The Paisano Vol. 45 Summer Issue by The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

Summer 2011 Vol. 45

The

Paisano

Birth of football program chronicled in new miniseries on FOX Sports Network Stephen Whitaker

P8: Food truck frenzy

P11: The year in athletics

“There is so much to tell about the story. Now we have all summer to fill in the blanks” Lynn Hickey UTSA Athletic Director

Stephen Whitaker/ The Paisano

P9: Navigate the JPL

The Roadrunners have yet to take the field for a real game, but they are well on their way to building a fanbase, thanks to a television series aired on FOX Sports on Southwest and Houston stations. Two episodes have already aired, but before the first episode was shown to a regional audience, UTSA hosted a premiere party on May 13 in the Skyline Lounge at the Alamodome. Among the dignitaries were UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey, Head Coach Larry Coker and general manager of FOX Sports Southwest, Jon Heidtke. The miniseries has been in the works for two years, thanks to a persistent Jim Goodman, UTSA athletics marketing director. “Jim Goodman called me and said, ‘I have a great idea for a TV show,’” Heidtke said. “He told me about what was going on down here, but I told him we had a lot going on.” Goodman didn’t give up; he kept at Heidtke to get out the story of UTSA football. “The more we talked, the more I realized that this was a story that needed to be told,” Heidtke said. The story of UTSA football--from the team to the band to the cheerleaders-- will unfold on the FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports Houston networks, available all over Texas and the bordering states. “The good news for the program is that this is going to be seen across a five-state area; Texas and the four contiguous states,” Heidtke said. “In addition to that, FOX College Sports is going to show it in 55 mil-

FOX Sports Southwest GM Jon Heidtke speaks at the premiere of the miniseries “UTSA Football: Birth of a Program.” The miniseries will follow football through the first game in Sept. lion homes nationally.” FOX Sports will advertise the show during the summer on broadcasts over its Southwest and Houston networks. “It will be promoted in telecasts of Rangers’ games, Astros’ games, our Big 12 coverage,” Heidtke said. “I think it will be a big shot in the arm for this program.”

Campus emergency phones out of order Of the four blue emergency phones inside Chaparral Village, all are at least partially broken. Of those four, two function as phones but have a broken blue top lights making them practically invisible at night. One is completely broken― and, most worrying of all, one is not functional as a phone. However, the blue light remains on, creating what Steve Barrera, UTSAPD’s chief of police, describes as “a false sense of security.” Across the main and downtown campuses only five of the 113 total phones are not functioning, but that number does not include the functioning phones with broken lights. In response to the light issue, Daniel Pena, UTSAPD’s assistant chief of police, said, “There is not specifically a light switch on the poles; we would have to manually go in there and disable them, but it’s something we can look into implementing.” He added that “generally the broken poles are wrapped in black plastic.” Barrera said that the reason for the non-functioning phones in Chaparral Village is the defective wiring to which both of the phones are connected. UTSAPD and Housing and Residence Life are currently col-

Burk Frey/ The Paisano

Dan Rossiter

Five of the 113 emergency poles have non-functioning phones, not including the poles without working lights. lecting bids from contractors to repair the problem. Barrera estimates that the phones should be fixed by the end of June. When questioned about defective Chaparral Village phones, Director of Housing and Residence Life Lionel Maten acknowledged the phone issue but said that students need not be too worried because “Housing and Residence Life has installed close to $70,000

worth of security cameras this summer,” which should provide added security. As the UTSA campuses expand, Pena said that the number of emergency phones will also increase. He added that the general policy for emergency phone placement is approximately 100 yards of walkway per phone, though that number varies based on the specifics of each location. Pena estimates that in an average year, only one “true emergency” is reported through the blue phones, given the increased use of cell phones since the blue phones were first installed in the 1970s. However, Pena insists that “(preventing) any incident that is going to put a student, faculty or staff member’s life or safety in danger, to us, is worth all that expenditure.” Barrera said that the phones are intended to “let people feel safer knowing that there is a blue phone not too far away.” According to Barrera, the blue phones are inspected weekly and, if repairs are needed, they are generally completed within a week. For a complete map of all of the blue emergency phones, please visit The Paisano’s website (paisano-online.com).

Craig Cuney, executive producer, wanted to do a show that would represent the birth of a program. “When I first came here, I wanted to do something that was really going to be impressive to the story. Cuney said. After I stopped, met with Lynn Hickey and Brad Parrot and found out their motives for bringing in football, I realized the story

of how this all came about was as important as the story on the field.” As associate athletics director for external affairs, Parrot had an important part in the birth of the program as well as in the miniseries, namely, making sure there was a story to tell. “If it wasn’t for Brad Parrot, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Hickey said. “His dedication, his vision and all the things he has put together are outstanding.” In the past, a football program starting up would not have drawn much attention outside of its locality, but thanks to modern media and the UTSA’s location in the second largest city in Texas, the birth of football has become big news outside of Bexar County. “I was drawn to this story because you don’t get to launch a football program at the Division One level very often,” Heidtke said. See FOOTBALL, Page 16

