Rochelle Rochelle is the buzz name in the San Diego rock scene right now. Recently, they were named by the San Diego Music Awards ""Best New Artist 2001."" In this interview with the Guardian, lead singer and guitarist Erik Berg shows Rochelle Rochelle's true colors and gives some advice to aspiring San Diego area Musicians.

Courtesy of Rochelle Rochelle

Q: In a San Diego market flooded with young rock bands, what do you think gave Rochelle Rochelle the ""New Artist of the year"" award at the San Diego Music Awards?

A: I think it was a combination of a few things: One, I think our live show is definitely something that sells us. We really work off the energy of the crowd, and I think the crowd feels that. Two, our music is different and good. It stands out amongst other local bands. And three, we worked really hard at making people notice us in this town. We did interviews with all the local radio stations, music magazines, played Street Scene ... we tried to make more noise than any other local band. I think we did a pretty good job at that.

Q: Describe a little bit of your songwriting process.

A: Ninety percent of the time, I will come in to practice with a song that is finished. Sometimes I'll even record a demo of it at my house with all the instruments finished and bring it to practice to play for the guys. Then I show them how to play it.

The other 10 percent of the time I'll come in with a song that is almost finished, but I might not have a bridge yet, or I'm not sure how to end it or how many times to repeat this part or that part, and then we'll kind of finish it together. It's definitely not much of a collaborative songwriting process in this band, but it works for us that way. We've tried to write as a group from jamming and stuff, but it just doesn't work out. We don't have the patience for that.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians in San Diego?

A: Play lots of shows with lots of different types of bands. Play to different crowds. Make a demo, send it to all the local music radio shows -- they will eventually play it. Just play your music to as many people as possible.

For more information on Rochelle Rochelle and free mp3s go to http://www.rochelle-rochelle.com.

Look to the Hiatus Calendar for information on their show with Convoy.

It's hard to imagine what a singer's voice will sound like without a rolling drumbeat or the strumming of guitar accompaniment.

The voice of Ian Moore defies explanation.

Inexplicably absent is the Texan drawl, which one would expect from a man raised in Austin, Texas. Instead Moore speaks with clarity, only slightly saturated with fatigue from his recent 10-day West Coast tour.

Moore began his professional career as a teen-ager playing for roots rocker Joe Ely in Texas. In his early twenties, Moore started his own band and expanded his style while opening for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and ZZ Top.

""The music industry is a weird industry,"" said Moore, who ran into conflict with his record company, Capricorn Records, early on in his career.

While Moore characterizes these troubles as ""something that everyone in the industry goes through,"" the resulting creation of his own record label enabled him to explore himself as an individual artist.

""It has allowed me to have more freedom. I like being able to do whatever I feel like,"" Moore said.

Today Moore resides in Vashon Island, Washington. However, Moore maintains his Texas connection through his band Action Company, which is still based in Texas.

""It is easier to write moodier songs in a moodier place,"" Moore said, when asked about how Washington has influenced his most recent music. ""The environmental and regional difference has certainly played a role.""

Beyond everything, Moore is a songwriter. Despite having just released a new album, ""Via Satellite,"" with Action Company, Moore has hit the road solo. He is taking the opportunity to ""strip down"" his sound and bring something new to his audiences.

""Dreamy"" is how Moore characterizes his performances, and fans that choose to attend his show at The Casbah will be in for a reverie of sound.

""I just want to make really beautiful music,"" Moore said.

The Hiatus Calendar on page 14 has all the information on Moore's upcoming show.

Tuesday night, Weezer, the most popular ³post-slacker² group around, will play to a sold-out crowd at the Cox Arena.

Weezer hit it big in 1994 with their very first album. The self-titled album spawned three now-legendary singles: ³Undone‹ (The Sweater Song),² ³Buddy Holly² and ³Say It Ain¹t So.²

The band also managed to grab several MTV Music Video Awards for its ³Buddy Holly² video. All this within a year of the band¹s major-label debut.

A tad overwhelmed by their rampant success, the band took an extended break after the hoopla died down. Songwriter, guitarist and lead singer Rivers Cuomo defied the rock star high-school diploma stereotype and used his time off to attend Harvard University. Bassist Matt Sharp and drummer Pat Wilson created their own side project: a band called The Rentals, and guitarist Brian Bell also established his own group, The Space Twins. Sharp later left Weezer to work on The Rentals exclusively and was replaced by Mikey Welsh.

Earlier this year, almost five years after the lackluster sales for ³Pinkerton,² Weezer re-established themselves as ultra-successful musicians with the release of their third album, ³The Green Album.²

The new record, which has so far produced three singles ­­ ³Hash Pipe,² ³Island in the Sun² and ³Photograph² ­­ has gone platinum and is still on ³new release² shelves.

Still sporting the same geek-chic look they helped popularize, Weezer is currently playing extended dates of their tour in support of ³The Green Album,² dubbed the ³Midget Tour.²

Jimmy Eat World and Tenacious D will open for Weezer¹s show at the Cox Arena, which will feature a guest bassist because Welsh is currently medically indisposed.

