The Corsair, Issue 2 (Fall)

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, I distinctly remember my mother waking me up, hurrying me over to the television, pointing to the news, and saying, “this is your new president. Although you don’t understand it now, he just made history.”

There are moments in our lives –– both good and bad –– that simply transcend history. They are unforgettable.

In my lifetime, the election of Barack Obama, the death of Nelson Mandela, and the shooting at Sandy Hook all dramatically changed the face of the nation, and the world.

In 1956, a young, cunning woman began her journey at Harvard Law School. She was in a class of 561 students –– 552 of which were men. Throughout her academic journey, she was faced with discrimination based on gender, fierce academic competition, and unparalleled difficulty. Her husband, also a Harvard Law student, fell ill with testicular cancer and soon was no longer able to attend classes. Now acting as a caretaker, mother, and law school student doing work for two people, she continued to persevere.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg would go on to dedicate her entire career to fighting for women’s rights. She argued to the Supreme Court as an attorney six times, defending the disenfranchised. She won five of those cases, permanently instituting legal precedent for gender equality in the workplace.

In 1993, Ginsberg would continue her journey to fight for those often left voiceless when President Bill Clinton appointed her to become the 107th Justice of the highest court in the land.

Throughout her 27 years on the Supreme Court, Ginsberg cast a number of votes that have since significantly altered the landscape of American society. Largely due to her unwavering and unapologetic pursuit of equality, samesex couples can marry (Obergefell v. Hodges), doctors can continue to administer safe abortions (Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt), and women can attend any public university in the nation (United States v. Virginia). Her achievements and successes paint her as one of the great public servants in American history.

Her death is unforgettable. Ginsberg’s dedication made the United States a better, more inclusive nation, and her death leaves us with an uncertain future.

For decades, Planned Parenthood and clinics like it have been protected by one of the law’s greatest titans, but now, their most adamant defender has passed, and they face an increasingly troubling road ahead.

On Sept. 3, 2020, Donald Trump pledged to fully defund Planned Parenthood if reelected. Founded in 1916, Planned Parenthood provides a wide array of low-cost medical services including abortions, emergency contraceptives, cervical cancer screenings, birth control, sex education, and sexually transmitted infection tests, among others.

The organization has long been a target for conservative criticism and now faces a potential recall of the funding on which it so heavily relies.

Following news of Ginsberg’s death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed a Trump appointee will see a vote on the Senate floor despite the looming election –– a message that directly contradicts his refusal to vote on an Obama appointee in 2016. More than 11 months before the election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, he issued a statement arguing that “the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” But now, with less than 50 days to go, McConnell and the Republicans will try to force a vote, firmly establishing the Supreme Court as conservative for decades to come.

Perhaps now more than ever, the legacy of Justice Ginsberg is at risk. Her career in defense of those unheard could vanish in the coming years. Trump has openly stated that he expects his appointees to overturn Roe v. Wade when the time comes, which could in turn unravel years of work to establish gender equality. Planned Parenthood, if defunded, could collapse under financial pressures.

The gravity of the coming election has only multiplied and the country will soon decide: is Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s legacy one worth protecting? Are we not a country that champions equality of opportunity, regardless of race, gender, religion, creed, or birthplace? Her life’s work now rests largely in the hands of the young people she so fiercely protected. This generation’s turnout, or lack thereof, could determine whether Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s name is one that women idolize around the globe, or one that is buried below a wave of conservatism.

Vote.

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SMC Will be Online for Winter and Spring 2021 Jackie Sedley | News Editor Santa Monica College (SMC) announced it will continue conducting all classes, support services, and activities online for the Winter and Spring 2021 semesters as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement came via email from SMC president Dr. Kathryn Jeffery on Sept. 21, to all students and faculty.

In the email, Dr. Jeffery said the decision was based off of current and projected trends and guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State of California’s four-tiered risk assessment system.

“The public health emergency persists nationally and locally; it is unlikely that a safe, widely available vaccine will appear this academic year,” Dr. Jeffery said in her email. “The safety, health and wellbeing of SMC colleagues and students is the highest priority.”

SMC officially went online on March 18, and the majority of students and faculty have not been permitted to return to campus since. The only students currently allowed on campus are those taking part in the Nursing program, Respiratory Care program, and students who have gained permission from their professors to access the very limited number of computers located at the Center for Media and Design. These students will still have access during the Winter and Spring

2021 semesters.

The email also stated that the school will only grant further permission to any departments to return on-ground if L.A. County Public Health guidelines begin to permit their return.

“Additional college personnel and essential practicum tools/courses may transition to an on-ground environment, if conditions and LA County Public Health guidelines permit,” Dr. Jeffery said. “Employees who work at their college workplaces are determined by their departmental safety plans; this process will continue during Winter and Spring 2021.”

Dr. Jeffery’s email also detailed the support services currently offered to students and employees by SMC. This includes a free Chromebook lending program for both students and faculty, as well as free Wi-Fi access for students at Bundy Campus.

The California State University system was the first in the state to extend virtual learning through the Spring semester. California State Chancellor, Timothy White, announced the decision on September 10, citing pandemic models that predict a new wave of cases in the Spring. He also said the California States don’t have the capacity for mass testing to prevent a potential outbreak. The school system was also the first in the nation to announce remote instruction back in May for the Fall 2020 semester.

Santa Monica College’s (SMC) campuses have been practically empty since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no cars in sight on SMC’s Main Campus on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Los Angeles, Calif.

