N E W S PA P E R
www.theoakleafnews.com Issue VII, Volumen CXXXI May 12, 2014
The Oak Leaf visits SOFA, or South of A, an art-centered neighborhood in south Santa Rosa.
Day Under the Oaks draws huge crowd Thousands turn out for SRJC festival JoshuOne Barnes Photo Editor
When Santa Rosa Junior College throws an open house party, it goes all-out. The annual Day Under the Oaks celebration stretched across the Santa Rosa campus as student organizations, clubs and academic departments set up booths and opened their doors to welcome the Sonoma County community. From the half-dozen bouncy houses on the front lawn to the hands-on human brains in the biology department, there was no shortage of entertaining and informative displays spread throughout the campus May 4. Native Americans performed traditional dances and sold handmade crafts. The police department served up cotton candy. The
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Film Fest Petaluma Showcases World of Films JoshuOne Barnes Photo Editor
S
ome filmmakers offered to sell hugs on the internet, some risked imprisonment or worse, several looked to get a good grade and others tried to push the envelope of stop motion animation. Whatever the directors’ motivation, Film Fest Petaluma was full of some of the best short films in the world. The Mystic Theatre in downtown Petaluma hosted the sixth annual Film Fest Petaluma on May 3. The 31 films selected by curator Mike Traina, Santa Rosa Junior College instructor, were submitted by filmmakers from as far away as Iran and as close as the SRJC film program. The eclectic audience of film lovers delighted in the shorts festival from 2:30 p.m. until after midnight Sunday morning. The films ranged from the very serious to the hilarious and spanned genres from animation to music video. The unifying thread that wove the films together was that they were all under 20 minutes long. SRJC student and amateur filmmaker Miles Levin screened his movie about addiction, “Ten Grahams,” at the Fest. “Ten Grahams” was one of three student-made films selected at the Associated Students Film Festival in March. “It’s been a fantastic experience,” Levin said. “What an awesome opportunity for a student filmmaker like me to take advantage of.” Levin spoke of his experience in the college film program, “You walk into that class and then they show you, maybe it’s a little Continued on page 15
Continued on page 8 JoshuOne Barnes / Oak Leaf
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News
May 12, 2014
Joshua Pinaula
Police Blotter Taylor May
Staff Writer
Nowhere to Hide An officer parked at Burbank Circle observed a subject skateboarding past him at 6:30 p.m. April 19 and identified the man as Thomas Dunaway, 32, and knew he had two outstanding warrants. The officer attempted to stop the man and asked him to sit on the curb when Dunaway said, “F*** this,” and escaped on foot towards Slater Street. An SRPD canine unit arrived on scene to conduct a search and found Dunaway hiding in the crawl space of a residence on Slater Street. Dunaway came out willingly and the officer arrested him. Man on the Run A patroling officer was monitoring the SRPD channel when he was advised of a robbery nearby at 11:45 p.m April 19. The officer proceeded to survey the area when he observed four subjects at Humboldt Park. He got out to question them to see if any of them were the robbery suspect when one took off running through an alley. District Police set a perimeter and arrested the subject, Joseph Thomson, 35. Thomson exhibited signs of intoxication but was not involved in the robbery. Drunk and Disorderly District Police received a call from the Bertolini Student Center around 10:30 a.m. April 16 about a man causing a disturbance and being described as drunk. Officers responded within minutes and saw the man walking along Elliott Avenue at an unsteady gait and exhibiting bizarre behavior. Officers stopped the man, Michael Lake, 49, who was incoherent, uncooperative and soon argumentative. When the officers placed Lake in handcuffs, he resisted arrest and continued acting bizarrely and uncooperatively. Lake was in such a state of intoxication that he was first taken to the hospital before jail.
Editor-in-Chief: Nathan Quast Section Editors: Managing Editor: Darcy Fracolli Layout Editor: William Rohrs A&E Editor: Jarrett Rodriguez Opinion Editor: Asa Hackett Sports Editor: Amelia Parreira Asst. Sports: Robert Marshall Copy Editor: Brenna Thompson Features Editor: Julie Lee News Editor: Faith Gates Photo Editor: JoshuOne Barnes Editor-at-Large: Erik Jorgensen
Introducing the 2014-2015 Associated Students President
William Rohrs/ Oak Leaf
Joshua Pinaula ran for vice president of organizations during the spring 2013 elections for Santa Rosa campus. Pinaula ran unapposed for the during the 2014 election.
Rebecca Livingston Staff Writer
Joshua Pinaula wants to create an educational environment where students feel involved and inspired to change the world. “I see a lot of problems in the world and really don’t have a lot of answers,” he said. Last year Pinaula served on Santa Rosa Junior College’s Associated Students Senate as vice president of organizations for Santa Rosa campus, and was recently elected next year’s Associated Students president. Pinaula came to SRJC in 2007, but was diagnosed with cancer during his first year and left to receive treatment. After therapy, he decided not to return to school but work instead. After some time, while working the graveyard shift on an assembly line, Pinaula realized he wanted to do more with his life.
Staff Writers: Eliot Butler, Domanique Crawford, Jesse Hoopes, Taylor May, Peter Njoroge, Alex Randolph, Amy Reynolds. Ben Steinberg, Haley Bollinger, Rebecca Livingston, Will Mathis, Nate Voge and Matt Fowler Photographers: Jordan Calderon, Joseph Barkoff and Erik Ramirez Art Direction: Daniel Barba Almeida, Courtesy of DBDesign
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“I was doing something that did not help the world - or that did not help me feel like a full person,” he said. He decided to go back to school in 2011. This time around, he would make change happen by becoming more involved. He joined the Atheists and Skeptics Club, hoping to find a place where people questioned the systems in place the same way he did. “If that wasn’t what they were all about then I would make them,” he said. The club introduced Pinaula to the Associated Students Senate. Although he did not win his first time running for a senate position, he believed he could still be a force for change. While running, he noticed inconsistencies in the election code and began editing it to make the code more effective. This year Pinaula, the senate and the elections coordinator worked together to edit the code even more for next year’s elections. “It was exciting to work with
someone so organized and passionate about students following their interests. He brings out the best in those around him and is truly an advocate for bettering the SRJC experience,” said Omar Paz, outgoing Associated Students president. “Again, I don’t have all the answers to how to fix the world,” Pinaula said, “but I know that involvement and getting involved is the thing to do and that education solves most of the problems in the world.” He appreciates the presence of clubs on campus. As the vice president of organizations for Santa Rosa, he has been very involved in overseeing them. “It’s practical and actual experience,” Pinaula said. Students can learn how to move effectively in the world by being involved and working with various people with different outlooks. According to Pinaula, that is one of the goals of education. This year Pinaula helped foster more
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than 70 clubs and also formed an InterClub Council trust out of the money left by clubs deactivated within the last few years. He also helped create bylaws that will allow clubs to act more independently from the senate. Despite his full schedule of classes and senate work, Pinaula finds time to unwind by exploring, hiking and playing video games. Always full of ideas, he considers studying video game design. If he had his way, he would create educational video games where people wouldn’t feel like they were learning but just enjoying the game. Now, Pinaula is focused on creating a better campus life for SRJC students. He has big ideas for next year, including discussing an SRJC application that allows students to stay connected to what is happening on campus without being there or having to log onto a computer. “I just want the best,” Pinaula said.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send letters to oakleafnq@gmail. com or to the Oak Leaf office. They should include your first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letter may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff, faculty or administration.
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May 12, 2014
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Election results Rebecca Livingston Staff Writer
Stephen Radley/ Oak Leaf
From left to right: Kris Abrahamson speaking about Laura Downing-Lee receiving an award, and Roy Gattinella and Melissa Kort receiving awards.
