Viewpoint Magazine Spring 2022

Vol. 7 Summer 2022

VIEWPOINT The Skyline View Magazine

Taking notes from The Curtis Family C-Notes pg. 14

super student by day, ... mild mannered reporter by night?

the Journalism Department wants you!

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Talented tweeters, phenomenal photographers, notorious newsies, and anyone who spends statistics class doodling in the margins of the textbook ... the Skyline Journalism Department and The Skyline View campus newspaper have a spot for you! This fall, sign up for journalism courses, spill some ink with the Skyline View staff, and even have your work published in the paper. ..-���11111

Fall courses are listed below. Sign up faster than a speeding bullet, and leap into your future journalism career in a single bound!

JOUR 1 10- Mass Media & Society JOUR 120-Writing & Reporting for Media JOUR 121 -Advanced Writing & Reporting for Media JOUR 320-Beginning Newspaper Staff JOUR 330- Intermediate Newspaper Staff JOUR 340-Intermediate Advanced Newspaper Staff JOUR 350-Advanced Newspaper Staff JOUR 695-Independent Study in Journalism

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Contents 4. Letter From The Editor 5. Meet The Staff 6. Girls’ night out at S.F.’s DNA Lounge 9. Business on fleek 11. Let there be light on indigenous religions 14.Taking notes from the Curtis Family C-Notes 17. Tell me something I don’t know 20. Tips to avoid break-ins 22. Can’t control my callouts 23. Ahead in the count 26. Find your Zodiac sign

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Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us?

(650)738-4302

Editor-in-Chief

Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive

Steven Rissotto

Cover Illustrator Adriana Hernandez

San Bruno CA 94066

A Letter From The Editor

Artistic Director Zachary Navarra

Dear Reader,

The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised.

The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.

Welcome to Viewpoint Magazine Volume 7. Our team at The Skyline View has worked endlessly all semester at producing top-notch content and we are more than excited to share another edition of this award-winning publication.

This issue is slightly bittersweet; the last in-person magazine production was way back in the spring of 2019, before the madness of the pandemic infiltrated our lives.

Inside, you will find a collection of stories that illustrate the achievements of those making a difference in the community around us. Although there is no exact theme to this work of art, I believe the outcome couldn’t be more thrilling.

Our goal at TSV is to inform the community on the happenings around Skyline College. During this unique process, we’ve had the ability to expand our horizons and show off our creative side — a thriving area for many of our staffers. As we continue through an era of unreliable news reporting, TSV remains a constant force to be reckoned with as we lead the way among California community colleges, especially in the Bay Area.

This is the last semester for many of us — a rather shocking revelation considering it feels like we just graduated high school. The friendships we’ve built along the way are for life and the collaboration strongly enchanced our overall work ethics. The future of The Skyline View is strong and we are confident that the staff in the fall will carry on our legacy.

Best regards from your Editor-in-Chief, Steven Rissotto

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Chief Copy Editor Christian Carlo Cegurra

Editors

Anoush Torounian Daniela Ossa-Lopez Izzy Herrera

Writer

Isaac Camacho

Photographer Ama Bayar

Faculty Advisor

Nancy Kaplan-Biegel

Meet the staff

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Taking notes from The Curtis Family C-Notes

By Adriana Hernandez

Digital Media Editor

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usic runs deep in the family as it is more than a talent or a trait but rather their identity.

“It's just natural to me, some things are just what you’re supposed to do as just being human. For me, that’s my humanity. That's my experience, my connection to the source and it's the fulfillment of my purpose,” Maestro Curtis said.

With any instrument he gets his hands on, you can be sure that Maestro Curtis will never fail to muse you. He acts as a mentor to his family as he learned from the greats like Maurice White, leader and founder of Earth, Wind, and Fire and many more.

Maestro also influenced his former student and now wife, Nola, to wander into the path of musicianship.

“He taught out of a music studio where Master P., Snoop Dog, and E-40 have been through,” Nola said. “Any West Coast rapper or singing group knew each other and Maestro was one of the artists and residents there.”

Maestro pushed her to pick up an instrument and Nola eventually ended up on stage. The two gained popularity around the town as they captivated people with their ensembles.

“I literally felt like I was in the nude; I felt very vulnerable,” Nola said. “I could talk all day, but

Adriana Hernandez/The Skyline View

Nola Curtis with her children Kiki and Isis by the piano.

singing was a different thing. So I would spend my time closing my eyes and then finish the song.”

Maestro and Nola started their family while they continued to perform. As musicians, their house became a home to other musicians who convened in their abode for rehearsals. Being around talent rubbed off on the kids, as Maestro and Nola saw their kids pick up their instruments and sing Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”

“C-Notes,” as the Curtis children were called, earned a spot in the music industry and were even invited to perform “Lift Every Voice '' and “Star-Spangled Banner” at San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s inauguration ceremony in 2018.

“It was just us kids, that went on for about a year and we kinda just stopped because of school,” said Zahara, one of the five Curtis children.

During that time, Maestro was working with orchestras and bands till he got tired of dealing with people and their own responsibilities. He later quit and wanted to foster their family’s potential with musicianship. Hence, “The Curtis Family C-Notes” was established.

“It wasn't the matter of me having to tell them what to do because they loved doing it,” Maestro said with great pride.

The Curtis Family home got rid of their furniture to give room for more instruments and equipment. The family bid goodbye to their couches and new foldable chairs were given a warm welcome.

With the space now available, they started doing a livestream, collaborating with the Community Music Center in San Francisco during the pandemic to provide hope for people.

“America's Got Talent saw us via our live stream and we turned them down a couple of times,“ Nola said. “That wasn’t the vibration we were on.

That was never the goal as artists.”

The family accepted the offer and took part in AGT season 16. After the season was over, they received more offers like from Italia's Got Talent.

Even though the goal was never to participate in reality TV, valuable lessons and understatement of the industry were absorbed.

“The experience that my children received was priceless. I had been telling them how this business works,” said Maestro. “Every step of the way just SUMMER 2022

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like I told them how it was going to happen, happened just that way.”

Being part of the music industry means that you're expected to participate in collaborations. After working with AGT, the family felt more secure with their intuition as during the show’s performances creative control was taken away. They only took part in AGT for the journey yet came out with many connections.

“It was not a good thing, it was a great thing,” Maestro said. “It was an experience and they got to see the dark side of the business. It's like they got a 10-year education in three weeks.”

The recognition they received after AGT caused occasions where they have been questioned on their appearance and persona. They are known to dress in 60s and 70s funk attire inspired by each family member’s interests.

