Illegal marijuana dispensary next to El Camino raided by police; Frisky Business: Exploring six South Bay lingerie/adult shops
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NOTE: This is the final newsletter for the spring semester. The Union’s online newsletter will return on Sept. 14 during the upcoming fall semester.
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NEWS
Illegal marijuana dispensary next to El Camino raided by police
By: Ethan Cohen
An illegal marijuana dispensary near El Camino College was raided and multiple people were detained by local law enforcement agencies on Thursday, June 8. Heavily advertised with a large green banner and sign spinner, the shop has been frequented by multiple students from the college since its opening. Read more.
Climate change amplifies California’s coastal erosion problem
By: Khoury Williams
Most of California’s beaches could be washed away by 2100, according to a recent study from the United States Geological Survey. The impact of coastal erosion, which refers to the soils, rocks and sands carried away or worn down by changes in the climate, has worsened with climate change. Read more.
Sunken City, San Pedro, serves as a warning for coastal communities
By: Kim McGill
Nearly 100 years ago, 39 homes sat at the edge of San Pedro Hills to boast the best and closest views of the Pacific Ocean. Within a few years of opening, the land beneath the cliffs shifted, a water line and then a gas line broke, and the street cracked and dropped several feet. Read more.
Grafitti thrives amid Sunken City ruins
By: Ethan Cohen
Fenced off and known as one of the greatest graffiti attractions for artists in the South Bay, Sunken City is situated right next to the Point Fermin Lighthouse Park. Andrew, also known as Apple Jax or AJ, who declined to give his last name, is in the business of art. His main place of business: Sunken City, San Pedro. Read more.
Tiny aquarium leads charge to heal California’s coasts
By: Kim McGill
The aquatic nursery at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, Calif. on April 11, where scientists are raising critically endangered species that can be reintroduced to the wild. Climate change and coastal erosion has been destroying tide pools that many of the endangered species rely on. Read more.
Got Pride? El Camino College kicks off Pride Month with annual festival
By: Brittany Parris
Among the flurry of balloons and bubbles, students and faculty came together at the Student Services Plaza to celebrate the first day of Pride Month on June 1. The event was part of a week-long celebration presented by the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Student Equity & Achievement clubs to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Read more.
Community members take part in parental resource fair at El Camino
A variety of services and organizations were made available to parents in the community at the Parent and Community Resource Fair at El Camino College on June 3. The fair is meant to give attending college parents and community members access to resources Read more.
Community college transfer rates decline over past decade
By: Dalton Pierson
Transfer rates from California community colleges to four-year universities have seen a 42% decrease from 2011 to 2021. Transfer rates are low in community colleges in California for multiple reasons, including students not being prepared for academics beyond community college. Read more.
Free food pantries that bring produce to local neighborhoods
The number of people experiencing food insecurity and hunger in Los Angeles County remains high post-pandemic. Check out five food pantries that distribute healthy food items near El Camino College. Read more.
EDITORIAL
Virtual mental health can’t substitute face-to-face interactions
El Camino brought the TimelyCare platform which brings a professional psychologist for students to talk at any time, but students prefer one-on-one counseling. The Union Editorial Board believes TimelyCare is important but El Camino needs to prioritize in-person students. Read more.
Support parenting community needs for child care on campus
Child Development Center brought attention to parent students as a way to keep the children safe and in no need to worry about possible things happening to your child. The Union Editorial Board encourages El Camino to bring back the center and its benefits for the college and community. Read more.
Beyond peanuts and cracker jacks: Increasing sport event food options
Food vendors are rarely available at el camino home games, The Union Editorial Board believes that adding food stands will add to the experience of the game, regardless of sport. In this editorial, The Union brings plans for food vendors. Read more.
SPORTS
Leafa Juarez — graceful as a gazelle, tough as a tiger
Leafa Juarez, a standout indoor and outdoor volleyball player, shares her story on how she started playing volleyball at an early age. Her parents, coaches, and teammates describe the volleyball star when she is on and off the courts. Read more.
NFL, MLB stars honored among others at El Camino Hall of Fame induction
Former El Camino athletes were honored at the 30th Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, June 1. Among the athletes honored were Garrett Cooper, who plays for the Miami Marlins and Nate Ness, who played in the NFL. Read more.
El Camino coaches reflect on their philosophy
By: Khallid Muhsin
If a coach’s principles are reflected in their coaching philosophy, then their coaching approach is reflected in their style. The coaching leadership style used by El Camino coaches involves a leader assisting a new team member with routine responsibilities. Read more.
HEALTH
Walking trails near El Camino College
By: Greg Fontanilla
Taking a walk in Mother Nature is one way to get away from the pressures of student and work life. Here are five locations the El Camino College community can consider to take in what Mother Nature has to offer. Read more.
OPINION
It’s been five years and I still like him
By: Brianna Vaca
Five years have passed and reporter Brianna Vaca's high school crush on the boy who sat across from her during English class has not gone away. Even when those feelings weren’t reciprocated and Brianna tried to move on, her crush on him never faded away. Read more.
Who am I outside of playing sports?
By: Johan Van Wier
Warrior Life reporter Johan Van Wier reflects on his love for sports from childhood to now. Read how Johan’s dream of becoming a sports athlete transitioned into becoming a sports spectator and reporter. Read more.
Breaking up with a friend as an adult
By: Delfino Camacho
The Union’s new editor-in-chief reflects on good and bad memories within a close friendship that ultimately fell apart due to insecurities. Follow along a yearly timeline of events chronicling every moment that led to a heartbreaking breakup. Read more.