(Alex Ramirez Canales / The Corsair)

The University of California system has yet to make an announcement regarding its plans for the Spring semester.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Health, 261,446 positive cases and 6,366 deaths have been reported within the county as of Sept. 21.

“Santa Monica College upholds the highest level of dedication to access, equity, and excellence in these challenging times,” said Dr. Jeffery. “I remain deeply grateful for your understanding, flexibility, and wholehearted service to the college’s students throughout these uncertain times.”

Equity as it Stands on SMC’s Campus Today

Vincent Marcel | Staff Writer Colleges across the nation are devising plans to create more equitable environments for their students and staff - including Santa Monica College (SMC). SMC’s 2019-2020 Equity Plan states that “Santa Monica College continues to see pervasive data across every student success indicator demonstrating that the College is not effectively serving Latinx and African American students specifically.”

The school’s Equity Plan outlines what benchmarks they hope to reach regarding equity, and the steps taken since 2014 to reach that goal.This includes increased spending on resources such as professional development for staff, and student support programs like the Adelante Program, which was created by SMC’s Latino Center, and the Black Collegians/Umoja program. The plan was developed jointly by Equity Steering Committee, which is composed of faculty and administrators, and the Academic Senate (A.S.) Joint Institutional Effectiveness Committee.

The Equity Plan outlines that the “college is considered a minority serving institution (Latinx and African American student population of 49 percent). According to Institu-

tional Research conducted by SMC in 2019, 61 percent of the roughly 30,000 credited students per semester are “racially minoritized.”

SMC’s 2019-2020 Student Equity Plan also addresses the equity issues the school has faced in regard to equity and their projected goals for the year ahead. One sector of the plan discusses the lack of “any dedicated equity staffing to create, coordinate, and sustain the training, planning, and strategy development of the campus community around racial equity data, best practices, and principles.” The plan stated they will be establishing an “Institutional Equity, Planning and Effectiveness” leader to monitor equity data and coordinate efforts to address institutional equity gaps across every sector of campus.

Sherri Bradford has worked for SMC’s Black Collegians program for 23 years, starting as a counselor and now running the entire program. Bradford recognizes the amount of work needed to create a more equitable campus.

“It is challenging to move the needle, unless there are consistent campus wide required opportunities for this professional development to occur,” Bradford said. “Every

part of the cog in the wheel of a college plays a role in how we execute better experiences [for our] black and Latinx students.”

This year, A.S. created the Director of Equity and Diversity position. The position aims “to advocate for the protection of students’ rights to equity, diversity, and inclusion,” according to the A.S. constitution.

The current Director of Equity and Diversity, Karla Bellot, is passionate about increasing student access to the resources that both A.S. and SMC have to offer. The immediate online environment has revealed disparities in student access to technology.

“Not everyone at SMC right now has good Wi-Fi, a good computer, [or] a good phone to use during class,” Bellot said.

Bellot started her first semester at SMC not fully aware of the programs and resources available to her. Looking back now she encourages other students “to get involved, because if you don’t get involved, nothing’s gonna change.”

As head of Black Collegians, Bradford does more than just oversee the program.

Many students come to her for advice, whether that be academic or personal.

“If they get in a class, and it feels like they’re being microaggressed every other

minute, it doesn’t matter that they got a great enrollment day to get into this class, if their experience was not a good one,” Bradford said.

Bradford says many students that come to her for advice have similar reoccurring experiences. For one, she has had several students express feeling like they don’t see other people that look like them within their own classrooms.

“Depending on what class it is, if a topic comes up related to Black folks in America, they feel like they’re put on the spot as the sole representative and the [person to] speak on whatever topic that is,” said Bradford.

While Black Collegians and Adelante both aim to narrow the equity gap for students of color, Bradford says students shouldn’t have to seek out alternative resources in order to feel like they belong on their own college campus.

“It shouldn’t have to be where students come to Black Collegians or the Adelante Program to feel a sense of belonging to the campus,” Bradford said. “We have to take responsibility as employees of the college to create an atmosphere where our Black and Latinx students feel welcome.”

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International Students Cope With the Impacts of ICE’s Directive Miriam Dossena | Staff Writer On July 6th, 2020, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that students on F-1 visas must leave the country if their school began offering online education only. This directive put students and institutions in a precarious situation, and even though it was eventually rescinded, they are still dealing with the consequences.

ICE released its official response to the COVID-19 global pandemic on March 13, 2020, the same day that President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency. The initial ICE regulation allowed international students to pursue online education either in the U.S. or abroad for the duration of the pandemic and maintain their F-1 visa status as active.

However, on July 6, ICE issued a new document, “The July 6 Directive”, which proclaimed modifications to the initial regulation. This directive stated that F-1 students attending online-only schools must either transfer to an in-person institution or otherwise leave the country before the beginning of the Fall semester. The announcement immediately caused chaos among many students and institutions all over the U.S. Communications major Ophelie Le Houx, is one of the many international students attending Santa Monica College (SMC). She was born and raised on

Réunion Island, a French colony in the Indian Ocean, and has lived in the U.S. since September 2018.

“I saw the news on Twitter, and I got very anxious and worried because that was changing all the plans I had made for my future. Everything fell apart in one second; it was so unexpected,” LeHoux said.

Pressian Nicolov, the Dean of SMC’s International Education Office, said he was shocked when he found out about ICE’s directive through a notification on his phone.

