showing you the littest development of one of the most popular hangouts. bulking up on junk food is a new way to slim down. students and faculty are getting a hands on learning experience by getting a new way of aquatic therapy. and the time is fast approaching. we'll take you to one local

food bank. thanks for joining us. construction has finally begun for an expansion that will improve campus life. officials broke ground on the new student union that has been years in the planning. ashley is live on campus with more. >> reporter: the new $90 million student union will benefits students, starting in 2013. the ground break not guilty week symbolizes the beginning of a muchancepated project.

-- a much anticipated project. the 230,000 square feet structure will feature a computer center, student union, and coffee shop. gutierrez wants students to be a part. >> i want to be a part of it and you can celebrate with us. >> the new building will be connected into an old student union and will be converted into an indoor theater and lecture hall. update news, ashley personal. s js u, will be issuing new tower cards. the tower card max will have a visa logo on it, and can be used as a credit card or debit card.

cards that are not linked to credit will still be available, like the current tower cards. both types of new cards will take on a new look inspired by the 1939 year book. if you don't like your boss, you may be able to write about it on face book without fearing being fired. a connecticut woman was fired after she posted negative remarks, but some employment attorneys disagree. they say it could get you canned if a manager sees it. monitoring what you post and what others post of you could help you avoid finding out the hard way. >> their facebook accounts or other social media accounts are in fact going to compromise their position. >> the case of the connecticut

woman is expected to go to court in january. it has been dubbed the twinkie diet. while some are scratching their heads about how this is possible, they might want to take his word for it. he is a nutritious expert at kansas state university. >> he has lost 27 pounds eating junk food. how could this help him fall into a healthy weight range? >> he told us the key to his dieting experience was portion control and calorie reduction. >> what kind of calories was he filling up on? >> he usually started off with a sweetened cereal, followed by coffee, more snack cakes and diet soda. he ended his day with a canned or raw vegetable and another snack cake. and incorporated protein shakes and multi-vitamins. but he reduced his overall

intake to less than 1800 calories a significant reduction to the 2600 an average man of his size wouldee. the reduction in body mass, and body fat surprised. considered overweight, and reduced it to a normal percentage. the body's ability to find alternative energy sources could be the answer. >> we store extra calories, primarily as fat. so our body goes to the fat when we don't have enough calories. although this diet is getting nationwide attention, students have mixed feelings about rip casing this professor's experiment. >> i don't want to sacrifice eating good food. >> it would destroy my system i don't hobbs says he wouldn't

recommend it either. his permanent was only to show that calories do count. >> it is okay to have a twinkie every now and then. >> so as the holidays approach don't feel too guilty to indulge, by cutting calories, you can enjoy jury favorite treats. the drink four loko is being taken off store shelves after the fda announced wednesday it plans to ban it. the drink is unsafe to be marketed in the united states. it contains 12% alcohol and has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. a career center workshop tuesday showed students how to find a job. and in this tough economy, they need all the help they can get. students learned about being flexible and pursuing jobs in healthcare and green and clean

technology. career specialist rose marquart says students should start their job search in their freshman and sophomore years. >> do a self assessment, and figure out where you might want to go and do internships and look at fields of interest. >> marquart says on average it takes graduating students three to six months to find employment. the career center advises half of the student population and holds employment workshops throughout the semester. while most retail stores are trying hard to attract customers, thrift stores seem to be on the rise. one is contributing to a worthy cause. >> martha leamon is a long time volunteer at this thrift store. she doesn't mind the work, since it benefits children and families in need. >> it is a lot of work. but at the end of the day, we

know the money is all going to a good cause. and that is the bottom line. all proceeds go to family first, a treatment center for emotionally troubled children and their families. the thrift store depends entirely on donations. customers say they love finding bargains on a variety of merchandise from clothing and shoes to appliances and collectibles. some are motivated to spend more, knowing it is benefiting children. >> the sky's the limit. you can find anything at this store. i think people don't -- donate more because it is to a good cause. >> this holiday season the store will also provide safe way gift cards for the families to buy food. liam monday says some of the

