01-18-2012

CSU budget slashed again Higher education funding continues to diminish rapidly

WEDNESDAY January 18, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 57 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

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Alejandra Paz staff writer On Dec. 13, Gov. Jerry Brown announced an additional $100 million for the 2011-2012 year to be cut from the California State University budget.

State funding support was already reduced in May by $650 million.

This $750 million seems to be a permanent cut according to the budget proposal for the 2012-2013 year.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to the additional $100 million cuts.

“What we have feared for months is now our reality — and unless we come together to find new resources for K12 and higher education, we are going to surrender the current and future generations and dismantle a onceproud public education system that can no longer meet the demands of a growing economy,” Newsom said.

The $2.14 billion in state support funds to the CSU is the lowest it has been in the past 15 years. The CSU is receiving less state funding and serving more students.

Employee layoffs, furloughs, decreased enrollment and cutting university programs have been the steps the CSU system has taken in recent years because of deflated state funding. Next year, the CSU system may have to increase tuition again. With a $750 million cut, tuition increases only increased about $300 million, which is still not enough.

Nursing junior Melanie Martinez said she was infuriated by the news Gov. Brown released.

“How are we supposed to make our futures better if we keep paying more and more for an education but receive almost nothing in aid?” Martinez said.

“How does Governor Brown expect the students to react?”

For the past decade, the average net tuition has increased annually for students while state funds have fluctuated in decline. For example, for the 1998-1999 year, state funds per student were $10,930 and the average net tuition per student was $2,572. For the 2011-2012 year, state funds per student are $6,459 and the average net tuition per student is $5,517. Tuition has more than doubled since 1998.

OPINION

Companies need to stop abusing foreign student labor.

ALLIE DAUGHERTY, EDITOR IN CHIEF

“How are we supposed to make our futures better if we keep paying more ... but receive almost nothing in aid ... ?”

Melanie Martinez, nursing junior Additionally, state appropriations in 1998-1999 year were $2.16 billion and there were 273,928 full-time equivalent students. For the 20112012 year, the CSU Allocation is $2.14 billion and there are 331,716 students.

For the past decade, as enrollment increased in the CSU system, state support has declined.

The CSU took action and reduced enrollment by 10,000 students while

still increasing tuition. The CSU system will continue to increase tuition and fees if state funding is decreasing the budget to maintain a quality education experience. In addition, the Chancellor’s Office reduced its funding by 14 percent.

Annually, approximately 75 percent of the spending done by the CSU system directly supports students; 42 percent goes to faculty salaries and

instruction, 11 percent goes to academic support, 10.9 percent goes to student grants and scholarships, and 10.8 percent goes to student services.

The rest of CSU spending goes to institutional support, physical plant and public service.

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said California needs to make public universities a priority again.

“Our campuses have done everything they can just to get through this fiscal year with a $750 million budget cut,” Reed said. “We have only survived by implementing numerous cost cutting measures, being extremely prudent with resources and spending down one-time reserves. However, we are just about out of options, and if the state does not begin to reinvest in the CSU, we will need to take more drastic measures including cutting enrollment and programs, raising tuition and reducing personnel.”

SPORTS Read about Jamaal Franklin’s buzzer beater against UNLV.

JMS receives $300,000 donation W H AT YO U M I S S E D

Hutton Marshall news editor Former San Diego Union-Tribune owner Platinum Equity, an equity firm based in Beverly Hills, recently donated $300,000 to San Diego State’s School of Journalism & Media Studies. The donation will not only fund the creation of the Platinum Project in digital news literacy, it will also help support instruction in digital and social media.

The Platinum Project addresses the growing need for digital literacy in the changing age of journalism.

Social media has become a musthave tool for modern-day journalists.

“Digital media literacy is essential for college students, and audiences in general, to become intelligent

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“Digital media literacy is essential for college students ... to become intelligent consumers of online information ...”

Diane L. Borden, director of the School of Journalism & Media Studies consumers of online information, and, ultimately, informed citizens,” Diane L. Borden, director of the School of Journalism & Media Studies, said in an article published on SDSU DigiMedia’s website.

The donation will also allow the school to offer fellowships to a select number of graduate students who

will assist professors in teaching the digital media instruction course.

The curriculum contemporary journalism students encounter contrasts sharply with what journalism students of the past were taught during undergraduate studies.

Journalism junior Amy Williams sees the future of journalism straying

away from newspapers in the traditional sense.

“News is no longer delivered to everybody’s doorstep; it’s delivered through a multitude of platforms that are constantly changing,” Williams said. “Students are taught digital and social media to be prepared for the evolution of the news industry.”

The donation comes just months after Platinum Equity’s decision to sell the Union-Tribune to San Diegan entrepreneur Doug Manchester, after buying the newspaper in May 2009.

The gift was made alongside four others; one of which was $25,000 to SDSU’s local broadcasting station, KPBS. Others to receive gifts were AVID Center, Junior Achievement and Classroom of the Future Foundation, as reported by SDSU NewsCenter.

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... this year was a nightmare on Christmas ... the feast of St. Nick off its axis and on its ass. Never have I witnessed such depravity ...

B A C K PA G E

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W E AT H E R : PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 66 LOW: 43 SUNSET: 5PM

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C R I M E B E AT

NEWS Last weekend, a number of reports were filed regarding suspicious persons in the College Area.

Sunday evening, a male suspect attempted to gain entrance to the Zura Residence Hall on Montezuma Road. He was reportedly stopped by the residence clerk, then explained he had left his wallet in a student’s room. The student was contacted, but claimed to have never heard of the suspect before. The resident’s

door had been left ajar. The suspect, an 18-year-old AfricanAmerican male, was last seen in H lot at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Later Sunday, between 7 and 10 p.m., a vehicle was broken into in Parking Structure 5. The victim reported cash and clothing had been taken, and upon discovering the theft, the victim’s door was left ajar, leaving the thief’s method of entry unknown.

On Saturday, a landline text was received from a female who was

trapped in her apartment, too afraid to call the police, because there was an unknown man inside with her. The suspect was described as in his late 60s, with a ponytail and a biker jacket. The suspect left through the front door and traveled in an unknown direction. The SDPD is currently handling the case.

