The Advocate 10-9

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

CMYK

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

-

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.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

health,

By Lorenzo Morotti

CMYK

Student bicycle riders travel to college for

CMYK

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Every time a journalist in America abuses the First Amendment, he betrays those around the world who struggle for half the freedoms.”

Harold M. Evans journalist, author 2001 George Morin editor-in-chief Rodney Woodson associate editor Brian Boyle news editor Jared Amdahl Cody McFarland opinion editors Mike Thomas sports editor Veronica Santos scene editor Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris assistant photo editor Lorenzo Morotti editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jesse Armenta Jeff Baker Jose Jimenez Ryan Margason Heather Wallin Jamah Butler Evelyn Vazquez Stephen Son Marci Suela Staff photographers Camelia Dillard Staff illustrators Joel Ode Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013 VOL. 101, NO. 6 L

Editorial Healthy balance

Technology can expand, hinder students’ minds

H

umanity currently finds itself in the digital age.

With technology and new media integrated into every aspect of contemporary life, human beings have been impacted by the instant gratification and hyper connectivity that comes along with technology.

But is it for the better?

The answer lies not in a definitive yes or no, but in balancing how much technology is used and to what extent.

Advancements in medical treatments have contributed to increased birth rates and have raised the average life expectancy of humans 20 years.

The Internet not only provides a constant source of entertainment, but an endless stream of information as well.

Smartphone users can access libraries of information on the Web from nearly anywhere at any time.

Each successive generation becomes more tech-capable than the last, as technology continues simplifying our dayto-day lives. Computer programs and Internet research have become staples in the modern education system.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the latest technologies and many families in the U.S. still live without a computer or Internet access.

Maybe those without access to this modern technology aren’t as unfortunate as one would presume.

As future generations grow more dependent on technology, older methods of studying and locating information are dissipating.

Amid the abundance of information online is a lot of falsehood. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the validity of sources and a considerable amount of inaccurate information gets recycled regularly online.

Also consider that any time a piece of data is put on the Web, it is stored somewhere. Every address, phone, credit card and social security number is being stored with the illusion of safety.

The truth is the Internet is not a safe place and anyone with enough time and willpower can access information otherwise considered secure.

Too much faith has been put into man’s creation. Society must learn to balance its use of technology and remember the humanity within us all.

Humans lived for thousands of years before the advent of personal computers, but if they were to crash today, the world’s economy would be destroyed and worldwide contact would cease.

Technological evolution is a necessity if humanity is ever going to find a sustainable niche that is good for society and the planet alike.

But with each step forward, humans are losing a little more of themselves, as they become more dependent on the capabilities of machines than their own abilities.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N Hygiene

Campus squirrel invasion unacceptable

W

hen an animal does not feel threatened or provoked it tends to not run away when threatened.

The squirrels at Contra Costa College must now feel pretty comfortable.

Recently, I had a quarrel with some squirrels, but for them, apparently, it was a rendezvous of some type.

There are more than 200 species of squirrels found all over the world and they are very common in wooded areas. Notice the lovely wooded areas on the CCC campus.

But did you know that squirrels are in fact rodents and can be easily associated with rats?

Exactly, rats.

So what is the point?

The point is these furry little rodents, who people think are so cute, cuddly or innocent, roam around campus like they own the place.

Students attending their first semester here probably have never seen so many squirrels in their lifetime.

Maybe if they were rats students would take more notice.

There is definitely at least one thing these two types of rodents have in common — that is the quantity of droppings they leave.

Rodents, on the whole, pass stools with a lot of frequency. Basically, they eat all day, so frequent elimination is just a natural result of that.

If you are too young to have ever experienced the frustration of having a rodent in your house, Google it when you have some spare

nuts or fruits because I chose a bag of fried chips to go along with my healthy sandwich.

And I certainly hope that there was no fungus on my food to attract them.

So, what did they expect, human food? Jalapenos cantime. not be good for them, among But if you have gone the other things on my sandthrough the unpleasant wich. And I certainly wasn’t adventure of trying to catch about to give it up. one in your home, then you If these were rats, bats know what the droppings or opossums, then look like.

Here on campus Students maybe CCC staff would consider it an students like to grab a seat on a bench to attending epidemic.

But squirrels? relax.

No one seems to They like to their first mind because they “chill” on the rails think of these pests outside and hang semester as the contrary: cute out. Students will and fluffy woodland converse on concrete steps or in front of here will critters that add a little more life to the Bookstore.

Some students have never campus.

I’m not sure if even take a break you’ve seen some of from the strains of seen so the squirrels on camschool to lay on the pus, but some look grass. That is fine, mangy, potentially but just keep in mind many rabid, and their lack that squirrels do it of fear of students is too. Squirrels at CCC squirrels concerning. have no boundaries.

I hope it does They mainly eat in their not come to it, but seeds, nuts, fruits and maybe a report of fungi. lifetime. a rabid squirrel I once tried to attacking and biting enjoy a Subway a student would grab their foot-long sandwich near the Applied Arts Building when attention.

With all this talk about one squirrel came out from the west. Another came from how the $5 student activity fee should be used, why the east. not invest in a little campus Another came from up hygiene? north. Before anyone could say “freeze,” the last one Jose Jimenez is a staff came out from behind a garwriter for The Advocate. bage can. I was surrounded.

Contact him at jjimenez.

Now I did not have any advocate@gmail.com. seeds on my sandwich or

josejimenez

CampusComment

Do you feel technology is benefical for society?

“Yes, because a lot of today’s world businesses are run through technology. We’d be lost without it.”

“In certain ways it’s good, but it also is bad because no one talks face-to-face anymore.”

Sha’Ronda Jones

Earnest Wilson

psychology

technology

“Yes I do. It’s another way to interact. Without technology a lot of things wouldn’t be up to par and there would be a lot of confusion.”

“It’s beneficial, but we’ve become lazy because of it. It’s replaced human jobs.”

Elijah Toumoua undecided

“In a way because it keeps people connected, but it can also be bad. It reduces people’s empathy and people’s way of socializing in a physical way.”

Derrick Hogan liberal arts

Marcos Nunez undecided

JANAE HARRIS AND HEATHER WALLIN / THE ADVOCATE

“It makes everything more convenient. It’s faster to gain knowledge.”

Simon Carlos undecided

FORUM N Passion

joelode

Relationship revives love for reptiles

T

hroughout my years growing up I had a lot of pets.

My house was home to multiple dogs, a cat or two, a few rodents and a bird, but most of all it was home to my favorites – my many reptiles.

Lizards, snakes, turtles — you name it, I had it.

Sometime around the start of high school, my focus shifted from animals to socializing and, as the years went by, for one reason or another, the number of pets in my household dwindled.

It happened so gradually that I did not really notice.

After awhile, my family only had two dogs and a cat and no prospects of changing that.

In February of this year, I met my current girlfriend.

She, like me, had been raised around reptiles.

It all came back to me, as one love awakened another. It suddenly gave us a common interest, a shared hobby to bond over.

