by Lucas David
Februarys Comic – “Snowman Contest”
Category: Arts and Culture
Crochet: The Beginning
Homeschool stressing you out? Perhaps you have a math assignment due or you are bummed about receiving a bad grade. Whether you are a student or a teacher, chances are, at times you are probably finding yourself feeling down. If that is so, then a relaxing way to defeat these stressful times is to grab a cup of hot chocolate, collapse on the couch, turn on nice classical music, and take out a hook and yarn. Crochet is a fantastic way to unwind!
Attention, beginners! To start your crocheting journey, you first need to create a shopping list. For those who are starting out, a size 4 yarn is perfect. A very good brand of nice beginner yarns is “Sugar ‘n Cream”, which can be acquired at Joann’s or on Amazon. You can find the size of the yarn on the label. It’s on a little symbol that looks like this:
Courtesy of Lionbrand
There are a bunch of different sizes, but size 4 is easiest for beginners. The larger, fluffy yarn balls are very compelling, but those are better once you become more advanced. When you are first starting out, I recommend buying just a ball of yarn or two. Don’t buy 10 colors right away, because you need to make sure that crocheting is something you enjoy doing and would like to commit to it. Sugar ‘n Cream brand has multicolor yarn which is really fun to use. Beginners are welcome to use any colors except for black. It is very hard to see the stitches when using black yarn, so it is important to stick to brighter colors.
Courtesy of Daufuskie Island
Next, you need to find a suitable hook for your yarn. Specific yarn sizes go along with specific hook sizes. For example, a #4 yarn can be used with a 4.5 to 5.5 millimeter hook. The shaft in the hook should be about the same size as the thickness of the yarn. Suitable hooks are found in craft stores, Amazon, or my personal favorite: Joann’s. When picking a hook, remember that the head shape matters. If the tip of the head is slightly pointed, then it will be easier to use, so aim for a hook of that shape.
Courtesy of The Lindsey Life
Courtesy of Depidiomas
Once you have your hook and yarn, I recommend getting craft scissors to cut your yarn when you finish a project. Also I recommend buying stitch markers. They look similar to paper clips, and are used to mark the beginning of each round if you decide to begin crocheting more advanced projects. You can get some in a pack, once you decide to commit to crochet. You should also make sure that you have a tape measure, so that you can measure your project dimensions and figure out how big you want it. All of these items can be found at Amazon, Joann’s, or a craft store of your choice. Now, you have everything you need to begin your crochet journey!
To get started, you need to know how to hold your hook and yarn. If you are left handed, then do the opposite of the following directions.
Hold your hook in your right hand (unless you are left-handed). You can either hold it like a fork, or a knife. I recommend the knife hold. There is going to always be a loop on your hook as you crochet, so use your thumb to keep it in place. Your other hand needs to hold the yarn AND the project. It should look something like this:
Courtesy of The Woobles
To begin most projects, you must know how to tie a slip knot. To do that, make a pretzel using your yarn, and make sure you leave a tail of about 6 inches. Then, insert your hook into the loop. It should look something like this:
Photo by Lydia I. Martinov
Pull the ends tight, and you will have a beautiful slip knot to begin a project.
Photo by Lydia
Next, you need to learn how to create a braid. To do that, you hook the yarn that is attached to the ball:
Photo by Lydia
Then, you pull it through the slip knot loop:
Photo by Lydia
Continue hooking the yarn through the loop as many times as you want, and you can create a long, fancy braid. Don’t worry if you don’t get it the first couple tries. It took me a while to get it right. To unravel and start over, simply take the loop off the hook, and pull the yarn until all the stitches are undone. Keep practicing, and by the time you read the next article of my Crochet series, you should be completely ready! There, I will explain how to make different stitches, and practice them by creating a granny square. I will also explain the different terms used in crochet. You can find the series by searching “Crochet” on the home tab, or you can find them in the Arts and Culture tab. Happy crocheting!
Percy Jackson Book #5 – The Last Olympian: Book Review
by Emery Pugh
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The evil Titan lord Kronos intends to tear down Olympus “brick by brick” and destroy Western Civilization with it. Typhon is wreaking havoc on the country as he marches towards the virtually undefended Mount Olympus. The gods being occupied with Typhon, there is only one thing that stands in Kronos’ way – Percy and his friends at Camp Half-Blood. The situation is bad enough, but it gets worse. Percy not only has to undergo an extremely dangerous plan, but has a horrifying suspicion that he could be fighting against his own fate. One choice can change the destiny of the world.
There are many great aspects to book five of the Percy Jackson series. I love how the series is formed around Greek Mythology. It makes it a unique set of books. However, that isn’t the only reason why I am engrossed in the Percy Jackson series.
