Floating cities, new forms of government, and sustainable communities on the high seas. Though they may seem like only plot elements of a futuristic movie, a group of creative minds at the Seasteading Institute is working to make seafaring communities a reality. This group of imaginative individuals hopes to accomplish its vision through “seasteading,” the creation of permanent and sustainable dwellings on the sea

outside of claimed territories.The idea of seasteading was

relatively unheard of until 2008, when activist Patri Friedman founded The Seasteading Institute with backing from Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel. Based in San Francisco, the group has since begun to gain media attention and has appeared on CNN and in Wired Magazine.

News 2A-5A

Opinion 6A

Focus 7A

Gallery 8A

Features IB-2B

Entertain. 3B-4B

Sponsors 5B-6B

Sports 7B

Potpourri 8B

Index

Vikings fight hard, take another loss at Almond Bowl XLIII

PV varsity football met its third consecutive Almond Bowl loss to Chico High at the 43rd annual Almond Bowl on Nov. 1. After both teams remained neck-and-neck through the first quarter, the Panthers

suddenly pulled ahead and left the Vikings behind for the remainder of the game, ending at 48-29.

The game began with PV in possession. Dylan Batie (28) advanced the ball to a first down, but a series of subsequent wide running plays failed to gain ground. Chico took possession,

and quarterback Clayton Welch (11) made a pass to Miles Fishback (15) for a touchdown, but it was negated by a penalty. The energy in the stands was intense on both sides, with chants of “You can’t do that” after penalties by both teams.

PV picked up the pace

as Connor Melton (30) and Ryan Steindorf (25) advanced to two consecutive first downs. Batie then scored the game’s first touchdown with an impressive 60-yard run, and a one-point conversion brought the score to 7-0. Then the Panthers turned up the heat

on the Vikings, as Paolo DiSano (44) caught a pass by Welch at PV’s 2-yard line, and another advance brought Chico to the half-foot line, halted only by the ending of the quarter.

Umran Hajiuhaji@sagaindependent.com Co-Editor-in-Chief

One man’s battle against Trader Joe’s-Features page 1B

Life: German Edition An exchange student’s adventure

-Features page 1B

Students raise thou-sands for CUSD music

-News page 3A

Pleasant Valley high’s Independent Student News Since 2012

ISSUE 1, Volume 49Tuesday, November 12, 2013

See ALMOND BOWL on page 7B

See SEASTEADING on page 2B

The SagaIndependent

Self-governing communities, or “seasteads,” out on the open ocean like the one shown in this concept art could become a reality in the next few decades.

Photo provided by the Seasteading Institute

Chico High’s Paolo DiSano closes in on PV’s Jack Soza at this year’s Almond Bowl at CSU Chico’s University Stadium on Nov. 1.Courtesy of E3 Photography

Bay area startups seek to colonize the earth’s last frontierSacha de Jongsdejong@sagaindependent.com Features Editor

I consider myself a man of reason. Most people feel the same way about themselves.

There is something comforting about being reasonable and rational. While the majority of us delight in reason, it has come to my attention that some despise and actively spurn reason. Impetuous creatures!

Michael SimicContributor

See REASON on page 6A

In support of reason

With the start of the 2013-2014 school year came the potential for the creation of new academic goals, the achieve-ment of new physical feats, and most importantly,

a new lease on Pleasant Valley’s previously dete-riorating music program. Under the energetic ef-forts of Ryan Heimlich, Pleas-ant Valley’s new band director and a strong advocate for the arts at PV, the band has seen

a startling re-vival of vigor and potential in the span of just a few months that ap-pears to be here for the long run.

Kat Whitekwhite@sagaindependent.com Co-Editor-in-Chief

PV Band gets a revamp

See BAND on page 2A

Following the district-wide cut of elementary school music in 2007, s c h o o l - s u p p o r t e d programs around Chico have been struggling to prevail against the strains of educational cuts, but none with the same vigor as the Pleasant Valley music ensemble. Met with another startling blow several years later with the dissolution of the Bidwell Junior High music program, the only existing feeder that supported the ever-dwindling student body of PV’s ensemble, the PV marching band was forced to put up its batons and store its uniforms in 2011 with hopes for a brighter future. Now, with the complete restoration of elementary and junior high school level bands looming within grasp, the determination of this year’s music agenda, most notably with a visit by the well-known and esteemed UC Berkeley pep band in early October.

Following two interviews in June, Ryan Heimlich was offered the position as both the director of the Pleasant Valley High School ensemble

and as the director of Bidwell Junior High’s n e w l y - i n v i g o r a t e d band. With his first semester as the PVHS band director under his belt, it remains the goal of both Heimlich and the students and band boosters involved in PVs music program to increase enrollment by first boosting the enjoyment that goes hand in hand with music. By providing PV’s music students the opportunities to play in public with a professional-level band,

it was made apparent to all those on campus, as well as the Cal Band, that Pleasant Valley music is far from giving up when faced with adversity.

“Outreach is just as important to the Cal Band as it is to us. I have ties to the Chico State Bands as well, so they will be here at some point too,” said Heimlich, a former member of the Cal Band himself.

Several trips are in store for both the ensemble and the Pleasant Valley

Jazz Band, which meets after school on Mondays and Thursdays, including participation in several live performances in the Bay Area and excursions to learn from other musical groups around Northern California. Heimlich also plans to inspire younger students by touring the elementary and junior high schools, showcasing what music at PV has to offer.

“I think it is important for PVHS students to realize that music doesn’t have to end after

high school. You can continue to play and perform, and sometimes even get scholarships for it! And, perhaps most importantly, have a great time doing it!” said Heimlich.

With the school year well underway and the likelihood of a healthy and bustling PV music program becoming more of a reality every day, Heimlich’s efforts to revive the gift of music in Chico’s community continues to inspire faculty and students alike.

News2A Tuesday, November 12, 2013

BAND: A comeback in the making

Co-Editors-in-ChiEf Umran Haji Kat White

opinion Editor: Kat WhitefEaturEs Editor: Sacha de Jong

nEws Editor: Mason Wong

EntErtainmEnt Editor: Sharon Liu-BettencourtCopy Editors: Umran Haji Mason Wong

The SagaIndependent

sports Editor: Umran HajiA Former PV Publication

Continuedfrom page 1A

Walking with a purpose: A walk to end Alzheimer’s

UC Berkeley’s band performs alongside PV’s band on the green outside Valhalla at lunch on Sept. 27.

art dirECtor: Remi Long

On Oct. 12, hundreds of people gathered at Sycamore Field in Bidwell Park with a unified goal: to support and raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to over 1,000 participants, there were 28 sponsors and 100 volunteers, according to Suzanne Watroba, Special Events Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“So many wonderful people came out and walked to show their

support. It was a beautiful day and a great turnout,” said Watroba.

Everyone was in great spirits as they visited different sponsor stations and pre-walk events. Sycamore Field was a canvas of color as people, decked out in vibrant purple and carrying decorated flowers for the “Promise Garden,” gathered in preparation for the walk. All ages were represented—young children showed bright smiles as they got their faces painted, and college

students danced on the turf with the Zumba instructor while adults mingled and chatted. There were also quite a few smiling elderly participants being wheeled around to join in the events.

For many people attending the walk, the inspiration to join the cause was very personal. With over five million Americans currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, links to those with the disease are easy to find. Whether it was a family member, a close

friend or acquaintance, many participants had a direct connection to someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Watroba discovered personal connections to Alzheimer’s shortly after she began working for the association last year.

“Almost everyone I knew had a connection to the disease that I was previously unaware of. And it only becomes more important to me as I continue to meet amazing people who are struggling so immensely because of the disease,” said Watroba.

“The hardest part is walking in a room and not having them remember who you are. It’s heart-wrenching,” said volunteer Dan Hamilton.

According to act.alz.org, the official Walk to End Alzheimer’s website, money raised goes towards funding research, providing care and increasing awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, sponsors who commit to the Alzheimer’s Association provide financial support and, on the day of the walk, information on local

Alzheimer’s resources. While participants

fundraised to bring in money, volunteers were present during every stage to organize the walk itself.

