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Venezuela Lecture Enthralls CGI Dip Corps Students
BY JONATHAN GREEN n Saturday, November 22, there was a crowd of about forty-five students and teachers gathered in the main entrance to Montclair High, waiting to depart on buses headed to Seton Hall University, in order to hear a lecture on the topic of U.S. - Venezuela relations. The lecture, delivered by Seton Hall professor Dr. Ben Goldfrank, was the first in a series of talks for CGI's Diplomatic Corps: a group of students that focuses on international relations and crises. Dip Corp is headed by Ms. Panayev, Junior Sam Flood, who have both been working diligently to organize the most insightful lectures possible. The topic, U..S – Venezuela relations, was exciting to everyone present because of the recent news stories involving Venezuela and its president, Hugo Chavez. In addition to learning an incredible amount of information about the recent history and current struggles of Venezuela, the students were able to take part in a wonderful experience. For several hours, Dr. Goldfrank addressed them about what is going on in Venezuela, the build up to all that is happening, and how the nation and it’s conflicts are affecting America. He also allowed us to ask questions, and answered them all informatively. Students came away with varied views on the nation and [SEE DIP CORP, PAGE 4]
The Parent Wing
BY JAMES MACKSOUD he Parent Wing is a monthly bulletin sent home via e-mail to the parents of all CGI students. Like the Eye it is written by members of the Media Department and covers events going on in CGI that would interest parents. This includes any special programs, such as the post election meeting, community service activities, and CGI trips and out of school events. It is the goal of the Parent Wing to keep CGI parents updated on the affairs of the institution. The Parent Wing can be a useful tool for both students and teachers alike who would wish to relay a message directly to the heads of CGI households. This can be invaluable when it comes to food drives and other fundraisers for the institution and charities. Last month’s issue included articles on the Halloween party, DC trip, and focused on the experiences of incoming sophomores. Should any student have an announcement, such as a fundraiser or community service event they would like to reach CGI parents directly, they should speak with the Editor of the Parent Wing, James Macksoud. The Parent Wing is a valuable part of CGI which along with teachers and the students themselves, expands CGI’s influence into the world.
Barack Obama’s Daughters Adjusting to New Life in The Spotlight
BY MADELINE KNIGHT change, however. Transitioning from a normal citizen to the Presiovember 4, 2008 was dent of an entire country is una life-changing day for doubtedly difficult. The President all Americans. The must be prepared to change their United States elected whole lifestyle in order to adapt to its 44th President, Senator Barack that of a President. What many Obama. Along with victory comes [SEE BARACK PAGE 3]
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Dear Abby
BY RACHEL RODER Dear Abby, I have a huge problem. I am a 15year-old girl, and last week I lied to my best friend's parents so we could go to a movie. Her parents found out and told my parents, who got very angry and have grounded me for a minimum of a month -depending on my "attitude." I never used to lie, but I can’t stop it now. In the first week of being grounded, I lied again and got caught. Now they don't trust me at all, and I can't even leave my school campus to go to lunch or answer phone calls or anything! How do I get my mom and dad to trust me again while I'm grounded? If I'm not given any freedom, then
how can I prove I'm responsible? I am at the end of my rope here. Please help. -- CAUGHT LYING IN COLORADO DEAR CAUGHT LYING IN COLORADO : Trust is hard to gain back but I have full confidence that you be able to earn it. At first ll it will be difficult, as expected, you your parents might be extra re harsh on your limits at hanging out. Take all this without a complaint and then things will start to ease up again. You’re a teenager and kids make mistakes. Do not forget that your parents were once your age and they know what it’s like to be sixteen and dying for adventure. You have to remember that your parents aren’t any different than you are they are just looking out for your best interests.
Barack Obama’s First Youtube Address to the Nation
nounced to be the president elect’s first of many weekly Youtube adhis past Friday, Novem- dresses to the Nation. This is a ber 14th, promising step in B a r a c k the direction of O b a m a governmental posted the very first transparency. It is Presidential internetrefreshing to see based address. A that our new new video was posted president seems to to his official Yoube very in sync tube page, Changewith the technolDotGov. This short video was an- ogy that is now used by most of the BY BEN HADLEY
nation, and will be using it to stay in contact with the people of America. During this first speech, Obama spoke shortly about the economic condition of America, and how he hoped to improve it during the beginning of his presidency. He declared that unemployment had risen to record highs, and that we are in a truly serious economic crisis. But he also expressed the hope he held for the improvement of our situation, though this can only come through hard work and sacrifice. He noted that congress would be convening soon, and urged them to intervene to help out those who were nearing the end of their unemployment insurance. He also said that if Congess would no act towards such a measure, then he would make it one of his first acts as president. He also suggested that 150 Billion dollars should be spent towards forging a new economy dependent on green energies, creating 5 Million jobs in the process. This clear defining of the goals Obama holds for his presidency Is a reassuring breath of fresh air.
