San Diego Museum of Art hosts screening of ‘’Midnight in Paris’’

Since September 2010, The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park has been hosting First Friday Films.  In addition to its art museums, visitors may enjoy a screening of a selected film, preceded by a lecture which further explores the connection between the film and the art on view at the museum.  This Friday, guests may enjoy Woody Allen’s latest film, Midnight in Paris (2011).  The lecture starts at 7:00 p.m. and the film at 8:00 p.m. For more information, please visit : http://www.sdmart.org/programs-events/film

Infinite Balance Exhibition at the Museum of Photographic Arts

Whether you own a Canon DSLR or a Fujifilm point-and-shoot, the Infinite Balance is a must see.  This exhibition is the first US presentation of artists shortlisted for the Prix Pictet, which any serious photographer would tell you is the world’s top prize for photography and sustainability.  This year’s exhibit centers around three major themes: Water, Earth and Growth.  Hurry in because the exhibit ends Sunday, Feb. 5.   For more information, please visit: http://www.mopa.org/exhibition/infinite-balance-artists-and-environment

Poway’s Community Theater presents Don Gordon’s “Panache”

This is the last weekend to see the play that has been celebrated as a “hit comedy” centered around two broken people who are brought together by what starts as a squabble over a vanity license plate but quickly turns into a comical yet endearing story of life after tragedy.  This is a great idea for a fun, different, and affordable date night or girls night out.  Tickets are only $15-$18.  For more information, please visit: http://www.powpac.org/

San Diego Opera presents “Salome” by Richard Strauss

For a more formal, somber event, you may opt to attend an opera in Downtown San Diego this weekend.  Playing for only four performances is “Salome,” a dark and heartwrenching tale based on the biblical story of Salome and her lecherous stepfather King Herod.  Accompanied with a remarkable cast and stellar new soprano, this show promises to be an experience to remember.  For more information, please visit: http://www.sdopera.com/Home

Whale Watching Expeditions with Birch Aquarium at Scripps

For those feeling a bit adventurous, this is definitely for you.  San Diegans are lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful places along the West Coast, with plenty of sun, sand, beach and –for the next few months –whales.  Birch Aquarium is offering guests with the chance to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.  Guests may opt for a daily cruise just off the coast of San Diego, or they mat choose excursion trips to Baja California, closera to the birthing and mating grounds of gray whales.  Prices vary.
Book your adventure now at http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

Images by Mike Souza, Shake My Day, and kohane via Flickr and Google Images. 

The events began on Feb. 1 with an open mic event, welcoming people to perform whatever they like, and closes with a presentation on research and its contribution to the black community by the UCSD faculty.

Check out the full list of important and fascinating events and make sure to save the dates!

Ongoing Throughout February

Stitching Memories: The Story of African American Quilting

Hit the Social Sciences and Humanities Library to experience a gorgeous showcase of quilts made by local African American quilters. Created from new, reused, reclaimed, and found materials, these quilts are incorporate traditional and modern styles, telling stories of past, current, and future histories.

Art Displays: Black Girl Problems

Hosted on the LGBT Resources Center Gallery Wall, this display will bring to light problems that many black women experience, including experiences that are very specific to gay black women in the San Diego community.

Queer Black Fashion: Now and Then

Also featured on the LGBT Resources Center Gallery Wall is an intriguing look at fashion’s ability to transcend the politics of gender presentation, all seen through photographs and the written word.

Feb. 1

“The Magic Lantern” Exhibit

This exhibit showcases early magic lanterns and their place in African Diaspora, celebrating their historical significance in raising awareness.

BSU’s Black History Month Opener – Open Mic Event

To officially kick off the celebrations, the BSU is hosting an open mic session, allowing anyone to sing, rap, perform poetry, monologues, or dance.

Feb. 3

Gender Buffet Facilitated Dialogue: Black Women Scholars

UCSD’s Women’s Center will be hosting an open discourse allowing anyone to discuss black women’s contributions to academia and activism.

Feb. 7

Film: “The Help”

If you’re one of the few people who haven’t seen “The Help” yet, or just want to see the fantastic film again, make sure to attend a screening at Price Center Theater at 6 p.m. An important film, “The Help” is about the ongoing struggle with race, class, gender, and friendship that black women went through in the pre-Civil Rights South.

Feb. 8

Annual Black History Luncheon

Plaza Café is hosting the 15^th Annual HDH Black Hisory Luncheon at 11 a.m.

Afro Theater

A relaxing and engaging few hours, Afro Theater is giving the chance to chat with Black Student Union members and with other students.

Feb. 9

Brown Sugar Blues

A performance group comprised of three singers (Jasmine Bradley, Stephanie Mahan, and Qiana Neff), bass player Robert Johnson, conga player Mark Jennings, spoken word artist Nadiyah Gipson, and pianist Gail Gipson, Brown Sugar Blues make use of music and spoken word to entertain and bring joy.

Feb. 13

Queer Black Social

Located in the LGBT Resource Center, the Queer Black Social will be in honor of Black Love Day. The event will focus on wellness, emotional healing and justice.

Feb. 15

Stitching Memories. The Story of African American Quilting: Quilt Show, Reception and Panel Discussion

Hosted in the Geisel Library Seuss Room, the show will be joined by members of the San Diego People of Color Quilt Guild.

Feb. 16

Film Screening of Discussion of “Winnie”

“Winnie” is a story of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Controversy surrounds the film due to the choice to not consult with Winnie Mandela, and the choice to cast American actors in the leading roles (Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard star in the film).

Elevated Nights

Taking place at the Eveoke Dance Theater, Elevated is a spoken word club where San Diego’s black community comes to talk about positive and negative influences affecting communities of color.

Feb. 23

4^th Annual Presidents Day Roundtable Discussion

With the presidential debates growing more intense, come to this discussion where guest speakers are invited to attend and give their perspectives on the US presidency.

Feb. 28

Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness for Change Film Presentation

In 2003 the nuns who visited Selma in 1965 were brought together again to see themselves and the protests on tape for the first time. At this event, Selmians, of both Catholic and Protestant faith, will speak their views on the nun’ historical contributions.

Let it Flow: A Soulful Night at Sixth

The Sixth College is putting on a celebration where guests will be able to enjoy some fantastic foods while listening to some truly amazing spoken word artists. After the artists are done the mic will be pass to UCSD students for a SLAM poetry open mic.

For a more comprehensive list of events, as well as locations, times, and ticket information, visit the website!

http://blackhistorymonth.ucsd.edu/2012/

In September 2011, it appears charges against Khalifa were dropped. According to WITN.com, the drugs in the rapper’s possession were not sufficient amounts to merit the drug trafficking charges against him, good news for Khalifa fans. Recently, the only newsworthy event in the celebrity’s personal life has been an accusation from Max Gregory Warren in January that hit song “Black and Yellow” was a rip off of his original song, “Pink N Yellow”. Covered by TMZ, it appears that Khalifa is taking the accusations lightly and had no previous knowledge of Warren’s work.

Now it’s his close friend, Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Broadus) who has taken the most recent hit in the name of legalization. The rapper is well known for his marijuana use, recently stating on the radio that if given the chance to meet with President Obama, who opposes legalization, “Before I even said hi to President Obama I would change the aroma of the room…And then we could start conversing after we had that aroma change.” On January 7th, reports state that U.S. border patrol arrested Khalifa’s friend in Texas for illegal possession. It was revealed later that month that he would be made to pay a small fine (around $500) that will barely make a dent in his wealth.

