September 5, 2014 vol 81 no 2

Trotting toward success

Picking up the pieces

MVP moves on

New Netflix series shows promise with ensemble cast.

See series review inside — page 4

Brothers band together to follow their father’s dream after his death. Full story inside — page 4

Jacobsen wins BVC Player of the Year, makes his way to play ball at Chico State — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is National College Savings Month Sept. 7

Last day to request Pass/No Pass (P/NP) on courses marked SC (Student Choice)

Sept. 12

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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Degree trend on uptick

District performance soars "Y $!-)!. ,%7).

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The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is awarding more degrees and certificates every year.

In a trend report issued by Chancellor Helen Benjamin, evidence shows the significant rise in awards over the last five years has increased more than 80 percent. “We are very proud of the college’s efforts to increase the number of degrees and certificates, said Los Medanos College President Bob Kratochvil adding, “the college has made this one of its priorities over the last several years.�

It is these same priorities

that have been reflected in other colleges in the district that have made the rise in awards so substantial. “Ef fective education is critical to our nation’s future,� said Diablo Valley College president Peter Garcia adding, “State and federal emphasis is on growing the number of certificate and degree holders with the hope of strengthening our economy and democracy.�

And those numbers are growing. Since the 2009-2010 school year, the amount of associate of science degrees that have been awarded by the CCCCD has increased 121 percent, from 365 to 815 students, while a 49 percent

increase from 902 to 1,342 were awarded an associate of arts degree.

Certificates requiring 3060 units have also seen a substantial growth rising from 323 to 761, an increase of 136 percent.

In total, the amount of awards given for the various cer tificate programs have increased by 86 percent, proving that more students are fulfilling the requirements needed to achieve success in the multiple programs the colleges of the CCCCD have to offer.

In addition to the increase of certificate programs and 3EE 42%.$ PAGE

Rising trend in degrees and certificates 2500 A.S. degrees A.A. degrees Certificates

2000

1500

1000

500

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2009-10

2010-11

Source: CCCCD Chancellor’s Office

Art of relaxing

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

2012-13

LMC hires new staff

STEM to hold symposium The first annual STEM Student Research Symposium will be Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library Room L-109.

Learn about research in STEM (science, math, engineering and technology) fields done by students attending LMC at this free event. The event will also feature a panel of experts including: Margaret Kenrick (Genentech); Ali Dehghanu (Merck Millipore) and Peter Roopnarine (California Academy of Sciences). Register for the event at www. studentresearchsym. wix.com/registration or contact Danielle Liubicich at 473-7689 for more information.

2011-12

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Numbers up from past years

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Massages and Henna tattoos were offered during the Mustang Madness event held Aug. 29 on the Brentwood Campus. Beatriz Hernandez, right, was adorned as part of the event. Masseur Fred Johnson, top, and Student Angela Lee. Tattoo Artist Sunita Coleman, above, and Irene Orellana.

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Fresh faces represent students Students elected into leadership

Walker welcomes awaiting challenge

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Gary Walker, Candice Tidwell and Gilbert Alexander Lopez-Thomas were elected as the new Los Medanos College Associated Students president, vice president and treasurer respectively in May. Each candidate ran unopposed.

Accompanying them on the student board will be returning Senators Brianna Klipp, Justin Simon, Dionna Shelbourne and Sable Horton. Kenneth Ward gave %XPERIENCE s #ATHIE ,AWRENCE notice that he would not be returning.

Gary Walker, above, has taken the The new members worked tirelessly over the summer to settle into their lead position as president in the

Newly elected Los Medanos College Associated Students, LMCAS, President Gar y Walker has stepped up to the challenge of being a part of the student government at Los Medanos College.

The goal of which is to voice concerns of others and try to be fair to everyone.

Walker started at LMC in Fall 2011 and in May 2013 received his Associates of Arts degree. This semester he is enrolled in life learning courses such as Spanish and LGBT Studies.

Originally from Upstate New York, he

tseward@lmcexperience.com

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tseward@lmcexperience.com

Associated Students government.

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Los Medanos College has finally been able to bring aboard almost thirty new faculty and staff members following years of budget cuts and the recession.

In total, 28 employees have been added to LMC’s payroll. Some will work in departments like counseling and grounds; others join LMC as Assistant Professors. “While we have outstanding faculty at our campus both full-time and par t-time, hiring full-time faculty is recognized in data as an impor tant component of student-faculty engagement leading to student success.� said Los Medanos College President Bob Kratochvil, regarding the new hires.

Among the faculty joining the LMC campus are 13 new or returning staff members that will be teaching courses from English to Mathematics; providing counseling in the athletics department to transfer section, as well as coordinating positions.

New hires for the position of Assistant Professor are as follows: the English department added Jill Buettner-Ouellette and James Noel; the math department gained Rick Estrada, Maria Perrone and Lindsay Wylie; the nursing department added Sharon Goldfarb and Barbara Snyder; the Fire Technology and EMS divisions added German Sierra; the chemistry department gained Melinda Capes; the Biological Sciences department added Briana McCarthy.

Michelle Mack and David Reyes will serve as Counselors in the Athletics and Transfer departments re3EE ()2%3 PAGE

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Perspectives

FRIDAY,

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“I think it’s an okay thing to express yourself.�

ˆ "RITNEY 3PEARS

Cassie Dickman

Brianna Klipp

FUN FACTS

NEWS KLIPPINGS

The trade-off of pesticides

Airstrikes are not the answer

The first time my mother used Raid in our kitchen the smell was almost sweet and the ants didn’t die right away. They struggled against the poison, unsuccessfully.

I almost felt sad as they fought the effects but I wasn’t thinking, “Hey, I think that toxic liquid would add nice flavor to my salad.�

In 1939 Swiss chemist Paul Muller, discovered dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a powerful synthetic pesticide.