New Main Campus visual laboratory promotes research Burk Frey On May 17, UTSA unveiled another component in its drive towards Tier One research status, and the university’s newest effort is its most visual yet. Officially known as the Advanced Visualization Laboratory, the workspace uses specialized equipment to allow researchers to envision data in ways not possible with ordinary technology. The MS Building’s Advanced Visualization Laboratory (Vis Lab) features three key interfaces to achieve this goal. The Vis Lab houses an 82-inch stereoscopic 3-D screen, which will enable users to see threedimensional models and visual data on a large scale. At an open house showcasing the laboratory, the screen was used to display 3-D models of molecular compounds, though countless other uses are possible. A second screen inside the Vis Lab is tied to a high sensitivity haptic device, which is essentially a controller that researchers can use to “feel” a computerrendered object in 3-D space. The device works by providing levels of resistance that match up to the object shown on the screen, giving a very life-like sensation. During the open house, it was used to simulate a surgery, matching on-screen visuals with the appropriate

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kinds of resistance for skin and organs. The final and largest interface is a 14-foot-wide array of computer screens, all in sync, used to interpret the very largest images and sets of data. Known as the Visualization Wall, the array of screens can display photos at 98 megapixels of resolution, scaling and zooming into areas of interest at near-instant speed. To achieve this speed with such large files, the screens use a Linux-based computer cluster of 144 CPUs and 2880 GPUs running in unison. Though the Vis Lab just opened, student researchers have begun to use the facility. “We already have four graduate students and one undergraduate student working in the lab,” Vis Lab Director Dr. Yusheng Feng said. Feng has been involved with the Vis Lab since overseeing a grant application in 2009 to fund the creation of the laboratory. Critically, the Visualization Wall and the other components of the Vis Lab will eventually be networked via high-speed Internet2 connection to the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

See VIS LAB, Page 6

The Paisano

Summer 2011

The Paisano

NEWS

Handgun bill stalls in Texas legislature Dan Rossiter The 82nd Texas Legislature, which concluded on May 30, discussed the controversial issue of allowing concealed handguns on public college campuses. The idea is not new. It was introduced by Senator Jeff Wentworth as SB 1164 during the 2009 session. The bill has been surrounded by controversy. Proponents of the bill believe that it would enable self-defense during emergency situations,; opponents fear that the specifics of a university environment, combined with the legalization of concealed carry, would create a more dangerous situation rather than a safer one. These same fears were revived during this legislative session when SB 354 was introduced. Wentworth was unable to pass SB 354 as a stand-alone bill, but eventually passed the issue as an amendment to another bill (which requires a lower vote threshold to pass). However, when the Texas House of Representatives received the bill, Rep. Mike Villarreal challenged the amendment, stating that the bill covered two issues, which breaks a constitutional rule. The bill was sent back to the Texas Senate where the amendment was removed. Barring Gov. Perry calling a special session to discuss the issue, concealed carry on campus has reached the end of the line—at least until the 83rd Texas Legislature.

Summer Issue

What to expect your freshman year From finding a parking place 10 minutes before class to meeting academic expectations—college provides a variety of challenges. Samantha Burns Entering a university for the first time can be daunting for freshmen; there are some facts that new students should be aware of. First off, parking, parking and parking. The number one complaint you will hear from students, faculty and visitors is the parking. Whatever time your class is, make sure to get to campus at least an hour early to hunt for a spot or to wait for a ride on a shuttle. With the new parking garages comes another issue: high permit costs. If you want to park in a garage in the fall, it is going to cost you. A permit to park in the Student South Garage is $726, and a permit in the Student North/ Downtown Campus Garage is $464 – that is $66 and $64 more than last year’s permit fees, respectively. As stressful as parking can be, academics are the most important and time-consuming element you should be worried about. Coming straight from high school, you may find that a university can be a daunting place. “Get your work done before going to parties. Unlike high school, there are not a lot of grades (which means that each one has a higher weight on your final grade),” senior business major Danielle Carson said.

“My first year at UTSA was far from what I expected. I was intimidated by my classes but thankfully (I had) devoted and enthusiastic professors who helped me through the year,” sophomore art history major William Wise said. With all the high fees, luckily there are places such as the Tomas Rivera Center (TRC) and the Judith G. Gardner Writing Center that provide tutoring and help balance your study schedule – all for free. At the Writing Center, students can bring their papers in for a quick check or make an appointment to spend as much time as needed to get help with their paper. At the TRC, students can get help from a tutor on a variety of subjects from chemistry or economics. Students should also try to watch their spending. Textbook costs are outrageous; they can cost as much as parking permits, so be sure to spend money wisely. Beyond all the work, students should also have fun while in college. “My advice would be to get involved early. Since I am from San Antonio, I mostly know people from high school. After getting involved in different organizations, I met more people from other places,” senior French major Autumn Lansford said.

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Students celebrate at a tailgate party before the last spring homecoming game. With the addition of football, all future homecomings will take place in the fall.

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Basketball fans fill the Convocation Center before a game. Last year the men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA tournament and beat SWAC champion Alabama State 70-61.

Summer Issue

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NEWS

The Paisano

Summer Issue

Burk Frey/ The Paisano

Students win opportunity to take technologies to market The laboratory’s Vis Wall is made up of several 30-inch widescreen monitors, which work together to display large images.

VIS LAB From Page 1

According to Feng, the health science center did not have any input in the creation of the facility. “However, they are pleased that UTSA is building such an advanced Vis Lab and provided two high-resolution animation files (for the open house),” Feng said. He predicts that researchers at both institutions will be able to use the Vis Lab’s technology to collaborate like never before, and, in particular, medical training will be enhanced for users at the health science center. “I envision there will be a lot of collaboration between the two institutions in terms of research and training. For instance, robotic surgery simulation and visualization, drug delivery modeling and visualization, and imaging application in neuroscience,” Feng said. The university also hopes the Vis Lab, which was funded by a $482,667 National Science Foundation grant, will attract top international researchers.

