Volume 61 Issue 10

highlandernews.org

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

OPINIONS

FEATURES

FACEBOOK STALKING: IT’S NO LONGER A JOKE

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ILLUMINATES DOWNTOWN ON PAGE 8

ON PAGE 6

Highlander University

Established 1954

of

C a l i f o r n i a , R ive r s i d e

UCSB dean chosen as UCR interim chancellor S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

C o u rt e s y

of

UCR T o d ay

Jane Close Conoley will be the third female chancellor in the history of UCR.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict evokes discussion of free speech S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER

With red duct tape plastered to their mouths, roughly 50 students from the UCR Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization partook in a silent demonstration on Nov. 20.

Taking place around the HUB plaza and the Bell Tower, the organization protested In condemnation of the recent air strikes on the Gaza Strip, located along the border of Israel and Egypt.

Virulent killings on the Gaza Strip temporarily negated a ceasefire agreement between the Gaza-ruled Islamic Palestinian group, Hamas and Zionist Israeli defense forces Nov.14-22.

At the systemwide level, ethnic-religious student organizations have engaged political activism to create awareness about the violence in the Middle East.

Yet, issues have been raised by students and UC officials alike about the boundaries between free speech and hate

Anthem, UC Health form alliance to address state health care policy Michael Rios

UC President Mark Yudof has selected Jane Close Conoley, dean of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, as the interim chancellor of UC Riverside on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Pending her approval

by UC Board of Regents, Conoley will succeed Chancellor Timothy P. White on Dec. 31, who will go on to head the California State University system the following day.

As a professor of counseling, clinical and school psychology, Conoley was appointed to her current position as a UCSB dean in 2006. Prior to her involvement with the UC system, Conoley was a professor of educational psychology and served as dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University for 10 years.

Conoley was the Edith S. Greer professor of educational psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1996. She chaired the department of educational psychology from 1989-1994 and acted as the associate dean for research and curriculum at the university’s Teachers College from 1994-1996. She also taught educational psychology as a faculty member at Syracuse University and Texas Woman’s University between CHANCELLOR CONT’D ON PAGE 4

One Free Copy

language over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the UC system.

Six Days After “The red tape is supposed to signify just the voiceless people of Palestine.

They’re not given a voice because the media likes to portray Palestine as...Hamas or terrorists,” stated SJP President Shadi Matar, who expressed the difficulty of creating awareness towards such a distant issue that does not regularly affect student life. “[The media doesn’t] talk about the actual instability in which most of the people who died in this new wave of violence were civilians....they just refer to the whole region as terrorists,” he said of the marginalization of the occupied Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

By then, over 100 deaths were reported, which largely consisted of Palestinian women and children via missile launches as the basis for the ensuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, the Israeli security FREE SPEECH CONT’D ON PAGE 2

L e e n a B u t t /HIGHLANDER Omar Erfan, a second year undeclared major, holds the Palestinian flag along with a sign about the Gaza attacks.

The University of California Health announced the beginning of a new partnership with Anthem Blue Cross on Nov. 13.

This new partnership, called the California Health Alliance, will address the development of health care policies in the state of California. Other goals seek to improve access and affordability to health care for in-state residents.

UC Health is composed of the five medical centers and 18 health professional schools in the UC system. The latter will include the UC Riverside School of Medicine, which received accreditation in early October. As one of many world leaders in scientific research, the UC will also spearhead any future research developments in the field of medicine for this partnership.

According to Dr. John Stobo, senior vice president of UC Health, the alliance will continue the state’s dedication to improved medical care. UC Health had 3.9 million outpatient visits, 290,000 emergency room visits and 144 inpatient admissions in the past year alone. According to Stobo, the joint venture will look to find new ways to serve the residents of the state even further.

“As two of the state’s leading organizations, this new affiliation has the ability to revolutionize California’s health care delivery system,” he said.

“By coming together, we know we can develop meaningful research, policy and best practices that can be leveraged on a broader scale to help improve the state’s health care system and the health of the population at large.”

Making healthcare more accessible to residents of the state will also be a primary focus of the California Health Alliance. According to the California Healthcare Foundation, California is one of the most uninsured states in the nation.

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Volume 61

Issue 10

2

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 FREE SPEECH FROM PAGE 1

forces claimed the missile launches were defensive measures meant to protect the people of Israel against the Hamas movement, due to prior violent encounters which involved military and civilian casualties..

SJP members marched through populated areas, holding signs which called for the UC to financially-disinvest in corporations that supported Israel.

“Demonstration took six days after the Gaza airstrike...so the idea was to make a statement without being disruptive to the campus environment,” said SJP Fundraising Coordinator and Executive Board Member Amal Adi, in response to the silent activism where many wore colors of the Palestinian flag.

“I really want people to be able to examine both sides and come to... like a personal decision on the conflict themselves...it facilitates the environment in our university where everyone becomes well-educated and well-versed on the IsraelPalestine conflict...,” she said.

The Ripple Effect Echoing similar sentiments across the UC system, UCR is not the only campus to ignite a flicker of political activism recently, especially among Arab and Muslim groups.

Nearly 100 students, consisting of the Students for Justice in Palestine and Bruins in Israel, gathered on the campus of UCLA on Nov.15 to protest the military shellings on the Gaza Strip. .

Students on other campuses such

as UC Irvine took on other more intense political stances before the onset of the incurring violence. Back in early October, the UCI student government unanimously passed an apartheid disinvestment resolution, which requested the UC “divest from companies that profit from the apartheid and occupation in Palestine by the Israeli government.”

Over the years, reactionary responses to a hostile Middle East have also bred what some interpret as anti-semitic behavior and borderline discrimination on many UC campuses.

In mid-March, an unknown suspect alarmed the UCR community by scrawling the word “terrorist” onto the flag displayed outside of the Jewish student organization Hillel.

Just weeks before that incident, several members of a different audience heckled an Israeli soldier’s speech about the Arab-Israeli conflict during a UC Davis conference.

On Oct. 3, UC Berkeley faced its own investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for allegedly fostering an anti-semitic climate.

Early lawsuits were evoked by Jewish students who felt that their civil rights were infringed upon by proPalestinian groups who would set up mock checkout points during the annual Israeli Apartheid Week in early February.

Impacts on UC student life According to findings in July by UC President Mark Yudof’s Advisory Council on Campus Climate,

HIGHLANDER

Culture and Inclusion, “Jewish, Muslim and Arab students find the University of California a safe and welcoming place. But their experiences are less positive when disputes over geopolitics in the Middle East and anti-Islamic sentiment fueled by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks spills onto campus.”

On Aug. 30, the California State Assembly passed HR 35, a nonbinding resolution that advised colleges and universities to address suppressions of Jewish free speech, specifically by defining the term “anti-Semitism.”

Just 16 days later, ensuing outcry arose from the UC Student Association, which passed its own resolution in contention to HR 35, which they claim “(suppresses) legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and Palestine solidarity activism.” UC officials have also expressed opposition to the House bill for similar possibilities of an infringement on civil liberties.

Many of these resolutions placed freedom of speech on IsraeliPalestinian conflict at the forefront of discussion, where such a broad definition for “anti-Semitism,” may infringe upon the right to protest among other ethnic-religious orientations.

Releasing a “Response to Protest on UC Campuses” report on Sept.

28, UC officials reaffirmed the university’s commitment to nurturing free speech and debate on campus within a diverse and cultural learning environment.

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Background:

C o u rt e s y

of mapsof.net

• The Gaza strip has the highest population density in the world, at ~12,300 people per square mile.

• Israel has been at war with Palestine since the 1920s, which marked the rise of nationalism during the Arab Spring.

• Hamas is a Palestinian-Islamist militant movement that does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. The United States, European Union and Israel view Hamas as a terrorist group.

• Brokering a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine became a temporary, yet more mindful goal, especially with the assistance of Egypt on Nov.22, who encouraged grounds for stability and compromise.

November/December

UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday

25

Monday

26

Women’s Basketball vs. Northern Arizona 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

SRC Arena

9 12 Days of Wellness 12 – 12 a.m.

Human Resources Building (Personnel)

Wednesday

27

28

Japanese Drumming by the UCR Taiko Ensemble 12 p.m – 12:30 p.m.

ARTS Building Amphitheatre Steps

Women’s Volleyball vs. Washington State.

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

SRC Arena

3

4

5

Weekday Carillon Recitals 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Bell Tower

Peace Corps Information Session 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

HUB 260

NAMES, a film by David Campos 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Arts Building Studio Theatre, ARTS 113

10

11

12 Chancellor’s Campus Farewell Reception 2 - 4 p.m.

HUB 302

Freshman: Your Career Game Plan 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

HUB 268

2

Tuesday

Executive Council Meeting 1 - 3 p.m.

University Office Building 220

Thursday

Friday

29

Saturday

30

1

Lunchtime CEPCEB Seminars Learning: Brand U BPSC 252 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

HUB 260 Genomics Auditorium RM 1102A

Men’s Basketball vs.

Northern Colorado 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

SRC Arena

6

7

8

UCR Sings! by UCR Undergraduate Students 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Arts Building Music Rehearsal Hall, ARTS 157

Bookmaking: Trio of Gift Books 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

UC Riverside Extension Center

13

14

15

LGBTQ Grad Student Hours 2 - 3 p.m.

Costo Hall 245

Letters to Santa 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

21350 Rider St., Perris, CA 92750

Bioinformatics Workshop: Introduction to R 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Genomics Auditorium, RM 1102A

Scan this QR code and visit us at www.highlandernews.org

NEWS

HIGHLANDER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

3

UCR vows to reduce food waste by five percent within one year Dean Mayorga SENIOR STAFF WRITER

As a part of the Food Recovery Challenge, a program initiated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce as much food waste as possible, the University of California, Riverside has pledged to reduce its own food waste by five percent over the course of a year.

“The Challenge is part of the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of materials through their entire life cycle, including how they are extracted, manufactured, distributed, used, reused, recycled and disposed,” according to the EPA website.

UCR is one of seven UC campuses and 17 statewide schools participating in the challenge. Over 40 colleges across the nation will also be involved, in addition to various grocers and entertainment venues, such as the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium. “[The program] is an attempt [by] the EPA to encourage institutions to either compost food or better yet, if there is food that is still edible [then] send to some place

that needs it,” stated John Cook, UCR Director of Sustainability, “So we already do that a bit on campus.”

At the request of the pacific southwest chapter of the EPA, UCR registered with WasteWise, a voluntary program which encourages sustainable waste management. The state of California falls under region nine or the Pacific Southwest, which also consists of Arizona, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and 148 Native American tribes.

This chapter oversees eight different divisions such as: waste management, water, community and ecosystems.

“You [must] declare all the types of waste that you have and how much you’re reducing, how much you’re recycling or composting, what you’re sending to landfill, what you’re sending to waste and energy,” stated Cook, who noted that a projected financial baseline is develop through the savings and costs of each project.

Some of UCR’s past and ongoing efforts of food recovery include the R’garden at Lot 30, which is designed to produce food that may be donated. Also, at the end of the year when students are leaving for home, there have been drives to

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Nearly 21 percent of all Californians lack health care—totaling or 6.9 million—compared to 27.3 percent, or six million, of Texas residents.

One of the ways to achieve that goal will be by expanding the use of electronic delivery systems, such as Telemedicine, to help improve the health status of patients. Telemedicine is a form of medical information exchange via electronic communication that is used to provide clinical health care from a distance.

Videoconferencing, transmission of still images and remote monitoring of vital signs are all forms of telemedicine. By expanding theses alternate delivery systems, the Cali-

W e s l e y N g /HIGHLANDER R e c y c l i n g a n d c o m p o s t b i n s a re p l a c e d a t t h e H U B a s p a r t o f t h e F o o d R e c o v e r y C h a l l e n g e .

collect the food that students don’t want.

“We’ve composted close to 250 tons of pre-consumer food waste; all the trimmings and things when they’re preparing food,” Cook said.

“Then we went to tray-less dining everywhere now on campus. It turns out people will take less food if they have to carry it on a plate instead of putting it on a tray. So, less food is wasted.”

fornia Health Alliance hopes to provide more access to health care for residents living in the state’s rural areas.

Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross spoke about the partnership and addressed the effects it would have on California’s residents. “We know that residents of the state look to a future that includes access to quality health care that is affordable,” she said in a statement. “By teaming with the University of California Health, we are bringing together some of the most innovative minds to help us achieve a common goal: to improve the health and wellness of California residents.”

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Future efforts will include a campaign called “Recycle Mania” that will take place from January through March. This entails a competition between residence halls Aberdeen and Inverness, and Lothian, which will measure and compare their achievements in recycling. Running parallel with the competition is an awareness campaign that will focus on the dining areas and how much each person

purchases as compared to what they actually consume.

“This is all a part of a holistic plan to be more responsible of how we use resources. It all has a cost analysis, it all has a social impact, [and] it all has an environmental impact. We’re always looking at those three. This year, we’re really putting an effort forward to get the campus to change its behavior,” said Cook.

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L e e n a B u t t /HIGHLANDER The UCR School of Medicine is one of the health professional schools that fall under the California Health Aliance.

UCR entomologists use fruit flies to provide lift in olfactory research C a rr i e M e n g STAFF WRITER

A team of scientists from the University of California, Riverside and Stanford University uncovered how different sensory neurons function in the olfactory system through Drosophila, a genus of small flies.

“One of the biggest mysteries is how the brain works. Almost every neuron in the brain is unique in the way it connects to others and responds to signals,” stated Dr. Anandasankar Ray, assistant professor of entomology at UCR and head of the research team.

Ray and his researchers identified the large multi-protein complex, MMB/dREAM, which play a key role in the selection and expression of carbon dioxide receptors in appropriate neurons.

The olfactory system senses volatile chemicals in the environment very efficiently, explained Ray. For most animals, the chem-

ical signals help the brain make important daily decisions in eating habits, fight-or-flight and mating behavior. Due to such a wide variety of volatile chemicals, the nose has developed a large array of sensors to detect them. These large array sensory neurons each express a single odor receptor protein.

“Our research investigates how the one receptor-per neuron pattern is generated with precision. We show using the model genetic system Drosophila (fruit fly), that most odor receptors are kept in an “off” state by an ancient molecular machinery that represses gene expression,” stated Ray. A single receptor gene is selected to be turned “on” in a particular neuron. In different neurons specific odor receptor genes are turned on for expression, thus generating the differentiated pattern. For example, when a person smells an orange, the brain recognizes the scent of an orange be-

cause the nose has a specific odor receptor that detects a chemical the orange emits.

“I am interested in understanding basic mechanisms that underlay the generation of neuronal diversity in the nervous system,” Ray said.

The research project started about a year and a half ago, when Stanford Ph.D student Choon Kiat Sim contacted Dr. Ray with the potential project. Sim is a disciple of Stanford professor Joseph S. Lipsick, who also collaborated with her on the project, along with UCR graduate Serra Perry, as the first co-authors of the research paper. Both of them were supported by Sara Tharadra, a junior researcher in Ray’s lab.

A grant given to Ray by the Whitehall Foundation was used to fund the research project. The study was a cover-page feature in the Nov.15 issue of Genes & Development, a scientific journal containing biological and molec■H ular research.

C o u rt e s y

of

The Institute

of

M o l e c u l a r P at h o l o g y

A close-up view of a Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).

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NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

NEWS IN BRIEF COMPILED BY MICHAEL TURCIOS,

HIGHLANDER

contributing writer

UC PROVIDES GRANTS FOR HBCU STUDENTS To diversify the graduate demographic, UCOP is continuing a grant program initiative for students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The program, called UC-HBCU, is aimed at strengthening ties with HBCUs in order to attract students and encourage them to pursue a

graduate career in the UC system.

Through the program, students are provided with grants to participate in summer research on a UC campus. After selecting from a pool of talent, faculty reach out to those students who would otherwise consider attending a graduate school in the UC system. Various

grants include academic research in history, electrical and computer engineering, education and conservation genetics. Faculty have several options for the terms of the grants, such as working with 10 students for several years, or two students for a summer.

Compared to the undergraduate

levels across nationwide institutions of higher education, graduate schools are often not as diverse. In the summer of 2012, the program accepted 36 students into seven UC campuses, where HBCU scholars were exposed to diverse research and mentorship opportunities.

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USING CANDY TO TEACH SCIENCE UCR chemist Kerry Hanson and a team of five graduate students visited Taft Elementary school in October, where students were taught the scientific method with a bag of assorted M&Ms. In a class of third and fourth graders, Hanson and her team incorporated basic scientific research within a new teaching style. The UCR team used M&Ms and the animated film “Frankenweenie” to teach the students the scientific method.

CHANCELLOR FROM PAGE 1

1976 and 1996. Conoley is also the author or editor of 21 books.

“I am very pleased that Jane Conoley will serve UCR as interim Chancellor,” White said in a letter to the campus. “She has a keen interest in advancing UCR’s strategic goals, supporting our students, and engaging with our community. Her combination of experience and enthusiasm will serve UCR well during this time of transitional leadership.”

Students such as second-year

In the film, a young boy concocts an experiment that will resurrect his dog. The students watched the film and observed that electricity brought the dog back to life. The protagonist makes a hypothesis linking his dog’s resurrection to electricity.

The key word in the film was “hypothesis.”

After the screening, students dispersed into groups led by Hanson’s team and discussed the scientific process and hypothesis.

The activity consisted estimating the amount

psychology major Kane Li felt bittersweet about the administrative turnover, but remained optimistic about Conoley. “Chancellor White has had a big impact on UCR so it’s sad to see him go, but I have high hopes for the new interim chancellor. I really hope she gets connected with the students the way Chancellor White did by going out and just talking with students,” said Li. Others expressed high expectations for the interim chancellor to guide the campus towards more stable leadership. “I hope this in-

of a certain color of M&Ms in a bag. After their hypothesis, students opened the bag and counted each color and compared it to their initial responses.

Hanson’s unique activity allows kids to realize that scientific methods can be found in everyday things in life. Hanson adds that the activity will “help dispense of the fear some students may have of science, and, in effect, lead to some great and innovative science fair ■H projects.”

terim [chancellor ’s] first task is to build relationships and more diversity amongst our graduate students, faculty [and] staff that reflects the student body,” stated third-year political science major Adriana Cruz, who indicated specific commitments throughout the UCR campus, in terms of socioeconomic conditions.

“I have three expectations: one is for her to have a committed and vocal stance in supporting our undocumented student community on campus; two, have a greater influ-

ence on the hiring or acceptance process to create safety and job security...lastly, have a commitment to improve campus workers wages, health, dialogue with students across the campus but specifically from our six ethnic and gender offices [in] Costo Hall,” Cruz said.

Conoley’s appointment is expected to be confirmed on Nov. 27, during a special regents meeting. UC officials will continue the nationwide search for a permanent chancellor for UCR, who will begin sometime in 2013.

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. OPINIONS .

HIGHLANDER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

5

On June 6th, the Supreme Court refused to strike down a California law that offers state residents reduced tuition rates at California colleges.

The law’s opponents argue that the bill, which does not distinguish between lawful residents and illegal immigrants, violates a federal law that prohibits states from giving college benefits to illegal aliens on the basis of residence within a state. Unfortunately for the law’s detractors, the Supreme Court wouldn’t even hear their challenge.

IT’S JUST STUFF: KEEP BLACK FRIDAY ON FRIDAY Lawyers for a conservative immigration-law group that backed the appeal claim that the law is patently unfair to the thousands of full-bred American high school graduates who apEvery year, in the early morning ply to California other hours of the colleges day afterfrom Thanksgivstates each year.occurs These students willof ing, a ritual where millions shoppers gather impatiently outside have to pay as much as $20,00 attempting take admorelarge for retailers, college tuition thantothe ilvantage of special deals. Some camp legalout immigrants (and many other for days in the November cold in California residents) that the bill the hope of purchasing a new knickaids.knack.

Others have that theswing bill When theargued doors finally open to deliver them from the pregives preferential treatment to illedawn chill, people swarm like a gal immigrants - it is just one inmore cloud of locusts, descending upon derivative of affirmative action, bent on discounted goods, and the chaos taking positions away from the begins. Crowds of people scramble hardand working, Cau-want. cajockey middle-class for the gifts they People are shoved and pushed aside. sians who really deserve http://ulife.

Fights break out. Any resemblance com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ of organized society breaks down as rick-santorum-660x320.jpg people hurl themselves at the only

HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Hello Kitty-branded sofa remaining.

This madness is Black Friday.

This year, retailers decided to take Black Friday a step further. Instead of starting their sales on the day after Thanksgiving, many retailers—WalMart, K-Mart, Target and others— have decided to welcome hordes of shoppers to their stores on Thanksgiving day itself in an endeavor to pry more dollars from more people’s pockets. And the people obliged them, content to wait in lines for days in order to secure a deal on trinkets and doodads that they otherwise wouldn’t have bought, leaving Thanksgiving tables normally abuzz with warmth and conversation instead absent, cold, and silent. Black Friday’s tendrils have been continually creeping toward the day we normally reserve for family time and being appreciative for what we have, threatening to turn Thanksgiving into Black Thanksgiving. This infringement needs to stop, and only with the combined effort of the guilty parties involved—the corporations and the people themselves—can Thanksgiving as we know it be saved.

What happened to Thanksgiving? The day is supposed to be a time when people can gather with their loved ones and be thankful for what they have in life, not a day spent squaring off with shoppers as they scramble for discounted cell phones and stuffed toys. Black Friday is encroaching on sacred ground.

When will the Thanksgiving holiday become known as the Black Friday holiday? How soon will it be before retail chains offer a free turkey to families who wait in line on Thanksgiving day so they don’t have to skip their Thanksgiving meal?

This shouldn’t come as a surprise HIGHLANDER STAFF

G r a c e K a n g /HIGHLANDER “For just $12 you can enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey dinner while waiting in line for your big savings!”

to anyone. The sales generated on the Friday after Thanksgiving alone totaled $11.4 billion in 2011. Last year, 152 million people showed up to shop on Black Friday—half the population of the entire United States. Black Friday is the single most-trafficked shopping day in the entire year. And most market analysts have predicted the revenue and foot traffic in 2012 to top that of 2011 by a hefty margin. There is no doubt Black Friday is an important part of the United States’ retail economy. Some retailers depend on strong sales during Black Friday, and during the holiday season more generally, to buoy the company’s sales for the entire year. Not only that, but brick-and-mortar retailers feel additional pressure from every side: not only do they have to deal with a mediocre economy, but their sales are also being siphoned away by increasingly competitive online companies like Amazon. Retailers who decide to extend the Black Friday discounts in order to boost sales can’t be blamed for simply attempting to keep the company afloat amidst turbulent economic conditions.

However, corporations do have a responsibility to protect the public good. Black Friday in itself is not inherently detrimental to society. But extending it into Thanksgiving is.

The day of Thanksgiving needs to be a time when people can be together with their families and be grateful for time spent with their loved ones.

When stores entice people away with tantalizing discounts, we as a society forget the crucial need for family, friends, and relaxation in favor of a belief that buying is what’s best.

And so when we rush into the stream of frenzied shoppers to purchase the perfect gift for someone important, we forget that spending time with that person is the best gift you can give.

Corporations need to realize this and take steps to prevent Black Friday from intruding on Thanksgiving. For one, they can simply move their sales away from Thanksgiving.

Instead of trying to undercut each other by opening their doors first, companies can agree to refrain from Black Friday sales until Friday actually arrives. Retailers can start an online waitlist for people to encourage orderly behavior and keep the chaos to a minimum. They could also implement a policy to encourage people to spend time at home with their families on Thanksgiving. For instance, stores can offer accelerated admittance to people who show proof of having bought a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. These are just a couple of ideas for basic rules that corporations can universally agree to

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adhere to in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

But it’s not just corporations that need to be more responsible. Companies will respond to the desires of their consumers, and ultimately it is the responsibility of the people to ensure that the Thanksgiving holiday retains its meaning. The solution is simple: don’t shop on Thanksgiving. If you feel the burning desire to brave the crowds to retrieve some discounted object as a gift, ask yourself: are the presents you’re buying for your friends and family more important than the time you spend with them? Many of the things we buy age, gather dust, break down, and are eventually tossed into the dustbin. But time is irreplaceable. You can’t return lost time to the store for a refund.

