The Connection Volume 62 Issue 3

HAWKS VS. RAMS: FRIENDLY FIRE ENDS TIED GAME

ON A BUDGET AND IN NEED OF A COSTUME? FEATURES | Page 6

SPORTS | Page 10

Volume 62, Issue 3

October 17, 2013

thecrcconnection.com

STAYING HEALTHY

Affordable Care Act offers options on a budget

By Will Grubb, Amari Gaffney & Nick Valenzuela wgrubb.connect@gmail agaffney.connect@gmail nvalenzuela.connect@gmail Three and a half years after President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010, the U.S. has taken its first large step in a massive health care reform.

This legislation, known as the Affordable Care Act, introduced open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace on

Oct. 1.

The Marketplace is the first phase in the ACA’s goal of providing cheaper health care to all American citizens. It serves as a place where people can research, compare and apply for private health care plan options.

Each individual state has its own marketplace. For California, applicants will apply through a new marketplace titled Covered California.

“We’ve started strong,” said Executive Director Peter V. Lee of Covered California, in a press release. “The amount of

interest and number of applications we’ve received in the first week underscores the demand among Californians for quality, affordable health care.”

Covered California divides the state into different pricing regions that offer area-specific insurance plans.

For the Sacramento region, plans are available through four different major insurance companies: Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente and Western Health Advantage.

CARE ACT | Page 3

ON STAGE

production ‘TREPIDATION NATION’ Theater tackles phobias

“

The amount of interest... we’ve recieved in the first week underscores the demand among Californians for quality, affordable health care.”

—Peter V. Lee

Executive Director, Covered California

CAMPUS ATHLETICS

Goalkeeper, student takes Hawks one step closer to winning Big 8

By Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail

Rachel Norris | The Connection

“Naked Lunch” — an abusive ex-boyfriend, Vernon (Stig Walker), forces his former girlfriend Lucy (Caitlin Hatfield) to eat a piece of steak after learning she is now a vegetarian. This scene was one of 10 in “Trepidation Nation,” performed on Oct. 14.

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail With haunted houses and costume parties hosted throughout the month, October is often viewed as a time to be frightened for fun and the Cosumnes River College theatre arts department is following that theme.

Students are performing “Trepidation Nation,” a collection of monologues and short scenes portraying a variety of fears and phobias in the Black Box Theatre Oct. 14-Oct. 17.

Though not meant to scare the audience, the theme is one that can be troublesome, for both the audience members and the cast.

LOCAL GROUP RALLIES SUPPORT FOR THE NEW DOWNTOWN ARENA

SPORTS | Page 12

“I’m pretty afraid to portray phobias,” said Theodore Butler, 24, a theatre arts for transfer major. “I’m not good at portraying fear.”

More serious pieces include “Hold This,” performed by 22-year-old Stig Walker, a programming major. It is about a young man who obsessively relives the death of a dozen baby chicks he had raised.

“I don’t know how to deal with phobias,” Walker said. “I can emulate them, I suppose, but I don’t understand it.”

Another scene showed two sisters suffering from an inability to sleep and having a serious conversation about their past the night before their father’s funeral.

TREPIDATION | Page 5

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

Website tracks graduates’ income

By Rachel Norris & LaChandra Marzetta rnorris.connect@gmail lmarzetta.connect@gmail When choosing a career path, it’s not always possible for students to predict the possible earned salary or which career will provide the largest salary in the future, but a new tool is now available to do just that: Salary Surfer.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

has created a website called Salary Surfer , which allows students to look up the earnings of recent graduates who obtained degrees or certificates in certain programs at community colleges in California.

“It’s a snapshot of information that can help students make an informed decision about a career,” said Los Rios Community College Chancellor Brian King. “It doesn’t answer all the questions, and it doesn’t guarantee what the

income would be, but it’s very helpful for students to have a good idea about what potential earnings are for various careers.”

Salary Surfer uses a system that tracks the student records of graduates from the Chancellor’s Office Management Information System and collaborates those records with the California Employment Development and Unemployment Insurance SALARY | Page 2

The one quality that stands out about the goalkeeper of the Hawks women’s soccer team is “her fearlessness,” said freshman defender Korie Martin. “She’s not afraid to get in there, to get knocked down, to get kicked or cleated. She’ll go in and she just wants the ball no matter who has it.”

Head coach Cesar Plasencia said that “she’s super competitive, so she’s always giving her maximum effort to keep the ball out of the net.”

These two statements refer to Anna Brown, who has been a dominant force this season in front of the net.

The freshman has been named Student Athlete of the Week twice, and has shut out four schools in the 12 games she’s started, three of which were in Big 8 Conference play. Brown has given up only 11 goals in 12 games, four of which were goals that came from a loss at San Joaquin Delta College on Oct. 8, according to the Hawks’ athletics statistics.

Brown was recruited by the women’s soccer coach Cesar Plasencia, but took her academic freshman year off from sports after having been playing since she BROWN | Page 11

Serving Cosumnes River College since 1970

2

NEWS | OCTOBER 17, 2013

Salary: Student choice is focus of website Editor in Chief Josh Slowiczek News Editor Scott Redmond Features Editor Emily Collins Sports Editor Zach Hannigan Opinion Editor Elizabeth Witt Online Editor Stephan Starnes Photo Editor Rachel Norris Copy Editor Stephan Starnes Production Manager Nick Valenzuela Faculty Adviser Rubina Gulati Staff Darren Allen Bobby Bishop Ben Brown Camille Caulk Tia Dehoney Emanuel Espinoza Amari Gaffney Will Grubb LaChandra Marzetta Christopher McKnight Brusly Voong

The Connection is an awardwinning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 410 & 411 media production class.es Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or Los Rios Community College District. The Connection is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) and California Newspaper Publisher’s Association.

Letters to the Editor must be typed, signed and include the first and last name of the author and a phone number. They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

The Connection Cosumnes River College 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823 Telephone: (916) 691-7471 Fax: (916) 691-7181 www.thecrcconnection.com connect@crc.losrios.edu

Continued from page 1

wages, according to the website.

The easily navigated website displays a drop-down menu where you can select the program of your choosing to evaluate.

Then, there is a chart for each program with data for either a degree or certificate ranging from two years before, two years after, and five years after receiving an award for each specific curriculum.

While the tool is a good place to start when looking for careers, CRC President Deborah Travis said that salary should not be the only factor students look at.

“It’s important to research other factors and make better informed, more intelligent decisions about your educational and professional futures,” Travis said via email. “It’s always a good idea for students to meet with a counselor when deciding their educational goals.”

King said that counselors are already sharing some of the Salary Surfer data in appointments with students who are appreciative to have more information about choosing what they want to study.

Shafa Ilyas, an 18-year-old biology major, agreed that the tool would be helpful for students “I think it’s good that administration is trying to help students by creating tools like Salary Surfer,” Ilyas said. “That way students know what to expect when it comes to their future.”

Ashley Gallenstein, a 19-year-old animal science major, said that the tool would personally not be helpful to her.

“I have already done plenty of my own research for my planned career,” Gallenstein said. “My high school also gave me a tool similar to that, which I still use today.”

Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning Whitney Yamamura said that in his experience with Salary Surfer, he has noticed that a career in sonography, “makes quite a lot of money and is pretty intensive.” Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.

Associate Degrees with the highest median income five years after award include such disciplines as Electrical and Power Systems Transmission ($96,200), Physician Assistant ($95,700) and Radiation Therapy Technician ($91,300), according to the Salary Surfer website.

Analysis also showed that certificates with the highest median income five years after completing include Electrical and Power Systems Transmission ($123,200), Physician Assistant ($92,700) and Fire Academy ($87,100).

King said that the accuracy of the data collected is a fair representation of the possible incomes in the future.

“It’s not possible to collect data on every single student or graduate so it’s not totally perfect,” King said. “But there are enough different students included in the surfer that it should be a fair snapshot of earning capacity historically.”

King elaborated on the benefits of the surfer outside of career salaries.

“It’s just another step in the benefits of technology and we’re learning more and more of how

www.Facebook.com/crcconnection

to share data in a way that’s helpful and not confusing,” King said.

While the benefits of technology and the program are important, Yamamura said that there is another focus that is even more

important.

“The primary intent is to support and provide students with choices,” Yamamura said. “The way that it is used as a tool is the most important thing about it.”

