First Copy Free
Feb. 28, 2012 theAccent.org
Volume 14, Issue 9
NEWS Community remembers Esme Berrera | Page 4
NEWS Scientists, students celebrate Darwin Day | Page 5
LIFE & ARTS PTK promotes bone marrow drive | Page 7
News → Community
LIFE & ARTS Rio Grande Campus Gallery exhibits ACC art works | Page 10
Marathon goes distance for charity
LIFE & ARTS Seasonending fashion trends rich at downtown Austin store DuO | Page 10 Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
SEA OF PEOPLE — Runners racing down North Congress at the start of the Livestrong 5K. The events of Sunday Feb 19 brought out runners of all ages.
LIFE & ARTS ’This Means War’ film proves action, romance, comedy mix well | Page 11
LIFE & ARTS ’Bullhead’ film follows tortured. addicted character through pain, loss | Page 11
Livestrong event reaches milestone, attracts diverse crowd, unites Austin Serena Kelley Staff Writer
Eighteen thousand runners braved the wind and chilly early morning weather to raise money for charity in the 21st annual Livestrong Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K event Feb. 19 in downtown Austin. When the bullhorn sounded at 7 a.m., thousands of spectators cheered the runners who represented all 50 states and dozens of countries around the world. The event’s slogan is 26 miles for 26 charities. The money raised goes to benefit each of the 26 charities under Livestrong’s philanthropy program and this year marked a milestone in that the 150,000th participant crossed the finish line. Austin Community College students were actively involved in all aspects of the event. Reinaldo Johari was one of them. “I enjoy every moment of this event, and the participants do as well. Even though some people may not be physically able to race, they are still pushing for others,” Johari said.
Jon Shapley • Photo Editor
OPENING MOMENTS — Runners channel past the starting line of the LIVESTRONG Austin
Marathon and Half Marathon. “This is an event close to my heart which I will continue to volunteer in.” ACC student and professional triathlete Randy Stringer participated for a
fourth year. “This event has definitely helped the community and put a lot of awareness into Lance’s [Armstrong] work,” Stringer said. “Not just as a running
event, but to the reason why we are running. It is a great way for all these charities to be recognized.” Members of ACC’s Fire Training Academy also
volunteered at the event. Cadet William Mullins was a first-time volunteer. “As firefighters, our job is to be out there supporting the community and this is an extension of that,” Mullins said. “There is a lot of correlation between firefighting and selfless service. We want to show that this is not just something we do, but this our life.” Event coordinator Jeff Hahn said, “This event is the ultimate expression of health and fitness in this city, an attribute Austin is well known for and this marathon takes on the influence of that.” Livestrong founder and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who is also a professional triathlete and seven-time Tour de France winner, was also in attendence. He congratulated Austin for being “the coolest city in America,” before going on to run the race himself. Recognized as the greenest race in North America, Livestrong Marathon is Austin’s only marathon and one of the largest combined marathons and half marathons in the country.
News → Community
ACC students arrested at equal rights protest Protestors seeking marriage equality turned away by county clerk’s office, 2005 referendum on marriage cited as reason Raymond Weyandt
Staff Writer
Three women, two of them Austin Community College students, were arrested the afternoon of Feb. 14 while participating in an equal rights protest at the Travis County Clerk’s Office in Austin. Brittney Tovar, secretary of ACC’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), said she wasn’t scared although she had never been arrested before. Iana Di Bona and her partner, GSA member Tiffani Bishop, were also arrested after refusing to leave the clerk’s office. They joined dozens of
protesters at the Valentine’s Day action, which was organized by GetEQUAL Texas, a community organization that works for marriage equality and other rights for gay and lesbian citizens. The sit-in was part of a series of protests taking place across the country and across Texas amid a nationwide call for marriage equality. Approximately 40 demonstrators filled the county clerk’s office for the Valentine’s Day event. Bishop and Di Bona joined five other couples in requesting a marriage license. One by one, the couples were denied licenses based on their sexual orientation. When it
was their turn, Bishop and Di Bona, who celebrated their anniversary on Feb. 14 received the same answer as the other couples from county clerk Dana DeBeauvoir. “Perhaps in the future, I could issue you a marriage license, but until that day I’m afraid I have to turn you down,” DeBeauvoir said in a video shot by a demonstrator at the event. The Texas Constitution was altered by referendum in 2005, defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. “When that language became law,” DeBeauvoir said, “it became impossible to issue
a marriage license to anything other than a heterosexual couple.” While DeBeauvoir said she was doubtful that this change in the law can easily be overturned, she had nothing but encouraging words to offer the protesters. “I wish them luck in court with it,” she said. “I share their concern that [the law] does not provide civil rights for everybody.” Hundreds of people have since watched the footage online, which shows the three women being arrested by Travis County constables and led to waiting patrol cars. Tovar, Bishop and Di Bona, were held for roughly six hours at the Travis County Jail before being released on bail. Their lawyers are confident that the charge of obstructing a walkway will ultimately be dropped. “I’ve never felt this kind of
instantaneous community love and support,” Tovar said. In the days following the arrests, Tovar said her Facebook page lit up with messages from friends and supporters. Michael Diviesti, lead Texas organizer for GetEQUAL, said the organization experienced a similar increase in visitors to its website and social media sites. “There are a lot of people saying ‘thank you’ and a lot of other groups now wanting to work with us,” Diviesti said. “People are taking bold actions. We need our lawmakers to quit making laws that hurt us.” ACC history professor David Lauderback commented that the actions of the students arrested during the Valentine’s Day protest were no different than actions taken by civil rights leaders in the 1960s. “These students are following in a well-established tradition by college students
in America,” Lauderback said. “Sit-ins can be a very popular, very effective technique for effecting social change.” ACC student Claudia Rivero said she found out about the event online and believes that officials went too far. “I feel like these students were using their right to speak freely,” Rivero said. “ It wasn’t necessary to arrest them; they were simply speaking up and asking for the same rights as everyone else. It just isn’t fair.” Diviesti said GetEQUAL plans to organize a similar protest in March in response to the attention generated by the arrests. Bishop is confident that the next demonstration will draw even more supporters. “We need equality in Texas,” Bishop said, taking Di Bona by the hand. “If you know someone who is LGBT, if you care about someone who is LGBT, you have to speak out.”
Forum
page 2 Feb. 28, 2012 Forum → Opinion Columns
Forum → Editorials
Anti-gay marriage laws unconstitutional
notes
Natalie Casanova
Editor-in-Chief
Religion, science and human rights... how are they related? One of them is constantly being used to harm the other two. Tolerance is such a key ideology to the future of humanity, and we can only benefit from it being widespread faithfully, scientifically and ethically. No one is out to attack religion or spirituality. However, some faithful followers are constantly combating others who have done humanity no harm. Women, homosexuals and people of all kinds have been heavily discriminated against socially and legally for hundreds of years and the prejudice has always stemmed from overzealous dogmatists of different pieties. Old-world, young-earth believers try to discredit and halt scientific advancement because it doesn’t align with their ancient concept of the universe. Scientific research brought the world medicine, life-saving knowledge of disease and the human body, not to mention endless amounts of information about the natural world; it is not a threat to society. Luckily, in our modern time we find charming and refreshing churches and groups, even in the Bible Belt, that promote loving thy neighbor - and yes, even their homosexual ones. These peaceful and loving people have learned tolerance of those who are different than themselves, and their faith is not affected by it in any negative way. Most people nowadays can tolerate change, variety and opposing views — it’s the dwindling assembly of powerful extremists that fuel this ridiculous bigotry. I’d like to think the majority of religious people, or at least the ones that I know, look to their faith as a source for love and compassion toward one another and not as a tool to harm or restrain others. The argument that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community is living in sin or that solid scientific findings are bogus because they negate
an older, less-informed idea of the natural world is irrelevant to law-making in a democracy. America has been a secular nation since day one, which protects the freedom to have faith as well as guards from discrimination derived from it. Lately both locally and nationally, states with antigay marriage laws are being challenged and some even overturned due to the gay rights movement. You don’t see any laws in favor of America’s majority religion that forbid rounded haircuts (Leviticus 19:27), eating figs (Mark 11:12-14) or getting divorced (Mark 10:9) because those little tidbits seem a little absurd to even the most pious of followers. Laws should not reflect these oddities, especially the ones that directly inhibit the freedoms of others that bring absolutely zero harm to anyone - like gay marriage for example. Homosexuals will not “violate the sanctity of marriage” because licenses are issued by the government. “Sanctity” literally means the quality of being holy, which is an intangible idea that the government cannot legally enforce. Without tolerance and a yearning for knowledge, technological advancement would halt. I will never understand why anyone would blatantly ignore evidence and physically tangible and testable proof for such things as the age of the Earth or evolution. And not to get started on the whole “it’s just a theory” bit, but theories in science are arrived at by hypothesizing, experimenting, observing, collecting data and analyzing the facts - not randomly guessing. Many other wellknown and accepted scientific ‘theories’ are bacteria (germ), electromagnetism, gravity, atoms and plate tectonics. Science isn’t trying to dissolve faith, it’s trying to learn and explain nature in a logical, researched and informed way. If knowledge is power, why knock it? Time and time again, the government rightfully stands behind teaching science in public classrooms and not re-branded forms of religion, such as creationism. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to live in a free country instead of one plagued by deep-rooted dogmatic principles such as misogynistic Shariah laws or - let’s be honest - many of the pro-murder musings in Leviticus that (hopefully) no Christian follows anyway. Be thankful for life, love and the pursuit of happiness and don’t waste your time trying to ruin others’. Tolerance, kindness and empathy will not lead to eternal damnation - or communism but they will produce a higher standard quality of life for all.
Secular government fails to embrace LGBT community’s right to love in several states
Tuesday, Feb. 7 was a huge day of progress for the gay rights movement. A federal appeals court ruled California’s same-sex marriage ban legislation (Proposition 8) was ruled unconstitutional. This and other state legislations that already allow gay marriage, such as New York’s and Vermont’s laws, have set precedents for repealing anti-homosexual laws all over America. This freedom is tremendously important to the future quality of life in America, and more and more people are standing up for the cause. Locally in Austin, gay rights support groups such as GetEQUAL have organized protests of same-sex marriage bans in Texas, with the most recent one being on Valentine’s Day. Austin Community College Gay-Straight Alliance
Editorial 512.223.0393
Fax 512.223.0904
RRC, 4400 College Park Drive, Room 2107 Round Rock, TX 78665 Editor-in-Chief....................................................................................... Natalie Casanova Assistant Editor..................................................................................... Era Sundar Layout Editor.......................................................................................... Kristen Sauls Web Editor............................................................................................... Dana Manickavasagam Multimedia Editor................................................................................ Joey Gidseg Photo Editor........................................................................................... Jon Shapley Accent Adviser....................................................................................... Jamie Lay Student Life Director.......................................................................... Cheryl Richard Staff Designers Allison Bastien, Ruby Pinon Staff Writers Serena Kelley, Raymond Weyandt, DC McLean, Nathan Bustillos, Alex Aries, Meredith Colias, Joan Brook, Valerie Kilgore, Kenneth Mulvey, Abra Gist, Danielle Welborn, Layla Elayyadi, Joey Galvan, Skylar Bonilla, Caitlin McDermott, Hannah Hargis, Josh House Staff Photographers Janice Veteran, Aimee Acosta, Kristie Bocanegra Staff Artists Megan McKay ACC President Dr. Richard Rhodes Board of Trustees Dr. Barbara P. Mink—Chair, Jeffrey Richard—Vice Chair, John Michael V. Cortez—Secretary, Tim Mahoney, Nan McRaven, Dr. Victor H. P. Villarreal, Guadalupe Q. Sosa, Dr. James W. McGufee, Allen H. Kaplan
All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Austin American-Statesman. Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RRC’s Student Publication Office, Room 2107; e-mail articles to accent@austincc.edu or fax submissions to 223-0904. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction please e-mail accent@austincc.edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent.
because of their religious beliefs. However, not all religions treat the LGBT community with hostility. In fact, some churches such as the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin (UU) are extremely supportive of the gay rights movement. Bishop said four of UU’s clergy members attended the Feb. 14 gay-marriage-ban protest, brought in several other supporters and frequently help with other GetEQUAL events. People against homosexuality may think of it as a sin, which is a religious law and since it does not harm anyone (not even homosexuals themselves) it is a matter of opinion. The government by law cannot support opinions that are only held by certain religions, because it would be favoring one religion over several others that do not have a problem it.