Between individual action and companies’ reactions, we can push back against the Black Friday that is attempting to barge through the door into Thanksgiving’s house. Black Friday is important for the U.S. economy and should still have a place on the calendar. But its province should be H restricted to its namesake: Friday. ■ Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

The Highlander accepts letters from the campus community. They should be 600-800 words in length and include the author’s name and contact information.

Contact opinions editor Colin Markovich at opinions@highlandernews.org for more information.

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6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

OPINIONS

HIGHLANDER

Facebook stalking: it’s no longer a joke Sean Frede STAFF WRITER

A new phrase has been created in the constantly evolving world of technology—it involves two words and is called “Facebook stalking.”

It’s funny, right? You add a girl or guy onto your friends list and start learning all about them. You find out where they go to school, when they were born, where they live. It becomes a hobby. You are learning all about a person before you even get to meet them. You tell your friends you’ve been “Facebook stalking” that hot chick from class and all your friends laugh. It’s a big joke, right? There’s no harm with anyone capable of accessing the Internet knowing when you are out at dinner at the new gastropub.

There’s no need for Facebook to be taken seriously; it’s just harmless fun. I mean, what harm can come from knowing everything about an individual’s life at your fingertips?

Across the Atlantic, in England, Lorna Smith, a brown-haired 49-year-old, probably never saw the harm of Facebook. Maybe she even had used the new term “Facebook stalking” as a joke. But on one cold, February morning in 2011 the police had to force themselves into her apartment only to find her lying in a pool of her own blood. Her throat had been cut.

Her 49-year-old ex-husband created a fake Facebook profile and began tracking her after Smith told him that she needed a break. He

soon found pictures on Facebook of her with another man and posts on her wall from this new gentleman.

It didn’t take long for the term “Facebook stalking” to lose its joke when he broke into her home with a knife and slit her throat.

This term is tossed around so easily and it needs to be re-evaluated.

Stalking is no joke. While it may seem harmless just sitting at your desk in your room and looking up someone’s entire “timeline,” there needs to be a thought that what you are doing is delving into someone’s life. For Smith, things took a tragic course.

This isn’t the case for everyone but it should send a message. Spending hours on a stranger’s Facebook page is no different than watching them outside their bedroom window in the rain. Stalking is always going to be stalking. There shouldn’t be a light way to put it.

Back in the U.S., in Delmont, Pennsylvania, a man was accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend on Facebook by creating a fake account in the name of another ex-girlfriend.

He used this account to contact her and then began to threaten her to move back to Indiana to get back together with him. He created a fake identity through Facebook and used it to take power over her.

At the same time, he broke into his other ex-girlfriend’s house, armed, and proceeded to handcuff her to the bed and rape her. Where is the line drawn between looking at halfnaked pictures and this? When does “Facebook stalking” stop becoming

Does Facebook allow people too much access to other people’s lives?

a joke?

This doesn’t mean that everyone is plotting murder when they look at someone’s Facebook page for longer than ten minutes. I’m sure many say that Facebook is a choice.

You choose to check-in at places, you choose to post your thoughts and ideas. It is a public forum, after all. What are we going to do, start policing Facebook?

People need to be much wiser about what they do on Facebook.

When you check-in all over town, think a little first. What is this telling the public that can read everything you post? When you check-in at

some restaurant, the public then knows that your house is completely vulnerable, free to break in. What about those pictures of you in little to no clothing? You wouldn’t want someone staring at you up and down in public. So what is the difference when you put it on Facebook and any pair of eyes can stare at it for hours. What suddenly makes it okay because it is on the Internet? At the same time I don’t think that we should just sit by and tell people to take care of this problem themselves.

There are always going to be people that take things to the extremes and this is exactly the case with

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Facebook

“Facebook stalking.”

While the above cases are very extreme something needs to be done about taking stalking lightly just because it is over Facebook. I don’t see a difference between looking at a person’s Facebook page hundreds of times a day and standing outside of his or her window. Facebook is a window itself and is sometimes even more revealing than getting a peek inside somebody’s own bedroom.

This joke needs to end and we need to realize how serious Facebook has become. We are treating stalking over Facebook much too lightly and H this joking stigma needs to stop. ■

Separation of church and state comes to Riverside County T i m R. A g u i l a r STAFF WRITER

This month developments regarding the display of religious symbols in the cities of Lake Elsinore and Riverside received national attention. The Washington, D.C.-based Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, in a letter to Lake Elsinore’s city council, objected to the display of a cross in a proposed veteran’s memorial to be displayed at Diamond Stadium.

A group of Lake Elsinore residents also took exception to the cross and made their position known but to no avail, as the council voted 5-0 to approve the proposed veteran’s memorial to cheers of support. It will cost 50,000 tax dollars and possibly much more if litigation follows.

Meanwhile, the city of Riverside is considering options for the cross displayed atop Mount Rubidoux after Americans United for the Separation of Church and State sent a letter threatening a lawsuit if the cross is not removed, citing the First Amendment establishment clause.

As similar as these matters may appear, they couldn’t be more different. In the case of Mount Rubidoux, the cross was erected in 1907 to honor the memory of Father Junipero Serra for public service, at a time when the property in question was owned by the Huntington Park Association and purchased with the intention of developing a park for the city. In 1955, the property was donated to the city. Members of the community supporting the continued display of the Rubidoux

Cross hope a recent Supreme Court decision approving the display of a cross at Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve will bolster their position. However, this decision required a 2003 act of Congress authorizing a land transfer that made Sunrise Rock private property. It also relied on the Supreme Court’s assistance in directing a federal judge to review the land transfer before approving the cross.

Unlike Lake Elsinore or Sunrise Rock, Mount Rubidoux’s cross is not a veterans’ memorial, which may prove beneficial in securing the display of the cross for generations to come. The cross is a historic memoriam, symbolic of a headstone, in memory of Fr. Serra for all members of the Riverside community.

This distinction coupled with Supreme Court decisions supporting the display of religious symbols on headstones may serve to preserve the cross. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs oversees 131 National Cemeteries in 39 states and each headstone allows for the inscription and display of a veteran’s faith. The Supreme Court decision, for this purpose, claimed that headstones are exceptions to the rule when displaying religious symbols on government property.

This exception coupled with Lemon v. Kurtzman may prove beneficial to the city of Riverside.

The Lemon case established the test to be used when determining the separation of church and state and requires that government actions be secular, do not advance or inhibit religion and do not foster excessive

entanglement with religion. The history and intent taken in connection with Mount Rubidoux’s cross were not initiated by government on government land at the time, nor were they performed for the purpose of professing a single faith, but rather for the purpose of honoring the memory of an historic figure. If Riverside has neither sponsored nor deterred the use of Mount Rubidoux for religious purposes and assumed responsibility for the maintenance of an historically significant memorial, I believe an argument can be made that doesn’t involve the sale or transfer of land, decades of litigation, the removal of the cross, or the conversion of the cross to the Riverside Raincross. At best, a dedication plaque establishing the cross’ history and purpose should suffice.

This is not the case for Lake Elsinore whose representatives have been outspoken in support of the cross and its religious significance.

There is no secular intention in the design of the memorial honoring fallen veterans. The Supreme Court considers history and intent carefully when determining the establishment clause.

The Lemon test for Lake Elsinore includes all activity and dialogue surrounding the proposed veteran’s memorial. According to the Press-Enterprise, a group of local veterans were asked to re-examine the proposed design after concerns were expressed and they declined to remove the cross or consider alternatives. If the matter is later argued in a court of law, this position can be considered a violation of the First

Amendment establishment clause.

Recognizing this problem, Councilwoman Melissa Melendez urged the committee to add the Star of David, which they agreed to. However, this action does not change intent or history and may support arguments establishing a non-secular divisive purpose, because it proposed a remedy recognizing the design did not satisfy secular purpose.

For example, the Supreme Court allowed the display of a nativity scene in the municipal square of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, because of its historical origin and secular significance, but in Pittsburgh, the Court held that the nativity scene was unconstitutional because of intent, even though it included a secular presentation. The Court ruled that Pittsburgh intended to promote a single religion because the nativity scene was placed out front and center giving it greater significance.

The fact that Lake Elsinore’s city council did not consider secular symbols, such as a headstone or a rifle planted with bayonet into the ground and a helmet on the butt end, does not speak well to secular purpose or intent, as established in the Lemon case.

However, the most damaging and possibly telling statement was made by Ralph Zunker, of American Legion Post 200, when he said, “These people need to go and find another place to live other than America,” referring to those opposed to the cross. Someone should explain to Mr. Zunker that they did. Beginning in 1630, more than 20,000 Puritans emigrated to Amer-

ica to escape religious persecution, and once established in New England they expelled dissenters from their colony and dealt out savage punishment for sedition. One man was sentenced to life imprisonment, his property confiscated, his nose slit, an ear cut off, and his forehead branded with “S.S.” (sower of sedition). This is an attitude that may prevail in today’s society and be more mainstream than we may care to admit. When a federal court ordered an Alabama court to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from public display, 77 percent of Americans disapproved. When asked if a monument of the Quran should be in public schools or government buildings 64 percent of Americans disapproved, according to a Gallup Poll in 2003.

There is historical evidence linking religion to the colonization of our country, which may be the very reason our founding fathers understood the importance of the separation of church and state. In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, John Adams wrote, “I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved—the Cross.” I do not contend that those who favor a cross are like Mr. Zunker, but when one’s faith disparages other religions it is simply Un-American.

We must respect our laws and each other and in doing so our different faiths or we too may find ourselves supporting the expulsion of those ■H that do not believe as we do.

OPINIONS

HIGHLANDER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

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Violence flares between Israel and Hamas The Middle East: taking a turn for the worse J o s h ua W a g o n b l a s t STAFF WRITER

The bombing needs to stop.

For anyone unaware of the protestors at the Bell Tower lately, this is the phrase that has been glued to the banners on every news station recently. But despite the talks of a ceasefire, the missile launches from Gaza and Israel have persistently begotten a feeling of terror in the hearts and minds of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians for weeks now. When discussing this particular article with friends and co-workers I was told this is a complicated issue and I hope to approach the topic carefully.

My eyes have had a hard time turning away from the television recently, and I am sure CNN is thankful for the ratings. The reason behind this lure to the news channel is because of the developments in Israel and Gaza. The question on everyone’s minds has been whether or not the two will continue to fight. As of now, no one really knows. All there appears to be is a large amount of mixed feelings: worry and anger.

The situation has truly reached a tipping point. This could ultimately result in the state of Israel and the Gaza region bearing large negative repercussions politically, economically, and internationally, affecting the allies of both sides and leaving themselves to bear unforeseen consequences.

So far, Israel’s iron dome has done a solid job of deflecting the majority of the missiles. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Gaza. For anyone keeping

tabs on the coverage, they are most likely familiar with the assassination of one of the Hamas leaders who was being driven down a street when the bombing occurred. Since this moment, the tensions have risen like a pot of soup that has been at its boiling point for too long, and Israel has discussed their intent to invade Gaza with ground troops despite the ongoing talks of a truce.

You may be reading this and believe that the turmoil has ended due to the Egyptian-mediated ceasefire that has countries no longer sitting on the edge of their seats. This newest occurrence has both sides celebrating victory over one another. Flags are waved and people praise the weight that has been lifted now that both sides will postpone any military decisions. The situation may be suspended, with people acting thankful for the truce, but it is not certain whether the two will stay peaceful forever. Familiarity with their history would lead us to believe that Israel and Gaza will be at it again. For now, we hope for the best.

If the truce were to be broken and the fighting continued, the consequences would be both more bodies and a financial burden that could lead to an economic standstill. Already eight days of rocket bombardment resulted in spilled blood and wasted funds. The Prime Minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, said that the “option to invade Gaza after this victory is gone and will never return.” I can only hope that this statement holds true. Both Prime Ministers seem to still be prepared for a battle.

Peace in the Middle East?

Grant Boughter CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There’s been peace in Palestine since Nov. 21. Following a fragile peace agreement fostered through Egyptian and U.S. diplomatic efforts, last Wednesday marked the technical end to the armed conflict between Israel and the Hamas government in Palestine. According to the Jerusalem Post, however, sporadic rocket attacks against Gaza and Israeli cities did continue into the night of Nov. 21 as late as 9:00 p.m. local time. Although a technical ceasefire remains in effect as of press time, the peace agreement between Israel and Palestine remains tentative as millions in the region recover from thousands of rocket attacks.

Nov. 14 marks the beginning of this most recent war in the Middle East. And after a week and a day of armed conflict, the death toll from both sides

numbers just under 170, leaving over 2,000 injured. 160 of those dead, and a large majority of the injured, were Palestinians living in Gaza. So what does this conflict and the subsequent shaky peace agreement mean for Palestine?

Some context is necessary for understanding of this situation. It’s important to note that this is the second armed conflict waged between Israel and Palestine since 2008. According to Reuters, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated the goal of the previous war on Palestine was to make Israeli citizens free from Hamas rocket attacks. This is the same reason that prompted Israel's most recent round of aggression via missile strikes against Gaza. This begs the question: do these militarized actions prove to be effective? This is a question that the international community is struggling with.

The cycle of violence between Israel and Palestine is

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that the military goal was achieved, but if the ceasefire is violated he is ready to get back into action. Haniyeh is also primed for another clash if Israel defies the truce. I do not believe that this armistice will halt the violence forever, but instead indefinitely. Naturally, I am in favor of the peace agreement but realistically the two sides will be back at it again, as history proves to be the trend.

I am eager to see the two consistently aggressive regions stay true to their word. Israel’s main prerogative is to remain an ally with the United States and this was a determining factor when coming to terms with a ceasefire.

Israel is afraid that their relations abroad will be altered if they begin another assault on Hamas in Gaza, even though Hamas is considered a terrorist group in the eyes of the western world.

Gaza and Israel are determined to prove themselves politically, hoping that the world views the two as politically stable areas with strong and dedicated leaders.

If the ceasefire was not honored, both Egypt—a country that backs Hamas—and the United States would be tempted to intervene. Their first decision would be to approach the U.N. for a resolution. The U.N. will attempt to solve the crisis peacefully but will not support either side with troops or funds if guns begin to be fired. The United States will have to sustain its position with Israel and will have no choice but to support them in some way.

This would most likely provoke only reinforced by the continued military actions taken by both sides. From an outsider’s perspective, these rocket attacks are no solution to these two peoples’ systemic problems. After the last two weeks of destruction and violence, according to Al Jazeera both sides are claiming victory. And at what cost? The U.N. has reported that over 10,000 Palestinians have been displaced as refugees through this most recent conflict. According to Al Jazeera, the total cost for Palestinians to rebuild their infrastructure and to repair local businesses will total in the tens of millions of U.S. dollars.

Al Jazeera correspondence interviewing Palestinians on the ground has reported a reinvigoration of anti-Israeli sentiment among Palestinians, and around the Arab world as a whole. One of these reports detailed a funeral held for a Palestinian boy of only 15; the boy’s father vowed to train his other six sons to wage jihad against Israel in perpetuity. The televised pictures of children and

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G u a rdi a n . c o . u k

Increased tensions have caused damage in both Israel and Gaza.

a backlash in the Muslim communities in the Middle East and perhaps on a smaller scale here in the United States.

Egypt, on the other hand, has a lot to ponder over. Politically, they are in the midst of enduring the consequences of their recent revolution. Their involvement, which would be focused on backing Hamas, would prove to be unwise. The truce was beneficial in keeping their tranquil standing—for now. If the calm situation erupts they could be facing devastating governmental outcomes, mainly an alienation by key factions in the area, including those who supported the Egyptian Movement for Change and large Islamic groups who expected a political transformation after the revolution. Supporting Hamas, if the violence were to begin again, could result in protests of governmental decisions or other social demonstrations.

Their economy is reliant on both the Western and the Israeli economy, and the current ceasefire is helpful to the country.

Now that the armistice is in place the worries should dissipate, right? The answer to this is

ultimately unclear. The ceasefire could provide a good amount of time for the regions to rebuild their military infrastructure, preparing to strike once again. The now dormant decades-long conflict could implode by spring.

Israel would see damage to their military, economy and political system while hoping for Western intervention. Although the cessation of hostilities relieves a temporary stress, something needs to take hold to prevent violent action from taking place once again. A true deal must be made.

Smuggling weapons into Gaza has to be addressed, along with Israel’s trigger-happy eagerness, since they will always feel comfortable with an iron dome.

And although Gaza fears missile strikes, they will not hesitate to respond. A conference should be held with Egypt, the U.S., and of course the two conflicting constituencies. Without a U.N.mediated conference with strong warnings or even threats being made to both sides, Israel and Gaza will not be deterred from attacking one another like they have time and time again as history has shown.

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families that have been killed as a result of Israeli air strikes without a doubt further cultivate this hate.

However, the terms of the ceasefire give some hope to local authorities and to the powers-that-be abroad. According to Al Jazeera, this most recent ceasefire deal includes an agreement to ease the blockade on Palestinian borders that the Israeli military has closed through military force for years. This will hopefully ease the significant Palestinian economic woes that have existed for decades.

But Israel remains adamant that the smuggling of rockets and other weapons into Gaza cannot continue. Therefore, it’s hard to see a future where Palestinian borders come under the control of local Palestinian authorities, while simultaneously the Israeli authorities remain confident that no weapons are being smuggled into Palestine.

This issue of border control remains as tentative as the ceasefire agreement itself.

From the interviews con-

ducted on the ground, it’s clear that this most recent conflict has only strengthened the resolve of the war-torn population of Palestine. Although rockets and bombs have been launched and detonated in both Israel and Gaza, a large majority of the destruction and death has proved a burden that mostly the Palestinians must now bear.

And historically, this has been the case. Israel and Palestine go to war, and Palestine is left to pick up the pieces. As to the extent this conflict has affected the Palestinian people, only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Palestinian people have endured another round of high-tech violence, and remain a unified people; all the while Arab opinions toward Israel have hit a new all-time low.

Neither side deserves praise for what they’ve done throughout this war. Militarized conflicts like this always do more harm than good. They ignite more hate than instill security, and everyone is worse off be■H cause of it.

The opinions expressed in the Opinions section belong solely to their authors and do not represent the Highlander Editorial Board or the University of California, Riverside.

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. FEATURES .

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

HIGHLANDER

~20th Annual~

Festival of Lights

by Jessica Martinez, Contributing Writer // Photos by Jillian Rausa & Daming Ye

Top: The entrance of the Mission Inn welcomes visitors craving the magical wonder of Christmas. Bottom: A horse-drawn carriage.

One of the many things that the city of Riverside takes great pride in is the annual Festival of Lights.

This year the festival celebrates an astounding 20th anniversary. The smell of sweet kettle corn, millions of lights, an ice skating rink, holiday window displays and the sounds of the season will be celebrated in downtown Riverside until Jan 5.

On Black Friday, the festival kicked off with the famous Switch-On Ceremony—a tradition that has successfully illuminated downtown Riverside and The Mission Inn for the past 20 years.

Arriving in downtown, two and a half hours before the ceremony, I decided to walk around and take everything in. It was a warm day, and booths were already set up and streets were blocked from 5th to University and from Market to Orange. The scent of sweet yet salty kettle corn was distinctly strong.

People were already claiming their spots in front of the Mission Inn for a prime viewing spot. Kim Miller, a proud resident of Riverside who has been coming to the festival for over 10 years, was saving spots for 17 other people. Everyone who was patiently waiting for the ceremony seemed relaxed and content.

Volunteers were everywhere, as identified by the bright colored vests, passing out programs and directing people. Volunteers from John W. North High School’s Key Club in Riverside were picking up litter and helping people with questions, demonstrating that any little thing could make a huge difference in crafting the ambiance on the event.

There was something for all ages to enjoy. Ice skating, bouncy slides, shopping and dining, and just basking in the holiday spirit through the music and other festive decorations. The Riverside City College marching band, the Marching Tigers, played a spectacular show before the commencement of the ceremony. They filled the air with joyous sounds ranging from holiday music to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebrate.”They did a great job of getting the crowd excited as people buzzed with applause and dancing. As time got closer for the ceremony to commence, more and more people gathered in front of the Mission Inn anxiously awaiting the lights and fireworks. I couldn’t help but feel like a kid in Disneyland eagerly awaiting the fireworks display amidst a tightly packed crowd.

Finally, the the ceremony’s host, Cindy Roth, president of the Riverside Chambers of Commerce,

came out on the stage next to the Mission Inn and welcomed the crowd. Many thanks were issued to everyone from the volunteers to the sponsors, which are crucial for making a non-profit event like this just as magical and special for attendees. Next on stage, Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge welcomed everyone to what he called our signature festival for Southern California.

Lastly, Duane Roberts, who owns The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa with his wife Kelly Roberts, took to the stage. Many may wonder how the festival came into existence, and the answer is a simple one—he simply wanted to give back to the community. “I thought back to the days when I was a little kid, and my parents used to take us to the different neighborhoods that lit up their lights and had a kind of contest, and it would be shown in the Press-Enterprise newspaper and it kind of dawned on me,” said Roberts. The festival has grown each year and according to Roberts, is one of the top five Christmas lighting displays in the nation. He even said it is comparable to Disneyland, but the best part is that it is free.

And who could forget the man in the red suit?

Santa also made an appearance on stage as the crowd merrily counted down with anticipation.

With the flip of a switch by a few children who had won a coloring contest prior, millions of lights ignited, accompanied by an array of colorful fireworks.

Gasps could be heard among the Christmas music as the hushed crowd watched the dazzling lights.

Smiles were seen as a sense of warmth and holiday cheer spread throughout the crowd that could make any holiday grinch warm with joy.

Kaylee, a six-year-old girl from Chino, said, “I think it was awesome and my favorite part was the fireworks.” She enjoyed her very first Festival of Lights with her grandmother, who works for the city and says she is no newcomer to the festival. Tradition is a large part of the festival, as it is a main component of what brings the festival back each year and it is nice to see both young and old enjoy it.

The Festival of Lights, located just a few minutes from UCR down University Avenue, is a spectacle you don’t want to miss. The city of Riverside takes great pride in its alluring lights that will brighten Downtown Riverside until Jan 5. Take advantage of ■H Riverside’s very own winter wonderland!

FEATURES

909 HIP HOP TROUPE HIGHLANDER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

909 Hip Hop Troupe practices in the HUB Plaza.

Wesley Ng/HIGHLANDER

by Unnati Gandhi, Contributing Writer & Toni Louie, Senior Staff Writer After watching the 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe perform and practice, one word comes to mind: passion. It is this exact passion that shows the people on this campus, this community, and the dance world that this team means business, and is serious about representing who they are and where they come from. As the the team went through the dance moves to “Cater to You” by Destiny’s Child, there was a spark in each and every one of the team members. All of the members were very excited to be practicing together.

Knowing that they would be working on technique, syncing in to place and moving for about three hours, they all still had smiles on their faces. The reason for their smiles was the fact that they were doing something they love with friends who share that same love.

Director of 909, James Calma, approached me while as I was observing and asked me if I was there for

the workshop and, although I refused, the fact that they encouraged anyone to come and dance was heartwarming. Calma explained how the members of the team help and support one another, making them a genuinely tight-knit family unit. There are indescribable connections that form among the team members because of the fact that they are all working towards the same goal. He went on to describe how he was still in contact with 909 alumni (including the founder of 909) and how many of them come back to choreograph routines for the new team.

The most surprising part was that these alumni are not asked to come back; they volunteer to come back.

Calma went explain how the audition process works and how new team members are chosen. 909 Hip Hop Troupe looks for anyone, as long as they have the potential to grow as dancers.