“I started reading it, and I did all I could do to not fall down in the middle of the street,” Nicolov said. “It literally cut my knees off.”

According to Nicolov, SMC immediately activated its resources to face the problem. SMC scheduled multiple zoom meetings with its F-1 students to keep them updated on the situation.

“Even though we started planning the transition to a hybrid institution, the most painful thing was that we could not give students an answer because these regulations were kind of specific in one way and very vague in another,” Nicolov said. “We focused on easing student’s fear and anger.”

On July 8, Harvard and MIT filed a lawsuit against ICE’s directive, which Nicolov saw as a game-changer and “an amazing case, nobody could have argued against it.”

The lawsuit states that “ICE’s rescission of that recognition failed to consider numer-

ous weighty interests, and is itself arbitrary and capricious and an abuse of discretion.”

Students like LeHoux also felt relieved when they heard that major universities were fighting against ICE. LeHoux said she “started to be more hopeful, and realized that things weren’t definitive at all.”

The lawsuit’s effects were seen immediately. The case did not end up making it to court because ICE backed off the decision right before the hearing. On July 14, 2020, only a week after ICE’s restrictive regulations were announced and multiple lawsuits were filed, ICE walked back on their directive.

Even though ICE did not go through with the directive, many students decided to leave. According to Nicolov, approximately half of the SMC international students left the country.

“The institution lost a lot of money due to the decline in numbers. Some international students that went back home did not

pursue their studies remotely, and we also experienced a fall in new enrollments,” Nicolov said.

SMC is pursuing the idea of becoming a hybrid institution in the Spring to encourage international students that are abroad to return to the U.S., according to Nicolov. Currently, students that returned to their home countries are not allowed to re-enter the state due to COVID-19 travel restrictions; only U.S. citizens are allowed to re-enter the country. However, students that left and have not enrolled full-time for the Fall semester lost their F-1 status.

Nicolov said that the transition to hybrid classes is a good compromise and it might also encourage new enrollments.

“Everybody, from the president to the faculty and the staff loves the international students and sees them as a top priority,” Nicolov said. “In my 25 year career in this field, I have never seen anything like that, such devotion and care.”

ing to make its way to our oceans. We’re just asking people to catch it before it gets into the waterways.”

SMC joins environmental organizations including Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Conservancy in promoting a more individual style of Coastal Cleanup Month, since no organized cleanup events are permitted to happen this year. These organizations are encouraging people to go out to the beach alone or with their families and post on social media using hashtags such as #coastalcleanupmonth and #solobeachcleanup. In addition to promoting cleanups, Heal the Bay, based in Santa Monica, is hosting a series of virtual events and panels with environmental professionals this month, trying to educate people on the serious issue of ocean pollution.

Kawar also described the causes and effects of this issue. “You know, it’s not always just people that are willfully throwing things on the ground,” he said. “It’s the whole idea of a disposable economy.”

Although the single-use plastics and

disposable items that are prevalent in our economy are convenient, the lives of marine animals are at risk because these disposable items that litter the streets and beaches will inevitably make their way to the ocean. “Marine life, bird life, they’re seeing all these plastic particles as a food source. They can’t distinguish between something that’s actual food and something that’s just a bright little piece of plastic,” Kawar said.

Plastic pollution does not just affect animals. According to Kawar, as the chemicals in plastic and other ocean pollutants enter the bodies of marine life, they move their way up the food chain and these toxins end up in the seafood we eat. He says “we need to realize that there are many layers to this problem. It’s not just a visual issue, it’s not just the animals that die.”

Environmental scientists and conservation experts cite many reasons to participate in beach cleanups, such as marine life preservation, the prevention of toxins and chemicals from disposable plastics enter-

ing our bodies, and keeping our communities clean. Kawar believes “most people want to do the right thing. We’re not all slobs. But we’re just confused.”

There are also many ways to get involved. In addition to physically cleaning up the beach, educating yourself and others on ocean pollution and cutting down on disposable plastic usage can also have a positive impact on the environment. The Nature Conservancy recommends convenient ways to do this, such as bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, investing in your own reusable coffee cup and water bottle, avoiding single-use plastic food containers and utensils, and switching to digital bills, receipts, and magazine subscriptions.

Although it may not feel like these small actions make any impact, these environmental organizations have proven that these are the necessary steps to take to ensure the safety, cleanliness, and longevity of our coasts.

Ophelie Le Houx and other international students have had their time in the U.S. threatened by “The July 6 Directive,” which states that any international student attending online-only schools must transfer to an in-person institution or leave the country before the start of the fall semester. In Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 21, 2020. (Brian Adler / The Corsair)

SMC Advocates Coastal Cleanup Month

Johnny Neville & Kacy Mcgonegle | Social Media Editor & Staff Writer Prior to COVID-19, Santa Monica College (SMC) had organized a beach cleanup day to take place in September in which hundreds of students and locals would gather at SMC’s adopted beach next to the Santa Monica Pier. Although the decision was made for it not to take place this year, per CDC guidelines, there are still ways to get involved in Coastal Cleanup Month.

Some SMC professors are offering extra credit to students for participating on their own. They are encouraged to fill up at least one full bag of debris, and reflect on the most interesting trash items and what they learned from the experience, according to an email sent out by SMC’s sustainability department on Sept. 10.

