The Northern Light Shootout Edition, November 26, 2013

SHOOTOUT EDI TION NOVEMBER 26, 2 0 13

COVER BY ROZ KIRKELIE

02 SHOOTOUT EDITION 2013

Who is the ‘real’ Spirit the Seawolf mascot? The world may never know

By Nita Mauigoa

features@thenorthernlight.org Perhaps it’s his alluring pine green complexion or his brawny body and broad shoulders. Or maybe it’s his stylish green and gold jersey or his walloping white fangs.

Whatever it may be, Spirit the Seawolf seems to have that animal magnetism crowds go wild for.

Who is Spirit’s real identity, if any?

Just like Superman or Santa Claus, that identity is carefully guarded. According to Tim McDiffett, interim director for the UAA Athletics Department, Spirit, as fans see him, is the real thing. The Athletics Department will not provide any sort of details of an identity detached from the image.

“We prefer — as most schools do throughout the country — not to reveal the identity of those that serve as our Spirit The Seawolf mascot,” said Tim McDiffett, interim director of the Athletics Department.

For those who are dying to know little details like, “What if you have to go to the bathroom?” or, “Do you ever get overheated?” think again. Spirit doesn’t talk. He is not allowed.

Tricia Farler, head coach of the UAA co-ed cheerleading squad, said she could divulge some of Spirit’s qualities or quirks but would not offer more than that.

Farler is among other administrators who would not break that code of silence when it came to Spirit.

She said a student of the co-ed cheerleading squad was fired because the student publicly divulged too many details about Spirit to a news writer.

McDiffett said he does not recall that specific situation. However the department does ask those that serve as the mascot to remain anonymous.

“I’m very surprised. It doesn’t make much sense to me to keep something as trivial as that a secret,” said Sophie O’Connell, a student taking general education courses.

O’Connell shares the same sentiments as other students and fans.

While some would like to find out who the guy behind the mask is, there are many who would prefer the mystery.

“It would take away from the mystique,” McDiffett said. “Children know him as Spirit, so he is always known as Spirit publicly.”

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

As for the creature itself, Spirit the Seawolf comes from the myth of “Gonakadet,” also known as “Wasgo the Seawolf” in Tlingit and other Alaska Native cultures.

To find out more about Spirit and his history as UAA’s beloved mascot, see The Northern Light’s story “What is a Seawolf?” online at http:// www.thenorthernlight.org/2013/08/27/19157/ PHOTO FROM TNL ARCHIVES

Learning to welcome the jam

By Klax Zlubzecon

Translated by George Hyde Apparently this thing known as the “Great Alaska Shootout” is coming up, and the campus is abuzz about it. George says he couldn’t care less about sports, but the truth is, we see and appreciate sports everywhere.

Why, back on my home planet, we would regularly hold games where other species we enslaved would duke it out in a fight to the death. It’s incredibly entertaining, and it’s simple! Players don’t win cups or gold or cash or anything like that. They fight for their survival — which is kind of moot when you consider that most winners usually get brutally slaughtered anyway a few fights down the line. But still, it’s fun for us.

Frankly, I can’t really understand why George doesn’t appreciate sports. His job entails writing about and critiquing artistic works such as films or video games, and yet, he doesn’t care about human sports at all.

It’s odd because most sports are an art in and of themselves. To witness a slam dunk, a touchdown across an entire football field, or a home run out of the park is a thing of majesty and beauty. It’s not only art, but it’s also art in the making, which can sometimes leave a more profound impact on the human mind.

Sports allow for storytelling in the medium of real life. Humans always love the underdog story: a hero rising from the ashes of defeat to victory. Or a star falling from grace, like a real-life slammin’ and jammin’ ver-

sion of Lucifer and the fallen angels.

These are all stories we hear across many mediums, but we often neglect to regard the world of sports as a medium.

When I ask George about sports, he states that his biggest disdain regarding sports is the culture, the jerks in the crowd screaming for blood, the loud cheers and air horns and the general obnoxiousness of sports fans.

Well, most fans of anything are obnoxious like that.

“Portal” has an incredibly annoying fanbase, but that doesn’t keep it from being an amazing game with an amazing story. Same goes for “Star Wars.” And Daft Punk.

Sports are no different from that, except for one factor: The stories are not anticipated. Well, okay, they are in sports analysis programs, but they’re being written in the moment. And even though they’re limited by the rules of the games, they are technically true stories.

Those two points make them very poignant as a storytelling medium.

George is still being incredibly stubborn about it, though. He doesn’t want to associate with a crowd of raving lunatics in a stadium.

But whenever he logs into Facebook and such, that’s still what he deals with. Same goes for video gaming tourname — wait, what!? He goes to tournaments!?

That stupid hypocrite! He keeps ragging on physical sports like basketball and football, and yet he’s all too happy to attend a “Marvel vs. Capcom” competition or watch one online. And he cheers! And jeers! And acts

like a sports fan!

Well, I guess we’re never perfect. Except for me. I’m always perfect.

I suppose what I’m trying to say here is that there’s a little sports fan in all of us. We can’t deny it. Competition is something we as living things love, and that’s no surprise. It’s in our blood.

As our species evolved, we had to compete to survive. If we didn’t, well, we were dead, removed from the gene pool. That goes for everyone, human and slug alike.

And the more we deny that love of competition, the more we savor it. To live is to compete. There’s no getting around that.

So don’t deny it. Come on and slam. And welcome to the jam.

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Women

men

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03 SHOOTOUT

A Holiday of Sales from our awkward family to yours

Women’s Schedule

SPECIAL DAILY DEALS Check out the daily deals December 2-24 online or on the posted calendars

Tuesday, Nov. 26 — First Round 6 p.m. — Nicholls State vs. Georgetown 8 p.m. — UC Riverside vs. Alaska Anchorage

Wednesday, Nov. 27 — 3rd Pl./Championship 2:30 p.m. — NSU/GU loser vs. UCR/UAA loser 5 p.m. — NSU/GU winner vs. UCR/UAA winner

Men’s Schedule Wednesday, Nov. 27 — First Round 7:30 p.m. — Tulsa vs. Indiana State 10 p.m. — Texas Christian vs. Alaska Anchorage

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Thursday, Nov. 28 — First Round 5:30 p.m. — Pepperdine vs. Green Bay 8 p.m. — Denver vs. Harvard Friday, Nov. 29 — Consolation Semifinals & Semifinals Noon — Tulsa/ISU loser vs. TCU/UAA loser 2 p.m. — Pepperdine/GB loser vs. DU/Harvard loser 5:30 p.m. — Tulsa/ISU winner vs. TCU/UAA winner 8 p.m. — Pepperdine/GB winner vs. DU/Harvard winner

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Saturday, Nov. 30 Noon — 7th/8th-place: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser 2 p.m. — 4th/6th-place: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner 6 p.m. — 3rd/5th-place: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser 8:30 p.m. — Championship: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner

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04 SHOOTOUT EDITION 2013

Break it down:

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Dissecting the Shootout field

By Thomas McIntyre

and

sports@thenorthernlight.org

This year’s Great Alaska Shootout is flooring another lineup of teams that don’t register with the average fan — which is why we’re here. The breakdowns below should A) provide context to all of the schools and player names, Mark Hoffman and B) incentivize you to hold off on the leftover cranberry sauce in exchange for a night of hoops.

Contributor Kentucky is only allowed to roster 15 players. There are much more than 15 good college basketball players, and some of them just touched down in Anchorage.

Women’s

Identity: TBD. The ‘Wolves had a clear identity last season, but too much has changed since then. They Team: University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves remain a team that’s willing to pull from deep, though. And given the balanced roster, big contributions could From: Anchorage, Alaska Conference: Great Northwest Athletic Conference come from all over the place.

Player(s) to watch: Before the year started, it looked like senior forward Kylie Burns was ready to bust out.

Previous record: 17-10

She’s still a candidate to do so, but it’s junior guard Alli Madison who’s on an early heater.

Madison is a powerful two-guard with a reliable jumper. She’s been the Seawolves’ most consistent scorer thus far, putting up over 16 points per game.

Junior forward KeKe Wright is another player to track. Her rebounding and defense can quietly shift the direction and outcome of games. She’ll play a huge role in the team’s ability to create turnovers.

Fake money line: +300. There’s no betting on the Shootout, but these fake money lines present realistic odds for the teams. The ‘Wolves are 3-1 underdogs due to unpredictability and the step up in competition. But all dogs are live in the women’s field.

