September 25, 2012 by The Northern Light

THENORTHERNLIGHT SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

WWW.THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

PostSecret Live, sharing secrets and stories with Frank Warren

Fall intramural sports gear up

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

Journalism junior Paige Haider at Wednesday’s intramural soccer game.

By Thomas McIntyre Sports Editor

PHOTO BY HEATHER HAMILTON

Frank Warren shares lunch and discusses PostSecret with students prior to his Sept. 19 lecture.

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

Most people have secrets. Many hold them in for years, some find that one special person they can trust with anything and still others mail them on postcards to a complete stranger. Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret, is that complete stranger. Every week, he receives a few hundred anonymous postcards from all over the world at his home address. Each carefully crafted postcard contains a few words or paragraphs of a confession that no one else has ever read or heard.

Chinese porcelain arts

See more photos at www.thenothernlight.org

He publishes many on his website, PostSecret.com, every Sunday, and others appear in books, art gallery shows and public talks. Warren started PostSecret in 2004 as a community art project. He self-addressed 3,000 blank postcards and handed them out to strangers, inviting them to anonymously e-mail him their secrets. It was his third postcard endeavor, and he would have been happy with even 100 responses. More than that were returned, and Warren soon started posting them online to share with the world.

“I didn’t tell my neighbors or my friends what I was doing. I told my wife; she didn’t really understand it, because it was this crazy idea, but she supported it,” he said at his lecture at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 20. “Soon the project, the whole idea, didn’t seem so crazy, because secrets began to find their way to my mailbox. A small trickle at first, but then more.” At his lecture, which was attended by an estimated 500 people, Warren discussed his

reasons for starting the project, which include the idea that people are connected by their secrets, that no one is alone — because somewhere else, others share similar, if not the same, secret. One lighthearted secret that Warren often receives is that the sender pees in the shower. One dark secret that showed him how powerful his project could be involved a young person who anonymously confessed that their mother abused them, which included a picture of his or her

See SECRETS page 7

Not all of us are gifted enough to play in the NBA or MLS, but that doesn’t mean we can’t become the LeBron James of intramural basketball or the Lionel Messi of intramural soccer. UAA is currently hosting intramural leagues for coed basketball, volleyball, soccer, men’s hockey and women’s hockey. All leagues meet once a week and include a postseason to determine the league’s champion. Men and women’s hockey forms are available outside of the intramural office. The office is located in Room 207 of the Wells Fargo Sports Complex, directly across from the basketball court. To be eligible, one must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours, have paid the student activity fee and have a current validated Wolfcard. Secondly, there is a strict “no ID, no play” policy. A Wolfcard is mandatory

See INTRAMURALS page 13

Anchorage revs up for Zombie Preparedness Month Pop culture used to teach disaster preparedness By Nita Mauigoa

A “two-ears” style vase was shown Friday at a Confucius Institute-sponsored lecture about Chinese porcelain.

News 2 INDEX Features 3 News A&E 7 2 Features 12 3 Opinion A&E Sports 13 6 Sports Comics 16 9 Opinion 10 Comics 11

Assistant Features Edior

In recent weeks, zombie sightings have swept across local news. The Alaska Dispatch reported zombie activity in downtown Anchorage. The Anchorage Daily News captured pictures of a blood-spattered zombie bridal party. Of course these zombies are fake, but the pop culture frenzy is real and so is the message behind it: Be prepared for disaster! The Municipality of Anchorage

See ZOMBIES page 6

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAWN BRANTLY

Local children volunteer as zombies for a day during the filming of staged “Zombie News” series Sept. 9.

NEWS

Food Quest: Unrecorded Best: local bike cookie in accidents Anchorage.

FEATURES Dance of The price love, weekly of being an lessons free artist at UAA

A&E

“Dredd” Goodbye, pleases Michael audiences Phelps

NEWS September 25, 2012 NEWS BRIEFS

Bike accidents not tracked in Anchorage

SAY WHAT?!

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

Contract reporter Evan Dodd documents leaking pipes in MAC 4 Sunday night. Leaks also allegedly occured in MAC 2 Sunday night. Flooding was reported to soak carpets in hallways throughout MAC 4. More information is not immediately available as of 8 a.m. Monday. Check thenorthernlight.org for more information throughout the week.

Chicago Teachers Union ends first walkout in 25 years CHICAGO (AP) — Students prepared to return to class Wednesday after Chicago teachers voted to suspend their first strike in a quarter century, shutting 350,000 children out of school, disrupting the daily routines of thousands of families and making the city’s schoolyards a flashpoint for union rights and public school reforms across the country. Union delegates voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night to suspend the walkout after discussing a proposed contract settlement with the nation’s third largest school district. They said the contract wasn’t perfect but included enough concessions — including new teacher evaluations, recall rights for laid-off teachers and classroom conditions — to go back to work while they prepare to put it to a vote by more than 26,000 teachers and support staff in coming weeks. “I miss the kids,” said Symantha Lancaster, a delegate who works in career services, based at an elementary school. “I know we’re fighting for a cause (but) I want to go back.” Parents say they are relieved the strike is over, signifying the end of hassles trying to find alternative activities for their children or dropping them off at one of more than 140 schools the district kept open for several hours a day so they could be safe and eat breakfast and lunch. “I am elated. I couldn’t be happier,” said Erica Weiss, who had to leave work in the middle of the day to pick up her 6-year-old daughter. “I have no one else to watch her. ... I can’t even imagine the people who could have possibly even lost their jobs over having to stay home with their kids because they have no alternate care. It just put everyone in a pickle.”

Syrian rebels seize control of a border crossing, pull down Syrian flag AKCAKALE, Turkey (AP) — Rebels seized control of a border crossing on the frontier with Turkey on Wednesday, pulling down the Syrian flag and sending a stream of jubilant people pouring across the border into Turkey. An Associated Press reporter at the scene Wednesday said people were moving freely across the Tal Abyad crossing, crawling under barbed wire. Some appeared to be wounded. “I am a free Syrian!” one man shouted, throwing his hands in the air. Syria’s rebels control several other border crossings into Turkey but Wednesday’s capture of the Tal Abyad post is believed to be the first time they have taken the border area in the northern province of Raqqa.Taking control of border crossings helps the opposition ferry supplies into Syria and carve out an area of control, which is key as the rebels try to tip the balance in the civil war.

