October 24, 2014 - Vol 81. No.8

Debate falters in tourney

Henderson honored

Volleyball wins big

Valuable experience gained in first go around with new debate style. Story inside — page 3

Choir director honored with 2014 Arts Recognition Award. Story inside — page 4

Stangs knock off previously undefeated Solano College Falcons. Standalone inside — page 5

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New equality standard Neutral facilities embraced

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By ALEXANDRA TAGLIAMONTE atagliamonte@lmcexperience.com

Nov. 10

Veteran’s Day — Campus closed.

Nov. 12

Blood Drive in the Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored

by Student Life and the Blood Centers of the Pacific.

Transfer Day upon us again The Transfer Programs and Services Department will be holding its 24th Annual Transfer Day/ College Night event Monday, Oct. 27. Over 50 colleges are slated to appear on campus and provide information for prospective transfer students. Transfer Day will be held in the Indoor Quad from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while College Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Gym. For more information, contact Adeirawo Origunwa, coordinator for the Transfer Programs and Services Department, at 473-7443. The Transfer Office can be reached at 473-7444.

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Experience • Cathie Lawrence

LMC President Bob Kratochvil and LMCAS President Gary Walker commemorate the designation of the first gender-neutral bathroom.

All future buildings at Los Medanos College will feature gender-neutral bathrooms.

The declaration from LMC President Bob Kratochvil resulted from the recently held Los Medanos Associated Students (LMCAS) student lead conference, “Elevating Diversity Conference: Sexual and Gender Identity,” which brought up the topic of inclusivity and the accessibility for transgender students.

“I confirmed with Russ Holt that the College Complex remodel includes two gender neutral restrooms. This should be, and will be, a standard for all of our new buildings,” said Kratochvil.

“Specifically, access to bathrooms that allow a safe environment in which all students can thrive: LGBT identified students and disabled students particularly!” Walker said.

During the conference, Spectrums Education Director Candice Bell was able to get the campus to have gender binary bathrooms converted into gender-neutral bathrooms for the day.

Because there were no issues or problems, this opened the eyes of LMC President Bob Kratochvil. He understood the gravity of providing bathrooms where transgender students have a safe environment in which to use, and a plan of action was formed.

“Our ultimate goal here at Los Medanos College is to provide an environment that supports student success for everyone attending our college. Safety is a top priority for us at all times and is a key part of providing that learning environment,” LMC Grounds Manager Russ Holt said.

It was after the moderated discussion when President Kratochvil sent out an email announcing, after much thought and discussion with his peers and colleagues, that the single stall bathrooms in the Science Building were to be made gender neutral right away.

In addition, the Brentwood Center Campus will also house gender-neutral bathrooms.

“This is not only an amazing decision by President Kratochvil, but it’s history in the making for our college” Walker said adding, See LGBT, page 6

LVN to offer Ebola prep Program to talk virus

By BERTHA AGUILAR

baguilar@lmcexperience.com

Jazz master to play in hall The Music Department will be hosting NEA Jazz Master and Downbeat Poll winner David Liebman Tuesday, Oct. 28. The saxophonist will be playing with his New York City group from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall. The event is open to everyone. For more information, contact the Music Department at 439-0200.

Antioch youth reprieve At-risk kids offered life prep and advice anything, especially life, and these kids need to know that Jus Beginners Youth Train- as much as possible,” said ing is a program that prepares Burden.

“My son Kaden is also a children psychologically and physically for the adult huge reason as to why I put world through sports. Former this together. As his father Marine Corp Legal Services it’s my obligation to give Specialist, Ahmed Burden, a him as many options to life recipient of the 2013 UnSung as possible,” said Burden.

Hero Award through Los “He and my nephew are my Medanos College, started the constant reminders to strive for greatness program Oct. everyday, and 11 on the first anniversary of “Without proper I owe them ever ything I his nephew fundamental have to give Eric Forbes’ so he’s better passing. Jus training you prepared once B e g i n n e r s can’t excel his tur n to was enacted face the world with the sup- at anything, on his own as port of friend especially life, a young man.” and nutritionJBYT is ist, Marcus and these kids just one of Wagner. need to know the few local The proprograms g r a m w a s that as much as that have implement- possible.” ed because — Ahmed Burden been started to improve “training is essential for ever ything, the city of Antioch. There without proper fundamental is the All Out Sports League training you can’t excel at started by Casey Copeland

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

Books liven up the Library The Books Alive! event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Library, Room L-109.

Human “books” will be available to be checked out for 20-minute periods, where they will tell you about their lives, careers and experiences and offer life advice. Contact Christine Park at cpark@losmedanos. edu for more information.

Photos by Cathie Lawrence • Experience

Top, Instructor Ahmed Burden with his youth group. Bottom, Burden runs drills with his students as part of the youth program. whose league is dedicated to bettering the cities of Antioch and Clayton.

Copeland has also been of great help to Burden by letting him coach in his league and giving him advice so he could start one of his own.

The All Out Sports Winter League will start Jan. 10, 2015 with a maximum of 300 open spots.

Antioch Councilmember Tony Tiscareno, who owned sports memorabilia store

See YOUTH, page 6

With the recent interest and worries about the Ebola Virus, the nursing programs at LMC are preparing to discuss and include Ebola contraction prevention in their classes.

The United States is facing a potential Ebola outbreak, and although there has only been one death in the U.S., it is a raging epidemic in West Africa.

