August 29, 2014 vol 81 no 1

Grads walk for 40th

Staff shines in show

Upcoming athletics

Landmark commencement highlighted in a series of photos — page 3

Faculty/Staff strut their stuff in gallery show profiled with a photo story — page 4

Volleyball and football teams previewed in anticipation of their upcoming seasons — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Sept. 5

Last day to drop full-term class in person without a “W� appearing on transcript

Sept. 7

Last day to drop full-term class on WebAdvisor without a “W� appearing on transcript

Inter-Club meetings held The Los Medanos Inter-Club Council (ICC) has started its weekly meetings, held every Monday in the Library, Room L-106 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The ICC is an organization dedicated to coordinating all the student clubs at LMC, and consists of one representative member from each club. If you would like more information about the group, contact the Student Life Office by phone at (925) 439-2181 ext. 37554, or e-mail jastewart@losmedanos.edu

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New LMC campus a go BART to pitch collaboration

Funds OK’d, plans proceed

By CASSIE DICKMAN

By BERTHA AGUILAR

The president of Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Board of Directors thinks he has a better idea for the location of the new LMC Brentwood Center that would benefit both students and BART. BART Board President Joel Keller is scheduled to make a formal presentation to the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board at its Sept. 10 meeting in Martinez.

According to District Governing Board President John Marquez, Keller’s presentation Experience s Bertha Aguilar is about “the idea of trading the Brentwood site to a different location within Brentwood BART is proposing a collaboration in which in the

After the passing of Measure E, Contra Costa Community Colleges, including Los Medanos College, are getting a major upgrade. “LMC will receive $83 million dollars from the $450 million total measure. $42 million will be allocated for the Phase 1 of the new Brentwood Center,� said LMC Vice President Kevin Horan in an email.

The new center, which will be built from the ground up, is planned to be located on land owned by the district off of Marsh Creek Road and HWY 4.

The new Brentwood Center is a project

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

baguilar@lmcexperience.com

See BART, page 6

new center would be located near BART property.

Big wheels are turning

See CENTER, page 6

Bond buys new center $83 mil to spend

By CASSIE DICKMAN

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

Blood heroes wanted at LMC Start off your school year by saving a life. Consider donating at LMC’s first blood drive of the fall semester that will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Library, Room L-109.

To schedule your donation, or for more information, contact Student Life at 473-7554. To register online, visit www.bloodheroes.com, click Donate Blood and enter the code: LosMC

Experience s Bertha Aguilar

Student Shanna Keys spins the wheel during the Mustang Madness event at the Brentwood campus Wednesday, Aug. 27. Student Life hosted the event, where pizza and water were given to passerbys.

Everyone was a winner in their LMC Trivia Game and given tickets for a gift card raffle.

Equity plan for success in the works Forum to shed light on proccess

By RATTANA KIM

rkim@lmcexperience.com

There will be an Open Forum Aug. 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Los Medanos College Library Room L-109 to discuss the Student Equity Plan. A presentation on the plan will be shown

to students, faculty and staff senates. Attendees will be given the opportunity to give input regarding the Student Equity Plan.

The Student Equity Plan is now required in all California community colleges.

Los Medanos College will

begin the planning process to implement this plan that is designed to increase equitable outcomes for all students.

According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Of fice, the Student Equity Planning is administered through the Student Success and Sup-

port unit, which they will be overseeing and assisting.

The plan will focus on the disproportionate impact of targeted groups that need more assistance, for an example, to their success at college.

The disproportionate impact is defined as “a condition See PLAN, page 6

Classified leaders honored by state

Professionalism wins over judges

Make some money back

By SUZZANNE SPERRY

ssperry@lmcexperience.com

The bookstore will be buying books back from students on Sept. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Pittsburg campus.

Experience s Cathie Lawrence

Classified Senate President Linda Kohler introduces students during the 40th Commencement ceremony.

The 2014 Model Senate Award was bestowed upon the Los Medanos College Classified Senate by the California Community Colleges Classified Senate at their conference in June.

Long-time Senate President Linda Kohler, who accepted the award, said, “It is such an honor to receive the California Community Colleges Classified Sen-

ate Model Senate Award.

This was a total surprise!�

The Model Classified Senate Award acknowledges organizations that distinguish themselves among all California Community Colleges by exercising their role in shared governance with autonomy and professionalism. “I received a phone call from the State Senate asking me questions about our Senate and the amazing things we do.� Kohler continued, adding, “One of the amazing things I shared with them

See AWARD, page 6

Voters approved Bond Measure E June 3, giving the Contra Costa Community College District access to $450 million in bond money for renovations and construction of new facilities at Los Medanos, D i a b l o

Valley and @,: 56 Contra Costa colleges.

Greg Enholm, Contra Costa Community College District trustee representing Ward 5, explained that there are two categories for using the money, modernization of existing facilities and new construction, and that figuring out the needs for each college is going to be the most challenging part of the process.

DVC and CCC have older buildings that will need to be torn down and replaced because they are less energy efficient and too expensive to maintain, whereas LMC will be primarily adding new space, Enholm said. “The bond funds were disbursed based on the same funding formula that the district utilizes to disburse operating funds to the three colleges,� said LMC Vice President Kevin Horan adding that of the $450 million, LMC will be getting $85 million — $83 million will support campus projects and $2 million will go to the construction of a new District Police Services facility at LMC. “The two major projects that Measure E will fund will be a new Student Union facility and the new Brentwood Center,� said Horan.