Fun fact: Muller won a Nobel Prize in Medicine/Physiology for a chemical that would later be correlated with cancer, death of wildlife and birth defects.

DDT was special because unlike earlier pesticides, it killed all different kinds of insects, was persistent and insoluble.

It was used in WWII in the South Pacific for protecting U.S. troops from insects that caused malaria, and in Europe for delousing.

In 1945, DDT was made available for public use and many other pesticides have followed since its ban in the U.S. in 1972.

The EPA says children are more sensitive to pesticides and “there are ‘critical periods’ in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual’s biological system operates�.

Why do we still put chemicals on our lawns, in our homes and on our food?

I live in a rural area, where there are large tanks along the road that appear to be filled with green liquid and I am not sure what the substance is exactly, could be a type of pesticide or some funky looking water.

Either way, I don’t want it near my fruits and veggies, but they are putting it on someone’s food. Maybe it’s yours.

Sometimes I watch large machines spray crops as they move between the rows with long armed sprinklers.

It’s scary that no one is stopping to ask, “Hey, what are they doing?�

Organic farming is supposed to be an answer to this question because harmful chemicals are not used in or on food.

People say buying organic is stupid and expensive. And that may be true; buying organic might be a waste of money and effort.

According to the USDA, an organic crop is grown without “irradiation, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.�

The website also states that organic agriculture has strict guidelines organic farmers must “avoid most synthetic materials.�

That means some chemicals are still used and, even if they aren’t, some natural pesticides are considered carcinogens.

It’s illogical that what we use to kill bugs is to put on our food. But we do it.

Insect repellent containers say, “Not for human consumption.� But we eat foods that have been gassed or sprayed with chemicals, Why can’t we just grow food?

Yah, I know. If something isn’t put on crops bugs can destroy them or they can carry bacteria and diseases.

But there has to be a better way and it starts with getting educated on what we put in our bodies.

We are supposed to question everything and affect social change to better the future of society. How can we do that if we continue let ourselves be poisoned?

Some people are right, buying organic does seem like a scam when you realize that chemicals –natural or not-- are still being used.

I still buy organic mostly because it makes me feel better and I figure that maybe what those farmers are using is better than the other guy.

But with all the compromising that seems to be going on in the world -- with values, beliefs, taxes -- it would be nice not to have to choose the lesser of two evils, especially when it comes to my health.

Early Tuesday, Sept. 2 a video emerged online showing American journalist Steven Sotloff kneeling on the ground before members of the ultra-extremist army, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), beheads him.

In the last moments of Sotloff’s life, the British masked fighter from journalist James Foley’s beheading video appears saying, “I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy toward the Islamic State.�

There is an unfortunate truth to the madness. Two weeks prior to Sotloff’s beheading, ISIS urged the U.S. to stop using airstrikes in the Mosul Iraq region or the journalists would be killed. Despite the warning, the U.S. launched five more airstrikes, destroying an armed vehicle, weapons and a building being used by ISIS. It’s been reported that President Obama authorized 115 airstrikes across Iraq earlier in August.

ISIS is willing to put up a fight and they aren’t scared to get a little dirty. Earlier this month, ISIS, whose group totals less than a thousand members, invaded the northern Iraqi city of Mosul where 30,000 U.S.-trained Iraqi militants were stationed. In a panic, the 30,000 militants abandoned the front line and left their U.S.-made military equipment for the extremists to take. ISIS will continue to use their billions of dollars of extortion and oil money to their advantage and continue to break the rules of war as the U.S. continues its insane efforts of repeating the same mistakes in hopes of seeing a new result.

It’s quite evident that political leaders need to take a step back to reevaluate U.S. foreign policy and the country’s purpose in the Middle East because the current strategy isn’t working. We don’t stand a chance against ISIS because our airstrikes aren’t solving the problem; instead, they’re escalating anger among Middle Eastern civilians and extremists.

The problem with airstrikes is that their success rate can’t be quantified because the assessments are never properly measured.

However, due to cultural boundaries, the civilians affected by the airstrikes only know that they are associated with the United States, thus making the civilians more willing to join with the radical groups because they lack access to American news.

According to The Washington Post, “In Yemen, Human Rights Watch investigated six selected airstrikes since 2009 and concluded that at least 57 of the 82 people killed were civilians.�

Airstrikes remain a controversial issue, and Obama said drones would be used only against people who pose a “continuing, imminent threat� to the U.S. and only in cases in which the avoidance of civilian casualties would be “a near-certainty.�

Last Saturday’s airstrikes were a flagrant violation of this statement. Mosul’s population, which tops 664,000, is in the line of fire and its citizens are increasingly likely to become casualties of those airstrikes. While Obama remains true to his promise to keep U.S. soldiers out of Iraq, his credibility will continue to decline if he uses airstrikes as a means of his success.

Rather than focus on airstrikes, the U.S. should focus on humanitarian efforts. The ratio of humanitarian efforts compared with airstrikes is sad. According to breakingdefense.com, “There have also been humanitarian airdrops of relief supplies, but strikingly few: seven missions over Mt. Sinjar, involving a total of 25 transport sorties, and one over Amirli, involving just four cargo planes — plus armed escorts.�

The United States continues to be blinded by a military policy that will only cause more heroes like James Foley and Steven Sotloff to perish at the hands of extremist leaders because we can’t seem to learn from our mistakes.

%XPERIENCE s *OEY &AJARDO

EDITORIAL

U.S. pushes ISIS to edge

M

embers of ISIS proved their intentions to be severe when they beheaded yet another American journalist on Tuesday. What they also proved, however, was how animalistic and completely irreprehensible they are willing to get.