“Co-Director Dr. Millwater and I will formulate a plan in the summer (to attract researchers),” Feng said. Even so, the laboratory was created for more than just research: it can also be transformed into a teaching space with classroom-style seating for 21 students. “The faculty associated with the lab will hold classes that have visualization components in the lab,” Feng said. Built-in videoconferencing technology supports both research and teaching activities. Though the Vis Lab is managed by the college of engineering, students and faculty from all disciplines of engineering, science, and liberal arts will be encouraged to use the facility. “Of course, to make the Vis Lab available to (all) students is part of the mission,” Feng said. Feng plans to hold outreach events to attract students interested in visualization and computation. Students and faculty can learn about the events when information becomes available, or schedule a tour of the Vis Lab, by visiting the laboratory’s website at vislab.utsa.edu.

UTSA’s most recent Student Technology Venture Competition, held April 21, lead students out of the lecture hall and into the marketplace with nine teams of students from the colleges of business and engineering. The competition, presented by UTSA’s Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship, featured an array of technologies from a portable, digitally controlled therapeutic wrap, called Ortho Applications, which regulates hot and cold temperatures to B.A.T, a convenient technology used to jump-start batteries. Competitors were judged by local academic experts based on their technology, business plan, and presentation. The biannual competition, which began in 2007, was created when UTSA determined that its business and engineering students did little to continue their production plans or to develop technologies after receiving their final grades. The competition created an incentive for these students to come together and potentially join the market after creating new technologies and plans for operating businesses.

Engineering students created a technology during the 2010 fall semester and teamed up with the business students, who then developed a company plan, this spring. The students behind Voice Detector for the Deaf (VIODD) created a technology to assist the deaf and hard of hearing. The idea was inspired by engineering team member Ahmad Turki, whose sister is a speech pathologist and works with the hearing impaired. The technology detects and identifies sounds in the users’ surroundings, depending on the customized settings set by the user, for example a crying baby, a doorbell or knock, or a home-security alarm. There are two prototypes: a solitary device and one installed as a cell phone application. The VIODD team was the only one to place in both competitions: second in engineering and third in entrepreneurship. “The competition was really intense because everyone worked so hard on the technological side to come up with something innovative and influential and on the business side

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to make it marketable. Everyone wanted to win,” College of Business Graduate Allison Linahan said. Linahan’s team, PowerSole, placed fifth in the overall competition. PowerSole is a technology that uses electricity and solar energy to charge a back-up battery in the heel of a tennis shoe in order to charge cell phones and other small electronic devices. ATALIS, technology created to measure alcohol inventory in bars and restaurants, placed second in the business planning competition. ATALIS takes measurements in real-time as opposed to other beverage management systems, which require bar owners to go back and measure after each shift or at the end of the week. This technology aims to reduce theft and produce a more accurate inventory. This year’s winners were the business and engineering students who developed eGLD, a prototype electric gastric leak detector. The team received $100,000 in prizes and benefits, which included consulting, legal services and office space.

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The Paisano

Editor-in-Chief: Vanessa Elizarraras

Managing Editor: Joseph Tidline

News Editor: Allison Tinn

Arts Editor: Katy Schmader

Sports Editor: Stephen Whitaker

Photo Editor: Burk Frey

Ads Manager: Kevyn Kirven

Business Manager: Jenelle Duff

Web Editor: Dan Rossiter

Staff: Eric Becerra, Samantha Burns, Robyn Bramwell, Dylan Crice, Graham Cull, Kristoffer Hellesmark, Victor H. Hernandez, Kayla Larsen, Megan Lovelady, Pamela Maldonado, Dana Messer, Cliff Perez, Katy Schmader

Contributing Staff:

Kristen Acosta, Maritza Avelar, Paty Castro, Morgan Colhoff, Matt Dargan, Micheal Gardiner, Sonia Gonzalez, Nina Hernandez, Charles Horvilleur, Mark Muniz, Kelsey Nichols, HeeSun Park, Lindsey Sumrall, Mariel Vazquez

Advisor: Diane Abdo

Advisory Board: Steven Kellman, Mansour El Kikhia, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Matt Stern The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a nonprofit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed towards:

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OPINION

The Paisano

Summer 2011

Editorial

The more you know... The start of a college career can be a daunting time. There are decisions to be made, classes to take and plenty of other responsibilities that can make these challenges overwhelming. The best way to conquer this feeling is to be informed. If you don’t understand the material that is being taught in class, ask a question. If you’re unsure of what classes you need to take, go to advising. If you don’t know what you want to do with your degree, do some research to determine your options. However, your search for knowledge shouldn’t be restricted only to college matters. As an adult, you

should keep yourself informed in other subjects as well. Since most of you entering UTSA in the fall are of voting age, it’s crucial that you keep yourself informed about the issues. First of all, you should know where and how you can register to vote. Once you’re registered, keep up with candidates running for the presidency, the senate and regional elections. Know where they stand on key issues. That’s not to say that you must know every detail about every candidate, though. Also, keep yourself informed about new laws and bans, for example, the law prohibiting texting while driving or the ban on smoking

in San Antonio bars, bingo and pool halls. The smoking ban will go into effect on Aug. 19, 2011. There are still many subjects that students should be informed about. Some can be as important as housing issues or as basic as finding out how to get a library card. Search for insights on new topics. Don’t assume that you know all there is to know about anything. The Paisano can help you with your search. This newspaper covers issues that relate to UTSA, whether they involve academics, athletics or any other issue relevant to our university community. Read the newspaper weekly and let us what you think.

