04-05-2012

Thursday April 5, 2012

Volume 97, Issue 99

Restaurant &Bar Guide

Feeling moody? There s a ring for that. Get in touch, but try not to fall through the loop of the emotional rollercoaster that is this spring semester’s Restaurant & Bar Guide.

News

2

Sports

6

R & B Guide

8

Features

17

Entertainment

19

Opinion

22

Backpage

24

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AZTEC Thursday, April 5, 2012

NEWS

GreenFest plans to be ‘greener’ than ever As performers are announced, students gear up for festivities Arturo Garcia staff writer San Diego State’s Associated Students’ fourth annual GreenFest promises to be even more “green” than before. Many environmental organizations on campus are preparing their contribution to the weeklong celebration, and the lineup for GreenFest’s performers were recently released. Headliners will be Jason Ross and CaliParis, with several others performing on smaller stages. A live stream of the event, the incorporation of the No Impact Project, a change in the event’s location and the disappearance of free entry are a few of several new changes this year.

This year’s GreenFest incorporates more self-powered rides, according to A.S. Sustainability Commissioner Morgan Chan. According to E3 vice president of campus affairs, Luiza Savchuk, last year’s event only housed two self-powered rides.

The inclusion of the No Impact Project, in the form of SDSU’s No Impact Week, will be composed of numerous workshops for individually themed days. The No Impact Project is an international environmental nonprofit geared toward promoting behavioral change to reduce environmental impact. According to Savchuk, during the week prior to GreenFest the Green Love board along with other organizations will conduct educational seminars. The seminars will follow No

The student crowd cheers as pop group LMFAO performs at GreenFest 2010 in San Diego State’s Open Air Theater. |

Impact Project’s seven thematic days: water, food, waste, consumption, energy, ecosabbath and give back day.

“It would be a great thing if more people participated this year and really put into practice a green lifestyle,” Savchuk said. “We hope the workshops create a buzz.”

According to Savchuk, the workshops’ participants are encouraged to take their knowledge gained from the

first week and apply it during GreenFest. The organization is hoping participants’ practices become interactive by using the event’s Facebook page to post sustainable activities.

There will be prizes for greener lifestyles, according to Chan.

Other prizes will be awarded during the workshops. Water filters will be handed out to participants in a tap water contest, according to Savchuk.

FILE PHOTO

During food day, campus organization Garden Gnomes is expected to lecture about how to grow food, what foods are in season and the importance of gardening. Transportation issues will be discussed under the energy umbrella.

Campus group The Bike Stand will be instructing attendees on how to properly lock and care for bicycles.

Students may register for the workshops at noimpactproject.org to win

prizes, but registration is not required for participation. Festival tickets and driving minutes for either Zipcar or Car2go are among other prizes.

The event will no longer be on Campanile Walkway or Viejas Arena.

Instead it will be moved to Parking Lots E and F. The reasoning behind the relocation is capacity. This year’s GreenFest expects 12,000 attendees.

Last year, the activities on the day of GreenFest before the nighttime concert were free. This year, the festivities and the concert will both take place at the parking lots and entrance will cost $10 for students and $25 for guests.

The Saturday of GreenFest will be streamed live online, according to television, film and new media senior CJ Capes.

The webcast site is livestream.com/aztecentertainment.

According to Capes, the TFM students will test new technology by incorporating the iReporter option. Through iReporter, attendees will be encouraged to video record GreenFest using their mobile phones and send their recording to the TFM group to be streamed live, Capes said.

“By collaborating with the TFM department to execute this extensive media coverage of the festival, there will be an increase in the awareness and mission of GreenFest while providing valuable opportunities to students who want hands-on experience in event and media production,” GreenFest Executive Committee Chair Mina Azim said. “Overall, it is a wonderful partnership that will be a great addition to the GreenFest Festival this year.”

The week of GreenFest will be April 22-28 with the festival on April 28.

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, April 5, 2012

NEWS

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Zuma cut from the squad Trustees prepare for trigger cuts Ana Ceballos staff writer Although state financial support for the California State University budget has been cut by almost $1 billion in the past 18 months, the CSU Board of Trustees assembled to plan ahead for a potential “trigger” cut of an additional $200 million in November.

of Trustees has decided to approach the problem beforehand, possibly by reducing enrollment by 2,000 students, cutting classes, eliminating programs and further the reduction of the CSU’s workforce by hundreds.

The CSU system already provides $700 million in state university grant aid, and is still not able to meet students’ needs. Brown’s proposal to increase the GPA requirements for the

“A lot of people are still not aware that ... the amount of money raised for financial aid matches the cuts.”

SDSU’s recently terminated jaguar mascot Zuma performing at a basketball game at Viejas arena. | PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Hutton Marshall news editor After two years of service to San Diego State, the school’s jaguar mascot, Zuma, is no more. Students have mixed feelings about the decision to make the Aztec Warrior SDSU’s sole mascot once again.

Created to be more appealing to children than the armor-clad Aztec Warrior, Zuma began joining the Aztecs at basketball and football games in 2010. However, some say there is more to a good mascot than being kid-friendly.

“We are the Aztecs, and no kids character is ever going to change that,” SDSU athletic director Jim Sterk was quoted saying in The San Diego Union-Tribune. “A character such as Zuma is simply able to engage kids and perform antics that would be inappropriate for the Aztec Warrior.”

However, the most voiced complaint seemed to pertain to the ambiguity of one school having two mascots. Many are quick to point out the embarrassing error last March when Sports Illustrated listed the 32 mascots of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament teams. Zuma, the “sidekick,” was pictured instead of the Aztec Warrior.

“Most people didn’t understand how he / she came about. I thought (Zuma) was an amateur fan that just started dressing up. I mean I get it … but it’s just plain confusing,” SDSU alumni Chris Richardson said.

Despite criticisms of being childish or unrelated to the school’s Native American roots, other students cherished the faux feline’s freedom to act in ways that would be “absurd” for the Aztec Warrior to do.

“His presence is just plain fun,” SDSU student Aimee Lynn said. “He makes people happy and does all of the things it would be inappropriate for the warrior to do.”

Robert Turnage, CSU Assistant Vice Chancellor of Budget Whether the CSU system will see an increase in employment layoffs, slashing enrollments and elimination of academic programs now depends on Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative, which would increase income taxes of high-income earners by 1 to 3 percent.

CSU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget Robert Turnage said if Brown’s proposal fails, the budget goes down with it.

Turnage also noted that waiting for the election in November is not an option. Therefore the CSU Board

Cal-Grant program is adding pressure on CSU financial aid resources.

“A lot of people are still not aware that even though tuition has increased, the amount of money raised for financial aid matches the cuts,” Turnage said.

In 2010 and 2011 the CSU system raised a total of $344 million in gift commitments, surpassing the budget cuts. However, 97 percent of the donations are designated to go to support specific interests dictated by the donors, and cannot be used to soften the blow of state cuts.

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NEWS

Year-old debate team makes a comeback After being dormant for eight years, SDSU’s team wins big Arturo Garcia staff writer At the Western Novice Championship, a national debate tournament in Sacramento, two San Diego State communications seniors, Kristen Everhart and Brittni King, won first place in the junior varsity novice division. SDSU’s policy debate team brought home more victories at the 2012 District One NDT Qualifier and Pacific Champion Debate Tournament, which took place from Feb. 24 through 26.

“They walked through it, which is unheard of,” SDSU debate team head coach and Director of Forensics Sharon Taylor said.

Everhart and King have only been debating for four months, according to Taylor. The novice JV tournament had 24 teams. Out of the six preliminary rounds, Everhart and King won five.

“These two women deserve a tremendous amount of credit,” Taylor said.

The girls finished in first place and received the first-annual Terry Weinbrenner Championship Cup. Everhart and King are in the policy branch of SDSU’s debate program.

In its entirety, the program consists of the policy and parliamentary

wings. Another set in the policy branch are Jayde Clark and Andrew Won, who took home eighth place.

According to graduate teaching assistant and coach for the parliamentary wing, Matthew Swanson, the parliamentary branch of debate is relatively new. Parliamentary, which focuses on multiple topics throughout the year, had its first national appearance in 2001.

According to Swanson, policy is more concerned with the depth of knowledge focusing on one topic.

“Debate at SDSU used to only be one (branch), and now there are two and both sides are healthy,” Taylor said. “Those are all the wings you can have in debate and there are very few universities that have that type of full-breadth program.”

According to Taylor, the debate program at SDSU is making a comeback. Policy debate was dropped by SDSU in 2003 and returned last spring.

SDSU debate, even with its temporal disappearance, still holds a prestigious record, Taylor said. The university holds the record of consecutively qualifying a debater for the National Debate Tournament.

According to Taylor, the year-afteryear reign started in the 1950s and ended in the 1970s.

The two policy teams traveled to another national tournament in Oklahoma the first weekend of spring break.

“We’re just coming back in this national prominence and we’re doing it in a big way with an exclamation point,” Taylor said.

SDSU seniors Everhart and King conquered the JV novice division at the Western Novice Championship. | COURTESY OF CHRISTIANNE PENUNURI

Auto woes

“We’re just coming back in this national prominence and we’re doing it in a big way with an exclamation point.”

Sharon Taylor, SDSU debate team head coach

C R I M E B E AT

At 8:54 a.m. last Sunday, a vehicle was driven into an occupied apartment at Albert’s College Apartments. The non-student suspect was arrested and transported to jail for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Another vehicle was parked on the lawn of Delta Upsilon Fraternity on Hardy Avenue at 7 a.m. on Sunday.

Multiple traffic incidents on the eastbound ramp of Interstate 8 from College Avenue were reported this weekend. The incidents involved three vehicles, which were racing each other at approximately 4 a.m., resulting in the arrest of San Diego State student Angela Lee for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Vandalism and destruction of chairs Two white male adults were seen throwing chairs off Parking Structure 4 on Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. and two hours later, at Parking Structure 5, a vehicle was keyed on the trunk and top of the car. Both reports were taken, but police were unable to locate the suspects.

