Author Archives: The Brave News

News/Op-Ed: Due To Yet Another Rise In Covid-19 Cases, California Issues Another “Stay At Home” Order

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by Aydn Morris

After 9 months of quarantining, there is still an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, leaving California officials reeling as they try to slow the spread and flatten the curve.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and his team has once again spearheaded an effort to tighten restrictions across California and flatten the curve.

For the past 9 months Covid 19 has affected many peoples lives. Most people believed that this virus would end in about a month or two, but they never expected it to go for this long. A majority of people around the world are tired of seeing family members die or get infected by the virus and just want it to stop so they can get back to the way things were before. 

California is one of the states with the highest number of cases and increasing percentages of cases and deaths due to Coronavirus. For the past couple of weeks, California has been giving residents light stay at home orders to try and decrease the cases and deaths.

The stay at home order is where residents are expected to stay at home unless of an emergency, in need of essential services or are essential workers. The stay at home order is is just a lighter version of the lockdown where a few places are still open but only a small amount of people are allowed. 

The stay at home order will close down many public places such as restaurants, personal grooming services, bars, movie theaters, museums and casinos.

Places that are open will be outdoor recreational facilities, hotels, places of worship (which will have to be held outside), professional sports and entertainment production without live audiences and non-urgent medical and dental care. For grocery stores that are open, they have to limit their store capacity down to 20%. Outdoor recreational facilities include beaches, golf courses, and parks. All of these places will require people to masked, socially distanced and in limited capacity. 

According to KTLA5 News, “the new restrictions will go into effect in Southern California at 11:59 p.m. Sunday and last for at least three weeks. The region includes the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego and is home to about 24 million people, almost half of the state’s population. The order was also put in effect for the San Joaquin Valley in central California.”

This will outrage half of California’s population especially since it is the Holiday season, with kids being out of school on their winter break, which most likely puts an end to any plans of traveling to families houses and it will also be harder for people to finish Christmas shopping. 

According to Deadline, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva sent mixed messages this week as the orders were issued. “I want to stay away from businesses that are trying to comply the best they can. They bent over backwards to modify their entire operation to conform to these current health orders,” he continued, “and then they have the rug yanked out from under them, that’s a disservice. I don’t want to make their lives any more miserable.”

Obviously, it’s difficult for leaders to make these decisions because they all understand how much this is affecting peoples businesses and lives. Furthermore, it also furthers gridlock between politicians and local law enforcement officers, as differing opinions have led to a lack of enforcing restrictions in California and abroad.

Most of us want to get back to the way things were before COVID-19 and California is trying its best to do so.

All we can do as California Citizens is just have to have hope, make the most out of what we have, wear masks, and socially distance.

News/Op-Ed: In December, Yet Another Fire Has Erupted Near Corona Municipal Airport

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by Andrew Fierro

The fire erupted Corona Municipal Airport and has since grow to over 500 acres, shutting down Highway 71 and causing air-filled smoke all over Orange County. 

The fire began on Tuesday night, though it really rocketed in size on Thursday due to strong winds. As of 8 A.M. Thursday, the fire is 0% contained.

The fire, due to its size and the smokey air causing vision issues for drivers, has caused a shutdown of State Route 71 on Thursday morning. 

The winds overnight made residents near the flames, in towns like Sonora Ranch which is about 2 miles away from the fire, frightful of whether or not it was going to be able to be contained.

An evacuation order was issued for many areas including, but not limited to, Springs Court, Rock Ridge Court, and Cheyenne Road. However, those orders were lifted as of 10 P.M. 

The fire was reported first on Tuesday behind the airport at the Prado Basin and at the time of the report was at less than five acres. Though because of the strong wind and low humidity, the fire kicked up to 25 acres by Wednesday afternoon and then onto 50 later in the evening. 

So far there have been no damages or injuries reported due to the fire, though the air quality may be unsafe for some people due to the heavy smoke and wind. 

There have also been almost 200 encountered flames in the thick vegetation burning at a mild rate away from the airport. Two water-dropping helicopters were making different runs until nightfall hit, not dissolving the fire but at least slowing it.

Of course, the airport was closed because of the firefighters working on slowing and eventually stopping the fire. There has been a temporary flight restriction that covers a five-mile diameter area around the field. 

People in all areas of Orange County can go out of their homes and see the heavy smoke in the sky, which was very predominant in the morning and the smoke scent is still heavy, which for some people may be unsafe to go out in. 

Though it is not contained, it is slowing and the firefighters are doing their best to keep it from getting worse and too close to towns and cities. 

