Women’s soccer last-minute goal brings win Page 9
Volume 88, Issue 5
October 16, 2014
Published Since 1927
BACKSTAGE
Breast cancer affects women, men
Quake drill set today, Oct. 16 By Arieel Alcaraz Contributing Writer
By Eliza De La Flor Contributing Writer
While many students are aware that October is designated as breast cancer awareness month, they may not know how to check themselves for early warning signs of the disease. Breast exams are offered by Student Health Services on both campuses. Students are also taught how to perform self-checks to facilitate early detection of any lumps or irregularities. Kinesiology major Deanna Lidyoff, 44, said she did not know health services offered the exams. She said it was wise for any student to take advantage of the service and to learn how to check themselves. Lidyoff said a popular perception is, "When you're young, you're invincible, nothing's ever going to be wrong with you." Marianne Palacios, the only nurse practitioner who works at both campuses, echoed Lidyoff 's thoughts when she shared more information on breast cancer. She said students should familiarize themselves with selfchecks early, because although the baseline for regular breast exams is 35, there are cases when it strikes earlier. She said an area where awareness is lacking is breast cancer in men. She said her father was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although it usually doesn't affect men until they are in their 50s or 60s, she said she would like to see more awareness for men on campus. Palacios and nurse practitioner Tina Cassar both said selfchecks, "Can't start too young." Male student Ronel V. Abella, 19, a psychology major, said he was taught self-checks in health classes in junior high and high school. He said it was a positive to have the services available on campus. Abella said, "I think they're finding the cure." Health services are in A1010 at the LAC and the TO trailer at the PCC.
Tyisha Ali/Viking Actresses Vercylanne Bustos, left, and Alexandra Carmel apply makeup in the dressing room minutes before performing in the performing arts program’s version of “The Laramie Project” on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Auditorium. Story and more photos on page 12.
Review panel hears employee complaints By Andre Barajas Staff Writer
An employee survey was administered on Survey Gizmo from Oct. 14-25, 2013. The survey reported that 16 percent of employees said administrators were honest with them. Also, 64 percent said it is not safe to say what they think. And, 15 percent said LBCC President Eloy Oakley worked effectively with college groups. In response to the growing criticism Oakley said, “Administration is working with the facul-
restored sabbatical need, professional development training and an $80,000 innovation fund available for a number of departments Employees of LBCC expressed to utilize for good educational concern to the accreditation team ideas. at LAC on Tuesday, Oct. 7. It is unlikely that teachers’ salThe external evaluation team aries will increase significantly in provides an independent, peer the next year, however, money is review of the college. The team flowing into the system as school uses the accreditation standards revenue begins to slowly increase, to prepare a report for the college so will teacher salary in the futhat analyzes the adequacy of its ture, Oakley said. resources, the effectiveness of its Shannon, a strong advocate procedures, its evidence of stufor community colleges and dent achievement and stu“LBCC teachers have not received orator for the role of the Comdent learning, as stated in the munity College locally, statemission statement. a pay raise in seven years.” wide and nationally, referred Accreditation chair -Adrian Novotny to LBCC as a “quality instituHenry Shannon opened Anthropolgy teacher tion.” the meeting by welcoming The goal of the meeting everyone and inviting the ty union and Academic Senate, ” was not to negotiate and the acLBCC community to speak on its deemed necessary to maintain the creditation team cannot resolve behalf. schools’ quality of education. issues between both parties, evalThe most heavily discussed Mandatory budget cuts that uating, is the primary role the issue of the meeting centered on occurred during the four years of morale. team has, Shannon said. The topic arose when the recession in California affected Anthropology teacher Adrian president of the faculty union teacher salaries, however, “sala- Novotny recommended pay raisand teacher Lynn Shaw addressed ries will increase without a doubt, es and administrative supports, the lack of respect faculty receive it is just a matter of time,” Oakley study. said. from administration. Novotny said teachers have Steps have been taken in re- not received a raise in seven years. Profound distrust, lack of respect and ridicule were just some sponse to these concerns includ- Teachers have also faced a 2 perof the words Shaw mentioned ing the employment of 42 new cent pay cut to satisfy budget cuts. teachers and 25 more next year, during her address.
lbccviking.com • facebook.com/lbccvikingnews
•
@lbccvikingnews/twitter
•
LBCC will practice its Great California Shakeout today, Thursday, Oct.16, at 10:16 a.m. Students will follow their professor’s directions to drop, take cover and hold on. Evacuation drills will occur in Buildings MM, JJ and II at the PCC and Buildings E, F and G the LAC. According to the Great California Shakeout website, millions of people worldwide will practice on the same day. Aaron Cortez, 19, a plastic surgeon major, was not aware of the shakeout drill but said that it is good practice: “Yeah, it’s good because nobody is prepared for it and practicing is good.” When an earthquake occurs experts recommend that people drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to protect themselves from loose items falling off the table or desk. Another student at LBCC, Sovannah Phang, 20, a biology major, is aware of the shakeout. It’s good to be prepared for it. We need to be prepared usually because we need water and food and we can run out.” Phang said, “In high school you learn once a year. The teacher would tell us and we hide under our desk.” More information is available at lbcc.edu or Shakeout.org/California.
IN THIS ISSUE - Voting guide Page 4
- Cardboard box day at PCC Page 6
- Football team undefeated Page 8
@lbccvikingnews/instagram
2
NEWS
Union, college differ on pay Full-time teachers, counselors, librarians lobby president and Board.
Brittany Lieberman/Viking PLATTER OF DISSENT: LBCC union President Lynn Shaw delivers 97 postcards to President Eloy Oakley written by full-time teachers Wednesday, Oct. 15. Written on the postcards are the salary requests of full-time facutly, who have been at odds with the president and the Board since February.
