Mainline Fall 2015 by Dianne Heimer

mainline fall 2015

mission statement Mainline, the City College magazine, is published as part of the Sacramento City College Journalism Department and produced by students in the Journalism 403 & 407 courses. The views expressed in Mainline do not necessarily reflect those of the City College Journalism Department, Sacramento City College, or the Los Rios Community College District. Mainline magazine was founded in 1995 by two former City College students, Doug Herndon and Paul Estabrook, with the idea that the magazine would complement the student newspaper, the Express. For more information regarding Mainline magazine, Journalism 403 & 407, or the City College Journalism Department, contact:

Beer, music and plastic bags Jan Haag Sacramento City College 3835 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95822 916-558-2696 haagj@scc.losrios.edu

Find us on the web at saccityexpress.com

How three old friends released an indie-rock album Editor in Chief

Words Rosaura de la Cruz Photos Tammy Kaley Design Editor

In the earlier years, the trio all played context seriously. But we also don’t take grandfather. It means a lot to me.’ It’s for a heavier post-rock band called Running ourselves too seriously.” really frustrating.” Riot. Guidera left Running Riot to do some “It’s catharsis for us in one way or Though the band sometimes feels solo work and later asked McDonald and another,” McDonald said. “If we’re feeling like background noise, VGDB still has a Hayes to join him. down or stressed out because of work or great time playing. Promoting themselves “We’ve gotten to a point where we anything else in our lives, it’s sort of like in came easily thanks to Sacramento’s close all embrace our individual musical backthe same way of painting – it’s a kind of way knit music community. grounds rather than try to fit whatever to escape the exertion for a while and do “Even if we’re forever playing to 20 mold prosthetic 88 we wereKeys initially going your own thing.” to 30 people and a blender in a coffee for,” Guidera said. “Ian’s Graham always been a Andon like allfly great bands, VGDB shop, [the shows are] a super fun thing to Reggie teaches music the punk drummer, and we’ve gotten to a point played their first handfuls of gigs in bars be a part of,” said Hayes. William Grubbare where that’s a kind of integral part of our and coffee shops. Nevertheless, they have Bars, coffee shops and lounges show. Embracing the individual identities nothing but fun stories and great memories just the starting points for VGDB. With of each part of the whole is important.” from those days. the release of “Lows,” they plan to go This past year on tour with their for the band hasLarry been new record, which is Bowa all about finding the on Coke-bottle clear, How a former Panthers baseball player made it to the MLB group’s voice and bluish vinyl and Justin Valdez making an album that comes with a downthey love, and they load code. And if you want their listeners to want to sing along, love it as well. the CD contains an “EssentiallyThe we’ve Vampire Ball insert of the lyrics. all been playingSacramento’s music “One of our goals own haunted actress raises money for kids together for a decade is to do a lot more Tammy Kaley and thinking, ‘Oh, that out-of-town shows,” would be cool,’ for a Hayes said. “We have decade," McDonald Reno coming up said. So there comes a hopefully soon, and point where youPanthers' either the Pacific Northwest biggest fan tackles life have to do it or Anthony not. So Federer conquers cerebral palsy one play at a time tour from Seattle to we did it.” Portland hopefully in Justin The songs on the next Valdez six months the new album came and then eventually from Guidera’s solo getting down to west musical career and he coast California. Who rearranged the songs knows? We’ll see The man behind the music for a three-pieceRuss band,Solomon embraces his post-Tower Records passion how people like this.” and the songs deal With a tour in the Kristopher Hooks with processing low works and newer armoments in life. rangements of songs “We’ve gotten a being reworked, the lot heavier over the band continues to last year,” Guidera move forward. The WAL said. “[Album]Adeals “I think the evolook inside the city’s newest artists' housing project with grief, anxiety, lution of the process Tammy Kaley depression and losing your footing.” “Playing in coffee shops there’s a and the evolution of the band starting Though the music and lyrics are lot of blender noises playing,” Guidera from Vinnie’s solo songs to evolving heavy, VGDB continue to keep the said. “I’m trying to talk, and those fuckin’ that to a three-piece to evolving that into environment around them as positive as blenders are going off, and it’s frustrating getting people to come to our shows and they can. to be in a noisy room with people that aren’t just seeing more people take interest in From struggling student to helping students “RegardlessLife of how depressing and paying attention. that,” Hayes said, “and then having a vicomes full circle for City College’s EOPS Coordinator serious the content is, we have fun when “I don’t expect to go to a show and nyl record that we’re like super proud of Courtny Thomas we play,” Guidera said. “We don’t go for it to be completely silent, but when that we’re gonna sell to as many people out to a show and get pumped up by you’re playing in a room and someone as we can — is really exciting.” saying, ‘All right, let’s go out and sing is sitting directly in front of you just these sad songs, let’s mope around for screaming at their friend as if you’re not Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds’ first althe next 45 minutes.’ We have a lot threeplastic feet away onbags the stage, and I’m bum, “Lows,” is now available for purchase Beer, music and of fun on stage,How and we don’t take the like, ‘Yeah, this song is about my dead and download at vgdb.bandcamp.com. ♦ three old friends released a indie-rock album

table of contents

Cover photo: Russ Solomon, founder of Tower Records and photographer of the "Legends" and the "Community" showcases at Sacramento City College.

Kristopher Hooks Michele Lee

Kaley Photo Editor The members of Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds: (leftTammy to right) Ian McDonald, Vinnie Guidera and Kevin Hayes. Charrsaid. Crail Cover Photo Guidera said. “And we were looking Before Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds tice,” Guidera “Everyone gets around for what smelled so bad, and I had an album to debut, they were simply there, someone brings a six pack, we saw something across the yard that sort of three friends gathered in a backyard with all crackJan open Haag the first beer, and we run Faculty Adviser looked like a dead bird, and so was like, some ice cold beers. through some songs. We take a little ‘maybe that’s it.’ The members of the newly foundbreak, open up the second beer and Marcy Wacker Faculty Design Adviser “So we all walk over to it and are ed indie rock band — featuring Vinnie shoot the shit the backyard, and then go standing directly above it, and it is clearly Guidera as lead singer and guitar player, back in and be productive. If we’ve got Rosaura de la Cruz,that Williamnot Grubb, Tammy Kaley, Contributors a dead bird, it’s a black plastic bag, but former SCC student and Journalism major a show coming up, we’ll practice Courtny Thomas, Justin Ian confirmed it as a dead bird. He says, Ian McDonald on drums, and Kevin Hayes specific set, but that’s the fun part about Valdez ‘Oh, yep, that’s a dead bird.’” on bass — have been working on their being in band with three people — it’s The trio continuously firstborn album since 2012. easy to split a six pack.” Charr Crail, William Grubb, Kristopher Hooks, jokes about how Photographers it was McDonald’s dumbest moment ever. The debut of “Lows” was celebrated ThisTammy ritual resulted in Hayes’ favorKaley, Penelope Khan, Dianne Rose “It’s pretty regrettable, so now the in late November with a release party feaite saying: “There’s no pressure; we’re name of our band is a fucking inside turing other local bands at Sacramento’s just hanging out drinking beer.” joke!” McDonald said. Starlite lounge. Beer even helped them get their Regardless of the jokes, they stuck During the process of making the alband name. to the beer breaks and the name Vinnie bum, the band did whatever they could to “We were practicing during the sumGuidera and the Dead Birds. After finding make the recording process flow smoothly mer, and we got to a point where we were a name that suited them, it was time to — just like their beer. on a beer break, and it just smelled awful in my backyard. Like a dead animal,” work on their sound. “We have a routine when we prac-

mainline staff

4 8

14 18

30 34

Rosaura de la Cruz FALL 2015

MAINLINE

program. “I have learned a great deal from her expertise. She takes the time to help all of us learn and grow as professionals.” The main focus of EOPS is counseling students. Each student has a specific counselor assigned to him or her. The three counselors in the EOPS office — Adam Freas, Sandy Ruedas and Ken Times — are part of Rodriguez’s team, whose goal is to deliver quality services to City College students. They counsel students on everything from success and failure in their studies to personal matters. “A core aspect of it is counseling. I’m not the boss here. I’m faculty. Sandy, Ken, and Adam are all faculty, so we are laterals. We report to the dean of Financial Aid and Student Services,” Rodriguez said. Working as a team, the four help stu-

dents in the EOPS program succeed. “I have had many students share with me their appreciation for Irma’s leadership and commitment to the EOPS program,” says Freas, who in addition to serving as a counselor is also a Human Career Development Instructor, “whether it be making herself available to sit down with a student who is dealing with challenges to rallying the EOPS staff and students to speak at the Capitol on behalf of EOPS and social justice efforts. I am honored to work with Irma, who embodies the spirit of many great social justice advocates of our time.” “On the real, I often refer to Irma as a warrior,” Times says. “She is an exceptional leader for our EOPS program, our students and for myself and my colleagues. On a daily basis, Irma exhibits

her extensive knowledge in program management and exemplary people skills.” City College offers its students numerous programs and opportunities to move forward through college and beyond. The EOPS program is one of the programs that was designed with student success in mind, say its counselors and students. “Working with Irma Sandoval Rodriguez has been a true honor,” says Carlesha Maddox, office assistant for EOPS through the Federal Work Study Program. “She is well organized and dedicated. Irma is a magnificent role model in the workplace.” EOPS is the only campus program that is aimed at full-time students, Rodriguez notes. “I’m a product of what EOPS program is about. I’m a product of what education do for you,” Rodriguez says with a Photoscan William Grubb bright smile.