“We want to be seen as who we are. What a lot of people have not understood about us is that people think we are phony but it's like what you see is what you see. We don't put on an act,” Maestro said. “When people come into our circle and they find out who we are they are like ‘oh you guys really dress like that’ or ‘is that a wig?’”

Maestro has instilled in his family that since they are in the business, they have to look the part all the time.

“It's part of who you are, so if you’re an artist that's who you are. Color and vibration are everything,” Nola said. “Maestro is really adamant and Sahara (their daughter) is this fashionista.”

The Curtis can thank their father for the striking flair and flamboyance. Their fashion knowledge stemmed from Maestro and their grandparent’s teachings. As the way you dress represents a multiplicity of dimensions of what it means to be human and one's identity.

“I grew up in an era where in order to be on a playing field with your white counterpart, you got to be 10 times better,” Maestro said. “The foundation was that when I walk out the house, I need to represent what it is that I want people to understand.”

Maestro says that people have preconceived notions depending on the image you put out. Looking polished is a survival technique in the music industry.

The better you look, the better you are approached.

With these experiences, he felt like the Black representation was not well illustrated in the musical area.s a result, he created the Black Music Studies Program at the Community Music Center in San Francisco where he and his wife are teachers.

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ez/The Skyline Vie

Adriana Hernand

singing by the oenix and Nile Curtis

Zahara, Ph piano.

“There was a time when there was a degree of injustice, not allowing people of different races to be in this institution,” Maestro said. “The school is now representing programs for all ethnicities and cultures to be able to come in and fasten me in a way that I hold them accountable.”

Maestro is passionate about his teaching on how American music comes from descendants of slaves. He strives to spread his knowledge of the importance of how Black people heavily influenced all music.

“You can be a voice for certain things that people could see themselves through us and what we’re saying is connected to what we’re singing about.” Nola said.

They soon would be releasing their new album, Future, which Maestro’s been working on for a while with his family. As a form of family bonding, Maestro sees it not just as another album, but also a bundle of memories.

Across all wires and electromagnetic frequencies, The Curtis Family C-Notes has a message they want to broadcast.

“We want our music to be cathartic and for people who are in a situation where they can’t get out of it and it's pretty bad for them. I just want our music to reach out to them and tell them to keep on going” said Isis, another one of the Curtis children.

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as she caught the virus herself causing her to cancel multiple appointments.

The client’s safety is important for Arriaga, but so is protecting her family at home. Her concern made her cautious of the people who reach out to avail of her service. As most correspondence is done with Instagram, Arriaga makes it a rule not to entertain followers with no pictures and little to no followers as she’s suspicia errer ous of them being fake accounts.

H y z z By: I or “Sincemybusinessisoueredinmyhome,IdoeverythingIcan t i Ed to make sure I do not put my family and myself in danger,” Arriaga Aftergraduatingfromhighschool,students findthemsel said. “It is very scary, most of the time I do cater to people I know, ves questioning, “what now?” Some go straight to college, some but there are some clients who I do not know.” take a gap year and others don’t go to college at all.

Being a full-time college student and business owner at times KayleeArriagatookasemi-diuerentpath.Shestarted upoverwhelming her can get for Arriaga. Currently, Arriaga is attending own lash business straight out of her home, while being a full-time school for her cosmetology degree so she can become a licensed college student at City College of San Francisco. Eyelash extensiesthetician. onsarewhenartificialeyelashesaregluedontoyour real eyelashes “Itry tomake myscheduletomyfitting,”saidArriaga.“Iam to create a fuller and thicker look. takingvirtualclassescurrentlysoithelpsmebevery The 19-year-old lash business owner started up her business on the days I have class I try to take clients before and after class. It the social media platform Instagram under the username @getlasusually is like a go-go-go day for me.” heddbykay. After growing a liking for eyelash extensions, she got As COVID-19 transmission gets curbed, Arriaga’s clientele motivated to buy her own lash extension kit and start to open her grew and she’s had times where she’s fully booked for the month business. with multiple clients in a day. Holidays and prom seasons ring in “I came across an advertisement on social media about a lash a lot of business. With more business, this let Arriaga expand her course,” said Arriaga. “I was thinking about taking it so I bought services to brow laminations, which is a process of straightening myselfalashkitonAmazonandIplayedaroundwithit at first.

I hair on the eyebrows using chemicals. and raising the ended up taking the course and started practicing on models. And “IwantedtostartoueringbrowlaminationbecauseIsaw once I got the full hang of it, I started taking actual clients.” popular it became and many of my clients were asking for a new Arriaga’s services include the application of eyelashes, wasservice,” said Arriaga. “I saw an opportunity to grow my business hing, and drying them. and took a course. I thought it would be a good idea to add a new “WhatIouerisabeautyservice,”Arriagasaid.“Thisincludes service after a year of lashing, I felt like it was time to add somethaving to put one single lash on one single lash which depends on hing new so my clients and others see that not only am I dedicating the style. It could be six lashes on one single lash which ends up myself to one thing but I’m learning and growing.” creating that fuller look. Lash strips could last around a month if Feedback to Arriaga is always key. When reading feedback taken good care of.”

Things in life never come easy. For Arriaga, her clientelestartedouveryslowfromhavingaround fiveclientspermonthmainlyconsistingoffamilyand friends. Arriaga stayed consistent in advertising on her Instagram to reel in more customers.

Through word of mouth and her low service fee, her social media marketing caught the eye of customers.

An average eyelash extension service could cost around $80 to $140; Arriaga’s starting price is $40.

The clientele was not Arriaga’s only issue. Starting up a business during a pandemic is another; the last thing on people’s minds was getting their eyelashes extended. When things started to cool down, Arriaga made sure that not only would her clients get great service, but feel safe as well.

“It was really hard starting a business during COVID because of how limited it was,” said Arriaga. “You can not really control what people do in their own time nor do you know where people have been.”

Arriaga followed all protocols by requiring negative COVID tests and proof of vaccination during the surge oftheomicronvariant.COVIDdeeplyauectedArriaga

Bu

Kaylee Arriaga applies lashes to her client.

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Izzy Herrera/The Skyline View

Kaylee Arriaga poses with a mirror and tweezers.

Arriaga takes in positive feedback which makes her feel proud of herself. Arriaga also comes across negative feedback but, rather than letting it discourage her, she takes it into consideration and applies it to her work.

“I’ve been getting lashes consistently for almost three years now and by far Kaylee has been the easiest lash tech to book with,” said Jianna Ico, one of Arriaga’s customers. “Kaylee respondsquicklysincethefirstsetIgotfromKaylee.Sheexceeded my expectations and make all my sets look beautiful. I live 45 minutes away across the bridge from Daly City, and I still make the drive because Kaylee’s work is worth it!”

