The Cons on War in Iraq by Chase Magdaleno December 20, 2006

The War in Iraq is something I do not believe in. Many people do believe the same thing I do about this war. Here are my reasons why I do not support the War in Iraq .

· The War in Iraq is not cheap and we all know that, but do you know that we have spent 315 billion dollars at since September 2003. Three hundred and fifteen dollars is a lot of money that could have been spent in a better way. We could have used this money to improve our economy and could have helped other countries, but no, we had to spend it on a war. Bush said that there were weapons of mass destruction in 2003 and it’s been three years and we have not found any. This money has been wasted and could have been spent for a better cause in my opinion.

· President Bush said we went to war with Iraq because we had to stop terrorism and free the nation from all its horrors. Yes, we want to stop terrorism and help Iraq become a free country, but also did we go to war with Iraq for oil? Many people believe that one reason why we went to war with Iraq is because of oil and I support that. Our country is running low on oil and this is our gas prices and shot up. Is President Bush taking advantage of this corrupt country? Is he trying to steal oil from them? Is he using this war as a reason to gain power in the Middle East ? We do not know the truth, but I believe strongly that we are not in Iraq only to stop terrorism. Another reason why we went to war with Iraq is that President Bush believes that terrorist there have weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction is something we do not want terrorist to have and this is a good reason why we should go to war with Iraq, but we have been in Iraq for three years and we have not found anything. We have spent three years and 315 billion dollars trying to find W.M.D and we have not succeeded. I think that we should bring all our troops back home.

· Everyone knows that people die in war, but they die for a purpose and the War in Iraq does not have one. There haves been a maximum of 55,048 deaths in this war. Yes, there has been a lot more casualties in our pervious wars, but this is a war that we could have avoided. Are 55,048 deaths worth the effort to stop terrorism? We will never stop terrorism in the Middle East . I believe that we should stop this war and bring all our troops home before the death rate increases.

How will the War benefit the World? By George Dulebohn December 20, 2006

The Iraq war, like all wars, has proven to be difficult and strenuous. But we, Americans and everyone around the world have to understand that wars won’t come easy and at a cost. It has benefited the Iraqi people and Americans in many ways. Some include democracy in the Middle East, better relations in the Middle East, and a future for the Iraqi people.

Democracy in the Middle East is a crucial strategic point in preserving peace all around the world. It has given Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq many more opportunities for the people to live a more successful life. The Iraqi people can practice the Christian and Jewish religion without be executed for “treason”, vote for a leader without being tortured by a vicious and wicked dictator and live in fear of him. Iraqi mothers and fathers now know their eight-year-old child won’t be drafted into the military.

The war has also proven to be a success in politics even though it may seem to be a total failure. It has driven the War on Terror onto a new front instead of the American mainland. Think of all of the atrocities that would happen if a terrorist nation had invaded us and what they would do to the men, women, and children. They stick bombs in ten-year-old girls and blow them up when their parents walk by to see their dead child. It has saved our true ally in the Mid. East, Israel. If America were to pull out, the terrorist tactics would be to invade Israel, than America and her allies. Because of Israel’s diminutive land mass, it would only take one nuke from Iran to obliterate the whole country. Israel would feel threatened and might throw the first punch. A world war would soon erupt and spread throughout the whole countries. Tens of millions of people would die in a small amount of time. In conclusion, we [America] have ceased some of the most vicious terrorist groups, made friendly acquaintances with Mid. East leaders such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and more.

Immigration by Ramses Montes December 20, 2006

MIGRATION STATISTICS.
Migration statistics refer to people who have themselves moved from one country to another, i.e. ‘first-generation’ immigrants. Migration flows are not solely from poor to rich countries, however: about a third of international migrants move from one developing country to another. The absolute number of international migrants is highest in the United States, 39 million. In 2004,Unites States Presidente Bush proposed a ” Guest worker” program to absorb migrant laborers who would come to the U.S. as Illegal brothers. However, the details were left to legislators. In 2005, the Congress began creating legislation to change the current policieson imigration. The legislation approved by the U.S House of Representatives led to massive protests (see below). These protests were systematics of a national debate in the U.S., over the criminalization of illegal aliens, forms of legalization and naturalization for those who entered illegally, and a wall along the 2,000 mile border with Mexico.

The HR 4437 LAW
On 12/06/05, Representative Jim Ensenbrenner introduced the HR4437 onto the floor of the House of Representatives. After going through mark-up and amendment, the full House voted to pass the bill on the16th, by a margin of 239 to 182.Key provisions require up to 700 miles of walls and fences fence along the Mexican border, mandatory federal custody of illegal aliens detained by local authorities, and mandatory employer verification of workers’ legal status through electronic means. The bill would criminalize as a felony remaining in the United States as an undocumented immigrant and would also criminalize aiding immigrants. The passage of H.R. 4437 led to large demonstrations throughout the country, beginning in March, with increasing numbers participating in April and finally a very large coordinated protest on May 1.Some of the demonstrators flew Mexican flags and other foreign flags along with US flags and carried signs in Spanish as well as in English. The foreign flags and Spanish signs caused an uproar in many circles and this directly lead to organizers of these rallies to call for leaving foreign flags home and carrying only American flags.A CBS poll taken May 16-17 in 2006 suggests that 77% of Americans would support a path for legalization for illegal immigrants who paid a fine, had been living in the country for 5 or more years, had no criminal record, paid back taxes, and learned English. This result supports the results of a CNN poll taken May 16-17 suggesting that 79% of Americans would support the legalization of illegal immigrants if they had a job, paid back taxes, and had been living in the United States for a number of years. A Gallup poll given May 5-7 had similar results to the CNN and CBS polls which all showed support for the immigration reform approach taken by the Senate. A May 3rd Zogby poll did suggest Americans preferred more punitive measures sought by the HR.

Horoscopes by Marlina Bravo December 20, 2006

Aquarius- (January 20 – February 18)
You are dedicated to helping those in need. This month your courage is up. When your friend gets picked on you’ll do your best to defend his/her honor.
* Pisces-(February 19 – March 20)
You should never stay quiet. Stand up for what you believe in . make a progress first stand up for yourself and let people know the inside of you. You will notices some changes.
* Aries- (March 21 – April 19)
You have surprising news, remember while change may seem scary; it almost always brings mew faces, new places and plenty of opportunities to try new things. Friends can show you how lucky you really are.
* Taurus- (April 20 – May 20)
Speak up about what you deserve and why. Don’t keep them in the dark, let them in and try not to judge others.
* Gemini-(May 21 – June 21)
It’s time to put your foot down. And step up to your believes and your career don’t believe what others say its what you think is right for you and others just make sure it doesn’t hurt you or the ones around you.
* Cancer-(June 22 – July 22)
You believe you can relieve your stress locked up in your room. Well your wrong, hang out with kids or your friends. You’ll find that children have a way of making you happy.
* Leo-(July 23 – August 22)
School is not the only way to make friends. You can join a sport or a youth group. You’ll find great friends and find some serious inspiration. Think about what you say before you say it.
* Virgo-(August 23 – September 22)
When it comes to school, you’re right on track. It’s time to have a little fun. Keep your eye on your homework, but free time. Have some time on yourself. A pal will appreciate your honesty.
* Libra-(September 23 – October 23)
Be good, be cool, and stay in school. Help around the house and stay out of trouble help your parents around the house a feud will tie up your allowance.
* Scorpio-(October 24 – November 21)
You’ve been really over working yourself. This month you will have lots of energy. Do what you got to do. But what ever you do don’t let the couch suck you in.

Bowl Championship Series Controversy by Tom Ribaudo December 20, 2006

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) has been a mess since the beginning of its time. They have been the ones selecting who would go to the national championship in college football, and who would not. Sports analysts have been trying to figure out the best way to solve the problem that seems so simple to fix, and yet, has not been done. The selection is a huge controversy every single year, and they still do nothing to find a solution.
The BCS method is to take three different polls, of two human polls and one computer poll, and put them all together into one poll to help decide. Then numbers get shot out, and there you have your bowl selections. It is all based on numbers and the computer polls seem to really take more of their third of the poll than they deserve. Every year, one team has a problem with the idea, and it becomes a big disappointment to all the fans around the country.
The logical thing to do is to create a four or eight team playoff, where the BCS decides which teams are in, and which teams are not. That way all those teams have a real chance to make it to the national championship. Unfortunately for fans all around the country, this logical idea has not been created yet. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) would make lots more money if this were to happen, the excitement level would become much more extreme and college football would be better than ever before. Plus, there would be no controversy of who is the best team in the country when it is all said and done.
Sometimes the BCS comes down to three teams who should be in the national title game, but of course, only two can make it. This problem always leads to arguing and complaints from fans and the team that is left out. With a playoff in place, everything would be solved and the country would find out who the real national champs are. The BCS should either be gone forever or fixed up to set up a playoff bracket.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 by Taylor Alex December 20, 2006

The Bugutti Veyron 16.4 car has to be the coolest car I have ever seen. It has 1,001 horsepower, goes to a top speed of 253 mph (which is only allowed to go that fast with the turn of a special key). It can also go from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds. This car is awesome and just so happens to be the fastest production car ever! This baby has an eight-liter W16 engine that has some help with four turbochargers. The engine also needs 10 radiators to keep the engine cool. The Bugatti has a seven-speed, dual clutch transmission to take in 922 pounds-feet of torque. This car is an estimated price of 1.2 million dollars which is a little out of the price range for most motor-heads. The Bugatti also has the widest rear wheels for a road car, with a width of 14.4 inches, so it won’t spin out and roll in high speeds.

