october 19, 2011 daily sundial

8
FREE Wednesday, October 19, 2011 since 1957 California State University, Northridge www.dailysundial.com Scan this QR Code to read about national Love Your Body Day. FEATURES OPINION Stranger danger is too paranoid p. 6 Five NFL teams making early surprises p. 8 Student to compete in Miss. California 2012 p. 6 SPORTS ONLINE IN TODAYS ISSUE Volume 53 Issue 31 • A fInAncIAlly Independent student newspAper MADISON KAUFMANN DAILY SUNDIAL A shy guy who barely talks was able to fill in the blanks to a song. A girl who never spoke blurted out the word “flowers.” A young man who needs physical help was able to move his head side-to-side on his own. After only a few sessions of hands-on music therapy with Thomas Newbold, music therapy graduate stu- dent, patients’ motor skills improved. “It gives you a sense of feeling that you are doing something important and worthwhile,” Newbold said. CSUN and the University of the Pacific are the only approved schools in Cali- fornia that offer degrees in music therapy, according to the American Music Therapy Association. After students complete two years in college and per- form a six-month, full-time, hands-on internship in the field, they are eligible to take a test with the certification board for music therapy. CSUN graduates scored 13 percent higher than the national average in 2010-11, said Ronald Borczon profes- sor and founder of CSUN’s music therapy department. Music therapy combines music with the therapist- client relationship, Borczon said. Students in the program said diversity is one of its great characteristics. “It covers all populations, from very high functioning See MUSIC, page 2 What is the ideal classroom? IVETTE LOPEZ DAILY SUNDIAL A California state organi- zation would like to see state campuses make more techno- logical advances in classrooms to promote learning. Associated Students Vice President Sydni Powell addressed the senate and asked for sugges- tions Tuesday on how to move CSUN forward technologically, to direct to the California State Student Association (CSSA). “My vision of the ideal class- room is one that actually helps you learn, that embraces every student’s individual learning style,” said Powell, the technolo- gy officer appointed by the CSSA board. Powell added that she wants to know what students want placed in the classroom over the next five to 10 years, while keeping deadlines and seeing how such ideas fit in CSSA and the board of trustees’ priorities. Senators voiced their ideal classrooms as Powell took down notes to take back to the statewide Fighting the poor housing market See A.S., page 2 MADISON KAUFMANN / DAILY SUNDIAL Julie Berghofer, assistant director of the music therapy clinic, teaches student in her Music Therapy Improvisation class. Music as medicine A.S. senate brainstorms classroom technology needs CSUN has one of the state’s two music therapy programs, and patients are singing “Music can help you communicate or talk to patients without words … It is really interesting learning about the powers of music on the brain.” - Thomas Newbold Music therapy graduate student Learn how to buy a home, the right way SUNDIAL FILE PHOTO The 1994 Northridge earthquake twisted parking structures and devastated the campus, which will practice Thursday for the next big earthquake. p. 4 ANDREW LOPEZ DAILY SUNDIAL Representatives from all sides of the home buy- ing process offered advice to over 50 faculty and staff about the proper steps toward home ownership in the Sierra Center Tuesday. The University Corpora- tion First Time Home Buy- ers Seminar gave insight from Wells Fargo home mortgage consultants, Stew- art escrow officers and a real estate attorney. The event came after Cal- ifornia saw 51,842 homes foreclose in September, according to RealtyTrac. “The purpose of this event is to educate,” said Linda Turner, associate director of real estate for The University Corporation. Purchasing a home is one of the most important moments of a person’s life, she added. Throughout the event, each speaker stressed many of the same keys to making the buying process smooth and surprise-free. Getting credit in order, paying off outstanding debts and determining what a pro- spective buyer can reason- ably afford are the most important factors before See HOME, page 2

Upload: the-sundial

Post on 23-Mar-2016

222 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Daily Sundial for 10/19/11

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

FREE

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 since 1957California State University, Northridge

www.dailysundial.com

Scan this QR Code to read about

national Love Your Body Day.

FEATURES OPINION

Stranger danger is too paranoid

p. 6

Five NFL teams making early surprises

p. 8

Student to compete in Miss. California 2012

p. 6

SPORTS ONLINEin today’sissue

Volume 53 Issue 31 • A fInAncIAlly Independent student newspAper

madison kaufmanndaily sundial

A shy guy who barely talks was able to fill in the blanks to a song. A girl who never spoke blurted out the word “flowers.” A young

man who needs physical help was able to move his head side-to-side on his own.

After only a few sessions of hands-on music therapy with Thomas Newbold, music therapy graduate stu-dent, patients’ motor skills improved.

“It gives you a sense of feeling that you are doing

something important and worthwhile,” Newbold said.

CSUN and the University of the Pacific are the only approved schools in Cali-fornia that offer degrees in music therapy, according to the American Music Therapy Association.

After students complete two years in college and per-

form a six-month, full-time, hands-on internship in the field, they are eligible to take a test with the certification board for music therapy.

CSUN graduates scored 13 percent higher than the national average in 2010-11, said Ronald Borczon profes-sor and founder of CSUN’s music therapy department.

Music therapy combines music with the therapist-client relationship, Borczon said.