Bicycle riders on campus should be warned about the danger of car accidents — maybe. Brad Munn, University Police Department Deputy of Police, said there is not a way to track bicycle accidents on campus. He said any accidents that occur between a bike and a vehicle are logged into the University Police Department System as a traffic accident or injury report. However, he said when a bike and vehicle collide, there are usually injuries involved. There have been nine injury accidents since the start of last fall semester. Munn said bike accidents are not frequent on campus, but when they happen the blame can be placed on both bikers and drivers. He said there was an incident Aug. 30 where a bicyclist collided with a vehicle because they were riding against traffic. But he also said there was an accident at the beginning of this year where a rider was hit because the driver didn’t see them. The Anchorage Police Department website statesthat the most recent information available on bicycle accidents are counts from the city in the years 20002004 — 122, 121, 149, 179 and 155, respectively. The Anchorage Daily News reported in 2010, “A 2008 survey by the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 1 percent of Anchorage commuters travel mainly by bike. That works out to roughly

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

A bike in fornt of the student union is sporting a front light. September is safety awareness month at this campus.

1,500 bike commuters, give or take a few hundred, with more in summer and fewer in winter.” The Municipality of Anchorage suggested the following bike safety tips, based on information found throughout Anchorage Municipal Code Title 9 Chapter 38: 1. Protect your head. Wear a helmet. In Anchorage, riders under the age of 16 are required by law to wear a bicycle helmet (AMC 9.38.200). 2. Assure bicycle readiness. Make sure your bicycle is adjusted properly. 3. Stop it. Always check brakes

before riding. 4. See and be seen. 5. Wear bright, reflective clothing. When riding at night, be seen! Equip your bike with a headlamp, use reflective tape on your clothing and on your bicycle. 6. Stay alert. Always keep a lookout for obstacles in your path. 7. Go with the flow. The safe way is the “right” way. 8. Check for traffic. Always be aware of the traffic around you. 9. Learn the rules of the road. Obey all traffic laws. 10. Don’t flip over your bicycle. Wheels should be securely fastened.

Beagle survives 10-foot fall from NJ bridge BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — A beagle named Brandi survived a 70-foot fall from a New Jersey bridge. The dog got away from its owner during a walk along the Burlington Riverfront Promenade Friday night. Bridge officer Rob Bittner saw Brandi walking up the BurlingtonBristol Bridge toward Pennsylvania. Bittner tells The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill (http://on.cpsj.com/ps9e2y) he turned on his emergency lights to slow traffic and followed the dog. Bittner says Brandi was doing fine until she got to the top of the span and her paws felt a steel grate. The officer says Brandi jumped into the Delaware River as motorists tried to grab her. The beagle’s owner recovered her and took her to a veterinarian. Brandi was bruised around the abdomen, but didn’t have any broken bones.

Officials: Fla. man wanted to cook rare sea turtle TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A rare sea turtle that a Florida fisherman wanted to cook and eat has been released back into the wild. Officials at The Florida Aquarium say the fisherman snagged the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle in May. Instead of releasing it, he put the 15-pound juvenile turtle in a tank in his backyard in Tampa. Aquarium official Susan Coy tells The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/ryckrb) that the fisherman planned to cook and eat the endangered species, but a neighbor reported him to authorities. It’s not unheard of for turtle meat to be used in dishes such as soups. Gary Morse, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, says the fisherman told investigators he didn’t know the turtle was endangered. The turtle named “Lucky” was rehabilitated at the aquarium until Wednesday, when it was released.

Vandal spray paints vehicle, poor spelling YORK, Pa. (AP) — Police are searching for a spelling-challenged vandal who hit a central Pennsylvania woman’s car with paint over the weekend. York police say a woman reported Saturday morning that her sport-utility vehicle had been sprayed with white paint. On the driver’s side doors an unknown perpetrator had scrawled “bicth.” Investigators say the woman also reported a motorcycle was stolen from her property. It was later recovered in Spring Garden Township. The York Dispatch (http://bit.ly/ pjqee) reports police are seeking information on the motorcycle and the poorly spelled graffiti.

Compiled from the Associated Press by J. Almendarez

FEATURES September 25, 2012

Romantic preferences

The beginning of the end

ILLUSTRATION BY VICENTE CAPALA

Vicente Capala Multimedia Editor

Are you confused about what kinds of people you may be into? Rest assured, you are not alone. Trying to figure out who may turn you on or get you sprung may be difficult to understand sometimes. I have a fair understanding of what is interesting to me in a person, but I always find out new things that I might grow an interest in. Let’s start off first with appearance. Even though we like to say people are not judgmental of appearance, many do have some sort of preference in the “look” they seek. Some people say that the “look” is based on everyone’s primal nature of wanting to have babies that survive through trials, whatever they may be. My personal preference is bright-eyed white males. Yes, I am gay, but I’m not ruling out women as attractive. I am simply geared toward cultivating emotional and physical attraction towards men. And I don’t believe I’m prejudiced; I am just pulled more towards light-skinned and brighteyed people. I found out my attraction through simple testing of physical types. I myself am of Filipino and Spanish descent, but I do not gear myself toward other Asians. My mind just automatically associates everyone that looks like me with a family member — that’s just how my mind works. There are many people that are very much attracted to their same ethnicity and that is totally fine. Physical attraction should be based on what you see as beautiful. Sometimes our views can be skewed through social media and entertainment. Hot bods and tight abs are usually viewed as attractive in the

media, but to be able to actually judge what you are attracted to requires you to step away from the TV and look into reality. Nobody looks perfect. Rating physical attraction is simpler than you think. You can do it by yourself as you stare at other people passing you by, but be careful not to look like a stalker. The second attraction factor takes some interaction with an individual — or if you are dating various people, individuals. Whether you are into book-smart, street-smart, artsy, outgoing, introverted, or downright gangster, you still need to get to know a person to figure out if they are “the one.” Sometimes people tend to like combinations of certain personality types, which can get a little complicated. I’m into people who are smart, artsy, easygoing and silly yet mature. And the complexities go further from there. Over time I’ve come to call myself picky, but I wouldn’t say everyone’s like that. If you can sit through a conversation with someone and not realize that time has passed, then they are someone you should go on a second date with. Now, if you are still confused on whether you can feel something for a Latino boy with a high IQ or an Australian girl with a great attitude, don’t worry — preferences build over time. Sometimes people don’t even realize they even have a preference and just fall in love with someone without being able to explain it. That is something to be respected. However, one thing to remember is the age-old message, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Never reject someone immediately because they don’t fit perfectly with your preferences. Just go out there and explore ... safely. You’ll be surprised what you find!

