The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: HSU

  • Freshman student, senior player: Tyra Turner

    Freshman student, senior player: Tyra Turner

    By | Curran Daly

    Twenty minutes before practice, freshman guard Tyra Turner dribbles alone. This is a common sight for her teammates who have seen her come in as a freshman and immediately become a major asset for the team.
    She was recruited by head women’s basketball coach Michelle Bento-Jackson.

    “This year she’s got a lot of weight on her shoulders, she’s a freshman, she’s playing 40 minutes a game, she never comes out, she runs her offense,” Bento-Jackson said. “I’ve told her from day one that I wouldn’t treat her like a freshman, and that I’d have expectations of her as if she was a senior.”
    Turner responded well to these expectations and leads the Lumberjacks with an average 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. She’s come a long way since late July when she got a call from first year coach Bento-Jackson.
    “My mom helped me send little films and highlights to the coach and that’s when she called me up the last week of July and was like ‘we really want you to come here,’” Turner said. “She talked to me over the phone about how nice the school was and everything and I just took the chance to come here.”
    Turner is a psychology major who hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a probation officer, talking and working with kids while they’re young to turn around their lives. Turner had originally planned to attend a junior college until the call from Coach Bento-Jackson came.
    “It was very late from a recruiting standpoint, and at that point in time, all I had was some game film of her,” Bento-Jackson said. “She’s definitely exceeded my expectations and she brings so much more to the floor than I had ever even thought.”
    Her late decision to come to Humboldt left her in completely new surroundings not entirely sure what to expect. Turner said that she didn’t expect to lead the team in stats

    “I don’t really look at it as leading in this and this and that, I’m just looking forward to helping my team win and be successful out there,” Turner said.
    Turner has started every game except the first two of the season, and has taken control of the team’s offense. In the home game against Chico State, it was Turner’s passing and ball handling skills that kept the Lumberjacks in the game.
    “I know that coming from a high school program is definitely gonna be tough.”  Allison Zalin, a junior forward said. “On the court she brings toughness. She plays 40 minutes she doesn’t give up she’s pushing the ball she directs people on the court.”

  • Q & A with HSU Softball Coach Shelli Sarchett: Great Expectations

    Q & A with HSU Softball Coach Shelli Sarchett: Great Expectations

    By | Danny Dunn

    In her second season as the Humboldt State Softball head coach, Shelli Sarchett led her team to 54-8 record and came one win shy of winning a national championship. Sarchett herself was a key player in the 1999 Humboldt State national championship. She knows a thing or two about winning and instills that culture as head coach.

    Q: What can you attribute most to the success of the past couple seasons?

    A: It’s really just bringing in athletes who know how to work hard and that they want to win. These guys put in a lot of hours and know what their ultimate goal is.

    Q: When you say ultimate goal, is that winning a national title?

    A: Our ultimate goal, well obviously we want them all to get a degree, but our ultimate goal softball wise, is to win a national championship. That’s why we bring these girls here, and that is what they are expecting, so we work hard to reach that goal.

    Q: What are your expectations going into this season?

    A: It’s really the same thing that we’ve expected in the past. Last year, we finished number two in the nation and this year, we expect to get back to the national tournament and win that last game that results in a national championship. Our goals really don’t change from year to year.

    Q: The goals do not change, but the players do, can you speak on if there are any major losses from last year to this?

    A: We lost our number two pitcher, but we’ve brought in some pitchers, and have some returning pitchers that didn’t see a lot of time last year, so they’re stepping up in the circle. We lost our starting shortstop but we’ve made adjustments in our starting lineup to move some players around and help with that loss. Same thing at third base, we lost a fifth-year senior… we might be a little less experienced on the left side of the field, but we bring in athletes who are ready to play.

    Q: What is the biggest strength of this team?

    A: The comradery these guys have. They are a family, they want to work hard for themselves and their teammates. Their biggest strength is leadership… the seniors have been to the national tournament and know what it takes to get there again… they’re helping newcomers and lower classmen play Humboldt style softball.

    Q: Do you have any preseason motivation for the team?

    A: It’s the same thing we’ve said since our first meeting, you have to buy into this; because if you are not ready to buy into this, then we won’t be able to work toward a national championship… you can’t take a day off and expect to win a national championship. It’s really great to see these guys respond to the challenges we give them every day, knowing that if we meet these challenges, a national championship is within our reach.

    The players want to win as much as the coaches do. It is one of the reasons they choose the Humboldt State softball program. Transfer student Lona Dengler hopes to earn a starting outfield position this season.

    “I wanted to play for the best team in division II,” Dengler said.

    Senior pitcher Kalyn Paque spoke on coach Shelli’s message of playing unselfish ball.

    “Absolutely, do it for the person next to you,” Paque said. “Always pick up your teammates…no selfish behavior on this team.”

    With this mentality, the HSU women’s softball team will look to get back to the national tournament, and possibly bring a championship trophy back with them.

  • Who Knew? at HSU: HSU Marine Laboratory

    Who Knew? at HSU: HSU Marine Laboratory

    In this installment of Who Knew at HSU, we take an inside look at the Humboldt State University Marine Laboratory in Trinidad, Calif.  The lab is used for research in marine biology, fisheries and wildlife. It is also open for the public to enjoy.

    Video by: Alexandria Hasenstab

  • Road Race in Trinidad

    Road Race in Trinidad

    The 52nd Annual Clam Beach Run

    By | Erin Chessin

    The fog cleared just in time for hundreds of runners to take their marks at the 52nd annual Clam Beach Run in Trinidad, Calif. An event hosted by the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce. Friends, families, and locals united on a sunny Saturday afternoon and ran one of California’s most scenic road races.