PPG: Alli Madison, 16.0 APG: Kiki Robertson, 8.0 RPG: KeKe Wright, 13.5

Team: Georgetown University Hoyas From: Washington, D.C. Conference: BIG EAST Conference Previous record: 15-16

Identity: Banging down low. Like the Seawolves, the Hoyas lost a big piece of their foundation last year.

Unlike the Seawolves, the Hoyas have a newcomer who’s already started her own era.

Player(s) to watch: Freshman center Natalie Butler is a 6-foot-5 destroyer. She was named the BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year and has taken home BIG EAST Player of the Week Honors for her early work.

Butler is posting gaudy numbers, which includes almost 14 rebounds per game. She boards, blocks, scores and hits free throws. The only positive for opposing Shootout teams is that they aren’t facing the senior version of her.

Her freshman tag team partner, Shayla Cooper, left the team after two games. Cooper was a skilled frontcourt sidekick for Butler. She also tried to block a shot by throwing her shoe at the ball, so they’ll miss her creative approach as well.

Sophomore guard Katie McCormick will be the Hoyas second option. She’s a scorer who can rip it from three.

Fake money line: -100. Hoyas aren’t super deep, but they have two of the tourney’s top game breakers.

PPG: Natalie Butler, 16.3 APG: Samisha Powell, 4.7 RPG: Natalie Butler, 13.7

Team: Nicholls State University Colonels From: Thibodeaux, Louisiana Conference: Southland Conference Previous record: 19-11

Identity: The Colonels are led by an experienced guard/forward duo. They returned four starters and have a balanced attack.

Player(s) to watch: Senior’s KK Babin and LiAnn McCarthy were both named Preseason All-Southland.

Babin — a first-team honoree — is a point guard who can distribute and score the rock. McCarthy — a second-team selection — is a forward who does a little of everything.

McCarthy hasn’t started the year for the Colonels, though. Her absence is going to put them a step behind in the Shootout.

The team has been getting a big boost from sophomore guard Emani White. White is in her first year as a starter, and she’s making use of the extended role. Her scoring ability gives the Colonels a dangerous backcourt.

Fake money line: +200. The women’s field is hard to gauge. On paper, it’s Georgetown and everybody else.

But the gap between these teams isn’t major.

PPG: Emani White, 23.7 APG: Emani White, 3.7 RPG: Marina Lilly, 5.7

Team: UC Riverside Highlanders From: Riverside, California Conference: Big West Previous record: 11-18

Identity: Losing the conference’s leading scorer, Tre’Shonti Nottingham, will make it tough on the Highlanders, but head coach John Margaritis knows what it takes to win in the Big West. He will try to rebuild around Big West Freshman of the Year Brittany Crain.

Player(s) to watch: Sophomore guard Crain is a force on the offensive end of the court, but also grabs a solid 5.6 boards per game. Senior center Natasha Hadley will lead the frontcourt, returning with 11.3 points and a team-leading 6.9 rebounds per game.

The Highlanders will need more scoring elsewhere and should look to junior forward Kiara Harewood and sophomore guard Annelise Ito to produce it.

Fake money line: +300. Highlanders are young team that could pull it off if Crain and Hadley take control.

PPG: Brittany Crain 14.3 APG: Brittany Crain 1.5 RPG: Natasha Hadley 6.9

Men’s

Identity: Bombing from beyond the arc. The Seawolves are going to let it fly all weekend long. They’ll also Team: University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves push the pace with their small ball lineups.

From: Anchorage, Alaska Player(s) to watch: First is junior guard Travis Thompson. Thompson redshirted last season and has come Conference: Great Northwest Athletic Conference back like a bat out of hell. He’s averaging more than 23 points a night and has 23 threes on the year.

Previous record: 11-9

Senior guard Kyle Fossman is the second reason this Seawolves backcourt terrorizes teams. Fossman also has 23 threes and is shooting them at a 45 percent clip.

Sophomore point guard Brian McGill isn’t a sniper; he gets his 16-point average through mid-range shots and dribble drives. Despite his scoring output, he’s most dangerous as a passer. The Western Oregon transfer currently averages 3.9 assists per turnover. That’s efficiency.

Fake money line: +900. The ‘Wolves can stay in any game using the three-point line. With that said, it’d take too many threes to cover the ground between them and the premier teams.

PPG: Travis Thompson, 23.3 APG: Brian McGill, 5.8 RPG: Teancum Stafford, 7.5

Team: Indiana State Sycamores From: Terre Haute, Indiana Conference: Missouri Valley Conference Previous record: 18-15

Identity: Scoring points. The Sycamores are averaging 86.7 points per game and are top-30 in adjusted offensive efficiency through three games. They get after it offensively. ISU is in the ideal position for a midmajor: they’re loaded with veteran talent and are led by a star player.

Player(s) to watch: Keep your eyes glued on senior guard Jake Odum. He was named First Team All-MVC last season and was pegged as a First Team Preseason Mid-Major All-American by NBCSports.com.

Jonathan Givony (of DraftExpress.com) has compared Odum to former North Carolina point guard, Kendall Marshall. He’s a creative passer who has great size and makes good decisions. And even though he isn’t a knockdown shooter, he can still do damage in the pick ‘n’ roll.

Khristian Smith, Dawon Cummings, Justin Gant and Manny Arop surround Odum in the starting five and are all productive players.

Fake money line: -100. The Sycamores are even money to win the Shootout. They’re the second-best team in the field and have a favorable route to the ship.

While they might live in the shadows of Wichita State during the season, ISU is a real mid-major power. It wasn’t a fluke they went into South Bend and smoked No. 21 Notre Dame.

PPG: Jake Odum, 16.7 APG: Jake Odum, 5.7 RPG: Jake Odum, 5.3

05 SHOOTOUT EDITION 2013

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

to the

t! u o t o o h S a lask A t a e r G y a w nd of great e e k f e a e w S l / fu s r de Carr nother won a r fo s u g in join Thanks for basketball. ’s n e m o w men’s and Chancellor

Team: University of Denver Pioneers From: Denver, Colorado Conference: Summit League Previous record: 22-10

Identity: The slow burn. Denver is going to gradually deconstruct teams. It will be slow, grating and effective. The style isn’t conducive to entertainment so much as its conducive to staying competitive in basketball games.

Player(s) to watch: The most intriguing Pioneer is senior forward Chris Udofia. Udofia is leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. He’s the team’s most active defender, and could have a Shootout run similar to the one Charlotte’s Pierria Henry had last November. His game is deeper than the box score.

The net return from the rest of the Pioneers has left a little to be desired in the first couple outings. Junior guard Cam Griffin is providing Udofia the most backup by averaging double-digit points.

Fake money line: +400. This line has certainly moved since the summer — and not in a positive direction. The Pioneers’ early season losses against Stanford and California has dampened their outlook. Drawing Harvard as their first game won’t make the path to a Shootout title any easier.

PPG: Chris Udofia, 14.0 APG: Brett Olson, 3.5 RPG: Chris Udofia, 6.5

Identity: Balance. Green Bay has nasty point guard and a collection of grinders in the frontcourt. Your Team: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix grandpa will like them because they don’t put up many threes.

From: Green Bay, Wisconsin Player(s) to watch: Junior guard Keifer Sykes is getting busy, logging 42 points in the first two Phoenix Conference: Horizon League games.

He spearheads the offense and was one of two Green Bay hoopers to finish in the top three in Horizon Previous record: 18-16

League Preseason Player of the Year voting.

The other was Alec Brown. Brown is a 7-foot-1 senior whose makeup has attracted pro scouts. He’s mobile for his size and shows a wide range of offensive skills.

Brown can hit jumpers, produce on the block and play as a pop man in the pick ‘n’ roll. His ability and potential may not be readable through his stats, but he has a combination of size and skill that could get his named called next June. He’ll be one of the most interesting players to monitor this weekend.

Fake money line: +400. Green Bay was voted as the favorite to win the Horizon League in the preseason.

There are a couple reasons for that. One is that the conference is relatively weak this year; another is that Green Bay is well-rounded and tough. Green Bay and Denver are the tournament wild cards.

PPG: Keifer Sykes, 21.0 APG: Keifer Sykes, 2.5 RPG: Jordan Fouse, 11.0

Team: University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane From: Tulsa, Oklahoma Conference: Conference USA Previous record: 17-15

Identity: Second-year head coach Danny Manning looks to improve on a pretty successful debut season.

Injuries forced a young Tulsa team into a four-guard offense with a spread scoring attack last year, but good health and some newcomers should bring balance back to an already-solid defensive team.

