Halo Reach Map Pack, Reviews, Page 7
Lindsay Clemmons, Spotlight, Page 8
WSC Swimming, Sports, Page 9
The Renegade Rip Bakersfield College
w w w.t h e r i p .com
Vol. 83 ∙ No. 5
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
BC gets close to $14 million in donation Dr. Levan’s donation is largest to a community college in history Student and faculty opinions on donation
By Michael Wafford Editor in chief
Dr. Norman Levan, 95, has donated $13.665 million to Bakersfield College, the largest donation to a community college from a private individual ever. The majority of the doctor ’s donation will go toward scholarships, while the remainder will go toward funding the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities and the Senior Lifelong Learning program. A celebration and news conference was held on March 24. During the celebration, Dr. Levan said, “I’m glad to be here and have the privilege of supporting what is really the pearl of the valley, Bakersfield College.” $10 million will go toward the Norman Levan Scholarship Endowment. The scholarship will award $2,000 to 250 students, for a total of $500,000, every year to help with the costs of education. The 2011 donation also establishes an endowment of $665,000 to go toward scholarships for those with an interest in studying Hispanic or Native American communities. The BC Foundation currently gives away $400,000 in scholarships annually. The additional $500,000 will more than double the current amount given in scholarships by the foundation. Mike Stepanovich, executive director of the BC Foundation, said, “it really is a game changer for people in Bakersfield, because in this community there is a large section that is disadvantaged. I think we have a lower college going rate than other areas in the state and I think a large part of that has to do with the fact that people are disadvantaged. “Even a community college education for some people is out of reach. What this means for hundreds of people a year [is that] they will be able to work on their college degree. For literally hundreds of people, forever, they will be able to pursue a college education.” This is the second time in five years that Dr. Levan has made a
By Chrystal Fortt Reporter
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
Dr. Norman Levan enters a press conference for the announcement of his donation of nearly $14 million dollars to Bakersfield College on March 24. The donation is the largest ever given to a community college by a private individual. multi-million dollar donation to BC. In 2006 he gave BC $5.7 million to go toward the creation of the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities. This is also the second time that Dr. Levan has given the largest donation to a community college in history. At the time his 2006 $5.7 million dollar donation was the largest in history. That number was eclipsed by a $10 million donation to Santa Monica College by Eli and Edyth Broad in 2008, according to a press release from BC. The donation has returned Dr. Levan to the position of largest private donator to a community college. Two of the four largest donations from an individual to a community college in the United
States have been from Dr. Levan to BC, according to Kern Community College District chancellor Sandra Serrano. According to Amber Chiang, director of marketing and public relations at BC, the donation is the largest donation from an individual to a community college in California history. “Historically, we know that a gift of this magnitude frequently encourages others to give as well – and so we certainly hope that it will have that impact,” said Stepanovich. While BC wished for the identity of the donator to remain anonymous until the ceremony, Dr. Levan’s identity was leaked to the local media a day before BC wanted to reveal him. BC ad-
ministration does not know who leaked the information. “I wish I knew,” said Chiang. “It is extremely difficult to know what to give and where and I feel that I made the right choice, I hope that I have,” said Dr. Levan, to a laughing crowd. Dr. Levan was presented with a medallion by president Greg Chamberlain for the “largest donation by an individual in the history of the United States.” Mayor Harvey Hall thanked Dr. Levan with a certificate for his contributions to BC. “We constantly strive to better the quality of education at Bakersfield College, and certainly with this giving gift we’ll be able to do that.” Dr. Levan also received thanks
Campus bookstore may be outsourced By Brian N. Willhite Reporter
The Bakersfield College bookstore may soon be under new management, according to sources. The Kern Community College District has sent out requests for proposals to companies interested in running the bookstore. According to Academic Senate President Cornelio Rodriguez, two bids have been submitted to the Kern Community College District, though he is unaware of the identities of the companies. Amber Chiang, director of marketing and public relations, confirmed that bids have been received. However, she is also unaware of who the organizations
are that submitted them and said that the process involved with reviewing and selecting candidates by the Board of Trustees is “extremely formalized.” “When you put out an RFP (request for proposal) as we have to do because we’re a public entity, any number of institutions who can demonstrate competency can bid and that can be two, three or 100,” she said. Chiang then said that once the committee reviews the bids they will be assessing each organization to verify their competency and ability to handle BC’s bookstore needs. The identities of the companies submitting the bids will Please see Bookstore, Page 4
from representatives of Assemblywomen Jean Fuller and Shannon Grove and congressman Kevin McCarthy. According to a press release from BC, Dr. Levan is a widower and still practices medicine once a week on Monday. Dr. Levan did not attend BC, instead, he became involved with the school when he became friends with John Collins, a former president of BC. Dr. Levan said he acquired his wealth in the early 1960s while working as a professor at USC and operating a medical practice in LA while investing into the stock market. He attributes his success in stocks to the growth of the market since then.
Students and Bakersfield College employees are happy to hear that this institution is receiving nearly $14 million, mainly for scholarships. If they had the chance, a lot of students would apply the money to scholarships, if they were donating that kind of money. “I think student scholarships would be the best thing, hopefully have it open to everyone and give as much money that they can give to the students as possible. That would be great because fees are going up,” said Matthew Owen, biology major. Some people would use some of the money for scholarships and additional things other than scholarships.“I would definitely put some [money] toward scholarships and also put some toward fixing up the campus. I think the campus is kind of run down and old,” said Eric Carrillo, graphic center employee. For some, scholarships weren’t the top thing on their list. Many people would like to see the campus be renovated. “I would try to, with that amount of money, renovate [the campus], kind of bring things up to date with BC,” said Jake Brown, psychology major. Along with the renovations, people would like more teachers being hired on campus. Several sections of classes have been canceled over the past two years because of budget cuts. Please see Reactions, Page 4
Bill sets standards for transfer requirements By Brian N. Willhite Reporter
Megan Luecke / The Rip
The campus bookstore offers many different items including balloons for special occasions March 28.
A recently released bill by the California Senate seeks to promote transfer of California community college students to California state universities by guaranteeing admission to local campuses for all students who complete 60 transfer units and a minimum 2.0 GPA. SB 1440 is designed to standardize transfer requirements for the state’s most popular transfer majors with the intended result being that students will spend less time at community colleges by not taking unnecessary courses that won’t transfer to their school of choice. Bakersfield College transfer
counselor Sue Granger-Dickson described the bill and what it means for students looking to transfer. “What this bill did, is it required the California community colleges and the CSU system to create what’s called Associate Degrees for Transfer. The bill wasn’t specific on how it was going to happen but they did say that community colleges would develop degrees of no more than 60 units and that would guarantee admission to the CSU – the local CSU,” said Granger-Dickson. She is still unclear what qualifies as a local CSU for BC students and is curious if Please see Transfers, Page 4
Features
Page 2
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bus tour highlights historical neon signs By Mateo M. Melero Reporter
In a neon night ride that spanned from Old Kern to Eye Street to the Kern County Museum, instructor and curator Dianne Hardisty, along with local historians and neon sign makers, took a sight-seeing tour of vintage signs still present above some of Bakersfield’s oldest local businesses on March 15. The first stop of the night was the Center Neon, a local sign company located on East 21st street in old Kern. Inside, the workshop sparked and buzzed like a Frankensteinian laboratory. High-frequency electrical current bombardiers danced electric light between Tesla coils as David McNamee, who owns and operates the shop alongside his sister Nancy Carter, demonstrated and explained elements required to construct a neon sign. “The two main gases that are used today are pure neon and argon with a small amount of mercury vapor,” said McNamee. All along the workstation laid glass tubes of varying color, and McNamee explained that the color emitted from a sign, depends on the glass’s coating and what type of gas is in the tube. “With tubes in different phosphors and combinations of the gases you can get different colors.” When producing the curvature and lettering of the signs, McNamee exhibited the different types of concentrated roaring flame devices used in the process as well as the voltage required to purify and contain the noble gases. “The tube is connected to the manifold. All the air is vacu-
umed out of it,” said McNamee as he explained the process for chemically purifying a neon tube and the purpose of the buzzing electrical bombardiers. With newfound neon knowledge, the bus bounded for Narducci’s café on East 21st Street where McNamee and Carter enlightened the passengers on the construction of the sign and its history. One block east of Narducci’s, the bus took a small detour to pay interest to Lazo’s Pool Hall sign where McNamee talked about the signage laws and city ordinances. “The city, when they passed the ordinances, made them mount it flat on the wall so they had to take the neon off one of the sides and mount it flat, but they were able to get an exception and mount it back the way it was,” said McNamee. “They don’t allow any signs to stick out over the sidewalk anymore.” “Whenever they make an ordinance to change the signs and they want to restrict them, they have to leave the existing ones there, so they are grandfathered in. You can maintain them but you cannot change them,” said McNamee. Further in the night as the tour reached Eye Street, it was noted that Gutherie’s Alley Cat played in the preservation of Bakersfield’s historic neon signs. During a debate at city level over whether certain signs with historic significance should be immune to the new ordinances, the Alley Cat was the example given that helped secure the vintage signs from removal. Like Lazo’s, the Alley Cat sign is animated, which is illegal due to current city ordinances, but because of its historical relevance the sign is preserved.
Joseph cota / The Rip
Classic neon signs can be spotted around Bakersfield, and are the subject of a display at the Kern County Museum. Carter, in regards to animated neon and city restrictions said, “signs are [no longer] allowed to be animated. We did the Green Frog [sign] on Oswell Street. We wanted him to be able to tip his hat, like he does on Bernard Street. All we were allowed to do was flash, so he could flash the ‘howdy folks,’ but he couldn’t tip his hat outside the store. That’s why he tips his hat inside the store.” The bus made a stop at Cay Health Foods prior to heading down to Eye Street, then moved on to pay notice to the Padre Hotel, Guthrie’s Alley Cat, and made a final stop at the Fox Theater before moving on to the neon exhibit the Kern County Museum. Located on in the back of Pioneer Village, the exhibit consisted of the Jim Baker Electrifier Sign, Tops Fine Food Market, Saba’s men’s Wear, Shafter Rexall Drugs, the Entrance sign to the Bakersfield Inn Annex, and the Far East Cafe sign. Next to the newly acquired Sil-
verfox Bar sign, which still works except for a couple of tubes that were broken on transport, Lori Wear of the Kern County Museum explained the situation when it comes to collecting and restoring the signs. “Sometimes we get signs that look like this, other times it’s more like the O.B. Newsome where it’s been sitting on top of a roof for 30 years,” said Wear. “So you just never know what kind of condition they are going to be in.” In an effort to raise money to restore the signs, donations were collected and are requested from the Kern County Museum. With the advent of light-emitting diodes and cheaper forms of lighting, according to Carter, neon has taken a more specialized and artistic role when it comes to lighting. “Light-emitting diodes do a lot of different things and they are capable of a lot of different things. I think in applications like interiors, small spaces, where you don’t need the bright-
Professor finds comfort within books and bikes
By Martin Chang Reporter
Sports Editor
ryan george / The Rip
Stratton showes off his Kawasaki ZRX 1200, the motorcycle he rides as he restores his ’83 Honda Saber. ryan george / The Rip
Jason Stratton is a history professor at BC. air conditioner, I can’t make it warm or cold to suit my taste on a whim. I feel the cross winds, I can smell things as I’m going through the area because I’m not insulated in a nice little sterile cubicle, passing through the universe around me. “I’m connected to the universe.” Stratton said that he likes the thrill of the acceleration but that it isn’t the best alternative that riding motorcycles provides, stating, “I have acceleration in my Kawasaki similar to a Corvette, or actually a little faster, from 0-60, and my gas mileage is about 38-44 miles to the gallon. “So, better than a Honda Civic in terms of gas mileage, with better than a Corvette in terms of acceleration,” he said. There is one major emotional incident that influenced Stratton to ride motorcycles for the forseeable future. “My brother taught me to ride, so I feel a connection with him when I ride,” Stratton said. “He passed away a long time ago. I made a promise at his memorial service that I would ride one day just so that he’s constantly present in my life. “He died when someone ran a red light and hit him with his pickup. We will die, that’s a
ness … there are a lot of places where it can replace the neon,” said Carter. “People try to shove it as a comparison and it needs to have its own identity because it has wonderful applications.” But despite its versatility as lighting source, Carter said, “They need to try to not make it a neon replacement because it re-
ally doesn’t replace neon because neon is brighter. The light is all around the neon, so you have not just the directional light of the LEDs, you have the full light of the neon. So it creates a different type of light.” “I think it needs to be one of those gypsies, mystery, do in a window in front of people, things,” said Carter.
