Vol. 89 No. 02

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The Renegade Rip

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The Renegade Rip Vol. 89 ∙ No. 1

Bakersfield College

BC football player dies

By Lizette Chavez Editor in Chief

Football player Jonathan Sebastian Garcia was killed crossing the street after a mild car accident on Sept. 8. Garcia was a defensive lineman for Bakersfield College and wore the number 73. The BC football team held a memorial of sorts by draping Garcia’s jersey and helmet on a chest, placed on the sidelines, that held his gear equipment on the Sept. 16 home game. Garcia was also a choir member at BC as well as a member of a mariachi group.

The Athletic Director Office released a statement that read:

The best part of athletics is that we win and lose together…as a team and a community. That is the small comfort we take as we remember the loss of our Renegade Jonathan Sebastian Garcia.

Before Jonathan was ever a Renegade, Rebel, or “Tank,” he held the greater titles of firstborn son to his mother and two younger brothers.

We ask that you remember and support his mother and family in their hour of incredible grief and loss.

Garcia’s family opened up a Go Fund Me page for donations from the public to help pay for the funeral, as of Sept. 18 an amount of $7,600 was raised.

Kern County Museum holds Village Fest to celebrate local restaurants Jenny Brito Reporter

ALEX APATIGO/ THE RIP Jonathan Garcia’s jersey (73) and helmet in display.

The Kern County Museum opened its doors for the yearly Bakersfield Village Fest. The event drew approximately 5,000 people who enjoyed a night full of music, drinks and a variety of food.

The museum grounds were divided into different villages, and each played a specific type of music. For example, the Microblues Stage played blues, and the Craft Brew Stage had Hispanic music.

The Craft Brew Stage was one of the most popular of the evening. The inside was crowded with people dancing to salsa and reggaeton music. The party got louder after Mento Buru took the stage at 9 p.m.

Miranda Whitworth, the event’s media coordinator, said that although Latin music tends to be more popular, this year had many other options.

The Village Lawn Stage, which was emceed by Mary G and Snacks from Energy 95.3, was one of those options.

“Country artists Truxtun Mile, 80’s cover band Members Only, and rockers The Aviators really kept the crowds captivated and the lawn packed,” Whitworth said.

In addition to music, participants could get up to 15 drinks for free. Different wineries and breweries set up tents where people could stop by and get their cups refilled.

Heineken, Corona, and Bud Light were among the major breweries at the event. There

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

JENNY BRITO / THE RIP Francisco Paraguirre shows off his costume at Village Fest. were also local options such as California Lager.

Dos XX and Tecate provided beers that did not count toward the 15 drinks allowed. Laura Barrientos, a first-time attendee, said that she was pleasantly surprised to see that people could drink more than 15 times.

Food was also abundant. Approximately 30 local restaurants participated in the event. Places such as BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Sugar Twist, and Salty’s BBQ and Catering offered generous food samples for all attendants.

Leonardo Rodriguez, who has attended Village Fest for the past three years, shared that his favorite part of the event is that unlimited food is offered.

“You get to try food from different places in town, and many

of them end up becoming your favorites,” he said.

The event is now 23 years old, but it has managed to keep up with the times. People of all ages are drawn to it every year.

Event coordinators make sure that every year is a new experience, and they want Village Fest to continue to evolve.

“Whether it’s expanding our social media presence, rebuilding the website or switching from a traditional ticket retailer to a vendor like Eventbrite, we need to make sure we are embracing new trends,” Whitworth added.

The Bakersfield Village Fest takes place every year in Bakersfield, and proceeds benefit the Kern County Museum and Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment (C.A.R.E.).

Protests emerege as fate New campus safety plan to of DACA is in the balance be implemented soon

By Ambria King Photo Editor

On Sept. 5, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the announcement that the Trump administration would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, unless Congress enacts a measure that will either continue or replace the program within the next six months.

The DACA program, which was implemented under an executive order by President Obama, has allowed approximately 800,000 immigrants who were brought to the US as children to obtain temporary work permits and valid driver’s licenses, enroll in college, and provides protection from deportation.

In order to qualify for DACA, one had to have arrived in the U.S. prior to turning 16, been residing here since before June of 2007, and could not be older than 30 when the policy was initially enacted in 2012. One also had to be able to pass an FBI criminal background check, and not have

any serious criminal convictions on their record.

The announcement resulted in protests around the nation, including here in Bakersfield.

Students from Highland, North, and East High School staged walkouts on Sept. 7 to show their support for DACA. Bakersfield College student, Ivan Mendoza, 19, who moved to the United States from Mexico with his family at the age of 15 voiced his disappointment with DACAs potential removal.

“We got here and I found out about DACA, but you had to be [in the U.S.] for five years. I was 15 when I got here, so I just decided to keep coming to school and try to make a future for myself. This year was the last year before I would begin to qualify for DACA, and I just found out that it got removed,” Mendoza stated.

Mendoza voiced hope that Congress might come to a decision to save DACA, and expressed frustration at how limited the options for a path to citizenship are.

“If you go to [an immigration] office and try to fill out a form, you get deported ... Basically, you don’t have a way to get your citizenship if you came here illegally, unless you marry someone, or your parents become citizens somehow, and they try to get you your papers, or you get adopted, if you’re a minor. Right now, I’m not a minor, so that option is out,” said Mendoza.

For now, Mendoza is still able to attend school and work in California. California is one of the few states that allows undocumented immigrants to attend school and qualify for some level of financial aid, even without DACA protections.

Like Mendoza, 78 pecent of the people who are protected under DACA hail from Mexico.

Mendoza claims that the biggest differences between Mexico and the U.S. are access to education, access to employment, and the rate of crime.

“There is no way for you to get extra help [in Mexico]. That’s why a lot of people decide not to go to school, and some stop Please see DACA, Page 7

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By Melissa Puryear Reporter

Christopher Counts, Director of the Department of Public Safety for Bakersfield College, is in charge of seeing that over 31,000 students, faculty and staff at Bakersfield College are equipped and prepared in handling issues about campus safety awareness and implementation during the school year through timely emails and program implementations.

Counts said that his primary duties consist of arranging security operations on campus, managing and directing the Public Safety Officers team, while also “serving on various committees on Campus and as Chair of the Safety Committee.”

“It is something I take very seriously and often consumes my thoughts in the evenings,” said Counts. “I manage the department’s budget, foresee the needs of the department and plan for them.

Counts has been working on obtaining grants and authorization for three shuttles that would bus students from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. back and forth between the parking lots located at the farthest southwest and southeast corners of campus to the area right behind the book store in the Levinson Hall parking lot.

He submitted his proposal to the Kern County Board of Committee Wednesday afternoon.

Counts has also implemented a pilot cadet program for this semester.

“We have hired eight BC students as cadets … they will provide escorts for those who

request one and conduct foot, bicycle and or T-3 patrols,” Counts said.

He hopes to extend this pilot program into a permanent program as early as spring which would incorporate 20 more cadets.

Counts also mentioned that he has explored several cellular phone applications that could be downloaded and would link directly to his department. “We are still looking into which app will work best for our college community.”

Another program that is made available for female students is the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training. RAD is a free course offered each semester for female students and staff.

“We hope next year to have the trainers trained to also hold these classes for men as well.”

Counts and a few students weighed in on the matter of the importance of student and faculty participation in keeping BC safe this year.

Counts wants students to know that if they think they are being followed on campus that they should call Public Safety immediately and they will call the Bakersfield Police Department.

“If you are being followed get to a place of safety. That may entail walking up to another group of students who are in the area.

Tell them what’s going on and call Public Safety. It may be that you see a class in progress, go into that class room and tell the instructor what is happening and ask to have Public Safety called.

In a loud voice where people can hear you, you can say, ‘Why are

you following me, get away!’…

Please do not be embarrassed to do any of these things your safety is paramount. “Counts said.

“Officers are on campus and can respond to your location in an emergency very quickly. The Officers have radio communication with the Bakersfield Police Department Communications Center and while your Public Safety Officers are on route to you, if needed they can call for BPD to get to you much quicker than they can.”

When students were asked what their thoughts were on campus safety, Kylie Hendrickson, 29, who will graduate in the spring said, “People are looking to steal laptops, students carry money, and people looking to target students, may be driving around in the parking lots or side streets which are easily accessible.”

Hendrickson also shared why she believes crime is a problem on campus. “We [Bakersfield College] have a high population of students who are attending class and are away from their vehicles.”

She said that she does not feel that there is enough security assigned to such a large campus.

This, she said, makes her feel unsafe because she walks to her car after her 9 p.m. class. She is forced to park in the lot near the Math Science Building although her class is in the Fine Arts Building, because of the lack of parking available when she arrives on campus.

“I literally walk as fast as I can to my car and the second I get to my car I lock my doors,” said Hendrickson.

Please see Safety, Page 7

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Page 2

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Aid for two hurricanes

By Melissa Puryear Reporter Anthony McClanahan, a former Bakersfield Resident, Driller, and NFL Player, provided aid and relief efforts concentrated in Texas, Puerto Rico, St. John’s, St. Martin and Florida when Hurricane Harvey and Irma devastated these areas a few weeks ago. With the devastation and needs he personally witnessed, he also created Set Go 41, an emergency response, to go to the most damaged areas.

Initially McClanahan said he and his wife, KC, responded to a friend who had gotten stuck in Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

He said, “KC and I went to Texas because several of our friends were in harm’s way. His main concern was that it might be another Katrina. Once he arrived he saw the devastation and needs the people had and he wanted to help.

That help came in the form of McClanahan raising awareness of those needs in the hardest hit communities by posting live feed videos on Facebook of what was happening in those areas. The awareness has generated donations for purchases of food, water, and essentials that have helped Harvey and Irma’s

victims begin their first steps in recovering from these two hurricanes.

McClanahan said that he and KC have reached out to a total of thirty counties in Texas. They delivered water, food and essentials, within days, to churches and shelters that reached out to the telephone number he made public. He raised the money through a GoFundMe page and PayPal, as well as using his own money. In fact, he said that he spent his entire life savings to help.

After Texas, McClanahan and KC went into Puerto Rico before Irma hit San Juan, and nervously waited out the hurricane.

He did contend that after the hurricane made landfall, “Puerto Rico was not hit hard, a few trees down, some flooding and the power is still out in most neighborhoods, but everyone seems to be upbeat about the situation ... most of our efforts here are aimed at the hospital, as it is being used as the main temporary shelter.”

Both McClanhan and KC volunteered to provide assistance at Hospital Hima in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where they worked with Sandra Morales, one of the hospital’s officials, to respond to the emergent care needed as

residents sought to escape Irma.