ILLUSTRATION BY VICENTE CAPALA

By Evan Dodd Contributor

The end is near-ish. At least that’s what the Internet, my conspiracy theorist friend and that homeless guy on the bus are telling me. And after the recent windstorm trifecta of doom, I’m mildly inclined to agree with them. In fact, all signs point toward our impending death, from what I can tell. The Mayan calendar is quickly coming to a close, “How I Met Your Mother” is in its last season and UAA’s Wi-Fi finally seems to be working. These are signs, people. These things don’t just happen. So in preparation for the Armageddon of a lifetime, I’ve put together a survival kit consisting of the most important and necessary materials for a postapocalyptic world: mostly yogurt and the boxed series of “Lost.” But don’t use my previously reported and somewhat poor packing technique as a reason to underestimate my survival skills in the face of ultimate destruction. I’ve been preparing for this moment all of my life. I’ve seen

every disaster movie ever made. I’ve studied their plots, laughed at dialogue and yelled as if the characters could somehow hear me through the TV. But in all that time, I’ve been waiting, watching and formulating a plan. Killer tomatoes, megapiranhas, countless staggering zombies ... it doesn’t matter. I’ve got this. That’s not to say I’m impervious to disaster. Some threats just can’t be overcome. For instance, if our global destruction came in the form of giant swarms of killer bees, you would most likely find me sobbing uncontrollably under my bed in a puddle of my own tears. But if we are facing more trivial disasters, such as meteors, super volcanoes or global earthquakes, then I’m your guy. Believe it or not, I’ve prepared for an event like this. I’ve bought up all the surplus boxes of Twinkies, taught myself to use nunchakus and suffered through that awful 2012 movie. Hell, I even went to the gym, like, twice this year. I’m a survival machine. My point is that I’m in peak physical and mental condition to take on the end of the world. Now some of you may be asking yourselves things like, “Why should I trust this guy? He

can barely put his pants on in the morning, much less survive the apocalypse,” and, “Why yogurt? Won’t that spoil quickly without power?” I say, fair enough. But consider this: How many horror movies have you ever seen where the sarcastic, wisecracking sidekick gets killed first? The answer is none. No movie would ever do that, because they know the wisecracking sidekick is only one disaster away from becoming the wisecracking leader. And everyone knows that the charismatic leader character only survives until at least the beginning of the third act. Believe me, the day is coming when everything begins to fall apart and the news starts reporting the end of the world as we know it. It’s not going to be pretty, and you’ll want to make sure you have a plan. When that fateful day comes and humanity is stuck fighting hoards of monsters (not bees) or running from meteors, I’ll be hosting the apocalypse party of the century. I’ll bring the complete series of “Lost” and an arsenal of situational disaster jokes. You bring some first aid kits and survival gear. And beer. Someone please bring beer. If that happens, somehow I think we’re going to be okay.

FEATURES September 25, 2012

Cooking in college By Kate Lindsley Contributor

BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, and Steamed Veggies Start to finish: 8 hours (but only 30 minutes of actual in-kitchen work) Servings: 4 Recipe by Kate Lindsley

Ingredients 2 thawed chicken breasts 1 cup Kenai Premier spicy barbecue sauce 8 pieces of Dave’s Killer Bread (substitute: any other whole wheat bread) 1 medium sweet potato 3 stalks broccoli 6 medium-size carrots

This meal is three things: easy, flavorful and healthy. It’s the trifecta of college dinners. Keep in mind there is a key piece of technology you’ll need in your kitchen. That technology is a slow cooker. These are found at nearly every garage sale for $5-10 and will last for years and years. The price for each serving of this meal runs around $5.50. Buying the chicken, barbecue sauce, bread and sweet potato fries in bulk saves significant cash if you have the freezer space. I started this meal at 1 p.m. on the day of the dinner. It was easy — toss some chicken in the slow cooker and leave for the library for some chemistry studying. When I came back, the entire apartment smelled like barbecue. I’m sure the smell alone drew the neighbor’s envy. Set chicken breasts in slow cooker (small size slow cookers acceptable for this recipe) with barbecue sauce. Set slow cooker to “low” setting. Leave it for seven and a half hours. Occupying yourself while you know delicious food is cooking is the only challenge to making the meal. Seven and a half hours after starting the slow cooker, set the oven to 400 degrees F. Cover the cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Chop the sweet potato into quarter inch wide strips. I cheated here and bought sweet potato fries from the frozen section of Costco. Cutting

a sweet potato is too difficult with the quality of knives a college student can afford, and the precut ones are just as delicious and healthy. Plus, bulk is better. Spray aluminum foil with cooking spray and place sweet potato fries on the pan. Place the pan in the oven for 25 minutes. Next up is the vegetable steaming. Boil one cup of water in a medium sized saucepan. Thoroughly wash carrots and broccoli. Slice carrots at a diagonal and slice broccoli crowns off the stalk. This is where the finesse of the chef comes in — if you want to do carrot stalks instead of slices, that’s totally cool. Adding in the broccoli stalk as well as the crowns is an excellent idea, and a good way to make the broccoli go even further. Place the carrots into the heatsafe strainer first, followed by the broccoli, because it ensures the carrots fully cook. I didn’t think of this until after I had placed the broccoli in first, so I had to dump it all out and reorganize. Once the water boils, place the strainer with the carrots and broccoli in the saucepan and place the lid on top. Turn the heat down to medium and let the vegetables steam for five minutes. The finishing touches: toast the bread in the toaster, open the slow cooker lid and shred the chicken using two forks to pull the meat apart. Then plate your dinner: first sandwiches, then sweet potato fries followed by steamed vegetables.

PHOTOS BY VICENTE CAPALA

“I’ve been finding flakes on my shoulders whenever I shake out my hair. How can I know whether it’s dry scalp or dandruff?” By Kate Lindsley Contributor

Both dry scalp and dandruff make can result in snowy shoulders. However, their sources are fairly opposite. Dandruff comes from overproduction of sebum (oil) in your scalp, which feeds a nasty fungus known as Malassezia. This fungus mixes with dead cells, which then slough off and make a mess. Dry scalp, on the other hand, comes from under-production of sebum. This makes the skin cells around the hair follicles fall away from each other and sprinkle all over. It is important to differentiate color between flakes. Flakes from dandruff can be light yellow to orange. These colors come from the fungus. However, dry scalp flakes are simply white. Cold, wintry weather can exacerbate both dry scalp and dandruff, so it’s important to keep good hygiene as freezing temperatures approach. Washing your hair frequently can prevent your own personal case of termination dust. Shampooing your hair can help keep dandruff fungus from accumulating, and conditioning your scalp will help moisturize the skin cells to prevent dry scalp. When regular shampoo and

conditioner doesn’t work, it is likely dandruff is a more serious problem that can’t be addressed by this guru. Seeking advice from a dermatologist is the next best step. The dermatologist will possibly prescribe a shampoo with an active ingredient like zinc pyrithione. This anti-fungal will block a membrane transporter in the fungus, which disables its ability to utilize energy. “If the dermatologist would prescribe zinc pyrithione, why don’t I just use it to prevent dandruff before it happens?” Zinc pyrithione is old science. It was discovered in the 1940s. Recent studies point to the notion that the mere presence of fungi on the scalp is not bad. In fact, there is an entire group of fungi (in the Ascomycota phylum) which cause no problems and are naturally found in the scalp. When shampooing with an anti-fungal shampoo, the zinc pyrithione can’t differentiate between the fungi that is harmful and the fungi that is just hanging out. Lastly, even if you have these fungi on your scalp, you may not be at risk for dandruff. Keep in mind that the fungus needs the sebum to feast on, so if you don’t have an oily scalp, you’re likely in the clear.