Previous bonds passed in 2002 and 2006 have already contributed to improvements in the district, including the new Student Services located in the college complex, which is currently under construction and is expected to open at the beginning of the spring semester in 2015. “The transformation of the See BOND, page 6

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“Laws are silent in times of war.�

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Jazmine Gordon

Kimberly Stelly

EARTHTHINKER

SOCIALLY UNWELL

Look at the bigger picture

The public favors equality

The world is going in a whirl about the Ferguson riots. A police officer named Darren Wilson of Ferguson, MO, shot an unarmed teen named Michael Brown on August 4th, causing an uproar, followed by citizens peacefully protesting, rioting, and two reporters from two different publications being arrested while trying to cover the chaos.

The police also gassed protesters. This appears to be yet another act of police brutality. Brown was black and Wilson is white. Many People wonder if the shooting is a result of racial prejudice.

That’s the immediate response some of us quickly jump to since racism has been around for over 100 years and we’re still grappling with the wounds of slavery today.

Citizens of Missouri, and all the states throughout want justice and inequity for Michael Brown. Many questions are still unanswered and the question that immediately comes to mind is “Was Michael Brown innocent?�

Brown was a robbery suspect and had allegedly stolen a box of cigars. He also had marijuana in his system the day of the shooting according to the police. Eyewitnesses say that Brown was on his way to visit his grandmother. He was reportedly walking in the middle of the street with friend Dorian Johnson and a squad car stopped. Officer Wilson asked them to get on the sidewalk.

So this could simply be a case of jaywalking, not a case of racial profiling.

The race card is important because it calls certain social problems to attention but it might it’’s often mistaken for the truth. The victim is not always innocent.

Some claim Brown and Johnson refused to move to the sidewalk, and when the officer came face-to-face with Brown, a “verbal confrontation� ensued.

According to an article on ultra culture. org, Johnson said Brown “started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots.�

This case ties to the shooting of Trayvon Martin, two years ago. The fact that Trayvon’s parents have joined Michael Brown’s family makes this a big issue. In the way that people think there’s injustice in both cases.

However, the riots that broke out across the city were unnecessary, and the fact that the police formed a “paramilitary� force and gassed rioters is ridiculous.

Like Brown, Martin was unarmed when the now former Neighborhood watch Captain George Zimmerman shot and killed him in Sanford, Florida. Martin was 17 at the time of his death, Brown was 19.

Both victims were at convenience stores before they were shot.

The new Black Panther Party included themselves in both shootings by advocating for interests. But the best thing to do is look at the bigger picture here.

There are other ways that justice can be made for both victims. Such as donating money, or calling a community meeting.

Honestly no one deserves to be shot, and each situation could’ve been handled differently. But it seems like when police brutality, or any crime occurs, people quickly jump to conclusions with the “race� card.

In reality, just because people of a different race shot the victims, doesn’t necessarily mean it was a race issue. It could just been a result of a crime they committed. The world is a harsh place, and there needs to be justice period. And my kind of justice is to sign a petition for a law that should be passed.

It would be if we actually considered all facts and aspects of an incident such as this before we jump on the ‘“that’s racist� bandwagon. Think wisely.

There’s this stigma associated with the police in areas where people of color reside.

There is almost complete distrust toward the law and order side of things.

This fact is brought to attention yet again due to the recent riots in Ferguson, Missouri.

If you ask the average person about why people of color distrust “the man� you will get a fusillade of answers relating to police brutality.

It’s easy to see why one might come to that conclusion. After all, Darren Wilson the officer responsible for the shooting of 17 year old Michael Brown earlier this month was once apart of a police department disbanded due to accusations of poor race relations.

More recently Dan Page, a police officer and former veteran involved in policing the riots in Missouri, was put on administrative leave after a video of him spouting off offensive comments about women, Muslims and our “undocumented� president Barack Obama among others to a group of fellow servicemen leaked onto YouTube.

Of course fear for social safety isn’t always issue in these situations.

Beyond the police there are other law officials collecting obscene amounts of money through arresting and ticketing people for nonviolent crimes. Blacks make up 67 percent of Ferguson’s population while whites make up only 29 percent and it just so happens that 86 percent of the traffic stops are black drivers.

Only 12.7 percent of the people stopped are white.

According to an article on NPR.org, the city’s courts raked in 2.6 million dollars in court fees and fines. It was the second highest source of income of the 20 million the city collected in revenue.

Nationwide, 60 percent of prison residents are people of color. As stated by a report done by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), approximately 3,728 people will spend the rest of their lives behind bars for non-violent crimes. The most disheartening fact of all is that 65 percent of these offenders sentenced to life without parole are black and 16 percent are Latino.

Some individuals will chalk it up to the luck of the draw. They think incarceration just happens to be a side effect of poverty and not race. Celebrities like Kevin Sorbo urge blacks to stop blaming whites for their shortcomings.This way of thinking is parented not just by whites but also by other races that think systematic racial discrimination is no longer a trend in a supposedly progressive society.

Majority rules though, and in situations anticipated by unjust treatment, people are bound to grow tired of biased practices enacted by those who are supposed to uphold a general sense of morality. There is bound to be retribution for these crimes and that retribution can take form in the ways of rioting, civil protest, and outright thievery.

