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Choral crooners

Curtains raising soon

LMC loses close one

LMC’s Choir held a Choral Experience Concert last Tuesday in the Recital Hall — page 3

“The Government Inspector” is set to open Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. in the Little Theater — page 4

The Mustangs soccer team hung tough against the undefeated Folsom Lake Falcons — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates November is Native American Heritage Month Nov. 11

Veterans Day, College closed

Nov. 28-29

Thanksgiving, College closed

PTEC offers program info

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District looks ahead Draft of plan submitted by end of month Contra Costa Community College District gathered to come up with a strategy for the years to come based on themes including student success and prioritizing student goals.

Stoup said the main goal of this second planning meeting, referred to as a charrette, was to “move closer to having content that will go into an actual draft of a plan.”

The first meeting looked at a variety of topics such as an environmental scan of the district broken into categories such as age, education attainment and labor market. It also looked at enrollment trends of the district since 1978 pointing out the recession peaks and the percentage growth of students in categories such as gender, age, ethnicity and in-

Hay with IQ honored

Solar panels saving funds

By BRENDAN CROSS

bcross@lmcexperience.com

The second in a series of district planning meetings led by Senior Dean of Research and Planning Gregory Stoup took place Friday Nov. 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord as various faculty members from Los Medanos College, Diablo Valley College and Contra Costa College, as well as members of the

The Process Technology Program, also known as PTEC, will hold information sessions beginning this month in Library Room L-109: Q Thursday, Nov. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.

Q Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to noon Q Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.

A degree or certificate in process technology is useful in several fields, including chemical plant operations, power generation, food processing, and many more. Stop by a meeting to learn more.

Contact William Cruz in Room CC-320 or at 4392181 ext. 3194 for more information.

Beneficial and efficient SEAN TONGSON

stongson@lmcexperience.com

Blood drive upcoming Student Life and Blood Centers of the Pacific will host a blood drive at L-109 Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information contact Student Life at 439-2181 ext. 3266.

Workshops for transfer The Transfer Center is hosting workshops to help with applications and personal statements: Q UC Application Workshop: Thursday, Nov. 14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Library, Room L-109.

Q Personal Statement Workshop: Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the LMC Brentwood Center, Room 9.

See PLAN, page 6

Photo by Brendan Cross

The Classified Staff at the LMC Brentwood Center entered the City of Brentwood’s Scarecrows in the Park contest and came in third place with their submission entitled “Smar T. Pants.” The scarecrow is currently standing just inside the staff entry door at the Brentwood campus. First place went to a scarecrow entitled “The Dirty Servant,” by Futures Explored. Second place went to Troop 31762’s “Daisy.”

Academy helps all transferees

LMC soup cook-off

Supports students goals

If you love soup, Los Medanos College has an event to satisfy your appetite. There will be a soup cook-off on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Indoor Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is hosted by the Classified Senate.

A bowl of soup with a slice of bread is $4.

jambuehl@lmcexperience.com

By JARED AMBUEHL

Students who are serious about their future and are looking to transfer to a fouryear institution after their time at Los Medanos College should consider applying for the Transfer Academy. Funded by the Hispanic Serving Institutions Exito Grant, the purpose of the academy is to

help students stay on track and meet their goals of getting out of LMC and into a good school. Whether your dream is to continue on at a state university or private college, help is provided through the academy.

“Being a full-time college student is a lot of work,” first-year Transfer Academy student Kallista Basa said.

Photo by Dakotah Zabroski

The Open House event during Transfer Week in the Transfer Center shows students acquiring information on four-year colleges.

“The academy has given us schools though.” a lot of opportunities to get The Transfer Academy extra help and meet with is relatively new as this is representatives from other See FOUR, page 6

Photovoltaic (or PV) Devices is an arrangement of components designed for the use of supplying electric power by way of using the Sun as a power source. Having numerous environmental benefits, PV costs less money to produce and use, which makes it more widely affordable and available. Made from various types of semiconductor materials uniquely designed or arranged in various structures, these systems can be visible in various parking lots throughout LMC and other campuses throughout the District.

In addition to colleges and campuses everywhere, the use of photovoltaic systems (derived from the Greek word “photo,” meaning “derived from light,” combined with the name of Italian Alessandro Volta, known for inventing the first battery “volt”) are continuing to grow residentially and in many other buildings throughout the state and nationwide.

Installed over five years ago, the solar panels located throughout most of the parking lots at Los Medanos College have proven to be highly beneficial and productive for all involved. Whereas conventional methods of generating electricity such as coal burning or fossil fuels can cause pollutants to enter the atmosphere, the only resource needed to power a solar device is the sun. Unlike smog forming pollutants such as carbon monoxide, which has been determined to be the main gas that causes global warming, sunlight is a clean and limitless power source. Because there are no moving parts, solar cells use a chemical reaction to operate, as a reliable, quiet, and modular power source. If installed properly and maintained well, PV systems can full function in upwards of 20 to 30 years.

“They are not scheduled to be replaced for a long time,” said Buildings and Grounds Manager Russ Holt, when asked when the solar panels at LMC were up for replacement. “These photovoltaic panels have no moving parts, which mean they can last a very long time.”

