin the bunch Charlotte Maxwell Staff Writer Many Santa Rosa Junior College students feel their needs are not being met by the counseling department. I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences with counselors, however, the department overall is not as bad as everyone says.

The mission statement of SRJC’s counseling department is “To provide counseling, instruction and services which assist individuals in attaining their educational, occupational and personal/life goals.” Counseling services can help you with unofficial GE certification, career exploration and major options and inquires about career development courses.

I turn to the counselors when the internet can’t answer my questions.

I see a counselor at least once a semester, including summer term.

When I wanted to change my major five times, the counselors were there for me. They also taught me how to use assist.org and the degree audit feature in myCubby.

It’s important to recognize that one bad experience with a counselor, or three or four, doesn’t indicate the incompetence of Rachel Edelstein/ Oak Leaf the entire department. There are counselors who are here to do their just the basic requirments of the job; I tend to meet the counselors who go above and beyond to help the students who step into their office.

Waiting to see a counselor takes anywhere between 20-100 minutes before seeing a counselor, so it’s fair to expect they will answer your qestions after waiting for so long. But if your needs are constantly not being met, you might be looking for help in the wrong places.

I’ve cried in a counselor’s office because she inspired me and made me feel like I could do something extraordinary in the future. I’ve also cried after leaving a counselor’s office because she made me feel like a misunderstood idiot.

Obviously, they can’t all be perfect. I’ve had a few unpleasant experiences with counselors who seem like they have already decided where the conversation is going before I started talking. Sometimes it seems as if I am challenging their authority by telling them what I want. They get defensive and impatient.

To those counselors, I wish to say this: Counselors are obviously more knowledgeable than me. I know that. That’s why I came to ask for help. If I say something wrong, please don’t just tell me that I’m wrong— tell me why I am wrong and how I can be right.

Sure, the counselors have their flaws. Some students feel like counselors don’t want students to graduate, and occasionally it seems like they try to rush students out of their office. Sometimes one counselor will give advice that isn’t in line with another counselor’s advice. But I think their hearts are in the right place.

Though I’ve had some bad experiences with certain counselors, the counseling department as a whole is good at helping students.

opinion 13

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A connected disconnect Exploring the need for instant gratification in the dating world Chelsea Woods Staff Writer Dating isn’t the same as it once was.

In a generation wrapped up with technology and fast-paced lives, it’s no wonder relationships for millennials have morphed.

With new apps and dating sites available for download every day, it has become easier for young people to meet others for dates, sexual rendezvous and casual connections.

This caused a generation to become disconnected from emotions and connected through sex.

According to the Pew Research Center, 15 percent of adult Americans have tried online dating. If you’ve ever used a dating site or app, you’ve probably realized the majority of users aren’t looking for comittment; Sex is the main goal.

The digital dating era has constructed a hookup culture. Many of those who are single and seeking aren’t necessarily looking for something beyond sex, and hook up as a way to find chemistry.

Being attracted to someone isn’t just about sexual attraction: this generation’s interactions are based around sexual connections.

We maintain our freedom by avoiding committed relationships and favoring fleeting occurrences.

We keep our options open because

the next best thing is advertised at our fingertips on apps that bring countless offers.

“It’s not my fault that society has sped up dating to where now you’re f-ing everyone within the first week of knowing them. This is what [has] become acceptable,” said James Rhine, in an interview on the new Netflix Original Series: “Turned On.” In episode two, “Love Me Tinder,” Rhine, a former reality star of the CBS show “Big Brother 6,” has his dating life documented.

He’s shown “ghosting” Tinder dates after getting bored.

Ghosting is cutting off communication with someone without an explanation.

Santa Rosa Junior College student, Brenna MacMillan, 20, a third-year early childhood development major fortransfer, has used Tinder to find a serious relationship and admits to ghosting a match after obnoxious conversations.

“I have only met one person from Tinder. All the other ones seemed a bit too weird. Although, that date didn’t go well either,” MacMillan said.

People who prefer online dating find it easier to disappear when they get tired of someone, rather than explaining their disinterest.

Despite some drawbacks, online dating is ideal for meeting people outside your circle.

“I keep an open mind, however, in general I’m either looking for friends, hookups or something casual,” said SRJC student—Zane Wilder, 21, a first-year psychology major and Grinder user.

It’s not hard to find someone willing to have sex with no strings attached in this hookup culture—it’s hard finding someone who wants more.

