Seek Week almost did not happen this semester, but God had other plans.

Jenni Price, assistant to the Dean of Spiritual Life, explained that the theme for the fall chapel schedule, minus Seek Week, worked well. They planned to do something similar for the spring semester but students spoke up and said they wanted to keep the traditional week of spiritual emphasis. As a result, the Office of Spiritual life pulled together one of the most inspiring weeks in California Baptist University’s history.

“Seek Week is an eye-opening time,” Dayna Christian said. “It brings the campus together.”

Feb. 9 launched a week full of prayer, fasting and worship. Rick Holland, Walter Price and Claude Hickman spoke during the week. They urged students to get involved in the world around them by personally accepting God’s love.

They encouraged students to see the church as a product of the cross and told them to be active in God’s strategy to reach the nations. Hickman said God invites His followers to be

part of a story that is greater than themselves.“We wanted to get back to the core of the

Gospel. As Christians, we need to constantly be reminded of the Gospel and that it’s not just a past event; it’s something to cling to every day,” John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life, said.

Prayers bombarded heaven for 72 consecutive hours as staff and students lifted up every students’ concern mentioned on their prayer card. Lancers faced reality with a new

perspective as they prayed for other students and nations.

“Broken marriages and relationships, illness and emotional distress, financial worry and other anxieties are rampant throughout our campus community,” Montgomery said. “These are things that are rarely spoken of in

open conversation, but when given the chance to ask for prayer, our students reveal how they are being attacked. The only way we can help them is by calling on God on behalf of our friends and petition Him to work in each and every situation so that He will be glorified.”

The prayer chapel was open 24 hours a day for students to pray. “There were five of us in

the prayer chapel at 2 a.m. It was really neat talking to the Lord and being devoted at that time,” Aimee Sayre said.

Staff and faculty gathered Tuesday, Feb. 10 for breakfast to pray over every student’s individual requests.

“The most poignant part of the morning was reading through the various prayer requests. It’s

an honor and joy to serve in a place where we can lift up our students in prayer. These are real people with real concerns,” Anthony Lammons, dean of students said.

Dani Castilla participated in the events of the week. She said, “My eyes were opened to a fraction of what He sees. I continue praying

for other countries because they don’t have what we have in America. I have the privilege of buying coffee and watching a show.”

Bryan Zuniga, director of Campus Ministries, opened a 72-hour community fast Monday night as he addressed the need of craving God above all else. “When I neglect food I have to depend on God. We will skip time with God but always remember to eat. When we aren’t satisfied we eat. I wish we did that with the Word,” Zuniga said.

Students and staff replaced a material aspect of their lives with time alone with God.

The powerful messages and scheduled activities were catalysts that drew the CBU community closer to Christ and urged them to act upon their faith.

“Even though Seek Week ended, I would ask you to continue to pray, especially for those students who have yet to embrace the gospel. I know that God can work in a great way if we are available to Him,” Montgomery said.

“I’m really glad they put the effort in to Seek Week, and I hope it continues and changes people’s lives and world views,” Castilla said.

THE BANNERA California Baptist University Campus Publication

PROFILE BRIANA BURCA PAGE 8 ∙ HIT OR MISS PAGE 15 ∙ TENNIS PAGE 20 ∙

The hearT of seek Week

The praise band prepares students’ hearts as they learn about God’s heart for His world. (Photo by Kristin Vaughan)

BY CARISSA GONZALES AND SAMANTHA SHAW STAFF WRITRES

“God’s heart is the Gospel, church is a result of the Gospel and the Gospel is for the whole world,” John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life, said.

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

Seek Week speaker Walter Price urged students to see the church. (Photo by Kristin Vaughan)

RECESSION PAGE 2

Turn on any news network today and the rank of America’s economy is definitely covered daily. Specials on how to save here, how to save a little there, what big businesses are doing to accommodate, what grocery stores doing, and even what schools are having to do; such as laying off teachers. These are indeed rough times and it is obvious that the economy is in deep trouble, but, at California Baptist University the sloping economy is not so readily realized. Students understand what the country is undergoing, but its affects have not yet been fully felt on campus. This is the point where taking action can be fully successful. Some CBU students are already taking certain steps to save money during these money-tight times.

Starbucks is a huge money buster. In one student’s confession, Melissa Bowers, junior, said that, “I go to Starbucks anywhere between one to four times a week, but during summer that is a whole different story.” Going to Starbucks, or any other coffee joint for that matter, is not simply for the caffeine jolt, it’s a social experience. Nicole Shipman, senior, said that, “Anytime I want to have a one-on-one with a friend, it usually involves getting coffee or going out to eat.”

This is an area where students could save a bundle. Eating out definitely starts to tally up. Some alternative social scenes? Pack a lunch instead. Get a group of friends together and gather what food you already have and take it to the beach or just a local park and have a picnic!

Another big spender is the moviegoer. Going to the movies is now around ten bucks a pop for the current films. But sometimes the two-dollar theater in Moreno Valley has a few good showings. Or even go through DVD’s or a friend’s collection and have a movie night.

Remember, while the recession puts a huge damper on daily life for most Americans, it also gives the country time to find joy in the small pleasures in life. Instead of going to Barns and Nobel, spend some more time in the library, instead of eating out, gather what food items you do have and get creative in the kitchen. There are many different ways to endure this hard times, and forgotten joy can be found in small places.

Remebering the Small Enjoyments in Time of Recession

25% said no

75% said yes

40% said no

47% said yes

13% were unsure

28% said no

65% said yes

7% were unsure

Out of 40 CBU students...

Do you receive financial aid? Is CBU making the necessary effort to adjust to the recession?

Does CBU make scholarships easy to access?

BY ELENA ZANONESENIOR WRITER

BY SAMANTHA SHAWSENIOR WRITER

PAGE DESIGNED BY ANDREW HOCHRADEL

What is CBU doing to cope with the current recession?

CBU, like most non-profit organizations, is experiencing tremendous pressure to deliver on its Mission and Vision with limited resources. We have delayed building and remodeling projects, delayed filling new positions and reduced expenditures related to travel and non-essential purchases. The CBU faculty and staff have a great history of delivering the “CBU Experience” with the least amount of cost impact to the student and their family. We continue to look for ways to improve processes, negotiate better pricing for services, and re-align resources in an effort to be more efficient.

BY BREANNA ARMSTRONGSPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

What is CBU doing to better the economy?

CBU as an entity is incapable of impacting the economy in any real way. It is the faculty, staff, students and friends of the University that provide the resources required to cope during this recession. We rely on faculty to continue delivering the quality education with the limited resources, the staff to be efficient and effective in the delivery of services, students to keep their “CBU Experience” a priority and friends of the University to maintain and/or increase their commitment levels.

One on one with Mark Howe, CBU Vice President for Finance and Administration

PAGE 3

One of the names of God in Hebrew is “Jehovah Jireh” which means “God will provide.” An economic climate that is plummeting, makes it hard to remember that our Lord knows our every need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8). American church members everywhere are losing jobs, houses, 401Ks and more; yet we are called to rest in the assurance of an all-sufficient God.

First of all, it is important to step back and look at how our nation got to the state it is in. America is a nation entrenched in the throws to materialism and excess. Unfortunately, a vast majority of Christians in this country have bought into the lie that they should be as frivolous in their spending as the rest of the world. But that is not what we, as Christians, are called to. We have never been called to it. The early church was focused on living simple and generous lives; sharing and giving to one another (Acts 4) and to the ministry of serving others.

We drive past the homeless in our Mustangs and Lexus’, we water and fertilize our lawns excessively while people in sleep on the pavement. We complain about our meal plans while others wonder if they will even have a next meal.

So, how should a Christian respond in a time of such economic instability? “Christians should 1) repent for living in excess, keeping pace with “the world”; 2) develop a lifestyle of very simple living and 3) give to the needy. As “needy” as we may feel, the majority of the world still lives in much, much, much greater want. When we feel a little pinch, let it be a reminder that most of the world is literally dying just for a cup of clean water and a slice of bread. Our inability to maintain a mortgage on a 3,000 square foot home hardly puts us in the category of gross need,” remarked professor of Christian Studies, Amy Stumpf.

We need to be asking ourselves daily whether or not we are living and spending in accordance with a Biblical foundation.

Bachelor of Applied Theology director, Don Dunavant said, “[We need to be asking ourselves] How can my money be used for the glory of God? Can I tithe in uncertain times as well as in abundant times? Can I learn the discipline of saving over compulsive buying? Do I want my money invested in things that are temporary or in things that are eternal? Is my happiness defined by things or by growing in the knowledge of God?”

“This is a great time to really test if indeed, our trust and our hope is truly in God, or if that is just a nice cliché we throw around after all our bills are readily paid, and our ATVs maintained,” Stumpf said.

But our response should be more than an “Oh! Okay. I will not complain about not having money to go to the movies this weekend.” Dunavant suggested these practical steps:

1. “Be faithful with the little that you have (God always calls to greater things those who have been faithful in little things)

2. Learn the great difference between delayed joy and instant gratification.

3. Develop the discipline of saving. 4. Keep your eyes open for those who are

hurting around you and learn the power of graciousness and kindness.”

It seems like what we really have as the problem is the difference between needs and wants. Freshman, Brent Baldwin commented, “Ask yourself this, if God asked you to give all of your money to charity and to just trust Him, would you?” Sophomore, Dustin Smetona said, “The economic recession is an opportunity for us as Christians to learn to rely more and more on our faithful God. The world should see that we don’t place our hope in the material, but that God is our rock and the only one who can move us.”

-Remember, it’s “okay” to say “no!” You don’t always have to go out with your friends to Starbucks or on late night Taco Bell runs.

-Eat in the Caf. Don’t go out. If you do go out, split meals with friends.

-Combine laundry loads with room mates or friends.

-Dollar menus are your friends.

-Carpool, carpool, carpool!

-Find the cheapest gas (the Valero on Tyler St. is generally pretty low)

- Instead of going to the theater, raid a friend’s DVD collection for a new movie.

-Use cash instead of cards. Using a cash budget can sometimes give you a better understanding of how much money you actually have.

-Borrow textbooks or search Half.com and Amazon.com for books.

-Save money on art supplies by sharing with people in your same class. Don’t forget to ask friends if they have taken the class before. They might have leftover supplies.

- Collect coupons and follow store sales.

- Buy a water filter. Instead of spending lots of money on water bottles, buy a filter and invest in a sturdy bottle.

-Get a job on campus. They will work around your schedule.

A CBU Student’s Responsibility in the Recession

America is in a national recession. According to www.Recession.org, the 7.2 percent U.S. unemployment rate is the highest that it has been since January 1993. It is estimated that 2.6 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008. This has effected many of California Baptist University students who are victims of this recession.

What is CBU doing to make necessary economic efforts during this time? A poll taken around campus was conducted to see what the students think about what CBU is doing to assist student.

According to the poll, 75 percent of students are currently receiving financial aid. While 47 percent of the students said that they felt CBU was making the right efforts to adjust to the recession, 40 percent said they disagreed, and 13 percent were unsure.

