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An explosive 7-run third inning fuels a 10-2 victory for the Vikings over LA Valley

Davis Ramage
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An explosive 7-run third inning fuels a 10-2 victory for the Vikings over LA Valley

The Vikings’ bats stayed hot and lifted them to a 10-2 victory over LA Valley on Friday. 

Sophomore starting pitcher Ashley Hester got the win on the mound throwing 3 innings and giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts.

Hester gave up back-to-back singles to open up the game, but then proceeded to retire 7 straight batters.

Sophomore outfielder Kirstin Sanchez started the scoring early with an RBI double in the first, putting the Vikings up 1-0. 

Sanchez would then score on a throwing error by LA Valley’s pitcher Isabel Ward, giving the Vikings a 2-0 lead. 

Sophomore pitcher Ashley Hester is at the top of her windup in a game where she threw 3 innings and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits on Feb 15, 2023 at Long Beach City College. The Vikings defeated LA Valley 10-2 in 5 innings. (Davis Ramage)

The scoring for the Vikings would continue in the second with an RBI single by sophomore outfielder Alia Marquez.

Walks became costly for Hester as she walked two hitters in the third that led to two runs for LA Valley, making the score 3-2.

The Vikings would respond immediately with a seven-run third inning highlighted by a bases-clearing double from freshman catcher Breanna Lucero, bringing the score to 10-2. 

“I was just thinking of getting a base hit. I was looking for the best pitch I could get, the first pitch was a strike so I just swung,” said Lucero.

At the end of the third every starter for the Vikings had reached base safely. 

Freshman infielder Jaiden Lopez gets ready to field a fly ball from her second base position on Feb 16, 2023 at Long Beach City College. The Vikings defeated LA Valley 10-2 in 5 innings. (Davis Ramage)

“It’s early in the year and we like to catch a rhythm. We wanted to use today to take advantage of getting our bats going and feeling confident as we head into conference play next week,” said Vikings Head Coach Megan Martinez.

Sophomore pitcher Olivia Ramirez came on in relief and threw a perfect fourth and fifth inning retiring all six batters she faced, and striking out three. 

Ramirez’s efforts closed out the game for the Vikings and secured them the dominant 10-2 win.  

The Vikings started off the season losing three straight, but have won four out of their last five games. 

When asked about the quick turnaround, Martinez said, “I gave us a tough schedule in the beginning because I wanted our freshmen to learn what it’s like being in our conference and in playoffs, we’re a postseason type of team. I knew the beginning would be rough but we caught our rhythm and we’re excited.”

The Vikings’ next game is on Tuesday, March, 21st at Santa Ana College.

The unforgettable experience of the traveling exhibit: Forgotten Images comes to LBCC

Veronica Towers
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The unforgettable experience of the traveling exhibit: Forgotten Images comes to LBCC

Forgotten Images, a traveling archival exhibit featuring several different artifacts important to Black history, visited PCC on Feb. 16 in one of several events held across LBCC campuses to celebrate Black Heritage Month.

The exhibit showcased the culture of the African Diaspora. Items collected from harrowing eras illustrate explicit racism, segregation, and the protests that ensued to combat these injustices.

Owner David McLucas travels to different states for weeks at a time collecting these artifacts and bringing them back to Long Beach. There are over 20,000 items in the collection with 40 different themes represented, all from significant periods in Black history. Some of the items date back as far as the 1600s.

The items in Forgotten Images leave an indelible mark on the viewer. A hooded robe, worn by a member of the Ku Klux Klan, looms over a rope used for lynching on a table scattered with confederate memorabilia. An iron collar complete with chains used to enslave Black individuals sits heavily on a stand.

Further down, a cookie jar depicting Rosa Parks is surrounded by signs declaring the segregation laws at that time. Drinking fountains that were initially installed to separate races from using them now sit among the collection as a reminder of the injustices. 

Across the way stands a cut-out of Martin Luther King Jr., next to a protest poster from one of his marches. “Some of this happened not too long ago. It is important to preserve these parts of Black history, so young people can see it,” said Lisa Roper, a counselor at LBCC.

The theme of LBCC’s Black Heritage month, “Black Resistance” was expressed in the other half of the exhibit, displaying items that catalog the history of the Black Panther movement. 

Original artifacts such as paintings, drawings, and magazines were also on display. Some of the works were signed by the activists that created them.

A section dedicated to Black Lives Matter drew people into the exhibit. A table was set up with portraits in remembrance of victims who lost their lives during this period.

Notably, this exhibit does not include traditional museum placards, typically expected in such a place.  This is done intentionally, leaving McLucas to walk visitors through the exhibit, and personally explain each artifact’s history to visitors.

“If you went to a regular exhibit, you wouldn’t see the items that we have and have a personal experience. Plus, I am the storyteller, I tell the story behind each object,” said McLucas. 

 The experience leaves visitors with a much deeper understanding of the weight these artifacts hold, even allowing visitors to literally feel the weight in their hands. 

“We’re truth seekers, meaning we want our people to experience the real thing. We allow the visitors to handle, hold, and experience the artifacts,” said McLucas.

Following the exhibit was an inviting reception. The dean of student affairs, Alisia Kirkwood explained that “We wanted to bring together the community to take in history, then offer time to fellowship afterward.” 

The LBCC community mingled over refreshments and food, while faculty members including superintendent-president Mike Muñoz, offered reflections on the emotional experience of the exhibit.

Forgotten Images continues to travel to new locations throughout Long Beach. It will be on display again at LBCC at the Liberal Arts Campus on March 2nd, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Nordic lounge located in the E Building.

  • A Rosa Parks cookie jar sits between a segregation sign and a doll made in her image. (Lauren Benson)
  • A table of portraits memorializing the deaths of individuals occurring throughout the Black Lives Matter movement. (Lauren Benson)
  • Black Panther members who died for the cause are featured on poster. (Lauren Benson)
  • A thick rope that was used for lynching Black individuals, displayed above a stark archive of confederate memorabilia. (Lauren Benson)

More information about the exhibit can be found online at www.forgettenimages.net

Opinion: We need to know why the school cafeteria hasn’t reopened

Veronica Towers
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Opinion: We need to know why the school cafeteria hasn’t reopened

As the 2022-23 academic school year continues, LBCC’s cafeteria remains closed with little to no viable solutions for the gaping hole this closure has left in students’ needs.

Students’ access to affordable food has been limited on campus. With only access to vending machines and highly processed foods with high prices, students are left with no real meals to eat. 

LBCC has now gone almost a year without an established caterer after the closure of its cafeteria in late 2022. Its previously partnered catering company declared bankruptcy and promptly shuttered its services.

Despite the school’s effort to bring in temporary solutions, such as onsight food trucks and various food vendors, this doesn’t change the fact that LBCC administration has failed to provide more permanent catering options on campus.

The few places that are available for students, such as the Viking Express, bookstore, or the newly reopened bakery at LAC close in the early hours of the school day. By 4 p.m., LAC’s food options are reduced to nearly zero. 

“I have classes from the morning to the evening and if I want to eat something I’d probably have to go all the way to LBX, which is really stressful for me since I’d rather just eat here if we had a cafeteria,” said Kosi Ifeorah, an LBCC student.  

After speaking to Bob Rapoza, director of business support services, he vaguely described the administration’s plans for the cafeteria. 

“COVID definitely played a big factor in [the corporation] going bankrupt, but there are certainly other catering companies looking to take their place. We are planning on tearing down building E, completely redoing the cafeteria with new infrastructure and getting a new catering provider in the space. For now, though, we are looking at temporary solutions, and looking to implement short-term and long-term solutions based on what works.” said Rapoza.

Empty chairs are a firm reminder that LBCC’s cafeteria remains closed. Leaving students with limited options. Photo by Lauren Benson

Rapoza’s response left us with more questions than answers. We are still left questioning whether the cafeteria closure will be resolved in a timely manner. It seems as if there is a lack of understanding of the severity of the issue.

There has not been much variety with the food trucks and vendors stationed on campus. Typically serving fried and processed foods seems to be the go-to temporary option for a meal plan, as Rapoza mentioned.  But there is still much to think about when it comes to students’ ability to find an appealing meal.

The issue of not having a cafeteria has not only created a hassle for students but has greatly limited the range of prices one can expect to find food on or around campus. 

Every day, students are forced to navigate between buying overpriced snacks from school vending machines, paying $12-$20 for a meal from off-campus vendors, or simply choosing not to eat.

“The food trucks are kind of expensive, some of them are ridiculously expensive, over twenty dollars for lunch is way too much. If I do eat here, I’ll just bring my own lunch,” said LBCC student Matthew Ruth. 

There needs to be more haste on the LBCC administration’s part in getting a permanent caterer on both campuses. For now, their reliance on exterior restaurants, vendors, and meager convenience stores facilitates the hunger of their student body and leaves more to be desired.

LAC celebrates Valentine’s Day with Social Justice Intercultural Center’s sip and paint event

Cain Carbajal
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LAC celebrates Valentine’s Day with Social Justice Intercultural Center’s sip and paint event

A large crowd of students and faculty gathered on Tuesday afternoon in LAC’s Social Justice Intercultural Center to sip on apple cider and paint Valentine’s Day-themed paintings.

The event, known as a sip and paint, is a social gathering event where participants consume beverages, sometimes alcoholic drinks, and follow step-by-step instructions to recreate a chosen piece of art.

Bri Pinkerton, administrative assistant at LBCC, tri chair for the Black Heritage Month Planning Work Group and host of the event explained that “art is universal. It is loved by all age groups.”

This was further supported by the turnout of the event, with about 20 students and faculty showing up to enjoy the festivities. Artists, people looking for a break from their classes and people looking to socialize all participated.

  • (Left to right) Toia Taylor and Isaiah Wilson came together and working together painting hearts in honor of Valentine’s Day. (Desary Vailencour)
  • (Left to right) Victoria Ben and Armae Abadilla enjoying some food, fun, and some painted hearts. (Desary Vailencour)
  • (Left to right) Joey Smith, Jay Brandy, and Sharon Jordan enjoying their time together painting hearts (Desary Vailencour)
  • (Center) Jerome Hunt converses with (upper left) Vincent Thornton Jr.,(lower left) Camille Bolton and (right) Monaliese Davis during the beginning of the sip and paint party (Desary Vailencour)

Participants came to learn of the event by various means. Some of them were able to fill out the online RSVP form that came with the online advertising prior to Tuesday.  However, others simply walked into the Social Justice Intercultural Center after the event had begun and decided to stay and partake.

All necessary supplies were provided by the event organizers. 11 by 14-inch canvases, easels, and acrylic paint were all given to participants to complete their artwork. 

The event offered non-alcoholic apple cider and water for participants to sip while they painted. LBCC prohibits any alcohol manufactured or consumed by students, faculty, staff or guests in buildings, grounds, or facilities owned by Long Beach City College District or used as part of events by LBCC.

“Due to the budget, we were unable to get an instructor,” said Pinkerton. Organizers improvised by giving blank templates out to the participants. 

The template was a big heart with swirls inside. Some participants copied the template to the best of their abilities, some used the template for inspiration, and some veered from the template completely.

The use of a template allowed for some uniformity but was also an opportunity to showcase some originality. 

Monaliese Davis, a student, explained her thought process behind the creation of her work. Her lively design of stray lines, shapes, and words all came together to create artwork that encapsulated what Pinkerton’s event was set to do.

Davis mentioned how she stuck to the template, before moving on to meditate on several concepts related to Valentine’s Day, which were showcased via calligraphy. 

Davis wrote words like “bloom” and “care” around her artwork, stating, “that’s what love does, it blooms. It’s a reflection of what love means to me.”

These ideas were coupled with a particular focus on the colors red and pink due to their association with the iconographic heart and Davis’ general fondness for the hues.

At the end of the hour-long painting session, the participants that stayed until the end were gathered for a group picture of themselves and their completed pieces. 

The participants were able to take their pieces home for themselves as a memory of the afternoon they spent together.

False fire alarm evacuates LAC T building

Cain Carbajal
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False fire alarm evacuates LAC T building

The Long Beach Fire Department responded to a false fire alarm in the T building on the morning of Feb 13. The cause of the alarm was unknown, chalked up to a faulty detector or a student possibly vaping in the restroom.

Firefighters responded minutes after the alarm went off and students had already been evacuated and ushered out and away from the building.

The fire alarm went off at approximately 10:55 a.m. and was deemed clear of any danger by the responding firefighters at 11:13 a.m.

Before students and faculty were able to return to classes and offices, students joined in the quad and awaited the news.

Mike Aguirre, a fire captain of Long Beach Fire Department stated, “The staff is monitoring the system. If it was a faulty detector, it will go off again and they will probably call us back here.”

LBCC has a no smoking and tobacco-free policy. Smoking of any kind is prohibited on all property that is owned, licensed, or otherwise controlled by the district, and in all district-owned vehicles. 

For some people, the alarm going off was not as nerve-racking.

“They evacuated us.” Ayah Younes, an administrative assistant that works in the Human Resource Center said, “then they told us it was clear. Pretty simple.”

It is still unclear what caused the fire alarm to go off and it has not gone off since then.

PCC’s Safe Parking program continues for spring semester 

Veronica Towers
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PCC’s Safe Parking program continues for spring semester 

The Safe Parking Program, piloted by LBCC’s Basic Needs department, aims to serve unhoused students and provide them with secure, temporary housing right in PCC’s own parking structure.

The program is open seven nights a week from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The students have access to Wi-Fi, restrooms open overnight, and showers daily between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

To be eligible for the program, the student must be independent with no children or partner staying in the vehicle with them. Students are allowed to have a service or emotional support animal if they provide documentation.

The program is able to hold up to 10-15 students in their vehicles but has only housed about 3 students at one time, according to Justin Mendez, the Basic Needs Program manager. “The safe parking program is meant to be a temporary solution,” Mendez explained. 

Currently, there are four students enrolled in the program, but only one consistently utilizes the service.

LBCC student Rafael Morales, who formally used the Safe Parking program, had been homeless and sleeping in his car for about three months before he found out about the program.

Morales discovered the program when financial aid sent out the Emergency Aid Application via email to all students. When applying, he stated that he was experiencing homelessness and residing in his vehicle. 

Financial Aid connected with Morales to inform him about the Safe Parking Program and to offer additional assistance.

Mendez mentioned, “Some students have walked into the basic needs office to register in person, but most of the time they register through the application.”

Security for the structure is outsourced to a third-party security firm that monitors the area. The Long Beach Police Department has had no involvement in the security that is responsible for the parking structure since the program’s establishment.

The parking structure gate is automatically scheduled to close at 10 p.m., but students can still exit the parking lot by simply driving up to the gate. To reenter, students must show their provided permit to be let in by the security on duty.

The Basic Needs program not only helps students with having a place to stay overnight, but partners with outside programs to find students more stable and long-term homes.

Students interested in applying for emergency aid should contact LBCC’s Basic Needs department at basicneeds@lbcc.edu or (562) 938-5045.

Planned Parenthood hosts healthy communication workshop for LBCC students

Veronica Towers
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Planned Parenthood hosts healthy communication workshop for LBCC students

LBCC’s Healthy Viking Initiative, alongside Planned Parenthood, hosted a Zoom workshop about healthy communication and boundary setting in romantic, sexual and platonic relationships on Feb. 10 as a part of their collaborative Health and Wellness workshop series.

These workshops serve to teach important life skills to LBCC students, encouraging self-improvement and advocating for healthy relationships among the student population. This was put together by LBCC’s Healthy Viking Initiative coordinator Jan Paolo Canteras and Brittinae Phillips from Planned Parenthood LA. 

Phillips, a Planned Parenthood educator, gave helpful information and resources on what a healthy relationship should look like, as well as life lessons on relationships. 

“There is no such thing as a perfect person or partner, but we can recognize patterns that can help us decide what relationships to enter into,” Phillips said. 

Phillips presented the acronym F.R.I.E.S., which stands for freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic and specific.

Freely given, meaning not under the influence.  Reversible, can change. Informed, share if there are communicable diseases involved. Enthusiastic, they are extremely willing. Specific boundaries are discussed. 

Communication styles come in many different forms. Whether that be passive, assertive, aggressive, and passive aggressive. Phillips incorporated scenarios into the presentation to help participants identify red flags and green flags. 

“Sometimes we confuse red flags for giving people the benefit of the doubt,” said Philips. 

A “red flag” in a relationship, is any behavior that is indicative of “undesirable” traits one may want to avoid in a relationship. It could be something minuscule, like not liking a certain fruit, or something much more major, like a lack of trust, jealousy, or controlling behavior.

A “green flag” in a relationship is things that you want and can benefit from in relationships. They are based on mutual respect and positivity from both parties involved; whether that be good communication, attentiveness or emotional validation. These could be keys to long-term partnerships. 

According to Phillips’ presentation  “6.7% youth in LA experience abuse from partners, 20% women experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and 13% men experience IPV (2020 LA county).” There was information and signs to help students recognize patterns of abuse and IPV. 

IPV can be physical, emotional, verbal, or financial abuse. 

Phillips emphasized group participation, asking attendees for their initial understanding of subjects and including scenarios where participants identified examples of unhealthy vs. healthy relationships, giving students a chance to practice their learned skills.

The presenter also provided the following resources for students who may be experiencing IPV:  

Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 978-360 

National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233
Love is Respect Chat www.loveisrespect.org, 

Peace Over Violence (310) 392-8381

Davis Grawey’s Walk off single in the ninth leads the Vikings to a 5-4 victory over Grossmont

Davis Ramage
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Davis Grawey’s Walk off single in the ninth leads the Vikings to a 5-4 victory over Grossmont

Freshman infielder Davis Grawey headlined the box score going 4-for-4 at the plate and driving in three runs, including the game winner on his walk-off single in the ninth inning. 

Sophomore Marcellus Henry started the game on the mound for the Vikings and threw six efficient innings striking out five and allowing three runs on four hits. 

Marcellus settled in on the mound early, retiring the side with two strikeouts in the first inning. 

The Vikings used small ball to spark a third inning rally with a bunt by freshman first baseman Justin Stembridge advancing freshman outfielder Xander McLaurin to second.

Freshman Liam Taylor throws a pitch in the 8th inning. The Vikings defeated Grossmont 5-4 on Feb. 14, 2023 at Long Beach City College. (Sam Huff)

The bunt was followed by three consecutive hits resulting in a three run third inning. 

Prior to the sixth inning, Grossmont had seven lineout and flyouts to the outfield, but in the sixth inning they were able to connect for two solo home runs.

“I would definitely like to limit the lineouts, but as long as I get the outs, that’s all that matters,” said Henry.

Walks nearly cost the Vikings late in the game, but the bullpen was able to limit Grossmont, giving the offense a chance to win the game.

Freshman outfielder Danny Rodriguez steals third in the 9th inning. The Vikings defeated Grossmont 5-4 on Feb 14, 2023 at Long Beach City College.

A walk and a stolen base by freshman outfielder Danny Rodriguez led to a walk-off single by Grawey in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Vikings to a 5-4 victory. 

When asked about the importance of this win after a rocky start to the season Grawey said, “It’s huge, especially in these close ball games that we have to win. Further on into this season we just need to keep scoring runs, putting up baserunners, and pitchers need to keep throwing strikes.”

Freshman Liam Taylor got the win after allowing no earned runs in the eighth and ninth inning.

The Vikings have a rematch against Grossmont on Thursday the 16th at Grossmont at 1:00 p.m.

LAC’s rebuilt M building shows evidence of rodent infestation

Damien Cortez
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LAC’s rebuilt M building shows evidence of rodent infestation

Rodents have infested LBCC’s M building six months after its reopening, according to staff stationed in the building, forcing faculty to relocate offices and replenish teaching materials.

Upon returning to campus for the Spring semester, instructors found their offices surrounded by nests and other evidence of rodents. Droppings and yellow, liquid substances were seen spread across the chairs and desks of their M building corner office. 

Gina Valentino, who’s worked as an LBCC English professor since 2016, described the office space as “unsanitary with clear debris of mice on the floors.” 

Valentino’s office mate, English professor Brian Garcia, was the first to encounter their space in this state. 

Garcia had work and personal items in the office that were ruined by the rodents. “It looked like a glue or honey on top of my desk… that was when I started to notice that on the seats there was actual pellets of feces and that sticky substance was all over my desk and all over my books.”

Holes in the ceiling were visible, which Garcia had initially dismissed as an electrical or construction issue, but rapidly came to the conclusion that something had chewed through the ceilings after seeing holes in multiple sites in the office. Administration was notified by Garcia on the same day. 

According to Chip West, the Vice President of Business Services at LBCC, a private pest control company was brought in the following day to examine the area and set up traps.

The pest company has returned to the space twice since their initial visit to follow up on the traps set. As of Feb. 14, the traps have not produced any results. 

There has been no physical evidence to prove if these rodents are mice or rats. Garcia firmly believes the rodents are rats stating, “It’s definitely rats. The fact that they’re coming in through the ceiling. Mice don’t do the damage that they did.”

When asked if evidence of rodents was found anywhere else in the building, West states he was only informed of droppings being found in suite M-130.

Garcia does not share this belief stating, “If they’re in M-138 and M-135, they’re in the walls.” 

Both Valentino and Garcia have been moved into a new office while LBCC maintenance faculty continue to monitor the situation in their previous suite.

LBCC’s night custodial team has also been surveilling the building daily according to West. 

Culinary arts bakery now open for Spring Semester at LAC

Veronica Towers
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Culinary arts bakery now open for Spring Semester at LAC

Liberal Arts Campus’ student-run bakery and bistro finally opened its doors Feb 13, kicking off the spring semester by serving a variety of desserts, drinks and fresh food options. 

Located in the V building across from the math student success center, students can find the Bakery open from nine a.m to two p.m.  

Opening the week of Valentine’s Day, the bakery held a special in which they sold a chocolate cake with whipped cream, strawberry compote and fresh strawberries, which quickly sold out. This special was only available to students Monday and Tuesday. 

The bakery currently employs about five students, giving them hands-on experience working in a culinary setting as production bakers.

Hannah Garcia and Donna Harrejon are in charge of running this semester’s bakery team. They both have been working hard to ensure that opening week runs smoothly by planning and organizing their team efficiently.  

Since only five students, including Hannah and Donna, are running the bakery portion, this allows them to have more creative freedom with the menu and explore different cuisines,  including empanadas and meat pies. 

Items surprisingly sold slowly following their first day, which was not expected in comparison to last semester’s turnout.  

Hoping to gain more traction throughout the week, they were still able to sell out a lot of their items, just not as fast as they normally do. 

“We were expecting a lot of people to come but it was pretty slow, but we know throughout the week it’ll be progressively more [customers]” said Herrejon. 

In preparation for opening day, the team of five prepared 800 chocolate chip cookies and 500 oatmeal cranberry cookies. 

This new opening comes at a great time for students considering the continued closure of the school’s cafeteria, the bakery offers options for students who want a fresh, handmade bite to eat in between classes.  

The bakery prices come at an affordable rate for students looking to eat on a budget, with items on the menu ranging from $1.50 like cookies and fresh fruit to the most expensive item, the meat hand pie at $3.75.  

Items tend to sell out quickly, so those looking to purchase more popular items may have better luck arriving shortly after their nine a.m. opening.

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