Sac City Express

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.

City of Vain has been together for approximately a year. Photo by Amanda Branham

When City of Vain hit the stage, its sound got some heads nodding. Steve Ross’s vocals were flowing and he had great 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.

Counselor makes website

Harold Williams — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:50:29 +0000

With more and more students obtaining information through the Internet and smart phones, City College is working to better adapt to the new Age of Information.

In order to expose information to new students and those unaware of campus resources, City College launched “SCC’s 411 for Success” website as a resource for students providing them with strategies for success.

In 2011 the counseling department enlisted City College counselor Maristella Bacod to create a reliable resource guide for students. Bacod, who has a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies and a master’s degree in counseling, is also an alumna of the Los Rios Community College District, attending both City College and ARC.

“Actually it was my first website,” says Bacod. “I have no experience in web design.”

Although she had no prior knowledge in web design, Bacod opted to create a website with faster and simpler ways of updating information.

Last February Bacod was asked by Michael Poindexter, vice president of Student Services, to undergo a sabbatical from July to December 2011. Bacod began working on the website as early as April.

“I started working on it at night and weekends just trying to teach myself how to build a website,” Bacod says.

Bacod wrote most of the site’s articles and content, in addition to creating the website design.

By understanding her target audience, Bacod writes in a language that would attract younger students.

“When I created the website I wanted to target students from the ages of 17-21, so I wanted the site to be fun and entertaining,” Bacod says.

The site is easily accessible to students through the City College homepage. It is also linked to the “New Students” tab and the “Quick Links” menu under “Counseling.” Students can access important information about financial aid and scholarships under the section titled “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know.”

In addition to administrating the website, Bacod sends emails to new students and asks professors to post a link to the site on their Desire2Learn pages. The site can also be accessed by scanning a Quick Response “QR” code with a smartphone application.

“The QR code allows students to access the website quicker,” says Bacod. “For example, instead of having to either memorize the website’s address or typing it into your phone, students can scan a QR code placed on ‘SCC’s 411 for Success’ posters located around campus.”

The website has found success in reaching addressing student’s needs, like theatre major Alicia Morris.

“I would definitely recommend this site for new students,” says Morris. “I think the site is helpful because it gives information that new students need to know.”

Visit the “SCC’s 411 for Success” website at http://www.saccity-online.org/sccfirstyear

Movie night at the LRC

Online Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:43:54 +0000

City College hosted a free movie night Jan. 26 in the LRC 105 building, also known as, the library. The selected movie of the night was “Little Miss Sunshine.” The movie night movement started last semester when media librarian Nicole Woolley organized the event with the idea in mind “to have a place where we invite kids to come and have a
break from school work and studying.”

Woolley added that it’s a place where students can socialize with new students, relieve stress, and most of all just have fun. Woolley said she was amused by the great turnout the students had this past week and added that they had more students than any other night.

Reggie Davis, undecided major, found out about the movie night from the school’s Facebook page by looking at the event tab. Woolley added that Facebook helps her better advertise movie night because it’s a popular site for most college students today, and it is the best way to interact and connect with students.

She recommends that students check out City College’s official Facebook page to keep students aware of all the future movie premieres and other events that City College sponsors. Davis claimed that he enjoyed himself and that he plans to attend future movie nights.

“It’s good to see extracurricular activities aside from school work,” says Davis. “And it’s nice to get out and watch movies because they are so expensive now.”

Anyone is welcome to join and get the opportunity to escape from his or her studies. Even though the focus is mostly around City College students, Woolley said that staff and faculty are also welcome. The next showing is on Feb. 2, at 5:30 p.m. premiering “Food Inc.”

Visit the library’s website to find out more about movie nights and other events, or visit City College’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/saccitycollege

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

Online Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:04:08 +0000

Seth Harrington creates a lemon drop for photographer Jim McGrath and Digital Imaging 400 instructor George Fleming on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Photo by Mike Nicholson

Still pushing forward

Yesenia Cardoso — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:44:59 +0000

SCC guard Tori Hironaka #55 brings the ball up court heavily guarded by CRC guard Tina Diaz #11 late in the second half against CRC Friday night January 20, 2012 at CRC gym in a loss to CRC. Photo by R.Hanna

With its season almost over, City College women’s basketball team is looking to finish the conference with a couple more wins.

The team began its season with a tough schedule playing teams such as Ventura College, Fresno City College and Santa Rosa College, which are all ranked among the top 10 junior colleges in the state. The team is currently 1-7 in conference and 2-16 overall for the season. For the team’s head coach Devin Engebretsen, it’s been a tough journey.

“From a winning stand point it has been challenging,” said Engebretsen.

