The Breeze
Volume 27. Issue 2
Exclusive Interview with Ariel View
Prop 64: Weed Legalization on the Ballot this November TheBreezepaper.com
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September 5, 2016
Letter from the Editor Trigger warning: this aricle may be critical of trigger warnings. The University of Chicago’s Dean of Students recently made headlines when, in an open letter to incoming freshmen, he stated that their campus would not suppport so-called “safe spaces” or “trigger warnings.” Being challenged is what college is supposed to be about. Actually it’s supposed to be about education. But how can one truly learn, if one only allows oneself to learn things that are convenient. It’s natural to be biased against information that doesn’t agree with our existing viewpoints. It’s important to remember that everybody thinks they’re just as right as you are, which means that you at least have that in common. This bare-minimum of empathy is still more than many will be able to muster So if you’re livid at the current state of politics or the cast of the new Ghostbusters film. Take a deep breath, remember that the universe is not concerned with what offends you, and have a cup of coffee. Roberto Hernandez thebreeze@chaffey.edu
Photo by Eric Burger
Editor-In-Chief Roberto Hernandez
Sports Editor Edward Gutierrez
Staff Writers and Photographers Students of Journalism 30 & 31
Managing Editor Kyle Smith
A&E Editor Juan “Charlie” Vargas
General Manager Roberto Hernandez
Online Editor-In-Chief Daniel Steele
Social Media Editor Faith Hawkings
Lab Techs Daniel Steele De’CHanne’ Lane Manuel Vargas
Photo Editor Elizabeth Duncan Features Editor Michelle Caldera News Editor Jullian Aiden Bravo
Opinion Editor Chris Salazar Life & Style Editor Krystian Saldivar Audio/Visual Editors Hanajun Chung Emmanuel Vargas
Faculty Adviser Michelle Dowd Journalism Coordinator Neil Watkins
The Breeze is published up to eight times a semester by the journalism students at Chaffey Community College, 5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737. Telephone: 652-6934/6936. Opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff and should not be interpreted as the position of the Chaffey College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof. Letters and guest columns for or against any position are welcome. Letters should be kept as brief as possible and are subject to non-substantive editing according to guidelines established by the Associated Press. The Chaffey Breeze is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Calendar Tuesday, Sept. 6 Cold/Flu Awareness: Student Health Services will have a Cold/Flu awareness day at the Chino Campus from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Health information booths will be available in the quad.
Tuesday, Sept. 6 Wignall Art Gallery: The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art will open an art gallery titled, “No Human Being is Illegal: Posters on the Myths & Realities of The Immigrant Experience.” The gallery will be open for viewing until Nov. 19. There will be a reception for the artists Sept. 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wignall Museum.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 Diabetes/Nutrition Education: Student Health Services will have a health educational event that will provide information about diabetes and nutrition. The event will be held in the Rancho Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 Guest Speaker: Jorge Hernandez of the superior Court of Riverside County, will visit the Rancho Campus to share his experience of overcoming adversities and discuss the challenges that undocumented migrants face when coming to the U.S. Judge Hernandez will be in room CAA-218 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 Interview Awareness Workshop: The Career Center will have a free workshop focused on guiding students through the best interviewing techniques from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Career Center is located in MACC-208 (above the Chaffey Dining Commons).
Wednesday, Sept. 21 Dress For Professional Impressions: The Career Center will have a free workshop focused on informing students about dressing professionally.
Friday, Sept. 9 Womens & Mens Soccer: Chaffey College’s women’s soccer team will play at Santa Monica College from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The men’s soccer team will also play at Santa Monica College from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The college is located at 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405.
Thursday, Sept. 15 Deadline to Drop Track 1: The Deadline to drop Track 1 classes without a “W” grade is Sept. 15. Note that dropping Track 1 classes following the deadline date will result in a “W” grade which is the equivalent of receiving an “F.”
Table of Contents 5 Things You Need to Know ASCC Carnival
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Wignall Exhibit
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Blue Cut Fire
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Apps in the Classroom
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Kubo: And the Two Swords Review 8 Bittersweet Vibes
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California Takes the Colorado
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Golden State Sees Green 12 Rams Return
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Kaep Sits for Freedom
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Panthers Aim for a Strong Season 14 Panther on the Rise Saturday, Sept. 10 Mens’s Football: The Chaffey College Men’s Football team will play a game at Bakersfield College from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The College is located at 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield CA 93305.