So will these arrests derail either of the rappers from continuing to use marijuana openly? Will they continue to pressure politicians to join the pro-smoke side and legalize? If the past is any indication, it would appear neither has plans to quit or quiet down any time soon, though it’s highly doubtful that Snoop Dogg will have any success in his desire to light up with the president. Maybe he’ll have better luck with potential GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Photos by LianaAn and thecomeupshow via flickr. 

I love my girlfriends, you love your girlfriends, but there are times that we must go with our gut, and dating is one of them. Check out the top 5 things women are usually told not to do when dating, but in fact should.

#1 Approach a Man: You have feet, and you have a voice. Why can you walk into a conference meeting full of men, with confidence, but you can’t approach one? If you seek success then you must know that you won’t find it unless you get it yourself. So in other words, walk up to that attractive man at the bar or in the grocery store and start talking about how you love to cook salmon or grab a drink there after work.

#2 Call First: I know, I know this one can be a toughie, but if you don’t know by now, most men are not great communicators. They live by the 5 W’s: who, what, when, where and even sometimes why…if they care enough. In fact, with the current advancement of technology, if it were up to them, they’d probably ask you out through at text or even Voxer. Stop allowing the silence of your phone distract you from accomplishing important tasks and just call him already. FYI, you don’t have to ask him out, just talk.

#3 Ask Him Out: Okay, so I know I just said you don’t have to ask a man out, but I was referring to when you call him. When it comes to dating, you don’t’ want to put all of your eggs into one basket. Meaning that if you call a guy first, don’t call to ask him out, just call to say a flirtatious “hello”. But if you need a date to the company party, or feel like bike riding at the beach on Saturday, then why not be accompanied by the man you’re interested in?

#4 Help Pay: I remember the absurd amount of jitters I had before the first date with my ex-boyfriend. I didn’t have them because I lack in conversational skills, but because I am so stubborn that I didn’t want him fighting me on paying for part of the dinner. A lot of women feel that a man should court them for a month’s period of time i.e. pay for everything, but for men, it’s the little things that count. In other words, he’s not going to make you his girlfriend if he sees that you’re not helping chip in. If you aren’t doing it now, why would things change after you two become official? Either you’re going to enjoy a few free meals and end up sitting on your couch alone eating ice cream, or you will realize that a relationship AND dating is 50/50. Besides, what’s wrong with showing a man that you can hold your own?

#5 Have Sex: You ever hear the story of the woman that had a 3-month rule? She wouldn’t sleep with her boyfriend until they dated that long. To make a long story short, she finally slept with him and then he dumped her one week later. If you haven’t heard that story yet, stay tuned because you’ll be able to tell it. I am not condoning one night stands, that’s not dating anyways, but I am condoning that you toss the rules out the window and express your emotions at all times. Because just as easy as it was for that guy to dump you after four weeks of dating and great sex, it’s just as easy for him to do it after four months.

The next time you’re having lunch with your girlfriends, gossip about how you asked that CEO out while you were having a drink at the bar. And remember to mention how excited he was because he had wanted to ask you out but thought your costume jewelry was a wedding ring.

-Porsche Simpson

Single Girl in San Diego

In a letter to UC campus chancellors, Yudof announced that each of the 10 college campuses throughout the state will be responsible for drafting and executing the smoking ban. While UC campuses currently having on-campus smoking policies, Yudof’s most recent decision is the most far reaching and uniform policy to date. UCSD’s current rules state that individuals may not smoke indoors or within 25 feet of a building.

“As a national leader in healthcare and environmental practices, the University of California is ready to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke by creating a smoke-free environment on all of our campuses,” Yudof wrote.

Each UC college chancellor is now responsible for forming a committee to create a specific policy for their campus that keeps their unique needs in mind, but effectively promotes the ban. Under the requirements for each policy, smoking, unregulated nicotine and smokeless tobacco products will be banned both indoors and outdoors, including parking lots, and private residential spaces. The policy will apply to students, faculty, and staff. The advertisement and sale of tobacco will also be considered a violation of the smoke-free policy.

Creating a smoke-free policy has been a hot topic at UC Campuses for the past several years, and many schools have already enacted partial, if not full, smoking bans. In fact, all UCSD Health Sciences and Medical Center campuses enacted a smoking ban in Fall 2009. In addition, UCSD operates California Smokers’ Helpline, a free service that helps residents quit smoking.

And while smokers may be up in arms over the ban, recent research finds that they are among the minority. In a Spring 2010 survey conducted by the American College Health Association, 67 percent of UCSD students were in favor of smoking regulations. According to Yudof’s letter, the UC system’s smoke-free policy will add them to the list of 586 other smoke-free college campuses throughout the nation. UCSD alone claims more than 29,000 students, and it is the hope of administrators that instituting the smoke-free policy will help all UC campuses stand out as health and environmental leaders.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Scott McLeod

The meat has been used as an additive in their patties and comes from the fatty parts of the cow most likely to harbor pathogens like salmonella and E.coli.  In order to make the meat available for human consumption it must be rinsed in a small amount of ammonia that mixes with the moisture in the meat to form ammonium hydroxide.  The compound makes the trimmings safe to eat.

“Pink slime” was approved by the Department of Agriculture in 2007 in an attempt to protect American meat from an outbreak of E.coli in Europe.  At the time it was also exempt from mandated increased testing for most ground beef based off the reasoning that the ammonia compound would kill any dangerous bacteria. However, the meat did not receive full support from everyone at the U.S.D.A.

Microbiologist Geral Zirnstein said in The Daily Mail, “I do not consider the stuff to be ground beef and I consider allowing it in ground beef to be a form of fraudulent labeling.” Reiterating the same level of disgust “pink slime” was most recently brought into the spotlight by British chef Jamie Oliver.  On an episode of his TV show, Food Revolution, the chef explained to families that the beef would normally go into dog food, but is rinsed in a compound normally found in household cleaners until it is suitable for humans.  Chef Oliver wasn’t the first to put the meat on blast.  The New York Times published an investigation on the product in 2009 in an article called “Safety of Beef Processing Method is Questioned” and the trimmings were a part of the documentary criticizing the food industry, Food Inc, in 2010.

As a result of the probing done by The New York Times and other sources there are reasons to believe that the product is less safe than meat of a higher grade that does not undergo the ammonium hydroxide treatment.  It has also been determined that using the scraps of meat that create “pink slime” only save about three cents per pound of ground beef.

In light of these findings and public disgust it is not surprising that McDonald’s has elected to remove it from the menu.  The company claims that the decision to drop the product did not stem from Jamie Oliver’s show. Reportedly they have stated that they stopped using the product months ago and discussed dropping it as far back as a year ago.