Player(s) to watch: This is a young Tulsa team. Sophomore guard James Woodard, who led the Hurricane in scoring and rebounding last year, was selected as a Conference USA Preseason Player to Watch. Sophomore forward Rashad Smith was averaging 14.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last year before injuring his knee after just four games.

Smith and emerging sophomore guard Shaquille Harrison could prove to be vital playmakers for the Golden Hurricane.

Fake money line: +700. Not even Danny Manning can help the Hurricane pull off a miracle.

PPG: James Woodard, 12.0 APG: Shaquille Harrison, 2.8 RPG: James Woodard, 5.9

Team: Pepperdine University Waves From: Malibu, California Conference: West Coast Conference Previous record: 12-18

Identity: The Waves are an inexperienced team overall, but third-year head coach Marty Wilson has high expectations for this season. UCLA transfer Brendan Lane adds some experience and size to a team that already returns WCC Newcomer of the Year, Stacy Davis, in the frontcourt.

Pepperdine’s most glaring void is at point guard, but if some newcomers can step up, the Waves will seriously surprise some teams this year.

Player(s) to watch: The 6-foot-6 Davis looks to build on last year’s great debut season. Coupled with 6-foot-9 Lane, the Waves will certainly have a formidable, if not the best, frontcourt in the WCC. Watch for true freshman Jeremy Major to make an early push for the starting job at point guard.

Fake money line: +600. The stacked frontcourt could give them life.

PPG: Stacy Davis, 11.2 APG: Stacy Davis, 1.3 RPG: Stacy Davis, 7.3

Team: Texas Christian University Horned Frogs From: Fort Worth, Texas Conference: Big 12 Previous record: 11-21

Identity: TCU has a lot of work to do. The Horned Frogs were the worst offensive team in the Big 12 last year and will be looking to its youth to find scoring. ESPN Top 100 freshman center Karviar Shepherd leads the 34th-rated recruiting class in the country into Fort Worth. Shepherd will add a dynamic presence in the paint but the young Frogs will have to work to find their identity.

Player(s) to watch: The 6-foot-11 Shepherd is the most-prized recruit in TCU history and will be a welcome project for second-year head coach Trent Johnson. The Horned Frogs have experience at point guard, as junior Kyan Anderson will be expected to provide much-needed leadership on the court.

Also, expect to see an increased role for returning guard Jarvis Ray and some production from freshmen wings Brandon Parrish and Hudson Price.

Fake money line: +700. New additions help their case, but it’s too early in the season to bank on them.

PPG: Kyan Anderson, 12.0 APG: Kyan Anderson, 3.4 RPG: Charles Hill Jr., 1.9

Team: Harvard University Crimson From: Cambridge, Massachusetts Conference: Ivy League Previous record: 20-10

Identity: Coming off an Ivy League championship season and a March Madness upset of third-seeded New Mexico, head coach Tommy Amaker might be fielding the best team Harvard has ever seen.

Last year’s surprising guards Wesley Saunders and Siyani Chambers are back but they add some serious fuel to the fire with the return of Brandyn Curry and Kyle Casey, who missed last season after a cheating scandal, and the addition of dynamic freshman center Zena Edosomwan.

Player(s) to watch: Saunders broke out big time last year and is a stat-sheet filler, averaging 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals. At 6-foot-5, he’s an all-around beast and was selected the Ivy League preseason player of the year.

Chambers also flourished with increased playing time, averaging 12.4 points and a team-high 5.7 assists per game. Harvard will need junior center Kenyatta Smith to step up as a defensive presence in the post to help balance the floor.

Fake money line: -400. The most likely scenario is Crimson over Sycamores for the 2013 Shootout trophy.

Both teams could make similar runs in March as well.

PPG: Wesley Saunders 16.2 APG: Siyani Chambers 5.7 RPG: Kenyatta Smith 4.3

06 SHOOTOUT EDITION 2013

5 best concession foods

By Kelly Ireland

arts@thenorthernlight.org

The Great Alaska Shootout is a place for friends and family to come together and cheer on their favorite teams. It is also a time for devouring some classic favorites during the long event, where munchies are a must. Sample the top five concession foods!

Soft pretzel

There’s nothing quite like a warm soft pretzel to sustain life during any type of sporting event. The possibilities with a soft pretzel are endless as well. You can have it salted or unsalted with cheese, mustard, jalapenos or wrapped over a hotdog. The carbohydrates packed into this puppy are definitely worth it, especially when hungry. Thank you, Germans, for bringing the pretzel to the United States.

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

SPRING 2014

STUDENT DIVERSITY

AWARD The UAA Diversity Action Council seeks to recognize and empower students to lead change in the community by offering tuition awards of up to

$500

Chili cheese dog

Are you a student who...

It may be messy, but the chili cheese dog is the bomb.

It’s got bread, chili, cheese and a hot dog. What’s not to love? Sorry, vegetarians, you can’t have this one.

Promotes a welcoming environment inclusive of diverse people and cultures/perspectives Takes a leadership role and provides a student voice in diversity related issues Advances social justice and diversity within the larger community

Nachos

To be considered students must submit the following by

Monday, December 2, 2013:

Cheese, CHEESE and more CHEESE!!! Nachos are incredibly delectable for every palate, because they have lots of cheese. And let’s face it, everyone loves cheese — lactose intolerant people too. They are just cheese lovers whose bodies are in denial. Plus there’s a lot more that can go into nachos besides tortilla chips and cheese.

An award application found at: www.uaa.alaska.edu/dac A letter of endorsement from a professional/university reference

Submit an application online today:

www.uaa.alaska.edu/dac

Candy

Scan this QR code on your smart phone/device to visit the link above.

Candy is a great concession snack for all with a sweet tooth. Any concession stand is sure to have a candy that will suit just about everyone. Only downside is your teeth will rot out of your head if you don’t brush them.

The UAA Diversity Action Council will review nominations and grant tuition to the top nominees. Nominees from the UAA Anchorage campus and UAA’s community campuses are eligible. Self nominations are invited.

Popcorn

Award recipients must meet eligibility criteria including a 2.5 cumulative GPA, Satisfactory Academic Progress and admitted to a UAA certificate or degree program.

Popcorn is the go-to snack during any form of entertainment. ‘Nuff said.

For more information call: UAA Student Affairs at 786-6108 or UAA Multicultural Center at 786-4080

Individuals needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the nomination process should contact the Multicultural Center 48 to 72 hours in advance.

UAA is an EEO/AA employer and educational institution.

ALL PHOTOS FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

FOREIGN FILM FANATIC

‘Kung Fu Dunk’ comes on and slams

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

It’s the last five minutes of the second half. Your team is down by three. There’s no stopping your ruthless opponents. You take the shot from the free-throw line.

You miss. All hope is lost. The game is done.

But wait, your kung fu master taught you how to control time. Turn back the clock! “Kung Fu Dunk,” a Chinese sports comedy made by Taiwanese director Chu Yin-Ping, plays this scenario with an infectious self-awareness.

It begins with a homeless man waking up to a crying baby at his feet. As any self-respecting transient would do, he takes the child to a martial arts school, and from then on, the boy learns the ways of qi gong and kung fu. This boy grows into star pupil Fang Shi Jie (Jay Chou, “The Green Hornet”) who meets Zhen Li (Eric Tsang, “Infernal Affairs”).

After seeing Fang throwing things into a trash can with immaculate accuracy, Li devises a money-making scheme: to make Fang a famous basketball player in search of his parents.

This movie is more flash than substance, but it’s a popcorn movie. It’s entertainment for entertainment’s sake, and it’s totally fine in that place. It’s a crowd pleaser to the extreme. A strange darkness undercuts the comedy for the first half, but all that is undone quickly, and I was grinning from ear-toear.

Now, it’s not a “good” movie, but it’s not bad either. Jay Chou has almost no acting chops. His face is expressionless, and if it weren’t for the artificial tears, the more emotional scenes would fall flat. The dialogue is often awkward and forced: “Smash your shin, stop your blood flow. It’s too

late now to use qi gong!” an antagonist screams in the final game.

It’s worth noting also that the subtitles omit words often and rearrange syntax. It’s an easy visual hurdle to jump over, but it can be distracting.

Chou’s physical presence makes up for this. The bar fight scene is fantastic. Extremely well-choreographed and shot with comparatively long takes, it’s reminiscent of “Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior.”

While Chou doesn’t have Tony Jaa’s physical prowess, he holds these scenes together effortlessly. But these scenes are so heavy on slow-motion that coming back into real time feels like a breath of fresh air.