88 Keys

Reggie Graham teaches music on the fly Words &

“As a musician,

I’m lucky to have regular gigs. A lot of musicians struggle for gigs.”

“I come to work every day. It’s ’cause I want to make a difference. I breathe and bleed EOPS, and I feel like had I not had this opportunity, I would have just taken that Reggie Graham performs at SCC, featuring Lem McEwen on drums and Brandon Kendricks on bass. cannery application.” Every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., a dozen or so aspiring musicians make their way through the mostly empty halls of the music department at Sacramento City College to a small room tucked in the corner of a hallway. The students’ footsteps echo through the dimly lit hallways, small talk complementing the sounds of sneakers on linoleum. Soon, these noises, common and expected, will be replaced by drumbeats, basslines and synthesized instrumentation from a lecture on Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), a computer program used to compose music. Irma Rodriguez is thought of as an exceptional The sound of a practicing jazz band colleagues beginsintoEOPS. ring through the halls as students

04 32

MAINLINE

file in and seat themselves in front of new Apple hardware and Novation Impulse 61 keyboards. They don their headphones and boot up their computers as Professor Reggie Graham makes his way into Room 109 of the Performing Arts Center, seemingly backed by the jazz quartet down the hall. As a man who’s been performing and teaching music for decades, Graham knows the value of putting time into passions and the rewards of turning passions into work. The hard work that Graham has put in over a lifetime clearly has paid off. Though he is an adjunct professor at City College, Graham keeps very busy leader and aweekly warriorgigs byalong her with onewith several on-one piano lessons that he teaches at his

studio, The Piano Lab. Irma Rodriguez Before removing his hat and setting EOPS Faculty Coordinator his bag down on the desk, Graham cordially greets several of the students by their a pause, then voice. sighs, first Rodriguez name with takes his calm, soothing her face turning scarlet, and reaches Comfortable and casual, seatedfor in ahis nearby of head tissue.of“Ithe make more in chair box at the classroom, two months than myshowing father made in an of Graham takes roll, glimpses entire year,” says, tears. “Six his sense of she humor asshedding he gets toward the thousand end of thedollars roster.my parents made, and to know that actually month a week “Wouldn’t any in ofayou likeand to be Inamed make Wolfgang? more than what mywould fatherbe made as People scared aoffarmworker. thinking sacrificed you. What’sI’m another scaryhename? Adolf. so we can havename,” an education. That’s a scary he says jokingly. “I come to work every It’s ’cause The lecture begins, andday. students Iare want to maketoapull difference. I breathe instructed up the break beats and bleed EOPS,onand I feel I not they’ve worked over the like pasthad week so

time [learning it]. I was up at like three perfume pervade the space as servers o’clock in the morning every night figurmake their way around the tables and the ing out how to make it work,” he adds. bartender pours drinks. Graham, dressed Having taught himself the ins and in a dark suit, emerges from the kitchen outs of the program, Graham says he with a Manhattan in hand and makes his “made it work.” Graham composed three way through the restaurant to the baby digital tracks and earned pay for two gigs grand piano situated near the entrance. in one night. The murmur of diners, clang of “After that, I got really hooked on it. I silverware and sound of cocktails shaking liked it. I could make music all by myself; behind the bar are not drowned out, but I didn’t need a band. I still have my band, rather complemented when Graham seats but the creative juices just flow by myhimself behind the piano, sets down his self,” says Graham. cocktail and begins to play. Toward the end of the class, Graham’s creative juices are in full force. He displays his musical prowess, playing and recording a synth solo over the drumbeat and bassline he created before class, completing the track and the lecture at the same time. Two students are asked to play their renditions of “Superstition” and “Brick House,” the two songs they’ve been working on for the past few class sessions. Both are as full-fledged and well composed as Graham’s track, yet clearly distinct. These two students further showcase the talent on display in the relative quiet of Reggie Graham a dark Thursday evening in the Performing City College music professor Arts Center. Afterward, Graham makes his way around the classroom to offer handson instruction to each student. Flying up and down jazz scales, GraWhenever a student hits a roadblock ham warms up his fingers and begins his his or her composition, stands set listhome. for the night. Every time Graham ofinEOPS, says working atGraham SCC feels like coming ready to assist them. hits the bass notes on the piano, his head “I can’t figure out how to get bobs up and down, side to side as he Rodriguez gathers herself andthe the automation going with this bassline,” one keeps time. materials needed for her next meeting and student says. Graham moves seamlessly from one says, “Both parents Latino, first “The automation, not a problem, doctrack to the next. His hands hover and generation, English language tor!” quips Graham as he makes his way to dance above the black and white keys learners, special action, our that student’s station to show him firsthand lined up in front of him. A particularly parents farm workers how to automate the bass so it goes over upbeat song mellows out and makes way and factory workthe entire track. for another, smoother piece as patrons pay ers. I took this Another student who believes his their checks and begin to file out of the breath and said, track isn’t good enough gets nothing but restaurant, table by table. ‘Thank you, encouragement from Graham. As the restaurant empties, the clatter God.’” ♦ “It’s OK, it just takes time,” Graham of dishes and sounds of voices die down, assures the student. and with that so does the music. It mirrors the vibe of the room, from offbeat and funky while the place is packed, to slow and smooth as the few patrons left in the room discuss their week and finish Every Friday and Saturday night, their plates. diners seeking an authentic Italian meal in It’s 8:47 p.m., and Biba is half full a five-star atmosphere fill Biba Ristorante Italiano on Capitol Avenue and 28th Street of guests, but completely full of life as Graham finishes his set. The next 13 minin Midtown Sacramento. The well-lit utes he spends slowing winding down the dining room’s dove blue walls are lined with photos from Italy and paintings of the tracks, until he puts a velvety flair on the final notes and takes a seat at the bar. owner and chef, Biba Caggiano. Several patrons on their way out the The aroma of pasta sauce, wine and

EOPS Coordinator Irma Rodriguez, a product had this opportunity, I would have just taken that cannery application,” she says. “I would have settled for that because I thought we were farm workers. I was an English language learner, financially needy, always rich in love, never hungry, had beans and rice but never hungry. I feel I know what the power of transformation that they can can add do, a bassline theday drums of education and tilltothe I they’ve programmed. take my last breath, that’s what I want to piano player Iand man do. IOriginally want to doa this because seeamyself who “didn’t like computers,” Graham in my students.” taught himself how compose Rodriguez dabsto herdigitally eyes, absorbing MIDI songs back in the ’80s. The first She her tears with the ivory-colored tissue. time he was introduced to MIDI was when looks up with joy on her face and adds, he was approached to play music behind “When it really hit me is when my son a slideshow a hospital. high school, and Andres wasatgraduating “I didn’t how to useapplications. any MIDI he was fillingknow out his college programs, but I told [the client], I remember when I filled out my‘You college know what IIcan can just ahead application, put do? my Ifather hasgo a third and make your music for you on the MIDI grade education and my mother a sixth and make it to the length of your slidegrade education in Mexico — that’s what show,’” says.my son was filling I put. MyGraham son, when “I didn’t even thehis program, so a out his application,have he put father has that week I bought one and I spent a long Ph.D. and his mother has a master’s.”

Playing at Biba's

FALL 2015

33 05

From struggling Graciano Sessions student to helping students

door thank Graham for his music, and a few leave bills in the tip jar on top of the baby grand. One guest asks Graham where his next gig will be and is surprised to learn it’s the following night, at the same place. The man says he’ll be glad to come back another time just to hear Graham play. Graham replies, “Thank you so much.”

Graham has a similar but livelier gig every Sunday evening at Graciano’s Chicago Deep Dish and Speakeasy on Front Street in Old Sacramento. This Sunday jam session isn’t a solo act; it features the Reggie Graham Trio. The trio consists of Graham, a bass player and a drummer. Brandon Kendricks mans the bass while Lem McEwen lays down the beat. As Kendricks and McEwen provide the rhythm, Graham begins his distinct and smooth jazz playing on the keyboard. People trickle in from the street and alleyway until the entire restaurant is packed. Some appear to be regulars, while others are seemingly drawn in by the sound of the music the trio produces.

Words Courtny Thomas

Under the dim lights, the trio moves from an upbeat big band-esque jam to a slower, smoother jam that sounds as if it could have come straight off Charles Mingus’ “The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady.” Patrons gather around the small room the trio plays in to take in the sounds of as the aromas of garlic, pizza and beer pervade the atmosphere. By seven o’clock the restaurant is packed, both by the regulars who enjoy the weekly jam jazz session and by the typical Old Sacramento crowd — tourists and locals alike who want to spend an evening near the river with good food and solid jams. Other jazz musicians are always welcome to join Graham, Kendricks and McEwen. Bringing an instrument and musical mind to Graciano’s on a Sunday night is highly encouraged. The trio’s lively jazz tunes set the mood in the historic restaurant and harken back to a time when jazz was the popular music of the era and could be heard live in establishments such as Graciano’s on a nightly basis around the country. “As a musician, I’m lucky to have regular gigs. A lot of musicians struggle

for gigs,” Graham says, “and these just kind of fell in my lap.”

“I could make music all by myself. I didn’t need a band. I still have my band, but the creative juices just flow by myself.” Reggie Graham City College music professor

Having toured the world with various bands and playing gigs all around Northern California, Graham is thankful to have the opportunity to grace both Biba’s and Graciano’s patrons with his playing every weekend. Graham got his start on the piano

Photos Penelope Khan

Life comes full circle for City College's EOPS coordinator third grade education, and her mother Tucked away in a back office of City had a sixth grade education — Rodriguez College’s Rodda Hall North surrounded by papers, books, two computers and Mexican became the first in her family to go to college, exceeding the cannery career her high art/artifacts decorating her desk and walls school counselor recommended. However, sits Irma Sandoval Rodriguez, the faculty college didn’t go easily for Rodriguez. coordinator for the Extended Opportunity After graduating from Tokay High Programs and Services and the Cooperative School in Lodi, California, Rodriguez Agency Resources for Education. attended San Joaquin Delta College in As Rodriguez sits with her hands Stockton, where she later graduated with in her lap, a look of joy comes over her an A.A. degree in General Education. face as she reflects back to a time when Rodriguez did not have her sights set on a she was a low income and educationally four-year college after Delta. She wanted disadvantaged student, just like the ones to be a social worker. she helps now. “I always wanted to give back to my “My high school counselor gave me community,” Rodriguez says. “We rea cannery application,” Rodriguez says. “We were farm workers, so they said, ceived social services aid; we got the free ‘Oh, you can read and write, so you can cheese and the powdered milk. I always fill out the cannery application. You can noticed how they treated people, especialwork at a cannery.’” ly in my community, Spanish speakers.” Raised by Mexican-born parents Rodriguez did not know how to educations didn’t go beyond researchGraham colleges,began how toinstructing decide which In whose addition to teaching MIDI at City College, Reggie the jazz elementary school — herleads fatherthe hadgroup a or programs semester. Graham, left, intouniversity a bebop-like melody.were the best. UC

MAINLINE MAINLINE 3006

Davis — let alone any other university — was not on Rodriguez’s radar. One day, she remembers, while she was drinking hot chocolate and having a snack, a UC Davis recruiter who was on campus that day came to her and asked, “Do you want to go to UC Davis?” Rodriguez replied, “I don’t know.” After talking with the recruiter and completing the necessary forms, Rodriguez applied and was accepted to UC Davis. During her final year at UCD, Rodriguez was a student in the Equal Opportunities Program Services Student Affirmative Action (EOPSSA). “Back then, when I went to UC Davis in 1982 to '85, there were less than 300 Chicano/Latinos at the UC Davis campus, and so I was an affirmative action admission,” Rodriguez says. While an undergraduate, she and some of her fellow were told bythis ensemble at classmates Folsom Lake College college staff one day that there was free

after striking a deal“Free with his mother. He food on campus. food!” Rodriguez remembers thatWhen he “wanted play guitar remembers. she andtothe others really badly,” his mother offeredthe to reached the and location, they realized buy him was one aafter takingfair. piano lessons event graduate A Latino faculty formember a year, learning howRodriguez, to read sheet approached who was music and for understand a bit of theory. looking the free meal, and inquired Afterwhat the year of pianotolessons, about she wanted do after comGraham pletingdecided UCD. he didn’t want a guitar anymore, so, he says, he “changed the deal and got an organ.” Switching to the keys has paid its dividends, which Graham demonstrates at Graciano’s on Sundays. It’s a true jam session, with players switching in and out. Kvhondre Tinner, a 19-year-old Sacramento City music major, often brings his lively trumpet playing to the mix. Though the musicians who play during Graham’s jam session on Sunday nights vary greatly in age, they are all quite talented. Graham notes that some of the younger players are “the hope for jazz in Sacramento right now.” As a teacher and band leader, GraIrma Rodriguez ham says, "watchingEOPS the younger players Faculty Coordinator really put effort behind their craft is a real joy. It's really amazing to watch young musicians She grow. recalls♦telling the faculty member how and why she wanted to be a social worker for the county. The faculty member asked Rodriguez if she wanted to run the whole social services program, and once again Rodriguez replied, “I don’t know.” The faculty member told Rodriguez that if she got her master’s degree, she could run the department and tell the employees they had to be nicer to the people they serve. The faculty member told Rodriguez to bring him her transcript. After he looked it over and she completed all the required grad school application forms, Rodriguez received a full scholarship to UC Berkeley because of her good grades. She graduated from UC Davis in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Chicano studies. Two years later, Rodriguez attained a master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare. During her time in college, like most students, Rodriguez utilized the programs available to students, particularly financial aid and the EOPS programs. Rodriguez’s father didn’t understand how financial aid worked and worried that someday someone would come knocking on their door saying, “You have to pay that money back.” Reggie Graham behind my the dad keys at the putting “I remember literally Piano Lab, his instructional studio he a $20 every paycheck (he got where paid twice teaches pianoinfora piggy playersbank, of every skill level. month) thinking, ‘OK,

“I felt I’m coming

home. It is because of the program that I’m here today, and I can say that without any reservation.”

As a “proud” graduate of community if they ever come, I’ll start my down college and an “even prouder” EOPS alum, payment here.’ Having just a third grade Rodriguez decided, “I wanted to work in education, my dad couldn’t figure out the community college.” why somebody would pay for me to go to She applied for several different school,” explains Rodriguez. positions and even got to the second round Right out of her master’s program at three times but was never hired. UC Berkeley, Rodriguez went to work for “The EOPS faculty coordinator pothe San Francisco city and county mental sition opened up [at City College], and I health department in the Mission District as a bilingual/bicultural, Spanish-speakapplied,” Rodriguez says. ing psychiatric social worker where she In June 2006 Rodriguez was appointworked with adults and families in the ed to the position of faculty coordinator for City College’s EOPS program. She and mission. Rodriguez worked with Central her family — her husband Francisco, son American refugees who were seeking Andres and daughter Angelica — packed political asylum and had been victims of their things, and she began to work with torture. Rodriguez also worked for San Reggie Graham (right) leads the band behind his Yamaha synthesizer, while Kvhonthe very program she credits with a lot of Mateo County in social services. dre Tinner (left) plays trumpet during the weekly jam session at Graciano's. her success. In 1990, she and her family moved “I felt I’m coming home. It is because to Yolo County where she held several of the program that I’m here today, and positions, including Deputy Director of I can say that without any reservation,” Clinical Services for the Department of explains Rodriguez, who has spent nineAlcohol, Drug and Mental Health. But the work became overwhelming, she said. and-a-half years leading the program. “I “I was working 50-70 hours per week, am exactly where I need to be. Back to my and my husband even more, so we decided roots, back to the program that made such a tremendous difference in my life.” someone needed to be home more. And “I feel fortunate to have worked with we decided I would look for a position her over the last nine years,” says Nancy that was not as demanding time-wise but Arashiro, counseling clerk for the EOPS equally as rewarding,” Rodriguez says.

Irma Rodriguez stands with her colleagues: (left to right) Nancy Arashiro, Delissa Garza, Kathleen Dorn, Reggie Adam Graham Freas, hits Jennifer Relaxed and cool behind his Yamaha synthesizer, all the Chu, right Ken Times, Sandra Ruedas and Blair McAnelly. notes during his weekly jam session at Graciano's. FALL 2015 FALL 2015 0731

Larry Bowa

How a former Panthers baseball player made it to the MLB Words Justin Valdez

Photo Courtesy SCC Archives

City College baseball team photo with Larry Bowa (in color) from the 1964 Pioneer yearbook. Benches cleared and tempers flared after have a big heart, and you’re willing to New York Mets reliever Hansel Robles sacrifice, I think anything is possible.” “quick pitched” to Philadelphia Phillies Bowa is 5-feet-10-inches tall and, batter Darin Ruf during an Aug. 25 Major according to Graf, never weighed more League Baseball game. Leading the than 165 pounds. Despite always being crowd of rowdy, fired-up Phillies playconsidered undersized, he was determined The WALto isshow home a variety art and player artists. ers was the team’s rambunctious bench his to doubters thatofa “small” coach, Larry Bowa. from Sacramento could make it to the At 69 years old, the City College Hall professional level. of Famer is just as fiery and short-tempered as he was 50 years ago during his college years as a Panther, according to former college teammate Jim Graf. “We had a doubleheader one day,” Graf recalled. “In the first game, he got thrown out for arguing with the umpire, and before the second game even started, he was thrown out again.” Bowa played for the Phillies, Cubs and Mets during his 16-year career. He is a two-time Gold Glove award winner, four-time National League All-Star and a World Series Champion. Bowa’s path to pro baseball wasn’t an easy one. As a teen he failed to make his Larry Bowa Philadelphia Phillies bench coach high school baseball team. Not making the team had nothing to do with his skill level, according to Bowa, but he didn’t let that Bowa was born on Dec. 6, 1945, in setback stop him from pursuing his dream of Sacramento, the oldest of two children in a becoming a professional ball player. family of four and grew up minutes away “It was very disappointing. The reason from the City College campus in the Land they gave me was not because I wasn’t Park area. From the day he was born, he good enough but because I was too small,” recalled, baseball was a prominent part Bowa said. “I used to watch little guys of his life. His father was the manager of play in the big leagues, and I figured it the St. Louis Cardinals Triple-A team, the doesn’t matter how small you are. As Fresno Cardinals, and also played for the long as you play the game the right, you Sacramento Solons.

“There’s a lot of great

people that never got into a World Series, and to be able to get there as a coach and a player is special.”

MAINLINE

As a child, Bowa remembered that he always asked his father to go outside and play catch or take ground balls. When he wanted to see a live baseball game, Bowa could just head over to Edmonds Field and watch the Solons play Triple-A baseball. He said watching Solons players like Joe Brovia really inspired him to be a baseball player. He played baseball for Land Park Little League and hoped to continue playing baseball in high school. Bowa attended C.K. McClatchy High School located only blocks away from City College. It was during his high school years, in the early ’60s, that Bowa faced a difficult time in his life. He tried out for the McClatchy baseball team but didn’t make it. According to his sister, Paula Graf, he was reluctant to tell anyone about what happened. “He got cut, but we didn’t know about it. He didn’t tell my dad until a week later. He was devastated about it,” Paula said. “I think he felt embarrassed and hurt.” Once Bowa finally informed their parents he didn’t make the team, Paula said her father told him not to worry, that they’d find a way for Bowa to keep playing baseball. However, his father wasn’t sure if he should pursue a future in baseball, according to Bowa. “He sort of talked me out of [playing baseball]. He said, ‘You know, if you don’t make the big leagues, it’s a tough way to make a living’,” Bowa recalled. But Bowa was determined to keep

playing the sport he grew up loving so much, so he signed up to play American Legion Baseball at William Land Park. During this time City College baseball coach Del Bandy saw Bowa play and offered him the chance to play college baseball. Bowa attended City College from 1964–1965. As a Panther he displayed his hard work ethic, passion for the game of baseball and a real desire for winning, according to fellow Panther Jim Graf. In 1965 Bowa’s hard work and consistent play was acknowledged when he won the league’s Most Valuable Player award. “He was a great teammate and a great team leader,” Graf said. “He’s always had a great desire for the game.” That year the Phillies sent the team’s scout, Eddie Bockman, to watch Bowa play. Evidently, the Phillies liked what they saw and offered Bowa a deal for $2,000 with no signing bonus, according to Bowa. He spent the next four years in the Phillies farm system before making his major league debut. 1970 was Bowa’s rookie year in the majors. His .250 batting average, 34 RBIs and 24 stolen bases were good enough for third in Rookie of the Year voting. Two years later he won the first of his two Gold Glove awards at shortstop. One of his best years came in 1978 when Bowa was third in MVP voting, elected to his fourth All-Star game and won his second Gold Glove award. In 1980 with the help of players like Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose and Tim McCarver, Bowa helped the Phillies win their first World Series title in franchise history. It’s a moment Bowa said he will always cherish. “It was unbelievable. The best thing that ever happened to me was winning the World Series,” Bowa said. After winning the championship, he played two more seasons with the Phillies before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1982. In 1984 his leadership helped propel the Cubs to their first playoff appearance in 39 years. The next season was his last as a player, and Bowa announced his retirement in 1985. Though his career as a ball player was over, like his father, Bowa went from being a student of the game to a teacher. In 1986, he was introduced as the new manager of the Las Vegas Stars, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

That year he led the Stars to an 80–62 plishments as a college baseball player by record and Pacific Coast League Chambecoming enshrined in the City College pionship. The Padres decided to make Athletic Hall of Fame, etching his name Bowa their manager. He was unable to among City College greats like three-time find success as the team’s manager and NBA Champion Bill Cartwright and current was fired in 1988. Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker. “In hindsight being 20/20, they asked “If it wasn’t for City College and Dell me to manage San Diego, and when Bandy, I wouldn’t have signed as a pro you’re a young guy you go, ‘Yeah, OK, player. They gave me an opportunity to where do I sign?’ But I probably wasn’t play there,” Bowa said. ♦ ready for that,” Bowa said. Three months after being fired from San Diego he found himself back in Philadelphia, but not as a manager. Instead, Bowa took on the role of the team’s third base coach. The Phillies won their second World Series Championship in 1993. With that World Series victory, Bowa, along with John Vukovich, became the first two Phillies in franchise history to win a championship as both a player and a coach. “There’s a lot of great people that never got into a World Series, and to be able to get there as a coach and a player is special,” Bowa said. He went on to have a short stint as the Phillies manager in the early 2000s, then served as a third base coach for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Somehow, Bowa managed to find himself back in Philadelphia. After being away from the game for three years to work as an analyst for the MLB Network, he returned to the Phillies as the team’s bench coach in 2014. Recently, Bowa was considered for the vacant Miami Marlins manager position, but the job was given to former Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly instead. There is one major achievement that has eluded Bowa over the years, an induction into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. However, in 2000 Bowa was honored for his accomCopyright © 2015 The Phillies/Miles Kennedy

FALL 2015 FALL 2015

29 09

The

Sh an

non

McC ab

Vampire Ball Sacramento’s own haunted actress raises money for kids

Artists live and work at The WAL, an innovative community in the R Street corridor.

Words & Photos Tammy Kaley On a warm fall night fiends and phantoms wander through the California Auto Museum in Old Sacramento, the professionally designed stage and lighting sets highlighting the museum’s collection. Skeletons dangle from antique cars and trucks or hang out in a 1950s camper. A witch rides in an old Studebaker. Zombies, evil clowns and creatures of the night lurk in dark corridors, and the side chambers manifest into a haunted house. This is Halloween at the Vampire Ball. Amid the eerie décor, lanterns on tables illuminate the staggered balconies with ghouls and goblins of all kinds. Party-goers sip at a bar stocked with Vampire wine and Blood cocktails, complete with rising mist in every glass. They can smoke hand-rolled cigars prepared by escaped convicts disguised as orderlies, listen to soothing music by The Montanes or tunes to waken the dead by DJ Bryan

MAINLINE

Hawk. A legion of erotic dancers delights the audience, while an enchantress with a 6-foot python provokes evil inclinations, enticing a local victim to sip champagne from her toes. In the back of the museum local spirits congregate to watch a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-released video, “The Hunted,” featuring Shannon McCabe, Sacramento’s own “actress of the night” and creator of the Vampire Ball. For seven Halloweens, McCabe has played the good vampire, generating thousands of dollars for local charities. She is also the lead actress in “The Hunted,” a film by Twelve/27 Production Company, which opens in December. She stars as a formidable assassin in the movie, but acting is just one of her many accomplishments as an entertainer of the night. Actress, event coordinator, paranormal investigator, and even part-time

florist, McCabe calls herself a “Jill of all trades,” although the Vampire Ball takes precedence in her mysterious life. She and a close friend decided to host the first ball in 2009. “I actually was sitting around having a glass of Vampire wine with my friend Carol Gillis, and we were asking ourselves what we were going to do for Halloween,” McCabe says. Her house was too small to entertain a large group of friends, so Gillis suggested a Vampire Ball. “I laughed and said, ‘Yeah, why not?’” McCabe recalls. “The movie ‘Twilight’ was very hot in 2009. We had about 125 people that year. We’ve grown over the years from word of mouth and a truly charitable group of friends helping us out. Last year we had about 700 people attend, and we raised over $90,000 for the UC Davis children’s hospital.”