“We couldn’t have such a large, successful and meaningful event without them,” said Watroba. “Some volunteers, like the Walk Committee, work year round to help recruit team members and have a role in planning the entire event. Others help set up the day of, run our registration, help with the Promise garden... Volunteers help in all aspects of the walk.”

Many of this year’s attendees plan to return for next year’s walk, including Lydia Altman and her friends and family, who raised around $5,000 dollars.

“Alzheimer’s is on the rise and funding isn’t. This makes up for it,” said Molly Kimberling, to encourage others to join in future walks.

More information about Alzheimer’s disease and opportunities to support the fight against it can be found at www.alz.org.

Lydia GrenkoStaff Writer

Kat White/The Saga IndependentParicipants line up in preparation for opening of the walk.

Umran Haji/The Saga Independent

foCus Editor: Kat White

About the Saga Independent: The Saga Independent is a student newspaper established in the fall of 2012 in response to the PVHS administration’s elimination of the print edition of the school newspaper, The Saga, in favor of switching to a solely online news platform. The goal of The Saga Independent is to continue the legacy of The Saga and its 47-year tradition of putting the news right into students’ hands. The Saga Independent is entirely managed, written, edited, designed, financed, and distributed by students, and is always looking for new members.

NewsTuesday, November 12, 2013

Stas Baranovskiy

Bryant Bettencourt

Laretta JohnsonThe Saga

IndependentA Former PV Publication

Staff WriterS:

Michael SimicBrontë Shelton

Emily MorrisLydia Grenko

Disclaimer: The Saga Independent is in no way affiliated with Pleasant Valley High School, Chico Unified School District, or any other public or private institution. The Saga Independent is a completely student-run publication and all materials printed therein have been used with permission of their respective authors. The views expressed by individual writers do not necessarily represent the views of The Saga Independent. We welcome all comments and suggestions, and letters to the editor can be emailed to our Editors-in-Chief Umran Haji (uhaji@sagaindependent.com) or Kat White (kwhite@sagaindependent.com) We reserve the right to edit and withhold letters. Anyone wishing to be part of the organization can contact the Editors-in-Chief.

Students raise thousands for music in CUSD

Sophia Graves

3A

On the night of Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, PV’s International Baccalaureate (IB) class treated hundreds to a unique student-led production in the Center for the Arts. Student musicians from throughout the Chico community displayed their talents at the second annual production of “The Gift of Music,” a benefit concert to raise funds for Arts for All, the music booster organization for Chico Unified School District.

The concert, organized chiefly by several of PV’s IB students, was the second iteration of a project originally started last year by then-PV senior Nellie Ponarul. In the fall of 2012, Ponarul, who now attends UCLA, had organized the project in order to commemorate National Arts in Education Week (the second week of September) and to raise awareness and funds for music education in CUSD. The success of the event last year led this year’s students to have another round with it.

“It’s so self-fulfilling to see that my work

paid off and that it’s being continued. It’s a really awesome feeling,” said Ponarul, who attended the concert and entertained attendees with her pre-show harp-playing in the lobby.

“A lot of the arts have been going down the drain and it’s great that people are trying to bring it back,” said sophomore concert attendee Alison Diaz.

Tickets sold for $7 apiece, with more than 200 being sold in pre-sales alone, and scores of PV staff members were among the audience. Performances included everything from PV and Chico High’s choirs and PV’s band, to solo vocal and instrument acts, a folk rock band, a harp trio, and even a string trio of four- to six-year-olds. The concert ended with a sneak preview of the California Regional Theater’s production of “Les Misérables,” which will premiere on October 11. Master of Ceremonies Francesca Vecere, senior, kept the audience laughing with some interesting rapping between acts, comically referring to herself as “MC Frannie”.

“When I first heard about the music benefit concert, I said to myself ‘I’ve got to get in this,’ because I had the perfect

song for it and I didn’t do it last year. I’m so happy I did it,” said senior Shivany Condor, one of the many students who had the opportunity to perform and show their peers another side of them.

PV IB seniors Jenny Zhu and Priya C h a t t o p a d h y a y , both avid musicians themselves, headed the project this year. The two of them worked with English teacher Amy Besnard, as Ponarul did last year, to organize the event, which turned out to be a very serious undertaking.

“We spent every lunch and after school planning this event since the first day of school. We also started to formulate a

plan in summer. We had to make posters for around town, recruit acts, write the script for the MC, make the program, make the tickets, hold meetings at lunch, update the acts about what was happening, go to the rehearsal, sell tickets at Back-to-School Night, and work backstage the night of the event. Nellie created a packet of information that gave us helpful tips,” said Zhu.

Unfortunately, unlike last year, the project did not include other elements such as student performances at lunch or assemblies at local elementary schools. However, the benefit concert succeeded in raising $2,437 for Arts

for All, as compared to the roughly $2,000 raised last year.

“It was so awesome to see the variety of ages that performed in the show. Music really can appeal to anyone and it is a great way to bring people together. Everyone seemed pleased when they left, so that was a good to know as well.. People do not realize the importance of music and how it affects our daily life. Music opens the mind intellectually. It truly is an amazing experience when you are the one playing music. I want every child to be able to feel this sensation and that is why I wanted to continue this cause,” said Chattopadhyay.

Umran Haji/The Saga IndependentFrom left to right, Sariah Bugnacki (PV), Madeleine Sahagian (PV), and Rachel Johnson (Inspire) perform together in PV’s Center for the Arts at the second annual production of “The Gift of Music”.

Umran Hajiuhaji@sagaindependent.comCo-Editor-in-Chief

The changing face of San Francisco

It is no secret that where today’s major tech companies go, corporate power and skyrocketing prices follow. Following several severe United States stock market crashes that ravaged the sphere of affordable housing in the early 2000s and again in 2008 as induced by the combined effects of corporate scandals, the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, and the expenditures of the Iraq war, confidence in the American economy is slowly being restored more than a decade later. Though most influenced by economic factors implemented since the onset of the 2000s, affordable housing

across the country has unceasingly declined since the 1970s. As development costs and renting opportunities become more and more expensive and income opportunities remain marginally steady, the local economies of large cities around the country targeted, with the presence of increased corporate pressure in cities such as New York

and San Francisco at an all time high, with rent evictions in the latter reaching the highest they have been since 2001. Though job circumstances in San Francisco have risen in retrospect, with mayor Ed Lee boasting the newfound presence of over 44,000 additional jobs created in his term, the fact remains that the San Francisco’s

increased focus on boosting the power of tech and marketing companies throughout the Bay Area has made the inner city one of the most expensive living locations in the United States. There is a growing necessity to be educated, most notably in fields including computer technology and software design, as it has become more and more essential for individuals in San Francisco to earn significant wages in order to match the demand of current housing prices, running many who have lived modestly under San Francisco’s roofs for decades little choice but to leave their homes in search of more appropriately priced lodgings elsewhere.

As spheres of influence

such as those of Yahoo, Google and Apple continue to move into the city or simply increase their holdings, the hope for affordable housing to return to prominence in the Bay Area drops daily. Now, it has become the desire of many to shift aid towards those who are already San Francisco residents and struggling to pay their rent rather than feed the ever-growing demands of investors interested in the corporate opportunities available to the wealthy and educated, protecting the San Francisco that has been a cherished and loved international city for generations, while also preparing for the exhilarating potential of the future.

Kat Whitekwhite@sagaindependent.comCo-Editor-in-Chief

Kat White/The Saga IndependentAs high-tech industry increasingly establishes hegemony over San Francisco, it brings consequences for its middle class.

Haresh Kumar

On Thursday, Oct. 10, students gathered in the senior quad to embrace their inner artists at PV’s annual Pastels in the Quad event. Twenty-four students had the opportunity to miss three periods of the day to materialize their creative ideas and decorate the quad using chalk and pastels.

