Sept. 4, 2015 / Vol. 83 No. 2

Campus on ice

LMC’s comedy ‘KYD’

Preseason kicks off

Free Italian ice was handed out at the outdoor quad as part of Mustang Madness Thursday, Aug. 27 — page 3

Profile on Lenard Jackson, drama student and upstart comedian — page 4

Soccer began its preseason schedule with a loss but team still has high hopes for rest of campaign — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is National Preparedness Month Sept. 5

Labor Day - College closed.

Sept. 7

Last day to drop full-term classes on WebAdvisor without a “W” appearing on transcript.

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LMCAS monies lacking Budget drastically smaller

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

The Los Medanos College Associated Students met Monday, Aug. 31 to discuss its impending budget changes, following the revelation that this year’s student government budget is less than half as much as the previous year.

The meeting, which was supposed to discuss a full agenda started late, prompting senate Parliamentarian Gar y Walker-Roberts to suggest they discuss only the budget item.

As the LMCAS began to delve into the issue of the day, the first discussion regarded funding for both Welcome Week and the academic competition.

“If we took anything away from academic

competition, it would be hard to fund,” said Walker-Roberts.

Diona Shelbourne, commissioner of campus events, agreed with him. There was a unanimous approval from the board to keep the current funding.

Walker-Roberts suggested other clubs tighten their budgets as well but Shelbourne said they already had.

“They’re usually given $10,000 and that’s been cut in half since last semester. So I think their budgets have been cut enough,” she said.

The board decided the student clubs would remain funded but in a diminished capacity.

Dean of Student Success Dave Belman said that 3SP funding, which can aid in the

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Dean of Student Success Dave Belman and new See MONEY, page 6 LMCAS adviser Jamila Stewart banter over budget.

Mustangs march in Blood drives upcoming A blood drive will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Library, Room L-109.

To make an appointment, go to www.bloodheroes. com, click on “Donate Blood” and enter sponsor code LosMC; or contact Student Life at 473-7554.

Make and appointment to donate and be entered to win a Toyota Prius, courtesy of Stevens Creek Toyota.

Spring 2016 debut expected

By JAMARI SNIPES

jsnipes@lmcexperience.com

A new Veterans Center may be opening at Los Medanos College in the spring of 2016, to “benefit a large number of our students who have served their country through the military,” said Senior Dean of Student Services Gail Newman.

“Many four-year and community colleges throughout the nation and statewide have created veteran resource centers over recent years, recognizing that veterans that are transitioning from military to civilian life are in need of additional support,” added Newman.

President Bob Kratochvil said the center will offer LMC student veterans the opportunity “to be with other veterans who often have gone through very difficult, even traumatic experiences.” Such peer support is often crucial to their academic success.

In contrast to the current situation in which services for veterans are widely dispersed on campus, this center will have them in one location, and include counseling, a textbook loan program and help with employment.

Services for veterans are now “offered through individual programs and services around the college,” said Newman. “For example, through the Counseling Center, the Admissions and Records Office, the Disabled Student Program, the Student Life Office, the Brentwood Center.”

The center will have a study area, computers and a place for veterans to talk with each other.

According to a 2013 LMC Veterans Task Force Report, many veterans have not participated in formal, traditional academic programs for several years. The center is supposed to help them as they navigate the civilian and academic world.

According to Newman, there were

Study abroad spring 2016 There will be a study abroad information meeting Thursday Sept.

10 in the Library, Room L-106 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Information will be provided regarding studying abroad in Florence, Italy during the upcoming spring 2016 semester.

For more information on the Florence trip or the Study Abroad Program, contact them by email at studyabroad@dvc.edu or by phone at 969-2507.

Keeping up on DVC lacrosse

The fast, hard-hitting, high scoring sport of lacrosse is soon to start as the Diablo Valley College Vikings, the district’s only lacrosse team, prepare for the upcoming season.

Fans of the team are encouraged to sign up for the team’s fan list for updates on games and special events. For more information on the team and upcoming game schedules, visit www.dvc. edu/vikinglacrosse.

Center for vets to open

Above, middle linebakcer Alex Espinoza and defensive end Joseph Neal-Clark, along with the rest of their teammates, run the field during a Tuesday, Sept.

1 practice. Right, later on during the same practice the team scrimmages in preparation for the season and home opener Saturday, Sept.

5 against the Merced College Blue Devils on the LMC football field at 1 p.m.

Photos by Cathie Lawrence • Experience

See VETS, page 6

New path eases transport woes

By CASSIE DICKMAN and ALEXANDRA RIVA

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

The new south entrance from the Delta De Anza Regional Trail to the Los Medanos College Pittsburg campus is complete and ready for use.

“It is much more welcoming,” said Kenneth Alexander, who is head of the humanities and art departments at LMC and regularly uses the route

to bike to work.

The new access point to the campus from the trail was completed over the summer and is about 50 yards east of the original entry point, which Alexander described as just a dirt road leading to a hole in the chain linked fence that runs along the south border of the college.

Now, there is a new opening only about ten feet directly off the De Anza, opposed to

Experience • Joseph Delano

Humanities and Art Department Chair Kenneth Alexander rides home using the new bike path. the previous hundred foot bumpy access road that ran parallel to the campus that pedestrians used to get from the trail to LMC. “A need was identified by

several people, including a member of our faculty, Curtis Corlew, to provide better walking and bike access from the trail south of the campus,” said LMC President Bob

Kratochvil.

And this was a much needed change according to Corlew, who rides his bike to work everyday and said the south See BIKE, page 6

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Perspectives

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“If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”

— Noam Chomsky

Yetunde Ogunleye

Tyler Mortimore

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TYLER’S TRUTH

The importance of individuality

Nicolas Cage: A second look

For those students who are either in their early stages of adulthood, or just developing themselves as a person, no matter the age, their sense of self and individuality is important. One of the first things that reflect a person’s unique way of self-identifying is the way they dress.

Now I realize that to some, clothes aren’t seen as an indicator of what type of person they are, and I understand the feeling of not wanting to define yourself solely by material objects. With that being said, I have found that even the decision to not make a decision is in fact a decision.

I have noticed that it’s easy to fall into the sweatpants, basketball shorts, yoga pants, jeans and a t-shirt type of attire.

I think a comfortable manner of dressing is one most people can relate to, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but when it comes to those that see fashion and styling as an extension of themselves and a reflection of themselves, they should be treated with equal respect and understanding.

It’s not conducive to a healthy college campus to judge those that dress ,without comfort being their main priority, as if they don’t belong or are trying ot hard.