We started visiting exotic pet stores, discussing what animals we would want to have as pets and planning out the necessary steps for getting new pets every few weeks.

We both spend a good portion of time every day researching and discussing the best methods of care for our growing family of critters.

Our knowledge of animal care has grown immensely and has been honed to such a degree that often times we find ourselves genuinely correcting people who work in pet stores.

Eventually our family of reptiles grew so large we had to start building our own enclosures out of wood and metal screens, as it was the most cost-effective option.

This was also a learning experience and something I had never done before.

Projects like this became a highlight for me and effectively strengthened the bonds my girlfriend and I share.

I got to work hard on a reasonable and achievable goal alongside my girlfriend and one of our scaly little buddies would get a new house.

Once we started building cages, we never looked back.

Adopting a more do-ityourself attitude, we quickly took to herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians, and began learning even more than before.

Before I started looking into what plants were best suited for my pets, I had zero knowledge of plants.

I have since picked up a fair amount of familiarity with foliage and the different levels of care plants require.

Aside from gaining much knowledge and skill on a subject, I have gained a structure to organize my days.

I wake up in the morning and feed everyone who is awake during the day and give them all fresh water, adjusting terrarium temperatures if necessary.

After that I am free to go about my day and go to class or do homework or what have you until about 9 p.m. By this time, I feed all of my nocturnal animals and change their water as well.

Simply having those two things to do every morning and night has given me an easy and rewarding basis for structuring my days.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

3

N Presumptions

S

Research needed for opinions

eeing a matter from multiple perspectives is important, but it is something I feel like many people still do not do today.

As much as we would all like to think we lack biases, at our cores we are full of them. The goal here is to recognize what our biases are and repudiate them.

Many people I have witnessed, myself included, are willing to throw out grandiose opinions in conversation and offer little support for why the opinion was formed, only that its importance came from the fact that it was them that formed it.

Although it has always been clear in conversation and on paper that the world does not revolve around me, my ego was far more challenged in accepting that truth, as I am sure has proven problematic for many others as well.

The bottom line is we should not form opinions without first looking from other people’s points of view and set aside our concepts of pride and integrity to deny ourselves the swift pleasure of asserting our egos.

codymcfarland That emotional outburst you felt so justified making may leave you apologetic later on.

Opinion pieces were incredibly difficult for me to write based on this, but with time, effort and the help of my fellow editors, I have come to understand the value of informed subjectivity.

Sure, I’m chock full of opinions varying in degree from unconcerned to fervently interested, but explaining why I feel something accompanied by fact and reason is quite arduous, especially when I begin second guessing my original thoughts and motivations.

Sometimes I do not know what to believe or how to feel after seeing a more holistic view on a matter.

Taking into account the opinions of others and arguments that may exist against

your beliefs not only refines your thought and argument processes, but also fortifies your stance on the opinions you hold.

Whether you choose to carry that opinion still or abandon it after considering outside factors is dependent on your research and the conclusions you draw.

I understand full well that it is annoyingly difficult to study something you already have a strong opinion on, especially when the facts may make you reconsider your position, but complete knowledge on any subject will help you create a wellinformed opinion and prevent you from looking foolish in debate and in general.

We typically voice opinions to rally support behind our ideas, but such support can never be expected if you cannot support your basic claims with fact and real life examples.

Research may be tedious, but it is truly necessary in any decision-making process.

An unchallenged opinion lacks clout and will likely fall flat when stated without

the needed support.

It is important to first figure out why your opinion was formed and whether or not that basis adheres to sound reasoning or is simply an emotional ordeal.

In short, emotions aren’t grounded with rationality and reason — that’s why they’re emotions — and while they are a factor in the opinions we form, they should not be used as the sole support for such opinions.

Another good measure on the topic of opinions is to not state insensitive opinions out loud publicly, as they may offend those around you.

No matter how entitled or right you feel about your stance on a touchy issue, it isn’t worth hurting someone else over.

People can stand to be proven wrong, but no one deserves to be insulted or hurt.

Cody McFarland is an opinion editor of The Advocate. Contact him at cmcfarland.theadvocate@ gmail.com.

Amoral therapy

Treatment hurts self-actualization of U.S. youth

By Veronica Santos SCENE EDITOR

G

vsantos.advocate@gmail.com

ay conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, for minors is hazardous to their mental health and should be banned in all 50 states.

Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is not something one can simply change through therapy.

It cannot be cured or repressed.

As a nation, we are taking steps to give those who are not straight the same rights as heterosexual individuals through the acceptance of gay marriage in some states.

Yet only two states, California, and more recently New Jersey, have banned this practice, which poses a question on what our society still believes.

Do we still believe, like some extremists, that we can shock or even exorcise homosexuality and bisexuality out of someone?

Or do we choose to believe in scientific evidence and legitimate studies showing the harms of gay conversion therapy?

In 1973, the American Psychological Association (APA) removed homosexuality and bisexuality from its list of mental disorders.

According to the APA, there is no link between sexual orientation and mental illness.

If parents cannot accept their own children for who they are, it becomes harder for their children to accept themselves.

Children do not choose to be attracted to the same or both sexes. A 10-year-old boy who may be confused about his sexuality did not wake up one morning and decide to be attracted to the same sex.

Unfortunately for some, “coming out of the closet” and accepting their sexuality leads to bullying.

In 2011, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer recorded YouTube videos encouraging gay youth to become hopeful and that “it gets better.”

Unfortunately, the bullying became too much and he was found dead by his parents due to an apparent suicide.

With the harsh truths of what youth must go through, adults must be mature enough and rely on trusted scientific evidence to support their children while they cope with what they cannot understand.

They must learn not to be another bully to their child.

The methods used for this form of therapy are methods of torture. One example is a story shared by Nathan Manske, who runs a non-profit LGBT

forum. A teen from Idaho was forced by his family to go through the therapy and was subjected to what they call “the month of hell.”

During the month of hell, the teen was put through electroconvulsive therapy, also known as electric shock therapy, used to treat clinical depression and schizophrenia.

With needles in his fingers, he was shown explicit photos of homosexual men and was shocked.

As a parent, one has the freedom to raise their child any way they want.

But putting one’s child in a repressed state is not good parenting.

Curing what some think is a mental illness can lead to real psychological problems and even suicide.

Robbing children of their identity denies them self-actualization. Selfactualization is a term coined by psychologist Abraham Maslow.

It is the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

It is when one realizes his or her potential, but before they can do so they need to feel the love of family and friends to gain the confidence to accept themselves.

Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who helped to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders, was the same man who ran a study claiming that “motivated” gay individuals can become straight.

However, in May 2012, after the World Health Organization reported that the therapy was “a serious threat to health and well-being,” Spitzer apologized to the gay community, proving the therapy was, and will always be, useless to society.

Joel Ode is a staff illustrator for The Advocate. Contact him at jode.theadvocate@ gmail.com.

