Paw Prints Newsblog

by Becky Hoffman

So, this flu has been here for a year, and it is driving the world crazy. Everyone believes that this flu is the new epidemic, and it will kill off many people in the world. However, because this virus is scary to people, everyone needs to realize that this is complete paranoia.

Last week a friend of mine became ill. He had the common symptoms of a cold or flu, eventually lost his voice, and was finally taken to the doctor. His doctor told him he had a “really bad cold.”

The next week I became sick and, on the same day with the same symptoms, I was told I had “H1N1.” Because of the commonness of the symptoms, I do not believe the swine flu entered my body, and everyone had become paranoid. Where is the line between a cough and the deadly swine flu?

by Melissa Reed

Just this year, the Grossmont School District has revised the budget so that many of our remedial classes have been cut, and all tutoring cancelled. So if you have been struggling lately or striving to improve your academic skills, I wish you luck. Most people aren’t good at every single subject, and sometimes we all need a little help. Denied! At first, there was no tutoring at all, no questions asked. Luckily, we had enough of you who have the drive to succeed that tutoring has been approved for our college-prep classes. So to re-cap, we have a little money meant to be spent wisely on those trying to succeed in college-prep. Well that’s all good and fun, but what if you’re like me and about sixty to eighty others having a spot of trouble in AP English, which, in case you didn’t know, is equal to a college course. So, unless you never need any help at all,  you get nothing, nada, zilch (did I mention nothing). I would suggest harassing the district at this number: (619) 644-8000. Take control of your future.

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 Rachel Caird

The rumors have been long confirmed about Paula Abdul’s departure from American Idol, and there has been one lingering question on every Idol fan’s mind: Who will replace her as judge? The answer is Ellen Degeneres.
After Paula endured much abuse from the public about her over-eccentric, “drug-like” behavior, and having a crazed fan mistakenly let on Idol die in front of Paula’s house from a drug overdose, she has decided to leave the hit show and go on co-hosting VH1’s Diva. Soon after, the producers of Idol sought a new judge to replace Paula Abdul, even though she claimed she “couldn’t be replaced.”  When the position was offered to Ellen Degeneres, she “jumped on it.”
This has sparked many people’s interests. Some feel that this was the farthest they could get from a worthy replacement for Paula Abdul, while others feel it may do the show a little good to have a familiar face on the panel. I think she could be the comic relief from Simon’s brutal comments and Randy’s constant flow of both enthusiastic and unhesitant remarks. She could also possibly let down a little bit of tension, seeing as she never had a platinum, gold, silver, or anything for that matter.  She’s only a sarcastic, well-known talk show host, who happens to be a fan of American Idol, apparently. This can only do more good for her talk show ratings, unless some insane fan drives her crazy and makes her quit, too, but that’s unlikely, although I do not believe it would take much for her to be driven mad; she acts like she’s already been down that street and is quite fond of it.
Only time will tell how this strange act of complete irony will play out for this overly ecstatic woman and the rest of America. I, for one, wish her the best of luck, even though her previous appearance on another popular, addictive show, So You Think You Can Dance, was not a total triumph. Hopefully, she will get the hang of being a bearer of bad news and become another American favorite. To those who are skeptics about the show’s future success with the out-of-the-blue star on the wagon, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. The notoriously outspoken and nearly too-awkward lady may just be your cup of talent-scouting tea.

