Los Angeles has a growing population but a shrinking water supply. This is where Bill Sullivan, energy manager for physical plant management (PPM) at CSUN comes in. “Water conservation is a more current issue than it used to be because water used to be so cheap,” said Sullivan, who has been with  PPM since 1994. Now that a change is warranted, Sullivan said CSUN receives incentive money for water-saving projects from both the Department of Water and Power (DWP) and… Read more

The vibration and beats of blues-infused indie rock reverberated through a tiny second floor apartment in Santa Monica. This is where Drew Schwartz and The Watchtowers practice for their up-coming gigs. One of their upcoming concerts is taking place at Trip Bar in Santa Monica May 20, and all of the proceeds will go toward the environmental beach group, Heal the Bay. Schwartz and his band members, stand-up bass player Dylan McCabe, electric guitarist Antonio Rodrigo and drummer Zakary Iannitelli,… Read more

Around every corner, people are talking about the census. From what I have heard so far, the census is a lot like taxes- no one wants to do it, yet it has to be done eventually. Since the beginning of this year’s non-stop bombardment of advertisements, peer pressure and chaos about the census, my curiosity has been building. Until this point, I knew the basic idea of the census, but had never actually looked at a form. When I finally… Read more

College students today are the first generation of adults who can find a cure for cancer within their own lifetimes, and this is a personal goal for many of the participants in the up-and-coming 3rd annual Relay For Life event at CSUN. “My personal goal if that happens is that my children will think of cancer as they think of polio now,” said Amanda Dekermenji, co-chair for Relay For Life and an executive board member of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC)…. Read more

It is not a race, nor is it a religion, culture, or single political affiliation. Terrorism can be all of these things, but it is a problem that transcends all categories. In these times of uncertainty, it is common to profile certain people, and label them as “terrorists.” With the recent suicide bombings in Afghanistan, and the threats at home with the underwear bomber, labeling people as “threatening” seems justifiable. This, however, does not mean it is right. By definition,… Read more

The Department of Police Services held an identity theft prevention workshop Wednesday in the department’s training room, outlining the various ways to detect and deter identity theft. Crime prevention coordinator Daniel Foster said identity theft occurs when someone uses a person’s information to commit fraud or other crimes. “Theft prevention is not leaving property unattended, limiting what you carry in your wallet or your purse and taking advantage of the free credit report,”  Foster said. Foster, who presented the workshop,… Read more

Los Angeles has the highest American Indian population in the United States, and on March 20, people representing various tribes will attend CSUN’s 26th Annual Powwow. American Indian Studies (AIS) Coordinator Scott D. Andrews said the main purposes of the Powwow are to be social, participate in American Indian culture and learn about the many different American Indian tribes. “You’ll get people from 20-30 different tribes at a powwow with their own style of dance, music and language,” Andrews said…. Read more

Anyone who has hopped on a bus in Los Angeles can tell you that it is sometimes an experience to forget. There are awkward sights and smells everywhere, which is tolerable, but if you’re a regular commuter, chances are you have been left stranded every once in a while. This is because Los Angeles public transportation, frankly, sucks. As a late-bloomer in the world of driving, I became a seasoned veteran of the Los Angeles Metro bus and rail lines…. Read more