Go to the Hiatus Calendar on page 14 for ticket information regarding their show at the Cox Arena.

When Director Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of the beyond-famous Dr. Seuss book ""How the Grinch Stole Christmas"" hit theaters late last year, audiences and critics alike ogled the astronomical production value and Jim Carrey's extravagant rendition of the Grinch character.

The ""Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas"" DVD attempts to recapture much of the awe of the large-screen version through increased sound and video quality, for which DVDs are known. It even tries to expand upon the Grinch experience with a plethora of special features.

No one who has seen ""The Grinch"" could argue that color vibrancy is not a vital element of the movie's experience. Set against a background of blazingly white snow and with every character minus the dog dressed in amazingly colorful costumes, accurate color is requisite for the film.

Fortunately, the DVD delivers, especially in the scenes that take place in the Grinch's dark and dreary cave hideaway, where the darker tones are extremely vivid. Unfortunately, in the scenes set in Whoville, the bright colors appear slightly washed out next to the blinding white snow that covers the town.

Although nothing special for a DVD, the enhanced visual quality does wonders for certain parts of the movie -- especially those featuring Carrey. When the movie zooms in on Carrey, instead of the smoothed blur one would see on VHS, DVD viewers are given a revolting, amazing view of every contour and slimy hair on Carrey's extensively made-up face.

The DVD's special features add to the movie experience almost as much as the enhanced video quality. However, the main feature, the ""Spotlight on Location,"" is rather disappointing. The feature does its best to dumb down the genius of the people behind ""The Grinch"" to the lowest common-audience denominator, only barely illuminating the very surface of each element of production.

Fortunately, more involved viewers can watch the specialized featurettes that respectably cover the incredible makeup production, design of the biggest set Hollywood has ever created, visual- effects team that handled over 300 shots, and ""Who School,"" in which the actors were taught in detail how to act, move and be Whos. These featurettes will make the pickiest of moviephiles gape in awe at the genius, sweat and tears that went into producing ""the biggest motion picture production in years,"" and are alone worth the price of the DVD.

The DVD also includes features intended for small children, who obviously make up a large portion of the movie's audience. These features, which include a sing-a-long, a read-a-long and a ""Dress the Grinch"" game, are excellent activities for small children and are designed in such a way that small children can easily navigate through them.

Unfortunately, the DVD's remaining special features are rather disappointing. The ""Outtakes,"" while funny, are disappointing for a Carrey movie. Similarly, the DVD-ROM features, which include some rather trite games,Web links, production notes and other text-based presentations, are nothing special.

""The Grinch"" DVD, while it does have a few holes, generally enhances upon the movie through enriched quality and the inclusion of several astounding special features, almost achieving the awe-filled experience of watching the movie on the big screen. Considering that the DVD is priced identically with the VHS version, anyone with DVD-watching capability planning on purchasing the movie should definitely go the DVD route.

The Grinch

***

Starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen and Jeffrey Tambor

$26.98 suggested retail price

Rated PG

11/15 Thursday

Spaceman Spiff will be live at the Onyx Room with their hip-hop infused jazz. They will be regulars at the club every other Thursday. Call the Onyx Room for more information at (619) 235-6699.

Ian Moore will be performing at The Casbah. He will be playing a solo acoustic set with a sound that brings East-Indian riffs, Brit-pop energy and West Texas flavor together. The show starts at 9 p.m. Call The Casbah at (619) 232-4355 for ticket information. Read the interview with Ian Moore on page 15.

11/16 Friday

Catch Spaceman Spiff at Claire de Lunes. This relatively intimate and quiet coffee shop in North Park is the perfect venue to catch the jazz stylings of Spiff. Contact Claire de Lunes for more information at (619) 688-9845.

Classic rock and country-like attitude come together in the Convoy sound. This San Diego quintet also features tight harmonies and great melodies with its three guitarists. Convoy will be at The Casbah and tickets start at $10. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Rochelle Rochelle will open for Convoy. Read the interview with Rochelle Rochelle on page 15.

11/17 Saturday

For a perfect punk-rock experience, head to the Cox Arena to see Pennywise, No Use for a Name, Guttermouth, The Line and former Sun God performers Face to Face in concert. Tickets are $12 and the concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Look to the hiatus section at https://www.ucsdguardian.org for more on the show.

11/18 Sunday

Acoustic-folk artist Gregory Page will perform at Java Joe's in Ocean Beach. You can expect beautiful melodies and poignant lyrics from this San Diegan. The cover charge should be around $9 and the show starts at 9 p.m. Call Java Joe's for more information at (619) 523-0356.

11/19 Monday

You never know who might join Steve Poltz on stage. After all, he co-wrote ""You Were Meant for Me"" with Jewel. This local musician is well-known in the San Diego music community. He will perform with a special guest at Java Joe's. The show starts at 8 p.m. and the cover is $15. Call (619) 523-0356 for more information.

VH-1 darlings Flickerstick won on the gameshow ""Bands on the Run."" Now with a flashy new record contract with Epic, they are out to prove that they are not just another victim of reality-based TV shows. This Texas quintet's power-pop sonic style will be at 'Canes Bar & Grill at 8 p.m. Tickets are $13 and the event is 16-years-old and up.

Punk and rockabilly meet in the Supersuckers. They will be at The Casbah and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and the support groups will be Fluf and the Streetwalkin' Cheetahs.

11/20 Tuesday

Weezer was the best in melodic indie rock with hits such as ""Buddy Holly"" and ""Undone (the sweater song)."" Now they are flying high again with ""The Green Album."" They will be at the Cox Arena at 7:30 p.m. For $28.25 you can also watch support bands Jimmy Eat World and Tenacious D open. Look to the article on page 15 for more on the concert.

For the first time since 1994, Tori Amos will be performing all by herself. Amos and her piano will be at the Copley Symphony Hall for not one, but two shows on the same night. She has remained a steady force in music and is currently touring behind her new album, ""Strange Litte Girls."" This recent release is a collection of covers with a spin, featuring songs by Depeche Mode and The Beatles. Tickets are $40 and the shows start at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Look to the hiatus section at https://www.ucsdguardian.org for more on the show.

Billy Corgan and his new band, Zwan, are out on the road and they will be at 'Canes Bar & Grill at 7 p.m. Zwan could be like the Smashing Pumpkins revisited but they could also reflect Billy Corgan's recent keyboard work with techno-masters New Order. The only familiar face from the old days is drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. If you can find tickets they are $15 and the show is 16-years-old and up.

Director Chris Columbus' adaptation of J.K. Rowling's ""Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"" whooshes into theaters tomorrow after months of fervent speculation. Viewers are in luck: Even the most zealous Potter fans will not be disappointed.

Courtesy of Warner Brothers

""Sorcerer's Stone"" brings the first of the Harry Potter novels to the screen. For those who have been under a rock for the last three years, the books follow the development of Potter and his schoolmates at England's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they get themselves into spates of trouble and adventure.

Harry arrives for his first year at Hogwarts, making new friends as he finds himself contending with his archenemy come to life, the once-defeated Lord Voldemort.

Three new faces star as Harry and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, and the trio finds support with a cast comprised of veteran British actors from the theater and cinema. Alan Rickman positively drips menace as Severus Snape, the children's sallow-faced potions professor.

The film's particular strong point is its liberal use of computer animation for special-effects sequences. Filming many of the book's scenes would have been unthinkable with the technology of 10 years ago. The quidditch match sequence halfway through the film -- in which wizards on broomsticks compete in midair in a game something like rugby and lacrosse combined -- is simply breathtaking.

Special effects also come into play at several points in ""Sorcerer's Stone,"" whether to bring life to the enchanted Hogwarts Castle or to breathe vibrancy into the assortment of backdrops and villains that prance through Harry's adventures. The film serves as an excellent reminder just what special effects can do for cinema when used properly; instead of filling in for bad writing or plot gaps, they enhance and make possible the things that reality simply cannot provide.

Purists will note that very few changes have been made between the book and the film. The script preserves the language of the books -- its most notable change being the film's title (British audiences will see ""Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,"" just as the first Harry Potter book was so called in the United Kingdom).

The all-British cast preserves the particularly English feel of the world of Harry Potter, and filming locations included places such as Gloucester Cathedral and the Divinity School at Oxford University. However, anybody who has been to King's Cross Station, London, to see from where the fabled Hogwarts Express departs, will note with discernment that the film's ""Platform 9-3/4"" is not actually the same as the space between King's Cross Platforms 9 and 10, to which the book refers. It's a triviality in a movie that diligently rides close to its source material.

""Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"" is certainly more than just a film for children. It is an escapade executed mindful of imagination and creativity with respect for the wonder that even grown-ups still possess. It's worth the ticket price to go and indulge in Harry's world for two-and-a half hours.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

****

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rubert Grint and Emma Watson

In theaters Nov. 16

Rated PG

Best Mall: Fashion Valley

140 Fashion Valley

San Diego

(619) 297-6440

For some poor souls -- usually of the male persuasion -- the act of purchasing wares is viewed as a laborious task, and is performed in the same dispirited manner that would accompany any act of drudgery. However, for the more enlightened, searching for various elusive items remains a never ending quest to be dutifully performed with the same passion and fervor as any other ritualistic act -- and almost always occurs at malls.

Complete with an array of stores designed to satisfy the most fantastic need or whim, this modern-day bazaar is not only the purveyor of a diverse assortment of goods, but also of convenience.

Within San Diego County, Fashion Valley Mall, located off Friars Road and situated only 15 minutes from campus, is generally held by most to offer the best in mall shopping. While not designed to cater to a student's often-constrained budget, this luxurious outdoor mall is a shopper's paradise, boasting over 140 stores all contained within a spacious and aesthetically pleasing setting.

Generally viewed as the standard criteria in assessing a mall's worth, upscale anchor stores such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus can be found at Fashion Valley, along with mall requisites Macy's and Robinsons-May. Another favorable aspect of Fashion Valley is that it is largely devoid of the usual droves of prepubescent rabble that infests most malls -- thanks largely in part to the fact that its stores serve a more exclusive clientele.

Where Fashion Valley truly succeeds is in its diverse assortment of smaller stores, including Tiffany's, which represents the ultimate source of happiness for every girl, and Sun Diego, an overpriced, mass-marketed store that no self-respecting surfer or skater would be caught dead in. In the end, with its pleasant atmosphere, wealth of stores and prime location, it's easy to see why Fashion Valley Mall is generally held in such high esteem within San Diego.

-- Kian Tayrani,,

Contributing Writer

Best Pizza: Papa John's

4130 La Jolla Village Dr.

La Jolla

(858) 458-9800

Papa John's has become a major staple of UCSD student life ever since it made itself visible on campus through coupon books, advertising and word of mouth.

With 13 locations in San Diego alone -- including one on Villa La Jolla Drive (which is the closest franchise to campus) -- Papa John's has become a popular spot for students to find sanctuary, or maybe just a little pizza. As the cheese melts over a delicious, trademark thin-crust dough, your cares melt away with it. And who has had butter garlic sauce with bread sticks and not felt their knees go weak from the taste?

""I think it's just a great pizza place to go to off of campus,"" said Roosevelt senior Natalie Greenberg.

And that is why Papa John's is this year's best pizza joint: because it is just a great place to go when one is off campus.

""I enjoy [the pizza]. When it was the cheapest I ate it more, but it's still good,"" commented Muir sophomore Spencer Pforsich.

One can hang out with friends, order whatever kind of pizza he'd like and relax under the cool lighting. And what about pizza for delivery? Fast, convenient, efficient and, as most the student body agrees, ""damn good"" when it arrives. Quality is what Papa John's is all about, not kowtowing to some grand corporation that is only concerned with monetary gain like other pizza companies.

Although most students look upon Papa John's as ""good stuff,"" there are a few who have other opinions.

""I don't really like Papa John's pizza because it doesn't seem like real pizza,"" said Revelle sophomore Caitlin White. ""Their bread is like cardboard with crap on it. I don't know -- it's not very good.""

Think what you want -- Papa John's was still voted a great place to have some pizza.

-- Sabrina Morris,

Staff Writer

Best Club: On Broadway

615 Broadway

San Diego

(619) 231-0011

Built in 1925 by John D. Spreckles, the building at 615 Broadway is now home to San Diego's most upscale hot spot -- and UCSD's best nightclub pick!

On Broadway is without a doubt the place for those wanting to live it up in style. If you are looking for a posh evening and are not worried about a budget, you will certainly find what you're looking for at this club, which is located on the Gaslamp Quarter's northern border.

Inside On Broadway, a floor of Italian marble sparkles under a ceiling made of gold. Two 72-inch monitors and a stratosphere of lights line the walls and dance floor, providing a backdrop of flashing color.

On the first floor alone you will find a VIP lounge, a 35-foot-long bar and the Zen Cafe and Sushi Bar. No details have been spared in this posh nightclub -- from the dapper doormen to the ""Barbie Doll Powder Room"" for the ladies, which is enormous, mirrored and pink!

The building that now houses On Broadway once housed Bank of America and Home Federal Credit Union and still retains its daunting vault doors. Through the doors, however, you find a billiards room, ultra-lounge complete with white couches and blue-vinyl pillows, and the classy Gallery Lounge decorated by cutting-edge artists.

DJ Mark Thrasher, who won the 2000 San Diego Award for best club DJ, has been known to spin the best in techno, house, funk and disco to please the ""exclusive crowd.""

That's right: Don't plan on getting in unless you dress to impress -- and sorry, freshmen and sophomores, this club is 21 and over.

On Broadway is open Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is $15. The Zen Cafe and Sushi Bar serves up Euro-Asian cuisine Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

-- Lindsay Boyd,,

Staff Writer

Best CD store: Tower Records

8657 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 231

San Diego

(858) 452-2566

I could rant about how Tower Records is The Man and how sly and corporate it is. I could rant about how we should all support our local record stores. And by the way, we should.

But how can you compete with Tower's massive selection? Tower Records features thousands of CDs ranging from soundtracks to jazz to Mozart box sets to The Clash box sets. You'll find a small vinyl section and a massive collection of all the latest singles. Tower Records has a passable electronic music section and a solid import section. Not to mention hundreds of old CDs that have been marked down to bargain-basement rates. And of course, Tower Records carries all of the albums that are on the charts.

Nearly half a dozen listening stations allow you to listen to new music and there is always music playing in the store courtesy of the employees.

It also boasts a large video and music video selection, along with a relatively new DVD section that grows every week. Tower also boasts a huge publication section, which includes small local publications, thick and glossy photography mags, the latest music mags from England -- not to mention an impressive adult entertainment section.

There is also a wide selection of high-end personal electronics ranging from stereos to CD players.

What else is hidden away at Tower Records? A great world music collection featuring hit-makers from around the globe. There is also a decent collection of books. And if you venture through the ""back"" entrance of Tower Records, you'll find all the jazz and classical music you want.

