The Renegade Rip Bakersfield College
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Vol. 82 ∙ No. 14
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Program helps students quit By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter
Students at Bakersfield College gathered around an information table Nov. 16-18 to support the Great American Smokeout. The club Mentoring and Peer Services, also known as MAPS, had all of the information that BC students needed to help themselves or a loved one finally quit smoking. MAPS handed out brochures and plastic bags full of gum, lollipops, rubber bands, toothpicks and straws that are considered tools that could help those students who wished to stop smoking by hopefully easing the urges to smoke. The tools were purchased through donated gift cards from an organi-
zation named the Bakersfield College Organized and United for Good Health. Students were also able to obtain information on Hookah smoking, as well as chewing tobacco. “One hour of smoking hookah is equivalent to two packs of cigarettes,” said Theresa Hall, a peer mentor member from MAPS. MAPS’ main purpose was to promote information on how to quit smoking, give facts about smoking and let BC students know that there is help if they would like to quit smoking. Rodger Sanchez, a peer mentor member from MAPS, said, “I want to promote good health and promote good health for others because second-hand smoking is a major issue
BC wrestler overcomes adversities to succeed
and a big concern. Some students say they want to quit. We give an option for those who want to quit.” Sanchez added, “We’re here for BC students and faculty, or anyone we can give information to, that needs help quitting.” MAPS was able to help about a dozen student smokers and non-smokers by giving them the information they needed to quit. MAPS is part of the BC student Health and Wellness center and promotes the Great American Smokeout once a year and promotes different events every month. On Dec. 1, MAPS will be promoting AIDS and HIV day and will have Clinica Sierra Vista volunteers at BC to confidentially check any student in the Health and Wellness Center.
BC budget issues to continue By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief
carissa edwards / The Rip
Brittany Carter explains to Frank Andrade what the Great American Smokeout is and how to get involved Nov. 18.
Nick Flores / The Rip
Brad Carls attempts to pin Matt Garcia of West Hills College during a meet at BC on Nov. 15.
By Zak Cowan
dent that Carls had to deal with. The first occurred during his freshman year when he came down with multiple infections in his body. Brad Carls, who will wrestle in the Southern Regional Carls was diagnosed with mononucleosis, or mono, as on Dec. 4, has been through a lot during his time at Ba- well as a viral infection and a bacterial infection. kersfield College, including a near-fatal car accident. At first Carls thought that he just had a common cold, Carls was driving his Volkswagen bug on Truxtun Av- but it took only two weeks for Carls to really start feeling enue in October 2009 when a car tried to beat the traffic the seriousness of the illness. on a left turn into Houchin Community Blood Bank. Carls said that he would often be found sleeping in the Carls t-boned the car and suffered multiple injuries, locker rooms and would regularly sleep between the gruending his season – a season in which he was ranked No. eling two-a-day practices that he was still participating 1 in the state. “At the time I was in the best shape of my in. Carls didn’t see a doctor at first, and it took a demand life, I mean, I went chest from his mother to finally first into a steering wheel “Overall, I never thought about get him on an exam table. at 55 [mph] and literally “[The doctors] said I had bent the steering wheel,” stopping wrestling, and I’ll prob- a viral infection in my body he said. “Physically that was raising my [white ablly wrestle ‘till the day I die.” speaking, man, I was a blood cell count], and they, machine.” at first, thought that the bacCarls suffered injuries Brad Carls, Renegade wrestler teria was in my heart and all over his body, includthought it was pumping ing damage to his knees. Carls said that he never had through my body,” he said. “So they checked my heart problems with his legs before the accident but has since because they thought it was pumping through it, but my had nagging pains, especially while wrestling. heart showed fine. “There is one practice where I was having a really “Then they thought it was in my brain, so I went and hard time, and my knees were bothering me,” said Carls. got a CAT scan, and they said everything looks normal “Mentally I was stressed, I was already like, ‘Why am I there, so they said that it didn’t work into my heart and here? This is horrible. Why am I putting myself through it didn’t work into my brain, but it was still pumping this?’ And I hit it – a huge plateau, a huge wall. through my body. “[The coaching staff] kept pushing me. I had two “I was a little nervous when they were like, ‘We think coaches in my ear; one was saying, ‘What are you do- it’s in your heart,’ but they said, ‘It’s not going to kill ing? You’ve got to go. You have to wrestle. You have to you. We know what it is. We’ve got you on antibiotics, push yourself – push yourself,’ and then another coach and we’re just going to give you what you need to get was saying, ‘Brad, you can never wrestle like that. We’re healthy,’” he said. “I was more worried about getting going to get your year back.’ healthy and coming back, but I was never like, ‘Oh my “I walked out of practice that day, only time I’ve ever god, it’s in my heart. I’m going to die.’” walked out of a practice,” he added. “I thought about it all Carls has his own theories about how he attracted the night, but I came back the next day and just kept push- infection, including drinking out of a dirty water founing, and after that I broke through, that was the last major tain after practice that had been used by the men’s basblock that I had. After that I kept going.” ketball team to spit in. The car accident was the second season-ending inciCarls tries not to let his off-the-mat adversities affect Reporter
how he went into a match. “You never think about these things when you get into a fight,” Carls said. “And that’s how I look at wrestling. If you go into a fight, the last thing you’re going to think about is, ‘Oh, my pinky toe hurts, or oh Please see CARLS, Page 3
Annie Stockman / The Rip
Brad Carls squares off against an opponent during a practice Nov. 29.
Financial hardships continue for Bakersfield College as the Kern Community College District budgets for another year of uncertainty. Though a new state budget was passed that allows for an increase in money for community colleges, KCCD officials did not anticipate that those finances would still be in the planning when they put together their new budget. “In the current budget passed for the state of California, there is an increase. There are some growth dollars for community colleges. When they put that in the budget, very few people believed we would ever see that. And so, we at Bakersfield College, and the whole district, we did not incorporate those potential dollars,“ said Greg Chamberlain, BC president. Chamberlain is optimistic that mid-year cuts will not have to be made but is less certain about the near future. “I would anticipate needing to make some further cuts going into next year,” Chamberlain said. One cut that Chamberlain and the KCCD are not looking to make is the removal of the summer school program. “Our board of trustees believes that the Kern Community College District should have a summer program. There are some colleges in the state that have eliminated summer school, we will not be doing that,” Chamberlain said. “However, how many courses are offered this summer will depend somewhat on what happens with mid-year budget cuts and with what we know about next year’s budget cuts.” Class courses being lost are another concern for Chamberlain, but he assures that the college will not forfeit their core classes. “We need to make sure that we’re focusing on our three core areas that the legislature and the board of governors and the state chancellor is focusing on, which is transfer preparation, career and technical education and academic development – preparing for college work,” Chamberlain said. He also stressed his concern for individuals getting into classes because of the high enrollment figures. “Classes are filling up very, very quickly and we will have a lot of people trying to find classes. We won’t be able to offer as many sections as there is demand.”
Mt. SAC turns down $20,000 from BC to host game By Michael Morrow
Video Production Editor
The Bakersfield College Athletic Department, along with sponsors Clifford and Bradford, offered the Mt. San Antonio College athletic program $20,000 to make a trip up from Walnut, to play their Nov. 20 Southern California regional playoff game here in Memorial Stadium. Mt. SAC declined the offer based on the belief they had a better chance of winning on their own home field and the advantage BC would gain would be
too great. BC ended up traveling for the game and losing 36-26 (see story, page 8). If Mt. SAC had accepted, the playoff would have coincided with BC’s Golden Empire Bowl and would have drawn far more than the few hundred that showed for the Fullerton-Canyons matchup. This isn’t the first time that BC has paid a school to travel here to play. This is a situation that BC can take advantage of because of the community support it receives compared to other community colleges around the
state. Athletic Director Jan Stuebbe confirmed that he goes through all the proper channels to have the venues switched. With the Mt. SAC game in particular, Stuebbe contacted the California Community College Athletic Association and bowl sponsor Clifford and Bradford, which eventually put up the other half of the $20,000 offered. Stuebbe originally offered $10,000, which is $5,000 more than he offers to other opponents during the regular season. Stuebbe offered L.A. Pierce $5,000
to play at Memorial Stadium. Pierce accepted and played the first game of this season in Bakersfield. Stuebbe broke the situation down and explained the details of where the money would have come from. “If we have that game up here, we’re going to get a big crowd. I know in that particular game, we get 60 percent of the profits, and the last time we played Mt. SAC in the playoffs we had 12,000 people here,” he said. “We estimated having 10,000 people here and that would make us $100,000
and we would get $60,000, so I said I would offer them $10,000 to come up here.” Stuebbe said it generally costs BC $5,000 to travel to away games and they make a better deal with the amount of tickets they can sell here at BC. The Sunday following the last regular-season game, Stuebbe called the committee – which was making decisions for the first round of playoffs – and asked about offering Mt. SAC $10,000 to play at BC. After talking with the committee, Stuebbe called the sponsors
and informed them of what he was trying to accomplish. The sponsors responded by doubling the amount originally offered and together they approached Mt. SAC with a new offer. Mt. SAC Athletic Director Joe Jennum spoke about being informed of the offer and why they chose not to take the offer. “I don’t know whether the money was going to be funded through ticket sales or through sponsors, but we didn’t let the talks get that far. The $20,000 was what we were told, but as Please see GAME, Page 3
Features
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Museum puts local art up for display By Deedee Soto Photographer
The Bakersfield Museum of Arts hosted the annual Visual Arts Small Works Festival from Sept. 9 through Nov. 21. The theme of the festival was “Vessels,” which brought in a wide variety of different artworks from many local Kern County and California artists. The festival also featured the ceramic artwork of David Fur-
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Travis Shockley braces himself as Cambria Bruce prepares to serve up a handful of winter cheer at the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center’s Winter Playground on Nov. 28.