Commentary Learn to experiment with new ideas and freedoms The high school graduation season is coming to an end, and freshman orientation is finally here. I remember my orientation quite well: the over-the-top orientation leaders, whose enthusiasm was made even more perplexing in the San Antonio heat, lots of walking around from auditorium to auditorium (you’d think they’d try to consolidate all of the major lectures in one place) and finally the sweet taste of independence. The first night I slept over at Chaparral Village I thought, “It’s so quiet!” My mother’s sometimes overbearing voice was silenced the minute we had split earlier that morning. I was a free man. I think freedom is what college represents to most freshmen. We are allowed a sandbox on which to test both intellectual and social boundaries (as long as we pay the premium). Now that I’m an upperclassman it’s funny to hear students complain

about i>clickers (been there, done that), long lines (you just have to know when to go), the overly inflated core curriculum that makes one wonder if high school ever ends and the love/hate relationship with financial aid. It’s important for freshmen to use their newfound freedom to experiment with new ideas and leave their preconceived notions behind. Professors will challenge them with an almost Socratic level of disagreement. Unbeknownst to students, professors often hope that one day a student will organize a reasonable argument, support it with facts and tear their instructor’s opinion to pieces. Experimentation is also important for a healthy social life. The Paisano typically recruits higher numbers of students during the beginning and ending of semesters. From what I’ve observed of other organizations, this is a common occurrence. I think it means that students begin to regret not getting involved with their university and try to make up for their apathy too little, too late. I don’t blame freshmen, though. Organizations tend to be either

unorganized or inactive. Have you seen any student political organizations protesting legislation lately? I can’t even joke that our student government still hasn’t taken a definite stance on handguns on campus because students didn’t hold them accountable. Student governments represent the student culture of universities, and UTSA happens to have one that stands for nothing – one accomplishes little. I have also observed that students tend to hold their principles too closely. It’s important to be open to diverse opinions, especially in arguments. One of the most difficult ideas for students to comprehend is that it’s okay to agree to disagree during a debate. That doesn’t mean that they should leave all of their principles behind, and doing so can often lead to dire consequences. It’s easy in college to become immersed in the “wrong” crowd, and freshmen are usually the first to succumb. One of the students in my orientation group received a ticket and a court date within his second month on campus for underage drinking. Welcome to college.

Best of Photo Poll

What are your plans for the summer?

Ryan Hartley Senior / biology

“I’m going on a honeymoon with my wife in Vilseck, Germany.”

What’s the best April Fool’s prank you’ve done or heard of?

Kimberly Estrada Sophomore / criminal justice

“I told my conservative parents I was pregnant and getting an abortion. I’m from a small town, so the priest actually called me to talk me out of it.”

What was your worst Valentine’s Day ever?

Letter to the Editor Allow all future students to reach their full potential After reading the article titled, “Admission requirements will change for future students,” I cannot help but have mixed feelings about the situation. Although I do think actions are necessary to improve graduation rates, I honestly feel that it is more important for a student to graduate rather than to graduate in a “timely manner.” One thing that stands out in this passage is money. All I see is another method stopping admissions and

financial aid from distributing the necessary funds to those in need. I believe that there are other strategies that can be put to use in order to promote graduations. It is obvious to see that UTSA is growing right before our eyes, and with growth, drastic changes will occur. My only concern is that by tightening the admissions requirement, admissions may be preventing a student with great potential from ever reaching their goals.

One trait that I admired about UTSA was, despite its gradual growth, the institution still presented opportunities to students that other colleges wouldn’t accept, and in our effort to become a Tier 1 school, I believe that UTSA has lost sight of that characteristic. Joshua Bennett Senior

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Ashley Douglas Freshman / Biology “My boyfriend at the time got another girl pregnant right before Valentine’s Day.”

Is it constitutional for the police to take blood if they suspect a DWI?

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Brittany Barnett Senior / Interdisiplinary studies “I think it is a good idea because you’ve got to keep people responsible.”

Keep an eye out next fall for new hot-topic questions!

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FEATURES

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Summer 2011

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The seating area in front of the information desk in the library used by students to relax or study for class.

Navigate the JPL

Stephen Whitaker /The Paisano

Financial services, tutoring

and coffee—all in one building Bryanna Bradley

Have you ever thought about applying for a scholarship or financial aid? Have you ever needed help on homework in a class that was particularly challenging? Where can you find help with situations such as these? In the John Peace Library Building (JPL), one of UTSA’s oldest buildings, which houses the newly renovated library and much more. The Sombrilla, a favorite place for students to hang out, is the gateway into the first floor of the JPL where you will find a food court as well as a Starbucks where you can buy that pick-me-up coffee to get you through the day. On the first floor of the JPL is the fiscal services office, the financial aid and enrollment services offices.

