01-31-2012

Cultural health study underway Arturo Garcia

TUESDAY January 31, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 65 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

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SDSU’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT N E W S PA P E R SINCE 1913

staff writer A group of local Hispanics is among several other experimental groups across the nation being studied to determine the racial / ethnic group’s health conditions and risk factors in relation to acculturation. As the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos completed its recruitment stage, principal investigator and professor at the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State, Dr. Greg Talavera, hopes to demystify the “Hispanic Paradox.” The investigation refers to three hypotheses that could be further explained, considered or dismissed with the findings of said study.

According to the Pew Research Center, the Hispanic population in the U.S. will triple by 2050. The projected increase suggests Hispanics will constitute 29 percent of the overall population.

“Latinos are now the largest and fastest growing racial / ethnic group in the United States and our understanding of their overall health and welfare is [little] in comparison to other groups,” Talavera said.

HCHS / SOL is a multicentered epidemiologic study with field centers in the Bronx, N.Y., Chicago, Miami and San Diego. The research study is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and six other institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health.

Once completed, it will provide information about the health status and disease burden of Hispanics, their nutritional practices and the role of acculturation on lifestyle and health, according to a press release sent in December.

The study is a collaboration between SDSU, San Ysidro Health Center and the University of California, San Diego. It recruited 16,000 participants ages 18-74. The study will include an annual followup phone interview that will be conducted throughout the study to determine health outcomes.

INDEX:

OPINION THINKSTOCK

... the Hispanic population in the U.S. will triple by 2050.

The projected increase suggests Hispanics will constitute 29 percent of the overall population.

According to the press release, individuals underwent an extensive examination to assess risk factors that play a protective or harmful role in cardiovascular and respiratory health conditions, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

According to Talavera, Hispanics suffer lower rates of heart attacks and strokes in comparison to the general population, even though they suffer more from diabetes, obesity, poverty and lack of health insurance.

“It’s kind of a paradox,” Talavera said. “It’s not expected because you would think that a racial / ethnic group like Hispanics should be suffering higher rates of heart attacks and strokes.”

According to Talavera there are three main hypotheses attempting to explain the paradox. One has to do with the large number of immigrants the Hispanic group represents. Many times when patients get seriously ill, they return to their country of origin and doctors here never find out what occurred to them. On record, they become epidemiologically immortal, according to Talavera. The so-called “paradox” could just be a counting error.

The second hypothesis is that there could be something genetic that protects them from cardiovascular disease. Talavera said the third possibility could be the racial / ethnic group’s strong belief in family and the social support they receive

throughout their lives. This could avert the risk factors preventing the heart attack.

A number of ancillary studies are currently in the works. These include the SOL Youth Study, that will focus on children ages 8-14. According to a summary of the study, participants will undergo a single three-hour clinical examination, seven days of physical activity monitoring and a second dietary recall between five and 45 days after the clinical examination.

One of the several aims of the study is to test the influence of children's acculturation and parent-child differences in acculturation on children's lifestyle behaviors and their cardiometabolic risk profile. The study is said to accurately represent the main HCHS / SOL study. “(HCHS / SOL) has medical, genetic and psychosocial information, which is one of the reasons why the study is so important to Hispanics in the United States and elsewhere,” Talavera said. “When looking at such a large sample we can look at those dimensions to help explain and predict these conditions.”

Fault-finding does nothing to help stop rape in juvenile hall.

T R AV E L & A DV E N T U R E South Bay Drive-in Theatre reels with 1950s cinematic flair.

Last Friday marked a signature event in the construction of the new Aztec Student Union. Roughly 60 truckloads of cement rolled onto campus to fill the first of four quadrants in the basement level of the studentfunded building. This was the first concrete pour since the demolition of Aztec Center on Aug. 8. The other quadrants will be filled this week for a total of 4,600 cubic yards of concrete. Associated Student executive officers and university officials were on site for the event.

CONSTRUCTION

A.S. Executive Vice President Darin Ruiz said students have reason to be excited about the construction taking place this week. “Students have been walking by for the past couple of months and just seeing a dirt yard.

Now we’re really going to start seeing the building taking framework.”

Steel is scheduled to be erected in the spring.

Ruiz said students should be proud the building will receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum status upon completion. This is the

highest rating the U.S. Green Building Council awards. An estimated 80 percent of materials from the old Aztec Center will be recycled and used in the new building. San Diego State will be the first university to construct a platinum-status student center in the California State University system.

The Aztec Student Union is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2013.

–Compiled by Contributor Edward Henderson

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SPORTS

MONICA LINZMEIER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Sitting here, quiet and still, I can feel Earth’s plates shift beneath us.

Try it yourself.

There’s this tiny shutter, almost imperceptible.