man. Over 150 entries were submitted and 63 pieces from 44 artists made it into the exhibition. Out of the 63 entries, only about 17 came from artists outside of Bakersfield. According to Bakersfield Museum of Art web site, Curator Vikki Cruz said, “The Visual Arts Festival is a great opportunity for artists at all levels to participate.” Former Bakersfield High
School art teacher Nancy Putney participated in the festival along with other artists. There were two featured sections of art in the exhibit, one was for displaying the Small Arts and the other was solely for the artwork of David Furman, who was the big draw for the event. His artwork consisted of a collection of various pieces, which was forty years in the making, with all the pieces being made completely of clay.
Top: Various art supplies made of clay by David Furman are displayed at the Bakersfield Museum of Art on Nov. 19. Above, right: Shirley A. Given’s “Tranqel Pines #70” Left: “Jakes Box of Tools” by David Furman photos by deedee soto / The Rip
Race track offers BMX competition By Breanna Gray Reporter
The Metro BMX racetrack, by Sam Lynn Ballpark, provides friendly competition for riders of all ages. Kris Mulhause has been racing for 20 years and runs the races on Mondays and Fridays as well as practices on Wednesdays alongside his parents. Mulhause said that the individual aspect of the sport allows riders to practice and race around their schedules. The races are split up among age and gender groups and are fairly short, usually only lasting about 30 or 40 seconds. The first, second and third place winners choose either a trophy, medal or stamps, which they can use toward purchasing things from local bike shops. A few of the riders are nationally No. 1 in their age groups and participated in the biggest race of the year in Oklahoma this past week. Mulhause believes that with the upcoming Olympics, BMX is going to get a lot of hype. “It is an Olympic sport, and we are going to have a national next year out here in May,” he said. “There will be 12 or 13 hundred racers and four or five thousand people watching the races. We will have everything from here all the way down Chester full with cars.”
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Annie Stockman / The Rip
Tyler Greene pops a wheelie during a competition at the Metro BMX track Nov. 26. The track was established in 1991 and has been run by Mulhause and his parents. He said his favorite part of BMX is that “you can do it whenever you want and be as serious about it as you want.
There are people that come out here that are diehards and there are some kids who come out every Wednesday nights just for practice. Just being out here with your friends is, overall, the best part of BMX.”
Winter Playground a festive tradition By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor
For the ninth year in the row the Winter Playground provides a place for families in Bakersfield to have a snow-filled holiday season. An annual event since the Ice Sports Center opened, it gives the Bakersfield a community a place to enjoy snow in town. This year’s Winter Playground is partially sponsored by the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House and all of its proceeds during opening weekend will go toward the Ronald McDonald House. A dollar from paying customers will go to them every weekend thereafter according to public session manager Ronald McDonald House manager Scarlett Sabin and all proceeds on Christmas Eve will go toward the House. Wall has been involved with the event since its creation nine years ago and enjoys it just as much now as he did years ago. “I personally like it because I get enjoyment out of watching the kids having fun on the ice and playing in the snow – it’s very heartwarming to me,” said Wall. “Snow is a big thing here. Kids don’t get to see the snow as much as we did when we were younger.” Decorated for the holiday season, the interior of the Ice Sports Center is filled with inflatable Snowmen, Santas and Snoopys, hundreds of lights and Christmas trees – with a 14-foot, fully decorated tree being the centerpiece. A live Santa Clause and train ride are interactive parts of the experience. While Christmas carols blare from the sound system those too young or unable to skate or play in snow can preoccupy themselves with an arts and craft room sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House. Volunteer Kelsie Edwards is
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Aiden Dominguez, (left) and his brother Gavan play in the snow with their mother Ashley at the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center’s Winter Playground on Nov. 28. working in the craft room this year and has enjoyed her experience. “I think it’s fun. It gives the kids something to do. Especially for the less fortunate kids, it’s something free to do.” Many families attended the event. Firefighter Michael Clark was there to show his wife and stepdaughter snow. “They’re from the Dominican Republic so they don’t get a lot of snow out there. It’s there first time [here] they wanted to come see the snow.” Alongside families, many Bakersfield College students were in attendance. BC student and ice-skating coach Hayleigh Weldin has worked at the Ice Sports Center
for one year said the event has gotten a good response from the community while she has been working. “It’s fun for the kids to play in the snow and all the lights.” Alexx Rivera, joined by a group of friends, came out to skate and said, “I just like the atmosphere here.” Those who were there said they enjoyed the event with the cold being the only common complaint. BC student Ileana Angulo, who accompanied Rivera, said, “I’m pretty sure I’m coming back.” Winter Playground will happen every weekend in November and December and will be open Dec. 23 and 25.
News
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
BC health center partners with Clinica Sierra Vista By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor
As members of Bakersfield College’s administration department gathered with the press on Nov. 23 inside the newly relocated and renovated Student Health Center to promote and discuss the changes undergone as well as the recent partnering with Clinica Sierra Vista, a student requiring immediate care was treated by the nurse and doctor. “The student walked in and the doctor took care of him immediately, but I called the ambulance at the doctor’s request and then I followed up with public safety so that they could meet them in the entrance and immediately get them over here,” said BC nurse Deborah Strong. The student was carried out of the health center and off campus by paramedics. Acting as emergency medical care until paramedics or the fire department arrives in situations of urgency, the BC Health Center is a service focusing in basic healthcare needs for students. “The Health Center on a whole – we just provide basic health care. We are here to just
help keep the students in school. We provide screenings, like PHIT screening, blood pressure screening, glucose screening. We also do referrals. We don’t do any specialty care, so we refer a lot to Planned Parenthood for OBGY (obstetrics) care,” said Strong. Concerning the recent move of the Health Center to the Campus Center, Strong said, “A lot of students don’t even know that we’re here, and that’s one of the reasons why we had moved to this site here, to be more visible.” With the partnering of Clinica Sierra Vista, the Health Center has extended the healthcare services available on and off the campus. Flu vaccinations, with help from Clinica, have been obtained for the BC student body and are available upon visit. “We have the flu vaccine. We got it from the county, but they negotiated with the county to get us the flu vaccine to make it available to the students,” said Dean of Students Joyce Coleman. Present at the gathering, Chief Operations Officer for Clinica Sierra Vista Caron McNearney
said on behalf of Clinica, “We are happy to expand to BC, because it’s another opportunity for us to allow access to students… that maybe wouldn’t have already had care.” With the expansion on their prior partnership with the BC Delano Campus, the addition of Clinica to the program will allow students access to other Clinica clinics in and around the area that can assist them with more specified needs. “If someone needs more care, the great thing about that, then they can go straight to Clinica Sierra Vista, they have low or nocost services,” said Coleman. The staff at the Health Center will also refer students to specialists who provide discounts to students who require more specialized medical needs. “We also refer the students to Target Optical. The exams, I’m not sure what the prices are, but they give the students a break if you show your BC ID, you get 25 percent off on prescription glasses. If you do lenses, it’s like 10 percent off,” said Strong. As well as the extended medical services brought with the addition of Clinica, the Health
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
From left: Director of Managed Care for Clinica Sierra Vista Cindy Stewart, Dean of Students Joyce Coleman and BC President Greg Chamberlain welcome guests to the new Student Health and Wellness Center’s open house Nov. 23. Center now also includes a licensed clinical social worker. “In addition to medical care, [students] can get mental health services as well,” said Coleman. “We have a licensed clinical so-
cial worker here. “You’re depressed, down, whatever reason you have that you might need to see a social worker – we have someone here that can provide that service.”
The Health Center is open Monday-Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Walkins are accepted.