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Correction: In our previous issue (Volume 27, Issue 1), the article “Problem Child” was not credited to the writer, Dechanne Lane. The Breeze
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September 5, 2016
5 Things You Need to know Jullian Aiden Bravo @Mr_Reporter_
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California False reports of a shooting prompted the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to shut down operations. The false report sent panicked travelers stampeding onto the airport’s tarmac. 27 flights were diverted and 281 arrivals and departures were delayed. After a search of the buildings, Los Angeles police said no shooting occurred. The airport returned to normal operations Aug. 29. Before panic began, police confronted and detained a man wearing a Zorro costume. Once authorities realized the sword was a fake, the man was released. The false report comes two weeks after a similar scare at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. False reports of gunfire prompted the airport to shutdown.
- Source: CNN Election Systems Breached The FBI is investigating how hackers managed to breach election systems and jeopardize the personal information of voters in Arizona and Illinois. Law enforcement officials confirmed the June breach that affected about 200,000 records. Ken Menzel, General Counsel for the Illinois Board of Elections, said he was certain that records remain unaltered. Hackers cannot affect election results this November because the systems are not connected to the Internet, authorities said. The breach comes one month after the FBI alerted election officials to strengthen security. The FBI warned of Russian hacker forums having potential to initiate such breaches.
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- Source: The Washington Times Funeral Mourners Bombed: Death rained from above on a group of Syrian funeral goers in the Syrian city of Aleppo Aug. 27. They were mourning the deaths of 15 women killed by recent raids when Syrian government and Russian warplanes attacked. At least 24 funeral mourners were killed and 30 others wounded. The war-torn city of Aleppo is currently divided between pro-government forces in the west and anti-government militias to the east.
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- Source: Aljazeera
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Islamic State Weakens: In 2014 the seemingly untouchable Islamic State (IS) declared an Islamist caliphate. Their brutality spread like a wildfire and knew no boundaries. But now, the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies see the militant group as a dwindling and dispirited force. Recent battles in which the IS lost ground suggest that the group is no longer willing to defend territory. U.S. officials subtly indicated that the long awaited assault on Mosul, the group’s self-declared capital in Iraq, might begin this fall. However, U.S. intelligence officials say that Islamic State’s ability to inspire or organize attacks on foreign land remains unimpaired.
- Source: The Los Angeles Times
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Actor Gene Wilder Dies at Age 83: Actor Gene Wilder died in his home in Stamford, Conn. Aug. 29. He was 83. Wilder is known for his character performance as Willy Wonka in the film “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” as well as the character Dr. Frankenstein in the film “Young Frankenstein”. Jordan Walker-Pearlman, filmmaker and nephew to the late actor, confirmed his death, saying the cause was from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Wilder was diagnosed with the illness three years ago. Aside from being an accomplished actor, Wilder was also a screenwriter, novelist and director. “Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there’s a heaven he has a Golden Ticket. ;^),” actor Jim Carey said in a Tweet in response to Wilder’s passing. - Source: The New York Times
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September 5, 2016
Carnival In The Quad ASCC hosts welcome back event for Fall 2016 Semester
Jullian Aiden Bravo @Mr_Reporter_ The Associated Students of Chaffey College (ASCC) held a welcome back event in the Rancho Quad Aug. 24. Students had a chance to play games and win a full meal provided by the ASCC. The task was simple. Students had to play one game of either dart toss, Frisbee toss or beanbag toss, earn tickets and redeem them for a meal. Dozens of students lined-up before the red tents labeled “Associated Students” for a chance to win. Max Tagoylo, psychology major, won a meal playing one of the three games. For him, the welcome back event was perfectly scheduled. “I like the time they planned it out. A lot of people are just coming out of classes
and are hungry,” Tagoylo said. “The school is so interactive with the students.” The purpose of the welcome back event was, well, to welcome back the Chaffey community. ACC President Travis Alwin wanted to host an event as early as possible. He said the student government worked hard over the summer to plan events for students of Fall 2016. “We’re on top of things,” Alwin said. “As student government we are here to represent and serve. This is a way to welcome students back, old and new, and let them know there is a student government serving them.” Marina Jimenez, commissioner of activities for the ASCC, said the event was
From left: Natalie Pulido, undecided major, Myrna Zaragoza, x-ray tech major and Michelle Montes, biology major, smile for a picture taken at the ASCC’s Carnival Aug. 24. Jullian Aiden Bravo intended to be much larger with a bounce house, snow cones and cotton candy. The bounce house proved to be a liability and the cotton candy and snow cones weren’t there, but that didn’t matter for business major Latasha Amie — who won six tickets playing beanbag toss. She patiently stood in line to receive her wellearned meal. “I like that it’s organized and the games are simple and fun,” Amie said. “It makes you feel involved.”
