Vol.64 Edition 9

american river

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ARCurrent.com @ARCurrent Facebook.com/ARCurrentcom Vol. 64, Ed. 9 • March 13, 2013

ARC in

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March ARC STUDENTS FLOWED TO THE STEPS OF THE STATE’S CAPITAL TO PROTEST THE COSTS OF EDUCATION THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

By Jeff Gonzales jeff.a.gonzales@gmail.com Snare drums, chanting, colorful shirts, and signs all marked the marching of students in downtown Sacramento on Monday, March 4.

American River College students made their voices heard at the annual March in March event, along with approximately 2,000 college students from across California. The students marched from Raley Field to the steps of the capital to protest the cost of education throughout the state’s collegiate systems.

Amongst the ARC participants were Associated Student Body Senator Lori Banks and Student Senate for California Community Colleges Region II Vice-Chair Antonio Maldonado-Vega.

“I participated in the march because I believe our presence makes a difference and every body counts,” Banks said. “When we show up and march, we give a face and a voice to the issues we seek to change.”

Banks is one of the many students on campus that is feeling the pinch of unit caps and limitations to the current financial aid system. As an ASB Senator, she tries to speak out for the concerns she hears from students.

“Presence makes a lot of difference,” Banks said. “A student showing up in person with a face, a voice, and a statement makes more of an impact.”

SEE MARCH, PAGE 6

A LOOK INSIDE

4

Softball Sensation

Sacramento Food Film Festival emphasizes local cuisine THE YEAR OF FOOD KICKS OFF AT OAK PARK’S GUILD THEATER

By Jorden Hales halespersonal@gmail.com The second annual Sacramento Food Film Festival is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 15, at Oak Park’s Guild Theater. The festival will last two days and feature several films and appearances from prominent chefs and food connoisseurs.

After years of seeing several food

and hospitality documentaries snub the Sacramento area, local food blogger Catherine Enfield created the festival, tailoring to her own personal interests, and she had immediate success.

“A lot of it is what interested me and hasn’t been here [in Sacramento],” said Enfield. “We went into it as a oneday event and it was very successful; we made a profit.”

American River College professor

Teresa Urkofsky stumbled upon the event last year and plans on bringing a group of her Hospitality Management majors for an opportunity to earn extra credit in her courses.

“As a student pursuing a culinary degree or certificate, they will understand what kind of an impact they can have on the food supply,” Urkofsky said.

SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE 8

Amor serves up an ace SOPHOMORE TENNIS PLAYER PROVIDES SPARK OF ENERGY FOR MEN’S TEAM

By Jessica Maynard jessica.r.maynard87@gmail.com Any team that has achieved greatness has a player who motivates his teammates, a player who can spark fight in his teammates when they are down, a player who fights for every point with emotion and heart and gives it their all, leaving everything they have on the court.

For the American River College men’s tennis team, that player is sophomore Andrew Amor, who has helped lead the NorCal ranked No. 2 Beavers to a 7-0 start in the 2013 season. Amor is currently ranked No. 7 in the NorCal standings, and No. 2 in doubles with his partner, Adam Duong.

“In the team environment, he is the glue that holds our

Freshman standout Gigi Jimenez is the top hitter in the state

8

Musketeers Q&A Director Pam Downs gives insight on new theater production

team together,” tennis coach Bo Jabery-Madison said. “He’s really taken that leadership role to the next level.”

His leadership is felt throughout the matches. You can often hear Amor and the other players shouting encouraging words and phrases to their fellow teammates in between points.

Jabery-Madison loves Amor’s work ethic, but he hopes that Amor will be able to continue his intensity during each set throughout the season.

“He tends to bring more energy during big moments, which is a good thing,” Jabery-Madison said. “My SEE TENNIS, PAGE 5 hope for him is to main-

10

“Dogg” Johnson Student music producer starting big at ARC

Page 2

March 13, 2013

ARC Professors are honored as “Authors on the Move”

News

SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY HONORS ARC PROFESSORS AND LOCAL AUTHORS Editor-in-Chief Photo courtesy of Christian Kiefer

By Nikita McGee-Davis nikitadavis634@gmail.com

Managing Editor Sergio Portela

News Editor Jeff Gonzales

Sports Editor Jessica Maynard

Arts & Culture Editor Alisha Kirby

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Carlos Guerrero

Scene Editor Cintia Lopez

Opinions Editor Mayra Sanchez

Photo Editor

Daniel Romandia

Assistant Photo Editor Emily K. Rabasto

Web Editor

Korbl Klimecki

Social Media Director

Top: The book “Infinite Tides” written by ARC Creative Writing Professor Christian Keifer.

Bottom: ARC Math Professor Anthony Barcellos is holding his book “Land of Milk and Honey”, in his office, located in Howard Hall, on March 3.

By Mark Ahling markahling@gmail.com American River College ASB President Quierra Robey had a message for the Associate Student Body members, which she playfully referred to as her ship, in Thursday’s weekly meeting. “Find your role…be a member of this crew!” The message was stern and pointed, “I agreed to be the captain of this ship, but I’m just steering the boat…you must do the work.”

The message was heard loud and clear, but solemnly reflects the activities of the board, which may be struggling in more ways than one. The absence of some members hurts; the lack of new ideas and redundancy may slow them down but the financial matters are “the reef” that Robey must navigate her boat away from.

As President, Robey has had to make some

Copy Chief

Robert Aguilar-Rudametkin

Kiefer is an active poet, songwriter, and recording artist.

“There’s a rich vocabulary there that I was interested in exploring,” he said when asked what inspired him to write the book he was being honored. “My fellow Author-on-the-Move, Tony Barcellos, was kind enough to help me with that vocabulary.”

The Sacramento Public Library Foundation has supported local libraries for many years.

The Foundation’s website states that it “was created as a nonprofit corporation in 1984 to encourage support for the benefit of the Sacramento Public Library.

Foundation funding complements, but does not supplant, the city and county responsibility for library operations.”

“I’m quite happy to be included in this gathering of miscreants and ne’er-do-wells,” said Kiefer.

“Libraries are important and need our support.”

ASBNOTEBOOK

Jared Thornburg

Jenn Schopfer / jenn.schopfer@gmail.com

Two ARC professors, along with 38 other northern Calif. authors, are being honored by the Sacramento Public Library Foundation in an event called “Authors On The Move.”

This year’s theme, “There is Still the Story,” marks the 11th annual presentation of the premier literary event. The two professors being honored are Math Professor Anthony Barcellos, who wrote “Land of Milk and Honey,” and English Professor Christian Kiefer, who wrote “The Infinite Tides.”

The event will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 5-9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, and is billed as, “Sacramento’s premier literary event,” by the foundation. The guests are provided with a champagne reception, a four course meal, unlimited wine, conversations with three local authors at their table, a keynote presentation by author Gail Tsukiyama, and a live auction.

The theme, “There is Still the Story,” emphasizes the importance of stories. The “Authors on the Move” website states, “Telling stories, writing stories and reading stories enrich our culture and enrich our lives generation over generation.”

“There are tons of amusing, entertaining, and tragic stories in my family’s history and folklore,” said Barcellos. “I like telling stories, as does much of my family, and I wanted to capture and preserve some of those tales in book form. I chose to fictionalize the stories in a novel so that I would have the freedom to invent and modify details. That let me create a big narrative arc with a beginning and end.”

Barcellos is a Calif. native who grew up on his grandfather’s dairy farm in Porterville, Calif.

His first language is Portuguese, and his novel reflects on his experience growing up in an American and Portuguese lifestyle.

