The Renegade Rip Vol. 82 No. 8

The Renegade Rip Bakersfield College

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Vol. 82 ∙ No. 8

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Nathan wilson / The Rip

Construction crews continue to work on the framework of Bakersfield College’s new photovoltaic structure over the primarily blocked off northeast parking lot Aug. 23.

Solar panel project delayed

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

gregory d. cook / The Rip

A worker guides a support beam into place during construction of Bakersfield College’s new solar power field over the northeast parking lot Aug. 18.

The solar panel project being constructed in Bakersfield College’s northeast parking lot is expected to be complete and providing energy to the school by November, with full accessibility to the lot made available by the end of September.

Funded by grants and incentives from the state of California and PG&E, construction on the $8.3 million dollar project has extended past its expected deadline.

“The hope was that the project could be completed or at least the construction phase by the beginning of school,” said Greg Chamberlain, president of BC. Delayed by the Division of the State Architect with three weeks of paperwork processing and construction site safety verification, the project took longer to initiate than scheduled.

“If we’re just putting up a field, fenced off and no students could

go near it we wouldn’t need that DSA approval, but because students are going to be parking under [the photo field] it had to be approved,” said Chamberlain.

Construction began on May 24, 2010, with Sunpower Corporation managing the building process and hiring local contractors to install the photovoltaic field.

“We should be done with the construction you see out there, with the crane and the interruption of parking, by the end of September,” said Lamont Schiers, director of Administrator Services at BC. “By October, we should be able to bring it online.”

Once the carports and panels are installed, minor construction and the system test will take place. According to Amber Chiang, director of marketing and public relations at BC, the system test and electrical assemblage should not interfere with parking.

When fully completed, the

panels will move and articulate with the movement of the sun, collecting energy throughout the day.

“The photovoltaic field is going to give us about a megawatt, or about a third of our energy usage,” said Chamberlain.

When the campus is not drawing power from the field, energy generated will either supplement the schools electrical usage or be fed back into the power grid.

“Every one of those panels is hooked to an electrical line that runs down into the ground and over to some inverters,” says Schiers. “The photo fields produce direct current or DC current, and that needs to be converted to alternating current or AC current. That is what those inverters do and [they} hook right into our main electrical meter, that way it will either help supplement our electrical usage or put energy back into the grid.”

Incited by incentives from PG&E, the photo field project, according to Chiang, will

stabilize the electricity cost rate for the next 25 years.

“For several years now PG&E has given a variety of rebates on various energy savings like home rebates, like if you replace your refrigerator with an energy efficient refrigerator there might be a rebate from PG&E,” said Chamberlain. “It is the same concept but on a much larger scale.”

Following suit of the completed chiller loop, the hydroseeding method conducted on the baseball fields, and Thermal Energy Storage Tank completed last spring, the solar field will provide the BC campus another eco-friendly energy resource that might be expanded upon in the future.

“Down the road, might we look at other solar possibilities?

Absolutely, depending on how things go with this field and what rebates might be available later, we might consider expanding to one of the other parking lots,” Please see SOLAR, Page 4

Professor Natalie Bursztyn still unsure of future at Bakersfield College

By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief

Bakersfield College geology professor Natalie Bursztyn is still unable to teach her classes this semester because she has not yet received her work visa and, therefore, legal right to work in the United States.

The issue that began earlier this year has now culminated into a legal battle between Bursztyn and the Kern Community College

District over which party has the legal responsibility to pay for the fees of her employer-sponsored visa. The renewal process must be conducted every year and her current visa expired in June, and so, to avoid working in the U.S. illegally or risk being deported, Bursztyn has elected to return to Calgary, Canada, to wait for a solution to be reached.

On April 8, at a Board of Trustees meeting held in the BC Levan Center for the Humani-

ties, Bursztyn and representatives from KCCD discussed in an open-to-the-public forum the issue to try and determine who would be paying for the fees.

BC president Greg Chamberlain, not KCCD, eventually paid for the fees on June 14th, which amounted to $320 for the annual extension. The fees were paid for from Chamberlain’s personal foundation account, according to Bursztyn.

“Since I was already on an

H1B visa, the application fee was significantly less. If it had been a new H1B application it would have cost $2,000,” said Bursztyn.

Bursztyn’s application is now being processed through the proper channels with the U.S. government. She has been given an estimate that the application takes two months for processing but could take longer. The application process was started in June.

There is a $1,000 fee that could be paid to expedite the process, but that would have to be paid for

by KCCD, Bursztyn’s employer.

Abe Ali, human resources director for KCCD, was unable to comment on Bursztyn’s situation citing that it is a personnel matter and to be kept confidential.

Ali did mention that communication between the two parties are ongoing and through their legal representatives.

“She has an attorney, and

Crimes around BC campus

By Michaeal Wafford Opinions Editor

During the first two weeks of Bakersfield College’s 2010 fall semester, at least two incidents involving the need for public safety occurred.

On Aug. 23, the first day of the semester, Javier Guzman-Ortiz was caught hiding in a women’s restroom where he was allegedly recording the activities of women using the facilities on a cellular phone, according to an email notification sent out by LaMont Schiers, director of administrative services at BC. Students have said that GuzmanOrtiz was caught and restrained by an instructor. When contacted, the instructor did not wish to talk about the incident.

On Aug. 25, Javier Guzman-Ortiz was charged with one count of disorderly conduct for loitering in or about

a public restroom and one count of possession of under one ounce of marijuana, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a crime like this since I got here five years ago,” said Amber Chiang, director of marketing and public relations at BC. On the morning of Sept. 1, an argument occurred near the Language Arts building between two males. In a notification sent by Chiang, the argument ended with one male being hit and falling to the ground. After assaulting the victime the assailant fleed on foot. The notification said the victim of the assault was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

The suspect was described as an African-American male between the ages of 18 and 20. The student who was seen fleeing the scene was dressed in black.

we have an attorney, and that’s where the communication will lie,” said Ali. Bursztyn still has classes currently in session that are being filled by faculty members until she can resume her position. She is also the faculty adviser for the Geology Club and has duties with the Academic Senate that are also being filled.

According to Kenward Vaughan, Bursztyn’s department Please see BURSZTYN, Page 4

Renegades win season opener

By Michael Morrow

Video Production Editor

Luis Santoyo / The Rip

Renegades safety Jacob Adelman returns an interception versus LA Pierce at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 4.

Special teams broke open the game and created some separation for the Bakersfield College Renegades in their first game of the season at home on Sept. 4 against non-conference opponent L.A. Pierce.

The Renegades are 1-0 after a 52-41 win, but it wasn’t all smiles and happy faces after the game.

The Renegades defense allowed 41 points on over 600 yards of offense, while BC managed 172 yards passing and 136 yards rushing for a total of 308 yards of offense.

While BC scored 52 points, they gave up just about anything the Brahmas wanted on offense.

“We have to figure out how to tackle better. We have to do more tackling drills,” said head coach See FOOTBALL, Page 11

Features

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Water balloon fight fails to pop record

By Sandra Ward Reporter

Bakersfield High School’s Instrumental Musical Boosters’ attempt to break the world record fell short Aug. 28.

The event was held that evening to support two goals: serving as a fundraiser for the school’s music program and making an attempt at breaking Guinness’ record of the largest water balloon fight, which the entire community could participate in.

It was an all-day event starting with a carnival that began at noon.

There were a number of booths in which attendees could sample a variety of different treats and services as well as enjoy the musical sounds of local band Kelulu.

Kids had the chance to play in the bounce houses that were set up and take a chance at making it to the top of the rock climbing wall.

“There is more fun than you can shake a stick at!” said the band director, Randy Bennett.

Bennett added that they were hoping to achieve a goal of 5,000 participating water balloon fighters in order to snag Guinness’ record of 3,902 from Brigham Young University’s successful attempt, which they earned back in July.

The water balloon battle started around 6 p.m. Those who wished to participate in the event were required to make a donation of $5, for which they recieved a coupon for a free chicken sandwich courtesty of Chick-fil-A and a free Chick-fil-A t-shirt intended as a pass into the event.

From there, they entered the temporary fenced-in water balloon battlefield and were counted into the record-breaking effort.

The whole event was the brainchild of project coordinator Mary Osburn, who came up with the idea of attempting to the break the Guinness world record as an extended challenge to the fundraising effort in the works.

Students stayed busy the entire day by filling water balloons for the event, which started at 7:30 a.m.

They were worked well into the late afternoon in order to provide enough water balloon ammunition for all participating in the event later that evening.

Student band members said that the project took months to prepare for and that it had even been a bit of a task trying to gain the attention of Guinness in order to secure that the attempt would officially be recorded.

After the last balloon had taken flight, the result was at a total of only 2,332 acting participants in the attempt, and by missing the mark by that much the participants allowed Brigham Young University to maintain the record for now.

There was some disappointment with the failure to break the Guinness record, but the music program will benefit in the raising of funds from the event.

When approached with the question of whether she was happy with the outcome despite the world record, Osburn concluded without hesitation that, yes, she was satisfied with the event’s overall turnout.

nathan wilson / The Rip

Balloons start flying at the Bakersfield High School water balloon fight at Yokuts Park on Aug. 28. The attempt to break the world record for largest water balloon fight, fell short of the record by 1,570 participants.

Florist hands out flowers for others to give away

By Kimberlyn Yvonne Macias Reporter

deedee soto/ The Rip

Left: Amity Addrisi helps prepare flowers at Log Cabin Florists on Sept. 1.

Right: Dozens of roses await distribution for Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 1.

A local business, Log Cabin Florist, gave away 20,000 roses in bunches of a dozen for Good Neighbor Day. There is a twist, though. Owners Jerry and Terry Beckwith and Dawn Baumgarten have proposed to the community to share the neighborliness with others; those picking up the roses were asked to keep one for themselves and give 11 away.

This tradition started in 1996 with a man named Brook Jacobs in Mississippi to promote neighborliness in his community.

Log Cabin Florist followed his example the following year and continued this tradition in this community ever since.

“I’m going to give some of my flowers to the nurses who helped me with my seizures and some friends that helped me during this last year that has been really tough for me,” said Carol Owen on Sept. 1 when Log Cabin Florist hosted its annual FTD Good Neighbor Day. “I going to give flowers to my mommy,” said Rowan, 3, as he walked proudly with a dozen roses in one hand and holding his father’s hand with the other.

This is the 14th year Log Cabin gives roses to our community with the help of the Rose Society Volunteers.

In the first year, 1997, Log Cabin Florist gave 7,000 roses away for Good Neighbor Day and in 2007 they gave up to 32,000.

“Everyone is functioning at lightning speed so this gives us the opportunity to show someone we were thinking about them at least once a year,” said Dawn Baumgarten, owner of Log Cabin florist.

She later added “roses are the universal symbol of love and you are given the chance to share that love with 11 people.”

This year’s ambassador was Mayor Harvey Hall who handed out roses to several of the first customers early that morning on Sept. 1.

“Log Cabin wants Bakersfield to become a closer community.

This is why we give them away and when the community needs a florist they will call us because we care about them,” said Dawn Baumgartner.