Deaths in wartime are unavoidable, but singling out individuals and cutting their heads off for an international audience in order to prove a point is disgusting.

While this group has acted inexplicably, it is not solely their fault. They are reacting, rather horribly, to the actions of the United States.

The videos seem to suggest one cause; the assailant in both videos alleges that the beheadings were in direct response to the number of airstrikes that were ordered by President Obama.

Our government has been using the airstrikes in the region in attempt to eliminate leaders of this hideous militant group.

Obama himself has said that he has not yet devised a strategy for how to deal with this threat in the Middle East.

So why is he still ordering these strikes? If he has no plan, what does he hope to accomplish? “Targeted� strikes that sustain massive amounts of collateral damage are his answer, and they seem to be ineffective.

The problem with these strikes is that they are pushing the people of the region more and more into the favor of the militants.

If the strife between ISIS and the U.S. evident in these execution videos is connected to the airstrikes, then limit them. Limit the number of innocent people killed each time we think we have found a leader or someone important in the militia. Limit the number of American lives so unceremoniously excised from this world.

What’s worse is that now ISIS is threatening to kill a British citizen for the actions of the United States. So far, it’s been American lives for American actions but how do our actions affect foreign relations when they result in the murder of citizens from abroad?

The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. That being said, President Obama must find a solution to the global ISIS issue, and find it quick.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

All I ever wanted was to be a star DEAR EDITOR: Well, the Experience did it again. They ignored me.

Here I am sitting above the “8� on every keyboard, waiting for my chance at glory, and when I had a chance to be used in an Experience article, I was marginalized.

I am referring to Damian Lewin’s wonderful, inspiring article titled “The Sh*t Ain’t Easy� where I had a chance to appear in the word “Sh*t� on page 4 and on page 6 and I was left out. The exclusion makes me feel bad

because the @ symbol gets used all the time.

I hate the @ symbol; he’s so smug, he thinks he’s so great.

I have no problem with Damian’s article. It was superb, very well written and it conveyed a message that we need more of in society.

Damian is an excellent writer.

I just wish I had not been passed over in the “Sh*t� word. And as far as the @ symbol goes, it can kiss my starry *ss. — Arnold Asterisk, typed by his friend Scott Cabral

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

How were the first two weeks of school?

COMPILED

BY

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GORDON

Experience L M C e x p e r i e n c e . c o m

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

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“The first two weeks of school were good with the help of UMOJA.� — Jamari EversThreatt

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“The first two weeks of school were fine, not that stressful.� ˆ +YLE "URKETT

“The first two weeks of school were interesting, I didn’t like my math teacher because he was annoying.� ˆ +ENDRA .IXON

“It was all right, it was still school, I mean it was a lot nicer than high school because there’s a lot more freedom and responsibility.�

“The first two weeks of school was a bit of an adjustment. I was used to vacation but it’s starting to really get good again.�

— Joe Crispi

ˆ 3TEPHANIE 7ALLACE

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3PORTS %DITOR .....34%6%. ,5+% 0HOTO %DITORS .................. #!4()% ,!72%.#% AND "%24(! !'5),!2 !SSOCIATE %DITORS */3( 7//$ AND 35::!..% 30%229 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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“For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument and debate.�

— Margaret Hefferman

NEWSWATCH Contact a counselor

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

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

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

Alpha Gamma back in action

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

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

Staff art on display

The annual staff art show is underway in the Art Gallery, with pieces from various staff members of LMC on display. Among these members are Art Department Chair Ken Alexander and ceramics professor Lucy Snow. The gallery is located on the first floor of the library and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Help quitting smoking

Are you trying to quit smoking?

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

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

For more information, call 1 (855) 421-3400 or call 431-2266

%XPERIENCE s #ATHIE ,AWRENCE

Debate team coaches Kasey Gardner and Marie Arcidiacono prep students for upcoming debates.

Debate team makes switch World format is the new style

By TANNER H. JOHNSON tjohnson@lmcexperience.com

The LMC Debate Team is making a switch this semester from parliamentary debate, to world style debate. According to Debate Coach Kasey Gardner, this change should make the learning curve a bit easier for students new to debating.

Gardner was himself trained in parliamentary-styled debate and competed internationally for the University of Kentucky. Originally, Gardner felt parliamentary would be a good fit for LMC, due to his own expertise and the scholarships available to students who compete in that format. “The students weren’t taking the scholarships,� Gardner said.

After two years, no debate member had taken the opportunity to attain a scholarship. To make matters more

Students may rent tables at no cost Il Duomo di Firenze in Florence, Italy is an iconic landmark that students of the study abroad program may visit.

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.

LMC offers free tutoring

Searching for help in school? Drop by the Center for Academic Support on the main campus. The center offers tutoring in a variety of subjects and is located on the third floor of the college CORE, Room CO-300. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit the front desk for information about peer tutoring, writing consultations, and when professors will be available for support or call 473-7590.

The Brentwood campus Center for Academic Support, located in Room 13, also offers free tutoring in a variety of subjects, including anthropology, chemistry, economics, philosophy, sociology and many more. Tutoring is done on a drop in basis. Changes in schedule are posted on the door.

For more information, call 473-6925

Crisis counseling available

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.

Counselors are available to help. All counseling sessions are confidential. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Counseling Center at 473-7449, or contact the Counseling Department Chair Marco Godines at 473-7460. — compiled from press releases and staff reports

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Student Kathryn Lucido in a mock debate during team practice. pressing, it was apparent the learning curve for beginning students was difficult, driving some potential debate team members away.

Parliamentary-styled debate consists of two teams with two members who compete against each other by debating a resolution, or topic. A resolution is a case that the affirmative team must defend, such as “The United States Federal

Government should legalize stem cell research.� After the affirmative team receives the resolution, they will approach the argument.

