In search of indulgence? Look no further than Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake. Last weekend I ate at Barbrix, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and wine bar tucked away in the quaint hills of Silver Lake. Headed by chefs Don Dickman and Claudio Blotta (hailing from New York and Buenos Aires, respectively), Barbrix left my taste buds wanting more.
I started off the night with the pork & ricotta meatballs, a Spanish spin on a classic southern Italian dish. Being the hispanophile that I am, I was thrilled about another excuse to add pork to my palette. The dish itself is extremely rich, boasting sautéed onions, chives and red pepper, so the choice of pork over beef allowed me to enjoy many other “small plates” on the menu.
pork & ricotta meatballs with tomato sauce Photo credit: Nettie Stein-Miller & Ximena Santiago
I continued the night with the grilled Spanish octopus salad, featuring fingerling potato, black olive, piquillo pepper and saffron aioli. Although many amateur foodies may turn up their nose when they hear “octopus,” the 8-armed cephalopod was cooked through to perfection: each arm was meaty and flavorful and did not require extended periods of chewing. As a new student of marine biology, I struggle to believe that there are any functional uses for mollusks aside from being on the plate.
Continuing with my maritime munchies, I ordered the Spaghetti Nero with scallops, cherry tomatoes, Calabrian chili and basil. A north-eastern Italian specialty, spaghetti nero (which literally translates as “black spaghetti”) is dyed a marvelous hue of onyx with squid ink. Aside from giving this wan wheat a complete makeover, cephalopods such as squid and octopi release ink as a defense mechanism to hide themselves from predators. Whether your interest is survival or a savory spaghetti dish, one can certainly appreciate the wonders of the squid.
I have to admit that although I have tried my fair share of seafood, these were the best seared scallops I have ever tasted. It is no coincidence that they came from 3,000 miles away, from the seafood capital of the Eastern Seaboard: Maine. It is times like these when I miss the East Coast more than anything.
Besides a perfectly balanced ratio of surf and turf, Barbix also boasts an incredible selection of wines, including the Basque Txakolina– Txomin Etxauiz 2013 – a personal favorite. Without a good white wine, seared scallops might as well be canned tuna – the difference is incomparable.
Though the culinary portion of the night has ended, Hyperion Avenue is similar to that of my palette: open and endless. I suggest heading down the street to Hyperion Tavern to enjoy some tunes and locals. This past Tuesday, they hosted Radio Afrique – a consortium of Ethio jazz, Nigerian disco and other music from various African regions.
Best of all, these culinary and cultural opportunities are within a five mile radius of campus.
It has been a year now since I started Nerd’s Eye View — since then, gaming has turned into more than just a hobby or a pastime for me. I receivedamazing opportunities to play, talk about and most importantly, meet and connect with people who have a passion for video games. I experienced little moments that opened my eyes to a side of video gaming that I acknowledged but never truly appreciated: the human side. These gaming moments revitalized my appreciation of video games and all the people behind them, without ever having to pick up a controller myself.
“Thank you. [I’m] feeling a lot of emotions right now,” Murray said, smiling brightly behind slightly watery eyes.
He, along with the team at Hello Games, are putting their heart, soul and thousands of hours into the digital world they created. Murray stated that the small, independent developer is simply “a group of friends making ‘No Man’s Sky‘.” His passion for classic science fiction books and movies inspired Hello Games to make worlds that he “wanted to escape to but never could,” forged out of pixels and imagination.
Later that week at E3, during the last press showing of “Rainbow Six Siege,” a developer was unexpectedly sentimental while telling the audience about the game. He mentioned how he started with Ubisoft over a year and a half ago, and that all of his time was taken up with this game. The reception was fantastic, and he was thankful for the appreciation.
E3 contained a plethora of other moments of cooperation and appreciation. Different developers and competing companies praised each other’s work. Finally, press members, editors, cameramen and writers from different outlets and countries hugged and high-fived in the media suite as the show came to a close.
The video game industry has been, is and will continue to be full of passionate people, with teams who will stop working only when the project is done; who will pour themselves into building something new. They know and love their audience, and they want to make something their fellow video gamers will enjoy.
Moments like getting a nuke in “Call of Duty” or experiencing the ending of “The Last of Us” will continue to be highlights in my video game history, but as the lines blur between my gaming career and life, I find nothing compares to seeing people with passion work hard and succeed.
At Occidental College, justice is the thing. It is the hot topic on everyone’s tongues, and the passion burning in many a student’s heart. From clean water, to curing cancer, to women’s rights to ending trafficking, it seems that everyone has some sort of justice passion. It is a discussion that never ends, and it makes Occidental what it is.
A large part of the Occidental community, though, is often left out of the conversation. These are the spiritual groups on campus. The widely held reason for this among members of the spiritual community is that, regardless of what faith they profess, they never feel especially welcome to participate, particularly in the classroom where they often feel a bitter animosity toward spirituality.
But the students comprising the Occidental spiritual community do have a passion for justice as well. They too ought to have a place to share their passions and how their faith drives their desire for justice.
This blog intends to address that discrepancy. This will be a blog about the intersection of faith and justice. It will discuss the idea of a God, or a faith, that not only exists but considers the need for justice in all areas of the world. With the help of frequent guest writers, this blog will cover issues such as trafficking, poverty, racial conflict, the foster care system, gendercide and gender inequality. We will be initiating discussion, making connections and asking the student body and spiritual groups on campus questions about how different faiths are called to respond to such issues.
Justice, though, does not exist simply in reference to groups, institutions or issues. Justice is for individuals as well, and that is what I want to begin with on this blog. As a Christian, I’ll start the conversation from the lens of the Bible.
At Occidental, Jesus is usually seen as neither loving nor lovable to any extent, mostly because the church representing Him throughout history has often been neither. Understandably, opinions on Christianity range from Christians being old-fashioned to being repressive and abusive.
The Christian church, according to what Jesus says in the Bible, is supposed to be one that reaches out to people in compassion. Perhaps there are differences in lifestyles, values or beliefs. There will be disagreement over what is valued, what is just and what is right. But regardless of such differences, regardless of race, gender, age or social status, the Church is exhorted all throughout the Bible to be as Christ’s body, hands and feet, loving on others as He loved us first.
If we are honest, though, we have not done that. Throughout history, we have not been compassionate toward different groups of people. We have not been just in the face of issues sorely needing the intervention of justice. And we have not been loving toward individuals with struggles or burdens. We have not been like Christ toward many of you.
Instead, we have often been like the religious leaders shown in the Gospel itself:
“Again [Jesus] entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And [the religious leaders] watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Come here.’ And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…” (Mark 3:1-3 ESV)
Here the religious leaders cared much more about their traditions and their way of running the Sabbath than they actually cared about the people they were meant to be caring for. Instead of having eyes for the needy, they had eyes solely for deviations from their rules for a proper Sunday service. Jesus Himself grieves over them for preaching what they do not practice and “[shutting] the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces,” while neither entering themselves, nor allowing those who would enter to go in (Matthew 23:13 ESV).
They were so preoccupied with doing things their way that they forgot their original purpose and mission. They forgot what it meant to be the Church, and that is exactly what we have done too often.
A #nofilter Gospel is what I am putting forth first, as it is something I know – the Church as it simply is with #no(spiritual)makeup. Here there are uglier, cruder parts. They are not hidden. Behind nicely planned events, dramatic skits or even the provided snacks, there have been flaws and even injustice associated with the Christian Church and Gospel. And they have been rightly associated, for too many people who delivered the Gospel have been flawed or unjust in their actions.
For this reason, as a Christian and leader for the campus Christian fellowship, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, I want to begin by apologizing on behalf of my community, the Christian Church, for how we have failed in justice toward the world community, and specifically toward the Occidental community. If anyone has felt condemned, hurt, humiliated, discriminated against, or attacked by the Christian Church, I want to say I am sorry. No one ever deserves such treatment. It was not right.
I have also seen, though, the beauty of a #nofilter Gospel. Ignoring the mostly superfluous details of event planning, skit rehearsing and bright lighting, the Gospel we believe stands alone as beautifully simple, as well as simply beautiful. And it is the news that we have a God who not only finds justice in large, worldwide settings relevant to Himself, but also finds justice for the individual equally as important. In short, we believe in a God that knows and cares about people.
The religious leaders in the passage may not have cared about the man with the withered hand. But Jesus did.