Engebretsen said the team is still adjusting, not just to what takes to compete at the college level but what it takes to compete for a full 40 minutes.

“Our biggest struggle so far has been trying to compete consistently for a whole game,” said dental hygiene major and guard, Tori Hironaka.

“They have improved since the beginning, but they are still learning,” said Engebretsen.

Even though the team has struggled to win with a team comprised of 10 new freshmen and a new coach, building chemistry has not been a factor, Engebretsen said.

“I really enjoy the being around the relationships they build with each other; they’re learning and trying,” said Engebretsen.

Engebretsen said this season the team’s strength has been its defense and its ability to play hard against their opponents. The team’s key defensive player, Engebretsen says, is freshman forward and biology major, Samantha Lewis.

In the game against Diablo Valley College earlier this month, Lewis allowed Diablo’s top player Dianne Moore to score only five points while defending her. Moore had 14 points for the night.

The team’s key offensive players are Hironaka and freshman center, criminal law major Brianna Williams.

Williams averages about 10 points and seven rebounds a game. Hironaka averages about eight points and three assists a game.

Engebretsen says the team needs to improve on ball handling, shooting and running its offense correctly. Engebretsen said he plans to run a lot of drills and scrimmage during practice. Williams also said the team needs to improve to win more games.

“No matter what [I] need to keep a good head on my shoulders and play like it’s my last game,” said Williams.

Engebresten’s goals by the end of the season are for his players to continue to improve daily and try to win more conference games.

The team’s next home game is Feb. 3, against Sierra College at 5:30 p.m.

Operation ID

Jason Van Sandt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:38:55 +0000

City College police issue property registration stickers to students who register their laptops, cameras, bicycles and other personal items. Photo by Jason Van Sandt | Jasonv1977@gmail.com

With the spring semester starting and students returning to school with new laptops, cameras and tablet computers, campus police note that it doesn’t take much for a student to become a victim of theft on the City College campus.
“It is common for there to be one to five reported thefts per day at City College,” said Los Rios Police Officer Tanya Racki.

One possible way to combat campus theft, according to the Los Rios Police Department, is Operation ID, a free property registration program for students, faculty and staff at City College that began last fall.

With thefts on campus so commonplace, Racki and the Los Rios Police Department designed Operation I.D. to help educate people about the dangers of theft on campus as well as provide a safe place for students to keep property identification.

“The chance of recovering [your] property is much higher if the serial number is known,” Racki said.

According to Los Rios Police Sgt. Mike Olson, it doesn’t take long for students to become victims of theft. Most thefts occur when students leave their property unattended while they go to the bathroom, leave to grab a drink or their attention is drawn away from their belongings for a minute or two.

“Students need to be proactive against crime,” Racki said.

The best way for people to ensure the police department has the correct serial numbers is to register their valuables with Los Rios police before becoming victims, or keep the proper information tucked away in a safe place that can be accessed at a later date.

“If law enforcement has the serial number for stolen property, it can be entered into a national database system accessible to all law enforcement agencies,” Racki said.

The process of registering valuables takes less than 20 minutes, Racki said, and all necessary information to register is typically located on the valuable items.

People registering their belongings need to know the manufacturer of the item, the model number and the serial number, according to Operation ID instructions. They need to present a photo ID, and bring their property to the City College police department during normal business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to register the item with Los Rios Police.

“Bicycles are also a target [of criminals] on campus because the cable locks can be easily and quickly cut off,” Racki said.

The Los Rios police department highly recommends that people who ride bicycles to school also register their bikes and use a metal U-lock to secure their bikes.

“Students should stop using cable and chain locks,” said Olson. “We have never had a bike stolen that uses a metal U-lock. They are always cables or chains, which are easily cut.”

According to Racki, most students find themselves as victims of theft when they leave their property unattended—most commonly in the Learning Resource Center, cafeteria and computer labs. However, thefts can occur anywhere on campus.

According to Racki, students should refrain from bringing valuables to campus that aren’t needed, and if they need to bring valuables, then never leave them unattended. Cars should always be left with windows rolled up and doors locked.

Suspicious behavior should be immediately reported to campus police, Racki said.

Bringing ‘the City’ to Davis

Online Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:18:54 +0000

Optimistic state of mind

Wendy Aguilar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:05:51 +0000

(Pictured from bottom to top) Meaghan Bonilla, Britney Wilson, Sheldon Simas and John Franz practice drills under the instruction of Swim Coach Steve Hanson (not shown) in Hoos Pool on Jan. 20. Photo by Evan E. Duran

The City College swim team began its practices at the beginning of the spring semester, and now team members say they are eager to begin conditioning and competing with high hopes for this season.