On Friday morning at around 7:15, a man was reported waving a walking stick outside of the 7Eleven on College Avenue. The

suspect was said to have been mentally unstable, yelling threats at those around him. He was described as being a mid-30s male, wearing a white hooded sweater and black jeans.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact the SDSUPD at 619-5941991, or at police@mail.sdsu.edu.

–Compiled by Assistant News Editor Kevin Smead

Popular websites protest censorship Reddit and Wikipedia lead the charge against SOPA / PIPA Kevin Smead assistant news editor Some of the most frequented websites are participating in a strike today against the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House of Representatives and the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011, which is currently in the Senate. Sites planned to go dark, displaying links to different informational pages denouncing the two bills.

The two controversial pieces of legislature, which would expand the power of the U.S. Department of Justice to strictly enforce copyright laws on the Internet, have gained a large number of opponents, including

President Barack Obama, in the past several months.

The initial idea for the strike came from reddit.com, a popular social media and news site.

“The freedom, innovation and economic opportunity that the Internet enables is in jeopardy,” the reddit team said in a blog posted on Jan. 10. “There are powerful forces trying to censor the Internet, and a few months ago many people thought this legislation would surely pass.”

The team then went on to outline its intentions to black out the site today from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., greeting visitors with a display of only anti-SOPA information and re-streaming the hearing of the bill that took place in the House last month .

Internet giant Wikipedia, which also opposes SOPA and PIPA, expressed intentions to join Reddit in the blackout shortly after. Unlike Reddit, however, Wikipedia’s blackout, which is limited to its English language site, lasts for 24 hours. It began this morning, at

midnight Eastern Standard Time.

“We believe that new proposed laws like SOPA and PIPA, and other similar laws under discussion inside and outside the United States — don’t advance the interests of the general public,” Wikimedia Foundation Executive Director Sue Gardner said in an open letter to English Wikipedia readers and community.

Google is also participating in the day’s protests, though not with a total blackout. Google users will be greeted with an anti-SOPA / PIPA link. Twitter users are also being encouraged by sopastrike.com to “tweet like crazy” using the hashtag #SOPASTRIKE. Other participants today include Firefox creators Mozilla, popular blogging site WordPress and the owners of the Cheezburger Network, who operate sites such as FAIL Blog and Memebase.

While SOPA has been put on hold in the House, a vote on PIPA will take place in the Senate on Tuesday.

MCT CAMPUS

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

OPINION

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Hold companies responsible for visa abuse

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merica isn’t just beautiful, it’s a land many hope to live in; some even die trying to get here. Almost since our nation’s founding, the U.S. has relied on a system of foreign labor in exchange for benefits and temporary residence on American soil.

However, thanks to loose regulations and corporate bigwigs cheating the system for a tax break, the Foreign Students in Work Visa Program, J-1, will be no longer be a way for foreigners to experience all this country has to offer.

College students around the world usually jump at the opportunity to spend their summers in the U.S. working and studying abroad.

The year-round program offers work to students in resorts and tourist attractions. However, according to The Associated Press, the program is being scrutinized for widespread abuse and a moratorium has been put into place by the U.S. Department of State.

Reports of misconduct include exploitation of foreign students.

Complaints vary from participants working in strip clubs to being paid as little as $1 an hour. In response to public pressure following the exposure of abuse, the department has limited future participation rates to the “2011 actual participant levels,” and will remain that way until stronger rules are created and enforced. Stricter regulations on the program were created last summer, but complaints have remained numerous. J-1 participation jumped from 20,000 students in 1996 to

Heather Mathis staff columnist more than 150,000 in 2008 and will remain at that amount or fewer until the freeze is complete.

Corporations — or “sponsors” — save 8 percent when hiring foreign student workers because they are not required to pay social security, Medicare or unemployment; but often the student sponsors make fraudulent job offers or cancel the job upon arrival of the participant.

Other complaints include absurd work hours, unfair wages and issues with housing and transportation.

Workers have had to live in homeless shelters or other tight spaces with as many as a dozen people at ridiculous expense.

The most recently publicized guest worker scandal was the unfit work conditions visa students were subjected to by the Hershey Company. Hundreds of workers protested outside the distribution center they worked at in August.

The workers, who walked off the job in protest, said they were being paid the required $8.35, but rent and living expenses, taken directly from their paychecks, left them with less money than it had cost them to get their visas in the first place. Night shifts were commonly required of the workers, and labor became increasingly difficult as time went on. Soon, employees were expected to work faster and complete more than what was fea-

sible. Added to the controversy were the multiple sex trafficking investigations underway at nearly the same time the protests began, with strip clubs in trouble for openly seeking J1 workers in their job listings.

It’s no secret there’s a trend in topics the media chooses to focus on. But aside from gay marriage, immigration, a less-than-fabulous government and a number of other more “sensational” topics, the depressing conditions hopeful foreign students are experiencing have been swept under the rug for years.

Millions of exchange students have come to America on work visas during the past decade. It’s embarrassing to think of the reputation these corrupt corporations are creating for our country, both here and abroad. Smart and talented college students are being used for tax breaks, undocumented labor or sex trafficking. It’s shameful our country is being represented in such a disgusting manner to foreigners who want to be here to experience all the freedoms and leisures of living in America.

We are a proud country. But as a supposed land of freedom and opportunity, it’s time we end this tax holiday for corporations, and start protecting the dreams of foreign laborers. If America is truly the place to be, we should strive to prove it.

HEATHER MATHIS IS A JOURNALISM SENIOR.

MCT CAMPUS

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OPINION

Release CSU system from Trustee control

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or years the California State University system’s Board of Trustees has been the villain everyone loves to hate. Last year, the board was criticized for increasing student tuition while giving San Diego State’s new president, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, a substantial pay raise. Of course, the selection of Hirshman was arrived at with marginal university input, all while maintaining incredible indifference toward faculty and staff unions.

All criticism of the board eventually settles on one key idea: The board is flawed because it is an unelected and undemocratic organization. Of the 25 members on the board, 21 are appointed to their positions, and none are directly elected. Critics argue because they’re not directly elected by voters, the trustees don’t feel the need to bend to the will of the people.

Leonardo Castaneda senior staff columnist to wait for the lumbering CSU system to react. This flexibility would benefit schools greatly in dealing with the challenges of the future and benefit students by improving the quality of education, while also reducing tuition costs.

