11-21-2011

SDSU works overtime for win

MONDAY November 21, 2011 Volume 97, issue 48 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

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INDEX:

NEWS

Chancellor said no need for tuition increase revote.

SDSU outlasted Long Beach State 77-73 in overtime on Saturday, thanks to 21 points and nine rebounds from sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin

Ryan Schuler staff writer Late-game heroics are becoming somewhat of a standard now for the San Diego State men’s basketball team through this young season.

Yet, instead of using a dramatic, full-court layup in the closing seconds to win the game in regulation, the Aztecs sealed the victory Saturday afternoon at the free-throw line in overtime.

Sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin hit two free throws with 3.9 seconds left in overtime to lead SDSU to a victory against Long Beach State, 77-73,

at Viejas Arena.

“It would have been a little different if it was away, but I’m at home so the crowd’s going to be quiet,” Franklin said. “It’s like shooting in practice and been SDSU 77 I’ve shooting well the freeLBSU 73 at throw line.”

Franklin scored 14 second-half points to lead the team with 21 points. Junior guard James Rahon also contributed 20 points, while sophomore guard Xavier Thames added eight points in overtime to finish with 15 points for the Aztecs.

“This was a wonderful team victo-

ry by everybody,” SDSU head coach Steve Fisher said. “That was a good team we played, and we competed hard. We feel good about ourselves.”

With this victory, SDSU (5-1) improved its home winning streak against unranked opponents to 47 and has won 11 of its past 12 overtime games, including two consecutive wins.

Casper Ware led Long Beach State’s 49ers (2-1) in scoring with 26 points, including knocking down a pair of free throws with 3.3 seconds in regulation to tie the score and send the game into overtime. Larry Anderson also chipped in 25 points for Long Beach State.

Coming into this game, many

| ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

wondered if either team would struggle after coming off such emotional wins in their previous games.

SDSU used a game-winning basket with 1.8 seconds left to defeat the University of Southern California at home on Thursday night, while Long Beach State was fresh off its big upset against No. 9 Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.

“We knew they were a great team, especially after their game against Pittsburgh,” Rahon said. “We just had to play tough, play defense and get back in transition. I think we played tough. Hopefully all the fans keep coming back and watch us.”

E N T E R TA I N M E N T Bethesda slays dragons and the competition with “Skyrim.”

FOOTBALL

Boise fires out gates to beat SDSU Agustin Gonzalez staff writer On Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego State discovered firsthand that Boise State was for real.

And SDSU found out the hard way.

Kellen Moore threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns, and running back Doug Martin rushed for 129 yards and two scores as BSU throttled the Aztecs 52-35.

After losing last week to TCU, all but dashing their dreams for a national championship, BSU’s Broncos (9-1, 4-1) came out firing on all cylinders early.

“I really thought we would start fast,” Broncos head coach Chris Petersen said. “I knew we’d play hard early on. I think there were people that were concerned that we’d have a hangover effect from the last game.”

On the first drive of the game, senior quarterback Ryan Lindley threw an interception right to Boise State defensive lineman Shea McClellin at

the SDSU 25-yard line. With a short field to work with, BSU quarterback Moore found Tyler Shoemaker for a 5yard touchdown pass – the first of three passing strikes to Shoemaker.

“Boise State is a great football team ... We didn’t even give ourselves a chance to compete ...”

Rocky Long, San Diego State head coach Later in the first quarter, disaster struck for the Aztecs’ special teams unit. Leon McFadden fumbled a punt and Brandon Davis coughed it up on a kickoff return just minutes later, and

Boise State scored touchdowns on both turnovers to go up 21-0 in the first quarter.

“Obviously, that cost us the game,” SDSU head coach Rocky Long said.

“Boise State is a BSU 52 great football team. So you SDSU 35 don’t know how it’s going to come out, but when their first three drives are from inside the 25yard line, sure that costs you the game. We didn’t even give ourselves a chance to compete, to make it a game.”

Led by Moore, the Broncos jumped to a 42-14 lead by halftime, and with such a big deficit to the No. 10-ranked team in the country, the Aztecs’ chances for an upset victory were all but dashed before the third quarter even rolled around.

“We have to figure it out,” Lindley said. “We need to look at some tape and do some soul searching on why we aren’t starting as fast as we want to. We will figure it out and move on from there.”

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With stud sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman nursing a high ankle sprain and only mustering three carries for 8 yards, redshirt freshman Adam Muema came in and gave SDSU fans a glimpse at their future tailback. Muema rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries, highlighted by a 81-yard scoring run in the first quarter.

“He did awesome,” Lindley said. “He came in and when you have a good team, when you are building a great team like this you have to have guys to step up … Adam did a great job and he really stepped up tonight.”

SDSU scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull within 17 and make the final score 52-35.

“The only thing that I saw positive about tonight was that our team showed ability to hang in there when things were going as bad as they can possibly go,” Long said. “That’s a positive sign with two weeks left in the season. I wish it would have happened five weeks ago, but it’s a positive sign.”

