There are many ways a student’s life can be effected and touched. One of those ways is through leadership and the other is love. Mr. William B. Johnson used both to foster a way of hands on learning for his students. Below are some of the kinds things students have to say about his recent passing.

Michelle Olsen

Mr. Johnson was always there personally and professionally. He always wanted the best for his students, and expected nothing less from them. He showed me ethics and standards of journalism and life. I am proud to have been one of his students.

Kevin Maier

Mr. Johnson was a mentor and friend. I will always keep in mind the lessons he taught me in the newsroom about being a professional and a human being.

Kirk Folgers (Folgers Graphics)

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Chabot College’s long-time journalism department leader Mr. Bill Johnson.  He was a very friendly person and always seemed to have a smile on his face.  I had heard that he was not doing well, but I could only hope that he would overcome the illness that he was dealing with.  Unfortunately that hope never happened, but at least his suffering and worries are at ease now as he has moved on and may his memories and spirit always remain with us for many years to come.

Jack Barnwell

I initially joined the Spectator, Chabot College’s weekly newspaper, to improve my writing skills. That changed when Bill Johnson, the adviser, saw the camera around my shoulder and said the paper could always use photographers. Johnson’s words set my path. The Spectator staff forced me from my shell. I made friends inside the newsroom and out, learned to work as a team and as an editor. I adapted in large part because of Johnson’s guidance. Johnson has always been a mentor to his students, willing to work with them instead of just lecturing.  There have been times when he argued some of the Spectator staff over how something could have been made better.  I think he did this because he saw so much potential in those he taught. He treated his students as adults who shouldn’t be simply shepherded through class or lecture. Johnson allowed his students to succeed or fail and learn from their mistakes.  He was there to advise, not to take charge and his advice was invaluable.  He did such great service to journalism education, and his absence will be greatly felt in that area.

Azucena Rasilla

My condolences go out to Mr. Johnson’s loved ones. He was truly a remarkable man, a fantastic professor and a great human being. He leaves behind a great legacy to all of his former students who learned from his teachings and who carried on to great careers. My up-and-coming journalistic career would not have been the …same if it wasn’t for all the things I learned from Mr. Johnson, may he rest in peace.

Thomas Frydendahl Berg

I met Mr. Johnson in 1999, when I wrote for the Spectator. Although I didn’t know him for long, he remains a fond memory of my time at the paper as well as at Chabot. Rest in peace…

Former Spectator advisor, William Johnson passed away due to cancer last Saturday

Some will debate what makes a great teacher, advisor or mentor, but these titles are one in the same and best represent who Instructor William Johnson was to many of his students.

William Bryant Johnson was born Nov. 9, 1942 and passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 30 in the privacy of his home after a long fight with cancer.

Johnson began his career as a mass communications instructor at Chabot College and advisor to the Chabot Spectator in 1989.

After 20 years of instruction and continuous commitment to his students, he retired from teaching and advising the Spectator last fall due to declining health.

“It was a commitment to make it a respectable student production,” said Johnson in an interview last December.

“I’m going to miss Mr. Johnson. Sure he was tough on us sometimes, but I realize that he made those of us who care about the paper put in our best effort (and sometimes scared off those who didn’t care enough). Working on the Spectator has made me a better writer and a better student, and I know it’s all thanks to Mr. Johnson’s tough love,” said former student Chris Stott.

When asked about how they felt about their advisor, former and current students had much to say. Chris Nguyen, former Chabot Spectator Scene Editor, said Johnson was “someone so knowledgeable and passionate about good old-fashioned journalism.”

This reigns true in that he has helped lead the staff of the Spectator to great success at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges conferences annually.

Last fall term this newspaper won 12 mail-in awards which included General Excellence and one on-the-spot award for News Writing. Most of this success can be attributed to the leadership of Johnson.

“I feel very fortunate to [have been] in several classes taught by Mr. Johnson. I think he’s one of the people I have to truly thank and give credibility to where I am headed in the future, school-wise and career-wise,” wrote Carmen Shiu.

Some have even said that Johnson put his students and the paper first and personal life second. This might be due to the relationship he had with each and every one of his students.