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young age that is bound Furthermore, to take a personal toll. they will have to adjust people don’t realize, “Chelsea Clinton was to the constant security however, are the lampooned by television presence, and the spechanges that the chil- comics as “ugly,” an dren of Presidents must undergo. Moving is difficult under normal circumstances, but this particular move is more than just a change in location. Obama’s two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, will be experiencing some major adjustments in their way of life. They will be thrust into the public eye like never before, and all eyes will be on their family. Even during their father’s campaign, the girls experienced media attention on a whole new level. Cameras followed them around almost everywhere they went, and the whole country was focused on their father. Children of President’s tend to get a cial attention that comes lot of harsh criticism experience that the now from being the offspring from the media. Take gorgeous Chelsea has Chelsea Clinton for ex- lived to laugh about but of a President. They will ample; she was con- it was no laughing mat- most likely be attending stantly scrutinized by ter for a "vulnerable, a private school, where the media, and at such a adolescent girl”, says it will be more convenblogger Doug Weed.
BARACK
ient considering the girls’ new security level. They will be constantly followed by secret service, and going out in public will become much more of a hassle. Also, they will experience special treatment in a completely different way. As children of the President, Malia and Sasha will be flying in private Are Force One planes, transported almost everywhere in limousines, eat only the nicest food, travel all across the country and world, and given the best service in just about everything. Life will change for the Obama girls in ways they never could have imagined.
IN THE INSTITUTE
DIP CORPS
it’s conflicts are affecting America. He also allowed us to ask questions, and answered them all informatively. Students came away with varied views on the nation and Chavez, but all walked away with broadened minds. Sophomore Jason Cerf, reflecting on his first ever Dip Corps event, remarked, "The lecture really got me thinking. Venezuela, under Hugo Chavez, has potential to become a socialist nation. They are venturing towards a path that many countries have not tried. If they succeed, we may see many other nations follow in their foot steps." The professor began his lecture with a discussion on the recent history of Venezuela, from the 1960s to the late 1990s, at which point President Hugo Chavez was elected. He discussed the earlier stability of the country, and the two party system of AD-COPEI, which dominated Venezuela politics until the late 1980s. He went on to discuss the instability of the 1980s, due mainly to increased oil prices. Next, he talked about President Chavez, who has been loved by the poor sector and hated by the rich sector of the Venezuelan population. The discussion of Hugo Chavez took the group through all of the coups, elections, and economic changes under him, and brought us to what is happening now in Venezuela. The lecture, delivered by Professor Goldfrank, was immensely enjoyable and informative. All of the students who attended gave very positive feedback, and all plan to attend the next lecture, most likely on the topic of Guantanamo Bay. The students plan to stay involved in Dip Corps, and those who haven’t gotten involved yet are encouraged to! It’s a wonderful opportunity and we’re all looking forward to future lectures that we anticipate to be as enjoyable as the Venezuela one.
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Recently Debated
Empowering CGI to endorse candidates Passed in Council Passed in Senate Tabled in House To Institute Urgently-Needed Education Reform Passed in Council Passed in Senate Failed in House A Resolution to Keep the Communication Flowing Failed in the House
A CGI Website? Julian Reports
BY JULIAN LUCAS ver the next month or two, members of CGI should expect to see a new website available for their use. The website committee in the Media department is headed by sophomore Julian Lucas and junior Cody Plofker. The team also includes Nick Levine, Adam Cooper, and designer of the previous site Phil Russo. The site is not yet available, but will most likely include electronic versions of the Eye of CGI and the Parent Wing, video casts by members of the Media department, a forum for use by all members of CGI, and a database of all bills passed in congress. These are only a few things that the new website will have to offer,
and it is hoped that all in CGI will use it frequently; the site, especially the forum, is certainly going to be a useful tool. We do, however, need your help; the website committee will be holding several fund raisers over the next month to raise money for the costs of the website. We also welcome your ideas; if you have any contributions to the website that you would like to see available, contact any of the members of the website committee.