To some people floral prints, stripes, bucket hats, heels and etc. are truly representative of the style of dress they gravitate to more.

That does not mean they are “doing too much,” or that they see school as a fashion show and not a place to learn. It seems some dress to the nines everyday out of respect, both for themselves and what they’ve accomplished as well as a deep respect for their teacher and wanting to always put their best effort forward.

Whether it’s a hard worker who has come back to continue their education and pick up where they left off, just taking a few classes for their own enrichment, or going to college for their first time, the bottom line is every single individual pays with their money and time to grow their intellect. The fact that they care about their appearance doesn’t impact the way they feel about higher education.

For a lot of people wearing beautiful clothing that consists of nice prints, interesting color patterns, mixing textures and so forth is as integral to them as making sure they have their cell phones or car keys before they walk outside the door.

I would also like to point out for those who see spending money on clothes and fashion accessories as a waste, keep in mind that different people have varying interests, there are people that think it’s ridiculous to waste money on video games, fancy sneakers, fantasy novels, workout clothes and so on.

You have no idea the level of importance one single individual can attach on to certain activities and products but to make a sweeping generalization about where their priorities are only hinders your own growth when it comes to acceptance, open mindedness and you can easily fall into the character type of a bitter judgmental person thus losing out on meeting many fantastic people that can add beauty, happiness and value to your life.

I feel as though our generation heard Drake rap, “ Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin’ with no make-up on, that’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong”, and made it their philosophy.

All advice should be taken in strides.

Remember to stay true to yourself.

I plan on doing more columns that deal with the importance of developing your best self that gears to the unique aspects of yourself and elevates the good parts in all of us in ways that we sometimes overlook.

Remember, what you were taught as a child often times really comes to fruition in early adulthood especially, so I end this saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’

It’s perhaps the easiest way to sniff out the most boring person at a party. This brave individual, often with little provocation, will spout off an opinion that hasn’t been edgy in about a decade: “Nicolas Cage sucks!”

Why I’m obligated to defend a 51 year-old actor, I may never know, but it’s my burden.

“Have you seen him in ‘Adaptation,’ or ‘Raising Arizona’?” I’ll ask.

“No,” they almost always say, but they did catch most of “National Treasure 2” once on TNT. Cage’s process for selecting roles is enigmatic, just last year starring in indie darling David Gordon Green’s acclaimed film “Joe” as well as a critically panned remake of Kirk Cameron’s Christian drama “Left Behind.”

I’m not pretending that Cage hasn’t put out a lot of mediocre movies, but few actors commit so much to every role they play.

In his review of “Adaptation,” film critic Roger Ebert wrote, “There are often lists of the great living male movie stars: De Niro, Nicholson and Pacino, usually. How often do you see the name of Nicolas Cage? ... He’s daring and fearless in his choice of roles, and unafraid to crawl out on a limb, saw it off and remain suspended in air.”

Cage fully inhabits each of his characters much like Daniel Day-Lewis, but unlike Day-Lewis, he has a couple of castles, a dozen homes, and yachts to pay for and simply can’t afford to take years off between roles.

Why is Cage singled out for his misses when actors like Johnny Depp are allowed dud after dud? A movie about Johnny Depp being uploaded into the Internet was near-unwatchable, but only my imagination limits me from thinking about how excellent the same movie with Cage plugged in would be.

Samuel L. Jackson is in many ways similar to Cage, having been a big star for a few decades and doing just about every movie that falls into his lap. Combined, Cage and Jackson have done more than 250, according to IMDB being the victims of lazy, formulaic directing, they have a knack for making otherwise bad movies watchable, but only Cage is held accountable for the flops.

But what use is a defense of an actor if you’re only talking about their lows? Cage’s “Lord of War” co-star Ethan Hawke wrote, “If I could erase his bottom half bad movies, and only keep his top half movies, he would blow everyone else out of the water.”

While I’m not so sure I’d put him above ever y other actor — Michael Shannon and Oscar Isaac come to mind — his list of great performances in great movies is not an insignificant one. There’s “Leaving Las Vegas,” which won him an Oscar for Best Actor. There’s “Raising Arizona,” a slapstick comedy in which he plays serial stick-up artist and hopeless romantic H.I. McDonnough. There’s “Adaptation,” where he plays struggling screenwriter and sufferer of severe social anxiety Charlie Kaufman as well as his identical twin Donald, who couldn’t be more different.

Last but not least, there’s the movie that perfectly captured the beast of Cage by letting him off the leash: Werner Herzog’s 2009 film “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” in which Cage makes every other loose cannon cop look like a brown-nosing pencil pusher. Playing a drug-glutton cop in post-Katrina New Orleans, imagine DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort but with even less humanity, a badge and gun, and a domain almost as lawless as Wall Street.

Nicolas Cage, like many Americans, was hit hard by the ’08 recession. For many people, this meant finding a new job. For Cage, it meant playing a demon riding a motorcycle and an airline pilot left behind by the Rapture. As another greatly misunderstood artist sang, “You’re not perfect but you’re not your mistakes.”

Experience • Lissette Urbina

Editorial

‘Same sex’ still struggles “N

o union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were,” wrote Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in a landmark ruling June 26 that (finally) constitutionally guaranteed equal treatment to all married couples.

So why, then, has America not adopted what is now law?

Having differing viewpoints on the topic of same-sex marriage rooted in religious beliefs or what have you in your personal life is understandable, but why can those people in positions of power choose to ignore what is clearly a common sense and humane ruling and prevent people from reveling in their hard-fought victory?

Why are people like Rowan County, Ky. Clerk Kim Davis allowed to squander hope for couples rejoicing in celebration of being rewarded equal rights like that of those previously defined as “man and woman?”

A woman who has reportedly been married four times who clearly cannot understand the “sanctity of marriage”; a hypocrite in her own right who barely won an election against her own mother, is standing, literally, between legally qualifying couples and legally allowable unions.

What is worse than Davis taking her stance is that she has support from both local and national extremists, religious or not.

Winston Churchill once said “To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years.

To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.”

Kim Davis may think she is in the right, but she clearly seeks to destroy what thousands of people have been struggling to get for decades. Her actions are unconscionable and could very well lead to a derailment of a beautiful union, a deserved union, a just union.

It is high time America gets over itself and the people of this once great nation quit worrying about what your fabulous neighbors are doing behind closed doors in their own homes.

Moreover, the staff of The Experience is just plain tired of editorializing on issues that should not even exist.

Weeding out the facts, a blunt truth Did you hear about the kid who overdosed on marijuana? Neither did I. People are against the discussion about legalizing marijuana.

