The Advocate - March 16, 2011

By Adam OliverNEWS EDITOR

[email protected]

Bound in the partisan purga-tory of Sacramento lawmakers’ collective bargaining, Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax extension package and the June special election ballot on which it is to appear continue to await their final judgment.

Brown’s proposition to offset the $26.6 billion state deficit by extending for five years the cur-

rent vehi-cle, income and sales taxes may or may not even find its way into the hands of voters.

Having m i s s e d a self-i m p o s e d d e a d l i n e March 10, Brown is c u r r e n t ly e n g a g e d in talks with five Republican s e n a t o r s to com-p r o m i s e in order to allow the tax exten-sion onto the ballot to be decided by the peo-ple.

A n d as a con-sequence,

California’s higher education institutions, among other pro-grams and services, are antici-pating what could be “cataclys-mic” reductions if lawmakers or voters turn the proposition down.

At the Contra Costa Community College District, the already $10.2 million cut to the 2011-12 fiscal year could be amplified to the tune of $15.8 million if the initiative fails or never reaches the ballot.

“We’re really on the margin when it comes to trying to fund what we do right now,” Contra

C M Y K C M Y K

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

C M Y K C M Y K

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.SINCE 19508 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

VOL. 96, NO. 16WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011

ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

SluggishSoftball team

cancels games

Coffee shopcomfortsCatahoula revitalizes beverage experience

scene page 8◆campus beat page 5◆

Bookstore saves money

Rental program proves successful

sports page 7◆

Arts appreciated, talents performed

Let voters decidePoliticians need to allow Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax measure that would help alleviate the stress of budget cuts to education to appear on the special election ballot in June.

page 2

editorial

■ SEE EXTENSION: Page 4

Tax plan attains support

Students march to state Capitol, demand voting opportunity

By Sam AttalEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

[email protected]

SACRAMENTO — Even heavy rainfall did not stop college and university students from gathering at the state Capitol Monday morning to yell and scream at lawmakers to pass a decisive initiative.

About 2,000 students from up-and-down the state gathered for the annual March in March rally in front of the state Legislature at 11 a.m. They showed sup-port for a tax extension proposal that may save higher education systems from fee hikes in the upcoming fiscal year.

“Our demands are clear and direct,” said Alex Pader, president of the State Senate for California Community Colleges. “Stop the hike of tuition.”

The tax extension proposal is Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to alleviate the state’s grow-ing $26.6 billion budget deficit. The pro-

posal asks Californians to continue paying the same rates for income and sales taxes and the vehicle license fee as opposed to a scheduled decrease on July 1.

If state senators decide to let a tax extension initiative be voted upon in a statewide special election in June, and if it passes, only $12.5 billion will be cut from service and operational reserves of state-funded entities including educational insti-tutions. All public two-year and four-year institutions statewide are currently facing a combined $1.4 billion cut.

“We need this initiative to help fund our future (through higher education),” Pader

said. “We must let people vote.”District United Faculty President Jeffrey

Michels spoke on the steps of the Capitol and said tax extensions are key to helping societies thrive.

“Taxes fund your schools (and) your communities,” he said.

Michels said Republicans in the legisla-ture do not want to extend tax rates because of personal interests.

“It’s the corporate taxes they’re trying to (hold back),” he said.

During the march, Democratic lawmak-ers supported students and said if the tax extension initiative is not put on the ballot, or is voted down, education will take a cut that would hurt every Californian’s future.

“Public education is not just a want, but a need for this state,” Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego) said. “We have peo-ple in this building that won’t let us vote;

By Hilberth IbarraSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

SAN PABLO — In any community, being able to showcase talented youth singing, dancing and competing with their hobbies is a positive way to appre-ciate the arts.

The Contra Costa Martial Arts, Music and Dance-Fest took place at Walter T. Helms Middle School in San Pablo on Friday.

Contra Costa College sociology major James Solis said, “The theme (of the event) was taking the art of the street

into the studio and onto the stage and to promote discipline, good values, charac-ter and education of the arts.”

The event headliner was the martial arts showcase, in which multiple groups of students from a variety of disciplines staged jumps and kicks in the school’s auditorium.

Special moves and unison drills, along with individual presentations of martial arts maneuvers and tricks from a total of about 50 students entertained the audience.

This event was produced and direct-ed by Solis and the Helms Project Focus After-School Program and hosted by Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association (AMAPA).

“Through what we do, we help to promote responsibility, leadership and

Students showcase abilities on stage

Fee proposition awaits senate agreements

■ SEE RALLY: Page 4

“Without the tax

extension more than 400,000 students will be pushed

out of the (commu-nity col-

lege) sys-tem. That’s

approxi-mately the entire CSU

system.”

Alex Pader,president of the

State Senate for California Community

Colleges

■ SEE SHOWCASE: Page 4

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Marching in solidarity — Cal State-Channel Islands student Jonathan Neira (center) and Cal State-Chico student Nathan Brandy (right) march alongside each other during the March in March rally in Sacramento on Monday. About 2,000 students attended.


Concentrated aggression — Students of the Soulistic martial arts team perform for the audience at the Contra Costa Martial Arts, Music and Dance-fest on March 11.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 ● VOL. 96, NO. 16

EditorialWrong handsCitizens need

opportunity to vote or months, California’s budget has been in limbo and higher educa-tion throughout the state is being

threatened by further gashes. The current predictions are that

tuition will rise, staffing will reduce and even financial aid and student services may lose some of their funding.

In short, when the budget is finalized in June, colleges are going to have to keep crunching away at already lean resources.

The only form of relief higher educa-tion can hope for is Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax extension on vehicle licensing fees and income and sales taxes.

If the measure is placed on the special election ballot in June and passed, the money collected will help balance the $26.6 billion deficit California faces. This will in turn lessen the reduc-tions higher education systems will be required to take.

The current projection is a $1.4 bil-lion reduction to higher education.

The University of California and California State University systems will each be docked $500 million for fiscal year 2011-12. Community colleges will feel the force of a $400 million blow.

Obviously, the alleviation Brown’s tax measure would provide would help education remain more affordable and effective. Such a proposal needs to be placed on the ballot and it needs to pass.

Students need to be proactive and plan to continue participating in march-es, writing letters and make sure this measure is passed. We can no longer watch lackadaisically as fees rise and classes and services decrease.

A bigger problem, however, is that GOP members of the state legislature do not believe these tax extensions are in California’s best interests. Republicans and Democrats are currently in a stand-off, arguing about how wise it would be to let voters decide this issue.

Last we checked, this is not the 18th century, and politicians no longer have to worry about the unwashed and illit-erate masses making bad decisions that will negatively affect the population’s general well-being.

Lawmakers who are not affected by such proposed cuts made to education may just be protecting their own check-books. However, they have no reason to say that they know what is in the best interest of the public — voters do.

The public can make its own deci-sion and figure out if education is worth funding through its own pocket. Instead of the big heads in Sacramento, com-munities should be able to choose if education is a priority.

The legislature needs to agree to allow the tax measure to be present on the ballot so those affected by taxes and cuts can make decisions.

F

“(Students) can protest. They should also get more people to join the protests.”

Quamisha Hardyearly childhood education

CampusComment

What can students do to fight the budget cuts?

“Well, students can be proactive, and do marches and protest. The government can see that the budget cuts are affecting a lot of people.”

Gerardo Lozanoundecided

“(The students) can start by marching. They can also write letters, and that’s what they can do. Basically, to notify the people in charge.”

Angelita Mirelesphotography art

“I don’t have any com-plaints concerning the budget cuts because I got into all my classes, and they (the students) should figure out how to solve the problem.”

Sang Phanchemistry

“They should stomp to the Capitol and com-plain to the govern-ment.”

Jericho CabanayanMCHS

“(The students) can make it known that they don’t appreciate the budgets cuts. People go to community col-lege because they can’t afford four-year schools.”

Harleen KaurundecidedFAYTHE DEL ROSARIO AND JESSE SUTHERLAND / THE ADVOCATE

Environmental worries overreacted

■ Ecosystem

hile working at a retail store, one of the com-

mon expressions I hear when asking someone whether they want a plastic bag or not for their purchased items is, “No thanks, keep it. Save the environment,” or something.

This bothers me, because it is perhaps one of the most ignorant statements about the Earth’s self-sustainability.

While global warming is undoubtedly considered a monumental issue facing today’s society and discus-sion revolving around cli-mate change is gaining more attention in global politics, the regular misconception that people make about nature is that the environ-ment needs humanity for it to maintain and survive, whereas in actuality, it is the complete opposite.

Human beings need nature in order to live, prosper and continue the existence of our species.

Biodiversity, which is defined as the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, is the foundation of all life on Earth.

Human societies cannot provide for themselves the essential services provided by nature and healthy eco-systems.

Among these services are stable climates, clean air, fresh water, insect popula-tions that pollinate food crops, healthy soils and sources of pharmaceuticals for human health.

According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, an interna-tional synthesis by more than 1,000 of the world’s

leading biological scientists that analyzes the state of the Earth’s ecosystems in the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly grow-ing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel.

These changes have resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth.

But despite the damage that has occurred to earth’s biodiversity, in turn threat-ening the life balance of all living things on the planet, its longevity is more than securely rooted in the com-ing future.

From the start of our little blue planet in the solar sys-tem, to the current conditions of the world today, to the long lasting certainty of its advancement into the future, Earth’s overall sustainability can be measured within geo-logical time.

And through geological time, this planet has shown that it would take a lot more than a complex and intel-ligent species to inflict any serious damage to this old planet we call our home.

Nonetheless, damaging the earth is precisely what’s concerning a lot of people at the moment.

Addressing any poten-

tial harm that can be done by humans, late comedian George Carlin said it best in one of his stand-ups.

“The planet has been through a lot worse than us. Been through all kinds of things worse than us.

“Been through earth-quakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, continental drift, solar flares, sun spots, mag-netic storms, the magnetic reversal of the poles, hun-dreds of thousands of years of bombardment by comets and asteroids and meteors, worldwide floods, tidal waves, worldwide fires, ero-sion, cosmic rays, recurring ice ages... and we think some plastic bags and some alumi-num cans are going to make a difference?

“The planet isn’t going anywhere. WE ARE!”

Earth doesn’t care whether you turn off your air condi-tioner, refrigerator and televi-sion set.

It doesn’t notice when you turn down your thermostat and drive a hybrid car.

The notion of trying to save our environment only applies to improving the biodiversity surrounding us, so that we can have a sus-tainable future and possibly stick around for a little while longer.

Otherwise, the “save the environment” mindset is just another myth flooding our culture.

Christian Urrutia is a staff photographer for The Advocate. Contact him at [email protected].

JON RUNNING / THE ADVOCATE

christianurrutia

W

THE ADVOCATE l WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 20112 OPINIONQuotable

“One’s right to life, lib-erty, and property, to free

speech, a free press, freedom of worship and

assembly, and other fun-damental rights may not

be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of

no elections.”

Robert H. JacksonU.S. Supreme Court justice

1943

Sam Attaleditor-in-chief

George Morinart director

Dariush Azmoudeh

associate editor

Lamar Jamesassociate editor

Cassidy Goodingopinion editor

Malcolm Lastrasports editor

Adam OliverAlexandra Waite

news editors

Jermaine Harrison circulation manager

Paul DeBoltfaculty adviser

Staff writersChristopher Clausen

April HalogHilberth Ibarra

Iris JettHorace Jordan

Angelina RucoboJanit Saechao

Jesslyn SherrodParris WashingtonRodney Woodson

Staff photographersHanan Ayyad Qing Huang

Jesse SutherlandChristian Urrutia

Roman Young

Staff illustratorsJared Amdahl

Faythe Del RosarioJon Running

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Editorial policyColumns and editorial

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Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

christopherclausen

e live in a society where people can and will speak their minds

whenever they feel the need to.

The sad truth is, though, that not everyone cares.

Too often I go into a store and someone has to argue with the cashier.

It is the cashier’s fault every time the customer is unhappy. And it is the cashier’s responsibility to cater to the whiny customer’s every whim.

Most of the time, the issue can simply be resolved if the customer would shut his or her mouth and just listen.

Instead, the customer goes on and on about how the store is treating customers unfairly or how they are rac-ist or what have you.

Is this employee being racist or unfair?

Probably not. People just like to draw

attention to themselves, expecting some free hand-outs or whatever.

An even more relatable situation is in the classroom.

Tough teachers are not hard to come by in most of today’s schools. With the increasingly popular website, www.ratemyprofessor.com, tough teachers are easier to avoid.

There is always that one person who loves to argue with the professor.

If they cannot get on the professor’s good side, the professor is racist, sexist or a mean old jerk.

Too often I have been in the classroom with a stu-dent who believes he or she deserved a better grade on a test. I am pretty sure these people have convinced them-selves that they are perform-ers and their classmates are adoring fans.

The student (lead actor/actress) decides to call out

the professor (unintentional antagonist) in the class-room (the stage) in front of the entire class (audience) attempting to fix his or her issue (the plot) and end with some sort of student protest (applause or praise, I think.)

Unless that student is right, and usually he or she is not, the rest of the stu-dents in the classroom will feel multiple things:

1. Irritated that this person has the nerve to make poor use of class time.

2. Entertained because they hate that class anyway.

3. Sleepy. These students will proceed to go back to sleep at this point.

Essentially, no one wants to hear people whine and complain about simple things that could be settled at a different time in a different place.

And then there are the people who, upon meeting them, seem nice and opti-mistic.

But the instant you find them on Facebook or Tumblr, that all changes.

Their status updates, blogs, posts, notes and every word they write is basically a cry for help.

It is one thing when a really optimistic people are going through rough times and they just want someone to talk to. It is something totally different when an optimistic person posts every single negative thought for the entire world to see.

It is not cool. It is annoy-ing.

If you really have that many issues, then why in the world would you pretend that everything is OK, only to say it to your entire world via the Internet later?

People will listen if you say the right things, in the right way. People will help you if you ask for it cor-rectly. Do not assume that everyone can relate to you or that everyone feels the same way you do.

Christopher Clausen is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at [email protected].

same schedule. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and ends at the same time on the first Sunday in November.

Forty-eight of the states still find this practice necessary. Arizona and Hawaii, on the other hand, have done away with the silly concept.

Considering the enormous leaps and bounds we have made technologi-cally, we no longer need to “save day-light” to in turn conserve candle wax. Dark roads are not as dangerous as they once were and the general public no longer wakes up at the crack of dawn to hop on their horses and work on their farms all day.

Making already tired and cranky college students wake up an hour ear-lier every day for the majority of the year is not even cutting back on elec-tricity costs.

In a study conducted by scientists at UC Santa Barbara, energy usage was monitored in different counties in Indiana over a three-year period. Their study ultimately found that in the counties that once held year-round standard time but switched to fol-low daylight saving time changes dur-

orking at the local burg-er restaurant in your

hometown can bring about a lot more than the average day of serving burgers and fries.

In my many years as an employee to the system of what would be called the food establishment, I have learned many useful life skills, and some not so useful skills, for my everyday life.

One of the more help-ful skills I have gained is an appreciation for the act of communication between strangers. Those not so useful include having the ability to operate and maintain a com-mercial deep fryer or the abil-ity to know when people want a refill on their Diet Pepsi.

Outside of the mundane responsibilities and duties of the workplace, I never found myself to be open or even have the courage to confront and engage a stranger in con-versation. The act seemed almost haunting. If there was no topic or similarity, I never fathomed how conversation could be achieved with such people.

While walking through the grocery store with some friends awhile back, the glimpse of a familiar face came into view. Past the oranges and strawberries was a person I only remembered seeing at work.

Immediately, I experienced feelings of nervousness and uncertainty about what was to come next. Should I hide behind the pumpkins, or just make a dart for the exit of the grocery store in hopes no one saw this strange Asian man running for his life? Instead, I turned around and hoped that would be the end of this pre-dicament.

Once I had escaped, I walked down the frozen food section of the grocery store feeling relieved. But the sol-ace was only temporary.

Despite my tricky getaway, the familiar face suddenly appeared walking down the same aisle staring right at me.

The face came closer and closer until it was about two feet away from me. The per-son connected to the face was an older woman who would come in for breakfast on the weekends.

The nice woman said, “Hello, how are you doing today George?”

I was shocked. The only things, I remembered about this woman were that she liked to order chicken-fried steak and eggs for breakfast and on occasion enjoyed corn beef and hash.

To me, she was just anoth-er regular of the restaurant, and to her, I was probably nothing too out of the ordi-nary. But she at least cared enough to remember my name.

Since that day a couple years back, I decided to try my best to remember the names of the many customers who regularly frequent my work place.

I’m not doing it for tips or a sense of gratification, but in hopes that they can take away from the experience what I did; in hopes that someday we will all be able to go beyond the confines of what we con-sider safe or simply taking the ability to appreciate and recognize the people living in the world around us.

George Morin is art director of The Advocate. Contact him at [email protected].

georgemorin

Remembering customers draws pride

W

■ Respect

By Cassidy GoodingOPINION EDITOR

[email protected]

few days ago, most of the continental U.S. awoke grog-gily to alarms that should

have been going off an hour later to find that it was way too dark to rise and shine. Yes, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, daylight saving time struck again, stealing 60 minutes of Americans’ lives.

The idea to turn our clocks an hour forward on an arbitrary date nearing the spring season was first suggested by the otherwise genius Benjamin Franklin in 1784. During World War I, Germany was the first to officially introduce it. America soon followed suit. In 1918, the first daylight saving time law was passed that was uniform across the nation.

When the war was over, this law was repealed, and the option to play with time was left in the hands of local governments. This power remained at a local level until a national imposition of “daylight saving” was used to conserve energy during World War II. The second nationally con-sistent leap forward was also revoked, howev-er, soon after the war ended in 1945.

Predictably, during the 1950s and 60s, chaos reigned while local governments toyed with their tickers accord-ing to indi-vidual whims. One year, 23 different pairs of daylight saving time start and end dates were used in Iowa alone. Many industries, especially those concerning transportation between time zones, found the capricious incon-sistency quite costly.

Today, though states are not mandated to enforce day-light saving time changes, the U.S. government has asked that any state that does choose to keep humoring the antiquated tradition adhere to the

Daylight saving dangerous, silly, proves outdated

A

Lost

FORUM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 l THE ADVOCATE 3■ Complaining

Public whining annoys allW

ing the time period ended up using way more energy than before. In fact, daylight saving time had the state of Indiana spending an average of $8.6 million more a year, projected as most-ly air-conditioning costs.

There is also strong evidence that suggests a spike in the severity of automobile accidents and a dip in general productivity during the days following time shifts while people are still adjusting.

Regardless of all this, though, remains the fact that the ability to simply move the hands of nearly every clock in the nation backward and for-ward in unison is just weird. Where are the conservationists of moonlight to decry this practice? Where are the admirers of consistency or the friends of sleeping in at least until the birds are chirping? They can’t all fit in the confines of Hawaii and Arizona.

At the very least, one would expect more than a few sensible citizens to stand up and protest having to fiddle with car and microwave clocks every few months.

JARED AMDAHL / THE ADVOCATE

in time

Costa College President McKinley Williams said. “Every dollar is signifi-cant. It would be a severe entrenchment we would have to undergo.”

If Brown were to call for an all-cuts budget without the funding provided by the tax package, the state could bear the brunt of the entire $26.6 billion deficit, rather than only the unconditional $12.5 billion reduction.

Alex Pader, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, said, “Without the tax exten-sion more than 400,000 students will be pushed out of the (community college) system. That’s approximately the entire CSU system.”

And as CCC has an average enroll-ment of around 10,000 students, “con-sider that (to be) 40 of your campuses closing,” he said.

However, the 400,000 students pro-jected to be denied access to community colleges could be minimized to 150,000 if the extensions are passed, Pader said.

But while it seems likely that the taxes will make it onto the ballot, it is not as likely that they will be voted in, Vice Chancellor of Administration Services Kindred Murillo said.

In 2009, California’s Proposition 1A, which would have extended essentially the same taxes, was denied by 65.4 per-

cent of voters. However, urgent times may move some to bite the bullet for education’s sake, Williams said.

Murillo said, “A lot of people in Northern California get it. There’s a heavy value of education here. (But) there are some people who just don’t want taxes, bottom line.”

Adding to the mess, lost revenues from the failed extensions would neces-sitate the slashing of staff, course offer-ings, services and some “heavy duty programs,” she said.

With more than 90 percent of the college’s budget locked up in personnel, it will be impossible to avoid significant staffing reductions, both with and without the tax extensions, Williams said.

General student services would also be greatly affected.

“It’s really a cataclysmic level of bud-get reduction for a district our size. How far can you cut and still have a college with viable resources?” he asked.

The district may also consider imple-menting furloughs if “right sized” staff-ing and operational reductions do not meet the necessary budget reductions, Murillo said.

To garner a projected $170 mil-lion if the extensions aren’t passed, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has suggested a 154 percent fee increase from $26 to $66 per unit.

Though a $10 tuition increase can be expected, it is unlikely that the state will enact such a drastic fee ($66 per unit) hike, Murillo said.

“I just can’t believe we would raise our fees like that. It is a little too much for stu-dents. It doesn’t coincide with our value of education in California,” she said.

Another suggestion issued by the LAO to provide $250 million in revenues would apply a 90-unit cap on taxpayer-subsidized credits.

“We want the classes that any commu-nity wants, but when we have to choose between someone who has taken the same yoga class for 10 years and some-one coming straight out of high school, we have to prioritize those students,” Pader said.

accenta d v o c a t e

TwitterReceive breaking news and updates by following The Advocate’s Twitter account, AccentAdvocate.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

■ EXHIBIT

‘Animalia’ art show presented

The art department is presenting the exhibit “Animalia” by depart-ment Chairman Eric Sanchez, Monday-Friday in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery, A-5, until March 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Animalia” features images of domesticated animals that are fused with human beings. Exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Newsline

Friday, March 4: Two students were involved in a

fight on campus.

Tuesday, March 8: An officer responded to a

report of a female who fell on the Students Services Center access road. The student was transport-ed to the hospital via American Medical Response.

Wednesday, March 9: A student reported being fol-

lowed by a subject in the Student Activities Building. The subject was found to be a student and received a conduct referral.

Thursday, March 10: Unknown suspects broke into

the auto shop in the Automotive Tech Building and took two Palm Pilot devices.

A subject was stopped for a traf-fic violation and it was determined he was an unlicensed driver. The subject was cited for being an unli-censed driver and other violations. The vehicle was not towed and the subject was released at the scene.

Friday, March 11: Unknown suspects took several

belongings from a victim’s locker in the Women’s Locker Room. The case is suspended.

— Alexandra Waite

CrimeWatch

in briefw Gov. Jerry Brown’s propo-sition is under Republican senators’ review to be allowed on June’s special election ballot.

w If Brown’s tax measure fails to reach the ballot, students will suffer from increased fees resulting in about 400,000 students being denied access to attend com-munity col-leges.

w Faculty and staff will be affected severely as some jobs will be reduced, regardless if the tax mea-sure passes.

■ FROM: Page 1

Extension | Tax proposition delayedTHE ADVOCATE l WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 20114 CAMPUS BEAT

that’s un-American.”After students, employees and

supporters heard more informa-tion, they began shouting even louder outside the Capitol to urge Republican lawmakers to agree with Democrats and let the initia-tive on the ballot.

They began yelling at lawmak-ers in the building to “let the people vote.”

CSU faculty representative Lillian Diaz said student support played a huge role in making the march successful.

“Anyone who says students are apathetic needs to see where we are today,” she said.

The rally participants began their march to the Capitol nearly 1.5 miles away at the California Automobile Museum. As they swarmed through the streets of Sacramento waving colorful signs, they let residents, pedestrians and drivers know for what they were fighting.

“The students, united, will never be divided,” and “They say cut back, we say fight back,” echoed through the streets as education advocates and students screamed the rhymes vigorously during the march.

Pader said students must come together and fight for higher educa-tion more often.

“This is about the students across the state gathering as one,” he said.

Contra Costa College students agreed, saying that community col-

■ FROM: Page 1

■ FROM: Page 1

“I just can’t believe we would raise our fees like

that, it is a little too much for students It doesn’t coin-cide with out value of edu-

cation in California.”

Kindred Murillo,district vice chancellor of administration services

Rally

lege students must work aside their peers at four-year institutions.

“It’s important for our students to fight (as well),” said CCC stu-dent Jose Rivera, who attended the rally alongside 74 other CCC stu-dents. “We’re proud of our students to be here.”

Although many students came out optimistic about their voices being heard, student advocates said one march is not enough.

President of the California State Student Association Christopher Chavez said, “We may not win tonight, we may not win tomorrow,

but we will win.”However, Chavez said more stu-

dents need to demonstrate support for the movement if they want to see reform.

“If you’re not willing to fight for yourselves,” he asked, “what will you fight for?”

really teach kids that if they have some dream and some passion to go out and do it, and go all out,” Solis said. “If you can dream it, you can do it. That’s what this event was all about.”

Project Focus is an after-school program at Helms Middle School and Lake Elementary School. The program brings young people together to produce events and pro-motes discipline, good values and character through education and the arts.

AMAPA is a non-profit organi-zation that hosts events throughout the year and uses the proceeds of these events to fund children’s pro-grams like the Contra Costa Martial Arts, Music, and Dance-Fest.

The Contra Costa Martial Arts, Music, and Dance-Fest is a talent production and awards ceremony. The main goal of hosting the event was to allow students to organize and operate a community event while teaching responsibility and developing youth leadership.

The event attracted more than 300 people, including participants in various disciplines. The per-formers came from all over the Bay Area and from different schools, including Helms Middle School and Richmond High School.

Youth performers also came from martial arts and gymnastics academies to participate in the event.

The event presented a diverse range of performances, including martial arts demonstrations, danc-ing, singing and music. At one point, Solis’ 77-year-old grand-mother came on stage and dem-

Showcase | Students entertain community

onstrated how she could perform 20 sit-ups.

Another highlight of the night was the talent competition. Laticia Spears and Kalin Freeman, both from Richmond High School, per-formed in this segment.

Spears sang a song and played guitar and Freeman played the sax-ophone with back-up guitar and drums.

The audience really got into

these performances, and Freeman dedicated his performance to the tsunami victims in Japan. The two youths were competing for the chance to win a $500 scholarship. In the end, due to a generous dona-tion, they each won $500 for their performances.

“Project Focus raised $500 for our winner, and then AMAPA was kind enough to donate another $500 for the other winner,” Solis said.

This gesture was a perfect example of the purpose of this event. “There are no losers. Everyone was a win-ner,” Solis said.

This event also succeeded in bringing the community together, from the mayor of San Pablo, Paul Morris, to San Pablo Police Chief Walt Schuld, as well as residents from Richmond, San Pablo and other cities in the Bay Area. The crowd was as diverse as the par-ticipants.

“Any community that is bring-ing people together in this type of event for the purpose of kids, mak-ing them feel great about them-selves, whatever level they’re at, is great,” said Kim Emory, mother of MacKensi Emory, a participant at the event.

The event was also able to high-light the talent of the youth in the community.

Richard Ines, a performer and senior of Middle College High School, said, “I really think it is a great idea, for example, to show people that there is talent, espe-cially in this community. When you have local people perform in a local event, it opens people’s eyes.”

This was exactly what Solis and the youth who organized the event were attempting to accomplish. Solis said he is already thinking about the next event and how these events can continue to have a posi-tive impact on the community.

“We are going to expand into more schools and show the Richmond and San Pablo commu-nities that these youths are some-body and they will go somewhere,” he said.


A time to listen — District United Faculty President Jeffrey Michels speaks to the crowd about the importance of education during the March in March rally in Sacramento on Monday.


Fierce demonstration — MacKensi Emory performs in front of the crowd at Walter T. Helms Middle School on March 11.

■ JAZZ

Singers perform at local eatery

Jazz Singers and Jazzanova of the music department will per-form at La Strada in San Pablo on Monday from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

The Italian restaurant will charge a $10 cover charge at the door to benefit the music department.

For reservations, call La Strada at (510) 237-9047.

■ EXPERIMENT

CSE hosts science lecture

The Center for Science Excellence will host a lecture by Dr. David Brown of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab Friday in PS-132 at 2 p.m.

Dr. Brown will attempt to re-ana-lyze and illustrate E. Rutherford’s 100-year-old Geiger-Mardsen experiment, which marks the dis-covery of the atomic nucleus and the founding of nuclear physics.

■ ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Restaurant serves buffet

The Three Seasons Restaurant will host a St. Patrick’s Day Buffet Thursday in AA-239 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Foods served will include corned beef, shepherd’s pie, potato pancakes and soda bread. Students will be charged $10 at the door.

By Faythe Del RosarioSTAFF ILLUSTRATOR

[email protected]

A Blood Drive was held on March 9 at Contra Costa College and with every pint of blood donated that day, up to three lives could be saved.

The event was sponsored by the ASU and was held in the Student Life Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Blood Centers of the Pacific provided the staff and supplies needed for the Blood Drive. There was no cost to the campus or ASU.

The event had a positive conclusion. There were many people coming in to con-tribute, with the majority of the individuals being students from Middle College High School.

“A good handful of donators are my peers and I wish I was one of them,” said MCHS student and ASU intern Grace Belan.

She was not able to donate because she did not get the parental consent that is nec-essary for those who are 16 years of age or under.

A significant reason why the ratio of col-lege students to high school students donat-

ing was so low was because of the timing of the event.

“College students are not able to stop by because this is a commuter school and they would often just go to class and then leave for work,” ASU Executive Vice President Rodney Wilson II said.

MCHS student Jeffery Haight said, “I feel it (donating blood) is an easy way to help others without giving too much. It’s only a little blood.”

The four nurses who were present took turns evaluating donor applications and giv-ing small check-ups, preparing and tending to people donating.

The entire process takes approximately 45 minutes. However, the actual process of contributing blood takes from eight to 12 minutes.

Physical reactions after making a blood donation are often not serious and rare. Donors are required to stay in the area for 15 minutes after giving blood.

By Hilberth IbarraSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

A lack of marketing and getting general information out about the new college e-mail system, implemented in February, is leaving students in the dark and unable to communicate with their professors.

New Contra Costa College student e-mail accounts have been set up and are ready to use with the goal of making communication easier between students and professors.

However, most students aren’t even aware that they have the college e-mail address.

The student e-mail was been made pos-sible by live@edu, a program created by Microsoft. The accounts are available to students through a link on the college’s WebAdvisor site.

The system replaced existing student e-mail addresses that students had provided to the college themselves, with new e-mail address-es that use a student’s WebAdvisor user name (the first initial of a stu-dent’s first name, followed by his or her last name and the last three digits of the students’ ID number), followed by @comets.contracosta.edu.

The idea for student e-mails has been in the works for years.

“A lot of our students did not have e-mail addresses,” Interim Senior Dean of Students Vicki Ferguson said. “It was our goal to figure out how to communicate with our students. About three years ago we thought we should try e-mail.”

With the help of live@edu, the college was able to make the idea into a reality creat-ing the new system.

Though the idea was plausible, the real-ity of adopting a new campus-wide e-mail system has been an inconvenience for pro-fessors and students alike.

Social sciences department Chairman Manu Ampim tried to communicate with three of his classes Feb. 16, a day after the launch of the new student e-mails, to let them know he would not be able to make it

to a class. All but a few of his students did not receive his e-mail and showed up to class anyway.

The same thing happened the follow-ing day, Feb. 17, with an additional three classes.

“I had six classes that I could not get in touch with,” Ampim said. “Altogether that’s 260 students who I could not communicate with; who did not get the message that I was not going to make it and they all came.

“They had just changed the system the day before and I didn’t know anything about it,” he said.

Out of his 260 students, only a few received his e-mail because they were part of the pilot run of the project.

The fact that students were sent an e-mail to inform them of the changes did not help administrators reach the student body

and effectively advertise, some students say.

Biological sciences and criminal justice major Miranda Clagglette said, “They sent an e-mail, but what about the students who do not even check their e-mails? Some stu-dents are computer illit-erate. I feel the way they marketed it to the stu-dents was not the best.”

Another major incon-venience is the timing of the switch, as changes occurred in the middle of

a semester, as minor kinks were still being worked out and as the attention of students and faculty were on other things.

“The timing was really off,” Ferguson said. “It would have been great for it to start in the (fall or) summer when it was a little slower, instead of February.”

College administrators are aware of the inconvenience caused by the new system, but they are optimistic about its benefits. They are working on solutions to get the word out to students and educate them on how to use the new student e-mails.

Ferguson said, “What really needs to hap-pen is more marketing and communication, as well as workshops on how to operate this new system.”

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Helping out — Nursing student Maria Castillo donates a pint of blood during the ASU hosted Blood Drive held on March 9 in the Student Life Center. Every pint donated could save up to three lives.

“I feel it (donating blood) is an easy way to help others

without giving too much. It’s only a little blood.”

Jeffery Haight,MCHS student

Students remainin dark over newe-mail accounts

School hosts drive to help save lives

CAMPUS BEAT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 l THE ADVOCATE 5

Bookstore rental program saves money

Many of the students stayed for the allot-ted time and replenished themselves with the snacks and beverages provided at the Blood Drive.

Not everyone is able to donate because restrictions may have prevented them from doing so. Not having enough iron in the blood is one example that would prevent a person from giving blood.

Recently, the Blood Centers of the Pacific has offered reward program to those who donate blood. It is to give incentive to give a pint or two.

“What we are trying to do is encour-age people to donate,” Blood Centers of the Pacific account representative Joanne Alwine said.

People can get 100 points by making an

appointment at www.bloodheroes.com and will get an additional 100 points after the donation.

“I don’t think people are looking to get something out of it (donating). They do it out of the kindness in their hearts,” Wilson said.

Alwine said, “If people donated three times a year, we would not have a blood shortage.”

The next Blood Drive will be held in October, so those who donated on March 9 are able to donate again. It is intentionally being held during that time in the semester so people are able to donate three times dur-ing the year, Wilson said.

In order to get more people to donate at the upcoming drive, the event will end in the late afternoon, Alwine said.

ASU event motivates CCC to donate blood

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Chord control — Contra Costa College music department student Joaquin Navas plays a musical piece on his guitar during the Instrumental Concert Showcase held in the Knox Center on Sunday night.

By Malcolm LastraSPORTS EDITOR

[email protected]

The Bookstore’s new textbook rental program on campus has boosted its own sales and saved students more than $40,000 in two months.

The rental program, which began in January, gives students the option to rent books rather than buy them. So far the Bookstore’s program has saved students a total of $41,499 as of March, according to its employees.

“The rental program helps students by (allowing) them to not spend as much money at the beginning of the semester,” textbook buyer Darris Crear said. “Hopefully the program will be permanent and we (the Bookstore) are hoping to expand it.”

The rental program is backed by publisher Nebraska Books Company, as its gives the Bookstore the difference of the money lost from renting books through them.

NBC then takes the rented book back to its warehouse and resells it to other schools or charities in need.

Beginning in the summer of 2010, the Bookstore began plans to relieve students’ financial stresses by providing a book rental option.

“On average we see people paying about $500 to $600 for 12 units (of books),” Bookstore Manager Janis Walsh said. “As of two weeks ago, we have saved students around $42,000 and moved about 1,400 books.”

Cashiers will ask patrons if they want to rent or buy the book as they are brought to the registers.

Walsh said there is also a new software program installed into the Bookstore’s computers, which asks students if they want to buy or rent the book.

The student must have a valid credit card and photo iden-tification to rent the book and will be able to rent the book until the last day of class.

Creer said that the current rental program isn’t the first

such program. The Bookstore had previously offered limited rentals.

“We did limited rental before because the Bookstore had to pay for the books, which eventually cost us a lot of money,” he said. “In the end, everyone wins as the benefits saves the Bookstore and students money.”

The lowered book prices have helped at least two students deal with the on-going rise of student fees.

“I rented my books this year and I think it’s great,” crimi-nal justice major Gilberto Gil said. “It has made school so much easier for me since it’s hard paying that much money for books, along with classes.”

While the rental program saves students money it will pre-vent a student from selling a book back to the Bookstore.

“Now when I rent the books I can’t sell it back,” nursing major Markeysha Johnson said. “I think (the rental program) is good for some people, but for some of us we can’t sell the books back.”

“The timing was really off. It would have been

great for it to start in the (fall or) sum-mer when it was a

little slower, instead of February.”

Vicki Ferguson,interim senior dean of students

THE ADVOCATE l WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 20116 FOCUS

Protesting with pride — Student Senate for California Community Colleges President Alex Pader leads the march to the Capitol at the March in March rally at Sacramento on Monday.

Fists in the air — De Anza College students (L to R) Anna Hernandez and Fabilo Quiroz protest in front of the state Capitol on Monday.

On top of shoulders — A Sierra College student sits on another student’s shoulders while protesting budget cuts at the March in March rally in Sacramento on Monday.

FIGHTING

FUTUREphotos by George Morin

Students joined together — (R to L) Cal State-Chico student Nathan Brandy, CSU-Channel Islands student Jonathan Neira and San Jose State student

Robert Landtrip march together at the March in March rally in Sacramento on Monday. More than 2,000 students were in attendance for the protest.

for a

Passionate outrage — Foothill College student Etienne Bowie speaks to the crowd about budget cuts and how they affect students at the March in March rally in Sacramento on Monday.

SPORTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011 l THE ADVOCATE 7

By Rodney WoodsonSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

When walking through the Gym Annex Building, one might see him performing his duties as the athletic equipment manager. But Benny Barnes is more than his job description.

On March 30, Barnes will be inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association Hall of Fame for his hard work, dedication and success in the sports world.

The award ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. at the San Mateo Marriott Hotel.

“When I was told I was nomi-nated it felt wonderful. I consider it a great honor,” Barnes said.

Born in Lufkin, Texas in 1951, his family moved to Richmond soon after. He was a star athlete at Kennedy High School and came to Contra Costa College where he was a two-sport (football and track) all-conference player.

After a year at CCC he trans-ferred to Stanford University where his teams won two Rose Bowls. After receiving his bach-elor’s degree at Stanford, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

“He has all the credentials need-ed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” CCC President McKinley Williams said. “His example of hard work is something that all our students can learn from.”

Williams said he has known Barnes for many years.

“He’s always been a gentleman, a hard worker and a real team player,” Williams said.

At the age of 17, Barnes said he didn’t quite know what he wanted

to do, when Tom Kinnard, his mid-dle and high school football coach, persuaded him to attend CCC.

“I’m glad I came to CCC. This award has a lot of handprints on it and they belong to the people who guided me,” Barnes said. “They helped me get to Stanford and become a better student.”

In Dallas, he played 11 sea-sons as a starting defensive back, played in three Super Bowls and was a member of the 1977 World Champion Cowboys.

After his NFL career, Barnes moved back to Richmond.

“When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say Chet Kincaid,” Barnes said, referring to a character por-trayed by Bill Cosby in a TV show that was on the air from 1969-71. Kincaid was a PE teacher who returned to his high school to coach after a successful sports career.

“I have always wanted to help kids the way I was helped by others. When I came home from Dallas, I would always come to CCC and visit J.D. Banks, who at that time was the athletic equip-ment manager,” Barnes said.

Barnes said Banks, who played basketball at CCC in the 1950s before joining the Harlem Clowns and eventually returning to the col-lege, would often cook for students who were hungry and was a shoul-der they could lean on.

So it was no surprise when Barnes was hired to take over Banks’ position when he retired. Barnes has been the equipment manager for 14 years at CCC and has earned respect and admiration from his colleagues.

Comet Athletic Director John Wade nominated Barnes for the CCCAA Hall of Fame.

“(Barnes) could be doing some-thing else but chose to give back,” Wade said. “He is an excellent employee, a great guy and a really good person.”

Barnes receives Hall of Fame bid

LEGENDARY FACE

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

On the mound — Comet Chris Lovejoy pitches during CCC’s 7-4 loss to College of Marin on Friday in Kentfield. The Comets dropped to 4-1 in conference play.

Humble star earns state recognition

ADAM OLIVER / THE ADVOCATE

Greatness — Equipment manager Benny Barnes will be inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association Hall of Fame on March 30. The former CCC football player appeared in three Super Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys and two Rose Bowls with Stanford University.

Comets continue to sacrifice gamesBy Malcolm Lastra

SPORTS EDITOR

[email protected]

This year’s softball season has been, in a word, chaotic.

The Comets are having one of their toughest seasons under coach Ed Miller as the team has struggled to maintain enough players to field a team and has canceled 15 of its 19 preseason games, many of which were scheduled doubleheaders.

“It’s difficult when you are trying to build a team,” said Miller, now in his third season as the team’s coach. “This is a year where we have had a lot of adversity, but the team I have is working hard and they’re all still in school.”

Contra Costa College (0-4 overall) can-celled 15 preseason games because of rainy weather conditions and not having enough players to compete due to ineligibility. Currently the Comets have 10 players who are eligible to play.

“With women’s sports, it takes a lot

to have a perfect team,” Athletic Director John Wade said. “In women’s sports, num-bers dictate success along with injuries and discipline, so when you have a team of 10 players, injuries and disciplinary actions can (hurt) the team.”

Miller removed a player and had several others quit the team prior to the beginning of practice in January after members of his team were involved in a fight off campus.

Current players say they are still bothered by the altercation.

“We try not to let what goes on off the field affect us,” freshman infielder Jessica Miller said. “We are trying to do something positive.”

Adding to the distractions, the Comets have struggled to maintain a full squad, as several players failed to sign up for the required 12 units to stay on the team.

Another problem the team faces is the lack of experienced players as the majority of the team has little or no softball experi-ence.

“The (players) I have out here may not be the best talent wise,” Miller said, “but they have good chemistry and that is what makes winners to me.”

Miller and players agree that the canceled games have given the Comets more time to practice together as the team continues to search for its identity.

“(Canceling these games) gives us more time to practice,” Jessica Miller, no relation to her coach, said.

“It’s only preseason games, so (cancel-ling the games) is not really important,” Ed Miller said. “A lot of teams cancel (pre-season games) because of weather condi-tions or being short of players.”

When a team cancels a game, it must make sure to notify the opposing squad oth-erwise the team could be fined by referees for a late forfeit.

“So far we haven’t been billed for any games that have been canceled,” Wade said. “The referees can fine the school if the for-feit isn’t timely.”

The Comet game most recently canceled was against Mission College on March 5. Miller’s short roster and coaching complica-tions with Mission led to the umpires calling off the game.

After taking losses against Santa Rosa Junior College (twice), City College of San Francisco and San Joaquin Delta College, the Comets will have their hands full entering their third and fourth Bay Valley Conference games as they host Solano Community College (9-4-1) on Thursday at home. The team played a doubleheader at College of Marin after press time on Tuesday.

Despite the team’s lack of experience, several players are satisfied with just being on the team and able to compete.

“If the (less experienced) players weren’t playing, we wouldn’t have a team this year,” freshman shortstop Myeisha Ellison said.

Throughout the adversity the team has faced, Miller said he is proud of the 10 play-ers he has as they show up to practice and put out a strong effort there and in games.

By Rodney WoodsonSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

KENTFIELD — Despite scor-ing three runs in the sixth inning, Contra Costa College lost its first conference game of the year 7-4 at the College of Marin on Friday.

The Comets (6-10 overall, 4-1 Bay Valley Conference) came into the game riding a three-game winning streak due to solid pitching and strong defensive efforts. In Friday’s game, however, CCC gave up seven runs to the Mariners (11-6 overall, 3-2 BVC).

The Comets play their next game Thursday against Los Medanos College (5-11 overall, 3-2 BVC) at 2 p.m. in Pittsburg.

“We weren’t getting to any of our (defensive) positions,” Comet third baseman Cameron Doorn

said of Friday’s loss. “We weren’t as good as we should have been. We were dropping fly balls and we didn’t execute our fundamentals correctly. The sun played a little part in our defensive struggles.”

Marin finished the game with 12 hits against CCC, includ-ing three doubles and two triples.

“We came out flat,” coach Marvin Webb said. “We didn’t have the same energy we had been playing with the last three games and it showed. We were nonchalant get-

ting after ground balls and we missed a few flies.”

After taking a one-run lead in the top of the first, CCC gave up two runs to the Mariners in the bottom of the inning. Over the next few innings the Mariners scored five unanswered runs behind the solid hitting of outfielder Devon

Zenn.In the top of the sixth inning,

the Comets finally answered by scoring three runs.

“We showed a little hunger,” Comet first baseman Trevon Prince said. “We wanted it in that inning. We were a little more aggressive at bat but you can’t just play hard for one inning, you have to play all nine.”

After cutting the lead to one run, 5-4, CCC continued its strug-gles, giving up two runs in the bot-tom-half of the inning.

During the final three innings CCC batters only managed to get one single and struck out five times.

“We didn’t swing the bat with any desire today,” Webb said.

Aside from the good at bats they had in the sixth inning, the Comets struggled at the plate as a total of 11 batters struck out.

“We need to swing at better pitches and take a better approach at the plate,” Doorn said.

CCC loses to Mariners, offense fails to deliver

ScoreBoard

Mariners 7Comets 4

Next game: Thursday at Los Medanos, 2 p.m.

By George MorinART DIRECTOR

[email protected]

The prospect of grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning seems like an easy choice for most with franchises like Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee.

But those seeking a unique and gratifying brew of coffee any day of the week should try Catahoula Coffee Company and Roastery at 12472 San Pablo Ave. in Richmond.

Beating the taste of most chain coffee shops, this quaint coffee house waves goodbye to the monotony of Starbucks or Peet’s coffees and sets its sight on taste and unique-ness of brew and roast.

With its slogan “no char,” meaning that the coffee is not burnt or over roasted, it shows the baristas take care of every cup they’ve poured since it the shot opened in 2008.

“I’m just a simple man who fell in love with coffee and the roast-ing process,” Catahoula owner Timber Manhart said. “My goal is to deliver quality coffee that supports the farmers, sustains

the environment and educates the coffee drinking community as to what good coffee is.”

This coffee shop embraces the quality and practice put into brew-ing a great cup of coffee. The cost of a cup of coffee is a mere $2. But elaborate drinks can cost up to $4. Catahoula is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The black, rich and comfort-ing flavor of the coffee sits in the mouth and coats all its taste buds. One can say it is almost refresh-ing to come across a brew unique enough to not make you quiver by drinking it without cream or sugar.

The strength of caffeine in Catahoula brews outweighs com-petitors — it is definitely one strong cup of coffee.

The coffee house stands out with its bright orange walls, fences made of rock and its rigid metal-worked Catahoula sign. As customers enter the building, workers are quick to offer help. The walls of the room are stocked with giant bags of coffee beans from Africa, South America and Indonesia.

The coffee house offers an intimate and relaxing atmosphere with its quiet, embracing music playing in the background.

The seats and tables are usually full with regulars making their daily pit stops to pick up coffee, but one can also sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffee conversing with the many patrons sitting and enjoy the outside air with their brews.

Sitting behind the counter is a giant coffee roaster where, every

THE ADVOCATE l WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 20118 SCENE

Games

CDs

DVDs

Movies

This week:“Bill Cunningham New York” (PG)

“Paul” (R)

“The Lincoln Lawyer” (R)

“Limitless” (PG-13)

“The Music Never Stopped” (PG)

Unleashed

Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releas-es for the week.

Catahoula drinks attract customers


Morning ritual — Royal Import Coffee delivery man Rocky Archuleta enjoys a cup of coffee after delivering coffee beans to the Catahoula Coffee Company and Roastery in Richmond on March 11.

Coffee shop brews fresh expectations

‘Port Entropy’uses upbeat instrumentals in 4th album

This week:“Sharktopus”(PG)

“The Switch”(PG-13)

“Hemmingway’s Garden of Eden” (PG)

“A Shine Of Rainbows” (PG)

“The Fighter” (R)

This week:The Dodos: “No Color”

J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.): “Several Shades of Why”

Rise Against: “Endgame”

Smoking Popes: “This Is Only A Test”

Telekenesis: “12 Desperate Straight Lines”

This week:Homefront (PS3, XBOX 360, PC)

Trackmania: Build to Race (Wii)

Yakuza 4 (PS3)

LEGO Star Wars III (DS)

Shogun 2: Total War (PC)

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morning, the workers right in front of your eyes, roast many dif-ferent coffee beans to their differ-ent perfections.

This is a sight to see compared to coffee at other shops that is just shipped and put in a coffee filter to be served.

This coffee house holds many signature house flavors. From the clever names of the many coffee brews ranging from the sweet taste of the “Lola,” “Ricky’s Buzz” and “Mokka” blends — all names inspired by the owner’s pet

dogs — to the strongly caffein-ated and slightly bitter taste of the “Butkus” blend.

Even with its more elaborate drinks, it stands out from the mundane coffee shops, with its “Cubano” shots — a pressed espresso shot brewed at the bot-tom of a cup of coffee or latte to add an extra kick of caffeine and flavor.

To all coffee enthusiasts out there, this is a place to truly find what you have been looking for in a 16-ounce cup.

By Faythe Del RosarioSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

Multi-instrumentalist Shugo Tokumaru’s fourth album, “Port Entropy,” is a little jewel that shines, but it appears dull when compared

to his previous work.

Being an avid collector of more than 100 regu-lar and toy instruments, Tokumaru incorporates the use of these assorted gadgets into his songs. With such an extensive selection, this

Japanese musician brings audiences a unique perspec-tive to experimental pop with strong folk and indie tenden-cies.

“Port Entropy” contains 13 tracks that can make almost anyone smile. Listening to the album takes one to a place of instant nostalgia — like this album was meant to take the listener back to the good times of childhood.

The recordings take listen-ers on an upbeat and cheery car ride set on cruise control.

Although the album was released in Japan almost a year ago, “Port Entropy” made its debut in the United States

on Feb. 15.Tokumaru draws the lyri-

cal basis for his music from a dream journal he maintains almost daily.

The 11th track on the album, “Orange,” induces sounds creating an imagina-tive and dream-like scene at a carnival on a sunny day.

The song starts off with a toy piano being played by Tokumaru. The delightful and distinctive sound cre-ates something whimsical. Listening to “Orange,” the song does not only bring a colorful mental image, but it would sound perfect in an immersible and fun video game.

The majority of Tokumaru’s lyrics are sung in his native tongue, Japanese, but it is not necessary to know the lan-guage to listen to his work.

In one of the more pre-dominantly vocalized songs on the album, “Laminate,” the instruments render a melodic, constant moving setting that slows down toward the end. The way Tokumaru sings accompanies the instruments in an expressive approach. The emotion portrayed in this song will make the lis-tener wonder what these lyrics translate to in English.

Overall, “Port Entropy” is worth a listen. Do not let the difference in language be the deciding factor in whether to listen to Tokumaru’s record-ings or not.

“Port Entropy”

★★★★★Artist: Shugo TokumaruGenre: Indie PopLabel: Polyvinyl RecordsRelease Date:Feb. 15

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The Advocate - March 16, 2011

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