McClanahan said that those who were working with him and KC are those who wished to volunteer or are the people who have been affected by the hurricane in some way.

McClanahan said, “it is truly a situation I will never, she [KC, his wife] will never forget ... What we have witnessed in Texas, in Puerto Rico and all the areas that have been affected within those areas have all suffered ... I never asked to be in the situation but now I feel like I have to go to the end ...”

It isn’t just the needs that are pressing in the communities, it is the aftermath.

McClanahan details the problems these people are now having to face.

He said, “It’s not just a hurricane or the winds ... it’s the things that come afterwards that make it worse, the fecal matter in the drains, the mosquitoes, the alligators, the red fire ants ...”

McClanahan sympathizes with those who have lost everything, he said, “we’ll continue to do what we need to do to make things better but along the way if I have it to give, I got to give him a hand up.”

He also said that those who have lost everything they own

Schools visit for Transfer Day Alexandra Apatiga Reporter Both college and high school students alike welcomed more than 100 colleges and universities Monday, Sept. 11 at the Rabobank Convention Center during the 18th Annual Kern County College Night.

The event saw UC, CSU, and private in-state universities and colleges, as well as a number of out-of-state universities, hoping to convince students to attend their schools. In addition to these schools at the college night, Bakersfield College was present at the event handing out tote bags, which had information about the community college. BC was also taking photos of students alongside the BC mascot.

The goal of this event is to inform students of their options and encourage them to attend college to continue their education. Both Bakersfield College and the many neighboring colleges and universities alongside it that night brought with them advisors, counselors, scholar-

ships, and information from their campuses, all of which was an effort to get students excited for the next big step in their lives.

Earlier the same day on the BC campus at the Renegade Crossroads, the Bakersfield College Transfer Center hosted its fall 2017 Transfer Day for BC students hoping to transfer.

The event saw over 35 colleges and universities sharing information with BC transfer students with the hopes of convincing transfer students to attend their campuses.

Among those seeking information on potential transfer options was Ellie Quiroz, a BC student transferring in the spring of 2018.

“I’ve been asking a lot of question as of late,” said Quiroz, as she finished talking with a representative from California State University of Fresno, “to my professors, to my friends, to my family. I can’t stop asking questions on what I want to do.”

Marisa Marquez, the head of the Transfer Center at BC, further emphasized the importance

of Transfer Day at BC, as well as the Kern College Transfer Night.

“This is the day that the recruiters, the advisors, the programs directors and the representatives come out to meet with our students,” said Marquez.

“This day is crucial for students to get in contact with representatives from schools that they may attend one day.”

Marquez furthered her point by saying that students need to engage themselves in programs, workshops, and with counselors to stay up-to-date with what classes are needed, what materials can help, when to apply for transfer, and how.

For BC students seeking to transfer within the next few months, these events have provided the most up-to-date information on colleges and universities’ transfer dates, tuition costs, open house dates for campuses, and programs available for incoming transfer students.

And for those students who took advantage of these opportunities, they may be headed for a future at their dream college.

SGA planning to go greener Alexandra Apatiga Reporter Recently the issue of there not being enough recycling bins on the Bakersfield College campus has reached Bakersfield College Student Government Association, as officers and senators alike are beginning to tackle the issue.

The matter was first brought to the attention of SGA through a public presidential forum, also known as “Cafecito Time with the President,” held by SGA President Dezi Von Ma-

nos. There the point in question was brought up as a concern for waste management on campus, and the lack of recycle bins being anywhere on campus besides the Campus Center.

Emmanuel Limaco, the Chair of the Committee on Advancement and a sitting member on the Facilities and Sustainability Committee, has since been exploring possible solutions.

“When it comes to students and issues they have on campus, we often have to work with multiple committees and departments to move forward, or in-

vestigate further to see if there is any persistent problem affecting students,” said Limaco. “While we are all aware of the problem and may have ideas to solve it, it isn’t something we can do much about until funding is handled and we as SGA have no control over that.”

According to Limaco, they can only make the lack of recycle bins on campus known to the Facilities and Sustainability Committee.

As of right now, the current placement of recycle bins is located within the Campus Center,

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANTHONY MCCLANAHAN

Organizer inputs data at Hima Hospital in Caguas Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma. are “frustrated and they have no idea what to do.”

He admitted that they [both he and his wife] did not feel well.

They were bitten by mosquitoes and the drain of going from one hurricane affected area to the next, has been physically hard.

“I’m so tired but think I’ve trained for this all of my life,” said McClanahan.

Both he and KC eventually

headed back home to Arizona where they will get rested up so that they are able to continue ongoing help where it is needed most.

He said, “... if we all come together and understand it, we came here with nothing we’re going to leave here with nothing, then we can work together ... so that we can win together. That’s important.”

What lies ahead is unknown, but he said, “We will finish.”

Those who would like to donate monetary relief to help McClanahan continue providing help to those affected by the hurricanes, can do so by going to his personal Facebook page where relevant links are located, or search for #tothetoptexas41 www.facebook.com/anthony41sports/.

BC plans to fix parking

By Ambria King Photo Editor The Kern Community College District Board of Trustees held a meeting on Sept. 14 in which the issue of parking at Bakersfield College was addressed. A tiered rate parking system was proposed, along with a request for a grant that would fund three shuttle buses.

BCs parking situation has caused complaints among students and members of the surrounding community over the years. Students looking for a parking space in an area close to their class often opt to park on the street in the neighborhoods nearby in lieu of purchasing a parking pass, which neighborhood residents claim has resulted in property damage and decreased property value.

BC has three main parking areas. Two larger lots, which are located on University Avenue and Haley Street, and University Avenue and Mount Vernon, respectively, and a smaller lot, located on Mount Vernon, that is shaded by solar panels. Purchasing a parking pass allows students to park in any of these three lots for the entirety of a semester, but the Mount Vernon lot is the preferred parking area for most students, as it is closest to campus. Parking in one of the other two lots can result in students walking a greater distance to get to their class than parking on certain streets would.

“We shouldn’t be paying $30 to $40 for a pass when you won’t be getting a spot anyway,” said BC student Jaden Hill. “I’ve been late to class twice because of parking issues. There was no parking in as well as inside the cafeteria, both popular hangout areas for students.

However, Limaco further explained that other areas on campus such as the Renegade Crossroads are equally popular and have no access to recycling bins for students.

“If we’re successful in ac-

this [Mt. Vernon] lot, so I went to another lot, and there were no spaces there. Then I came back to this lot and had to wait until somebody left so I could grab their spot,” said Hill.

Hill stated that the parking situation at BC has become dangerous, with students resulting to competing for spots.

“People try to weave around you if you’re taking too long. If you’re sitting in your car waiting for someone to pull out of their spot, people will go around you and can possibly hit another car that’s coming from the other side.”

The parking issues at BC have caused a number of complaints from residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, which has resulted in certain streets only allowing parking for those who have a residential parking permit in their vehicle. This hasn’t deterred students from parking in front of houses on the streets that haven’t adopted this policy.

“There’s a lot of frustration out and around the college, and when I say that, I can’t say it strong enough,” said KCCD Board of Trustees representative, Kyle Carter, during the meeting.

“The activities that go on in the cars, I wouldn’t want that in front of my house or in front of my children ... Also, what’s happening outside of the cars, people throw trash and there’s a lot of foot traffic. I know that excess parking on the street brings down the property values ... As a college we have to be a good neighbor,” said Carter.

Bakersfield College public safety director, Christopher Counts and Student Government Association president, quiring new recycling bins on campus, then the Renegade Crossroads area, the Gym Huddle area, as well as the CSS lawn, PAC building, and the walkway from the Humanities building to the solar panel parking lot are all possible locations we are considering to have these bins placed,” said Limaco.

Desi Von Manos, also spoke at the Board of Trustees meeting.

Counts posed the tiered parking solution to the board, while Von Manos gave her account of the parking situation at BC. Von Manos focused on the fact that the fees students pay for parking are recycled back into BC and pay for equipment for public safety. She also suggested that faculty should have to pay for their parking as well.

The tiered parking solution proposed by Counts would keep the cost of a parking pass at $40, while also providing between 500-600 $10 parking spots in the western portion of the south parking lot on University Avenue and Haley Street.

Counts stated, “by offering a $10 permit to park in that area, we’re hoping the students will say, ‘hey for 10 bucks I get to park in the parking lot. Officers patrol through there, and my car will be safer than if I parked on the streets.’”

The Department of Public Safety is also attempting to obtain a grant through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, in order to pay for three shuttle buses that would provide rides for students who park in the lots that are farther away from campus.

If the grant is received, the shuttles will cost around $3,000 each.

The proposed shuttles would run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and do rounds around the parking lots; picking students up and dropping them off on campus.

Counts stated that he hoped to receive a decision and be able to begin implementing the proposal by spring semester of 2018.

According to Limaco, he has already contacted the Facilities and Sustainability Committee to assist them in this endeavor, which they have agreed to.

“So far it is an idea that we have, brought to us by a student with the hope that we can make it happen for the good of the BC campus,” said Limaco.

Mike McCoy named new executive director of Kern County Museum

By Karla Gutierrez Reporter Mike McCoy, a Bakersfield native, was named the new executive director of the Kern County Museum.

“I was a volunteer at the museum when I was in high school.

I always had a passion for California and local history. So when this job opened up, I thought it would be a good fit with my experience and interest,” said McCoy. McCoy spent his career as a school administrator and superintendent, but has always been very passionate about museums.

He mentions that he’s been to over three to four hundred muse-

ums all over the world. McCoy has about 12 years of university studies; for example, having a bachelor’s degree in English and Ph.D. in Educational Policy from UC Santa Barbara, as well as a master’s in Public Administration from Chico State University.

“I just really enjoy going into museums and it’s one of the places that I go where I really feel joy and happiness. I’m in the situation where I can afford on doing the job I really want,” said McCoy. McCoy mentions that the museum has changed a lot in the past decade. The Kern County Museum is becoming more and more popular on being known as a place to get married, as well

as having parties. They recently added new artifacts like the Bakersfield High School’s water towers and Buck Owens’ birth place. In the next two years, the museum plans on opening an automobile exhibit.

One of his favorite parts of the museum is looking at some of the houses; for example, he enjoys looking at the Weller house and seeing through the window imagining how people lived 150 years ago.

Not only was he a volunteer at the Kern County Museum, but he also volunteered for museums in Northern California such as the Columbia State Park.