Two nurses who cared for an Ebola patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital have been infected. The hospital immediately came under media scrutiny when it was discovered that the nurses and doctors were not properly trained nor prepared for this infectious disease.

LMC offers nursing programs and instructor Sharon Goldfarb will be talking about Ebola to her students when her classes begin in January.

“We absolutely be discussing universal precautions,” said Goldfarb in an email, adding, “and we will discuss Ebola.”

Director of the Nursing Program at LMC, Collin McDowell mentioned that people in the U.S. seem to not give a second thought about what’s going on in West Africa. “It’s just those people over there,” said McDowell, adding, “those are the main people dealing with it every day.”

McDowell explained that nursing students are not going to be dealing with Ebola patients, so they will not do anything specifically on this virus since contagious diseases are already part of the program, but they do go over all other precautions such as: contact, droplet, airborne and standard.

“They are not going to be in those facilities … we don’t have them in the emergency department right now, so they See EBOLA, page 6

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“Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.”

— Marcus Aurelius

Nicole Oliver

Kimberly Stelly

GUEST COLUMNIST

SOCIALLY UNWELL

Expedite Ebola vaccine release

The fault in our news reporting

The Ebola virus, formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans that first appeared in 1976 and got its name from the Ebola River, site of one of the early outbreaks. The first occurrences were in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests.

The current outbreak in West Africa is the largest and most complex since Ebola was first identified, affecting thousands. There are even a few isolated cases outside Africa, including in the United States.

This outbreak has become a public health emergency of international concern.

According to Media Centre fact sheets, the virus has a fatality rate of 50 percent, and is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. There are not yet any vaccines for Ebola, although scientists are working to create one.

The earlier infected patients receive better care in terms of surviving the disease. Early symptoms include sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headaches, and sore throats.

As the illness progresses there is vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function, and sometimes internal bleeding.

A debate has grown over the use of experimental and untested drugs in fighting Ebola.

ZMapp is an experimental treatment based on genetically engineered tobacco leaves. The two aid workers who contracted Ebola both received this drug and successfully fought the infection. In times of need we need to try everything we can to help. But. some argue since the drug has only been tested on monkeys and is not FDA approved, it should not be given to patients.

People fear the spread of Ebola, and this experimental drug gives those infected hope.

It is designed to allow the human body to win against Ebola replication, according to Medicine Net. The biotech firm Mapp Bipharmaceutical Inc. developed ZMapp.

Several years ago, this company and the National Institutes of Health and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, began work to develop a treatment for Ebola. When tested on monkeys, the antibodies from the drug were shown to protect them from early Ebola infection. When tested on Dr. Kent Brantly and his associate Nancy Writebol, the drug was effective in slowing or stopping severe symptoms within hours. Breathing became easier and rashes faded away.

Brantly described the treatment as miraculous. The company had just a few doses that could be used in patients but is trying to increase production.

According to company documents, four monkeys survived after being infected with Ebola. More study of this drug is needed and scientists are working at it, but this treatment may be able to help people, so I think we should take our chances.

Scientists are also attempting to develop a vaccine, but in the meantime we could at least slow down severe symptoms, and potentially save lives. Dr. Brantly said goodbye to his wife when he thought for sure it was the end, but this drug saved his life.

World Health Organization spokesman Gregor y Har tl cautioned that health authorities “cannot start using untested drugs in the middle of an outbreak.” Getting approval through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is a long process and that is time that people with Ebola don’t have.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, an arm of the military, allotted additional funding to Mapp Bipharmaceutical due to the promising results.

People infected with Ebola should get the choice of whether or not they want to try the new drug, so in emergency situations like this the FDA should make exceptions to its normal safety protocols.

It’s a journalist’s job to objectively report the truth to the public about things going on that could affect them. For years politicians and political pundits have been using fear as technique to create a panic in order to gain monetary or political compensation, and we’ve been mistaking that for journalism.

It’s simple to blame mass media for fooling us, but it’s hard not to take advantage when we make it so easy. It’s called fact-checking, people. Dispelling fictitious stories told to us by the man on the talking box with the soothing voice is a Google search away.

We live in a world where satirical comedies such as the Colbert Report and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart are more reliable than MSNBC and Fox News.

According to a poll on PunditFact.com, only eight percent of stories on FOX are one hundred percent factual, and only nine percent of stories presented on MSNBC are factual. CNN produces twice as many factual stories but doesn’t even make the halfway mark.

Though things presented in the media will have you believing we’re days away from twerking our way into pot-laced, Ebola-ridden oblivion, the images painted by major news networks aren’t an accurate representation of what’s going on.

If you take into account all of the folks who get their news through word of mouth, you’ve got a whole mess of opinions attributed to manipulated facts. It’s like the biggest game of “telephone” except worse because you’re playing with actual facts. It’s extremely difficult to find actual journalistic reporting.

Major news networks have turned into the home of political shouting matches rather than actual news reporting.

Every news organization has bias but you can only stretch the truth so far to meet your personal agenda.

People like MSNBCs Laurence O’Donnell and Ed Schultz seem to be experts at making conservative political activists look like morons, but there has got to be a way to do that without manipulating information they’re dishing out to their nightly audiences.

FOX news reporters – if you can call them that and still sleep at night – are infamous for these kinds of things. The people on this network seem to think that talking louder than everyone in the room and constantly interrupting people in the middle of answering questions makes you right when in fact, it only makes the person appear incompetent and belligerent. We’re looking at you Bill O’Reilly.