When it is driving at high speeds, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has a rear wig that sucks the car to the ground and to keep it the front end low to the ground by two inches so it slows to a stop, safer and quicker. This car amazing cars built by hand, not a machine in Molsheim, France and because it is so technical and expensive, only three-hundred of these cars will be made. The car’s launch date was supposed to be in 2003, but kept being postponed until the summer of 2005. One downside is that it doesn’t have very good gas mileage. It gets 19 MPG, not going at high speeds and it gets 4 MPG, going at top speed. Even though the gas mileage isn’t the best, this is still the greatest car ever made and I aspire to own one someday.

War on Terror by Amanda Spera December 20, 2006

In the year 2001 on September 11th, the United States of America was attacked by a group of unidentified hijackers who plunged three airplanes into three U.S. buildings. One was the Pentagon in Arlington County , Virginia , and the other two were the World famous World Trade Centers (both buildings) in New York City , New York . Later authorities identified the teams of hijackers aboard each devastating flight as Islamic terrorist from the middle-east. All were from the terrorist group called al-Qaeda (al-Qā`ida) and each were under the order of Osama bin Laden, who was under order of Saddam Hussein. President George W. Bush initialed an attack against bin Laden and Hussein by sending troops out to Iraq , where they have been hiding.
In the year 2003, two years after the attack, the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and toppled President Saddam Hussein. With bin Laden still on the run and in hiding, our troops led on with no mercy of enemy targets.
Nowadays in current news of the war on terror, five years later, local protests of President George W. Bush have increased of liberal citizens stating that President George W. Bush is wrong for deciding war. The casualties from March 19, 2003 through Nov. 30, 2006 were 2,881 in Iraq and at least 21,921 U.S. troops have been wounded in action. However the numbers of troops are climbing up in order to control the escalating violence in Baghdad. There are now 138,000 U.S. troops fighting for our country. In other stories, recently in June, President Bush announced the killing of terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi; he was the most visual leader of al-Qaeda. Though the death of him will not stop the violence completely, it gave the U.S. a brighter outlook on defeating the enemy. On August 29, 2006 Iraqi forces regained control of restive city after fighting with Shiite militia. Forty were killed out of a twelve hour street battle. In the end no one knows when exactly the war will stop, but in the mean time the U.S. and its allies our fighting strong.

Up and Coming Star by Iris Mejia December 20, 2006

Colbie Caillat, a Los Angeles based vocalist, is a singer songwriter with songs based on her personal experiences. Her music is mostly acoustic based but she also picks up from classical folk, jazz and pop. She started singing at the age of eleven and got a vocal coach soon after when her parents saw she had potential. That was also when she first realized she wanted to sing. Her inspiration was Lauryn Hill on Sister Act 2. She is now in the process of recording her first CD and, according to her, it will be out in a couple of months. Her music is heard mostly on Myspace. Colbie gets 16,000 plays a day and that puts her to number one in unsigned for folk and soul. The fact that she has not yet put out a CD doesn’t mean she isn’t talented. In fact, her songs on Myspace are worth listening to. If those songs are just a preview of what will be on her CD then her actual CD is guaranteed to blow everyone’s mind away.
She is a very diverse artist. Every one of her song is different. She has a reggae song, an R&B song and a pop one. She has also used to sing the techno music for the runway shows for St. John clothing line.
Cobie Caillat has three big shows coming up in December. The first will be on December 18 at the House of Blues, Los Angeles. On December 19 she will play at Temple Bar with Chris Pierce and her last she for December will be in New York City, New York on December 30 at The Living Room.

Girls Basketball by Jessica Greubel December 20, 2006

Picking up a basketball at the age of five and falling in love with the sport Madison McKenney number eleven has now been playing for nine years, she started playing basketball games in the third grade. With an outstanding attitude and a humorous personality this is her first year playing for Foothill high school, she is the only freshman to make varsity basketball for the 2006-2007 season. Madi is most influenced by Sarah Brown, “She influences me the most because she has made it all the way to
college basketball.” Talking to her about basketball you could see the love for the sport as she talked about it. “Being on varsity this year is hard, exciting, and scary.” Her words of advice for any player who is working their way up to varsity, “learn to love running, also be coach-able and work you butt off.”
Standing at only five-foot-four she is the one of the youngest and newest guards on the team. He hopes to become a starter with a lot of hard work and effort she can accomplish her goal. She has great basketball skills and uses them to her full potential. The Knights, doing so well last year, winning league and moving up a division level, will have to work hard and prepare for the tough games ahead. Playing rivals like Woodbridge this season, which we beat last year to win league, and Northwood. With the our rivals in our league it may be tough to keep up but with returnees Blair Shinoda and Christina Marinacci and new comers like Madison should do just fine in league.

California Vacation: Hip Hope from the West side by Russell Sandoval December 20, 2006

Since the beginning of hip-hop, to this day there has always been tension between the east and west coast, rather California and New York . The origins of west coast hip-hop can be traced as far back as the late 1970’s. However there was no real uniqueness in the west coast until the late 1980’s. Until the late 1980’s, New York was the leader of hip-hop, producing great artists of the time such as; Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc, and Afrika Bambataa. Until the late1980’s, the West Coast was really like just any other place putting out the same type of music. That is until the “gangsta rap” movement occurred, shaping hip-hop into what is heard today. In 1988, the group N.W.A., members include; Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, put out a legendary album that made gangsta rap a part of everyday life in California . Straight Outta Compton was released and put California on the map. The lyrical style of this album was so different then anything else, a violent theme, with curse words, references to criminal behavior, and the everyday life living in the hood. This group essentially opened up the doors to many more rappers for the following years.
Now that the west coast is known across the nation, New York is no longer the only place that will put out great artists. However, the New York flare is not at all dead, in fact, New York would release legendary rappers such as; The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Nas, and Jay-Z. 1989, Ice Cube leaves N.W.A. and will put out two albums in the future that go platinum and are an early part of hip-hop history, and are considered legendary today, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate released in 1990 and 1991 respectively. The rest of the group remaining would soon after put out album Efil4zaggin. Leaning towards a more violent criminaly themed album that became a lot more associated with hip-hop. The group would soon break up with Dr. Dre cofounding Deathrow Records.
2Pacalypse Now, the debut album of who is said to be the greatest rapper of all time by many people world wide. This album was a great start for Tupac Shakur, releasing singles such as “Brenda’s Got a Baby” which is a song about a young girl who becomes pregnant and is confused of what to do, she does things like threw her baby in a dumpster because she doesn’t know what to do. At the end of the song she is said to have picked up prostitution as a prfession to make money, ultimately she is slain by a client. This album and many following albums such as Thug Life Vol. 1, Me Against the World, All Eyez On Me, and The Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory will be known by any real fan of the hip hop industry. Tupac’s death in 1996 was a major crash across the world for fans of not just Tupac but of hip-hop as an art form. Six months after Shakur’s death, New York rapper, Notorious B.I.G., is fataly shot in L.A. another tremendous loss hip hop goes through.
After the deaths of these superstars, the tension between east and west would finaly die down a bit. By now Death Row Records has become notorious for classic albums already including All Eyez On Me, Doggystyle, and Dogg food. During this time west coast artists are selling three times as much as there east coast rivals. A lot has happened in the times of west coast hip hop, and things will always continue to change, legendary artists of the past have let way for new artists who have stepped up to show their own unique styles, such as The Game, Pharell Williams, Ludacris and many more.
Hip-Hop will never die, it will continue to live and change. Hip-Hop is an art form, people haven’t stopped paining have they? Nas’ new album is expected December 19th, why don’t you give it a try.

Teacher Bio: Interview with Mr. Fishel December 20, 2006

Mr. Fishel, Fish, Fishel, or coach are some of the names he is called by his students and his players. It all began when Gary Fishel was born in 1972 in Victorville , California , where he enjoyed watching over the same three sports that are viewed mostly by Americans today. Can you guess the sports? If not they are, football, baseball, and basketball. He is fond of football because it shows emotion from the players, and also it acts like a battle. He enjoys watching basketball because you can always get better at it. And in baseball he likes the mental aspect of it how it challenges your brain. Along with
favoring these sports, he also has his negative influence about them. He dislikes baseball because it is a game of failure, and that you aren’t going to succeed all the time. He disapproves football because too many football players are drawing way too much attention to themselves. And the reason why he does dissimilar basketball is because in basketball you absolutely have to be tall to play the game.
Growing up in Irvine , he attended Woodbridge high school. He got the idea of becoming a teacher when attending Woodbridge because his teachers always gave a positive influence towards him and he wanted to give that same positive influence to all his students. A typical teaching day for Mr. Fishel starts the night before. He takes time at night to plan the lesson for the next teaching day in class. When he arrives in the morning he usually grades some papers or passes papers out to the class. After he finishes, with grading and/ or passing out the papers, he presents the lesson to the entire class about 50 minutes for 4 classes a day. After, he is off to go to work in baseball, where he is the head coach for the varsity team. He also runs the practices for a couple hours in which he will choose the drill they are going to practice today. For example field ground balls or hit in the cages. After a long day of hard work he is ready to go home. After he is finished with all of that, Mr. Fishel starts planning for the day ahead to do it all over again.