Around Bosco: Stronger As One, Joined In Hope, Brave At Heart; How Members Of The Bosco Community Prepare For End A Successful Season Of Benevolenza During The COVID-19 Pandemic

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by Pedro Ochoa

Different members of our community at Bosco are preparing to make a difference in these season of Benevolenza both locally and internationally.

Building-wide Charity Drives for the Holidays: Coming Together to Make a Difference - Hales Property Management

The Season of Giving just got a little more brighter and joyful! The second opportunity of giving during the Season of Benevolenza has started with the Toy Drive. There will always be a time for you to be able to donate, as there will be toy bins in front of the school until December 17th.

We are approaching the end of the Season of Benevolenza, the season of giving, with the Toy Drive being part of the last event! The Toy Drive has been going on for more than 25 years at St. John Bosco High School, and it is only getting bigger every year.

“[The Toy Drive] is important because it allows us as Braves to reach out to the larger community and share what we have with others. Us Braves, are called to be men of service, and it allows us to actually live it out in a concrete way” said Christian Service Coordinator Mr. John Weinandy

The Season of Benevolenza is more than just giving. It is about the realization that comes out after giving food cans, toys, or blood (prior to Covid). It’s about the smiles that are getting put onto childrens’ faces, the stomachs that are getting filled, and the people that are being saved

“It is always important to give. As Bosco students, we are always called to give”, John Udabe, the Christian Service Chair, said that the Toy Drive is a good way to be selfless. 

Just because you cannot go and donate physically, does not mean that you can not practice being Bosco Men of Service. This pandemic has been rough for many, and this has caused some families to have financial struggles. There is always some type of service that we can do at all times.

“We receive so much, but it’s important to expand to the community instead within ourselves, to connect with others,” said Assistant Christian Service Coordinator Brother Quang. 

If a $20 toy is too expensive for one person, partner with a few buddies where everyone pitches enough money to buy one gift.

For the people that don’t have the budget, there is always something you can do from home. You can email or talk to a neighbor and ask them how they are feeling, especially during this time of lockdown. Another way to give in service is by reflecting on God’s Scripture. There is always a way to practice being Bosco Men of Service. 

“The toy drive is super special because we are helping bring joy into children’s lives. We are impacting people our age or kids younger,” said John Udabe

Last year, the Christian Service team partnered with the South Gate Water Department to give these toys to families in need. The South Gate Water Department Toy Drive is a toy run that has been going on for over seven years and is formed by St. Helen School, themselves, and us! The main goal for them is to help families that are not able to provide a good Christmas for their kids. The Water Department helps these families by putting smiles on children’s faces with a boxload of toys from Santa Clause. 

This year, because of the new Covid-19 guidelines, we are unable to go on a big toy run like last year. In fact, we will be donating these toys to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and other families that won’t be able to provide a Christmas for their kids. 

Like every year, the toy needs to be new and unwrapped with a price range of  $15-$20. Each class will have a specific range of students’ ages for the donation of toys.

Freshmen: Girls ages 1-7 

Sophomores: Boys ages 1-7

Juniors: Girls ages 8-16

Seniors: Boys ages 8-16

(Monetary Donations are also welcomed)

In addition to this Bosco Toy Drive, there are other giving drives happening around Bosco. 

The Varsity Club is hosting the Blanket Drive for the homeless. There are bins outside of campus ready for collection. 

The Spanish Honors Society and Key Club are hosting a masks and shoe covering project. The members of the club are donating boxes of masks and shoe coverings to Spain and Guatemala. In addition to the self donations, they have decided to promote this service project outside of just Bosco and ask small businesses around the community to donate.

The Season of Benevolenza ends on December 17th with the Toy Drive. This does not mean that us as Bosco Braves can’t give. There will be many more opportunities to give in the future! Go out and put a smile on someone’s face. Not only will you make their day, but it can make a difference in your life as well!

Lampoon: Genius Students Learn How to Multi Task and Keep Hands-On Learning Alive During Virtual Learning

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by John Udabe

Every single school year, the best and brightest students always stand out and excel. Now students are not just learning inside and outside of the classroom…but they are doing just that at the same time.

Heck – you can even clean a whole Turkey during Zoom Class!

Students are appearing to be even smarter and more creative this year (even though their 56% in a gradebook may suggest otherwise). The fact of the matter is that students are evolving and adapting at an overwhelming pace.

This year has been different from other years for obvious reasons, yet students all across the country are improvising, adapting, and overcoming. Zoom classes have been shown to be tough, as students have to learn at a distance. Yet students are not letting that stop them from learning through hands-on activities, or letting that stop them from taking care of daily activities.

If you think sitting every single day in your room, going through monotonous classes every day is a worthwhile time, you should quite literally take a hike. Shoutout to 5G and mobile hotspots, you can go nearly anywhere, just pull up Zoom on your phone.