    HSU alumni, Paul Matli, was amongst this crowd of runners on the start line.

    “I wasn’t nervous for this race because I knew it was going to be fun,” said Matli. “Clam Beach is one of the more exciting races I do every year. It’s a combination of rolling hills and flat ground, and the fact the last 2 miles are on the beach makes it more fun.”

    Runners could either register for the half marathon, 8 and three quarter mile, 5 and three quarter mile, or the 3 mile race. Each race started at the same time and place but runners had to turn off at a specific point in the town of Trinidad and take their designated path depending on the distance they signed up for. The half marathon began at 11:30 a.m. while the 8 and three quarter mile, 5 and three quarter mile, and the 3 mile races took off in the afternoon. The weather conditions were exceptionally good, with temperatures hitting just above 50 degrees.

    This was no ordinary road race. From the trails to the sand, runners made their way through thick forest and ascended down a rocky path to the beach. The scenery is impeccable and many runners found themselves distracted by the North Coast’s beauty. Kenneth Pocasangre, HSU alumni and a teacher at Fieldbrook Elementary, couldn’t help but enjoy the sights and sounds of the beach.

    “The scenery is what distracted me from the pain,” said Pocasangre, “I could see the ocean hitting the rocks, the fog drifting through the trees, the beautiful colors reflected by the sunlight, it was exhilarating.”

    Once the runners made their way through the forest, the road race ascended down to the beach. In the 8 and three quarter mile race, the last two miles ended on a long stretch of Clam Beach. Matli said this was the toughest part of the race as he struggled to get past the famous Little River that all runners must cross in order to reach the finish.

    “I fell in,” said Matli. “I tried to swim through the river but I ended up being carried down the stream and had to pull myself back onto the course.”

    The Little River isn’t forgiving, many runners found themselves struggling to get past the river since the tide was abnormally high as observed by Jocelyn Barber, a student at HSU studying environmental resources and engineering.

    “I noticed everyone was using the rope to get across the Little River since the current was so high,” Barber said. “ I decided to walk upstream and avoid the rope, running through the cold stream. There were people I could see being carried away by the water.”

    Pocasangre said his shins were problematic throughout the race.

    “I knew I had to keep pushing through in order to get to the finish line, as painful as it was,” said Pocasangre, who finished first place overall in the half marathon race with a time of one hour and 29 minutes.

    The Marching Lumberjacks, who perform at HSU’s football games and numerous other events, showed up at the finish line with enthusiasm and high spirits.

    “I picked up the pace, as much as I could,” said Pocasangre. “I could hear the music about a half mile away from the finish line. It was gratifying hearing the band playing from afar, helping you get through the final excruciating stretch of the race.”

  • Q&A with Metalachi

    Q&A with Metalachi

    By | Carlos Olloqui

    Plastic beer cups flying across the venue, mosh-pits and headbanging throughout the crowd, stale cigarette smoke lingering in the air — and on stage was Metalachi.

    On Wednesday night, Jan. 25, Metalachi took the stage at the Sapphire Palace inside of Blue Lake Casino. A heavy metal mariachi band, what? That’s right, from Slayer to Vicente Fernandez, Metalachi gave the audience the best of both worlds. An unlikely meshing of metal classics with traditional mariachi instrumentation, the band has been named one of the top 5 cover/tribute bands in Los Angeles by LA Weekly.

    From the streets of Los Angeles, California, Metalachi is a 5-piece ensemble of classically trained mariachi musician siblings. The band features Vega De La Rockha on vocals, El Cucuy on trumpet, Queen Kayla on violin, Nacho Picante on guitarron, and Vato on guitar.

    Metalachi performing 1/26 | Carlos Olloqui

    First off: Where did Metalachi emerge from?

    Vega: Well, we are originally from Juarez, Mexico. But we were raised in LA – East LA, since we were chiquitos. The thing is that we used to be mariachi – just straight mariachi.

    How did the heavy metal aspect come into play?

    Vega: One day we kind of experimented with one song – we did Ironman, that was the first metal song we covered. We played that one and everyone started dancing, dude. So, we said “this might work out if we do something original” – you know?

    And you guys are all siblings, is that correct?

    El Cucy: We all have the same mama, different dads though — so that kind of tells you something about our mom — she knew how to party, dude.

    What does she say about Metalachi?

    El Cucuy: This is like right up mom’s alley – it’s the rest of la familia that’s into mariachi, she was more into the metal crowd and stuff. She comes to our shows but like she doesn’t stick around to the end – she’ll find somebody horny and just go with them.

    How does it feel to be the only lady of the group?

    Queen Kayla: I like being the only girl – I get more love, so yeah — I like it, it’s exciting.

    What does Metalachi have planned next?

    Queen Kayla: We are touring with Mac Sabbath – we are touring March and into April with them. It’s going to be about four weeks, and it’s going to be awesome.

    El Cucuy: We just released Dos and we are already working on our third album.

    Vega: Tomorrow we go to Novato, and after that we are going to San Jose – Santa Cruz after that. The we are going back to LA and we have Long Beach — Santa Barbara y Las Vegas. Puro party, bro.