by Melissa Reed

On September 8, President Obama gave a speech to students about school. Almost every president has given a speech very similar, even adding a bit of politics into their dialogue. We are given the same spiel by our parents and teachers much of the time. Stay in school, try your best, and don’t stop at high school. These are general beliefs that we have been taught to believe since kindergarten. We know the facts: It’s nearly impossible to get a job if you haven’t even completed high school and almost just as difficult to get a job if you don’t get an education beyond high school. So, we know these things, but many of us don’t even listen anymore. We figure we know it all now, heard it enough times to have it memorized. But some of us don’t even bother continuing because it’s tough now—so what about when we go to college, how much harder can it get? Sometimes home situations keep us from focusing on school as well as we should or could. This is the message that Obama sent out, saying that despite all the difficulties and hardships, we have a responsibility. We have a responsibility to do what we’ve heard all our lives: “Stay in school, try your best, and don’t stop at high school.” Obama relates to many lives of teenagers today with the stories of three other teenagers who overcame moderate to severe hardships so that they could make a difference one day. He even spoke about his own hardships in school. We’ve heard this before, but it was somehow different when he said it. Almost like we now have something to work towards even though not all of us want to be president; we have this goal to make a difference and contribute to this world.

However, many students and parents didn’t want to listen to the speech. Many for their own reasons, but most common was that they feared Obama would just talk about politics. Despite these fears, Obama strictly spoke encouragement and influence. What many people don’t realize is that many presidents give these speeches and most of them do add a touch of politics to them; however, this was just telling each of us kids, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, that we have a chance to change the world and make a difference. All we have to do is keep our half of the bargain. In my opinion, the speech was understandble and encouraging to all students.

by Lea Morgan

Tyra, Tyra, Tyra…one can only wonder what goes through Ms. Bank’s head when producing each cycle of her hit reality show America’s Next Top Model. Now in its 13^{th cycle, ANTM loses more of its original viewers with each round.}

Since becoming an avid fan in 2003 when Cycle 1 aired, I would eagerly await each week to see what will happen to the cheery, young hopefuls who were pursuing their dreams of becoming professional models. However, since early 2007, after Cycle 7 was completed, many (including myself) found that Top Model was losing its touch and was becoming harder and harder to keep watching.

There are a million different reasons why this could be happening: Tyra is running out of photo shoot ideas, she’s too busy with her talk show, the talent pool for “models” is running low, the girls are just interested in being on TV, etc. Whatever the case may be, fans still expect the best from the Banks Powerhouse, and it just doesn’t seem to be happening.

This cycle 13 premier alone was extremely disappointing. I’m not saying that casting girls under 5’ 7″ alone is a bad thing; what I’m saying is that casting a bunch of freaky country bumpkins and look a-likes from past seasons (none of which have much, if any, fashion knowledge) was just sad to watch. Granted, a few contestants have promise…but that seems like the end of it. Has the show gotten that boring? I’m sure my fellow pre-cycle 8 fans would agree that if all of the girls know what they’re talking about, have a deep passion, and will really fight for the contract and other assorted prizes, then Top Model is easily one of the most entertaining shows on television. For some unknown reason, this seems impossible now. We’ll have to just watch reruns if we want to see actual competition.

by Patrick Lebedinski

Terminator Salvation just hit theaters last week, and our governor’s face and voice flashed on-screen during a scene in the movie. Without question, that is where he needs to stay. To add on to that, our legislature should be shipped out to sea on a pontoon with a large hole in its side. As for California, we’ll  take anyone with a G.E.D. to replace the legislature! Sadly, they’ll do a much better job than our state government. You know it’s true.
Among Arnold’s proposals are a swift end to welfare payments for 500,000 poor and needy families and a cut in health care for one million children. Hey, I’m fine with those proposals, and my opinion is not biased by my middle-class, sick-once-every-two-years standing in society. He wants to cut welfare and health care, and so we should.
Mr. Governor wants to slash $70 million from the state park system and end vocational training opportunities for California’s inmates. Well, the parks will be gone sooner or later, and over 80% of inmates in California are repeat offenders within two years (MSBNC’s Lockup specials taught me something!). Goodbye state parks! And do I have a vocational training opportunity idea for the inmates! It’s called New Mexico’s former nuclear testing grounds, which they need to fire back up.
Everything previously mentioned is like a ray of sunshine in my already summery days. My problem arises in the proposal that California cuts the school year by a week to save money. Also, the California State University and University of California systems are about to lose an estimated $335 million in funding.
To be blunt, the K-12 education you receive in California is sub-par to say the least. The standards are low for the overwhelming majority of the future failures of America. That CAHSEE test during sophomore year measures your ability to bring a sharpened pencil into a room and not your intelligence. If you take out a week from the school year, people will end up with a lower intelligence level. Yes, a week of missed education can do that. Then again, a week away from California’s education might make you smarter. Quite the paradox.
Cutting funds to the CSU and UC systems is just plain idiocy. I thought we needed college to succeed in the future, but I guess not. Excuse me, I’ll take the management position at my local Taco Bell. Does that involve a pension, or is the guaranteed heart attack all I receive? Basically, you slash education and more people fail miserably at life. That will be a common occurrence for most of us anyways. We’re Californians!
But there is hope for the Golden State. We can hope for that large earthquake along that fault line that breaks us apart from the mainland U.S. Afterward, we secede and become our own country. Finally, we fabricate all our records. Those negative signs just need an extra line, and we have positives! It’s a quick fix– quicker than relying on our governor at least– for everything.