Those who oppose it say cannabis is addictive as it has been linked to narcotics such as heroin, has no accepted medical benefit, and is associated with unsavory lifestyles.

Yes, cannabis may become addictive for some, but people can also become addicted to eating, yet that doesn’t mean you make them stop eating. Tobacco and alcohol can also be addictive.

If alcohol and cigarettes were banned, it would be much more of a hassle on fighting against its legalization along with marijuana.

Criticizing and criminalizing some drugs while approving others without rational reasoning is irrational and deceptive.

It is not that marijuana is a drug that leads people to doing other harmful drugs, but that it is being sold in a place where other harmful drugs are also for sale.

If marijuana is legalized, it will be sold in safer locations. The legalizations would also increase tax revenue for the states.

Billions are being spent to stop adults from using marijuana while food stamps and other social programs are being cut. Prison unions and pharmaceutical corporations are just some of the type of corporations that are all against the idea of marijuana becoming legal.

Not only will the growth of marijuana help states economically, but it will also help medically as some states have already taken action in. Many who are against legalizing marijuana say the drug has no purpose and that it harms more than helps. But with all the drugs that are used medically, what drug doesn’t have

Voices

Fatima Talag GUEST COLUMNIST

side effects? Many prescription drugs are being abused.

Those who support its legalization claim it has medical benefits including helping treat glaucoma, controlling epileptic seizures, decreasing the spread of cancer cells, reducing anxiety and nausea after chemotherapy, and stimulating appetite.

The side effects of marijuana are either not fully proven or not as harmful as other drugs that are legal today.

If that’s not enough to sway you, people also say those who smoke pot have unfashionable lifestyles. Although the stereotype may be accurate for some, not all people who smoke marijuana are hippies or losers.

There are many successful people who have smoked marijuana. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore even said that he’s tried it before. “I smoked pot in college, and in the Army.” People hear the word marijuana and think “illegal.” It has been illegal for so long it is hard for some to comprehend that it may be beneficial.

The only thing we can tell people is to be open minded enough to realize that just because they do not like it does not mean other people should be banned from using it.

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience

Where is a good place to find inexpensive textbooks?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“I got a Human Biology textbook on eBay for $30.”

— Hannah Fournier

“Half.com is a good place to buy textbooks.

My lab manual was only $10, I think.”

— Mason Davis

“I’ve heard that Amazon is a good place to get books, but I’ve only ever bought books from the bookstore.”

— Jason Sanders

“Textbooks are unaffordable …

The cheapest places I’ve bought books from are Chegg and Amazon.”

— Heavenly Prater

“I think the prices of textbooks are unnecessary ... I still like to get my books off Amazon or Chegg.”

— Akila Briggs

“I think they’re ridiculously expensive ... when one edition is more than another, it makes no sense.”

— Bryanna Graham

“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

Editors-in-Chief ...............DAMIAN LEWIN and CASSIE DICKMAN Perspectives Editor .....YETUNDE OGUNLEYE Managing Editor...................JOSEPH DELANO Campus Editor....................LISSETTE URBINA Features Editor............BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ Sports Editor.......................BRENDAN CROSS Photo Editor......................CATHIE LAWRENCE New Media Editor....................JAMARI SNIPES Special Projects Editor..........LUKE JOHNSON 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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Campus Newswatch National Preparedness Month

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“Society is like a large piece of frozen water; and skating well is the great art of social life.”

— Letitia Elizabeth Landon

‘Freeze’ on campus

September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the US Department of Homeland Security.

Every year since 2004, the occurrence has been aimed to educate the public about being prepared and what steps to take in the event of national disasters, mass casualties, biological and chemical threats, radiation emergencies and terrorist attacks.

Disasters happen unexpectedly, so make sure you are prepared by getting an emergency kit easily accessible and filled with necessities, make an emergency plan with your loved ones and be informed by checking all types of media for information on the next plan of action. Visit www.ready.gov for more information.

UC workshops set for fall

Transfer Ser vices are offering fall workshops for students interested in transferring. The first set will be learning to complete a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to UC’s like UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz and more.

Transfer Counselor David Reyes along with UC representatives will host the workshops in Student Services Building Room 412, Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m., Monday Sept. 14 from 12 to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept.

15 from 1 to 3 p.m.

More workshops for information on applications will be held in October and November.

Daily cancellations online

Save yourself from making an unnecessary trip to campus for a class that has been canceled.

Professors sometimes cancel classes unexpectedly and often can’t tell their students in person.

The LMC website offers a daily class cancellation page for students to see if their class has been canceled.

For the list of daily cancellations, visit www.losmedanos. edu/classcancel.

The LMC Experience Facebook page also posts class cancellations as well as other campus updates. Visit www. facebook.com/lmcexperience.

Experience • Laurenae Leaks

Monica De Ocampo, left, and Manu Pasa cool off with frozen treats from Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice.

Ice treats open new semester

By LAURENAE LEAKS Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of www.csus.edu

CSU Sacramento is in the heart of the state’s political, economic and cultural center. This is just one of the entrances to the university.

Free campus tours available

Unsure of where to transfer? Sign-up for the Transfer Center’s upcoming university campus tours online: n Sacramento State: Sept. 18. Registration is open n UC Santa Cruz-STEM Day: Oct. 23. Registration opens Sept. 23.

The Transfer Center will provide transportation. For additional information, registration, future tours and tour suggestions contact the Transfer Center at 473-7444 or check out its website losmedanos.edu/transfer/default. asp. The Transfer Center is currently located in Student Services, SS4-435.

LMCAS accepting applicants

The Associated Students of Los Medanos College (LMCAS) is currently accepting applications for Senators or Representatives this fall 2015. Those that are interested in student government and leadership are encouraged to apply.

Requirements include maintaing a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Those interested must submit the completed packet by Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Fall semester applications are now available online at www.losmedanos.edu/Groups/ lmcas/ and click on application.

Sharpen your business skills

LMC is offering a unique, focused Business Career Academy during this semester. The “Fundamental Business Skills” Academy will prepare students for entry-level positions by providing instruction in the Microsoft Office Suite and in business math and English skills, skills valued by employers.

LMC business certificates provide skills needed for immediate employment, while preparing students for advancement to positions that require more in-depth knowledge of organization and business principles.

For more information and an application, see the East Bay Career Academy on the LMC website, or contact Melina Rodriguez at mrodriguez@losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7416.

Counselors ready to assist

Looking to make an educational plan, or review your current one? Do you need career advice or a personal counselor? LMC offers general counseling at both campuses.

Drop-in hours are offered throughout the week and change on a weekly basis. Students must have a student ID number and a photo ID to meet with a counselor.

