Danny Langhorne
Editor-in-Chief
(Three stars)
In the film American Gangster, Academy Award winning director Ridley Scott delves into the life of Frank Lucas, the alleged kingpin of Harlem during the 1970s. Played by Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, Lucas’ tough childhood and hatred for the police helped him survive the streets when he moved to Harlem. There he became the driver, enforcer, and collector for the established crime boss, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson.
After Bumpy died Frank constructed his own empire, based on the Italian Mafia, and would come to control the flow of heroin in Harlem. At his peak Frank’s own brothers, parents, and other family members were his closest associates in the dope business.
What made his empire so successful compared to that of the mob, which had previously controlled heroin, were his direct ties to the producers of heroin in Southeast Asia.
By conducting business with suppliers in Vietnam, Lucas was able to cut out the Italian middle man by smuggling his famous “Blue Magic” in the caskets of dead soldiers from the Vietnam War. True blue was a hundred percent pure heroin compared to the diluted drugs that flooded the streets of America at the time.
But where there are amazing criminals there is usually a good cop sniffing around close behind. After he was blacklisted by corrupt cops in the NYPD for turning in almost a million dollars for evidence. Richie Roberts became the chief investigator of Lucas.
To many of the Special Unit Investigators, Roberts was a thorn in their side when it came to cutting off a slice of the drug empire for themselves. Richie walks a fine line as a narcotics investigator who finds himself between temptation and justice as he takes heat from crooked cops.
Roberts is played by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe who has worked with director Ridley Scott before on Gladiator. The all star cast and crew of American Gangster really bring to light the underbelly of the drug empire.
It not only shows how it expanded across continents and crime organizations but its effect on the people that lived smack in the middle of it. The movie is based on events that really occurred during the 1970s.
The disturbing corruption that ran rampant through the ranks of the NYPD during this time is one of the main highlights of the movie and makes Richie Roberts’ honest efforts as a detective all the more heroic.
Hip Hop artists Common and T.I. play two of Frank Lucas’ family members who are associates of his empire. Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. also plays one of Frank Lucas’ extravagant drug associates.
American Gangster is Rated R.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Lions for Lambs: political thriller or thinly-veiled propaganda?
Two people with differing political opinions have reviewed Robert Redford’s political drama, Lions for Lambs, which contains several references to current events in US government, journalism, foreign affairs, and education. These are their reviews.
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
(Three stars)
Lions for Lambs is surprising on a number of levels. Yes, it’s certainly a didactic political film, but it’s by no means a reason to nap. It kept me wide awake.
This film has something for just about every interest. There is a war story with a good dosage of military action. There’s a sleazy politician with one thing on the brain and a talented but sadly naive journalist. And finally there’s the aging political science teacher trying to get a pompous frat boy to learn something instead of being fixated on what he already knows. Minus the war subplot, it’s my kind of movie.
Actually I didn’t even mind the war story because it’s actually interesting; it isn’t another Black Hawk Down rip off. Tom Cruise is amazingly convincing as a devilish politico too, and the guy playing the frat student is so real, I can attach several names of students I share classes with to this character. It’s hardly dramatized, which is a nice change.
I was astonished by the simplicity of Lions. It has three (possibly four) story lines, but there are no superfluous characters aside from those of the key seven. It’s only 90 minutes long too. If I were to make a film like this, chances are it would end up being three hours long with the director’s cut being another hour longer.
But if you haven’t been paying attention to current events outside of mainstream media, this film is wasted on you. It does let the side down by being mostly talk other than five cumulative minutes of action. But that’s fine with me.
Regardless, it’s great that Lions makes you think. What’s more, it has excellent dialogue, spot-on characters, and makes excellent points. You have to like politics or journalism, or have a slightly cynical view on life. So it’s not hard to understand why I’d see it again.
Tony Johnson
Special to The Forge
(Two and a half stars)
Going into this film, I was expecting nothing less than a full-blown liberal propaganda piece that would be a stone’s throw away from Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. I was delightfully surprised to see this was not the case and that Redford had included a fairly balanced view. Of course, a balanced view in Hollywood is about as balanced as Air America, so this was still a rather biased film.
The main issue that was raised, of course, was the current state of affairs regarding the war in Iraq. On this topic, I felt that the film gave a mixed message. Redford’s character seemed to have a conflicting stand on the issue with two of his students having enlisted to fight in the war. He stated that he approved of their motives, but not of... well, their motives. So he supported them, but he...didn’t.
The film’s purpose seemed to have been marred by what seemed to be the requirement of still supporting the troops, and because of this, the message was rather conflicted. After leaving the theatre I didn’t really feel as if I had gained some kind of new insight as the film seemed to just rehash the same old points that have been brought up and addressed for the past few years.
The film basically stated that it agreed with the soldier’s need to fight, but not of their involvement in the military. The most interesting part of it all, however, was Tom Cruise’s portrayal of a Republican Senator. Most likely due to my rather conservative view I seemed to agree with a lot of what he said, while it seemed most of the others in the theatre did not. I also seemed to tune-out whatever conspiracy theory garbage that Meryl Streep put out as the nosey journalist. In the end though, this film seemed to put most people in their place and was surprisingly not nearly as one-sided as I expected.