“[Then] he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.“(Mark 3:1-5 ESV)
He finds every person relevant. And as He invited the man to reach out toward Him and be healed, I hope that the Christian body on campus will in time be able to demonstrate a clearer and truer image of Jesus and the Gospel by being counter-culturally compassionate and providing a safe place for students; no more filters making the Church more perfect or less broken than it is. That is something we ought to be more honest and upfront about, with no filters of greed, arrogance or self-centeredness. We have no need for the Church to tear down more people. I hope that we will instead be more like Christ, as He really is in the Bible. And in turn I hope that Occidental’s own filter of Jesus and Christianity as a harsh, condemning and archaic institution will come down as we diligently labor to earn that trust back. I pray that in time, justice instead of injustice will be rightly done in the name of Christ, as He desired it to be. With #nofilter.
“Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to The Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?…If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:4-10 ESV)
What are your spiritual beliefs, or do you not have any? What role do you think faith ought to play in justice issues, if any?
What do you think about Occidental’s attitude toward spirituality? Is it accurate or justified?
What should Occidental do to include the presence of the spiritual community more in campus discussions about justice?
Ready to graduate? It may be odd to think about post-graduation life during orientation, but ask any graduate and they will say that the next four years will fly by. Here are the answers to some burning questions incoming students may have, courtesy of recent Occidental graduates.
What are you doing now?
CJ Cruz ‘14 (economics): “I’m currently interning at the California Institute for Social Business, the first institute in the U.S. that focuses on the education, research, and creation of social businesses… Additionally, I am working with MyVision Global, a young social enterprise that focuses on spreading the social business movement globally.”
Erin Lashway ’14 (history): “I am working as a Corps Member in John H. Liechty Middle School for a non-profit organization called City Year Los Angeles, through AmeriCorps.”
Lito Nicolai ’14 (economics): “I’m applying for jobs in computer science. It’s unrelated to any of my studies, but I was able to take a handful of independent study courses through the math department, and combined that with my math classes to get a few interviews.”
John O’Neill ’14 (politics): “I’m working as general consultant for a state senate campaign and applying to the [Los Angeles Police Department].”
Christina Turner ’14 (biology): “[I’m] looking for a lab technician job in a research lab to work in for the next year or two before going to grad school for a Ph.D. in microbiology.”
Do you think that Occidental prepared you for post-grad life?
Cruz: “I believe that college is place where you create what you want to make out of it. The Oxy palette provides a wide range of opportunities to choose from to make your college masterpiece; you just have to actively pick which ones you want to take advantage of.”
Lashway: “Yes! Especially working for an organization like City Year, which is so centered on social justice, I would say a liberal arts education from Oxy was the perfect thing for me. My last semester I also took a class on Children, Poverty, & Public Policy in the [Critical Theory and Social Justice] department, where we learned all about the inequalities in education throughout the Los Angeles area and now it seems as though I’m actually living it and witnessing it for myself.”
Turner: “For finding a job, no. But for having confidence in my conceptual and analytical skills and having the drive to make something happen, yes. I don’t think any school can fully prepare someone for post-undergrad life, though.”
Do you think that you prepared yourself for post-grad life?
O’Neill: “Yes – I left Carleton after two years and worked in D.C. for a year at a political consulting firm, working on redistricting Arizona. I had to support myself and actually hold down a job, and that gave me a lot of confidence when I returned to college, because I knew I could fend for myself after graduation.”
Nicolai: “Yes – I studied a lot on my own at Oxy, both with independent studies and on my own time. That’s one of Oxy’s strongest points; if there’s a topic you’re interested in, you can find someone to support you in learning about it.”
What is one thing you are really glad you did at Occidental?
Cruz: “Studying abroad provided a global perspective of the world, first-hand. It’s one thing to study the global economy and the international environment through readings, class discussions and writing papers, but it’s another thing to actually live abroad and experience it yourself. For me, I had the opportunity to study in Hong Kong at the University of Science and Technology, which was an international school that received students from across the globe. Many of the classes I took there required that I worked in group settings, which allowed me to engage with students who had completely different life experiences than I had.”
Lashway: “My last semester at Oxy I took a journalism class, since my dream is to become a published novelist and I had zero experience in journalistic writing; I decided to take a serious risk. I spent most of the term in utter confusion, unable to get out of the storytelling mindset and wound up getting the lowest grade of my academic career in that class, but in the end I don’t regret taking it.“
Turner: “I’m glad I decided to study less and spend more time with my friends my last year.“
What do you wish you did differently in your Occidental career?