Josh Baumbach

Design Editors

Steven Condemarin Sarah Scott

Distibution Manager Carlos Guerrero

Staff Writers

Mark Ahling Jonathan H. Ellyson Ed Gebing Jorden Hales Natasha Honeywood Tracy Johnson Novak Alex Panasenko Cesar Ramirez Olesya Sytnyk Sam Urrea

Staff Photographers Mark Ahling Stephanie Lee Michael Pacheco Alex Panasenko Jenn Schopfer

Contributing Editor Jaime Carrillo

Adviser

Kel Munger

Photo Adviser Jill Wagner

ASB PRESIDENT ROCKS THE BOAT

hard decisions in the last few weeks, since the Director of Finance, Kindra Pring, announced the Finance report displayed more than -$2,000 difference from its income. According to Pring, the “JBC [Joint Board Committee] designates estimated expenditures based on predicted revenue. Those numbers are put into expenditure accounts, regardless of the amount of actual revenue.” So, basically, an estimated amount of money, based on a prediction of income, is what gets allocated to the ASB for the semester. It just wasn’t enough this semester.

Pring reported three ways to make up the difference in funds, but conceded that there may be a mixture of activities that could also yield the same results. Aggressive fund raising by the ASB was the most rational choice.

The board discussed cutting the amount of people it sends to the Spring general as-

sembly. This semi-annual event “provides a critically important forum for discussion and debate on state-wide issues, multi-district challenges, and for sharing ideas about how to make the community college system a better place,” according to its website at: www. studentsenateccc.org.

There was talk that ARC may send 10 students this semester and will save money by driving rather than flying to the event. There was also more than 25 seats slashed from the March in March budget, which enabled them to participate in the event just under budget and add breakfast as an incentive.

The board was able to finally start approving by-laws after more than four weeks on the agenda.

PROUD MEMBERS OF THE CNPA & JACC

POLICY

The Current is produced by the students of Newspaper Production, J402. All opinions are signed and not necessarily endorsed by the Current staff. All letters and articles appearing in the Editorial, Opinion or Forum sections are not necessarily representative of the Current staff or American River College policy. All articles are the property of the Current. Please go online at arcurrent. com to see the full text of criteria and guidelines for submissions. Letters must be typed and can be submitted by mail, e-mail or in person at the following addresses: The American River Current 4700 College Oak Drive Liberal Arts, Room 120 Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: 916-484-8304 Fax: 916-484-8668 E-mail: Current@arc.losrios.edu www.ARCurrent.com

News

INBRIEF

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March 13, 2013

Planning ahead won’t kill you LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE FREE RIDES FROM PARTICIPATING BARS FOR A SAFER ST. PATRICK’S DAY

n GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL This year’s annual German Film Festival will be held in Davies Hall 218 on Thursday, March 21. The movie will be a 2003 film, called “Rosenstrasse,” which revolves around a girl, Hannah, and her family concerns.

n PARENTING EDUCATION The CRL Conference Room will be hosting a life cycles series about parenting education on Wednesday, April 3. The series will provide information on the developmental stages children might experience, “emphasizing strategies” for parenting.

n SPRING BREAK From March 25, 2013, to March 31, 2013, American River College will be having Spring Recess. Classes resume on Monday April 1, 2013.

CORRECTIONS In Volume 64, Edition 9 of The Current, the following corrections are listed:

On page 9, Take This Class: Speech 301 student’s name is misspelled. It should be spelled “Jesse Lewis.”

markahling@gmail.com The luck of the Irish only goes so far. St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday celebrated with corned beef, cabbage, and, most notably, green beer. But along with consuming your shamrock’s worth inevitably comes the question of how you will get home.

You will probably be suppressed to find out that every 53 minutes, somebody is killed by a drunk driver, and every 90 minutes, somebody is injured from an alcohol related event. In 2011, drunk drivers in the U.S. killed 9,878 people over holidays.

If the leprechaun in you is itching to get out this St. Patrick’s Day, there are alternative ways to arrive home safely.

Vince Koll operates a nonprofit business in Sacramento that will drive you and your vehicle home if you have had too much green beer. The service is free as long as you are calling from one of the bars or restaurants that participate in the pro-

make sure the streets are safe, and that the percentage of people planning ahead on holidays, such as St Patrick’s Day, are on the rise.

With no students on campus on Sunday, March 17, Los Rios Police Department expects no problems at the American River Campus.

New Student Trustee Elected in Special Election LESS THAN .01 PERCENT OF STUDENTS VOTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION TO REPLACE RECALLED FORMER STUDENT TRUSTEE, K.C. KIMBER ELECTED

By Tracy Johnson Novak tracy.johnsonnovak@gmail.com

In another widely under-attended election, Keith “KC” Kimber, from Sacramento City College, was elected as the new Student Trustee in a special election to replace former Student Trustee Bryan Ryan.

Kimber won the election over Kindra Pring, from American River College, and Carla Garcia, from Folsom Lake College.

The Student Trustee is a position that is crucial to the student experience in the Los Rios Community College District.

Although many students do not know this position exists, the Student Trustee represents the student prospective and acts in the interest of the entire Los Rios student population when it comes to district Board of Trustee votes that determine district policies.

Only 569 students total, from all of the Los Rios campuses, voted in this special election.

When asked why he voted, Joseph McNeely, an electrical engineering major at ARC, said, “My friends made me vote. It’s not really my thing.”

As the turnout shows, voting doesn’t appear to be many students’ “thing.” Student Senate elections generally haven’t earned a high ranking in the minds of ARC students, as shown by the poor attendance in past elections.

The entire voting process takes less than a minute from check-in to officially casting a vote, making it highly convenient and time efficient for students. However, for an election with such importance, only a few short billboards decorated with patriotic clip art and tiny blue and white balloons drew attention to the two voting loca-

tions at ARC. This special election was atypical, only stemming from a rare recall of former Student Trustee Ryan last Nov. According to Resolution F 12-20, Ryan was recalled for a lack of communication with senate presidents and would act contrary to the interests and welfare of students.

In his election biography, Kimber said he “will be a fearless voice for [students]… so that the real voice and needs of all students are fully represented.”

His past experience in the SSC Student Senate and other political clubs, along with his chosen major in liberal arts, allows Kimber a “unique and broad perspective that allows him to see things from the point of view of students in many different fields.”

Although the Student Trustee acts on behalf of students on all campuses,

Voting signs were posted in front of the career center, located next to the library on March 3.

Pring insures that ARC students continue to be in good hands with current ASB President Quierra Robey, saying “She is very effective at communicating what the issues are at ARC to the student trustees and to the district, even if she had to go around [Ryan] to do it.”

Despite violation re-

ports, Kimber proved he’s ready to take on the Student Trustee position.

Kimber stated, “Where others might be afraid of retaliation for taking a stand, [that is the] very thing that drives me in my pursuit of excellence and for providing opportunities for all students.”

Latinos Unidos co-sponsors blood drive FOR THE FIRST TIME A CLUB ON CAMPUS DIRECTLY SPONSORS A BLOOD SOURCE DRIVE

By Jonathan H. Ellyson jonathanellyson@gmail.com

On page 9, Campus Pulse: “What would you title your autobiography?” Theatre is misspelled twice under Sigrid Forsythe and Rosie Frater.

gram. You will not be charged within a 10-mile radius.

“The cost for a DUI by the time you get done with insurance and court costs, you’re looking at about $10,000,” said Koll. “And if you should get in an accident or anything else, you’re looking at some jail time. So it’s just not worth it... the average cost to get your car home, if you don’t go to a sponsored bar, is about $30$35.”

AAA: Tipsy Tow Program offers the same free service for both members and non-members. The AAA website claims 20 percent of all motorists in the past year have driven a motor vehicle within two hours of drinking alcohol. It takes only one or two drinks to impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Association.

A representative of the Highway patrol, contacted by phone, stated that added patrols and checkpoints would be around to

Jenn Schopfer / jennschopfer@gmail.com

n CLUB DAY The Club and Events Board and Associated Student Body Student Senate will host Club Day on Thursday, March 21. Held in the new plaza of the Student Center, students will be handing out information on the various clubs on campus.