To ban same-sex marriage because of this opinion is definitely unconstitutional. Those who oppose it can still hold their beliefs, they just won’t be able to force them upon others because America has strictly established freedom of speech, opinion and religious choice. If same-sex marriage opposers believe, according their religion, that homosexuals will not be allowed into heaven, then whatever the law allows or protects, will not affect their beliefs directly. So why not just allow the LGBT community to live as they please? Ultimately their actions will have no influence on the lives or beliefs of others. Support marriage equality by contacting Texas governor Rick Perry at (800) 252-9600 or by joining the movement at getequaltexas.org.
‘Lin-sane’ or Mad for Tebow?
Josh House
512.223.0122
member, Tiffani Bishop, participated in GetEQUAL’s most recent demonstration at the Travis County Clerk’s office by applying for a marriage license with her same-sex partner, Iona Di Bona, in solidarity with other gay couples in the community. The strong turnout to the event alone is proof that this issue is pushing its way to the forefront of society all over the country, especially because Texas is a big part of the notably homophobic Bible Belt. The plight for gay rights is almost exactly the same as the civil rights movement of the 1960s, if you look at it. People didn’t think interracial couples should marry, and now the pressure has shifted to same-sex couples. The vast majority of people who are against gay marriage, or homosexuality in general, are
Forum → Opinion Columns
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Megan McKay • Staff Artist
Staff editorial
We have all had an experience where we become prisoners of the moment and get swept into something so fervently that it turns into a real passion. These moments happen in sports all the time. A littleknown, underdog basketball player will make that clutch, game-winning basket, or a quarterback, who no one thinks can do it, will throw that winning touchdown pass and send the whole sports world into pandemonium, shock and awe. However, very rarely do we see these events happen in such close juncture as the Tim Tebow madness that shook the nation all football season and the Jeremy Lin sensation who’s the current flavor of the month. What makes these players such phenomenons and cultural icons that win our hearts almost over-night? Well, there is a formula for this kind of devotion, but a near perfect storm of events must happen.
First, there must be a winning streak. The saying “America loves a winner” has never rang more true than now, especially in the sports world. Critics may say Tebow can’t throw like a real NFL quarterback, and Lin just makes too many turnovers to be a good NBA player. But the passionate sports fan will say they’ve won seven in a row. There’s nothing the critics and naysayers can do to disprove that fact. Secondly, they must be perceived as underdogs. Why do people love Rocky so much? He was a winner, and he was almost always the underdog. Same goes for these two. Nobody thought Tebow’s game would transfer to the NFL, and when he started winning despite the criticism, it instantly propelled him to superstar status. After playing for Harvard, Jeremy Lin was traded twice in the NBA, but when he was given his shot, he excelled. The last, yet most important thing that has to happen, is the athlete must play for a losing team. Look at Tebow’s Denver Broncos. They were at 1-4 when he took over and then shot ahead to a final 8-8 record that culminated with an astonishing victory over the defending AFC champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers. That vindicated everything that Tebow supporters had been faithfully shouting the past season. The NBA season is still going strong, but Lin took over the New York Knicks who were woefully inept in the point guard position during the past couple of seasons and had a losing record as well. Lin came in and took over that town as well as the basketball world.
Combine the above factors and add the intense passion that sports fans possess, and you will create that sports phenomenon that has swept the sports nation. Adding more fuel to the fire are the people that can’t stand players such as Tebow and Lin who become idolized. Some of the most heated debates I have ever seen came out of the past sports year. What will make these sports idols different than the rest is if they have the ability to stand
the test of time. So many times we’ve seen something like this happen only to watch in sadness as they all but fizzled out and never came close to reaching the same level of success again. I, for one, believe that both of these players possess the heart, drive and skill to keep competing at such a high level, but only time will tell. In the mean time, we sports fans will be watching very closely and very avidly.
Speak up, be heard The Accent loves to hear feedback from its readers. Here are a few comments we’ve received about our website: “I’ve been complaining about this since I found out about it, which was from the upcoming schedule changes announcement on capmetro.org. I received this from Capital Metro a week ago in response to to an inquiry about the move: Thank you for contacting Capital Metro. We are in receipt of your recent report regarding realignments to route 3- Burnet/ Manchaca. We appreciate your feedback and would like to touch on key points and data for these changes. As a result of our origin and destination surveys conducted by current riders, 106 riders are destined to ACC Rio Grande on Route 3 (4% of all riders). When Route 3 reaches ACC Rio Grande (in either direction), 9% of riders on board get off the bus; 91% continue on to their final destinations. Schedule changes improve travel time between 11th thru 29th street by 2-4 minutes due to the realignment improving overall route directness. Route 3 is currently 2-3 blocks from UT (which attracts nearly twice as many riders as ACC). Our overall goals aside from safety are to increase ridership, improve route directness and decrease travel times. We appreciate all feedback and will retain all reports and suggestions for further consideration. If you should have additional comments or concerns regarding your report please don’t hesitated to contact our office directly. Thank you for riding Capital Metro. - Anonymous on “Capital Metro moves route 3 bus from Rio Grande”
Want your comments and opinions published? Leave a comment on our website theaccent.org, like us on Facebook. com/AccentNewspaper and follow us on Twitter @theaccent or better yet, e-mail us a letter at editor@austincc.edu or accent@ austincc.edu, and we’ll be more than happy to publish your thoughts.
Feb. 28, 2012
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Forum → Opinion Columns
Forum | Page 3 Forum → Opinion Columns
From one veteran to another On my mind
Kristen Sauls Layout Editor
There are two types of people who become Military Training Instructors (MTI) or drill sergeants as they are better know in the movies. The first type, hard-as-nails on the surface but soft and gooey on the inside, will yell and belittle in order to toughen trainees up and acclimate them to the military’s stressful environment. They want their trainees to
succeed and genuinely care about their welfare. The second type lacks soul. They yell and belittle to feel better about themselves. I got the feeling they were picked on their whole lives and took it out on the other trainees and me. Fortunately, I had the first type of MTI, but there were plenty of the second kind walking around. During my time in basic training, there was one MTI who I hated, and he was the second type of instructor. He was short, had red hair and a mean cowboy attitude. He screamed at everyone who walked by no matter who they were or if he knew them or not. We were in the same squadron so I frequently saw him while eating in the chow hall, picking up my dry cleaning, marching on the drill pad... everywhere. Of the fifty or so MTIs walking around, he was the only one who ever called me into the snake pit. The big, long table the MTIs ate at was conveniently placed at the end of the food line. After getting my food and mandatory four glasses of water, I had to
walk by all the MTIs and pray they didn’t call me over for a 10-on-1 verbal beating. I had somehow managed to dodge that bullet, day after day, week after week, until Staff Sergeant Hemphill screamed at me to report to the snake pit. I marched over and hurriedly gave my reporting statement: “Sir, Trainee Sauls reports as ordered!” Hemphill eyed me for something, anything to yell at me about - my hair, the way my hat was stuffed in my pocket, a pant pocket unbuttoned. I honestly can’t remember what he found. It was obvious he just wanted to humiliate me. I stayed calm and answered his screaming questions, but my insides were on fire with anger. If I saw him today, I’d still want to punch him in the face. After basic training, I was assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, which is where I met my boyfriend (bare with me, this story is about to get good). We’re both civilians now, but he was in the Air Force for six years longer than I was. We moved to Austin where
we still hang out with two of his friends from his first-duty station in Kansas. I had seen a photo for years of my boyfriend and his buddies holding a perverse sign about a guy named Hemphill, it even made a TV appearance. I never thought anything of it. I mean, what were the chances it was the same Hemphill? Well, in the small military community where everyone is connected through two degrees of separation — not six — the chances were actually pretty good. Last year, during a Super Bowl party with one of my boyfriend’s first-duty friends, they were reminiscing about their airmen days and all the harassment they gave some jerk named Hemphill. I told my basic training story, and we compared notes on the respective Hemphills. We concluded he was definitely the same guy. It made me feel there had been some karmic justice served; I wasn’t able to give that jerk hell, but my boyfriend sure did — before he even knew me.
Forum → Opinion Columns
Get involved
Era Sundar
Assistant Editor
With a law degree and 15 years as a stay-at-home mom under my belt, I’m not the traditional college student, and I’m not alone. Many students are attending college under unique circumstances at various stages of their lives. Based on my experiences as a nontraditional student, I will share tips in each issue of Accent on how to make the most of your time at Austin Community College, whether you are fresh out of high school or starting over like me. Get involved Being out of the workforce for 15 years did wonders for my family life. As a homemaker, I enjoyed chaperoning field trips, teaching Spanish in my son’s fifth-grade class and being the official chauffeur for extracurricular activities. Not having a nine to five job also allowed me the freedom to care for my aging parents during my father’s final illness. While taking care of my children and parents produced cherished memories, domestic endeavors do not make compelling resumes. The fact that I have switched careers instead of picking up where I left off only served to emphasize the gaping hole in my resume, and in today’s competitive job market, a shiny new college degree isn’t enough. The following tips have helped me become a stronger contender in the job market and may help you as well. Enhance academics with practical experience Employers want experience, so give it to them by building your resume with a part-time job or internship. This sort of experience builds confidence, makes for a smoother transition into the workplace and provides
a more in-depth understanding of your chosen career. Be proactive during your internship. Just because your host company is having a slow day, doesn’t mean your day should be slow too. Look for ways to practice what you’ve learned or branch out into new areas. While academic credits from internships and extra money from part-time jobs are always welcome, don’t discount the value of volunteer work. Volunteering as a writer for Accent newspaper helped me get story bylines and photo credits for my portfolio, led to my current position as an Accent editor and helped me develop valuable skills while allowing me to do what I enjoy. Join professional clubs and organizations Many professional organizations allow students to join at discounted rates. These groups provide insight into developments within the field, networking opportunities and often host seminars and competitions that help students gain exposure in the industry. ACC has over 30 clubs and organizations which cover many different areas of interest. The Office of Student Life also sponsors professional development initiatives and leadership programs such as the Emerging Leadership Challenge which prepares students for leadership positions through the planning and execution of service projects. Try something new every semester Take on a project that allows you to practice a recently learned skill or one that is listed in the employment requirements of your dream job. Or how about fulfilling a different role in an organization that you’ve already worked with? The point is to keep growing and learning in and outside of the classroom. Although finding time for extracurricular activities is always an issue, practical experience can be the difference between merely getting a degree and receiving a full, wellrounded education. For a full list of ACC’s clubs and organizations, or to find information on how to start one, visit accstudentlife. info/clubs-organizations. For information on Student Life programs, including the Emerging Leadership Challenge, visit accstudentlife. info/programs.
