Volume 66 | Issue 10 | March 8, 2019
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Music production team brings together students, locals to create new, inclusive music community BY DYANA VILLA
ASST. A&E EDITOR Sola Productions is a music group that was formed by California Baptist University students in order to unite people through creative content. Jake Driscoll, sophomore graphic design major, Andrew Pirkle, Jacob Adler, both junior applied theology majors, and Miguel Ángel Iniesta, junior applied theology and film production double major, make up the production team that hosts house shows for people of all backgrounds, beliefs and ages. They said they want people to enjoy these shows, meet different people and hear new music. Coming from CBU gives them a connection to Christians, but they want to be open to non-Christians, as well, to find a common ground where
both groups could have the same experience. Sola Productions emphasizes that everyone is welcome and they want to make their next event the best in every possible way. In February, Sola Productions hosted two concerts: “Casa Blanca” on Feb. 1 and “House Show” on Feb. 23. Their shows feature multiple bands and a crowd connection like no other. Sola Productions promotes the performing bands through social media because of the impact of Instagram. From their account @solaproductions, they post photos from past shows, as well as fliers for upcoming shows to showcase new events. Iniesta, producer for Sola Productions, said Sola Productions is a team that curates and creates events for a mix of Christians and non-Christians alike to enjoy the overall culture of music. Iniesta received an internship in Portland at a nonprofit organization called “Humble Beast,” which emphasizes the idea of the disciples of God through their theology and creativity for the worship of God. The internship inspired him to want to recreate a group of creative individuals who share a passion for music in Southern California. “It all started with the idea of just having a team of creatives that want to develop further theologically and creatively,” Iniesta said. Driscoll, producer for Sola Productions, said the house parties have grown at an almost outof-control rate since their first concert in early February.
SEE HOUSE CONCERT | PAGE 12
Sola Productions Debut House Concert
Photos courtesy of Jake Driscoll Photo Illustration by Chris Johnston
Los Angeles’ The Last How to help friends struggling with mental health Bookstore offers fun for more than book lovers BY ALYSE MESSMER
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR
BY ALYSE MESSMER
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Located in downtown Los Angeles, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest new and used book and vinyl store, holding more than a quarter million books as well as Instagram-famous photo ops. The two-story bookstore includes books of all genres, the Arts & Rare Book Annex, the famous book tunnel through which visitors can walk, as well as thousands of vinyl records. Throughout the store, there are different photo backdrops, art pieces and shelving units that cause lines of visitors to form and wait for pictures.
Malorie Gutierrez, freshman pre-nursing major, said she enjoys all that the bookstore offers visitors, even nonbook lovers. “My favorite aspects were how aesthetically pleasing it was and how it seemed to have something for everyone. There weren’t just books and I really liked that,” Gutierrez said. Two famous photo spots are the stacks and an arrangement of books on the shelf that form a perfect circle through which visitors can peek. Becca Cooke, freshman marketing major, said she appreciates the separate rooms SEE LAST BOOKSTORE | PAGE 7
The Green New Deal —
U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez challenges Democrats with new pitch.
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When people struggle with mental illnesses, looking for a hand to hold or a shoulder to rest on during difficult times is sometimes necessary. Mental illnesses can come in many different forms, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and more. These mental illnesses can cause dreary thoughts and bring minds to worst-case scenarios, remembering painful times or worrying in a 24/7 loop, causing people to lose sleep, healthy thought patterns and peace of mind. When friends suffer from a mental illness, a relationship with them can change from one of fun to a time of caring for them through the friendship. As those battling mental illness can attest, being a compassionate friend is what they need during this time. It can be easy for those who have never been affected by a mental illness to not understand, oversimplify or excuse men-
Mattie Medina | Banner tal illness as if it were something a person chooses or just a bad day. Mental illnesses are the same as other sicknesses — an unchosen aberration in the body — and they should be treated as such.
Lance Bordon, freshman entrepreneurship major, said mental illnesses have been addressed poorly in the past.
SEE MENTAL ILLNESSES | PAGE 6
Fitness fads —
Learn a new language —
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A closer look into the harmful effects of trendy ways to get thin quick.
Netflix parnters with Google Chrome to present a new language extention.