BC choir channels its tragedies into its art
By Zak S. Cowan Jason Stratton, a history professor at Bakersfield College, has an interest far from the realm of historical documentation – Stratton has a love for riding motorcycles. He owns two bikes, a 2005 Kawasaki ZRX 1200, which he rides to campus regularly, and an ’83 Honda Saber that is currently out of commision, but which he plans to get back on the road in the near future. Stratton recognizes the risks of riding motorcycles but is not intimidated by them. “Danger is not my middle name, but it is something that does not scare me into avoiding it,” he said. “It’s something that I approach rationally, and I recognize the worst thing that could happen would not be death, but to be a financial burden to my family. “I have been hit once. I came into an intensive-care ward. I still don’t remember that accident.” Stratton was hit in 2002 when someone turned left into an intersection. “I have no memory of it. I lost three hours of memory that day,” he said. “I broke my two front teeth and sprained my left wrist to the point where I couldn’t really close my hand for two months effectively. “But I was in class teaching the next day, because I only lost three hours of memory – I didn’t lose my memory from college.” There are many reasons Stratton chooses to ride motorcycles instead of a car or SUV. “It makes me feel connected to the world around me in ways that I think our modern societies are disconnected from,” Stratton said. “I don’t have an
joseph cota / The Rip
Guthrie’s Alley Cat is an example of local historical neon signs preserved in the downtown Bakersfield area.
guarantee,” Stratton said. “I’d rather have a high quality life than be afraid to enjoy a life as long as you do it responsibly. The biggest threat isn’t me on the bike, it’s people in cars who have no clue. “They’re more of a threat to me than I am in terms of my health and safety.” Stratton’s passion in history shows in his classroom. “When you’re doing what you love, you’re constantly up, and therefore, it doesn’t feel old and stale to you,” he said. “You’re always energized to find new ways to understand it, and new ways to explain it to people to try to see the students in the class nodding their heads and smiling. “The money’s nice, but I teach for that connection with you, that nonverbal interaction, or the verbal. When I ask questions and people are able to answer them, I can lead them to making their own conclusions.” Stratton credits his teaching method to his education, and keeping up with current news and that he tries “to see interconnections between different areas that some people don’t see as a natural one.” Stratton also cites honor courses at the University of La Verne where students could take two subjects, such as architecture and history, and how the two would be connected. “Because of that educational
background, because of me being me for whatever reason, when I see things my mind frequently makes connections to other sources, other cultures, other ideas, where I see a similarity and how cultures are approaching an issue. That’s where I make those type of connections.” During the third grade, Stratton went to three different schools while his family moved from place to place. He credits this to how he first got drawn in to the “faith of history,” as he calls it. “I remember toward the end of [the third grade] I got tired of making friends and losing them, but we always had the books with us,” he said. “So I figured I wasn’t going to worry about getting close to people. I will make friends, but I’m not going to make my entire life my friends. I will be friends with books as much, because the books always traveled with us. “By the end of the third grade I remember telling my mom I wanted to be a stunt man one week, another week it was a jet pilot, and the third week it was a history professor, and those have been my goals ever since.” Stratton’s wife also works at BC. Their first date was a ride on one of his bikes into the snowing mountains, and as he said, “she still wanted to see me the next day.”
The Bakersfield College Chorale and Chamber Singers performed the “Requiem” by Gabriel Faure at St. John’s Lutheran Church to an appreciative audience. The director and the students were inspired by tragedies, personal and in the world. Ronald Kean, director of the BC chorale department, sees the purpose of the seven movement “Requiem” as a way of viewing the afterlife and “the need to reconcile what we think may happen when a person passes on.” In order to properly honor the dead, Kean believes that you must sing pieces such as the “Requiem,” “right.” “If you have an impure heart, or if the music is not done with integrity then you lose communication with you ancestors. It’s important that we try to approach music with dignity and integrity so that we can transfer that integrity to our deceased,” Kean said. He believes that the BC choir sang the piece with that respect. He describes their performance as having “such integrity and such passion.” He is “very proud” of what was accomplished by the choir. Kean said the audience reaction has been “fantastic.” He said, “I’ve gotten e-mails and comments from people all over town, about how moved they were. Most of the people were saying they were weeping during the performance.” At the end of the performance of “Requiem,” many in the audience stood up
and clapped in appreciation. The BC choir students were inspired by both personal tragedy and recent world tragedies when singing the “Requiem.” BC choir student Matthew Davis thought of his recentlypassed grandmother while performing the “Requiem.” “I felt like I could connect to the ‘Requiem’ more because I dedicated it to her. So I felt this was a good way to release all the pent-up feelings I had about mourning for my grandma. “I really didn’t have a chance to mourn because I had to go back to school right away after the funeral. So it was really a nice, productive outlet for me,” he said. Fernando Munoz, the baritone soloist, found inspiration singing his solos in the recent events in Japan. “I thought I was going to be nervous, but I wasn’t too nervous,” he said. “Kean was giving me a pep talk, saying the best thing to think about when you’re singing this is what just happened to Japan. I just started thinking about that. It was almost heartbreaking. I just had to sing my best. I had to give it my all for the people who have struggled as much as they did. So I gave it my all for the people that needed it.” For Kean, both inspired him. “It was a tribute to my mother who passed on late last November,” he said. “As a young teenager, we lived in France right outside of Paris for a year and a half, so a French piece would be entirely appropriate to honor her with.”
Features
Page 3
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
British women’s society celebrates culture By Chrystal Fortt Reporter
Daughters of the British Empire is a national society of women who are of British descent. They meet together under the commonality of British heritage and the philanthropic motto “Not ourselves, but the cause.” Josephine Langstaff, started DBE in 1909. The American organization grew quickly when World War I happened; they had the biggest war relief contribution out of any other British organization. Now, all DBE organizations support retirement homes for British people in America. There are four retirement homes in the United States that they fund, including Texas, Illinois, New York and California.
There are chapters throughout the nation, but there is a particular chapter for Kern County that’s called the “Sir Edward Elgar” chapter. The members come from Shafter, Arvin, Wasco, Delano, Taft, Lake Isabella and Weldon to meet in Bakersfield once a month. All chapters give to the retirement home nearest to them. The Kern County section of DBE gives to the retirement home in the L.A. area, in Sierra Madre city. Kitty Christensen is a member and is from Yorkshire, England. “We help send donations of money, whatever we can to support a retirement home for the British people … we don’t do much, but we do little sales between ourselves,” said Christensen.“We buy each other stuff and the
money goes to them [the British retirement home], then we have tea and little sandwiches,” said Joan Bohmwald, who is also from Yorkshire, England. Even though they come together to support the British retirement homes, they all were looking for new friendships. “I’ve been in Bakersfield for 20 years now ... I didn’t have any friends here, so I looked up in the phone book for organizations, that’s how I found DBE,” said Bohmwald. The Bakersfield Chapter, “Sir Edward Elgar,” started in 1965 with about 40 members. Now the group is the smallest it’s ever been with eight members. They lost members for different reasons but mostly because they moved or passed of old
age. “Some chapters have over a hundred members,” said Christensen. The Kern County chapter lacks new and younger members. “Nowdays women aren’t interested in joining because they’re busy working, have children, or going to school,” said Connie Corbell. “Our daughters and their daughters and their daughters can join, but they never come,’” said Enne Foster who is from Embra, Scotland. The DBE group would have liked their daughters to join the group, but couldn’t get them to stay. Lyn Brown, from North Hampton, England, is the president of the chapter. “[Our daughters] don’t have anything in common, they don’t miss England, they’ve never been
Kayla Broadhag / The Rip
From left: Enne Foster, Connie Corbell, Joan Bohmwald and Kitty Christensen, members of the Daughters of the British Empire, sit and chat on March 15. there. And we miss our home, I was about 20 years old when I left my home,” said Brown. “You get hungry to talk to
someone who knows your language, who knows where you live because you’re in a strange place.”
Teacher triumphs over hearing challenges “A school of thought and a method of examining the world around you. It’s beyond a job and a paycheck; it’s a way of life.” Moya Arthur, Philosophy Professor Moya Arthur By James Timothy Reporter
“Excuse me if I wax philosophical,” remarks Professor Moya Arthur as she sits in her office one afternoon. “After all, I am a professional.” Arthur is a professional in her field, no argument there. Even though she’s obviously fauxboastful, Arthur remains modest about her knowledge and dedication to the field she has taught here at Bakersfield College going on 20 years. Philosophy for her is “a school of thought and a method of examining the world around you. It’s beyond a job and a paycheck; it’s a way of life.” As Arthur puts it, “You get into philosophy not because it’s a job, not for the money, but because it’s something you love to do. Nobody goes into it for the money. I’m lucky enough today to get paid to do something I love.”Arthur was a third-year biology student at UC Davis when she says someone essentially forced her to take a general education class in philosophy. Arthur enrolled in the class, and her initial opinion was that it was “a complete waste of time.” “I basically hated and detested this class,” Arthur said. “I was used to taking fairly tough science classes, and my first philosophy exam kicked my butt. I was like, ‘whoa, I’m supposed to be smart,’ what happened?” Arthur at first disliked the subject, but the difficulty she experienced inspired and challenged her until the initial distaste turned into a fascination and eventually
a lifelong love with the subject. Soon though, you might say, life took a few turns to give her things to philosophize upon. Arthur summarizes in a few words an incident that would transform her life forever. “My husband and I were in Santa Barbara, and we were having a perfectly lovely day. At night we went to sleep, and the next morning when I woke up … I couldn’t hear. It was terrifying.” Arthur spent almost a year with the world around her muted to utter silence, a devastating circumstance for an individual who comes from a musical background and is a musician herself. Countless doctors had no explanation for the phenomena, even though there were plenty of theories; genetic predispositions to various disorders with side effects causing deafness being the main culprits. Arthur went on to explain that inside the cochlea there are areas that respond to sound frequencies and interpret these frequencies as electrical impulses for your brain to read and translate into voice, a musical note, or the sound of a car horn. These areas exist inside fluidfilled chambers of the cochlea and are like tiny microscopic hairs vibrating in response to the waves of sound. Arthur compared her hearing to that of a person with normal hearing by saying that if someone with normal hearing had a thousand little “hairs,” she herself only had twenty to work with. This prevented her from hearing at certain frequencies, especially
those that were of a lower register, say maybe a note from a bass guitar, or a deep male voice. “I took a yearlong sabbatical where I didn’t teach at all. That’s when most of my hearing was completely gone,” Arthur said. “My husband and I went to specialist after specialist and every one of them thought I could have some sort of horrible disease that might have caused it.” To this day, Arthur isn’t absolutely sure what caused the loss of her hearing. Several different possibilities include the side effects of various disorders such as scarlet fever, or hay fever. She theorizes her immune system may have become overloaded fighting one of these diseases. “But eventually I was sent to UCLA where I underwent a procedure to insert an cochlear implant into my head to help restore some of my hearing,” Arthur said.To this day, Arthur utilizes a combination of her ears, lip-reading, and her mind to experience the world around her and what people say. “I’m considered a master lipreader. It’s very tough,” she said. “Say I were to say two different phrases to you; ‘island view’, and ‘I love you.’ You have to learn to interpret these two phrases differently since they appear the same on the lips. You have to decide which the person is saying on a contextual basis.” Arthur sums it all up like the philosophy teacher she is. “I’ve learned a lot more than I’ve lost. But that’s life. You’re always learning.”
