May 14, 2008 - San Gabriel Valley Examiner

B16 S.G.V. EXAMINER
May 8 - 14, 2008
Grand Theft Auto 4
VideoScope
BRIAN LEE
JONES
Back in the day, almost seven
years ago, Rockstar Games released
Grand Theft Auto 3 on
the PS2. Taking a fun and
simple 2D title and revamping
it into an impressive 3D world
with living inhabitants, vibrant
city life and nearly endless
gameplay. Each new version of
the title would continue to expand
the world and gameplay
by leaps and bounds. Vice City
gave us an amazing soundtrack,
motorcycles and mayhem. Then
San Andreas exploded with
customization, limited co-op,
jetpacks and even more. It was
clear that Rockstar was pushing
the limits of the engine,
squeezing every drop of possibility
out of a seven year old
game designed for the horribly
limited PlayStation 2.
With the release of GTA4 on
the Microsoft Xbox 360 and
Sony PlayStation 3 on the 29th
of April, we are now ready to
see what Rockstar can do with
a bigger playground and from
the previews, it is looking simply
amazing. At its core it is the
same game we have played and
loved for years, with the obvious
enhancement of better
graphics and larger environments.
The game also addresses
most of the problems found in
the previous titles while giving
brand new features a shot.
A new wanted system is in
place, giving the game more of
a natural feeling. You get in
trouble for crimes you commit
in public, no more psychic
cops. They operate in circles on
your radar. If you remain outside
of this area long enough
you can escape them. If you run
into a cop, the circle will move
to your new location. The HUD
(heads up display) is now
streamlined to appear less intrusive,
your health bar wraps
around your radar and your
cash is discretely displayed on
the screen. The in game GPS
allows you to find better routes
to destinations so you don't get
lost that easily in the new city.
The combat has seen a massive
upgrade as well. You can
rely on the auto-aim, but the
free-aim has been greatly improved.
Location based damage
is applied to this game, so if you
shoot a thug at the top of the
stairs in the leg, he will come
tumbling down the stairs. Since
bullets hurt a lot, you can hide
and duck behind most anything
in the game. The cover system
is supposed to be a lot like Gears
of War, with even your enemies
taking cover making
shoot outs even scarier.
The game also offers a unique
option to simply cruise around
in a taxi instead of stealing one.
Jump in the back of a cab and
you can warp instantly to your
location or enter a first person
view and look out the window
while the driver navigates traffic.
This is just a small example
of all the little touches in Grand
Theft Auto 4 that will easily
make this the game of the year.
Oh yeah, we forgot to mention
the biggest update of all, full
multiplayer modes! The review
continues next week!
Successful Scholarship Luncheon
Nim's Island
By Patrick Murphy
If you are looking for an enjoyable
diversion for the entire
family, and you would like a
nice, safe environment, but lots
of excitement and adventure, I
may have just the ticket. It is
Nim's Island. No, you won't
have to book airline tickets and
fret about being with the hordes
stranded in airlines due to airline
flight cancellations. You
don't even need to consult a
travel agent. For this marvelous
family adventure, simply
drive to the Edwards 18 Theatre
at1200 Lakes Dr., West
Covina, CA 91790 (626) 918-
7111.
"What is Nim's Island?",you
may query. Nim's Island is an
enchanting film starring Jodie
Foster, as author Alexandra
Rover, Abigail Breslin, as Nim
Rusoe, and Gerard Butler doing
double duty as both Jack
Rusoe and Alex Rover.
Nim lives on a deserted, idyllic
tropical island with her Father,
Jack Rusoe who is a Marine
Biologist. She is enchanted
with adventure stories of Alex
Rover, an iconic hero reminiscent
of Indiana Jones. When
her Island is threatened, Nim
turns to the hero Alex Rover,
not knowing this is a fictional
character from the mind of author
Alexandra Rover, who is a
retiring, slightly obsessive compulsive
author who is also ago-
raphobic. When Alexandra
Rover receives the call for help,
the fun begins and does not end
until the credits run at the end
of the film.
:Directors: Jennifer Flackett,
Mark Levin . Writers : Joseph
Kwong, Screenplay, and Paula
Mazur, Screenplay.
A film for the entire family,
audiences of 4-10 will find it
particularly enchanting and
amusing. But be advised, the
movie is Rated PG for mild adventure
action and brief language.