But some can establish a lasting connection.

“I ended up in a very serious relationship that started on a dating app,” Wilder said.

Most millennials, however, aren’t ready to settle down: a 2014 Pew Research Center survey on millennial trends reported only 26 percent of millenials are married.

The endless swiping, liking, messaging and replying causes vertigo, and the back-and-forth motions of hopping one lover to the next can be tiresome.

We should strive for connections that teach us about ourselves and our partners, but all serious emotions must be left at the foot of the bed when indulging with a new lover.

That’s where I don’t connect

with this hookup culture.

There’s a lack of compassion in digital dating and an absence of desire to know someone beyond one’s sexual being. In my experience, people say one thing yet mean another to get what they want with complete disregard for others’ desires.

Although these people don’t want something more wholesome, they continue a hookup lifestyle for personal pleasure without a key aspect: a physical connection can be much more intense when individuals are involved mentally and emotionally.

Those who use online dating sites to find casual sex partners fail to get to know their partners on deeper levels and miss a mind, body and soul experience.

When all are balanced and both partners communicate their full desires, a greater sexual encounter is reached compared to casual sex.

This hookup generation—which is so enthralled with sex and pleasure—does not see what it’s missing out on.

Holistic sex is an impactful alternative to meaningless sex. It doesn’t mean that a relationship will come out of it, though it does mean better sex.

Despite constant connection to the outside world, we remain disconnected from each other.

From the ashes we will capitalize...

Michael Barnes Co-Features Editor Like every major Hollywood disaster movie, every major natural disaster isn’t complete without an effective tagline. The tagline must be equal parts inspirational rallying cry and shrewdly marketed advertising catchphrase.

After Hurricane Harvey drowned the city of Houston, the country was flooded with the phrase, “Houston Strong,” along with shirts, hats, Koozies and pendants for sale all bearing the slogan.

Following the North Bay wildfires, Sonoma County not only adopted the “Sonoma Strong” catchphrase, it doubled down with a unique rallying cry all its own: The love in the air is thicker than the smoke.

For a time, it appeared as though this sentiment rang true with such an overwhelming amount of support permeating throughout the community. That time has come and gone.

Like a good disaster movie, Sonoma County found a loyal audience unable to resist the drama of the North Bay wildfires.

And like a good disaster movie, when the smoke clears and the end credits have finally rolled off the screen, that’s the time when the merchandising opportunities begin to roll in for the disaster that

is “Sonoma Strong.” Brought to you by those with an entrepreneurial spirit and a truly “American” sense of capitalist vision.

“Sonoma Strong” stickers, shirts, hats, tote bags and jewelry can be found all over the community and online. These one-of-a-kind collector’s items can be yours for as little as $5 and the worst part is, the majority of the proceeds will never go to those who need it most: the victims of the wildfires.

Thankfully, most items for sale associated with the wildfires are generating funds directly supporting wildfire victims. Santa Rosa native Mikayla Butchart’s “ROSE-ilience” pin generated more than $20,000 in funds, all of which will go directly to wildfire victims.

Unfortunately, not everyone is guided by the same moral compass.

After all, this is America, baby.

Land of the free, home of the paid.

The profit to be made from a tragedy like the North Bay wildfires is seemingly endless, infiltrating multiple layers of society. Price gouging is to be expected on essentials like food, water, gasoline and housing whether we agree with it or not. There’s even a case to be made on the fact that price gouging after disasters is good for the economy.

Corporations capitalizing on a tragedy for monetary gain is one thing, members of a community affected by a tragedy who choose to capitalize off if it is another.

Rachel Edelstein/ Oak Leaf

If you’re selling “Sonoma Strong” merchandise for the explicit purpose of making a few extra bucks for yourself: stop, now. You are doing favors for no one, not even yourself.

Instead of attempting to re-coupe the production costs that went into making your version of “Sonoma Strong” memorabilia, why not just donate that money to wildfire victims to begin with?

With so much misinformation floating around, it’s all too easy for a well-mannered yet ill-informed person looking to donate to wildfire victims to purchase a “Sonoma Strong” T-shirt or sticker that doesn’t benefit wildfire victims.

A community left in turmoil

by a natural or man-made disaster should not be treated like a commodity for financial gain. Sonoma County is not an amusement park and the North Bay wildfires are not a series of roller coasters patrons can ride and have their pictures taken to buy as souvenirs when exiting through the gift shop.