WINTER BREAK: What to expect by Lydia Mendez December 20, 2006

Everyone is eagerly waiting to get out of school. Are you looking forward to winter break? And thinking about how awesome it will be? Well, that isn’t the only reason to be excited about. The ASB at Foothill has organized events during school. One knows that a lot of events are not held during school hours, but are all excellent. For example the Advanced Theatre Arts presented the “Here and Now” show, on December sixth to the ninth, it was one of the best shows ever. If you missed it, be sure to attend the next one and not miss the awesome shows the ATA presents in the future. Last week was International Week We learned about world cultures and nationalities. That same week, on the fourteenth there was a band concert. The band concert happened at lunch time. It is always great to listen to bands playing here at school. These events have passed, but there are many events that wait for us.
Winter Break starts on December twenty second and ends on January seventh. Also, if you are in a club, keep in mind the date the clubs meet on, listen to the daily announcements to know where the meetings will be held at. There are not a lot of events coming up for the remainder of December. However there are a lot more activities that many students look forward to, happening the following year.
The second Senior Munch will be on January twenty ninth, for all the seniors who are planning to attend. Winter Formal, the first dance of 2007 will be at the beginning of February along with winter Formal Spirit Week. A very important date to remember is Tuesday, January twenty fifth. It will be a college planning night, “Applying to highly Selective Colleges and Universities.” School events keep students entertained and informed. ASB always does their best to make every year fun with all the events they organize.

Teacher Bio: Interview with Mrs. Cogan by Maria Rivera December 20, 2006

There are many people in the world that are enjoyable to be around but none like Mrs. Cogan. Mrs. Cogan is a slender, petite woman born in the New York. She is a great person to be around because she is easy to open up to and talk too. In order to get achieve her French teaching career she attended Cal State Fullerton and then went to University Aix-en-Provence in Paris, France which helped her become more fluent. She studied the language for six years. The reason she chose to teach French is because she loves the art of the language. She has been teaching for thirty-three years, thirteen of which she has worked at Foothill High School. She thinks that Foothill High is one of the best schools she has taught at throughout her teaching career. She loves the students that attend there. She tries to live her everyday like no other and appreciates everything that is given to her and looks to the positive side. To find out more about Mrs. Cogan I asked her some questions.
If you would go anywhere in the world where would you go? :
I would go back to France because I would like to see the changes since I have been there, also because I love to speak French.
What do you like to do in your free time? What is your favorite hobby? :
What I enjoy to do in my free time is play the guitar, sing, golf, and travel. My favorite hobby is hiking because it is a way I can relax and walking my dog.
What is your favorite book? Why? :
Girl With The Pearl Earring because it talks about the history of a young woman and the loves in her life, this is my favorite book because the fact that it talks about France and its culture.
What would you change about yourself and why? :
I would change the way I stress about the littlest things and take life easier.
What would you change about yourself? Why? :
I wish I had married my husband earlier because we would have had more time together and had more kids.
What is your best childhood memory? Why? :
My most memorably childhood memory was going to the Lakers game with my father because I had a great time and I admired my father very much.
What is the most important thing in your life? :
My family is the most important thing to me because I love them so much and I wish I could always be with them
What would you change about the world? Why? :
I would want to end all war and have people understand that everyone is the same and that there are no differences.

SHould the United States Have a Draft? By Bobby Prescott December 20, 2006

The biggest worry in the news these days is the fear of being drafted if congress passes the bill allowing eligible people to be drafted for service in the Army, especially for people ages 18-25. Obviously, most people don’t want to be drafted for service, and oppose this very much, including women because they are thinking about allowing women to be drafted as well since they are now allowed to serve in the armed forces.
But will the draft be the answer to ending this war, or will it just send more and more people to their deaths in a never-ending war?
The first thing that popped up in people’s heads after they heard about the draft was, “I’m moving to Canada.” And this is totally fine, but they shouldn’t be allowed to come back to America if they leave and dodge the draft, which is a capital offense and considered treason by the law. This, I believe, is totally reasonable because if they can live in this country and reap all the benefits and suck up all the freedom, then they should do their country a favor and man-up when they get called for a draft, which only lasts a year, not the normal five year service if you signed up on your own accord. But if those select few can’t hack a year in the desert, then they should spend the rest of their lives with the moose’s up in Quebec, or Ontario, or Sasquatchuan or wherever they decide to reside for the rest of their natural born lives, its their fault they couldn’t just do what the Great Uncle Sam told them to do.
In my opinion, the draft is a good thing, and is a good way to get more people active and to weed out all the people that shouldn’t belong here or don’t believe in what the government believes, and should leave to another country if they don’t want to do their country their duty as a citizen.
All in all, I think that the draft is a good idea and wouldn’t mind if it was reinstated because it won’t affect me much since I am going to sign up anyway.

A Military Draft? By Kyle Ormiston December 20, 2006

The United States is in suffrage from the war in Iraq. It has the Americans to a point of having a 2007 draft. A draft is known as a horrible thing, however many don’t realize how the draft came to us. The requirement for young American men to register into the selective service has been around for more than 50 years. This means once a young man turns 18 he must sign papers for a draft. It is illegal to not register yourself into the selective service. In 1971, the congress made improvements to the draft that said full-time students making progress to a degree might not be forced to fight. If we have a 2007 draft to take men to Iraq men from the age of 18 through 25 are eligible for the draft. However, a draft held today would use a lottery system, which means a man would spend 1 year in first priority for the American draft. After each year in the service, you are put into a lower priority, which gives you a better chance of surviving the war. The war in Iraq is not as near as dangerous as past time wars such as Vietnam. Not just that, but the draft now is a lot more fair and equitable which means there are more reasons to excuse a man from going into service. The selective service may be used to this day and even now men will loose there lives in action.

Top Five Golf Courses in America by Alex Bernstein December 20, 2006

The top five golf courses is not defined as some municipal golf course in your average little town or area. A top ten golf course is a course that only the best play at. Where the rates to play are well over worth it and cost over two- three hundred dollars of playing time. Where the average golfer doesn’t go there to break par but to just brag about playing that course to there beer buddies back at their local golf or country club.

The number one course in America today is Pine valley golf course in New Jersey . This course is exceptionally beautiful but also incredibly rigorous. The course rating is 76.3 and the yardage is 6,853. This courses designer made it so you can not take driver off every hole, but so that you can just play the course with some sense. George clump and H.S Colt developed this great course in the year 1918.

The number two golf course in America is Augusta National in Augusta , Georgia . This sensational but yet impossible country club is one of the sceneries of the world. This country club is 7,290 yards of treachery and embarrassment. If you don’t hit the fairway on this course good luck finding it, when you putt its like putting on ice. This course was created by non other then, legend, Bobby Jones, and Alister Mackenzie.

The number three golf course in America is Shinnecock Hills golf course in South Hampton New York . This is an old golf course developed by a bunch of post WWI soldiers just wanting to do something different wit their lives. This golf course is a 6,821 yard tight and interesting experience built by William Flynn(1928).

The forth top five golf course in America is Cypress Point in Pebble Beach , California . This course is a 6,700 yard par course. The par on this course is 72 with 2 par 5’s and 2 par 3’s on each side. Where does the ball go do you ask well the ball usually ends up in the water.

Last but not least the number five golf course in America is Oakmont C.C in Oakmont Pennsylvania . This course is a 7,279 yard par 71 course that consist of some of the toughest fairways ever. Henry Fowns built this course especially to test a players accuracy and ability towards the game of golf.

Levi Weaver by Breanna Harp December 20, 2006

Levi Weaver is a stunning new artist, originally from Dallas, Texas; he now lives in Birmingham England. He is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player and is currently almost 27 years old. He has an EP out right now “A Civil War between My Heart and Mind”. His website, leviweaver.co.uk is currently being constructed but he does have a myspace page http://www.myspace.com/leviweaver
He is currently touring with Imogen Heap who is headlining; he is one of two opening acts. His performance at the Wiltern in Los Angeles was surprisingly entertaining. He opened with his own song, “Good Medicine” then proceeded to play a cover song originally by Radiohead. He covered the song “Ideoteque” which is an electronic beat song. All Levi had apparently had was a guitar and a microphone. He started out with creating the beat by tapping his guitar and recording that. He next pulled a string bow out of nowhere and played the guitar as if it were a violin to create some background notes. He next sang some harmony and recorded that then put it all together and really pulled it off, it sounded really close to the original, it was very impressive. Next, he told a story about a car crash he was in where his thirteen year old brother passed away. He had written a song after during his recovery period called “Which Drink” which is a clever melancholy song. Levi Weaver is definitely still a work in progress but he is very talented, and honestly just beautiful.