Leader skills will be shared at conference 7th annual event has waiting list.
dents’ majors. In other words, when the student registers and reports their intended major, they are assigned By Andre Barajas to specific workshops and panels Staff Writer closely related. Suzanne Perucci, 20, a busiA free event for students, the ness administration major, has atannual Beverly O’Neill student tended the conference twice and leadership conference, will be plans to attend a third time. hosted at the LAC in T1200 on “I’m glad I did it. It was a Friday, Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to great learning experience. Every 4 p.m. year that I attend, I can feel my Presented by the office of networking skills strengthening. Student Life and the Associat- I always advise students to attend ed Student Body, the conference even if they have once before,” Pewill be the seventh annual gath- rucci said. ering that will allow students to The workshops are designed network and cultivate skills based for students on leadership, “It’s a great opportunity for seeking guidsocial change, ance and adtransfer suc- students to network with provice for the cess, financial fessionals that are established field of study literacy and they are purin their fields.” community suing. organizing. Keynote -Lokilani Hunt ASB President speaker, forASB President Lokilani Hunt said, “It’s a mer LBCC student and current great opportunity for students to UCLA student Jaemmie Canas, network with professionals that has overcome adversity and will are established in their fields.” be speaking about those obstacles Although the conference is during the conference, in addifull, students may inquire about tion to other unique speakers. attending by applying at: The conference is named ater b t . l y / L E A D E R _ 2 0 1 4 O’Neil, former LBCC presiddent or in person at the LAC in and Long Beach mayor. Students E118 and the PCC EE102. may contact the Student Life ofStudent Life coordinator Maya fice for more information at (562) Cardenes explained how the 938-4978. event is organized based on stu-
ny said. The Board filed for an impasse, which haults all negotiations between the two parties, shortly after full-time faculty voted down an offer on June 18. No one has talked of a faculty strike, but some faculty are ready By Brittany Lieberman to put an end to the lengthy proEditor-in-chief cess. Bob Maxell, a math and enAfter months of negotiations gineer teacher and the full-time between the LBCC Board of faculty chief negotiator, said, Trustees and full-time teachers, “Professors do a lot of extra, volcounselors and librarians, conuntarily things around campus cerning a pay raise on or before that we are not required to do. Monday, Oct. 20, Associate Vice Some may choose to stop doing President of Human Resources those things, which would essenCindy Vyskocil said. tially bring The two “There are good people on the campus to parties will both sides working towards an a screeching conduct a n e g o t i at i o n agreement, but there are larg- halt.” A May 5 meeting beer factors at play. We hope report gathfore Monday’s ered from to come to a negotiated, not mediation, on longbeachcFriday, Oct. mediated agreement.”” ca.org states 17. LAC union Bob Maxell Faculty Full-time faculty chief negotiator representative union presPatricia Alexident Lynn Shaw said if a deal is ander asked, “Why the full-time not reached by bargaining or with faculty is expected by adminisa mediator, a fact-finder will be tration to give up some of their brought in. “I am cautiously optirights of long standing in order to mistic, I really want to get a good keep up with inflation by obtaindeal,” Shaw said. Anthropology teacher Adri- ing a cost of living increase?” Maxell said, “There are good an Novotny said full-time faculty people on both sides working toare asking for fair compensation. wards an agreement, but there are “Morale at the college is incredlarger factors at play. We hope to ibly low because our salary is come to a negotiated, not mediatranked 67th out of 72 Communied agreement. ” ty Colleges in California,” Novot-
October 16, 2014
Nursing building project begins By Elisa Castillo Contributing writer
Students of the LBCC nursing program gathered in front of Building C on Thursday, Oct. 2 , along with President Eloy Oakley for the renovation commencement ceremony. The building is scheduled for renovations after 45 years. The project is expected to be completed in 2016. The renovations include state-of-the-art technology meant to enhance the learning experience for all current and future nursing students. The budget for renovations was capped at $11.65 million. “That’s a lot of money, but I know it’s going to look amazing,” said Cristal Velasquez, 23, an LBCC student waiting to be admitted into the nursing program. Students who were at the commencement ceremony were enthusiastic about sharing their excitement. “I’m on the waiting list to be accepted into the program, but this just makes me more excited to be accepted,” Velasquez said.
October 16, 2014
LBCC Hall of Fame to induct 5 alumni
By AnaMarie Ramirez Staff Writer The president of the Long Beach NAACP, a CEO, a school principal, a community volunteer and a Chase Bank officer will be inducted into the LBCC Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 31. As part of Homecoming, every Fall semester the alumni Hall of Fame welcomes outstanding former students who have been nominated by colleagues, friends and family. The criteria needed for qualification into the Hall of Fame are 10 years out of college, accomplished a local, state or national level of success in their careers and fulfilled community services. The five inductees this year are Naomi Rainey-Pierson, educator and president of the Long
Beach NAACP; Robert Ellis, retired Long Beach Unified School District principal and assistant director of personnel; Maria Cochran, a community volunteer; Donald Cochran, a retired senior loan officer from JP Morgan Chase Bank; and James Callahan, chairman, president and CEO of Nautilus International Holding Company. They will be honored and inducted by LBCC President Eloy Oakley starting at noon in T1200 at the LAC. They will receive a framed certificate with a lapel pin and their stories will be told on a video. Tickets are $60, which includes a luncheon. People may contact Nancy Yoho at (562) 9384203 or email her at nyoho@lbcc. edu to purchase a ticket.
NEWS
Comets star at night
By Paul Ingvaldsen Staff Writer
The lights dimmed Friday night, Oct. 10, in the LAC planetarium as students leaned back in theatre seats and looked at the sparkling dome above, resisting the urge to fall into the night time sky. Assistant astronomy professors Shimonee Kadakia and Amy Fredericks told the enthralled audience about comets, as one appeared and began to go into an orbit above the students. Kadakia said, “Comets and Asteroids are different. Asteroids are formed close to the sun in an environment too hot for ice. Comets are formed in deep space where there is water everywhere, including being found as ice on comets. The word comet in Greek means ‘Hair.’ In going toward the sun it grows a tail of ice crystals.”
NASA has prepared a mission to land on Comet Philae. The comet orbits from between Mars and Jupiter, regularly passing through the solar system. Dubbed the “Rosetta Mission,” the American spacecraft followed a complicated course to reach the comet, using gravity to accelerate as the craft rounded planets in close passes and orbital turns. “The Rosetta Mission is based upon the Rosetta Stone,” Kadakia said. “Discovered by anthropologists, this stone contains the secret to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics.” Fredericks added, “Scientists believe comets are old and generally unchanged since the formation of the earth and may hold secrets about our own existence as humans on planet earth. “Comets are slowly shrinking and never growing,” Kadakia said. “They come from deep space as a
product of the creation of the universe, 4.6 million years ago.” NASA scientists have rigged the lander to be able to charge its batteries with solar power, extending life expectancy to well over two years, during which time it will analyze the comet’s composition. Fredericks invited the audience to observe another celestial phenomenon in October. “Come to the planetarium on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. To see a partial solar eclipse of the sun by the moon. We will have solar glassed. Be careful. The glasses reduce 99.999 percent of the light that comes to you. It’s dangerous to look at the sun without protection.” The next show will be on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Offering free admission, the professors invited all students to attend and bring guests.
has destroyed 150 residential and eight commercial properties and caused one injury. Communities, including Siskiyou College students and employees have lost a lot in the fires. Firefighters will continue overhauling work within the fire perimeter. Excess resources are being released and made available for other incidents as necessary. Some organizations are taking donations that will help the com-
munities impacted by the two fires. The American Red Cross is accepting donations at redcross. org that will help the communities. The Community Disaster Relief Fund established by the Shasta Regional Community Foundation is accepting donations at shastaarcf.org. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation is accepting
checks mailed to the SRCF/King Fire Fund, 955 University Ave., Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95825. In a letter to the LBCC community, Oakley expressed his gratitude to the people contributing to the cause and encouraged others to support their efforts. For more information people may contact the LBCC Office of Community Relations and Marketing at (562) 938-4353.
Students can help families affected by fires By Andre Barajas Staff Writer
President Oakley is asking the LBCC community to consider helping families impacted by the Boles and King brush fires in Northern California. The King Fire in El Dorado has claimed 12 injuries, destroyed 12 single residences and 68 other minor structures, as reported by the Cal.gov Fire website.
Fire crews continue to remove hazardous trees, chip brush and road debris to make roads safer for public travel. A team of specialists continue to work on emergency stabilization measures. Burned area emergency response is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, according to the website. The Boles Fire in Siskiyou
Continue Your Education Journey with Azusa Pacific Occupations that require a master’s degree are projected to grow the fastest over the next eight years, making graduate school a worthwhile investment as you prepare to impact your field. Start planning now and further your career goals with a graduate degree from Azusa Pacific University, one of the nation’s top Christian universities. Choose from:
Business and Leadership MBA, Management, Leadership, Accounting
Health Care
Join the
4,200+
graduate students currently advancing their education at APU.
Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Nursing
Education Educational Leadership, School Counseling and School Psychology, Teacher Education, Higher Education
Helping Professions MFT, Psychology, Social Work
APU has
Locations:
7 locations
Azusa High Desert Inland Empire Los Angeles Murrieta Orange County San Diego
in Southern California and online programs.
16176
Find your program today! apu.edu/programs
3
4
VOTING GUIDE
Rock the vote:
Nov. 4 elections simplified Politics can be a headache. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, young adults aged 18-24 vote less often than all other age groups. Over half of the LBCC student population, 62 percent, were aged 19-24 in Fall 2013, according to lbcc.edu. California voters will be faced with six propositions on the midterm elections ballot Tuesday, Nov. 4. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and her team compiled an official voter information guide as a “useful tool for learning about what is on your ballot
and how this election works.” The guide was mailed to registered voters in September. The Viking compiled this page as a breakdown of each proposition using the guide and government website voterguide.sos. ca.gov to help educate the LBCC community before hitting the voting booths in November. We encourage people to research each proposition further on their own; facts provided below are the bare bones of very detailed bills. We have been very careful to exclude opinions and include
only facts provided by the U.S. government and the guide provided by the California Secretary of State. More information about the Nov. 4 election is available at voterguide.sos.ca.gov in 10 languages. The full text of each proposition is available at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. People may register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov. Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register. Happy voting!
October 16, 2014
With public distrust of government rising, why is it important to vote?
“If you do nothing, nothing will change.” -Lynn Shaw
Electronics professor and full-time teachers’ union president
Percent of 18-24-year-old voters 45% 30%
Ages 18-24
200
8
Cou
rte
sy
of
U.S
. Ce
Prop. 46: Drug and alcohol testing of doctors. Medical negligence lawsuits.
Prop. 2:
WHAT IT MEANS:
State budget stabilization account.
For doctors: Drug and alcohol testing of doctors. Tests will be sent to the California Medical Board. Requires doctors to report other doctors suspected of using drugs or alcohol while on duty. Requires doctors to report other doctors engaging in medical negligence. For patients: Increases the current $250,000 cap to $1.1 million for pain and suffering damages in medical negligence lawsuits to account for inflation. This prop also requires health care providers to check databases before prescribing certain drugs to a patient for the first time. MONEY TALK:
Overall health spending in California would change by: -Increase direct medical malpractice spending -Cost of alcohol and drug testing. -Raising the cap would “likely increase total health care spending by 0.1 to 0.5 percent.” *Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System: according to oag.ca.gov C.U.R.E.S. is a prescription drug monitoring database of controlled substance drugs dispensed in California.
“If you don’t agree with who is elected and didn’t vote, you get what you deserve.”
WHAT IT MEANS:
Prop. 2 is nicknamed the rainy day fund because it requires an annual transfer of general fund revenues to a *budget stabilization account, of which half will be used to help pay off state debts. California’s current debts total “around $300 billion.” Requires an annual transfer of 1.5 percent of general fund revenues to the budget stabilization account. MONEY TALK:
-No laws relate to reserves for schools and Community Colleges. If Prop. 2 passes, money would go into a new state reserve for schools and Community Colleges “in some years” when capital gains are strong. -A cap, or a maximum budget, would be set for the amount of reserves K-14 school districts can keep at a local level “in some years.” -State money is saved instead of being spent on public programs. *Budget stabilization account: According the guide, the account acts as California’s savings account, half of which is used specifically to pay off state debt.
nsu
s
Bur
-Kathy Each
eau
Administrative assistant in the school of career technical education
201
2
Prop. 48: Indian gaming. WHAT IT MEANS:
The measure would: -Allow North Fork tribe to construct and operate a new casino in Madera County. Any state or local government agency that assists in the construction of the casino would be exempt from certain state environmental regulations. -Prevent the Wiyot tribe from conducting gaming on their tribal lands near Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge If not passed: -The Wiyot would be free to negotiate a new agreement with the state for gaming activities on its land. -North Fork would not be allowed to build a new casino unless a new agreement was approved by the state. MONEY TALK:
The North Fork would make payments to the state of California, totaling $1.5 million annually over the life of the agreement. Madera Country would “likely receive between $16 million and $35 million in one-time payments from North Fork.
Prop. 45: Health care insurance and rate changes. WHAT IT MEANS:
Requires any changes to health insurance rates, or charges associated with health insurance, must be approved by California’s Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones before taking effect*. Full disclosure, judicial review and public notice of health insurance rate changes would be provided. “Prohibits health, auto and homeowners insurers from determining policy eligibility or rates based on lack of prior coverage or credit history.” MONEY TALK:
Additional costs for the California Department of Insurance for: -Reviewing and approving health insurance rates -Conducting public hearings on proposed rates The net cost would be “in the low millions of dollars per year, but could be higher in some years.” *Employer large group health plans (40 percent of Californians) are exempt from the proposition.
Prop. 47: Reducing criminal sentences. WHAT IT MEANS:
The proposition is known as the “safe neighborhoods and schools act” according to the legislature’s text. The proposition would reduce penalties for certain offenders convicted of “non-serious” or “non-violent” drug and property crimes. The proposition would also allow certain offenders who have been convicted of such crimes to apply for reduced sentences*. MONEY TALK:
Money saved by passing the measure would be spent on: -Truancy prevention -Mental health -Substance abuse treatment *The proposition does not apply to people with prior conviction for or violent crime and registered sex offenders.
Prop. 1: Funding for water quality, supply, treatment and storage projects. WHAT IT MEANS:
Prop. 1 authorizes $7.545 billion in bonds for California state water supply projects like: -Flood control -Water recycling -Drinking water protection -Surface and groundwater storage -Advanced water treatment technology MONEY TALK:
-State bond costs will increase to an average of $360 million over 40 years. The state repays bonds with the state’s *general fund. *General fund: according to the guide, a general fund is the state’s main account that pays for things like education, prisons and healthcare.
CITYSTYLE
October 16, 2014
Inspiring students to volunteer By Richard Mejia Managing Editor and Jason Gastrich Copy Editor
About 20 tables of volunteer information were offered to LBCC students at the Viking Volunteer Resource Fair, at the LAC, on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The Front Quad became the focal point of the LAC as students gathered around the many tents and booths for the annual event. As noon approached, many organizations provided students with usable information that varied from how and when to donate blood to the benefits of joining a campus club or group. Shortly before the approaching the steps, near the walk-way bend, stood a highly-energetic man, with shimmering sunglasses and a beaten up straw hat. His name is Bobby Quattlebaum and he is a former educator and a current student at LBCC. Quattlebaum was once a middle school science teacher at Andrew Carnegie Middle School in Carson, but soon realized that was not his life destiny. Quattlebaum said, “I loved teaching the kids and I know I was doing a great service, but I just didn’t feel comfortable knowing that was going to be my life.” In 2012, Quattlebaum decided to quit his teaching career, only four years removed from graduate school and his initial teaching job.
“I had a little bit of money saved up, I decided to give myself three months to figure out what the heck I wanted to do. It was either that or I’d be broke and I would move back in with my folks.” To speed up the process, he enrolled into LBCC within a week of his decision to quit teaching and he attempted to take multiple courses from various departments. It was not until he took a weightlifting class taught by Professor Barbara Jackson, in which he felt a calling. Quattlebaum said, “It was great class, but there were a lot of students who used it as a substitute to actually going to the gym, so many were out of shape. Helping them perform basic exercises and encouraging them to push was really uplifting.” Shortly after his first semester, Quattlebaum applied to become a personal trainer at L.A. Fitness. Since the company was only hiring a receptionist at the time, he took the job seeing it as a way to get into the company. “It was cool job,” said Quattlebaum, “But after a few months of working, my boss approached me to become an off-site representative. “ His job would require him to attend conventions and fairs to push people to join L.A. Fitness, however, he had something different in mind. Quattlebaum stated, “I started looking for health fairs exclusive
5
Students find study spots at LAC, PCC By Donielle Lyles and Kanika Sieng Contributing Writers
William Martin/Viking RECRUITING: Martin Martinez Saldana, 19, a political science major, shares a few laughs in LAC’s Front Quad with fellow members of the LBCC social service organization the Men of Aztlan. They were recruiting students interested in making a positive impact in the community of Long Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
to local colleges. I just thought maybe there were people like me who didn’t know what they wanted in life or students who generally struggled with health like in Jackson’s class who needed a better outlet.” Quattlebaum now focuses on helping students signing up to a gym that will better their health, and is attending LBCC as he
works towards his communications major, to become a motivational speaker. Mone’t William, 21, a junior international studies and linguistics major filled out paperwork to volunteer with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach. She said, “It’s a good experience to have; a good example.”
Whether it’s a solo session or in a group, studying is one of our most important tasks. LBCC has several go-to spots where students can study. Using a 5-star rating system, students were surveyed about the most popular areas to dedicate themselves to schoolwork. One of the most popular places for small groups to study is in a Library study room. With a 4-star rating, rooms are equipped with whiteboards and students get two hours to do their work. Sophomore Kiara Wilson said, “I’m more of a loner and I love reading with no background noise, so the Library is the best place for me. I can get all of my homework done and extra reading as well in peace.” Students searching for that comfortable environment to study at, or simply smooth out their study plan, hoping to get a better grade, “A Study of Study Spots” at http://bit.ly/1ssfvyy on lbcc.edu will help students discover where they can perch and get down to business. Students looking for something outdoors can consider the PCC horticulture gardens or the LAC Front Quad.
Quality Merchandise at an Everyday Low Price NE VER A N SALES T Y AX
A Halloween
Selection
To Express Yourself Come visit our in-store
Halloween boutiques
The widest collection of costumes, decorations, accessories and more!
Monday-Saturday 9am to 9pm CARSON 21827 S. Avalon Blvd. (310) 830-3630 CERRITOS 10745 South St. (562) 207-9464
GARDENA GATEWAY CROSSROADS CENTER 727 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. (310) 323-2173 LONG BEACH 2610 Atlantic Ave. (562) 989-3630
Sunday 10am to 8pm
LONG BEACH 800 W. Pacific Coast Hwy. (562) 435-8214 LONG BEACH 1130 Redondo Ave. (562) 498-0040 LONG BEACH 8155 E. Wardlow Rd. (562) 719-9242
Goodwill’s Online Auction Site
©2014 Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Agency:
MANHATTAN BEACH MANHATTAN PLACE 1145 W. Artesia Blvd. (310) 802-6431 NORWALK 12827 Pioneer Blvd. (562) 864-0662
REDONDO BEACH 2318 Artesia Blvd. (310) 376-8122
TORRANCE 22725 Western Ave. (310) 328-5542
REDONDO BEACH 317 Torrance Blvd. (310) 379-4612
TORRANCE STORM PLAZA 1307-2 W. Sepulveda Blvd.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES THE TERRACES 28901 Western Ave. (310) 241-6660
Creative Productions
TORRANCE TOWNE CENTER 25425 Crenshaw Blvd. (310) 602-5870 WILMINGTON 311-A W. Pacific Coast Hwy. (310) 835-1047
www.ThinkGood.org
Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County
Description:
14GDW141. LBCC.H.BW.indd
6
CITYSTYLE
October16, 2014
Kids think, play inside th
Preschoolers at the child development center work together to build spaceships, submarines, pirate ships and big-rig trucks out of donated cardboard on n .Cardboard box day promotes child creativity as helps to development team work skills, center manager Stacey Smith-Clark said.