Assault on an officer Michael Bell, a non-student, was arrested and transported to jail at 7:30 a.m. on Monday for assaulting a police officer and is believed to have caused serious bodily injury; the suspect also had a felony warrant.

—Compiled by Staff Writer Ana Ceballos

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SPORTS

Aztec pitchers have a given up 315 hits and have combined ERA of 5.11 in 266 innings pitched. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The San Diego State baseball team has compiled a 14-16 record through this year’s first 30 games. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

SPONSORED BY

FOR SDSU BASEBALL 3

Wins for junior pitcher Travis Pitcher this year

5.11

Combined ERA for Aztec pitchers this season

14

Wins for SDSU

16

Losses for the Aztecs this season

12

Wins at home for SDSU

2

Wins on the road for SDSU

Advanced Test Preparation

34

Hits by freshman utility Greg Allen

13

Walks drawn by sophomore outfielder Cody Smith

Advanced Test Preparation

Score Higher, Aztecs!

Head coach Tony Gwynn has returned to the team. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, April 5, 2012

SPORTS

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SOFTBALL

Modest Maeva moves into record books Danielle Gaut staff writer Since her 2010 debut wearing a San Diego State jersey, senior first baseman Justeen Maeva has created quite a name for herself in the softball program.

As she finishes off her last season with the Aztecs, her focus doesn’t rest on earning more individual awards and honors, however. It lies on the attributes she can bring to her team in order to win more games.

Softball has been in Maeva’s blood starting from a very early age.

Growing up in a family with a huge softball background, Maeva was instantly drawn to the sport.

“I started playing when I was seven. All my cousins played softball and even my dad played slow-pitch softball,” she said.

Maeva was born and raised in San Diego, where she led her travel ball team, the California Cruisers, to a seventh-place national finish in 2008. She also played for Mira Mesa High School, where she earned All-CIF San Diego Section Division I recognition and was a four-time All-Eastern League and three-time All-CIF honoree.

Maeva began her collegiate career playing for Cal State Bakersfield. She played one year for the Roadrunners until she decided to transfer home to San Diego to finish her remaining three years playing for the Aztecs.

“I was born and raised in San Diego, so I wanted to come back home to be closer to family and have better competition,” Maeva said.

Since playing for the Aztecs, Maeva was named a 2010 AllMountain West Conference selection and has earned second-team NFCA All-West Region honors for both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Most recently, Maeva broke SDSU’s all-time RBI record with 103 runs batted in. This is an extraordinary feat considering the fact she broke the Aztecs’ RBI career record in only three seasons. Despite all the recognition Maeva has received, she said the real honor is playing for SDSU. “I’m happy to be here. I don’t care about the honors and awards. The biggest reward of all is playing for SDSU,” she said.

While it is Maeva’s last year playing for the Aztecs, she plans to continue to play softball overseas once she finishes school.

Although Maeva may be modest off the field, she holds nothing back when she steps out of the dugout and onto the dirt. Owning a good glove at first base and having an aggressive hitter mentality while at the plate, Maeva is truly a player worth acknowledging.

SDSU senior Justeen Maeva has 103 RBI in three seasons, a campus record. | FILE PHOTO

BASEBALL

No. 14 Titans take advantage of Aztec errors Michael Manbert staff writer

CSUF 7 | SDSU 1 The San Diego State baseball team was picked apart Tuesday night by a nationally renowned Cal State Fullerton squad that utilized several SDSU miscues to take an early lead that would not be relinquished.

The Aztecs sent sophomore righthanded pitcher Philip Walby to the mound, who had only a single start under his belt this season before facing the No. 14 team in the nation in front of a large crowd at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Although the final score would indicate otherwise, Walby pitched well. His defense, however, made quite a few mistakes in a game in which there was little room for error.

Fullerton would strike first, wasting little time getting on the scoreboard with a pair of singles and a fielder’s choice that saw it take a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Things would then get a bit sloppy for SDSU in the second as the Titans tacked on two more runs, both of which were unearned and caused by defensive lapses.

The Aztecs narrowed the lead to 31 with some opportunistic play and

timely hitting in the third inning. With two outs, sophomore infielder Evan Potter reached base on an error, stole second, and was subsequently driven in by sophomore second baseman Tim Zier’s double that was slapped down the left field line, barely remaining fair.

The score remained 3-1 into the fifth, when SDSU’s defense committed two more errors to allow the Titans to put another run on the board. They would also score once in the eighth and twice in the ninth, which led to a final score of 7-1 in favor of Fullerton.

After only scraping out three hits in a shutout loss against the Titans in their last matchup, the Aztecs were again unable to get much going on the offensive end as they finished with seven hits — two apiece for junior catcher Jake Romanski and Zier, whose RBI double yielded the team’s lone run on the night.

“We definitely need to just stay solid and play good defense (in the future),” freshman pitcher Adam Anawalt said.

“We also need to begin creating our own scoring opportunities. When we’ve been winning lately, we’ve capitalized on other teams’ mistakes rather than scoring on our own at times.”

“We feel that we can sweep in Vegas if we keep playing our game, and if our bats can stay hot,” he said.

SDSU will resume play at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday as it begins a three-game series against UNLV in Las Vegas.

SDSU sophomore second baseman Tim Zier drove in the Aztecs’ only run in a 7-1 loss to Fullerton. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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R & B GUIDE

Bar Pink brightens SD city streets KevinSmead assistant news editor The North Park of today is a far cry from the North Park of 10 years ago.

At the turn of the century, the neighborhood was relatively dangerous and typically overlooked as a place to enjoy a night out. However, today it draws San Diegans with trendy bars lining both sides of 30th Street while the hippest of folks can be seen walking the streets on any given evening. North Park’s renaissance has given way to a booming bar scene, now ranking among the top nightlife hotspots in the city.

With so many local hangouts to choose from, someone not familiar with North Park can feel a bit overwhelmed. However, one stands out from the rest, and not just because of its neon pink sign.

Bar Pink on 30th Street and University Avenue is a dive. It’s dark, relatively small and drinks are dirt cheap. While many hear “dive bar” and conjure images of a seedy establishment, Bar Pink’s reality is quite the opposite. It is unassuming, doesn’t care about appearance and may be the friendliest place in town.

This is not a nightclub. Inside, booths big enough for five or six patrons line the right side of the walls with the bar directly across.

There’s a small stage and a separate

room that houses several pool tables toward the back.

The bar is also home to old arcade cabinets (though none come close to the excellence of Soda Bar’s original Battletoads machine) and an ATM next to the bar, which is convenient considering the establishment is cash only. Above the bar, properly lit pink orbs hang from the ceiling, as if to create an illusion of slight intoxication. A few standing tables are scattered in the front section of the joint and there’s room to get funky near the stage.

Bar Pink definitely makes use of its stage. It has some form of entertainment almost every night. From disc jockeys to punk bands, the weekly lineup is anything but boring. Its best asset may be the frequent appearance of San Diego’s funk prodigy, The Styletones. Though it performs fairly regularly at a number of local venues, the best place to see a Styletones show remains Bar Pink.

This eclectic selection of music comes as no surprise when the bar’s founder is taken into account. Bar Pink opened in 2007 as Bar Pink Elephant by local music legend John Reis, who is perhaps better known as The Swami. Reis is a former member of legacy San Diego punk bands such as Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes, which recently played a reunion show at Bar Pink.

Bar Pink 3829 30th St Neighborhood: North Park (619) 564-7194

North Park dive attracts patrons with affordable drinks and jams. | PAIGE NELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Reis’ influence digs deeper than just the music, though. Drinks are simple, inexpensive and strong. Bar Pink hasn’t completely avoided the “craft” movement with its cocktails and beers, but it definitely doesn’t attempt to shove alcohol artistry down your throat with $10 drinks. Most drinks generally run for less than $5. The bar’s signature drink is the Pink

Elephant, boasting only two ingredients: vodka and pink lemonade.

This simplicity is a refreshing and welcome reprieve from the sometimes over-the-top craft cocktail movement currently flooding the local bar scene. Though it’s not the classiest place in town, Bar Pink remains a chill landmark everyone can enjoy.

Let the light in at Station Tavern JohnAnderson entertainment editor Station Tavern and Burgers’ most notable element is its cheerful ambience. At this South Park eatery, signal lanterns hang in a modern, woody interior while a small chalkboard in front announces the featured items of the day. A huge swinging door with a hatch handle opens to the back of the restaurant, emblazoned with peeling paint that suggests this is the kind of establishment that may have once sold cigarettes.

Seemingly in contradiction to the images this restaurant’s name draws to mind, Station Tavern is extremely airy.

Huge windows and doors are thrown open, exposing the bar to the elements so patrons can feel as if they are outside, even while sitting indoors ordering drinks. High chairs near street-side windows also generate a subtle European feel.

The tavern’s layout encourages a breeze on warm days, making this a comfortable place to sit in the afternoon while sipping a hefeweizen.

Those who would prefer to engage the elements directly by sitting outside need only walk through the bar and a huge door into the backyard where more seating is available. Seats range from standard park benches to round, spool-like tables with padded seats.

There is also a small play area for

Station Tavern & Burgers 2204 Fern St Neighborhood: South Park/ Golden Hill (619) 255-0657

Wide windows and tasty bites expose diners to welcome sunshine and satisfied stomachs at Station Tavern. | PAIGE NELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

young kids to amuse themselves so adults can relax. Once outside, Station Tavern begins to look more like a café than a tavern.

Station Tavern offers a wide variety of sandwiches and hamburgers. Its star seller is a vegetarian option called the spicy black bean burger, which is made with a black bean and pepper patty, slathered with a lime cilantro spread, giving the burger a unique, biting flavor.