Need a quick Costco run? No problem! Might as well pass through Wendy’s while you’re out. It’s simple, just pop up the class on your phone, make sure you have data, and you’re all set. You can hit the town while in class. You can go to the park while in class. You can even pop in some headphones and go to a library for crying out loud (Actually, don’t do that. Still too much of a learning environment).

The geniuses of the world have taken online learning to a new level. These days, some students can be found fishing while on a Zoom class call. No joke, there have been some kids found with a computer in front of them and a fishing rod in their hand, fishing off a boat. It’s genius, they’re not just ‘present’ in class, they’re also getting a lesson in marine biology. 

Others step it up, hunting animals in the forest while on Zoom. Hey, seeing animals in their natural habitat is even better than the zoo. Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?

Need a lesson in aerodynamics while in physics class? I’m sure you might still get service at skydiving level. Ok fine, that’s pushing it. But the limits are nearly endless.

And then, of course, you have those students who are a little behind on the curve. It’s not their fault, they’re trying their best. But c’mon, eating cereal or pizza in front of the camera does not make you an edgy student anymore. In fact, it’s just embarrassing if that crosses your mind. Taking your computer during class to a restaurant would be an ameteur move at this point too.

And I’m sorry, but nobody cares anymore what your dog or cat looks like. Unless you have a goat, or chicken, or panda, or cow at your house, we don’t care what your pets look like anymore. That stuff was for last semester buddy.

Of course, this is all assuming that you don’t sleep through every class, which is just as legitimate of an option. In fact (future medical students listen up), the medical experts of the world recommend 8-10 hours of sleep minimum, and if you aren’t willing to do what the experts say – even if it means knocking out during class time – then you will never ever become an expert yourself.

Sports: A Fun Night Ends With A Sour Ending As Tyson And Jones Fight To A Draw

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. gave boxing a throwback party on Saturday night, with a bout headlining a pay-per-view event that was heavy on spectacle and light on serious competition.

Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller

In what was ultimately a sporting event as bizarre as the year it capped off, boxing legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. returned to the ring in a battle of 50-year-old former champions Saturday night.

The pair of former champions, with a combined age of 105, gave fight fans every bit of nostalgia they could have asked for over eight, two-minute rounds inside the Staples Center. Though the fight ended in an unofficial split draw on the WBC-appointed judges scorecards, the bigger and better result was that neither man was badly hurt in the bout

While Jones’ return to the ring was his first since 2018, it was Tyson’s first time back in 15 years. But the man who established himself as one of the most dominant heavyweights in the game back in his prime showed glimpses of the form that made him an undisputed champion decades ago.

“The body shots definitely took a toll,” said Jones post-fight about Tyson’s attack. “It’s something to take the punches that Mike throws. I’m cool with a draw. Maybe we can do it again.”

While the event divided boxing fans between those who saw it as little more than a spectacle and others who were more than willing to indulge for a chance to see two of the sport’s best make their return, chatter about the card on social media — from YouTuber Jake Paul’s knockout win over former NBA guard Nate Robinson to Tyson and Jones’ main-event meeting — made clear the undeniable interest in the event regardless.

The empty Staples Center was transformed into a nice looking set not just for boxing, but a number of musical performances from some big-name hip hop artists that weren’t bad. 

Despite the announce team having equal moments of highs and lows, it received a last-minute boost of cohesion when veteran blow-by-blow man and former WWE announcer Mauro Ranallo was added to the mix the day of.

 In addition, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya showed a good deal of personality and expertise to his analysis. There were so many elements to this bizarre broadcast that should have failed yet somehow didn’t with probably the biggest talking point of the night.

Snoop Dogg on commentary stole the show. 

Snoop was hilarious when comparing Tyson and Jones to his uncles fighting at a backyard barbecue and his singing after Nate Robinson was knocked out cold was the perfect mix of inappropriate fun. UFC has experimented in the past with using Snoop as a commentator on an alternate version of its broadcast and also lent his voice to the UFC video game. A stunt like this can only work in this type of setting where entertainment is almost paramount to what happens inside the fighting surface. But it worked. 

Even though it was an exhibition, it was exciting for boxing fans to see Tyson and Jones in the same ring trading blows, especially when it seemed unlikely either would step into a ring again. Tyson went 50-6 during his professional career, which ended in 2005. Jones retired in 2018 after improving to 66-9 with a win over Scott Sigmon.

News/Op-Ed: David Prowse, British Heavyweight Weightlifting Champion And Most Notably The Man Behind The Mask Of Darth Vader, Passed Away Saturday At The Age Of 85.

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by Andrew Fierro

The man behind Darth Vader, Prowse had a profound impact on the Star Wars Franchise and fans worldwide, even if he didn’t voice the famed villain. Unfortunately, Prowse passed away at the age of 85 on Saturday due to COVID-19.