“My main reason for my constant bookings with Kaylee is becauseofhowevcientKayleeiswithherwork,”saidSalwa Saleh, another customer of Arriaga’s. “Not only is Kaylee caring andform-fitting,butsheisalsogoodtoherclients.Kayleeseems to make everyone feel not only comfortable but knows what would work best for them while also giving them what they want!”

Starting a business is hard, especially when you are just a teen fresh out of high school. Arriaga gives some advice of her own for people out there who want to live their dreams and start their own businesses.

“The advice I would give to people is to not give up on yourself,” said Arriaga. “It does take a lot of time and practice to do this. I personally am not perfect but, I still keep going and keep practicing.”

“Do not get discouraged when you are not perfect because practice makes perfect. Practice! Practice! Practice!” Arriaga added. want to open up my own studio to work out of with employees Although it felt just like yesterday to Arriaga that she had her of step my own.

I her also want to open my services up from just eyelash firstcustomer,sheisnowpreparedtotakethenext in extensions and brow laminations to facials and makeovers. I also journey and tells us what is in store for her business. want to finish schooltogetmydegreetobecomea- licensed “Inthebeginning,Ihadnogoal.NowthatIovciallystarted my business, I set goals for myself” Arriaga said. “I eventually 10

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tician. I am really excited to see what the future holds for me!”

Contemporary literature has continuously charmed Americans with genres of fantasy and supernatural, both in print and broadcast. In 20 1, the first Harry Potter movie was released. Peopl were captivated by the wizarding world and were followed by seven more installments later to witness how Harry Potter tracked the secrets of You-Know-Who, unravel intents of his confidants, and matured from a promising wiz-kid - to a stup dous magus.

Fast-forward to 2014, film connoisseurs and comic buus cele brated the debut ofWanda Maximou – the ScarletWitch – i post-credit scene in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” In the last two years,Wand Maximou is revered as she stars own MCU series “Wanda-Vision” and fought against the Master of Mystic Arts, “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

Henceforth, the name “Scarlet Witch” became pervasive and has been an integral part of popular culture, particularly resonating with the LGBTQ+ community not only for her potent chaos magic, but also for her humane trait of grieving over the loss of loved ones, her simpatico amour, and her yearning for a family.

These were not the only media that ouered alternati to the conventional and supernatural. Set in the fict

Let there be light on indigenous religions

By Chris Ceguerra

Chief Copy Editor

Ama Bayar/The Skyline View

Occult Student Alliance (OSA)’s president Em Weissensee (right) and her predecessor Sunny Hibbis (left) strikes a pose during their end-of-semester Bacchanal and last meeting of the semester on May 5.

called Greendale, Sabrina Spellman returned in the “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” a revival of the 1996 TV series “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” which was inspired by the Archie Comics of the same name. In the 2019 film “Midsommar,” despite its ficti tious and horrific depiction of the people from Harga, Swe the maypole celebration can be traced to its Christian tradition.

Today’s generation has been more accepting of the notions of magic and witchcraft; people have also been more open in acknowledging and practicing belief systems and spiritualities that lies outside major world religions. Despite what people considered to be progressive to dissent and exercise religion, some parts of the country aren’t fond of entertaining these philosophies. The Harry Potter book series is banned in some educational institutions in the country for promoting themes of wizardry, magic, curses and the occult. Similarly, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) places the latest Dr. Strange movie in hot water with “heroes casting spells, using Occultic Methods and eastern religion elements, and interacting with demons.” The same Dr. Strange movie and last year’s Marvel’s “Eternals” was banned in SaudiArabia and other Middle Eastern countries as display LGBTQ+ themes.

A brief foundation for spirituality

Dr. Sophia Pandya from California State University Long Beach (CSULB) first started with the basics and provided the e SUMMER 2022

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gy of the word “religion.“ “(Religion) is a word that comes from the word ‘religio,’ which SF State student Em Weissensee is set to become the OSA’s means ‘to bind,’” Dr. Pandya said, who teaches and serves as the president for the next academic year. As a practitioner of Italian chair of CSULB’s religious studies department. “So at the basis Witchcraft, they aim to dispel misconceptions about magic. of this, it’s a something that binds people together, it creates an “Magic doesn’t look like what it looks like in the movies!” Weisidentity for them, and it creates a set of doctrines, practices, mysensee exclaimed. “And I know that can sound a little silly, but a thologies, social institutions… that shapes their identity and that lot of people think that we just can, I don’t know, move sh*t with helps them orient themselves in the world.” our minds.”

Mainstream world religions share parallels with indigenous “Magic is really just about working with the energies and the to religions. For instance, Hinduism and Wicca are similar in terms improve your life, at least that’s the way I like to go about it,” of revering a creation god while also worshipping a pantheon of they further elaborated. deities: Hinduism has Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as the creator, Dr. Pandya explained that calling unconventional traditions or preserver, and destroyer of the universe; Wicca on the hand worrituals “magic” marginalizes the practitioners. In the eyes of ships the Horned God and the Great Goddess. some people, they use the term “magic” in reference to unsancMythology does not only exist in the literature,tioned nor in practices fictional from their religion. This creates an “othering” movies as set in Stan Lee’s world-building of the Marvel Unitowards people’s rites and beliefs. verse. It also manifested in sacred scriptures, and in a religious “If I’m a Pentecostal, that’s a Christian from the evangelical studies context, Dr. Pandya said that Myth isn’t to say that the tradition, and I’m placing my hands on you, and I heal you, it’s “story isn’t real.” a sacred healing,” Dr. Pandya said. “But perhaps I would not “When you have Jesus walking on water, or Jesus creating many approve of somebody else from another culture… they made that loaves out of two loaves, or those are the mythologies of that concoction, ‘What’s in that?’ and then they said these words, diuerent tradition,” Dr. Pandya explained. “You canmaybe study that’s the a spell… I might just say, ‘Ah! What you’re doing Bible as literature too. The Quran is literature too. But of course, is magic.’” that’s not, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have practitioners of those fates.”

The politics of fear and power San Francisco State University student Sunny Hibbis is this school year’s president for the university’s Occult Student Dr. Pandya introduces the centuries-old doctrine “Malleus MaAlliance (OSA). She originally practiced Christianity, but later leficarum.”Translated as “The Hammer ofWitches,” the mat connected to her roots and discovered Celtic Norse Paganism. penned by inquisitors Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger “Norse Mythology is the main deities I work with,” Hibbis said. serves as literature introducing the idea of a witch, how to identi“I actually work a lot with a wolf ally, like a wolf spirit that’s fy a witch, and how to deal with a witch. like been with me for a long time.”