Column
Chrystal Fortt / The Rip
Shopping around can give savings and good fashions By Chrystal Fortt Reporter
Ever since the economic downturn in 2008, all of our budgets have been cut down. Instead of having Gap clothing in our closets, we just have the gap space of no clothing. Now everyone can get fairly good style for cheap ever since the huge Forever 21 has decided to stay for good. Forever 21 gets old after shopping there for awhile. The store usually ends up with a jacket that they sold last winter, only this winter it has different buttons. However, getting jeans for about $15 isn’t so bad. But for the type of people who want variety but don’t have the money, there are some ways to get more bang for your buck. Since some stores are cutting back on their budget and deciding to go green, they don’t like sending catalogs through the mail. Sign up for e-mail subscriptions from all the closest clothing stores near you. Even sign up for stores that you don’t really like. You would be surprised when you see things that you like in a store that you never dared to walk into. Save your money for when you get these emails. They always send you an e-mail when they’re about to have a sale, have cheap featured items, or have an exclusive-online coupon. The e-mails are better than having tons of catalogs in the house, but your e-mail inbox can
get pretty cluttered too. Make an e-mail account strictly for store subscriptions and junk mail. Since the stores have gone cheap on catalogs, they also want to make more money, so they’ll try to offer you a store credit card, and they’ll try to tempt you with a 40% discount. Never sign up for the card, a devil is behind the discount. It might be hard to resist, but the card will just rack up debt. A year later, you’ll be stuck making payments on the shoes that you don’t wear anymore. Buying the shoes with cash is a better idea and there’s a way of getting cash for those shoes. Turn the shoes and clothes that sit in your closet into a new outfit by going to Plato’s Closet on Ming Avenue. Unlike most thrift stores, Plato’s Closet takes slightly used clothes that are still in style and gives cash for them. They’ll make you an offer depending on the condition and the style of the clothes. Plato’s Closet might have the pair of shoes you were wanting. If Plato’s Closet is too modern, and vintage is more your style, of course thrift stores are your choice of place to shop. Even though vintage stores can have some deals, shopping at yard sales can be even better. Yard sales can have a jackpot of designer vintage for cheap.The best thing about yard sales is that you can make deals with the seller for a lump sum of things for an almost stolen price. The sellers usually take the offer since they’re trying to get rid of stuff that they think is junk.
Boys and Girls Club raise money and hope through dodgeball games By Monica Bolger Reporter
The Bakersfield Boys and Girls Club hosted its annual coed dodgeball tournament on March 19, in attempt of raising money to support its youth organization and achieved so in an entertaining and recreational manner. “It’s a fundraiser we have every year, and it’s a fun way to raise money to help support us, and everything we do around here,” said Associative Executive Director, Berry White. White and various others came to support dodgeball “The Tournament” along with Bright house, that’s been shown to be
one of the clubs main sponsors, according to their website. 28 teams arrived with their game faces on, and squared off against the opposing team of the same sex in a race to grab the nearest ball, and chuck it across the room as fast as they could while avoiding being hit themselves. Each team carried six energetic challengers that sported their group’s name on the back of their shirts, and were simultaneously pumped-up to the sound of “Mr. dodgeball” on the mike, who taunted them with his fancy two-Step and dougie moves, and used catch phrases like, “yayah” and “that’s what’s up.”
“It can get pretty rough on the court, but it’s all in good fun, and it’s such a great sport,” said White. To the east of Harvey Hall Gymnasium, DJ “Marky Mark” scratched jams, and spun records of hip-hop, techno, and R&B tunes to heighten the intensity of Saturday’s event. A massive cluster of screaming bodies and flaying body parts described the scene at the opposite end of the court. Among the crowd of supporters were Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Senator Michael Rubio that attended to watch their family members play. “Kevin McCarthy came earlier
to support his son’s team, Team Recon,” said White. “And also Rubio, that’s here for her boy’s team.” Competitors ranged from pre-teens to senior citizens, and were not only dressed in their team gear, but sported outfits that resembled cartoon and action characters. “Dead Barbies” showed off their athletic skills as they played wearing pink tights, blonde wigs, and white face makeup, and won the title of “Most Creative Costumes.” The end result was $10,000 raised in donations, and a gold trophy in the shape of a dodgeball was given to the first place team, “Bakersfield Headshots.”
brandon barraza / The Rip
The Bakersfield Headshots pose with their trophy after winning a dodgeball tournament March 19.
News
Page 4
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
News Briefs Correction In the March 16 issue of The Renegade Rip, the article “Anti-abortionists converge at BC” stated that dean of students Joyce Coleman and SGA president Lisa English attempted to get Project Truth to vacate the premises. This was not the case. Project Truth was asked to not take pictures of students but was not asked to leave. Correction In the March 16 issue of The Renegade Rip Richard Villanueva’s name was misspelled in an article. “Red White Wine Food Festival” The “Red White Wine Food Festival” will host more than 50 California wineries and food from the Culinary Arts program on Friday, April 8 at the North Stadium Lawn. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the gate. Call the Bakersfield College Foundation at 395-4800 for details.
Transfer: Board still to determine ‘local’ CSU Continued from Page 1 Cal State Fresno and Cal State Northridge could be considered local schools. The process started with the California Community College State Academic Senate organizing curriculum proposals with faculty members of the state’s CSUs. Their efforts have created what are called Transfer Model Curriculums, which will create degree programs that all of the CSUs will accept. With this process, a degree in psychology will be earned with the same curriculum requirements offered at all California community colleges. “Faculty are convening and meeting all over the state and are hashing out what these Transfer Associate or these Transfer Model Curriculum are going to look like. They are going to be fast-tracked to Sacramento through the chancellor’s office, and they’re going to be available to students in the fall,” GrangerDickson said. Currently, there are 21 schools that have responded with at least
16 agreeing to all three Transfer Curricular Model proposals as they were first presented, according to an e-mail from Jane Patton, president of the Academic Senate for Community Colleges. According to Patton, most CSUs have acknowledged or agreed to the new terms except San Diego State University. SDSU does not feel that the new Transfer Model Curriculums coordinate with their degrees. They are the only university that feels this way; however, because 1440 is a state mandated measure, the university must reach a satisfactory decision regarding the TMCs. “Given that the majority of CSU campuses have agreed to accept all three of the first TMCs, there is reason to be hopeful that the outstanding implementation issues can be resolved,” Patton said. Negotiations and planning are currently ongoing. At this time, according to Granger-Dickson, there are three Transfer Model Curriculums that have been completed: psychology, sociology and communica-
Annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway has begun. Prizes include a $400,000 house or $200,000 cash, as well as other items. Tickets are $100 and are available at all Kern School Credit Unions, Roger’s Jeweler’s, Urner’s, or by calling 1-800-385-9134. Contest details are available at www.dreamhome.org.
Gardenfest, the campus festival put on by the Horticulture Department, will be on campus April 9 at the Bakersfield College Horticulture Renegade Park from 9 a.m to 4p.m. There will also be booths for campus clubs and other organizations. Reservation forms for booth space for campus organizations can be found on www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/gardenfest, and the space fee is $75 beginning March 17. Booth space is free up until March 16. Scottish Gathering to be held at Stramler Park The Bakersfield Highland Gathering and Games, a festival for Scottish/Celtic music and culture including food and athletics, will be at Stramler Park on Saturday, April 2. CSUB admissions at BC CSUB will be doing onsite admissions at BC on April 6 in the Gymnasium Foyer and on April 6 in the Fireside Room. Both events are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students should bring an unofficial transcript and a completed CSUB application. Recent vehicle thefts on BC campus BC Public Safely Security is currently working in an investigation with local police about recent vehicle thefts on campus, and they would like students to be aware of unusual activity around BC and to call them at 395-4554 if they observe suspicious activity (or call 911 if it’s an emergency). Great American Cleanup The Great American Cleanup and Greater Bakersfield Green Expo will be at Yokuts Park on April 9. This expo showcases recycling and renewable energy business in Kern County. Further information for the event is available at www.gbgreenexpio.org and www.keepbakersfieldbeautiful.us.
Quick Facts about Senate Bill 1440 “Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act”
pleted include Early Childhood Education, Physics, Geology, Art, Biology and Chemistry followed by Liberal Studies, English, History, Political SciSB 1440 “seeks to promote ence and Business. transfer of California community college students to Mandatory Requirements California state universities by for guaranteed transfer: guaranteeing admission to loComplete 60 CSU cal campuses for all students transferable units. who complete 60 transfer units Complete CSU General Edand a minimum 2.0 GPA.” ucation Breadth or IGETC. The Associate Transfer DeNo Local CC Graduation regree majors currently com- quirements allowed. pleted and ready for fall term Minimum 18 units in an Astransfers include Psychology, sociate Degree major. Sociology and CommunicaMinimum 2.0 GPA. tion.Upcoming majors nearing Guaranteed Admission to locompletion are Criminal Jus- cal CSU campus. tice, Kinesiology and Mathematics. *Information provided by Additional majors to be com- Sue Granger-Dickson research and are well informed are going to be [at BC] less time. And that’s the whole point, to not waste student time and money, which is also federal and state money at this point through financial aid,” she said. For students interested in learning more about transferring, university representatives
make regular visits to BC and are available to answer questions about their college. The counseling department also offers transfer workshops on various subjects regarding CSU and UC transfers. For dates and times or to learn more, visit the counseling center in Student Services.
Bookstore: Outsourcing could result in cheaper textbooks for BC students
St. Jude Home Giveaway
Gardentfest
tion. Currently, more TMCs are being configured and will possibly be ready for the fall term. She is excited for the bill and feels that it will eliminate confusion for students as well as the number of units they are taking. “I’m excited about it because I think that anything that can reduce barriers for students is great. Anything that’s going to increase transfer of our students is great because our transfer rates, while strong for transferring to CSUB, are not as strong as I’d like them to be,” she said. Granger-Dickson urges students to plan ahead when taking courses and stresses to complete math and English courses sooner than later as well as declaring a major early on to avoid taking unnecessary courses. She also encourages students who are unsure of their major to research by talking with professors and professionals in their fields of interest to see if it’s the right decision for them to make. “I think that those students who really come to those decisions fairly early and do that
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Gregory D. Cook / The Rip
Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall (left) speaks during a press conference announcing Dr. Norman Levan’s donation to Bakersfield College on March 24.
Reactions: Renovating campus suggested Continued from Page 1 “Rebuild the buildings and put the teachers back to work,” said Bill Parker, graphic center lead printer. “What good is a scholarship if you don’t have anybody to teach you what you need? Scholarships aren’t getting
the teachers back in the classroom,” said Parker. “I’ve been here a long time, and I watch students get their financial aid checks for their schooling, and they spend it on the totally opposite things, and then they struggle trying to get through school,” said Parker.
Continued from Page 1 be revealed at the time of their formal evaluation. “Who the companies might be is hard to say. “There’s probably large bookstore chains but then there’s probably operators of college bookstores that are independent – it’s hard to tell and would be all speculation at this point,” Chiang said. One advantage the change will have for BC staff and students is that the bookstore will be more competitive in book pricing, according to Laura Lorigo, auxiliary manager for BC. Lorigo is optimistic that a new management company will update the bookstore to an electronic records and tracking system, making the ordering and purchasing processes more efficient for students and faculty at BC. Another feature that Rodriguez hopes will take place with the electronic update is the ability for students to be able to look up the books they need based on the books associated with the classes on their schedules. He also feels that this feature would
be very beneficial for students and their families that want to assist students in purchasing their materials. According to Chiang, some of the reasons for change in management are the demanding responsibilities associated with running a bookstore as well as an incentive to find a more costeffective and efficient way to operate. “A lot of it has to do with the overwhelming work involved with getting the books ordered, getting the books shelved, keeping them stocked and all of that moving around, and we basically have people who are staff who we train to do that but it’s a huge job,” Chiang said. She added that one of the primary reasons is to increase the efficiency of the bookstore’s operations to better meet BC’s needs. “The thought process, as far as I understand it, was maybe it would make more sense to have someone that actually operates bookstores all the time come in and get things streamlined and smoothed out,” Chiang said. Another change that both
Rodriguez and Lorigo are optimistic about is the possibility of the bookstore being more competitive in pricing, resulting in cheaper books. Lorigo commented that students are buying books from a variety of places like Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com to find the best deals and so now, with the new changes, more students will buy their books at BC. At this time, due to the formal review process, it is still possible that more applicants may submit bids for consideration by the Board of Trustees. It is also possible that the bids that have been submitted may be rescinded or rejected by the districted during review for a variety of reasons. Also, it is uncertain whether student employees will continue to work in the bookstore. According to Chiang, these are factors that would be discussed within a company’s proposal package. The formal review process is not determined at this time, though sources feel that it will possibly occur during the April Board of Trustees meeting.
