The ACCENT

First Copy Free

Oct. 25, 2011

Volume 14, Issue 3

theAccent.org

NEWS Students volunteer to aid Bastrop fire victims | Page 4

CAMPUS English teacher reflects on learning at ACC | Page 8

News → The Board

News → Community

Smoking ban kicks butts off campus

LIFE & ARTS House of Torment open to the public | Page 10

Raising awareness

All campuses, facilities to become smoke-free beginning January 2, 2012

Era Sundar

Campus Editor

In a unanimous decision during a Sept. 19 meeting, the board of trustees voted to make all Austin Community College campuses and facilities smokefree beginning Jan. 2, 2012.

According to board chair Barbara Mink, the decision was made for health, safety and cleanliness reasons.

Mink said that the board considered the policies of over 500 colleges nationwide and also took into account the stances of other Texas schools such as Texas State University, HoustonTillotson University and the University of Texas at Arlington, all of which are smoke free.

ACC plans go beyond a mere ban on smoking, according to Mink.

“This is not just a ban on smoking but an effort to help people stop smoking, ” Mink said.

According to Mink there are several resources that will be made available to students, faculty and staff who want to quit. Plans include nicotine patches and cessation programs such as Nicotine Anonymous.

Mink said that some resources are already available.

Board of trustees vice chair Jeffrey Richard also addressed health issues and said that the

evidence against second hand smoke, presented by Travis County Medical Director Philip Huang at the board’s Sept. 19 meeting, was very compelling.

“When compared to all the major diseases including heart attack, diabetes, and high blood pressure, second hand smoke kills more people than all of those other diseases combined,” Richard said.

“We want to act in the best interests of our students, faculty, staff and the guests of our campuses,” Richard said. “We want to walk the walk and talk the talk.”

Smoking is already banned in campus facilities, including corridors and restrooms and within 15 feet of campus entrances as mandated by state law. The Round Rock Campus, one of ACC’s newer campuses, was designed with designated, covered smoking areas. Richard said that costs were a major consideration in not creating similar facilities at all campuses.

Once the ban takes effect, currently designated smoking areas will be repurposed and signs indicating that smoking is allowed will be changed. Richard said that there may be money available from county sources in order to both repurpose smoking areas and to fund

See Students, pg. 4

Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer

UNITED FRONT — Masses of walkers joined forces Oct. 16 at Austin City Hall to participate in the three-mile walk to raise funds for AIDS treatment, support and prevention programs.

Thousands join together to raise awareness at AIDS Walk Natalie Casanova

Life & Arts Editor

People from all walks of life came and showed support for AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) and AIDS awareness at the 24th annual AIDS Walk Austin Oct. 16 in downtown Austin.

ASA Communications Coordinator Katherine Lukens said over 1,200 people attended the event and more than $179,000 in funds were raised by the three-mile walk, which stepped-off at 2 p.m. at Austin City Hall. There was a variety of music by DJs at the walk base

where several booths were set up by different organizations and charities.

The walk was founded in 1985 in Los Angeles, Lukens said, and has grown immensely in participation and fundraising each year since.

Lukens said ASA tracked

the walk’s fundraising on a thermometer at asaustin.org, and raised a few more thousand dollars for the cause than last year. She said the funds are used to support ASA and their sharing agencies. ASA

See ACC GSA, pg. 5

News → Events

Jazz ensemble performs at Texas Jazz Festival Alex Alvarado

Staff Writer

The Austin Community College District Jazz Ensemble, in collaboration with Grammywinning artist Redd Volkaert, were among a variety of performers that took part in The Texas Jazz Festival which kicked off Oct. 21 at Heritage Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In preparation for the event, the ACC Jazz Ensemble held two rehearsal sessions that were open to the public at Northridge campus. The first rehearsal introduced many musical arrangements that included two of Redd Volkaert’s own songs, which included “Tube’n” and “She Loves Anything That Swings” from his Telewhacker album.

During the rehearsal session, Volkaert said that being part of the ensemble was a new experience for him and that he was very eager to be a part of an ensemble that he said was “very well organized.”

“I hope that my little contribution here in this band’s

effort helps them out in any way,” Volkaert said. “If it makes a little bit of splash there for the festival then all the better.”

ACC music professor and ensemble director, Tom Husak said playing in The Texas Jazz Festival is not new to him.

However, being a part of the festival tradition for nearly 20 years, Husak said that having long-time friend, Redd Volkaert, performing with the ensemble adds a different and better experience.

“Just headlining with the great Redd Volkaert is the ultimate kick,” Husak said.

ACC student, James Fitzsimmons, is a drummer in the ACC ensemble who also took part in the rehearsal.

During the rehearsal, Fitzimmons said that this would be his second time around participating at The Texas Jazz Festival.

“I loved performing there last year, it was a lot of fun,” Fitzsimmons said. “We commanded the people’s attention and did very well.”

According to its website,

The Texas Jazz Festival has been a tradition in Corpus Christi since 1960. Jazz club members of the Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Skip Vetters and Joe Gallardo first made the festival into the long-lasting music celebration that it is today with the help of Gallardo’s uncle, Al “Beto” Garcia and his jazz group.

Headlining this year’s

festival included a blend of musical styles from performers such as The Texas Brass Band, Michael Ward, Stacy Knights and our own ACC Jazz Ensemble which took the stage on the second day of the threeday event. For over five decades, The Texas Jazz Festival has remained a free event that has drawn crowds of over 100,000 in the recent years.

Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer

SING IT LOUD — ACC Jazz band members have the opportunity to perform with 2009 Grammy award winner, guest singer and guitarist, Redd Volkaert at a concert that takes place in Corpus Christi, TX on Oct. 22.

Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer

GROOVIN’ — ACC jazz band saxophonist “takes five” and belts out a rehearsal on Oct. 13.

Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer

PIZZICATO — The bassist plays a mellow bassline as the jazz band rehearses at Northridge Campus on Oct. 13.

FORUM

page 2

Forum → Opinion Columns

From the editor’s desk

Karissa Rodriguez

Editor-in-Chief

We love getting feedback from our readers. Whether its positive or negative any comments, suggestions or story tips are always welcomed.

Recently though, we have been receiving a few comments concerning our relationship with the Office of Student Life.

I would like to make it clear that the Accent only reports unbiased news and features with the exception of opinion columns and entertainment reviews.

The main concern brought up was why we chose to run an editorial that did not support Facebook pages Fix Studentlife or ACC Underground and if we felt pressured by Student Life to run an editorial condemning the people behind the pages.

The answer simply is no.

Student Life does not have any input on what we choose to run in our paper. All stories that are published are approved by editors and while Student Life can send us story tips, we cannot guarantee that we will run it.

Personally, it is insulting that such an accusation would be made against us. We have an award-winning staff that I am proud of so to shine such a negative light on our paper in my opinion is petty.

I say petty only because by claiming the Accent is in cahoots with Student Life, Fix Student life who has been leaving the comments on our website theaccent.org, Fix Studentlife is only epitomizing exactly the point that our editorial staff was making in our last editorial published on Oct. 4.

Instead of realizing the point we were making, Fix Studentlife, attacked us for covering an event that is important to students which was Occupy Austin.

I’m all for students taking the initiative to speak their minds. Heck, that’s what we do in every issue of the Accent.

Any student who wishes to voice their opinions is welcome to write us a letter to the editor for consideration to be published in our next issue.

Those who feel that the Accent is serving Student Life are wrong and I hope that this column can clear up any misconceptions otherwise.

Speaking of feedback, the Accent newspaper staff recently attended the Texas Community College Journalism Association newspaper convention at Texas State University on Oct. 14.

There it was announced that our staff and newspaper have won 31 state awards including winning Sweepstakes in our division.

Winning Sweepstakes is an honor that I feel immensely proud of earning. By winning this award, the Accent was named the best community college student newspaper in the state.

I commend the wonderful staff we have currently and former staff members who have contributed to making the Accent an award-winning newspaper.

Those interested in reading or viewing our award-winning work can visit theaccent.org to see the list of awards won.

Forum → Opinion Columns

ACC To Step Up Space Program

Alexander Aries Staff Writer

Round Rock Campus— ACC president/CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes broke ground at a ceremony Thursday, to begin construction at the Austin Community College Spaceport Launch Pad. The launch pad, which should be operational in mid 2012, is the first of its kind in the Austin area.

“Once again, ACC is leading the way,” claimed President Rhodes. “This spaceport will just be the first of many; the United States will continue to have a manned space program!”

The spaceport, one of many projects ACC has started in response to NASA’s decision to retire the space shuttles, is designed to house up to four reusable shuttles that will be used for conducting scientific research in outer space.

Current plans only provide funding for one shuttle, although more meetings to raise the space program’s budget are scheduled.