Immigrant Experience on Display at Wignall Museum The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art previewed its new exhibit titled, “No Human Being is Illegal: Posters on the Myths and Realities of the Immigrant Experience” to faculty on Aug. 24. The exhibit centers its focus on the history of immigration in America. Each poster contains a different minority community which expresses a form of frustration or disparity. Labor is a common theme of frustration in the posters. For example, a poster titled “Chinese Railroad Workers” shows a Chinese man with a pickax and tells a brief history of their discredited labor and erasure, while another reads“¡Ya Basta Con El Genocidio de
los Pueblos Indígenas!” (End the Genocide of Indigenous Peoples) with a message saying “We are all Mexico” which depicts babies and their mothers looking outward and dressed in their culture’s attire. The purpose of the preview was to show faculty different ways of seeing it as a living exhibition as well as encouraging them to incorporate it into their curriculum whether it be english, sociology, or political science. Neil Watkins, coordinator of the Journalism and English departments, hopes the exhibition will reach more students by having them expand their visual literacy skills and help students The Breeze
think more critically when analyzing art. Robert Nazar, English Professor, said that the exhibit also allows creativity into the classroom while helping the professors also stay up to date with the social issues of today. Nazar also said analyzing these art pieces can help build critical thinking skills that modern employers want their employees to have. “Reading goes beyond words on a page,” he said. “It helps to learn things in a different lens.” The exhibit opens Sept. 6 and will go until Nov. 19 and will have a poster making activity for students who wish to express a social or political theme.
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September 5, 2016
Blue Cut Fire Displaces Many Mother Nature had all the right ingredients sprinkled over the arid landscape of Blue Cut Trail. Dry pine, parched leaves, searing temperature; the recipe was complete. But now authorities are working to determine who or what fired-up the grill. The Blue Cut Fire, as it has come to be known, has burned more than 35,000 square acres of dry land in a rural area in the Cajon Pass. Firefighters are still battling the blaze with 68% containment. In its path the fire claimed over 90 homes and over 200 other buildings. Sid Harris, 62, of Wrightwood, a mountain town affected by the fire, never experienced an evacuation until recently. As the fire neared his town, authorities prompted haste evacuations. Except for a few wedding photos and a laptop, Harris had very little time to gather his personal belongings. “We got the order to leave Tuesday,” Harris said. “It was voluntary at first. Then the sheriff came knocking block to block, door to door, telling us we got to go.” The community of Wrightwood was spared, mind a few singes on the edge of town. Firefighters managed to fend off the fire’s blazing offensive with the help of a bulldozer and a lot of dirt. And though his home is untouched, Harris nonetheless
expressed a yearning for his 100-year-old cabin nestled in dry pine. “We miss our home,” he said. “Our home is beautiful.” Evacuations are still in place for Wrightwood and nearby mountain towns. Harris is sheltered at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center in Fontana. The American Red Cross temporarily manages the shelter. There, Harris is provided with water, food and a place to sleep. He spends his time with friends – fellow evacuees staying at the shelter. One of those friends is Doris Huffman, 71, of Lytle Creek. Like Harris, she was ordered to evacuate the town. She began her morning like any other morning. She opened her drapes and looked outside. Then she saw the smoke. Police would later force her to evacuate. “I opened my drapes to read the Bible in morning, looked outside and saw a dark sky. The sheriff brought me down. No one would because of my handicap,” Huffman said. “This is the worst fire I’ve been in.” Huffman’s cabin survived the fire but another problem emerged. Looters invaded the mountain towns, breaking into homes in search of valuable possessions left behind in the haste evacuations. Police forces are currently patrolling the affected The Breeze
areas, preventing unwanted people from entering, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff. “We have intensive patrol in there and as you’ll see on national media this morning, we have been arresting looters that come into our area,” Assistant Sheriff Shannon Dicus said to the public and media Aug. 19. “If anyone wants to cause any additional anguish than what we already received as a county, we are well prepared to investigate, pursue and jail those people.” As for the cause of the Blue Cut Fire, investigators are continuing to investigate. Police are asking people with knowledge of the fire to call We Tip at 1-800-47-Arson. Their cabins survived the fire, and from the news Harris and Huffman gathered, they know their homes were not looted either. They expressed gratitude to firefighters for fending the blaze and the Red Cross association for providing shelter. “The firefighters did a superb job drawing the line right before Wrightwood,” Harris said. “We’re grateful to live yet another day.” “Praise God for that,” Huffman replied
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September 5, 2016
Apps In The Classroom
