City College Holly Conn, No. 8, searches for teammates to pass to against Fresno City College Wednesday Oct. 26. The Rams took the win 21-9. Photo by R.Hanna |rhanna68@gmail.com

What started out as a competitive and close game Oct. 26 against Fresno City College’s water polo team ended in a blowout, with Fresno winning by a score of 21-9.

The first period stared with Fresno scoring a couple of goals early on and taking a quick 5-0 lead. However, City was able to rally back and tie the game by the end of the first period.

From there, Fresno took the lead with a score of 6-5, and from the second period on it was the Rams who were scoring for the remainder of the game.

The Panthers were only able to score four additional goals for the match Wednesday evening.

“It was a really good game. The team played really well. It was one of the best games that we have played,” said water polo athlete Gabi Little, undecided major.

Though City College walked away with the loss, and a record of 1-9 for the season so far, it was still able to implement some practiced strategy throughout the game.

“We have worked on positioning and offensive flow,” said head coach Steve Hanson.

“We have tried to put more shots up on the cage,” he said about the techniques the team has been focusing on during training.

Though his strategy was implemented into the game Oct. 26, he said he still feels that the team members may be a little hesitant to shoot the ball.

Even with the loss, athletes said that they played a great game against the Rams.

Biology medical science major and water polo player Megan Bonilla said, “Even though we lost, I feel we’re progressing.”

Bonilla added that the team focused on positioning the ball during training prior to the match against Fresno.

“We had a lot of center drills to help set up shots,” Bonilla said.

Next for City College women’s water polo team is the Big 8 Conference Nov. 4-5 at San Joaquin Delta College.

As for the remainder of the season, Hanson said the goal was to “continue to grow and to become a better team going into the Big 8 Conference Championships.”

For more information on stats and games for the City College women’s water polo team visit the athletics webpage http://wserver.scc.losrios.edu/~physed/athletics/waterpolo.htm.

Related posts:

1. Women’s water polo falls short against Mustangs
2. Water polo scores season high in loss
3. Women’s water polo misses net against Sierra

Oct. 7

Cross Country - MJC Invitational, at Tuolumne River Regional Park (Modesto), 3:30 p.m. / 4:15 p.m.

Football – Diablo Valley College, at Diablo Valley College, 7 p.m.

Soccer – Sierra College, at Sierra, 3:30 p.m.

Volleyball – San Joaquin Delta College, at San Joaquin Delta, 6:30 p.m.

Related posts:

1. Sports Calendar
2. Sports Calendar
3. Sports Calendar

City Collge Vice President of student services Michael Poindexter flips pancakes on the quad during People’s Day. Photo by Vincent Fernandez

Near the semester’s end and with finals just right around the corner, City College hosted the 40th annual People’s Day Thursday, May 5, a festival that shed awareness on campus diversity on Cinco de Mayo and gave campus clubs the opportunity to generate funds.

The all-day event featured a free pancake breakfast, dunk tanks, live music and dance, food and arts and crafts booths on the campus quad.

According to Filipino Club President Lariza Barcena, who performed in the afternoon Polynesian dance, “Sac City is one of the most diverse community colleges in California, and we need some way to prove it.”

Associated Student Government Chief Executive and President-elect Leedel Arnell Williams Jr. described the overall event as “giving back to the students.”

City College has held many successful People’s Day festivals, though the event was originally called “Pioneer Days” in the 1930s. This year’s celebration incorporated Cinco de Mayo into the festivities, a Mexican holiday that honors the Battle of Puebla, when the Mexican Army defeated the French 149 years ago. In the United States today, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage.

The event honors everybody, according to Brown Issues Club supporter Julio Duarte.

“That is why it’s called People’s Day, and it just landed on a holiday that Mexico celebrates,” said Duarte. “We get to reflect [Cinco de Mayo] today with showing our culture.”

He added, “Besides sharing our culture and our fundraising, [People’s Day] is just letting [students know] that our club exists on campus, so it’s a good day for recruitment.”

