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Art on display in hallway

Double feature nears

Baseball/softball update

Painting class project brightens construction panels along Level 3 corridor near the CORE — page 3

The Drama Department preps for its upcoming duo of plays opening April 3 — page 4

Baseball is second in division, softball looks to continue to play hard — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates March is Women’s History Month March 31 Q LMCAS Senate meeting, L-105, 1-3 p.m.

Q Inter-Club Council meeting, L-106, 3-4 p.m.

2014 summer schedule out Check out the 2014 schedule of classes for this summer online at losmedanos.edu/schedule

Human Library coming soon The Human Library LMC is set for Tuesday, April 15. The Library is looking for willing patrons to sign up to become a human book who can get loaned out to students for 20 minutes and talk about a unique topic. If you would like more information, contact Christine Park at chpark@losmedanos.edu or go to humanlibrary.org.

The deadline to apply is April 1.

Compete for scholarships Take your skills to the 9th Annual Academic Competiton Saturday, April 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room L-109. Each team has a chance to win a scholarship worth between $400 and $3,000.

Entry and food are free.

Students participate in teams of four in Mathematics, Science, Social Science and English.

The competition consits of four rounds of multiple choice test questions.

For more information visit losmedanos.edu/groups/ lmcas/act.asp. The application deadline is April 2 at 5 p.m.

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Crime and crime again Robbery and vehicle theft among recent misdeeds

By RATTANA KIM

rkim@lmcexperience.com

Crime continues to be a problem at Los Medanos College as there were four reported crimes this March.

This includes one reported petty theft, along with two vehicle thefts; one of those vehicles was recovered. Other reports included information concerning an incident that occurred on campus eliciting a response to medical attention.

A robbery that occurred right behind the LMC trails on Wednesday March 5 resulted in a Campus Alert email sent to warn all students and faculty.

A LMC nursing student had walked on the trail that runs behind the backside, near Arlington Circle. The victim was approached by five individuals and demanded his things so the student handed them

over. East Bay Regional Parks B.” Keep any electronics or Police District responded to personal belongings out of the scene. the public eye, as that is what Although the incident oc- individuals will look for in a cur red behind target.

LMC proper ty, Another robit was imperative bery occurred on to warn students the campus parkand faculty of the ing lot A. Student incident as many Jared Ambuehl’s use the trails to car was broken access the college into on Friday, campus.

March 14. Only L i e u t e n a n t “Keep any his cell phone and Ryan Huddleston backpack were electronics advises the LMC stolen. Although population not or personal Ambuehl’s textto be distracted, belongings books were safe, especially when out of the he had to replace traveling. his car window Avoid looking public eye.” and phone. down at one’s cell — Ryan Huddleston “I felt violated. phone, listening Didn’t think that to music, or engaging with would ever happen to me,” any other electronics when said Ambuehl. “I think there “walking from point A to point needs to be cameras installed

March crime log Location Lot 2A

Location Science Bldg.

Location Lot 2A

Location PE Area

Report Date 03/05/14 8:38 p.m.

Victim reported her vehicle stolen while parked on campus.

Report Date 03/10/14 11:33 a.m.

03/11/14 4:39 p.m.

Summary Victim reported his vehicle was stolen while on campus. Vehicle recovered

by Antioch PD.

Report Date

in the parking lots and have more security.” His belongings were not recovered.

Cur rently, the District Police Department has been working on increasing police

Summary Victim reported disturbance with suspect and report of knife possibly seen.

Report Date

03/12/14 6:45 p.m.

Summary

Summary Victim reported her unattended cell phone was stolen while in class.

patrols, especially during nighttime. Surveillance cameras are also in the process to become a district wide standard by the end of the year.

See CRIME, page 6

Take a tour of local flora

Preserve flourishes

By CASSIE DICKMAN

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

The LMC Nature Preserve staff is working to create a true California experience by reorganizing the plants according to where they would actually be found throughout the state.

“We are going to do a biome Photo by Irvin Trigueros idea, with Southern California Instructional Assistant Mark Asher provides a nature lecture on plant life to Robert Gallen’s Biology Science on the south side and Northern California plants on the 7 class in the Outdoor Living Laboratory at the Nature Preserve Tuesday, Feb. 25. north side,” said Mark Asher, “I don’t think it is going to be difficult, just the Biology Department’s Instructional Assistant chaparral and a west coastal biome, said Asher.