JOEL ODE / THE ADVOCATE

4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013

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Robbery Gunpoint Biking | Overlooked Q FROM: Page

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Newsline Q PERFORMANCE

Dean to perform jazz at Yoshi’s NSAS Division Dean Dr. Terence Elliott will be performing and releasing his new album at Yoshi’s in Oakland on Sunday.

The album “Jazz Nothing But Soul” release and performance will start at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $19. To buy tickets before the event visit, www.yoshis. com, or call the Yoshi’s box office at 510-238-9200.

Faculty and students are encouraged to come and show support for Dr. Elliott and his band.

For more information, contact Dr. Elliott at 510-235-7800, ext.

4364.

Q CSE

Guest speaker visits college Dr. Pamela Simms-Mackey, associate director of Graduate Medical Education at Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, will be on campus to give a presentation to students.

The presentation will be on Friday in PS-132 at 2 p.m.

Simms-Mackey will share her work and research as well as how she balances family, career and committee involvement.

The event is free and students are encouraged to attend.

Refreshments will be served after the event in PS-109.

For more information, contact the Center for Science Excellence at 510-235-7800, ext. 4527.

Q OPPORTUNITY

Scholarship open to students The Florence, Italy Scholarship program is looking for a student to receive a scholarship for the spring 2014 semester.

District Director of International Education Aleksandar Ilich will hold a meeting in the Student Services Center, meeting room A, from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday.

All students are invited to learn if they qualify for the scholarship at the meeting.

Students can also find out first hand what is required to qualify for the scholarship there.

For more information, visit the website at www.aifspartnerships. com/ncsac/florence_spring.

CrimeWatch Thursday, Sept. 26: An unknown suspect vandalized multiple lockers in the Women’s Locker Room.

A student was robbed by three juvenile non-students at the bus stop on Mission Bell Drive.

A student’s vehicle was hit while parked in Lot 2.

Friday, Sept. 27: A non-college student was taken into custody for possession of a firearm possibly used in a robbery that occurred on campus.

Saturday, Sept. 28: No reports were taken on this date.

Monday, Sept. 30: Students were contacted for suspected marijuana possession.

A student’s jacket was left inside the Liberal Arts Building. The jacket was located and returned to the owner.

Tuesday, Oct. 1: A charter bus backed into a parked vehicle.

Wednesday, Oct. 2: No reports were made on this date.

— George Morin

CAMPUS BEAT

1

bus that was dropping off passengers in that area at that time.

From the footage, the officers were able to identify the suspects and that they were students at North Campus Continuation High School located in San Pablo.

On the day after the attack, three Police Services officers went to the high school and had the principal identify the three students. The principal also told Police Services of another suspect who might have been connected to the robbery, 18year-old Tiana Marie Smith.

Police Services later found a firearm matching the description of the handgun used in the robbery on Sept. 26 in Smith’s trunk.

She was arrested and brought to the West County Detention Center in Richmond.

Students left in the dark As of press time on Tuesday, no notification of the robberies had been given to faculty or students.

Some students said they should have been notified of such a crime happening on campus.

“A gun on campus is something I want to know about,” nursing major Leslie Sandoval said. “That is a big deal.”

Sandoval said she walks with a friend to and from the campus to feel safe, but realizes there is still a risk.

“Anyone with a gun has the possibility of taking everything from you. More than just your belongings — it could be your life,” she said.

Police Services Chief Charles Gibson said that the district only sends out mass email notifications when there is a crime of “imminent danger” to the campus.

“In this case, the suspects ran

off campus,” Gibson said.

Robberies connected The strong-arm robbery of a 21-year-old student occurred in the same location on Sept. 25, one day prior to the gun-related robbery, at approximately 11:10 a.m.

Oliveira said the victim told police he was waiting for the bus when two African-American male juvenile non-students walked up to him and asked to use his iPhone 4S for a call.

Oliveira refused to provide the name of the student, who was not hurt in the attack.

As soon as the student handed the phone over to one of the juveniles, he ran off with the phone toward the Del Camino-Valencia housing complexes, Oliveira said.

The other juvenile told the student that if he tried to follow them, they would “beat him up,” he said.

“This is what made this theft a robbery — due to the fear of force after the theft,” he said.

The victim then flagged down another student to ask to use his phone to contact Police Services, Oliveira said.

Due to the descriptions of the suspects and location of the crimes, Police Services suspects that they may be related.

Gibson said the area near the Bus Transfer Station is a place that provides opportunities for robbers to take advantage of people on the edge of campus.

“It’s a place that people are waiting for a bus or a ride, so it gives a criminal the time to take advantage of them,” he said.

Gibson said that Police Services did a great job at looking deeper into the robbery and arresting the suspects within 24 hours of the crime.

Q FROM: Page 1

campus are few and very outdated.

Bicycle racks on campus that are used frequently are located in front of the Library, Student Services Center and Bookstore. Each rack can hold five or six bikes.

“I know we have bike lockers on campus, I just am not sure about how I would go about getting a key for one,” Mazza said.

There are two bike lock ups that students can rent for $25 a semester from Police Services, who then will provide the student with a key to the locker. The lock ups, which can hold up to four bikes at once, are large-green boxes that students can rent to use all semester.

One bicycle lock up is immediately in front of Buildings and Grounds in Lot 9 next to the bike repair station. The other is across campus in front of the Biological Sciences building.

Bruce King is working with 511 Contra Costa to get additional bike racks on campus in hopes of “getting more people out of their cars and on bikes,” King said.

A Transportation Demand Management program, 511 Contra Costa, raises awareness of alternate options to single occupant vehicles. College Sustainability Committee member Christopher Johnson conducted a mapping of students attending Contra Costa College who live within a two-mile radius of campus.

With the help of the Contra Costa Community District Research Department he found that one-third of students (2,300) could benefit in many ways from a “20 minute bicycle ride,” Johnson said.

Richelle Ledesma, a liberal arts major, said that she rides for seven minutes each day to get to her classes.

Ledesma began biking out of necessity. Both her parents work and do not have the time to take her to campus, so she started biking.

“I live up the hill from the college, by Bayview Elementary,” Ledesma said. “Cars are expensive and I don’t really have the money to afford one.”

Going down San Pablo Avenue from Hilltop Drive is the best part of her ride. “It feels like I’m on a roller-coaster,” she said.

Bicycles also can be taken on all forms of public transit, if the distance of your destination is far away.

Biology professor Katherine Krolikowski is an experienced road cyclist living in Oakland, but teaches on campus.

Krolikowski rides her bicycle and uses the bus often.

“I live in Oakland and bike to Richmond about twice a week.

Sometimes I go the whole distance, but mostly I take BART to Richmond. It is about a three- to four-mile ride from there to the campus,“ Krolikowski said.

Riding your bike forces you to be vigilant, heightening your sense of awareness and overall coordination, she said.

“When you’re on a bicycle all your senses are being stimulated,” Krolikowski said.

Riding bikes also promotes general health by increasing muscle, lung and mental capacity.