B A C K PA G E

4 8

“What wouldn’t I give for mittens, scarves, hot chocolate, furry boots and a reason to blissfully snuggle under my covers at night perfecting my cocoon-like sleeping abilities?”

B A C K PA G E

8

W E AT H E R : SUNNY HIGH: 61 LOW: 45 SUNSET: 4:44PM

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D A I LY

AZTEC Monday, November 21, 2011

SPORTS

FOOTBALL

Moore, bad start combine for lopsided loss “Adam did pretty good. He broke that long one, which makes the statistics look good,” Long said. “He hung in there. He got hit a few times pretty hard. He got beat up pretty good, but then he came back in the second half and hung in there, too.”

Antonio Morales sports editor Terrible starts have plagued the San Diego State football team all season.

Saturday’s game against Boise State was no different.

Senior quarterback Ryan Lindley threw an interception on SDSU’s first possession of the game, junior defensive back Leon McFadden fumbled the first Boise State punt of the game and senior defensive back Brandon Davis fumbled the ball on the Aztecs’ second kickoff return.

All those miscues led to a 21point deficit, which proved to be too large for the Aztecs to overcome.

Boise State scored 21 more points in the second quarter to build a four-touchdown lead at halftime and won easily, 52-35.

Bronco busting The script has been familiar for much of the past 10 years. It was the same on Saturday. Boise State played the role of Boise State, and SDSU played the role of the hopeless team that happened to be in the Broncos’ way.

Senior quarterback Kellen Moore played like the Heisman Trophy contender he is and picked apart the Aztecs’ defense.

Moore finished the night completing 28-of-40 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns.

Three of those touchdowns went to senior wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker, who had 10 receptions for 130 yards.

BSU quarterback Kellen Moore passed for 366 yards and four touchdowns in the Broncos’ 52-35 win. | PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior running back Doug Martin led the Broncos on the group with 129 yards on 36 carries.

BSU head coach Chris Petersen was excited there was no letdown to start the game after his team’s loss last week to TCU. “It’s good to start fast. I really thought we would start fast. I knew we’d play hard early on,” Petersen said after the game. “I think there

were people who were concerned that we’d have a hangover effect from the last game.”

Muema makes his mark Freshman running back Adam Muema has been hardly heard from this season, but now that there have been injuries to the top two running backs, Muema has been thrust into the spotlight.

He made the most of his opportunity against the Broncos. The freshman ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, including an 81-yard scoring scamper in the first quarter.

He also recorded a 1-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

Head coach Rocky Long said Muema did a good job of staying tough against BSU.

Extra points Despite the loss, Lindley played well.

The senior completed 30-of-51 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

He managed to find sophomore tight end Gavin Escobar many times during the game. Escobar recorded eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The eight catches were a career high for Escobar.

Sophomore wide receiver Colin Lockett got in on the act as well. He had eight catches of his own for 149 yards.

The attendance for the game was 52,256, the largest November crowd since 1991.

Sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman didn’t start the game. He finished the game with three carries for 8 yards.

Larry Parker recorded his sixth interception of the season. The six picks are tied for fifth-most in the SDSU single season record books.

Wyoming became bowl eligible with its win against New Mexico, a scary proposition for the Aztecs, who are in a fight with Air Force and the Cowboys for the last few bowl slots in the Mountain West Conference.

There have been some rumblings that SDSU might not even make a bowl game with eight wins.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 Cal Poly, W 49-21

Oct. 8 TCU, L 27-14

Sept. 10 at Army, W 23-20

Oct. 13 at Air Force, W 41-27

Nov. 12 at Colorado State, W 18-15 Nov. 19 Boise State, L 52-35

Sept. 17 Washington State, W 42-24

Oct. 29 Wyoming, L 30-27 Nov. 26 at UNLV, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 New Mexico, W 35-7

Sept. 24 at Michigan, L 28-7

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

SPONSORED BY

FOR SDSU FOOTBALL 1

Dec. 3 Fresno State, 5 p.m.

Advanced Test Preparation

Interception for Larry Parker against Boise State

470

Yards of total offense for SDSU against the Broncos

35

Points scored against BSU

30

Completions for Ryan Lindley on Saturday

13

Carries for Adam Muema against the Broncos

3

Touchdowns for Muema

8

Yards rushing for Ronnie Hillman

7

Catches for Dylan Denso

Advanced Test Preparation

Score Higher, Aztecs!

F O O T B A L L S TA N D I N G S San Diego State lost another Mountain West Conference game on Saturday, the team’s third MW loss of the season. Here’s a look at the standings as of today:

9-2 (6-0)

9-1 (4-1)

7-3 (4-1)

6-4 (3-3)

6-5 (2-4)

3-7 (1-4)

2-8 (1-4)

1-10 (1-5)

D A I LY A Z T E C Monday, November 21, 2011

NEWS

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No confidence in tuition revote for CSU

Students from across the CSU system protested outside of the building where a board of trustees voted on a tuition increase last week with a 9-6 vote in favor of the raise, resulting in a violent riot. | ADOLFO GUZMAN LOPEZ, KPCC

Kevin Smead senior staff writer Despite violent riots and political pressure to reverse the decision, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed said there will not be a revote on the recent fee increase for the 23campus system.