There’s an old phrase that goes “any publicity is good publicity.” Apparently this seems to hold true because when certain individuals get on TV and make outlandish remarks about things they should know, but don’t actually know about, they sell more merchandise and ultimately make the most profit from brainwashing the public.

So if we can’t get reliable news from the TV, what can we turn to? According to a 2013 study done by the Reynolds Journalism Institute on behalf of the National Newspaper Association, two-thirds of Americans in small towns depend on their local newspaper for news and information.

It’s so much easier to contact the local paper if you find mistakes in its reporting and it’s a lot harder to call up CNN to tell them their reporters are bad at covering stories.

We’re to blame partially for the misinformation because we don’t think about the things presented to us. We just react.

This why snobs in other countries think Americans are stupid.

If you are going to make watching the news your main source of information, you’re going to have to fact-check every story they run.

Only then can we form educated opinions and decide what actions to take.

Experience • Kimberly Stelly

Editorial

Don’t buy into the panic

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ysteria is more infectious than any virus and Americans are experiencing a severe and dangerous outbreak. Constant media coverage and a rising death toll have left many in the United States afraid and uncertain whether the government is capable of keeping them safe from Ebola. Ebola is an imminent threat but not for Americans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Oct. 22 there have been 9,911 total cases of Ebola — 5,477 of those being laboratory confirmed — and 4,546 deaths in “countries with widespread transmission.”

America was not included in these statistics because the five confirmed cases within its borders — three of which originated outside the States — can hardly be labeled an epidemic.

The idea of an Ebola pandemic can be terrifying and Americans are asking, “What if there is an outbreak here? Are we prepared for a mass infection? Will our response procedures keep the virus from spreading?”

But in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea the situation is far from being hypothetical. Husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are dying. In a Sept. 30 UNICEF news note, the organization estimated “at least 3,700 children in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have lost one or both parents to Ebola since the start of the outbreak in West Africa.”

UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa Manuel Fontaine said, “Thousands of children are living through the deaths of their mother, father or family members from Ebola.”

Who will comfort or hold them when they cry?

The answer: no one. Their parents are dead and people will not approach them for fear of infection. Yes, Ebola is a serious problem but not for Americans.

It’s selfish to be consumed by a what-if situation in America when thousands of people in other countries are experiencing a nightmare. Instead of being consumed by the panic, do something to help those who have a reason to be scared. Donate money to Unicef or other organizations that are sending medical staff and volunteers to help with victims of Ebola or become a volunteer yourself.

Letters to the Editor Make healthier choices

New site is a good thing

DEAR EDITOR: As the temperature begins to drop with midterms around the corner, many students are finding comfort in a plate of oily fries and a greasy burger. It’s no secret that fast food isn’t healthy, it provides no nutrients and is energy dense, but that doesn’t stop college students from handing their money over to McDonald’s.

These days, fast-food restaurants cater to our every need. If you don’t feel like getting out of the car, no problem, there’s a drive-through.

Among college students, fast food is popular, not only because of the fries but because of the price option. A campus culture surveys shows that a college student eats fast food at least six times a week and with schools installing fastfood restaurants, it makes access even easier.

You can say you opt out for the healthier option and go for the salad instead of the Big Mac for once — but not quite, the salad is actually more fattening. McDonald’s grilled chicken salad, with dressing, is 1,235 calories.

Maybe you should think about spending that five bucks on a meal healthier than processed meat stacked between two buns that won’t go bad for the next decade.

DEAR EDITOR: Living some distance from the Pittsburg campus, I tend to take classes in Brentwood.

I’m more than excited to hear of a new campus that would be even a closer distance for me, even though I will probably already be done with school by then.

I like the current Brentwood facility: it’s got a small, almost high school feel. LMC gets good teachers to make it to the school, to even sometimes teach small classes.

The atmosphere of the inside the school hasn’t changed much, but the outside has. On the weekdays there is a larger influx of traffic in the parking lot.

I notice the kids out of high school driving way too fast around the parking lot.

With the Dollar Tree and the County Welfare Offices in the same parking lot, there are a lot of interesting characters outside. I can’t sit and complain but Brentwood has changed a lot in the last few years.

A new campus with a refurbished idea of a good education is what brightens the picture.

Growing up around Byron, and going to high school at Liberty, I’m always happy when I can get an education just down the block.

— Yvonne Feng

— Christopher Castro

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

Experience

How well do you think the CDC is responding to the Ebola threat?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“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 ..................... JOSEPH DELANO Perspectives Editors......... JAZMINE GORDON and KIMBERLY STELLY

“I feel as if they’re doing pretty good because they’re trying to keep everyone in a safe environment.”

— Kendra Nixon

“They are doing all right.

The news is making it a bigger deal than it actually is.”

— Will Rodinsky

“It’s a little drastic right now. There should be more precautions for overseas travels.”

— Katey Hilton

“I did see a few articles [say] they are taking care of it, but that is all that I know.”

— Matt McClinton

“I think the CDC could be a little stricter letting people onto certain flights when they are showing symptoms of possibly having Ebola.”

— Kirstie Brown

“It didn’t respond fast enough. Why would you wait for it to become a major problem before you actually take actions to prevent it?”

— George Diaz

Campus Editor ....................CASSIE DICKMAN Features Editor ....................... DAMIAN LEWIN Sports Editor .............................STEVEN LUKE Photo Editors................... CATHIE LAWRENCE and BERTHA AGUILAR Associate Editors....................... JOSH WOOD and SUZZANNE SPERRY Web Editor ..........................BRENDAN CROSS 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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Newswatch Students donate blood Help available for parents

Los Medanos College’s California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) serves students attending LMC who receive financial aid and are parents.