“This is a team effort,” stressed Ben Ferrell, ACC Vice President in charge of finances.

“With space exploration moving into the private sector,

we plan on eventually making a profit on this project, and then passing off those gains towards student’s tuition rates.” Mr. Ferrell was forced to admit that any gains aren’t expected for many years. “It’s tough to say…certainly, this is a longterm plan.”

Many different departments from around ACC are joining together to make Dr. Rhodes vision a reality. Chemistry classes at Pinnacle Campus have recently put all their lab time into generating and testing rocket booster fuel, while Engineering and Physics classes at Rio Grande have gone back to the drawing board to design one of the most efficient rockets in existence. Air Force ROTC has also been involved with the design process.

“I’m really excited to see all this coming together,” commented Christopher Saleh, a computer science teacher, and head of the shuttle computer systems design team. “I even saw a few art majors designing insignias for the first shuttle mission. I can’t wait!”

Unfortunately, construction of the spaceport will have to be completed before launches of either manned space shuttles or unmanned rockets will take place. The astrophysics department does have tentative plans to launch three geosynchronous satellites into orbit at the end of the spring semester, although those plans are subject to change.

“We’ll be ready,” promised Dr. Rhodes. “Come springtime, a new dawn in space exploration will begin, right here at ACC. I’ll be cold and in the ground before America pays Russia to put astronauts in space.”

Editor’s note: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered factual in any way.

www.theAccent.org

Oct. 25, 2011

Forum → Editorial

Smokers not welcomed at ACC

Megan McKay • Staff Artist

Board of trustees jump the gun on voting to ban smoking at ACC without seeking student input first Staff Editorial Austin Community College board of trustees members made the wrong decision on Oct. 3 to make all ACC campuses smoke-free starting January 2, 2012.

By banning all smoking on campuses, ACC is ostracizing students who smoke and creating the perception that smokers are not welcome at ACC. Many smokers and non-smokers we interviewed were unaware that a vote was even being taken place to ban smoking on campus. The board of trustees or ACC marketing should have made a better effort to alert students that a vote was going to be taken place so student input could be considered.

Due to the inconsideration of the board, ACC has made it clear that smokers are living a lifestyle that they don’t agree with so they should be punished.

Although the college has announced that they will be offering workshops to help smokers quit smoking, we feel that singling out an entire demographic for living a lifestyle that they choose is wrong.

The health risks associated with smoking are clear and honestly a person would have to be living under a rock to not know that smoking can lead to cancer and other diseases. For whatever reason a person chooses to smoke, we respect thier decision even if its not one we’d make ourselves.

There are two sides to this story however. Smokers on campus force non-smokers to inhale secondhand smoke sometimes and this is not something we feel should be ignored.

ACC should not be inferring that the needs of nonsmokers are greater than those who do smoke, but secondhand smoke is a problem at all campuses and should be addressed.

Instead of outright banning smoking on all campuses and

facilities, ACC should have went forward with their original plan to create designated smoking areas on campuses.

“A college committee considered designating smoking areas on each ACC property, but costly facility improvements would have been required in order to comply with legal mandates; state budget cuts made such projects unfeasible at this time,” according to a press release issued by the college.

We find this hard to believe considering the college already has designated smoking areas in place, they just need updating. Plus some campuses, like Round Rock campus already have designated smoking areas in compliance with legal mandates which were paid for with taxpayer money.

According to the December 3, 2010 Accent article Designated smoking on campus, the Administrative Services Council had voted that month to create designated smoking areas on campus. Additionally, the language in the administrative rule implemented spring 2009 which stated that the college had voted to work toward making ACC completely smoke free by August of 2011 was removed in a then new administrative rule on smoking that former ACC president Steven Kinslow passed over summer 2010.

In the same article, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Ben Ferrell is quoted as saying that the designated smoking areas were a “ compromise between having no policy and being completely smoke free.”

What happened to the compromise? Is ACC so keen on being seen as the “green” school that they choose to backtrack and ignore previous administrative rules? Clearly the board and the administration have their own agendas that don’t include input from students.

The board needs to remember who they serve: the students, staff, faculty and community. Students should attend the next board of trustees meeting on at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Highland Business Center and remind them who they serve.

corrections 10/4/2011 The following errors were made in issue two of the Accent newspaper. We apologize for all errors made.

In the article “SGA secretary resigns” a fact attributed to Student Life Communications Coordinator Lori Blewett should have said that student groups posting to Student Life’s Facebook page were posting false information, instead of reporting that they feared the groups are posting false information.

In the same article, it was reported that “According to a Facebook post by Student Life, both Fix Studentlife and ACC Underground have been blocked from posting anything on Student Life’s Facebook page.” This sentence should have read “According to a Facebook post by both Fix Studentlife and ACC Underground, the sites have been blocked from posting anything on Student Life’s Facebook page.”

Editor-in-Chief....................................................................................... Karissa Rodriguez Photo Editor........................................................................................... Joey Gidseg Layout Editor.......................................................................................... Elizabeth Brown Web Editor............................................................................................... Dana Manickavasagam Campus Editor....................................................................................... Era Sundar Life & Arts Editor ................................................................................. Natalie Casanova Multimedia Editor................................................................................ Edgar Rodriguez

In the article “Food for Thought: South Austin” it was inaccurately reported that we were featuring Rio Grade Campus. Instead we featured South Austin Campus.

In the same article, it was inaccurately labeled that the restaurant featured was Mr. Natural. This should have been labeled as Cherry Creek Catfish Parlour at 5712 Manchaca Road.

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

Readers who notice any errors or inaccuracies printed in the Accent can email them to editor@ austincc.edu.

Advertising 512.223.0122

Editorial 512.223.0393

Fax 512.223.0904

RRC, 4400 College Park Drive, Room 2107 Round Rock, TX 78665

Accent Adviser....................................................................................... TBA Student Life Director.......................................................................... Cheryl Richard Student Life Communications Coordinator............................ Lori Blewett Staff Reporters Layla Elayyadi, Nathan Bustillos, Birdie Michaels Lead Photographers Walter Challapa Staff Designers Kristen Sauls Writers Alex Alvarado, Alexander Aries, Rozanna Yousef, Aaron Davis, Joshua House, Joey Galvan, Kristina Pollard Photographers Kelly MacNiven, Adrienne Sparks, Bethany Wagner, Ashley Udell, Jon Shapley Staff Artists Megan McKay

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.

Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

Forum → Opinion Columns

Forum | Page 3

Forum → Opinion Column

OF Study buddies, study breaks ALL

TRADES

Natalie Casanova

Life & Arts Editor

Being a college student during these economic times is tough on the wallet. Doing or making things yourself instead of buying products and services is one way students can save money.

I’ve learned to be a Jill of all trades and I want to share my penny-wise ways with readers so in each issue of the Accent I’ll be covering do-it-yourself methods for all kinds of projects.

With Halloween around the corner, pumpkins are being sculpted into all kinds of ghastly characters and terrifying art. If you decide to partake in this creative fruit-butchering craft – yes pumpkins are considered fruit – don’t throw away the insides just yet! Save the pumpkin seeds for a snack and you can also feel like you’ve used ‘all parts of the buffalo.’

DIY Roasted pumpkin seeds are a scrumptious, crunchy, healthy snack and are ridiculously easy to make.

I’m a pumpkin seed addict, myself, and over the years I’ve developed a tasty recipe of seasoning for these crispy treats. Here is what you’ll need: • A pumpkin • A baking sheet or some foil • Pasta strainer • Olive oil or butter (depending on your taste) • Salt • Garlic powder • Some Italian herbs seasoning of your choice.

I recommend sage, thyme, oregano and basil.

• Paprika First you’ll need to clean the seeds off in the sink over a pasta strainer so you don’t lose any of them down the drain.

It’s a good idea to do this right after you remove the insides from the pumpkin while the pulp is still wet because it gets very sticky when it is dry.

Next you should preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly coat the baking sheet or foil with

Literary

Corner

either olive oil or butter. Olive oil produces a more seasoned, herby flavor while butter gives the seeds a bit of sweetness.

Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, Italian herbs and paprika in moderation all over the sheet.

Make sure to cover the sheet evenly, it should only take a big pinch or two of each spice.

Remember it’s always better to under-season than to over season, because you can always go back and add more later but removing flavor is almost impossible.

Now you can lay all your clean, de-pulped pumpkin seeds on the sheet and roll them around in the oil and spices. Try to evenly coat them, and you may even sprinkle some more seasoning on top.

Place them in the oven for 30 minutes, checking on them and possibly rolling them around some more every 10 minutes.

When they are done, they will be a light golden in color and crispy, crunchy to the bite.

Be sure to let them cool off for a bit before eating so you don’t burn your tongue!