Cruz: “It wasn’t until my senior year when I realized the importance of sleep. During my first year, I overloaded myself on classes and extracurricular activities. I was still in high school mode and felt that I had to prove myself. This added unnecessary stress and led to many late nights of work in the library. Though I had fun and a lot of adventures during this time, looking back, I think that my senior year was ultimately the best semester of my college career because I prioritized rest and relationships with teachers, friends and mentors.”
Lashway: “I wish I had taken more risks. Of course, transferring universities as a junior was a risk in itself (that I’m very glad I took), but as far as risks as an Oxy student go, I didn’t take very many. Believe me when I say Oxy offers so many opportunities.”
How should college students be utilizing their summers?
O’Neill: “Try to line up a summer position during fall term instead of waiting until spring. You get first choice of positions and the peace of mind of having summer plans. This time can be used to work in a lot of different fields to see what you like, or to work in subsequent summers for one organization you like.”
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Cruz: “Get to know your professors beyond the classroom. Visit them in office hours or invite them out for a drink at the Green Bean. Oxy professors are some of the most dedicated and caring people I have ever met, and I can honestly say that the relationships you build with them are more valuable than the letter grade you receive at the end of the semester.”
O’Neill: “Take classes with professors that actually work in their fields. I took Professor Freer’s L.A. Politics course and it was great because she was on the L.A. Planning Commission at the time and every day in class she’d have a new story to discuss about actual city issues. Professor Ling’s housing policy and [Los Angeles Unified School District] Board Member Steve Zimmer’s education policy classes are really good examples of this. Take their courses early on, and if the field interests you, go work at an internship for them or someone they know.”
Nicolai: “Join non-academic clubs and organizations! So many of my best friendships at Oxy came from the Glee Club and Dance Production, as well as many of the most valuable lessons in leadership and organization.”
Los Angeles fosters a vibrant and diverse culinary scene, offering everything from classic American fare to inventive fusion dishes. Trying it all is likely impossible, as there are more than 20,000 eateries in the area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It may, however, be feasible to hit all the best spots in Eagle Rock, which is home to dozens of hidden gems. These five spots—listed in no particular order—are a great place to start.
Blue Hen 1737 Colorado Boulevard Cuisine: Vietnamese Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30 a.m.-3p.m., 5:30-9:30 p.m. (Fridays open until 10 p.m.), Saturday: 5-10 p.m., Sunday: 5-9 p.m. The menu is simple but well-done and the atmosphere is laid-back. The food is fresh, organic and bought locally whenever possible, according to their website. Cost: The price of an entree is about $10, but the portions are sizable. Occasion: The relaxed nature of Blue Hen makes it perfect for a casual lunch with friends. Recommendation: Start with the fresh spring rolls and follow up with the Vietnamese noodle soup with beef stock.
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery & Deli 1726 Colorado Boulevard Cuisine: Italian Hours: Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This is a classic Italian-style bakery, offering everything from freshly-made sandwiches, to cannolis, to tiramisu for dessert. There’s no seating, so it’s all grab-and-go. Cost: You won’t spend more than $10 for a sandwich. Occasion: Their food is great for a quick bite or study break. Recommendation: It’s hard to go wrong with any combination of their freshly-made sandwiches, particularly with the soppressata. And the chocolate-dipped cannoli’s are incredible.
Good Girl Dinette 110 North Avenue 56 Cuisine: Vietnamese-American Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 5:30-9:30 p.m. (10 p.m. on Fridays) Saturday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. This is the second Vietnamese restaurant on the list, actually located in nearby Highland Park, but it’s definitely worth a mention. There are breakfast, lunch and dinner options and the food is varied: dishes include roasted pork hash for breakfast and chicken pot pie and pho for lunch or dinner. The place is more casual and the vibe is pretty hip. In fact, it’s not uncommon to run into a professor a two when dining there. Cost: Starters are around $6 and entrees are about $12. Occasion: This place is great for a Saturday night out with friends or a weekend breakfast. Recommendation: For breakfast, the black pepper pork confit with coddled egg wins rave reviews on Yelp. The slow-roasted pork bánh mì sandwich, made with a fresh baguette, is a solid option for lunch or dinner.
Four Cafe 2122 Colorado Boulevard Cuisine: American Hours: Monday-Friday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. This place is all about sustainability. Everything is locally sourced and fresh, the menu is seasonal and the food is made with recycled equipment, according to the cafe’s website. The eco-friendliness here is almost tangible, which may have something to do with the reclaimed materials they use for the decor. Cost: The main menu items range from $9-13 dollars. Occasion: The cafe has the perfect atmosphere for a sit-down lunch. And the speedy service is good for customers who need food to go. Recommended: It’s hard to name one item, as the menu is constantly changing with the seasonal harvests, but Four consistently serves up good soups and salads.