By Mark Ahling

Infographic by: Steven Condemarin

n WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT The ARC Student Veterans Association is supporting a car meet and event, benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. The event takes place on Sunday, March 17, from 9-11:30 a.m., and will take place in downtown Roseville on Atlantic Street at Motor Sport Image. Various makes and models of exotic, muscle, and classic American cars and motorcycles will be on display.

There will be raffle prizes and free food available at the event.

Once every semester, Blood Source sponsors a campus Blood Drive, and on March 12 and 13, the cultural group Latinos Unidos sponsored the blood drive here at ARC. “This is the first time we have ever had the name of a specific group on campus to help co-sponsor,” said Fran Koscheski, a nurse from the ARC Health Department.

Blood Source sent “Bloodmobiles,” which parked near the Campus Police station. The blood drive was staffed by volunteer pre-med and nursing students and was run by Blood Source employees.

The co-sponsors for this blood drive, Latinos Unidos, is a cultural group on campus that represents Latinos. They co-sponsored to promote ARCs entrance in a collegiate blood donor competition.

The Latinos Unidos Club has participated in the National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge for two years now, but this is the first time they have cosponsored the blood drive itself.

Last year, ARC came in 8th place in the challenge; just one rank below Sacramento City College and five below Sacramento State.

“The challenge itself is to promote and encourage Latino students and the Latino community

to donate blood and, specifically, bone marrow,” said Liliana Mendoza, coordinator from the club.

The blood drive challenge is for the entire college. Every donor who mentions that their donation is in honor of Cesar Chavez helps ARC in the competition. “Our goal this semester is to push not just our club name, but also American River College, because we represent American River,” said Mendoza.

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March 13, 2013

Sports

Hitting comes naturally to Jimenez edgebingjr@gmail.com Stepping into the batter’s box, the softball player evens out the dirt and covers some of the front line to edge closer to the pitcher, who stares in at the catcher to get the sign. The pitcher shakes off a few signs, then decides. In comes the pitch, she swings and connects with the ball, sending it sailing over the fence. This scene is quite familiar for freshman softball outfielder Giselle “Gigi” Jimenez and her teammates.

Jimenez leads the state in three statistical categories with a batting average of .660, eight home runs, and 37 RBI’s for a team that is currently 14-3 and ranked No. 10 in Northern California.

She started playing softball when she turned seven and credits her father, Raul Jimenez, with her success.

“I look up to my dad. He has played baseball his whole life, and everything that I really know is because of him,” Gigi said.

Her coach attributes her success to all the hard work and practice that she puts in.

“Gigi is a special athlete, because the kid comes and works hard every single day,” head coach Lisa Delgado said. “I never have to tell her to put her ‘game face’ on. She just shows up ready to go.”

Her teammates have fond memories of Jimenez.

“Everyday is a favorite moment with Gigi, she always has her energy up and

she is such a great player to play with,” infielder Sara Dodge said.

The greatest strength Jimenez possesses is the encouraging energy she brings to the team.

“The greatest attribute is her ability to smile, like all the time, and, no matter what, she always has that positive presence, because even when she’s struggling, you don’t ever know,” Delgado said.

She came to ARC after playing at Christian Brothers High School.

“I had an opportunity between Sac City and AR,” Jimenez said. “They were both looking at me to play, and I came here and liked how they form the team like a family.”

Her future plans include transferring to a four-year university, nowhere in particular, when she is done with her time at American River, so she can finish pursuing her nursing degree.

So far, she has loved her time playing for ARC. “I feel like the coaches are really positive. They try to do everything they can to help you,” Jimenez said. “The teachers are great, and I’ve met a lot of great people.”

Alex Panasenko / aypanasenko@gmail.com

Treading through foreign waters

By Ed Gebing

A LOOK AT SOPHOMORE SCOTT STIRLING’S TRANSITION FROM GROWING UP IN ZIMBABWE TO SWIMMING FOR THE ARC MEN’S TEAM

By Sam Urrea samurrea93@gmail.com

Scott Stirling of the ARC men’s swimming team before his warm up on March 4, 2013. Stirling is on both the swimming and water polo teams here at ARC.

America is a country of immigrants with different purposes. Many will come to find a job. Others find it as an escape route from violence in their home countries or religious freedom. Sophomore Scott Stirling, however, immigrated to the United States to further improve his skills in swimming, his life-long favorite sport.

Stirling was born in the southeastern African country of Zimbabwe. He was raised with three older sisters, whom now reside in separate sides of the world.

His older sister, Michelle, moved to Australia shortly after high school, and his other sister, Sheena, moved to Sacramento years before he made the eventual move himself. As children, however, they all had one thing in common: “We all swim since we were little.

I started when I was about five years old,” Stirling said. “We are all a family of athletes.”

His mother has been a swim coach for 25 years and his father played Rugby. “My dad was very fast,” he said.

Speed is something he is now known for. He continued to swim and play water polo, despite living in a country obsessed with soccer.

“The African population loves soccer,” said Stirling. “But people with European descent, like me, play sports such as cricket and swim.”

Zimbabwe’s poor economy makes it is tough to find a job. His older sister, Sheena,

made the decision to move to Sacramento and encouraged Scott to come live with her after he finished high school.

Stirling liked the idea, and quickly enrolled at ARC. He joined the water polo team and the swim team.

The culture shock made it hard for him to adapt in the first six months.

“Everything here is different,” Stirling said. “The weather is a lot colder here. It rains in Zimbabwe, but it can still be 100 degrees outside. And the food is worlds apart.”

Swim coach Erick Black has seen Scott mature into a fine 500, 200 and 100 yard freestyler, but recalls his fitness was not up to standard when he first arrived.

“He was very talented, but was unfit,” Black said. “When he first came, he did his best to get in real good shape, and that hard work has paid off for him,” said Black.

Teammate Bob Bralley praised his leadership qualities. “He is a really strong individual,” Bralley said. “He is the guy you want around the team. He is a very intelligent guy, too. Everyone listens to him.”

Stirling’s goal is to earn a sport scholarship to a four-year university and obtain a degree in International Business. He hopes to move back to his native land in the future.

“Swim has always kept me on my toes,” Stirling said. “It runs in my blood. “

Emily K. Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Emily K. Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Giselle Jiminez, No. 22 on ARC’s Softball team, leads the state in batting average, homeruns and RBI’s.

FRESHMAN OUTFIELDER GISSELLE “GIGI” JIMENEZ LEADS THE STATE IN HOME RUNS, RBI’S AND BATTING AVERAGE

Sports

Page 5

March 13, 2013 Emily K. Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Tennis: ARC’s Amor ranked seventh in NorCal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tain that energy throughout the whole entire course of the match.”

He finished the 2012 season ranked No. 26 in the state, but knew he needed to improve to be more of a threat, so he trained over summer with Jabery-Madison and lost 20 pounds.

“I still have room to improve, and Bo is going to help me get where I need to be,” Amor said.

His doubles partner, Duong, feels that Amor has helped his game in a way that will be beneficial to his growth.

“He’s kept me really positive,” Duong said. “There’s times when I just don’t get something in practice. He’s helped me improve with certain moves.”

When he’s not playing tennis or helping teammates, Amor likes spending time with his girlfriend, and, almost every summer since he was little, you can often find him in Hawaii visiting his grandfather.

His love for tennis derives from his father and grandfather, who both participated in the sport. He credits his grandfather, who helped him during his summer visits to Hawaii, with helping him obtain success on the court.

“My grandpa, he’s always taught me tennis throughout my whole life and I’ve seen him play,” Amor said. “I’ve always wanted to be just like him.”

Amor doesn’t have an ideal University in mind yet, but he hopes to play at a division one school in Calif. If tennis doesn’t work out, he would like to pursue a degree in kinesiology to become a

Unnecessary Roughness Combine Complications

By Sergio Portela sportela.sp@gmail.com

ARC Men’s Tennis player Andrew Amor in his doubles match against Santa Rosa Junior College on Friday, March 1.

physical therapist.

Amor may be the type to let his tennis skills do the talking on the court, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting to be flashy.

