Oak leaf Spring 2017 Issue 1

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The

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February 6, 2017

Leaf

Volume CXXXVII, Issue I

Corbin Genthe/ Oak Leaf

Santa Rosa plays role in historic protests Protesters carrying signs with political messages and wearing iconic pink hats, filled the steet of Santa Rosa on Jan. 21 to express frustration towards President Donald J. Trump and his administration.

Simon Isaksson and Chris Ludlow Co-News Editors

After President Donald Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20, hundreds of people gathered at the Santa Rosa Junior College campus to march against the new administration.

The day after, the Press Democrat estimated more than 5,000 people,

including many SRJC students, gathered outside Santa Rosa City Hall to participate in the global initiative Women’s March.

There was a mix of passionate emotions and a feeling of solidarity amongst the demonstrators. Both events remained peaceful as local law enforcement aided in sectioning off streets. Some traffic was disrupted, however, as the

marches took place.

Enrique Yarce, a SRJC student and member of the Community Action Coalition of Sonoma County, helped organize the inauguration day protest to demonstrate unity and love for one another.

“I’m not the stereotypes that people like to put on me,” Yarce said. “I’m here because that

needs to be fought for. There is a lot of stuff going on in this country and we can’t just sit by idly and let it happen.”

Kelly Brothers, w ith the Community Action Coalition, said she hoped the march would help connect people with active organizations in Sonoma County.

“I want to bring people together who are angry, upset, and

confused, and not sure what they are going to do for the next four years,” Brothers said.

More than 600 Women’s Marches took place worldwide the day after President Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post, with total attendance in the millions.

Continued on page 3. . .

Storms replenish reservoirs; cause closures at Shone Farm Chris Ludlow Co-News Editor

Relentless rainstorms and a cold weather system hit Sonoma County in January, reviving the drought-stricken land and flooding streets and properties. Santa Rosa Junior College’s agricultural center, Shone Farm, was closed for several days during the first week of the semester after torrential rain and light flooding Despite the floods, the storms are a blessing to the area. Only three weeks ago, Sonoma County, along with the rest of Northern California, was declared drought-free by the United States Drought Monitor.

During October of last year, this

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drought, which was declared a state emergency in 2014 by Gov. Jerry Brown, covered 80 percent of the state with an extensive amount of the area considered to be at the level of “exceptional drought.”

Although there is no clear ending in sight for this drought, there are signs that the worst may have passed. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, a common measurement of water source in the state, is at its highest point of the past two decades reaching 177 percent of the yearly average level.

“Our reservoirs in Sonoma and Mendocino counties are well over 100 percent full at the moment,” said Arthur Hayssen, meteorology Amoura Deering/ Oak Leaf A common sight this winter: roads throughout Sonoma County closed down for maintenence due to flooding. instructor at SRJC. Continued on page 5. . .

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Editors-in-Chief

Albert Gregory and James Wyatt Section Editors A&E Editor | Rachel Genthe Features Editor | Tom Rivas Co-News Editor | Chris Ludlow Co-News Editor | Simon Isaksson Opinion Editor | Grant Wetmore Social Media Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Sports Editor | Albert Gregory Staff Writers Ali Benzerara, Amoura Deering, Arthur Gonzales-Martin, Beatriz Verneaux, Corbin Genthe, Luke Straub, Olivia Wray, Ruby Zheng, Travis LaBrucherie, and Will Mathis.

Photographers Arthur Gonzalez-Martin and Corbin Genthe Distribution Manager Travis LaBrucherie Layout Team Devin Schwarz, section editors and editors-in-chief LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We appreciate your feedback. Send letters to oakleafonline@gmail.com or to the Oak Leaf office. Letters should include first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letter may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

Contact Newsroom: 707-527-4401 Ads Office: 707-527-4254 Advisor: Abigail Peterson: 707-5274867 apeterson@santarosa.edu Peer Assisted Learning Specialist Devin Schwarz EMAIL oakleafstaff@gmail.com Advertising Manager Keshia Knight oakleaf-ads@santarosa.edu

Online www.theoakleafnews.com Exclusives Check out our website:

Exclusive, online-only content can be found daily at www. theoakleafnews.com After being suspended for one month, Santa Rosa Junior College Student Government President Jordan Carbajal Panana looks to get back to work.

Deogratias Niyizonkiza’s hope helped him survive a genocide and graduate from Colombia. He will deliver his inspirational story at noon Feb. 13 at SRJC Newman Auditorium

Top: Corbin Genthe/ Oak Leaf; Center: Arthur Gonzales-Martin/ Oak Leaf; Bottom: Simon Isaksson/ Oak Leaf

Top: Women’s March demonstrators take to D Street in Santa Rosa Jan. 21 to speak up against President Donald Trump, his administation and his controversial rhetoric which has targeted women and minorities. Middle left: Enrique Yarce Martinez, SRJC student and co-founder of Community Action Coalition in Sonoma County, leading the Santa Rosa Junior College march on Jan. 20. Middle right: Urging people to organize and get involved in their communities, protesters believe staying silent will allow Trump to ostracize the United States’ relations with the rest of the world. Bottom: A birds-eye view of the crowd gathered for the Women’s March outside Santa Rosa City Hall. The crowd reached over 5,000 people according to the Press Democrat. Photo taken from the rooftop of the Roxy Stadium 14 movie theatre.

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February 6, 2017

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Left: Chris Ludlow/ Oak Leaf; Right: Courtesy of Austin Reynolds

Sonoma County participates in worldwide march Thousands of people of all walks of life spoke up against the newly elected president during the Women’s March in Santa Rosa on Jan. 21. Signs carried messages criticizing the president and his policy changes.

Continued from Cover. . .

The crowds at the events in Santa Rosa reached several thousand people, where the values of human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination were voiced.

“We’re standing as a united front because we just don’t want to do nothing,” said Jeanne Pugh, a Women’s March participant in Santa Rosa. “If we continue to do nothing, Trump is going to alienate

us from the rest of the world.”

Kelsey and Tricia, two SRJC alumni who do not want to use their last names, say they believe similar initiatives like the Women’s March will be necessary in the future.

“I think it’s a wake up call for everyone and we can’t just sit back.

We have to stand up and actually do something,” Kelsey said.

“It’s just an amazing display

of positivity and support for women, that’s what it’s all about,” Tricia said.

Although the vast majority of the gathered people were in support of the Women’s March, a few were skeptic about the content of some protesters’ signs, which they perceived as vulgar.

“I don’t think what’s on many of these signs are appropriate for children to see,” said a local

Santa Rosian who wants to remain anonymous. “And the blockade interferes too much with the bus traffic.”

Mark Malouf, an SRJC student and president of SRJC College Democrats, took part in the two days of protests and hopes that the weekend’s actions will only be the beginning. He believes similar protests will be held during Trump’s entire term of

office, particularly in response to the new president’s controversial series of executive orders.

“I’m glad that we’re out here doing these marches,” Malouf said. “I really hope that will lead to more productive organizing efforts in the future.”

For more coverage of the recent protests, watch videos of the events, visit The Oak Leaf online at www.theoakleafnews.com.

