Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Vol. 95, Issue 68
THE
DAILY
w w w. T h e D a i l y A z t e c . c o m
AZTEC
Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1913
I N S I D E T O D AY SPORTS
Chappy to reopen in Fall 2010 Discounted rates for second-year students will help fill rooms
GROUNDED The SDSU men’s basketball team took down the Falcons last night at Viejas Arena. page 2
FOOD & DRINK
SUPER BOWL Find out how to make flavorful recipes that won’t break New Years resolutions. page 4
TEMPO
LARGER THAN LIFE The newest IMAX film isn’t playing at the nearest theater, but at a science museum. page 5
TODAY @ SDSU Black History Month event 7 p.m., Aztec Athletic Center "The Soul of the Fist: Understanding our Accountability and Responsibility Through Sports" will be presented as part of the monthlong celebration. For more of today’s headlines, visit:
www.thedailyaztec.com
CONTACT GENERAL INFORMATION 619.594.4199
EDITOR
IN CHIEF, FARYAR BORHANI 619.594.4190 EDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
K R I ST I N A B L A K E A S S I S TA N T C I T Y E D I T O R
Chapultepec Residence Hall will reopen next fall after having been closed this academic year because of reduced enrollment. “The drop in first-time freshmen has meant the demand for on-campus housing has been reduced and we just didn’t have enough students,” Patricia Francisco, director of the Office of Housing Administration, said. Starting next fall, the university is requiring all first-year freshmen to live on campus if the high school they attended is outside of the San Diego State service area. Francisco said the new policy is not the reason why Chappy will be utilized again, however. She said the school has always had about 90 percent of out-of-service-area students live on campus, so the policy will not make much of a difference. Instead, a new second-year experience program will be offered to second-year students. “We’re going to offer something we’ve never been able to offer before,” she said. “We realize we have extra space and if we give the second-year experience participants discounts, we could do something that we just never had the room to do before.” Associate Director of the Residential Education Office Christy Samarkos said the new program is going to offer career, academic and study abroad support and advice. While the program is geared toward second-year students, if there is space available, Francisco and Samarkos said they are willing to offer the experience to upper division students, too. Samarkos lived and worked as the hall coordinator at Chappy for two years. She said the 11story building, which was first opened in 1992 and remodeled in 2001, “is designed for community living.” “My first home in San Diego was Chappy,” Samarkos said. “It’s
a phenomenal community building environment. All of the students who have lived there, at least while I was there, loved it. All of the students who lived there were sad to not be able to return there this year.” Graduate student Timothy Bethune lived and worked as a resident adviser in Chappy for four of his five years as an undergraduate student. “I was surprised when (Chappy) was closed, but I also understood at the same time,” he said. “Obviously you don’t expect a building you live and work in to be closed.” The building, which has room for 580 residents, including students who work as staff members, is located away from other residential halls and near the Aztec Recreation Center, the Aquaplex and the International Student Center. Bethune said students often complain about the “long walk” to and from Chappy, but its location is really an advantage. “It provides a different experience being that it’s a hall that stands alone,” he said. “It’s a different kind of experience and a different kind of community. It’s a community that comes really close together.” Civil engineering senior Abigail Goode lived in Chappy her freshman year. She said the experience helped her socially and academically. “I think it is a lot better living on campus because you have study rooms here, you have people who are willing to help you and it’s so much easier getting a study group together on campus when you can just go down the hall and knock on doors and say ‘Hey, I know you’re in this class too,’” Goode said. Both national research and research conducted at SDSU indicates that students who live on campus perform better academically than students who live off campus. In the fall of 2008, off-campus freshmen averaged a grade point average of 2.38 while on-campus freshmen averaged a 2.81. According to the data, students who lived off campus were also placed on academic probation more often and took longer to graduate. Goode said high cost is the only disadvantage of living on campus. “I know that it can be a little expensive to live on campus, but I still
Kallie Larsen / Staff Photographer
Decreased enrollment during this past year meant fewer students to house in residence halls. A new program is expected to help fully occupy Chappy again when it opens.
think that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages,” Goode said. According to Francisco, however, returning students who want to live in Chappy will receive a “large discount.” If they take a double as a single room, they will get a $1,500 discount. If they take a double room, they will get a $1,000 discount. She said students could both live in the residence hall and have their meal plan for less than $7,000 for the academic year.
Second-year students have other on-campus living options, but both Francisco and Samarkos said they encourage second-year students to choose Chappy for the specialized programming. “There’s so many supports that we’ve offered to students throughout their first year and then they come and they’re a sophomore and those services seem to just kind of be gone,” Samarkos said. “It’s just a tough year and we want to do whatever we can do to help them.”
CITY EDITOR, WHITNEY LAWRENCE 619.594.7781 CITYEDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
GREEK BEAT
FEATURES EDITOR, NICOLE CALLAS 619.594.6976 FEATURE@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
New IFC president
SPORTS EDITOR, EDWARD LEWIS 619.594.7817 SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
David Wendell was elected as the new Interfraternity Council president during last week’s IFC meeting. Because Wendell was the IFC judicial director, a new judicial director will be elected soon.
OPINION, ALLAN ACEVEDO 619.594.0509 OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
TEMPO EDITOR, ALLIE DAUGHERTY 619.594.6968 TEMPO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
ART DIRECTOR, ELENA BERRIDY 619.594.6979 ARTDIRECTOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
Sorority fundraises for Haiti
PHOTO EDITOR, GLENN CONNELLY
Kappa Alpha Theta has raised $700 toward its “Hugs for Haiti” fundraiser. Kappa Alpha Theta members are accepting $2 for a bear hug, $1 for a hug and loose change for a high five, Lauren Haikara, a sorority member who is heading the fundraiser, said. The fundraiser is a great way to bring people together and help those in Haiti, Haikara said. The sorority will continue fundraising until 2 p.m. today by Aztec Center.