Cacao Mexicatessen 1576 Colorado Boulevard Cuisine: Mexican Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Cacao is more upscale than many ofthe other Mexican food places around Eagle Rock. That’s not to say it’s too formal for the average college student—customers order at the counter—but the menu deviates from traditional hole-in-the-wall taqueria options of burritos and tacos. Chocolate is a staple ingredient in many of their main dishes and they offer a wide selection of breakfast items. Cost: The average price of an entree is around $10. Occasion: Lunch and dinner with friends are both solid options. Recommendation: Try any one of their gourmet wet burritos, or the fried duck skin tacos for more adventurous eaters.
Taco Trucks Colorado, Eagle Rock and York Boulevards Cuisine: Mexican Hours: Vary, although typically from midday to 1 or 3 a.m. It would be borderline blasphemous to mention food in Eagle Rock without giving a shout out to its taco trucks. Half a dozen or so operate within two miles of the campus, offering quality food for low prices. The menu is fairly consistent at each one: burritos, tacos, quesadillas and sometimes nachos. Picking the best taco truck is impossible, though. Occidental students regularly get into fierce debates with their peers about which place offers the best carne asada or chicken. But regardless of which taco truck the burritos or tacos comes from, be it Sonia’s, La Estrella, El Pique, Leo’s or Rambo’s, they will be delicious. Cost: You won’t spend more than $10 for a couple of tacos or a burrito, or a combination of the two. Occasion: Late-night munchies are easily satisfied with at trip to the taco trucks. Recommendation: The burritos are decent, but the tacos take the cake, particularly if you order them with al pastor or carnitas.
Little Beast 1496 Colorado Boulevard Cuisine: American Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday: 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 5-11 p.m. Little Beast is the most upscale restaurant on this list. It’s in a former single-family residence, so it has a cozy, intimate feel. Adding to that vibe is the menu, which the website describes as “progressive American comfort food.” This translates to burgers, steaks and BLTs. Cost: It’s not cheap. Entrees top $25. Occasion: This place is perfect for date night. Recommendation: The peaches and burrata salad and the Little Beast burger makes for a well-rounded two-course meal.
Athletics at Division III colleges like Occidental may not have the luxuries of world-class facilities or ESPN coverage that are available to many Division I schools, but the athletes who compete for the college are still talented and equally passionate about their sports.
This fall season will feature seven teams in action— football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s water polo. Each squad participates in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and will face competition from Cal Lutheran, Caltech, the Claremont schools, Chapman, La Verne, Redlands and Whittier. Check out the records of your favorite team, and players to look out for this season:
Football (5-4 overall; 4-3 SCIAC)
Head coach Doug Semones enters his second season at the helm for the Tigers and his rebuilding process got off to a good start in year one. The Tigers, coming off a 2-7 season in 2012, compiled a winning record in 2013 and finished third in the SCIAC. It looked like another lost season when quarterback Tommy Edwards (senior) broke his arm in a week three loss to eventual conference champion Redlands, but first-year quarterback Bryan Scott, now a sophomore, stepped in and paced Occidental to a 4-2 finish with 1,476 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. He was then awarded with the honors of Second Team All-SCIAC and SCIAC Newcomer of the year. Edwards was granted anotheryear of eligibility by the NCAA and will be back in the fold for 2014, giving Semones a pair of proven gunslingers under center.
Also returning on offense is First Team All-SCIAC performer, running back Kwame Do (junior), who broke the Occidental’s single season rushing mark in 2013. The Tigers are bringing back their four leading receivers, as well, in Sam Stekol (senior), Davin Bullock (junior), Cordell Harris (sophomore) and Sam Crizer (senior). The team’s top two tacklers, senior linebacker Ross Fiegener and senior defensive back Teran Mahwinney, will suit up again on the defensive end. The Tigers are scheduled to open up the season at home against the University of Puget Sound on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.
Player to Watch:
Kwame Do (Running back, junior)— Do had a monster sophomore season in which he set the single season record for rushing yards with 1,325. The ceiling may be limitless for the junior, who should shoulder a large portion of the load for a very talented offensive unit.