In fact, the most anti-war part of the film were the end credits during which many silhouettes of people slowly disappear in the background.
Overall I left the theatre reaffirmed in my beliefs and not swayed in either direction, which is something to be expected in a movie where essentially nothing happened.
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
(Three stars)
Lions for Lambs is surprising on a number of levels. Yes, it’s certainly a didactic political film, but it’s by no means a reason to nap. It kept me wide awake.
This film has something for just about every interest. There is a war story with a good dosage of military action. There’s a sleazy politician with one thing on the brain and a talented but sadly naive journalist. And finally there’s the aging political science teacher trying to get a pompous frat boy to learn something instead of being fixated on what he already knows. Minus the war subplot, it’s my kind of movie.
Actually I didn’t even mind the war story because it’s actually interesting; it isn’t another Black Hawk Down rip off. Tom Cruise is amazingly convincing as a devilish politico too, and the guy playing the frat student is so real, I can attach several names of students I share classes with to this character. It’s hardly dramatized, which is a nice change.
I was astonished by the simplicity of Lions. It has three (possibly four) story lines, but there are no superfluous characters aside from those of the key seven. It’s only 90 minutes long too. If I were to make a film like this, chances are it would end up being three hours long with the director’s cut being another hour longer.
But if you haven’t been paying attention to current events outside of mainstream media, this film is wasted on you. It does let the side down by being mostly talk other than five cumulative minutes of action. But that’s fine with me.
Regardless, it’s great that Lions makes you think. What’s more, it has excellent dialogue, spot-on characters, and makes excellent points. You have to like politics or journalism, or have a slightly cynical view on life. So it’s not hard to understand why I’d see it again.
Tony Johnson
Special to The Forge
(Two and a half stars)
Going into this film, I was expecting nothing less than a full-blown liberal propaganda piece that would be a stone’s throw away from Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. I was delightfully surprised to see this was not the case and that Redford had included a fairly balanced view. Of course, a balanced view in Hollywood is about as balanced as Air America, so this was still a rather biased film.
The main issue that was raised, of course, was the current state of affairs regarding the war in Iraq. On this topic, I felt that the film gave a mixed message. Redford’s character seemed to have a conflicting stand on the issue with two of his students having enlisted to fight in the war. He stated that he approved of their motives, but not of... well, their motives. So he supported them, but he...didn’t.
The film’s purpose seemed to have been marred by what seemed to be the requirement of still supporting the troops, and because of this, the message was rather conflicted. After leaving the theatre I didn’t really feel as if I had gained some kind of new insight as the film seemed to just rehash the same old points that have been brought up and addressed for the past few years.
The film basically stated that it agreed with the soldier’s need to fight, but not of their involvement in the military. The most interesting part of it all, however, was Tom Cruise’s portrayal of a Republican Senator. Most likely due to my rather conservative view I seemed to agree with a lot of what he said, while it seemed most of the others in the theatre did not. I also seemed to tune-out whatever conspiracy theory garbage that Meryl Streep put out as the nosey journalist. In the end though, this film seemed to put most people in their place and was surprisingly not nearly as one-sided as I expected.
In fact, the most anti-war part of the film were the end credits during which many silhouettes of people slowly disappear in the background.
Overall I left the theatre reaffirmed in my beliefs and not swayed in either direction, which is something to be expected in a movie where essentially nothing happened.
Wrestling Preview
Brian Rueda
Staff Reporter
This year’s wrestling season starts November 24 with a Six Way Rotational Dual Meat at Chaminade High School. When interviewed frosh/soph assistant coach Adolfo Bimbela is looking forward to face both Ventura and Dos Pueblos. With returning varsity wrestlers, this season’s team looks like it will go far.
Interview with assistant coach Adolfo Bimbela.
What are some of the team’s goals for this upcoming season?:
Get better as a team, and help each wrestler reach their full potential as a Don Wrestler.
Who are some of the team’s key wrestlers?
112 lbs.- Jesse Lucatero
119 lbs.- Edgar Bejarano
125 lbs.- Raul Gutierrez
130 lbs.- Louis Elias
152 lbs.- Peter Estrada
Who might be your season’s fiercest opponent?
Ventura and Dos Pueblos are always tough to face with all their highly experienced athletes.
What can the team can do to improve from last year ?
The team as a whole needs to focus on working together as a team. That means we won’t move on until everyone moves on; no one on the team is left behind.
Staff Reporter
This year’s wrestling season starts November 24 with a Six Way Rotational Dual Meat at Chaminade High School. When interviewed frosh/soph assistant coach Adolfo Bimbela is looking forward to face both Ventura and Dos Pueblos. With returning varsity wrestlers, this season’s team looks like it will go far.
Interview with assistant coach Adolfo Bimbela.
What are some of the team’s goals for this upcoming season?:
Get better as a team, and help each wrestler reach their full potential as a Don Wrestler.
Who are some of the team’s key wrestlers?
112 lbs.- Jesse Lucatero
119 lbs.- Edgar Bejarano
125 lbs.- Raul Gutierrez
130 lbs.- Louis Elias
152 lbs.- Peter Estrada
Who might be your season’s fiercest opponent?
Ventura and Dos Pueblos are always tough to face with all their highly experienced athletes.