“We’re having to ask people to distance, to stay in their neighborhoods, and clean up the debris that they see,” said SMC Sustainability Manager Ferris Kawar. “Eventually, all that material is go-

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Plant Life Healing in the Pandemic Octavia Anderson | Staff Photographer

SMC student, Parker West,19, pictured in her bedroom amongst her 2 year collection of indoor foliage, that has expanded since the mandatory Los Angeles County lockdown in March. “I’ve been drawing plants more because they are just such an easy focus and are fun to draw. My plants do bring me comfort because even if I’m stuck in some of my worst depressive episodes I always make sure I get up to water them, usually becoming the end of that episode” said Parker on Wednesday, Sept., 16,2020 in Carson, Calif. (Octavia Anderson/The Corsair)

On March 11, Los Angeles County reported its first coronavirus death. Since then, there have been ongoing restrictions due to COVID-19, and protests against police brutality all across the United States have led some to engage in self-reflection through green care, therapy by exposure to plants and gardening.

Multiple studies show the positive effects of looking after plants on mental and physical health, such as lowering heart rate and feelings of stress and fear.

SMC student Parker West started adopting plants in 2018, and now has a collection of over 20, which she calls “her kids.” Green care has provided her with a more creative and comfortable space.

(Above) SMC Student, Parker West, 19, watering her growing money tree she was gifted recently. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Carson, Calif.

(Left) SMC Student, Parker West’ 2 year old ceiling plant that compliments the organization and aesthetic of her space. Wednesday, Sept., 16,2020 in Carson, Calif.

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(Above) A car fire spread to brush on the side of the freeway in Brentwood, California on September 11, 2020. Fire fighters are spread thin as they battle devastating fires all over the west coast during one of the worst fire seasons on record. (Maxim Elramsisy / The Corsair)

(Right) A briefing area where helicopter crews review logistics and hazards of their daily missions at the Brackett Field Airport in Pomona, California on Sept. 22, 2020 (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

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A Plague of Fires Riddle California Allie Leeds | Culture Editor The Bobcat Fire has been blazing through the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, Paradise Springs, and Wrightwood since Sept. 6. Altadena, Longview, and parts of Pearl Blossom are all under evacuation warnings. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

The Bobcat Fire has currently burned over 109,000 acres and is only 17% contained, making this “one of the largest fires in Los Angeles County history,” according to L.A. County Fire Department’s Twitter.

Departments from all over the Los Angeles area have been assisting with the effort, including the L.A. County Fire Dept., California Highway Patrol, and the City of Los Angeles Fire Dept.

The U.S. Forest Service is deploying helitack crews, teams of specially-trained firefighters transported by helicopter. The crews have been fighting fires non-

stop since July, all over the Southwest, from Northern California to Nevada.

The fire destroyed the Devil’s Punchbowl, a large geological center in the Angeles National Forest. The fire also threatened Mount Wilson Observatory, a famous and historic astronomical observatory. The fire continues to threaten the Observatory and the surrounding area.

Multiple fires have popped up in the L.A. area over the past few weeks. On Sept. 11, a small brush fire caused by a burning car on the 405 Freeway was extinguished. Further down the 405 in Sherman Oaks, a 20-acre fire was extinguished in the Sepulveda Basin on Sept. 6. The El Dorado Fire near Big Bear, the Snow Fire in Palm Springs, and the August Complex fire in Northern California are all still burning.

With these fires as well as the Northern California and Oregon fires, firefighter’s resources are spread thin.

(Left) A helicopter takes off for a mission at the bobcat fire in Pomona, California on Sept. 22, 2020 (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

The Los Angeles Fire Department was quick to the scene of an auto fire on between the southbound 405 and Sepulveda Boulevard, just north of the Getty Center exit.

As fires rage across the state, this fire near the scene of the 2019 Getty Fire, was quickly contained (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

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COVID-19’s Impact on Street Performers

While it’s hotter than ever, the Mariachi Garibaldi are still rolling through the day with a punch, Santa Monica, 3rd Street Promenade. Sept. 6, 2020. (Romeo Kuhn / The Corsair)

Guadalupe Perez | Staff Writer

Whether shopping, walking, or enjoying a meal near the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier area, chances are you will catch a glimpse of a street performance.

Street performers have been around for many years in Santa Monica and bring live entertainment to the city and its people. A culmination of different cultures, the performers vary from dancers, singers, DJs, Mariachi bands, violinists, drummers, and interactive crowd performances.

However, like many other people during the current COVID-19 pandemic, street performers have been struggling during these trying times. Performers have found themselves trying to find creative and innovative ways to entertain their audience while following guidelines to keep safe while performing.

Angel Guzman is a member of the Mariachi band “Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime

Cuéllar.” The band began street performing towards the end of July as a result of COVID19 giving them fewer opportunities to perform at their usual venues. “We’re unable to do large venue concerts, tours, and such,” said Guzman.

Guzman shares with us that the band recently added curbside serenades as one of the services they offer. This is a way for their clients to still enjoy their music and services in a safer manner. He adds that he and his band members also get tested monthly for COVID-19, or more often if they feel that they have been exposed.

With COVID-19 still affecting America, many places like concert venues, indoor restaurants with live music, and other venues which are considered to be non-essential, have been forced to close their doors to the public until further notice. This leaves many musicians and entertainers who once performed in these venues unable to be booked.

Imani Elijah is a drummer originally from

New Organization Feeds Local Families

Niamh Moore | Digital Editor In late March, Suzie Crocker, a woman who works with Hope United LA, received a large food donation from Whole Foods.