Appointments on the Pittsburg campus can be made at the Counseling Department in the Student Services Building, Level 4, calling in at 473-7449, or by visiting www.losmedanos.edu/counseling and clicking on the Make an Appointment link.

Appointments at the Brentwood Center can be made in person, or by calling 513-1625.

What’s lost may be found

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One of the main college complex building. Inquiries must be made.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Even in record-breaking heat, the student council finds a way to the bring Los Medanos College students together.

A black food truck with painted scoops of colorful ice sat inside the outdoor quad area Thursday Aug. 27 as students lined up to get a yummy flavor of Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice. Interactions among friends and taking a break from class to cool down seemed to be the highlight of the day despite the sun shinning down on the campus.

The grassy patches were covered with students sitting in the shade as they laughed and introduced one another to new and old friends.

“It’s one thing for us to just be in classes, but it’s another thing to have events for

Experience • Laurenae Leaks

Students wait to get Italian ice Thursday, Aug. 27 as a part of Mustang Madness. The event served to excite the campus for the fall term. us to be able to mingle with each other and just something fun besides looking in a book for the day,” said Kayla Wells as she looked onto the quad where students stood.

The student council also took a step further with student involvement by giving them a chance to win gift cards

from the LMC bookstore.

“Of course we’d participate in campus events cause it’s free food,” said new student Manu Pasa.

Monica De Ocampo said the events on campus bring unity on campus with teachers and students.

See ICE, page 6

Author retells Paris story

By ALEXANDRA RIVA Staff Writer

“If you want to learn about something, write a book about it,” said Leonard Pitt, author of Walks Through Lost Paris, who spoke to Los Medanos College students Tuesday.

Originally planning on studying mime, Pitt arrived in Paris in 1963 where he lived for seven years before returning “Gentrification to Berkeley, California. Years is not 100 later, in 1996, Pitt was browsing in Berkeley where percent bad. It’s ahebookstore picked up a book with the only 98 percent words ‘Paris’ and ‘Marville’ written across the front cover. bad.”

The book was full of photo— Leonard Pitt graphs taken in 19th Century

Paris, but none of them looked like what Pitt remembered seeing during his seven years there.

“Immediately, I Xeroxed these photos and I went to Paris. I walked around looking, thinking where did he take this picture? It says this corner and I’m at the corner,” said Pitt.

It was not until after some research Pitt realized, all the photographs from the book were taken shor tly before George Eugene Haussmann had taken his pickaxe to Paris.

Haussmann was appointed by French Emperor Napoleon III to carry out the enormous task of renovating the streets of

Paris, known as gentrification.

“He made modern Paris.

It was the biggest project of its kind in the history of the world at that time,” said Pitt, about what is now commonly called Haussmann’s renovation of Paris.

Much of what Pitt spoke of in his lecture, ‘Paris Transforming- The beauty and horror of urban reconstruction’ was also covered in his books. Slide after slide demonstrated just how much Paris changed under Haussmann.

“He tore down 20,000 buildings and built 40,000 in their place and 300,000 people were See PITT, page 6

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“A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this career of mine.”

— Kevin Hart

‘KYD’ pursues comedy dreams

By RENEE SMITH

rsmith@lmcexperience.com

“My mom told me my future would be what comes natural, what’s easy. Comedy is easy, so that’s why I chose this path, this career,” said Los Medanos College student and comedian Lenard “The KYD” Jackson, Most students dream of doing what they love and living big, however, their dreams may take years to accomplish.

For Jackson, the road has been paved and easily pursued.

“I’ve been performing since I was 8 years old. I’ve been used to the stage from a young age, and I’ve been cracking jokes since I started school,” Jackson said.

Some of his earliest jokes range from armpit noises during a cousin’s birthday party to making fun of his family members to lighten a mood.

Jackson knew he wanted to pursue a comedy career in his sophomore year of

high school, when he auditioned for the annual talent show.

“I killed the audition, I had everyone on their stomachs laughing,” said Jackson. In addition to getting his kicks in at school, Jackson made his mark at Tommy T’s Comedy Club in Pleasanton, where he is formally known by his stage name, “The KYD.” Jackson perked up and spoke with a flutter and hand gestures as he explained how he got his nickname.

“At first I was nicknamed ‘kid’ because I was the only kid in the comedy club.

Nobody knew my name so they’d just call out ‘hey what’s up kid?’” explained Jackson, “One day I told myself how stupid that sounded, and decided to spell it differently. I spelled it KYD: know your destiny.”

“My new nickname reflected who I was,” he said.

Tommy T’s became Jackson’s second

Marquee

Movies just released

home. He got his start there at age 15 and said he has had a different experience compared to everyone else.

Jackson has worked his way up the comedy ladder, starting from participating in open-mic nights to opening shows, hosting events and eventually headlining his own show.

Jackson lightheartedly shared stories of performances both recent and from his youth, including being involved in the LMC Drama Department’s production “My Block.”

“One of my favorite memories of comedy was when I opened up for Kevin Hart because I didn’t know I would be doing it,” said Jackson, adding, “Just the day before I was watching his material on my iPad. The next day my dad and I ended up going to his show. My dad asked what Experience • Cathie Lawrence I would do if I got asked to perform and that’s exactly what ended up happening. Lenard Jackson performs as “Raphie” with Gabrielle See KYD, page 6

Brown in LMC’s production of “My Block” last spring.

Art signals success

n “American Ultra” Rated R Genre: Action, Comedy n “We Are Your Friends” Rated R Genre: Drama, Music, Romance n “The Transporter Refuled” Rated PG-13 Genre: Adventure, Action

El Campanil events

The El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. Second Street in Antioch. For ticket sales and additional information call 757-9500. n The stor y of the “Pied Piper of Hamelin” will be brought to life and performed by El Campanil’s Children’s Theatre with showings Friday Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

Tickets prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for youth 17 and under. n The International Film Showcase will be showing a screening of slovenian film “Class Enemy” Sunday, Sept 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets prices are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $7 for students. n The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra comprised of members ages 15 to 94 will be playing a concert entitled “Around The World in Eighty Minutes” Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students. n Hotel California “A Salute to the Eagles” will be performing a tribute show for ’80s band “The Eagles,” Oct. 3 at 8 p.m.

Ticket prices are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors and free for youth 18 and under with a paid adult.