The event helped give clubs such as the Northern California Anime and Manga Otaku Club a chance to fundraise for ongoing tsunami relief in Japan.

People’s Day is annually sponsored by Student Leadership and Development for the campus community, according to Chris Torres, City College student affairs specialist and coordinator of the event. It is the last push of the school year for fundraising and increasing awareness about campus clubs and other outside organizations available and beneficial to students.

“[The organizing of the event is] a lot bigger than what I anticipated it to be because of all the elements that are involved,” said Torres.

“This is our biggest revenue generating event for [Student Leadership and Development],” said Torres. “This is where we raise most of our [funds], which helps us put on all of our [other] events,” including the arts and crafts fair and Club Day.

Related posts:

1. Cinco de Mayo
2. Student body elects new members of SAC
3. City College’s day of clubs

Geology professor Kathryn Stanton, who began teaching at City College in 2004, specializes in paleontology. Stanton conducts field trips for her students. Photo by Mike Nicholson

The air is thin and oxygen-deprived, the perimeter pitch black. The walls of the underground mine are damp, the air heavy and cold. It’s hard to imagine the existence of sunlight.

One hand clings to the yellow hard hat you made fun of just minutes ago. Now it offers protection, your only protection hundreds of miles down in the cave.

Outdoor experiences like these really allow for appreciation of geology, and Dr. Kathryn Stanton, City College geology professor, does just that for her students. Stanton plans a mandatory field trip so students can see geology at work in cave mines.

Her passion for geology is not only reflected in field trips, but through her insightful PowerPoint lectures, quirky anecdotes, and interesting experiments.

“I explain things in a manner that I find useful,” Stanton says. “I make comparisons, or use food analogies.”

You can find Stanton’s classroom in Mohr Hall, as you turn a hall corner next to a wall covered with glass shelves exhibiting rocks, smooth outer surfaces and clear purple crystalline interiors, fossils and bones. Twenty eight students in red, hard plastic chairs sit rustling notebook papers, food wrappers and cell phones.

Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack.

The sound of Stanton’s heels resonate as she moves toward the wide rectangular desk, a red aluminum water bottle in one hand, and teaching materials in the other. Gray slacks cover short boot-like heels. Dark lavender peeks underneath a black cardigan. Light, cherry-blond hair worn short, surrounds black rimmed glasses; blue eyes and thin pink lips rest on fair, lightly freckled skin.

She begins the class period with a quiz. Hand movements, walking back and forth and pointing the red laser to trends on graphs or graphics help students remain engaged.

Leah Drury, a liberal arts major enrolled in Stanton’s earth science class last semester, describes Stanton as “structured, and challenging, in a good sense.” Drury says, “The PowerPoints are very helpful, as well as her enthusiasm about the material.”

Stanton’s first career in interior design led her down the path to her true passion in geology. Enrollment in college during her mid-20s rewarded her with a PhD in paleontology, from UC Davis, and a dream job at City College.

“If you teach at a UC or a CSU, there is always a research component, and I like doing research, but I love teaching,” says Stanton, as she explained her excitement of being offered the position while she was wrapping up her dissertation in 2004. At a community college Stanton says she can focus on teaching students.

“It’s about the teaching, the instructors here. They are here to be teachers,” Stanton says.

Stanton’s dissertation work was studying the chemical composition of dinosaur teeth. She extracted data involving physiological growth and diet. Six years of hard, yet rewarding research, produced new published discoveries, wrapped neatly in a book with a dark-textured, hard cover with golden block letters.

She says her desire to explore the world of geology came in part from her parents, especially her dad who would take the family on weekend outdoor trips.

“He was an outdoor kinda dude. He would take us rafting, hiking and camping,” Stanton says.

She says her exposure to natural beauty enhanced her appreciation of science and she yearned to learn more by studying geology.

“It is really fun to know something about the earth around you,” says Stanton about the message she intends to send students. “It allows you to look around the world and have more of an in-depth knowledge, which to me, makes the world a more interesting place.”