According to Mosaic, a company which connects investors to high quality solar projects, Contra Costa ComSee SOLAR, page 6

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“Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”

— Mark Twain

Nadira Erfan

Luke Johnson

ACTIVIST THOUGHTS

COOL HAND LUKE

Humanity can be justified

U.S. military excuses rape

“Being human is given. But keeping our humanity is a choice,” a random quote I found online. There comes a point when staying neutral is not making a choice but rather its making a choice to do nothing. Witnessing the atrocities happening around the world and failing to make a stand or taking any action is making the choice to ignore the slow death of humanity.

It’s not just the unjustifiable inhuman treatment of women that shakes the moral of humanity, but it’s the lack of acknowledgement on the behalf of world citizens, and their failure to stand for humanity that destabilizes the core of moral.

According to the Nov. 3 of “The Independent” an online news site, a woman was arrested for driving her diabetic father to the hospital because women are still not allowed to drive a car in Saudi Arabia. The treatment of every human being is significant, how can we exclude one group of people out of our human community and still claim to hold on to humanity?

Unfortunately the world has just done that to Muslim women and we have justified it by the names of religious, cultural tolerance. If humanity could accept tradition as a justifiable excuse for human suppression than how did we manage to consider old practices like slavery, human trafficking, and illegal child labor.

The voices of Muslim women have been shunned in the name of religious tolerance, and action is taken. The world has failed to stand firmly for the rights of Muslim women, worse offenders of women’s rights.

Women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to leave their house without a male relative accompanying them, their now allowed to open a bank account without the permission of their male relative. Saudi Arabian women live under conditions that they have no say, and no way to escape.

It is time we all realize that the ideology, the attitudes, patriarchal, and suppression hasn’t changed. If anything their methods have become more advanced.

Modern technology makes new advances in female Infanticide, and it takes this practice to a whole new level. The women’s population is in decline since these new advances in third world countries like China and India.

According to a recent United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, practices such as female infanticide, combined with neglect, have resulted in at least 60 million “missing” girls in Asia, contributing to gender imbalances and other crucial problems that experts foresee will have far reaching consequences for years to come.

The killing of baby girls has taken a back seat to sex-selective abortion or female feticide, due to the advent of amniocentesis and ultrasound technology as well as other prenatal sex selection techniques.

Plans sometimes back fire according to UNFPA, twenty-five million men in China currently can’t find brides because there is a shortage of women, and men have to emigrate overseas to find wives.

Around 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to World Health Organization (WHO). Female Genital Mutilation is the partial Anesthesia using a knife or razor.

Majority of these are carried out from the time of infancy up to the age of puberty.

There is always one purpose to take away any form of natural sexual pleasure away from the woman, so the woman does not enjoy sexual contact.

Whatever the cruel act, whatever the justification we as the cosmopolitans cannot claim to be moral human beings without upholding the moral code for all humanity.

There is an ongoing national tragedy that, for whatever reason, is being kept out of the public eye. A large number of women and men are being sexually abused in the military, while too many perpetrators are facing few consequences.

In a study done by the American Journal of Public Health in 2007, more than 20 percent of women in the military have been sexually assaulted, which calculates to more than half a million women throughout history.

The Department of Defense (DOD) released a statement that 3,230 sexual offenses were reported in 2009, but the DOD also said that 80 percent of victims do not report. That translates to 16,150 sexual crimes among the military that year.

Many of these rapists and sex offenders are of higher command, and victims who file reports are often the ones who suffer punishment. That is why the so many victims choose not to disclose their assaults.

Twenty-five percent of servicewomen have not reported rape specifically because the person they were required to file the report was the rapist, and 33 percent have not reported incidents because the rapist was a friend of the person they would have reported to.

The reason the rate of sexual assault is so high in the military is because the culprits usually get away with it. So why would they stop, if no one is making them?

According to the 2012 documentar y, “The Invisible War,” which was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 85th Academy Awards, people in the military are twice as likely to commit rape. Sex offenders are apparently welcomed in the U.S. Armed Forces, which makes it a prime target for rapists. A Navy study discovered that 15 percent of incoming recruits attempted or committed rape before entering the military.

Every year the number of sexual offenses in the military steadily increases and anyone can be a victim. It’s not only women who are being sexually harassed, but in 2011, one percent of all men in the military were also assaulted. Due to the lopsided number of men compared with women in the service, the number of men who have been sexually assaulted is greater. That one percent calculates to around 20,000 men.

Men are also less likely than women to report sexual assualt. When a man is victimized, he feels stripped of his masculinity.

The ones who are committing the offense aren’t even homosexual. They are usually power-hungry, psychopathic heterosexual men.

The effects and aftermath of rape create both physical and psychological trauma.

Most rapes include beatings that can cause life-long injuries. Some victims can’t even do simple tasks like sitting down or opening their jaws in cold weather. The mental state they are put in is unfathomable, and, worst of all, what must they think of their own country that allowed them to be sexually violated?

All branches of the military are required to mandate sexual harassment classes.

They provide ways for troops to avoid and prevent rape, but they make it sound like anyone could be a rapist, and that possible victims have to be on high alert at all times.

But instead of making troops paranoid, they should just prosecute the perpetrators. That will get rid of a lot of the rapes right away.