“If you exhibit the energy and

have a clean cut performance, you may be chosen,” stated Calma.

Each audition, they usually have 60 to 70 people trying out but only about 25 new members are chosen. They take on a wide range of people—culturally, racially, academically, as well as dancing background, training, and technique. The team is all about diversity and making an impact.

First-year biology major Moises Garcia said that he was very fortunate to have joined 909 because he saw so many people auditioned that he felt were better, more skilled, and more experienced than him. Nonetheless, Garcia is excited to be a part of 909 and “cannot wait to witness how the team’s hard work will eventually pay off.”

Garcia said, “I’ve never done something like this before, but I can already tell that it will make a big impact on my life.”

While watching the team dance, anyone would wonder comes up with all these

intricate dance moves. That is when I was introduced to the artistic director of 909, Matt Montillano. Right off the bat, I asked how long it usually takes him to choreograph a competition worthy dance; he replied two to three days.

That is a very short amount of time to come up with so much choreography, but it demonstrates just how passionate and committed the members are to the team as well the art of hip hop dance. Montillano plans to choreograph the dances to underground music and stay away from anything that is on the top 100 chart.

His inspiration for the choreography comes from the music itself. “Music drives our dances,” said Montillano.

The 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe is a dedicated and committed group of students who want to inspire the rest of UCR, and to spread the message that if any student has the drive to dance: come out and give it all you’ve got.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

FEATURES

HIGHLANDER

with Ryan Simon Senior Staff Writer

Wii U Hardware Review It has been six years since the Nintendo Wii was released to the public. Since the debut of what was arguably Nintendo’s most ambitious video game system yet, the game industry has changed in some pretty significant ways. Mobile phones and tablets have proven themselves to be capable gaming platforms with both large and small gaming studios enthusiastically supporting mobile game development. As this new game market sector emerged, so had many doubts about the future of traditional console gaming.

Can console gaming recapture the attention of capricious casual gamers? Is the draw of next-generation systems compelling enough to keep hardcore gamers interested?

Nintendo’s goal with their newly released Wii U system is to address both questions whilst pushing the industry forward once more with interesting new game mechanics not seen on any other console yet.

In short, I can confidently say that Wii U is a much more compelling system than Wii ever was. The real value of the Wii U, however, is not as obvious as its predecessor’s. You have to look at the Wii U’s total package to understand its potential.

Wii U’s Main Attraction The minute you pick up the Wii U box off the shelf, the first thing that you’ll notice is the giant tablet-looking controller in front of the system itself. This new controller, what Nintendo has dubbed the GamePad, is the Wii U’s most obvious differentiator from all systems before it. It’s somewhat of a Nintendo tradition to consistently push out fresh and interesting controllers with each new game system, and the Wii U’s GamePad fits the bill very well.

The GamePad is best described as a traditional game controller, with all the buttons and analog sticks you would expect, and a 6.2inch resistive touch screen placed right in the middle of the controller. It also includes a video camera, microphone, infrared sensor, NFC chip and an expansion port for connecting future controller add-ons.

Inside of the controller you’ll find a gyroscope, accelerometer, and a rechargeable battery that’s good for up to five hours of gameplay.

Before I picked up the controller for the first time, I expected it to feel uncomfortable and far too heavy to be used for extended game sessions. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was none of these things.

At just over a pound, the GamePad feels incredibly light despite its rather wide dimensions. My fingers found very comfortable places to rest themselves.

The GamePad is the most ergonomic console controller I’ve ever handled. My only gripe with the GamePad is that it’s a major fingerprint magnet, and that goes for the console itself too. It’s not as much of a problem with the white Wii

U Basic system, but the black Deluxe system I picked up at launch quickly becomes dirty. You’ll want a cloth handy to clean it after those long gaming sessions.

What the GamePad brings to the table is not easily described and is best experienced first-hand. For example, one of the main features of the GamePad is its ability to stream content from the console to its 6.2-inch screen. You can play a full session of “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2” straight on the GamePad, and since the controller is wireless, you don’t necessarily have to stay in the same room as the console to continue playing. The GamePad has a rated wireless range of 25 feet or so, but this varies depending on the construction of your house or apartment.

System Interface and Apps The Wii U’s interface is clean, simple and intuitive. It takes the channel system from the Wii and the tile layout of the Nintendo 3DS, and combines them with Nintendo’s new social game network called Miiverse. After installing Nintendo’s day one update, the first thing you’ll see on the TV when booting up the system is floating tiles representing games/apps with Miis underneath.

These Miis represent other people as avatars on the new Nintendo Network (described in the next section) that are participating in that game’s or app’s community. As long as you’re on the Wii U menu screen, you’ll see randomly selected dialog bubbles pop-up from Miis that show messages and drawings.

It truly makes the Wii U feel like a living, breathing system and adds a lot of charm to the whole presentation.

Along with its sleek interface and Miiverse, the Wii U has a handful of other great and useful apps.

Some of the core system apps include a fully functional multi-tab HTML5 web browser that runs incredibly well, a video conferencing app called Wii U Chat, the eShop—where users can download digital content such as games and demos—and a Nintendo Network friend list. During launch week, the Wii U received free Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube and Amazon Instant Video apps for download.

Thus far, the only missing puzzle from Nintendo’s app lineup is their promised Nintendo TVii service. This service will tie into all the aforementioned multimedia applications, and allow users of the Wii U to search for and enjoy content without having to enter the dedicated applications. Nintendo said to expect this app to rollout in early December, and many early adopters are eagerly awaiting its arrival. Overall, the user interface presented here is fantastic, and the only thing I would like Nintendo to address is the somewhat lengthy load times between applications.

Nintendo Network If there’s one thing that many Wii owners and Wii detractors agreed on is how terribly implemented Nintendo’s online service was. With Nintendo Network on Wii U, these issues are all but history. With support for up to 12 unique users on each Wii U console, everyone in the family can have their own system account, game saves and online identifications. This online ID—known as Nintendo ID (NID)—implements the sort of identification system Nintendo fans have been clamoring for.

No more ridiculous 16-digit friend codes are needed to connect with friends online. Now, all you have to do is either add each others’ NIDs, which are standard usernames, or find a player through the Miiverse community and use the friend request feature. Everything is much more streamlined, and online gameplay in games like “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2” run buttery smooth. Nintendo still has a little bit of work to do in order to make adding friends easier to accomplish through the Friend List app, but otherwise the Nintendo Network is off to a great start.

Launch Software The Wii U launched with a solid 23 retail titles and another four or so eShop exclusive games. Of the launch titles, some standouts include: “New Super Mario Bros.

U,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2”, “ZombiU,” “Assassin’s Creed III,” “Trine 2: Director’s Cut,” “Nano Assault Neo,” “Nintendo Land,” and “Ninja Gaiden: Razor’s Edge.”

I was only able to sample a handful of games, but what I did play left me impressed.

“Black Ops 2” may be on other systems, but the Wii U version is my favorite thanks to the GamePad features. Graphics look clear and crisp, and seem to appear a bit better than other versions. Online multiplayer runs smooth, but as of now it lacks the player base needed to support many of the niche game modes offered.

“Nintendo Land” is like the “Wii Sports” of the Wii U, but even better.

It may be a minigame compilation, but “Nintendo Land’s” fantastic art style and HD graphics combined with deep games will draw in the hardcore gamers and casual gamers alike. Its use of the GamePad for asynchronous gameplay allows one player on the GamePad to experience something completely different from other players competing or cooperating in the same minigame.

Final Thoughts I can confidently call Wii U’s launch a success. Nintendo was able to deliver great value in the Wii U right out of the box. All of the bases are covered: entertainment apps, quality games, and the new Nintendo network. Combine

Courtesy of nintendolife.com

that with the great potential of Miiverse and the future Nintendo TVii service, it’s hard to dismiss the appeal of the Wii U. As far as a long-term investment in gaming technology is concerned, it’s hard to know just how viable the Wii U will be. The true power of the Wii U still seems untapped, and without the knowledge of just how far its innards can be pushed, it’s tough to predict how it will stack up against

Sony and Microsoft’s next systems.

What I can say is that the next-generation is finally here with the Wii U, and it has tremendous potential to be the hardcore and casual gamer’s system of choice. If you’re looking for a new and unique HD gaming experience, I highly recommend picking up the Wii U, which run either $300 or $350, depending on whether you choose the standard or deluxe edi■H tion.

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R adar ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

D a n i e l D ay -L e wi s

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TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

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BOOK REVIEWS SWEET TOOTH // IAN MCEWAN RATING: ★★★☆☆

“Sweet Tooth” begins as any other ’70s era British spy novel with promises of intrigue, perilous love and ample suspense. But in the capable hands of author Ian McEwan (“Atonement,” “On Chesil Beach”), the story becomes something entirely unexpected. It can be categorized as meta-fiction, which sounds like trendy label but is completely fitting for this multifaceted work of fiction.

Once the spy-story veneer fades, the reader will come to realize that “Sweet Tooth” is a meditative novel concerning the power of fiction and the toils of writing.

Serena Frome (“rhymes with plume”) jumps into the story by relaying the novel’s plot from start to finish. “Within eighteen months of joining [The British Security Service] I was sacked, having disgraced myself and ruined my lover, though he certainly had a hand in his own undoing.” So begins Serena’s deliberation, which is essentially a reiteration of how she disgraced herself and how the lives of herself and her lover came apart.

In her youth, Serena was encouraged by her quietly feminist mother to study mathematics at Cambridge, where she struggled to succeed. Her true passion, however, lay in fiction, and Serena’s voracious reading gradually turns her onto anti-Communist ideals in the midst of Cold War turbulence in the ’70s. She writes about communism for a literary journal and garners the attention of the aging Professor Canning. The two engage in a summer-long affair until Canning unceremoniously dumps Serena, but not without recruiting her to MI5, the British Security Service.

At MI5, Serena works as a glorified secretary until her love for literature has her summoned to a room full of haughty men who offer her a mission that involves recruiting authors and journalists who would perpetuate the ideals of MI5 through their writing. Codenamed Sweet Tooth, the mission would require

BY: REBECCA PAREDES, STAFF WRITER Serena to approach struggling writer Tom Haley with a hefty stipend from her “arts foundation” and work closely with him, while ensuring that Tom never finds out where the money is coming from. In short, it’s a novelist’s dream.

This is the point where the story gains momentum. Up until this point, Serena’s narrative reads too passively to capture the true essence of a spy novel, and the reader unclear on where things are headed.

But as Serena looks over Tom’s work and then meets the man himself, the novel’s espionage façade finally peels away to reveal that “Sweet Tooth” is a literary love story. And as Serena and Tom fall for each other, she must grapple with the knowledge that she cannot—but eventually must—tell Tom about the truth about her line of employment.

McEwan utilizes the correlation between reading and writing as a parallel through which he explores the relationship between Serena and Tom, and he packs authors and editors from his own life (notably Martin Amis, Tom Maschler and Ian Hamilton) into the story’s third act.

The closing third of the novel takes such an enjoyable jaunt into fiction and meta-commentary that I wish McEwan had introduced Serena and Tom’s relationship earlier in the novel; its earlier pages feel bogged down by meandering narrative and painstakingly researched history lessons about espionage in the 1970s.

McEwan’s prose shines as the novel reaches its climax (he writes, “Love doesn’t grow at a steady rate, but advances in surges, bolts, wild leaps,” which I’m sure will become a popularly reblogged quote on microblogs like Tumblr).

The novel’s final pages are breathtakingly surprising and demand a second reading from its audience, that is if anyone get through the dull first act again. Despite my few complaints, “Sweet Tooth” is a worthwhile weekend read, and its H twist ending is indeed quite sweet. ■

Courtesy of Jonathon Cape Ltd.

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MOVIE REVIEWS ALSO THIS WEEK:

KILLING THEM SOFTLY

SILENT NIGHT

THE COLLECTION

CALIFORNIA SOLO

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS RATING: ★★★★☆

BY: JILLIAN RAUSA, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

“Rise of the Guardians” delivers the magic of the holiday season to nationwide audiences.