IN THE INSTITUTE
Watchung School After Care as a Community Service Partnership
BY JAKE PUTMAN s part of CGI, we are all required to do community service and create a partnership with some organization. At first, I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. After much thinking, I decided that it would be nice to give back to the school that gave so much to me when I first moved to Montclair. This school is Watchung Elementary School. At age seven, I moved to Montclair from Manhattan, NY. I was happily welcomed into Watchung Elementary and Montclair through teachers at this school and the students. I feel that now it is time I give back to this school that gave so much to me. While attending Watchung Elementary School, I was aware of this program called “After-Care”. Students would attend this program if their parents could not get them from school until later, or if the student just wanted to play after school. I never attended After-Care because it wasn’t too much fun from what I had heard. However, many people still went to AfterCare because they couldn’t get home after school. I decided that a good way to help Watchung Elementary would be to help out and play with the kids at After-Care. This would make After-Care a fun place to be for the students. Every week, my friend Arian and I go to Watchung School and play with the kids at After-Care as well as help out the teachers instructing the program (Arian also attended Watchung). While at After -Care, Arian and I may be seen helping out Coach Weintraub (he runs the After-Care program), playing football with the kids, playing knock hockey with the kids, playing Connect Four with the kids, and many other fun activities that the students enjoy. I have fun with the students at After-Care, and they have fun with me. I didn’t think that community service could be so much fun while helping out kids in need!
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A Sophomore's Impression of CGI
BY ADAM COOPER hen I first signed up for CGI I really did not know what had signed up for. I will admit that I only signed up for CGI because I thought that it was an excuse to go on field trips. I soon realized that I signed up for more that just field trips. I had no
idea that your English and History classes were with other CGI kids and that you gave up your elective for the Government Studies Class. Even thought it it’s a lot of work and you have to do a lot of extra things like community service and participate in a variety of after school activates I overall really enjoy CGI. I enjoy being in congress and participating in debates. I think that it has greatly helped my public speaking and reasoning skills already. It’s interesting to hear the opinions of all of the different people in CGI. I feel that it really helps you form you own opinion by hearing the opinion of others. I also think that being in this smaller community for English and history makes it far much easier to learn. The teachers have more time to pay attention to each individual student which in turn enhances the learning experience. I’ve only been in CGI for one cycle but it has been enjoyable and I hope it will continue to be so pleasant in the future. I think the CGI community can benefit all students and provide an excellent learning experience. I realized that the active debates in class have benefited me greatly. Overall my first impression of CGI is very good. The CGI after school events, the classrooms and even the people are just wonderful. I have a good feeling that this is going to be an exciting year.
MONTCLAIR HIGH
Montclair High School Hockey Expecting a Great Season
BY PHILLIP RUSSO t’s that time of year again. November 15 has come and gone and with it a new winter hockey season is ripe to begin. Following a masterful season of 18 wins, one Conference Title, the McMullen cup and the graduation of more than ten seniors, it would seem almost impossible to have a repeat performance. To make matters worse, longtime coach Brack Healy has made the coaching change to West Orange High School, leaving a gaping hole in the coaching staff. The good news, Head Coach Patrick Verney has taken all of the hits to his program in stride by promoting Junior Varsity head coach Dean Portas to the varsity role and adding two new coaches, Good and Hachek, to round out the staff. With ten Varsity starters returning to the squad and a number of rising stars from the Junior Varsity, Montclair Hockey is poised for a gallant return. New and old faces alike, all players who have shown up have come ready to work and fill the holes left last year.
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community service partnership. Doing community service at the library is a great partnership. I go in every Wednesday at 3:00 PM right after school. The library will accept any type of volunteer service that people are willing to do. These services include alphabetizing, shelving, and edg ing books. Do not be afraid of being denied because with all the books there, they are always looking for people to help out. And this is not just a message to the kids reading this, it is also for your parents that would like to do community service as well. You can get information about the Montclair Public Library at www.montlib.com. Also if you would like to help with the community service, you can contact them at 973-744-0500 and ask for Michelle Dun.