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who gets to sit in the front. Avoid unnecessary drama
DC McLean Staff Writer
Spring Break is right around the corner and if you’re anything like me, between studying for midterms, you’re most likely planning what you will do during the break. South by South West (SXSW) will be in town, but the event can be hectic and parking is impossible. You could always take a trip, but unless you’re willing to fork over hundreds of dollars for a plane ticket, your best alternative for travel is taking a road trip with a couple of friends. However, as fun as road trips can be, road trip etiquette is a foreign concept to a lot of people. Here are a few rules that you should try to follow in order to have the best road trip possible. Know where you stand The roles people take in road trips are very clear, but the first rule some fail to understand is that the owner of the car is always in charge. As a passenger, you do not have the right to change the radio station or suggest changes in music. If you do not like the music or how the driver sings, bring your iPod and listen to it on the way, because the owner of the car rules supreme. More importantly, don’t ever critique the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle, and don’t whine about
When people go on a road trip they sometimes fail to realize how uncomfortable things might get. It doesn’t matter who you go with – you’re still going to be trapped in a very small space with at least two or three people. If you’re lucky, you’ll just get irritated, but the opposite may happen; you may start to feel closer to the driver and other passengers. If this does happen, do not use alone time to divulge your darkest, deepest memories or feelings. No one needs to hear about your taboo and offensive stories. Once the road trip ends, the closeness will wear off and things will return to normal; everyone will know your secrets. Make sure your car works If you are taking your car, make sure you know its mechanical condition. There is nothing worse than being stranded in the middle of a road with the risk of being attacked by a serial killer. There is no good excuse for a breakdown! In case something does go wrong, bring a decent set of tools, a flashlight, a service manual, and water. If you’re mechanically ignorant, have the vehicle inspected before leaving. Bring a full-size spare and leave the doughnut at home, if you can spare the trunk space. Don’t be afraid to explore If an exit says “historic” or “scenic”, then take it. Bring a digital camera and take a picture of every obscure, stupid little thing. Stay with friends or at cheap motels and save your money for souvenirs, tourist traps, and silly knick-knacks. Stop at every hole-in-thewall location advertised on billboards. Road trips are called adventures for a reason, and there is no reason to not make your road trip memorable.
Forum → Opinion Columns
Study buddies, study breaks networking website reddit. com. There is a plethora of information you can obtain from the links available on Reddit, making it a very good source of information both for fun and entertainment as well as more serious subjects such as the classroom. Study Buddies
Nathan Bustillos Staff Writer
At times there are sites, services, or applications that serve a dual purpose in terms of helping college students in the academic realm or in their everyday lives. One particular example is the social news
Reddit is a user-centric website that allows users to either post links or self-made articles on the website and allows other users to rank them amongst the other content available. Some of the topics available to users include: science, technology, and politics. This makes Reddit a great place to find relevant information either for discussion in an academic setting, or for general discussion amongst friends and acquaintances. The articles and submissions
posted on Reddit are categorized by topic making it a potential research aid when you’re looking for information on a subject for a report. The website hosts over 67,000 categories and subcategories called subreddits, so there is plenty of information to go around right at your fingertips when you need it. Although there is a chance the information provided on the website may not be 100 percent reliable, given the fact that it is user-generated and may not come directly from an expert on the subject, it is nonetheless a good start for researchers to delve further into a topic and possibly get public opinion when necessary. Study Breaks In addition to Reddit’s merits on the academic front, it is also a great source of entertainment. In contrast to
the content that can be used in the academic setting, there is a wealth of topics that could be used for general amusement such as gaming news, picture posts, comedy and videos. One of the popular subreddits is the music category, which provides information on the best bands to listen to, general music news, and provides usergenerated lists and opinions on today’s popular and lesser known artists. Whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest in technology, gaming, music, movies or just general entertainment, Reddit is one of many places that can provide the information you crave. Overall, one of the only difficulties users may face is having to sift through all the information available in any given category, but once you find your way around the site, finding relevant and necessary information is quick and easy.
Forum → Opinion Columns
Food Carts to replace Simon’s Cafe
Alex Aries Staff Writer U I F TU V EFO U WPJDF PG
Tips for fun-filled road trips
As the contract between Austin Community College and Simon’s Cafe comes to an end, many students are left wondering where their next lunch will come from. All doubts were removed
last Wednesday when ACC president and CEO, and allaround-nice-guy Dr. Richard Rhodes announced the college’s latest plan to integrate with the city of Austin. “Beginning in the fall semester, lunch at each campus will be provided by one of the city’s many food trailers,” Dr. Rhodes said. “The full spectrum of tastes that make Austin unique will be offered to our students.” The announcement had an immediate impact on the student body; speculation as to exactly which trailers would serve students dominated the hallway conversations. “I really hope Gourdough’s comes to Rio Grande,” ACC student Emily Hamilton said. “I might actually try to make it to my 8 a.m. English class if I could have a grab of their cherry bomb donuts on the way in.” “I guess if I could pick any of them, I’d put a Pig Vicious
trailer at Riverside,” organic chemistry professor Mark Sanders said. “Not only would it be tasty, but I could use some of that bacon during my lectures concerning lipids and unsaturated fats.” When asked to describe how the trailers would be selected, Dr. Rhodes elaborated. “Each week, a different trailer will be selected for a different campus. Students will have the opportunity to vote for the next week’s trailer through Blackboard and see the results.” Already, some students are seeing problems with the overall plan. “How, exactly, are they going to fit a trailer into Pinnacle’s cafe?” ACC student Jessica Beil said. “It’s on the ninth floor. Last time I checked, the elevators could barely fit the needs of the students, let alone a food trailer.” However, a certain level of optimism is still the usual
reaction to the news. Of those polled, 65 percent said they welcomed the change to the menu, and 15 percent said they are now considering changing their major to fry cooking or burger flipping. “I just want a place that doesn’t take 15 minutes to warm up a pizza,” said one sophomore. “I hope the trailers can at least do that.” Dr. Rhodes said he promised all trailers would be taken into consideration to service the students and faculty of ACC. “But frankly,” he said, “I think Hey Cupcake is going to be vied for at each campus. Have you had their Red Velvet cupcakes? Simply divine!” Editor’s Note: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered factual in any way. All opinions and viewpoints expressed are that of the writers.
news
Page 4 Feb. 28, 2012 News → Community
Candlelight vigil honors Esme Barrera, victims of violence
Community unites to end recent pattern of violence Abra Gist Staff Writer
Friends, neighbors and advocates wore white ribbons and walked in a display of unity during a candlelight vigil held Feb. 11 in honor of Esme Barrera. The 29-yearold teaching assistant and Austin music scene figure was murdered this past New Year’s Day. The procession began at 3100 Guadalupe St. in front of the apartments where James Loren Brown, the prime suspect in Barerra’s murder, committed suicide and ended at the Q Austin where guests were invited to stay and share thoughts on violence in the community. The vigil, which drew a crowd of around 60 people, was put together by Heritage Neighborhood Association (HNA), Radical Action for Gender Equality (RAGE), the Q Austin and Lez Ride in an effort to reclaim the neighborhood where Barrera was killed and
two other women had been attacked. “We are here tonight to honor Esme and all victims of violence,” HNA block captain and RAGE member Joe Carr said. “We’re here to publicly say that we are all responsible for keeping each other safe, for making our neighborhood safe for all people and for ending a culture of violence and domination that seems to excuse this type of violence.” The lead homicide detective for Barrera’s case, Brett Bailey, also attended the vigil. “I must stress this is still an ongoing investigation,” Bailey said. “Yes, [James Loren Brown] is linked to a sexual assault that took place after Barrera’s murder, as well as other assaults reported in South Austin in the summer of 2011.” Bailey said Brown had been registered as an ACC student at one point and worked at the IHOP located at Cesar Chavez and I-35. Brown’s IHOP coworkers refused to comment on Brown’s suicide or the investigation. However, in an earlier report
News → Community
Joan Brook • Staff Writer
TAKEN TOO SOON — Vigil organizer Joe Carr addresses a cold but committed crowd: “The person who took Esme’s life, also robbed us of our safety. We all lost something when Esme was taken from our city,” he said. by KXAN, a former coworker of Brown’s said he was a “nice guy.” Nevertheless, police accounts portray a dark side to the former naval corpsman. “He used the same modus operandi (method of operation) on all the victims,” Bailey said. “There is evidence that
links him to Barrera’s case. Unfortunately, at this point, we have not linked him with forensics to her murder.” Barrera’s friend and neighbor Mark Paredes said, “[Brown’s suicide] left more questions than answers.” Paredes said he was saddened by Barrera’s murder
and that it scared the entire community to the extent that no one felt safe enough to go out after dark. Crisis intervention specialist and graduate social work student at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) Miranda Dupont also attended the vigil and said there is a
societal pattern of power imbalances that needs to be challenged in order to facilitate change. She said these unbalanced power structures between gender, race and various classes must change in order to combat violence. During the Q Austin portion of the vigil, community members engaged in conversation, shared pictures and told personal stories dealing with violence and at times the discussion was difficult and heated. “I did not know Esme, but I feel her absence, and the trauma from these
incidents has permeated this neighborhood as well as the city,” Dupont said. “Obviously it’s going to take time to heal these wounds, but we have to try.” For more information about Austin’s neighborhood associations, visit ancweb.org/ na_links.htm.
News → Community
Riot the Silence decries dating violence, remembers victims
Entertainment sheds light on serious issue, seeks to break negative cycle Abra Gist Staff Writer
Photo illustration by Jon Shapley • Photo Editor
AIDS benefit to raise funds Casino games, silent auction entertain, support cause Hannah Hargis Staff Writer
AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) will host Viva: Once Upon a Time, a story-bookthemed event to benefit those living with AIDS in the Austin area. Fairytale entertainment and casino dealers dressed as storybook characters will greet event goers at during the fundraiser which will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. on March 3 at the Austin Music Hall. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older as alcohol will be served. Chase Martin of ASA will head the event. He said that in the past, the Viva Benefit has been Las Vegas themed, and they plan to keep some of those gaming aspects in this year’s theme. “We have casino night where people can purchase chips and all that money is donated to the project,” Martin said. Austin Community College Gay-Straight Alliance member Omar Lopez said he attended Viva last year and will be volunteering for the event this year. Lopez said attendees should expect to be surprised with a load of fun and diversity. “It’s a lot of fun that I haven’t had in a long time,” he said. A keynote aspect of the Viva event is a silent auction with all proceeds from the auction going to benefit the Capitol Area AIDS Legal Project. Martin said this year the auction is taking on a somewhat new format. “We’re using a website called
Bidding For Good,” Martin said. “This allows us to post auction items online ahead of the event itself.” He said a benefit of this new feature is that people can go online and bid for auction items without having to attend the event. One of the items up for bid this year is a hand signed Fender Guitar by Bruce Springsteen. Viva is a signature event for ASA and stands apart as its own, Martin said. In most other events, ASA focuses on the gay community, however, this event is intended for everyone. “We have a lot of participation from local law firms,” Martin said. “So for anyone thinking it might be an all gay event, it really isn’t. It’s a very mixed crowd.” No specific attire is required, Lopez said. “Just come as you are, and if you have the desire to dress up, that’s fine too,” Lopez said. “In fact, we encourage it.” The event has some planned performances and entertainment, but there will be a balance between planned events and free mingling. “This is a perfect opportunity for a student to view a fun way to raise funds for a non-profit,” Lopez said. “It’s a fun event for a serious cause.” Martin said ASA is always seeking volunteers to help make the event run smoothly. Anyone interested can find more information on the ASA website. Tickets may be purchased on ASA’s website asaustin. org, or at retailers such as Live Oak Pharmacy, Bo Concept or Package Menswear.