All different types of students take part in the event each year, bringing new and unique ideas. Some are art students who know a great deal about technique and style, while others are simply creative students who might have never been in an art class before. Designs ranged from yin and yang symbols to complex cartoon drawings. Some expressed issues like breast cancer and other

problems, while others portrayed personal joy or experiences.

“I have never taken an art class, but I have been teaching myself to draw since I was three. I feel

that drawing usually helps me to relieve my emotions and explain things I can’t explain through words,” said junior Patrick Bulos.

Pastels in the Quad

News4A Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Students chalk up senior quadEmily MorrisStaff Writer

Emily Morris/The Saga IndependentSophomore Cassie Henderson contemplates her color scheme as she enters the second hour of Pastels in the Quad.

TOMS Club opens eyes with World Sight Day

Walking around outside while blindfolded is not a typical way to spend lunch. But on Oct. 10, it was a learning experience for many

freshmen who simulated what it feels like to not have the luxury we call sight.

The event was run by PV’s own TOMS Club in honor of World Sight Day., an event meant to raise awareness for preventable

blindness and sight impairment, especially in impoverished countries. TOMS was founded by American traveler Blake Mycoskie in 2006 after being inspired by children in an Argentinian village who had no shoes to protect their feet. He created TOMS with the mission of matching every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. TOMS then expanded to promote eye care as well, providing eye care to impoverished people around the world.

To help raise awareness for its mission, TOMS sponsors high school clubs run by students, who help promote issues related to poverty around the globe. PV’s TOMS Club was founded in 2012 by then-senior Selena Gonzalez, and this year, senior Macy Castaneda is leading the effort.

“World Sight Day is

Umran Hajiuhaji@sagaindependent.comCo-Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of Rachel BomactaoSeniors Juan Gonzalez, Shivany Condor, and Hunter Damon helped organize the TOMS Club World Sight Day event.

had its start as part of Art Studio, which was born at PV about seven years ago with the help of a grant from the California Department of Education. Inspired by the Pastels on the Plaza event that occurs annually at the Chico City Plaza, art teacher Reta Rickmers created Pastels in the Quad. At first, it was a graded assignment for Art Studio, but it expanded to become an inclusive venue where all students could show their skills.

“The idea [for Art Studio] was to do an in-depth art program, something that went beyond what students would usually experience in high school,” said

Rickmers.Around the end of

last year, the state grant money for Art Studio ran out. However, Student Government helped fund the program for another year, and Art Studio students ran the Pastels in the Quad event with great success.

“The kids ran the whole thing. They gave out all the pastels, they signed everybody in, they really stepped up… I think this is the best year [of Pastels in the Quad] that I’ve seen,” said Rickmers.

Rickmers hopes to acquire another small grant to keep Pastels in the Quad and Art Studio alive for the years ahead.

meant to promote eye care in countries where even simple 15-minute procedures to cure blindness are difficult to perform because of the lack of resources,” said Castaneda.

For PV’s 2013 World Sight Day event, roughly fifteen upperclassmen organized a variety of activities at freshman lunch. They included blindfolded taste-testing, a blindfolded obstacle course, and trying to identify objects by feeling around inside closed boxes.

“TOMS sends us supplies that we can

give to participants in the event, such as information cards, so that people know what we stand for. Selena recommended which activities were successful last year so we had a good idea of what new and old ideas we could try,” said Castaneda.

Like last year, TOMS Club will also host another event in the spring for “A Day Without Shoes”, where participants will simulate what it feels like to live without footwear.

NewsTuesday, November 12, 2013

CSU system takes a turn for the better5A

Over the last several years, the California State University (CSU) system has been wracked with controversies over employee salaries and a budget crisis.

Many of these issues stemmed from pay cuts for CSU employees, as well as issues regarding university administrators receiving pay raises in the face of a rapidly shrinking budget. Union members (as well as a number of CSU students) were also incensed by increasing tuition costs and attempts to use online teaching tools (which many said were poorly designed and inefficient).

The budget crisis also took a toll on the structure of many universities across the CSU system, with certain departments and colleges at different universities being merged or cut out altogether.

However, events seem to have recently been taking a turn for the better. The California Faculty Association (CFA), the union representing CSU employees across the system, managed to

acquire a settlement with CSU management that included faculty pay hike, which according to CFA’s website will begin taking effect this December.

Also helping the situation is the California state budget signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 27, which increased CSU funding by about 9 percent (roughly $125 million).

Many hope that students will benefit

most from this budget increases. Senior vice provost for academic affairs at CSU Chico told the Enterprise Record that the university would use its increased funding to address increased enrollment and improve the university’s student advising and support system.

Current budget programs and increased funding affect CSU Chico (and its students and faculty) more so than

other CSU campuses, as Chico State has become the first CSU campus to proceed with salary adjustments based on negotiations started in 2007.

A number of faculty at CSU Chico were affected negatively by the current pay scale at the university, which would sometimes result in pay inversion (where newly hired faculty members receive higher salaries than faculty members who have stayed longer

in the CSU system). The new salary adjustments, which started in May of this year, are intended to help remedy the issue.

In a brief statement on CFA’s website, CFA President Lillian Taiz said that the salary adjustments were “much needed . . . [but] there are still tens of thousands of faculty and staff who have sacrificed to help the university . . . and have not received increases for many years.”

Mason Wongmwong@sagaindependent.comNews Editor

Mason Wong/The Saga IndependentThe campus of CSU, Chico, where the first salary adjustments in the CSU system will be taking place.

Opinion6A Tuesday, November 12, 2013

What is bullying? Why do people so easily initiate and partake in bullying? The simple answer is the ever-detr imental presence of a feeling of inadequacy. Less general and more personalized motives can range from jealousy and self-consciousness, parental problems or the fear of abuse, the intimidation of social hierarchy, or, in most cases, the motivation of being bullying oneself.

Though the tendencies and characteristics of the traditional bully- intimidation, isolation, verbal abuse, humiliation, and occasional physical abuse- are still prevalent in modern society, the definition of

‘bullying’ has all but remained comparable to the social woes of our parents and their parents before them. The difference? The effects of modern bullying follow their victims outside of the schoolyard: to home, out to dinner, to the movies, to bed. The distinguished traits of bullying may have remained the same, but youth in the 21st century are faced with the inescapable presence of social media. The continuous and ever cumulative access of children and young adults to Facebook, blogging

websites, texting and other forms of social networking have allowed bullies increased access to their prey, both inside and outside the classroom.

The presence of social networking encroaches on personal privacy regardless of location or c i r c u m s t a n c e s . Many people, both adults and teens similarly, have developed a constant dependency on checking in on their personal community and staying in contact with friends, family and foes alike. Though the initial anticipations of Facebook and Twitter lean towards sharing your experiences and societal involvement with those close to you, the underlying flaws are inevitable. Those who share what may be considered personal information are instantly subject to the sneers and jeers of all who have access to it, which in this case may include any potential bully or online predator in the world. Other websites and opportunities on the internet, including Ask.fm and anonymous question features on blogging websites like Tumblr, further invite malicious commentary on information that had ultimately been intended for the positive and fun feedback of a select few.

What can further be considered problematic and puzzling is that social networking entirely revolves

around what individuals do and do not share. Though there is no valid excuse for bullies to purposefully single out and harm others, many opportunities for doing so originate from seemingly simple decisions of what to reveal to the world. Many may feel pressured and to some extent, bullied, into posting and sharing i n a p p r o p r i a t e information in a similar fashion to what is now expected from media society. In some cases, the desire to simply express oneself through clothing, art or personal opinion may result in incessant bullying and alienation. Though victims may unintentionally put themselves in harms way, the practice of bullying remains problematic and demands further attention and c o n s i d e r a t i o n from everyone and should not be solely dealt with by those victimized.

A common reassurance from adults unto students and young people states that the strain and dread that comes with being bullied ebbs with adulthood. Though the dignity and development of what is understood to be a depth of maturity that comes with the transition into being an adult may be present to some respect, the unruly presence of bullying is simply modified to support adult-like conditions, including situations in offices, churches and the position of teachers overseeing

students. The office environment can be easily comparable to that of a classroom: a manager may undeniably and accordingly bully secretaries and workers, just as a teacher can develop a reputation as a bully in regard to their classroom and students. These consistent and disturbing patterns exist due to the sole purpose of power in the hands of the insecure, just as bullying among the young most often stems from personal angst and anxieties.

A m p l i f i e d awareness of bullying in schools, in the office and online has hardly subjugated the fact that bullying has, despite increased efforts, increased both in magnitude and severity in recent generations. The fact remains that one should not be bullied due to being openly intellectual, religious, artistic, or politically inclined. One should not be subjugated as a being a whore, immature, egocentric or stupid for what posts and tweets are supposedly attractive to potential bullies. As a society, individuals should not live in fear of being distinguished as a victim of bullying, but the painful truth and historical evidence preserves that the presence of bullying will not recede without a fervent and consistent provision of awareness from society as a united whole.

Kat Whitekwhite@sagaindependent.comCo-Editor-in-Chief

Bullying ubiquitously

Recently the atheist community of Chico, a rarely organized group, has been protesting the city council’s tradition of opening with an invocation, or

prayer. For many years, various c o m m u n i t y members have been invited to the meetings to lead the invocations, a harmless enough tradition, but certainly one that has no place in the politically-centered meetings. The separation of church and state has been an emphasized aspect of the U.S. since its founding. It was an

influential part of the drafting of the Constitution and is practiced even more strictly now. Chico should not be the exception to this standard.

Not only can the invocations be offensive to the meeting attendees who do not practice the religion of the prayer, but there also doesn’t seem to be a need for them. A civil discussion between members

of the community does not seem to warrant a prayer, but if a member felt the need to ask for help guiding their decisions, I suppose there is nothing stopping them from privately praying. Some city councils have begun leaving a few moments for silence in the beginning of meetings for all to reflect or pray on their own,

which is a good compromise.

The public, group invocations that are currently being practiced are naturally always of one religion, which can cause attendees of another religion to feel uncomfortable. Prayers became an issue in Burbank, Calif., because the primarily Christian prayers were making the Jewish members

of the council u n c om f o r t a b l e . Certainly there are Chico citizens who have been made uncomfortable as well over the years. This practice needs to be substituted for the more polite practice of silence, Chico should not be proud of this “tradition” and should instead work to end it quickly.

City Hall not the place for public prayer

Sacha De Jongsdejong@sagaindependent.comFeatures Editor

Sylvia Plath, an American poet from the mid 20th century whom the IB/AP 12 English class has the privilege of reading, is one such person who “grew tired of the 18th century men who were hell-bent on reason.” We all have our grievances against 18th century thinkers, myself included. Namely, it is their distasteful wigs and ill-fitting breeches that set my nerves on edge but I wholehear ted ly endorse their u n e r r i n g commitment to reason. If there is one thing you should be hell-bent on, it most certainly should be reason!

That is why I bite my thumb at Miss Plath and all who think themselves brave and daring in rejecting reason. You, who throws reason by the wayside, you are a fool! It is reason that keeps men just and righteous; it is reason that allows us to avoid killing each other just to get something to eat! Thomas Hobbes was a man dedicated to reason and his

i n v e s t i g a t i o n s into the state of nature created the base for which the superstructure of modern society rests upon.

Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Kant, Montesquieu. The aforementioned names may be unfamiliar to you, but I have spent many fine evenings burning the midnight oil basking in the presence of them and their works. They are men of reason, true heroes in an age of growing delusion and irrationalism. These men, and others who are deserving of having the adjective “ r e a s o n a b l e ” synonymous with their name, used the light of reason to illuminate the darkened p a s s a g e w a y s which humanity would blindly stumble through had it not been for them and their works. So, citizens, I urge you that the next time you witness a misguided mind attacking reason, stop and remind yourself that it is scientific inquiry and the rational method which has most greatly progressed h u m a n i t y . R e a s o n a b l e citizens, John Locke smiles upon you from his English grave!

-Publius

REASON: An under rated panacea

Michael SimicContributor

Continued from page 1A

After purchasing Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, Microsoft recently announced Skype’s p r o g r e s s i o n into the realm of 3D video communication. A l t h o u g h Microsoft has introduced this project, become a reality for several years.

“We have it in the lab, we know how to make it work and we’re looking at the ecosystem of devices and their capability to support it in order to make a decision when we might think about bringing something like that to market,” said Microsoft’s Skype Corporate Vice President Mark Gillett, in an interview with BBC.

C o n s i d e r i n g possible advances in the new era of

video chatting, Gillett states that 3D Skyping can make video conferencing a reality. As the d e v e l o p m e n t of this new t e c h n o l o g y c o n t i n u e s , c o l l e a g u e s , employees, and associates from remote locations may eventually be using 3D video conferencing on a regular basis.

“We are developing the hardware and software necessary to have a realistic physical ‘body-double’ or proxy in a remote meeting- one that gives... a true seat at the table,” said Gillett.

Regarding all these possible future advances, issues arise not only from the technical but also on the economic side. Condensing a 3D video though one lens from the current method, which includes

capturing 3D videos utilizing multiple cameras in a synced position on a subject, presents a technical dilemma to be resolved. And like any other new piece of equipment, other companies will compete with Skype to get their “name” with 3D video communication. In addition, there is the everlasting question of whether or not 3D Skyping is actually worth the trouble.

“I don’t think it’s necessary. 2-D video communication is enough, as long as the point is getting across, I don’t see a need for it besides it looking cool,” said PV senior Rachel Bomactao.

M i c r o s o f t ’ s approach to Skype is still in the making and may, in the future, usher in a new era for communication.

Focus 7ATuesday, November 12, 2013

As modern technology has improved over the years, it has begun to play an increasingly vital role in daily life today. What was once incredibly impractical is now a useful part of everyday life.

Every year millions of people around the world are affected by natural disasters. Although it is impossible to prevent natural disasters, recent t e c h n o l o g i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t s are providing ways to predict and prepare accordingly for them.

A c c o r d i n g to Reliefweb.int, scientists are using a tool that animates flood patterns in different areas to assess where potential floods will hit the hardest. This is useful both for farmers and engineers

to determine where the safest locations are to plant crops or build. According to naturaldisasters news.net, similar technology is being used in tsunami and earthquake zones to predict key damage locations and to help engineers design more durable buildings.

Technology has improved post-disaster relief. An article written by Gianluca Lange points out that animated, 3D models not only provide engineers and planners with tools to construct safer structures, but they also have the potential to reduce the risk that rescue w o r k e r s / f i r s t responders take each time they enter a disaster zone. 3D model technology that can also provide building-specific damage would allow maximum

knowledge of hazards so first r e s p o n d e r s can assess and determine the c a u t i o n a r y measures they must take before entering a building. They would also be able to formulate a recovery plan more quickly by knowing exact damage and which problems—for example, gas l e a k s — re q u i r e first priority attention.

Te c h n o l o g y is changing the way our world looks today. These are only a few of the ways in which technology is being used to combat the effects of natural disasters. Although some would argue that there are many downfalls to the t e c h n o l o g i c a l i n c l i n e , technology has also provided life-saving tools to combat crises.

Many Americans believed that with the end of the Cold War came the end of the threat of biological weapon use. However, based on information from BBC, only a little over a decade after the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to halt all biological weapons programs, it was discovered Russia had not ended its program. Instead, they gave the project a significant boost.

According to a New York Times’ interview with former second-in-command of the biological weapons program in Russia, Dr. Ken Alibek, the country continued to produce biological agents in high quantities including anthrax,

smallpox and the plague. Dr. Alibek, along with all workers at the biological weapons plant, were told that the United States had not ended its own biological weapons program.

Since its covert program was discovered, Russia released a decree to comply with conditions previously set at the Biological and Toxin Weapons C o n v e n t i o n . The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), however, has noted a lack of information from Russia that suggests they might not be quite as compliant as they claimed.

