Actress, activist and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete has been chosen to speak at this year’s Freshman Convocation. Peete will talk about autism spectrum disorder, which will compliment this year’s freshman common reading book, Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Tom Piernik, director of Student Development and International Programs and chair of CSUN’s Freshman Convocation said Peete was chosen for her expertise in autism. “She is probably now the most successful advocate of issues surrounding autism…. Read more

CSUN has approved the construction of two more bicycle compounds in the B5 and G3 parking structures in an effort to decrease bicycle theft and encourage a more economical and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. “They should be up and running by October if things stay on schedule,” said Christina Villalobos, special assistant to the chief of police and community relations officer. The new bicycle compounds will offer similar benefits to the bicycle compound located on the ground floor of… Read more

A special presentation of chair yoga provided Associated Students (A.S.) with an opportunity to relax before getting down to business during the open forum of the Senate meeting on Tuesday. Brittny McCarthy, director of Government and Community Relations of University Advancement, gave an impromptu chair yoga lesson. McCarthy said in addition to her role as liaison between the CSU legislative office and local elected officials, she teaches Yoga Wednesdays from noon until 2:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall to faculty and… Read more

After months of training the CSUN men’s soccer team is ready for its regular season home debut under the lights against the University of San Diego tonight at 7 p.m. With the Matadors tuneup game against San Diego State under their belt, they are focused on starting the year on the right note against the Toreros. “Now that we had the exhibition game and saw the few things that we need to work on, everyone’s looking forward to getting a… Read more

Going to Dodger Stadium won’t be quite the same anymore since Los Angeles will no longer cheer for Manny. No. 99 has left Mannywood. The day we signed Ramirez in 2008 was like another holiday for Dodger fans. Just his presence had the media drooling. And to think, he came to the Dodgers at no cost. We took him in like a lost child needing a home and love. He loved us back saying in his big news conference how… Read more

Xavier Scott Contributing Reporter – In the 21st century, one would think petty quirks such as racism and homophobia would only extract minor controversies among the dregs of our society. Sadly, even today, it seems they have sustained their ground. A Colorado Catholic school, Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary, has refused to educate a 4 year-old girl because she is the daughter of a lesbian couple. The couple, who prefer a position of anonymity, haven’t kept their relationship a secret… Read more

Proposition 21 aims to establish a vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs.  Surcharged vehicles will have free admission to all state parks. I can hear the moaning already:  Times are tight!  No more taxes! This is true.  With the California Employment Development Department estimating unemployment around 12 percent, it seems downright stupid to increase vehicle license fees for all.  And with times as dire as they are, why should we care about our state parks?… Read more

In its first international basketball competition since winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Team USA hopes to recapture glory at the FIBA World Championship tournament in Turkey. The team that played in Beijing featured the best of the best with players such as perennial All-Stars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade but this year’s USA team will not have a player that competed in the ?08 Olympic Games. In fact, almost every player on… Read more

Whether on campus or behind her bedroom walls, geography major and graduating senior Jenna Blake says she’ll never give up on creating art and striving in reaching her goals. With a room full of art and instruments, onlookers could describe Blake’s living quarters as an artist’s haven. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Blake, 24, soon moved to New York from Kentucky two weeks after graduating from high school. Her focus was to study acting and voice at a performing… Read more