Dancers, singers, musicians and other performers provided two hours of non-stop entertainment at the “Riot the Silence 2 End Dating Violence” event hosted by SafePlace Feb. 13. The event kicked off National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month at Marchesca Hall & Theatre located at 6226 Middle Fiskville Road. Before the show, attendees congregated in the theatre lobby, ate pizza and participated in the many booths set up by various organizations to discourage teen relationship violence. The Austin Teen Talk booth did a live survey about teen violence and posted students’ results in real time. Although the energy was positive, and the entertainment was lively, the message was somber. “It’s going to take a community of people (adults and teens) to come together to stop this problem,” SafePlace advocate and host Zell Miller III said. “We will have fun tonight, but don’t forget the people we lost.” Miller was referring to Ortralla LuWone Mosley, who was stabbed to death at the age of 15 by her former boyfriend, 16-year-old Marcus McTear, in a hallway at Reagan High School on March 28, 2003. Her mother, Carolyn White-Mosley started the Ortralla LuWone Mosley Foundation in 2005 and has dedicated herself to the fight against teen dating violence. “I’ll do interviews, assemblies... any event to get this message out there to the public,” Mosley said. She smiled as she talked to students and handed out fliers and pamphlets. The table she stood behind was decorated with pink and purple flowers and a lone butterfly, the symbol for her organization. A framed photograph of her daughter was on display in the center of the table. The evening’s performances included entertainment by blues trio The Peterson Brothers Band, dance duo Outta Kontrol, acoustic guitar player and singer Cora Lee and poet Telvi Altamirano. Other acts were The Cipher, hip hop group Public Offenders, the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble, Austin’s Hip Hop Project and guest speaker Dianna Groves of Austin Independent School
District Student Support Services. Cipher member and Austin Community College student Darrion Borders has been a part of the group since he was 16 years old. Now age 21, he performs under the moniker Chi-town. “The event was really good this year. I like being a part of the group, and I like what we rap about,” he said. Cipher focuses on telling personal vignettes through
raps, spoken word poetry and interpretive dance. Public Offenders’ Yolanda Zapata, aka “YOLI,” was one of Ortalla’s best friends. “I do this, so that she didn’t die in vain,” Zapata said. “Music is universal; music can provide the soundtrack to people’s lives, therefore we try to bring a message about breaking that cycle of violence by promoting self respect and love.” Songstress and University of Texas at San Antonio student Cora Lee said she participated in the program as a high school student, and that it is teen driven, but adults help provide the framework to promote the initiative. “No one should stay in an abusive relationship,” Lee said
to the audience before her performance. “You don’t need a relationship to be happy. Find a hobby, stay involved in your community, hang out with your friends. Learn to love yourself.” According to SafePlace’s media relations coordinator Jenny Martin, the Austin kickoff event was first created in 2005 by Reagan High School students, SafePlace staff Shannon Sandrea and Zell Miller III, and Bronwyn Blake of Texas Advocacy Project. SafePlace provides services to people of all ages who have been involved in domestic or sexual abuse regardless of gender. Their 24 hour hotline is 512-267-SAFE. To learn more visit safeplace.org
Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
THE GOOD FIGHT — Cora Lee performs a song at the Riot The Silence 2 event. Lee, who formerly participated in the program, is now a freshman at University of Texas at San Antonio.
Feb. 28, 2012
www.theAccent.org
News Briefs
ACC dedicates RGC lounge in honor of Stephen Kinslow Former Austin Community College president and CEO, Stephen B. Kinslow, was honored Feb. 10 with the dedication of the Rio Grande Campus student lounge in his name. Kinslow, who joined ACC in 1977, served as president and CEO from 2005 until his retirement in 2011. Entertainment was provided by The Numbers, a 10-piece Dixieland jazz band composed of eight ACC math professors, a former staff member and a student. “[It was] a wonderful way to pay tribute to his commitment to students and their success,” said Barbara Mink, chair of the ACC Board of Trustees.“For more than three decades, Dr. Kinslow worked to open the door of opportunity to students across Central Texas.” As president and CEO, Kinslow led ACC through six years of record enrollment increases, the expansion of ACC’s service area and the establishment of the college’s Student Success Initiative program. “Dr. Kinslow played a central role in elevating ACC’s profile throughout the region,” said current ACC president/CEO Richard Rhodes. “We are grateful for his leadership, and the lounge will serve to remind current and future students of Dr. Kinslow’s longtime dedication to ACC.”
News → Community
Farmer’s market features local goods Cedar Park area holds first outdoor farmer’s market, looks forward to continued growth PRECIOUS RAINBOW — A multitude of necklaces made with semi-precious stones are for sale at Aloha Southwest Artistry. The necklaces were made with stones such as lapis lazuli, tigers eye, and turquoise to name a few.
Evening child care available to current students Finding a baby sitter can be difficult and is often one of the reasons people struggle with going back to school and trying to earn a degree. In order to assist students with childcare needs, Austin Community College has started an Evening Child Care Program. The program, which operates from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday at the Eastview Campus, provides care for children of students currently enrolled during those times. The program accepts children between the ages of 2 - 10 years-old and costs can vary between $1 per family up to $5 per family per night. Children attending the Evening Child Care Program must attend on a regular basis once they have been enrolled into the program. Currently, the program operates at the Children’s Lab School at the Eastview Campus and accommodates up to 18 children at a time. They are cared for by trained staff members and cost is dependent on parents’ income level, making it convenient for ACC students on a strict budget. The program operates every semester including the current spring semester. Daytime care is also available at ACC’s Children’s Lab School. For more information regarding daytime care, visit the Child Development Department’s website at austincc.edu/childdev. The Children’s Lab School daytime school is a licensed early childhood program that offers enrollment for children 6 months to 4-years old, and tuition varies dependent on the age of the child with the possibility of scholarships for qualifying families. For more information about the Evening Child Care Program or the daytime care options, students may contact evening care coordinator Lesli Sparksman-Williams at 512-223-5200 or via email at lsparksma@austincc.edu.
RGC to host first book club event Free pizza and spirited discussions will be served at the first book club event to be hosted by the Rio Grande Campus (RGC) library March 22. The event will take place from noon to 12:50 p.m. at the RGC library and will feature Dan Ariely’s book “Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Control Our Decisions” . Ariely’s book was chosen because “‘Predictably Irrational’ is both informative and entertaining,” James (Red) Wassenich, reference librarian at the Rio Grande Campus, said. According to Wassenich, the book examines why people make the choices they do, and the author is a behavioral economist, so it deals a lot with how one spends money. However, the book also covers different aspects of life such as honesty and sex, Wassenich said. “The book is an exceptional example of a serious topic covered in an enjoyable fashion,” he said. Event attendees should have the book read before the event. “It wouldn’t work otherwise,” Wassenich said. However, it was okay if attendees hadn’t read every last word as it isn’t a novel in which the ending will be spoiled. If enough students attend, this might become a regular event. “We realize students already have a lot to read so we want to try to have books that are both worthwhile and fun,” Wassenich said. If the event continues, the students will have an opportunity to select the books, according to library staff. Librarians would be available for guidance, to offer book suggestions and to try to round up copies. In order to prepare students for the event, an online guide to the book and author has been set up at researchguides. austincc.edu/predictablyirrational. The guide also links to YouTube videos that the author has created to supplement each chapter. The RGC library has 10 copies of “Predictably Irrational” available to be checked out and the books are not due until March 22, the day of the event. Wassenich said that although this event occurs at Rio Grande Campus, it is open to all Austin Community College students. Students that wish to attend must bring a willingness to discuss “Predictably Irrational” and an appetite for free pizza.
Photos by Natalie Casanova • Editor-in-Chief
RIBBIT — Examples of species discovered by Charles Darwin on his South American voyage are displayed on a table Feb. 12 at the Darwin Day event at the Texas Natural Science Center.
News | Page 5
Photos by Aimee Acosta • Staff Photographer
PEEK-A-BOO — Roosters were among
the animals inside the small play zoo where small children and grown-ups could pay $3 to pet them.
Meredith Colias Staff Writer
Cold, windy conditions and light snow greeted vendors and customers at the first Austin Farmers Market, Craft and Art Show held Feb. 12 at the Cedar Park Center. “This is the first one, but the weather isn’t cooperating at all,” farmer’s market organizer Eddie McLean said of the frosty conditions. In spite of the weather, the event attracted around 35 vendors who sold items which included pralines, fresh vegetables and jarred vegetables, olive oils, local BBQ and Nepalese food. A sizable number of booths sold homemade jewelry, crafts and paintings and live music was also featured. For kids, there was face painting, a fenced petting zoo, pony rides and Shortcake the
Clown gave away balloons. McLean’s girlfriend, Ashley Cameron, said they saw a need to bring farmers TEXAS ART — Original “cowboy” and “hillbilly” art and signs for sale at Texas markets, like the weekly ones Sister’s Country Signs. in downtown Austin and Lakeline Mall, closer to the support it,” he said. area. Farmer Alex Bernhardt said “We just wanted one in he liked the size of the market Cedar Park because there and was encouraged, despite really isn’t one up north,” the weather. “Hopefully this Cameron said. will be better, “ he said. “We’ll McLean said he was get the word out. I’m sure optimistic for the market’s other farmers will follow. “ growth prospects and that his Kala Uprety of Kala’s goal is to reach 100 vendors by Kuisine said farmers markets summer. were a useful way for her to “It’s a good location. I do some informal market think people will come in to
research. Locally, she is able to introduce new products and gauge consumer enthusiasm. Reactions often help her to decide if an item will become successful and steer potential customers toward her store. She is more likely to stock items that sell better at these events, she said. “It’s not the place to make money; it’s a way to interest people in your product. I already have a customer base here,” she said. “For a small business to decide if they want to do something, the farmer’s market is probably the best way to go.” The crowds died down a bit with the snow and vendors bundled up trying to stay warm while kids ran around trying to catch falling snowflakes with their tongues. Mark Merrill, who was with his 5-year-old son Sam, said besides the weather, they enjoyed what they saw so far. The pony rides were a big attraction for his son and he said he liked the market a bit more than the one at Lakeline Mall. He said they would probably come back in the future. “This is actually better. This seems to be more open.” McLean, the farmer’s market organizer, said that while the weather did not cooperate, he remained optimistic. “For a first day, this is pretty good.” For more information visit austinopenairmarket.com
News → Community
Families explore science for Charles Darwin’s 203rd birthday Texas Natural Science Center, UT students mix science with fun at annual Darwin Day event Joan Brook
Staff Writer
Celebrations in honor of Charles Darwin’s 203rd birthday provided free, familyfriendly activities Feb. 12 at the Texas National Science Center (TNSC) at the University of Texas at Austin (UT). Darwin Day, an annual event which honors the father of evolutionary biology and his accomplishments, has been celebrated by TNSC since 1997, Dr. Edward Theriot, center director said. Theriot said the idea was borrowed from the “Explore UT” children’s learning event and engages non-governmental organizations, Texas Parks and Wildlife and other community agencies in a oneday discovery-style experience similar to Darwin’s trip on “The HMS Beagle” in 1859. The event included a wide range of educational experiences. TNSC displayed example specimens of species discovered on Darwin’s “Beagle” voyage, and students and scientists were on hand to describe each creature. Graduate student in the UT department of ecology, evolution and behavior (DEEB) Victoria Huong demonstrated arts and crafts projects and invited young children to participate in a collage combining both art and science. Ongoing lectures were held throughout the afternoon by UT scientists. Teachers and students
CRAWLING INSECTS — Curator of entomology at the Texas Natural Science Center (TNSC) John Abbott and his wife and research associate at TNSC Kendra Abbott explain features of different species of insects to a young boy on Feb. 12 at the Darwin Day event. were able to receive four hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit for volunteering at the event. All current teacher training programs sponsored by TNSC are the work of education director Christina Cid. “It’s my goal to educate and encourage teachers to feel more comfortable teaching evolution concepts in their classrooms,” Cid said. Other graduate DEEB students running demonstration booths were Ben Liebeskind and Ammon Thompson. Their table
had a representation of the ‘tree of life’ which showed common ancestors between species and the branches showed how creatures diverged over time. “Trees are the first tool for understanding biodiversity,” Thompson said. Liebeskind and Thompson also had a large projection of a visual aid on how relations can be traced back through evolution genetically. Theriot stayed busy analyzing diatoms under a microscope while involving onlookers in the mysteries
behind the evolution of their structures. He said the Bacillaria paradoxaz (algae) has reversed its’ evolutionary structural pattern from pinnate (directly opposite each other) to a centric structural pattern (similar to the spokes of a bike). Other upcoming spring events sponsored by TNSC are “Insecta Fiesta” on April 21, and the Waller Creek Clean-Up, which will also be held in April. Editor-in-Chief Natalie Casanova has contributed information to this article.