David Prowse on set of Star Wars films as Darth Vader.

Prowse was born in Bristol, United Kingdom on July 1, 1935. He went on to do many amazing things in his life, including becoming a weightlifting champion in Britain and also being the first Green Cross Code man.

However, what most people know him as is portraying one of the most iconic movie villains in history, Darth Vader. 

David Prowse was 41 years old when George Lucas asked him to audition for the role after seeing him in the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film, A Clockwork Orange.

He had the choice between playing Chewbacca or Darth Vader, choosing to play Darth Vader because he believed that everyone always remembers the villain. He would be absolutely correct in that prophecy.

After receiving the role of Darth Vader and playing him for some time on set, George Lucas made the decision that his voice would be scrapped in post-production due to his heavy British accent that didn’t fit the character.

This would lead to the voice being portrayed by James Earl Jones, while Prowse handled actual Darth Vader character duties.

Though Darth Vader was his most popular role, he had other roles in his acting career, including playing Julian the Bodyguard in “A Clockwork Orange”.

He also worked to help other actors prepare for a role, helping Christopher Reeve get ready for his role in the 1978 version of “Superman”. 

Despite his rise to fame during adulthood, Prowse faced many adversities in his younger life that he had to overcome, such as having disabilities, having no father in his life after he passed when David was 5, and being a poor student.

When he was 12 years old, he had to spend 3 years wearing a leg-iron because the doctors suspected that he had tuberculosis, though that was later proved to be unfounded.

When David was younger he found a passion early on for weightlifting and bodybuilding. Due to his passion and hard work, he was regarded as a highly regarded member of the fitness community, receiving many awards for competing in weightlifting competitions, including his win of the British Heavyweight Weightlifting Title. One of his most popular appearances was his appearance in the Mr. Universe contest.

David Prowse lived in the spotlight for most of his life, whether it was in weightlifting competitions or movies. Though he was most known for his role as Darth Vader, he was a very successful man in whatever craft he put his mind to.

He will be remembered as an amazing actor for portraying one of the most iconic and intimidating villains in movie history, as well as for being a well-respected actor and person who overcame lots of adversity. 

Rest In Peace, David Prowse.

Sports: Diego Maradona, One Of Soccer’s Greatest Players, Is Dead At 60

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

Very few people in any generation possess the power to make the world hold its breath. Maradona, who died last Wednesday at the age of 60, was one of them.

People gather to mourn the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona, outside the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 25, 2020. 

Diego Maradona, the Argentine who became a national hero as one of soccer’s greatest players, performing with a roguish cunning and extravagant control while pursuing a personal life rife with drug and alcohol abuse and health problems, died on Wednesday in Tigre, Argentina, in Buenos Aires Province. 

The news fell like a hammer blow to a nation beaten down by months of economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic, but one where football is seen as a remedy for all ills.

His spokesman, Sebastián Sanchi, said the cause was a heart attack. Maradona had undergone brain surgery several weeks ago.

Devoted fans around the world paid tribute to soccer legend Diego Maradona last Wednesday from his home country of Argentina, to his adopted home in Italy, where he led football club Napoli to their first ever Italian league title in 1987.

In Naples, fans left flowers and candles outside his former team’s stadium, which the city’s mayor said should be renamed after Maradona.

And in Argentina, where the government has declared three days of mourning, fans gathered outside his childhood home near Buenos Aires to pay tribute.

Tributes have flooded in with former clubs and players past and present paying their respects as well.

Fellow Argentine Lionel Messi, whom many saw as the modern-day Maradona, said it was a “very sad day.”

“He leaves us but he doesn’t go anywhere because Diego is eternal. I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to send my condolences and best wishes to all of his friends and family,” Messi wrote on Instagram. 

Pelé, another legend of the game, tweeted: “I have lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to his family members. One day, I hope, we will play football together in heaven.”

Meanwhile, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to an “eternal genius.”

“One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called Maradona “simply immense” and said “he deserves our eternal gratitude.”

“Our silence, our tears, our pain is the only thing we are feeling deep inside us at this time,” he said.

Pope Francis has also commented on the matter as a Vatican spokesman said Pope Francis “looks back with affection to the occasions of encounter in recent years and remembers it in prayer, as he has done in recent days since he learned of his health conditions.”

Maradona broke into professional soccer with Boca Juniors but went on to play for leading European clubs such as Barcelona and Napoli.

He won two Serie A titles with the Italian side which tweeted “Forever. Goodbye Diego” along with a blue heart.

When Maradona joined Napoli, one newsreader remarked, “the poorest city in Italy buys the most expensive player in the world.”

