One of the advantages of living in a small neighborhood like Eagle Rock is how close together everything and everyone is. But one of the aspects of this area that does not prompt people to think “small community” is the traffic that constantly reminds us that we live in Los Angeles. For a long time, traffic in Eagle Rock has...

Rap is rhythm-assisted poetry. Rap is a representation of what’s going on in one’s mind and in one’s life. Rap is a craft, an art form that people find solace in because they can relate to the experiences expressed in verses. Many who have gone through tough times have articulated rap as something that was always there for them. It...

They are the unsung heroes of KOXY radio: the playlist crafters, the mix masters, the tastemakers of Occidental. They are the KOXY DJs. Whether they started their show in pursuit of fun or fame, these gurus dictate much of the musical conversation on campus. Here are four interviews with a selection of DJs that aim to represent the quality and...

Lego, one of the most popular toys in the world, now has a movie with an equally ambiguous title, "The Lego Movie." Warner Brothers studios and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller have created a star-studded animated movie made entirely of Lego pieces. The film captures the open-ended and exploratory nature of the toy while still providing a heartwarming story...

Four thousand six hundred and ten episodes later, James "Jay" Leno's stint as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" is over. Feb. 6 marked the end of an era when Leno finally walked away from NBC. He went out on an incredible high note, having the best "Tonight Show" ratings in 22 years. His final episode included guests Billy Crystal,...

The recent disappearance of bees worldwide has stung the Occidental community, stimulating the reactivation of the college's beekeeping club. While the club became inactive about a decade past, students revived it a few years ago in order to work more intimately with these interesting creatures. "I joined because I really liked bees," biochemistry major Franklin Maharaj (senior) said. "I love...

Bids from Greek Life came out Thursday night, and despite the claims by members of Greek Life to be "inclusive," many students were turned away with no bid. That is to be expected. Rush participants know that it is a possibility, but no one ever thinks it will be them that is turned away. Those who rush are often looking...

(Released on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to the Occidental community.) Friends and Colleagues, Yesterday at approximately 5:40 p.m. I received an email informing me that the College Administration had fired Lieutenant Joseph Cunje as of February 28th of this year. Despite 30 years of wonderful service to this college, 20 years with a sparkling record as Head of Campus Safety along...

Despite the emotionally complex and often tortured roles depicted on screen, movie audiences often believe that the actors, by contrast, walk off the set to glamorous and joyful Hollywood lives. Consequently, when Philip Seymour Hoffman died on Sunday, Feb. 2, the news shocked viewers who were unaware of the actor's lifelong struggle with drug addiction. Hoffman is survived not only...

Johnson Hall was inundated with sewage last Sunday as a result of a backup in the main sewer line that runs underneath both the building and the Academic Quad. The overflow resulted in the temporary relocation of classes and faculty offices as well as the shutoff of heating and cooling systems in the building. The overflow originated from toilets and...