“I like living in the moment and getting the crowd into the match and hitting exciting shots,” Amor said.

SPORTSUPDATES

BASEBALL After sustaining multiple injuries to many key players, the baseball team is finally getting healthy. Led by sophomores Andrew Lojewski, who leads the Big 8 division in RBIs with 19 and is third in batting average with .433 and Jason Fletcher, hitting .410. The team is currently 6-9 on the season and 1-2 in division. Their next home game is Thursday, March 14, versus division rival Santa Rosa Junior College at 2:30 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S GOLF

The men finished their season with a record of 12-14, after sustaining a heartbreaking 64-63 loss to Merritt College in the first round of the playoffs. The team is losing sophomore captains Chad Haysbert and Mardell Thompson, along with Chris Carvin and Kelly Jackson.

They played host for the Big 8 tournament No. 3 at their home course of Teal Bend. Overall, they finished with a total score of 410, finishing in sixth place out of a possible seven teams. Charles Klein and Matthew McCartin both led the team shooting rounds of 79, with Colton Passey shooting an 80. Their last match of the season will be Thursday, March 21, at Whitney Oaks Golf Club.

Emily K. Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

SOFTBALL Following a double header with San Joaquin Delta College, the women won the first game 3-2 and lost the second match 2-0. The women look to bounce back from their loss. The women are currently 15-4 overall and 1-1 in divisional play.

The women’s next home match is March 19 versus division rival Santa Rosa Junior College at 3 p.m.

MEN’S SWIM&DIVE Stephen Imbach, Jacob Lear, Pat McCoy, Santiago Rodriguez, Scott Stirling, Bob Weatherhead and Alex Shaner are key members of a team filled with inexperience. The men’s first home match of the season is the AR Sprint Pentathlon on March 29 at 11 a.m.

Hailey Cooley clears the last obstacles in the Women’s 100 meter hurdles during the Beaver Relays on Saturday, March 2.

Stephanie Lee / lee.steph.photo@gmail.com

WOMEN’S SWIM&DIVE Sophomores Marissa Renfro, Nicole Grottkau, and Danielle Beck look to lead the swim team into their first home match of the season, the AR Sprint Pentathlon on March 29 at 11 a.m.

MEN’S TENNIS After beating Foothill College 7-2 on March 9, the men are still undefeated.

The team is ranked No. 2 in NorCal, behind Fresno City College. The men’s record this season is 9-0 and 6-0 in division. The men’s next home match is March 21 versus Chabot College at 2 p.m.

Brandon Hoston up against a defender on the night of Feb. 19 at the American River campus.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S TRACK&FIELD

WOMEN’S TRACK&FIELD

Due to inexperience, the team hasn’t posted the results they’ve hoped for. They have yet to win a match, but head coach Sara Jackson is proud of the improvement in each match this season. Their record is 0-9 and 0-6 in division. The women’s next home match is March 21 versus Chabot College at 2 p.m.

After claiming first place in eight of the 21 events at the Beaver Relays, the men are proving to be a powerful force in the state.

Sophomore Derek Woodard is a strong candidate in the Steeple Chase, and Jacob Huston, Will Reyes and Luis Luna all have promise in the 1500-meter. Huston won the race at the Beaver Relays. The men’s next home meet is the American River Invitational on April 5 at 11 a.m. and April 6 at 10 a.m.

At the Beaver Relays, Alexa Browner had a strong showing in the 100-meter dash, winning the race by .4 of a second. Ariel Maroon continued her hunt at a state title in pole-vaulting, winning the event with a 3.32-meter jump.

Hannah Hardy dominated the triple jump with an 11.24-meter jump. The women’s next home event is the American River Invitational on April 5 at 11 a.m. and April 6 at 10 a.m.

After watching the NFL scouting combine last week I thought to myself. “Why is this important?” Does a good 40 time show what kind of football player you are, or just that you’re a good athlete?

Being athletic does not always translate to being a good NFL player; there have been players who explode at the combine and boost their draft stock. Such positions include: running backs and receivers who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds and have a great broad and vertical jump.

You can call these guys “workout warriors” at the combine.

They don’t have much tape on them, but they’re gifted athletically and gain the attention of scouts, who believe they are prospects they that they can develop in the future.

I on the other hand don’t buy into the NFL combine, and believe it should not be televised because we are watching a bunch of guys work out in their underwear. Leading some scouts like the NFL Networks’ Mike Mayock and many others refer to this as the “Underwear Olympics.”

My biggest problem with it is that you’re possibly drafting guys on how well they can run, jump and lift, not on what they produced in college. I’m looking at you ghost of Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders.

Tape is the deciding factor. If a player doesn’t have a lot of good tape or didn’t produce on the field, that should be an indication that they don’t have a future in the NFL. Don’t believe me? Ask Jerry Rice.

A player who was a “workout warrior” but didn’t have good tape was University of Arizona’s running back Chris Henry who raised his draft stock that he went from a perennial unknown to being the number No. 50 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Henry is no longer in the league and was never able to live up to his potential of being a second round pick.

Further proving that the combine means absolutely nothing is Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, who probably had the worst combine performance in the history of quarterbacks. His draft stock plummeted from being a possible second rounder to being drafted in the sixth round. Brady has become arguably the greatest quarterback of all time with three super bowl rings in five appearances.

The NFL promotes athletic ability over actual talent and causes gems to fall through the cracks and that’s unnecessary roughness.

Page 6

Feature

March 13, 2013

Top : A diverse group of demonstrators gather in front of Capitol building for March in March on Monday, March 4.

Bottom : Approximately 2,000 students, and other participants, assemble along the front steps at the Capitol to listen to key note speakers discuss the future of higher education in California.

MARCH:

Politicians and students give their opinions on the 2,000 students fighting for affordable education CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Going into individual classrooms to talk about the event, Maldonado-Vega was among the people who began promoting it early on.

“What we hope to accomplish in the march is to simply make sure that the voice and struggles of the students are heard and that legislators put the students first when prioritizing the budget,” Maldonado-Vega said.

ARC ASB Student Senate members brought together ARC students from across the campus to participate in the event. Due to budget issues, the ASB limited the RSVP list to 100 ARC students. 73 students signed up to join the even,t with only 43 actually showing up to support the thousands of participants in the march.

Even with the small turnout, the busses that took the students to the protest were energized as they practiced the chants they would use in the march. Student leaders were excited to be able to represent ARC students.

“We want to let [legislators] know the struggles we the students face, and that they don’t forget that the state has a master plan for higher education that stood by accessibility for anyone wishing to pursue a higher education,” said Vice Chair Maldonado-Vega.

Event organizers were planning on 5,000 students from across the state participating in the event, which included speakers, various Student Senates, and Calif. Senator Noreen Evans.

“We have a problem when California, the ninth largest economy in the world, has a 9.8 percent unemployment rate,” Senator Evans said in her speech. “Enrollment at California community colleges has dropped by 500,000 since prices began increasing in 2008. This is due to the doubling of unit costs for some of the lowest-income people in California.”

Evans has introduced the California Education and Resource Reinvestment Act, SB 241, to the state legislation. The bill would have the state charge a severance tax on oil taken from the state.

The fact sheet for SB 241 states that the revenue would generate approximately 2 billion dollars a year and would invest 93 percent of that money into California’s public higher education system, and the other 7 percent to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

“California is the only state of the top 10 oil producing states in the nation that does not charge a severance tax on every barrel of oil taken from our state lands and sea bed,” Evans said.

Photos by: Emily K Rabasto emilyksmith6@gmail.com 1 : Presidents and other officers of ASB organizations from Community Colleges in cities, such as San Francisco, lead the march to the capitol building on Monday, March 4.

2, 3, 5 :Students and other demonstrators from across the state of California gather together in Sacramento to parade to the Capitol building for the annual March in March.

4 : Senator Noreen Evans spoke specifically to the students at March in March on the steps of the California State Capitol Building on Monday, March 4.