B A C K PA G E

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W E AT H E R : PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 65 LOW: 43 SUNSET: 5:20PM

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D A I LY

AZTEC Tuesday, January 31, 2012

OPINION

CityBeat overstates juvenile hall rape stats

MCT CAMPUS

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recent report in San Diego CityBeat has accused the Juvenile Justice System of altering or misreporting numbers to appear as though sexual harassment, abuse and rape never occur within the walls of San Diego County juvenile facilities.

There are more than a dozen juvenile facilities in San Diego County, but the main focus of the article was spotlighting the Kearny Mesa and East Mesa Juvenile Hall detention facilities and their reports.

San Diego CityBeat reported the San Diego County Juvenile Probation Department has intentionally and illegally falsified reports regarding sexual abuse of detainees in both San Diego detention facilities. The article, however, said incidences were not reported to the Bureau of Justice Statistics — a committee created to survey such reports annually — but were made public in federal trials and on local news stations. If this is the case, and county officials have in fact come forward publicly or otherwise,

Heather Mathis staff columnist should we not be looking at the BJS or the person responsible for incorrectly filing the reports? CityBeat itself reports several instances in which sexual misconduct was reported in the local news or while the incident was still under investigation.

For instance, the so-called “misreported numbers” were surveyed between 2004 and 2010; however, in 2009 an investigation was launched by the County Probation Department alleging sexual misconduct between a female juvenile probation officer and a male 17-year -old East Mesa detainee. The report made local news on CBS 8 and KGTV 10, and the probation officer resigned before the investigation was complete. The news stations slaughtered the officer’s reputation using non-consensual terms such as “sexual molestation” and “rape,” but then went on to disclose that the woman divorced

her husband and is still maintaining a relationship with the now-adult former detainee, three years later.

San Diego Juvenile Probation has tied the allegations of falsification to rules stating they are not required to disclose information on cases investigated by their own internal affairs department. According to the San Diego County Office of Internal Affairs website, “In cases where the Office of Internal Affairs does not have jurisdiction, it will refer such complaints to other appropriate state and federal investigative agencies.” Investigations of county employees will consistently be considered “within jurisdiction” of the OIA, therefore not requiring them to be otherwise reported. This operational loophole is what San Diego CityBeat has now used to make the county out to be liars, when in fact such investigations become public record once the case is closed.

Maintaining a strict policy against rape in prison and detention centers has always been a priority of our government. Congress unanimously

passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, creating “zero tolerance” regulations for all adult and juvenile detention facilities. This protects both the inmates and the staff. The BJS was created at the time this legislation was passed, as well as the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, which was created to “carry out a comprehensive study of sexual abuse in detention and with developing national standards addressing prison rape.” Just Detention International — a human rights organization seeking to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention — also paired with the BJS and NPREC to establish better standards within detention facilities in regards to reporting rape.

From what I can tell, it appears that this fairly new legislation has not quite sorted out all of the bugs from its committees and loopholes.

It is not county officials misreporting numbers within the juvenile system, but more likely a disorganized miscommunication between

the several groups appointed to conduct and report such surveys.

While CityBeat brings a valid issue to the table — especially for concerned parents of juveniles in detention — the numbers still don’t quite add up on their end either.

The important factor to consider is these are juveniles both the Probation Department and the Bureau of Justice Statistics are dealing with, and when you’re handling matters pertaining to children, it should be taken more seriously on all ends of the spectrum. Ultimately, a fault-finding mess helps no one.

Perhaps county or state officials from another department should look into the reports to add a referee to the playing field of this consequential blame game.

HEATHER MATHIS IS A JOURNALISM JUNIOR.

Jesus disappoints the children of SUHSD

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ollowing Gov. Jerry Brown’s community forum about education in December, a rather morose projection of budgetary losses for our great state was made public. You see, California is in debt, and the amount of this debt is large, to say the least — nearly $9 billion must be cut from the state’s education budget this year alone. Obviously, this is an era of tough decision-making. Less money means fewer teachers and a cheapened education for students, so one would assume superintendents are doing all they can with what little money they have left.

That is, unless you’re Sweetwater Union High School Superintendent Dr. Jesus Gandara. In a recent newsletter, Gandara boasted of cutting more than $42 million from his district since 2008, and warned readers of another expected $24 million in budget cuts in the near future. The fate of the budget didn’t look good, but there was hope. As Gandara said himself, “(The) key to our success will be our ability to remain proactive throughout the budget process.”

Well, folks, if there is anything Gandara would possess firsthand knowledge about, it’s “proactive” budgeting.

Gandara appeared in the news back in March after he hosted a bridal event for his daughter at a

Kenneth Leonard contributor restaurant in Bonita. Remember when Proposition O was approved?