Toys for Tots look to continue their Four Lokos not so loco now efforts to bring Christmas cheer By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter
By Cristal Rodriguez Reporter
With Christmas coming up, Toys for Tots is in full effect, receiving donations to give to children in Bakersfield and its surrounding cities. This is a local charity that is put together by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and happens yearly throughout the United States. The United States Marine Corps Reserve put together this campaign every year because their goal is to deliver a message of hope with each new Christmas toy they give to every child who is less fortunate in the hope that they grow up to be successful leaders in their communities. “I’m very grateful that all these families get to receive gifts for their children, because not everyone can afford gifts to give,” said Samantha Castro who was a volunteer. As mentioned on the Web site, Toys for Tots began in 1947 when a group gathered together in L.A. and collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children and, since 1948, the United States Marines Corps Reserve, along with sponsors and volunteers, have conducted successful nationwide campaigns. Arvin, Bakersfield, Delano, Frazier Park, Lamont and Shafter are all cities able to receive gifts for their children, but the families have to apply in advance. Toys for Tots provides presents for children who are10 years of age and younger; these kids will receive their gifts before Christmas.
carissa edwards / The Rip
Sgt. Jonathan Cadenas and Sgt. Matthew Le await donations at the Valley Plaza Mall on Nov. 26 “I like to donate what I can, because I feel that this is just wonderful; it brings happiness and provides joy to all the children in our community who get gifts,” said Kathy White who donated gifts for the charity. Many locations around Bakersfield have helped the Marine Corps Reserve with allowing people to drop off their donations at their sites, such as Toys R Us, Home and Leisure Inc., The Springs Apartments, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Sephora, Reading Cinemas, Tmobile, Sara Lee Bakery Co. and other local businesses. Brian Hill, Sara Lee’s employer, works at a drop off site for the charity and said, “We like helping out charities, and
I think this one is a great cause because it’s for our children”. Mother Sara Gutierrez explained with tears of joy how this charity has affected her family and other people she knows. “I am so thankful to the marines,” she said, “because they have always done their best to not only serve our country but to also make our children happy and give them presents for Christmas. Times are hard and I can’t afford gifts for my babies so I’m very thankful.” Toys for Tots happens every year, and those who would like to apply for the following year can do so by picking up an application from a local Human Services Department.
Retailers across the nation will be forced to stop their sale of any alcoholic energy drinks due to the ban of alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine by the Food and Drug Administration. The alcoholic energy drinks contain 12 percent of alcohol by volume in one can, which roughly the same amount as having a few cans of beer, and enough caffeine to equal five cups of coffee. Stores have until Dec. 3 to clear their stock of alcoholic energy drinks before the ban takes effect. Phusion Projects Inc., maker of Four Loko, stated that it would drop the caffeine and two other ingredients to “reformulate” the beverage. According to The Boston Globe, problems that are alcohol-related have sent nearly 1,000 college-aged students to the emergency room each year, hence the drink is commonly called “blackout in a can.”
In Bakersfield, the alcoholic energy drinks, Joose and Four Loko, were taken out of most 7-Eleven and Fastrip stores on Nov. 23. “Budweiser came and picked them all up,” said an employee, who didn’t want a name used, of a Bakersfield Fastrip store. Four Lokos and Joose are inexpensive, and an easy way to get drunk faster than most alcoholic drinks. “I’ve drank them before on certain occasions. They’re cheap alcoholic drinks, which is the only reason why I drink them,” said Steve Rivas, second-year student at Bakersfield College. Rivas added, “I’m glad there’s a restriction on them because the caffeine does have a negative affect on a person’s body. When I drink them I feel drunk, but I want to keep drinking more of them. I don’t feel like that when I drink vodka.” The four primary ingredients are alcohol, caffeine, taurine, and guarana, which give it the name Four Loko. These energy drinks have
come to symbolize dangers of such beverages because of their role in binge drinking among college students. Jabari Brown, second-year student at BC, is against the ban and stated that he feels it is the consumer’s fault if they drink too many Four Lokos or Joose beverages. “I at the most drink two, but rarely two because one is enough and I want to be aware of my surroundings.” Brown added, “I feel good when I drink a Four Loko. I feel at ease, and calm.” Joey Hanson, BC first-year student, said that he really does not mind the alcoholic energy drinks being banned. “I can still drink UV vodka and mix it with an energy drink. There’s always something to substitute a Four Loko or a Joose with,” stated Hanson. Most BC students that were asked about Four Lokos and Joose stated that their taste was intolerable and could barely finish drinking one of them. Hanson added, “They taste nasty, anyway.”
Game: BC tries for home-field advantage Continued from Page 1 soon as we received the offer, we notified Bakersfield that we would play the game at home because that’s what our athletes deserved.” Mt. SAC Sports Information Director Brian Yokoyama also confirmed that they received the offer but didn’t take it. Stuebbe explained where the money would have come from. “Half would have came from Clifford and Bradford and the other half from the 60 percent of the ticket profits we would
make,” he said. Stuebbe mentioned why he thought this would have been significant to BC, beyond the financial advantage. “We attempted everything that we could because Bakersfield is so unique, and we normally outnumber fans when we go away, so it was worth a shot,” said Stuebbe. “It was an opportunity for us to have 10 to 15,000 people, with a great experience in the best bowl game. “They considered it, but they decided not to and turned it
down, and I can’t say I blame them for it. They had home field advantage and it was important to them,” he said. Stuebbe talked about the importance of gaining extra home games in a season. “Basically the football program’s profit margin pays for all 18 of our sports. Football doesn’t get all of the income they make. It’s a third of the budget and football supports the rest of the athletic teams, and we have to do that because the athletic department isn’t fully funded by the college.”
carls: Perseverance through dedication Continued from Page 1 this hurts.’ When you go out there, your mind is going to be focused on one thing and one thing only, and that’s winning.” Carls hasn’t had the best luck in the world but is determined to accomplish his goals. Some people would think about giving up in Carls’ situation, but he hasn’t. “Overall, I never thought about stopping wrestling, and I’ll probably wrestle ‘till the day I die,” Carls said. “Every day in itself, when you’re pushing yourself in a sport that takes that much, I don’t care if you’ve been in a car crash, or if you’re perfectly healthy and wrestling every day. If you push yourself the way you’re supposed to push yourself, to be a state champ or to simply be the best you can, you question it every day. “There’s only one fun part about wrestling, and that’s when the ref raises your hand, and you
win.” Carls holds his coach, Bill Kalivas, in high regard, and gives Kalivas a lot of credit for getting him through his adversities, and helping him become the successful wrestler he is today. “[Kalivas] is one of those coaches that doesn’t just help you during the season,” he said. “He helps you out year round. If you truly give it your all, he’ll give his all to help you get to where you need to be.” “I’ve been with [Kalivas] going on three years now, and he knows the right ways to push me, and he knows what I need, and he definitely gets me to where I need to be,” Carls said. “He’s not one of those coaches that is going to beat you up. He understands that you’re human, he understands that you can’t go 100% everyday. He understands peaking, he understands nutrition, he’s just a very smart, well-educated man in
the sport of wrestling. So when he says something, obviously you listen.” During his years here at BC, Carls and his coaches have developed a family-like relationship and is pushed harder by them than the rest of the team. “[The coaches] hold me to a higher standard. They expect the best from me, and they expect me to give it my all, and if I fall short it bothers them more than if another wrestler did the same thing,” he said. “I’ve been with them a long time, and they want me to win.” Carls hopes that wrestling will pay for his schooling and plans to move on to a four-year university next fall. Although Carls considers himself in the 197-pound weight class, he is currently the numbertwo ranked wrestler in the state in the heavyweight class that tops out at 285.
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Childcare center helps students
photos by Gregory d. cook / The Rip
One of many feral cats living on the Bakersfield College campus notices the camera from her perch on a fence behind the Science and Engineering Building on Nov. 28.
Campus cats inhabit the area, play with students Left: A campus cat interacts with a BC student near an abandoned kit fox den she now calls home Nov. 17. Below: A wooden box covers food and water bowls provided for feral cats on campus. The cats are captured, spayed or neutered and then released back on campus where they provide rodent and pest control.
Worried for nothing, as usual
Nathan wilson / The Rip
Bakersfield College’s Child Development Center, near the northeast parking lot, offers educational opportunities and child care for qualifying students. By Cristal Rodriguez Reporter
At Bakersfield College, there is a child development center that is funded by the California State Department of Education. According to the BC Website, the child development center is a state preschool and is available to families in Bakersfield who qualify. Students who come to BC are given first priority if they want to enroll their children. Only children ages six months to five years can be taken care of at the center. The center is very organized and creative; it has classrooms for every level. The Caterpillar room is for infants; Butterflies room is for toddlers, Dragonflies’ room is for two-year-olds, and the Starfish, Seashells and Sand Dollars are for preschool children. “I just love everything about this center and all the teachers and workers seem very sweet,” said Karina Sandoval, who wishes to enroll her child soon. The center is located on the far left side of the campus across from the bluffs. The center helps BC students out in many ways, such as providing care for their children while they are in class. “I like the fact that I can have my kids tak-
en care of for free while I am in class learning,” said BC student Lourdes Gutierrez. Frank Rico, Gutierrez’s husband, said, “The center is very colorful and looks very fun to be in. If I was a child I would love to be able to be in these classrooms and play with all the awesome toys they have in the playground.” The child development center also provides jobs and school credit for students who plan to have careers in this field. Anabel Bugarin, a student at BC, has been working at the child development center for a year. Working with these children is an experience that can be applied to a future career. “I wanted a job with hands-on experience, plus I love working with kids,” she said. Bugarin wishes to pursue a career with children. She hopes to transfer to California State University of Bakersfield and get her master’s degree in child development. She would like to be a pre-school teacher and eventually, a site supervisor. The center provides an educational component and care for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children. “My kids enjoy the centers very much and learn new things everyday. When we get home they always surprise me with something new,” said Gutierrez.