Fiscal services is the place all students and parents may dread visiting because it eats away at the contents of your pocket book. At fiscal services you can make payments on tuition, get refund checks and find answers to questions about your tuition bills. By “liking” the office’s Facebook page, you will have access to updates on payment deadlines. Financial aid and enrollment services is the center where you can apply for scholarships or turn in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are seeking loans outside of FAFSA or seeking any scholarship information, come here. On the second floor of the JPL, a whole world of help and information is available. Inside the library, students have access to the Q-Lab, the Supplemental Instruction (SI) offices, computer/printing labs and

Tuition payments are handled by fiscal services located on the first floor of the John Peace Library Building. traditional library resources: books, Internet, journals and databases. The Q-Lab, Quantitative Skills Tutoring Lab, is a free tutoring service available to any UTSA student. This center, located on the first floor of the library, can help students with the more difficult classes, including those in science, mathematics, engineering, and business. You can access the full list through http://utsa. edu/trcss/tutoring. No appointment is necessary; simply walk in, sign in with your UTSA

ID and select the class you need help with. A tutor will be available shortly. Mind you, this is a tutoring center—not a homework-answer-center— so the tutors will help you to understand the information. However, they will not do the homework for you. The SI portion of the library is directly next to the Q-Lab. SI leaders have offices at this location, so if a student needs any outside help, this is a great place to receive it.

SI sessions are for “students [to] review lecture notes and text material, prepare for tests and improve learning strategies,” explains the Supplemental Instruction pamphlet available at the Tomás Rivera Center. These leaders “attend class every day,” and their job is “to help students think about the lecture and reading material...to help you put it all into perspective so that you can learn the course material much more efficiently.” SI session times and locations vary because the tutors strive to cater to the needs of the students. Your SI class decides which meeting times work best and on which days; the SI leader takes care of the rest. The best part is that the service is free—just like service in the Q-Lab. Immediately past the main entrance into the library is a large computer and printer lab for students. The computers are accessible by logging in with your my.utsa.edu email id (abc123) and password. As a registered student, you will have full Internet access with the convenience of information desks, just in case any problems arise. So if you happen to get locked out of your computer because your password expired, or if you have questions pertaining to any computer or printer needs, simply ask the people at the desk. Furthermore, the most pleasant part of using the computer lab is that paying for the printing is painless. Each semester UTSA puts a specific amount of money on your UTSA ID card to use just for printing. So when you need to print large numbers of lecture slides or really big term papers, these printers are ready, whether you need to print black-and-white or color. Check us out online at paisano-online.com for more Paisano articles and information.

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Need An Apartment??? I can help you! Save yourself, time, money, gas, and hassle. My services are free! Call William @ 210-835-6132 :-)

1Summer 2011

Around town Pamela Maldonado

June 20 Last day to withdraw from all classes and receive 50 percent refund of tuition

June 21

Vanessa Elizarraras /The Paisano

Deadline to chose credit/no credit grading option (undergraduate only)

Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms Inc. displays their mushrooms. Kitchen Pride is one of the vendors at the Pearl Farmer’s Market. Foodies can also enjoy delicious meals and tastings from the up-andcoming chefs of the Culinary Institute of America right next door. Since the amphitheatre was built, you can now visit the brewery for live music and entertainment as well as an occasional movie on the lawn in the Pearl Park. Brackenridge Park is one of the city’s largest parks that offer more activities to fit into any one day. Located in the heart of San Antonio near downtown, Brackenridge sits in the middle of just about everything. At 343 acres, the park enables families to choose from a vast floral display in the Japanese Tea

August 26, 2008

Dates to know

Skip the obvious and explore the real San Antonio After an unexpected long winter and very short spring, summer has finally arrived. There is no better time to enjoy the outdoor attractions San Antonio has to offer. Of course, you can find the typical, Sea World and Fiesta Texas, but why not step outside of the box and spend your days doing something a little more creative? Take a stop on your path to peace and get in touch with your spirituality by visiting San Antonio Museum of Art’s newest contemporary exhibition, “The Missing Peace.” This touring attraction includes works by over 80 artists from across the world, who have created pieces based on their perspective of the meaning of peace and the Dalai Lama’s endeavors. The title is a play on words, considering we are living in a world that is anything but peaceful, but the Dalai Lama believes that “dedicating oneself to peace is anything but pointless.” This exhibit has traveled to major cities from Los Angeles to New York and will visit the San Antonio Museum of Art through July 31. The Pearl Brewery is the newest venue in the downtown area. Daily, citizens of San Antonio and tourists from all locations can enjoy the many offerings of the Pearl Brewery—from dining at Sandbar Fish House and Market, to shopping at the Farmer’s Market every Saturday and Wednesday.

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Gardens or view some of the world’s endangered species at the San Antonio Zoo, while having the option for picnics, pedal boating or fishing right in the park itself. You can also enjoy athletic fields, playgrounds, concessions and even a miniature railway to help you travel through the park. Whether you find yourself wanting to sightsee nature’s beauty or find yourself hungry for treats, the summer season in San Antonio has a variety of activities to choose from. Aside from making the traditional outing to Fiesta Texas or the lakes to tube, see what traditional San Antonio has to offer.

June 27 Last day to withdraw from all classes and receive 25 percent refund of tuition and fees

July 8, 2011 Ten-week session begins Last day to withdraw from all classes and receive an 80 percent refund of tuition and fees

July 11 Last day to withdraw from all classes and receive 50 percent refund of tuition and fees

July 12

Census (L) Last day to drop or withdraw without a June 30 grade, or drop an individual course and receive a 100 Last day to withdraw from percent refund all classes and receive automatic W for all courses.

July 13

July 1 Late registration begins

July 4 Independence Day; university closed

July 6 Five-week session finals

July 7

Five-week session finals

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Census (S) Last day to drop or withdraw without a grade, or drop an individual course and receive a 100 percent refund

August 5 End of ten-week session

August22-23 Roadrunner Days

August 24 First day of fall semester

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Summer at the cinema

ARTS

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Adam Daufen

Summer can be such a drag when there is nothing to do. Throughout summer, San Antonio puts on many free or cheap movies around town. So clear your schedule and make time for these fine films.

North by Northwest Another Hitchcock must-see classic. A quasi-political thriller that involves a somewhat successful advertising man who had the “wrong face” at the wrong time. This film really seems like the inception of any “political” thriller film and surprisingly has quite a bit of action. Of course, you get some cheesy 50s romantic dialogue, but maybe it will help out any young bachelor on the prowl. I digress. At any rate, be sure to catch this one at least once in your life, so why not for free? North by Northwest can be seen at the McNay Art Museum on Aug. 7 as a part of their suits and Sleuths Series. You can get in for the price of admission to the museum; the movie begins at 2 p.m. Ghostbusters Ghosts? Laughs? Bill Murray? What’s not love about this flick? If you haven’t seen it, I suggest you quickly do, considering it’s a great pop culture flick. There are awesome 80s special effects, and a couple of good scares here and there. It’s great flick for the whole family. Ghostbusters can be seen at the Friendly Spot on June 22 at dusk. Some Like it Hot This film opens up with an action-packed car-chase scene; the cops are after a hearse, which actually is carrying illegal alcohol instead of a deceased person. You guessed it; it’s prohibition and the mafia rules Chicago. Despite this set up, it’s actually a movie about two struggling musicians who just can’t seem to get by during the chill of the Windy City’s winter. To make things worse, they end up witnessing a mob shooting and luckily escape with their lives. But, of course, the mob is out to get them, and what perfect way to evade the mafia than to pick up a music gig in Florida in an “all girls band.” A hilarious film involving a great comedic duo who both fall for Marilyn Monroe (who wouldn’t) and have to keep their womanly disguises intact. In all seriousness, it really brings up the question of gender roles and how women are treated in society, so it’s not just a comedy. Be sure to see it. Some Like it Hot can be seen at the Botanical Gardens on Aug. 26 as part of the Botanical Gardens Starlight Movies in the Garden series. Movie will start at 7:30 p.m. Ironman II Although the first film in the series is eons better, the second Ironman is still enjoyable. The second had too many characters and too little character development. This movie wasn’t even about Ironman, more so an “Avengers” flick. This film had some cool action scenes, some really great acting from the entire cast. It would be better to catch this film at a theatre, as it suits the big screen more than a television one, due to its epic tone. To sum up, see it especially when it’s free. Just don’t go in expecting a masterpiece. Iron Man II can be seen on July 29 at the park on Greely St and Viesca St. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial What is there to say about “E.T.”? This movie has been referenced to death in hundreds of movies, television shows, books, and even comics. So I know you know something about it. At its core, “E.T.” is about an alien who gets left behind on Earth and is befriended by a human, Elliot. Elliot tries to help “ET” (alien’s nickname) return home. It’s an adventure filled with heartwarming comedy, sterile government and a friendship as big as the universe (cheesy, but appropriate). Take the kids, (if you have any; nobody likes a creeper) and enjoy this classic Spielberg flick. E.T can be seen at the Friendly Spot on June 15.

Katy Schmader / The Paisano

Rear Window A riveting Alfred Hitchcock tale of inquiry and suspicion. Made back in 1954, some youth today probably would fall asleep during this film, as it’s not as “stimulating” as a modern, blockbuster film. But to anyone who enjoys mysteries, this is definitely a movie for you. It sits you right next to our protagonist, an experienced photojournalist who has broken his leg and rides out his boredom at his apartment by watching his numerous neighbors through his rear window. It was all in good fun, except when he saw something that wasn’t meant for his eyes. This movie is not one to miss. Rear Window can be seen on June 21 as part of Texas Public Radio’s Cinema Tuesdays.

Wheelie Gourmet was one of the first trucks on the lot, and the first truck Crusin’ Kitchens made on their own. Wheelie’s menu is completely organic; it attracts quite a crowd.

Get on the Boardwalk!

Trucks roll in with food in increasing numbers

Katy Schmader

They are coming in hoards, armies, even gangs to find you on every side street corner. And their goal is to serve you delicious, gourmet food on wheels. Gourmet food trucks are multiplying, and it looks like they will be here to stay. Although the idea of the food truck may not be new, the number of food-serving trucks have been exponentially increasing in the last few years. Austin predicts a total of 1,620 food trucks in their city by the end of 2011. That is almost triple the 648 accounted for in 2006. And this trend is not found just in Austin; food trucks are rolling in all over the continental U.S., including in San Antonio. San Antonio is following the trend with Boardwalk on Bulverde, off of the Bulverde exit on 1604 East. In the middle of suburbia, Boardwalk on Bulverde is a dedicated food truck trailer park, for the lack of a better phrase. Created by Cameron Davies and Matt Marshall, Boardwalk on Bulverde is home to 11 unique trucks that serve a variety of dishes.

Set up cafeteria style, on any given day these trucks will be parked and available for your eating pleasure. The environment is very friendly, with picnic benches outside and a playground for children. On Thursday nights, movies or sports games are shown on the large cinema screen. DJ’s play music, and there is often complimentary beer for those who are of age. Davies and Marshall are the proud owners of Cruising Kitchens, a shop that specializes in custom creation of mobile food trucks. Here is where it all began. Together they have been building trucks for people all over the country. With extra land on the side of their business, they decided to rent it out to food trucks. At the Boardwalk on Bulverde, trucks have a dedicated place to station themselves. This makes it possible for them to make great, affordable food.

