2008 Back to School Guide

The Daily Titan 2008 Back to School Guide

2 Back To School Guide 08.25.08

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The TSU Underground has it all the day of the tournament and begins at 7 a.m. The first tournament is slated for Sept. 3.

“It always fills up,” Myers said.

Titan Bowl and Billiards also hosts table tennis and billiard tourBy john Synco naments. A Madden NFL 2009 Daily Titan Web Editor news@dailytitan.com tournament will be held on Sept. 17 in the Titan Gaming Center.

The Underground, situated on “This is definitely the place to be,” the bottom floor of the Titan Stu- said Bryan Wright, 25, a Titan Bowl dent Union, houses an area for stu- and Billiards event manager and dents to play, relax, study, create and graduate student. “It’s a good place volunteer. for people who want to have fun or In the Titan Bowl and Billiards for enthusiasts who want to work section of the Underground there on their game, but be careful–you are eight bowling can spend a lot lanes, 12 pool more time down tables, two pinghere than you pong tables and would think.” a few big-screen According to televisions. the brochure, In addition, anyone may use there is the Tithe facility, intan Arcade room cluding staff, and the Titan – Bryan Wright, faculty and comGaming Center, munity memEvent Manager which features bers, but in order six X-Box 360’s. to obtain a stu“Titan Bowl and Billiards is a dent discount for bowling, billiards, place for students to relieve stress, table tennis and X-Box game rentals relax and have fun with their friends a valid student identification card is when they want to take a break from required. their studies,” said Garrett Myers, Those interested in private use 21, a Titan Bowl and Billiards desk of the facility may call the reservaattendant. tions desk at (714) 278-5856. The Additional features include board hours are Monday through Thursgame checkouts, locker rentals, day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday vending machines and tournaments, from 7 a.m. to midnight, Saturday according to the brochure. from noon to midnight and closed Myers said the Texas Hold’em on Sunday. poker tournaments are the most More information can be found popular. They are limited to 40 peo- at http://titanbowl.fullerton.edu. ple each week, but are free to enter.

See TSU, Page 4 Registration for the event is on

Bottom floor of the Titan Student Union offers both fun and relaxation

“

It’s a good place for people who want to have fun or for enthusiasts who want to work on their game.

“

By John Synco/Daily Titan Web Editor The Underground has a variety of games and equipment, including many popular arcade games for people to play when not in class.

Daily Titan Fall 2008 Back to School Guide EXECUTIVE EDITOR David Carrillo COPY EDITORS Karl Zynda and Luis Delgadillo DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Sarah Oak PRODUCTION MANAGER Stephanie Birditt ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Dante Galan, Liz Hernandez, Adia Hohn, Jackie Kamel, Helen Sim

By John Synco/Daily Titan Web Editor In addition to all of the Tv’s and arcades, the Underground has traditional games such as ping pong and billiards available to all.

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Back To School Guide 08.25.08 3

How to avoid CSUF’s crowded parking lots Car pooling, bike loans, U-Pass, and discounted Metrolink passes are offered to help students by veronica espinoza

Daily Titan Assistant News Editor news@dailytitan.com

Cal State Fullerton hopes to eliminate parking congestion by having students, faculty and staff utilize its many transportation services.

Programs like the CSUF car pool, bus program and bike loan were created to provide alternatives to students who drive alone. These transportation services can reduce commuting costs and are environmentally friendly.

Benjamin Price, a transportation programs analyst who works for CSUF’s Parking and Transportation Services, said that car pooling is an efficient way to fight high gas prices.

CSUF implemented the car pool program more than four years ago and each semester more students See Transportation, Page 6

By Veronica Espinoza/Daily Titan Assistant News Editor With bike racks conveniently stationed all over the campus, biking is easy, environmentally friendly, and an excellent alternative to the Cal State Fullerton parking lots.

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TSU: Fun for all From Page 2

“We allow one free group event for registered clubs or groups on campus,” Wright said. “(They should) use it wisely.”

Just down the hall from the Titan Bowl and Billiards, past the air hockey table and the campus pub, is the Fireside Lounge.

