Cougars & Mustangs welcomes incoming college students 

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We stand at a crossroads. The Literary Call beckons forward, something spectacular is on the horizon, you have your artifact in hand … . In this case my artifact is the orange lollipop I swiped from the front desk. It’s getting smaller as I type this so I suppose we better take a step forward soon! So, without any further ado (excepting the rest of this column) may I present to you the 2013 Student Guide! This action-packed special issue, residing within the dormitory of this week’s “regular” issue, has, according to this cue card being waved furiously at me from across the room, everything you need to have a successful, well-adapted, stunningly-splendiferous year of college … and more!

For those of you who are new to this smattering of 400 words (give or take), welcome! Cougars & Mustangs is a high-speed, rollercoaster-type ride in the dork. This is your location for various event listings, news pieces, opinions, and far more than a fair share of derailed thought processes that pertain to YOU! Assuming you’re … a college student? Eh, something like that. For a taste of the madness, or for a laugh if you’re already something approaching a regular reader, you can visit the New Times website to hear yours truly read aloud some of the previous installments of this serial that have been deemed among the best.

Speaking of reading material, the Cuesta College Library received a special grant this year called the 2013 Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys. A collection of 25 books, four DVDs, and an online database, the Bookshelf aims to help audiences become more familiar with Muslim people, places, history, faith, and cultures around the world and within the United States. You (meaning the public, not just Cuesta students) are invited to a free film screening of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Morro Bay Branch Library (if you’re reading this online make sure it’s actually 2013 or you might arrive to find this event not actually taking place—but hey, you’ll be in a library so you’ll have more than enough to occupy yourself for awhile). Cuesta College Librarian Denise Fourie says of the film: “This visually rich documentary introduces audiences to the variety of Muslim contributions in the arts, crafts, and architecture over the past 1,400 years. It is like sitting in on an art history course.”

Intern Chris White-Sanborn hopes you enjoy this year’s Student Guide as well as this year in general! Send collegiate news, questions, comments, whatever to [email protected].