Social media usage is a cultural phenomenon among college students. No wonder there’s a chalkboard in the library where students post their usernames. It is hard to imagine a whole day without it, with the impact it has on one’s academic and social life. When you look around campus, more than likely people are using their cell phones, even in classrooms where the teachers don’t let their students use them. Since the “app generation,” students choose to utilize social media, and it determines their academic corollary, both positive and negative. “Every time students use their cell phone in class, it potentially affects their test grades,” said Dr. Chris Bjornsen, psychology Professor at Longwood University. In a recent study that reveals the relationship between cell phone use in class and academic achievement in all of his classes throughout a whole school year, he said, “As cell phone use in class goes up, test scores go down. Just as higher cell phone use predicts lower test scores, lower cell phone use also predicts higher scores.” When a student receives a notification from their friends like a meme of Snoop Dogg droppin’ it like its hot, it’s going to deviate students from doing their school work. “Students don’t know how to focus because they believe they can multitask,” said
political science professor Dr. Monica Carter. “It doesn’t work because you’re not giving your full attention.” Students believe that they have to be entertained to put forth the effort with their academic tasks, and if they are not being entertained, it will determine how motivated they are when it comes to their own academic success. The more difficult an educational task, the more likely a student will take the easy way out. However, there is a silver lining when it comes to accessing social media apps through cellular devices at school. “It’s all about balance and moderation,” Dr. Carter emphasized. Tech-savvy students are able to procure information at the touch of a button, “which aids in analysis. Students learn how to analyze the information they’re given, making them capable of choosing information wisely, since information is easy to come by,” she said. Allowing students to engage in online communities can amplify the learning process, so their academic voices are heard. This allows students to connect with one another. There’s no doubt that social media apps on smartphones make an impact. That is why some teachers have a “no phone policy,” that forces students to put their phones away when a class is in session, with the The Breeze
goal of making students’ academic performance better than it would have if they were on their phone. Who wants to put their phone down when they could be updating their status on Twitter? “What am I doing with my liiiiiife (sad face emoji).” Let’s face it, the no phone policy might not be our favorite, but it’s a teacher’s way of helping students succeed in the classroom. And besides, after class, we can tweet Justin Bieber lyrics. Now as a little food for thought, Jennifer Porter, a photography professor, tells students at the beginning of class that cell phones are prohibited in class, and if it rings, you will have to buy the whole class cookies. The impact of social media on your life as a student could determine your fate to buy a whole class cookies. Choose wisely.
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September 5, 2016
STOP-MOTION A
MASTERPIECE HANAJUN CHUNG @HANAJUN
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t this point, there’s no one better at making stop-motion animation than the Oregon-based LAIKA Entertainment. Their attention to detail and immense creativity returns with “Kubo and the Two Strings,” providing not only the best animated film this year, but quite possibly delivering the best stop-motion film ever made. Taking inspiration from classic samurai epics and video games, “Kubo” follows the titular young street performer/magician (Art Parkinson) as he’s forced to go on a journey to find his late father’s armor. With the aid of a stern, maternal “Monkey” (Charlize Theron) and a lumbering but skilled “Beetle” (Matthew McConaughey), Kubo must find the armor before he’s discovered and captured by his aunts (Rooney Mara) and his grandfather (Ralph Fiennes). Future animators most likely following the big CG releases from Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks should really be paying to this film and LAIKA. There’s some amazing, inspired imagery outside the already gorgeous and familiar iconography from the genre.
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September 5, 2016 Some of the best samurai films are also the most gorgeous, and “Kubo” is especially breathtaking in it’s many different settings. Movement is masterfully achieved — whether it’s character or action, featuring moments that people have never seen before; magical scenes that feel all the more real due to the filmmaker’s craft. Armed with his shamisen (normally a three-stringed instrument, not two), the character and the film don’t skimp out on the music. Kubo’s performances in earlier scenes have a rhythmic energy that work harmoniously with the action on screen. But the overall score and music is great, featuring a wonderful cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The incorporation of digital animation gives the film an extra bit of polish. Certain set pieces benefit from digital aid, but considering the fact that the film also uses rear projection (filming a subject while an image is projected behind) is a more of a testament to the filmmakers pulling out all the stops.