The literature fueled the 17th century European witch hunt. Dr. In a Norse pagan setting, Hibbis said that she performs rituals Pandya explained that a woman who may be marginalized and called “Galdr” to work with particular gods or archetypes for impoverished, unmarried, or single, have knowledge of herbal their aid.Aside from sacrifices, incantations and healing arias, may Galdr be accused of practicing witchcraft. could also be kinetic and could be carried out with dancing and “There was a lot of there was a lot of language in the malleus drumming.

Maleficarum, in which women were in very misogynistic text Dr. Pandya said. “Women were painted as, like, you know, Demystifying indigenous religion having a voracious sexuality, and being seduced because of the 12

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Ama Bayar/The Skyline View

San Francisco State University’s Occult Student Alliance (OSA) gesturing Baphomet’s two-finger salute.

sexuality by the devil.” ria tradition, practitioners or Vodou, or Native American reliSpeaking of the devil, Dr. Pandya describes the European depicgious traditions,” Dr. Pandya said. “You would see them in the tion of the embodiment of evil to be racist; the devil is portrayed media, in cartoon fashion, they would just reinforce a stereotype to have dark features composite with animalistic trademarks of about that community, fetishize stereotypes about that commuhorns, tails, and hooves. nity.”

“It’s the fear of the European white man, of people from other Weissensee spells out that magic isn’t tantamount to curses and countries that they will somehow, you know, seduce the Europemaledicts, as the euects of magic vary depending on the c an woman,” Dr. Pandya said. “This is how I interpret the devil, intent. the European concept of the devil.”

“I think magic has the same essence as prayer has for ChrisAs someone who had given talks on the psychological roots of tians,” Weissensee said. “Magic is just about focusing on terrorism, Dr. Pandya said that “this type of exclusionary reliwhatever spiritual intent you want to focus on in that moment, gious language fuels a lot of violence,” and explained how the so magic is prayer to some people; magic is meditation to some concept of hell creates exclusion among people with people. a diuerent It’s a diuerent term for the same thing that al faith. beings are familiar with, in my opinion.”

“If you’re not in my chosen group, and God’s not shining on Dr. Pandya raised the issue of people’s lack of knowledge and you, then you’re going to hell,” Dr. Pandya said, explaining that understanding of religions. people see others only be a potential threat in “polluting” their “This idea that we can discriminate against other people’s culwomen and families and how this othering may cause them not tures, identities, sexualities, and religions, this is as old as time,” to consider their other people as humans.

Dr. Pandya said and suggested that there should be a world As the chair of CSULB’s, Dr. Pandya said that her department is religion class that covers major world religions and indigenous better named the “Department of Religion and Global Spiritualrelations. ity.”

Religious studies isn’t ouered in all schools nor man “The word spirituality kind of implies that we are inclusive of higher education. California recently passed laws that require people practicing Wicca, we’re inclusive of people practicing pa- an ethnic studies course for college students to graduate starting ganism, we’re inclusive of people practicing magic,” Dr. Pandya fall 2021, while also requiring the same discipline in high school said. “Even yoga can be considered a form of spiritual practice. starting 2030. While she acknowledged that institutions are And indeed, it was by Hindus for centuries.” getting better, students are still not required to take a course in religious studies, and she thinks that they should.

In film and fantasy For Weissensee, she believes that humans have the innate drive to look for purpose and understand our existence, and she’s just “Alot of modern film and narratives kind of Change“choosing who the a diuerent route.” gods are to make them more comedic,” Hibbis said and ex“As human beings, we’re all ultimately striving for the same plained how for instance the Norse god Loki is often portrayed to thing, and that’s purpose,” Weissensee said. “We’re all looking be a trickster. According to her, Loki, as a chaos god, will do you for something that makes sense to us about the way the world favors if you are good and noble with yourself. works, and so it’s really no diuerent than what Catho Dr. Pandya stresses how Hollywood tends to repeat stereotypes Hindus and Jewish people are doing.” of various cultures, especially on the past. Today, however, she is “I find it disheartening when someone’s entire - object cognizant that more filmmakers are trying to be more provecareful. you because I’m not trying to disprove them,” Weissensee “You would find stereotypes about, say Santeros - from followed. the Sante SUMMER 2022

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Girls’ night out at SF’s 18+ club, DNA Lounge

By Anoush Torounian Editor

With The Golden City right around the corner, venues for a girls’ night out are innumerable and invigorating. One such destination is DNA Lounge, an 18+ club boasting two stages, four dance fl oors and a whopping seven bars for its partygoers.

Nestled between a tiny sports bar and a glass company, DNA Lounge’s unassuming storefront leads to a vivacious assortment of colors, artists, drag performers and more. This vivacity is perhaps the reason the club was voted “Best Dance Club” and “Best Live Music Venue” by SF Weekly.

On a special Saturday evening, College of San Mateow students Sydney Mufarreh, 20, Zahra Haider, 19, Michelle Peña Garcia, 23, and Frankie Anguiano, 20, embarked on a girls’ night out to DNA Lounge’s Harry Styles theme night.

Mufarreh is not the first in her family to set foot in the lively club.

“I heard about DNA Lounge about a month ago when we were planning this outing, and I told one of my cousins about it,” said Mufarreh. “She told me that she went there when she was 18, maybe a couple of years ago. Then, I told my aunt about it, and she said she partied there when she was younger — she’s 45.

DNA Lounge has been hosting party goers since 1985, which is part of the reason Anguiano also has a family history with the club.

“I heard about DNA Lounge from an ad on Instagram. I looked into it, and my mom had told me she’s been there before when she was younger — now she’s in her 50s,” said Anguiano.

An important element of the girls’ night out process is getting ready, and this group of girls fully revealed in that commencement of the night.

“We got ready about two hours before, just to have a lot of time to pick out our outfits and do a little fashion show,” said Courtesy of Zahra Haider Haider. “We decided to coordinate and all wear all black. We Group selfie on one of DNA Lounge’s two dance floors. spent about an hour and a half on hair and makeup. Then, performers at the club.

Frankie’s boyfriend came to pick us up.”

“The DJs introduced themselves pretty quickly after we got Despite arriving 45 minutes late, getting into the club was a there,’’ said Haider. “They explained the layout of the night smooth and thrilling process. and informed us that there was a hip-hop section at the top.

“There was a really short line, just checking IDs, putting They showed us how to request songs on Instagram. I think wristbands on those who are 21 and over and giving us tips,” you could direct message them on Instagram and tell them Haider said.