In an interview last December, according to Johnson’s wife Michelle Sherry, Early Childhood Development instructor, “Bill never had children of his own … you [were] all his ‘kids’ and he [was] very invested in you succeeding in your endeavors ….”

Johnson’s love for his students was like that of a parent, as he said, “I am more proud of what the Spectator has done than my own awards … the journalism students at Chabot … have won over 100 awards.”

Before Johnson was this proud parent he spent some time as an active journalist himself. Johnson’s endeavors included an active involvement in the civil rights movement when he took a journey to the University of Mississippi to interview James Meredith.

“I was a junior in college and it was the year 1962 that James Meredith attempted to enroll in the University of Mississippi and on a rather obsessive impulse I found another guy and we drove all night to the university after a riot killed two people after James Meredith tried to get into the university. I took it upon myself to write about it. I even snuck into a class with Meredith who sat along the wall and no white student would sit within two rows of him,” said Johnson.

Johnson is no stranger to controversy. He has been to Cuba three times despite the United States embargo.

More recently Johnson traveled with three other instructors to do an educational research project in March 2009.

Johnson has traveled for education before, spending a year and a half in China teaching at Funan and Nan Jing Universities fall 1995 through winter 1996.

“I was a FulBright Scholar, awarded by the U.S. government to teach abroad. It was very foreign and very strange and eye opening. It was a huge struggle to learn as much as I could about the culture,” said Johnson.

In lieu of Johnson’s death students have lost someone dedicated to the world of journalism and education. Anyone interested in journalism was wise to seek out Johnson.

Sherry wrote, “I only [knew] Bill for [8] years … he lived and breathed journalism and his ‘kids.’”

Whether Johnson was working on the newspaper or traveling the world he caught the eyes and ears of those around him.

Colleague Arlene DeLeon wrote, “I’ve always had great respect and admiration for Bill. His enthusiasm for his field and his students [was] awe inspiring. Bill had enormous energy, but in his personal life, too, he was always looking for the next big mountain to climb or peak to experience. Bill always seemed to know how to live life fully.”

To share your thoughts on how Mr. Johnson changed your life or helped you as a mass communications student send an e-mail to chabotspectator@gmail.com.

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To read the thoughts of those who knew Mr. Johnson best, click here.

Esther Patterson/ Contributing Writer

The Other Guys Movie Poster

If you’re looking for a summer comedy to see in the theaters this weekend, do yourself the favor of skipping over “Dinner for Schmucks” and head in to see “The Other Guys”, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.  I’m not attempting to write an entire review comparing the two films in a spoiler-filled, superiority contest.

Just know that “Other Guys” is a film that is absolutely committed to its sense of absurd humor, and Will Ferrell is its biggest proponent.  He is like the Star Trek geek for new millennium comedies, parading around in ill-fitting suits, huge prescription glasses, and making his obscene amount of knowledge about tuna fish and scaffolding permits well known to his peers.  But even as he polices streets of New York as Detective Allen Gamble with his partner, Terry Hoitz (Walhberg), scouting for clues about a kidnapping, a possible Ponzi scheme, and his oft-missing Prius, Gamble / Ferrell’s biggest concern is scoring a laugh, no matter how much pain and embarrassment it may cause him.  That is dedication taken to obsessive heights.  Star Trek-like “geekdom”.

There’s no question that Will Ferrell is the star of the film, but there are other guys and a gal who may surprise you with their comedic talents as well.  Because he so scarcely seen these days, Michael Keaton’s slapstick role as Police Captain Mauch is a treasure, and he has one of the best running gags throughout his motivational speeches.

Mark Wahlberg plays an anxious “meathead” cop, who endlessly taunts Ferrell about his lack of motivation and drive when, in fact, he lacks the skills of observation and critical thinking that Ferrell excels at.  And don’t miss out on Eva Mendes as Ferrell’s wife.  She’s more than a pretty face in this role.  Mendes is also a great pair of tits, a wicked tongue, and a perfect foil for exposing Gamble and Hoitz’s awkwardness around women.

One last recommendation is for you to stay seated until the credits are over, as there is more footage to be seen after the formal film is finished.  I will also mention that “The Other Guys” like “Dinner for Schmucks” satirizes and shows contempt for the bourgeoisie, the corporate world, and the people responsible for millions of lost jobs and billions of lost dollars, if not trillions, in our latest recession.

I’m not quite sure what conclusions we can draw from these reoccurring themes when “The Other Guys” is packed with huge explosions and car chases, plus the millions upon millions that were spent in the process of making this film.  Perhaps it’s that a silly buddy-cop film can contain obscenely funny jokes and a keen eye for the causes of social inequalities?

Ferrell accomplishes this monstrous task without an ounce of overburdened pretentiousness weighing him down.   Your move, every other comedian, and buddy-cop movie ever made.

Esther Patterson/ Contributing Writer

Dinner For Schmucks Movie Poster

An hour and a half prior to the screening of “Dinner for Schmucks”, I made a list of things I could predict about the film without having seen it: There will be a dinner.

There will be schmucks. There will be a predictable plotline with heaps of schadenfreude and a side serving of fart jokes. Paul Rudd and Steve Carell will be adorable and hilarious.

I was wrong about the fart jokes. There were none. Now that is unpredictable for a Jay Roach (“Austin Powers”, “Meet the Parents”) film.

Here’s the plot in a few untidy sentences, which seems a far more appropriate medium for it than, say, a two-hour film; Tim (played by Paul Rudd) wants a promotion at work. He exhibits the drive, ideas, and qualities necessary for the corporate position, but his boss will only promote him if he brings the winning idiot to a monthly dinner / competition for idiots and corporate assholes. Through a stroke of luck, Tim runs into Barry (Steve Carell), literally and painfully with his car, and soon discovers Barry’s hobby of creating diorama art with taxidermy mice is his golden ticket to dinner, and the promotion.

The obstructions to Tim’s plan are numerous, including but not limited to, his own conscience, his girlfriend’s conscience, Barry’s kindness, and the whimsical nature of the mouse art, which looks like it belongs in the company of Nick Park’s or Wes Anderson’s stop motion films.

My least obvious complaint about ‘Schmucks’ is that the dinner party primarily consists of Daily Show and Comedy Central luminaries like Zach Galifanakis and Jeff Dunham, yet the scene is late in the film, and hardly a main course in less than 20 minutes of the nearly two-hour running time. Likewise, two of the comedic geniuses from “Flight of the Conchords”, Kristen Schaal, as Rudd’s cynical, foul-mouthed secretary, and Jemaine Clement, the horny, literally cloven-hooved, artist Kieran, are both vital to the storyline, but are underutilized and frankly, muddled in a mush of competing screen time among all the comedic actors in the film.

These comedians are the heart of the film, and it seems cruel to subject each of them to half-assed side-stories when any one of them could’ve carried a two-hour film on their own with more filling laughs than ‘Schmucks’ has. Hell, the psychic who talks to dead animals could have a show on Animal Planet called “The Cock Whisperer” and I would enjoy it more than this film.

This weekend cats, dogs and rabbits will be the focus in Oakland. Two fantastic adoption events will be going on Saturday and Sunday.

Oakland Animal Services (OAS) will be having a kitten adopt-a-thon Saturday, July 10 from Noon to 5 p.m. All kittens will be available for $25 and if your feel so inclined to get two the fee will be $40. These fees will include spay or neuter, microchip and vaccinations.

Even more exciting is the shelter will be offereing already spayed adult cats for free. Yes, you read that right free adult cat adoptions at Oakland Animal Services.

Now if this event wasnt already a fantastic find for the weekend, Sunday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. East Bay SPCA will have their adoption event “Dog Days of Summer, Adopt-a-thon Summer of Love” in Jack London Square at the foot of Washington.

Not only will dogs be available for adoption but cats and rabbits will also be there on display from 10 different local pet agencies. This event will be accompanied by live music.

For information about the OAS kitten adopt-a-thon go to www.oaklandanimalservices.org or just drop by 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland.

For information about the East Bay SPCA event you can find details on their Facebook events page, click here.

For many there are gaps in their schedule or their just having difficulties finding an open class to add. Typically Chabot will post open classes that are searching for students on Class Web, but they haven’t set that up yet. Below are some classes still open and seeking students. Theses classes are as of July 6 at Noon. This is not a guarentee that the classes are still open.

Anthropolgy
20443     ANTH     5     Cultures of the U.S. in Global

________________________________________________________
Architecture
22720     ARCH     4A     Arch Drafting Principles I
22721     ARCH     4B     Arch Drafting Principles II
20685     ARCH     8A     Fundamentals of Arch Design I
22719     ARCH     33     3-D Modeling

________________________________________________________
Art History
21831     ARTH     1     Introduction to Art
23062     ARTH     4     Art History-Ancient to Gothic
23063     ARTH     7     Multicultural Hist Amer Art
22443     ARTH     50     Museum & Gallery Techniques

________________________________________________________
Astronomy
21828     ASTR     30     Intro to Astronomy Lab

________________________________________________________
Communications

22403    COMM 1         Fundamentals of Speech Comm
22404   COMM 1         Fundamentals of Speech Comm
22408    COMM 1         Fundamentals of Speech Comm
22370    COMM 1         Fundamentals of Speech Comm
22409    COMM 1         Fundamentals of Speech Comm
________________________________________________________
English
22225     ENGL     25    Asian-American Literature     TR
21099     ENGL     32     U.S. Women’s Literature
20674     ENGL     45     Studies in Fiction
21195     ENGL     48     Literature of the Holocaust
20583     ENGL     101B Reading, Reasoning, Writing II
21220     ENGL     101B Reading, Reasoning, Writing II
21881     ENGL     101B    Reading, Reasoning, Writing II
23118     ENGL     102     Read/Reason/Write-Accelerated
20666     ENGL     102     Read/Reason/Write-Accelerated
20663     ENGL     102     Read/Reason/Write-Accelerated
20593     ENGL     107     Intro to English Grammar
21761     ENGL     107     Intro to English Grammar
22069     ENGL     107     Intro to English Grammar

________________________________________________________
Geography
21922     GEOG     1     Intro to Physical Geography
20672     GEOG     1     Intro to Physical Geography
20673     GEOG     1L     Intro to Phys Geog Laboratory
________________________________________________________
Mass Communications

20246     MCOM     1     Journalism: Newswriting
22895     MCOM     3     Magazine and Feature Writing
21877     MCOM     9    Colloquium-Mass Communications
20244    MCOM     14     Writing & Photo Publication
20245     MCOM     15     Publications/Editorial
22495     MCOM     40     Introduction to Broadcasting
22516     MCOM     41     Intro to Mass Communications
22900     MCOM     41     Intro to Mass Communications
22899     MCOM     42     Writing for Broadcasting
22496     MCOM     44     Radio & Television Announcing
22499     MCOM     50     Radio Studio Techniques
22500     MCOM     58     KCRH Radio Experience
22517     MCOM     59    Adv KCRH Radio Experience
22501     MCOM     68     KCTH Television Experience
22541     MCOM     69     Advanced KCTH TV Experience
________________________________________________________
Mathematics
21461     MTH     40         Concepts of Mathematics
21568     MTH     40         Concepts of Mathematics

Summer will be over faster then you know it and students will be flocking to Chabot to add classes that they weren’t able to register for. Many of the classes that everyone needs are full, but there are some simple steps you can take to give yourself a better chance at getting into that English 4 or math 55 classes that you really need. Below are some tips, they are not a guarantee but they have often worked for me.

Tip 1. Email the instructor before school starts to let them know that you would like to add their class if they have any space. To email an instructor you can simply go to the Staff Directory.

Tip 2. Get your add/priority number and what I mean by this is not simply write it down by print it, many teachers will not go off your word. To obtain your priority number log into your Class Web account and click on “Student Services”, then click “Registration”, then click on “Check your registration or priority number”. Then simply print the screen.

Tip 3. Bring your Student Id with you on the first day. Some instructors will need this to verify it is your add number you are using. Additionally many student services will be unavailable to you with out it. For example: you can’t write a check at the bookstore without your student ID. You also can’t use the health center or WRAC center without. Also if you need to make any changes to your registration in the administration building your ID is key. To get your ID go to building 700 to The Student Online Services Office. You will need to bring the following
* Photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued ID or Passport)
* Receipt or printout of current class schedule (available on CLASS-Web)
* Your W number (Student ID Number)

Tip 4. Arrive early to the class and I don’t mean five minutes. I mean 15 or 20 if you can. Most general education courses have a lot of people who want to add and students will go and sit in a class more than an hour before the class begins just to make sure they get a good seat in front of the teacher.

Tip 5. DON’T BE LATE! If you can’t arrive early don’t arrive late. Arriving late is a slap in the face to the teacher and first impressions mean everything. Plus you don’t want to upset the teacher who is going to decide whether or not to add you. To avoid being late double check the classes room number online, sometimes what gets printed in the catalog changes and the school will update it online. Also account for parking, if you are going to park off campus include your walking time and even if you are parking on campus the first week is crazy and parking can be difficult.

Tip 6. Talk to the instructor and ask if you can sit in on the class for the first week or two. Hopefully someone will drop and there will be a spot for you. If you don’t make it into the class based on your add number or there are just too many students wanting to add, don’t be discouraged. Many students drop in the first couple weeks due to schedule conflicts or they realize the class is too much for them.

Enjoy free live music performances in downtown Hayward through out the summer at the Plaza.

You’ve seen the movie, probably didn’t know it was a play before, listening to the musical has people looking at Mel Brooks as a comical Genius.

Wednesday June 30th was opening night for Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein the musical and stakes were high! So did it live up to its Broadway expectation? Warning spoiler alert!! Everyone has heard the story of Frankenstein, a pile of sown together body parts brought to life by science only to backfire on the scientists face.

Young Frankenstein is a musical that begs the question what happened after said failure so many years after the problem.

Roger Bart does a superb job reprising his role as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein. After arriving in Transylvania to pick up his grandfather’s inheritance he soon joins the family business but not before meeting Igor (Cory English). Both Bart and English complimented each other so well that it almost made it as if the audience was looking in on a the doctor and minion. Bart and English deserve praise for surpassing the movie version making there parts memorable.

The beautiful Anne Horak (Inga, Dr. Frederick’s love interest) also complimented the play, only adding to how wonderful the cast was. Her singing voice was as clear as an Angel’s. She gave a wonderful womanly masculinity to the rest of the cast and was nice to see.

Beth Curry and Joanna Glushak gave me a sense of how well and attention to detail these actors had. Each joke, each note each move throughout the stage was carefully thought out and came off so natural. Making the 2 hours this Musical runs to shorts, because you are left wanting more of Curry and Glushak.

It’s a Musical but so much more Mel Brooks does it yet again with a great musical filled with beautiful music and even a more beautiful stage. Young Frankenstein the Musical is a need to watch and a nice update to the original movie. Five stars of five.

Young Frankenstein the Musical will be playing in San Francisco through July 25 and then it will be in Los Angeles July 27 through August 15. For more information about the musical go to www.youngfrankensteinthemusical.com.

From July 10th through July 24th, Hayward Public Library is offering a one-time library amnesty program, “Food for Fines,” during which Library customers may bring in donations of food to help the hungry while clearing some of their overdue fines.  During this amnesty program, each food item donated to the library can be used to “pay” for $1 in library overdue fines, up to a maximum of $25 cleared per card.  All donated food will be given to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

A valid Hayward Public Library card must be presented at the time of the donation.  Donations will be accepted in person during normal Library operating hours.  Food donations will apply towards overdue fines; they will not apply towards lost or damaged item fees, replacement library card fees, or interlibrary loan (LINK+) fees.

The most needed food items are:

•    Canned Fruit and Vegetables
•    Powdered Milk
•    Tomato Sauce
•    Beans
•    Rice
•    Low-Sugar Cereal and Oatmeal
•    Canned soup (low salt)
•    Pasta
•    Peanut Butter
•    Canned Meats and Fish
•    Powdered Milk
•    Healthy Snacks (Granola Bars, Raisins, Pretzels, etc)

Donated food items must be unopened and sealed in original packaging.  Homemade items, perishable items, opened or repackaged items, or items packaged in glass cannot be accepted.

Help Hayward Public Library and Alameda County Community Food Bank wipe out hunger (and your library overdue fines) by participating in Food for Fines.  For more information visit the library’s webpage http://library.hayward-ca.gov, or call 510-293-8685.