The military judicial system is always making excuses for rape. In some cases, where women have filed lawsuits, they were told that they were basically “asking to be raped” because they wore makeup and a standard sized knee-length skirt.

The military judicial system is broken and the government has constantly failed to do anything about it. It is time they actually made an effort for change to this ongoing tragedy.

Cartoon by Janet Azehko

EDITORIAL

Miami Dolphins catch heat

M

iami Dolphins players Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin have garnered national attention along the lines of the good, the bad and the ugly. The good; Richie Incognito, according to many players on his team, is a tough competitor that fights hard for his team, and has been a mentor to Martin. Incognito’s methods have been reported to be openly supportive, and at other times cajoling to get him to “toughen up.” The ugly; Incognito used a racial slur in a message to Martin who is of bi-racial descent.

The news buzz is loud with comments on the racial epitaph, but according to Armando Salguero for the Miami Herald, other players on the team are not concerned about this.

Miami Dolphin’s Cornerback Brent Grimes is quoted by Salguero as saying, “I don’t think Richie is a racist.”

Beyond the question of the ethnic slur is whether Martin was hazed or bullied. Martin, and other rookies are expected along with learning their plays to pay their dues for the team by fetching and carrying for veterans, pick up the tab and endure having awful haircuts. It is called hazing and is a widely accepted practice not limited to the NFL. Hazing is bullying, there should be no question of this. Bullying is where someone in a position of strength forces someone else to do or feel something they would rather not. It is any kind of torment physical, verbal or mental — anything that degrades a person’s self-esteem.

When bullying is labeled as hazing it seems more socially acceptable. Football is a tough sport and you have to count on each person doing their their part for the team. Does hazing lead to team unity? It might for some players, but not all. Long stating rites of passage are only valueable if something is good in and of itself not because of history. To say otherwise denies the purpose of the civil rights movement.

The worst of this is Incognito was called upon by the Miami Dolphins management to toughen up Martin. When the issue Martin was having was brought to the Dolphin’s General Manager’s attention, he replied Martin should punch Incognito. All of this shows an ugly side to pro sports. Martin should not be blamed as a victim. Incognito should not be made a scapegoat for doing something management asked him to do.

The NFL player union claims to want to ensure a safe professional working environment.

If the job setting was in an office instead of the gridiron it is hard to believe anyone would stand for having to ridiculous haircut for the first two weeks on the job. The issues Incognito, Martin, and the Dolphins are facing goes beyond the team. Players need to be able to show up to work do their job and not feel belittled. There needs to be a way for them to discuss their issues outside of the media circus and not be labeled “soft,” for wanting to be treated with decency and respect.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Represent our culture with respect DEAR EDITOR: In the Sept. 20 issue of the Experience, there was an article named “Blinded by selfish reasoning” that argued against the Washington D.C. Redskins and keeping its name.

The term “redskin” refers to the Native American people and it literally was an original nickname for them for their “red” skin.

I agree that it is more offensive to the Native American people because when the name started, it was used in a derogatory way. In the article, it is mentioned that Roger Goodell said, for the fans the name “stands for strength, courage, pride, and respect,” but when the nickname first came about it meant the farthest thing from respectful. The respect, courage, and pride came from winning games, not from representing the Native American’s

themselves. Team owner Dan Snyder should seriously consider changing the name to a Native American tribe that the team can hold with real pride, dignity, and respect.

As someone of Native American descent, I would much rather represent any culture respectfully than in such a way that it makes most people upset.

Other football teams such as the Braves, Spar tans and Trojans can do it, so why shouldn’t Snyder?

Throughout history there have been thousands of great, well-known Native American tribes out there to name a football team after.

If he really wants to keep the pride and respect of the Native American culture he claims to strive for, Snyder will find it.

— Cecelia Ibarra

READER OPINION POLICY

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

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

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

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

What is your stance on Measure C and why?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“I’m for it. Police response is horrible.”

— Bernardo Holguin

“Well, anything that protects the children and citizens of Antioch. Safety first.”

— Brianna Klipp

“It’s good for police to have more money to protect Antioch citizens.”

— Chris Sandoval

“I think Antioch needs more money for police.”

— Loloa Jo’o

“It may not seem that great in the short run, but it may in the long run.”

— Matt McClinton

“I’m for Measure C because it will add more structure necessities and repair failing buildings that are outdated.”

— BethAnn Robertson

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor-in-Chief .................... BRENDAN CROSS Perspectives Editors......... VANESSA FLORES and JAZMINE GORDON Campus Editors .................. JOSEPH DELANO and ALEXANDRA TAGLIAMONTE Features Editors .......................RATTANA KIM and STEPHANIE PATTISON Sports Editors .......................LUKE JOHNSON and DAKOTAH ZABROSKI News Editor ....................... HILLARY HETRICK Photo Editor ....................... IRVIN TRIGUEROS Web Editor ................................. JESUS CHICO 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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“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

—Peter Drucker

NEWSWATCH Transfer student tours

Los Medanos College has been providing students the opportunity to visit some top universities in the state of California. There are two colleges left on the list to attend this semester. Don’t miss the chance to embark on a trip to see the following colleges: Q San Francisco State: Nov. 15 Q UC Santa Cruz: Nov. 22 Lunch and transportation will be provided for everyone who is attending, but space is limited. Sign up quickly to not miss out on this opportunity. For more information, please visit the Transfer Center. For activity and membership requirements, contact Student Hana Dempsky at whirlygirl@yahoo.com or call Student Activities Coordinator Mary Oleson at 439-2181 ext. 3266 or reach her by e-mail at moleson@losmedanos.edu.