SRJC faculty honored at awards ceremony Domanique Crawford Staff Writer
Fourteen faculty member received awards May 1 in the Bertolini student activities center. “This is one of the best days of the year, the day we come together to honor the outstanding work of several of our amazing faculty and colleagues,” said Robin Fautley, academic senate president, in her welcome speech. Mary K Rudolph presented Karen Clark, an instructor for SRJC’s associates degree nursing program, with the Tenure Recipient Award. Clark has been with SRJC since 2010. Raquel Montoya Dane, an SRJC English instructor, received an outstanding contribution award, but was not there to get it. Dane was instrumental with Fall 2013 Work of Literary Merit Lectures for The Complete Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. “I really wish that Raquel was here because she is one of those people who does so many things behind the scene and doesn’t look for any type of recognition at all and I know she would have liked to be here,” Insull said. Rafael Vázquez, an SRJC Humanities instructor, also received an outstanding contribution award. “A highly motivated educator, Rafael’s passion for the contents of his course instruction is only eclipsed by his student’s success,” said Mike Garcia, public relations faculty member. Merilark Padgett received the
professional achievement award. amazing colleagues who love what they Padgett, also known as the wine queen, do. We get to bring to life literature is the viticulture program coordinator and music. We get to make people and instructor for eight years. laugh, cry, think and all while teaching “I am deeply honored and very students that are passionate about appreciative of all the support I have learning,” Downing – Lee said. gotten from everyone since I was here. Downing-Lee has directed plays I am so privileged to work with all my such as “Spamalot,” “Beauty and highly esteemed colleagues,” Padgett the Beast,” “A Few Good Men,” “Les said. Miserable” and the “Laramie Project.” Katherine Caddes, an SRJC health “Laura has made an outstanding department faculty contribution to member of 20 the performing years, received arts at Santa Rosa the Curriculum Junior College “This is one of the best Development for students, days of the year, the day Award and will be for the college we come together to honor community and retiring soon. “Katherine for our community the outstanding work of has been a dear at large,” said Kris several of our amazing colleague and Abrahamson, faculty and colleagues.” mentor to all of Dean of Liberal -Robin Fautley, us in nursing and Arts and Sciences. has personally B e v Academic Senate mentored me Henningsen, SRJC President and many of work experience my colleagues faculty member, in curriculum received the and we are very Unsung Heroine appreciative of her efforts and honored award and has been a part of SRJC to have her as part of our team,” said for 30 years. Henningsen said she Anne Valdez, ADN program director. is really honored to be of service to Jeanette Ben Farhat, SRJC instructor SRJC students, colleagues and to the of political science since 1990, received community. the Innovative Use of Technology in “She is passionate and intentional Education Award. about continuously improving work Laura Downing-Lee received the experience courses to better engage Publicatons/Fine Arts/Performing Arts students and support success and Award. Dowing-Lee is an SRJC artistic to our work experience team she director and theatre art department is our rock and our role model,” chair since 1999. said Eve Nighswonger, manager of “I have the privilege of work with school initiatives and career pathways
Radley Balko: Taylor May
Staff Writer
We have allowed and encouraged police to act increasingly like soldiers, according to Radley Balko, award-winning author and investigative reporter who gave a lecture on the militarization of the police force in the Bertolini Student Center on April 29. Balko discussed many of the topics and trends that led to this outcome detailed in his new book “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces.” “The military’s job is to kill people and break things, it’s to annihilate a foreign enemy. A
police officer’s job is to keep the peace and protect our constitutional rights,” Balko said. “These are two fundamentally different missions.” But over time the police have taken to using military tactics more and more. “There are two trends that got us here and both trends start about the same time, the mid to late 1960s, the first is the rise of the SWAT team and the second is the rise of the drug war,” Balko said. During the tumultuous times of the late ‘60s there were many riots throughout the country, and in incredibly dangerous and disruptive riots in Los Angeles, in particular. Due to the LAPD believing they lacked the
development Roy Gattinella, an SRJC Business Administration faculty member since 2001, received an award for the Sabbatical Project. “Roy completed a sabbatical project designed to bring the latest innovative technique tools, and trends in business to his departments own academic programs,” said Alison Hinnenberg, the chair of the sabbatical committee. “An explicit research project guided his design of the new SRJC entrepreneurship program providing significant new work skills required millennial graduates and budding entrepreneurs.” Lenny Wagner, head football coach and interim athletic director, and Dean Gooch, SRJC Math professor, received the NISOD Excellence Award. P.J. LoCoco, the program coordinator and instructor of the environmental horticulture program and has taught horticulture at SRJC since 1982, received the Faculty Award. Melissa Sue Kort, an SRJC instructor for the English department for 30 years, received the Academic Senate President’s Award. Anne O’Donnell, coordinator of the Dietetic Technology Program and a full-time SRJC faculty member since 1989, also received the Academic Senate President’s Award. Karen Stanley, kinesiology instructor will give the 2015 Tauzer Lecturer. “The Brook Tauzer Faculty lecture is the highlight of PDA Day each spring and an honor for the faculty member selected to give it,” said Peggy Goebel, Health Services faculty member .
Author speaks out against U.S. police militarization
appropriate resources to respond theses threats, eventually SWAT was born. The first SWAT raid was on a Black Panther holdout in in Los Angeles in 1968. The raid was a disaster logistically, but from a public relations standpoint it was a huge success. “This was not the phantom Black Panthers that Fox News is trying to scare you about; this was a group that actually committed inordinate acts of violence,” Balko said. SWAT was originally used to diffuse situations that were already violent but were being used more and more indiscriminately for drug busts and all sorts of excessive sets of circumstances due to being
incentivized by federal grants and “tough on crime” politicians, Balko said. Starting in the 1980s with the Reagan Administratio those two trends started to converge with the escalation of the Drug War and enacting a greater focus on marijuana, leading to an explosion in the use of swat teams. “In the late 1970s there were about 300 swat raids per year in the United States across the entire country; by the early ‘80s we are up to about 3,000 per year by 2005 they were up to 50,000,” Balko said. “The policies that have driven this trend are all still in place, in fact we have more policies that are further encouraging the trend.”
Thanks to nearly 1,000 student votes, the 2014-15 Associated Student Senate members are eagerly anticipating the new year. New and current members alike are excited about what next year will bring. “I’m really excited,” said Shannon Lawee, vice president of Santa Rosa Campus. “I think there’ll be a really strong senate.” Although Lawee will not be returning as a senate member, but working more behind the scenes, she hopes that clubs will grow and that there will be an increase in student participation. Omar Paz Jr., current Associated Students president, will return to the senate next year as Student Trustee. He hopes the new position will allow him to focus on SRJC from a different angle. “I have been heavily involved on the Statewide Student Senate and think that I’ve done my part and hope to focus more locally on SRJC,” Paz said. Thor Olsen, re-elected vice president of advocacy after being appointed to the position midsemester, is looking forward to serving with the new senate: “It’s a lot of awesome people - very ambitious and eccentric group, so it should be interesting.”
Meet the 2014-15 AS Senate:
Associated Students President, Joshua Pinaula Executive Vice President, Elijah Egger Vice President of Programs, Joe Wagner Vice President of Committees, Melanie Luther Vice President of SR Campus, Hakeem Sanusi Vice President of Petaluma, Adelia Gregory Vice President of Advocacy, Thor Olsen Vice President of Membership & Marketing, Alex Smith Vice President of Organizations Santa Rosa, Taylor May Vice President of Organizations Petaluma, Janet Madero Vice President of Sustainability, Cheri McLean Student Trustee, Omar Paz Jr.
CORRECTION In the April 28 issue, the Oak Leaf incorrectly identified a child named Mason as Christoper Wills’ son in a photo cutline. Mason was in fact a visitor on a tour of Shone Farm and is in no way related to Wills. We apologize for the error. - Oak Leaf editorial staff
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May 12, 2014
News
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SRJC implements new Strategic Plan Faith Gates News Editor
Santa Rosa Junior College aspires to be an inclusive, diverse and sustainable learning community that engages each student. After SRJC faculty and students devised a Strategic Plan for the future of the college, the plan has now moved toward implementation. “The plan itself took 18 months; the implement could take three to five years,” said SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong. SRJC faculty and staff proposed optimal methods of executing the Strategic Plan at the Strategic Planning Summit April 29 in the Student Activities Center. Goal A, led by Student Services Vice President Ricardo Navarrette, is to support the completion of students’ educational and career goals. After collecting student feedback through numerous surveys, the goal is to make it easier for students to enroll. Current students could seek guidance from new groups like “Student Success,” a sharedgovernance committee, and the “Early Connect.” In addition, a task force examining the personal and educational barriers facing Latino students will draw up a Hispanic Serving Institution federal grant proposal. Goal B, led by Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Kay Rudolph, is to foster learning and academic excellence. The Academic Affairs
Council will lead the completion of the group (ITG) oversees the allocation educational master plan 2014–2017. of bond funds (currently measure A) The council plans to hire diverse, for use on technology, $1.25 million highly-qualified faculty and support this year and probably the same next them through weekly meetings and year. This is the money that pays for Faculty Inquiry Groups. all of the computer labs, mediation of Currently, the council is working classrooms, staff computers and all of to establish the Center for Excellence the software used on campus.” in Teaching and Learning at the Conrad said he is working with a Center for New Media in Doyle team to explore a possible new bond Library, determine what professional measure to go to voters in November development to offer faculty members 2014. This new measure would there and fund facilities develop a more and technology robust Student upgrades at SRJC Information for the next 20 plus “The plan itself took 18 System that could years. months; the implement could flag significant “The Measure A take three to five years.” progress/ money is almost to regress and send the end of its time - Dr. Frank Chong, messages guiding and if the voters SRJC president toward help. were to possibly Goal C is vote in a new bond to serve our in the November diverse communities and strengthen election, which we are exploring connections through engagement, the possibility of right now and collaboration, partnerships, that’s no secret,” Kunde said. “Then innovation and leadership. It will be if a bond were able to pass, then we led by SRJC’s vice presidents. would have money available to move Goal D will provide, enhance, forward with some of those things to integrate and continuously improve help in the strategic plan.” facilities and technologies in order Goal E will establish a culture to enhance learning and working of sustainability that promotes environments. This goal aims to environmental stewardship economic update SRJC’s annual budget plans vitality and social equity. Tony Ichsan next year. Institutional Technology and Katie Gerber are in charge of Group, a Presidential Advisory this goal, hoping to ensure economic Committee, is revising the college’s sustainability by leveraging resources, two-to-five year technology plan. partnering with our communities “We revise this plan every three and contributing to the economic years,” said Scott Conrad, director growth of the region. of information technology. “This Goal F is to foster an environment
Joseph Barkoff/ Oak Leaf
Jeff Kunde says the plan was one of Dr. Chong’s missions to move SRJC forward.