And in all that clutter at Tower Records, there's also a small selection of guitar strings somewhere in that cavernous room.

The Tower Records store in La Jolla is located in the Ralph's shopping center near Sports City and The Good Guys. It is open from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily. You can line up for new releases on Tuesdays just past midnight. You can also order music online from http://towerrecords.com.

-- Joseph Lee,

Hiatus Editor

Best radio station: 91X

4891 Pacific Hwy.

San Diego

(619) 291-9191

When you see the familiar black and yellow 91X bumper sticker on a car, go up to the person, introduce yourself and tell him or her that 91X happens to have won as the favorite radio station of UCSD. Then politely reach in, give them that winner's high-five, congratulating yourself on passing the word that XTRA 91.1 FM is the best radio station around.

Well, maybe you shouldn't reach in the car, but feel free to shout it loud and clear that the favorite over the airwaves is the alternative rock broadcast that gives us the Brand X morning show, Bob Marley at 4:20 p.m. everyday and a dose of Adam Corolla and Dr. Drew on ""Loveline"" at night.

If at any time you are asleep for these benchmarks of the 91X day, make an effort to stay up and catch one of them. No one needs an extra few hours of sleep when he can listen in on the Brand X rejection line, where the 91X-ers do the dirty work for you.

If a young man is accosted by an overbearing female who definitely wants his species, he can give her the phone number (858) 522-5597, and ""the Brand X Rejection Line certified specialists will handle [his] case...."" 91X is really looking out for its listeners, who, according to Program Manager Bryan Schock, is the younger demographic.

""91X is really tuned into the lifestyle of our listeners,"" Schock said. ""This is the 19th year that we have been in this format, and in those 19 years we try to be relatable.""

To be ""relatable,"" Schock said that 91X brings community events to San Diego to get residents out in the world.

""We do anything from toy drives to beach cleanups to promotions and concerts,"" Shock said. ""We have been in touch with our listeners for a long time and will continue to try and communicate with them.""

In celebration of 91X's triumph as UCSD's favorite radio station, get up early and listen to the morning show. Check out the calendar on the Web site and get out to some local shows to support San Diego bands. Donate a toy for the holidays. Above all, have the radio pre-set to 91.1 FM so you don't miss out on anything.

-- Jessica Kruskamp,

Senior Staff Writer

Best fast food: In-N-Out

2910 Daman Ave.

Pacific Beach

1 (800) 786-1000

Hidden amongst our fast impersonal modern lives, there is a tiny memory of the pleasant, familiar past. This pleasant reminder is the delicious food found at IN-N-OUT burger.

Founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder, IN-N-OUT burger follows the philosophy, ""Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment,"" and they will return. And this philosophy has proven delightfully successful.

By 1993, IN-N-OUT had grown from its first location in Baldwin Park to 93 locations. Despite the chain's enormous growth, it still remains family-owned and the main philosophy has not changed, making it a formidable force in the fast food industry with happy employees earning much higher wages than at other fast food restaurants and receiving better benefits.

But why is IN-N-OUT the absolute best fast food joint ever? The food of course!

Even though there are only about six items on the menu (Double-Doubles, hamburgers, shakes, fries, etc.), they are the bare essentials. Each item is great because of the freshness of the food and the quality of the products.

As Marshall sophomore Kevin Keyser said, ""I like how I always get consistently good burgers. I've been to a lot of IN-N-OUTs, from Northern Cal to Southern, but no matter which one I go to they are always good.""

And this consistency can be explained by the high quality products in their food. The patties in their burgers are 100 percent pure beef, the fries are made of fresh potatoes cut on location, and their shakes are made of 100 percent pure ice cream. And I'm sure their secret sauce plays a big part in the popularity of the burgers.

So if you suddenly have the urge to get your hands on a great, big, juicy IN-N-OUT Double-Double, you can find the nearest IN-N-OUTs in Pacific Beach, Mira Mesa, San Deigo, Kearny Mesa and Mission Valley.

-- Anne Cong-Huyen,,

Staff Writer

Best SD community: Pacific Beach

1706 Garnet Ave.

Pacific Beach

(858) 483-6666

Grand and Garnet Avenues are the land of perpetual traffic, tattoo parlors and hip coffee places. You can mark your body, caffeinate your soul and rummage up a used pair of Levis in any of the thrift stores that so many flock to for that second-hand feel. Tucked between Ingraham Street and Mission Beach, Pacific Beach has earned its own personality.

The PB culture has grown on UCSD students who claim it has the best community status over the likes of hazy La Jolla and the mini-malled UTC.

That culture is what draws the cars off of Interstate 5 to sit in the line on the off-ramp. It may be that they want to get down to the beaches that draw a rowdier crowd than most. As the locals arrive home and see the familiar blue wave sign that proclaims ""Pacific Beach,"" they know that life is different down there.

During the day, shopping ranges from the fresh produce at dirt- cheap Henry's market to the vintage haven Buffalo Exchange. Nightlife can be synonymous with ""party.""