What can the team can do to improve from last year ?
The team as a whole needs to focus on working together as a team. That means we won’t move on until everyone moves on; no one on the team is left behind.
Girls Volleyball season comes to a close
Josie Martin
Staff Reporter
Girls volley ball finished their season with an outstanding record of 8-0 in League. Senior Jane Hinkle said, “The season went really good.”
So far they have met their goals for this year including making CIF playoffs.
Junior Natalie Guerra said, “We are number one in Division A and we do one game at a time.”
They did really well in the Mitty Tournament. They feel that they should have thought about their fist game in the Tournament of Champions a little bit more.
They made it to the second round of the CIF playoffs but unfortunately lost. Good job girls!!
The following is a tribute to some of the seniors on the team:
Staff Reporter
Girls volley ball finished their season with an outstanding record of 8-0 in League. Senior Jane Hinkle said, “The season went really good.”
So far they have met their goals for this year including making CIF playoffs.
Junior Natalie Guerra said, “We are number one in Division A and we do one game at a time.”
They did really well in the Mitty Tournament. They feel that they should have thought about their fist game in the Tournament of Champions a little bit more.
They made it to the second round of the CIF playoffs but unfortunately lost. Good job girls!!
The following is a tribute to some of the seniors on the team:
Girls Basketball Preview
Josie Martin
Staff Reporter
The girls basketball team is looking forward to a great season. Coach Andrew Butcher said, “We have a new team of extremely hard working, team oriented players. Their efforts have been fabulous. I look forward to a fine season.” They practice and prepare for the season by conditioning at the weight room and running out at the track. Last year beating San Marcos was a problem for the girls but this year they seem pretty confident. Shooting guard Larissa Lavender said, “SM graduated all of their best players last year. They have about three key players who we can take care of. We have a strong talented team. Beating them should not be a problem.”
San Marcos is not the only team that will be challenging for them. Captain Kristen Acosta said, “Buena and Ventura have many skilled players who have played with each other for a long time so I think that will be a big challenge for us.”
There are a lot of changes on the team. There are many new players. Brandi Blackwell said, “There is a lot to get used to but having a new team keeps us open minded.” Andrew Butcher said, “We have many new players, all of whom work and cooperate very well together.”
But there are also new captains for the team. Senior Kristen Acosta and junior Larissa Lavender are the new captains. They have been keeping the team positive and willing to do their best at everything. Freshman Tess Emerson said, “They clean things up when (we) are confused by (using) great communication! They rock!”
Their goal this year is to make it into the CIF playoffs. Last year they didn’t get in but they feel that with this new team they will. Junior Geena Boscacci said, “If we focus and work hard we can do it. All of the Channel League games will be tough but our quickness and press is what will stand out.” Coach Andrew Butcher said, “(Winning all League games) is a definite possibility, if we continue to improve.”
They look forward to have a great season so go support them.
Staff Reporter
The girls basketball team is looking forward to a great season. Coach Andrew Butcher said, “We have a new team of extremely hard working, team oriented players. Their efforts have been fabulous. I look forward to a fine season.” They practice and prepare for the season by conditioning at the weight room and running out at the track. Last year beating San Marcos was a problem for the girls but this year they seem pretty confident. Shooting guard Larissa Lavender said, “SM graduated all of their best players last year. They have about three key players who we can take care of. We have a strong talented team. Beating them should not be a problem.”
San Marcos is not the only team that will be challenging for them. Captain Kristen Acosta said, “Buena and Ventura have many skilled players who have played with each other for a long time so I think that will be a big challenge for us.”
There are a lot of changes on the team. There are many new players. Brandi Blackwell said, “There is a lot to get used to but having a new team keeps us open minded.” Andrew Butcher said, “We have many new players, all of whom work and cooperate very well together.”
But there are also new captains for the team. Senior Kristen Acosta and junior Larissa Lavender are the new captains. They have been keeping the team positive and willing to do their best at everything. Freshman Tess Emerson said, “They clean things up when (we) are confused by (using) great communication! They rock!”
Their goal this year is to make it into the CIF playoffs. Last year they didn’t get in but they feel that with this new team they will. Junior Geena Boscacci said, “If we focus and work hard we can do it. All of the Channel League games will be tough but our quickness and press is what will stand out.” Coach Andrew Butcher said, “(Winning all League games) is a definite possibility, if we continue to improve.”
They look forward to have a great season so go support them.
Spotlight: Ian Gamble, Boys Water Polo
How has the water polo team done?
It’s been a tough season. We’ve had lots of really close games against really strong opponents.
What has led to the team’s success?
Our team success has derived from our core group of players who have been playing together for so long.
What is your welcome to varsity moment?
My welcome to varsity moment wasn’t anything special. It was in the first water polo game of the season, against Mira Costa, as I was lining up for the start when it hit me that was finally on varsity.
What is the team going to look like next
season?
We will look very similar because the bulk of our team is juniors. Hopefully, we’ll all have a growth spurt and actually be bigger than some teams we play.
How long have you played water polo? Why did you chose to play?
I’ve played water polo since the beginning of 6th grade. I initially wanted to use water polo as conditioning for Junior Lifeguards. Now water polo is one of my passions.
How will next season be personally
different for you?