Unsure of what to do with it, she reached out to Cheryl Byrne, a neighbor of the church and a strong figure in the community. Byrne is now one of the co-founders of Feeding Families Santa Monica. She knew that she had to find people who she could help.

Byrne reached out to Karen Miller, who works in the Santa Monica School District.

Through the help of the community liaison, they were able to find 10 families right away that were food insecure and needed help.

Byrne, Miller, and Marie Espino began to work every Saturday from a garage making boxes and feeding people.

With growing success, they have come a long way from where they started in March.

After a few weeks of donating food boxes, more families began to hear of them. In the

span of two weeks, the number of boxes jumped from 34 to 64. Along with this large influx of people in need, came the necessity for more donations, volunteers, and a larger space. Crocker offered her church as a place for the volunteers to gather and make boxes.

Donations come from many different places such as Sunrise Produce and Food Cycle LA. One of Feeding Families Santa Monica’s goals is to make sure each box contains fresh produce and healthy food, instead of canned vegetables.

One day in April, while walking by McKinley Elementary School in Santa Monica, Byrne noticed their garden was overgrown.

“We cleaned all the plots and went back and now have had 3 harvests of food to go into boxes. That’s not only produce, that’s super fresh produce, picked on Friday and put in a box on Saturday,” Byrne said.

Feeding Families Santa Monica now feeds 115 families, and that number is still increas-

Massachusetts who moved to California in 2010, where he shortly found the Third Street Promenade and started his journey as a street performer. “There’s a lot of the hotels, restaurants, normal bars and places we would typically play are closed at least for entertainment. But I think eventually we’ll get those back,” said Elijah.

Kiev Morales, a violinist who is native to the Los Angeles area, is able to perform at only one of the outdoor restaurants he would typically play at. “I still play for a restaurant… but that’s the only residency that I have at the moment. All the other ones have been canceled,” said Morales.

Due to L.A. County’s stay-at-home orders, performers have been impacted not only by many of their bookings being canceled, but also by fewer people walking around the area enjoying street performances. When asked if the money they would typically earn has still remained the same, Elijah said “it’s significantly slower.”

The pandemic has also limited the spaces in which many street performers around Santa Monica are now able to perform, according to both Elijah and Morales. Typically they would perform by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier however, the location has been closed to street performers since March. Violinist, Morales, said he misses being able to perform for audiences on the pier during sunset hours, and playing songs like “My Heart Will Go On” by Céline Dion.

Morales and Elijah also said that they are taking precautions while street performing. Each wears a face mask while performing and brings extra tables to create a barrier between them and their audience.

Although this pandemic has been difficult at times for street performers, it has also inspired them to make creative changes to their typical performances.

DJ Lil Buddha, who has been a loyal street performer in Santa Monica for 5 years now, said COVID-19 inspired him to put together a new 15-song-set to play for his audience. The set includes songs like “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, ”Europa”

by Santana, and “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, which he hopes will help motivate people as they walk by and catch a glimpse of his performance.

DJ Lil Buddha also said that he constantly uses mouthwash, baby wipes for his hands, and wears a face mask to remain safe, and be a good citizen of Santa Monica while performing his DJ sets.

Leandro Levos, a singer originally from Venezuela who has been doing street performances in Santa Monica for 16 years now, said that COVID-19 made him change the way he performs. He now takes more caution while performing. “I always tell the people to use the mask. I tell people always, you know if you are a little sick, don’t come to the show. Stay at home,” said Levos.

Levos used to be a professional BMX racer for the United States before he got into a terrible motorcycle accident in 2005, which broke his legs in two different places, inspiring him to start his career as a street performer.

Although these trying times of dealing with COVID-19 have impacted many of the street performers in Santa Monica, it has also given the performers and their audiences a new appreciation for what they do.

Cheryl Burne, co-founder of Feeding Families Santa Monica, prepares for an event in Santa Monica on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at Hope United LA in Santa Monica, Calif. The organization helps to feed people struggling with food insecurity. (Maxim Elramsisy / The Corsair)

ing.

“Someone asked me, are you going to cap it at a certain number? I said I will never cap people who need food, I will always find ways to make sure people get food,” Byrne said.

Byrne is determined to feed families from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, as well as those outside it.

Earlier this week they started the weekly 5x5 challenge. The goal of the challenge is to find five friends to donate five items of

food for the boxes. The turnout was great; they received a considerable amount of donations and hope more people take part each upcoming week.

Feeding Families Santa Monica will happily accept more volunteers and food donations. For more information, you can check out their Facebook page, Feeding Families Santa Monica, or their Instagram, @feedingfamiliessm.

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Local Music Venues Struggle Amidst Pandemic Paige Strickland | Staff Writer Marquees glow at night with “We Hope to See You Soon!” messages, and sidewalks that were formerly cluttered with lines stretching down the street remain empty.

Los Angeles’ live music venues are at the heart of the city’s culture and entertainment, and for the first time, seats are empty.

Laura Connelly, Vice President/Manager of The Hollywood Bowl, who has worked with the venue for the last 22 years, keeps a positive outlook. Despite the first halt in their concert season in the last 98 years, the Hollywood Bowl is continuing to present a form of concert experiences to the public by providing a variety of virtual series.

In collaboration with KCRW, every Sunday through Oct. 11, they are broadcasting “World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl,” a live-streamed archive of past shows including Blondie, Janelle Monáe, Flying Lotus, St. Vincent, Toro y Moi, and more.