“Any movement is better for you than just sitting down,” Krolikowski said. “Biking works out my legs, and I can breath easier after. It relaxes me.”

Mazza said he enjoys cycling more than riding the bus because he can go at his own pace instead of wasting time waiting for a bus that is not on schedule.

Diestler | Professor imparts perspective Q FROM: Page 1

within the district together with their counterparts to address concerns for their roles at their respective colleges and discuss solutions.

There to help Part-time photography professor Dana Davis remembers that Diestler was the one who first contacted him for his position after the previous photography professor retired.

Davis said Diestler helped acquaint him with the art department and put administrative rules into perspective for him.

“John was a peer who made me feel comfortable right off the bat,” Davis said. “He was direct, one-to-one and offered perspective. He always makes you feel like you’re on the same team.”

Even students said they feel as if they are being treated fairly and as equal adults when interacting with Diestler.

“He is incredibly patient and nice, was tough when he needed to be, but very even-keel and fair,” student Diane Lowery said. “He treated everyone as if they were on the same level.”

Lowery found Diestler to be respectful and patient with students and with her in particular, as she always asked many questions, she said.

Having taken numerous courses taught by Diestler and coming from a family of teachers, Lowery contends he is her favorite teacher of all.

“John is the most attention-getting teacher I’ve ever had,” she said. “He can make anything interesting because he’s so full of knowledge and has the background.”

DeBolt said, “Students are immediately drawn to him because they see he’s there to help.”

Hardest decision of all “It has always been, ‘What can we at Contra Costa College do for the community?’” Diestler said. “I wanted to teach my craft and empower students, but being a teacher turned out to be much more. It is all about the students — I’ll miss them most.”

Ultimately, it was Diestler’s responsibility to his family that made him retire when he did.

Had he chosen to continue teaching, he would have seen wage cuts and a diminished retirement fund.

He said, “It was the most life-changing decision I ever had to make and it took a lot of thought and prayer. In the end, it came down to my responsibility to do the right thing.”

To ensure his family’s financial stability for the remainder of his life, Diestler would have to give up one of his most fervent passions.

“I never did it for the money, but I had to stop doing it for the money,” he said.

Retired at 18 “I’m retired now,” Diestler said. “I was retired when I was 18.”

Diestler’s eldest daughter, Jenna Rentz, said, “My dad would always say, ‘Find a job that you would pay to do and do that.’”

If there was one thing Diestler was passionate about, it was his students and their success.

In this sense, he never worked a day in his life, but fulfilled his passion.

So far in his retirement, he has done a lot of writing and blogging.

Rentz loves that her father is writing because he is very influential and has much to say.

Self-taught on a multitude of subjects, Diestler continues to learn and broaden his spectrum of interests every day, while also continuing to

teach those willing to listen, she said.

Diestler also plans to collect and create. He is currently making custom knives and hopes to one day forge his own steel blades.

He plans to stay in shape as well by fencing and cycling for recreation.

Roots of a legacy A Richmond native, Diestler was born on June 11, 1949 at Richmond Hospital on 23rd Street.

He grew up in old wartime housing before moving to a house off of 19th Street in San Pablo. During this time, the Diestler family would go camping nearly every weekend, contributing to his love of the natural world.

He also loved to read.

Diestler’s first love was mythology, which manifested into a love of science fiction. Later, the socio-political climate of his teenage years in the 1960s would greatly influence his reading list.

He attended Richmond High School, where he graduated in 1967.

Diestler valued the works of Mervyn Peake, Tim Severin, Andy Diller and Jack Kerouac, demonstrating his eclectic set of interests from archaeology and history to science fiction, literature and spiritual discovery.

In his search for books by American author Henry Miller, which were banned in the U.S. until 1961, Diestler ventured to Berkeley because Miller’s radical works were not carried by any Richmond bookstore.

Once he set foot onto Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, Diestler was instantly absorbed in the surrounding culture and powerful anti-war climate.

He immediately felt at home.

“No one looked at me weird in Berkeley,” he said.

Diestler recalls sitting in on lectures at UC Berkeley and instances when he actually bought the texts for the classes he would crash.

During this time, he was greatly impacted by Kerouac’s “On The Road.” As a result, he spent much of his young adult life traveling, on and off, the Northwest United States. He got around by backpacking, hitchhiking and once hopped a train. On and off throughout his travels, he lived a collective three years without a roof over his head.

Diestler started his first semester at CCC four weeks late in the spring semester of 1968.

His love for travel and the social climate of the time were dominant factors in his tardy arrival.

After two years on campus, Diestler was drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War, a war he had previously spent much time protesting. He never made it to Vietnam, instead spending his first two years of service working with voice encryption technology in Pennsylvania. He spent his third and final year stationed on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea.

“I was big time anti-war, very committed and very active for the principle of peace,” he said.

In his anti-war effort, Diestler did everything from rallying to lying down in front of buses and on tracks in front of trains full of departing soldiers-to-be.

Upon returning home, Diestler picked right back up at CCC, where he was a student for another year before becoming a temporary electronic technician and graphic designer for the college.

He was given a permanent position one year later and soon became the college’s media

design specialist, a title he held alongside various other electronics positions. He taught as a part-time graphics and journalism professor for nearly 20 years before he was hired as a tenured professor in the art and multimedia areas.

In his last four years on campus, Diestler was an art professor and department chairperson.

A family that teaches together It is because of CCC that Diestler met his wife, the former Sherry Goldstein.

The two met on campus when Sherry was teaching part-time and looking for a copy machine. That’s when she happened upon John, an electronic technician and media designer for the college, who just so happened to have an available copier.

He wasted no time in striking up a conversation with her about the possibility of robots one day thinking for themselves while she made copies.

“I found him to be very philosophical,” she said.

They had much to talk about, as many long discussions ensued that strengthened their newfound friendship and resulted in them dating one month later.

As they got to know each other and began falling in love, Sherry recalls admiring his great senses of self, commitment, and integrity.

“John has much personal security,” she said.

“There’s no identity crisis there. He’s not a chameleon.”

Together, the two have had numerous exciting adventures.

“We used to love to go backpacking and hiking in the Sierra — which was great for me, coming from Pittsburgh, Pa. and not getting to explore the mountains and lakes of the West Coast,” Sherry said. “On our honeymoon, we hiked through hailstorms and torrential creeks.”

Now happily married for 33 years, Sherry said their compatibility stems from their “extremely similar values and love of parenting together.”

Together they have raised four children who keep their legacy of teaching others and helping the community thriving.

Their son Zach Diestler uses his acting degree from San Diego State to work with Kaiser Permanente educating elementary school students through short skits. He is currently considering going back to school and is married to a tenured Diablo Valley College drama professor.

The Diestler’s eldest daughter, Rentz, taught economics and history at Mount Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools before taking leave to get her master’s degree.

She is currently pregnant and the entire Diestler family is anticipating its newest addition in January.

Daughter Laura Diestler is graduating early from Eastern University in December and is a talented dancer, John Diestler said. She currently teaches dance classes and may go into nursing.

Their youngest child, Amy Diestler, recently left home for The King’s College in New York, leaving her parents with an empty nest.

The end of the 2013 fall semester will meet its unusual close without John Diestler on campus, but his passion to teach his students is far from fulfilled.

So, forever a man of his word, Diestler will keep a promise made to DeBolt a year ago and return to campus to teach photojournalism in the spring.

CAMPUS BEAT

Richmond hosts 7th Bay Area festival

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

5

SHARING

By Heather Wallin STAFF WRITER

hwallin.theadvocate@gmail.com

The 7th annual Home Front Festival by the Bay will happen Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbor Way South, in the Ford Point Building in Richmond. This is a free event.

The family-friendly event will feature activities and events that are appropriate for all ages. With borrowed inspiration from the “Rosie the Riveter” slogan, this year’s theme is “Kids Can Do It!” The focus is to engage kids in Richmond’s history through many exciting activities and exhibits.

The YMCA is hosting a Home Front Fun Run/ Walk that will begin at 9 a.m. The distance options will be 5k or 10k. Online registration ended yesterday, but interested people can register the day of the event starting at 7:30 a.m.

The event is hosted by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, City of Richmond and the Rosie Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

The festival will pay tribute to real-life “Rosie the Riveters” and at 1 p.m. there will be a reunion photograph.

Inside the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Education Center will be the temporary exhibit Kids in WWII: Imagination and Reality. It will showcase 1940s memorabilia including children’s toys, books, games, films and clothing. This exhibit will be available for public viewing until March 2014.

Authentic 1940s buses will shuttle attendees from the Craneway Pavilion to the Port of Richmond where tours of SS Red Oak Victory Ship will be conducted. The ship is the last remaining ship built

by Kaiser Shipyards docked in Richmond.

A “kids’ zone” will feature videogames, jump houses, art projects and face painting to entertain kids.

There will be plenty of local food vendors and beverages as well as nonprofit, retail, and enterprise vendors. Home Front Festival are still looking for volunteers. If interested, contact Brittany Joseph at 510-234-3512.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Open to suggestion — Art major Lawrence Buford shows his sculpture to a student during the Harvest Art Show held in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Oct. 1. The show is open to the public during October.

SHOWCASING ARTWORK

By Steve Son STAFF WRITER

sson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The work of summer art students is currently being showcased in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery in the Art Building.

The reception for the Harvest Art Show was held on Oct. 1 and began at 6 p.m.

JJ Lu, art professor and gallery moderator, said he put the event together to give the students a chance to let their artwork shine.

A smorgasbord of food and drinks was provided for everyone in attendance.

Art professors, students and supporting family members mingled and discussed the various works on display, speaking of their inspirations, passions and the individual stories behind each student’s piece.

Art student Ellen Sasaki said the

show was a great opportunity for the Buford, is also an apprentice under Lu. community to come together and share Buford, too, said the event gave stuart, as well as inspire one another. dents a chance to share their work, inspiShe said that most of the students rations, opinions and philosophies. take art classes out of passion alone and “Life is about exploration and art has are pioneers in exploring new or bet- the tendency to open your eyes to new ter possibilities to enrich each other’s possibilities,” he said. lives through interestHis sculpture was ing artistic concepts, a bust of a woman’s “Art is like children head and it stood tall including new techniques in various forms — it’s a labor of love. in the middle of the such as photography or You never really want room. sculpting.

Buford, as well Sasaki displayed to give them up before as others, was two pieces: a clay vase with you’re done growing impressed with a removable top the turnout and the and a small fish tank, enthusiasm that the with them.” roughly 12 inches crowd appeared to long, 6 inches wide share.

Lawrence Buford, and 8 inches high that He said, “Art is art student had another sculpture like children — it’s of what looked like a sea creature’s shell a labor of love. You never really want to and told a story of its evolution. give them up before you’re done growAnother art student, Lawrence ing with them.”

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JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

A passion for art — Vendor Joanne Oppenheimer shows off her handmade jewelry during the El Cerrito Art Show and Sale at the El Cerrito Community Center on Saturday.

Annual art show, sale exhibits talents

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EL CERRITO — The El Cerrito Art Association held its 37th annual Art Show and Sale at the El Cerrito Community Center on Saturday and Sunday to showcase the work of local artists.

Every year the EAA announces a special category to be featured at the show.

Artists are encouraged to compete in the category by designing works that capture the category’s theme.

This year, the theme was fall. According to the EAA website, more than 350 pieces of art were shown.

Former program chairperson Charlotte Britton said, “This is not a juried show.

Everything artists bring in is accepted. There is, however, a size limitation and I suppose a restriction on vulgarity.”

Participating artists were allowed to enter three pieces of artwork in each category.

Categories included oil painting, pastel, black and white photography, mixed media, sculptural forms.

To enter, art association members pay $10 per work submitted. The entry fee is $12 for nonmembers.

El Cerrito resident Mary Ann Konczal said that it was her first time at the art show and sale.

“I think it pulled me in because I haven’t really made it (El Cerrito) my community and I’ve been here for five years,” Konczal said.

Mixed-media artist Judy Threadgill was one of the artists featured at the event.

Threadgill, who was a security manager for Macy’s, has been designing mixed-media art for four years.

Last year, she was a first prize winner in the mixed-media category and an honorable mention in this year’s special fall category.

Each category has a judge whose professional focus is in the medium of the category. Each of these judges also happens to be a Bay Area artist.

“We have very notable jurors for this show. One is Dug Waggoner who is a member of the Pastel Society (of the West Coast),” Britton said.

Other judges include Barbara Milman who judged the digital art and printmaking categories.

Her work has been featured at the New York Public Library and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. Most of the works featured were also on sale.

Booths were present for club members to sell handmade items. Jewelry maker and new EAA member Joanne Oppenheimer, was one of the many vendors present during the event.

“We were hoping for more foot traffic today for the sale,” Oppenheimer said.

“Everyone has been lovely. I just love meeting all the people. I met about 20 different artists yesterday.”

Oppenheimer is an artist herself. Her jewelry is made with everything from abalone shells to surgical staples and milk cartons.

Guests were welcomed into the center with snacks and a piece of paper to participate in a treasure hunt. To win, participants had to find entry numbers of winning artwork and match it with a local merchant listed. The winner received $50 in cash.

Opening night was Friday.

An opening night artists reception was held that night, to give visitors the opportunity to meet the artists.

6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013

SPORTS

Creer advocates mental wellness

RELAXATION

Aerobics instructor promotes well-being

By Jeff Baker STAFF WRITER

jbaker.theadvocate@gmail.com

As the students in Robert Creer’s Aerobics class in GA-20 warm up, their 75year-old instructor guides them to “Leave your worries outside. Relax your mind; we’re going to have a great workout.”

The encouraging words emerge at the same steady cadence and intonation as instructions like: “Switch legs” or “Up, and down. Up, and down.”