by Patrick Lebedinski

I recently read that many of the top economists in the nation expect the recession to end by the culmination of 2009 or at the start of 2010. Well, that’s all fine and dandy, except our nation’s top economists couldn’t even judge the change in gas prices over the previous summer. Why should we believe anything they forecast? Here’s a different forecast, an unsurprising one.
First of all, California – in basic economic lingo – is whole-heartedly screwed for the rest of time. Move out now or suffer. Think of it like Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die,” except it’s “Get Out or Die.” Who cares what our state’s problems are? After a year or two, there will be so many problems that anarchy– a better solution to our problems than our current legislature and tax laws– will reign supreme.
As for the nation as a whole, we will pull out of the recession. It would not be surprising to see us progressing into 2010 a recovered nation. Then again, it would be just as probable that the recession will drag on for days, weeks, and months.
A lot is happening these days in the United States. Gas prices are leaping forward. Luckily, our confident economists– the ones who said gas would hit $5.00 a gallon – see the price capping around $3.10 for 2009. Consumer confidence shot upwards in May; housing prices fell down. Our friends on Wall Street must be off of various medications because the stock market has been schizophrenic lately. Social security is in some huge trouble – imagine that!
Basically, the recession will end, assuming Wall Street learns to stop selling every time “bad, bad things” happen to our economy, gas prices don’t leap into last year’s highs, consumer confidence doesn’t play mind games with Wall Street, and other little things.
The recession will eventually end when the people in charge get a clue and figure something out. Perhaps the best option is just to fall off the face of the Earth and escape into a woodland area. Just pretend that you’re lost and build a home there, so you’re slightly better off.

by Lea Morgan

Along Fifth Avenue, right across the street from Central Park and The Plaza Hotel, next to the Apple store, F. A. O. Schwarz graced kids of all ages with its larger-than-life presence. F. A. O. Schwarz, having been around since 1862, has been one of the largest toy stores in the world. Just walking into the massive store makes you feel five-years-old again! With so much to see and do, it takes an hour or two just to get through the store. The inside, with its overflow of stuffed animals and random flying objects, is quite overwhelming. You know the store from Tom Hank’s movie Big, when Hank’s character is dancing on the giant floor piano? Unfortunately, this sort of nostalgic behavior is about to end– or at least be changed forever.
Corporate giants from Toys R’ Us decided to buy out the financially failing Schwarz toy store. Although Schwarz has been in bankruptcy several times over the last five years, they have always managed to pull it out alive and keep the business running. Not this time, it looks like. Thursday morning, the depressing news was announced that F. A. O. Schwarz would no longer be the greatest toy store known to man.
However, there was the slightest bit of hope! The New York (and a small one in Las Vegas) store will be running under the same name. It will still be called F. A. O. Schwarz, but will carry all Toys R’ Us’ products. Now the largest toy store chain in the country, it seems that Toys R’ Us’ only business competitors left are Wal-Mart and Target. Let’s just hope that what’s left of a legacy can still continue even under different management!