By Jeannie Batey

Rampage Reporter

By Joseph Boone

Rampage Reporter

Volume CXV1, edition 7 Since 1949 November 26, 2008

INSIDE

Disabled student outreachSee Page 5

Madame President

Crime is on the rise at Fresno City College. In the fall semester there has been multiple break-ins on campus, one of the biggest occuring over Halloween weekend.

When a total of 13 windows were smashed at the Business Education offices, and personal belongings were stolen.

Faculty and staff within the department would not comment on the issue because of an ongoing investigation, but the FCC Police Lieutenant, Richard K. Gaines said, “We were having some is-sues with that as far as trying to resolve it.”

Gaines also said that there was another incident over the weekend but the police were ready for it because of the previ-ous two.

“We set up some surveil-lance, and over the weekend, we actually did catch individuals that had broken in and were inside the building. So we have two people we got in custody immediately and a third took off on foot,” Gaines said, but would not provide further information on the third individu-al.

These break-ins came at a high cost while the police did not have an exact estimate at this time. Gaines said, “The windows alone, we are estimating cost about $400 a piece. We’re talking over 20 rooms, so that’s quite a bit, and property wise, it’s about $10,000 in damages and theft.”

In addition to the break-in increase and grand theft on cam-pus, petty theft is also on the rise.

Bike theft has become more common. Gaines said the number of bikes stolen each semester, “is significant enough that we take a lot of reports on the thefts.”

He added that the theft

Crime increases; police tighten security

See “Security” page four

See “New” page two

President Azari’s position is announced. She will assume her role on January 2, 2009.center photo by FCC PIO

Dr. Cynthia Az-ari, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Develop-ment and Educational Services at State Center Community College District has been se-lected as president of Fresno City College.

She is the first female to lead the 98-year-old college; she takes the reigns of FCC on Jan. 2.

SCCCD Chan-cellor Thomas Crow and the Board of Trustees made the announcement Monday.

“[Azari] has a strong track record of success, well earned success, and I think she is a perfect fit for the position,” said Crow.

Former President of FCC, Dr. Doffoney said, “I’m very pleased with the college and district’s choice. Dr. Azari is a talented and capable leader who will certainly propel the college to new heights.”

Many gathered for the historic announcement delivered outside the President’s Office.

Light refreshments were

served as FCC’s new president fielded questions.

Azari said her biggest chal-lenge would be “just becoming a

Chemistry teacher donates kidneyBy David De Leon

Rampage Reporter

Within a smal l Easton community, two men from different walks of life are now joined to-gether forever through the miracle of giving. One of them happens to be Robb Culp, a Chemistry instructor at Fresno City College, Carlos Esqueda, the recipient, had been relying on a complicated dialysis mechanism at-

tached to his arm to keep him healthy. Esqueda was in dire need of a donor kid-ney. For some, it would take a miracle to receive a new organ because of the lengthy process. However, Esqueda would not have to look far to find his miracle.

Robb Culp, full time instructor at Fresno City College since the mid ‘90s, gave Esqueda something even more precious than he could imagine.

Esqueda and

Culp were relative strang-ers before the operation. Esqueda is a member of Restoration Outreach Com-munity Center while Culp is an elder at Easton Pres-byterian Church. Both were acquainted through attending a Men’s breakfast meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church held on Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. Sitting on opposite sides of the room. They did not have much interaction with

See “Scars” page twoPhoto by Ramiro GudinoChemistry Instructor Robb Culp

part of the campus.” She added, “I think the top priority is to en-sure that we continue to provide quality education, and that’s en-

suring that we have the resources, both human and financial…with the downturn in the economy that’s

Big Money BailoutsSee Page 12

“Jack Goes Boating”See Page 8

DUI TaleSee Page 10

UndefeatedSee Page 15

photos by Ramiro Gudino

November 26, 20082 Rampage News

Jeannie Batey, Ivette Lopez,

Joseph Boone, Deshad Cato,

John Esquivel, Kristen Petros,

Melissa Ramirez, Pedro Quintana,

Alexis Abrahamson,

Brendon Mustaciola,

Ramiro Gudino, Sebouh Simonian,

Tim Limbrick, David Malagon, Patrick Willey, David De Leon,

Mark Smith.

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each other. Those in the group say a prayer when

nearing the end of the breakfast. Culp over-heard Esqueda’s prayer and decided to be his miracle. Culp would turn out to be a perfect match for Esqueda. Culp, had taken good care of himself and did not abuse alcohol, all of which was beneficial to the operation.

From start to finish, it was not always smooth sailing. “My wife was initially hesi-tant; my mother freaked out,” Culp admitted. “After a day, day-and-a-half, she [Mom] came to think it could be a good thing.”Culp knew the dangers and risks but did not waiver in his determination to help. Luckily, he was fine, but Esqueda developed a cyst which needed to drained. Completling this procedure done was more time consuming than the pair had anticipated on.

“I’m very greatful to Robb for what he’s done; it takes a lot for a person to give up a body part that he gave to me, and it took a lot of love in his heart for him to do that. We are now family together, forever,” Said Carlos Esqueda, who has not had to have dialysis and feels great since the operation.

Univision Channel 21 recently aired a story on the return of Culp to the classroom and had interviewed both men prior to the surgery as well. The story drew a lot of at-tention from an unlikely source for Culp, the Spanish speaking community.

Both men also appeared in a few churches in the area to talk about their

experience and how their faith brought them together. The pair were also asked to speak at Fresno County Boot Camp, where oddly enough, Culp was able to meet with two of his incoming students for the next semester.

Yeemon Lee, a student in one of Culp’s Chemistry 3 classes was happy for the return of Culp.

“We had a really difficult time in the class with different teachers.” Lee said, adding she was glad that he looked the same way as when he left a little over two months ago.

“It was kind of hard, because I’ve never slept so well through chemistry,”said Phing Lee, another student of Culp’s who enumerated the problems he had with the replacement teacher.

Phing Lee also raised the question, “Should teachers be allowed to leave mid semester in order to do something better for society, like giving an organ?” He explained, “If a student can leave in the semester because of some medical complication or bettering society, then so should teachers.”

About his first day back, Culp said he felt great and glad to be back and well received. He mentioned a collection of scars, but that he was not feeling any worse for wear. Culp said “Investing in another person, the joy in that is far above whatever little sacrifice. The rest of my life, someone will ask where the scars are from, and I will get to tell them about the story of Carlos.”

Scars speak of Answered PrayerContinued from page one

New President Elected

Continued from page 1

New President Cynthia Azari Photo by Ramiro Gudino

also a challenge.”On anything she wanted to change im-

mediately, Azari said, “At this point no; I don’t have anything I want to change; I do want to start planning for the centennial.”

Azari addressed FCC’s increasing enrollment as community colleges across the nation face decreased enrollment.

“We are looking at the sections where we have wait lists, and if we’re able to provide more, a lot of it has to do with space. But we’re also increasing our distance education, so that when you have a class that’s offered online you don’t need a classroom, but we are seeing wait lists and we want to try to accommodate as many students as possible.”

Azari said in a previous interview with

the Rampage. “I bring a passion for student success and I believe that FCC is a premier institution in this state; I will continue to build upon the foundation of excellence that has been laid...I will bring a spirit of collaboration, open communication and trust.”

Before joining SCCCD, Azari served as President of Butler Community College in Butler, Pennsylvania. She has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Seattle University, a Masters in Indus-trial Relation and a Masters in Education Administration from West Virginia Uni-versity and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government, with a minor in History from Houston College.

News Rampage 3November 26, 2008

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Several indicators point to a wors-ening economy, according to a poll by the Gallup Corporation. This downturn will likely affect nonprofits. However, the holiday season always brings in the spirit of giving and with that, an abundance of programs designed to assist those in need. In the Central Valley, several associations particularly help communities and familes having a hard time.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a long running campaign in which donated toys are given to needy families whose chil-dren would otherwise have been toy-less for the Christmas. The aim for the foundation is to help boost the self esteem of these less fortunate children so that these leaders of tomorrow will have hope for the future. Often the toys used are new or slightly used. To find a drop off location and receive more information about Toys for Tots, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Pelco, the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of video and security systems and equipment ideal for any industry, is holding a Toys For Tots Fun Run on Dec. 6 in Fresno. This event is in association with the Marine’s Founda-tion and will take place at California State

University, Fresno – Satellite Student Union at Maple Mall, near Barstow Ave. For more information about this event, visit http://www.pelco.com/company/tft/.

Downtown’s Fresno Rescue Mission has always been stationed in the heart of the Fresno and acts as a haven for the battered and homeless. Their goal is not only to meet the physical needs of food, clothing and shelter, but to provide spiritual support that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Fresno Rescue Mission can be contacted through their website at http://www.fres-norescuemission.org/aboutus.html.

As always, The Salvation Army can be seen in store front and along sidewalks doing what they can to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless, in keeping with the spirit of the season. Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need. Financial assistance also helps with basic necessities, along with seasonal aid. Families of prisoners often are included. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Many churches in Fresno extend their helping hand in a series of ways. Some hand out clothes, like Southwest Fresno’s Disciple Community Christian Fellowship. Co-pastor of DCCF and Fresno City College Job Developer, Mike Hopkins said, “We’re just happy to help the community in West Fresno”.

ALendingHand

Local organizations offer outreach

About 350 struggling Fresno City College students will have a better Holiday season; thanks to the College Activities of-fice of FCC and its annual holiday gift bas-kets. The faculty and staff nominate students who are in need for this holiday season. To qualify, students must be enrolled in two classes and have to be a single head of the household with children. Recepients could be laid off or experiencing hardship.

This year, College Activities is doing something very different from last year; they’re providing the recipients a fifty dol-lar gift card to Save Mart, where they can purchase grocery for the holiday season. The office will join with Toys for Tots, to provide toys for the recipients who have children.

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU),ASG, and Faculty & Staff are all donating to this charity. Last year, EECU donated over $ 2,000, while ASG donated over $3,000 for the holiday gift bag. College Activities is also having a dol-lar drive for the month of November, during which students can drop by the EOPS office or the Student Union to donate a dollar or more for the charity.

“It’s one of the most heart warming charities that is given to FCC students” said ASG President Danielle Valdez. “I was a volunteer last year and will be again this year. Seeing the relief and smiles from these students, knowing that they are not going

GiftbagsPedro Quintana

Rampage Reporter

to be without food for Thanksgiving is one of the moments I will never forget. ASG is proud to be able to give and be a part of this event,” said Valdez.

The Holiday gift baskets started in 1990 with Interim President Dr. Art Ellis; it was created to help students who were facing challenges during that time, helping them out during the holiday season. In the begining, fifty students received the holiday gift baskets in 1990, now it has grown over the past decade to over 350 recipients, and it’s still growing. This year, College Activi-ties goal is to help 350 students.

So far over 325 nominations have been received for the award in December.

“ We want it to make it easier for the recipients who receive the gift bag. Many don’t have a vehicle, so this will help them if they have to travel in public transportation or riding their bikes,” said Maile Glover Committee Advisor about the decision to give a gift card.

If you want to donate to the holiday gift bag, ASG will be accepting donation until December 7. A $50 donation covers the whole cost of a Holiday Gift bag. It will include a gift certificate to Save Mart and fruits such as California figs, raisins, candy canes, toothpaste, and much more.

Maile Glover, Committee Advi-sor said, “Every year, FCC faculty, staff, students and community members step up to support our students in need through generous donation to the holiday gift bag project. On behalf of the committee, I com-mend everyone for helping FCC give to the greater good of all,”

Bringing joy to less fortunate students

4 Rampage November 26, 2008News

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10 a.m. - 2 p.m: Booths in the Free Speech Area

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Sponsored by the Fresno City College Associated Government

activity “goes in spurts, generally when the weather is good, and there are a lot of bikes out; that’s when we start get-ting thefts.

“They usually pick off the ones that aren’t locked first. Then the cable locks are easily defeated so they get picked up pretty quick.”

Gaines make a recommendation to bike users, who use the usual cable to lock them, “I would get the U-Locks they are very hard to break.”

Another concern on campus is physical safety.The SCCCD Police con-firmed that there is no truth to the rumor that was floating around campus recently of a female student assaulted on the FCC campus.

According to the police logs, ha-rassment and assault are reported at least once a week. Presently no self-defense classes or crime prevention programs are offered at FCC.

Gaines said the campus police is open to the idea. Before that can happen however, Gaines said there has to be a

Security at FCC risesContinued from page 1

staff availability to, and a general inter-est from students.

Gaines said that in an emer-gency situation, one should always dial 911, but he explained that everyone learns the direct number of campus police,

“We’d be quicker; it’s right here on campus. Fresno Police depart-ment respond quickly, but unfortu-nately they don’t know the campus as well and they’re not right here like we are,” Gaines said.The direct number for campus police is 442-8201.

Gaines said that the crum-bling economy has a lot to do with the growing crime, he said,

“There’s a lot of people out of work and it’s just one of those times.” He said, “I think that people look for opportunities for theft and around the holidays are always a lot busier. It’s kind of one of the bad parts of the holiday. We have a lot of crime that starts to pick up around this time of the year, and that’s probably what we’re experiencing now.”

ASG Reacts to Budget CutsBy Ramiro Gudino

Rampage Reporter

With the economy struggling, leg-islators and administrators are looking to streamline budgets wherever they can. To college students, that could mean budget cuts and tuition hikes.

California Governor Arnold Schwar-zenegger’s proposed plan cuts $2.5 billion from education. Additional proposals would raise tuition to $26 dollars a unit, effective January 1, 2009. This would increase again to $30 a unit in the Fall 2009 semester.

These budget manipulations impact approximately 2.5 million junior college students statewide, a student body second only K-12 students (6 million), and greater than CSU and UC combined (600 thou-sand). Yet K-12 and CCC education face the greatest cuts: K-12: $2.2025 billion; CCC: $334.2 million; CSU $66.3 million; UC $65.902 million.

Fresno City College Associated Stu-dent Government (ASG) is spearheading an on campus effort to protest such tactics. Organized by Brandon Sisk, ASG legisla-tive vice president, and Sergey Salochov ASG senator, ASG has initiated a letter writing campaign to start student body’s

easiest means of speaking out. From their website, links have been created to make it easy to download pre-generated letters with blanks for a students to fill in their name, and representative. The site also provides a link to a database where users can search out their representative based upon by entering their zip code. The plan is to get students to complete the letter and email them back to ASG. They will print the letter out on let-terhead and mail/fax them to the appropriate offices.

Sisk mentions an attempt in 2003 by Governor Gray Davis to increase tuition from $11/unit.

“10 thousand students showed up [to protest]. It was eventually raised but it wasn’t a significant hike.”

Sisk stresses to that legislation lis-tens to the student body more than students realize.

“What is really important is that there are officials in the assembly against the governors proposed budget cuts. Its really significant because students are not the only ones fighting the battle.”

Links are available on the Rampage’s online edition at:www.fresnocitycollegerampage.com

Business Instructors discuss recent office break-ins. Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Rampage 5November 26, 2008 News

By Kristen Petros

Rampage Reporter

FREE ALTERATIONS

WITH RENTAL

Janice Emerzian has a passion for helping those who cannot always help themselves, and with a 25 year history of aiding people with disabilities, she has an impressive amount of experience doing so.

It was not always her plan to work with disabled students, though. “I started out wanting to teach high school chemistry,” said Dr. Emerzian, but after being inadvertently placed in a “special” class, she said she “absolutely fell in love with [disabled] students.”

Dr. Emerzian is the direc-tor of the Disabled Students Pro-grams and Services (DSP&S) for the State Center Commu-nity College District, including

Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Center, Madera Center, Oakhurst Center, the Training Institute, and the Ca-reer & Technology Center.

Emerzian has a doctor-ate in Educational Leadership/Higher Education and a Masters Degree in the area of disability and education, and an under-graduate degree in science.

DSP&S program of-fers many helpful services for disabled students on campus, from providing translators and note-takers to providing adap-tive physical education classes; DSP&S offers help for people with all ranges of disabilities. 10% of the student-body at FCC, approximately 2000 students, have some variety of disabili-ties, and roughly 250 of these students are in wheelchairs and require wheelchair access.

“Our latest groups [of students] are veterans from Iraq,” said Emerzian. These students come to Fresno City College with a variety of physi-cal disabilities. Emerzian helps to change and adapt DSP&S to meet the needs of each student. DSP&S is “one of the most comprehensive programs [of its kind] in the state,” said Dr. Emerzian.

One of the new pro-grams that DSP&S will be

Emerzian-A powerful voice for disabled studentsoffering is an adaptive physical education class that provides stu-dents with exercise while utilizing Nintendo Wii systems, which have been donated to their program. “Some areas need to be reinvented, after so many years, things become stale,” said Dr. Emerzian.

The DSP&S program relies on the support of Dr. Guy F. Lease, the interim president at Fresno City College, who, according to Dr. Emerzian, has been “very responsive and sym-pathetic.” She hopes that the new college president will be just as responsive.

Students in the DSP&S program have a variety of dis-abilities, from physical disabilities including deafness and blindness or paralyses, to mental disabilities such as developmental disabilities or learning disabilities. These dis-abled students are able to achieve

GPAs that are as high as, if not higher than, students without disabilities. Dr. Emerzian is very proud of last year’s three Deans Medallion Recipients that were in the DSP&S program. DSP&S also has a high rate of students transferring to four year colleges, and a very high rate of employed

students, following graduation from a vocational program.

Emerzian notes a specific student, Michael Janoose, who was able to graduate from his four-year-college and become the Deputy Director of the State Department of Developmental Disabilities. These are just a few examples of the capabilities of disabled students.

Dr. Emerzian says she would like to see this number increase in the years to come, though. She also notes that some disabled students may not have the ability to graduate or go to work, but the DSP&S programs are “able to give them something to wake up for every morning.”

The DSP&S program also offers a Transition to College program in high schools across the valley. This offers resources to make the transition from high

school to col-lege an easy on for disabled high school stu-dents.

How-ever, due to their lack of available space, funding, and full-time staff members, DSP&S is not able to provide e v e r y t h i n g that Dr. Emer-z i a n w i s h e s t h e y c o u l d . Their funding comes directly from the state of California, which means the Governor’s

budget cuts could directly impact their program, and their lack of available space and adaptive classrooms make it even more challenging to provide as much as possible for these students.

Emerzian notes how frus-trating, and even dangerous, it is for disabled students to have to

navigate across FCC’s sprawling campus, which may include go-ing up and down stairs, in order to utilize the services provided for them. There is currently a plan submitted to move the DSP&S of-fices and services into one central, and safe, location.

Dr. Emerzian and the DSP&S staff are very excited about this opportunity. “We have been waiting 25 years for some-thing like this,” she said. Many groups around the college are sup-porting the move of the DSP&S office, and the staff is working with these groups to gain influence on campus. Included in the plans for this move are some adaptive classrooms for students with se-

vere disabilities. Among the staff of the

DSP&S program are three full time counselors, who have some of the highest case loads of their kind. “We need more counselors,” said Dr. Emerzian. There are also 125 student aides, including a variety of inter-preters and note takers. who are not paid, but are instead compensated by eligibility for priority registration.

Dr. Emerzian said that “without [DSP&S], students would have no one.” Ashe explained that among everything else that this program provides, the office of the Disabled Students Programs and Services is “the voice for many many students who get stranded and depressed.”

Emerzian assists students. photo by Ramiro Gudino

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Dr. Janice Emerzian Photo courtesy of FCC PIO

By Mark Smith

Rampage Reporter

November 26, 20086 Rampage News

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“Our built environment is responsible for a gigantic portion of our waste stream and energy consumption. We must act locally and think globally to help fight these wasteful practices,” said Misha Rauchwerger, an expert in natural building and permaculture (sustainable human systems) dur-ing an hour-long presentation on Nov. 13.

Invited to speak at Fresno City by the Sustainable Actions club, Rauchwerger delivered his presentation in the library confer-ence room with his wife, Elisheva Coenen. Together they described the key reasons behind the idea of natural building and how it ties in to our everyday lives.

Rauchwerger described natural building as “building with the most local and unprocessed materials, in the least energy intensive way, and using them to-gether in a sustainable way which functions for your climate or area.” He showed pictures of many buildings from around the world which use almost entirely natural, local materials and consume little to no energy when building or up keeping as compared to the toxic and wasteful buildings that are the current norm.

Rauchwerger and his wife live in a house built using the “straw-bale construction” method, which uses straw bales as walls and insulation. This method uses about half the wood of a typical home, requires no air conditioning and very little heating, is more fire

Expert lauds sustainable building methodsresistant, non-toxic, and will last for centuries. Combined with use of solar panels on the house, and Rauchwerger’s home produces its own electricity and also heats its radiant floors with the sun.

During this presentation, Rauchwerger presented some dis-turbing facts about society’s cur-rent building methods, “Concrete is the second most used substance in the world next to water. Did you know we use more than one cubic meter of concrete per person, per year? That’s over six billion cubic meters of concrete, a year.” He went on to describe how the pro-cess to make concrete is one of the leading producers of carbon diox-ide, and how eliminating concrete uses on our roads, driveways, and housing foundations will be one of the biggest efforts in the fight against greenhouse gasses.

Not only that, there are also growing health problems associ-ated with conventional building materials and practices. Sick building syndrome, or SBS, is caused by the off-gassing of toxic air pollutants found in many of our building materials including plywood, glues, paints and other synthetic products, leading to a wide array of ailments. Natural buildings can prevent this serious health issue through the use of non-toxic and natural products. Rauchwerger explained that be-cause the lime plaster and straw walls are permeable, indoor air is automatically exchanged without affecting indoor temperature. Because their home has no danger-ous, toxic chemicals in their choice of wall finish or other decorative products, the air quality inside

their house is much healthier than the majority of today’s homes. Subsequently, their risk for SBS is almost nonexistent.

Following the presentation, a demonstration of natural build-ing principles was given on the free speech lawn. The Sustainable Actions club and Rauchwerger gathered the necessary materials to create cob, or monolithic adobe, an ancient building material similar to adobe and used by as much as a third of the world’s population. Mixing together clay, sand, straw, and water, the sustainable actions club made a large pile of cob, which can be used to build any-thing from houses to bread ovens. This material is an effective tool in art as well as practical use, because it’s very cost efficient and incred-ibly easy to make.

This is just one of many projects that the Sustainable Ac-tions club has been involved with.

When the club observed a noticeable lack of recycling containers around campus, they decided to rectify the problem. Students may have noticed uncon-ventional recycling bins around campus, usually located next to trash cans. Comprised entirely of found materials around town and student artwork from members of sustainable actions, students are encouraged to use these bins for their recyclable materials. The club will be sustaining the bins.

“It seems simple to place recycling bins next to trash cans,” said Ashley Boujikian, an active member of Sustainable Actions, “before we put up the bins students were hardly offered the choice to

recycle, even if they wanted to. The only bins that we had were in front of the library and bookstore.” Thanks to sustainable actions, re-cycling bins are now a prevalent sight on campus.

Keeping in line with their motto, which club president Dia-nah VaVerka described as “To raise awareness of traditional wisdoms to create a local, sustainable life-style”, the club has also been work-ing towards planting more trees on campus and the establishment of a community garden at Fresno City. “When the extensions to the college’s parking lot were built a few years ago, 10 native trees used in the Biology curriculum were cut down without notification,” said Boujikian. Sustainable Ac-tions hope to reverse this with the planting of more trees.

If outdoor activity is more your style, the Sustainable Ac-tions club has something for you as well. The club works regularly with Sierra Foothill Conservancy, or SFC, a group that owns four nature preserves in the foothills and helps to conserve and protect land in that same region. SFC offers nature classes and hikes in the foothills, detailing biological, geological, historical, and more information about various areas of these preserves. Craig Poole and Rodney Olson, two professors at Fresno City, are some of the teachers who instruct these classes and hikes.

Senate Notes On November 19, the aca-demic senate met for its bi-weekly meeting. Here are some of the key issues that were discussed:

• For AP credit from high school to be recognized on college transcripts, students must go to the admissions and records office and ask to put the credit on their transcript.

• The academic senate’s spring elections are coming up. Interested staff should contact the academic senate for more information. Staff need not be senate members to be elected.

• On December 4, there will be a basic skills workshop here at FCC. Dr. Ivey, a professor at Fresno State, will be speaking about basic skills on campus. This will be an important workshop for students who are looking for information about how to succeed in these final weeks of the semester.

• There has been a recent faculty inquiry into the lack of interest or understanding from students regarding their textbooks, sometimes even the lack of purchase. The faculty will be applying for money to research an answer to this quandary.

EntertainmentNovember 26, 2008 Rampage 7

Dropping chandeliers, poisonous darts, and explod-ing staircases could only mean one thing; something’s afoot and the butler didn’t do it. Terry Lewis directs and vo-cal coaches Good Company Player’s Something’s Afoot, a British comedy set in 1935 in which the entire cast dies. The show runs Wednesday through Sunday until January 11, 2009.

The play takes place at the country house of Lord Dudley Rancour, located somewhere on an island in the middle of a lake. Lettie (Veronica Smida Weber) the new maid, Flint (Dan Pes-sano) the caretaker, and Clive (Michael Antonio-Torralva) the butler, prepare the house for the upcoming guests who have been invited for “A Marvelous Weekend” with Lord Rancour. As the guests arrive, their dream weekend takes a turn for the worse when the guests discover that Lord Rancour and Clive are dead.

Miss Tweed (Bar-bara W. Vlymen) decides to investigate, the others immediately start pointing fingers at their newest guest Geoffrey (Taylor Babcock) a col-lege student caught in the storm. Throughout the progression of the play the guests become aware that their significance here was not a coincidence and realize they have past connections with Lord Rancour as well as each other. The only known heir to the Rancour estate is Nigel Rancour (Jamie Briceno) nephew to Lord Rancour, whose only interest is finding the will and making sure he’s in it. One by one, the guests start dy-ing by traps set up throughout the house and it soon becomes clear that no one is safe and no one is innocent.

The play itself was a great idea. Though it may be some-what unknown, it holds strong enough to fill the theater as the show progresses. I also felt that the crew put a lot into this production. From the eye dropping set design by David Pierce, to the out there costumes by Ginger Lewis-Reed, there wasn’t a boring moment to see.

Another credit due is to-wards the choreography made so by Julie Lucido. Though the steps were sometimes out of sync, the dances themselves fit each char-acter and number perfectly. One number that stood out for me in particular was “The Legal Heir” sung by the character of Nigel. The choreography in this number fit the character with the elegance yet giddiness that is Nigel. He jumps,

turns, and leaps all while remain-ing sneaky and singing.

The show held a cast of about 10 characters that each stood out in their own way. Prob-ably one of my favorites was Flint, the caretaker. The way Dan Pessano portrayed his character made the show even that more interesting. He went about with the idea that maybe Flint is the killer and it came across perfectly

throughout the show until his death occurred, but even then the fin-ger was still pointed at him. His character had most of the comic lines, and I have the feeling that had Flint been played by anyone but Pessano, the comedy wouldn’t have come across to the audience as much.

One problem I did have was with the sound, done by An-drea Henrickson/Dave Filipczak.

Though the theatre itself is small, it was very difficult to hear any of the actors. Projection didn’t seem to be the cause of the problem. Also, the music was very low and there were times when the actors would be off tempo because of it.

The entire cast seemed to just melt into their characters as if they’ve been doing it for years. Not one person looked out of place, and this made it easier

to really fall into the story. Each British accent was done with a certain charm that was over the top, yet believable. All in all, this production of Something’s Afoot is defiantly worth your money and time.

For more information on exact show times and ticket prices contact the box office at (559) 266-9494 or visit there website at www.gcplayers.com.

Roger Rocka’s Got ‘Something Afoot’New Production Retells an Author’s Classic Tale

Rampage Reporter

By Melissa Ramirez

A dynamic group makes up the cast of ‘Something Afoot’ Photo Courtesy of Good Company Players

8 Rampage November 26, 2008Entertainment

Jack goes Boating to Reel in laughsJeannie Batey

Rampage Reporter

Rehearsals have started for the newest theatre pro-duction, Jack Goes Boating. The director, Chuck Erven said, “the play is really a story of misfit love, two sort of social misfits connect and find each other against the odds.”

It’s a four-character play, starring Magnus Chhan as Jack, Danielle Cash as Lucy, Nick Haas as Clyde, and Syd-ney Mason as Connie. Clyde and Lucy, the married couple of the play, try to hook up social misfits, Jack and Connie.

It is a romantic comedy that about finding a posi-tive vibe, and Jack tries to do that by getting into Reggae music. He is a character that Erven says, “ perseveres,” jumping into the dating world and learns how to swim for his love interest, cook for her, and acquires new life skills as the play goes on.

But the play also has some content that might not be appropriate for children.

Clyde (Nick Haas) and Lucy (Danielle Cash) conspire to set up their misfit friend Jack with a date. Photo by Ramiro Gudino

“It’s rated, if there is a rating for plays, the movie equivalent of “R” because there’s some language in it and they do drugs, they smoke pot a lot, so it’s a play with adult content, no nudity,” said Erven. ”But you don’t want to bring your 14-year-old with you.” The characters are friends and they get stoned often, “They do a variety of drugs and it’s not about the drugs, not to a point where you feel bad for them, like the drug use is a sort of problem for the character, it’s just the way they deal with life,” Erven said.

Lead Actor, Nick Haas said that “Jack Goes Boat-ing” is an endearing story about the average person. Haas plays the part of Clyde, who is Jack’s good friend and one of the masterminds behind his connection with Connie. Haas wasn’t bothered by the mature content of the play. “You shouldn’t be turned off by certain elements of the play. There is so much more than what they do in terms of the drug use and language,” he said.

Erven said that this play is very contemporary and really for a college age audience.

“If you like movies like Knocked up, Pineapple Express, and Little Miss Sunshine those are very much like this. The play has the same kind of tone to it.” Erven con-tinued and said that the play has the same sort of rhythm as Seinfeld.

Bob Glaudini (who also wrote the plays Dutch Heart Of Man and A View from 151st Street) penned the play in 2006. Erven said he chose this play because it’s funny, light and also very real.

Erven added, “What sort of drew me to the play was the fact that there are four very flawed people, and yet we have such sympathy for them and we connect to them completely. For the actors, a lot of these plays are kinda inarticulate and so the actors find out what’s going on in the text, it is great fun, funny for an audience, and it’s a challenge for the actor.”

The play is still in the rehearsal stage; Opening night is Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Dec. 13.

This is your Bond on drugsRampage Reporter

By Patrick Wiley

James Bond is a Swiss army knife looking for revenge in the latest spy thriller Quantum of Solace.

Don’t fret if you haven’t seen its predecessor Casino Royale. There are movies we watch just for the thrill, Quantum of Solace is one of those films.

The plot is not impressive. It hinges on the bad-ness of the bad guy, who in Quantum is a man by the name of Dominic Greenez (Mathieu Amalric). Almaric nails down the persona none gratis, and Bond is hellbent on delivering a spicy dish of retribution.

Olga Kurylenko is the Ukrainian born actress who does away with the phrase “revenge is a dish best served cold”. She plays Camille, who is in her own respect the “Bond Girl”, and you’ll have to wait until the plot thickens to see who she really is.

Just as in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig plays the real Bond, not the brooding panic stricken Bond, but the well balanced, soft spoken, in your face Bond. Quantum revolves around Craig’s charismatic portrayal of the ultra-high-defined new age rendering of 007.

Whatever you do, don’t go to the bathroom but keep your drink nearby, ready to sip imaginary martinis, shaken and not stirred, because you’re going to need

some tranquil time-outs between the hair raising plot twists of Quantum. There is no possible way you can keep from wetting yourself anyway.

In all seriousness, this is the new age of Bond. He is going from License to Kill to “license to destroy your mind.’

This movie deserves an A+, but wait, it got my blood sugar levels in neutral on this one, two A’s, one for Bond, and one for keeping these kids off of the drugs!

Final Grade AA+

starsmedia.ign.comQuantom of Solace is Bond’s latest adventrue film.

Rampage 9November 26, 2008 Entertainment

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com • Ticketmaster outlets • 485-TIXS • Box OfficeGroups (20+): 445-8183 • Info: www.BroadwayInFresno.com*Student rush tickets not valid with any other discount or promotional offer.

Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability.

Student Rush-50% Off!50% off best available seats • Available at the box office

2 hours prior to curtain. Bring valid student I.D.*

December 3 • Saroyan Theatre

Disney’s latest computer animated effort, Bolt, is a computer-animated film about a five year-old dog named Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) who has been raised to believe he is a super-dog that routinely saves his person, Penny (Miley Cyrus, but really, who cares?).

However, this all turns out to be a ruse; televi-sion producers have forced Penny and other filmmak-ers to raise Bolt to believe he is a superhero, rendering his life a complete lie (basically The Truman Show with Jim Carrey replaced with a dog). When the show takes a new turn plot-wise, Bolt is trapped in his room and believes that Penny has been kidnapped. He then sets out on a mission to save Penny, no matter the costs. Along the way he must deal with the concepts of illusion vs. reality, self-worth, and friendships.

The film co-stars Sussie Essman (Curb Your

Enthusiasm) as the feisty cat Mittens, Malcom Mc-Dowell (A Clockwork Orange) as The Green-Eyed Man and James Lipton as the director (Inside the Actors Studio). Bolt is fine Disney film that slightly satirizes the saccharine Disney formula.

Just to avoid confusion later on, Wall-E is the best computer animated film ever made. Everything about that film is stunning, from the visual to the aural. It is both an artistic and technical achievement. Bolt is not the triumph of Wall-E, but still a good (but not great) film. It is inoffensively funny, beautifully ani-mated (the light rendering is amazing), the characters are full of pathos and the story is engaging.

The first thing any audience will notice is how adorable Bolt is. At the risk of being chastised by my hard-rock-loving friends, that dog is downright heartbreakingly cute at times. I kept thinking “it’s just an animated picture” but I really did feel for that dog, especially when the film takes a very dark turn during the fiery and surprisingly scary finale.

The film is visually stunning; the opening shot made me forget that it was an animated film at first. The landscapes are so beautifully rendered they look like a scenic photograph. I actually got slightly

Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

itchy when the wet grass was on screen. The lighting is amazing; the film looks less like an animated film and more like a Ridley Scott film.

The supporting characters are very engaging as well; any pet-owner will feel Penny’s heartbreak for her lost dog, Rhino the hamster is entertaining as the enthusiastic but clueless friend (we all have one), and I even found some enjoyment in the completely stereo-typical Italian pigeons, which are basically just a rip off of the Goodfeathers skit from Anamaniacs (yeah, think hard, you’ll remember them). That last one made me want to see an animated Disney mob film.

One feels the need to compare Bolt to other Disney films, especially those of Pixar. While this is the most visually stunning Disney animated film (apart from Wall-E) thus far, it is also one of the weakest scripted since the Disney animation resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Apart from a key dramatic scene during the climax, the

film is pretty predictable.The film breaks no new ground story-

wise but they managed to make the film less of a Disney cliché and more of a Disney archetype (minus the annoying songs). It was also nice hearing the usually vulgar Essmen in a non-vulgar role.

Character arcs are predictable; of course Bolt and Mittens the Cat become friends, of course it will all work out in the end and of course they will all discover that there can be a hero in everyone. The arc of Bolt having to deal with the fact that he is not an actual super-dog who saves Penny from evil-doers is almost non-existent. During one scene he believes and then next scene he doesn’t. Very little time is dedicated to come to terms with the life-changing twist. However, the weak script is balanced out with the surprisingly theatrical animation.

This is going to sound like such a cliché, but the film is actually fun for all ages. It’s a Disney film so you know what

“At the risk of being chastised by my hard-rock-loving friends, I think that dog is downright heartbreakingly cute at times.”

you are in for: silly yet sharp humor and a barrage of beautiful images.

It was never my intention to ever see this film however, it did win me over. My three cynical cinephile pals and I went to a theater in which we were the whole audience and we all (to our surprise) found ourselves laughing at the sharp silliness.

The film is fun, funny, full of pathos, and a solid (but not overwhelmingly so) addition to the Disney pantheon. Final Grade: B+

Disney Offers A Bit Of FlareBrendon Mustaciola

Rampage Reporter

Bolt and is on a mission to save Penny along with his zany sidekicks in tow.

10 Rampage November 26, 2008Views

“An ambulance. You wrecked your car. We’re going to the hospital. Don’t move.”

Silence follows. As we make our way to Madera

community hospital, I drift in and out of sleep. The gravity of the situation has yet to set in.

I awake again. “I’ve seen a lot of kids like

you,” comes the voice of my apparent rescuer. “And every time I feel less and less sympathy. Why did you do this?”

“I don’t know,” I reply. “I guess I thought it would be ok.”

He snorts vindictively. “Guess? Yeah, that’s what they all say. It’s kids like you, day after day, that make me wonder why youth can be so eager to waste their own lives.”

Silence again. We arrive. **************************

It was nothing out of the ordi-nary. A midsummer weekend night at home with friends; Sublime on the ste-reo, laughter in the living room, drinks stockpiled in the fridge. I remember opening my first beer of the night, a Blue Moon, after a long day at work, looking forward to a heady buzz and the promise of deep sleep.

Upon entering the garage, our house’s holy grail of social activity, already bustling with the energy of at least ten excited partygoers, I see those nefarious plastic red cups so synonymous with college alcoholism lined up for a game of beer pong. I am met with a barrage of conversation from prospective players surrounding the table.

“Are you playing, Mark?”“Come on man, let’s be on a

team!”“You guys are going down.” Never one to turn down a

challenge or an opportunity to play this most revered of drinking games, I accept. Who am I kidding; I never had a choice.

It’s somewhere around the fourth or fifth game that I feel the onset of drunkenness; its warm, loving embrace mingling sweetly with the adrenaline and charged atmo-sphere of beer pong. I chuckle, observing my peers, some more drunk and boisterous than oth-ers. As I watch the interactions of more than 15 college students with bellies full of booze and heads full of hedonism, I think to myself, “man, it’s good to be alive”.

************************** Wake up again. “Hello son,” comes a deep,

authoritative voice on my right, “how are you feeling?” This voice is not my father’s. I try rolling over to look at the face behind the voice, but find that any bodily movement sends a sharp pain crashing down my lower back. Unsuccessful, I turn my head and find two California highway patrol officers, in full uniform, looking down upon me. We are in the hospital, local news on the television, phones ringing in the background, frozen in our small space of time as we partake in the mutual recognition of captive and captors. I take his question as an opportunity to speak.

“Not so well, actually. I’m in trouble, huh?” I try to smile, but feel another flash of pain and grimace instead.

“Yes, you are.” The officer speaking to me looks like he’s seen this before. Too many times. Arms crossed, eyes cold and apa-thetic, his very posture epitomizes discipline. “You’re lucky you’re hurt, or you’d be going to jail. Instead, we’re going to take a blood alcohol content (BAC) test and turn you over to the hospital. You don’t have any problem with taking a test, do you?”

“No sir,” I answer prompt-ly, wanting them to leave as quickly as possible, “I have no problem with that.”

I look at the clock in this cramped white cell as the officers fill out their paperwork and shoot me pitying, no, resentful glances. I see 6:14 a.m. scribed in digital numbers on the clock’s face.

The police officers take their final tests and turn me over to the hospital’s care along with a final explanation of what exactly is taking place and what penalties I may face.

My final BAC? .16. It’s way too early for this.

**************************Man, it’s good to be alive. “Hey Mark.” I look and

see the beautiful blue eyes of So-phie, an Austrian-born visitor to America, imploringly searching my own. “Can you give me a ride home now?” she says, her accent dancing through my ears like a glorious siren song.

VIt is then I realize this room is not stationary.

Vision slowly returns to my weary eyes as I awaken from the depths of sleep.I find myself lying face-up in an unknown place, a ceiling of purest white glaring down on my immobile form

without sympathy.I struggle to raise myself up to rest on my elbows, and

see I’m laying on a medical gurney. As I search the small space, I find the knowing eyes of a medical worker staring deeply into my own, lines of wisdom etched around his face.

Stop. I’m drunk. I shouldn’t drive.

But I did promise to take her home...

Ah hell, what could it hurt, just this one time?

“Sure, Sophie. Let me get my keys and we’ll go.” **************************

“Well, it looks like you’ve broken your pelvis in three places. That and you seem to have a bit of a chip on your spinal chord.”

I’m back in the hospital, an ER surgeon studiously examining my first set of x-rays.

“You’re lucky, though. It doesn’t look like you’ll be need-ing any surgery, and the breaks you do have can heal within a few months.”

I’ve been immobile for at least seven hours now. I’ve even been shipped from Madera Com-munity to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, which has more room for me. Needless to say, all this moving from gur-ney to gurney for various x-rays, catscans, and examinations (one of which prostate. Yes. Be very afraid) has been all but forget-table. Somewhere around the third or fourth move, at about the time my broken pelvis screams for my head on a silver platter by blasting a wave of pain throughout my en-tire body, it crosses my mind that this, this hospital stay, this pain,

this chaos, all could have been avoided with a simple, responsible decision.

I wonder how many people my age go through this.**************************

Almost 20,000 dollars in health bills, three months of re-covery, a lost job, a totaled car, and a court date in my immediate future, and I sit here writing this story. My story.

Luckily, I dropped Sophie off before falling asleep at the wheel of my 1998 Mercury Tracer, veering off the road and crashing the back right side with a telephone pole in Madera County sometime between three and five in the morn-

ing. I suffered three breaks in my pelvis, a chip to my spinal chord, and heaping helpings of humility. After spending almost 18 hours in various hospitals, I was sent home the evening of May 20th, the same day of my accident. I could barely walk, even with crutches. The first few nights I spent in a chair in the living room, the pain so horrible I couldn’t even make it to bed.

All over one decision; the decision to drive drunk.

In retrospect, I was very lucky. I could have easily died, or worse, killed Sophie or other people on that barren road and con-tributed to the more than 10,000 alcohol-related fatalities (12,998 in 2007) each year nationwide. I could have been paralyzed, suffered brain damage, become comatose, or any one of many horrendous outcomes.

Again, I was lucky.It’s odd remembering the

accident. It was surreal, thinking “did I really do this to myself?” as I was transported to the hospital. For a while, I couldn’t comprehend what exactly was happening. It was all too sudden and shocking.

But once the grim truth set in, well, let’s say that remorse is a massive understatement. Have you ever cried alone in a hospital bed? I have.

Fortunately, my family was very understanding and caring as I recovered from my injuries. I can only imagine what life would have been like if they weren’t there for me, as I’m sure some of my peers in club DUI can attest to. I’m grateful.

Grateful that my family was there for me. Grateful that I can share this story with you.But mostly I’m grateful to be a survi-vor of driving drunk.

Man, it’s great to be alive.

“Where am I?”

WetWrecklessA DUI Tale By: Mark Smith

Special to the Rampage

It’s odd remember-ing the accident. It was surreal...

Rampage 11November 26, 2008 Views

Instead of raising tuition I’d rather they cut things we don’t absolutely need.

-Arpi Hakopyan. Nursing.

We should cut programs in-stead of raising tuition. -Kevin Harper. Undeclared.

They shouldn’t raise tuitions because it’s not our fault that they aren’t making enough money. They should cut things we don’t need.-Angel Villa. Criminology.

Cam

pus V

oice

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It’s the best option because programs are already under-funded.-Marissa Herrera. Undeclared.

It’s not justifiable that they raise the tuition because this is sup-

posed to be affordable.-Alma Cabrera. Liberal

Studies.

Should tuition be raised to meetbudgetary Deficit?

I’m from Thailand so I already pay a lot more than the average student. I think they should find more ways to raise money instead of raising tuition.-Kay Zaw. Nursing Major.

November 26, 200812 Rampage Views

Austan Goolsbee was one of Presi-dent-Elect Obama’s closest economic advisors during his 08 campaign. He described Obama’s plan on CBS’s Face The Nation in this way:

“It’s going to be a number big enough that when they spell it out it looks like ‘OOOH!!’ with so many zeros in it.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has said that the proposal will cost between $500 and $700 billion dollars. During Obama’s campaign, he was proposing 125 to $150 billion but his team now believes that the economy has gotten drastically worse. I hope Obama doesn’t fall in the same trap door that former Gov. Gray Davis fell into when he attempted to help California’s power companies when we were having blackouts.

Even though Gray Davis was helping Californians through a crisis, the Republicans saw a political opportunity and convinced voters to recall him.

On Oct 7, 2003, Davis was recalled with 55.4% of the votes in favor of the recall, and Republican Arnold Schwar-zenegger was elected to replace him as governor.

Most Americans aren’t like the majority of voters in the Golden State, and the Republican Party is not on the verge of being extinct like the dinosaurs who call themselves Californian Republicans. Just think, California Democrats have spent more money than a drunken sailor, yet they still managed to keep their jobs and a majority in Sacramento. Most conserva-tives see the citizens of the Golden State

as politically correct, free loaders, who are like bloodsuckers in the wallets of the producers i.e. the conservatives.

The conservative rhetoric seems to have some weight, because every time Gov. Schwarzenegger propose cuts in social programs, the administrators and recipients of those programs make big noise in the news.

Here are a few examples:On Nov. 24, 2008, Lt. Gov. John

Garamendi led a protest against the Gov-ernors’ proposed cut in funds for public schools and health services to help meet an $11.2 billion budget deficit.

In February, hundreds of senior citizens and disabled people protested the proposed budget cuts to life sustaining services and income.

In May, many of Pasadena’s par-ents, students, teachers, office staff, ad-ministrators, school board members, and concerned residents protested in front of every one of their schools.

In June, a coalition of California health care groups protested Schwar-zenegger’s proposed budget cuts, arguing they “would swell the number of unin-sured people by 1 million by the end of his term,” according to a story in the Los Angeles Times.

Protests like those would be met with glee in most red states and districts. While I neither support or disagree with the protest, I understand California is tee-tering on bankruptcy because we tend to blindly support most of the good sounding initiatives and legislation that our politicos promote.

I also know that a future big govern-ment spending Obama administration will assure the Democrats minority status in 2010 if his projected budget is passed.

Many are marketing Obama’s plan as something similar to Franklin D. Roos-evelt (FDR) New Deal, but I don’t see it that way. Here is a list of a few programs FDR created when he was President:

Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance. Unemployment benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Health Insurance for Aged and Disabled (Medicare). Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs (Medicaid). State Children’s Health Insurance Pro-gram (SCHIP). Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

I expect the Republican Machine to sit on the sideline like vultures as Demo-crats throw federal dollars at every liberal idea they can imagine. And by the end of 2009, Obama’s big government ideals will dwarf President Bush’s out of sight, out of mind, and out-of- cash spending. At that point, they will give Obama the same treatment they gave Gov. Davis.

They will become a silent but deadly blade slicing away at Obama with more vigor than those used to reject the Bush administration.

But if Obama uses his first term to advocate American made products to the world by not selling us out to the high-est foreign bidder, like many, if most, of Washington politicians.

He is a real advocate for the middle class by using his bully pulpit to influ-ence business owners that what is good

for middle income earners is good for the country.

Right now, it seems that your typi-cal conservative thinkers are in the pockets of multination foreign owned businesses that are located in America. All Obama has to do is steal a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s play book and stand firmly in the middle of the road, while conserva-tive go out of their way to tarnish their pro-American image.

Once he does what he has to do to bail out the valuable industries that created this strong middleclass he will be set to be on the road to success. But what about the stock market losses?

Just think of the logic surrounding the buying and selling stock: Buy low and sell high.

The market is just correcting itself because it has been over-inflated by CEO’s and stock market. Analysts are trying to manipulate consumers into purchasing their goods and services at an high price.

The bad news is many employees may lose their jobs, but the good news is the price of goods should be dropping soon. Once the market has settled and business owners have restructured their businesses the bargain shopping will begin.

I really hope the Obama insiders take a close look at California legislature’s big spending habits and do the opposite.

If Obama is successful in his first two years, he will be allowed to reach into his liberal bag of hopes and dreams and make them a part of America’s future.

OBAMA AND THE BIG SPENDERS...Barack Obama will soon be releasing the numbers for his 2009 budget proposal.

It’s considered to be the budget buster to end all budget busters.And That May Not Necesarily Be The Best Thing To Do.

By: Marcell Dillworth

Rampage 13November 26, 2008

Women’s soccer team advances to round 2 in playoffsBy David Malagon

Sports Editor

The Fresno City College Women’s Soccer team played their first of several games in this season’s Women’s Soccer playoffs on Nov. 22.

Saturday’s game was the opening game in the Northern California Community College Women’s Soccer Playoffs.

Teams who defeated their first round opponents advanced to round two, The Lady Rams took on the Butte College ‘Roadrun-ners’ in a long, unpredictable, close game.

During the first 20 minutes of the first half, the Rams seemed well on their way to round two, when #3, Denise Hernandez capi-talized with a clear shot resulting in the first goal of the game. Num-ber 24, Meghan Wright assisted.

Most of the game was back and forth and up and down on the field; The Rams did all they could to keep the adrenaline pumping through Butte.

The fans of both teams remained energetic and on the edge of their seats.

After a long struggle to keep the opposition from scoring, at about 30 minutes into the game, FCC capitalized once again with a goal by #10 Iris Torres with an assist by Hernandez, who had scored the first goal of the game.

Five minutes into the sec-ond half, it was obvious that the

Rams could taste victory on the tips on their tongues, and Torres followed up from a missed goal by #7 Britney Quiroz.

All seemed perfect until the assistant coach Drew Mattos was asked to leave the field for shouting at the referee.

Mattos is suspended for the remainder of the playoffs for defending his team according to fans and players of FCC.

Mid-way through the sec-ond half, Butte picked up the pace and tied the Rams 3-3. Number 8, Morgan Camy and # 18 Dani Jones of Butte College scored three goals before the end of the second half.

The game was extended into double overtime, from that moment on, the fans, coaches and the players were in serious con-centration on the fate of each team while the final minutes of the game were counting down.

FCC and Butte battled it out on the field until the very last second. In the 108 minute, Quiroz scored the game winning goal, allowing the Rams to advance to round 2 on Nov, 25 in Sacramento against American River.

Head coach Oliver Ger-mond said, “We did what we had to do to get to the second round; it was a great learning experience.” Assistant coach Drew Mattos added,

“Playoff time is a whole other animal; we need to continue to play to our fullest till the whistle blows. We are fortunate to win today.” Rams play a strong physical and aggressive defense. Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Fresno City College starting quarterback, Emman-uel Lewis, helped lead his team to a 6-4 season. He has also had many obstacles in his life, yet he is proving that he is up to the task of doing what is needed to be successful.

Lewis graduated from Tulare Union high school he broke many records. He was a two time MVP of the league, and first team all conference for two different years where he broke the State passing record with 42,000 yards plus. He also threw 50 touch downs his senior year, and was first team all-valley.

Lewis was recruited by Ball State. He hoped to com-pete with their quarterback for the starting position, but found himself relegated to their back up. That is when he decided to move on to FCC. “I came out of high school big headed; not too big headed. I also went out there to show I really could play.”

He sat out the 06 sea-sons, and Nate Davis, who is now the starter, had the edge over him, based on the fact that he had started the last seven

On the sidelines with Emmanuel Lewis, FCC quarterback games of the 06 season.

Playing for Ball State was very frustrating for Lewis, because he thought he would never be a starter on that team.

In 2008, Lewis chose to attend FCC. He was closer to home and knew he had an opportunity to become the starting quarterback. “I think this program is great,” Lewis said,“They have the weight program, and they have all the things a player needs to be successful at the JC college level.”

Lewis grew up in a single parent household where he had to struggle with issues of being young, black, and poor.

He moved to Atlanta Georgia, after his elementary years. He did not have any friends or family outside of those in his home, and he went without because he was poor.

“Not having the best of clothes and not coming to school with any money in my pocket was very difficult for me,” said Lewis about living in Atlanta.

He moved back to Tu-lare, CA. during his junior year in high school, and found himself struggling with peer

pressure, because of his popu-larity. “Gang influences, going to class on time, girls hitting on me and doing the right thing,” said Lewis.

Lewis got into some trouble in Tulare. He had to refocus on what he wanted out of life. “I just told myself to be the best I could be. I knew that only I could do wrong and go to jail, or do right and go to college.”

Even though Lewis was raised in a single family, his dad gave him some advice to last a lifetime, “The decisions you make today will affect you for the rest of your life.”

Lewis also has a one-year-old child who is named af-ter him. He says having a child has made him a more humble person, “My whole view of life has changed.” Lewis said he has learned that he has to be a responsible person now that he is a father.

Playing for FCC has rejuvenated Lewis’s college career. Now, he is hoping to play for a bigger college than Ball State.

If he doesn’t succeed in football, he plans to get a degree in sports administration, and become an athletic director or a coach.

by Marcell Dilworth

Rampage Reporter

Photo Courtesy FCC PIOFCC Quarterback Emmanuel Lewis

14 Rampage November 26, 2008Sportsby Pedro Quintana

Rampage Reporter

The Fresno City College Men’s wrestling team is off to a great start. This team has one goal: state championship. The members of this team are counting the days until their chance to win the gold.

The men’s wrestling team is no stranger to winning a state championship; the team recently won a state championship in 2006, and nine championships overall in the past decade.

Ever since the wrestling program was started at FCC in 1959, the team has won a state championship every decade. This year, the team is vowing to bring back the prize with valuable tradi-tions and hard work.

Coach Paul Keysaw, native of Athens, Pennsylvania, joined the FCC Wrestling Program in 2006. Before joining the Rams, he was a coach at Moorpark Commu-nity College. “The community is awesome; wrestling is big around here, and we are well supported by the people of this community,”

The men’s wrestling team is no stranger to winning a state championship; the team recently won in 2006.

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said Coach Keysaw in a recent interview.

Coach Keysaw added, “My goal is to bring home a state championship this year.” Last year, the Rams came fourth in the State Championship, a big disap-pointment to the wrestling team, who in the past had won it all.

Continuing on the team is second-year returning 2006 All-Star state champion, Angel Olea. He said he is training hard to accomplish one mission: to reclaim his title as an All-Star State Champion. “I have been training really hard by running, conditioning; stepping it up an-other level, for my competition,” said Olea.

Another Returning wres-tler, Alonso Sanchez, who won All-star player in 2007, said he is ready to defend his title. San-chez said he is looking forward to wrestling in the All-Star meet, and possibly in the state meet.

Sanchez said, “Endurance is big part right now, and trying to get my weight down.”

Men’s Wrestling Schedule/ ResultsSep 20 - Sacramento City College Tournament (1st 60 pts)Sep 24 - Moorpark College (W, 43-6)Oct 1 - West Valley College (W, 51-6)Oct 4 - Santa Ana College Tournament (3rd, 111 pts.)

Men’s 2008 Wrestling Results

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Wrestling Highlight 08’

Top: Josh Von Haaster and Archie Tovar. Bottom Kyle AKA Arizona and Archie Tovar.

Rampage 15SportsNovember 26, 2008

Photo by Chris Alaniz

The Fresno City College Women’s Volleyball team shut out West Hills College, beating them with three set games.

The team had a great start on its first set, with a five point lead in the first minute, but Jessica Noriega of West Hills College put the Falcons on the score board, but was not enough catch up to the Lady Rams to win the first game.

Fresno City College won the first set with 13-7, with its defense helping blocking all of the spikes.

West Hills came back in the second set a five point lead, but the Rams quickly catch up, regaining the lead to beat West Hills in the second set 13-7, FCC Alyssa Pitkins serving clean spike that helped the FCC Volleyball women’s team win a 3-0 game beating West Hills.

FCC Volley ball player Tasha Greer had trouble setting her serves over the net while playing West Hills on Wednesday, hurting her team in some of the plays that she made during the game.

“Wednesday’s match was not our best perfor-mance of the season, but the team did what they needed to do to finish out the conference 14-0, having lost only one set along the way,” said Coach Schulte.

The FCC Volleyball Women’s finished their regular season 14-0 in Conference. “ Although we went undefeated in conference play, we recognize that is go-ing to take a greater level of execution- both physically and mentally- to achieve our goal for this season, which is a State Title,” said Coach Schulte.

The FCC Volleyball coaching staff was selected as the CVC coaches of the year. Pitkins has earned Con-ference MVP, also was All- Star player in the Nor-Cal Region. The Fresno City College Women’s Volleyball is placed 5th in the Nor Cal Regional’s.

The women’s volleyball team will play College of the Siskiyous on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. If the vol-leyball team’s moves forward to the second round they will face either San Joaquin Delta or Foothill College on Nov. 29.

“We are very excited and proud of the 2008 vol-leyball team , and their undefeated season, we hope to continue our success threw the playoffs,” said Athletic Director Susan Yates. “ The fans and community have shown support throughout the season, and we look forward to seeing them there at the playoffs.”

Women’s Volleyball Team UndefeatedRams are14-0 in 2008 conference

by Pedro Quintana

Rampage Reporter

Women’s Volleyball Results

Sept 19 - Monterey Peninsula College (w, 3-0)Sept 26 - Shasta College (w, 3-0)

Sept 27 - Feather River College (w, 3-0)Oct 1 - Columbia College (w, 3-0)

Oct 3 - Merced College (w, 3-0)

Aug 27 - Foothill College (w, 3-0)Aug 30 - Cabrillo College (w, 3-1)

Aug 30 - Sacramento City College (w, 3-2)Sept 5 - Feather River College (w, 3-0)

Sept 12 - City College of San Francisco (w, 3-0)

FCC Volleyball team reaching for the win.

Sports16November 26, 2008

by Marcell Dilworth

Rampage Reporter

Fresno City Football team lost in overtime against Foothill 42 – 36 in the Silicon Valley Bowl on Saturday.

“It was a game that could have gone either way. That is what bowl games are about,” the Rams head coach Tony Caviglia said. He also said that it was a very exciting game, and that his team played their heart out, and he is proud of their performance.

Foothill scored on their first drive of the game when quar-terback, Dante Perez threw a 17 yard pass to Wide Receiver, Chris Evering, who was wide open in the end zone.

Rams running back, Kenny Hedrington, ran 18 yards to the 10 yard line to help set the Rams for their first score.

A few plays later Hedring-ton was walloped by a blitzing cornerback, Donte Almond, neither player were injured on the play.

Almond’s big play set the Rams back two yards. On third and goal from the six, Emmanuel Lewis overthrew his receiver in the end zone, forcing the Rams to settle with a field goal.

The Rams caught Foothill sleeping at the wheel on the in-suring kickoff, as they recovered their onside kick on Foothills 42 yard line.

The series ended with full-back Dan Haycock barreling in to the end zone from the one yard line to make the score 10-7.

FCC went up 16-7 when John P. Romeus intercepted a Foothill pass. He then ran the ball back 30 yards for a score.

It took the Owls one of-fensive play to make up for the Romeus intersection for a score.

Perez threw a 40 yard pass

Evering to make 16-14 with less than two minutes left until halftime.

Foothill went up 21-16 early in the third quarter, but FCC fought back and regained the lead by the fourth quarter.

The Rams eventually caught up, and pulled ahead on the 29-21 Owls but that lead was short lived.

The Owls scored two touchdowns, and one two point conversion in the span of 16 seconds.

Their first score was a three yard pass that concluded with a successful two point conversion. The second came when Foothill’s Jake Richardson recovered a fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and, returned it for a score.

The Rams were down at that point 36 -29

The Rams tied the game with an end around play as wide receiver Roddrick Hall hustled his

way into the end zone to force the game

into overtime.

The Rams received the ball

first in overtime and did not score.

Their drive ended when Lewis threw

an interception.

The Owls took possession of

the ball, and ran the ball in from the

four yard line to win the game.

FCC’s loss to Foothill was Caviglia’s fifth straight post sea-son lost. They are currently 1-9 in the post season. That victory in the 2003 Producers Dairy Bowl in a 44-23 against Allen Hancock

Caviglia said, “A lot of teams wish they could have played in post season. We haven’t been able to win, but we went to 10 straight bowl games with this coaching staff.”

Men’s football take a loss in Silicon Valley Bowl 36-42Rams suffer a frustrating and devestating loss in overtime

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Tony Caviglia has coached the FCC football team for the last ten years.

Coach Caviglia has a strong support staff made up of Defensive Coordinator/ Linebacker Rick Shied, as well as Scott Stark, Of-fensive Coordinator/Quarterback Scott Stark.

Before starting at FCC, Coach Caviglia received a bache-lor’s degree in physical education from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master’s degree in sports administration from USC. Coach Caviglia, 46, and his wife Kristi have three sons, Andrew, 18, Mi-chael, 14 and Nicholas, 9. They

reside in Fresno. Caviglia was defensive

line coach at Purdue University from 1991 to 1993. He was as-sistant coach Ohio State, Southern California, and New Mexico State where he coached in the 1987 Flor-ida Citrus Bowl, 1988 Rose Bowl, and the 1990 Liberty Bowl.

Caviglia was voted Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year by his peers in 2000 and 2001. his teams have also won CVC titles in 2004 and 2006

In his nine previous seasons at FCC he has led the team to nine bowl games, the longest consecu-tive string in FCC history.

Caviglia’s team has an overall record of 77-22. In seven of those nine years, the team has played for the Central Valley Con-

ference Championship.Caviglia’s goal is to help

as many of his players get to a four-year colleges or universities as possible. Success off the field is just as important for Coach Cavi-glia and he makes sure players get any help they need off the field.

Coach Caviglia hopes for a long and successful career here at Fresno City College for years to come.

10 Years of hard work and dedicationCoach Tony Caviglia advocates for the masses

“A lot of teams wish they could have played in post sea-son. We haven’t been able to win, but we went to 10 straight bowl games with this coaching staff.”

by Sebouh Simonian

Rampage Reporter

Coach Tony Caviglia Photo Courtesy FCC PIO

Fresno City College played at Ratcliffe against Reedly on Nov. 15 2008.