Services include priority registration, educational and career counseling and educational workshops.

If you would like more information, call 473-7482 or visit the office in Room CC2-257. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Counselors ready to assist

Club hits spot

By TAYLOR STROUD

tstroud@lmcexperience.com

Alpha Gamma back in action

With a strong emphasis on community service, LMC’s Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) is looking for more members to participate in their meetings, fundraisers and other club activities.

For more information, including meeting times, planned activities and membership requirements, visit the AGS website at www.losmedanosags.com

Get help to kick the habit

Are you trying to quit smoking?

The American Lung Association is offering a Freedom From Smoking Clinic to help tobacco users break the habit.

The clinic is being held on Wednesdays at the Pittsburg Health Center. The center is located at 2311 Loveridge Road – Cedar Room.

For more information, call (855) 421-3400 or call 431-2266

Essay preparation offered

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

— Francis of Assisi

Group offers safe space

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.

Appointments at Pittsburg can be made in person, by calling the Counseling Department 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.

Scholarships and transfer application deadlines are approaching, and that means essays to write. Barbara Austin will be conducting workshops on starting and improving your essay skills in the Center for Academic Support on the main campus, CCO-304. The final workshop will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Please call 473-7950 for more information.

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

Experience • Bethany Gella

Student Denis Sanpedro donated blood Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the bloodmobile parked in front of LMC at the Brentwood Center campus because she wanted to help people. The next Blood Drive will be held Nov. 12 on the main campus in the Library, Room L-109, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., in case you want to help too.

“Having an openly gay indentified gender queer president on campus, our voice is definitely heard,” said Los Medanos College Associated Students President Gary Walker.

And that it is. Thanks to his and many others’ efforts LMC’s soon-to-be Student Union Building will officially house the college’s LGBTQ-friendly ALLIES club in a forum called the Q*SPOT. The Q*SPOT began in founder and Adviser Jefferey Mitchell Matthews’ of fice in 1992 as a resource center for information on things like therapists, doctors and even Planned Parenthood.

Matthews wanted to increase LGBT awareness on campus in a public, permanent place as there “wasn’t any visible gay presence at LMC” at that time.

The Q*SPOT may soon become even more permanent. Since Measure E was passed this year, the Contra Costa Community College District has $450 million to spend on improving their facilities. As a result LMC is planning a centralized Student Union on campus which will house student organizations, See SPOT, page 6

I came for a Degree.

I discovered my Purpose.

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

The Debate Team practicing for their upcoming season. Coaches Marie Arcidiacono and Kasey Gardner lead a session earlier this semester.

Debate stalls at SDSU Valuable experience gained from tourney “We made friends quickly.”

World is unlike the Parliamentary format The LMC Debate Team has returned from the team had participated in the last few years.

At its core, World is a debate format designed its first tournament in the World debate format at San Diego State University, Oct. 4 and 5, to be more easily accessible to the general and although it did not come out on top, the audience. Anyone should be able to attend a experience was valuable for the team and the tournament and understand the debate.

In Parliamentary debate, teams often use debaters are more motivated than ever.

“I was extremely proud of the debaters’ overall technical language and attempt to get as many points across as quickly performance at the tournament,” as possible. However, in World Debate Coach Marie Arcidiacono “I’ve got the format debaters are encouraged said. “We knew going in that this to make points clearly and use tournament would serve as a easy job, the everyday language so that the learning experience so the fact students have is not left out of the that they were able to walk away to do the actual audience debate. with new knowledge of what a In World format, two teams true World’s tournament is like debating while I debate an issue, known as a was a huge success in my eyes.” judge.”

Yetunde Ogunleye, a member — Kasey Gardner resolution, in each round. The two teams are comprised of of the team, said the format was not entirely what was expected. “It felt four members, each in a pair. These pairs are a lot more aggressive,” said Ogunleye, who dubbed the first and second government and noted that the opposition often “addressed the first and second opposition.

Teams are given their debate’s resolution you directly instead of your bench.”

The debate team was also given a difficult approximately 15 minutes before they are schedule. The team was put into four consec- scheduled to debate. The pairs are then isolated from the rest of their bench, coaches and utive debates right off the bat.

Team Member Dylan Melowitz was surprised mentors to plan their arguments. When the 15 by the skill of the debaters in the tournament, minutes of planning are up, the debate begins.

Each team takes turns sending a speaker and respected their ability and ability to adapt in a predetermined order to debate and each to the difficult resolutions.

“I was taken aback,” he said, “but getting competitor speaks for seven minutes, during which the opposing team can ask for or deliver kicked to my rear-end really fuels me.”

Debate Coach Kasey Gardner noted the points of information.

Instead of being scored as a whole, the pairs air of nervousness present at the beginning.

“When you enter a tournament where you are ranked individually in the results, and the don’t know anyone,” he said, “everyone seems team is awarded points based on where each pair places. on edge.”

The team’s next debate will be held WednesGardner said nervousness disappears once you get to know the setting, although he ad- day, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at Pittsburg City hall.

The topic will be Proposition 2, an upcoming mitted it was harder for the students.

“I’ve got the easy job, the students have to measure to alter the existing rainy day fund do the actual debating while I judge,” he said. for California.

By JOSH WOOD

jwood@lmcexperience.com

Berkeley

Saturday Oct. 25 10:30 a.m.