Different countries, different me
By: Matheus Trefilio
Union and Warrior Life reporter Matheus Trefilio’s life was forever changed when his family decided to move from Brazil to the United States in search of better career opportunities in 2016. Join Matheus as he adjusts to American life and culture throughout the years. Read here.
ARTS & FEATURES
Frisky Business: Exploring six South Bay lingerie/adult shops
By: Delfino Camacho
Sex. It’s a part of life. Whether you can discuss intercourse course with a straight face or if you giggle whenever discussing the deed it is an undeniable aspect of human existence. Come along with The Union as we take a walk on the wild side and explore six of the best lingerie and adult stores in the South Bay. Read more.
Date Night Delights: Best places in the South Bay to take that special someone
By: Ethan Cohen
Whether you’re seeking a romantic outing, a thrilling adventure or a fun-filled night, we’ve handpicked the crème de la crème of date spots that promise to kindle cherished connections and leave you longing for more. So, hold hands, embrace the thrill of anticipation and embark on an extraordinary journey through South Bay’s vibrant local scene. Read more.
Class dismissed
After 30 distinguished years in education, Humanities Dean Debra Breckheimer is set to retire from El Camino College. Follow Breckheimer’s powerful journey from student to teacher to becoming a breast cancer survivor. Read more.
A calling for food and community
By: Hannah Bui
Sausalido Cafe owners Lucy Liampetchakul and Julius Obembe have worked in the restaurant industry for 19 years. Sausalido Cafe is the place to relax and recharge after a difficult day for many El Camino College students, employees and the local community. Read more.
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ sets the bar for animation and superhero films
By: Khoury Williams
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is an outstanding cinematic achievement in both animation and the superhero genre. In addition to the breathtakingly beautiful animation style, this film will be remembered for its moving story that leaves audiences wanting more as soon as the credits roll. Read more.
Taking the Stage
El Camino College English professor and musician Chris Page, now a drummer for the Los Angeles-based rock band tudors, attributes much of his love of music and writing to his creative youth. Page recalls certain hobbies that he still pursues and likes that would not have been possible if it had not been for his curiosity as a child. Read more.
VIDEOS
By: Khoury Williams
Black hair texture and styles have been a highly debated topic when it comes to discrimination and public approval. Recently, a "natural hair" movement has been embraced by Black communities and Black community members at El Camino College share their experiences with Black hair, in addition to their thoughts on the natural hair movement. View here.
By: Brittany Parris
Non-traditional students find a home in the Life Experience Club. The Life Experience Club at El Camino College is a space for non-traditional students to find support, network and build a community with their peers. View here.
By: Matheus Trefilio
Movies, music and finals: The Union gets into podcasting. The Union team produces the first two podcast episodes. Listen to the newly published episodes here and click here to watch the video.
By: Ethan Cohen
A Day in the Life of a student bodybuilder. Nutrition major Arian Razaghpanah his journey that led him into bodybuilding and watch as he prepares for a bodybuilding show. View here.
By: Khoury Williams
Hosted by the El Camino College boxing club at the Sweet Science Boxing and MMA gym in Hawthorne, the first inaugural "Fight Night" event was the first in a series of planned events scheduled to continue throughout the upcoming fall semester. "Fight Night": Season 1 acted as a showcase and fundraiser event in support of the boxing club. View here.
Extra! The Union’s final spring 2023 issue is here
The Union’s fifth and final issue of the spring 2023 semester has arrived!
The Union Vol. 77, No. 10, features extensive reporting on California's coastal erosion problem and stories about a budget deficit within the Associated Students Organization, payment for clinical psychologists being halved, a decline in transfer rates, opinions on military spending and more.
Look out for The Union’s newspaper on news racks located around campus.
Not on campus? Check out the digital edition issue here and look out for a new slate of issues when Vol. 78 kicks off this fall semester.
New issues of The Union’s physical newspaper are scheduled to publish on the following dates:
• Sept. 21
• Oct. 12 and 26
• Nov. 16
• Dec. 7
Warrior Life Magazine is here!
The spring/summer issue of Warrior Life is here! Look out for the physical edition located on news racks around the El Camino campus starting today!
The digital edition of Warrior Life will also be arriving soon on our website: ECCUnion.com
This magazine is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and dedication from dozens of Warrior Life staff members over the course of the fall 2022 and current spring semesters.
The spring/summer 2023 edition of Warrior Life is our biggest issue yet, featuring 120 pages of stories that include an English professor who plays in a punk rock band, the personal struggles that come with supporting an incarcerated loved one, the president student government advocating for immigration and refugee rights, top five lists and more.
Tunes from The Union: A rotating playlist by journalists
With every newspaper issue comes a brand-new playlist! Check out The Union’s curated selection of songs featuring a different theme to accompany each playlist.
This issue’s playlist is titled “Celebration 🎉” in honor of El Camino’s graduating class of 2023. Listen here.
About The Union
The Union is El Camino College’s student-run newspaper and the only local source of news for its college community. Everything published by The Union is done by student journalists. The Union is proud to present the El Camino College community with weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday morning.
The Union will commit to covering stories that deliver the truth and highlight diversity, equity and inclusion on campus at El Camino College and its surrounding community in Torrance, California.
This is the final newsletter from The Union’s Editor-in-Chief, Khoury Williams. It’s been an honor serving this community.
If you have any comments or questions about this issue of The Union’s newsletter or any of the stories you’ve read, please contact our new Editor-in-Chief Delfino Camacho by emailing him at delfino_camacho@elcamino.edu. If you feel satisfied with what you read today, let us know by sharing this newsletter and tagging us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
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