Related posts:

1. March of Minds
2. Creative minds think alike
3. No longer a man’s world

Illustration by Dan Curran

Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, the first female vice presidential nominee of the Republican Party, has retired from public service and has become, what some would say, a B-list reckoning, in a reality television show called “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.” Reality television is defined as dramatic, funny documentation of actual events, but most of all, it is defined as entertainment.

But let’s keep it real; effective political figures are what the public needs. Most of all, the public needs someone trustworthy—neither an entertainer nor public figure whose motives are questionable is needed.

For example, participating in a reality television show, especially before the presidential nomination in 2012, showcasing how “normal” Palin and her family can be aside from negative exposure of unfortunate events depicting her family as “dysfunctional” as of late, is not needed.

Not only has Palin come out with a reality show, her daughter, Bristol Palin, participated in “Dancing with the Stars.” There existed a thin line between cheering on a dancer on the show and endorsing a political party.

I will admit, reality television shows are addictive guilty pleasures, considering 4.96 million (and counting) people who tuned in during the premiere. But aren’t there more important problems that a potential 2012 presidential candidate should concern him or herself with? How ethical is it to entertain the public for political gain when the public needs to hear more about solutions concerning more important matters like fixing our economy and the wars in the middle east?

Palin does have a political agenda that needs more focus than what is presented about her in the news. She opposes abortion with the belief embryonic stem cell research causes the destruction of life. She also supports of funding of “abstinence-before-marriage” programs, in favor of contraceptive education, among numerous other political views. However, none of these points seem to be part of Palin’s potential 2012 campaign, instead of politics, Palin seems to be basing her public persona on celebrity.

Other politicians known for their mainstream popularity include Arnold Schwarzenegger, nicknamed the “Governator” and dubbed “Conan the Republican.” President Barrack Obama criticized as the re-run of law and order by Bill Maher, appeared on “The View” during his 2008 presidential campaign.

Ideally, political leaders should show they can implement responsible and strategic methods to bring this world closer to economic stability, not to move in a direction where the world worships at their feet because they made us laugh, sing a tune, or scored more points with the public because of their lifestyles. What matters is the law and what a political leader plans to contribute to it.

Related posts:

1. EDITORIAL: Dart board voting
2. EDITORIAL: Weight of Words
3. EDITORIAL: Fighting for fairness

City College history professor Carl Sjovold explains the Civil War to his U.S. History class. Photo by Kimberly Washington

In a small, unassuming office with stacks of CDs on the windowsill sits the Doc Marten boot-wearing Dr. Carl-Petter Sjovold, City College History Department chair.

He is immediately friendly despite the relatively early hour, although Monday through Thursday his first class begins at 7:30 a.m. Rodda Hall South is quiet at this time of morning, save for the occasional grumblings of students schlepping by Sjovold’s office on their way to or from class.

Sjovold’s iceberg-blue eyes shine like prisms when he speaks of his students. Teaching both U.S. and world history, the good doctor encounters many a learner.

“I meet new people every semester,” he says. “They all have a story.”

Apparently, so does he.

Sjovold has an interesting résumé. He once had a part-time job digging ditches. He says, “It was fun for awhile, but that kind of life has its limits.”

He once was employed at a cannery in Alaska, and also worked in the advertising department of the Oakland Tribune as a production assistant. A job at a cannery, for instance, doesn’t seem like one is on the way to earning a Ph.D., but don’t be fooled. How Sjovold got back to California is fascinating and proves, above all else, that he is one motivated guy.

Sjovold and three of his friends encountered bad weather along the way from Alaska to California, often sleeping on the side of the road. Sometimes they were fortunate enough to meet kind people willing to help them out.

The journey took nine weeks.

Describing this trip as a “right of passage,” it can be assumed that if one can undertake something so adventurous while enduring rain, cold, hunger and fatigue, one’s educational road will look easy in comparison.

Sjovold grew up in Santa Barbara and attended Santa Barbara City College. Originally planning to pursue a career in journalism, he explains that one professor in particular made a “positive impression.” He describes his time at Santa Barbara City College as “formative”—the inspiration and catalyst for what would become his teaching career.