“It was set up to look like a town of the 1850s. The way

people dressed and talked to the food was 1850s. It was like a small town and everybody was in costumes,” said McCoy. McCoy implies that there is a major called “Museum Studies” for students that want to work at a museum. He encourages students at Bakersfield College to consider internships at the Kern County Museum for majors like communications, history, construction, landscaping, and acting/theatre. They’re going to start posting volunteer opportunities on their website for anyone that is interested or for someone who is looking to gain working experience.

There’s going to be events happening in October and also

late December like the Safe Halloween where the public can enjoy family-friendly games and activities, food, entertainment and trick-or-treating. There’s also Village Christmas where they will bring the joy of Christmas to the Kern County Museum with caroling and entertainment.

Even though the museum is where McCoy feels joy and happiness. One of the things he likes to do is travel with his wife. He remarks that when he was involved with education, he was able to travel and work all over the world.

“The last couple of years, for example, I’ve worked in Vietnam. This year I worked in Qatar. I worked in Hawaii a lot and

spent a month in Argentina. I’ve been very lucky, through my work, I’ve been able to travel and then whenever I travel I visit the museums,” said McCoy. When asked about what his favorite country was he said that apart from the United States, France is one of his favorite places to visit.

“I like the people, the food, the climate, the culture. I was in France last year for 16 days and I’ve gone to France five or six times. I love France, it’s a great place,” said McCoy. McCoy is excited for the opportunity to serve his community in this new job and he’s looking forward to putting out new energy out there to the public.

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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Collector-Con has cosplayers Alexandra Apatiga Reporter Fans of comic books, collectibles, cosplay, and toys all gathered for the two-day weekend event at the Rabobank Convention Center to celebrate the 2017 Bakersfield Collector-Con. On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Rabobank Convention Center hosted the 4th annual CollectorCon where local and out-of-city vendors and residents gathered to sell, share, and experience common interests in collectible items, toys, and video games.

The Collector-Con included Q&A panels, special guest visits from famous actors such as the Red Power Ranger, Jason Faunt, and a live concert from bands like Stereo Citizen, Missing Autumn, and Forget Your Friends.

In addition to scheduled

events, there were also a number of cosplayers and artists who showed off their talent and passion with one another through their handmade costumes and art pieces. Among those who dressed up for the convention was Jean Burdine-Slaven, a popular cosplayer attending their first Collector-Con. A three-year veteran in the world of cosplay, BurdineSlaven has attended over 82 conventions with the past three years alone, crafting all of her costumes by hand.

“I do this because I want to encourage others to cosplay as well,” said Burdine-Slaven, as she showed off her Hawkwoman costume. “You don’t have to have a master’s degree in art to get involved. Cosplay is what you make of it.”

Burdine-Slaven also shared

Column

Escape in games Video Game Cutlure:

From a veteran’s perspective

ALEXANDRA APATIGA / THE RIP

Jean Burdine-Slaven shows off her handmade costume inspired by Hawkwoman. her delight in seeing how involved and active the community here in Bakersfield was.

“Collector-Con has some wonderful stuff, and the atmosphere here is very friendly and inviting.”

Along with the various patrons that attended the two-day convention, local shops and vendors were present to sell merchandise and make their presence known throughout the community. Ma-

rio Lizarraga, a local from Bakersfield, was present with his family at the event selling 80’s vintage toys, items and videogames at his booth.

“Collector-Con often has a lot of parents bringing their children to introduce them to the sort of things they grew up with,” said Lizarraga.

“The event is family-driven and everyone is always friendly with one another, talking shop

or just sharing knowledge about their interests.”

The two-day collector convention proved to be a sucessful event as it saw hundreds of people in attendance. Whether searching for a rare and collectable item, or just enjoying the company of those with similar interests, this year’s Bakersfield Collector-Con brought together a community in its own unique way.

The Empty Space holds a celebration of art exhibit

By Megan Fenwick Social Media Reporter The Empty Space theater held a celebration of their art exhibit entitled “When I Was Young…

III” displaying the works of Jason T. Stewart on Sept. 9.

The artist was present at the event, which began at 2 p.m. and provided free candy to fit into the theme of remembering one’s childhood. The art pieces featured characters from comic books, television shows, books, and movies geared towards children. “I’m just a big little kid,” said Stewart. “I just like cartoons and I like comic books … I like kids’ stuff and I like really simple, but bold art stylings as well.”

Although Stewart primarily used acrylic paint pens for the cartoon-style paintings on display, he is self-taught in paint and finds it a frustrating medium. “My background for art is just drawing, like just pencil and pen and paper. If I could do that, that’s what I would do.”

Every art piece was full of color, with the exception of a batman painting, which was all black on a white background.

“I like black and white. I’m a huge fan,” said Stewart when discussing the detailed painting.

“I would have done the whole show that way, except for that thing made my hand not work for two days. That was a lot of work.”

Stewart prefers making digital art, where mistakes can be easily rectified, and he discussed regrets in his acrylic paintings and what he wishes he could do differently.

“I don’t know that any artist is ever happy … I get a little bit happier when somebody buys it,” he said with a laugh. “It’s not all about the money, but you’re always happier if somebody wants to own it.”

The exhibit, which included characters such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter, and Eleven from the show “Stranger Things,” was also inspired by the art styles of Scottie Young, Humberto Ramos, and Chris Bachalo.

LIZETTE CHAVEZ / THE RIP

A girl twirls her skirt during a Mexican dance routine.

Mexicans celebrate their independence

By Christina Benavides Reporter

FIRSTNAME LASTNAME / THE RIP

Guests gaze at the artwork of Jason T. Stewart at the Empty Space art exhibit on Sept.9.

On Friday, Sept. 15 Truxtun Ave. was blocked off for the first celebration of Mexican Independence Day (El Grito De Dolores) at the Kern County Liberty Bell in Downtown Bakersfield.

El Grito De Dolores was a free event open to the public that was held from 6-10 p.m. and featured local food vendors, and live entertainment inspired by Mexican culture. At midnight, there was a real-time visual celebration with Mexico City as they also celebrated El Grito.

Mexicans celebrate their independence on the 15th and 16th of September. El Grito was presented by The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and staff members from Telemundo, and KGET 17 hosted the event.

Groups of various ages enthusiastically performed traditional Mexican dance while wearing vibrant traditional attire. A male Lasso dancer and local mariachi band also performed. Food vendors were set up on the street and people were able to grab funnel cakes, tacos, and Jarritos drinks. There also were local radio stations doing raffles for the festivity. There was a large turn out at the first El Grito event downtown, which may result in a repeat of the event next year.

Apple festival at Tehachapi has apple-themed activities

By Melissa Puryear Reporter Each year, at the beginning of October, Tehachapi farmers come together along with organizers, vendors, and the executive director David Brust, of Our Hope Chest, a non-profit organization located in Tehachapi, to bring in the apples. This harvest time marks a time-honored tradition, which enters its fifth consecutive year.

The idea of the annual celebration began with Brust, according to Linda Carhart, the coordinator of the annual festival.

In previous years, Tehachapi’s apple harvest “would bring people from all around to pick and buy apples.” Brust decided that Tehachapi needed a festival to commemorate this event, and that is how the Tehachapi’s Apple Festival began.

This year the apple festival will be held on Oct. 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The public can enjoy music, beer, homemade goods, food, fun, and games for children and

adults alike. The fun begins on Green Street and winds through the vendor-lined canopied booths, where up to 80 vendors will be staged for the public’s enjoyment.

Vendors will feature everything from apple baked goods, caramel apples, apple cider, and dipped apples, to bacon-wrapped hot dogs, BBQ pit beef, buttered-corn on the cob, sausage, french fries, churros, stuffed potatoes and more.

For shoppers, there will be apple-themed aprons and jewelry and crafts. American Legion Auxiliary, along with other local apple orchards, will also be selling their apples. According to Carhart, this is about “all things appley.”

There will be a specially designated location for children called the Kid’s Zone, where a variety of bounce houses will be staged; children are welcome to play all day in the bounce houses.

“For $10 they can go into as many bounce houses as they want and as long as they want,” said Carhart. Parents can stop by the Free Mason’s booth while they are there, which is located on the deck nearest

the Kid’s Zone, to get their children a free identification card with fingerprints.

Live music and beer will be served up all day long at the Centennial Plaza. There is also The Red Car Show and an electrical vehicle show sponsored by the Kern Council of Governments (COG), an organization which focuses on regional transportation issues.

Kern COG is teaming up with a couple of dealerships to provide these electric cars, which are environmently friendly.

The electric cars are not just for show, “people can test-drive an electric car,” said Carhart.

For those adults who feel lucky, they can try their hand at the Apple Drop, where “numbered apples are dropped from a crane onto a target below; The one whose apple is closest to the target wins,” said Carhart.

The Lion’s Club Booth will sell these apple foam balls for the apple drop during the first two hours of the festival on Saturday only. At 3 p.m. the balls will be dropped. The cost of each ball is $5, but

the cash pot is worth over $1,000.

There is also the Apple Pie Baking Contest, where an entrant creates two apple pies; one will be judged for appearance, texture and flavor, while the other apple pie will be auctioned off later. The Apple Pie Auction usually brings in $50 to $100 for each apple pie. This event will be held on Saturday and is limited to eight entries and is sponsored by Tehachapi’s local paper The Loop. There will also be an Apple Pie Eating Contest, with a limit of 10 entries on Sunday.

Proceeds from Tehachapi’s Apple Festival will be given to local charities, including Our Hope Chest, Tehachapi Boy Scout Troop, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

If you would like additional information about Tehachapi’s Apple Festival you may email info@TehachapiAppleFestival.com or call (818) 519-7144. If you would like more information, rules, or an entry form to enter the Apple Pie Baking Contest, you can visit www.tehachapiapplefestival.com/baking-contest.html.

A way that video games help people is by providing a means to escape from the terrible things that are happening in someone’s life.

I have never been comfortable with talking to people that I do not know. School has always been a nuisance for me, and I do not like to actively go outside in this hot Bakersfield weather.

Video games have been a part of my life ever since I was a kid. I started playing video games before I can even remember. The earliest memory I have of me playing video games is playing “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.”

It was not an easy time in my life. My parents fought with each other and my brother and I would always try to turn the TV volume up so that we could focus on playing video games.

L a t e r on, when I was in high school I dreaded going to school every day for a portion Brandon of my first Cowan year there because I did not know anyone there. All I looked forward to was coming home in order to play video games on my PC. Playing video games online gives me an opportunity to meet people from across the planet. I have met people from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and even Russia. I have heard many stories from other people that I can relate to – that is to escape from some conflict that is going on in their life by playing video games.

There was this one person that I met that was depressed and the way that he would deal with it was by playing video games. We met by playing a game called “Dark Souls III.” This game has a player versus player element.