Nathan Bustillos Staff Reporter

Pop quiz: You’ve got a major test coming up that you feel unprepared for, your GPA is on the line and the eleventh hour is quickly approaching. What do you do? Although most people may crack under the pressure, one of the easiest ways to prepare for a major test or quiz is using flash cards or mock quizzes. In this issue of Study Buddies, Study Breaks, I’ll be talking about a program for Windows users that will help create flash cards for a quick study session.

Study Buddies One program I have come across that is great for test

preparation, creating flash cards and mock quizzes is Quiz Buddy 4.0. You can generate your own sample quiz questions and answers for as many quizzes as you’d like.

The program will randomize each question to reflect real tests and quizzes. Quiz Buddy also has an option to print out these quizzes to study at a later time.

You can also use it to create and print two-sided flash cards to make memorizing material much easier.

Although it may not be much help for those with math related tests or quizzes, if you have a test coming up that requires you to memorize terms or specific information, Quiz Buddy 4.0 is the perfect program for you.

In my own experience with this program, I found a slight learning curve when it comes to entering the information you need to be able to create the quizzes.

When I first started using this program, I had to do a bit of exploring before I could figure out how to create and print the mock quizzes for myself.

After overcoming the learning curve, Quiz Buddy 4.0 became a huge asset for me in my preparation for upcoming tests. Printing flash cards is a bit easier to do but that can only go so far to help you prepare. Since Quiz Buddy 4.0 is completely free of charge, I think the good

points outweigh the bad if you’re looking for effective study methods when you’re in a crunch.

Study Breaks When you finally get some downtime after studying for hours on end, check out Hulu. com, one of the fastest rising video streaming service on the internet.

On Hulu you can stream video clips and full episodes of several TV shows from all the major TV networks including Fox, NBC, ABC, The C.W. and more.

Hulu is completely free to use, but there is monthly membership option that allows you to stream exclusive content and to stream videos on different devices such as game consoles. Students can also sign up for the Hulu Plus membership with their “.edu” email address for a free onemonth trial.

Hulu is a free alternative to Netflix, but I use both services because Hulu’s content they provide is somewhat limited in comparison to Netflix.

However, there are many shows Hulu provides access to that Netflix has yet to provide.

If you already have a Netflix membership, you may not be missing much from Hulu. com and I think it is still worth checking.

Creative writing by Austin Community College Students

Love Astray

by Kristina Pollard

Ah the bleak abandon of a silent neighborhood

And the masochistic query: How could? How could?

I have made the choice to dispel all light and love?

And given up all the grace, warmth and sun above?

Forlorn be the spirit of the woman who chooses wrong, Desperate be she who could not see the glory all along The golden coast and sapphire sea.

I cry, I plead, be Christ, be Judas be anyone but me!

And oh the circumstance of my well-wrought seclusion That has me reveling in memories and lily-built delusions.

By justice what culprit do I beseech for delivering these chains?

That revelation has multiplied thrice my pangs.

That it was I who constructed so castrating a device, And in doing so expelled myself from so precise a paradise.

Rationalization of a Restless Mind

by Natalie Casanova

Sleep to take your mind off things Rest your weary soul Sleep to mend your broken hearts, And free you, is the goal Freed from chains of monotone Freed from weight bearing on your bones Your bones that break when words are said Over and over, inside your head Sleep to help with woes foretold Rest your hardened stance Sleep will make you strong and bold And give you one more chance Wake to life and start again Wake to love and let it mend Oh, wake and feel like you had then Wake and know where you have been.

NEWS

Page 4

www.theAccent.org

News → Community

Volunteers clean up after fires

Oct. 25, 2011

News Briefs

Students invited to meet with board of trustees members at open forums hosted by SGA Student Government Association senators will be hosting a series of meetings at various campuses inviting students to meet and talk to Austin Community College board of trustee members.

Trustees at each meeting will explain what the roles of an ACC Board member are, and provide information about current issues at the ACC board level.

Students are encouraged to ask trustees questions, comment on their experiences and share their concerns as ACC students. Forums are held throughout the year, one at each campus at varying times.

Meetings will take place through out the school year and students can view meeting minutes and agendas online at austincc. edu/s4/studentforums.

Upcoming meetings taking place during the fall semester include the following dates: 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Rio Grande Campus student lounge, 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at Riverside Campus student lounge and Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at Building 2000 in room 2131.

ACC board votes to move election date to November

Photo Courtesy of Joshua Bacak

HARD AT WORK— Adam Nwaozo - a volunteer from ACC, helps to clean up ash from an RV trailer that was destroyed as a result of the Bastrop fires. Volunteers from ACC and Mormon Helping Hands were in Bastrop, TX on Oct. 18 volunteering at Mr. Felix’s home. They had to dig up all the dirt in order to reach the melted glass and metal. Mr. Felix’s home was saved but his barn and land was completely burnt.

Students volunteer to help clean up, aid Bastrop fire victims Rozanna Yousef Staff Writer

The sky was cloudy, but the outlooks of over 100 Austin Community College students, faculty and staff seemed bright as they volunteered at the Oct. 8 Wildfire Cleanup at the Cavalry Baptist Church in Bastrop, Texas.

Their efforts assisted the community following the devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 1,000 homes in the Bastrop area.

Volunteer and ACC psychology sophomore Loretta Herrera said she thinks the cleanup was important, and overall went great.

“I decided to volunteer when I was watching the news

from home with my family,” Herrera said. “It made me realize how I take advantage of things and expect for things to stay the same, when in fact they may not.”

She said she felt helpless and just wanted to support those who were affected by the fires in some way. if more people chipped in could’ve done more everything was kind of Herrera said it was unsusual sifting through strangers’ personal items. Some of them were broken and some were fully intact and just burnt, she said, but everything eerily stood out.

Dahlia Anzaldua Torres, ACC events coordinator, said “The assistance that was provided was appreciated

greatly, but there is still a lot left to do.” She also said that if anyone is interested in helping they can contact the Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center to sign up to help.

The fires consisted of over 180 individual wildfires and took place over the course of Labor Day weekend. The fires were further aggravated by the winds of Tropical Storm Lee and burned over 116 Kilometers of land.

The ACC Wildfire Cleanup volunteers were broken into groups and taken to different zones of damage. There they worked from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in shifts with breaks for rest and refreshments.They shoveled ash and rummaged through remnants in areas

surrounded by burnt trees.

Some volunteers took down the dead trees and any large, damaged objects, making way for renovations and new house construction. Other helpers worked to clear smaller debris in the areas, while others organized resources back at the cleanup base camp at the church.

Funds and donations are still being collected to aid the fire victims with basic necessities. Students affected by the wildfires may seek support from ACC’s Student Emergency Fund.

For more information on volunteering contact the Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center at (512) 332-2607.

Austin Community College’s board of trustees will hold elections in November 2012 instead of May 2011 based on provisions in Senate Bill 100. According to board of trustees chair Barbara Mink, whose second term ends in 2012, the change will align ACC’s elections with national elections and those of Travis County and Austin Independent School District. Mink said this consolidation of election dates should increase voter turnout and result in savings, as ACC will share election costs with the other governing bodies holding elections at that time.

Jeffrey Richard, board of trustees vice chair, whose second term ends in 2016, said although the change extends trustee terms by six months, the increase is less than 10 percent of their terms, which in contractual guidelines, is an allowable variance. Richard said the term increase is outweighed by substantial savings to ACC by sharing the approximately $500,000 election price tag with other election holders.

Spring registration open for current and former students Registration for the spring semester is currently open for Austin Community College students.

Open registration for current and former students will run from Oct. 10 to Jan. 11, and students with the highest amount of credithours will be eligible to register the earliest.

For students with more than 60 credit hours, registration began on Oct. 10, and new students will not be eligible to register until Nov. 7. For students with 1-14 credits, registration will begin on Nov. 1.

Spring semester classes for all students will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17 unless they are registered for alternate course lengths that begin in the middle of the semester. To see the complete registration calendar, visit austincc.edu/register.

Students will not be able to register via telephone due to low call volume, but can register online by logging in using their EIDs on ACC’s online services.

News → Student Government Association

SGA to mend drama with new beginnings SGA regroups with new officers and renewed determination.

Era Sundar

Campus Editor

Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer

SPEAKING POINT — David Wedell, Business Administration student & Cypress Creek Campus Senator, debates appropriations Friday, Oct. 7 at the Highland Business Center.

After a tumultuous and controversy filled start to the semester, the Student Government Association has gotten back on track and is moving forward to represent student interests following the election of three new officers during an Oct. 7 meeting held at the Highland Business Center.

The new officers, vice president Carlos Rice, secretary Zachary Salinas, and senate chair David Wedell, were elected two weeks after former secretary Ryan May resigned amid conflict over requirements listed in the fall 2011 Student Clubs and Organizations Handbook.

