Millennials are no longer in distress as the U.S. has once again allowed the import of Mexican Avocados as of Feb. 18. 

The initial ban was announced on Feb. 12 after a call to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector was threatened by voicemail while in Michoacan, Mexico. 

The USDA worker had been concerned over what looked like “suspicious crops.” The Washington Post reported that these crops were possibly being brought in from another Mexican state, not grown in Michoacan, and sold as if they were. 

The state of Michoacan is widely known for having areas that fall under the control of cartels. Many farmers and ranchers have to do their business under the eyes of these cartels. 

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced in their statement, “Mexico and the United States will continue working together to fortify the strong bilateral supply chains that promote economic growth and prosperity in both countries.”

Avocados have gone beyond a food trend among hipsters and bloggers. They are an international empire. 

During the U.S.’s winter crop season, Mexico thrives, they recorded in the “2020/2021 season imports at 2.4 billion pounds of avocados,” as reported by the Cision PR Newswire.

However, California is the top avocado-producing state. In 2020 over 188,000 tons of avocados came out of California, as reported by Statista.

Florida is the next state with the largest avocado production. However, their exports reach just below 10% of California’s production in the same year.

Production for avocados is believed to spike back up. The Haas Avocado Board estimated over 61,000,000 lbs. of their fruit by week nine of the year (Feb. 20) in comparison to their actual production of over 24,000,000 lbs. in week seven (Mar. 6).

Chabot College’s in-person classes were officially back on Feb. 7. Changes on campus have been to help keep students, staff, and faculty safe. 

The campus originally closed back on Mar. 19, 2020. While most believed the stay-at-home orders would be lifted in a short time, it’s safe to say most couldn’t have imagined the toll that COVID-19 took on the world. 

“I’m Excited!” Juan Pablo Mercado Ph.D. and history professor at Chabot expressed ecstatically, “Just in the classroom you can feel the difference in the energy compared to the zoom sessions” 

When asked if he felt safe, “Safer than last year.” Professor Mercado did mention that if mask mandates were removed right now, then he would be concerned. 

To be eligible for in-person classes, your COVID-19 vaccines must have already been cleared with the school. Emails were sent out last semester to students through Zonemail, although not everyone may have noticed. 

If students still need assistance they can find “How to Submit COVID Vaccination for Students” on the school’s website. These requirements will continue into the Fall 2022 semester until further notice. 

Everyone is still required to wear a mask on campus, the KN95 masks are recommended. Most classes have extras available for students. 

Before entering the building students and all faculty needed to provide proof of vaccination and ID, a sticker is placed on the ID that can be shown at the entryways to staff.

Locations to acquire this sticker include, the cafeteria (2300), the library, (100), and student services (700).

For Nashita Ishaque, this is her first face-to-face semester at Chabot. She’s been to the campus a few times before January, but only to pick up some equipment. 

Ishaque was very excited for this semester as she is working on one of the vaccine confirmation table setups at the bookstore in building 3800. She is paid as a student assistant through student services, positions are still available and more information is under Chabot’s “Student Life” page. 

“This is my first job ever!” Ishaque was excited to get an opportunity that works with her schedule and doesn’t require any experience. She has her school work with her and is still able to check vaccination proof quite easily, all while keeping a safe distance and always wearing the mask. 

The bookstore tries to accommodate everyone and staff members will even step outside if needed and assist you from there. 

Other changes include the number of entrances and exits in a building. The 100 building only has one entrance that students must go through to get to the library located on the second floor. 

The cafeteria has two entry points, both require vaccination proof before entering. The service hours of the cafeteria have been shortened too. What used to be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. is now 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The staff is technically hired through Pacific Dining and their hours are based on what that company can afford to pay them. 

Maria Rodriquez, Pacific Dining staff member, is trying her best to adjust to the changes. “We don’t have the Mexican food options or the salad bar,” Rodriquez explained how the menu options are still limited.

“I don’t know when we will be able to open fully again.”

While the Mexican food bar, the salad bar, and Starbucks cafe are currently closed, there are a few upsides. 

Free handcrafted lunch bowls were offered for the spring semester every Thursday until Mar. 31, However free breakfast is still available every morning. Rodriquez also notes that she doesn’t know if this offer will be taken off the table anytime soon, but encourages everyone to come and enjoy it while they can. 

“Try coming in at 11 a.m.!” Rodriguez emphasizes that most of their best food items tend to run out quickly. “After 12 to 12:30, it’s just leftovers.”

While most classes are back on campus there are still plenty of classes available online. For some students, there’s nothing like face-to-face education. 

“Everyone learns differently” Andrew Chavez, a soon-to-be graduating Chabot student stated. “I’m a hands-on type of learner.”

Chavez explains that having the ability to use on campus facilities is extremely helpful. Being able to come to school, use a computer, and have a space for students to focus on themselves is important to him. 

If students need COVID-19 testing the Student Health Center is located in building 2300 on the second floor. They also have a table set up outside the center. COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are also available but appointments might be needed. More information can be located on the school’s website under “Student Health Center”

There will still be a continuation of school events on Zoom. (mixers, guest speakers, meetings, etc.) However, in person events have already started to pop up and more will continue as regulations change.

The Chabot Gladiators destroyed the Los Medanos Mustangs on Feb. 15 at home by a score of 8-2.

The Chabot College baseball team came out hot with a total of four runs in the first three innings as Los Medanos quickly fell behind. Fernando Sansone scored in the bottom of the second as Jonathan Gazdar hit a double. Gazdar would go on to score later that inning. At the bottom of the second, Matt Sugden homered at the bottom of the third to send himself and Fred Ramos home, making the score 4-0.

The Gladiators were in a back and forth competition in innings 5 and 6 with the Mustangs. The Mustangs would have two runs in the two innings while the Gladiators attempted to match them with one run of their own made by Quinn Ayres with a grounder by Brian Duroff.

The flood gates opened in the bottom of the eighth, where Chabot would score three unanswered runs to send Los Medanos packing. Fernando Sansone scored, and Jonathan Gazdar scored again on an error. Finally, JT Noble also scored on the same error. 

During the game, I interviewed Dan Miller: head athletic trainer at Chabot, serving Chabot since 1991.

Miller stated that. “I think the coaching staff has done a great job with the new team, and I really think they’ve gelled well.”

After not playing last year and with a fresh new roster, the coaching staff had challenges coming into this season. The Gladiators dropped their first two games of the season in January with close scores of 5-3 and 8-7. Then they went on a three-game winning streak from Feb. 1 through Feb. 5, including a shutout of Laney College. They then went 10 innings with Marin in the ninth, ending with a loss. The team, unfortunately, got obliterated by the Fresno City Rams 10-4 on Feb. 11.

The team moved into Steve Friend Stadium this season here at Chabot. It’s been a project that Chabot has been really excited about, calling it “one of the top facilities in the state” on the Chabot College Instagram.

I asked Miller what he thought about the new park. He responded with, “I love it, it’s something that we’re really proud of, and there’s a lot of cool stuff we have going on here.”

The new ballpark features batting cages, new bleachers with seats, great audio systems, and a whole new fresh looking field. Miller added, “My favorite part of the new park is the dugout. They’re very clean and modern.”

Chabot is now 4-4 in the season with a winning record in their inaugural season at Steve Friend stadium but is 2-3 on the road. Their next game is Thursday, Feb. 17, at Diablo Valley vs the Vikings.