Outside of the fight scenes, the special effects and production values are crisp. The kung fu master manipulating water and time and the time traveling scenes stand out in particular.

For all of its over-the-top flavor, some scenes are just bland. The early basketball games especially fall short. Sometimes these scenes just don’t go far enough and the disappointment mounts quickly.

“Kung-Fu Dunk” never strives to strike out on its own. It proudly wears Stephen Chow’s “Shaolin Soccer” and Yudai Yamaguchi’s “Battlefield Baseball” on its Jordans.

“Kung Fu Dunk” is a popcorn flick throughand-through, so don’t come in expecting much more. Take the ridiculousness at surface value and you’ll have a good time, but look any deeper than that and the cracks start to show.

Title: “Kung Fu Dunk” Director: Chu Yin-Ping Release date: Feb. 7, 2008 Genre: Comedy Country: China

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07 SHOOTOUT A&E OPINION

What about the Street?

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

I miss the Street. I mean, I miss the Street franchise. “NBA Street Vol. 2” has to be one of the best basketball video games ever made. I don’t even like basketball or sports games in particular, but “Vol. 2” grabbed me like no other sports game had.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with “Madden” or the “NBA 2K” series, but even in 2003 those franchises were tired. By 2003 “Madden” and “NBA 2K” had already been running for 14 and four years respectively.

The “Street” franchise, both “NFL Street” and “NBA Street,” slammed just as hard as the Triple A franchises in that day.

In “Vol. 2” you didn’t have to worry as much about player stats and complicated strategies.

It was all about that rim bending, glass-shattering slam dunk There was nothing more satisfying than making a basket in “Vol. 2.” The exaggerated animations and earthshaking plays were enough to make any PS2 or Gamecube aficionado salivate with glee.

“Vol. 3” improved on everything “Vol. 1” and “2” built and the result was an even more overthe-top, refined sports gaming experience for gamers less aware of basketball’s nuances. The “Street” franchise seemed destine to etch its place into sports gaming history, running alongside “2K” as the casual sports fans’ alternative.

So what happened?

“Madden” just released its 29th installment, and “2K” is growing strong with “2K14,” the 15th title in the series. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t bad games by any context or measure — they’re just more of the same, the “Call of Duty” of the sports world. Installments are churned out year after year with various enhancements and innovations.

EA Sports knows how to please its audience, but what about Big? EA Sports Big was the EA subsidiary responsible for “NBA Street,” “NFL Street,” “FIFA Street,” the “SSX” series and the original “Def Jam Vendetta.”

They were quietly absorbed into the EA Sports conglomerate in 2008 with the final titles in their franchises under its belt.

There’s still requite for the arcade-oriented gamer today, but not much out there right now reaches the heights of the “Street” franchise. Of course, my opinion’s informed by nostalgia, but the “Street” franchise has stood thetest of time.

It’s time for another arcade sports game to stand up to the Triple A titles of today. Copies of any EA Sports Big title litter the used game bins at Gamestop, so why not pick up a copy? Fire up that old Playstation 2, Gamecube or Xbox and give these titles a chance. They deserve a second playthrough.

Two everlasting Shootout memories

By Thomas McIntyre

sports@thenorthernlight.org

and

Mark Hoffman Contributor

Northern Light sports writers Thomas McIntyre and Mark Hoffman share their favorite memories of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Thomas McIntyre: Ron Mercer. Kentucky thrashed everyone in the 1996 Shootout, and Mercer was the catalyst.

I was seven years old when Mercer graced the Sullivan Arena court. It was the closest I had gotten to watching Michael Jordan in person.

There’s one moment that has stuck in my mind from that experience: Mercer saw an opening (give him an inch, and he’ll end your career) and blasted down the lane. Bang. Two the fly way. The Mercer way.

As a child, I looked at people who could dunk like they were one of those weird creatures from “Avatar.” Nothing was (or is) cooler than a dunk. And a Mercer dunk was the pinnacle of basketball.

Witnessing Mercer in real life is easily my favorite Shootout memory. Seeing Gene Keady’s hairpiece up close is a close second.

Mark Hoffman: My dearest Shootout memory actually starts at the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks.

I remember cheering for Austin Croshere and the Providence Friars when my high school hosted them in 1996. I always followed the careers of their players and head coach Pete Gillen after that.

Well, fast-forward to 2012 and my first time working at the Shootout. Who sits down right next to me on press row? Mr. Pete Gillen himself.

It was cool to meet him and surreal to talk about that tournament 16 years later.

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SHOOTOUT EDITION PT. 2 - CATCH TNL’S FINAL ISSUE DEC. 10 FEATURES

A&E

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Tasty pumpkin bread, great for any occasion

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Did “Catching Fire” catch on with fans?

Ai Kuwabara Trio Project ‘Foundations’ art show displays student talent

By Kelly Ireland

arts@thenorthernlight.org Every master of an art has to start somewhere. From Nov. 21-Dec. 6, the Student Union Gallery will be host to the “Foundations” show, which features the work of 100- and 200-level UAA art students.

Don’t be fooled by their limited experience, though. These artists have talent and creativity.

Asia Bauzon, a student in Color Theory and 2-D Design, has two pieces featured in the show: “Tape and Color Study No. 1” and “Tape and Color Study No. 5.”

“The two pieces I have in the ‘Foundations’ show were both accidents. It started when a piece of packing tape I was working with stuck to the work table. When I pulled it up, old paint splatters and mess came up with it. The colors were so interesting that I couldn’t just throw it away, so it was integrated into the collage project,” Bauzon said.

For many students it was their first time ever being featured in a gallery.

“I’m really excited. I haven’t had my piece displayed in a gallery before,” said undeclared major Curtis Thorne, a beginning photography student. Thorne, however, has had artwork displayed in the Old School Division (where artists can only use black and white film photography) at the Alaska State Fair. He won first place in the division with his photography.

Oddly enough for this Old School Division winner, he didn’t even know about the “Foundations” show.

“My teacher contacted me and said, ‘Hey, there is a show going on in the gallery, and I think your piece would be perfect.’ So he kind of put me up for it. It was exciting to know that he was actually thinking about my work and looking at it,” Thorne said.

The show displays Thone’s his black-and-white film self-portrait.

He says the piece shows his interest in art and music.

“It’s really cool to see people’s reactions and their interactions with it,” he said, in reference to his work in the gallery.

The “Foundations” show will be open from Nov. 21-Dec. 6. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.

PHOTO BY KAYLA MCGRAW

Jazz pianist Ai Kuwabara performs an original composition Wednesday evening at the Arts Recital Hall.

Anchorage is the final city in the Ai Kuwabara Trio Project's North America tour.

SEE TRIO

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What is diabetes?

Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the United States among adults

By Suhaila Brunelle

news@thenorthernlight.org According to the American Diabetes Association, more people die of diabetes in the United States each year than from AIDS and breast cancer. In 2011, 18.8 million people were diagnosed with diabetes, 26 percent were under the age of 20 and 11.3 percent were 20 years of age or older. One in three people over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas, and it helps the body absorb glucose, or blood sugar. The glucose travels through blood to be absorbed into the cells, and insulin facilitates the transport of glucose into those cells. Glucose provides energy to the body so it can function properly.

In Type 1 diabetes the body does not make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and lasts for the person’s entire life. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults. In Type 2 diabetes the body does not make enough insulin, or the body cannot utilize the insulin it makes, which causes a buildup of glucose in the blood. This is called insulin resistance.

Nurse Practitioner Betty Bang of the UAA Health and Counseling Center says, “Anywhere there is small vessels — that can be your eyes, that can be your feet, that can be your organs — you end up having damage to those places. And that’s when you start having plaque buildup on those vessels and you end up having less response.”

High blood glucose levels can lead to many complications including heart attacks, strokes, loss of lower limb circulation and kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Psychology student Ashleigh Gaines was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when she was 14. Gaines said she was mad when she was diagnosed. She was an active child and ate well because her father was diabetic and she was at an increased risk of being diagnosed.

Gaines said she didn’t have any symptoms and was diagnosed by her doctor.

According to Bang, most people don’t have any symptoms, but indicators of diabetes can include “excessive thirst and hunger, being tired for no reason, going to the bathroom more than usual, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, cuts that are slow to heal and tingling in your hands and feet. Women may also see an increase in vaginal yeast infections.”

There are several ways diabetes can be diagnosed. The A1C test is a blood test that averages out the body’s blood glucose levels over a span of several months. The Fasting Plasma Glucose test checks fasting blood sugar levels. The Oral Glucose Tolerance test is a twohour test that measures blood sugar levels two hours before and two hours after drinking a sweet beverage.

