Once again, it is the dawn of a new semester here at Lake Land College. And with this comes the greeting of old and new friends, new experiences, and the realization that a wealth of opportunities lie in wait.

This is what Welcome Day is all about!

As Lori Morrissette, Director of Student Life, explains, Welcome Day is a time to meet new people and to greet others back; to have a fun experience; to discover the various clubs and services that Lake Land provides.

As the buzz of the many voices of the student body reverberated around me, I spoke with Annette Lynch who is returning to school after 35 years of teaching to major in Massage Therapy. "I love this," she exclaimed. "This is the best time of your life!"

Entertainment for the event included inflatable rock-climb and bungee-run, Frisbee painting, and a caricature artist. The band The Ease Down provided music for the occasion.

One new student I spoke to commented on his caricature, showing me the representation of him on all fours, fastened to a chain. "I told them to draw me wild," he explained.

As I ventured around Welcome Day, held in the Field House, I ran into many students and friends I had not seen for a while. The event also provided a great chance to meet new people and forge new ties.

Many students also took the opportunity to check in with advisers and walk around the booths to discover more about the many club and service here at Lake Land.

Heidi Hennings, a biology major returning for her 3^rd semester, was one such student. Although it seemed she was already a member of every club and association imaginable, she told me of others she had seen at the event and hoped to join.

Heidi also expressed to me the immense feeling of appreciation and concern the college has for its students. "They take interest in you," she explained. "Everyone is a person, not just a student ID number. Everyone tries to make it easier for everybody to succeed."

And this, too, is what Welcome Day is all about. It is Lake Land College's way of showing that each and every student, young or old, new or seasoned, is an integral part of this institution; a part that is greatly valued; a part that remains in the college's utmost concern. And to this end, we welcome all those who have decided to pursue their future here at LLC.

Contact Tim Deters at tim_deters_88@yahoo.com

Somewhere among climbing walls, booths, and caricature drawings came the sounds of The Ease Down. 

Little attention was paid to theband from Montreal but that did not slow down the Ben Folds sound alike trio.

They banged out original after original leaving an overwhelming feeling to hear "Zak and Sara" or "Annie Waits" by Folds. A cover of "Close to Yo"u by the Carpenters quieted the crave but didn't quite satisfy. 

"We love playing and we love playing the States," said Ben Wilkins singer songwriter and lead of the band.  " We are going to do as many show as we can."

While eating a sloppy subway sandwich Wilkins rattled off his major influences "Lots of Motown. Stevie Wonder is a big one as well as some indie Canadian influences" like Sloan, The Superfriends and Jamiroquai from England. 

"People compare us to Ben Folds Five and obviously that is an influence but people were comparing Ben Folds to Elton John." Said Wilkins. The criticism isn't new to the band.

"You wouldn't know it by hearing us as a trio but we also play with a string quartet. There are sixteen instruments on our first album," said Wilkins. But will that be enough to spark an interest in the band?

"When making this music we don't think about what will set us apart; we just do what we like to do." Said Wilkins.

The album "Shape Shifters" begins to help define the band but Wilkins voice is too reminiscent of Folds.  Lyrics like the ones on "Enter Boy Blue" which are similar to Folds' "Fred Jones 2" doesn't help. 

The title track "Shape Shifters" offers something a little different and if Wilkins can direct The Ease Down in that direction they might just find something.

Scott May

McCain waste no time taking back the spotlight.  Just hours after the Democratic Convention, McCain announced his running mate, 44 year old Alaskan Governor, wife and mother of five, Sarah Palin. 

"She's not from these parts and she's not from Washington but when you get to know her you will be as impressed as I am," Said McCain in front of 15,000 spectators in Dayton Ohio.

"That's exactly what we need in Washington today," said McCain after describing Palin as having grit, integrity and fierce devotion.

"I am honored to be chosen as your running mate," said Palin. Staying off the traditional attack mode that a vice presidential role usually assumes, Palin says, "To have been chosen brings a great challenge. I know it will demand the best that I have to give."

Palin, a first-term governor, is a surprise choice for Senator McCain and is sure to change the game of the presidential election.

Scott May

Managing Editor

Springfield Il; earlier today 20-30 thousand politically minded fans gathered to watch Barack Obama introduce Joe Biden as his running mate. 

The line, waiting to gather around the foot steps of the Old Illinois State Capitol building, snaked around the downtown area of Springfield for several blocks.

After opening the gates to the yard of the Old Capitol Building the onlookers poured in for over and hour.

Smashed together, the crowd endured and helped each other when many succumbed to the heat and lack of water while waiting.

"If Obama wasn't the supposed nominee" said Scott Petersen, a 23 year old graduate from Joliet College, "I would have liked it to have been Biden."