Sue Erickson was the caretaker for the first 10 education wise we have to know now where all who runs the Nature Preserve.

According to Asher, you will not have to guess years and “laid out the preserve the way it is, as the plants were originally born,” Asher said. “As where the plants are from because they will be far as path wise and the way it looks,” said Asher soon as we know where to put it, that’s when we organized by area. It will be like taking a walk adding, “The preserve was put together randomly make our soil.”

Not all of the plants can grow in the same conwhen it started.” through California.

He and Instructional Aide Michael “Mickey” ditions, Asher explained. Some plants die with There will be a southern desert area on the south end of the preserve, northern woodlands Rovere have been working out a plan to get the over-watering and all plants need different drainage; See PLANTS, page 6 closer to the college at the north end, an east side nature preserve organized.

Get ‘covered’ Allies teaches equality Club seeks new members

By TAMMY SEWARD

Want to create an LMC club?

tseward@lmcexperience.com

Interested in creating an official LMC club? Contact the Student Life Office for more information at 439-2181 ext. 3266 or go to www.losmedanos. edu/studentservices/clubs

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

Contra Costa Affordable Care Act representatives talk to student Sumaira Shah about signing up for Obamacare. The deadline to enroll is March 31.

Do you have questions about sexuality? Whether you are heterosexual, gay, straight or bisexual, Los Medanos Colleges Allies Club is the place to find answers.

Although LMC has had a club of this type in the past.

Demetria Lawrence, Student Life Coordinator, said “It has been inactive for years.”

Whether the charter simply ran out or interest died down is not clear.

But society has come a long way and Allies hopes to bridge the gap.

Club President Gary Walker and Jim Mitchell, Faculty

Advisor for the Allies Club, set up a booth on LMC’s Club Day to see if students were interested in a club about sexuality.

Mitchell said they received great response and on February 28 they met their deadline for paper work and were approved.

“We received approximately 60 emails,” said Walker.

“Anyone can join,” Walker said. “We are mainly here to show support for the LGBQT community on campus,” stated Walker. “We hope to educate students as well.”

The club’s biggest hopes are to reach out to high school Gay-Straight Alliance programs and show them they are not alone.

Mitchell also posted PSA notices around campus as

well as at the Brentwood Center for the Gay Youth Talk line to show support for the confidential hotline. For the troubled youth of today, sexuality should be the least of their worries. Anyone can call 1-800-246-PRIDE when needed and each call is confidential.

Now fully chartered, Mitchell would like to take club members on a field trip to the Gay Pride Parade the last Sunday in June. “I’m not sure which one we will go to yet, San Francisco or Sacramento.”

Information on the Allies Club can be found on the LMC site at www.losmedanos. edu/allies/. You can also like them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/LMC.QSpot.

You can contact Gary Walker at garysimeonwalker@icloud. com for other inquiries.

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Joseph Delano

GUEST COLUMIST

The selfie needs to die

College is a choice in life

Selfies are gross. Not in concept, but in execution. The idea of taking pictures of one’s self is fine, preserving memories and moments is a good thing, but it has gotten out of hand.

Selfies have become synonymous with the duck-face, the restroom shot, the hanging tongue and many other disgusting trends.

People are using them more frequently to maintain popularity amongst their peers.

“Selfie” has been named the “Word of the Year” for 2013. That is depressing. Nothing like freedom, tolerance, acceptance or any other uplifting, inspiring word. It had to be selfie. #facepalm.

The selfie is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.” By this definition, most of the purported “selfies” that people post to their Facebook, Instagram etc. are not actually selfies.

People in pictures with other people cannot claim a “selfie” if they did not, in fact, take the picture. Ellen did not actually post a selfie. Bradley Cooper did a selfie with other people in the photo. She may hold the Twitter record for most re-tweets for her “selfie,” but it is technically just a photo.

Selfies are invading pop culture. The song, “#SELFIE” by The Chainsmokers, proves that even the most irrelevant topic can be made into a ‘hit’ song.

What’s worse is people have gotten attached to the music and TV companies have caught on, allowing for even more attention to a mistaken concept. Even shows like American Idol have used this song to entice viewers.

Celebrities aren’t helping the situation either. Amanda Bynes certainly hasn’t been doing herself any favors with her online antics, always with a messed-up weave and a super awkward expression.