I’ll have a lot more time to focus on water polo, rather than school because my class load should be significantly less.
How far beyond high school do you plan to play?
I would like to play water polo in college, for a college team or a club team, but I do not plan to try and play professionally in Europe or on an Olympic team.
What is something most people do not know about water polo?
WE CAN’T STAND ON THE
BOTTOM!
If I wasn’t playing water polo, I would be...
...really bored and really hyper.
It’s been a tough season. We’ve had lots of really close games against really strong opponents.
What has led to the team’s success?
Our team success has derived from our core group of players who have been playing together for so long.
What is your welcome to varsity moment?
My welcome to varsity moment wasn’t anything special. It was in the first water polo game of the season, against Mira Costa, as I was lining up for the start when it hit me that was finally on varsity.
What is the team going to look like next
season?
We will look very similar because the bulk of our team is juniors. Hopefully, we’ll all have a growth spurt and actually be bigger than some teams we play.
How long have you played water polo? Why did you chose to play?
I’ve played water polo since the beginning of 6th grade. I initially wanted to use water polo as conditioning for Junior Lifeguards. Now water polo is one of my passions.
How will next season be personally
different for you?
I’ll have a lot more time to focus on water polo, rather than school because my class load should be significantly less.
How far beyond high school do you plan to play?
I would like to play water polo in college, for a college team or a club team, but I do not plan to try and play professionally in Europe or on an Olympic team.
What is something most people do not know about water polo?
WE CAN’T STAND ON THE
BOTTOM!
If I wasn’t playing water polo, I would be...
...really bored and really hyper.
Preview: Boys Soccer
Maria Vallejo
Staff Reporter
The boys varsity soccer team has just started training and will have their first game on December 31. The head coach is Tod Heil and his assistant coach will be Fredy Martinez. Senior Javier Garcia shared, “Coach Heil is a great help on and off the field; he is a great friend as well.”
Training activities include, wight lifting, sit-ups, push ups, and plenty of running. This team will play local schools such as San Marcos and Dos Pueblos twice each during the regular season. Garcia explained that, “it all depends on our chemistry and pride as a team, if we will win games.” In addition he shared that although they “have lost a couple of key players to club teams, the season should still be a good one.” Returning players such as Vince Alvarez and new comers like Jesus Gonzalez will be great assets to the Don’s soccer team.
Garcia commented that the team’s seniors are looking forward to the season intensely because it will be their last for high school and “seniors really want to be champs.” The game against San Marcos is highly anticipated by the entire team. “We take that game very seriously and will play well and win.” The team will be in several tournaments against teams from Northern and Southern California. The South Torrance Tournament (November 31 - December 1) will be challenging because the majority of the teams will be Division One teams (our Dons compete in the second division).
Staff Reporter
The boys varsity soccer team has just started training and will have their first game on December 31. The head coach is Tod Heil and his assistant coach will be Fredy Martinez. Senior Javier Garcia shared, “Coach Heil is a great help on and off the field; he is a great friend as well.”
Training activities include, wight lifting, sit-ups, push ups, and plenty of running. This team will play local schools such as San Marcos and Dos Pueblos twice each during the regular season. Garcia explained that, “it all depends on our chemistry and pride as a team, if we will win games.” In addition he shared that although they “have lost a couple of key players to club teams, the season should still be a good one.” Returning players such as Vince Alvarez and new comers like Jesus Gonzalez will be great assets to the Don’s soccer team.
Garcia commented that the team’s seniors are looking forward to the season intensely because it will be their last for high school and “seniors really want to be champs.” The game against San Marcos is highly anticipated by the entire team. “We take that game very seriously and will play well and win.” The team will be in several tournaments against teams from Northern and Southern California. The South Torrance Tournament (November 31 - December 1) will be challenging because the majority of the teams will be Division One teams (our Dons compete in the second division).
Former Don makes appearance in World Series
Ryan Nagy
Staff Reporter
This was a memorable year for Rockie fans because it was the first time in franchise history the Rockies went to the World Series. Unfortunately, the Rockies struggled to produce runs and were swept in the World Series by the Red Sox.
However, this World Series proved to be somewhat more important to the Santa Barbara community than in years past. Everyone had their eyes on Ryan Spilborghs, former Santa Barbara High baseball player.
Spilborghs started playing varsity baseball as a freshman in 1994 and dominated with a career batting average of .472. He capped off his playing days at SBHS by batting a school record .519 average his senior year and winning Channel League MVP.
Fred Warrecker, currently the baseball head coach, coached Spilborghs. He said Spilborghs had an “incredible mental and emotional stability. He was able to compete completely and then turn it off after the game.”
After graduating from Santa Barbara High, Spilborghs moved on to play at UCSB and from there, the minor Leagues. He continued to play in the minors until making his major League debut for the Colorado Rockies on July 16, 2005.
Spilborghs started in right field and went 2 for 4 with two singles against the Cincinnati Reds. “Ecstatic,” said Werrecker of Spilborghs’s debut, “I knew how hard he had worked, the sacrifices he had made. Yes. I was thrilled.”
In 2006, Spilborghs started in 34 games and this last season, was a reserve player and started many games because outfielder, Willie Tavarrez, was injured. Even when Tavarrez returned, Spilborghs stayed and found some playing time in the field and at the plate by being a pinch hitter.