Depending on whether or not someone is banging away at the public piano, this area is reserved for people who desire a place to relax or study. A little further down the hall is the Meditation Room.

According to a placard on the wall students using this room should, “Please respect the intent of this space by refraining from eating, sleeping, using personal computers or other such activities.”

Students will find the Graphic Services room located further down the hall. A multitude of design services are offered here for a fee, but students are allowed to use the facility to create projects of their own.

“Any student can come in here and use the equipment for projects,” said Nicole Concepcion, 24, a graduate student and production manager in the facility.

According to the brochure, services include banner and button making, computer graphics, illustration and poster mounting. In addition, there are Macintosh computers available for use and students may receive help designing resumes.

The Graphic Services room is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, according to its Web page. Next door to Graphic Services is the Volunteer and Service Center.

“We are the place on campus if you want to get involved in social justice, community or service learning,” said Paul Saiedi, 28, a graduate American Studies student. “We provide volunteer opportunities from environmental conservation and restoration to working with children, teaching literacy and promoting blood drives.”

The brochure states students may volunteer through student-run projects or through outside agencies.

Many fliers and posters advertising volunteer opportunities adorns the wall just inside the entrance.

“This is a great place to find academic internships,” Saiedi said.

“This is [also] a good place for students who volunteered in high school and want to continue to volunteer in college.”

Back To School Guide 08.25.08 5

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Saving money and looking good Thrifty chic is the latest fashion trend for the stylish, poor college student Cardigan: $25

Shoes: $ $10

by michael Thiele

Daily Titan Photo Editor news@dailytitan.com

In a time when students are bombarded with rising expenses, from tuition costs to gas prices, more and more students have resorted to different ways of saving money.

A trend on the rise is purchasing clothes from thrift and secondhand stores.

For many, gone are the times when back-to-school shopping meant an all-day trip to the local mall with a hefty bill from stores like Hollister and Nordstrom’s in tow. Now, stores like Buffalo Exchange and Goodwill are all the rage as this trend of “Thrifty Chic” becomes ever more popular.

Recent economic woes, increased prices, and a declining job market are the major culprits in the emergence of this new craze.

With the jump in cost for necessities such as gas and food, not to mention the never-ending rise of tuition, rising expenses have forced students to be a little frugal in other areas of their life.

They did not put up much of a fight, though, as the trend has caught on like wildfire.

Belt: $5

Crystal Burns, store manager of the Fullerton Buffalo Exchange, said she attributes the influx of shoppers to Buffalo Exchange’s commitment to the community and its recycled fashion outlook.

And with its two-year anniversary coming up in September, Burns said that people are still learning what kind of store Buffalo Exchange is and what they are about.

Cassia Gable, 24, who majored in interior design at Cal State Northridge, has been a loyal thriftychic follower for almost five years.

She goes for the unbeatable value and almost guaranteed promise of finding at least one unique and special piece.

“It (thrifty chic) provides an eclectic selection of clothing that

Shirt: $10

Cardigan: $15

Shoes: $15

suits my style very well,” Gable said.

Shoppers need to be cautious, “And you can’t though. Just bebeat the rush of cause it is inexfinding a highpensive does not end brand item mean one has to for a fraction of be gung-ho and the cost.” buy everything Danylko Zachthat you are rearczuk, 24, who motely interestrecently graduated in. ed from Cal State Cassia warns Fullerton, has that people must also been a thrift always use disand vintage store cretion when fanatic for the shopping at past five years. bargain stores.

Like most – Cassia Gable, If it does not fit people, he goes right or you feel Thrift shopper for the variety of indecisive about styles of clothing a certain item, at an affordable price. then it is usually best to let it go.

“

It provides an eclectic selection of clothing that suits my style very well... and you can’t beat the rush of finding a high-end brand item for a fraction of the cost.

“

Dress: $15

Jacket: $25

Pants: $20 The time of mindless splurging on school clothes seems to be coming to a standstill. And it is a standstill that will remain until the economy gets back on the upswing.

Until then, thrifty chic is here to stay.

