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Oh, Snap! Picture Of the Day-2/9/12

Online Staff — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:07:33 +0000

Christine Xiong, English Literature major and Helen Yuonne Marcelo practice their music intently. Photo by Mike Nicholsonir music.

A Place Called Sacramento hits home

Online Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:15:17 +0000

Crocker Museum hosted the filmmakers event that happens every February. Access Sacramento kicks off the film project with scriptwriting and production workshops in which only 10 of several hundred entered are chosen. Photo by Matthew Blackburn

Local landmarks and actors were showcased on the silver screen as the Crocker Art Museum hosted the 12th annual A Place Called Sacramento film festival Feb. 2 in collaboration with Access Sacramento, the local public access television station.
The sleek, modern auditorium was packed with local actors, directors, moviegoers and Crocker members through 105 minutes of 10 film shorts — 10-minutes each — of varying genres.
As part of the Crocker’s Thursdays ‘til 9 series, drama gave way to horror and mystery, but the audience found themselves humored with nearly every film.
“Am I in hell?” asked the hallucinating drunkard in “The Watering Hole.”
“No, you’re still in Sacramento,” replied a man at the bar.
The audience erupted with hysterical laughter.
“I’m not a Sacramento native, so hearing about this film festival is a really neat experience for me,” said Rika Nelson, coordinator and facilities associate of the Crocker Art Museum. “When you watch this film festival, every scene—you just get that great feeling, ‘I’ve been there! I know these people!’”
Every February, Access Sacramento kicks off the film project with scriptwriting and production workshops. Several hundred scripts are entered by April, but only 10 are chosen in May to begin production using Access Sacramento’s studios, production equipment and gear.
“In the year 2000, we looked around Sacramento and realized that there were many folks who were interested in making movies,” said Ron Cooper, executive director of Access Sacramento, “and feeling very talented without any kind of opportunity to express those skills and abilities—particularly actors in the community.”
Stories varied in artistic style and ability. Many of the writers who had their scripts chosen had no writing or film experience.
Some films portrayed a low-budget feel, while others showed off their special effects — a Sacramento police officer flexed his super-hero strength with lightning bolts that sparked from his hands.
First-time screenwriter and director Joyce Bezazian won ‘audience choice’ at the premier of the A Place Called Sacramento film festival in October for her film “The Breakup.”
“It was pretty exciting!” said Bezazian. “I didn’t expect it.”
Bezazian had no previous experience writing, directing or working with actors.
“I’m very resourceful and a quick learner, so I just put everything together and jammed,” Bezazian said.
“In college I wanted to do scriptwriting for TV, but then my family said I should do something more practical, so I did. Then my partner said, ‘There’s a class, you should take it.’”
Bezazian only had an hour to register for the class because it started the very next day.
“I was shocked that they picked it, which is why I wasn’t even slightly prepared.”
Bezazian’s film about an obsessed Sacramento Kings’ fan was a favorite among the audience at the Crocker — no one could have known it was a rookie’s film.
When it came to the puns toward Sacramento, patrons continued to laugh about the one-liners.
“The digs in Sacramento were pretty good,” said Christine Kenny.
“Ten minutes is tough,” said Patrick Monahan who has taken screenwriting classes in the past. “There were some little, hidden gems.”

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O St. Visit Crocker Art Museum’s website to find out more about the Thursday ‘til 9 series. For information about A Place called Sacramento, please visit Access Sacramento’s website.

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Oh, Snap! Picture Of the Day-2/8/12

Online Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:50:35 +0000

Oh, Snap! Picture Of the Day-2/7/12

Online Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:27:57 +0000

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Student ambassadors bring on freshmen success

Online Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:49:52 +0000

Shinesh Prasad and Nataly Medina are two of the campus veterans that are Student Ambassadors. Photo by Kayla Broughton

A new Student Ambassadors program was recently introduced at City College with the goal of helping new students on their journey through their first few weeks at City College.