Saturdays and Sundays, Garnet and all the surrounding side streets are full of people who are claiming the Pacific Beach life and partying with their friends. The infamous PB Bar and Grill where friends meet and apparently everybody knows your name is the social hangout to eat, drink and be merry.

""PB is really a place of its own down here in San Diego,"" local and junior Thad Herington said. ""The commute that everyone thinks is so bad with the traffic is really nothing. It's a trade off that is worth it.""

According to Herington, PB is what you make of it. You can find quiet nooks, such as Cafe 967, to trudge through the mounds of reading courtesy of your professors a bonfire to join or the social scene that he described as ""pretty alive.""

""You just learn to love the area because you can make it your own,"" Herrington said.

In PB, there really is something for everyone, if they are brave enough to venture outside of UCSD.

-- Jessica Kruskamp,

Senior Staff Writer

Best sports bar: Seau's

1640 Camino Del Rio

San Diego

(619) 291-7328

There are many sports bars to choose from in San Diego. Sports City and Trophy's are close to UCSD, but the students have spoken and they have chosen Seau's sports bar as their favorite.

This sports bar and grill is named after the great Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. Opened in 1996, Seau's has been quite successful at luring fans and television crews alike. Occasionally, you may run into some of the stars of the Chargers as well.

The inside is reminiscent of Jack Murphy Stadium with a gray-concrete look. But Seau's is vast and always filled with lots of people and lots of energy.

The atmosphere can be quite vibrant during big games with big televisions that can be viewed from almost any angle. And there is, of course, enough food to satisfy all tastes. The menu covers your standard bar foods like burgers, onion rings, wings and fries, but then branches out into wood-fired pizzas, salmon and lobster ravioli. The cigar lounge was recently changed into a sushi bar.

If you happen to be of the post-21 variety, the bar is where the action is at. There are plenty of microbrews on tap and a slew of specialty drinks including ""Lightning Lemonade."" There is a great selection of domestic brews, such as Budweiser and Coors Light, and import beers like Fosters, Bass and Guinness. Seau's Lightning Gold is a specialty beer.

Seau's is located in Mission Valley Center on Interstate 8 between Highway 163 and Interstate 805. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

-- Joseph Lee,

Hiatus Editor

Best date restaurant: Forever Fondue

1295 Prospect St., Ste. 201

La Jolla

(858) 551-4509

Located in picturesque downtown La Jolla, Forever Fondue is a favorite place for an intimate evening with that special someone. It offers a unique dining experience around melted cheese, two-pronged forks, and lots and lots of dipping.

At your table, the mixture of your choice of cheeses, liquor and flavorings are delicately prepared to accompany bread consumption. You just stab and dunk a selection of seafood, meat and vegetables, which take a flavorful bath in hot broth. As much of an attraction as the main courses is the dessert: molten chocolate that dances with strawberries and marshmallows.

""It's just a really fun place to eat,"" says Revelle senior Teny Abebian of her experience at Forever Fondue. ""Everyone gets to dunk and try different things. It's such a lively place to be at with friends. You can find what you like and so can every one else, and you have a great time in the process.""

Prices are midrange, so you can expect to pay about $10 to $20, depending on how much you order. Some find the portions a little on the small side, but the taste is definitely worth it. You really get what you pay for.

This is a great destination for couples because the shared dipping quickly promotes conversation and a lively atmosphere. But heed the many warnings about not eating directly from the fondue forks and save yourself the embarrassment of burning your tongue. Come for either the whole experience or just for dessert, but you're sure to sing Forever Fondue's praises and live by their slogan: ""Dip it, dunk it ... do it.""

Reservations are strongly recommended.

-- Rinaldo Dorman,

Staff Writer

Best coffee shop: Cafe 976

976 Felspar St..

Pacific Beach

(858) 272-0976

Isn't it just sickening how all coffee shops are alike these days, each one a mediocre copy of the other?

If you find yourself nodding in agreement, you obviously haven't been going to the right coffee shops. On 976 Felspar St. in Pacific Beach, Cafe 976 is more than just a coffee shop; it's an oasis, a home away from home. It's what you've always wished your house looked like.

What's the appeal, you ask?

Aside from the coffee being superb and the service being excellent, there's a special feeling you get when you walk into this place. For starters, the renovated building that the cafe inhabits was originally built in 1927, so the brightly painted yellow walls and the kitchen table seating make it feel like your grandmother's house when you were a kid.

Cafe 976 feels like your own private safe haven -- a place where good things dwell. There's a breakfast nook in the corner that has every kind of breakfast food you can imagine. For the afternoon to evening crowd, there are obligatory quiches, pastries and more.

With a lovely selection of James G. Respess photographs, the inside is quite cozy, but the real star of this show is the outdoor seating. Full of roses, vines, fountains, trees and plenty of benches and tables, this fairy garden is the perfect place to mingle, read or just contemplate something beautiful.

One patron commented that ""you can smell the narcissus when you walk in the front door -- that alone makes it worth coming in everyday.""