The tavern’s standard cheeseburger is no slouch either. When ordered with sharp cheddar and grilled onions, this burger is perhaps one of the best in San Diego. Diners can also order a vari-

ety of homemade sauces to accompany their food, including the lime cilantro sauce featured on the black bean burger, thyme honey-mustard and 22 habanero hot sauce.

Sandwiches take on a whole new dimension when paired with Station Tavern’s sweet potato fries and a side of bleu cheese dressing. Tater tots tossed in a blend of spices are also popular, along with garlic fries and standard French fries, leaving no shortage of side options.

The tavern’s beer selection may not blow beer enthusiasts away, but it is still worthy with several local brews, interesting American options and a few

imports. Those in the mood for something a bit stronger can enjoy a housecrafted cocktail such as the refreshing Dark & Stormy, which includes black rum and ginger beer. The bar also offers a modest wine selection.

Station Tavern is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. almost every day except Friday and Saturday when it closes at midnight. The eatery is closed on Mondays. Though the tavern does not host regular events, it does open its doors for the occasional art show or small concert. Details about upcoming events and additions to the bar menu are available on its website at stationtavern.com.

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, April 5, 2012

R & B GUIDE

MA4 takes it shaken, not stirred Edward Henderson senior staff writer With budget cuts and tuition hikes burning holes in college students’ wallets comparable to those in the ozone layer, Martinis Above Fourth blends entertainment and affordable happy hour specials that are sure to raise spirits in every sense of the word.

Located in the heart of Hillcrest, MA4 creates a modern lounge atmosphere sure to impress a first date. After a short elevator ride to the second-floor restaurant and bar overlooking 4th Avenue, patrons are greeted by the aesthetically pleasing space. MA4 has been in operation for 8 years. However, a new management group took control last October and renovated the space, giving it a fresh look and feel. MA4 features a double-sided bar with indoor and patio seating options.

The patio side of the bar offers an open space to mingle as 4th Avenue serves as a picturesque backdrop.

Inside, leather booth seating and cocktail tables fill out the space, adding to the upscale feel.

Happy hour at MA4 runs from 4 p.m. to close on Mondays, 4-7 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday and 4-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Pandora takes care of music during happy hour with playlists patrons can’t help but sing along with. MA4’s

Martini’s Above Fourth 3940 4th Ave Ste 200 Neighborhood: Hill Crest (619) 400-4500

Drink, dine and be serenaded at Martinis Above Fourth. |

happy hour drink specials add liquid encouragement for untrained singing voices with options including $1 “mini-tinis,” shot-glass samples of signature martinis, $2 Coronas, $3 draft beer or well cocktails, $4 choice wine and $5 choice martinis. While all MA4’s happy hour

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

martinis pack a strong punch, its most popular selection is the pearl necklace. Though the pearl necklace isn’t featured on the happy hour menu, it’s worth the $12 asking price.

This much-desired concoction consists of Pearl pomegranate vodka, white cranberry juice, a splash of

lime and a half-sugared brim. Its dangerous smoothness masks a generous amount of vodka with a fruity taste. Half-price appetizers are also available during happy hour with popular selections such as quesadillas and crab cakes for $5 and $6, respectively.

For those who hang around after happy hour comes to an end, MA4 features live performers every Wednesday through Saturday night.

These piano-bar style performances cover classic and contemporary hits with a portion set aside for audience requests as well.

Restaurant manager Ian Johnson believes MA4’s entertainment creates a unique experience for patrons.

“We have a party atmosphere but with a feel of sophistication at the same time,” Johnson said. “I think we can give a more attentive and fun atmosphere compared to other bars in Hillcrest.”

MA4’s servers and bartenders are friendly and provide fast service when fully staffed. The bar typically draws a 25-and-older crowd, so it’s best to go with a group of friends to get the most out of the experience.

Off-street parking can be difficult to navigate during rush hour. However, garage and lot parking are available nearby. MA4 is definitely worth the drive for those looking to enjoy quality food and drink options at an affordable price.

AC Lounge raises temp on Adams ChrisPocock opinion editor If University Heights’ quaint restaurants, quirky coffee shops and colorful storefronts constitute the heart of Adams Avenue, then its thorough selection of bars and watering holes surely constitute its liver. But while many of the drinkeries in University Heights carry the same hipster vibe resonant throughout the rest of the community, the Air Conditioned Lounge represents a flavor foreign to the vibrant neighborhood: a whole lot of dancing and good music.

When entering the doors of AC Lounge, one thing becomes immediately clear. The bar is much more like a small downtown nightclub than a lounge, complete with live rap and dubstep. Just like most downtown bars, the heavy wub wub wubs and bass make conversation with the bartender, friends or potential hook-up near impossible. Though AC Lounge may not be the best venue for those trying to get to know each other, those looking to get a good buzz going shouldn’t fret. The bartenders at AC Lounge are noticeably experienced and quick; don’t expect to wait more than a minute or two for drinks, even for more complicated cocktails.

Contrary to its downtown counterparts, AC Lounge is centrally located and it’s easy to find free parking.

Though the area around the lounge lacks a trolley stop, bus stops are prevalent in the neighborhood and taxi rides to any part of San Diego should be relatively inexpensive.

Similar to how the “lounge” aspect is a bit misleading, so too is the “air conditioned” aspect. A not-so-air-conditioned bar with dozens of warm, drunk bodies and thick, Degobah-like artificial fog, there’s a definite mugginess to the air of AC Lounge. Those not so confident with their dance moves might count this as more of a blessing than a mark against the venue; for others, the high school haunted house level of fog might prove to be a bit irritating.

Still, there are definitely a few good reasons for Air Conditioned Lounge’s popularity. The bar is famed for its remarkable array of local disc jockeys and artists, ensuring consistent, though not exceptionally diverse, entertainment, even for the random passerby.

And its list of beers and cocktails isn’t anything to sniff at either: AC Lounge has more than 60 in-house beers, many from local breweries. It also hosts daily drink specials, perfect for those looking to get their feet moving and grooving without packing too much of a punch on their wallet.

For those looking to get the downtown flavor without the downtown inconvenience, the AC Lounge is perfect. Otherwise, this bar might be worth passing in favor of University Heights’ famed drinking hotspots.

Air Conditioned Lounge 4673 30th St Neighborhood: University Heights (619) 501-9831

Grab a cold one at University Heights’ Air Conditioned Lounge. | ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

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AZTEC Thursday, April 5, 2012

R & B GUIDE

Speak hard at Prohibition-era bar AlyssaZickenberg staff writer Hidden in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Prohibition Liquor Bar transports patrons back to the daring days of speakeasies and glamour a la Gatsby. One step into this “forbidden” locale channels the inner Al Capone or flapper fashionista in everyone for a night on the town, 1920s style.

Like any Prohibition-era speakeasy, Prohibition is hidden and not easily recognizable to the common passerby.

The secret lounge is located underground with only one unsuspecting street-entrance door, labeled as a law firm office and hidden perfectly among the busy and bright contrast of downtown’s nightlife. Patrons must be on a guest list to enter. Then they need only ring Prohibition’s doorbell and wait for the hostess to greet them.

This is where the adventure begins.

A dark and narrow staircase leads guests underground to the polished basement-type saloon. The quaint subterranean room is adorned with dark, aged hardwood floors, deep-brown leather chairs and bar stools, and black-and-white photos of Prohibitionera movie stars. The bar is dimly lit with candles and lamps, casting a deep-red hue across the room as jazz music flows and sets the mood. Within minutes, it’s easy for patrons to forget their placement in time.

Prohibition 548 5th Avenue Neighborhood: Downtown

Prohibition in Gaslamp emulates a 1920s speakeasy with its inconspicuous entrance, adventurous drinks and underground feel. |

Savoring a smooth and frothy South Side lemon martini flavored with freshly peeled lemon ... will make anyone thankful legal prohibition no longer exists.

Ordering a drink at Prohibition is a highlight of the experience. The man behind the bar is more mixologist than bartender, handcrafting drinks to each guest’s desire. Savoring a smooth and frothy South Side lemon martini flavored with freshly peeled lemon on the rim and just the right hint of mint will make anyone thankful legal prohibition no longer exists. The bar’s drink menu boasts a selection of unique and adventurous mixtures not likely found in other bars. Cocktails cost around $12 but are worth it for their flavor and attention to detail.

Prohibition is open every Wednesday through Saturday from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. The bar is mellow on

FILE PHOTO

Wednesdays as a disc jockey spins old vinyl records while groups of two or three quietly talk among candlelight and sip martinis. It’s ideal for a date night. Friday and Saturday nights, however, turn up the tempo in the bar with a live jazz band and dancing. The bar can be packed with about 60 people, all drinking and swinging to the music. According to the hostess, these are the best nights to experience Prohibition in action.

Exclusivity and sophistication are at the heart of Prohibition, which strictly enforces the dress code, elusiveness and guest propriety. Find the guest list on Prohibition’s website at prohibitionsd.com.

Khyber Pass titillates with spices

Khyber Pass 523 University Ave Neighborhood: Hillcrest (619) 294-7579

Hillcrest eatery serves a rare piece of Afghanistan to adventurous locals in the heart of San Diego.|

AnaCeballos staff writer Hillcrest is home to an isolated gem.

Its sandy colors and dim lights are barely noticeable during dinnertime among the neighborhood’s flashier parts. However, this reserved spot promises hungry customers exotic flavor to remember.

Khyber Pass specializes in Afghan food — cuisine uncommon to these parts, which many would consider daring. Curries and kabobs enriched with spices and intense flavors satiate taste buds when accompanied by fluffy naan bread and creamy yogurt sauce, easing the spiciness.

This family-owned eatery offers savory dishes such as mushroom curry, a mixture of sautéed mushrooms with mild herbs and spices in a

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

tangy curry sauce, with white basmati rice. Khyber Pass’ appetizers are also worth a taste with options such as Mantu, steamed pasta shells filled with ground beef in yogurt sauce.