Jalepenos Mexican Grill by Austin Bosecker December 20, 2006

If you like authentic Mexican food at a cheap price, then Jalapeños Mexican grill is the restaurant for you. It is not a fancy or big place, but it sure does have good food and great service that you are bound to like.
As mentioned above, the food is phenomenally great. Their chips are amazing, they are hard and crunchy, and taste great with sauce, guacamole to be specific. Their burritos are big and juicy and are filled with what it is that you ordered in it. Their hard-shelled tacos are to die for, although I am not a taco fan, but if u like tacos then you will like jalapeños tacos. My favorite dish that they have there is their quesadillas, they are the ultimate quesadillas, you can get chicken or beef, or just cheese. The food is made so well, it is as if you are in Mexico ordering it. Nevertheless, whatever you order, I am sure it will be worth your money, I guarantee it.
The service at jalapeños Mexican grill is outstanding in my opinion. The people who work there is hard working and happy Jalapeño workers. You wait in line, order your amazing food, get your number, find a desk, and wait a short time for your delicious food.
When you walk into jalapeños, you feel as if your jus walked into Mexico .
The atmosphere, the colors, and the music make you feel like your there. Although the restaurant itself is not in the best cleanliness, the great tasting food makes up for it.
All in all, Jalapeños Mexican Grill is on my top 5 of food places to eat, and I think you should at least go there once or twice, even if your not a Mexican food eater, this place will change your thinking.

Chris Brown Bio written by Brenda Banales December 20, 2006

Chris Brown was born on May 5, 1989 in Tappahannock a small town in Virginia. When he hit puberty he discovered his amazing voice. Within a couple of years he had a recording contract with Jive records. He’s a lot like the 16-year-old boy living in the house next door to you: one minute he’s five-foot-seven, the next he’s 6′1. One minute he’s a cute little boy trying to dribble a basketball, the next a superstar point guard. One minute he’s ducking under the covers pleading for five more minutes of shut-eye, the next he’s racing through a day full of recording, performances and interview
He is the first male solo artist to release a single that went straight to the top only at the age of sixteen. Chris Brown is every teenage girl dream boy . Well maybe it’s because of his charming, charismatic, funny personality, or is it his Colgate smile . He enjoys playing video games, dancing talking on the phone, playing basketball, sleeping basically just like every other teen on this planet. His influences are usher, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. His debut CD
Young Love takes us on a journey through the malls, parties and teen hangouts as Chris covers a variety of subjects: A girl that he’s dying to hit the dance floor with. A girl that’s got another man. A girl that has him totally and completely head over heels in love. It’s an album about young boys, young girls — Young Love. In selecting songs for Young Love, Chris uses his own sense of what was hot and what was real for him and his peers. Chris Brown takes us all onto a rollercoaster through the life of young love. The whole world will know Chris Brown as the guy that made them run it on the dance floor.

The Breakfast Club written by Elizabeth Vargas December 20, 2006

Are you one of those people that sit on the couch Saturday afternoons alone with absolutely no plans and have plenty of time on your hands to spare? A movie can fulfill the time spread that can have you guessing the elements of sequence, crying emotions away, feeling frayed, laughing really hard, gaping or just simply having the audience pondering. “The Breakfast Club” has all of these qualities in just ninety-seven minutes. Starring Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, and Paul Gleason, directed by John Hughes yet another one of his outstanding films made. This movie will bring you to the outmost muse a movie can bring, Hughes takes you inside the minds of young teens and how the perceive life at that time of a young person’s life.
Five high school students meet for detention Andrew (Emilio Estevez), Brian (Anthony Michael Hall), Claire (Molly Ringwald), Bender (Judd Nelson), and Alison (Ally Sheedy), where all they had in common had to give up one day of their lives to serve this punishment. The five students sat in the library having to think about what they had done wrong and who they were as they pondered the task of writing an essay was given to them. Soon they discovered they all had something in common such as their pressures it throws. All facing the various types of stereotypes in which leads them to pouring their hearts away to each other. Shortly after discovering who they are and what they want out of life, all five discuss and reveal their shortcomings and out comings. Andrew the jock, Bender the criminal, Claire the princess, Alison the basket case, and Brian the brain, each coping with their stereotype and label leave detention with once in a lifetime changing experience.

Ice Skating (A student spotlight of Emily Henson) by Christina Duong December 11, 2006

In one’s leisure time, sport is a popular resort. Sports like basketball, baseball, soccer, and football are the first thoughts that come to mind for the common man. Many tend to forget about the more unique sports, such as ice skating. Ice skating is a sport of grace, elegance, and poetry in motion; one can express deep emotions through movement. The flow of the skater expresses ample amount about what is going on internally. Also, when the skater is performing their program, a story can also be told through the piece. I am an ice skater myself and it is something that I will always hold on to. I express my creativity through my skating. My jumps and spins tell how I am feeling inside; when I am excited and perform with high intensity, my jumps are aggressive. All my hard work shows when competition time comes. Immense feelings overcome skaters in their program, showing the audience what they have been working on. To get a different perspective on what one may think about ice skating, I interviewed a current skater.
Emily Henson has been skating for eight years. New jumps and spins keep her love for skating alive. Furthermore, she loves the adrenaline from competition and the feeling of skating a clean program. With a smile on her face from the excitement of the mere thought of the sport, Emily says, “My favorite jump is the double loop and my favorite spin is the camel, layback, back sit”. Emily practices at least four times a week. She not only practices on her own, but she is sometimes accompanied by her coach B.J. Lily. Emily says that B.J. is a hard working coach who gets her students to do their best in skating. B.J gets mad when Emily cannot do something, but is happy when Emily accomplishes her movements. According to Emily, B.J puts a lot of pressure on her students because she believes they have the talent and potential to do it. Emily says the pressure from her coach pays off when competition time comes. All of her inspiration and determination comes from her coaches.
Ice skating may not be the common subject when discussing sports, but continues to earn recognition. Ice skating is continuing to develop throughout the country as well as the world. Ice skating competitions are held all over the country during the year. Synchronized skating is another popular form of ice skating. The dynamic teamwork of synchronized skating is the same as individual skating but requires full and complete cooperation. Emily also is an avid synchronized skater. She used to be on the, “Ice ‘Kateers”, a team in Anaheim. Today Emily is synchronized skating for the California Gold.

The latest on the NBA by Beatrice Cano December 11, 2006

On December first through third, there were many great games and major upsets in the NBA. The first of these major upsets was the heartbreaking loss of the Philadelphia 76ers to the New Jersey Nets. The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the New Jersey Nets with the final score of 112 to 107. Allen Iverson had a big thirty-seven points, but unfortunately his efforts were not enough. However for the Nets, the leading scorer was Vince Carter who racked up a big forty-one points. Not only did Vince Carter lead his team in scoring, but he and his former all-star teammates, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, were able to overcome Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Another big game on December second was between two cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Los Angeles Clippers, who were the home team this time around, suffered a tough loss to the dominating Lakers. Not only did the Lakers dominate, but their fans were also victorious over the opposing team. They ripped away home town advantage by out cheering the Clippers’ fans. Kobe Bryant led both teams in scoring with twenty-nine points. All eleven players of the L.A. Lakers were able to score and their team unity was able to give them the win over the Clippers with the final score being ninety-seven to eighty-eight.
One of the most interesting games of the night was between the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings, who only a few years ago were dominating the Western Conference with the Lakers, have lost numerous key players. However, this set back did not appear to faze the Kings against the powerhouse of the west, the San Antonio Spurs. The game between the Kings and the Spurs is one of the best games that one will ever see. Both teams showed team spirit and the game could have gone either way, yet the San Antonio Spurs showed more heart and were able to defeat the Kings by only two points. The final score of this game was one-hundred to ninety-eight, and the leading scorers of the games were Kevin Martin (SAC) with thirty points and Tony Parker (SAS) with twenty points.
The World Champions, Miami Heat, visited the Memphis Grizzles on Saturday, December second. The Miami Heat barely escaped with a one point margin of victory without star defender Shaquille O’Neil. O’Neil, who is nursing an injured ankle, has been out for two games and his return at the moment is scheduled to be in their next game. Charlie Atkins of the Memphis Grizzles led all scorers with 18 points. Looks like Gerry West is trying to get his team rolling after a slow start as their record shows four wins and eleven losses.
In addition to the previous games, the Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Nets 103 to 100. Also, the Washington Wizards were conquered by the Chicago Bulls one-hundred and twelve to ninety-eight. The Houston Rockets dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in a score of eighty-one to sixty-three. The Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz were both victorious against the Indiana Pacers and the Seattle Supersonics respectively, 121 to 101 and 109 to 107. Last but not least, Milwaukee Bucks beat the Golden State Warriors 115 to 110.