UAA students can get tested for diabetes in the Student Health and Counseling Center. Bang says the test starts with a free physical. Then a fasting lipid panel and blood glucose tests follow.

Bang says if a test comes back positive for diabetes, it’s important to adjust one’s lifestyle by changing eating habits and exercising.

“One of the real big ones is stop drinking sodas,” she says. “Sodas are a big problem.”

According to the State of Alaska Department of Public Health,

SEE DIABETES

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USUAA and state officials attend the fifth annual Legislative Luncheon to discuss current issues Nov. 22.

PHOTO BY DAN DUQUE

USUAA hosts 5th annual Legislative Luncheon

By Evan Erickson

eerickson@thenorthernlight.org USUAA and Alaska state legislators persevered through a handsome ice storm to sit down for lunch Friday afternoon in the Student Union Den. All but two guests were able to attend the event, which was cut short by campus closures.

The Legislative Luncheons offer a chance for face-to-face conversations between local politicians and USUAA student government.

While students engaged with state legislators, others attempted to leave the Den with heaping plates of food only to be turned back by director of UAA Student Life and Leadership Annie Route.

Alaska state Senator Kevin Meyer gave a brief PowerPoint presentation at the beginning of the luncheon about state budgets and declining oil production, expressing continued support for contentious new oil tax structures.

At one table USUAA Senator Alberto Padilla and state Representative Shelley Hughes carried

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on a lively dialogue about immigration reform.

Padilla is a U.S. citizen who has several relatives from Mexico directly affected by the stalled national efforts.

State Senator Berta Gardner enjoyed the chance to talk with students. She says she visits every school in her district as well as nine different community councils on a regular basis.

“When I go to schools I tell students it is important to ask for what you want, even if you may not get it,” Gardner said.

Representative Andy Josephson sat down with the USUAA government relations director and several others to discuss student tuition and other state issues.

“I was impressed by the students, and I’m not just saying that. They seem to know a lot about the issues affecting the state,” Josephson said.

Representative Les Gara showed up for the open forum scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. to find out the party was ending, but he was still able to briefly mingle and pose for a group photo.

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THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Contents under pressure: Campus suicide

By Evan Erickson

eerickson@thenorthernlight.org It touches a nerve to consider that every year a certain number of students at institutions of higher education take their own lives. Success and failure are well defined for the average college student and it may be convenient to chalk up desperation to the latter.

Last Thursday UAA took part in the web seminar “Removing Suicidal Students From Campus: The Significance of Recent Changes in Federal Policy.” The changes in federal policy refer to a shift in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act that redefines what a “direct threat” is, excluding those considering self-harm. Schools can now be sued for discrimination for removing suicidal students from campus or not having services in place to treat these students.

The 2013 National Survey of College Counseling Centers found that 82 percent of college counseling clinicians surveyed noticed “increases in the number of clients with severe psychological problems.”

Around 90 different schools, ranging from private and public universities to community colleges, logged into Thursday’s webinar, hosted by the higher education training company Innovative Educators. Mary-Jeanne Raleigh of the University of North Carolina Pembroke addressed the national audience accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation while responding to questions over a live chat.

Police attempt to hinder downtown bar violence More police out during bar closing hours

By Amanda Brush Contributor

On Nov. 15 the Anchorage Police Department added eight more officers to patrol the streets of downtown Anchorage at weekend bar closing hours. The decision was made in an effort to crack down on the violence happening in the area.

Bar closing hours are typically from 2-3 a.m. Bar patrons go out to the sidewalks, and when they’ve had too much to drink, trouble can start. Last month, Adrian Augustine, 38, was beaten by a group behind Gaslight Lounge. According to the Alaska Dispatch, Augustine’s injuries were so severe that he died in the hospital. In October 2012, Said Beshirov, 27, was shot outside Platinum Jaxx after attending a Halloween party. The Anchorage Daily News revealed that in both cases, police were able to use surveillance videos to investigate and catch suspects.

Concerned downtown community organizations met with Mayor Dan Sullivan and Police Chief Mike Mew before coming up with the plan.

“We want to make sure that everyone can enjoy the downtown district and feel safe in our city,” Sullivan said in a press release.

Police will patrol both on foot and by car. One of the focus areas is Town Square, where on any given night, inebriated people can be seen loitering in groups or huddled by trees.

“The downtown community applauds the decision of Mayor Sullivan and Chief Mew to increase the police presence in downtown Anchorage,” said Chris Schutte, representing Anchorage Downtown Partnership. “While not a sustainable and longterm solution, the increase in police presence is a powerful short-term solution that shows total commitment to late night public safety by the Municipality.”

Other supporters include Easy Park, Diamond Parking, Visit Anchorage, and the Anchorage Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant, and Retailers Association.

For more information, visit http://www.muni.org.

Raleigh talked about how schools can distinguish between direct and indirect threats and what obstacles may stand in the way of a student seeking help on campus.

Emergency situations where students may be referred for hospitalization when Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act , or FERPA, protections may not apply were also covered.

Suicide is a perennial issue in Alaska. UAA’s recently hired CARE Team coordinator Lisa Terwilliger, who enrolled the school in the webinar, will continue to educate faculty and staff on the importance of these issues.

Another new hire, Director of Residence Life Ryan Jasen Henne, found the presentation to be valuable.

“There is the challenge of looking out for individual students, but also how they affect the other 900-plus students in residence at UAA,” Henne said.

In October 2011 the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights found Michigan’s Spring Arbor University to be in violation of the new regulation for requiring a student with a mental health disability who had voluntarily withdrawn to meet certain conditions for readmission.

Just as the ADA Title II regulations previously included language addressing selfharm, the UAA Student Code of Conduct still contains a violation, which reads “conduct which causes personal injury.” Director of Student Conduct and Ethical Development Michael Votava said UAA is working on removing this clause from the code.

A 2011 study by the University of Virginia found that suicide ranked as the secondleading cause of death among college students ages 18-24, but also found these figures fell significantly below the national average for the same age group.

WEEKLY BUZZ

Nonprofit space travel project to send married couple to Mars The Inspiration Mars Project, a nonprofit agency, announced plans to send a married couple on a flyby mission to the red planet. The agency’s founder, Dennis Tito, is the multi-millionaire who became the first space tourist several years ago. The mission, dubbed the “Mission for America,” would send a married couple to Mars sometime between Dec. 24, 2017, and Jan. 5, 2018, in order to take advantage of a rare, favorable alignment of Mars and Earth. The purpose of this mission is to inspire the next generation of researchers and engineers.

Hotel patrons in Tanzania now sleeping with the fishes

The Manta Resort of Pemba Island has engineered an underwater hotel room in Tanzania. For $750 a night guests can sunbathe on the roof during the day and witness spectacular underwater scenery at night. The room is constructed 13 feet underwater and is lit by spotlights on the ocean floor.

Scientists discover new life forms and declare a new genus

In the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, scientists revealed they have not only discovered a new life form different from anything ever seen before. They named a new genus for the species. The new bacteria was discovered in the clean rooms of both the European Space Agency and NASA. Scientists named the bacteria Tersicoccus phoenicis.

Hyndai to market hydrogen cars by 2015

Three automobile makers on two continents unveiled cars that run on hydrogen and exhaust only water vapor. Hyundai Motor Co. will be the first to market hydrocars in the United States. The Tucson, a small SUV should be available in 2015. There are plans to produce a smaller car in the future. Hydrogen cars have the range of a gasoline car and can be refueled quickly.

Wal-Mart employees hold food drive to help fellow workers

Employees at a Wal-Mart store in Canton, Ohio, have set up a food drive for associates who may be facing difficult times. This has sparked outrage in the nation, with many questioning the company’s low wages. A spokeswoman for Wal-Mart stated the drive has been going on for several years and was organized in order to help associates who have faced extreme hardships.

Briefs compiled by Suhaila Brunelle

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

03

The slightly uncomfortable personification of a computer

By Evan Dodd Contributor

This is a column about the worst loss a college student can face.

Having grown weary of his complex role as gatekeeper to all of my most important memories, an occasional coaster and door prop, my laptop Reginald spontaneously combusted early this Sunday. I first noticed a thin cloud of hellish steam, accompanied by the smell of burning hard drive around 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

By 12:30 p.m. when I had finally convinced myself to leave the bed and investigate, it was already too late.

Despite my best efforts and speedy response time, Reginald had passed on. Where my clunky, prone to frequent overheating laptop had once been, there was now only a burned-out husk perched atop a pile of molten goo.