He was ranked with Pelé among the best, and his ability to surprise and startle won over fans and even critics. But his excesses and addictions darkened his legacy.

One of the most gifted soccer players in history, Maradona’s pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986 before plunging to misery when he was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for doping.

Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism truncated a stellar career and altered his appearance from the lithe athlete who could slalom effortlessly through teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.

But he reinvented himself in a stunning comeback in 2008 as coach of the Argentina team, persuading managers that with sheer charisma he could inspire the team to victory, despite a lack of coaching experience.

The death of Maradona has now triggered a criminal investigation, and his personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, appears to be in the crosshairs of the probe.

Police in Argentina have searched the house and private clinic of Luque, just 4 days after Maradona’s death.

Around 60 officers conducted the raids at the two locations, according to local reports, and left with medical records. Prosecutors are looking into how Maradona was treated in his final days, and are investigating Luque for negligence that could result in possible manslaughter charges. Luque is cooperating with authorities, he said at an emotional press conference later Sunday.

“I know what I did. I know how I did it,” Luque said while choking back tears, adding that he was not Maradona’s chief physician but rather a member of a team of doctors that had been treating the icon since his Nov. 3 operation. “I am absolutely sure that I did the best for Diego, the best I could.”

Maradona became a godlike figure in his home country after leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, but the battles he faced with health and addiction problems would follow him everywhere after his career ended in 1997. At the time of his passing, he was the head coach of Argentine Primera Division club Gimnasia.

Lampoon: The Undisputed Top 10 Socially Distanced Thanksgiving Foods

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by Nicholas Neoman

In a seemingly endless 2020, Thanksgiving is here! Finally! Perhaps the delicious, overpriced, half-eaten food that takes days to prepare can be the saving grace of a year than finds itself in the midst of a pandemic. Lest we forget, in a year where people are also struggling economically, but still find a way to spend large amounts of money on Thanksgiving dishes, only for a majority of it to end up as forgotten leftovers in the back of the fridge!

Pictured here is a luxurious, well prepared, and expensive Thanksgiving meal that will only be half-eaten!

Turkey is by far the most classic Thanksgiving food. Several years ago, I had the honor of preparing that magnificent beast for cooking and the results were undesirable. Cleaning out the uncooked turkey was not only revolting but also nauseating. As I was cleaning out the cold flesh, I was holding off my desire to vomit. The pale, squishy meat made me squeal like a mouse. As I was carrying the Turkey from the sink, where it was cleaned, to a pan for it to be dressed and seasoned, I dropped it as it slipped from my grasp. The uncooked turkey went sliding through the kitchen and I went diving after it. After recleaning it and a tirade from my mother, the turkey was dressed, cooked, and finally ready to eat. Just like how I spent a good portion of that Thanksgiving isolated in my room in timeout for ruining a turkey, stay isolated in your homes this Thanksgiving – Coronavirus is on the rise!

Stuffing is probably Robin to turkey’s Batman. Always by turkey’s side, stuffing never finds a way onto my plate. One year, my sister decided to freshly make the bread and create her own stuffing. Little did she know that the bread went stale before she cooked it and the whole dish became inedible. In a frenzy, my sister and I whipped up a new batch of bread and remade the stuffing; however, this delayed Thanksgiving dinner by multiple hours. After finally finishing off the stuffing and warding off my hangry family, Thanksgiving dinner was finally finished. Similar to how I keep stuffing off my plate, keep away from events that could give you Covid.

Cranberry Sauce, keeping up with this Batman analogy, is the Joker of Batman’s turkey. I find that only a small fraction of people can eat this dish, and yet it somehow finds its way onto the dinner table every single year. The first time I remember eating cranberry sauce was in the much regretted Thanksgiving meal I had at my elementary school. At that meal, I tried it for the first time and it did not agree with my stomach. Later that evening, I had become ill from food poisoning that I am convinced came from that excuse for a Thanksgiving dish. Because of this horrifying experience, cranberry sauce is something im not a fan of. I have never been able to think about that tangy sauce without subconsciously vomiting. In fact, people dedicate whole websites and blogs to discuss their hatred for cranberry sauce. To protect yourself from allowing cranberry sauce and covid into your mouth, wear a mask whenever necessary – like when my mother tried to get me to eat cranberry sauce last year.

Green Bean Casserole would be, in my opinion, better off if it wasn’t made in a casserole format. Simply take green beans and boil them, and call it a day. I still can’t fathom how green beans pair with creamy sauces and onions. Probably the most revolting part of the dish is what my cousin did to the dish last Thanksgiving. My whole family was settling down for dinner when my youngest cousin started to look over all the food to be served. She suddenly sneezed on the green bean casserole which made my skin crawl. Surprisingly, the casserole didn’t look any worse. The mucous from the snot blended in with the nasty casserole. From then on, green bean casserole has never had a positive image in my head. Plan on distancing yourself from the revolting green bean casserole and others – six feet apart at all times! The revolting flavor of green bean casserole can’t touch you from six feet out!