Women’s Soccer (5-10-2; 4-9-1)
Eight of the ten losses suffered by the Occidental women’s soccer program last season were determined by one goal. This season, despite a few key departures, the Tigers will bring back the bulk of their team.
Former first-year phenoms and Second Team All-SCIAC selections forward Julie Khil (sophomore) — who led the team in goals last season — and midfielder Kylie Takafuji will take the reigns this season for the Tigers on offense, while First Team All-SCIAC selection defender Taryn Ng (senior) will anchor the backline. Other returning starters include midfielders Michaela Tsuha (junior) and Abigail Mitchell (senior) and defenders Stephanie Welty (senior) and Kelsey Hung (junior).
“We’re excited and looking forward to welcoming our first years and returners and to getting on the field,” head coach Colm McFeely said via email. The Tigers kick off against Southwestern (Tex.) at Cal Lutheran on Sunday Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.
Player to watch:
Julie Khil (forward, sophomore)— Khil burst onto the scene in her first season in Eagle Rock, scoring seven goals. With all-time Occidental great Elissa Minamishin gone, Khil will step in as the biggest offensive threat for the Tigers.
Men’s Soccer (3-16 overall; 2-14 SCIAC)
The Occidental men’s soccer program will look to rebound from last year’s eighth-place finish in the SCIAC, despite graduating a group of talented seniors and the team’s captain and top goal-scorer.
The Tigers should have a new look this season, but are expected to still feature returning defender Alex Ayala (senior), who started all 19 games for the squad last season, defender/midfielder Tyler Eng (senior) and defender Thayer Fisher (sophomore). Forward Connor Freeman (junior) will look to take on a larger role on offense after starting nine games last season. The Tigers will also bring back three goalkeepers with starting experience in Theo Atkinson (junior) Tristan Cooper (junior) and Ian Agrimis* (senior).
“[The team has] phenomenally exciting incoming players this year who are joining a very talented group,” head coach Rod Lafaurie said via email. The Tigers are scheduled to travel to Colorado College on Aug. 29 to start the season.
Player to watch:
Connor Freeman (forward, junior)— After the Tigers lost a large senior class, Freeman, who played in all 19 games last year and started nine, scoring one goal, will look to help fill the void left by the previous teams captain’s departure.
Volleyball (17-10 overall; 10-6 SCIAC)
The Tigers put together a successful campaign in 2013, finishing fourth in the SCIAC standings.However, due to past NCAA infractions, the squad was ineligible for the four team SCIAC playoffs. Despite being under NCAA sanction and losing a large class to graduation, the Tigers should still win their share of games thanks to a small yet talented corps of returning players.
Junior outside hitter Dana Michels returns after leading the team in kills last season, as will sophomore starting middle Natalie Dwulet. Defensive specialist Kandace Korver (junior), opposite Megan Olayinka (senior) and setters Sarah Beene (junior) and Tiareh Cruz (sophomore) round out the six returnees. “We have a large incoming class… so, we have a lot of work to do in order to get everyone on the same page and I am excited for the new season and grooming such a young group,” head coach Heather Collins said via email. The Tigers open up against Kean at Claremont on Friday Aug. 29 at 1:15 p.m.
Player to watch:
Natalie Dwulet (middle, sophomore) — It is rare for a first-year to step into the starting lineup, but Dwulet thrived under the pressure. This year, as one of only six returning players, she will take on an even larger role.
Cross Country (men finished third in SCIAC, women second)
A talented trio of seniors will lead the way for the men’s side. John Guzman earned All-American honors as a junior last season, after finishing sixth at the National Championships in his first season at Occidental. He finished first at both the West Regional and SCIAC championship races. Colin Smith finished second behind Aguilar at SCIACs and sixth at regionals. He also qualified for the national championships, but could not participate due to illness. Louis Jochems, an All-West Regional selection, also returns.
The women’s side will also return two All-West region runners in Mel Devoney* (sophomore) and Megan Bull (junior). The cross country teams will bring in a number of highly touted reinforcements this season. “We’re excited about our incoming first-year classes. Both are talented and deep,” head coach Rob Bartlett said. The first meet of the year will be the UC Irvine Invite on Sept. 6.
Runners to watch:
Colin Smith (senior) — Smith’s teammate Guzman stole the headlines last season, but Smith was right on his heels. An unfortunate stomach flu kept him from participating in the National Championships in 2013, so expect to see an extra motivated Smith at meets this year.