Last Friday, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom sent an open letter regarding the 9 percent fee increase to Reed and Chairman Herb Carter. The letter called the manner in which the decision to raise fees was made as “alarming.” Newsom requested the vote be put back on the agenda for the Dec. 5 board meeting because of this.

Reed responded to Newsom’s letter saying there is “no good reason”

to revisit the trustees’ decision.

Newsom’s concern rests within the fact that nine of the members of the CSU board were not in attendance during the vote and also in the hasty manner in which the fee increase was passed.

Newsom wrote the matter is “simply too important to not allow for a full and thorough public discussion” and that any other course of action

Finance program named in top 10

“contributes to the perception that this process is anything less than open and transparent.”

According to Newsom, if the Nov. 16 fee hikes are to stand, the CSU board would be “unintentionally inflaming the widespread confusion and acrimony that continues to build around the issue.”

The fee increase comes at a time of increasing unrest within the CSU system and around the country as a

Robbery culprit apprehended At approximately 8 p.m. Friday evening, a strong-arm robbery occurred at 5200 Campanile Drive. A San Diego State student was sitting outside when approached by a tall black male wearing shorts and a gray sweatshirt. The man asked for directions and when the student cooperatively began to answer, the man grabbed the student’s bag, which contained a laptop,

whole. With trigger cuts still looming, the future of the CSU budget is still unclear. Since 2006, tuition has more than doubled for CSU students, climbing a staggering 237 percent.

In response to the Nov. 16 increases, Reed recognized that “increased tuition impacts many of our students in varying degrees” and plans to look at “financial aid options for students who have not to this point been eligible for full financial aid.”

textbooks, and credit cards. The suspect escaped with the bag and left in a four-door Pontiac GrandAm, which was waiting nearby with another black male behind the wheel.

At 1:03 a.m. Saturday morning, the SDSU Police Department located the suspect and took him into custody.

— Compiled by senior staff writer Kevin Smead

C R I M E B E AT

SDSU’s financial planning program has had success as a leader in the area. | THINKSTOCK

Stacy Garcia staff writer The San Diego State College of Business Administration was recognized for its financial planning program

by Financial Planning magazine as one of the top 10 best financial planning schools in the U.S. “The main reason we were on the list of the top schools is because our program was the first one in the country,” founder of the personal financial planning program Thomas Warschauer said. “We were doing it longer than anyone else so we have a lot of experience in trying to help prepare people to meet the needs of employers and the public in financial planning.”

“We are honored that Financial Planning has recognized the college’s commitment to educational excellence,” Michael Cunningham, dean of the SDSU College of Business Administration, wrote in a news release.

Within the personal financial planning major, students are able to provide

individuals the help they need to make financial decisions, unlike the corporate finance major where students may be more inclined to help big businesses handle financial problems.

“The editors of Financial Planning magazine wanted to include good schools, so it was based partly on the reputation of San Diego State, on the reputation of the Business School of San Diego State and partly based on this program, which has been around for a very long time and is very well known around the country,” Warschauer said.

The financial program, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, offers undergraduate, graduate and executive programs to students seeking a career in the financial field.

According to Warschauer, the SDSU financial planning program has a “very strong relationship” with outside employers who are looking to hire students in the financial program areas.

“The job prospects in this area are very good right now,” he said.

Hawaii club makes debut Tara Millspaugh staff writer A laid-back, “hang-loose” Hawaii Club has been established on campus.

The Hawaii Club was founded this semester by Ikaika Kekua, an electrical engineering junior. Kekua is from Oahu, Hawaii and has experienced extreme culture shock since moving from a small island to San Diego.

“In Hawaii, you don’t see people drive faster than 55 mph,” Kekua said .

According to Kekua, native Hawaiians who move away from home have a difficult time transitioning because there is no place comparable to Hawaii. He founded the club hoping it would become a home away from home for fellow Hawaiian students.

Mechanical engineering sophomore Kent Kurashima is the cofounder of the club and Kekua’s fraternity brother. They both

attended the same high school in Oahu. Their goals for the club are to participate in community service and fundraisers, and aims to raise enough money to award a scholarship to a native Hawaiian. The scholarship would help pay out-ofstate tuition costs.

Another way Kekua plans to establish the club’s reputation is to team up with University of San Diego’s Hawaiian Club, which has already built a strong foundation.

Kekua hopes to collaborate with the other club and have a large luau next semester.

Although the Hawaii Club only has 20 members, Kekua aims to have a strong group of Hawaii lovers, stressing that members do not need to be Hawaiian natives.

Kekua welcomes anyone who is looking for an exciting club and comfortable place to hang out.

Bringing the Aloha spirit to SDSU is Kekua’s a goal.

“Everyone from Hawaii has the Aloha spirit and are able to go up to anyone and talk to everyone.”

Ikaika Kekua, co-founder of SDSU’s Hawaii Club “Everyone from Hawaii has the Aloha spirit and are able to go up to anyone and talk to everyone,” Kekua said.

Students interested in joining the club can attend weekly meetings on Fridays in Aztec Mesa room 105 or join the “Hawaii Club - - SDSU” Facebook group for more information.

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AZTEC Monday, November 21, 2011

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

PA S S T H E P O P C O R N

Many things broken about ‘Breaking Dawn’

Acclaimed director Bill Condon gives actors Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson suggestions in a bedroom scene of the latest installment of “The Twilight Saga.”

Isabella Place staff writer First and foremost, it must be acknowledged that Oscar-winning director Bill Condon, who directed and wrote the screenplays for praiseworthy films such as “Gods and Monsters” and “Dreamgirls,” appears to have attempted cinematic suicide.

Agreeing to direct a screenplay adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s hugely successful vampire series is the equivalent to standing on a high bridge above a near frozen river; presenting this latest installment of “The Twilight Saga” is the equivalent to jumping into the icy water.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1” starts off in an unusually comedic way. Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg made an effort to add in mildly amusing lines, breaking the routine stone-cold drama fans have grown to “ad-Meyer.”

Adding to the newfound quirkiness, the highly anticipated wedding scene is immediately shown in the beginning of the film, quickly satisfying the audience’s vampiric matrimonial blood thirst.

Despite the wedding, there is more chemistry between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) than Bella and her new husband. On that note, when it comes to acting ability, Lautner’s performance hints at the early stages of action star supremacy. For what this film is

worth, Lautner not only owned his role as a sharp-tongued, understandingly sensitive yet brawny wolfman, but steps into the male lead as well.

Robert Pattinson, on the other hand, does a great job of playing the role of a fly on the wall. But wait a minute, isn’t Pattinson supposed to play the part of a fearless vampire?

Apparently, the “reality” of marriage and pregnancy has freaked his character Edward out to the extent that he decided to turn into a meek mute.

There is not one line in this film that resonates from him. His delivery is enough to make a viewer stand and shout up at the projection room, “Turn the volume up. I can’t hear what Edward is saying.” For the majority of the scenes, he just stands there as the pale elephant in the

| MCT CAMPUS

room, no offense to elephants.

Stewart, also known as “the sun” because everything seems to revolve around her, plays the exceedingly naive Bella, who quite honestly doesn’t change much in the film except for the fact that she gets quite ugly, exceedingly fast. Credit is owed to Stacey Panepinto and the rest of the makeup masters on the set; this is easily her most gruesome role ever. Bella quite rapidly turns into the antithesis of her namesake and doesn’t fail to candidly stun viewers with her remarkable hideousness.

As for the rest of the cast, the most one can say is they’re all present.

And they seem to be nicer to each other, because surprise, surprise, they’re one big happy family now.

Thus, dozens of family tradition

related clichés are scattered throughout the film, hoping to present themselves as valid reasons for teens to give into immature selfishness and grow up too fast only to discover their biggest “I told you so” nightmares are coming true.

The main nagging annoyance throughout the film is there is no sense of passage of time. For example, viewers don’t realize the lethargically “happy” couple have been on their honeymoon for half a month until a calculatedly filmed box of tampons indicates something is not right.

Additionally, blatantly expressed dialogue that literally spells it out for viewers incapable of translating what is obviously implied gives an amateur feel to the production as a whole.

A highlight of the film: Anyone wanting to see the most disappointing, shortest, roughest, G-rated missionary sex ever presented on the big screen should definitely go see this film, keeping in mind the emphasis on G-rated, and remembering this film is cautiously rated PG-13 as a whole.

Romanticizing the notion that sex should be physically harmful in an effort to display affection is a terrible idea aimed at young girls. Also, promoting the faux glamorization of teenage marriage, followed by instant teen pregnancy is enough to blame Meyer for corrupting such a vulnerable generation. But then again, all the fans know full well this is make-believe, right? So what is there to worry about?

Ultimately, it’s not about Team Jacob or Team Edward anymore, it’s about Team Condon. Let’s root for him to regain his cinematic brilliance, which he has tragically failed to present in this flaccid film. Will he be able to resuscitate from his fall?

Only “Part 2” will tell.

Movie: BREAKING DAWN Distributed by: Summit Directed by: BILL CONDON Release Date: NOV. 18 Grade: D

U N PA U S E D

‘Skyrim’ a clear game-of-the-year contender Bethesda’s latest in the “Elder Scrolls” series is a triumph Cody Franklin staff writer “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” is the latest in the blockbuster series from Bethesda Game Studios and has consumed the lives of millions across the globe already. This writer is slightly ashamed to admit having put in more than 50 hours as of Saturday night, with no end in sight. Students who value their grades and lives should stay away from this soul-enslaving masterpiece until the semester ends.

Players embark on a journey to find out why dragons have returned to the Nordic-themed land of Skyrim. Along the way players realize they are the Dovakiin, the only person able to kill dragons, consume their souls and use their dragon magics against them. Players also take part in a civil war, demon worshipping, vampire slaying and werewolf hunting. Oh, and that’s only in the first few hours.

According to Bethesda, there are more than 400 hours of content to go through, prompting many to weep for their academic futures.