SGA encourages students to donate blood By Amber T. Troupe Reporter
The Blood Bus is going to be located on campus in the parking lot behind the bookstore on March 31 for the annual 2011 National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge, in which Bakersfield College is competing with many colleges across the nation. Katrina Oldershaw, the Stu-
dent Government Association’s legislative liaison commented on the regulations and requirements to donate blood. “The blood screening takes place in the fireside room and they basically just check to see if you are able to donate. Things like how old are your tattoos and piercings, weight check to make sure the body can handle the loss of blood, just have to be at least 110 pounds,
or to see if your are sick, and once cleared by the nurses from Houchin Blood Bank escorts students to the Blood Bus,” she said. The drive is going to be there to help those in need of blood as usual, but also to beat last year’s record for the amount of registered donors and the amount of blood obtained. BC actually is ranked 37th in last year’s most successful blood
drive award with a donor goal of 125 with 120 registering and a pint goal of 152 with 89 collected. So this year BC wants to break its own record as well as beat out the competition, and SGA is trying to make that happen by giving presentations in certain classes as well as including free T-shirts and a slice of pizza to registered donors. The big incentive they are us-
ing this year compared to last year’s is being entered in a drawing to win one out of five $100 BC Bookstore vouchers. This year’s drive will not have as much media coverage because Oldershaw says that it may drive some people away from donating. The SGA encourages everyone to come out and donate blood not just students, but the community is invited as well.
Digital arts professor speaks on turmoil in Middle East By Keith Kaczmarek Reporter
While Egypt is on the other side of the world, the effects of the unrest there have touched those here in Bakersfield like Adel Shafik, a digital arts professor at BC. Though he emigrated from Egypt in 1986 after being educated at Egypt’s Helwan University and became a United States citizen in 1999, he still has four sisters and a brother living in Egypt. When the unrest in Egypt began, he tried to contact his family. “It was difficult to get in touch with my family with no landline and Internet, but after the fourth day I was able to get in touch with my brother,” he said. After getting in touch with his family, he was afraid for them. “After the police and security left their positions, there was no law with people robbing shops and businesses and that was the most
fearful thing about it,” Shafik added. “The internal security and ruling party opened the prisons and a lot of the criminals came out and there were trying to use them to terrorize the people,” he continued. “It begins as a peaceful and honest revolution, [then] they created chaos and fear and unrest, thinking that people would break off. That’s when the army came in.” The reason for the revolution was clear in his mind. “The people wanted jobs and opportunities,” he said. “Mubarak was in office too long – 30 years. That’s too long.” He also mentioned economic problems. “It was that there were no jobs for college graduates, high food prices, no places to live and no increases in pay [to account for] inflation.” Corruption also seemed to an issue to him. “I was told that they saw the wealth that government officials had, [as well as] the politicians and police force.”
After performing a quick calculation, he mentioned that the average engineer might make $1,200 a year “versus someone on the police force who can buy the most expensive Rolls Royce.” The future of Egyptian politics concerns him. “My fear is that you are going to get a different group, such as fanatics like the Muslim Brotherhood, and personally I don’t want Egypt to become like Iran or Afghanistan.” That being said, Shafik has hopes for the region. “My opinion is that the idea for change was good, and it was a youthful revolution,” he said. “There are all kinds of groups, and people want all groups to have opportunities.” Later he added, “I’m hoping for a democratic election, a secular government, and real freedom of expression and religion. I’m hoping that there will be real change and that I can go back and visit my family.”
Shafik thinks that there are lessons to be learned from the Egyptian revolution. “We should listen to the people, and we should not take things for granted. Our officials should have a wiser way of dealing with conflicts around the world. We lose credibility when we support people like Saddam. We should be the kind of place that people can learn from. I’m a strong believer that democracy is a strong way to live.” He later added, “The West learned long ago that you need to separate religion from politics.” With Egypt having three different governments in power since the British-backed King Farouk in 1952, Egypt has changed a great deal from the Arab cultural center it was in the 1950s. “We had a wonderful culture of the arts and it’s become colored by the religious atmosphere. We have this incredible history,” Shafik said. “After Farouk left in 1952, we still had a freedom of
the arts. In the Arab world, our governments ran to religion for a more secure way of life.” Neighboring Tunisia also had peaceful revolution while Libya has had violence. Various protests have also been happening in nearby nations like Yemen. “When one place has started, it means that there is pressure at other places. With Tunisia, it said to people ‘why not.’ The economy was a big issue. When they look at the future, it was a dark future.” Shafik has remained optimistic about the situation in Egypt. “I think it’s very positive that is was a peaceful transition, but the government is still run by the armies. It’s still early to see if it will be a peaceful transition. It is positive that the ministers are under investigation,” he added. “I have great faith that things will change for the better, but it will come with sacrifices. That is the cost of freedom, I guess.”
Campus
Page 5
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Obesity topic of campus seminar
Hands Across California set to commence By Amber T. Troupe Reporter
The nation’s largest higher education system, California community colleges, is pushing to achieve the Hands Across California challenge with Bakersfield College participating with the objective of winning, what could be, the greatest charitable donation given to a higher learning institution in American history. In 2008, The Bernard Osher Foundation gave a gift $25 million to the fund as well as creating a completion among the communities in the state that would match the Foundation’s donation with $25 million if the 112 colleges involved can collectively raise an additional $50 million by deadline, June 2011. The $100 million target would result in a permanent scholarship endowment for the California community colleges. The HAC campaign, produced by Ken Kragen, who also designed Hands Across America in 1986, hopes to bring people together and join hands to make a physical link across California. Mike Stepanovich, executive director of BC’s Foundation department described the envisioned scene as a community showing support with their hands. “One and a half million people being linked hand-in-hand all over the state of California, including Bakersfield to San Fran-
cisco and all the way down to San Diego,” Stepanovich said. He continued with how BC has prepared for the chainlinked chain challenge by continually promoting the event and encouraging participants to get involved. “The important thing is that BC has reached its enrollment goal and is taking the steps in the right direction to get things moving. We are getting as many people as possible to pledge, but it’s been a work in progress, going slowly but surely,” Stepanovich stated. Roger Sanchez, BC’s Student Government Association liaison to the dean, is at the head of the student involvement and pledging process as well and discussed student participation. “Students can pledge by going online with a link found on the SGA Web site, www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/sga, as well as coming into the student services center. I’ve been giving out my cell number as well, so students can just text me their name, zip code and email address and their signed up. It’s just as easy as that,” Sanchez said. Sanchez also explained that donations could be made online as well by texting the word HANDS to a number also provided on the HAC Web site by the actual event date that is scheduled for April 17 at 2 p.m. The plan for the HAC fundraiser consists of the colleges
By Amber T. Troupe Reporter
courtesy of BC Foundation
This map shows the area that the Hands Across California campaign hopes to cover. meeting their student enrollment criteria and by the donations and pledges from students, faculty and the community alike. Their contributions will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the Bernard Osher Foundation. Willing participants make a pledge to participate in the holding hands task and contribute donations toward the monetary goal. On the scheduled day of the event, people will be informed of all the locations and starting points of this 1,500-mile line and decide where the want to stand the historic event.
Tax day approaching for taxpayers By Cristal Rodriguez Reporter
Federal Income Tax season has been around since January, and will soon be coming to an end. This can mean Bakersfield College students may be getting money from the IRS, or they may have to pay money to the IRS and some students will not even need to file. “Man, I thought I was going to get some money back. I expected at least $500 back because I bought a new car, but I ended up having to pay $750,” said Samuel Mata. On the other hand, Marilyn Cerna said she is very happy with the money she got back. “I’m just waiting for it to come in,” she said. There are many places to go to get taxes done, H&R Block, Liberty Taxes and many small businesses open during this
season, and they offer different rewards to get people to choose them, such as money in advance. “Yeah, H&R Block offers to give you your money as soon as you file, which is great. That’s why we always stay busy,” said Denise Morales who works at H&R Block and attends BC. Other places, like Liberty Taxes, promise you will walk out with $50 after you file, but you will still have to pay a fee, and you will get your money in about three days. “I went to Liberty Taxes because I live here by the school and it’s the closest I found, but they were very expensive,” said student Susan Linger, who decided to do her taxes elsewhere and went to do them online for free at Turbo Tax. Turbo Tax offers services online or by appointment and after filing the money takes two
weeks to come if done electronically, direct deposit, if not it can take up to a month. Although many students were in a hurry to get their taxes done to see if they would get anything in return, there are still some students who have yet to file, such as Rachel Cardenas. “No, I have not done my taxes. I’m actually worried about paying so I was waiting for my financial aid,” she said. On a positive note, there are many students who have gotten money back and already have plans on where the money will go. “I am going to take my boys to Disneyland and stay there for two nights. It will be a great family trip,” said Lourdes Ramos, a student mother. The last day to file your taxes without an extenstion is April 18. The IRS will issue a penalty for those who do not file before deadline.
A map that illustrates the event’s route can be found online at the HAC Web site, which highlights where the line will start in each city or town and displays the intended direction of the human-linked chain. The goal is to stay off extremely high traffic roads and streets as well as completely steering clear of freeways and highways, especially in the southern-urban areas like Los Angeles. According to Jill Scofield, media contact in Sacramento and state representative for HAC, stated in a press release that,
“Quincy Jones, George Lopez, Mark Hamilton, Yvette Brown and John Farce are among some of the celebrities involved in the event.” The only missing link to this chain of hands is the community colleges between Bakersfield and Stockton some of who refuse to participate and some who were not able to meet the enrollment requirements. This is where the chain was unable to complete the intended circle, which led to BC and San Joaquin Delta College becoming stopping points.
Garden Fest to feature green activities in April By Monica Bolger Reporter
The Bakersfield College Environmental Horticulture Department will be hosting its sixth year of Garden Fest on April 9 at Horticulture Renegade Park. The event will feature different booths and free seminars that will provide information and materials for gardening, arts and crafts, healthy foods and hybrid automobiles. It will also be providing the public with environmentally friendly ideas of agriculture education. “This is a perfect way to show people what BC has to offer from our Agriculture Department,” said Bakersfield College Horticulture Technician and Garden Fest Organizer, Sally Sterns. “We’re going to have so many activities and treats for the kids to enjoy, like bounce houses and Ben and Jerry’s,” said Sterns. Free admission and giveaways
are said to be involved at the annual event and booth space will be available for reservation at a space fee of $75, according to the event’s online site. “Non-profit organizations and groups on campus are allowed to use booths free of charge and the money they make is for their own purposes of supporting their organization. The child care department always comes out successful when raising money,” said Sterns. The booth that will represent the child care department will be selling raffle tickets and giving away prizes to those who are attending. “The groups that will be advertising and fundraising pay the fee that will go into supporting our green houses and the rest of the Agriculture Department,” said Sterns. Various campus clubs and public events are scheduled to participate in next month’s Garden Fest.
Being a student is not always the healthiest lifestyle, and sometimes students need a little push in the right direction, or the right food information to be readily available for their fast-paced lives. Registered Dietician Leah Carter is also a Bakersfield College nutrition professor. On March 24 she held an Obesity Workshop. The workshop was targeted at eating habits and lifestyle changes that will be productive for the weight loss goal of each individual student. The workshop did not draw a big crowd, but those in attendance were taking notes. Carter stated that the workshop in the executive boardroom at BC was in honor of National Nutrition Month, in which the focus for that month is teaching and spreading the information about nutrition and wellness to the communities. During the workshop, Carter discussed a lot of misconceptions and myths and clarified the real answers for those in attendance. “There is no special diet or weight loss products that can make you lose the weight and keep it off. Dieting is only temporary so you lose the weight while on the diet, and then you gain the weight back once you’re off,” Carter said. Carter used visual aids to help during her presentation, in which she shows the audience a short video taken from a morning show that discussed portion sizes and weight loss. The video gave viewers an example of a meal, such as a slice of pizza or a hamburger. The video then showed the amount of calories each meal entails as well as the amount of fat. For shock value Carter showed an actual pound of fat and an actual pound of muscle, as she explained how many calories it takes to take make one pound of each. “Americans need to eat less and move more. It takes 35,000 calories to equal one pound of fat or muscle and most of these fast food meals are at least half the daily calorie count. In order to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you intake,” said Carter. Carter closed her presentation with a few words of health wisdom and passed out a flier that was titled “25 ways to Think Thin.”