Stealing in the midst of an uproar does nothing to endorse the point of citizens. If anything it deters the meaningfulness of peaceful demonstration. However, looters are a typical side effect of chaos. They are by no means the worst of a bad situation.

They saw an opportunity and they took it-no pun intended.

And sure rioting isn’t the most mature way to go about rallying justice but it’s understandable. However unhelpful it may seem is in the grand scheme of things, it feels like victory to have rattled the people around the world.

It seems like the citizens are finding a physical way to vent their frustrations after putting up with unwarranted punitive measures by authoritative figures that find justification in selfishly bullying the unfortunate. The public is pushing back.

%XPERIENCE s *OEY &AJARDO

EDITORIAL

Let’s not resort to violence

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iolent protests are dark marks in many countries around the world. From social injustice to economic inequality, social issues tend to be deep seated and repressed for such a long time that it may take very little to release the anger, despair and desperation.

Peaceful protests are a healthy way to get the attention of local and national authorities and politicians; a way to get the collective voice heard. The problem with peaceful protests is they may quickly turn into a riotous mob with the incitation from a single person.

Race riots and the U.S. have a long and deadly history. The recent rioting in Ferguson, Missouri after the shooting of black teen Michael Brown by a white policeman, has dominated the national news. Those protests, however, are not the only recent riots to come from race relations and the misuse of police power.

Take, for example, the Detroit Riots of 1967. They resulted in 43 deaths and lasted for six days due to the raid of a club in which dozens of black citizens were detained without provocation. The public became outraged and began to destroy the neighborhood in which the raid occurred.

What happens after a riot? The answer is nothing. The same people who destroyed their own homes and livelihoods must return back to their workplaces and houses, clean up and go on with their life with little change resulting from their public outrage. Other riots, including the Rodney King Riots of 1992, which resulted in 53 deaths and the Oakland Riots after the Oscar Grant shooting, had similar results. Both of those protests dealt with the mishandling of black suspects by white police.

The town becomes torn apart and the people are divided. Positive legislative changes may be the cure for some of the ailments cursing the under-privileged in this country.

The citizens in the places where these race relations are thin would be better served by using their votes to put people in power that have the authority and know-how to make significant changes to their way of life. As Eric Davis, Brown’s cousin, put it, “Show up at the voting booths. Let your voices be heard, and let everyone know that we have had enough of all of this.�

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

New semester brings new editor "Y */3%0( $%,!./

JDELANO LMCEXPERIENCE COM

The smell of fresh bookbindings mixed with desperation of new college students must mean one thing: a new semester has started.

For me, this semester is bound to be a special one, as I am taking the helm of the mighty S.S. Experience for my two semester tenure are editor-in-chief.

As I sit from my perch in the captain’s chair and watch as new students roam the hall, some seem unsure of themselves. And while I have been at LMC for quite some time, I can’t help but begin to relate to them.

Like them, I find myself not knowing what to do, where to start or how best to succeed.

But for me, it’s not about the destination, but %XPERIENCE s "ERTHA !GUILAR the journey and I plan on making this voyage During my time here in the big seat, I hope a memorable one.

With these coming semesters, I am work- to bring you all quality news.

To keep my readers informed. ing hard with the staff to put together some To make my predecessors proud. exciting projects, including a series of issues But most of all, I hope to make my mark higlighting the rich history of Los Medanos College to commemorate its 40th year of on a news agency that has stood proudly for 40 years. continuing education.

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

Do you view looting and rioting as effective forms of protest?

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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

%DITOR IN #HIEF ..................JOESEPH DELANO 0ERSPECTIVES %DITORS ........ JAZMINE GORDON AND +)-"%2,9 34%,,9

“No, I think you shouldn’t disrespect everyone just because of one person’s actions.� — Alina Diaz

“I think it’s wrong for the police to kill anyone at the drop of a hat.� — Deshawn "RYANT

“It sends a message but it doesn’t do anything to better your situation.� — Mackenzie Tipps

“The government entitles you to civil protest.

It doesn’t include looting and rioting.� — Matthew O’ "OYLE

“It’s not proper. It’s not the right way. I think it should be more peaceful like Dr. King’s protests.� ˆ %RIKA #ARDONA

“Being human we tend to act impul sively rather than rationally.� — Darren 4ABAYOYON

#AMPUS %DITOR .#!33)% $)#+-!. &EATURES %DITOR ...................... DAMIAN LEWIN 3PORTS %DITOR .....34%6%. ,5+% 0HOTO %DITORS .................. CATHIE LAWRENCE AND "%24(! !'5),!2 !SSOCIATE %DITOR */3( 7//$ 7EB %DITOR "2%.$!. #2/33 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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“Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.”

— Bob Marley

FACING FUTURE THE

0HOTOS AND TEXT BY #ATHIE ,AWRENCE s %XPERIENCE

Graduates celebrate their achievements Los Medanos College celebrated its 40th Annual Commencement May 21. As the ever-familiar piece “Pomp and Circumstance” played, the crowd watched while 349 students walked onto the field.

Introduction and speakers included District Board Trustee Greg Enholm, LMC Vice President Kevin Horan and President Bob Kratochvil.

“Each of the students before you has traveled a tremendous journey, one of learning, growth and achievement,” said Kratochivl.