To be or not to be: President Trump’s travel ban

“I imagine this affects SRJC students,” dean of admissions and records said Simon Isaksson Co-News Editor Confusion remains high after President Donald Trump issued an executive order Jan. 27 banning travel into the United States for citizens of seven countries for at least 90 days.

According to the Trump administration, the travel ban is needed to “protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted into the United States.” In his executive order, Trump referred to the 9/11 attacks, pointing out that all the hijackers were foreign nationals.

However, none of the 9/11 terrorists were from the countries singled out by Trump’s travel ban: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

The executive order has been heavily criticized both home and abroad. Many people call the travel ban a “Muslim ban” because all the affected countries have a Muslimmajority population.

On Feb. 3, a U.S. District court in Seattle halted certain provisions of the executive order because it is “contrary to the Constitution and laws of the United States,” but Trump

insists it will soon be reinstated. If so, hundreds of millions of people will be affected, many of whom live or have lived in the United States or have family and friends living in the United States.

Freyja Pereira, dean of admissions, records and enrollment development at Santa Rosa Junior College, said she believes people at SRJC might be directly or indirectly affected by the travel ban.

“Based on how many students we have here on this school, I would imagine that we have students who are affected by this in some way,” she said to the Oak Leaf.

According to KC Greaney, director of the office of institutional research at SRJC, there is no data in the student information system about what countries non-U.S. citizens are from, but of the 25,831 students enrolled last semester, around 13 percent were non-citizens.

Sarah Hopkins, director of human resources, said there is also no such information collected or maintained by human resources for employment of faculty or staff.

“We only verify that our employees have the legal right to work in the United States when they are hired, as required by law,” Hopkins said.

The only non-citizens at SRJC with

their country-of-origin recorded are definitive statement. Right now we the around 215 students currently are just trying to keep up with what enrolled in SRJC’s international is going on,” Hunt said. student program. These are people Bert Epstein, manager of from all over the world, admitted at student health services for mental SRJC with a formal non-immigrant health programs and a licensed student visa issued by the U.S. psychologist, said that students who Department might be affected of State. While by the travel ban there have been should visit the “We want to assure i nt e r n at i on a l school’s therapists students in our students that they and seek support the past from among friends have the support of the and family. countries affected by “I am sure college and that we wil the travel this can create stand alongside them ban, there are great anxiety and none enrolled in an effort to preserve stress. Students this semester, who might be according to the rights of all students affected can feel Kim Hunt, to obtain an education,” anger and I would i nt e r n at i on a l recommend student advisor. them to channel - Dr. Frank Chong, SRJC “We are that in healthy President lucky. However, ways. Exercising some other is good, but colleges around also talking to here have people, take part international students that are in peaceful protests, writing about directly affected, and they are your feelings, or expressing them struggling right now,” Hunt said. through artwork,” Epstein said.

Whether SRJC international SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong students will be affected by the wrote in a statement to the Oak Leaf, travel ban in the future remains to “We want to assure our students that be seen. they have the support of the college “It is too soon to make any and that we will stand alongside

them in an effort to preserve the rights of all students to obtain an education. I would encourage those students who may be directly affected by the recent executive order to reach out to support services on campus and to consider postponing any travel outside the United States until such time as new visa policies are clarified.”

Chong suggests students to contact Robert Ethington at Student Affairs and Engagement to know more. International students can contact the director of international programs, Peg Saragina.

Initially, the travel ban also included green card holders in the United States from the seven countries, something the Trump administration later pulled back on. However, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told NBC’s Meet the Press Jan. 29 that green card holders could be subject to further questioning when entering the country.

Trump’s executive order also included a suspention of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days and put an indefinite ban on refugees from war-torn Syria.

Students who wish to share their feelings with the college community can contact the Oak Leaf at oakleafstaff@gmail.com.

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February 6, 2017

Features

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Museum reopens with new exhibit

Corbin Genthe Staff Writer/Photographer After a fire last October forced closure, the Santa Rosa Junior College Museum recently reopened with an updated exhibit space that highlights an expanded collection celebrating multicultural influences.

Last fall, faulty lithium batteries used in a Dia de los Muertos altar started smoldering, setting off the museum’s fire suppression system. The resulting rush of air contaminated museum displays with dust, according to museum director Theresa Molino. No artifacts were damaged, but everything needed a deep cleaning and the museum remained closed until the spring semester.

Molino and her staff of volunteers saw an opportunity to freshen the space, paint new backdrops, and reimagine the visitors’ visual experience. Visitors will have a moment of intimate interaction with

the diverse collection. This allows the public to experience the natural qualities in these cultures that connect all as humans.

“Often museums have this tendency to depict Native Americans as all alone,” Molina said. “I want the public to see how Native American values and world views and practices fit in and mesh with the rest of the world.”

The exhibit has even put together a contemporary look at African fashion influenced by past indigenous art.

Also keep an eye out for a display of tiny baskets with intricate patterns down to the size of a freckle, made by members of Pomo tribes.

The Santa Rosa Junior College museum is open to students and the public from 1-4:30 p.m. Monday – Corbin Genthe / Oak Leaf Thursday, with additional hours Aside from Native American craft, the museum features a diverse range of artwort. Top right: shadow puppets present in sevTuesday and Thursday mornings. eral Asian countries’ mythologies. Top left and bottom: The collection focuses on influences from the past in African fashion.

Admission is free.

Stores offer student savings Jolan Marney

Contributing Writer ‘My shirt is on its last thread,’ ‘Where am I going to find a new pair of jeans?’

‘I can’t afford new clothing right now.’

These are all things that we hear or experience over time.

When it comes to clothing there are affordable options students don’t know about. Students hear about various discounts but they never know where to find them.

Well look no further because discounts can be found at Francesca’s Collections, LOFT, Toms Shoes and H&M. These are just some of the places that try to support students financially while they go to college.

For a store with feminine clothing and gifts, Francesca’s Collections is a

place where students can find anything their heart’s desire. When you arrive at the counter all you have to tell them is that you are a student and show your ID to receive a 10 percent discount.

Loft is similar in the fact that all one has to do to receive a 10 percent student discount is show a valid student ID. This is a clothing store with a more “boho” feel. When you walk in you see the crystal concept jewelry. There is lace on most of the garments as well as colors that would complement anyone.

H&M is a store that we all know and love with clothing for everyone and they just made it more affordable.

With their 10 percent student discount, you can shop more than ever. H&M is the place to go for that concert that you need to dress up for. All of these discounts are fantastic but there is always a question that we come to;

Arthur Gonzalez-Martin / Oak Leaf

Discounts are available to students at stores near the Santa Rosa campus including, Francesca’s Collection, Loft and H&M.

do these discounts truly help? That is something that caused me to wonder.

I asked several people. “A lot of stores don’t broadcast they have discounts, so it was nice that at Apple I got $200 or $300 dollars off,” said Katlyn Gilles, a

college student.

Hearing this caused me to feel like there are businesses trying to make a difference for students who just want nice things but can’t afford it.

These are just a few of the discounts.

This is the time in our economy when students who are trying to bring themselves up in the world and educate ourselves on the advantages that people offer us today. Let’s enjoy life and what it has to offer.