Todd Bacon, the Senior Director of Quality Systems for McDonald’s USA, said in an email that “the decision to discontinue its use was not related to any particular event, but rather a result of our efforts to align our standards for beef around the world.” Regardless of the reasoning McDonald’s regulars should be rejoicing in the fact that they are no longer consuming the highly unappetizing “pink slime” additive.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In many of the commercials there will be guest star celebrities as well in hopes of gaining more viewers and fans. One of these celebrity commercials is for the new Acura NSX ad that stars Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. According to IB Times, “The actor [Jerry Seinfeld] wants nothing more than the vehicle and he launches an extensive campaign to bribe the man who has the top spot…” In this comedic ad the two compete against each other to be the first on the new Acura NSX’s waiting list.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Another celebrity commercial features Matthew Broderick for the Honda ad. In this ad Broderick performs in his past character role, Ferris Bueller. According to Mlive, Honda stated on its Youtube channel, “We cast Matthew Broderick as himself, skipping out on a day of acting work and living it up in his all-new CR-V. Relive movie history with Honda’s fresh twist and wonderful homage to this ’80s classic.” Honda has also hinted that they have hidden, within the commercial, over two-dozen references to the film. The company plans on airing the commercial near the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Another ad that will be playing during the game will be from H&M clothing store. The company plans on featuring David Beckham’s new bodywear line. And how will they be advertising that line? By putting Beckham in the commercial wearing nothing but his tattoos and skin-tight underwear. So while the men will be drooling over the scores of the game, the ladies have their chance to drool in front of the screen once the soccer star appears. H&M is not the only company featuring their stars in sexy clothing. For Kia’s Super Bowl commercial, they will have super model Adriana Lima wearing a very revealing suit.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pepsi Max will be having their ad as a hilarious dig against Coke Zero. In the commercial a company truck driver working for Coke Zero has to stop at a mart for a drink and hopes to secrety buy a Pepsi MAX. Sadly nothing goes as planned for him in this hilarious ad.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Other companies that will be aired during the Super Bowl XLVI will include Toyota, Century 1^st, Coca Cola, Sketchers, Samsung, Acura, Audi, Best Buy, Cadillac, Chevy, Go Daddy, Hyundai,Priceline, Bridgestone, Doritos, Mars M&M and more.  Check them all out at the Super Bowl this weekend.

Videos courtesy of Acura, Honda, KiaMotorsAmerica, and Pepsi via Youtube.

Fans of Simon Cowell’s “X Factor” have gotten quite the shock when it was announced that next season will see the departure of host Steve Jones and judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. The only remaining cast members for season two of the talent show will be Cowell and L.A. Reid.

“X Factor,” a famous British talent show, was brought to America last summer by Cowell. Cowell had initially expected the ratings to rival that of “American Idol,” but it was very quickly obvious that “X Factor” wasn’t living up to Cowell’s expectations. It’s rumored that neither Jones, Abdul, or Scherzinger have left of their own free will and that the show’s producers actually fired them to try and shake up the show.

Using twitter, Jones wrote, “I won’t be hosting next season’s X Factor which is a shame but I can’t complain as I’ve had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.” Scherzinger, a former Pussycat Doll, has said that she has left the show to pursue her singing career and Abdul has yet to comment on her departure.

FOX has yet to hire the replacements but if there’s anyone you’d like to see, let us know!

Kristin Bell’s Sloth Birthday Meltdown

Not everyone would have a slight emotional breakdown due to the presence of a sloth, but actress Kristin Bell is one of them. The actress stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to chat with DeGeneres about her 31^st birthday party surprise: a sloth named Melon. Bell even brought a hilarious home video, shot by her fiancé, actor Dax Shepard, that shows the actress nearly sobbing on her bed, so overcome with happiness that there is a sloth nearby.

A rabid lover of sloths, Bell told DeGeneres, “The day of my birthday, we’re sitting in the living room and I hear a knock at the door and he [Dax Shepard] says, ‘Your present is here. Why don’t you go grab the dogs and go in the back room?’ I had no context for knowing what it was, but I grabbed the dogs, walk into the back room of the house, and I immediately was overcome and I thought, ‘There’s a sloth near. There’s a sloth here. It’s close. It’s gonna happen.’”

Watching Bell explain the moment to DeGeneres is funny even without the promise of a home video, with Bell adding intensely, “My entire life had been waiting for this moment where I would get to interact, I’m serious, with a sloth.”

The hilarious home video shows Bell crying so hard that she can barely speak, sobbing, “I’m so excited!”

While Melon the sloth wasn’t a gift for Bell to keep, she was only at the party for a few hours, hanging out on a jungle gym, it is certainly a gift that Bell is never going to forget.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In recent years the IRS has seen a significant rise in refund fraud and identity theft, as scammers are looking to seek your personal information in an email, claiming to be from the IRS or makers of Turbo Tax Software. They claim they need more personal information, According to the Better Business Bureau, that’s a red flag.

“Exercise caution at the sender, call the organization, if you’re not sure if it’s from there or not, and don’t click on any links inside. That email could send you to a bogus website that might cause harm to your computer, said Janna Kiehl, Better Business Bureau.

Taxpayers involved in any tax scam are liable for actual tax due and statutory interest. But, just to be on the safe side here are the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams recently highlighted but the IRS.

1. Hiding income offshore. Some taxpayers have tried to avoid or evade U.S. income tax by hiding income in offshore banks, brokerage accounts or through the use of nominee entities. Taxes may also be evaded by using offshore debit cards, credit cards, wire transfers, foreign trusts, employee-leasing schemes, private annuities or insurance plans. Taxpayers who voluntarily disclose foreign holdings reduce their risk of criminal prosecution.

2. Identity theft and phishing. Unsuspecting victims may be tricked into revealing personal or financial information online via emails, tweets, or phony web sites. If you receive suspicious email messages allegedly coming from the IRS, don’t open any attachments or click on any of the links in the email. Forward these to phishing@irs.gov.

3. Return preparer fraud. Dishonest return preparers derive financial gain by skimming a portion of their clients’ refunds, charging inflated fees for services and attracting new clients by promising refunds that are too good to be true. The IRS now requires paid tax return preparers to register with the IRS and obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). It has also implemented competency tests and continuing professional education for most paid tax return preparers.

4. Filing false or misleading forms. Scam ¬artists may file false or misleading returns to claim refunds they are not entitled to. Under the scheme, taxpayers fabricate an information return and falsely claim the corresponding amount as withholding as a way to seek a tax refund.

5. Frivolous arguments. Promoters of frivolous schemes encourage people to make unreasonable and outlandish claims to avoid paying the taxes they owe. The IRS has a list of frivolous legal positions that taxpayers should avoid. Those who act on frivolous positions risk a variety of civil and criminal penalties.

6. Nontaxable Social Security benefits with exaggerated withholding credit. The IRS has identified returns where taxpayers report nontaxable Social Security benefits with excessive withholding. Thus, the taxpayer doesn’t report any income on the tax return. Often both the withholding amount and the reported income are incorrect.

7. Abuse of charitable organizations and deductions. The IRS continues to find misuse of tax-exempt organizations. Abuses include arrangements to improperly shield income or assets from taxation and attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or income from donated property. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 imposed increased penalties for inaccurate appraisals and set new definitions of qualified appraisals and qualified appraisers for taxpayers claiming charitable contributions.

8. Abusive retirement plans. The IRS targets transactions that taxpayers may use to avoid the limits on contributions and abuse rules for distributions. Taxpayers should be wary of advisors who encourage them to shift appreciated assets at less than fair market value into IRAs to circumvent annual contribution limits.