Mashed Potatoes are the cornerstone of my Thanksgiving. I simply cannot get enough of them. It has a simple yet elegant flavor that just keeps me craving. The rich, creamy texture dissolves in my mouth. Some people turn to alcohol on Thanksgiving, others bet on football games, I have my mashed potatoes. This year, I have been practicing my culinary skills. School in Covid is, to put it in layman’s terms, boring. It has driven me to cook food, which I normally only eat. Anyway, this year I was making some mashed potatoes to practice for Thanksgiving, and it honestly looked half decent. It looked so good that my 10 pound dog even wanted a taste. I went to the bathroom and when I returned, I saw white creamy mashed potatoes on my dog’s nose. Afterward, he vomited for a good half hour. Unlike my dog, make the wise decision this year and stay at home.

Ham is by far the best leftover food. As someone who cannot stand leftovers because the quality of the food is lessened by half, ham is the one exception that I fell in love with. After a long meal of eating, I can barely look at food for the next three days. The only thing I like to eat is a nice ham sandwich from Thanksgiving pigs’ butt. I honestly have nothing else to say about ham – no funny stories, no burning the kitchen down. I honestly recommend getting one – unlike Covid, please welcome a roast ham into your home.

Sweet Potato Casserole is what I like to believe to be the greatest dish that “counts as an entree.” I mean it has the word casserole in it, so it must be an entree, right? Anyway, I personally think that a dish that is as sweet as pie deserves to be both a dessert and an entree. Technically Sweet potato is a vegetable and marshmallows are desserts – combine them and you have a superfood! One Thanksgiving, my mom placed a Costco order for sweet potatoes and instead of order 1, she mistakenly ordered 11. That Thanksgiving became known as the “Sweet Potato Infestation.” Everywhere I looked that Thanksgiving, I saw bright orange casseroles haunting me. I still have nightmares in which every corner I turn in my house, there is a sweet potato casserole lurking. However, its unchallenged flavor and remarkable texture make for a delightful Thanksgiving – one that you want to keep Covid out of.

Pumpkin Pie is much better than apple pie. This is probably the most controversial opinion since Bosco removed meatball sandwiches from the menu. I just don’t get how creamy, smooth, rich, and sweet pumpkin pie is even mentioned in the same sentence as apple pie. Hands down, the greatest place to get pumpkin pie is Costco. While I have never been an active enthusiast for any crust – pizza, pie, sandwiches (Uncrustables all the way) – Costco’s pumpkin pie filling is the greatest invention in the history of mankind. I have said it once and I’ll say it again, “I could literally eat pumpkin pie filling for the rest of my life if the nutritional values changed.” Legend has it that there was an eleventh amendment in the Bill of Rights stating that pumpkin pie must be eaten at every Thanksgiving. Anway, before I get into a Lincoln-Douglas debate over the peculiar institution of pumpkin pie, I humbly say to buy or make one if you can. Watch out at Costco though because hoarding is becoming a trend again – which I don’t understand because they’re taking toilet paper and paper towels and not my precious pumpkin pie.

Apple Pie is an extra in my humble, objective opinion. While half of Americans seem to love it, I simply don’t. Don’t get me wrong, it has a fantastic flavor and texture. But I personally think that apple pie wastes precious calories that could be spent on pumpkin pie. I think my family secretly despises me for this opinion. While they are all staunch activists of apple pie, I quietly stand in the corner, eating my pumpkin pie. To be fair, I have some very fond memories of apple pie. Once, my mom bought one pie from Marie Calendars the day before Thanksgiving. My uncle’s dog slipped into the kitchen and gobbled the entire thing. My mother believed that one of her four children ate this tragically disgusting apple pie. After receiving veiled threats, to actual threats, to threatening to not buy Christmas presents, my uncle’s dog vomited the pie. I think that part of the reason I hate apple pies is because it threatened my Christmas. Anyway, don’t let Covid become the next apple pie where it nearly destroyed my Christmas – wash your hands at all times.

Hot Chocolate is the masked singer of the list. No one saw it coming! Honestly, I have been drinking festive hot cocoa since September, but who’s keeping track? Hot chocolate is the most delicious drink in history. The milk takes on the rich flavor of chocolate while still keeping the creamy texture of milk. Hot chocolate keeps you warm on cold winter nights. It comforts you during the loss of a football game – as a Bears fan, I know what that feels like. Even when people say that you can eat your feelings, no one ever mentions drinking them away with hot cocoa! Take the time out of your day to make a nice soothing cup of cocoa and catch up on necessary precautions to help defend yourself from Covid.