Over the years McCabe has adopted different themes from vampire movies. The theme of this year’s Vampire Ball was Quentin Tarantino’s “From Dusk Till Dawn.” “We decorated the museum like the Titty Twister Bar in the movie; we even had a dancer, Jessica Will, with her 6-foot python, perform the snake dance that Selma Hayek’s character preformed in the movie,” McCabe says. McCabe credits her team of Leslie Breitspredher, Erica Breitspredher, Daniel Stanfield, Wendy Russell and Carole Gillis, as her main core group of creative minds. “I’m proud of bringing this group together who may not normally co-exist in an event, and bringing my friends from everywhere to work together in a nice cohesive unit,” she says. Before branching into the entertainment business, McCabe attended Sacramento City College in 1994. Since then McCabe has

been associated and has worked with movie and television productions examining the paranormal for several years. In 2007 she was the head paranormal investigator and creator of HPI (Haunted Paranormal Investigations) group. McCabe has been a paranormal investigator and the owner of H.P.I. International since 2004 but has had previous experience with paranormal activities. She has written articles for Haunted America Tours and has been on many paranormal radio shows. McCabe was invited to be a guest star, because of her paranormal expertise, by Two four Productions UK in “Conversations with a Serial Killer, Richard Trenton Chase.” Chase was known as the vampire of Sacramento, a serial killer with an unusual provocation for drinking his victim’s blood and cannibalizing their remains. She also

guest stared as a research specialist on the Mayan Apocalypse with Showtime for the broadcast of “Bullshit” with Penn & Teller in 2009. Additionally, she participated with the cast that hunted for the ghost of Michael Jackson with TV psychic Derek Acorah for Sky 1 network in London. This year McCabe chose three charities to receive the proceeds from the Vampire Ball — The Spirit of Children, UC Davis children’s hospital and Shriners Hospital will receive equal portions of the charitable donations from the Vampire Ball. “We were shooting for $150,000 this year,” McCabe reports, “but we will donate whatever we made and look forward to increasing that amount in years to come. I guess you could say that we are taking a bite out of hospital expenses for sick children and their families.” ♦

FALL 2015

The

WAL ’

’

A look inside the city s newest artists housing project

Words & Photos Tammy Kaley There is a symbiotic relationship between artists and their community. The artist needs an audience to interact with his or her art, and the community benefits from the inspiration and improved environment the art provides. Some artists, however, move beyond this arrangement, so immersed in their communities that their work and identity are inextricably bound with a certain place. Such is the situation at the Warehouse Art Lofts in the historic R Street corridor of Sacramento. The WAL project celebrates the character of the historic Lawrence Warehouse building and industrial aesthetic of the area with this artist/community relationship. The WAL is made up of eclectic artists who display their artwork throughout the R Street corridor. Inside the apartment complex the hallways and mezzanines feature the works of those artists, some of whom have created murals while living in the lofts. Several occupants attend City College and other area colleges that offer visual and performing art courses. Rebel Thredz, a self-proclaimed “yarn bomber,” WAL resident and mixed media fabric artist, moved into the artist lofts in March. “Art is my passion, and there are some really talented people here, so I feel right at home,” Thredz said, who gave herself her pseudonym after participating in the occupy Wall Street phenomenon in New York City. She is a street artist with a message, combining leather, beadwork, knitting, crotchet and macrame to create yarn graffiti art. “My art is a declaration to life,” she proclaimed. “In my art you will find political statements that enlighten and inform our society of the state our environment is in.”

MAINLINE

The WAL project was designed to demonstrate the ways a community responds to a variety of artistic media. It offers visual and performing artists facilities to support their artistic endeavors and provide an arena in which to live and practice their visions. Included in this complex are an underground parking structure and several housing units designed for artists and creative minds. Special features designed to enhance a sense of artistic relationships include a rooftop social patio with a community garden, a dance studio with a spring-loaded floor and an aerial suspension apparatus, a large community room with piano, a basement music room for late-night musicians, and retail shops and restaurants in the lower level. Catherine Llarena, a fashion designer and full-time City College student, moved into the lofts in January 2014. Living with her 3-year-old daughter, she remembers the managers telling her that she could not be a full-time student and live there. After that mandate was Scenes from Shannon McCabe's 2015 Vampire Ball. revised, Llaraena now rents a two-bedroom loft space where she lives, works and raises her daughter. “It’s a great place for kids,” she said. “There’s a child artist play area up on the roof with a play structure and a baby swimming pool. The kids can use art materials to draw, paint and build things without restriction.” Many residents at the lofts have children and are encouraged to have them participate in artistic endeavors. “I have no problem raising my daughter in this environment; it’s child friendly,” said Llarena, who, after winning a competition, has had one of her murals selected for placement at City College. “There are many children here the same age range.” ♦ The historic Lawrence Warehouse building has been transformed into The WAL.

Panthers' biggest fan tackles life Anthony Federer conquers cerebral palsy one play at a time Words Justin Valdez Photos Dianne Rose Kristopher Hooks

It’s game night at Hughes Stadium, and the City College football team is taking on conference rival Sierra College. The crowd is especially fired up for this game because it’s the school’s first Nor Cal conference game of the season. A scan of the bleachers reveals a diverse array of spectators — many different races, ages and genders. However, one fan in particular stands — or rather sits — apart from the rest. Anthony Federer, in his wheelchair, next to his mom, Susan Federer, during the game, draws attention because of the passion he exudes for City College sports. “I don’t know how to put it in words, but it’s exciting,” Anthony says as he sits in his lime green wheelchair wearing his favorite gray City College hoodie with the school’s cardinal red “SCC” logo across the chest. Anthony has been confined to a wheelchair his entire life, according to Susan. As a baby, Anthony was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition defined by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke as “abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The condition typically occurs during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy.” According to the Center for Disease Control, cerebral palsy is “the most

common motor disability in childhood,” and “1 in 323 children has been identified with CP.” In Anthony’s case his brain tells both of his legs to move at the same time, and that’s why he has to use a wheelchair, Susan explains. It also affects his speech. Susan recalls that her son endured a great deal of trauma in his first year.

“He’s so much more than a boy in a wheelchair. He’d prefer to be treated like you would treat anybody else.” Susan Federer Mother of Anthony Federer

“Anthony was born premature. Believe it or not, he only weighed 3 pounds, 10 ounces, and he started having seizures when he was 6 months old,” Susan says. “Part of his brain didn’t fully develop; it was the part that deals with walking.”

Anthony doesn’t let his condition stop him from going to see his favorite players take the field at City College. During the fall semester he and Susan (who is taking general education courses at City College) can be seen at every football practice and every home game. “We’ve been coming out here for about three years now. [Anthony] loves coming out to spend time with the guys and watch them,” says Susan. Every day at 3 in the afternoon, during football practice, the team allows Anthony to be on the track near the sideline. Panthers sophomore middle linebacker Ryan Staas says Anthony is like a coach out there. “He’s our biggest fan, always there at practice, and when we do something wrong, he lets us know,” said Staas. The City College football coaches make sure Anthony feels like he’s part of the team. They allow him to sit near the sidelines, he congratulates the team with high-fives, and is always talking with the players on and off the field, according to Staas. Every year since 2013 he has sat front and center in the team’s photo. This season, on the team’s picture day, which was also Anthony’s 29th birthday, the players and coaches planned something special. Before the group got together to take the picture, the team presented Anthony with a football, autographed by all the players and

The Legends show of Russ Solomon's portraits in the photo department gallery. | Charr Crail Something that helped Solomon’s people who, although often unnoticed, have collection grow over the years is being close always brought a great culture to Sacrafriends with the artists whose work he colmento, Solomon says. It’s one of the realects. Once he became more acquainted with sons he chose to stay here rather than any the artists, he began to purchase more work of the places he’s traveled over the years. from them. In fact, he even photographed “If you live in a place like Sacramento, many of the artists as part of his first photo your view of a big city is from the outside, exhibit “The Faces of Art” in 2011, which so you see it more broadly and more clearwas held in the Kondos Gallery. ly,” Solomon says. “If you live in a big city Over the years, Solomon has traveled like New York or L.A., Moscow, London, all over the country meeting new people whatever, you think that the world ends at and seeing all sorts of art. However, to this the city you live in. It’s a vague sort of psyday, the art he prefers to purchase typically chological thing where people think, ‘Well, we’re in New York — what do we need the comes from California artists, many of City whom College sports Anthony Federer team during have comefan from Sacramento. Thiswatched rest the of the country for?warm-ups All the stuffbefore comesthe Valley College at Hughes Stadium in the 2013 season. | Dianne Rose close-knit group of friends in the arts are to us.’ Which happens to be true, but I’ve

MAINLINE 14 MAINLINE 22

always felt more comfortable here. “I mean, how nice can Sacramento be? It’s easy enough to get anywhere. You jump on a plane and you’re in Tokyo. It’s a nice clean, quiet city that’s growing every minute and getting better all the time.”

The Tower Theatre As the lights begin to dim in the cinema showing “All Things Must Pass” at Tower Theatre, I recline in the almost too-cushiony seat and anchor my ankles to final home football game against Diablo the chair in front of me. I look around at the people who, like me, came to re-expe-

rience a part of history, one that affected sold, seems quiet and under wraps until 46 to 68 years, literally, of experiences. It millions of people for 65 years. you sit down and listen to the hundreds of starts in 1941. So how do you compress The closing of a record store seems stories he tells. [that]? Now the real interesting Tower [stoinsignificant when looking at the world’s Naturally, a film that portrays this ry] starts in 1960, but that’s still 46 years up timeline, but as the documentary rolls massive empire can’t encompass its to the time it died. So how do you compress along, and former employees tell their 68-year history, but it does sum up 46 years of experiences into 90 minutes? stories of working at Tower, and rock stars what fans already know: Tower Records And that was the real trick. tell their stories about wanting their reembodied the spirit of music. It was the “[Hanks and Stuart] have — who cords at Tower, it’s clear — even to people backbone of an era where, as Japanese knows? — maybe 30 to 50 hours of film — I don’t know exactly,” he adds. “They who don’t know the history — that this Tower Records employees put it, “No interviewed all kinds of people and did was something big. Music, No Life,” was the motto that a lot of work [in Sacramento], and they But don’t, for one second, believe young people lived. put it together. It came off pretty well. It that the Tower Records spirit, or even that “You know, the film came out nice. The interesting thing about it,” Solomon comes off as a story. Of course, it’s not the of the music it sold, is dead. It’s walking whole story, because nothing can be the around in the body of a 90-year-old Sactells me at his Sierra Oaks home, “is that Some City College football players stand with Anthony Federer with a sign signaling awareness of mental health. | Kristopher Hooks whole story.” ♦ ramento man who, like the music he once you’re dealing with anywhere between