Neither did I. What does a SUHSD official having a party for his daughter have to do with a ballot measure allocating $644 million to renovate old and decrepit school facilities?

Here is where the plot thickens, dear readers. Gandara, who had substantial influence in deciding how the aforementioned $644 million in taxpayer dollars was to be allocated, invited contractors who had a professional interest in the pursuit of Proposition O money. Let me be clear: These guys weren’t friends of Gandara, and according to Gandara himself, many of them didn’t even know his daughter personally. This didn’t stop Gandara from soliciting gifts and cash from these party guests, who were certainly in attendance through ethically questionable circumstances. The best part about this whole scenario is the unapologetic way in which Gandara handled media questions about this seemingly obvious conflict of interests.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, in a display of unmitigated ballsiness, Gandara said he was merely “sharing a per-

sonal moment with the community he represents.”

Fast forward to the present.

Gandara, along with four other board members of the SUHSD, is facing felony charges including bribery, perjury and obtaining a thing of value to influence a member of a legislative body. Convictions for these charges could mean an extended vacation in

tract related to Proposition O, but that doesn’t prove anything. It’s not like the district had made a list that rated the cost-effectiveness and overall quality of various contractors, and Gilbane wasn’t at the top of the list, but had somehow been awarded the contract anyway. Oh, wait. That is what happened. But there’s always more taxpayer money, right?

The best part about this whole scenario is the ... way ... Gandara handled media questions about this ... conflict of interests. (I)n a display of ... ballsiness, Gandara said he was ... “sharing a ... moment with the community.” state prison as well as hefty fines.

Even contractor Henry Amigable is facing criminal charges for attempting to reach out when Gandara’s daughter was competing for the Miss Texas title. Amigable stepped up and did his community a service by giving former Miss San Antonio USA Elizabeth Gandara a $1,000 scholarship. I mean, sure, Amigable worked for the Gilbane construction company, which had coincidentally been awarded a multimillion dollar con-

Listen, folks. Forget about educating the youth of America. Cutting classes in the CSU system, slashing programs for kids, and laying off employees at local high school districts just isn’t working out anymore.

The taxpayers down in the SUHSD were only giving Gandara a starting salary of $240,000 and an additional $750 a month for his auto allowance.

These kinds of numbers are unacceptable. The poor guy couldn’t even

afford to throw a bridal party for his daughter without reaching out to the community for financial assistance.

Clearly it’s time the taxpayers stop being so damn greedy, and for the media to stop ignoring the plight of these downtrodden public servants.

The latest development in this story took place last night, when the SUHSD convened a board meeting to determine whether or not to pay the legal fees for three current board members, and one former board member, who are being charged with multiple felonies. Yes, you read that right. Gandara has approached the school district to vote on whether or not they should use taxpayer dollars to cover up to $1.3 million of their own legal fees.

Board member Arlie Ricasa has even set up a legal defense fund to which people may donate money, just in case the board chooses not to cover her legal expenses.

So what should one take from this? If you’re worried about possible job prospects upon graduating and you have no issues with petty things such as morals, ethics and laws to cloud your decision-making, consider being a superintendent of a school district. Just be careful of the paper trail you leave.

—Kenneth Leonard is an English junior.

D A I LY A Z T E C Tuesday, January 31, 2012

OPINION

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Focus on more cash flow, not CSU salaries

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hen times are tough it’s easy to point to a distant individual or group of decision-makers — preferably mysterious and bureaucratic — as a deserving scapegoat. No one can dispute that times are tough in the realm of California education, especially for public universities. We students and faculty of the California State University system know all too well the pain of furloughs, increasing tuition and evaporating programs. And it certainly doesn’t take much mental effort to characterize the California State University Board of Trustees as an out-of-touch oligarchy.

But now the trustees have finally given us a reason to tone down the biting criticisms and demonstrations – for the moment at least. We’ve all been justifiably outraged about executive compensation in the midst of mounting tuition costs and painful budget cuts, with the salary of our very own new president, Elliot Hirshman, as the spark that lit the fire.

Now the puppet-masters have thrown us a bone, and a rather juicy one.

In a unanimous vote at last Wednesday’s board meeting in Long Beach, the trustees adopted a new policy limiting university presidential compensation. It caps raises for CSU presidents at a 10 percent increase of the outgoing president’s salary, with a hard ceiling at $325,000 in public funds; significantly lower than the compensation of several CSU presidents, including Hirshman’s $350,000.

Of course it would not impact previously determined pay, nor would it limit the contributions of campus foundations. At SDSU, The Campanile Foundation contributes

Randy Wilde asst. copy chief $50,000 to bring Hirshman’s salary to a sizable $400,000.