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Drought stricken state Continued from cover. . .

Legendary

Craig McMillan’s legacy continues with the Bear Cubs to-back state championships with a 29-0 record. Along with the two titles and breaking Redwood Empire Features Editor records, McMillan was selected Long lines of spectators crammed as a McDonald’s All American, a inside the small gym. News vans prestigious award given to the top 21 with reporters scattered throughout high school players in the nation. the high school parking lot. Sports Some of McDonald’s notable All commentators that I had recognized Americans were Michael Jordan, from TV sat beside me and watched Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and with amazement. These are times I LeBron James; to name a few. will never forget.

Soon it was time for McMillan to Growing up in Cloverdale during decide what university he wanted 1983-84 was an exciting time in my to attend. Schools such as Stanford life. The high school varsity basketball and UCLA looked to recruit him, team, led by small town phenomenon but McMillan was persuaded by Craig McMillan, dominated the head coach Lute Olson to play at the Redwood Empire, making national University of Arizona. news headlines.

Before Olson’s arrival in 1983, I was 13 at the time and played Arizona’s basketball program was not in the Cloverdale youth basketball doing well. They only made it to the league. Several of the Cloverdale NCAA tournament three times in 79 varsity basketball players coached the years, but with Olsen as the coach, league and I was fortunate enough to things would soon change. be on McMillan’s team.

“They convinced me that they Playing for McMillan during his were going to be good and there junior and senior year of high school was a lot of potential to step in and was unreal because of all the media play right away. They sold me on attention he received. He was a the fact that they were going to win celebrity coach who all kids admired conference titles and get to the NCAA and looked up to. tournament. It ended up working out McMillan grew up spending exactly how they promised.” much of his youth in a basketball McMillan was Olsen’s first recruit gym. “I was fortunate that my dad who signed with Arizona for the was a successful 84-85 season. The basketball coach next four years at Cloverdale McMillan helped High School, so lead the Wildcats “You like to have I grew up in the in four NCAA team success, but gym since the time tournaments. His I could crawl,” senior year the more important McMillan said. team made it to to me I like to see the 1988 Final When Craig Four, which is McMillan was our players get a the furthest this a freshman, his good education.” group had ever father John, gone. who coached the “That year we Cloverdale high - Head coach basketball had a group of school team, Craig McMillan really talented moved him up to guys,”McMillan varsity, where the said.“Not just in father- son duo basketball but took form. John spent many years teaching his son everything they did.”

Some of the players on that team the game and now it was time for the went on to have impressive careers in big payoff.

“My sophomore year our team and out of sports.

Steve Kerr went on to play 15 won the Northern California finals, and because of that exposure, I seasons for six NBA teams and won began to get awards,” McMillan said. five championships. Kerr is now in his “Recruiters started taking notice and third year coaching the Golden State Warriors and has brought the team began coming to our games.”

The following two years the Eagles to back-to-back NBA Finals, beating went undefeated, winning back- the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 and Tom Rivas

Courtesy of AllSportsTuscan.com and Tom Rivas / Oak Leaf

This vintage media guide features a young Craig McMillan, Tom Tolbert and Warriors coach Steve Kerr in their most succesful 1987-88 season at the University of Arizona.

losing the following year.

Tom Tolbert played seven seasons in the NBA and is currently a radio show co-host on KNBR in San Francisco and a color commentator for all Warriors home games.

Other notable players are: Kenny Lofton a MLB six-time All Star, Sean Elliott who played 12 seasons in the NBA; Harvey Mason Jr. a seven-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter, record and movie producer who has worked with artists such as Michael Jackson and Beyonce; and current LA Lakers assistant coach Jud Buechler.

After his final season was over, McMillan took on a journey of his own. Upon finishing his bachelors degree. He was offered an assistant coaching job at Marquette University.

“I had an opportunity to get into coaching as an assistant coach at Marquette University for Kevin O’Neil,” McMillan said.

“O’Neil, who had been assistant coach for Arizona offered me the position which was too good of an opportunity to pass down.”

McMillan followed O’Neil to Marquette where he coached for five years, then followed O’Neil to the University of Tennessee where he coached for two years as assistant coach.

After coaching at Tennessee, McMillan was offered a head-coaching job in Kuwait where he coached for three years. He then moved on to coach in Lebanon for a year.

“It was my first head coaching experience,” McMillan said. “I was able to travel around and experience different cultures. It was a great change of pace and I really enjoyed it.”

In 2001, a coaching opportunity opened up in the county where

McMillan once dominated in basketball. The Santa Rosa Junior College men’s basketball program was hiring for a head coach — the rest is history.

“I had not planned to be overseas forever. I had young kids at the time and wanted to be back in the United States, so when the job here at the Santa Rosa Junior College opened up, it seemed like a great fit and I was really excited when I was offered the job.”

With a B.A. Degree at Arizona and a M.A. Degree from Marquette University, McMillan knows the importance of a good education.

Where some coaches see winning as a top priority, McMillan takes his own approach.

“You like to have team success but, more important to me I like to see our players get a good education. I would say 95 percent of the guys that have played two years for us have graduated and moved on to a fouryear college.”

In the 17 years of his SRJC coaching career, McMillan has led the team to one state title (2014) and five consecutive conference titles. He was State Coach of the Year in 2014, Big Coach of the Year 2013, 2014 and 2015 and BVC West Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2003.

This season the Bear Cubs are ranked No. 1 in the Big 8 Conference.

The team has proved itselves capable of winning another state championship. With more than half of the team contributing and ranking high in the Big 8, the Bear Cubs are competing furiously to stay in first place. With only a few weeks left until playoffs, the pressure is on.

“Forty-nine percent of the state is considered free of the drought, as of Feb. 2,” Hayssen added.

According to the Washington Post, “considerable portions of California have already received at least half of their annual precipitation just one month into the year.” While this is excellent for water conservation efforts and agriculture, storms of this magnitude can be dangerous for drivers and residents due to vast floods and sweeping mudslides which have been prevalent since the beginning of the new year.

As a result of this unusually heavy storm, SRJC viticulture classes normally held at Shone Farm, were temporarily held in the classrooms on SRJC’s main campus.

“It was unfortunate that there was so much rain that it flooded and we didn’t have access, but that was a temporary thing. As far as Shone Farms is concerned, the rains are a really good thing because it is filling up the soil profile,” said Merilark Padgett-Johnson, chair of the SRJC viticulture program.

She explains that after years of constant drought, the wells have dried up and the program must use recycled water from Windsor for irrigation as a result.

“It’s always better to capitalize on what Mother Nature gives you, instead of bringing it from another source,” said Padgett-Johnson.

Storms such as these recent ones are of great benefit to the vineyards and farms in Sonoma County. This one in particular was beneficial to SRJC in that it replaced Shone Farm’s reliance on outside sources of irrigation for the time being, providing the program with a natural alternative that reduces its water upkeep costs.

Shone Farm is not the only place where SRJC is improving its water use and sustainability. In an effort to improve sustainability, SRJC has used Measure H funds, passed by Sonoma County voters in 2014, to reduce and reverse the adverse effects the drought has inflicted on the campus over the past few years.