SGA president and civil engineering major Dylan Pera said of May’s resignation “It is sad to see dedicated officers leave but you must do what you feel is right and he [Ryan May] did what he felt was right. Just because we lost a man doesn’t mean we’re going to fall apart.”

According to Pera, the new administration is ready to tackle new issues facing the student body as well as continue working on past issues, including those that caused May to resign. In addition to ushering in a new administration, the election also marks a second chance for Zachary Salinas, who served as SGA secretary last spring.

Salinas, a drama major, said he struggled with the position last spring and had trouble

keeping up with note taking at the meetings due to his dyslexia and dysgraphia which are learning disabilities that involve difficulties in processing language. In preparation for his new term, Salinas said that he spent most of the summer working with Microsoft Office, improving his note taking skills and becoming more internet savvy.

Salinas’ fellow SGA members expressed their support by electing him in an almost unanimous vote. There were six votes for him, zero against him and one abstention.

Eastview senator Michael Wade said of Salinas “Zach deserves a second chance. He works harder than anyone and that carries a lot of weight.”

Computer science major and parliamentarian Bretton Johnson also expressed his support of Salinas. “I’ve worked with him, and he’s growing a lot as a college student,” said Johnson. “I think he needs another opportunity to prove himself and I know he’ll do a great job.”

Applied science major Arlis Moore, the senator representing ACC’s veteran population, said, “The right individuals are filling the right spots now. From here SGA is going to take a huge step forward.”

Now that Salinas, Rice and Wedell have become officers, their positions as campus senators are open.

Shane Manning, political science major and director of communications, said it is SGA’s goal to increase membership, build Facebook traction and get out among the students to find out how they feel about the issues affecting them.

Referring to SGA’s outlook for the new semester, Manning said, “We’re cohesive and there’s nothing to hold us back now.”

Students weigh in on upcoming smoking ban continued from pg. 1 cessation programs.

RRC Campus Manager Judy VanCleve said that despite the nice facilities provided to smokers, custodians have to be paid to pick up cigarette butts that are discarded in flower beds and sidewalks all too often.

Students also hold strong opinions on the matter.

Jeffrey Weinthal, a student at Northridge Campus, is a non smoker who looks forward to the ban. “Sometimes I go outside on a nice day to enjoy the fresh air, but there are so many people smoking that I feel like throwing up and have to go back inside,” Weinthal said.

Niki McIntosh who attends RRC is not a smoker and said that she never really thought about smoking because it doesn’t affect her. “At this campus a ban isn’t necessary because they do a good job of staying in the designated area,”McIntosh said.

“I think the ban will just create controversy.”

Another RRC student, Alex Young, who has been smoking for about 9 years, said that, he doesn’t feel that smokers bother anyone. “People should also realize that lots of teachers and police officers smoke on campus too,” said Young.

Also weighing in with an opinion is smoker Sam Rios, an NRG student who is opposed to the ban. “If they have to pay custodians to pick up all the cigarette butts, will they fire them once the ban takes effect?”

Rios asked. Rios also commented on the fact that students were not consulted in the decision.

“They’re taking our rights away from us,” he said. “Even if the results turned out the same way, I’d be a hundred times happier if they had just asked the students.”

Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

ACC GSA volunteers at AIDS Walk continued from pg. 1 aims to increase awareness of HIV impact and raise money for local services, she said, and to reduce the stigma for people living with AIDS and to enhance their well-being.

Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis spoke at the opening ceremony and led the walk Sunday as the Honorary Chair of AIDS Walk Austin 2011.

Louganis, who tested positive for HIV in 1988, delivered a speech about his own experience with the disease and personal trainer Leon Miller led the attendees in a pre-walk stretch.

The Reagan High School (RHS) marching band drumline also led the walk with rhythmic beats. RHS Band Director Ormide Armstrong said this is the band’s second year to lead the walk.

DJs Fine and Dandy, also known as Kate X Messer and Andy Campbell of The Austin Chronicle’s “Gay Place,” spun records and created a happy high-energy atmosphere for supporters to enjoy.

Some members of Austin Community College’s GayStraight Alliance student organization volunteered at the walk. GSA President Megan Rue said the walk brings the community together to celebrate lives and lives lost affected by the disease.

“It feels special to be a part of volunteering,” Rue said.

GSA Secretary Brittany Tovar and GSA Member Omar Lopez both said this was their

News → Education

fourth walk to partake in.

“It’s a lot of fun, and a fun way to bring awareness to the issue,” Lopez said.

Volunteer and Texas State University student Tiffani Bishop said it is important to support the cause, especially after the $19 million shortfall in Texas’ budget for the Texas HIV Medication Program.

“We have to make up for the deficit and support awareness,” Bishop said.

Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer

STRETCH IT OUT — Personal trainer Leon Miller leads the crowd in a series of warm up exercises before beginning the 5K AIDS Walk on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer

PROUD — A group of AIDS Walk Austin participants make their way through the crowd to the inside of Austin City Hall where the AIDS timeline and Memorial Quilt were on display.

News | Page 5

Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer

GOOD TIMES — A group of walkers keep themselves entertained while waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin at City Hall for the AIDS Walk of Austin.

ACC Foundation provides students financial assistance Era Sundar

Campus Editor

Generous donations converted academic dreams into reality as the ACC Foundation awarded over half a million dollars in scholarships to more than 300 students during the 2011-2012 academic year.

ACC Foundation Executive Director, Stephanie Dempsy, said that donors have been more generous than ever despite tough economic times, due in part to community appreciation of ACC’s mission, which includes producing trained professionals for the workforce.

According to Dempsy, the foundation has increased annual disbursements from approximately $200,000 to over $500,000 in the past five years.

Dempsy encouraged students to apply and said that the foundation’s goal is to increase awards over time.

“There are several scholarships available to students through the foundation,” Dempsy said.

“Ninety-eight to 99 percent are based on financial need and others are program based. Some even include mentor support.”

Program based scholarships include those awarded to students in the applied sciences, arts, business studies, and health and sciences departments, to name a few. Population based scholarships are awarded to members of specific populations such as single parents, honor students and veterans.

Dempsy said that the application process is simple and streamlined. “One online application will fulfill the requirements for 90 percent of the scholarships,” she said.

The computer system saves information during the process, Dempsy said, allowing students to finish later if needed, a feature which can be especially helpful during the essay. According to Dempsy,“The 300-word essay can really make a difference, especially if there are extenuating

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer

EQUIPPED — Majoring in Welding Technology, ACC student Salvador Abundiz, was the recipient of the 2,500 dollar Grainger Technical Scholarship which enabled him to purchase new tools for his classes.

circumstances.”

Welding technology student Salvador Abundiz said that he completed his application and essay at the urging of his girlfriend. “I didn’t think I’d get it,” he said. “I was so surprised.”

A recipient of the $2,500 Grainger Technical Scholarship, Abundiz said that he was able to buy new tools for use in his welding classes. “The tools I had weren’t the best,” said Abundiz.

“This semester I went out and got good tools.”

Sara Marantz, also a scholarship recipient, has an 11-month-old daughter and works in addition to majoring in nursing at ACC. Marantz said that the Bowman Scholarship has

been a tremendous help to her this semester and was well worth the effort. “Some people fear writing the essay,” Marantz said.

“But if it’s true and comes from the heart it can be powerful.”

The application deadline for the 2012-2013 academic year is May 1, 2012. Late applications are accepted but priority is given to those received on time. To view a list scholarships and their requirements or to apply visit www.austincc.edu/ foundation/scholarships.

Can’t wait to register? Find out when you’re eligible

spring 2012 registration eligibility dates Current and Former Students If you have*

You can start to register on:

60+ credit hours

October 10

45+ credit hours

October 13

30+ credit hours

October 19

15+ credit hours

October 26

1–14 credit hours

November 1

* Includes hours of credit at ACC, plus hours in progress

Check payment deadlines at austincc.edu/register

austincc.edu/register

CAMPUS LIFE Page 6

www.theAccent.org

Campus Life → Eastview Campus

Panel gives insight into revolutions

Oct. 25, 2011

Phi Theta Kappa serves up funds

Philosophy experts discuss recent international uprisings Aaron Davis Staff Writer

Revolutions of the past and present shared the spotlight during the Oct. 6 panel discussion sponsored by the Austin Philosophical Forum at Eastview Campus. University of Texas at Austin journalism professor Robert Jensen, ACC associate professor of government Roy Casagranda, and Texas State University student and activist Matt Korn guided the discourse.