Another concern NTI addresses is that, upon the termination of the main biological weapons program and collapse of the USSR, security has been c o m p r o m i s e d .

Many workers involved in the program sought other work after its dismemberment, providing other countries with an opportunity to tap into Russia’s biological weapons k n o w l e d g e . A d d i t i o n a l l y , Russia’s collection of biological agents is spread across numerous locations, leading to security hazards. There has been increased concern over the potential for theft by terrorist or other rogue groups, especially after reported incidents of biological weapon smuggling within Russia.

A l t h o u g h almost 40 years have passed since the Soviet Union’s supposed agreement to end biological weapon production, these hazardous agents still pose a viable threat in the present.

Lydia GrenkoStaff Writer

Haresh Kumar Staff Writer

A new kind of video-chatting

Fighting disasters with technology

Lydia GrenkoStaff Writer

Cold War biological weapons still hot

Gallery8A Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Artwork by Mary Hanley

Artwork by Britt Baird

Artwork by Juan Velazquez

Artwork by Maleia Rix

Artwork by Chase Ceccato

Artwork by Chris Bachelor

Artwork by Kathryn Wall

A true entrepreneur, Vancouver retail store owner Mike Hallatt discovered a gap in the market and came up with a creative way to satisfy it. That gap was easy access to the highly popular, nearly cult classic, Trader Joe’s brand products. The well-liked grocery store chain has yet to establish any stores in Canada, leaving Canadian citizens desperate and willing to drive hours to satisfy their desire for high quality, affordable groceries. Vancouver residents are closer than most Canadians, with a Trader Joe’s thirty miles south of the border in Bellingham, WA. A TJ’s road trip often involves long border inspection waits and snarled traffic in and out of Vancouver – inconvenient to say the least. Hallatt soon realized that if his neighbors were willing to drive hours to buy Trader Joe’s products,

they certainly wouldn’t mind buying them from an alternate local source.

“It was a risk, but I’ve always been comfortable taking risks to start a new business. When I was 21 I co-founded a bagel business in my hometown of Victoria and ran it for over a decade. Starting Pirate Joe’s was natural for me.” said Hallatt.

In early 2012, Hallatt began buying Trader Joe’s product’s and reselling them out of a former Romanian Bakery in Vancouver called Transilvania Peasant Bread. “I kept the funky wooden Transilvania sign and painted “Trading” under it. I wanted to make sure no-one would be confused into thinking I was somehow passing myself off as a Trader Joe’s or affiliated in some way,” said Hallatt

Within three months Trader Joe’s attorneys threatened Hallatt with legal action. He ignored them and built on his early success by relocating to a high profile spot in the

Fourth Avenue shopping district of Kitsilano. By then, he had adopted the nickname his store had earned in the neighborhood: ‘Pirate Joe’s’. Residents of Vancouver were thrilled, but Trader Joe’s was less than impressed. The company filed a lawsuit against Hallatt, accusing him of confusing

their customers and compromising the integrity of their brand.

“Trader Joe’s had been silent for over a year after they first threatened legal action so their lawsuit in May was unexpected. This was never about taking a stand against Trader Joe’s – I love their products and I think they are a great company. But I’m not going to be pushed around by a big corporation.” said Hallatt.

Hallatt was dumbfounded by Trader Joe’s decision to sue him mainly because his store wasn’t creating any competition for Trader Joe’s. He has purposefully styled the store to fit a classic “mom and pop” shop theme and has kept his dealings small. The purpose of his store isn’t about buying bags full of groceries to feed the whole family; it’s about picking up a

couple of your favorite treats in a friendly, slow paced atmosphere. In addition, Pirate Joe’s clearly states that it has no affiliation with Trader Joe’s. The storefront chalkboard, as well as the website, both proclaim that the business is, “Unauthorized, Unaffiliated and Unafraid.”

However, this chalkboard has recently proclaimed a more upbeat message of “We Won.” On October 2nd, 2013 a Federal District Court chief justice dismissed the case with prejudice. Hallatt, of course, was thrilled. Trader Joe’s on the other hand was less than pleased with the ruling. In a released statement, Trader Joe’s said, “While we are disappointed and disagree with the Court’s determination that it could not exercise jurisdiction over the

defendant’s activities in Canada, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect our trademarks and the integrity of our products for our customers.”

One of these precautions has been banning Hallatt from shopping in many of their stores close to the border. His picture has been displayed and employees and managers are instructed not to allow him to checkout.

“It hasn’t been easy, but we have received lots of support so the store will stay open and we’ll keep defending ourselves” said Hallatt.

With their recent victory in the courts as well as the presence of a massive Canadian fan base, it’s safe to say that Pirate Joe’s will continue to satisfy customers in the future.

Features 1BTuesday, November 12, 2013

Leben: Deutsche Ausgabe - “Life: German Edition” An exchange student’s adventure: Part One

Moving to a new country to live with a new family, speak a new language, make new friends, and learn a new culture is a little like being born again.

This can be both wonderfully liberating as well as frustrating to the utmost degree. In some ways, you can be exactly who you’ve always wanted to be; you’ve got hundreds of new first impressions to make and nobody really knows what to expect from you yet. It’s a chance to take the person you aspire to be, and become it. I had thought about this part of an exchange long before I landed in the Frankfurt Airport a little less than three months ago. As most of you have also experienced in Chico, it can be a little suffocating to the people struck with wanderlust.

I chose to go on an exchange for all of the typical reasons, a change in atmosphere, a change in culture, a change in language, and most of all a bit more freedom and independence. While it holds true that German, and European in general, parenting styles are a lot less strict than in your typical

American household, you can’t immediately expect to have unlimited amounts of freedom. Why? Because as well as the exchange experience being comparable to birth in the way that you have a new beginning, you also feel like your abilities and knowledge sink back down to the level of a small child, or perhaps even a baby. When I first arrived I couldn’t express myself and I couldn’t do much, and I often felt dumber than the small children. But as time passes and I learn more of this language, things get a lot less frustrating.

I never could have imagined what it’s like to think and speak so much in two languages and it’s amazing. As my

grasp of the language gets better, so does my progress involving relationships with other people. I’ve grown incredibly close to my host family; I never realized I could feel like a true member of a family in a family other than the one I’d been born into, and maybe the one of my future husband. I absolutely

love my host family, the Hucks, as well as the host grandparents, host cousins, and host aunts and uncles I’ve acquired. Now that I’ve switched into a class separate from my host sister I’m also quickly making friends and I feel really hopeful about the upcoming year. If I feel this comfortable and happy now, I can’t imagine how great things will be in a couple more months.

As for Germany itself, it is a truly beautiful country. So far I’ve spent time in Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Berlin, and of course Kassel. Every part of Germany has a slightly different feel to it in addition to the different dialect. Hamburg is

gorgeous and I’ve also fallen absolutely in love with the beautiful landscapes of Bavaria and streets of Munich.

While Germany is not completely filled with world renowned places like the Hofbrauhaus and castles, nor throngs of people dressed in lederhosen and dirndls whilst waving masses of beer in the air and

shouting “Prost!”, these types of places most definitely exist. In taking on Munich and Oktoberfest dressed completely in the traditional outfit of a

dirndl and witnessing and partaking in scenes like this, I felt so connected to the German culture.

In addition to experiencing the very stereotypical German culture, I’m also learning how to live their daily routine and lifestyle. The more I’m here, the more similarities I find

to American lifestyles; the two countries really aren’t so different. Europe’s incredible transportation system probably leads to the biggest change, which

is heaps more of independence. From an early age children can ride the Bahn around town alone and consequently become much more autonomous.

Naturally, I love this change because I no longer have to desperately rely on my parents or bicycle for getting to and from

places. That being said, I miss cars and just driving around and listening to music. People don’t have much of that here! I’m adoring life here but I definitely miss home and all the people that go with it! I’m looking forward to what the next months will bring as well as seeing everybody again. If I already love Germany and its people this much, I have no idea how I’m going to eventually say goodbye. But at the same time it’s tougher and tougher to be away from all the people I know and love. It’s definitely going to be bittersweet, but for now I’ll just hang on and enjoy the ride.

