Bowman Library: The Place Where Menlo Students Go to Study (Photo Slideshow)

By Joel Blake
Menlo Oak Staff

Bowman Library is a great place to study, read, and interact with other students. It is an environment where you can concentrate. Almost any time of the day, your can see  students busy at work. At Menlo, the library is the place where students' dedication and work ethic can be seen. Click here for a photo slideshow of scenes from Bowman Library.  

Test Driving the Tesla Business Model

By Joel Blake
Menlo Oak Staff

Beamer, Benz, or Bentley? That’s the question the modern luxury car buyer asks when he or she is in the market for a new car.

The Tesla  Model S (front) and Roadster (back).

Californians all too accustomed to an elite standard of automobile. With gas prices rising and a job rates declining, these West Coast drivers are also trying to avoid the pump, and find alternative means of transportation. In the Atherton-Menlo Park area, these alternatives are easy to spot--Caltrain is just down the street, Samtrans bus stops line El Camino. But if you take a walk just a little bit further you will find Tesla Motors.

            Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. From its Palo Alto-based headquarters, the company has expanded to 21 store locations worldwide. The company’s success has been powered by electricity; creating cars that lessen the global dependency on petroleum-based transportation and instead run completely on electricity.

         When visiting the Palo Alto Store, the first person you may speak to is Manager Neil Joseph.

        “Tesla is leading the way in sustainable transportation,” Joseph said.  We are making compelling electric cars that are usable in the real world, and they perform better than their gasoline counterparts.  This is helping create a new industry, and charging infrastructure that will produce thousands of jobs.”

            “Public transit is minimal because of the vast size of our country, its important to try and make personal transportation as efficient as possible,” Joseph added.

            “Since Tesla makes compelling electric cars, it also creates a brand that is highly iconic like Apple.  We are changing the way people interact with a car company and helping make a brand that is as iconic as the classics,” Joseph continued.  He added that all of Tesla’s services and repairs are all done at the dealership and customer relations are a major part of Tesla’s operations.

            Currently Tesla offers a line of three vehicles. The Roadster, a two door sports coupe. The Model X, its SUV vehicle; and its newest release, the Model S, which is a sporty sedan. These cars statistically outperform the competition, and offer an eco-friendly solution to one of the world’s biggest problems, carbon emissions. The federal government is providing a half a billion-dollar loan to Tesla, and the new Model S should be available in late 2012 with a price tag of $57,400. Wholesale all models are being offered under $130,000.

A Car and Driver magazine  review stated  that, “The Roadster proved that Tesla could deliver an electric. But that’s a tin toy compared with the Model S.”

Journalist Kim Reynolds of MotorTrend.com said, “When reviewing the Model S outside of Tesla’s Fremont factory, I had one solitary thought: this is it.”

 In addition to offering its own line of cars, Tesla helps other car manufacturers in developing electric powertrains.

            If successful, Joseph said, how Tesla could help improve the American economy.

“We’re going to make transport, energy production, and consumption as efficient and sustainable as possible, aiding in a eco-friendly environment.”   

In the Kitchen: Menlo’s Cooking Force

By Joel Blake

Menlo Oak Staff

It’s 6 a.m. and Sodexo’s Menlo College Cafeteria is in full swing. Busy at work, the kitchen staff plans, prepares, and executes the necessary steps to deliver breakfast to students.

The Menlo cafeteria is an essential part of campus life, satisfying the  minds and bodies of students. It provides students with a social environment to learn more about one another, and develop relationships in what seems to be the heart of the campus. The heart of the cafeteria is the staff.

Angel Gutierrez

“If you were to do a survey of college campuses around the country you would find only a handful that have the quality of food that Menlo College enjoys every day," said  Eric Drake, director of catering and retail management.  "We are a local, organic, sustainable, and all natural program. We offer a huge variety of options every day for our student population. Organic produce, all natural meats, artisan cheeses made locally, specifically for us, and the list goes on."
"If you visit the prestigious college (Stanford) down the road you would find Menlo's program is far and away much better. We are based in a commitment to the health and wellness of our community,” Drake added.

Clearly, Drake is passionate about his job and he believes in the quality of the service that Sodexo provides.