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The Paisano

Summer 2011

The Paisano

Summer 2011

ARTS

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Katy Glass

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen Jacob Jankowski, the book’s main character, literally jumps right into the story as he hops a train to join the Benzini Brothers’ Most Spectacular Show on earth. This book has many powerful elements: the struggle of circus life during the Great Depression, the power and pain of memories, and of course a daunting romance. Why read it? The circus life portrayed in this novel is raw and riveting. It allows the reader into a world of performance at its most insulting, and leads you into the depths of morality and self-worth. Not to mention the book has also been recently made into a feature film. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer From the author of Everything is Illuminated, this novel is narrated by various characters. The primary story focuses is on 9-year-old Oskar Schell through his journey to uncover the answer to the last riddle given to him by his father, who died in the World Trade Center collapse. The book also follows Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather through the development of their love and into the WWII bombing in Dresden. Why read it? Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close presents ideas of delicate creation and provokes the complete expanse of emotion. This is a story of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. And is, by far, one of my absolute favorite books.

1920s. The shallow party goers represent 20s glam at its best. And Gatsby himself is living the American Dream. The Great Gatsby delves into the notion that “money can’t buy happiness” and that even with hundreds of guests a night, a man can still feel entirely alone. Why read it? Not only is it a classic, it’s a great read. From the vivid parties to the subtle need for companionship, The Great Gatsby shows life at its best, and at its worst.

in good hands, but if that doesn’t convince you, here are a few details that might help. The Martian Chronicles is a collection of short stories about man’s conquest on Mars. It’s a direct examination of human nature and focuses primarily on the fear of the unknown. Why read it? Because it’s an eloquent post apocalyptic sci fi novel written by Ray Bradbury. What more do I need to say? It’s bloody brilliant.

Nox by Anne Carson

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

This Book-in-a-box opens accordion style. Nox may be classified as a book of poetry, but it’s not just a book of poems. It’s more of a scrapbook memorial to her brother containing photos, paintings, poems and handwritten letters amongst many other keepsakes. Why read it? The first page of the book is a poem written in Latin, but there is no translation in footnotes neatly below. Instead, bit by bit, the poem is defined to you throughout the book, and by the end you finally have the entire meaning. The Stranger by Albert Camus Despite its overall simplicity, the message has an astounding depth. The Stranger attempts to answer questions such as “What is the meaning of life?” or “ What makes you human?” along with many other philosophical questions. This book questions and develops the meaning of and influences on human perception. Why read it? If you have an interest in existentialism or philosophy this is definitely a book for you.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Jay Gatsby throws the most extravagant and lavish parties in the

Ray Bradbury knows how to deliver classics, so you know that you’re

House of Leaves is Mark Z. Danielewski’s debut novel. This complex piece of metafiction has many layers. It’s told in documentary style, and despite convincing footnotes, appears to be entirely fiction. The many layers of this novel make it hard to give any reasonably brief and understandable synopsis. My only advice: come ready to untangle the layers, and don’t expect anything to be straightforward. Why read it? It’s a masterpiece. Each layer builds it up to a monstrosity to keep up with but delivers a powerful message that’s worth the journey. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Emily Bronte’s Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw give the world a haunting but classic love story. Exploring romance and tragedy, Wuthering Heights will remain with you long after you finish reading. Why read it? “If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it.”

Burk Frey/ The Paisano

Get hooked on a book: Summer ‘must reads’

Many of the books on The Paisano’s reading list can be borrowed from the JPL and other local libraries, or visit us at www.paisano-online.com for links to the books on Amazon. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison You’re not about to step into a novel about a man with the superpower to make himself invisible; instead, you’re about to entering a powerful allegory of social invisibility due to the color of your skin. Invisible Man is about the loss of identity, of your voice and therefore, of your visibility entirely. Invisible Man will give you insight into another individual’s alienation. Not only will it make you sympathetic, it will also instill a sense of camaraderie within you. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin This story encompasses themes of power, greed, envy, lust, love and especially of difference. The story

jumps between various narrators as we get to see from the eyes of a great lord, then a bastard son, and a young girl recently wed in an arranged marriage. The many themes and characters give the story a great depth that allows for a wide range of readers to find at least one character with which they hold some common ground. The characters are so real you will quickly find yourself enveloped into the plot. Also it has recently been made into an HBO series, so once you finish reading this book along with the rest of the series, you’ll be just in time to rent the entire season! Why read it? Each layer builds it up to a monstrosity to keep up with, but delivers a powerful message that’s worth the journey.

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SPORTS

The Paisano

Summer 2011

Prime Nine: nine events that shaped 2010-2011 campaign for Roadrunner athletics

Women’s volleyball wins Southland for first time since 2000

UTSA accepts invitation to join Western Athletic Conference in 2012

File Photo

Women’s soccer team wins first conference championship in history of program

Even before they play a down, UTSA football is big news across Texas.

FOOTBALL From Page 1

Athletic department receives $15 million from city/county to build new athletic complex

Head women’s softball coach resigns less than one month before season begins

Men’s indoor track team wins sixth consecutive Southland Conference championship

Men’s basketball becomes first sport to win game in NCAA Tournament play

Football team plays inaugural spring game at Alamodome

Women’s golf team wins firstever Southland Conference Championship

Golf photo courtesy of Southland Conference; athletic complex render courtesy of UTSA; all others, Paisano file.

“I was drawn to the story of Coker starting a program from scratch and of Lynn Hickey continuing to push through and break barriers. It seemed like something that was movie-esque.” The miniseries appealed to Coker because of the work done behind the scenes that helped birth the program. “It is not just football,” Coker said. “A lot goes into it, and I think a lot of people may not know, but they can watch it and understand the work that went into building the program.” “There is so much to tell about the story,” Hickey said. “We now have all summer to fill in the blanks.” In addition to filling in the blanks about the program’s history, Hickey and her staff will also be busy securing the future of the program. “We are selling tickets and raising money to get the football practice facility built,” Hickey said. “It is

a busy summer and a fun summer getting ready for that first game.” The players who will take the field in the first-ever game will have the summer to prepare themselves for the rigors of birthing a football program on the field. “Our players are going to be in summer school,” Coker said. “They will be lifting weights with our strength coaches and conditioning. Also, they will have their voluntary individual workouts.” When the Roadrunners finally do take the Alamodome field on Sept. 3, their opponent will be Northeastern, Coker’s alma mater in Oklahoma. “Northeastern is a Division II team so their personnel can change,” Coker said. “We will have their tape and know a little bit more about them than they might about us.” The Roadrunners’ first game against Northeastern will kickoff at 1 p.m. in the Alamodome, Sept. 3.

Work In Progress: Stephen Whitaker To the freshman class of 2011 welcome to UTSA. Whether you are here for a year or four or six, you are part of a historic class. You are the first class to experience an entire college career with football at UTSA. For those of us who can remember UTSA without football (I came here in 2008, left in 2009 and came back in 2010), it is exciting to see the sport starting up. On the other hand, we old-timers are going to be sad to see the end of the “UTSA Football: Still Undefeated” T-shirts. Yes, we are probably going to lose a game or two on the gridiron. As the first UTSA class to have football during your entire college career, you have the honor of being a part of the creation of traditions that will endure, so make them good traditions. In addition to seeing the beginning of football, you are entering UTSA at a time of transition. On July 1, 2012, we will leave the Southland Conference, our home since 1991, and make our way into the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). By joining the WAC, UTSA will move into the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of Division I, although we will not become bowl eligible until 2014. In addition to a new sport and a new conference, our athletic teams are coming off the best year in UTSA history. You are coming to a school with five defending Southland Conference Champions - remember that when you go back to visit your hometown. For those who are not from San Antonio, there is a lot to do in this town for less than the price of gas

to drive to Austin every weekend. From April to September, every Thursday home game of the San Antonio Missions baseball team is dollar night. For five bucks, you can get bleacher seats and then everything at the concession stand is one dollar. Parking is five dollars, but it is always worth the price if you have a few friends with you. If baseball isn’t your sport, there is the Rampage hockey team. They play in the AT&T Center from November to April, and they also offer dollar nights periodically. Another team that plays in the AT&T Center is the city’s NBA team, the Spurs. Whether or not you are a Spurs fan, the team usually has deals that allow you to attend the games at a reasonable price. If going to see people get paid to play games is not your thing, there are countless parks all over San Antonio that can offer an escape from the dorm/apartment. Wherever you go, always be proud that you are a Roadrunner. We may not be Longhorns or Aggies, but in four or six years when you get a diploma that says The University of Texas at San Antonio, it will be worth just as much as one your friends receive at any other school. And get involved on campus. The Paisano is always looking for people to write, draw, sell ads or take photos. Sports is always looking for new writers with new ideas. If you like sports and/or like writing about sports, come by one of our weekly meetings this fall. We have them every Thursday afternoon, and attending is a great way to meet people. Good Luck and Go Roadrunners!

File Photo

Welcome to UTSA, new Roadrunners

Richard Garrett Jr. finished in 14th place in the shot put, which placed him on the second team All-America.

Three Roadrunners earn All-American honors at NCAA outdoor track and field Championships GoUTSA.com Sophomores Richard Garrett Jr. and Keith Benford both earned AllAmerica honors in June at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which were contested at Drake Stadium. Garrett Jr. recorded a 58-0 ½ (17.69m) measurement in the shot put, but that mark was not far enough to advance to the nine-man final. The Garland native finished his second national competition of the year in 14th place and that performance gave him his second second-team All-America certificate of the campaign. He placed 15th at March’s NCAA Indoor and is the only thrower in program history to earn All-America honors.

Meanwhile, Benford cleared 6-8 ¾ (2.05m) en route to a 23rd-place finish in the high jump, which was good for honorable mention accolades. The Pflugerville native became the first high jumper in program history to earn an All-America award. The pair of certificates pushed UTSA’s all-time total to 11 in national outdoor competition and seven of those have come under the direction of ninth-year head coach Aaron Fox, including six in the last five seasons. Senior Devon Bond earned second-team All-America honors during Saturday’s final day of competition at the NCAA Championships. The Trenton, N.J., native finished 16th in the field of 24 triple jumpers

with his wind-aided leap of 50-10 ¼ (15.50m) on his third attempt of the day. That was not good enough to advance to the nine-man final, but he was able to earn All-America accolades for the second consecutive campaign. When combined with sophomore Richard Garrett Jr.’s second-team honors in the shot put and fellow soph Keith Benford’s honorable mention accolades in the high jump on Friday evening, the Roadrunners picked up three awards in the same meet for the first time in program history. The Roadrunners now have advanced three athletes to national meet three times in the last five seasons.

Join The Paisano. Meetings every Thursday during fall and spring semesters.

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Summer 2011

The Paisano

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The Paisano

Summer 2011