Ignorance at It’s Finest (A Movie Review of Borat) by Ariella Fallen December 11, 2006

The movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan hit theaters by storm on November 3rd, 2006. The star is the Jewish actor and comedian, Sasha Baron Cohen, who is known world-wide through his controversial, colorful characters he plays. In one of his three main characters, Sasha plays Ali G who is a clueless rapper who conducts outrageous interviews with politicians who do not realize they are being spoofed. As another one of his characters, Bruno, he is a TV personality from Austria interviewing unsuspecting citizens for, “Austria Gay TV”. To attain permission from his interviewers, he gives them a small sum of cash and rushes them into signing the consent form. Now, Sasha Baron Cohen returns with his hottest character, Borat. Cohen, with his long, lanky body, black curly hair, and thick mustache, creates his most shocking, anti-feminist, and hugely anti-Semitic character, Borat Sagdiyev. As a Kazakhstani TV personality, Borat’s assignment is to travel to New York with his producer and document his exploration of American culture.
Cohen’s excellence throughout the movie is shown by making the movie a mixture of staged acts and real interviews. During the real interviews, Cohen would adopt the Borat character, asking outrageous questions as the subjects of the interview would be unaware he was an actor. The subject matter of the movie is very broad, including everything from anti-Semitic lines to jabs at George Bush, homosexuals, Christians, Muslims, and Jews. It is hard to imagine anyone watching Borat and not finding some lines funny. But on a different note, if you have not seen any of Sasha Baron’s ridiculous characters before, then you have no idea what you are in for. Those who are prone to be offended by comedy with a rough edge may not enjoy his brand of crude humor. Cohen’s overall message is not to offend people, but to confront American prejudices and prudishness by cutting to the core of things like shallow Southern hospitality, government nonsense, brainless frat-boys, crazy fears and true ignorance. With talk of a movie with one of his other characters, the people’s reaction will dictate his future success.

Wrestling Tri-City Tournament by Alex Gutierrez December 11, 2006

The time has finally arrived for the most magical season of the year. Of course I am not talking about Christmas season, but about the much anticipated wrestling season. The most physically demanding, pulse pounding, and gut wrenching sport has come back after a long off-season from both the athletes and the die hard fans. Fall sports have come and gone to preset the stage from the very successful cross-country and football finishes in CIF. The time has come for the toughest, roughest, and most brutal sport to take stage on our very own school campus. For the past seven years, the Tustin Tri-City Tournament has been active and hosted some of the best athletes in the last decade. This is usually an underground competition with high tensions and adrenaline, but I am letting you in on Foothill’s best kept secret. Foothill has been the undefeated champion for every year since the coveted title has been up for grabs.
This year in the wrestling world, there seems to be a neck and neck match up between Tustin High School and the recently new program of Beckman High School. Both have been training hard with endless hours of workouts to try and match up with Foothill. Tustin has been transformed from last season by their new coach with a new philosophy and strategy. It is rumored in the wrestling circuit that their new coach is a former Russian wrestling champion with phenomenal skill. Beckman also promises a full throttle effort for the intense challenge of the Tri-City Tournament. With a good finishing position at the Foothill Classic, Beckman nosed in right behind the high performance schools of Buena Park and Ayala. The underdog of the tournament is said to be the cross town rivals, the Tustin High School Tillers and the favorite seems to be the Beckman High School Patriots. The controversy and speculation seems to be stirring up quite an intense issue.
This year’s 06’ tournament will be held at Tustin High School’s gymnasium which will be filled with the energy like that of the USC Coliseum. Wrestling has been going on for a very long time, making it one of the oldest sports in the world. Not only is this another feud between Foothill and Tustin, but also a symbolic conflict signifying Beckman coming into the picture. Foothill has already lost to Tustin in football, so will Tustin claim the Tri-City Tournament trophy as well? Not only Tustin, but Foothill will already have their work cut out for them with Beckman. Could this be Foothill’s chance to come out on top and keep the title?

MMM…I am Hungry (for Lampost Pizza) by Aaron Anderson December 11, 2006

What do you do when you are sitting at home and you hear your stomach rumbling? In a flash, you rush to the fridge but to your dismay there is nothing edible. You feel like pizza but you do not know where to go. If you get it delivered, it will be cold by the time it gets to your house and into your hands. So you want to go out, but where is the ideal location that will quench the burning desire that emits from your tummy?
To help respond to this sweeping hunger epidemic at Foothill High School, I personally solved the problem by going out and reviewing one of Tustin’s local pizzerias, Lamppost Pizza. I tasted and graded their food to see if this is the place to go when your tummy is craving for something yummy.
Friday night at five o’clock I drive to Lamppost Pizza hungry with the desire for some pizza. I entered the nice, warm dining area where I was greeted by the owner; his name tag said Howard on it. We had some small talk about life and sports and then he politely asked me what I wanted to dine on. I looked at the menu and could not decide, so I ordered every delicious item I desired. I got a large half pepperoni and bacon bits with the other half Canadian bacon, ground beef, pineapple, and jalapeños. To add to the already spectacular feast I got the baked spaghetti. Baked Spaghetti is much like normal spaghetti but with added chicken and mozzarella cheese, and then baked in the oven to melt the cheese. After the main meal, I ordered the amazingly appealing appetizers of garlic bread with cheese and an eight piece Buffalo wing order. Last but not least, I ordered a chicken Caesar salad. The cost was fairly high, but it was worth every penny.
Within fifteen minutes, my entire order was served and placed underneath my watering tongue. It looked to die for. I started with the chicken Cesar salad and it was tossed just right. Next, I ate the pizza which was made to perfection. I started with the pepperoni side and began to rip the first slice from the almost art like pizza pie. As I tore off the slice, cheese just stretched from the pie to the slice. It was hot, tasty and was also equally fulfilling with the jalapeños on the other half. I then dug in to the baked spaghetti which was baked to precision. I ate the garlic bread with cheese that was smothered delightfully. I asked for a side of jalapenos and within seconds I had a cup full. Then I put them in the garlic bread and dipped it into the marinara sauce. Once I finished off that, I could barley move for I was so full to the brim.
I highly recommend this pizzeria, especially if you have a hunger that needs to be satisfied. It can be a little pricy but it will pay itself off with its excellence. Lamppost Pizza has not only great food but great service and workers. So try out Tustin’s favorite local pizzeria, Lamppost Pizza.

Walking With Pride by Darren Fitch December 11, 2006

The first question that comes to mind with the name of this talented youngster is merely, “Man or Myth”? The talented and extravagant young adult, James Welsh, has his priorities in line as he glides his way through life on the path to success. The five’ nine, blonde hair, and misty sky blue-eyed man sets the bar at a level that is unreachable for a lesser man. James is best categorized as the intellectual, superhero genius.
As the grades roll in, James Welsh gets to reap what he sows. With a high percent test grade in his hand, he nonchalantly points, “I am most happy when I get my test back and I see my prize in its usual right hand corner, marked with the red letter, ‘A’. Dedication, determination, and a focused mind are the key ingredients to success”, reveals James. Not only being book smart, Mr. Welsh has the knowledge you do not learn in a class room; street smarts help guide James in his day to day routine. With a winning spirit and lifestyle that is larger then life, James hopes to be the head football coach for the Detroit Lions someday. He says his best attributes for his desired career are, “Good looks, and the ability to do what is necessary, to get the job done.”
However, James reveals that he would not be able to come this far if it was not for his loving family, supportive friends, and girlfriend. With the protection and driving motivation from his mother, in addition to the ability of having a little brother to beat up on everyday to release stress, James thanks God for the two. Furthermore, he likes to kick back on the weekend with friends and rejuvenate his mind for the coming school days. He exclaims, “My family and friends are the best in the world”.
So how do you describe such a rich attitude towards life itself? Well let us just say he is no man, but rather he is the man with the plan to succeed. After making the grades in school and having the celebrities chase him down like a mad man as he surpasses accomplishments after accomplishments, many walk away in a sense of awe saying, “James Welsh is too good to be true”.

Culture of the Week: The Philippines By Christina Duong December 11, 2006

Since many people are not familiar with the Philippines’ culture, this article will inform many people about the Philippines’ style of living, traditions, beliefs and many more. After reading this, one will feel like they have just been to the Philippines and experienced and explored everything themselves!

Basic Info:
Capital: Manila
Population: 86,241,697
Government Type: Republic
Currency: Peso
National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang
Religions: 83% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, and 3% Buddhist and other
Industries: Textiles, Wood Products, Food Processing, Petroleum refining, and fishing
Agriculture Products: rice k, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, banana, pineapples, mangos, pork, eggs, beef, and fish
Natural Resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
The people of the Philippines call themselves Filipinos. Their ancestors came from a Southeastern Asian Country which is known as Indonesia today. The Philippines are considered one of the most diverse countries because there are many mixes of Filipinos such as Chinese-Filipinos, Spanish-Filipinos, and Filipino-Americans. Also, in some Filipino, Arab and Indian blood is added to the racial mixture of the Filipinos. The Filipinos are easily distinguished based on their looks because of their fairer color, taller figure, and fairly formed nose structure.
The Filipinos are also known for being very friendly and welcoming to everybody they meet. They would offer shelter and food to anyone that is lost around their home. In a typical Filipino home, there is always an extra room ready for unexpected quests. The host would always welcome guests with phrases like “make your self at home” to make them feel less awkward. Sometimes when the guest arrives during a meal, they may feel rude but the host feels ruder. According to the Filipinos custom, eating alone without asking others to join you is rude. Besides being a great host and having great manners, families are also very important to the Filipinos.
In a typical Filipino family, the father is considered the head and the provider of the family while the mother takes responsibility for the house work and is in charge of emotional growth and values formation of the children. At a young age, the children are taught to say “po” and “opo” as early as possible to teach them how to properly respect their elders. Even adults are expected to use these terms to greet their parents. They are also taught to greet their elders with a kiss on the hand. Since they value their elders so much, any disrespect toward the adults such as fighting back or addressing the elders with an arrogant tone is not tolerated. Given that the Filipinos are so close to their family members, it is hard for them to let go and that is why most children are not expected to move out unless they want to. The child may live with the parents until they married or even after they are married. One of the children in the family would normally stay back after marrying and have children in order to take care of their parents. This is the reason why most Filipinos’ grandparents live in the same home as their children and grandchildren. The Filipino keeps close to all their relatives because they believe, “not being able to know a relative is like turning their backs form where they come from.”

