CSUN student to premiere film at N.Y. Film Fest in Hollywood

CSUN screenwriting graduate student Paul Russell Laverack will showcase the first film he wrote, directed and played in on Sept. 24 at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in Hollywood. The movie, “Waycross,” took about two years to make, and will screen in the 10 p.m. bloc with other two other shorter films. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do in my life,” Laverack said. “Birthing an independent film has its labor pains.” There are five main characters in the movie, and there is a deadly secret someone that has as three lives are in danger. The 72-minute feature film takes place in a town, called Waypass. The name of the place was derived from a real U.S. town, but is not based on it. Laverack plays the main character, Preacher, whose marriage is in trouble. The main theme he said people should get from the movie is that people can’t escape from secrets, and their past has a “way of coming back.” Laverack’s next film project will be on Captain William Kid, a well-known historical pirate. More information can found at www.nyfilmvideo.com.

CSU Board to hear renewable energy group policy changes

Students and experts who have proposed policy changes on renewable energy for the California State University may have their efforts approved today during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting. Those involved in Renew CSU campaign have put together the sustainability policy, which proposes that the 23-campus CSU system make changes to its practices in energy, and have actively lobbied and campaigned for two years, said Shakti Maisen, a former CSUN student and organizer with Renew CSU. The purpose of Renew CSU is to make the CSU shift its campuses energy sources from fossil fuel to renewable energy, Maisen said. “It’s going to have a direct influence on (the CSU’s) fees and other campus’ costs,” she said. “It’s going to free up money to go to other areas.” If the sustainability policy is approved, 15 percent of clean energy will be purchased by the CSU, and campuses will generate 10 megawatts of clean energy, green building standards will be created, along with other energy-related changes, Maisen said, quoting the policy. There will be efforts to add an amendment to the policy before approval, so it can be re-evaluated in 2007, Maisen said. The students will ask someone from the 25-member board to sponsor the amendment, Maisen said. The amendment will advocate the use of solar winds for renewable energy, in place of natural gas, she said.

Hillel schedules bone marrow registry drive, barbeque today

CSUN Hillel is working on several events for the upcoming weeks, including a Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry drive and barbeque between the Matador Bookstore Lawn and Santa Susana Hall from 5-7 p.m. today. It is Hillel’s goal to get 100 students to register to give bone marrow to patients around the world, said Alicia Cohen, senior Jewish campus service corps fellow for Hillel. Anyone can register, she said. Members of Hillel will have a reunion and registration party for Taglit-birthright Israel on Sept. 27. Taglit-birthright Israel is a program that brings Jewish adults, ages 18-26, who have never been to Israel to the country for 10 days. Jewish adults go for free, but first they would have to deposit $250 before the trip, then they would receive a refund after the trip. The dates for the trip, however, have not decided, but will most likely be in early January, said Adam Siegel, program director at Hillel. It gives students an opportunity to see a land that is so rich in Jewish culture and history, said Cohen, who was part of the program in 2001. “It also, for many students, opens their eyes to look at Judaism in a different way, and (examining) how Judaism and Israel fit into their life,” she said. Hillel will also celebrate Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday, which means “the head of the year,” from sundown on Oct. 3 through sundown on Oct. 5. Yom Kippur, which means “the day of atonement,” will also be celebrated from sundown Oct. 12 through sundown Oct.13. For more information on Hillel activities, call (818) 886-5101.