I believe the mounting pressure from students, faculty, citizens and yes, even state politicians, had a large role in last week’s unanimous board decision. Actions from groups as diverse as the California Faculty Association, occupy-affiliated student groups and state senators such as Ted Lieu — who even sponsored a bill with the goal of capping CSU executive salaries — all certainly deserve immense credit for this promising change.

But I fear that unless a major refocusing occurs at a more general level, the benefits of the new policy will be severely limited. Issues are never quite as simple as they appear and blame is rarely neatly concentrated in one

bureaucratic unit. I wouldn’t hesitate to call the trustees out on gross misallocation of resources, but such decisions would hardly be noted by the general public in times of plenty.

These are not times of plenty.

Therefore, every small decision on the allocation of scarce resources from an ever-shrinking budget is tediously scrutinized. And rightly so; now more than ever wise leadership and prudent choices are necessary to maintain our higher education system. But protesting against the Board of Trustees for executive compensation is like fighting for tiny scraps from the budgetary table. What we really need is a bigger slice of the pie.

I’m constantly struck by the hypocrisy of Californians, and Americans more generally, who demand the world yet shoot down every attempt at funding the programs they so desperately desire. Of course there’s something to be said for run-

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RICHARD MCPHETERS, ART DIRECTOR

I’m constantly struck by the hypocrisy of Californians ... who demand the world yet shoot down every attempt at funding the programs they ... desire. ning a tight ship and trimming the fat from unnecessary programs, but sometimes the money just isn’t there.

Sometimes you have to be willing to pay for something worth having.

California Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed initiative for the November ballot is an opportunity to do just that.

Voter approval would increase sales tax by a half-cent and income taxes for those earning more than $250,000 a year for the next five years. The money would go directly to K-12 and community college education.

Although the CSU system is not a direct beneficiary, the new cash flow would certainly free a much larger budget helping for higher education.

And despite the typical everything-for-nothing attitude of California taxpayers, the initiative may actually have a chance of passing. A recent poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California shows 72 percent of adults and 68 percent of likely voters as inclined to approve. Perhaps California education has finally reached such a sad state of affairs that people are disgusted enough to make a small sacrifice to avoid billions more in cuts.

I’d like to proclaim rampant individualism and short-sightedness are on the run, but I think it’s more likely

this temporary tax increase is nothing but a fluke. California began its crusade to defund education years ago, Proposition 13 being the death blow. I don’t know who thought funding schools based on local property taxes was a good idea in the first place, but when Proposition 13 was approved in 1978, California voters decided avoiding property tax increases was more important than a robust education system. That system was widely regarded as the best in the nation back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Now it is ranked close to the bottom in student achievement.

These issues may be more relevant in the realm of K-12 education, but they are useful in illustrating the current attitude toward education: all talk, no money. What we need now to remain competitive, to give ourselves a chance to crawl out of the hole we’re in, is to look to the future.

Education is the future. CSU students are the future. It’s time we looked at investing in them as a responsibility rather than a punishment.

RANDY WILDE IS AN ISCOR SENIOR.

D A I LY A Z T E C Tuesday, January 31, 2012

T R AV E L & A D V E N T U R E

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Drive into times past at South Bay theater jecting popular movies today. This drive-in is conveniently located off of Interstate-5 on Coronado Avenue.

Although a field across the street from a residential area may not be considered the most ideal spot for a huge three-screen drive-in theater, upon entering this theater lot the outside world seems to disappear.

The giant welcome sign displays

was pleasantly surprising to find the pavement-covered lot laid out in accordion-style angles for the perfect view from any parking spot. The lot is also large enough so, even on a Saturday, no two cars are parked directly next to each other.

A large lot demands large movie screens, and while the size of the screens is impressive, the close prox-

The giant welcome sign displays ticket prices that seem fitting for decades ago. A $7 per person movie ticket grants admittance to not one, but two ... full-length feature films ...

MAURA OCHOA, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kambra Potter staff writer Oh, the iconic 1950s. Complete with poodle skirts, sock hops, Elvis Presley and soda fountains, the ‘50s provided Americans with unprecedented forms of entertainment.

While many fads of the ‘50s have merely existed in nostalgic portrayals, such as “Grease” and reruns of “Happy Days,” one iconic recreational activity popularized during the era can still be experienced today: drive-in theaters.

This romanticized pastime of the ‘50s revolutionized the world of teenage dating, brought new life to the motion picture industry and became one of the greatest icons of the era.

Although the first drive-in, formerly known as a park-in theater, opened in June 1933 in Camden, N.J., the industry experienced its heyday in the late 1950s to mid-‘60s with nearly 5,000 theaters through-

out the U.S. Despite showing mostly “B movies” history.com deemed “not Hollywood’s finest fare,” people of all ages flocked to drive-ins to experience movies like never before.