Montclair High School Hockey Expecting a Great Seas
BY MAX SCHOEN he Montclair Public Library is located at 50 South Fullerton Avenue. It is a place where kids and adult alike can do many different activities. There are computers, plays for little kids, and of course a lot of books. At the Montclair Public Library, you can find almost any book you are looking for, whether it is for school or recreational reading. You can also go to the library for a quiet place to study and do homework. I wrote this article in the Eye of CGI because the Montclair Public Library is my
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Behind the Scenes With Regis and Kelly
BY LEILA BROWN he studio is well lit, yet the small set is somewhat lively with the few crew members setting up. The live studio audience is actually a quarter of the size of what it looks like on television. The producers are bustling around setting up for a fast paced hour of live television. Within this hour every segment has to stick to a certain time, everything has to go right, because there are no retakes in live television. It sounds like a high pressure job, but the people actually doing the job seem to handle the pressure with ease. This is just an early set up for the
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entire crew and show hosts on the set of “Live with Regis and Kelly”. The hosts, Regis Philbin and Kelly
Ripa have “daily” guests on the show to usually promote a new book or album while holding a friendly, yet comical conversation with the current guest stopping by. Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin, the two hosts seem completely unfazed by their celebrity, you would think that their warm and happy television personalities would disappear once the cameras were rolling, but that is far from the truth. During commercial breaks, both Regis and Kelly come over and hold friendly conversation with the audience. They talk about their families, Kelly speaking very avidly of her husband and of her “scheme” to buy the green ruffle top she wore on the show that morning. Portland and is the lead singer who impressed everyone with his wide range in vocals, hitting high notes that almost didn’t seem real. He also wore a great funky sweater that stood out amongst the member’s wardrobes because of the bright white color and the colorful flowers, resembling a Mr. Rodgers look. Supposedly he wears these crazy sweaters because of a friend who travels to various cities collecting interesting sweaters for him to
Loch Lomond the long awaited sound from the West Coast
BY SOPHIA LEWIS n Tuesday, November 11, 2008 a new upcoming band Loch Lomond, traveling all the way from Portland Oregon, played as the opening for the popular band, The Decembrists. Loch Lomond did a fabulous job setting the mood for the show and grabbing the audience’s attention to their Folk Pop sound. In Loch Lomond there are seven members Ritchie Young, Scott Magee, Laurel Simmons, Jade Eckler, Amanda Lawrence, Dave Depper, and Jason Leonard. Ritchie Young started the band in
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wear. It was absolutely a trade mark appearance. Mr. Young along with almost every other band member, plays a variety of instruments. Jason Leonard who plays vibes, banjo and sounds said, “I like to be able to play a variety of instruments and sounds to keep my interest level high, but other bands members like Dave plays tons of instruments. Scott, the drummer, plays the clarinet and Laurel, the pianist, plays percussion and mandolin; everybody kind of shifts around here or there.” The diversity from all the musicians’ different backgrounds keeps their creative individual sounds fresh and eclectic. The diversity of opinions help to produce some of the most beautiful songs recorded. In the past members of Loch Lomond have come and go and the band has just started to solidify in the last year or so. Many of the band members became involved in Loch Lomond from being friends previously who create a great comfortable environment for them to create their music. The actual songs are written as collaboration, but most of the lyrics are written by Ritchie Young who takes most of his material from his dreams. However, the way Loch Lomond gets their great sound is from every member’s input on the arrangements on the chords and lyrics that Ritchie will usually bring to the band.
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A mini interview with band mem- Decembrists because it’s been the most shows we’ve played on the ber Jason Leonard: east coast. The only real difference When did you start playing music? is that we have more fans on the west coast. All the people were so Well I guess, for the band, because receptive at the Decembrists shows there are so many different mem- and it was really nice to play to bers, we all have different musical such nice crowds. history. I personally started playing guitar around fifteen. Everybody in Does everyone in the band get the band has such different musical along? history, and most of the members of the band started in high school or Yeah, everyone gets along great. We’re all friends first or friends now. As well as just being in a band together, I think it really helps to have a balance of female and male, especially considering the balance of the different kinds of personalities and musical personalities. There are four men and three women, but I really think it’s help create a different kind of music, you get different people coming at the music differently. Where did the inspiration come from your previous albums, is it the lead singer Ritchie Young? Or is it collaboration?
so, some even younger.