This years march marks the second time that UC, CSU, and community colleges from across the state “united in a single action” to continue their “fight for higher education,” according to the California State Students Associations press release.

“Working together, the three higher education systems have fought tirelessly in resent years to protect out higher education systems from devastating cuts,” said SSCCC President Rich Copenhagen in the press release. “Students believe that we must continue to advocate for the preservation of Cal Grants, and reject attempts to reduce funding for students with the most need.”

Education has been considered a right in the state of CA since the original 1960 California Master Plan for Higher

Education. The impact that community colleges have to the areas they serve is tremendous. By providing vocational training, associate degrees, and opportunities to transfer to four year universities, the California Community Colleges have impacted millions of Californians, including Senator Evans, who went through the system before transferring to a four-year university.

“I can tell you from the student’s standpoint that [community college] was probably the best education I received,” Evans said to The Current. “The professors are fully engaged personally with their students, and, as far as the community is concerned, the institutions provide an economic base and they train employees and future leaders in their communities.”

Arts&Culture

Page 7

March 13, 2013

Emily K Rabasto/emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Emily K Rabasto/emilyksmith6@gmail.com Emily K Rabasto/emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Left: El Papagayo is decorated inside and out with beautiful flowers and colorful parrots. Right: El Papagayo has a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options such as the enchiladas rojas de papas al pastor, an enchilada filled with marinated grilled potato.

EL PAPAGAYO BRINGS BIG CHARM AND BIG FLAVOR TO THE TABLE

By Alisha Kirby alishakirby1@gmail.com

EL PAPAGAYO 5804 MARCONI AVE. CARMICHAEL, CA 95608

PRICE RANGE: $$

««««

Open the door to El Papagayo and what hits you first is the scent: a mix of salty tortilla chips and grilled steak and onions. There’s a spacious room of tables, all with a view of the fountain placed near the door. A big screen TV hangs in the far left corner, as one of the only forms of decor on the walls that doesn’t portray a parrot or bowl of fruit.

Gazing around at the dishes being taken to and from surrounding tables is torture. Each dish looks delicious, no matter what’s on the plate, and, as anticipation builds, the wait can feel like forever.

Visit the self-serve salsa bar to curb your appetite during those “forever” minutes. Either the sweet mango-cucumber salsa fresca or the guacamole (with what seemed to have lemon, jalapeño, onion and cilantro) combined with the thick, crunchy tortilla chips should distract you just long enough until your food arrives.

Your meal, the enchiladas rojas de papas al pastor (two enchiladas filled with marinated grilled potatoes, topped with

homemade red enchilada sauce and cheese, served with rice and beans), will come just in time. You can find it on the extensive vegetarian menu, which is full of fantastic options regardless of whether or not you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

Choosing these enchiladas will be one of the better decisions of your life. The potatoes are more like firm french fries that both contrast and compliment the rest of the dish, but the red sauce and cheese softens them up quickly. Each tomato-tinged bite melts in your mouth until you realize your plate is empty and your stomach is full.

After your meal, when the bill reaches your table, don’t ask the waitress if she’s sure that you’re only paying $8.99. As shocking as the low price may appear, considering how much food you just ate, it’s accurate. In fact, nearly everything on the menu is inexpensive, which should be all the more motivation to return.

El Papagayo is located at 5804 Marconi Ave., just three and a half miles from ARC, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Consider it Mexican food for anyone who wants something both filling and a bargain, and something a bit different than your “usual” from McDonalds.

Secondhand Serenade packs The Boardwalk

By Cintia Lopez clopez2392@comcast.net After Secondhand Serenade’s show at the Boardwalk in Orangevale on Feb. 28, The Current got to sit down with vocalist/ multi-instrumentalist John Vesely for a quick interview about the show.

Current: How did you feel the energy of the crowd tonight?

Vesely: Amazing. Really, it was. I don’t want to say surprising, because that makes me seem like I didn’t think the crowd was going to be great. It was definitely more energetic than I was expecting. Usually, it’s energetic and it’s really fun. It was really amazing to be out there with the fans tonight.

What was your favorite moment during tonight’s show?

Photo by Bryce Fraser

JOHN VESELY OF SECONDHAND SERENADE DISCUSSES HIS EXPERIENCE PERFORMING IN SACRAMENTO

My favorite moment was right when I came out. I strummed the first few chords of that song “Vulnerable,” and everybody freaked and it was so loud. I knew immediately, “This is going to be a really good show.”

You had a mixture of old songs, new songs, and covers on your set-list tonight. How do you go about choosing what songs you’re going to play?

It’s funny, because I remember going to shows and seeing bands that I liked when I was younger and waiting for a certain song hoping they would play it, and sometimes they would and sometimes they wouldn’t. It’s kind of random, to be completely honest, and there’s songs that I know people would like. I kind of have to pick and choose what I think people will like.

During your show, you mentioned a full band tour a few times. Do you have an estimated date for that tour?

No, not yet. What I’m really looking to do is finish the record first, and I have a week tracking. That’s going to happen after this tour ends, and then, once that

John Vesely of Secondhand Serenade preforming his solo act on his acoustic Guitar for his audience at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, CA

happens, we’re going to figure out a release schedule and follow the release schedule with a tour.

Do you plan on stopping by the Sacramento area again?

Absolutely, and it’ll probably be sometime this summer. It’s a totally different experience – full band experience versus an acoustic experience. It’s different for the fans. I think that they’ll want to see both.

Page 8

March 13, 2013

“Nothing succeeds like success” for “The Three Musketeers” director

Arts&Culture

PAM DOWNS DISHES ABOUT CASTING AND THE REAL-LIFE DANGERS OF FENCING Robert Aguilar-Rudametkin / Roberto.Andrei.AR@gmail.com

By Jonathan H. Ellyson jonathanellyson@gmail.com

The Current: What can you tell me abut The Three Musketeers?

Pam Downs: The novel by Alexandre Dumas has been adapted for screen so many times. This version is a modern adaptation by Charles Morey. I looked at many adaptations, and this is the one I fell in love with.

One of the most compelling things about “The Three Musketeers” is the author Dumas. In this particular version, Dumas is one of the characters, so there is a dual story of the swashbuckling adventure and the author writing the play.

Was casting difficult?

The casting was difficult for D’Artagnon [Clay Kirkwood] as he is in almost every scene. He has to be fit, do combat, have an appearance women would swoon over, and look very young. We had about five men doing callbacks for three or four hours because the Chelsea Ciechanowski and Clay Kirkwood are practicing shifting their play hinges on that part. weight on March 3, preparing for stage combat for the upcoming production The other musketeers function as one character, like the Dumas of The Three Musketeers. quote, “All for one and one for all,” and it’s a motto for our show. lot of our cast was chosen because of their martial arts or tumbling Another Dumas quote is: “Nothing succeeds like success.” That’s background. Our villainess, Chelsea [Ciechaowski], is a kick boxer, what we hope for. and that’s a good combination.

How are you doing the choreography or fight scenes?

Fencing for theater is all about appearance with strong wind-up The choreographer is Kara Penrose, from the Bay Area. She has diand emphasis on the swing. With the kind of safety training we are rected a lot of fights, and this is the biggest project in her career. She providing, we are anticipating that no one will get hurt. will be choreographing every fight in the show. Tomorrow, we start When do you open? basic combat and safety. Because that is the key, when you do stage We open Friday, the 26 of April, and run until Sunday, May 5. The fights, you use no safety equipment, no masks or padded clothing. second week it plays at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. The Thursday Our rapiers are blunted on the end, but they could still kill you. So performance is a little earlier and is specifically geared for students safety is very important. It is safer to start without protective gear, so who still need to catch a bus or have to wake up early on Fridays. actors don’t come to rely on that. It is potentially really dangerous. A

Festival: Second annual event highlights Sacramento CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Urkofsky also encourages students of other interests and courses of study to attend the event, as she believes it will provide lots of information to local consumers as well.