Top Wage Earning Majors (AA/AS)

The Salary Surfer program, and more information on the program and the wages can be found at www. http://salarysurfer.cccco. edu/

Median Wage Three Years After Award

Health Information Technology

$48,915

Social Sciences, General

$44,467

Business and Commerce, General

$37,661

Biological and Physical Sciences

$36,406

Veterinary Technician (Licensed)

$26,898

Child Development/Early Care and Education

$19,252

Source: Califoria Community Colleges Salary Surfer

N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y

®

Source: California Community College Sallary Surfer Nonprofit

One Course Per Month

Online & On Campus

TRANSFER

TO FINISH YOUR DEGREE

Here’s why National University is a leading choice for California community college students who want to finish their bachelor’s degree: • • • •

Credits easily transfer Transfer anytime

Special transfer scholarships Military friendly

FIND OUT MORE:

WWW.NU.EDU/TRANSFER 800.NAT.UNIV 3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN THE SACRAMENTO REGION ©2013 National University 13206

OCTOBER 17, 2013 | NEWS 3 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Rachel Norris| The Connection

Student volunteers sell $1 cupcakes for a fundraiser to support breast cancer awareness in the quad, during an event sponsored by the Medical Assistants Program on Oct. 15. The money goes to a non-profit African-American breast cancer organization called Carrie’s Touch, located on Florin Road in Sacramento. For the full story visit at www.thecrcconnection.com.

Care Act: Being healthy comes with a price Continued from page 1

“I think it’s a great thing,” said Cynthia Mesa, 19, an international relations major. “I always looked at other countries and thought ‘wow I wish we hat that here.’ I don’t have health care right now, so I think it’s awesome that now I can take care of myself.”

However, not every company working with the exchange is offering access to their entire network.

Sean Barry, spokesperson for Blue Shield of California, noted Blue Shield offers a “high value network to customers on the exchange that includes 50 percent of the participating doctors in our full network and 75 percent of

Y

hospitals.”

“The reason we do not offer 100 percent is in order to offer a competitive premium in much of the state,” Barry said. “Our customers under Covered California are not going to be inhibited by any cages as compared to our current network.”

Different companies’ plans may offer different benefits depending on the individual’s needs, yet all plans are required to include a set of what are deemed essential health benefits.

Some of the services under these essential health benefits include emergency care and hospitalization, maternity and newborn care and prescription drugs.

Although Oct. 1 marked the beginning of open enrollment, health coverage from the plans will not begin until January 1, 2014.

By then, Americans are expected to have signed up for a health insurance plan to avoid paying a tax fine.

This fine will increase by a large amount over a three-year period, according to Covered California’s website.

This also does not include fines for having uninsured children or an uninsured family.

“It’s a good idea but it does have its flaws though,” said Karl Karason, a 26-year-old telecommunications major. “It’s forcing

ou’re exempt from Affordable Health Care Act fines...

- If the lowest-priced coverage exceeds 8 percent of your household income - If your inncome is too low to file income taxes - If you’re a member of a federally recognized tribe - If you’re a member of a recognized health care sharing ministry - If you’re a member of a recognized religious sect with religious objections to insurance - If you’re incarcerated - If you’re not lawfully present in the United States - If you’ve been uninsured for less than three months of the year

Affordable Health Care Act Fines

2014: $95 per uninsured person or 1 percent of yearly income, whichever is higher.

2015: $325 per uninsured person or 2 percent of yearly income, whichver is higher.

2016: $695 per uninsured person or 2.5 percent of yearly income, whichever is higher

Source: HealthCare.Gov

people to take health care even though they can’t afford it and by the end of tax season if they

“

The reason we do not offer 100 percent is in order to offer a competitive premium in much of the state. Our customers under Covered California are not going to be inhibited by any cages as copared to our current network.”

—Sean Barry

Blue Shield of California Spokesperson

don’t have health care there will be more taxes. [This] shows it’s a desperation to push something on a person regardless of if they’re with it or not.”

The open enrollment period ends March 31, 2014.

If an individual was unable to acquire an insurance plan by that point, they will have to wait until the next open enrollment period in order to sign up for a Marketplace plan.

With the implementation of the ACA, supporters hope to drastically reduce or completely eradicate the amount of uninsured Americans.

In 2010, 50 million Americans were without health insurance, according to U.S. Depart-

ment of Health and Human Services website. This equates to 16 percent of the entire U.S. population at the time.

The number of uninsured citizens decreased in 2011 by about 1.34 million as a result of the ACA, allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26.

Early numbers show that the ACA is helping to lessen the amount of uninsured.

In the first two weeks of availability, consumers in California made more than 100,000 phone calls to the exchange and more than 1.5 million people visited the webpage, according to a press release from Covered California.

Nearly 44,000 Californians applied in the first week alone and nearly two thirds of those were determined to be eligible for coverage, according to the press release.

“It’s just the beginning, but these numbers are truly exciting and encouraging,” said Lee, the executive director of Covered California, adding that he remains optimistic that the Affordable Care Act will not only help Californians but all uninsured around the nation who are seeking healthcare.

While it was originally thought the number of uninsured would plummet when the ACA’s insurance policies took effect, this may not be the case. The number of Americans that will remain uninsured by 2022 is still projected to be 30 million, according to a study from the Congressional Budget Office.

A program this large comes with pressure.

“It’s the largest legislation to ever hit America,” said Chris Gardener, 35, a theology major. “We can’t get this wrong.” @CRCConnection

4

NEWS | OCTOBER 17, 2013

Local haunted house opens doors, spooks community

By Will Grubb wgrubb.connect@gmail Inside you will find undead banjo players, a radioactive pumpkin, a mad scientist’s laboratory and even an exorcism taking place.

This isn’t the vault of the crypt keeper, this is the first annual Elk Grove Historical Society’s Haunted House.

Elk Grove Heritage Park, located along East Stockton boulevard, will host the haunted house every Friday and Saturday evening in October from 5-9 p.m.

The Historical Society’s haunted house is unique, as the Stage Stop Museum is 163 years old.

“It will be a fun event, I’m sure. I think people will enjoy the detail,” said Barbara Claire, president of the Historical Society.

The extensive detail that was put into the haunted house makes it a truly unique experience.

From the subtle bloody handprints on upstairs windows to the very real, antique medical

diagrams, every effort was put into making the Stage Stop as spooky as possible.

Guests will tour seven rooms in total, each with a different Halloween theme before being led through the back door and out into a mock graveyard.

Fog rolls past the tombstones as witch noises echo from the trees and a hung corpse gently blows back in forth in the wind.

A family friendly event, Claire said that while there will be members from the Historical Society in costume, there won’t be anyone jumping out and spooking the guests who will be mostly children.

“I think they’re going to be screaming anyway,” Claire said, noting the many animated devices inside the Stage Stop.

Echoing the theme of a family friendly event, decorator Lori Steel said her favorite part of working on the haunted house was her time spent with family.

“My son is here, my husband’s here [and] my daughter-in-law [is here],” said Steel, noting that the

Will Grubb | The Connection

Prop skeletons sit around a table in a hauntingly decorated room at the Elk Grove Historical Society’s new haunted house. This October marks the Historical Society’s first invitation to their haunted experience.

putting on the haunted house had been a family affair.

The cost to enter is $5 and all proceeds go to benefit the restoration of the Foulks House, the oldest standing home in Elk Grove, built in 1853.

According to the Historical Society’s website, the Foulks House was recently put on a new foundation and is ready for the next stage of restoration.

The Haunted House’s success will help determine the restora-

tion of the Foulks House.

“If this is a success, and people want to see it and enjoy it, we will do it again,” Claire said, adding that she hoped the Historical Society will make the Haunted State Shop a yearly event.

Seasonal hiring offers employment opportunities Retailers searching for part-time and temporary employees to expand holiday season workforce.

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail Whether you are looking to make a quick buck or looking for a stepping stone into full-time work, now is the best time to start applying.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, retailers such as Walmart, Target and JCPenney have begun to hire additional workers for their seasonal positions.

“Retailers are expected to hire roughly 700,000 temporary employees for the Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 holiday season.”

This is a drop from 751,800 for the 2012 holiday hiring, according to an article from USA Today.

Some retailers, such as Target, attribute the increase in store efficiency and use of full-time employees as the reason for the hiring reductions.

“Target expects to hire 70,000 holiday workers for its stores this year, down from 88,000 in 2012,” according to a CNBC article.

“Target said the reduction was based on increased efficiencies and a desire to allow its permanent full-time employees to reap the pay rewards of extra holiday hours.”