The comfort and privacy of one’s own car made these theaters undeniably popular, especially among the teenage crowd. Moviegoers could control their cinematic experience by customizing audio levels and seat positions. They could experience the movies without dealing with common annoyances encountered in traditional theaters, such as Chatty Cathys and chair-kicking children. In fact, it is likely the quality of movies themselves played little role in the overall experience of the theaters, as the popularity of drive-ins grew in large part because of the intimate and private settings they provided to young couples seeking rendezvous.

However, with the constantly evolving technology of the late 20th century and increasing costs of real estate and land ownership, these

once-popular theaters began to dwindle. Walk-in theaters became more prominent and used less land than huge theater lots, one of the largest occupying 28 acres in Copiague, N.Y. Subsequently, VCRs became common features in most American homes and video rental stores sprung up across the nation, replacing the privacy of the backseat with the comfort and convenience of the living room couch.

Today, only about 500 drive-in theaters still exist. However, San Diegans are among the few who can still enjoy a piece of the good ol’ days. All it takes is a short drive to South Bay’s drive-in, one of San Diego’s two drive-in theaters.

Founded in 1958, the South Bay Drive-in Theatre began with a single 100-foot screen. When the theater was remodeled in 1974, the original screen was replaced and two more were added. All three are still pro-

ticket prices that seem fitting for decades ago. A $7 per person movie ticket grants admittance to not one, but two back-to-back, full-length feature films, which are either currently playing or were in theaters a few weeks previously.

Although the movies playing are modern, the ticket booths are not.

The theater’s cash-only policy and lack of on-site ATMs offer a careful reflection of 20th century ways.

Fortunately, a quick trip down the block leads to two convenient stores with ATMs and a vast array of snacks.

Unlike many movie theaters, avoiding the outrageously priced snacks sold at concession stands is easy to do at the drive-in. Sneaking soda bottles into handbags is not necessary. Though the theater’s concession stand sells goodies of its own, outside snacks can be enjoyed without worry.

Three clearly marked driveways lead around the inside of the premises to each screen’s lots. Upon arriving at screen three to watch Steven Soderbergh’s “Haywire,” it

imity of each lot can be a bit of a distraction. It’s difficult to focus entirely on “Haywire” when “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” is slightly visible from the accompanying lot. Also, with such enormous screens must come a gargantuan electric bill. Perhaps this could explain the poor screen lighting during certain scenes.

However, the sound quality was surprisingly crisp and precise. Audio from the car’s radio not only provided surround sound and gave each vehicle control of volume levels, but also provided a closer sense of the scene’s reality. Be sure to have a trustworthy car battery or some reliable jumper cables if opting to pipe the film’s audio through the car radio. Otherwise, a portable batteryoperated radio will suffice.

Should you find halfway through that a movie isn’t so great, don’t stress. The lots’ adjacent locations enable an easy switch between films. Don’t forget blankets on those chilly nights so you more thoroughly enjoy this piece of the ‘50s alongside the memory of Sandy Olson and Danny Zuko.

Aztec outdoorsmen offer spring adventures Sofie Casillas staff writer For many San Diego State students, hectic schedules make it difficult to explore the world’s beautiful landmarks. Because of this, many Aztecs think they don’t have time for adventure. However, an outdoor adventure education and recreation program managed by the Associated Students’ Campus Recreation division since 1977 is here to help.

The mission of Aztec Adventures is “to eat good food (all successful expeditions throughout history depended on this), be kind (to the natural environment and to each other), tell the truth (be honest about our abilities and limitations) and make a difference (we are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our participants and staff through rewarding outdoor travel).”

Apart from its main goals, Aztec Adventures encourages students to let go of daily routines, put down electronics and physically and men-

This semester, Aztec Adventures will travel to Joshua Tree National Park ... Lower Kern River ... the Colorado River ... and Mission Trails ...

Aztec Adventures offers students a variety of leisure activities on which to embark, including canoeing, backpacking, hiking, camping, white-water rafting and rock climbing. For students who don’t enjoy such adrenaline-pumping escapades, there are educational classes available as an alternative, including a geography bus trip, a national parks tour and a wilderness first aid training course.

COURTESY OF AZTEC ADVENTURES

tally challenge themselves outdoors.

Aztec Adventures practices outdoor etiquette known as “minimum impact,” or the decrease of individual and cumulative impacts on the environment. The organization promotes traveling alfresco, which means to “take only memories” and “leave only footprints.”

All trips require a fee ranging from $115 to $395, which includes trans-

portation, food, equipment, safety gear, campground fees, permits and professionally trained leaders to pilot the voyage. For those on a budget still looking to explore, Aztec Adventures’ local trips are highly recommended because of their affordability. Some trips even offer class credit for Recreation and Tourism Management 305 and 489, as well as

Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 138. Students interested in joining do not need an Aztec Recreation Center membership and can easily sign up through the ARC website.

