Issue 87, Volume 74

THE DAILY COUGAR

TODAY’S WEATHER

Penders: ‘We’ve got to have home-court edge’ /SPORTS

Flash back answers ‘Who’s afraid of’ Edward Albee? /CAMPUS BEAT

3-day forecast, Page 2

Hi 77 Lo 57

Friday, February 6, 2009

Issue 87, Volume 74

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Governor encourages research

By Holly Prevost THE DAILY COUGAR

DAVID SHIH THE DAILY COUGAR

UH’s flagship status was on Gov. Perry lips as he congratulated the University for receiving $5.5 million for research.

Gov. Rick Perry made a historic visit to campus Thursday to award a $5.5 million grant to the University through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF).

The grant presentation included the acknowledgement of professor Jan-Ake Gustafsson, who brought his world-class research to UH in January.

“We are celebrating the next big step in a journey that has taken the University of Houston to new heights,” Gov. Perry said. “Today represents a milestone.”

The ETF grant will be used in large part as funding for Gustafsson’s research.

Gustafsson teaches in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry and heads laboratory research in conjunction with The Methodist Hospital Research Institute (TMHRI).

The announcement was made at a news conference in the UH Alumni Center, where Gustafsson was welcomed

by Gov. Perry, UH President and UH Systems Chancellor Renu Khator, faculty and students.

“Welcome to Cougar nation, land of the red,” said Khator. “This is truly a historic day.”

In her introduction, Khator expressed her gratitude to Gov. Perry for his continuing support of higher education and for supporting her first 100 days as UH president and UH System chancellor.

“I am truly honored to have the fearless leader of his great state of Texas who places education at the top of his

priority list,” Khator said. “It has been 119 days for me here and everyday has been a blessed day for me.”

Gov. Perry and Khator then posed for pictures as Khator showed Gov. Perry how to make the Cougar paw.

“This institute is headed to the forefront and the horizon is limitless. The University’s involvement in the ETF is part of the journey to becoming a Tier I school,” Gov. Perry said. “UH has taken a large step in that direction.”

Followed by thanks and acknowledgements, Gov. Perry discussed the accomplishments of Gustafsson as a world leader in research.

Gustafsson has received several awards for his study of hormones and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Nobel Assembly.

Gov. Perry stressed the importance of UH recruiting Gustafsson, who previously was leading research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

“You will never be embarrassed that you picked the Lone Star State to do your research,” Gov. Perry said. “I am very confident that this partnership will be the ideal situation and impact hundreds of thousands around the globe. This is a great school, great city, and as you already know, a great state.”

After his introductions, Gustafsson thanked Gov. Perry and the University.

Gustafsson then explained his research endeavors on nuclear receptors and the importance of the cancer research that will be part of UH’s partnership with TMHRI.

By Josh Malone and Holly Prevost THE DAILY COUGAR

Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio is drafting a bill that allows students and teachers with concealed handgun licenses to carry their weapons on state campuses.

“I don’t want to wake up one morning and hear on the news that some madman went on a Texas campus and picked off Texas students like they were sitting

STEVEN OSTER THE DAILY COUGAR

Cougar paw pro Khator teaches newly recruited Gustafsson how to throw it up properly.

By Ruth Rodriguez THE DAILY COUGAR DAVID SHIH THE DAILY COUGAR

Students who prefer Welcome Center restaurants to campus dining will be able to use Cougar Cash if proposal is passed President Sam Dike said. “Dining was a huge priority (for SGA) and this shows the results of our efforts.” see DINING, page 3

Campus considers gun laws

By James Hale THE DAILY COUGAR

see PERRY, page 3

SGA aids talks; issue resolved

Dining services propose overhaul UH Dining Services unveiled its proposal Wednesday to overhaul campus-dining facilities and student meal plans.

The proposal is a joint effort of Student Government Association and Residential Life and Housing in response to student concerns about campus dining.

Its primary goal is the renovation of the Moody Towers’ dining facilities with new restaurants and a private dining room.

“This is all the stuff we’ve been asking for,” SGA

Gustafsson also proposed his plan to Gov. Perry to build research relations between UH and the Karolinska Institute.

Gustafsson’s speech concluded with Khator presenting him with a UH letterman jacket and teaching him the Cougar paw.