Controversial play has strong underlying message

By Vincent Perez Features editor

The Empty Space hosted David Hare’s adaptation of “The Blue Room,” which is a controversial play based around sex with a message.

Performances were held on the nights of Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-4.

Michelle Guerrero, of Bakersfield, directed the play and hoped the audience received the right message.

“I don’t like doing things for shock value, but I try to keep things to a minimum. I wanted them to come for the message in the play, which is to make sure that you’re doing things for the right reasons.”

She added, “There’s an underlying social commentary in the play that says, ‘While you need to live your life, be careful of what you do in it and the people that you hurt if you’re using them for your own benefit – they’re still going to be left alone and hurt at the end.’ I hope they got that.”

Guerrero talked about the editing she did with the original play.

“The original ran about two and a half hours… we had to update it and Americanize and take out a lot of the long ramblings.

So there was a lot of editing with it.”

“

I don’t like to do things for shock value ... I wanted them to come for the message in the play.

”

-Michelle Guerrero, director She added, “The original script had always been one of my favorites but reading it is a lot different than seeing it on stage and when the cast started reading it on stage during rehearsals, [I thought] ‘People are going to be so bored to sit here for two hours,’ so I sat down one night and revised it and the cast ran with it.”

Guerrero explained how doing a live show with nudity is difficult and how the nudity she used was for the benefit of the play.

“It’s a fine line with live theater and nudity. Some people put it in for the comic value of it.

That’s actually why Billie Joe Fox (Maltre D) was one of the only people that were nude in the show because him and Kelly Christopherson (French Maid) were the comic relief in very serious parts.”

Guerrero moved from Bakersfield and recently returned to direct again.

“This is my first play in 10 years that I directed. I am a Ba-

kersfield native, and then I moved to Colorado for nine years.”

Guerrero said that she had kids while in Colorado and she said, “I came back and I got back into [directing].”

She added about her previous experience in Bakersfield, “I directed shows at [the Bakersfield Community Theatre] and Stone Soup in the past.”

A two-year actor, Angela Hanwalt, who played the Au Pair, Marie, talked about how she got involved with the play.

“It sounded like a show I would really be into, so I auditioned for it.”She added that rehearsals went long and having a day job affected her schedule.

“It is definitely tiring being here until one or two in morning and then going into work at nine in the morning … the last couple of weeks are always a little more hectic leading up to the play.”

In her acting debut, Deanna Moreno, who portrayed the model, “Kelly,” mentioned how she was able to change her shy-

ANNIE STOCKMAN / The Rip

The French Maid, played by Kelly Christopherson (left) attempts to seduce Maltre D, played

by Billy Joe Fox, in a scene of “The Blue Room” at the Empty Space on Sept. 3. ness through the play.

“It was good for me to break out of my shell – it’s my first show.” She added, “I feel really good with this – it just makes me feel happy.”

Mike Bedard, who portrayed the student Anton, has been acting since 2005 and mentioned how he heard about the play.

“I got an event notice on Facebook and in the event description it said that the original version of

this play was banned in Europe in the early 1900s so I said, ‘I got to do this play, it sounds awesome,’ so I just auditioned and got the part.”

Bedard hoped the play was recognized with a message.

“I hope they obviously enjoy and react to it - that they find parallels in their lives to what is happening on stage and hopefully get an emotional response toward it.”

Nathan Stratton, who portrayed the cab driver, Fred, talked about the message the play was attempting to give to the audience.

“I hope they understand the point that we’re trying to bring because it’s not just a play about people having sex – it’s a play about people looking for love in all the wrong places and are scared of being alone for the rest of their lives.”

Features

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Musing on the miseries of destitution On the Bum |

Finding ways to cope with the lack of food, wine and cigarettes, without losing ones joviality for life in the process.

Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

Ever since I decided to abandon the great societal machine to follow my dream of becoming a writer, my spirit radiates and my soul smiles, but my wallet lays dust ridden and derelict of capital.

I have $5.25 to my name and I’m $40 over drafted in my checking account. I owe PG&E for five months of energy use, my dad an untold amount for various cash spots he’s been giving me throughout the year, as well as a numerous amount of friends for feeding me and getting me drunk.

I’ve been sucking, bumming and relying on people for the better part of a year now and the realization of it is bringing me down. I’m on the bum. It is usually in these stark revelations of my poor financial situation that I turn to booze, cigarettes and other “smokable” plants to take my mind off the depression of poverty, but I’m running low on those as well.

There are two cigarettes left in the pack I bought earlier today and it is taking every fiber of my being not to smoke them until it is absolutely necessary—so I need to find some other vice or activity to occupy my time until then.

I have a half bottle of Carlo Rossi Sangria in the fridge I could start chugging and it would be just to get me optimistic and hopeful for the world again, but I am reluctant to cap it off because I

mateo m. melero/ The Rip

The typical work station of a impoverished writer after a long night of living, laughing, loving, and giving into the urges of his vices. don’t feel like rummaging through the last of my food in a fever of drunken munchies.

I could chug a bunch of coffee and try to bust out some romantic self-loathing prose but that would leave me without a pick-me-up in the morning and I can’t afford that because I have school.

The truth of the matter is that I’m running out of options here, but luckily in my long run as a scavenger, I have been able to devise a system for maintaining my stock of necessary vices. Coffee is

essential for starting off my day.

If I’m in a hurry in the morning and can’t scrounge up the change for a cup at Starbucks, I’ll stash a cup in my satchel so I can get a refill for about $.50.

Sometimes I can pull off a free cup at the gas station next to my house if the cashier isn’t paying to close attention, but I’m not one to advocate petty theft.

If I somehow managed to have a can of coffee around the house, I always find that I am either out of sugar or creamer.

Usually I hit up the gas stations again and make a note of it when I go to count change for a pack of cigarettes to the cashier. Cigarettes are a vice of mine that falls short of true love. But like a beautiful woman they don’t come cheap and anyone and every one of them are worth the trouble—I have no preference.

I’ve been able to lately get a pack of Marlboro No. 27’s, Special blends or Menthols in a dollar off pack that runs me anywhere from four to five bucks.

Camel’s Menthols too, have been on sale for the past couple of months, along with their Crush blend and 99s are $1 to 50 cents off. Now all I have to work on is getting myself not to smoke all of them in a day.

I can usually ration my smokes more effectively by avoiding binges of parting.

If I’m not drinking, I’m not smoking as much.

But at times I do find that I need to be social and if I can’t afford to make a fool out of myself at the bars. I settle for discounted liquor at the Rite-Aid near my house. If I really need a buzz I’ll settle for a 40 ounces of King Cobra or pints of Four Locos, but I reserve that kind of desperation for really bad days.

On most other days when I find myself fresh out of cash with time to kill, I call on good friends.

Sometimes they have some cash to fork out for a good time, a meal, and at others, just good conversation.

In my recent retirement from the rat race of modern living, I find my relationship with friends and family the most valuable thing on this earth, they keep me alive and healthy, they carry me in moments of decadence and depravity, and it is for that alone that I can never call myself a poor man.

Local film maker Bird shows independent made movies

By Breanna Gray Reporter

A diverse group of around 30 people gathered at the corner of F and 20th St. on Aug. 27 for a showing of the original “Little Shop of Horrors.”

The grassy seating area in the front of the local coffee shop and sponsor, Caffeine Supreme, complemented open skies and nearly distant buzzing of downtown on the cool Friday night.

Independent filmmaker and founder of Hectic Films, Ricky Bird, ran the fourth weekly The Grip: Indy Films Under the Stars, which features independent films and B movies every Friday night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Although Bird has a hand in practically every aspect of the productions, from acting and directing to writing the scripts and building the stage, getting the community involved in their passions is what inspired him to create The Grip.

“I want to help build everyone in what they want to do. Everyone has a passion, whether it’s the people making the food or acting or doing the music or editing. There’s a lot that goes into it,” Bird said.

For many local aspiring filmmakers, this could be the opportunity they have been searching for.

“It’s starting to motivate other filmmakers. They know they have a place to show their movies locally so many of them are finishing scripts and filming,” said Bird.

“The power is in getting people involved and seeing your movies. There’s lots of outlets for music and bands locally, but none for films.”

Bird’s efforts of providing artistic outlets have already benefitted local filmmaker, Matt Kieley.

His movie, “Carte Blanche,” was shown the first night of The Grip, but he returns for the great at-

nathan wilson / The Rip

mosphere.

“There’s nothing really like this here. It’s kind of like a drive-in, without the cars,” Kieley said.

Chris DeBondt, who played a role in Kieley’s movie, agreed that the atmosphere is incomparable to anything in Bakersfield.

He said, “It’s a nice grass area. It’s downtown but it’s still far enough away, it’s nice.”

Though DeBondt enjoyed the environment, he said his favorite part is that it supports not only film, but music, media and art as well.

Kent Dow knew of Hectic Films and came across

Left: Ricky Bird sets up equipment during Hectic Films Indy Films Night on Aug. 27.

Top: People watch “Little Shop of Horrors” at Caffeine Supreme. the event on their website.

“It’s local and independent and it’s done fairly low budget but it’s really good work, good quality,” said Dow. Regardless of being a previous fan or merely stumbling upon the event, like Bakersfield College students, Alix Lamb and Stephanie Plake, who stopped by half-way through the film and stayed until the end. Plake said she stayed around until the end of the film because “It was so good, the experi-

ence is unlike any other in town.”

The next showing is of “Night of the Living Dead” Sept. 10 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We expect to have a big turn-out and hopefully we can get people to show up dressed like zombies, Bird said with a smile,” Bird said with a smile.

For more information on how to get involved and other showings, you can visit www.HecticFilms. com or find them on Facebook where there are postings of Hectic events.

Literacy council offers free tutoring to adults TESTING | Community adults

are now able to receive free help in learning how read and write.

Adults are also taught math.

By Sandra Ward Reporter

There is a nonprofit Kern County program known for promoting positive change in people, but many are unaware that the program exists.

It’s the Kern Adult Literacy Council, which has been of service to people in Bakersfield since 1966.

The council is in the process of expanding access to their tutoring services throughout Kern County in cities like Delano, Wasco and Shafter.

The program first began as a way to assist adults unable to read and write, and offering individual tutoring to help them gain some independence and become more productive in society.

The program offers free tutoring, and there are no restrictions

to qualify.

“We never refuse anyone, all are welcome who walk through those doors here at the Kern Adult Literacy Council,” said executive director Donna Hylton.

The organization relies on donations and volunteers in order to continue maintaining its operation.

Hylton encourages students with free time to contact the council about becoming a volunteer tutor, which takes about three hours a week.

The next scheduled tutor training classes will take place on Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16.

When becoming a volunteer, you could be helping students like Joseph Martinez who is enrolled in the program to receive tutoring for help to pass the GED. His tutor, David Garrido, is a returning volunteer to the program.

He first volunteered as a tutor while attending college at Cal State Bakersfield.

After completing college, Garrido wanted to give back to the community the benefit of education and returned to vol-

“

We never refuse anyone, all are welcome who walk through these doors here at the Kern Adult Literacy Council.