By allowing individual CSUs to set their own tuitions and compete directly with each other, there would be more pressure to keep costs and tuitions to a minimum. Smaller and less established universities, such as CSU San Marcos, could compete for students by offering less expensive tuition fees than other CSUs. Larger, more established schools, such as SDSU, could compete by offering a world-renowned education and a growing research program, even if it

It’s easy to see how the CSU system has grown far beyond the board’s scope ... Today the ... system commands a budget ... larger than the (entire) GDP of Sierra Leone.

However, this political independence is not the board’s flaw, but rather one of its greatest strengths.

When the CSU system was created, it was required by the California Education Code to “be entirely independent of all political and sectarian influence.” Academics shouldn’t have to bend to the will of the majority, but rather stand free of all outside influence.

The problem with the Board of Trustees isn’t that it’s nonelected. The problem is the CSU system has grown far beyond the board’s ability to effectively manage.

It’s easy to see how the CSU system has grown far beyond the board’s scope. The system as we know it today was established in 1960 by the California Master Plan.

Since then, seven new CSUs have been added and the total student population in the system has more than quadrupled, from 95,000 to 412,000. Today the CSU system commands a budget of more than $4.7 billion, larger than the GDP of Sierra Leone. SDSU itself has a budget of more than $350 million.

The Board of Trustees, now an antiquated and heavily bureaucratic organization, was simply not designed to deal with a system of this magnitude. The universities themselves have grown from small professional schools to huge research and doctorate institutions.

The solution is simple: The board should free individual schools to become nearly autonomous schools, with total control of their own tuition, administrative selections and union agreements. Individual universities would then be able to respond to the unique challenges and opportunities facing them, without having

comes at a slightly more expensive cost. This internal competition would do more to control increasing tuition and improve the quality of education than the board could ever hope to achieve.

Newly independent universities would also be free to form stronger ties with their communities. A closer SDSU partnership with San Diego County could provide a valuable source of additional revenue in case of future budget cuts.

Speaking of freeing extra revenue, redistributing responsibilities away from the board to the university means a slashing of the exorbitant salaries of members of the board, many of whom make annual compensation of more than $400,000. A more independent CSU system would mean the board could drastically reduce the size, and cost, of the system’s bureaucracy. What is left can then focus on what it does best: ensuring high academic standards are being met by all of the CSUs. The Board of Trustees served higher education in California well for more than half a century. It grew the CSU system into one of the best state university systems in the world.

But now, instead of promoting this same growth and adaptability, the board is turning the system into an unwieldy giant unable to accommodate changing academic, demographic and financial conditions.

It is time to cut the CSUs loose from the board and allow them to grow and change as independent institutions.

LEO CASTANEDA IS A JOURNALISM AND ECONOMICS SOPHOMORE.

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RICHARD MCPHETERS, ART DIRECTOR

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

SPORTS

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

Franklin finishes off UNLV in final seconds

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Antonio Morales sports editor

SDSU 69 | UNLV 67 Sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin was having a great game against UNLV on Saturday. Then he took a tumble in front of the San Diego State student section that appeared to be serious.

Junior guard Chase Tapley had some words for his teammate, who was laying on the ground in pain.

“I said, ‘You’ve got to get up. We need you, you have to get up, bro.

You’re not hurt,’” Tapley said in the postgame press conference.

Franklin got up, checked back in the game and made the biggest shot of the SDSU men’s basketball team’s season.

With the game tied at 67, Franklin hit a game-winning layup with 0.3 seconds left to give the Aztecs a victory against the No. 16 / 20 Runnin’ Rebels.

Franklin decided to take the ball to the hoop at the end because he had been struggling with his jump shot during the course of the game.

“I knew time was going out, my jump shot hadn’t been falling, so I had to get to the rim,” Franklin said. “I was going to try to draw a foul, but (UNLV junior guard) Anthony Marshall stepped up, tried to take a charge and I sidestepped and got a basket.”

Franklin never had a doubt that he was going to come back in the game after he suffered his ankle injury.

“We’re a family,” Franklin said. “If my ankle is broken and they want me out there, I’m out there.”

The win in the conference opener, which was in front of an electric soldout crowd of 12,414 at Viejas Arena, improved No. 16 SDSU’s record to 15-2.

It was also the team’s sixth straight win against UNLV and ninth in the last 10 games against its conference rival.

Rahon and Franklin: partners in crime Franklin was having a great game even before he hit the game-winning

shot. He finished the game with a double-double as he scored 24 points and recorded 10 rebounds.

He had a dazzling behind-theback layup in the second half that ignited the crowd.

Franklin had a block, which was questionably called a foul, on a fast break that was one of his most impressive plays of the season.

The team was also helped by the effort of junior guard James Rahon.

“I would like to single out Brian Dutcher, Mark Fisher and Tony Bland,” Fisher said. “They watched the last eight games UNLV played. I thought what they said we should do defensively was very effective.”

Marshall was the only UNLV player to score double-digit points. He scored a game-high 26 points.

Mike Moser, who has put up huge numbers in many games this year, was held to nine points on 3-of-11

Fisher said. “Most people, if they are honest, would say that the BCS game and probably the Super Bowl hails in comparison to the atmosphere.”

News and notes This was the second straight game against UNLV that ended with the

Aztecs winning in the final seconds.

The last time was when D.J. Gay broke the Runnin’ Rebels’ hearts in last year’s Mountain West Conference tournament.

SDSU will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to play the New Mexico Lobos at 7 p.m. tonight.

“I knew time was going out, my jump shot hadn’t been falling, so I had to get to the rim. I was going to try to draw a foul, but Anthony Marshall stepped up, tried to take a charge and I ...”

Jamaal Franklin, SDSU sophomore guard

Rahon, who pulled out the “Tebow” in the pregame dance circle, scored 22 points in what was his most important performance as an Aztec.

Head coach Steve Fisher credited Rahon for hitting shots in crucial moments of the game.

“I thought James Rahon stepped up and made some huge shots for us when we needed baskets,” Fisher said.

S l o w i n g d o w n t h e R e b e ls UNLV averages 81 points per game.

They scored 90 points in a 10-point win against eighth-ranked North Carolina.

Against SDSU, UNLV scored 67 points and only shot 35 percent from the field.