donations -- show up on her porch. >> these kids still need to be cared for and still need to be loved and they still need to go to school. the happy drag gun makes donations all year long. downtown san jose is on the verge of winner wonderland as it prepares to welcome people to christmas in the park. getting ready for spectators from all over the world. exhibit designer thomas catastropheton -- trafton says we don't allow anybody to ride

on it. but it is the biggest hit. >> it officially opens november 26th, the day after thanksgiving. all christmas in the park performances will be free of charge. second harvest food bank feeds almost a quarter million people in san mateo each month year round. the food bank is relying on donors and volunteers more than ever. >> reporter: why do we need food banks in the silicone valley? one of the most prosperous regions in the world. >> people are running out for opportunities for employment, their benefits are going down and they don't have any other place to turn to. >> reporter: second harvest estimates that more than half the hungry clients they feed are employed. but with the high cost of living in the south bay and peninsula,

many struggle to provide nutrition food for their families. >> i think it is important that, given where we live, that we recognize there are people still in need, even though we are quite fortunate and we can help those who really need it. >> reporter: second harvest provides free food to 326 nonprofit agencies, including soup kitchens, shelters and after school programs and volunteers are the heart of the operation. >> it is helping people. what more can you say? >> reporter: local businesses and individuals donate hundreds of thousands of hours each year, sorting and distributing food. the time given by volunteers is equal to more than 100 full- time paid employees.

which means money raised can go toward people, not payroll. partnerships between second harvest and community service agencies help extend the value of each donation of food or money. this means for about the price of alaudidae you can -- of a lattes you can provide food to those in need. gospel music fills the concert hall and an arabic music ensemble in oakland is helping kids. but first, we ask students with a pop quiz where the mayflower

landed. >> i don't know. i don't know. >> the mayflower landed. let's see. >> the question is, where did the mayflower land? >> i don't know. >> and any guess? >> i totally forgot. i learned this in elementary school. >> it landed people believe it landed in america. but it really landed in latin america, like puerto rico. >> i have no idea. how embarrassing. >> plymouth rock. >> i'm not too sure. i'll take a stab at it and say somewhere near boston. or plymouth rock.

is that right? >> it was plymouth work. people with disabilities are gathering in san jose to reduce doctor visits with alternative forms of medicine and old fashioned exercise. ashley personal takes us to the center. >> reporter: tucked in a neighborhood near valley center may be considered a well kept secret. but this open house saturday was many to change all that. the pool and therapy rooms were put on display. the college of aplayed scientists and arts took over -- of applied science and arts took over in 2009. the center for healthy age and go multi-cultural population are conducting research and development opportunities for students to engage with hands on

learning with the elderly. amanda talbert was taking full advantage. a work accident more than 20 years ago forced her into early retirement. >> we need to keep this center open. this is my social life, these people are great. >> reporter: charles and patsy have been married 50 years. >> it is good exercise for me and i feel she is getting benefit. >> reporter: director nancy plans to make this an annual event. >> we are talking about doing a more expansive event like this in the future. >> reporter: the rehabilitation

center is primarily geared toward those with disability, advanced age and obesity. but it is open to anyone. >> to find out more, visit the website. in san jose, ashley bern al, update news. with black friday just around the corner, shoppers are not waiting to cash in on early sales. the parking lots were packed last week with customers trying to get the best deals. retailers are using these sales to prepare for the big rush. extra help has been hired specifically to handle the big crowds. one of the outlet workers says she expected long lines and

chaos. >> people are already doing christmas shopping and asking for sales. >> usually stores open at midnight on black friday but some stores will be opening thursday at 10:00 p.m. the. s js u, got a taste of soul friday night with a concert from the school's gospel choir. audience members sang along to the soulful hymns. the group is under the direction of regina roberts, an alumni. the choir partnered with journalism professor michael

sears and continues to be one of the most requested gospel choirs in san jose. >> the musical voice of air of america in the bay area held a benefit performance sunday afternoon. profits went toward the middle east children's alliance which provides clean water for children of palestine. it is the only multi-ethnic ensemble in the bay area that represents both american and arab musicians. the group has been performing for ten years now. >> . i love the music of my

heritage. >> it was established in the shadow of hostility after the 9/11 catastrophe. >> the focus for the outside world to see the arab music and have them know about it it great. >> -- it, is great. violins and pianos were played. treats were sold during the show to support the cause to provide safe and cleaning drinking water throughout the gaza strip. >> it is not what they think. you know? they should know from themselves, not from