focused on collegiality and mutual respect in regards to cultural and individual perspectives, led by Vice President of Human Resources Karen Furukawa-Schlereth. “There’s been lots of positive response to this goal and this plan,” Furukawa-Schlereth said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.” The goal is to recruit and hire outstanding faculty and staff and implement an exemplary Professional Development Program. Effective Spring 2014, the Academic Senate and Latino Faculty and Staff Association will have input on faculty hiring procedures, advertising sources and requirements for committee monitors for recruitments. It will increase safety and emergency preparedness by having the district police communicate directly to staff and the student body through
Nixle and the Associated Students billboard about safety information. Goal G will pursue resource development and diversification while maintaining responsible fiscal practices and financial stability, led by Doug Roberts, vice president of business services. It hopes to increase and maintain the district revenues above the state requirements and pursue alternative funding sources. Lastly, Goal H, led by Vice President of Petaluma Campus Jane Saldaña-Talley, aims to improve institutional effectiveness in support of SRJC’s students, staff and communities by focusing on the Strategic Plan process, putting together meetings and using the SRJC scorecard, a performance measurement system. It will also get a Strategic Plan website with quick links to the Strategic Plan scorecard, brochure and guide.
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SRJC Golf Amelia Parreira Sports Editor
The Santa Rosa Junior College men’s golf team got stuck in a rough patch at the NorCal Championships on May 6, placing last with a total score of 853. “It was pretty terrible, [but] we all had fun out there,” said SRJC sophomore golfer Tucker Williams. The championships consisted of two rounds: one round in the morning, starting at 7:30, and the other in the afternoon. Williams’ combined score from the morning and afternoon rounds was a total of 172. Patrick Steiner scored 161, Clayton Sarrif scored 181, Taylor Battaglia scored 164, Oliver Durra scored 176, and Jonathan Morgan scored 187.
Sports
Bear Cubs under par in Big 8 Championships With a total morning round score of 426 and an afternoon score of 427, the Bear Cubs got a team score of 853. “We normally play better than that,” said head coach Dave Herrington. Though they are disappointed with the outcome, the Bear Cubs look at it with a positive viewpoint. “Everybody can have a bad day at the same time, and yesterday was just one of those days,” Williams said. The Bear Cubs finished the season with a No. 3 seed in the conference and placed No. 6 in the regionals. “Overall the kids worked hard, and that’s all you can ask for,” Herrington said.
Photo Courtesy of Tucker Williams
Sophomore Tucker Williams takes a swing on the green. Williams finished the Big 8 Championships with a total combined score of 172.
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Softball playoffs cut short Ben Steinberg Staff Writer
The Santa Rosa Junior College softball team had quite the postseason, taking its share of wins and losses. The Bear Cubs swept San Jose over their two game set May 3-4, winning 5-4 in the first game and 5-1 in the second game. Behind a few big blasts out of the ball park, the Bear Cubs came out strong. In the first game of the playoffs the Bear Cubs sent out staff ace Megan Winters to pitch against San Jose City College; she pitched well but Santa Rosa committed multiple errors, which lead to three unearned runs. “It was part of the plan to start Megan, and pull [her] after three to four innings to save her arm,” said head coach Phil Wright. Bear Cubs pitcher Dana Thomson came out of the bullpen firing strikes. She didn’t allow a run in over three innings of relief. Unfortunately, the Bear Cubs couldn’t figure out the San Jose starter for most of the game. “She was throwing a lot
Oakland A’s: Is Chavez the key for the 2014 season? Will Mathis
May 12, 2014
innings. At this rate he will pass his career high by the beginning of June. Staff Writer The A’s will be put in a situation where Opinion they will have to consider giving Chavez Oakland A’s pitcher Jesse Chavez an extended break from the rotation is off to an unbelievable start this in hopes that he can pitch again come season as the former reliever-turnedAugust, September and October. starting-pitcher pitched like an ace General manager Billy Beane might with no signs of slowing down. have to turn to somebody such as Drew As of May 6, Chavez Pomeranz in the minors, has the seventhor maybe put another best ERA in baseball pitcher in the system. (1.89), the seventhOne of the A’s strengths may Given the way Dan best walks, hits and Straily and Tommy soon become a weakness, innings pitched (0.95) which will drastically change Milone have pitched and has 41 strikeouts, this season, the A’s the playoff race . . . compared to just can’t afford to lose any eight walks. more pieces of their Through his first rotation. The A’s are 2-9 six starts he only in games Straily and once gave up more Milone have started. than one earned run. I can see Chavez pitching at this In his most recent outing Chavez high level through May, but after gave up just one hit in seven innings that he might get tired. He’ll start to pitched against the team’s most feared get hit and the A’s will have to look division opponent, the Texas Rangers. for a short-term answer to fill in for Chavez’s performance has been him, which they obviously can do. unbelievable, considering he was a fillOne of the A’s biggest strengths might in for the injured Jarrod Parker and soon become a weakness, which will A.J. Griffin. But can Chavez possibly drastically change the playoff race for maintain anything close to Griffin much of the summer. Parker’s performance for the A’s? However, Chavez going down could Chavez was a relief pitcher for most of very well force Owner Billy Beane to make his career. His career high for innings a move for another good pitcher, which pitched was 67.1 when he pitched for could make the team very dangerous down the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009. This the stretch, assuming Chavez is about to season he has already pitched 38 come back after a couple months’ rest.
of strikes; she forced a lot of tough at bats and held us in some situations where we usually would get a run in,” Wright said. The Bear Cubs found themselves trailing 4-2 after the fifth inning. Taylor Spaulding cut the lead to one with her sacrifice fly scoring Courntie Morton after her leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Down 4-3, with two outs, sophomore catcher Megan Stroud worked a walk to bring up Morton one more time. Morton got a fastball over the plate and unloaded a blast over the center-field fence for a walk-off 5-4 victory. Her home run was the highlight of the game for the Bear Cubs as they were able to pick up a win in their playoff opener. The Bear Cubs kept the momentum in the second game of the playoffs against San Jose on Sunday. SRJC pitcher Dana Thomson was dominant, allowing one run over seven innings while picking up four strikeouts. Thomson got all the run support she needed from Chauntel Cesna. Cesna, a sophomore, hit a pair of bombs leading the way for the Bear
Cubs with three RBIs. The Bear Cubs looked a lot more confident at the plate in the second game against San Jose. Advancing to their first Super Regional final in over 12 years, SRJC was poised to make some noise. “We have been fighting all year long, we will play anywhere, any place at any time we are ready for any challenge,” Winters said. Unfortunately the Bear Cubs played their conference rival Sierra College on May 9. SRJC had been outscored 33-3 in the previous three games against Sierra. This game proved to be no different. Sierra jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first inning. The Bear Cubs cut the lead to 10-6 but Sierra proved to be more than a match for SRJC and cruised to a 21-8 win in five innings. The Bear Cubs rebounded and picked up their third playoff victory 11-3 over Fresno on May 10. The Bear Cubs stood with a 3-1 playoff record entering their matchup against Solano in their second game on May 10. Solano came out and caught the Bear Cubs playing flat. SRJC lost 9-0, bringing the Bear Cubs’ postseason appearance to an end.