Walking into the club for the first time is a moment Muffareh what song you want to be played.”

The DJs kept the energy going strong by including partywill never forget. goers in fun games and activities.

“When we first got there, we didn’t really know what to “They had a competition where they pulled people from the expect,” Muffareh said. “We were also freezing, very cold. crowd onto stage, and those who knew all the words to the So we walked in, and there was just immediate warmth. They songs by One Direction were also able to perform on stage, immediately started playing one of our favorite songs by give a little dance and pass each level,” said Haider. “The Harry Styles. We just melted into the night.” finalist got a little tiara, and then after that, they pulled a few Service is an important aspect of any outing. Haider more people on stage.” recounts an interactive and intimate experience with the 14

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“We had a positive experience because we trusted eachother” - Michelle Peña Garcia At venues like an 18+ club, concerns around underage drinking are sure to arise. While DNA Lounge is not immune to breaches of the law, the girls recount management being careful about illicit affairs.

“They were really good about checking IDs before you got in to the club,” Anguiano. “If you were drinking, you had to have a wristband.”

With seven bars to choose from, one might think accessing alcohol would be a matter of batting one’s eyes at the unassuming bartender. Fortunately, this age-old trick falls short at DNA Lounge.

“There was a bar at the back, but they were very cautious about taking wristbands,” Haider said. “We just purchased some water, so we didn’t have any and didn’t encounter it as much … Other than that, I didn’t see any open containers or open bottles of any form of alcohol on the dance floor. I hardly even saw people with drinks in their hands.”

Of course, a few people slipped through the cracks. If one group member is 21 and over, they could potentially serve drinks to their underage group members.

Courtesy of Zahra Haider “When the rest of them had gone to the bathroom, I saw The One Direction themed night drew the girls to the club. security with this group of girls,” said Anguiano. “I think one of them wasn’t 21 and was drinking, but security was really While they walked away from the night without a tiara, they good about it. They took the drink from them and told them eventually got to get up on the stage and gave a performance of they can’t be drinking anymore. They talked to the people their own. they were with who were 21 and older to make sure they “We were kind of upset that we didn’t get to go on right away, didn’t give them anymore.” but then they pulled more people. So we were all happy and Some additional rules at DNA Lounge pertain to safety in the dancing together,” Anguiano said. “All the other girls and guys wake of COVID-19. At this point of the pandemic, vaccine that were up there were very welcoming. Seeing Michelle and cards are no longer required for entry. However, masks are Sydney in the crowd and just feeling like we’re at a concert required when ordering food and drinks. was so much fun.”

“There was a little pizza section in the back where we got Not everyone enjoys being at the center of attention. some food,” said Haider. “You weren’t allowed to order unless Conversely, being in the crowd was equally as enjoyable for you had a mask on. I was in line and hadn’t seen the mask Peña Garcia. required signs, so one of the cashiers handed me two masks.”

“I was the one recording at the bottom and having fun in the While COVID-19 is a formidable threat, the greatest danger crowd cheering for my friends,” Peña Garcia said. at an 18+ club for a group out on girls’ night is sexual Ama Bayar/The Skyline View

Photos line the walls of DNA Lounge’s adjoint pizza parlor.

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Ama Bayar/The Skyline View

DNA Pizza specializes in New York-style, thin crust pizza.

harassment, especially by older men.

“I know that DNA Lounge has a bit of a reputation for pedophilia because it is an 18 and up club,” Haider said.

“Younger girls that are in high school and under 18 will go because it’s a lot easier for them to sneak in.”

While Haider did not feel threatened by the atmosphere personally, she could see potential avenues for the danger that could be better mitigated by the club. One such avenue would be a private room for girls feeling uncomfortable.

“Older men were there mostly alone, and it became clear that they were not there to dance with their friends and have a good night,” Haider said. “They were just hovering over groups of girls… If I was a girl experiencing discomfort, there wouldn’t really be a space for me to go if I needed to get away from somebody or just walk away from the crowd.”

While all four girls strongly attested to the great quality of security at DNA Lounge, they also acted as volunteer watch guards and strove to protect fellow girls’ night party goers when necessary.

“There was this one group that was dancing and this one man kept getting really close to them,” Anguiano said. “You could just tell that they were really uncomfortable. We tried to pull them away and have them dance with us so they wouldn’t be near them anymore.”

Looking back, the girls regard their night out fondly and hope to return to the club soon. Ultimately, the company takes precedence over the venue.

“We had a positive experience because we trusted each other,” Peña Garcia said. “It might be different if you go out with a group that you barely know or they have a different mood, like trying to hook up rather than having fun and hearing One Direction or whatever the theme of the night is.”

The hallmarks of a girls night out are friends, fun and feeling safe. DNA Lounge ticked all the boxes during this One Direction night escapade, and any future trips will be measured against this exhilarating night.

“The theme nights are a big attraction for DNA Lounge,” Haider said. “I see ads all over Tik Tok and Instagram … I am wondering if it felt so safe because it was very women dominant during One Direction night, so that’s something we’ll have to see if we go back on a different theme.”

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Courtesy of Zahra Haider

The girls recline at the pizza parlor to recharge.

Ama Bayar/The Skyline View

DNA Lounge prides itself in its variety of performers.

Tell me something I dont know

By Adriana Hernandez

Cover Illuistrator

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Layout by Heather Wiley

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“Being a reader, you pick up on energies and you have to be aware that whatever the topic this person brings up you’re opening up to them and their energy.”

Taajvi Singh Dhaliwal gives others answers to their questions with the power of being able to read signs given by those spirits beyond.

“I hope to provide guidance and clarity for the chaos from life. Getting an answer that provides ease with yourself and your life is my goal,” said Dhaliwal.

Dhaliwal grew up in California but has always wanted to feel more connected to her South Asian and Punjabi culture. Intuitive tarot reading has linked her to her background and family allowing her to represent her culture.

“Growing up my grandmother would always read my hand and say how if I saw certain marks it would represent how many kids you would have or how hard or easy your life would be,” Dhaliwal said.

“I have always been surrounded by spirituality.”

The feeling of questioning certain decisions was relieved by her grandmother as she introduced her to tarot readings. As she now dedicated herself to giving free readings to those who stand in similar positions.

“I sit down with people and ask them what their question is. I then ask the spirits to give me one to five cards depending on the questions,” said Dhaliwal. “Sometimes I will receive a calling to pull more cards; it’s all based on how I interact with the client.”

When reading cards she will ask if what she says resonates with them because there are different ways to interpret the cards depending on the situation.