I cannot type humor on a pile of molten goo.

I tried that; it stings and keeps me from handling food afterward. So thus began my epic trek to Best Buy to somehow replace the 750 gigabyte-sized hole in my life that Reginald had left.

Even though I consider myself to be fairly technologically literate, I still found myself feeling like a 90-yearold man as I tried to find a replacement. Firstly, everything in Best Buy is shiny, and given that shininess is my baseline for quality, I had immense trouble differentiating between the NASA supercomputers and the lowfunctioning lemons that one might buy for a child.

Consequently, my line of questioning toward the sales rep probably didn’t fall under the umbrella of “normal human interaction.”

“No, of course I don’t need a laptop with a touchscreen that detaches and becomes its own tablet. What do you mean that all of these models come pre-equipped

with National Security Agency spyware (and worse, Windows 8)? And since when did we decide to eliminate disk drives — how the hell else am I supposed to burn scratchy mix CDs for my plastic car?!”

The computer guy, whose enthusiasm had been nearly overwhelming in the beginning, grew weary after my constant stream of questioning. His explanation had devolved from a dissertation on the Mac vs. PC debate into a series of tired grunts and gestures.

Deciding to take charge and be the master of my own fate, I quickly pointed to the two closest laptops and demanded that Computer Guy decide for me. With a mutual sigh of relief, we swapped cash for a laptop that seemed just as shiny as the others and probably had at least a few of the features I needed.

The next seven hours of my life were devoted to recreating my old data onto the newly christened Atticus — named less for Harper Lee’s paragon of morality and more for Atticus the pervy guidance counselor from “Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.”

I never realized how terrifying it is that we entrust our entire digital lives to machines that could die (or become self-aware and enslave us all) at any minute until I was forced to rebuild from the ground-up. Luckily I had backed up everything excluding the past month, though unfortunately it was all concealed by a garbled mess of empty folders, false filenames and unnecessary encryption I was convinced I needed at the time.

Though the setup went miserably — mostly due to accidentally setting a 23-digit pass code and realizing I lost three major papers that had been half-finished — it was quite reassuring to see all of my old pictures and videos again.

Though I had fully intended to bury Reggie as part of the mourning process, I quickly remembered that digging holes is hard work, and also that I love fire. So

Orange rhymes with to commemorate that terrible brick of a computer that ceased to function as a laptop years ago, I’ll be cremating his hard drive. This grants me the added benefit of keeping the NSA mole people from digging it up for inspection.

Do I really believe that mole people are after my emergency folder of half-finished humor drafts? Probably not, but much like how I occasionally hiss at the drains in the men’s restroom in the off-chance I’ve stumbled upon the UAA version of the “Chamber of Secrets” — it never hurts to be sure.

I’ve finally passed the denial stage, and I’m almost done fruitlessly screaming at poorly sized USB ports. If my outdated knowledge of psychology is accurate, then I should be near the point of acceptance where I can happily view my new laptop as the magic Netflix-providing box it truly is.

Atticus may never be able to singled-handedly heat my entire room the way his predecessor could, but as I queue up a new season of “Community,” I have a feeling that we’ll get along just fine.

Now I can finally avoid my pre-finals stress in peace.

Spiced pumpkin bread

By Kayla McGraw

photo2@thenorthernlight.org The snow has finally fallen and the daylight is short. For many, the winter can hit hard, but with the snow and chilly weather also comes the holidays. Holiday cooking fills the air with sweet familiar spices and bold seasonal flavors. It can be a pretty big event, so for those who are looking to make something sweet and simple, this may be just the treat.

Dessert breads are great. One can add a huge variety of flavors to make a completely different experience. This recipe will make bread that is rich with pumpkin and spice. Spices can be a little on the expensive side, but on the other hand they can last a while.

Once you buy all of the dry ingredients you will be able to use

them to bake many times over.

Simply start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Take out two 9x5-inch loaf pans, butter them and set aside. Take out one deep mixing bowl and another bowl to put the dry ingredients in.

Mix the sugar and oil together in the deep mixing bowl. In the same bowl, stir in the eggs and pumpkin. Combine all dry ingredients in the other bowl then blend them together in your wet mixture.

Finally mix in the water until the mixture is creamy. If desired, fold in a cup of chocolate chips to make it sweeter.

Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 40 minutes.

Check with a butter knife or cake tester to determine if it has been cooked thoroughly.

Once baked, take the pans out and let them stand for about 10 minutes. Then remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool.

Cooking in

COLLEGE Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 15 ounces canned unsweetened pumpkin 3.5 cups flour 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon 2/3 cup water

PHOTO BY REBECCA SIEGEL

DIABETES: acknowledgement through awareness

CONTINUED FROM COVER

sugary drinks are a big problem in Alaska. About 31 percent of three-year-olds, 45 percent of high school students and 40 percent of adults drink one or more sugary drinks per day in Alaska. Twentythree percent of adult Alaskans consume two or more.

Gaines says she has changed the way she eats since she was diagnosed. Gaines no longer eats candy and tries to stay away from junk food and coffee. Gaines says she wishes UAA would offer more lowcarb choices on campus for people who are diabetic.

There are groups of people who are more at risk for developing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Bang says African-Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Asians and those who are Hispanic are at a greater risk of developing the disease.

Genetics also play a role in a diabetes diagnosis. Both parents have to carry the gene to produce a child with Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has an even stronger link to family history, though there are environmental factors for both types. Alaska has a high rate of diabetes. In 2009, 6 percent of Alaskan adults were newly diagnosed. Nationwide, 27 percent of adults who are 65 and older are diabetic.

Reduce the risk of diabetes What is a sugary drink?

Eat healthy

Whole Fruits: 1-2 cups a day Vegetables: 2.5-3 cups a day Eat whole grain food Drink water Eat every 4-5 hours

Monitor portion sizes

1/2 cup is an ice cream scoop 1.5 oz is the size of four dice 3 oz of meat or fish is the size of a deck of cards 2 tablespoons is the size of a ping pong ball

Avoid

Candy, cookies, cakes, pie, ice cream Chips, fries and other salty foods Soda or sweetened juices Second helpings

Adjust behaviors

Quit smoking Manage stress Maintain a healthy weight Treat high cholesterol Treat high blood pressure

(Source: The American Diabetes Association)

Sugary drinks are made with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, honey or other sweeteners that contain calories and include: soft drinks, soda, pop, fruit drinks, punches, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened milk, milk alternatives, and tea and coffee drinks with added sugar.

Sugary drinks are a problem. High consumption of sugary drinks is associated with obesity and negative health conditions including diabetes and cavities. Reduction of sugary drink intake can lead to weight loss.

Sugary drinks: • Provide 36 percent of added sugar in the American diet • Are the largest source of added sugar in the diet of U.S. youth • Provide “empty calories” with little or not nutritional value, and • Are a substantial contributor of calories in the U.S. diet. ( Source: State of Alaska Division of Public Health)

Diabetic recipe

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs:

1/2 of a medium eggplant, peeled and cubed 1 medium onion, cut into wedges 1/4 cup pitted ripe olives halved 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 pounds chicken thighs, skinned 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel 1 teaspoon Greek seasoning or Italian seasoning, crushed 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 2/3 cup coarsely chopped roma tomatoes (2) 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional) In a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker combine eggplant, onion, olives and garlic. Top with chicken. Sprinkle chicken with lemon peel, Greek seasoning, salt and pepper. Pour broth over all.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5-6 hours or on highheat setting for 2.5-3 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken and eggplant mixture to a serving platter. Discard cooking liquid. Sprinkle chicken with tomatoes and cheese.

Nutrition facts per serving: 179 cal, 6 g total fat (1 g sat fat), 107 mg cholesterol 234 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 26 g proteon Daily Values: 7% vit A, 10% vit C, 3% calcium, 9% iron (Source: Diabetic Living: Slow Cooker Recipe)

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THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

04

PlayStation 4 vs.

Xbox One: Which is best for you?

‘Catching Fire’ sets fire to doubts

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org

arts@thenorthernlight.org

By George Hyde

It’s likely you’ve heard a lot of talk on the Internet and TV about this new “PS4” or “Xbox One” console race. Retailers have been bombarded with questions regarding which console to get, what games to get, what accessories are needed and the usual uncertainty that comes with adopting a new gaming system. Hopefully this article will clear up some of that confusion.

But first, a couple disclaimers. First, if you’re already an avid PC gamer, then picking up either of these consoles isn’t necessary unless you want an exclusive such as “Halo” or “Kingdom Hearts III.” Most games that come out on consoles come to PC anyway.

