The Institute of Peace and Justice here at USD looks to foster peace, cultivate justice and create a safer world. This lofty goal is slowly worked toward through education, research, peacemaking activities and academic programs. Throughout its 12 years of existence, the IPJ has seen a variety of well-known peace makers and artists.

A band that can jam is always appreciated by music lovers, but a band with something more is special. Many bands are able to captivate audiences with beautiful sound, but it is only a special band that can wow audiences with a truly moving live performance. Fitz and the Tantrums are generally known for sounding better live than on recorded songs. This is undoubtedly the truth, especially on the stage of the historic Balboa Theatre last week at KPRi's Holiday Soiree.

The USD community has recently been infiltrated by a vivacious and talented singer/songwriter by the name of Teresa Gunn, and she has some big plans for us. Along with writing, performing and producing music for the last 30 years, Teresa founded a program called Street of Dreams. SOD is an organization with the mission "to be a light in the dark regions of the juvenile justice system by providing a college bridge program for youth who are at the highest risk of going to prison due to generational effects of drug addiction, alcoholism and poverty." This program currently has a 100 percent success rate, and with the help of student groups from the USD Communication and Marketing departments, Teresa hopes to take her efforts helping these young people to the next level. Vista staff writer Mackenzie Gilchrist recently talked with Teresa about her background as an artist, her work with Street of Dreams and her plans for collaboration with USD.

As finals approach and stress levels rise, weekends are being more consumed by homework and studying than the typical Mission Beach scene. However, students looking for a relaxing study break can take advantage of the many offerings at Seaport Village.

As college students at USD, we are all privileged enough to have access to clean water. Access to clean water is something we rarely even think about and is a gift we take for granted, however there are many people across the globe that are not as fortunate as we are to have clean water to drink.

Rubicon is not your ordinary deli. Its humble beginnings dig roots on the snow-kissed shores of West Lake Tahoe, where Cheri Corsiglia started Rubicon in 1993. After 15 successful years in Tahoe, Corsiglia teamed up with her son Evan in 2008 to branch the brand outward, looking to plant their feet in Reno, Nevada. Evan seemed to have a knack for the restaurant industry. In 2009, he partnered with San Diego residents Antonio Carasali and Oliver Lang in bringing Rubicon to Mission Beach, and boy, were they right on that one.

Resistance is futile; finals loom on the USD horizon in spite of all efforts to will them away. And like every year before, students promise to better prepare and even change Facebook passwords to eliminate the possibility of stalking procrastination. Now is the time to get serious with the study plan of attack, and to be better prepared, the campus has been scouted for the best of the best study spaces. Copley is a living nightmare by the time dead days roll around, so rejuvenate the mind and body for prime studying capabilities in one of the many different environments the beautiful USD campus has to offer.

Wrex the Halls offers two nights of performances by popular artists

With finals around the corner, music lovers can rest assured that there are still some great December concert options that will provide more than adequate study breaks. On Dec. 10 and 11, 91X Wrex the Halls will bring a wide range of artists to San Diego's Valley View Casino Center for a weekend of great music. Artists range from Death Cab for Cutie to Blink 182 and everything in between, which are sure to bring holiday cheer to all types of concert-goers.

2011 is coming to a bittersweet close and there is one thing on every one's mind at this time of year- finals. For most Americans, the previous sentence would end with a resounding cheer of "Christmas time!" but for us poor college students, this time of year is none other than finals season. It is the moment we've all been dreading since our first lectures back in the final days of summer, and it is the pinnacle of the classes we have been taking all semester. Needless to say, endless papers, group projects and study guides are not what I think of when I picture Christmas cheer.

USD professor of English Halina Duraj exposed a personal side of fiction writing during a reading of her upcoming novel "Fatherland."

Indie rock bands have been dominating the global music scene for the past decade, bringing new sounds to music. Ra Ra Riot is a definite forerunner of the indie scene, offering a unique band dynamic and the tales of their bittersweet history. Each band member is a skilled artist and master of his or her craft, creating a solid platform for success.

North Park is one of the less- appreciated neighborhoods among USD students. This is unfortunate, because the area has so much to offer and it is only a few exits from USD off of Interstate 8. The hip and alternative bars up and down University Ave. and 30th Street make it a prime weekend destination.

Dorothy said it best, there's no place like home. I believe that truer words have never been spoken. Our home makes us who we are.

Moustaches have become the world's trendiest accessory for men. Bros around the world have declared the month of November to be "No Shave November," in which they forgo shaving for an entire month and dedicate November to growing as much facial hair as possible. A new organization has played off this fad and created a charity called Movember. This charity is a global campaign that encourages men to start off November with a clean-shaven face and grow the most impressive moustache they can throughout the month. Bros around the world grow, trim and sculpt their moustaches into the most creative and outrageous designs in order to show their support for men's health. The placement of Movember is key, because it immediately follows October's Breast Cancer Awareness efforts. Men need some support too, ergo Movember.