Campus life
Page 6 Campus → People
Feb. 28, 2012
ACC President Dr. Richard Rhodes reflects
Trustees, students react to new president’s first semester Era Sundar
Assistant Editor
With just over one semester at the helm, Austin Community College president and CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes reports smooth sailing. While there is no official grading system for the office of the president, progress can be measured by whether stated goals have been accomplished and to some extent by public opinion. In an Accent interview during his first week on the job, Rhodes listed student success and college expansion among the areas on which he would focus right away. Last semester ACC launched the Early College High School Program as a pilot program at Lyndon B. Johnson and John H. Reagan High Schools. The program has enrolled about 600 students so far. Rhodes said, “We need to see how we can get students in their freshman year of high school ready to take college level courses with the intent that when they graduate from high school, they will have between 30 and 60 credits with the real possibility that they can have an associate degree by the time they graduate [high school].” ACC student Richard Sullivan said he agrees with this proactive approach to college success. “High school and college are two pretty different things, so getting an early start has got to help,” Sullivan said.
Along with new programs such as Early College High School, ACC’s established programs have also been getting positive reviews. According to Community College Week newspaper, ACC ranked among the top associate degree and certificate producers in the country, and was ranked in the top 10 for awards of associate degrees in health professions and registered nursing. ACC student David Reyes said of Rhodes’ performance, “There haven’t been any radical changes. No news is good news.” However, Reyes said the success of certain departments reflects more on the professors and department heads than it does on the president. Rhodes has made an effort to connect directly with students since his arrival at ACC. Podcasts of him addressing certain issues can be found on ACC’s website and this semester he is hosting several town-hall style meetings at each campus in a series called “Spring Conversations with the President.” ACC students Johana Easley and Mina Mohseni both said the meetings hosted by the president were a good idea and they look forward to attending because they have concerns they would like to mention to Rhodes. Easley said she would like the president to be aware of the changes that take place in financial aid each year that may make it difficult for students to attend college. Mohseni said she
Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
THE MAN WITH A PLAN — Austin Community College President & CEO Dr. Richard M Rhodes druing an interview with The Accent’s Assistant Editor Era Sundar. Dr. Rhodes took over the position of President & CEO on September 1, 2011.
Campus → Eastview
ACC hosts evolution, philosophy lecture Joan Brook
Staff Writer
Dr. Matthew Laurents of Austin Community College’s Philosophy, Religion and Humanities Department presented Evolution/ Devolution, a lecture on the relationship between science and philosophy, Feb. 22. However, the main theme of the lecture was philosophy and touched on scientific theories in a philosophical sense. “We’re going to talk about evolution... eventually,” Laurents said, in his opening. He did talk about evolution about an hour and 20 minutes later, but prior to that, Laurents delved into the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, summarizing his views as a philosopher and the “collision between nature and reality.” “I’m not a scientist by training,” Laurents said, “but since what you believe about the world has a strong relationship on how you view science, I’m going to offer to you Aristotle’s and Plato’s observational approaches to science as a way
to organize our experiences.” “The priority of philosophy,” Laurents said, “is to understand it as a discipline of how to know all other things.” He said to think of it as an overarching umbrella with all the other sciences falling under it. Quoting the teachings of John Dewey from the 1930s, Laurents said, “Science is metaphysically agnostic and nature is epistometically opaque.” Laurents’ brief summary of the theory of evolution and his definition of adaptations of species was described in a philosophical sense, not a scientific one. “The underlying logic, is that at the end of the day, it’s just a theory,” Laurents said. “Every belief is equally as worthy of every other belief, and like Humpty Dumpty told Alice.” From a philosophical perspective, Laurents had an interesting explanation for Darwin’s theory of natural selection. According to ACC’s “Biology” textbook by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece, natural selection is the process
Abra Gist • Staff Writer
EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION — Prof. Laurents gives an animated example of the process of adaptation.
by which individuals with certain inherited traits change over time due to adaptations in their environment. “Darwin proposed an exploratory mechanism,” Laurents said. “The practice of science requires a testing mechanism, and therefore a theory can be falsified. If this is true, then all theories can be falsified.” ACC adjunct professor of oceanography Dr. Leslie Davis said, “The plate tectonics (evolution) accepts that a theory remains a theory until it is disproved. You can’t have competing or alternative theories because one must disprove the other. If not, then it’s hypothetical, not theoretical.” Although Laurents’ views of theories were not scientific, but strictly philosophical, he spoke highly of scientists and their work. He said access to nature requires experience guided by reason, but reason doesn’t give humans privileged access to nature and the strength of science, however, is in revision. “Science transcends the particular foibles of individuals,” he said. Toward the end his speech, Laurents took questions from ACC students and community members who attended the lecture. One student asked for a further explanation of Aristotle’s teachings while another student, Chris Smith, asked what the relevance was between Aristotle and evolution. “What would you like us to take away from this lecture?” Smith asked. Laurents said he wanted to give people a sense of the philosophical explanatory theory of evolution as opposed to the scientific definition because he sees it as impressionistic instead of contextualized. After the event, Smith said he was disappointed that the subject matter of the lecture was not what it was billed to be. “At the end of the day, it was more set-up, than it was delivery,” Smith said.
would like Rhodes to be aware of the food situation at the Round Rock Campus and would suggest the college operate a cafeteria there to provide students with access to healthier food choices. Rhodes said food is part of his agenda and food service for all the campuses is being evaluated as the current food vendor’s contract is about to expire. “We’ll include student voices in the selection, by campus, of what food service is going to look like,” he said. Aside from addressing food services and student success initiatives, Rhodes said proceeding aggressively with the college’s expansion would be an area of focus. During his time at ACC, the ground breaking ceremony for the future Elgin Campus was held, ACC acquired complete ownership of additional parcels of land at the Highland Mall and has received the go-ahead to continue developing the Hayes Campus. These expansion initiatives were already under way when Rhodes joined ACC. “Dr. Rhodes has jumped right into his role as ACC president and has competently addressed many important issues,” ACC board of trustees chair Dr. Barbara Mink said. “He is strongly committed to student success and is communicating that message across the college and in the community. We look forward to continued successes with Dr. Rhodes.” Rhodes said he would give ACC an “A plus” in overall performance, but also acknowledged room for growth. “We need to get a larger amount of students to achieve their dreams,” Rhodes said. “Until we do that for every student, we’ll keep striving to do better.”
Feb. 28, 2012
www.theAccent.org
Campus Life | Page 7
Campus → Community
PTK organizes marrow donation drives Honor society partners with national bone marrow registry to recruit students for life saving donations Serena Kelley Staff Writer
Students will have the opportunity to give the gift of life this semester. Be the Match will be on Austin Community College campuses seeking volunteers for the national bone marrow registry beginning Feb. 20. With a name like ‘Be the Match,’ some might think it is a dating service. However in actuality, Be the Match is a nonprofit bone marrow donation program that matches people suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases with bone marrow donors. Last semester ACC students and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members Bettie Liu and Jerri Kerley worked together on founding a committee to bring Be the Match and ACC together through Phi Theta Kappa. This semester on each campus, the program will conduct drives, which will include evening hours for night students. “One of the roadblocks to Be the Match was the general public’s lack of education in knowing exactly what a bone marrow transplant means,” Liu said. “Bone marrow is ethnically driven and you are matched by your ethnic group. Because of this, race plays a large part in the donation process and is our biggest barrier.” According to statistics from the National Marrow Donor Program, there are more than 9.5 million people on the bone marrow registry and out of that number, only 10 percent are Hispanic, seven percent Asian, seven percent AfricanAmerican, and even less belong to other ethnic groups. The
match is done by an exact sequence of 10 numbers and is not hereditary. Even if someone is a match, it is not guaranteed that he or she can donate. “Our initial goal for the drive was 400 students, and we got 352, 60 percent of them being non-Caucasian. That was a huge success,” Kerley said. “This year we hope to surpass that amount and reach new students who haven’t had a chance to hear about us yet.” The sign up process takes up to 10 minutes to complete. Volunteers first fill out a questionnaire with basic information about themselves, then a swab is taken from the cheek and turned in. The swabs are then sent to the lab and entered into the system. If a person becomes a match, they will be contacted to come in for physical tests. If they pass those, they then go on to donate. ACC student and PTK member Justin Spence co-chairs the Be the Match committee. “The challenge is to get around the general misconception that this is a long and painful process,” Spence said. “It is not the pain that everyone thinks it is, as depicted in movies.” “Blood is taken out of one arm and put through a centrifuge,” Kerley said. “It pulls the stem cells out and puts the blood back into the other arm. You sit and watch a movie while brought food and drinks. The entire process is less than four hours.” The hip procedure is no longer used except in rare cases for pediatric patients, Kerley said, and there is no drill involved. Expectant mothers can
News → People
In Memoriam
ACC bids farewell to first criminal justice program department head Otis McLin Valerie Kilgore
Staff Writer
Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
Otis Mclin, Criminal Justice professor and former chair of the Criminal Justice Department, passed away Feb. 3 at the age of 74. Born in Rule, Texas on July 18, 1937, Mclin lived a long and fulfilling life. He attended Woodson High School in Abilene. Afterwards, he went on to join the military and served in the Air Force for four years. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from Hardin Simmons University, he was commissioned as the first African-American police officer for the Abilene Police Department in 1963, where he served on the force for about ten years. Mclin began his career at Austin Community College in 1973. He later became a part of the original staff to work at Eastview when the campus first opened, until his recent retirement. He worked full time, teaching about five classes a semester, said current department chair, Gerald Hildebrand. Over the years, he taught about 10,000 students in his career. “No doubt his teaching had an influence on hundreds of lives,” Hildebrand said.
He leaves behind a legacy as a man with a passion for teaching student Addie Wilder wrote, “ I will always remember the kindness [and] care he showed his students.” Another student wrote “he was concerned for the welfare of his students as criminal justice students as well as the welfare of the criminal justice system and its effect(s) on and purpose for society.” Mclin devoted a lot of time and effort to the Criminology program as he was the first chair of the Criminal Justice department. He had a “big impact on the program,” said Hildebrand. Mclin was very reserved when it came to his life outside of the school. “He was a quiet kind of guy,” Hildebrand said. Although he kept his personal life to himself, he loved his family very much, and enjoyed having extra time to spend with them after his retirement, he said. Mclin is survived by his wife of 30 years, DeAnna, his four children, Edgar Watson, Phyllis Michea Watson-Harrison, Zjok McLin and Torrance McLin; as well as his grandchildren, Donisha Donshea, Zjok McLin II, DeAnna Watson, Kyanna McLin, and Keimyjiah McLin.
FOR OTHERS — Thao Nguyen takes a cheek swab to be
entered into the donor database, in the Phi Theta Kappa “Be The Match drive.” A goal of the drive was to diversify the database.
also contact their hospital and ask if they may donate their baby’s cord blood upon birth. A free kit may be requested from marrow.org. Upon birth, doctors follow the directions on the kit to bank the cord blood. “To put this into perspective,” Liu said, “Ask
yourself ‘What if this was your mom, or sister, or your child?’ I would want someone to help me or my family, so why not someone else? We need more people who are willing to go out there and be someone’s hero.” For additional information contact Jerri Kerley at jerri. kerley@g.austincc.edu.
Texas indepence
Day
Photos by Jon Shapley • Photo Editor
March 1
MULTICULTURED CELEBRATION — Austin Community College’s Center for Public Policy and Politcal Studies is hosting their 2nd Annual Texas Independence Day Celebration 5:307:30 p.m. March 1 at the Eastview Campus in Room 8500. The event will include music, traditional food and distinguished guest speakers such as Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, ACC history professor Larry Willoughby and ACC government professor Lisa Perez-Nichols.