The Aztecs delivered their best defensive effort trying to contain the high-octane Runnin’ Rebels.

The SDSU coaching staff put in a lot of time conjuring up a plan to slow down UNLV.

shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.

Fisher acknowledged that the game was won on the defensive side of the floor.

“We made it, for the most part, hard for them to get the ball in the basket,” Fisher said. “We won the game because we defended.”

The Show It was hands down the best atmosphere at Viejas Arena this season. The crowd was just as good as the game.

There was a buzz in the arena throughout the entire matchup.

Fisher gave high praise to the crowd and named the atmosphere as one of the best he’s ever experienced.

“The crowd was absolutely sensational,” Fisher said. “They helped us get this victory without a doubt.

“I told our players after the game that I watched the BCS National Championship game and that I am going to watch the Super Bowl,”

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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W H AT Y O U M I S S E D

SDSU’s College Republican’s Club releases “teach” and “preach” list The SDSU College Republican's Club released a "teach" and "preach" list, which labels SDSU professors as either unbiased teachers, or "preachers" putting their own personal opinions into their lectures.

One professor found on the "preach" side is Dipak Gupta, founder of the ISCOR program and this year's speaker at the Last Lecture Series.

FILE PHOTO

11 percent of San Diego speeding tickets written on street near SDSU Voice of San Diego reported 11 percent of all speeding tickets written in San Diego County are done on a small area on College Avenue near SDSU’s campus, between Montezuma Road and El Cajon Boulevard.

New bill proposed to cap CSU presidents’ salaries State Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance proposed a bill geared toward capping the salaries of CSU executives, and would mandate public discussions of these executive salaries, the SF Gate reports. The bill would also prohibit the raising of executive salaries if there is a pending tuition increase, or if a tuition increase occurred in the last two years.

Occupy SD rallies on Occupy SD protesters were outraged with the San Diego Police Department on Christmas Day after an American flag was confiscated from a former U.S. marine protesting at Freedom Plaza.

MCT CAMPUS

CSU receives record number of applicants For the third consecutive year, the CSU system has broken its record of applications received.

First-time freshmen and transfer students submitted 665,860 applications.

news

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

W H AT Y O U M I S S E D Ronnie Hillman leaves school early to enter the NFL Draft Sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility at San Diego State for the chance to play in the NFL. Hillman will leave SDSU with 3,243 career rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. In his final game, against LouisianaLafayette, Hillman had a subpar performance. The sophomore ran for only 55 yards on 24 carries. Despite an off performance in his final game, Hillman will be remembered

by Aztec fans for his electrifying runs, dazzling cuts and knack for the big play.

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sports SDSU falters in R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Senior quarterback Ryan Lindley led what appeared to be a game-winning drive against Louisiana-Lafayette in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 17.

That was until Ragin’ Cajun quarterback Blaine Gautier (New Orleans Bowl MVP) and kicker Brett Baer had their say. With only 35 seconds left on the clock, Guatier took Louisiana-Lafayette down the field and set up Baer for a 50-yard field goal attempt to win the game.

Baer nailed it and sent the Aztecs back to San Diego with a loss and an 8-5 record to finish the season.

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SDSU finishes up non-conference play The last five games of the Aztecs’ non-conference schedule were against a series of lesser-known teams.

SDSU won all games by a double-digit margin, with the exception of an eight-point win against Chicago State on Jan. 10.

SDSU beats UNLV in the final second In a battle between two Top-25 teams, No. 22 SDSU defeated No. 12 UNLV 69-67.

Sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin made a layup with .03 seconds left to push the Aztecs past the Runnin’ Rebels.

Franklin had 24 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard James Rahon contributed 22 points.

The fans played their part, creating the best atmosphere seen at Viejas Arena this season.

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SDSU Men’s basketball enters the Top-25 for the second straight season On Dec. 26, the Aztecs were ranked in the Associated Press Top-25 poll for the first time this season.

On Jan. 2, the team appeared in the ESPN / USA Today Coaches poll for the first time.

It is the second straight season the team has appeared in the national rankings.

The team is currently ranked 16th, respectively, in both polls.

PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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W H AT Y O U M I S S E D

W H AT Y O U M I S S E D

American citizens can now be detained indefinitely without trial The National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law on Dec. 31, allowing American citizens to be detained indefinitely without trial if they are considered terrorist threats. Essentially, this law is an extension of the Patriot Act, expanding the executive branch’s ability to suspend habeas corpus from perceived terrorist groups abroad to those living and born on American soil.

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Girl Fest launch party Girl Fest San Diego held its launch party on Jan. 13 at ArtLab Studios in Normal Heights. Those in attendance enjoyed art, spoken-word and comedy performances.

Girl Fest’s mission is to prevent violence against women and girls through education and art. This launch party also included interactive self-defense workshops and food from the Thai 1 On food truck.

opinion

COURTESY OF GIRL FEST MCT CAMPUS

features NOFX rocked two shows at San Diego’s House of Blues Skate-punk legends NOFX played two shows at the House of Blues. The 29-year-old band is still rocking and plans to release another album this year.

MCT CAMPUS

DREAM Act lives on A group intending to repeal the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, a controversial bill that allows illegal immigrants citizenship in exchange for military service or college education, recently proved unsuccessful.

La Jolla Polar Bear Swim The Annual Polar Bear Swim took place at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the La Jolla Shores. Hosted by the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, members and general chill-seekers welcomed the new year by choosing to jump in for a quick dip or endure the frigid ocean waters during a two-mile swim.

Drive-In at The Pearl The Pearl Hotel showed The Hangover II on Jan. 11 at its Dive-In Theatre. This weekly event takes place at The Pearl’s poolside lounge and is free to the public. Enjoy a drink or bite at The Pearl’s poolside theater during its next showing of Borat on Jan. 25.

San Diego Restaurant Week San Diego Restaurant Week began on Jan 15 and is running through Jan. 20.

This semiannual event boasts the participation of more than 180 San Diego restaurants with prix fixe menus ranging from $10 to $40 per person. San Diego’s varied palate is showcased with dishes ranging from Baja Fish Tacos at Cafe Coyote to an 8 ounce filet mignon at Island Prime.