“Being a reader, you pick up on energies and you have to be aware that whatever the topic the person brings up you’re opening up to them and their energy,” Dhaliwal said. “If it’s about death, trauma or toxicity it revolves around heavy energy.”

Dhaliwal has always felt a calling to the supernatural from a young age, as she predicted the death of her cousin, Simran Singh’s father.

“It’s a sensitive topic for me, but it definitely geared me to having more independence and 18

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growing quite as a person,” Singh said.

Singh grew up in a family that practices Sikhism, Hinduism and Dharmic religions like Dhaliwal. Both were introduced spiritually at a young age but were inspired to start in different ways.

“The princess and the frog was where I first started seeing readings. What really kickstarted me wanting to learn was in my sophomore year of high school,” said Singh. “I got a tarot reading for one of my close friends and it was really accurate.”

After that reading, she started looking up YouTube videos on the topic. Dhaliwal then bought her her first deck and started doing readings. What impacted her the most was mediumship, the practice of communicating between spirits of the dead and living.

“I’ve channeled messages from past loved ones as well,” Singh said. “I just don’t do it often because of something that just happens.”

The difference between Dhaliwal and Singh is that she uses astrology in her divination practice, while Dhaliwal uses more intuition.

“If I have a message coming through… clairvoyance and clairaudience, I will incorporate that as well,” said Singh. “I do use music on occasion where song lyrics or shufflemancy is another format I use.“ Shufflemancy is when readers allow a playlist to play randomly to receive a message.

Along with a mixture of her practice in psychology.

“I read tarot heavily tied into psychology since I am a psych major,” Singh said. “I would take little tidbits that I’ve learned within my psych classes and take a more practical approach with tarot cards using it to guide and give advice.”

To make reading more personal, Singh would like to ask her clients for their big three based on their moon, rising, and sun signs. The

big three also correspond to their birth chart and how the stars were aligned on the day they were born and that is believed to reflect their personalities.

“I will take all these techniques mixed with logic to help me give them the most accurate reading,” said Singh.

Readings and visions run through the family as Singh also shares similar spiritual events with her family.

“My mom and aunt have dreams as I typically just get depressed and feel like something bad is coming,” Singh said. “Just for passing in general, seeing passed loved ones warning them those are examples of how people predict death.”

Sophia Reinero, San Francisco State alumni, got into the tarot realm through psychology like Singh.

“I use it for a deeper insight into how I function as an individual and how I see the world and bettering myself,” said Reinero. “I came at it from a very therapeutic position and grew over time.”

Reinero started her journey in Barnes and Noble when the book “Italian Folk Magic’’ by Bruce Kitchen caught her eye. She learned about the divination system and how to utilize playing cards.

“The first night, I was over at a friend’s dorm and I asked them if they could help me out with a science project,” Reinero said. “I was trying an oil work that would correspond with reading and how they detect each other. I was doing a general reading and the oil completely disappeared.”

The reading started as a romantic question but the spirits had a message for her friend and his friend’s passing.

The heavy energy was interpreted through the oil and everything lined up. He was going through depression due to the traumatic death.

“I felt very happy that at the end, I was able to kind of reassure him that he will come out of this,” said Reinero. “It won’t last forever.

He will

be able to not feel this weight of grief.”

Reading is a tool used for many reasons, Reinero, Singh, and Dhaliwal all use their knowledge to provide peace of mind for any situation. Whether they want to contact a lost one or feel lost themselves.

“I want to be able to provide to people that are really struggling themselves that really don’t know how to be introspective or are struggling with interpreting their emotions or thoughts,” Reinero said. “Providing at least a little bit of healing.”

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Tips to avoid break-ins

By Steven Rissotto Writer @StevenRissotto

ties and it’s a problem that now has stark is running people into money troubles, It’s among the most gut-wrenching warnings attached with various degrees leading to — you guessed it — the blue feelings imaginable. There simply aren’t on the scale.

According to the Insurance purse on the front seat in the window many comparisons that remotely rival the Information Institute, the Federal Bureau looking even more attractive for thieves to pain and agony one goes through when they of Investigation (FBI) reported that roughly swipe. see shattered glass on the ground next to $7.4 billion was lost due to motor vehicle There are plenty of tips and tricks to their car, or pictures hanging sideways on theft in 2020. The Zebra reports that home avoid these debacles — the ones that could the wall in their house with every possible burglaries occur every 15 seconds in the drain one’s bank account faster than the cabinet strategically pushed out and rumUnited States, resulting in 2.5 million of speed of light. While the folks that have maged through. them each year. never experienced a break-in may shrug For many, the result might as well be a ouanywarnings,theseasonedveteransi dozenbills 0 1$ ushed fl downthetoilet. The motives of a juvenile delinquent couldbedivculttounderstand,but theexperts self-protection game know a thing or That’s essentially the price people pay noware blaming these staggering statistics on two when it comes to making sure it never adays as the victims of attempted robberies. amultitudeofdiuerentthings.Thehappens current again.

House and car break-ins have become economic slide mixed with historic infl ation regular occurrences in many communi20

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For Cars

that have access to a garage.

The Ring Doorbell allows the homeowner “If you have a garage — especially to mobile check out who is at the front door The automobile is the luxury most likely a two-car garage — then stop hoarding whenever there is a motion detected. The to be broken into and a trip to San Francrap,” Briggs said. “Clean it out and use app also allows users to speak through the cisco or Oakland could be ruined if simple it for your cars. Your cars will also last doorbell as a communication device. There directions are ignored. The common belief longer, the paint job will stay nice and no areafewdiuerentlevelsofRingDoorbell, is that nothing should be left inside of the break-ins.” with the fully-loaded version costing roughcarinthefirstplace.Inthatcase,there Also, people should know that auto ly $350 online. wouldn’t be anything valuable or irreplaceinsurance generally doesn’t cover perWhile security cameras can only do so able that possible robbers could steal. sonaleuectsinone’scar.Thatfalls much, under police have also advised people to “Keepyourcarwithnothinginit,” homeowners and renters insurance, which use their dogs and their non-stop barking warnedChelseaKapuniai,alifelong usually has a higher deductible. tendencies to their advantage to scare any Pacifican.“Nopurses,backpacksorbags break-in artist away. shouldbeinview.Noboxes—evenif For Houses An underrated warning happens to head empty—andnoclutter.Makeitveryeasy in the direction of people with a lot of action to see nothing is in there and park the car in Houses are much less likely to be happening in their front yard. Not any physadrivewayasopposedtothestreet.broken ” into than cars, but there’s much ical action, but the design of plants outside Although they cost anywhere from more risk for a burglar successfully making the premises. tinted ,0 5$- 01 windowshavebeende theirwayintothefriendlyconfines“What ofa I tend to see is people grow scribed as a favorable option for those tryhomebecauseoftheexcessamountbushes ofstuu and add other complete coverings ing to avoid strangers attempting to sneak a everywhere. for privacy,” Serrano said. “For your front peek inside the car while it is parked.