Gas Prices: Why so High? by Scott Eberle December 8, 2006

Many people know that gas prices are high, but do they know why? Do you know where the money goes when you pay for your gas? Who gets a share, or how much money is used to buy the oil needed to make the gas? Gasoline is like the blood of America; it makes our economy run. Our personal vehicles alone consume about 65 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel every year.
The price of gas is affected by many factors and not just the price of crude oil, like the media tries to make people believe. The price for a barrel of crude oil is actually 59% of the price of gas that you pay at the pump. A barrel of crude oil that is 42 gallons, will only yield about 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline. The price of refining the oil is 10% of the price at the pump. Gas must be transported in crude oil form to the refineries, where it is then shipped to the distribution points, and then finally it is sent to the gas stations. 11% of the price of gas is for the transporting cost alone; this is why gas is cheaper on the Gulf of Mexico and becomes more expensive as you get farther away from the refineries. 20% of the gas price is taxes; this includes local and federal taxes. Station mark up also contributes to the price, because the station can add anywhere from a few cents to a nickel or dime per gallon. World events such as weather or wars can affect the gas prices if they interfere with any part of the gas process.
There are many ways to conserve gas and help with the global crisis. The most common ways to keep your mileage down is by keeping your car in good running condition, as well as keeping your tires properly inflated. Some other helpful ways are filling up with gas in the morning, because cooler gas is more compact, allowing you to get a few drops more for you money. Extreme acceleration can waste gas and using your windows instead of air conditioning while less than 40 mph can help lower your gas mileage. When buying a vehicle, think about what you will use the car for because a compact car might be a better choice than a SUV. The engine is an important detail when purchasing an automobile. A smaller engine requires less gasoline, but an underpowered car uses more fuel than a car with a sufficient engine. In addition, if driven correctly a manual transmission can get up to 8% better mileage in the city than an automatic transmission. To really avoid the towering gas prices, fuel injected cars have better fuel usage than cars with carburetors because fuel injectors measure fuel more precisely.

Is it Love? by Samantha Velasco December 8, 2006

Teenage love at Foothill high school is pretty much cute but at the same time it could be so much drama. At my school, there are many different types of couples and are very cute in their own little ways. Teenage love is very complicated because some teenagers think it is really love but in reality is just lust and when this causes people to get hurt. Some teenagers fall in love quick and some do not want a serious relationship because they are not ready for a love relationship. High school love has so much drama because girls like to flirt with guys that have girlfriends and it just becomes a big drama fest. In teenage love, we have so many questions like “do they really love me?’, or “Is he or she cheating on me?”
You just have to be smart about teenage love because you never know when somebody is just being fake or playing with your head. Our love is different from the way that some parents think it is. Parents believe it is like how their love used to be in high school, but it is not! We think different because when we think that we are in love, we do not listen to anybody. My opinion on love is good because I think it is something that is healthy and that is something that keeps you occupied and not lonely. Love is a hard thing because it has so many complications and understandings to it. You have to know the consequences of all that goes along with the game of love. You must deal with losing the one you love and most of all keep up with your school work and maintain a stable relationship with your partner, yet not let your relationship get in the way of school. There are so many teenagers that fall in love and get hurt because they went through a bad relationship or their partner was playing games. Love is tough, but when you find that special someone you will be happy and you will feel like your life is complete.

What is Your Title by Russell Crouch December 8, 2006

Schools are slowly developing newer technology into their teaching curriculum. First they are adding more up-to-date computers into the schools. The appropriate student to computer ratio should be around 5:1, to gain the most efficient learning environment. The majority of teachers use a computer-based technique to teach their students the material. A thousand K-12 teachers took a survey and the results proved the following.
Teachers that do not use technology say that they do not for three major reasons. Access, time and budget are the top three reasons that cause them from fully changing to using technology daily. The survey showed that teachers would want to spend more time with technology, have better access to computers that work and the budget to purchase reliable technology. The survey also found that elementary school teachers struggle more with finding the time to integrate technology, while middle and high school teachers struggle more with access to technology.
Many of the older teachers, who are not familiar with this new technology, can take courses that help them infuse this technology without changing their core intentions. These classes are available during the summer or night classes. The gap between technology and schools is slowly declining. Teachers in the 2006 survey also say that their technology skills are improving, with 63 percent of teachers reporting that they have, “somewhat advanced” to, “advanced” technology skills, up from forty seven percent in the first Teachers Talk Tech survey in 2003.
Four out of five teachers say that technology is critical for their job. Teachers use technology for communication, attendance, and grades. Technology also helps teachers for preparation and a tool for teaching students. Other uses of technology are found in the classrooms of today.

Saving Trestles by Renee LaFramboise December 8, 2006

For decades, Trestles Beach in San Clemente, California has been the epicenter of Southern California’s surf. In fact, some people debate that Trestles supplies the best surf break in the nation. The reason this ionic surf spot is so special is because of its continuous swell, rock reef, and the natural sediment flow from its pristine watershed. People with a love for water sports, whether it be swimming, surfing, body surfing, ect., have all agreed that Trestles has been such a desirable beach for so many years, not only because of its state of the art waves, but also because of the quality of the water. Trestles is considered one of the last, few remaining beaches with clean water in the 600 miles of Southern California’s coast. What makes this beach so unique is that its water comes straight from the San Mateo Creek, which comes from the Cleveland National Forest. Though, not all good things can last forever, and that is where a problem lies ahead.
“Trestles is one of the most epic waves in the world. Building the Toll Road will result in a change of the sediment and sand flow that makes Trestles so good. The surf Industry needs to support the Surfrider Foundation in their efforts to protect one of our sport’s most valuable resources. This is in our backyard and would change the face of Southern California surfing forever,” said Kelly Gibson, the CEO of O’Neill. The Transportation Corridor Agency (T.C.A.), which is a privately held company, wants to extend the 241 Toll Road south from its terminus at Oso Parkway in South Orange County and connect it with the current Interstate 5. The proposal includes six alignments, and if passed, four would run directly through the San Mateo Creek. The extension poses many threats including: impaired creek and water quality, health impacts to beach-goers, toxic waste from cars like motor oil, and of course the unique wave break and ocean quality at Uppers, Lowers, Middles, Church and Cottons. “The FTC- South (Foothill Transportation Corridor) will provide relief of traffic congestion along interstate 5,” claims the TCA, but the truth of the matter is that all this project will bring is new development. A great increase of urbanization will be developed in the beloved San Onofre Beach State Park, and new traffic to the area. Orange County, along with Northern San Diego, will also see an increase in traffic congestion, and higher taxes due to the projects enormous expenses adding up to $1 billion dollars, about $53 million dollars per mile.
Losing Trestles to a toll road would be a horrible loss, not only to surfers, but to every beach lover around the world. It is too important to the California surfing scene to lose. It is no shock why it gained the nickname of being the “Yosemite of Surfing” either. On September 18, Trestles became one of only twelve stops in the world. In fact, Trestles became the only spot in the U.S. for the annual Surfing World Championship Tour. “Trestles is one of the most important surf spots in the entire North Pacific Ocean and to lose it would be devastating. People need to decide what is more important: a toll road or a sacred place where people go to enjoy nature? TransWorld SURF is totally behind Surfrider’s push to preserve this jewel that we sometimes take for granted. Save Trestles!” exclaimed Joel Patterson, the Editor In Chief at TransWorld SURF Magazine. “Find an alternative- for God’s sake, do not destroy SoCal’s last perfect beach!” claims our Governor, our State Attorney General, our State Parks and our Coastal Commission as they back the cause. All we can hope for now is that this project does not pass, so generations to come can all enjoy this “perfect beech” we call Trestles. Help the fight in saving this wonderful beach that has brought us many great experiences over the decades.

