Animated “The Secret world of Arrietty” Starts New Adventure With DVD Release

Disney and Studio Ghibli’s film “The Secret World of Arrietty” will be available May 22.

  Whereas feather pens are the norm for old-fashioned “bean” writing, “borrowers” adorn their ink pens with dragonfly wings in “The Secret World of Arrietty,” a movie leading to a hidden world with its Tuesday, May 22 Blu-ray combo pack and DVD release.

Hugo’s Tacos Feeds Students’ Budgets

A healthy alternative taco stand in Studio City fills stomachs and keeps wallets full.

  Less than a 5-minute drive from Valley College and nestled beside the 101 freeway and caddy corner to the sit-down restaurant Hugo’s on Coldwater Canyon and Riverside Drive is Hugo’s Tacos, a taco stand serving a modern and healthy spin on Mexican classics on a student budget.

Beastie Boys Loses Transformational Band Member

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch was instrumental as the Beastie Boys turned from brats to activists.

  When the Beastie Boys rose to fame with the release of “Licensed to Ill,” it would have been inconceivable that three bratty rappers who spit rhymes about beer and women would grow into ambassadors of peace and love. The catalyst was Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, who died Friday, May 4, after a three-year fight with cancer.

Valley’s Gay-Straight Alliance LGBTQ Week Gives a Voice to the Transgender

More than 50 people listened on Thursday to transgender speakers from the LGBTQ community.

  Valley College’s Gay- Straight Alliance “Trans Speaker” event was standing room only in the Faculty Lounge Thursday afternoon, bringing more than 50 students to listen to those representing the “T” in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning community.

Arbor Festival Is The Last Step to Being A Tree-Friendly Campus

Eco Advocates club will hold a campus Arbor Day festival with tree scavenger hunt, and recycled art.

Thousands Turn Out To Support Autism Awareness Month At Pasadena’s Rose Bowl

The autism community took part in a 3-mile walk on Saturday to support Autism Awareness Month.

  In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Autism Speaks, 28,000 families and 150 support groups from across thecountry came to Pasadena’s RoseBowl to help raise funds, awarenessand smiles for those who liveand struggle with autism. “This year so far, we have gathered $1.

Valley College Students Vote For Top Instructors

After a year of hiatus, TAE brings back the Apple Awards.

  Transforming the red apple from a standard desk ornament into a green-leafed crystal keepsake, the Apple Awards ceremony is returning April 30 to commend select Valley College teachers for their hard work by giving them these special mementos. The selection process began last Monday, ending Thursday when honors society Tau Alpha Epsilon tallied the students’ teacher nominations.

Valley’s Speech Team Takes Home National Honors

The Valley College speech team took home 18 awards, including the coveted Silvia Mariner Award.

  Valley College’s speech team returned home from the 2012 Phi Rho Pi National Public Speaking Championship in Illinois with the national competition’s highest honor—the Silvia Mariner Award— and 17 other awards, making it the most-awarded community college out of the 58 competing speech teams.

Big Stars Moving to the Small Screen Bring With Them Credibility, Ratings

TV was once a place known to discover Hollywood talent, but it's now a stop for award-winning actor.

  There’s a new trend with Hollywood actors, writers, directors and producers: instead of the target audiences in stadium-style seating in front of theater screens, they are now on couches in front of the TV. With more movies transitioning into the blockbuster genre and onto IMAX screens, it is no surprise that TV series are seeing expanding budgets and attracting more credible actors, directors, writers and producers.

Valley’s Denim Day Raises Sexual Assault Awareness

April 25 marks this year’s Denim Day as a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

  Capitalizing on the popularity of jeans, Valley College’s Healthy Advocacy Response Team will collaborate with various clubs Denim Day, April 25, to help debunk rape fallacies in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to Student Health Center Physician Assistant and HART member Sonia Nodal, “The dance club will perform a piece reflecting emotions of victims of sexual violence and the positive outcomes of seeking help right away.