     

  • Day of Solidarity event at HSU

    Day of Solidarity event at HSU

    The events include yoga, free massages and free food

    Photos & Story by: Morgan Brizee

    The gloomy, dark, wet and cold weather on Friday Jan. 20 was showing what most Humboldt State students were feeling on the inside after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

    Throughout the day, HSU held events for students and the entire community to join in on to help lift spirits on a day that, for most people, was a depressing one. It started at  1 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room with free massages, cookies and brownies, yoga, and crafts. 

    Celeste Robertson is the Educational Opportunity Program Adviser and the coordinator of the Day of Solidarity events.

    Nicole Raisola a senior and botany major having some fun by playing in the blow up ball pit.

    “I hope this will open up doors so people can talk and exchange ideas without getting angry, without trying to retaliate in anyway,” Robertson said. “This is going to hopefully relax people and get them in a joyful mood.”

    The EOP was not the only program that took part in the event, Check It, HSU Dining Services, and Peer Health Educators were also at the event helping out and tabling. The event had tables for fun with bath salts, face masks and making your own buttons. Additionally there were tables to get your feelings out with letters of support and coloring.

    Ani Glenn is a senior and critical race, gender and sexuality studies major who helped out at the event as a student assistant for Peer Health Educators at the letters of support table.

    “We need to be taking care of ourselves right now and self care is extremely important especially during a time where a lot of people do feel threatened in many ways,” Glenn said. “It’s always really cool to be apart of these events and see the different types of people that come through.”

    The common reason that people came to the first event was that they were trying to be uplifted and uplift others during a somber time while trying to keep their hopes high for the future. The blow-up ball pit at the event seemed to be something most students thought was fun. Students were throwing themselves in the pit and bringing out their inner child by throwing balls up in the air and rolling around.

    “It[the Solidarity Day event] definitely lifts my spirits because I definitely was not looking forward to today,”  Nicole Raisola, a senior sociology major said. “I am also trying to go to the Women’s March tomorrow as well.”

    The waiting list to get a free massage was quick to fill up as that was one of the popular attractions at the event. During the event students sat in massage chairs to have their backs and necks worked on by professional masseuses. 

    The Solidarity Day event in the KBR brought smiles to students faces and distracted the attention away from a day that was grey for most. The event had free giveaways and attractions for anyone and everybody to join in on.

    Alexis Arancbia, a senior and sociology major, was giving away free face masks from the Peer Health Educators.

    “I feels awesome, I feel like it’s a really great thing to offer to students comfort wise,” Arancbia said. “It’s a good place for students to come if they’re feeling uncomfortable or sad today.”

  • The textbook hustle

    The textbook hustle

    Saving money on pricey textbooks

    By: Domanique Crawford

    The study, “Student Watch: Attitudes and Behaviors toward Course Materials: 2015-2016 Report,” reports that campus stores remain the top source for course materials purchases, with 80 percent of students in the fall and 73 percent in the spring acquiring units from the on-campus retailer.

    Students are willing to pay the exuberant bookstore prices for the sake of convenience of a one stop shop for all scholastic supplies and saving time on receiving the text.

    According to HSU’s cost calculator the average cost for books and supplies is $1,660. With a little bit of extra planning these alternative methods of purchasing scholastic texts are just as convenient as ordering from the Bookstore and offer more affordable prices.  

    1. Online Rentals- Renting a book online textbook providers are often cheaper than bookstore prices. You might be cautious about the cost of shipping, but most sites provide free return shipping. An added benefit for online rentals are that some of these websites offer access to e-book version while you’re hard copy is being delivered. Websites like Bigwords.com let you enter the text’s ISBN number and generates a comparative price list with various online sellers. Some of the most popular textbook ordering sites include: Amazon.com, Chegg.com, and Half.com.
    2. Book Swaps- HSU is a small community and you will inevitably share classes with the people in your major. Form a bookswap. Maybe a friend already has the textbook that you need just collecting dust. Offer a trade off.
    3. Ask your professor-  Professors understand that students can’t always afford the high cost of the required text and will sometimes have extra copies they can loan. Also, be sure to ask your professor if the most current issue of the text is necessary. You can save a lot of money buying an earlier model of the book.
    4. Info Boards- Check the info boards near the class in which the text is required. Students who no longer need their book might post flyers selling their old copies for reasonable prices.
    5. Check the Library- If you are really pinching pennies you might just want to check if the library has a copy of the text and photocopy the sections you need. As the cost of the copies can get expensive depending on the number of pages, you might want to try scanning the book and emailing the pages to yourself. Mind copyright laws!
  • Why Netflix Might Just Edge Out Hulu with their New Original Series

    Why Netflix Might Just Edge Out Hulu with their New Original Series

    By: Erin Chessin

    It is a combination of mystery, adventure and that ‘80s nostalgia all in one – we’ve never seen anything quite like “Stranger Things.” Netflix is rising to the top as a contender for who can make the most addictive original series. It is impossible to not get hooked on at least one of the many original series they have spit out recently. I would call “Stranger Things” a mix between Stephen King and Steven Spielberg; you get that perfection combination of ‘80s sci-fi and horror.

    The story starts off with a missing boy named Will Byers, and the audience thinks, “oh great another cheesy ‘80s horror series.” But then you have Byers’ mother, brother, three best friends and the police chief involved, who end up discovering more than they wanted to know about what is out there in the world. You fear the head of the Hawkins Laboratory, who is conducting inhumane practices in efforts to stop the horrific monster they allowed to exist.

