Mobbing Jellyfish Take Over the Ocean

By Devina Miller
Population booms of jellyfish have caused mobs swarming through oceans that are becoming a huge threat to swimmers, fisherman, and even the nuclear power industry. It’s hard to think that these rubbery creatures are causing millions of dollars of damage, but there’s an even bigger question about why these creatures are blooming while other fish are dying.
Since 1996, Muave stingers have been a creeping problem. With a system of attacking and retreating, these particular jellies always seem to turn up with extra back up for the next attack. In a more recent attack in 2006, 60 million swarmed Spanish beaches, reporting more than 70,000 people stung and swollen thus causing beaches to close throughout the region. It seems like these fish have a mind of their own, even attacking in Japan where a nuclear power plant stays. According to reports, the jellies blocked cooler pumps in the sea which link to reactors inside.
Jellyfish can cause much more damage than people typically give them credit for. Known as the “cockroaches” of the sea, their bodies can cause fishing nets to burst; they can even crush or poison a load of captured fish. Some jellies can even kill, such as the notorious box jelly, with just a sting.
They’re the perfect predators of the ocean. With over 200 classified species, it’s not a surprise that their success of adaptability could be because they are composed of more than 90% water. Global warming, an issue that is causing a huge decline of ocean life, is surprisingly causing jellyfish to thrive, growing vigorously and healthily.
Blooming, or producing, is a formation depending on ocean currents, nutrients, temperature, predation, and oxygen concentrations. In the simplest terms, global warming and other selfish human causes are to blame and have created the easiest way for these “cockroaches” to live and breed. Even nutrients from land that can also cause dead zones, give off a simple way to feed these packs of jellyfish.
Blooms are known to reach 10,000 jellies each, of course not counting the varying sizes of the jellies. But the size of a jellyfish is nothing compared to the pain it causes when a person or animal is stung. From fingernail size to eight feet in diameter, with tentacles spanning around 100 feet, some can cause excruciating pain for weeks and even months. A New York Times article reports sightings of numerous swarms of jellies from Spain, New York, Australia, Japan and Hawaii, “Jellyfish are showing where they have rarely been seen before.”
Jellyfish’s archenemy is the sea turtle, but with the dangerous habitats of the ocean and beaches, sea turtles cannot survive like the jelly and in fact all seven species of sea turtles are threatened.
The alarm of the jellyfish has scientists stumped; some think it’s a revolt, others think it’s a sign of the declining health of ocean life. In an interview from Examiner.com, Lucas Brotz, a University of British Columbia researcher, says, “ These increases in jellyfish should be a warning sign that our oceans are stressed and unhealthy.” It is still a hard concept for scientists to grab, whether these creatures are blooming because of global warming or not, “one of the problems with identifying changes in jelly fish populations is they fluctuate with so much variability. One year you see a million, and the next year there wont be any.”

Meth and Teens

By Patrick Faircloth
Meth, the drug causes severe damage to body and mind, and is one of the most addictive drugs known, so then why do people try it? If you see what meth heads look like you would avoid the drug, then how are people addicted to it in the first place? Are they involuntarily given it? Or are they just teenagers looking for a thrill without realizing the consequences of their actions and becoming addicts?
What people should know is what are the effects of meth, both caused by the drugs and the irresponsible actions of those addicted to it. To go back Meth was first used in America during 1943 where it was a medicine for people suffering depression and alcoholism. It was also used in Germany and Japan during World War II; some believe Hitler himself may have been given meth by his personal doctor.
It wasn’t until 1983 that Meth was made illegal in America, but by then many people had become addicted to it, but what is making people addicted to it today? It is clear that some “Meth heads” may be old users of the drug, but what about the addicts of today? If people realize what meth is maybe they wont be so quick to try it.
The physical effects of meth are insomnia, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and twitchiness. While those are the physical effects, the mental effects have the addict’s brain slowly descend into insanity.
Teenagers try this drug because it is like a forbidden fruit, its something they shouldn’t do and so the urge to do it is greater. Teenagers do not realize how dangerous this drug fully is, they do it because they don’t realize its consequences. What parents should do to prevent the use of meth in their kids is to show their kids the affects of meth. If teenagers see before and after pictures of real meth heads they will be less likely to try meth themselves.

Independent Bookstores Vs. Mainstream Bookstores

By ChloeAshley

T’Hud Weber, manager of Black Oak Books in Berkeley, defines an independent bookstore simply as “A bookstore that is not owned by a large corporation.” While they are currently dog-paddling by in the current day and age, they have the potential to regain some of their former glory as shoppers are able to rediscover them as a way to save money. They are also better suited for customer service.

This may be because independent bookstores are often smaller, and therefore the staff is more customer-oriented. So, next time you need a teen fiction book for your niece or a used textbook for Algebra 2, try stopping by an independent bookstore as opposed to your local Borders.

Black Oak Books, one of several independent bookstores serving Berkeley, has recently relocated from Shattuck to San Pablo ave. and has quite a following in local culture. This following has been rightfully earned.

“We have more independence to make off-the-cuff decisions without checking with corporate office.” Weber says on the pros of a bookstore being independent. “We get to know our customers better and adjust what we have on the shelves to fit them.”

Indie bookstores are also a great place for teens to hang out. This is because they are usually rather lenient about kids coming in to talk. They are also great studying environment, which might come from the nice, home-like atmosphere. Perhaps that atmosphere comes from the fact that they are often family owned, and those that aren’t are manned by those with families. While corporate bookstores may be a little more casual, if you’re looking for some place home-like and affordable, stick with independent bookstores.

When asked about what makes independent bookstores so unique, Weber says “[They] often buy books from the community, they’re small enough so customers can get individual atteention and, generally, the work is different every day so employees aren’t burned out by a corporate environment.”

Black Oak Books has been around since 1983 and is known for helping you find exactly what you need and more for a lot less cash.

“If we don’t have a book you want, we are always willing to special order it for you and get it in a couple days.” Weber says “We also have a pretty big section of young adult books and sci-fi books that are fun to read and easy on your allowance.”

Green Garden Cafe

By Kerby Lynch

Looking for a healthy place to eat? Yeah me neither. Eating healthy can get quite expensive in Oakland, but not if you check out Green Garden Cafe, secluded in the long block on 14th and Webster.

The place is well hidden off on a busy street providing a quite atmosphere for a relaxing brunch meet-up.

When first entering, you are greeted with a long menu of healthy eating options under $7 and zen music playing in the background. The place looks like you are inside of an authentic Japanese garden , with different shades of green painted on the wall, with Bonsai trees and bamboo sticks overwhelming the sorrounding decorations.

The whole cafe is centered around salads. Any salad combination you can think of, you can have it.
Chicken, Pasta, Crutons, the list goes on. On the Monday my partner and I came in, the daily special was a Chicken Ceaser Salad.

The preperation for it was interesting in which the cook would cut the fresh lettuce up right in your face along with the chicken too, so you can see how your salad is put together. Once the cook is done, you move down in a organized lunch line to pay for your food with an option of an organic Hansen beverage.

The actual salad itself is quite regenerating to the body, giving you a lighter feeling after eating.

A perfect place for anyone looking to lose a few punds while maintaining to satisfy their tastebuds.

The Republican Factor

By Kerby Lynch

My theory is that people are afraid to admit their pollitical standings, especially youth. It’s either wear an Obama shirt or Die. Rightfully so would a person want to be a “democrat”.

I used to be one of those people who supported Obama, knowing nothing about his political promises, but merely interested in the fact that he was partially black and grew up in Hawaii. It wasn’t until a few months ago when I received a Meg Whitman campaign booklet, that made me want to stop being so politically shallow.
Elections and decisions. Photo by Danieljsf
At first glance, I thought Meg Whitman was a democrat, because all women running for political power are democrats (pun intended), but I was soon dissapointed when I found out she was republican. It was the name “republican” that held a certain stigma that I wanted to avoid.

Walking down the hallways at school I ask “Are you a republican or democrat?” alot of people automatically answer Obama, I look at them in such a cunning way that they rephrase the answer to Democrat, but faced with the follow-up question of “why?” people stutter and avoid conversation.

I was always taught by mother, by my schools and on the street, that being democratic was the right way. I just consider myself an Independant to keep contentment with myself and the outside world.

“I was raised a democrat,” a young Rosalie Balder states “but when researching and looking into the matters, I found I was a conservative democrat”

Rosalie is one of the rarities who look up politics. Who looks up politics in the teenage years. My government consists of MTV programming.

But it’s so important to know your poliltical standings, because in a short time kids, we will be hitting that golden age of 18 and that’s when we must know these things in order to keep the shape of this country running. We are the future, and it’s a shame that quite few of us are lost in transition. Get educated.