Valley College Dance Concert Flows Into Place

Dancers, choreographers and local talents work on the dance department’s newest production.

  In an attempt to express the complexity of movement and the many forces that affect life, the Valley College dance  department prepares for its 2012 spring dance concert, “Ebb and Flow,” which premieres May 11 at the Mainstage Theater. Auditions for the concert were held in February during the first week of class, and student choreographer auditions were held in January.

Exploring Los Angeles on A Student Budget

In hard financial times, little creativity can go a long way in exploring the city for great prices.

  With many college students suffering from the rising costs of tuition, textbooks and fuel, it is easy to see why some are opting to stay home rather than pay for increasingly expensive meals and entertainment. However, there are other affordable alternatives.

Art Lovers Gain Benefits from Festival ’s Relocation

The fine arts festival was relocated to Monarch Hall with club day and financial aid awareness day.

  Art admirers throughout Valley College were treated to the second annual arts festival last Wednesday. The event took place in Monarch Hall, accompanying club day and financial aid awareness day after it was relocated due to rain. Complimentary food and refreshments were offered to everyone who attended, as well as a cultural experience and financial advice.

Valley College Places In Top 10 At State Speech Competition

Valley College speech team brought home several awards and represented the school.

The Valley College speech team came home this week- end with two wins from the California Community College Forensics Association. The team placed seventh in the state, and communications major Gregory Pugliese tied in the overall top speaker and sweepstakes categories at the state competition, securing him a full-ride to Asuza Pacific University.

Valley College Dance Club Finds Its Groove On Campus

The Valley College dance club’s members bond over life, art and friendship on and off campus.

The Field House at Valley College across from the Allied Health and Sciences Center is a mystery to many. But, to dance club members—young and old, trained and untrained—it is a home to those who love the art form and has seen 100 members come and go within its four-year existence.

Hollywood Honors The Muppets With Walk Of Fame Star

Jim Henson’s brainchildren earned a spot among Hollywood’s pantheon of stars.

The famed stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, known as The Walk of Fame, is adorned with stars dedicated to such legendary, respected entertainers as Bob Hope, Mae West and Charlie Chaplin. And now, The Muppets have joined their ranks. Although Kermit the Frog has had a star since 2002—and “Muppets” creator Jim Henson also has one—the new star includes all of Henson and Co.

Film Enthusiasts Find Outlet At IDEAS

Students and local professionals hone their filmmaking skills with workshops.

  Media arts and film studies majors at Valley College have a promising resource on campus; the Institute for Developing Entertainment Arts and Studies—a program allowing students to learn alongside professionals— offers workshops that reflect on the entertainment industry.

Louis Gossett Jr. Offers His Words Of Wisdom To Valley College Students

The actor spoke to Valley College students and staff about his journey to success.

Valley College has had the privilege of hosting talented people who offer the community words of advice and wisdom. Now, Valley can add Academy Award–winner and author Louis Gossett Jr. after he spoke last Thursday in Monarch Hall to more than 100 people.

Studio City Is Sweet On Affordable Local Bakery

Big Sugar Bakeshop knows how to cater to a sweet tooth and a wallet.

With the price of gas pushing $5, it is hard to find the money to enjoy the sweeter things in life. However, Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City is a hole-in-the-wall bakeshop filled with confections for those who enjoy something sugary at an affordable price.

ESA Creates A Paris Reality For Students

The European Studies Association gives students the opportunity to study abroad in Paris.

Dr. Tom Blair, chair of languages at City College of San Francisco and founder of the European Studies Association, always opens his study abroad Paris seminars with this statement: “Be careful, Paris is addictive.” Blair, who founded the association 34 years ago, still empha- sizes the incredible educational and personal-growth opportunities the trip supplies many California students with.

L.A. Connection, A Hidden Gem

The Sherman Oaks theatre is an affordable way to spend a Friday night.