There's a certain magic there. With the noisy traffic and bustling people outside, this place feels like its own little world. While Cafe 976 is far from being deserted, the atmosphere there is much more chill than hip.

Clubbers: Go elsewhere. Keggers: Crash someone else's party. Here at 976, it's all about stopping to smell the roses.

-- Keely Hyslop,

Staff Writer

Guardian readers choice photo credits:

In-N-Out, PB, Papa John's, Cafe 976 -- Rebecca Drexler

Fashion Valley, Seau's -- Sam Scoufos

Forever Fondue -- Tyler Huff

Tower Records -- Colin Young-Wloff

Blank and Jones

""TranceMix USA 2""

Radikal Records

*

To listen to the vibrating sounds of trance, you have to be either totally relaxed or totally hyperactive; there is no in between.

""TranceMix USA 2,"" a compilation of trance beats from the German DJ-duo Piet Blank and Jaspa Jones, falls somewhere in the realm of smooth sounds for relaxation. Nevertheless, it's hard to determine whether the pulsating sounds are really any different from the other club mixes heard so often.

Globally known in the trance scene since the mid '90s, Blank and Jones' sounds have garnered spin-time in clubs from Toronto to Ibiza. The German duo is especially well- known in their home country and many of their mixes, including ""Beyond Time,"" have been featured in films.

As a booming voice introduces Blank and Jones at the onset of the album, the haunting sounds of ""Beyond Time"" are emitted. The song's clarity relies on its smooth transitions because each aspect of the beat is incorporated into the overall movement of the song. The other featured Blank and Jones mix on the album is one of their first hits: ""Blue Sky."" While less haunting than ""Beyond Time"" and more energetic, the signature Blank and Jones separation of sound dominates.

Most prominent on the album is the DJ Tiesto Remix of Sarah McLachlan's ""Silence."" The pulsating throb of the mix beautifully offsets McLachlan's haunting voice. Also incorporated into the mix is a faint echo of the lyric, ""heaven holds a sense of wonder.""

The Club mix of ATB's ""Let U Go"" is another highlight of ""TranceMix USA 2."" The lyrics are punchy, the pulse infectious, but the overall sound retains the tone of the album: background music.

The throbbing atmosphere of a multicolored, swirling room is the ideal trance venue. While ""TranceMix USA 2"" has some effective rhythms, it does not hold up to being confined to your stereo. This one will not leave you throbbing.

Sasha is an international star. This Englishman with a Russian name has played at huge dance- music festivals all over the world. His sometimes partner-in-crime John Digweed has made his own inroad as a resident of the biggest clubs as DJ Bedrock.

Sasha and Digweed have collaborated on several mix CDs including the popular ""Northern Exposure"" series, and they have individually done mix CDs for Global Underground. The two rarely play live shows together and the opportunity to see them in action at the relatively intimate 4th & B is a supreme chance for dance -music lovers.

Sasha has found himself producing soundtracks for video games as well as the wildly popular ""Xpander EP."" A fantastic collaboration with ex-Underworld producer Darren Emerson resulted in the hit ""Scorchio!"" Sasha has also done some mainstream remixes, namely Madonna's ""Ray of Light.""

Sasha and Digweed have the knack for long, seamless mixes and funky trance-techno tracks that keep dance floors moving and packed for hours on end. They are the best of the best in the DJ world. Do not miss the chance to groove to their music.

Look to the Hiatus Calendar for details on the show.

The Nov. 4 Mandeville Auditorium production of ""Kosong Okwangedae,"" a masked dance of the Kosong village of South Korea, sounded like it would be another sleeper, but turned out to be incredible entertainment.

Featuring distinctive form of dance that originated in the 10th century and became more broadly established in the 18th century, this show is a historical part of the Kosong society that still has impact with its strong emotion and political overtones.

Broken into five parts including dance scenes that traditionally depict a leper, a ruined aristocrat, and a fallen monk, the show is really a spoof about the corruption of the upper society.

Originally used by the common people to vent tensions in a peaceful way to avoid uprisings, the emotion is still felt through this performance even in an academic setting.

The performers, farmers from the village of Kosong, are traveling in the off-season, using the movements and rhythms from their farming to create a dance full of the emotion of the common people.

With rhythms inspired by the breathing of a worker, and movements inspired by the act of farming, it becomes understandable why some of the audience drove down all the way from San Francisco to see this show.

Full of humor, scenes from the play include a monk being seduced and an aristocrat caught by his abandoned wife in the company of his pregnant mistress.

At the end of the show, the performers make this a truly cultural experience by inviting the audience to join in onstage and be a part of the ending funeral procession and dance after the show to the drumming of the villagers.

At the end, villagers and audience members dance energetically together, making this production worth the $20 admission.

Epic films require more than a gripping, adventurous plot. An epic requires close identification with the central character, breathtaking cinematography and expansive plotlines. Such is the case with not only the 1965 film ""Doctor Zhivago,"" but also its long-awaited DVD debut, which is of great quality and loaded with extra information.

