The RenegadeBakersfield College Rip Vol. 86 ∙ No. 7 www.therip.com Wednesday, December 3, 2014 ‘Rainbow’ star lands in Bakersfield By Alisia Sanchez more, Burton said, “I see that Photographer some of you have copies of ‘The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm,’ The product details of LeVar and if you have one, please feel Burton’s first children’s book, free to follow along.” “The Rhino Who Swallowed a “I don’t,” a little boy said in Storm,” suggest that the book is response. intended for children between “You can borrow mine,” of- the ages of 5 and 7 years old, but fered 9-year-old Zion Johnson, when Burton appeared at Barnes who wore a pair of soft-pink & Noble on Nov. 21 to read his footed pajamas. book out loud, listeners of all “If you don’t have a copy, I’m ages were eager to take a look. going to share the pictures with Wearing a blue sweater and a you, OK? All right,” Burton as- pair of blue denim jeans, long- sured the boy. time host of the PBS children’s After numerous parents at- television series “Reading Rain- tempted to hush the talkative bow,” Burton made his way children, Burton began his around the circle of children and reading of the 32-page book he their parents. He sat down on a Above: 9-month-old Lily co-wrote with Susan Schaefer Thompson and LeVar brown wooden chair that had Bernardo. been set out for him by Barnes Illustrated by Courtenay Burton share a glance as he & Noble Community Business Fletcher, Burton kept his word signs her copy of his first Development Manager Cody W. and held the book up to share its children’s book, “The Rhino Meek moments before Burton pictures. He held the book up to Who Swallowed a Storm.” made his initial appearance. his left and then to his right, and “Hey, ya’ll. Who wants to hear then back again. At times, Bur- Left: Before commencing a story?” Burton asked those in ton placed the book away from a short Q&A, many hands attendance. him and before the audience. rose when LeVar Burton A long “Me!” was heard Holding it wide open, around the asked those who are fans throughout the store when Bur- room his arms stretched, making of “Reading Rainbow,” ton was interrupted with a sur- sure not to leave out those whose “Star Trek,” and “Roots” to prise. A choir of four appeared to hands remained empty. The identify themselves. his right. “Butterfly in the sky,” bookstore sold all copies of “The they started. Though two words Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm” ALISIA SANCHEZ / THE RIP in the song were sung incorrect- before the event was scheduled ly, no one took notice, and the to begin at 7 p.m. little boy in the audience. book with much fervor. His tone characters. page without looking up at him. crowd first joined The Fat Quar- While reading, Burton’s voice “The baby’s very sad,” Bur- was engaging and, oftentimes, The children looked on with When he finally turned to the ters when in the first verse they was soon accompanied by the ton stopped reading and said in Burton made eye contact with much intent, and as Burton book’s last page, showing the sang “A Reading Rainbow.” audio of a storm, and by the time acknowledgment. “I think she the children who surrounded turned the page, many children audience, Burton said about his “You’re fantastic,” Burton told a couple of pages had been read, swallowed a storm, too.” The au- him. His voice changed occa- followed along. Sitting quietly book, “And, appropriately, it the choir as soon as they were a baby in the audience began to dience laughed and Burton was sionally as a new character in beside a cousin and her sister, ends with a rainbow.” The audi- done. cry. quick to continue reading. the book was introduced, adding Johnson stayed in-step with Bur- ence applauded loudly. Addressing the crowd once “The baby is sad,” said another Word by word, Burton read his personality to those particular ton and knew when to turn the Please see BURTON, Page 4 Protest against Mexican government honors lost By Elizabeth Castillo done by a supposedly democratic government.” Reporter Vazquez attended the event in solidarity of the students and to raise awareness of the injustice. Protests and vigils A vigil was held on Nov. 20 at the Liberty Bell in were held around the world on Nov. 20, as a Global Day downtown Bakersfield to honor 43 male students that of Action. went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. “I hope that the vigil will do some good and put pres- The vigil was held as part of a larger global protest sure on the Mexican government,” he said. against the Mexican government, which presumably The vigil shared the names of all the students who went played a role in abducting the students. The students were missing, and each student had a candle placed in front of en route to a protest held against the Mexican government his picture. The names of the students were read one by for discriminatory hiring practices. one, and a rose was placed next to their picture. Audrey VANESSA A. MUNOZ / THE RIP “An injustice was done to these students for exercising Chavez, the founder and president of Bakersfield’s AIDS Residents memorialized the 43 students who went missing in Mexico recently their civil rights,” said Edgardo Soto Vazquez, a Bakers- by placing a rose next to their pictures after calling out their names on Nov. 12. field college student. “They were taken away and this was Please see MEMORIAL, Page 4 BC Chamber Singers set to perform festive holiday classics for students By Elizabeth Castillo composed of solo, duet and quartet performances. performing arts department chair, is one of several be a silent auction during the event as well. Tick- Reporter A Culinary Christmas Carol will help the Chamber faculty members to be performing in A Culinary ets for the event are $30 and must be purchased in Singers with their payments for their June 2015 trip Christmas Carol. Garrett will be performing as advance. The Bakersfield College Chamber Singers are to Rome, Florence and Venice. well. “It will be a wonderful evening of yummy food, hosting A Culinary Christmas Carol on Dec. 6 to “The event will not be enough to cover the ex- “I will even play my harp for the first time in excellent variety of entertainment, and fun sing raise funds for their upcoming trip to Italy. penses of the trip as it is quite expensive to travel public,” she said. alongs for everyone there,” Garrett said. The festive event will be held in the Fireside to Rome,” Garrett said. “But it will significantly The event will feature instrumental music along For those seeking even more Christmas enter- Room at 6:30 p.m. This is the first year the Cham- help everyone make the next payment. Everything with the other performers. It will be catered by tainment, there will be a choral concert held on ber Singers will be holding the event. Jennifer helps.” BC’s Culinary Arts department. Dinner and dessert Dec. 5 at 7:10 p.m. downtown at 1705 17th St. The Garrett, the Performing Arts professor behind the The Chamber Singers is an exclusive group of will be served at the event. Garrett said she has en- Winter Choral Concert: A History of the Carols event, said that they hope to make A Culinary BC students and alumni. To join the group, individ- joyed working with the Culinary Arts department will be filled with Christmas carols from around Christmas Carol an annual tradition. The Cham- uals must first audition and once chosen are able to create this event. the world and the history of each carol will also be ber Singers will perform holiday favorites such as to perform with the Chamber Singers locally and “They have been very willing to work with us, discussed. “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” internationally. and it is wonderful to collaborate with other depart- Suggested donations for the concert are $5 for and “Silent Night.” Although A Culinary Christmas Carol will fea- ments on campus,” she said. students, faculty and veterans, and $10 for general The event will include performances from the ture numerous student performances, BC faculty Not only will A Culinary Christmas Carol feature admission. After the concert, guests can enjoy a hot choir as a whole, but the entertainment will also be and staff will perform as well. John Gerhold, the live entertainment and food, Garrett said there will chocolate and doughnut fundraiser. FEATURES Page 2 The Renegade Rip www.therip.com Wednesday, December 3, 2014 Nursing Club prepares students for future By Christopher A. Baptiste Reporter The president of the Nursing Club, Sherri Morton, said she joined the Bakersfield College nursing program for a very per- sonal reason. After 30 years of working in a beauty salon, Morton returned to BC to get a nursing degree af- ter she found out her 8-year-old daughter had cancer. Morton’s daughter was sick for eight years and passed away at 15 and a photos BY VANESSA MUNOZ / THE RIP half. “I wanted to do something Top: Student enrolled in the nursing program are interested in joining the Nursing Club. Bottom right: Sherri Morton, who has long been in the more substantial with my life,” nursing program at Bakersfield College, is the president of the Nursing Club on campus.