A new “smart watering” system called Maxicom collects data from stations at both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses which creates an appropriate irrigation schedule that reduces SRJC water usage by 20 to 40 percent. The college is also introducing new native and drought tolerant plants, further decreasing the schools water intake while also improving the natural aesthetic appeal of the school.

Even with the aid of this season’s storms, experts believe California is likely to remain in the drought, as a whole, for the foreseeable future. So while the green grass and newly running rivers seem to indicate an end to our waterless woes, individual and large scale conservation efforts should remain in place if the state is to continue managing this crisis.

Take a second glance Maria de Los Angeles tackles social issues with art Rachel Genthe A&E Editor The year is starting off in a way that’s keeping the people of America on their toes. In our current divisive political climate, Maria de Los Angeles, a Santa Rosa Junior College alumna now living in New York, is using art to voice her opinion at the Women’s March and other protests. Her work depicts the challenges immigrants overcome to make this country diverse and beautiful.

De Los Angeles says her first discovery of the power of art to effect change happened on a trip to the giant colossal stone heads of the Olmec in Tabasco, Mexico.

“It was the first time I saw sculpture,” de Los Angeles said. “They were so large and I was a little kid. I still remember standing there, looking at them. I don’t know what it was, it was fantastic.”

Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, de Los Angeles immigrated to California with her family when she was 11 years old. She still remembers how she and her siblings were drugged on Tylenol to keep them quiet so they would not get caught at the border.

“I was so upset,” de Los Angeles said. “I was carsick. I still get carsick. I was sick the whole time.”

Though her memories of the crossing are hard to hear, de Los Angeles says this is not just her story; it’s the story of many others as well. de Los Angeles says migrating is a way to prove your worth.

After moving to Santa Rosa with her family and completing middle and high school, de Los Angeles had no plans until a friend recommended SRJC. de Los Angeles thrived at SRJC, taking lots of classes and forming bonds with faculty such as astronomy instructor Keith Waxman. She made her home in the art department, exploring everything from figurative drawing to monoprinting to etching.

“School was my way of surviving my immigrant experience, and art was my way to survive school,” she said.

De Los Angeles spent four years and completed an associate’s degree but hadn’t settled on how to further her career until art faculty member Alan Azhdarian handed her applications for art schools around the United States.

“Alan Azhdarian is, and will ever be, maybe not necessarily my teacher anymore, but somebody who made a great impact to me, as an artist and as a person,” de Los Angeles said. “I think he made me into an artist.”

She was accepted as a transfer student at several top art schools, and enrolled at New York’s prestigious Pratt Institute, where she earned her B.A. She then went to Yale University for a master’s degree and now works as a visiting instructor at Pratt while building her art career.

De Los Angeles credits Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for being able to continue her education. Because of DACA, de Los Angeles was able to travel to Italy last summer to study.

“DACA, it’s what Obama gave us,” de Los Angeles said. “It gives us a work permit and permission to travel abroad if we get an invitation. [Traveling abroad] is called advance parole, which is hilarious to me.”

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, some DACA applicants were told not to apply for a two-year renewal. De Los Angeles planned to travel to see family in Mexico this year, but with the recent immigration changes, she put those plans on hold. She says living through these events creates a culture of oppression, marginalization and ridicule in our community, something she feels will be felt for generations. De Los Angeles compares this upheaval to the feelings felt by survivors of the Holocaust or the 1920s stock market crash.

“I love this country and I want to love it,” de Los Angeles said. “I think it should love me. I have done everything. I have behaved.”

In her work, de Los Angeles often references John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath,” in which immigrants are considered a second class labor group. She says in this country it’s never been her choice to be free. However, this is not a reason for de Los Angeles to stop her advocacy.

In 2014, de Los Angeles founded a Santa Rosa arts nonprofit called One City Arts, which works with young students who have been traumatized by incidents like the Andy Lopez shooting and who have dealt with a lack of equity in education around Sonoma County. She received support from the Voices Youth Center and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

While she no longer leads the program, she has helped it find a permanent home at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

De Los Angeles hopes One City Arts will give local students a place to imagine their future.

“I think art is empowerment,” de Los Angeles said. “I think it creates cultural pride.”

Locally, de Los Angeles also created a mural at the Rohnert Park Health Center and has plans for another mural in collaboration with students at Lawrence Cook Middle School, where she once attended.

“I’m building a career here in New York,” de Los Angeles said. “But I come home [to Santa Rosa] because I care. I have family there and I am going to come back there.

I never want my home to not be as good as it can be. I don’t want to come back to the same thing.”

While her work has always been political in nature, de Los Angeles has increased her activism since the November presidential election. On Dec. 22, 2016, de Los Angeles cultivated a Santa Rosa protest called the ‘Suitcase Performance.’ Participants carried travel attire, held signs and wore red tape to inform residents about safe sanctuaries for immigrants.

In New York, she participated in the Women’s March and created a recurring display of paper dresses at Trump Tower.

The paper dresses project originated from a self-portrait and her exploration of the meanings of her own life. “[The dresses are] not just a pretty pattern and the roses that my mom made,” de Los Angeles said. “It’s also this immigration thing, me being illegal.”

While the paper dresses are art, de Los Angeles recently announced that the

Courtesy of Corbin Genthe/ Oak Leaf(top), Patty Deignan Photography(middle) and Esteban Jiminez(bottom) Top: Maria de Los Angeles gives back to the Sonoma County community with this mural at the Rohnert Park Health Center. Middle: Her next project, “Illegal Fashion,” will be a fashion show in New York City. Bottom: de Los Angeles covered the walls from floor to ceiling at a recent protest at New York’s Trump Tower.

project has inspired her to start her own fashion line, with everything from everyday wear to customized identity gowns and quinceñera dresses.

Whether it’s with works on paper or performances and happenings, de Los Angeles believes art is a way to show changes in circumstances that language alone cannot convey. What she portrays in art pertains to what she deeply cares about: economic inequalities and immigration reform. These thoughts started her on a path to “artivism,” a term which

emphasizes the connection between art and political activism.

By visually changing the way art is seen, whether it’s on a canvas or on a dress that someone wears on the street, de Los Angeles wants viewers to take a second glance at issues many consciously ignore.

“I think it is our responsibility when we love something to make it better,” de Los Angeles said. “Just like I am trying every single day to be a better person.”

Right: Courtesy of Mdlafineart.com; Middle left and bottom: Esteban Jiminez; Top: Cheyenne Coleman Clockwise from top: Maria de Los Angeles poses in one of her paper dresses. Middle left; bottom left; de Los Angeles’ boldly colored artwork brings awareness to situations many immigrants experience. Right: The piece ‘Migrant mother’ dramatizes the struggles of undocumented mothers.

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A&E

February 6, 2017

In the Know Calendar of Events

Know Your Rights on Immigration- At 10 a.m.; 2 p.m.

Feb. 6 , 10:30 a.m. Feb. 8 and 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9. In regards to the recent immigration decisions by President Donald Trump, the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services department, in collaboration with the North Bay Immigration Youth Union, presents “Know Your Rights with Immigration” workshops to address student concerns.