The latest DreamWorks Animation feature film is based on children’s book series “The Guardians of Childhood,” written by William Joyce who, along with Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), executive produced this adaptation.

Director Peter Ramsey (“Monsters vs. Aliens”) brings David Lindsay-Abaire’s (“Robots”) screenplay to life through breathtaking CG animation.

Our story begins behind the eyes of the mischievous Jack Frost (Chris Pine), a perpetually teenaged winter spirit who has been around for the last 300 years. Jack drifts through life scornful of discipline and uncertain as to his origins and the purpose for his existence…until one fateful night. Our youthful hero is unceremoniously stuffed into a sack and brought to the North Pole, as charged by the Man in the Moon, to be inducted into an order of immortal beings from legend called the Guardians.

Their leader is Santa Claus a.k.a. North (Alec Baldwin), an updated version of the traditional Saint Nicholas complete with a thick Russian accent and rugged stature, and

the Guardian of Wonder. Joining him is Bunnymund (Hugh Jackman), an athletic, 6-foottall Australian rabbit who takes his job of coloring and guarding Easter eggs very seriously. Next up is Tooth (Isla Fisher), the part-human, part-hummingbird collector of children’s teeth, which hold their memories. Last but not least is the mute Sandy/ the Sandman, the first and oldest Guardian who presides over dreams.

In present day, the Guardians face the threat of an old enemy, Pitch Black (Jude Law) the Nightmare King; he seeks to poison children’s belief in magic with his pandemic of fear. As his nightmares begin to take hold and magic weakens, Jack Frost and the Guardians must work together to protect all the children of the world and stop the fear from spreading.

At times there seemed to be some religious aspects weaved

in throughout the movie, which can especially be attributed to the omniscience of the Man in the Moon, as well as the way the “good” characters defer to him. However, they weren’t so glaringly conspicuous to the point of being a distraction from the plot at hand. Joyce’s stories provide a vivid frame for these age-old characters and the tales they hail from, and transform the typical childhood stories that most audiences are

accustomed to. The exquisite animation is eye candy for moviegoers to snack on, as they follow Jack Frost on the everrelatable adventure of finding oneself.

Ultimately, despite the younger demographic that “Rise of the Guardians” is intended for, DreamWorks succeeds in creating a movie that welcomes all audiences to believe in the magic that lies beyond our ■H world.

LIFE OF PI

RATING: ★★★☆☆

BY: ALEXANDER SUFFOLK, STAFF WRITER

In 2009, Fox 2000 Pictures announced that director Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Brokeback Mountain”) had signed on for the film adaptation of best-selling adventure-drama novel “Life of Pi,” written

by Yann Martel. And while I wouldn’t say that it’s as much of a smashing success as its source material, “Life of Pi” is still a captivating spectacle.

The movie opens to a young writer (Rafe Spall) who is deep in conversation with Piscine Patel (Irrfan Khan), a middle-aged Indian man who, or so the writer has been told, has a story to tell that will “make him believe in God.” Patel goes on to narrate the events of his childhood and adolescence (during which he nicknamed himself “Pi”), including the circumstances of his education and practice of a number of different faiths, as well as his short-lived romances and his ongoing struggle to understand the animalistic nature of the residents in his father’s zoo.

However, the winds of change are out to alter the

course of Pi’s future when his family decides to close down the zoo and sail to Canada in hopes of selling the animals and starting a new life.

The movie picks up when a storm hits the ship on which 16-year-old Pi (Suraj Sharma), his family and the animals are travelling, causing it to sink. His family nowhere to be seen, Pi reaches safety on a lifeboat but finds himself in the company of a handful of the animals that have also escaped the wreckage. One by one the animals succumb to hunger and hostility until Pi is left to share his refuge with Richard Parker, the zoo’s fully-grown Bengal tiger.

There are many scenes in the movie that depict such gorgeous shots of the sky and sea that it was difficult to distinguish where one ended and the other began; they evoked deep emotions as the audience witnessed Pi and Richard Parker sailing through a seemingly infinite cosmos. These scenes are juxtaposed with graver scenes of danger and suspense, as Pi adjusts to his new living environment and

shipmate, as well as the scarcity of supplies. Surai Sharma’s debut performance was particularly impressive given his ability to portray such emotional range when he is, for the majority of the movie, the only human character onscreen. The combination of top-notch animation work and character development it took to create Richard Parker often made me forget that he isn’t real.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

The final act of “Life of Pi” illustrates the title character’s return to the mainland, whereupon he is hospitalized and questioned by officials. The turn in plot that occurred after this point was like a slap across the face, and left me wondering what I should believe. The movie ends with the notion that the desire to believe in the beautiful story over the darker one is parallel to the choice of believing in

God; by that point it made me resent the movie all the more.

However, there were times when I was on the edge of my seat, whether out of anticipation or anxiety, and the fact that 127 minutes of PG-rated material was able to accomplish that is nothing short of amazing. The high notes of “Life of Pi” are much higher than the low notes are low, and overall it proved to be an enjoyable experience.

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RED DAWN

RATING: ★★☆☆☆

It’s no secret that the Wolverine battle cry was muffled seemingly indefinitely when MGM Studios took a financial blow, crippling the “Red Dawn” remake’s theatrical release. The relatively unknown actors (or at least they were at the time) moved on to better things, and thank heavens we got to see Chris Hemsworth in “Marvel’s The Avengers” and “The Cabin in the Woods” before this eyesore of a masturbatory right-wing fantasy could make a noticeable dent in his career.

In 2011, FilmDistrict picked up the distribution rights and hastily digital-swapped Chinese emblems for those of North Korea to keep “Red Dawn” in China’s good box office graces.

What they failed to realize was that it doesn’t matter whether the villain in this movie is China or North Korea or Wonderland— this is not the generation for a second “Red Dawn.”

In first-time director Dan Bradley’s “Red Dawn,” Ex-Marine Jed Eckhert (Hemsworth) returns to Spokane, Washington to spend some quality time with his dad, Chief of Police Tom Eckhert (Brett Cullen) and his younger brother Matt (Josh Peck). The lion’s share of the movie’s drama stems from Matt’s resentment towards Jed for abandoning them for six years after the death of their mother; Peck’s character is young, angst-ridden and not a team player (so helpfully illustrated during the obligatory high school football game scene).

The morning after a mysterious city-wide blackout, the Eckhert boys wake up to find North Korean paratroopers invading in their neighborhood. Jed, Matt, Matt’s girlfriend Erica (Isabel Lucas), childhood friend Toni Walsh (Adrianne Palicki) and a handful of their peers (Josh

BY: GRACE KANG, SENIOR STAFF WRITER Courtesy of Summit Entertaiment

Hutcherson, Connor Cruise, Alyssa Diaz, Julian Alcaraz, Edwin Hodge) are forced to take refuge in the woods as their family and friends are corralled and put in re-education camps by the invading army. And, because this is America and “even the tiniest flea can drive a big dog crazy,” (cue eye roll) the youths train themselves in guerrilla warfare in a desperate effort to take back their families and homeland. They call their resistance group the Wolverines after their high school mascot.

It’s stars and stripes all around.

More kids are added presumably for a higher body count, and it doesn’t look as though many characters of color will make it to the end.

But whereas the ’80s were seething with Cold War-induced paranoia, a paramilitary invasion on American soil isn’t a feasible

concern today. And this flea vs. big dog analogy should really be the other way around given that the annual U.S. defense budget dwarfs North Korea’s military expenditure…by a lot. It’s out of place to see that when the North Koreans land in Spokane, everyone reacts with resignation as though it’s been a long time coming. And although both the original and remake are heavyladen with American patriotism, this new version is a farce and a cover for 114 minutes of kiddie war porn. Let’s take a bunch of able-bodied teens and put them in life-or-death situations. It’ll be fun.

And as for anyone who hasn’t seen the original and doesn’t give a damn about story/character development, they may very well have fun, owing largely to high adrenaline shootouts masterminded by

Bradley, whose experience as a stunt coordinator in the “Bourne” films and the “SpiderMan” trilogy come in handy. But then he fails to explain how the ragtag bunch manages to squirrel their way out of the numerous raids in hostile territory, or how ordinary high-schoolers under the tutelage of one ex-Marine have become master marksmen within a matter of days. Maybe it was all those hours of playing “Call of Duty?” I don’t think so.

While the original “Red Dawn” made an earnest attempt (because let’s be real with ourselves, it was by no means a cinematic triumph) at an honest war film that addresses the brutal consequences of attrition warfare, and even took a stab at examining the “other side” of the war; the remake gives no pause for its characters to mourn their loved ones or even come to

terms with the fact that they are also killing actual human beings.

That coupled with the absurdity of the script’s logic (or lack thereof) won’t be enough for an intelligent audience to bite, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s superior acting skills are wasted on the poorly-written Lt. Colonel Andrew Tanner.

The “Red Dawn” reboot is just Hollywood’s reaction to the boom of “The Hunger Games” and the recent Australian film adaptation of “Tomorrow, When the War Began,” a ’90s teen book series by John Marsden that deals with young people in a similar foreign incursion plot. It makes the 2011 alien invasion flick “Battle: Los Angeles” look like an American masterpiece. I’ll take Patrick Swayze staggering through a snowy shootout in Calumet over ■H this any day.

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HITCHCOCK

RATING: ★★★★☆

Alfred Hitchcock was an iconic film director who transcended his own era of cinema, so it seems only right to make a movie about his career in the industry.

“Hitchcock,” directed by Saicha Gervasi, is a wellcrafted biopic based on Stephen Rebello’s book, “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.”

Academy-award winning actor Anthony Hopkins portrays Alfred Hitchcock, as the story follows the course of his professional and personal life during the making and release of one of Hitchcock’s most criticallyacclaimed films, “Psycho.”

Perhaps the most prominent aspect of “Hitchcock” that audiences will notice is the romantic drama that blossoms from the rocky relationship between Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), who are both strong-willed individuals, as they labor to hold their marriage together while the clamor of the film industry resounds around them. Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel join the cast as Janet Leigh and Vera Miles respectively, the actresses who are famous for their starring roles in Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” and Michael Wincott becomes Ed Gein a.k.a. the Plainfield

BY: KAPIL AMIN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Ghoul/Mad Butcher, the serial killer who inspired the character of Norman Bates.

The movie follows Alfred Hitchcock from his first time reading Robert Bloch’s novel “Psycho,” and guides the audience through a dramatized version of the filmmaking process in the late 1950s; there is a notable contrast between the prevalent conservatism of an older America’s Hollywood and the abundance of graphic

content found in modern-day cinema. This accentuates just how groundbreaking Hitchcock’s methods were at the time, and illustrates how far he pushed the instituted boundaries with his controversial imagination.

Fans of the 1960 horror classic will appreciate the lengths Gervasi goes to preserve the integrity of “Psycho,” as opposed to just making another movie about making a movie.

“Hitchcock” also does a great job of maintaining

authenticity in its interpretation of Alfred Hitchcock’s life; a key part of this involves steering away from the clichéd theme of old Hollywood glamour.

As a result, audiences can observe the title character as a relatable personage beyond his celebrity persona. As the movie delves into his trials and insecurities, which ultimately drive the plot, we are given glimpses into his dark and disturbing psyche. This serves to build the complexity of a man

whom the audiences is only beginning to understand, and firmly roots their investment in the story.

It is the onscreen chemistry between Hopkins and Mirren that evoke lightheartedness notwithstanding the marital hardships their characters are suffering, and also make their characters all the more likeable. “Hitchcock” is worth the time and money, and it is absolutely a moviegoing experience that should not be missed.

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SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK RATING: ★★★★★

Cheesy? You must be thinking of another movie.

Director/screenwriter David O. Russell (“The Fighter,” “Three Kings”) covers all the bases from the opening to the end credits, navigating a script that drips none of the cheese offered by the other romanticcomedies that were released earlier in the year. “Silver Linings Playbook” is adapted from the 2008 novel of the same name, written by Matthew Quick.

Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a Philadelphia native who has lost everything from his house to his job and even his wife, has just been discharged from the state institution at which he had been receiving psychiatric help. He moves in with his mother (Jackie Weaver) and father (Robert De Niro), while attempting to rebuild his life and make up for eight months of lost time.