Jensen opened the discussion with what he said were the three most vital revolutions in human history - the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, and what he referred to as the delusional revolution. According to Jensen, the agricultural revolution, created a separation between mankind and nature as societies abandoned their hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

The separation worsened over time, Jensen said, due in part to the use of fossil fuels during the industrial revolution and the marketing and advertising of the delusional revolution further exacerbated the situation by creating unrealistic views of society. “We say ‘there are humans and there is nature.’ We don’t consider the two inclusive”, said Jensen.

Following Jensen’s explanation of revolutionary history, Casagranda turned the discussion to recent revolutions including the overthrow of Dictator Hosni Mubarak, which

occurred while Casagranda was traveling through Egypt last December.

Casagranda also commented on the roles played by Facebook and other technologies during the recent uprisings in Egypt and other countries. “It helped in the organizing before [the revolution], but once the revolution was going, the internet and cell phones were shut off,” said Casagranda. “[Protesters] had to do what they did 100 years ago - use word of mouth and organizational skills to get things going.”

Casagranda then turned the discussion to the Occupy Austin protests. “I’m happy it’s there, even if it fails miserably,” he said. “It’ll teach us a lesson on how to succeed in the future.”

According to Casagranda, Occupy protesters are outlining solutions to the issues before outlining the issues themselves, which he said could be a problem for the movement.

Continuing Casagranda’s discussion of the Occupy protests, Korn spoke about the significance of such a movement.

He said that the movement is necessary because the inequalities between the wealthy and the poor are real and not imagined.

In support of the Occupy protests, Korn referred to the Sept. 21 execution of Troy Davis, a Georgia man who maintained his innocence although he had been convicted of murder. Korn said, “You know why we need a revolution in this country? Two words: Troy Davis.”

Campus Life → Round Rock Campus

New bus service announced Round Rock City Council reveals plan to replace CARTS program Nathan Bustillos Staff Reporter

In a city council meeting held on Oct. 6, the city of Round Rock’s Department of Transportation revealed that a new demand response bus service will replace the city’s current bus service Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) whose contract is up with the city. The new bus service may not be running until mid-year 2012.

Transportation Director Gary Hudder said that the new service in the works may not be activated until June as a result of a lengthy process to obtain federal funding for the new program.

“It’ll take a board directive but we believe that they’ll be okay to continue into 2012 as we need them to.” Hudder said.

The service could be activated as early as March but this would require the city to move forward without federal funding to aid the new transportation service and the new program would be a selffunded program, according to Hudder.

The city’s budget for the demand response bus service is currently set at $510,000. The new demand response service would potentially cost the city $489,000 for operations and the federal funding would contribute $195,600 for the service. Without this federal funding, the city would incur the entire $489K in operation costs.

Austin Community College student Michael Koch, who attends Round Rock campus, says he understands how the federal funding could affect the new demand response program, but he still is unhappy with the situation.

“To me, it seems like the city is basically forcing the public to wait three months just to save money in the long

run,” Koch said. “It makes sense in a business sense but the public shouldn’t be forced to wait that long.”

In addition to the lengthy process waiting for federal funding, Hudder said the new bus service will not be available to transport riders into Austin, Georgetown, Temple, or Cedar Park.

“What CARTS has done, because they’ve got relationships and similar service contracts with other communities, they have at their own choosing been providing service [to these areas],” Hudder said.

When the new demand response bus service is first activated they will be unable to provide service to those areas unless funding and efficiency issues are taken care of, according to Hudder.

The city of Round Rock is currently moving forward through the selection process between 4 unnamed vendors to provide the new service. One of the potential downsides of the extension into the 2012 year could possibly be a limitation in the operation of the CARTS service for the citizens of Round Rock. The manager at CARTS warned this could include limited routes into and out of Austin and other surrounding areas.

Jeanette Spencer, an art major at ACC’s Round Rock Campus, believes that it may do more harm than good having the limited service if CARTS does extend service through next year.

“I guess it’s one of those things that are unavoidable when you’re dealing with a service that basically isn’t under contract anymore,” Spencer said. “It’s really up to them to decide how they run the service. I’m not sure that it’s fair to the public, though, especially for some ACC Students.”

Dana Manickavasagam •Web Editor

FROSTY TREAT — Phi Theta Kappa member Chloe Janowski helps out at a fundraiser by getting syrup for snow cones ready. PTK held a snow cone sale at the Northridge Campus on Thursday, Oct. 20 to help raise money for scholarships.

Campus Life → Round Rock Campus

Accent wins 27 state awards Era Sundar

Campus Editor The Accent newspaper staff took home 27 awards at the Texas Community College Journalism Association (TCCJA) state convention on Oct. 14 at Texas State University. Among the awards won, the student-run publication won Sweepstakes in their division, first place for general excellence, second place for their website theaccent.org and third place for headline writing.

13 Accent staff members competed in live contests, attended journalism-related seminars and even played the game Catch Phrase with San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero.

Guerro is an ACC graduate, who spoke at the awards ceremony to welcome students to San Marcos at the TCCJA convention.

“I am really proud of all of the hard work our staff has put into making the Accent such a great newspaper and resource for Austin Community College students,” Karissa Rodriguez, Accent’s editor-in-chief said.

“We have a very dedicated

staff of student volunteers and editors who I highly respect. “ During the awards ceremony, seven staff members won awards for live contests that took place during the convention. Other awards were won in the canned contest that comprised of clips and newspapers submitted to be judged that were published during the 2010-2011 school year.

The 2010 edition of the student publication magazine Life4U also won 4 awards at the convention including third place for overall general excellence.

“Bringing home all of these awards, especially winning Sweepstakes feels very rewarding and is one of the highlights of my tenure as editor-in-chief,” Rodriguez said who also worked as a photographer for Life4U. “I have put in a ton of time and effort to help guide the staff of the Accent and hearing them announce us as the best Division I newspaper in the state is the best reward I could ever ask for.”

In addition to the Accent awards, current Life & Arts

Photo courtesy of TCCJA attendee

WINNING — Accent staff holds up awards received Friday,

Oct. 14 at the Texas Community College Journalism Association conference at Texas State University. Accent Staff won 27 awards in total including a Sweepstakes prize.

Associated Collegiate Press that Accent editors won two national ACP awards. Rodriguez and Layout Editor Elizabeth Brown won Honorable Mention in Multimedia Story of the Year an former Life & Arts Editor Sarah Vasquez also won a separate Honorable Mention award in Multimedia Story of the Year.

Editor Natalie Casanova also won three other awards for work completed as managing editor of the Brookhaven Courier last year. Casanova transferred to ACC this semester from Brookhaven College and is the current student president of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Earlier this semester it was also announced by the

To see a full list of awards won visit theaccent.org.

rant & rave

Students on the Rio Grande campus were asked: How do you feel about the ACC board of trustees’ decision to make all ACC campuses smoke-free starting on January 2, 2012?”

Cid Bradbury

Clark Reed

Meg Stofer

“I feel this decision comes from a good place but I think the trustees are going to find a lot of unhappy students and faculty because of it.

Rather than curb smokers’ vice, I feel you’ll just end up seeing an increase in student and faculty stepping slightly off campus in order to have that coveted smoke break in between classes and/or work.”

“I do not support this decision. There are already smoke free areas within the campus and you cannot smoke within 15 feet of doors. Many people at ACC smoke and this decision would hurt more than if would help. Smokers would have to go across the street and there would be more litter since there are no ashtrays provided off campus. I do not feel this will keep students and faculty to quit smoking; it will only make things more stressful.”

“I think it is a good idea because I am not a fan of cigarette smoke, and it will make the campuses a healthier environment. I prefer to stay in areas that are free of cigarette smoke.”

Spanish

Architecture

Psychology

Walter Chalapa • Lead Photographer

Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

Learned What I’ve

Campus Life | Page 7

Josephine Icaro

Birdie Michaels

Staff Reporter

Initially unsure of what to do with her English degree, Josephine Icaro has found her calling in education and is pursuing her passion as an English II and III teacher at Hyde Park Baptist High School.

A self-professed workaholic, Icaro teaches six English classes, works a retail job by night and is also a tutor. “I can’t not stay busy,” she said. “I don’t like being bored.”

Known as “Miss Icaro” by her sophomore and junior high school students, Icaro is well versed in the art of keeping busy.

During her sophomore and junior years in the Plan II Honors English program at the University of Texas at Austin, Icaro also studied at ACC. “It was a good way to better and educate myself,” Icaro said.

“The teaching [at ACC] was spot-on, especially for summer courses, which are super fast-paced.”

According to Icaro there is a pre-conceived notion that community college somehow falls short of four-year institutions because the classes, campuses and student bodies tend to be smaller.

Nonetheless, Icaro said there is a lot to be gained from attending a community college including the availability of night classes, which are not always offered at four-year colleges and universities.

Icaro also spoke about the dedication of those enrolled in community college. “Some of the students at ACC work three times harder [than those at four year institutions],” Icaro said.