The program consists of a student team of campus veterans, whose aim is to help guide and assist new students in getting acquainted with the campus and its policies. The team helps students find their classes and get help from counselors and administrators. Members also speak in both high school and college classes about the college experience.

The ambassadors are not hard to identify. They walk around with fire-engine-red buttons that read, “SCC Ask Me,” and eager-to-please facial expressions. They can be found primarily in the Learning Resource Center and Business 153 Lab.

“This job is awesome,” student ambassador Shinesh Prasad said. “I get to learn all the departments on campus and help whoever needs it.”

New students agree that so much time and money is wasted in wrong lines and unneeded classes. With ambassadors around, waiting to answer questions and offer advice, a lot of first-semester confusion and frustration can be avoided.

“I’m new to this college,” said Chris Blank. “This campus seemed like a merry-go-round until Nataly [Medina, a student ambassador] helped me.”

The coordinator of the program, Leonela Lepe said the program has received a lot of positive feedback from students and professors.

“There have already been requests from professors to have [the ambassadors] speak,” Lepe said. “They are even branching out to local high schools and middle schools.”

The job requires at least a 2.8 GPA, 24 completed units at City College and a year commitment, according to Lepe.

“I went to McClatchy [high school] and talked to freshmen about the college experience,” Prasad said. “I told them how to select classes and how awesome college is.”

It is both a positive experience for those involved and those benefiting from it.

“We are really looking forward to [getting more] funding to make this a permanent position on campus,” Lepe said.

For more information on the student ambassador program or to inquire about becoming an ambassador please visit, http://www.scc.losrios.edu/Current_Students/From_Enrollment_to_Graduation/Admissions_and_Records/Student_Ambassador_Program.htm or email lepel@scc.losrios.edu

Gov. Brown’s tax initiative could cause Los Rios to lose millions

Online Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:23 +0000

The Los Rios Community College District could lose $12.3 million if California voters reject Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax initiative set for the Novemberballot, according to Susie Williams, associate vice chancellor of Communications and Research for the LRCCD.

The Los Rios cutback is part of a potential $2.4 billion decrease in California K-12 schools and community college budgets that will be put into effect should Brown’s planned tax increases fall through when they reach the ballot, according to a recent L.A. Times article.

The $2.4 billion would then be utilized for other unspecified services.

“This would be a very difficult cut to absorb as [the Los Rios District] and all other community colleges have had to absorb large cuts for the past three years,” said Williams.

The loss of funds would further reduce the availability of class sections for Los Rios students, making necessary class enrollment, extension and timely degree and certificate completion more difficult for students.

Jaime Hernandez, a forensic psychology major, is among the City College students that support the Brown tax proposal if it means no further reductions on the K-12 and community college budgets.

“If [K-12 and community college students] don’t have that extra $2.4 billion, then what’s going to happen to after school programs?” Hernandez said. “I know that taxes benefit the economy and higher taxes— although people might not like them—do help.”

Others only support Brown’s tax plan because of their position as community college students.

“As a student, I would support it, but after school it wouldn’t affect me,” said neuroscience major Henry Hoang.

The uncertain success of Brown’s tax initiative puts community college officials at a disadvantage as November is not an ideal planning month, Williams said.

“By that time, we will be nearly half way through [planning] the 2012-2013 year with little time to react to such a large [budget] reduction.” said Williams. “If voters approve the sales and tax increases, community college funding will remain the same as this year.”

RISE program presents ‘Hope’ in Student Center Feb. 7

Daniel Wilson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:19:30 +0000

Leo Crystobal and Tuesday Freas bring domestic violence issues to the stage in "Esperanza Means Hope." Photo by Kate Paloy

City College’s Respect Integrity Self-Determination and Education, RISE, program will be presenting a play on domestic violence in the Student Center Feb. 7 at noon.

The play is a one-act presentation called “Esperanza Means Hope” and is being presented in association with Kapitbahay/SeaFood City and My Sister’s House, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the needs of women and children impacted by domestic violence, according to their brochure.

