We could soon see the end of Communism in Latin America – in the last few weeks, communist Cuba and socialist Venezuela were rattled by two major blows that could affect the course, and even the existence, of the extreme left south of our borders. News of the impending end to the Castro dynasty and the death of Hugo Chavez...

Tucked among the funky cafes and thrift stores that line Colorado Boulevard, Tapestries Natural Life is an explosion of color and texture. Open and airy, the shop gives off the feeling of a modern fashion boutique. Rainbows of Guatemalan clay beads drape from sculpted tree figurines, and intricately patterned tapestries hang in organized rows under arching ceilings. But the products...

In the midst of the crystalline peaks and icy pinnacles of the Peruvian Andes, the Rio Rimac is born, and its story begins. From snowy mountains to the Pacific Ocean on its desert coast, the Rimac supplies water to most of Peru, including its capital, Lima. But due to rapidly escalating climate change, the river will eventually run dry. Climate...

Over tacos and flan, Occidental students returning from a myriad of unique experiences abroad enthusiastically told stories of their travels at the “welcome back” banquet hosted by the International Programs Office (IPO). Energy radiated off the walls. Many junior year returnees seemed to still be in the “honeymoon period”-- their hearts and minds were still partially in the country they’d...

This year, 75 students at Occidental faced a unique dilemma when it came time to head home over Thanksgiving break — because their homes are halfway across the globe. Occidental's international students come from 26 countries around the world, and each bring a different world of culture, religion, tradition and holidays to campus. From Diwali to Chinese New Year to...

Picture two iconic images of Los Angeles. One of gritty Chicano rights activism and the fight for immigrant rights, and the other of Hollywood glitz, ritzy red carpet gowns and glamorous movie stars. Last week, filmmaker and Occidental alumni Jesus Treviño '68 brought those two images together in an inspirational narrative of his life work, demonstrating how social conscience and...

During certain hours of the day, a small, discrete room in the basement of Booth Hall labeled "Room 105" explodes with sound. Open the door, and bass beats reverberate off thick sound proofed walls, speakers and mics clutter corners and a massive monitor displays tracks laid down by Occidental student musicians. Welcome to Occidental's fresh student-run recording studio, property of...

Students should be on the lookout for mustaches cropping up on campus this month because Movember is once again coming to Occidental. MoBros, or participants in Movember, will be growing out their mustaches throughout "No Shave November" to raise awareness for men's health, specifically for prostate and testicular cancer. Phi Kappa Psi (Phi Psi) organizes this month-long extravaganza, but everyone...

The cross country team exceeded expectations in the SCIAC Conference Championships at Prada Park last Saturday. The women came in second behind only Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) and the men came through finishing fourth despite the absence of key runners Cole Williams (sophomore) and Tommy Warfel (first-year) due to injury. Results from the SCIAC Championships and the multi-dual meet two weeks ago...

BANG! BANG! Amongst the foliage of a jungly, eccentric Highland Park backyard, the harsh sound of hammer blows on steel crash from inside a 25-foot, weather-worn Sioux-style tipi. Inside, a forge's red hot glow bathes the interior in a fiery light, illuminating an assortment of hammers, anvils, and curious homemade metal tools strewn on crude wooden shelves and strung up...