Transfer workshops at LMC

If you’re an LMC student who is interested in transferring to a University, the Transfer Center will be holding a series of workshops to help with applications and personal statements. The upcoming schedule is as follows: Q UC Application Workshop: Thursday, Nov. 14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Library, Room 109.

Q Personal Statement Workshop: Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the LMC Brentwood Center, Room 9 To better prepare for the workshops, stop by the Transfer Center, room CC2-225, to complete a transfer checklist.

It may help ease the transfer process.

Tertulia to be held on Nov. 13 There will be a tertulia held on Wednesday, November 13.

The Tertulia, a spirited conversation with artistic overtones, will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Library, Room L-109.

The topic of this discussion is: Deferred Action and Beyond, the California Dream Act and Making College a Reality for Undocumented Students.

All are welcome to the informal, social setting.

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

Accompanist Jennifer Krey performs “I Am Not Yours” on the piano with Director Silvester C. Henderson and his gospel students as part of the Choral Experience Concert inside the Recital Hall on Oct. 29.

Concert strikes a chord Maestro leads choir success

By KYLEE VALENCIA

kvalencia@lmcexperience.com

LMC hosting Blood Drive There will be a Blood Drive on campus on Nov. 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Library Room L-109.

Appointments can be made by calling the Student Life office at 439-2181 Ext. 3266.

Registration can also be completed by going to www.bloodheroes.com, clicking on “Donate Blood” and entering sponsor code “LosMC.” — compiled from press releases and staff reports

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

Emily Krentz performs a solo for the choral concert on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The Los Medanos College Choral Experience Concert is what it sounds like, an experience. With special guests Miko Marks a country artist, and also starring Hillsdale High School Chamber Singers. As each solo performer passed by, family and friends gave standing ovations for loved ones on stage. Each performance was amazing.

The solo performances that came from the LMC students were heartfelt.

The Hillsdale High School Chamber Singers blew me away, and guest performer Miko Marks made me appreciate country music a bit more

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER Photo by Dakotah Zabroski

The Nature Preserve’s newly installed greenhouses will cater to the growth of California native plants and students of the endangered Biology 7 course.

New additions for the Nature Preserve

those laboratory assignments that they have, dzabroski@lmcexperience.com and I’m expected to teach them this stuff. If The Los Medanos College Nature Preserve it’s not in real life, it’s not an action, it’s really just finished installing two new greenhouses, hard for me to teach you something you can’t see,” said Asher which will use fresh water for irrigation.

People within the Biology department are The addition of these greenhouses will also looking forward to helping students further save some biology classes at LMC. The plants that will be going into the green- their learning. Michael Rovere, instructional houses will be California native plants, and assistant for the biology department, likes the each greenhouse will serve its own purpose. fact that students can be more incorporated and the different kind of material One will be for growthey can learn. ing plants, and another “If it’s not in “They’ll be able to learn about cell one will be for the propstructures, soil science, and plant agation of plants, which real life, it’s not roots,” said Rovere. is seeding and rooting an action. It’s The LMC Nature Preserve is open from a stem, according to students and showing support is to Mark Asher, instruc- really hard for encouraged. tional assistant for the me to teach you “Just respect it as you would any biology department. kind of nature preserve…it’s not a The project was made something you horticultural department, but it is possible because of a can’t see.” the closest thing we can get to that. grant that was written — Mark Asher Anyone can come down and ask me to DOW Chemical for $4,800. The cost of the greenhouse was 2,000 questions, do your homework and things like and the cost to bring freshwater to irrigate the that, just show support to the nature preserve, greenhouse will cost another $4,500 according we’re a reflection of LMC and the people that donate to us,” said Asher. to Asher.

Rovere is very grateful for all the help that “They were going to phase out the Bio-7 classes, those are the environmental biology was put into the greenhouses.

“We could not have done it without the help ones, so if we don’t have this kind of stuff I can’t teach those classes and I can’t prep for of the staff, faculty and students,” said Rovere.

By DAKOTAH ZABROSKI

than I do now. The music got louder and the louder it got the more cheers I heard, the more people clapped and danced to the music. $4 (with student ID) was well worth sitting through the two and a half hour concert. The music pulled on heartstrings for some of the people in the audience and even on some of the performers who were singing on stage.

Seeing and hearing the performances showed how passionate the students were and how proud the supporters are of their loved ones on stage. Music plays a part in everyone’s life, and each song tells a story. Miko Marks See CHOIR, page 6

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Features

FRIDAY,

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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

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— Eleanor Roosevelt

New play a game of cat and mouse

Drama Department attempts long con

By MALIK LAWSON

mlawson@lmcexperience.com

Los Medanos College’s Drama Department is back again with another play in the Little Theater that is going take their audience from their world into another.