The restaurant’s dining area is quiet and perfect for a date. There are no disruptive noises in the kitchen or outside, and table settings exhibit casual elegance, linen napkins and all.

“The quiet and intimate scene adds to the great experience,”

Afghan food enthusiast and customer Ricky Cervantes said. “The variety of authentic Afghan dishes and their complementary sauces were very enjoyable.”

Khyber Pass’ service is decent, though the restaurant’s quietness enhances a lack of attention that could be overlooked in a busier setting. Food is served in a timely manner and water cups never yearn for refills, but don’t expect meal suggestions. With such adventurous options in hand, it would be nice to be advised before making impulsive hunger decisions.

Money matters at Khyber Pass may be a bit of a stretch to the wallet for the average college student. The least expensive dish costs $12.95, while the most expensive plate, the lamb kabob, costs $26.95. This may make customers doubt whether the risk of trying a new cuisine will pay off or not. But it does. Khyber Pass is worth the stretch.

Diners will leave with more than full stomachs as portions are generously served and savory spices clasp to the taste buds long after they have left the building.

“Khyber Pass is great for a date, the setting is intimate and the food is great,” Cervantes said. “The suggestions may even make you appear adventurous in the eyes of that special someone.”

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, April 5, 2012

R & B GUIDE

Tavern harkens back to early days Kambra Potter staff writer There aren’t many landmarks more nostalgic than San Diego’s first tavern.

Established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition, the Waterfront Bar and Grill in Little Italy continues to flourish today, providing San Diegans with a rich piece of history in an unpretentious environment where they can kick back and drink a few cold ones.

Naturally, the Waterfront has undergone a few changes since Chaffee Grant and Clair Blakley opened with just a few bar stools, a jukebox, pinball and slot machines and snacks. Though the bar’s current ambiance remains reminiscent of its history, a few modern amenities have been added to accommodate patrons of the 21st century, including a Breathalyzer machine, video games and several flat-screen TVs. A pool table and photo booth complete the relaxed vibe of the tavern’s back room.

The Waterfront’s nostalgic feel is enhanced by countless black-andwhite photos displayed on nearly every inch of wall space throughout the relatively small tavern. Photos of the bar’s early patrons are especially reminiscent of the Waterfront’s humble roots. Fishermen, oil company employees and workers from surrounding businesses frequented the tavern, along with lawyers and judges

who didn’t want to be seen drinking around their clients.

Though the burden early visitors tried to avoid is long gone, those looking to escape the bustling bar scene of downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter, can still find solace at the Waterfront.

Though modest in its way, the Waterfront does not exist without irony.

Why? It’s not by the water. Instead, it is located on Kettner Boulevard, in a somewhat secluded area near the airport. Car rental and repair shops occupy the poorly lit area around the tavern, which makes parking less than convenient. However, if bar-goers take taxis or enlist designated drivers who don’t mind searching for street parking, this issue can be overlooked.

Despite its location, the Waterfront stays busy and is open from 6 a.m. to

“It seems like a good place where me and my buddies can come after work and unwind.”

Grant Martin, first-time patron

The Waterfront Bar & Grill 2044 Kettner Blvd Neighborhood: Little Italy (619) 232-9656

Experience sensibility at San Diego’s oldest bar, The Waterfront. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

2 a.m. every day, with a full bar and a shot bar to draw customers. It also boasts a menu that is actually quite tasty and reasonably priced for bar food, offering a selection of breakfast items, Mexican brunch food, burgers, sandwiches and salads. The food is perfectly cooked, though the Thai chicken salad is a bit spicier than diners may expect in comparison to Thai salads from other eateries. Happy hour takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. every Monday through Friday with complimentary appetizer trays, $4 wells, $4 drafts and $3.25 domestic bottles.

A popcorn machine stands in the corner of the bar’s lower-level eating

area, providing customers with free spicy popcorn. Tabasco-flavored popcorn may sound strange, but it is actually quite appetizing.

Of course, no tavern is complete without live music. After a good mix of country, pop, rock and ‘80s music has filled the air, a live band brings the Waterfront’s crowd of 20 and 30somethings even more to life every Wednesday night.

First-time Waterfront patron Grant Martin’s friends told him about the tavern’s lively atmosphere and good food.

“It seems like a good place where me and my buddies can come after work and unwind,” Martin said.

West Coast bites into Big Apple

West Coast Tavern 2895 University Ave Neighborhood: North Park (619) 295-1688

West Coast Tavern’s generous menu doesn’t stop giving until the wee hours of the morning. |

AntonioZaragoza photo editor West Coast Tavern is nestled in the heart of North Park, within the original lobby of the Birch North Park Theatre.

The storefront rests below the historic theater’s sign, with broad windows allowing pedestrians to glimpse its rustic but modern interior.

West Coast Tavern serves as both a bar and a restaurant, and has separate areas for casual drinking or dining. Large round booths accommo-

date groups in the open dining area.

An additional spacious square bar in the rear has plenty of space for patrons to relax and not worry about waiting around for a drink. Brick walls, red furnishings and hardwood bar tops give this place a very oldfashioned saloon feel without denying its modern appeal.

The tavern’s friendly and charismatic service further enhances the experience as bartenders are knowledgeable about its wide selection of bourbons and whiskeys. The staff is eager to chat about food and liquors and have great suggestions for first-time patrons.

PAIGE NELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

“Our staff is what sets us apart,” coowner David Cohen said. “Many of our employees have been here since day one and they have a great sense of pride in West Coast Tavern. We are one big happy family.”

West Coast Tavern has a dense menu with many delicious choices.

Appetizers include filet mignon skewers or a triple dip consisting of white bean hummus, roasted red pepper romesco and spinach artichoke dip served with warm flatbread. Dinners range from fresh seafood plates, steaks, chicken, sliders, sandwiches and a savory mac n’ cheese du jour.

The chef’s specialties include a Maple Leaf Duck Confit with Okinawa sweet potato puree, fragrant spice, watercress and local organic carrots for about $16. A patron favorite is the Tavern Chicken n’ Waffle, all natural chicken tenders, fried crisp with a bacon waffle for around $11. Late-night partygoers can order from a full menu late into the evening.

“People are always surprised that we serve our full menu until midnight every day of the week,” Cohen said.

“We get a nice crowd around 10 p.m. for dinner and it always reminds me of when I lived in New York.”

Assistant General Manager Rick Moralez said West Coast Tavern is a great alternative to the often stuffy downtown scene. On weekends, the bar area is cleared to create a dance floor that is as lively as a Manhattan dance hall.

“On Friday and Saturday nights, we have dancing here with local DJs and people have a great time and there’s always a great crowd,” Moralez said.

West Coast Tavern’s happy hour lasts from 4 to 6 p.m. daily and keeps the restaurant filled with a lively crowd throughout the week. The restaurant also offers a special breakfast brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Great tasting food, intriguing cocktails, friendly service and a terrific price point make this “Big Apple”-style restaurant worthy of America’s Finest City.

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R & B GUIDE

Partiers score late-night weenies Brittany Fasano staff writer Among San Diego’s popular crazes, street food proves to be a quick, inexpensive and delicious alternative to sit-down restaurants and fast food joints alike. Mateo’s Hot Spot cofounders Matthew Gorton and Richard Morris are both partakers and purveyors of the trend.

Mateo’s Hot Spot is a mobile catering company based in Pacific Beach where bar-goers can enjoy hot dogs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. every Wednesday and Thursday and until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

With toppings as diverse as bacon, cream cheese, homemade Texasstyle chili, nacho cheese, jalapeĖos, grilled onions and cheddar, Mateo’s combinations are endless.

The idea behind the carts occured when Gorton and Morris recognized San Diego’s lack of party-hour food options.

“We were looking for the niche and filling it,” Morris said.

A popular late-night treat is the “El Grunge,” a hot dog with bacon and cream cheese.

“The cream cheese is a Seattle thing,” Morris said. “At first we thought, ‘Cream cheese, you’re crazy.’ But then we got to look into this. It’s not bad.”

As for the bacon, he said, “Well, bacon makes everything better.

Bacon is more like a Mexican dog.

That’s where the name ‘El Grunge’ came from.”

Mateo’s is the perfect casual “hot spot” because of its friendly vendors and, most importantly, vibrant atmosphere. Locals gather after nights of bar-hopping to be among welcoming servers, good company and delectable food.

Not a fan of meat? No problem.

Mateo’s serves vegetarian sausages and hot dogs. But for beef connoisseurs, Mateo’s uses quality hot dogs and sausages from brands such as Hebrew National, Usinger’s Famous Sausage and Hillshire Farm.

“Our most popular chili dog is the Son of a Spicy Bitch. It’s a spicy hot link with chili and nacho-cheese sauce ... We buy our chili in cans, but then we doctor it up. I’ll add whole chilis, chili flakes and a bit of curry powder. It’s spicy but not deadly. And there are beans in there,” Gorton said in an interview with the San Diego Reader.

What makes Mateo’s hot dogs especially unique is the variety. Using a hot dog and a bun as its blank canvas, servers garnish each dog with distinct tastes from around the globe, including German bratwurst, Seattle cream cheese, Mexican bacon and jalapeĖos and Texas-style chili.

Mateo’s Hot Spot 4479 Everts St Neighborhood: Pacific Beach (760) 473-1902

Mateo’s is for night owls looking for a late-night snack. |

Mateo’s doesn’t only serve in PB. Carts are mobile and available for special events.

“We do catering as well, from birthday parties to any type of parties,” Morris said. “(We serve) more than just hot dogs. We serve hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches and carne asada too.”

DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Meals come with assorted sides and desserts as well.

Mateo’s carts are the perfect stop for savory bites after a night of imbibing and can be found at three convenient locations: The Silver Fox, The Dog and Plum Crazy, all on Garnet Avenue.