SRJC Town Hall in Solidarity with our Communities: A call to action– Feb. 8, at Bertolini Student Center, Craig Dining Commons Live-Streamed to the Petaluma Campus, Carole L. Ellis Auditorium with live-stream on YouTube.

Panelists include an eclectic group of student’s, faculty members and community leaders. #Onelove Diversity Festival- 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Bertolini Quad. In this post-election season, SRJC Student Government Assembly, Office of Student Success and Equity, and the Office of Student Affairs & Engagement Programs are partnering to present the first-ever SRJC One Love Diversity Festival which aims to create unity through community.

What Do Hip-Hop and Donald Trump Have in Common?- 4-5: 15 p.m. Feb. 15 at House Intercultural Center PC 116 on the Petaluma Campus. Talk by Dr. Amanda Morrison on Hip-Hop History and Political Economy, Donald Trump became president in large part by convincing enough Americans struggling to find work that he could “bring jobs back.” What kind of jobs is he talking about? When and why did they ever leave the U.S.? And what does this have to do with the birth of hip-hop? The talk will address how street culture and the economy influenced each other in recent decades.

Forgotten Words- Feb. 21 - Mar. 16. The event investigates the way in which six artists employ social objects to promote new connections and discussions among those that interact and experience them.

Featuring an invited selection of artists who use a variety of media to deliver projects through social practice, community collaboration and public engagement.

SRJC College Reads- 7 p.m. Feb. 23 “Hope: Perspectives on Peace” – in response to the 2016 SRJC Reads book, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, SRJC student authors have penned letters to posterity describing ways to end racism, prejudice and discrimination. The event will be held at Copperfield’s Books in Montgomery Village Santa Rosa.

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The world of wine comes to SRJC Ali Benzerara Staff Writer There is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the beautiful Santa Rosa Junior College, sipping more than 60 wines from 30 of the top Sonoma County wineries.

Local wine lovers should not miss the third annual SRJC Wine Classic Feb. 12 hosted from 2-5 p.m. at Lawrence A. Bertolini Center.

The $75 ticket price includes an etched Riedel wine glass, free parking, gourmet food and all the wine you can drink. Owners and winemakers pour the wine themselves, making this an intimate event unique to Sonoma County.

“It’s a celebration of SRJC and our local wine industry and the food is prepared by students and alumni,” said Christopher Silva, director of the event. “It’s a wonderful community event where we celebrate the very best of Sonoma County, this worldclass community college and this phenomenal wine industry that makes some of the best wines of the world right here.”

The event honors two co-chairs

who have given their time and money to SRJC. This year’s honorary cochairs are Evelyn Cheatham, founder of the culinary apprentice program Worth Our Weight (WOW) and Art Ibleto, better known as Sonoma‘s iconic “Pasta King.”

With limited tickets and the opportunity to meet top dogs in the local wine industry, it is no surprise that this event sells out every year.

According to event coordinator Audrey Le Baudour there are only 400 tickets available, which keeps the ambience of the event close and personal as guests meet and greet the wine owners and makers.

The proceeds of the Wine Classic contribute to student scholarships and programs in the wine business, hospitality and culinary arts programs. Silva hopes to raise close to $100,000 for these programs collectively since the wine classic started three years ago.

SRJC students in WINE 13: Wines Industry Event Planning, run the event.

“All of those students will be hands on that day for the set up and break down of the event. It’s part of their classroom time, so they get hands on

Courtesy of Christopher Silva

Christopher Silva is president/CEO of St. Francis Winery and founder of the event.

experience in working a high-profile event,” Le Baudour said.

To compliment the array of worldclass wines, fresh oysters will be served by the SRJC Culinary Arts Department, alongside an assortment of decadent cheeses donated by Oliver’s Market. Four SRJC Culinary Arts alumni will provide gourmet appetizers and student-band Levi Smith Group will perform.

Silva, chairman of SRJC Wine Studies Advisory Board and

president/CEO of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is a longtime friend of SRJC. He has taken many classes here, including some in the wine studies program.

Some of the wineries attending include St. Francis Winery, Dry Creek Vineyards, Trecini Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Jackson Family Vines, Kunde Family Winery and Shone Farm Winery.

Tickets can be purchased at www. srjcwineclassic.com.

Movie Review: For the Love of Spock Grant Wetmore Opinion Editor

Most documentaries nowadays usually wind up making you feel guilty or angry or a combination of the two. “For the Love of Spock” is different.

Rather than make you feel ashamed you ever went to Sea World or appalled at the very food you eat, the documentary focuses on the life of Leonard Nimoy and the timeless character he portrayed.

There is no political commentary or agenda.

This film simply highlights the exploits of a truly remarkable individual.

Shortly before his death in 2015, Leonard Nimoy began making a documentary about Spock. After his death, his son, Adam Nimoy, picked up the reins and continued his father’s work by directing the film.

By doing so, the documentary morphed from being about Spock to Nimoy’s life and rather illustrious career. Don’t worry, Mr. Spock is still in the final cut.

The first half of the documentary starts by showcasing Nimoy’s life before he donned those iconic ears. As it turns out, Nimoy was born and

raised in Boston. After realizing he wanted to be an actor, he moved out west in hopes of making it big in Hollywood. Before becoming the actor we know today, he was first a family man with a loving wife and two children. What followed was a montage of old family movies showing Nimoy raising his family and doing odd jobs in addition to his acting in order to make ends meet. It was a magical moment. If you were born before 2000, you’ll know the feeling.

Now for you Trekkies out there, let’s talk about Spock! For about half an hour, the documentary explored the creation and impact of Spock. Now this was the most informative part of the film. Going into great detail, it explained the inner workings of Spock and why Nimoy chose to portray him with such little emotion. It also showed, why Spock was so beloved and why many fans connected to him even though he wasn’t even fully human. But’s that’s not all! Did you know Nimoy was a pretty decent singer? Or that he was in the “Mission Impossible” TV series? How

about the fact that he played Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof?”

The best part of the documentary was the voice clips of Leonard Nimoy scattered throughout the film. To hear him talk about himself with topics ranging from why he never turned down a paid gig to his long battle with alcoholism, gave the illusion that he was still alive and well. To hear Melvin Nimoy talk about his brother’s final days was heartwrenching.

Often times, we do not realize just how great a person is until after they are gone. “For the Love of Spock” does a tremendous job in driving that point home. Many of us only saw Leonard Nimoy as an actor who played an emotionless, logical alien on a TV show. This documentary shows that he was much more than that. He was a son of a barber and a father with more than his fair share of family woes.

In the end, he was just as human as the rest of us.

Remember, live long and prosper.

Netflix picks

Entertainment to fill your spring study breaks Travis LaBrucherie Staff Writer Streaming is one of the most popular ways to watch television.