Chris Brown posted a pic of himself smoking 3 joints simultaneously. I’m sure they help with his “glaucoma.”

Celebrities should be using their status to inspire people for the good.

Seeing pics of Lindsay Lohan sans top with just her fake hair covering her breasts doesn’t inspire me to be a better person, it just makes me want hope they get mental help. Quickly.

People need to stop posting pictures of themselves in degrading, embarrassing etc. pictures. Since pictures are forever, act how you want to be remembered as.

Shockingly, there have been a few unacceptable uses of the selfie. People have been taking pictures at funerals, in science classes with cadavers, in restrooms with other people unaware of the photo being taken and so many more crude and stupid places.

How many brain cells do you have to lose to think that it is ok to take pictures with dead people and share them with your “friends” online? Where is the humility and the respect that everyone deserves in death.

Imagine that you died right now, what would your family see when they look at your photos on your phone?

Would they see an intelligent person with a good grasp on how to be a productive member of society? Or will they see you aping around with duck lips and grotesquely hanging tongues.

To be clear, I am not discounting the effect of preserving memories of one’s self. I just feel as though there are much better ways to do so that do not involve flaunting your body, or doing something hideous just for the sake of garnering attention from people that your may or may not like to begin with.

My hope is that these hideous displays of the ‘need for attention’ mentality with wither and die rather soon.

Cartoon by Aishling Doherty and Joseph Delano

EDITORIAL

We deserve to have privacy

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ikiLeaks has published a “secret” draft of a chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership last November and people are in upheaval about how this agreement would impact creative expression and Internet usage. Before this, all we had to go on regarding the TPP was from previously leaked documents from 2011.

What we now know about this agreement and spawned protest from groups and people who use social networks. There have been petitions floating around sites like Tumblr urging users to band together to fight against it.

Because of this treaty, there has been a backlash from people within Canada and the United States because the new laws regarding the internet would censor user’s creative expression, penalize online activities and violate the privacy of the people who use the internet. The plan would even overthrow Canada’s copyright laws and infringe upon Using the Internet will become far more expensive if the treaty passes. You could get slapped with fines for making fan art or gifs, which would be a major problem for users of sites like Deviantart. There might be an instance where you might be on a shifty site and click the wrong link and get punished.

Another problem is that in order for this aspect of treaty to work, it would have to rely heavily on the government monitoring Internet users. We already were up in arms about the NSA invading our privacy.

Remember SOPA? The act almost implemented to stop Internet piracy and generated protest as well? Feeling a sense of déjà vu? You should. The Obama administration has enlisted former SOPA lobbyist Robert Holleyman as a deputy U.S trade representative to join with other negotiators to push the TPP. SOPA fell through and this seems like they’re taking a crack at it under a different guise.

Most of these restrictions and punishments are unnecessary. Why monitor us more than we already are? The government is infringing upon our privacy and instead of coming off as protective, treaties like the TPP seem like an act of possessiveness and paranoia.

If the government had our best interests in mind, they’d putrestrictions on a service that’s considered open. It should be mandatory for people to put disclaimers for any gif sets, fan art, or pictures displaying people or characters that don’t belong to the person who created it. Implementing a three-strike rule for file sharing offenses and alleged copyright problems would be a more agreeable route to go.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Police should focus on protecting the students

The United Nations should support Ukraine

DEAR EDITOR: Why is it that cars at LMC are being broken into a lot lately? Why is it that more and more people keep on getting harassed and mugged?

I get that we have security and police everywhere, but where are they when someone’s car is being broken into? Where are they when someone is being mugged? Maybe there is too much for the police to do. But I feel like the police do not take these things seriously enough, and they are more concerned about cars rolling over stop intersections than watching over students and their cars on campus.

How can someone’s vehicle be broken into while parked in lot 1A at 5:30 p.m.?

If students pay for parking and classes at LMC then we should be fully taken care of and not have to worry about who is walking behind or beside us, or even in front of us. We should not have to worry about our cars being broken into or stolen.

DEAR EDITOR: The people in Ukraine are in the midst of an intense conflict. The city is in ashes and many people are dead, injured or homeless. Their own prime minister has been held captive.

Civil unrest and anarchy rule the streets.

Why is it that the United Nations are not being supportive? So they live in an Authoritarian government but shouldn’t the leaders take care of their people?

This uprising is destroying all of the Ukrainian people along with their family members in other countries. The protestors have no protection or anything to help them be safe from attacks.