Thecommontipthatismosteuective yard, you actually want less of that because As San Francisco and Oakland reportin preventing home break-ins is installing a unfortunately, you are more of a target. edariseinbreak-insinDecember,120 security system with a few cameras spread Keeping any possible intruder or intruders drivers went as far as leaving their cars around the perimeter of the building. in clear view for as long as possible is best. unlocked—orevenwide-openwiththe The Zebra claims that 83% of would-be So cut back some of those bushes or really windowsrolleddown—justsotheycan burglars check around for an alarm before heavy-leafed trees.” shareproofthat,indeed,nothingworthy moving is forward with their heist. However, Finally, friendly neighbors can play a inside. While it may seem like a comover 45% of Americans still don’t have a major role in making sure the community is mon-senseinitiative,SFPDwarnsagainst system in place. looked after. Even if there is a history of bad thepractice,citingotherthingsthat “Ascan far as gohome security, there is actublood, contact with each other with an emwrong,suchasthievesfindingaddresses ally a lot that can be done that people don’t phasisonprotectioncouldstronglyben through the glovebox. Keeping garage door realize,” said Serrano. “I think obvious all parties involved. openers visible could also be a recipe for things include locking doors, adding cam“Be familiar with your neighborhood and disaster. eras and security systems. At night, having neighbors,” Serrano said. “You don’t need to “Whenitcomestocars,yes,unfortu good lighting around the property is very be best friends with your neighbors but it’s nately,youcan’tleaveanythinginthem, important. ” Be courteous to your neighbors a good idea to have some kind of rapport. saidNickSerrano,aSouthSanFrancisco anddon’tjustaddood fl lightseverywhere, You don’t want to be that paranoid ‘Karen’ product.“Toaddtothat,anythingthat but also be able to spot someone clearly in calling the police over every unfamiliar face lookslikeitcouldbehidingsomething, an area they shouldn’t be.” walking down the block, however, keeping likeablanket,windowscreensorluggage Serrano’s security system of choice is good communication by asking your neighcovers may be enough of a reason for Ring, a security company owned by Ama- bors if something seemed or felt normal is someone to try and break in because they zon that is highly regarded as a useful tool. ideal.” thinkyouarehidingsomething.”

SandyCheng,aSanBrunoresident, echoes Serrano’s tips.

“Don’tleaveanythinginthecar,even ifit’shiddenoutofsight,”Chengsaid.

“Don’t use the trunk after you’ve parked.

Try to start traveling with everything that’s staying in the trunk. Someone may see you putting a backpack or laptop in the trunk afteryou’reparked.”

Inaddition,Chengsaysparkinginwelllitareasisthebestpossibleidea,especially if it’s in front of a building that features surveillance cameras.

PacificaresidentRobinBriggsargued that cars shouldn’t be outside at night in the firstplace,especiallyinresidentialareas SUMMER 2022

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For those with rough pronunciations or a lack of quality equipment, numerous divcultiesmayarisewhen communicating with teammates or friends in-game, leading to a lot of frustration within the team.

Communication has always been an integral part of gaming and evolved through the years. With the introduction of the internet, communication between players has become more accessible than ever. Rather than chatting face-to-face, game features and online mediums such as Discord allow player bases to readily communicate through voice or text channels while playing. Especially in terms of competitive multiplayers, players can organize strategies in real time, keep teammates aware of in-game situations and create fun conversations between each other; making the gaming experience more enjoyable and memorable.

The online space made communicating more convenient, however, many still face problems when speaking with other players, specificallythosewhohave accents or bad microphones.

For example, if an individual has an accent, it may be challenging for others to comprehend what is being said during games.

While they maintain the euorttocommunicate,their accents are not a factor these players can change. This lack of understanding from teammates can be annoying for individuals as they may have to constantly repeat themselves. Those players may even give up on responding at all as other players fail to interpret their words. their gaming experience. With low Similarly, players who use low quality microphones quality mics, the volume of a player’s encounter identical problems voice may either be too high or too low for other players. One’s voice may thatcannegativelyauect 22

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To some players, it is just as troublesome dealing with these mic conditions as it is for those who own these low quality mics. Due to these issues, these players are unfairly muted or ignored though they either unfortunately cannotauordabetter microphone or headset or this being the only device in their disposal.

These problems can be especially tough for all players when playing team-based games.

Currently, Valorant is the most popular game that exemplifiesthissignifi cance. As a team-based, first-personshooter, players heavily rely on conversing between teammates, making callouts and discussing plans of action. Despite having alternative options to communicate, speaking onamicisthemost - ev cient way to interact.

When a player cannot engage in the most important aspect of the game, playing these games can feel demeaning and cause a loss of interest to continue playing. Individuals with accents or poor microphones may also feel self-conscious and choose not to talk before trying or stick to texting in chat.

Other than the toxicity of gaming comms, the gaming community often overlooks the struggle of not being able to easily communicate.

And although it may not be the biggest problem, there can be an exclusion Ama Bayar/The Skyline View of players who deal with these complications, which goes against one not even be picked up at all when talking. of the main reasons for Low quality mics tend to pick up more playing games: fun for background noise as well which can be everyone. very distracting for the other end.

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for the chance to bring his guys to Duluth once the junior college Michael Sarhatt was taking control in the kitchen, frying concludes. Sarhatt found that out once Pointer invited him over for greasy bacon via a gas stovetop on most mornings before leaving the 2021 season. his dorm to gear up for the ballpark.

“I’vealwaystriedto—ifIhaveaguythatfitstalent-wisea The weather in Duluth, Minnesota is mercurial; working in mindset-wise diuerentcyclesthatresembledapurecoinflip.Oneday itwas — bring one of my own guys to every place that I go to each85-degree summer and Mike was kind of our guy last year,” Pointer freezingwithlightshowers,thenextitwasfilledwith said. “I know what kind of development it has on a kid just physheat with horrid humidity. It’s typical for the Northwest portion of ically and mentally so I like to provide the state — especially up near the Canadian border — but still an that opportunity for each one of our guys unexpected blast for anyone not used to it. each summer.”