Whether it’s on your TV, computer, phone or any other device; we have all these shows at our fingertips. But how do we know what to watch? It seems it takes more time deciding what to watch than actually viewing it. Here are a few of my top Netflix choices to help cut down your browsing time:

Action and Adventure: Nikita

Maggie Q plays a rogue agent set out to destroy the agency that

trained her to be one of the world’s Crime: The Following deadliest assassins. It’s a badass Kevin Bacon tracks down an series with plenty of storylines to Edgar Allen Poe obsessed serial keep you hooked. killer, again. What’s not to like? The Cartoon: Animaniacs twists and turns keep you on the It’s a wacky cartoon variety edge of your seat. show from the 90s. Filled with Drama: Bloodline many spoofs, parodies and When the outcast older brother homages to pop culture, it will of a family returns home to the have you laughing throughout Florida Keys, trouble starts brewing. each segment.

Watch them dig themselves deeper Comedy: My Name is Earl and deeper into a hole with lies and It’s the story of a man who tries cover-ups. The third and final season to fix all the wrongs he did in his of this Netflix Original is set to be life. It’s disappointing that it was available in July of this year. cancelled after four seasons, but Horror: The X-Files those four seasons are definitely FBI agents Fox Mulder (David worth checking out.

Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian

Anderson) investigate cases of the supernatural. This TV staple is one of my favorite shows of all-time. All nine original seasons are available for you to enjoy.

Sci-fi: Stranger Things

Set in a small town in the 1980s, a kid strangely vanishes and his friends and family must overcome a secret organization and a paranormal being to rescue him.

This pick is a little more mainstream than my other choices. You probably have already watched season one and are patiently awaiting season two which will be released on Halloween. If you haven’t seen it, you must! Believe the hype.

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Opinion

February 6, 2017

EDITORIAL

Divided states of America Intolerance is the greatest threat facing our country.

Violent protests broke out in Berkeley Feb. 1 forcing Milo Yiannopoulos to cancel his planned talk promoting hate speech. Yiannopoulos is an editor of the right-wing Breitbart News Network.

Steve Bannon, assistant to the president and chief strategist for the Trump administration, was a founding member of Breitbart’s board.

Both these men promote the ideas of fear and hate to advance their ideals.

President Donald Trump responded via Twitter, “If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view — NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” The Berkeley protests epitomize the division in the United States between the left and right. With guidance from Bannon, Trump has moved swiftly with the powers of his executive orders to advance the alt-right agenda, including the travel ban targeting Muslims. The duo successfully secured the Rust Belt states’ vote by harnessing the anger of these states and promoting a patriotic nationalist outline that would “Make America Great Again.”

The electoral districts that predominately voted for Trump all rank significantly lower than the rest of America in terms of education.

According to a study by Forbes.com, the least educated states, ranked from worst to best, include West Virginia (50), Mississippi (49), Louisiana (48), Arkansas (47), Kentucky (46), Alabama (44) Tennessee (43), Texas (42) and Oklahoma (41) all of which went red. That’s not to say they voted for Trump because they are dumb, but a lack of higher education leads to less economic success. These parts of the country depend on manufacturing jobs that don’t exist anymore. The people of this region are predominately

Every student has a different background, story and pathway.

Those who graduated from high school and immediately attended a four-year university typically have their educational goals figured out.

Those of us here at Santa Rosa Junior College often have many interesting stories about why we are here.

I am one of those students who started in junior college because I did not know what I wanted to major in. I had an amazing opportunity to move to Southern California and live with my grandparents while attending Palomar College in San Marcos.

It has been my greatest decision since graduating high school, and I encourage everyone to take any chance they may have to live in a different place.

I enjoyed my time at Palomar, but

Self love: A guide to spending Valentine’sDay alone Contributing Columnist

white and conservative.

The common denominator between red and blue states is the marginalization of minorities.

The population of the United States is 63 percent white. The result is that the majority of our representatives are white.

It’s time to realize white Americans live in a very different country, where the biggest fear is a fading paycheck.

For minorities, the issues surrounding Trump’s presidency run much deeper.

Being marginalized and controlled by the alt-right, inequality, and locked down boarders are now constant threats and will be for the next four years.

White Americans have a responsibility to empathize with minority groups because their vote has so much weight and their privilege gives them a very different

view of their communities. The longer we marginalize minorities, the longer there will be this division.

White Americans need to educate themselves about their privilege and its affects on society.

Our history books often ostracize minorities and belittle their contributions to the United States.

Rarely do they teach about the Native American genocide growing up; many students only heard the romanticized story of Lewis and Clark exploring the west. White people wrote history books with a single narrative.

America is diverse, whether you are a white heterosexual man from Oklahoma or black gay woman from San Francisco. We are all protected by the same constitution, which says we all have the right to our own liberties.

White people need to check their

privilege, start calling out others for their lack of awareness towards privilege, and realize how much they as a whole have really benefitted from it. Only then can we begin to create discussions on how to create a more inclusive country. America should be great, it’s had its moments of greatness but it has also been deeply flawed. It’s time to right those wrongs and accept the diversity of our neighbors. You will never understand your neighbor’s life story until you move past your own perspective and listen to their view to create a leveled dialogue filled with empathy.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

When goups act out with violence, like they did in Berkeley, it is counterproductive to creating a postive exchange of ideas.

Miscommunication between counselors equals confusion for students Staff Writer

Just the tip

Molly Scott

Transferring woes Olivia Wray

9

after a year I had to find a new place to live since my grandparents wanted to move. My mother moved down and we got an apartment together. Soon, financial issues occurred and getting through my classes became more difficult because of all the stress I was going through.

Eventually, I had to come to the heartbreaking decision of moving back to Sonoma County in order to stay in school. Like most community college students, I was trying my best to get an associates degree in two years and transfer to a four-year college.

With the stress and financial struggles, that goal was quickly pushed back.

I moved back home during the winter break of 2015, which meant the SRJC counselor’s office was not available until break was over. This was a huge setback for me and I was becoming emotionally exhausted.

That spring I could register for only get one class because most courses were already full at that time.

Finally after deciding on a major, I spent, the summer in Southern California with a friend and took two online classes at Palomar that counted towards my major.

As I got ready for the fall semester back at SRJC, a counselor told me that with my remaining classes, I still had two more years to go. I did not want to believe it and took on the challenge of 14 units for the fall 2016 semester.

At the time I was told I only had one more class for my major and two more general education classes.

I successfully finished that fall semester and spoke with another counselor. She told me I had two more classes for my major, which is not what the previous counselor told me.

Frustrated, I still tried to be optimistic and stay motivated. I was ready to apply to CSUs while I nervously hoped that what the last counselor told me was correct and I would be ready to transfer.

Now I am waiting for the results

from three colleges, trying not to worry about my future too much, and hoping there are no more setbacks.

I never knew I would have to go through these challenges because I initially thought being a community college student wasn’t going to be as intense as it was for a university student. For those who are going through something and still want to continue their education, try to enjoy this time no matter how long it takes.

If you have the time, and you enjoy learning, take at least one class that you’ve always wanted to. One thing I wish I had the chance to do is take art classes because art is something I love.

I always believed I shouldn’t pursue a career in it, but it may benefit me in the long run. I plan on taking some art classes after earning my bachelor’s degree. I know that each of us has a different story, so I hope all of you keep pushing yourself and strive for your future—but enjoy the present in the meantime.

Valentine’s Day. A holiday that is both dreaded and adored comes around again, causing emotions ranging from anxiety to hope and love. When some hear those words they cackle like a giddy fifth-grade girl.