Opinions
Page 6
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Education is the hero, not ‘villain’
Staff Editorial
Other uses for donation Recently, Bakersfield College was made the recipient of an amazing act of kindness. The gift of nearly $14 million by philanthropist Dr. Norman Levan will add $500,000 worth of scholarships each year for 250 students, more than doubling the amount of money available to BC students through locally-funded scholarships each year. While 250 new student scholarships each year is an undeniably magnanimous gesture for those students, there is a feeling among some on campus that the rest of the over 18,000 students attending BC will see little to no effect from the largest gift to a community college in history as the college continues to face the challenges of ever-deepening cuts in state and local budgets. No doubt, giving away that much scholarship money could make it easier for disadvantaged people to attend the college, and it is understood that much of the donation is meant to go directly to scholarships. But BC has been consistently operating over its enrollment capacity for a number of years now, and when that much money is donated, it does conjure up thoughts that money is needed to directly deal with problems that could thwart students from attending college. A wish list, given unexpected funds, could include several things that we hear people talk about if there was some way to use the money to address some of the more immediate issues that confront the college. Several of the buildings on campus are in poor shape and could benefit from some muchneeded maintenance. Many departments are teaching modern theories and processes with out-dated equipment in their labs and classrooms. Investing in new equipment would greatly enrich BC’s ability to fulfill its core mission. More adjunct instructors could be hired, and more classes could be offered. A program could be instituted to reimburse students for their books if they maintain a certain grade point average. This would provide many more students with an incentive to do well in class for the same cost. No one at this paper doubts the motive or spirit behind the kindhearted gifts that Dr. Levan has given to this college. We understand that for the recipients of these scholarships, the donations can help open the doors to some truly life-changing opportunities. But with a gift of such magnitude, it causes some thought that the effects could be more widely felt by more students, especially when we consider what the future may hold for BC in the governor’s budget. In August, over 18,000 students will arrive on campus for the fall semester and they will be met by tuition increases, book costs, full wait lists for overcrowded classes, the possibility of more cuts in classes, services and staff, and there is an irony that some of the $14 million can’t be used for those purposes.
’G ade Feedback
By Keith Kaczmarek Reporter
Chrystal Fortt / The Rip
Nuclear power debate up in air
Power plants would not survive Nuclear energy sources worth it, natural disaster in California regardless of minimal dangers By Ryan George Photographer
Nuclear power plants are beneficial to the electrical supply of the Untied States as well as many other countries around the globe. California sits along and on the San Andreas Fault, connected to the Ring of Fire which is a chain of volcanoes all sitting on separate faults lining along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is simply a dangerous place for California to actively use two operating nuclear plants and five non-operational plants, some of which are still holding spent fuel rods as the California Nuclear Energy’s website states. The two functioning plants, one in Diablo Canyon (near San Luis Obispo) and the other in San Onofre (between Los Angeles and San Diego) use ocean water to cool the fuel rods. Through my research, I am unclear if ours are using either plutonium rods or uranium rods for their energy creation. These two ‘live’ plants could easily be damaged or even destroyed if an earthquake similar to Japans were to strike California. So many people I have spoken to about Japan almost always add the statement “California is in for a big one,” and I don’t blame them, California is by far overdue for a big quake. I am not trying to predict the future, but I am saying that it will happen one day. Heck, the earthquake in Japan could have easily landed along or in California instead.
Most critics of my argument are probably thinking that our nuclear sites are stronger and more secure than Japan’s. To back those critics stance, on the Today Show, aired March 22, NBC reporter Tom Costello visited a nuclear reactor in Killona, Louisiana. After having full access to the plant, including the control room and the one of the pools containing the spent fuel rods, he stated that upon leaving that he “had zero percent radiation exposure.” That shows the strength of only one plant, one that survived Hurricane Katrina, running on diesel-powered generators for a few days after the power grid went out there, but does that mean all plants can withstand a 9.0 earthquake with a following tsunami? I sadly doubt it. Somehow and somewhere, California is going have a big one. We’ve felt Japan’s in minor waves and trace amounts of radiation in California, but would California be able to evacuate large cities such as Los Angeles or San Diego, where between those two cities sites one of the operational plants in San Onofre? San Onofre is around fifty miles in between both Los Angeles and San Diego, and fifty miles was the recommended evacuation area around the nuclear plants in Japan. In the end, I believe the risks do not outweigh the benefits. Let’s protect California and decommission our existing power plants and find a different location that would cause less havoc and panic than where they exist today.
By Gregory D. Cook Features editor
Atomic power. Thanks in part to six decades of campy science-fiction movies, the thought of atomic or nuclear power conjures up thoughts of giant irradiated bugs and lizards running amuck and destroying cities. Combine that with the incidents at Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986 and the current crisis at the Fukushima I site, and it is understandable how we can be a little fearful about the safety of this power source. But in reality, when all things are considered, nuclear power is extremely safe, and given the current alternatives, one of the best options for meeting the power needs of our expanding world and is well worth its risks. While the situation in Japan is serious, as of March 23, no radiation causalities have been reported, radiation levels are declining, and workers are still on-site and regaining control of the situation. That means that for all of the failures in equipment, the overall system still worked and under conditions far worse than its design intended. Nuclear power plants are not new technology. On December 20, 1951, four light bulbs lit up with power from a reactor in Idaho, illuminating the dawn of the atomic age. Seven years later, the Soviet Union flipped the switch on the first full-scale nuclear power plant. Currently, there are 442 nuclear reactors operating in the world, producing nearly 14 percent of the world’s electricity. In addi-
tion, nearly 150 ships and submarines are at sea under nuclear power. The United States leads the world with 104 reactors, but China is playing catch-up with 29 reactors under construction as you read this. In nearly 60 years of commercial nuclear power production, there have been only three major incidents at nuclear power plants. The partial core-melt of Three Mile Island resulted in only miniscule radiation leakage, about the same amount as a medical X-ray, although the fear it instilled in the American public nearly stopped nuclear power advancement in its tracks. The accident in Chernobyl was horrible, but it was the result of a chain of errors that simply would not happen today. Poor design elements, coupled with abysmal communications, contributed to the high numbers of people exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. But as bad as the incident was, today the area around the Chernobyl power plant is a thriving wildlife reserve. And while the arguments still rage on about the longterm impact of the accident, reputable studies of the area show very little lasting effects to the ecosystem and the lessons learned there have served to improve the safety of today’s reactors. The bottom line is that after more than a half century of worldwide nuclear power production, huge Gila monsters do not roam the Mojave Desert and Godzilla remains a thing of fiction, much like the fears of Japanese fallout laying waste to the West Coast.
In these tough economic times, federal and state governments have reduced funding for schools by record amounts and for some reason we don’t seem to think that this is going to catch up to us at some point. In a time of famine, the last thing you eat are the seeds, so the last thing we should be doing is under-funding education. The children of today become the taxpayers of tomorrow, and in an economy where the middle class is vanishing and we are increasingly left with a highly educated elite and an under-educated poverty class, we should be encouraging people to join the elite rather than join the under-class. Even the “gray vote,” those at retirement ages whose children have already been educated, should value the educational system because it is the taxes of the young and employed that pays for Social Security and Medicare benefits. The problem is that education has been under attack for years. Various politicians and public figures have claimed that our system is failing, that we are falling behind other nations, and that our teachers are over-paid and underperforming. Legislation like No Child Left Behind has been enacted to enforce arbitrary standards and requirements with little recognizable effect, and the debate for charter schools still rages. I have to ask, when did education become the villain in our national debate? On one hand education is recognized for its role in creating the future of our nation, yet people seem to think that we can somehow educate our children on a shoestring budget. We somehow think we can get trained professionals to grow our economy without student-loan programs or grants, magically believing that 21st century workers somehow can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and pay the tens of thousands of dollars required to get an education. American teachers, even with their occasionally generous health care packages, are still underpaid for workers with a job that requires a master’s degree. In many ways, education has become charity work; we certainly seem to expect it to survive on donations and fundraisers. The rest of the world thinks we are crazy. They only sent students to high school who pass aptitude tests and have good grades, sending all others to trade schools. They pay higher teacher wages to attract the best educators and they respect education more than Americans. Because of this, it is no wonder that they beat us on every objective benchmark for student achievement. Considering our self-declared title of “greatest nation in the world,” we are embarrassingly behind other first-world nations. The bad economy is not a good excuse to set our future on fire by short-changing a generation of students. We have reached a crisis point where we must either commit to funding education or give up on the idea that we control the fate of our country and our economy.
“Should California keep its nuclear reactors?”
Editor’s note: ’Gade Feedback is a feature that asks students their opinion on various topics.
Compiled by: The Rip Staff
Erique Garcia, music: “I think we shouldn’t have them where they are.”
Patrick Bolanos, fire technology: “Get rid of them.”
Rashad Biscoe, psychology: “I don’t know, remove them.”
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.
Editor in Chief..........................Michael Wafford Opinions Editor..............................Julian Moore Sports Editor......................................Zak S. Cowan Copy Editor ...........................................James Licea Online Editor................................Annie Stockman Features Editor............................Gregory D. Cook
Staff Reporters: Monica Bolger, Martin Chang, Chrystal Fortt, Kevin Foster, Tawny Jamison, Keith Kaczmarek, Tyler McGinty, Mateo M. Melero, Michael Morrow, Esteban Ramirez, Cristal Rodriguez, James Timothy, Amber T. Troupe, Brian N. Willhite, Sandra Ward, Brandon Whited Photographers: Brandon Barraza, Kayla Broadhag, Joseph Cota, Ryan George, Megan Luecke, Nathan Wilson
Adviser.......................................................Danny Edwards
Travis Rosenlieb, philosophy: “Keep them and build them more.”
Mithra Arambula, anthropology: “Keep them until we can use another form of energy.”
Write The Rip
Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be accompanied by a signature and the letter writer’s identity must be verified. The Rip reserves the right to edit letters, however, writers will be given the opportunity to revise lengthy or unacceptable submissions. If an organization submits a letter as a group, it must be signed by only one person, either the leader of the organization or the letter writer. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published.
How to reach us
-Address: Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305 -Phone: (661) 395-4324 -Web site: www.therip.com -ripmail@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Reviews
Page 7
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Nothing to see in the dark By James Licea Copy Editor
screen shot by zak s. cowan / The Rip
Unearthed, in the Defiant map pack, is a new firefight map for Halo: Reach.
Halo’s reach is too short By Zak S. Cowan Sports Editor
Bungie has passed the reigns of the “Halo” series to 343 Industries, Microsoft’s new Halo ambassador. 343’s first contribution to the series is the Defiant Map Pack for Halo: Reach, made by Certain Affinity, who also worked on the Blastacular Map Pack for “Halo 2.” The second downloadable content for “Reach,” the map pack was released on March 15. The pack contains three maps, two for multiideo ame p l a y e r and one eview for firefight. Highlands, one of the multiplayer maps, is the star of the three. Being the biggest of the bunch, Highlands is perfect for big-team games, with gametypes like capture the flag or just plain ‘ole team slayer playing perfect on it. Highlands is set in a Spartantraining facility on the planet “Reach,” which is a perfect resemblance of Halo lore from the book “The Fall of Reach,” which “Reach” is based on.
G
tiplayer map, and is smaller than Highlands. It provides hectic medium-to-short-range gameplay, which is all over “Reach,” so the game didn’t need it. Condemned is set on a soonto-be-destroyed space station in Reach’s orbit. The map is pretty much a circular layout with a room in the middle that has no gravity. The gameplay always seems to be concentrated in the center room. The low-gravity has been done in “Reach” twice before, and it failed for the third time. The battles that take place in the “low-grav” doesn’t feel like “Halo,” and are frustrating. With just the three maps, I was really disappointed. Although the content of the maps is certainly top-notch, the lack of content is what makes the pack kneel to DLC for other games in the gaming industry. Apparently Certain Affinity has been working on Defiant since before “Reach” was released. With all this time to work on it, they come out with just three maps? Hopefully they have more content but are hanging on to them for future releases—but that means we will open our wallets once again. In all the map pack is an insignificant addition to the game, and for $10, the amount of content is just absurd.