Redwing serves sport with a twist RandyWilde assistant copy chief

Redwing Bar & Grill 4012 30th St Neighborhood: North Park (619) 281-8700

Redwing’s Bar & Grill draws football fiends and karaoke queens. | DUSTIN MICHELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

North Park’s 30th Street is home to many unique bars, dives and restaurants. However, Redwing Bar & Grill may be one of the most interesting.

This gay-friendly dive defies stereotypical expectations with its casual, sporty vibe — complete with billiards, electronic darts and numerous TVs displaying sports events and analysis.

Timing is everything at Redwing. By day, this dive bar is a perfect spot to kick back with some beer and wings in a casual atmosphere. However, visitors on any night (except Mondays and Thursdays) should expect a raucous show they won’t soon forget. On these nights, Redwing hosts a lively karaoke show. Tuesdays are Latin karaoke nights, though there are some songs in English. However, the occasional drag show often provides the most excitement.

As summer draws nearer, the large back patio will be served by the full outdoor bar. For now, Redwing’s laidback outdoor food and drink can be best enjoyed on weekend days.

The bar’s no-fuss grill menu provides simple, reasonably priced and satisfying dining. If it would go perfectly with a pint of cold brew, it’s on the menu. Appetizers range from $4.50 to $6.75 and include options

such as the typical onion rings and French fries, as well as more unusual finger food options such as breaded pickles, fried zucchini and cheese curds. A diverse array of burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches make up the backbone of the grill menu. Entrée prices mostly hover around $8 or $9.

As one would expect, wings are a specialty and do not disappoint. The Thai and barbecue flavors are especially delicious, and the buffalo wings pack quite a punch. This may not be the place for the vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious crowd though, as only two salads round out the meat and grill-centric menu.

Also, though not as extensive as some other bars, Redwing’s brew selection should have something to please any type of ale fan.

The bartenders are friendly and provide great service. Amiable staff members are happy to whip up any kind of cocktail customers might desire.

One of the original staples of 30th Street, Redwing has been around for more than 30 years. It provides affordable, comfortable and casual fun – or, with proper timing, a more lively experience for those thrill-seekers out there. For the most part, Redwing’s main attraction is its casual, quieter-than-the-average-bar atmosphere, which makes it a great place for anyone who enjoys the simplicity of good food, good beer and good company.

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R & B GUIDE

Babys whips up drinkable desserts Beth Elderkin managing editor No one ever loses that sweet tooth.

Whether it’s taking candy from a baby or buying an extra package of M&M’s at the East Commons Aztec Market, everyone loves indulging those sweet, sugary cravings.

For those who are 21 and older, that sweet tooth can be sated at Babys Bar. Babys Bar, part of Hillcrest’s latenight dessert hotspot Babycakes, is a great place to grab a tasty treat packed with sugary flavors, as well as enough alcohol to turn any night into a sweet experience.

The cocktail menu has been expertly created by Babys Bar’s dessertinclined mixologists to match or complement several of Babycakes’ unique desserts — all of which can be ordered at the bar, along with a selection of small bites and sandwiches.

Some of Babys Bar’s most popular concoctions include the Chunky Munky, a mixture of vanilla vodka and banana liqueur and the Orange Creamsicle, a blending of orange vodka and triple sec with a splash of cream.

An off-menu but still popular drink is Babys Bar’s specialty chocolate martini, which combines vanilla vodka, crŹme de cacao and a bit of chocolate wine to make a drink that tastes like a melted bittersweet devil’s food cake. It would go great

with a Black Bottom cupcake, or maybe a piece of blood orange cake.

For those who may not enjoy cakeinspired cocktails, there are a few drinks suited for more diverse tastes.

This includes the Jungle Island martini, which is similar to a Mai Tai, as well as the Sweet and Sticky Tea, a Southern-style sweet tea drink that would taste great with a poached pear and spinach salad or pork sliders.

Babys Bar also features a popular Sunday Baby’s Brunch, complete with Red Velvet Hot Cakes to go with that morning Lynchburg Lemonade.

The service at Babys Bar is fun, friendly and attentive. On-hand mixologist Beau made everyone at the bar feel welcome and special.

Babys Bar’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a little French girl’s boudoir, if it had been later turned into a bar.

Baroque-style décor lines the walls, complete with robin’s egg blue walls and oversized gilded mirrors.

The dark wooden bar top seductively reflects the surrounding flickering lights; however, this makes the room feel a little too dark at times.

It’s better to sit closer to the door, where the well-lit patio makes it easier to see.

Anyone looking to leave the dentist’s advice behind and indulge that sweet tooth need look no further than Babys Bar — a place that lets patrons have their cake and drink it too.

Babys Bar 3766 5th Ave Neighborhood: Hillcrest (619) 296-4173

Babys serves more tasty concoctions than just sweet cakes. |

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

Taste a piece of Paris at local café Ani Araya staff writer A sugary sweet mood is never quite complete without a trip to an adorable corner café. Those who have traveled to Europe know nothing compares to relaxing at a quaint corner café with a tiny cup of espresso and a chocolate crepe.

Fortunately for San Diegans, there is no need to spend thousands of dollars on a plane ticket and hours traveling to a European city to capture the true essence of a European coffeehouse. An adorable, local French café resides right on the corner of 30th and Jupiter Streets in South Park. Café Madeleine is San Diego’s very own piece of French culture and cuisine that can satisfy the need for all things sweet.

With painted portraits of oldfashioned French men and women on the exterior, Café Madeleine is just as lovely on the outside as it is on the inside. Marble tables and crimson umbrellas line the sidewalk outside the café, completing an ambiance fit for Paris and evoking the same romantic touch found in the city of love.

It comes as no surprise to learn owner Christine Perez’s husband is originally from France and is responsible for the café’s impressive Parisian influence.

Cafe Madeleine 2248 30th St Neighborhood: South Park (619) 544-1735

Café Madeleine’s uniqueness graces SD with a joie de vivre. | PAIGE NELSON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

“I wanted the front of the café to replicate the cafes and shops similar to the ones I grew up with in Paris,” co-owner Jerome Gombert said. “My wife is in charge of the rest, but I wanted to ensure the authentic French appeal.”

Café Madeleine’s sweetness doesn’t stop at décor. Its petite food menu is light in options but rich in taste and ingredients. The menu is sectioned off into four categories:

Crepe Salées, Crepes Sucrées, Paninis and Salades Composees.

The crepes range from salty and savory to sweet and sugary. The Chicken Crepe is filled with béchamel, blue cheese, pear and walnuts, and is priced at $7. The sugary and sweet crepes are topped with options such as fresh berries, raspberry jam, grapefruit, nutella and whipped crŹme and can be enjoyed for the same price.

Paninis are pressed to golden perfection with delicious ingredients such as mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, pesto, chicken, beef or ham. All panini options are priced for less than $10.

The café front counter is overflowing with pastries such as chocolate-filled croissants, fruit tarts and quiches. The quiches in particular are slices of homemade heaven, filled with cheese and a variety of vegetables and meats.

“We wanted to educate the public about something they may not be too familiar with,” Perez said. “Our menu is honest and real French cuisine. The ingredients are straightforward and work very well together.”

Of course, a French café wouldn’t be complete without a coffee and beverage menu. Perez suggested the Miele Latte, a combination of honey, espresso and warm foamed milk.

Classics such as cappuccinos and French lemonades are offered as well.

Café Madeleine is the ideal corner café. However, one mystery still remains. Who or what is “Madeleine”?

“A Madeleine is a French cookie,” Perez said. “That is what we named our restaurant after. Our Madeleine cookies are made in-house and are quite delicious.”

There is nothing sweeter than a café named after a cookie. Bon appétit!

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Girl talk is more than just, like, a SoCal fad “I’d be very surprised to learn that there are any speech communities where vocal fry is not sometimes found in normal ... speech patterns.”

Mark Liberman, professor at University of Pennsylvania

Studies show female vocal patterns may convey more meaning and authority than meets the ear. | CHELSEA MASSEY, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sandra De La Torre staff writer It can be heard almost everywhere.

Conversations are flooded with phrases such as, “That is so, like, interesting” and “It’s, like, such a beautiful day outside.” Even with a period at the end, every sentence sounds like a question. What could it be? It’s simple: girl talk.

There are a number of vocal patterns some women utilize that have often been regarded less favorably by society. However, studies show there are specific reasons why females use these patterns. One in particular, called vocal fry, has become prevalent among young American women.

According to Science Magazine, vocal fry, also referred to as glottalization, “is a low, staccato vibration during speech, produced by a slow

fluttering of the vocal chords.” While vocal fry is often used by pop singers to reach low notes, a study published in the Journal of Voice found about two thirds of the population sampled use this vocal pattern as it becomes more prevalent in casual conversations.

The study was conducted at Long Island University with the purpose to find how often vocal fry, also called “creaky voice” was used among young American women in college.

The subjects of the study were 34 women whose ages ranged from 18 to 25 years old.

There are a number of reasons why experts believe women are using this vocal pattern more.

In a The New York Times article titled “They’re, Like, Way Ahead of the Linguistic Curve,” linguistics lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley Ikuko Patricia Yuasa said women use vocal fry to sound more authoritative.

“They use this as a tool to convey something,” Long Island University study author Nassima Abdelli-Beruh said. “You quickly realize that for them, it is as a cue.”

In another article published by Time Magazine, Yuasa said this vocal pattern is often associated with men, which can be another explanation as to why its popularity has increased.

While some are highlighting the increased use of vocal fry among women and calling it a new trend or fad, other experts explain this vocal pattern is used by all individuals.

“I’d be very surprised to learn that there are any speech communities where vocal fry is not sometimes found in normal, non-pathological

speech patterns,” University of Pennsylvania Professor Mark Liberman said in an interview with the Atlantic Wire.

According to Douglas S. Bigham, assistant professor for the Dep of Linguistics and Asian / Middle Eastern Languages at SDSU, these vocal patters have been around since the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

“They’ve become more prevalent in our social awareness lately because within the last decade or so, they’ve moved from California and minority communities into the speech of a broader middle-class American landscape,” Bigham said.