-Executive director Donna Hylton

unteer as a tutor once again.

Because they are a nonprofit program, all they ask is that anyone interested in receiving tutoring have the sincere goal in learning whatever they receive tutoring in, whether it be from learning how to read and write, to learning basic math skills or even looking for help studying for the GED. Some of the specific services that the Literacy Council provides include the Family Literacy Program, providing tutoring for the parents and the children together as a family group participation; the English as a Second Language, which offers a one-on-one instruction or small group instruction at three levels, beginner, intermediate or advanced; the General Education

”

Development Program offers tutoring in six subjects to help those studying to pass the GED; and the Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program which offers tutoring in basic reading, writing and arithmetic as well as other skills to help people function a little easier in society.

However, anyone who may be interested in improving their math skills or learning any of the other single subjects, are welcome to enroll in the program too.

All they need is a desire to learn.

The Literacy Council is also trying to develop a Workplace Literacy Program in which they invite a partnership with different companies and businesses within

Kern County to help provide training for their employees.

It’s always a major challenge getting donations for the program, but listening to Hylton made it seem so simple.

“I love my job,” said Hylton.

The council is always accepting all kinds of donations, from money to books and supplies, even to entire buildings and utility services.

Their business location on 331 Eighteenth St. has even been donated to the Council for their use.

They have declared September as Bottled Water Month, and anyone wishing to donate a case of bottled water can do so at this location.

Hylton’s job is not only to run an organized office but also to raise funds, get donations and find volunteers for the program.

They host a few fundraisers every year and have many successful ones behind them.

Their most recent success was back in April at the Read For Life Gala Reception honoring Chancellor Sandra Serrano of

the Kern Community College District.

The Council was able to reach its goal of $100,000 and present Serrano with the 2010 Literacy For Life Award.

The council will be hosting many more fundraisers in the future.

On Sept. 16, the 21st annual Corporate Spelling Bee will be held at Barnes & Noble at 7 p.m.

Anyone may enter to sponsor a company team of two people at three levels of sponsorship.

On Oct. 21, the Literacy Council is hosting its first Read to Succeed Brunch at AERA Energy LLC on 1000 Ming Avenue from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This new event has 28 tables including captains from companies such as Grimmway Farms, AERA Energy, State Farm, the Housing Authority of Kern and Target.

The idea of this event is for each company table to raise from $5,000 to $10,000 each.

For information, call 3243213 or e-mail keadult@zeus. kern.org.

News

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Student services relocating

News Briefs Bakersfield College student athletics barbecue fundraiser The Alumni Association will put on its annual BC Barbecue, and, it will move on campus this year. The annual fundraiser helps to sponsor BC student-athletes and the athletics programs.

By Kristen Blue Reporter

The event is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 with socializing, dinner and entertainment on the practice field of the BC stadium.

Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Prices for adults are $25, $20 for seniors, $15 for students, and $5 for children under 12. Tickets are available at the BC Ticket Office or from Becki Whitson in LA 205 A. Join the Alumni Association Every third Thursday of the month at 5 p.m., the Alumni Association members will meet in the John Collins Conference Center. Joining the Alumni Association entitles you to receive discounts on BC Fine Arts concerts and events, discounts at the bookstore and more for an annual fee of $25.

Transfer day on campus Transfer day at BC is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fireside Room and Campus Center Sept. 13. This gives students a chance to talk to four-year colleges about transferring, which is an important opportunity with budget shortfalls that continue to affect transfers.

Ryan Bingham Live Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses will be live at B Ryder’s on Sept. 12.

Chiller loop tank not yet operational

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

Completed in the spring semester of 2010, the Thermal Energy Storage Tank located on the west side of the Bakersfield College campus remains inactive.

The tank has no set date for full operation due to setbacks and problems with adapting the tank into the current cooling system.

“We’re still trying to commission the tank and trying to work out the bugs in the system,” said LaMont Schiers, executive director of Administrative Services at BC. “We’re working with various contractors to be able to get the tank functioning the way it was designed.”

Once the TES Tank is adapted into the chiller system, a network of underground tunnels and large cooling devices installed throughout campus, the tank will act as a replacement to the expensive gas and electric cooling system currently providing air conditioning in the classrooms.

“You can call it a fuel cell in that it holds cold water,” said Schiers. “What we do is, during the night when no one is around, [we] use our library chiller and our Language Arts chiller, which are two devices that produce cold water, and chill the water temperature in the tank so the following day when the temperatures get hot, instead of running the electrical chillers during the peak demand hours between noon and 6 p.m., we just pull the cool water out of the tank.”

With the construction of the solar field and the TES Tank, the school is attempting to benefit on the renewable sources offered by the environment, saving money in the process.

“The college is striving to go green, to be more sustainable, and what we mean by that is to be more environmentally friendly so we’re not so invasive on the environment,” said Schiers.

Once the solar field is completed in the northeast parking lot, the tank will be powered from energy gathered by the panels.

“The beauty of these devices, the tank and the photo field,” said Schiers, “is that they are going to pay for themselves because they are going to save us money.”

courtesy of bakersfield college

When the panels are installed on top of the carports, they will track the movements of the sun throughout the day. The artist representation above shows the shaded parking that will be available once the lot is completed.

SOLAR: Setbacks causing parking problems Continued from Page 1 said Chamberlain.

“What would be nice is if we could put a carport field over in the southwest lot and the southeast lot, because this is only going to cover a third of our usage. So if we had three of them it would

cover all of our usage,” said Schiers.

Future projects concentrated around environmental consciousness are currently in the making.

“We are in the final planning stages for a renovation of the speech, arts and music building,” said Chamberlain.

With plans being designed to meet the highest certification level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the renovation will allow the building to be cooled and heated with less energy use.

“Our hope is, when that facility is remolded, it will be

LEED’s Platinum certified,” said Chamberlain.

As for other green projects in the near future, Schiers said, “This is what we have currently planned today, but that’s not saying that tomorrow or next year or say in four or five years, another opportunity presents itself.”

CSUB transfer days Bursztyn: Teacher

By Breanna Gray Reporter

California State University of Bakersfield held a transfer workshop on the Bakersfield College campus Sept.1-2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist students with the transfer process from BC to CSUB. CSUB staff set up an information table in front of the Assessment Center where they provided information about the university, financial aid and class options for transferees. Students interested in transferring were directed to the Assessment Center where they could qualify for on-site admission. There they met with counselors who helped them determine if they were eligible for admission for the Winter/ Spring 2011 semesters.

If the students met requirements an appointment was

made for orientation and a meeting with a counselor to enroll in classes. The specialists also helped students form an educational plan if they did not meet the required units to transfer.

There will be other opportunities like this one throughout the year on Oct. 14, Feb. 9-10 and April 6-7.CSUB Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Transfer Specialist, Denise Romero, will also be on campus Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 26 of the Counseling Center year around.

She recommends that students who plan on attending the workshops apply online and visit www. csubmentor.edu before hand for a quicker process.

Students are also advised to bring an unofficial transcript if they are applying for admission.

still absent from BC Continued from Page 1 chair, the instructors substituting Bursztyn’s classes are James May, who will be covering the lectures, and Cari Meyer, who will be covering the lab classes.

Bursztyn feels confident that the instructors Vaughan has picked will do well in her absence but regrets that she will not be there to start the class.

“I am bummed that I did not get the opportunity to start my classes off and set the tone for the semester. It will be difficult jumping in after two subs whenever I return and picking up the momentum,” she said.

The issue has also caused a number of emotional reactions from Bursztyn about her relationship with the district as well as how she’s coping

in her personal life.

“This has been a horrible, emotional rollercoaster for me since February when I was informed that I needed to hire a lawyer.

“I’ve upped and downed from depression to rage and back again. I’ve gained over 10 pounds, lost countless hours of sleep, lost motivation, felt rejected by KCCD while simultaneously feeling amazing support and love from fellow faculty, staff and students. It’s been, and continues to be, a long, sucky ride,” she said.

At this point, no more details are available and Bursztyn will remain in Canada until she receives her visa.

In the meanwhile, further details regarding Bursztyn’s status will be made public at KCCD board meetings.

As of Bakersfield College’s Fall 2010 semester, a few student services have been relocated. The Student Health Center, The Center for Career Technical Education, and Disabled Student Programs and Services have been moved.

The Student Health Center has been moved from Room 6 into Campus Center 3. According to Julia Cruz, a receptionist at the Health and Wellness Program, “We provide health services to students. We moved our location to be more accessible to the students at BC. It’s just like visiting a regular doctor.” At the health center, some of the services provided include prescribing medicine, physicals, mental health counselors are available, and you can visit the doctor one on one.

They accept walks in and you can also make an appointment.

The Student Health Center can be contacted at 661-395-4336.

The Center for Career Technical Education is located in FACE 16. Work experience once located in Room 1 in the Levison Hall has been moved into the center.

Hamid Eydgahi, the Dean of Career and Technical Education explains “We moved these services to one building to increase its efficiency.” Change has brought its pros and cons. Their biggest issue is parking. “Parking will no longer be an issue once the parking lot is finished.” Eydgahi estimated approximately 60 percent of students on campus are served by their program. CTE has many programs and services they provide. Work experience, internship programs that provide hands on training, apprenticeship program, community education, and career technical programs are all located in the building.

CTE can be reached at 661-3954580.

Disabled Student Programs and Services are now located in the first floor of the counseling center in the Student Services Building. At DSP&S they provide services to accommodate students with disabilities on campus. Some services they provide include: mobility assistance, learning disabilities, hearing impaired services, blind or limited vision, psychological disabilities, acquired brain injuries, speech and language disabilities and developmentally delayed disabilities. DSP&S is available at 661-395-4334.

Longtime BC fan dies

By Vincent Perez Features Editor

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

EMS personnel from Hall Ambulance and the Bakersfield Fire Department prepare William Gates for transport after he tripped and fell, injuring his leg at the edge of Bakersfield College’s southeast parking lot Sept. 4. Gates was tailgating before a BC football game, when he tripped on a water spigot. He was taken to Kern Medical Center where he was treated for a cut on his right leg.

Bakersfield College baseball lost its biggest supporter, Chuck Pierce on Aug. 7. Pierce died at the age of 78 due a heart attack in Idaho. Pierce was often seen at the BC baseball games.

BC baseball coach Tim Painton responded in an e-mail about how Pierce was viewed in the community.

“Chuck was the baseball ambassador of Bakersfield. He loved the game and would talk baseball with anyone who would listen.”

Painton noted Pierce’s professional experience and where his heart really was.

“He scouted professionally for many years, most recently with the [San Diego] Padres, but his true passion was baseball in Bakersfield. He was passionate about BC baseball and the Bakersfield Blaze and for many years, rarely missing a home game involving either team.”

Painton added how Pierce’s legacy will be remembered.

“Chuck was a great friend to our program and someone who will be missed not only by our coaches and players, but by all the people he came in contact with around our ball park.”