The rehabilitation process is a seemingly uphill battle as Pat is beset by a string of distractions such as his crazy but attractive neighbor Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), his family’s obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles and his own animosity towards Stevie

BY: NICOLAS AUSTIN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Wonder’s 1969 soul hit “My Cherie Amour” and Ernest Hemingway novels.

Our protagonist has it in his head that a miraculous silver lining will allow him to reunite with his estranged wife Nikki (Brea Bee), and he believes that everything will be better once this happens. He isn’t about to let anything stand in the way of reconciling with his beloved wife, not the 500-feet restraining order (filed by Nikki herself) and certainly not Tiffany, who is dealing with her own quandaries. However, Tiffany is determined to make Pat see his own self-worth, and even offers her assistance in mending his broken marriage, if he agrees to stick with her through her own personal crisis. As this unlikely friendship blooms, Pat finds himself going between his friends, Ronnie (John Ortiz) and Danny (Chris Tucker), and his psychiatrist Dr. Patel (Anupam Kher) for advice, all while struggling to stay sane for Nikki.

Bradley Cooper’s (“The Hangover,” “The Hangover Part II”) performance as a bipolar, rehabilitated drug-abuser reminds audiences that he

can pull off weightier drama beyond slapstick and run of the mill rom-coms. But it is Jennifer Lawrence (“X-Men: First Class,” “The Hunger Games”) who really shines in this movie, and displays maturity beyond her 22 years of age in a performance on par with her work in other independent films like “Winter’s Bone.”

Lawrence was both convincing and endearing in her role as a recovering sex addict, as she easily alternated between the rude and foul-mouthed as well as the sober, compassionate facets of her character.

Even the supporting cast hold their own. Chris Tucker makes a comeback from the “Rush Hour” days to lend his

comedic dexterity to the film, showing that he still has a couple of jokes left in the tank. De Niro is as always De Niro.

“Silver Linings Playbook” is a hilarious, heartwarming and often times raunchy film that boasts praiseworthy performances and solid chemistry between Cooper and Law■H rence.

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LINCOLN

RATING: ★★★★☆

It’s not often a historical film can make an old political figure seem vibrant and engaging in a modern sense. Though at times hindered by its pacing, director Steven Spielberg’s most recent film, “Lincoln,” captures the former president in a light that brings an urgent sense of immediacy to the issue of slavery in the 1800s.

The film begins in January 1865 and the Union and Confederacy have already been at war for four years.

The main plotline is focused around Lincoln’s determination to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery and peacefully bring the Confederacy back into the Union. Lincoln often consults with his Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathaim), who supports the movement for abolition but believes that it is too soon for the Amendment to take place.

A team led by W.N. Bilbo (James Spader) is tasked with convincing House Democrats to vote in favor of the 13th Amendment.

Tommy Lee Jones portrays a fiery Thaddeus Stevens, who battles a divided Congress to pass the nationwide abolition.

“Lincoln” is not devoid of our 16th president’s personal relationships; Sally Field takes up the role of Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and becomes a character with the intensity and recklessness that can only be attributed to a woman whose husband has put the shape of the entire nation at stake. Joseph Gordon-Levitt also delivers a solid performance as Lincoln’s son Robert, who, against his father’s wishes, decides to drop out of college and fight in the Union army because he can no longer stand by while others die on the battlefield.

The most impressive moments in the film were found in its

BY: JAKE RICH, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Courtesy of DreamWorks

biting, surprisingly humorous script, as well as the outstanding visuals and cinematography that have become a trademark of Spielberg’s works. Beautiful sweeping shots of towns and forests in addition to the many slow pans and movements around conversations between characters pull the audience deeper into the world within “Lincoln.” The authentic detail on sets brought vibrancy to the 19th century background, as did Spielberg’s use of shadows and lighting at key moments. In one scene Lincoln appears almost angelic as the light shining through the bedroom curtains envelope him as he speaks to wife in the darkened room.

Day-Lewis is at his best every time he dives into any of the several poignant monologues orated by Lincoln, whether it is in consolation of his distressed wife, urging his advisers on the exigency of abolishing slavery or the stressing the need to be gentle with the South during the period of reconstruction.

The one weakness I would like to point out, despite the sturdy script, is the pacing.

Although the dialogue is excellent, there are times when it drags on too long. Coupled with some of the antiquated terms of 19th century American-English, it didn’t come as a shock to see an audience member or two briefly nod off in the theater.

Nevertheless, “Lincoln” delivers a sense of intimacy to a man that most Americans have only ever known as a folk-hero.

Day-Lewis’s Oscar-worthy performance exposes Lincoln’s inner struggles and his fight to overcome political hurdles for a way of life that Americans today take for granted. “Lincoln” was a refreshing break in the wake of a very bitter election season, and it is certainly one of the best ■H films of the year.

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TELEVISION REVIEWS AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM - “I AM ANNE FRANK – PART 1 & 2” / “THE ORIGIN OF MONSTROSITY” RATING: ★★★☆☆ / ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★☆

BY: DIANA S. HUANG, STAFF WRITER Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television

The incidents on “American Horror Story: Asylum” have been gradually leading up to the latest and most twisted episode yet, “The Origins of Monstrosity.”

Outside of the Anne Frank storyline, the two preceding episodes oversee the continuous elaboration on the characters that occupy the asylum, particularly the background accounts of both Grace and Dr. Thredson, in addition to Lana’s developing plans to break out of Briarcliff.

In the past weeks, audiences were introduced to Franka Potente in the two-part “I Am Anne Frank” story arc; Potente portrays a woman who claims to be the young Jewish girl who was immortalized in the diary she kept during the events of the Holocaust. According to her, she concealed her identity from the public because she believed that Anne Frank was more valuable dead than alive. Much to Sister Jude’s delight, Anne immediately identifies Dr. Arden as a Nazi doctor from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp; the nun calls upon the notorious Nazi hunter Sam Goodman (Mark Margolis of “Breaking Bad”) to investigate Dr. Arden’s murky past. However, Anne is eventually exposed as an ordinary, unhappy housewife who likely suffers from postpartum depression, which throws a wrench into Sister Jude’s scheming.

Grace definitely wins the prize for the bloodiest scene of the most recent episodes, as she recalls how she butchered the father who abused her and the stepmother

who chose to turn a blind eye. To her surprise, Kit reacts with admiration for her courage rather than disgust; the pair is later caught having sex in the kitchen, and they consequently face sterilization. However, Grace is abducted just before going under the knife, and she wakes up to a pregnant Alma who warns her not to fight the probing alien fingers, because it will only make things worse.

Kit is coerced into confessing on the record that he committed the murders, because according to Dr. Thredson it will “help” him if he hears himself speak the words.

But it becomes clear in the final moments of “I Am Anne Frank – Part 2” that trapping Kit at Briarcliff was part of Thredson’s original plan, and that the seemingly stable psychiatrist himself is in fact the serial killer Bloody Face.

It just so happens that the only reason he aided Lana’s escape was so he could keep her chained up in his own basement.

Then again when it all comes down to it, “I Am Anne Frank – Part 1” and “Part 2” serve only to set the stage for “The Origins of Monstrosity,” so that the truly horrifying events can finally begin to unfold. In the most recent installment, Dr. Arden, Sister Mary Eunice and Monsignor Howard have formed an alliance in order to successfully take over the asylum in anticipation of Sister Jude’s imminent departure. A naïve Howard is blackmailed into silence regarding the inner workings of the asylum, and Goodman confirms to Sister Jude that Arden is a former Nazi; the last

piece of evidence they require is his fingerprint. Sister Jude coaxes Arden into having one last drink with her, and having obtained his fingerprints, she hastens to Goodman only to discover that he has been slaughtered and evidence points to the disgraced nun as the murderer. Mary would appear to be responsible, but she clearly holds the advantage when Arden unwittingly sells his soul to her over unearthed evidence.

One admirable aspect of “AHS” is its honest reflection of American culture, both the 60s and present day. An asylum guard’s assertion that as a female Sister Jude never stood a chance against Arden, and the aversion therapy Thredson administers on Lana in hopes of reversing her lesbianism reinforces the misogynistic and homophobic sentiments of the era. “Monstrosity” also showcases the best acting thus far in the season. Zachary Quinto and Sarah Paulson carried their scenes with flawless performances, and the dynamic between the actors was stellar.

Lana finally gets to hear the story behind Bloody Face when she discovers that the serial killer has an extreme oedipal complex and he craves only the touch of a mother’s skin; she is quick to grasp the rules of the game and conforms to the maternal role Thredson has thrust upon her. The pair’s current predicament holds potential for some of the sickest and most emotionally twisted plot development on the series.

Fans can certainly look forward to what comes next.

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MUSIC REVIEWS OFF/ON // FORMA RATING: ★★☆ ☆☆

BY: NEILL CHUA, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Courtesy of RCA Records

In Latin, the word “forma” means shape or figure, and in a more figurative sense it is also used to describe beauty. This implication suggests that the simplicity of the form and structure in things captures the spirit of elegance. Forma’s 2011 self-titled debut album was a dream pop record that embraced the modern world’s fascination with experimentalism and new age. The Brooklyn-based trio—George Bennett, Mark Dwinell and Sophie Lam—employ a variety of vintage synthesizers to weave their musical fabric, which results in warmer tones often not found in electronica. Moreover, they present themselves as musical pioneers with a wide-eyed curiosity and cosmic demeanor. With the Mars-like landscape depicted on their first album cover, it wasn’t hard to see what they were aiming for in terms of musical voice.

One year later, Forma returns with a mature sophomore album that takes on a darker, more mysterious tone that showcases low and reverbed qualities and also shows how much the group has grown since their debut. Over the course of the album’s 40 minutes, “Off/On” offers a contemporary response to the ’70s and ’80s’ futuristic vision of electronic music.

Forma kicks off with “Off,” a track that immediately delivers an ominous

atmosphere, which goes on to permeate the rest of the album. With its steady, space-like arpeggios running behind dreamy synths and bloops, the nefarious beats in “Off” suggest that the planet expressed in the first album has taken a turn for the worse. Fourth on the track list is “Forma 286B,” which extends a more upbeat and optimistic tone in contrast to that of the album opener; despite the devastation on the planet, all is not lost. However, the final number “Forma315” reinstates the dismal ambiance. The slow bass and drum beats, in conjunction with the low synthesizer voices, lend the piece a daydream feel tinged with remorse and urgency.

One of the chief issues with this album is that if the listener doesn’t listen to each song comprehensively, the songs begin to blur into the background. Moreover, nearly every song is assigned a seemingly meaningless triad of numbers, which may or may not have been a deliberate choice by the band in order to emphasize the more sinister themes explored in their second album. But at its core, “Off/ On” is a solid compilation that thrives on its suspenseful themes. In a genre that generally lacks tangible differences between a good and a great album, Forma’s “Off/On” manages to provide enough visceral punch to make it a worthwhile listen.

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Staff Picks: What we’re reading

Sandy Van, News Editor Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King

Grace Kang, A&E Editor Fine Fine Music by Cassie J. Sneider

Chris LoCasio, Editor-in-Chief S.: A Novel About the Balkans by Slavenka Drakulic

Colin Markovich, Opinions Editor Animal Farm by George Orwell

Kevin Keckeisen, Managing Editor The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake by Breece D’J Pancake The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Kendall Peterson, Sports Editor Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Sireena Sy, Production Manager This Side of Paradise

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wesley Ng, Photo Editor Wall and Piece by Banksy

Toni Louie, Features Editor Treasure Island!!! by Sara Levine Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell

SPORTS

HIGHLANDER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

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Women’s volleyball concludes season with consecutive losses CLASSIFIEDS D a rr e n B u e n o STAFF WRITER

November 21, 2012 Matadors 3 - Highlanders 0

Searching for their fourth win in the last seven games, the UC Riverside women’s volleyball team began the final two matches of their season on the road, starting with the first match against Cal State Northridge. The Highlanders (8-23, 2-15) were swept by the Matadors (20-10, 11-6) in three straight sets (25-14, 25-12, 25-17) as the home team dominated and produced nearly 50 kills in only an hour and 13 minutes of play.