The challenge facing Sonoma County in the years to come is the massive rebuilding of a community on the edge. But, hey, it’s fine. We’re “Sonoma Strong.” You can buy a shirt and a sticker to prove it.

It’s true, the love in the air is thicker than the smoke. However, the profits to be made are thicker than the love.

After the fire Lenita Marie Johnson Staff Writer For more than a month my life was consumed by the Tubbs Fire.

The initial fear was poignant soon morphing into disbelief. Many people I know expressed similar feelings.

I was one of many forced to evacuate my home in Santa Rosa for shelter near the coast. Watching the news was not an option. It was challenging not to give in and fall victim to fear.

I was concerned for my friends, classmates and neighbors. This developed into wondering how those I didn’t know in my community were faring.

I made a few calls to dear friends and was relieved that everyone I contacted answered their phones. Even those who had lost their homes, like Larkfield residents Kirk and Pat Veale, who I am very close to. I informed my family in Chicago, Florida and along the East Coast that I was doing OK on a regular basis.

In the days afterward, I felt shellshocked. Sleeping at night was challenging, even though I knew I was safe to some degree.

The news reported the fires were raging, and I was worried that the fire was at Howarth Park and Spring Lake, minutes from where I live. There was a brief respite when it rained one day.

Yet that wasn’t enough. So much damage had already been done throughout the area. Homes were destroyed, lives lost.

My feelings wavered from knowing I was OK to absolute dread of what may have happened to my home. Eventually I knew it was time to return to Santa Rosa. Little did I know what I was about to encounter.

Restaurants, stores and places I knew well were devastated and burnt to the ground. I felt a degree of safety when I went to my church and was surrounded by my community—people I’ve grown close to. While my Pastor and his family were safe, some in the congregation had lost their homes, including my friend Chavette, the church secretary.

One of my dear friends—who is like a sister to me—suggested we eventually go to areas where the fire had been contained. What was she thinking? How could we step into that space, literally, and come out OK? I decided to swallow my trepidation and go with her.

It began to feel eerie, like an episode of the Outer Limits or a really scary horror movie. I was so grateful that one of the homes we witnessed wasn’t mine.

It seemed selfish, yet there was such relief when we arrived at my home.

I feel sorrow for those who lost homes they had worked so hard to obtain. I had to come to grips with the fact that the business people I know will move on, as will our community.

One day at a time.

14

A&E

November 13, 2017

Look what you made me do: A Taylor Swift album review

Dakota McGranahan

‘For the Lovers’ SoundCloud playlist

Photo Editor

Terry Meunruakham

“...Are You Ready For It?” is one question Taylor Swift imposed upon her fans when she first released the single.

But after releasing her sixth album, “reputation,” it is obvious no one was ready for the return of the iconic singer.

Harrowed hatred is the true success of the album. It’s a cultivation of meticulous detail, raw talent and raging fury; and is inarguably the most genuine album Swift has released.

“Reputation” is the epitome of Swift’s metamorphosis. After years of being backstabbed, lied to and broken up with, Swift has decided enough is enough. A singer that was once soft and airy has become dark and edgy in an album that could revolutionize the music industry.

This darker more refined Swift has not taken her break from the spotlight lightly. With 15 songs, a brand new vision and not-so-subtle innuendos, three years later she has once again left everyone speechless—even herself.

The 27-year-old singer took a vow of silence until the release of her album. No advertisements, no promotions: nothing of the sorts. She is one of few artists to successfully pull this strategy off.

Additionally, Swift deliberately challenges the structure of pop music in her new album. Synthesized beats poured over RnB and hip-hop tracks only complemented the subtly sweet lyrics.

But even as she sang sweet melodies, her words dripped with venom.

While on “1989” Swift coined the emblematic phrase “...nightmare dressed like a daydream,” she reversed the narrative in “reputation”--something she has attempted to do for years.

Even her songs offer the fresh perspective we’ve all been craving. For example, in “This Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” Swift explains her situation with Kanye and how she was painted as a victim, but was actually a victor.

Moreover, songs like “Call It What You Want” and “King of My Heart” hone in on Swift’s current relationship in substitution of her rebellious past string of ex-ballads.

This album is more of a glorified diary than it is a revenge track. We see a more open and honest Swift as she sings about distant parties and alcoholic memories when she finds her true love.