619.594.7279 PHOTO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
WEB EDITOR, MYLENE ERPELO 619.594.3315 WEB@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
ADVERTISING 619.594.6977
INDEX SPORTS.............................................................................2 FOOD & DRINK............................................................3 TEMPO..............................................................................5 CLASSIFIEDS....................................................................7 THE BACK PAGE............................................................8 Kallie Larsen / Staff Photographer
The sorority members will also be selling “Support Haiti” T-shirts for $10 each until Valentine’s Day, with a goal of $2,000 in donations. Donations will go toward medical aid and relief for Haitians. The sorority has teamed up with Project HOPE to guarantee that the donations are sent to Haitians. Donations are also accepted online at www.ideliverhealth.projecthope.org/page/hug-a-theta
NPHC info session The National Pan-Hellenic Council will be holding its Greek Mixer, an information session for prospective members, at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8 in Casa Real.
—Compiled by Senior Staff Writer Reem Nour
2
The Daily Aztec
SPORTS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SDSU’s defense smothers Falcons
Jené Morris has shot at the WNBA draft B E AU B E A R D E N S E N I O R S TA F F W R I T E R
Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor
Junior forward Malcolm Thomas posted his fourth double-double of the season last night against Air Force.
E D WA R D L E W I S SPORTS EDITOR
Nine minutes into last night’s game, the Air Force men’s basketball team still didn’t have a point. San Diego State’s student section started noticing the zero on the scoreboard and chanted, “Shutout! Shutout! Shutout!” But was SDSU junior guard D.J. Gay thinking the same thing? “A shutout?” Gay said. “No, you got to be AZTECS 70 real with yourself. The odds of that are FALCONS 48 against you. We just tried to keep it as low as possible; just keep getting after it on the defensive end and just limit them to second chance opportunities.” While the Aztecs finally gave up a point at the 10:14 mark in the first half, their defense certainly didn’t let up the rest of the game. SDSU held the Falcons to just 17 firsthalf points and cruised to a 70-48 victory at Viejas Arena. “I was proud of how we defended,” head coach Steve Fisher said. “We did a nice job of not giving them any easy shots. We gave them a minimal number of easy baskets.” In the first half, the Aztecs smothered Air Force, which made just 33.3 percent of its field goals and connected on just two of its nine 3-point attempts. SDSU also forced six
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
turnovers in the opening period and outrebounded the Falcons 21-17. “Our freshmen withered under their pressure,” Falcons head coach Jeff Reynolds said. “We had some open shots that didn’t go down, and you have to give them credit because they played good defense.” The Aztecs ended the game with four players in double figures and only turned the ball over six times. SDSU, which is a 59.2 percent free throw shooting team this season, also made 17 of its 22 free throw attempts last night. “We did what everybody thought we should do, and we did what we knew we had to do to win,” Fisher said. “I’m proud of our effort … We were steady from the tip to the finish.” With the victory, the Aztecs improved their record to 16-6 (5-3 in Mountain West Conference play). On Saturday, SDSU will play perhaps its biggest game of the season when it takes on second-place New Mexico (20-3, 6-2 in MWC play) at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M. “We needed (this win) going into New Mexico,” Gay said. “We were doing things out there that we weren’t doing in practice — switching, just being more vocal and communicating. It feels good to know that we have each pother’s back. The trust just went to another level this game. And it’s exactly what we needed going to play in The Pit, the craziest atmosphere.”
Two months from now, Jené Morris will still be a senior at San Diego State. But the guard on the SDSU women’s basketball team may already be a member of a professional squad, as Morris plans on entering the 2010 WNBA draft scheduled for April 8. “(Morris) has got an excellent chance,” head coach Beth Burns said. “There are a lot of great players out there, but she continues to do the kind of things she needs to do to put herself in that position.” The Women’s National Basketball Association began play in 1997, when the NBA Board of Governors approved the idea. The league started with eight teams before expanding to 16, but is now down to 13 after a number of squads folded. With the constant fluctuation, it’s not a surprise that the Mountain West Conference hasn’t had very many draft picks. Since its creation in 1999, the MWC has only sent 10 players to the WNBA. Utah leads all teams with four players, all of which have been selected in the last four years. An Aztec player has yet to be drafted, so Morris would be the first in school history. She proved last season that she has what it takes to join these select few. Not only was Morris named the 2009 MWC Defensive Player of the Year, but she also led the team with 16.1 points per game. She hasn’t let up this year, leading the MWC with 57 steals and ranking third in scoring with 15.6 points per game. Morris wouldn’t be where she is today without a childhood rooted in basketball. It all started at age 2, when she received a gift. “For my second birthday my grandma bought me a Nerf basketball hoop,” Morris said. “And all I did was dunk on it.” Just three years later, Morris joined an all boys team in an all boys league in the San Francisco Park and Recreation System. She continued to play against boys until fifth grade when she joined the girl’s team at her school. While this was valuable experience for Morris, it didn’t measure up to her first basketball camp at a local high school when she was eight years old. It was there that her coach’s advice helped shape Morris’ future. “Coach Castro told my mother and grandmother that I had a lot of God-given talent,” Morris said. “And that they should try and send me to Tara VanDerveer’s Stanford Basketball Camp.” The camp was expensive but her family saved up so that she could go. The investment paid off, as Morris won the Best Defensive Player award in her first year at the camp. This was only the beginning.
Morris’ parents continued to send her back until she was 12 years old and every year she won the award. There’s no doubt that Morris has the talent to make it in the WNBA, but she is content with taking a different route. “My next choice would be to go play overseas and in the offseason go to grad school to receive my masters in advertising,” Morris said. “But like I said, whatever door God opens up, that’s where I will follow. He has opened so many doors thus far that I didn’t even dream was possible, so I know He will continue to lead me in the right direction.”