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• Earn your bachelor’s degree in one of ten programs or master's degree in one of eleven programs . • Take advantage of convenient schedules, including evening, Saturday and online courses. • Learn from
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Application Deadlines Rapidly Approaching Join us at facebook.com/TexasStateRRHEC www.rrhec.txstate.edu
page 8 | Campus Life
www.theAccent.org
Feb. 28, 2012
Campus → Eastview
Culinary Arts Department sweetens program with environment-friendly practices, equipment Green changes become part of food service training, equip students with valuable restaurant management skills Abra Gist Staff Writer
Culinary arts students began cooking up earth saving measures earlier this month. Eco-friendly initiatives such as a new composting program, the use of biodegradable food containers and recyclable cutlery are now part of the department’s environmental profile. “This isn’t just an industry trend,” Chef Sandi Pepper
said in a Feb. 2 press release. “It’s about doing our part to promote sustainable practices. Pepper, chair of the culinary arts department, said that going green is an integral part of the program. Students preparing for careers in the culinary industry will learn more than just cooking. They will be doing their part to maintain a sustainable campus and implement valuable skills for their future careers.
Photos by Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
“There is a general movement towards green policies being incorporated into the food services industry,” said Culinary Arts Department Assistant, Amanda Covington. “This skill set is important for our students to learn.” “Also, with the Director of Environmental Stewardship, Andy Kim, we want to be on board with the environmental initiatives that are not only important to the college but also the City of Austin. We take pride in our community and want to move towards waste reduction,” she said. Culinary arts students are excited about the program as well. DeSHerric Washington, in his second semester of classes, is enrolled in the basic foods class where he is focused on learning mother sauces. “The recycle bin [compost bin] is a good change because it keeps stuff out of the dumpster,” said Washington. The composting initiative is so effective they are able to compost approximately 85 percent of organic materials in the kitchen. Kim was instrumental in the setup of the composting program. The department uses a local off-site company called Organics by Gosh that picks up the compost from the new green compost
dumpster. The material is taken to their nearby facility and turned into a nutrient rich soil, then bagged and sold to stores in the Austin and San Antonio area. This is only the beginning for the culinary arts department. They have already started phasing out plastic foam cartons in favor of biodegradable cardboard to-go boxes, and they added recyclable cutlery to their student-run campus restaurants. The department is currently seeking to integrate local farmers into the purchase of food for the restaurants. “We have to take this process slowly, but we are looking for a reliable source that can meet our needs,” said Covington. “We plan on incorporating local, sustainable ingredients into our menus.” Le Bistrette will open its doors on Feb. 22, at the Eastview Campus. Its menu will feature American Regional cuisine. Bistro 3158, also located at Eastview, is currently open every Thursday at 6 p.m. and features a standard menu plus a new weekly international cuisine menu. Patrons must make a reservation for Bistro 3158. For more information about the Culinary Arts Department and its restaurants visit austincc.edu/cularts. Learn more about ACC’s sustainability programs at austincc.edu/sustainability.
GREEN DREAM — Chef Matt DiStefan, student at ACC Culinary Arts Institute, works in the kitchen at the Eastview Campus. As part of the green initiative, waste was composted instead of going to the landfill.
Campus → Sga
SGA finalizes new executive positions
Food for thought: North Austin Skylar Bonilla Staff Writer
Student government holds second election after first one declared null, void
Rice Bowl Braker
Skylar Bonilla • Staff Writer
MOVING FORWARD — New Student Government Association President Michael Wade speaks with people following a Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 23 at the Northridge Campus. SGA President Wade was recently voted into the position following a controversial SGA meeting.
Skylar Bonilla Staff Writer
The student body finally received full representation when the Austin Community College Student Government Association (SGA) held elections for the second time this semester. The new elections, held Feb. 10, became necessary when it was discovered that previous SGA president Dylan Pera was not registered for classes when he chaired the Jan. 20 meeting. As a result, those election results were declared null and void. In the new elections, former SGA Eastview senator Michael Wade was named president, and former director of communications Shane Manning became vice president. They may also run in the elections scheduled for April, according to the SGA election
code. Wade said “[Manning and I] are not best friends by any means, but I nominated him to be my vice-president because I believe that he is the best man for the job.” Manning ran against Wade for the presidency. SGA’s Executive Council gained other members from its senate as well. Former SGA Round Rock senators Janet Vela-Ross and Marcelo Parodi became parliamentarian and director of communications respectively. Luisa Parodi was elected as the new Round Rock senator while Stacy Moreno and Bryton Mechura became the new Eastview senators. As part of the restructuring process, long-time SGA member and student rights advocate Bretton Johnson handed in his resignation as parliamentarian. He cited health and academic reasons. This cleared the way for Vela-Ross to be nominated and voted in as the
new parliamentarian. Vela-Ross said she was reluctant to take the position because she did not want to feel like she was abandoning her Round Rock constituents. Manning said Vela-Ross would still be representing those students, just at a higher capacity. The minutes of the unofficially chaired Jan. 20 SGA meeting were stricken from the record by a vote. “We are not going to focus on that,” Wade said. “We have corrected the problem and we are moving forward. We are healing and getting rid of past animosities.” ACC student John Hawkins said he is proud to have a student from Eastview leading the SGA, but said Wade’s objective must be to help students. “You know, a lot of people in power look out for themselves first and students second,” Hawkins said. “I don’t know him but I hope he reaches out to us.”
It isn’t easy to find authentic Asian cuisine in Austin, but Rice Bowl consistently gives customers a glimpse of what is traditionally served at dinner tables in Taiwan. Rice Bowl is located on the corner of Braker Lane and North Lamar next to Pho Dan. It is here that Taiwanese cooking styles manifest themselves on the plates and in the bellies of customers from all walks of life. “Taiwanese has a lot of Chinese influence and we cook with the seasons,” Rice Bowl manager Elaine Sun said. Chef Roger Jang said he checks for what’s in season every day. During one visit, I asked for a side of their snow pea leaves in oyster sauce and was told that I could have water spinach instead. Snow peas were out of season. It was delicious, and now I have a favored Chinese vegetable. There are a few staples at Rice Bowl that get significant attention from patrons. As far as appetizers go, green onion pancakes are a must-try. These wonderful concoctions are also used to make my favorite dish — beef rolls. The beef rolls are a must-have whenever I go. The green onion pancake is used as a wrap, and the inside contains fresh cooked beef, greens and a special sweet sauce. Chef Jang is very proud of the sauce that makes the beef rolls so popular. The beef noodle soup also seems to be a customer favorite. The soup is sweet and surrounds a very big beef bone with the meat falling off of it. Every time I go here, at least three different tables have a humongus bowl of it in the center. One question I ask myself when eating ethnic is, “Do people from the motherland
eat this food?” As far as Rice Bowl is concerned, the answer is a resounding yes. I frequent this establishment quite often and always hear an Asian language being spoken at a nearby table. The atmosphere is created with subtle lighting and there is a big table with a lazy Susan on it. Patron Rosalie Ip said, “Chinese traditionally eat with small bowls in front of them and the main dishes remain in the middle of the table. That way everybody shares the meal.” However, Ip said their style is more family-oriented than traditional Chinese style. You can find many Chinese staples here, but it’s the Taiwanese dishes that have popularized the restaurant. That doesn’t mean the Chinese food here isn’t great. “There is something about having my favorite Chinese dishes, such as General Tso’s Chicken, brought straight from the kitchen, that makes me feel better than grabbing it off a buffet line,” Ip said. Jang said he has been cooking over 30 years and owned a restaurant in the Arboretum back in the ‘90s. “Lady Bird Johnson would come to eat my food,” Jang said. “She came with security and everything.” Indeed she did. Chef Jang keeps two framed pictures of Lady Bird Johnson eating at a table while he stands nearby. If it’s good enough for the former first lady, it’s good enough for Austin Community College students. Hope to see you there.
$ Scale: $ = under 15 dollars an entree $$ = 15 to 20 dollars an entree $$$ = 20 to 25 dollars an entree
Photo by Skylar Bonilla• Staff Writer
Feb. 28, 2012
Page 9
Campus → Community
Free Minds Project liberates learning process Adult education program helps nontraditional students transition into college, provides free college-credit course Kenneth Mulvey
Staff Writer
Higher education is now even more accessible for nontraditional students through a program jointly created by the University of Texas at Austin (UT) and Austin Community College. The Free Minds Project makes pursuing a college degree easier for nontraditional students through its supportive learning environment. “At one level, [the project] really helps prepare them to succeed in a regular college classroom,” project director Vivé Griffith said. “At another level…studying the humanities connects them to big ideas and can really work to help [students] reflect on their own lives and connect with their larger aspirations.” The Free Minds Project helped Liliana Pierce make that connection.
Through Free Minds, as a high-school-educated mother of three with a low-paying job, Pierce said she gained the academic confidence she lacked. “It was very encouraging, because after not going to school from [age] 18 to 26, you figure you’ve lost that [academic] capacity you gained in your teens,” Pierce said. “It was nice to see that there was still something there.” Pierce and her fellow program participants studied history, literature, humanities and creative writing. The discussion-based, team-taught seminar exposed the students to college-level classwork and developed critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills. ACC sociology professor Dr. Jerry Shepperd taught a course in the Free Minds program and said it is designed to broaden the skills of
participants who may have only technical training or little education at all. Upon graduation from the free program, students earn six credit hours at ACC. Since her graduation from the program in 2009, Pierce is taking evening classes in health and nutrition at ACC and still attends monthly Free Minds graduate courses. Pierce’s success story is one of many. Free Minds boasts a graduation rate of 71 percent, compared to a national graduation rate of 60 percent. According to Free Minds statistics, 77 percent of graduates have gone on to take other college classes, 83 percent use skills gained from the program in the workplace, and 70 percent attribute career change to the program. The graduation rate is high despite the fact all of the students have to be at or below the 200 percent Federal
Kenneth Mulvey • Staff Writer
THE WOMAN HERSELF — Free Minds Project director,Vive
Griffith sits in her office at the Community Engagement Center on Thursday, Feb. 16. The project was created to help nontraditional students attain their educational goals.
Poverty Guideline and 63 percent are single parents, according to Griffith. In order to address the finances and maintain high retention rates, Free Minds provides tuition and books free of charge and has a case manger to help students resolve the non-academic obstacles they face in receiving their education. The key is to offer support long after a student graduates and have support in place when student transition into careers or other colleges, Griffith said. Free Minds is a partnership between ACC, the Humanities Institute at UT and Foundation Communities, a local affordable-housing agency. Camp Fire USA, a Free Minds affiliate, provides on-site childcare services, which include educational material that mirrors what parents learn. The interactive structure of the project allows for its faculty to meet students at their personal skill level and lift those skills up from there, Griffith said. “Over time, we want to make a very rich and engaged education available and accessible to people who might not otherwise have access to that.”
Campus → Community
PTK to continue wildfire documentary for charity Honors project examines effects of natural disaster, records Texas history Janice Veteran
Staff Photographer
Members of Austin Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), Alpha Gamma Pi, are working to preserve Texas history. For their annual “Honors in Action” project, the group is chronicling
the experiences of those affected by the Labor Day wildfires in Bastrop, Texas. Originally the project’s theme was “Documenting Local History Through the Eyes of the People Who Lived it” and members worked on documenting the personal histories of Central Texas nursing home residents.
Then the wildfires struck. Noticing that several members of PTK and ACC were directly effected by the fires, PTK chapter president Joshua Scott and the officers said they decided document the devastation and its effect on the citizens of Bastrop. Scott said he created and maintains the Facebook page which serves as a nexus for the project. He also pushed to collaboratively maintain online research for wider dissemination and interest. Project team members started interviewing city officials with the
desire to post interviews on you tube and the web to supplement the written research project. Within the first day of filming, they discovered that this topic had much more substance to it, and that it was a much bigger story than anticipated. “We realized how dramatic this was, and we needed to put it all together into a cohesive video,” PTK member Marcos Gutierrez said. PTK public relations officer Will Alonso said since he has past professional experience as a news editor, he volunteered to train
interviewers. Alonso stepped into the role of lead interviewer, researching the Bastrop Complex Fire event and running logistics for the interviews, including locations, dates and schedules. According to Gutierrez, PTK member David Saenz volunteered to lead the visual story telling and soon became the director of photography. PTK member Kenneth Reeves also came on board to help with the photography. Saenz, Reeves and Gutierrez are all photography students at ACC. So far the photography
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March 23, 2012 April 27, 2012 May 4, 2012 May 18, 2012 June 1, 2012 June 29, 2012 July 13, 2012
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team has shot and produced 15 minutes of a documentary about the lives effected by the Bastrop fires. Alpha Gamma Pi alumnus Roger Ward, whose home was completely lost in the blaze, was one of the first interviews conducted. The original goal was for the documentary to be used as the centerpiece of a fundraiser for affected familied. Scott said time constraints prevented that from happening in 2011, but excitement and momentum have extended the project into 2012.
SDAY UR TH
FRI DA Y
life & arts
SU N D
Y DA ES
DAY TUR SA
WEDNES DA Y
Page 10
Feb. 28, 2012
LIfe & Arts → Art
AY MONDAY
TU
Fortnight Forecast Texas Independence Day A Multicultural Celebration 5:30-7:30 p.m. | March 1 | ACC Eastview Campus Room 8500 At this ACC event, students can enjoy catering from Salt Lick Bar-B-Que, music, activities and guest speakers such as Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, ACC history professor Larry Willoughby and ACC government professor Lisa Perez-Nichols Cowboy Breakfast 6-9 a.m. | March 3 | Auditorium Shores It’s the official kickoff of Rodeo Austin. Enjoy a Texas sized buffet and live entertainment. Best of all, it’s free! For more information, visit rodeoaustin.com. Explore UT 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | March 3 | UT of Austin They call it the “biggest open house in Texas.” Hundreds of events and programs are open to the public – everything from mariachi workshops and dancing to solar cars and ice cream. For more information, visit utexas.edu/events/exploreut. Sunshine Community Garden Plant Sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | March 3 | Sunshine Community Gardens, 4814 Sunshine Dr, Austin One of the largest community gardens in the country invites you to check out the green-thumbing of its 200 members at this annual plant sale. For more information, visit sunshinecommunitygardens. org. Zilker Kite Festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | March 4 | Zilker Park Gigantic kites, homemade kites, crazy kites – hundreds of them in the air (and a few in the trees). Bring your own, or just hand out and watch at the 84th Kite Festival. For more information, visit zilkerkitefestival.com. Town Hall meeting with the Secretary of Education 1-2 p.m. | March 8 | ACC Eastview Campus Room 8500 Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will respond to student questions at a town hall meeting discussing topics such as the evolving mission of higher education and how schools like ACC can train students to better fill in-demand skills for careers in a struggling economy. Interested students can sign up to participate online at go.austincc.edu/ townhall. Rodeo Austin March 9-24 | Rodeo Austin Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo 9100 Decker Lake Rd. This nonprofit rodeo provides scholarships to Texas students. It features bull riding, rodeo clowns, and “mutton bustin’.” For more information, visit rodeoaustin.com. Texas Rockfest March 14-18 | Various Locations Strategically positioned in mid-March, you could call this the other fest. Take a break from all the South by Southwest hustle and bustle, and go listen to some more music. For more information, visit texasrockfest.com. St. Patrick’s Day 12-10 p.m. | March 17 | Various Locations The Celtic Cultural Center of Texas puts on this allday family-friendly festival of international and local Celtic music and dancing. (stpatricksdayaustin.com) 35th Annual Statesman Capitol 10K 8:30 a.m | March 25 | 305 South Congress Ave. Now in is 35th year, this 10K is one of Austin’s most popular running events. For more information, visit statesman.com/cap10k.
Jon Shapley • Photo Editor
UP, UP AND AWAY — Raul De Lara’s sculpture stands out on display at the 2012 ACC Art Major Exhibition. The gallery space was filled with an array of strong work showcasing many diverse talents Feb. 17 at the Rio Grande Campus Gallery.
Art expo saturates senses, invites exploration Jon Shapely
Photo Editor
Bathed in light and nestled in the southeastern corner of building 3000, the Rio Grande Campus Gallery with its abundant wall space was the ideal location for the 2012 Art Major Exhibition held Jan. 17-Feb. 23. The exhibition was a broad yet cohesive reflection of the various media practices offered through Austin Community College’s Department of Art. Upon entering the space, viewers were struck by the presence of a large, abstract mixed-media painting on the
far wall. Gabriel Holiman’s “Calendar” plays with color and perspective, creating a space with various and transient vanishing points leading to distinct locales with particular stories. Drawing on Eastern thought, Holiman has a great interest in detached, patient observation. “It promotes dissociation that regards the passions of the mind as born of illusion,” Holiman said. “I wanted the piece to have a presence representing a kind of panoramic meditative illustration of human
consciousness… like an orchestra of notes that at first seem impossible to construct into a whole, but given the right perspective create a flowing rhythm.” His piece presents a certain temporal geography between both inviting and inhospitable places, all within the canvas he created. Through these relationships, “Calendar” appears to play with the deconstruction of vaguely representational imagery and explores the duality created when these remnants are deemed necessary yet lost.
“Your canvas should be a mirror, a self-reflection, a battle with who you are and what you feel is important,” he said. To the right of Holiman’s “Calendar” was another visually dominant work. Emily Sullivan’s “You, Me & Pinwheels” is a mixed-media piece which appears to play with ideas of memory and nostalgia. This artwork defies its own borders as Sullivan fastened pinwheels to a colored linedrawing of two children which stare back at the viewer. The placement of the pinwheels illuminates the surface like a flock of birds disturbed into flight. “You, Me & Pinwheels” reveals an arrangement which captures these two empty characters in a moment of anticipation, while the viewer is left unsure of the context. The experience is not unlike viewing another family’s
photo albums. The cohesive nature of the show, along with the higher quality of work, was a solid start to the gallery’s spring semester. Exhibition specialist Julie Isaacson said the art major show was stronger and more representative of college-level art than the recent East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) show. Isaacson said next on the Rio Grande Campus Gallery’s schedule is Art Department Chair Gary Webernick’s solo show, which will run from March 23-May 4, consisting of work produced during his sabbatical. Other workshops coming up from the Art Department are an art sale at Carnival ah! in April and a wood-cutting, inking and printing workshop in conjunction with the University of Texas at Austin’s “Explore UT” event on March 3.
Versatility, flair mark the 2012 winter season wrap-up Caitlin McDermott Staff Writer
A common task shared by both men and women is simply picking out an outfit for the day. With plans ranging from school to a night out on the town with friends, choosing a combination of tops and bottoms matched with accessories can become overwhelming. For some, style often conflicts with comfort, which has many second guessing their closets. There are a few trends, which wrap up the 2012 winter season, that can easily be worn all day. Dark denim skinny jeans are a dynamic basic that go along with just about anything. They can be paired with platform heels to create a long, confident and lean look, or with a casual knee high leather boot to play up sophistication and ensure comfort. Manager of DuO Kate Mullinax said, “ Skinny dark denim matched with heels and a sheer top are a perfect combo for an all day outfit.” Keep it simple and fun to get the best results on this winning ensemble. Sheer tops, sometimes made of ‘chiffon,’ can be easily matched with either jeans or a high waisted skirt. Most chiffon blouses leave room for movement and can be played up with different colors depending on the color of the tank top worn underneath. There are also a few tricks for dressing up or dressing down a blouse and high waisted skirt
combo. When dressing up a high waisted skirt, the easiest thing to do is throw on a belt so it sits mid rib cage. By wearing a belt, dimension is added to the curves of the waist and the outfit is more developed. To change up the outfit and relax the look, untuck the blouse and remove the belt. This will make things fun and comfortable. When transitioning an outfit from day to night, jewelry and handbags are a necessity. One trend that has made a name for itself this winter is woven leather. “Woven trends on handbags add dimension and texture to your outfit without the bulk,” Mullinax said. To keep things stylish and decadent, try matching a neutral-color woven leather clutch or bracelet to any outfit. Accessories can also serve as the main attraction. “Jewelry is an easy way to change the entire outfit because it is your staple piece,” DuO assistant store manager Megan Tittle said. When trying to attract attention to a blouse and the cut of a neckline add a delicate elongated chain with a fun pendant. To bring attention to the jewelry rather than the clothes, wear bold and large pieces over basic tops and sweaters. “I can always count on my silver bracelets to go with anything I wear, and whip out my metallic necklaces for a
night out on the town,” Austin Community College student Jordan Dyer said. Dressing for a day which includes a variety of plans doesn’t have to be frustrating and complicated. Layer sweaters and tops, pack a few pieces of fun jewelry, and never forget, everything has at least two ways of being worn.
Photos by Kristie Bocanegra• Staff Photographer
Feb. 28, 2012
www.theAccent.org
Life & Arts → Film
Life & Arts → Film
‘This Means War’ fights boredom with action, laughs
Life & Arts | Page 11
Chick flick flirts with action adventure film in silly yet enjoyable romantic comedy, hints of espionage amuse Abra Gist Staff Writer
Director McG’s goofy romcom is one of those movies you are ashamed to be laughing with and not at. However, “This Means War” makes no attempt at really being a spy movie or keeping it tight with any kind of consistent plot line. I completely forgot they were spies until they were getting chewed out by their boss. Oh yeah, what ever happened to that bad guy they were looking for at the beginning of the movie? Oh well, it doesn’t seem important. Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) is a workaholic product tester living in SoCal who has been burned by her ex. Less than eager to get back into the dating game, her unscrupulous loud mouthed married friend, Trish (Chelsea Handler) pushes her to try online dating. She meets two hunky dudes, Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine) who just happen to be top CIA agents, unbeknownst to her, yet they still have time to eagerly vie for her affections. Like many ‘friends fighting over a girl’ type flicks, “This Means War” has some predictable moments. Yet, the spy genre adds some surprisingly hilarious actionfilled scenes. It’s like some guys got together and desperately wanted to make a romantic comedy another guy could appreciate. Tuck, a divorced father and parent, and FDR, the playboy, are not only CIA agents but also best friends. However, when they both set their sights on the adorable yet indecisive Lauren, the spy games begin and turn this action packed outing into a silly romantic comedy. The film’s heroine, Lauren comes across fickle and hopelessly gullible. Witherspoon’s performance harkens her role in “Legally Blonde” at times, making it inconsistent with her character’s professional independent side. One scene in particular really hammers the point home. She is dancing around
Photos Courtesy of Drafthouse Films
‘Bullhead’ deconstructs rage, reveals vulnerability Gripping tale of pain, loss, addiction explores life of tortured character, contrasts love, retaliation Danielle Wellborn
Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
in her “empowered single” pad, completely unaware that her spy beaus are bugging her house and initiating a full out operation to track her every move and embody her heart’s desire. Yikes. It’s completely unapparent why these two are so head over heels for her. Maybe it’s just that simple thrill of the chase or the competitive spirit that seems to drive these two men. The movie falls short of ever really fleshing out why she should end up with either. Nevertheless, Tuck and FDR have great chemistry together. This is Hardy’s first attempt at comedy, and while the acting here is not as impressive as his dramatic roles, the chap gives it the ol’ college try. If you liked Chris Pine in “Star Trek” as the charismatic Captain James T.
Kirk, you’ll love watching him in this movie. He is still dreamy and funny, although he’s not saving the universe. As FDR he is trying to save face and win the girl. Oh, and catch that pesky terrorist that wants to kill him and his partner. As a date movie, I think this film could work well for both genders – especially if you and your honey just want to laugh and be moderately entertained for about an hour and a half. This is definitely not a film you want to take the kiddos to, as the comedy can get pretty raunchy at times especially when Lauren is trying to decide who the better gent will be. In these days of pinching pennies, I’d say wait for it to come out on Netflix or get it at Redbox. Tickets are just too expensive for this goofball love story.
Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Silence can say many things, and the silence that precedes the ending credits of “Bullhead” proclaims the pure shock induced by the film. Writer and director Michael R. Roskam does an excellent job of tying together unique characters and a suspenseful soundtrack to create an unearthly amount of tension. This story-telling skill earned awards for best film and best director at Fantastic Fest. The story centers on the life of Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), an intimidating cattle farmer who is addicted to steroids. From the beginning, it is obvious that Jacky holds a lot of anger due to circumstances that would make any person explode with rage. He steps into a dangerous back door deal with Belgian mafia meat traders, while trying to provide for his family. You can feel emotions run high as the characters cross paths to form an intensely brutal yet beautiful tale that leaves you wanting to help not only Jacky, but almost the entire cast. While I found the sequence of scenes confusing, it was exciting to wait for the flashbacks of Jacky’s life to unfold. With each flashback, Roskam gives us more insight into the foundation of Jacky’s animalistic fury. The most memorable and telling flashback involved Jacky as an innocent young boy, playing in the woods with a childhood friend. The scene proved nearly impossible to watch. An unfortunate series of events puts Jacky onto the ground, while another boy smashes his testicles with a brick. Jacky’s friend runs, leaving him alone in agonizing pain. This scene sets the tone for Jacky’s lonely future. Any indifference to Jacky’s anger problem soon turns to sympathy. Because his character is the most developed, I found it heart breaking to realize the poor
Photos Courtesy of Drafthouse Films
boy’s innocence had been stolen and replaced with fear and rage. Following the incident, Jacky’s parents try to replace the hormones he lost by injecting him with steroids, unknowingly fueling his rage and starting an addiction. It becomes clear that Jacky will never be the same as the other boys, and that over compensating hormones will not bring back his manhood. These events cause rippling effects in Jacky’s future that are devastating to any attempts he makes to lead a normal life. In scene after scene, I found myself sinking further and further into sympathy, even after his violent nature leads him to do the unthinkable. The movie brings on familiar and unfamiliar feelings
and temptations through multiple themes. Audiences will find the film’s many conflicts and messages meaningful and well rounded. “Bullhead” keeps viewers constantly enticed in the web of characters and plots, which range from retaliation and revenge to crime and love. Like most of us, Jacky finds love to be one of the biggest triggers of his curiosity and rage, the only difference being that his triggers are dangerous and devastating to himself and those around him. While I don’t find it far reaching to say that everyone should see this movie at least once, it won’t make it onto many “I would see that one again” lists. I Give this movie a very strong ‘B plus.’
Layla Elayyadi
Staff Writer
Best hang out
Pluckers Wing Bar 11066 Pecan Park Boulevard • pluckers.com Wings, waffle fries, nachos, specialty drinks, trivia & wingo game nights and flat screens with your favorite team playing on them are all things that make Pluckers the perfect place to hang out with your friends. They have the best and most succulent wings with various flavors ranging from spicy lemon pepper to teriyaki. They also have a friendly staff who makes sure you are having a good time. Faculty and staff get a free appetizer on Friday’s between the hours of 4-6 p.m. with school ID. Kids under the age of 10 eat free every Tuesday.
Best guilty pleasure
Best shopping place
Lakeline Mall 6705 W US Hwy 290 St# 608 • simon.com/mall/?ID=227 The most obvious place to shop would be a mall, but Lakeline Mall has a different feel to it. The 3-D, eye-popping food court is always a good sign that the mall has a lot to offer every shopper, especially when you have a multiplicity of eateries to choose from. Once you’ve finished eating something good, you can walk it off within the mall while shopping. They have stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Sears and nice mom-n-pop shops that have just about everything we need, not to mention a movie theatre and arcades. They also have small events geared toward children, such as a Dr.Seuss book readings and a headshaving event to support children with cancer.
Super Donuts 2011 Little Elm Trail Eating breakfast is important to being able to function throughout the day. Super Donuts are a sure way of doing just that and more. They have a fresh variety of breakfast tacos, kolaches, croissants, biscuits, and of course, donuts. The best thing about Super Donuts is the fact that they make their donuts every 10 minutes to keep them fresh and hot. If you need something to wash them down, they also have an assortment of drinks from which to choose. For all you early birds, they open at 5 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Super Donuts offers low prices that every student and professor can enjoy starting at 13 cents for donut holes to $2.29 for breakfast burritos. So stop on by and get your daily energy at Super Donuts.
page 12 | Life & Arts
www.theAccent.org
Beer brain on the
Feb. 28, 2012
Life & Arts → Music
for those 21 and up
Janice Veteran
Staff Photographer
It is winter time, but you shouldn’t be afraid of the dark, and don’t judge a beer by its color. Brown and black ales and lagers are among the most tasty and interesting beers you can have.
Photo courtesy of Brandon Scott
‘Broken Teeth’ prepares to take bite of SXSW ACC commercial music management students collaborate to bring eclectic style to SXSW
Brown Ale The brown ale is popular because those of us who are not ardent “hopheads” enjoy its malty sweetness and nutty, toasty or chocolate flavors. Newcastle Brown from Heineken is one international example of a brown ale. Locally, one of Independence Brewing’s most popular offerings is the Bootlegger Brown. At 5.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), the smooth, medium-bodied but easydrinking Bootlegger has a distinctive chocolatey flavor. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse makes a brown ale called Nutty Brewnette. The Brewnette’s blend of dark malts and hops makes it taste a little more, and it only has 5.9 percent ABV. (512) Brewing Company has a brown ale with a little more kick. The (512) Bruin takes the brown ale up a notch, with a 7.6 percent alcohol content. The Bruin is made with several malts and just a touch of molasses to give it tasty hints of raisins and cocoa.
Black beer Schwarzbier or black bier is a German dark lager style. Even though they have similar colors and some flavors of coffee or chocolate like the stouts or porters, Schwarzbiers are milder, lighter bodied and less bitter. Austin Beerworks Black Thunder is a good example of Schwarzbier. It pours dark brown, almost black, with an off-white head. There are chocolate and roasty flavors and just a hint of dark fruit, like dates or raisins. This beer finishes very clean and dry like a pilsener and comes in at 5.3 percent ABV. Live Oak Brewing just released their seasonal Schwarzbier for the end of winter into spring. It’s a medium-bodied lager that is roasty but balanced, not bitter, and low in alcohol.
Okanagan black ale The Okanagan Black Ale at North By Northwest is technically not a Schwarzbier, but shares many of that style’s characteristics. Okanagan is rich, malty, and dark, and has a creamy but roasty flavor.
Skylar Bonilla Staff Writer
Austin Community College commercial music management (CMM) students Brad Hoods and Anna Love will bring their unique style to this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival as they perform and host events. Hoods and Love began a musical collaboration about a year ago and started the Austin chapter of Broken Teeth, a guerrilla-style promotional company and record label. Broken Teeth has chapters in Dallas, Brooklyn, Berlin and Austin. “I was getting the new-guy grind on and we got to know each other from just being on the scene,” Hoods said. The scene he is talking about is Austin’s thriving drum and bass, and dubstep scene. Hoods said his music doesn’t fit into any one genre, but is a mix of U.S. house and techno blended with British garage, two-step and grime. Love co-founded Broken Teeth and started hosting events in Dallas a few years back, and
Hoods and Love’s SXSW schedule is as follows: Wednesday, March 14 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Loft 718 Thursday, March 15 from 1-8 p.m. at Plush Friday, March 16 from 1-7 p.m. at Loft 718 Saturday, March 17 from 1-7 p.m. at Barcelona she said the company followed her in her travels. According to Love, Austin is the best fit for Broken Teeth and it is the official home-base of operations for the international crew. Broken Teeth is getting ready to host a number of shows for SXSW. “These are going to be major events at SXSW,” Hoods said. “It’s awesome to be able to connect local, national and international crews.”
Broken Teeth showcases crews from all over in their “Wile Out!” recurring event at Plush night club every fourth Thursday of the month. Hoods said they also host the Broken Teeth Social Klub at Plush every second Wednesday of the month. Love said the crew is all about connecting different people from different crews and showcasing talent. In order to do this more efficiently, Love and Hoods said they are enrolled in ACC’s CMM program and are scheduled to graduate in May. Hoods said he wants to go to a four-year institution, but will take some time off and focus on music and working on pushing Broken Teeth forward. This will take a lot of commitment and sacrifice, especially if Broken Teeth wants to continue showcasing talent at SXSW, Hoods said. Director of the CMM Department Geoffrey Schulman said he understands the drive and commitment of the students in the program. “If you love music you do it all your life,” Schulman said, “no matter what.”
more dark beer Independence Brewing has made a limited release of an English style winter warmer as part of their Brewluminati series. The Working Dog Winter Warmer has a caramel sweetness, roasty and smoky flavors and even an oakiness that is hard to describe. A winter warmer is a traditional malty-sweet beer traditionally brewed in the winter. It is usually quite dark, with a few spices. At 7.0 percent ABV, the Working Dog is sure to warm something!
Life & Arts → Games
‘Revelations’ satisfies thrill-seeking gamers Newest chapter in ‘Resident Evil’ game series packs 3-D action, virtual surround sound, intense game play into handheld experience Joey Galvan Staff Writer
“Resident Evil Revelations” is a Nintendo 3DS exclusive. In this latest installment of the Resident Evil series, you enter the game as Jill Valentine, a main character from the original game. Jill is dispatched along with a partner to search for the elusive terrorist group Veltro. The story begins with you, as Valentine, exploring a large ghost ship named Queen Zenobia in the middle of a desolate ocean. The Veltro terrorist organization is on board and you must thwart their plans to infect the ocean with a deadly virus that turns humans, and even fish, into psychopathic zombies.
Photos courtesy of Capcom Entertainment, Inc.
The game play is dark, intense and visceral, living up to the standards fans have grown to expect from the franchise. Enemies are quick and unforgiving on board this giant ship, which at times, can be extremely claustrophobic. The game jumps around from a few different character perspectives, all with the intent of joining Jill on Zenobia as no one seems to know the true purpose of the BASF’s mission. Questions constantly arise in the game, which at times, takes sharp turns in storyline. These elements make for a game that is rarely easy to put down and best played in the dark. The 3-D is a complementary touch to an already solid release. The story takes on new life as staring into the screen provides
a new element of realism to the experience. Nothing ever leaps out of the screen like you would expect, other than the subtitles. Instead, all the 3-D action appears on the screen through an inward fashion, but still ultimately feels realistic. Experiencing 3-D without glasses on a portable gaming machine is a truly unique gaming perspective and must be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated. The sound in “Revelations” is incredible. The Nintendo 3DS has virtual surround sound built into the device. Monsters and weapons now come to life in vibrant clarity. The sound enhances “Resident Evil” immensely. The controls function are difficult to manage until the
gamer gets used to them. The aiming function is a bit slow, which can create added pressure when taking out zombies, but the sensitivity can be adjusted manually in the settings to solve this dilemma. A Circle Pad Pro can be purchased as an added 3DS peripheral if using a standard controller is preferred. This peripheral can diminish painful strain on the hands when playing for prolonged periods. “Revelations” is a must-have for any fan of survival horror games. It has an immersive environment, intriguing character story lines and all the intensity you would expect from the series. This game lives up to the standards a die hard “Resident Evil” fan would expect and is a nice transition to a portable gaming device in striking 3-D.