Antelope Valley

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Jul 22 2010

Helps keep students sharp

LANCASTER, Calif. —While summer jobs are scarce and activities are limited, teens don’t have to go through the next two months without making use of their time.

Rising Star College Program hosted a four-day writing workshop for high school students, where youngsters learned the basics of how to effectively and efficiently write essays to better prepare them for college.

Although English courses in school teach students the basics of writing, there is nothing like a bit of practice and college preparation.

Joseph Wright  |   OW Senior Staff Writer
Jul 22 2010

Adults could be punished for children’s criminal behavior

Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris recently insisted that a new ordinance setting fines for parents whose children repeatedly engage in deviant, criminal behavior be rewritten. He said that the possible effects on citizens would be “asinine.”

The rewriting is intended to identify the specific types of conduct to be considered punishable and to outline the process for warning parents of potential penalties. The ordinance, drafted at the request of Vice Mayor Ron Smith, was based on a measure already in place in Norwalk.

Jul 22 2010

Lets go to the movies

*Fowler Museum’s Kids in the Courtyard: Spirit Animal
The town of Tonalá, Mexico has long been known for its pottery traditions, especially works ornamented with, or in the shape of, animals. These depict the nagual, animal spirit counterparts of humans. See the plates and pots on view in Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives and then create a mask reflecting your own spirit animal. July 25 from 1-4 p.m.

Jul 22 2010

Kids will have an evening of fun

Palmdale, Calif.—Thursday Night on the Square festivities continue at Poncitlan Square with “Amazement,” a maze designed for  3- to 12-year-old boys and girls. An adventure awaits children inside the maze designed to test their “green” knowledge. Mazers, ages 3-12, will solve riddles and complete craft activities sponsored by Waste Management as well as create a stamped tote bag, bee ‘green’ pin and an earth friendly bean plant. Entertainment includes Petunia’s Puppet Palooza that night at 7:30 at 38315 9th Street East, Palmdale.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Jul 22 2010

A once in a lifetime birthday celebration

LANCASTER, Calif.—Old age is a beautiful time that many do not get the chance to experience, so when anyone reaches 100, it’s a big deal, especially for Antelope Valley resident Vernon McCutchen. The mother of four, and grandmother to six grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren turns 100 on July 23.

She was born in Portland, Tenn. to George and Florence Hudson. The youngest of two brothers and one sister, McCutchen is the only of her siblings to live beyond the age of 65. 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.