The negative team must debate against whatever case the affirmative team brings to the table. They can choose to either debate against the resolution, for example, “Stem cell research should remain illegal,� or they can choose to claim that the affirmative team’s case was poorly constructed and attack its weak points.

In parliamentary, the debate consists of six speeches. The first is the Prime Minister Constructive speech, where the affirmative team lays down the rules of the debate and how they intend the case to work. Next, the Leader of Opposition Constructive speech is given, where the first negative speaker presents their team’s case, and attacks the case made by the affirmative. The following two speeches are responses from the affirmative and negative teams, respectively. Finally, two rebuttal speeches are given, where the speakers that spoke first from each team 3EE 4%!- PAGE

Where earning a bachelor’s degree meets

“I want to transfer today!�

atagliamonte@lmcexperience.com cdickman@lmcexperience.com

Los Medanos College students can request a free table on the indoor or outdoor quad to raise funds or advertise for an on-campus club by following some simple steps.

The Student Life Office is in charge of table reser vations and decides who will be able to procure a spot.

Sophia Soto, a student ambassador who works in the Student Life Office, said the first thing to do is, “come in here and check the calendar� to see if the date you want is available. “Then there is an application that you would fill out and turn into us.�

Student Life will only permit three groups per day to reserve a table in the quad, so it is essential for anyone looking to hold down a table for their club or organization to plan ahead for availability.

Ever y student-run club, along with off-campus organizations such as businesses, solicitors and non-profits, needs to complete an application from the Student Life Office and turn it in at least six weeks in advance to secure a table location.

But it is recommended that students who are looking to perform — dance routines and skits — book a date with Student Life two months prior to the date and students looking to check out equipment, such as tables and chairs, should make arrangements three weeks before.

After the application has been submitted, Student Life Coordinator Demetria Lawrence will review the request, said Soto, and there is no fee for an on-campus club or organization.

Organizations that are not student affiliated can request a table as well. These organizations can include stands that sell things such as jewelry, gym 3EE 4!",% PAGE

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; George Orwell

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It was the beginning of a dream that would unfold decades later in a legacy to a father.

Tim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien moved his family from Antioch to the island of St. Thomas, his first chance at being co-owner of a small business, working as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;front end manâ&#x20AC;? rebuilding and repairing vehicles inside Tropic Island Tires and Brakes.

He worked hard at what he loved to provide for his family.

In another part of the shop his 13-year-old son Shane completed the final steps on his own first attempt at a brake repair job, something he had watched his father perform many times before.

But after an unsteady flow of repair jobs, caused mostly by the native islanders negative view of outsiders, Tim put his dreams on hold and moved his family back to Antioch, returning to Hammer Lane Tires and Brakes in Stockton.

When he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wrenching away on a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle, you could find Tim sitting behind his stainless steel Ludwig drum set, expressing his other love, his art, his presence as a musician. Shane and his younger brother Ryan watched and listened as their dad jammed out to some of his favorites artists Rush and The Doobie Brothers, among others. This musical influence and appreciation stayed with them well into adulthood.

Tragically, on March 4, 1995, Tim died suddenly from heart failure, leaving behind a wife, two teenage sons, and an inspiration for the future.

Nineteen years later, at the home of their mother Renee, the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien brothers met up to celebrate Shaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming 35th birthday with the rest of the immediate family.

The Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien family has grown since the passing of their patriarch. Shane and his wife Kristina watch as their youngest daughter stands on a stepstool making fresh lemonade on her grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen counter. Ryan, the younger of the two Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien brothers, a former LMC student with plans to re-enroll soon to complete classes for his Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, is there with fiancĂŠe Stacey, waiting patiently for the meal his mother has been preparing.

As the family chats, one topic seems to be on

%XPERIENCE s $AMIAN ,EWIN

Above, the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;brien brothers work together on a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle. Below, shop owners Ryan (left) and Shane Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien. everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind: 999 Harbor St. in Pittsburg, the site of the recently opened Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Briens Auto Repair, owned by Shane and Ryan.

Inside the 2,300 square foot home of their new business, a tribute to their dad, Shane puts on the finishing touches of a recent engine swap for a 1995 Ford motorhome. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like the satisfaction of it running after all that work,â&#x20AC;? said Shane.

Like his brother, performing an engine swap is one of his favorite jobs in his profession.

Shane is also in the process of beginning training to receive his Smog Repair License, a process he hopes to complete during the spring semester next year at LMC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it right now,â&#x20AC;? said Shane, referring to the inability to perform the state regulated repairs some customers request, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to wait.â&#x20AC;?

A plethora of tools lay across the back work table, even more organized in rolling carts the siblings use to roll among the various vehicles.

Some of the tools and equipment still have that brand new shine and luster, like their recently

acquired air conditioning recharge system from Snap-On. Other tools show signs of many years of use, some with history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was brand new in the box when he passed away,â&#x20AC;? said Shane as he holds up a Mac Impact Gun, one of his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last purchases and a primary tool the brothers still use today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This has been with us forever.â&#x20AC;?

It took a few years for the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien brothers to finally put their fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tools to use following his death. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until 1997 when the family moved from their home on Daisy Way in Antioch to the house where their mother still lives today that they started working on their own vehicles, beginning with what they had learned from watching their father. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember Ryan pulled apart the head off his Honda and I was like, wow,â&#x20AC;? said Shane as he called one of the first major repair jobs his brother had performed. Inside the garage at their motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, the brothers began working at what would eventually become their See SHOP, page 6

%XPERIENCE s $AMIAN ,EWIN

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;RENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fleshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to debut

By TANNER H JOHNSON

tjohnson@lmcexperience.com

%XPERIENCE s +ATRINA "UTLER

Student Alex Desjardin, professor Nick Garcia and student Ledell Jones Jr. during a casting meeting Wednesday night to discuss many aspects of the upcoming performances by the LMC drama department.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already three weeks into the semester and the LMC Drama department is gearing up for the two shows they plan to perform this fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Man of the Fleshâ&#x20AC;?, written by local bay area playwright Octavio Solis, tells the story of a young man who leads a promiscuous life and does not care about the consequences of his actions or the people he hurts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After experiencing feelings of love for the first time, the spirit of the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother communicates with him to teach him an important lesson... the hard way,â&#x20AC;? Director Hugo Carbajal explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Man of the Fleshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a comedy that deals with the Day

of the Dead, including the spiritual realm of the dead among us.â&#x20AC;?