Based on Boris Pasternak's novel, the story is based on the odyssey of Dr. Zhivago (Omar Sharif) during the Russian Revolution. The movie chronicles Zhivago's attempt to raise a family with the aristocratic Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) but also maintain his love for a nurse named Lara (Julie Christie). Zhivago not only has to deal with war but also the love he has for the two ladies in his life.

What separates this two-DVD set from others is not only the amount of the supplementals provided, but also the quality of the restoration of the old film.

Shown in widescreen, the video quality is superb and very good considering its age. This film is 36 years old, and with the touch-up work done, it almost looks fresh out of the theater. The richness of the colors are apparent throughout the film, especially when a sweeping scenery shot occurs.

The DVD of ""Dr. Zhivago"" is also full of supplementals and extras that complement the film. Not only is there a feature-length commentary by Sharif and Rod Steiger, but there is also a music-only track. Unlike many commentaries, this one is not only relevant to the understanding of the film, but also has many anecdotes.

Although the sound is in Dolby Digital 5.1, the soundtrack is too old to be salvaged according to today's standard. However, Maurice Jarre's bittersweet, memorable score makes up the difference.

Other features include a one-hour documentary, cast interviews and a theatrical trailer.

It has been a long wait to see ""Dr. Zhivago"" on DVD, but it is certainly worth the patience. It is very fitting that such a fine epic as ""Dr. Zhivago"" has a DVD that matches the grand scope of the film.

Dr. Zhivago

****

Starring Omar Sharif, Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin

$29.99 suggested retail price

Rated PG-13

ommy is circling the street desperately looking for an elusive Pacific Beach parking spot. Clay and I are engaged in some small talk and I am getting hints about Ivan's sexual escapades.

Lyon Liew
Guardian

""We're trying to sleep our way to the top, but Ivan is getting damn tired,"" laughs Clay.

This is Spaceman Spiff. Four 20-something San Diego guys looking to make it big in the music industry. They work hard and play hard. They play gigs at coffee shops, bars, weddings and parties for pretty much anyone who will take them.

But this is not some indie-punk-rock-three-chord-thrash-trash band trying to learn its Blink-182 covers so it can get a little booty. These guys are a bona fide jazz combo and they are damn good at what they do. Playing everything from straight-ahead jazz standards to their original work, which consists of a sweeter, funkier sound, they are traveling San Diego and beyond to make themselves known.

Clay is the man on the horns. With a degree in jazz performance from San Diego State University, Clay constantly switches between the sax and the flute and also helps out on the vocals. Tommy is the rock-steady guitar player complemented by Mikey, the drummer who can easily splice together some basic jazz rhythms with complex hip-hop grooves. Ivan is the lady killer with his funky bass-playing and his sultry vocals, not to mention a degree from the California Institute for the Arts.

The Sound

So what exactly is the Spaceman Spiff sound? Capitol Records told them they were too jazzy, and Blue Note sent them away saying that sound was not jazzy enough. They fall between the cracks with their soulful tunes dashed with spicy jazz flavors.

But they keep working.

""[Playing gigs is] all we're doing right now,"" Clay says. ""I mean, we all kind of have back-up plans, but this is, like, do-or-die time.""

Ivan, who credits Stevie Wonder, Prince and Bob Marley as his influences, does not hide his ambition.

""I want to be a rock star, make lots of money and sell lots of records.""

Their sound is a combination of jazz, reggae and hip-hop. Light horns are complimented by a funk-driven bass line and Ivan's voice. The smooth guitar sound and the energetic, syncopated rhythm of the drums round out the entire Spiff sonic experience. It is slow and mellow enough to have a romantic moment and fast and melodic enough to get the feet moving.

""What we do is have some improvisation and some freedom with being creative,"" Mikey says. ""It's about creating something new every time we play.""

""I think what we have is good, eventually the music will evolve, once we all mesh as a band,"" Ivan said.

""Especially as more stuff happens in our life,"" Clay adds.

The Gig

""Performing is the perfect vessel for expression,"" Ivan says ""It's how I express myself the best. I'm better off when I play music.""

Spaceman Spiff is a quartet of performers. They play for hours at a time at places like Claire de Lunes and The Redfish. When asked about their favorite place to gig in San Diego, they immediately respond, almost unison, ""The Onyx Room.""

Spaceman Spiff has always had success at The Onyx Room with an audience that understands and also loves them. And the club is happy because Spiff regularly packs the joint.

""We own that place,"" Clay said. ""We're gonna start playing [The Onyx Room] every other week. See, that's the big thing with us, it's the clubs. The rock clubs don't work for us, but The Onyx Room is so conducive to what we do. It makes sense to nurture that and build our own scene.""

The Spaceman Spiff sound will energize the heart and soul of anyone who cares to listen. Their passion and dedication to the music is clearly marked on the musicians' faces.

As Clay said, ""Spiff doesn't know how to do anything else.""

Jam on.

EVENT INFORMATION FOR SPACEMANT SPIFF CAN BE FOUND ON HTTP://WWW.SPIFF.CC AND IN THE HIATUS CALENDAR.