Students in the program said diversity is one of its great characteristics.

“It covers all populations, from very high functioning

see music, page 2

What is the ideal classroom?ivette Lopezdaily sundial

A California state organi-zation would like to see state campuses make more techno-logical advances in classrooms to promote learning.

Associated Students Vice President Sydni Powell addressed

the senate and asked for sugges-tions Tuesday on how to move CSUN forward technologically, to direct to the California State Student Association (CSSA).

“My vision of the ideal class-room is one that actually helps you learn, that embraces every student’s individual learning style,” said Powell, the technolo-gy officer appointed by the CSSA board.

Powell added that she wants to know what students want placed in the classroom over the next five to 10 years, while keeping deadlines and seeing how such ideas fit in CSSA and the board of trustees’ priorities.

Senators voiced their ideal classrooms as Powell took down notes to take back to the statewide

Fighting the poor housing market

see a.s., page 2

MAdison KAufMAnn / Daily SunDial

Julie Berghofer, assistant director of the music therapy clinic, teaches student in her music therapy improvisation class.

music as medicine

A.S. senate brainstorms classroom technology needs

CSUN has one of the state’s two music therapy programs, and patients are singing

“music can help you communicate or talk to patients without words … it is really interesting learning

about the powers of music on the brain.” - Thomas Newbold

Music therapy graduate student

Learn how to buy a home, the right way

SUNdial FilE Photo

The 1994 Northridge

earthquake twisted parking structures

and devastated the campus, which will practice Thursday

for the next big earthquake.

p. 4

andrew Lopezdaily sundial

Representatives from all sides of the home buy-ing process offered advice to over 50 faculty and staff about the proper steps toward home ownership in the Sierra Center Tuesday.

The University Corpora-tion First Time Home Buy-ers Seminar gave insight from Wells Fargo home mortgage consultants, Stew-art escrow officers and a real estate attorney.

The event came after Cal-ifornia saw 51,842 homes foreclose in September, according to RealtyTrac.

“The purpose of this event is to educate,” said Linda Turner, associate director of real estate for The University Corporation.

Purchasing a home is one of the most important moments of a person’s life, she added.

Throughout the event, each speaker stressed many of the same keys to making the buying process smooth and surprise-free.

Getting credit in order, paying off outstanding debts and determining what a pro-spective buyer can reason-ably afford are the most important factors before

see home, page 2

Page 2: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

Education Division Graduate Programs• Master of Arts in Education (as little as

1 year)• Master of Arts in Education with Teaching

Credential (as little as 1 year)• Master of Arts in Learning Technologies

Online (85% online, 1 year)• Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship

and Change (40% online, 1-1/2 years)• Master of Science in Administration

and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (40% online, 1 year)

• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy (40% online)

• Doctor of Education in Learning Technologies (40% online)

• Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Traditional or Global Access—40% online)

Shape minds. Shape lives. Shape the future.A Pepperdine University degree in education empowers you with the tools you need for a rewarding career in teaching, school administration, learning technologies, or organizational leadership. And, most of our master’s programs can be completed in as little as ONE year.

At the forefront of training professionals for over 50 years, our distinguished faculty mentors and small class sizes prepare you for success. Our curricula are designed for the working professional; technology-blended format options are available at the master’s and doctoral levels.

Start classes in the fall, spring, or summer* at one of four graduate campuses across Southern California or online.

Learn more by scheduling a personal consultation with a recruitment and admissions specialist:

Education (866) 503-5467 • Psychology (866) 503-5460*Locations and term availability vary by program.

RSVP to attend an information meeting or visit us online at: gsep.pepperdine.edu Encino • irvinE • WEst Los AngELEs • WEstLAkE viLLAgE • onLinE

MAE-TC_CSUN_10.375x8_101510.indd 1 10/15/10 8:32:38 AM

2 NewsOctober 19, 2011 • daily Sundial • CSUN • [email protected]

individuals to individu-als with disabilities,” said Elissa Ruiz, senior and president of the Music Therapy Association of Northridge.

Newbold, who wants to operate a music edu-cation center, sings, plays drums, percussion, guitar and piano. His internship has him working at a com-munity living center for adults with developmental disabilities, and teaching preschool music.

“Music can help you communicate or talk to patients without words, which can be very helpful for people who can’t talk,” Newbold said. “It is really interesting learning about the powers of music on the brain.”

People want evidence-based therapy to show it works, Borczon said.

Music therapists conduct experiments during sessions to see what does and doesn’t work, Ruiz said.

“It is a great field to be in right now because it is booming and there are so many ways to get involved, as far as research is concerned,” Ruiz said.

But music therapy stu-dents may have to create a job for themselves when

they graduate, because there aren’t many oppor-tunities in school districts or hospitals, where music therapy is expensive because insurance gener-ally does not cover the ser-vice, Ruiz added.

“Often times an indi-vidual who has a stroke can sing, but can’t talk,” Ruiz said. “It’s a long pro-cess and it takes a lot of time and persistence to get those kind of results.”

Music for relaxation is used as background music, otherwise therapists try to engage clients as much as possible, whether that means singing, dancing or playing the instrument, Ruiz said. Therapists will play instruments for some clients who are immobile or have severe disabilities.