I have always liked trying to be the best at video games, but this game really captured my interest. I have participated in international and North American based tournaments.

The person that I met was also good at this video game, but we connected with each other because of how we escape from reality by playing video games. I talk to him every so often to get updates on what is going on with his life to make sure that he is doing fine.

Video games bring people together for a number of reasons, but the reason why it is different from a hobby like painting, is because that it brings social outcasts together who would otherwise be lost in life.

When someone tells me that I should change who I am just because society says so, I think about playing more video games. I do not want to change myself just because I should be like everyone else around me.

Society is not built around introverts. In order to get a job, a person has to be outgoing by going out to different companies, presenting yourself in a way that shows confidence and shows that you can talk to people without any problems.

Escapism by playing video games can be a good way to find relief, but sometimes it can take a toll. Gamers stay in their room and do not leave except to get food, if it is not already in their room, and to use the bathroom.

Some people shut themselves in and play video games to get away from a society that does not award introverts, because changing who you are is not something that can be done so easily.

Features

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Page 4

‘Ratriotism’ a fun, but crude series of skits Melissa Puryear Reporter The Royal Association of Thespians (R.A.T.) performed in Ratriotisim, a mini-series of skits, which one audience member called “raunchy” and “offensive.” These skits are delivered on stage in under two hours.

R.A.T. delivers material on current hot topics that can be both laughed at and shunned, depending upon the audience. Saturday night’s performance at The Empty Space on Oak Street, was R.A.T.’s final performance this season. However, in December.

R.A.T. will come back to the stage.

The show’s opening began with a couple of verbally graphic song parody’s. To understand the creation process Directors Jesse Arenas, 37, and Matt Fredrickson, 37, discussed what goes into the making of each show.

Arenas and Fredrickson text back and forth every day.

One day it might be a title, the next, a scene and then they build on that; Eventually a story takes form, and once they have something to pitch to the cast of actors, they practice for two weeks prior to performance night.

Josh Hensley, 31, said, “Two weeks before the show goes up we get together, we do a read through, and then we start developing our characters and the scenes, so we only rehearse for two weeks … a regular stage

production, a play, will typically be two, three months of rehearsal, so that actors can learn their lines … and get everything right.” However, Hensley said that they work together quickly and efficiently as a team to bring the performance to the stage.

According to Arenas, “Some scenes are what’s going on in the news.” Hensley, elaborates a bit on this point by discussing Sulk, a character who reads poetry in one of the scenes. “Sulk,” Hensley said, “says, ‘sad, sad, is the Florida Keyes…’” This line used for the skit was taken from current content in the media that the audience could sorely relate to. Both Hensley and Arenas admit this line was added at the last minute. Sulk’s words allude to Hurricane Irma’s presence in the Florida Keyes only hours before the production and it hits it’s intended targets, those soft spots in the audience that draws gasps of disbelief, and at the same time this sort of smug satisfaction from other audience members that felt they had this expectation and need to find something shocking and offensive on production night, because that’s what they paid for. It is why “It’s an offensive sketch comedy,” Arenas said.

According to Fredrickson, Hensley and Arenas. “It gets people talking about it and takes away the taboo. We’re doing it to take away that power and get it out there to talk about.

We shouldn’t be afraid to talk

about this stuff … There’s a storm destroying people’s lives.

You can either laugh about it or keep your mouth shut and hide reality,” said Matt Fredrickson.

“One thing I always think when it comes to offensive content, everything’s tragic; that’s why we do what we do, to take the power out of hatred and taboo subjects … Laughter is healing,” Arenas added.

Hensley pointed out one of his favorite scenes from the night’s production that could be considered especially controversial and offensive is in “Life Gives You Lemons.”

He says, “… a devilish character gives bad life advice, such as slapping your wife, flipping off your mother, and encouraging at-home abortions. It’s all in fun and nothing but love.” The scene he is referring to is about a married woman who seeks advice from this devilish character.

She has been cheating on her husband and she fears that when the baby is born he will discover her misdeed because the baby looks nothing like him. She runs to the makeshift store where everyone has heard their problems magically go away. The devilish character is rubbing his hands together after he gives the pregnant woman a bottle of bleach.

He urges her to drink it and reminds her that there is a slight percentage that she could die.

However, she could find redemption through the sympathy of her husband and Facebook

Kern County Museum lectures on KKK history

By Megan Fenwick Social Media Editor The Kern County Museum held a historical lecture at Pioneer Village on sept. 13 named “The KKK in Kern County.” The lecture was given by Curator of Collections Lori Wear and shed light on the Ku Klux Klan’s presence in Kern County, specifically in the 1920s.

“I think it’s important in a lot of ways to remember your history,” Wear said as she explained the purpose of the lecture, which had raised some controversy from Bakersfield citizens over the topic.

Wear gave the example of post-World War II, when “90

percent of anything related to Hitler had been wiped out by bombing by the Allies.”

“And yet, that didn’t stop a rise in Neo-Nazism in Germany in later years,” said Wear. She believed that by dragging hate groups like the KKK into the light, it will rob them of their power, which Wear says lies in the KKK’s secrecy.

The KKK began recruiting through the efforts of Homer R. Pitts in 1921 with the narrative that they were a vigilante group who could do what the police could not.

The KKK meetings were originally held on 921 Niles Street at Harry D. Reynold’s house and later at the Kern River Club in

the Taylor Building on Chester Avenue. Some of the victims of the Kern County KKK were whipped, beaten, hanged and even tarred and feathered.

One victim by the name of George Bowman was beaten and dragged through an oil sump before being forced to leave town.

In 1922, the Bakersfield Californian published a list of over 350 names of members of the KKK in Kern County.

Among the names was that of the Bakersfield Police Chief, Charles Stone and Stanley Abel, a six-time county supervisor in Taft.

The lecture ended with Wear taking and answering questions from the crowd.

Renegade Struggles: Alex Mosqueda We all have a struggle, and every person has a different story. Each issue of The Rip will feature a student overcoming certain struggles to gain an education and better their life.

By Brandon Cowan Web Editor Alex Mosqueda, 21, is a Bakersfield College student who has been struggling with back pain ever since his sophomore year at Frontier High School.

When Mosqueda was in his second year of high school, he and some of his friends decided to have a deadlifting competition.

When Mosqueda was done deadlifting over 200 pounds, days after his back was sore, which he said was normal.

What was not normal is that months after, his back was still sore.

At the end of sophomore year, Mosqueda decided that it was time to go see a chiropractor and he said that Mosqueda

had two herniated discs in his spine.

When Mosqueda was talking to his science teacher, he told Mosqueda that he should start running to help him with his back problems, so at the start of junior year, he joined cross country at Frontier.

He said, “I was the slowest guy on the team; I’ll tell you that, but I had heart. I didn’t give up.”

Unfortunately, later on Mosqueda figured out that, “It wasn’t working I would get pains from the long-distance running.”

Mosqueda then got a second opinion from a doctor telling him that he “probably hurt his back and should take it easy.”

In the summer before his senior year of high school, Mosqueda was at the gym be-

cause he figured that if he just did some minor workouts and got back into shape, it could possibly make his back better.

He said, “I just started doing some light lifting. Did my first set. Came up to do my second set.” And on his tenth set, he said he, “Came up, lower part of my spine all popped. Both my legs went numb. I dropped the weight and I was in instant pain.”

He also said, “I’m at the gym. I’m not going to cry. I’m going to tough this out. I wanted to cry a lot because it was so much pain.”

Mosqueda said that it was gym policy to not leave weights out so he had to lift them back up on the racks which were higher than his shoulders.

Mosqueda went to talk to one of the trainers at the gym

friends. He consoled her with the idea that one day she will be a mother, just not now. Her baby will go off to live in some puffy clouds. This gives her reassurance and she exits the scene to drink the bottle of bleach.

One audience member was eager to talk about her opinions of Ratriotism and its performances.

Lily Bogges, 30 said that she is a regular. She has been attending shows for eight years. She has also performed as an actor at The Empty Space. “I attempt to come to every show at least once. I’m not easily offended. It took them a few years to hit a button … and I was even more hooked,” Bogges said. She “believes in using comedy as a cathartic therapy.”

In reference to offensive content, she said, “It breaks a certain kind of stress that people carry around in this social construct … Right here right now, this tiny little box of space, is ok, you have space here to be ok. I can show up in leather-clad and not worry about it because if there’s any place to be extra ostentatious it’s here, it’s a freedom ...” She especially liked the line, “I’ll suck up all their pities and their prayers,” in “Hashtag Mother’s Day Someday,” in reference to the pregnant wife who cheated on her husband. She referred to this particular scene as an example of what she called “raunchy comedy.”

“This is blowing off steam.

This is experiencing something that lets you let that stress off

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Claire Rock as Black Widow and Jesse Arenas as El Bumblo, struggle for control of the gun, while Alissa Morrow as DJ, looks on in dismay. your shoulders. It’s good for people,” continued Bogges. For others like Bogges’ husband Wesley, there really wasn’t much that offended him.

He said that he enjoys this comedy and finds it amusing.

He has been to four shows. He enjoys the comedy and finds it amusing, that’s because “I have a darker sense of humor than most people,” said Bogges.

The next performance will be in December and is made possible by Empty Space Productions, a non-profit organization, that gives local actors, directors and technicians a place to practice, deliver, and hone their craft.

R.A.T. will accept costume and prop donations.

Students wishing to donate can contact R.A.T. on their Facebook page.

Fundraiser to provide scholarships with the help from local car wash

By Fitzgerald Graves Reporter Sparkling Image Car Wash businesses in Bakersfield are sponsoring a fundraiser on Sept.

22 at their five locations. Sparkling Image will donate the proceeds from the fundraiser to provide scholarships for students in fifth or sixth grade from schools throughout Kern County School District, so that students who have limited resources but wish to stay at Camp Keep for the week trip can.

Camp Keep is considered by teachers and counselors an educational and influential opportunity for these fifth and sixth graders in Kern County. The Kern Environmental Education Program or KEEP is located in Montana de Ora State Park as well as Cambria Pines in Cambria.

The students who attend the week-long camp encounter wild life, staying in cabins, exploring the surrounding ecosystem, and developing leadership skills.

The dedication Sparkling Image Car Wash demonstrates by sponsoring this annual event may influence other businesses to participate in other ways, Superintendent Assistant Desiree VonFlue said.

“Camp Keep is a wonderful experience for students to have as it assists in the understanding of their relationship and impact on the ecosystem. While giving students the opportunity to have hands-on exposure to a living environmental laboratory,” VonFlue said.

The efforts put forth by Sparkling Image will grant students who may otherwise not participate in a residential outdoor science curriculum the chance to do

and the trainer told him that he should use a Styrofoam roller to see if he might be able to pop his back.