The exercises themselves are not excruciating, but the large number of repetitions, for example 1,600 mini-crunches or 1,000 squats, lathers the students into a kind of zen state.

Before the 90-minute class, the students get up to 30 minutes in the Fitness Center where they can use free weights or resistance machines of their choice. Longtime football coach Creer said the students use the extra time to get into the proper mindset for working out.

“Mental and physical health go together,” Creer said. “There is a flow to any class, whether its kindergarten or university (level).”

He said that developing the “flow” is vital. And in any class the teacher and students must be going in the same direction in this “flow.”

“Of course everyone can’t paddle at the same speed at first. But as long as we are all paddling, we’ll be fine,” Creer said. He held that the beginning of any semester is about setting the routine and sticking to it.

Creer said that at age 75, his workouts are putting deposits into the “bank” so that he feels good when he is 85. He passes this outlook onto his students.

PHOTOS BY JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

Mental balance — (Top) Aerobics instructor Robert Creer leads his students in exercises during his class in the Fitness Center on Sept. 26. (Bottom) Student Evelyn Lee does a crunch during the class in GA-20 on Sept. 26.

Creer’s class advocates mental and physical health for students of any age who take the class.

Creer’s history From 1957-58, Creer played football for Contra Costa College under coach Vince Maiorana (with CCC football 1957-1981).

Creer was awarded a scholarship to UC Davis after his excellent career playing for CCC. He would not graduate from UC Davis, however. He explained that his academics had not caught up with his strong athletics at that point in his college career.

Creer would go on to coach for El Cerrito High School and Kennedy High School with his former teammate and CCC luminary and coach Tom Kinnard.

For 34 years, from 1972 to 2005, Creer was a renowned defensive assistant for CCC, and for three of those years the head coach. He coached with his former teammates Neil Gunn and Kinnard who also played under Maiorana. He worked primarily with the defensive backs.

“I am so proud that the four of us were inducted into the (state community college football) Hall of Fame — not just for the award, but because the four of us all played together and we all had a passion for supporting young people,” Creer said.

For those familiar with Contra Costa College athletics, Creer’s face is as familiar as the goal posts in Comet Stadium.

“In those days, there were not as many

coaching jobs for African-Americans,” Creer said. He said he got coaching offers from four-year-schools but turned them down on several occasions.

Creer explained that his greatest accomplishments include his storied coaching career, a position as community director of race relations in the Richmond school district, and working as a consultant to an assemblyman who he now considers a blood brother — Robert Campbell.

“If I had left the community I may not have accomplished any of that,” Creer said.

He would describe the people he worked with and his networking within the community as door-opening, similar to having multiple degrees.

Football lineage Always synonymous with the CCC football program, Creer designed his aerobics workout to be like a football workout.

“I tell my students that if they can make it in here, they can go see the team on the football field and think ‘Hey, I could do that workout’,” Creer said.

With very few changes, the class has been almost the same as it was when it started in 1974.

“I had a pregnant woman about 35 years ago in class. I used to holler at the baby and play music for her before she was born.

Well, 20 or so years later, that baby took my class as a grown woman,” Creer said.

Over the years the class has had various descriptions as a physical education elective: Aerobics, Physical Fitness and Fear Control, to name a few. But above all, Creer has always aimed to instill confidence and success in his students through physical and mental strength.

“Coach Creer teaches us how to handle stress and maintain a positive outlook,” said student Paul Cortes.

“His teachings might be dismissed as common sense, yet knowing and practicing are two different things, and coach Creer is able to climb inside my head and drive out pessimism.”

Cortes added that the class has him feeling more mentally and physically fit and enjoying life more because of it.

Student Fred Furuta said, “I remember when there were only eight or 10 people in the class way back when.” Furuta has attended the class on and off for 30 years.

“But once he motivates you he kind of gets a hold of you,” he said.

Student Huong Bui said, “My brothers and sisters have high blood pressure. I’ve come to this class since 2000 and it’s helped me maintain my weight. I haven’t had poor blood pressure or bad cholesterol.”

Creer explained a “One, Two, Three” way of looking at people, which sounded like a psychology model.

Here, “Threes” are those individuals who make others feel uncomfortable. “Twos” can improve, but are off-and-on, and can be somewhat problematic. “Ones” are the best, those rare individuals who can put their stresses to the side and their best foot forward in everything they pursue.

“I choose to surround myself with ‘Ones.’

And I just ask my students to be ‘Ones’ in my class,” Creer said.

The Aerobics class meets Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6 p.m. in GA-20 and Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m.

Comets end four-game losing streak Team beats ’Stangs 6-2 at home for first Bay Valley victory

By Jose Jimenez STAFF WRITER

jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The women’s soccer team ended its four game losing streak Friday afternoon on the Soccer Field.

The Comets (3-6 overall, 1-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) won 6-2 in convincing fashion over winless Los Medanos College (0-6 overall, 0-2 BVC), getting their first win in the BVC this season.

“First and foremost this is a game we (the Comets) should have won and sometimes those games can be the tough ones,” coach Nikki Ferguson said.

“Overall, I’m happy where we are. As far as conference-wise we still have a horse in the race at having an opportunity to make the playoffs.”

CCC is coming off a humiliating loss against undefeated Folsom Lake College (10-0-1 overall, 4-0 BVC) surrendering six goals to Falcon forward Samantha Madsen on Tuesday.

The Comets rebounded by scoring six goals on Friday, five of them happening in the first half.

“It wasn’t the best goal but that was my chance and it was a great feeling.”

Michelle Padilla, Comet’s defender

The Comet midfielder Laura Hurtado and defender Rosalina Medina scored four goals combined against LMC. The Comets connected on half of their shots on goal, going five for 10 in the first half, including a breakaway goal by defender Michelle Padilla.

“I saw the play coming and I (saw) the opening,” Padilla said.

“It wasn’t the best goal but that was my chance and it was a great feeling.”

The most notable goal came from midfielder Yvonne Alanis.

Up 2-0 in the first half, she attempted a shot from ADVERTISEMENT

midfield and scored putting ScoreBoard the Comets ahead 3-0, and distancing themselves from Comets 6 the Mustangs.

Mustangs 2 Alanis said she was focused and that once she got Next game: it with her left foot she knew Thursday at it was going in for a goal.

Napa Valley The second half saw a rally College, 2 from LMC, as the Mustangs p.m. netted two goals, but the lack of speed and endurance could not overcome the five-goal deficit that the Comets established in the first half.

“Even though we (the Comets) were up 5-0, I felt the quality of our play wasn’t very good. We were still turning the ball over a lot, and so in the second half it was about trying to find a way to connect passes and generate those same type of scoring opportunities without turning the ball over,” Ferguson said.