Although the Financial Aid office does not have the exact percentage of how many students are currently on scholarship, financial aid counselor Sarah Simpson said, “With financial aid, every student is different. In the past, CBU has had an institutional cap of how much a student can receive in scholarships, but there is no longer a cap, therefore it varies to how much a student can receive.”

The raise in tuition is a concern for the families of CBU students. This raises the question of whether or not the tuition will be increased again or even decreased for 2009/2010. “Changes to the tuition have not been published by student accounts, but CBU is currently working on a conservative change given the current for the economic condition,” Simpson said.

The poll asked if CBU makes scholarships easy to access, 65 percent said yes, 28 percent said no, and 7 percent were unsure.

“I definitely recommend that each student file for FAFSA. The web site is www.Fafsa.ed.gov. This is the time of year to file for FAFSA, so any student who is planning on returning next year should file and register for classes at this time. Also I recommend that students come into the financial aid office to talk with their counselor about their questions and concerns. We are here to help you,” Simpson said.

There are private donor scholarship applications which are made available to all students attending CBU. These scholarships range from $500-$1500. Applications can be found online at inside CBU on the financial aid page.

Efforts are being made at the financial aid office to prepare for special cases, such as newly unemployed parents. The office is making necessary efforts to support their current situation, disregarding what their FAFSA report was before they were unemployed.

Despite the economic crisis, there are ways for the student to grab opportunities that can make a difference during this difficult time.

File for FAFSA, register for classes, go see your financial aid counselor and apply for scholarships. As President Barack Obama said in his inaugural speech it is “a new era for responsibility.” Take the responsibility and take control in this recession.

Christian Response to the Recession

Ways to save money in college

BY BREANNA ARMSTRONGSPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

BY KRISTIN VAUGHANSTAFF WRITER

BY KRISTIN VAUGHANSTAFF WRITER

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

NEWS PAGE 4

LEADER TRAINING SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CBU STUDENTS! The Leader’s Training Course is a paid 4-week summer experience that marks the beginning of your career as an Officer, a leader in the U.S. Army. If you are an academic sophomore, complete LTC and join ROTC as a college junior you can earn a full tuition and fees scholarship along with additional financial assistance each school year.

For more information, contact SFC Jay Villasenor

951-343-4254 or email:

jvillasenor@calbaptist.edu

ARMY ROTC. START STRONG.

©2003. Paid for by Army ROTC. All rights reserved.

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

California Baptist University student, Reid Milanovich had the opportunity to attend the historical Presidential Inauguration.

He described the experience as an overwhelming unification of those present. “You could kind of feel it, just being there knowing that everything’s going to change, the whole transition of power; there was an odd feeling of it in the air,” Milanovich said.

Change was not the only thing in the air. With the wind chill, the temperature throughout the day averaged 12 degrees. “We had layers upon layers of scarves, gloves and hand-warmers. It was freezing, but it was well worth it,” Milanovich said.

“The entire reflection pool by the [Washington] Monument was iced over, so we actually walked across it. We stayed pretty close to the edges though just in case. That pond in front of the Capitol was frozen over too and there were a bunch of people walking on that,” Milanovich said.

With over 2 million present, Milanovich was initially anxious, particularly given the city’s notorious crime rate. It turned out, his concerns were unfounded. “It was weird, everyone was just in a really good mood; the whole week there was no complaining or fights, nothing that normally happens in large crowds. Everyone was very happy to be there- I was really surprised,” said Milanovich.

Milanovich’s father, who serves as chairman of the Palm Springs Native American casino, Agua Caliente, has received invitations for the last three inaugurations. “A lot of the Native American tribes in the US receive invitations to represent their tribes,” Milanovich said.

Milanovich attended the inauguration ceremony with his parents and siblings; though with two sisters and four brothers present, only

half the Milanovich family was represented. This is the first inauguration Milanovich

attended, he was slightly hesitant. “At first when I was asked if I wanted to go, I said ‘no’ because I wasn’t too thrilled about the administration. It was basically my sister that made me realize that it was more about being a part of history, being a witness. She changed my mind to go, and I’m glad she did,” Milanovich said.

Although they had tickets to a few of the balls, they could only attend the Western Ball which was held at a local convention center.“ It took too long to drive anywhere throughout the city, it would’ve

taken hours by car. Once you got to one point, you had to stay there, unless you had police escorts to drive you around; otherwise you’re just sitting around in traffic,” Milanovich said.

The Ball consisted of lots of food, drinks, entertainment, and of course speeches, however brief. “Vice President Biden came out with his wife; they gave a little speech and danced on stage. About an hour later Obama came out and talked for only about 5-10 minutes, danced for about half of a song and then he left,” Milanovich said.

The two large stages at each end of the room for the performers left no room for tables. “I think

J.Lo performed, wasn’t too excited about that. But I’m not sure who else was there,” Milanovich said. With standing room only, the Milanovich’s stayed only two hours. “We had to plan ahead because everything took so long. Even to pick up your coats at the coat check there was like an hour and a half line,” Milanovich said.

Although the inauguration marked their fourth trip to DC, Milanovich and his sister wasted no time exploring the museums and other attractions along the mall. “We spent about two days in the American History Museum,” Milanovich said. “It’s great because we have the same interests, same hobbies.”

A special tour guide was arranged by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, a close friend of the Milanovich family. “Growing up, we were neighbors with Mary and Sonny Bono in Palm Springs. Sonny also worked pretty closely with the tribal government and my Dad,” Milanovich said.

“Her chief of staff walked us around and took us through underground tunnels of the Capitol building. And kind of showed us some of the internal parts,” Milanovich said, “it was all amazing, very cold.”

After attending Riverside Community College for a few years, Reid Milanovich, 25, transferred to CBU last spring to pursue a Bachelors degree in Business. Milanovich was first drawn to CBU because of his grandparent’s wishes.

“Ever since my grandparents lived here in Riverside they thought the school was so neat. They didn’t come here, but they’re very strong believers, strong Christians. And they loved the idea of at least some of us coming here,” Milanovich said. “Personally, I wanted to come here to get a better education and learn more about God.” Now he and sister Trista, 22, both attend CBU.

BY SERENA ANGELICOPY EDITOR

eYeWITNess To hIsTorY

For further information, contact: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik, Professor of Law, Ethics & Humanities College of Arts & Sciences, California Baptist University 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504 Tel: (951) 343-4288 / Fax: (951) 343-4520 / Email: dskubik@calbaptist.edu

All showings will be presented in Mission Hall, Room 109 @ 6:00 P.M.

Opportunity for discussion & dialogue will follow each film

Monday, Feb 23: Desperate Hours [Documentary on Turkey’s role in saving Jews from the Holocaust – the only country to engage in such rescue efforts during the war years]

FILM SERIES ON THE HOLOCAUST/SHOAH

Spring Semester, 2009 FIV

E T

OTA

L M

OVI

ES

Check the Calendar [Pg. 7] for more dates

Monday, Mar 9: Shtetl [Frontline program on the pre - and post-war history of Bransk, Poland, a Jewish shtetl destroyed by the Germans in 1942]

NEWS PAGE 5

With the new administration, a fresh perspective on world affairs was brought to Washington DC. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton are looking east to the “dark continent of Africa” to shed light into the country of Zimbabwe.

Robert Wood, Acting State Department spokesman, said Clinton “is very interested in what’s going on in Zimbabwe.”

The first week into his presidency, Obama called South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. Because Zimbabwe heavily relies on South Africa, South Africa has influence over the Zimbabwean government to hold it accountable for the shameful acts done against its people—America’s new government also wants to be part of it.

Obama reminded Motlanthe of his powerful influence and accountability over the leaders in Zimbabwe and noted that South Africa holds a key role in helping to find a resolution to the political crisis there, according to Zimbabwesituation.com.

Zimbabwe held their presidential elections in March 2008. President Robert Mugabe ran against and lost to President-hopeful Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe did not approve of the election results and began mistreating those who did not vote

correctly.He seized the presidency for himself and

appointed Tsvangirai as Prime Minister. Mugabe agreed to share power, but has yet to cooperate. With pressure from South Africa and other countries, Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister on Feb. 11.

South African countries are coming together to pressure both leaders to work together for the good of their people.

“We are going to do what we can, working with countries in the region, to try to put additional pressure on Mugabe to negotiate seriously in power-sharing talks with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),” Wood said. But Mugabe “clearly is not interested in… an equitable solution to the political crisis in the country, and we need to see further pressure coming from the region.”

“As Prime Minister, I make this commitment that as from the end of this month, our professionals in the civil service, every health worker, every teacher, every soldier, every policeman will receive their pay in foreign currency,” Tsvangirai said.

The Zimbabwean dollar lost all its worth, which forced the country to use foreign currency, but Mugabe refused to pay workers with foreign currency.

Since Mugabe seized power in March 2008,

Zimbabweans continue to starve to death and struggle to survive in their depleted economy.

One Zimbabwean man said, “Some are eating this tree—it’s poisonous. Some eat roots they cut and boil with water and add a bit of salt, then eat it as if they’re eating porridge. We are surviving by eating food that should not be eaten by human beings to survive.”

USAID provided more than $264 million in food and health assistance to Zimbabwe since Oct. 2007. The agency also pledged $6.8 million for emergency water, sanitation, hygiene and health assistance since the cholera epidemic broke out.

On Jan. 29 the U.S. Ambassador visited the U.N. Children’s Fund warehouse in Harare, Zimbabwe to officially hand over hygiene supplies funded by USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), including 400 metric tons of soap, 10 million water treatment tablets, 30,000 water containers, and 30,000 buckets. Humanitarian organizations will distribute the soap as part of a hygiene education program.

With help from the United States, South Africa, other foreign countries and Zimbabwe’s new Prime Minister, the country is taking the painful but necessary steps to become the nation it once was.

Source: www.Zimbabwesituation.com.

As 291 participants prepared for their entry into ISPland (International Service Projects’ mock country on campus) feelings of excitement, anxiety and nervousness were abundant but did not hinder their experience in the foreign country.

Passports took the place of cell phones in pockets and backpacks as students serving on an ISP team prepared for their weekend of unpredictable overseas training.

The weekend began Friday night when teams met at the CBU Globe to begin the traveling process. From going through customs and checking passports, to driving with questionable taxi drivers and staying with their team, students quickly realized they were out of their comfort zones and would finish the weekend with a new perspective.

Many relationships were built and a trusting environment was created. Asmy Williams is going to Rwanda to teach English—her team is a combination of two. “We are separate teams but operate as one. You could say anything and it would be safe there,” Williams said.

Past ISP participants volunteered to help make the weekend of simulations a reality. Volunteers simulated their overseas experiences to better equip teams leaving this summer.

Visiting ISPland challenged students to be flexible in preparation for their overseas service. The different activities planned throughout the weekend helped unify teams and taught them about life overseas and the type of people they will encounter during their service.

“After ITW (Intensive Training Weekend) I have this passion to go,” James Fletcher said. “I’m looking forward to it now more than I ever have.”

Elizabeth Baker said she realized what people go through in other countries to glorify God.

“My prayer is for you to start seeing those cultures through the eyes of Christ,” Kristen White, director of global mobilization, said

Playing BaFa BaFa, a game where one team is given instructions on how to act and the other team has to attempt to fit in with them, was a realization moment for Fletcher, showing him how individuals focus on their own culture and take it with them overseas. “We shouldn’t have that as followers of Christ—we wouldn’t be effective if we did,” Fletcher said.