Where to shop on a budget: Buffalo Exchange on Harbor Boulevard in Fullerton, Out of Vogue on Commonwealth Avenue in Fullerton, Nordstrom Rack on Imperial Highway in Brea, College Plaza Goodwill Store and Donation Center on Chapman Avenue in Fullerton, It’s New To You Thrift Shop on Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton, H&M in Brea Mall, The Salvation Army on Raymond Avenue in Fullerton, Old Navy on Brea Boulevardd in Brea.

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Campus dining options Transportation: by austen montero

Daily Titan Opinion Editor news@dailytitan.com

As anyone who has ever registered for classes can tell you, it’s hard to get the perfect schedule. Sometimes classes are scheduled nearly back-toback and are on the opposite side of the campus.

Other times, the class you need creates a three or four-hour gap in your schedule. It is not always enough time to drive home and relax before having to come back and battle parking before your next class.

These hours are whittled away with phone calls and absent-minded studying, plagued by pain in the pit of your stomach.

For you freshmen who have not lived away from home – that’s hunger, go eat. And for the upperclassmen that have lived away from home – that’s still hunger, go eat.

Use this guide to grab a snack when rushing across campus or to sit down and relax when you have

time to kill.

Nutwood Cafe: Located on the first floor of College Park, the only CSUF building located across Nutwood Avenue, this quaint cafe serves everything from bagels to wraps to patty melts. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large. It also brews Starbucks Coffee for those that need an extra kick to get them through their next class.

Langsdorf Express: Essentially Nutwood Cafe’s sister restaurant.

It offers many of the same foods at similar prices to those of Nutwood Cafe. Located at the top of the stairs on the second floor of Langsdorf Hall.

The Brief Stop: Also located in LH on the second floor, it offers snacks along with Scantrons and other various items needed for class.

Carl’s Jr.: This is one of the few fast food chain restaurants on campus. It’s nestled among University Hall, LH and the new Steven G. Mihaylo Hall. They remodeled over summer and feature a full menu along with three new plasma-screen TV’s.

Aloha Java: Located between UH and the Humanities and Social Sciences building, it’s an easy

stop in the morning. It carries a variety of hot and cold coffee and tea. On the other side of the HSS building and next to the Education Classroom building are a few small shacks where smoothies, coffee and snacks are sold.

Titan Student Union: The food court located on the ground floor has a variety of food services that include: Busy Bee, Juice it Up!, Green Burrito, Titan Grill and Togo’s.

There is also the Garden Cafe with tables and chairs set up for leisurely meals.

Round Table Pizza: Located in the TSU Underground, it has several pizzas to choose from. And what goes best with pizza? Beer.

Yes, Round Table Pizza is one of two places on campus that serves alcohol. There isn’t a huge selection of beer, but Round Table Pizza still serves as a great place to relax between classes. I advise you not to spend your whole break there, as going to your next class intoxicated would not be wise.

Most of the eateries have some sort of rewards system that will benefit you in the long run–it is in your best interest to ask! Most of them also take debit and credit cards, making it convenient for everyone.

Rec center give students fitness options CSUF students, faculty, staff, and community members eligible to join

by Muey Saephanh

Daily Titan Assistant News Editor news@dailytitan.com

The Student Recreation Center is a place where students, faculty and staff can enjoy a facility that can help improve their health, fitness and lifetime well-being.

The two-story building opened late last spring and is fully equipped with exercise equipment and rooms that can be utilized for fitness classes by faculty, staff, alumni and campus community members. There are two studios for drop-in fitness classes

and a weight room on the first floor.

There are also two full basketball courts and another court for volleyball or badminton.

Additionally, there are two cardio rooms with different equipment inside. One has a community workout room-feel to it because there is one television set and it must be shared. The other cardio room has individual television screens on each treadmill and stair machine.

“There are many types of equipment to use including three types of bikes, treadmills, and steppers, cross trainers, rowers and arm ergometers for cardiovascular training,” Alison Wittwer, SRC’s assistant director to programs, said. “For strength training there are free weights, dumbbells, three kinds of selectorized

machines and functional training machines called HumanSport. We also have bands, medicine balls, balance devices and a stretching and core area.”

The SRC also features a martial arts studio and a spin studio.