“My vision is to build a research bridge between Houston and Stockholm,” Gustafsson said. “The twin cities for cancer research could be built.”

UH System Board of Regents Chairman Welcome Wilson Sr. introduced Michael Lieberman, director of TMHRI, who discussed the UH partnership and introduced the TMHRI staff.

“The partnership between UH and Methodist will create an unparalleled powerhouse,” Wilson said.

Khator concluded the conference with

ducks,” Wentworth said to The Houston Chronicle’s David Saleh Rauf. “I’m doing what I can to prevent that from happening.”

The UH Student Handbook forbids the possession of a firearm, including BB guns or ammunition on school grounds.

Constitutional law professor Laura Oren said, if passed, the bill would not necessarily mean guns could be brought to campus.

“It is true that the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment

allows individuals some measure of protection,” Oren said. “It doesn’t matter that guns cannot be banned, I still have the right to say ‘Don’t come into my house or my place of business with a gun.’”

Seventeen states have tried and failed to pass similar bills following the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech.

Lt. Bret Collier, public information officer for UH Department of Public Safety, said see GUN LAWS, page 3

College of Technology administrators met with disgruntled students Tuesday to resolve curriculum changes that were expected to delay graduations.

The group of computer engineering technology seniors voiced complaints at the Jan. 28 Student Government Association Senate meeting.

The students informed the Senate of alterations made to their degree plan and said they were given insufficient warning of the changes.

“With the economy the way it is and the rising cost of a college education, many students can literally not afford to stay in school longer than they originally anticipated,” SGA Sen. At-Large Van Hua said.

Students previously able to take their senior projects courses (ELET 4308 and ELET 4208) concurrently, suffered when the new computer engineering technology degree plan

stipulated ELET 4308 had become a prerequisite for ELET 4208.

The change meant students taking the course in one semester would be required to finish it in two.

For some, this meant they would have to wait an extra semester to take the course to graduate.

The College of Technology sent an e-mail to its students on June 6, 2008 with details on the new degree plan. The e-mail stated that the one semester version of the course would be offered for those planning to graduate in fall 2008.

The department issued letters to students, posted the information on its Web site and asked professors to make announcements during classes, said Carmen Carter, director of student affairs for the College of Technology.

Hua, SGA President Sam Dike, Vice President Jonas Chin and Speaker Alexander Obregon faciliated communication between the students and academic officials including Associate Dean for see DEGREE, page 3

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Friday, February 6, 2009

The Daily Cougar

CAMPUS BEAT

F L A S H B AC K

1992: Exposure, Albee-it indecent

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TODAY PowerPoint 2007 Workshop: 10 a.m. to noon at Room 107C, Social Work Building. Free admission. Sponsored by Information Technology Support Services.

Music lecture: 3 p.m. at Dudley Recital Hall. International Piano Festival lecture in conjunction with Texas Society for Music Theory — “Performance and Analysis-or Synthesis: Theorizing Gesture and Meaning for Performers.” Sponsored

by Moores School of Music. Free admission. Call (713) 7433313 or visit www.music.uh.edu.

Abbey Simon Recital: 7:30 p.m. at Moores Opera House.

Part of the International Piano Festival. Sponsored by Moores School of Music. For ticket information and prices, call (713) 743-3313 or visit www.music.uh.edu.

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attention to the incident.

“I’m guilty of what they said — taking my suit off,” he said. “I’m tired of it. Unless people keep writing about it, it’ll be forgotten.”

The presence of police had increased in the area after complaints from park employees who said nude sunbathers shouted and threw objects at them.

McPhail reported Albee could face a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail if convicted.

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In an article about the women’s basketball team against Rice, “Cougars ruffle up Owls’ feathers,” The Daily Cougar erroneously reported the score was 66-51. The final score was 66-56. without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status, or sexual orientation. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees.

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Daily Cougar is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer, at the University of Houston Printing Plant and online at www. thedailycougar.com. The University seeks to provide equal educational opportunities

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his week in history on Feb. 6, 1992, The Daily Cougar’s Rebecca McPhail reported “playwright and UH drama professor Edward Albee recently bared a little more than his soul” on a Florida beach.

Albee, best known for writing the play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, was arrested by the Metro-Dade Police Department around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 19 for “exposure of a sexual organ,” police spokesman detective Donald Blocker said.