The play was written by Conrad A. Panganiban and Gladys Imperio-Acosta and directed by Nicole C. Limon. The play also features original music by Dee Pizarro and Loui Paman.

For more information on My Sister’s House, please visit www.my-sisters-house.org or call 916-930-0626.

Oh, Snap! Picture Of the Day-2/6/12

Online Staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:42:45 +0000

Dan Sublett a computer science major who graduates at the end of this semester, works on a networking project. Photo by Mike Nicholson

Oh, Snap! Picture Of the Day!-2/3/12

Online Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:55:58 +0000

Clinton Bailey,25, fourth year nursing student at City College successfully puts in his first IV on the provided mannequin in Nursing 435. Photo by Tony Wallin

Punk is alive in Sacramento

Online Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:28:20 +0000

Photo by Evan E. Duran

It had been a number of years since my last punk show. So when I found out the Press Club located in Midtown, was hosting local bands Dead Dads, City of Vain, Bastards of Young and Minneapolis’ Banner Pilot on Monday night, I wondered what kind of evening it would be.

There was variety of people in the crowd, ranging from punk to hipster and even athletic types. The hodgepodge crowd began throwing drinks back and the mood loosened. The packed house showed that the punk scene is thriving in Sacramento.

The Press Club works well for this type of an event; it’s not pompous or smug and has an open atmosphere. Outside a fan, Erin, gave cupcakes to the bands and her friends. She had a couple songs dedicated to her as she represents what is great about this scene.

Dead Dads was first onstage. Their blend of crunching guitar and melodic choruses drew the crowd in immediately. Drummer Lys Mayo and bassist Joe Friday were solid on the rhythm section. Guitarists Cory Wiegert and Tony Silva were in sync with Wiegert’s vocals and the varied song speeds made for a great set. Mayo, who turned 21 that evening, raised her much-deserved beer and received cheers, hollers, whistles and even birthday wishes from the crowd. What a perfect celebration.

Photo illustration.

When City of Vain hit the stage, its sound got some heads nodding. Steve Ross’s vocals were flowing and he hadgreat crowd interaction. Guitarists Newell Dunn and Drew Boyce got the crowd clapping with their backup vocals and thrashing strings. Bassist Mario Maynor was in sync with AJ Wilheim on the drums.

Organ player Minh Quahn added a great twist to the band and his solo fit in great with the set and drew loud cheers from the audience. Boyce played some really great solos with Manor laying down concrete bass. They were jumping around and animated onstage, playing their heavier sound. Ross was talking with the crowd, keeping an excellent energy between songs.

Bastards of Young were next onstage. The band has been around for four years that was shown by how clean their sound is. Nick Ripley’s singing was in tune and while their songs were longer, they brought amazing energy.

There was great synergy between the Hills brothers, Patrick on guitar and Sean on bass, and drummer Wyman Harrell was also strong. Their last song was about thinking for yourself, and they finished on a great note. Sean also booked this show through his group Punch and Pie Productions and said he is bringing more punk shows to the Press Club.

Photo by Evan E. Duran

Banner Pilot came on last and played the longest. The two guitarists were in unison and sang well together. They had a melodic and fast paced sound that got the crowd dancing, which switched to moshing and continued throughout the set. They even got a toast from the crowd, people raising their drinks and standing on chairs. There was crowd surfing, and even some fans jumping onstage to sing for a moment.

The bands stayed around after the show to talk with the crowd and help each other with their equipment. And as they got into their varying modes of transportation, the local bands screamed, “Meet us at Hideaway!”

My love for the punk scene has been restored and I hope to catch more of these bands later.

City of Vain will be at G Street Wunderbar in Davis on Feb. 3 and its new EP American Nightmare can
be downloaded for free. Quanh will also be playing an acoustic set with Bastards of Young and Drag the
River at Luigi’s on Feb. 9. Dead Dads is playing Java Lounge on Feb. 18.