Experience • Joseph Dusek

The Los Medanos College Art Gallery hosted a reception for the latest show, “Roll Call 3: LMC Staff and Faculty Art Exhibit!,” Thursday Aug. 27. Artwork includes Eloine Chapman’s photograph entitled “All eyes on you” (pictured above). The show opened Tuesday, Aug. 25 and will be running through Thursday, Sept. 24. Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Theater provides opportunity East Country drama emerges

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ

bhernandez@lmcexperience.com

Courtesy of pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com

Shows at the theater

The California Theatre is located in Pittsburg at 351 Railroad Avenue. For ticket sales and additional information call 427-1611. n Known for his socio-political satire, Famecast Comedy Winner SHANG will be performing a comedy show at the California Theatre Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets prices are $18 in advance and $21 at the door. For more information on Shang and his act visit iamshang.com n The Black Diamond Follies, performing in the style of Las Vegas Showgirls, will be strutting their stuff for three shows.

Performances begin Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. and will continue through run Sept. 26 and 27 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students, children and seniors. n Award-winning comedian Marc Yaffee, known for his original topics and sarcasm, will be performing a comedy show Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 in advance and $21 at the door.

“Theater is at the core of our being. It is our work, it is our play, it is a passion that we have found.”

This is the key message of the new small theater company has emerged from Pittsburg known as theatreCORE. After moving to Pittsbug five years ago, and noticing the lack of theatre productions put on during the summer months, co-founders Bradford and Tamara Cooreman decided to take matters in to their own hands and fill absence of live theatre with their own productions by

starting their own small theatre company in spring 2015.

“TheatreCORE is, essentially, our way of doing the thing that we love in our community,” said Cooreman.

In its first community show, theatreCORE performed the dramatic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by William Shakespeare at John Buckley Square for six free performances called “Shakespeare in the Park” during late July and Early August.

“We have also been getting support from the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation and the Pittsburg Performing Arts Academy,” explained Cooreman, “those two groups have been very helpful and supportive.”

Although much of its focus comes from putting on shows during the summer months, upcoming projects include an improv workshop,

Students treated to ‘U.N.C.L.E.’ at Maya

Mustang Madness finale succeeds

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Drama Factory

The Drama Factory presents the classic Shakespearean play, “Macbeth,” which will be performed at the Nick Rodriguez Community Theatre at 213 F. Street. Performances will begin Oct. 30 with a 7:30 p.m. showing and will continue to run Oct. 31, Nov. 1, Nov. 6, and Nov. 7 with 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. showings.

Ticket prices are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

which begins Sept. 13 at the Railroad Book Depot located at 650 Railroad Ave. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The class will meet weekly through Thanksgiving and will conclude with an improv performance to be announced at a later date.

Apart from the improv workshop, fundraising events and stage readings will be put on as they prepare for Shakespeare in the Park to be put on during summer 2016.

TheatreCORE encourages actors from the East County region to come out and participate in its performances.

“If there are any students interested in getting involved, I would encourage them to contact us,” explained Cooreman, “what we offer is experience outside of the academic setting,” said Cooreman.

For more information and upcoming projects visit theatreCORE.com.

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as “Napoleon Solo” and “Illya Kuryakin” in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

A group of about 30 students made their way into the lobby of Pittsburg’s Maya Cinemas for a free matinee showing of the spy-comedy “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” based on the hit 1960s television show of the same name. This movie viewing was the final event of Los Medanos College’s Mustang Madness.

Check-in started at 11:30 a.m.

Students received a voucher for free popcorn and a drink then made their way to the auditorium to get to their seats. Attendees talked to each other, then quieted when the previews started. They were silent as soon as the movie began. The audience had minimal reaction to the opening scene but soon began to react to the more action-packed sequences.

The film garnered laughs - and when appropriate - gasps from the attendees throughout most of the movie. Some even talked back to the screen. After the show was

over, attendees chatted outside the auditorium, noting their favorite scenes and complimenting both the costume design and the music score.

“I really enjoyed the movie,” said student Aishling Doherty Roe. “I loved the style, music and acting of the film – it was really good.”

Other moviegoers echoed similar sentiments.

“It was much more entertaining than I expected. Love the acting and the soundtrack especially,” said student Daniel Justo-Sanchez.

Student Ontaria Gordon, happy with what she saw on the screen, referred to the film as “epic and spontaneous.” She specifically acknowledged the comedic acting of Armie Hammer, making positive remarks of his portrayal of KGB agent Illya Kuryakin.

Though this particular matinee didn’t garner as much of an audience as previous events, Student Life coordinator Demetria Lawrence expressed that she was satisfied with the turn out.

L O S

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Sports

Quotable

E X P E R I E N C E

FRIDAY,

SEPT.

4,

2015

5

“The more I practice, the luckier I get.”

— Gary Player

New season, same struggles

Freshmen bring high energy

By GARRETT BELME Staff Writer

Soccer at Los Medanos College is back as the Lady Mustangs have their sights set on improving their 6-10-2 campaign last season.

“Most of the girls were second year players last year so we only have four returning players,” said head coach mark Bryant. “It’s going to be a year of a lot of first-time players, I think we have a pretty good team.”

Some might see losing most of your players from the previous year as a bad thing, however, that doesn’t appear to be the case with several freshmen already impressing.

“One of the big stand outs for me has been Maggie Friedman,” said Bryant about the player from Liberty High School. “She’s really stood out, she’s got really good energy. I’m happy with her.”

He added that he’s pleased with Haley Weder and Samantha Donovan.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence These three players from the local San Joaquin Delta players Marissa Galvin, Jessica Hufford and Estela Rodriguez try to pry the ball away from LMC’s Lynette high schools in LMC’s service area have “good technical and tactical Chavoya and Maggie O’Shea-Friedman during an 8-0 preseason loss Tuesday, Sept. 1. awareness of the game,” and are “very good additions to the team this year,” said Bryant.

These freshmen will benefit from playing alongside some of the key By TYLER MORTIMORE by keeper Shaunna Ridge. players coming back for a second Staff Writer Jessica Sanchez scored season. Goalkeeper Randi Strain and Los Medanos College Soccer’s 2015 season the fifth Delta goal in the forwards Paola Perez and Janessa started off on the wrong foot Tuesday evening 33rd minute after yet anVreonis are three seasoned return- with an 8-0 home loss to San Joaquin Delta College. other surgical pass got in ers that Bryant expects to perform Delta had already won two games by a combined behind the LMC defense. well this fall.