Laretta Johnson Contributor

Pirate Joe’s wins battle to bring Trader Joe’s products to CanadaSacha de Jongsdejong@sagaindependent.comFeatures Editor

Pirate Joe’s, a small unauthorized reseller of Trader Joe’s products, is here to stay in the bustling downtown of Vancouver after winning a legal battle with Trader Joe’s.

“The more I’m here, the more similarities I find to American lifestyles.”

Photo provided by Mike Hallatt

“First Mate” Barry Hogan unpacking “booty” from a shopping trip south of the border.

Photo provided by Mike Hallatt

PV junior Laretta Johnson is spending her year on exchange in Germany, and is sharing her experiences in this new mini-series.

Laretta Johnson/The Saga Independent

A new club has recently joined the ranks of PV’s student organizations. Started as an International Baccalaureate CAS (Creativity, Action, and Service) project by junior Weston Cramer, the Model United Nations (MUN) club now includes roughly 15 active members and meets once a week on Mondays after school.

The club’s members joined for a variety of reasons, such as a desire to participate in a unique

e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r activity.

“I wanted to do something I’d enjoy as an extracurricular, so I joined MUN. I’m hoping to get most of my Creativity hours for IB done here,” said junior Hayden Leask.

Others joined out of an interest in politics and international affairs.

“I follow news about international power politics and the United States’ actions overseas. I thought MUN would give me a good opportunity to use the knowledge I have,” said junior Kade Vantine.

Recently, MUN meetings have been focused on the conflict in Syria, with discussions on the issue, mock United Nations resolutions being drafted, and debates on the moral and political implications of military action. MUN often requires students to represent countries with political views that students may not necessarily agree with, a challenge noticed by a number of MUN members.

“I believe in human rights, and I’m supportive of limited intervention in Syria .

. . In our last meeting, though, I had to represent the Russian Federation, which doesn’t want anyone to intervene in Syria . . . me and my team had to make a lot of arguments we didn’t actually agree with at all . . . in fact, part of doing well as Russia involved making the United States look self-interested and uncaring . . . It’s very interesting, though, seeing things from the other side,” said Vantine.

Club founder Weston Cramer plans to train the team to participate in a MUN competition in San Francisco at the end of the year. In addition, plans to collaborate with Chico State’s award-winning MUN team are currently being made.

“Chico State’s team won an award at a national competition in New York last year, so it’d be great to have their help before we go to the [Model United Nations] conference in San Francisco,” said Cramer.

Features2B Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Mason Wongmwong@sagaindependent.comNews Editor

The group says the technology necessary to make their dream a reality is already available, mentioning both oil rigs and cruise ships as smaller-scale examples of the types of technology that could potentially be used to create the seasteads. As of now, the main problem being faced is that of gaining sufficient funds to make seasteads an economically feasible option for future inhabitants.

“It remains very difficult to do business in such a harsh environment. However, we are currently trying to facilitate a c o l l a b o r a t i o n between residents, business owners, investors and real estate developers to implement plans for the world’s first floating city. The engineering of such a city on the open ocean would be prohibitively expensive for most residents,” said the group’s communic a t ions

coordinator, Charlie Deist.

Educating the public has been a significant part of the Institute’s campaign for widespread support. Most people have m i s c o n c e p t i o n s r e g a r d i n g seasteading. The concept of creating new governments on each of the seasteads brings to mind images of chaotic or extreme libertarian forms of government in the eyes of many, but the Institute maintains that these new governments will be able to learn from each other’s mistakes and grow to become streamlined, functional systems. On their website, the Institute stated, “We are eager to see seasteads experiment with a wide variety of political ideas in order to find out which are most desirable to their residents.”

In recent news, a new company known as Blueseed is currently working on the reality of

building a seastead. Several employees of the Seasteading Institute, Max Marty and Dario M u t a b d z i j a originally founded Blueseed, quickly acquiring investors including the promised backing of Peter Theil. Blueseed is planning to build a residential vessel close to the coast of Silicon Valley on international waters. If the necessary funds are collected, Blueseed expects to have a functional seastead up and running by 2014. Rent for the living spaces will be rather low, starting at only around $1600 per month, though there will be several luxury cabins bargaining for much higher prices.

Though seemingly accessible, the first seastead created will have an established admissions process. Only technology entrepreneurs who have been noticed or referred by the company will be offered spots of residence. The seastead will include

many attractive features for tech startup companies, such as shared 3D printers, 3D scanners, and DNA sequencers for biotech studies. The ship will also include shared high-speed internet, as well as close proximity to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The overall design of the seastead is said to be “a comfortable and inspiring

environment.”Companies such

as the Seasteading Institude and Blueseed are showing that the time for radical

change and scientific progress is in the making. In decades past, cars, like seasteads, seemed an impossible feat. Now, as technology continues to develop

before our eyes, a future where ocean-living is an accepted alternative to traditional housing seems closer at hand than ever before.

Model UN brings global education to PV

SEASTEADING: Life on the open ocean

Chico natives and longtime friends Adam Switzer and Brendon Squires recently hit the big screen when they appeared on popular reality TV show, “The Amazing Race”. The show features pairs who take on the challenge of racing through foreign countries to a certain destination. The pair had been talking about going on the show for years, and this year they finally made the deadline. The application consisted of a three minute video in addition to the paper application. The two were completely blown away when they discovered they were accepted.

“I thought the procedure would take a month or so, but we got a call the next day because they liked our video,” said Squires.

As excited as Adam and Brandon were, they immediately experienced the difficulties of the show when the airport in their first challenge e x p e r i e n c e d delayed flights. In fact, traveling in planes and trains was the part of the race that exhausted the competitors the most In addition,

the lengthy t r a n s p o r t a t i o n led them to eat a unhealthy diet, causing them to feel even more exhausted.

The race itself was difficult mainly because the language barrier made it almost impossible to ask for help. Though the steps were somewhat straightforward, it was the clues that required much knowledge and luck.

“If we went towards the wrong place or in the wrong direction, no one corrected us or made any s u g g e s t i o n s . Having luck was very important at times like this,” said Squires.

The competitors visited many unique and exotic countries throughout the race. Norway was Brendon’s favorite because the boat ride allowed the participants observe its beauty. This was a luxury because most of the time they spent in other countries was too hurried to truly enjoy them.

Against eleven different teams, Brandon and Adam finished in seventh place, but they weren’t upset for too long because they were a given a free ticket to relax in a hotel and travel.

Chico natives compete on “The Amazing Race”

Continued from Page 1A

Juniors Ostin Merkle (right) and Hayden Leask (left) discuss the conflict in Syria at a Model UN meeting in J-7.

Mason Wong/The Saga Independent

Concept art of a another seafaring colony envisioned by entrepreneurs at the Seasteading Institute.

Photo provided by the Seasteading Institute

Stas BaranovskiyStaff Writer

Entertainment 3BTuesday, November 12, 2013

Space has always been an interesting setting for films. It takes the characters into the unknown, promising to put them in immediate danger. Anything could go wrong, and most of their resources and equipment must stay untouched and in perfect working condition if they want to survive and touch Earth again. However, most of these films add to that danger by providing creatures, a mission which is extra dangerous, or making other humans within the setting a threat. “Gravity” is special. It does not use any of the previously three described cases, and instead puts the characters into mortal danger by a simple, yet very plausible scenario.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical engineer who has been contracted by NASA to create and install a prototype machine and computer that will provide further data to their investigations. She is accompanied by astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and two other astronauts. Within the first few minutes we see them working on the satellite that will hold Dr. Ryan’s machine and computer. Two minutes later the team is informed that Russia has destroyed one of their satellites with a missile, possibly to prevent any of their information in the satellite from being leaked if the pieces of it land on Earth. Seconds later, the debris of the destroyed satellite is flying by them, some of it hits their ship and satellite, and Dr. Ryan Stone is sent into the void when her tether breaks, with nothing but her space suit and working tools.