Other factors affecting how people use these vocal patterns include location, economic status and ethnicity.

“For some young women in Southern California, for example, creaky voice — that’s what we linguists call ‘vocal fry’ — has been prevalent for a while, but for other young women in Chicago, for example, they don’t use creaky voice as much but they do change the way they pronounce certain vowels,” Brigham said.

It seems girl talk is not as vapid as some may think.

Titanic exhibit keeps history afloat in SD April 14 marks 100 years since Titanic’s Atlantic burial Brittany Fasano staff writer In commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of Titanic sinking, the San Diego Natural History Museum at Balboa Park is currently hosting an exhibition called “Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibit.” For the first time in San Diego, visitors will have the chance to learn more about the “unsinkable” ship, from construction to demise.

“The exhibit has been touring for over 15 years. This is its first time being in San Diego,” RMS Titanic, Inc. spokesperson Theresa Nelson said.

RMS Titanic’s partnership with the NAT allowed San Diego the honor of the exhibit’s visit for its 100th anniversary, Nelson said.

As visitors enter the exhibit they are transported into the world of Titanic as it once was, with a strict social class system and opulent design. Visitors are given boarding passes with a real passenger’s name and information as they enter the exhibit, and at the end they find out if their passenger survived.

The goal of the exhibit is to “preserve and continue the legacy of not only the ship itself, but more importantly, the passengers and crew members,” Nelson said. “The best way to do that is through the authentic artifacts. If (the artifacts) were to be left down (on the ocean floor) it would be a matter of time until they disintegrate. Through conserving, displaying and telling the stories of the passengers and crew members, we are able to preserve that legacy.”

Every room of the exhibit takes visitors through the Titanic’s stages.

The first room showcases the building phase with authentic machinery and engine pieces. As visitors walk through the following rooms, the strict social class system is highlighted.

The exhibit recreates a luxurious first-class stateroom juxtaposed with a third-class stateroom recreation where visitors can hear the broiler, see the distinct living conditions and read family stories on the walls.

Every room is a new experience, as each sense is heightened in the recreation of the Titanic. Other experiences include a boiler room, a firstclass café and a picture of the grand staircase covering an entire wall.

There is even an iceberg visitors can touch, demonstrating how cold the water was the night the ship sank. The atmosphere in the room displaying the ship’s sinking is cold and dark, inducing a faint sensation of panic. Quotes from passengers are written on the walls. Last words of fellow crewmembers and the elite are painted next to artifacts they owned. Visitors may almost feel as though they are on the ship, preparing for something terrible to happen.

“You’ll learn about the choices that people make, about man’s technology and how it can fail,” curator Alexandra Klingelhofer said in an interview with San Diego 10News.

“There are so many stories to tell.”

The exhibit’s features are authentic and tangible. From the jewelry, calling cards, luggage and dishes to actual pieces of the ship, it becomes real. All of the exhibit’s artifacts were removed from the debris around the ship.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors are immersed in the Titanic’s story, as well as quotes and pictures of how the artifacts were removed from the ocean floor and to whom they belonged.

THINKSTOCK

“There are over 200 artifacts in the exhibit,” Nelson said. “One-hundred and seventy-five haven’t been seen on the West Coast.”

While the vessel’s construction, its maiden voyage, life on board and its sinking create an intriguing historical story, the Titanic’s true enchantment lies in the stories of its passengers and crewmembers.

At the end of the exhibit, a memorial honors and venerates those who lost their lives and those who survived the tragedy while showcasing passengers’ stories and their belongings. Many passengers were not even intended to board the Titanic, but because of uncontrollable circumstances, had to switch tickets.

“The most poignant moment of

the exhibit is the final gallery, the memorial gallery,” Nelson said. “What most people remember is the haunting emotional connection to the lives lost on the Titanic.”

A p r i l 14 w i l l m a rk th e 10 0 th anniversary of Titanic’s sinking, but San Diegans will have plenty of time to commemorate as the exhibit runs through Sept. 9.

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Savvy drivers jump to save at the pump Avoid feeding dollars to SD’s oil-fueled inferno Alyssa Zickenberg staff writer Annual gas price hikes came earlier than usual this year and hit San Diego especially hard. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in San Diego has increased by 24 cents since the same time last year, resulting in some of the highest gas prices in the nation according to the AAA Automotive Club of Southern California Daily Fuel Gage Report. Average prices recorded in February and March are approaching the county’s record high of $4.63 for a gallon of regular gas dating back to June 2008. The issue is also statewide, as California has one of the highest gas prices nationally, second only to Hawaii and Alaska.

Gas prices across the U.S. have been following the same trend and there is no guarantee price hikes will stop.

A variety of factors at home and abroad have led to the rising prices drivers are seeing at the pump. As tensions with Iran continue to drive up the price for oil, speculators are becoming increasingly uncertain of the state of future supplies.

Additionally, a recent refinery fire in Washington state further hurt supply.

“There’s not much defense that drivers have against these soaring prices other than aggressively shopping for the lowest price and maximizing their personal fuel economy,”

AAA spokesman Jeffrey Spring said in an interview with San Diego Union-Tribune.

“Something you can do immediately to save money is change your driving style,” he said in an interview with The Daily Aztec.

AAA advises drivers to avoid quick starts and stops, which waste gas.

Anticipating the traffic ahead and driving at more moderate speeds can significantly improve gas mileage. Saving gas can also be as easy as checking tire pressure, unloading unnecessary weight in the trunk, using air conditioning sparingly and carpooling.

“If your tires are under-inflated by even one pound, you are loosing 2 percent on your fuel economy,” Spring said. “You could gain 10 percent if you inflate your tires to the right level.”

Other lesser-known gas saving tips can help drivers get the most for what they are paying at the pump. For example, drivers should stop at the gas station in the morning when it is cool outside. As it gets hotter in the day, stations’ underground fuel also heats up and less-dense fuel is pumped into the tank.

Also, when fueling, drivers should place the nozzle on the lowest trigger setting. This slows the rate gas is pumped into the take, reducing how much vapor is being created. Less vapor means more gas in the tank.

Filling up half full instead of low can also help. Mobile apps such as GasBuddy and SmartFuel help drivers find the cheapest gas prices in the area.

By changing habits and becoming more proactive consumers, drivers can add miles to the gallon and combat rising prices at the pump.

The average price of regular unleaded fuel in San Diego has increased by 24 cents since last April. | BROOKE VALLS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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BOOB TUBE SCOOP

‘Thrones’ premiere rebuilds heavy tension John Anderson entertainment editor

Tyrion Lannister is out of the battles and deep in the political game, for now. | MCT CAMPUS

Despite a graphic scene involving the murder of children and plenty of nudity, season two of Game of Thrones didn’t exactly kick off with a bang.

Arguably the most exciting part of the premiere was the decision to lead the opening credits with Peter Dinklage’s name. A good portrayal of the razor-sharp Tyrion Lannister is essential to the success of the story, and Dinklage has risen to the task.

His efforts were not lost on many, earning him a Golden Globe and catapulting him into the hearts of GoT fans everywhere.

Writers and producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss spent a good portion of the latest episode, “The North Remembers,” reminding viewers that important characters have lost their heads, in more ways than one, and resetting the considerable tension built up last season. This led to a frosty, arthritic start to the season, though perhaps for good reason.

“A Song of Ice and Fire,” the book series upon which the show is based, is complicated. George R.R. Martin has used multiple concurrent story lines to weave mystery, war and intrigue into a complicated political arena with a plethora of players, magic and an intricate and detailed history. Explaining his world, let alone advancing anything resembling a plot, in 1,600 pages with cramped font

POP ROCKS

Writers and produces David Benioff and D.B. Weiss spent a good portion of the latest episode ... reminding viewers that important characters have lost their heads, in more ways than one. is a feat. Explaining Westeros in an hour-long HBO special is a truly daunting task.

Benioff and Weiss respond to this challenge by greatly simplifying or omitting some of the nitty-gritty details. While this creates a shallower experience, they do a good job keeping the new audience – those who haven’t read the books – entertained while bringing them up to speed.

Impressively, they have done this without dramatically altering the source material; Martin is even billed to write an episode per season himself.

While refreshing viewers’ memories, the writers brought in some exciting new settings and characters – Dragonstone, Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) – and dropped wink-wink, nudge-nudgestyle hints about events yet to unfold into the dialogue. This kept those familiar with the story at least superficially engaged, even if they started

fiddling with their iPhones during extended dialogue.

Not that fans with serious opinions about the proper height of Crastor’s roof will be put off by a few slow sequences. Part of the fun in HBO’s series is seeing how they will portray certain towns or cities, or whom the crew will cast for certain roles.

Those frustrated with the plot-rate will soon get a reprieve. Indeed, the pace will very likely pick up significantly this season. While the first season was very similar to the first episode of season two, setup, things are about to go truly bananas.

Rumors that HBO broke the bank for the Battle of the Blackwater and the impending development of Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) storyline, are sparking a storm of excitement.

Next week’s episode has allegedly been leaked onto the Web. Those wanting to prolong the magic can watch episode two, “The Night Lands,” at 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO.

POP ROCKS

‘Rock the Dome’ fizzles Instagram makes way to Android Samantha Hirsch

staff writer

A wise man once said, “It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.” With that said, “Rock the Dome” still has a long way to go before it is certified to rock.

Advertised as an out-of-this-world experience, with classic rock music and matching visuals to boot, “Rock the Dome” unfortunately was not as rockin’ as its preview suggested.

The most recent event took place Saturday at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, where, upon entering the theater, attendees were greeted by a 76-foot tiled dome screen, encompassing the majority of the room. The first visual shown to the audience was an enormous red “wind” tunnel, with the middle of it slowly getting closer and closer, giving viewers the illusion the room was being sucked into a black hole. In reality, the only thing that was sucked were the souls of the audience.