Strain punched a shot score of 10-0 coming into Los Medanos’s preseaBryant said Strain “did a good job son opener, and it was going to be a challenge for away in the 40th, which was for us last year,” and explained that LMC against the perennial playoff contenders. collected by Delta and put although another returner, Paola Right from kickoff, Delta fiercely attacked the in the net only to be called Perez, “got injured at the end of last ball laser precision. back for offsides. season, she looks faster.” Bryant also After half, a smart throw LMC seemed sluggish and lacked a cohesive expects “a really good season” from defensive front, which was exploited by a Delta in by Delta lead to a breakVreonis, who is prepared to deliver midfield that could not misplace a pass early on. away and a shot that was the quality of play he is hoping for.

The other Mustangs opened the scoring in well handled by Strain.

“We’ve been training a lot over the third minute after intercepting a short goal She was called into action the summer. We put in a lot of work kick. LMC goalkeeper Randi Strain got a hand immediately after, laying out conditioning,” she said, “getting to Michaela Pino’s shot, but it wasn’t enough to to slap another shot away, Experience • Cathie Lawrence ourselves together and getting ready keep it from its destination. leading to a Delta corner. for preseason so that we go into the Sanchez added a second San Joaquin Delta forward Michaela Pino was taken off the Delta scored again in the ninth minute after season as hard as we can.”

Madeline Yslava latched onto a pass that split goal to her tally when she field in an ambulance after an ankle injury during the game.

Despite the fact that so many the defense and slotted it home. made it 6-0 for Delta, lobbing players are new to the team, LMC Play was stopped in the 13th minute when a a shot over Strain in the 51st minute. soccer fans can still expect energetic rough tackle just outside the LMC box left the Delta had another one on one scoring opportunity “The major goal for us was to move the ball action in the field this year. goalscorer Pino wailing for medical attention with in the 62nd minute when LMC’s leftback slipped, quickly and I thought we did a pretty good job “I like the intensity that all the an ankle injury. After she was taken off the field but Strain again dove to keep it out of the net. of that. Our holding midfielder Amanda Lopez girls have,” said sophomore forward in an ambulance, Delta scored on the resulting Sanchez made it a hat trick in the 72nd minute has a calming effect on the game and helps settle Christina Lopez. “We have a high free kick, a fierce shot by Rachel Sianez. when she got all of a half-volley after another everything down when needed, I thought she intensity even though we don’t know had a nice game.”

Kayla Bender made it 4-0 Delta after Taylor cross from the wing. each other. It seems like we have McGuire tore down the sideline and crossed it LMC won a free kick in the 75th but the shot LMC saw good performances from keeper Randi good chemistry.” in to Bender, who had gotten in behind the LMC had a little bit too much mustard on it, skipping Strain and midfielder Maggie Friedman, who was Despite a big loss in their first defense and composed herself to put it in the back off the top of the cross bar. instrumental in the few chances the Mustangs preseason contest (for game story, of the net on her first touch.

Delta made it 8-0 minutes later, ending the had and was aggressive in her defending. see right), the Mustangs are poised Los Medanos play their final two preseason LMC got its first shot on target when an LMC scoring barrage. to turn it around once the regular forward fended off a few Delta defenders and put Delta coach Adrienne Sorenson was pleased games at Butte College Tuesday, Sept. 8 and season begins.

Lassen College at home Friday, Sept. 11. an ambitious shot on frame, handled confidently with the result.

Mustangs shutout in first preseason bout

49ers, Raiders prepare for 2015

Photos by Cathie Lawrence • Experience

Above, LMC volleyball players do some warmups during a Sept. 1 practice.

Below, opposite hitter Janessa Seei sets a ball for her teammate.

Vball vying for first Team chemistry a key for success

By RENEE SMITH

rsmith@lmcexperience.com

The Lady Mustang Volleyball team’s plan to dominate their 2015 fall season is to kill each day as it comes. Starting practically new with only two returning girls, Head Coach Lou Panzella thinks his new team has the potential for greatness.

“I think I have a really hard working group of girls who push each other every day during practice. We are getting better every day we are in the gym and I’m really happy with the group that we have here,” said Panzella.

“For our new team, every time we go out, the competition of the night is the team we have

to beat.”

With a new team comes new challenges, including figuring out what pieces are the best fit to the court chemistry.

“One of our returners is setter Aubree Dejesus who was First-Team All-Conference last season which is a nice place to start. Being a setter is a crucial position, like the quarterback of a football team, so it’s good we have someone there with plenty of experience,” said Panzella.

“Lindsey Baynes is our other returning player who we had to move from opposite hitter to libero this year, which is probably the better natural position for See VBALL, page 6

The National Football League regular season is a week away, and as a fan of football, I am completely worn out watching the preseason. Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, has completed 5 of his 13 pass attempts in his three games this preseason.

To dedicate three hours of time watching the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers complete just one pass, as he did in the first game of the preseason against the Houston Texans, is an utter waste of time. The NFL has to come up with a way to make the preseason more interesting if they are willing to sell tickets to games and have viewership on television.

Any NFL game that is not significant to the players in the sense that they are not competing for a championship is never a good one. Look at all the Pro Bowls. The defense is just atrocious because no one wants to get hurt.

This will be the case in teams’ last preseason games.

Either the starters will not play, or they will but will be cautious with their bodies trying not to get injured right before regular season play starts.

According to csnbayarea.

Soccer Sched.

*denotes conference game

Time

Yuba*

Date 9/15

Contra Costa*

9/18

4 p.m.

@ Merritt*

9/22

4 p.m.

@ Folsom Lake*

9/25

6 p.m.

Jared Ambuehl

@ Solano*

10/2

4 p.m.

Mendocino*

10/6

4 p.m.

@ Napa*

10/9

4 p.m.

REAL TIME WITH JARED

Marin*

10/13

4 p.m.

@ Yuba*

10/16

4 p.m.

com, 49ers Head Coach Jim Tomsula said, “If they do play, it won’t be a lot.” This was in reference to front-line starters. But, if there has been one story line for the 49ers in the preseason it has been the Australian native Jarryd Hayne.

The guy has been an absolute animal on the field, doing everything from running the football and plowing guys over in the middle of the field, to returning punts for 25 yards apiece. Coach Tomsula was interviewed about Hayne and the likelihood he’ll make the 53-man roster for the regular season.

“I don’t know what the rules in the media are in Australia, OK? But you might want to fact-check,” Tomsula said in the interview up on csnbayarea. com. “The 53 is not set.” As for Hayne, if he shines in the team’s last preseason game against the Chargers, there is no way he should not be on the roster for the season.

With everything that has happened to the 49ers this of fseason, (losing Patrick See NFL, page 6

Opponent

4 p.m.

Volleyball Sched. *denotes conference game

Opponent

Date

Time

@ Alameda*

9/18

6 p.m.

@ Contra Costa*

9/24

6 p.m.