FEATURES

September 25, 2012

Wrenches, tires, pumps, oh my!

Hands-on lessons about bicycle repair By Shannon Burgoon Contributor

Bachata, the dance of love By Larry Rodriguez Contributor

It was a rainy and windy evening at UAA. Classes were over for most students, and it was time to relax. Student Activity coordinator Balogun Bishop started the beginning of a Latin Dance Series on Wednesday. Leo Macedo and his assistant, Russian major Antonia De Lucia, were the dance instructors. Students began milling onto the dance floor just after 6 p.m. Macedo and De Lucia quickly had everybody in position and ready to learn their first dance moves. The dance chosen for the evening’s instruction was the bachata. Bachata originated from the Dominican Republic during the 1960s as romantic guitar music. When musicians began to speed up the tempo, dancers began to develop new steps that would later be called the bachata. The dance is based on four beats to a measure with a tap on the last step. The movement is a basic side-to-side motion beginning right, then left. Macedo and De Lucia broke down the steps in an easy to follow demonstration. After each student learned the basic movement they added the accents of twirls and reverse cross-hand turns. UAA alumnus Rico Rodriguez, criminal justice graduate, attended

PHOTOS BY J. ALMENDAREZ

(Above) Rico Rodriguez teaches international studies freshman Melania DeLucia how to do the bachata Wednesday night. (Upper left) Julia Tenison, journalism and public communications junior, does a spin with Liz Robinson, a non-degree seeking student,.

the dance. He was a bachata dance competition contestant in his Puerto Rico home, winning several first place trophies. His grandmother, a dance instructor, trained him. He said the dance is based on love, and dancers are traditionally supposed to be very close to their partner. It is a love dance that is very sensual with a lot of chemistry. “It is an eternal dance, like love, that should never stop,” said Rodriguez. Modern Latin dance has roots in the dance traditions of African slaves that were brought over to North America. African dance and its music had a very unique rhythm that no one had

seen or heard before. The Latin American countries had theirs but began blending the unique dance styles brought from the African continent with their own dances. This blend of styles eventually became what we know today as salsa, merengue, bachata, and many, many more, which will be featured through the dance series. Balogun said that he has scheduled the dance series to occur weekly throughout the semester. So get some high heels or smooth-bottom shoes to slide and move. The dance floor is waiting to be filled with the dance of love at 6 p.m. every Wednesday in the Student Union cafeteria.

The Student Union and the Commuter Student Services board hosted a bicycle edition safety expoWednesday as part of the “Safetember Series.” Students interested in bike repair and riding safety attended the event at the Student Union’s North Cafeteria for hands-on biking lessons. Many new aspects about bike safety were presented, from replacing broken links in a bike chain to changing a tire tube. Paul Bedledsoe, volunteer coordinator for Off the Chain Bicycle Collective, answered many students’ concerns about their bikes. UAA students asked questions about what items, besides helmets and appropriate clothing, are essential to bring along when commuting in town. Bedledsoe answered, “A few great items to bring along in your backpack would be a tire pry, tire wrench for loosening tire bolts, extra tire tubes and, of course, a portable pump.” He said that it would be smart to make sure you have “reflective tape on your helmet and backpack” because we live in Alaska and winters create hazardous road conditions. “Make sure your back lights blink red and LED lights work the best,” he added. He also went over studded tires, which improve winter rides and the decreased tire pressure also provides better traction. Students were also made aware about the UAA Bike Share program, which will tentatively start this spring or summer. The program’s purpose is to allow students free access to donated bikes from the community. When the program starts green and gold bikes will be located at the Student Union’s info desk

Paul Bledsoe, volunteer coordinator for Off the Chain Bicycle Collective, shows sociology senior Rachel Wintz how to change a bicycle tire during the bike safety seminar Wednesday.

PHOTOS BY J. ALMENDAREZ

Chemistry senior Jack Degenstein reads about the up-and-coming bike share program at UAA during the bike safety seminar Wednesday.

and the Outdoor Rental Office. A Wolfcard is required for rentals. Also located at the Student Union’s Information desk are bike tools for loan at no cost. Those bikes are for commuting around campus and are intended to reduce our campus’ carbon footprint, promote good health and decrease fuel usage, said USUAA Sentator Max Bullock, who is leading the project. Questions regarding the program and bike donations can be directed to Bullock, at 907-854-9556 or rmbullock@alaska.edu.

FEATURES

September 25, 2012

ZOMBIES: Anchorage revs up for Zombie Preparedness Month Continued from cover

(MOA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are shooting a staged “Zombie News” series for upcoming Zombie Preparedness month in October. “The zombie pandemic is a perfect teaching tool for getting prepared for any emergency or natural disaster we might encounter,” said Ken Takakuwa, Human Services manager at the DHHS. Dozens of volunteers got zombified and participated in the filming, located on the streets of downtown Anchorage. “The funny part was that it was filmed on a Sunday across from a church, and we got some interesting looks,” Takakuwa said. “Thankfully no one got out of their cars and tried to dispatch one of the zombies.” The eight-part series will play throughout October

Local residents volunteered to get zombied up for staged “Zombie News” series shot in Downtown Anchorage, Sept. 9.

online at www.facebook.com/ zombiepreparednessmonth. Other local “zombie fun” events are scheduled for October. The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management will host a Brown Bag lunch seminar called Zombie Preparedness 101

from noon-1 p.m. Oct. 5 in the BP Energy Center at 1014 Energy Ct. The MOA and DHHS have teamed up with the Loussac Library and will host a “Haunted Scavenger Hunt” Oct. 20. Be warned, there will be live zombies. There will be a session

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAWN BRANTLEY

for kids and a separate, scarier one for adults. Both events are free of cost and require preregistration at www. muni.org/oem. However, not everyone is sold on the zombie theme of the events. Some ask, “Of all things, why

zombies?” Dawn Brantely, emergency programs manager for the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management simply answered, “Because if you’re prepared for a zombie apocalypse, you are prepared for any disaster!”