Mosqueda could not do it.

“I was in so much pain I couldn’t even lift my body three inches off the ground,” he said.

When Mosqueda wanted to go home, he needed a ride because his house is three miles away from the gym.

Unfortunately, his sister was on the other side of town, so he decided to walk home.

He was able to walk halfway to his house before his sister was able to pick him up. He then got home and immediately laid on his bed.

Days after, he went to see a doctor who told Mosqueda that he lost partial reflex in his Achilles tendon area and had MRI scheduled.

Mosqueda wanted to do wrestling his senior year, so he went to go get a physical done.

Mosqueda said, “The doctor said, ‘yeah you’re physically good to go,’ but when he saw that I had an MRI done, he looked over the results and told me that I wasn’t ever going to be able to play contact sports ever again.

He guaranteed me that if I was to wrestle, I would lose both of my legs.”

Mosqueda did not participate in wrestling and when he graduated high school, he registered for classes at BC to get a certificate in AutoCAD. He landed a job at a bowling al-

ley and his back got worse after he had to take out the trash for his job.

He speculates the reason why by saying, “I think it was from the time I was taking out the trash; it had to be at least over 100 pounds.

Picked it up, threw it in the dumpster and then it just wasn’t the same after that.”

He got another MRI scheduled and he said, “... and they confirmed that I had three herniated discs and a thing called spinal stenosis.”

The doctor told Mosqueda that spinal stenosis could lead to bone deterioration and he would never be able to use his legs again.

He was advised to get surgery, but because he had al-

so.

The location of Camp Keep offers varying ecosystems, which are educational discussions about surrounding vegetation, trails that allow students to traverse from mountain terrain to a costal ecosystem in a matter of minutes, and the overall comradery amongst their peers.

Camp fire songs and games are also to be expected. As a fundraising partner, Sparkling Image is giving back in a way that may benefit all people by supporting student education of the ecosystem that they exist in.

The participating locations are as follows: Sparkling Image Car Wash 2301 H Street, Sparkling Image Car Wash 7901 Rosedale Highway, Sparkling Image Car Wash 5201 Stockdale Highway, Sparkling Image Car Wash 3951 Wible Road, and Sparkling Image Car Wash 7991 White Lane.

ready registered for classes for spring 2017, he did not want to get it done because he would not recover from it in time for spring semester.

He was forced to stop working and live off of disability funds, and in that time he was able to get his certification in AutoCAD. Mosqueda now has a job trucking and his right leg started to get tingly and numb again.

He said, “I’ve been thinking about it, and I think it’s time for my surgery.”

In the coming weeks, Mosqueda is going be seeing a specialist to see what he needs to do in order to prepare for the surgery and have a safe recovery.

Campus

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Page 5

‘One Book Kickoff’ held to help fight poverty

By Brandon Cowan Web Editor The Office of Student Life and the Kern County Library provided an event titled “One Book Kickoff,” with a media conference at the Campus Center and a resource fair at the Renegade Crossroads to discuss the book “$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America,” written by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer.

The media conference was a collection of five speakers at the Campus Center that took place on Sept. 13 to introduce what One Book is and to give insight to personal connections to the book.

One of the speakers, Emmanuel Limaco, 32, is an engineering student at Bakersfield College.

Limaco was originally from LA and moved to Bakersfield in 2007, but got involved in gang activities and ended up getting arrested.

He said, “I was a gang member in my younger days and I committed a crime here in Bakersfield involving firearms; I shot two people and I turned myself in.”

“I went to prison in 2008, and when I was released in 2012, I was not allowed to leave the county, so I had to stay in Bakersfield essentially.”

After he was released from prison, he spent two years afterward in housing for reintegrating inmates. After that, he was homeless for about five months, he says.

Limaco took his first semester at BC in 2016. He took a construction class and some remedial classes and discovered that he wanted to be an engi-

neering student.

He said, “I started coming to college here in 2016, and within my first couple of weeks being here at BC, I did find housing, steady housing, and I actually did find a way to pay for it. It wasn’t easy.”

Limaco said that he got help from programs at BC such as the MESA program, EOP&S, financial aid, and the Renegade Pantry.

“I remember having to rely on different pantries, not only here at Bakersfield College, but throughout the Bakersfield community just so I had something to eat at home because I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have any income; I didn’t have any way to support myself,” Limaco said.

Limaco eventually was able to get a job at BC in order to pay for his needs so he could continue attending BC. He said, “I was blessed within about five months of being a student at BC to actually being employed by Bakersfield College. I became one of the coordinators for the Renegade pantry which, oddly enough, was the same facility that supplied me with food.”

At the Renegade Crossroads there was also a resource fair in which local agencies like the California Veteran’s Assistance Foundation, CAPK WIC, Department of Child Support Services, Department of Human Services, Planned Parenthood, Catholic Charities, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, California State University of Bakersfield Fab Club, and the Renegade Pantry were all there in order to inform students about how they can help fight poverty.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Professors’ art on display Slow and Column

steady loses the weight

Health Advice: Practical tips

CHRISTOPHER COCAY / THE RIP

Hannah Pomroy admires a painting of Adel Shafik at the BC art gallery on Sept. 14.

By Christopher Cocay Reporter Bakersfield College started an “Art Department Faculty Show” exhibition at the Jones Art Gallery to display professors’ art work on Sept. 14. The gallery also featured many different artworks like multimedia video, sculptures, and paintings.

One of the paintings was the “Abstract Landscape 1 -3” by Adel Shafik, 59, a full-time art professor at Bakersfield College for 14 years. He was born in Cairo, Egypt, and immigrated to the United States in 1986.

He received a BFA Degree in Cinematography and Telecommunications in Egypt; when he came to the U.S., he went to Indiana University, in Bloomington where he also completed his

MFA degree in Graphic Design.

When asked about his painting, “Abstract Landscape,” that was featured at the gallery, he said “most of the work that I do is graphic design digital base.”

He mentioned that his painting is about color and texture.

When asked about his inspiration on the “Abstract Landscape” painting, he said “I’m interested in abstract work landscape, I don’t show a lot of detail in the subject matter, I just show a lot of texture and color of the paint.”

He mentioned that his inspiration from this painting were the pictures from NASA because he’s very much into space and the abstract.

He mentioned that he used a palette knife to finish the painting.

When he started painting, he

was very young, and his parents helped and supported him in pursuing his dream to be an artist and continue in that field.

Shafik mentioned that his favorite artist is Henri Matisse, whose work also inspired him to do what he loves.

He said that the struggle of doing the “Abstract Landscape” is by having no specific subject, “the challenge was having no subject, because I keep adding and subtracting colors until I get the composition that I’m looking for. It’s like having no end, because I don’t have a specific subject. When you start something without a specific target in your mind, that is challenging because you don’t know what your work is going to look like,” he said.

The exhibit will run until Oct. 12.

Students talk poverty

By Karla Gutierrez Reporter The Gadfly Cafe is an open group discussion that informs students, staff and faculty about everyday topics such as poverty. Bakersfield College philosophy teacher Reginald Williams gave a small lecture to start things off by stating the percentage of people who live in poverty in the United States that are based from 2015.

“The poverty rate is 13.5 percent of the population. 43 million Americans live at or below the poverty line,” stated Williams.

Williams went on to say that there is a poverty line for each annual income included in the household.

For example, if the household has one person, that is 15 thousand dollars of annual income a year. If there’s four people in the household, that would be 24 thousand dollars of annual income a year.

According to Williams, in the United States, the 20 wealthiest people hold the same amount of assets than those of the lower half of the population combined.

Additionally, 186 of the wealthiest people in the United States collectively hold about the same wealth as the entire Latino/Latina population combined.

Williams mentioned that in the top 400 richest people in the United States, only five of them are Latino/Latina and three of them are in the same family.

Furthermore, only two of them in that list are AfricanAmerican.

Williams was open about giving the opportunity to everyone that was in the room to voice their opinions or questions.

Many topics were brought up, from education to politics, but the subject ultimately came back to poverty.

KARLA GUTIERREZ / THE RIP

Reginald Williams listens as a student expresses their opinion during the Gadfly Cafe.

BC workshop fights mental illness stigma

By Megan Fenwick Social Media Editor Bakersfield College’s Student Health and Wellness Center hosted a Movies for Mental Health workshop for students in collaboration with Art With Impact, a charity organization that strives to destigmatize mental illness through art.

The event took place in Student Services 151 on Sept. 13 and provided students with material about resources on and off campus and food and refreshments. Paul Sanbar, a launch coach with Art With Impact, led the workshop and encouraged student involvement.

Sanbar began by discussing “the intersection of how creativity has an impact on us, and how we could use creativity and art as a way to ... let the insides out, as a release.” He then asked for students to share movie titles that they had seen that were about mental illness or that explored mental illness through a

character. Students mentioned movies such as “The Accountant,” “A Beautiful Mind,” and “Perks of Being a Wallflower” as examples.

Students were then asked to describe how some of the characters from these films were portrayed, how they defined mental illness, and what they considered mental wellness.

The students were then shown four movies that won Art With Impact’s monthly short film contest. The first film was “Beyond Words,” which was created by Sharon Nyarko and won the contest in May of 2017. The black and white film featured a young African-American man struggling with depression, while superimposed phrases like “We don’t believe in therapy,” and “Real men don’t cry,” appeared. The man proceeded to step onto a chair and the sound of a flatline implied he committed suicide. The video ended by saying, “Platitudes do not treat depression,” and informed

viewers that depression can affect anyone and to take the illness seriously. What followed was a discussion on stigmas in mental health and how they differ from stereotypes. “Stigmas are always bad, and [they are] false,” said Sanbar.

The next film, “Three,” by Karen Hua, showed three students struggling with different mental illnesses. One student was a tap dancer who was shown to run late due to how time consuming her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms were.

Another young woman dreaded going to class because of her social anxiety and the third student was a young man suffering from bulimia. All three characters were shown to be isolated in their illnesses, and by the end of the video, they all met up in a class, completely unaware of what struggles the others were facing. The audience was then asked to break into groups to discuss what they thought and felt about the film.

Next was an animated video named, “Hanging,” in which the creator, Nick LeDonne, depicted his attempted suicide. Harrowing music played as a young man agonized alone in his room, with words like “fat,” “worthless” and “failure” flashing by.

When the character tied a belt to his closet door, an apparition of a woman close to the young man appeared and tried to stop him as well as try to fight back his negative thoughts. Students were once again asked to discuss the movie in groups.

The final film, “Limitless”

by Rory McLead, showed a young Australian woman who was avoiding going to a friend’s party due to anxiety and low self-esteem.