“It is such a broad based discipline that most any situation given to us we can find a musical inter-vention to help in that situ-ation,” Borczon said.

CSUN students can use the campus’ music therapy clinic in Cypress Hall.

musicContinued from page 1

organization.“I’d like all my lectures to

be seen on projectors,” said Sen. Ryan Melander. “It’s easy for note-taking on my laptop and PowerPoints.”

Other senators requested more lessons and access to the technology that CSUN already uses. Sen. Ariana Hernandez requested printing stations inside every building, instead of just one centralized location near the AS office.

CSUN has already taken certain technological advances using e-books with the help of the University Corporation board of directors.

These advances have led to a pilot project, which has been using Chemistry 100 classes to test the popularity of the e-books.

Powell and the board found that out of the 1,214 students, 594 bought hardcover books while 620 bought digital copies.

CSSA has implemented the use of universal clickers in CSUs . There are four pilots planned by the University Corporation board of directors, and there is communication with Amazon to give students the option to purchase Kindles through the bookstore, Powell said.

“I’m trying to help students succeed, not try to figure out how to create the best new iPad, but how to use that iPad in the classroom to help you get that A or that passing grade,” Powell said.

a.s.Continued from page 1

Scan this QR Code to enjoy video content

from the class.

seriously considering buy-ing a home, Turner said.

“This is a buyers mar-ket,” Turner said. “This is your time. Don’t let it get away from you.”

The first step in the pro-cess is to get pre-approved for a loan by a lender. Pro-cedures for getting pre-approved are tighter now than when the housing bub-ble burst just a few years ago, said Jeff Neistein, Wells Fargo branch man-ager.

“Now you have to show your income on pretty much everything,” Neistein said. “We never did crazy loans, though.”

Potential lenders will look closely at credit score, recent pay stubs and W-2 forms before pre-approving a loan.

“Even if you’re someone with (an) 800 credit (score), you’re still going to have to provide the same informa-tion that someone with a lower score will have to,” said Jacqueline Mills, Wells Fargo home mortgage con-sultant.

Fernando Arboleda, also a Wells Fargo home consul-tant, suggested those in the market to buy consider how much of a down payment they can reasonably afford, as well as monthly payment for their mortgage.

It’s important to let the lender know what the maxi-mum amount of money a potential buyer can afford to pay for their mortgage and other monthly payments, said Arboleda. The amount should land somewhere around 50 percent of the buyer’s monthly income.

After determining they are ready to shop for a house and getting pre-approved by a bank, the next step is find-ing a reputable real estate agent.

“A real estate agent is not a home inspector,” said Robert J. Carlson, real estate attorney. “Be careful what they tell you.”

In addition to going over steps to home ownership,

lecturers attempted to trans-late jargon by explaining title insurance and escrow.

While many faculty and staff said they were better informed after the presenta-tion, there was still confu-sion about intricate deal-ings.

“It answered a lot of questions,” said Virginia Huynh, associate profes-sor of child and adolescent development. “It also raised a lot of questions. I have a lot of homework to do.”

“The first time can defi-nitely be scary,” Neistein said.

“Home ownership is a long term investment,” Neis-tein said. “The first time can definitely be scary.”

homeContinued from page 1

illustRAtion by: KRistin hugo / OpiniOnS EDitOr

2 million California homeowners, 30.2 percent of mort-gages, were underwater at the end of the second quarter, meaning they owe more than their homes are worth.

Source: CoreLogic

Page 3: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

Features 3October 19, 2011 • Daily Sundial • CSUN • [email protected]

Important campus groups to follow:TWITTER DIRECTORY

• @cfaCSUN

• @CSUNASREC

• @csunevents

• @csunhelpdesk

• @csunorthridge

• @CSUNSPACE

• @csun_usu

• @GoMatadors

• @OviattLibrary

• @StudentTrustee

• @SundialSports57

• @ValleyViewNews

MADISON KAUFMANNDAILY SUNDIAL

At the age of 10, New York-born and Caribbean-raised Amar Spencer, 24, became captivated by television and film, inspiring her to pursue a career in the entertain-ment industry.

Spencer, a mass communi-cations graduate student, has a passion not only for media, but modeling and acting as well. In January 2012, she will be a con-testant in the Miss California USA pageant in Palm Desert, represent-ing Reseda.

Spencer has been trying to get involved in the theatrical-acting industry on and off for the last seven years, including doing a commercial for Essentia, a mat-tress company in Santa Monica.

Spencer graduated from John Casablanca, an acting and model-ing school in Florida, in 2005.

To get ready for Miss Califor-nia USA, Spencer trains at the gym to get tone, controls her diet

and has weekly conference calls, that production does with all the contestants to get tips on sponsors, health and the pageant.

Spencer’s uncle in Florida is her only sponsor so far, but she looks for resources every day because there are always contests' costs that come up.

“There are events every two weeks that I have to go to,” Spen-cer said. “I try to go to cheap plac-es, like Ross, to get nice clothes, while saving money for the pag-eant itself.”

But for the actual pageant, Spencer said she plans to go all out.

In 2008, Spencer earned her bachelor’s degree in mass commu-nications from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, and then moved back home to Antigua in the Caribbean where she was a reporter for two years.

In Antigua, Spencer won an award for her reporting on agri-culture news and won the Texas Intercollegiate Project Award for a group documentary she made for

her undergraduate senior project about Meals on Wheels.

Since then, she has had to adapt to the Southland.

“It has been a struggle to get to California because I didn’t have anybody that I knew,” Spencer said. “Now I am here and excited to participate in the pageant.”

If Miss California USA had a talent category, Spencer said she would dance, but the pageant only consists of swimwear, evening wear and an interview portion.

Spencer said mass communica-tion class seminars help with the interview portion of the pageant because of the emphasis on criti-cal thinking and coming up with answers on the spot.

“There is so much interaction in classes,” she added. “The way the program is structured, I can understand and digest the infor-mation and apply it to the field of mass communication.”

Spencer plans to graduate in December and pursue a career in news, film or anything involving television.

Student's ambition to win 2012 Miss California USA

COURTESY OF AMAR SPENCER

Mass communications graduate student Amar Spencer, 24, represents Reseda at the welcome back party for Miss USA in Hollywood.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Page 4: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

We Are Northridge

In July of 2011, the band Incubus wanted to do something special for their fans so for a week they opened up Incubus HQ (headquarters) in a tiny art gallery in Los Angeles.

Incubus HQ was an opportunity for a select number of lucky fans to come in, get creative (by drawing on large canvases for Brandon and Jose’s homes), check out their equipment, grab some unreleased tour swag, and to maybe even see a private concert preformed each night.

I was lucky enough to be picked on opening night! The boys played one of their most memorable albums, “Make Yourself,” top to bottom. I, along with 30 other fans, sang along to the songs, hung out with the boys in the band- and had an experience that most people will never ever have with their favorite bands.

I’ve been a die hard Incubus fan since I was 9 and I’ve seen them preform five times but this was the best and most intimate show I’ve ever seen. The boys were awesome and really cater to all their fans. The fans that are a part of incubusheadquarters.com, including me, always talk about how great that week was.”

Abby won tickets to see David Sedaris at the VPAC next month as well as 20 bonus points in the WAN contest! Here’s Abby’s winning entry:

presented by the daily sundial

congratulations

abby ronquillo!week 5 winner

Sponsored by the Matador Bookstore DAILY SUNDIAL Your news. All day.

FREE CSUN CAMPUS MEAL CARD & TOTE BAG WITH REPAIR

(818) 996-9197

FREE PICK-UP & DELIVERY24 HR FREE TOWING

TO CVA FOR REPAIRS

18425 VANOWEN ST, RESEDAMON-FRI 8-6, SAT 9-12

www.centervalleyauto.com

PROOF This fi le is intended solely for proofi ng purposes. Use of this ad without the permission of the Daily Sundial is prohibited.

We Are Northridgepresented by the daily sundialsponsored by the matador bookstore

play the game and win big!

We want to know your favorite place to sleep on campus. The winner will be chosen based on the comfort, seclusion,

and creativity of the location. E-mail your picture and a brief explanation why you chose it to [email protected]

Week 6 task: nap time What’s At Stake? All participants will be rewarded 10 points for their

efforts, but the person who shows us the most comfortable, private, creative place to sleep will receive two tickets to

Universal Studios and 20 points!

4 NewsOctober 19, 2011 • Daily Sundial • CSUN • [email protected]

CSUN joins the statewide shake for safetyRon Rohkydaily sundial

Californians will take part in an earthquake drill at 10:20 p.m. Thursday, and CSUN geology students will be hosting an event to promote the cause.

The event, presented by the Earthquake Country Alliance, will be taking place at the Sierra Quad and will partially focus on the state’s third annual Great Shake Out, a drill meant to increase earthquake preparedness.

“The objective of this event is to raise awareness about earth-quake preparation,” said Doug Yule, the professor coordinat-ing the event. “It’s going to be a multi-faceted event, but at its basic level, it’s a giant drill pro-moting safety.”

The students will inform the

campus community by handing out fliers, making presentations and creating art during the activity.

Out of the 8.7 million people officially registered to partake in the drill, 3.7 million of them are in the Los Angeles area, according to the California’s Great Shake Out website.

Yule said 50 of them are from CSUN.

While earthquakes are unable to be predicted, scientists have anticipated a large earthquake to hit Southern California in the future, said Denise Hernandez, a freshmen in Yule’s Living with Earthquakes in California class.

“People need to be informed on how to be prepared and what measures they need to take in order to protect themselves,” she said.

Yule and his students plan to educate people on earthquakes so they will be able to make their own choices whether to follow

safety protocols.“Preparation is what you can

do to minimize the effects of earth-quakes,” Yule said. “We plan to get individuals involved, so they’ll have a choice to be prepared or not.”

CSUN’s campus was devas-tated in 1994 by a 6.7-magnitude earthquake caused by a previ-ously undiscovered fault line.

Yule said being prepared for these kinds of sudden events is important.

“The scary thing about earth-quakes is that they strike with-out warning, but our campus is uniquely experienced about earthquakes” he said. “We’re bet-ter prepared than anywhere else because we’ve been through such a devastating event.”