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May 12, 2014
Sports
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Sportscaster, sports journalist, Sonoma County dad
David Cox
Micah Bondon
Contributing Writer
Dave Cox is the owner of Santa Rosa’s most popular high school and college sports network, Youth Sports Network, or YSN365. As the CEO and founder, he delivers all of the latest local sports news updates, scores and highlights. An Oakland native, he moved to Cloverdale when he was 3. He’s lived in Santa Rosa ever since he was 11 years old. Cox graduated from Cardinal Newman High School and attended Pepperdine University, where he majored in communications and minored in art. Cox has worked in sports journalism and broadcasting since he was 30. He worked with Comcast for more than 17 years before he founded YSN365. The company is in its fifth year and continues to expand and grow into a network that local fans can appreciate more each day. YSN365 provides all of the newest sports information on its website, and with the help of Facebook and
Instagram accounts, it stays loyal and true to its fan base with Cox operating nearly everything. YSN365 focuses on delivering sports information but manages to cover more than enough of Santa Rosa Junior College’s sports. “While high school is our main focus, we love covering the college as much as we can,” Cox said. He further explained the network’s purposes. “YSN is a micro multi-media sports network. We broadcast scores, games, updates, video highlights, news articles, photos, radio, TV,” Cox said. “We’ve actually worked in a studio for television broadcasting on a local Santa Rosa network called KFTY, but the studio got bought out and we were forced to stop doing that.” Cox loves being his own boss. He said he benefits from the emotion of the crowd at the games he announces, as well as from the support his fans offer him on the official YSN365 website and the social networking profiles he’s created. “I love finding that passion from the crowd while covering a game. As a broadcaster you have to be able
to find that indescribable passion from the fans during a game,” Cox said. “That’s why I do this job, to feel that passion and emotion. Having the appreciation from the locals, that’s what supports and motivates me to entertain and deliver.” Founding a network like this was a gamble, but Cox had a feeling with all of the competitive high schools in Sonoma County, YSN365 would succeed. “Starting up a company like this was a huge risk.” Cox said. “It’s like with marketing — if you’re going to create a new shoe, what makes the new shoe better than the one people are already wearing? Since MaxPreps.com is nationwide and not just Sonoma-specific, the locals are going to follow the site and network more often than MaxPreps because a local network delivers what you want to see first. It was a wise investment after all and it’s starting to pay off.” While Cox enjoys delivering local sports news, he still has the idea in the back of his mind to someday work for a bigger sports network. He mentioned the PAC12 Network but says he just doesn’t have that “go and get it” attitude
Photo Courtesy of Dave Cox
Cox poses in his broadcasting station at Youth Sports Network, founded 17 years ago.
for a job like that yet, and doesn’t want to work for anyone any time soon. Working locally also means keeping the hours he wants, allowing for flexibility and free time with his family. Cox is a husband and father. Aside from delivering the news, he enjoys watching the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. He likes coaching youth
baseball and skiing. Cox sees himself possibly retiring from his current job, and maybe even handing the CEO title down to his son, who seems interested in what his father does. He hasn’t looked too much into that chapter in his life, but has a feeling YSN365 will be around for a while and continue to deliver the news and information that Sonoma County parents and fans want.
A splashing success: Bear Cubs get third place at State Matt Fowler Staff Writer
The Santa Rosa Junior College swim and dive team took third place overall at the State Championships which took place on May 1-3, following the team’s success at the Big 8 Championships. In the women’s division, Miranda Howell became a twotime individual state champion with record-breaking times in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 26.21 and 100-yard backstroke with a time of 56.48. Howell broke the Big 8 Championships’ records in those events just two weeks ago. “I was pretty nervous because I wasn’t sure how the competition would be and I didn’t have an idea of what the atmosphere was going to be like,” Howell said. “I had no idea I could re-break both of mine. It made me feel like I accomplished more than I ever thought I could. It has been an amazing experience.” In the men’s division, John Bing continued his dominance when he won the 50-yard freestyle event with a time of 20.62. Bing finished
third in the 100-yard breaststroke, and his first leg of the 400-yard free relay set a new school record for 100 yards with a time of 45.35. Also, Sophomore Andrew Hays finished in the top eight in three events: the 200-meter individual relay, the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 200-yard backstroke. Out of the 13 meets, both the men’s and women’s teams did not finish below third place. The team took third overall at the state level. “I’m really proud of both my guys and my girls because right after Big 8’s we all got really sick and we weren’t sure if we were going to come back and do well, but Jill brought us back to health, and we thought ‘we can do this’. I couldn’t have asked for a better team this year,” Howell said. Head coach Jill McCormick is proud of both the men’s and women’s teams. “We had nice leadership from our sophomores who have had experience swimming,” McCormick said. “Our freshmen showed up big time as well and performed when the stakes were high.”
Sharpen your mind by completing your bachelor degree at USF in downtown Santa Rosa. Degrees now available in Management, Psychology, and Health Services. LEARN MORE AT AN
InformatIon meetIng at the USF SANTA ROSA CAMPUS tuesday, may 20, 5:30pm
Learn more or to RSVP call 707.527.9612 visit www.usfca.edu/santarosa or email santarosacampus@usfca.edu
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Sports
May 12, 2014
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Another victory for SRJC baseball
Joseph Barkoff /Oak Leaf
First baseman Weston Bryan makes the out for SRJC in Game 2 of the Super Regional Playoffs against Cabrillo College May 10. Bryan scored two runs for the Bear Cubs throughout the playoff competeition.
Amelia Parreira Sports Editor
It’s the bottom of the ninth. Two on base. Two outs. Fans cross their fingers as Santa Rosa Junior College pitcher Anthony Bender throws one last pitch. Finally, a popup by outfielder Jake Raynaud ends in a catch by first baseman Weston Bryan to give the Bear Cubs a 2-1 Mother’s Day victory against Cabrillo College. The Bear Cubs (13-8, 27-12) started the three-game series out with a loss of 3-1 on May 9. “Sometimes you’re on the short end of the stick,” said head coach Damon Neidlinger after the game. With no score until the sixth inning, the Bear Cubs scored the first run of the game off a sacrificial fly by left fielder Dane Erbst, which brought in center fielder Matt LoCoco. However, the Cabrillo Seahawks managed to score three runs in the top of the seventh inning, robbing SRJC of a win. After working so hard, the Bear Cubs were disappointed, but knew the only thing to do was leave the loss behind and prepare for what was next. “The bottom line is we have to play clean baseball, minimize errors,” said assistant coach Tom Francois. The Bear Cubs came back to Cook Sypher Field May 10 ready to make a comeback. Center fielder Matt LoCoco
lead off SRJC’s hitting streak with a single to left field in the top of the first inning. It just got better from there. The Bear Cubs scored two runs in the second inning with the help of left fielder Dane Erbst, catcher Spencer Neve and right fielder Zeke Colby. SRJC scored another run the next inning with the help of a sacrificial fly by Colby to bring designated hitter Anthony Bender back home. The Bear Cubs’ offense exploded even more in the fifth inning, putting an additional five runs on the board. Players who contrbuted hits include Bender, Neve, Colby, second baseman Chase Stafford and third baseman Taylor Martin. Another run came in the top of the seventh inning when Martin hit a double to bring in Erbst. The eighth inning brought in another four runs with the help of LoCoco, Stafford, first baseman Weston Bryan, Erbst, Bender and Neve. The game ended with a 13-0 shutout for the Bear Cubs. SRJC’s offense was not the only strong aspect of the game. The defense thrived as well. Starting pitcher Kyle Michell pitched an outstanding eight innings, only giving up two hits to the Seahawks. “I try to compete in the zone, [and] in my spots,” Mitchell said. Alex Perez closed out the game on the mound, not giving up a single hit.
“We’re going to try to come out and do the same thing [tomorrow],” Mitchell said. Finally, it was the game that everyone waited for; the game that put every coach, every player, and every fan on their toes. Game 3 had finally arrived. Mirroring the patterns of Game 2, LoCoco lead off with the first hit of the game for the Bear Cubs, a single out to left field. Things got a little shaky for the Bear Cubs in the top of the second inning, when starting pitcher Brett Obranovich gave up a single to shortstop Matthew Valdez. Valdez Erik Jorgensen/Oak Leaf The Bear Cubs runs in for high fives after their 2-1 victory over Cabrillo College May 11. stole second later in the inning. Outfielder Naz Thibodeaux then hit a single down the left field line It all started with a single down The team doesn’t look at the to bring Valdez home and give the the left field line from Bryan. Erbst victory as mere luck, but more as a Seahawks a 1-0 lead. then advanced him to second with result of their hard work. But the Bear Cubs never gave up. a sacrificial bunt. “I always say luck is when In the bottom of the second, Finally, Bender stepped up to the preparation meets oportunity,” Erbst led off with a single to left plate and hit a double, bringing in Francois said. field. Neve followed to bring him Bryan and giving SRJC a 2-1 lead. After scoring the winning run in with a double to center field, The crowd became anxious of the game and closing out the tying the score. again in the top of the inning ninth, Bender left a positve mark In the third inning, shortstop when Bender walked first on the game. Phil Ramos hit a single to left field baseman Lucas Hewitt. “Make a good pitch, make a good and managed to steal second base He then hit catcher Josh Thorpe play,” is what Bender told himself in while Stafford stood at the plate. in the back of the shoulder. his mind to bring his team the most Starting pitcher Ryan Capozza With two on base and two outs on success possible. hit Bryan in the leg later in the the board, the Bear Cubs only need Each player gave his mother a inning, letting him advance to one more out to win. Luckily, they flower after the victory, in honor of first base. However, Bryan and got just that. One popup did it all. Mother’s Day. Ramos were both stranded after a After the catch by Bryan, The Bear Cubs will play in the grounder by Erbst. the whole crowd erupted with Sectionals round on the weekend of After a few more runless innings, excitement, hugs and joyful tears as May 16. Times and opponents are the eighth inning gave the Bear the players jogged out to high-five to be announced. Cubs just what they needed. each other on the field.