Petersen was happy to travel over two hours by train to watch the event. "Hillary didn't do it for me; the White House would have been a bit incestuous."

Petersen cited Biden's foreign and domestic policies for reason he supported him.

At 2:10 pm, nearly three hours after the gates opened to let the crowds gather, Obama recharged the exhausted spectators. 

"Today I come back to Springfield to tell you that I have found (a) leader, a man with a distinguished record, a man with fundamental decency, and that man is Joe Biden," said Obama.

"He has brought change to Washington but Washington has not Change him. He is uniquely suited as my partner to put our country back on track."

Shortly after, Biden jogged on staged and embraced Obama. "Today Springfield, I know my feet are in the right place," said Biden. "I am proud to stand firm with the next president of the United States, Barack Obama."

Biden then went on the attack saying "You see it in your shrinking wakes and the rising cost of health care, to college, to filling up at the gas station. We cannot afford four more years of this."

"You can't change America when believe that in the Bush administration, we make great progress economically," said Biden, referring to a quote of John McCain's.

 "I have never in my life seen Washington so broken. This year the choice is clear," said Biden "We will get the job done."

Afterwards the two candidates welcomed their wives on stage and interacted with the crowd. The candidates shook hands and Obama held a toddler.

"The speech was great" said Shane Biehn of Peoria. "Joe Biden is a solid Choice and will strongly attack John McCain."

Navvy Readers,

                I would like to take a moment to welcome the new Navigator staff members for the year 2008/2009. The new additions are as follows;  Nicole Mechling, Business Manager and Staff Writer, Sarah Hampsten, Layout and Web design;  Drew Baugher, Photo Editor and Staff Writer.

                Returning staff members are; Jessie White, News and Opinion Editor; Leah Marlow, Sports and Entertainment Editor; Jenny Keife, Campus and Features Editor; Lauren Spaniol, Copy Editor.

                In addition I would like to give a big thanks and good luck to two dedicated staff members that have graduated from Lake Land College. To Ciara Shook and Chris Kepley, Thanks for the two years of hard work and dedication. You will be missed.

Scott May

Managing Editor 2008/2009

Readers,

The results of our first poll are in.  The question was "What topics do you want to read more about in the Navigator?" The overwhelming majority was SEX! Coming in second was Politics. 

Check out the new poll and give us your opinion.

Also, we have posted the new music video "Yes We Can" by the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and director Jesse Dylan, Bob Dylan's son. Also appearing is John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Common, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali and Nick Cannon.  This video is starting to gain popularity with the climax of the presidential race approaching.  Watch it here in our music section.

Readers,

                The Navigator @ Myspace.com will now feature news footage from reputable news organizations like CNN, MSNBC and others.  Check out the current embedded footage in our T.V. section.                

                Any suggestions to make this page better will be greatly appreciated.  Please send the Navigator staff any ideas via the "Got News" option in the contact table.

  Thanks and welcome to the Navigator @ Myspace.com.

 Scott May

Business Manager and Staff Writer

Hey guys, Navigator officially has complete control over the entire room originally dubbed, "Student Publications." Counseling and career services found a different location for their excess stuff.
   For those of you who may not be keen on what I am talking about, anyone who has set foot into the Navvy office knows that the back 30% of the office was blocked off (since, ever, I believe) for the aforementioned parties. As of recent, the parties have been relocated, leaving the entire room to us.
   I am beyond excited, as this has been a dream of mine since I started at Navvy. More breathing room for the Macs and the lone P.C., let alone more wiggle room for us 7 staffers (Marilyn, I'm gonna miss you!)
   Anyway, thank you to anyone who has ever supported Navvy, whether it be reading or writing for us, or hanging out with us in the breadbox known as the Student Publications office...it's not a breadbox now, but more so a bread closet.
   Have an excellent break, and I'll see everyone on the 14th!

Ciara Shook
Managing Editor

By Ciara Shook
Managing Editor

Hey guys, Lake Land students and unaffiliated stragglers: 
  Scott May, Business Manager, had the outstanding idea today to begin a MySpace for Navigator. And why not? Navvy should get with the program. And we have.
  So far, he has done an excellent job with getting it organized and started up, and I thank him immensely for that. Soon we hope all of our staff as well as our readers will be on here. I really hope this profile will help boost the readership of the Navigator in the coming months.

  The Dec./Jan. issue is set to go to print during Thanksgiving break, and it should be on newsstands Wednesday, Nov. 28.
  Thank you to all writers who have contributed to this issue!
  I would also like to thank the Navigator staff for a semester of hard work, loyalty, and dedication to our publication.

  In closing, there is not much to say, considering right now I'm reaching out to Scott, Jenny, Caleb, and Pauline. Keep it real, guys. Happy holidays!