Although she felt awkward and thought that she had embarrassed herself in front of a boy, it was shown that he had similar thoughts and they eventually spoke and enjoyed themselves at the party.

BC students Allison Ruger,

Caitlin Livingston, and Ruth Sandoval stood up to share their experiences with mental illness, which ranged from bullying, suicidal thoughts, and bipolar disorder, and how they used art to cope.

“When I first started dealing with my anxiety ... it kind of seemed like I was the only one who really dealt with it, everyone else around me was okay, or they seemed like they were,” said Ruger while describing how her anxiety isolated her.

Livingston spoke about how she was bullied due to her scoliosis, subsequently wanted to kill herself, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Sandoval talked about her experiences in an adopted family that did not believe in mental illness, overdosing and being admitted to a psych ward.

The event ended with a discussion of what mental health resources were available on campus and around Bakersfield.

for staying healthy With the different dieting trends out there, it’s important that people be informed of their actual effectiveness and potential dangers. People should also learn that there are alternative options.

There are good diets, and there are crazy diets. I’m talking about fad diets that promise you will lose 10 pounds in a week. In case you were wondering, that is impossible to achieve. If you do manage to lose the weight, it is certainly water weight, and it will come back.

There is a trendy diet in Latin America that requires you to eat tuna and vegetables only. For seven days, you can only eat veggies for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, you can only have tuna.

The diet gets boring pretty quickly. Eating tuna for seven days straight is not only unhealthy, but also disgusting. Despite that, those who follow the diet claim that they’ve lost up to seven pounds in a week.

Few sane people are willing to sacrifice themselves that way to lose some pounds. Also, this way of eating is simply unsustainable. Nobody can live on lettuce and tuna for the rest of their life.

Eventually, people give up and go back to their regular diet.

Because their diet was likely unhealthy in the first place, they gain the weight back.

At that point, they realize that they spent weeks feeling Jenny Brito miserable and smelling like fish for nothing. The same concept applies to other “miracle” diets like the cabbage soup diet.

Let’s be honest, who can manage to survive on cabbage for more than a couple days?

Another common strategy involves replacing meals for protein shakes. Slimfast is known for its shakes that make you feel satiated. Honesty, I find this method to be extremely effective. After all, you end up consuming fewer calories. You may be replacing a 500 calorie meal with a 150 calorie drink. If you can’t lose weight doing that, then I don’t know what to tell you.

My issue with meal replacement is that, again, it’s not sustainable. It works, but people can’t spend the rest of their lives drinking chocolate shakes. And when they quit, they gain weight again.

The results don’t last because fad diets don’t change your way of thinking or behavior.

For weight loss to last, people need to change their relationship with food significantly, and that is not easy. Food plays an important role in our lives since we are little. We eat when we are happy, sad, angry, and when we want to celebrate something.

While it can be challenging, it is achievable. I have learned from different therapists and dieticians that keeping a food journal is an excellent way to start changing patterns of behavior. So, take your favorite notepad, and start recording everything you eat and drink. Also, keep track of how you felt when you ate each meal.

Before bed, go over your journal and determine whether you made good or bad choices that day. Also, evaluate whether your moods influenced what you ate.

For example, some people eat more carbs and sweets when they are sad.

Being able to identify patterns in your thinking and behavior will help you become more aware of what you eat. This first step can make a huge difference in the way you see food and its role in life. Food should be a tool for survival and not a coping mechanism.

Commentary The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Page 6

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Renegade Events

Video Game Review

Prequel turns back the clock

News Bakersfield College is now tobacco free, in which it is no longer allowed to smoke tobacco on campus.

Campus Events

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By Karla Gutierrez Reporter After two years of waiting, it was announced early in June that the prequel “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” was going to be released on Aug. 31 at the premiere event for gamers known as E3. “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” is a role-playing game in which the player gets to make decisions for the main character, Chloe Price, which will result in future consequences that can be good or bad; therefore, it reintroduces the concept of the butterfly effect that was a major factor in the first game. However, the character does not have the ability to rewind time to correct the choices that were made by the player like in the first game “Life is Strange.”

In the first game, the main focus was on an 18-year-old girl

named Max Caulfield, who discovers that she has the ability to rewind time when she saved her best friend Chloe from getting shot. Little did she know that her want to help others by using her powers to rewind time would create a storm of chaos due to the manipulation of time and space.

Hence, that is where the second game gets its title.

“Life is Strange: Before the Storm” is the prequel of the series where we, the player, get to learn more about the origins of Chloe Price and how she became the rebellious and out of control teenager that we are presented in the first game. Furthermore, we also get to see how she copes with the aftermath of her father’s death. It is in this game in which we learn about her relationship status with her classmate Rachel Amber, who went missing in the first game.

“Life is Strange: Before the Storm” is a game that consist of scenarios that can connect to a player’s emotions due to the realistic events that occur in the game. Even though there is only one out of three episodes available so far, it is the right of gameplay needed to get a player hooked into the story.

This game contains a wonderful story that not only shows what it’s like to sneak out to see a favorite band after a school night, but also the ups and downs of a friendship.

The overall theme of this game is the concept of friendship. The player gets to experience the relationship between Chloe Price and Rachel Amber from the start as well as seeing it evolve and eventually getting to see what led to its demise. Coincidentally, the player is also able to connect his or her feelings to this story

and its characters. The player is able to feel their pain and their sadness, but they are also able to experience the moments of triumph and happiness. There is no other game like “Life is Strange” that allows the player to feel like they are also part of the game.

“Life is Strange: Before the Storm” shows the world that there is at least one person in this world who will always stand by another person’s side through good or difficult times, high five his or her victories, or lend his or her shoulder during the hard times.

Furthermore, through the game’s thematic message, a player is able to reflect about that one person in their life who changed it for the better and became someone whom they can consider a best friend.

Movie Review

‘IT’ intimidates with a great story

By Christopher Cocay Reporter “IT: Chapter One” (2017), directed by Andy Muscietti and based on the best-selling novel

by Stephen King, has already broke and is still breaking records by making $198.5 million on its first week.

The film revolves around seven kids who teamed up to defeat the shape-shifting clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård). The story begins when Bill’s brother Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) goes missing without a trace.

A year later, Bill (Jaeden Lieberher) is still looking for his missing brother along with his friends Richie (Finn Wolfhard), Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer), and Stanley (Wyatt Oleff). As the search for the missing brother progresses, the four boys encounter new friends who are Beverly (Sophia Lillis), Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor), and Mike (Chosen Jacobs). They name their group of companionship “The Losers Club” as their friendship goes deeper.

The kids realize that each of them are having bizarre visions and solve the puzzle that it’s Pennywise who’s using their

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greatest fears against them by making them have scary visions.

My experience with the movie was fun and difficult at the same

time, as I had to go in line and wait for a few minutes to get two advanced tickets for an evening showing at 6 p.m.

Inside the theater, there were a lot of people and reserved seats; I ended up sitting at the very back.

It made me really excited when I saw the huge crowd because the last time I saw a theater crowded was when I watched Jurassic World (directed by Colin Trevorrow).

The film “IT” was innovative and was made perfectly even if it’s based from a book and a second remake. The child actors were amazingly great and they projected their parts flawlessly and naturally.

The movie itself has a huge sense of humor even if it’s recognized as a horror movie. The modernization of the film made it flawless, believable, and twice as scary with the use of CGI. Unlike the first TV movie adaptation of “IT,” the modern version has a lot of scenes that made me jump on my seat; the CGI made it even better. The movie will not just make you frightened or laugh, but it will also make you emotional on the final scene, so it is like an all-in-one genre in one movie.

Sept. 21: BCSGA workshop: How to run an effective meeting at BCSGA Executive Boardroom CC 5 at 2 p.m.

Sept. 26: UC TAG workshop at css 151 from 1-2 p.m.

Sept. 26: In-home daycare information workshop at the indoor theater from 1-4 p.m.

Sept. 29: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Hamlet is at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Sept. 29: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 1: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Hamlet at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 2: CalStateApply! workshop at CSS 151 from noon to 1 p.m.

Oct. 3: Outreach Orientation at Forum 101 from 5-7 p.m.

Oct. 3: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Hamlet at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 4: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 5: CalStateApply! Workshop at CSS 151 from 1-2 p.m.

Oct. 5: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Hamlet at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 6: High school counselor conference at the Fireside Room, Forum 102, Cafeteria Alcove, LA 116 and LA 201.

Oct. 6: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 7: Kern Shakespeare Festival 2017: Hamlet at the outdoor theater from 7:30-10 p.m.

Oct. 11: Gadfly Cafe: Robotics - At Work, at Home, in Bed at the Levan center from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: CalStateApply! Workshop at CSS 151 from 1-2 p.m.

Oct. 13: Panorama creative music summit at the indoor theater from 7-11 p.m.

Oct. 14: Tailgade: The 2017 BC Alumni Association BBQ at the North Side of Memorial Stadium from 3-6 p.m.

Oct. 20: Last day to withdraw and receive a “W.” Nov. 1: Last day to file for graduation.

Nov. 8: Early web registration begins for spring 2018.

Nov. 10-11: Holiday - Veterans Day. Nov. 22: Classes starting at 5:30 p.m. and after will not be held.

Nov. 23-25: Holiday - Thanksgiving.

Nov. 29: Open web registration begins for spring 2018.

Dec. 2-8: Final exams.

Dec. 9: Fall session ends.

Compiled by Brandon Cowan

Web Editor

The Renegade Rip EDITORIAL BOARD First place for newspaper in 2011, third place in 2013, 2014, 2015 for CNPA General Excellence Ninth place for newspaper in 2016 for national Best of Show contest by Associated Collegiate Press Second place nationally in 2016 for website publication by Associated Collegiate Press The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College journalism classes and is circulated on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters.

The newspaper is published under the auspices of the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility for its content rests with student editors. The Rip is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, Associated Collegiate Press, and California Colleges Media Association.

Editor-in-Chief.....................Lizette Chavez Web Editor.........................Brandon Cowan Social Media Editor..........Megan Fenwick Photo Editor............................Ambria King

Around Town

Sept. 20 to Oct. 1: The Kern County Fair will be opening at 8 a.m.

Sept. 21: A TEDx conference is hapening at the Spotlight Theatre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sept. 22-23: At The Empty Space there will be a play called “The Woman in Black” at 8 p.m.

Sept. 22-28: A screening the movie Dolores will be shown at Maya Cinemas with the first showing being at 7 p.m. Dolores Huerta will be there in person on Sept. 24.

Sept. 24: MADD Kern county will have their annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash 5K and 10K at River Walk Park starting at 7:30 a.m.