“Rock the Dome,” which lasted an hour, played great classic hits such as “Back in the USSR” by the Beatles, “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin and “Back in Black” by AC/DC, but the overall experience was lackluster, presenting cheesy visual graphics better suited for a Windows ’98 screensaver.

John Anderson entertainment editor

“Rock the Dome” visual display fails to wow. | COURTESY OF THE REUBEN H. FLEET SCIENCE CENTER

Furthermore, between the high volume of the music and the in-yourface graphics, motion sickness and claustrophobia were an added bonus to this delightful experience (and no, this isn’t coming from a geriatric 90year-old). Interestingly enough, the event was advertised to allow the audience to choose the playlist, but essentially it was just a corny disc jockey (or Dome Jockey, as he sohappily dubbed himself) asking the audience to decide between two songs, with the amount of clapping

and noise-making determining which song would be played next. Even if the audience chose one song, the one that wasn’t chosen was played right after, making the voting process as valid as Florida’s in the 2000 presidential election.

Though the only aspect that salvaged “Rock the Dome” was the music selection, this event should consider renaming itself to reflect more of an honest representation of the show.

Maybe something like “Welcome to Sham-rock” perhaps?

Hipsters, social media lovers and photo enthusiasts rejoice, Instagram has finally made its way to the Android platform. The free photo editing and sharing app has been a longtime favorite for iPhone owners, boasting more than 30 million registered users uploading more than 5 million photos every day.

Instagram finally caved to the pressure of the 430,000 fans on Instagram’s “Android Waiting List,” finally letting the first non-iOS users into the party. The Android app has already been downloaded more than a million times to generally stellar reviews.

The Android version has yet to implement some focus features such as tilt shift, but most of the filters are included. Instagram has already pledged to include the missing features in future updates.

Android users have full access to the social portion of the app, allowing them to smoothly interact cross-platform.

Reception has not been entirely positive. Some users are complain-

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

ing of error messages and problems uploading, which Instagram has already begun to address in the “help” section of the website. Others write in the review section of Google Play that they don’t understand the hype. It is unlikely they’ll find a troubleshooting section for fixing disinterest.

RELEASING “Titanic 3D” Paramount Pictures James Cameron’s hugely successful and iconic depiction of the RMS Titanic’s first and final days is returning to the big screen – this time in 3-D. Fans of romance, large boats and watching thousands drown and freeze to death will likely make this re-release a huge success.

MCT CAMPUS

“American Reunion” Universal The original cast is back for another sequel to “American Pie.” The gang, now in their 30s, are returning to East Falls for their high school reunion. Changed priorities or not, once they are all back together, tomfoolery is inevitable.

—Compiled by John Anderson, entertainment editor MCT CAMPUS

The Android version has yet to implement some focus features such as tilt shift, but most of the filters are included. Instagram has already pledged to include the missing features ...

20

D A I LY

AZTEC Thursday, April 5, 2012

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

TURN IT UP

Of Monsters and Men creates aural fun Courtney Rogin staff writer Take the sun and psychedelics out of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, but keep the joyfulness and the group harmonics that build the foundation of the nostalgic folk, and what is left is Iceland’s own Of Monsters and Men. Its debut album, “My Head Is An Animal,” was released in the United States Tuesday to long-awaited acclaim sure to draw new fans.

The album begins with a slow, relaxing song, “Dirty Paws” and introduces the listener to the combined vocals that define the band, with increasingly emotional rhythms. The album picks up considerably and begins to frolic with the second song, “King and Lionheart,” showcasing the vocals leading the music as opposed to the other way around. It gives a dynamic that is a treasure in today’s bass-driven mainstream.

The third song, “Mountain Sound,” is the album’s first classic track, transporting listeners into a captivating state with its delightful sound.

The next song takes a page out of The xx’s vocal-heavy music, and slows down the happy feelings with “Slow and Steady.”

The album also features a dancingrequired single, “Little Talks.” The getup-and-dance-around-your-room-orbackyard-or-office-cubicle song received well-deserved airplay in the U.S. It is exponentially too effervescent to not be celebrated with some

embarrassing attempts at the running man or the sprinkler. Choosing to use horns adds to the runaway independent spirit of this song, making it an obvious crowd favorite.

Not to be overshadowed by having to follow the happiest song on earth, “Six Weeks” is the takeaway track of the album. It’s also the longest, clock-

Another mournful song, “Sloom,” stays true to the song’s title of gloom and sadness — the emotions are palpable in the song.

The second half, and why the album is more two halves than a whole, focuses less on combining vocals and lets individual voices carry songs. This represents a commendable effort by

The second half, and why the album is more of two halves than a whole, focuses less on combining vocals and lets individual voices carry the songs ... a commendable effort to break out of the mold of “family-esque” songs. ing in at 5:34. At exactly halfway through the record, it is the anthemic track that really makes the album shine. It waters down the usage of the male-female harmonics that take control of the first half of the album and focuses on the group dynamic.

It’s an earnest song with its kick drum kicking through the hearts of the band’s fans. Resonating through the rest of the album is this one track with its almighty intensity, certainly not to be taken lightly on any accounts.

The second half of the album features similar themes to the first half, including lamentably emotional tracks such as the mournful “Love Love Love.”

the band to break out of the mold of “family-esque” songs, something seen in 1960s and 1970s bands also in today’s music such as the previously mentioned Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. The album closes out with the uplifting and spirited “Numb Bears,” bringing back the horns heard in “Little Talks” to end the album on a joyous note.

“My Head Is An Animal” is out now on Universal Republic, and while no dates are scheduled for San Diego currently, Of Monsters and Men will perform at Sasquatch Music Festival and KROQ (Los Angeles) Weenie Roast in May.

The Icelandic folk-pop group plays in an Edward Sharpe style. | COURTESY OF 2:30 PUBLICITY

TURN IT UP

MxPx celebrates 20 years with a new album John Anderson entertainment editor

MxPx may have matured as a band, but its power chord has not. | COURTESY OF TOOTH AND NAIL

MxPx’s ninth studio album “Plans Within Plans” was released Tuesday as the band approaches its 20th anniversary. The 1990s pop-punk icons have been around the block, but still haven’t learned more than three chords.

Power chords, power chords everywhere. And double bass. And clichés.

Pretty par for the course as far as ‘90s punk rock goes. This album sounds like early Blink-182’s instrumentals mated with Social Distortion’s vocals.

Alternatively, it sounds a lot like MxPx. “Aces Up” is good. It opens the album with strong punk tropes that don’t disappoint. Starting strong is important, making listeners more likely to stick around to listen to the entirety of the record. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is uninspiring.

“Stay On Your Feet” is again reminiscent of Social Distortion. One depar-

Power chords, power chords everywhere. And double bass.

And clichés. Pretty par for the course as far as ‘90s punk rock goes. The album sounds like early Blink-182’s instrumentals mated with Social Distortion. ture from the predicted script is the breakdown in “Far Away,” which actually sounds a bit screamo.

“Lucky Guy” is one of the few songs on the album that hints at the band’s maturation. The song is an ode to a wife. It plays like an angsty teenage love song, with insecurities regarding pimples and fancy cars replaced by not having a Ph.D. Packaging these lyrics in a standard punk-pop instrumental wrapper hints the band has grown but not evolved.

The album is very nostalgic, both explicitly in the lyrics of songs like “Best of Times,” and implicitly in the actual sound of the album. Listening to “Plans Within Plans” brings up memories of playing “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” after school and attending Vans Warped Tour.

Perhaps that is the album’s greatest failing. After 20 years, it still sounds like MxPx is playing in hot parking lots with Pennywise and Bad Religion.

WED

Yuck with The Makeup Sex Location: Casbah Time: 8:30 p.m.

Ages: 21 and older Cost: $13 in advance, $15 day of show

WED

TUE 17

M.Ward with fIREHOUSE Location: Belly Up Tavern Time: 9 p.m.

Ages: 21 and older Cost: Sold Out

Youth Lagoon Location: Porter’s Pub Time: 7 p.m.

Ages: All Ages Cost: $15

11 18

TUE

Squeeze with Steve Poltz Location: House of Blues Time: 7:30 p.m.

Ages: 21 and older Cost: $20-30 in advance, $22.50-32.50 day of show

10

Transfer Location: Belly Up Tavern Time: 9 p.m.

Ages: 21 and older Cost: $15

7

MON

Rise Against with A Day To Remember Location: Viejas Arena Time: 7 p.m.

Ages: All Ages Cost: $25-39.50

16

SUN 15

SAT

Tiger Army with Sweet and Tender Hooligans Location: House of Blues Time: 8 p.m.

Ages: All ages Cost: $25-35

6

FRI

A P R I L C O N C E R T C A L E N DA R

Tune-Yards, St. Vincent, Keep Shelly in Athens Location: Viejas Arena Time: 7:30 p.m.

Ages: All ages Cost: $22.50 in advance, $25 day of show

22

D A I LY

AZTEC Thursday, April 5, 2012

OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SJP must dialogue with AFI ast week, Students for Justice in Palestine and Aztecs for Israel presented two different displays on campus regarding each group’s view on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. These events were covered by The Daily Aztec in the article column titled “Respect must be central to clubs’ conflict.”

One of the column’s main themes is that since the two groups claim to be striving for a peaceful resolution, they should have an open channel of communication and engage in dialogue to reduce tension and misunderstanding.

As a member of Aztecs for Israel, I couldn’t agree more. No doubt that dialogue is crucial for creating a peaceful campus environment. In fact — and this is an important piece of information that the article column did not mention — Aztecs for Israel has put a lot of efforts into doing just that; creating a dialogue series between SJP and AFI to be hosted by the SDSU administration. In Nov. 2011, AFI President Guy Harel initiated contact with San Diego State University President Dr. Elliot Hirshman and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Aaron Bruce to promote a series of direct dialogue between the two

L

Guy Harel president of Aztecs for Israel

Kayli Niss vp of political affairs groups. Since AFI realizes the sensitivity of the issues, it was offered that the sessions be led and facilitated by university administration in order to uphold balance and objectivity.