In addition, The Hollywood Bowl is launching “SOUND/STAGE” with The Los Angeles Philharmonic and various artists, starting on Sept. 28.

The sudden transition to digital shows wasn’t always smooth sailing, but The Bowl has proven to be resilient.

“I would say we’re a bit like an oil tanker.

It takes a little while for an oil tanker to make a turn. So it took us a little while, but once we got our heads around it, and we got

a grip on everything that was needed, you know, we went full throttle as we do,” says Connelly.

Beginning these live-streams has opened new doors for The Bowl and viewers alike.

“There are many silver linings people have been able to find in this pandemic era, and I think that [live-streaming] is one of them,” says Connelly. “The Philharmonic, now, will continue to have initiatives when we’re back doing live concerts. This is not all suddenly going to stop when we’re back to some kind of normalcy. So that’s exciting.”

The food and wine vendors that provide The Bowl with its delicious cuisines and beverages during shows are still serving the public. Creating the “Hollywood Bowl Supper to Go” program, they offer socially distanced curbside pick-up every Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Customers can choose from a select menu of options, place an order ahead of arriving, and enjoy their dinner while supporting the venue.

The Bowl encourages concert-goers to make donations where possible, no matter how big or small, and stay informed about upcoming live-streamed events. “Watching and keeping up-to-date with what we’re doing is an amazing way to support us. Tell your friends and neighbors what you’ve seen on The Hollywood Bowl stage, and The Ford stage too,” says Connelly.

Those like Jim Smith, the owner of The

Smell for the last 23 years, are facing an uncertain future. The all-ages, volunteer-run, creative space downtown endured this concert-less summer by holding food and necessities drives to serve the homeless community. Collecting donations for food, clothes, and sanitation products to distribute to those in need, the venue continued to find ways to give back to the community. In addition, they hosted a number of livestreamed events to raise funds for Black Lives Matter and other community focused organizations.

“We haven’t been paying rent since March, and there’s a lot of uncertainty. We don’t know if that will be wiped clean when everything returns to quote-unquote ‘normal,’ or if we will have to pay that all back,” says Smith.

He is not alone. Many venues in Los Angeles and nationwide are concerned for what will come in the future months as COVID-19 rages on. Bills including utilities, insurance, mortgages, and property taxes are piling up while venues are scraping up a small fraction of their usual revenue if any at all.

The Smell encourages its patrons to continue supporting musicians by tuning into live streams to “keep the music scene on life support.” They are not asking their fans and supporters to donate at this time.

“A lot of our patrons are also struggling at this time,” says Smith. “So we wouldn’t

want to reach out to them for donations and then not need them if the best case scenario turns out to be true, and the slate is wiped clean.”

Venues like The Mint, The Viper Room, and The Trip are taking donations via their GoFundMe accounts, while The Troubadour and Whisky-a-Go-Go are selling official merch on their websites to gain more revenue.

The Smell is just one of several Los Angeles music venues that call on their advocates to join The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and Save Our Stages in asking senators and representatives for help.

NIVA consists of “Over 2,000 independent venues in 50 states that are banding together to ask Washington for targeted legislation to help us survive,” NIVA says on the Save Our Stages website.

“We were the first to close. We will be the last to open. We are 100% shut down for an indefinite period of time. We have zero revenue. We are small businesses who are in danger,” NIVA states.

By filling out the pre-written message on the “Take Action” portion of the Save Our Stages website, anyone can show their support for the Save Our Stages Act and RESTART Act. Both will produce grants to pay off venue debts and support employees, according to their website.

A Resurgence of DriveIn Movie Theatres Aja Marshall | Staff Writer On a Sunday evening, typically a slow business day for the movies, the Regency Theaters Drive-In, also known as The Plant, had a half-full parking lot of cars. Couples and families settled in as the lights dimmed.

The screen came to life with 20th Century Studios’ newest movie, “The New Mutants.”

Drive-in theaters had not been popular since the 1950s, but they recently made a comeback amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In late August, the state of California released a new color-coded tier system for reopening businesses that allowed drivein theaters to open in Los Angeles County, but closed indoor movie theaters indefinitely.

Angelica Rios, an employee at The Plant Drive-In, noticed an influx of crowds since they opened two weeks prior.

“The first show, there [wasn’t] that many people, and as time went by we started filling up the parking lots more and more,” says Rios.

The same can be said for other theaters.

The Paramount Drive-In sold out five minutes before their 7:55 p.m. premiere of “Tenet,” starring John David Washington, on Saturday night, Sept. 12. A line of cars that extended

half a mile down the street could be seen trying to enter the venue when the announcement was made.

Antonio Gonzalez, an employee at the Paramount Drive-In, attributes the bigger-than-usual crowd on Saturday to “Tenet” being a new movie. He mentions that the theater drew a similar crowd with the release of “The New Mutants” on Aug. 26.

Both Gonzalez and Rios share the opinion that more people are going to the drive-in because it offers something fun for them to do outside of their homes, amid the pandemic.

Brandon Engstrom and Alyssa Claudio were newcomers to the Paramount Drive-In on Saturday night. They mentioned that they would go to an indoor theater if it was open, but decided on the drive-in since they were in L.A. for the weekend, and they wanted to see “Tenet.”

