Paw Prints Newsblog

by  Wes Finnestad
Phillip Rivers proved to everyone Monday that he deserved every bit of his new $93 million contract by helping the Chargers survive a disappointing start to the 2009 season. The Chargers escaped Oakland Coliseum Monday night with a 24-20 victory over their hated rivals the Oakland Raiders. The win was the 12th in a row for the Bolts against the Black and Silver in the 100th meeting of these two teams. But 20 didn’t come easy as they had to rally with 2:34, left down 20-17. Who better to go than their franchise quarterback Phillip Rivers? Rivers then led a 9 play, 89 yard TD drive that was capped off by a Darren Sproles five-yard TD run with 18 seconds left. Rivers was 6-7, 79 yards on the final drive, proving he could be clutch and drifting San Diego away from an almost crucial loss to the Raiders, starting out 1-0 heading home, ready to face the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

by April Ball

Unity Week is new to West Hills this year.  It was developed to help eliminate racism and accept diversity in the people around us.
We had a guest speaker named Keith Hawkins come to West Hills.  He helped guide the program along with current seniors.  Juniors and sophomores were invited to this assembly.  It was hoped that the students involved would carry with them the knowledge they gained throughout their high school years. Different interactive activities were played between groups and their leaders.  These activities were meant to help students deal with difficult situations in their life and bring the students closer together.  Some activities were designed to help the students recognize how their actions affect the people around them. Also, this program is designed to help the students mingle with new people and, ultimately, make new friends. Overall, it is thought that Unity Week was successful, and everyone is looking forward to participate in this program next year.

by Aubrey Walford

With the premier of it’s new season, Grey’s Anatomy came back with a vengeance. But after the cliffhanger in the show’s season finale, Grey’s viewers needed some answers.  Last season we saw a flatline shared by Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) and Dr. George O’Malley (T.R. Knight). George suffering from a brutal car accident and Izzie trying to recover from extreme brain surgery, Izzie survives, but George’s injuries were too severe. During the 40 days after Dr. George O’Malley’s death, the doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital experience the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And with the board trying to force out Chief of Surgery Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) and replacing him with Dr. Derek Shepard or “McDreamy” (Patrick Dempsey), the hospital becomes chaotic. Dr. Webber’s solution is a merger with a competing hospital Mercy West; now the doctors must fight for their jobs. With no room for mistakes, Dr. Merideth Grey (Elle Pompeo), Dr. Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), Dr. Callie Torrez (Sara Ramirez), and Dr. Lexi Grey (Chyler Leigh) must be the absolute best, or they may lose their jobs because the doubling of doctors. Watch Grey’s Anatomy Thursdays an 9 PM.

by Becky Hoffmam

Welcome to high school; the football team that seldom wins, the cheerleaders that we can’t see, the rumors that go through the stands, and, of course, the half-time snack bar line. However, instead of being a part of the longest line in history, have you ever thought of seeing the band/colorguard half-time show? I think that beats the line any day. If you didn’t know that the West Hills Band wins competitions throughout the whole year, then you are missing out on the chance to see them march during the game on Friday nights. Sometimes, it even beats the football players’ game (switch to most of the time). October 17^th this year, the band will be marching in competition, and everyone on this campus should support them in anyway we can. The results of their “Mamma Mia” songs are ridiculously amazing. For those readers who think this is just a waste of time or a chance to pick on band, I’d like to see you try and play an instrument, stay in rhythm, march, follow the instructor, and not fall flat on your face. I dare you.

by Lauren Brown

Ever dreamed of a place where chocolate was never ending, like the factory in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Well, your wait will soon be over! In Beijing, China, a brand new chocolate theme park is set to open next year on China’s Olympic Greens. Chocolate is not as popular in China as it is in Western countries, but the sweet treat is increasingly popular with the nation’s younger generation. Among the sweet spots will be five pavilions and two outdoor sites with giant, delicious replicas of China’s famed terra cotta warriors, the Great Wall and world-renowned paintings scattered about the space. About 10,000 to 20,000 patrons are projected to visit the park daily. The general manager of the company that will run the park told local newspapers that chocolate makers from across Europe have lined up to participate in the project. But what happens if a heat wave comes through? Won’t all the chocolate melt? I guess time will tell how the kinks will be worked out, and I’m sure chocoholics everywhere are anxious to find out.

by Nick Lane

Jay Leno’s new show premiered on Monday September 14th, 2009. Jay Leno was the former host of the Tonight Show, which is now hosted by Conan O’Brien. The main difference from this show and the Tonight Show is that the Jay Leno Show airs weeknights at 10 PM, while the Tonight Show airs weeknights at 11:35 PM. Leno’s first night of guests included Kayne West, which was already scheduled before his VMA interruption of Taylor Swift’s speech. Leno asked Kanye about the incident, and Kanye apologized for what he did. But Beyonce still has one of the best videos of all time…
The first week of the new Jay Leno Show is now finished and going onto its second week. It has been given great reviews and looks to be a hit.

by Nick Lane

Conan O’Brien has been making plenty of jokes since injuring his head in a skit on his Tonight Show on September 25th.
The footage of the incident looks more frightening than funny to be making jokes about it.
Conan was injured during a skit with the Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher. The skit was that both stars competed in a triathlon; the two were racing through the Tonight Show’s studios to a finish line at center stage. That’s when Conan slipped and fell backwards, landing hard on his head.