Being a fan of magical realism, Carbajal picked the show because he felt it would not just benefit the acting community, but the Los Medanos community as well, providing a challenge for the actors to prove their skill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It tells the community that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to have connections or be in a major city to make it,â&#x20AC;? said Carbajal, referring to the success of Solis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skill alone can take you to where you want to go.â&#x20AC;?

Solis is considered by many to be one of the most prominent playwrights in America today, having earned a number of awards including

the United States Artist Fellowship award in 2011.

In addition to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Man of Flesh,â&#x20AC;? with its local connection, this December the Drama Department is set to perform the international hit musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;RENTâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;RENTâ&#x20AC;? will collaborate with the music department, the drama department, Allies, creating something much bigger than LMC has done in the past. Music professor Silvester Henderson and professor Nick Garcia of the drama department are working together on some of the details of the show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project combines so many departments and creates something wonderful,â&#x20AC;? said director Garcia.

See DRAMA, page 6

0HOTO COURTESY OF VARIETY COM

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starts at slow pace

By BRENDAN CROSS

bcross@lmcexperience.com

Netflix has delved into animation successfully with â&#x20AC;&#x153;BoJack Horsemanâ&#x20AC;?, a show about the washed up star of the 90s sitcom â&#x20AC;&#x153;Horsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Aroundâ&#x20AC;?.

The cast is made up of all-stars, as all animated shows tend to be, including Will Arnett as BoJack, Allison Brie as Diane, who is ghostwriting a memoir about BoJack, and Aaron Paul as Todd, who is BoJackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roommate in his Tony Stark like mountaintop estate.

If I had only watched the first episode or two of this series, I most likely would have not continued on with it, but later in the season it really hits its stride and actually makes the viewers invested in the main characters, which I did not think was going to happen.

While character development took some time, the comedy was always on point. I was not laughing out loud much, but if you enjoy shows like Archer or anything Seth MacFarlane creates, this is a series most people should find humorous as the jokes are timed well and often heavily sarcastic.

One thing that bothers me though is the fact that the show features a mix of human and animal characters. I understand the back-story is of a horse who used to be a star, but frankly,

REVIEW

See HORSE, page 6

L O S

M EDAN OS

C OL L E G E

Quotable

E X P E R I E N C E

Sports

FRIDAY,

SEPT.

5,

2014

“It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”

5

— Paul “Bear” Bryant

Leader on and off the field MVP left impact on team

By DAVID NELSON and STEVEN LUKE

sluke@lmcexperience.com

The 2014 Los Medanos Mustangs baseball team made the playof fs for the third straight season and had nine players win division awards.

One player in particular, right fielder Matt Jacobson, stood out on the team winning Bay Valley Conference’s Player of the Year award.

Jacobson wasn’t always a star. He got to this point for the Mustangs by being one of the three players that worked harder than anyone else in the offseason head coach Anthony D’Albora said.

It is no surprise that all three of the players that D’Albora tabbed won offseason awards, but it was earlier life experiences that prepared Jacobson to work as hard as he did.

Going into high school, he played two sports, soccer and baseball. Once the soccer season had ended he tried out for baseball, but got cut from the team.

Being cut was difficult, but it didn’t stop him from following his love for the game.

“That was a defining moment of baseball for me,” he said. “I could’ve either let that take its course and not played anymore or I could’ve kept with it, stuck with it, worked harder and played, and it ended up working out.”

That hard work influenced his career at LMC and will carry over now that he is headed to Chico State to continue his collegiate career.

Even though he has moved on, his impact will still be felt on the 2015 Mustangs baseball team.

One player that he made an

In the first home game of the season outfielder Matt Jacobson made his presence felt against San Francisco City College. In his first at bat of the season in front of the home crowd he drove in two runs with a triple to the rightcenterfield gap. He also scored two runs on the day in just one of the many big games he had in the 2014 season that led to him being named Bay Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Experience s Brendan Cross

impact on was returning first baseman Ryan Welsh. He said Jacobson was a team first guy and a true mentor.

“Mattie was definitely a mentor for the younger guys, and it’s because he understands the game so well,” he said. “He demands the best out of you.”

Jacobson demanded the best out of his teammates, and he led by example on the field leading the team in every major of fensive statistical category. He scored a total of 43 runs, had 58 hits, hit four home runs, knocked in 33 runners, stole 25 bases, had a batting average of .395, and had an on-base percentage of .462 and a slugging percentage

of .585. With those numbers, also said about home runs, he was easily the team’s most “that was through our lifting valuable player as well as being program during the fall that Bay Valley Conference player the coaches implemented.” of the year.

While Jacobson Jacobson, is modest about b e i n g t h e “Just being out his abilities, D’Alteam first guy on the field with bora reiterated that Welsh dethat Jacobson’s him everyday scribed him as, work ethic is what did not take all competing really made him of the credit for against him successful. the stats that “What he did led to him win- made me a here at LMC in ning the award. better player” his two years — Ryan Welsh was buy in to the “The only way I get work it was going those stats are to take to be a through my teammates,” he physical enough player to be said. “RBI’s, you have to get successful moving forward,” he guys on in front of you.” He said. “He absolutely dedicated

himself everyday to getting stronger, faster, and everything that comes along with it.”

That dedication wasn’t just for him self. He was dedicated to getting better because ever ything was a battle to see who was the best among the players.

“We joke around a lot but it’s always a competition,” he said.

That competitive spirit and work ethic caught on with Welsh.

“Just being out on the field with him everyday competing against him made me a better player,” said Welsh. “He taught me how to keep a good work ethic while taking proper care of your body over the course

of a long season.”

Now Jacobson brings that work ethic and competitive spirit to Chico State where he will impress a new coaching staff and new teammates with it. D’Albora doesn’t think that will be the end for him, though.

“I truly believe he is going to have a ton of success moving forward and we will see him playing professionally before all is said and done,” he said.

If he does move on to the majors, we can all remember him at LMC as the guy who worked hard, led by example and won the player of the year award only to give all of the credit to his teammates and coaching staff.

New year, new team

Mustangs led by 13 freshman recruits

By CASSIE DICKMAN

cdickman@lmcexperience.com

Experience s Cathie Lawrence

Lauren Ayers controls the ball with her body while Devyn Kelley runs the field during practice for the start of the 2014 season.

The Los Medanos College soccer team has high hopes for its upcoming season, starting with the first pre-season game Friday at 6 p.m. against Sacramento City College on home turf.

“We actually got our butts kicked pretty good by `em,” said Head Coach Mark Bryant of last year’s game against Sac City. “So, we are looking to see a much different result this time.”

Last year the game was at Sac City, but this year the team has home field advantage and a better squad to show against them, explained Bryant. “I think they will be surprised.”

Football recruiting catches award winning wide out

By LUKE JOHNSON

ljohnson@lmcexperience.com

One thing that sticks out in Los Medanos College’s freshman football class is the strength in wide receivers and offensive lineman.

Former Freedom High star Nick Garcia was the best wide out in the Bay Valley Athletic League last year. The unanimous first team All-BVAL select had 42 receptions for 763 yards, far more than anyone else. The league’s runner up had 27 receptions for 550 yards.

He will be accompanied by former Liberty High standout Josh Jackson, who led his team with 25 receptions (fourth in BVAL) for 344 yards (fifth in BVAL). Those two, combined with returning All-Conference receiver Deon Pruitt, will provide three viable targets for sophomore quarterback RJ Cellini.

“We have a group of about seven guys who are going to play a lot for us,” said LMC head coach Chris Shipe. “We’re definitely going into this first game excited for those guys, because we are expecting big things from all of them. It’s just a matter of putting everything together.”

Providing protection for Cellini will be a host of talented big men from the BVAL. Leonard Grillo from Antioch High, along with Fernando Nuñez, Rene Cardona and Marcus Franks from Pittsburg High each received All-BVAL honors for the 2013 season and are expected

to have an immediate impact for the Mustangs.

“Recruiting lineman is definitely a must area every year,” Shipe said. “We jump on them early, [and] show our faces at high school games.”

Another lineman on LMC, but on the defensive side, who was named All-BVAL last season is Manny Lopez from Liberty High.

The season starts for the Stangs Saturday at 6 p.m. in Merced. LMC will host its home opener the following week Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. when they take on Monterey Peninsula College.

Schedule

Currently the team is composed of 16 players, only three of whom are returning from the previous season.

“It’s a huge commitment for young ladies at this age,” said Bryant who went to every high school in the area last year to recruit players. “They are trying to work, juggle school and play soccer all at the same time.”

Just about everybody on the team is new this year and normally this is a disadvantage, especially since last year’s team had made major improvements, but Bryant thinks he has a much stronger group of players this fall.

“We have more athletes this year,” said Bryant, adding that the

team’s fitness is at a higher level at the beginning of this season.

“That’s a big, big, big plus for us.”

The team is going to be more offensive oriented, whereas last year the defense dominated.

“We have a lot more offensive power, speed and we got people that can score goals,” he said.

Bryant said they “would love to win league” but acknowledged that could be difficult because there are “some really strong teams in our league.”

Mendocino College, Folsom Lake College and Solano College will be the toughest teams the Mustangs will face this year, but Bryant thinks the team members See BALL, page 6

NFL predictions Steven

luke

SUPER BOWL

Green Bay Packers over Indianapolis Colts OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MVPS

Aaron Rodgers and Robert Mathis OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ROOKIES

Bisop Sankey and Jadeveon Clowney Brendan

Cross

SUPER BOWL

New Orleans Saints over Pittsburgh Steelers OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MVPS

Opponent

Date

Time

@ Napa College

9/6

6 p.m.

Drew Brees and J.J. Watt

Monterey Peninsula College

9/13

1 p.m.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ROOKIES

@ West Hills College

9/19

7 p.m

@ San Jose City College

9/27

6 p.m.

Kelvin Benjamin and Ryan Shazier

Contra Costa College

10/4

1 p.m.

Bye

10/11

Hartnell College

10/18

1 p.m.

Green Bay Packers over Indianapolis Colts

@ Yuba College

10/25

1 p.m.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MVPS

College of the Redwoods

11/1

3 p.m.

Andrew Luck and J.J. Watt

luke

Johnson

SUPER BOWL

@ Shasta College

11/8

5 p.m.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ROOKIES

Mendocino College

11/15

1 p.m.

Johnny Manziel and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

L O S

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Back Talk

The sound of music

LMCAS From page 1

our campus.

LMCAS works closely with faculty, staff and students to make sure students voices are heard. Each meeting is overseen by Adviser Demetria Lawrence and covers a gambit of topics concerning students.