Sept. 27: At the Kern County Museum Artifacts Come to Life, California Indian Artifacts will ocur at 6 p.m. and admission will be $10.

Sept. 29: Big Bounce House America is happening Hart Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: Tim McGraw & Faith Hill “Soul2Soul Tour 2017,” Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $66.50-$126.50. Location: Rabobank Arena.

Sept. 30: A gaming convention called Rowdy Con will be occuring at CSUB from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sept. 30: Trinkets to Treasures will be occuring at Woman’s Club of Bakersfield from 8-4 p.m. for an admission of $1.

Oct. 5: Recovery and Support After Stroke will be happening at the Dignity Health Community Wellness Center from 3:30-5 p.m.

Oct. 7: Bakersfield Pride Fest: Stand Up Speak Out! will take place at Stramler Park from 3-9 p.m.

Oct. 9-14: CSUB will be having a pride week at different locations and times around Bakersfield.

Write to The Rip

STAFF Reporters/photographers: Alex Apatiga, Jenny Brito, Chris Cocay, Fitzgerald Graves, Karla Gutierrez, Christina Benavides, Melissa Puryear

Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be accompanied by a signature and the letter writer’s identity must be verified.

The Rip reserves the right to edit letters, however, writers will be given the opportunity to revise lengthy or unacceptable submissions.

If an organization submits a letter as a group, it must be signed by only one person, either the leader of the organization or the letter writer. Anonymous letters will not be published.

How to reach us

Adviser.............................................Erin Auerbach

-Address: Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305 -Phone: (661) 395-4324 -Email: ripmail@bakersfieldcollege.edu -Website: therip.com

Continued The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

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Column

How to help your mentality Mental Health: For mental wellnes and awereness

Mental illness is often overlooked among this generation due to stigma. People don’t always feel comfortable seeking help, and I know some great tips for coping with the stress mental illness can bring. Personally, I understand how overwhelming it can be when you may not have support within your circle of friends or family. I am not a mental health professional, but I do have my own experience dealing with mental illness.

There are plenty of ways to make yourself feel better when you are feeling down and are looking for a quick pick me up.

I believe the most important thing to remember is that it is not your fault that you have these emotions and you should never beat yourself up over it. Your mindset is what normally leads you to Christina make decisions so try to Benavides have a positive one. It can be hard trying to stay positive all the time, but try to tell yourself positive things to increase the possibility of feeling better. If I feel sad or do not feel like I am having the best day, I like to reflect on the good parts of my day. Even if your day seemed to go horribly wrong, there is always a tomorrow to look forward to.

I also try to remind myself that feelings are not permanent. You will have better days.

I understand that everyone is different when dealing with a mental illness and I strongly suggest that you spend more time doing the things that you love.

We all have busy lives and it is important for you to save some time for yourself. Do not forget that your health comes first and by doing things that make you happy, you are increasing your chance of feeling better. For example, I discovered poetry when I needed someone to relate to.

Reading poetry made me feel like somebody understood how I felt. Not long after, I started writing poetry myself. It felt amazing to find a place where I was able to express my feelings in a way I could not vocally.

You can try writing daily in a journal about how you feel and look back on the days that went well when you don’t feel happy.

This would be helpful because you can remind yourself of positive moments you had. If you are more creative then you can do things like write short stories, lyrics, or draw. Not only does this distract you from having negative thoughts, but you also learn more about yourself. You might even find a new hobby or passion.

Another thing you can do is eat healthier. The foods you put in your body reflect on the way you feel about yourself. Realistically, not everyone has time to cook healthy meals, but adding fruits and vegetables to the meals you do prepare can help. When I tried this myself, I felt a difference in the way I felt day-to-day.

It did not eliminate any serious issues, but it did make me feel happier. Healthy food is also good for you physically and will positively change your mindset.

Along with eating healthy, you can also incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

Taking peaceful walks can help clear your mind from the stressful day you might have had.

At the end of the day, you should remember to gather some time to take care of yourself and always put your health before anything.

Keep in mind that these tips are not a way for you to ignore your mental health struggles and seeking help from a professional is encouraged if needed.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

The Reneagade Room meets expectation

By Lizette Chavez Editor in Chief One of my favorite pastimes is trying new food, so most of my precious free time is spent at restaurants or farmer’s markets. I find that experiencing new cuisine is best done with friends, it is fun to look at each other’s faces when taking that first bite, especially when one of you knows how a dish tastes.

As a poor college student I obviously cannot (I should say should not) spend so much money on food at restaurants and yet is the hardest thing to say no to, except maybe my chip addiction. If you really break it down it is quite a bit of money that is spent, you must pay for food and drinks, not to mention leaving a healthy tip (like a good human being) and you have to take gas money into account.

So when I heard rave reviews about the Renegade Room I was struck dumb by how well it met my criteria. The Renegade Room has an ever-changing menu, which means as a guest you will be able to try a new dish every single time.

It is reservation based so the staff isn’t trying to rush you out, you have time to really enjoy your food and hold good conversation. However, this does mean you have to call in

ahead of time and hope you can get a reservation and although you usually reach a machine, which my anxiety is thankful for, it does make it hard to really be sure your reservation is set. I do appreciate, though, the close proximity and assurance that if I want to treat myself after a particular hard school day I can literally walk across campus and do it.

Another aspect that I enjoyed is that the restaurant is run by Bakersfield College students which really made me feel better about spending my money, which brings me to the best part of it all, the price! The most expensive price to pay is a little less than $14 a person and that is only during the dinner time slot. Granted they charge extra for drinks, as they do in most restaurants, but you get an endless number of refills and I have to say the Pink Lemonade is definitely worth it. If they bottled it I would buy it.

The food they had available for my visit, was quite interesting as I decided to go to their dinner buffet, which was themed as “The taste of New Orleans”. The restaurant had an array of dishes to choose from a lot of which I had never had before but had always wanted to try, like deviled eggs and gumbo, the former of which I liked better.

MEGAN FENWICK / THE RIP

A popular dessert among most diners was a banana foster.

A lot of the dishes they had reminded me a lot of foods I had grown up eating, like the rice and beans dish but especially the caramelized bananas topped over vanilla ice cream with its sauce.

That dessert brought nostalgic memories of my mother caramelizing bananas as a warm treat for my brother and I as children during the cooler months.

One of the dishes I really enjoyed was surprisingly the salad (I had seconds), unlike most meat eaters I don’t abhor salads, in fact, I have a lot of fun finding ways to make salads less bland, but I have to say the chefs at the Renegade Room did an amazing job when it came to complementing flavors, who knew

pecans were so transformative, mark my word I will forever be spending time trying to recreate that salad.

As for dessert the white chocolate bread pudding with a whiskey sauce was unquestionably one of my favorite plates.

The cream and strawberries gave the bread pudding a slight cheesecake taste but the sauce and white chocolate were more reminiscent of a crème brule.

I have to say though one of my favorite moments about the experience of a themed buffet was the interaction with some of the other patrons. It was nice to see strangers stop and share with each other what dish they should try next or just seeing people’s

faces when they found something they really liked. It was nice being in a room full of people trying new things together, it really gave the room a different feel, more safe with a sense of camaraderie. It was really heartwarming to see people of different ages and ethnicities focused on one thing, I may sound sappy, but it did make me feel a little more hopeful about the future, given our current political times.

The Renegade Room did not disappoint my expectations of it, as a person I am quite picky and I do usually find myself disappointed at restaurants that receive good reviews, but this time it was not the case. I have always felt that the best food I could ever eat would be my mother’s, and although I still think that is still true, The Renegade room at the very least showed me that my mother is not the only good cook in this world. Though, I will say the pork chops with the mustard sauce, which I found to be a nice hollandaise, still uphold my dislike of pork chops, and as of this point no one, not even my mother, has made me tolerate them.

Regardless, of my hate of pork chops, I say to the Renegade Room keep cooking, baking and churning because I will certainly keep eating. But also I am serious about that pink lemonade, you guys can make some money, bottle it!

Continued from Page 1

SAFETY: New plan could create a safer place on campus for all BC students.

She also said, “I do have the Bakersfield College safety number on my phone so if anything does happen I can call right away … I have my phone unlocked and ready to call …”

Hendrickson adds that more patrols and cameras could help, but that crime will occur anyway because of the area. She encourages students to check out Ba-

kersfield Colleges self-defense classes that are offered for free.

She also encourages students to check their BC email.

She did admit that receiving emails has made her more aware that crime is occurring and this helps her to remain vigilant about her safety at all times.

Mario Saldana, a Bakersfield College student, said, “I don’t

necessarily feel threatened but you never know when this could happen to you.”

Saldana said that a safe campus requires students to take part in making it safer by “saying something.”

He says that making that phone call may make some students feel uncomfortable because they may be getting some-

one in trouble, but that person could be doing something that could harm someone else, and you just have to step up to the plate and call campus security and make a difference.

Saldana encourages students to purchase a parking pass versus parking on the surrounding neighborhood streets because he believes that parking off campus

makes a student more vulnerable and parking on campus is safer.

However, he said, “if you’re walking alone at night Facetime someone all the way to your car.” He also mentioned “using the buddy system.”

“Have someone maybe in your class that’s walking to their car accompany you to your car.”

Continued from Page 1

DACA: DACA hangs in the balance as politicians struggle to reach agreement. going to school before they even finish middle school ... If you live in a situation where you have no way to get money because you don’t have an education, and you

see your family and you love your family.

You don’t want them to starve to death.

You have to find a way to make money, and there’s

not that many ways to make money. Especially in places like the small city that I came from,” said Mendoza.

Mendoza points to these issues as the reason so many

make the choice to come to the U.S. in the first place.

As of Sept. 14, after a sit down between House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, New York Senator, Chuck

Schumer, and President Trump, there are talks of the possibility of a bipartisan effort to save DACA in exchange for heightened border security.

Sports

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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Renegades suffer narrow defeat against Riverside ALEXANDRA APATIGA / THE RIP

BC Renegade football players Ernest Harris, number 26, and Louis Early, number 27, jump to intercept Riverside Tiger football player Malik Holcomb, number 4, from catching a pass.

ALEXANDRA APATIGA / THE RIP

Riverside Tiger football player Tanarious Achan, number 3, as he attempts to escape from being tackled by BC Renegade players Grant Bice, number 34 (Left), Matt Hubble, number 7 and Louis Early, number 27.

Alexandra Apatiga Reporter At the Saturday home game, the Bakersfield College Renegades suffered their first loss of the season against the Riverside City College Tigers, who won with a 28-26 victory.