Attending a house church was one of the most enlightening and terrifying simulations of the weekend. Eyes opened to a reality that most Americans do not live in, but is all too familiar for

Christians living in hostile areas. Sarah Olvera said, “It was the time I felt most reliant on God. I knew no one would help me but Him. I felt like I was doing aerobics, because my heart was pounding so hard.”

“I was a little irritated that we were stopped so many times, but realized what we did (going to church) was against the rules. The whole thing seemed like hide-and-seek for the first 30 minutes—I was loosing,” Fletcher said.

After experiencing the underground church simulation, Fletcher realized that the worst thing that happens to Christ followers in underground churches is death but for him during the simulation nothing bad would happen. “You know what you want bad enough and will break rules for it. You know you want it so bad that you’re willing to take that risk,” Fletcher said.

a New Day for Zimbabwe

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

Intensive Training Weekend

Merrick Drake portrays a beggar during one of the many simulations that took place during Intensive Training Weekend. (Photo by Michael Ring)

BY CARISSA GONZALESSENIOR WRITER

BY CARISSA GONZALESSENIOR WRITER

Organizations pairing with brand names is nothing new, but with most consumers concerned about conserving money, they are able to buy products and give to a cause without breaking the bank.

Individual companies have created pink products to support breast cancer awareness and (RED) products that fund the distribution of antiretroviral medicine to people dying of AIDS in Africa are being seen more in major stores worldwide.

Cancer societies and clean water foundations have paired with major brand names to bring awareness to a cause.

Starbucks is one of the major companies paring with organizations to help out those who are less fortunate. The company carries Ethos water inside of each store. Ethos Water donates money off of each bottle sold.

“To date, Ethos Water has committed grants exceeding $6.2 million that will benefit more than 420,000 people across Africa, Asia and Latin America,” according to www.ethoswater.com. Starbucks has paired with Ethos and has set a goal to have donated $10 million toward the humanitarian program by 2010.

Starbucks is not the only company to join hands in helping a cause. Apple, Starbucks, Dell, Converse, Hallmark, Emporio Armani and Windows have all paired with the (RED) campaign.

“We must all come together in supporting the fund and the fight against AIDS,” Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, said, according to joinred.com. “I applaud (RED) and its partners for their vision and commitment.”

For consumers, purchasing a (RED) product does not cost anything extra. The company who makes the product will give up to 50 percent of the profit to help distribute the anti-viral injection to people dying of AIDS in Africa. Every dollar donated goes directly to Africa.

According to joinred.com, the antiretroviral treatment has been distributed to nearly 80,000 people throughout Rwanda, Swaziland, Ghana and Lesotho.

Major companies are not the only groups joining in the effort to support a cause. Many organizations, such as TOMS Shoes, produce and sell their own line of products to support a cause. TOMS Shoes, created in 2006, “has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs in South Africa,” according to tomsshoes.com.

The TOMS Shoes organization donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes that is purchased through the company.

Common goods that consumers purchase each day are also joining campaigns. Pink products are being made by companies to support the fight against breast cancer. Kitchen Aid, one of many brand names, has created a line of products ranging from spatulas to stand mixers to support the breast cancer cause.

Money is limited in today’s society; that is no question. Web sites such as goodsearch.com, similar to Google, will donate money to any selected charity for each search that is made using the search engine. Users of the search engine can view the money that has been donated to charities and organizations on the site.

As tomsshoes.com says, “Get involved: Changing a life begins with a single step…”

BY ALYSSA ISGETTPERSPECTIVE EDITOR

Consumers Help Out

PAGE 6GAZA WAR

As Americans wrapped up Christmas celebrations and prepared for the New Year, air strikes began to fall nearly half a world away. Now that the damage is done, civilians and aid groups begin to rebuild the city of Gaza.

The key players in the conflict: Palestine and Israel, divided by page after page of a history of hurt, fueled with the embers of religious rhetoric.

The wounds made by missiles go far deeper than political stabs.

“The whole conflict in Gaza has nothing to do with religious significance. It’s completely security issues. Palestinians have been launching rockets into civilian areas within Israel,” said an anonymous professor at California Baptist University, who has spent a significant amount of time studying the conflict.

“Its Israel’s citizens are being attacked weekly. The whole invasion into Gaza was to stop the missiles coming in -- to destroy the tunnels from Gaza to Sinai.”

The main source of supplies and weapons to Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) is Iran, which traffics the items through a series of underground tunnels. Air strikes that occurred for 22 days following the attack on Dec. 27 may have been aimed at these locations.

As with any attempt to understand international relations, the religious background of each party must be taken into account.

Judaism and Islam are monotheistic

religions that involve a deep connection between political actions and the call to faith. Interpretations of the call vary from place to place. Judaism in Israel can be broken up into three main groups: religious, cultural and those claiming citizenship. Though their roots are in the religion, the branches each bear a different fruit.

Islam throughout the world is broken down into fundamentalist, moderate and cultural Muslims. Those in Palestine are also categorized into two main political parties: Fatah and Hamas. Fatah (“conquest” in the Arabic language) is dedicated to peace, believing that Palestine and Israel can find a solution to co-occupy the territory known as Jerusalem.

Hamas (“zeal” in Arabic) is a fanatical group, aimed at Jerusalem being governed by Sharia law, as dictated by the Koran.

The Koran calls those who do not claim Islam to be “kafir” meaning “infidel.” Of the infidels, Jews are considered the worst.

The Islamic tradition holds Jerusalem in reverence as the place that Muhammad visited during the purest night of his journey from Medina to Mecca. The Koran refers to “the further mosque,” which was later interpreted by a caliph to have been the city of Jerusalem. The words and actions of Muhammad are recorded in the hadith and the Sunna that further implicate harsh treatment of the Jews.

Hamas mainly claims their historical right to the land as the basis for its desire.

This conflicts when Jewish scripture has been interpreted by a group of Jewish believers grouped as Zionists to say that God will one day restore the land to His people, and establish His eternal reign. Zionists believe that as a people group, Jews have a right to control their own historical territory.

Though this is the religious significance of the land, history has shown that religious rhetoric can often be used in political persuasion – for both sides.

Zionist leader Theodore Herzel is a prime example. “He was not a religious Jew,” the CBU professor said. “He used the rhetoric of returning to the land. But he didn’t believe it. It wasn’t a religious thing, its political human rights things. It was mainly Britain who gave Palestine to Israel.”

With the conflict as a combination of missiles, history and ideals, the purpose for attempting to understand what is really going on is blurred with confusion. Though Christians are not implicitly involved, the CBU professor said, “We are commanded in scripture to always pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You have Palestinians and you have Jews who are believers in Jesus. Brothers and sisters in Christ. If one part suffers, the whole body suffers… You cannot suffer and rejoice if you do not know what is going on.”

THE WARIN GAZA

PAGE DESIGNED BY ANDREW HOCHRADEL

BY JUSTINE HOLGUINFEATURES EDITOR

Religious significance

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 7

As the most recent installment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict comes to a close, it adds a another sad chapter into the lengthy history of the war-torn region, with no end in sight. There does come a point when peace does not seem possible. However, examining the history of the conflict reveals that while there may be little hope for resolving the conflict soon, there exists a hope that perhaps one day, there will be peace in Israel.

The roots of the recent conflict stretch back to the 1880s, where after a series of brutal persecutions throughout Eastern Europe and Russia and increasing anti-Semitic attitudes in the rest of Western Europe, there began a cry by wealthy and educated Jews for a Jewish homeland to be safe from persecution. The event that set off the political movement of Zionism came not from Eastern Europe, but rather from France. The Dreyfus Affair, in which Richard Dreyfus, a French Jew and army Captain, was falsely convicted of spying for Germany, inspired Theodor Herzl to publish a political pamphlet the promoted the concept of a Jewish homeland. In Herzl's writings, he foresaw no conflict with the Palestinians.

Through efforts of Herzl and other organizations the belief that Jews should have a separate homeland, known as Zionism, became a political reality thanks to the Balfour Declaration. The Balfour Declaration was sent in 1916 from the

foreign minister of the British Empire to the Baron de Rothschild, a famous and wealthy British banking family with roots in Austria endorsing a Jewish homeland in Palestine. While other territories were considered, eventually the Holy Land, then under control of the Ottoman Empire became the focus of the Zionist movement.

There were attempts to promote mass migration by Zionist Jews before World War II, however none were very successful, with a large rate of return. The Holy Land was not peaceful. A variety of causes, including Arab fears of mass Jewish immigration and rising nationalism, caused a series of uprisings that led the British to back away from such a strong endorsement of Zionism. After World War II, the Jewish dream was realized despite the murky political actions taken by Britain and France in an attempt to maintain their foreign empires.

What followed was the beginning of the Israeli-Arab conflict. This conflict is distinct from, but heavily intertwined with, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Arab states immediately declared war on the new State of Israel, but were beaten back and the new state seized a great deal of land, but the controversial Gaza and West Bank remained under Egyptian and Jordanian control respectively. The enormous refugee problem caused by the war was made worse by the refusal of both Arab nations to integrate the populations into their nation.

The tension continued well into the

1950s, when the new President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalized the Suez Canal. France and Britain entered into a secret agreement with Israel to seize the Suez Canal, using Egyptian guerrilla raids as the justification for the war. However, U.S. opposition to the deal lead Anglo-Franco-Israeli forces to withdraw. In 1964 the Palestinian Liberation Organization, or PLO, was established, though was hardly a significant event at the time, as the PLO was regarded as an Egyptian propaganda machine.

But the Six-Day War in 1967 would change all that. After a preemptive strike that eliminated the air forces of the Arab countries surrounding Israel, the Israel Defense Forces proceeded to capture the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza and the West Bank, in addition to the Golan Heights in Syria. Such a profound defeat demoralized the Arab nations, but also left Israel with the problem of the Palestinian refugees. The PLO began to take a larger role in supporting the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, as Gaza and the West Bank became known, resist Israel.

While the Yom Kippur War ended in an effective stalemate, it gave the PLO an opportunity to engage Israel in combat for the first time, and galvanized the refugees against Israel. The PLO would soon move to Lebanon under Syrian protection. In response, Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, with the intent to crush the PLO and the

nationalistic organizations once and for all. However, the opposite occurred, and Palestinian youths who had grown up in the refugee camps took up arms and began the first Intifada. While brutal, the IDF response succeeded in burning out the Intifada.

Despite the peace processes in the early and mid-1990s, eventually the weighty collection of diplomatic agreements, sufficiently vague as to allow both sides to claim different interpretations, led to a collapse in the talks. This collapse flared into conflict after the beginning of the withdrawal from Lebanon with Yasser Arafat, leader of the PLO since its inception, launching the Second Intifada in 2000.

But the second Intifada has been remarkably different from the first, thanks to the emergence of Hamas. While Hamas was founded during the First Intifada, the Islamic fundamentalist movement has gained significant strength in recent years thanks to successes of Al-Qaeda and other groups. While Hamas claims to oppose Israel on political grounds, not religious, their existence as an Islamic party adds a religious tone to the conflict that intensifies it and makes it much more difficult to conceive of a diplomatic solution.