Kallie Larsen / Staff Photographer
Senior guard Jené Morris has a chance to be the first Aztec drafted into the WNBA after this season.
AT A GLANCE WHEN: 6 p.m. today WHERE: Clune Arena
VS.
WHY TO WATCH: The Aztecs travel to Air Force looking to remain in contention in the Mountain West Conference. SDSU is currently in a threeway tie with Brigham Young and TCU for first place at 5-2.
FOR SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 1
Loss at home this year in 10 games for SDSU
15.6
Points per game for Morris this season, a team-high
57
Steals this year for Morris, also a team-high
36.7
Rebounds per game for the Aztecs
33.3
Rebounds per game for SDSU’s opponents
66
Combined blocks this year by Paris Johnson and Allison Duffy
.387
three-point percentage for Quenese Davis this season, a team-high
7.4
Team-high rebounds per game this year for Jessika Bradley
FOOD & DRINK
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Daily Aztec
3
Little Italy offers authentic-flavored foods K A R I L UU S TA F F W R I T E R
On the street corners of Little Italy, the occasional artist can be found sitting on a power box or outside a gallery smoking a cigarette. Couples can be seen on the patios intent on game of chess while bespectacled individuals share intellectual jokes while eating Italian pasta. The setting described above isn’t typical of many San Diego neighborhoods. The city isn’t in the middle of some cultural revolution for artistic bohemians. However, in the heart of downtown, it is common to see such individuals in the Little Italy district. Little Italy has a sea of restaurants and is a popular place for a temporary Italian getaway. However, sometimes it’s difficult to decide which restaurant is good or bad, cheap or expensive, or even authentic. This is a guide to some of the fine Italian eateries perfect for lunch, dinner and dessert.
Lunch F i l i p p i ’ s P i z z a G ro t t o : Any kid who has ever loved pizza knows the
best are always the cheesiest. At Filippi’s, savory Italian food can be digested without breaking the bank. For about 60 years, Filippi’s has been serving San Diego with authentic Italian food and is still run by a family member of the original founders. One must walk through a deli-stuffed shop with Italian specialties, cured meat, cheeses and wine to find the restaurant nestled behind. In addition to pizza, Filippi’s serves salads loaded with colorful veggies, spaghetti laden with marinara and typical Italian subs. However, the pizza is what mainly brings the crowds because it is served piping hot, full of fresh sauce and cheese bursting with flavor. However, vegetarians be warned, Filippi’s tends to hide meats such as pepperoni beneath the cheese, making it easy to mistake a pepperoni pizza for a cheese. With the old, rustic ambiance, dim lighting and red-checkered tablecloth, it is reasonable to believe there just may be two dogs slurping up spaghetti in a romantic way similar to “Lady and the Tramp.” If looking for some quick pizza for lunch, Filippi’s is a great option with quality food and cheap deals.
A s s e n t i ’ s Pa s t a : Although it may seem like a small, unnoticeable business from the outside, Assenti’s is an inviting and friendly deli that sells Italian favorites and goods. With shelves stocked with never-before-seen foods, an Italian man behind a counter and fresh sausages and salamis, it feels like a scene from a movie set in New York. Nonetheless, Assenti’s is one of the highest-ranked restaurants on www.Yelp.com. It isn’t exactly a restaurant, but rather a deli to grab some goods on-the-go or to purchase freshly made pasta, raviolis and other delicious specialties. After cooking Assenti’s pasta, don’t expect to be able to go back to dry spaghetti.
Dinner Buon Appetito Rated one of the best restaurants of last year by San Diego Magazine, Buon Appetito is a popular destination for hand-holding romantics and those desiring a scrumptious Italian meal. Found in the heart of Little Italy, Buon Appetito’s most popular dish is the Caesar Spinach Ravioli, which is on its special menu. This dish is made of fresh risotto homemade
s o c a l ' s
pasta. In addition to the pasta, it has savory veal Osso Buco on the special menu, keeping customers crawling back for more. Like all fine Italian restaurants, Buon Appetito has an extensive wine list, perfectly complementing the foods. The meals are on the pricey side, but reviewers insist on the excellent service, perfect Italian food and mastery of cooking.
Dessert Pa p p a l e c c o To send one’s taste palettes on a redefining revelation, try Pappalecco’s rich and creamy gelato. In comparison to typical gelato vendors, which have simple flavors tasting similar to ice cream, Pappalecco feels like the real deal from Italy. From a nutty-flavored pistachio to a sweet and intoxicating chocolate, this little coffee shop has fresh quality gelato. The shop also serves gelato stuffed in a croissant, tasty Italian pastries, hot sandwiches packed with mozzarella and old-fashioned Tuscan coffee. Vibrant with culture and sophistication, Pappalecco is a cozy eatery to sit, enjoy the sweets and have a good evening in Little Italy.
p r e m i e r
c a r e g i v e r
SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST FACILITIES AND SELECTION WITH OVER DOWNTOWN
Voted “Best Quality Meds” in San Diego FREE GIFT for First-Time Patients! Longest Standing Medical Marijuana Collective in San Diego! Convenient and Safe Parking at Both Locations
2215 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 M-F 7am-8pm Sat-Sun 10am-8pm 619-238-3538
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL, DAILY 7AM-9AM
- ALL 8th’s ONLY $50! -
30 FLAVORS! COLLEGE
6956 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 M-F 7am-9pm Sat-Sun 11am-9pm 619-465-4217
FREE PRE-ROLL WITH ANY DONATION! Valid only with coupon. One per patient per visit. Valid with any donation for medicine with SDSU ID. Expires 2/7/10.