    There are unexplainable tragic events, people going missing, lights flickering and dark elements – it’s quite the adventure three little kids go on. We have Dustin, nicknamed Toothless, who strikes his audience as geeky and innocent. Mike might have to be everyone’s favorite, just because he is probably the most compassionate of all the characters on the show. Lucas has to be that voice of caution, warning his friends of the dangers they could be accidentally getting involved in.

    In their small town of Hawkins, Ind., everyone knows everyone. It is a matter of all the characters figuring out how all the strange things that have occurred are connected; and better yet, why they are even happening.

    There is no doubt that I give this new television series a glowing review; I mean, it has to be one of the most compelling series that Netflix has created. However, those who have never seen “The Shining” or are simply not into entertainment that haunts you, the storyline might not be as intriguing to you as it is to that sci-fi/horror genre fanatic. “Stranger Things” is perfect for those popcorn and warm blanket nights. It is enough to give you a scare and provoke that sense of fear in you that you haven’t grasped since you last watched “The Shining.”

  • Making a New Year’s Eve resolution

    Making a New Year’s Eve resolution

    By Domanique Crawford

    This sounds familiar, right?

    You wake up and smell the fresh air. It’s a new day, a new year, and there’s definitely going to be a new you. You whip out a pen and paper to jot down your master list of improvements. When you’ve completed the list, you feel that just by writing it down that you are a champion and have already accomplished something.

    You post the list on the fridge to remind you of your goals. One week passes. Two. Finally three. The list has fallen to the ground and been trampled so much, its only refuge is the crevice that divides the countertop and refrigerator.

    Following through with resolutions is harder than actually making them, and though the first month might be hard going, there are 11 more months that you are still able to work with.

    Lorenz Hernandez, Humboldt State environmental resources engineering major, said alternatively to creating a list of things to start on, she makes a list of things that can be improved.

    “I start a new journal,” Hernandez said, “and January first, I actually write a note to myself and actually say what I want to do that year.”

    Hernandez uses the journal to monitor the negative and positive experiences when working toward achieving her resolutions throughout the entire year.

    What is the point of New Year’s resolutions if we seldom take the time to fulfill them?

    New Year’s resolutions today are a way of self-motivation to stimulate personal improvement. Ironically, statistics show only 45 percent of Americans say they will make a resolution, while 8 percent of people will keep them. Considering that New Year’s resolutions are self-imposed, it makes me think our resolution should be something we will actually accomplish.

    Marc Ornear, a student in the teaching credential program, suggests reaching for smaller, very specific goals that are easier to achieve.  This way, he doesn’t feel the pressure of failure.

    “I come up with very vague [goals] that are not very solidified,” Ornear said. “Like, try to get more exercise time in or try to get more relaxation time in.”

    Rather than losing exactly 20 pounds, promise yourself that you are going to simply start exercising. Now don’t get crazy and plan to work out 10 hours a week/five times a day. Again keep, it simple; maybe 30 minutes, three days a week.

    When choosing your resolutions, we must remember that change is a long and ever-evolving process. It can’t be completed overnight. Sometimes we fail on the first try but don’t give up. Or give in.

    Rachel Bowkley is another HSU student in the teaching credential program.

    “I got disenchanted because it doesn’t feel like it’s new,” Bowkley said. “It’s just sort of the same stuff. I try to improve throughout every year and just use the new year as, what could I do better this year instead of continuing what I did last year.”

  • Q&A with fencing master Antone Blair

    Q&A with fencing master Antone Blair

    By: Andrew Butler

    Q: Where did you get your start in fencing?

    A: I joined a college club at Beloit college in Wisconsin. I started it as a hobby; I had no intention of making a career out of it.

    Q: Did you have a major at Beloit? Perhaps a different career plan?

    A: I actually double majored in anthropology and classical Mediterranean civilization.

    Q: Mediterranean?

    A: Yeah, like classical Greece and Rome, Ancient Egypt, places like that. I was interested in Greek archeology so both those majors kind of played into that area of study.

    Q: Did you do any work with those degrees after college or was it straight into fencing?

    A: I went on several site digs. After spending time around professors, I realized I wasn’t necessarily interested in all the extra work that goes into archeology.

    Q: Site digs? Where?

    A: I did one in Wisconsin and one amidst the high altitude planes in Northern Chile.

    Q: How did you make your way to Humboldt State fencing?

    A: I moved here in 2000. I started showing up to the club just to stay practiced. It turned out I was one of the most experienced fencers in the club so I became somewhat like the instructors TA and helped teach other students.

    Q: When did you start instructing the class?

    A: 2001.

    Q: What is your favorite fencing weapon to use? Which do you use the most?

    A: The foil is the most commonly used weapon. It’s the usual starting sword for a beginner. My personal favorite has to be the Spanish rapier.

    Q: Tell us about the different fencing styles. Which is your go to?

    A: Fencing schools nowadays teach a somewhat homogenized version of all the classical styles. There used to be more of a distinction throughout the methods. You had German, French, Italian and Spanish styles. For example, the Italian style is very direct and tends to be fairly aggressive. The Spanish style, on the other hand, is more reserved, and involves a lot of analytical thinking. It depends on using your space effectively. My preference is with the Spanish style of fencing, I work with it the most.

    Q: Ever pretend to be a pirate?

    A: No.

    Q: Any competitions?

    A: I’ve been in a lot of competitions throughout the years, sure.

    Q: Can you live off of fencing competitions?

    A: A century ago, the top fencers could tour their countries and make a living. Today it is rare but the top fencers can live off their earnings. Mostly however, you have to be an instructor of some sort to make a living off of fencing.

    Q: Where did you do your fencing studies?

    A: The Martinez Academy of Arms in New York. I started there a little after being hired at HSU. In 2006 I became an instructor, in 2009 I became a provost and last November I became a master.

    Q: A master? How many master’s of fencing are walking around the world?

    A: Five including myself. There were only two up until this last November.

    Q: What does it take to become a master of fencing?

    A: It takes thousands and thousands of hours along with an about 15-year apprenticeship at the school. The final test itself is a week long exam. It lasted about 10 hours a day for the whole seven day week. I had to do everything; from showcasing different fencing styles, to answering fencing questions regarding technique and history, to officiating fencing matches.

    Q: Where do you go after achieving master?

    A: There’s not much upward movement left. However, the hope is to train more people to become instructors and eventually masters. It’s all about keeping the tradition and history alive, and making sure fencing is passed along the generations. I want to ensure the things I’ve learned are passed on.

  • Word on the street

    Word on the street

    Photos & Story by: Alex Hasenstab

    Going home for the holidays is a nice break after a long semester. There is no school, we get time off and we get to be around our families. Still, as nice as it is to be around our families, they definitely do some things that get under our skin. Here is what a few Humboldt State students said annoys them most about their families when they go home for the holidays.

    What annoys you the most about your family when you visit home for the holidays?

    mos-carolina-herrera

    “All of the questions they ask about up here.” – Carolina Herrera, junior, Tulare, CA

    mos-alex-grey

    “Fighting with them about the amount of cats that they have. I think it’s too little.” – Alex Grey, senior, San Francisco

    mos-luis-melendez

    “Having to stay at home and not be outdoors, and abiding by the rules of my parents.”- Luis Melendez, freshman, Santa Ana

    mos-tracy-gatumu

    “When we disagree on our opinions and facts and then they want to persuade on thinking the way that they do when they should appreciate that I think differently than them.” – Tracy Gatumu, senior, Anaheim

    mos-jose-chaidez

    “They are really loud, and they always want to dress up the same.” – Jose Chaidez, freshman, Los Angeles

    mos-killion-newsome

    “That I always feel bad when I don’t hang out with them. I wake up at 2 p.m. like everyday and my dad would go to bed at like 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. so we never hung out.” – Killion Newsome, freshman, Sacramento

  • A good start to “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

    A good start to “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

    By: Liam Olson

    “A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning: Parts 1 and 2” are definitely a good start to the new Netflix series. From the wide variety of different characters to the beautiful sets of these episodes, “The Bad Beginning” definitely will make the viewer not want to look away from the rest of the season.

    The first season of the show was added to Netflix on Friday, Jan. 13. Barry Sonnenfeld directs “The Bad Beginning” and Daniel Handler (who plays Lemony Snicket) adapted the books for television.

    The adaptation stays true to the book, however, some plot points that make the book more dramatic are replaced for comical scenes. To a person who read the book series, this may be disappointing, but for those who have not, it is enjoyable.

    In order to make the show more lighthearted, comical tropes were added such as defining vocabulary words to explaining the difference between literally and figuratively. Although these pauses are fun, they become more excessively used as the show goes on and create unnecessary pauses in the plot.

    Most of the plot follows the books with the Baudelaire children, played by Malina Weissman (Violet), Louis Hynes (Klaus) and Presley Smith (Sunny), escaping the grasps of Count Olaf, played by Neil Patrick Harris, who wants their parents’ fortune.

    With the extra time the show had due to each books being split up into two parts, plot that was never mentioned by the books is explained in the show, making it more interesting for fans of the book series.

    As far as the acting goes, a majority of the actors do well. Patrick Warburton gives an amazing performance as the solemn narrator, Lemony Snicket, for the story of the Baudelaire children. K. Todd Freeman’s performance as Mr. Poe seems to be the weakest of the main characters. Much of his acting makes the character feel fake and unbelievable, and the coughing gag for Mr. Poe becomes excessive over time.

    Weissman and Hynes do well as Violet and Klaus Baudelaire; they perfectly capture the clever and sincere personalities of the characters. However, they do sometimes fall flat in their interactions with Neil Patrick Harris’s Count Olaf often looking lost on how to respond to him. Harris’s performance as Count Olaf gives a humorous take on the character compared to Jim Carrey’s darker version of Olaf in the 2004 film. Although Harris’s Count Olaf is not very intimidating as a villain, he does make up for it in his outrageous and entertaining antics on screen, though they sometimes drown out the other characters who struggle to react to his strong personality and actions.

    One of the most prominent elements worth mentioning in the show are the set designs. There is a wide variety of set designs from the dark and dreary mansion of Count Olaf, to the peaceful and colorful house and library of Justice Strauss. All the different locations in the show add to the overall atmosphere to the scenes.

    “The Bad Beginning: Parts 1 and 2” are good starting points for “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” While there were a few issues with the first two episodes, the series shows promise. Viewers will want to keeping looking to see what happens next in “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

  • High school friendships can change and that’s okay

    High school friendships can change and that’s okay

    By Ashley Groze

    It seems when I was in high school I never did find my place. Of course I had tons of “friends” whom I would see on campus or at games that I would say hey to. But the group of friends that I mainly kicked it with during break and lunch were friends that I’ve known since grade school. We will always have a bond, but the bond is there because of the years we’ve spent together. I have friends that I’ve met in college that I feel like I’ve known my whole life.

    Over break, I reflected whom I still remain close to and whom I’ve drifted from. It seems that many people don’t find their place until after high school. There are many different places the high school friends veer toward:

    • The One Who Ghosted but Instantly Reconnects in Person
    • The One Who’s Always There for You
    • The One You Didn’t Want to Bump into but You Have an Unfortunately Small Hometown
    • The One Who Drastically Changed
    • The One Who Still Thinks We’re in High School
    • The One Who Peaked in High School
    • The One Who Went to Harvard
    • The One Who’s Now a Stoner
    • The One that Has Two Kids
    • The One Who’s Already Landed Five Internships
    • The One You Realize Was Never Actually Your Friend

    There are friends that remain in touch through social media, but the relationship never extends past a like or a share. The main point is, reconnecting with high school friends is usually bittersweet because either you change, they change or you both do.

    Sometimes this change is good. Sometimes you both matured and you share stories for inspiration. In other situations, this change creates tension and pushes you apart. The friendship slowly drifts because you just don’t talk as much and you’re not in each other’s lives anymore.

    Although we had four weeks off this break, I chose to spend only 10 days of it at home.

    I realized when I’m home, I’m not happy. Humboldt is where my life is at. Guiltily but truthfully, I’m admitting that I simply don’t feel as close to certain people from back home anymore. There are places I’d rather be exploring and other college friends whom I want to spend time with.

    Though it’s depressing, drifting is natural. When you make memories with new people, it becomes apparent how desolate the memories of your old friendships are, especially when my college friends were there for me during my struggles while high school friends weren’t. I learned to depend on my newer friends for support.

    We need friends to be stable and accessible. The bitterest realization I ever made was when I thought to myself, “You weren’t there for me when I needed you and I got through it. So I don’t need you.”

    If I saw some of my high school friends today, it just wouldn’t be the same. One of the most hopeless feelings in the world is chasing after something when it’s already gone.

    With that in mind, what will never change is the impact these people had on me. To many, high school would be considered our formative years, and the people who surrounded me in high school influenced and shaped me into the respectable person I am today. The friends I made in high school will always be a part of me. Wherever we go out into the world, I know that in a way we’re always going to be connected.

  • A taste of Bim – Review

    A taste of Bim – Review

    By: Bryan Donoghue

    Picture yourself reclined in a lounge chair on a beach in Barbados. Directly above you, coconut trees lightly sway in the wind, as the sun breaches between leaves and streams of light shine through. Many can imagine the way this feels, but in stark contrast to a country near the equator, we live in Humboldt County. Although both are regarded as beautiful locations internationally, it’s difficult to find an authentic experience can that represent that essence of the Caribbean. That is, until I stumbled upon a restaurant off of G Street in Eureka.

    A Taste of Bim is run by a mother and daughter duo who have brought their own experience from cooking in Barbados (also known as “bim”) to the United States, using traditional spices and recipes. The atmosphere walking in is ambient, yet illuminated in certain areas with low white and yellow lighting. In the open kitchen beyond the bar, splashes of fire rise into the air as you can see food being made from the comfort of your seat. The festive theme centers in on Barbadian culture, while a cheerful playlist of multicultural music assures you, as the customer, that you’re about to have an experience reminiscent of paradise. The restaurant was continuing to serve one family as I walked in; all other seats were empty.

    The waitress Debbie, who conducted herself to be both calm and cordial, immediately sat me and we briefly went over the menu. She started me off with Caribbean lemonade; a sweet drink that is made from fresh lemonade, raw cane sugar, and dried hibiscus leaves. It was absolutely delicious and served as a perfect counterbalance to reset the palate every time you try a new dish. I first ordered the doubles, an appetizer consisting of curried chickpeas that are topped and sandwiched over two pieces of flatbread. The curry began to overpower the dish at first, and the flatbread wasn’t sandwiching the chickpeas, but it began to gradually become more mellow as you eat it in unison with everything else. Even for an appetizer it was a lot of food, and mid-meal digestion became necessary.

    From there, I ordered the green banana salad. Refreshing and sweet, this salad was tossed together with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, and bananas. A little hard to grasp with a fork, and possibly easier to eat with a spoon, this salad was a challenge to eat with one utensil. However, the taste was mouthwatering, and the banana pantomimes something akin to a dessert, while still giving it the health benefit any salad would.

    The finale of my experience had to have been a magnum opus for short rib. The meat was braised to cook slowly, and as the food reached my table, I immediately realized I would not need a knife to cut into it. Tender, lean, and just barely held together; this meat was perfectly cooked. It surrounded rice pilaf that had been cooked with beans, and then a thick savory gravy was poured over the top of the entire plate. The taste was refined yet so complex that I couldn’t even think of a single spice used to create that symphony of flavor. To me, it was impeccable. Through the entire experience, more customers began to come in; and even still, Debbie was entirely accommodating.

    I have to admit, I left with a smile. The pricing is anywhere from around $15-20 for a main dish, and around $10 or less for an appetizer or salad. Now picture yourself in that lounge chair again, but this time in Humboldt. The sun might not be shining every day, but if you’re looking for that warm Caribbean feeling, consider having A Taste of Bim.

  • HSU’s Basketball standings

    By: Keaundrey Clark

    CCAA – Men’s Basketball Standings

    CONF. OVERALL STREAK
    UC San Diego 9-1 14-3 L1
    Chico State 8-1 15-2 W9
    San Francisco State 7-2 14-2 W1
    Sonoma State 7-2 11-4 W5
    Cal State San Marcos 7-3 12-5 W5
    Cal State Dominguez Hills 4-4 8-6 L2
    Cal State East Bay 4-5 11-6 W2
    Cal State LA 4-6 8-10 W1
    Humboldt State 3-6 8-8 L4
    Cal State San Bernardino 2-6 6-7 L3
    Stanislaus State 2-7 5-11 L1
    Cal Poly Pomona 1-8 3-10 L4
    Cal State Monterey Bay 1-8 3-12 L3

    CCAA – Women’s Basketball Standings

    CONF. OVERALL STREAK
    UC San Diego 9-1 13-3 W9
    Stanislaus State 7-2 9-9 W3
    Cal State East Bay 6-3 9-7 W1
    Cal Poly Pomona 6-3 8-7 W1
    Cal State San Bernardino 5-3 8-4 W3
    Cal State LA 6-4 9-9 L2
    Chico State 5-4 10-5 W2
    Cal State San Marcos 5-5 8-7 L2
    Sonoma State 4-5 8-7 L2
    Humboldt State 4-5 5-11 W3
    Cal State Dominguez Hills 1-7 4-11 L4
    Cal State Monterey Bay 1-8 4-12 L3
    San Francisco State 0-9 2-14 L10
  • NFL Playoffs

    NFL Playoffs

    By: Keaundrey Clark

    The National Football League divisional round has passed and gone. We learned a few things this past weekend. You need an elite quarterback to get this far in the season. The four remaining quarterbacks, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger have thrown for 135 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. You have Super Bowl winners (Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Brady), past MVPs (Brady and Rodgers) and the potential 2016 NFL MVP (Ryan).

    With four of the game’s best playing on the highest stages, we will see some classic games come this conference championship weekend. The Dallas Cowboys look set for the next 10 years with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott as their stars. The two rookies shine in their first NFL playoff game and in defeat they showed they’ll be a force for years to come. The Seattle Seahawks are doing Russell Wilson a disservice by putting him behind an awful offensive line. That needs to be addressed if they want to even sniff the Super Bowl next season. This might be the Chiefs last run with Alex Smith as quarterback. He’s limited; average at best. If they don’t cut bait now, they’ll never get better. The Houston Texans, just like the Chiefs, have a roster to win now but are hamstrung by a shitty quarterback.

    Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers vs Matt Ryan in a dome. Man, that’s a lot of points. Rodgers threw one of the greatest passes you’ll ever see, a 36-yard dart to Jared Cook to get his team into field goal range for the win, rolling to his left and threw it against his body, only where his player can catch it with his feet in bounds and left time on the clock. Each team’s defense is in the bottom half of the league in passing yards given up. These quarterbacks will pass for 350 yards each, probably push for 400 yards. Both teams will likely score 30 plus points. This game could literally come down to which team makes a play defensively or which quarterback has the ball last.

    My Pick: Packers 38 – Falcons 31

    New England Patriots vs Pittsburg Steelers: At this point, the Patriots are just a nameless, faceless machine. It feels  that every team they’ve had in the last 15 years has been identical with a few exceptions in the past. Two things remain the same: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. With those two, they always have a fighting chance.  The Steelers have arguably the best running back and receiver to grace an NFL field, a top five quarterback, yet they are 11th in scoring in the league. Not bad but not good especially for the talent they have. If they can put touchdowns on the board they have a chance to knock off Tom Brady and company.

    My Pick: Patriots 30 – Steelers 27   

  • Day of solidarity for the greater HSU community

    Day of solidarity for the greater HSU community

    Staff and students invited to a day of healing

    By: Andrew George Butler

    Waking up on the first day of the semester with a hundred tasks and no answers, many miles from home in small town Arcata, can make the most sturdy of students anxious. If that’s not enough, there’s a change of presidency Friday, Jan. 20. 

    While the inauguration marks the end of an election process that divided many Americans, Humboldt State is using the day as an opportunity to bring the community together. This “Day of Solidarity” event will be held throughout Friday in several different campus locations.

    HSU’s Educational Opportunities Program will be facilitating a host of campus-wide and day long events geared toward ensuring students continue to feel safe and respected during the inaugural process. 

    When the Obamas leave and the Trumps set up shop, many HSU students may feel some sort of a bowling ball-like mass in the top of their chest and then squint blurry-eyed as it drops all the way down during Trumps procession through the D.C. streets.

    Whether your chest hurts because Obama is leaving or because you feel misunderstood as a Trump supporter, Friday is bound to be a day full of emotion and two-ply tissue. 

    Starting in the Kate Buchanan room at 1 p.m., students will be invited to enjoy free massages, food, meditation and other relaxation methods. Later in the day, students and staff of HSU are invited to the Great Hall for an open mic event. Students are urged to respectfully talk about their feelings and thoughts going into the new presidency.

  • Increasing fees and increasing fears

    Increasing fees and increasing fears

    By: Domanique Crawford

    As Humboldt State students struggle with affording available housing and hot meals, we can now add the extra burdens of the proposed tuition fee increase to our list of troubles for the 2017-18 academic school year. Students are surprised the decision is up for discussion and are outraged.

    “I think it’s high enough already,” psychology major and single mother Tanya Repair said. “I get financial aid and that’s the only reason I can come.” 

    University of California will formally propose to the UC Board of Regents at the end of January. The new plan will increase the tuition fee by five percent, and students like Repair who struggle financially are worried about what the increase will mean for them. Funding education is expensive, and that expense is a major deterrence to wanting to reach for anything higher than a high school diploma.

    When Governor Jerry Brown enacted the college tuition freeze almost five years ago, it was a temporary halt to the ever-increasing hikes that have already been witnessed in the UC and CSU school systems. These hikes would follow the rate of inflation. 

    One of the top concerns is that a tuition fee raise, even one that is only five percent, will affect financial aid disbursement amounts because it is the only protection they have against the already high costs of college. Though students want to oppose any increase in educational expenses, the incremental annual increases to tuition is meant to help students manage the additional cost at a more reasonable time frame. 

    Alice Abler, HSU child development major and scholarship recipient said even though she has money to pay for college, she is worried about other students.

    “You want a more diverse population for everyone,” Abler said, “not just people who can afford it.”

    According to HSU President, Lisa A. Rossbacher, if the tuition fee is raised then HSU financial aid would be increased to cover low-income students, including qualified California Dream Act students. Financial aid funding will increase to cushion the costs.

    “The tuition increase being discussed at the system level would not exceed $270 for full-time undergraduates for an academic year and a similarly proportional increase would apply to graduate students,” Rossbacher said in an e-mail. “The increase would apply to all students in the California State University, including at HSU.” 

    Although students are angry about the proposed rising tuition, the new fees are designed to provide a cushion for costs for future crises. The administration wants to avoid the steep and dramatic costs we have witnessed in previous years. Eventually, the cost of tuition will rise. Hopefully, the measures the administration have taken will prove viable enough to aid those who already struggle with the high cost of education.

  • Editorial: HSU’s Responsibilities beyond academic achievement

    Editorial: HSU’s Responsibilities beyond academic achievement

    By: The Lumberjack Editorial Board

    This spring 2017 semester, the Lumberjack staff requests that Humboldt State administration take more responsibility for student welfare, beyond just recruiting students to HSU. The Lumberjack asks that HSU not only consider a student’s academic education, but also a student’s basic living needs while attending HSU.

    HSU entices students with its emphasis on environmental and social standards and opportunities for hands-on learning. Students are often charmed by the small town atmosphere and close-knit community. However, students find that finding a stable place to live and join the community for their stay at HSU to be a near impossible task. 

    Universities have more than a duty than to provide an academic education — it owes each and every student an opportunity to access a stable living situation.

    Furthermore, leaving young students to the whim of Humboldt County’s housing market creates a potentially dangerous situation. Students may end up in living situations that present very real physical and health risks for fear of being homeless. 

    We need our administration to match enrollment with the size of the housing market. It is unethical to bring students to an area they’ve never been and expect them to pay for and maintain a full load of classes, while offering no help with housing outside of high priced campus housing. 

    HSU can and should do more to assuage the pressures of student life by doing more to prepare and warn students for the particular struggles in the HSU community. We ask HSU to look harder at buying more property in the area for student living. 

    This starts with administration simply being forthright and honest about Humboldt’s housing situation when recruiting students from across California and the United States.

  • Traversing Hills and Stairs University

    Traversing Hills and Stairs University

    By: Domanique Crawford

    My heart is beating too fast and as I stop to rest and catch the breath that stutters out of my lungs in heaving gasps, sweat trickles down my face in never ending rivulets. A slight musk mists the air around me, although I could have sworn I put on deodorant before my attempt to ascend campus. And as the sun seems to beam down directly on my forehead I think to myself:

    “Why the hell didn’t I know this school was nicknamed Hills and Stairs University?”

    During each semester break, without the daily physical excretion that the Humboldt State campus forces students to endure, navigating campus can be physically draining. Returning to school is like returning to an extreme exercise routine after a break for a couple of months. You almost dread going back to the routine because you know that there will be some amount of pain, but you also know the exercise is best for you. These are some tips to get the most out of your campus workout.

    Get your energy boost on: Did you know that stair climbing requires eight to nine times more energy expenditure than sitting and burns about seven times more calories than taking an elevator? So if you are utilizing the HSU campus, it is a good idea to power up in the mornings and make sure you are eating the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Also, make sure you are eating or drinking something high energy. Green tea is a great morning drink.

    Stretch it out: With any exercise during the first few weeks of adjusting to the exercises, your muscle will feel the burn. Stretch before the hours of navigating the stairs embedded in hills. Climbing stairs are also strenuous on your legs, hips and buttocks, so it’s imperative to prepare your muscles for the upcoming workout by stretching to prevent injury and increase flexibility. 

    H2O Hydration: If you think you don’t need to drink to climb stairs, you may find yourself in hot water. Stair climbing is officially classed as a “vigorous exercise” and burns more calories per minute than jogging.

    Work them Stairs: They can be daunting, but did you know that you burn about 0.17 calories for every step you climb? So you burn roughly a calorie and a half for every 10 upward steps. You also burn calories going down. Every stair descended burns about 0.05 calories, so you burn 1 calorie for every 20 steps down. Just seven minutes of climbing stairs a day has been estimated to less than half the risk of a heart attack over 10 years. Even if you don’t have sports shoes, stair climbing can be useful. Did you know that you burn more calories climbing stairs in high heels?

    Mid-semester starter kit: Must-carry backpack essentials

    • Water Bottle – Though there are numerous vending machines for soda and caffeinated beverages, none of them carry water. Be sure to bring your own bottle if you want to fill up at a hydration station.
    • Sweatband – If you want to keep your makeup looking flawless or just don’t want sweat coating your face, try wearing a sweatband while traveling between classrooms. 
    • Energy Snack – Keep that energy up. A series of small snacks will help stave off that midday slump.