The San Fernando Valley’s lights often wash out the star-filled sky making it impossible to embrace the beautiful solar system. On CSUN’s campus, however, the Don E. Bianchi Planetarium gives spectators an opportunity to view planets and more than 2,000 stars.

“Most people usually ignore the sky,” said Jeff Batten, electronics technician in charge of maintaining a sensitive and complicated projector inside the planetarium. “You have to drive a ways out of Los Angeles to actually see the stars.”

As visitors look at the sky from inside the dome-shaped building, constellations and planets are relayed.

“The planetarium shows are an excellent introduction to astronomy,” said Dr. Stephen Walton, astronomy professor and planetarium director. “It is still a science that fascinates the public, which can be made accessible to interested non-scientists.”

Speakers host lectures weekly in the planetarium during regular fall and spring semesters.

Dr. Jan Dobias, planetarium program coordinator, said about 25 people usually attend public shows. Dobias prepares and organizes events at the planetarium.

During the summer months, the planetarium hosts bi-weekly shows and telescope viewings, Dobias said.

The price of a ticket is $3 for students and $5 for general admission.

The planetarium is named after the dean who founded the College of Science and Mathematics. The concept of the building came from the original planetarium director, Dr. Adrian Herzog. Primarily established in 1991 to assist in teaching astronomy classes, the planetarium opened its doors to the public in 2002, Walton said.

The 105-seat theatre is surrounded by a 40-foot dome that showcases the universe.

“Every show includes a guide to the night sky, so that everyone who comes can leave with an increased knowledge of what they can see with their own eye,” Walton said.

The observatory also opens up to view celestial objects when weather permits.

“The planetarium shows what we can only describe in our lectures,” Dobias said.

Most faculty who work at the planetarium express a passion for astronomy.

“I’ve been fascinated with astronomy since I was young and decided to become a professional astronomer while still in high school,” Walton said.

Batten expressed similar sentiments.

“Astronomy has been a hobby of mine ever since I was a kid when my Dad bought me a telescope,” he said.

Batten follows the skies patterns and recently went to Turkey to witness the total eclipse.

Walton sums up astronomy as the study of everything that touches “the beginning and end of the universe, the origin of evolution and life.”

Walton said he encourages CSUN students to step inside and learn more about the universe.

“I simply enjoy learning about how the universe works and studying astronomy is one of the best ways to do that,” Walton said.

To escape the Valley’s humid summer heat, retreat to the mountains and enjoy the last few days of winter snow. That’s right, snow.

Although some snowboard enthusiasts packed their gear away months ago when temperatures began to rise, they should definitely consider hitting the slopes one more time. There is still plenty of gracious white snow less than five hours north of Los Angeles. Record snowfall and prime conditions permit Mammoth Mountain Resort to remain open each year until July 4.

On a trip I took June 17-18, I found the hill at the Mammoth resort was in decent shape and capable to accommodate any level of skier or snowboarder. Crowds at the ski resort were non-existent. Although the runs are often empty, many locals remain.

Individuals who are thinking about learning snowboarding or want to brush up on their skills should ride during these early summer months. The slopes have a five-foot base and no one is around to distract a skier.

Plenty of trails are open to the mountaintop as well as park setups complete with several jumps, rails and a half-pipe.

Minimal clothing is required since temperatures range from the mid 60s to the high 70s. Wearing one layer is key during these conditions. The snow is a little sticky due to the heat. Some wax on your snowboard, however, will do the trick.

Other than snowboarding Mammoth offers endless options for any adventure seeker. Surrounded by breathtaking snowcapped mountains, Lake Mary is a prime location for a fisherman or individuals who are looking to cruise around the water.

Horseback riding, hiking, wakeboarding, skateboarding and dipping in the hot springs are among the list of other activities to pass the time at the resort. Many events are also held in Mammoth, such as a Motorcross series, Micro-brew festival, and bass competitions.

The nightlife is also in full swing. Bars in the village, such as Laka Nuki, have karaoke nights where it is fun to watch drunk bar attendants sing. Do not consume high amounts of alcohol since higher elevations get people drunk faster. There are never any dull moments at mountain bars.

After days of fun and relaxation in Mammoth, travelers could end their weekend by floating on the Owen’s River in Bishop. Visitors could also embark on a two-hour trek down a mile stretch.

So, hit the Mammoth Mountain resort where there are several options for people who are looking to take their mind off work and school.

The quest to fill the position for the new CSUN athletic director is not a simple task.

“It is very important for the new athletic director to be a Matador,” said Michael Neubauer, member of the athletic director search committee and coordinator of the developmental mathematics program. “He or she must become CSUN’s biggest cheerleader.”

The search committee was appointed in early spring by Jolene Koester, CSUN President, and is comprised of six individuals.

The committee members have an extensive background in athletics and a long history with CSUN.

Three of the members served on the recent Blue Ribbon Committee, which created an athletic plan for implementation at the university. Neubauer served as chair of intercollegiate athletics on the commission and previously served as faculty president.

Other members include the head coach for women’s volleyball, Jeff Stork, and Ronald McIntyre, president of faculty on the university planning and budget group committee.

Neubauer said the responsibilities of committee members include searching for and screening applicants, comparing and conversing with other members, and conducting interviews.

Committee members, however, will not make the final decision after the examination process.

An applicant review list is submitted to Koester who ultimately choose the new athletic director..

Former Athletic Director Dick Dull retired in August 2005 after a six-year stint. During his term, Dull was able to focus on the structure development for the Athletic Department. So far, choosing a new director has been a lengthy process. The position is currently open, although the committee hopes to finish their review by the end of July.

In an attempt to assure the right decision, CSUN recently hired Bill Carr of the consulting firm Carr Sports Associates to assist them and identify valuable candidates. The firm also helped Cal State Long Beach find a new athletic director and has worked for other universities across the U.S.

“We wanted a broader pool of candidates to choose from,” said Penelope Jennings, director of the search committee and associate vice president for faculty.

The opportunity to simply be a part of the process is what Neubauer enjoys about serving the committee.

Jennings said she also likes to search for individuals who will best fit the criteria to advance CSUN athletics.

Members cannot discuss or describe the applicants.

For committee members the key to narrowing down their evaluations is concentrating on one ideal: the new athletic director must possess the ability to communicate within CSUN and surrounding communities.

“The athletic director must be able to work internally and externally in the community,” Jennings said.

The new director must act as a leader, speaker, advocator and implements for the department and in programs that allow CSUN athletics to grow and flourish, committee members said.

“My vision is for us to find the right person that will make Matador athletics a success,” Neubauer said.