They also oversee upcoming activities on campus like the

6

summarize the round -- no new arguments are to be made in the rebuttals.

Each speech has a time limit, the first has a limit of seven minutes, the following three speeches are eight minutes, the negative rebuttal is four minutes and the affirmative team ends the debate with a five-minute speech.

Despite the popularity of parliamentary debate, worldsstyled debate is becoming more of a possibility in our region, Gardner said. He hopes, by switching the LMC debate team’s style to world, other schools in the area will also make the decision to follow suit.

“Like any change, I trust the coach’s judgment in the transition, but I am a bit anxious to be moving away from the only debate style that I know.” said debate student Josh Noriega.

World debate differs greatly from parliamentar y-styled debate.

In world debate, there are three speakers on each team, with a round consisting of eight speeches.

As in parliamentary debate, there is a resolution that the affirmative team must defend and the negative team must attack, but, unlike parliamentary debate, the resolutions for world debates tend to focus on philosophical ideas, such as, “Countries destroyed by climate change should be given comparable terrain in polluting countries.”

In World debate the first speech is given by the member of the affirmative team and makes a case for the resolution.

Next, a member of the opposition must speak against it and is followed by a second speaker of the affirmative team.

This continues until the last two speeches, where the first speakers for each team have four minutes to summarize the debate.

Like the rebuttals in parliamentary, no new information may be added to the debate.

If you’re interested in competing for the LMC Debate team, meetings are held Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Room CC1-115.

The show will combine multiple skills that will help aspiring students, promoting creativity through an artistic manner. Using the physical involvement of song and dance to bring the show to life.

“I’m looking forward to this show because the music and drama department have not collaborated in a few years,” said Henderson. “Hopefully, with the success to this show, we can look forward to more work in the future.”

The many faces of “RENT” will bring a lot to the audience, including the chorus. Each actor will have their own personal story and journey, telling a story of love, acceptance and forgiveness.

“The message of “RENT” tells us that the people in our lives are a blessing. Love is what gets you through those hard times,” added Garcia. “If the relationships you have are full of love, then you know the life you’ve lived is a successful one.”

What really makes this show different from previous LMC works will be its location off-campus, the actors are set to perform at the Pittsburg California theatre. The change in venue will help ensure the possibility of a larger audience.

With the prospect of universities and other directors seeing the performance, the students can look forward to the chance attaining scholarships.

“Man of the Flesh” will be playing at LMC’s theater from October 16 to 25. Tickets are $7 with a military or student ID, $5 for high school students and $10 for the general public.

“RENT” will be showing December 3-6th in the California Theatre in Pittsburg, more info to come.

catch pink events for Breast Cancer Awareness month and the upcoming Elevating Diversity Conference on Sept. 13.

LMCAS members meet Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Library, Room L-105.

All students are welcome to attend meetings and watch their representatives in action.

If you have an opinion about

an item on the agenda, you may speak during the time set aside for public comments.

If you are not able to make the meetings the LMCAS website, www.losmedanos. edu/Groups/lmcas/default. asp, has information on LMCAS members, email addresses for each member and the adviser, meetings times and locations.

There is also a place to find

the agenda and the minutes from previous meeting, allowing the reader to see what was discussed, and voting results of our student government.

For more information, students should stop by the Student Life Office located next to the Child Study Center, in the GA building. You may also contact Demetria Lawrence at 473-7552.

From page 1

2014

DRAMA

associate’s degrees, the rise of the newer transfer degrees can be seen in the trend report.

“Our efforts in creating transfer degrees has been very successful,” said Kratochvil.

Still a relatively new concept to LMC, the transfer degree programs are attracting the interest of many students, but many still choose to pursue the goal of obtaining the more traditional degrees.

“Our desire is to meet the expectations of our students and our community by awarding as many degrees and certificates that students come to LMC to achieve,” Kratochvil added.

It is this desire that has helped impact the rise in awards over the last few years.

“We are among the state leaders in bringing new degrees and certificates to our students,” said President Garcia, “Our students’ response has been new heights of engagement and success.”

The numbers are constantly improving, and more programs being created to open new avenues for students and faculty.

It’s apparent that the success of all the colleges of the CCCCD will continue for years to come.

TREND

5,

TEAM

The drama depar tment is putting on Rent in December and the LGBT studies class has started, which is packed by the way.”

On top of his emcee duties for the conference Walker would like to do a 30-minute workshop or group panel on why cer tain controversial terms should be eliminated he’s called “Importance of Eliminating Derogatory Language in Our Society.”

His excitement is evident and mounts as he speaks about his plans for LMC; Walker is an outspoken yet quiet man who has a ready smile and cheerful greeting for ever yone. He is ready to listen to the concerns of everyone on campus.

He hopes to sit down with the other LMCAS members and set goals for the coming semesters. Walker is willing to listen to any concerns or other input from students, his email is gwalker479@insite.4cd. edu. More information on LMCAS and their meetings can be found at http://www. losmedanos.edu/Groups/ lmcas/default.asp.

“They say save the best for last.” Walker stated adding, “But I say only the brave go first.”

GARY

S E P T.

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

SHOP From page 4

0HOTOS BY #ATHIE ,AWRENCE s %XPERIENCE

Carolina and made a name for himself in the cosmetics industry.

LMC is dear to his heart because of the family feeling on campus between faculty and students. On any given day you might run into one of the deans or even LMC President Bob Kratochvil, who often walks around campus checking in with students.

Walker is a busy guy, working full time in the cosmetics industr y while still taking classes, but feels strongly about speaking for those who may not otherwise have a voice.

“I liked working with Gary on the Mock committee,” said Candice Tidwell, the new LMCAS Vice President adding, “I think being president is the perfect role for him, he wants to make sure things get done.”