MCT CAMPUS

Children as old as 8 may be required to use safety seats Recently, child seat safety laws were broadened to cover increased weight, height and age requirements. The new regulations are expected to boost the life-saving potential of each seat, but critics believe the laws, which require children as old as 8 years old to use safety seats, to be unrealistic.

COURTESY OF SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK

COURTESY OF HOUSE OF BLUES

Media giants will black out against SOPA Upcoming congressional votes on the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act have Internet giants such as Google, Amazon, Facebook and Twitter debating a “nuclear option,” a potential plan that would mean the aforementioned websites black out in protest of SOPA. Other websites such as Wikipedia and Reddit have already pledged to boycott in protest of the two bills, shutting down their sites today.

Although these bills are intended to target pirating websites such as Pirate Bay, many argue their lack of clarity could expand Internet censorship, thus endangering freedom of the Internet.

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

More than 80 percent of Medicare-related hospital errors go unreported A recent study by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General revealed more than 80 percent of hospital errors that affect Medicare beneficiaries — such as injuries, medication errors or infections — go unreported. Perhaps most sickening about the study is many hospitals, after such irresponsible practices are exposed, do little or nothing to change their policies.

entertainment Lafayette Hotel rang in New Year with sold-out show The Lafayette Hotel celebrated the arrival of 2012 with a sold out show featuring The Silent Comedy and Transfer. Despite some reshuffling of group membership, The Silent Comedy continues to enjoy local success and has begun forming a more widespread presence.

Public Enemy brought West Coast rap and oversized clocks to San Diego Public Enemy played 4th and B on Jan. 15.

Often controversial and always a spectacle, the group is celebrating its 30th year of music.

Post-rock dance duo messed up timing for New Years Eve midnight kiss Amid the parties and wub laden dance tracks playing throughout the city, El Ten Eleven brought a post-rock dance session to Soda Bar on New Year’s Eve. The duo timed the countdown poorly, meaning members of the audience paired off for the traditional midnight kiss mid-song. The band then fooled everyone into thinking their clocks were two minutes fast.

Local band came back on the scene with h show at The Casbah Get Back Loretta and The Burning of Rome played a funky session at The Casbah on Dec. 30. Some say the locally grown band has been absent from the show scene for more than a year.

COURTESY OF SARAH LOWRY

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

Home exchange sites unlock adventure Home swapping turns tourists into locals overnight Sofia Casillas staff writer Imagine the experience that could be gained from approaching a foreign city as a local instead of as a tourist. Home exchange programs are one way to make this a reality.

The idea is simple: Through online exchange sites, an adventure seeker from one city can open his or her home and connect with likeminded travelers in different cities.

Once an agreement is made, both parties then exchange keys for a given amount of time and enjoy the benefits of local living in each other’s homes.

This may sound innovative, but it is not a new concept. Intervac pioneered the idea of home exchanging in 1953. It utilized a catalog where members could list potential homes for a swap. Today, everything is done online, and more people are utilizing house swapping to travel. Intervac’s online membership has tripled in the past eight years, from 10,000 to 30,000 members.

Other than having a home, apartment or condo to exchange, the majority of home swapping websites require a fee for membership.

However, if a fee assures a free place to stay while traveling, the benefits seem to outweigh the costs. Many sites’ fees range from $8 a month to an annual membership fee of $119.

THINKSTOCK

Members on home exchange websites vary between families, small business owners, retirees, professors, doctors and other professionals who share one common interest: traveling. Intervac claims the majority of its members range from the ages of 35 to 60 and typically have children. However, college students should not feel left out. Those looking for an alternative can participate in youth exchange programs, which offers young people the opportunity to feel out different cultures while staying in someone’s home.

Home exchange location options are nearly endless as many websites offer both national and international options.

San Diego Magazine writer, Brook Larios, wrote about her home exchange experience when she swapped her Carmel Valley condo for a humble apartment in The Big Apple. She and her husband planned their vacation during New Years Eve last year to cross one item off their bucket list: watching the ball drop in Times Square. The couple communicated with their exchange partner via phone before the big trip in order to become better acquainted with her and make sure everything was ready. For the most part, their entire trip went well. However, when they arrived home their match didn’t meet their standards of cleanliness.

“Our nonstick ‘green’ pan?

Overscrubbed and attracting food to its now-adhesive surface.

(Thankfully, we were able to bring all cookware back to homeostasis.) The bathroom was visibly dirty, and they’d used our gas barbecue, despite the fact that our bikes were

bound to it with locks. We found barbecue sauce on one bike rail,” Larios wrote.

While many may be afraid to swap homes with a bad match, Tony DiCaprio, president of 1sthomeexchange.com, said, “Nobody is going to fly across the ocean or drive 600 miles to come steal your flat-screen TV. At the same time they’re staying in your home, you are staying in their home.”

It is best for both parties to think positively and treat the other persons’ belongings with the utmost respect. Small issues such as car scratches and wine stains are not unheard of, but can easily be taken care of if a contract or agreement is written beforehand. In the agreement, standards of how the house should be maintained are important to include. After all, the purpose of home exchange is to travel and live like a local, not get wrapped up in the idiosyncrasies of another person’s lifestyle.

Ed Kushins, founder of homeexchange.com, said that in his 19 years in the business, he has never been notified of a theft or malicious damage. Minor issues have occurred, but the problems were handled privately between both parties.

For those who are ready to try something new, home exchange can be an appealingly intimate and costeffective route. Travelers can explore new cultures by living like locals, making connections that can turn into friendships and experiencing more flexibility and freedom. While offering so much privacy at so little cost, this kind of lodging cannot be beat.

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

11

Wholesome diets nourish skin deep Brittany Fasano staff writer In order to achieve flawless, red-carpet-worthy skin, a healthy skin care regimen is vital. Often, what people put into their bodies affects the skin even more than the products they put on it. The long-standing saying “you are what you eat,” though cliché, is undeniable.

Several dermatologists have published works on how to achieve healthy skin through a healthy diet.

Dermatologist Jessica Wu wrote a book called “Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days.”

According to Wu, “Feed Your Face is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, clear acne, soothe rashes and minimize the signs of sun damage — all while helping jump-start your metabolism and stabilize your blood sugar.”

Immediate dietary changes can be made to improve skin vitality, such as thoroughly checking nutrition labels, keeping a food diary, eating smaller and more frequent meals and snacking wisely.