"Compassion and Quality Above the Rest!" In strict compliance with California Prop. 215
A
Review
®
Test Preparation
5-HOUR super reviews help you score higher! ACCTG 201 • 202 ECON 101 • 102 STAT 119 FIN 323 • 325 • 329 IDS 180 • 301 • 302 MATH 120
FOOTBALL CONTEST! 1st QUARTER 1st Q Final Score:
SAINTS
$100 POT!
3rd QUARTER 3rd Q Final Score:
SAINTS
COLTS
$100 POT!
COLTS
1st Q Who Scores First: q Saints q Colts q No Score 1st Q Who Scores Last: q Saints q Colts q No Score
3rd Q Who Scores First: q Saints q Colts q No Score 3rd Q Who Scores Last: q Saints q Colts q No Score
2nd QUARTER
4th QUARTER
2nd Q Final Score:
SAINTS
$100 POT!
COLTS
2nd Q Who Scores First: q Saints q Colts q No Score 2nd Q Who Scores Last: q Saints q Colts q No Score
NAME:
A
SUPER Review® FOOTBALL Test Preparation CONTEST!
4th Q Final Score:
SAINTS
$200 POT!
COLTS
4th Q Who Scores First: q Saints q Colts q No Score 4th Q Who Scores Last: q Saints q Colts q No Score
PHONE#:
$TO5TAL0PR0IZE
Chances to Win!
MONEY!
*Ties: Split the Pot
FREE CONTEST OPEN TO ALL SDSU COMMUNITY except contest NOT open to FIN 323 Professors and NOT open to ex-boyfriends of Pi Beta Phi girls. (Boyfriends of Nicole are OK!)
HOW TO ENTER CONTEST: Drop off entry-slip to A+ Review guys/girls on Aztec Center Steps on Wed. or Thurs., Noon to 3pm.
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON! A+ Review has final say on all conflicts or disputes. Good luck!
*$500 is maximum total prize money split among any and all winners.
4
FOOD & DRINK
The Daily Aztec
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Super Bowl recipes to maintain resolutions Bite into these low-carb treats to keep diets on track during the game FR ANCIS R.
D E LA
CRUZ
S TA F F W R I T E R
There are only four days left until Super Bowl XLIV. It isn’t just about the football game, the food is equally important. Listed below are some recipes from www.about.com, which are low in carbohydrates to help people stick to their New Year’s resolution diet.
Drink
Break the ice with a cocktail that contains 2 to 2.5 grams of carbohydrates and 103 calories. This refreshing low carbohydrate drink is perfect while waiting for kickoff, meeting everyone and waiting for other guests to come for the game.
Tom Collins: -1 jigger (1.5 ounces or 3 tablespoons) gin (nutritional analysis uses 80 proof) -1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice (freshly-squeezed is best) -Artificial sweetener with the equivalent of 2 tablespoons sugar (zero carb sweetener such as liquid sucralose preferred) -Club soda -Lemon slice for garnish
Think Stock
Super Bowl Sunday often consists of greasy foods, which can ruin any diet. But with careful planning, so dieters can still chow down without the extra calories.
point, turn off the heat, they are done. Stir in cinnamon, salt and powdered sweetener. Remove from the pan and place in a bowl (pecans can still burn sitting in the hot pan). When they seem cool enough to taste, adjust seasonings accordingly to make it saltier or sweeter.
Directions: Mix gin (or vodka), lemon juice and sweetener in a glass. Add club soda to taste, then add ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices (skip the traditional cherry because they have 2 grams of carbohydrates each).
Snack
To complement a low-carbohydrate Tom Collins, try this fast and easy-to-make pecan treat. A quarter of a cup contains only 1 gram of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber.
Five-Minute Sweet Spice Pecan: -2 cups pecan halves -2 tablespoons butter -1/4 teaspoon cayenne or other hot pepper -Artificial sweetener equal to about 3 tablespoons of sugar -4 teaspoons cinnamon -1/2 teaspoon salt
Main dish
The meal won’t be complete without a hot main dish. Serve in bowls with a small amount of tortilla. Crock Pot Ropa Vieja is a Cuban beef and peppers dish that serves 10 people. Each serving only contains 8 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 28 grams of protein and 340 calories.
Crock Pot Ropa Vieja: -3 pounds chuck roast (cut it into pieces about 2 to 3 inches on a side — the butcher can do this) -1 small or 1/2 a large onion, chopped (red or yellow onion) -1 cup chopped celery (or more) -2 medium green peppers, chopped -2 medium red peppers, chopped -1 can chopped tomatoes (15 ounces) -1 small can tomato paste (6 ounces) -2 bay leaves -2 tablespoons chili powder -1 teaspoon oregano -3 boullion cubes -Salt and pepper
Directions: Directions: Use a skillet large enough to put the pecans in one layer. A nonstick skillet works well. Melt the butter in the skillet and add the hot pepper. If using liquid artificial sweetener, add it. Add pecans to skillet and cook on medium heat. Stir every 30 seconds. After two or three minutes, stir them constantly until they just begin to brown. Pecans burn quickly, so they should be watched closely. If the butter starts smoking before this
Salt and pepper the meat and brown it (chop veggies while meat is browning). Layer onion and celery on bottom of crock pot (slow cooker). Put meat on top. Drain the tomatoes and save juice. Layer tomatoes and peppers across the meat, along with the bay leaves. Mix the rest of the ingredients together (including the reserved tomato liquid) and
pour across the rest of the food. Cook 2 to 3 hours on high, or 5 to 7 hours on low.
Desser t
For those who need their sweet tooth satisfied without increasing their blood glucose level through the roof, this dessert is a smart option. Seventeen of these only have 1 gram of carbohydrate and 1.5 grams of fiber.