This article is directed toward those who do not own gaming PCs. Second, this is not a battle, and there will be no clear winner or loser. Both consoles appeal to different audiences, and this article will help readers decide which one is right for them.

The first entry in the next generation of consoles (in North America, anyway) is the PlayStation 4, or PS4. The PS4 is $100 cheaper than the Xbox One (or XBO) and a slight bit more powerful. Sony has touted the PS4 as the gamers’ machine, working primarily to play great-looking games with greater variety, and eventually it will carry more titles than the XBO. The other entry is the Xbox One, which, as mentioned earlier, is $100 more expensive. It includes an improved version of the Kinect, a camera peripheral that allows users to use gestures and voice commands without needing a controller. Microsoft has shown the console off as an all-in-one entertainment machine (hence the name), capable of playing Blu-rays, running online video services, playing games and sharing media with others, all without the need for a controller.

Getting into specific specs is confusing for the non-tech-savvy audience the consoles are being advertised to, but it’s worth mentioning that both consoles carry a 500 gigabyte hard drive. The PS4’s hard drive is replaceable and expandable, but while the XBO will eventually support expanding space with external drives, replacing the drive is a non-option.

While 500 GB may seem like a lot for a game console, it’s important to note that many modern games can carry an installation size of 50 GB or more.

It’s also important to note that the PS4 is not as much of an entertainment box as the XBO is. While the PS4 can still play Blu-rays and run programs like Netflix or Hulu Plus, entertainment options are more limited. For example, the PS4 can no longer play files directly from a hard drive, meaning that media has to be consumed either from Internet services or from Blu-rays.

So what does all this mean? In short, the PS4 is a stronger gaming machine, while the XBO is stronger when it comes to entertainment in general. If you’re passionate about gaming, would prefer not to use a gaming PC and would like to save an extra $100, the PS4 is the stronger option. If you’re looking to turn your television into a smart TV and use it more for general media, the XBO is the better option.

By Kelly Ireland

“The Hunger Games” left some readers of the “Hunger Games” trilogy wondering how a bookto-movie adaptation could be so bad. But with the second movie of the trilogy, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” moviemakers blow away fans with a plot that leaves almost nothing from the book out. Director Francis Lawrence demolished all doubts that the second film in the series wouldn’t be good, completely outdoing “The Hunger Games” director Gary Ross.

While the film is long — because almost everything from the book is in the movie — it is definitely worth watching. It doesn’t matter if you are a “Hunger Games” book fanatic or just a fan of the movies, “Catching Fire” satisfies.

There’s no disappointment here.

Jennifer Lawrence (“The Devil You Know”) and Josh Hutcherson (“Epic”), who play Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark respectively, have really stepped up their acting from the first film as well. For example, the scene where Katniss and Peeta visit District 11 in the Victor’s Tour is incredibly touching. Their tributes to the deaths of Rue and Thresh in “The Hunger Games” is tear jerking.

Not to mention the new cast is amazing. It includes Sam Claflin (“Snow White and the Huntsman”) who plays Finick Odair, the victor tribute from District 4; Jena Malone, who plays Johanna Mason, the victor tribute from District 7;

and Philip Seymour Hoffman (“A Late Quartet”), who plays Plutarch Heavensbee, the new head gamemaker.

The only acting that was incredibly terrible was the scenes between Gale (Liam Hemsworth, “Paranoia”) and Katniss. It may be because Gale and Katniss are just an awkward match — even in the books — but it was almost embarrassing to watch the two characters.

However, the 75th Hunger Games arena is a good screen adaptation from the book, and costume designer Trish Summerville hit the ball out of the park. The costumes of the tributes and the people of the Capitol were stunning and imaginative. Katniss’s wedding dress/mockingjay getup was exactly as I had imagined while reading the book and then some.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” exceeded all expectations and was a great movie. Its box office debut is deservedly the highestgrossing November release of all time, and the film is a great addition to “The Hunger Games” series.

Film: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” Release Date: Nov. 22, 2013 Genre: Action, drama Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

05 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

TRIO: Ai Kuwabara

By Tim Brown

photo@thenorthernlight.orgr Wednesday evening pianist Ai Kuwabara took to the stage in a floral dress and Dr. Martens. She played hours of beautiful music to a packed house. The recital was sublime.

Kuwabara, along with bassist Yusuke Morita and drummer Shintaro Imamura, have been traveling on their North American debut since earlier this month.

Kuwabara, Morita and Imamura met with students during an impromptu reception outside the recital hall after the performance.

The Ai Kuwabara Trio Project’s first two albums on are available on iTunes.

Pianist Ai Kuwabara, bassist Yusuke Morita and drummer Shintaro Imamura at play to a packed house Nov. 20.

PHOTOS BY TIM BROWN

Ai Kuwabara’s fingers stride hyperactivity across the keys of a grand piano Nov. 20. The Ai Kuwabara Trio Project plays modern jazz melodies with progressive and fusion influences.

A&E BRIEFS

Anchorage Museum announces new CEO

The Anchorage Museum Association announced the museum’s former chief curator, Julie Decker, is now serving as the CEO of both the museum and AMA. Decker is replacing former CEO James Pepper Henry, who stepped down to take a position at a museum in Phoenix, Ariz. When Henry left, Decker served as interim director until m/Oppenheim Associates, a company that searches for nonprofit executives, chose her as CEO.

UAA Craft Fair

Student Union & Commuter Student Services is hosting the annual UAA Craft Fair Dec. 7 in the Student Union. More than 90 artists from Alaska will sell handmade crafts.

This event will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information call or email Denise Eggers at craftsfair@ uaa.alaska.edu or 907-786-6152.

‘Ancient Aliens’ debunked UAA Anthropology Club is hosting a film night of “Ancient Aliens Debunked.” This documentary argues against “Ancient Aliens,” a History Channel series where Erich von Daniken, Zecharia Sitchin and other alien specialists present theories about how aliens were supposedly involved in human history. The Anthropology Club is asking people to wear alienthemed costumes and bring refreshments.

“Ancient Aliens Debunked” will be shown from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 26 in Professional Studies Building Room 166.

Nutcracker Ballet

Nutcracker Ballet is the end-all, be-all in Christmas performances. According to Anchorage Concert Association it is the number-one event of the holiday season. Every year the Anchorage Concert Association puts on the Nutcracker Ballet for the community. This year there’s new costumes and spin upon the classic ballet. Cincinnati Ballet did choreography for the show.

The ballet will be showing from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. On Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 there are showings at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Dec. 1 shows will be held at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

For ticket prices and to purchase tickets visit http:// alaskapac.centertix.net.

Briefs compiled by Kelly Ireland

Fall in love with Art AT THE MUSEUM

...or Dave, or Bob, or Larry

MIX AND MINGLE AFTER HOURS FIRST FRIDAYS

December movie preview

MOVIE PREVIEW COMPILED BY KELLY IRELAND AND JACOB HOLLEY-KLINE

‘Out of the Furnace’ Dec. 6

‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ Dec. 6

‘Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas’ Dec. 13

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ Dec. 13

When Rodney Baze Jr. (Casey Affleck, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”) returns from service in Iraq, he goes to live with his brother, Russell Baze (Christian Bale, “The Dark Knight Rises”). Rodney Jr. looks for a way to make money and gets into underground fighting. Rodney Jr. then goes missing, and authorities inform Russell that they won’t be searching for him. Russell then goes on a dangerous search for his brother, crossing paths with some of the biggest criminals.

“Inside Llewyn Davis” is a film about Llewyn Davis, a struggling folk singer in 1961. “The film doesn’t really have a plot.

That concerned us at one point; that’s why we threw the cat in,” said Joel Coen, one of the directors of the film.

After being coaxed to visit a small rural town for its annual Christmas celebration, the sassy old Madea (Tyler Perry, “Alex Cross”) dishes out her own brand of holiday cheer on the unsuspecting citizens. Secrets are divulged, and Madea’s love for her friends and family is tested.

The journey of Thorin and Company continues as they venture to Lonely Mountain to defeat the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock”) so Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage, “Captain America: The First Avenger”) may reclaim his people’s treasures. In “The Desolation of Smaug” segment of the journey, Thorin and Company must go forward without the help of Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen, “Miss in Her Teens”). Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman, “Sherlock”), the company’s thief, finally proves himself as a successful thief and trickster. The company also finally meets Smaug.