The 1994 earthquake caused $400 million worth of damage, and no fatalities were reported at CSUN but two students living off-campus died when their apartments collapsed.

Earthquake awareness, preparedness focus of event

Simon Gambaryan / Daily SunDial

CSUn’s earthquake garden, located north of the Valley Performing Arts Center, showcases remains of a structural column after the 1994 northridge earthquake.

Page 5: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

October 19, 2011 • Daily Sundial • CSUN 5

Page 6: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

I get in cars with strang-ers. Sometimes I organize these rides online, sometimes I’m offered rides when wait-ing at the bus stop. I also stay on strangers’ couches and beds when I’m traveling. I’ve prob-ably done all those things 25 times, and I am still alive.

Strangers are a lot nicer than you’d think. You’re a stranger to almost everyone, and every single person you’ve ever met was a stranger. You’ll probably walk past dozens of strangers today. They’re everywhere.

Whenever I want to drive to the Bay Area to visit my fam-ily, I check out the Los Angeles ride-share section on craigslist.com. Here, drivers post their destination, time of departure and other info. For the six-hour drive, people have charged me $40, $20, all the way down to nothing. It’s a lot faster than the train, less expensive than buying or renting a car, saves gas and is always fun. There’s something special about the bond made between two strangers sharing a six-hour car ride, and I always meet people with the best stories.

I also use the website couchsurfing.com to find peo-ple to stay with. When I spent a week in the Bahamas, I couch surfed at two different homes. I figured this would be safer than staying at a hotel without a guide or anyone to show me the best and worst things to do in the area.

The first person I stayed with had a cramped house with air conditioning in

only one room. The second person I stayed with lived in a resort next to the beach and I even got my own room and used his Internet-phone to call home. I might not even call these people strangers, because I can see their profile and I talk to them either online or over the phone before making arrangements.

Getting to know random people has resulted in some of the best experiences of my life. While I take rides for con-venience primarily, I would almost consider it a hobby, because the experience is so enjoyable.

People drive me because they’re going to their universi-ty, to pick up a camera for their poorly thought-out documen-tary, to strange conventions, coming home from starring in a porno or meeting their partner from an arranged marriage.

In my experiences, I’ve met a hippie slacker, a former million-aire with a pet serval (which I pet and played with), many students, an ambassador and members of more subcultures than I can count. I truly think that ride shar-ing and couch surfing are some of the best most mind expanding and eye opening ways to experi-ence a slice of life.

However, there are certain precautions to t a k e .

When you use the couch-surfing website, all your interactions are recorded, and all parties are made aware of this.

If anything goes wrong they use the messages to determine where you are. Although it’s also a good idea to tell oth-ers where you are. You could announce it on Facebook or Twitter, although you might be hesitant to do that if friends are going to lecture you on stranger danger. The website also offers optional references from previ-ous couch-surfers, “vouches” from your friends, and “verifi-cation” where the website does a background check on the user’s name and location.

When I take rides with peo-ple, I take a picture of their licence plate and send it to some friends. Consider sending it to your partner, your parent and your roommate, and let the driver know that’s what you’re doing. Although they might be a little offended that you don’t completely trust them, an hon-est person wouldn’t kick you out of the car for that.

When talking about my adventures, I too often hear that anyone who does that should have been robbed, raped and murdered by now. This reac-tion belies the fact that too few of us even understand the basics of robbers, rapists and murderers.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice 2005 National Crime Victimiza-tion Study, 73 percent of rapes are committed by peo-ple who previously knew the victim.

I understand the concern. Rape is a big deal. The victims and the offenders can be any gender.

But, ultimately, it’s a little offensive to hear that women can’t trust strangers, women can’t walk outside at night, and only a Y-chromosome can pro-tect you from the horrible evils of the world.

Women just have to stay in their homes and fear for their lives or they’ll just be raped all the time. A guy friend of mine once told me that I shouldn’t ride my bike on the trail by Griffith Park in broad daylight because I’ll get raped. Bike trail. Broad daylight. Rape.

It’s annoying and inaccurate to just throw around the risk of rape like the life of a woman is just littered with them. It’s also offensive to men to think that every male that offers a favor is just looking to commit a hor-rific violent act. I’m not saying that none of them do, but give them a chance, would ya?

I take precautions, I learn what kind of things are danger-ous. For example, I never let a driver, friend or stranger, text while driving if I’m in the car; I offer to send the text myself. I don’t smoke because tobac-co kills more Americans than homicide, suicide and car acci-dents combined. I live close to campus, so I can minimize driving in my life in general.

I do let people into my home to stay the night, but I’m not particularly afraid of them robbing the place. If they want-ed to do that, they’d just get a rock and bust a window; why bother exposing their identity and contacting me online first? If you feel concerned about your safety, take a minute to learn what kind of things are actually dangerous, don’t just live in general fear.

These are my experiences with strangers. Your experienc-

es should be whatever you’re ready to do.

If you prefer to start ride-sharing with a friend, that’s a great way to do it. If you’d rather couch-surf with some-one who has been verified and has lots of references, that’s fine, too. If you don’t really care and just want to travel alone, then whatever.

Take your own risks and let oth-

ers take theirs. Just keep all this in mind when talking to strang-ers, and know that people are awesome, not evil.