Chocolate Rum Balls: -1 cup almond flour (best without the skins) -1/2 cup cocoa powder -2 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature -2 tablespoons powdered erythritol, xylitol, or other sugar alcohol -1/2 teaspoon vanilla -2 tablespoons rum, brandy, whiskey, etc. — vary according to taste -Artificial sweetener to taste — about 1/2 cup of sweetening powder
Directions: Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add vanilla and liquor. If the artificial sweetener is liquid and concentrated, add it to the liquor. Because there are different liquid sweeteners of different concentrations, may need adjusting to the total amount of liquid, lessen the liquor or add water. Usually the total desirable liquid amount is about 2.5 to 3 tablespoons. Add the liquid slowly and mix until everything comes together. Roll into balls. Store in covered container in refrigerator or cool place.
These recipes are healthy alternatives to the usual carbohydrate-loaded Super Bowl snacks.
TEMPO
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Daily Aztec
5
REEL 2 REAL
Wondrous beauty shown in IMAX film
Courtesy of Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
“The Greatest Places” has been rated G. It will be playing until the end of February at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
K A R I L UU CONTRIBUTOR
Even though the best way to experience the world is through firsthand traveling, the most comfortable route is certainly through an IMAX theater. “The Greatest Places,” a documentary now playing at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center IMAX Dome, takes viewers on a journey to geographic spectacles. The film explores seven locations in 40 minutes and is narrated by Avery Brooks. “The Greatest Places” takes a peek into complex landforms, colorful ecosystems and rich cultures of indigenous people and animals that are intimately connected by the landscape they live in. Although film is more than 10 years old, the subject matter is still
pertinent to today and full of surprising facts. It begins with an explanation of how the earth’s continents were once one large continent, called Pangaea, more than 250 million years ago. The film then takes a trip into the jungles of Madagascar demonstrating how the island, isolated for about 40 million years, developed unique wildlife including many species of lemurs. From Tibet’s 15,000 foot elevated Chang Tang Plateau, which can hit negative 80 degrees Fahrenheit to the blooming life in the 6,000 square-mile maze of lagoons known as Okavango Delta in Botswana, this film is packed with stunning aerial visuals and the many arteries of life that flourish in these locations. The animals flying across the screen and the pitter-patter of the Amazon rain almost makes one for-
get they are in a theater and instead are traveling through the Namib Desert or viewing the mounds of glaciers in Greenland. The cinematography is visually stunning while the narratives complement the images. The constantly changing visuals and amazing editing create an enjoyable 40 minutes, which will hold the attention of any adult easily bored by educational flicks. The IMAX ticket price also includes admission into the Science Center, which has many educational activities meant for the enjoyment of children but can even keep adults entertained for hours on end. For more information on current and upcoming IMAX films, visit the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Web site at www.rhfleet.org.
Courtesy of Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
Play gives bleak outlook
T
his near one-woman show may have only been 90 minutes, but it certainly seemed like a year sitting through this self-indulgent monologue. While gutsy and honest, Moira Keefe’s “My Year of Living Anxiously” was hardly anything new, chronicling her struggle to stay sane in the wake of cranky teenagers — “mean-agers” — and the pain of watching parents suffer through dementia and illness. The play draws on the journals of Keefe’s father. Reading postmortem letters that your father wrote about your family is voyeuristic enough without displaying them to the world in a very public (and lackluster) manner. Keefe intersperses the themes from the letters throughout her story but they never seemed original enough to carry the entire play. The set is basic so viewers can focus on the meat of the dialogue, but the problem is that we really don’t want to. Between the exter-
M AG G I E P E H A N I C K CONTRIBUTOR
nal pressures of attempting to take care of everyone around her and coping with personal problems that may or may not be misdiagnosed as codependency, hyper-mania, bipolar disorder or depression, Keefe emphasizes how she nearly went mad. The piece is currently playing downtown at the Lyceum Theatre, one of San Diego’s professional theaters, yet it evokes shades of — God forbid — amateurish local theater. Menopause jokes were aplenty and “Mother’s Little Helper” pill-guzzling moments were dispersed throughout. As some in the audience politely chuckled or knowingly grinned, I cringed at the exploitation of a rock classic. Keefe’s passion for theater is evident, but it’s not enough to save this poorly constructed piece. Keefe, a self-described “member of the ‘sandwich genera-
tion,’ wedged between aging parents, hormonal teenagers and psychiatric bologna,” has toured with several autobiographical shows in the past, but this time she misses the mark — at least for viewers not yet jaded by life’s inevitable pitfalls. While college students may not appreciate the cellulitefocused humor, the middle-aged audience sure did. One man practically had a heart attack at some of the many “What can ya’ do?” moments. His reaction may just prove that viewers require the experience of these episodes to appreciate the truthfulness that Keefe was desperately trying to convey. In the end, the message seemed to be “brace yourself,” for there is little hope for the future. —Maggie Pehanick is a communications senior. —This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
Courtesy of the San Diego REPertory Theatre
6
The Daily Aztec
TEMPO
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
UNDER THE SCOPE
Nothing to write off about new Sparks film M AG G I E P E H A N I C K CONTRIBUTOR
Adapted from a novel by “The Notebook”scribe Nicholas Sparks, new film “Dear John” tackles the issues of love in a time of war. Recently, The Daily Aztec caught up with the stars of the movie, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. “Dear John” opens everywhere on Friday.
The Daily Aztec: How was preparing for this role different than other films in the past, such as “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “Step Up”? Channing Ta t u m: I think I can relate to this film in general a lot more. I read the book and there’s a lot of emotion in the film. We knew that we were going to be digging our fingers down into it. In “G.I. Joe,” there’s not a lot of emotion. It’s a lot of explosions and stuff. So it was a great change of pace to just to get to sit on a beach with somebody and actually look them in the eye and have a real conversation. We had about two weeks to sit and rehearse and just really hang out with each other and get into the vibe of South Carolina in general, which is just beautiful.