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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

SECRETS: UAA opens up at interactive PostSecret lecture Man behind famed PostSecret blog visits UAA Continued from cover

broken bedroom door. When that secret was posted, Warren received many responses of similar secrets and photographs of broken bedroom doors, showing this individual that they weren’t alone. It also reminded Warren about a similar secret that he had buried from himself, which involved his own broken door. Seeing these secrets reminded him of his own. “Confessing a secret, even to ourselves, can be transformative. Sometimes when we think we’re keeping a secret, that secret’s actually keeping us,” he said. Warren’s presentation also included a voicemail montage that will be included in a PostSecret play that is in the works, how PostSecret has involved itself with suicide awareness and even how the secrets have been censored in various forms. Certain secrets are kept out of publication due to copyright infringement (involving the images used on the postcards) and others for being graphic, either in writing or visuals. Even though they were not published, Warren had no problem showing the audience many of those secrets on the giant projector he was using for the lecture. Indicating a postcard displayed on the screen, Warren said, “My publisher asked me to keep this image out of the book because they were afraid that Walmart wouldn’t stock it on their shelves. I’m happy to say that Walmart has never sold a PostSecret book, and

I hope they never do.” At the end of the lecture, Warren invited audience members to line up at two microphones at the sides of the auditorium to tell their own secrets. Surprisingly, many lined up almost immediately. Many of the secrets were heartbreaking, involving suicidal thoughts and family secrets that hurt the secret keeper. One uplifting secret involved an audience member who found a sense of community through reading the PostSecret blog, and who feels as though they owe Warren their life for always being there through the website. Warren, who looked a bit taken aback, offered the individual a hug, and the audience applauded the secret keeper’s courage. The audience applauded every brave person who stepped up to the mics. The lecture was an emotional one that seemed to connect with most, if not every, person in the audience. Many cried during the sad stories, many laughed at Warren’s jokes and the funny secrets he shared. It was engaging and left everyone with something to share later, whether it was about the lecture itself,or secrets of their own. After Warren closed the show at he end, he sat on stage to sign autographs; the campus bookstore was also selling his books in the auditorium lobby. He stayed until the very last book was signed.

Frank Warren discusses origins of PostSecret with students Sept. 19.

PHOTO BY HEATHER HAMILTON

Judgement on “Dredd,” brutally fantastic

Comic strip hero is reimagined for sci-fi film By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

Justice has a new face, and it strongly resembles the barrel of a machine gun. Mega-City One is a massive city spanning from what was once Toronto to Miami in a postapocalyptic future. Residents of the city, of which there are roughly 800 million, live in blocks, skyscrapers that rise upwards of 200 floors. It is one of these blocks, controlled by Ma-Ma (Lena Headey, “300”), a former

prostitute turned drug lord, that a new addicted drug called SloMo is being manufactured and distributed throughout the city. The effects? Users of the drug perceive time as happening at only 1 percent of its actual rate, hence the drug’s name. It’s up to Judge Dredd (Karl Urban, “Star Trek”) and rookie Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby, “The Darkest Hour”) to ascend the tower and put a stop to Ma-Ma’s reign, and the drug’s production. Adapted from a British comic strip, “Judge Dredd,” that’s been running since 1977, the movie takes place in a dystopian society. Mega-City One is so massive that no regular forms of government are able to control it. High unemployment leads to even higher crime rates, violence runs rampant and ideal forms of law enforcement can’t keep up. So, the Hall of Justice was created, with its judges acting as officers with the role of cop, judge, jury and, if necessary, executioner. There is so little hope and decency in the world, that it is the only way to maintain order. Perhaps the strongest plot point of the movie is that the writers chose to make it modern, rather than futuristic. The audience can

identify with a drug lord more than alternate reality dark spirit Judges (an actual group of villains in the comic strip), and it creates a more relatable premise to follow. It serves the movie well. A cinematographic bonus are the slow-motion shots that are simply beautiful. Many are violent and gory, but they are gorgeous never the less. These shots, are even more amazing in 3-D, and they don’t feel out of place in the slightest. Because of the Slo-Mo drug premise, they show viewers how those on the drug perceive time, forcing them to understand what those characters are experiencing while offering tons of action eye candy. It is brilliantly used. The acting is also much better than anticipated. “Judge Dredd” has suffered one movie adaptation before in 1995, with Sylvester Stallone playing the emotion-deprived Street Judge, but Urban actually does the character justice. Dredd is a violent — but blank — character, and the only way to properly portray him is to remove all sense of humor and humanity. He is uncompromising, and tough as diamond-encrusted nails. Urban’s deep and raspy voice

is void of feeling, and he carries himself with a sense of dangerous authority that doesn’t require words. He delivers a singular performance through movement and purposefully deadpan and clipped dialogue. He is Judge Joseph Dredd in this movie, to the character’s core. Thirlby is also great as Judge Cassandra Anderson. She serves both as the seemingly necessary pretty face and as an effective character foil to compliment Dredd. Thirlby makes Anderson stand out as an empathetic woman in a world of destruction and chaos, but she also has a sort of switch that goes off at appropriate moments that allow her to be a strong enough character to do the job before her. Thirlby makes such transitions seamlessly, and makes them appear genuine. Anderson is also a mutant with psychic abilities. Mutants in Mega-City One are all but illegal with the levels of discrimination they face, and Thirlby gives Anderson a brilliantly driven personality, one that is hard in some spots but soft in others. It feels true to both the character, and, for those who’ve never read the comic strip, the movie’s established character history.

Headey finds herself severely scarred on camera for the role of Ma-Ma, but she still manages to be beautiful. It is a dark and twisted sort of beauty, but it, coupled with her soft-spoken but authoritative voice, gives Ma-Ma a sense of intrigue and mystery. Headey also manages to make the character feel constricted, as if, for all the audience sees of her, there’s still so much below the surface, coiling and shifting and restless. It’s an oddly powerful undertone to get from an action movie character, much less a villain, but it makes her seem more enigmatic and untouchable. Well done. If drug plots, high action, epic slo-mo (get it?) shots and immediate judgment appeal to you, see “Dredd 3-D.” It isn’t Oscar-worthy, but it’s definitely worth the ticket price. Movie: “Dredd 3D” Release Date: Sept. 21, 2012 Director: Pete Travis Genre: Action, Sci-fi Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey

A&E September 25, 2012

OPINION

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

It’s a phrase most have heard before: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” It implies that, you legally have the option to conduct yourself and your business in a specific way, even if that way is morally dubious. The latest celebrity “scandal” features the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Princess Kate. While vacationing at a private residence in France, hundreds of meters from public view, Kate peeled off her bikini top to sunbathe and was photographed by paparazzi. The images were then published in a local tabloid, and have since been published in Ireland and Italy as well. The photographer used a very powerful telescopic lens to take the images. The duchess was not within reasonable view of the public otherwise. In the U.S., if you are within view of the public, be in through a house window or in the middle of a shopping center, you are considered to be within public view and are considered fair game for photographers. Celebrities who put themselves within the public light know this quite well, and unless they are behind closed doors and hiding from windows,

there is no such thing as privacy for them or their families. The laws are different in France and the U.K. (more so in France, actually). In the U.K., photos taken when a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy (personal residence, entering or leaving a doctor’s office) can only be published if there is an overriding sense of public interest. Judges ruled in a 2004 case that public interest includes revealing criminal ties, authenticating claims or exposing hypocrisy. This means that in the U.K., the images of Kate sunbathing can’t legally be published without her permission, because there was no

criminal behavior, no claims to be verified and no behavior lapses to expose. In France, where the photos were initially taken and published, there is actually a law distinguishing between an influential figure’s personal and public life. Publishing images of their private lives is explicitly prohibited without the subject’s permission. So, by law, those images could not be published in either country legally. The French tabloid, called the Closer, was successfully sued, but the publicity and money earned from the images outweigh the

fines it is being forced to pay. This makes it likely that itand other tabloids will continue to break these laws, because ultimately, they aren’t suffering for it. This brings us back to the point: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Prince William, heir to the throne, is the older of the deceased Princess Diana’s two sons. Princess Diana was killed in a vehicle accident in France while trying to elude the paparazzi in 1997. Alcohol played a factor because the chauffeur was inebriated — but when the accident occurred, instead of assisting the injured passengers, photographers stood there taking photographs. They didn’t try to help the victims, one of which was Princess Diana, who was reportedly still alive at that point. She and two of the other three passengers were later pronounced dead at the scene when emergency responders were finally able to push through the crowd and attempt to aid them. How do you imagine that made Prince William feel? How do you imagine it made him feel to know that his wife, who has been nothing short of a classy lady, was the victim of the paparazzi as well? Can you imagine the emotional flashbacks it brought

on, considering that both occurred in France? Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. They may be celebrities, but the Duke and Duchess are people, first and foremost. When they are in public, they are fair game. If they are found to break a law in private, they are fair game. But when they are enjoying a quiet moment alone, far from public view and on private property, leave them be. Leave all the celebrities alone in such circumstances. No person should have to suffer humiliation and scandal because other people are greedy or because he or she is famous. Celebrities are not asking for it if they are purposely avoiding the press and public. They are asking for it if they are drunk leaving a New York nightclub and allegedly clip a pedestrian who ended up going to a hospital for his injuries (Lindsey Lohan, anyone?). Causing someone this much worry and emotional turmoil over something so silly is never okay, even if it is legal (or if you make enough money to get away with it, as is the case in this instance). Don’t support this kind of media. Don’t buy into false scandals and needless public humiliation. Be better than that. Because just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

A&E September 25, 2012

ALBUM REVIEW

KRUA ALBUM REVIEW

a dreamy junior release Grizzly Bear strikes back ‘Co-exist,’ By Emily Hodson Contributor

By Felipe Godoy KRUA Music Manager

Album: “Shields” Artist: Grizzly Bear Release date: Sept. 18, 2012 Label: Warp Records

tropical instruments, like being at a beach in a live concert on an island. The hit song “Sunset” consisted of excessive heavy beats, but still maintained a soft vibe. It definitely felt captivating. There are a few interesting tracks on this album in addition, like “Missing.” It literally brought the imagination of someone else’s flashback. Not even kidding. Seriously, it is shocking that this band isn’t very well-known. They’re unbelievable. Even

“Unfold gave a dreamy edge with a content and calm presence. The whole album’s track list was out of this world. There are absolutely no complaints about this album. If you’re into dream-pop songs with small doses of R&B, and beautiful vocals, this album should hit the spot.

Album: “Coexist” Artist: The xx Release date: Sept. 10, 2012 Label: Young Turks

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In my time as KRUA music manager, the station has never anticipated an album release quite like this. With countless days, sleepless nights and one amazing single, every Grizzly Bear fan had their dream come true last week. The Brooklyn-based band finally released their fourth studio album, “Shields.” Grizzly Bear is perhaps far more recognized for their singles than their albums. Back on Sept. 5, 2006 the band released their debut, “Yellow House,” that included the heart-wrenching song “Knife.” Years later on May 26, 2009, “Veckatimest” was released to critical acclaim, which included the piano oriented “Two Weeks.” The song actually has a feature from Beach House’s Victoria Legrand on the vocals (your fun indie fact of the day). Meanwhile, mainstream America tried to use the song on everything from Superbowl commercials to cheesy teen sitcoms. As the release of “Shields” approached, what would be the album’s “Knife” or “Two Weeks” that would have both corporate executives and hipsters drooling? “Shields” opens with the lead single “Sleeping Ute.” Daniel Rossen begins a rambunctious guitar melody that’s followed by Chris Bear’s cymbal crashes and pounding percussion. If that wasn’t already an eclectic mixture of sounds, somehow Ed Drose’s omnichord and Chris Taylor’s bass line find a way to blend in perfectly. Grizzly Bear incorporates inspirations of folk music, electronic mixers, and past indie bands that all come together

to deliver and produce something that few bands carry: creative individuality. While “Shields” tends to follow in the footsteps of “Yellow House” with the use of darker tones and atmospheres in songs like “Speaking in the Rounds” and “The Hunt.” Other songs such as the second single, “Yet Again,” bring back the dynamic resonance that is heard in “Sleeping Ute.” This may be because of the shared time on vocals between Ed Drose and Daniel Rossen, who is showcased a lot more on this record. While Drose writes the ominous lyrics, Rossen sees a more positive outlook the duo effectively illustrates on “Shields.” The album may not necessarily have that one song that will have the indiesphere blogging for months, but as a collective album, “Shields” continues the Grizzly Bear legacy. There is little disappointment in the album, and a more lively approach to a few songs would have complimented “Shields” a lot better. However, I’ll probably find myself listening to this record for a long time — a very long time. It might just have kicked Beach House’s “Bloom” off the top spot as the album of 2012.

Until iTunes displayed The xx’s album on its “new featured music” page, the talented music group never really had a spotlight. The British indie trio is on their second album now, called “Coexist.” Their album cover, which features a big “X” with a rainbow oil splatter inside of it, was very appealing. After listening, The xx has surprisingly proven worthy of a good listen. Only after hearing “Angel,” the first track of the album, did it become intriguing to listen to. From there on, each song skyrocketed. Imagine if Foster The People had a baby with MGMT, birthing young artists with natural raw pipes. Ridiculously good pipes. That would make The xx. Lead singer Romy Madley Croft is a large factor of why this album did the trick. For this album, a featured hip track called “Fiction” had an eerie beat with memorable drums and a rad guitar. It was like this alternative band was trying to take someone to a movie or book with their beat. It felt like a song people would remember and get sucked into. “Reunion” was like the new graduation song. For high school or college, this had great potential to get noticed more out of the box. It bounced off with duets and

