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This winter, the managers of the Albion Field Station, owned by Pacific Union College, are reminding people that the station isn't just for groups — and they're offering a 25 percent discount on weeknight and holiday season reservations! For many years, groups ranging from church groups to wedding parties to mushroom hunters have made use of the cabin, lab, and lodge facilities at the station, located near the coast town of Mendocino. But "it seems that most think they can only come as a group," says director Gilbert Muth. "We want to dispel this concept." Albion has always been a great place for family excursions or individual getaways, with its rustic but comfortable cabins (now renovated), its setting on the Albion River, an abundance of wildlife, and the tourist attractions in the scenic area. So the station is offering the 25 percent discount for any bookings Sunday through Thursday nights during the months of December and January; and the same discount applies for the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks, December 18 to January 3. The station has various rooms and cabins, some with kitchenettes and all with bathrooms, available for booking. To learn more or book a room, visit...

Pacific Union College officially welcomed the Christmas season November 30 with a short ceremony to light the campus Christmas tree. At 7 pm, students flocked to the center of campus to sip cider and hot chocolate, while Student Association president Scott Brizendine gave a short welcome and college president Heather Knight led a countdown to the lighting of the tree. “It was fun getting back together with everyone I hadn’t seen over the break to celebrate the season,” says graphic design senior Kerry Chambers. The lighting of the Christmas tree is a long-standing tradition at PUC. Formerly, a massive tree beside the church complex was strung with lights and "lit" after vespers on a Friday evening. In recent years, a smaller tree near the library has become the campus's Christmas icon. The tree lighting will be followed by other seasonal celebrations on campus, including the annual music department Christmas program and various open houses until Christmas vacation begins on December 11....

In between games, a group of basketball players took time for a different kind of endeavor — one that involved getting in the spirit of the holiday season and giving back to a community. It was November, and the Pacific Union College women's Pioneers basketball team traveled to Southern California to play in a Thanksgiving tournament. The competition included La Verne University, Pomona-Pitzer University, Whittier College and Cal Tech University. Playing four games in four days, the PUC team finished with two wins and two losses. But the Pioneers also made a point of getting involved in the community in another way. In between their games, the team took time out to visit a senior living facility in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. For over two hours the players and coaches mingled with the residents, playing chair volleyball and other games, singing songs, and enjoying each others' company. The atmosphere was filled with energy, laughter and smiles. Several of the highlights included the basketball team helping the residents beat their “total hits” record in chair volleyball by over 200; singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas” in the lobby to over 50 residents; and a solo, performed by team member Vanessa Felder,...

As Pacific Union College's Pioneers varsity teams in womens volleyball, mens soccer, and mens and womens cross country close their seasons, and as mens and womens basketball opens, the teams exhibit positive sportsmanship along with some serious wins. On November 11, womens volleyball team members Heather and Tiffany Jacobson were named members of this year's California Pacific Conference Volleyball All Conference Teams. Tiffany also received Freshman of the Year honors. The volleyball Pioneers made a positive comeback this year and made it to the quarterfinals for the Cal Pac Tournament, concluding their season on November 11. The mens soccer Pioneers finished their record season with a 3-1 victory at CSU Maritime on November 12. They made it to conference championships and narrowly missed the chance to play in the NAIA national championship, falling into second in standing (behind Holy Names University). They finished their season with nine wins, two losses, and one tie. The mens and womens basketball teams opened their official season on November 8 and 9, with the mens team winning their first game. The men will head to Oregon for two games, followed by a long line of California games. The women have games in California, Oregon,...

For the first lecture in the Presidential Inaugural Lecture Series at Pacific Union College, Harvard professor David R. Williams spoke about religion and the impact on American health. He presented studies examining how religious participation affects a person's health. In most cases, he said, the studies found that religious participation (regular church attendance) has a positive effect on health. Some of these positive effects include lower blood pressure, less stress, less depression, and fewer anxiety disorders. Williams noted, however, that there are exceptions. People who are intrinsically religious people, those who consider religion to be a central and genuine focus in their life and who live their faith, are positively affected. But by contrast, people who are extrinsically religious, those who go regularly attend church as a way to give off a certain appearance or establishing status, tend to be negatively affected and experience more anxiety and depression. Looking at the larger picture, Williams talked about the health crisis in America. In 1994, a study showed that 46 percent of U.S. adults have a psychiatric disorder. Then Williams brought it back to the church: If religion can be such a powerful tool, then we have to address the on-going question...