“As a consumer and someone who prepares food for their family, it offers an understanding of why it’s important to support local agriculture,” Urkofsky said. “I can see this being important to every student, no matter their major.”

Enfield echoed similar sentiments and stressed the impact the knowledge will have on people throughout the greater Sacramento area.

“A lot of the things are local,” Enfield said. “‘Quest for Local Honey’ was filmed right in Nevada County.”

Enfield also stated that two of the festival’s most prominent sponsors – Mikuni and simplyrecipes.com, America’s number one food blog — are both based in Sacramento. Mikuni will also be be hosting a Sake tasting.

INOURHEADS

TELEVISION Once Upon A Time - From the minds of the writers of the hit show “Lost,” OUAT brings to life a twist and new dimension to our most cherished childhood fictional characters. The story line follows a core group of individuals, including favorites like Snow White, Prince Charming, their daughter Emma, and others, fighting against the forces of the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin.

This drama-thriller will have you eagerly waiting for each new episode.

With Sacramento recently being named the “farm-to-fork” capitol of America, and Mayor Kevin Johnson declaring 2013 the “year of food,” several other businesses have made a point to participate and make the festival an experience beyond the theater.

“What I think is great about our festival is that there are related events,” Enfield said. “The Guild [theater] does not have a snack bar, so Whole Foods made some healthy snacks.”

With so much to learn and so many events, foodies, restaurateurs, and farmers will be out in full force, but Enfield believes anyone with interest will feel right at home during the festival.

“It’s for anybody who’s interested in knowing more about their food,” Enfield said.

Anybody who wants to watch movies and enjoy healthy snacks while learning about their food.”

The Current’s Steven Condemarin shares the wide variety of what is in his head Steven.Condemarin@gmail.com

BOOK

Awkward Family Photos Although this book was meant to be the perfect coffee table book, I think that it really digs deep into the “classic” American family psyche. AFP really captures the sociology of today’s society. I think by reading and digesting this book correctly, you will be able to critically analyze and decipher any, and all, awkward family photos. No, who am I kidding? It’s just great to look at.

GAME

MUSIC

Walk The Moon - “Walk The Moon” - Their debut, self-titled album “Walk The Moon,” is one of the more amazing released albums of 2012. This record will take you on an awesome, synthy, poppy experience that will leave you with super catchy lyrics that will resonate in your head for the rest of the day.

MOVIE

Halo 4 - This visually stunning game will leave you wanting so much more after the campaign ends, and guess what?

They give you more. With the newly introduced game mode, called “Spartan Ops,” players can now play episodes of a continuing story line after leaving Master Chief in the campaign.

Back To The Future - A classic film that should, in my opinion, always be in anyone’s top 10 list. This movie is just endless fun. Who doesn’t like the cheesy lines, the over the top acting and, more importantly, the DeLorean?

Que Carlos Mexico: still not as bad as Taco Bell

By Carlos Guerrero carlosguerrero1114@gmail.com

Mexico has got a bad reputation.

Don’t drink the water, be careful of the swine flu. Add the struggles of controlling the high levels of violent crime due to the country’s ongoing drug war and you’ve got a country not even Liam Neeson would come to save you in.

Perception trumps reality, and people think that all of Mexico is dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong, there are places in Mexico I wouldn’t fly over, but it’s not the whole country.

The most dangerous places in Mexico are the northern states near the border, like Chihuahua, Durango, and Sinaloa. About half of all homicides in Mexico last year were tied to drug violence alone, and, according to a Drug Violence data report, two out of every five killings occurred in just three states: Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Nuevo Leon.

The proximity to the border allows drug cartels, and other organized crime, to have easier access to the U.S. to meet the high demand for drugs.

The border town of Ciudad Juarez, “winner” of Mexico’s most violent city for three years in a row, is one of the worst. The city reached its peak in 2010 when it averaged about eight murders a day. It’s gone down considerably since, but it was way too high to begin with for people to notice the difference.

Mexico is a huge country and doesn’t deserve to be defined by the worst places there.

It’s true, it doesn’t sound very appealing to go on vacation to the country with the city that has the title “murder capital of the world,” but there are things being done to help.

According to the Latin American Herald Tribune, the Mexican government is implementing a national tourism policy that emphasizes safety and a good tourist experience.

Tourism accounts for nearly nine percent of Mexico’s gross domestic product and, according to the Los Angeles Times, Mexico predicts it will host 24.7 million foreign visitors in 2013. Image problem or not, people are still going to visit.

The east coast is better and safer. With Acapulco dropping in popularity, tourism is still strong in cleaner and safer resort cities, like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. Even Mexico City, once on the dangerous side, has made strides and is a safe place to visit as of late.

It’s also not as bad as some of its neighboring countries in Central America. Those countries are so dangerous, maybe it’s best Mexico stopped hanging out with that crowd.

Scene

Page 9

March 13, 2013

ARC attempts to help students go green ELECTRIC PARKING SPOTS REMAIN EMPTY DESPITE CAMPUS EFFORTS TO BE ECO-FRIENDLY

By Mark Ahling

Emily K Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

Car manufacturers predict sales increase in the purchase markahling@gmail.com of electric vehicles this year to more than double those of 2012.

Don’t be fuelish! If you haven’t seen The average cost of an electric the phrase yet, you will, because it may vehicle is around $30,000, and be the message American River Colthe Chevrolet Volt was by far lege is sending its students. The sales of the most popular version of electric vehicles are on the rise, and the the plug-in model, selling over availability of vehicle charging spaces is 23,000 units last year. growing. However the new electric vePlug-in and Hybrid car charghicle charging spaces at ARC have seen ing stations are becoming more very little usage since the structure’s and more common these days. dedication on Feb. 14, 2013.

Due to incentives through the Students driving gas-powered veFederal and State Governments, hicles are happily parking a bit further sales of electric and Hybrid veaway in the other 1,700 empty spots hicles tripled in 2012, accordavailable in the new garage. Meanwhile, One of the few electric cars on campus using the charging station on Feb. 26. ing to a report by CNN Money. most of the front-row electric vehicle Tax breaks, rebates, and front spots have remained empty. parking in a red zone. A representative of According to an ARC administration the Los Rios Police Department confirmed row parking spots still are not enough to representative, the 15 electric vehicle des- this and stated that no citations have been drive masses of people into dealerships to buy these potentially eco-friendly vehicles, ignated stalls are open to all people who issued for any such infractions yet. drive any type of electric vehicle, some of There is no additional fee for electric ve- which may be why you haven’t seen many which are also marked as handicapped. hicle owners to park in these spots, which parked at ARC yet. As gas prices continue Parking your gas powered vehicle in an means owners of these energy efficient ve- to rise and the cost of electric vehicles drop, you may start to see those valuable electric vehicle or handicapped designat- hicles can virtually fill up for free. spaces fill up. ed spot would carry a $33 fine, much like

Spring Break: Live from Sacramento HAVE FUN IN THE SUN THIS VACATION WITHOUT EMPTYING YOUR WALLET

By Stephanie Lee lee.steph.photo@gmail.com Your professor dismisses the class and you are finally feeling that sense of excitement that comes with Spring Break: beaches, parties, bikinis and staying up late. It finally hits you that you’ve got very little income and your dreams of an MTV Spring Break in Las Vegas are dashed.

What can you do on a budget and still have a good week long vacation from the books? With the beach to the west, the snow to the east and even some in between, here are some ideas to make your spring break more enjoyable.

Hit the water – Weather permitting, grab a bunch of your friends and take to the water for a day in the sun and float/raft down the river. American River Rentals in Rancho Cordova, located off Sunrise Blvd and Gold Country Blvd charges as little as $60 for a four-person raft ($15 per person.) If you have your own tubes, it’s $5 to park at the Lower Sunrise Recreation Area, and

you can launch from there to soak up the rays.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Starting March 23 all rides will be open on the Boardwalk. For $31.50 you can get an all day wristband for the rides and the beach is right there to get your tan on. If Santa Cruz is too far for your taste, Folsom Lake is always an option. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.