For others, well let’s just say it’s another type of seasonal affective disorder.

For a day so focused on loving others, how about some talk on self-love, especially for the ladies. It’s a subject that has begun to emerge popularly online for women, but how many women know how great “loving” themselves can be, both physically and mentally?

Collectively, women are often seen as the motherly, caring and nurturing presence in a relationship. But how often does that caring, nurturing, and that loving come full circle? How often do women really get a chance to celebrate themselves and how much they love their whole being?

Writer Beau Taplin once said, “Listen to me, your body is not a temple. Temples can be destroyed and desecrated. Your body is a forest—thick canopies of maple trees and sweet scented wildflowers sprouting in the underwood…” So forget about being sad, not having a date, the endless, etc. swipes left—and get into that tub.

Some women prefer to use toys to enhance their experiences while others stick to good ol’ traditional handy work. There are a multitude of items out there but some that have recently become desired are hand-crafted crystal “personal massage wands.” For all my fellow ladies who believe in the divine powers of alchemy and the healing properties of crystals, what is not to love about a healing self— love aide?

Now, while physical self-love is all good and fun, there are a lot of other things people, need to do to nourish their minds, bodies and souls. If you don’t have a beau or lady this upcoming Valentine’s Day, how about a “Self Love Day?” Bath bombs, check. Candles, check (but make sure your shower curtains aren’t too close). Music, check (again...away from the tub). A clear head and thoughts to help promote self care, check.

Lastly, if you’re like me, bring along your healing crystals - as an aid pleasure or meditation.

Now you’re good to go for the best Valentine’s Day date you may ever have.

Sports Power through

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February 6, 2017

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SRJC baseball sweeps in doubleheader Will Mathis Baseball Analyst Santa Rosa Junior College’s baseball team scored 19 runs in a doubleheader to sweep Mendocino College twice Feb. 3 at SRJC’s Cook Sypher Field.

“We have a lot of guys in the lineup that can hit for pop,” said designated hitter Blake Berry. “It’s always good to have.”

The Bear Cubs [4-1] lineup produced 12 runs on 14 hits in their 12-4 win in game one of the double header.

Center fielder Daniel Teasley lead the effort, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Right fielder Jeff Bart went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, and Berry, left fielder Matt Yokota and shortstop Juan Lopez-Rios each had two hits. Catcher Trevor Mallett hit his second home run of the season.

First baseman Ryder Kuhns hit his second home run and Berry hit his first in SRJC’s 7-3 win in game two. The game was called after six innings due to darkness.

The Bear Cubs hit five home runs in their first five games of the season, far outpacing their 21 home

runs in 47 games last season.

“It’s pretty much the same [as last year],” Kuhns said. “We just got different guys this year. Everyone can hit the ball hard.”

Reliever Jared Noonan picked up his second win of the season in game one, pitching 5.1 innings in relief of starter Garrett Hill, who is on a pitch count to start the season after recovering from Tommy John surgery in January 2016.

Noonan allowed one run and three hits while striking out six batters. Hill allowed two runs on four hits, including a solo home run, and three walks while striking out three.

Also on a pitch count, starter Justin Bruihl pitched 4.1 innings, struck out four and allowed three runs in game two.

Reliever Ryan Calderon came in and allowed two runners Bruihl left on base in the fifth inning to score.

Calderon gave up one hit, one walk and struck out one in 1.2 innings.

Kuhns finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Berry went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored, and Bart went 2-for-3 and with one run scored.

SRJC’s next game is at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Cañada College [0-3].

Albert Gregory / Oak Leaf

Top: First baseman Ryder Kuhns prepares to swing at a pitch.

Kuhns hit his second home run of the season in game two.

Middle: Catcher Trevor Mallett is greeted by Kuhns after hitting a home run in the eighth inning of SRJC’s game one win.

Bottom: Relief pitcher Cal Clamar delivers in the final innings.

Women’s basketball looks to the future Frank Sumrall Contributing Writer

The Santa Rosa Junior College women’s basketball team floundered in a disappointing effort as Diablo Valley College overwhelmed the Bear Cubs 7755 Feb. 3 in Pleasant Hill.

Having lost six of their last eight, the Bear Cubs [8-16, 3-7] now rank sixth in the Big 8 Conference, putting postseason basketball out of the question with just four games remaining.

Depending on perspective, this season can be seen as a disaster or as a building block for the future.

It may feel like a colossal step backward after advancing into the third round of the playoffs a year ago. Losing last year’s stars Jenna Dunbar and Kerianne Noonan hurt team chemistry and leadership, turning this into a rebuilding year. It takes a toll on the college’s anxious fans despite a silver lining in their 4-4 home record at Haehl Pavilion.

Their road record [1-6 away, 3-6 neutral courts] pales in comparrison due to poor shooting percentage and lack of

hustle and determination.

The Bear Cubs lead the Big 8 in one stat column turnovers, at 21.3 per game. At least their impressive rebounding numbers—45.6 per game—rank 15th out of the 90 schools in the California Community College Athletic Association.

The year is not all lost despite a disappointing record, with promising play from the firstyear student dynamic duo of Sadie Irvine and Tiffany Salinas.

Irvine leads the team in scoring, minutes played, assists, steals and free throw percentage, while her 12.5 points per game rank 12th in the Big 8. Salinas, the anchor of the team’s strong rebounding play, dominates the paint averaging 9.4 points and 8.4 rebounds (6th in the conference) in just an average of 22 minutes a night.

With four first year students playing over 18 minutes a game, next season could produce a serious playoff run. Head coach Lacey Campbell provides the freshman athletes with plenty of playing time and chalking this season up as the scaffolding for next season’s campaign.

Viewing this year as the worst

women’s basketball season in five years for SRJC is simply the glass half empty approach.

It’s more appropriate to view this campaign as a set up for a brighter future and greener pasture. Trusting Campbell’s strategy and overall plan for next season is a wise choice that will pay off, just not this year.

The Bear Cubs next game is Luke Straub / Oak Leaf against Modesto College [6-13, Top: First year forward LaDonna Saint Louis fights through contact and puts up a 1-9] at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Haehl shot. Bottom: Guard Angel Bernardi going up for a contested layup over mulitple defenders in SRJC’s 53-45 win over Sacramento City on Jan. 20.

Pavilion.

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Sports

February 6, 2017

11

Bear Cubs hold onto first place Ali Benzerara Staff Writer The Santa Rosa Junior College men’s basketball team has had quite the season so far, winning several key match-ups propelling it to the top of the Big 8 Conference standings.

However, two teams are biting at its heels: Diablo Valley College and San Joaquin Delta College.

With first place still up for grabs, the Bear Cubs have to finish strong.

SRJC [17-7, 8-2] has four games remaining before playoffs.

The Bear Cubs are more focused than ever after coming off a 7472 win Jan. 31 against Cosumnes River College [12-13, 3-7] and a 59-57 win at third place Diablo Valley College [18-7, 6-4] Feb. 2, in the Big 8. The Bear Cubs’ only two conference losses came against San Joaquin Delta [14-9, 7-3] and American River College [12-9, 5-5].