All this happens within the first ten minutes. It sounds dangerous, but it is nothing like watching it on the big screen

and hearing it (greatly aided by 3D). All hell breaks lose around them. Everything turns to chaos in a few seconds, and soon Dr. Ryan has lost contact with everyone and finds herself spinning and floating in endless space. A few minutes of panicking and hyperventilating later (from both the audience and Ryan), Matt makes contact with her. For the next hour or so we watch them in torturous suspense as they attempt to return to Earth safely.

After the first seven minutes, the whole movie is an edge-of-your-seat ride. In the whole movie there are only a couple of scenes that slow down, presumably to let the audience breathe for a few seconds before the characters are thrown into mortal and unforgiving danger once more. All this is aided by phenomenal special effects. We never doubt that Matt and Ryan are floating in zero gravity, or that a slight change in their momentum will either save them or kill them. The score does the same. It makes us feel more tense or sad, depending on the scene, and the sound is aggressive and precise. The 3D is greatly immersive. It pulls you into space and makes everything look more real and dangerous. Sandra Bullock’s performance is outstanding. We never see anyone other than isolated Dr. Ryan Stone in Sandra Bullock’s body. It is amazing to understand that for close to 80 percent of the film she is in front of nothing but a green screen for the special effects, but it is never noticeable. She carries the bulk of the movie and does so smoothly and naturally, as if she were actually there in space, trying to survive and get back to Earth alive. All in all, “Gravity” is a superb example of a suspenseful space thriller.

Don Mancini has done it again. On Oct. 8, Mancini released the sixth installment of his cult classic horror series, “Chucky”. “Curse of Chucky” is a tribute to the 1990s, back when “Chucky” was pure, pee-in-your-pants type of horror. Though of course, Jennifer Tilly makes an appearance as Tiffany, the dolly love of Chucky’s life. This time, Tilly appears in human form, she goes back to her roots as a flashy, goth, beach-blonde, stiletto-wearing, trashy hottie with a body. Tilly is the one who mails Chucky from family to family.

“Curse of Chucky” finally gives Chucky a back story. He’s no longer just Charles Lee Ray, a serial killer trapped in a doll. He’s Charles Lee Ray, a man who harbored a psychotic love for beautiful, perfect but pregnant and married Sarah. Charles kills her husband and locks her up in the hopes of obtaining the perfect family with the perfect, beautiful blonde Sarah and her child Barbie and soon to be born Nica. Long story short, Sarah really doesn’t like Charles, she calls the police, he freaks out, accuses her of ruining his new beautiful family, stabs her stomach and Nica ends up a paraplegic.

“Curse of Chucky” is about Chucky finally finding Sarah, Nica and Barbie again and taking his revenge. It’s the perfect set-up. This movie is a kick back to the first installments of “Chucky” without losing the storyline from the beloved “Bride of Chucky” installments. It’s a must-see for all fans of horror, of “Chucky,” of evilness, and blackness. It’s sure to become yet another cult classic.

Miyazaki products are showcased as top-sellers in San Francisco’s Japan Town bookstore.

Kat White/The Saga Independent

Widely accepted and appreciated for his Academy award winning Spirited Away in 2002, and by many whose childhood memories include the presence of the Cat Bus and airborne cities in the sky, Studio Ghibli’s co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has inspired authentic creativity and touched the dreams of many all over the world. Now, with the released of his 11th feature film, Miyazaki announces his plans to retire from the animation business.

The now 7 2 - y e a r - o l d Miyazaki has a n n o u n c e d his retirement several times in past years, most notably through a ‘temporary r e t i r e m e n t ’ spanning from 1997 to 2002. Miyazaki now asserts that his decision is final, much to the dismay of dedicated fans of

all ages. During a career that has spanned over 50 years, Miyazaki has received recognition and acclaim as being one of the most groundbreaking storytellers of modern times.

M i y a z a k i , born in 1941 to the director of Miyazaki A i r p l a n e , a company specializing in the production of WWII fighter planes, lived most of his childhood between the cities of Kanuma and Suginami-ku in rural Japan. During his childhood, Miyazaki’s mother suffered from severe spinal t u b e r c u l o s i s , later inspiring the creation of Miyazaki’s feature film My Neighbor Totoro, released in Japan in 1988. Following a career in minor animated at Toei Animation, Mushi P r o d u c t i o n s , and Nippon A n i m a t i o n , Miyazaki began his vocation as a filmmaker with

the release of his first feature p r o d u c t i o n , The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979. Following the release of his second full-length film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 1984, Miyazaki helped co-found the renowned Studio Ghibli with fellow animator and director Isao Takahata in 1985. The studio has collectively released a total of 18 feature films since its launch, eight of which are among the 15 highest-grossing animated films in Japan, with Spirited Away remaining the highest-grossing film in Japanese history since its release in 2002. Now, with the end of his career dawning, it is rumored that the next celebrated Studio Ghibli director will be derived from Miyazaki’s own family with the upcoming animation career of his son, Gorō Miyazaki.

Renowned animator steps aside for new generation of Miyazaki Kat Whitekwhite@sagaindependent.com Co-Editor-in-Chief

Chucky gets a back story

Sharon Liu-Bettencourtsliubettencourt@gmail.comEntertainment Editor

Remi LongArt Director

Movie Review: “Gravity”

Entertainment4B Tuesday, November 12, 2013

“Finally,” the new MacBook Pro

When Apple brought Intel’s fourth-generation p r o c e s s o r s ( c o d e n a m e d “Haswell”) to the MacBook Air at its annual Worldwide D e v e l o p e r s Conference in June (and with them, excellent p e r f o r m a n c e upgrades and incredible 12-hour battery life), the ultimate question on everyone’s mind was, “What about the MacBook Pro?”

That question was finally answered at Apple’s press event in San Francisco on Oct. 22, where Apple announced a host of updates, including the OS X Mavericks operating system, the iPad Air, improved versions of iLife and iWork, the new Mac Pro, and of course, the new MacBook Pro.

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display offer an array of solid upgrades over last year’s models. Both now come with Intel’s Haswell chips, as well as new PCI-e based flash storage, which Apple claims is up to 60 percent faster than the flash storage on last year’s Retina MacBook Pros. They also come with 802.11ac

Wi-Fi technology, which is up to three times faster than the previous 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Thunderbolt 2 data transfer ports, which are up to twice as fast as the original Thunderbolt. And of course, all new Macs now come

with the latest version of Mac OS X, Mavericks.

Both models have also received Intel’s latest integrated graphics. The 13-inch sports Iris graphics, which Apple claims is up to 90% faster than the previous generation Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, and the baseline 15-inch model has Intel’s new top-of-the-line integrated graphics, Iris Pro. Thanks to Haswell and the improved power efficiency of Mavericks, the 13-inch also has a

battery life of up to nine hours (up from seven), while the 15-inch has eight hours (also up from seven).

The 13-inch model also received some external i m p r o v e m e n t s . Whereas the previous generation

Retina MacBook Pro was 0.75 inches thick and weighed 3.57 pounds, the new version is 0.71 inches thick (making it now as thin as the 15-inch model) and has shaved off some weight, bringing it to 3.46 pounds.

M e a n w h i l e , Apple has quietly put down its 15-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro. Its 13-inch non-Retina model remains and starts at $1,199, with a built in optical and the spinning hard disk drive, though it will

Umran Hajiuhaji@sagaindependent.com Co-Editor-in-Chief

iPhone 5S: Does it still lead the pack?

Released on Oct. 12 alongside the long anticipated Pokémon X and Y, the 2DS is exactly what its title implies: a partner to 2011’s 3DS, but entirely in 2D. The ultimate goal of the 2DS is to allow fans to play ever-popular 3DS games in 2D at a marginally more affordable price. The catch?

There are several. Unlike its hinged-

screen counterparts, the 2DS takes shape in an overgrown handheld system spanning the length of two linked screens, causing the console to mimic the appearance of a touch screen

tablet. Though the two screens are essentially one, the 2DS follows suit with the traditional DS format by limiting touchscreen capabilities to the bottom half, while the top screen is intended to display the action as controlled by the player.