9. Disguised corporate ownership. Corporations and other entities are formed and operated in certain states for the purpose of disguising the ownership of the business or financial activity by means such as improperly using a third party to request an employer ID number. Such entities can be used to facilitate underreporting of income, fictitious deductions, non-filing of tax returns, participating in listed transactions, money laundering, financial crimes and even terrorist financing.

10. Zero wages. Filing a phony wage- or ¬income-related information return to replace a -legitimate information return can lower the amount of taxes owed. Typically, a Form 4852 (Substitute Form W-2) or a “corrected” Form 1099 is used to improperly reduce taxable income to zero. A taxpayer also may submit a statement rebutting wages and taxes reported by a payer to the IRS.

11. Misuse of trusts. Unscrupulous promoters may promise reduction of income subject to tax, deductions for personal expenses and reduced estate or gift taxes. Such trusts rarely deliver the tax benefits promised and are used primarily as a means to avoid tax and hide assets from creditors, including the IRS.

12. Fuel tax credit scams. Frequently, the IRS receives excessive claims for the fuel tax credit. Some taxpayers, other than farmers who use fuel for off-highway business purposes, take the credit for nontaxable uses of fuel when their occupation or income level makes the claim unreasonable

Remember — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you know of a tax fraud, you can report it to the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676. You can also report suspected tax fraud to the IRS by using Form 3949-A, Information Referral, or by mailing a letter describing the alleged fraudulent activity. Whistleblowers may be eligible for a reward by filing Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information, and following the procedures outlined in Notice 2008-4, Claims Submitted to the IRS Whistleblower Office under Section 7623.

Thought the holiday season was over, taking with it all reasons for indulgence and celebration? Fear not, for though February is most associated with Valentines Day (fondly termed by many as “Single’s Awareness Day”), it’s also the month of Mardi Gras!

According to Wikipedia,”Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday”. Though the USA might not be known for its celebration of Mardi Gras or Carnival the way other countries are, traditionally the French influenced cities have kept the tradition up with lively festivities. Whether or not you plan to partake in the entirety of Lent, if you’ll jump at any chance to have a good time (Cinco de Mayo, your half-birthday, your dog’s half-birthday, etc.) then there’s a party in the Gaslamp with your name on it!

The Gaslamp Association has provided a very detailed website dedicated to the event, which will take place on February 21, beginning in the evening at 6pm and lasting until midnight. As “the largest Mardi Gras celebration on the West Coast” with tickets priced at only $20 in advance and $25 at the door, attending won’t break the bank. Want to get even more bang for your buck? Buy a $30 ticket and get admission plus a $20 voucher to a number of restaurant establishments in San Diego–”some are right in the middle of the festivities and some have a quiet spot for you to relax.” No matter what kind of food you prefer, the variety of restaurants available will surely please even the pickiest of eaters. Try steak at the Gaslamp Strip Club or fondu at the Melting Pot. Either way, purchase your ticket early to avoid wasting precious party time standing in a line!

There will be DJs providing dance music all night, an awesome parade full of vibrant characters, plenty of enticing food vendors, and all kinds of like-minded people to meet. According to the website, many get into the spirit of things by dressing up. Make or buy your own mask! Put on some colorful clothing and, if masks aren’t your thing, paint your face instead. Mardi Gras beads are one of the things most commonly associated with the day, so read up at mardigrasday.com to learn a little bead history. According to the site, the colors of the beads have a unique meaning. “The Purple, represents justice; the Green symbolizes faith; and the Gold exemplifies power.” While acquiring beads is generally associated with questionable behavior, make sure to keep it classy while still having a great time.

The event is not suitable for children or pets and certain objects like umbrellas and cameras are not allowed in, so make sure to read up on the rules of the venue before heading out to avoid problems. If you’re over 21 and have an adventurous spirit, hit up the Gaslamp district this February 21st and celebrate Mardi Gras the way it was meant to be celebrated!

Photo by karrett Barbosa – Fallen Studios via Flickr.

When the lights go out in Viejas Stadium a spotlight finds indiviudual players as “We Game Time Ready” is played over the speakers, hardly audible over the cheering of Aztec faithful.

Any SDSU basketball fan is acutely aware of the rise that the team is on at the moment.  Undoubtedly the man we have to thank for this is Steve Fisher. The coach began working with SDSU in 1999 and has since become an integral part of Aztec history. At the time of being announced the 14th head coach in SDSU’s history he is quoted saying this:

“We have everything here that we need to be successful at the highest level. We have a great campus in a great city. The arena is as good of a facility as you can find. Our league is very good and getting better. Who wouldn’t want to play here?”-Steve Fisher

Since that moment Fisher has firmly rooted himself here in San Diego. With a 52-42 win over Wyoming Tuesday night, he has hit a new high for Aztec Men’s Basketball.  The game marked his 250th victory as the SDSU head coach.  This comes following a monumental season for the Aztecs in 2010-2011 during which the team stirred up rivalries and inspired an intense pride in students, alumni, and faculty. After being ranked 25th in preseason polls the team spent almost the entire season in the top ten and proceeded to win their first NCAA tournament game ever on their path to the Sweet Sixteen.  But it wasn’t just last season that Fisher started to shine.

The Aztecs first thirty win season  in school history was preceded by other notable acheivements.  Fisher has had seven twenty win seasons and six of them have been consecutive since 2006.  SDSU has also experienced six consecutive post season appearences and the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances since the 70s.  The two journeys to the NCAA Tournament which Fisher guided State to in 2010 and 2011 are added to the two previous episodes in 2002 and 2006.  He has also coached the team past the challenges surrounding the Mountain West Conference Regular Season Champions title twice and Mountain West Conference Tournament Champions title four times.

This year the Aztecs have numerous reasons to be proud of wearing red and black.  The team has a Mountain West Champion title, SDSU alum, Kawhi Leonard, was recruited as a shooting guard for the Spurs, and the student section is ranked in the top five student sections in the nation.  ”The Show” as the students have been deemed celebrate in Fisher just as much as the players that he coaches.  With ticket sales swelling and games selling out weeks in advance, now is as good a time as ever to experience a game, but come prepared to witness a crowd, a team, and a coach that bleed Aztec colors.

The SDSU Men’s Basketball team has their next home game scheduled for February 1st against Boise State at 7:00PM.

“Man on a Ledge” is about an ex-cop, Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), who claims he was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

After the former cop/convict pulls off a brilliant escape from his handlers, he winds up on a 200 foot ledge of his hotel room. When negotiators rush to the scene his first request is to have police negotiator Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks) on the scene. Mercer is a tough no-nonsense cop who is haunted by actions in the past that are unknown at first.

The film becomes more intense as the focus shifts from Nick to his brother Joey Cassidy (Jamie Bell) and Joey’s girlfriend Angie  as the couple try to break into the vault that belongs to corrupt real-estate owner David Englander (Ed Harris).