Laney*

9/30

6 p.m.

Contra Costa*

10/6

4 p.m.

Laney*

10/9

2 p.m.

@ Marin*

10/13

4 p.m.

Yuba*

10/16

4 p.m.

Alameda*

10/21

6 p.m.

Contra Costa*

10/28

6 p.m.

Football Sched. *denotes conference game

Opponent

Date

Time

Merced

9/5

1 p.m.

@ Monterey

9/12

6 p.m.

West Hills

9/19

6 p.m.

San Jose*

9/26

1 p.m.

@ Contra Costa*

10/3

7 p.m.

@ Hartnell*

10/17

6 p.m.

Yuba*

10/24

1 p.m.

@ Redwoods*

10/31

1 p.m.

Shasta*

11/7

3 p.m.

@ Mendocino*

11/14

1 p.m.

L O S

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Back Talk

BIKE

VETS

route has always been the prime choice for pedestrians to access the campus due to lack of a better option but it was not a very functional one.

During inclement weather, the old, unpaved path became muddy and slick, making it hard to navigate said Corlew in a video he made last year advocating improvements to the trail, which he sent to various local bicyclist groups, along with Kratochvil and LMC Vice President Kevin Horan.

Corlew described the former access point to the campus in the video as “not as convenient, practical or inviting as it could be.”

There is another entrance to the campus, which pedestrians can access at the south west end of the LMC lake, but Corlew said it adds at least five minutes to travel time, has several rigorous hills and various areas on the trail around the lake flood when it rains, making it an impractical alternative.

After Kratochvil and Corlew took a walk along the trail to assess the situation last spring, the task to make the college more accessible to students and visitors traveling the De Anza was given the go ahead.

“There were three quotes requested for the work,” said Kratochvil.

“Two came in in excess of twenty thousand dollars, and one was submitted at around $17,000, which was the bid selected for the work,” he said.

Russ Holt, manager of buildings and grounds at LMC, who coordinated the project, said, although the new entrance is open for use, their work is not quite complete.

He said the installed path is finished on our side of the fence but has “yet to obtain permission from East Bay Municipal Utilities District to finish the path from the fence line to the De Anza Trail.”

“The trail is operated and maintained by the East Bay Regional Parks District but the land belongs to EBMUD,” said Holt, who already has permission to build from the parks district but needs approval from both organizations to pave the last ten feet and connect the entrance to the campus directly to the De Anza.

But although there is still some work to be done, Kratochvil has gotten positive feedback regarding the changes.

“Several of those who have utilized the new pathway have expressed huge appreciation for the new access point, and I am glad the campus responded favorably to such a need,” he said.

Praise for the improved entrance also comes from students, who find it a useful alternate route as well.

Students, like LMC freshman David Kluzek, now have the opportunity to safely and effectively use the trail on a regular basis thanks to the renovations.

“I ride my bike to LMC in the morning, because it is a great form of exercise and it helps me to start my day by clearing my mind,” said Kluzek.

Journalism student April Castro said she uses the trail most days to get to campus because it is convenient.

“It’s a quick way to [get] here,” she said.

Corlew is also happy with the improvements and said the new entry point has improved his commute to work but now he would also like to see the trail finished, the addition of proper signage and have it made to look more appealing — like the rest of the beautiful LMC campus.

about 300 to 400 student veterans and their dependents attending LMC in the spring of 2015.

The idea of opening a Veterans Center on campus has received much support from students, faculty and staff at LMC — especially, Newman said, “those that have worked directly with veterans in classes and/or in student programs and services. They have been able to observe the need for additional support for our student veterans first hand.”

The idea has also garnered support from members of the community.

According to the Contra Costa College Community College Governing Board minutes from its Feb. 25 meeting, Michael Conklin, CEO and Chairman of Sentinels of Freedom, said his organization would like to donate $25,000 to each of the three colleges in the district so that they can create veterans centers.

He added he would get more matching donations, which brings the total to $50,000 for each college.

Kratochvil said that Conklin is scheduled to make a follow-up presentation to the governing board at its Sept.

9 meeting.

More funding is coming from other donors. LMC has been awarded the Keller Canyon Mitigation Grant through Supervisor Federal Glover’s Office. It will be used for the purchase of computers and a printer for the center.

LMC has applied for a larger federal grant to fund the hiring of a Veterans Center coordinator, support staff, new curriculum for veterans and furniture for the center.

According to Newman, the college will find out about the results of its grant application in late September.

The new Veterans Center will be located in the old Admissions and Records location by the cafeteria. The copy center is temporarily housed there now because there was a problem with the air conditioning in its Level 1 location.

“They had to move the copy center that the staff and faculty used. They moved them up to our Admissions and Records old space,” said Admissions and Records Director Robin Armour.

When the copy center moves out of its temporary location, the college will start remodeling that space for the Veterans Center.

“We anticipate work beginning on the center in the next several months, and the center certainly should be open by spring term,” said Kratochvil.

From page 1

ICE

From page 3 “I feel like events like this brings the LMC campus together. Look it’s cool, the faculty is even out here.” said De Ocampo.

The free food, raffle tickets and great music were things everyone enjoyed, as the campus police and teachers joined in with students on the fun.

The big freeze event is an annual event that student council throws yearly.

From page 1

NFL From page 5

Willis, Chris Borland, Ahmad Brooks, Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Frank Gore) Hayne should have a spot on the team, as he has been a shot in the arm. If nothing else, the Niners should keep him on the team to sell some tickets.

Ever since the 49ers moved to Santa Clara, the fans have not bought in to the move.

Five of their best players are not playing on the team anymore, traffic and parking is horrendous, and ownership is a constant complaint among Bay Area radio stations.

If the 49ers do not lose 10 or more times, it will be a good season for them. As for the Raiders, their season has higher hopes. Derek Carr had a season showing hope last year, and this year he’ll have first-round draft pick Amari Cooper to work with, alongside former 49er Michael Crabtree.

This is the best team the Raiders have had in recent memory, and if they do not make the playoffs, it will be a huge letdown for the fans.

They have been begging for a significant season ever since their loss in Super Bowl XXXVII to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.

The season is right around the corner, and the two Bay Area teams are trending in opposite directions. This time it’s the Raiders who are looking to make a statement in their respective division.

Web

E X P E R I E N C E

F R I D AY,

S E P T. 4 ,

2015

6

Parking pickle

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

PITT From page 3

evicted,” said Pitt.

Although he was disgruntled at some of the work done by Haussmann, Pitt could not help but to express astonishment at the feat. All of the gentrification that Paris underwent was done without the use of power tools.

