The Orion

Marchers take to street

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mexico's and the United States' flags blew gently in the wind as about 200 people marched and chanted "Si se puede," which means "Yes we can," down Main Street at the Immigrants' Rights March on Saturday.

The event was meant to educate residents about fair wages, better employee treatment and immigrants' rights.

Alleged rape victim takes court stand

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A 21-year-old Bay Area woman took the stand May 6 against a Chico man charged with allegedly sexually assaulting her at a friend's house March 9. The woman was the main witness in a preliminary hearing to see if there was enough evidence to try Jeremy Hoptowit, 36, on the charge of assault with the intent to commit forcible penetration with a foreign object.

University considers smoking ban

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Students and faculty may be forced to pack away their Camels, Marlboros and Parliaments and leave them at home. A new smoking policy will be voted on Thursday in the Academic Senate to make Chico State a smoke-free campus or only allow smoking in certain areas.

Faxes send anti-cut message

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A pile of Hostess Fruit Pies lay under a canopy Thursday ready for handing out, waiting to be part of Chico State's fight against budget cuts. "Everybody who fights for a bigger piece of the pie gets a piece of pie," said Susan Green, chapter president of the California Faculty Association.

Book buyback event puts cash in students' pockets

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Finals week brings long hours of studying and unwanted stress, but it can also put money in students' pockets when they sell back their textbooks. Last spring, the A.S. Bookstore paid out more than $1.5 million to students during book buyback, which started Tuesday and runs through finals week, said Deborah Lemmo, associate director of academic support.

Mock trial teaches students about law

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Professor Dane Cameron calls his class "Cameron's weight loss program," and four students ignored their growling stomachs, heavy eyes and butterflies as they competed in Moot Court on Friday. "I think I've eaten two meals this week," said senior Karl Nessi.

Town Hall aims to educate

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Amor Chan, a freshman from Sudan, spoke to a classroom of fellow students about religion in government - something she understood firsthand as a Christian in a Muslim country. Religion in U.S. politics isn't as much of a concern as it is in other countries where freedom of religion isn't permitted, she said.

Police blotter

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thursday 6:11 a.m. Suspicious subject reported on the 1500 block of North Cherry Street. "Male subject has been standing outside below reporting party's second-story window since 6 p.m. yesterday. Reporting party watched subject walk around corner and then return to standing below window.

Debate dodge hurts presidential race

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

While a rational person would notice the disparity of the words "Democratic debate" and "Fox News Channel" anywhere in the same sentence - and stop reading immediately after - irrationality speaks well to this topic.

Almost a year after the Democratic presidential candidates shunned the idea of appearing on the Fox News Channel for a debate - much to the satisfaction of liberal bloggers - the talks have resumed.

Editorial: Smoking ban puts students rights at risk

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Academic Senate is being blinded by a cloud of smoke into considering ignorant mandates for the university. The proposed revisions to the university smoking policy the Academic Senate will vote on Thursday are unrealistic, idealistic and don't truly address the problem.

Penalties in drug bust should be harsh as ring mars CSU image

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Just say no." There is no doubt that by age 10 this phrase was hammered into our brains by the officers from D.A.R.E. True, the cartooned scenarios in the handbooks were a little cheesy, but at least we learned crack is whack and weed, grass and chronic all mean marijuana.

Students caught in drug ring can still have successful lives once affair blows over

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Almost everyone dabbles in things they are curious about in college. Sometimes this curiosity involves a severe case of the munchies. But this activity does not necessarily mean students are doomed to a smoke-filled future. Exhibit "A" is the 75 students of San Diego State who were arrested in connection with Operation Sudden Fall - an in-depth investigation that led the Drug Enforcement Agency to seize evidence that included more than 4 pounds of cocaine, 50 pounds of marijuana, 48 hydroponic marijuana plants, 350 Ecstasy pills, 30 vials of hashish oil, methamphetamine, mushrooms, various illicit prescription drugs, a shotgun, three semiautomatic pistols, three brass knuckles and $60,000 in cash, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Guest commentary: Informed electorate crucial for change in healthcare

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Times are coming ever closer to the 2008 presidential election. Is America informed?

Today, less than three-quarters of the people able to vote do so. Many have asked why.

Simply stated, a lot say it is because they are uninformed and do not wish to make an uninformed vote.

Editorial cartoon: I Don't Know... by Andrew Long

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thumbs classic

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thumbs up to donating blood. Forget saving lives, you get unlimited free snacks and drinks. And everyone coddles you, calling you "sweetheart." It's like kindergarten. Thumbs down to 100 degree weather. Chico is going to be a sweat factory this week as the thermometer looks to skyrocket into triple digits Thursday for the first time this year.

Baseball team host league playoffs, earn second place

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Entering the ninth inning of game six of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, a Chico State victory appeared certain. In the press box league officials printed up an MVP certificate for Wildcat Josh Meagher, but everything changed. A Sonoma State run late in the inning tied the score at 3-3.

Wildcats set records, hit provisional track marks during weekend

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In his junior year, Scott Bauhs has accomplished a lot - a part in the fifth straight men's Track and Field Championship and a sub-four minute mile. But May 4 he accomplished something only seven Americans have done this year: post an Olympic A standard. On Stanford's Cobb Track, Bauhs ran a time of 27 minutes, 48.