“Man on a Ledge” pulled it off really well as a suspense thriller. While certain parts of the film quickly become obvious, the film still leaves the audience in anticipation of each new twist in the story. Also, let’s not forget the film’s breathtaking views of the Manhattan city. Cassidy’s vantage point of looking down on the city’s streets gives the audience a feeling of dizziness and vertigo.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ed Harris played his dark and brutal character fantastically and really showed how cynical he can be. Sam Worthington did a fantastic performance in his role of Nick Cassidy. He gave the audience a real in-depth view in to the character. Elizabeth Banks also did a wonderful job as Cassidy’s only ally, Lydia Mercer. The actress is able to show her audience the real depth of the woman’s character as they see a person who is willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to save Cassidy and redeem herself.

jamie and gisela did a great job as well in their roles throughout the film. The antics and bantering between the two and their sexual appeal towards each other lightens the film’s mood and adds comedy to the plot. These supporting characters make the film easily enjoyable to watch and still leave the audience in suspense.

The audience is relentlessly left to wonder what great lengths is the protagonist willing to go to prove his innocence. Will he be forced to jump or not? “Man on a Ledge” is certainly one film worth seeing.

Photos courtesy of Abutorsam007, gdcgraphics, and Georges Biard via WikiCommons.

Video courtesy of VisoTrailers via Youtube.

Ten seconds was all it took to set the Internet on fire after a new video aired Thursday night.  It was short and simple, but had the power to excite generations of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off fans.

The clip starred Matthew Broderick with a familiar gleam in his eye dawning a bathrobe and reciting the line, “How can I handle work on a day like today?” It recalled all the wise-guy humor of the 1986 film and generated rumors that a sequel to the movie produced and written by John Hughes was in the works.

The only clue that viewers are left with is a date after Broderick is removed from view.  Cool blue numbers appear across a black screen as signature music from the film plays in the background.  The date corresponds to the the day of the Super Bowl, February 5th, prompting reporters to uncover rumors that Ferris Bueller will be starring in a Honda commercial highlighting memorable moments from the film and reinacting them with Honda cars.  Currently no one knows if Cameron, Sloane, or Principal Rooney will be returning to join in the ad, but it has been revealed that the director of Old School and the Hangover, Todd Phillips, will be working on the commercial.

News that the video may only be a teaser for Honda has angered many fans who had high hopes of another day off with Ferris.  In the twenty-six years since the film debuted it has generated an incredible following who love the iconic moments of the film.  If the rumors of a Honda studded Super Bowl commercial are true one can only hope that the company pays its tribute to the beloved film well.  Fans will surely be upset if the commercial is done poorly.  The only way to know what’s in store will be to tune in during Super Bowl XLVI and see what Ferris Bueller has to reveal.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This two-day event January 28-29 will feature over 20 performances that range from lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese music performances, folk dances, taiko drumming and a wide variety of food and craft vendors.  There will also be a Children’s Craft Area, where young ones will learn how to make traditional lanterns and masks.  They may even be chosen to participate in the Lantern Parade, which takes place on the main stage at 2:00 p.m. each day.

Of course, the history of these celebrations extend deep into the roots of the Chinese culture.  It is often said that Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, is the most important of all traditional Chinese holidays.  It marks the end of the winter season and the first of Spring.  Usually, families gather for a traditional feast, and relatives pass red envelopes bearing undisclosed amounts of money to younger generations.  As with any new year, it is important to reconcile, forgive grudges, wish peace and happiness to friends and neighbors and start the new year with a clean slate.

“The Chinese New Year is an important event in the Chinese community – a time for family and friendship and giving thanks,” says Kwong Hui, SDCC president.  “We welcome the San Diego community to share our celebration of the Year of the Dragon.”

The best part is everyone is invited to this weekend’s extravaganza.  Yes, admission is free, and all are welcome to take part in the festivities.  This would be a great opportunity to spend time with family, introduce friends to another culture, taste authentic Chinese food or just share in the celebration.

All proceeds from the event go towards the cultural programs and charitable service provided to the community by the San Diego Chinese Center.

Key Details:

What: San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair

Where: Asian Pacific Thematic Historical District ( Third Ave and J Street)

When: Jan 28-29, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission: FREE, all ages

For more information, please visit here.

Images by John Salmon and Hub☺ via Google Images and Flickr.

The study found that approximately 16 percent of adults in the county admitted to downing more than four drinks, four times a month. The recent study even went as far as breaking down tax brackets, finding that 20.2 percent of those earning more than $75,000 admitted to binge drinking while 16.2 percent of those making less than $25,000 went on benders. And yet, while wealthier adults were more prone to binging, those with lower incomes did so 4 times more than their wealthier counterparts. The report also found that most drunk drivers are binge drinkers

“Binge drinking is a serious problem that can contribute to injury and disease,” stated Susan Bower, Director of Alcohol and Drug Services for the County Health and Human Services Agency, in a County press release. “Binge drinking can lead to motor vehicle crashes, violence, alcohol dependence, and suicide.”

What’s more, binge drinking accounts for more than 40,000 of the 80,000 alcohol-related deaths each year in the country, and represents about 75 percent of the more than $200 billion in costs from alcohol abuse, the researchers reported.

Ursula Bauer, director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion says that “”This level of consumption usually leads to impairment and is strongly associated with alcohol-impaired driving, risky sexual behavior and interpersonal violence. “Over time, it can also increase the risk of serious health problems, including cancer, heart disease and liver failure.”

Dr. J.C. Garbutt, a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said eight drinks will produce intoxication and greatly increase the risk for accidents and can contribute to behavioral problems such as loss of emotional control and depression, he said.
“It is important that individuals know that excessive drinking can have both immediate and long-term negative consequences and it is in their interest to moderate their alcohol use.”

The 23-year-old Rihanna has been showing off her new ink via Twitter ever since Wednesday. In pink on her knuckles, the famous singer now has “Thug Life” permanently etched, apparently an homage to the late rapper Tupac Shakur. Tupac, who was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996, had the famous phrase tattooed across his stomach. This tattoo marks another in her reportedly 15 tattoos, including a gun on her ribcage, stars down the back of her neck, and words “rebelle fleur” (French, meaning rebellious flower).

She flooded her Twitter page with posts like:

“All these bitches screaming that 2pac back #THUGLIFE”

“Err’body has an opinion, but yall know what yall can do with them!!! #THUGLIFE”

“I’m thinking I shoulda got a tear drop instead!!! #THUGLIFE maybe next time”

Rihanna posted a slew of photos on her Twitter page, including 67-year-old actor Danny Trejo (“Machete”), who wasalso in tattoo artist Mark Mahoney’s shop during Rihanna’s inking. Tweeting, “Look who’s in the #TATTOO parlor…Danny Trejo  #G4L p.s. Look up his story!”

Pat Sajak – Drunk on Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak, host of the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune since 1981, has told an ESPN talk show that in the beginning of his career he would often host the famous show drunk.

On “Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionably,” Sajak joked about his crazier past, revealing that he and sidekick Vanna White frequented a Mexican restaurant near NBC’s Burbank studio, where the two would get friendly with some margaritas. “Vanna and I would go across and have two or three or six and then come and do the last shows and have trouble recognizing the alphabet. They’re really good tapes to get a hold of.”

Having grown older, Sajak is now strictly a sober host, saying, “I would be hesitant to have anything to drink now.”

Since it’s obvious Sajak won’t be recording any more episodes while intoxicated, you may want to hunt down that old footage and if you find any, make sure to post it below.