OpinionsOctober 19, 2011 [email protected]

6

Published Mon.-Thurs. by the Department of Journalism at California State University, Northridge.

Manzanita Hall 140, 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330-8258

News (818) 677-2915 • Advertising (818) 677-2998Fax (818) 677-3638 • www.dailysundial.com

daily sundialEditor in Chief

Ken [email protected]

News EditorSamantha [email protected]

Live News EditoraShley Soley-cerro

[email protected]

Features EditorbrIan De loS SantoS

[email protected]

Sports EditorsGIlberto manzano

alonSo [email protected]

Life & Arts Editor

natalIe [email protected]

Opinion Editor

KrIStIn [email protected]

Visual Editors

teSSIe navaromarIela [email protected]

Art Directorabby JoneS

Online EditoranDrew lopez

[email protected]

Social Media EditorbrIen overly

Copy EditorsJeSSIca eStraDa

perry SmIth

Staff MembersanDreS aGuIla

KImberly anDerSonchrIStIna azouz

anGela brazabraulIo campoSanthony carpIo

a.J. cIrchIrIllorachel coStahauDe

SImon GambaryanKatIe Grayot

branDon henSleychrIStopher hoKarlee JohnSon

Joelle KatzmaDISon Kaufmann

Sarah lorSchcaItlIn martIn

KatherIne o’neIllhanSooK oh

mary phamJulIan reyeS

mehron roKhyKathleen ruSSellKrIStIna Sanborn

abbey Seltzer

Senior StaffIvette lopezIrene moore

chrIStIanna trIolo

Contributorsreanna DelGaDIllo

Sales ManagerSara JoneS

Sales Representativesben anDrewS

mIchael JohnSonJeSSIca lySholm

nIcole maDDocKS

Production DesignerscaItlIn martIn

JeSSIca StrelIoff

MarketingJeSSIca GooDman

coleman KIeKe

ClassifiedsStacI-ann GorDon

Recruitment EditorlIana hofer

PublishermelISSa lalum

General ManagerJoDy holcomb

Business CoordinatorSanDra tan

Web ConsultantbenJamIn Garber

talk to strangersEngaging with your fellow humans is not as dangerous as you think

Postcards from abroadWith Kristin Hugo

illustration by kristin hugo

Want to share your own story from abroad?

Contact [email protected]

Page 7: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

Men's soccer

Sports 7October 19, 2011 • Daily Sundial • CSUN • [email protected]

Say you saw it in the Classifieds!

Daily Sundial Online Classifieds

Now featuring over 900 job listings in the Los Angeles area!

dailysundial.com

What is Sudoku?It’s a global sensation! Sudoku is a number-placement puzzle that is mentally challenging, easy to learn and highly addictive. Within the game, no column, row or box can contain a repeated number, hence the name. How to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Solution above.

employment tutoring

The Daily Sundial does not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious prefer-ence, national origin or sex.

The Daily Sundial accepts no responsibility for claims in or response to advertisements placed in the paper. Be cautious in answering ads, especially when you are asked to send cash or provide personal or financial information.

ClASSiFieD DiSClAimer

Classified Ads

sudoku

Tutor to help 11th grade student with Geometry, World History, and English. Also Spanish (if possible). 1-2 hours several times a week. Fee negotiable.

Email [email protected]

Math, Physics, cheMistry,

engineering Statistics, Physics 100AB, 220AB, Chemistry, Calculus 150AB, 250, differential equa-tions, Linear Algebra or any math. Dynamics, Thermo-dynamics, Statics and Fluid Dynamics. If you need help in these subjects call Joe at (818)998-3396

Solution to today’s sudoku

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 19, 2011

ACROSS1 Black Panthers

co-founder6 Sprightly dances

10 What racewinners break

14 Flip chart stand15 “Typee”

continuation16 Fancy molding17 First name in

British sportscars

18 Freshness19 River to the

Caspian20 Add-on for a

large party’s tab23 Deposed Amin24 Siesta25 In the lead28 Even thieves

have one, it’ssaid

33 No-win situation34 Banjo’s place35 Age-old stories36 Sphere37 Largest city in

California’s winecountry

42 Classic Capekplay

45 In fighting trim46 Chachi’s mother-

in-law, to Fonzie50 Outback runner51 Nickname seen

on a Northeastlicense plate

55 Fruity soda brand57 King at Versailles58 Down-for-the-

count count59 Long-running

game show, anda hint to thestarts of 20-, 28-,37- and 51-Across

64 Cures66 Rugged vehicles67 Writer Zora __

Hurston68 Sweeten the pot

a little?69 One and only70 More pleasant71 Axe72 Hang in the

balance73 Jays and O’s

DOWN1 Wishing one

hadn’t rocked theboat?