Student speakers for the commencement included Michael “Mickey” Rovere and Sean J.H. Barksdale, pictured right taking a selfie, who were both introduced by Classified Senate President Linda Kohler.

“People that you see here before you tonight all have something in common. They did it,” said Rovere. “They worked hard sleepless nights in order to improve themselves along with the quality of life.

Here sit authors, artists, mechanics and tradesmen, doctors, nurses, and scientists. I would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2014. Tonight we are all made of awesome.”

Quake prompts plans

NEWSWATCH

Police offer safety tips to community

Study abroad in Italy

Florence awaits. Study abroad in Florence, Italy this spring. Experience amazing food, architecture and history all while furthering your education.

If you’re interested in traveling for your spring semester, there will be a meeting about the Study Abroad Program in the Library, Room L-106 on Wednesday Sept.

17 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Study Abroad Office at Diablo Valley College, 969-2507. The Study Abroad Office can be emailed at studyabroad@dvc.edu

Essay prep offered

Scholarships and transfers are approaching, and that means essays to write. Barbara Austin will be hosting workshops on starting and improving your essay skills in the Center for Academic Support on the main campus, CCO-304. The workshops will take place on Monday, Sept. 8 from 1-2 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 3-4 p.m.; and Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 12-1 p.m.

Please call 473-7354 to reserve a spot or for more information.

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dlewin@lmcexperience.com

Il Duomo di Firenze in Florence, Italy is an iconic landmark that students of the Italian trip may visit.

Crisis counseling

Are you going through a rough time? Los Medanos College offers Crisis Counseling for any student or faculty member who may be going through a hard time and feel they have nowhere to turn.

Counselor Phil Gottlieb is available to help.

All counseling sessions are confidential.

Gottlieb is a certified crisis counselor with resources and referrals available students may not be able to find on their own. For information, contact the Counseling Center Searching for help in school? The Brent- at 473-7449, or Gottlieb at 473-7473. wood campus Center for Academic Support, located in Room 13, offers free tutoring in a variety of subjects, including anthropology, Los Medanos College’s lost and found chemistry, economics, philosophy, sociology and many more. Tutoring is done on a drop has numerous items found on campus. If in basis. Changes in schedule are posted you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One. on the door.

Inquiries must be made in person.

For more information, call 473-6925

Tutoring at Brentwood

Lost now found

Following major natural disaster such as the recent earthquake that rocked the Bay Area earlier this week, it’s important for everyone to know what to do in such a situation.

“Knowing what to do during an earthquake is critical to personal safety and survival,” according to the Emergency Operations Plan put out by the Contra Costa Community College District Police Department this week in response to the recent earthquake.

The plan discusses what to do before, during and after an earthquake, going over various aspects of earthquake preparedness and safety.

“Please take the time to look over and become familiar with the information,” said Police Services Officer Michael Hotton in an email sent to the district’s faculty and staff.

As described in the plan, earthquakes happen “suddenly and without warning.”

“Drop, Cover and Hold On” during an earthquake is stressed while indoors, taking precaution in avoiding danger spots near windows, heavy unsecured objects and tall furniture.

If you happen to find yourself outdoors during an earthquake, move to a clear area, away from any possible dangers. “Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.”

After the initial shaking has stopped, expect aftershocks. Aftershocks can occur from minutes to months after an earthquake, treat them as you would with a stronger quake.

And as in all emergency situations, try and stay calm. Panicking and not properly assessing the situation can often cause additional injuries.

For more information on what to do in the event of an earthquake or other emergency situation, visit www.4cd.edu/911 or stop into the Police Services building on campus for additional information.

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Staff Writer

Los Medanos College Associated Students will sponsor a diversity conference about gender and sexual identity Saturday, Sept. 13 starting at 9 a.m. inside the Library Community Room L-109.

During the conference there will be workshops designed to help inspire and educate people more on diversity topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, racial and ethnic cultures and more.

Starting at 5 p.m. there will be a discussion featuring writer Janet Mock, an advocate on diversity and the New York Times bestselling author of “Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More.”

“We want people to be more informed and supportive,” said Los Medanos Student Life Advisor Demetria Lawrence.

This conference is here to help raise awareness of the diverse members in our community. Diversity has become

such an important fact of life, it defines who we are, what we are like and more. Let’s take some time to get educated, and learn to be supportive about diversity in our community.

“It’s really important, it is part of me and one less thing I had to worry about when I found it,” said LMC student Alex West.

You can register online at www.losmedanos.edu/ lmcasdiversity, tickets are $5 for students with ID and $10 for the general public.

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“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.�

— Robin Williams

The nature of art

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Staff Writer

The annual Los Medanos College faculty and staff art show is back. With a combination of various themes and settings, this art show gives students the chance to see the artwork that the instructors have done. “The themes vary,� said Student Gallery Assistant Ali Cameron as she explains the themes of the pieces submitted. “We do have a lot of natural, nature related pieces.�

With the opening of the art show on August 26, the artists had to have their work submitted

by August 21. Between 15-20 staff members have entered pieces, and some have entered more than one. Ken Alexander, head of the art department is one of the staff members that have entered multiple pieces. “When I paint you know, I’m basically not trying to express feelings about things,� Alexander said. “I usually paint places I’ve been, that have significance to me, it’s places that I’ve experienced, that I want to remember, so to me they’re kind of documents in my life.�

Eric Sanchez, the instructional aid for the art, drama, and journalism departments, entered a pieced based on light and architecture. “The theme of my piece is the study of night photography and what happens with synthetic lighting and architecture spaces,�

Sanchez explained.

Other faculty members that entered pieces, include art and ceramics instructor Lucy Snow and Director of Marketing and Media Design Barbara Cella. LMC students can expect a lot of uniqueness from the art show. “When students come to learn something, they want to know if the people who are teaching them can do what they are teaching them,�

Alexander said. “That’s one of the things we like to demonstrate.�

The faculty and staff art show is located in the LMC art gallery in the library building. If students are interested in meeting the artists who submitted pieces, there will be a faculty and staff art exhibition reception Thursday Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and reopened later from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Samples of works of art on display include, clockwise from top left: “Earth Mama Drum� by Lucy Snow, “Leaving Bath: The West Avon Canal� by Ken Alexander, “Sardina Bots Vernazza� by Barbara Cella, “Drama Hands� by Lucy Snow and “Eye See You� by Gil Amaral.

0HOTOS OF ARTWORK BY #ATHIE ,AWRENCE s %XPERIENCE

‘The shit ain’t easy’

‘Stands Tall’ fumbles ball on screen "Y 4!..%2 ( */(.3/. tjohnson@lmcexperience.com

“When the Game Stands Tall� tells the story of local private school De La Salle High School and its 151 game winning streak. The film focuses primarily on Coach Bob Ladouceur, portrayed by actor Jim Caviezel, and shows the struggle between his relationship with his family and the relationship with the team.

Despite the strong messages of teamwork, family and modesty, “When the Game Stands Tall� manages to foul up any play they made to portray these themes in the film.

With preachy and forced dialogue, the characters felt less like people and more like archetypes. Ladouceur’s son didn’t feel like a person, he just felt like an angsty teen.

The pacing felt awkward for most of the film. A major character dies about a quarter of the way into the film, but due to almost no character development his death fell flat.

The big defeat happens early in

REVIEW

Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com

Alexander Ludwig stars as De La Salle High School running back Chris Ryan in the film “When the Game Stands Tall.� the film, and is almost completely brushed off with only around ten minutes of moping. After a second defeat, the coach decides to have the team do volunteer work and help some war victims. Even though there weren’t many shown interactions, the team suddenly understands the importance of friendship and the film just carries on.

Characters weren’t fleshed out enough either. There was a lot of pointless angst. After suffering from a heart attack, Ladouceur can’t coach for a few weeks. Instead of his son

being upset that his father almost died, he is upset at his inability to coach.

Certain characters were brought in only to never be discussed or seen again, and despite being about a “team,� you really only get to know about three members. All three members didn’t have a real personality; they were just overplayed character types in sports movies.

Tayshon Lanear, played by actor Jessie Usher, filled in the role of “egotistical player.� His only lines were about himself, and there was See TALL, page 6

What does it take to live what some the Gnocci al Gorgonzola is at a local would refer to as “the rockstar life?� restaurant in Klagenfurt, Austria It takes determination and perse- and how nothing can compare to verance. It takes the ability to stand Palm beer straight from the tap in for what you believe in, despite Hamme, Belgium. criticism and objectivity. It takes I can also tell you that it’s best everything you can give to achieve to go to the Katharinen Hospital in your dreams — that one goal in life Stuttgart, Germany after sustaining you truly desire more than anything a fractured ankle on tour, and what else. it’s like having to It also takes stay an additional around $75,000 week alone in a — but wor r y foreign country about that later. with no loved Traveling in a ones to care for tour bus though you.

Europe as a memAnd I can reMEAT-N-POTATOES por t, too, how ber of a signed act, performing cold it gets in every night for Bavaria as you crowds of hundreds, sometimes walk through the snow, accidentally thousands, of concert goers is, to left behind at a roadside rest stop with some a dream come true. no identification, no money and no The experience is more than you ability to speak a word of German. can imagine, and some aspects just I can tell you if you plan to play in can’t be described with words.

Bucharest, Romania... pack a lunch.

I can tell you how majestic the The one thing I, nor anyone else, Alps look at 5 a.m. after playing can tell you, is that it’s impossible. to a sold-out crowd in Winterthur, Difficult? Yes. Time consuming?

Switzerland the previous evening. Yes. Financially overwhelming at Or how refreshing a swim in the times? Oh yeah!

Adriatic Sea can be before a show But impossible? No. in Split, Croatia.

There will be times you will just I can tell you about how amazing See GOALS, page 6

Damian Lewin

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Quotable

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FRIDAY,

AUG.

29,

2014

5

“Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner.

Stand for something.

Always have class, and be humble.”

— John Madden

Mustangs football returns Co-Champs back in action

By DAMIAN LEWIN

dlewin@lmcexperience.com

It’s that time again Mustang fans. With the roster set and the schedule in order, the fall football season kicks off September 6 with the team traveling to Merced College for the first away game of the season.

What’s in store for Mustangs football in the upcoming season?

Making their debut to the team, some freshmen players are already grabbing the attention of the coaches and fellow players.

On the defensive side, newcomers Kevin Ezebuiro and Maurice Jack are described by Coach Chris Shipe as “making good strides” as outside linebackers, already earning respect among the returning sophmore players.

Some familiar faces on defense to look out for again this season include defensive lineman Christian Riccabon, free safety Keyshawn Ward, linebacker Markie Beltram and cornerbacks Jamon Ward and Shecari Johnson.