Combat follows in the slick, if simple, lineage of previous “Elder Scrolls”

games while introducing a few big twists on the formula. Dual wielding weapons sacrifices the ability to block but gains incredible damage.

Weapons also come with a bevy of sickeningly cool finisher animations, such as decapitations. Magic users will find dual wielding different spells to be quite fun, or gamers can dual wield the same spell to power it up to enormous potential.

One of the themes that seems to permeate “Skyrim” is simplifying things without sacrificing potential.

Players won’t find as large of a variety in skills, attributes, creatures, weaponry or magic as previous “Elder Scrolls” games, but each one feels much more well-crafted and thought out than before.

Graphically, the game isn’t perfect, but it isn’t far from it. Dragons in particular look incredible, and this is the first Bethesda game in which faces look remotely human. However, don’t look too closely at the textures, as an up-close look reveals they aren’t very high-definition; players can find themselves distracted in the opening scenes by a particularly hideous wall.

Surprisingly, for a Bethesda game, “Skyrim” is rather bug-free. There are a few hilarious glitches like giants being able to send people flying into the stratosphere or horses that decide to climb trees. You might run into a few crashes, but the game loads incredibly quick and has a

MCT CAMPUS

marked lack of unwanted, unskippable movies that plague previous installments’ launch screens.

The little details are really what set “Skyrim” apart from any other game.

When you drop an unwanted item on the ground, non-player characters will often remark on the danger of leaving such things lying around, or even be so kind as to return them to you. Players may find themselves suddenly beset by armed thugs

seemingly from nowhere and later discover the angered owner of the carrot they stole had dispatched the fiends to exact revenge. Many gamers will leave a tavern only to find their faithful steed doing battle with a dragon outside; dragons can appear at any time at any place in the open world, leading to many similar encounters.

Between the incredible story lines and dialogue, unparalleled amount of

content, intense combat and plethora of small touches that exemplify the hard work of Bethesda, “Skyrim” is worth every penny. Don’t be surprised to see this game popping up on award lists around the world.

Likewise, gamers shouldn’t be surprised to realize 12 hours have passed, the assignment for class tomorrow is still unfinished, they haven’t slept and class begins in three hours.

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D A I LY

AZTEC Monday, November 21, 2011

OPINION

Remember, remember bank transfer Nov. his Nov. 5 will be another Guy Fawkes Day to remember.

Dubbed Bank Transfer Day this time around, it marked the culmination of a monthlong exodus of fed up customers, going from megabanks to community banks and credit unions.

The movement began Sept. 29, when Bank of America announced a $5 monthly debit fee. It started as an offshoot of the larger Occupy Wall Street movement and caused thousands of customers to flock to their local community banks and credit unions.

In a short period of time this grassroots movement achieved astounding success. During the month of October, 650,000 new customers with $4.5 billion in assets opened accounts at credit unions.

That’s a total of 50,000 more new members than all of last year. An additional 40,000 people joined a credit union on Nov. 5. These numbers don’t even take into account the thousands who took their money to small and medium–sized community banks.

Shortly after the movement began, Bank of America recanted its planned debit fee.

As far as Occupy–inspired actions go, money transfers are boring. But what Bank Transfer Day lacks in

T

Leonardo Castaneda senior staff columnist teargas and human microphones, it makes up for in directness. Simply put, if you don’t like something, don’t support it. If you think megabanks and their Wall Street cronies are greedy and corrupt, don’t give them your money.

If you’re still not convinced about the importance of moving our money out of megabanks, consider how different types of banks handle our money. Megabanks use it to gamble on financial contraptions such as subprime mortgage derivatives. When those gambles inevitably fall through, they demand more of our money in the form of government bailouts.

Credit unions, on the other hand, usually invest in traditionally safe assets and local businesses. Small and midsize banks — credit unions and community banks — hold 25 percent of the national bank wealth, yet they make half of all small business loans. When we move money to local banks we are investing in the local economy, helping small businesses in our own backyard grow.

If you’re not yet convinced, consider this: Smaller and medium sized banks charge far fewer fees than

megabanks. Time magazine recently reported that, despite recent megabank consolidations, checking account fees have tripled in the last two decades, to $327 in 2009. Why are supposedly profitable banks charging more for the benefit of holding our money? As Time reported, the answer is they have become too big to manage. This has forced these lumbering institutions to pass along bloated management costs to cardholders.

However, we cannot allow this to simply be a threat we use whenever banks pass new fees we don’t like.

We have to continue moving our money into local banks that will manage carefully and invest locally.

This may not fundamentally alter the way megabanks work, but it will shrink them and their stake in the U.S. economy. By slowly shrinking these banks we take aim at the one protection they had in 2008: They were too big to fail. When we take

As far as Occupy-inspired actions go, money transfers are boring. But what Bank Transfer Day lacks in teargas ... it makes up in directness.

Simply put, if you don’t like something, don’t support it.

Financial experts will debate Bank Transfer Day’s impact on megabanks’ pocketbooks. They may argue that the meager savings of the 99 percent can’t put a dent on the institutions of the rich and powerful.

However, citizens can make a difference by simply choosing to put their money in a local bank.

our money somewhere else we slowly deflate them, so that next time they mismanage themselves to the ground, we can say they’re too small to matter.

Imagine what a financial crisis would be like if community banks and credit unions were the primary source for bank accounts and loans.

Last year the percentage of delinquent, or unpaid, loans reached a worrisome new height, accelerating the collapse of the housing market.

The worst increase was in loans held by megabanks, which were more than three times likelier to default than loans held by community banks and credit unions. This is because small and midsized banks, with their understanding of the local economy and culture, often make better loan decisions. Imagine what two-thirds fewer defaults, bankruptcies and foreclosures would mean to our economy.

We don’t have to wait for another Bank Transfer Day to move our money out of the greedy hands of Wall Street and into our local banks.

There are several community banks in San Diego, such as San Diego Trust Bank and Vibra Bank to choose from. San Diego County Credit Union, one of the most important credit unions in the country, is open to everyone working or living in San Diego, Riverside and Orange County. Making a difference can be as simple as going online and opening an account.

LEONARDO CASTANEDA IS AN ECOMONICS AND JOURNALISM SOPHOMORE.

Obesity epidemic weighs heavy on children e live in a nation where there’s always a little more stomach room for a side of fries, yet no time to spare for a little outdoor activity. We spend more time on our couch than on the treadmill, and more time Facebook stalking than hiking or jogging. Jack in the Box always manages to satisfy our cravings for cheap, processed food in the form of questionable, albeit delicious, chicken sandwiches, and it’s never more than a fiveminute drive away.

Combining all these factors with a severe lack of nutritional knowledge, I’m surprised every one of us hasn’t “keeled over” from a caloric overdose. Even more alarming than the thought of adults making these lifestyle choices is the thought of children being subjected to them.

When I was in elementary school, I had no say in how my parents went about grocery shopping. My diet, and consequently my health, was entirely in their hands. Had I expressed any interest in nutrition, I’m sure they would have been more than happy to educate me. However, regulating my saturated fat intake wasn’t exactly high on my list of concerns at the age of 7. Neither was childhood obesity.

But waistlines continue increasing, and those struggling with weight are getting younger and younger. In 2008, more than one-third of children and adolescents were either overweight or obese, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association and the National Center for Health Statistics.

While the aforementioned issues, such as a poor diet and lack of proper exercise, are undoubtedly the primary contributors driving this epidemic, there is one factor we haven’t yet touched upon: location, specifically low-income communities. New San Diego State research focusing on 32 neighborhoods in Washington and Maryland reveals residents in low-income neighborhoods do not typically have adequate access to parks, recreation areas or healthy food stores, thus leading to higher rates of obesity.

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Stacey Oparnica staff columnist “There were fewer sidewalks, street crossings were less safe and aesthetics were poorer, so it was less safe and pleasant to be active outdoors,” Jim Sallis director of SDSU’s Active Living Research program, said in an article on SDSU News Center.

In addition, poorer communities tend to have higher rates of crime, making the thought of going for an evening jog or a casual stroll much more unappealing.

Further articles and studies reiterate the same conclusion: We cannot keep ignoring these low-income neighborhoods. Through the implementation of new aggressive and proactive policies, a number of changes can be made. Establishing legislation aimed at creating safe routes to and from schools, educating students on nutrition and providing residents with affordable, healthy food options are all imperative steps.

However, we cannot stop there.

Without a series of long-term measures, we will merely have created a temporary fix. Rebuilding these tattered neighborhoods and strengthening policing strategies to reduce criminal activity are admirable goals worth setting. I realize such a project would be neither easy or cheap, but considering we racked up $147 billion in obesity-related medical care in 2008, it doesn’t make much sense to ignore one of the major causes of this epidemic any longer.

If you want to see change, if you want to see a reduction in health care costs, these are the issues we have to address and these are the steps we have to take. We know the causes of childhood obesity. While some of us can afford to make simple lifestyle changes to combat this such as choosing to purchase healthy, local produce and exercising regularly, others simply don’t have the luxury of choosing. If we don’t step in quickly, sluggish and obese 6-year-olds will become a frightening norm.

— Stacey Oparnica is a journalism junior.

ROB PIPER, STAFF ARTIST

D A I LY A Z T E C Monday, November 21, 2011

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

7

Find gold and gems throughout San Diego Sandra De La Torre staff writer Just because the California Gold Rush has passed doesn’t mean the hunt for treasure is complete.

Whether individuals would rather experience a day in the life of an 1800s San Diego miner or embark on adventures of their own, this county has a wealth of opportunities.

PioneerWays Adventure, a familyowned business in Julian, offers train rides through a narrow gage that provides an opportunity for individuals to tour a real mine from the Gold Rush.

The tour shows some of the artifacts miners used in their original locations. Tour guides and other employees are dressed in outfits reflecting the era, making the experience much more authentic.

“You get to step back into 1800s,” co-owner of the ranch, Lisa Smith, said.

After the tour, visitors can pan for their own gold in sluice boxes.

Although these gold nuggets are not real, they can be exchanged for licorice afterward.