FALL FALL 2015 2015 23 15

“It’s good to see you. How are you?” Johnson says as he reaches out to shake Solomon’s hand. On the second floor of Sacramento Like every other person before JohnCity College’s Student Services buildson, Solomon looks up from his chair and ing, the photography and journalism greets the mayor. departments share a new home with three “Kevin, my boy. It’s good to see you,” photography studios, two computer labs, Solomon says as he returns the handshake. classrooms and an open gallery space. After a little small talk, Johnson sits This summer, Solomon, along with several down, and Solomon proceeds to point City College photography professors as his Canon toward the mayor, directing his aides, snapped thousands of pictures his assistants to move the lighting equipon six different days for two gallery exment to get the better shot. hibits on campus — one called “Legends,” Once Johnson walks out, and anoththe other called “Community.” er person walks in, it is the same thing One by one, people walked down the — greet the person, shake hands, snap narrow hallway leading to the studio to some photos. Some people stay a little have their portrait taken by a Sacramento longer for more small talk, but all of legend, though he’d never call himself them seem to walk out just as impressed that. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnthat Solomon is taking on another task son, city councilman Steve Hansen and so large. world-renowned artist Julian Couzens Between the time one subject leaves were just three of the hundreds of people and the next comes in, Solomon sits Solomon shot during the summer, and like in his chair, chatting with whomever me, each one of them seemed dwarfed in is around. Every so often, one of the Anthony Federer cheers on the Panthers from behind home plate the presence of Solomon. people helping put on player’s the showjokes — Ranlaughs at one of the football during in the game against San Joaquin Delta College at The Yard. | RussAnthony Solomon It was around 1:05 p.m. when Johnson dy Allen, Angela Lowrie, Susan Adan team photo day. | Kristopher Hooks Dianne Rose Founder of Tower Records walked in, followed by his assistant and and Michael Stevens — comes in with coaches, and a Panthers football T-shirt. movies like “The Hulk” and “How to with whom Anthony shares a bond more In the moments leading up to the team than anyone else: City College running back Train Your Dragon.” picture, Anthony sits waiting quietly on “He talks about sports nonstop, so that’s coach Jose Zambrano. The two formed the track. However, after the photograph is a friendship several years ago outside of the No. 1 thing,” Zambrano says. “But he’s taken, Anthony quickly turns into the young Hughes Stadium, according to Anthony. very active and positive and always talking. man typically fired up on the sidelines That’s when the bonding clicked.” during the team’s practice and games. When Anthony is on the field inter“I’m excited now!” he yells. “Woo! acting with the players, his face lights up Let’s go!” with excitement. He begins to dance in As the team breaks apart after the his wheelchair, and the impact the team photo has been taken, players walk up has on him is obvious. What people don’t to Anthony, give him hugs or fist bumps see, however, is the impact Anthony has and wish him a happy birthday. It’s moon the players, according to Zambrano. ments like this that Anthony cherishes “There’s times when the players don’t the most, according to Susan. have the spirit to come in day in and day “It means the world to him — he out, and to see Anthony’s commitment and gets real excited. I have to make a copy what he has shown, they cannot comof the picture, and he’ll have the picture plain,” Zambrano says. “That little impact in his room,” Susan says. “It means a lot of him coming in every day sitting and to him, and that’s what makes him feel watching and encouraging them during like he’s a coach.” Ryan Staas practice. It’s a big influence.” The birthday gift and photo hold a Hughes Stadium isn’t the only place Panthers middle linebacker special place in the players’s hearts as on campus where Anthony likes to watch well. sports. After the fall semester ends, and “It was a big moment, to be able to football is finished, Anthony and his moth“Um, we met when I was at teen promake his day pretty much,” Staas says. er take to the North Gym to watch basketgram. I was 16,” Anthony says. “I would “It was his birthday, and we wanted to do ball in the winter. But his favorite sport say I’ve known him for a long time.” something special for him. He’s our biggest to watch at City College is softball in the They clicked right away and quickly fan, and he’s always there for us, so we spring. They play hard and are defensively formed a connection over sports, accordthoughtprofessor we shouldRandy be thereAllen for him.” well according to Anthony. ing to Zambrano. Zambrano SCC photo talks about composition with Since then, Patti Drosins looks at rounded, one of her husband's portraits on his There is| Charr one person and his wife have taken Anthony to see Russ Solomon. Crailat City College camera. | Charr CrailThat’s not the only reason Anthony

The Studio Sessions

City College photo/journalism Professor Randy Allen. In most cases, Johnson would be the focal point in any room in Sacramento. But on this day, Aug. 22, he was just another person captivated by Solomon’s presence.

“People are people,

and you shouldn’t alter what they look like. If I’m going to take pictures of somebody, I want to take pictures of them — as they are.”

“He’s our biggest

fan, always there at practice, and when we do something wrong, he lets us know.”

MAINLINE 16 MAINLINE 20

pictures of them — as they are. That’s what is most interesting about everybody is what they actually are.” The preparation for these two shows When Solomon sat down with an — which premiered in the photo/journalarchitect to map out the design of his ism and Kondos galleries in September home, he wrote down three must-haves: 2015 — proved to be more work than There were to be only two bedrooms, originally thought. a lot of light, and a great deal of wall The idea of the exhibits came up in space for his art. What came out of it casual conversation between Solomon, was a 4,000-square-foot home with two Adan and Stevens. According to Solbedrooms, a modest library and plenty of omon, there was going to be only one wall space to open an art gallery. show titled “Legends of Sacramento.” It And the walls in Solomon’s home would showcase nine prominent figures resemble just that — an art gallery. It’s from the area, including Solomon. It was just not open to the public. It’s a collecRuss Solomon set up to be the first exhibit to open the tion of paintings, photos and sculptures Founder of Tower Records new photo/journalism gallery. Howthat he’s amassed since his first art ever, at some point during the process, purchase in 1954, a Wayne Thiebaud the plans changed, and the idea for the Solomon is very particular when it painting that belongs to his first wife. “Community” exhibit was formed. comes to his photography. Once the pho“I don’t think of myself as an art col“We really enjoyed it and had a lot to is taken, that’s it. There are some small lector,” Solomon says. “I think of myself of fun in the studio with all of those exposure, contrast and balance tweaks, as an art accumulator of things that I’m people coming by. It was a really slick but there are no digital enhancements to interested in subjectively, as opposed to experience just doing it,” Solomon says. alter a subject’s face or any blemishes on simply saying, ‘This is art, and it’s got a “This isn’t supposed to be any great art their skin. Picasso or Andy Warhol or Lichtenstein “People are people, and you shouldn’t or anything profound at all, in fact — not signature at the bottom.’ That’s not what Anthony Panthers football team photo. | Kristopher even representatively profound. It was Hooks alterjoins whatthe they look like.forIf the I’m 2015 going City to College I’m looking for.” just… really fun.” take pictures of somebody, I want to take enjoys going out to watch to watch the PanThe league gives thers softball team, according to Susan. Anthony a chance to go “He likes to go out at watch the from being a spectagirls play. He flirts with them, and they tor to being an athlete have fun with him,” Susan says. “But out on the field. The I always tell them to treat him like any thing he loves most other guy who hits on them with cheesy about playing baseball pick-up lines.” is being out there and Anthony’s excitement for sports throwing around the ball might not only come from all the onwith others, he says. field action, but also the mental aspects For anyone who of athletics pique his interests. happens to run into “He’s really good with numbers and Anthony at City College remembering things, so I think the statisor during one of the tics and that has a lot to do with it,” Susan many sporting events he says. “He loves playing with his calculator attends, there’s someall the time, and he can read statistics and thing his mom would never forget them.” like people to know In addition to watching sports, about him. Anthony enjoys playing them as well. “He’s so much more Every year he plays baseball at River Cats than a boy in a wheelIndependence Field in a league specificalchair. He’d prefer to be ly designed for athletes with disabilities. It treated like you would was there that Anthony met another City treat anybody else,” College coach. Susan says. “That goes “About four years ago I had the team for anybody — just get involved in the River Cats’ baseball because he’s in a wheelleague. We went out and assisted the chair doesn’t mean he’s players in the league, and Anthony was one different and special, or Susan and Anthony Federer smile before heading home of them,” says City College baseball coach you have to treat him after spending the afternoon with the City College football Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson poses for Russ Solomon.♦ | Charr Crail team. | Kristopher Hooks Derek Sullivan. differently.” Solomon’s wife Patti Drosins to show him small prints.

The Art Accumulator

“We really enjoyed

it and had a lot of fun in the studio with all of those people coming by.”

