On the Friday before Halloween the student lounge at the Merced Community College's Los Banos Campus was visited by hippies, skate boarders, sheep, pumpkins, doctors, ghouls, nuns, witches, a lady form the twenties, and Bob Marley. No... this was not some sort of strange warp in time in which the faculty of the college was finally able to categorically prove the theories associated quantum mechanics - vis-a-vis time warps and faster-than-light travel, but rather a group of teachers and students having a few giggles and enjoying the Halloween season.

"We just wanted to have a little bit of fun today." said Doctor Brenda Latham the Dean of the Los Banos Campus. And fun it was. About a dozen people dressed up for the costume contest on Friday. Only students were allowed to participate in the competition, but several faculty members came in dressed in rather unusual trappings and accouterments as well. The costume contest was held at high noon and prizes were awarded. According to Ms. Latham, the faculty and staff of the Los Banos Campus generously donated all of the prizes awarded in the competition.

Before the show began one of the faculty produced a 'magic eight ball' toy and proceeded to wave a "magic wand" (which looked more like a back scratcher than a wand to this reporter) over the ball whilst telling the student's fortunes. Though the questions seemed simple enough, (dealing mostly with anticipated grades and project due dates), the silly little ball seemed hard pressed to give simple direct answers. Instead it replied to their questions with evasive and less than reassuring responses as: "Reply hazy, try again" or "Better not tell you now".

As noon rolled around the costume competition got underway. The hippies, witches, and other assorted individuals stepped forward and introduced themselves - saying who or what they represented. Faculty judges looked on and then huddled together to make a determination about who had won.

Three students walked away with prizes ranging from a 5 dollar certificate and a mug to a fifty dollar gift certificate for the campus bookstore and a bag of goodies.

If everyone in Los Banos would just take 1 or 2 hours a month to do something to help their neighborhood or their community we could truly make Los Banos the gem of the valley.

The above is only my personal opinion and I strongly encourage readers to seek out more information from expert sources. Copyright 2009