Billie Miller, a business professor at CRC, can validate the inefficiency of hiring additional workers when they are not needed.

“The purpose of business strategies is to make a profit for owners or shareholders,” Miller said via email. “Holiday hiring can be an effective business strategy if a need exists for holiday employees.”

Retailers point out the increase in eretail for the drop in hiring.

With the growth of many online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and many

HAWK’S EYE News in brief

www.thecrcconnection.com

companies alike are being forced to scale back on their in-store hiring and are starting their own e-commerce sites, according to an article by 24/7 Wall St. Weak consumer confidence also plays a big role in the decline, especially with the effects of the recession still lingering and the recent government shutdown.

“Consumer confidence is a crucial factor in companies’ sales forecasts and in determining the products they carry, as well as what markets they operate in and how much they hire,” according to 24/7 Wall St. While overall holiday hiring is expected to drop from last year with some retailers hiring less than before, some individual retailers plan on increasing employment during the holidays.

“

Holiday hiring can be an effective business strategy if a need exists for holiday employees.”

—Billie Miller Business professor

Some of the stores looking to increase hirings nationwide include the following: Kohl’s is expected to hire an additional 53,070 workers, which is 354 more than they did last year, Walmart plans to hire 55,000 workers, 5000 more than last year, Macy’s is looking to hire the most workers, adding a whopping 83,000, which is 3,000 more than last year, to its workforce, according to 24/7 Wall St. Whether it’s an increase or decrease in hiring, plenty of seasonal positions will still be open and people are going to apply.

ONE BOOK LECTURE

Dr. John McDougall, author of the book “The Starch Solution,” will deliver a lecture in the Recital Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Oct. 23.

McDougall worked and studied in the field of nutrition for more than 30 years. The lecture is hosted by the OneBook program.

Brusly Voong | The Connection

Kohl’s on Calvine Road is one of the local retailers that is looking for seasonal employees.

Aida Helil, 18, a science major, sees seasonal work as a good way to help meet individual needs.

She has already begun taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I’ve applied to Best Buy and Walmart,” Helil said.

“I want to pay for college and save up for a car.”

This year in particular, retailers have only 25 days to profit from seasonal sales, down from 31 last year.

Even so, the holiday season is the time of year where many retailers earn the most profits out of any other time of the year.

“Bolstering your staff with temporary workers early in the quarter can help ensure your core staff can have time away from work without causing your business to suffer,” according to the Northwest Herald.

“Hundreds of businesses have utilized seasonal workers to help meet their goals and achieve a successful year, and what leader doesn’t want to do that?”

FALL ETHICS SYMPOSIUM

The Center for Practical and Professional Ethics is hosting its Fall Ethics Symposium at Sacramento State University from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 23.

The topic of the symposium is on “Ethics and Mental Health” and will be held in “The Well” facility on the Sac State campus.

CLUB ACTIVITIES FAIR

Jolissa Porto, 18, a health major, does not think seasonal jobs provide enough for her personally to want to apply, but believes that it is beneficial to some.

“I wouldn’t want a little job just for the holidays and have to quit,” Porto said.

“I think it’s good because people that are low income can get hired for these jobs and get extra money for the holidays.”

Breanna Banks, 22, a biology prenursing major, said the opposite.

“Working for the season you might get hired as a part-time or full-time employee,” Banks said.

“I know working for Toys R’ Us as a seasonal employee there’s a better opportunity for me to either come back the next season or reapply when they need part-time or full-time workers because I’ve worked there before.”

Although holiday hiring as a whole is less than what it used to be, it can still provide employment for those who have job as an item on their wish list and for some it just might be the perfect gift.

The Associated Students of Cosumnes River College will host a Club Activities fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Quad on Oct. 23.

Tables will be set up for the various student clubs that are in CRC. Students interested in finding a group are encouraged to attend.

DISABILITY RESOURCE FAIR

The DisAbility Resource Fair will be held in the Quad area from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on Oct. 29 and will have open tables hosting support services for students with disabilities.

The event will be hosted by the campus Disability Support Programs & Services.

OCTOBER 17, 2013 | FEATURES 5

#TrendingNow ‘The Walk

Compiled by Ben Brown All photos are courtesy photos

3-D space thriller takes different approach, uses intense imagery If you’ve ever considered being an astronaut or space buccaneer, “Gravity” might just be your kind of movie.

Within the first few minutes of the film, “Gravity” grabs the audience and flings them up into geosynchronous orbit, roughly 22,000 miles above the surface of the Earth to a place where the silence is just as breathtaking as the view.

In a near-perfect blending of cinematography and digital effects, director Alfonso Cuaron and his crew have created a work that is half space thriller and half modern art.

Most of the beauty lies in its simplicity. There are no invading space ships, no laser beams or ­battle scenes, and definitely no aliens.

Suspended in an environment without gravity, the glimmering white NASA space suits provide a sharp contrast against the darkness of outer space and muted glowing of planet earth, constantly reminding us of just how small we really are.

The theme is eloquent and simplistic in nature as it follows medical engineer, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra

Bullock), as she struggles to return home after a giant field of space debris, falling around the earth at thousands of miles an hour, destroys the space shuttle and leaves her and experienced astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) stranded above the planet with no contact from Houston (the voice of Ed Harris).

The dialogue leaves a little something to be desired but such things quickly become trivial when you find yourself in the middle of a collision that turns a single space station into a thousand tiny pieces of shrapnel flying in every possible direction.

Hence the label space thriller.

For all of the quietly beautiful scenes set hovering above the planet earth, comes extreme and extended moments where you suddenly find yourself pressing back against your seat as a shattered solar panel flies straight at your face.

For a film presented in 3-D, the opportunity for “Gravity” to be yet another piece of over-the-top, digitally enhanced Hollywood trash was boundless, but thankfully avoided.

The directing, digital effects, cinematography and acting fit together perfectly to create a film that can your breath away just as easily as

Film Review Title: Genre: Director: Starring:

“Gravity” Sci-Fi, Suspense Alfonso Cuaron Sandra Bullock, George Clooney Release Date: Oct. 4 Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes Rating: PG-13

author’s score out of 5

“It had some action in it which is pretty crazy,” said 20-year-old Jawid Sharifi, a criminal justice major. “Sometimes the first episode of the season is not really that cool.”

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 60 into law on Oct. 3 allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses. This will take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

“I don’t think that’s right because you have to be a citizen if you want to take part in American activities,” said 19-year-old Marcos Perez, a business marketing major.

“It’s kind of weird that they just let random people do whatever.”

it restores it. With an ending drawing upon archetypal concepts that have lasted for thousands of years, the overall imagery used has the ability to remind us just how special our planet really is.

While life in space may be impossible for now, that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

yGear

Galax

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail

“The Walking Dead” premiere on Oct. 13 broke their previous ratings record with 16.1 million viewers. This is their fourth season on AMC.

Licenses

Driver’s

Courtesy Photo

ing Dead’

Samsung has released a new smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear. Using bluetooth technology you connect to a compatible device and make and receive phone calls, get phone alerts and even find your phone, according to samsung.com.

“It looks like a cool, new little gadget to play with,” said 18-year-old Pheng Moua, a kinesiology major. “I’m pretty sure it will be popular.”

Trepidation: hard work and many hours put in to make theatrical production a success Continued from page 1 “It’s about telling the story,” said director and theatre arts professor Cheri Fortin.

“That’s where good acting starts, is in really being able to tell the story of the piece.”

The collection of plays, while appropriate for the month of October, was chosen for a much different reason.

“All the plays are chosen to serve an academic purpose,” Fortin said. “This piece was particularly chosen for it’s monologue work.”

Performing plays is a learning experience for the student actors.

“The work is intensive but very satisfying,” Fortin said. “It’s about creating that believable relationship and connection. Additionally, the learning outcome is learning how to do a performance, how to prepare and present a performance.”

The collection of short plays offers new students the opportunity to get their feet wet before taking on a longer one, such as the upcoming “Side Man.” The student ac-

tors in this performance are prepared, enthusiastic and ready to do their best.

“It’s going to be great,” said Caitlin Hatfield, a 23-year-old theatre arts major, during rehearsal. “Everyone here is really dedicated.”

Before the first performance Butler was concerned about his ability to act out fear but he should put his trepidation to rest. “About the Plays and the Players,” the opening act in which he portrays someone suffering from stage fright, was well executed.

The final scene, also performed by Butler, was well received by the audience in attendance on Oct. 14. “Yes,” the story of a man with phobophobia, one who is excessively afraid of phobias, had the actor stripping down to his shorts and throwing flowers around.

It was quite silly, eliciting a faint laugh from Butler, which did not take much away from the performance, viewers were left with a weird yet light-hearted ending.

Rachel Norris | The Connection

Amy (Empress Barner) reaches out to her husband (Theodore Butler) in fear of being replaced by the child her father is expecting in the scene “I’m Here for You” on Oct. 14.

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6

FEATURES | OCTOBER 17, 2013

— at Co it Su .99 $9

— Hat $7.99

How to

scare

Pirate hat — $2.99

up a costume on a budget

Coat — $8.99

— Sword $2.99

Jeans — $5.99 — Boots $15

— Pants $6.99

By Will Grubb wgrubb.connect@gmail If the prospect of an extended U.S. government shutdown causing the nation to default on its foreign loans isn’t scary enough, consider this: while government funds are essentially tied up by the ghouls in Congress, Americans are projected to spend $2.6 billion on Halloween costumes this October, according to the National Retail Federation.

Many people around the nation have disposable income for professionally made bearfaced leotards or maroon three piece suits a la Ron Burgundy, but chances are, if you’re a college student living on a tight budget, spending $40 or more on an outfit you will wear once a year isn’t in your best interests.

So why not make a costume yourself?

The Sacramento region has an abundance of thrift stores, from the many Goodwills and Thrift Towns to

smaller locations such as Deseret Industries Thrift Store or The Firefly Exchange, there is no shortage of potential secondhand costumes.

Heading to one of these locations and making your own costume offers several advantages. Aside from the low cost, thrifting a costume sets you apart.

Rather than having a cookie cutter, mass produced costume, thrifting allows for a unique look that no one else will have.

Many major thrift shops have entire Halloween selections that not only rival stores such as Spirit Halloween in variety, but in price as well.

Racks of jackets, dress shirts, pants and vests lead to possibilities of scurvy ridden pirates, well dressed 1920’s mobsters or drunken ad men.

Ladies looking for a classier look can find an abundance of dresses, high heels and inexpensive jewelry or feathers that make looking like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O or a flapper as simple as spending 30 minutes sifting through

racks of clothes.

For those looking to wear less, dressing like Miley Cyrus or LMFAO’s Redfoo is as simple as finding a pair of white leggings, leopard print pants, a crop top or muscle shirt.

Perhaps you want to go for a more frightening look. Becoming a zombie for the night is as easy as buying the cheapest shirt and pants you can find, ripping them up and applying some face makeup and fake blood.

Because many thrift stores offer used Halloween costumes (or parts of costumes) during the month of October, finding clothes that look less like your grandma’s wardrobe and more like party going attire is not difficult.

A vampire can be achieved by getting one’s hands on a cape, black slacks, and a frilled shirt. Ladies can exchange the slacks and shirt for a simple black dress.

If you’re looking for a masked costume thrift stores provide options, and

Rachel Norris | The Connection

while they may not be as varied as the mask wall at Evangeline’s Costume Mansion, it is still possible to don a Darth Vader or Jason Voorhees mask.

Accessories are what make a costume truly stand out and thrift stores provide, as they are teeming with various hats, necklaces, bracelets, belts and oddball items that can make a costume truly unique.

For example, becoming Heisenberg requires only a porkpie hat, an old pair of reading glasses, fake mustache and a black jacket, no chemistry experience required. To complete the look head to a gas station and buy some rock candy, take out the blue pieces and place them in a plastic baggie.

When it comes to searching for a thrifty costume, go in knowing what look you’re going for and what items you will need to achieve that look. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find what you want right away, as gems often take time to discover.

Event raises funds with dinner, music, auction

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail

Brusly Voong | The Connection

The signed U2 guitar that was auctioned off for $1500 during the “Taste and Toast” event on Oct. 5.

@CRCConnection

The “Taste and Toast: Locally Grown Locally Educated” event, formerly known as the “Gala,” was in full swing at Cosumnes River College on Oct. 5.

This year’s event was held in the Winn Center and was hosted by the CRC Foundation.

Despite the change in location and name of the event, the objective for this event remained the same as in all previous years, to raise funds for CRC to benefit students.

“The [CRC] Foundation raises money for grants and for the students and faculty, so we’re raising money to give grants, basically,” said Kevin Pressey, a board member of the foundation for 3.5 years.

Changing the name came about for two reasons.

“Last year, we got a lot of feedback that ‘Gala’ sounded too formal for most people and some people decided they didn’t want to come,” Pressey said. “Secondly, we

tried to move it towards the farmto-fork type idea so we came up with the ‘Taste and Toast.’”

For the first time, both an open and silent auction were included in the event. Previous years featured only a silent auction.

The items up for bid for the silent auction included some of the following: “Model T Vegetable Truck” portrait with an opening bid of $500, “Have-fun Basket” for $150, “One Book Basket” for $120 and a “Taste and Toast Wine and Cheese” basket for $100.

For the open auction, the items up for bid included the following: a portrait of a family of four taken by photography professor Jim West that was auctioned off at $350, a signed U2 guitar at $1,800 and a Canon camera auctioned off at $400 to CRC’s very own Whitney Yamamura, vice president of instruction and student learning.

During the auction several people offered bids for textbooks and school equipment that altogether culminated $10,000 in

funds raised. CRC President Debbie Travis herself donated $2,000 for 20 textbooks.

Staying consistent with the theme of “Locally Grown Locally Educated,” the event featured many local wineries. One of them was the Three Wine Company, located in Clarksburg, Calif.

Assistant Manager Kelly Fleischmann of Three Wine Company and a first-timer of the event decided to take part to support local [wineries] and to showcase some of their wines. The two varieties of wine that Fleischmann had on display were Old Vine Zinfandel and Albarino.

Others like Sue GrazianoShaw, a wine specialist for Fenestra Winery, located in Livermore, Calif., came to give more exposure of their winery and wines to an otherwise unfamiliar crowd.

“A lot of people that have come in so far have told me that ‘this winery is from Livermore?

I didn’t know that’,” Shaw said.

“So you get a lot of recognition, of course, from Lodi, Amador County, Napa and Sonoma area,

but Livermore is an up and coming area.”

The event also featured food from CRC’s culinary arts department.

“It’s a fabulous event, a lot of vendors, wineries, the silent auction,” said Shelia DuruisseauSidqe, a board member with the foundation.

“So I think it is very well put together. I’m enjoying myself,” she said.

Another aspect of this event is that it gives faculty the time to just be themselves and a chance to interact with each other.

“I find this event enjoyable because, as you can see, there are people from the community, the district, the campus, a lot of my colleagues who are instructors are here and during the week and semester we are so busy with our own teaching affairs that we don’t have time to really mingle,” said Man Phan, a business professor.

“This three or four hours we have here allows us to do that. So food, wine, people and conversation, that’s why I come here every year.”

OCTOBER 17, 2013 | FEATURES 7

Student has a vision for campus

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail Leadership is a quality that can’t always be measured within a person, but it is the sort of quality that becomes readily apparent once it is seen in action.

A key to leadership is the ability to know when to lead and when to step back and allow those you are leading to do what they are meant to do with just minimal guidance to maximize their potential.

The newest Associated Students of Cosumnes River College President D.J. Mitchell knows that skill well.

“Being a leader is being able to work together with a group of people and not let the power go to your head, because as soon as that happens then nobody else’s ideas are going to matter to you,” Mitchell said.

“So by being a leader, a good leader, you have to be able to bring your own ideas to the table but also be humble enough that if somebody’s idea is better than yours to let them take the lead on whatever you are doing and just step back and help out,” he said.

Taking the lead was something that Mitchell said he was inspired to do in his first year at CRC, when he served as the director of legislative affairs in the Student Senate.

Students were not aware of the Student Senate and what they do, they were not involved and projects were not being carried out to their full capacity, Mitchell said.

As ASCRC President for this term, Mitchell has clear goals in mind.

“I really had a vision for how to get students more involved and that became my passion,” Mitchell said. “The biggest thing was

just getting the word out that the ASCRC is here to advocate for students and to create more events on campus to get students involved.”

Student Senator Joseph Johnson’s vision for leadership is something he has in common with Mitchell.

“Listening to others, actually following through on what you say you’re going to do, actually being involved with the actual team and everything that is happening,” Johnson said.

“You can lead from behind but you are still leading. As a leader you need to be accessible and communicate and actually have followed through on what they do and say.”