This month, they are introducing us to “The Government Inspector.”

The play is a timeless comedy about the corruption of a small town in Russia who is visited by an important man.

That man is believed to be an inspector with the power to either make or break this town and take its power away from its people.

Fearful that the investigation will unmask the town’s true colors, the Mayor enlists the help of his fellow government officials to cover up their misdeeds by any means necessary.

“The Government Inspec-

tor” was originally written

by Russian novelist Nikalai Gogol, and was later adapted

by Oded Gross.

Gross’ adaptation was performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which is the version that we are going to be viewing shortly.

“The play is the greatest Russian comedy, written in 1834 by Nikolai Gogol, and it is a classic mistaken identity comedy,” words from the man that made this all possible, Director of the play Reid Davis.

“We all just want to be that guy that just gets whatever he wants, but without the effort,” he added.

Actor Sufian Alani gets to play Con Man, Khlestakov.

Federico Bartolo plays as The Mayor, a man who is going to do everything in his power to keep Khlestakov happy.

How long can things hold

Photo by Kylee Valencia

From left to right, actors Miranda Ketchum, William Pinnell, Fredrico Bartolo, Joseph Latu and TJ Spadini rehearse for the upcoming play, “The Government Inspector.” for this top dog without being discovered by those Russians?

Things should play out for Khlestakov as long as he sticks to the plan. Somewhere deep down, he is terrified of the fact of being discovered.

Actor T.J. Spadini, who plays The Doctor, describes the play as, “a non-stop roller coaster

of comedy genius that won’t let you off.”

Speaking of the cast, the total amount of stars is 14.

There are a lot of veterans of the theater that are going to make an appearance who we all know are more than capable of bringing down the house.

The play opens November

14, tickets priced at $7 for LMC students with their I.D. and Military, $10 for those off campus bunch that just cannot keep away and $5 for children.

For more info on all that is going on, contact the box office at 439-2181 ext. 805.

“So far, I’m astounded by the commitment and talent of the

actors,” said Director Davis.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m watching a Tim Burton movie in rehearsals,” he added.

“They are funny, but there’s a dangerous thread of anarchy that makes everything seem like it’s about to explode. I love the creativity, generosity and comic skill of this ensemble.”

Creepy Tiki gets freaky Los Medanos embraces the Halloween spirit

By ALICIA ALM

aalm@lmcexperience.com

Photo by Kaila Oleson

There were many scary decorations like this tombstone and sign at the Creepy Tiki Open House, displaying Los Medanos College’s Halloween spirit Thursday, Oct. 31.

MARQUEE

Music Dept. performs

Students from the Los Medanos College Music and Recording Arts departments will be performing throughout the Fall 2013 semester. All events and concerts are scheduled in the Recital Hall, located in Room 720 of the Music/Recording Arts Building.

Q LMC Student Recital: Friday, Nov. 22 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free admission.

Q Sophomore Recital: Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free admission.

Q LMC String Ensemble: Thursday, Dec. 5 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Free admission.

Q LMC Guitar Concert: Monday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. Free admission.

Q LMC Winter Choral Concert: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 to 9 p.m.General admission $5, students/seniors $4.

Q LMC Piano Honors Recital: Monday, Dec. 16, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Cook-off fundraiser

If you love to cook, Los Medanos College will be having an event to show off your culinary skills. There will be a soup cookoff on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Indoor Quad area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a chance to enter a contest where you can serve your best homemade soup, whether it be vegetable, won-ton, chowder or tortilla. Creativeness is highly encouraged. Entries can be individual, group or department.

Soups will be served for $4 with a slice of French bread in this fundraising event for scholarships during the annual soup cook-off event.

On Halloween, the College Advancement Center at Los Medanos College held a “Creepy Tiki Open House” event welcoming students and faculty to embrace the Halloween spirit.

The event encouraged the use of costumes and set up a “Freaky Photo Booth” with volunteer photographer Kaila Oleson taking photos. The photo booth made it possible for participants to have something to look back on to remember their school’s Halloween pride.

Halloween pride is not the only belief the College Advancement center has.

Director of College Advancement Ruth Goodin has come up with a plan to bring students and faculty together.

“We think this is one of the best places on campus to work because we really do get to support everyone on campus,” said Goodin. “We also get to know about everything that is happening on campus.

That is what we love about our job, we get to support everyone.”

Goodin added, “One of the main goals for us on campus is engagement of faculty

Upcoming movies Q The Best Man Holiday — Nov. 15 Rated R, Comedy Q The Hunger Games — Nov. 22 Rated PG-13, Action, Adventure Q Delivery Man — Nov. 22 Rated PG-13, Comedy Q Nebraska — Nov. 22 Rated R, Adventure, Drama Q Frozen — Nov. 29 Rated PG, Animation, Family, Comedy Q Oldboy — Nov. 29 Rated R, Action, Drama, Thriller Q Out of the Furnace — Dec. 6 Rated R, Drama, Thriller Q Inside Llewyn Davis — Dec. 6 Rated R, Drama, Music Q The Hobbit — Dec. 13 Rated PG-13, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

In theaters Q Thor: The Dark World Rated PG-13, Action, Adventure Q Last Vegas Rated PG-13, Comedy Q Gravity Rated PG-13, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller Q Carrie Rated R, Drama, Horror Q Captain Phillips Rated PG-13, Action, Adventure, Drama Q The Book Theif Rated PG-13, Drama, War — compiled by Hillary Hetrick from press releases and staff reports

and staff; we feel this is a great way to get people engaged. We find that people, who work together, play together and spend time getting to know each other work better when it is time to get to work. This event looks like a lot of fluff and fun which it is, but the purpose is getting people together and getting to know each other as people.”