B R
Reporter
In 1982, E.T. had to phone home. In 2011, Paul is more likely to make a prank phone call. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up to co-star and, for the first time, co-write for their third feature film together. However, “Paul,” also written by Pegg and Frost, seems to be missing a key ingredient from “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”: director and co-writer Edgar Wright. I’m not sure how much of an effect Wright would have had, but his absence is still notable. Like Pegg and Frost’s previous films, “Paul” takes a genre and simultaneously picks apart all its ovie shortcomeview ings and clichés while also paying homage to it. “Shaun of the Dead” did this for zombie movies. “Hot Fuzz” did this for buddy cop movies. “Paul” does this for alien movies. The plot echoes that of “E.T.” in that humans discover an alien who wants help finding home. However, instead of a small boy finding a cute alien, it is Graeme Willy (played by Pegg) and Clive Gollings (played by Frost), two British science fiction fans, and Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) is
M R
BC B rains
ment were shifting toward a different direction. The fact that the book talked about a real movie being filmed, and described almost exactly how certain scenes were shot, made me question if the book had some truth behind it. A lot of things in the book seem like they could have happened. I found out later that the book is completely fiction and the movie “Psycho” wasn’t even shot in Bakersfield. Munoz is a decent writer, and he paints a very clear picture of the setting and goes into each character’s thought process in a way I’ve rarely seen before. I feel the book was a good drama, but I was expecting a mystery, and when the first chapter ends in such a manner, I would have enjoyed more analysis. I guess my eyes never adjusted to the darkness. I saw nothing. Munoz will be giving two presentations at Bakersfield College on April 6 in the Levan Center, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
By Cristal Rodriguez Reporter
Courtesy of Imdb
“Paul” was created by the writers of “Shaun of the Dead.” had was the handling of Kristen Wiig and John Carrol Lynch’s characters. Wiig plays an ultraconservative Christian who lives with her equally conservative father in the trailer park they own and operate. After Wiig’s character meets Paul, and is exposed to all the secrets of the universe, she renounces her faith. This whole characterization seemed preachy and forced. It’s doubtful that this exagger-
ated stereotype of the Christian right was necessary to the plot, and seems like Pegg and Frost wanted to get a jab in at their expense. “Paul” may be my least favorite of Pegg’s films so far, but it was still enjoyable. The biggest complaint is just that it wasn’t as good as “Hot Fuzz” or “Shaun of the Dead.” Still, it left me wondering what happened to director Edgar Wright, and why wasn’t he on this project?
Ever thought about wearing jeans to the gym, or to ride a bike, or even to sleep? Well, I never thought so. In fact, I wouldn’t do any of these activities in jeans. Well now with pajama jeans it’s possible. They allow you to do anything in jeans. Running, jogging, bike riding, sleeping, or hiking. This invention is incredible. Not only are they stylish for all ages and body types, but they are comfortable. My first thought when hearing about the jeans was like “what the heck? That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard.” Plus they’re expensive at about $50 with taxes and shiproduct ping and handling. eview I had no idea how much they looked like jeans. They look exactly like jeans on the outside but with the soft pajama material on the inside. My aunt was wearing hers and she looked great. These jeans even make heavier girls look thinner depending on whether they get the right size. Trying a pair of jeans on for me has never been so easy. Usually I struggle, and after
P R
wearing them, they eventually would bother me, but with pajama jeans there were no struggles, no jumping up and down and no sucking it in. As I pulled them up, they slipped right on. There is no zipper or button so it was comfortable. They’re loose from the knee down, but fit at the waist. I definitely ordered my mother and myself a pair. I am still very shocked about what these jeans turned out to be. They should really consider making some pajama jeans for men, I am sure my dad would love some for work. These jeans are very popular and have sold quickly according to HSN.com. Of course, many people wouldn’t notice because it’s hard to tell who’s wearing them and who’s not. I recommend these jeans to all women, especially the heavier ones, because I guarantee these jeans, if ordered, would be your favorite pair. I mean why wouldn’t they be if you can wear them around the house, just to relax, to some jobs, to the park or even dress them up with a nice blouse and sexy heels and it can be a comfortable club outfit. These jeans can be worn and you don’t have to worry about rolls, because they make you look thinner. Next time your out, keep your eyes open, these jeans are everywhere.
“What does the word immailed mean?”
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
anything but cute. As Willy, Gollings and Paul travel to the landing spot for Paul’s rescue craft, federal agents played by Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio, pursue them. Bateman gives an interesting performance as the incredibly strict and bad-tempered Agent Zoil. Usually, Bateman plays the nice guy in his movies, so it was surprising that he would be cast as that character, but not as surprising as him pulling it off amazingly well. However, Hader and Lo Truglio’s performances as Zoil’s subordinate agents weren’t surprising at all. If you’ve seen these actors in any Judd Apatow movie, then you know how they act. Their characters seemed a bit too slapstick, and it detracted somewhat from the movie. The tone of their scenes contrasted greatly with the tone of the scenes with Pegg, Frost, and Rogen. The styles of humor were just different enough for the switches to be a little jarring. This may have been done on purpose, but it didn’t seem to work. The CGI work on the alien was outstanding. It’s always difficult to insert something computer generated into a live-action film without it looking a little ridiculous. However, “Paul” looks great, and it was surprising that the film had the special effects budget to pull it off. The biggest problem the movie
It explains their story and goes into depth on what their intentions and ambitions are, along with what others in town think of them. One of the characters in the book is an actress traveling to Bakersfield to shoot a movie. It never says who the actress is, what movie she is shooting, or what the director’s name is. Three quarters into the book it became clear that the film they were shooting was Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” The rest of the book I assumed would clear up some confusion about what exactly happened in the first chapter while tying in the production of this film. It didn’t Maybe this didn’t have much to do with the message Munoz was trying to get across, but it seemed incomplete to me. The stories did connect, just not in the way I anticipated. I believe the connection was symbolic of the era and how things in society and entertain-
Pajama jeans perfect for just about anyone
‘Paul’ pleases with an assortment of cliches By Tyler McGinty
Manuel Munoz’s novel “What You See in the Dark” is set in Bakersfield during the ’50s. He will be at BC on April 6.
Dominique Cervantes, plant science: “To eat a turkey sandwich before going somewhere.”
Eli Quintana, mathematics: “To wear on armor.”
Iretta Parks, digital arts: “Armor on or under the flesh.”
Junior Ika, respiratory therapy: “Have sex with his wife like in ‘300.’”
Teressa Peterson, forestry: “I don’t know, give me five minutes and I’ll look it up.”
Correct answer: Wearing mail or armor.
V R
The map is also a perfect map for sitting in a well-hidden spot with your trusty sniper, picking off opponents as they cross the open areas of the map. There are lots of ways to get around without having to run out in the open, unlike Hemorrhage (Blood Gulch), and Boneyard, which are the alternatives for 16-player matches. The hilly landscape, paired with the almost-symmetrical layout of the bases, make for a perfect big-team battle littered with vehicular warfare. The vehicles of “Halo” have always been what make the game great, and there just aren’t enough maps that work with them in “Reach,” and Highlands is a welcomed relief to the absence of vehicle-friendly maps. Speaking of vehicle-friendly maps, Unearthed, the firefight map released with the pack, is the only great-vehicle-firefight map on the game. The open space and fields on the map make it perfect to steal a ghost from a Covenant foe and follow it up with splatter after splatter. Unearthed is named perfect for the setting around the battlefield—a mining dig site. This is the best firefight experience I’ve had since the game mode was introduced in “Halo: ODST.” Condemned is the other mul-
After reading Manuel Munoz’s novel, “What You See in the Dark,” I didn’t think too much of it, but I didn’t know how to explain it. A comment from a stranger ended up summing up the gist of the entire book in a way that I couldn’t have worded better. Seeing the book on my kitchen table, they scanned the cover and read it aloud, “‘What You See in the Dark?’ You don’t see nothing in the dark.” The beginning of the novel was very interesting. The end of the first chapter pulled me into the story. I read through the rest of the book intently, waiting for the pieces to fall together. When the climax finally occurred, I was disappointed. The story takes place in Bakersfield in the late ’50s and mentions certain locations around town that I have never heard of. This might be because ook they don’t exist anyeview more or they never did. The setting is mentioned often, but I don’t think it had too much to do with the plot of the story. The story revolves around three women who are connected through a crime that takes place in the first chapter. After the beginning of the book, the rest goes on to explain what happened before this occurrence, and what provoked it. Two of the main characters are women who live in Bakersfield.
Spotlight
Page 8
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Single father balances four responsibilities By Joseph Cota Photographer
Charles F. “Chuck” Thomasy is a Bakersfield College student who finds the time to be a single dad, work a full-time job, go to college and be a musician in an active band. Thomasy, 32, and father of two boys, is a self-proclaimed “local musician, naive artist and spiritualist” who finds the time to be a graphic design student while working a full-time job and raising two boys on his own. Not to mention, he is in a band named ExposE. Thomasy is employed as a server at The Sugar Mill, a restaurant in town. He has worked there for 15 years and uses his salary from the restaurant to support his two boys and pay rent on a house in Bakersfield. Thomasy enjoys his time at BC and his studies. When asked about the difficulty of it all, Thomasy said he is fortunate enough to be interested in the classes he takes, so they don’t wear on him mentally or conflict with his schedule. “The only part is, I go to school on my days off from work, so I don’t have any days off,” he said. “My children are taken care of by their mother during the day,
so I rely on her for that part, so that’s kind of hard. “During the day I’m either at work or a dad, and then when it comes to art or school, that is usually done at night when the children are asleep,” Thomasy said further explaining his daily routine. “If I’m lucky enough to have some time to do it.” More than just a digital artist, Thomasy, has taken drawing and photography classes at BC. Thomasy also explained that his inspiration for his art comes at different times and seems to be strongest at 4 a.m. Thomasy has been attending BC for almost a year and hopes to use his course of study to do freelance work for local businesses. Thomasy plans to use his newly acquired skills to work on his band’s artwork, such as album covers and art. ExposE, in which he pulls double duty as the guitarist and vocalist for, is a three-piece grunge band formed by Thomasy. He said that the band has been together for three years now and only seem to be getting better as a unit of music. Bakersfield Music Now is the music label Thomasy produces his music through and is in the process of releasing a CD, which features local musicians from
Bakersfield. When asked how long he has been a musician, Thomasy said, “I’d say that I’ve been a musician all my life, because I’ve always had a deep influence from music, but I actually picked up an instrument when I was 12 and that’s when I actually started to play guitar. But, I actually started writing songs lyrically when I was 8.” Thomasy also said he was influenced by Nirvana’s performance on Saturday Night Live, but had to give official credit to Phil Collins and his song “In The Air Tonight.” He mentions other such influences as Tool, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Slipknot and Seether. “The message in my music, the same with my art ... is spiritual freedom that can be taken into politics, mentality and prisoners of the mind [like one who is easily influenced by the politics of fear]. “The name ExposE really generates from my ... exposing myself in a process through my art, while learning about myself,” said Thomasy. But he goes on to explain that his band is not a political band who sides with any party ideals or beliefs, rather a band that gets its ideas from what goes on in
photos by Joseph Cota / The Rip
Above: Charles F. Thomasy, 32, a graphic design student at Bakersfield College, sings with his band ExposE. Thomasy is a student, full-time employee, single dad and musician. Below: Thomasy helps his two sons get ready for bed March 11. politics, as well as other issues including world problems and religion. Thomasy attributes all he goes through as a father, student, employee, musician and evolving being to making him who he is. “My kids teach me about myself” said Thomasy. While he agrees it is challenging at times, he does credit his family with helping him with his kids and looking out for him when he feels tested with what life has dealt him. His calm demeanor and relaxed body language gave no indication that it was more than he can handle. “It’s not challenging, it’s just life.”
BC student paints on the side Lindsay Clemmons | Student seeks to turn lifelong interest in art into a career in animation and design. By Sandra G. Ward Reporter
Lindsay Clemmons has accumulated a modest portfolio while studying at Bakersfield College that might actually give her a head start in the direction of becoming an aspiring artist. Only a few months shy of her 21st birthday, Clemmons has been attending BC since 2008 to study art and hopes that it will offer her a career in animation and game design. Her goal is to get into character and landscape design for video games. “I’ve been into art ever since I was a little girl, but I didn’t start to take it seriously until junior high school,” said Clemmons. It was then that Clemmons, along with a friend, began to develop their own stories for animated characters which they had created. “It was something like our own comic strip,” added Clemmons So far, Clemmons’ experience in art has led her from creating traditional pencil or charcoal sketches to acrylic painting and eventually merging into digital painting. She has done photographic art as well. One particular style that she uses in her artwork is stippling. Stippling is a way of creating an image by drawing dots to form the image’s outlining shape. She has one piece in her collection that she calls “Smosh Stippling” that she created using that specific design. When asked how long it took for her to finish that art piece, she stated that it took her about two hours to complete. Clemmons says that the most important thing an artist needs to have is the ability to find what inspires
Photos by Megan Luecke / The Rip
Above: Alex Floriano, a 16-year-old student at Bakersfield College, fills out a scantron form in class March 22. Below: Floriano takes a moment to compose his thoughts before taking his communication midterm.
Student lives double life at Frontier and BC By Monica Bolger Reporter
photos by Kayla Broadhag / The Rip
Above: Lindsay Clemmons digitally paints at her house March 27. Below: Clemmons created “Smosh Stippling” in two hours. them to create. Being one who appreciates music, Clemmons admits that much of her artwork is inspired by the music she listens to. Yet, she says that just about anything within her environment can inspire her to create a piece. “Anything can be a form of art,” Clemmons said. “Whether it be
decorating a home, sculpting, photography, anything and everything can be artistic.” At the age of 17, Clemmons’ art received public scrutiny and was awarded first place in an art competition. Prior to starting college at BC, Clemmons was enrolled in the Regional Occupation Center where she met the one teacher who gave her the encouragement to express herself through her artistic talent. His name is Daniel Binsfeld and was the one who got her into composing her art on the computer. As a class final, Clemmons was instructed to enter some of her artwork in a competition at the California State Fair. Shortly after her 18th birthday in 2008, Clemmons received a call to notify her that her digital painting had won first place in the competition. Clemmons has used different programs to create her digital painting and artwork. The two she mentioned are Sai Paint Tool and Photoshop. Clemmons is registered at the DiviantArt.com website where her artwork can be seen including the digital painting that won her first place at the California State Fair.
While some kids may be stuck on video games or TV, there’s one kid that’s stuck in the books at Bakersfield College. That kid is 16-year-old Frontier High School and BC student Alex Floriano. Floriano shares his story of what it’s like to be an adolescent juggling college and high school life, while trying to enjoy the pleasures of being a normal teenager. “I’m always busy during the day, but I knew that it would help me achieve my goals sooner in becoming a pharmacist if I started taking some college classes,” said Floriano. While attending Norris Middle School, Floriano was contacted early on by his principal that suggested he challenge his eighth-grade academic abilities by taking online concurrent classes, and to also look into taking college courses once he reached his current high school grade level. Floriano’s ability to keep his grade point average up has helped his reputation of being a responsible student. “It can be difficult, but I’ve always kept myself at a 3.5 and above,” said Floriano. Not only does Floriano manage to keep his responsibilities of high school and college stable, but he also finds himself being a loving son, friend, and older brother to his younger sibling. “These are the things I cherish most in my life: my mom, my stepdad, and my little brother,” said Floriano. Floriano recently took time to celebrate his birthday by going out to dinner and spending time with his family and friends. “Usually when I finish my homework and chores at home, I like to take the time to skateboard with my buddies, and that’s usually not often,” said Floriano. Floriano also enjoys: video games, his
cell phone, energy drinks, communicating with his friends over Facebook, and wearing clothing that accentuates his personality. He is taking two classes that target his future goal of being a pharmacist that include a communication and nutrition class. “I’d like to be a pharmacist because it takes a big responsibility of giving people the right medication that leads to a more healthy community,” said Floriano. Floriano’s advice for other teens that are trying to pursue their goals is, “to stay positive and you got to stay out of trouble, because once you’re in trouble, you can’t get anything right.” Floriano will attend BC while finishing high school to pursue his dream of, “one day having a stable job as a pharmacist and also having a family that I will one day be able to support.” He encourages teens his age to take the opportunity of going to college and use it for everything it’s worth.
Sports
Page 9
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Swimming makes a splash at home By Mateo M. Melero Reporter
Coming out of two weeks of intense training, the Bakersfield College swim teams held their water with a 12-event win against Cuesta and L.A. Pierce in their home meet on March 25. The men dominated early on in the 400-yard medley relay, with a 5.4-second victory over Pierce. They won seven races total at the meet. “It feels great after coming out of two weeks of hell-week practice, to come back and do that, it feels pretty good for us,” said Ryan Farrer, 200-yard BC individual medley record holder. Qualifying first in the men’s 200 individual butterfly with a time of 2:10.91, Farrer came in ahead of teammate Paul Steele and ahead of Cuesta swimmer Derrick Graham, by 6.6 seconds. “When you go to these invitations you have certain guys you know from other teams that you kind of have a rivalry with,” said Farrer. “Every time I race the butterfly, I want to beat this one guy from Cuesta, that’s my rival, and that’s how I get my times down too.” The men of Cuesta left with four event wins, three for the men and one for the women. Men’s captain Evan Norton took both the men’s 1000-yard in 10:19.83 seconds and 500-yard freestyle in 4:58.20, over both Bakersfield and Pierce. “Today was definitely a strong day, it felt good,” said Norton. “We’ve been training really hard, so it’s kind of nice to see that the times are still decent even though
No more rain outs Open Mike | A column on the happenings in sports.
annie stockman / The Rip
Michael Hobson catches his breath as he swims the men’s 1,000-yard freestyle at Bakersfield College on March 25. we’ve been training so hard.” The BC women took second at the meet with a total of five wins in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, as well as the 100-yard butterfly, the 100-yard backstroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay. BC women’s freestyle sprinter Katie Lopes took both the 50yard freestyle, and 100-yard freestyle and was a member of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay along with Brigitte Alexander, Franchesca Wyatt and Brandelyn Storms. “I won both my races, and I got
the same times that I got at conference last year,” said Lopes. “I made it to state last year and I placed ninth, so I’m looking at, at least top three this year.” The L.A. Pierce women’s team took six events in total, with Samantha Elam winning all three distance freestyle races. Charlie Pike, BC swim coach, spoke about his training tactics for the season after the meet. “Our focus the whole season has been on conference,” said Pike. “They are all really tired right now, but that’s kind of
where I want them, just so we can taper down for conference.” “The guys won, the girls beat Cuesta but loss to L.A. Pierce, but that’s fine. We’ll see how it pans out at conference.” The Western State Conference meet is scheduled April 21-23 at L.A. Valley College. Before that, BC will compete April 1 in a three-team meet at L.A. Valley, and on April 8 in a four-team meet at Cuesta. Pike said, “I think our girls should be able to take Ventura and L.A. Valley. The guys are
really evenly matched with L.A. Valley.” Now in its fourth season since the swim teams’ reinstatement in 2008, Pike said, “We’ve come a really long way. “For a newer program, competing with all these guys is a pretty big deal.” “I think that Charlie is doing great with it, and I think that he’s proud that we have a lot of Bakersfield kids. I think he is a great coach, and we are getting a lot of great swimmers coming in,” said Lopes.
Softball hosts two consecutive BC Classics By Kevin Foster Reporter
kayla broadhag / The Rip
Brianne Webster of the Cypress softball team dodges BC catcher Kara Frankhouser and slides home successfully March 27. By Kevin Foster Reporter
There was a pitching duel on display on March 19 at the Dean and Ada Gay Sports Complex between Bakersfield College pitcher Julie Estep and Riverside pitcher Nichole Zink. Estep pitched a complete eight-inning game giving up seven hits and striking out seven batters in a 1-0 extra-inning win. Zink pitched seven innings and faced one batter in the eighth and gave up four hits and stuck out nine. The teams struggled offensively with neither team scoring a run at all in the seven regulation innings. Riverside got some offense going in the top of the seventh inning only to be outdone by Renegades defense. Riverside outfielder Sarah Vasquez hit a long shot to left field that had BC outfielder Brittney Messer backpedaling. Messer would leap to the wall and came down with the ball in the glove to deny Riverside a home run. In the same inning with Riverside infielder Kylee Dattilo on second base, Lindsay Monk singled up the middle where Kaitlin Toerner met the ball and made a dead on throw to BC catcher Kara Frankhouser. Due to the tournament rules the eighth inning went to a tiebreaker, the rules of which state that the last out of the previous inning would start the next inning on second base. In the top of the eighth inning, Riverside would advance a runner to third base, but Julie Estep got her seventh and most important strikeout to end the Riverside attack. BC second baseman Jazmine Irvin started their half of the eighth on second base
for the Renegades. Frankhouser took the second pitch of the at bat to the outfield and Irvin rounded third and slide safely into home to win the game for BC. Frankhouser and Irvin both talked about the eighth inning and the walk off. “Coach [Sandi Taylor] told me to just stay aggressive but not get picked off. The idea was just one base at a time but when I saw my chance I was going home,” Irvin said. “I was in the zone and I was feeling very confident about myself, with Jaz’s [Irvin} speed on second I knew that any ball to the outfield would score,” Frankhouser said. Coach Sandi Taylor talked about how the win would result in some momentum. “Our confidence is a 10 out of a 10, I told the team they had to come ready to play because they’re [Riverside] a very legit team,” Taylor said. The win brought BC to 9-8 on the season while the loss brought Riverside to 19-3 on the season. The second game for BC on the first day of the tournament was a 10-3 victory over Pasadena originally scheduled for 5 p.m. was moved to 3 p.m. Pasadena entered the contest at 5-18 and on an eight-game losing streak. The game consisted of 26 hits, 16 for BC and 10 for Pasadena. Every starting batter for the Renegades got a hit except for one. Toerner and Messer both had three hits on the game and drove in one run, and third baseman Laura Fox went 2-4 with three RBIs. BC Pitcher Taylor Ward struck out five batters and gave up 10 hits. There was a game against BC and Santa Barbara scheduled for March 20 but was canceled due to stormy weather. There was no makeup game announced.
The Bakersfield College softball team played three games over the two-day span of March 26 and 27. The BC Classic #1 was schedule to take place on Feb. 26 and 27, but due to concern about a storm and traveling conditions, they rescheduled. The teams in the classic were defending state champs Cypress College, last year’s runner-up Mt. San Antonio College, Southwestern College, and Cuesta College. Cypress and Mt. SAC have won four California Community College Athletic Association champions over the last five years. Cypress won in 2006 and 2010, Mt. SAC won in 2007 and 2009. The game against Mt. SAC took place on March 26 and was the first of three games in the first day of the classic. In the first inning of the game, BC pitcher Julie Estep helped her cause by hitting a three-run home run over the right-center field fence. BC wouldn’t score another run for the rest of the game. Mt. SAC won the game 10-3. Estep pitched a complete game surrendering 15 hits, 10 runs, three walks, and struck out six times. Mt. SAC broke open the game during a two-out rally in the second inning, scoring four runs on four hits. The real nail in the coffin for BC was a two-run home run by Mt. SAC catcher Tarra Smith. The win gave Mt. SAC their 20th straight win and brought their season record to 20-1. The loss brought BC down to 10-9. The second game that BC played on the first day of the classic was against Southwestern College. BC won that game 11-0. Every starting batter scored a run in the game. BC opened the game up with a nine run first inning. In the inning, BC sent 14 batters to the plate, scoring the nine runs on five hits. The Renegades didn’t let off the throttle, scoring two more runs in the second inning.The game ended after five innings due to the mercy rule.