2 Entered carefully,as a highway

3 With a leg oneach side of

4 Pope of 9035 Periodic weather

disruption6 Crèche figure7 Apple for the

teacher?8 Mild oath9 Wrigley slugger

10 “Not my problem”11 Go along with12 Whistle bead13 Fish lacking

pelvic fins21 Half-__: coffee

order22 Some steak

orders26 Go public with27 New girl in

gown?29 Some Caltech

grads30 “__ of Our Birth”:

Isle of Mannational anthem

31 Negativeconjunction

32 Some Spanishescudos weremade of it

38 Pondaccumulation

39 PBS benefactor40 Blacktop material41 Tbsp. or tsp.42 Yellow-flag carrier43 Emma’s

portrayer in “TheAvengers”

44 Chance upon47 Wearying grind48 Joe Greene or

Lynn Swann,notably

49 Focal points

52 Wiped clean53 Calculator figs.54 Crayola’s “burnt”

color56 Soap box?60 Chug-a-lug61 Platte River tribe62 Grand Ole Opry

st.63 Put a roof on64 Key below the

tilde65 Diciembre ends it

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

By Jack McInturff 10/19/11

(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc. 10/19/11

195 yards per game through Week 6, went down with a collarbone injury that likely has him out for the year. To replace him, the Raid-ers somehow managed to pry disgruntled quarterback Car-son Palmer from the hands of Bengals owner Mike Brown, who previously said he wouldn’t trade him for anything. With Palmer’s vet-eran leadership and skills, the Raiders have a great chance at keeping their playoff hopes afloat.Prediction: Will make the play-offsTampa Bay Buccaneers

Behind the guidance of young quarterback Josh Freeman and power runner LeGarrette Blount, the Bucs are currently edging out the Saints for first place in the NFC South. While Free-man may struggle at times to find Mike Williams, his best receiver from last year, he has no problems airing it out to Arrelious Benn, who’s caught two long touchdowns thus far.

Freeman can also sim-ply hand it off to Blount, who’s good for nearly 70 yards a game, but has been plagued by inconsistent play. If Tampa hopes to make the playoffs, it must improve its 25th-ranked defense and find a more efficient way to get the ball to Williams.Prediction: Will miss the playoffs

surprisesContinued from page 8

CSUN travels to UCR for Big West match Anthony CArpioDaily SunDial

Even though the CSUN men’s soccer team lost to UC Riverside last season for the first time ever in Big West Conference play, the Matadors (6-6-1, 3-2 Big West) aren’t thinking about avenging their defeat as they travel to UCR Soccer Stadium Wednesday night to take on the Highland-ers (6-5-2, 1-3-1).

“No one cares about what happened last year,” Matador head coach Terry Davila said, talking about the 2-1 overtime loss a year ago. “All I care about is what’s going to happen on the field (tonight).”

With only five games left in Big West play, Davila under-stands that every game is cru-cial. CSUN is tied for second place in the league standings with Cal Poly and UC Davis and trail first-place UC Irvine by one game.

UCR is currently in sixth place, coming off a 1-1 tie against Cal State Fullerton Sat-urday night. Before their tie, the Highlanders were on a three-game losing streak, with losses against Cal Poly (5-0) and UC Irvine (5-1). Riverside’s only Big West win came against UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 28.

Highlander forward Cesar Diaz Pizarra currently leads his team with six goals and two assists. The senior averages three shots per game, with a shot on goal ratio of 50 percent (19 on goal, 38 shots).

The Matadors always have a game plan when it plays an opponent, CSUN assistant Peter Bomar said, but execut-ing those game plans in the Big West have been difficult for the team.

“(We need to) maintain our focus and realize that we have a game plan,” co-captain and defender Joe Franco said. “And if we execute it and play to the best of our abilities, then no one can beat us.”

The mistakes the Matadors made in Saturday’s overtime loss against UC Davis have Franco frustrated about the loss.

“We beat San Luis Obispo at their place,” he said. “It’s pretty ridiculous to lose to Davis here. We know what we have to do to

come out and get a victory.”CSUN midfielder Thomas

Ramos feels the same way about the team’s execution of its tactics.

“We just got to come out and play our game plan and control the midfield, get behind them, and be aggressive,” said Ramos, talking about the team not getting enough offside calls. “I think it’s a bad thing because we weren’t trying to get behind the defense as much as we usually do.”

In a three-way tie for sec-ond, Franco believes the team has what it takes to be success-ful this season.

“You have to think posi-tive,” he said. “The games that we’ve lost were just learning experiences, so we don’t do that again. I think we realized that we want (to win) the most.”

With only six games left in the season, including a non-conference match at UCLA, CSUN is still driven and making adjustments to its game plan.

“I don’t think that we’re slowing down,” Franco said. “I think we’re just fine-tuning. We just need to maintain consisten-cy, be consistent with the way we play, and stay aggressive. I think we’ll be alright.”

The Matadors have a 2-1 Big West record on the road,

and UCR will prove to be another test for the team.

“Anytime you go to an away-team’s field, especially one like Riverside where it’s turf, sometimes you get there you don’t have that drive

yet,” Bomar said. “So I think we need to really come out and take what Riverside’s going to bring and then hopefully match it, and then surpass and hopefully come back with that (win)."

MariEla Molina / Visual Editor

thomas ramos (16) and the Matadors face uC river-side Wednesday night at uCr soccer stadium.GaME info:

CSUN at UCRWhen: TonightTime: 7 p.m.