“Regular snacking can help keep insulin levels in check,” according to Wu. Choose foods that are usually hunted or gathered. For example, instead of white rice, choose brown rice, or choose fresh vegetables instead of cannes ones. It is also recommended to cut back on full-fat dairy foods and take calcium supplements with vitamin D. Following these steps will help health seekers attain beautiful skin by their next meal.

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Supplementing an unhealthy diet with wholesome alternatives not only benefits the skin, but also every other part of the body, including hair, nails and weight. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums are vital fruits for a wholesome diet. The common link between these foods is their high antioxidant content.

Salmon, walnuts, canola oil and flaxseed supply essential fatty acids, which are crucial for healthy skin.

These foods leave skin looking plumper and younger. They also help soften dry skin by keeping it lubricated. Because oils are high in calories, no more than two tablespoons a day are necessary.

Whole wheat bread, muffins, cereals, turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts contain the mineral selenium, which is also beneficial for healthy skin.

According to Wu, “Pizza can be a good choice for your skin. Just order thin crust (whole wheat if possible), go light on the cheese, and load it with the right kinds of protein and veggies that help fight wrinkles.”

Foods containing zinc help heal wounds by restoring damaged skin. while also protecting it from future mistreatment.

“Studies show that zinc supports the production of elastic tissue. Eat zinc-rich foods, such as red meat (particularly beef and lamb), raw oysters and shellfish, kidney beans and lentils and eggs to maintain your skins elasticity,” Wu wrote.

Green tea may be vital to overall health, but it also works wonders for the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

Wu’s followers, including Katherine Heigl, Roma Downey, Maria Bello and Kimora Lee Simmons, attest the most important ingredient in their healthyskin diet is water. Approximately eight glasses a day is ideal for the average person in order to stay hydrated and replenish moisture. Water helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out.

Processed foods are usually filled with sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and processed grains. The body absorbs these ingredients, which negatively affect body and skin health. Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains provides nourishing vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients the skin and body need.

Reducing the intake of processed foods, eating more fruits and vegetables and following a healthy skin care regime, such as Jessica Wu’s skin diet, are a few simple steps that can help anyone achieve a goal of healthy and beautiful skin. Also, be sure to visit a dermatologist, remove makeup before bed and wear sunscreen to achieve a radiant look.

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D A I LY

AZTEC Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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

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

Spielberg delivers two Oscar favorites ‘Tintin’ and ‘War Horse’ are heartfelt, award-worthy films David Dixon staff writer Bravo, Steven Spielberg. Not many Hollywood directors can say they have released two outstanding movies within days of each other.

Spielberg has done just that with these big-screen achievements.

MCT CAMPUS

The Adventures of Tintin “The Adventures of Tintin” is a motion capture adaptation of the internationally popular comic book series by Belgian artist, Hergé. Tintin (Jamie Bell) is a journalist who loves to solve mysteries and always seems to find himself in perilous situations.

Accompanied by his loveable dog Snowy, and new friend alcoholic merchant marine Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), Tintin goes on a dangerous search for a sunken ship known as the Unicorn.

Of all the motion capture pictures to be released recently, such as the corny “Mars Needs Moms,” “Tintin” is a better example of how this kind of technology can be used to create a memorable voyage. This goes beyond the visuals on screen; even the misfires are aesthetically pleasing. The enjoyment in “Tintin” lies within the three screenwriters, Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, each of whom are very comfortable giving this type of spectacle the kind of wit and intelligence needed to make it stand out from generic dreck.

Spielberg has never directed a fulllength animated feature before, and saying “Tintin” is a strong debut for him would be an understatement. It is easy to imagine he had a blast

while making this production because there is a playful tone throughout most of the running time. Several individual scenes are breathtaking to watch, while others have the zippy energy of a grade-A theme park attraction.

With so much eye candy, does “Tintin” have a soul? Surprisingly, yes, through the bond that forms between Tintin and Haddock. Bell is perfectly cast as Tintin, creating a whip-sharp lad without being an obnoxious know-it-all. While Bell shines, the best material is saved for Serkis. Serkis has become a scenestealing character actor as evidenced in his dramatic, computer-generated roles in “The Lord of the Rings” as well as “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Here, Serkis gets to let loose with an array of deliberately goofy dialogue. Tintin and Haddock help each other in times of need, and not always because of an action sequence. This relationship adds a surprising amount of depth to such a fast-paced affair.

Only adults will nitpick at flaws in the villain, Ivan Sakharine (Daniel Craig), who lacks three-dimensionality. Craig’s vocal delivery is entertainingly menacing, though the character is similar to an over-thetop evil mastermind typically featured in Saturday morning cartoon shows. Still, it must be remembered the film is meant for family audiences and designed to appeal to anyone older than seven.

“The Adventures of Tintin” is Spielberg’s most fun and upbeat film in years. It concludes with a clear opening for a sequel, which may sound groan-inducing, but the buildup to this moment is so clever that hopefully a second installment will be just as delightful as the first.

War Horse If “The Adventures of Tintin” is from the imagination, “War Horse” is from the heart. Based on the book and play of the same name, “War Horse” is a beautiful exploration of what people and animals will do out of love.

Set in England during World War I, Joey is a horse sold to a family during an auction. The son of the buyer, Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine), immediately grows close to Joey and they become great companions.

Unfortunately, Joey is sold to the cavalry to help the British in battle.

This sparks the beginning of an odyssey in which Joey will discover firsthand the ugly and miraculous nature of life.

Spielberg consistently moves the audience, and does so by way of his genuine investment in the material.

He cares about every major charac-

MCT CAMPUS

If “The Adventures of Tintin” is from the imagination, “War Horse” is from the heart. Based on the book and play ... “War Horse” is a beautiful exploration of what people and animals will do out of love. ter Joey encounters, which leads to personal attachment to more than a few individuals.

The cast is strong throughout, and it is hard to believe numerous horses play Joey. They blend so seamlessly it becomes easy to accept Joey as a single, memorable horse. Many of the actors who walk on two feet also deliver fine performances. Irvine is so kind, natural and determined as Narracott, it is amazing to think this is his first major leading role.