Megan Bull (junior) — Bull, who cracked the top 30 at the West Regionals, is one of two returning All-Region runners for the women. Now, as she looks to move up in the rankings, nationals could be in her sights.
Men’s Water Polo (4-24 overall; 3-9 SCIAC)
It has been a difficult stretch of late for the men’s water polo team, as they have lost over 20 games the past three seasons. Thankfully, the Tigers will bring a strong team this season, with second-leading scorer Samuel Akiyama (senior) who tallied 53 goals, 10 assists and 28 steals in 28 games played. Sophomore Matt Munet led all first-years on the squad in goals last season with 13, playing in all 28 games, and should see increased action in his second season. Sophomore goalkeeper Adam Florsheim led the team with 159 saves while splitting time in a three-goalie rotation. One of the other two goalies, junior Joshua Needleman, who notched 70 saves, will also be back, along with veteran attackers Nick Heffner (senior), Patrick Maloney (junior) and Jack Sinclair (senior). The Tigers are schedule to begin play at Whittier on Sept. 6.
Player to watch:
Matt Mulett (Attack, sophomore)- Mulet was a bright spot last year for the Tigers, picking up 13 goals in 28 games as a first-year. With a year of his experience to his name, Mulett should continue his progression and provide a much needed spark to the Tigers’ offense.
Incoming students choose Occidental College for a wide array of reasons: challenging academics; small size; the liberal arts philosophy; proximity to Los Angeles.
Then there are those who took into account the greater Southern California landscape when they chose this school: the dynamic, dusty brown San Gabriel mountain chain, the verdant Malibu Hills, the crashing Pacific surf, or the mystifying and unique Joshua Tree National Park.
I came to Occidental College with fantastical expectations for my upcoming adventures. I imagined spending my weekends road-tripping to Joshua Tree for bouldering and building camp fires, filling the winter months with morning skiing and afternoon waves, visiting Yosemite on the regular and becoming a professional surfer by the end of my first year.
Of course, these expectations were unrealistic, and when the academic hammer falls, it’s necessary to buckle down and set time-consuming hobbies aside. However, outdoor adventuring is less time-consuming with information and resources at hand. Here is a brief overview of some exciting and easily accessible outdoor adventures to be had in the L.A. area.
Hiking
Thanks to L.A.’s favorable weather, hiking doesn’t generally require extensive gear or outfitting. Two hiking hotspots near Occidental are the Santa Monica mountains and the Los Angeles National Forest, which encases parts of the San Gabriel mountain range. Each of the hikes described below are located an hour away from campusby car, with traffic, and they are all free of cost.
Santa Monica Mountains
A more urban mountain chain rising out of the Pacific (think Malibu Hills or the Hollywood sign), the Santa Monica mountains offer shorter, easier hikes with quick access to the beach for a post-trek dip.
This easy hike via the Backbone Trail leads to the summit of Saddle Peak, the second tallest in the Santa Monicas. The hike offers a great view over Malibu Hill mansions and to the ocean, and an artistically graffitiedconcrete slab to mark the summit.
Trailhead: Stunt Road & Schueren Road, Malibu, CA. Hikespeak, a website dedicated to helping hikers find their way down trails, offers detailed directions.
Also in the Malibu Hills, Solstice Canyon offers ocean views and beach access, as well as interesting ruins. The Rising Sun Trail takes about an hour and a half.
Trailhead: The intersection of Corral Canyon Road and Solstice Canyon Road in Malibu.
Los Angeles National Forest
For a longer and more remote hike, check out Bridge to Nowhere or Switzer Falls in the Los Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains. The mountains are dramatically set between L.A.’s urban sprawl and the Mojave Desert.
Bridge to Nowhere is a 10 mile out-and-back hike to a strange bridge surrounded by forest. The walk leads around a rushing river literally filled with gold; you’re sure to see locals crouched at the riverside gold panning.
Trailhead: In Azusa, at Camp Bonita Road, Angeles National Forest.
Switzer Falls is a 4.5 mile out-and-back hike to a spectacular 50-foot waterfall. The trail weaves along a cliff side and through a shady, wooded canyon.
Trailhead: Switzer Truck Trail, Angeles National Forest in Tujunga.