Mitchell attributes much of his leadership experience to what he has learned from being on the Student Senate the past two terms and his time at CRC in general. One other place that Mitchell said he learned to be a leader was from team sports.

“A lot of my leadership skills also come from team sports,” Mitchell said. “Being able to work in a team, each person’s doing some different piece that is helping you reach your final goal, which in sports was a championship.”

In his youth, he played baseball, basketball, football and soccer for a lot of his younger years before he began to transition into politics, Mitchell said.

Those experiences have translated into the way that Mitchell leads the student government.

ASCRC Secretary Katelyn Rodriguez said that Mitchell has something that most people don’t have.

“Being a good leader requires a lot of patience and a lot of knowing what is going on at what time,”

Unexpected songs on new album

By Darren Allen dallen.connect@gmail

Scott Redmond | The Connection

Drake’s new album, “Nothing Was the Same,” released on Sept. 20, doesn’t have a distinct genre of music so it’s hard to know what to expect.

The introduction, “Tuscan Leather,” has an instrumental that loops in reverse while Drake is rapping and once his first verse is over, the beat continues until he presses play and the instrumental plays forward and he starts his second verse.

The introduction is very refreshing as he sounds like that classic “Comeback Season” Drake.

You can treat the beginning of this album as a foreshadow as it starts with all rap, then he mixes his rapping and singing in a couple of songs and then begins to sing only, which isn’t the worst thing aside from the fact that he isn’t really a singer. His writing ability is what really carries this album.

The sixth song on the album, “Worst Behavior,” has that catchy edge that Drake is known for but his sloppy flow soon becomes somewhat ignorant. Then again this song is imply-

Student President DJ Mitchell gives his Presidential Report to the Associated Students of Cosumnes River College at their meeting on Oct. 10.

Rodriguez said. “There are a lot of people that aren’t on top of things and just don’t have what it takes. To be a great leader is more than that, you have to have the personality it takes, the stamina it takes and [the] energy, and I’d have to have some practice to do what D.J. does because right now, I just couldn’t do it.”

While patience is key

in Rodriguez’s view of being a leader, there is one thing that Mitchell felt was most important.

“Being able to trust the team that you have put together,” Mitchell said.

“Having faith in them to be able to accomplish the task just as well or better than you can, I think is one of the most important parts of being a leader.”

ing that he has in fact hit his worst behavior. Yelling doesn’t mean you’re winning an argument though.

Drake put a lot of emotion into this album and you really get his whole corrupted love story through his music.

This album was definitely written on his past experiences, mostly involving his love life.

Jhene Aiko (My Name Is Jhene) was featured on, “From Time,” with Drake and beautifully sings what you would assume is the girl’s perspective in their relationship. A very refreshing feature as this is the first one after seven songs on the album.

Although this album has its moments, it is overtaken by its lack of replay value. There are more bad songs than good songs and this album is easily his weakest so far.

Purchase this album if you need a flashy coaster. The only reason to listen to this is because of the name that comes with it and curiosity. If you want to hear someone venting their love life to you, and don’t already have a significant other doing that, then this album is for you.

Music Review Title: “Nothing Was The Same” Artist: Drake Release Date: Sept. 20 Cost: $13.99

author’s score out of 5

Comfort food in a friendly environment near campus Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail Less than 10 minutes from campus sits an easy to miss restaurant that brings more than good food to the Elk Grove area.

Bravo’s Soup and Sandwich Shoppe features farm-to-fork produce and grassfed, free-range steroid-free and hormonefree meats.

When you walk in the door you are met with a counter, where you place your order and pay, while the chef works in the open kitchen area in the background.

Along the edge of the restaurant sits the fountain soda machine and about a dozen tables, where you fill your own drink and wait for your meal.

The hostess was inviting, sharing details about the restaurant while patiently taking our order. While many restaurants are firm in their menu, Bravo’s allowed us to chose whatever side, or “stage prop” as they are titled in the menu, we wished to accompany the meal.

Bravo’s has a musical theatre theme, with posters on the walls, curtains on the menu made to look like a stage and songs from a variety of musicals softly playing

overhead while you dine.

Side dishes included seasonal fresh raw vegetables with ranch, Italian pasta salad, soup, coleslaw and macaroni and cheese, among others.

We had enough time to notice and enjoy the atmosphere without becoming anxious about the order, waiting less than 15 minutes for our food to arrive.

The grilled turkey panini was warm to the touch and steam rose from the cup of vegetable minestrone soup.

The turkey panini was definitely a mouth pleaser, with melted provolone cheese and chipotle mayonnaise on sourdough bread. The turkey was reminiscent of a freshly-baked Thanksgiving day bird, moist and thick-cut.

A lover of soup, I couldn’t resist ordering the minestrone with my sandwich.

While nothing spectacular, it garnered no complaints from me.

The macaroni and cheese was a new take on an old favorite. The cheese sauce was creamy, filling each of the cavatelli, or small shell pasta. Sitting atop the cheesy bowl was a small amount of what tasted like a crushed Cheetos, adding texture and taste to the already delicious dish.

Emily Collins | The Connection

A grilled turkey panini accompanied by a bowl of vegetable minestrone soup served at Bravo’s Soup and Sandwich Shoppe in Elk Grove.

As the lunch hour got under way, the small restaurant quickly filled up. People waited patiently to have their order taken at the counter as conversations filled the room.

If you have some time between classes, have at least $10 in your pocket and a hankering for something fresh and satisfying, Bravo’s Soup and Sandwich Shoppe should be your next lunch break destination. www.thecrcconnection.com

8 OPINION | OCTOBER 17, 2013

EDITORIAL

Let’s take advantage of Affordable Care Act Everyone deserves the right to live a healthy and happy life.

On paper, it seems like a simple concept, but when it comes to politics it becomes a bit more sticky.

As of Oct. 1, the United States has tried their hand at that very concept, universal health care through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

With that implementation, many questions have come from families who want health care, yet do not know the proper procedures.

Luckily, California seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to educating citizens on what options are available for them.

California has launched a comprehensive website known as Covered California, which compares plans for individuals and families and provides helpful resources.

While it is up to the individual to find out what is best for them, there are a few things that every college student should know.

First off, almost every person living the U.S. will be required to have health care, according to federal law. The open enrollment period is from Oct. 1 through March 31.

“The Affordable Care Act will expand access to high-quality affordable insurance and health care,” according to Covered California.

The website also goes on to say that the new law provides “financial help so almost all Americans can get high-quality health coverage at a fair

price.”

While many AmeriAt a Glance can citizens will have to seek out a plan, some will The Issue: be covered under their Many Americans do not parents’ plans.

On March 23, 2010 know about the benwhen President Barack efits they receive with Obama signed the Af- the Affordable Care Act. fordable care Act, it ushered in a new Patient’s Bill of Rights, which manOur Stance: dates that people under Students need to inthe age of 26 can stay on their parents’ health in- form themselves about surance. The bill will also what benefits they now implement changes to have under the Affordable Care Act. coverage, cost and cares for those already insured.

While many college students may fall into that category, some may Agree? Disagree? not.

Send your thoughts to According to a recent connection.crc@gmail.

Kaiser Family Foundacom tion Health Tracking Poll, about three quarters of citizens ages 1825 believe it’s important for them to get their own insurance and that it is worth the cost. However, nearly 80 percent of those under 30 know little

about the health insurance marketplace.

One organization known as Young Invincibles wants to curve that number, according to USA Today.

The group is involved in a nationwide education campaign called Healthy Young America, and has reached “more than 1,000 youth-serving organizations and health partners with information about the Affordable Care Act and new options through the exchanges,” according to USA Today.

Jennifer Mishory, deputy director at Young Invincibles, said to USA Today that “students will be affected by the online marketplace in three significant ways.”

Students are free to enroll in plans without the threat of being rejected for coverage due to preexisting conditions.

Also, some may be eligible for free health coverage with Medicaid, or MediCal as it is called in California.

They may qualify for discounted coverage with monthly tax credits, depending on the state and exact income amounts.

There will be some plans available that include prescription drug coverage and annual wellness exams and substance abuse services.

Many tools are available for students to determine which insurance best fits them, including the need calculator located at Healthcare.gov.

While many resources are available, it is up to the student to seek out the plan that best fits them.

Time will eventually run out.

Good citizenship too hard to find Texas businesses put a ban on bad fashion

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail

Many people choose to look the other way when they see a physical altercation in public, not wanting to get involved, even when it is a man assaulting a woman.