By Samantha Garrett Copy Editor
Opinions
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Breast implants: boost to selfimage or sign of low self-esteem? PRO
CON
By Chrystal Fortt
By Breanna Gray
People believe that our society loves a woman with a huge chest and that it puts pressure on women to get plastic surgery. American society liking big boobs is a fake image – it’s a cultural denigration and stereotype, just like how Americans are all stupid, fat, McDonald’s eaters, and like their women to weigh 110 pounds, have blonde hair, and huge breasts. There are more serious reasons for women to get plastic surgery, for one, breast implants are a huge self-esteem boost to women. There are women that get breast implants for themselves, as it can be more aesthetically pleasing to their body. For example, when women have imbalances on their face, like their top lip is so small that it’s disproportionate with the lower lip; women use makeup to make themselves look more aesthetically balanced. Our true American image of women is variety, our entire country is made up of variety, and to say all men in America like women with big boobs is presumptuous. Women deserve more credit for getting implants because they think it’s beautiful, not if she’s doing it to get attention from the dirty-mouthed pervert. If women think they would look better with bigger breasts, and it helps them feel better about themselves, then they should definitely do it. What a women thinks is pleasing to her body is not the only the factor of why women get breast implants. There are women who have very flat chests since their young teenage years. Some of these girls feel bad about themselves – not because they are teased, but because all their girlfriends are naturally on their way to a B-cup while the girls left out of this growth still look like the 14-year-old-boys in their class. They grow up waiting for their chest to fill in a little more, and, while they wait, they waste time and money trying to find the perfect padded bra at Victoria Secret. There are A-cup sized women who are comfortable with themselves, and their husbands or boyfriends like the way they look. But for the women who don’t like the way it looks, and for their husbands and boyfriends who like a more voluptuous top, breast implants are a good thing for both partners. A once young teenage girl can finally feel more sexy and confident. There isn’t harm in breast implants if both partners are mutually happy and it helps improve a couple’s sex life. A stronger and healthier relationship can be achieved when a woman has better self-esteem. A woman with flat chest is not the only reason for implants, many women have deformities in their breasts, either inverted nipples, or one breast is drastically bigger than the other, or a number of others. These women with deformities are glad to have plastic surgery to help boost their self-esteem. Breast implants are not a reflection on what society likes or dislikes, it’s about fixing breast deformities, it’s about making a healthier relationship, it’s about boosting confidence and helping self esteem.
A woman with height, long legs, long hair, a slender body and of course, a big rack, is pretty much the epitome of the modern bombshell, which may explain why many women resort to surgically placing silicon ingested implants in their chest when God’s gifts fill out a little less than fruitful. Large breasts haven’t always been seen as attractive. In ancient Roman times, women would to try to flatten out their chests with corsets and other garments. Even more recently, during the American roaring 20s, the straight, flat-figured look was in. But with current society, we see it as the bustier the better. I couldn’t count the amount of times I’ve heard men degrade women and treat them as if they were merely an object. “I’ll tear that up,” or, “I’d hit that,” are a couple of the cowardly phrases shared among the guys as a “bombshell” walks by. Therefore, many women believe in order to be liked by men, they have to look a certain way. But it’s not only men who give negative association to small breasts, women are just as guilty and 10 times more judgmental. Comments about, “the itty-bitty-tittycommittee,” and, “ant-bites,” have turned many self conscious about their body image. Even as little girls, when we would play dressup, we would stuff socks in over-sized bras because we believed beautiful women had large breasts. In American culture, everything needs to be better, bigger and faster, so why would it be surprising that someone could get instant gratification and self-esteem for only a few thousand dollars and some stitches. But sometimes money won’t necessarily be all that’s paid. When a woman goes into surgery, she not only risks the dangers associated with anesthesia, as in any surgical procedure, her implants can deflate or rupture, cause permanent scaring, come out deformed, cause connective tissue disease and they can cause infection leading to tissue damage or a hematoma, which requires additional surgical procedures to fix. Sometimes the tissue can be so damaged that it causes extrusion, which is when the implant comes out through the skin. Plus, the recovery process is very painful, and for what – society’s shallow appreciation of her cup size? Then in just a few months, when the attention starts to wear off, the craving to go bigger only increases and this time, since the doctor’s are already slicing away at her fleshy tissue, he might as well give her a little bit of lipo and a tummy tuck while he’s at it. Not only are boob jobs dangerous, they could also be addicting and each time a woman goes into the operating room for personal vanity, the risk of complications increases. Many times the manufactured products of society’s pressure are so stripped of their natural elements that it results in a plastic, artificial, prototype that probably looked way better before ever going under the knife. Diversity in women is a wonderful thing that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Reporter
samantha Garrett
Reporter
Staff Editorial
BC renovations were met with reservations This has been a semester of renovations and promises for Bakersfield College that have kept students waiting patiently for results as they change their routines to suit BC’s efforts. While students were promised changes that would be beneficial in the long run, all they received was a long semester filled with accomodating bad traffic around the school, a lack of parking places and rather unreliable Campus Center tables and chairs. Beginning with the solar panel project in the northeast parking lot that was supposed to be completed during the summer before classes began, students stuck it out and parked wherever they could around this crowded-tocapacity campus. The appreciation by BC, however, was handed out to students over and over in the form of ticketed citations on their windshields, because the school still demanded that students pay full price for sub-par parking as though it was the students’ fault that caused the parking structure delays. There really should have been some sort of discount offered to students for parking, or at least, open parking after a certain hour to help alleviate the grumblings felt by the student body all over campus. Students who would have otherwise parked in the places they paid for were made to park far, far across the school or come to school way earlier than usual to be sure that parking spaces were found. It’s hard to feel grateful for eco-friendly energy sources with sore feet. We also received new amenities in the Campus Center quad that are nice and modern, but they didn’t arrive until after midsemester and left students that choose to socialize there stuck on easily-breakable plastic chairs
’G ade Feedback
and fold-out tables. The Student Government Association had plans and expectations this semester to renovate these tables before the semester began and had the tables picked out well in advance. However, like the solar panels, BC students needed to wait for the tables to be put in by the contractors hired – which took a few days to do when they eventually came around to doing it. Though there undoubtedly is a reason why they took so long, this is an institution that is paying top-dollar with your finances to acquire these products, they should’ve been installed months ago. Another SGA project was the remodeling of the game room in the cafeteria. The project, which was under construction when the semester began, was completed midway through the semester yet was not opened until a few weeks before the end of the semester. Again, an answer for the delay is sure to be found, but students don’t want answers, they want results. And so do we. The closed doors of the game room have been an unnecessary tease that should have been rushed to complete or open. So, bottom line, if you’re going to pay for it with our money we should get to enjoy it sooner rather than later. And if you’re going to conduct campus renovations that are going to displace students from their daily routine in a manner that is more than comparable, be prepared to offer some middle-ground, appreciative gesture to appropriately assist students. If those powers that be, who are responsible for these remodelings, renovations and restructurings, are going to mess with the way things are, they need to be prepared to allot the necessary means to get around them.
How do you feel about the ban on Four Lokos?
Editor’s note: ’Gade Feedback is a feature that asks students their opinion on various topics.
Clint Parrish, history: “That’s crazy times four.”
Compiled by: Rip Staff
Patrick Orozco, radiology technician: “That was my favorite drink and now I’m sad.”
Ruben Ozuna, liberal studies: “It was my Kool-Aid.”
The Renegade Rip Editorial Board Winner of the 2003 and 2008 JACC Pacesetter Award The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College journalism classes, printed by Bakersfield Envelope & Printing Co. Inc., and 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 Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
Staff
Editor in Chief..........................Brian N. Willhite Reporters: Kristen Blue, Martin Chang, Zak Features Editor...............................Vincent Perez Cowan, Chrystal Fortt, Breanna Gray, James Sports Editor.......................................Julian Moore Licea, Kimberlyn Yvonne Macias, BrendaIrene Copy Editor ................................Samantha Garrett Rodriguez, Cristal Rodriguez, Sandra Ward Photo Editor..................................Annie Stockman Opinions Editor...........................Michael Wafford Magazine Editor.........................Mateo M. Melero Photographers: Carissa Edwards, Nicholas Flores, Ryan George, Deedee Soto, Nathan Wilson Online Editor...............................Gregory D. Cook Video Production........................Michael Morrow Adviser.......................................................Danny Edwards
Elizabeth Hernandez, undeclared: “It’s a good thing because it has bad stuff in it.”
Socorro Gomez, criminal justice: “It’s good because it prevents heart attacks.”
