• Our View: Halloween holiday nothing to be afraid of
  Halloween falls on Sunday this year, throwing a shadow of controversy over this favorite holiday.

• President Bush's record shows need for change
  President George W. Bush wants to make this election about the record and character of Senator John F. Kerry. Millions of dollars of advertising accuse Kerry of "flip flopping," and have attacked Kerry's distinguished military service.

• Cells from embryos and umbilical cords may cure disease
  Stem cell research provides us with an opportunity to help people who are suffering from painful, debilitating diseases. Stem cells create the possibility to cure people who were once were considered untreatable, who would have had to struggle for the rest of their lives.

• Prop. 69: DNA testing in California will free the innocent
  With election day next week, Californians must not only consider the choice between Bush and Kerry, but the choice between yes and no on all of the 16 propositions.

Diversions

• Mercedes-Benz hosts fashion week at Smashbox Studios
  At this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, at Smashbox Studios in Culver City from Oct. 25 through Oct. 29, 39 designers are presenting their Spring 2005 collections.

• Pixies and Mars Volta invade Verizon venue
  There's an old saying that a real football game is played in halves. You can have a horrible first half and be down 17-0 then storm back in the second half and pull out a 21-20 victory.

• Cross country ready for Big West Championships
  Distance Coach Matt Roe and cross country Head Coach Andy Sythe have been preparing for this weekend's Big West Conference Championship run since the beginning of the injury-felt season.

• Nugget in the Rough: Quaresma scores first collegiate goal
  Freshman Katelyn Quaresma of the women's soccer team scored her first collegiate goal in a 3-1 win against UC Irvine on Friday at George Allen Field, making her this week's Nugget in the Rough.