When the office of College Advancement is not partying for Halloween, they are hard at work providing for the campus.

Goodin explains, “the office of College Advancement is where we work on new initiatives on campus and bringing new dollars into the school to be able to start new initiatives and to support the wonderful programs that we currently have.”

According to Goodin, this is accomplished through bringing in grants and working with federal and state agencies as well as nonprofits like the LMC Foundation.

The College Advancement staff also reaches outside LMC to provide contract education by providing classes for business industries in the community The College Advancement staff mem-

bers are not only good at fundraising; they’re also good at thinking creatively and throwing events that bring people together.

Faculty members and students stopped by the Halloween themed open house and were amazed at how much time and effort was put into the event.

The main room had Halloween decorations such as fog (dry ice in water), a “Witches Brew” banner above the soup table and an inflatable giant black cat as well as many Halloween colored items.

The staff kicked the Halloween theme up a notch and provided home cooked spooky snacks and entrées. Each faculty member prepared a creative food item for visitors to enjoy.

Lindy Maynes made baked finger shaped breadsticks, oranges that looked like miniature pumpkins and a butternut squash soup.

Adrian Williams brewed up a “Sea Serpant” soup for seafood lovers to enjoy.

No sea monsters were harmed in the making. The soup featured shrimp and crab along with other tasty ingredients.

See TIKI, page 6

Health Care Reform and You Brought to you by Kaiser Permanente Top 5 must-know facts 1 What is “health care reform”?

The term “health care reform” refers to the Affordable Care Act and any state laws passed to put it in place. It’s designed to help more people get affordable health insurance and receive better medical care.

2 Who has to buy health insurance?

Most people are required to have a basic level of health coverage starting January 1, 2014. Some people don’t have to buy insurance, based on their income or other status. Go to coveredca.com for details.

3 What if I don’t buy health insurance?

If you’re required to have coverage, you’ll be charged a tax penalty by the government if you go without insurance for three months or longer. You won’t be charged the penalty if you are uninsured for less than three months.

4 What if I can’t afford to buy health insurance?

You may get financial help to help pay for coverage, care, or both.

The amount is based on your income, where you live, and if you are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.

5 What services will be covered?

Most medically necessary services will be covered. This includes preventive care and well-care visits for men, women, and children; immunizations; cancer screenings; prescriptions; laboratory and mental health services; as well as hospital and emergency care.

Visit kp.org/reform for more information.

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Sports

Quotable

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FRIDAY,

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2013

5

“I think if you want to win, you got to leave that hazing out of the door. It can’t be in your locker room.�

— Dez Bryant

Rematch, David vs. Goliath LMC soccer almost pulls off upset of the year

game, Folsom pulled ahead and stayed ahead as a loose On a chilly evening at Los ball in the box was banged Medanos College, the Mus- into the net. Leffle was not tangs lost Tuesday to the terribly disappointed with the Folsom Lake College Falcons end result. “This was a nerve racking 1-0 in a hard-fought affair.

This result was somewhat of game for sure,� she said. “All a moral victory for the Stangs, throughout it was pretty hectic as in the last match between but we held our own. I thought these teams Folsom destroyed we rose to the challenge (of Folsom) and LMC 6-0. On it was a great top of that the Falcons are “I would say that game.�

The Musthe Bay Valley we have grown tangs only Conference’s have two top dog with completely and wins on the an undefeated, now are a much season, beat16-0-3, record better team. I ing Marin 3-0 heading into don’t think any and Yuba 1-0. the game. “The last of the teams that Even with the tough compegame was we’ve played tition, Head actually a Coach Mark r e a l l y b i g thus far thought Br yant has accomplish- that the second to be pleased ment for us,� time around with the fact sophomore that the team m i d f i e l d e r would be much finished out Lauren Ayers different.� said. “They — Lauren Ayers the season hard. There (Folsom) have has been subbeen blowing teams out of the water so it tle improvement throughout was cool being the underdog the year, as at the beginning and frustrating them like that.� of the campaign almost every The score did not show the team played was beating the fact that Folsom was really in Stangs by five goals. “I would say that we have control of the game all along.

The ball was in possession of grown completely and now are the Falcons for most of the a much better team,� Ayers match as shots were being said. “I don’t think any of the fired at goalie Kara Leffle left teams that we’ve played thus and right. Coming up with a far thought that the second clean sheet in the first half, the time around would be much sophomore was clutch for her different. We were able to keep team as she kept giving her some of those same teams to offense chances to pull ahead. scores like 1-0.�

Finally, about an hour into the See LOSS, page 6

By JARED AMBUEHL

jambuehl@lmcecperience.com

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

Center midfielder Lauren Ayers takes on two Folsom Lake defenders in hopes to put one in the net.