On the offensive side, Mustangs quarterback R.J. Cellini will be making his return to the field with freshmen offensive linemen Renee Cardona, Fernando Nunez and Leonard Grillo.

Other returning players to keep an eye out for again this season include center Alex Cabral, tight end Joe Cannon, running back Jamal Lockett and receivers Justin Swims and Deon Pruitt.

In the upcoming season the Mustangs will face off against many opponents, some of which had the fortune of besting the team last year. While the prospect of retaliating against such teams as Shasta College, Hartnell College and local rival Contra Costa College is in mind, winning the first game is at the top of Coach Shipe’s list.

“Start the season positive,” said Shipe. Even with a 7-3 record last season, it was the loss of the first game of the season against Hartnell that sticks in his mind. For the first game Shipe said it’s important to, “get on track right. You’ll always have your rivals.”

The next few weeks will prove just how well the freshmen players mold with their more seasoned teammates as they face off against the colleges in the area. With the unkown obstacles that may face the players this season, one thing is for certain; losing isn’t an option.

“Last year we were able to win a conference championship,” said LMC Athletic Director Richard Villegas, “this year we would like to do the same.”

The official roster and schedule for the fall football season is now available on the LMC website. Be sure to come out to the first home game of the season on Saturday September 13 as the team faces Monterey Peninsula College, the first of five home games scheduled for this year.

Experience s Cathie Lawrence

During Mustangs football practice, wide receiver Alejandro Phillips (left) jumps for the pass as defensive back Jamon Ward (right) leaps to break up the play.

LMC volleyball ready to attack new season

By STEVEN LUKE

sluke@lmcexperience.com

Experience s Cathie Lawrence

During practice, Nicole Sobdick spikes the ball while Megan Reither, Jade Hall and Aubrey DeJesus get ready to return it.

Women’s Volleyball is digging in as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Head coach Lou Panzella, who enters his third season at the helm, looks to improve the team for the third straight year. From his first season to his second, the team improved from 4-17 to 11-13, a change of seven wins.

This season his goal is not just to improve the teams win total, but to improve the overall play of the team as a whole.

“My ultimate goal is for us to be a better team than we were last year,” he said. “That may not mean that we have a better record, that’d be nice too, but my ultimate goal is that we’re competitive in every match that we get into, that it’s a positive experience for the girls that choose to come out.”

Creating a positive experience isn’t just to keep his players happy; it also doubles

as a solid recruiting technique.

He said the goal is, “when the players go back to their high schools to see their teams they say you guys should come to LMC. The best recruiter for me is them.”

Panzella doesn’t use that as his only technique for recruiting, he also attended a lot of high school games last season, but that technique did work on new recruit Linsey Baynes.

“I have always wanted to play for him because I always thought he was a really great coach,” Bayne s said.

Fellow new recruit Aubrey DeJesus was also swayed by the same recruiting technique.

“I played with some of these girls in high school so just being able to play with them,” brought her to LMC she said.

Because of the recruiting based off of his reputation and his attendance at so many local high school games, Panzella was able to bring in seven new recruits to join the three

returning students from last year’s team.

The team is highlighted by returning player Taylor Scriven who was named first team all-conference in 2013, but Panzella’s goal for this team is to make them just that, a team.

“I don’t like to focus on individuals because it is a team sport,” he said “We’re going to have a pretty flexible lineup.

We have more six-rotation players and more players that will be able to fill in and go into different spots.”

With the flexibility and the hard work the team has built up, Panzella believes that this will be a good team. The fact that it will be a good team isn’t the reason he thinks the student body should come out to watch the team play, though. He believes you should come out because you will be entertained.

“I have never talked to a person in my entire life who

Practice makes perfect

Replay is a waste of time for MLB The MLB season is coming to an end and there have to see whether or not he should challenge the play, it been over 1,000 instances of the new instant replay delays the game and makes me feel embarrassed for review system and rules. It is a good idea, but so far, everyone watching. it has not proved to work out.

If you throw this factor out the door and only concern Let’s say you are okay with having umpires who yourself with making sure the right calls are made make the occasional incorrect and fairness is distributed by call over the course of a game the umpires, you should still as well as okay with having be embarrassed by the “people managers delay the game by back in New York” we’ve heard walking at a snails pace to go so much about. out and “argue” a call.

This is how MLB has decided We all understand with this to go about all of this replay expansion of replay, managers REAL TIME WITH JARED business. They have given the are going to use their assistant authority right over to officials coaches to call someone upstairs who are in a studio in New who is watching on a monitor to determine if the call York watching every play. The officials in New York was correct or not. All of this is monkey business, and and the television networks must not be watching the ultimately an embarrassment to the league. same game.

When you have an old manager chatting with an umIf MLB wants to have this replay system, they have to pire, while looking back into his dugout to his assistant See MLB, page 6

See VOLLEY, page 6

Jared Ambuehl

Experience s Cathie Lawrence

Bri Faber juggles the soccer ball during practice as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

Head coach Mark Bryant’s team looks to bounce back from a forgettable 2013 season where they were only able to accumulate a record of 2-15-1.

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CENTER MLB

BOND

that has been in the works for a long time.

In 2001, the district acquired a donated land, but construction was halted upon the discovery of bones, which may have been an indication that it may have been a burial ground.