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Reviews
Page 6
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Volkswagen Golf very consumer friendly By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor
The 2011 Volkswagen Golf is a surprisingly powerful and stylish car. Advertised as a ar family vehicle the Golf eview – formerly known as the Rabbit in the United States – has been in production since 1974 and its sixth generation models are delightful. Starting at $17,965 for the two-door and $19,685 for the four-door, the Golf is a bit pricier than competition in its class, such as Honda or Chevrolet,
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but it’s pricier for a reason. It’s oval headlights and angular exterior make the hatchback pleasing to view, although it isn’t the most exciting car to look at. It’s an understated look that won’t stick out of a crowd but its interior makes up for its plain exterior. For a small economy car, the inside is lavish. The interior feels large for the size of the car, a sunroof, heated seats and lumbar support makes the Golf a pleasure to just sit and relax in. The various cloths and plastics in the vehicle were pleasing to the touch and felt like they were made to last. The heated seats are especially nice for Bakersfield’s four weeks of cold. The stereo setup was nice
with cable inputs for iPods and CD support. As a vehicle targeted at families, its focus is on comfort and safety. In these categories it has more safety features than I care to count with all the standard belts and airbags people have come to expect in their vehicles. The car probably isn’t going to satisfy the cravings of anyone who wants to fulfill their “Fast and The Furious” fantasies but it’s not made for that – it’s a family car. It handles well and its features make up for its lack of power. The brakes are responsive and it steers fine. It accelerates well and overall it’s fun to drive. While the Golf doesn’t get the
mileage of a hybrid, getting 24 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway, the car isn’t the worst pick for the fuel conscious. The Golf is also available in a diesel model, which I did not get to drive but it improves the gas consumption getting 30 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway although the diesel models begin at $22,810. There are of course a variety of upgrades available and the buyer has the choice of manual or automatic transmission. Overall the Golf’s price tag is justified. While not the flashiest or most efficient car around its combination of features and quality build make up for the drawbacks. It’s a family car with a luxurious feel on the inside.
Camelot’s activities entertain families
Hot dog place has variety By James Licea Reporter
Sandra G. Ward Reporter
When looking for family entertainment, Camelot Park may be the perfect place to load up all the kids and let ’em go. There musement seems to be no lack of eview activities to keep the kids entertained with a seemingly decent arcade, miniature golf, bumper boats, go-karts, and a batting cage. Kids of all ages can find something to do. If you have a big family, miniature golf is the perfect activity for the whole family to participate in, and it’s far less expensive than that night out at the movies. The prices start at adults (13 and older) $6.50, children (12 and under) $5.50 and kids under 3 years old play for free with paying adult. But for teens and young adults, I think Camelot may lack some sophistication in the techno-fantasy entertainment area that they’re looking for. To start, the height restriction level needs to greatly be revised on the go-karts because from behind the wheel there was not very much power. It was like driving at the speed
Annie Stockman / The Rip
The new 2011 Golf awaits at Family Volkswagen Nov. 21.
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Philliedog is a new local hot dog restaurant that has two locations, one on Stockdale Highway and the other on California Avenue. They serve a variety of signature hot dogs that contain a combination of foods that make for a great meal that will leave you wanting more. The location on ood California Avenue is set eview up similar to Subway; the counter, which is bound in bamboo, goes the length of the restaurant and has glass in front so you can see how your food is being prepared. The walls are decorated with a painting of a surfer with signs of different beaches in California giving a coastal feel to the place. Hot dogs are not my favorite thing to eat; I don’t really crave them like I do most foods. That quickly changed after I ate a hotdog from Philliedog. My first visit to Philliedog left me captivated. The first hot dog I consumed, a South of the border dog, was wrapped in bacon and topped with onions, green bell peppers and spicy mustard. It had a very distinct taste; it’s one that I would normally find along the streets of Hollywood, outside a concert hall or at the swap meet.
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Nathan wilson / The Rip
Maryah Martinez takes her shot while playing miniature golf at Camelot Park located at 1252 Oak St. on Nov. 21. of a golf cart and I would have thought they could have done better than that with the height restrictions in play. After the initial take off, the karts started to become repetitious laps into boredom. With those height restrictions they have posted, it could leave a modest teen who hasn’t yet quite caught up with that peer growth spurt to the point of awkwardness or minor embarrassment when being prohibited from racing with his friends on the gokart track. The day before my friends and I visited Camelot, it had rained so the bumper cars were not operating but we did play a round of miniature golf. Though just a
little soggy on that day, for the most part the putting greens were in a playable condition and gave the kind of challenge they were meant to. Yet, the fairyland fantasy themed landscaping needed some severe remodeling. The castle walls were literally chipping away and falling apart. There were also areas that could definitely use a few nails and some paint here and there. In its entirety, if you don’t mind the scenery too much and if you get a little queasy going too fast behind the wheel of a go-kart, Camelot, located at 1251 Oak St., may do just fine because it isn’t too pricey for that date night.
Nathan Wilson / The Rip
Owner Phillip Randolph prepares to make The Jerry, one of the specialties he serves at Philliedog on Nov. 21. Since then I have been to Philliedog several times and have ordered many items. What has kept me coming back is not just the good food, but the customer service is exemplary. Unlike most fast food restaurants that try to get their order out as quick as possible regardless of quality, employees at Philliedog truly take the time to make your food the way it should be and are very friendly. My two most favorite hot dogs so far are The TJ and The Jerry. The TJ is a hot dog topped with a beef tamale, served with mustard and chili. It is so messily delicious that you can’t even pick it up; it has to be eaten with a fork. The Jerry, a hot dog that is 12 inches, wrapped in bacon and topped with tomato, feta cheese, sports peppers and mustard. Though any customer may choose his or her own toppings, I always opt to leave the food the way they prepare it. It
is by far one the most incredible things I’ve had for lunch. Around lunchtime is when the place is most busy; I often see a line that nearly goes out the door. But it’s worth the wait and the fact that it’s often packed says a lot about the quality of food. They’ve also just expanded their location on California Avenue by creating a sports bar. A separate section has already been completed and in time will become a bar that will serve imported beer and wine while providing live jazz performances. When this happens it’ll be the greatest place of all time. Imported beer and hot dogs sounds like the perfect combination. Their slogan, “Not just another hot dog!” is one that stuck with me because it’s so incredibly accurate that it captivates me. And it’s not just another hot dog, everything I’ve tried is so awesome it’s hard to put in words.
Thanos series proves to be an imperative read By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief
The explosive battle for the fate of Marvel’s cosmic universe lies in distress as the “Cancerverse” and its leader, Lord MarVell, attempt to take over, and the only one that can restore the balance of the two colliding realities is none other than the villainous Mad Titan himself, Thanos. Building upon a threeomic year series of eview cosmic wars, the writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning bring to readers a six-issue event that combines the story lines of several cosmic char-
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characters involved. Another engaging facet is the inclusion of several heavy-hitting characters all formed into one faction fighting side-by-side like the Silver Surfer, Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator, Nova, Quasar and the Guardians and has fans now referring to the team as the “Cosmic Avengers” as a boastful answer to the “Avengers,” another big-name group that gets way too much attention. But the real treat in this saga is the humanity expressed through the characters like Nova, Peter Quill A.K.A. Star-Lord and Thanos, who is known for being not only viscously destructive, but a clueless and hopeless romantic too. His love for Death has long been a staple in Thanos’ charac-
ter and to use him after bringing him back to life by people that he wants nothing more than to destroy, proved to be an odd but engaging read. The downside is to fully grasp the situation at hand, you would need to read about six issues back through the “Guardians” and “Nova” titles to fully integrate yourself into the story because of its massive cast of characters and their plotlines – a read worth doing though. The first issue of “The Thanos Imperative” jumps right into the battle as if it were the first episode after a huge season finale cliffhanger on TV, which is too bad because an event title like this should be able to grab readers that don’t know anything about previous storylines in dif-
ferent books. The other drawback is that it is only a six-issue run and it ended “Nova” and “Guardians” during the run, not opting for any tieins. Which I was actually more excited about. However, I felt the title could have ran eight issues long to draw out the story more because of the lack of tie-ins. In the end though, the topnotch story did finish with an unexpected, yet welcomed, turn of events that will leave fans wanting more as a twist of fate befalls the main characters. Additionally, the quality of the cosmic universe’s series is an exciting and entertaining reprise for anyone looking for alternatives to Marvel’s tired flagship titles.
“What is a tittle?”
Editor’s note: BC Brains is a feature that asks students a question to test their knowledge of all things trivial.
Compiled by: Rip Staff
The Cancerverse’s Mar-Vell is a twisted and powerful version of a long deceased hero known as Captain Mar-Vell, however, in this universe he has successfully cheated death by removing death from all life and in doing so has created a reality where people can’t die. The only way to rectify this, and to stand any chance of defeating them, is to bring an Avatar of Death to their universe so that the balance can be restored. The problem is that the only one that can do that is the newly-resurrected Thanos, and he is just as likely to join the opposition’s plight as he is to destroy all of them himself. This series delivers on all fronts from the battling frontlines to inside the hearts of the
Steve Rivas, biology: “A mixed drink.”
Joselin Dorado, biology: “Like a toddler.”
Santiago Pablo, fire technology: “A body part.”
Crystal Sanchez, communications: “To be in a frenzy or a British word.”
Alicia Rodriguez, Spainish: “An animal.”
