The SKYLINE View The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.
theskylineview.com
March 14, 2019
Volume XLVI-Issue 4
SparkPoint Hosts Free Farmers Market at Skyline
A student grabs fruit from bins available at the farmers market on March 7 All photos by Mark David Magat
By Ry Bevington STAFF WRITER
Hundreds of students and community members gathered inside Building 4 of Skyline College last Thursday to participate in the free community market hosted by the SparkPoint center. At the free community market, students and members of the community are invited to participate in a farmers market-like event, where they can shop for groceries such as fruits, vegetables, and even cereal for free. The director of SparkPoint at Skyline College, Chad Thompson, had more information on why the free community market was started and how he believes it is helpful to the community. “We had a food pantry here on campus for a long time, but a lot of students continue to not be aware of it, and we try to get the word out, but you know not everyone hears about it,” Thompson said. “One of the reasons we felt is because we’re kinda tucked away.” “So one of the reasons that we launched this program is to make the food distribution that we do more visible,” Thompson said. Thompson also said that signing up for the free community market is very easy, as all you need to provide is your name
San Bruno residents choose canned food on March 7
volunteering, Thompson stated that contacting the SparkPoint Center is a good way to get involved, or by simply showing up at the free community market if you want to help. SparkPoint is also working on setting up more volunteering opportunities for students in connection with classes, incorporating service learning as part of their education at Skyline College. One of the volunteers
and contact information. The free community market has only been happening at Skyline College for a bit over a month, but was originally located at Sunset Ridge Elementary before it became too large for their space. According to Thompson, the opening of the free community market at Skyline College was also to address negative stigma that he believes may be associated with taking advantage
“Even if it’s a long wait, it’s worth it.”
- Lemmy Boquiren
of opportunities for free food. “Some people who are aware, who could benefit from it, who would be eligible for it, that maybe they decided not to do it because of what they think people will say,” Thompson said. He stated that one of their goals was to remove this negative stigma, so that people who need it, feel comfortable getting it. For those interested in
for the Free Community Market, Rogelio Mariano said he likes volunteering here. Mariano has been volunteering since the event was located at Sunset Ridge, as well as his wife who joined him a year ago. “All we do is just volunteer, we’re glad to meet people,” Mariano said. He recommended that other people volunteer as well, as he believes volunteering at the
free community market is valuable to do. The free community market happens every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Building 4. During rain, the event is moved inside, where free coffee, tea, snacks, games, and information pamphlets are provided. Additionally, SparkPoint attempts to have a nutritionist show up to help explain how best to use the produce. One attendee at the Free Community Market named Lemmy Boquiren, who recommended attending the event had this to say: “Free groceries obviously,” Boquiren said in response to a question on what he likes about the Free Community Market. He said that he saw a flier for the event, and this was his second time attending since he first heard about it. Boquiren stated that despite the fact that he feels the lining system is jumbled up, it’s worth going to. “Even if it’s a long wait, it’s worth it.”
Maroon Melodies and Mythology By Sean Kamuwela Sliger STAFF WRITER
Christopher Burch poses with students and faculty for a photo.
Students examine art pieces from Christopher Burch.
Mark David Magat/the Skyline View
Cow tongues and harmonicas turned into switchblades are a glimpse at one of the latest exhibits in the Skyline College gallery in building one from Saint Louis artist Christopher Burch titled “Maroon Melodies (Soliloquies of a Sligh Sound)”. The exhibit will be opened till March 15th and a reception with the artist happened on February 28th from 12 pm to 2 pm. The artist not only has his work displayed at Skyline, but he has also collaborated with the hip hop learning program CIPHER on February 26th and March 5th as a guest speaker showing students how to explore their inner personality. Paul Bridenbaugh, the gallery coordinator for Skyline and art
professor, spoke about how he decides when and what artists to bring to the college gallery, “In a way, the art gallery and the shows in it are like a textbook for our art students here.” Bridenbaugh stated, “Part of my job as a gallery director is to bring artists here to Skyline college to exhibit their works.” With that being said, Bridenbaugh had kept in contact with Burch since 2017. Taking one year to plan the setup of the gallery and understand where each piece of art would be presented in the gallery. Having such a large list of artists on a roster of sorts ensures that students always have the ability to learn from contemporary artists, as he said, it is in a way their textbook. Continued on pg. 2