This semester, Aztec Adventures will travel to Joshua Tree National Park for backpacking, camping and hiking, Lower Kern River in the southern Sierra Nevadas for white-water rafting,

the Colorado River for canoeing and Mission Trails for rock climbing.

This semester, trips depart from early next month until early June.

Interested Aztecs should visit aztecadventures.sdsu.edu for more information. Those who would like to register for a trip should do so online or contact the ARC services desk in person or via the phone at 619-594-6958. Space is limited.

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D A I LY

AZTEC Tuesday, January 31, 2012

SPORTS

W O M E N ’ S WAT E R P O L O

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Poland leads Aztecs are shifting focus SDSU to 3-0 start SDSU will look to bounce back after its loss on Saturday Antonio Morales sports editor

FILE PHOTO

Laura Barrick staff writer This past weekend, the Terrapin Invitational in College Park, Md. kicked off the start of the San Diego State women’s water polo season. Although SDSU had three games in two days, the girls left the East Coast undefeated.

On Saturday the Aztecs faced Marist and Wagner. Clearly preseason practices and training are paying off for the ladies, as they ended the day 2-0, winning with scores of 15-1 and 13-7 respectively.

SDSU took on the University of Maryland Sunday morning.

Senior utility Meaghan Poland dominated the game, scoring all four goals in the first half. Her quick moves down the pool left Maryland unable to respond.

While SDSU led 4-3 at halftime, the third quarter, for the most part, was scoreless until the last minute and a half. The Aztecs fired off two goals and took a 3-point cushion lead going into the final quarter.

SDSU finished the fourth quarter strong, putting the game away with three additional goals, making the final score 8-4.

While Poland led her teammates with four goals, the remaining four were scored by junior utility Amber Pezzolla, freshman utility Carina Carballo and freshman two-meter Tori Long. Senior goalkeeper Kelly Campoli ended the game with four saves.

According to head coach Carin Crawford, the team didn’t have a particular strategy going into the Maryland match.

“Maryland is a vastly improved team, and we are less familiar playing in indoor pools,” she said. “Our depth was an advantage; we swam hard and wore them down. We also had a few good fast breaks and smart clock management.”

As far as Crawford’s expectations are concerned this season, they are high, but manageable. “This weekend was a great start, we went 3-0. I think that we will certainly live up to our preseason ranking and make the top five,” she said. “Based on how we played this weekend, I don’t see why we wont.”

There is no doubt there was an unfamiliar feeling in the air last Saturday when the San Diego State men’s basketball team was thoroughly beaten

by Colorado State.

It’s been a while since SDSU has been defeated in such a fashion.

The Aztecs trailed by at least seven points for the last 29 minutes of the game and never seemed like a threat to win it.

Every team in the nation has had a game like SDSU had on Saturday. The punishment in the polls for losing wasn’t too harsh, though.

The Aztecs are ranked 17th in both the ESPN/USA Today Coaches and the Associated Press Top 25 Polls.

The five spot drop (four spots in the AP Top 25) wasn’t bad when you consider UNLV was handed a harsher punishment after losing to SDSU. Now that the Colorado State loss is in the past and the team didn’t suffer too much of a drop-off in the rank-

ings, it will have to shift its attention to the Boise State Broncos.

Boise State is 10-10 overall and 0-5 in Mountain West Conference play.

Even though they have yet to win a MW game, that isn’t stopping head coach Steve Fisher from warning his team about the Broncos.

“We need to be focused with a laser-type focus on our next opponent, which is a good Boise State team.” Fisher said.

In the string of those five setbacks was an overtime loss to UNLV, who besides SDSU, has looked like the best team in the conference.

The Broncos are led by two freshmen. One of those freshmen is guard / forward Anthony Drmic, who leads the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game. Drmic also averages a little less than five rebounds a game, too.

The other freshman is guard Derrick Marks, who averages 8.9 points and 3.1 rebounds a game.

Marks shined in the loss to UNLV with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Boise State will be coming into the game desperate for a win, just like Colorado State was on Saturday.

Fisher is just hoping the Colorado State loss doesn’t have a lingering effect on his team.

“There’s no shame in getting beat,” Fisher said. “But there’s a tragedy in losing and having that impact how you prepare to play in your next game. We’re going to need our Aztec fans to be there in mass and be part of their team and we need to start a new win streak on Wednesday.”

The Aztecs are 2-0 coming off a loss.

The two wins came by a combined three points against USC and Cal. The game will be at 7:15 p.m. tomorrow night at Viejas Arena.

AT A GLANCE vs.

WHEN: Tomorrow, 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: Viejas Arena WHY TO WATCH: The Aztecs will try to start a new winning streak against the Broncos, who will be looking to win their first conference game.

