latest

"Dawn" of a new and beautiful day

By Nick Falgout | Feb. 16, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The recent rediscovery of the synthesizer had left me a bit confused. Synthesizers don't generally summon particularly good mental images, unless of course one is a fan of overly schmaltzy "Rocky"-endings or big-poofy-hair bands of the late 80's. When bands like The Killers and Motion City Soundtrack recently decided that is was time to dig up that particular grave, the results were less than stellar. The best tracks The Killers had to offer were relatively synth-free anyway (a la "Mr. Brightside,") and Motion City Soundtrack's whining casio-lines were more annoyingly catchy than musical. Neither band profited from the relic, and both suffered. But M83's sophomore release, "Before the Dawn Heals Us,” has absolved my doubt. M83 succeeds where others before them failed: namely, in making the synthesizer an addition to, not a subtraction from, the music, and masterful one at that. The soaringly, hauntingly, painfully, and at times creepily beautiful tracks on the French band's sophomore release are well worth their weight in any arbitrary precious metal, as well as $17.99 or a couple months of grating "Somebody Told Me" choruses.

NHL season officially cancelled

By Michael Bushnell | Feb. 16, 2005, midnight | In Print »

National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters Wednesday Feb. 16 that the league was unable to reach an agreement with the players union, and the 2004-2005 season has been officially cancelled.

Sinclair sisters continue dominance, advance to states

By Jonah Gold | Feb. 16, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The Blair Indoor Track team finished the Western Regional Championship today with thre different girls advancing to the State Championship. Sophomores Halsey and Ashlyn Sinclair together advanced in three different events: the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. Senior Tyaishia Jackson also advanced to the Championship in the 55m. The Blair girls finished 4th overall with 41 points, finishing behind Damascus, Walter Johnson and Winston Churchill.

Playoffs loss marks the end of the season

By Erik Kojola | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The Blair Community Ice Hockey team's successful season came to a disappointing end as they lost to Broadneck 8-5 in the first round of the state playoffs. This was Blair's first appearance in the playoffs in team history.

Leftist teacher meets right-wing club

By Kristi Chakrabarti | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Features »

Members of the Young Republicans Club have finally found a place to voice their political views. At after-school meetings, students discuss tax reform, Social Security, immigration laws and the war in Iraq. They support flat tax policies and believe that the media has a heavy liberal bias. But social studies teacher Kevin Shindel challenges their opinions. "How do you know what you think you know?” he asks at almost every meeting.

John F. Kennedy

By Anthony Glynn | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Former President John F. Kennedy played a vital role in the civil rights movement, but his life was ended by an assassin's bullet before some of his greatest goals were realized.

Photo: Print_TuShoe

By Nathaniel Lichten | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Dang admires the $293 shoes she dreams of wearing to prom.

Photo: Print_TuCheck

By Nathaniel Lichten | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Dang discusses her purchase with a salesman at a local mall.

Blazers let another slip by

By Ellie Blalock | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

FEB. 15, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM- The Blazers seemed to finally be turning their season around after defeating Sherwood and then Richard Montgomery, both strong squads, by margins of 28 and ten, respectively. However, after losing to powerhouse Gaithersburg Feb. 10, the girls seem to have returned to their old ways: remaining neck-and-neck with their opponents, pulling ahead for what looks like an easy win and finally watching it all fall apart in disastrous fourth quarters.

Maya Angelou

By Feza Kikaya | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Maya Angelou is an accomplished author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer and civil rights activist that is best known for her autobiographical novels. She was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1928 and since then, has been recognized as a notable literary figure.

Photo: Old Blair Auditorium 1

By Christopher Consolino | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Playbills decorate the wings of the Old Blair Auditorium.

Photo: Clarendon - Thai Cuisine

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Thai food here is quick and cheap.

When paychecks go poof!

By Amanda Lee | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

At first glance, senior Tu Dang's small bedroom, punctuated with framed photographs and cluttered corners, seems like that of any typical teenage girl. But wait -- there's a $600 silver Gucci purse draped over a hook on the wall. And a $1,200 Louis Vuitton purse on her nightstand. Not to mention a matching $285 Louis Vuitton belt tangled in a pile of accessories next to the laundry basket.

Photo: Rosslyn Station - Rosslyn Spectrum

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

The Rosslyn Spectrum

Photo: GWU Station - George Washington Hospital

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Photo: Rosslyn Station - Berlin Wall exhibit

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

A Berlin Wall exhibit at the Rosslyn Station.

Non-profit organization offers tour of Old Blair Auditorium

By Christopher Consolino | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The non-profit Old Blair Auditorium Project held a tour of the Old Blair Auditorium on the morning of Monday, Feb. 14 in an attempt to draw attention to the ongoing effort to renovate the isolated structure. According to the organization's president Busy Graham, the auditorium would further the development of performing arts programs in downtown Silver Spring.

Photo: Boston Market, Ritz Camera

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

High rate of teen car crashes may be caused by immature brain

By Kelly Ferguson | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Researchers believe that the adolescent brain may be the cause of the high rate of car crashes among teenagers, according to a recent article in the Washington Post. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study suggests that the region of the brain that inhibits risky behavior is not fully developed until age 25.

Photo: Metro - Sign

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Photo: Ballston Station

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Photo: Rosslyn Station - Vie de France

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Vie de France near Rosslyn station.

Louis Armstrong

By Alexander Gold | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Jazz legend Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, was born into poverty in 1901 in New Orleans. He had a rough childhood and was sent to "James Home for Colored Waifs," an institution dedicated to reforming troublesome youth, after he fired a pistol into the air on New Years Eve; he was only 11 years old. While there, Armstrong started playing the cornet in the home's brass band. After about 18 months, Armstrong was released, and he started playing at clubs with his mentor Joe "King" Oliver, one of the first jazz musicians.

Photo: Ballston - Map of the Neighborhood

By Emma Norvell | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Grammys conclude with a few surprises

By Jonah Gold | Feb. 15, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The 47th Grammy Awards concluded with a few twists. Ray Charles, who died earlier this year, won eight awards; Kanye West and Usher both won three awards each, but were eclipsed by Alicia Keys, who won four Grammys.