DA: The movie is about young love. How do you think this relates to college students? There’s a growing popularity of couples getting married earlier. Do you think people will identify with this? CT: I hope so. I do, I really do. I think that this is about that first love that you have. I hope people think of their first loves. It’s really important once you find someone that you care about to really take care of them and hold on to them as hard as you possibly can. I think in a society today with over a 50 percent divorce rate, it’s rare to find love and to make it work. Amanda Seyfried: Yes, especially that young. College-aged kids are finding each other and it’s that whole challenge of actually realizing that this is really the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Publicity
Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried are the stars of the Nicholas Sparks movie “Dear John.” The movie is a romantic tale of seperated lovers during a time of war.
DA: Have you ever received a “Dear John” letter of any sort or just a love letter in general?
AS: It always has to be something different than the last one.
AS: I got a love letter. That’s like something I still keep really near and dear. It was the most romantic thing anyone’s ever written to me. It’s from an old boyfriend and I still read it and I feel like a princess when I read it because someone went through all the effort to write it. It’s amazing.
CT: Every time that you read a script, you want to push yourself. You want to stretch and do something different. It’s kind of hard because as soon as you do a movie, if someone did a dance movie, every single dance movie on the planet gets sent to you. You’re like, gosh, I can’t do dance movies the rest of my career. Or if you do an action movie, anything that says he jumps or he punches or he kicks, that immediately comes your way. It’s a little disappointing because you want to be able to try different things and I’ve been really blessed in my career to have that opportunity.
CT: I think I’ve gotten love letters and stuff, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a “Dear John” letter. I’ve been broken up with after I got off the bus stop at school, I think a girl stuck her head out the window and just broke up with me. I’ve never gotten a letter, though.
DA: How do you feel about the end of the movie, and do you think audiences will feel fulfilled at the end of the film? CT: I’m very, very satisfied with the end of the film. We, as a unit on the movie, we talked about it a lot. It’s just really real, I think. It’s a little different than a lot of (Sparks’) other books. I think it has a little more bite to it and maybe just because the content matter is very relevant right now, it’s very, very prevalent. It’s about what’s happening right now. I don’t want to give away too much in the movie, but I think that it should make people think. It should make them think about the people that are in their lives and are they really telling them enough every day that they love them. I think we’ve done the ending of the movie in a way that doesn’t change the book and we give you a little more hope than maybe the book might have had.
DA: Let’s say you two were both the directors of this film. Would you keep the ending the same or would you change it to make it happier? AS: I’d make it happier. I was so depressed after I saw the first cut of that film.
DA: What kinds of goals do you set when you’re choosing a new project to work on?
DA: Is there one specific ideal role that you’d really like to play? CT: Oh, man, I kind of want to play a villain. I haven’t played a villain yet and I want to go down that dark road and see what happens. AS: I want to play somebody who is the antagonist role. You’ve got to really want the audience to hate you, and also, period movies. I would love to do something that’s set in a time that I just don’t understand. That would be really amazing.
DA: Any word on maybe like a “G.I. Joe” sequel or anything? CT: Yes, they picked new writers, so the writers are starting to write. I’m hoping, I’ve heard and I’m hoping, that they’re scheduling it for 2011. It’s the writers of “Zombieland,” so we got some good writers this time. Last time we had to write the script, they wrote the script under a lot of pressure because there was the writers’ strike and the actors’ strike was coming up and it was really rushed. I hope that we can just take our time a little bit and get it right.
DA: “The Notebook” has a really big fan following. I’m just wondering if either of you talked to Rachel McAdams or Ryan Gosling about the kinds of fans you’ll probably be encountering after doing a Nicholas Sparks film?
AS: No. CT: No, I wish I had. I love Ryan as an actor, but I’ve never met him. I don’t get out much.
AS: I was working on it for six years and I really wanted to move back to New York.
DA: What are the plans now, then? DA: Also, were both of you on board with the script as soon as you read it, or did it take some convincing? CT: I was actually on the movie before it had a script. So I read the book, so I knew exactly what happened when I saw “The Notebook.” My wife looked up at me, literally just bawling her eyes out, and made me promise that we’re both going to die in bed together at the exact same time. So I knew what that did as a movie — look, I’m not going to say I wasn’t emotionally moved, either. It is a great film. So I read, and it did, like I said, it just seemed to have a little more grit to it than some of his other novels that have been turned into movies. So I was really interested. And then I met with the producers and we started meeting with writers. (A) very rare thing in Hollywood, for an actor especially, is to be on the full creative side of it from the beginning. We got to read and meet all these different writers and their pitches for it. You get to do that and you pick one and you get to go through all the different drafts and gives notes and then you hope to pick a great director and we got Lasse Hallström, so I’ve been on it for a long time … three or four years or so.
DA: OK, so you pursued it, and what about you, Amanda? AS: I had to audition a couple of times, but it was pretty clear to me it was what I wanted to do. I knew all Lasse’s work just from growing up and watching his great movies. The story was real. It was little bit different. It was darker and I like the character a lot more then. I still hadn’t read the book. It was really well written.
DA: Amanda, congratulations on the Golden Globe nomination for best television drama with “Big Love.” Why aren’t you doing that anymore?
AS: Well, we only shot for about five months and I was only working once or twice a week, so just the plan is to keep working on films for a while.
DA: OK, so there’s nothing with television. It’s just going to be strictly with films. A S: I’m definitely planning on going back to “Big Love” next year, just not in every episode.