While the conflict may seem hopeless now, so did the Arab-Israeli conflict. But as history indicates, whatever solution will bring peace to the region will likely be bloody, take time, and go far beyond the formal efforts of diplomacy.

Uncertainty surrounds the Israel-Palestine conflict despite the termination of military action.

Israel launched a military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza strip Dec. 27. This comes as the result of what Israel claimed was a series of ceasefire violations.

President Shimon Peres issued a statement at the beginning of the campaign.

“We cannot permit that Gaza will become a permanent base of threatening and even killing children and innocent people in Israel for God knows why,” Peres said.

After 22 days of fighting with over 1,300 casualties accepted by the Israeli Government, 300 of which categorized as non-combatants. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced the close of this campaign in a speech on Jan. 17.

“Israel will cease its actions against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and will remain deployed in the Gaza Strip and its environs,” Olmert said. Israel announced on Wed. that they would

not consider any ceasefire deals with Hamas until one of their captured soldiers, Gilad Shalit, be released. “

The security cabinet unanimously decided that the release of the soldier Shalit is a condition to any agreement with Hamas,” said interior minister, Meir Sheetrit.

Beyond a ceasefire, the long-term political outlook of Israel’s future is in question as general elections have just been held most importantly for a new prime minister, but came up short of the majority necessary to decide the outcome between the two main candidates, Tzipi Livni and Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision will now go to the country’s president who has not yet spoken on the matter.

BY MARK GRAHAMSTAFF WRITER

History of Israel-Palestinian Conflict

BY KENTON JACOBSENPHOTO DIRECTOR

Strikes cease but instability remains

Israeli soldiers stand next to and atop a tank near the border with the Gaza Strip Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. Although Israel and Hamas declared separate cease-fires on Jan. 18, sporadic violence has persisted while Egypt tries to broker a long-term truce. On Thursday, Israeli warplanes bombed smuggling tunnels long Gaza's southern border, a frequent target, the army said. (Photo by Associated Press/Tsafrir Abayov)

FEATURES February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 8

“The Phantom of the Opera” is here and California Baptist University is selling tickets. They are now on sale for $40 in the Game Room. The show date is Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. Tickets are limited to one per traditional undergraduate student with an ID card.

Most recently the Pantages Theatre has held one of Broadway’s more popular musicals: “Wicked”, the story of Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) and her side of what happened in “The Wizard of Oz” and her life before Dorothy came to Oz. And CBU was excited to be selling those tickets, so it was not a surprise to find out that they were going to be selling “Phantom” tickets at the same price.

As the New Year was being rung in, so was a new lineup of musicals at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angels. On sale now are tickets for “Phantom”, the winner of over 50 major theater awards, which has been playing since Jan. 21 and will end Feb. 21. Also soon to come are: “Rent” Feb. 26 – March 8; “Grease” March 10 – March 22; “Rain” March 31 – April 5; “Dirty Dancing” April 8 – June 18; “Mamma Mia” April 7 – April 19; “Fiddler on the Roof” July 23 – Aug. 9; “Legally Blonde” Aug. 12 – Sept. 6, and, finally, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” Nov. 10 – Jan. 3, 2010.

The well-known play “Phantom of the Opera” is a story of seduction and despair. It is the story of a disfigured genius who secretly lives in the Paris Opera House. He mentors and falls in love with a simple chorus girl, Christine Daae. He haunts the opera house to make sure that his every demand is met, including making his protégé the leading lady. However, Christine falls in love with Raoul, the young Viscount de Chagny, creating a love triangle. When the Phantom finds out about Christine and Raoul’s secret love affair, he is outraged and kidnaps Christine to become his bride. Will Raoul be able to save Christine before the Phantom is able to carry out his diabolical plan? The only way to find out is to see the play before it closes Feb. 21.

“Phantom” just recently surpassed “Cats” as the longest running show on Broadway. On Jan. 9, 2009 it played its 7,486th performance, which surpassing “Cats” with its 7,485 performances. It has been estimated that “Phantom” has had over 80 million audience members in 124 cities and 25 countries. It was even produced as a widescreen version directed by Joel Schumacher and staring Gerard Butler as the Phantom. “Phantom” is a major part of theater history and now it has come to the Pantages Theatre—so get your tickets now, before the history returns to the past.

For more information visit: www.broadwayla.org

Source: www.phantomoftheopera.com

The red carpet rolls out in front of the Kodak Theatre Feb. 22, as the most prominent awards ceremony in the world marks its 81st year in the history of the Academy Awards.

The fashion industry will capitalize on Hollywood’s finest donning their latest designs, and for the 40th year, the event will be broadcast internationally.

Tradition runs deep in the lavish night that has evolved into the crown jewel of the film industry. In 1927, the state of California granted a non-profit organization charter to a group of individuals dedicated to advancing the motion picture industry. They called themselves the Academy.

Tickets cost $5 for the 270 people who attended the first Academy Awards ceremony May 16, 1929.

The nerves and anticipation were presumably mild as the award winners were announced three months prior to the Roosevelt Hotel banquet.

The sealed envelope system in place today was not adopted until 1941. For the first 15 years, the banquet dinner was held annually at either the Ambassador or Biltmore Hotels until a flourishing attendance rate moved the ceremony to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in 1944. The ceremonies have been held in theaters ever since.

The famed golden statuette known as Oscar is officially named the Academy Award of Merit. The origins of its nickname are uncertain, but the most popular tale is that when Academy librarian Margaret Herrick first saw the trophy in 1931, she made a remark that it resembled her uncle Oscar. The Academy officially adopted the nickname Oscar in 1939.

When award recipients utter the common line

“I’d like to thank the Academy” in their respective acceptance speeches, they are thanking the group of more than 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The charter members established the organization’s five branches: producers, actors, directors, writers and technicians.

Today’s Academy members include esteemed directors Steven Spielberg and Cameron Crowe and a flood of actors from Meryl Streep to Steve Carell.

Only three times in Oscar history has the show not transpired as planned.

Massive flooding in Los Angeles delayed the 1938 ceremony by a week, and 30 years later, the April 8 ceremony moved to April 10 out of respect for the recent assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan delayed the Oscars for 24 hours.

As the postponed ceremonies coincided with unprecedented circumstances, so did the golden trophies from 1943 to 1945. In an effort to conserve metals during World War II, the Academy awarded plaster statuettes. The winners later received the traditional gold statuette designed by MGM Chief Art Director Cedric Gibbons. In 80 years, 2,701 Oscars have been presented.

The first Oscar ever won by an African American was awarded to Sidney Poitier in 1964, and five years later, the first and only tie in history for Best Actress was split between Barbara Streisand and Katherine Hepburn. Streisand accepted her Oscar in 1969 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles County Music Center and made her “Hello, gorgeous” remark famous at the first event ever held there.

Oscar night catapulted many into blockbuster

careers. In addition to becoming the only American woman ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for directing, Sophia Coppola won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2003 for “Lost in Translation”.

Two young unknown actors bolted onto the national stage when Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won best original screenplay in 1998 for “Good Will Hunting”. Before the Great Communicator ever gave a state of the union address, President Reagan was an Oscar presenter in the 1958 ceremony.

But while many new faces take center stage on Oscar night, so do the familiar. Bob Hope hosted the ceremonies 19 times throughout his career from 1940 to 1978, succeeded multiple times by Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal and Steve Martin.

One of the most remarkable returns to the stage was Christopher Reeve’s in 1996 when he made his first public appearance since the accident that left him paralyzed. From his wheelchair and breathing through a respirator, he moved the audience in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion when he spoke of the importance of the industry and the opportunity to combat pressing social issues through the power of motion pictures.

“They’ve enlightened us, they’ve challenged us and given us the opportunity to learn,” Reeve said.

Reeve’s emotional speech came two years after Tom Hanks won the award for Best Actor for his work in “Philadelphia”, a film inspired by a true story that tackled the issue of AIDS discrimination.

Continuing the lineage of Oscar-nominated films with powerful messages, the 2009 nominations for Best Picture of the Year include: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Frost/Nixon”, “Milk”, “The Reader” and “Slumdog Millionaire.”

But before Australian actor Hugh Jackman takes the stage as master of ceremonies on Feb. 22, the industry’s finest will promenade outside on Hollywood Boulevard where 70 years ago, Oscar was officially adopted—and a star was born.

Movie Legends Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando won Best Actress and Best Actor at the 1954 Academy Awards. (Photo by Associated Press)

BY KELL KEIGWIIN STAFF WRITER

Phantom of the Opera

The Oscars: A Historical LookBY ABBY BROYLES

SENIOR WRITER

FEATURESFebruary 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 9

Darwin’s Day in Christianity?Evolution. The word, hopelessly tethered to

the blasphemies of contemporary atheism, strikes a poignant fear and resentment into the heart of the believer. Perhaps more so than any other single scientific concept, Darwinian theory has changed how Christians look at the world scientifically, and even in terms of intellectual progress altogether. The question before debaters Karl Giberson and John West at BIOLA University’s Sutherland Auditorium on Feb. 5 was this: is evolution theory compatible with Christianity?

Giberson, author of “Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and Believe in Evolution”, took the affirmative position, but began with a notable condition. “Evolution is a dirty word,” he explained with emphasis. “As Christians, we obviously embrace the word theistic, but frown on the word evolution as though it were some kind of cancer.” According to Giberson, this preconceived hostility is completely unwarranted and also basely ignorant.

How can this be, though? As is common knowledge for all believers, the Genesis account of creation says nothing of a multi-billion year historical record of the universe. In fact, it describes a mere seven-day process as the explanation for the entirety of life and physics. Giberson (as well as West, interestingly enough) made it very clear that he interprets Genesis figuratively: “in light of contemporary science,

the case for a 5,000 year old earth is simply unintelligible.” This distinction is paramount when discerning between the free-minded and fundamentalist brands of Christianity.

As for species-to-species evolution itself, though, Giberson encouraged his audience to just “look at the facts that are out there.” There is an overwhelming scientific consensus as to the truth of Darwinian theory, and it is partly due to DNA evidence that he outlined in his opening statement. Over 99 percent of human DNA is identical to chimpanzees, which obviously suggests common ancestry rather strongly. Also, and perhaps less-known to layman scientists, Giberson explained the concept of “pseudogenes.”

Pseudogenes - which are inherently functionless components of DNA in both chimps and human beings — are explained perfectly as “leftovers” from a grand evolutionary process. “If we are to attribute these pseudogenes and other apparent defects directly to God, then we must deal with the fact that He is an imperfect creator,” he argued candidly. The point is, due to the innumerable defects that are obviously apparent in all of life, it makes much more sense that they are a result of an evolutionary process rather than direct creation.

But West also provided some compelling reasons to disbelieve in the Darwinian model of life. Armed with arguments largely associated with the Intelligent Design movement, he attacked the process itself — rather than the evidence for common ancestry. Evolutionary

biologists attribute the actual change in species to genetic mutations that occur over time. Favorable mutations are rewarded by natural selection one after another until the life form is a completely different species. According to West, however, there is no such thing as a “favorable mutation.” In fact, mutations almost always entail disaster for any organism (cancer is a keen example of genetic mutation gone wrong). “I would like to challenge anyone,” he proclaimed with confidence, “to offer me legitimate proof of a positive mutation that resulted in the creation of a new species.”