television. the nonprofit organization presentsish bic -- presents arabic culture. the radio television program integrated a punk theme, a steam punk theme. director kathleen normanton chose the theme. >> i wanted to make this play accessible to our young audience. a lot of times, shakespeare scares people. >> twelfth night is being performed. and that does it for this week's edition of, back to you, ladies. definitely nice to know students still care about

shakespeare. up next, we'll check in with the sports desk. we'll bring you the new teams entering the athletic conference and find out what is to come with the spartans future. women's volleyball played nationally ranked hawaii. but first students sound off on whether they think boys state should be ranked number one. -- boise state should be ranked number one. >> i do not think they should be ranked nationally. they play in a weak division and haven't had too many ranked opponents this year. i think they should be in the title game but not number one overall. >> boise straight has had three years of wins. they should get a chance when auburn or oregon gets down. >> it is not the toughest, but they have totally dominated

this entire season. they have been doing so well they blew san jose state out of the water. oregon and auburn clearly have much tougher schedules. >> they have been really well so far. i guess if they continue to win against harder teams that test their strength in football, maybe they should be ranked number one. >> they should be third. but if one of the other two lost, they could be number one. and now, sports. what do you have for us this week? >> as the football season is coming to an end, basketball season is just beginning. the san jose state basketball team has high expectations,

they got their first chance wednesday. the spartans got out to a quick start, jumping out to a 17- point lead in the first half, led by star guard adrian oliver. he finish with a game high 25 points and added 7 rebounds and five assists. justin graham had 18 points, including this three pointer by calvin douglas. the lead was cut to single digits in the second half but san jose got up late and stole the victory. 74-64, they improved to 2-0 on the season. having had one week off before facing the utah state aggies the football team looked to win their second game of the season with only three games remaining for the year. they started the game with

brandon ruttily, running the ball into the end zone. going 19 yards, san jose 10, utah state 7. an eight yard pass brings an aggie touchdown, taking away the spartans's lead. utah would score another field goal, but the kicker harrison wade makes a 46-yard field goal narrowing the partans's gap, 13-17. -- the spartan's gap, 13-17. williams breaks free here, and runs not slowing down, putting the aggies up 24-20. then in the fourth a pass to none none, the spartans go ahead by three point and utah state

comes right back and scores another touchdown. exchanging scores all night. a four yard pass is completed, s js u 34, utah state 31. with 34 seconds yet to go, the spartans advance into the scoring range, however the ball was intercepted, ending the game. >> a heartbroken locker room. these young men are trying, and giving everything they've got. we'll keep pushing. >> i thought we had big plays by a lot of guys on both sides of the football. this is the second game in a row the spartans have lost in the final seconds. >> the team is traveling to hawaii this week. three new schools are confirming they will join the

western athletic conference in the 2012 academic year. fresno state and nevada announced they would leave in 2012, following boise state. all three teams will be joining the mountain west conference. the three new teams include texas state, university of denver and university of texas san antonio. >> we are recruiting in texas now, which will be good for us. i lived there for four years. there is a lot of good high school football there. football is important this texas, i can promise you that. >> this is the first time they will be having teams from texas in their conference since 2005. with just three games left in the season, headling into their final home match last weekend the spartan volleyball faced the toughest game yet

against visiting hawaii. >> you would have thought it was a hawaii home game as the spartan gym was filled with the color green. but the spartan tans gave a -- spartan tween brands gave a great -- the spartans gave a great effort. here, a set is spiked at home to put hawaii up four. set number one hawaii, 25-17. things didn't get any easier in the second set. hawaii's consistent and powerful attack were too much for san jose to handle as set number two ended 25-17.

the spartans showed a lot of fight. hannah bloom had a team high 13 kills. that pie i won 25-22 and improved to a staggering 14-0 in league play. >> definitely we fought hard and didn't give up. that has been in there with them. and they have stayed true. >> after the regular season wraps up, the spartans will turn their attention to the tournament november 22-24th in las vegas. russell michaels, update news. and that does it. thanks for joining us. see you next week.