There is also an acclaimed French actor, Niels Arestrup, who is in the picture less than the boy and his horse, yet he leaves just as big of an impression. He plays an elderly man who meets Joey through unlikely circumstances. Arestrup can be poignant with just a simple gaze and he pro-

vides so much loving warmth his presence is missed while he is away.

John Williams’ score deserves Oscar consideration for its impact.

At times, it is reminiscent of the grand style of an old-fashioned classic such as “Gone With the Wind.”

The best aspect of the soundtrack is the recurring theme that symbolizes the affection between Albert and Joey. Whenever the motif plays, it adds such a bittersweet dimension to their companionship that viewers may get choked up.

The slowly revealed message in the film is that of the moral code of men. There are moments when soldiers on both sides of the battlefield show their own sets of principles, more complex than the rules of battle would suggest. It is an interesting

lesson and a bit shocking coming from the man who made “Saving Private Ryan,” which depicted opponents of the U.S. as ruthless enemies.

Should tissues be brought to “War Horse”? Better bring a box to be safe.

Joey is introduced as a baby and to go on a grand emotional journey with him is to empathize deeply with the horse. By the time the final 15 minutes arrive, Joey’s fate leads to a few human interactions that may result in uncontrollable crying.

Instead of feeling manipulated, the climax and resolution earn its pathos.

As far as affectionate entertainment goes, it is hard to beat “War Horse.” The epic is a cinematic highlight of the winter season.

Movie: THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN Distributed by: WARNER BROS. Directed by: STEVEN SPIELBERG Release Date: DEC. 21, 2011 Grade: A-

Movie: WAR HORSE Distributed by: WARNER BROS. Directed by: STEVEN SPIELBERG Release Date: DEC. 25, 2011 Grade: A

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, January 18, 2012

DA ST Y L E

13

Three ways to wear the little black dress For most students, college is not a time of abundant wealth, and there’s little cash for fashion. But, though your eyes may be bigger than your wallet, there’s no need to skimp on style. Need proof?

Check out DA Style’s first-ever photo shoot, where style bloggers Sarah and Venice show how to take ModCloth’s cute splurge-worthy dress from school to work to a night out.

Working Girl. For a casual day at an internship, let the dress work overtime as a shirt.

Wrap a belt around your waist, and pull the fabric upward until the material drapes over the belt and the hem reaches your hips. Play upon the classic black and white combination with a striped blazer, dark skinny jeans and nude pumps.

Campus Bound. A schedule with back-to-back classes calls for a comfortable and easy outfit. Tuck the dress into a maxi skirt, and let a fringed shoe peek out from underneath. Offset the basic black top with a pattern full of warm colors.

Out on the Town. What’s more essential for a date night with that special guy than a little black dress? Show off your legs and the frock’s flirty hem by donning the highest heels in your closet. A thin printed belt adds a small dose of fun to the otherwise subdued ensemble.

Photographer: Marcus Elario | Stylists: Venice Fahey & Sarah Weinberg | Model: Alaina Munoz | Additional clothing provide by: The Closet in Horton Plaza Mall | Black Dress: ModCloth‘s Fly By Night dress

WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW. Apply to be a Writer or Web Editor for the Spring 2012 semester LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Go to www.thedailyaztec.com/jobs and apply today!

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D A I LY

AZTEC Wednesday, January 18, 2012

B AC K PAG E

FICTION

HOROSCOPE

Xmas with the Kinkeads ext year I’m staying home for Christmas and ordering Chinese. I don’t want to be anywhere near trees, roasting pans, inlaws, pine-scented candles, geriatrics, newborns, ornaments, carols and their sappy singers, twinkling lights, napkin rings, wrapping paper, sweaters and all the other trappings associated with the day a rotund fellow in red squeezes his way down a chimney to leave capitalistic goodness for the good little boys and girls.

To say I’m bitter toward Christmas is a bit of an understatement.

Why would I opt for moo shu pork instead of suckling pig with Tiny Tim and the gang?

Because this year was the night-

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mare on Christmas. This wasn’t some aggrandized Griswold Christmas spun out of control. No, this was the feast of St. Nick off its axis and on its ass. Never have I witnessed such depravity and discord on what should have been a day of merriment and harmony. The Kinkeads made that impossible.

Alice isn’t like them, though. She’s normal, except for her obsession with all things Cyndi Lauper. We’re not together anymore, largely because there was no way I, a Carlyle, was going to marry into the Kinkeads. No way. I did love her, but I just couldn’t reconcile that family of hers. Let me show you what I mean.

Alice had flown into Boston on Christmas Eve a day ahead of me and picked me up at Logan when I landed.

We drove for a few hours into New Hampshire, past quaint decorated hamlets bedecked in Christmas regalia, gently rolling hills dusted with snow, bare birch trees and ice-covered ponds. How adorably precious.

We pulled up to a house that looked like a barn, but a cute barn. It wasn’t dilapidated or shrouded in rural despondency. It was adorned in just the right amount of Christmas cheer, not gaudy and not pathetic. Martha Stewart (pre-house arrest, of course) would approve. The warm scene eased my anxiety about meeting my future in-laws.

But as we walked up the stone path to the bright red door, my muted anxiety was immediately replaced with

Matt Doran senior staff columnist abject horror. Before Alice’s hand reached the knob, a naked little boy opened the door and darted past.

He ran into the yard, toddled through the snow, put one hand on his fleshy hip and the other on the tip of his penis, and let fly a golden stream of holiday joy.

“Aunt Alice, look, I’m writing your name,” he shouted back over his shoulder, careful not to let go and risk a spelling mistake. I looked at Alice, hoping to see her equally astonished, but she just shrugged,

“ Timmy h a s issues w i t h clothes.

It’s really cute.”

I didn’t share her appreciation of Timmy’s charming aversion to apparel. I also couldn’t help but notice he wasn’t being chased by a mother, father or anyone who may be upset at this ruffian parading around in his birthday suit inscribing his aunt’s name in urine on the front lawn. What would the neighbors think if they saw this? And don’t they care at all about making a good impression on me as I do them? But Timmy was young. It would be unfair to judge the entire family based on the impish antics of a fledgling exhibitionist.

Upon crossing the threshold, I realized it’d been quite a drive and I needed to use the bathroom. I wanted to meet her family but didn’t want to make my introduction with pee stains on my pants, and while it may have been Kinkead custom to write uric odes to loved ones in the yard, I went the traditional route and asked to use the bathroom.