To My Concerned Americans By Nick Wopershall December 8, 2006

The world’s oil reserves (fossil fuels) are diminishing very rapidly. The United States Oil consumption is currently 19.6 million barrels per day (these numbers are from a pole in October of 2000), which is one-fourth, or about 25% of the worlds total fossil fuel reserves. That means that in approximately 36 years, these reserves will be depleted.
Experts predict that consumption in the U.S. is due to rise 2% every year. This is due to the increasing population, resource consumption, and the demand for the valuable fossil fuels. This shows that the U.S. is one of the leading contributors to carbon omissions and deadly chemicals and bi-products that affect our precious ozone layer. The ozone is a layer in the stratosphere which creates a protective barrier against harmful and deadly ultraviolet radiation, protecting us from our own sun’s solar winds. Currently there is a hole in our atmosphere in the South Pole. Experts say that the 10.81 million square mile hole is getting larger and deeper with every passing year. Scientists and developers are working on creating alternative fuels to help slow down the consumption of fossil fuels. Some of these alternative fuels would include: hydrogen, nuclear, electric, ethanol, and biodiesel power. These are all very well known ideas but the problem is that scientists do not have enough knowledge about these resources to actually use them in an every day situation. While there are advances in alternative fuels for cars, the question still remains. What about alternative fuels for homes, factories, and even public transportation?
The question is, is it possible for Americans to switch from fossil fuels to alternative sources? Yes, it is a possiblity. However, is it possible in the near future for Americans to be completely dependendent upon alternative fuel sources? The sad answer is no, but if our country wants to stop being the number one contributor to the depletion of the ozone and start being the leader in alternative fuels research, the U.S. will have to contribute some serious time and money to fund these types of programs.

Allen Iverson by Melody Lopez December 8, 2006

His real name is Allen Ezail Iverson, but he may be more commonly known as, “The Answer” or, “AI”. This NBA superstar racks in at six feet tall in a sport among giants. His team is the Philadelphia 76ers and he sports the number three with pride. His position is Point Guard. He is known for his fast speed with the ball and for faking to throw the ball. Iverson is considered one of the hottest basketball player’s in the NBA. At a young age, Iverson had plenty of talent and was named Big East Rookie of the Year at Georgetown. After two astonishing years with the Hoyas at Georgetown, he left with his dad and was now eligible to join the NBA draft. Allen Iverson was the first picked player in the 1996 NBA draft. He went to the 76ers in Philadelphia and that is when his dreams for basketball started to take-off.
Iverson has over 20 tattoos. Each tattoo is a symbol of his life. Some of these tattoos include: the name of his group of friends he has known since childhood, Cru Thik, “the answer”, and a tattoo dedicated to his mother who is a strong supporter of Allen. He married his high school sweetheart Tawanna Turner and they have two children.
The big question is if Allen will continue to be a Sixer in the up coming season. Billy King, the president of the Sixers, had announced to be trading or renewing the team and Allen Iverson was one to be traded off. Billy King felt that Allen’s threat to be bumped off the team was due to the fact that he was not going in the same direction of the team. Allen Iverson was supposed to get traded off to another team but the president changed his mind and confirmed that Allen will be donning a Sixers jersey for his eleventh season playing for the Sixers 06-07 season.
Other Facts
• Allen Iverson is the shortest basketball player to hold an MVP title.
• Favorite book is The Color Purple
• His Favorite Food is Lasagna
• Statistics PPG: 26.4 RPG: 3.70 APG: 6.8
• In his dorm room at Georgetown University he drew a big Mural of Michael Jordan. While he was majoring in Art.
• Allen signed a 50 million-dollar deal with Reebok
• Allen wears about 300,000 dollars worth of jewelry
• Allen Iverson’s jersey is in the top 5 selling jersey.

School Events by Kendal Borras December 8, 2006

In the past month we had Red Ribbon week, where we learned that “Drug use is Life Abuse.” We had lunchtime activities where students were able to wear goggles that when you looked through them they made you feel as if you were drunk, and walk through an obstacle course. We also had a “BYOB” days where all students could either bring or buy and banana and make a banana split. December first was the Holiday Dance and it was a hit. The kids danced in the cafeteria where ASB had blacked out the entire place. The dance had a great turn out of students. ASB sure does know how to have fun! Coming up on December eighth is the annual Powder Puff football game. This is when freshman, seniors, juniors and sophomores girls get to battle it out on the football field. Practice has been going on during previous weeks and it will be fun to see how all the girls perform on game day. December eleventh through the fifteenth ASB will be having International Week.
December fourteenth there will be a band concert during lunch. December twenty-first is the last day of school before our winter break that will last until the seventh of January. On January fifteenth there will be no school for students and on the eighteenth ASB will be selling everyone’s matchmaker cards on the outdoor stage. The matchmaker cards will be sold for a dollar and will also tell you whom your most compatible friends and love interests are. January twenty-third through the twenty-fifth marks the week of finals and on January twenty-sixth there again will be no school for the students. January twenty-ninth will be the second Senior Munch for Foothill High School’s senior class of 07’. This year, the first Senior Munch was held at the Grove in Orange on Halloween. Here the students were feed and entertained but a hypnotist that hypnotized fellow peers. The first Senior Munch was a hit and I am sure that the second will be just as much fun! February fifth through the ninth will be the Winter Formal spirit week.
During these spirit weeks, everyday is a new theme and the students dress up and participate in having school spirit. Also during spirit week at lunch, there are activities for students to be apart of as well as music that is provided by ASB. On February ninth ASB will host the Winter Formal assembly and on February tenth will be the Winter Formal Dance. In the upcoming months Foothill’s ASB will be very busy hosting all of these fun events for the students.

Pros and Cons of MySpace by Kelly Kirkland December 8, 2006

It is one of the most controversial topics circulating throughout the world. It is among the most popular and most visited websites of the past few years and is still today. It is the infamously popular pages of Myspace. It seems that for one reason or another everyone, all of their friends, and even some relatives and teachers have them. But the question that is asked is Myspace really all that it is cracked up to be?
Many people have a Myspace because all of their friends do and some people use it to stay in touch with distant friends or relatives. But what usually happens by having one is that you meet different people, send messages, and begin to talk to them. Sometimes one might even talk to someone that they would not normally have had a conversation with in person. It is basically an enormous chat site that connects people from all over the world. In a way, this form of communication might help people become gradually more social. However, in the middle of this cyber socializing is a downside. Unless your Myspace is set to private, viewers from all over the world have access to your page. Meaning that even people who you would not want to see your personal information can, and this leads to negative issue of Myspace.
The issue is a form of predation. Though it may not seem common or logical, many Myspace users face some form of it. These predators try and talk to usually girls, pretending to be someone they are not and try to get personal information. Some times they are successful, and when they are only bad things come out of it. In some radical cases, girls get raped and killed. But most of the time they are stalked. Also, another issue concerning Mypace is the creation of “fake” Myspaces. A fake Myspace can be made of anyone, and anything can be put on their page for people to see. And now that even colleges look at their applicant’s Myspaces, depending what is on it can make a major impact on their accepting process. The scary thing is that demeaning and degrading things can be put about someone on a fake page. This is ultimately defamation of character and a form of bullying that takes away the innocent fun of Myspace. Both of these issues make Myspace an unsafe environment for everyone who has Myspace and even for those who do not.
Overall, having a Myspace can be a fun way to talk to friends and make new ones. However, it can also be very dangerous to its users and nonusers alike. It has gone from an innocent way to socialize with others over the internet to some thing that can ruin someone’s reputation or even their life. So the real question is with all of the dangers, why Myspace?

The Melting Pot-The Top Restaurant of the Week by Kayla Dean December 8, 2006

The Melting Pot is an all fondue restaurant, great for parties and family outings. It is located in the city of Irvine. The Melting Pot’s delicious cheese and chocolate fondues will bring comfort to all who taste them. There is a pot in the center of the table and little plates all around. Apples, bread, and chips are available to dip into the cheese of your choice. As for the chocolate, it comes with strawberries, bananas, cheese cake, marshmallows, pineapples, and a variety of white, milk, and dark chocolate fondues to pick from. The restaurant itself contains two different sections; one with a bar, and little tables around it, the other with segregated booths and tables. They have smooth music going, and many waiters and waitresses that are very nice and attentive to all parties.
Although The Melting Pot is a little on the overpriced side, many think it is worth it. Reservations are a requirement for this place yet walk-ins are acceptable. However, those parties who chose to walk-in may be waiting a little extra to be seated. Again many say it is worth their time and money to come here, even if they might end up waiting longer than usual.
Other scrumptious items on the menu here may include different salads, appetizers, soups, and much more. For adults twenty one years of age and older, there is a special menu filled with many different types of beers, wines and other alcoholic beverages. They also offer some virgin drinks that are sweet and are available to adults and minors under the age of twenty one.
This four star restaurant makes sure to keep their bathrooms fresh, clean, and ready to use by their customers at any time. There are special napkins used for drying one’s hands after being washed with their flavorful smelling soaps. Mirrors are located almost everywhere you look in the nicely kept restrooms.
When your meal is completed and you are ready to head for the front door, there are little match booklets, and melt in your mouth breath mints lying out for the take. For easy access, they are placed on the front desk where you first walked in.
In conclusion, The Melting Pot is the place to go when you are looking for a creative, fun, and delicious way to consume and fall in love with some food, no matter what time of day.