“I realized that this might be a once in a life time moment. Many good players have played for years and never got a chance to play in a World Series game,” said Warrecker.
Staff Reporter
This was a memorable year for Rockie fans because it was the first time in franchise history the Rockies went to the World Series. Unfortunately, the Rockies struggled to produce runs and were swept in the World Series by the Red Sox.
However, this World Series proved to be somewhat more important to the Santa Barbara community than in years past. Everyone had their eyes on Ryan Spilborghs, former Santa Barbara High baseball player.
Spilborghs started playing varsity baseball as a freshman in 1994 and dominated with a career batting average of .472. He capped off his playing days at SBHS by batting a school record .519 average his senior year and winning Channel League MVP.
Fred Warrecker, currently the baseball head coach, coached Spilborghs. He said Spilborghs had an “incredible mental and emotional stability. He was able to compete completely and then turn it off after the game.”
After graduating from Santa Barbara High, Spilborghs moved on to play at UCSB and from there, the minor Leagues. He continued to play in the minors until making his major League debut for the Colorado Rockies on July 16, 2005.
Spilborghs started in right field and went 2 for 4 with two singles against the Cincinnati Reds. “Ecstatic,” said Werrecker of Spilborghs’s debut, “I knew how hard he had worked, the sacrifices he had made. Yes. I was thrilled.”
In 2006, Spilborghs started in 34 games and this last season, was a reserve player and started many games because outfielder, Willie Tavarrez, was injured. Even when Tavarrez returned, Spilborghs stayed and found some playing time in the field and at the plate by being a pinch hitter.
“I realized that this might be a once in a life time moment. Many good players have played for years and never got a chance to play in a World Series game,” said Warrecker.
Dons are 7-3 going into CIF- Newberry Park game tonight @ 7
Sandra Ruiz
Staff Reporter
The varsity football team has made a come back after losing against San Marcos in past years. This year the chain was broken. Football players had their minds set on winning and it showed. The Dons won with a final score of 24 to 10. Senior Greg Domingues said, “It was a tough game, but we won and I was excited.” In the beginning of the game Domingues ran a long run leading to our first touch down. Our football players were confident during the game making touchdown after touchdown. They won, just as they had predicted and took the rivalry trophy home.
Unfortunately we lost against Ventura, 27 to 20. This upset football players because if they had won, the Dons could have been in second place in the Channel League.
When asked what went wrong Domingues said, “We were just flat footed and not as focused as we should of been.” However our loss against Ventura inspired our football players to play well in the next game against DP.
Football players practiced hard and the pressure was on. Before the game, Domingues said, “It’ll be a hard game but we should win.” They came onto the field focused and determined to play. The game would determine if we made it to the CIF playoffs and become city champions.
It was hard to tell who was going to win the game, but finally, the Dons emerged victorious over the Chargers and won 35 to 32. Playoffs here we come! The DP game was our ticket into the CIF playoffs and the Dons will be competing for the championship.
Staff Reporter
The varsity football team has made a come back after losing against San Marcos in past years. This year the chain was broken. Football players had their minds set on winning and it showed. The Dons won with a final score of 24 to 10. Senior Greg Domingues said, “It was a tough game, but we won and I was excited.” In the beginning of the game Domingues ran a long run leading to our first touch down. Our football players were confident during the game making touchdown after touchdown. They won, just as they had predicted and took the rivalry trophy home.
Unfortunately we lost against Ventura, 27 to 20. This upset football players because if they had won, the Dons could have been in second place in the Channel League.
When asked what went wrong Domingues said, “We were just flat footed and not as focused as we should of been.” However our loss against Ventura inspired our football players to play well in the next game against DP.
Football players practiced hard and the pressure was on. Before the game, Domingues said, “It’ll be a hard game but we should win.” They came onto the field focused and determined to play. The game would determine if we made it to the CIF playoffs and become city champions.
It was hard to tell who was going to win the game, but finally, the Dons emerged victorious over the Chargers and won 35 to 32. Playoffs here we come! The DP game was our ticket into the CIF playoffs and the Dons will be competing for the championship.
Braving the field of campaign volunteering
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
Election season for this year is over. At least for local government that is. Which is a shame really because I have serious doubts about how many people knew about any of the candidates. Here’s a question though: how many high school students volunteer for candidates and their campaigns?
The answer is not many. But just to be contrary to the mainstream I set out on the campaign trail in support of four candidates for Santa Barbara City Council in the run-up to the November 6 election. My impression: if you’re a politics junkie like me, volunteering is a way to understand the campaign process better than just seeing a couple of documentaries.
I sent emails out to two candidates, Helene Schneider and Michelle Giddens, which was simple considering the amount of candidate mail I received at my home by the beginning of the month. Schneider sent me an invitation to a precinct walk that supported herself as well as fellow incumbents Das Williams and Brian Barnwell who were all supported by the Democratic Party.
Ms. Giddens, a challenger and newcomer in the field of local politics, asked if I would be willing to do a precinct walk with her as well. I picked a Saturday afternoon to walk some local neighborhoods with her and her campaign organizer.