“As we move forward I am certain that changes to our program are on the near horizon. One of the long-term goals is to open the cafeteria up as a place where students can gather at any time during the day to study, hang out, have a class meeting or grab a snack to go. It will take money and commitment from everyone involved but I think it will open up a community feel that makes the building accessible for all students throughout the day, including those that live off campus. Currently we are offing themed menus on Saturdays that focus on a particular cuisine such as Asian, Middle Eastern, Spanish, or Italian foods. I think it's like going out to a restaurant, ” said Drake.

Drake and the staff work hard every day to provide Grill, Entrée, Exhibition, Deli, Pizza, and Salad Bar services to the faculty and students. They each have their own take about working with food, and something to say about their profession.

Chef  Serenity Woods

“It’s my job, and it changed my whole life. I used to be a housewife, now the students inspire me,” said Chef Silvia Muniz.

“I always think about who is going to enjoy the meal. When I love the cooking I am doing, then the students can love the food. Sometimes, what is good for your mouth is not good for your body. That is why when you are young; you can eat what you want. Then when you are older, you eat what the doctor tells you! Just remember, organic is good for a good life,” added Muniz.

The cafeteria wouldn’t be the same without Steve Savage. Savage mans the pizzas in the brick oven, while building massive deli sandwiches. The Houston native sees food preparation as an art.
“Food puts the food on my table,” said Savage.

            “I learned to cook at the Professional Culinary Institute. I like to cook with fresh ingredients and let the seasons influence my cooking. Nature is a big deal to me, so having local produce is important,” explained Savage.

            Savage said that he enjoys working at the school, being able to share conversation with his "regulars."

        "Feed-back means everything, I like to see what people like and don’t like. Then we can make changes based around the popular response," Savage continued. 

            Janelle Ferrer works in the kitchen preparing ingredients, and works the grill.

            “You have got to put some passion and love into making food. Without it, its like dog food, just throwing a bunch of ingredients into a bowl.”

            “I think we have to watch what we eat, it becomes what we are made of,” Ferrer went on to say.

            Maintaining the condition of the food is Serenity Woods job. She keeps her eyes on the food.

            “My Grandpa was a chef and I understand the importance of a good meal,” said Woods as she pushed ice around the vegetables.

            “I like to cook peacefully and carefully. Food does a lot for our bodies and souls. We should be thankful for every meal we get,” Woods said with an affirming tone.

            Sodexo’s, Menlo Cafeteria provides so much the students and faculty. From organic foods, to leather couches and flat screen TVs, the cafeteria is a healthy place to kick back and spend some time. With a great manager like Drake, the cafeteria looks to increase its role in campus life, and add to the places to chill at Menlo.

           

Perspective: Finding the deeper meaning in the campus-wide power failure

By Joel Blake
Menlo Oak Staff

All of Menlo College’s Internet servers were on standstill. In parts of the campus, a sense of panic started to spread.  Homework needed to be printed, emails sent, and none of it could be done.

Menlo College had lost its Internet connection. What were we to do?

Power Outage Icon
Google Image

This episode of technological failure made us realize how dependent we have become on the Internet, wireless connections and technology.

In hindsight, the Menlo community should have been better prepared.

On Feb. 10, Menlo’s IT Department released a campus-wide email; notifying students of AT&T’s plan to conduct emergency maintenance on one of the main routers providing Internet service in the Bay Area. Raechelle Clemmons, Menlo's chief information officer, stated in the  press release:

“The campus may experience intermittent Internet service during AT&T’s maintenance window. All Menlo services will continue to be up and available during this time period, including the public website, email, Moodle, and MyMenlo. However, access to these services may be disrupted as a result of the router maintenance. If Internet service is disrupted, on-campus users will not be able to access services outside of the campus network (Web browsing, email, etc.), and off-campus users will not be able to access services within the campus network (virtual desktops, MyMenlo, etc.).”

Then Feb. 13 arrived.  It was 11:19 a.m.  Menlo’s IT Department sent another campus-wide email. This one acknowledged the unexpected severity of AT&T’s warning.  Parts of the campus lost electrical power. Internet access was spotty, if available at all.

The impact was widespread. For example, Bowman Library lost all of its electrical power.
Many students, who failed to read their emails, overlooked the press release and the Internet outage came as a surprise. Many classes were impacted by the loss of Internet, including our very own Menlo Oak news writing. Professor Pamela Moreland was forced to cancel our lecture due to the inability to access the material.

The idea of the system failing sank into all of our minds. In a world of technological advancements and dependencies, is this what happens when the rug is pulled out from beneath us?