Reviews

Page 5

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Four Lokos: pleasure you can’t remember

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

As I took the first sip of a fruit punch flavored Four Loko, I was optimistic of its taste due to the miracle of modern artificial flavoring, but was saddened to discover that it tasted like a mix between ood rancid Robitussin and the constituency of battery eview acid.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to actually finish one of these pint-cans, let alone the other one I had set aside for myself, but none-the-less I persevered in the Four Loko Challenge, despite its toxic effects.

On my attempt of a second swig of toxic fluid, my face premeditated a flinching brace as I lifted the can to my lips. When I finally managed to force

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the volatile substance down the esophagus to the stomach, it caused my lungs to expel all air out in painful grunts and groans.

It was as if I was drinking some radiation poisoned jet fuel and I was bound to mutate into some vicious creature.

With an alcohol volume of 12.0%, with natural and artificial flavors, guarana, taurine and caffeine, a Four Loko Malt Beverage drinks like a vat of liquid nitrogen and hits the inexperienced drinker like a ton of bricks if he’s not careful.

I continued to battle against the horrid nuclear taste of these awful things, committing myself to one and two minute challenges in which I was burdened to drink as much down as I could, pausing briefly only to recompose myself.

These contest of endurance actually helped as they intoxicated me enough to make this awful crap bearable—that or they burned and melted my taste buds enough to where I was unable to taste

‘Dalien love overcomes all the odds

vor mix or my inebriation, I am unsure.

Sometime during the night I finished the last of that awful stuff and woke up the following morning safe in my bed with an odd hangover. I didn’t have a raging headache but felt slothful and a little poisoned by the stuff.

Overall, I was impressed with the potency and crippling effects that only two of those awful things had inflicted over me but was in no hurry to do it again anytime soon.

As far as advocating the consumption of these things, I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

If you’re looking for a quick and cheap oblivion, then I would say a pint of Potter’s Vodka and a bottle of orange juice is a better tasting, equally as powerful alternative for around the same price.

But if you’re looking for something that you can brown bag and don’t have to mix, then the doom juice that is a Four Loko Malt Beverage, is the drink for you.

New ‘Machete’ falls below the cut

By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor

“Machete” is a movie filled with near-constant laughs, awkward pacing and the occasional good fight scene.

Machete (Danny Trejo) is an ex-federale. Through a series of

By Zak Cowan Reporter

Redneck jokes and tacky, yet well-written songs were aplenty in “My Big Fat Oildale Wedding,” a comedic play put on by Gaslight Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall.

Director and playwright Mic h a e l Prince has lay truly captured the eview essence of Oildale in this ridiculously entertaining and sometimes scary accurate portrayal of the area.

“My Big Fat Oildale Wedding” is about a mechanic, Billy Ray, and a florist, Sue Ann, who fall in love with each other despite their families’ differences.

A basic narrative, so what’s the twist? They’re all from Oildale!

The first scene is set in Sue Ann’s family’s floral shop, and it right away gets you engaged in the story with great lines and characters that everyone from the greater Bakersfield area should know all too well. Her father, Butch Otis, is my favorite character of the show. He is a life-long resident of Oildale, as is the rest of the cast. His outfit is truly what makes his character, the fishing vest with a strip of beef jerky tucked away in the front pocket.

Her mother, the antagonist of the show, was the proto-typical loud mouthed, over-protective

anything fully.

At the end of the first Four Loko I found myself wobbling and twirling in a buzzed bliss.

All was OK and I popped the second can open, but as far as reporting on the taste I find that my journalistic integriNathan Wilson / The Rip ty, and my ability to analyze objectively Mateo M. Melero sips a had been compro- Four Loko on Aug. 28. mised.

When I popped the tab of Cranberry Lemonade Four Loko, it seemed much more pleasing to the taste buds than the fruit punch flavor. It was by far easier to drink, but whether this was due to the fla-

M ovie R eview

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Carissa Edwards / The Rip

Tammy-Lee Otis, played by Shaylan Trone, comforts her sister Sue-Ann Otis, played by Katei Metz Sept. 5. mother that reminded me of Roz, the slug receptionist from “Monsters Inc.” Her lines were at times exaggerated a little too much but in all she gave a great performance.

The second scene is set in the shop that mechanic Billy Ray works at.

Billy Ray and Sue Ann meet while taking out the trash for their families’ businesses, and instantly know that they had found their one true love, and break out into song right away. The singing in the show was way above par, and much better than I was anticipating.

The story carried along very well from there, and the charac-

ters never lost their appeal. Every line and joke was set up well and executed almost flawlessly.

At times the choreography was cheesy, but you got the sense that it was intended to be that way.

The climax of the show was a little lackluster compared to the rest of the show.

The theater was brilliantly set up, with an old 1800s feel to it.

I was put back in time, before there was any idea of special effects and CGI. The whole atmosphere really helped engage you into the story and characters.

The whole atmosphere also made the event, and the great performance was what really put this play over the top.

unfortunate events, involving drug kingpin Torrez (Steven Segal), he finds himself working as a day laborer in Texas. While looking for work he encounters immigrant lover and taco truck owner Luz (Michelle Rodriguez) who is being observed by Sartana (Jessica Alba), an immigration agent who just wants to enforce the law.

Eventually Machete is employed by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) and, through Booth, Machete becomes involved in a conspiracy revolving around Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro), a wonderfully racist politician, who’s views on immigration take a very conservative slant, supported by the like of vigilante border patrol agent, and sheriff, Lt. Stillman (Don Johnson). This conspiracy leads to lots of people meeting the sharp end of Machete’s machete.

Directed by Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City,” “Spy Kids”) and Ethan Maniquis (“Shorts,” “Planet Terror”) and based on a trailer from the “Grindhouse” films, “Machete” is a tribute to exploitation films at its core. It gets the mood right. The film

is filled with one-dimensional villains, violence, politically incorrect dialogue and, of course, plenty of nude women.

The acting is effective. Trejo’s portrayal of Machete works; he manages to always appear intimidating although the delivery of his one-liners occasionally falls flat. Alba and Rodriquez manage to have some of the strongest performances in the film portraying the two most multifaceted characters in the film.

Segal manages to steal every scene he’s in and provides some of the best laughs in the movie by doing nothing but talking. Sadly, De Niro, Fahey and Johnson go to waste for the most part, playing characters that are involved in some of the slowest moving scenes in the film.

However, the slow feeling of the film isn’t restricted to them with several scenes involving Alba and Rodriguez also dragging on for a little too long. Every scene does manage to contain a few good jokes, though not enough to ignore the problems.

Thematically the film is also a mixed bag. Although the storyline begins as a simple revenge story it eventually becomes something of a commentary on illegal immigration.

“Machete” handles the issue of illegal immigration curiously; shifting from over the top action and one-liners to characters reflecting on the harsh realities of immigrant life to cheesy nods to exploitation films of old. This can be seen as a reference to the exploitation movies that inspired “Machete” but like exploitation films before it the lack of focus hurts the film

more than it helps as it never fully embraces any one aspect making all of the individual elements fall flat at times. It does, however, take a clear stance, one that supporters of the things going on in Arizona will probably find offensive.

Also affecting the feel of “Machete” is the inconsistent visual aspects. The film opened with a faux-film grain effect and subtitles, reminiscent of older martial arts films, those aesthetics are quickly dropped with the rest of the film being crystal clear and, for the most part, in English.

The camera work and editing sadly take a drop in quality throughout the film with several key action sequences being full of confusing jump cuts and close-ups that bring down what could have been great sequences. This could be seen as another form of tribute to exploitation movies but other scenes are put together much more competently.

The effects work is also inconsistent. The practical effects work well and manage to look over the top yet somewhat realistic.

On the other hand, the seemingly computer generated explosions, gunshots and bloodshed found throughout the movie look cheap and provide a distraction especially in scenes where both practical and computer generated effects occur at the same time.

Overall “Machete” is a film with a perfectly absurd premise whose potential isn’t reached due to some technical and pacing problems caused by a lack of focus. For all its flaws, though, it still manages to be a pretty enjoyable product.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham packs his emotions into ‘Junky Star’

By Martin Chang Reporter

Ryan Bingham has recorded an album of beautiful simplicity with his latest “Junky Star.”

Working with veteran producer T-Bone Burnett, his songwriting and musicianship shine under the straightforward way the songs were presented, lbum along with his fabulously in-sync backing band eview “The Dead Horses.”

Everyone working on this album wanted to accomplish one thing, an honest look at the musical mind of Ryan Bingham and they have accomplished that.

Many of the album’s strongest points belong to the way the songs were played on the record. In today’s modern studio you can auto-tune, and autocorrect every sound imaginable. You can have an almost unlimited number of tracks and effects on top of the compositions.

Many times the heart and emotion of a song can be lost underneath all of this studio trickery. Many musicians fall into this trap and their music’s power is lost as a result. “Junky Star” wisely avoids this problem by presenting the songs in a simple way.

The album opens with “The Poet” which could

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hear every breath and note. It gives the songs power it would not have otherwise.

The strongest moments on “Junky Star” are when Bingham is writing about universal truths, the universal truths of loss love and feeling sad.

On “Yesterday’s Blues”, he sings, “I shook the hand of a weeping sparrow and heard the most beautiful tune, laid myself down upon a field of flowers and search through my dreams to find you.” It is these images that resonate the most.

On other songs on the album Bingham muddies his potent imagery with metaphors about death and “the road.” It is not something that hurts the songs.

He gives such a great musical performance that the songs still have power.

But he’s musical at his best when his lyrics match the straightforward nature of his music.

The more rock and roll songs on the album never quite have the energy that is required for great rock and roll.

The entire approach to “Junky Star”, from Bingham vocal delivery, to the laid back style of the production and backup musicians, seemed a bit at odds with the more rock and roll tracks.

These tracks do not take up much of the album and they are completely listenable and fun, but they simply do not have the raw power that the slower tracks do.

“Junky Star” is an album that proves the power of

Courtesy of Ryan Bingham.com

recording a talented singer-songwriter with a producer and musicians that understand the best way to make great music is to let the singer-songwriter’s songs speak for themselves. That the best way to make powerful music is to present the songs in the way they were originally written.

Ryan Bingham will be performing at B Ryder’s in Bakersfield on Sept. 12.

“Who is Joyce Ester”

Editor’s note: BC Brains is a feature that asks students a question to test their knowledge of all things trivial.

Compiled by: Martin Chang / The Rip

Eric Rodriguez, Computer Science: “I don’t remember.”

Jessica Valdovinous, Undeclared: “I have no clue.”

Ashley Hatfield, Culinary Arts: “I have no idea.”

Ron Page, Business: “I don’t know who Joyce Ester is.”

Albert Benitez, Computer Engineering: “I don’t know.”

Correct answer: Joyce Ester is Bakersfield College’s newVvice President of Student Services.

BC B rains

not start the album in a more simple way; all that is heard is Bingham strumming his guitar in a relaxed, easy way. Then a muted harmonica joins him, then soon after the rest of the instruments ease into the song. Bingham does not sing the first words until 40 seconds into the song. Yet it tells you right away that you will be hearing musicians playing music in an authentic down to earth way. Never does the album get away from this vision of Bingham’s songs just being what they are.