FALL FALL 2015 2015

21 17

The man behind the music Russ Solomon embraces his post-Tower Records passion Words Kristopher Hooks Photos Charr Crail Tammy Kaley As he sits in his library at home, surrounded by thousands of books, CDs and pieces of art collected over the years, Russ Solomon is quiet. Bits of his past still show in his face, in his thick, once grey, now fully white, beard and his brushed-back hair. It’s quite the contrast compared to stories I’ve heard of the young, energetic man who turned a mom-and-pop record store into a pop culture icon. But he’s 90 years old — 65 years older than I am. Solomon spent 46 years building what was once the largest record store

MAINLINE

company in the world. At its peak, Tower Records had close to 200 stores nationwide, including Japan, Ireland, England and even countries in South America. In 2006, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a second time, losing all of its stores in the process. “You don’t want to talk about this Tower shit, do you?” Solomon asks jokingly. Truthfully, I do. I’m fascinated by this man who, at 16 years old, started selling records in his father’s drug store and later

turned that into perhaps the world’s most iconic record and book empire. But we don’t. For now. Instead, we talk for hours about his love for the arts. He takes me on a tour, showing off his grandiose collection of paintings and sculptures by world-renowned artists like Northern California legends Wayne Thiebaud and Robert Arneson. We talk about his younger years, before Tower Records, when he was a 16-year-old student at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento who was

kicked out for not showing up enough, choosing instead to work in his father’s store. And we talk about the time we first met, a few weeks earlier, in a large, blackwalled studio at Sacramento City College where he was busy with his post-Tower Records passion — photography. Like me, Solomon was once a student at this college in the 1940s when it was called Sacramento Junior College, taking a few photography courses to fulfill what was becoming a serious hobby. It was just before his last year at McClatchy,

however, that Solomon’s eye for photography began to develop. He’d worked all year long taking photos for the school’s yearbook. He spent countless hours on the sidelines of football games and taking pictures of his classmates. But before the yearbook came out, Solomon was removed from school. His pictures, however, were not. “[They gave me] no credit. Obviously not even for the class,” Solomon recalls, laughing. “I told them, ‘That’s not fair. Bad photos ought to get credit, too.’”

A few years later, like many young men, Solomon found himself enlisted in the United States Air Force. In anticipation of going into the military, Solomon enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles to study photography. The goal, he says, was to get a position as a photographer in the Air Force. He found himself working with a photo squadron, but not behind the lens. Instead, Solomon began working as a radar mechanic, taking parts out of planes and putting new ones in. It was a menial job during the turbulent time that was World War II, but it was a job that needed to be done. After the war, Solomon found his way back to 16th and Broadway, once again selling records in his father’s pharmacy instead of focusing on what could’ve been a career in photography. “Nobody really figures out what the want to do when they’re that young, as to what they want to do in the long haul,” he says. “You might be interested in something, but basically everything is unsettled. In those days, anyhow. So when I got out of the service, I came back [to Sacramento] and I needed a job. “I went back to work for my dad in our record department, which we had in the store. And that became my encompassing field for the next, I don’t know, 60 years or so.” As documented in the recently released movie, “All Things Must Pass,” a film produced by Sacramento natives Colin Hanks and Sean Stuart about the rise and fall of Tower Records, Solomon began to expand his thinking on selling records. After opening his first store on Watt Avenue and El Camino Avenue in Sacramento, his company began to grow rapidly, and photography became just a hobby. In hindsight, it seems clear that he made the right choice about working with records instead of photographs. Solomon was behind the company that gave millions of people, myself included, a reason to smile. Driving by and seeing that big, Shell Gas station-colored neon sign always gave me goosebumps. I bought my first album in the summer of 2000 at the Tower Records store on Watt and El Camino — Nelly’s “Country Grammar.” Now, 15 years later, I’m sitting across from the man who started it all, and I can’t help but be grateful for him putting down the camera some 65 years ago.

FALL 2015

The Studio Sessions

“People are people,

and you shouldn’t alter what they look like. If I’m going to take pictures of somebody, I want to take pictures of them — as they are.”

“He’s our biggest

fan, always there at practice, and when we do something wrong, he lets us know.”

MAINLINE 20 MAINLINE 16

The Art Accumulator

“We really enjoyed

it and had a lot of fun in the studio with all of those people coming by.”

FALL FALL 2015 2015

17 21

Panthers' biggest fan tackles life Anthony Federer conquers cerebral palsy one play at a time Words Justin Valdez Photos Dianne Rose Kristopher Hooks

“He’s so much more than a boy in a wheelchair. He’d prefer to be treated like you would treat anybody else.” Susan Federer Mother of Anthony Federer

MAINLINE 14 MAINLINE 22

FALL FALL 2015 2015 23 15

The

WAL ’

’

A look inside the city s newest artists housing project

MAINLINE

The The

Sh an

non

McC ab

Vampire Ball Sacramento’s own haunted actress raises money for kids

Artists Artists livelive and and work work at at The The WAL, WAL, anan innovative innovative community community in in thethe RR Street Street corridor. corridor.

MAINLINE

FALL 2015

Larry Bowa

How a former Panthers baseball player made it to the MLB Words Justin Valdez

Photo Courtesy SCC Archives

“There’s a lot of great

people that never got into a World Series, and to be able to get there as a coach and a player is special.”

MAINLINE

FALL 2015 FALL 2015

29 09

From struggling Graciano Sessions student to helping students door thank Graham for his music, and a few leave bills in the tip jar on top of the baby grand. One guest asks Graham where his next gig will be and is surprised to learn it’s the following night, at the same place. The man says he’ll be glad to come back another time just to hear Graham play. Graham replies, “Thank you so much.”

Words Courtny Thomas

for gigs,” Graham says, “and these just kind of fell in my lap.”

“I could make music all by myself. I didn’t need a band. I still have my band, but the creative juices just flow by myself.” Reggie Graham City College music professor

Photos Penelope Khan

Life comes full circle for City College's EOPS coordinator Davis — let alone any other university — third grade education, and her mother Tucked away in a back office of City was not on Rodriguez’s radar. One day, had a sixth grade education — Rodriguez College’s Rodda Hall North surrounded by she remembers, while she was drinking papers, books, two computers and Mexican became the first in her family to go to college, exceeding the cannery career her high hot chocolate and having a snack, a UC art/artifacts decorating her desk and walls school counselor recommended. However, Davis recruiter who was on campus that sits Irma Sandoval Rodriguez, the faculty college didn’t go easily for Rodriguez. day came to her and asked, “Do you want coordinator for the Extended Opportunity After graduating from Tokay High to go to UC Davis?” Programs and Services and the Cooperative School in Lodi, California, Rodriguez Rodriguez replied, “I don’t know.” Agency Resources for Education. attended San Joaquin Delta College in After talking with the recruiter and As Rodriguez sits with her hands Stockton, where she later graduated with completing the necessary forms, Rodriin her lap, a look of joy comes over her an A.A. degree in General Education. guez applied and was accepted to UC face as she reflects back to a time when Rodriguez did not have her sights set on a Davis. During her final year at UCD, she was a low income and educationally four-year college after Delta. She wanted Rodriguez was a student in the Equal disadvantaged student, just like the ones to be a social worker. Opportunities Program Services Student she helps now. “I always wanted to give back to my Affirmative Action (EOPSSA). “My high school counselor gave me community,” Rodriguez says. “We re“Back then, when I went to UC Davis a cannery application,” Rodriguez says. “We were farm workers, so they said, ceived social services aid; we got the free in 1982 to '85, there were less than 300 Chicano/Latinos at the UC Davis campus, ‘Oh, you can read and write, so you can cheese and the powdered milk. I always and so I was an affirmative action admisfill out the cannery application. You can noticed how they treated people, especialsion,” Rodriguez says. work at a cannery.’” ly in my community, Spanish speakers.” While an undergraduate, she and some Raised by Mexican-born parents Rodriguez did not know how to of her fellow classmates told this by whose educations research colleges, howinstructing to decide which In addition to teachingdidn’t MIDIgo at beyond City College, Reggie Graham began the jazz ensemble at Folsom Lakewere College college staff one day that there was free elementary schoolleft, — her father a into auniversity or melody. programs were the best. UC semester. Graham, leads the had group bebop-like

MAINLINE 30 06 MAINLINE

food striking on campus. “Free food!” Rodriguez after a deal with his mother. He remembers. that When and the remembers he she “wanted to others play guitar reached the location, realized the to really badly,” and histhey mother offered eventhim wasone a graduate fair. piano A Latino faculty buy after taking lessons member approached Rodriguez, for a year, learning how to read who sheetwas lookingand forunderstand the free meal, music a bitand of inquired theory. about whatthe she wanted to dolessons, after comAfter year of piano pleting UCD. Graham decided he didn’t want a guitar anymore, so, he says, he “changed the deal and got an organ.” Switching to the keys has paid its dividends, which Graham demonstrates at Graciano’s on Sundays. It’s a true jam session, with players switching in and out. Kvhondre Tinner, a 19-year-old Sacramento City music major, often brings his lively trumpet playing to the mix. Though the musicians who play during Graham’s jam session on Sunday nights vary greatly in age, they are all quite talented. Graham notes that some of the younger players are “the hope for jazz in Sacramento right now.” As a teacher andIrma band leader, GraRodriguez ham says, "watching the younger players EOPS Faculty Coordinator really put effort behind their craft is a real joy. It's really amazing to watch young She recalls the faculty member musicians grow.telling ♦ how and why she wanted to be a social worker for the county. The faculty member asked Rodriguez if she wanted to run the whole social services program, and once again Rodriguez replied, “I don’t know.” The faculty member told Rodriguez that if she got her master’s degree, she could run the department and tell the employees they had to be nicer to the people they serve. The faculty member told Rodriguez to bring him her transcript. After he looked it over and she completed all the required grad school application forms, Rodriguez received a full scholarship to UC Berkeley because of her good grades. She graduated from UC Davis in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Chicano studies. Two years later, Rodriguez attained a master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare. During her time in college, like most students, Rodriguez utilized the programs available to students, particularly financial aid and the EOPS programs. Rodriguez’s father didn’t understand how financial aid worked and worried that someday someone would come knocking on their door saying, “You have to pay that money back.” “I remember mythe dadkeys literally putting Reggie Graham behind at the $20 every (hestudio got paid twicehea Piano Lab, his paycheck instructional where month) in afor piggy bank,ofthinking, ‘OK, teaches piano players every skill level.