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OPINION

September 25, 2012

EDITORIAL

Occupy an idea By TNL Staff It’s painful to think the revolution of Generation Y will be remembered as a joke. It hurts to think that we will be remembered as jobless, homeless vagabonds who started the Occupy Wall Street movement a year ago Sept. 17. Because that movement was pointless, right? Occupy accomplished nothing, right? Well, maybe that’s not completely right. Despite receiving flack from the media and non-occupiers about not having concrete demands, a woman holding a sign at a rally inadvertently displayed what would be Occupy’s lasting effect on this country. The sign read, “This is the 1st time I’ve felt hopeful in a very long time.” Occupy Wall Street and the subsequent global Occupy movement started a conversation about economic disparity in this country. It was a message that, though not everyone is a scholar, politician or economist, they don’t have to be to know there is something inherently wrong about 1 percent of the population in this country having 35 percent of the wealth. There is something inherently wrong when 53.6 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders under the age of 25 last year were jobless or underemployed. There is something inherently wrong when 41 percent of the homeless population in this country are families. But the movement didn’t just

PHOTO BY VICENTE CAPALA

Shelby Thorpe (left), Elysha Fairclough (right).

address concerns about income inequality. It also brought to light the fact that us Americans are not as free as we think we are. CBS News reported 400 Occupy protesters were arrested within the first two months of the movement last year. The Associated Press reported that 180 people were arrested by Monday evening on the one-year anniversary of Occupy. News coming out of Occupy areas state that the protests are generally peaceful. What ever happened to “the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”?

And what ever happened to congress making no law “prohibiting the free press or thereof; or abiding the freedom of speech, or of the press.” According to the press freedom index released by Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating obstacles journalist face while working globally, the United States dropped 27 places in its freedom of press ranking from last year. The United States is now ranked 47th in the world in regard to press freedoms, only five spots higher than Haiti and three spots less free than South Korea. And, last but not least, the

Occupy movement served as a reminder of what democracy is. Whether you agree with any message Occupy put out is irrelevant to this point. Simon Critchley, writer for The Guardian, said it best: “The Occupy movement is fascinating from the standpoint of the separation of politics and power. To be with the Occupy protestors when the chant went up, ‘this is what democracy looks like,’ was really powerful, as was the way in which they conducted general assemblies peacefully, horizontally and non-coercively.” And one would have to be completely out of the political loop to think that both presidential

candidates are not addressing issues and using phrases coined and brought into mainstream society by the Occupy movement. So was the Occupy movement worthless? Or tid it merely glamorize the ideals of lazy vagabonds? Or did it work to give people hope that through unity and one voice, we can at least bring our concerns to the table? It’s probably true that most people are not willing to grab a picket sign and camp in parks to prove a point. But maybe Occupy can inspire us to occupy an idea and know that not all hope is lost for the 99 percent.

SPORTS

SPORTS BRIEFS

September 25, 2012

INTRAMURAL: Sports Gearing up Continued from cover

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Alaska Anchorage men’s and women’s cross country teams are in the top 10 nationally in Week 1 of the U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association with the women’s team polled at No. 5 and the men’s team at No. 8, announced Wednesday. The UAA women’s squad advanced one position from the preseason poll to continue to lead the West Region over Chico State (No. 6), who advanced two spots. On the men’s side, the Seawolves continue their preseason ranking at No. 8 and are in second in the region behind No. 3 Chico State. The UAA women have been ranked in the top 10 for 34 weeks straight, while the men’s team has cracked the top-15 for 21 consecutive weeks.

Alexander Ovechkin will play in Russia during NHL lockout MOSCOW (AP) — Alexander Ovechkin is returning to his former Russian team Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout. The KHL team said in a statement Wednesday that it has signed the Washington Capitals star to a contract that lasts until the lockout ends. It said Ovechkin has undergone medical exams and has already participated in training. It did not disclose the financial terms of his contract. Ovechkin joined the Capitals in 2005 and was the NHL’s MVP in 2008 and 2009. He is the latest Russian star to return home during the lockout. Evgeny Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins has signed a deal with his former team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He was joined by Ottawa Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar, and Nikolai Kulemin of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Melky Cabrera still eligible for batting title NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball appears unlikely to interfere if Melky Cabrera wins the NL batting title while serving his 50-game suspension for a positive drug test. The San Francisco Giants outfielder began Wednesday with a league-leading .346 average, seven points ahead of Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen. Cabrera has 501 plate appearances, one fewer than the required amount if the Giants play 162 games. Under section 10.22(a) of the Official Baseball Rules, he would win the batting title if an extra hitless at-bat is added to his average and it remains higher than that of any other qualifying player. Cabrera, the All-Star game MVP, was suspended Aug. 15 for a positive test for testosterone and is missing the final 45 games of the regular season.

Briefs compiled from GoSeawolves.com and \ the Associated Press by Thomas McIntyre.

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

Seawolves XC teams ranked top 10 nationally

Ming Chao, goaltender and Japanese language senior (far left), throws the ball out to teammates during Wednesday’s intramural soccer game between teams Randoms and Luc Yellanor.

for all scrimmages and games. Basketball, volleyball and soccer have all started their respective seasons. However, it’s not too late to hop on a team. Signing up at the intramural office will either get you placed on a team in need of extra players or put on an inactive waitlist. Intramural sports are open to every level of athlete. There is no skill requirement to get into a league. Senior Jamie Shen, whose team won the soccer championship last

spring, recommends intramural sports to anyone interested in having a good time. But he also warns that he doesn’t plan on giving up the championship trophy. “My favorite part of last year was playing against the five-time champions and beating them,” said Shen, “and I’m trying to win again this semester.” For more information, visit the intramural office or contact them at 786-4811.

A look at the dominant San Francisco 49ers By Thomas McIntyre Sports Edior

Let’s flash back to Oct. 10, 2010. The 49ers are hosting the Philadelphia Eagles for the nationally televised Sunday night football game. Quarterback Alex Smith is laying down a dreadful performance, and the crowd responds by drowning him in boos. Suddenly the sea of boos starts to transform into a chant. The crowd is so fed up with Smith they are asking coach Mike Singletary to swap him out for backup quarterback, David Carr. “We want Carr! We want Carr! We want Carr!” The fans weren’t crazy enough to think Carr would give them a chance to win the game, though. They were actually requesting a loss, which is Carr’s specialty. San Francisco wanted their football team to throw away the season, ditch Alex Smith and start the rebuilding phase. The 49ers didn’t listen. And not even two years later, they are now the best team in football — with Alex Smith as their quarterback. The truth is, a change was truly made. But rather than dumping their signal-caller, the 49ers opted to give coach Mike Singletary his walking papers. Enter Jim Harbaugh. Coach Harbaugh has turned the 49ers into a different kind of beast. A Harbaugh team knows how to tackle, run the ball and keep their opponents out of the end zone. He has an old school philosophy with a modern twist. The defense is a good place to start when dissecting the 49ers. They run a base 3-4; however, the defense attacks from multiple formations, depending on the situation. They’re successful partially because of their stacked personnel and partially because of coaching. Even an All-Pro set of linebackers needs the scheming of a coach like Harbaugh — and, to be fair, their defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The 49ers have the best front seven in football. Their outside linebackers refuse to let running backs get to the edge, and their down linemen destroy at the point of attack. That combination is why teams look silly when they