“The tour is hands-on, interactive, educational and historical, and in my opinion it’s good for (people) of all ages,” Smith said.

The PioneerWays tour costs $14 and is available Monday through Saturday by reservation only.

If a train tour isn’t authentic enough, those seeking real gold and gems at an affordable price can visit the Julian Mining Company. Here, individuals can use a gem and mineral sluice to find a variety of gems in the ore provided, including turquoise and quartz, or simply pan for gold.

Panning sessions include demonstrations on how to pan for gold, and are usually followed by direc-

sluice start at $7.95 and gold panning starts at $8.95.

The Oceanview Mine is the last real operating gem mine in the Pala mining district. It has been around since 1907 and follows traditional mining practices. Operations are stopped for a few days out of the week so the public can enter.

While this tour is more expensive, individuals are able to experience a real operating mine and can look for

“The tour is hands-on, interactive, educational and historical, and in my opinion it’s good for (people) of all ages.”

Lisa Smith, Smith Ranch co-owner tions to the panning area where gold seekers can show off their newfound skills. Sessions can take around 45 minutes, but individual times may vary.

“Some people stay all day. (It’s) something that requires practice and technique and it depends on interest,” Julian Mining Company co-owner Ryan Cross said.

The Julian Mining Company is only open on weekends and reservations must be made in advance.

Prices for the gem and mineral

and take home whatever gems they find, as long as they don‘t mind getting their hands a little dirty.

The tour costs $60 per person and individuals are advised to bring water, food and comfortable shoes as well as storage containers. The mine is open from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m and requires reservations.

With so many options available near San Diego, aspiring miners can explore the history of San Diego’s Gold Rush and bring home their own treasures.

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Those interested should pick up an application at the KCR offices, located in the Communications Building, Room 122 or at the A.S. Business Office located in Aztec Mesa, Room 110.

Completed applications are to be submitted to the A.S. Business Office.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2011 @ NOON

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D A I LY

AZTEC Monday, November 21, 2011

B AC K PAG E

HUMOR

HOROSCOPE

Wishing for cold weather

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (11/21/11) Keep tending your garden, even as seeds lie dormant in the ground. Money isn't the only currency.

Barter. Share your love, your time and your attention. Give it away, without expecting compensation, and discover you get what you need.

I

’m standing in my place of employment, staring at the new wall of winter coats that have slowly been trickling in since the temperature began to drop. I have an extremely curmudgeon-like look on my face and I am not happy. Why, you might ask yourself, would I not be beyond thrilled to be surrounded by racks of nothing but plush, cozy and beyond-comfortable jackets? Aren’t walls like this why I love working retail? Don’t I love ogling cute things before I blow my entire paycheck on them?

Well, I would be a little more excited about these coats if I could actually justify buying one. If I lived almost anywhere else in the country, I would probably buy three.

Unfortunately, my geographic location troubles me to the nth degree as it hinders my ability to purchase inappropriate winter clothing.

I can barely justify the number of hoodies hanging in my closet right now. There is no way the number I have is in any direct proportion with the number of days in the year I can actually wear them.

San Diego has no conventional seasons. This outlandish claim can be backed up by scientific proof, evident in the fact that yesterday I wore long jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes (all other shoes I own are open-toed flats or sandals, which would have resulted in frozen extremities) while today I wore shorts, a V-neck T-shirt and sandals.

I dressed in accordance to the weather report both days.

Nevertheless, I have huge problems with this bipolar weather. First of all, can you believe I wore tennis shoes? Although, I don’t think they were tennis shoes in the traditional

Hayley Rafner staff columnist sense (OK, they were yellow Vans. As if I would be caught dead in a pair of tennis shoes outside the gym, are you kidding me?). Second of all, I am hot-blooded (I’ll give you a minute to stop singing Foreigner in your head) and this inconsistent weather is driving me up the wall.

I hate the heat. I should probably just move up to Seattle and enjoy the Seattle Rain Festival, which starts every year on Jan. 1 and continues through Dec. 31. But here I am in San Diego, and I’m not going anywhere.

So, that is just simply out of the question for the time being. Now, if this were the middle of summer, it would be an entirely different story.

I know what I’m getting myself into during summer. I’m getting precisely what I’ve signed up for in the months between June and August. I know it’s going to be hot and gross and I should wear nothing but sandals and sundresses.

However, the fact that I’m being forced into summer attire in the middle of November is absolutely, positively preposterous and I just won’t have it.

How am I supposed to show off my new fall wardrobe if I wake up in the middle of October and Al Roker is telling me it’s going to be “another scorcher over there in the Southwest”? How am I supposed to use and abuse my employee discount on every new sweater and pair of bedazzled jeans if every time I go to put them on I have to rethink my entire outfit? This always happens on days when the sun decides to be that guy who overstays his welcome

after everyone else has been clearly ushered out of the party. It’s like, “Dude, if you’re the only one left, and we’re not even that great of friends, you should probably take a hint from your buddies and get to stepping.”

What I wouldn’t give for frigid winds, rainy months and a heated mattress I could actually use.