Certainly Swift realizes she’s no longer the role model everyone made her out to be, but that’s the point of “reputation.” She has grown weary of others telling her who she is, good or bad. This is her battle cry, her last stand, as she arrived back into her career guns blazing.

Swift may have gracefully fallen from the throne as America’s Sweetheart, but she has once again stolen the crown of success. And one thing’s for sure: her new album is sure to have a “reputation.”

Staff Writer Love. Love is salvation for humanity.

Love motivates every wish and desire.

Love can be everything you’ve dreamed of or capable of wrenching your heart out of your chest. Either way, we can’t live without it. I’ve compiled a ‘love’ playlist for you to swoon over, whether you are madly in love or driven mad by a broken heart.

You can stream all these gems on SoundCloud for free. If you are an aspiring artist, you can upload and promote your work for stemming as well.

1.

“Love Gabre” - SZA One of the hottest new artists, SZA, is topping the charts. RZA from Wu-tang Clan inspired her stage name, aka Solana Rowe. She just released her album “Ctrl” this past year earning amazing feedback. Her unique voice is alluring, dreamy and enchanting. Her current hit, ‘Love Galore” featuring Travis Scott

is playing all over the radio. This song is a cover of PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “Come and See Me.” Many will debate her cover is better than the original track. It’s sultry, with meaningful lyrics of missing someone badly. She also adds her spunk to this romantic story of someone desperately wanting to come back. It will leave you in tears, feeling her despair through this amazing track. The beat and her incredible vocals will captivate you.

2.

“You” - Belly ft. Kehlani Belly was born in the West Bank Palestinian city of Jenin. When he was a boy, he sold drugs to escape poverty. Now, he’s making music with major artists like The Weeknd, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott and Juicy J. This song tells us a story of obsessing over a new flame consumed by that person’s every move. Bay Area born and raised R&B female artist, Kehlani, is featured on this track. She adds a feminine, flirtatious flare to “You.” Its sexy and honest lyrics will keep you engaged as the beat takes you away. The song is raw and emotional, stating things you may never

had the courage to tell your crush. You will appreciate the song’s truthfulness and artistry.

3.

“Every Kind of Way” - H.E.R H.E.R is a female artist from Vallejo, California, who chose to be presented anonymously. She declines to show her face to verify her identity. The acronym for the name is Having Everything Revealed. Her voice is angelic, yet powerful. H.E.R’s music is very soothing with intimate, meaningful lyrics. This song is about loving her significant other in all possible ways, giving that person all her love and devotion. It will make you feel good inside, bringing a smile to your face with sweet lyrics that confess vulnerability.

4. “Things & Such” - PARTYNEXTDOOR The Toronto-based artist and producer is also known as Jahron Brathwaite.

He has worked with many A-list celebrities such as Drake, Big Sean, Rihanna and Lil Yachty. His smooth voice blends perfectly with the beats he assembles for

his tracks. This particular song is about his raw feelings for the one who got away.

He poetically sings about her past and the history they once shared. He pours out the pain of all his regrets during their relationship. You can relate to the heartache and disappointment he suffers through this song.

5.

“Get You” - Daniel Ceaser Ft. Kali Uchis Another Canadian artist, Daniel Caesar, has been slowly releasing tracks online. He recently launched his musical career in early 2015. His musicality ranges from acoustic pop fare to soul songs that are immersed in ambient electronics. This song is about how he was pleasantly surprised by getting a chance with her. Kali Uchis, a female artist, joins Ceaser in serenading lustful vocals. “Get You” caught the attention of many listeners, gathering millions of plays and views in a small amount of time. It’s a sexy, romantic track that will definitely set a mood for a passionate date night.

Five local parks unaffected by wildfire Amy’s wicked slush; adding a Jett Williams

Deputy A&E Editor The deadly wildfires that swept through Sonoma and Napa counties last month heavily damaged three local parks.

Sugarloaf and Shiloh parks are closed indefinitely, while 65 percent of Annadel remains inaccessible due to fire damage.

There are plenty of smaller hidden gems that can give you that restorative reconnection with the environment while the affected areas are regrowing.

Here are the top five parks, in no particular order, to visit while Annadel, Sugarloaf and Shiloh recover.

Jack London State Park Explore the wild mountain scenery surrounding the would-be home of the late writer, Jack London. Located just west of Glen Ellen, this park narrowly escaped destruction from the recent wildfires. It is currently open to the public and sits just 30 minutes away from downtown Santa Rosa.