Albee said he was taking a walk on the beach near his home in the Key Biscayne area when he noticed his bathing suit was sandy and opted to change his clothes behind some bushes. He said he was careful to prevent others from noticing him.

“I didn’t even see anybody,” he said.

Albee acknowledged his guilt, but blamed the media for drawing unnecessary

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PERRY

DINING

continued from page 1

continued from page 1

thanks and optimistic words for the future.

“This is a historical and monumental experience,” Khator said. “I hope we gather like this many times in the coming years.”

An improvement in food variety was also a focus at the presentation, with examples of Mediterranean, Italian, grilling and vegetarian restaurants on display.

Dining Services also included a bakery and dessert station to give students a preview of the food they expect to serve.

“We’ve had complaints that food hasn’t been meeting the students’ needs on campus. This is an opportunity for people to be a part of defining what our campus dining experience should be,” Dike said.

Instead of choosing among several differently priced meal plans, under the proposed changes, students pay one price for what the University calls the Lifestyle meal plan.

Students determine how much of the plan they receive in Cougar cash versus paid meals. The exact price and meal plan structure for the Lifestyle plan has not been decided.

Dining Services district manager Alisdair MacLean said the change in meal plans was inspired by differences in need between oncampus and commuting students.

“Some students don’t often eat full meals on campus, whereas their Cougar cash will go fairly quickly.

The idea is that now students will choose the plan that best fits their needs,” MacLean said.

Data from student surveys and

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GUN LAWS continued from page 1

the University will decide whether to change the existing policy if Wentworth’s bill is passed.

Some students said that allowing guns on campus is not a bad idea, but English junior Julio Penaloza says she thinks the proposed legislation goes too far.

“I would prefer that only teachers be allowed to carry firearms rather than just any student because they would be more responsible with firearms,” Penaloza said. “Students carrying guns on campus would create a scary environment.”

University studies freshman Safa Alghafi thinks that having guns at the University would invite trouble.

“Guns should not be allowed anywhere,” Alghafi said. “You can’t trust people when they get angry. Some people get mad over anything.”

As a teacher, Oren said she thinks that students carrying guns would disrupt the collegial atmosphere of the classroom.

“I personally would not feel more secure,” Oren said. “I would be frightened if weapons were introduced into what should be a discussion.”

In Austin, lawmakers are divided on the issue. A study by the law enforcement committee of the Texas House recommended such a campus gun bill.

U.S. Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston has not seen the bill, but does not believe the Legislature will approve of it.

“It’s an issue of safety,” Coleman said to Saleh Rauf. “My gut instinct is most members would say it actually diminishes the safety of faculty and staff.”

Texas is a “shall-issue” state, meaning that anyone who meets the criteria set forth by the Texas administrative code will receive a concealed handgun license.

People seeking a license must pass a background check as well as shooting proficiency and written examinations administered by qualified instructors.

Friday, February 6, 2009

an examination of university dining nationwide were considered in the proposal.

Renovations to Moody Towers and Oberholtzer Hall, as well as the construction of Calhoun Lofts, were the foremost reasons for the change, MacLean said.

“It doesn’t take a lot to see these (dining) facilities could use some updating,” MacLean said.

Fresh Food Company will replace Real Food on Campus as the campus food provider. The new company will move kitchen equipment and refrigeration to the front of the station, allowing food preparation to be made in sight of the student.

Under the proposal, the Moody Towers’ dining area will be renovated to accommodate additional students, seating capacity will be increased and a private dining room with a capacity of up to 100 people will be constructed. According to the proposal, Dining Services expects to serve about 1,950 meals a day with the changes from the current 750 meals.

The Board of Regents will vote on the proposal today, with the changes expected to be in effect for the fall 2009 semester pending the board’s approval, auxiliary customer service coordinator Maria Honey said. “(The board) will be looking at all the data,” Honey said. “Students have voiced their opinion.”

Register with the Web site and comment on any article at thedailycougar.com

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Academic Affairs Fred Luellen, academic adviser Carlo Deason and College of Technology Dean William Fitzgibbon.

As a result of Tuesday’s meeting, the College of Technology will allow students who were on track to graduate in fall 2009 to take elective courses in place of the ELET 4208.