James Farentino dies of Heart Failure

James Farentino died Tuesday at the age of 73 due to heart failure after a long illness.  He had been admitted to L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but was not able to pull through.  He is survived by two sons, David and Saverio, and his wife Stella Farentino.

Ever since arriving on the spectrum of Hollywood elite with a Golden Globe for Most Prominent Newcomer in 1967, James Farentino has never failed to be in the spotlight.

Born in Brooklyn on February 24, 1938 and educated at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Farentino has since been a part of nearly 100 TV shows and films.  Dating back to 1962 with an appearance on the TV series Naked City, a New York crime drama, he began to make his mark on television.  It was in the Universal Pictures production of The Pad and How to Use It that he received his Golden Globe and was launched into numerous roles as he became a contract player for Universal Pictures.  Other noteworthy parts he accumulated include appearing as Saint Peter in the special Jesus of Nazareth, Dr. Nick Toscanni on Dynasty, George Clooney’s father on E.R., and Mr. Beck on Melrose Place.

Besides maintaining a busy career in dramatic and comedic roles on television and the big screen, James Farentino established a chaotic personal life.  Coupled with his rise to stardom and critical acclaim was a recurring appearance in the tabloids for numerous divorces and trouble with the police.  His first wife was Elizabeth Ashley to whom he was married from 1962 to 1965.  This divorce was abruptly followed by others to Michele Lee and Debrah Mullowney.  His current wife as well as James himself had filed for divorce on separate occasions, but the two were still married at the time of his death.  In the 90s he also faced drug possession charges and later an accusation of battery from a man he allegedly tried to forcibly remove from his home.  Despite those highly publicized moments he may be most notably know for his 1994 no contest plea to stalking his ex-girlfriend, Tina Sinatra, the youngest daughter of Frank Sinatra.  Regarding his scandalous life he is famously quoted for saying:

“There are people in this business that for years said, ‘He’s an alcoholic. He’s a drunk. He stalked Tina.’ And the clamps were put on me in many ways. Unless you’re making big box office, they’re going to kill you. And that’s OK because one thing they can’t take away from me is whatever talent I feel I have, that people feel I have.”- James Farentino

Regardless of how his personal life has been recorded he is sure to be remembered as an iconic actor of his generation.

Demi Moore Hospitalized

Demi Moore was admitted to a hospital for exhaustion and was reportedly taken from her L.A. home to a local hospital late Tuesday night.  The past few months have been difficult for the actress as she has filed for divorce from her husband of six years Ashton Kutcher.

A rep for Demi released this statement to USA Today:“Because of the stresses in her life right now, Demi has chosen to seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health. She looks forward to getting well and is grateful for the support of her family and friends. We have no comment beyond this statement”

Rumors have circulated that a substance abuse issue is at hand.  For now all that can be confirmed is that Moore has withdrawn from her role playing female activist Gloria Steinem in an upcoming film about the horrors of the porn industry.

The film, Lovelace, centers around the porn star Linda Lovelace (played by Amanda Seyfried) and how she is abused by the industry before regaining control over her own life.  As Demi is hospitalized Ashton Kutcher is in Brazil and had not yet commented on the event.

Popular comedic actress and writer Tina Fey seems to be capable of anything, as she can now add “author” to her long list of accomplishments.

Fey is sarcastic and self-deprecating as she tells her life story, but in such a way that shows she truly is a confident woman unafraid to poke fun at herself. Willing to discuss everything from acne to bowel movements, Fey manages to tell the reader about her life’s trials and tribulations while seeming normal. Models and actresses who claim to lead normal lifestyles (despite extravagant vacation time and ultra-healthy-vegan-gluten-free-no-fat-no-sugar-no-alcohol diets) are laughable in comparison to Fey’s down to earth antidotes about diaper changing and her fear of the nanny.

Fey has no problem discussing her love for fast food or acknowledging that , unlike stars who jet off to tropical islands or ski resorts for the holidays, her Christmas is spent driving long distances through the snow to visit her in-laws.

The book does not move in a precise chronological order, but the organization keeps it from seeming too much like a long-winded narrative. Fey takes breaks amidst the longer chapters by allowing herself tangents and variety in topic. Right after she discusses her honeymoon, the reader might find a short chapter in list form about an entirely different subject, such as all of the things she remembers about at one time being too skinny (eating disgusting health foods) and at another time a little too heavy (burning her ample stomach while ironing).

Fey keeps it lighthearted, even when addressing darker topics like the scar on her face. We learn about her Republican parents (who were not exactly pleased with her portrayal of 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on SNL), her job at a Chicago YMCA as she struggled to break into the improv world, her thoughts on airbrushing magazine photos, and countless other tidbits about the comedian. Fey even dedicates a chapter to responding to some of her hate mail, which she does in a clever, wry manner.

Whether or not a fan of Fey’s past work, the book is a fantastic weekend read that entertains while also letting the reader into her world. In one chapter, she realizes that although she keeps looking forward to a time in which she will be able to be a stay-at-home mom for her daughter, her schedule will never allow for it. There is no work-free future for her, and this realization leads to a crying fit in her office. Though there are moments like this scattered around the book to let the reader know that she’s human, Fey never lets them dominate and swings back with humor so as not to let the reader forget that she is still one of the funniest women in television.

Whether drowning in textbooks or simply too busy to read much, Bossypants is a quick read anyone can find time to fit in. Laughter is good for everyone, so don’t hesitate to pick up a copy as soon as possible!

Photo by ametern via Flickr.

Gina Carano may be more of a female Jason Bourne than James Bond, but this is not a ‘Bourne’ movie.  It doesn’t have the fast-paced and grittiness.  I love the ‘Bourne’ series, whereas “Haywire,” I like it enough.

Stephen Soderberg assembled a team of well-known actors with starpower (Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum) surrounding Carano, a newcomer to acting and a martial arts fighter (Muay Thai) in real life.  Carano is ‘Mallory,’ a former Marine, black ops private contractor, whose company is hired by the U.S. government to undertake off-the-grid missions around the world.

After a mission in Barcelona rescuing a Chinese journalist, Mallory finds herself set up by her former employer as a spy gone rogue and pursued from all angles.  The mystery here is that it’s a successful job.  The pursuits take the team to Dublin, Washington DC, San Diego, New Mexico and Old Mexico.

Carano looks natural for a first-timer and this is the ideal vehicle for her.  Her scenes do not require in-depth acting and she’s at her best during the physical ones.  She brings certain credibility to the fighting scenes.  Her running, leaping, kicking, punching, choking, shooting look real.  She goes toe-to-toe with the guys and really does look like she’s capable of doing these things.  The fact that she also falls and doesn’t spring back up adds a sense of realism.  No special effects, just old-fashioned, hard and brutal hand-to-hand combat shot in close range.  Strong, sexy, street-smart, Carano has the realistic build and the look of a bona fide action star.

Whether or not you’d enjoy “Haywire” would depend on your expectations.  The layered conspiracy, betrayal and double-crossing are revealed in the end.  But it feels longer to get to this point than it should.  Instead of a speedy action movie, it’s slow and steady with stylistic direction, and sometimes silent with the soundtrack blaring in the background.  The latter reminds me with a killer hit last year, “Hanna,” although “Hanna” has a much cooler soundtrack.