As for COVID-19 safety concerns, the state requires L.A. County drive-in theaters to enforce regulations. These include that masks be worn by all patrons and employees, and that patrons stay in their vehicles for the entire show, except for when going to the on-site restrooms or concessions stand. At both establishments, a list of COVID-19 regulations was handed out at the ticket

A guest sits in the back of their trunk to watch “The New Mutants” at The Plant Drive-In in Van Nuys, Calif., hosted by Regency Theatres, on Sept. 14, 2020. (Romeo Kuhn/The Corsair).

window, and employees patrolled the area to make sure patrons were following the guidelines.

Traditional drive-ins have been around for decades and typically have multiple screens with a large selection of classic movies and new releases. They charge around $10 per person. Moviegoers in the Santa Monica area are welcome to a variety of drive-in theaters throughout L.A. County.

These drive-ins include The Paramount Theater, The Vineland Theater in the City of Industry, and The Mission Tiki Theater in Montclair.

Pop-up drive-ins offer special screening locations, holiday-themed decorations, and a variety of movies depending on the occasion. These drive-ins include The Plant Drive-In in Van Nuys, The San Fernando Valley Drive-In, and The Sony Drive-In Experience that allows patrons to watch Sony movies on the studio lot in Culver City.

Pop-ups charge around $30-$40 per car with a maximum of four people per vehicle.

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Why Community College Should be the First Choice During the Pandemic Miyae Folkes | Staff Writer If committing to college was not hard enough already, the wake of COVID-19 has many students second-guessing whether or not to attend a four-year university. Even before the pandemic, choosing between attending a community college or a four-year university is one of the toughest choices that students will have to make in their academic career. However, the pandemic seems to have revealed that community college is the wiser financial choice for students and their families.

Between dorm life, parties, campus clubs, dining hall meetups, Greek life, and football games, four-years provide a social scene and a sense of community that is considered a main appealing feature to students. But social perks aside, there are seemingly no differences between campuses at community colleges and universities currently due to online learning.

In today’s current environment, when taking into account the vibrant social activity of the latter, there’s evidently a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 exclusively at four-year universities. Community colleges do not come with dorm life, which fortunately facilitates proper social distancing guidelines.

Students can remain in the comfort of their own homes, safe from contracting the virus from peers.

According to Business Insider, most community colleges are taking the distanced learning route for the fall 2020 semester. This means most classes are conducted online, making campuses closed and the risk of contracting COVID-19 much lower. The New York Times’ “Tracking Covid in the U.S. Colleges and Universities” data shows that the majority of community colleges face cases in the low range of 50 or below, unlike four-years which have case ranges between between 100-500. Many community colleges do offer hybrid, in-person classes. However, the removal from the potential social temptations, like Greek life, make it safer to attend on-campus classes.

The wake of COVID-19 has eliminated all of the social allures that made universities more favorable over community colleges.

The party scene at many universities are somewhat infamous, with certain campuses even being touted for their party-status, like Arizona State University (ASU) and University of Southern California (USC). With the current health crisis, college parties have become prohibited. This does not mean that

the temptations of parties have ceased.

Several university students have received disciplinary action due to their transgression against social distancing policies established by their universities. Local schools like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and USC have both seen numbers rise a result of gatherings, with UCLA at 136 cases since Sept. 10 and USC with an astonishing 358 cases. Santa Monica College’s (SMC) COVID-19 cases stand at 15 as of Sept. 10.

COVID-19 has changed the typical college experience. New health guidelines for colleges consist of students staying in their dorm rooms for the majority of the fall

reported by the university.” Even students who follow the guidelines still risk contracting the virus by simply passing a party-goer in the hall. Attending a community college eliminates that possibility because there are no parties attended by those who live in campus residence halls, or held on campus residence halls.

Whether or not you’ve have gotten sick, we have all felt the economic effects of the pandemic. COVID-19 has brought the highest rate of unemployment since the Great Depression. According to a U.S News Art & Science Group Poll in April, “52% of prospective college students surveyed had a

semester. With these regulations in place, four-year university students are living similar lives to community college students. University students have less freedom at their schools’ campuses, as most have closed common congregated areas like study rooms, libraries, and dining halls.

Numerous schools have also been under fire for the lack of safety precautions over Labor Day weekend. USA Today reported that several Boston colleges, like Harvard University and Northeastern University, were partying at the Charles River, despite their skyrocketing cases. The news outlet also mentioned the overwhelming number of positive cases from over 40 Indiana University fraternities and sororities, despite being told by officials to cancel any Greek life activities planned.

USA Today noted Acacia Fraternity House at Indiana University “had sported an 87.5% positivity rate in the latest round of testing

parent or guardian who lost his or her job or had been furloughed.” Around 88.1 million Americans have received stimulus checks from the government due to the financial burden of COVID-19.

Community college is also the financially smarter decision. Tuition is already significantly less expensive than at four-year universities, and the pandemic has highlighted the cost-wisdom and efficiency of attending one. With a more fragile economy, there is a need for less expensive, higher-education options.

Students from all around the country, and even the world, flock to get a piece of dorm life, football games, college parties, and Freek life. But now, without the full-experience that they paid for, is that money simply gone to waste?

Not only does tuition make it difficult since university students don’t get the full-experience that they pay for, out-of-state stu-

dents also suffer the extra travel expenses.

According to the Independent piece, “Coronavirus: What college and universities will look in the fall as cases surge across the US”

by Danielle Zoellner, many colleges and universities are taking on an early fall semester to avoid flu season crossing over with COVID-19.

The University of Notre Dame in Indiana announced the school year would start on August 10, two weeks earlier than previous academic years, so classes could end prior to the Thanksgiving break in November. The decision was based on concern around how the coronavirus and flu season might impact healthcare systems in the winter months.