The Comets next game is on Thursday at Napa Valley College at 2 p.m.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

7

Volleyball Preview 2013

Squad remains optimistic despite slow start in 2013 Roster 2 3 5 10 11 12 13 17 18 21 23 26

Paula Sanchez Rickala Geeter Rebecca Gehlen Davonne Sripukdee Priscilla Benavidez Muey Saeyang Marikris Weber Richelle Ledesma Ella Gauna Valeria Avila Rachelle Cuevas Jessica Neville

outside hitter setter outside hitter outside hitter outside hitter middle blocker outside hitter setter outside hitter middle blocker middle blocker outside hitter

freshman freshman freshman sophomore freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman freshman sophomore

Last season by the numbers Overall record 6-13 Conference record 6-9 Conference finish seventh Record thus far this year 1-6

At a glance Head coach: Zachary Shrieve (4th season) Key returners: Jessica Neville, outside hitter; Davonne Sripukdee, outside hitter Key losses: Jazmine Mendoza, outside hitter; Elvira Figueroa, middle blocker; Melissa Amat, outside hitter

Key games

Contra Costa College

VS.

College of Alameda

Home: Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

Away: Nov. 13, 6 p.m.

Volleyball team looks to rebound from its 1-6 overall record midway through season ment from 2012, even with such young talent and inexperience.

STAFF WRITER “We are getting much, much better. jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com That’s for sure,” he said.

This 2013 version of the team is filled After a lackluster 6-9 Bay Valley Conference record and finishing their with ambition and resilience, Shrieve 2012 season 6-13 overall, the volleyball said. team is hoping to improve in 2013.

Fresh legs and endurance are the With juggernauts like third place Yuba Comets’ best attributes.

But the lack of experience and the College (7-6 overall, 4-1 in the BVC) and first place Solano Community College question of who will be the on-court lead(10-2 in overall, 4-0 in the BVC) estab- ers executing kills, digs, assists, aces, and lishing themselves as the top teams in the hitting percentage are still to be deterconference, the Comets clearly have their mined, Shrieve said.

The preseason volleyball scrimmage work cut out for them.

Despite incorporating 10 freshmen into tournament gave the team high hopes the team, Contra Costa College will have and boded well for the Comets. The to rely on returning sophomores Jessica team played against stiff competition and Neville and Davonne Sripukdee for lead- played well and entered into the season ership. One of the freshmen, Rebecca full of confidence.

Once the season started, however, Gehlen, will also add needed experience and depth to the young Comets. things turned sour.

“Being a sophomore does not feel any Currently the Comets are 1-6 overall, and 1-3 BVC, different,” Neville and have not won a said. “I just (want “We just need to keep game since Sept. 20 to) play.”

Neville, standing working and making good when they defeated at 5 feet 11 inches College passes, hitting on plan B Mendocino (0-8-1 overall, 0-5 tall, can intimidate BVC) giving the any opponent with balls and playing good volleyball squad its her stature. This defense out there.” season Neville has first and only win switched positions of the season.

Zachary Shrieve, CCC beat the from middle hitter volleyball coach Eagles in five sets, to outside hitter. The as Neville led the Pinole Valley High School graduate was named to the All- charge along with middle blocker Valeria Bay Valley Conference team in 2012, Avila to secure the first win for CCC. With very tough matches against an accomplishment no CCC volleyball player has been awarded since Naimah Yuba, Solano and Alameda remaining on the schedule, the Comets have many chalRobinson won the honor in the 1990s.

Comet coach Zachary Shrieve has a lenges ahead of them. But with favorable passion for defense and passing. matchups against Laney College, College He said, “That (passing) is what the of Marin and Napa Valley College, and that rematch against Mendocino College, game of volleyball is all about.”

He plans to incorporate these skills in some more wins could be added to their his team this season and knows it could record. be a challenge.

“We just need to keep working and But Shrieve said he is up for the making good passes, hitting on plan B balls and playing good defense out there,” battle.

“There’s a lot of fight and spirit every- Shrieve said. day in practice,” Shrieve said. “This group The Comets go to Oakland tonight of young ladies loves being around each for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Laney other and they are definitely getting bet- College Eagles and finish the week visiting sister college Los Medanos, in ter.”

Shrieve, who is coaching his fourth Pittsburg at 6 p.m. on Friday. year for the Comets, is hoping to somehow put it all together and show improveBy Jose Jimenez

Schedule Sept. 4 at Skyline 25-17, 25-14, 25-7 L Sept. 12 vs. Redwoods 25-16, 27-25, 25-17 L Sept. 18 at Canada 25-13, 25-21, 25-17 L Sept. 20 vs. Mendocino 25-18, 18-25, 25-15, 1925, 15-12 W Sept. 25 at Marin 25-22, 25-16, 15-11 L Sept. 27 vs. Napa Valley 25-21, 25-13, 25-11 L Oct. 2 vs. Yuba 25-11, 25-13, 25-14 L Today at Laney, 6 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Los Medanos, 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Solano, 6 p.m.

Oct. 18 vs. Alameda, 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 at Mendocino, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. Marin, 6 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Napa Valley, 6 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Yuba 6 p.m.

Nov. 8 vs. Laney 6 p.m.

Nov. 13 vs. Los Medanos, 6 p.m.

Nov. 15 at Solano, 6 p.m.

Nov. 19 at Alameda, 6 p.m.

Key players

Outside blocker

Outside hitter

Avila

Gauna

Neville

The Comets are anticipating two competitive games against their Bay Valley Conference rival, the Cougars, this season.

CCC last defeated the College of Alameda in 2010 when the squads split their two matches. The Comets hope to revive their season and finish the year with a winning record for the first time under fourth-year coach Zachary Shrieve.

Middle blocker

8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 2013

SPORTS

Comets retain control

UNOPPOSED

Football team seals victory in overtime

By Mike Thomas SPORTS EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

SACRAMENTO — Bouncing back in the fourth quarter to tie the game, the football team beat Sacramento City College (1-4) 35-28 in overtime here on Saturday night.

The Panthers scored 14 points on the Contra Costa College (3-2) defense in the third quarter, but the Comets remained calm and forced overtime with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter on an 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Malik Watson to Terrance Barnes and a scary two-point conversion.

The Comets started the first quarter with three consecutive and outs, and “It was a draw three did not score until to the back and late in the quar— a 7-yard it got broken. ter Davonte Sapp(Lynch) did Lynch touchdown run that tied the a great job of score at 7-7.

The game paying attenturned into a tion to the blitz defensive battle in and Barnes did the second quarter, but SCC runa great job in ning back Josh scored an the end zone.” Hadley 11-yard rushing touchdown with Malik Watson, 3:54 remaining Comet quarterback before halftime.

Watson answered with a 41-yard touchdown pass up the middle to Sapp-Lynch, however a two-point conversion attempt failed leaving the Panthers with a 14-13 halftime lead. “(The touchdown) was a great call by (assistant coach) Terry Collins. We put Lynch all the way at wide and (Watson) threw a nice pass to the middle. He caught it way up their alley,” coach Alonzo Carter said. “(Sapp-Lynch) is our guy and our playmaker.”

CCC came out flat in the third quarter, and was held scoreless in the period.