Correct answer: A point or small sign used as a diacritical mark in writing or printing. Such as the dot an on “i”.
BC B rains
acters into one winner-take-all book aptly titled “The Thanos Imperative.” Deriving primarily from the pages of “Nova” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Abnett and Lanning tell their story through the point of view of the characters in these books while including other cosmic character favorites in the fold with them. The premise of the book centers on a tear in the universe, or fault as it is referred to, that has resulted from the damage left behind from previous galactic wars. Inside the fault, however, lies a sinister universe that has become corrupted with mutated parallel characters due to Mar-Vell’s decision to disrupt the balance of life and death by destroying Death herself.
Sports
Page 7
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
BC misses the cut for playoffs By Julian Moore Sports Editor
Bakersfield College’s volleyball team missed the playoffs after finishing the season winning seven out of its last eight games. The Renegades most recent win came 3-0 against a lowly 0-17 West L.A. team. BC ended the season with a second-place finish in conference with a record of 9-3 conference and 16-8 overall. Before the win against West L.A., BC traveled to face then No. 1 team L.A Pierce. The Renegades ended up beating Pierce 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 2521, 17-25, 15-12), which was to be a quality win on the team’s resume come playoffs selection. Sophomore Mary Maiocco was working when she found out about the team’s snub for playoffs. “Well, our coach found out on Sunday, but I was at work actual-
ly, but I was checking my phone every ten minutes waiting for a text message,” she said. “My mom actually texted me first telling me we didn’t make it, then coach texted me. I was really upset and well, just pissed.” BC felt the win against Pierce and their solid record would be able to get them in although the seeding has much to do with earlier tournaments. “It all came down to how we did in the beginning of the season when we went to the San Diego Tournament and the L.A. Pierce tournament,” Maiocco said. “We lost to teams that we could have beat probably now, and because of that other teams got to go even if they had a worse record than we did.” She was referring to the selection of 10 seed Golden West (912) and 14 seed Canyons (14-9). Maiocco, being one of the more experienced players on the roster, had a feeling that the se-
Column
NCAA system fails fans By Michael Morrow
Video Production Editor
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Bakersfield College right side hitter Breann Goodman slips a soft-touch kill past West L.A. middle blocker Krystal Diaz for a point during a match in the BC gym Nov. 18. lection could go either way. “I don’t want to say we had a gut feeling that we weren’t going to make it just because I know how significant the beginning of the season was, but it was just kind of like a ‘darn, but we beat the number one team’ and I thought that would have been good enough,” she said.
Head coach Carl Ferreira held a team meeting the following day after the playoff announcements. Maiocco said the meeting was to discuss what happened and to discuss the season from a look-back standpoint. “In our meeting we had to say one thing we were appreciative
for,” she said. “Not only was I appreciative for my team but the experience they gained. “I let them know, now you know how the season goes and how important it is to win in the beginning and keep up momentum throughout the whole season. Tournaments like that are very significant,” she said.
3-3 start to season keeps hoops gung-ho By Michael Morrow
Video Production Editor
Bakersfield College’s men’s basketball team has started the season with six road games and has a record of 3-3 with losses to Antelope Valley, Modesto and City College of San Francisco. The three wins came against Oxnard, Orange Coast, and, most recently, Allan Hancock on Nov. 27. Against Hancock, the Renegades won 92-84 and are building on the season led by mainly
freshman. “A win is a win, and we needed one bad,” said BC head coach Rich Hughes. “We won on the road with a lot of freshman and anytime you win on the road early, with this being our sixth game, and pull out a win, that’s always good.” Hughes has said previously that this will be a battle tested team and he believes his sophomore leaders can help get the freshman where they need to be to make this a good season for the Renegades. But Hughes
did have his concerns about the team play. “We have to shoot better. We’re shooting in the 30th percentile for overall field goals and we’re shooting 20 percent from three,” he said. “We shot better at Hancock, but we have to improve upon that. “To be in games, our defense has to improve; we’re giving up 80 points a night and that’s just not very good. We want to have them in the 70s, so we have a lot of work to do, but now is the time.”
Hughes was asked about the team’s effort on the court, and he had mixed emotions about it. “We’re a small team, so we have to be able to out work people, and in the Fresno tournament we didn’t do that,” Hughes said. “In the Ventura tournament, I thought we did a pretty decent job with hustle points and things like that. We’re always going to have to be high up on that meter as far as playing with a lot of energy and intensity. “We have to improve on that each week and hopefully by
the time we get into conference we’re playing harder than anybody.” Up next for the Renegades is the Antelope Valley tournament on Dec. 3-5, where BC will likely get a rematch against AVC and will play a strong Mt. San Antonio College team. “In the Antelope Valley tournament we play Mt. SAC, who I believe is ranked No. 4 in the state right now, so it will be a good test for us,” Hughes said. “We have to get better and get right into it.”
Fullerton, Canyons play bowl game in Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium By James Licea Reporter
Ryan George / The Rip
Fullerton running back Kelvin York (3) makes a short touchdown run from the 4-yard line during the Golden Bowl played against College of the Canyons on Nov 20 in Memorial Stadium.
This year’s Golden Empire Bowl, hosted by Bakersfield College and sponsored by Clifford and Bradford Insurance Agency, didn’t involve the Renegades but did result in a highscoring game. BC made the Southern California Regional playoffs as the No. 4 seed and had to travel for its Nov. 20 playoff game against Mt. SAC. Thus, the Renegades weren’t able to play in the bowl game at Memorial Stadium but played
on the same day a few hours later down south. “We had no control over that,” said BC athletic director Jan Stuebbe, who attended the bowl game and wasn’t able to see the Renegades play. “It’s a shame, actually – this is the first game in 13 years that I’ve missed one of ours.” In the bowl game, the Fullerton College Hornets beat College of the Canyons Cougars 64-49. While it didn’t rain during the game, it did a little before. The field was left damp and the sky was overcast creating problems
for the events that would have usually taken place during half time. “It’s a great game,” Stuebbe said of the Fullerton-Canyons contest. “We got a break in the weather. It’s not raining.” While some fans traveled from out of town to cheer on BC at Mt. SAC, others came to the bowl game for the sake of watching a football game. A few in the crowd of approximately 250 people who were from Bakersfield said they picked a team to root for by color and had little knowledge of either team.
Soccer season ends, coach praises team’s good play By Vincent Perez Features Editor
While the Bakersfield College women’s soccer team qualified for playoffs this season, the result was the same as last year’s match at San Bernardino Valley College: a 3-1 loss and an end to BC’s season. Brittany Hunt scored the lone BC goal in the first half. “We scored first early, but then they got three goals. It was 3-1 at halftime,” said coach Scott Dameron. San Bernardino Valley (17-1-4) had goals from Angelina King, Araceli Sanchez and Ruby Leon, who scored in injury time. Dameron spoke about the team’s emotion and chances for scoring on both sides.
RIP N ation
style of play when we’re trying to connect feet. It’s hard to do that in the mud,” he said. Asked about the overall season, Dameron gave credit to his players. “All season we were up against it – we lost so many people over the course of the season. Some of them were surprised that they were able to stay competitive and strong. That’s a credit to people that kept stepping up and filling in gaps every time we had someone hurt – it’s impressive.” He said about the loss, “They’re all bummed that we didn’t go on, but they’re proud of what they achieved this season.” Dameron noted that BC has qualified for the playoffs four years in a row and said,
“I think there were only eight teams in Southern California that have done that, so that’s a pretty good accomplishment on their part.” BC competes in the Western State Conference south region. Dameron said, “Southern California is a very tough region. Most of the top teams in the country are from Southern California. When you’re competing against that, to say you’re up there is big nationally.” Dameron talked about losing players for next season. “We lose 10 sophomores this year – there’s a lot of players left to replace. That’s the next step: get right to work on next year.” For freshman player Kristina Garcia, according to Dameron, her chances for returning for the
next season depend on how far along academically she is. On scouting for future players, Dameron said, “We already have been. The high school soccer season is coming up. You’re always working on it – we’ve had a few players express interest so that’s going to be a big thing for us, to make sure that we keep the level up because we have been creating bigger expectations. We want to find some people that are up for that.” Dameron said about the end of the season and overall, “In the end of the season, we were a little thin player-wise, but you can’t argue with what they did – they had a great season.” BC finished the season with an overall record of 10-8-3 and an 8-4-2 in WSC south.
“Do you think the Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao ‘superfight’ will ever happen? Why or why not?”
Editor’s note: Rip Nation is a feature that highlights the opinions of Bakersfield College’s athletes and coaches.