One of his first projects as President is to bring author and advocate Janet Mock to LMC for a conference on September 13, in hopes of educating and inspiring others on the diversity in the college community as well as in surrounding areas.

Walker feels like this semester is ready to roll. “We have our Elevating Diversity Conference with Janet Mock,

F R I D AY,

trade. Remembering back to those days, Shane added that with the use of their father’s tools they were able to start ““really fixin’ them, and digging into them.”

While the brothers work on the various vehicles inside O’Briens Auto Repair, the shop stereo can be heard over the sound of their father’s impact gun taking the lug bolts off a Dodge pickup.

As Ryan’s Pandora playlist switches between a mix of various classic rock artists such as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, Shane suddenly looks up from underneath the hood of the motorhome with a sense of dissatisfaction on his face and quickly changes the station to something he’d rather work to, thrash metal.

R yan expresses no discontent with the change, why would he? After all both brothers have had their own experiences performing this heavier style of music together in the Bay Area bands Unawake and 3 Hrs. Old. Like their father before them, who they still remember playing with his own band, covering songs like “Paranoid” and “Tom Sawyer,” the O’Brien brothers love performing themselves. While Ryan pursued his interests in living the role as a front man, adding his powerful vocals to lead the show, Shane pursued the role his father had so many years before, pounding away on the heads of that very same stainless steel kit.

Both brothers agree they would “rather be playing music” than work any regular 9-5 job, but as Shane looks up and around his shop he said, “I’ve made more in the last year than 3 Hrs. Old did in 10 years.”

The love for performing will never die for them, it will just have to take a back seat for now. They are just too busy with their auto repair business.

Prior to their spring opening to the public, the two spent as much as 23 days in a row moving from their smaller location next door, finishing all prior jobs before moving on to the next.

“It’s a beast,” said Shane.

“No way we could be here part-time and be able to feed the beast.”

Perhaps after completing their studies at LMC, and when they have the reassurance that business will continue to thrive, maybe then they will have the opportunity to perform once again in the Bay Area music scene. In the meantime, all focus remains on the family business.

“They’ve kind of taken off,” said Kristina as she talked about her husband’s success.

“I hope they’re able to expand.”

An expansion would definitely be a great accomplishment for the two O’Brien brothers, but for now they are content with where they are at, or as Ryan’s fiancée pointed out, they are, “Definitely happier, both of them.”

“I’m very proud of them.” said Renee as she looks up from her stove top, finishing the last touches of the meal she prepared for the celebration.

As the family sits at the dining table waiting for their chance to serve themselves the prepared entrees, Renee describes her experience seeing the newly opened auto repair shop.

“I’ve seen this shop before,” she goes on to add, pausing to recollect a time so long ago, “in St. Thomas.”

You can still find Tim O’Brien today.

He lives on in the hard work performed at O’Briens Auto Repair.

He lives on in the sounds emanating from that stainless steel drum kit.

He lives on in his two sons Shane and Ryan as they journey through life, following in their father’s footsteps.

Student Amber Griego, below, plays the saxophone during jazz band practice in the Music Department. Student Maylon McCoy, right, is learning how to play the piano.

From page 1

Web

E X P E R I E N C E

From page 3

HIRES From page 1

Biological Sciences department added Briana McCarthy.

Michelle Mack and David Reyes will serve as Counselors in the Athletics and Transfer depar tments respectively, and Courtney Diputado joins as Technology Training & Development Coordinator.

These 13 new faculty members are not, however, the only new additions as LMC has also gained staff that will be beneficial to the success of the students.

LMC has also hired ground workers to help beautify our campus. Programs such as EOPS, Financial Aid and Shipping and Receiving have also gained new staff members to their team.

“We are very proud of our new faculty and classified hires and believe each of them will make important contributions to teaching and learning and student development,” President Kratochvil expressed.

Editor’s Note: The Experience will run a series of stories this year profiling new employees on campus.

TABLE From page 3

memberships, and posters but may have to pay a $50 fee to Student Life.

However, organizations that simply solicit, such as passing out flyers or informative materials, are not required to pay a fee.

Irene Brown, a Jehovah Witness who comes twice a week to her organization’s reserved table, said it is a good way to assist students and to also provide information.

Student run clubs or solicitors can find further information by contacting the Student Life Office at (925) 473-7554 or by following the policies outlined on page 19 in “The Guide,” at www.losmedanos. edu/studentservices/clubs/ resources.asp

From page 4

BALL From page 5

are going to amaze everyone with what they can do.

Hannah Tanuvasa, a new player from Hayward High School, thinks the team is going to do well because players plan to be aggressive and communicate, adding that that they will “handle business in and out of the classroom and on the field.”

“Hopefully we grow as a team and win games,” said Mikayla Farber, who is both excited and nervous about the upcoming season.

Farber, a former Liberty High School soccer player, had to red-shirt last season due to a bad knee but Bryant is anticipating she will be the big goal scorer this year.

“We would like to develop a competitive soccer program in the Bay Valley Conference,” said Athletic Director Richard Villegas adding they would also like to increase the number of women soccer players who transfer from LMC to four-year colleges and universities.

The coaches are always looking for new talent, even though the season is about to begin, and if you would like more information about joining the team please contact Coach Mark Bryant at mbunitog@ sbcglobal.net. “It’s never too late,” said Bryant.

HORSE From page 4

animals do not need to be involved. It does not add anything to the show. If it were just about a regular person who used to be a sitcom star and now is dealing with no longer having the stardom he once had, it would be completely fine. Also, I happen to find the intro to the show unnecessarily annoying, but maybe that’s just me.

Despite the quips, it is definitely a show I see myself watching when it heads into future seasons. They successfully based an entire episode on who had dibs on a dozen muffins at a grocery store. If a show can do that, I will trust it moving forward and keep watching.