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For a few weeks in September 2010 the Southwestern College Sun student newspaper was the most famous publication in the U.S., if not the world. A corrupt college president ordered the paper shut down but did not count on a team of scrappy students and their stubborn professor punching back. The 48th annual Bonitafest Melodrama “Here Comes The Sun” is based on the true story of a former SWC president who attempted to coerce faculty and students to cease publication of the 24-time collegiate Pulitzer Prize newspaper to cover up what became San Diego County’s biggest ever case of public corruption. News of the threat garnered national news media support for The Sun and a financial contribution from science-fiction writing legend J. Michael Straczynski that paid for the issue. “This is a project that hits close to home and is very personal,” said Melodrama Artistic Director Dr. Max Branscomb, the 31-year advisor of Southwestern’s Hall of Fame newspaper and magazine. “It was a rough period but we persevered. It is, in hindsight, a very compelling story. The part where JMS came to our rescue is remarkable and all true.” “Here Comes The Sun” is a musical that focuses on the students who entered college as teenaged journalism students and exited as battle hardened First Amendment warriors who earned the respect of the nation’s professional news media and the gratitude of the community for keeping $1 billion of local construction bond money out of the hands of criminals. After The Sun broke a series of stories about bribery, extortion and theft of public funds, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis ordered raids on the homes and offices of nearly two dozen SWC and Sweetwater High School District leaders who were later charged with 262 felonies. “Here Comes The Sun” runs September 24-27 at the Sweetwater Church Theater, 5305 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or by calling (619) 850-7126. Bonitafest Melodrama on Facebook

James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.

Dive deep into Doctor Who with two awesome fan panels in one afternoon! 1-2 p.m. "Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey: Religion and History in Dr. Who": This panel will explore how a show that has had "all of time and space" as its playground chooses to talk about history, faith, and god(s). We know the Doctor is a Time Lord but how does Doctor Who, both the individual and the series, come to grips with historical people and even forces, like causation and continuity and change over time? Whether facing down a Satan-like figure on the edge of a black hole or encountering the boundaries of the supernatural, how does Doctor Who balance science and faith. 2-3 p.m. "Science as the Doctor’s Companion: A History of Innovation in Doctor Who": There have been many scientific and technological advancements since Doctor Who premiered in 1963, before mankind even landed on the Moon. This panel explores how the series tells compelling stories across different eras, spanning Victorian-era cyberpunk inventions to modern AI concepts and beyond. We'll trace the fascinating evolution of iconic tech like the sonic screwdriver and the Cybermen and how those changes reveal our shifting relationship with innovation, societal fears, and human imagination. Comic-Con Museum on Facebook / Instagram

Efforts to close the gap between boys and girls in STEM classes are picking up after losing steam nationwide during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools have extensive work ahead to make up for the ground girls lost, in both interest and performance.

The discovery of three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes was confirmed this week by the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, which said the mosquitoes likely arrived by freight.

FDA Commissioner Martin Makary discusses vaccine policy, COVID-era decisions and the erosion of trust in government health guidance.

With the possibilities of a government shutdown, federal employees will be working without pay and delays likely will occur across many services.

CipherHacks is a free, student-led cybersecurity and computer science hackathon designed for high school students across San Diego. Over two days, participants will team up to design, code, and present projects while building technical skills, collaborating with peers, and connecting with industry mentors. The event is open to all skill levels — from first-time coders to experienced developers. Students will have access to hands-on workshops, mentorship, and panel discussions featuring both college students and industry professionals. Participants can compete in prize tracks such as: • Best Beginner Project • Best Design • Overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place (Judge + Popular Vote) With free food, swag, prizes, and industry networking, CipherHacks creates an inclusive environment for students to learn, experiment, and showcase their creativity. Registration is free and open until September 30, 2025. Register at cipherhacks.tech/register Follow updates on Instagram: @CipherHacks2025

Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia Athenaeum Music & Arts Library 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 10:30 a.m. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is thrilled to announce its newest offering for young families: Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia. This new program, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m., is designed to introduce children to the magic of storytelling while fostering an early love for music, art, and literature. Geared for ages 2–5, Creative Storytime is a free, interactive experience featuring songs and stories that celebrate creativity and imagination. After the program, families are invited to stay and explore the Athenaeum’s extraordinary children’s collection, a treasure trove of books on music and art. This collection highlights the library’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of readers and creators. About Ms. Katia Creative Storytime will be led by Katia Graham, a passionate librarian, storyteller, and advocate for literacy. Based in San Diego, Graham brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the Athenaeum. She is a member of the Freedom to Read Statement Taskforce for the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association and has served as Youth Services Librarian at La Jolla/Riford Public Library and Children’s Librarian at Coronado Public Library. Graham is the founder of Librarian on the Go, an initiative dedicated to promoting literacy and information access. She has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Southern California, a second master’s in broadcast journalism from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Barnard College. A former reporter, Graham honed her storytelling skills in newsrooms, including KYMA, NY1 News, and ABC World News Tonight. In addition to her other programs, she proudly leads a bilingual storytime and developed San Diego Public Library's initiative to combat the Spanish disinformation crisis. Discover the Athenaeum’s Children’s Section The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s children’s section is a hidden gem in La Jolla, offering an exceptional selection of books on music and art for young readers. Whether it’s introducing a budding musician to the works of Beethoven or sparking an early appreciation for Picasso, our collection has something for every young mind. This resource complements the library’s mission to inspire a lifelong love of the arts. For more information, call us at (858) 454-5872. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

The ocean comes alive after dark as Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego casts a spell of science and seasonal fun with Halloween Aglow! This year’s event takes place on October 24 and 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for two nights of Halloween festivities with an educational twist. From unusual animals to eerie illuminations, Halloween Aglow celebrates the wonders and mysteries of the ocean in a family-friendly atmosphere. Enter through a vibrant display of hay bales and pumpkins and dive into fall fun featuring ocean science and hands-on exploration. New this year — trick-or-treat in Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery as it transforms from day-to-night with special lighting and glowing surprises around every corner. Plus don’t miss the science of slime as you embrace your inner scientist! “The ocean is filled with unique, alien-like — but most importantly, slimy — creatures!” said Matthew Arrollado, Public Programs Coordinator. “In the Boo and Goo Lab, young scientists will get a chance to play in some sensory slime, explore the science of Oobleck and touch some slimy ocean animals.” Don’t miss the chance to show off your Halloween costume during the parade through the aquarium or watch as Birch Aquarium divers demonstrate their underwater pumpkin carving skills! Other activities include live music from Billy Lee and The Swamp Critters, pop-up science stations, classic arcade games and more! Tickets for Halloween Aglow are separate from general admission and go on sale September 26 to the general public, with a member presale from September 22 – 25. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for children, with members receiving 50% off admission. Children 2 and under are free. For more information, visit the aquarium website. Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Instagram / Facebook / TikTok