Local environmental guru Andy Lipkis drew a crowd that exceeded the 100 or so seats that had originally been arranged in the USU Grand Salon for Thursday's teach-in on climate change and sustainability.

Originally Published February 27, 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a historic executive order on the stage of Plaza del Sol Center yesterday establishing a new California cabinet position called the secretary of service and volunteering. Speaking to a capacity crowd in the performing arts center, Schwarzenegger announced that Karen Baker, a graduate of UCLA who has been serving the Schwarzenegger administration as the executive director of California Volunteers, would be the first in the nation to hold a cabinet position dedicated to volunteerism.

University and community leaders joined together Wednesday evening to celebrate the beginning of construction of the $125 million Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN. The Mike Curb College courtyard was the site of the two-hour event. During a catered pre-ceremony reception, about 500 invited guests sipped wine and munched on "mactinis," macaroni-and-cheese served in martini glasses, and a variety of finger foods, while enjoying the sounds of the CSUN Jazz "A" Band.

Guest lecturer David Igler from the University of California, Irvine history department discussed "the hazy boundary between captivity and freedom" last Friday as part of the annual W.P. Whitsett lecture series. Igler used narratives taken from a chapter of his book-in-progress to explain the history of hostages, slavery and other subjects.

With a price tag of $124.8 million, there is some concern that the burden of paying for the construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center, which is set to have its groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow, will eventually end up on the shoulders of students. Administrators and boosters say that every attempt is being made to keep that from happening.

Northridge Hall looked more like the set of "Project Runway" Tuesday night as students from the apparel design and merchandising program produced a nearly three-hour fashion extravaganza called "Fashionology." This extravaganza included a backstage flurry of dozens of girls (and a couple boys) being fussed over by designers with pins and sewing kits; thumping music as the models strutted down the runway; press scribbling; photographers snapping; and a couple hundred friends and family breaking out into applause and cheers on occasion.

Beginning in May, the U.S. Treasury Department will begin sending you (most likely) a check for somewhere between $300 and $1200. It's the main component of the government's plan to stimulate the sad economy by providing tax payers, particularly those in low and moderate income brackets, with a little extra cash.

I put off seeing "Wicked," the musical which has been playing at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood for at least two years, despite rave reviews and my love of big production musicals. My reluctance was not just because I am thoroughly broke, but also because the best-selling novel on which the show is based was in my opinion tedious and depressing.

As the mother of a son nearing his 18th birthday, I am becoming increasingly concerned that our government is going to initiate a military draft to bolster the flagging forces fighting for oil in Iraq. They tell us it won't happen. We tell ourselves that no one will allow it to happen, especially for such an increasingly unpopular cause.

The Underpants, on stage now at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, should not be confused with the best-selling children's "Captain Underpants" books which were quite a bit funnier. And it certainly doesn't rank up there in salaciousness with the Victoria's Secret Super Bowl commercials.

Drillbit Taylor: Budget Bodyguard" is a surprisingly funny and sweet movie that had both my 17-year-old son and I cracking up and rooting for the underdogs. Owen Wilson (Drillbit), once again plays a charming and lovable loser who ultimately makes good, but he does it so well that we're still happy to go along for the ride.