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Saturday Nov. 1 10:30 a.m.

Pleasant Hill

Saturday Nov. 8 10:30 a.m.

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“A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it.”

— Alfred Hitchcock

Award something to sing about Cathie Lawrence • Experience

Director receives recognition

By TANNER JOHNSON and CATHIE LAWRENCE

tjohnson@lmcexperience.com

On Oct. 21, LMC Choir Director Silvester Henderson was awarded the 2014 Arts Recognition Award by the Contra Costa County Arts Commission during its 18th Annual Arts Awards Ceremony.

“I’m honored for our students, because my life is really about the students.” Henderson said. “And to me, the award really should go to the students, because they allow me to work with them, and to present my leadership skills.”

Henderson was one of three artists who received the 2014 Arts Recognition Award for their dedi-

Cathie Lawrence • Experience

Henderson leads members of the Gospel Choir during the Contra Costa County Arts Commission’s 18th Annual Award Ceremony. cation to the arts. Each of the three artists represented over 145 years of continuing artistic creativity for Contra Costa County. Famed painter Sylvia Fein of Martinez, and landscape architect and painter Joel Summerhill of Antioch were also awarded.

There are criteria to be considered to become a nominee. They must be, or have been, involved with arts and culture and have contributions or work that has had a significant impact on Contra Costa County. Individuals nominated in previous years cannot be nominated a second time.

Marquee A day of musical inspiration

The Los Medanos College Music Department will be hosting two events on Oct. 28 in the Recital Hall. For more information, call 439-0200. n From 2 to 3:30 p.m. — NEA Jazz Master David Liebman and his New York City Group. Admission is free. n From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Choral Experience Concert featuring LMC College Chorus, Chamber & Gospel Choirs. Admission: $5 for public, $4 for students, seniors.

‘Horror’ in Pittsburg tonight

Tonight, the California Theatre in Pittsburg will be showing the cult-classic film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” starring Tim Curry as the iconic Frank N. Furter and featuring a variety of memorable musical numbers.

According to the theater’s website, in addition to the movie, preshow entertainment and a live shadow casting will be performed by The Bawdy Caste. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. Admission: $6 for general admission, $9 for ticket plus survival kit. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre. com.com or by calling 427-1611. Those under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Musical comedy to show at DVC

The Diablo Valley College Drama Department is set to premier it’s prodution of “The Wedding Singer.” The musical comedy will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 9 at the college’s Performing Arts Center. Admission: $21 for adults, $16 for seniors and staff, $11 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dvcdrama. net or call 969-2358.

Local music, drama and more

The California Theatre in downtown Pittsburg and the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch will feature a variety of events throughout October and November. The different events at both venues are set to include movies, dance and musical sets that promise to delight audiences of all ages.

EL CAMPANIL THEATRE The El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W Second St. in Antioch. For ticket sales and additional information please call 757-9500 n Saturday, Oct. 25 — House of Floyd. The Music of Pink Floyd. Begins at 8 p.m. Admission: $27 for adults, $25 for seniors. Youths receive free admission when accompanied by paying adult or senior. n Sunday, Oct. 26 — Tangerines (Estonia). Begins at 2 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors. Youths receive free admission when accompanied by paying adult or senior. n Sunday, Nov. 2 — The Broadway Divas. Begins at 3 p.m. Admission: $27 for adults, $25 for seniors, $10 for children.

CALIFORNIA THEATRE The California Theatre is located at 351 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg. For ticket sales and additional information please call 427-1611 n Saturday, Oct. 25 — Leo Vigil and Terrence Brewer.

Begins at 8 p.m. Admission: $15.50 for regular admission, $40.50 for the dinner package. n Saturday, Nov. 8 — VETJAM 2014 with Hot for Teacher & Alan Iglesias and Crossfire – A Loving Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn. Begins at 5 p.m. Admission: $10.

“This is a special event for us to present not only the award recipient,” said Karen Mitchoff, Head Supervisor of the board, adding, “but to partake us some culture our self this morning, in the midst of a busy day, a busy week or being busy all the time.”

Each awardee received a glass sculpture made by internationally renowned glass artist Randy Shawn, whose work has even been put up as an exhibit for the Louvre in Paris, France. Depicted as a large ball of fire, the awards symbolize the flame of creativity they bring to our

community.

During the ceremony, Henderson thanked not only the students, but the audience who arrived as well.

Henderson acknowledges the other award winners, and wants to tell how proud he is that he can sit with the other nominees who have brought so much effort into the district.

Henderson had select members of the Gospel Choir sing a selection he dedicated to the art commission.

“Next to my family,” said Henderson, “my students are the most important individuals.”

A graduate of San Francisco State University with a Master’s Degree in Music, Henderson has been teaching for over 52 years, and has been a director for the LMC Choral Department for the past 20 years.

In 2013, Henderson was a quarter finalist to the newly created national Music Educator Grammy Award.

The award was presented to Henderson in the County Board of Supervisors meeting in Martinez.

For more information about music programs at LMC, visit www.losmedanos.edu/music or call 473-7805.

LMC, Maya host ‘Book’ premier Students and faculty attend event

‘Amazing’ cast adds color to film

By KIMBERLY STELLY

By JOSEPH DELANO

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

jdelano@lmcexperience.com

The Los Medanos College Puente Club hosted a special screening of the Day of the Dead themed animated film “The Book of Life” Oct. 17 at Maya Cinemas in Pittsburg.

This comes at an appropriate time since Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos is only weeks away.

Among the attendees were LMC President Bob Kratochvil, Art Instructor Lucy Snow, Financial Aid Coordinator Eva Monteverde and Puente Counselor Elizabeth Abril.

At the beginning, the lobby inside Maya Cinemas was nearly empty. As faculty, staff and Puente members from LMC began to arrive, they purchased popcorn and other snacks as they chatted with their peers. Some club members stood outside and talked with Puente Instructor/ Coordinator Stacey Miller, who co-hosted the event.

About a half hour away from show time, the excited herd of people began to make their

The Book of Life was great.

I really wasn’t expecting much from the movie. Since my birthday is on the Day of the Dead, I was immediately interested. I was not disappointed.

First of all, the cast was amazing. With the exception of Ice Cube, the voice actors all did a wonderful job of grabbing and keeping my attention, making me laugh, and at times getting me right in the feels.

Directed by Jorge Gutierrez, the film starred Diego Luna, Channing Tatum and Zoe Saldana as the leads Manolo, Joaquin and Maria respectively.

Surprisingly funny, the cast members were also great singers. As a lot of the movie was musical, the singing had to be great, and it was. I did not realize, and was pleasantly surprised, that Saldana could sing.

The film was colorful, with true to life Mexican aspects and

REVIEW

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

way to theater seven, which was filled, as some struggled to find an available seat.

“We had 99 seats to fill so we’re glad ever yone came out,” said Abril. Only a week before the event, there were and abundance of tickets left available to anyone interested in attending the screening.

Before the movie started, she announced the results of a raffle for attendees. With the help of Gio, her special helper, three prizes were given away.

Lucy Snow won a poster from student life. Morgan Rogers won a miniature Spanish guitar and Eva Monteverde won a Book of Life poster donated by the theater.

“I am interested in Day of the Dead and in animation...a little,” said Snow. She also heard Maya Cinemas was “good,” so she wanted to check it out for herself.

“It’s nice to see everyone come together as a community,” said Abril as she stood to make a small speech and express her gratitude toward the people who showed. The General Manager of the theater had just enough time to make a short statement and wish everyone a good time.

The previews garnered appropriate responses, as people whispered about what they thought were the most

See BOOK, page 6

See LIFE, page 6

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“I’m as excited as I’ve ever been. I’m 39 years old and feeling like a kid out there.”

— Tim Hudson

Stangs battling for the top

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Julius Mozee runs just out of the reach of diving Hartnell player Jose Martinez on his way to the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. The Mustangs fell for the second straight game with a 37-29 loss to Hartnell at home.

Four games left have a playoff feel to them

By STEVEN LUKE

sluke@lmcexperience.com

With four games left to play in the season, the defending co-conference champions have not put themselves in the best position to repeat, but they aren’t out of the running yet.

With a record of 3-3 and 1-1 in conference, the Mustangs look like they are an average team on paper, but the teams they have lost to have a combined record of 16-2. On paper it appears that the Mustangs lost to superior teams, but the teams own mistakes were just as much a contri-

bution to those losses as the ability of the opponents was.

In those three losses they committed 34 penalties for 347 yards and turned over the ball seven times.

Mustangs center Alex Cabral believes that turning around these issues will be a key to turning the season around.

“We need to work on minimizing mistakes, minimizing penalties,” he said. “We need to be efficient at a high tempo.”

If the team can fix those issues they will still have a shot at a bowl

game and possibly the conference On the defensive side of the ball championship, but Cabral said it there is not a lot they are doing wrong, would not happen unless they stop and a big part of that is defensive “shooting ourselves in the foot.” team captain Markie Beltram.

Head coach Chris Shipe agreed Beltram currently ranks in the that penalties and turnovers have top ten in the state in five statistical killed them this season. categories, and is in the He said the turnovers top five in three of them. have been the biggest “Every It is his leadership on weakness on offense be- game right and off the field that has cause even in the first two now is our helped lead the defense to games of the season they a solid season, but Shipe had to come from behind to bowl game” said at 3-3 there is still — Chris Shipe room for improvement. win because of turnovers.

“We’ve probably aver“They’ve been playing aged at least three turnovers a game,” well, for sure, all year,” he said. “I he said. “Definitely turnovers have can’t specifically say a weakness, affected us.” but being 3-3, that kind of speaks Even with those turnovers affecting for itself.” the offense Shipe said that the offense Even with those weaknesses at has worked harder each week to 3-3 the Mustangs still have a shot at overcome and get better. winning the conference, but it won’t

Staff takes to the diamond bcross@lmcexperience.com

The Athletics and Giants faced off on the Los Medanos College softball field as the A’s took home a 9-6 victory. No, not the MLB teams, but rather teams comprised of LMC staff and faculty.

“As usual, the staff softball game was a spirited and enjoyable contest. It’s a great

way for college staff to come together and have some fun outside of the office or classroom. It’s also very nice to meet and form connections with colleagues you might not usually interact with on a regular basis,” said Bookstore Manager Bob Estrada.

The Giants had won the previous two softball games in semesters past, so the A’s

By LUKE JOHNSON

ljohnson@lmcexperience.com

Experience • Brendan Cross

Custodial staff member Noel Muñiz swings for the fences as a member of the Giants during the staff softball game. this time around were “due” were due for a win. I’m sure according to Estrada. it had absolutely nothing to “The law of averages would do with Giants fans celebratseem to indicate that the A’s See STAFF, page 6

Fantasy football corner Steven

See FOOT, page 6

AHS loses first game at LMC

Team building in the form of a softball game

By BRENDAN CROSS

be easy. In order to make a run at the conference they will have to win their final four games, and the team is treating every game like a bowl game.