Compiled by: Rip Staff
“We actually came out with a lot of energy – it was up and down,” he said. “They had more chances to score than us on the day, but we had quality chances: they saved one off the line, and there was another one that was a last second save, so we were pushing the quality of chances to score. They just created more chances than us.” Dameron said about this year’s match compared to last year’s. “I thought we were a lot more competitive than last time. We were in it, it was just a couple of goals scored off set pieces, so give them credit for that.” He added that the conditions of rain and mud forced BC to change their tactics on the pitch. “It doesn’t lend well to our
The NCAA’s system is broken and needs to be fixed because collegiate sports just aren’t what they used to be. It used to be that you could watch a kid develop into a full player in college basketball and be prepared to take his game to the NBA. There once was a time where college football ruled from Saturday morning to Saturday night, but with the BCS not being a clear playoff system, college football is the most incomplete sport of all. Don’t even get me started on that joke of a system that is NCAA college baseball. Not having a playoff system that allows multiple teams to beat out whoever they draw just doesn’t make sense. I know everyone uses the theory that the NCAA and the big schools make all the money, but with an organization like the NCAA, I doubt they couldn’t come up with a playoff system that wouldn’t satisfy everyone’s need to earn. Most fans want an elaborate 16-team super playoff format, when really all that is needed is an eight to 12 team system that will bring in enough revenue to share within conferences. We wouldn’t get Boise State going undefeated for two-consecutive seasons without even playing in the so-called championship game. This year Boise was thought to have a chance to make that game, but on Nov. 26 they lost their first game in conference in that same time frame and are pushed out of the mix for a title. That’s one loss in almost three years. One loss relinquishes their season to a waste. The same can be said for schools like Texas Christian and Utah, who are often in the hunt until a combination of the three schools have beaten each other out. In basketball, it’s all about March Madness and none of the regular season makes a difference to anyone now. Winning a championship is the demand on coaches on a yearly basis. There is no time to build a program over the span of your star player’s college career because they’re oneand-done gone in a year. Now, you see a kid enter the league after just one year in college and he has to develop his jump shot, work on this, and work on that, when really he could have done that with three extra years in college. The NBA’s 18-plusone rule isn’t a great rule, but it’s understandable for what they are trying to accomplish. But it does put a strain on the NCAA to do something about their one-anddone problem that they have yet to resolve. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out, if you start taking away scholarships from schools and start bringing civil lawsuits against the players who leave early, it will change the culture of what is acceptable and what isn’t. Instead the NCAA just takes what it’s handed rather than doing anything about it. We’ll continue to be disrespected with conference re-alignment talks instead of playoff configurations and we’ll continue to be disregarded as viewers of your diversion brand. But just remember – the professional leagues are growing to almost year round and what you had last year, they have now.
Aaron Richardson, basketball: “Oh, yes sir I think it will happen. And I think Floyd Mayweather would win the fight anyway.”
Scott Dameron, soccer head coach: “That’s a tough one. Too many promoters get in the way. I think if fighters want to fight, then yeah.”
Mary Maiocco, volleyball: “I think that maybe it will happen, but not too soon. And I think Mayweather would win because that’s all I hear.”
Brett Clark, assistant head coach: “Eventually yes. I think they’ll be past their prime when it happens. It’d be a good fight.”
Trell Johnson, baskeball: “No. I think Pacquiao is scared of Mayweather. I got Mayweather all day.”
Sports
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
Top left: Renegades running back Julian Dean-Johnson takes a handoff from quarterback Lyle Negron in the National Bowl against Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Top right: Mounties defensive lineman Kapono Asuega looks to wrap up Renegades running back Julian Dean-Johnson at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on Nov. 20.
Mounties end BC’s playoff run again By Michael Morrow
Video Production Editor
With the rain pouring down onto a swampy field at Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Bakersfield College took on the challenge of playing the state-ranked No. 1 and defending national champion Mount San Antonio College Mounties in Walnut. Although the Renegades had one of their best statistical games of the season, they struggled to punch in the opportunities they had to blow the game wide open. BC’s red zone woes were too much to overcome. When they did score, it would not be enough, and they lost 36-26 on Nov. 20. BC jumped out to a 7-0 lead after both teams’ first drive stalled and a missed 37-yard field goal attempt by Mt. SAC. BC sophomore quarterback Lyle Negron, playing a nearly flawless game through the air, completed several passes from 10-15 yards all night, and this drive was no different. Negron picked apart the Mt. SAC secondary, connecting with freshman George Robbins 11 times in the game. On the first scoring drive the duo connected three times, with the latter being a five-yard fade route for a touchdown with 2:07 left in the first quarter. The Renegades had their best opportunity to put the Mounties down and out on the next drive when they forced a fumble late in the first quarter. But instead of capitalizing on the turnover, BC went three-and-out and gave the ball back. Within 90 seconds, the game was tied at seven after two completed passes. Mt. SAC advanced the ball on a 12-yard pass that was fumbled and then recovered by the Mounties and a 55-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Nick Lamaison to sopho-
more receiver Michael Edwards for a touchdown with 14:30 left in the second quarter. “What we wanted to deviate from was coming out and starting slow,” Lamaison said. “We came out and started moving the ball down field fast and got things going. We didn’t score in the first couple drives, but on the next couple of drives we came out and executed and we got things moving. After we did score, we just started rolling along.” The rain would have an effect on the game for both teams. On the next BC possession, two bad plays in a row led to the first BC turnover when Negron had a pass batted out of the air into his own hands for a negative nine-yard loss. Then Negron dropped back to pass and the rain-slicked ball just fell out of his hand before his throwing motion began. The Mounties recovered the fumble on the BC 14, but they could only get a 28-yard field goal to give them a 10-7 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half. “We gave ourselves a chance to play in the first half. Obviously some things went wrong. Ball slips out of the guy’s hand coming out, they get a field goal and the ball slips out of our hand going in,” said head coach Jeff Chudy. After another Lamaison touchdown pass to make it 17-7, BC had chances to draw closer. The Renegades wouldn’t have trouble moving the ball down the field, but when they got to the red zone, they were denied. On a 10-play drive, Negron completed passes with ease and rushed for 10 yards – nine yards and one yard – converting on a fourth and short, then on the next play from the Mt. SAC one-yard line Negron reversed out of the pocket and between the snap and the handoff the ball popped out
and rolled to the 20-yard line. Mt. SAC recovered the fumble but again couldn’t add to the lead. After several punts, the teams went into halftime with a 17-7 Mt. SAC lead. After the kick return, BC went three-and-out and on the Mounties first possession of the half they went five plays for 41 yards and scored on a Lamaison to Richard Parham 10-yard pass, but kicker Jeremy Brown missed the extra point making the score 23-7 with 10 and a half minutes to play in the third. The Renegades tried to get back into the game with a 15play drive that died after a sack on first down, a false start and an incomplete pass on second down, another incomplete pass on third and another sack by the game’s defensive MVP Boja Filimoeatu on fourth and goal from the Mounties 12-yard line. Mt. SAC would score again with a 28-yard pass from Lamaison, this time to sophomore tight end Ernst Brun. In the fourth quarter, BC added another touchdown and missed the two-point conversion, and, after a failed onside kick, Mt. SAC scored again giving them a 36-20 lead. BC added their last points of the game on a three-yard pass to Loren Kolb for the touchdown. The Renegades again attempted an onside kick and again it failed giving Mt. SAC the ball with 47 seconds left. The Mounties ran out the clock and advanced to the next round to play Cerritos College, which defeated Saddleback College. “Anytime you beat a team like BC, it’s a quality win. We’re down to the four best teams in Southern California, and BC has had a great year,” said Mt. SAC head coach Bob Jastrab. “It’s hard to beat a team twice, and
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
Renegades quarterback Lyle Negron lets go of a pass in the first quarter against Mt. SAC. our defense came up big for us several times this game.” Chudy talked about how the game went. “Those guys just played better football than we did. They had fewer turnovers and they executed. Defensively, I thought we played well at times. We just gave up some big plays,” said Chudy. “When you get stopped twice on the one yard line, what do you expect? We can’t have that kind of game against a team like that. There’s a reason why those guys are 11-0.” A disappointed Negron spoke after the game.
“All the fumbles and turnovers, playing with a wet ball and things just turned their way. First and goal from the one we need to put that in,” said Negron. Jastrab talked about Negron, saying, “That quarterback is a special guy. You just can’t say enough about him.” Jastrab also mentioned what he thought was the Renegades strong point and what may have hurt them. “They’re well balanced, and they do a solid job in all three phases, but I think the sloppy field might have hurt them, and they just seemed like they ran out
of gas,” he said. In the past four meetings between the Mounties and the Renegades, Mt. SAC has won all four: twice at home in the playoffs, and two times in Memorial Stadium. On Nov. 27, Mt. SAC beat Cerritos 51-0 in the Southern California final to advance to the state championship game against City College of San Francisco. In the northern region, CCSF defeated Fresno City 52-15 to advance. Mt. SAC and San Francisco will play for the state championship Dec. 11 at Mt. SAC.
Fans’ hopes washed away by Mt.SAC By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
Renegade fans bundle up during a downpour in the National Bowl at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on Nov. 20. Mt. SAC would win the game 36-26.