Bingham sings in a subtle nuanced way. He never needs to yell or scream to get the emotional meaning of his songs across. It has a flow that is easy to listen to. His guitar playing has an equally pleasant feeling to it. He plays his guitar with a loose air that matches his voice perfectly. It gives his compositions a nice feeling of space, like a breath of fresh air in the morning.

Bingham’s personal style as a musician is not the only thing that gives “Junky Star” this spacious feel.

T-Bone Burnett has done a fantastic job of creating an album that augments the specific style that Bingham has.

It is many subtle touches that add up to a great portrait of Bingham’s songwriting. The way the backup guitarist only plays every few bars. The way the percussion is never too busy. The way both Bingham’s guitar and voice is mixed so you can

Opinions

Page 6

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Staff Editorial

Staff encourages students to voice their opinions Well, the fall semester has begun, and with it comes another exciting year of Bakersfield College’s student run newspaper, The Renegade Rip. You are holding, right now, in your hands, the latest edition of a BC tradition over 80 years in the making, and growing.

Over the years, our focus has been on you and covering the news that matters to you, our readers, the student body.

And this year, as we expand our reaches on the Web through therip.com, which includes our very own special feature on BC sports with an in house production titled, The Renegade Rewind.

We are also continuing the tradition of excellence started a couple semesters ago with The Dissenter Magazine, our very own, first ever magazine that covers all things here and now.

We will cover the news that happens

on campus, around Bakersfield, and beyond.

With a dedicated staff of reporters and photographers, we will be actively seeking and investigating the stories that affect not only you, but us as well, because, ultimately, we are all students of this great institution and share in its downfalls and triumphs.

There may be controversy.

Recently, we at the Rip have raised a

few eyebrows with some controversial story content, and it may happen again.

We are going to explore hot button topics because we understand that what’s good for one group is not good for all. We realize our readers are a uniquely diversified group of individuals because we are too. That’s why we cover the stories that ride the fence.

We will bring these stories, and more, to light through pro-con arguments,

features exploring current trends, and spotlight features on BC students and athletes.

So if there is something that you feel we are not covering, or you want to voice your opinion in the pages of the Rip, online or in print, send a letter to the editor.

Let us know what you think and take a part in what your college has to offer.

We certainly are.

Higher education:for-profit or non-profit?

Samantha Garrett / The Rip

Online colleges help provide needed service

By Samantha Garrett

PRO

Copy Editor

Although it’s easy to make fun of these for-profit schools, most people fail to understand how crucial they are for many people in obtaining degrees. The ability to take classes online is liberating for many people who would otherwise not have the time to attend classes on a campus, and these schools give many students such ability.

Working and attending classes is a pretty serious combination— it means, for some, missing work one day or class a next because of fluctuating work schedules; more often it means not having enough time to study or finish assignments. The flexibility of the online courses offered by these private schools is what makes them so appealing to those balancing school and work.

For some it could make all the difference at home too. Many people have to add family to the mix, and being able to take courses online means not having

’G ade Feedback

to hire a babysitter for the time spent away in class.

Costs are high, but these are schools willing to work with students to make payments, and those eligible for financial aid can have those fees substantially reduced or even waived.

For those who have to foot the bill, it means sacrificing money in the present for a better career in the future, one that these students would not be able to achieve (at least in the same timeframe) if it weren’t for the programs these schools offer.

Think of these pricey schools as a necessary evil—it fills a need out there for students to be able to attend classes in the most convenient way possible. Some of these students would not even be able to get their higher education if it weren’t for online courses.

For more still it means being able to complete that education in a reasonable timeframe.

Community Colleges are already offering online courses for students, but, for those wishing to get a degree higher than an associate’s, they have to find alternative means (so long as taking classes online remains necessary for them).

That’s why these schools are so important. They fill a need, and they make it possible for many people the country over get where they want to go.

With an economy like ours, more and more people are going back to school to start or complete their education—most of those people don’t have the means to stop working or to cut back hours.

Not only is this another reason why these schools are crucial— it’s the reason why they are doing so well. Clearly there is a need, because people are going to them.

In the end, most people are going to take the traditional education path, but, for those who need to find another way, the private college route is not a bad one.

For-profit colleges for the impatient and lazy

By Carissa Edwards

CON

Photographer

“In as little as four months you too can be a certified nurse.” This is a typical line for a for-profit college to use in advertising.

I see the draw of for-profit colleges. You don’t have to stay in school for years at a time.

The student just goes through the programs and gets certified in that field.

No one takes general education classes. The only classes that are taken are the classes in the student’s field of study.

There is nothing wrong with that, right?

What is wrong is that if you pay tuition you pass. This does not mean you understand the material; it means that your check cleared and you took all the classes. For-profit colleges just want to get their students through. That is why their programs don’t take years. This is most likely why most for-profit colleges are not accredited.

Personally, if I were an employer I wouldn’t want to hire someone from a for-profit college. I would much rather hire someone who went to a state college, a UC or a community college.

Students that go to one of those three colleges take multiple classes in their field and it takes years to complete. Also, the students are required to pass all of these classes.

This means that the students that go to traditional colleges know their field well. These students are willing and able to work in their field when they graduate.

Those are the types of people that we, as the customers, need in these fields.

For-profit colleges are so popular because of two things.

One reason is that people are lazy and impatient. People don’t want to wait around for

the class that they need to graduate to open up. It’s frustrating and annoying.

People want instant gratification, and this is one way to get instant gratification for your career. The second reason that private colleges are popular has to do with the current situation of other colleges being impacted. There are too many students and not enough classes for them all. At a forprofit college you pay tuition and you are in.

In all,, for-profit colleges do what they say they will. They get you through the program and into the work force. How they do it and how ready you are for the work force is a different story. Few will learn all they need to in the short amount of time the students are in the program.

When students are going into a field like nursing or mechanics, it is better for them to have more knowledge than just being rushed through and finishing.

What did you do over the summer?

Editor’s note: ’Gade Feedback is a feature that asks students their opinion on various topics.

Compiled by: Martin Chang / The Rip

Selama Habebo, Undeclared: “I took summer school. I went to Denver. I went to the beach a couple times.”

Ernesto Garcia, Psychology: “Hanged out with friends and family.

Went to theme parks in L.A.”

Matt Mizell, Theater Arts: “I played out of town with my band.”

The Renegade Rip Editorial Board Winner of the 2003 and 2008 JACC Pacesetter Award The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College journalism classes, printed by Bakersfield Envelope & Printing Co. Inc., and circulated on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters.

The newspaper is published under the auspices of the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility for its content rests with student editors.

The Rip is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

Staff

Editor in Chief..........................Brian N. Willhite Reporters: Kristen Blue, Martin Chang, Zak Cowan, Features Editor...............................Vincent Perez Priscilla Creger, Chrystal Fortt, Gladis Gonzalez, Sports Editor.......................................Julian Moore Breanna Gray, James Licea, Yvonne Macias, Copy Editor ................................Samantha Garrett BrendaIrene Rodriguez, Cristal Rodriguez, Sandra Photo Editor..................................Annie Stockman Ward Opinions Editor...........................Michael Wafford Magazine Editor.........................Mateo M. Melero Photographers: Carissa Edwards, Nicholas Flores, Ryan George, Luis Santoyo, Deedee Soto, Nathan Online Editor...............................Gregory D. Cook Video Production........................Michael Morrow Wilson Adviser.......................................................Danny Edwards

Ninive Allveno, English: “I came here a lot. I came here to register and check up on classes, talked to counselors.”

Jeena Morales, Nursing and Communications: “I went to the gym and stayed healthy.”

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

Page 7

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Balancing life and pageants

By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor

courtesy of nashay matthews

Nashay Matthews displays the sash and crown she won for the Miss Earth Central California, 2010 pageant.

“I feel pretty during a pageant,” said Nashay Matthews, 20, a Bakersfield resident who competes in beauty pageants across the nation.

The full-time Bakersfield College student has been competing in pageants for most of her life.

“I’ve been competing ever since I was seven months old,” said Matthews. “It happened on a whim. My mother was in a mall and saw a poster.

She picked out a dress and I won.”

“Because I won my first one she decided to keep putting me in them. And I decided to continue when I went into adulthood,” said Matthews.

“It’s a lot harder work [now] than it was when I was a teenager and a little girl,” said Matthews.

“Now it’s like work; you have to study different disasters, different political stuff that’s going on.

You have to know all that stuff it’s, like, crazy.

But it’s awesome.” “[I’m] competitive but I don’t take a loss harsh, I just accept it, and I work to improve so that way the next one maybe I can win,” said Matthews.

“It’s more a competition with myself, doing better in the next pageant.”

Preparing for pageants is a constant in Matthews’ life. Working out, spray-tanning, exercising, weight loss and volunteering are all steps she takes in preparation for upcoming pageants.

The constant preparation has paid off for Mat-

thews and competitive mindset has lead to Matthews placing high in several pageants including winning “Miss Central California 2009”. Matthews said she is currently preparing for “Miss Bakersfield 2010” and “Miss Motor Speedway 2010,” a pageant held in Kentucky.

Preparation however, doesn’t solve all the problems of pageantry. “The only thing I ever get nervous for is the interview part,” said Matthews.

“It’s a little more nerve-wracking. Because with pageants, you have to say the right thing. When they ask you a question, like a really one-sided question such as ‘Do you believe in gay marriage or abortion?’ or anything like that. It’s so stressful to say something to where you won’t offend anybody.”

“I try to tell myself that I’m confident, that I’m beautiful, that I can totally do this. You pretty much have to psych yourself out and tell yourself you’re awesome,” said Matthews. “It sounds kind of weird but you have to tell yourself you’re awesome so that when you go on stage you portray a lot of confidence. Even if you are confident you want to be beaming with confidence.”

While pageantry does have a focus on physical looks, Matthews believes pageants have positive influences. “Pageants have taught me to care about things other than myself, to care about Earth, to volunteer for a certain service or choosing a platform that you truly feel connected to,” said Matthews

New freshman: making Getting a seat in class the transition to college

By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter

For incoming students starting college for the first time, school can be overwhelming with not knowing the campus, making friends, meeting professors’ expectations or receiving good grades.

Irene Espinoza, 18, a freshman at Bakersfield College is a full-time student as well as a part-time cashier at Foods Co. She does not like having to juggle between the two.

“I don’t really have a social life. Coming to school, going home and doing homework then going straight to work is basically my life. I’ve had the same life schedule since my junior year in high school,” said Espinoza.

When asked why she became a student at BC, Espinoza responded, “I had planned on going to a four-year university straight out of high school, but my family went through a hardship, which led me to attend BC.” Espinoza added attending BC “is like attending an over crowded high school. I don’t think it’s that different.”

School and work are first on her agenda. She also expressed concerns about parking. “I didn’t expect parking to be as hard to find as it is. On the first day of school I had to park on University Avenue while my class is in the Humanities building. I hope parking gets better throughout the semester.”