Tiny hands were allowed safety scissors while adults used box cutters for the thicker cardboard.
Peek-a-boo! The center’s designated watchman kept an e
October 16, 2014
CITYSTYLE
he box
Murphey, age 5, and his mom Tara Thomas, build a rocket ship controlled with a handmade iPad controller.
Story and Photos by Brittany Lieberman Editor in Chief About 100 kids played under sun-covers, while listening to children’s music and playing in sandboxes. Stacey Smith-Clark spent her sandbox years in the LBCC Child Development Center, only to become the center’s manager years later. The center received cardboard donations from the LBCC Library, Campus Store and facilities department. Smith-Clark said the college “goes above and beyond in providing resources for proper child development.” “The media has us believing that academia
is more important than creativity for children this age. It’s important we provide open-ended projects they can fail at and learn to do things differently next time. We are so lucky to be in this environment.” Smith-Clark said she discovered Cardboard box day on a social-media site in 2013 and wanted to bring it to LBCC. Jasmine Mamon, 26, a child development major, said, “This is my first semester so far and the center does a lot to promote creativity. These kids are smart.” Nia, 4 years old, sang songs about pizza and drove her handmade submarine into the sandbox. “Only girls allowed!” Nia said.
national cardboard box day, Friday, Oct. 10.
eye on his peers during the day’s events.
Thomas, age 5, celebrated cardboard box day with his customized astronaut helmet.
7
8
SPORTS
October 16, 2014
D.A. Phillips/Viking RUNNING AWAY: Sophomore wide receiver Josiah Blandin breaks away from Mountie defenders in the first quarter. The Vikings upset second-ranked Mt. SAC, 41-38, on Saturday, Oct. 4, and are now ranked second in the state.
Vikes beat Mt. SAC, now ranked 4th
LBCC climbs national ranks with 41-38 win, still undefeated. By Richard Mejia Managing Editor
GAME LEADERS* Passing Brock Dale Comp. Yards 9-15 97
TD 1
Receiving In one of the most highly anJosiah Blandin ticipated games in LBCC history, Rec. Yards TD the nationally eighth-ranked Vi7 152 1 king football team managed to upset the second-best team in the Rushing nation Mt. San Antonio, 41-38, on Anterio Bateman Saturday, Oct. 4. Att. Yards TD The game was decided when 15 85 1 Mt. SAC sophomore quarterback Justin Alo led the Mounties to the Defensive Viking 31-yard line to have the Jason Fao place-kicker attempt a game-tyTackles Sack INT ing 48-yard field goal with 39 sec8 1.5 0 onds remaining. In a game driven by offense, *Gathered from lbccvikings.com it was the special teams unit that Bakr Alduhaim/Viking came up big as the field goal was GETTING LOUD: Uncle of Viking freshman defensive lineman Eop Utuone cheers on his nephew with blocked, sealing the game for the a home-made megaphone. Vikings. not the norm for Mt. SAC as the played the remainder of the game. After the 31-21 victory over Mounties scored a season-low 14 Dale said, “You always have Alan Hancock on Saturday, points. to be ready for an opportunity like Oct.11, and the Vikings now The Viking defense stepped this and I most certainly was. I’m rank fourth in the nation and also up in the second quarter and shut just happy that were able to pull stand as the second-best team in out the Mounties, allowing LBCC out this big team win.” the state. The overall team record to take a 26-14 halftime lead. The game seemed out of hand now stands at 6-0 with a 2-0 reThe Vikings controlled the with the Vikings down by 12 and cord in conference play. game on offense as they began the having lost their star quarterback Veterans Stadium was the site second half. LBCC scored at-will while not being able to get anyof the momentous game as LBCC the previous two quarters and mi- thing going on offense. Unfazed and Mt. SAC lived up to their nus a few miscues late in the sec- by the newly placed pressure, the billing as offensive juggernauts. ond quarter, the team was rolling. Dale-led Vikings answered the Mt. SAC began the game with Mt. SAC came roaring back in the call as they scored 15 unanswered a seemingly slow drive, racking third quarter as the Mounties de- points to take the lead late in the up very minimal game. yardage through in- “You always have to be ready for an opportuFollowing a Bateman termediate passing touchdown pass from nity like this and I most certainly was.” routes and running Dale, the sophomore calls that led to few -Brock Dale quarterback found sophSophomore quarterback gains. However, on omore tight end Clayton a third-and-10 with only 1 min- livered 24 unanswered points on Granch in the back of the end ute into the game, Alo connect- their way to 38-26 lead early in zone for the 2-point conversion ed with his sophomore wide-out the final quarter. and a 41-38 lead with 1:49 reChristopher Gilchrist on a 75Early in the third however, maining in the game. yard touchdown pass. Granch said, “Not a lot of JUViking sophomore quarterback In response, the Vikings Kenny Potter threw an intercep- CO’s have two starting-caliber marched down the field on an 11- tion that went for a touchdown. quarterbacks, but we’re blessed to play drive that was capped off by It was on that play that Potter have two great ones. Even though freshman running back Anterio suffered an undisclosed injury to Kenny (Potter) and Brock (Dale) Bateman as he scampered his way his left arm as he went to tackle play differently, the team is in god William Martin/Viking into the end zone from four yards the defender. Backup quarterback hands with either guy in the poBREAKING FREE: Freshman running back Anterio Bateman runs in out. Brock Dale filled in for Potter and sition.” the go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes of the game. The first half of the game was
SPORTS
October 16, 2014
Easy win over Cerritos leads to 12-5 record
9
Vikes stay undefeated in conference play.
Darel James/Viking WINNING STRONG: Sophomore attacker Bronson Reich scrambles for the ball in the Vikings’ 10-2 victory over Cerritos. The team now boasts an overall record of 10-2 and looks to improve it in the Riverside Mini Tournament on Friday, Oct. 17.
