At 6’9 and 250 lbs, it is amazing that Big Easy Lofton made it across the zip line. Big Easy Lofton and his friend and teammate Flight Time Lang of the Harlem Globetrotters were recently on the Emmy award-winning CBS television show, “The Amazing Race.” One of their challenges was to cross a zip line suspended over water. In an interview with both Flight Time and Big Easy, Big Easy said the challenge was “exhausting.” He told me that he was told the zip line was tested, but just never tested for someone of his size. Luckily, his strength and athletic ability allowed him to finish. Flight Time and Big Easy finished fourth in the race that premiered the season final on December 6, 2009.  

I am upset and I am tired. I am upset that my generation is complacent. I am upset that me and my fellow students so easily accept things going on in the world that are not right.  Well I do not want to be complacent anymore. I am tired of it. Alex Gonzalez Jr., son of Alexander Gonzalez Sr., President of Sac State, received a marketing position at Sac State making $83,000 annually. The marketing position would require Alex Jr. to promote "Destination 2010," a campaign to turn Sac State into a traditional campus rather than a commuter school.  Now, to be fair to the Gonzalez, Alex Jr. may be very qualified for the position. The problem is that no other candidate was interviewed and the po

The Sacramento Kings are offering a new opportunity this season for local artists to display their Kings basketball inspired artwork. The Kings are asking that local artists submit their artwork for a chance to see it displayed on billboards across Sacramento. Interested??? The opportunity is open to any artists working in 2D media on a large scale. The final pieces will be expected to be as big as 12’ X 25’ and 14’ X 48’. If you are interested in submitting your Kings basketball inspired artwork, you can do it by emailing a thumbnail of the piece to Heather Vaughan at vaughan@arcoarena.com by the deadline, October 15, 2009. The billboards will be throughout the Sacramento area and the

They shuffled in to the room, found seats, and appeared slightly uninterested. Then the music began and the Sacramento Monarchs entered the room. The teens began to buzz and one young man stood up to applaud. The teens might have tried to appear uninterested, but they couldn’t suppress their excitement. The Sacramento Monarchs had arrived. On Tuesday, August 18th the Sacramento Monarchs, along with volunteers from Wells Fargo/Maloof Sports and Entertainment and world renowned local artist, David Garibaldi presented the Do It Yourself (DIY) Teen Center to the River Oak Center for Children. The River Oak Center for Children is an organization that provides programs and services to families

Sacramento might be known as the capital of California, home of the “Governator,“ or the city of tents, but many are not familiar with one of our local superstars. Though he might be known as the king of the jungle, he is certainly the king of Sacramento: Slamson, the Sacramento King’s mascot and entertainer extraordinaire. I recently was able to go to a few Kings games and recognized Slamson as a great addition to the team. He was fun, entertaining, and had jungle cat reflexes that left me wondering if he did kickboxing or Pilates to keep in such good shape. It turns out he does cardio, weight training, and yoga, along with all of the games he performs at. Slamson performs at all of the

I don't think tuition increase is exactly the issue. I think the issue is that tuition was increased and the administration does not appear to be handling the money correctly. Faculty are being laid off and classes are overcrowded. I do not mind investing in my education, but the money needs to be used appropriately. There are students that may not be involved in their eduction and may not being paying for it, but for those of us who are, the last minute increase was very difficult. Sal: I am not sure why you think Sac State is a "pay what you get for" school because there are some great professors. Dr. Zuckerman, Dr. Lasher, Dr. Stoner, Professor Maviglio, and Professor Howard are just a few of the great instructors from the Coms department at Sac State. Also, the Communications Master's program is actually very well known and respected in the academic world.

I am not sure if it is very noble to boast about the things you do for others. I think those things should be done and not said. So I will say that I make small gestures when I can. The gestures usually revolve around food. Two weeks ago I was driving through Taco Bell by Sac State and their was a homeless man sitting by the drive thru and I bought him something to eat and gave it to him on my way out. I have only done what I can. Some would say it is not much and others would say it is too much. Many people don't agree with giving the homeless anything. I am involved and have been involved in various non profits as a volunteer and as an employee for over 10 years and so I think there is value in helping those less fortunate or poor in spirit. My mother has been an advocate for over 20 years and there is a certain amount of compassion she has instilled in me. Not to mention that I have experienced being very poor and not having a home. What kept my mother and I from not living on the streets was our family. We did in fact receive a house from Habit for Humanity though. I think when you have been in the position to struggle and feel hopelessness, you can appreciate what a helping hand or a smile can do.

No, compassion is not a smile. Compassion is an emotion and a smile is a facial expression. I think both are helpful and useful when interacting with others.

Alicia, thank you for writing this article. Though some of us may be unable to help the homeless for personal or financial reasons, we all can provide some compassion. A smile can go a long way. As an American, I would hate to think that our only answer to someone experiencing a crisis like being homeless is, "Hey, here's the services, use them or don't." I like to think Americans are more noble and kind than that. Call me a romantic if you will.

I appreciate your information and I understand you have strong opinions on the subject. I have worked with and volunteered for non-profits for over ten years, and I have my own opinions. They are focused less on the donators and more on the receivers-the teens to be clear. River Oak Center may or may not have funds available for computers. Regardless if they do, the teens did not have computers available to them before the DIY center opened. When I spoke to a counselor, who worked with the teens daily, she told me that their prior program had “nothing like this.” SO basically, if the donators had decided to donate to the Boys and Girls Club instead of the DIY center, the teens from River Oak would still be without computers and supplies. As far as River Oak versus Boy and Girls Club, both organizations have a purpose and both organizations are making a difference in at least one child or teen. AND It is important to remember that people that lack integrity can be found in corporations AND non-profits and people with integrity can also be found in both. As someone who is financially unable to donate money and youth centers, I personally do not feel comfortable criticizing those that are able and CHOOSE to do so. In fact the argument criticizing the wealthy is tiresome. To sum it up, I am sure that you are more informed on the politics of Sacramento than I and I am okay with that. In fact the discussion seems like something you are very familiar with and have probably debated in the past. I am more concerned with the benefits the teens received because of the center. Even if the center is or is not available to outside clients, there are ATLEAST forty teens who will enjoy it and I think that is significant. They probably do too.