Winter is my favorite season. But what is winter in San Diego? It’s 60 F with a wind chill of 58 F. I can remember two scenarios that account for the closest I’ve come to experiencing a white Christmas. The first was a trip to Palm Springs with my family a few years ago when we took the Aerial Tramway to the Mount San Jacinto State park and played in the snow for a few hours.

However, that was not such a good time once my brother threw a block of ice at me, hitting me square in the shin and almost sent me toppling down a hill. The second was last Christmas, when my dad made a few calls and had some guy come to our house and cover our front lawn with snow that lasted a week. Hollywood magic, I tell ya.

What wouldn’t I give for mittens, scarves, hot chocolate, furry boots and a reason to blissfully snuggle under my covers at night and perfect my cocoon-like sleeping abilities?

Sigh. For now, I’ll just do what I do every year. Whine, complain, look at pictures people post on Facebook from parts of the world that actually experience real seasons and pet the faux fur coats that line the walls of my place of employment while observing Mission Valley mall shoppers in their flip-flops and Santa hats.

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 - If something's not going the way you want it to, get an expert opinion (or several).

Different strategies will reveal a blind spot.

Take action later.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - It's harvest time! Intense work and effort now pay off long into the winter. Leave your money in the bank. Check out a wild theory. It could lead to a new project.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 For a really romantic day, allow your partner to win arguments. Let petty jealousies go. They're usually over silly stuff, anyway. Practice this and see what develops.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - The next two days are perfect for interior decoration and changes at home. Take on more work, too, even if it complicates things. Balance with down time.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - You're inclined to dig deeper into a favorite subject today, and your concentration is especially keen. List problems to tackle later. Resolution may not happen immediately.

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 9 You can create new opportunities for income, if that's what you want. Evaluate a crazy suggestion carefully. Don't dismiss it.

Welcome confidence.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 9 You're inspiring others to be free, liberating them from the shackles of their own creation. Why be miserable? Why not just enjoy? You're getting way stronger.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 These times are about follow up and completion. Conserve resources, but don't worry about the money. Just keep your commitments, and it all works out.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - You get it all done with a little help from your friends. Accept an invitation without letting go of your responsibilities.

Find the right balance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Your career is about to get a boost.

Are you ready? Move forward with your goals, with determination and respect. For the next two days, the spotlight is on.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Hit the road (or better yet, the trail). All might not transpire as expected, so adaptation will be useful. Conserve resources along the way. Enjoy the adventure.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 Tap into your inner financial wizard.

Wheeling and dealing is a piece of cake.

Negotiations go easily. Gather up and stash away resources for later. ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

SUDOKU

Difficulty Level: 1 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudokudragon.com

— Hayley Rafner is a journalism junior.

S DS -V I E W

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

CROSSWORD

CELEBRITIES AT “THE SHOW” Photo Editor Antonio Zaragoza captured this exciting moment at the recent SDSU vs. USC basketball game where SDSU President Elliot Hirshman and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders joined The Show in cheering on the Aztecs.

C O N TA C T : GENERAL INFORMATION

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

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

ACROSS 1 Soccer great Mia 5 Spider’s creations 9 “Beat it!”

14 Steinbeck’s Tom Joad, e.g.

15 Afghanistan’s western neighbor 16 Fabric with a repeated scenic pattern 17 National consensus 20 Metal playing marble 21 Sincere 22 Propelled with sculls 23 Camembert cousin 24 Malice 27 Cooks on a spit 32 Biol. or chem.

35 Burn soothers 37 Turn on a pivot 38 Deerstalker’s excitement 42 Grows darker 43 Clark Kent’s birth name 44 Sound of fan support 45 Garlicky shrimp dish 48 Ran at an easy pace 50 Not taken in by 52 Hairdresser Sassoon 56 “The Four Seasons” composer 60 Rock fissure 62 Dark, quiet period 64 Davis who was married to Ruby Dee 65 Word with pyramid or chain 66 Cut down on 65-Across

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 67 Hymn of praise 68 Females with pig tails 69 Means’ justifiers DOWN 1 “In what way?”

2 Japanese canine 3 Long-distance runner 4 Brawls 5 Hi-tech airport connection 6 One-named Deco artist 7 Scroogean exclamation 8 Derisive look 9 More than mono 10 Masked critter 11 Ready for picking

12 “__ well that ends well” 13 Track competition 18 Longtime chum 19 Part of a poker full house 23 Bovine hybrid 25 Unwell 26 Stole 28 Volcanic output 29 Defamatory remark 30 Yellowfin or albacore 31 Fourth man 32 Norms: Abbr.

33 Fashionable 34 Culinary author Rombauer 36 WWII Normandy battle site 39 Doctrinal suffix

40 Cool, like a cat 41 Craps natural 46 Hay fever sufferer’s nemesis 47 __-European languages 49 Split 51 Petty quarrels 53 “Bon appétit,” from mom 54 Was sore after a workout 55 Riga natives 56 Cognac bottle letters 57 “__ Small World” 58 Carpenter’s clamp 59 Et __: and others 60 Vittles 61 Cinncinati team 63 Also