Vikings lose late, 2-1 Men’s soccer team struggles against rival Cerritos. By Christian Mosqueda and Will Ranos Contributing Writers The LBCC Viking men’s soccer team lost to South Coast conference rival Cerritos Falcons, 2-1, on Friday, Oct. 3, at Viking Field. Cerritos got on the board in the first half with a 21st minute goal by forward Sebastian Velasquez. The second goal came just four minutes later when the midfielder Jose Ochoa jammed the ball past the LBCC keeper Rafael Arroyo. The Falcons controlled a majority of the possession and dominated in the midfield. The Vikings seemed perplexed for much of the 90 minutes, simply kicking the ball out of danger without keeping possession. The moves allowed Cerritos to double
its chances at goal as the Falcons outshot their opponents 26 to 9, according to Viking men’s soccer statistics. Javier Perez, a student fan, said at halftime, “Cerritos is just clearly the better team. They’re better coordinated and are putting their passes together. They are just two steps ahead of the Long Beach guys.” The Viking’s tactics seemed set on playing long balls to their forwards in hope of catching the visiting team off guard. The strategy paid off when in the 76th minute, LBCC forward Jose Garcia netted a superb penalty kick that gave the Vikings a consolation goal. With the loss, Long Beach’s record drops to 2-3-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play. When talking about if he wanted to continue to watch games, Perez said, “Win or lose (have to) support our school. When they win, we win. We’re all in this together.” The Vikings’ next game is at Mt. San Antonio on Friday, Oct. 7.
The team returned from a 12-10 exhibition loss against Pepperdine University, a game the Vikings played to build up their strength for regular Community By Darel James College opponents. Staff Writer Regardless of the previous defeat, the Vikings say they are LBCC men’s water polo team focusing on understanding their defeated the host Cerritos Falteammates cons, 12-5, on Wednesday, Oct. 8. and looking forward to a sucThe win for the Vikings left cessful season. the athletes Attackand coach- “I consider the win a steppinger Jack Eles satisfied stone. The more we play, the betlinthorpe and with an said, “I conter we learn to work together.” overall resider the cord of 10-2 -Jack Ellinthorpe win a stepSophomore attacker and a South pingstone. Coast ConThe more we play, the ference mark of 2-0. better we learn to work to“We went out and played a gether. We’re still a somewhat strong game, this was a conferyoung team, so it’s matter of figence match so it feels good to get uring each a win against a rival team,” Viking other out.” coach Chris Oeding said. Player said they are now lookHe also said the Vikings have ing forward to their next games at room for improvement and he the Riverside Tournament on looks forward to seeing the team Friday, Oct. 10 at Riverside evolve into a solid squad. City College.
Women defeat East L.A. 3-2 victory sparks three-game winning streak for Vikings. By Jason Gastrich Copy Editor LBCC’s women’s soccer team beat East Los Angeles, 3-2, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, evening their record at 3-3-3. Sophomore forward Brenda Reyes scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute. Fellow sophomore midfielder Hayley Gonzales took advantage of a free kick about 30 yards from the east goal to set up the scoring opportunity. Gonzales said, “We played well together (and) worked hard as a team.” When talking about her soccer future, she said, “I
I want to play at another college or university in California because I want to stay close to my family.” With her game-winning assist, Gonzales earned just one point in the stat book, but her presence in the midfield kept East L.A. off balance and gave the Viking offense chances to score throughout the game. Reyes scored the first goal in the 9th minute. Julissa Gutierrez earned the assist from a corner kick. Players said they worked hard on corners and free kicks at practice. Reyes said, “The weakness that we as a team exploited was on set pieces (balls in the air).” East L.A. sophomore forward Blakely Ficenec responded in the 17th minute. Placing a low, driven shot in the most difficult place to defend, she found the upper left
CITY SPORTS Men’s cross country: Sophomore Omar Torres finished in first among 152 competitors in the 4-mile run at the Brubaker Invitational in Irvine Regional Park on Friday, Oct. 10. Torres’ competition-best time of 20:29.0 was 20 seconds faster than the next runner. The Vikings compete again Friday, Oct. 17, at the Mt. SAC Invitational. Women’s cross country: The Vikings competed in their fifth meet of the season Friday, Oct. 10, at the Brubaker Invitational in Irvine Regional Park. Freshman Alex Ceballos once again led the team as she finished a team-best 31st among 96 runners. LBCC competes again Friday, Oct. 17, at the Mt. SAC Invitational.
Women’s volleyball: The Vikings split their conference games as they lost to Mt. San Antonio, 3-0, on Wednesday Oct. 8, and managed to defeat Los Angeles. Harbor, 3-0, on Friday, Oct. 10. The team now stands at 5-7 overall with a 2-1 South Coast Conference record. The team plays again on Friday, Oct. 17 at Pasadena. Women’s water polo: The Vikings defeated rival Cerritos, 14-5, on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The team now has an overall record of 11-5 and a South Coast Conference record of 3-1. The Vikings play again on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Riverside Mini Tournament, where they will take on Riverside and American River.
Jason Gastrich/Viking GOING IN HARD: Sophomore miidfielder Hayley Gonzales slides for a header in a 3-2 victory against East L.A. on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
“V”. Although it looks more like a “L”, each goal has an upper “V” in the corner. Reyes collected a loose ball and scored an unassisted second goal one minute into the second half. “I definitely want to transfer to a 4-year with playing soccer. Currently, I have in mind several schools: Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, Hawaii State University, Texas A&M University, Arizona State University and others. I am hoping for a full-ride scholarship,” Reyes said. LBCC head coach Sean Reeves said, “This team is one of the best I have worked with at this school. All the players have incredible heart, positive attitudes, amazing work ethic and endless drive on top of their all around soccer skills.” After several warnings for yelling at the officials, East L.A.’s assistant coach Richard Coria received a yellow card from head referee John Bogdanoff in the 69th minute. Referring to the line judge on the other side of the field, Bogdanoff reprimanded him, “You can’t yell at him either.” Although it couldn’t spark a comeback, East L.A. freshman forward Carla Quijada scored the Huskies’ second goal three minutes later with about 11 minutes left in the game. Reyes said, “I was overjoyed about the game (because) I got the hat trick and (we got) an important win.” This was East L.A.’s first conference loss, tying LBCC’s conference record at 2-1. They will meet again on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, in East L.A. Unbeaten at home this season, the LBCC women will try to extend their home winning streak against Mt. San Antonio on Friday, Oct. 17. With a 3-0-1 record at home, the Vikings have scored 10 goals and allowed four.