“A lot of them have families and jobs that they’re attending to.”

Drawing inspiration from the hard work and dedication she witnessed at ACC, Icaro has accepted the challenge of educating young minds. According to Icaro, she strives to not only develop her students’ academic abilities, but to impart practical knowledge and assist in the development of life skills as well.

“My job is about making it known that I am a cheerleader-academically, socially and even spiritually,” Icaro said.

Icaro said she remains enthusiastic about teaching although the profession is under scrutiny and many teachers are being laid off.

According to Icaro, teaching is not about the size of a classroom, the amount of students crammed into that classroom, or what Forbes magazine has to say about any given program. Icaro said that teaching, in it’s purest form, is a passion--a passion and calling shared by her herself and many like-minded others.

“Teaching is more about being a mentor and an advocate.

It’s my job to give my students the skills that they need not only in the classroom but in life.”

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Oct. 21, 2011 Nov. 4, 2011 Feb. 10, 2012 Feb. 24, 2012

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Directions to the UT Dallas campus available at utdallas.edu/directions.

Birdie Michaels • Staff Writer

SPORTS Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

Page 8

News → Sports

Students show team spirit Student Life’s Intramural Sports and Recreation kicks off to a lively start with enthusiastic spectators, fierce competitors

Joshua House Staff Writer

The Intramural Sports and Recreation program’s season at Austin Community College is in full swing and has been characterized by hard competition, great fun, and large turnout.

One of the major problems facing the intramural program in the past has been the lack of attendance and the inability to have enough students participating in different events.

So far, that has not been the case this year.

Although the basketball teams and soccer teams have been the front runners in terms of attendance, even smaller events such as the kickball match between the Student Life staff and the students had more than enough participants and even a good sized crowd.

Competition has been fierce as well, and anyone who thinks that participants might not have that competitive spirit or edge, would be dead wrong.

The basketball teams especially put on a display of fiery competition as all teams that came out to play in the first few matches all played as hard as they could and surprisingly resulted in some very close and very good match ups. Even the crowds that the respective teams and competitions have garnered stay during all the games, and the cheers stay loud throughout entire match ups.

Sportsmanship has been on display through the first part of the intramural season as well, and though sometimes players and teams become

heated amongst each other, overall congratulations are given at the end of games, and players have respect for each other.

One of the more remarkable things that I have personally witnessed is the ability that the teams have to become cohesive. Think about it, most of these players have never met each other before, and have not had any practice time together, yet as the games go on they learn how their teammates work and feed off each other.

When the games are over, and this is evident through maybe two games played by some teams so far, it already becomes evident that these teams have grown and become great cohesive units Most importantly through, the first part of the season, having fun has been the main focus and so far it’s been nothing but fun for all involved.

When observing the crowd, it’s not unusual to find everyone laughing, cheering, having a good time.

Student Life’s new revitalized focus on the intramural program is not only evident through the players, and crowd but also it’s leadership.

Tracy Partin, Student Life’s Intramural Sports and Recreation coordinator always seems to have a smile on his face during the competition, and it’s obvious that everyone, the staff, students, volunteers, player and even parents are a result of that care and excitement he puts into this program.

With everything coming together so smoothly through the first part of the intramurals season, we can expect the rest of the fall season to be exciting, full of exciting finishes, and most of all fun.

Ashley Udell • Staff Photographer

▲LOOKIN’ FOR THE REBOUND — Alex Aguilar (left) and Reginald Jordan (center),

both ACC students, wait for the rebound during an Austin Community College Intramural Sports and Recreation’s men’s basketball game on Thursday evening, Oct. 13 at the Austin Sports Center. All ACC students are eligible to play upon showing proper identification.

Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer

▲ FOREHAND— ACC student Dylan Courtney swings hard at the tennis ball during a practice match on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the tennis courts on the Riverside Campus.

Ashley Udell • Staff Photographer

▲ DEFENSE — Aaron Morales (right) blocks a layup by Roman Ramos during an

intramural game at the Austin Sports Center on Thursday evening. Both players are students participating in the school’s Intramural Sports and Recreation men’s basketball league.

� DRIVING THE LANE — ACC student, Jordan Stevens (with ball) goes for a layup while being blocked by Reginald Jordan Thursday evening, Oct. 13 at Austin Sports Center. Stevens sometimes plays in the Austin Community College’s Intramural Sports and Recreation’s men’s basketball league on the team named the “Spurs.”

Ashley Udell • Staff Photographer

Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

Campus Life | Page 9

News → Sports

Golf Scramble serves up relief funds Golfers take a swing at misfortune by donating to Student Emergency Fund Walter Challapa

Lead Photographer

Rain failed to dampen the fundraising efforts of the nearly 100 golfers who participated in the sixth annual Austin Community College Golf Scramble sponsored by SpawGlass Contractors Inc on Oct. 7 at the Riverside Golf Course.

The golf tournament, raised more than $19,000 for ACC’s Student Emergency Fund through registration fees and sponsorships. Individuals contributed $75 while groups of four contributed $300 and course holes could be sponsored for $1,000 each.

Tournament proceeds will assist students who face medical, housing and other living expenses due to situations of misfortune, fire or illness, which might otherwise make it difficult for them to continue their education, according to Alicia Del Rio, coordinator of government and community relations at ACC. Tournament participant Gonzalo Barrientos, who also supports a scholarship in honor of his deceased wife Emma, said “I play golf one time a year. I am here because I want to help ACC.” Thanks to supporters like

Walter Challapa • Staff Photographer

UP TO TEE — Tony Castillo is up to tee while his teammates Felix Varela, Art Mercado and Gonzalo Barrientos watch at the Sixth Annual Golf Scramble tournament at the Riverside Golf Course, Friday Oct. 7. The Scramble raised more than $19,000 for emergency funds.

Barrientos, the emergency fund has already distributed over $65,000.00 to students.

ACC Foundation board member and Golf Scramble founder John Hernandez said,

“The student emergency fund really can make a difference in students’ lives,” in an ACC press release.

At the conclusion of the fundraiser, ACC President/CEO

Richard Rhodes congratulated the winners. The three teams with best scores received plaques and a variety of golf equipment. The Rockford Business Interiors team, whose

members included Nate Walker, Hunter Willey, Moe Rodriguez and Van Willey, clenched first place while the ACC team of Neil Vickers, Tony Owens, Steven Gauna and Bill Vickers

took second place. ACC’s Applied Technology team, which included Bill Woodhill, Gary Hampton, Irvin Miller and Christian Raymond, rounded out the top three.

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WEDNES DA Y

Y DA ES TU

Dancing fans lively, at sold out Toro Y Moi, Bass Drum of Death show

MONDAY

Toro Y Moi vivifies at Mohawk

FRI DA Y

AY

Life & Arts → Music

Fortnight Forecast Austin Film Festival

Thursday 10/20 - Thursday 10/27 | various locations

Attend for advanced screenings, Q&A’s, film premieres, celebrity sightings, refined bar parties and, above all, an exceptional occasion to network.

Natalie Casanova

The Dinner Detective Halloween Show

Life & Arts Editor

Young, dancey music lovers from all over Austin crammed into the sold-out Mohawk Saturday, Oct. 8 for Toro Y Moi’s chillwave, electronic pop performance. Garage-rock band Bass Drum of Death opened the show, and second act Unknown Mortal Orchestra canceled due to car troubles in Dallas.

Concertgoer Michael Stein said he enjoyed Bass Drum of Death’s music more than headliner Toro Y Moi’s.

“I can easily say I just liked their style better … they are better,” Stein said.

The duo-turned-trio from Oxford, Mississippi sounded like grungy beach rock you can bounce around to, and it was hard to look away from lead singer and guitarist John Barrett’s long locks as he threw a head bang here and there.

Barrett’s payphone, mellowpunk vocals are dynamic and fun.

Barrett said many of their songs are about growing up in a small town trying to party, getting drunk and meeting girls – a typical garage band

Oct. 25, 2011

SDAY UR TH

DAY TUR SA

Page 10

SU N D

LIFE & ARTS

Friday 10/28 | 7:00PM | The Marriott Austin Downtown

The Dinner Detective is an interactive production in which everyone who attends plays along. A four-course meal (which includes your choice of entrée – pan-seared chicken, tilapia or a vegetarian option) will be served to all, and a prize will be given to the top detective.

Beirut with Ramesh Natalie Casanova • Life & Arts Editor

SYNTH SEDUCTION — Toro Y Moi frontman Chaz Bundick appeases the sold out audience with his retro-pop vocals and fluid synth cadences. The crowd danced to Bundick’s music and opening band Bass Drum of Death Oct. 8 at Mohawk.

mantra. Bass Drum of Death has been playing together for three years, Barrett said, and will be opening for Toro Y Moi for the rest of the tour.

Mohawk was packed with a lot of younger fans, easily spotted by the giant X’s marked on their hands, but overall the crowd was pretty mixed.

The venue reached capacity

fairly early, and admirers lined up outside the entrance for a chance to get in and catch a glimpse of the show if anyone should leave.

After an extra long set break, Toro Y Moi hit the stage and a ripple of dance moved through the audience starting from the pit. People grooved to lead singer Chaz Bundick’s soft

70s-pop vocals and soothing synth beats.

Attendee Alicia Cardenas said Toro Y Moi sounds like “John Legend meets Earth Wind and Fire,” and her description is pretty spot-on.

You can this influence in most of Bundick’s music – especially his popular track “Talamak.”

“They were very cool ...

we were very entertained,” Cardenas said. “We were dancing… it was fantastic!”

There was a post-show after-party at the inside stage of Mohawk with performances by local Austin synth-pop group S U R V I V E, dream-synthpop band Kindest Lines and DJ Seth Nemec of Bananalogue and Switched On.

Saturday 10/29 | 9:00PM | Stubb’s

Zack Condon, electrofolk indie band Beruit’s frontman, has been working on this project since his teens. Condon’s quirky, worldly-inspired style has become increasingly acclaimed since the discovery of his bedroom recordings, which preceded his album “Lon Gisland” released in 2007.

Life & Arts → Film

Local film debuts at fest Food for thought: Rio Grande ACC staff member’s film ‘A Swingin’ Trio’ world premieres at Austin Film Festival Birdie Michaels

Staff Writer

Natalie Casanova

Life & Arts Editor

A local film produced by one of Austin Community College’s own staff members had its world premiere Friday, Oct. 21 at the Austin Film Festival (AFF) at the Rollins Theatre.

Carla L. Jackson, ACC associate director of the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies, produced “A Swingin’ Trio” alongside husband, writer and director Kelvin Z. Phillips.

Phillips and Jackson make up the visionary team behind FilmKZP Productions. She said from working over 15 years in the media and performing arts industry she learned to channel her expertise into a film producing role.

“A Swingin’ Trio” tells the story of a gregarious, but unlucky man named Homer Garçon (played by Johnny Walter) who is married to sexy, successful Hollywood producer Trude Garçon-Moore (played by Timeca M. Seretti). Homer seeks to find his identity as an unpublished writer leeching of Trude’s prosperity. He allows the rejection of his career to bleed into his already uncertain marriage.

Jackson reads all of her husband’s work – from poetry to scripts. She said her initial reaction to the dark comedy “A Swingin’ Trio” was that it is interesting, engaging and definitely challenging.

“You’re either going to love it, or it will make you feel uncomfortable,” she said. “But that’s the beauty of film – the ability to make you feel.”

AFF chose to include the film in their screening lineup because they liked the script, Jackson said, and she and Phillips are honored to be part of a festival that is so dedicated to supporting and working with writers.

The film seeks to question the larger picture of who we are in relationships. Jackson said we go around thinking we know who we are, but in a relationship we change or didn’t realize who we really are in the first place.

“Most of us are insecure and don’t handle and things too well,” she said, “and it sometimes leads to bad behavior.”

Jackson graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University in New York with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre production and performance, and also received a Master of Fine Arts in theatre management from Yale University.

She, like Trude, is a well-rounded woman with a lot of experience within the realm of entertainment and the art of juggling a career and a home life.

Some men think they’re fine and secure,

Natalie Casanova

Jackson said, but their identity is caught up in their career.

“What happens when those dynamics turn?”

Jackson asked. “It isn’t the world that can make us crazy; we can make ourselves crazy.”

We like to think we would take the high road, she said, but very few people do. Such is the case of “A Swingin’ Trio,” and Homer allows the demons of distrust to fester inside of him.

Jackson said casting and production for the film took less than a year, and it was shot in a little over two weeks. They filmed during the winter holiday taking full advantage of the open availability and vacation time the cast and crew to better coordinate their schedules.

The FilmKZP team raised their own funds over a few years and sought investors to financially support the film. They are very interested in distributing the film, she said, but are not going to wait for perfect distribution deal and will go out and distribute it themselves if it comes down to that.

“We knew we wanted to be a part of a production that we completely did ourselves,” Jackson said.

FilmKZP Productions is particularly interested in working with women and people of color. She said these characters’ stories are often very broadly written, or not written well and they misrepresents them in film. She’s interested in assuring stories give good characterization of these people and it’s up to her and other writers to do something about it. Jackson and Charlotte Gullick, ACC’s creative writing department chair, organized an event to highlight these issues on Aug. 4 at the Eastview campus called “Women Who Are Doing It For Themselves: A Writing/Producing Forum for Austin’s Women of Color (and colorful women).”

“We’re living parallel lives, and if we’re living life to the fullest as we should – our lives should be intersecting,” she said.

Jackson said the event brought colorful women in a room to talk about different aspects of writing, producing and collaborating. She also had help from several other ACC employees and is grateful for the hard work and creativity they willingly contributed to the film and the event.

Image courtesy of aswingintrio.com

Life & Arts Editor

Figuring out what to eat between classes is an important decision for any college student. All campuses have some form of a Simon’s Cafe. However, stepping away from the campus provides other choices to fill those tummies. Accent will feature several restaurants around the different campuses. In this issue, we feature Rio Grande Campus.

Bacon

900 W. 10th St. You can’t help but picture dishes made entirely of greasy bacon, when thinking of Austin, Texas’s new restaurant Bacon, which is slightly misleading. Bacon features a variety of breakfast plates, burgers, a rotating selection of flavored bacon and more.

On display is a collection of bacon memorabilia such as T-shirts and magnets. Their assortment of bacon alternates daily with flavors like hickory, coffee pecan, apple pie spice, Chinese 5-spice and more. I enjoyed the thick, Texas-sized French toast, with eggs and bacon on the side. The texture was just right – not too soggy, not too firm. It was topped with powdered sugar and maple syrup, but was sweet enough without the extras.

The bacon I chose was applewood smoked, and was sweet and crispy to the bite. They really don’t mess around with their meat, the bacon is extremely thick cut and juicy. My partner in crime demolished a Broken Yolk BLT sandwich and I snuck a few bites, too.

He chose Cajun bacon, which was a very unique and satisfying collaboration of spices.

The sandwich was fresh, crispy and perfectly stacked. The over-medium eggs mixed with the a bit of mayo on the sandwich produced a burst of creaminess. As for beverages, Bacon offers a nice selection of beers, wines and fountain drinks. The price fairly cheap and they run daily specials. The service was extremely friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Bacon as a weekly breakfast ritual.

Scale: $ = under 15 dollars an entree $$ = 15 to 20 dollars an entree $$$ = 20 to 25 dollars an entree

$

Photo by Dana Manickavasagam • Web Editor

Oct. 25, 2011

www.theAccent.org

Life & Arts | Page 11

Life & Arts → Games and Tech

id Software’s ‘RAGE’ enthralls Joey Galvan Staff Writer

From the first moment playing “RAGE,” addiction takes hold and it is extremely difficult to stop. “RAGE” was created by id Software, a company which pioneered the first-person-shooter genre, boasting such legendary titles as Wolfenstien 3D, Doom and Quake.

Utilizing the new id Tech 5 graphics engine, the game starts out in a desolate, postapocalyptic wasteland. As the remaining residents venture out of their caves and other hiding spots, they rediscover Earth, strangely different.

The landscape is gradually more immersive, and environments flow ceaselessly into each other. Multiple highpowered all-terrain vehicles are provided for you along with decked out powerful artillery to wipe out any foe encountered.

The missions are extremely challenging when played on the hard setting, which I consider to be the only acceptable way to play. This, however, leaves the player with a greater sense of accomplishment when they clear a den full of enemies armed to the teeth, or defeat an opponent the size of a large building.

I’ve found myself in some very difficult spots, but properly stockpiling ammo before dangerous missions and having strong determination can help players conquer even the seemingly unstoppable enemies.

One of the most important aspects in any of id’s games, of course, is the multitude of

weapons. There is no shortage of firepower in this game, folks. There are sometimes multiple incarnations of weapons such as the shotgun or crossbow, along with upgrade options lending greater firepower or weapon functionality.

You have the choice of assigning four weapons to quick-ready slots, giving ease to battles. The same option is also available for supplies.

One weapon – the wingstick – sometimes serves as a saving grace. It is a fourpronged, spiked throwing knife that functions as a boomerang, and can easily decapitate enemies.

There are also some highly impressive racing missions that are comparable to any top racing title. Winning races or completing timed trials unlocks upgrades to your vehicle as you transverse the scapes.