try to establish a running game against them. While every player in the front seven deserves their own section, there has to be room for other stories in the paper. The two that I’ll shine a light on are outside linebacker Aldon Smith and defensive end Justin Smith. Why do people consider Aldon Smith a freak talent? Last year, the 49ers used him almost exclusively in their sub-package. This is a third down package that features only six linemen and linebackers in total. Smith played both standing up and in a threepoint stance and finished with 14 sacks as a rookie. To sum it up: Aldon Smith notched 14 sacks in his rookie season without playing on the first two downs. Freaky. For one game — or at the very least, one quarter — I urge you to keep your eyes locked on Justin Smith. Smith is possibly the best five-technique lineman ever, and he acts as the anchor of this vaunted defense. You can line up a concrete wall in front of Smith and he’s still going to get to your

quarterback. He’s that kind of a player. Things aren’t as sexy when it comes to the 49ers’ secondary. Their role is to play man coverage and swat all deep balls to the ground. It can be a thankless job at times, but they do it awfully well. A 49ers name to know from their secondary is nickel cornerback, Chris Culliver. Tell your friends he is your favorite up-and-coming defensive back. If they don’t know who he is, you win at football. The 49ers have an offense as well, which the aforementioned Alex Smith leads. Coach Harbaugh instilled his trust in Smith and never looked back. He also enforced a Smith-friendly system and has surrounded his quarterback with weapons. The new Alex Smith era is something to behold. He has forever silenced the David Carr chants. However, what the 49ers ask from Smith is nowhere near what the Patriots ask from Tom Brady. Smith is your prototypical game manager who is carefully put into positions to succeed.

Most of the credit for Alex Smith’s success goes to the pieces placed around him. His offensive line is one of the best units in the league. Behind them, the 49ers are able to wear teams down with their running game. The true test of a “running team” occurs when they are in second-and-long situations. If the team isn’t afraid to run the ball on those downs, they get an “A.” The 49ers not only pass this test; they are re-writing it. The lethal ground attack allows Alex Smith to operate in cleaner pockets and with softer coverage. When teams become extra aggressive in their pursuit to stop the run, Smith can shred them apart. We often see great defensive teams fall because their offenses couldn’t score enough points. The 49ers have done everything necessary to avoid that outcome. In 2011, the 49ers were a fumble away from making the Super Bowl. At this rate, a duffel bag full of fumbles won’t be enough to keep them from playing in the final game of the year.

TNL

September 25, 2012

COMICS

The Northern Light

COMICS

3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org EXECUTIVE EDITOR Vacant

MANAGING EDITOR 786-1313 content@thenorthernlight.org J. Almendarez COPY EDITOR copy1@thenorthernlight.org Kierra Hammons NEWS EDITOR Vacant FEATURES EDITOR Vacant

CRYPTOQUOTE

A&E EDITOR 786-1512 arts@thenorthernlight.org Heather Hamilton SPORTS EDITOR 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Thomas McItyre PHOTO EDITOR Vacant WEB EDITOR 786-1506 web@thenorthernlight.org Shawna Sweeney

The coming week is likely to see many individuals looking back and reaching for the memory of a “golden time” -- an experience, an endeavor, a triumph that meant perhaps more than anything else, and that is dearly missed. Some will want to revive this lost pleasure, and some may even be able to relive a past glory -- but all must use caution, and realize that there may be new opportunities on the horizon that must be sacrificed in favor of that which is can be a private joy, but may not really offer anything substantial in the way of tangible gain. Indeed, in pursuit of the past, some may find themselves taking steps backward! Still, there are those who can certainly parlay nostalgia into renewed triumph, and though they are rare, they are the ones the rest will look to as examples of what can be done. It may seem that these few lucky souls are able to have it all -- and for a while, even if only a short while, they are. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You have your sights set on a lofty personal goal, and you must begin your preparations now; start with getting yourself in shape. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- You can enjoy a rather fun week, provided you tend to certain domestic duties early. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You can put cleverness on display -- but you’ll want to make sure there is some depth to what you are doing as well. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- You can show a great deal of improvement over last week’s endeavors; your progress will surely be noticed. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You can rise in the standings, but take care that you don’t set your sights too high too quickly. Keep the pace steady. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- What you most want may well prove the one thing that you must try to avoid this week. AQUARIUS (Jan.

LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Nick Foote

SUDOKU

HOROSCOPE 20-Feb. 3) -- There’s no reason to travel far from home to get what you need; those closest to you can provide it -- and more. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You may think that you can give everyone what he or she needs, but you’ll have to prioritize and guard against overextending. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You are not one to keep secrets when you realize that full disclosure is necessary to your own advancement. (March 6-March 20) -- Your attitudes are shifting slightly, and you may feel somewhat out of sorts as a result. ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- Travel may be in the picture, but you don’t want to risk being unavailable for an important family event. (April 5-April 19) -- You are being pushed in more than one direction, but you can handle the pressure and maintain your autonomy. TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You can win big, but you must realize that there is a price to pay -- now or later. The week

progresses in a surprising way. (May 6-May 20) -- Trust is a major issue this week; if you’re unwilling to trust others, they’re not likely to trust you.

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Vacant ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Nita Mauigoa ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Vacant ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Vacant GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vacant GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vacant ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Chelsea Dennis ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Vacant MULTIMEDIA EDITOR multimedia@thenorthernlight.org Vicente Capala

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You seem to know a thing or two that you really shouldn’t know -- and it’s all a matter of intuition and instinct. (June 7-June 20) -- It may be hard for you to

wait your turn this week, but you must do that if you want to maximize your gains later on. CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- How you express yourself

will make a big difference -- not only to you, but to those who are lucky enough to hear what you have to say. (July 8-July 22) -You’ve done much to help another advance, and this week it’s time to tend to your own progress. LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- You can take a routine endeavor and turn it into something extraordinary. You can influence others with your ability to connect. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- The powers that be will be impressed with the control you seem to have over your circumstances. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You needn’t fear any big mistakes this week; it’s the small errors that arise from nerves or carelessness that you must try to avoid. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You’ll have a chance to see others at work before you have to put it on the line yourself. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You’ll want to take care of yourself as you head into a period of increased activity. You can’t afford to suffer any kind of injury. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Your native playfulness will serve you well -- and endear you to others in a way that can prove quite valuable.

STAFF REPORTERS Vacant CONTRIBUTORS Evan Dodd Felipe Godoy Emily Hodson Kate Lindsley Larry Rodriguez MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

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 5,000. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnamera 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.