Beyond the scope of scientific inquiry itself, however, West also presented a theological problem with theistic evolution. “It alters a fundamental component of Christian doctrine,” he argued. When anyone takes the position of God-guided evolution, according to West, he or she is denying what is known as “the Fall of Mankind” in Christianity. Because theistic evolutionists consider Adam and Eve as fictional characters in a figurative book, the actual events described in Genesis 3 cannot be historical. For West, this assertion is utterly incompatible with Christian doctrine.

Such issues form only a fraction of the overriding argument at hand, and there can be no doubting the profound impact science and specifically Darwinian evolution has had upon Christian thought. Honest, faith-based intellectual inquiry absolutely requires grappling with these issues. Perhaps the truth of the matter is God’s knowledge alone.

BY JOSH HARRISSTAFF WRITER

Spring Break always seems to arrive painfully slowly, but when it finally comes, make it worth the wait. If you do not already have plans to go on a vacation or out of town and if you are destined to stay in Riverside for the week, do not fret. There are many activities to do during the week that are fairly local and reasonable in price. Choose one or two, or even do a different activity every day. No matter what, be sure to escape from your seemingly endless studies and have some fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Take a trip to the beach. Make a day of it: Leave early in the morning to get the best spot on the beach when you arrive, then have a picnic in the afternoon by packing a lunch and some snacks and drinks. Do not hesitate to stay late, bring some warm clothes and have a bonfire in the evening. Luckily, the beach is never too far away!

2. Go camping! Take a trip up to the local mountains, Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are popular places to camp and so is Joshua Tree National Park. Even

if you do not feel like driving, camping in your backyard can make for a very fun night. Grab some friends, chocolate and marshmallows and prepare yourself for s’mores and ghost stories.

3. Visit a museum. There are several in the Riverside area, such as the Riverside Municipal Museum and the Riverside Art Museum, which are both located off Mission Inn Ave., and the World Museum of Natural History in Riverside. There are several other museums to visit that are outside of the Riverside area as well, including the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Peterson Automotive Museum.

4. Find a book to read. Visit the downtown library and check out a book to really indulge in during the week. Check out one or several and take a break from the monotony of textbooks with an intriguing mystery story, a romance novel or an epic adventure tale.

5. Go to a local concert. There are several venues that are not far from Riverside that offer fairly inexpensive shows. Some of the venues include Soma in San Diego, House of Blues, which has locations in both San Diego and Anaheim, The Grove of Anaheim and the Glass House in Pomona.

6. Have some fun shopping in Cabazon. The Cabazon Outlet mall is a great place to go to find good deals on brand name items,

as well as just an entertaining place to visit even if you do not plan on spending any money. The outdoor mall contains a wide variety of stores such as Guess, Coach, Juicy Couture, Oakley, Puma and Crate & Barrel.

7. Seaport Village in San Diego is a beautiful destination spot. It offers fun and unique shops, delicious restaurants that range to fit any budget and a breathtaking view of the San Diego shoreline. Perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of Seaport Village is the street performers along the harbor walkway, like magicians, artists and musicians.

8. Spend some time in Hollywood. There are always things to do in Los Angeles, and Hollywood is the center of the action. Visit the Hollywood walk of fame, walk along Rodeo Drive, catch a bite to eat at the Farmers Market, hang out at Universal City Walk or enjoy the nightlife on the Sunset Strip. It is guaranteed you will not run out of things to do in Hollywood.

9. Amusement parks are always an option, and the great thing about Southern California is that there are several located nearby. Some of the most popular theme parks are Disneyland/California Adventure, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Sea World, Universal Studios, and if you really want to stay local, Castle Park is right off the 91 freeway exit on La Sierra.

spring Lovin’ and having a Blast

Everyone has a blog these days. In fact, some professors require their students to blog as part of their class assignments. In 2004 Frank Warren created a blog that reflected on something others had to say instead of what Warren had to say. The name of the blog was PostSecret.

PostSecret soon became a popular online community where people from all over the country would anonymously send in their secrets that would then be viewed by millions of other people.

People shared their dreams, hopes, fears, thoughts, confessions and much more. Some secrets make you laugh or cry and some leave you with a feeling of empathy or apathy. Whatever it is, there is something there for everyone. It is a feeling of knowing that you are not alone.

Warren thought of the postcard idea when buying three postcards at a shop while visiting France in 2003. That same night, he had a dream that involved the three postcards being decorated with pretty pictures and catchy meanings. Upon waking, Warren hurried to copy down the exact same pictures and words from his dream—he only recognized two of them: one was left out because he could not understand the meaning.

Following his trip to France, Warren created the “reluctant oracle,” posting new postcards every Sunday to be found by different people. The last of the “reluctant oracle” said, “You will find your answers in the secrets of strangers.” Because of this statement, PostSecret was started the next week.

The secrets require two things: they must be true and must have never been told to anyone else. They come in all different shapes and sizes and although PostSecrets originally started off as a web site, soon people started mailing in their secrets on beautiful, descriptive, anonymous postcards.

Warren then decided to publish his first PostSecret book. The book was so well-liked that it was followed by two more.

Now, four books, one big blog community and 180,000 PostSecrets later, Warren is touring the country visiting colleges and universities, lecturing about secrets and allowing college students to share their secrets with everyone.

BY SAMANTHA STEWARTSTAFF WRITER

BY LISA LUNASTAFF WRITER

POST SECRET

VISION February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 10

A beautiful and unique view of Riverside can be seen from the top of Mt. RubidoxMike sampsonStaff Photographer

On certain nights right before Valentines Day, you might just spot men in the Alumni Dining Commons attempting to woo the hearts of single ladies, just beyond the condiments of course.kenton JacobsenPhoto Director

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6: 28-30 (NLT)Danielle MorganStaff Photographer

CBU fans are CRAZY!kristin VaughanStaff Photographer

VISION February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 11

ISP intensive t r a i n i n g weekend allowed for students to experience a variety of different cultural s i m u l a t i o n s . Shaevon Adams is seen here experiencing the life of a muslim woman.Nathan YiPhotographer

The setting sun provides a beautiful mixture of colors in the sky.Cayla amesStaff Photographer

With the economic downturn all the rage, many people are cutting back. The government; however, seems to be throwing more money around than ever before.kenton JacobsenPhoto Director

FEATURES February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 12

The Wallace Book of Life Theatre seems empty at first, the new lighting fixtures illuminating an abandoned lobby. It looks cold. But peek around the tall black doors to the theater, and there are hurrying figures dashing into the wings and placing makeshift rehearsal props carefully on half-finished sets, huddled figures in the seats, frantically muttering barely-memorized lines and a tall boy on stage, dancing to the music on the iPod only he can hear.

There is a play the audience never sees; there are scenes that only the initiated ever know exist. Behind every clever detail, every perfectly timed double take, there is a story and a memory.

“Arsenic and Old Lace”, the best-known work of playwright Joseph Kesserling, is a dark comedy – deliciously creepy and funny by turns, and overlaid with a ridiculous, distorted logic that is very engaging. The plot is simple – Mortimer Brewster returns to the home he grew up in, only to find that his elderly aunts are systematically poisoning lonely bachelors and burying them in the cellar. But, Director Kendall Lloyd said, “as serious as two crazy old ladies killing old men sounds, it’s very funny.”

Lloyd, a 2007 graduate of California Baptist University, has enjoyed working with old comrades from his student days in this new capacity as part of the production staff, and they also seem to be enjoying it.

“Kendall’s great. I worked with him as an actor a few years ago, and he’s just brilliant. It’s cool to

see him on the other end as the director. He’s got a great heart, a great attitude, a positive outlook; very generous and very kind. I love his positive nature,” John Helms, who plays Teddy Brewster, said.

Rochelle Addison has also performed with Lloyd before. “I’ve worked in two shows with him,” Addison said. “Kendall’s brilliant, and an absolutely wonderful director, and he’s so much fun; we respect him a lot. He’s a great guy.”

Lloyd is in the process of applying to graduate schools. “I would love to get my MFA in acting, and I’m in the process of auditioning for schools for that. It’s a really competitive experience with a lot of really talented people, so I’m kind of feeling a little bit out of my league. Right now I teach high school and I love that too.” Lloyd teaches freshman Bible and senior speech and debate at Linfield Christian School.

Addison considers comedy her forte and is excited to be part of a comedic production again after three years of serious work. She has formed a close bond with Natalie Harris. She said, “As far as working with Natalie, it’s been a joy and a pleasure. We work together really well, and we have really great chemistry and comedic timing together. We’ll be saying our lines and then all of a sudden we do something funny and we realize ‘Ooh! That was brilliant!”

Harris has also enjoyed their bond. “I really enjoyed working with Rochelle as Martha—these creative ideas that we’ve been having,” she said.

The two have worked hard at perfecting their roles as the sisters Abby and Martha Brewster. “They love each other dearly but they are stark opposites as well,” Addison said. “We love to correct

each other, so say the cup handle will be facing toward the right, I might turn it towards the left. The pillows I like diamonds, she like them squared if they’re on the couch.” Their performance is focused on small details – details the audience may not always notice, but that lend reality and depth to the characters.

Arsenic is special to Harris for another reason as well. “My dad is in the play, and it’s my first time being on stage with my father.”

Her father, Earl Harris, is the director of conferences and events at CBU and is appearing as Reverend Harper. Natalie Harris attributes her love of theater to her father, who spent a lot of time on the stage when he was in high school. “It’s just a really cool thing that we share. I’m excited for him to get back on the stage,” she said. “It’s an exciting thing to be able to experience with him, and we thought this would probably be the only and last chance that we’d ever get to do something like this together so we thought ‘OK lets do it.’ He tried out and he got the part.”

The rehearsal process for “Arsenic”, Lloyd says has been very different from that of his last production, Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons”.

“We would leave after rehearsal last semester just kind of depressed in general because we were dealing with depressing content, and this semester we laugh a whole lot. It’s a fun chance for a lot of our cast who haven’t been able to be part of comedies to feel what that’s like, and to deal with the fact that they make each other laugh and how they react to that.” It hasn’t been easy, though – “Making people laugh is every bit as hard as making people cry or feel tension,” Lloyd said.

Ryan McAllister, who plays the part of Mr. Witherspoon, agrees. “We worked really hard and a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears are going into this,” he said. McAllister’s favorite part of his experience is the cast. “The cast is the best cast I’ve worked with yet. They’re amazing. They’re just all a bunch of loud-mouthed extroverts – in a good way!”

“We all get along so well its like we’re just playing around and goofing off. It’s not really like we’re rehearsing,” Jonathon Meader, who is performing the role of Jonathan Brewster, Mortimer’s dangerously unbalanced brother, said.

Rachael Davies, appearing as Elaine Harper, will be graduating soon, and is enjoying every minute of her involvement with CBU Theatre. “It’s important to enjoy whatever work you do, and so to be able to laugh while you do your work is a wonderful thing,” she said. “It’s my last semester, so I’m determined to live every single moment of every single day and enjoy it to the fullest, because I know that once I get out I’m going to really miss being here at CBU.”