Mustangs blow out Corsairs in Eureka

LMC wins first game on the road

By DAKOTAH ZABROSKI and LUKE JOHNSON

dzabroski@lmcexperience.com ljohnson@lmcexperience.com

The Stang Gang of Los Medanos earned their first road victor y last Saturday, after a 286-mile trip north to Eureka. The game was against the College of Redwoods Corsairs. The final score was 42-19.

They now head into their final home game.

Prior, LMC had been 0-3 on the road, and now boast a 5-3 record before hosting the Yuba 49ers tomorrow afternoon.

The Mustangs were able

to pull off this blowout win over the Corsairs despite the absence of their First Team All-Conference Running Back Shawn Vasquez. In LMC’s previous game to the Mendocino Eagles, Vasquez had been tossed after a questionable second personal foul. In result, the star halfback was suspended for the game in Eureka.

Stepping up to the plate and filling in for Vasquez, who was suspended for the game under NCFA rules, was the four-headed monster of Quarterback Adam Nesheim, and Running Backs Robert Ortiz,

Demitrius Williams and Jamal Locket. The quad tore up the field combining for 439 yards rushing.

None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for the great play from the offensive line. “For those guys to get so many rushing yards basically tells you how well the offensive line played,� said Head Coach Chris Shipe.

The Mustangs power back bulldozed his way for a personal best 136 yards on the ground. “I went into the game pretty confident, we have a great line,

YOUR DESTINY AWAITS

See ROAD, page 6

Volleyballs of fury

THE COLLEGE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

JFKU. edu

ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE

Photo by Cathie Lawrence

The Los Medanos College volleyball team has won two games in a row by beating both Laney and Alameda in three straight sets. There are four games left as the Mustangs look to make a statement as they close out the season.

800.696.5358

PLEASANT HILL I BERKELEY I SAN JOSE

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Web

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Back Talk

F R I D AY,

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2013

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

CHOIR

LOSS

sang a song telling a story on how her father wanted a son and ended up with a daughter.

The highlight of the concert was nearing the end when the Gospel Choir came up and sang songs that you would normally hear in church. The music got faster, it got louder and the audience was so into the music. They were dancing side to side and singing along.

Seeing the audience and the performers dancing and clapping to the music brought upon a happy feeling. Congratulations to the Los Medanos Choir for a job well done, and a night full of spirit. I would suggest LMC students attend one of the concerts that the Los Medanos Choir puts on before the semester ends. You won’t be disappointed because it really is an amazing concert.

Soloist Emily Krentz performs a cover of “Come Ready and See Me” by Richard Hundley in the Chamber Chorale segment of the Choral Experience Concert in the Recital Hall inside the Music & Recording Arts Building on Tuesday evening, October 29.

PLAN

SOLAR

structional delivery method.

In that first meeting it was also made a point to look at trends in higher education that should be mirrored in all institutions as well as building on the vision, values and mission of the district.

The second charrette held break-out session where faculty gathered and pondered the question and ideas brought up in the first meeting as they attempted to further strengthen those ideas and flesh out how to go about making those goals a reality. Feedback from the first meeting fell into two broad categories in relation to structure and content. Structure being prioritizing goals of the students and having a greater clarity of purpose, essentially having students follow a true class structure to reach and fulfill their requirements for their major for transferring or graduating. Content themes included serving the community and student success.

The feedback to the structure portion was summed up in three main points. First, the terms really needed to be defined such as what does being committed to student success really mean and what does valuing equality really mean.

Secondly, greater clarity in direction was needed in terms of helping students achieve their goals via translating real plans and actions. Lastly, knowing the true priorities is needed in terms of allocating resources where they need be.

Feedback from everyone in attendance from these themes and topics are taken and summarized as a writing team will work with the chancellor’s cabinet to refine a true plan.

Finally, a draft mission, vision and strategic direction will be done by the end of the month with it being reviewed by the District Governance Council.

For mor e infor mation contact Gregor y Stoup at gstoup@4cd.edu or go to the district research page at 4cd. edu/research/default.aspx

munity College District ranks in the top 15 solar schools in the state, with a total solar capacity of 3,200 KW. Out of the three colleges in the district, LMC currently has the most solar panels in use with four. According to data, LMC generates the most efficiency out of their solar panels between the hours of 7 AM and 4 PM, production peaking at around 12 noon.

These graphs also indicate

Ayers did not even know if she would be a part of the team this year as a torn meniscus sidelined her for the first half of the season. A home-field tur f sur face is potentially dangerous for someone with a serious knee injur y. She figures since it could be her last season, she decided to play through the injury and push back her needed surgery until December.

Currently Folsom is in sole possession of first place in the Bay Valley Conference and will be heading to the playoffs to continue their torrid pace.

The success of the program can widely be attributed to Head Coach Donny Ribaudo, who played for CSU Chico, the California Gold, the Chico Rooks, and the Sacramento Knights according to www. flc.losrios.edu/.

The Stangs will be looking for a three-win season Friday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. against Mendocino College in the last match of the 2013 campaign.

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Photo by Irvin Trigueros

From page 1

While savings on a PV system can var y based on size and usage, solar power in California costs 11 to 12 cents per kilowatt hour compared to 17 to 24 cents per retail hour for retail electricity.