While at BC, Espinoza’s goal is to complete her general edu-

Irene eSpinoza

cation classes and transfer to a four-year university.

Her plan is to work hard, study hard, and to attend school regularly and on time in order to be successful in completing her courses within the time frame she has in mind.

Espinoza is undecided in what subject she will major in but has sociology in mind. It is common for freshmen to be undecided their first year of college.

She was born and raised in Bakersfield and graduated from East Bakersfield High School where she enjoyed being involved.

She was active in high school participating in publicity, leadership, yearbook, and KIWINS, which is a unified organization that yearns to help others and focuses on localizing services.

In addition to her senior class involvement, she also worked in the finance office.

The Rip will follow-up with Espinoza in its final issue for the fall 2010 semester.

For more News,

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Matthews does not believe that pageants have a negative impact on her social life and said she has always had a busy schedule, competing in pageants and playing multiple sports since childhood.

“I don’t know my dad, it was just my mom and my grandma who raised me,” said Matthews. The lack of a father in her life didn’t seem to have an adverse effect. “Growing up it was totally awesome because I was doing what I liked to do,” said Matthews.

Matthews does plan on ending her pageant career eventually. “My goal is to be in either Miss USA or Miss America, as soon as I compete in one of those and make at least top five, then I’ll retire or maybe compete in Mrs. USA or something when I get married,” said Matthews.

According to Matthews, women usually stop entering pageants because of pageants such as Miss USA revolving around independent single women.

Matthews is majoring in communications and media arts and is considering a career in several fields when her time as a pageant contestant is up. “I want to be a sports broadcaster. Eventually I want to be a pageant coach or run my own pageant system. I want to write a book, maybe travel the country as an inspirational speaker or maybe model or act. Whatever I succeed in,” said Matthews, “but right now the most important thing for me is finishing school.”

Samantha Garrett Copy Editor

Campus

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The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

New patio sets only temporary

SGA planning renovations

By James Licea Reporter

New Student Government Association president Lisa English started her role in office on July 1. She has many plans for Bakersfield College during her term, some of which have already been put into effect.

English decided to run for president because she wanted to better the campus and make things more enjoyable for current and future students of BC. She also ran because she felt a need to give back to her school, which has provided her with so much. With her graduation coming up in 2011, she stated, “I want to leave my alma mater a more beautiful place than how I found it.”

Being elected president is an honor to English. She feels she is right for this position because she has the intelligence and the skills to bring our school to its full potential. English also expresses that the specific team of people she will be working with are amazing and together they have the ambition to achieve excellence.

In 2009, English served as a senator and made ambitions to improve the landscape in Campus Center.

Very recently the area has been garnished with flowers, making a once plain quad a little more ornamented.

“It doesn’t look so dead now,” said Krystal Ramos, who has been taking classes at BC since her sophomore year in high school. “It looks a lot better.”

Along with bettering the look of the campus, English is excited about getting students more involved in school activities. She said, “We have also scheduled various classroom presentations to explain the opportunities in student government and the new Mentoring and Peer Services, Bakersfield Campus Organized and United for Good Health program

and Speaker Bureau.”

The M.A.P.S. program is intended to help students with daily stress.

This program is targeted at helping students with problems in many areas, from stress caused by school or work, to problems involving drugs and alcohol.

SGA along with Student Health and Wellness programs are responsible for creating M.A.P.S. in hopes of promoting healthier lifestyles for students at BC. Students interested in being involved in this program can get an application at CC3 or CC4. The deadline is Sept. 10.

B.C.O.U.G.H. was created by SGA and is being run by both professor Michael P. McNellis and General Counsel Sean Hill. This program is intended to promote a healthy learning environment for students at BC. The new Speakers Bureau program is for students and the community. The election board will share information about specific conferences and workshops that they attend.

Town hall meetings are also being planned by SGA, where students are encouraged to come voice their opinions or any ideas they might have about our campus. More information about this will be posted around campus later on in the semester.

Another point English stresses, as does the rest of SGA, is for students to get more involved in their school.

They encourage students to become senators.

All one has to do to become a senator is take at least 6 units, have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and be willing to commit 3-4 hours per week toward your student body. Applications can be picked up in CC4.

“I am looking forward to and exciting year of educational opportunities and the fulfillment of the goals we, as the SGA have been working on,” said English.

By James Licea Reporter

deedee soto / The Rip

A group of BC students sits at the rented tables in the Campus Center.

The quad tables outside of the cafeteria in the Campus Center have been replaced with rented patio furniture. The concrete tables that used to occupy the area had been there for more than 20 years.

The current wooden tables are a temporary replacement and new tables will soon be brought in. The Student Goverment Association did not plan on renting these wood tables and plastic chairs.

The furniture that was intended on being used were round metal tables with four seats, along with matching benches and trashcans. Some of the new tables also have umbrellas above them for shade. There is also a 10-year warranty on the furniture in case they fade or get scratched up.

SGA Activities Liaison Tawntannisha Thompson said that the old tables “were very badly stained and missing seats” and that “the students deserve something better.” She also felt that it was about time they got something new in the Campus Center.

This project was intended to be finished before the semester started and the old tables were supposed to be moved to Veterans Memorial Plaza, between the Campus Center and the bookstore. However, when the workers were removing the tables, they crumbled away making them impossible to preserve.

When asked if alternative tabling will be brought in for Veterans Memorial Plaza, Thompson explained that if they had known this would happen they would have ordered more tables.

“The next project I hope is to order the same furniture for that area.”

Although the new tables will take six weeks to put in, Thompson states that Campus Center will not be sectioned off during that time. The rented tables and chairs will be used until the new furniture comes in.

Cafeteria improvements under way

By Chrystal Fortt Reporter

The cafeteria has made improvements in an attempt to make paying for food faster than in the past as well as adding entertainment.

The Student Government Association’s activities liaison, Tawntannisha Thompson, is in charge of remodeling the new cafeteria game room.

Thompson is hoping that the game room will keep students busy so that they will stay for their next class. “There’s a lot of students that are bored between classes,” she said. “Hopefully the game room encourages students to stay on campus instead of just going home.”

Thompson has ordered six ter-

minals that are touch screen. Five of the terminals will be on the bar and one will be handicap accessible. Each terminal will hold 135 games, and they’re completely free. The game room isn’t just a game room; half of it is also a lounge for students to study in.

“The games aren’t really that loud. It’s a really large area. So I don’t think there will be any problems with the noise in there,” said Thompson.

Frank Sepulvedn, a student here at Bakersfield College, doesn’t like the idea of the game room also being a lounge.

“It sounds like a bad idea because one side will be kind of loud with games and on the other side people are trying to do their work,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to be

quiet when you’re losing.”

Thompson said the game room is expected to be done in a couple of weeks.

A new addition to the cafeteria is already in use.

Students don’t need to stand in line at the ATM to get cash. Now they can use their debit or credit cards at the food registers.

Teresa Andersen, who works at the register, commented on the new machines.

“I really like it. It’s quick. People usually dig in their purse or backpacks looking for change, so yeah it makes things a lot quicker.”

Andersen said that the machines only take Visa and Master cards.

She also said there are no fees to the customer.

DeeDee Soto / The Rip

The BC student lounge and game room undergoing renovation on Sept. 1 2010.

Ballard resigns as SGA VP; position gets filled

By James Licea Reporter

Chris Ballard resigned from his position as vice president at the beginning of the semester. Brian Rathfelder was appointed by SGA E-board to fill his position.

Ballard was in the process of serving his second year in office. Last semester he won the position of vice president when no one ran against him.

Although Ballard brought a lot to the table and made some great contributions, his absence will not affect the direction of SGA. About his resignation, Ballard stated, “My decision to leave SGA was based on the fact I felt I was becoming isolated from the student body and the work that I wanted to accomplish.” Even though he will no longer serve SGA,

he still plans on helping his school the best he can.

Even though Ballard left some projects unfinished, current members of SGA had only good things to say about him.

“Working with Chris was a great experience as he was especially tuned into furthering the student’s agenda,” said SGA president Lisa English.

In his new position, Rathfelder plans to pick up where Ballard left off while bringing in his own point of view.

When asked about how he feels about Ballard’s departure from SGA, Rathfelder said, “He left me with big shoes to fill, the leadership he brought to the team was awesome. He set high precedents.”

Rathfelder was appointed the position of vice president

because of the contributions he made to SGA last semester as a senator. Also, because he already has a good sense of the direction SGA wants to go.

Ballard said, “Rathfelder is and excellent candidate for the position. I think he will fight for the students here on campus in my absence.”

Because Rathfelder has recently been appointed this position, he is currently focusing on the projects that have already been set into action. He feels that the amount of work will be vast and there simply are not enough hours in each day. Even so, he is excited to take on such a challenge.

Rathfelder said that he most looks forward to all the new opportunities SGA is giving to the students, “This will be a great year.”

Sports

Page 9

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Hopeful players look to impress

By Michael Morrow

Video Production Editor

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Augustine Okosun goes up for a dunk during tryouts for the Bakersfield Jam at the Jam Events Center on Aug 28.

With approximately 50 participants from as far away as Paris, the Bakersfield Jam held their first open tryouts of the season at their facilities in north Bakersfield on Aug. 28-29.

The Bakersfield Jam is a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association Developmental League and have been in Bakersfield since 2006.

After day one, several players were cut and the teams were shrunken down. The newly formed groups scrimmaged with officials in a regular game clock type of environment.

Jam second year head coach Will Voigt, talked about what he saw from the participants.

“You always get a little bit of everything.

We’ve got a guy whose flown in from France, we’ve got guys from the east coast, you’ve got local guys, you’ve got guys who’ve played professionally, and you’ve got guys who’ve never played professionally,” said Voigt.

“We took seven guys from our tryout camps last year, so this is a legitimate opportunity for these players,” said Voigt. “They’re trying to play in arguably the second most talented league in the world. Just because they can’t make it here doesn’t mean they can’t play professionally other places. And what I tell the hump guys as well is, ‘Maybe you aren’t good for us, but maybe you could play for other teams.’

“These guys pay money to be here and we want to do everything we can to give them value on that experience,” he said.

The tryouts cost each individual participant $200, which did not include the hotel and other expenses.

One of the participants was Julien Bakala, who had flown overnight from France and arrived by bus in Bakersfield half way through day one.

Bakala, a 6-foot-6 guard from Hermine Nantes Atlantique Pro, spoke about why he came to Bakersfield and what really motivated him to tryout for the Jam. “I want to see my abilities against American players. To see if I’m supposed to be in the league,” Bakala continued. “Maybe, just maybe I can make it. I heard about the Bakersfield Jam and I said, ‘OK, maybe. I’m at a high level, and I believe I can make it.’”

Another professional player who impressed with a series of strong dunks was 6-foot-10 Augustine Okosun.

The center/power forward was born in Ni-

geria and played only four years of organized basketball before making it to the National Basketball Developmental League’s Austin Toros.

Okosun talked about why he left the Toros and chose to come to the tryouts in Bakersfield.