Go see a concert – Sacramento venues have shows all week long. Local bands get their starts here. On March 31 Atlanta based rock band Sevendust will be performing. Tickets range in price from $13 to $32 and can be purchased on the Ace of Spades website.

Day trips to the snow – Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe is hosting an event that starts on Mach 29 and lasts until April 14 called Spring Loaded which includes gnarly rail slides and loud music together. Or for just $92 (not including gear rental) you can purchase a lift ticket for full days ride in the snow.

Catch a Sacramento Kings game – Before the team gets sold off to some millionaire and shipped out of the state capital, why not catch a game? You can get a good seat for up to $75 per ticket, plus fees. The Philadelphia 76ers visit Sacramento on March 24, while the Los Angeles Lakers invade on March 31.

TAKETHISCLASS MUSM342: Recording Studio Techniques

clopez2392@gmail.com Recording is a very intricate thing to do. When recording any music, vocals or sounds, it’s very important that you understand what types of microphones, amps and instruments you’re using.

You also need to know what product gets you the best sound quality.

Professor Eric Chun teaches MUSM 342: Recording Studio Techniques. Unlike other classrooms on campus, when you walk into FA 537-A, you pull up a chair from a stack and find room to seat yourself.

The description of the class online says, “This first course in a four-part series covers entry-level techniques in audio and music production. It also covers microphone fundamentals and applications, studio equipment, recording console functions, and multitrack recording procedures.”

Chun creates a very relaxed atmosphere as he lectures the class and gives examples. He allows students to ask various questions and always has an answer for them.

Throughout the class, he gives instances of tones and pitches by playing the piano that’s in the room and singing a short verse.

Chun then explains what he just did and how a certain microphone or amp can affect the pitch of what is being recorded.

Chun jokes around with his class to help make the lectures interesting. He pokes fun at some artists and imitates their voices to

ERICCHUN PROFESSOR

help get his point across.

There are all sorts of bells and whistles that can affect sound, and Chun urges his students to become diverse. The more a stu- Professor Eric Chun on March 7, 2013, giving a lecdent knows, ture that covers microphones and microphone use. the easier it is for him or her to be able to promote themselves at an event.

The class does require field trips and write-ups, but they coincide with the class. A field trip may include going to a recording studio and being allowed to use the equipment, while the writeups involve going to a music event.

In recording, there are various minute technical aspects that most people don’t really know about. If you don’t take this class because you are majoring in music, you can take it to get an idea of how your favorite artist records their album(s).

“

Alex Panasenko / aypanasenko@gmail.com

Alex Panasenko / aypanasenko@gmail.com

“

The recording field is such a common element and a necessary item for every musician to learn how to do, because it’s so accessible now.

Alex Panasenko / aypanasenko@gmail.com

By Cintia Lopez

I love the instructor. I think he’s funny and he makes the class more fun. He goes straight from the book and he explains it.

ROYGRAY

COMMERCIAL MUSIC

CAMPUS

PULSE

“What is your ideal Spring Break?”

“My dream spring break is just staying in my house, with complete silence, being completely left alone, working on and studying for midterms.”

BRYANAYULE Chemical Engineering “I’d like to go traveling. To Spain or any Spanish speaking culture or country, because I’m learning Spanish at the moment and am so very excited about it.”

ANAROSCO Linguistics “I would probably go out to vacation to Japan or somewhere. I’ve done a lot of studying in Japan because I find their culture interesting.

They make a lot of cool things in Japan.”

JESSEMAINE Undecided “I would find a recording studio somewhere in the woods, and spend it there with my buddies.

Somewhere secluded, with a nice beach view, recording the music we make.”

PAULFLETCHER Music/Recording “If it was my spring break I’d probably go to Australia, with family, my mom. I’ve always done high school papers on Australia. I’d want to see the Sydney Opera House.”

SAMANTHAKNOXON General Science

“Enjoy myself with a trip out to San Francisco me and my girl planned.

See some sights, stay at a hotel. Get the feel of the city.”

HAMUKABILI Automotive Technology

Page 10

March 13, 2013

Michael Pacheco / mfpach@gmail.com

Producer uses ARC recording program to further his musical talent

Scene

THROUGH DIVERSITY AND CHALLENGES, OTIS “DOGG” JOHNSON ACHIEVED HIS DREAMS

By Jared Thornburg jaredthornburg83@gmail.com Despite having a hard time growing up, it’s always important to keep your dreams alive. Otis “Dogg” Johnson was able to make it a reality. He moved from Anchorage, Ala., to Sacramento at a young age, and had an immense passion for music. Dogg, 32, an American River College music student, knew that it would be hard to start a business from the ground up, yet he never quit.

Dogg and his cousin, Anthony “Hopps” Ratcliff, run a studio they built from scratch called “House Productions,” which is part of their company, “Sharonz Boys.”

“We started out back in ‘96-‘97,” Dogg said. “We’re rapping. We’re singing. I could Otis “Dogg” Johnson, a student that is an advocate of the protools program here at ARC. bring out the old pitches and have you die laughing.”

They managed to contact a few music labels, and some showed interest in them.

He found out that ARC has a solid recording program. “I got in there and was amazed “Some you might have heard of like, Strictly Business before they went under, and [we had] meetings with Universal Records just to find out we weren’t ready,” Dogg said. This at the program,” Dogg said. “I would have been in it years ago had I known [about it].”

After enrolling, he went on to receive teachings from AR professors Dr. Merlyn Van Reis why Dogg and Hopps decided to build a studio of their own and hit the road.

Dogg came back to Sacramento from Atlanta after he had tried to get on a label. On the genmorter, who is head of the commercial music department, and Eric Chun.

Dogg has majorly influenced the company that he helped create. “We are a small comway back to Sacramento, he stopped in Albuquerque for gas. He decided to try and sell pany, but we have half of our team enrolled in college,” said Hopps. “The other half is music, and ended up selling two boxes.

Dogg now has branches of his company in Sacramento and New Mexico. Some of the using other means to educate themselves, such as online training programs.”

Otis “Dogg” Johnson found out that there’s more than just Hip-Hop in the music inguys he was working with stayed in New Mexico, while others continued on to Sacramendustry.

He feels re-motivated by taking these classes and he’s learned that, if what he’s to. The New Mexico branch promotes concerts, featuring their artists and major artists currently doing doesn’t work out, there are many alternate avenues that he can take. such as Snoop Lion (Dogg), E-40, and Kurupt.

“There are other options than just being a music producer or a singer for Hip-Hop,” “Pretty much anybody you can think of, we brought out there,” said Dogg, “Just because said Dogg. One of the options is being a sound technician for Congress. “It’s all about they show love and pay for it.” meeting people, networking, and being smart about it,” said Dogg. He knows that not Dogg’s uncle and cousin have taught him everything he knows about music, but he has never had formal training. Running the studio has made him realize that a degree on the everyone makes it in this industry, but he’s not worried, because he knows that if this doesn’t work out, he can still find a home doing something he loves. wall would be nice, so he enrolled at ARC.

Opinion

Page 11

March 13, 2013

CURRENTEDITORIAL

NO MEANS NO

Sexual harassment on the ARC campus has gotten out of hand current@arc.losrios.edu Walking around the campus at ARC can sometimes feel like a bad after-school special.

The complete lack of decorum and tact can be offensive. But that’s not the worst of it.

A few weeks ago, a young man was seen standing outside of the library trying to get a woman’s phone number. Instead of the casual flirtation that one might expect, his query was formed in a tasteless bellow.

“Hey, hey, hey girl! Can I get your number?” he said.

The woman answered as expected. She ignored him. But when the man did not get the response he was looking for, he ran up behind her and kept “spitting his game.”

As stupid as his approach was, it got worse.

The young man proceeded to put his arm

around her to pull her close. She pushed him off and proceeded to rush into Davies Hall.

The fact that this guy put his arm around a stranger, and thought she would like it, is deplorable. It is not a sign of confidence, it is stupidity.

It also reflects a problem that can be seen in campuses across the country. Sexual harassment is still here. That’s not OK. The Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook says ARC “strives to provide equitable opportunity for all students and employees in an educational environment and workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment.”

With this concern so blatantly stated in the handbook, one would think there would be information plastered along the bulletin boards

around campus. This would let students know what to do if they experience harassment.

But, no. Those spaces are festooned with nothing but folderol, including, but not limited to: book sales, non-campus events, and even gym advertisements.

There are no clubs, no specified “safe” places, and no information that could be seen around campus. After the discomfort of being harassed, a person would have to go online and look up the handbook to find out that there is a person that takes sexual harassment reports.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment on campus, contact Sexual Harassment Officer Lisa Lawrenson in the Administration Building Instruction Office, or call (916) 484-8405.

Students interested in starting clubs can talk to Campus Life in the student service center.

Recession goes punk

Cartoon by Emily K. Rabasto / emilyksmith6@gmail.com

WHILE SOCIETY CRUMBLES, MUSIC FLOURISHES

By Daniel Romandia Daniel.Romandia@gmail.com The economy is still falling. Memories of an unwanted war are fresh in the minds of the American people, Detroit and the auto industry are nearing a complete failure, and punk music is seeing a major rise in popularity and mainstream acceptance. Strangely enough, both 1983 and 2013 can be defined by these examples.

In the early ‘80s, punk was still new to the world. Fast drums behind loud guitars, behind even louder vocals, stemmed from the youth of this country being fed up with the government and its inner workings. People in their early 20’s flocked to clubs to see bands, like Bad Brains, the Descendents, and Black Flag, to let out their frustrations. Images of Ronald Reagan being shot in the head, and even excerpts from communist or anarchist speeches, adorned flyers advertising punk shows. The American youth was rejecting what they saw as the regime of the United States.

Today, punk is seeing resurgence in its popularity. Tattoos and gauged earlobes are becoming accepted in mainstream culture, as it is becoming easier to see someone simply wearing a band shirt. Clubs are once again being filled with college-aged youth moshing and yelling as bands, like Title Fight, Touché Amoré, and La Dispute, play their hearts out on stage.

Currently, seventeen states have an unemployment rate of at least 8 percent. On March 1, Detroit was declared to be in a fiscal emergency.

Knowing all of this, it is safe to assume that the American public is not

happy with the current state of the economy. People are looking for a release.

Title Fight’s most recent album, Floral Green, went as high as number 69 on the Billboard Top 200 list. Wildlife, La Dispute’s latest album, went as high as number 161 on the Billboard Top 200 list. The latest full-length album from Touché Amoré, Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me, topped the Billboard Heatseeker Albums chart at number 16. Just a few years ago, bands like this would not have done so well commercially. Their names would be unknown outside of the punk culture that was still growing in the early ‘80s.

Financially speaking, things will get better for America. The rise and fall of the economy is a cycle that is nearing the other end. Until then, punk music will only become more popular, just like it did when still finding its identity in the ‘80s. Mosh pits will only get bigger from here.

Act for the freedom of information

DRM TAKES AWAY FROM INTERNET FREEDOMS

By Korbl Klimecki Korbl.Klimecki@gmail.com I am a pirate. I drink and carouse with my friends, I traverse a frontier fraught with danger, wonder and potential wealth and freedom, I flagrantly disregard social mores and traditions, and I consume media in a way which greatly angers the trading companies and hardly affects the actual workers.

Yes, I illegally download entertainment.

Mostly because I’m broke. I also stridently disagree with the way the entertainment industry does things. They treat both workers and consumers as second class citizens or criminals.

Even people who legally purchase media.

The way they do this, primarily, is through Digital Rights Management (DRM). If you’ve ever spent all day installing Microsoft Office,

because they have it locked down tighter than the crown jewels, or argued with Apple about moving around some MP3s you bought, or tried to rip the songs off an old CD you love for your modern MP3 player, you’ve experienced DRM. Ideally, DRM exists to protect the interests of companies. In other words, to ensure that people like me can’t go on a well-known InternetTortuga and benefit from the software or music without paying for it. The problem is, you bought that content. It should be entirely up to you what you do with it, even copy it and hand it to people on the street (so long as you’re not profiting, it’s technically legal). The other problem is that it doesn’t actually prevent our downloading and using the stuff.

It has been proven by authors, game developers, and musicians, such as Cory Doctorow, The Humble Bundle crew, and Amanda Palmer, that giving people what you have for what they want to pay for actually does work. Studies show that illegal downloading rarely affect sales. Game of Thrones is the most widely

downloaded television series, and yet, HBO’s most profitable show. This is a property aimed at the pirate demographic, even. Clearly, piracy is not affecting things.

Aside from the technology’s complete and abject failure, the very idea is offensive. Information is non-tangible. It cannot be held. You can copy it down, and hold on to a copy, but the information lives despite your grasp. Information is the closest we have to magic, or god. It is created by us, and then lives on despite us.

I understand a company’s desire to get paid for what they produce. That is their right, of course. I am not crying to be catered to as a non-paying consumer.

What I am saying is that their model is offensive and ineffective. A paying customer has every right to do what they wish with the things for which they pay. A company does not produce content — workers and artists do. The company merely packages the content.

Plastic and paper cost. Bytes and Electrons don’t.

On the

XO No Confidence Man

By Mayra Sanchez sanchezmayra5114@gmail.com

It can be hard to maintain a positive attitude about your body image when you look nothing like the girls on television, but nothing has ruined my self-esteem more than my first real boyfriend.

I had always been a confident child growing up. I was the only girl amongst four strong-headed brothers, I was not scared to speak my mind, and I never really cared about my body image.

Well, not until I started dating.

I was 17 and he was 19.

He was my first love, and by far the unhealthiest relationship I have ever had. He was verbally abusive, constantly comparing me to other woman, and would judge me from head to toe. He was unfaithful, making me extremely insecure and jealous.

I had transformed from this over-confident child to a completely insecure girl. I had never felt so small or vulnerable. I hated my body and never felt good enough for him. I needed his approval more then I cared about my own self-respect. If he didn’t like whatever spunky outfit I had on, I’d immediately go change it, which was a nightmare to my fragile ego.

People would ask me why I had stayed with him for so long (three years), and it’s because I honestly believed every horrible thing he would tell me. I was young, naïve, and afraid to lose him.

Finally, after leaving that relationship I made myself a promise: I would never allow anyone to determine how I felt about my own body. I still struggle to believe men when they say nice things to me, after being with someone who destroyed my self-esteem.

But I have learned to accept myself for who I am.

If I want to wear a crazy hat (like the one Jessie wore in “Toy Story 2”), or have seconds or thirds (or sevenths of cheesecake), I will.

It was one of the most liberating things I had ever done. Not only do I have a newfound respect for myself, I have also set a standard for what I would allow in any of my future relationships.

Being with someone should not be a chore, nor should they ever put you down. I am more confident now then ever before and I will never again find myself in a relationship where I can’t be myself.

Sac-con by: Michael Pacheco Every couple of months, an anime convention will roll into town. Sac Con, the smaller cousin of Sac Anime, is a bi-annual event where one day is dedicated to comic book, anime, and video game enthusiasts. It is in this environment where these fans are able to express themselves through their art and cosplay (dressing up as a character or following a theme) while surrounded by like-minded individuals.

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1: Here is Paul the Scarecrow, an example of an extremely well done cosplay, of which con-goers often participate in. 2: “Star Wars” enthusiast Carly is sporting a dress that she had designed. 3: The vendor’s area is often the most crowded places in conventions, with merchandise that appeals to a wide audience, from toys and models, to card and board games. 4: Several characters strike a pose for the camera from the “Spider Man” universe. 5: Fred Jeska showcasing his steampunk-themed cosplay and wares.

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