While Bakersfield College lost to Mount San Antonio College in the California Community College National Bowl, its fans were there to show their support through the ups and downs of the game while the rain poured. With 834 in attendance at halftime, those in the stands huddled together for warmth in the rain. They shouted, rang cowbells and threw confetti while cheering the visiting Renegades on. Penny Roberts said she has been attending games for 51 years. “We used to go when they had like 20,000 [in attendance]. . . I don’t think they cheer like they used to. There are a couple of guys who will start the ‘Go Gades’ cheer but it’s kind of retro now.” The Mt. SAC and BC sides appeared
to be balanced as far as numbers were concerned, although several Mountee supporters such as Malinda Tupe were surprised by the amount of supporters from BC. She said that would make Mt. SAC fans show even more support. “We’re crazy,” she said. “We love the Mountees. We’re like a big family.” Not everyone who attended the game were alumni or students from BC or Mt. SAC, though with a few BC supporters popping in from other colleges and cities to cheer on friends and family. Michael Page, from Cal State San Marcos, came with friends to watch the game. Page said, “I came here with a friend, we’re representing number four.” It was Page’s first BC game and said he enjoyed the “intensity” of the game
and liked the support BC fans showed. Ciara Negron, from Cypress College, came to support her brother Lyle Negron. “I go to all of them. The crowd’s amazing, they always come in support. We always have more than the other side,” said Negron. While the game ended 36-26 in Mt. SAC’s favor, Renegade supporters weren’t too saddened by the loss. John Hallum, who said he’s been coming to BC games for about 35 years, said, “The outcome could have been better, but they played a great game. A lot of heart out there – they played a good team.” As a longtime supporter, Hallum saw the Renegades season as a successful one. “I’ve been through good years and bad years, and this was a good year as far as I’m concerned.”
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The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Work-study program helps Evans succeed By Sandra G. Ward Reporter
There is one fellow who remains completely focused on his work and gives the campus a little more character. His name is Clarence Evans, and there seems to be nothing this young man of 23 can’t do as he tackles all sorts of job duties on campus while still making the grade as a student of physical education at Bakersfield College. If you attend BC, you’re sure to see him around campus at sometime or another. There is no doubt that Evans puts his fair share of time in for the work-study program. This semester, along with his studies, Evans transports the disabled, works with the campus security and works for the Renegade football team. If that isn’t enough, he also works for the East Bakersfield High School football team off campus whenever they have their home games, and all these jobs he acquired through the workstudy program. Evans wrestled while attending high school at Ridgeview. During Evans’ first years at BC, he participated in the shot put and discus for the men’s track and field
team. Though no longer playing sports, he is still active within the athletic department working for the football team. It seems quite natural that Evans chose to study Physical Education at BC. In his grand stature, this young man takes his college studies and work very seriously. Evans takes a professional approach as he performs his duties on campus. “When I’m working I am just working. I’m not here to waste time,” said Evans. On a daily basis, he turns away people asking him for rides as he makes his rounds to transport the disabled throughout campus. “Unless they can show me their disabled card, they don’t ride,” he said. As far as his studies are concerned, Evans expressed that he came to school to learn and get the job done. He hopes that all the friends he‘s made on campus do not misinterpret his actions while he is busy working. “It’s just work and not a time to socialize,” he said. He holds a great amount of admiration for his parents, Mary and Carl Evans, and is not too shy to express his love for them. Evans credited his parents for
helping him find his path into college and said they have been a tremendous amount of support throughout his college experience. Evans feels fortunate to have been assigned his work duties on campus because he said it’s not easy to get work on campus through the work-study program. Many jobs are located off campus and he prefers working on campus, where he is most comfortable and has good standing relationships with all his supervisors. When asked if he had seen very many serious security issues on campus, Evans replied that he has yet to see anything too serious on campus and believes that campus security does a fine job at BC. For the most part, the parking violations are the most demanding of security than anything else. This is another area in which Evans does not take lightly. With all the students enrolled this semester, if anyone is in violation of parking in the designated parking areas without a permit, they will be ticketed. He said it’s only fair to those who have made the honest effort to purchase a parking permit and
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Clarence Evans drives his cart around the Bakersfield College campus Nov. 29. Evans, a physical education major, also performs several work-study jobs on and off campus. that everyone is given the opportunity to obtain one if they wish to park in those areas. Even though Evans expresses such discipline while he works,
he still manages to make friends among campus and it’s a comfort to know that he does his job well. He hopes that someday his
experience at BC and his studies will eventually earn him a teaching position in physical education and possibly even a coaching position.
BC students open new and ‘elite’ gaming store in mall By James Licea Reporter
Bakersfield College students Ian Ranney and Micheal Kinney opened up a gaming lounge called Leeters in the East Hills mall. It is intended to be a gaming store in all aspects, providing computer games, board games and playing cards among many other gaming themed activities. Kinney, who has a degree in web design and is majoring in computer science, said the idea came about while he and Ranney were roommates and were simply talking about business projects. Ranney had always wanted to open up his own arcade and did a lot of research behind the idea. After the two talked about it, they decided to put funds together to make it happen. About a month ago is when it all actually started coming together. The search for a location was a big factor in creating Leeters. According to Kinney, him and Ranney knew they wanted to open the place in a mall. When they were looking for locations they checked the Marketplace, which only had one location available and was too big. They also checked the Valley Plaza, but it had no openings and
there was another spot that was too small. They finally settled with a location in the East Hills mall, Kinney explained. “Because of the market and the mall, it was a good choice because it’s not that expensive.” He explained that it was also good because it is close to BC. There are four main employees at Leeters, the two owners being Kinney and Ranney, the other two being Tyler McGinty and Ben Reyes. At least one of them is present in the store during business hours. McGinty, also a student at BC who is double majoring in philosophy and political science, also plans to get an associate degree in journalism. McGinty is a friend of the two owners and has much involvement in the store. He is a manager and is responsible for making comic orders and deals with all the comic book related customers. When the idea to create the store was shared with McGinty, he was very excited because selling comics is always something he wanted to do. He told Ranney, “I can sell comics. I got this down.” Leeters has all types of gaming experiences, including Rock Band, Dance Dance Revolution, Unreal Tournament, and StarCraft, among
many others. Five computers are set up for online gaming, called a Local Area Network arcade or LAN arcade. They also have two 32-inch flat screens, used for gaming as well as two projectors, two pool tables, one air hockey and many unique board games. They also provide free Wi-Fi. The name Leeters was chosen because of a deviation of the word “elite,” for elite gamers. It developed into its own gamer community language called leetspeak, which involves using numbers to spell words, with the slang “leet” being spelled “1337.” Ranney said, “We used the term to appeal to the more elite gamers, and because we want everything we do to be the best, the most leet.” The store’s grand opening was held on Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. This date was chosen because it is Cyber Monday and according to Ranney, is a day online stores do good sales. “It fits our theme for both being online and having our LAN arcade with Internet access, and for the Cyber theme,” he said. In five years, Ramney said, “I see the store being franchised out, and very popular across the country. How many we have by then I am not sure of, though.”
nathan wilson / The Rip
Employee Tyler McGinty holds co-owner Ian Ranney on his shoulders in front of Leeters at the East Hills Mall on Nov. 25.
Eyes of the Rip
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The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Holiday Lights
By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter
Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30. Holiday Lights is a project of the CALM foundation that has been going on for eight years and averages 44,000 people each year, just for the lights. All proceeds go toward the new mountain lion bobcat exhibit. The grand opening for the exhibit will be around mid-January. Josh Barnet and Lightasmic are in charge of setting up the displays for Holiday Lights at CALM. Barnet started his career in lights by decorating his grandmother’s house, then going on to decorate Stires RV Park. Stan Eschner, CALM foundation president, contacted Barnet and asked him to bring Holiday Lights to CALM. Ten people in the Lightasmic crew work on displays from the end of September to the beginning of October, so that they may be ready to set up by the
end of November and set up for the community to see. Lana Fain, zoo manager at CALM, has been the coordinator for eight years. “It’s amazing. It’s our biggest fundraising event,” said Fain. “The joy is that it’s someone’s first night to see the lights, each night. I’m appreciative and happy that it truly has become a community event. The money funded goes toward the animals that we care so much about,” said Fain. The event has more than 100 sponsors this year. The lights are run on generators, so it is not an issue to the museum. The Sea Serpent, which was CALM’s first Holiday Lights display, will be returning this year for the community to see, and the merry-go-round and train will also available for the public to ride for free. “It’s hard to say which is our most liked display,” said Fain. “You talk to five different people. You’ll get five different answers,” she added. Holiday Lights is not a zoo visit, although the reptile house and some ani-
mals can be viewed in exhibits. Animals that are most sensitive to light are put away. Each family visiting the Holiday Lights at CALM will receive two passes to return and explore the zoo during zoo hours. Although joy fills many of those who attend the Holiday Lights at CALM, minor issues have occurred in the past during the event. Mild annoyances such as climbing over areas that are not available to the public and trying to pluck lights out happen every so often. Thankfully, some of the community volunteers to be the eyes and ears for the Holiday Lights at CALM. Twenty-five volunteers help as “Trail Elves,” and are needed each night. The gift store at CALM is a major attraction at CALM and its gross is about $30,000 in the evening for the Holiday Lights at CALM. The community can give donations if they wish to. For more information visit calmzoo.org
Photos by gregory d. cook / The Rip