Hawaii: Mainland vs. Islands by Kathryn Bustard December 8, 2006

The areas of Orange County and Oahu share many of the same characteristics. Although divided by water and different cultures, both have the same spirit.
In terms of race and ethnicity Oahu, Hawaii has a huge multi-racial mix with 46% Asians, 20% mixed races, 20% whites, and 8.9% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific-Islander. The racial percent of Orange County is 64.81% White, 30.76% are Hispanic or Latino, 13.59% Asian, 1.67% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 14.80% are other races, and 4.12% are mixed races.
Both regions also have diverse religious customs. Oahu is about 50% Christian, 32% Catholics, 9% Atheist, 6% Buddhist, and 3% Other. Orange County is about 57% Christian, 27% Catholic, 10% Atheist, 2% Jewish, 1% Muslim, and 3% other.
The culinary fields of both came from different backgrounds to form what they are today. In the island of Oahu, foods are very diverse due to different ethnicities of Filipinos, Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Japanese, Samoan, and others. A common food on the island is known as haupia which is coconut jello. Chicken Adobo is another favorite which is rooted from Filipino chicken and pork. Kalua Pig is the traditional luau dish which is Hawaiian pork. Poi is a thick purple paste that is a side dish to many main meals. In Orange County, American foods are common such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries. Italian food is also intermixed such as pasta, and spaghetti. Mexican food, due to its location next to California brings such plates as tacos, enchiladas, and taquitos. Asian fried rice, orange chicken, and sushi is also a wide favorite.
Climate in the beautiful island Oahu tropical and humid, bringing in 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and 60’s in winter with rainfall. Orange County is also a lovely location, yet has small changing climate, with 70 to 90 degrees in summer and 40 to 60 degrees in winter.
Dance is a key part of both cultures. Oahu holds Hula Halaus (Hula Dance Schools) such as Halau Hula Kailua Oahu and Puka’ikapuaokalani Hula Halau. The traditional dance in Hawaii is hula. Many Halaus also teach Polynesian dances such as Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, and New Zealand dances. In Orange County there are many types of dancing such as hip hop, folk, salsa, belly dancing, and many other cultural dancing.
Oahu’s stores consist of Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center with other assortments of drugstores, lei stands, and traditional Hawaiian things. Honolua Surf Company sports casual wear, sweatshirts, shorts, and body boards. Another big company, Local Motion, specializes in t-shirts, board shorts, and island jewelry. Miura Store and Tailor Shop are known more for their traditional Hawaiian clothes of muumuus and aloha shirts. The every day attire in Oahu, Hawaii is very casual. Many locals wear t-shirts, shorts, and local “slippahs” (flip-flops). Girls sometimes wear flowers in their hair and island jewelry. Business men wear colorful aloha shirts to work, women long muumuus, a blend of 19th century missionary attire and Hawaiian printed attire. Orange County features Abercrombie and Fitch which is more of Casual luxury clothes of denim jackets, classic shirts, and graphic tees. J. Crew is also popular with preppy knits, tees, and polos. Hollister shoots for a more surfer themed store featuring jeans, denim skirts, tees and polos. Juicy Couture is a classy and luxurious clothing line with accessories, handbags, and tracksuits. Lucky Brand Jeans is a company solely dedicated to jeans, tops and accessories. Rainbow Sandals are extremely popular, called “The World’s Best Sandals”, made of leather materials that last long. The attire in Orange County is more formal and expensive. Most people in Orange County are conscious of what they wear and are willing to pay a high amount of money to look good. Most people in Orange County try to impress people with their money and high standards of living.
Music also portrays each region in different lights. Oahu uses Hawaiian music of Bruddah Iz, Keali’i Reichel, and the Makaha Sons. Jawaiian is a mix of reggae and Hawaiian music with artists known as Ekolu, Three plus, and Kani Makou.

Hip-Hop and Rap are also popular in Oahu. Orange County has a lot of Hip-Hop/Rap such as Ludacris, Eminem, and Lil’ Jon. For Pop music, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and Chris Brown dominate. Alternative is also a widely listensed to genre with such groups of Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, and The Killers
The top 4 attractions in Oahu are unlike any other area in the world. The first is the outdoor activities, such as surfing, snorkeling, and sight-seeing. The second is at Diamond Head where you can hike and look at volcanoes. The Polynesian Cultural Center is the next top attraction. The last attraction that is a must see on the island is the luaus and Polynesian dancing. Orange County holds unbelievable parks such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Wild Rivers. The next attraction is the Arrowhead Pond Entertainment center which is always a good bet for a spectacular show. Malls are a big part of the area, such as South Coast Mall, The Block at Orange, Fashion Island, and the Irvine Spectrum. The last attraction of Orange County is its colder climate beaches for water sports such as sailing, surfing, or swimming.

Check out this Music by Joseph Garcia December 8, 2006

Many new breath taking albums have topped the charts this month. The MC known as Jay-z made his way out of retirement to make another bass-pumping mix titled, “Kingdom Come”. The album was released November twenty-first, answering back to his loyal fans. I was expecting this CD to be very good because, “The Black Album” was a work of art. With beliefs from most of the music world that Jay-z was never going to make another album, he shocked the music world by putting out another record. Unfortunately, whether rushed or for other reasons, Jay-z’s new feat has not measured up to his past success. Rolling Stone gave his album a mere three-and-a half stars with average ratings of four. In past years, Jay-z put his, “Black Album” at the top of the charts with five stars.
The artist known as, “Too Short” has also come out with a catchy album by the name of, “The Mack of the Century”. Too Short has recently been making appearances with other big name artists. His music has been undeniably successful, placing himself under the radar for all to see. If you asked me last year if I knew who Too Short was, I would have laughed at his ludicrous name. However, he is featured in a plethora of songs, such as, “Bossy” by Kelis. He is also in the unforgettable song of, “I’m in love with a stripper: part 2”. But, he is famous for his song, “Blow the Whistle”. If you like Too Short, then you should check out his new release. Under personal review, I dealt out a three out of five stars for Too Short’s album.
In other news, Moby has come out with a greatest hit CD named, “Go- The Very Best of Moby”. Moby uses techno music and incorporates other electronic beats. Moby has some very different music, but I like the way how he plays around with the beat and structure. Moby’s music is relaxing to the mind and soul. For me, I personally think the CD is pretty good. The average rating for this album was four-and a half stars.
Bright Eyes have followed the trend by also taking their highest ranked songs and putting them on to one mega mix titled, “Noise Floor (Rarities 1998-2005)”. If you like mellow rock then Bright Eye’s CD is a must have. On the other hand, if you are not a fan of mellow rock then this CD is not up your alley. I am personally not a fan of Bright Eyes, but I do enjoy some of the songs. The average rating for the album was a stunning four out of five stars.

Tower Records vs. Music Downloading by Henry Eickhoff December 8, 2006

Tower Records, a major landmark store, has gone bankrupt. Is music downloading to blame? Music downloading is increasing day by day, and people are seeing how easy it is. It simply connects straight to your computer and may be transferred to an mp3 player. So people are stuck between the two decisions of buying CD’s, downloading them off iTunes, or just straight download from the computer. Not enough people are buying CD’s because it is easier to download. A lot of people presently are lazy, not even wanting to leave their house to do stuff. Thus, with more downloading then before, people are not buying CD’s. Tower Records has lost so much business because of music downloading that it is shocking. No wonder they are going bankrupt, for it is just like warehouse music going bankrupt. Thousands of little record shops have gone bankrupt because of this music downloading. You can get almost every song in the world on the Internet legally or illegally. Now, even top-class music artists are losing money straight from their pockets because of the lost profits from illegally downloaded free music. In addition, this dilemma is why so many people are going to be out of jobs and why stock and shareholders are so disgruntled. We all love music downloading because it is so easy and convenient, but we also have to think of all of those who are going to be out of a job. Think of that when you download from sites legally or illegally.

Dancing Today by Erik Sandoval December 8, 2006

Today in society, people look at the artwork and the rhythm. Dancing can contain all different kind of elements. Examples of dance’s wide variety may be seen through the peaceful yet hard working type of dance called ballet, generally used for expressing feelings in a soft but heart provoking manner. I see it as a relaxing, soothing piece of work. Another style that is in today’s youth is hip hop. This form takes time and dedication but you do not have to concentrate as much, allowing the dancer to let loose with anger or just enjoy simply yourself. The only clash with ballet and hip hop is people think that hip hop is for the not so talented people. People think that if you do not have money and you live off the street, then you are lower then them. Well, I know from both perspectives that each takes a large amount of time and the same energy.
My name is Erik Sandoval and I am a student at Foothill High School. I am sixteen years old and have been dancing since I was six years old. Dancing has taken over my heart with a passion. I can not control it. Whenever a song goes on, it reminds me of something that the song is saying and takes me to a place that keeps me smiling. I will admit it was tough growing up as a dancer with the fact that I am a guy, especially around girls. But in the end it was worth it, because it kept a smile on my face. Growing up has been really fun emotionally and physically. Recently, I am a choreographer at a studio teaching hip hop. Also, I will be performing in a ballet called the nutcracker. So, the stereotype of ballerinas and hip hopers is not really what it sounds like. I thank god for giving me a chance to feel the inspiration of a dancer. As a boy I was given three choices: soccer, football, or dance. I would have never thought that dance would be my life, but I never realized how amazing it was to have people appreciating my dancing. The most emotional feeling I have ever gotten is when I was twelve years old dancing at the Irvine Barclay theatre in front of 15,000 people. I remember dancing and seeing people in the dark smiling, looking fascinated. It brought a warm sensation in my heart and will always be there. In life, I feel you only get a feeling once; it might come back but will never be the same. Dancing is something that I will never lose a passion for, no matter how much work and effort it takes. Every time I get that special feeling in my heart it only seems to get better and better.