Will there ever be peace in Ukraine or will the violence keep skyrocketing and wipe out the population of that country? If only the Ukrainian people received help and obtain some food and water and find some medicine to survive the aftermath of this bloodbath.

Peace for Ukraine our prayers are with you.

— Vanesa Laxa

— Eric Tischer

READER OPINION POLICY

The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. All members of the Los Medanos College community — students, faculty and staff — are encouraged to write.

If you are interested in expressing your opinions on campus, national or world issues, bring your submissions to room CC3-301 and put them in the Perspectives Editor’s mailbox or mail them to Experience c/o Los Medanos College, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. You may also send them electronically through the Experience online newsite lmcexperience.com.

Letters and columns must be typed, signed and include a phone number for verification. They may be edited for clarity, content, taste and length at the editor’s discretion.

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

What accomplishments have you made this semster?

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College! That’s the only road high school seniors seem to get a grasp of. Why? Could it be because society chooses this for us?

Because teachers, parents, politicians have drilled this idea into our brains? Or are you on campus reading this article because it means something to you?

College won’t offer you anything if it doesn’t mean anything to you. If you are here to please society you will not make it.

I’m arguing that we, as a society, need to stop this because it will only lead our future students to a bitter lifestyle.

I say that the pen isn’t mightier than your passion, you don’t need to depend on a pen and paper to establish your future, but what you do need is determination and love for whatever you seek.

Yes, I have to admit students do attend college and have successful futures. You can see them with a new BMW flashing their degree. Then behind comes the white and black and yellow and purple and pink Honda driven by a college graduate with the same degree stopping by McDonald’s, not to eat, but to apply.

Why is this? Well according to the American Student Assistance website, “48% of [college graduates ages 25-34] are unemployed.” In today’s unforeseeable job market, going to college is risky. How can you show up to class for more than four years knowing that you will possibly just be a statistic?

This study determined that the median income for “young adults with a bachelor’s degree was $45,000.” My father makes around $50,000 and never graduated elementary school.

My brother, a high school dropout, is making $90,000. Both my father and brother have an overall better lifestyle than most college graduates. Heck, next thing you know, convicted criminals in jail will be making a better paycheck than college graduates.

I believe that students need to realize that a degree won’t assure you anything.

According to the Bureau of Labor, “25% of college graduates are currently working in jobs that don’t require a degree.” And that $45,000 they are making will not be enough to support a family.

First, remember you have an unlimited number of options — college is one option not the only option.

Second, always keep a book in front of you: knowledge is power. Deciding not to go to college shouldn’t mean that your brain stops functioning. If you think that is the case then you are the reason why society believes college is the way to go.

Third, don’t be afraid. You might become the next Bill Gates, or possibly the next Kim Kardashian. But it doesn’t matter as long as you are emotionally released, debt free and satisfied.

In conclusion, we students need to see college as an option. We need to encourage future generations to look above and beyond.

We need to let them know that not going to college is perfectly normal. We need to let our future kids do whatever makes them happy.

If they can see themselves working as teachers in the future and being happy then encourage them to go to college. If they visualize themselves being something out of the ordinary, just know they are doing it for a good reason.

Remember, love it, be happy and above all, be determined.

And take to heart Dr. Seuss’s advice: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

Experience G

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

— Tiarra Greenwood

— Og Mandino

Daniel Garcia

PERSNICKETY PROSE

“This semester I was able to complete my business medical certificate.”

“Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.”

“Being accepted into San Jose State.”

— Andre Thompson

“I’ve worked really hard to get our nursing students close to graduation.”

— Joanne Bent

“I bought a car this semester.”

— Brian Johnson

“My biggest accomplishment so far this semester would be staying on top of my projects.”

— Penelope Challenor

“I accomplished working with Desire 2 Learn and getting the content over there.”

— Mel Herman

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor-in-Chief .................... BRENDAN CROSS Perspectives Editors...... AISHLING DOHERTY and JAZMINE GORDON Campus Editors .................. JOSEPH DELANO and ALEXANDRA TAGLIAMONTE Features Editors .......................RATTANA KIM and STEPHANIE PATTISON Sports Editors .......................LUKE JOHNSON and DAKOTAH ZABROSKI Photo Editor ....................... IRVIN TRIGUEROS Web Editor ..................STEPHANIE PATTISON Associate Editors...............BERTHA AGUILAR and STEVEN LUKE The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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“When having my portrait painted I don’t want justice, I want mercy.”

— Billy Hughes

Vivid Vinyl Visages

Retro records inspire poignant portraits

Art by Lorena Cruz

Art by Tyler Manuel

Art by Cameron Chew

LMC Professor Judi Pettite’s Art 40 and 41 students created self-portraits as part of class project “Telling Our Story.” The idea of this project was for the artists to draw inspiration from album covers of the 1960s and 1970s as well as contemporary graffiti and stencil art themes. The stencil paintings were laid on wood and put on display on Level 3 of the College Complex near the Center for Academic Support prior to spring break. The class picked student Ty Gocuan’s self-portrait as the Artist Statement Piece. Gocuan used red, blue, yellow and black as the colors and shades for his work.

Photos by Jazmine Gordon and Aishling Doherty

Ty Gocuan poses with his newly created art piece as it is being hung for display. He used a variety of colors and shades to construct the artwork. His piece was chosen as the Artist Statement Piece by members of his class. His portrait is on display with others on Level 3 of the College Complex.

NEWSWATCH

Triple Helping Hearts Heal

The Helping Hearts Heal Club is sponsoring a sale to support the Walking Miles Against Violence (WMAV) scholarship. Foods for sale include: Pineapple upside-down cakes and nachos.

It will be held in the indoor quad on April 2 and April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the WMAV Scholarship.

Scholarships are being offered

Los Medanos College offers many scholarship possibilities. These include: Q Broadcasting your Aspirations Scholarship deadline: 4/1. Amount: $2,500.

Q Plumbersstock.com Scholarship deadline: 3/31.

Amount: $2,000.

Q Spokeo Connections Scholarship deadline: 7/1.

Amount: $1,000 For more information on any of the listed scholarships, visit the online scholarship listings available on the LMC website: www.losmedanos.edu and click on scholarships or financial assistance. You can also reach them at 4392181 Ext. 3130.

R.E.A.D. Club selling coupons

The R.E.A.D. Club will be selling Mountain Mike’s Pizza FundRaising Cards in the indoor quad on Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, May 8.

Other activities include a “wheel-spin” game for prizes and will have some riddles and jokes to answer for additional prizes.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Professor Judi Pettite works with students to display student Sydnie Sherman’s self-portrait before spring break.

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Features MARQUEE LMC music events

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“Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.”

— Ronald Reagan

Double feature showing

Los Medanos College is having a series of musical events throughout the semester in the Recital Hall located in the Music building, next to the Lot C parking lot.

Q Concert Band Performance, Friday, May 2, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with Concord High School. General admission $5 and seniors/students $3.

Q Guitar Concert, Monday, May 5, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free admission.

Q Gospel Celebration Concert, Saturday, May 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Admission $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Q Piano Honors Recital, Monday, May 12, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free admission.

Q Concert Band Performance, Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. General admission $5 and seniors/students $3.

Q Jazz Studio Concert, Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Admission: TBA.

‘The Sound of Music’

The California Theater in Pittsburg is showing the classic film “The Sound of Music” on Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

This film is brought to life by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s great and enduring music, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and the title song, “The Sound of Music.”

All tickets are $5, available for purchase at www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

‘Dream’ to play again

The Contra Costa College Drama Department is performing the play, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, directed by Linda Jackson-Whitmore.

Hilarious events surround the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, to his kidnapped bride Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.

Four young Athenian lovers and a group of ameteur actors are bewitched and manipulated by the mischevious magic of the fairies that inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set.

The play will be showing Apr. 30-May 3.

Call (510) 235-7800 for more information.

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

Actors Caitilin Merrill and Lenard Jackson rehearse for “Descending into Darkness” on March 26 in the Little Theater.

Two drama casts ascend into greatness

By ALEXANDRA TAGLIAMONTE atagliamonte@lmcexperience.com

‘Mousetrap’ is set

Agatha Christie’s play “The Mousetrap” is the world’s longest running play. It is now celebrating its 60th year.

During a snow storm, a group of strangers are stranded in a boarding house, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include a newlywed couple who run the boarding house, a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone.