Digesting the bacon was a small, yet memorable highlight Often mistaken as a basketball player during a summer that Sarhatt would later refer to as the best expefor his frame of 6 feet, 6 inches stature rience of his life. and weight of 225 pounds, Sarhatt never At 19-years-old in 2021, Sarhatt made the move to Duluth to started pitching regularly until he came play for the Huskies in the Northwoods League, one of the top collegiate baseball summer leagues in the country. Born and raised to Skyline. At the same time, he was startingatfirstbaseandshowingou in the Bay Area, it’s the furthest he’s been away from home. astrongopposite-fieldapproachwith A graduate of Serra High School in San Mateo, Sarhatt ended power from gap to gap. Despite the up playing baseball at Skyline College due to the lack of opporouensivepedigree,Pointerwasinterested tunities at four-year schools. To say he wasn’t thrilled to attend a to see how he fared against better-quality junior college was an understatement. college hitters.

“Growing up, I had a pretty anti-JUCO mindset,” Sarhatt said.

Once he arrived in Duluth, Sah“I was like ‘Why would I go there if I could go to a four-year ratt found himself surrounded by men (institution)?’ I didn’t want to go to community college. That was amongst boys and was forced to adjust my opinion on it all. I’m kind of glad COVID hit because I was quickly toadiuerentlifestylethathe just like, ‘Screw it. I’m not gonna wait around, I’m just gonna go to JUCO and get as good as I can get and see what I can get in two would temporarily leave behind nearly 1,700 miles away. Part of the journey years.’” would involve meeting a lot of new After opting out of the 2021 season at Skyline to avoid losing a teammateswithdiuerentlevels ofexperi year of eligibility, Sarhatt — a dual-threat on the mound and as a ence from all over the United States. firstbaseman—workedonthesideandgainedtheattentionofhis Enter, Jesse Pierce. pitching coach, Marcus Pointer. The connection between the two Born and raised in Las Vegas, Pierce Michael Sarhatt ended up becoming crucial, as Pointer was also about to begin his grew up hearing constantly about the third year as head coach of the Duluth Huskies.

Pointer, a baseball lifer in his own right, is another fellow Serra baseball royalty in his area. Future all-stars Joey Gallo, Kris Bryant and Bryce Harper are just a few names who started their youth High School alumni and was a former All-American right-handed career around Sinin City. Hoping to be the next prodigy out of the pitcheratSkyline.Hefirststartedcoachingsummer baseball group, Pierce’s career began in T-Ball, a league his mother helped 2015 and bounced around before being named the Huskies’ head coach in. coachin2019toaccompanyhisspringpositiononSkyline’sstau.

“Youhadtobefiveyearsoldtoplayandmymomliedabout As a result of his double-dipping, Pointer is always on the lookout my age,” Pierce said, laughing. “So I started playing baseball because I just had such an immense passion for it at a young age.

She said I was two years older so I got to play T-Ball ever since I was three or four years old and then from then on, it just kind of snowballed.”

Thesnowballeuectlandedhimalloverthecountrytopl baseball. After short stops at the University of Arkansas and Grayson College in Texas, Duluth happened to be next on his nomadic list of locations to play baseball.

“There’s a lot of players coming in and out with injuries and new opportunities,” Sarhatt said. “And Jesse came out about the end of June if I remember correctly, and he’s just the coolest dude and really easy to hang out with.”

TheHuskiesplayatWadeStadium,anarenadirectlyouthe shores of Lake Superior with historical roots dating back to the

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he nor his teammates didn’t have a car to make the 20-minute trip tothefieldeverydaysotheyendedupmovingtothedormsa nearby College of St. Scholastica.

ThesummerconcludedandtheDuluthHuskiesfinishedin second place in the Great Plains Eastern Division with a record of 30-38. Pierce cranked two homers and knocked in 16 runs, while Sarhatt was excellent in 23 innings out of the bullpen, recording a 3.13 earned run average.

Thesummerconcludedandthecalendareventuallyflippe to January: Pierce, established enough to be considered very well-traveled, dialed Pointer’s number and wanted to discuss business.

“I was kind of looking for a new school and I didn’t really know where to go,” Pierce said. “I really didn’t have too many Marcus Pointer options and I had a really good relationship with Marcus (Pointer).

And so I just gave him a call and I was like, ‘Hey, would you guys 1940s. Similar to a professional baseball organization, the expecpotentiallyneedanoutfieldorinfieldguytocomein?’” tation to succeed makes up a portion of the atmosphere. There are Pointer was ecstatic and brought Pierce out for a visit to Skypressures like maintaining attendance, generating enough revenue line’s campus, a tour that Sarhatt helped orchestrate. Months later, with ticket sales and the aspect of winning in general. theLasVegasnativefinishedtheregularseasonleadin “I enjoy the player development side so that’s always going to inalmosteveryouensivecategorywhileSarhattwasaco be involved in whatever kind of team I’m coaching,” Pointer said. force at the plate and Pointer thrived working with his pitchers.

“I’m always there to kind of develop guys that are willing to try Sarhatt has a year remaining of eligibility and is looking to things in games that might necessarily not be 100% to win it. But receiveanouerfromafour-yearcollege.HewillreturntoD as the guys get more productive, it can help them in the long run.” for the second-straight season to play for the Huskies, unwrap the Pointer estimates that roughly 50 to 75 players are drafted bacon and switch on the fryer. or signed out of the league by Major League Baseball teams.

“This opportunity in Duluth to play with those caliber players In many ways, the workload draws similarities to minor league and feel like I belong was huge for me as a baseball player,” Sarbaseball because of the constant games that are played without hattsaid.“BecauseIfeellikeI’mcomfortableinanybaseb breaks — approximately 72 games in 76 with any opponent now.” days with 36 road games. To combat the Piercehasafewouersonthetablefromfour-year-schools.R long and grueling bus rides, there was a turning to Skyline is an option and he’s also talked to professional heavy emphasis on the importance of scouts about possibly getting drafted to a big-league club or signed staying in shape. as undrafted free agent.

“Idefinitelylearnedthevalue ofan keep “Duluth is such a great town,” Pierce said. “It’s a really small ing your body in shape and not eating town, but they love their baseball. Every night the stands will be crap and all that, but like there’s a lot of filledwithpeopleandsupporters.Soitwasreallyfun.Itw daily maintenance that needs to go on when you really don’t want to do it,” really good experience.”

Sarhatt said. “If you’re on like an eight-day road trip and you’re in the middle of Iowa, then you’d much rather just take that nap before the game.”

Even the housing situation had a minorleagueflairtoit.Thepitchers lived in the dorms while the position players stayed with host families.

Pierce’s host family, folks he ended up growing rather close to, would attend the games and loudly chant encouragements to their “host son.” Halfway through the summer, Pierce realized

All photos by Adriana Hernandez/ The Skyline View

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