Much to AFI’s disappointment, SJP turned down the initiative. At a formal lunch hosted by Dr. Hirshman and Dr. Bruce, SJP members announced that they will not cooperate with the initiative because the SJP bylaws do not allow dialogue with AFI since, according to them, the two groups do not address the same issues.

This is twice that they have said no to dialogue.

The message of AFI’s display last week was “Peace Takes Two.” Israelis and Palestinians have a shared responsibility to resolve the conflict if both sides want to live in peace and raise their children in safe and prosperous conditions.

Unfortunately, presidents, prime

ministers and top diplomats from around the world have tried to resolve the conflict and have yet to succeed. I believe that it is presumptuous to think that we, as college students, can resolve it. More importantly, the dialogue is not in order to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. The dialogue series is to work to resolve the tension between the two clubs and create a civil and safe campus environment.

Much like Israelis and Palestinians, AFI and SJP have a shared responsibility to resolve our own local conflict. This must be accomplished in order to maintain SDSU’s campus climate so that each group can express its opinion in a manner that upholds freedom of speech, yet respects the others’ points of views.

The only way to achieve that is by talking to each other. The path to mutual understanding and respect between the clubs, as the article proposes, must go through the rocky terrain of dialogue and conversation. Aztecs for Israel is extending their open hand to Students for Justice in Palestine.

We are still hoping for SJP to changes its mind and accept our offer to start something here.

Because peace takes two.

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, April 5, 2012

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24

D A I LY

AZTEC Thursday, April 5, 2012

B AC K PAG E

MISCELLANEOUS MUSINGS

HOROSCOPE

Open letter to gasoline

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (4/5/12) The communication rivers are flowing! You may find yourself floating downstream en route to adventures of the academically, spiritually and physically enlightening kind.

Your people are your focus this year, with career and prosperity building. Infuse it all with love.

D

ear Gasoline, I have to say, you and I have had a pretty steady relationship since I became a licensed driver. Before I knew how to use you properly, I saw stopping to get you as an excuse to steal a dollar in quarters out of the center console of my dad’s car. From there, I would run to the food mart and buy a pack of gum I’d finish in less than a day, corresponding with my incessant need to chew six sticks at a time (don’t even get me started on what happened when I decided on Bubble Tape). Stopping to get you would be an excuse to stretch my legs on a long road trip or perhaps even start a conversation with a kind stranger or peep at Tiger Beat magazine while my mom bought cigarettes.

Sometimes, stopping at your place of business was even a fun activity. Once I learned how to put you in the car properly, it was always my favorite thing to do.

While the tank filled up, I was able to perfect my window-washing skills (which are still terrible, and I’d like to take this time to apologize to my parents for the awful streaks I left on the windshield. Because, if my ability to wash windows nowadays is any indication of how I used to do it, I am completely impressed there weren’t at least a dozen car accidents in my childhood). Gasoline, you were nothing but fun, bonding and good memories for me.

But now that I’m older, wiser and a much more productive member of society, I have to say something I really wish I didn’t have to say. It’s hard to say the words. How do you tell something that was once the

Hayley Rafner staff columnist light of your life that your relationship has drastically changed? How do you completely undo what nearly two decades have done? It pains me to say this, gasoline, it really does. But I totally hate you now.

You’re like my elementarythrough-middle-school best friend who became popular and stopped talking to me because all the cool kids wanted to be her bestie. You’re like my really cool cousin who got a sweet new fauxhawk and is now too cool to sit with me at the Passover Seder and only talks to my cooler older brother.

Bottom line is, you’ve changed.

And not the kind of cool change like Brittany Murphy’s makeover in “Clueless.” You’ve changed in a totally different and less-fabulous way.

You’ve changed for the worse.

I remember when I first got my car and you were only $2.50 per gallon. I only needed to spend 25 bucks to fill up my tank. Twenty-five bucks. That’s it. I used to be able to drive anywhere I wanted to go, whenever I wanted to because, at 16 years old, I had no other financial responsibilities. I worked 10 hours a week at Corner Bakery and that $70 was mine to spend as I wished.

I remember you slowly creeping up, which is understandable. You’re high in demand and you gotta do what you gotta do. You’re a working gal and I can’t expect you to stay low and not be able to pay your electric bill and feed the kids. But, come on. I’m not saying you have to

go back down to 30 cents like you were when my parents were born (although, I think if you did do that, you’d make a lot of friends and be far more popular), but can you at least not cause my heart to jump out of my chest every time I drive by a station?

I pulled into Shell the other day and paid $4.49 per gallon. I silently wept as you filled my tank, knowing I had no other option, and drove off cursing you under my breath.

I’m hearing reports you’re going to go up to $6 a gallon. I can’t even fathom the day when that happens.

If you get that high, it’ll be a downward spiral. I’ll sell my car, buy a unicycle and then try to have a normal life, which will, obviously, be next to impossible.

Why can’t we go back to the way things were? When things used to be good? I can’t imagine living a life where everyone loathing your existence is fun. So do all of us and yourself a favor by bringing your prices back down.

Something manageable. Something doable. Something we can all sleep with a little easier.

Despite our tumultuous relationship as of late, I really haven’t lost all my faith in you, Gasoline (or Gas, for short. Remember when I first gave you that nickname? It was our first date …). I believe you can change. I believe everyone deserves a second chance.

Please, baby, don’t let me down.

Never-ending love, Hayley

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 7 When in doubt, get a second opinion.

There could be a change in plans, so take care. Compromise so that everyone wins.

Let love be the determining factor. Relax.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Focus on making money for the next few days, as work comes pouring in. Handle old business to make way for new creative projects. Express your affection with artistry.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 You're entering a two-day creative cycle ... very romantic! Accept a bonus.

Disagreement inspires imagination.

Disappointments in love can be artistic fodder.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Constant interaction is beneficial today.

The environment is right for making changes at home, and things could get busy. Accept contributions. Give thanks.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - You really get into your studies now.

Exploration and research become tantalizing. Love shines through. A quiet night with a movie could be delicious.

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 You're entering a two-day potential spending spree, so take care. The money's available, and you may need it later for home repair. Evaluate a crazy suggestion.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 Don't say it all yet. It isn't what you thought. You're confident now, with power increasing. Neatness counts. Check for errors and changes. Things may not go as planned.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 Slow down and think it over. The next two days are good for treasure hunting.

Complete old tasks, and conserve resources without sacrifice. Love motivates.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 6 - Make sure you're schedule is up to date. You're in high demand among your friends; listen to their advice. You may have to adapt as you go.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 6 - The road ahead may be filled with obstacles. You can either find another route or plow ahead and enjoy the adventure. Disagree persuasively.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." The words of Helen Keller resonate with Aquarius today. Take notes for your memoir. Create something memorable.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 Intense feelings are on the rise. Learn to take advantage of them for the best. It may not be easy to make a choice. Trust your instinct. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

SUDOKU

Difficulty Level: 4 out of 4 —Hayley Rafner is a media studies junior.

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

LO O K I N G T H R O U G H O U R L E N S

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

M O .C C E T Z A Y IL A D E H .T W WW CROSSWORD

FUTURE BELIEVERS? Staff Photographer Dustin Michelson captured this photo of SDSU student Levi Lentz rallying players from El Centro’s Southwest High School as they cheered on the Aztec Basketball team.

HAVE A KNACK FOR

JOURNALISM? THE DAILY AZTEC IS

NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS FOR FALL 2012! editors • writers • artists • photographers • web designers Submit your resumé today by visiting

www.thedailyaztec.com/jobs *Section Editors, Assistant Editors, and Managing Editors, please email your resumé to: photo@thedailyaztec.com DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY, 4/13/12

ACROSS 1 Pig __ 6 Out of the cooler?

10 Street prettifiers 14 Kicking partner 15 Maker of Old World Style sauces 16 Wet bar 17 One concerned with Times changes 19 Senate wrap 20 “Roundabout” band 21 Country club costs 22 Related 23 Offensive blueprint?

27 Diamond 30 Disney girl with a seashell bikini top 31 Dieter’s catchword 32 Stomach discomfort 33 Little devil 36 Beetle Bailey’s boss 41 Navy VIP 42 Wall St. deals 43 Vintner’s prefix 44 British Petroleum took majority ownership of it in 1978 46 Answers the call 49 Tonality indicator 52 Condé __: Vogue publisher 53 Carvey of “SNL” 54 URL-ending letters 57 Rock ending 58 Tournament that begins today (and collectively, words that begin 17-, 23-, 36- and 49-

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com Across?)

61 Part of ABA: Abbr.

62 Mouse pad?

63 Hair-raising 64 GOP rivals 65 Receiving customers 66 Quits DOWN 1 Like some lingerie 2 Sunscreen additive 3 They may be pooled 4 Wall climber 5 Poke fun at 6 One you might 5-Down 7 “Midnight Cowboy” role 8 Star quality 9 It. is there

10 What’s left 11 Doubles 12 Potter’s practice 13 Hit on the rear 18 Twofold 23 Big name in golf clubs 24 Summer coolers 25 “East of Eden” twin 26 Former Yugoslav leader 27 To whom Rick said, “The Germans wore gray. You wore blue” 28 Call for 29 Minor leagues 32 Gold meas.

34 Word after file or edit 35 Alka-Seltzer sound 37 K-12

38 “It’s not __ deal” 39 Midday 40 Dogie catcher 45 Some blenders 46 Pollen bearer 47 Fast-swimming fish 48 Wipes clean 49 Work with dough 50 Words on a Wonderland cake 51 Fred’s first partner 54 First name in architecture 55 Problem for a plumber 56 Versatility list 58 Even if, briefly 59 Short trip 60 Hanoi New Year