Chief Facilities Planner for the District Ray Pyle said, “[the land] was not really suitable for an education center, and the development of the roads and utilities on the land would have been very expensive.”

This was a bump in the road for the district to make the new Brentwood center a reality, but now the center will finally see the light of day.

The new Brentwood Center will be approximately 42,000 square feet, which will be significantly larger than the 27,000 square feet the current Brentwood center offers.

The current proposed plan is will take about four years, but is scheduled to change due to many variables that can speed up or slow down the process, said Horan.

The timeline could also change due to an eBart proposal (see article on eBart proposal.) “The center is a means for expanding access to courses and programs offered

by LMC,” said Horan.

The Brentwood center is currently located in a shopping center on Sand Creek Road, which has shared parking with neighboring businesses, including a county human services building. The parking lot situation has been an ongoing headache for students taking classes there due to limited parking space.

This new center will bring additional parking space, but it will no longer be free of charge, with similar system as is currently used on the Pittsburg campus.

The current Brentwood center has 16 classrooms including the computer and science lab whereas the new center will possibly have 20-30 classrooms, although this will be determined later on in the design process. “[Phase 1] would include classroom space, student services space and administrative/faculty office space,” said Horan adding, “[Phase II] would be dedicated to instructional space.”

Once construction is complete, the new center will have additional science labs, computer labs, bookstore, food services, library space, additional restrooms and study spaces, a tutoring center and “soft space for students to use outside of the instructional space,” said Horan.

The Brentwood center, since it’s opening ---- has been a popular destination for local residents looking to further their educational goals and it offers a more affordable education for anyone looking to go back to school and especially to those students fresh out of high school. It makes higher education more attainable since the cost of a four-year college can be quite high.

On July 21, the district set out to select an architect design firm to design the building of the center by releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architect-Engineer Professional Ser vices. The deadline for submissions was August 19.

A total of 19 companies submitted their Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) and are currently being evaluated by the district.

Business Service Coordinator Sharen McLean is looking for ward to this new center saying, “Faculty and staff will enjoy the additional of fice space, fresh new surroundings, modern technology and additional restrooms.”

There are many other details that are not set in stone for the new center since the project is in the beginning stages, but this center will be a breath of fresh air for the faculty and students as well.

campus has been wonderful for the community and the students,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “Students get a very welcoming environment.”

Kratochvil said he is thankful that voters approved bond Measure E and thinks the district is lucky to have such supportive residents in the county.“We still have things to do,” he said.

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do it right. The best way to go about reviewing plays is not by leaving it up to the people in New York watching the game.

There should not be replays at all in baseball. There is a certain purity when it comes to this sport that desperately needs to be saved before it is gone. If this game is really viewed as America’s pastime, we should not have replays.

It is just not very American.

I mean, think about it. America is a land that trusts its citizens enough to run the government, and thrive in a capitalistic society. What kind of faith are we instilling in our umpires when we do not trust them enough to do their job?

And if the league absolutely has to have a replay system, then they should keep it to just reviews on possible home run calls. This is the one play I am still stumped on sometimes. It can be a tough call figuring out if the ball goes over the fence or not, or in other instances, if it was foul or not.

If the league is not willing to change it back to its original system, then the least we can expect from them is to simply get the call right. There is just no pressure nowadays. If the umpire blows a call, he has replay to back him up, so get it right.

There have already been too many calls I have seen having either been too close to overturn and were overturned, or plays which should have been overturned and were not.

I do not have an eagle’s eye, so I am sure some of the replay review results I have disagreed with have indeed been called correct. But, I think I speak for fans watching on television when I say I have been completely dumbfounded by some of the blown calls these replays were supposed to fix.

The MLB should cut their losses and go back to the original way of getting things correct, by relying on a human being to amend umpire calls.

PLAN From page 1

and supports and ultimately their academic success may be hampered by inequitable practices, policies and approaches to student support,” as stated in the “Ensuring Equitable Access and Success: A Guide to Assessing and Mitigating Disproportionate Impact in Student Success and Support Programs” by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

The targeted groups included gender, age, ethnicity, disability status and the economically disadvantaged.

The groups may change, however, according the measure of year studied.

“We see that African-American and Asian students are disproportionately impacted with regard to completing degrees and certificates,” said Los Medanos College’s Dean of Student Success Dave Belman.

The plan will help to identify activities focused on increasing equity.

Certain areas to aid success include admissions, assessment and orientation, counseling and pre-requisites.

However, the planning committee will look at programmatic and policy approaches.

It is intended to be a five year plan and will be regularly updated.

“College wide participation is highly encouraged in the planning process,” said Dean Belman.

VOLLEY From page 5

has seen a volleyball game for the first time and said ‘Oh that’s boring,’” he said. People think that volleyball is what they see when they are at a picnic.

When they see competitive players playing competitive matches it is an exciting and fast paced game.”

The first home game of the season will be the Mustang Classic tournament September 17, 2014 at 4 p.m. If you come out Panzella will promise you one thing.

“If they come out, we can’t promise them a win, but we will promise we will play our hearts out every time we step on the court,” he said.

GOALS From page 4

Photo courtesy of railwaygazette.com

$58 million was awarded to Stadler Rail who will supply diesel units for the BART extension project. The photo above is a mock up of what the trains would look like.

BART From page 1

near a proposed eBART station.”