One such event took place on Sept. 7 in Lakewood, Calif. when a customer was attempting to purchase a Swisher Sweets cigar, which cost $1.41 but only had a dollar, according to CBS News.

He became belligerent when the clerk told him that he didn’t have enough money, ultimately punching the female clerk in the face and walking out of the store. At least three men are seen in the video, standing in line and did nothing about it.

They could easily

have followed the man outside to get a license plate number, or at least the direction he headed when he left the store, without putting themselves in immediate danger.

This is unacceptable. As citizens, neighbors and human beings, we should be standing up for those that need help, not idly standing by and watching the event unfold.

Is it because of women’s equality that people no longer feel it is necessary to intervene on behalf of women?

This is no excuse. It shouldn’t matter if it is a man assaulting a woman, a man assaulting a man or even a woman assaulting a man. When someone is being attacked in public, the right thing to do is to try to help.

Are people just too

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scared to get involved, not knowing how far the aggressor will go and are worried about their own safety or concerned they might face a lawsuit if they intercede?

California, and many other states, have laws known as “Good Samaritan Laws” which protect people from being sued when they help someone in an emergency situation.

No matter how you look at it, violence is not something that should be overlooked. In a situation where someone is getting assaulted, physically or verbally, someone should step in.

At least one man recently did stand up for someone being harassed in public.

On Sept. 17 in Broward County, Fla., a woman on a bus was being harassed by a male

passenger. When she got up and sat near Jimmy Singleton, who told the aggressor to stop, he became violent, punching Singleton in the face and knocking him to the ground, according to Fox News.

Singleton ended up in the hospital for eight days after the assault, suffering from three broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung, but still says he would do it again if put in that situation.

This is how we, as Americans, should react. We are not known, as a country, for looking the other way in times of crisis or wrongdoing.

We wouldn’t have so many people bullying their way through life, behaving as they please, if they knew that someone nearby just might step in and try to put a stop to it.

By Nick Valenzuela nvalenzuela.connect@gmail If you plan on visiting Texas any time soon you may want to ensure your pants are pulled all the way up if you decide to chase your craving for McDonald’s.

As of September, at least 27 McDonald’s locations in Texas have banned sagging pants, according to an article in the TriState Defender.

Texas isn’t the first state to face controversy involving the banning of saggy pants.

In 2012, Cocoa, Fla. met with mixed responses when police were given the right to enforce a dress code against sagging.

However the McDonald’s sagging ban in Texas is gaining larger, national headline attention.

Some people are offended or made uncomfortable seeing a young man’s whitey tighties poking out from underneath his jeans. Others dislike the less respectable style of dress sagging represents.

There are also those who must be tired of walking behind the slow, penguin-like waddle of someone who is sagging in a narrow hallway.

One aspect that certainly is not a reason in supporting such a ban is the issue of race.

Unfortunately, some of those who oppose the ban are choosing to pretend that the racial profiling of African-Americans is relevant.

Such accusers have apparently never stepped foot in a public place, as people of all

races can be seen sagging their pants. The style is certainly not restricted to African-Americans, and banning the style is not at all racist.

On the other hand, it is racist to assume that only AfricanAmericans wear the sagging style. Those who make such a ridiculous assumption should frankly be ashamed of themselves.

“

Plenty of people would prefer that others keep the waistline of their pants on their waists.

All irrational accusations aside, banning sagging pants is actually an attempt to educate those who sag on respect.

The sagging style originated in American prison systems before it was adopted by hip-hop artists. It’s hard to think that some wish to wear their clothes in a manner that represents incarceration.

Not only is sagging disrespectful, it is also an incredibly confusing trend that makes no rational sense.

Some may find a strange feeling of joy in bearing their underwear to the world, but plenty would prefer people kept the waistlines of their pants on their waists.

After all, it’s called “underwear” for a reason.

OCTOBER 17, 2013 | OPINION

9

Minimum wage rises when Californians are spoiled enough

By Ben Brown bbrown.connect@gmail After Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 10 on Sept.

23, which will eventually raise the minimum wage in California from $8 to $10 over a three-year span, many people started getting excited.

I mean, who doesn’t want to get paid more for the same work?

I know I do. The only problem I have with this is, it just seems too good to be true.

I’ve always followed the slogan “If it seems too good to be true then it probably is,” and this new minimum wage bill fits the phrase in my book.

While doing the same job and getting paid more might put more money in your pocket immediately, it ultimately may cost you more down the road and hurt this economy.

Let’s take me for example.

I work in the customer service industry at a small local familyowned franchise.

This franchise fields about nine or 10 different locations in the Sacramento area. While my place of operation mainly makes its money seasonally, it gets traffic all year around.

Of course, big corporations like McDonald’s or Target may see no effect having to pay their workers a dollar or two more down the road, but small mom and pop places will.

A lot of these places like my workplace are not racking up the big bucks and coasting off into paradise. It’s more along the lines of, doing enough to get by to provide for their families.

With this bill, small workplaces will not be able to afford to pay people more for the same work. This will bring about layoffs and maybe shut some places down leading to an increase in unemployment.

Unemployment is already bad enough but who says it won’t be worse with a higher minimum wage?

The majority of workers earning minimum wage are kids right out of high school or college.

Many kids who go straight to work after graduating high school have no experience and sometimes no work ethic.

With companies having to pay more for the same work, don’t you think they will try to weave out the workers who are doing just enough to get by and attempt to bring in workers who will go above and beyond what is required of them?

In my workplace, not much skill is required. As long as you can run a cash register and communicate with customers you can do the job.

Employers are now going to pick and choose their workers tougher and harder to maximize profits.

Getting paid is good and all because you’re going to have more money to live off of and be able to spend right?

Wrong.

As Americans, we still have to pay for taxes which are a percentage so paychecks will still take a hit.

Plus, who says inflation won’t rise with this bill? Gas is bad enough as it is, I don’t want to see it raise more.

Our everyday essentials like food and clothes are only going to cost us more to obtain because everyone is taking a hit.

I understand some people work too hard for their money and everyone should be able to provide and support themselves but its life, this isn’t a perfect world.

We can’t always do the things we want and envision. So why try to turn it into one?

California is already one of the most expensive states to live in and we already earn a higher minimum wage here than what our federal government has set.

We need to stop being greedy and take what has been given to us because it will cost us more eventually.

Agree? Disagree?

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to submit a letter to the editor or visit www.thecrcconnection.com/submit-a-letter/

HAWK

TALK

“Who is to blame for the government shutdown?”

Ashlyn Caleal 19, Undeclared

Compiled by Darren Allen, Ben Brown and Christopher McKnight

The GOP threw a tantrum and the country fell to its knees

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@ gmail

Citizens of the United States have been held hostage over the last two weeks.

Every man, woman and child in this nation was held as a form of security by the Republican Party in an attempt to defund, derail and dismantle the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. On Oct. 1 the Republican Party put a gun to the head of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty when they refused to agree to the national spending bill on the unsupported notion that the ACA was not what the American public wanted.

During an interview with NBC News on Oct. 6, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) acknowledged that the house had approved a funding bill in July. The bill passed with no restrictions against Obamacare and at a figure that was $70 million lower than what it currently is. However, the

“I think the blame for the government shutdown is on the poorly written Obamacare bill and that it needs to be revised or repealed.”

GOP decided to withdraw their support lastminute.

“I and my members decided the threat of Obamacare and what was happening was so important that it was time for us to take a stand,” Boehner said.

“And we took a stand.”

As a result the government shut down, and all nonessential services and personnel that were working on Sept. 30 did not continue their roles on Oct. 1.

So, much like a terrorist from any part of the world, Boehner and the GOP crawled to the top of their slimy soap box and made it clear that people would get hurt until their demands were met.

But just how many people?

Definitely more than the 233 Republican house representatives that finally managed to bring the U.S. government to a screeching halt.

Due to the shutdown, 19,000 children were unable to attend their Head Start programs. If the casualties of the sequester

Duncan Lordanich 27, Engineering

were included as well, approximately 76,000 children have had their education hijacked for the political grandstanding of a handful of disgraced and disgruntled capitalists.

“

The White House doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.

For those looking for a paradox, it would seem that a shutdown is contradictory to the profit-mongering mentality of the Republican, after all, this little stint of their’s cost the United States’ economy $300 million a day, according to IHS, a global market research firm.

Though it didn’t affect their paychecks, so why would they care?