As you might have noticed, the coronavirus has been on the minds of everyone at the Brave News. Please take care of yourself this weekend as Covid case rates are beginning to rise once again. Be weary at stores when buying groceries for Thanksgiving because hoarding is becoming a trend again. Wash your hands, socially distance, practice sanitary measures, and most importantly eat some pumpkin pie. On behalf of the Brave Press, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

News/Op-Ed: How Retail Stores Accomodate To Offer The Best Experience For Holiday Shopping In A Pandemic

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

If you’re a Black Friday shopper who usually joins the early deal hunters on Thursday, you can take this year off because most stores won’t even open until Friday.

Macy's is the first major retailer to welcome back in-store shopping in Hawaii | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The usual pushing and shoving to snag that Black Friday item won’t happen this year as retailers grapple with the busiest shopping day amid the pandemic.

As retailers and customers brace themselves for the possibility of tighter pandemic-related restrictions and mandatory closures, this year’s Black Friday shopping season is shaping up to be unlike any before it. 

Face masks, straight lines, contactless payments and other safety measures will now define the 2020 shopping experience. Also, in an effort to make sure no shopper is left out, several companies will extend their doorbuster sales before and after Nov. 27.

A number of stores have bucked the usual holiday tradition and will be closed on Thanksgiving this year. Of course, they’ll be “open” online, and most have already with their promotions throughout November to avoid the typical post-turkey crowding.

If you choose to head out for that in-store spree, you’ll want to check the latest closure updates related to the coronavirus pandemic. (Los Angeles County is currently in the purple tier, which means stores are open but must maintain a maximum of 25% capacity.)

Target continues to roll out its Black Friday deals throughout the month. From now until Nov. 21, the store will offer discounts on electronics, apparel and beauty products. Between Nov. 22 and 28, shoppers can find deals on toys, kitchen, floorcare and electronics, including video games and select consoles. Target stores will close on Thanksgiving Day and will open for normal store hours on Black Friday.

Best Buy will require customers to wear a face-covering inside stores. Additional employees will be on staff to answer any questions and manage lines. The stores will limit the number of indoor customers and direct customers where to walk to promote social distancing. Contactless pickup will also be available. The consumer electronics store will offer some Black Friday deals beginning Nov. 22.

Best Buy will keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving Day but will open them for Black Friday starting at 5 AM (PST) and the stores will stay open until 10 PM (PST). 

Walmart announced in October that it will “reinvent” Black Friday to help shoppers remain safe from the pandemic. The company’s approach is to spread out Black Friday over several days.

Company leaders already kicked off, “Black Friday Deals for Days” earlier this month for online purchases. The next event will run from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 with online and in-store deals.

Stores will open up on Black Friday at 5 AM (PST). Customers will have to form a single, straight-line before entering the store. Associates will require customers to wear a mask and will sanitize shopping carts. Stores will also limit the number of people inside to promote social distancing. Aisles will be marked with signs telling shoppers where to walk as well.

Honestly, this year online ordering will be your best bet for holiday gift shopping on Black Friday — select curbside pickup as a backup plan if your items can’t be delivered in the time frame that you need. 

Online orders and curbside pickup will remake the look of the 2020 holiday shopping season, especially as COVID cases surge again.

Curbside pickup helps overcome one big hurdle facing this holiday season: Shipping delays. That’s why many retailers have been enticing customers with deals for weeks already, further diminishing the importance of Black Friday.

If you still insist on having a Black Friday experience inside a store, stop and reevaluate your priorities. Seriously, there’s zero reason to go into a crowded store in the middle of a pandemic. And anyone who does venture into a store will be required to wear face masks or coverings (regardless of local ordinances), since nearly all national retailers require that precaution for entry. 

News/Op-Ed: Inside The Faltering Legal Battle Spearheaded By President Trump In An Attempt To Contest The 2020 Presidential Election Results

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by Joshua Hernandez, Editor-In-Chief   

After Former Vice President Joe Biden’s election victory was officially called on November 7, 2020, President Trump and his legal team filed a multitude of lawsuits in key battleground states as they levied accusations of voter fraud in an attempt to contest the election results. Almost two weeks later, here is where President Trump and his melting legal pursuits stand as the Presidency has officially escaped his grasp.

Donald Trump puts Rudy Giuliani in charge of post-election legal fight after series of losses - CNNPolitics

Despite former Vice President, and now President-Elect, Joe Biden winning the election in a relatively convincing fashion, at a presumed electoral college vote of 306 to 232 – the exact same numbers seen in the 2016 Presidential Election – President Trump and GOP Members of Congress immediately began to doubt the legitimacy of Vice President Biden’s victory and in turn, the democratic process of voting that has been featured in the United States since George Washington was unanimously elected President in 1788. 

In an election that was as chaotic, exhausting and unpredictable as expected, both President Trump and President-Elect Biden set milestones never before seen in US election history. As of now, President-Elect Biden has 79,661,770 million popular votes compared to President Trump’s 73,685,981 million popular votes – an overwhelming 6 million vote lead. The tallies received by both candidates are the first and second most popular votes obtained by presidential candidates in US Election history, respectively. 

Besides his historic popular vote numbers, the President-Elect became the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1996 to win Arizona, flipping the state and its 11 electoral votes blue. Concurrent with Arizona’s results, President-Elect Biden became the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win Georgia, flipping the state and its crucial 16 electoral votes blue. 

Speaking of Georgia – which went into a recount due to tremendously slim margins, but was not the result of a President Trump lawsuit – President-Elect Biden has sealed his victory there after the recount confirmed that President-Elect Biden had, in fact, flipped the former Republican stronghold. 

Additionally, the Rust Belt states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, which President Trump stunningly flipped toward the red column against Hillary Clinton in 2016, was flipped back blue by President-Elect Biden, taking all of its combined 46 electoral votes. 

Due to the successes of now President-Elect Biden in the election after months of President Trump’s mudslinging, in which he stated that the former Vice President was “sleepy” and not fit to be President, the Trump administration’s legal team decided to file lawsuits to contest the election results – even after declaring victory early – which has not gone their way thus far.

Essentially, President Trump filed major election challenges in the following states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

As of today, here are where things stand with President Trump and former Mayor of New York City who now serves as the President’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani’s, Hail Mary attempt to contest President-Elect Joe Biden’s convincing victory.

Arizona: On Wednesday, November 18, Judge John R. Hannah Jr rejected efforts from state Republicans to request an additional audit in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county, just five days after rejecting an attempt by Republicans to delay the certification of results in Maricopa County, according to KXAN Austin. The Trump Campaign’s lawyers hopes for a contested result in Arizona has been essentially shut, as even if Hannah Jr had allowed for an audit to take place, the votes would not have been enough to flip Arizona back to President Trump. 

Georgia: As previously stated, the Trump Campaign’s attempts to contest the results here were on Thursday, as a successful recount confirmed a final blow to President Trump’s reelection hopes, with President-Elect Biden once again winning the peach state. 

Michigan: On Thursday, the Trump Campaign dropped their case in the state they flipped in 2016 after Wayne County officials approved the results of the states largest county, effectively reaffirming President-Elect Biden’s victory. 

Nevada: In the state that took seemingly an eternity to count ballots, there have been no rulings in two cases filed by the Trump Campaign – one that seeks the approval of a state Judge to block statewide certification of a Biden victory, and another that claims votes were cast on behalf of deceased people, so the state should nullify the votes and undergo a recount. While it will be a developing story as a decision from a state Judge looms, it may not truly matter after President-Elect Biden’s official victory in Georgia on Thursday. 

Pennsylvania: After President-Elect Biden flipped back the state to the Democrats, a lawsuit filed by the Trump Campaign attempted to stop the state from certifying the election results after they claimed that Philadelphia – a Democratic stronghold – and six other counties in the state wrongfully allowed voters to fix issues with their mail-in ballots that would’ve been disqualified had they not done things such as signing their ballot. On Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani argued in court for the first time in over two decades after signing onto the case to continue the fight for President Trump. However, the Judge did not reach a decision yet, cancelling a hearing that was originally scheduled for Tuesday allowing Giuliani and the opposition to make new filings in the case this week. 

Wisconsin: On Wednesday, the Trump Campaign filed for a recount in the counties that include cities such as Madison and Milwaukee, which are two Democratic strongholds, but allegedly (with no evidence to support the claim) had absentee ballots that were illegally meddled with in a state Biden leads by about 20,000 votes. A recount is set to begin on Friday and must be completed by December 1, which is the deadline the state has to certify the election results. Despite the state headed towards a recount after Trump shelling out $3 Million to only partially recount the state (presumably the aforementioned Democratic strongholds), Wisconsin officials continued to state that the Trump Campaign had no evidence to support their wild claims. 

While it is possible for critics to contend that the election is not over yet, all the evidence states otherwise. As the days go by, President Trump’s reelection bid slips further out of his hands no matter how much Rudy Giuliani and his legal team argue otherwise and the legitimacy of President-Elect Biden’s victory and the democratic process of elections – which should have never been doubted to begin with – becomes clearer. 

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