DA: The plot of the book and movie has a significant precedent, a love story unfurling against the backdrop of a war. What makes “Dear John” stand out against this genre of romantic war drama? CT: I hope that people don’t think that it’s about war. I really don’t want people thinking that they’re going to go in and have another depressing war movie on their hands. We tried to take as much of the military and we didn’t want to see John with a weapon on all the time and slogging through really dangerous places. Yes, that is what happened in the book and in the movie, but we really just wanted it to be about two kids falling in love. AS: Yes, it’s a character study of the two of them and how they dealt with the fact that they were in love and they couldn’t control their environment at all. CT: I think we could have taken John out of the military and made him anything else. As long as that distance and time was between them and things come down the road that they don’t expect. I just really don’t want people thinking this is some war drama. I don’t. This is a love story between two kids in love for the very first time and it’s that first love that you can’t get right. It’s so hard to get that right. Yes, they’re just trying to learn, trying to figure out life.
Wednesday February 3, 2010
HELP WANTED Activity Leaders Needed for before and after school programs. A fun rewarding job working with children and teens, ages 5-14. AM/PM hours available, M-F 15/25 hours per week. Min of 48 college units (or passing CAPE test) and min 6 months experience working with children. Pay rate at $10.16-$11.00 p/h. E-mail resumes to careers@saysandiego.org or visit our website at www.saysandiego.org SAY San Diego
CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE! CAMP WAYNE FOR GIRLSChildrens sleep-away camp, Northeast Pennsylvania (6/19-8/15/10). If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need Counselors and Instructors for: tennis, swimming, golf, gymnastics, nature/camping, cheerleading, drama, high & low ropes, team sports, water-skiing, sailing, painting/drawing, ceramics, silk-screen, printmaking, batik, jewelry, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, guitar, aerobics, self-defense, video, piano. Other staff: Administrative, CDL Driver (21+), Nurses (RN’s and nursing students), bookkeeper, Mothers’ helper. Interviews on the SDSU campus February 17, 2010. Select the camp that selects the best staff! Call 1-215-944-3069 or apply at www.campwaynegirls.com
The Daily Aztec
7
APTS 4 RENT
APTS 4 RENT
ROOM 4 RENT
COLLEGE AREA. Corinthian Apartments 1 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $795/MO. 2 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $1,195.00 We accept most pets with additional deposit. Beautiful landscape, punctual maintenance, impressive community. Open Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm. 4981 Catoctin Drive. 619-286-0441.
COLLEGE AREA. Campus Village Apartments 2 BEDROOMS 1 BATH $895/MO. 3 BEDROOMS 2 BATH $1,095/MO. MOVE IN SPECIAL $1,000 Moves you in OAC. Private underground parking, gated community, A/C, Balcony. Fully equipped kitchen and laundry facility. Open Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sat 8:30am-1:30pm. 5925 El Cajon Blvd. #619-583-3339.
TWO BEDROOMS AVAILABLE! 1 single+bath, 1 double+bath. New Sterling apartments, no-deposit, spectacular amenities. Contact Sarah 805-512-5765.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE DAILY AZTEC.
twitter.com/TheDailyAztec
Big room for rent in house a few miles from SDSU! Downstairs room comes with furniture, own bathroom, wireless internet & big pool in backyard. $700/mo. Call Kevin for more info: 949-939-8291.
THE DAILY AZTEC DOES NOT ENDORSE OR SUPPORT AND HAS NO AFFILIATION WITH THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES OFFERED IN THE CLASSIFIEDS SECTION.
Call 619-594-6977
or visit www.thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec
EGG DONORS NEEDED We are seeking attractive women of all ethnicities between the ages of 21-29 who are physically fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. $10,000 plus all expenses. If you have a desire to help an infertile family please contact us. Email: darlene@aperfectmatch.com 1-800-264-8828 www.aperfectmatch.com Perfectly matching donors with families since 1998
The Daily Aztec needs YOU! Become an Advertising Account Executive We’ll Stick Our Neck Out For You. www.thedailyaztec.com
One-year Sales Experience Preferred in: Generating Sales Leads • Cold Calling Face-to-Face Client Relations For more information about the position, please call Drew at (619) 594-3583.
Is your bank account not doing so well? Sell something in our Classifieds and PIG OUT on the extra money.
619-594-4199 www.thedailyaztec.com
• Work on Campus in between classes • Decide your pay with up to 12% commission on weekly sales • Network with San Diego’s major companies like House of Blues, The CW Network, and Anheuser Busch • Flexible 15 hour work week • More real life work experience than an internship • Room for managerial advancement
8
THE BACK PAGE
The Daily Aztec
DAILY HOROSCOPE
HUMOR: LIFE ON THE SHARP SIDE
Many different types of jerks
Y
ou could be a D-bag. And if you’re not one, chances are you know one. Maybe it’s the pompous jerk who sits in the back of class joking about a larger girl who is sitting a mere few rows away. Or he could be lurking around downtown, waiting to prey on his next victim with his slicked-back hair, popped collar and an attitude that says, “I’m the s*** and I don’t care who knows it.” D-bags come in many shapes and forms. The classification of this unique and egotistical breed can be difficult, as it is a distant cousin of the jerk-off, who carries similar traits on a smaller level. Even in their natural setting, not all D-bags are easy to pick out in a crowd, much like finding a girl with real boobs at the Playboy Mansion. On the other hand, others thrive in their setting, comparable to Mike “The Situation” who can be heard shouting at the “hotties” on the street from miles away. Yet each D-bag has a unique set of characteristics. For one, we have the D-bag boyfriend. This guy is the worst when it comes to the D-bags for one reason — he manages to actually convince someone he’s worthwhile. He can be pointed out by the following characteristics: He often forgets his wallet or expects you to pay; he only seems to call you when he’s horny; he drives a car that is considered a “beater,” yet
M A L L O RY S H A R P S TA F F C O L U M N I S T