But my first experience was a week before election night when I spent two hours between 5 and 7 p.m. making phone calls on behalf of Das Williams. He and his campaign organizer were also in attendance going through lists of registered voters in the city, most of which were labeled as undecided or lived in areas that Williams had not yet contacted. I had a script and plenty of information about Das if a voter wanted to know more about him. But I didn’t actually use any of it. I had a number of people who were already familiar with him, mostly for the better, but some for worse. Most people, surprisingly, did not mind that I was calling them between the time most get home from work or soccer practice and sit down for dinner. But I did get a couple people who said they wouldn’t vote for Das (or any of the incumbents) if their life depended on it, or something to that effect.
Walking around the Westside with the Democratic Party was similarly uneventful, partly because of the intensive organization of that walk. About 15 volunteers including the candidates and their significant others were grouped in pairs ready to drive to a precinct and go door to door with a set of literature encouraging last minute voters to vote for the incumbents. But the real reason I found it uneventful was because there was no one home in the middle of the Sunday I was out.
But I had a bit more of an event with Michelle Giddens the day before. I arrived at her house and campaign headquarters about 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon. She and her campaign organizer Darrin, a city college student, were awaiting a list of registered voters and their addresses. She briefed me on what I would be doing that day with her. The book, How to Run for Local Office, was her guidebook on running her campaign. Even then, Michelle was apologetic for her apparent disorganization that day.
The three of us later piled into her Range Rover with her dog Althea and decided to go to a section of town off of Mission Street, where no one from her campaign had really gone before. But Darrin and I weren’t having much luck with the people there so Michelle decided to try the area near Harding School on the Westside. There were more people answering doors in this area and Michelle took every opportunity she could to personally introduce herself to those answering their door and those out on the street.
Of course there’s always the one person who throws you a curve ball and it came in the form of one person asking me what Giddens thought of homosexuals. Completely flustered without a clue what to respond with, the first words out of my mouth were, “Well, she’s a Democrat.”
Strange occurrences aside, I had a good time with Michelle and the other candidates I volunteered for. And even though two of them won’t be sitting on council come January, it’s nice to think I made some impression on a voter before the election.
News Editor
Election season for this year is over. At least for local government that is. Which is a shame really because I have serious doubts about how many people knew about any of the candidates. Here’s a question though: how many high school students volunteer for candidates and their campaigns?
The answer is not many. But just to be contrary to the mainstream I set out on the campaign trail in support of four candidates for Santa Barbara City Council in the run-up to the November 6 election. My impression: if you’re a politics junkie like me, volunteering is a way to understand the campaign process better than just seeing a couple of documentaries.
I sent emails out to two candidates, Helene Schneider and Michelle Giddens, which was simple considering the amount of candidate mail I received at my home by the beginning of the month. Schneider sent me an invitation to a precinct walk that supported herself as well as fellow incumbents Das Williams and Brian Barnwell who were all supported by the Democratic Party.
Ms. Giddens, a challenger and newcomer in the field of local politics, asked if I would be willing to do a precinct walk with her as well. I picked a Saturday afternoon to walk some local neighborhoods with her and her campaign organizer.
But my first experience was a week before election night when I spent two hours between 5 and 7 p.m. making phone calls on behalf of Das Williams. He and his campaign organizer were also in attendance going through lists of registered voters in the city, most of which were labeled as undecided or lived in areas that Williams had not yet contacted. I had a script and plenty of information about Das if a voter wanted to know more about him. But I didn’t actually use any of it. I had a number of people who were already familiar with him, mostly for the better, but some for worse. Most people, surprisingly, did not mind that I was calling them between the time most get home from work or soccer practice and sit down for dinner. But I did get a couple people who said they wouldn’t vote for Das (or any of the incumbents) if their life depended on it, or something to that effect.
Walking around the Westside with the Democratic Party was similarly uneventful, partly because of the intensive organization of that walk. About 15 volunteers including the candidates and their significant others were grouped in pairs ready to drive to a precinct and go door to door with a set of literature encouraging last minute voters to vote for the incumbents. But the real reason I found it uneventful was because there was no one home in the middle of the Sunday I was out.
But I had a bit more of an event with Michelle Giddens the day before. I arrived at her house and campaign headquarters about 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon. She and her campaign organizer Darrin, a city college student, were awaiting a list of registered voters and their addresses. She briefed me on what I would be doing that day with her. The book, How to Run for Local Office, was her guidebook on running her campaign. Even then, Michelle was apologetic for her apparent disorganization that day.
The three of us later piled into her Range Rover with her dog Althea and decided to go to a section of town off of Mission Street, where no one from her campaign had really gone before. But Darrin and I weren’t having much luck with the people there so Michelle decided to try the area near Harding School on the Westside. There were more people answering doors in this area and Michelle took every opportunity she could to personally introduce herself to those answering their door and those out on the street.
Of course there’s always the one person who throws you a curve ball and it came in the form of one person asking me what Giddens thought of homosexuals. Completely flustered without a clue what to respond with, the first words out of my mouth were, “Well, she’s a Democrat.”
Strange occurrences aside, I had a good time with Michelle and the other candidates I volunteered for. And even though two of them won’t be sitting on council come January, it’s nice to think I made some impression on a voter before the election.