“Last year I played for the Austin Toros, but I moved to California and I want to stay out here, so I figured I’d come out here and workout for Bakersfield,” said Okosun.

Okosun talked about what he has learned from the tryout and what he thought his chances were.

“I think it’s very competitive and I think you really have to play to your best strengths, play to your advantage, where you know you can help the team and you have a chance at making it,” he said. “Overall I think it’s a great experience, and I think they’re [his chances of making the team] pretty good.

Brandon Sampay, an L.A. native who played college ball for Illinois State and then decided to play professionally overseas in Finland for Aanekosken Huima, was also a participant at the Jam camp.

“Just to come out here and play with a level head and pretty much don’t lose it for yourself,” said Sampay, a 6-foot-8 255-pound center/power forward. “It’s all on you to make this team, or at least get a call back.”

The potential players were split into six groups, learned two or three basic offensive plays, and ran the plays together in their groups.

After getting the plays down, the groups did light scrimmages among group members and eventually played timed scrimmages against other groups.

When all groups finished the timed scrimmages, they did live scrimmages with officials and a running clock.

The Jam has a second tryout in L.A. where their two NBA affiliated teams call home.

That tryout is two weeks after the Bakersfield tryout, so team officials won’t say who made the final cut until after the L.A. tryout and after evaluations are made.

Voigt spoke about the expected turn out of that tryout.

“We’re at 30 pre-registered for L.A. and obviously they’re a bigger market and in the past we’ve had over 100 walk up,” he said.

After the tryouts, the players that have successfully impressed the coaching staff will have the opportunity to workout for the team during their training camp in mid-November.

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Willis Gardner II looks for a lane while trying out for the Bakersfield Jam on Aug 28.

Hughes takes in local tryout Bakersfield College head basketball coach Rich Hughes attended the Jam tryout as a spectator as 50 professional athletes or would-be professionals made their attempt to join the team.

“You don’t get to see a lot of basketball during football season, so I just wanted to come and watch, just to see some of the players trying out,” said Hughes. “I kind of thought maybe there would be one or two kids from BC or Cal-State that I’ve seen play, but that didn’t happen.

“The athletes, there were some really good players there. There were guys there that if they’d played junior college they’d be All-State type guys. “ The sixth-year coach was impressed by how the Jam tryout was set up.

“Their tryout was pretty organized.

They separated into teams, they worked with the teams at running some type of offense, so it wasn’t just a wild pick up game,” said Hughes. “They were running stuff. I thought it was very well organized and it gave a good glimpse of could really play at the next level.”

Sports

Page 10

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

New head coach leads team to first place finish at Desert Classic

By Julian Moore Sports Editor

After a fourth place finish at the South Coast Tournament to begin the season, Bakersfield College’s women’s golf team won the Desert Open in Palm Springs, California.

BC ended the first day of the Desert Open in second place of six teams, four strokes behind leader Mount San Jacinto College.

Freshman Malea Miller and sophomore Stacie Netzer both shot a 77 with sophomore Dee Ray adding a 79 to help BC keep pace on the leader board.

First year head coach Robert Palliet asked his players before they resumed

play the final day to “just play their golf.”

“I asked them to relax, play their game let the game come to them,” said Palliet. “That they could make a mistake, and it wasn’t going to be the end of the world, but just try to clean up the mental things and just do their best and not play super golf.”

Miller finished the two-day tournament with scores of 77 and 75, while Netzer finished with 77 and 79. Ray shot a 77 the second day helping BC’s case for the victory.

Palliet was approached in February about possibly becoming the coach, and he was hired in June after going through the process.

“When I was attending BC (1968-

know they can win and play under a little pressure, which I think made the team grow.”

After losing all-conference golfers Ellen Krausse and Katherine James, Palliet was somber but glad to have a team that is very promising.

“It actually took the pressure off.

Before losing two players of that caliber, I don’t think we were expected to win,” he said.

“We do miss Katherine James and Ellen Krausse, but we have two players from last year’s team, in Ray and Netzer. And Miller, who is playing really good golf and I think we have yet to see how good she can really play.”

“Those three are key, we have three now instead of two,” he stated.

69), I never could have imagined that I would someday join the BC coaching staff,” he said.

“I’m quite honored to follow great coaches and gentlemen like Gerry Collis, Duane Damron , Walt Johnson and so many others that have been at BC. I hope to be a positive influence on our student athletes like they did on me.”

He was the assistant coach the last two years, so he was familiar with BC’s state qualifying team from a year ago.

“We had two returnees from the team that went to the state last year,” he said.

“But we weren’t sure how good we really were with the freshman coming up, and I think this win let the team

Women’s Golf Aug. 29 -30

Sept. 3-4

Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 3 -4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Oct. 31 Nov.1 Nov. 8-9 Nov. 15-16

South Coast 4th Place Desert Classic 1st Place at SC Santa Barbara WSC Bakersfield WSC Citrus North South Invitational WSC Glendale WSC Canyons WSC Neutral Course Conference Finals Conference Finals SoCal Championships State Championships

Renegades spike both Pirates’ battleships

By Julian Moore

Volleyball

Sports Editor

After losing seven key players from last year’s 20-7 squad, the Bakersfield College Renegades have still managed to come out of the gates roaring with a two-match win over Ventura and Porterville.

The Renegades defeated Porterville on the road Sept. 3 with the scores 25-20, 25-20, 21-25, and 25-18. Sophomore Mary Maiocco led the Renegades with 52 assists and 18 digs to go along with .500 kill percentage.

Head coach Carl Ferreira spoke about how getting off to a strong start bodes well for the rest of the season.

“I think anytime you get off to a start where you end up winning, it helps validate everything you’re doing. But its just one or two games, then you have to self evaluate to see what you need to work on.”

In the first matchup of the season, BC beat Ventura with scores of 25-12, 25-22, and 25-21. That matchup was the first home game of the season for the Renegades, and Ferreira talked about the excitement of how playing at home helped boost the team’s confidence.

“It doesn’t matter, playing at home, playing on the road are two different animals, winning percentages at home are higher than they are on the road for a particular reason.”

Ferreira was just glad to get the season started and started the right way.

“It’s just nice to start to play, we need a lot of court time.

Getting people active in the particular roles, you know practice is one thing but competition is completely different, so you got to transition from a training culture to a competitive culture,” he said.

“Our offense looks like we’re going to have some potential. We’ve just got to manage the game better.”

Coach Ferreira has a total of 18 freshmen on this year’s team but the lack of experience isn’t so much a concern for him.

“We have 18 total freshmen, and for women’s volleyball that’s a lot,” he said.

“We’re not returning a lot of experience but we’re very talented with a lot of potential, so bottom line is how long can we play and sustain our level of play with a high level of execution.”

The team does have sophomore Mikinzi Demarco, who, as Coach Ferreira said, is going to be someone the team relies on for the experience.

Soccer team to meet with top ten team in US

By Vincent Perez Features Editor

The Bakersfield College women’s soccer team tied Evergreen Valley College 0-0 on Sept. 4 in San Jose. BC coach Scott Dameron talked about the differences between the first two games of the season and an earlier scrimmage loss against College of the Sequoias.

“There was tremendous improvement – sometimes you just need that first time to get on the field, and that’s why we scrimmage, to work out the kinks.”

He added, “You could definitely tell by the second and third game that some of the communication issues [were solved]. It started to look like it’s supposed to.”

Dameron mentioned the early season injuries and how it has affected the team.

“We had some injures come up so we had to shift formations. They were able to adapt.”

He added about the formation changes, “We’ve run a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1, a 4-3-1-2. Depending on what works and depending on the game.”

BC began its season with a 3-1 win at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on Sept. 3.

BC’s Erica Wilcox scored two goals and

RIP N ation

BC 3, Ventura 0 BC 3, Porterville 1 Antelope, 6 p.m. at San Diego Mesa Tourney at Cuesta, 6 p.m. at LA Pierce Tournament at Santa Barbra, 6 p.m.

Bye at Glendale, 7 p.m.

Canyons, 7 p.m. at Santa Monica, 7 p.m. at Citrus, 7 p.m.

Bye Pierce, 7 p.m. at West LA, 7 p.m.

Glendale , 7 p.m. at Canyons, 7 p.m.

Santa Monica, 7 p.m.

Citrus, 7 p.m.

Bye at Pierce, 7 p.m.

West LA, 7 p.m.

Regional Playoff: Round One Regional Playoff: Round Two

Also expected to be a player to look to is Mary Maiocco, a transfer student from San Francisco State University and Bakersfield High School graduate.

“Those are the two anchors you’re looking at to give a little bit of experience to start with,” Ferreira said.

“After that, everybody is going to contribute in one way or another. But it’s a team effort and everybody’s got to play their role.”

After taking a year off, Maiocco couldn’t wait to get back on the court.

“I took a year of last year so I was real antsy and excited, and the atmosphere helped.

When I was at San Francisco State it almost seemed like the school didn’t even know volleyball existed.”

One area Maiocco feels the team could use work in is IQ. “When you go from high school to college, your volleyball IQ has to be more of the focus.”

Soccer Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept. 14 Sept. 17 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 8 Oct. 12 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 22 Oct. 26 Oct. 29 Nov. 2 Nov. 5 Nov. 9 Nov. 12

BC 3, Los Medanos 1 BC 0, Evergreen Valley 0 Solano, 4 p.m.

Moorpark, 4 p.m.

West Hills, 4 p.m. at Ventura, 5:30 p.m.

Glendale, 4 p.m. at Santa Monica, 2 p.m.

LA Mission, 4 p.m.

LA Valley, 4 p.m. at Citrus, 4 p.m. at LA Pierce, 4 p.m.

Canyons, 4 p.m. at Glendale, 5 p.m.

Santa Monica, 4 p.m. at LA Mission, 4 p.m. at LA Valley, 4 p.m.

Citrus, 4 p.m.

LA Pierce, 3 p.m. at Canyons, 3 p.m.

teammate Kristina Garcia scored also.

While Dameron mentioned the goal scorers, he placed emphasis on the defense.

“The backline did a really good job this [past] weekend. They were the ones that showed the most improvement.”

On Aug. 24, BC played its first scrimmage and had its first notable injuries to players that Damron did not name specifically, Next for the women’s team is their first home game on Sept. 10. Dameron feels the game will challenge the BC players.

“That’s actually a very good team – ranked number nine in the country last year. So this will be our strongest test yet so we’re looking forward to it.”

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Bakersfield College outside hitter Ashley Simpson goes up for a kill against the Ventura College Pirates in the BC gym Sept. 1.

Head coaches upbeat about season

By Zak Cowan Reporter

Coaches and runners of the Bakersfield College cross country program have a lot of enthusiasm and are preparing in full force for the upcoming season.

Pam Kelley has been coaching the BC women’s cross country team for 29 years and is preparing her team for the upcoming season.

“Running, running, and running,” said Kelley. “They’ve been training hard since July. Sept. 10 will be our barometer, so we can see where we are.”

Kelley’s expectations for the season are modest, as the team is young and consists of mostly freshman.