If laughter is the best medicine, then the Sherman Oaks L.A. Connection Comedy Theatre’s Rookies Improv night, featuring the group “Say What?!,” could cure many medical diseases. For $10 starting at 7 p.m. every Friday, the L.A. Connection Comedy Theatre hosts its Improv and Comedy night, a different and cheaper option than an average night out in southern California.

SunCafe Illuminates Raw-Vegan Cusine in L.A.

Studio City vegan eatery appeals to all forms of foodies.

When one ponders what to have for a meal, rarely is vegan food at the top of the list. But SunCafe, hidden in Studio City off the 101 freeway, has carnivores pondering if they should become herbivores. SunCafe, a raw, organic and vegan restaurant, brings customers to their zen the moment they walk in the door.

Philosophy Lecture Series Starts With a Look on Life

Instructor Christopher Pallotti lectures about phi- losopher Aristotle’s ideas on “The Good Life.”

This semester's philosophy lecture series kicked off with more than 15 people Tuesday, Feb. 20 for "Ancient Greeks and The Good Life," hosted by instructor Christopher Pallotti. "We are engaging tonight in the activity of philosophy," said Pallotti. "The idea is to bring together a community of learners and people who are interested in learning.

Planetarium Give the Stars an Audience

The Valley College Astronomy Group holds its first planetarium show of 2012.

Most Valley College students are aware that there is a planetarium on campus. The odd little building in the corner is an ode to retro design and a funny reminder of how people in the '50s and '60s thought the future should look. However, many don't know the Planetarium is modern, functional and quite comfortable for hosting events the community can take part in.

Coop Ed, Service Learning Create Opportunities for Student Interns

The Cooperative Education program allows students to earn transferable credits.

Students with jobs, intern- ships and even those in some volunteer positions can earn CSU- transferable credit through Valley College's Cooperative Education program. Dating back to 1906, the con- cept of college credit for hands-on learning in a work environment began with engineering students who needed more than classroom theory, according to the program's director, Douglas Marriott.

Rally The Troops

Smokers on campus must rally to prevent the potential smoking ban.

  Walking passed someone blow­ing smoke in your face is unpleasant regardless of whether the recipient smokes. It’s rude and is a potential health hazard to others, which is why there are designated smok­ing areas situated around campus. Unfortunately, that might be chang­ing very soon.

Formula For 2012 Summerfest: Blood, Pets And Cheers

Three departments prepare for the third season of Summerfest amidst obstacles from budget cuts.

Audiences have seen the murder and mayhem of “Sweeney Todd” go from Broadway to a feature film; now the community will see it with dance and modernity—thanks to Valley College’s Summerfest. Summerfest, founded in 2010, is the first on-going performing arts collaboration between three different departments: dance, music, and theater arts.

Films For Friday Nights

The foreign language department offers a free film series for students.

For those who love cinema, learning about different languages and cultures, or are looking for an alternative to a normal Friday night, Valley College hosts a free weekly German and French film series. The French department developed its series after hosting films each semester as adjuncts to the French club.

Free Music Series For All

The Valley College music department will begin its weekly free concerts Feb 22.

Every week during the semester, the Valley College music department hosts a free concert to entertain and educate students and the community. This semester, the free concert series starts today, Feb. 22, with a performance by the Avon Street Quintet.

Former ASU Attorney General Moves On

Brandon Batham will be the voice of the students as the Board of Trustees’ interim student trustee.

Political science major Brandon Batham, the new interim student trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, is the sum of his parts. Batham will be the sole student voice of the nine colleges in the district. Batham is doing his best to meet with student government boards and students.

When Drums And Orchestra Collide: Classic Rock Gets A Makeover On Saturday

The Valley Symphony Orchestra gives a one-time concert of “Classic Rock.”

The concert for Valley’s Symphony Orchestra last Saturday was something to behold. One could find oneself going from anxious to transfixed as 36 musicians went from street clothes to tuxedos and semi-formal attire—the bright lights adding to the wonder.