Riverside’s Ashley Cox tied for game-high honors with 12 kills while Amanda Vialpando added nine kills and eight digs.

Mahina Haina paced the Matadors with 12 kills.

The first set opened with the Highlanders leading early at 2-1 before five consecutive points by the Matadors pushed the lead to 8-3. UCR couldn’t recover as the home team widened the gap to 10 points at 22-12 en route to a 2514 set victory.

The second period saw Cal State Northridge continue its dominant form. The Highlanders never led in the set as the Matadors generated 17 kills to only one error while completing on 100 percent (13-13) of their sideouts to win the set, 25-12. UC Riverside struggled with its offense as the team hit a collective attack percentage of .135 compared to the Matadors’ .571.

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Set three began with UC Riverside staying competitive early as a Vialpando kill and Northridge service error evened the score at 3-3. The Matadors then reeled off nine of the next 12 points to dismantle the listless Highlanders, eventually winning the match on a Haina kill, 25-17.

CSU Northridge didn’t commit a single error in the period, amassing 15 kills while the Highlanders continued to struggle as no other hitter outside of Vialpando and Cox managed more than three kills for the game. The team connected on less than a quarter of their total attacks (.110) and did not tally a single block for the entire match.

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MISC

November 23, 2012 Wahine 3 - Highlanders 0

In front of a crowd of over 7,000 fans, the UC Riverside women’s volleyball team concluded it’s 2012 season with a three-set road loss (25-17, 25-17, 25-23) against the University of Hawai’i (26-2, 18-0), who completed an undefeated season in Big West Conference play.

The Highlanders (8-24, 2-16) fell to an early 10-14 deficit in the first set as the eighth-ranked team in the nation raced to 2011 advantage behind a string of UCR errors. The Highlanders recovered by winning the next four points behind strong serving to cut the lead to 20-15 before the Wahines clinched the set, 25-17.

After dropping the second set (17-25), UC Riverside regained its composure as the team won

A rchi v e /HIGHLANDER Highlander Megan Reza returns the ball after being set up by teammate

10 of the opening 16 points to lead 10-6. The Highlanders continued to build on their lead as an Ashley Cox kill and service ace extended the score to 16-11.

Backed by a spirited audience, the Wahines went on a 6-1 run to cut the margin to 17-18 before a kill by Stephanie Hagins tied the score at 18 apiece. The two teams then traded leads until Hawai’i converted on two attacks to pull ahead, 22-20. UC Riverside recovered to tie the score at 22-22 before another two-point run brought the home team to a match point. An Amanda Vialpando kill

kept the visiting team’s hopes alive and brought the Highlanders to within one point at 24-23 before a Waine kill ended UC Riverside’s season, 25-23.

Cox led the Highlanders with nine kills and six digs while Vialpando registered eight kills. Emily Hartong led Hawai’i with a game-high 13 kills and nine digs.

The UC Riverside women’s volleyball team says goodbye to seven seniors this year: Bianca Endersby, Kristin Van Dongen, Courtney Wypiszynski, Shelby LeDuff, Megan Patterson, Jasmin White and Vialpando.

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. SPORTS .

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

HIGHLANDER

Late rally not enough as women’s basketball loses 72-68 to Princeton Jayvee Valencia CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KENDALL PETERSON

KENDALL’S FASTBALL NFL season is almost over The NFL will be entering its 13th week of their 17 week season. The 2012 season has been one to remember. There are teams that exceeded my expectations and teams that never lived up to the hype.

Let’s start with the team that I think is a let down this season. At the beginning of the 2011 season, the Philadelphia Eagles characterized themselves as the dream team, but they finished the 2011 season with an 8-8 record. They looked like they would come together this year and make a run at the Super Bowl, but they have been inconsistent with six straight losses. Last year the Eagles had a plus 68 point differential. This year they have a staggering negative 90.

This year I have been impressed with the Minnesota Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings went 3-13 last year, and this season they have already doubled their win total with a current record of 6-5. They have a great home record of 5-1 and with the help from their magnificent tailback, Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are third in rushing yards, averaging 150.5 yards a game. The Vikings had a point differential of negative 109 last year but have turned it around this year with a negative one point differential.

The Colts last year had a point differential of negative 187 and a road record of 0-8.

This year they have a home record of 5-1 and a road record of 2-3. Their point differential is now negative 44, with their help of their rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.

The Denver Broncos were expected to dominate the AFC West in the 2012 season when they added the great veteran quarterback Peyton Manning. They already had a solid defense and now he has propelled his team to great new heights. He has driven his team around from a negative 81 point differential to a plus 97 in a one year span.

I am rooting for the Denver Broncos to win it all because of Manning. Who wouldn’t love seeing Manning win another Super Bowl? I know I would.

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The UC Riverside women’s basketball team lost a four point game to the Princeton Tigers of the Ivy League, 72-68 at the Student Recreation Center. The Highlanders were down 20 points in the first half, but rallied in the second, cutting the deficit to four points. On multiple occasions UCR was unable to make plays late to complete the comeback.

The Tigers strutted out of the Student Recreation Center having defeated Riverside 72-68.

The game was competitive early in the first half. The Highlanders led 10-7 with 13:50 left in the first. The Princeton Tigers then went on a 20-0 run after the Highlanders led 15-10.

UCR was out of rhythm during that stretch, missing shots and turning the ball over. Defensively, they gave up layups and three pointers that Princeton took advantage of, extending their lead to 15 points.

Princeton spread the floor out with their signature offense using backdoor cutting with tons of player movement, screening and passing.

UC Riverside allowed Princeton to shoot 55 percent in the first half, which put the Highlanders in a 39-19 deficit with 2:53 left. The Highlanders fought back, cutting the lead to 12 with their strong defense that forced the Tigers to miss shots and crash the boards, limiting second chance opportunities.

A three pointer by Tre’Shonti Nottingham at the end of the first half sparked the Highlanders going into the second half. With 16:00 minutes remaining, the Highlanders trailed the Tigers 50-35. UC Riverside picked up the defensive pressure by forcing 11 turnovers. They capitalized on those turnovers, going

MICHAEL RIOS

RIO-SIDE Will a UCR athlete ever play in the NBA?

D a m i n g Y e /HIGHLANDER Highlander Natasha Hadley positioning herself for a rebound.

on a 15-4 run with three pointers by Tre’Shonti Nottingham and Kiara Harewood in a span of four minutes.

Both teams went back and forth within the next eight minutes.

Defensive stops were crucial and making shots were key in the closing minutes of the game . Both teams traded baskets until Princeton, led by Niveen Rasheed and Alex Wheatley, created plays for their team as the Tigers scored whenever the Highlanders were closing the gap.

The Highlanders were down 12, 72-60 with 3:20 left in the game, when UC Riverside picked up the defensive pressure again by forcing the Tigers to speed up the the flow of the game and miss shots. Nottingham made a three pointer that gave UCR life as it helped manufacture an 8-0 run within a three minute time span. Princeton had time on their

side and ran the clock down as the Highlanders’ rally fell short.

Tre’Shonti Nottingham led the team with 31 points and four assists.

Brittany Crain added 20 points and Kiara Harewood added seven points. Both Crain and Harewood led the team with 12 rebounds. UC Riverside’s 10 turnovers put them in a deficit in the first half, as well as shooting the ball 37 percent overall.

The three point shooting kept the Highlanders in the game. The Highlanders shot 4-7 from three point range in the first half and 6-11 in the second half, resulting in 55 percent shooting as a team. A slow start for Riverside early in the game put themselves in a tough spot. The team’s toughness showed in the second half by chipping away at the 15 point deficit, but they were not able to make enough plays to help win the game.

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Struggling men’s basketball finishes last at Great Alaska Shootout C o dy N g u y e n STAFF WRITER

November 21, 2012 Huskies 61 – Highlanders 52

The UC Riverside men’s basketball squad traveled north to take part in the Great Alaska Shootout tournament and finished in sixth place. The Highlanders’ first opponent was against the Northeastern Huskies from Boston. UCR eventually erased a 21-point deficit but was unable to complete the comeback, losing 61-52.

An early 12-0 run in the contest propelled the Huskies to a 19-9 lead that would be extended to 38-20 when the Huskies went on another 7-0 run in the final minutes of the first half.

Things looked bleak for the Highlanders as the Huskies built their lead to an insurmountable 42-21 in the opening moments of the second period. However, hope would flow its way back into the Highlanders, as UCR slowly chipped away at the deficit.

Chris Harriel’s three-point shot with 1:04 remaining made the score 57-52 and put the Highlanders in position to pull off a comeback of historic proportions.

The Highlanders, however, did not score a single point in the final minute and sent themselves into the consolation bracket, with the opportunity to fight for fourth place.

November 23, 2012 Seawolves 66 – Highlanders 65

After nearly pulling off a great comeback in their previous game against the Northeastern Huskies, the UC Riverside men’s basketball team squandered an 11 point lead late in the second half. The 65-66 loss thrusted them into a seventh place game in the Great Alaska Shootout.

The Seawolves took an early 37-32 lead at halftime, but both teams shot well in the period.

The Highlanders converted 50 percent (13-26) of their shot attempts and the Seawolves not far behind at 48 percent (12-25).

The Highlanders scored the first six points to start the second half, stole the momentum away from the Seawolves; eventually developing a 56-45 lead with 8:56 to play.

Missed basket after missed basket, the Highlanders’ offense hit a massive brick wall in clutch time and enabled the Seawolves to steal a come-from-behind victory, leaving the Highlanders

(1-5) to search for answers to their numerous struggles in this young season.

November 25, 2012 Bobcats 81 – Highlanders 69 The UC Riverside men’s basketball team had a rough performance in the Great Alaska Shootout, where three straight losses in the tournament placed them into a disappointing eighth place finish.

Against the Texas State Bobcats in the seventh place matchup, the Highlanders had a chance to at least finish with a win.

The result was a doubledigit loss.

By the end of the first half, the Highlanders found themselves down 47-35, courtesy of superior shooting by the Bobcats, who converted on 60 percent (18-30) of their field goal attempts. The Highlanders shot 43.3 percent (13-30) by comparison.

A 7-0 run at the start of the second half cut the Bobcats lead to 47-42, but the Highlanders reverted back to their traditional ways this season and yet again could not complete the comeback.

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Since UC Riverside’s inception in the mid 1950s, the Highlanders have had a decent amount of success in just about every sport played on campus. We’ve sent athletes to the MLB, the NFL and even to the PGA. Some of these players went as far as winning a championship for those teams.

But the one sport UCR has yet to excel in is basketball.

UC Riverside is one of the few Big West programs that lacks NBA-caliber players.

Long Beach, Fullerton, Irvine, Hawai’i, Santa Barbara and even Pacific have all sent at least one player to the NBA. Boise State and San Diego State—who will be joining the conference next year—have also graduated NBA-caliber athletes. But not UCR. It’s not like we haven’t come close, however. Last year’s basketball standout, Phil Martin, was drafted to the NBA Development League, but the downside is that he hasn’t received playing time yet. Former UCR standout Larry Cunningham also made it to the NBA’s DLeague, but he only managed to play in a total of five games, averaging 0.6 points per game.

Sam Cash, a two-time CCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in the early 1970s at UCR, actually got pretty close. He managed to get drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fifth round of the 1972 NBA draft. The downside: he never played a game for them.

He did play for the eventuallydiscontinued ABA, however.

But that’s as far as any UC Riverside player has gone.

Is there anyone in our current roster who can actually go the distance? Freshman Josh Fox has a bright future at UCR. He’s currently leading the team in points. Chris Patton is also a solid newcomer, averaging nearly a double-double in each game. Can any of these players make it?

UCR Athletics has definitely come a long way since the 1950s. We’ve had MLB AllStars, Super Bowl Champions and PGA Tour winners. But the program still lacks an actual NBA player.

It’s a shame, really. As most UCR students know, basketball is the school’s most popular sport. It would be great seeing one of our players graduate to (and actually play in) the ultimate professional level.

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