The Last Olympian just grips you with the story. Once you pick the book up, it’s nearly impossible to put down. Like many good books, the action is the best part. Once a battle starts, you just want to know what happens next. Not only that, author Rick Riordan does a breakthrough job with cliffhangers, making your brain stubbornly refuse to stop reading. During breaks from the action, this book always has some mystery to solve, prophecies to decipher, or someone’s complex past to delve into.
To add on to all that, Riordan puts the cherry on top – humor. I can’t go without laughing for more than ten minutes at a time. Even right before Percy could die, someone throws out a joke. Riordan never forgets to add hilarity to his books.
Finally, this book has a perfect ending. It isn’t quite a cliffhanger, but introduces the sequel to the Percy Jackson series: The Heroes of Olympus five-book series.
In the end, I really have nothing negative to say about The Last Olympian. It’s definitely a five star review.
“The First Selfie”
by Lucas David
Nestled in the heart of the city of San Francisco, the Legion of Honor museum is structured almost like an art project in and of itself. Spreading before a fountain and an abstract metal statue is a lush field, bordered by a curtain of trees and greenery. On the other side of the fountain and statue is the museum itself. Upon entering the museum, I was greeted by one of the Thinker statues, and two rows of large marble columns on either side. A glass triangle much resembling a miniature version of the Louvre is behind the Thinker, and at the end of the entry area the front doors are behind a short stairway.
In the past, the LoH has exhibited art from Pompei, the ancient city that was destroyed as a result of the ash from a volcanic eruption. The museum is the main source of impressionism and post-impressionism in the San Francisco Bay Area as well. When I went to review the place, I found LOH is currently showcasing art by Sandro Botticelli, an italian artist from the fourteen to fifteen hundreds. Amongst the drawings was a video that shared a painting I have dubbed, “The First Selfie”. “The First Selfie,” better known as “The Adoration of the Magi,” is a portrait of the wise men offering the biblical figure Jesus, or the Messiah, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I call it, “The First Selfie,” because Botticelli adds himself into the scene, looking directly and intently at the viewer.
The cafe offers high quality food, but is very expensive, and unless your child enjoys portobello or smoked salmon and potato galette, then they will wind up with an expensive grilled cheese. I recommend bringing lunch, and enjoying coffee and dessert in the cafe, especially the chocolate raspberry tart. There aren’t many restaurants nearby the museum, but I noticed a casual Mel’s Diner on the way there that I took note of for my next visit.
I highly recommend stopping by the museum for a visit, especially since San Francisco is a beautiful city, filled with so many museums I look forward to enjoying, before going home to subject them to harsh (but accurate) criticism. One of the nice things about the Legion of Honor museum is it’s way of cycling through exhibitions like I mentioned before, but it also means that the Botticelli sketches will not stay for long, and their normal home is in Italy. It’s an hour of driving from where I’m typing to the Legion of Honor museum, but it’s a 12 hour flight from here to Italy, so don’t wait! The exhibition ends February 11th, 2024.
A Gif for Fall
by Lucas David
Fall Art Submission by Mila Martinov
A beautiful painting encapsulating the feeling of fall.
Fall Art Challenge!
by Olive Pea
The Lighthouse has an art challenge for you! Even though Halloween has just passed, the fall spirit is still here! The leaves in the trees are still painted with fall colors, and the invisible wind sweeps away those that have fallen. The moon shines brighter than ever, only to be blocked by the silhouette of a black cat sitting on a fence. In my opinion, this time of year is the most inspirational for creating art. Speaking of creating art, here is your Fall Art Challenge!
INSTRUCTIONS:
Your art can be made in any shape or form! You can use any medium you wish; just make sure you can take a photo of your creation. The challenge is to include a pumpkin and a cat in your art.
SUBMITTING YOUR ART:
Make sure you have your art completed so that it can be submitted by Friday, the 24th of November. To submit your art, take a photo of it and send it to thelighthousetve@gmail.com.
NOTE:
Your artwork will be included in the next article and published in the Arts and Culture section on Friday, the 1st of December. However, if your artwork contains any inappropriate content, it will not be included.
We hope to see your artwork soon, and we wish you a happy fall!