The defense gave up 14 points in that

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Not looking back — Comet Phadrae White runs past Panther defensive lineman Taye Clay during the game against Sacramento City College on Saturday. The Comets were victorious over the Panthers in overtime, 35-28. quarter, and it looked like the game was getting of reach for the Comets, who were down 28-13 entering the fourth period. But they rallied for 15 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Carter said they wanted it to be an ugly game against the Panthers, but not a sloppy game.

“They score first and we start slow,” he said. “I hate that we are into this habit with slow starts.”

Comet wide receiver Larry Cornish III ran a 13-yard sweep that closed the gap to 28-20 at the 14:49 mark of the fourth quarter.

Then the Panthers got possession and Hadley gained 20 yards on a run, but fumbled. The Comets recovered, and drove the ball to the Sacramento 20-yardline where Watson gave it back to the Panthers on an interception.

“It was a double post and (wide receiver) Padre White did a good job of splitting the safeties,” Watson said about the interception. “Unfortunately, the safety was still able to make a good play on the ball.”

But Watson soon drove the Comets to their final touchdown in regulation, that 10yard pass to Barnes with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

And CCC had to go for a two-point conCarter said that play was fortunate. version to tie the game.

“It was a fake QB sneak and should have The play was a running back draw for been a walk in for (Sapp-Lynch),” Carter Sapp-Lynch, but the Panthers’ defense said of the game-winning touchdown. “I called a blitz to counter the guess he saw how big the run play. hole was, got anxious and ScoreBoard As Sapp-Lynch was dropped the ball.” wrapped up and going to Comets 35 The Comets’ defense the ground, he had the presstopped the SCC possesPanthers 28 ence of mind to lateral the sion to win the game 35ball back to Watson, who Next game: 28. threw it to Barnes complet- Oct. 19 vs. Yuba College, The defense is what ing the two-point conver- 3 p.m. kept CCC in the game in sion to tie the game. the fourth quarter, Carter Follow this game live at “It was a draw to the said. twitter.com/accentadvocate back and it got broken,” In three of the five Watson said of the twogames the Comets have point conversion. “(Lynch) did a great job of played, the defense has not allowed an paying attention to the blitz and Barnes did a offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter. great job in the end zone.”

“We’ve been playing pretty consistently CCC had forced overtime after coming in the fourth quarter,” Carter said. “Our back from a 15-point deficit. fourth quarter defense is when we clamp In overtime, the Comets’ marched down down on the offense.” the field to the Panthers’ 1-yard line.

Penalties have been the problem for CCC On fourth and goal coach Carter called a this season. fake QB sneak.

They lead the state with 86 of them.

On the play Sapp-Lynch had a hole, but In the Sacramento game, the Comets had ended up fumbling the ball. He picked it 23 penalties for a whopping 210 yards, and right back up and went in for the game-win- most of those penalties kept Panther scoring ning touchdown. drives going.

Squad scores late game equalizer Mariners make early-game goal, set pace for half

By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

KENTFIELD — An overconfident men’s soccer team trailed 1-0 at halftime until striker Marco Solis tied the game in the second half on a header from a corner kick at College of Marin on Friday.

The teams tied 1-1 after men’s soccer coach Rudy Zeller changed the Comets’ formation from a four-man backline to three. This moved more players deeper into Mariner territory, closed space and kept possession in an attacking position.

Minutes after the opening whistle, the Mariner (1-1-3 overall, 00-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) striker Imran Nana was able to loft the ball over Contra Costa College (4-4-2 overall, 0-1-2 in the BVC) keeper Gustavo Rojas from 25 yards out.

“He caught me off guard,” GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE Rojas said. “I wasn’t expecting a Loss of possession — Comet forward Brian Randall losses possession to Mariner defender long shot.”

Paul Galleti during the team’s game against College of Marin in Kentfield on Friday. The Comets Marin was able to keep its made a goal late in the second half to tie the game at 1-1. attacking momentum flowing by applying tremendous pressure in areas. the run for a midfield pass. on field, Zeller said.

Comet territory.

The Mariners were able to CCC’s defensive line of four The Mariners led with four “We need win the ball was able to hold off the Mariners shots on goal at halftime to the to pick up our and attack by cutting off angles and Comets’ zero.

“What really frustrates time energy out time again anticipating where the ball would Marin shut the Comets down, there,” Rudy me is that you’re all play- by keeping be. outran them and made passing Zeller said a relentless However, each Mariner shot difficult, Zeller said during a half“Push up. ing like a bunch of prima pace and on goal went wide, was deflected time huddle.

Push up,” a p p l y i n g or found its way into the gloves “What really frustrates me is donnas out there. You Zeller yelled pressure. of Rojas. that you’re all playing like a bunch to his team in can’t just show up, think The COM A couple Mariner attempts of prima donnas out there,” Zeller the first half. said to the team. “You can’t just you’re good and expect m i d f i e l d struck the framework.

Unable to possessed Bad passes by the forwards and show up, think your good and a win. You guys have to the ball long midfielders plagued CCC through- expect a win. keep up with Mariners’ enough for out the half. Marin dominated pos“You guys have to sweat for sweat for this shirt.” pace, on and its backline session in the half. this shirt.” off the ball, to move up to “(Comet players) were frusThe second half opened much Rudy Zeller, CCC’s backmidfield. trated and it showed in their play,” better for CCC. men’s soccer coach line remained This tactic assistant coach Jon Scoles said.

The midfield players began to in front of its own net, closing kept the ball in CCC territory and At the end of the first half the create turnovers by closing space down space and clearing the ball gave Marin strikers ample time to team began to slowly complete between themselves and the ball. out of dangerous goal scoring find holes in the defense to make passes and open up range of play Once in possession, instead of

ScoreBoard

Comets 1 Mariners 1

Next game: Friday vs. Santa Rosa Junior College, 4 p.m.

Follow this game live at twitter.com/accentadvocate

making a hasty pass to nobody, players would trap the ball, create space and look for the open man to pass to.

Comets’ strikers Brian Randall and Marcos Solis each missed multiple chances that would have brought them even with an exhausted Marin team.

Zeller changed his team’s 43-1-2 formation into a 3-5-2 at the 80-minute mark of play, also substituting center-back Machado Klebber for center attacking midfielder Gio Guerro.

Playing with a three-man backline allowed the Comets to push up the field with more players in an advanced attacking position.

This created more options of play in Marin territory for the Comets.

The Mariners played with a five-man backline for most of the second-half.

Holding possession in an attacking area showed results in the closing moments of the game. A drive up the left wing was cleared out of bounds by the Mariner defense.

A left corner kick by Comets center defensive midfielder Roberto Calixto curled its way into the box, finding striker Solis who was able to header it past frozen Mariner keeper Abraham Rodriquez.

The Comets came close to scoring the game-winning goal four times during the last six minutes of play, but could not convert.

“We came into this game confident against a weaker team and that is what killed us today,” left midfielder Romario Pena said.

“We need to play each game like it’s our last,” he said.