Kiwaniannes Induct Two New Members
and Welcome Guest Speaker
GLENDORA — The
Kiwanis club of Glendora
Kiwaniannes' new members
pose with their sponsors and the
special guest speaker at a recent
dinner meeting.
For information on service
projects and club activities, call
(626) 963-7851 or visit the
club's Website at
www.glendorakiwaniannes.org.
Lynda Siminske, Joyce Robbins, Jan Mix, Gail Hayens, and Susan Hamilton (Delta Nu President) have
fun in the kitchen helping prepare the food the day before the luncheon.
SAN DIMAS — Delta Nu
Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
Society International (for
teachers) recently held its yearly
Scholarship Luncheon at Faith
Lutheran Church in San Dimas.
One hundred and thirty ladies,
mostly from the Glendora area
attended including several distinguished
guests…Catherine
Nichols, Superintendent of
Glendora Schools, Doris Blum,
President of Glendora Unified
School District and one of this
year's "YWCA Women of distinction,"
and Marcia Conway,
"Glendora Citizen of the Year."
The luncheon was extremely
successful and fun. The proceeds
will benefit four outstanding
teachers from local schools
and community literacy
projects. The luncheon was
planned and prepared by member
Gail Haynes, and chefs Paul
and Ruth Hatcher. Jan Mix was
the chairman of this year's
event. Delta Nu members
helped decorate, sell tickets,
obtain opportunity basket items,
and helped with minor details
of lunch preparation along with
clean up. Delta Kappa Gamma
members from other chapters
also attended.
Delta Nu wishes to thank the
over fifty local businesses that
generously helped with gifts to
make this event so successful.
A delicious lunch was served in
the pretty windowed fellowship
hall. Each table was decorated
with a lovely red-spotted green
plant in a miniature white splitrailed
fence basket painted with
spring flowers.
The highlight of the luncheon
was an interesting program put
on by a husband and wife team,
Karen Cullen and Dan Wilshire.
Both took turns singing lovely
Irish ballads, together and separately.
The theme of the luncheon
was "Painting an Irish Springtime."
While Dan sang, Karen,
an accomplished watercolor
artist, demonstrated and completed
a lovely watercolor called
"Irish Crafter Cottage" which
she donated and was raffled off.
Karen is a native Glendora
resident who majored in music
and minored in art at the University
of La Verne. She taught
many years at Williams Elementary
School in Glendora. After
retiring from teaching, Karen
renewed her interest in painting.
Several trips to Ireland have
given her inspiration for her
many artistic creations. Dan
taught Instrumental Music in the
Glendora Unified School District
for over 30 years, being proficient
in playing many instruments.
For several years Dan and
Karen have volunteered their
time directing and accompanying
an orchestra class at
Glendora high School. In retirement,
Dan continues to direct
the choir at First Christian
Church in Glendora with Karen
as accompanist. Together they
generously share their talents
with retirement homes, parties,
churches, and at community
events. Dan and Karen were
presented with framed certificated
for all the work they do
to encourage the arts in
Glendora.
FOR SALE
1991 TOYOTA MR-2
Membership vice president Pam Richards, guest speaker Kiwanis Div. 35 Lt. Gov. Jr. Mike Tanaka,
Joann Patton sponsored new member Donna Beesmer, Debbie Deal, sponsor of new member
Becky Tourtellotte.
Nancy Griffith, Linda Gambourg, Dan Wilshire, Karen Cullen, Doris Blum, Pres. Glendora Unified
School District, Della Douglas, Media Specialists Glendora Unified School district, Lois Green, retired
Asst. Supt. Glendora S.D, and Catherine Nichols, Superintendent of Glendora Unified School District
Enjoy conversation during Delta Nu Scholarship Lunch.
Vintage Upright Grand Piano
Great Condition, Low Profile TOYO tires, DVD player
with 6.5” screen, moonroof, tinted windows, front and rear
stabilizer bars, cold air intake. MUST SELL
Asking $3,700/obo.
Call 626-375-1512.
Made by Victor Piano & Organ of Chicago. This was made
between 1914 and 1930. Very good condition for its age.
Needs to be tuned. Priced at $300/obo. Call Eugene for
more info. (626) 852-3374
The San Gabriel Valley
Examiner