Head swim Coach Steve Hanson says he’s enthusiastic for this season’s team and what it can accomplish.

“My expectations are to have each individual athlete improve in stroke and have a better showing in the Big 8 Conference,” Hanson says.

With an increase from 15 swimmers last season to 24 swimmers this season, Hanson says he believes that the team will not be as limited to compete by the number of swimmers as they were last season.

Hanson also says he believes that having a greater number of swimmers will allow the team to enjoy the more sociable atmosphere of the meets.

English and Spanish literature major Jose Alfaro, who has been swimming for four years and is now on his second year of swimming on the City College swim team, says he is looking forward to hanging out with his teammates and forming bonds and connections with them.

“The meets are always fun as we cheer each individual on as they trudge forward to improve their time,” Alfaro says.

“There is nothing like seeing a swimmer fight through the race and work hard to achieve.”

Hanson says that there will be more competitive swimming this season. Hanson also believes the harder an athlete practices, the more likely it is to pay off in the meets, which may help the swim team to overtake its toughest competitors such as Diablo Valley College and American River College.

“I am looking forward to the practices the most because that is when I feel each swimmer is part of a team,” Alfaro said. “That is when we practice, struggle and improve together. The meets reflect the individual effort exerted in practice.”

Hanson says he wants this season to be a time in which the swimmers can grow and improve their skills

“You have to go within yourself and push yourself,” Hanson says. Relays swimmer Chelsea Kennedy says she has pushed herself to achieve her goals this season.

“I’m going to need to catch up to get back in shape after doing nothing all winter break, but I know which races I want to participate in and [I] am mentally prepared for them,” Kennedy says.

Alfaro says that along with the rest of the team, he is ready to start giving it his all at practice so that he can be prepared to give it his all in time of competition.

“During practice, we push ourselves hard, even at the final lap,” Alfaro said. “Even when we are on our last set, Coach reminds us ‘Last one, Fast one!’”

A hop, skip and jump away

Serina Martin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:57:39 +0000

Photo By Jason Van Sandt

The City College Davis Outreach Center, the first community college facility on a University of California campus, has opened its doors in West Village to approximately 2,400 Los Rios Community College students this semester, according to City College Davis Center Dean Don Palm.

“We’ve added some chairs to classrooms where they’ve been needed, so some classes are pressing the limits, but overall, we seemed to fit into the building pretty well,” Palm said.

“That is not to say that students got all the classes they’d planned for. Our waitlists were about as long as they were last year at this time, and it remains a real concern that we are turning students away from classes that they need in order to make progress.
But that is a state budget issue, one that is affecting students at all community colleges across California.”

Addressing attendees of the Davis Center’s dedication ceremony Jan. 11, Palm said the center would not have been possible without the cooperation of a large number of UC Davis and City College administrators, city council members and community members, many of whom were recognized at the dedication ceremony.

“It’s a great building, but it’s the people that really make it,” Palm said. “You have to know that there are some really important people here who have been here for a long time.”

However, Palm said, he couldn’t remember exactly how long ago plans for the new Davis Center began.

“It is hard to put a specific date on the first conversations. The first note I found in a file dates to 1999.”

City College President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery said planning for the Davis Center began before she accepted her position as
president of City College.

“I got to come in on this when all the excitement was happening. All the hard work had already occurred when I arrived on the scene in 2008,” Jeffery said during the dedication ceremony. “And so in the last four years we had a chance to move this project forward to the point where we are here today dedicating this facility.”

The location of the new facility is expected to aid students in transitioning from community college to a university setting and encourage them to meet their educational goals.

“Because of its location in West Village, the Davis Center will certainly play a role in advancing academic success and student achievement and further promote the transfer of [City College] students aspiring to achieve a four-year degree,” said Jeffery.

The center cost approximately $7.4 million to build and was funded by local bonds approved in 2002, according to Palm.

The building meets standards for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, program Palm said. That means it was “designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website.

According to Palm, the foundation of the Davis Center project was built on the development of West Village as a planned community, which commits a percentage of the land to public education, and it is committed to sustainable energy as a “zero net energy” community.

“[West Village] offered a great location for an educational center… and it is part of UC Davis,” he said.

University of California Davis Chancellor Dr. Linda Katehi said UC Davis has been committed to working with City College on the Davis Center building. She believes that the center will strengthen the connection between community colleges and the University of California.

“It is a big day for Sacramento City College and for our campus because it reflects the tremendous effort and the work that has been put together by a team of people who are totally devoted to higher education in the state of California and, of course, to the master plan and the idea of the very specific connection between community college and the University of California,” said Katehi.

“This building really shows the commitment of this idea and the hard work of many people who came together to make it happen.”