‘Hours’

‘American Hustle’

‘Walking with Dinosaurs’

‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’

Dec. 20

Dec. 20

A struggling father, Nolan (Paul Walker, “Fast & Furious”), loses his wife, Abigail (Genesis Rodriguez, “Identity Thief”), during childbirth. The baby is born premature and must be kept on a respirator. When a hurricane rolls in, the hospital’s power is knocked out. Alone in the hospital and without help, Nolan must keep his baby alive and survive the storm.

“American Hustle” is the tale of FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper, “The Hangover Part III”), con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale, “The Dark Knight Rises”) and his partner and lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams, “Man of Steel”), whom DiMaso has recruited to help him uncover information in a sting operation. The story is based around the FBI ABSCAM operation that developed into an investigation about public corruption.

Born as the runt of the pack, Pachyrhinosaurus Patchi (Justin Long, “A Case of You”), has spent his life trying to prove himself to his family and community. During the annual migration of Patchi’s herd, his father, Bulldust, dies while fighting a Gorgosaurus who has threatened his sons. Patchi then must take charge and lead the herd in the migration.

He receives help from bird friend Alex (John Leguizamo, “Kick-Ass 2”), fellow Pachyrhinosaurus Juniper (Tiya Sircar, “The Internship”) along with Patchi’s brother, Scowler (Skyler Stone, “Man Camp”). The film has live-action backdrops of New Zealand, New South Wales, the Kenai Peninsula and Crow Creak Mine near Girdwood.

San Diego’s top-rated newscaster Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell, “The Campaign”) and his team have left the west coast behind them. They seek fame and fortune in the glamor of New York by starting the first ever 24-hour news show.

‘Saving Mr. Banks’

‘47 Ronin’

‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’

‘August: Osage County’

Dec. 25

Dec. 25

“Saving Mr. Banks” is the tale of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks, “Captain Phillips”) and Pamela Lyndon Travers (Emma Thompson, “Beautiful Creatures”), more famously known as P.L. Travers, working together to adapt her children novels into the film “Mary Poppins.” Along the way Travers reveals details about her childhood. She also reveals that Mary Poppins is based on her own nanny and that Mr. Banks is her father.

Based on the bombastic tales of 47 reallife 18th-century samurai, “47 Ronin” is a fictional account of the roving masterless warrior’s journey to avenge their fallen sensei. The outcast Kai (Keanu Reeves, “Man of Tai Chi”) joins the group. Now, with the acceptance of the group leader Kuranosuke Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada, “The Wolverine”), Kai must prove his worth in the hunt for Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano, “Ichi the Killer”), the man responsible for killing the Ronin’s master.

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller, “Arrested Development”), working on the last issue of Life magazine, breaks away from his normal daydreaming for a real adventure. He embarks across the world to find a missing picture from his partner Sean O’Connell that is to run on the front page of the final issue of Life. He finds love with Cheryl (Kristen Wiig, “The Simpsons”) and experiences things he never could have dreamed to happen.

Sisters Karen (Juliette Lewis, “Open Road”), Ivy (Julianne Nicholson, “Covert Affairs”) and Barbara (Julia Roberts, “Mirror Mirror”) Weston all return to their crazy mother, Violet Weston (Meryl Streep, “Hope Springs”), when their father, Beverley Weston (Sam Shepard, “Savannah”), commits suicide. Barbara Weston brings along her daughter, Jean Fordham (Abigail Breslin, “The Call”) and her father, Bill Fordham (Ewan McGregor, “Jack the Giant Slayer”), who find themselves in an incredibly dysfunctional household.

Dec. 13

Dec. 20

Dec. 18

Dec. 25

‘Justin Bieber’s Believe’

‘Grudge Match’

This is a documentary about Justin Bieber (himself) and his rise to fame.

The film addresses what it’s like to have fame and have people constantly waiting for him to fail. It follows how he deals with his popularity and criticism.

30 years after their last brutal fight, two aging boxers reignite their rivalry with one final match. Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (Robert De Niro, “Last Vegas”) and Henry “Razor” Sharp (Sylvester Stallone, “Escape Plan”) promise to enter the ring one last time to settle their rivalry once and for all.

Dec. 25

Dec. 25

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

HOTTEST TOPICS November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

How has diabetes affected your life?

Antoinette Street

Thuy-Linh King-Harshfield

Megan JaQuish

Because of my family line, I was always concerned about eating too much comfort food and getting huge. But I no longer care, and the idea of diabetes doesn’t terrify me as much anymore.

Diabetes has affected my life through employment as job security. As a pharmacy technician, I deal with supplies as well as medication dispensing to the customers in a daily basis.

As a child, I lived with my mother and her boyfriend. I remember that he was diabetic, and I never understood it. People would crack jokes about him potentially losing his feet! I knew he had shots that made his feet less scratchy but never saw it as humorous.

English Major

Psychology Major

HOTTEST TOPICS QUESTIONS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTS COMPILED BY MOHAGANI ADAMU

Matt Parker

Undelcared Major

Undeclared Major

My aunt is diabetic and occasionally needs my help around her house.

Use the word “jam” in a sentence, any way you like it.

Wesley Early

Boyd Ching

Journalism Major

One thing I find awesome about the world I live in is the fact that you can make jam out of grapes, rhubarb and even chili peppers.

The Northern Light is a proud member of the ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of the Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 4,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood.

The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.­­­

Computer Science Major

Hey, we are having Dance Jams every Thursday at 7-o’-clock, Student Union.

Andrew Mousseau

Global Logistics and Business Management My friends and I are about to jam to Juicy J at his concert on Friday, taking a night off of studying.

LETTERS AND CORRECTIONS POLICY Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length is 250 words.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@ thenorthernlight.org. The maximum word length is 450 words.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@ thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at http:// www.thenorthernlight.org. The newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly next to Subway.

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org

EXECUTIVE EDITOR 786-1434 editor@thenorthernlight.org Ashley Snyder MANAGING EDITOR content@thenorthernlight.org Vacant COPY EDITOR copy1@thenorthernlight.org Kierra Hammons NEWS EDITOR 786-1576 news@thenorthernlight.org Suhaila Brunelle FEATURES EDITOR 786-1576 features@thenorthernlight.org Nita Mauigoa A&E EDITOR 786-1512 arts@thenorthernlight.org Kelly Ireland

SPORTS EDITOR 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Thomas McIntyre

GRAPHIC DESIGNER graphics@thenorthernlight.org Roz Kirkelie

PHOTO EDITOR photo@thenorthernlight.org Tim Brown

ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Chelsea Dennis

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS photo2@thenorthernlight.org Kayla McGraw Corey Hester WEB EDITOR web@thenorthernlight.org Jenna! Roosdett LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR news2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Valerie Hudson ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR arts2@thenorthernlight.org Jacob Holley-Kline ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR sports2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Chris Pitka MULTIMEDIA EDITOR multimedia@thenorthernlight.org Vacant STAFF REPORTERS gchyde@thenorthernlight.org George Hyde eerickson@thenorthernlight.org Evan Erickson CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Brush Evan Dodd dan@thenorthernlight.org Dan Duque Mark Hoffman MoHagani Adamu Rebecca Siegel MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS On Page 1 of the Nov. 19 issue of The Northern Light, we misidentified Joy Mapaye’s position at the university. She is an associate professor. We also misidentified her department, which is now called the Department of Journalism and Communication.

On Page 6 of the Nov. 19 issue of The Northern Light, the “Call of Duty: Ghosts” game review was written by staff reporter George Hyde, and Yoloswaggins420 is a fictional character intended to be a generic representative of some YouTube commenters.

On Page 8 of the Nov. 19 issue of The Northern Light, we misidentified a volleyball player in a photo by Corey Hester. Freshman middle blocker Erin Braun tipped off a return from Simon Fraser University.

Balogun Bishop

Computer Science Major Every Thursday at 7 p.m. Student Union Hip Hop Dance Jam. Come Jam with us.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Tobacco has no place on any campus I am a longtime Republican conservative and business owner in Illinois, where I also attended and graduated from college. I enjoyed my vacation to Alaska immensely and would love to visit your priceless, beautiful state again. In general, I do agree that UAA, as well as all colleges and universities, should become tobacco-free campus-wide. This tobacco ban should also include electronic cigarettes, as well as chewing tobacco. The tobacco companies are presently buying up manufacturing rights to many of these electronic cigarette devices, and we all know that anything that big tobacco is involved in cannot usually be good. The more studies that are conducted on these devices, the more questionable and unsafe chemicals are found in these so called “harmless vapors” that students in dormitories and the general public congregating indoors are being exposed to. Bottom line: College is an institution where today’s best are being prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders, and tobacco in any form has no place in such a setting.

Bill Kerschner Rockford Illinois