Day Unde Oaks dr thousan
Story by • JoshuOne Barne Photos by • Joseph Barkoff, Stephen Radley, Erik Barnes Continued from Cover... sustainability department gave away a bicycle. The agricultural department hosted a petting zoo with rambunctious baby goats and a donkey named Bruno. The horticulture department held their annual plant sale. Special telescopes were set up outside the planetarium for explorers of all ages to safely take a look at the sun. The campus was packed with thousands of people throughout the day. Biology professor Nick Anast drew oohs and ahhs and a few squeamish gasps with his hands-on demonstration of healthy and diseased hearts, brains and lungs. Children poured into his lab all afternoon to throw on a pair of rubber gloves and hold a real human brain. The children who saw the deflated, blackened and emphysemariddled lung right next to a spongy healthy one are not
Clockwise from top: A Native American dancer prepares for a performance; a participant enjoys a culinary offering; miniature hand-woven baskets on sale at the craft fair; a girl gets her face painted; an SRJC District Police cadet makes cotton candy to sell; SRJC instructor Justin Eggert gives a Tai Chi exhibition.
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es Jorgensen and JoshuOne
likely to ever take up the habit of smoking cigarettes. From Mentos-and-soda explosions to ice cream made with liquid nitrogen, the chemistry department did not fail to impress the future scientists who came to the event. The Petaluma campus was even represented by a “virtual” Petaluma on the lawn of the campus. Nearly every department had a display or sponsored a booth at this year’s DUTO. No one seemed to notice the absence of a few old oaks that lost their lives this year due to old age and a root disease. There was enthusiasm and exuberance around every turn. On the one day of the year the college rolls out the red carpet and invites the world in, the college shined. Day Under The Oaks is a fun and educational tradition that all can participate in and look forward to year after year.
Clockwise from top: Biology professor Nick Anast compares healthy and diseased brains in his lab; the science club gives children a chance to compare elements in beakers; students give a martial arts demonstration; the SRJC jazz band performs for the crowds at Day Under the Oaks.
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May 12, 2014
Features
www.theoakleafnews.com
SOFA: The soul of Santa Rosa Nate Voge
the neighborhood have seen a fluctuation of peace and crime, thriving businesses and Staff Writer abandoned buildings. She puffed on a cigarette as she sat he neighborhood next to on her front porch with her feet up. Julliard Park on South A “We’re a close-knit neighborhood,” Street may be quiet, but the street Porter said. art is loud with intricate designs, Robin Factor and her husband powerful political statements and Simmon are two of the more than bold mural paintings. Artists have 40 artists working in the area. They slowly changed this neighborhood used to own Village Art before from the seedy edge of downtown selling the business, retiring to Santa Rosa into a quiet art their studio and joining the art community. community. The couple now has And they won’t stop there. a working gallery called Chroma The artists who work in the neighborhood also want it to be the Gallery in the Studios at South A. “If you’re talking about art hub of conversation, culture and community change in Santa in Santa Rosa, Rosa — and it’s this is ground not just the artists spurring the zero. This is “If you’re talking about art really where it’s change. Carol Porter, community in Santa Rosa, happening as a spry woman this is ground zero. This is far as the visual with short grey really where it’s happening arts,” Robin hair and an Factor said. as far as the visual arts.” inviting smile, They are also - Robin Factor, has lived in this members of an n e i g hb or h o o d Chroma Gallery artist o r g a n i z a t i o n for 22 years and of artists witnessed its and business transformation. owners in the She said the South A Street neighborhood used to be plagued neighborhood called SOFA, with break-ins and killings. or South of A. Like the SoHo Porter and her neighbors neighborhood in New York, SOFA formed a neighborhood watch 20 promotes visibility for the studios years ago in the early ’90s when the and organizes art events. Robin first wave of artists moved into the Factor said the events are well area. attended, but on a day-to-day basis Since then, the residents of the neighborhood is pretty quiet.
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The Factors’ story reflects the transformation throughout the neighborhood. The Studios at South A was an abandoned auto repair shop that artists renovated 20 years ago and is now home to eight art studios. “Historically, artists move into an area where the property values are low, because you can afford to set up a studio,” Factor said. “We don’t make a lot [of] money.” The artists’ reinvention of the neighborhood may seem like a case of gentrification, but grassroots activism changed this neighborhood from a dangerous area of town into a thriving yet peaceful arts district. “It did get cleaned up a lot. There were a lot of addicts; there were alcoholics,” Simmon Factor said. “It’s a lot safer.” Although Chroma Gallery is open to the public, Factor said that most studios are not regularly open to the public. “People want to have brunch and walk around [and] look at art,” Factor said. “Right now, there’s hardly anybody open.” The majority of Santa Rosa residents don’t know about the budding arts community at SOFA, but the Factors think opening up a few more restaurants and stores would help raise awareness about the neighborhood. “It’s still a little bit underground,” Factor said. “We want to see this neighborhood go up a couple more notches, as far as occupancy, more retail businesses.” Meanwhile, the neighborhood has already produced a success story. Spinster Sisters, a modern American restaurant, joined the neighborhood in August 2012, and SOFA became one step
JoshuOne Barnes/Oak Leaf
Top: SOFA artist Simmon Factor works on a painting at Chroma Gallery. Middle: Atlas Coffee, SOFA residents’ favorite locale, features a steampunk mural. Bottom Left: A street sign guides wandering pedestrians toward street art. Bottom Right: An art installation on South A Street makes a political statement.
closer to becoming an attractive destination for people from all over town. Giovanni Cerrone, one of the three owners of Spinster Sisters, said more than 17,000 customers walked through their doors in 2013. With expressive hand gestures and a slight Italian accent, Cerrone said he chose to open the restaurant in a part of town with a less-than-stellar reputation because it didn’t have vast parking lots or big box stores. “Those things are soulless,” Cerrone said. Cerrone, who moved from San Francisco to Santa Rosa 12 years ago, said the area has an urban feel unlike the suburban rest of Santa Rosa. “We feel that it is a culture we want to support,” he said. Accordingly, he designed a large rectangular bar as a way to spark conversations and create a meeting
point to talk about the future of Santa Rosa. To follow his vision, paintings by local artists cover the walls, and a full bookshelf stands open to the public in the corner. Every two months new local artists display their work for sale, and once a month the restaurant hosts an author’s night. Cerrone feels that his efforts can spark a cultural change in the city. Cerrone also emphasized the importance of reaching out to the younger generation. “[A] community has to engage with their youth. If everything that happens is decided by other people — culturally, politically, economically, they feel left out,” Cerrone said. “I think South A is a place where this can happen.”