“Each week is going to be a championship week,” Cabral said.

“We have to win out and hope that someone else loses so we can get that conference championship.”

The first game of the Mustangs run at the championship will take place in Yuba as they take on Yuba City who is also 3-3.

“Every game right now is your bowl game,” Shipe said. “Yuba is our bowl game this week. It starts with Yuba, but we have to go 4-0 to have an opportunity to get to a bowl game.

As much as we want to say someone is going to knock off Contra Costa or

Wide receiver Willie Williams’s two 30-yard were just enough for Liberty to hold off Antioch for a 24-18 win at Los Medanos College in Bay Valley Athletic League play.

Antioch’s offense kicked off the game slower than a dead sloth. In the first half, the Panthers only managed to complete one first down. Thankfully for Antioch, their defense kept them in the game by only giving up 8 points on constant short-field drives (Liberty had 10 at the half because of a safety).

Leading the way was cornerback Tay Thompson who had two redzone interceptions, and linebacker Michael Gray who finished with three sacks and a forced fumble.

While the Panthers played well on defense the offense did not play up to standards.

Nationally recruited running back from Antioch Najee Harris was ejected in the beginning of the fourth quarter for unsportsmanlike conduct. Even without Harris the Panthers then went on to score 18 unanswered points led by back up quarterback See AHS, page 6

LMC knocks off Solano

Luke

Start – Jarvis Landry against the Jaguars Sit – Ben Roethlisberger against the Colts Pick Up – Denard Robinson, Jaguars WR/RB Brendan

Cross

Start – Mike Evans against the Vikings Sit – Bishop Sankey against the Texans Pick Up – Martavis Bryant, Steelers WR Luke

Johnson

Start – Derek Carr against the Browns Sit – Nick Foles against the Cardinals Pick Up – Tre Mason, Rams RB

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Previously unbeaten in conference, Solano College falls in defeat at the hands of the Mustangs. During the 3-1 win over Solano, LMC outside hitter AnnaSilvia Vega launches the ball over the outreached hands of the Falcon players.

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SPOT From page 3

meetings and activities. What many students are excited about is having a reliable home for the ALLIES club.

“We’re there for each other emotionally, spiritually…” said Walker, President of ALLIES who will be passing the title on to Claudia Vasquez this year.

“It keeps them connected to the college and makes them feel comfortable to stay here,” he added.

ALLIES held its first meeting of the fall term on Thursday, Oct. 9. During the meetings, members are encouraged to share their sexual and gender identities, of which the spectrum is much wider than one would think, and to educate those who might not be familiar.

For example, Walker identifies as gender queer, meaning he considers himself both man and woman and expresses himself with a combination of masculine and feminine traits.

A few other members identify simply as queer, meaning they consider their sexuality to

be so fluid they’d rather not subscribe to any one specific sexual or gender label.

Members of the club are encouraged to open up in this way as the Q*SPOT is meant to provide acceptance and support to anyone in a completely judgment-free zone.

“When we had our first meeting,” said Commissioner of Campus Events Diona Shelbourne, “there were a lot of people that came out that wouldn’t necessarily have brought themselves out.”

“Some of our students have said they finished their twoyear college and transferred on because they had that support from Jeff and from Q*SPOT and from ALLIES,” said Walker.

Members of the club look forward to the Student Union Building as a permanent setting for the club, but founder Jeff Matthews isn’t entirely sure it will be the same.

Rather than housing an exclusively LGBTQ-centered group, Matthews believes LMC might take a “broader

AHS

YOUTH EBOLA From page 1

From page 1

Harrison Ong, who was inserted in the middle of the third quarter. Ong finished with 7-of-11 passes completed for 85 yards, and a touchdown to wide receiver KJ Wilson.

But it was not enough as Liberty ran out the clock and prevented any further attempt at a comeback.

The comeback attempt was too late, and Antioch wide receiver Ryan Payne believes that the offense needs to play the same way for a full game if they’re going to rebound.

“We played very undisciplined,” said Payne. “We’re a way better team than what we’ve been playing like. We just have to start playing the game fast and not wait till we’re down to try and step it up.”

While the Panthers struggled on offense the Lions did not as quarterback Joseph Tolentino lead the team to victory. The senior completed 17-of-26 passes for 256 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing).

This was a huge win for the Lions after a loss to their crosstown rivals Heritage High.

“I feel like we needed that,” said Williams, Tolentino’s key target in the passing game. “It was a wake up call because we got big headed about being undefeated in preseason that we lost focus. I feel we are hungry and we are going to finish this season strong and shock the league.”

This was the Lions’ first win in league as they go 1-1 (6-1 overall) heading into a tough match up against Pittsburg. The Panthers drop to 0-2 (4-3) for their first consecutive defeat.

Up next for Antioch is the 19th annual Mayor’s Cup at Deer Valley 7 p.m. Friday. Out of the last 10 Mayor’s Cups, Antioch has only won once.

“Tony’s Sport’s Cards” from 1988-1996 said since “crime is overtaking the city of Antioch,” he’s all for anyone “utilizing their sport’s experience to support the community.”

He considers himself an activist in suppor ting the improvement of Antioch.

“The reason I became a council member was to help with youth and recreation,” said Tiscareno.