“Our main goal is to do the

best job we can with the players we have, and generally we have players that are good enough to make winning the conference a realistic goal,” said head basketball coach Craig McMillan, who is in his 17th year with the team.

This year’s team consists of seven first-year players and five returners. However, there is no difference in experience when they’re on the court. Like a welloiled machine, the team functions as one with unselfish ball movement and a strong defense.

The Bear Cubs have three of the top five 3-point shooters in the Big 8. They include firstyear players Cetrick Yeanay, holding the No. 2 spot with a 45.3 3-point percentage, Justin Frazier, securing the number four spot with 41.2 percent and Erik Poulsen, holding the number five spot with 39.4 percent.

It’s rare for Poulsen, a center, to rank as one of the top 3-point shooters in the Big 8. He is ranked top five for: points per game, rebounds per game,

Splashing success: Luke Straub Staff Writer Hard work for an athlete is supposed to yield results. When it does, that alone can propel a team to keep training for the payoff.

The 2017 Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams got their first taste of competition at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Quinn Swim Center on Feb. 4 when SRJC hosted the NorCal Relays. The teams finished in the top three in 14 of 21 events, with four first place finishes.

“We have a young team this year,” said head coach Jill McCormick.

“Some of them have been training since August. We ask a lot of them,

3-point percentage, field goal percentage and blocks per game. He’s already caught the attention of Division I schools like University of Nevada, Reno.

Despite individual and team success, McMillan says the team must continue to improve it’s skills in order to win it’s first state championship since 2014.

“We need to work on our offensive execution a little bit,” McMillan said. “We’ve had some turnover issues, and we’re not always getting the best shots we can get. When we’re playing against zone or man we have to screen better, get our spacing better and just make better decisions.”

This is valuable advice for the young team, which has proven time and time again that’s what it takes to soar through this postseason.

The Bear Cubs have worked harder than most teams from the start of the preseason. Most teams try to have an easy preseason with just enough competition to be ready for the regular season. “We

Ali Benzerara / Oak Leaf

Top: First-year guard Gabe Knight rises up to shoot a 3-pointer in the Bear Cubs 59-57 win over Diablo Valley College Feb. 3. Bottom: First-year student Justin Frazier pushes his way through a defender while driving to the basket. SRJC men’s basketball team currently sits in first place in it’s conference and 11th in the state.

try to play a really tough preseason to challenge us and get us better and I don’t worry about losing some games,” McMillan said, “Even if we risk not having as good of a record.

I think it prepares us for conference and the playoffs.”

The Bear Cubs next match is against Modesto Junior College [4-18, 0-10] at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Haehl Pavilion.

Swimming and diving teams host NorCal relays

we put a lot of time in the weight room and the pool.”

Since the meet was exclusively relay races, the swimmers’ focus was not on themselves or their personal times, but on the team as a whole.

“I like the relay meet because we get some fast teams here, and it puts the emphasis on racing,” McCormick said. “We’re trying to go out there and race and do it for your team, which is a great way to start off the season.”

The women’s 200 medley team of Hailey Vance, Lucia Mora, Jasmine Alger and Taylor Sargis won its race early in the meet. It was the foursome’s first time racing together.

“It was a good way to start off

the season,” Mora said. “We’re still testing out little things, but it’s a good foundation.”

The men got off to a good start in the 200 medley as well, earning second place. In the men’s 300 butterfly, the team of R.J. Williams, Drew Sipple and Daniel Castagnola rallied for another second place finish.

“We might not be as deep as last year but the team, synergywise, is really good,” Williams said. “We have a lot of people who are just having fun. That’s the kind of team we have.”

The team also earned firstplace finishes in the women’s 400 medley, the women’s 800 freestyle and the women’s 200 freestyle.

Luke Straub/ Oak Leaf

Santa Rosa Junior College swimmers wait in anticipation before their launch into the water. The swim and dive teams hosted the NorCal relays on Feb. 4.

“We have a lot of athletes here that just swam in high school and didn’t swim a lot of clubs,” McCormick said. “So, we have a lot of kids that are new to our program swim their lifetime best today right out of the get go.”

The swimmers seemed excited with their early performance but they are preparing for the season ahead.

“We still have a lot to work on,” Mora said.

But the teams finally got to put all their off-season training to the test.

“It’s a lot more motivating to go back into practice and start working hard again now that you’ve had a little taste of what you can do,” McCormick said at the meet.

The swim and dive teams are back in action on March 3 when they host the alumni meet at Quinn Swim Center.

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Sports

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Brady bests “Dirty Birds;” wins fifth, blocks Falcons first Frank Sumrall Contributing Columnist

Opinion The New England Patriots made history in their stunning 25-point comeback en route to a thrilling 34-28 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

It was the first Super Bowl to go to overtime and New England overcame the greatest deficit in championship history to do so.

It ended just as fate intended; a methodical, well-balanced drive led

by Tom Brady.

Brady’s performance was one for the ages. Setting a Super Bowl record for passing yards with 466, he overcame his first half struggles to win his record setting fourth Super Bowl MVP. The dynamic duo of Brady and Bill Belichick will forever go down as the one of the most dominant dynasties to set foot on the gridiron, each making their own claim as the Greatest Of All Time in their respective positions.

The game began as a one-sided Falcons slugfest, with quarterback Matt Ryan posting a perfect passer

rating to give the “Dirty Birds” a 21-3 lead at the half. The Patriots performance was perfectly summed up by the feeble tackle attempt from Brady after he threw an interception that went 82 yards the other way for a touchdown.

But once Lady Gaga finished her plummet from the NRG Stadium roof, the tides changed. Tom Brady spearheaded a furious comeback alongside running backs James White and Dion Lewis. As amazing as a performance Brady delivered, James White saved New England with his three total touchdowns including the game-tying score and the game winner in overtime.

His 14 total receptions are a Super Bowl record. The game ended with five unanswered New England scoring drives.

The high flying Atlanta Falcons offense flustered and stalled in clutch time. New England linebacker Dont’a Hightower’s strip sack on Matt Ryan made the Falcons fans grit their teeth as it set up the beginning of the Patriot comeback.

While Matt Ryan and running back Devonta Freeman put up memorable performances, AllPro wide receiver Julio Jones did everything in his power to keep New England at bay. With circus catch after circus catch he provided

Courtesy of usatoday.com

Brady celebrates with teamates after there thrilling overtime victory and comeback over the Atlanta Falcons 34-28.

Falcons fans hope that they can stave off the resurgent Patriots.

An NFL championship still alludes the melancholy Falcons after their second Super Bowl loss in franchise history. The gutwrenching emotion Atlanta showed watching the New England players

romance the silver Lombardi trophy for the fifth time after blowing an incredible lead reminded us how truly great the Patriot dynasty is.

With Kyle Shanahan all but packed up to leave for the animated city of San Francisco; it could make things difficult for Atlanta to repeat as

NFC champions.

With one of the greatest Super Bowls coming to a close, Tom Brady, the arguable G.O.A.T., holds the title of most championship victories for a quarterback. It remains to see if he has anything left to play for or maybe it is time to end his illustrious career.