“We have all freshmen except for one. So it’s an all freshman team, which is kind of exciting, with a lot of different high schools represented, so we’ll have to wait and see,” said Kelley. “We have several number one runners from their high school which will help us.”

Margarete Martinez is one of the team’s most promising runners and is trying hard to be in the best shape she can be before the season starts, and she has high hopes for herself and the

team.

“I’m hoping, for myself, to improve my times from my high school running career,” Martinez said. “And for the team I just hope that we can all succeed as much as we can together.”

Martinez has high regards for her coaches.

“Yeah, [the coaches] are really cool, actually, and I like them. I don’t dread coming to practice,” she said. “It’s good having them around. They’re good support.”

Dave Frickel is the men’s cross country coach and is getting his runners into shape for the upcoming season.

“Basically, I’m trying to get some of them used to the distance for the men. It’s a little bit longer distance,” said Frickel.

“They bump up from 3 miles or 5,000 meters [in high school] up to 4 miles, so the men run about a mile longer than high school, so we’re just trying to get them used to the idea.”

Frickel is moving right along with the task of conditioning the team.

“At the beginning of the school year we start training a lot more vigorously, you know, putting in more mileage and just go from there,” he said.

“We did a time trial last week,

and I had the guys run the full 4-mile distance for the time trial.”

Frickel has certain expectations for his team to fulfill before the season starts.

“You know, a lot of these guys are trained throughout the course of the summer. So if they haven’t done a lot of training they’re kind of behind right now; some of them have a little bit more of an advantage than the few that came out a little bit later,” said Frickel.

“But basically they have to do some running during the summer to try and get themselves in better physical shape for the season. Hopefully they’ve done that.” Frickel said that the top five spots are wide open at the moment, and he will have to wait until the season starts to have a good idea of his top runners.

Cross Country Sept. 10 Fresno Inv. Sept. 18 Orange Coast Inv. Sept. 24 WSC at Oxnard Oct. 1 Bakersfield Inv. Oct. 15 Mt. SAC Inv. Oct. 26 WSC Finals Nov. 6 SoCal Regional Nov. 2 State Meet at Fresno

“What NFL running back would you choose for your team?”

Editor’s note: Rip Nation is a feature that highlights Bakersfield College’s athletes’ opinions.

Compiled by: Rip Staff

Sept. 1 Sept. 3 Sept. 8 Sept. 17-18 Sept. 22 Sept. 24-25 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 8 Oct. 12 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 22 Oct. 26 Oct. 29 Nov. 2 Nov. 5 Nov. 9 Nov. 12 Nov. 16 Nov. 18 Nov. 23 Nov. 27

Ariel Hurtado, cross country: “Ryan Mathews, because he is from Bakersfield.”

Hugh Hannum, football: “Adrian Peterson, because he plays hard every down.”

Carl Ferreira, head volleyball coach: “Frank Gore, because he plays for the San Francisco 49ers.”

Jan Stuebbe, athletic director: “Ray Rice, I saw him play in college, and I like the way he runs.”

Tyler Miller, football: “Adrian Peterson, because he’s a good runner.”

Sports

Page 11

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

football: Renegades win opener 52-41 Continued from Page 1 Negron, Kolb and Hobdy Jeff Chudy. “We have to tackle would all connect for another better and we have to block touchdown following running better. Football is not that com- back Julian Dean-Johnson’s 24plicated of a sport. We make it yard kick return, and the Renvery complicated. Defensively egades executing a two-minute you’ve got to tackle and offen- drill. sively you’ve got to block. If you The drive started with a 19can’t block people it’s hard to be yard screen pass from Negron consistent and if you can’t tackle to West and a 12-yard scramble people, it’s hard to stop them for Negron. After an incomfrom scoring points.” plete pass from Negron to West, The Brahmas scored on seven Chudy and offensive coordinator of their 13 offensive possessions Carl Dean put together a set of while the Renegades scored on plays to open up the east side of six of their 12. the field and pull a special play Pierce had 33 first downs while out to end the half. the Renegades had 14.

First they had Negron lateral Special teams to Smith and several big to stretch plays gave the the field Renegades the west and Sept. 4 BC 52, LA Pierce 41 edge down the on fourthSept. 11 at Saddleback, 6 p.m. stretch. With and-13 Sept. 18 Antelope Valley, 7 p.m. the Reneunder 5 minSept. 25 at Citrus, 1 p.m. utes left in the gades final Oct. 2 Mount SAC, 7 p.m. first quarter, offensive Oct. 9 Bye running back play of Oct. 16 at Hancock, 6 p.m.

Andre Smith the half Oct. 23 Ventura, 7 p.m. took a kick reNegron Oct. 30 El Camino, 7 p.m. turn 95 yards tossed Nov. 6 at Cerritos, 7 p.m. to the three a lateral Nov. 13 Canyons, 1 p.m. yard line to set to Loren up freshman Kolb who running back stepped Leandre West for the three yard back and threw a 33 yard pass to score to put the Renegades up Hobdy, who slowed down, and 10-7. Smith ran for 33 yards on watched the ball drop into his 12 carries. hands before turning up field for After a fake punt attempt by the open end zone.

Pierce was shut down by defenThe touchdown pass was sive back Dillon Meadows at the Kolb’s only attempt of the game.

7-yard line, sophomore-starting After the game, Chudy went quarterback Lyle Negron threw a on to explain what the Renegades 6-yard pass to the freshman from had in mind.

Garland, Texas, Brandon Hobdy “That was a screen to Andre giving him his first touchdown that got us to the other hash. Kolof the game, putting BC up the by is a right-handed quarterback, rest of the game with the score so we got the ball to the left hash of 17-10. with Andre screening to the short Sophomore Loren Kolb caught side of the field there, and then a 34-yard pass from Negron while we set the play up.” many of the Pierce players stood In the third quarter, Dean-Johnand watched because of penalty son took a 94-yard kick return all flags. The flags ended up being the way back for a touchdown, against the Brahmas and was putting the Renegades up by 38then declined by the Renegades 24 after the Josh Gallington extra resulted in the touchdown. point.

Football

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Renegades defensive back Tyler Dogins reaches in to strip the ball from Brahmas wide receiver Martin Hill during a kick return at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 4. After helping himself to the ball, Dogins ran the recovered fumble 34 yards for BC’s seventh, and final, touchdown of the game.

Early in the fourth quarter, BC had just scored on a 10-play drive with most of the damage coming from Negron on the ground and a pass interference call that gave BC a new set of downs. Curt Huge kicked off to Pierce’s Clifford Johnson, and on the return, Renegade defensive back Tyler Dogins reached in, stripped away the ball, and returned it 30 yards for BC’s final touchdown.

The Renegades didn’t put up

as many yards rushing as they expected and had to rely on the big plays at times.

“Well, I don’t think you put that yardage total on the backs.

We didn’t block very well. We were fortunate enough to score 52 points off of big plays. You look at kickoff returns, you look at freeze count faking the snap count and throwing it up there, and you look at the double pass.

We were a big play team tonight,

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Bakersfield College quarterback Lyle Negron scrambles for a first down on a broken pass play during the Renegades’ 52-41 victory over Pierce College at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 4. Negron’s 14-yard scramble to Pierce’s 1-yard line set up a Renegades touchdown.

and we expected to score and have some big plays, but we certainly have to be a lot more consistent,” said Chudy. “We just didn’t block very well, so having said that, it’s certainly not on the running backs. We have to do a better job at blocking at the point of attack.”

Pierce rotated two quarterbacks in and out of the game.

The starter Clinton Granger was 8-of-15 for 141 yards and one

luis santoyo / The Rip

Bakersfield College quarterback Lyle Negron drives the pile during their season opener versus Pierce College on Sept. 4.

touchdown and one interception with seven rushes for 52 yards.

Exavier Johnson was 20-of-29 for 193 yards and two touchdowns and one interception with 9 rushes for 92 yards. Running back Daniel Lopez carried the ball 12 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Dame Julian added 8 catches for 107 yards and one touchdown, while Tyrone Harris had 6 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown.

Negron completed 7-of-17 passes for two touchdowns no interceptions and 139 yards. He also ran for 61 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

Before the game, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Dean talked about winning the turnover battle and why they chose Negron over backup Byron Campbell.

“Really it came down to the last scrimmage and Lyle just playing really well,” said Dean.

“I expect him to help us win, that’s the most important thing.

How we do that really doesn’t matter. If we run for a lot of yards or if we throw it, I don’t care how we do it. I expect him to run our system.

“One of the things we preach is taking care of the football and you’re not going to play if you don’t take care of the football.

You look at any box score on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and it always comes down to who took care of the football and you can’t win if you have turnovers. Know that it’s OK to punt the football; you don’t have to force a first down or force a pass in order to move the chains.”

Football fans look forward to season Zak Cowan Reporter

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Renegade fans attend the season opener at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 4.

Fans around Memorial Stadium were buzzing about the team and appalled by what they called a low turnout for the first game of the season.

Lloyd Becker has been watching Bakersfield College football ever since he got out of the service and is excited for the upcoming season and the potential for the team.

“They’ve had some good teams, some good kids playing, so it’s fun to watch,” said Becker.

Becker has seen great teams for BC but is concerned with the low fan turnout in recent years.

“They’ve had some good teams in the past, but crowds are not as big as they used to be,” he said. “The home side would be pretty filled up some 25 or 30 years ago when I first started coming to the games.”

Tom Reyes has been watching BC football for over 25 years. He doesn’t have a whole lot of knowledge about the roster but is still confident BC will have a successful season.

I haven’t seen the stats or what the guys look like or anything about the squad this year,” he said. “But based on what they did last year and the year before I expect something big. They’ve fielded a good team, it seems, every year.”

Reyes does know about Andre Smith, who he says is the team’s most talented player he’s seen in years.

“Andre Smith is an outstanding runner out of East Bakersfield High School, came here and in his first year had a fairly decent season,” said Reyes. “He’s fast, extremely fast.

Probably one of the best you’ll ever see, hopefully they won’t corner him in because they key on him pretty often.

Reyes is discouraged to see the attendance dwindle as the years have passed and blames the low fan turnout on the many high schools around the city.

“I’d like to see [attendance] be higher. I think last year they averaged 2,500 to 3,000, and that’s not bad considering,” he said, “but BC used to have a hell of a draw here before,

but since the new high schools came in they pulled the fans on Friday night, they don’t want to come out to the games, and that’s too bad, because they should come out and support this team.”

BC statistics show that the attendance in 2009 averaged approximately 5,000, and has the highest fan turnout in the state.

Jack Doremus has been coming to the games for over 50 years and is also concerned about the low fan turnout at Memorial Stadium.

“It’s starting to pick up, but it’s still low from past years. I’m talking about the 50s, the 60s, the 70s—we would load the stadium up 16,000 strong,” said Doremus. “But I think it’s reinventing itself due to the fact that we have had some good teams lately, people now want to come out and watch them.

Doremus said that if the Renegades would have a stretch of successful seasons that the fan turnout would “skyrocket,” and that he is confident that Coach Jeff Chudy can achieve just that.

Page 12

Eyes of the Rip The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

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