With a release limited to Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, the 2DS launched in both a red and a blue option to partner with the designated colors of Pokémon X and Y. The tablet-console, intended to be compatible with both DS and 3DS games, shares almost identical hardware to the original 3DS

despite obvious m o d i f i c a t i o n s . Though unable to display 3D graphics, the new handheld still sports the 3DS’ dual cameras, even taking snapshots in 3D, which can in turn be viewed on separate devices that support 3D capabilities. The tablet itself is thicker than the classic DS frame, though future fans will be content to note that the 2DS supports extended battery life in comparison to past consoles. All 3DS applications and downloadable content will be readily available on the 2DS counterpart, i n c l u d i n g Internet browsing capabilities, and popular multiplayer

Nintendo unveils 2DS

likely be phased out by Apple soon.

Also making these new MacBook Pros somewhat more attractive is the fact that the prices have been lowered by $200 on both models. The 13-inch, which used to start at $1499,

now starts at $1299, while the 15-inch, formerly starting at $2199, now starts at

$1999.However, there

are some downsides to the update. The eight- and nine-hour battery life are certainly disappointing to consumers who expected the kind of mind-blowing all-day battery life

seen on the new MacBook Airs this year. Furthermore, despite the drop

in price, the baseline model of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, as mentioned earlier, now comes with integrated graphics—It used to come with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M dedicated graphics card. High-performance users will now have to pay through the nose ($2599 at minimum) for the top-of-the-line MacBook Pro if they want a dedicated graphics card, as the NVIDIA card is not even an upgrade option on the baseline model.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , the recent refresh is certainly a solid update to the MacBook Pro line, and it will prove to be well worth the money—and the wait—for the majority of Mac users.

Kat Whitekwhite@sagaindependent.com Co-Editor-in-Chief

activities such as the sharing of StreetPass and SpotPass data.

Originally released with a retail price of $129.99 in the United States and £109.99 in the UK, the 2DS marked a decrease in price of

the equivalent of 40 US dollars from the standard 3DS model. Though the sales were initially slow, rapid sale in the UK following the three-week mark resulted in a price drop of

nearly ten pounds among popular retailers, resulting in an outstanding achievement as the UK’s highest-grossing console of the month.

I n n o v a t i v e . R e v o l u t i o n a r y . Setting a new standard. These are all things Apple uses to describe the new iPhone 5s. But what is it really? Sure, the iPhone was new and cutting-edge when it first came out in 2007, but what has it become now? How does the iPhone stack up to other top-of-the-line smartphones? To solely talk about the iPhone 5Ss, one must put aside software and focus mainly on hardware.

The most noticeable difference is the color. In addition to Black and White (grey and white according to apple) there is now the option of a gold color (which is really just white with gold lining) Apple has always been very serious with aesthetic appeal. Whatever product they make, they always make it look good. Aesthetic appeal

in both hardware and software is the basis of apple as a company. In addition to its new color, the iPhone 5S is only 7.6 mm thick, and weighs less than a fourth of a pound, which is lighter than the Droid RAZR and thinner than the Galaxy S4. But the screen is still smaller than both, which may be a nuisance for someone switching to the iPhone 5S from another smartphone. In addition to d i m e n s i o n a l changes, the familiar square on the home button has been removed to reveal a fingerprint sensor. Overall, the iPhone 5S ranks very well in aesthetic appeal, but its small screen size could take some adjusting to.

With the new phone also comes better processing power. The iPhone 5S now runs on Apple A7 chip with a 64-bit processor and an M7 motion processor. Despite the specs, the

Samsung galaxy S4 still has the advantage in processing power. On the other hand, Apple’s software is less demanding, making the actual processing speed rather even.

All in all, apple hasn’t given us much change from the old iPhone 5, but it is still better than the transition of the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S. One has to admit that Apple is not really setting many standards anymore, and although it is only four years in the making, other companies and brands have caught up to Apple’s iPhone. iPhone lovers have to admit that their beloved device doesn’t meet the qualifications that other smartphones have. So the iPhone 5s really doesn’t have the cutting edge any more, but as time goes on, perhaps iPhone lovers can be hopeful for the next big thing.

Bryant BettencourtStaff Writer

After a long wait, Apple has finally released its long-hoped-for “Haswell” MacBook Pros.Kat White/The Saga Independent

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When the second quarter commenced and the sides were switched, the Panthers resumed their assault, scoring a touchdown and a conversion point, bringing the score to 7-7.

The Panthers then took the lead, never to return it, as yet another long pass by Welch to DiSano scored a touchdown, bringing the score to 13-7. DiSano paraded his victory, incurring an unspor t smanl ike conduct penalty on the Panthers, giving them a 15-yard penalty on the conversion point, which subsequently missed.

The Vikings continued to slip behind, as a later run by Welch scored another touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion. The Vikings did manage to squeeze out a field goal, leaving the score 21-10 at halftime. Halftime featured p e r f o r m a n c e s

by Chico High’s marching band and PV’s cheerleaders, followed by the annual car raffle, which was won by local youth pastor Glenn Park.

The second half saw the Panthers increase their lead as Welsh passed to Cameron Alfaro (21), who then ran an incredible 64 yards for a touchdown. PV fought back, pushing deep into

Panther territory as Jake Dani (22) caught the kickoff and ran it nearly 60 yards. Batie took it to the 5-yard line and Houston McGowan (9) scored a touchdown, with a one-point conversion following. But Chico was relentless, as Fishback slipped through PV’s fingers and ran almost 50 yards for yet another touchdown.

Things began to look truly grim for PV as Chad Olsen (42) caught a pass in Chico’s end zone, but the desperately-needed touchdown was negated by a pass interference penalty. Chico’s Noah Collado (27) intercepted the next pass and ran it all the way to PV’s 48 yard line, which was followed up by a 48-yard touchdown run by Welch.

With a one-point conversion, Chico’s lead had become insurmountable, at 42-17.

By the fourth quarter, PV’s stands were thinning out by the minute, and both the cheerleaders and Blue Crew were noticeably losing their energy. An uneventful touchdown by Welch increased Chico’s lead to 48-17. The quarter

continued with little gains made by either side, as both teams shuffled back and forth across midfield. However, the Vikings managed to redeem some glory, as out of nowhere, Zack Suttles (88) and Connor Melton each scored a touchdown, for a final score of 48-29. Chico High’s win brings the overall Almond Bowl series to a tie at 21-21-1.

Sports 7BTuesday, November 12, 2013

ALMOND BOWL: Panthers strike once againContinued from

page 1A

Chico High’s Miles Fishback attempts to plow through PV’s defensive line.Courtesy of E3 Photography

Potpourri8B Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Cones and caution tape are placed around the finished products drawn by students in the senior quad for Pastels in the Quad on Oct. 10. More on page 4A.

Senior Shivany Condor sings “The Girl in 14G” from the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the second annual “A Gift of Music” benefit concert on Sept. 10, organized by PV International Baccalaureate students to raise funds to Arts for All to support music education in Chico Unified School District. More on page 3A.

Kat White/The Saga IndependentPV varsity football launches into the season at its first game on Sept. 6, against Lassen.

Emily Morris/The Saga Independent

Seniors C.J. Dunlap and Rachel Bomactao show their enthusiasm while representing Interact, one of PV’s largest service clubs, at Club Day on the Green on Sept. 5.

Umran Haji/The Saga Independent

Umran Haji/The Saga Independent

Mason Wong/The Saga IndependentJuniors Ostin Merkle (right) and Hayden Leask (left) discuss the conflict in Syria at a weekly meeting of PV’s new Model UN club after school in J-7. More on page 2B.

Senior Anna Sullivan rocks out at PV’s World Sight Day event at freshman lunch on Oct. 10, run by TOMS Club to raise awareness for the lack of easily accessible eye care in impoverished countries. More on page 4A.

Courtesy of Rachel Bomactao