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May 12, 2014
11
S t u d e nt s p u l l Ad d e ra l l - n i g h t e rs paper and study for his finals. “My auditory sensors are more blocked out so I feel more visually Contributing Writer focused with reading and studying,” he pressure is on. Only 12 he said. When McDonald graduated from days left until graduation, UCLA, he continued his education and the 10-year journey through at the University of San Francisco college will finally be over. There’s School of Law, where he was only one thing standing between prescribed Adderall through his Matthew McDonald and his cap primary care physician on campus. and gown from the University of He told his physician he was getting San Francisco School of Law: a 30the pills from his friends and page paper, one of the longest he’s through the black market, and felt ever had to write. like he needed to get it himself. He Passing the finish line to paid a small fee of $15 for 60 pills. graduation is the ultimate goal for “People would sell me one pill for any college student. It’s attainable $5, so if I did that for all of mine, — but not before a few exams, term I’ d make $300 or more. When finals papers and all-night study sessions. come, people will sell them for $10 One of the most popular study each, ” he said. aids on the market, Red Bull, is sold According to the National on college campus at $2.99 for 8.3 ounces. Another popular study aid Survey on Drug Use and Health, has hit college campuses for $5 a 14 percent of Adderall-prescribed pill, and it isn’t just for students with students stated that their peers Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity have offered them money in exchange for their pills. Disorder: Adderall. Although he likes how Adderall Adderall is a once-daily central nervous system stimulant that can keeps him focused, McDonald help increase attention and decrease warned about physical side effects impulsiveness, according to the you have to prepare for, such as decreased appetite and increased Food and Drug Administration. McDonald, 28, started taking heart rate. SRJC nurse practitioner Kit Adderall in 2011 during his graduating year at the University Conover said the effects of of California, Los Angeles. After Adderall depends on who is attending Santa Rosa Junior College taking the pill. “When a student who actually from 2004 to 2008, he became one of just 12,179 accepted students, out has ADHD or ADD takes Adderall, of 55,708 applicants with an average it works to help keep them focused,” she said. “When students GPA of 4.22. “It’s harder to get into UCLA than don’t have ADHD take Adderall, it a lot of other colleges,” he said, “so works more as a high to make them when you get in, you want to stay feel happy, which is probably why in. The pressure to do well weighs it’s so appealing.” College students like McDonald heavy on you.” use the “high” of Adderall not only McDonald never had problems to study but also as a gateway drug getting motivated in school prior to to other substances. UCLA, but once he joined the big Garrett Braukman, program leagues, he felt desperate to perform. director of rehabilitation at Malibu His first dosage of Adderall came Beach Recovery Center, said, to him unprescribed and illegally, “We have a courtesy of his lot of college friends who used students that it to study. take Adderall The 2012 “[Adderall] is socially not prescribed, National Survey acceptable to take and a lot of my on Drug Use and Health’s study because a doctor can sign clients typically end up abusing revealed that it off, unlike cocaine. molly or cocaine 15 percent of However, the two have a in addition to college students lot of the same effects. ” Adderall.” have illegally Indeed, the used stimulants, - Garrett Braukman, Department of including program director of Justice and Drug Adderall, within rehabilitation Enforcement the past year, Administration contrary to the list Adderall 2 percent of as a Schedule students with prescriptions. This figure has risen II Controlled Substance due to its more than 8.6 percent in three high potential for abuse leading to years; in 2009, 6.4 percent of college psychological or physical dependence. “There’s something different about students used non-medically someone using an amphetamine prescribed Adderall, according and someone using a pill that is to the U.S Department of Health prescribed as an amphetamine,” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Braukman said. “Mentally I believe Services Administration. people rationalize easier with a “I remember it was my last drug like Adderall despite it being semester there,” McDonald said, terrible for you. Because it’s a “and I had a huge paper due, marketable pharmaceutical, and probably 15 to 20 pages, so I it’s a lot easier for people to assure popped a couple pills.” The Adderall extended-release pills provided themselves it is socially acceptable eight hours of intense concentration to take because a doctor can sign that helped him complete his term it off, unlike cocaine. However, the Lauren Geoffrey
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Stephen Radley/Oak Leaf
College students experiment with alternative methods of consuming Adderall for both work productivity and recreation.
two have a lot of the same effects.” Braukman added that female patients tend to enjoy Adderall’s appetite-suppressing effects, which can help them lose weight more easily. McDonald claimed that when students can’t get cocaine, they will chop Adderall and snort it. He himself had done it before, recalling the quicker effect and “a sweet taste in the back of [his] throat.” Adderall, unlike other stimulants for ADHD like Ritalin and Vyvanse, still work when chopped up, Conover said. McDonald has also used Adderall outside of studying and in the party scene to help him consume more alcohol. “When you’re drunk and you feel like you’re going to be sloppy, you can snort an Adderall to make you feel more focused. It’ll make you feel more concentrated on your actions and feel sober, which will just make you want to drink even more,” he said. A h m a d Bunyad, a senior at Chico State University, said although he is not a habitual user of Adderall, he finds it useful when final exams are crammed into one week. He also said Adderall drives him to smoke large amounts of marijuana once he doesn’t want to feel the effects
of Adderall anymore. “Whenever I would take Adderall for an ‘upper’ affect, I would use weed as a ‘downer’ to come off of the high,” Bunyad said. “Adderall makes your heart run a marathon, and when I’m almost done studying, I’ll smoke marijuana to help me feel mellow and lazy in order to get a few hours of shut eye. It doesn’t take a small joint, but a few bowls.”
Although Bunyad only smokes marijuana on occasion, he agreed that Adderall can be a gateway drug to smoke pot concurrently. McDonald is aware of the health risk involved with taking Adderall unprescribed, but he plans on taking it as long as it works. He will continue his education after graduation to complete his law degree in 2015.
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May 12, 2014
Opinion
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SEX
Just the tips
Written by the Opinion Staff
K
ids, we need to talk. About sex. Summer is coming, and you know what that means — sunshine, beaches, lotion and, of course, crabs. Which is why you should always bring a blanket. And some condoms. So that should cover STDs and contraceptives; now let’s move on to the three Cs of competent copulation: Confident, Communicative and Carefree. Imagine, if you will, a partner who is so insecure that this person can barely bring themselves to take off their socks. During the sexy times, it’s important to have confidence.
Different strokes
Brooke Almond Contributing Writer
Pornography is a topic of moral confusion in the U.S. right now. Internet pornography is more accessible than ever, and as a result, we are warned about pornography addiction and how watching online porn will negatively impact our sex
You’re beautiful, no matter what everyone else says. Clearly, this person is having sex with you because they find you attractive in one way or another. Age, gender or genitalia shouldn’t matter; confidence is sexy. Imagine, again, a partner who is clearly not enjoying themselves. Your attempts at Teletubby cosplay would have benefitted from a little verbal warning. You know what you want, and they know what they want, so it’s time that the two meet. Everyone has their peccadilloes, whether they like to dress up like a peg-legged pirate and prance around singing “The Star Spangled Banner” or have you eat cheesepuffs off their thighs while tickling them under the chin. You might say it’s hypocritical
of us to remain anyonymous and talk about communication, but we’re not having sex with you, reader. Talk it out with your partner before they walk out. Make sure you’re both comfortable, and you’ll have a grand old time. If someone farts, flowers wilt and rivers run dry, then you’re doing it wrong. If you’re confident and communicative, sex is fun and sometimes funny. In the event of a fart, it’s OK to laugh. Don’t be afraid to giggle or guffaw at mishaps and messiness. Experimentation can produce hilarious results. Don’t be scared to try new things just because you might be embarrassed. Go ahead and try having sex in that papasan. It just might work out.
Here are some ways to practice the three Cs: - Have sex in new places. Go ahead and bone in that broom closet. Shtupp in that sacristy. Fornicate in that forest. We’re going to judge, but you should be confident enough to ignore us now. - Get naked. We all feel vulnerable in our birthday suits from time to time. Don’t be afraid to let it all hang out. - Check out mojoupgrade.com. You and your partner can fill in a list of your kinks, and the website will tell you which you have in common. Just don’t be a dick and mark all the kinks to get dirt on your bump ‘n’ grind buddy. Until next time, grip it and flick it, kiddos.
lives and our lives in general. We’ve seen stories on “MTV TrueLife” about marriages failing because men fall victim to this horrid addiction, yet few take the time to publicly thank pornography for all the good that it does in our lives. Watching porn is a way of expressing sexuality. Masturbation most often goes hand-in-hand with the act of watching pornography. Doctors once told us masturbation would make us go blind or grow hair on our palms, but now they know that masturbation is a natural activity of sexual expression that is healthy and not detrimental to vision or the aesthetic beauty of the human hand. Pornography is wrongly linked to personal problems in a similar way. People blame pornography which they voluntarily enjoyed in the first place - for their depression, intimacy problems and relationship
troubles. It’s like blaming the gun instead of the person for killing someone or blaming burgers and fries for obesity - some people don’t understand responsibility. We live in a free country. We can watch internet porn all day if we want to, but just because we enjoy it doesn’t make us addicts. Liking something and doing it again is different from actually being addicted to something, and porn is blamed and shamed for the wrong reasons. University of Utah psychology professor Victor Cline wrote about the dangers of watching pornography in his article, “The Pornography Trap.” His chilling tale followed an 11-year-old boy who was introduced to porn at his friend’s house. “His natural curiosity combined with the awakening sexual desires of his growing body and soon created
an almost overwhelming desire to view more and more. In short order, each exposure to the sexually explicit material was followed by masturbation. Each time he repeated the cycle, the sexual release reinforced his behavior and strengthened the hold the addiction had on him.” What Cline describes is typical of any adolescent going through puberty and sexual discovery, not an addict. Dr. David Ley wrote in the “Current Sexual Health Reports” Feb. edition that porn addiction research is flawed, and that the addiction model should not even apply in the context of “highfrequency use of visual sexual stimuli.” In other words, porn addiction doesn’t even exist. Pornography and the porn industry have plenty of faults with their often-exploitative nature, though. There are also probably
Let’s get it on: songs to get busy to Pre-boning -“Ignition (Remix)” by R. Kelly -“Fat Bottom Girls” by Queen -“I Want You So Hard” by Eagles of Death Metal -“Love Is The Drug” by Roxy Music -“Feel Good, Inc.” by Gorillaz -“Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones -“Crosstown Traffic” by Jimi Hendrix -“Business Time” by Flight of the Concords -“I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick -“Fetish” by Vicious Pink -Anything by Marvin Gaye Boning -“Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band -“When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin -“Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul -“Devil’s Haircut” by Beck -“Digital Love” by Daft Punk -“Let’s Groove Tonight” by Earth, Wind & Fire -“There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths -“Hands” by The Raconteurs -“I Wanna Be Adored” by The Stone Roses -“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen -Anything by Marvin Gaye. Obviously. Post-boning -“I Just Had Sex” by The Lonely Island -“Sweet Virginia” by The Rolling Stones -“Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles -“We Are the Champions” by Queen -“Buddy Holly” by Weezer -“What is Love” by Haddaway -Anything by Marvin Gaye. Come on. You should know this by now.
some who genuinely have problems watching too much pornography and do need help. Perhaps a person would be psychologically impaired in intimate situations if he or she had solely been exposed to hardcore fetish pornography prior to any real human contact, but chances are those who watch internet pornography already know at least the basics about society. We have a general idea of what is acceptable and unacceptable; we are not animals without logic, reason or empathy. Porn is not the enemy. If you watch porn from time to time, there is no need to go to rehab. We can enjoy watching pornography for what it’s worth, take responsibility for our own lives and not toss blame where it doesn’t belong.
Opinion
www.theoakleafnews.com
May 12, 2014
My Writing
EDITORIAL T
he end of May is a time of pride and accomplishment. Many Santa Rosa Junior College students will graduate May 24, ready to move on, whether to pursue careers with their associate’s degree or transfer to another university. There’s another landmark occasion just a week prior to graduation: the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. This Supreme Court decision is widely credited with giving underrepresented minorities an opportunity to receive a quality state-school education, and May 17 should be a proud day for civil rights. Too bad Brown v. Board hasn’t had any legal standing in California for nearly a decade. Ever at the forefront of pushing the legal envelope, Californians voted Proposition 209 into effect in November 1996, amending the state’s constitution so that state institutions can no longer consider factors like gender, race or ethnicity. This law applies to both student admissions and faculty hirings at the University of California. Laws like Prop 209 have noble intentions; in a fair world, people should get in to college on their
own academic merit, disregarding anything else. On April 22, another Supreme Court decision upheld a Michigan ballot initiative that created the same effect at Michigan’s state-run colleges. Michigan’s attorney general, Bill Schuette, cited the UC system and Prop 209 as a story of how these kinds of anti-affirmative action laws still allow for a diverse learning environment. Schuette claimed that in the years after the proposition passed, GPAs rose and graduation rates increased for the black and Latino students. Schuette’s interpretation of the numbers rather aggravated the University of California’s president and board of chancellors. They filed a brief refuting his assertions with data showing an even greater increase in minority graduation rates prior Schuette’s narrow timeframe. Likewise, the data shows that while black and Latino GPAs have risen, it’s as part of a larger trend across the student body – and they’re still at a lower average than the GPAs of white and Asian-American students. The Oak Leaf cannot help but echo the bafflement and regret
1954
2014 PROP 209
Peter Njoroge Staff Writer
evident in Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer’s dissent against the six-member majority ruling in the Michigan case when she wrote that the Supreme Court’s decision “eviscerates an important strand of our equal protection jurisprudence.” Yes, in a fair world, people will be weighed on their own merit. But the American education system has historically created inferior learning environments for minority students through segregation, resulting in a world where the overwhelming predictor of SAT success is parental income,
and black prisoners make up 37.2 percent of the U.S. prison population while black students make up 15 percent of U.S. college students. Schools in the 1950s had to be forced into providing minority students equal opportunities for quality education through Brown v. Board. Actions like Prop 209 and the Supreme Court’s ruling undo that work. If this continues, we’ll find ourselves with a two-tiered educational system split between the haves and have-nots.
At The OFFICE Describe your job at the Oak Leaf in six words or fewer
William Rohrs Layout Editor
Amelia Parreira Sports Editor
Daniel Barba Graphic Designer
Becca Livingston Staff Writer
Spin everyone’s straw into gold.
Get into intense sports arguments.
Vengo a hacerme wey.
I avoid the quote board.
Julie Lee Features Editor
Alex Randolph Staff Writer
Nathan Quast Editor-in-Chief
Chantelle Bogue Layout Designer
Defending dashes — the best punctuation mark.
Writing: slimy, yet satisfying.
Wear the fez, call the shots.
Wait around all week, then layout.
Jarrett Rodriguez A&E Editor
Devin Marshall Staff Writer
Stephen Radley Multimedia Editor
Peter Njoroge Staff Writer
Everyone’s personal chauffeur, occasionally Media Editor.
Sit and judge. Bellybuttons are weird.
I highly reccomend everything I can. Perfecting headlines, procrastinating horribly, writing sometimes.
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The Buddha taught us that nothing in life is inherently permanent and that one of the root causes of our suffering is our attachment to impermanent things. Though I’m in no way, shape or form devoutly Buddhist, this precept is especially significant to me as I move on to another college. Specifically, the three-year journey I’ve had here at Santa Rosa Junior College has taught me more about myself and the world around me than I can possibly express in these short paragraphs. My writing, which has always been a way for me to know myself, slowly and surely turned into a tool I could use to connect to the world. Writing for the Oak Leaf has changed me in many ways, but most importantly, it has brought me to my purpose. The late nights I spent writing articles and editing other people’s work are stored in my long-term memory. These memories continually fuel my words and shape me into the writer I know I am. The only caveat is they will soon become parts of my past filled with joy, sadness, madness and exhilaration. Winning awards and making strong friendships will soon be nothing more than an experience in time. Remnants remain but I will have to move on and create new memories and experiences. Though sad, upon contemplation moving on isn’t as bad as it seems. The friendships I’ve made will continually keep me grateful as I take the next step with my academic life. In short, my time at the Oak Leaf has taught me dedication, teamwork and accountability. The friends I’ve made will always remain close to me and the work I leave behind will remind me of how important it is to work hard while testing your limits- especially if it’s with something you like doing. Though the ideal Buddhist would remain detached to all he or she does, my work leaves me with a tight grip on gratitude and sense of accomplishment.
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A&E
May 12, 2014
I’ve had better
Not quite ‘Amazing’ Alex Randolph Staff Writer
Review
Julie Lee Features Editor
Review Memoirs are often petty and self-indulgent — masturbatory, if you will — and indeed, Natalye Childress’ debut book “The Aftermath of Forever: How I Loved and Lost and Found Myself. The Mixtape Diaries” is just that: a masturbatory examination of her sex life sans masturbation. Plus mixtapes. Comprised of 10 love affairs in 10 chapters, “Aftermath” seemed to promise voyeuristic pleasure. Unfortunately, Childress’ romantic/sexual encounters, or at least her way of recounting them, verged on cringe comedy. Exhibit A: “It was like his touch was heroin, and I, a junkie who craved it, couldn’t function without it.” This is not to disparage Childress’ lived experiences but rather her decision to publish such trite prose, launched by the cliché that she “found herself ” through writing. This book undoubtedly fulfilled Childress in more ways than one, and certainly these vignettes are worth several diary entries or even a lengthy brunch conversation over a few Bloody Marys. But that’s mere gossip, not Literature with a capital “L.” The real debacle, however, is the lack of a conclusion. After reading 157 pages of her failed romances in which she arguably “lost” herself, one would expect her to eventually “find” herself as advertised in the title. The book falls incredibly short on personal growth, especially alongside the publisher’s description as a “romantic coming-of-age of a woman in her 20s experiencing dating in the San Francisco Bay Area.” Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” an actual coming-of-age story featuring a female protagonist and romance, provides definitive closure to Eyre’s tempestuous relationship with Mr. Rochester: “Reader, I married him.” Childress, on the other hand, leaves three sappy sentences for “M.” on the final page. Yes, after divulging the specific sexual habits of 10 different men, she does not even include her current husband’s full name, much less a chapter on how they met. The best defense of memoir writing may be that the unexamined life is not worth living, but for this memoir, the examination is not worth reading.