CALENDAR
10
October 16, 2014
TALKING HANDS
WORKSHOPS
UC personal statement
Thursday, Oct. 16 3-4 PM Liberal Arts Campus T-1312
Eliza dela Flor/Viking Students (from left) Sam Delgado, 22, Vanessa Pena, 28, William Courduff, 23 and Desiree Sanchez, 19, practice their signing skills in the courtyard of the T Building on Tuesday, Oct. 7 for their sign language class with teacher Marvie Roberts. ADMISSIONS/FINANCIAL AID
LAC Phone: (562) 938-4485 Building: A 1075 Fax: (562) 938-4046 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - noon Saturday - Sunday Closed PCC Phone: (562) 938-4485 Building: MD146 Fax: (562) 938-3155 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. - noon Saturday - Sunday Closed Limited services on Friday: Specialists are unavailable, front desk is open for questions only from noon - 4:30 p.m. More information or a better understanding of the IRS DRT, CA Dream Act, correcting the FAFSA, student loans and veterans’ Benefits is available by watching Financial Aid videos on the topics and more at the college website. LIBRARY
PCC Building LL Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday: closed LAC- Building L Monday - Thursday: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: closed
VIKING VOYAGER
VIKING VOYAGER
(Arrival and departure times are estimated) FROM PCC Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes**
(Arrival and departure times are estimated) FROM LAC Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes**
DEPARTS PCC 7:30 am, 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am **no departure to LAC until 10:30 am
DEPARTS LAC 7:30 am, 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am **no departure to LAC until 10:00 am
Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm.
Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 am, 1:00 am, 2:00 am
ARRIVES AT VETS 7:50 am, 8:20 am, 8:50 am, 9:20 am, 9:50 am Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 10:50 am, 11:50 am, 12:50 pm, 1:50 pm, 2:50 pm Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 3:20 pm, 3:50 pm, 4:20 pm, 4:50 pm, 5:20 pm, 5:50 pm, 6:20 pm, 6:50 pm. ARRIVES AT LAC Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am **no departure to LAC until 10:30 AM Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm.
Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm ARRIVES AT VETS 7:35 am, 8:05 am, 8:35 am, 9:05 am, 9:35 am, Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 10:05 am, 11:05 am, 12:05 pm, 1:05 pm, 2:05 pm, Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 3:05 pm, 3:35 pm, 4:05 pm, 4:35 pm, 5:05 pm, 5:35 pm, 6:05 pm, 6:35 pm ARRIVES AT PCC Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am Monday-Thursday runs every hour** 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm Monday-Thursday runs every 30 minutes** 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm.
*Advanced registration is required, and spaces are limited. To register online, go to the following link: appt.lbcc.edu/esars/ transferLAC/eSARS.asp. After entering your student information, click on the day, time and then title of workshop (“UC personal satement”) Financing a UC education
Friday, Oct 24 Noon-1:30 PM Liberal Arts Campus A-1098 (Career and transfer services) The UC blue & gold opportunity plan, UC middle class scholarship programs, state grants, and university grants. Register online at: appt. lbcc.edu/esars/transferLAC/eSARS.asp After entering student information, click on the day, time and title of the workshop (“UC Financing Your Education Workshop”).
IMPORTANT DATES
Halloween Carnival
Friday, Oct 24 at the PCC campus from 3 pm-5:30 pm in the Quad. VIKING VOLUNTEER
Friday, Oct.13 Viking Vlonteer Applications are due by 4 pm. LAC E116/ PCC EE102 Thursday, Oct. 30 Viking time sheets are due in the Viking Volunteer Center by 4 pm. LAC E116/ PCC EE102 Saturday, Oct. 26 annual beach walk and health fair- come supoort “Childrens Clinic” in Long Beach. Sign up for shifts at LAC room E116 Sunday, Oct. 26 farm to table dinner and fundraiser email culinary director if intrested at rpeoples@lbcc. edu. SPORTS
Women’s soccer Friday, Oct. 17 at 4pm Men’s water polo Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1:30 pm Women’s water polo Friday, Oct. 18 at noon Women’s soccer Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. Women’s vollyball Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 6 pm Men’s soccer Friday, Oct. 24 at 4pm Women’s soccer Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4 pm
OPINION
October 16, 2014
CITY VIEWS What should the ASB Cabinet spend funds on? By Ana Maria Ramirez and Tyisha Ali on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the LAC.
Anthony Edame, 24,
Carmen Ledezma, 19,
criminal justice major
criminal justice major
“Supplies for the students in the theatre and arts building.”
“More resources for students. Have more places to be able to study and more computers.”
Christine Rojas, 23,
Devanise Williams, 21,
communications major
biology major
“They keep building new buildings but what we need is to update our existing classrooms with new desks.”
“We need more lab equipment for biology majors.”
Yarely Beltran, 18,
Chris Ross, 17,
biology major
business major
“Books are really expensive. Help us buy books.”
“The music program needs more mics and equipment.”
VIKING STAFF lbccviking.com Facebook.com/lbccvikingnews Twitter.com/lbccvikingnews Instagram/lbccvikingnews vikingnews@lbcc.edu
Editor in chief: Brittany Lieberman Managing editor: Richard Mejia CityStyle editor: William Martin Sports editor: Richard Mejia Opinion editor: Ana Maria Ramirez Calendar editor: Carlee Rodriguez Copy editor: Jason Gastrich Staff: Tyisha Ali, Andre Barajas, Kimberly Belcher,Darel James Paul Ingvaldsen, Student Assistant: Charles Hall Adviser: Patrick McKean Advertising Manager: Michal Olszewski Photo and Online adviser: Chris Viola Retired photo adviser: Jim Truitt
Have an opinion?
The Viking welcomes letters to the editor. Writers must identify themselves by showing their ASB card, driver’s license or ID card and email. Only names will be published with the letter.
The deadline for news, advertisements and letters to the editor is the Thursday before publication. The Viking will be published Oct. hh30, Nov. 13 and 26 and Dec. 11. The Viking is published by Journalism 80 and 85 students of the LBCC English Department, with funding from the Associated Student Body. The Viking newsroom is located at LBCC, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, Calif., 90808, Room P125, Mail Code Y-16, Telephone (562) 938-4285 or contact us by email to vikingnews@lbcc.edu. The Viking is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, Unity Journalists of Color and the California First Amendment Coalition. Printed by Beach Community Publishing. Delivery staff: PCC Student Life staff and LAC ASB volunteers. The views expressed in the Viking do not reflect the views of the advisers, administration or the ASB. First copy free, each additional $1.