Jack London Park offers miles of hiking trails, both in the park and up into Sonoma Mountain, with the option to traverse the grueling trail up to the summit. This trail provides fantastic views of Mount Diablo, but at eight miles and 1700 feet of elevation gain, it is not for the faint of heart.

The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Parking is free through the end of the year.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park This park was surrounded on all sides by wildfires, but was untouched and is still open. Bothe-Napa Valley provides a good balance between hiking trails and more modern accommodations like pay showers, RV camping spaces and even rentable cabins for

those who want to camp in luxury.

For those of us who enjoy nature but need their creature comforts, BotheNapa Valley is the ideal place to camp.

Campsites for tents or RVs are $35 per night, with an extra vehicle fee of $8.

Armstrong Redwoods Open from 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset, Armstrong Redwoods is a secluded grove of coastal redwoods located just north of Rio Nido, 40 minutes away from Santa Rosa. Some of the trees in this park are over 1,400 years old and have grown above 350 feet.

The park costs $8 per vehicle. The Visitor’s Center is open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily and additional info can be found by calling 707-869-2015.

Stafford Lake Park The park that most closely mirrors Annadel on this list is Stafford Lake.

Located 35 minutes down Highway 101 in Novato, Stafford Lake offers 139 acres of beautiful landscape surrounding the lake itself, with a wide variety of activities from mountain biking at the bike park to a mellow hike on the Terwilliger nature trail.

Stafford Lake Park is open from sunrise to sunset and costs $5 per vehicle weekdays and $10 weekends.

Sonoma Coast State Park This park spans 17 miles of natural landscape ranging from coastal wild lands to redwood forests. Sonoma Coast park is located just south of Jenner at the end of Highway 116, roughly 50 minutes away from Santa Rosa.

The coastal portion of the park has over a dozen beach access points, all free.

Notable landmarks Bodega Head and Goat Rock have rock formations that attract crowds on even the chilliest days.

Campgrounds are available for $35 at Bodega Dunes, Willow Creek and Pomo Canyon. The extra vehicle fee is $8.

Full story online. . .

new twist to a classic dessert ed Slush brings back memories of childhood summers; sugar overloads while either basking in the Staff Writer heat or turning red as a lobster. As Stop going to 7-Eleven for that the sweet-flavored slush melts, the mixed Slurpee concoction and check rich creamy ice cream cleans the palout the newest phenomenon to hit ate begging for more of the continuHealdsburg. It’s not Hawaiian shaved ous overlapping flavor concoction. ice or any other ice-like dessert, it’s a That’s how good it is.

Boston-style slush.

The slush is available in four cup sizThe bright pink sign of Amy’s es; pipsqueak, regular, large and wicked Wicked Slush is big. Along with that easily spotted beare other add-ons like fore crossing the jimmies, waffle cones Healdsburg Aveand chocolate dip. nue bridge. With As you skim only outdoor through the menu seating, it’s a great you might see “Looktreat on a warm ing for more?” For day, whether you $7, the “slushballs” want something contain seven scoops sweet or savory. of slush, chosen by Amy’s menu conthe staff, on a bed of sists of seven or your choice of softeight slush flaserve ice cream, all vors, soft serve in a waffle bowl. This ice cream, an italwould be excellent Rachel Genthe / Oak Leaf ian sub, bagels Flavors include rootbeer float, mango with for a group of friends and more. If you chocolate and orange cream and vanilla. or someone with a need help decidbig sweet tooth. ing, the staff is friendly and attentive.

The natural lighting with the bold colThe prices are reasonable for the por- ors of different slush will scream photo tions, which are sharable. worthy and demand you dig in before it The signature “split” combinations melts. This isn’t a place to only try once are layered parfait-styled slush and but return again to enjoy their seemingly soft-serve. There are classics like the endless choices. root beer float, vanilla ice cream and Swing by Amy’s Wicked Slush, 13840 root beer slush, or you can try the Healdsburg Ave, opening at 10 a.m. tropical storm, a mango slush with seven days a week, with varying closing chocolate soft serve. hours from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., and 9 The first time trying Amy’s Wick- p.m. on Sundays.

Rachel Genthe

A&E 15

www.theoakleafnews.com

Soon-to-open production The Little Mermaid: offers something for all Rachel Edelstein Web Editor A sparkling palace set receives finishing touches on the Maria Carrillo High School stage this week, complete with gilded accents and an enthusiastic cast milling about. It’s the rehearsal for “The Little Mermaid,” an upcoming play produced by the Santa Rosa Junior College Theater Arts Department.