The approach that the CBU theater program has taken to both performance and teaching seems to produce excellent results, one of their goals being “To show that theater can be a form of worship and a form of glorifying God,” according to Harris. “I see God’s hand in this theater program,” Harris said. “He’s really working something and I’m excited to see what happens.”

Davies appreciates the unity of purpose in the theater program as well. “That’s a very special thing, to be able to be united under the same goal, the same kind of belief, and its something I’ve really treasured about being here at CBU,” she said.

BY DANILLE LE ROUXCOPY EDITOR

Men serenaded and danced on stage to woo women in attendance Feb. 13 at the Alumni Dining Commons for California Baptist University’s first Woo Fest.

Jeffrey Stovall, junior business major and University Place Apartments resident assistant, was the creator of the event.

“Basically we have TWIRP week here and I wanted to incorporate guys doing something for the girls,” Stovall said.

Stovall was helped by Jeffrey Woolstenhulme who conducted the advertising.

“It was his idea, his baby and I came along on the ride to help out,” Woolstenhulme said.

The original plan was to have a Woo Week but because of scheduling conflicts, only one day was permitted. Students poured into the warm ADC Friday night and found it with decorated with silk rose petals and candy conversation hearts on tables.

Igniting the fest was Ryan McAllister with his performance of a medley including “Fever” and “Single Ladies”. The audience, filled with more women than men, cheered during the act and gave McAllister a standing ovation, the first of a few. McAllister was

also the host for the evening. He was asked by Stovall to host because of his natural conversational personality.

A new rendition of the song “Kiss the Girl” followed. Kyle Richardson, Grant Young and Caleb Childers made up the band. After some “sha-la-la’s,” the song transitioned into “Brown Eyed Girl.” Soon crowds were taken “back to the good ole days, the 60s” as stated by Tim Wilkins before he, Alex Fry, Leonard Jarmin, Doug Collins and Michael Brewer performed songs “Doin’ that thing you do” and “Everything”.

Intermission followed and McAllister encouraged females to visit the dessert bar. The women were served by men, a luxury as described in the event’s Facebook page. A few CVS gift cards were raffled off and International Service Project Team Rwanda sold roses to gain support during the break.

Tyler Pardee, the first solo singer, continued the fest with his original song “Paradise”. Pardee wrote the song for girlfriend Ashley Terry.

“I always want to perform for her and I was the first to sign up,” Pardee said. Terry added that she could not stop smiling during his song and recorded his performance.

Three acts continued the solo trend. Justin Howard sang a medley of “Don’t

you Remember”, Daniel Greenwalt sang his original song “Listen for just a moment” and Clinton White, dressed for the occasion in an all-red suit, sang “Interested” and “Ready for Love”.

The next performers intrigued the audience as they walked up the stage dressed in oversized jackets and scarves with bandana attitudes. They called themselves Penny Candy and rapped to a “remix of the remix” of “Can’t believe it”. Lines like “I’ll be your John Smith if you be my Pocahontas” charged the crowd with surprises and smiles.

Closing Woo Fest were the male UP

RAs. Sporting black t-shirts, the men arranged themselves in a single file line facing the audience. Then a mixture of songs from artists Backstreet Boys, Mc Hammer and Kanye West provided for their interpretation of “Evolution of Dance”.

Stovall was content and a little astounded at the success of Woo Fest.

“So many people, probably more than fit in the Caf. It definitely exceeded my expectations,” Stovall said.

“Hopefully we can get this thing as an annual deal. We’re both returning next year so we might end up doing it again between us,” Woolstenhulme said.

Woo Fest A Big SuccessBY MONICA MARTINEZ

SENIOR WRITER

The third act of the evening performed “Doin’ that thing you do” and Ever-thing” in the ADC on Feb. 13. (Photo by Kenton Jacobsen)

The Scenes the Audience Never Sees

CALENDAR February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 13

su

Do

ku

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block

contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

Easy

INLAND EMPIRESaturday 21, February (6:30 am) Riverside Raincross 5k Run/Walk 951-826-2000

Sunday, 1 March (2:00 p.m.) Tribute to the Big Bands Riverside Community College4800 Magnolia Ave 951-222-8100

Sunday, 1 March (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) First Sunday: Reading the Walls Riverside Metropolitan Museum3580 Mission Inn Avenue 951-826-5273

Thursday, 5 March (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Arts Walk: The Art of Origami Riverside Metropolitan Museum 3580 Mission Inn Avenue 951-826-5273

CBU EVENTSMonday, 23 February (9:00 p.m.– 10:00 p.m.)

In His Image Week BeginsPancake Breakfast

Tuesday, 24 February (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) In His Image Week Anxiety Discussion

Wednesday, 25 February (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m)In His Image Week Signs & Symtoms of Eating Disorders Discussion

Wednesday, 25 February (9:00 p.m.) Relevant

Thursday, 26 February (12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m.)In His Image Week Nutrition Discussion

Thursday, 26 February (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ) In His Image Week: Sex & Chocolate

Friday, 27 February (3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)In His Image WeekWomen’s High Tea

Friday, 27 FebruarySpring Preview Day

Friday, 27 February (5:00 p.m)Student Leader Selections Announced

Monday, 2 March Midterm Exams Begin

Monday, 2 March Postmark deadline for FAFSA and GPA verification

SPORTS(HOME GAMES)Tuesday, 24 February (5:30 p.m.)W Basketball vs Point Loma Nazarene

Tuesday, 24 February (7:30 p.m.)M Basketball vs Point Loma Nazarene

Saturday, 28 February (5:30 p.m.)W Basketball vs Biola

Saturday, 28 February (7:30 p.m.)M Basketball vs Biola

Tuesday, 3 March (5:30 a.m.)W Basketball vs Vanguard

MUSICSunday, 1 March (6:00 p.m.)UCO Concert-Northpoint Evangelical Location: Corona

THEATRE/ ARTS 20, 21, 27 & 28, February (8:00/2:00 p.m.) Arsenic and Old Lace Wallace Theatre8432 Magnolia Ave Riverside 951-343-4319

Sunday, 22 February (2:00 p.m.) Location Unknown: Russion Art at the Mission Inn, Spanish Art Gallery: Mission Inn Hotel, 3649 Mission Inn Avenue 951-788-9556

February 28, 2009 (2:00 p.m.) Most Valuable Player – The Story of Jackie Robinson Landis Performing Arts Center, 4800 Magnolia Ave. 951-826-8100

Easy

INTERMEDIATE

INSANE

Classes, work and the constant flow of papers make it difficult for a college student to find a way to read for fun.

Reading is a joy that allows one to escape into a different land, whether that be far away or right next door. We escape into a new world and leave our troubles behind, at least for a while.

Knowing that classes should take a first priority in reading, little time is left to read something enjoyable. I have taken the time to create a list of books that I recommend people should read. Some are educational, some are not. Overall, it is a well-rounded list in which each person should be able to find a book that suites them.

The first book on my list of recommendations is “Miles from Nowhere,” by Barbara Savage. In this book, a couple leaves on a 23,000 mile bike ride. They travel to 25 different countries in two years. The novel tells of their story and the people they meet, the places they see, and the sometimes dangerous aspect of traveling.

“The Princess Bride,” by William Goldman, has been made into a film which most people are familiar with. However, the novel captures a different essence than the film. The novel is somewhat of a fairy tale that incorporates the elements of comedy and romance. In a far away land, the beautiful young woman Buttercup falls in love with a farm boy. As her story progresses, she is forced to marry Prince Humperdinck. Buttercup is kidnapped and a series of adventures begins.

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” by John Boyne, is about two boys growing up during World War II. Bruno is a nine year old boy growing up in Berlin who lives with his father, mother, and older sister. Bruno’s life changes when his father gains a new title and the family moves to a new place. Bruno is trying to adapt to his new home, but has no friends and finds the transition difficult. However, one night Bruno notices a town of people dressed in striped pajamas from his bedroom window. Bruno explores the wire fence one day and finds a boy and decides to introduce himself. Shmuel is a Jewish boy and the two become friends. Bruno visits him almost every day and eventually decides to crawl under the fence and visit Shmuel’s world.

“Another Way Home: The Tangled Roots of Race in One Chicago Family,” by Ronne Hartfield, tells the story of the racial issues in America. Hartfield’s mother is of mixed race and because of this, life is hard on her children. The individuals in society who are mixed were deemed mulattoes. These individuals did not fit into either the black or white community, and life was difficult. The novel tells the story of the Hartfield family and how they are able to live happily and survive through each other. It is a heartfelt story and follows the lives of African Americans and mixed-race people living in a racist society.

“Bog Child” by Siobhan Dowd is a novel that has been recommended to me and so I am passing it on to you. The novel is full of emotional ups and downs. Fergus, the main character of the novel, is hiking in the mountains with his uncle and finds a body of a child who appears to have been murdered. The story goes through a series of events in which not everything is as it appears. Not only does a search take place, but Fergus’ brother deals with a hunger strike and his parents deal with troubles of their own. The novel is a well rounded story that hits major aspects such as love, death, and human frailty.

Though a heartbreaking novel, “Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives,” by Jim Sheeler, is definitely a must-read. This book tells the stories of those who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the families who have been left behind to mourn their loss. Not only does Sheeler tell the story of the grieving families but also of Major Steve Beck, whose goal is to help those families who have lost a loved one. It is a story of our troops who are serving overseas. The novel puts faces to names and families and tells the story of those who have served our country.

“Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is a novel that I see

on the “Best Seller” table at Borders each time I walk inside. Greg Mortenson was a hiker in Asia in 1993. When the hike failed and he collapsed from exhaustion, a nurse helped him back to health. “Three Cups of Tea,” which takes place in a Pakistani Village, is Mortenson’s story. After being nursed back to health, he made a promise to return one day and build a school. From this promise, Mortenson’s goal is to build schools, especially for females, to help bring peace in spite of the Taliban. Moretenson encountered a number of obstacles throughout his goal to return. This adventure story shows that despite troubles in life, ordinary people can have a goal to change the world.

Another recommendation is “The Pact,” by Jodi Picoult. The novel tells the incredible story of the Hartes and the Golds. The two families move in next door to each other and inadvertently, their children grow up close as well. The story is centered on Chris Harte and Emily Gold, a young couple who was in love but through a suicide, Emily dies at seventeen and Chris is put on trial for her murder. The overall question is, “How well do parents really know their children?” This novel is incredibly hard to put down, and deals with suicide and the aftermaths of a death.

The novels on this list are simple recommendations that I hope you enjoy. I encourage you to pick up something outside of classroom reading and escape into a life that is not your own.

Recently the topic of female stereotypes seems to be the topic of discussion everywhere I go. With songs like Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy” and Steve Harvey’s new book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” I hear both men and women talk and sometimes argue about the common assumptions about females. So I thought that I would clear up some misconceptions and validate others.

Girls hate video gamesFemale Fiction: This assumption is false for a

medium percentage of girls. I love playing video games. People assume that only guys like playing. Representing the gamer girls, GameGirl.com is a web site committed to breaking this stereotype by having an avid gamer female staff write reviews of new games and answer guys’ questions on girls who like to play. I myself grew up playing games. Once upon a time I had a Nintendo 64, then a GameCube, later a Nintendo DS, and now a Wii. Right now I am really digging Guitar Hero, especially when going head to head with my sister or a friend.