The performances will take place May 9 at 8 p.m., May 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. and May 11 at 2 p.m. Ticket costs are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $10 for children under age of 11. There is an additional $1.50 facility fee charge for all tickets. Purchase tickets at www. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

Alexis Moreno, Emmanuel Anaya, Natalia Philbin, Katie Amrcel and Juanita Fournier feud during a rehearsal of “Daddy’s Little Girl.”

LMC alum rocks out

Los Medanos College Drama Department will be debuting two new student written plays that will act as a double feature that combines “Descending into Darkness” and “Daddy’s Little Girl.”

Drama Department Chair and Professor Nick Garcia read both plays. He was so impressed by the level of work and was eager for the performances to be shared with others.

Garcia shared the scripts with DVC Professor and LMC Director Barbara Norris. They both collaborated on reviewing and editing the plays until they were polished enough to perform.

“Descending into Darkness,” written by LMC student Delisha Whiteis a drama about a high school quaterback who has split personalities.

White says, “I hope everyone is ready to dive into the darkness.”

“Daddy’s Little Girl,” written by LMC student Fredirico Bartolo centers on a family of two parents and their three daughters. The drama focuses on Angelica, the middle child who feels she is unappreciated and unnoticed as her parents pay more attention to their two other children. The play follows her and her trials with a surprising turn of events at the close of the performance.

The performance will be held on April 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 14 in the Little Theater. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. but a Wednesday matinee performance will be held at 11 a.m. on April 9. Each play runs around forty-five minutes to an hour long, accompanied by an intermission transitioning into the next play.

Album released to world audience

By DAMIAN LEWIN

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

“Ascent From Hell,” the debut album release from former Los Medanos College recording arts student George Anderson’s newest band From Hell, is now available worldwide.

Featuring various international renowned musicians including Paul Bostaph of Slayer, Damien Sisson of Death Angel, Steve Smyth of One Machine and Phil Bennett of Starship, the horror-themed concept album was released on March 25 and is already receiving a positive amount of global attention.

According to the band’s website fromhell. net, the story of “Ascent From Hell” is that “a corpse that wakes up in hell and finds out he has to go back to Earth to find his soul that still lives on inside the body of a priest and drag it back to hell.” It is told as a live narrative through the words of Aleister Sinn, Anderson’s alter persona.

Compared with his previous band Down Factor, which produced songs about political

Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com

Russell Crowe on the arc during the newly released film “Noah.”

Films now showing

Q “Noah” Rated PG-13, Genre: adventure, drama Q “Sabotage” Rated R, Genre: action, drama, thriller Q “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” Rated: PG, Genre: animation, adventure, comedy, family, sci-fi

Movies coming soon

Q “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” April 4, Rated PG-13, Genre: action, adventure, sci-fi Q “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar” April 4, Rated G, Genre: documentary, adventure, biography, family Q “Rio 2” April 11, Rated G, Genre: animation, adventure, comedy, family — compiled from press releases and staff reports

Photo courtesy of Fromhell.net

The band “From Hell” features musicians George Anderson, Paul Bostaph, Steve Smyth and Damien Sisson from other popular bands. and global issues, Anderson “took a different approach” while writing this album. “I enjoy playing music a lot more if there’s a story,” said Anderson. “Songs are way cooler if they go somewhere, if there’s a point.”

To help incorporate a more thematic feel to the storyline of the recording, Anderson also enlisted the help of choir members of the Pacific Mozart Ensemble to provide background vocal layers to some of the songs.

“When I walked in and saw 22 people holding sheet music to songs I wrote,” said Anderson

“my jaw hit the floor.”

Using the skills he learned during his twoyear enrollment at LMC, Anderson was able to contribute his own ideas and opinions during the engineering process, something he says, “anybody in music should understand.”

Co-Producer and engineer Steve “Snake” Green, owner of Greendot Studios in Berkeley where most of the string instruments and vocals were recorded, agrees with Anderson.

“It helps the flow of recording so much when See BAND, page 6

Defying conformity in a post-apocolyptic world Fear test shows true courage

cents, the test identifies their aptitude for a single faction, often times the faction one they grew up in.

But Beatrice is not like the others.