The spin studio is not available to students unless they are taking the drop-in fitness class. There is also a rock wall available to all members.

“Everyone gets a free chance to try out the wall, but if they decide to continue using the wall, they must take a class or pass a test to be certified to use the wall without an instructor,” Natalie Camacho, 22, a SRC’s building manager, said.

Another amenity of the SRC is its See Rec Center, Page 7

Numerous ways to beat traffic From Page 3

tion Authority U-pass bus program have taken advantage of it. The stu- is also available to CSUF students, dent car pool zone can be found in faculty and staff.

Lot E. It is a designated car pool This program allows CSUF area with two rows of parking spaces members to ride the bus free of cost that are reserved for students with by swiping their TitanCard once on car pool permits. board.

Transportation services started “You get your TitanCard encoded accepting fall car pool permit reg- at the TitanCard office ... it’s good istration Aug. 1 and have already any day of the week on any of the enrolled 80 students into the pro- OCTA buses,” Cadena said. gram.

The U-pass has also been extended “The incentive to express routes, for students is the which service lolocation of the cations such as parking,” Kristen Chino Hills and Cadena, parking Pomona. services manager, “Trying to said. find a parking Transportation spot is stressful,” services received said Amber Reid, a high volume of a kinesiology calls the first day major and user of registration. In of the OCTA – Amber Reid, bus program. “I the past, the car CSUF Student pooling program would definitely has averaged up recommend that to 400 students enrolled by the time anyone who doesn’t live too far take the semester began. Students are the bus.” also encouraged to use the car pool For those students who don’t live matching on the transportation site. in OCTA bus routes, CSUF offers Students are able to find other stu- reimbursements for Los Angeles dents in the area who are looking County Metropolitan Transportafor someone to car pool with. tion Authority (Metro) monthly Applications for the car pool passes to students and faculty regisprogram are found online at http:// tered with Parking and Transportaparking.fullerton.edu/Carpool- tion Services.

Board.

All students need to do is bring Students who live locally are en- their monthly pass each month to couraged to cycle to campus. The the transportation office. bike loan program was designed for Discounted Metrolink passes are students who do not own a bicycle also sold to students by Parking and and choose to borrow one for the Transportation Services. Undergradyear. uate students must have at least 12 Price said university police ad- units to qualify for the discounted opted the program and placed one passes, and graduate students must of its officers, Cpl. Iris Cortes-Valle, have at least six units. in charge of the program, which Qualified students will receive a makes use of the abandoned bikes 25 percent discount on their passes found around campus. if they own a CSUF parking perThe Orange County Transporta- mit, and a 50 percent discount if they do not have a parking permit, Price said. Monthly passes must be purchased by the 10th of the month preceding the month of the pass.

For any information about these programs, visit the transportation offices in T-1400 or visit their Web site.

“Everything we do for students is designed to give them an out so they aren’t dealing with traffic and parking because parking on campus is a user fee,” Cadena said.

“

Trying to find a parking spot is stressful. I would definitely recommend that anyone who doesn’t live too far take the bus.

“

Whether eating healthy or digging an early grave, CSUF lets you choose

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Rec center: state of the art From Page 6

outdoor pool, which is monitored by a lifeguard at all times. Student clubs can reserve the pool for special events by contacting the SRC with a week’s notice.

Studio rooms can also be reserved

for clubs when they are not being used by scheduled fitness classes.

“To register to use the SRC, students and staff must fill out a twopage form, provide their campuswide identification number and get their hand scanned,” Nicole Nicholson, another SRC building man-

The hottest clubs and bars in the O.C. Ten spots that offer a spectrum of music and drinks for all budgets by nate jackson

Daily Titan Detour Editor news@dailytitan.com

1. The Continental Room The small but swanky lounge in downtown Fullerton has become quite a beloved hot spot for putting on some groovy live performances with new age funk, indie rock bands and an occasional Elvis sighting.

Established in 1925, it’s known as Orange County’s oldest pub.

Adorned with a Las Vegas-velvetyvibe and a red-curtained stage, this place is a step up from other spots of downtown Fullerton’s nightlife.