Both of the Renegades’ previous wins were decisive and final, as the players took the lead in both plays against Allan Hancock College (21-6) and Chaffey College (46-13).

During the first period, Vic Viramontes, number 10 of Riverside, scored with a 13-yard run touchdown, followed by two separate touchdowns in the second and fourth period. Viramonte’s touch-

downs would ultimately decide the game.

With Riverside ahead 7-0, BC’s own Aldo Gonzales, number 96, scored two field goals within the second period, bringing the score to 7-6. Viramontes then came in and scored his second touchdown at the 1-yard mark, closing the score with the Riverside Tigers still in the lead 14-6.

Following half-time, both the Renegades and the Tigers scored.

First, Renegade Ernest Harris, number 26, intercepted at the 57-yard line before scoring 14-13, only one point behind Riverside. Malik Walker, number 27, then brought his team ahead 12-13, with a 34yard touchdown.

The fourth and final period proved to be the toughest, as the Ren-

ALEXANDRA APATIGA / THE RIP

Ernest Harris, number 26, as he tries to knock away the football from the opposing team. egades scored two touchdowns in a last ditch effort to tie with Riverside, only to fall two points short with a 28-26 loss.

The first touchdown by BC Renegade Elisha Ortiz, number 1, with a pass from Cesar De Leon, number 15, bringing the game to 21-19.

The Tigers’ number 10, Viramontes, then scored his third and final touchdown from the 7-yard line and sealing his team’s victory 28-19.

The final touchdown came from BC player Jeffrey Jones, number 82, catching a pass from De Leon at the 75-yard line, bringing the final score to 28-26.

With a three game win streak ripped from Bakersfield College’s grasp, the Renegades still have several games before the playoffs come into play. The Renegades next game will be at Los Angeles Harbor College Saturday, September 23.

BC football player tackling goals on and off field

By Karla Gutierrez Reporter Jeremy Bethell talked about his favorite and challenging parts about playing football at Bakersfield College.

“My favorite part is family. It’s eleven guys that play offense, eleven guys that play defense, and the special team who do the kickoff in the start of the game. It’s eleven guys that get together and every day for a year we’re coming out to practice together and getting to know each other. We build a family, a unity. That energy carried over when we play in the game. We’re all working for that common goal,” said Bethell.

Bethell mentioned that the challenging part about football is that it’s very time demanding. He comes to school every day of the week from morning till night time. Once he is done with practice and everything else he must squeeze in homework and family time. He indicates that everybody has classes all day Monday to free up the rest of the week, since it is the day they are from football practice. He remarks that the challenge is different for every player. For example, one player might think the conditioning of the sport to be the challenge.

“For some guys that challenge might extend to ‘When I get to that game day, I’m nervous until I get on the field.’ Never for me because I love that feeling right before the game. Those are moments I’m most excited about. I could hit the quarterback, take him down, and they can get a major loss.

That could create momentum for the team where it’s like ‘Okay, we’re going and we’re going to keep pushing them back until we recover the ball,” said Bethell.

Since he was 8 years old, Bethell has been used to

playing defense. At that age, the coaches told him that he was too big, so he had to play for an 11-years-old league. He played for Jack Frost Youth Football and he would only be allowed to play during practice for safety reasons, unless there was a guy his size that the coach would tell him to play.

That only happened twice in the two years that he was in Jack Frost.

Before Bakersfield College, he attended Azusa Pacific University on a full ride scholarship, but ended up falling back with his grades and lost his scholarship; however, he ended up going into the army and doing some time there. Once he left the army, he came back to school and got his grades up and he’s now back to playing football.

“I actually got in touch with a football coach from Azusa Pacific University.

They’re excited to have me back. The whole thing is having to finish fixing up my grades this semester, they want to see a little bit of game film form this season, which looks alright,” said Bethell.

When asked if he’d ever plan to play professional football, he said that many professional football players like Lester Hayes, Anthony McClanahan, Brent McClanahan told him to always have that goal. They told him to always aim for that high point, but have a backup plan in case things didn’t go right.

Bethell is currently majoring in history. His plan is to get out of Bakersfield College with a history degree and move on to Azusa Pacific or another university to finish off the bachelor’s degree program for history.

He wants to get his master’s degree in the army. He has considered teaching history as his backup plan.

He mentions that Bakersfield College is a really good

KARLA GUTIERREZ / THE RIP

Bakersfield College offensive lineman and history major, Jeremy Bethell hopes to teach history after graduation. hotspot for recruitment. Bakersfield College has a good track record of getting players onto better universities. “Most of the time, we try to graduate before we move on because that AA degree helps someone get into the bachelor’s program,” said Bethell.

Next semester in January they are going to start the off-season conditioning, and the conditioning starts in the weight room. Bethell indicated that everything will revolve around the

weight room the end semester, which will include weights, running, etc.

“The best thing to do if someone is interested in is to go talk to the athletic counselor named Steve. You can go talk to him about what kind of academic requirements you’re going to need.

Some people can think they’re good to playing and find out they really are not,” said Bethell.

Even with that heavy schedule, Bethell comments that his son is what really motivates him to move forward.

“I realize that one of the things I regretted is I never had the ability to see my dad when he played football. He kind of taught me a lot about playing defense when I was younger. I always kind of regretted not being able to see that and I thought it would be great even though my son is only three; he can grow up and watch me play football and see that I can balance my family, going to school, and playing football. He can see that if you’re willing to work for it, you can get it,” said Bethell.

Sports

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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Men’s soccer takes a loss against Hartnell

By Ambria King Photo Editor The Bakersfield College Renegade men’s soccer team faced off against the Hartnell Panthers on Sept. 17 at BC’s Memorial Stadium.

Hartnell’s Brandon Hernandez scored the first

point of the game 21 minutes into the first half.

The Renegades scored in their own goal 37 minutes into the first half, giving Hartnell their second point of the game.

Santiago Morales scored the third and final point of the game at the 52-minute mark, leading to a victory for Hartnell with a score of 3-0.

AMBRIA KING / THE RIP

Luke Tovar and Joseph Lenton defend against Hartnell’s Adrian Chavez

AMBRIA KING / THE RIP

Joseph Lenton kicks the ball while Hartnell’s Brandon Hernandez looks on.

AMBRIA KING / THE RIP

Marshall Compton and David Martinez look on as Hartnell’s Brandon Hernandez heads the ball.

Renegade women’s soccer knocks out a 2 - 1 win against L.A. Valley

LIZETTE CHAVEZ / THE RIP

Odalys Espinoza fights to keep the ball in her play as an opposing player attempts to take over.

LIZETTE CHAVEZ / THE RIP

Jackie Garcia fights number nine for control of the ball during the home game at Bakersfield college.

LIZETTE CHAVEZ / THE RIP

Delaney Boyer is followed by a LA Valley player as she travels the ball toward the opposing teams goal box.

LIZETTE CHAVEZ / THE RIP

Delaney Boyer attempts to keep the ball as she is boxed in by opposing players.

Page 10

Renegade Adventure The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Lisa Williams offers a hug to Christina Benavides after receiving an inspirational note.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Eddy Lee, a cashier at Boss Pizza Company, reads an inspirational note of kindness.

Spreading words of kindness to strangers

By Christina Benavides Reporter We often forget that everyone we encounter in our life goes through struggles. We all have a story, and by spreading random acts of kindness you’re able to brighten someone’s day. That’s what I did on Sept. 17 in Downtown Bakersfield.

I knew I wanted to display some form of kindness to strangers, and that’s when I decided that I would give them personal messages from me to them.

I took my time writing every single message to ensure that I was getting everything someone would want to hear in just a few sentences.

“I don’t know what you’re currently going through in your life, but I want to remind you that your life is important. You do deserve good things to happen to you, and your feelings do matter. Remember to not only spread love, but to practice selflove. I wish you the best on your journey.”

I typed these messages out and put them in envelopes that had the words “Spread Kindness” on the front. I decorated the envelopes with stickers that reminded me of happiness to make them look fun. All messages were different to remain genuine to everyone I met. I wrote words that I would love to hear, and in a way this process made me feel good reading them. This experience allowed me to practice telling myself positive things just by writing messages for other people.

I was surprised by the general reaction I received. Most people were appreciative, but some did

seem to be skeptical at first. I do think that’s because some people do not normally receive kindness their way. Everyone has an opportunity to be kind to someone every day though, and I strongly encourage people to.

I passed out envelopes to locals, local business owners and workers. Most people I gave my messages to were male, but I did get some females to read my messages. One of the most impactful moments I had was with Eddy Lee who is a worker at Boss Pizza Company. He read my message aloud and told me that I had come to him at the right time, and my message was meaningful to him. Eddy also mentioned that he was going to share my message with someone in his personal life in hopes it would help them too. It is such a heartwarming experience to be able to positively impact a person’s life, even if you do not personally know them.

Another person I approached with my kind message was a valet at the Padre hotel named Patrick Lumpkin. He received it very positively and said that he does not see people doing what I was doing often in Bakersfield.

Patrick seemed to be appreciative and even said if I ever wanted to write something on the Padre that I could contact him. He also said he was going to pass the message to the oncoming shift.

That is another rewarding thing about deciding to do this random act of kindness, I never know who else will receive them. I told everyone they could either keep their messages for themselves or pass it on to someone who would love to hear those words.

I decided to spread kindness

to strangers because I wanted to see how the public would react and I genuinely wanted to make people feel good. I thought my kindness would get rejected due to me being a stranger, but everyone I approached was mostly open to it. The way you approach someone when doing something like this should always be respectful and you should not shove kindness down their throats. Not everyone is going to feel comfortable when confronted by a stranger and that’s okay. I am glad I impacted lives positively and brought smiles to people’s faces. I even received a few hugs.

While at Dagny’s Coffee Company I found Matthew Dill who is a Media Graphic Arts teacher at Stockdale High School. After he read my message he hugged me and I was taken aback in a good way. I was just a stranger, but he felt compelled to hug me after my simple act of kindness.

Reactions like that made me feel more confident about approaching people with my messages.

Even if I did not get a huge reaction from someone, I still made them feel good. The most important thing I learned from all of this is that we are all going through something in our lives, and by being kind to each other we might make things easier for us. Some people rarely hear a kind thing said to them. I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and spreading love and kindness in our city, and I would love to do this again with more people. You do not have to go to the extent that I went to because you already have the power to be kind within you.

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Kathy Flores, manager of Woolworth’s Five and Dime, reads a kind note from Benavides.

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Padre Hotel valet Patrick Lumpkin enjoys receiving a note of kindness from Benavides.

MELISSA PURYEAR / THE RIP

Sandra Abrams, assistant at Vintage Home Antique Gallery reacts to note of kindness.