Follow me: @ AntonioCMorales

MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS

20-3 (4-1)

18-3 (4-1)

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

17-4 (3-2)

17-4 (3-2)

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

FOR SDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL 3 .857

14-6 (3-2)

11-8 (1-4)

12-8 (2-3)

SPONSORED BY Advanced Test Preparation

Losses for SDSU this season Winning percentage for the Aztecs

18

Wins for the Aztecs

13

Wins at home for SDSU

17

Point loss for the Aztecs against Colorado State

2

Wins for SDSU after a loss this season

17

SDSU’s ranking in both major polls

5

Number of spots the Aztecs fell in the Coaches Poll

10-10 (0-5) Advanced Test Preparation

Score Higher, Aztecs!

D A I LY A Z T E C Tuesday, January 31, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS INTERNSHIPS

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SDSU Business Majors: Xponential Growth Solutions internship opening! Learn 401K Industry. Come visit us at the Feb. 16th Career Fair, for early consideration send your resume and cover letter to bwilley@xgrowthsolutions.com. Code: 21

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CONTRACTS MANAGER for Summer & Fall 2012 semesters

with the possibility of continuing for Spring 2013

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7

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Y D A E R U O E ARE Y C N E I R E P X E E H T FOR ?

E M I T E F I L OF A ring For i H w o N s i c e t z ! s A e y v l i i t a u D c e e x E Th t n u o c c A g n i s i t r e v d A

, n o i t i s o p e h t t u o b a n o i at m r o f n i e r o : o t é For m m u s e r 91 ur 2 o 7 y . l 4 i 9 a 5 . m e 9 1 e 6 l l a c pleas r o u d e . su d s . l i a m @ s daad s b o j / m o .c c e t z a y l i a GAIN d D e N h A t É .

M U w S E ww ILD YOUR R IENCE! BU S EXPER S E N I S U B D L REAL WOR

8

D A I LY

AZTEC Tuesday, January 31, 2012

B AC K PAG E

FICTION

Escaping ourselves

M

y sister-in-law Amy decided to take our offer and stay with us for a few nights.

She told Jenna, my wife, that she’d been hearing noises coming from beneath her house.

Strange noises, odd shuffling at all hours of the night. So she hired some experts to crawl under the foundation and lay traps to capture the pest. I imagined a raccoon.

Maybe a stray cat. But Amy thinks it’s something you can’t control.

She thinks it’s something unknowable, something from her past, something not held by borders.

Amy’s always been that way. She lets her mind take control.

Mason Schoen fiction writer grandfather, a World War II veteran.

They still laugh about how, one day when they were girls, he misspoke and said, “At the end of the world, all we found was scrap metal and people who kept their heads down.”

They think he meant to say “At the end of the war.” The more they talk about it though, the more I’m certain he knew what he was saying and meant it.

At a red light Amy leans forward in the backseat. She turns to me. I see

It’s happening more often now.

Jenna comes outside with my cup of coffee. I roll the window down. She says, “What are you doing out here?” I don’t know how to answer her.

Jenna’s not her sister’s polar opposite, but almost. That’s the thing about families. Think of a tree.

Each branch blossoms in spite of the other. Still, at a certain point, we grow more to escape ourselves than to escape one another.

Jenna holds my hand as we wait in my car for Amy’s flight to land.

It’s getting dark. There’s a fine mist covering the windshield in tiny water droplets by the time Amy calls us to let us know she’s got her bags and ready to leave.

On the drive back from the airport, Amy updates us on their

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

HOROSCOPE

the similarities between sisters. The light turns green and for some reason this color highlights how different they are. Amy asks, “Have you and Jenna talked more about kids? I think you’d be a great dad, Cam. I know she can’t wait to be a mommy.”

I look at my wife. She smiles politely at her sister then turns her head to look out the window. I can’t help but wonder if she’s told Amy about how hard we’ve tried to have kids.

The fog really sets in. Amy’s flight must’ve been the last one allowed to land. I don’t hear the familiar sounds of jet engines rolling over-

head. Sometimes, especially after Jenna makes a remark about children, I can’t help but think of the end of the world. It’d be silent, like tonight. I think of the end of the world not because we’ve tried to get pregnant but can’t. Not because I don’t want to be a father. It’s not that, entirely. It’s more because I need to find the end of my world before I can start building a new one with her.

We keep driving. Eventually Amy gives up the questions.

When we get home, Jenna and Amy go inside and start a pot of coffee. I sit alone in the car for a little while. There’s a talk show playing softly in the dark. The mist covers the windshield in droplets again. I watch how eventually one orb gets so big it can’t contain itself and slips away, creating a clear boundary.

It’s happening more often now.

Jenna comes outside with my cup of coffee. I roll the window down. She says, “What are you doing out here?” I don’t know how to answer her. She nods and leans into me and tells me to come to bed soon. She makes me feel like the Earth will never end, and I don’t understand exactly why I feel like that’s a bad thing.

Sitting here, quiet and still, I can feel the Earth’s plates shift beneath us. Try it yourself. There’s this tiny shutter, almost imperceptible.

I listen to the neighborhood dogs bark. I know from the drone in the back of my mind that I won’t be sleeping for a while longer.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (1/31/12) You're building something of value this year, and now's a good time to stand back for a moment and appreciate it. The work's hard but profitable, and there's creativity involved. Others admire your talents. Share skills.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 9 Provide excellent service, with the finest ingredients. Stand for quality. Use resources with maximum efficiency for real satisfaction. Share a feast.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 All turns out well, although it may not go according to plan. Adaptability and a sense of humor are where the fun comes in. Your intuition's right on target.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 You're getting into your studies, and, with the support of a loved one, your career zooms forward. There's a bonus available if you move quickly.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - There's some distance in the picture.

Actual travel could be involved, or just an exotic meal or a cultural experience.

Education can be fun.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - You can find a really sweet deal today. Save more than you spend, and stash more pennies into savings. Pay back a debt.

Dream up a new income source. Ideas are popping.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 -

Your partner's getting impatient. Let them take charge. They have energy and enthusiasm, so enjoy the ride while they do the heavy lifting. Extra effort earns a bonus.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Show respect and gain love. Do what you can to help, and take urgent action for a cause that's important to you. This feeds your spirit. There's more work coming.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - You can figure out a coming trend.

Employ an exotic theme. Do something that you promised for a loved one, and you're the one who feels good about it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - Old considerations could hold you back, even though a loved one is anxious to make improvements. Make adjustments to get the perfect picture. Make time for love.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - You're boiling over with ideas.

Channel this energy in the right direction to get the advantage. Children or youth may play an important part.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Complete the month with a home improvement project that makes a difference in your quality of life, no matter how small. Play for no particular reason.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 Your willingness to listen and learn is attractive. Assertiveness equals romance.

You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Add a little sweat equity. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

SUDOKU

Difficulty Level: 1 out of 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.sudokudragon.com

–Mason Schoen is a creative writing graduate student.

S DS -V I E W

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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CROSSWORD

NIGHTWATCH Staff Photographer Dustin Michelson captured this photo of the Samuel T. Blackwell statue keeping a watchful eye on campus as it begins to enter darkness after dusk.

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PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.

Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Story ideas can be sent to tips@thedailyaztec.com.

ACROSS 1 Woo 6 Goldfish or koi 10 Peak 14 Sleep malady 15 1847 Melville work 16 Sound repeated before “fizz fizz,” in ads 17 Bakery cookware 19 Coin on the Continent 20 Non-revenuegenerating TV ad 21 Quite befuddled 22 Southwestern cuisine 24 Water pitcher part 26 Bro’s sib 27 Work at 28 Quiet times for baby ... and mom 32 Orchestra section 33 Period of watchful attention 34 Mimic with wings 35 Steals the bank blueprints for, e.g.

37 Haunted house outbursts 41 Not even once 43 Chair maker Charles 44 Ability to focus 47 Photo taker 49 Gallery work 50 Sacred song 51 Sister of Magda and Eva 53 Medium, e.g.

54 Singer Sumac 57 Complexion concern 58 Crisp cookie 61 Fishing gear 62 Cole Porter’s “Well, Did You __?”

/ Daily Aztec

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 63 To-be, in politics 64 ER “Immediately!”

65 USAF NCO 66 Lavishes affection (on) DOWN 1 Temporary shelter 2 Numbered musical piece 3 Remove, as a seatbelt 4 Gridiron official 5 Some sewers 6 Admits guilt for, as a lesser charge 7 Latin I verb 8 Jaworski of “Monday Night Football” 9 Bulletin board items 10 Very top

11 Small groups, as of bushes 12 Edible mushroom 13 Strong adhesive 18 Bill or gates, e.g.

23 Morales of “La Bamba” 25 Nit-picking type 26 Irritated state 28 Kind of wrestling done while sitting 29 Seven-time Emmy winner Tina 30 Not concealed 31 Bring contentment to 35 Sports section decimals 36 Hunched (over) 38 Uncontested, as a late-game hockey goal

39 Mauna __ 40 Job application ID 42 JFK guesstimates 43 Walked into 44 Actress Bearse or Plummer 45 “Consider me a maybe” 46 Flow slowly 47 Industry leaders 48 Dandy’s neckwear 52 Pep 53 Unexpected complication 55 Mugging defense 56 Bldg. units 59 ER hookups 60 __-pitch softball