Staff Editorial: Veteran's Day
The pictures and biographies that hang in the main hall around Veterans Day have been a valiant attempt by history teacher Mr. Dodson to help increase student remembrance and respect for the former Dons who have given their lives for our country. But for many students Veterans Day means a day off from school.
A lucky few students may have the chance to hear in their history classes about how it is held on November 11 to commemorate the Armistice of World War I which ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918. The day, has over time, also come to be a state and federal day of remembrance of the fallen soldiers of every American war.
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have reinvigorated America’s support for the men and women of the armed forces but there is still a large number of teenagers who allow Veterans Day to pass by as an extra day on the weekend. Some people utilize it as a day to hang out with friends, to take a three day ski trip, or to put off homework.
A lot of students don’t even know about Arlington West. The privately run project sets up white crosses, just like in Arlington Cemetery, in the sand near Stearn’s Wharf. Each cross represents a US soldier who has fallen in Iraq or Afganistan. The weekly event is a powerful reminder of this war’s cost.
If we as students are going to keep getting Veterans Day off there should be some recognition of why we are getting the day off in the first place.
Talking about Veteran’s Day in your history class or writing a letter to someone in your family or that you know that has been in the armed forces might be a nice way to commemorate our fallen soldiers.
Whether or not you agree with what our country is asking our soldiers to do is not something that should be directed towards remembrance on this one day.
A lucky few students may have the chance to hear in their history classes about how it is held on November 11 to commemorate the Armistice of World War I which ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918. The day, has over time, also come to be a state and federal day of remembrance of the fallen soldiers of every American war.
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have reinvigorated America’s support for the men and women of the armed forces but there is still a large number of teenagers who allow Veterans Day to pass by as an extra day on the weekend. Some people utilize it as a day to hang out with friends, to take a three day ski trip, or to put off homework.
A lot of students don’t even know about Arlington West. The privately run project sets up white crosses, just like in Arlington Cemetery, in the sand near Stearn’s Wharf. Each cross represents a US soldier who has fallen in Iraq or Afganistan. The weekly event is a powerful reminder of this war’s cost.
If we as students are going to keep getting Veterans Day off there should be some recognition of why we are getting the day off in the first place.
Talking about Veteran’s Day in your history class or writing a letter to someone in your family or that you know that has been in the armed forces might be a nice way to commemorate our fallen soldiers.
Whether or not you agree with what our country is asking our soldiers to do is not something that should be directed towards remembrance on this one day.
Teachers to consider proposed calendar for 2008-9
Danny Langhorne
Editor-in-Chief
A calendar for 2008-09 was recently proposed and firmly defeated by teachers in a vote that was the most decisive no vote that SBTA President Layne Wheeler could remember in over 25 years. Yesterday, a special representative council meeting of the Santa Barbara Teacher’s Association (SBTA) was held to develop a new proposal for next year’s calendar. That will then go to District negotiations and then back to the teachers for a vote. SBTA President Layne Wheeler said, “If the Board agrees or modifies the proposal ... it will go back to the membership of SBTA for a ratification..”
The defeated calendar started the first semester on August 18 and brought teachers back on August 14. Summer was shortened by one week in order to end the first semester before leaving for Winter Break.
The school district’s motivations to add a week to Winter Break was to align the elementary school schedules with secondary schools.
The subtraction of a week from summer would affect activities that practice during the summer such as football and water polo training and band camp by cutting their crucial summer training by a week. For these activities practice during the vacation provides time in which students don’t have to worry about school yet.
“Most teachers recognize the difference in the quality of unwinding time during the summer (from) the time off during vacation when they still have to think about their classes,” said Association Representative Mr. Tony Sandrich. “The fight over the calendar is not about the number of days we teach; it is just when we each them.”
Editor-in-Chief
A calendar for 2008-09 was recently proposed and firmly defeated by teachers in a vote that was the most decisive no vote that SBTA President Layne Wheeler could remember in over 25 years. Yesterday, a special representative council meeting of the Santa Barbara Teacher’s Association (SBTA) was held to develop a new proposal for next year’s calendar. That will then go to District negotiations and then back to the teachers for a vote. SBTA President Layne Wheeler said, “If the Board agrees or modifies the proposal ... it will go back to the membership of SBTA for a ratification..”
The defeated calendar started the first semester on August 18 and brought teachers back on August 14. Summer was shortened by one week in order to end the first semester before leaving for Winter Break.
The school district’s motivations to add a week to Winter Break was to align the elementary school schedules with secondary schools.
The subtraction of a week from summer would affect activities that practice during the summer such as football and water polo training and band camp by cutting their crucial summer training by a week. For these activities practice during the vacation provides time in which students don’t have to worry about school yet.
“Most teachers recognize the difference in the quality of unwinding time during the summer (from) the time off during vacation when they still have to think about their classes,” said Association Representative Mr. Tony Sandrich. “The fight over the calendar is not about the number of days we teach; it is just when we each them.”
Six members start SBHS' first break dancing club
Maria Vallejo
Staff Reporter
Did you know that there is an all-boy break dancing team on campus? They are called the D - boyz (Don boys). There are currently only six members but try-outs will be held soon, after the winter break. Their practices are held after school from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays, Tuesday through Thursday.