*Live game updateson Twitter

@sundialsports57

Page 8: October 19, 2011 Daily Sundial

Six weeks into the NFL season, several teams are arising as candidates for this year’s most surprising team. Some for their emergence after years of dreadful play, and some for simply improv-ing and gaining experience.

But are these pleasant sur-prises legit, or are they going to be the Denver Broncos of two years ago who started 6-0 and ended up missing the playoffs?San Fransisco 49ers

Sunday’s win against the previously-undefeated Detroit Lions gave the Niners a 5-1 record, their best start since 1998. Led by running back Frank Gore’s 90 yards per game, quarterback Alex Smith’s 8-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, coach Jim Harbaugh’s feistiness and their second-ranked points-allowed-per-game defense,

the Niners have finally found a winning combination, bouncing back from eight consecutive years of having non-winning records.

Last year, they started off at a ghastly 1-6. As if that wasn’t bad enough, then-head coach Mike Singletary promised they’d still make the playoffs, but the Niners finished 6-10 and missed the postseason. With him gone now, his prom-ise will come true.Prediction: Will make the play-offsBuffalo Bills

The 4-2 Bills are the Phoenix Suns of the NFL. The Bills rank 30th in defense but second in offense, because their foot-ball philosophy involves only one thing: score. And they really have the tools to get into the endzone. Quar-terback Ryan Fitzpatrick is completing 66 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,400 yards, 12 touchdowns and only four interceptions through six games.

The biggest benefactor of Fitzpatrick’s awesome num-bers has been his go-to wide receiver Stevie Johnson, who’s hauled in four touch-downs so far. Running back Fred Jackson has ran for 601 yards and four touchdowns, making him the second lead-ing rusher in the league. Last year, the Bills finished a woeful 4-12, but if they want to make the playoffs, they must improve their defense. However, they’ve shown

they can hang with the greats as they defeated the Patriots a few weeks ago.Prediction: Will miss the play-offsDetroit Lions

The Lions, who were undefeated until Sunday’s loss to the Niners, have been a powerhouse on both offense and defense, defy-ing everyone’s expectations as they had laughably won only eight of their last 48 games coming into this sea-son. Superstar wide receiver

Calvin Johnson shattered a record in Week 5, becom-ing the only receiver ever to grab nine scores in the first five games. While he failed to score against the 49ers, he managed to bring in 113 yards.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns, and the Lions’ defense is ranked seventh in points-per-game allowed (19). Their weakness, however, lies on the ground, as they don’t

hand the ball enough to run-ning back Jahvid Best, who gets 65 yard per game on a 4.6 yards-per-carry average. Three years ago, the Lions finished 0-16, but now, a playoff spot is not only a reality, it’s almost a lock.Prediction: Will make the play-offs Oakland Raiders

Ever since their 2002 Super Bowl blunder against the Buccaneers, the Raiders have been awful, winning just 37 out of 128 games coming

into this season. However, behind Darren McFadden, the NFL’s leading rusher, the team has managed a 4-2 start even though they don’t have a big-name quarterback. McFadden, who’s averaging 102 yards a game on the ground, has a 5.5 yards-per-carry average and found the end zone four times.

Quarterback Jason Campell, who’s averaged

Sports8

October 19, 2011 [email protected]

Weekly coluMn

Follow us on Twitter @sundialsports57 for play-by-play coverage of CSUN sporting events

spotlightWhat are the Matadors saying on the social network?

And down they went. Matadors in second place in the Big West.@mmkilby Meghan Kilby, women’s soccerLong beach; you're going down >:)

LMAO.@JstFee Felicia Walker, women’s basketballGirl you aint big boned. Yo bones the same size as averyone else. Let me see yo x-rays. Lol.Oct. 15

Pretty please?@HoniHina Mahina Haina, women’s volleyballThe teacher isnt here yet !!! Ah class please get canceled!! #stokingOct. 18

ESPN: “And we just chose LeBron James as our No. 1! Mwahaha-haha.”@LWatson14 Lonnie Watson, men’s basketballSo ESPN just said that Kobe Bryant is the 7th best player in the NBA...wtf!?Oct. 17

OK, does ANYONE on the volleyball team like class? Jk, jk.@natalie09allen Natalie Allen, women’s volleyballThat moment hen your teacher doesn't show up to class so you just get to leave!!! #amazingOct. 18

Has anyone actually responded affirmatively to this type of question? Like ever?@SmoovSteph Stephan Hicks, men’s basketballany one want to write my essay for meOct. 16

And it also better be a good fire.@violetalama Violet Alama, women’s basketballFire alarms should not go off at 2 am unless there is a fire.Oct. 18

Hilarious just how creative stalkers are getting. Will have to do better to get Jianni, though.@Jia_hoops23 Jianni Jackson, women’s basketballI will not follow u if u put verified account in ur bio or that fake check mark by ur name .. We all kno it's supposed to be blue not blackOct. 17

By SunDiaL SpORTS DeSk@SuNdiALSportS57

From chumps to contenders?

See surprises, page 7

ruMbling With ron

ron roKhySunDial SportS columniSt

COUrteSy Of MCT

behind the one-two punch of Alex smith (11) and Frank gore (21), the 5-1 49ers are a surprise team in the nFl.

Five early NFL surprises with a chance to be great in 2011