If you’re expecting a ‘fast and furious’ action flick, you won’t find it here.  If you’re expecting a high-tech super-spy movie, you won’t find it here either.  If you’re familiar with Soderberg’s style and allow your patience to be tested, there’s a payoff in the end.  While there’s a pre-ending scene that seems to come out of nowhere (a connecting scene or two might have ended up on the cutting floor), it fades to black with a great ‘gotcha’ scene.

Copyright (c) 2012. Nathalia Aryani.

Nathalia Aryani is a business manager, foreign language translator, lifestyle/travel writer and film columnist. She can be reached at indotransserv@gmail.com. Nathalia owns a movies blog, The MovieMaven (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com).  Twitter: http://twitter.com/the_moviemaven

According to the Homecare Provider’s Union, last week federal district court judge Claudia Wilken, in Oakland, “issued a court order that will continue blocking the Brown Administration and the federal government from taking any steps to implement the 20% across-the-board reduction in service hours for hundreds of thousands of children and adults with disabilities – including people with developmental disabilities [such as autism] – and seniors who receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).”

There is already resistance against the new budget cuts. During the Oster v. Lightbourne lawsuit case last Thursday, on January 19^th, Wilken placed a preliminary injunction on the State of California to stop it from going forward with their 20% IHSS budget cuts. According to the Sacramento Bee, “The reduction would have slashed one-fifth of service hours for In-Home Supportive Services recipients to save the state $100 million over the next six months.”

The judge’s injunction is an extension from her previous similar blockage placed upon the state in December. The judge stated that the planned cuts places serious questions on whether they are in violation of federal protection laws that protect the disabled community.

The Sacramento Bee stated, “The unionized program pays caregivers, often relatives, to provide services such as cooking, bathing and driving to medical appointments. Advocates say that many IHSS recipients would be unable to live at home without such assistance, forcing them into more costly nursing homes.” Many non-disabled people do not realize these cuts result in people giving up jobs, ending pursuits of college degrees, and losing any hope  of ever being independent.

More cuts would mean more people with disabilities would need  Social Security Income, Medicare, and other social services. Some of these very same people would even be forced in to living in institutions that weigh heavily on federal and state budgets because the residents can no longer afford to pay for care. Many of these residents that have to live in nursing home care facilities include age ranges of 19-60, forcing the young to live the rest of their lives with no interaction of their fellow peers. All of this results in further drainage on tax-payers. The cuts also affects those who work within the IHSS program such as nurses, IHSS staff, counselors, and more. More cuts will mean more people losing their jobs in a tough economy.  Locally, these cuts affect senior citizens and  San Diegians with disabilities, such as 22 year old Raul Carranza, who has Muscular Dystrophy. Raul was a student at UCLA who relied on IHSS to provide nurses to monitor his breathing ventilator. Without nurses, he could suffocate if his ventilator suddenly malfunctions. The state budget cuts forced Raul to drop out of school and return home in San Diego to his single mother, who also takes care of Raul’s little brother, Pablo, with the same type of Muscular Dystrophy. Pablo also depends on a breathing ventilator and will feel the impact of the state’s cuts.

In order to mount support for the independence of IHSS recipients, the saving of taxpayer money and public sector jobs, Raul will be hosting a rally this week on Friday, January 27th. According to his website, the rally will start at noon on 1350 Front Street in downtown San Diego.

If the government continues to place budget cuts on social services, a whole minority and age group could be condemned to live in a life of poverty and institutionalization. Should we as taxpayers pay even more by sentencing our children with disabilities and grandparents to nursing homes instead of allowing them to pursue the life they want in their own home?

Photos courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Mitchell and fabrice gille, Official Navy Page via Flickr, and Raul Carranza.

Thanks to UltraStar Cinemas and their introduction of UltraStar Play It Again Cinemas in Chula Vista, 2012 may be the beginning of affordable prices all over San Diego County. As San Diego’s largest theater chain, UltraStar Cinemas understands that budgets are tight and if history has proven one thing it’s that when times are tough, people turn to film to escape from reality. Thanks to the creative minds behind UltraStar Cinemas, movie theaters have been made affordable for families again, making it easier to enjoy the latest big film without breaking the bank.

At the majority of movie theaters adult tickets will cost $12.00, while senior tickets cost $11.00 and children tickets are $9.00. Combined with buying a soda and snack, going to the movie theater can cost one person over $20.00. The first of its kind, Play It Again Cinemas have reduced the regular price by more than half, charging $3.50 for seniors and children, $3.50 for adults until 4 p.m. and $4.00 for adults after 4 p.m.

At the innovative concession stands customers will also find an all-you-care-to-eat popcorn and drink deal that costs a mere $5.00. The offer allows guests to have unlimited access to popcorn and soda for an entire day, making it the perfect deal for those long movie days with friends and family. The self-serve concession stand will also feature $1.00 hot dogs, Polar Shock frozen beverages, and a wide array of candy.

Affordable prices isn’t the only perk Play It Again Cinemas has going for it; the theater will also be extending the release times of popular films, giving you more chances to see the films you want to see. Furthermore, the theater will be running popular iconic films that deserve another shot at the big screen. You won’t be finding the newest films playing at Play It Again Cinemas during their opening weeks, but you will find them playing once a couple weeks have passed.

Waiting to see a popular movie can be tough but with the drastic price reductions, waiting is more than worth it.

“Essentially, UltraStar Play It Again Cinemas will allow our guests to experience the films they love at affordable prices,” says Julie Bravo, Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at UltraStar Cinemas. “Audiences that missed the latest Hollywood blockbusters now have a second chance to see them the way they were meant to be seen – in a clean and comfortable big screen environment. The theatrical experience simply can’t be duplicated. Another key element of this program is that movies are made affordable for families with our $3.50 and $4.00 pricing.”

Having opened in October of 2011, Play It Again Cinemas is in full effect and has been gaining a lot of positive feedback. If this project is a success it may allow UltraStar to open more locations, spreading the affordable film experience to movie lovers all over San Diego County.

Located at 555 Broadway in Chula Vista, make sure to visit Play It Again Cinemas for your next film experience!

About UltraStar Cinemas:
UltraStar Cinemas is Southern California’s largest privately owned movie theater group. UltraStar Cinemas is headquartered in San Diego County and operates 129 screens at 12 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona. Recognized for pioneering the digital age of cinema, UltraStar was the first theater group in the world to be fully equipped with Pure Digital Cinema® powered by DLP Cinema® technology in all of its locations. In 2009, the company also became the first to offer D-BOX motion seats, which use motion effects specifically programmed for each film to create an immersive experience for movie goers. For more information, visit www.ultrastarmovies.com.

The two met in 2004 in the lobby of a New York hotel while Heidi was pregnant with her first child.  Heidi recalled the incident on the Oprah show saying, “He came in just from the gym and I was sitting there and I was like, wow. And I pretty much saw everything.  The whole package.”  The two seemed to spark an instant connection and a relationship ensued.

In May of the same year she gave birth to a daughter, Leni, with Seal there to assume a parental role.  Later that year he proceeded to dedicate an album he recorded to “his daughter Leni” and in 2009 the singer legally adopted Heidi’s daughter.  In the  past several years the couple has presented an image of marital bliss and family bonds having brought three more children into the world together.  Their children now include Leni, 7, Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2.