“It’s been magical and incredibly wonderful,” said Vince Bertsch, an SRJC instructor playing King Triton in the production.

“It’s touching the heart of every parent and every child. It’s just the dynamics of growing up.

That’s the central theme,” Bertsch said.

Bertsch had always wanted to go out for a play, and the Disney movie was a staple in his house when his children were young.

“The first time I sang the song ‘If Only She Could Stay’ I totally started crying because I have three daughters who have all grown up and left the house,” Bertsch said.

The story of “The Little Mermaid” is just as powerful for Ellie Condello, 17, an SRJC student and Analy High School senior, who plays Ariel.

“I’m super excited about my first line, ‘This is where I belong,’” Condello said. “It’s the first thing I say in the whole show and that’s resonated

with me because I think people get insecure with who they are and what they’re doing. I’m acting with college people and I’m in high school. But this is where I belong, making art.”

SRJC student Sandy Brown, 49, plays the plotdriving femme fatale, Ursula.

“I’m also overwhelmed with the degree of talent that this program attracts,” Brown said.

“It’s a unique opportunity to bring this to Sonoma county now at a time when we really need a distraction to lift our spirits. It’s really heartwarming.”

Armand Beikzadeh, who plays Prince Eric, describes the show as accessible for every type of audience, having a little something for everyone.

“It’s true it’s Disney and it will attract younger people, but I don’t want only younger people to come,” said Jordan Diomonde, 19, who plays Sebastian.

“I want everyone to come and enjoy it because we have spent so much time working on something so beautiful that everyone should have the chance to see it,” Diomonde said.

For those not familiar with the Disney version of “The Little Mermaid,” expect this play to be like the Broadway version, based closely on the original Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.

“It’s similar to the animation with some famous songs like ‘Under the Sea,’ ‘Kiss the Girl,’ and ‘Part of Your World,’” said director John Shillington. “A lot of these characters are bigger than life, but it doesn’t

Rachel Edelstein / Oak Leaf

The Little Mermaid cast members: Jordan Diomandé, Sidney McNulty, Armand Beikzadeh, Ellie Condello, Roberto Perez, Sandy Brown and Anthony Martensen prepare for a dress rehearsal of the production.

try to compete with the animation. My challenge is floating between two different worlds, the palace and underwater.”

Shillington, along with Set Director Peter Crompton and Technical Director Ari Poppers, have met this challenge with flare. The set transports the audience to an Art Nouveau dreamscape in deep blues and gold. It’s a mobile array of neoclassical pillars and underwater rock formations.

“Get your tickets early because this is a smaller venue than usual,” Shillington said, referring to the remodeling of the Burbank Auditorium at the JC

which required that the production be hosted elsewhere. The show is at Maria Carrillo High School Theater, 6975 Montecito Boulevard in Santa Rosa. Parking is free.

Because it is a full-length production, it is recommended for audiences age 6 and up.

The show dates are: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17, 18, 24, 25, 30, Dec. 1, 2 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 19, 25, 26, Dec. 2, 3 For tickets, call 707-527-4307 or visit the box office at Plover Hall. Students with a Bear Cub Card can attend for free.

#sonomastrong Band Together Bay Area raises $23 million Meghan Buckman Social Media Editor More than 40,000 people filled San Francisco’s AT&T Park for Band Together Bay Area, a benefit concert for Sonoma County fire victims on Nov. 9.

“To be a part of this line-up is a collective experience, the loud music, to help bring people together, to spread love and help out those in need,” Oakland native and rapper G-Eazy said, sharing his support for the North Bay. Headliners Metallica and Dead and Company both donated their talents for free. San Francisco’s Tipping Point Company pledged 100 percent of the night’s $23 million earnings to go towards the victims of the most destructive fires in California history.

San Fransisco Giants catcher Buster Posey presented the Badaraccos family, who lost their home in Coffey Park.

“I’m very proud to share the stage with a family of heroes,” Posey said, noting that the father and sons went door-to-door telling people to evacuate their homes.

Opening act soul-and-blues singer-songwriter Raphael Saddiq set the tone for the night as people began to dance and let go after a difficult month.

Punk-rock band Rancid followed after changing the scene to a grungy red and black set.