For the mountaineers out there, a challenge awaits with Mount San Antonio, the highest peak in Southern California at 10,064 feet. The Devil’s Backbone Trail is a razor-thin walk along a spiky ridge line — an exhilarating experience. During the winter the peak is covered in snow and requires more extensive gear (snowshoes or crampons).
Trailhead: Mt. Baldy Road & Falls Road, Angeles National Forest, Mt. Baldy.
At Occidental, camping trips are generally organized independently by individuals and groups of friends, and a car is typically needed. Occidental does provide gear, through the Student Activities Center (SAC). The SAC offers tents, stoves and fuel, sleeping bags, and pads for a small fee.
Joshua Tree National Park
A vast Mars-scape of otherworldy rock formations, strange and spiky trees unique to the Mojave, and the scene from the Entourage where they take ‘shrooms: that’s Joshua Tree National Park. It is a perfect spot for weekend or Fall Break camping. There are eight main campsites at the park, running at $10-30 per site, and most provide a water spigot, fire pit and road access. Some are reservable, and some are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Find more information at the National Park Service website.
Joshua Tree is also known for bouldering and climbing, so bring along your climbing shoes, harness, ropes or crash pad. Occidental’s Climbing Cluboccasionally visits the park as well as other outdoor climbing spots.
Distance: About two and a half hours east of campus.
Location: In the Mojave, near 29 Palms.
Cost: $10-30 per site.
Leo Carrillo State Park
Named after actor and conservationist Leo Carrillo (Pancho from The Cisco Kid), Leo Carrillo State Park provides opportunities for swimming, surfing, hiking, andcoastal cave exploring. The park offers both RV and tent camping, and tent campgrounds shaded by giant sycamores.
Distance: An hour and a half from campus.
Location; 28 miles north of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway.
For other camping recommendations, check out the Parks and Recreation’s California Camping Guide.
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Use this guide as a starting point, and do some research and exploration on your own. At Occidental, the majority of outdoor adventuring tends to be individually organized, so take charge and round up a group of friends for a trip out of the concrete jungle. Fall break is the perfect time to organize a bonding trip and experience Southern California’s natural beauty and diversity.
Have you stalked your classmates on the Occidental Class of 2018 Facebook page in the past few weeks? Watched every video on Occidental’s Youtube channel? Have you discovered Oxy Confessions and wondered if the anonymous declarations of love are true?
As part of the millennial generation, it is difficult to ignore Occidental’s digital presence, especially as a newcomer to the community. With insights into your next four years available at the click of a mouse, it is easy to become enticed and mislead by the power of social media platforms.
Don’t:
Incessantly post to the Occidental Class of 2018 Facebook page. Make it a point to meet your peers in person around campus. Orientation week offers some great social events to help you get to know your new classmates.
Don’t:
Follow the college on Instagram. The official Occidental College account is targeted towards prospective students. You already got in!
Don’t:
Believe everything you read on the Oxy Confessions Facebook page. This page is a forum for students to post anonymously, and it can become a dangerous procrastination tool.
Don’t:
Post an excessive amount of party pictures on social media. Of course you want to let your high school friends know that you’re loving college life, but make sure that future employers won’t be able to see any incriminating evidence online.
Don’t:
Like Oxy Housing on Facebook. This page generally reposts content that is sent to your school e-mail, so there’s no need for the like on Facebook.
Do:
Follow Oxy Careers on Instagram. The Career Development Center posts photos featuring student internships, job openings, and career events.
Do:
Like Oxy Programming Board on Facebook. Programming Board plans the biggest and best social events on campus, so you’ll definitely want to check out this page for school-wide entertainment. Plus, you’ll be the first to receive the news when this year’s SpringFest performer is announced.
Do:
Read the root. It’s not an official social media account, but it is the best place for miscellaneous postings within the Occidental community. Read that e-mail you get everyday at 5:32; you will find everything from your next on-campus job to a chance to buy your 2015 Coachella ticket there.
Do:
Like Occidental College’s official Facebook page. The page features posts from the archives, news articles and updates on alumni. Plus, you will show some school pride with your like!
Do:
Definitely follow Occidental College on LinkedIn. You now have an entire network of Occidental alumni that are willing to help you find internships and jobs, so connecting on this professional social media site will be a great tool to use throughout your undergraduate career.
Do:
Follow the Occidental Weekly on Twitter (@OxyWeekly). The Weekly publishes content relevant to campus life and living in L.A.; it is a great resource to get to know your new school!