There are two exquisite multi-player gameplay formats in “RAGE.” The first is a collection of maps called ‘Road RAGE,’ which puts you behind the wheel of an overhauled battle vehicle against live players in a freefor-all.

Driving skills are put to the test as you dodge barrages of bullets and missile fire. While these battles aren’t timed like a race, they certainly are a lot of fun. Sort of like Mario Kart’s ‘battle mode’ with a colorful topping of excessive violence.

The other format, which is my favorite, is divided into matches called ‘Wasteland Legends,’ and consists of live co-op missions for achievements. Two players

Wild Timez

Image courtesy of id Software LLC

enduring the intensity of “RAGE” missions make for a truly superb experience. This seems like such a simple idea for multiplayer functionality, but was very gratifying.

I am a little disappointed, though, that there are no death matches. One of id’s greatest innovations to online gaming was the head-tohead deathmatch scenarios pioneered by Doom. It would have been nice to have included this, but then again “RAGE” is supposed to break away from id’s standard formula for games.

The only real downside I’ve encountered while playing this title was the load time.

Load time between maps is lengthy, which I’m willing to bear, however, because of the engrossing worlds and intriguing gameplay presented once it has loaded.

Chances are you won’t complete all the missions or jobs the first time you beat the game so a second attempt may be necessary. I also recommend the PC version, but keep in mind you’ll need a powerful machine to run “RAGE’s” intense graphics smoothly.

Life & Arts → Movie

‘Fireflies in the Garden’ disappoints Natalie Casanova

Life & Arts Editor

Shot in beautiful and scenic parts of Bastrop, Smithville and Austin, Texas, “Fireflies in the Garden” takes you through a jumble of demoralizing family melodrama. This film by writer and first time director Dennis Lee highlights some attractive local landscapes and even features the nationally registered historic T. A. Hasler House in Bastrop.

The content and script are not as appealing. The plot is all over the place, and while it is not completely typical, is a sad view of common family dysfunction. I wasn’t particularly wowed with this film, although the visuals were often breathtaking, the story was too messy and slightly confusing. The relationships between the characters are blurry at best, and many things are left unexplained – not in a good way.

Willem Dafoe portrays Charles Taylor, an emotionally abusive father to his son Michael (Ryan Reynolds).

Several flashbacks reveal younger Michael (Cayden Boyd) is constantly browbeat

by Charles for a variety of trivial reasons, but is often defended by his fairly angelic and submissive mother Lisa

(Julia Roberts). Beware, spoilers ensue.

The family is brought together again, after many years apart, to relive the intense drama that was once a part of their daily lives.

An older Michael is flying home to celebrate his mother’s graduation with the family, but an unexpected tragedy strikes and they are forced to spend time mourning her death instead.

Right away we see implied conflict between Michael and his wife Kelly (Carrie-Ann Moss), but Lisa’s death serves as a deus ex machina to their separation and they magically reconcile months of struggle and detachment. I felt this should’ve been more complex, that this resolution is all too happy and perfect for any audience to believe.

In a flashback, Lisa’s kidsister Jane (Hayden Panetterie), who isn’t a convincing relative, comes to stay with the family for a while. She’s just as wary of Charles as Michael is, and further encourages the estrangement of their relationship. There seems to be a very awkward, incestuous bit of sexual tension between Michael and Jane which is never addressed nor resolved throughout the film.

Back in present day,

Megan McKay • Staff Artist

The Adorable Adventures of Babytar

Natalie Casanova • Life & Arts Editor

Photo courtesy Van Redin, Senator Entertainment

Jane (Emily Watson) argues with Michael over his new autobiographical book which breaks away from his usual romance novels. She’s worried of consequences to releasing those secrets into the wild, and says it could cause much controversy among his family.

Michael titled his new work “Fireflies in the Garden” after a Robert Frost poem he recited in front of his father’s colleagues as a child, claiming it was his own work. As a

tenured professor on track to become university president, Charles is very upset with and embarrassed by Michael and puts him through a cruel act of revenge.

This punishment scene was, sadly, the emotional climax of the movie for me. It was the strongest point in which I felt sorry for Michael, but still nothing really drew my attachment to the characters or the story at hand.

Overall this film is tasteful and pretty, but insipid.

Layla Elayyadi

Staff Writer

Best deal for your buck

Peter Pan Mini Golf 1207 Barton Springs Rd • PeterPanMiniGolf.com We all want to make sure we get the most for our buck, so why not stop on by with a group of friends and enjoy fun times at the historical Peter Pan Mini Golf? They offer excellent prices starting at $6 per person for 18 holes or you can play both courses with 36 holes for $9. Want to bring the kiddos in for some of the action? No problem, kids under 5 years old play for $4. Peter Pan Mini Golf is a family owned an operated business since 1948. They allow you to bring your own cooler full of goodies and refreshments as long as they are not in glass containers. Peter Pan mini golf also sells snow cones and other refreshments for only a buck.

Best food & hang out spot

Best guilty pleasure

Shady Grove 1624 Barton Springs Rd • TheShadyGrove.Com

Tiff’s Treats 1806 Nueces St • Cookiedelivery.com

When was the last time you sat under a huge pecan tree with a cool breeze flowing, sipping an icy margarita, with good company? A visit to Shady Grove restaurant will have you enjoying all of that and more in their picnic-like atmosphere.

The restaurant near Zilker Park and close to downtown opened in 1992. They continue to allure regular customers by reflecting Austin’s nature. The menu’s arrangement is for everyone, from vegetarians to the carnivores, and for people that simply have a sweet tooth. On select Thursdays, they have live music starting at 8 p.m. called “Unplugged at the Grove,” presented by KGSR 93.3 FM. This place is Austin-centric, has affordable prices and an original atmosphere.

The sweet smell of sugar and chocolate will overwhelm your mind, tummy and taste buds! Tiff Treats started in 1999 by two University of Texas students, and since then it has expanded to seven other locations and more to come throughout Texas. What makes this business so sweet is that they make everything from scratch, all day long to ensure hot and fresh cookies and brownies for delivery or pick up.

Yes, that is right, delivery! You can easily order their awardwinning treats for a low and affordable price online or over the phone. For special coupon days, follow them on twitter or like their Facebook page. photos by Layla Elayyadi•Staff Reporter

page 12 | Life & Arts

www.theAccent.org

Oct. 25, 2011

Life & Arts → Culture

House of Torment shocks Karissa Rodriguez

Editor-in-Chief

The House of Torment, a large-scale haunted house, has opened its doors again to frighten patrons in the Austin area for the ninth year since its inception.

Named as “One of America’s Scariest Haunted Houses” by the Travel Channel, House of Torment boasts a wide array of monsters, zombies and other disturbing creatures hired to terrify patrons. The scene is set in a post-apocalyptic city taken over by zombies.

Those who are unable to complete the full journey through the haunted house are able to leave the house in the middle of the attraction, but have their names added to a wall of shame upon exiting.

What sets the House of Torment apart from other haunted houses is that it is the only multi-level haunted attraction in Central Texas which features two haunted houses within one location named Cursed and House of Torment: The Reckoning.

House of Torment is located at 523 Highland Mall Blvd. and is open to the public now through Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Austin Community College Halloween events Fright Week

Oct. 24 - Oct. 27, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. each day, South Austin Campus Courtyard

SAAB at SAC will be hosting pumpkin carving, trick not treat bingo, a costume contest, and a creepy cupcake party.

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer

Fright Fest

Oct. 25 - Oct. 2710 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day Rio Grande Campus student lounge

SAAB at RGC and the Office of Student Life will be hosting pumpkin carving contests. On Oct. 27 students are invited to judge the pumpkins and vote on a winner while enjoying free caramel apples.

FINAL TOUCHES — Nemesis has his armor repaired each day before he goes out to scare customers at the House of Torment. Open from late Sept. through Oct., the House of Torment frightens thousands of customers each year with their special effects, sets, and monsters.

Fright Fest - Halloween

Oct. 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rio Grande Campus

SAAB at RGC and the Office of Student Life is inviting students to stop by the selected offices around campus for some Halloween Treats.

Check theaccent.org for more information.

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer

WHAT’S FOR DINNER — Terrie Wagner screams as a grotesquely deformed butcher jumps towards her with an axe in House of Torment’s meat locker.

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer

SLICE, HACK, CHOP — The butcher runs towards the camera with an axe in the meat locker while a strobe flashes making the scene much more disturbing.

� GOTCHA —

Tanner Dixon, an ACC student is caught off guard by a large claw coming towards him in the House of Torment’s main attraction “The Reckoning”.

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer

COME TO ME — ACC student Ashley Samuelson is spooked by Gree Gree, just one of the many creepy natives that live in the House of Torment’s new attraction “Cursed”.

Bethany Wagner • Staff Photographer