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sports X page 6
campus beat X page 5
Creer pushes for balance in life
Art show held in Eddie Rhodes Gallery
Aerobics class focuses on mental and physical health, well-being
Reception for Harvest Art Show hosted on campus
VOL. 101, NO. 6
SINCE 1950 8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM
THE STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.
Juveniles suspected of robbing students
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EVEN-KEELED
Two crimes committed on Mission Bell Drive By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com
JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE
Looking to the future — Former art department chairperson and multimedia professor John Diestler began his retirement in June. He now aims to focus his time on writing, blogging and making knives.
selfless design A MAN OF
Diestler began his retirement in June, plans to focus free time on writing, broadening his array of interests By Cody McFarland OPINION EDITOR
cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com
The beginning of this fall semester at Contra Costa College was far from usual, as it marked the absence of a man who has been on campus more than 40 consecutive years. Characterized by his iconic beret, dark glasses, bushy white beard and camera seemingly attached at his hip, the large presence of this man is not the only thing missed. Revered by teachers and students alike, he is said to be of sound character, humility and utmost integrity, and a darn good teacher to boot. Former multimedia professor and art department chairperson John Diestler, 64, has not only had more college job titles than anyone else on campus, but has also given his services happily and humbly throughout his tenure without losing sight of his principles. Much like the college’s logo, which he designed, Diestler represents the college in its entirety. His retirement came suddenly and unexpectedly in June. Despite being an issue of money, it would prove to be one
of his most selfless acts. of putting his emotions aside for the Unanimously among his students and greater good of any matter at hand. colleagues, Diestler has been described as “He has the ability to put aside his approachable, helpful and truly humble. personal desires and emotional reactions Journalism professor and depart- to do what is best for the group,” she ment Chairperson Paul DeBolt was an said. acquaintance of Diestler’s while they In his four years as art department were students at CCC in the early 1970s. chair, he never once cut a section, underDeBolt didn’t know it then, but he and standing how valuable variety is for Diestler would both end up working for students and professors alike. the college and become best friends over It was not easily done, John Diestler their 33 years on campus together. said, as it required trimming lab hours Their relationship from multiple classes began in 1980 when semester, but he “He has the ability to each Diestler entered the did all that he could to journalism depart- put aside his personal discuss the reductions ment and offered to the department desires and emotional with help order equipment so that it was both for the journalism reactions to do what is balanced and fair for space in the then-new everyone. best for the group.” Applied Arts Building, He addressed DeBolt said. safety issues for stuSherry Diestler, “John has always dent artists working Diestler’s wife been very selfless and with hot metals and willing to help,” he secured protective said. “He’s the type of person to always gear for them. He made sure the ceramics stop what he’s doing to help somebody lab became a smart classroom complete else.” with Internet access and a projector. Diestler’s wife, speech professor and He is also responsible for the Joblinks department chairperson, Sherry Diestler, program that brought classified staff agrees wholly, adding that he is capable Q SEE DIESTLER: Page 4
A 19-year-old male student was robbed at gunpoint near the bus stop located on Mission Bell Drive next to the college tennis courts and across the street from the Del Camino-Valencia housing complexes on Sept. 26 at approximately 2:05 p.m. Police Services Lt. Jose Oliveira would “A gun on camnot provide the name pus is someof the student as of press time on Tuesday. thing I want to He was not hurt in the attack. know about.” The day before, a 21-year-old unidentiLeslie Sandoval, nursing major fied student was also the victim of a strongarm robbery by two juvenile non-students in the same campus location. On Sept. 27, three juvenile suspects were arrested at North Campus Continuation High School in San Pablo and were booked on suspicion of robbery at the Juvenile Detention Facility in Martinez. Police suspect they committed both crimes. Police have not identified the three juveniles by name, nor were their ages provided to the press. The Contra Costa College student was walking toward the bus stop as the three juvenile non-students, described as one Asian- and two African-American males, approached the student from behind and pulled out a 9mm handgun and pointed it at the student’s back, Lt. Oliveira said. Oliveira said the victim told police the suspects then demanded his gold chain and then one of them snatched the chain from the victim’s neck. The other two juveniles pushed the student to the ground and went “through his pockets,” where they found his gray Casio G-Shock wristwatch. The juveniles then ran toward the Del CaminoValencia housing complexes and off of campus. The victim waited to report the crime until he got home at 2:30 p.m., dialing 911 and contacting the Richmond police, who then contacted district Police Services, Oliveira said. Police aides were sent to the scene of the robbery immediately to look for students who may have witnessed the crime. Witnesses told Police Services that they saw the three juveniles get off of a WestCAT bus moments before the Sept. 26 robbery occurred. Police Services then contacted WestCAT and requested to see its surveillance footage from the Q SEE ROBBERY: Page 4
Bikes an overlooked method of transport
cost
EDITORIAL CARTOONIST
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
Cycling is a very cost-efficient yet overlooked means of going to and from campus. “I bought my bike at a flea market for $35,” student cyclist Ruben Perez said. Richmond resident and student cyclist Michael Espinoza said biking is something that people just put off because they think it is difficult. “When you reach where you’re going, it’s that much more rewarding,” Espinoza said. “I don’t want to waste my money on gas, and its ecofriendly.” Current construction on campus will greatly impact parking and automotive
congestion on roads in and around Contra Costa College. Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said that parking will become a premium here on campus. Students recognize the lack of places on campus they can lock-up their bikes while they go to class. “We need more bike racks on campus,” student cyclist Cody Mazza said. The fee-free racks the college has now fill up fast during peak class hours, he said. Having more bicycle racks would be better than locking up bikes on the metal hand railings located in front of the Library, Bookstore, Student Services Center or wherever we can find a place for them, Mazza said. The bike lockers and lock ups on Q SEE BIKING: Page 4
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
No parking permits needed — Music major Daniel Tinajero locks up his bike on the bike rack outside of the Library on Tuesday. Bicycles can be a cost-efficient and healthy method of travel to and from campus.
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health,
By Lorenzo Morotti
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Student bicycle riders travel to college for
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