All general admission seating was reserved and donated to firefighters, first responders, volunteers and fire victims.

Legendary 49er quarterback Joe Montana escorted Payton Walton, a critical care nurse for Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa. Walton helped her community and asked people to adopt-a-family in need, which received an outpouring of support.

Catalina Davis, 21, a third-year SRJC graphic designer student attended the concert. “I didn’t know what to expect really. I was nervous and exited,” Catalina Davis said. “My favorite part was seeing over 40,000 people coming together to support one

another during this difficult time and singing along to Metallica and other acts.”

Emotional moments were reflected on the October fires with video tributes of the destruction in Sonoma County. People were seen holding onto each other for support as they looked back on their ruined homes.

Lucianna Davis, 21, third-year SRJC floral design major, also attended the concert.

“It made me happy to learn that 100 percent of the money raised was going toward the fire victims,” Lucianna Davis said. “I felt pretty sad looking back at the damage and seeing names of people who lost their lives during the fire, but at the end of the night, I felt nothing but hope.”

Between G-Eazy’s hyphy Bay Area tunes to Matthews and Tim Reynold’s acoustic ballads, everyone came together to support one another. Positive energy surged throughout the crowd, a sign of relief after a tragic month.

“Thank you for coming. It’s a great honor to be here to stand together, work together and help people out,” said singer and guitarist Dave Matthews.

This five-hour event gave victims a chance to let go of their worries and dance the night away while listening to their favorite artists.

In between sets, Kate Hudson, Chris Rock, Ashton Kutcher and Katie Couric were among the celebrities showing their support through video compilations on the big screen.

Anticipation built as the crowd awaited the headliner, Metallica, to emerge from the fog to sing popular hits like “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman.”

With the view of the Bay Bridge shining over the stage, it was a night like no other.

Spotlights rained over the sold-out crowd as Metallica closed the night.

“I want to say an extra thank you to those who risked their lives to save others lives. We appreciate your service,” said lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield.

To battle, once again Devin Schwarz

Multimedia Editor The drums of war beat anew. For the first time in 14 years, red-eyed, green-skinned orcs are facing off against pale, fleshy humans.

With the announcement of World of Warcraft’s newest expansion, “Battle for Azeroth,” we see a return to the classic orc-versus-humans formula the Warcraft franchise hasn’t used since the beginning.

And the player base couldn’t be happier.

We’ve worked together to keep Sargaras, the leader of the demonic Burning Legion, from entering our realm. Now in this moment of quiet, those ancient enemies, The Horde and The Alliance can look to each other and ask, “Did all that fighting side by side settle our differences?” Spoiler alert: the answer is no.

At the annual Blizzard Conference, BlizzCon, Nov. 3, in Anaheim Blizzard unveiled its cinematic trailer for “World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth.”

The trailer is beautifully animated and shows an epic siege of the Horde-occupied city of Lordaeron by an Alliance army led by their king Anduin Wrynn.

In this trailer we see two of the oldest enemies in gaming history facing off in a way we really haven’t seen since the franchise’s earliest days.

Of the game’s six expansions throughout its 14 -year run, three gave us clear “big bads” that we all had to work together and defeat. This model went

starkly against the game’s original design concept, which was all-out war between the Horde, made up of stereotyped-as-evil non-humans—and the Alliance, made up of humans and their slightly shorter friends. In each expansion we got a taste of this racial conflict here and there, but it was not really a focal point save for the latter half of WoW’s fourth expansion, “Mists of Pandaria.”

For many players this divergence from the original concept was a disappointment and is targeted as one cause of the last decade’s mass player exodus.

In what we’ve seen of “Battle for Azeroth” so far, it seems this conflict has been bumped up to 11. We see for the first time since the “vanilla,” unexpanded game, two separate leveling zones for Horde and Alliance, making any notion of cooperation impossible. We’re also getting a huge revamp to how player-versus-player interactions will be handled with new game modes highlighting the feature and dedicated servers that will auto-group players who have flagged themselves interested in fighting something more challenging than the game’s AI. Although this expansion is breaking a lot of new ground, we’ve been assured some of the classic staples of an expansion are occurring as well. This includes a raise to the maximum level and a plethora of new dungeons and raids to explore.

This new chapter in the franchise is looking promising so far. If it can keep up the tight development schedule the company has been exhibiting lately, it may be the saving grace of the constantly shrinking player base.

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