he calls it a “classic;” and finally, when out with friends, he will shamelessly cheat with any girl willing to please him. We also have another D-bag boyfriend of a different sort. This one dates your roommate and is like the O.J. Simpson of your apartment — he has the jury convinced he’s innocent; well, those who are dumb enough to fall for his witless charm. This species will eat your food without asking, much like an untrained dog. He will also have no regard for your personal items, which may include spilling things on various items, using things such as a barbecue without cleaning it and depending on his level of d-bag, he may even use your toothbrush. And then there are the fraternity D-bags. Their natural habitat is generally in close vicinity to alcohol. They tend to conglomerate in packs of no more than four to appear less devious. Their main prey consists of girls wearing short dresses with an apparent lack of alcohol tolerance. Once their prey is spotted, it can be nearly impossible to thwart the on-coming attack. The hunter will relentlessly attempt to bring the prey drink after drink, in hopes of finding how much tequila it will take to make her clothes fall off. The worst thing about the
frat D-bags is the support of their brethren pack, that will stop at nothing to aid its brother in achieving the impossible lay. Another is the infamous “Bro” D-bag, which has many subspecies depending on the environment. For example, in Nor Cal they drive lifted trucks with a SKIN Industries decal on their rear windows and wear cowboy hats similar to the one Kid Rock wore when he was considered cool, if he ever was. As I’m finding in So Cal, the bros wear gangster hats and turn them sideways, Ed Hardy T-shirts bought with money made by “working” for daddy and a car so tricked out even Xzibit would be jealous. They are often found dating bro-hos who look like trashy versions of playmates that never were. They have bleach-blonde hair that is teased until its height matches that of the nest on Amy Winehouse’s head and they wear skimpy clothing that would make even Pamela Anderson blush. So there you have it. While the above are only a select few of the various D-bag species, I feel I have done my public service by informing the people of this venomous breed that walks, no, parades among us.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 BY LINDA C. BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (2/3/10).Take time this year to really pay attention to other people.You may have some difficulty understanding them, so allow time to think through conversations carefully. When you do this, you find compassion replacing anger.This is a nice outcome for everyone. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 Success today is not measured by what you finish. Instead, it depends on the creative efforts you apply. Enjoy the process. Laugh at yourself. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - A perceived power struggle is really about what you want or need, and less about others. Write your own script today. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 Your high energy level communicates itself in e-mails and conversations.This enthusiasm fires up team members to get the work done early. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 Listen to the silence whenever you get a chance.You may have to spend time in seclusion to make this happen. Do it for peace of mind. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is 7 - Let go of judgments for more power in leadership.Tone down your message and consider more creative possibilities. Own your decisions and actions. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 Take time for yourself. Get a workout without going to the gym. Lift each gro-
cery bag two or three times. Dance while doing the dishes. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is 7 Take a ride on the romance train.You can punch your own ticket if you remember what you thought up yesterday and then run with it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - As long as you keep your game plan in mind, you can race ahead to the finish line with all your projects. Keep your mind on work ... when you're at work. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Members of an important group choose very different approaches to new data. Some say not to touch the project, while one member wants it to go forward. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Business factors require that you curb your personal desires and seize an opportunity to satisfy others. Benefits include improved cash flow and wider distribution. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - No force is needed to accomplish what you and your partner desire.You have plenty of enthusiasm and great ideas (more than you can possibly pursue). PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Use your creative talent to address a business matter. Although sometimes you resist using your skills, now is the time to show others their true range. © 2010,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
—Mallory Sharp is a journalism junior.
—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
SUDOKU
BY THE MEPHAM GROUP
Level:
1 2
3 4
Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.
LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS
Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com © 2010 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
CROSSWORD
WALKING ON WATER Assistant Photo Editor David j. Olender captured this photo of a surfer checking out the swell before jumping off the rocks into the lineup.
EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS
ACROSS 1 Bogs 5 New moon, e.g. 10 Month, in Mexico 13 Short article 14 Memory mishap 15 Brewer’s need 16 India’s first prime minister 19 Lead-in for suited or timed 20 Slurpee alternative 21 Wrinkle-resistant fabric 22 Washington wine region 26 Used the alley, in a way 28 Tweak, e.g. 29 Nymph associated with Artemis 30 Careful shopper’s criterion 32 Pea holders 33 Malice Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com 34 Thompson of “Sense and opening 12 Leave speechless California’s Sensibility” 60 May race, for 15 First name in Orange County 38 Taxpayer, e.g. short country 38 Frock wearer 39 Iraqi, for instance 17 Raised 39 Confused 40 Subway DOWN 18 “The Prince of 40 Talk on and on, Restaurants 1 Pacific island Tides” co-star and a hint to the spokesman __ nation 23 Quaint complaint three-letter starts Fogle 2 Research paper 24 Medalworthy of 16-, 22-, 4342 Lake that’s a abbr. behavior and 51-Across source of the 3 Honeymooner, 25 Homecoming 41 Like some swarms Mississippi probably guest 42 Type of printer 43 Chicago ‘L,’ e.g. 4 Wee, to Burns 26 Conk 43 Gaucho’s rope 46 Leg bone 5 Unruffled 27 Juegos Olímpicos 44 Related to the 47 Actress Sommer 6 Polygamous goal kidneys 48 Model Landry household group 30 African grassland 45 Last Olds off the 51 Part of a twill suit 7 Cop __ 31 “Wheel of line 55 Southernmost 8 FICA funds it Fortune” purchase 46 Cry after a hard cross-country 9 Sushi bar serving 33 Competed week U.S. highway 10 “Symphony of a 34 Tony’s portrayer 49 Extend credit 56 Rubberneck Thousand” comon “NYPD Blue” 50 Minuscule 57 Chick tenders poser 35 All wet 52 It ends in Nov. 58 Away partner 11 Judy Jetson’s 36 Buddy 53 Part of 46-Down 59 Letter-shaped brother 37 Santa __, seat of 54 Fraternity letter