“I felt I’m coming

home. It is because of the program that I’m here today, and I can say that without any reservation.”

Irma Rodriguez stands with her colleagues: (left to right) Nancy Arashiro, Delissa Garza, Kathleen Dorn, Adam Freas, Jennifer Chu, Relaxed and cool behind his Yamaha synthesizer, Reggie Graham hits all the right Ken Times, Sandra and Blair McAnelly. notes during his weekly Ruedas jam session at Graciano's. FALL 2015 2015 07 FALL 31

88 Keys

Reggie Graham teaches music on the fly Words &

“As a musician,

I’m lucky to have regular gigs. A lot of musicians struggle for gigs.”

32 04

MAINLINE

Playing at Biba's

FALL 2015

05 33

table of contents

Cover photo: Russ Solomon, founder of Tower Records and photographer of the "Legends" and the "Community" showcases at Sacramento City College.

Beer, music and plastic bags Jan Haag Sacramento City College 3835 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95822 916-558-2696 haagj@scc.losrios.edu

How three old friends released an indie-rock album Find us on the web at saccityexpress.com

Words Editor Rosaura in Chief de la Cruz Photos Tammy Kaley

Kristopher Hooks

Design Editor

Michele Lee

The members of Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds: (left to right) Ian McDonald, Vinnie Guidera and Kevin Hayes.

Photo Editor Before Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds Cover had an albumPhoto to debut, they were simply three friends gathered in a backyard with some ice cold beers. Faculty Adviser The members of the newly founded indie rock band — featuring Vinnie Faculty Adviser Guidera as leadDesign singer and guitar player, former SCC student and Journalism major Contributors Ian McDonald on drums, and Kevin Hayes on bass — have been working on their firstborn album since 2012. The debut of “Lows” was celebrated Photographers in late November with a release party featuring other local bands at Sacramento’s Starlite lounge. During the process of making the album, the band did whatever they could to make the recording process flow smoothly — just like their beer. “We have a routine when we prac-

Tammy Kaley Guidera said. “And we were looking tice,” Guidera said. “Everyone gets Charr Crail around for what smelled so bad, and I there, someone brings a six pack, we saw something across the yard that sort of all crack open the first beer, and we run looked like a dead bird, and so was like, through some songs. We take a little Jan Haag ‘maybe that’s it.’ break, open up the second beer and “So we all walk over to it and are shoot the shit the backyard, and then go Wacker If we’ve got standing directly above it, and it is clearly back inMarcy and be productive. not a dead bird, it’s a black plastic bag, but a show coming up, we’ll practice that Rosaura de the la Cruz, Tammy Kaley, Ian confirmed it as a dead bird. He says, specific set, but that’s fun partWilliam about Grubb, ‘Oh, yep, that’s a dead bird.’” being in band with three people — it’s Courtny Thomas, Justin Valdez The trio continuously jokes about how easy to split a six pack.” it was McDonald’s dumbest moment ever. This ritual resulted in Hayes’ favorCharr Crail, William Grubb, Kristopher Hooks, ite saying: “There’s no pressure; we’re “It’s pretty regrettable, so now the Tammy Kaley, beer.” Penelope Khan, Dianne Rose just hanging out drinking name of our band is a fucking inside Beer even helped them get their joke!” McDonald said. band name. Regardless of the jokes, they stuck “We were practicing during the sumto the beer breaks and the name Vinnie mer, and we got to a point where we were Guidera and the Dead Birds. After finding on a beer break, and it just smelled awful a name that suited them, it was time to in my backyard. Like a dead animal,” work on their sound.

mainline staff

MAINLINE

In the earlier years, the trio all played context seriously. But we also don’t take grandfather. It means a lot to me.’ It’s for a heavier post-rock band called Running ourselves too seriously.” really frustrating.” Riot. Guidera left Running Riot to do some “It’s catharsis for us in one way or Though the band sometimes feels solo work and later asked McDonald and another,” McDonald said. “If we’re feeling like background noise, VGDB still has a Hayes to join him. down or stressed out because of work or great time playing. Promoting themselves “We’ve gotten to a point where we anything else in our lives, it’s sort of like in came easily thanks to Sacramento’s close all embrace our individual musical backthe same way of painting – it’s a kind of way knit music community. grounds rather than88 try to Keys fit whatever to escape the exertion for a while and do “Even if we’re forever playing to 20 mold prosthetic weReggie were initially going your own thing.” to 30 people and a blender in a coffee Graham teaches music on the fly for,” Guidera said. “Ian’s always been a And like all great bands, VGDB shop, [the shows are] a super fun thing to William Grubb punk drummer, and we’ve gotten to a point played their first handfuls of gigs in bars be a part of,” said Hayes. where that’s a kind of integral part of our and coffee shops. Nevertheless, they have Bars, coffee shops and lounges are show. Embracing the individual identities nothing but fun stories and great memories just the starting points for VGDB. With of each part of the whole is important.” from those days. the release of “Lows,” they plan to go This past yearLarry Bowa on tour with their for the band has been new record, which is How a former Panthers baseball player made it to the MLB all about finding the onJustin Coke-bottle clear, Valdez group’s voice and bluish vinyl and making an album that comes with a downthey love, and they load code. And if you want their listeners to want to sing along, love it as well. The Vampire Ball the CD contains an Sacramento’s own haunted actress raises money for kids “Essentially we’ve insert of the lyrics. all been playing music “One ofKaley our goals Tammy together for a decade is to do a lot more and thinking, ‘Oh, that out-of-town shows,” would be cool,’ for a Hayes said. “We have decade," McDonald Reno coming up Panthers' biggest fan tackles life said. So there comes a hopefully soon, and point where you either the Pacific Northwest Anthony Federer conquers cerebral palsy one play at a time have to do it or not. So tour from Seattle to Justin Valdez we did it.” Portland hopefully in The songs on the next six months the new album came and then eventually from Guidera’s solo getting down to west man behind the music musical career andThe he coast California. Who Russ Solomon embraces his post-Tower Records passion rearranged the songs knows? We’ll see for a three-piece band, how peopleHooks like this.” Kristopher and the songs deal With a tour in the with processing low works and newer armoments in life. rangements of songs “We’ve gotten a being reworked, the The WAL lot heavier over the band continues to A look inside the city’s newest artists' housing project last year,” Guidera move forward. said. “[Album] deals “I thinkKaley the evoTammy with grief, anxiety, lution of the process depression and losing your footing.” “Playing in coffee shops there’s a and the evolution of the band starting Though the music and lyrics are lot of blender noises playing,” Guidera from Vinnie’s solo songs to evolving heavy, VGDB continue to keep the said. “I’m trying to talk, and those fuckin’ that to a three-piece to evolving that into From student toandhelping environment around them asstruggling positive as blenders are going off, it’s frustrating students getting people to come to our shows and Life comes full circle for toCity EOPS Coordinator they can. be inCollege’s a noisy room with people that aren’t just seeing more people take interest in “Regardless of how depressing and paying attention. that,” Hayes said, “and thenThomas having a viCourtny serious the content is, we have fun when “I don’t expect to go to a show and nyl record that we’re like super proud of we play,” Guidera said. “We don’t go for it to be completely silent, but when that we’re gonna sell to as many people out to a show and get pumped up by you’re playing in a room and someone as we can — is really exciting.” saying, ‘All right, let’s go out and sing is sitting directly in front of you just Beer, music plastic bags these sad songs, let’s mope around for and screaming at their friend as if you’re not Vinnie Guidera and the Dead Birds’ first alHowWe three indie-rock albumand I’m the next 45 minutes.’ haveold a lotfriends released three feetaaway on the stage, bum, “Lows,” is now available for purchase of fun on stage, and we don’t take the like, ‘Yeah, this song is about my dead and download at vgdb.bandcamp.com. ♦ Rosaura de la Cruz

4 8

14 18

30 34

FALL 2015

Sacramento City College Student Magazine Produced by Journalism 403 / 407