There’s quite a lot to like with the characters themselves, all fully realized thanks to the outstanding character design and voice acting, especially that of Theron and Mara. While it would’ve been great to see more diversity in casting the performers, what the audience ends up getting out of the A-list cast is quite excellent. If there’s any real complaint regarding “Kubo” is that the film could’ve benefited with a little more material, specifically regarding universe and certain character backstories. Much of the story constantly refers to Kubo’s late father throughout the plot, but it still feels like there wasn’t enough to make the later scenes feel more impactful and less predictable for older audiences. At 101 minutes, it still has much to keep younger audiences happy. That’s probably what makes “Kubo” rank in the all-time greats. Not only does it set the bar on a technical level (holding the record for largest, stop-motion animatronic), but does so with the emphasis on story first. The best kid’s films will always be remembered due to their story and the way it
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engages, often challenges their audience. LAIKA’s creation is a testament to storytelling and the humanity behind it—and how it can lead to something everlasting and beautiful. Grade: A+
三味線 ‘shàmíséń’
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A&E/Features
September 5, 2016
BITTERSWEET VIBES
Charlie Vargas @CharlieVargas19
Photo by Charlie Vargas Ariel View plays for a crowd in Riverside Calif. Aug. 26. Dancy melodies have found a home in the ears of the Inland Empire. Ariel View formed in Ontario in 2013. Consisting of members Harmonie Martinez and Dulce Zanabria as guitar/vocals, Heaven Martinez on bass/back-up vocals and their new drummer Nadine Parra, the group continues to flourish in the backyards and venues of the Inland Empire while striving to stay an all-girl band. “Since there is not that many girl bands out there we wanted to be one of the few,” Zanabria said. Harmonie Martinez and Zanabria began as an acoustic two-piece playing at open mic nights on occasion. Like most bands, they began as a cover band but found themselves eager to evolve. “For me it was like, wouldn’t it be cool if I wrote my own songs?” Harmonie Martinez said. “I wouldn’t just know everybody else’s songs, it’d be our own songs and we just grew from that.” From then on the band began to write their own songs and pushed comlpete their sound which required additional members. Harmonie Martinez’s younger sister, Heaven Martinez, took the band’s role as their bassist and helped amplify their sound. The band has shifted between drummers before finding Parra, but in their four piece band has found themselves
to be productive as a whole. Harmonie and Heaven Martinez’s influences come from bands and songwriters The Beatles, Hayley Williams, The Doors, Nora Jones, The Smiths and The Strokes. Zanabria finds herself heavily influenced by the music written by Dallas Green who carries a more somber feeling that Zanabira emulates and expresses through her songwriting. “Dulce is the source of our sadness in our music,” Harmonie Martinez joked. The band does carry melancholic messages of heartache resulting from break ups, family conflict and other faltered relationships. However, they are not your average heartbreak anthems. Instead of the lyrics revolving around blaming the other person as most heartbreak anthems do, focuses on the feeling the feeling itself. Songs from their self-tilted DIY album like, “How Much Longer” and “Gone” contain sadder lyrics but the rhythm they keep is one to sway to, giving them a bittersweet combination of flowy melodies and gloomy lyricism. They all agree there is a balance each of them bring to the table. Harmonie brings happy upbeat feelings to the music, while Heaven and Zarabira blend in their sorrows to give them a fluid sound. “You don’t really want to have a C.D.
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where all the songs are going to sound the same,” Zanabira said. The song writing is typically done together at their practices and they hope to not only write songs about their personal experiences, but also songs that people can relate to and find fulfilling. “They’re all digging the music and they don’t look like they would,” Harmonie Martinez said. Ariel View plans to release a new album near the end of the year and hopes to extend their fan base. They spend the majority of their time playing shows in Fontana, Ontario and San Bernardino alongside bands that don’t really share their same genre of music on stage, but are typically flattered by the crowds’ responses. “It feels amazing,” Heaven Martinez said. “It’s one thing vibing on your own but vibing with another is the best feeling ever.”
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September 5, 2016
CALIFORNIA TAKES THE COLORADO
The Colorado River—located at the Hoover Dam—displaying the amount of water taken from the dam as marked by the dried line on Aug. 30.