Sjovold, now in his 40s with a wife and two children, says, “Fundamentally, I am no different from my students.”

Sjovold received his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley (where there wasn’t a journalism program, so he switched to history), and later received his master’s degree from UC Davis. By 1999, he had earned a Ph.D., also from Davis.

When asked what advice he has for students who haven’t quite hit their educational stride, he simply says, “Keep an open mind and have confidence in yourself.”

Most of his days begin very early and are quite full, but Sjovold maintains a positive outlook.

“I am never bored,” he says, “I find my life interesting and challenging.”

Related posts:

1. Back to the History Class
2. Emphasis on one woman
3. No fish out of water

City College basketball player Treshenia Solomon, the team’s starting center, is a key player in the Panthers success this season. Photo by Jesse Charlton

Treshenia Solomon has a statuesque physique, and a love for basketball. At 6 feet 3 inches, her height is an advantage as she stands strong and proud near the basket, ready to take on anything that comes her way.

Solomon plays post for the City College Panthers and is a key player for the team this season according to her teammates and coaches.

Solomon developed her interest in basketball from her cousin. As a young girl she wanted to fit in, and at 9 years old she started to pay attention to women’s and college basketball.

“When I started playing, it was because I wasn’t doing anything else, so it was like, you do something to pass the time, then you end up liking it,” says Solomon. “Even though I started playing because my cousins were all playing, it just kinda stuck with me.”

What started as a hobby has now become a serious interest and investment in her future, she adds.

Solomon says she would like to attend a historically black college and persue basketball as a career, but the WNBA is not where her sights lie. Rather, Solomon says, her ultimate goal is to play basketball overseas and in the Olympics.

As a key player for the Panthers this season, she believes she has the ability to achieve her goal, but not without a lot of hard work.

She is in her third season, but in previous seasons, Solomon says she was not quite focused on the game. She worked hard independently this offseason to become the very best at her game, and now her attitude and confidence on the court are at an all time high, she says.

Panthers women’s basketball head coach, Dave Carmichael, sees Solomon’s hard work making a difference in her game.

“[Solomon has] taken it to another level, and is staring to figure it out,” says Carmichael.

With her hard work, Solomon hopes to take the Panthers to the Big-8 Championships this season.

“Championship is burning in my system,” says Solomon.

According to Solomon, the team works with perfect synergy and a chemistry  that unites them.

Zea Ziggler, a fellow teammate and Panthers guard, says Solomon was “waiting for this moment.” Since the 2009 season registration, there was an understanding that the Panthers were going to make Solomon a key player for the upcoming season.

“If I can help [Solomon] be a key player, I’m happy with that because not only is she a teammate, but a friend of mine,” says Ziggler.

Besides basketball, Solomon says she has a love for music and a strong passion for poetry.

Solomon has been on the Panthers team since 2008, and this will be her final season on the team. The women’s basketball team currently has a 4-5 record and plays its next game against Los Medanos College Dec. 10 at Solano College.

Related posts:

1. Panthers come out strong in playoffs
2. Season of the Panther
3. Womens basketball team wins against Diablo Valley College

Click to enlarge

Related posts:

1. Events Calendar
2. Japanese Culture Club events and fundraisers
3. Events Calender

Express file photo

After a nine-month wait, the Clery crime report was published showing 2009 crime statistics at City College.

According to the annual Clery Report, crimes at City College decreased in 2009 for all major areas except motor vehicle theft. The Clery Report, published by the Los Rios Community College District, reported that six motor vehicle thefts occurred on campus in 2009 and that assault, robbery, burglary and sex offenses all decreased.

Because of the Clery Report data and vehicle thefts that have recently occurred, Sgt. Mike Olson of the Los Rios Police Department said his department has taken action. “We jumped on it. I brought in extra officers from other campuses, we kind of flooded the campus.”

Click to enlarge

The LRPD also teamed up with the Sacramento Police Department’s car theft task force who brought out “ bait cars,” according to Olson. Bait cars are alluring vehicles that are strategically placed to entice would-be burglars and car thieves.