Despite this image, gossipy sources have declared that the split was “a long time coming” and that Seal’s anger issues may have played a role in the relationship’s downfall, as well as the different directions their careers have begun to take them.  The couple released this statement regarding the separation:

“My Week with Marilyn”

Michelle Williams (“Shutter Island“) is ravishing as Marilyn Monroe and masters her every mannerism.  The look, the walk, the pose, the voice.  She captures the essence of the biggest star in the world of her era, seductive and disarming, adored by millions, at the same time, a troubled, lost little girl with the look of innocence.  Williams iridescently magnetizes every frame.

Kenneth Branagh, as Sir Laurence Olivier and Monroe’s frequent sparring partner, be it acting or directing, is a force here.  This is a slice of Monroe’s life, taken from the memoir of Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), then a young smitten gopher who developed a platonic relationship with her during the production of “The Prince and the Showgirl” in London.  Combined with stirring music and luminous cinematography, “My Week with Marilyn” is a marvelous picture.

“The Iron Lady”

A delicately human story about Margaret Thatcher.  “The Iron Lady” is not so much about a history lesson, but the very personal side of the longest-serving prime minister of Britain.

It shows Thatcher in her twilight years, in the early stages of dementia, clearly missing her dearly departed husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent).  In and out of lucidity, she keeps everything at home exactly the same and continually talks to him as if he were alive.  It’s simultaneously sentimental and humorous.

Flashes of her primetime years and younger family life unfold through flashbacks.  Inspiring sound bites about having a life that matters, with principles and public service, and making a difference.

The film is sharply photographed with contrasting colors and space, producing a number of memorable shots.  And kudos to hair and makeup, amazingly aids Meryl Streep’s (“Julie & Julia,” “The Devil Wears Prada“) transformation into Thatcher.

The story would have worked better had it not placed much emphasis on her life after Downing Street. But Streep, a prominent presence throughout, truly carries the film.  A poignantly supreme performance!

Copyright (c) 2012. Nathalia Aryani.

Nathalia Aryani is a business manager, foreign language translator, lifestyle/travel writer and film columnist. She can be reached at indotransserv@gmail.com. Nathalia owns a movies blog, The MovieMaven (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com).  Twitter: http://twitter.com/the_moviemaven

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday.
” This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,” De Leon said. “She was a true original who could sing it all — her music defied category. ”I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always.”

The powerhouse singer, known as “Miss Peaches,” lived an eventful life. She first hit the charts as a teenager, taking “The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry)” — an “answer record” to Hank Ballard’s “Work With Me, Annie” — to No. 1 on the R&B charts in 1955. She joined Chess Records in 1960 and had a string of R&B and pop hits, many with lush string arrangements. After a mid-decade fade, she re-emerged in 1967 with a more hard-edged, soulful sound.

Throughout her career, James overcame a heroin addiction, opened for the Rolling Stones, won six Grammys and was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite her ups and downs — including a number of health problems — she maintained an optimistic attitude.
“Most of the songs I sing, they have that blue feeling to it. They have that sorry feeling. And I don’t know what I’m sorry about,” she told CNN’s Denise Quan in 2002. “I don’t!”

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles to a teen mother and unknown father. (She suspected her father was the pool player Minnesota Fats.)
Her birth mother initially took little responsibility and James was raised by a series of people, notably a pair of boardinghouse owners. But she was recognized from a young age for her booming voice, showcased in a South Central Los Angeles church.

In 1950, her mother took her to San Francisco, where James formed a group called the Peaches. Singer Johnny Otis, best known for “Willie and the Hand Jive,” discovered her and had her sing a song he wrote using Ballard’s tune as a model. “The Wallflower,” with responses from “Louie Louie” songwriter Richard Berry, made James an R&B star.

Her signing to Chess introduced her to a broader audience, as the record label’s co-owner, Leonard Chess, believed she should do pop hits. Among her recordings were “Stormy Weather,” the Lena Horne classic originally from 1933; “A Sunday Kind of Love,” which dates from 1946; and most notably, “At Last,” a 1941 number that was originally a hit for Glenn Miller.

James’ career suffered in the mid-’60s when the British Invasion took over the pop charts and as she fought some personal demons. But she got a boost when she started recording at Rick Hall’s FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Her hits included the brassy “Tell Mama” and the raw “I’d Rather Go Blind,” the latter later notably covered by Rod Stewart.

She entered rehab in the 1970s for her drug problem but re-established herself with live performances and an album produced by noted R&B mastermind Jerry Wexler. After another stint in rehab — this time at the Betty Ford Clinic — she made a comeback album, “Seven Year Itch,” in 1988.

Over the years, James had her share of health problems. In the late 1990s she reportedly weighed more than 400 pounds and required a scooter to get around. In 2003 she had gastric bypass surgery and dropped more than half the weight, according to People magazine.

However, until her latest issues, James maintained a steady touring schedule and appeared full of energy even when sitting down — as she sometimes did on stage, due to bad knees and her weight battles.

Even while sitting down, James gave it her all on stage, singing as though possessed, caressing every note like a long-lost love. If that seemed a little much to critics, well, the legendary singer had a show to put on, she told Quan.

“They said that Etta James is still vulgar,” she said in the 2002 interview. “I said, ‘Oh, how dare ‘em say I’m still real vulgar! I’m vulgar because I dance in the chair?’ What would they want me to do? Want me to just be still or something like that?
“I gotta do something.”

James was portrayed by pop star Beyonce in the 2008 film “Cadillac Records,” about Chess. After Beyonce sang “At Last” at one of President Barack Obama’s 2009 inaugural balls, James lashed out: “I can’t stand Beyonce. She had no business up there singing my song that I’ve been singing forever.” She later told the New York Daily News she was joking.

And then there was that real hot one, ya know, the one you introduced your parents to. Sucks that didn’t work out.

Today, there are prospectives but no one has been set in stone just yet. It’s always good to keep your options open.

Did I just describe your dating life? I probably did. Although your past relationships didn’t work out the way that you wanted, even if it ended horribly, you still kept your heart open and were able to find love again…or at least like. Hell, even if it was just lust, your emotions were still actively involved.

So, with that said, my answer to the question: Does a knight in shining armor exists? Is…yes it does.

In fact, I’ve met a few guys that made wonderful knights…just not to me. Of course I didn’t find that out until I opened my heart and put myself out there but honestly, that is the only way to live…especially when it comes to love.

While I was searching for the answer to this question, I had the urgency to ask my ex-boyfriend his opinion. I guess this situation is a little different than most because he is actually trying to be with me…again.

Obviously he said he wants to be my knight in shining armor (romantic) but there was another part of his response that stood out to me just a tad bit more, and that was, “If you let me be.”

Finding love, finding that knight is all about allowing yourself to be open and free with your heart. I am not saying to fall in love with the next person that lets you cut in line at Starbucks, although that is pretty sweet, but I am saying that you won’t be susceptible to finding a knight until you let down your guard and even allow that to be a possibility.

Now, as for my ex-boyfriend, at one point in my life I thought he was my knight, obviously that didn’t work out. Months have passed and he said that he’s changed, but if the relationship didn’t work out the first time…do you think second times the charm?

Until next week…

Single Girl in San Diego

-Porsche Simpson