11
EDITORIAL
Join bachelor program
University applications increase every semester. Studnets are being turned away by the thousands due to lack of funding and space limitations. LBCC administration should have chosen to be a part of the Community Colleges Bachelor Degree Pilot Program, which allows 15 Community Colleges in California to issue bachelor degrees to it’s students. President Eloy Oakley stated that LBCC will not be part of the pilot program, scheduled to start in 2017, for a number of reasons. He said the bill was structure for Community Colleges that serve rural areas that do not have a Cal State University or UC near-
by.
There are 50 Community Colleges across the U.S. that offer bachelor’s degrees. California’s Community Colleges should be part of that group to curb the amount of students and costs of earning the degree. Today’s competitive workforce requires some type of collegiate degree, otherwise the chances of obtaining a higher or even moderate paying job are slim. Research has shown that people with bachelor degrees will earn more in their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. LBCC caters to a lower income bracket of students than
Orange County and some parts of Los Angeles. Choosing to be part of the program would have served as an additional ladder to success for the community. An education is by far the best investment anyone can do for themselves. It is worth all the struggles that you may go through to get educated as the accomplishment will allow you to live a better life and provide more for your family. The Viking believes knowledge is power. The College should take every chance it gets to improve upon and expand educational opportunities for it’s students.
Paul Ingvaldsen/Viking
Longing for Viking tradition By Paul Ingvaldsen Staff Writer When LBCC was founded in 1927, the notion was: “Out of a semi-arid desert with nothing but tar pits and marshes, snakes and toads, coyotes and rabbits, we Vikings have created a garden oasis. It is here we will impart to our children the tools their ancestors have found to be indispensable.” Viking culture has heroes and students founded clubs bearing their names: Odin, god of Valhalla, Thor, Odin’s son. Vidar and Tillsmen, brothers of Thor and Tong, captured slave of the Vikings. We carved secret words in their bark and put club names on trees in the quad. Thor’s tree was closest to the auditorium. You could see Thor carved in old English on the arm-like branch. Odin’s name was written like an elven rune, a clear golden thread down the trunk of the tree
just to the south. Then Vidar and Tillsmen, slowly fading. One day Tong’s tree was suddenly plucked up and flung away. Nobody knows where. Teens and Twenties (TNT) and Entre Nous. They did fundraisers in honor of their legacies and donated benches for students to rest upon in the shade of our trees. All the trees are ripped up like Tong’s now. The benches are nowhere to be found. We see no sign of the proud Viking warrior and explorer in the new construction and no respect for LBCC’s Viking heritage. Most telling is the new placement of the flag, which is virtually invisible from the street unless you are in the parking structure. Many students are veterans returning from a hot war. We have abundant stories of how brave men and women have sacrificed for the flag of our country. Having no flag is like having no god. There is no abiding standard of perfection by which students may guide our lives. Where the flag should be, someone has decided we need a cactus. Besides being tone deaf to the culture enshrined in our college,
the new construction looks like the place is designed by Orange County’s Irvine Co. Gone are actual trees and flowers. The new design is tasteless chaparral with what are supposed to be rivers of rocks and unexplained depressions in campus grasses that seem to be just waiting for somebody to roll into, or maybe lots of rain to make a pond. So far with California weather we could barely make a slipn-slide. Worst are the benches. Granite slabs sitting in the open without any shade: what genius decided this is what we need, Pharaoh? Maybe we can torture some slaves in the hot sun or bring the culinary class out and fry some eggs at noon, but as reasonable seat for a normal college student, these chunks of rock are stone-age stupid. No club in its right mind would donate a bench like this. We should be honoring the legacy that made us great. LBCC needs a respectable statue of a Viking, not just a cute cartoon character and turning our campus into a semi-arid desert again is a mistake.
IMAGES
12
October 16, 2014
FIRED UP: The members of LBCC “The Laramie Project” have a little fun in the dressing room lounge.
A glimpse into ‘The Laramie Project’ LBCC theatre program remembers Matthew Shepard 16 years after his death.
Photos and Story By Tyisha Ali Staff Writer A play about Matthew Shepard, a homosexual man with HIV who was found beaten and left hanging for his life on a fence near Laramie, Wyo., in 1998 was performed Tuesday, Oct. 7. The 8 p.m. play in the LBCC Auditorium was presented by the theater program for its last show 16 years after Shepard’s death. “The Laramie Project,” written by Moises Kaufman, also was presented Sept. 25-28 and Oct. 2-5. As an act of kindness, the theater pro-
gram decided to perform the last showing that he would be easy to rob, then the situof the play to collect donations in honor of ation went another way. “The Laramie Project” and Shepard. The The director of the production, Sarah donations were given to the LGBTQ center Underwood Saviano, used her cast to capin Long Beach. ture the reactions and emotions of the comThe play was written in moments that munity in Laramie during that time and h i g h l i g ht allowed ed how the “This play affects me in a lot of ways personally. them to hate crime That could have been me. At the time I was 29 bring affected the those entire com- years old and he was 21. I’m gay and I am HIV feeling munity. The positive and so was Matt.” into tocoverage d a y ’s of the triworld. -Marc Steele al forced a S a Stage management major small comviano munity and an entire country to evaluate said, “I chose to do this play for a couple its morals and how people treat one an- of reasons. One being that it is timeless isother based on cultured differences. In the sue. These things are still happening today. play, Shepard was a target. The two men There is still a sense of danger today.” who killed him targeted him because of his With delicate details that helped bring size and because of his sexual preference. the story to life, Saviano knew the play The drug addicts who killed him thought would create shock and bring awareness
PREP: Stage manager Marc Steele, top, and crew members adjust the lighting placement for the performance in the LBCC Auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
to people unaware of the issues. The floor of the stage was set with an Indian head test pattern that was used in films from the 1960’s to create a sense of shock. The lighting and the sound set the mood perfectly with the moments captured in every act. Stage manager Marc Steele, 45, a theater production and stage management major, said he was honored to be a part of the screening because he remembers the case and how it affected life for him and many other people. Steele said, “This play affects me in a lot of ways personally. That could have been me. At the time I was 29 years old and he (Shepard) was 21, I was only I few years older. I’m gay and I am HIV positive and so was Matt.” Actor Rory Kennedy, 22, theatre arts major, said, “The big message of ‘Live and let live’ means you go ahead and live you life the way you want to.”
MIRROR IMAGES: Actors Jefferey Benion, left, Rory Kennedy, center, and Ryan Ashmore apply their makeup in preparation for their last curtain call.