Alice told me it was upstairs and to the left. I knocked, and, hearing no reply, opened the door. The room was redolent of Christmas potpourri and stale poo. Sitting on the toilet was a slumped-over elderly man. His corduroy pants sat around his ankles, his red and green argyle socks protruding slightly above them. Fearing he had suffered a heart attack, I checked to see if he was alive.

“Hey, buddy, you OK?” Nothing.

This time I poked his side. “Hey man, you there?”

“What the f—? Get outta here you pervert! What the hell do you think you’re doing barging in on an old man taking a s—?”

“I, I, I’m sorry. I thought—” “You were thinking you could come in here and steal my wallet! Not on my watch, buster! I’m a marine!”

Who? What? I …

I slinked downstairs and relayed the story to Alice. She told me Uncle Dennis is narcoleptic and fairly senile.

I used the half-bath behind the kitchen. It was hostile octogenarianfree and smelled of pine detergent.

After relieving myself, I was ready to meet the family.

They seemed

pleasant enough, shook my hand, congratulated Alice and I on our engagement and asked about my work. I was particularly pleased at how relaxed and mellow her father was. I had feared the stereotypical father-in-law bullying and haggling, but he was kind and gracious. I was touched by how quick he was to embrace me, literally and figuratively.

When the introductions were finished and most of the names forgotten, Grandpa offered me his seat on the couch. I declined, but he insisted.

He rose and went into the kitchen. As I took his seat, I realized it was warm and wet. Grandpa had pissed himself.

I did my best to act casual. I tried to get Alice’s attention to tell her what happened, but she was too busy catching up. I was stuck, figuratively and literally (my dry pants were welding to the wet sofa).

When Grandpa came back from the kitchen with his scotch refilled, he sat on the couch across from me, winked, took a sip of his drink and placed it down on his coaster, which upon observation proved to be a copy of the AA manual. Where in the 12 Steps does it say, “Drink so much you piss yourself and blame it on a stranger?”

I wasn’t about to budge until it was safe. Thankfully, it was Kinkead tradition to open presents before dinner, so I could stay put for the time being.

Everyone forced their way into the living room. The ghoulish spectacle that followed still haunts me. I know if I were watching it in a movie it would make me laugh, but having sat through it, participated in it, it only makes me cry.

-Matt Doran is a creative writing graduate student. Email him at matthewtdoran@gmail.com to share your holiday misadventures.

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (1/18/12) Take some birthday time to think over your next year: where to travel? What to learn? Who to study with? What projects to develop?

Which market to tap? Choose partners and playmates for skills and fun. What difference would you love to make?

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 9 Productivity is yours, but your wanderlust may be acting up. Some dream from the past could come calling, and what was stuck before now flows easily.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - A congratulatory note arrives. Add it to the positive testimonials on your website.

Go over the financials, too. Paint a persuasive picture of your goals.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 Lively discussions ensue. Seemingly closed doors now open. Hold off on travel just now. A caring soul is there to help with a big decision.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Dig into a big job, and get lost in creative effort. Put together the budget, and your skills with penny-pinching are appreciated.

Innovation saves time.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Are there any jobs that need to be done first?

Mop up messes before you play. A loved one encourages you to take on a challenge that inspires. It could cost extra.

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 Get into a homebody phase for the next few days. Start a project, clean closets or just laze around. Follow another's suggestion for a pleasant surprise.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 All of a sudden, things start making sense.

There's plenty of work, and more coming.

Extra effort makes a difference. A surprise boosts self-esteem.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 9 There's more money to be made, if you're willing to work. Stick to the budget, and it'll be easier to make household changes soon. A loved one has a brilliant idea.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Enjoy the next two days in the limelight. Use your extra self-confidence to accomplish things that stopped you before.

The outcome's fantastic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Don't sweat the small stuff; there are plenty of big dreams to focus on. Keep your eye on the ball; be the ball; do whatever it takes to get past limitations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Others are paying attention to your moves. Don't be afraid to serve as an inspiration. There's much to learn, but also much to teach. Build on solid ground.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Service to others brings your personal growth to the next level. Avoid distractions that keep you from completing your tasks.

It's satisfying. Embrace change. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

SUDOKU

Difficulty Level: 2 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudokudragon.com Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

M O .C C E T Z A Y IL A D E H .T W WW CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Summoned, with “for” 5 Skedaddle 9 Travolta facial feature 14 Symphony member 15 Okla., from 1890 to 1907 16 Pick up 17 Carnival sight 18 Slight advantage 19 Plus 20 Redundant position?

23 “The Time Machine” people 24 Low in a lea--25 Redundant alert?

32 Traffic stopper 33 Beauties 34 South American vacation spot 35 IRS employee 36 Pay 38 Pizzeria fixture 39 Poetic time of day 40 View from Toledo 41 Sitcom set at Mel’s Diner 42 Redundant habit?

46 Nothing but __: perfect hoops shot 47 Kiss and cuddle, British-style 48 Redundant guesses?

55 Trunks 56 Prefix with stat 57 All-night party 58 Oscar night VIP 59 Detective Peter of old TV 60 Canadian tribe

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 61 Hamlet in “Hamlet” and others 62 Auto pioneer 63 Driven drove DOWN 1 VMI program 2 Victim in Genesis 3 Taboo 4 Settles a score 5 Apply, as a brake 6 Comedian __ the Entertainer 7 Golden Fleece vessel 8 “Jurassic Park” menace, briefly 9 Dins 10 Tissue abnormality

11 Houston-toTampa direction 12 Glenn of The Eagles 13 Explosive letters 21 Stylish vigor 22 Mosque officials 25 Anouk of “La Dolce Vita” 26 Sturm und __ 27 Halloween vandal, perhaps 28 Teeny 29 “The Empire Strikes Back” director Kershner 30 Reunion attendee 31 Departed 32 Silver fineness meas.

36 Ire

37 __ Jordan: Nike brand 38 Member of a small ruling class 40 Poetic laments 41 Speck 43 New 44 Belgian seaport 45 Marriages 48 1960 Olympics city 49 Sea predator 50 Consequently 51 Rabbi’s house of worship 52 Container weight 53 Penultimate fairy tale word 54 Future flower 55 Address bk. entry