Girls love the color pinkFemale Fact: Not every girl loves pink. Pink is not

my favorite color because it does not compliment my skin tone. The only pink thing that I have is my thermos, and that is because the store did not have any other color available. However, there are plenty of girls who love pink. Victoria’s Secret even named a branch of their company after this color. I will admit, however, that pink stimulates a soft, squishy side of me that craves chocolate.

Girls are the weaker sexFemale Fiction: Girls are only weaker than men

physically (men can develop muscle in larger areas than women and because of this, men are physically stronger). In some other aspects of life, women are stronger. We have the ability to give birth which can be called “the epitome of endurance.” Every month we suffer with cramps and other unpleasant things. We have broken the glass ceiling in some vital offices and positions, but in others we continue to be oppressed. The progress our grandmothers and mothers made demonstrates that women are strong. Running the house and raising kids is no easy task.

Girls take forever to get readyFemale Fact: Girls do take a long time to get

ready, but only when we want to impress somebody, whether it is a crush or a potential employer. To summarize our routine: we shower, pick out a flattering outfit with matching shoes and purse, style our hair, put makeup on (which includes foundation, eye shadow, mascara, eye liner, blush), don appropriate accessories while taking proportions into consideration and then finally spray on some perfume. We do this because we want to feel good about ourselves and look pretty along the way. But there are some days when we are exhausted and will just throw on a tee, sweats and sneakers before walking out of the door. This happens only a few times a year. If it happened more frequently, society would probably give us the scarlet letter, especially with the media’s wonderful portrayal of how women should dress.

Girls are always moodyFemale Fiction: This is only true once a month

or so.Hopefully after reading this, a shower of

enlightenment will have rained over society which will allow us to qualify the female facts and negate the female falseness.

Hooray for books! Female Fact and Fiction

BY ALYSSA ISGETTPERSPECTIVE EDITOR

BY MONICA MARTINEZSENIOR WRITER

(Photo by Kenton Jacobsen)

PERSPECTIVE February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 14

The views expressed in the Culture and Perspective section of The Banner

do not necessarily represent the views of this publication or California

Baptist University. Readers can send letters to the editor or contributions

for consideration to: BannerMail@calbaptist.edu

orCampus Box 1121

Correction Box

THE FOLLOWING MISTAKES WERE MADE IN ISSUE # 8 OF THE BANNER:“Terrify No More” was written by Monica Martinez. “Aimee Brammer” was written by Kristin Vaughan.

HIT OR MISS February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 15

We have had our fair share of coffee mess ups; where sometimes they just can not get your drink correct. However, we have to give these local coffee shops the benefit of the doubt in doing their part in providing us our daily caffeine fix. Whether you like to get your coffee to-go or would prefer to sit and chat or study, there is a local coffee shop for you.

Being typical caffeine-addicted college students, we are constantly on a search for new coffee shops to venture to for work and play. New to the area? Don’t know where to go to study and have a great cup of coffee? We’ll give you the low down on a few coffee joints in town.

Sips (Van Buren & Jefferson)

Most ordered drinkZebra Mocha

Customer Service Quiet, we have seen better

Service Speed Slow

Drive Thru No

Hit or Miss?Hit/Miss

If you like the quiet, study-like atmosphere, it is a Hit. Quiet coffee shops definitely have their appeal however if there is some serious studying to be done. If you like your coffee fast and with a smile, we suggest you go somewhere else.

Starbucks (Arlington & 91 Fwy) Most ordered drinkCaramel Macchiato

Customer ServiceFriendly

Service SpeedSlow (at rush hour!)

Drive ThruYes (Most of them)

Hit or Miss?HIT

Starbucks is an old standby and though there may be people out there who are against the corporate aspect of Starbucks, we have to hand it to them for constantly coming up with new products that appeal to a mass amount of people. Not a coffee drinker? No problem. Starbucks finally offers tea lattes in a variety of flavors. We just wonder what took them so long to jump on the tea bandwagon.

Coffee Depot (At the Riverside Plaza)

Most ordered drinkMoondoggie (but they have tons of cool drinks on their menu)

Customer ServiceOverall, pretty friendly

Service SpeedQuick, even when it is crowded, there is rarely a long wait

Drive ThruNo

Hit or Miss? Hit

Both of the Coffee Depot locations (in downtown Riverside and at the Plaza) offer a relaxed and fun atmosphere, perfect for grabbing a cup of coffee with friends, or having a snack while studying. They offer free Wi-Fi and some pretty delicious crepes. This place is definitely a Hit.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (On Mission Inn Ave. in downtown Riverside) Most ordered drinkAnything Ice Blended

Customer Service Very friendly

Service SpeedQuick

Drive ThruNo

Hit or Miss? Hit/Miss

The location here is not the greatest. Located on a pretty busy downtown street, there is not much parking during the day and the hours are not the best either (they close at 9:00 p.m. on weeknights). The coffee shop itself is rather small, and it is difficult to get a table on the weekends if you are looking to study. Their drinks are great – they have some of the best ice blended drinks we have ever had – and the service is speedy, so grabbing drinks on-the-go is not an issue.

BY JILL WEBSTER AND NICOLE PALMEREDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND STAFF WRITTER

DESIGNED BY ANDREW HOCHRADEL

PERSPECTIVE February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9 PAGE 16

This week’s music quote:“Pop changes week to week, month to

month. But great music is like literature.”Ravi ShankarA hush fell over the audience as the film

projected on the screen. It was a classic torture for the truth intro, not what I expected due to my preconceived ignorant assumption that I was going to be reviewing the soundtrack from a Bollywood musical.

Then I realized that “Slumdog Millionaire” was anything but a traditional sappy Bollywood film. In fact, it was not a Bollywood film at all. It was produced by an English-born, Golden Globe winning, Academy nominated producer by the name of Danny Boyle. He is also known for films like “Trainspotting” and “28 Days Later”.

The screenplay caught my eye, but when the soundtrack danced into the surround sound it flowed through my ear canal like a tidal wave and vibrated my eardrums like an earthquake. The “Slumdog Millionaire” soundtrack is absolutely mind-blowing.

There are 13 songs on the soundtrack; I know that because I went home and immediately downloaded it from iTunes. The soundtrack features the British artist/song writer/record producer M.I.A., and a record producer/film composer/musician by the name of A.R. Rahman.

M.I.A received a Grammy Award nomination for record of the year for her single “Paper Planes,” which is a staple on the “Slumdog” soundtrack. Something tells me

that we will be hearing the name A.R. Rahman quite often in the near future, because his soundtrack for this movie has already won the 2008 Critics Choice award, a British Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

He is also nominated for three 2009 Academy Awards: two Best Original Songs and Best Original Score. Rahman bridged the gap between Indian traditional music, world music and Hollywood-American mainstream.

His compositions consist of an array of Indian music, Hip Hop, classical and world music. Rahman was born in 1967 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He graduated with a degree in western classical music from Trinity College of Music in London. Rahman built his own recording studio and started recording and mixing in 1992.

That same year he received the Rajat Kamal award in the National Film Awards for Best Music Director. Since then, he has sold over 200 million cassette tapes and 100 million records, which is an insane amount of sales for soundtracks. I, personally, have only bought one soundtrack in my life and it happens to be the one I am reviewing right now, one produced by Rahman.

The techniques and layers of texture that Rahman used on the soundtrack intrigue me. His songs are majestic, vibrant and rich to say the least. He uses very interesting techniques that build atmosphere in his music; he has mastered the art of full range stereo mixing. On many of the tracks in the film, he uses a technique called panning which is basically moving the sound from one speaker to the

other (listen to the tracks “Liquid Dance” and “O… Saya” through headphones and you will know what I mean).

The way he uses the stereo pan technique is simply amazing and it is guaranteed to trip you out. Every single song on this soundtrack has been produced to perfection.

You could write a book about the courageous artistic manners of the producers and how their songs enhance the artistic vision of the film, but since this is only a column I will narrow my review down to one song.

This song sent chills down my spine and happens to be the first song on the soundtrack and the first song in the film. “O…Saya” is a perfect blend of Traditional Indian music and Brazilian-world music percussion.

Rahman and M.I.A. produced the song and it does an amazing job of sonically enhancing an intense visual flashback childhood chase scene in the slums of India. “O…Saya” is experimental, yet flawlessly digestible. Rahman’s voice is laced with the ancient soul of India and M.I.A.’s rap sets it off the hook and makes it more appealing to a larger crowd.

All in all, five stars and two thumbs up for Rahman and M.I.A. for their collaboration on this song and soundtrack. They have created something new, fresh and artistic, yet still managed to make it accessible to the masses.

“Slumdog Millionaire” is a must-see and the soundtrack is a definite must-have. Keep an eye and ear out while watching the Oscars, because this soundtrack could very well win all three awards. In the meantime, check out the movie and indulge in the sound.

CBU- TunesBY DAVID PEARSON

STAFF WRITER

THE BANNER 08-09

Editor-In-ChiefJill Webster

Managing EditorAmanda Tredinnick

Design EditorEric McFarland

Photo EditorKyle Meyer

News EditorKenton Jacobsen

Culture & Perspective EditorAlyssa Isgett

Features EditorJustine Holguin

Special Projects EditorBreanna Armstrong

Sports EditorAndy Doyle

Copy EditorsDanielle le Roux

Serena Angeli

Web MasterKenton Jacobsen

Assistant Web EditorSerena Angeli

Graduate AssistantTawny Burgess

AdviserMary Ann Pearson

Staff Writers: Brittany Arvilla, Sarah Britton, Jacob Breems, Abby Broyles, Camille Crites, Jessica Culbertson, Carissa Gonzales, Mark

Graham, Josh Harris, Kelli Keigwin, Lisa Luna, Monica Martinez, Nicole Palmer, Jesse Parker,

Dave Pearson, Samantha Shaw, Samantha Stewart, Colleen Sweeney, Victoria Taylor,

Kristin Vaughan, Elena ZanoneStaff Photographers: Cayla Ames, Kenton

Jacobsen, Enoch Kim, Eric McFarland, Reina Mendez, Kyle Meyer, Danielle Morgan,

Michael Ring, Michael Sampson, Kristin Vaughan

Ad Manger: Amanda Tredinnick Assistant- Heather Campbell

The Banner is produced bi-weekly by the students of

California Baptist University8432 Magnolia Avenue

Riverside, California 92504

kNoW of a sTorY You

WouLD LIke To see CoVereD

IN The BaNNer?

eMaIL us aT: BaNNer@CaLBaPTIsT.eDu

SPORTS PAGE 17February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

www.ggbts.edu

888-442-8701

Campus locations: Northern California Southern California Arizona Pacific Northwest Rocky Mountain

… on mission to the world.

Taking your knowledge…

Fallen Star - Barry BondsBarry Bonds. Those are two words that

many people once felt should be forever linked with greatness and immortality in the realm of professional baseball, but instead, they have become words overshadowed with controversy and disappointment.

Bonds is the all-time home run king of professional baseball, having belted 762 home runs throughout his long and illustrious career. But now, instead of looking ahead to a trip into baseball’s hall of fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., Bonds may very well be looking ahead to jail time.