Seating might cramp your style a bit, but the club specializes in its martinis and well-made cocktails.

Upcoming shows: Aug. 29– Slang/Live Soul Jazz Funk & Rare Groove DJ Lito. Aug. 30– DJ Harvey Scotty Coats Spare Air After Party, “Elvis!” live every Wednesday nights.

Specials: Wednesday night $1.99 shrimp cocktails Location: 115 W. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton Calif. 92832 Contact: (714) 526-4529 or myspace.com/thecontinentalroom 2. Chain Reaction The high-powered all-ages hangout is reminiscent of the dark, sweaty one-room clubs where punk rock and hardcore emerged. Next to Interstate 5, Chain Reaction packs a punch as far as live performances for practical prices.

The lit stage surrounded by walls with graffiti warms you up to some unseen O.C. acts in hardcore, alternative and indie rock. But most of the time it’s jam-packed with teens.

If you’re an upcoming band, this is the scene to be seen.

Upcoming shows: Aug. 31– The Force featuring Hunter of AFI.

Specials: Most shows $10 to $20 Location: 1652 West Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, Calif. 92801 Contact: (714) 635-6067 or www.allages.com 3. Detroit Bar The art deco-style club is the quintessential O.C. hip-hop joint.

That is the Detroit Bar – not where Eminem is from – although you might have heard a few spins from there.

This stylish lounge with pool tables and a homey bar atmosphere seems to be emerging as one of the best places to find some old school hip-hop DJ’s spinning anything from house and electro to rare groove and underground.

Once hosting an “Abstract Workshop” for freestyles and break dancers, the sound is what makes this place pop.

Upcoming shows: Aug. 29 – El Ten Eleven, Buddy, Akai, Mr. White, Colossal KNXX, Kid Lightning, James Monroe, Nicky Savage.

Sept. 1 – Japanese Motors.

Specials: Every Monday in September, no cover charge Location: 843 West 19th Street Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627 Contact: (949) 642-0600 or www.detroitbar.com 4. Malone’s Some of the most unexpected places to find good hip-hop emcees and DJs are small bars hidden in the jungle that is Orange County. Malone’s in Santa Ana is just the spot.

It’s a chill place with pool tables, and on some nights, the club sports some local untapped and underground hip-hop talent. The tall blue drinks seem to be popular and there is enough space to dance around and mingle. They also serve food and have an outside patio.

Upcoming shows: Not listed Location: 604 East Dyer Rd. Santa Ana, Calif. 92705 See Hot Spots, Page 8

ager, said. “To enter the SRC you must scan your hand and enter your campus-wide ID number.”

The SRC was paid for by students and staff through tuition fees, so there is not an initial cost to use the SRC when registering, Comacho said. It does not matter if the

Back To School Guide 08.25.08 7 student is part or full-time; they can still use the facility.

There are many different programs that the SRC offers besides having a place to work on fitness and health. Intramural sports, including faculty and staff leagues are offered.

Intramural sports give students the opportunity to participate in a sport with other students without being part of the university’s team. Students get to create their own teams

and compete with other teams.

“There are fitness classes including martial arts and dance. There are strength training equipment orientations on selected Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weight room orientations on selected Fridays,” Wittwer said in an e-mail interview.

“There are also personal training with certified trainers at a nominal fee compared to clubs and private training.”

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Hot spots: the best places to party all week From Page 7

Contact: (714) 979-6000 5. Blue Cafe One spot that seems to be bubbling is the Blue Cafe. In addition to the one in Downtown Long

Beach with two stories and bars galore, the cafe has swelled into Orange County.

The second location, on Pacific Coast Highway north of Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach, opened with some stellar shows. This place has been all abuzz with reggae, in-

die rock and occasional hip-hop live performances.

Although a little smaller than its counterpart, the restaurant also features note-worthy blues bands.

Upcoming shows: Aug. 27 – Brandon Ummel, David Michael, Skee and Okashii. Aug. 28 – Echo

the Sky, Quiverbone, Anchillary Theorem, Coffin 83 (Hard Rock).