Internet and technology have become our foundation, the very ground we walk on. Last Monday we were reminded that without solid grounding, no progress can be made.  For the first time, many of us grappled with the question, “Should we trust our technology?”

Instead of questioning technology, maybe we should be asking if Menlo should seek more independent, reliable, and alternative energy sources? If so, where should we look?

I think we look no farther than the sky. Solar power! At least with solar we could lower our energy costs and if campus electrical power is disrupted, we can look to the weather for a clear explanation.

New Oaks Football Coach Brings Ferocious Love of Game to Menlo

By Joel Blake
Menlo Oak Staff

Just a few days into 2012 and Menlo College was making headlines. Mark Speckman was named coach of the football program.

Speckman, who played two years at linebacker for Menlo in the 1970s, said he is ready for a challenge. The Oaks football team has struggled for the past eight seasons. They have never finished above .500. Now, with the college starting to award athletic scholarships, expectations are high that the team can breakthrough and become a top-tier competitor.

Stepping into Speckman’s office it’s easy to see that he has just begun the process of moving in. There isn’t much in the room, but the coach’s enthusiasm and spirit fill his new headquarters.

The coach’s resume provides students and players even more reason to believe that Menlo’s football program is in for a change.

(New Menlo coach Mark Speckman on far left)
Photo: Menlo Athletic Department

Linebacker Devon Jonsson, a fourth year senior, said he is excited with the hiring of the new coach. Jonsson believes that with coach Speckman at helm, the Oaks are sure to become a powerhouse program.

Speckman spent 14 years coaching at the high school level. Following that he took on a head coaching position at Willamette University, a Division III School, in Salem, Ore. During his 17 years at Willamette, Speckman’s teams won five conference championships.

When the coaching position at Menlo opened up, Speckaman said he couldn’t pass up the a chance to coach at the school where he once played. The opportunity to be back at home has the coach enthused and eager to start the upcoming season.

“We’re good on defense; we have been for the last three years. The biggest changes will be on offense,” Jonsson said, “Coach Speckman has been very successful with ‘The Fly'  offense."

Jonsson is right. The coach’s signature Fly offense, has been nationally noted, and has even found its way into the current playbook of the San Francisco 49ers. The Fly offense consists of players who go in motion prior to the snap, creating confusion for the defense, by the movement of the motion man. Speckman says he developed the strategy in his earlier years of coaching out of necessity.

Speckman has been playing since he was in the sixth grade. He said football has woven its way into the fabric of his life.

“I think my first memory of football was just playing out in the street with my older brother and dad. Playing street ball, running into cars and scraping my knee,” Speckman said.

“I played football right down the street in San Carlos,” he added.

“I remember playing when I was just a skinny little poop.”

The Bay Area is where many of Speckman’s earliest football memories were created.

“I remember when the Raiders played at Candlestick. I was only about five or six, but my dad would always make us go and get autographs from the players when we were at the games. I remember one time Sid Gilman, the (San Diego) Chargers head coach, got a ball for me and he brought me on the bus with all the Chargers so that I could get autographs. After that I was a pretty big Chargers fan,” Speckman said contently.

“I always loved the 49ers though. The 49ers were always a big deal for me.”

“I remember one of the kids on my team, his brother played for the 49ers. He would take us to the practices. This was back when they would play at Kezar,” the coach continued. “Christopher Milk was a guy who would give free tickets to kids. We’d get the tickets and sit in the ‘Milk’ section, which was the worst place to sit, but we loved it.”

Love for the game is what Coach Speckman brings to Menlo.

“I love the whole thing. I love the grind, the work ethic, the terror factor, the strategy involved. I think it’s a great metaphor for life. It’s the only sport where every guy on every play has to make it happen. I kind of dig that.”

Making it happen is exactly what coach Speckman did as a player, right in the middle of the action. He played linebacker in the 73’ and 74’ seasons for Menlo and his picture can be seen hanging on the wall in the Athletics Department. In the photo, Speckman is styling a 1970s hair do.

“Menlo was a big deal for me. In high school I wasn’t sure I could play in college. My high school coach went to Menlo, and he thought I could play there. I talked to Coach (Ray) Solari, and he told me I could come out. It was a little intimidating at first because there was a lot of talent. A few guys went to the Pac-10. I really liked it though, and I have some real good memories of Menlo.”

“Football is a great sport because you can just go out there and prove yourself. It’s a true meritocracy. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor. Doesn’t matter what side of the tracks you’re from. You can prove yourself, and that was important to me.”