Whether or not he was a great player is not the debate – the current debate is not even how many of his numbers were inflated by steroid use. The debate is now whether he ever knowingly used these steroids and lied about having used them in front of a grand jury. Prosecutors say yes, and now Bonds is on trial for perjury and obstruction of Justice.

The current case results from an earlier testimony Bonds gave in the initial hearings about alleged professional athletes who had used steroids obtained from Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). BALCO was said to have provided steroids to a number of professional athletes,

including Olympic medalist Marion Jones, and slugger, Jason Giambi.

During this 2008 trial, Bonds stated that he never knowingly used any form of steroid. Prosecutors believed this statement to be false and later that same year indicted Bonds, citing perjury and obstruction of justice as the charges.

With his trial slated to start in early March, Bonds is forced once again to put his already less than stellar reputation on the line, and fight for the legitimacy of what was once considered one of the most decorated baseball careers of all time. This time, the prosecutors claim to have new evidence including a urine sample, that tested positive for anabolic steroids, as well as new witnesses who claim to have knowledge of Bonds’ alleged steroid use.

With that, Barry Bonds faces a harsh reality; a reality that no doubt will condemn him to baseball infamy and elect him to the Hall of Shame rather than the illustrious Hall of Fame.

This sad truth could take Bonds’ reputation of a celebrated, almost immortal superman-like baseball player, who was once compared to the likes of Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth, to that of just an “average Joe” who once took the wrong path and just happened to play baseball.

Barry Bonds. Forever linked with

greatness? Not anymore.Bonds, however, is not the only high

profile player to be affected by such accusations. Just days ago, renowned New York Yankees third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, came out and acknowledged that he did indeed use performance enhancing drugs from 2000-2003 while a member of the Texas Rangers. Future Hall of Famer Raphael Palmeiro also reluctantly

admitted to using the drugs.This new knowledge could not come

at worse time for Major League Baseball (MLB). This period in time has now been dubbed the “Steroid Era.” The integrity of the game is in serious danger, and Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner, has his work cut out to restore the honesty and pride that once came with one of America’s most treasured pastimes.

The perjury trial for Former San Francisco Giants slugger and current home run king Barry Bonds is set to begin March 2, 2009. (Photo by Associated Press)

BY JESSE PARKERSENIOR WRITER

PINK PAGE 18

California Baptist University women’s basketball is stepping up to join in the unified effort of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond, by participating in the WBCA Pink Zone initiative.

Pink whistles, pink headbands and pink Crazies shirts covered the Van Dyne Gymnasium as the women’s basketball team hosted the Pink Zone game against Westmont on Feb. 7.

“All the ticket sales that evening and all the money raised from Pink Crazies T-Shirts will go to the Kay Yow Breast Cancer Research Fund and our team is also doing a Kay Yow Pink Throw [blanket] Fundraiser,” Danelle Bishop, head coach, said. “Proceeds from the throws will go to both Breast Cancer Research and CBU Women’s Basketball. These will be on sale until March 2, 2009.”

The CBU women’s basketball team participated in the Pink Zone, formerly known as the “Think Pink” initiative last year. According to the WBCA press release, in 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped in making the inaugural year a success. In 2008, more than 1,200 teams and organizations participated, reaching over 830,000 fans and raising more than $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research.

Bishop was inspired to get involved with the WBCA’s fight for breast cancer after hearing Kay Yow speak last year at the WBCA convention. “She really inspired me by how many years she battled this disease, all while coaching an NCAA Division I team. I was also inspired by the possible impact the awareness could do for our team, CBU and the community,” Bishop said.

Winning more than 700 games in her coaching career, Kay Yow, Hall of Fame, women’s basketball coach is an inspiration to fans. Yow, who has given back to her community through breast cancer awareness, passed away in January 2009, after struggling with the killer disease for two decades. Her legacy however lives on.

Women’s basketball officials showed their support as they joined with the WBCA by implementing the “Calling for a Cure” initiative. Officials show their support by wearing a pink whistle and making donations to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. In 2008 the “Calling for a Cure” campaign raised $25,000.

The Lancers showed their support for the cause by wearing pink headbands in honor of the Pink Zone initiative. “They were excited to participate in such an event. I think it really hit home when they watched their teammate Nikki Johnson’s mom’s video at halftime of our game,” Bishop said.

As the lights dimmed during the halftime show at the Pink Zone game, everyone in attendance was focused on the projector screen, the only light source in the gym.

On the screen was the inspirational video created by journalism student, Abby Broyles, about the incredible story of how Johnson’s mother, Veronica Slade, battled breast cancer.

Slade was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in Jan. 2007. Everyone in attendance was touched by the story of how she battled breast cancer and overcame it.

“The halftime show about Veronica Slade was really inspiring and as you looked around the gym and saw all of the pink, it made me proud to be a part of such a worthy cause,” Amanda Brown, CBU cheerleader, said.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide, about 465,000 of these will die from the disease. Also, breast cancer rates have risen about 30 percent in the past 25 years in western countries, due in part to increased screening which detects the cancer in earlier stages.

Currently in the WBCA, there are several coaches that are fighting this vicious disease. Women’s basketball coaches share not only a profession, but also a community. The CBU women’s basketball team has set the example in athletics for their dedication in supporting this worthy cause.

“I think that the most rewarding thing about participating in the WBCA is seeing how God is a huge part of many victims and survivors lives. Women have grown in their faith because of the disease,” Bishop said.

BY BREANNA ARMSTRONGSPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

DESIGNED BY ANDREW HOCHRADELPHOTOS BY MICHAEL RING

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

ZONEPAGE 19

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

California Baptist University women’s basketbal l player, Brenna Hahn, dr ives for the net as she scores another for the Lancers in the Pink Z one game.

“I was inspired by the possible impact the awareness could do for our team, CBU and the community,” Coach Danelle Bishop, head coach, said.

Coach Matt Klemin zoning in on the Lancer-hosted, Pink Z one game against Westmont .

An opening week that started off on a encouraging high for the California Baptist University tennis program ended on a negative note as the Lancers were upset, after a strong display, by the no.2 ranked, men and women’s, Fresno Pacific University.

The week began with the release of 2009 NAIA Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 poll on Wednesday 11th that saw both Lancer teams earn a top 10 placing; in a poll decked with GSAC opponents. The men checked in at no.5 keeping their spot from last years final poll. The women on the other hand begin this season in the no.10 slot, four places off their 6th place finish last campaign.

“I wasn’t surprised; I think both of our teams are very good. Preseason ranking have historically based primarily on the previous season’s results and both teams ended ranked last year,” Chris Taylor, head coach, said. “In my opinion though, I think the women should have been ranked higher and we’ll just have to go out again and prove it.”

Despite the early loss to the Sunbirds, it is not all doom and gloom for the Lancers. Taylor sees the loss as more of a blessing in disguise. “I think we needed that. I told the players going into the game that we would find out how good we really are and what we needed to work on, and now we know.”

The men opened their season in impressive fashion with a 6-3 win over NCAA Division II UC San Diego. All-Americans Alessandro Ventre and Carlos Cirne-Lima continued their winning

ways as they easily cleaned up in singles and as partners in doubles. The team now sits 1-1, 0-1 GSAC.

Lima also picked up a singles win against Fresno, along with teammate Martin Vaisse; the only two wins of the day for the men.

The women also added a win to their record when they too brushed aside UC San Diego, 7-2. Perhaps this was an indication that the Top 25 poll might have been a little unjust. The Lancers did

however fall to NCAA Division I San Francisco in their season opener and now sit 1-2, 0-1.

The women put in a strong performance against Fresno but eventually lost out 6-3. Wins came from Jelens Savic and Maiara Oliveira in singles, and Oliveira and Jessica Roddy in doubles.

Taylor has high expectations for the tennis program this season and has made no secret of what he feels the team can achieve.

“I would be lying if I said that we didn’t want to win a national championship. On paper we are good enough but it doesn’t always play out that way on the court. I don’t care if we win 9-0, 8-1 or 6-4, at the end of the day we just want a ‘w’. So if we take care of the stuff we have control over then we will see what happens,” Taylor said.

The tennis teams take on Hawaii Pacific. along with three GSAC teams next week, including no.19 ranked Westmont.

SPORTSPAGE 20

Time for the rallying to

beginBY ANDREW DOYLE

SPORTS EDITOR

February 20, 2009 · Volume 56 · Issue 9

As California, like so many other states, faces an astronomical $42 billion budget gap and an inability to resolve this matter through the state legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed new taxes to help fill the gap.

These new taxes are the source of some controversy, as most new taxes are, and will hit the sports and entertainment industries, as well as a few others, in a unique way.

Proposed last November, the tax would levy funds from the previously untaxed areas of golf rounds, auto repairs, veterinary care, amusement parks and sporting event admissions along with appliance and furniture repairs. The administration estimates that the taxes would raise $1.4 billion dollars through the fiscal year, ending June 30, 2010. It is just

part of $14.3 billion dollars in projected tax hikes by the Governor.

As expected, many businesses facing the new increase are unhappy with the administration’s proposal.

“It’s counter intuitive from a financial standpoint,” Art Savage, owner of Minor League Baseball team the Sacramento Rivercats, said, as quoted in the Sacramento Bee. “You’re trying to create spending and stimulus. This will drive down revenue, which creates jobs.”

Others also see it as unfair targeting of their industries and wonder why movies and other leisure activities are not facing the same penalties.

The Associated Press quotes H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger’s Department of Finance as saying, “There is no good time to raise taxes. This is not something that the governor is putting forward because he enjoys

it.”He went on to explain that the specific

businesses targeted were ones that already had sales taxes on the goods they sold so they could make the adjustment to also taxing their services more easily.

If the proposal is agreed upon by the state legislature and put into practice, business owners would be faced with the dilemma of whether to pay the tax out of their own already shrinking profit margin or pass it on to the consumer, thus driving up prices.

Some industry analysts argue that this predicament would only result in more jobs being lost and further damage to an already pummeled economy.

“It’s one of those things that’s so politically difficult and controversial that it’s usually one of the last proposals that’s floated,” Scott Pattison, executive director of the National Association

of State Budget Officers, said in a quote to the Associated Press.

Executives of the states professional sports teams have been surprisingly quiet on the issue, but with attendance numbers already dwindling for some of the less successful franchises higher ticket prices will only exacerbate the situation.

Boxing promoters are also watching the situation closely and a passage of the tax could only mean more and more big fights will gravitate to Las Vegas in order to keep a higher percentage of their ticket profits.

The affected sporting area where the largest and loudest outcry can be seen is the golf world. Numerous blogs and campaigns have been launched to keep the price of golf rounds an untaxed luxury. There is even a web site where golfers can calculate approximately how much such a tax would cost them per year. Presently an average round costs nearly $100 in the state.

NEW TAXES ON THE HORIZON FOR CALIFORNIA EFFECTS SPORTSBY JACOB BREEMS

SENIOR WRITER

All-Americans Alessandro Ventre and Carlos Cirne-Lima put in another hard practice session as they prepare to take on some of the nations top teams. (Photo by Kenton Jacobsen)