Ryan VanFleet: Mile marks make me merry

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

All semester I've been lucky. Wildcat athletics have consistently served up newsworthy events to write about. I chalk it up to my lucky rabbit's foot that belonged to a rabbit that was nibbling a four-leaf clover when it stepped into a bear trap made of solid gold.

Engines roar, dirt flies at Silver Dollar Speedway

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Race fans from all around Northern California descended on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds to watch four thrilling races on the quarter-mile dirt track. Friday's Silver Dollar Speedway event featured races with four types of cars, first came the 410 sprint cars, then the wingless sprint cars, next the dirt modified cars and finally the dwarf cars.

Club sport most successful season in school history

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Rugby, lacrosse and volleyball players all succeeded this season as part of Chico State club sport teams.

Four club sports teams moved up in national ranking and competed in championships to bring home titles and make it one of the most successful years in the recreational sports department's history, said Sports Club Director Mary Wallmark.

Commentary: NBA playoffs deliver tough matchups, excitement

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

April through June is the best time for passionate NBA fans, and the 2008 playoffs are no different. This year's NBA playoffs feature teams from the most talented Western Conference in the past 10 years. All eight teams finished the regular season with 50 or more wins.

X-rated rapper to bring dirty ditties to Chico

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Mothers, lock up your daughters. With decades of performing under his belt, 63-year-old Clarence Reid, aka Blowfly the Original Dirty Rapper, is bringing his old school X-rated raps to Chico on Sunday for a last, fleeting chance to party before the drudgery of finals.

Chikoko excites with racy fashion

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Think bold colors, vivid patterns, cutting-edge design and an extra dose of female empowerment and the five-piece textile collective Chikoko is born. The women let their creative juices flow for fashion shows and create one-of-a-kind, eclectic pieces that celebrate every woman and every man.

Leslie Williams: Selecting summer music, films

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ah, Summer. Disgusting heat, women walking around in shorts so small they could be considered scandalous infant wear and the refreshingly clean scent of oniony body odor masked by Old Spice coming from a guy who just can't say no to tank tops. But no summer would be complete without the proper entertainment selections to enjoy poolside - or in air-conditioned shelter.

Mario gets a political makeover with Ayres exhibit

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For two weeks, Chico State had its own arcade with classic Nintendo games. Groups of people wandered into Ayres Hall to scope out the games as senior Ryan Fitzpatrick hosted the reception for his bachelor of fine arts culminating exhibition Thursday. The exhibition, called "Eeprompaganda," included three well-known Nintendo games with a political twist.

'Baby' challenges nuclear family idea

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

One pregnant lesbian, her eccentric lover and one tattooed, gay, drag queen are excited to add a seventh to their family of imagined children and fantasy in "And Baby Makes Seven" playing at Blue Room Theatre until May 24. Ruth, Anna and Peter are three parents living in New York City.

Portland band Embrace the Kill to rock socks at Monstros punk prom

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's official: The government and military are getting together to screw the rest of the world. The song "American Mili-industrial Complex," by Portland-based punk band Embrace The Kill, illustrates the band's feelings about the state of the country, and it doesn't care if people don't agree with it.

Mini-Corps works to break barriers

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Some argue teachers have the most significant job in the country. They help shape the minds of the nation's future, arming children and young adults with the most useful weapon they can get - an education. While President George Bush creates rudimentary legislation to make sure "no child is left behind," some college students are spending their time working with children who face language and learning barriers to ensure these children aren't left behind.

Center provides out-of-classroom experience

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Throughout college, students gain practical knowledge for their majors in classroom settings, but working in the field provides important experience. Chico State has had an established internship center, at 310 Salem St., since the 1970s, but many students are unaware of it.

Cari Radford: The party is almost over

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In a little less than two weeks a group of us will make our way across the stage while "Pomp and Circumstance" plays in the background.

Some of us will be feeling accomplished for our academic success. Some of us will be feeling nervous about what tomorrow holds.

Learning doesn't have to stop after undergrad

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

During a recession the job market can look bleak for students, so it may be a good time to check out a master's program. "A master's degree helps you to better qualify for a job you would enjoy spending the rest of your life doing," said Diana Parks, director of graduate, international and interdisciplinary student services.

Students have options when storing possesions for summer

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Summer is just around the corner and many students are packing up their lives and getting ready to move to a new place. But storage units can play an important role in making moving easier. When it comes to the summer, students have a few options for what to do with the piles of clothes, random kitchen utensils and furniture.

Sex column: Reason for staying pure range from religious beliefs to lack of action

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Of all the milestones one reaches in life, losing one's virginity can be one of the most fondly - or regrettably - remembered. Some, however, have yet to reach this milestone.

According to a 2002 report by the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies reproductive and sexual health, 95 percent of Americans reported having premarital sex.

Skin tone plays important role in choosing colorful summer wardrobe

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Summer is not the time to be afraid of wearing colors. Some students won't walk outside without every clothing item and accessory color shade complementing the other. Others pick a shirt off their floor, smell it, and - depending on the result - call it good.

Study habits vary for students when feeling pressure during finals week

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Students must deal with a challenge before leaving for summer - finals. Junior Dan Lint is looking forward to them, he said. Summer is coming, as well as his birthday, so he wants to get finals done. Preparation is harder than taking the test itself, he said.

Video:

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Video: More than 200 march for immigration rights

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT