Issue Nine

There was more like 500 issues, with issue 9. It was the most intense and just trying issue of the semester. I really wanted to make it my best and I gave it my all. I'm pleased to say how thrilled I am about the final product. I'm honored to have the opportunity of having a photo essay in the Union. I can't tell you how hard Haipha and I worked to produce that page by deadline. The pressure was so thick in the news room, it could be cut with a knife. I just have to say that if it wasn't for the staff and their support and friendship, I wouldn't have been able to make it. I'm so great full to everyone on staff. All the writers, photographers, and editors thank you for your support. It was a chaotic semester with good times, bad times and just oh shit what are we going to do times. It's incredible to see how far we've all come from the first issue to the ninth. Despite the bumps in the road, I had a positive semester. Mainly because I had great people around me to guide and give me direction. From a bad day to bad assignment I could count on any of the staff. I just hope that you'll take me back next semester. Check it out at http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/11/19/Arts/Behind.The.Stage.Curtain-3836539.shtml
<3 Heather

This past weekend the newspaper club Beta Phi Gamma attended the ECC Warrior football game and homecoming dance. It was such a fun experience!! It started at the game where EC cleaned up with a huge victory to make the team 8 wins and 1 loss in their season. They have one more game left with Mt. SAC, where they're hoping to bring home another victory and clench a playoff spot. During half time nominees for the homecoming court rode in vintage cars around the stadium. I was lucky enough to ride in as a filler in an extra car. It was a 1961 Chevy convertible Corvette. These cars were cherry and all worthy of a show! I really was an experience to photograph people taking photos of me. After the half-time extravaganza the game continued until we reached out victory. After the EC news staff headed to the Activities Center on campus to celebrate the 70s' theme dance. We all danced and partied our bums off!! There was a little bit of snacking and then more dancing. Almost the whole staff was commanding the dance floor all night! Then toward the end of the evening came the moment of truth, with the announcement of King and Queen. The nominees for Beta Phi Gamma were Miles our Editor-in-chief and Erica. They did such a good job at the rally to promote the club and themselves. Unfortunately Tailor Made, the fashion club swept by us witht he victory for the evening. The best part is every event our group attends the closer we get. The sad part is the semester is almost over, but there is always next semester!! For more on homecoming visit www.elcaminouniononline.com.

<3 Heather

Marijuana in the Media

Marijuana has been in media frenzy in 09'. This year it has been a weekly topic in the media and the subject of people's conversations every where. This year the medical use of Marijuana has made much progress for patients and supporters nation wide. Organizations like M.M.P. (Medical Marijuana Project) are getting media attention. They are now being interviewed on air and recognized as organized movement. In the past years, weed has become increasingly popular and now becoming part of American society on a daily basis. Alaska, California, Colorado, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, and Oregon are states that have decriminalized the possession of 1 ounce of marijuana. As of Nov. 5th Massachusetts ballot initiative passed to be among the other states. Like wise in the same election Michigan has become the 13th state to offer medical pot to patients. Most importantly President Obama signed the new policy about medical marijuana and it's users. The memo advises prosecutors they "should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana." This is huge for the country. More importantly it affects everyone on a personal level. During one issue I shot the section 'View Points' and the question was 'Should we legalize Marijuana?'. It was over whelming the support the students had for the substance. I had tons of students volunteering with yes answers, and ready for a photo. It was almost a struggle to find ones who disagree. Even if the student wasn't a user themselves, many did not care and supported the change. We a still very far away for marijuana being legalized in the United States, but it has made much progress since the 'Reefer Madness' days. The new reforms to policy are only making it safer for patients to access medicine, while allowing state governments to collect millions on taxes, on the control and dispensing of the substance. As for the county being full of lethargic Americans stoned on the couch, which is not the direction that users, supporters, and government are taking marijuana. For more info on this topic visit www.mpp.org/ and http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/04/02/Opinion/No.Should.We.Legalize.Marijuana-3688050.shtml.

<3 Heather

Sports

I know how we all love sports! Football is back, baseball is almost over, baseball and basketball are comming in the spring, and hockey is going strong. All of the professional league sports are followed by millions religiously. I myself am a season ticket holder for kings hockey. This season hass been great for us. We've only lost a number of times so far and have been great on our powerplay. The team overall has been on the same page reading plays and acting as a cohesive team rather than individual players. They need to get it together on the penalty kill, because that is when they are allowing other teams to score. It was really exciting for me to meet and talk to about 8 players, last Thursday. After the game that we lost in over time, I was able to go down stairs and talk to the Kings. I had a great conversation with Matt Greene, about the dynamic of the season and the players themselves. He elaborated on how they have the same goal in mind and it makes a difference.

Likewise here on campus we have great sports! Right now we have cross country, water polo, soccer, and football. In the spring baseball and basketball are going to be on the schedule, as well. I had the pleasure of shooting a Woman's Water Polo, game against Rio Hondo. It was intense with the players yelling and splashing around at each other. Not to mention how much energy it takes for the players to swim from one end of the pool to the other. It's a workout and a talent to be a water polo player, and the lady warriors all are equally impressive. That game my camera and I took a splash from the warriors, and they came out of the game victorious.

ECC Warrior football is not a force to be reckoned with. They were number one on the top teams in the country on a community college level. Led by their quaterback Matt Simms, the warriors have been victorious in every opponet they have faced. Until, they played Mt. Sac and lost for the first time of the season. They came out crushed with a score of 42- 26 here at Murdock Stadium on Saturday. This loss brough our ranking from number one to five, on the list. This is super dissapointing for the team, but there will be many more action packed games to come this season for many different sports. For more sports info check u out online at http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/11/05/Sports/Warriors.Mistakes.Prove.Costly.In.Loss.To.Mt.Sac-3823469.shtml.

<3 Heather