Can you tell a difference in your He comes up with basic structures. fans from the West coast and the Sometimes it will just be chords East coast? and lyrics, and sometimes it will be melodic lines and lyrics and then he Well I think right now, it’s mostly that we have more fans on the west brings it to the band and we sort out coast. We’re from Portland, that’s the arrangements together with our where the band started; we’ve just own inspirations and ideas; it’s a played a lot more on the west coast really nice way of working. Everyand we're little better known in one is really free to come up with Portland. It’s been really nice to their own part and arrangements. I you know play on this tour with the
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I guess it’s been a little different with these shows because now it’s been some of the biggest audiences we have played to. I think the most important thing is just having the songs and arrangements just really work out the when you get up there and perform you don’t have to How many instruments can you think about that anymore and just play? focus on the performance. Well, I think it’s a matter of just being really open to all kinds of sound. I just hear a sound and just try and figure out how to replicate it on an instrument of object. I guess for me it keeps a high level of interest to be able to play a variety of different instruments and sounds. Everyone in the band is really like that. Everybody kind of shifts around here or there. think that’s where everyone’s own musical background comes in and makes it a little more eclectic and some people have jazz backgrounds, some people have classical background and some simple just rock n’ roll.
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little more timeless. My own view, in my own stuff, I like to focus on other aspects that aren’t so political, more positive things. Because there is already so much of that out there, so many things we already know and see and sometimes in my won work I like to shift my focus to other things.
If you could sing a song with any As an artist do you feel it is impor- artist in the world, who would it tant to be involved in politics and be? share your opinion through your work? That’s a hard question to kind of represent the band, but personally I Well I guess that would be more of guess there are a million people that my individual opinions and not I listen to and inspired by but I very representative of the band. As a band I don’t think that we have to guess the one that I’d always go project any political ideas, I mean back to would be Tom Waits. for me personally, I think it works well to do that subtly. I think you How do you prepare for one of your know whether you hide it in metashows? phors in the lyrics and it would be a
Interview with Tobin of Flatfoot 56
BY LOREN SHATZ n November 16, 2008, the famous “ska” show, “Skanksgiving,” presented by ‘Ska’s Not Dead,’ came around to Sayreville, New Jersey. With the amazing lineup of “ska” bands, the concert was truly unforgettable. However, randomly tossed in the lineup, was one punk band, Flatfoot 56. Flatfoot 56 is a punk band from Chicago, Illinois, and was started back in 2000. Two of the four members, Tobin, Kyle and Justin Bawinkel, are brothers and had another band before 2000. Another member, Josh Robieson, became part of the band when the brothers met him during a game of basketball. “We were all home-schooled” says Tobin, the lead singer, “that’s how we met Josh, our bagpipe player, during a game of home-schooled basketball.” Laughing at the memory Tobin continued, “We first heard Josh play the pipes
when he was about 12, it was really funny, the bagpipes were as big as him! So when our band was forming, we remembered him and invited him over to play the bagpipes with us and said, ‘You know I play guitar too.’” Flatfoot 56’s sound was influenced by a lot of 80’s punk, street punk, British music, American Folk, and some unconventional music too, such as Johnny Cash. With such different influences, it is really no wonder that the band attracts so many different types of fans.
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“Our fans are amazing” Tobin says, “We have such diverse fans! From skinheads and punks, to moms and dads who bring their children to our shows; our fans make everything worthwhile.” Their bagpipe player Josh agrees, “Fans really make the tour special. It is really encouraging for me and the rest of band to see a bunch of people gathering together and listening to us play, I would never turn away a chance to talk to a fan. Band’s who don’t appreciate their fans don’t deserve to have any.” Although fans can make tours fun, tours can still present themselves to become a burden. “Most people don’t think a tour is such hard work” Tobin explains, “It is though. Your body goes through a lot of stress mentally and physically due to always being in motion. It’s not that easy eating and sleeping on a bus for weeks or months at a time.” They all agree on one thing: the real trouble with a tour isn’t the other bands or the lack thereof showers, but being away
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from the family and friends back home. Flatfoot 56 has no strong political underlying message in their music. As a band, they understand that not every person believes in the same thing politically or religiously. Each member believes in their own thing, sometimes things overlap, sometimes they don’t. However, as a band, they can all agree on one
thing. “If we have any big message at all that we want to be heard, it would be to understand the value of yourself, as a human being” Tobin says. “Our message would be that everyone should laugh and be happy and that they should know not to underestimate the impact that they, as a person, have on the world.”