In other words, the short turn-over period students would face attending a four-year university is quite hectic. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, only 8% of colleges and universities are committing to 100% online classes this fall.

The Chronicle of Higher Education also reported that 60% of colleges and universities are continuing with in-person classes.

However, experts Shweta Bansal, Colin Carlson and John Kraemer — three health and biology professors at Georgetown University — warn to The Washington Post that “every way we approach the question of whether universities can resume on-campus classes, basic epidemiology shows there is no way to ‘safely’ reopen by the fall semester.”

The financial burden of university tuitions loom upon many families’ financial landscape, especially those in 4-year universities. Yet, with the reformation of university life due to COVID-19, university tuitions are not worth the educational services that the students are receiving.

Is it worth their time, money, and health?

Or could they be receiving the exact same services for a better price and in a safer environment at a community college? Universities have become serious hotspots for COVID-19 and the only way to lessen cases is following social distance guidelines which becomes a much harder task at a university.

Illustration by Octavia Anderson

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Lakers Take Game 2 From the Nuggets as Davis Hits Three-Point Buzzer Beater Deshawn Pouper | Sports Editor After a solid win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs’ Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers won an emotional Game 2 that was capped off with an Anthony Davis three-point buzzer beater shot with 1.7 seconds left on the clock.

The Lakers managed to acquire double-digit leads multiple times throughout the game that Denver was able to erase. It also helped that the Nuggets were able to come away with six turnovers, while star player Jamal Murray was able to provide 9 points in the third quarter where they outscored the Lakers 28-22.

It was an emotional night for the Lakers, who wore their “Black Mamba” themed

jerseys for Game 2. Kobe Bryant was a part of the design process for the jerseys before he tragically passed away earlier this year.

The team now wears them in his honor. Both Lebron James and Davis repeatedly used the word “special” in their post-game conference. Not only was it a big shot by Davis to put the Lakers six wins away from the NBA title, but it was a big night for the Lakers organization and their fan base.

Lebron said in his post-game conference, “It was a special moment for a special player.”

He then added, “If we were playing at Staples [Center]... it probably would have blown the roof off,” noting the absence of Laker fans, now that they are playing in a “bubble” at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Davis said in his post-game interview, “I want to take those shots. As part of the legacy I want those shots, I want the big time plays... This is what they brought me here for, to make big time plays. Obviously we’re wearing the Mamba jerseys. We never want to lose in these jerseys.” In a viral video since the game ended, Davis can be seen saying “Kobe” after hitting the game-winning shot.

Coming into Game 2, expert analysts didn’t give Denver much of a chance because of what they had endured in the first two rounds of the Western Conference Finals, coming back from separate 3-1 deficits against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets have earned themselves the moniker “Comeback Kids,” for

their impressive comebacks throughout the playoffs, most notably against the title-favorite Clippers.

Both big men, Nikola Jokic and Davis, were forces in Game 2 for their respective teams. Jokic finished with 30 points (including scoring their last 12 points in the final minutes of the 4th quarter), nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals. While Davis finished with 31 points (including his buzzer beater), nine rebounds, and two blocks.

The Lakers will look to close out the series with the next two games coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Sept.

24, to move on to the NBA Finals.

Water Polo Coach Brian Eskridge Pulling Double-Duty Deshawn Pouper | Sports Editor In a unique situation, Head Coach Brian Eskridge has taken control of Santa Monica College (SMC) men’s and women’s water polo teams. He is a veteran water polo coach, starting with SMC in 2009, more than fit to take on the challenges that come with coaching both teams.

Although SMC’s Water Polo has had some bright spots, the 2019 season saw the women’s team lose all 24 games. The men’s team’s 10-20 record is also an indication of their struggles last year. To add to that, both teams haven’t had in-pool workouts in six months because of COVID-19.

Athletic Director Reggie Ellis is aware of the struggles of both teams, and what he can do to help improve them. “The big thing about intercollegiate sports at the community college level, it’s about developing relationships with the high schools in your area... letting them know about Santa Monica College and the benefits of attending Santa Monica College from a student aspect, but also networking with the coaches and the administration,” said Ellis He also added, ”we’ll be working on that as a team, trying to get more promotion into our women’s program, because it’s no reason why we shouldn’t have one of the top programs in Southern California.”

This could help both teams within the program, as experience was lacking, mainly on the women’s team. Since the Women’s Water Polo program is fairly new, it could be beneficial to begin adding experienced

players who played in high school.

The women’s team was able to add three goalies for the upcoming season. It’s an upgrade, considering they were playing without one last season, and instead had to put a player out of position in the net. Eskridge noted that while the men’s team will have disadvantages against most teams when it comes to size, he likes how they will be able to make up for that with their speed.

As for Ellis, his expectation for both teams is that they will be able to go out and compete, representing the school by being men and women of high character. Eskridge will get to begin focusing on improving and competing when the season comes around as scheduled in the spring.

SMC Head Water Polo Coach Brian Eskridge, at Santa Monica Swim Center, where his teams practice. “We were so close last year, so it was kind of heartbreaking, and a lot of guys came back really ready to go and work hard...We had a lot of success early, so it was just a matter of keeping everybody on task, on focus, [and making] sure everyone was working as hard as they should, which they did.” April 30, 2019.

Santa Monica, Calif. (Joshua Nicarolo / The Corsair)