By reducing these utility costs, the district and the campus are able to invest more money and funds back into college programs that would benefit students, as well as soften the blow of

recent budget cuts that have been occurring for the past several years.

More definitive information on LMC’s solar power usage, including graphs and data, can be found at http:// kiosk.utilityvision.com/ content/projects/CCCCD/ DesktopCompanion.aspx and http://kiosk.utilityvision.com/content/projects/ CCCCD/LosMedanos/ DesktopCompanion.aspx

Photo by Aishling Doherty

One of the tasty treats served at the Creepy Tiki Open House in the College Advancement Center building Halloween Day, Oct. 31.

TIKI

From page 4

Goodin cooked up a vegan lintel soup that all could enjoy.

For dessert, Mary Oleson and Goodin baked cupcakes and decorated them with much detail.

Guests enjoyed the food and seeing other faculty members dressed in costumes. Costumes were diverse and ranged from Superman and witches to Duck Dynasty characters.

Rhonda Ishekwene, with the

From page 1

only the third year it has been available to students.

Leadership has also changed as Carla Rosas, the interim Director of Student Life and Transfer Programs, has been working closer to the program since mid-September. David Belman, who was recently appointed interim dean of Student Success, doesn’t work as closely to the academy as he used to under his old job.

“I really enjoy working with students,” Rosas said. “Thus far we have had 12 students transfer. Some of the colleges they have transferred to include Sacramento State, CSUEast Bay, and the Academy of Art. We are waiting to see numbers but are expecting a large number of students transferring after this year.”

Students also get to know Tara Sanders, the Transfer Center Coordinator. They work together to try to achieve the goal of getting in to a fouryear college of their choice.

This ultimately defines what the academy is about, but it is not the only measure of success according to program secretary Carminda Gutierrez.

“Success in the program can take many forms,” said Gutierrez. “A student that

that out of all of the colleges in the Contra Costa College District, LMC generates the most power as a result of the PV devices, with the most productivity emerging from Parking Lot “C,” followed by Parking Lot “B” and Parking Lots 135 and 100.

The system installed at LMC as well as its sister colleges is equivalent to removing 629 off the road, or planting 636 acres of new trees every year.

transfers to the college of their choice is a success. A student that is able to meet their educational goals due to the support they received from the academy is also a success.”

A unique thing about the academy is that it is family based, meaning a lot of the same students are in classes together. They are not only in a lot of the same classes as they get the chance to work in groups with their academy peers because of cer tain schedules. Not all students take the same classes, as some members of the academy are qualified for different levels of math and English based on placement tests.

“Transfer rable classes are blocked off for us,” Basa added. “It is a little different, but it keeps me on track and I know other students that can help me out.”

Each semester there are 80 spaces available spread over three sections for students who might want to be in the Transfer Academy. If you are interested in joining the Transfer Academy, please complete the application available on the Transfer Center web page at www.losmedanos.edu/

Custodial Department, enjoyed her time at the event and seeing peoples’ costumes saying, “I thought it was beautiful, it was cute. They had great food and four different types of soup. It was a blast. There was a lady who came through and I kept hearing a little cat noise so I looked around and didn’t see the cat. Then I realized it was a lady carrying a little purse that was a cat for a costume.

It was cute but I feel left out, I should have put one on myself.

The costumes were all nice.”

Dean of Math and Sciences A’kilah Moore appreciated the effort the staff put into the event.

“I had a great time hanging out with some of the staff and students outside of our regular work hours. The decorations are great, the food is great.

They did a great job,” she said.

The College Advancement staff put much effort into the event so they could bring people together. This goes to show how much the staff cares about Los Medanos and the academic community.

This event is a great example of how much effort the staff put into supporting the school.

Unity can make a campus stronger and the staff helped show that on Halloween.

ROAD From page 5

so I was pretty confident the line would get the job done, if the line is getting the job done then I’m going to get my job done,” said Running Back Robert Ortiz.

Vasquez will be back in the lineup but Ortiz still plans to get his touches.

“I think I’ll still be in the mix… I’ll definitely be in the rotation I believe,” said Ortiz.

Corsairs Quarterback Will Hissong was averaging over 500 yards passing in the three previous games, but was limited to only 280 against the Mustang’s defense. “[We] played base stuff, we made it less confusing, nothing special, I actually think it’s because we fed them, we fed them dinner Friday night, and we fed them breakfast in the morning, I lot of the guys come to games not having eating all day,” said Defensive Coordinator Darrin Foreman.

The entire unit on the defensive side of the ball played well and limited the Corsairs.

“The thing we’ve been trying to get is eleven guys playing all together, and that finally came around in that game,” said Foreman.

The Mustangs are clicking on special teams as well, Return Man Jamal Lockett added points to the scoreboard with his second return touchdown in as many games.

“I just run fast and follow my blockers and stuff, that’s it,” said Lockett.

After winning their first road game the Mustangs sit at 5-3 with a chance to play Contra Costa College at the end of the season, for what potentially could be a rematch of last year’s conference championship.

LMC will have its final home game of the season on Saturday Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. where they will take on Yuba College.