Aug. 30 – Technicali, The Lost Art, Hochii, Rock Bottom with special guests (Hip-Hop). Aug. 31 – ”The Abyss Sunday Metal Night” Pirates Eve. Specials: Drink specials on “Hump Night” every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight. $5 at the door.

Location: 17208 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Calif.

90742 Contact: (562) 592-1302 or www.thebluecafe.com

6. House of Blues If your taste in live music varies from mainstream to local, then the House of Blues in Anaheim might be the top venue for you. A little closer than the Hollywood location, the HOB packs the house just about every week with top-of-the-line performances.

You might see such artists as Nas one night or the Misfits another, as the music genres revolve from show to show. In general the artists tend to lean towards the higher-price ticket side. The place is spacious, lively, and just around the corner from shops and eateries in Downtown Disney.

Upcoming shows: Aug. 28 – Steel Pulse (reggae). Sept. 2 – Motorhead with Airbourne (rock). Sept. 6 – Amos Lee with Lucy Wainwright Roche (folk).

Specials: “Open Mic Acoustic Brew” on Tuesday nights, “Guitar Legend” Mondays at 10 p.m., and Gospel family brunch at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Sunday.

Location: 1530 South Disney Drive, Anaheim, Calif. 92802 Contact: (714) 778-BLUE or www.hob.com 7. The Prospector A long stride away from the packed bar scene on the Long Beach promenade, The Prospector is the kind of joint where everybody knows your name. But that’s mostly because the cramped bar area of this popular family restaurant forces you to get cozy with everyone around you.

Besides cheap drink prices, this neighborhood haunt is known for hosting some of Long Beach’s most respected names in rock and hip-hop whenever they breeze into town.

Location: 2400 E. 7th St. Long Beach, Calif. 90804 Contact: (562) 438-3839 8. Sutra Lounge If you’re looking to drink away your paycheck in style, Sutra Lounge brings you a plush Zen-inspired ultra-lounge brimming some of the best bodies

the beach has to offer.

With all the heat generated on the dance floor, the open air Moroccanstyle patio is more than inviting – if you can manage to get a seat.

For your ears, resident DJ’s spin a mix of techno, house, hip-hop, and Top 40 on the weekends. On special occasions, Sutra also attracts a Rolodex of performers from DJ Slick Rick to Steve Aoki.

Upcoming Shows: Aug. 31 – Sutra’s Annual Block Party with DJ Hollywood. Sept. 11 – Fort Minor and DJ Cheapshot. Sept. 18 – DJ Jazzy Jeff. Sept. 25 – Slick Rick.

Specials: N/A Location: 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627 Contact: (949) 772-7103 or www.sutrabar.com 9. Alex’s Bar Unless you know where you look, you’ll probably drive right past it.

Tucked behind an Auto Zone on Anaheim St., this rock ’n’ roll night spot provides a hip, underground atmosphere and great local bands.

Americana and Mexican Day of the Dead artwork line the walls, which gives the place a Halloween vibe all year round.

A little trivia: The movie “Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny” filmed scenes at Alex’s Bar. Upcoming Shows: Aug. 28 – Sirena Serpentina Fire Dance Spectacular, Baby Champ, Bella Novella, The Taint. Aug. 29 – The Bronx, Red Exiles, Los Mysterios, Slang Chickens. Aug. 30 – The Bronx, Toys That Kill, Stab City, Pistolero.

Specials: Enjoy Free Wi-Fi, an old-school juke box and a photo booth.

Location: 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif. 90804 Contact: (562) 434-8292/www. alexsbar.com 10. Ember Café and Music Club One of the newest additions to O.C. nightlife is definitely the swankiest we’ve ever seen. This multi-level lounge goes to great lengths to give guests the VIP experience.

The $20 cover is a little pricey, but they do their best to give you what you pay for. The multiple lounges, three fully-stocked bars, balcony dining, bottle service, cabanas and special VIP rooms give Orange County nightlife the bourgeoisie treatment.

Upcoming Shows: N/A Location: 401 N. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, Calif. 92805 Contact: Reservations or General Info: (714) 991-3686, Bottle Service (714) 369-8905, or www. emberanaheim.com