“Imagine this work when there was no electricity, everything was by hand — 60,000 workers labored day and night,” said Pitt.

While Pitt’s lecture was full of facts, it was very lively and captivated the audience of students and professors alike.

“I thought the subject he was talking about was really interesting. He seemed like a guy who had a story he just needed to tell,” said Christian Ruiz, a French student who attended the lecture.

Before Pitt wrote his four books, he performed lectures similar to this one for years any place he could.

“He used to go around to salons and other places and give lectures before he wrote his books. The books are newer,” said Jennifer Saito, who teaches a class on modernist Paris at LMC. “I have known him for over 20 years. I met him while I was living in a crazy art colony in Berkeley — he was friends with my roommates.”

As the lecture came to a close, Pitt explained his personal views on gentrification.

“You know, gentrification is not 100 percent bad. It’s only 98 percent bad,” said Pitt, whose tune had begun to change. “So, you see this shirt I’m wearing, you know how old this shirt is?

It’s 20 years old and you know why I keep it so well? It was my dad’s shirt. My brother said, ‘Lenny, get rid of it’ just because it’s old.”

For more information about Pitt’s life, lectures, books and career, visit his website: www. leonardpitt.com.

MONEY Experience • Joseph Dusek

Student Kailla Scales uses one of the Lot A daily parking pass machines Tuesday, Aug. 25. Many students use them to purchase the $3 passes to avoid $46 tickets. Currently, however, Police Services is not distributing citations as the machines are inoperable. This practice will remain in place until the machines can be repaired, although no date is set for the fix.

KYD From page 4

Kevin came down and asked how I was doing, and asked if I wanted to perform, and of course I said yes.”

Jackson is unique because he takes everyday life situations and his own personal talents to write and test his own material.

“I test my own material on reporters who ask who I test my material on,” Jackson joked, “but really, I can test my material anywhere. If I’m in a grocery store and I say a joke in line and the person in front of me laughs, I’ll know I have a good joke.”

Of his many talents, Jackson is able to act, dance and play multiple instruments such as the piano, ukulele, harmonica and guitar, which he says he has recently started incorporating into his comedy acts to perform parodies.

Behind every performer is motivation, said Jackson.

“My motivation … is myself.

I’m scared to fail. I would hate if I failed myself. People say ‘well my motivation is God’ and other things. At the end of the day, it’s all about me. If I don’t make it, I’m a disappointment to myself; it’ll be a ripple affect

disappointing others. At the end of the day, it’s about me trying to make something,” said Jackson.

Ledell Jones, musical artist and best friend of Jackson, also chimed in.

“He is one of the most motivated people I know.

He inspires me as an artist.

Anything he wants, he goes for and gets it,” said Jones.

“There have been times where I’m not motivated, but by watching and being around him, it pushes me to be better.

He’s my best friend and we are like fire and water, we balance out. His motivation is my motivation and likewise,” he said.

The two reminisced on old times together with “remember whens” and “that time we” filling the room followed by eruptions of laughter.

Jackson has zoned in on comedy as his future because it is his feel-good way to connect with others.

“I go on stage for 10 minutes and make as much as someone who has to work a 9 to 5 job.

The fact that I can come up with something and share it on stage, and have people laugh

at what I think is funny? It’s mind blowing. I love making people laugh,” said Jackson.

The comedy world hasn’t always been fun and games.

Jackson recalls a time where his jokes got nothing in return.

“I don’t know what happened, I just wasn’t connecting.

I promised myself I would never let a show like that happen again, and it hasn’t,” He said.

Jackson immediately perked up from the comedy flop flashback as he looked ahead to the future.

The jokes and fast words returned and he eased back into sitting more comfortably.

“My ultimate goal is to take over the world and become the first all-black president …

Well maybe not. My goal is to become the entertainer of this generation. I want my name as high as people like Eddie Murphy and Bernie Mac,” he said, adding, “The hottest guy out right now is Kevin Hart, I want to be the next Kevin Hart, I want his spot and the spot above that.”

“I am the future of comedy,” said Jackson.

(assistant coach Tyler Trolson) and the one that makes you do all the push ups (assistant coach Sandra Foster). So it’s a pretty good balance.”

From practices to games, Dejesus plans to be the captain the team needs in order to taste victory.

She believes having the team click is one of the most important reasons they win games this year.

“I definitely believe that we will be more successful than I thought we were going to be in the beginning because we have great chemistry,” said Dejesus.

“I am really competitive as a person and as a captain, I

expect my team to go all out for everything. Don’t ever give up and fight until the end. That will take us to playoffs, and we can fight until we are on top.”

Yuba, Solano and Napa prove to be teams on the Mustangs’ radar on their climb to be number one. “In conference play, Yuba has won the conference twice, Solano has won the conference once, and Napa is usually very good. It’ll be a dogfight for the top half of the conference. To be on top we have to come into the gym everyday and walk out a little better than when we started,” said Panzella. “The only thing we control is our effort.”

VBALL

funding of student success initiatives, “will not” help to fund student clubs.

Following discussion of student clubs, the LMCAS moved onto scholarships.

Shelbour ne suggested LMCAS fundraise and put the proceeds towards a breast cancer scholarship, which had been cut due to the smaller budget this year.

The board agreed this was the best course of action, as they moved on to discussing the SoCal and Historically Black Colleges and Universities tours, when Belman took the time to note that they were over $9000 over budget.

He furthermore acknowledged that they didn’t have a lot of money left in the reserve. The board made the decision to take the rest of the money out of the reserve and put it aside.

After the meeting was extended twice for time, the topic of the funding college tours arose again, the board made the decision to take the $10,000 dollars allocated for the tours and put it towards lessening their debt roughly $7,000.

The action would allow for $2,000 to go into funding both tours and the remaining funds would go back into the reserve for the next year.

Approval of the new budget is due Oct. 13.

The LMCAS meets every Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Librar y, Room L-105.

Their next meeting will be held Sept. 14.

Clarification

From page 5

her. We have great leadership at two of the more important positions on the court.”

Before the games come practices. Baynes describes practices as “intense and fun at the same time.” Drills are tied with real game situations to make the girls think while on their feet, and leaving their feet. The coaching staff makes sure to stay on top of the girl’s drills and breaks to make sure the team’s full potential is reached.

“Coaching wise, we have different personalities,” said freshman outside hitter Taylor Green. “We have the mean one (Panzella), the nice one

From page 1

In the story titled “LMCAS faces change,” in the Aug. 28 issue of the Experience, Gary Walker-Roberts was referred to as Gary Walker. He married over the summer. We regret any confusion this may have caused.