The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off
by Lucas David
The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off is a competition hosted in Half Moon Bay on Indigenous People’s Day. Competitors travel from all around to have their pumpkins weighed for a chance at first place, where the pumpkin is purchased at nine dollars per pound. The record-setting pumpkin receives an additional 30k, and immortalization as a pumpkin record breaker. The last record set was broken by Travis Grienger, with his monstrous 2,749 pound gourd. Each pumpkin is carted onto a scale, weighed, lifted into the air on a crane and carefully inspected for cracks, chemicals or rot. If any of these are found, the pumpkin is disqualified, but they still weigh it anyway. There’s also a great deal to do in the area: there’s a brunch place named “Johnny’s”. Johnny’s is admittedly pricey, but tasty, and it boasts an authentic breakfast diner atmosphere. The biscuits are delicious and drowned in gravy, and the tater tots are filling and plentiful. Ice cream scoops (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry) are only three dollars each, if you’re on a budget or just looking for a snack.
All of this is right by Half Moon Beach, a sandy coast surrounded by fields of succulent plants and pathways. A 10-foot drop-off marks the border between the sand and succulents, with the layers of rock sediment displayed like a science exhibit. Getting down to the beach looks tricky at first, since most obvious paths lead to edges that would be difficult to descend, but following the succulents will bring you to a wider path. On your way home, there are many pumpkin patches to pick from if you’d like to drop by and snag one, or get lost in a corn maze and never return. To summarize, next year on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, consider a trip to The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. It’s
definitely worth the drive!
Get Ready for the Harvest Dance! – 2023
by Ava Salado
Hello TVE Community! I think it is safe to say the fall has officially…fallen. Isn’t it wonderful? Leaves of all shades of orange line the streets and the tidemark smell of autumn is finally out. So you know what that means? TVE’s Harvest Dance is here! Join us for our annual Family Harvest Dance! This event is for the whole family and promises to be a fantastic night! There will be music, dancing, a photo booth, a variety of snacks, games, a costume parade, arts & crafts and more! It is truly a TVE tradition that is a favorite for many.
Costumes are highly encouraged, but please be sure to wear family friendly costumes so the little ones aren’t frightened. You can sign up for what you can bring to the snack potluck!
It will be held on October 21st, 2023 from 6-10 pm. Check the TVE official Facebook page for the location, who is going, and much more information! To cover the expense of the venue we kindly ask for 8$ per person/guest and 25$ for a household of 3 or more.
We sincerely hope to see you at this year’s Harvest Dance!
Navarathri — The Festival of Nine Nights
by Meru S.
The Hindu festival of Navarathri begins on the new moon during mid-September to mid-October. In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, nava means nine and rathri means night, so Navarathri translates to Nine Nights. It is also called Dussara, or Ten Days, in Hindi. During these nine nights, three legendary goddesses of Hinduism are honored.
The first three nights of Navarathri celebrate the warrior goddess Durga, who destroys the demons of greed, anger, jealousy, and ego. Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, after a nine-day-long battle, is one of the reasons why Navarathri is celebrated. The next three nights are dedicated to Lakshmi, who is the goddess of prosperity and abundance in spirituality, courage, material wealth, victory, agriculture, and wisdom. During the last three nights, Saraswathi, the goddess of knowledge and learning is worshiped.
Here is a short prayer to Goddess Saraswathi in Sanskrit:
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारंभं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
Saraswathi namasthubhyam varade kamarupini
vidyarambham karishyami siddhirbhavathu me sada
Translation:
Salutations to you, O Goddess Saraswathi, who is the giver of boons and who has a
beautiful form! I now begin my studies. Let there always be success for me.
In southern India, each family builds a beautifully and elaborately decorated set of steps on which dolls made of clay, wood, or ceramic are arranged. Dolls are often passed down for generations and are many years old. The god and goddess images are placed on the higher steps, while human and animal dolls are set on the lower steps. These displays (known as golu in the South Indian language, Tamil) commonly depict weddings, rituals, ceremonies, or stories from the scriptures. Families dress up and visit each other, sing songs, and chant prayers.
In northern India, families and devotees celebrate Navarathri by visiting temples, performing traditional dances, and enacting legends of the three Goddesses. The tenth day, called Vijaya Dasami, is believed (in north India) to be the day on which Prince Rama defeated the ten-headed demon, Ravana.
This is a recipe for Sundal, a traditional savory dish made with garbanzo beans:
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked or 1 can of garbanzo beans
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
⅛ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 diced green chili or 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
1 small pinch of asafoetida (optional)
1 sprig of curry leaves (optional)
chopped cilantro (optional)
1. Soak the garbanzo beans in water for at least six hours, then cook them. If you are using canned garbanzo, drain them and skip this step.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the mustard seeds, and let them splutter.
3. Add the fennel seeds, green chilies or red pepper flakes, turmeric powder, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Stir, then add the garbanzo beans, salt and sugar. Mix until well combined.
4. Garnish with cilantro, serve warm, and enjoy!
The Lighthouse 