This is a brand new group, the first break dancing team in the county. Mr. Pedro Menchaca is involved as the in-school supervisor.
There are a lot of dance moves which the boys are working on. Senior Jesse Arroyo shared that he “just learned to do the headspin” and that’s the most challenging move he can perform so far. He is currently working on getting the “flare” down.
Sophomore Luis Flores can do the “wind mill” and a one-hand stand. Junior Javier Garcia has got a few flips and the hand stand.
Along with learning these moves comes a lot of practice the injuries which are bound to happen. Arroyo stated, “I got a huge bruise in my elbow during one of our practices. Garcia commented, “I injured my wrist, but not too bad.” Flores injured his wrist as well.
It is important for the members to get along with each other as Arroyo pointed out, Break dancing comes first to them so conflicts with one another had to stop. “In the beginning we had a lot of problems among ourselves, but we are all getting along fine.” Garcia added, “We all decided to, ‘Cut the crap.’” Flores described their choice of music, “We dance to Hip-Hop and Old school Music,” when they join with the Donettes.
Events which the group will be involved with and performing in are both holiday parades on State and Milpas Streets, the dance recital, and future pep rallies. In addition they will continue collaborating with the Donettes. Later in the year the D-boyz might be competing in places such as Hollywood. This is what the group is looking forward to and working towards the most.
The D-boyz members are Luis Flores, Cesar Leon, Javier Garcia, Eric Sanabri, Jesse Arroyo, and Robert Guttierez.
Staff Reporter
Did you know that there is an all-boy break dancing team on campus? They are called the D - boyz (Don boys). There are currently only six members but try-outs will be held soon, after the winter break. Their practices are held after school from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays, Tuesday through Thursday.
This is a brand new group, the first break dancing team in the county. Mr. Pedro Menchaca is involved as the in-school supervisor.
There are a lot of dance moves which the boys are working on. Senior Jesse Arroyo shared that he “just learned to do the headspin” and that’s the most challenging move he can perform so far. He is currently working on getting the “flare” down.
Sophomore Luis Flores can do the “wind mill” and a one-hand stand. Junior Javier Garcia has got a few flips and the hand stand.
Along with learning these moves comes a lot of practice the injuries which are bound to happen. Arroyo stated, “I got a huge bruise in my elbow during one of our practices. Garcia commented, “I injured my wrist, but not too bad.” Flores injured his wrist as well.
It is important for the members to get along with each other as Arroyo pointed out, Break dancing comes first to them so conflicts with one another had to stop. “In the beginning we had a lot of problems among ourselves, but we are all getting along fine.” Garcia added, “We all decided to, ‘Cut the crap.’” Flores described their choice of music, “We dance to Hip-Hop and Old school Music,” when they join with the Donettes.
Events which the group will be involved with and performing in are both holiday parades on State and Milpas Streets, the dance recital, and future pep rallies. In addition they will continue collaborating with the Donettes. Later in the year the D-boyz might be competing in places such as Hollywood. This is what the group is looking forward to and working towards the most.
The D-boyz members are Luis Flores, Cesar Leon, Javier Garcia, Eric Sanabri, Jesse Arroyo, and Robert Guttierez.
Application Anxiety: University Club helps groups of students with road to college
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
Ask a senior about college right now and there’s a strong possibility they will rip your head off. November is crunch time for applicants to get the myriad of forms turned in for various universities across the country, especially the public UCs and CSUs in this state.
For students who have parents who have not attended a college or have other socioeconomic disadvantages, the University Club is there to help.
Started by head counselor Susan Snyder in 2005, selected juniors and seniors are invited to meetings and involved in programs that help them through the process of selecting their schools and later applying to them.
“I was at UCSD in the summer of 2005 taking courses in college counseling and saw how few minorities were attending universities versus how many are here in California,” said Ms. Snyder. “I was appalled. I checked out our numbers (at SBHS) and it was the same huge gap.” She said that was what compelled her to find out which kids would most likely need help on their road to higher education.
To be in the University Club, Snyder uses the school’s Aeries system to find juniors and seniors with a 2.5 GPA, who are on the way to completing their A-G requirements to graduate high school, are either on the free or reduced lunch program, are first generation college students, or in underrepresented populations.
Mildred Quintanilla, a senior in University Club, said it has kept her on track to graduation and college. “I have a lot of friends in University Club and I can talk to them about classes and college plans,” she said. “(It) makes it enjoyable to join.”
Admission to the club is by invitation only, but Ms. Snyder said any student who feels they should be part of the club can speak to her about joining. Teachers and counselors also sometimes recommend students for the club.
University Club does not operate like student-run clubs on campus. There are no set meeting dates during the week or month. Members are instead encouraged to meet with Ms. Snyder whenever they need to or are called to assemble on a certain date in a certain room.
Additionally, Ms. Snyder calls them out of class to meet. “I meet them in the computer lab to help them with signing up for tests, doing college apps, college searches, and applying for financial aid,” she said. “We also have study sessions and meetings from time to time in room 306. We do some field trips to colleges and college fairs.”
Snyder said University Club uses resources on campus such as the Career Center and others such as Cal-SOAP and Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation.
“Being in University Club gives students more opportunities,” said Quintanilla. “I’m very glad I am a part of University Club.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)