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Sony’s “The Amazing SpiderMan 2” unashamedly takes inspiration from its comic book source material, adapting at least one famous storyline to the big screen while hewing closer to comic book personalities and backgrounds than Sam Rami’s trilogy did. This is easily the best thing about the film, especially its portrayal of Spidey. While Toby Maguire was great as the eternally down-onhis-luck Peter Parker, his rather serious performance as SpiderMan left many fans asking what happened to the hero’s trademark quips. Andrew Garfield, on the other hand, manages to portray both Parker and Spidey with equal aplomb; he nicely displays Parker’s inner conflicts alongside SpiderMan’s wit and humor as he trades blows with main baddie Electro, played by Jamie Foxx. Unfortunately, the film’s devotion to the comic book formula is also its worst aspect. Many problems that plague a long-running comic series can be found here – long stories
that aren’t new-reader friendly, multiple storylines being juggled at once with no clear focus and single stories that feel incomplete by themselves because they exist only to set up the next one. The movie really suffers from the last item, with an ending that quite clearly exists only to set up the next film in the franchise, making for a rather underwhelming conclusion. The relationship between Garfield and Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy remains a highlight of the movie, as Parker’s love for Stacy conflicts with his desire to protect her; the promise he made to her father not to involve Stacy resounding in his mind. Stone, for her part, remains a smart, plucky woman whose natural chemistry with Garfield makes their scenes together almost more interesting than the high-flying super heroics. Not that the heroics aren’t entertaining as well – the well-staged, super-powered fights are fun to watch, with several slow motion scenes that actually work very well. Unfortunately, the big villains of the piece are nowhere near as engaging as our two main leads are. While Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborn has a strong start as an old friend of Parker whose
Photo Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Spiderman faces off against the Rhino, Green Goblin and Electro in the latest enstallment.
quickly ailing health leads him to make some very desperate decisions, his transformation into the gibbering Green Goblin left something to be desired. Electro has the same problem, perhaps in part because the scenes that could have fleshed him out instead went to Osborn. The Rhino, despite what his prominence on the posters would have you believe, barely appears at all. These are very talented actors in a very ho-hum script. Garfield’s Spider-Man is the most
entertaining the character’s ever been on the big screen, but the movie suffers from trying to do too much at once. It has its moments, but never meshes together into a complete whole. If this Spider-Man could have had a script as good as the previous “Spider-Man 2,” we might very well have the perfect Spider-Man movie, perhaps even the perfect superhero movie. As it is, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is a jumbled mess, but thanks to its main leads, it’s at least an entertaining one.
Going to board-gaming school Devin Marshall Staff Writer
Review Five Santa Rosa Junior College students, including this author, ventured out to GameScape in San Rafael to try out demo copies of board games and tell you if they’re worth playing. The verdict? Yes. Rampage: 2013, 2-4 players, ages 8 & up, by Repos Production In “Rampage,” you get to act out all of your fantasies of mass urban destruction without harming a fly. First player pick goes to the one who can make the best monster sound, and the silliness only ramps up from there. The most striking aspect of “Rampage” that sets it apart from other tabletop offerings is the gameplay itself. This is categorized as both a dexterity and a
finger-flicking game, a burgeoning genre meaning that the players have to actually aim and flick to try and reach different areas with their character. Your basic arsenal includes the abilities to drop on top of buildings, fling vehicles and even test your lungs by blowing down anything that dares stand in your path. At the end of the game, the players tally up how many differently-colored sets of meeples they have consumed, the amount of damage they’ve caused to buildings (measured in floors collected), and the teeth that have been gathered from other players’ monsters in knock-down, drag-out fights. Overall, this title sports brightly colored art and a hilarious B-movie theme sure to amuse those who enjoy things that are fun. Will Rohrs: “I really like ‘Rampage.’ I think it’s really fun to be able to move around the board, where it doesn’t just go down to luck at the end of the game, but it is really easy to lose the pieces because they do go flying everywhere.” Rating: 8 rampaging monsters out of 10 Tsuro: 2005, 2-8 players, ages 8 & up, by WizKids games Sometimes it’s necessary to ditch complexity and production value in favor of pure fun. “Tsuro” is a game that catches you off-guard. Its
Photo by Stephen Radley/Oak Leaf
William Rohrs tries hard to blow down a building whie playing “Rampage.”
unassuming box belies hidden genius. With a simple tile system of ‘play one, draw one,’ it allows players to pick up the rules very quickly while also keeping them entertained. Everybody starts at the edge of the board, and must quickly figure out how to stay alive the longest: for every tile that you place in front of you, you must follow that path to the end. If you land off the edge of the board or collide with another player, it’s game over for you. As a result, it’s a crazy frenzy of attempts to plan ahead that get foiled by other players trying to achieve the same goal as you. This happens all while maintaining a very ‘Zen’ feel, including motifs of Eastern dragons. It should be mentioned that everybody voted for a second round
right away. Will: “I’ve never played a game like ‘Tsuro’ before. This kind of reminds me of Dominoes. You know what I like about this? This is a game where you don’t know who the winner is until the last four turns.” Rating: 10 wandering paths out of 10 Asa: “It’s kinda short and simple, but that’s good. It’s anyone’s game.” Rating: 9 odd phoenix-bird-dragons out of 10. Stay tuned for new tabletop adventures in forthcoming Boarding School columns. In the future, look out for an extra rating system for our readers 21 and older: “Can I still play this game drunk?” To read the full story go to theoakleafnews.com.
A&E 15 Film fest rocks Petaluma May 12, 2014
www.theoakleafnews.com
JoshuOne Barnes
Indiegogo and Kickstarter. Crowdsourcing has become an important source of revenue Staff Writer for small projects like the ones showcased at Film Fest Review Petaluma. Continued from cover... One of the selections funded embarrassing, but they on Kickstarter was “Fool’s Day,” show you that you don’t the black comedy by American know everything. As long as director Cody Snider. Snider you assume you don’t know had originally requested $8,000 everything, that’s how you but received nearly $11,000 in become a better filmmaker.” 14 days from 119 enthusiastic The filmmakers in supporters. Funders were attendance were invited promised anything from a onstage to answer audience hug from Snider to associate questions about their executive producer credits on creations. Joining Levin on the the finished film. panel was Michael Cusack, an “Fool’s Day” tells the tale of Australian director whose stop what happens to a grade school motion film, “Sleight of Hand” class when an April Fool’s Day has been wowing audiences prank goes terribly wrong. On across the globe since its debut his Kickstarter page, Snider in 2012. writes, “I have long wanted to Cusack said that although make a film centered on kids “Sleight of Hand” had done and shot from their eye level. I really well in the U.S. at want to make the audience feel festivals, this was the first like they are children again, time that he had watched transport them back to the his film with an American third grade for 15 minutes.” The audience. “You wouldn’t know audience at the Mystic Theatre watching it that there’s over was transported to the third 14,000 moves going into the grade for 20 minutes and was animation,” Cusack said. “No simultaneously horrified and computers involved,” he added. humored by Snider’s vision. American director Cylan Not all the films at the Shaffer’s film, festival were “The Light,” comedies. is a surreal “ M o r e “I want to make the tale about two Than Two audience feel like they are men’s struggle Hours,” a children again, transport a g a i n s t 2013 Cannes them back to the third fear that is Film Festival grade for 15 minutes.” actualized in and 2014 contemporary S u n d a nce -Cody Snider, director of dance and o f f i c i a l music. Unique “Fool’s Day” selection among the by Iranian other films, director S h a f f e r ’s Ali Asgari dance film and writer r e v o l v e s Farnoosh around universal themes of Samadi enveloped the fear and joy. Shaffer said that audience in the harrowing tale he chose the medium because of a couple in Iran desperately it was unique as an art form. searching for a hospital that “I think it’s a fun way to tell will treat the young woman stories,” he said. “Obviously if without involving her parents. anyone’s a dancer, they come A social commentary on up to me immediately. The the ultra-conservative Iranian dance community is so tight culture, the film is based on that they are just like, ‘I love a true story about a girl who that kind of stuff, and I wish had to endure much pain and there was more of it.’” humiliation due to bureaucracy Shaffer’s next project, a film and strict adherence to maleabout depression, is currently dominated cultural rules. being crowd funded on Asgari and Samadi joined the Indiegogo.com. Many of the conversation on stage after the films in the festival had received film and described briefly the their initial funding from d a n g e r crowd sourcing websites such as
JoshuOne Barnes/ Oak Leaf
People eagerly make their way into the Mystic Theatre to attend the Film Fest Petaluma on May 3.
that they faced to make a film with such heavy themes. Asgari described how Iranian filmmakers must receive permission from the Minister of Culture to film. “We didn’t get permission for making this film. In fact, we got permission for another script, but we shot this one,” Asgari said. “More Than Two Hours” has been seen at more than 200 festivals around the world, but has never played in Iran. Asgari and Samadi received a visa from the U.S. State Department to show the film at the festival. Steve Tucker, a former SRJC student presented his documentary “Michael Garlington: Built To Burn” about a local artist who builds intricate sculptures that are then burnt at the Burning Man festival. Tucker is the founder of Bay Area Media Masters, a local video production company. “We try to make stuff that’s entertaining, that’s watchable, that attracts viewers and we try to do it on
JoshuOne Barnes/ Oak Leaf
Filmmakers discuss their work during an evening panel at this year’s Film Fest.
a fine budget,” Tucker said. Ariana Victor and Joey Emmons created the music video for “Bleeding Black” by Jaclyn Mae, which opened the late-night screening. Victor said she has had a camera in her hand since she was a little girl. Victor and Emmons made the video for SRJC professor Brian Antonson’s Intro to Digital Filmmaking class. They are both currently working on new films. Films from every corner
of the globe and every genre of filmmaking find their way to downtown Petaluma every year to the delight of local cinephiles, thanks to the efforts of Traina and the entire Petaluma Film Alliance. The Mystic is a stately venue steeped in tradition as an entertainment hub for Sonoma County. It is not too early to begin looking forward to the next round of films in the Fest.
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