Photo/Writer MICHELLE CALDERA In an attempt to help Southern California through its drought crisis, an agreement has been made with the state of Nevada to lease water that is retained from the Colorado River to the basin of Lake Mead. Water levels have decreased more than 50 ft., leaving a rim of weathered rock along the mountains and shoreline surrounding the lake. The Hoover Dam, which services nearby states for their drinking water, also shows signs of lower water levels. Water levels are controlled at the dam and are released based on sufficient amounts of water that are retained after the winter season. Because of climate changes, Colorado has not experienced typical snowfall, causing less water to precipitate down the river. Water levels are now at a near emergency state.
Temple Basin, one of the shores of Lake Mead, has experienced low water levels since the 1980s. Jimmie, a maintenance worker for the dock at Temple Basin, remembers how water levels slowly decreased over the years, and he now uses cinder stabilizers to control the boat docks. Connie Bosley, a local resident of Bullhead City, was unaware of the drastic low levels of water along the river, “For many in Golden Valley [a city further away from the river] water must be hauled to their houses...and are forced to conserve based on their location,” she said. Joanne Brothers, another local resident, was surprised and saddened by her recent visit to Lake Mead. “Californians are so wasteful! Southern California needs to realize that they are a desert, just like us, and need to convert The Breeze
from grass to gravel just like many of us out here.” She now uses desalination plants, as well as other basic conservation measures to sustain the availability of water, and she also uses the local car wash station that reuses the water from vehicles that are washed in their system. So far, tourist attractions like Katherine’s Landing and the casinos off Casino Drive in Laughlin, have not been affected enough to discourage tourists and visitors from coming. Kay, a cashier worker for the car museum gift shop, believes that, “With global warming and other drastic climate changes, we need to work together during these hard times.” As local residents of Southern California, we should be aware of how drastic the current drought conditions are and how it affects nearby states.
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September 5, 2016
GOLDENSTATESEESGREEN CHRIS SALAZAR R
@CHRISECLECTIC23 As millions of Californians anticipate the legalization of recreational marijuana, policy makers struggle to strike the ideal regulatory and recreational chord. The question that looms over the world’s sixth largest economy is whether Proposition 64 is the fiscal and ecological deliverance pot enthusiasts have prayed for, or an insidious attempt to pigeon hole a flowering niche. Most notably, the Emerald Triangle—a chronic mecca, equivalent to Napa Valley and its wine, which consists of Humbolt, Mendocino and Trinity counties—may hold the key: In 2010 they rejected California’s last bid to legalize recreational weed and statewide support fell by 7 percentage points. While the political topography has shifted since 2010, and the potential revenue, estimated to hover around $2 billion by 2020, could incentivize voters to cast their ballot in favor of legalizing recreational use, those closest to the smokeable herb continue to anxiously raise the question: Who’s going to control the cannabis market? Small dispensaries and green thumb horticulturalists are worried that Prop. 64 threatens to dilute the quality of small, delicately-tended and hand-cured batches of fragrant, potent weed. The concern is that craft cannabis will lose out to corporate farming. But the initiative has cozied up to the plight of small farmers. The language used in the proposition suggest as much, because it favors small operators by delaying the issuances of licenses for five years, to anyone who intends to grow more than 22,000 square feet of pot. Yet cannabis cultivators remain skeptical and an interesting trend has formed: Law enforcement authorities and cultivators find themselves on the same side of the legislative schism. Law enforcement agencies across the state vehemently oppose the initiative claiming that the proposition backed by venture capitalists is a ploy to open the weed market to commercialization, mirroring the accusations voiced by many pot growers and insiders. The import, besides concerns of regarding marijuana commercialization, is access to legal cannabis, which already exists—you simply need a medical recommendation. And even without one, the penalty for possession without a medical recommendation is negligible. But any loopholes in the proposition are unlikely to be insignificant because voter-approved initiatives cannot be altered or corrected by the state legislature. In the end, the real issue is whether regulation will empower or deny. The California Growers Association voted to remain neutral, which speaks to the convoluted nature of the debate. And we need to remain cognizant that the answer doesn’t matter if we’re asking the wrong questions.
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September 5, 2016
Rams Return; Fans Reborn Growing up in the Los Angeles area, being asked about your favorite football team is a regularity and an explanation is almost always necessary to prove loyalty. “The Steelers because I have family from Pennsylvania,” or “the Chargers because they’re in California and aren’t the Raiders,” are among the answers you’d expect when asking someone who they root for on Sunday. An entire generation of Los Angeles citizens don’t know what its like to grow up in a city with an NFL team and they’ve had to find reason to root for another. The Rams are back after 20 years in St. Louis, but now the football fans of LA are faced with a decision that makes them question their own fandom: Do I become a Rams fan or stick with my distant team? The fear of becoming a Rams fan comes with the fear of being labeled a bandwagoner.
If your team is in bad shape and you show up to work in a Rams jersey, coworkers will accuse you of being a fair-weathered fan and giving up on the team you say you love for the Rams, who look sort-of promising. But continuing to root for the team outside of LA will make you miss out on the special history and good feelings that come with the Rams’ return. When they left after 1994, people either adopted their friends’ teams, persisted to be a Rams fan, or picked a team that was doing well at the time. All three have reason to welcome the Rams back home, but those who stuck it out and still have their Eric Dickerson jersey from the 1980s should be thanked. If there weren’t already Rams fans in LA, the move wouldn’t make much sense but the growth of the fan base is what will keep them in town this time.
The team has spent more time in Southern California than St. Louis since the franchise was founded in 1936, but for people who weren’t around yet, this might as well be the first time LA has had an NFL team. Their return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum broke attendance records for preseason games and we can only expect more when the regular season starts. The return of this team should spark the return of true football fanatics in the entertainment capital of the world. Rather than being a place where everyone has to look for a reason to fall in love with a team, Los Angeles now has its own. Whether you root for our home team or visit the stadium when your team is in town, all of Los Angeles should be happy to host NFL football again.
Kaep Sits for Freedom The lyrics to the National Anthem resonate with every American. We start our sporting events with them. We play the music to the song during the olympics when we get our medals. The Star Spangled Banner. The song that made Francis Scott Key famous and cemented his name in history books until some other nation over takes this one. It is a song that everyone knows the tune too. Funny thing, there is more to the song than what we know. The song was written about the American victory at the battle of Fort McHenry in 1814. As famous as the first set of lines has become, Key also penned three more verses. “No refuge could save the hireling and slave” appears later in the song. Today, that line would be shocking. Hell, Kanye West took flack for his song New Slaves. In 1814, that word and the ideas it carried with it were not shocking or provocative. They were the standard. Key actually owned slaves. Key was an anti-abolitionist,
you know, the people who were dead set against ending slavery. We all know how the part of the National Anthem we all want to get hyped for goes, “The land of the free and the home of the brave”. Hell yeah. Play ball! That is an incredible line. Sadly, not all of Key’s quotes were as harrowing or enjoyable as that one. Key once referred to Africans in America as, and I quote, “a distinct and inferior race of people, which all experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community.” It is time for a new National Anthem. When I think of America, that is not what I picture. It is not what I want to picture. I know racism still runs rampant. Even though I don’t agree with the actions of Colin Kaepernick and sitting through the verse of the Star Spangled Banner we have adopted as our National Anthem, I can no longer pretend like the rest of the song doesn’t exist. God Bless America. America the Beautiful. Those songs get lots of love these days as a worthy The Breeze
Kyle Smith @_kyol
Josh Arnao @joshuaarnao
suitor, either would be fine with me. The National Anthem has been a polarizing backdrop before. Remember the black power solute at the 1968 Olympics? Now is time for the song to not just be a backdrop, but rather part of the solution. Racism is not okay. Racism cannot be tolerated or allowed to fester in the secret places we hope no one looks. Racism is somehow our most forecast sin and our biggest secret sin all at the same time. I will no longer be standing for the National Anthem as a song. Instead, I will stand for what I believe it to stand for while remembering that terrible things can hide in any dark place we let them hang out. The song has to go, the thoughts that power that sort of thinking have to go. That doesn’t happen with one man sitting, it also doesn’t happen with one man writing. It is time to dust the parts of this nation we have either forgotten or neglected over time. Who knows what is hidden in the other forgotten third verses of history.
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PANTHERS
AIM FOR a STRONG SEASON
SEP. 3 - @CITRUS SEP. 10 - @BAKERSFIELD SEP. 17 - VS. GOLDEN WEST SEP. 24 - @GROSSMONT
Cameron Coleman runs the ball at Grigby Field during the scrimage against SBVC Michael Ravenelle he Panthers’ preseason practice has ended, and the team’s final skirmish will mark the start of what head coach Rod Hadaway believes to be a promising season. Hadaway sees a lot of promise in the amount of backup players he has, and along with his veterans, he views this mix as a valuable asset. “There’s depth and there’s experience. I think that helps us tremendously,” he said. This year saw a wide open competition for the quarterback position, which was given to John Aldridge.
T
Daniel Steele @MetalgearSteele
He proved himself as backup quarterback the previous year and again with the two most recent skirmishes. “My goal is to lead our team to the first state championship and be recognized nationally,” he said. Other members of his offensive side like Jacob Whitmer, tight-end, and Jack Balderrama, lineman, have similar ambitions, noting the state championship as their ultimate goal. One of the Panthers’ most distinguished talent is Ronald Rudd III, who Hadaway describes as “a very dominant player.” Rudd was a defensive lineman in high school, but the coaches saw his value as an offensive player. When it comes to their offense, the Panthers have many newcomers willing to prove their worth on the field. Because of this, Hadaway doesn’t know exactly what he’s working with until the season’s fifth week. “The receiver group in itself is as deep as it’s ever been, but we’re very young,” Hadaway said. “That’ll be a position that some kids are going to have to step up to right away.” The aspects of the game Hadaway emphasizes most to his players both on and off the field are consistency, accountability and professionalism. He believes these make up the right ingredients to guide his players toward success. “We don’t give these guys a whole lot of room for mistakes, but kids make choices and they don’t always make the right choices. There are consequences for your actions. We talk about accountability every day,” he said, adding that players inconsistent in the weight room, in class and on the field don’t stick around very long. Hadaway and the coaching staff examined Citrus College’s skirmish with Mt. Sac last Thursday to gain a better understanding of their upcoming competition. Chaffey will play its first game against Citrus on Saturday, Sep. 3 at 6 p.m. “We’ll get busy on them,” Hadaway said. The Breeze
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September 5, 2016
Edward Gutierrez @EDWORDGEE
Panther on the Rise
Ronald Rudd III, Left Tackle Thursday evening after scrimmage against SBVC. Michael Ravenelle
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rom attending AB Miller and only having Division 2 colleges in sight out of high school. Ronald Rudd III took a different path. One that consisted of position changes and patience,thus, becoming a preseason junior college All-American and a three-star recruit. Standing 6’7 and weighing 307 pounds Ronald Rudd III continues to catch the attention of top-ranked colleges all across the nation. From Missouri, Arizona State, Louisville, Kansas State, Baylor, UCLA, Purdue and many more Rudd continues to rack up offers from top Division 1 schools. But then again an individual that possess the size,height and quickness to dominate and man handle opposing defensive ends will continue to get that type of attention no matter what. From committing to UCLA this past summer to practicing treacherous two-adays in 100 degree weather Ronald Rudd III has created a name for himself and has become the quiet leader for the Chaffey Panthers while doing so. Head coach Rod Hadaway gave his thoughts on Rudd saying, “He’s great for the program, he does everything you ask him to do,” he said. “It’s been an awesome experience having him.”
Coming from AB Miller Rudd knew he didn’t want to attend a Division 2 school, understanding that he possessed D-1 talent. He then decided to take the junior college route, thus, attending Chaffey. “It just felt right to come here,” Rudd said when making the decision to attend Chaffey. “Ultimately it was the best decision.” Yet, the road to becoming a leader and dominate left tackle wasn’t so easily paved for Rudd who made the transition from defense to offense his first year at Chaffey. Coach Hadaway and staff felt he could move to left tackle, a decision that ultimately changed his football career for the better. Yet, Rudd understood that in order for him to grow and thrive as a left tackle he had to be on board and learn the position from coach Harris, the offensive line coach. “We took everything into consideration,” he said of the position change. “I could develop and learn how to play the position the right way.” On Jun. 6th Rudd verbally committed to the University of California Los Angeles(UCLA). a University where he feels he can continue to grow and blossom in academics and also become an NFL prospect. The Breeze
Understanding that a potential starting spot is awaiting him the summer he transfers over he is excited for what the future holds. “It was the best fit for me,” Rudd said. “I felt that I can develop there as a player and make it to the next level.” As for this upcoming fall season at Chaffey, he understands the sacrifice and hard work it takes to fulfill his dreams of one day becoming an NFL talent, Rudd has high expectations for himself and the team this upcoming football season. With goals of dominating the conference, state and become an All-American he also wants to make Chaffey one of the top junior colleges in the nation. From switching positions, to becoming the unspoken leader of his team Ronald Rudd III continues to lead by example. Understanding that in order to be successful you must trust the process and have patience. Rudd is excited to showcase his dominance this season. “When it comes down to wants it more at the end of the day. I feel like I want it more,” Rudd said.
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September 5, 2016
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