Land has already been purchased by the district in East Brentwood, near Marsh Creek Road and the Highway 4 Bypass, with the intention of using it as the site of a new 17-acre campus for the Brentwood Center.

Bond Measure E, a $450 million general obligation bond, was approved by voters on June 3, allowing the district to move ahead with plans for the new campus. This summer the district started the bidding process for choosing an architect to design the building and site (see accompanying article).

BART was waiting for the bond to pass before approaching the district with its idea of swapping the current site for the new Brentwood Center campus to a new site that would be located next to a future eBART station, said District Board Trustee Greg Enholm.

When Keller found out the district was moving ahead with its plans, he met with Marquez and District Chancellor Helen Benjamin July 25 to float the idea of an alternative site and determine whether or not the board would consider moving at this stage in the process.

“It seemed an opportune time to raise the issue about whether or not the site that’s been selected is the best possible site for the future,” said Keller.

The possible location for a new eBART station would be along Highway 4, between

AWARD

Sand Creek Road and Lone Tree Way, by the Mokelumne Trail near Home Depot.

“We did an extension study and it showed that there was feasibility to put a station on either the east side or west side of Highway 4 in the vicinity of Mokelumne Trail,” Keller explained.

In the morning most of BAR T’s traf fic is heading west and then east again in the evening, said Enholm.

During mid-day there aren’t a lot of passengers traveling on BART, so BART officials are hoping that if LMC collaborates with them they will be able to increase the number of riders during these off hours.

In addition there are benefits for students. Finding parking at the LMC Pittsburg campus and enduring heavy traffic create unnecessary obstacles, especially when students are traveling from one campus to the other, trying to get to class on time. Keller and Enholm both agree this would not only give students another option for getting to school but also help them get there on time.

Enholm said he and Keller met with two officials from Tri-Delta Transit Aug. 27 to discuss the original site the district chose for the new Brentwood Center campus and the one BART will be proposing at the Sept. 10 district board meeting.

“They both love the proposed central site, both for students and for the community at large in terms of efficient

bus scheduling,” said Enholm.

Enholm added that the possible introduction of a shuttle bus from the new eBAR T station on Railroad Avenue to Pittsburg’s LMC, and a proposed new Park-N-Ride near the Mokelumne Trail, would make travel between the two campuses more convenient, even before the Brentwood eBart is completed.

“It would be a great opportunity to link transit and a college campus,” said Keller, adding that increasing BART’s ridership is also always their goal. “It just seems like good planning if it’s possible to move into that direction at this point.”

The proposal would need to be evaluated by the board and they would need to take into account the difference of the cost to move the site, said LMC President Bob Krachtovil.

There has been no evaluation or details given yet.

“I can’t tell you what the price would be or how much it would cost or not cost but the first step is to assess whether the college board is interested in pursuing this idea,” said Keller, who will respect whatever decision the board makes. “If it’s too late, it’s too late.”

If you would like to know more about the BART proposal or voice you your opinion about which site you prefer for the Brentwood Center, please go to the informational meeting Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. on the sixth floor of the George R. Gordon Education Center, 500 Court St, Martinez.

vil said, “We are very proud of the LMC Classified Senate and the work it does. This award is recognition of the high level of organization and cooperative working relationships the Classified Senate exhibits at Los Medanos College.”

“This award was made possible by the participation

of all the Classified Staff. The award honors them and their daily work to help students succeed.” Kohler said. Additionally, Reginald Turner and Annica Soto were announced as new Senate Council Members and Imelda Lares was appointed Vice President for her second year.

From page 1

were the many fundraising activities that we have in order to grant student scholarships. The events bring the entire community together.”

In 2014 the LMC Classified Senate raised $4200 toward student scholarships compared to the $3600 raised in 2013.

LMC President Bob Kratoch-

want to throw in the towel and give it all up. But other times will provide the fuel that steers you toward your goal.

Award-winning musician Jon Bon Jovi once said, “Success is falling nine times and getting up 10.”

If you have the passion, determination and sheer strength of will to endure everything life throws at you, you can achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.

“The shit ain’t easy.”

Undermining, yet inspiring words once spoken by Relentless, the vocalist for the heavy metal act Vengince, who with the band recently toured Europe and suffered from torn ligaments in his ankle. Yet one more hospital trip for “The Veng,” which has seen more then its fair share of foreign emergency rooms during European tours.

Indeed, it is not easy.

But it is worth it.

My only piece of crucial advice to those of you who have the dream to live that “rockstar life”: Get your schooling taken care of first, or at least during your journey to succeed. You never know when the “life” just might not be it for you. Take it from a 35-year-old freshman.

TALL From page 4

never any development on his background or why he feels the way he does about the team.

Actor Alexander Ludwig played the role of Chris Ryan, whose father always wanted Chris to work harder, score more points, etc. It was clear that they really wanted to build on the relationship with Chris and his father, but interactions weren’t seen until near the end of the movie. It needed much more development.

“When the Game Stands Tall” wasn’t sure what it wanted to be. It wanted to be a sports movie about teamwork, a struggle between a coach and his team, and a coming of age story. What the film needed to do was pick one of those three and excel there, instead of going for them all.

Overall, “When the Game Stands Tall” is essentially a bust. With too little development for characters, too much preaching and awkward pacing, it just didn’t score with me. If you want to watch an inspiring sports movie, stick with “Remember the Titans.”