Her test shows she has an aptitude

By JARED AMBUEHL jambuehl@lmcexperience.com for multiple factions — Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. The woman who “Divergent” is a roller-coaster ride administered her test, Tori, (Maggie that does a fantastic job of keeping you Q), explains she is divergent, and warns on the edge of your her to be careful not to tell anybody seat. Director Neil as this characteristic is considered Burger captures dangerous to society. the balance between an action-packed By this time, your attention has been thriller and a romance on the side, grabbed from the suspense of which which is why readers fell in love with faction Beatrice will pick. Her strongthe book. will and curiosity get her into trouble Based on the novel by Veronica Roth, when she picks her faction because, the film is set in a dystopian society. as Tori later tells her, “it will be easier Futuristic Chicago is divided into five Photo courtesy of buzzsugar.com to be discovered” as a divergent in factions — Amity (the peaceful), Candor Dauntless. (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent), Tris shows her courage while preparing for her fear The film chronicles her initiation Dauntless (the brave) and Abnegation test involving knives. into Dauntless and the struggle of (the selfless), — and citizens must select hiding the fact she is Divergent. To give herself a fresh start, Beatrice one for their adult life when they become adolescents.

Things get tricky for protagonist Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) renames herself “Tris.”

It was a fairly faithful rendition of the book, but what I found trouwhen she goes to take her “aptitude test,” designed to tell you what See FILM, page 6 faction to pick at the upcoming choosing ceremony. For most adoles-

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“Don’t look back.

Something might be gaining on you.”

— Satchel Paige

Playing different types of ball Baseball eyes playoffs, softball looks to improve STEVEN LUKE

sluke@lmcexperience.com

The baseball and softball seasons at Los Medanos College are now in full swing.

Both teams have begun the important conference schedule that will determine who makes the playoffs and who will stay at home. Baseball is still in the mix, but softball is playing for pride at this point.

Baseball coach Anthony D’Albora’s squad came out of the gates swinging in conference games with a 4-1 record (13-9 overall), but have now dropped two in a row and sit in a three-way tie for second in the Bay Valley Conference.

Softball coach Tim Griffin’s team has had trouble getting started all season, and currently sits dead last in the Bay

Valley with a 1-7 conference record (3-18 overall).

The two teams are headed in opposite directions, but both look to end the season on a strong note with the men fighting for a playoff spot and the women are trying to win more games and prepare for next season.

For D’Albora’s team, they are looking one game at a time, and trying to win every series the rest of the way out.

“We always look at it game by game,” he said. “The goal is to win every series but you’ve gotta win on Tuesday to give yourself a chance to do that, and if you do that you turn the page and find a way to win on Thursday.”

Griffin’s team has a different focus as they are building

towards next season.

“We possibly have nine returning players, and our focus is on retaining them and building around them,” he said.

While the softball team is preparing for next season, baseball is working off of a solid core that made the playoffs last season, and is looking to return to the tournament.

It won’t be an easy road to return to the playoffs, though, as they face first place College of Marin this week and the two teams they are tied with for second over the next two weeks.

“Our plan no matter who we play, whether it’s a team that’s at the bottom of the list or the top of the list, it’s going to be the same everyday,” D’Albora See BALL, page 6

Photos by Cathie Lawrence

Vanessa Laxa (above left) patrols the outfield and tracks down a fly ball. Steven Otaguro (above right) slides into second base attempting to break up a double play.

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Choral concert an adventure

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

The LMC Chorus Chamber Chorale & Gospel Choir performed along with the Vintage Singers from De Anza College led by conductor Dr. Ilan Glasman in the Recital Hall Tuesday, March 11.

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From page 5

said. “One thing we saw last year is that our conference is getting a lot better. There is a lot more competition at the top than we’ve ever seen before.”

They won’t be taking anyone lightly because even the teams that are currently at the bottom are only a winning streak away from jumping up the standings.

Grif fin’s team, although

From page 4 they are building towards next season, could be one of those teams who jump to the top with a winning streak.

“No one is giving up on this season,” he said. “There is still plenty of time to turn it around and I don’t believe any other team will improve as fast as this one will.”

While it will be an uphill road

to catch currently undefeated Solano College, but if they win out they still have a chance at the playoffs.

Both teams have a long way to go before this season is over, but one could be playing longer than the other.

Griffin will not let it get him down, though.

“It can only get better.”

the ar tist understands the process. Understanding the process and trusting my judgment are a huge part in getting that special, magical moment to appear.”

In addition to the benefits of learning the recording and engineering processes, Anderson also offered a final bit of advice to current and future LMC students pursuing a career as a musician.

“Take some business classes,” he said. “It’s only going to be six months out of your life.”

While in keeping with the original ideas conceived, each guest musician “absolutely” had an impact on the final versions of the songs.