The mercy rule states that if a team is winning by eight or more runs after the completion of five innings, then the game ends. Starting pitcher Jessica Simpson pitched a one-hitter over five innings and only threw 48 pitches. BC coach Sandi Taylor talked about Simpson’s domination on the day. “That’s the strong point of the team. We have more than just Julie pitching on the mound. Last week, we had Taylor [Ward] come in for us last week,” Taylor said. The next day on March 27, BC would play defending state champions Cypress. Again, Estep got the nod as the starting pitcher. She didn’t know whom she was playing at first really. “I didn’t know until the announcer said something before the game,” Estep said about Cypress being the defending state champs. Estep pitched a complete game giving up six hits and struck out six as well in a 3-2 loss. The game went Cypress’ way in the top of the third inning on a strange sequence of events. To set the scene, Cypress player Chelsea Jewett was on third, Brianne Webster on second and Marilyn Toriz at the plate. Toriz grounded to first base where BC player Brandi Church would go to the play at home where Jewett was safe. The next batter for Cypress was Arren Nunez who reached first base on a fielder’s choice when the throw home this time was an out. During the throw Toriz, previously on first, went to third base where BC shortstop Bobo Brown thought she made the tag, but the call was safe. Brown went to throw the ball back to Estep to regroup for the next batter, but the ball went wild and two runs for Cypress scored on the error. The good news for BC was Cypress didn’t score again all day. The bad news is that the comeback in the sixth inning fell a little bit short. BC scored two runs and had the bases loaded with two outs but couldn’t get the tying run across. BC played a conference game against Santa Monica College (4-19-1,1-5 WSC Blue Division) on March 28. BC won the game 10-0 in a five-inning game.
When I first moved to Bakersfield, about four years ago, I noticed the lack of indoor basketball courts around town. Yes, there are a bunch of parks with full courts, but playing in a gym is much dif- Michael Morrow ferent. Back home in Chicago, there were gyms everywhere. I never had to search for an indoor gym. There were two down the street from my house, with another being built when I moved out here. I used to play basketball about three-to-four days a week, but when I got here in the summer, I quickly lost the desire to play as much under the blazing-hot California sun. I’ve gotten back into playing now and I’ve realized Bakersfield is a football town first and doesn’t care about basketball, so I just play outdoors now. Recently, The Renegade Rip has had some staff basketball games down at a park, and although no one was great, we did have a couple of good games. Out of shape and winded much faster than I used to be, I still managed to hold my own. But then again, we did have to put on a pregame clinic on how to play defense for some staff members. We also had players who couldn’t tell if they were on offense, or defense, but what the hell, we played on. Not only was it a good time, it was such a good time that we decided to play on a weekly basis. So now, every Friday, we’re out at the park, shooting, stretching, and getting after it like we actually know what we’re doing. I’ve come to realize that it isn’t just about playing basketball that we all love so much, but rather the camaraderie of being out there with your friends, working hard in the physical aspect, learning a new process, and of course winning never hurts. Working together as a team for a common goal is a normal team concept, but when it’s park ball, you wouldn’t expect it. So far, it has been the exact opposite. But that’s the great part of getting back into it. As far as the parks go, there are some terrible ones out there. Several double rims and tough backboards are the main problems. Some of the other problems are weather and court surfaces. To play indoors, you would have to either get a fairly expensive membership to a gym in town or know someone who can get you in somewhere every once in a while. I don’t want to pay membership fees and things like that, and I don’t know too many people who can get me in somewhere, so I’m stuck. In Chicago, the two places down the street from where I lived, both cost a dollar a day, or some cheap monthly fee. The local YMCAs were five bucks, and then there were a couple other places that had cheap gyms to get into as well. It seems like Bakersfield really doesn’t want to extend and make a real effort to make basketball a part of the community. The town has built several skate park facilities, but has yet to build an indoor community center with basketball courts. There is a reason why Chicago is the Mecca of basketball and has had several players go on to play in the NBA. From Dwyane Wade to Isiah Thomas to Robert Swift and Chris Childs. Maybe if Bakersfield put as much effort into sports like basketball as they do for football, we might have a chance.
Sports
Page 10
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Baseball star making most of final year By Julian Moore Opinions Editor
As Bakersfield College shortstop David Pennington stepped into the batter’s box on March 15, he looked to save the Renegades from a one run defeat. But before he took a swing, he looked for help elsewhere. “I said a quick little prayer, and I said, ‘well whatever happens is up to you,’ and I just got up there and tried not to think of anything. I just cleared my head and looked to get the job done,” said the second year player. And that he did. Pennington hit a two-RBI double that clinched the game for BC keeping them in a steady first place for conference. The shortstop is currently batting .410 with 13 RBI, the second most on the team. Pennington, a Bakersfield High graduate, began playing baseball at the age of 5. At a young age, Pennington played soccer and baseball, but had to choose between the two to make a full-time commitment. “Once I decided I wanted to play baseball, I put all of my time and effort into that and it has been rewarding. It is more than just a game, it’s taught me some life lessons,” Pennington said. “There is so much time that you put in toward baseball and you’re out there so much that sometimes its easy to lose focus on what I’m actually here on this Earth for, because everything can become baseball oriented,” he said. Pennington, who is a devout Christian, has found ways to tie his faith into the game he loves. “My faith has become very real in the past two years that I’ve been playing baseball at BC. Baseball is important and I love baseball, it’s been a gift that God has given me. “But I believe he’s put me on the team for a reason and there’s also a reason why all the guys are on the team, especially since we’ve become a family and gotten really close. “I’ve come to learn that having faith is actually a stress relief and it allows me not to be nervous and more excited to play the game.” As a child, Pennington didn’t take it as seriously as he does today. He recalls going to church with just the thought of lunch afterward. “I’ve gone to church my whole life,” he said. “When I was a kid, you just kind of go through the motions and nobody really wants to be there. I can remember messing around drawing pictures on things with my brother in church; faith just wasn’t real to me yet. “There was a series of events where I just felt that God was getting more and more real to me.” Although he is a Dodgers fan, Pennington models his play on and off the field after one of the most famous shortstops in baseball history, The Captain.
“Even though I’m not a big fan of the Yankees, Derek Jeter has always been my role model of who I want to be, because of his leadership,” he said. “I’ve heard stories of how he treats the rookies coming to the ballclub, and he takes them under his wing. The leadership skill is something I try to emulate. He shows a lot of confidence and a lot of baseball is not physical but instead having the confidence in what you’re doing.” Now in his final season with the Renegades, Pennington is hopeful for the future of his career and whether that takes him past junior college baseball. “I’d strive to go as far as I can. Whether I have two more years to play, God willing, and find a four-year school to play at or someday get drafted. I’ve just come to terms with the fact that eventually it’s going to end. So I just appreciate it on a day-to-day basis.” The Renegades shortstop is currently a psychology major who would love to work with children. “I have a big heart for kids and for helping others, so the plan right now is to be a school psychologist for like an elementary school or something like that. I like to think I know what my plans are but who knows, he said. “I know a lot of kids have a rough [life] but I believe everything can be mended.” Currently, Pennington is weighing his options for life after BC. “I’ve talked to a few different schools, but location is a big part of my decision. I like the beach and surfing, that’s become a big part of my life the past three years,” he said. “So ideally I’d like to be by the beach but I know sometimes that situation is not going to come up. “But right now I’m talking to a school [in] San Diego, [but] I haven’t made any final decisions yet. “I’ve talked to a few out-ofstate schools. One in North Carolina and one in Iowa.” Pennington went on to talk about the joy he finds in surfing. “Its one of my favorite things to do, on the side of school and baseball. “It’s relaxing and at the same time it is an adrenaline rush. When your sitting on the ocean and you don’t really know what’s under you and once you look out all you can see is ocean, it gives you the feeling that there’s something bigger than you that’s in control of what’s even happening in that situation.” The sophomore is in a Bible study group that he and a few other teammates attend. Also in attendance is BC basketball player Cooper Dameron, who is someone that has had a significant impact on him as well. “We’ve been really good friends since probably the summer after my sophomore year of high school.
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Shortstop David Pennington slides in safe at second base past Wildcats second baseman Zach Rodriguez’s failed tag for a stolen base in Bakersfield College’s game against West Los Angeles College at BC on March 26.
Baseball results from March 15-26
gregory d. cook / The Rip
Renegades shortstop David Pennington connects with a pitch during a game against West Los Angeles College. “I like to think that Cooper, all of those other guys from Bible study and myself are all growing as people and as men of God. My family and friends have all helped me.” Leading up to opening day of his freshman year, Pennington felt the nerves that many rookies tend to get, calling himself a “nervous wreck.” “I was the freshman kid on the team and I was starting opening night I was just so nervous because I didn’t want to let anyone
down and I didn’t want to mess up. It took a long time for me to get over that nervousness that came with being in such an intense sport,” said Pennington. “I have an overall better knowledge of what’s going on during a season. “Last year I was so worried about making an error or doing things wrong it was becoming unhealthy for me. It would stress me out so much. But to know that God was in control daily and he knows how I’m going to
March 15
Bakersfield 5, Citrus 4 Win: Joe Neilson (4-0) Loss: Ronnie Blagg (0-1) Key moment: The Renegades scored three runs to give them a 5-3 lead at the time.
March 17
Bakersfield 7, L.A. Mission 5 Win: Bryan Maxwell (2-4) Loss: Joey Alvarez (1-2) Save: Taylor Aikenhead (2) Key moment: The Renegades scored four runs in the fourth and held off Mission in the ninth
March 19
Glendale 8, Bakersfield 4 Win: Nick Woodward (4-1) Loss: Marcos Reyna (2-1) Key Moment: Glendale jumped out to a 8-1 lead before the 8th
March 22
L.A. Pierce 8, Bakersfield 0 Win: Josh Derry (3-2) Loss: Joe Neilson (4-1) Key Moment: Pierce pitcher Josh Derry threw all nine innings giving up five hits.
March 24
L.A. Pierce 8, Bakersfield 1 Loss: Bryan Maxwell
March 26
Bakersfield College 5, West L.A. 3 Win: Marcos Reyna (3-1) Key Moment: BC used four pitchers in the game holding the Wildcats to just three runs.
play was somehow relieving,” he said. “These past two seasons have
provided me more opportunity to get to know God and learn that even if I am failing it’s OK.”
Tennis teams rematch an old foe By Tyler McGinty Reporter
Kayla Broadhag / The Rip
Bakersfield College’s Jennifer Chan returns a volley in a match against Ventura College played at BC on March 22.
The Bakersfield College women’s tennis team started off the second half of the season with a 7-2 victory against Ventura College on March 22. “Our team came prepared to play, and they did really well,” said coach Gene Lundquist. “It was the best team effort of the year, in terms of quality of play and readiness to play.” Jaylin and Jennifer Chan played the first two matches against Ventura, and both matches went three sets. But Jaylin won her match, while her sister Jennifer did not. Jaylin and Jennifer also played as a doubles team for the first time this season, and won their doubles match 8-3. After losing their first three games, they won eight games in a row.
“I told them before we started the match that I wanted three wins out of the Chan twins, and they apologized that they only got two. But I was satisfied,” said Lundquist, as he laughed. Kassie Beadle defeated her Ventura opponent in the singles match, with both sets ending 6-4. Assistant coach Gaylen Lewis said that Beadle is a very strategic player, comparing her matches to watching a chess game, and Lundquist has said she has shown the most improvement since the season began. BC took all three doubles matches this time. In their last match against Ventura, BC lost two doubles matches 8-6 and won one match 8-6. The men’s team didn’t start the season quite so favorably. However, against Ventura College, the men’s team lost 8-1, and their sin-
gle victory was won because the Ventura player sustained an injury. “They’re better,” said Coach Rob Slaybaugh. “I hate to admit it, but they’re better. You can’t deny the obvious.” Slaybaugh thinks the team played better against Ventura on their first match, even though they didn’t win a single match their first time against Ventura. Slaybaugh said that the team probably suffered from traveling. “I think you always play better at home,” said Slaybaugh. “When you’re at home, the one thing you don’t have to do is drive two hours. “When you’re driving those two hours, sometimes you’re excited, sometimes you sleep and you get groggy. You get what I call ‘van legs.’” The men’s team has a lot of first-year players who
may not be used to traveling two hours for an away game. “Local high school kids might play as good away, but that’s only because when you’re in town, when you go to an away match it’s like driving from Foothill to BHS. What’s that take you like twenty minutes?” said Slaybaugh. “So the kids really don’t have an idea of what it feels like to stay in the van and just be prepared to play. We go through it, but it still takes some getting used to.” Both teams were supposed to play against Glendale College on March 24 but both games were rescheduled to April 7 due to poor weather conditions. The men’s team will play next against LA Pierce on March 31 at home, and the women’s team will play Santa Monica College also on March 31 at Santa Monica.