Burden was inspired to start the program because he “saw a need to give these kids something more to do than hang out on the corners of Lone Tree and local gas stations doing nothing.”

For now, the program is focusing on basketball training and will be striving to someday, with support and recognition from the community, focus on other sports like football and baseball.

The Jus Beginners Training Program is open to youth ages 7-17 and will be continuing for the rest of Oct. on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. for the rest of the month and the first Saturday of Nov. The program is located at the Antioch Community Center at 4703 Lone Tree Way. For more information, contact Ahmed Burden via email at aburden1219@gmail.com or by phone at (510) 460-0829.

are not going to be triaging patients who might be suspected of having Ebola,” said McDowell.

He does mention it in class as a topic that comes up, but there are no in-depth discussions.

Ebola has become such a hot topic that at the Board of Supervisors meeting for Contra Costa County, which was held in Martinez on Oct. 21, an oral report from Health Services Director Dr. William Walker was presented in regards to the County’s preparation for handling the Ebola threat.

“I do want to say that what’s become quite clear after the Texas experience is that not every hospital in the United States is capable of handling a full-blown Ebola victim,” said Walker, adding, “it requires quite intensive care, it requires a great deal of training, not only in the use of personal protective equipment, but also regularly exercising of the use of that equipment and it takes experience.”

Walker has been part of the Association of Bay Area Health Officials (ABAHO) since 1984.

This association is a regional network of 13 health jurisdictions in the San Francisco Bay Area and is compiled of different representatives from Bay Area health departments.

This association addresses issues ranging from HIV/ AIDS, anthrax, H1N1 and most recently, the Ebola crisis.

In his speech, the doctor explained that the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention are now talking about establishing regional centers for the treatment of Ebola.

The association made a unanimous agreement for a need to request for California to establish a regional hospital for treating the Ebola virus.

They made a recommendation to Ron Chapman the director of the California Department of Public Health.

“We’ve been in communication with him and we understand that, that process is underway,” said Walker.

He expresses that training in health centers and in Contra Costa Regional Medical centers have been in operation, but “It’s [imperative] any hospital to be able to identify, isolate and help to confirm an active Ebola infection,” said Walker.

There is no doubt that the County is definitely preparing for a possible Ebola outbreak and at LMC, Ebola will also be discussed with students to inform them about this potentially deadly virus.

McDowell offers some advice to students “Wash your hands.”

This may come to no surprise, as washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of infection and illness.

From page 5

BOOK From page 4

STAFF From page 5

ing their team winning the National League pennant the night before the staff softball game,” he added.

The parallel of the San Francisco Giants playing in the World Series again this season led to some trash-talking on the field, in good nature.

Despite their loss, the softball Giants enjoyed the competition and are looking forward to the next game.

“The friendly competition between the two teams is always fun, especially now because the Giants are in the World Series,” said Interim Senior Administrative Assistant Irene Sukhu.

“It’s a bummer that we lost this time around, but it’s okay, we will beat them next semester.”

After the game, the players were treated to some much-needed fuel, in the form of refreshments and barbeque. “(Buildings and Grounds Facilities Manager) Russ [Holt] and (Custodial Manager) Barry [Edwards] held a small barbeque after the game.”

“Playing and running always makes us hungry and thirsty, so it was perfect,” added Sukhu.

anticipated feature films, but as the opening credits began, the audience quieted and they leaned back in their reclining seats in anticipation for what they were about to see.

Throughout the movie, you could hear the audience’s reactions. There were appropriate whimpers during the sad scenes and laughter during the humorous moments.

The film featured traditional Mexican marionettes and stuck to Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead, from the musical instruments to the marionette animation-style.

Instructional Assistant Eric Sanchez, who also attended the screening, remarked the film was “all right but wished they would have used original music rather than contemporary classics like “Creep” by Radiohead.”

From page 5 someone is going to knock of Shasta, it’s in someone else’s hands.”

From page 4 Although they need help to a respect for the Mexican catch Contra Costa College at culture. the top of the conference, the Perhaps my favorite part Mustangs still have a chance of the experience was the to help their own cause against artistic display. The way the Shasta College in the third of film was animated was unlike their final three games. anything that I had seen up There may not be a playoff unto this point. system in community college I would definitely suggest a football yet, but for LMC they visit to the theaters and I will will be playing the rest of the most definitely be buying this season like there is, and it all to add to my collection so I starts against Yuba Saturday, may enjoy it for years to come. Oct. 25.

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LIFE

approach to diversity” by extending its reach to racial and ethnic minorities as well. But details are still foggy.

Faculty is in conversation with planners and builders, but an end date for construction is a “moving target,” said Walker. Until then, ALLIES will continue to make do with the resources at hand.

Also in the meantime, the club has already made an impact on the college and its future.

Transgender speaker and activist Janet Mock was the featured speaker at a conference at LMC Sept. 13.

During the conference, sponsored by LMCAS, she discussed many things including a need for gender-neutral restrooms on campus.

Soon after the conference, LMC President Bob Kratochvil agreed to include gender-neutral restrooms in future LMC buildings.

Until the Student Union is completed, the Q*SPOT can be found in Jeff Matthews’ office in Room CC1-117.

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From page 1

“this decision by President Kratochvil shows that he truly leads by example and wants our college to be accessible by all student populations.”

The change has brought nothing but cheers from LMC’s LBGT and ally students like student Jorden Bonwell.

“I think this change is a positive thing, it’s time to include everyone into a place where they feel the most comfortable,” she said.

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