“I took input from George on moods and expressions he was trying to get across,” said Steve Smyth, former guitarist for the bands Testament and Nevermore, who laid down lead guitar tracks for “Ascent From Hell.”

“I played for the song, and for what he wanted, and got it across,” he said.

FILM

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bling was the brash change of climax. In the movie, Tris faces her biggest enemy in the leader of the Erudite faction Jeannine Matthews. This does not mirror the book at all.

I’m not usually bothered when a movie does not follow the book, but it was the climax.

I was not outraged, but did go “huh” in the theater.

Some average movie-goers may argue the movie was too Photo courtesy of imdb.com long but it made $56 million at Shailene Woodley (Tris) the box-office for its debut, so don’t let that make you miss takes aim during a drill with Theo James (Four). out on this thriller.

Another way to stay safe is to walk in pairs whenever possible.Huddleston advised to Be aware of your surroundings.

“If you feel uncomfortable on campus, you can always call us anytime.”

For any questions or concerns, contact Police Services at 439-2181 ext. 3228. In case of an emergency, dial 911 anytime from a campus phone, cell phone or 439-2181 ext.

3333 for Police Services. To report any suspicious activity call the Silent Witness Tip Line at 685-1230 ext. 1999.

From page 4

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

Sebastian Maldonado raises his hand to ask Instructional Assistant Mark Asher about the use of organic pesticides on plants in the Nature Preserve Feb. 25.

PLANTS From page 1

some need well-drained soil, others need moist or dry soil.

For example, he said, riparian plants are water loving and they have been put in an artificial stream for them to grow in.

Asher’s main strategy for keeping all the plants healthy and alive, even though they all naturally live in different environments, is prayer.

“We do the soil textures to the best of our ability but with environment, ambient temperatures and things, we are at the grace of God,” said Asher.

LMC Biology Teacher Ron Gallin brings his environmental class to the Nature Preserve for on-campus field trips. “It will be good to see the diversity of plants found in California,” he said adding, “When arranged according to habitats, biomes, they become a useful teaching tool for ecology.”

According to its website, losmedanos.edu/nature, the preserve was developed by the Environmental Biology and General Biology classes of Professor Christine Hagelin over several years and the preserve is home to more than 65 native California plants.

The plants that aren’t native to California, such as some of the trees, were there

before it was established in 1999, explained Asher. None of the existing plants in the preserve will be moved, but for educational purposes they will be labeled, letting people know where they are normally located.

“Since we double back as an outdoor biology laboratory, we also have to base education on the preser ve, so within these areas we have to keep specimen that we can use for plant biology, ecology, evolution and possibly horticulture,” said Asher.

The preserve is going to be expanded at the south end to give them a clean slate, said Asher. But if they have to pull something out, it will be chopped into little pieces and used for propagation to make new plants.

Asher is also working to get a new amphitheater put on the north side of the preserve for biology classes to use for lectures. He also plans to make the water system at the preserve strictly fresh water.

The new water system alone will cost $4,500 and because the preser ve is not funded by the Biology Department, the money will have to be generated through plant sales and donations, said Asher, and

volunteers are needed to help do the work.

“I would love to bring classes there for lecture sessions, what a great setting to learn about the environment,” said Gallin.

The Nature Preserve is not just a teaching tool. There are picnic tables and benches that students can use to study, eat lunch, or just hang out and enjoy the scenery.

“We provide an area for students to learn, fellowship and earn credit for their discipline in college,” said Asher. “The Nature Preserve is an open area for all to enjoy.”

Yari Wiggins, an environmental biology student that went to the Nature Preserve for a field trip, said “I will definitely return on my own.”

She added, “I feel it’s a calming place to study for tests or get some reading done.”

“Mark and Mickey deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work, innovative thinking and love of nature and learning,” said Gallin. “I will enjoy seeing the Nature Preserve, and its inhabitants grow and develop.”

If you would like to visit the Nature Preserve, it is located on the west side of Parking Lot B, south of the College Complex.

Anderson said a CD release show and multiple state tours are in the works.

Details will be announced via the bands website as soon as more information is available.

After almost four years of production and a “myriad of band member changes,” said Anderson, “Ascent From Hell” has finally been released through Scourge Records and is available online for $12 through the band’s website.

It will be available in retail locations worldwide on April 8.

From page 1