Car thieves had been increasingly targeting City College and Cosumnes River College for the past month and a half and the operation yielded at least three arrests, according to the report.

“At this point, suddenly the motor vehicle thefts have kind of dropped off the radar,” said Olson.

The Clery report also lists hate crimes for the past three years. The only reported instance during that time period was one of racial intimidation that occurred at City College in 2009. The report also identifies lesser crimes, like drug law violations, on the rise at City College.

LRPD receives over 1,000 crime reports per year for all of the district, and City College accounts for about 35–40 percent of them, according to Olson.

Crime statistics for 2010 have not yet been compiled, but students can review weekly logs online at http://crc.losrios.edu/police/locals/ clery_crimelogs.html, and the most recent logs can be viewed at the LRPD headquarters on campus.

Crimes, like bike thefts, are not listed on the Clery Report. Olson said the LRPD is “unhappy about bike thefts” that occur frequently, and is trying to “educate the students about prevention.” LRPD will also engrave owner identification on bicycles and other valuable property so they can quickly be identified through their database if stolen.

Recent crime logs also show vehicle hit and runs on campus. During Aug. 17–Sept. 28 the report showed 19 occurrences in a six-week period.

“The vast majority of hit and runs occur in the parking structure,” said Olson. He also noted “hit and run is actually a crime, a misdemeanor.”

LRPD has 39 recording cameras throughout City College, said Olson. But the parking garage only has them at the elevators and stairwells, none inside the structure.

“Witnesses are often needed for [a] hit and run, [so] third parties need to speak up,” said Olson. “We’re all responsible for our own safety, and by assisting each other and speaking up in all matters it helps bring the crime rate down.”

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act was mandated by a federal law resulting from the efforts of parents whose children had been crime victims at colleges, most notably Jeanne Clery, who was sexually assaulted and murdered in a Pennsylvania campus dorm room in 1986, according to the LRPD website.

No related posts.

Every musical performance the music department puts forth has me enticed and longing for more. I, along with others in the audience, are mesmerized by each personality that takes the stage and guides us through a world of music that many people don’t have the privilege of seeing and experiencing.  I can’t say anything less about the City College World Music Ensemble’s presentation of music from Ireland, China and the Caribbean Nov. 2.
One word: phenomenal.
The talented ensemble was directed the energetic Bob Wrenn. As he jumped maniacally up and down, violin strings breaking apart like so many split ends; Wrenn appeared to move as a puppet to a musical puppeteer.
During the performance, it seemed as if Wrenn’s jolly personality was transmitted to the musicians and audience alike.  The entire audience was participating with either their keys jingling, patting their heads, and snapping fingers. The musicians were so rejuvenated and enlivened by their performance they began to stand up and move about the City College auditorium toward the end of the performance.
The musical pieces from each geographical region were just as fun and bouncy as Wrenn’s personality. The Irish music consisted of different styles of music such as jigs, reels and polkas. The music had the big, sweeping feel of Oscar winning scores like of “Titanic”, “Braveheart”, and “The Chronicles of Narnia”.  The polkas had the audience pounding their hands and feet with joy and elation till it seemed there was a stampede to be unleashed. The Irish music was mad hopping brilliant.
The mad hopping elation stopped as Chinese music began to fill the auditorium and thoughtful contemplation settled in. This portion of the performance had dance, poetry and choreography by Allegra Silberstein, a member of the World Music Ensemble.  Silberstein would recite a poem and then do an interpretive dance to accompany the music that sounded like rushing rivers, gusty winds and tweeting birds. The experience was transcendent because the audience was immersed in 4,000 years of tranquil and traditional Chinese history, philosophy and culture.
The Caribbean music was the best part of the musical ensemble and suiting as the conclusion of the concert. The entire spirit of the Caribbean was present and the demented puppet returned and infected everyone. Even the raptors and walls of the auditorium were shaking a rain of dust on the people present singing and dancing to mambo and drumming from Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Cuba.

Related posts:

1. Music across the globe on our campus
2. Dancing with Django
3. a closer look: