Measures to increase traffic and pedestrian safety will begin next month with the construction of new traffic signals at the south end of Phelan Avenue near the Bookstore Annex and the north end near Riordan High School. JESSICA LUTHI / GUARDSMAN

By Graham Henderson
Staff Writer

With construction starting in November, City College is planning to install two new traffic signals on Phelan Avenue to improve both the flow of traffic and pedestrian safety, according to the college’s department of Facilities Planning / Management.

“We are preparing to install traffic control lights at two locations on Phelan [Avenue],” said James Blomquist, associate vice chancellor of facilities planning / management.

Once the signals are working, the center entrance to the parking lot will be closed, and all vehicle traffic will enter the lot through the north entrance, said Blomquist.

The new signals will be located at the crosswalk by the Bookstore Annex near the south end of Phelan Avenue, and by Riordan High School at the north end.

Currently, there are three crosswalks between the reservoir parking lot and the main campus, but only the crosswalk at the central entrance of the parking lot has traffic signals.

City College has been working with the San Francisco Department of Parking and Traffic to secure funding to build the traffic signals but has been unable to do so, said Peter Goldstein, vice chancellor of finance and administration. Currently, the college is planning to build the traffic signals with its own money said Goldstein.

In a resolution approved by the board of trustees at their April 2008 meeting, the signals will be designed by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the college will use a contractor for the installation. According to the resolution, the cost of the project will not exceed $141,956 and will be paid for by the 2005 Proposition A bond funds.

City College had been working with the San Francisco Department of Parking and Traffic to secure funding to build the traffic signals but has been unable to do so said Peter Goldstein, vice chancellor of finance and administration.

“The work will start in November and completion depends on the delivery of the light poles, but we are shooting for the end of the year so that they are functioning for the Spring,” said Blomquist.

As observed by a reporter from The Guardsman, traffic flow on Phelan Avenue during peak commute times can become congested, which is caused primarily by heavy use of the established crosswalks. Pedestrians, who have right of way in the crosswalks, trickle across the road instead of crossing in an orderly group, preventing traffic from moving smoothly.

Both pedestrians and drivers at City College are overwhelmingly in favor of the new signals. “I think it’s a very good idea,” said student Jerelle Aquino. Like many students who use the crosswalks, Aquino was crossing Phelan Avenue after parking in the reservoir. He added he hoped the new signals would ease traffic delays in the morning.

City College student and pedestrian Christine Wiseman agreed. “Otherwise [students] will jaywalk, and they’re gonna get hit,” she said

Though the rooftop gardens atop the Orfalea Family Center on Ocean Campus lack flowers and are turning brown, these hearty perennials are simply entering a normal annual phase. ANNABELLE DAY / GUARDSMAN

By Roxanne Bequio
Staff Writer

The plants growing on the Ocean campus’ Orfalea Family Center roof not only distinguish it from all the other buildings, but also serve as an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and self-sufficient alternative to other rooftops said Demetri Gonzalez, City College’s senior project manager.

A living roof system is made up of planting trays which are often biodegradable, a soil or gravel medium for the plant’s roots to grow in and take hold of, the plants themselves and a supplemental irrigation system, primarily used to get new plants established, said Gonzalez in an email.

Living roofs also provide the benefit of natural water filtration, said Gonzalez. “With a living roof, rain water is filtered by the plants and since no fertilizers are used, only clean water is returned to the Earth.”

The specific difference between living and traditional rooftops is in the top layer or the visible part of the roof, which is exposed to the elements. This part of the roof is made up of living plants instead of man-made materials, such as rubber, tar, asphalt, or steel.

Students walking past the Orfalea Family Center on Judson Avenue can get a closer look at the living rooftops from the sidewalk. At first glance the plants, a species called Sedum spathulifolium, seem to be withered and dying, but are indeed alive.

“They are simply entering a phase of their annual cycle where the flowers die off, and they turn a burnt umber color. This is completely natural for the species of plant being used. Sedum plants are one of the most rugged, durable perennials available, and are often described as ‘tough as nails’. The chosen plant doesn’t require much watering and can survive simply on the amount of annual rainfall we get here in the Bay Area,” Gonzalez said.

According to the plants database for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sedum spathulifolium is native to the northwest region of North America, and can be found along the coast from British Columbia down to California.

From spring to summer this low growing plant blooms and forms clusters of yellow star-shaped flowers. The leaves are shaped like rosettes, and appear silvery green in color until autumn, when they become bronze, red, or umber. The Sedum’s flowers fall off on their own and help the spreading of more seeds and the growing of new, additional plants.

Sedum is easy to grow, and capable of growing in dry soil during drought due to its thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves, said Gonzalez.

Although the sedum are basically left to grow naturally and unaided due to their self-sufficiency, the roof still gets examined regularly as a precaution for the livelihood of the plants and the rooftop itself. “The cost to maintain such as system is nil,” Gonzalez said.

“A living roof helps achieve ‘sustainability’ by keeping the building interior at a more constant temperature, thereby requiring less mechanically provided heating and cooling,” said Gonzalez.

The rooftops were put in by Elevated Landscape Technologies Inc., a green roofing company from the province of Ontario in Canada. “Since its initial installation over a year ago, [Elevated Landscape Technologies Inc.] has performed routine visits of the site and confirmed that all is well,” said Gonzalez.

City College student Christina Martinez, 25, believes with the living roof the college took a step in the right direction. “I feel that it’s a closer step to perhaps being sustainable, and a good example for the rest of the community. I think it’s a good thing,” Martinez said. “I haven’t noticed any other buildings that are like this around San Francisco, or where I live in Daly City.”

“Currently, there are no issues with the living roof at the Child Development Center. The roof doesn’t leak and the plants are growing as expected,” said Gonzalez.

By Al Lin
Contributing Photographer

City College’s dance classes convened in the Wellness Center on Oct. 18 to host a night celebrating a new era of dance at the Wellness Center. Students and residents alike paired up to salsa with latin dance band Mazacote on the new North Plaza, while others took an introductory lesson on the Feldenkrais method taught by Jean Elvin.

As the sun set and the autumn moon rose, the dancers moved inside to the various studios of the Wellness Center, waltzing to Seal’s hit “Kiss by a Rose” and learning West Coast swing from instructor Steve Rockwell.

When the clock struck eight, the guests lined up to head into the Wellness Center’s theatre for a mélange of performances by the dance department. Kathe Burick and her intermediate tap class opened the show tapping to Chip Webb’s “Spinning the Webb” jazz piece. Other notable highlights included a Mongolian dance performance and a performance by the City College Cheerleading Squad.

For more information on upcoming dances, check the City College athletics Web site at www.ccsframs.com. The dance department will be holding a Halloween Ball on Saturday the 25th.

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The Chevy Tahoe that stuck a City College student shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 24 blocks traffic in the curbside lane of northbound traffic on Phelan Avenue while police interview the driver and witnesses. ALEX LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

By Alex Luthi
Editor

A city college student was hit by a SUV while in a crosswalk on Phelan Avenue shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 24 according to police and witnesses.

The student was thrown several feet from the point of impact and received some cuts and scratches from the collision said Officer Christian Smith of the San Francisco City College District Police Department. The collision occurred in the crosswalk adjacent to Riordan High School in the curbside lane of northbound traffic.

“We received a call about the collision at 9:02 a.m. from the San Francisco Police Department,” said Smith. “When we arrived at the scene, the victim was already being treated by paramedics.”

The victim was taken to San Francisco General according to Officer Gin of the SFPD. Her condition at that time was not known.

Emanuel Rosales, a City College communications student was a witness to the collision.

“I saw the person using the crosswalk, so I slowed to let her cross. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the [SUV] coming behind me and hit her,” said Rosales, who was driving in the left-most lane of North-bound traffic.

“I got out of my car and tried to help. I was holding her neck and trying to have her stay still, because she kept trying to get up,” said Rosales.

SFPD Officer Morgante said the victim was conscious and breathing when officers arrived at the site of the collision.

Recycling How-To:

• Cardboard: Break down cardboard boxes, place besides recycling bin.
• Paper: Almost all paper is recyclable and should be placed in recycling bins.
• Bottle & Cans:  Bottles and cans can go into the recycling bins with paper or in a separate bottle/can recycling unit.  When possible, keep the cap on your bottles to prevent contamination.

Recycling Don’ts:

• Styrofoam & Plastics Bags: Plastic bags can be recycled at all Safeway stores and most food markets. Styrofoam remains a waste management problem and it is not recyclable yet!
• Food, Coffee Cups or Liquids: These consumables cannot go in the recycling containers. Liquids  and can contaminate recycled materials. Coffee cups are not recyclable. They are compostable.

Other Ways to Be Eco-friendly:

• Compost: The City College Recycling Department will be expanding compost collection in the near future — look for green composting bins.
• Ink & Toner Cartridges: Toner and ink are toxic to the environment and our health. Please do not put them into the garbage. Every campus has a toner/ink drop-off site. Contact your site manger for location.  At the Ocean Campus bring items to: Cloud Hall, Room 143.  Put them either in a box or some form of wrapping for proper disposal.
• E-waste: Computers, TV’s, video equipment, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, film, iPods, cell-phones, calculators. Contact the Recycling Department to make arrangements for pick up.
• Universal Waste or U-waste: U-waste includes fluorescent tubes, light bulbs, thermometers and lamp equipment.  Arrangements must be made with the Buildings and Grounds department for pick up.
• Batteries: At the Ocean campus batteries (not car batteries) can be recycled at collection bin sites at the main entrance of Smith Hall and at Cloud Hall on the 3rd floor.  Batteries can also be recycled at most neighborhood hardware stores and Walgreens stores.
• City Carshare: Share a car, reduce your carbon footprint. Ongoing enrollment. Sign up at www.citycarshare.org/ccsf . City College employees and full-time students receive a discount on the City Carshare membership fee.

Rams Freshman Mattieu Dubray (in middle) looks to get possession of the ball. JESSICA LUTHI / GUARDSMAN

By Graham Henderson
Staff Writer

City College’s mens soccer team routed the undermanned squad from Santa Clara’s Mission College in an 8-0 shutout on Oct. 14, moving the Rams to a record of 11-1-1 in their 2008 season.

The match begun with Mission College arriving at San Francisco’s Crocker Amazon Park ten minutes after the scheduled kickoff time and with only nine players. Rams sophomore forward Wilson Jimenez got his team off to an early start, scoring a goal off his own rebound during the first minute of game play.

Immediately after Jimenez’s goal the Rams regained possession of the ball, allowing sophomore midfielder Alejandro Uribe to blast a long shot in for the Rams’ second goal.
The Rams continued their early assault with sophomore midfielder Shea Whelan connecting the Rams’ third goal off a corner kick. Freshman midfielder Matthieu Dubray followed by driving straight through the Saints’ goalkeeper, putting the Rams up 4-0 within the first five minutes of play.

After blowing the game wide open, the Rams focused on using the opposing team to hone their own skills.

“Traditionally, Mission hasn’t been that strong of an opponent, so we knew that we could practice a lot of things,” Rams assistant coach Jesus Hernandez said. “We basically tried new people, tried different things, and that’s why it seemed like it slowed down a little bit.”

Despite several substitutions within the first 10 minutes, the Rams kept firm control over the pace of the game. Having two fewer players on the field than City College kept Mission from attempting any shots on the Rams’ goal during the first half.

Rams freshman forward Ivan Lopez led the way in the second half with a perfectly placed long shot that found the top corner of the net. Freshman Percy Jimenez followed with another long goal, putting the Rams up 6-0.

Lopez followed up with an impressive second goal off a header midway through the second half. Even as the linesmen struggled to keep track of the Rams’ high score, freshmen midfielder Martin Castaneda added insult to the Saints’ injury with an final goal during second half injury-time that trickled straight through the Don’s goalkeeper’s hands, giving the Rams their 8-0 victory. Mission ended the game with only one shot on the Rams’ goal.

By Annabelle Day

Saeko Imai, 19
Classy with a bit of fun

“I used to dress in lots of colors like a pride banner, but I’ve changed since I moved here,” said Saeko Imai, who arrived here from Japan three months ago. She has also lived in London and New York and now resides in the Inner Sunset.

Imai felt an instant attachment to San Francisco. “I’m not sure why, but I do like the diversity of the city.

“The new environment changed how I perceive myself, feeling self-conscious in a new place,” said Imai.

Her favorite places to shop are Urban Outfitters and second hand stores on Haight Street. Some pieces of her ensembles — from her hat to her to her skirt — are from stores like H&M, Goodwill, and Buffalo Exchange.

The clothing she chooses to wear depends on her mood and the weather. “I like simple clothing with a little color, something a little off tone, something that will break the classy style.”

Although Imai enjoys studying theater she says still has her eyes open to everything.

“I’ll see how far life will take me.

By Ellen Silk
Editor

Within the last few months, the social sciences department has seen the deaths of three of its instructors, with the two most recent deaths announced in an email to the campus on Oct 14.

Social sciences professor and longtime Stockton Unified School District history teacher Sal Zendejas died while commuting back from his history 17A class at City College on Oct. 12 when his truck left the roadway and hit a tree while traveling northbound on Interstate 5, according to an Oct. 14 story in the Stockton Record. Zendejas was active in Stockton’s local politics, focusing on education. As president of the Stockton Teachers Association, Zendejas led 1500 teachers on a two-week strike in January 1990, according to the Record. Zendejas is survived by his wife, and two sons. He was 64.

David Landes, a member of City College’s faculty since 1996, has taught economics in the Bay Area since 1970. Landes was involved in disabled rights and the independent living movement since the mid-1970s. He also worked internationally with organizations for people with disabilities in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Cuba, sharing his experiences. In his biography, Landes said he “absolutely loves the City College community and is committed to giving the very best to his students. ‘Best job I’ve ever had!’” According to an email circulated to City College faculty, Landes passed over the weekend of Oct. 11-12.

In the Diego Rivera Theatre, members of the City College community paid tribute on Oct.1 to Austin White, chair of the Social Sciences department and husband of Darlene Alioto White, a City College history teacher. He died suddenly the morning of Aug. 24. White published a “Short History of City College of San Francisco” for the college’s 70th birthday. The Austin White Merit Scholarship has been established in his honor and is currently accepting donations.

Meghan McGuire attempts to spike home a point through two Lobo defenders. ALAN NGUYEN / GUARDSMAN

By Roxanne Bequio
Staff Writer

The City College Rams volleyball team were forced to wait for nearly an hour as the Monterey Peninsula College Lobos, made its way through traffic to reach City College, but wasted no time when defeating the Lobos in four games (25-17, 21-25, 25-18) on Oct. 17 at the Community Health and Wellness Center.

The Rams could have forced the Lobos to forfeit the whole match due to their tardiness, but chose to make them forfeit only the first game.

“We had a really big break. The delay breaks focus and can really hurt momentum,” Assistant Head Coach Aziza Bledsoe said. “That did not happen. I thought we played very well.”

A strong start earned the Rams 10 out of the first 13 points in the second game. Diving for every ball, the team forced the Lobos to numerous errors and took the set 25-17.

“We took control very early. We played very well,” said Bledsoe. “Game two was great.”

Monterey Peninsula picked up the pace during the third game. The Lobos took an early 7 point lead and Ram’s head coach Ed Parker called a time-out to calm his team down.

“There was a lot of miscommunication early on. We were frazzled,” said Bledsoe. “I basically told everyone to breathe. It happens.”

Both teams rallied back and forth. The score was close with the Rams trailing behind the Lobos, but they were held off at 25-21.

In the fourth set the Rams came out and took care of business. The team jumped to a 15-6 lead, this time forcing the Lobos to call a time-out to try and regroup.

The Rams came out of the timeout to finish the Lobos off at 25-18, clinching their fourth victory in a row.

“We took control early. That’s how we like to play,” said Bledsoe of the fourth set.
The Rams’ top performers Ramona Vae and Nina Camp brought the intensity needed to beat the Lobos, Bledsoe said.

“Off the court, we’re growing as a team. We’re getting to know each other better,” said Vae. “Communication is our bread and butter.”