The Department of Health and Human Services released a contingency staffing plan for operations in the absences of enacted annual appropriations on Oct. 1.

“I don’t really think you can attribute blame to any one person. It seems like a disagreement that both parties are unwilling to resolve. So I guess I would say equal blame.”

In the memo is a long list of federal programs, seemingly operating in the background of everyday life, which would no longer continue to function for as long as the government was shut down.

Temporary assistance for needy families, child care and welfare services, the FDA’s annual seasonal influenza program and routine food inspections could no longer be supported, according to the memo.

The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response wasn’t operating either, whose main role is to provide “medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and emerging threats,” according to the memo.

Mr. Speaker, members of the GOP, when you’re asking why President Barack Obama was hesitant and reluctant to meet with you to discuss or agree on your abortion of a budget, remember this, the White House doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.

Amanda Gorman 33, Interior Design

“I believe that the shutdown is legislators’ problem, Congress’ problem. If they could both make compromises, then we wouldn’t be in shutdown.”

Visit www.youtube.com/ConnectionCRC for Hawk Talk videos and student interviews

@CRCConnection

10 SPORTS | October 17, 2013

Strong first half propels Hawks to win over Fresno Three goals from freshman forward Isaac McDaniel sparks the Hawks’offense

By Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail

The Hawks men’s soccer team defeated the Fresno College Rams on Oct. 15, extending their undefeated streak to five.

The Hawks played a really strong first half and showed off their offensive skills. While, the Hawks played a great first half, where the bulk of their scoring occurred, the second half saw the Rams make the game close.

“Our concentration went down a little bit, our energy went down,” said CRC head coach Ron Preble. “Anytime a game is 2-0 at halftime, one goal kind of swings momentum a bit. You’ve gotta be able to match what they’re doing and go beyond it to keep yourself in the game.”

The first goal was a penalty kick by freshman forward Issac McDaniel. McDaniel would continue to further the Hawks lead in the first half by scoring the second goal as well.

Although the final score was 3-2, the tie breaking shot was actually due to Fresno accidentally scoring a goal for the Hawks. Preble said that it was a difficult decision the player from Fresno had to make but it was one that had to be made.

“It’s one of those things where he’s coming in trying to block a shot and a deflection goes in,” Preble added. “If you

Darren Allen | The Connection

Freshman forward/midfielder Dominic Escamian dribbles a ball upfield during CRC’s home game against Fresno College on Oct. 15. The Hawks’ offense was able to put three goals in the back of the net.

lunge forward do you block it or do you knock it into your own net? So he went for it and it goes in.”

The Rams weren’t the only ones dealing with friendly fire, Sophomore defender francisco Ornelas on the Hawks

was injured due to a collision with freshman goalkeeper Carter Giroux.

The final goal was accredited by technicality to McDaniel, making a total of five goals for McDaniel in the last two winning games.

McDaniel said that he’s happy to be on the scoring side, but there’s always room for the team to improve.

“Overall we did fine, but we could have done better,” McDaniel added. “We need to communicate as a group.”

Hawks’ Upcoming Games Men’s Soccer

THIS MOMENT BEGAN WITH A CHOICE.

Friday, Oct. 18, @West Hills Lemoore 4 p.m. *Friday, Oct. 25, @American River 4 p.m. *Tuesday, Oct. 29, @Santa Rosa 4 p.m.

Women’s Soccer *Tuesday, Oct. 22, vs. Santa Rosa 3:30 p.m. *Friday, Oct. 25, vs. Sacramento City 3 p.m. *Tuesday, Oct. 29, @Modesto 3:30 p.m. ®

Volleyball He chose to make a difference. Chose to get a degree. To learn new skills. And it was all made possible by the National Guard.

EDUCATION BENEFITS • SKILLS TRAINING • PART-TIME SERVICE

*Friday, Oct. 18, @Santa Rosa 6:30 p.m. *Wednesday, Oct. 23, @Modesto 6:30 p.m. *Wednesday, Oct. 30, vs. Sierra 6:30 p.m.

Contact Staff Sergeant Songwon Losasso at 916.843.3954

1-800-GO-GUARD

* Conference Game For more sports action, log onto thecrcconnection.com

Programs and Benefits Subject to Change 10BW-04_5.88x7_Losasso.indd 1

www.thecrcconnection.com

9/12/13 2:05 PM

October 17, 2013 | SPORTS 11

A scholarship would entice The Brown: her to play at the four-year level ¢heap Seats A Sports Column

The NFL has a chance to get it right, but probably won’t Chiefs, Braves, Warriors and Redskins. All names that are used when representing our favorite sports teams.

The last, is

By Zach Hannigan one name that has come into controversy lately.

The Washington Redskins of the National Football League have a name that many find offensive.

You’ve probzhannigan.connect@gmail ably heard every argument for and against the name, so I won’t bore you with those.

But what I will say is: that is not for us to decide.

Team owners have recently come out and said the name honors “where we came from, who we are,” according to CNN. That sounds nice and all, but what do they mean by “we?”

Would that “we” be the rich white guy, Daniel Snyder, who owns the team?

Or does it apply to every American?

Either way, both those parties cannot claim that the Redskins name is who they are, or where they came from.

The argument about the name should fall on the shoulders of those that it “honors.”

In the most recent poll that asked Native Americans about the name, 90 percent of respondents said they did not consider the name offensive, according to CBS local news in Washington D.C. Another poll conducted by the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 which polled 768 Native Americans from the lower 48, showed the same numbers. An astonishing 90 percent of Natives said the name was acceptable.

So there you have it, if they aren’t offended, the name should be able to stay.

The problem is, you have a bunch of white guys, myself included, telling Natives how they should think and feel about a name that represents them.

This is where the NFL has a chance to get it right. Why not have NFL commissioner Roger Goodell order that a survey be taken? Ask Native Americans from every tribe possible how they feel about the name.

Money should not be the issue that stops them from conducting that survey, they are the highest-grossing sport in the United States.

However, this probably won’t happen because Snyder has said that he refuses to change the name, and well, he pays the bills. The NFL has also continued to show a laissez-faire approach towards the matter.

I for one, will continue to hold out hope that the NFL sees the light.

Do the right thing Mr. Goodell, and put this argument to bed once and for all.

Follow Zach on Twitter @ZachHannigan

Continued from Page 1 was 5 years old. Brown focused on her schooling as an early childhood education major for her first year.

“Honestly, I was kind of burned out from soccer,” Brown said. “I played competitive through high school. I stopped [playing in other competitive leagues] my sophomore year and played high school soccer.

That’s not something I wanted to do.”

In her second year at CRC, Brown joined the soccer team and has been a key part of the team through the beginning of the season.

“I was recruiting goalkeepers and had her in mind, and called her when the time came, to see if she was interested in playing in the following year and fortunately for us she was,” Plasencia said.

While most players on CRC’s team come in under 5 feet 5 inches, Brown is 5 feet 9 inches and Plasencia said that her size and her hands are a big contribution to her success.

Brown didn’t start as a goalkeeper, having played different positions through recreational play.

Starting her last year of competitive play, Brown switched from defender to goalkeeper and took to the position.

“Being a goalkeeper is a completely different level of concentration and I really en-

joy that my position is completely different,” Brown said.

“I’m the last line of defense and a lot of pressure is put on me and I enjoy the pressure. I don’t collapse under pressure.”

Martin played soccer with Brown for six years before the pair joined forces at CRC and the two are friends outside of the sport.

“She’s one of the best players I know,” Martin said.

“She is always into the game and she is always just ready to win. She is really competitive and has a lot of good feedback from games.”

Brown is unsure if she will continue to play soccer after next season, as she wishes to pursue her major at a four-year university. However, a soccer scholarship would entice her to continue to play, she said.

As an ECE major, Brown hopes to one day teach autistic kids or work in speech therapy.

“My brother has a really bad stutter—I mean it’s getting better—but that’s something that the teachers Zach Hannigan | The Connection didn’t want to help him with,” Brown said. “Kids need help Freshman goalkeeper Anna Brown saves a shot against Sierra College with that when they’re young; on Oct. 11. CRC lost the game 1-0, pushing their losing streak to three. my brother is 15 already and if she continues playing as she better, which she has been dohe still stutters because he has. didn’t get the help he needed.” ing throughout the course of “She is definitely a scholar- the season. No question, she Plasencia is very hopeful that Brown will be able to get ship-type goalkeeper,” Plasen- will be somebody who foura university scholarship offer cia said. “She has another year year schools would be interwhen she is ready to transfer to continue to develop and get ested in.”

Students and faculty weigh in on NFL’s way of raising awareness on breast cancer

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail

In October of every year since 2009, the NFL has always taken part in the battle against breast cancer with their “A Crucial Catch” campaign.

The campaign works in partnership with The American Cancer Society to raise money for its Community Health Advocates National Grants for Empowerment program, which “promotes health equity and addresses cancer screening disparities by increasing access to breast cancer screening,” according to the NFL website.

Their approach is to have players and referees sport pink apparel including pink gloves, cleats, arm bands, towels and even pink flags that referees use to make calls during games to raise awareness for the breast cancer campaign.

“These items will then be entered into an auction to be auctioned off online with all the proceeds going to the ACS,” according to the NFL website.

The pink ribbon became

the symbol of breast cancer awareness through the efforts of Charlotte Hayley, Susan G. Komen, Evelyn Laude and Alexander Penney.

Hayley had been the originator of the idea, according to Pink Ribbon International.

Sociology Professor Nyenbeku George not only said that it is an effective way to raise awareness, but it is a step in the right direction.

“It’s about time that more athletes and specifically male athletes got involved in helping women with different ailments in society that they suffer from,” Nyenbeku said. “We as people living in this millennium are really doing a better job of stepping out of our comfort zone and not being afraid of being labeled from putting pink on a uniform and a desire to be more caring and promote more awareness of what women go through.”

Kaitlyn DeBolt, 19, an undeclared major, said it’s a good idea.

“I think it’s good, they’re supporting it, it’s not hurting anything and they’re raising awareness for everyone,” DeBolt said.

Harshy Sandhu, 17, an

undeclared major, said the NFL is an effective medium to promote awareness because of its popularity among many people.

“I feel the NFL is a big enterprise,” Sandhu said. “I feel that’s a good way to put [the message] out there because a lot of people watch the NFL.

“

It’s about time that more athletes and specifically male athletes got involved in helping women with different ailments in society.”

—Nyenbeku George Sociology Professor

An article by the NFL stated “59 percent of the country watched the NFL in 2012 with an increase in percentage since 2010 from 53 percent.”

Josiah Sloan, an 18-yearold film major, said that doing something is better than nothing.

“It’s just good that they’re taking notice and that they’re doing something better than nothing,” Sloan said.

Some students don’t seem to think the NFL is commercializing breast cancer awareness. In particular, Sloan believes that the NFL may have an interest in promoting their public image, but that doesn’t deny the fact that they have a sincere interest in helping fight against breast cancer.

“I think it’s a two-way street. I think it’s both improving public image, but I think the root of the problem is that they wish to help [fight breast cancer],” Sloan said.

Along those lines, DeBolt said that raising awareness of breast cancer not only promotes the NFL’s image, but is an effective marketing strategy. “[The NFL] is promoting something on top of actually making money, which may result in more people watching the NFL and buying more of their products,” DeBolt said.

www.Facebook.com/crcconnection

12 SPORTS | October 17, 2013

They What!?

Said

Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers

“I’ve got to get my fat ass in shape. Six months of eating whatever the hell I wanted to eat and not running and stuff like that caught up to me a little bit.” (Oct. 9)

“I’m off work for the day headed to eat in my suit.

Over/Under how many numbers I get within an hour at dinner by Chad Johnson myself?” (Oct. 13)

NFL Free Agent

“For those asking what does my response “I’m outchea” mean... it means ‘I’m out here’ or ‘you’re got damn right Duane Brown I’m playing Houston Texans tomorrow night.’”

(Oct. 5)

Metta World Peace New York Knicks

“Remember to put a comma after someones name when starting a sentence.

Example: Metta you are famous.

You are famous could be my last name.” (Sept. 9)

Quotes and Tweets compiled by Staff Wrier

CRC counselor starts grassroots group Crown Downtown dedicates themselves to advocating for new arena and community

By Zach Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail

P

roudly boasting a black Sacramento Kings shirt, Cosumnes River College adjunct counselor Mike Tavares reflects back on Crown Downtown’s journey.

He strokes his beard with the look of deep thought on his face.

The grassroots organization, created by Tavares, had seemingly won their battle. The Kings were sold to an owner committed to keeping the team in Sacramento, and a downtown arena is slated to be built.

“Keeping the Kings is one thing, that’s kind of the foundation,” he said.

“But it’s much more than that.”

The group formally started as Fund Arena Now Sacramento, or F.A.N.S., as a way to pay homage to a San Jose group known as F.A.N., who successfully campaigned for an arena in their city.

So, they started to attend city council meetings in their matching white t-shirts, hoping to have their voices heard.

“We were like a little rag tag thing, we didn’t know what we were doing,” Tavares said.

The group sought a new identity, one where they would known as “more than Kings fans,” Tavares said.

That identifier would actually be found by accident.

“We had to come up with another name that is more than just the arena which goes along with our philosophy #BiggerThanBasketball,” Tavares said. “We had a couple suggestions which were ‘Crown Sacramento’ and ‘Downtown Crown,’ and as I emailed the group, my dyslexia kicked in and I typed in Crown Downtown by accident, and everyone was like ‘oh, that’s perfect.’ ” With a new name and a clear mission, the faction continued with their efforts to progress the Sacramento community.

“It’s a good group of people,” said James Battles, a key member of Crown

Special to The Connection

Crown Downtown creator and adjunct counselor at CRC, Mike Tavares (center), presents collage of photos to Mayor Kevin Johnson in Sacramento City Hall on Jan. 30.

Downtown. “They volunteer their time, they helped with Rhythm N Rims, they helped rebuild McKinley Park and will continue to help the community.”

With a new Sacramento sports and entertainment venue on the horizon, Crown Downtown set their sights on the old one.

“They got to reuse that land, because the land is worth more than the building,” Tavares said. “Whatever they decide to put, their is going to be jobs there, and that’s what it’s about.”

While the goal of the organization is about more than basketball, they still love to root for their Kings. They’ve been to Dallas, Las Vegas, New York and other

cities to support their team.

The group also has their own spot in Sleep train Arena. Section 215 is where you’ll hear their chants raining down all season long, in their very own season ticket holder section.

“Honestly, I thought we would get 20 people, we got double that,” Tavares said.

Crown Downtown may have got what they initially wanted, but they know that helping Sacramento progress is an ongoing fight.

“We won the battle, but the war isn’t over,” Battles said.

To learn more about Crown Downtown, log onto crowndowntown.org.

Volleyball team splits tournament, but continues to struggle CRC vs. College of the Siskiyous

CRC vs. De Anza

The Hawks opened game one of their two-game mini tournament against the College of the Siskiyous Eagles, hailing from Weed, Calif.

The trip ended up being a rough one for COS, as they fell to the Hawks in straight sets, 3-0.

However, the game was competitive, CRC won all three sets only by a combined eight points. The first set ended in a 26-24 score, while the second ended in a 25-21 score.

The third set of the match turned out to be more competitive, going into extra play and ending in a win for the Hawks, 27-25.

Freshman outside hitter Nancy Pacheco led the team with seven kills. The Hawks also scored two aces in the victory.

In their second match of the tournament, CRC volleyball took on the Dons of De Anza College.

This match proved to be tougher for the Hawks, losing the game 3-0.

CRC was ahead for much of the first set, but could not hold on. De Anza battled back and took the set 25-21.

That was the best volleyball CRC would play for the rest of the game, losing set number two 25-14 and set three 25-21.

Pacheco led the team again with seven kills, while freshman libero Samantha DaVeggio paced the Hawks with 14 digs.

The Hawks have gone 2-4 since the tournament and have pushed their overall record to 6-9. CRC has failed to win a Big 8 conference matchup all season.

— Zach Hannigan All information came from crchawks.com *Story/Stats excludes Oct. 16 match vs. ARC

@CRCConnection

Team Stats

Results

Aces: 90

Win, Sept. 20 vs.

Redwoods, 3-0

Blocks: 71 Digs: 580 Digs per Set: 11.84 Kills: 281 Points per Set: 9.0 Total Points: 442.0 Hitting Percentage: .075

Win, Sept. 26 @ Marin, 3-1 Loss, Oct. 2 @ Sierra, 3-0 Loss, Oct. 4 vs. San Joaquin Delta, 3-0 Loss, Oct. 9 @ Diablo Valley, 3-0 Loss, Oct. 11 vs.

Sacramento, 3-0