“Students who are on track to graduating with an approved degree plan would be given a workable pathway to graduate,” Fitzgibbon said.

David Harden, a computer engineering technology senior, planned his degree fall 2005 but was placed into a class after the final add date to allow him to graduate on time.

While Harden admits the problem could have been dealt with more efficiently, he said the college’s willingness to meet with students and offer alternative courses was a step in the right direction.

“The college should honor the degree plan people come in on,” he said.

Fitzgibbon said the altered computer engineering technology

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degree plan was prompted by the continuously changing industry of technology.

“It’s not like we’re teaching Shakespeare,” he said. “Technology changes. We do update our curriculum and industry leaders feel these changes are pertinent.”

Fitzgibbon said resolving the degree plan issues with students was a high priority for him.

“Some curriculum changes are perfectly seamless; some seem to be more disruptive,” Fitzgibbon said.

“It’s obvious we’re limited by some communication problems because our students are a varied lot. We have transfer students, students from a range of backgrounds and most of them work.”

Fitzgibbon said he expects any residual problems with the altered degree plan to be ironed out by spring 2010.

“It would be fool hardy to say these problems will be fixed completely, but I hope we would have resolved the issues for the eight to 12 students affected within a week,” he said. “I don’t want this lingering atmosphere of discontent.”

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Friday, February 6, 2009

The Daily Cougar

OPINION EDITOR Shaista Mohammed

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COMING MONDAY: Point/Counterpoint: Gun control ONLINE POLL: Guns on campus, yea or nay ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/opinion

EDITORIAL CARTOON

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD Zaneta Loh, editor in chief Signe Cluiss, managing editor James Rincon, News editor Matt Miller, Sports editor Sarah Tucker, Life & Arts editor Shaista Mohammed, Opinion editor Sarah Krusleski, Features editor

STAFF EDITORIAL

Veterans need more mental health support

BISSAN RAFE THE DAILY COUGAR

UH humanities are important too As part of a statewide standard evaluation process, the UH Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) is maximizing child abuse prevention services in Texas by providing an assay of state services.

Professor Cache Steinberg from the Office of Community Alana projects at GCSW MousaviDin explained there are quite a few layers to the evaluation, and many of the drafts are in the revision process. This will most likely be done several times until the team finds every aspect satisfactory.

“This is a team approach that began in March 2008 and consists of six different elements Each element is a project in itself,” Steinberg said.

A carefully assembled research team consisting of four professors, including Steinberg from the GCSW as well as Jim Granato, the Director of the Center for Public Policy, has eagerly taken on the task of trying to bring the humanities and “softer sciences” into the spotlight.

The research team wants our campus to be thought of first when it comes to having the kind of authority sought after pertaining to child abuse, neglect prevention and early intervention services.

The evaluation project began in March 2008 and will continue through August 2009.

“The project will assess funding strategies, methods of assessing costs and program outcomes, as well as the use of evidence-based practice and continuous program improvement systems,” Steinberg said.

The six elements will include: identifying funding mechanisms for programs and services for the prevention of and early intervention in child abuse and neglect; determining how to best evaluate cost efficiency of the state-funded programs; evaluating the effectiveness of statefunded child maltreatment prevention programs and services in achieving their intended outcomes; identifying methods for the transitioning of statefunded child maltreatment prevention programs and services to an increased reliance on evidence based practices;

evaluating existing methods for the ongoing identification of additional opportunities for comprehensive improvements to the delivery of the services offered, and evaluate the need for increased state funding for these programs to ensure a sustained, long-term and cost-effective investment in families in the state of Texas.

The tireless efforts of the GCSW should be recognized for their dedication to the children of our city and state. If the research team has their way, they will be recognized and turned to by social workers across the nation.

UH is leading the pack with its advances in engineering, physics, biology and now the social sciences are adding their name to the list. Our little campus has some pretty big muscles, and soon enough will have a good amount of clout to put behind its strength.

We should give thanks for teams like ours at the GCSW and all of the hard work they do for our kids.

Alana MousaviDin is a communication senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com

Not so silly putty heals bones for military Imagine a speedy recovery from a serious leg injury that would normally rob the use of your limb.

Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are working to develop a type of “fracture Matthew putty” intended to Keever speed the healing process for severely broken bones.

This technology also has the potential to mend patients’ broken bones that have previously been untreatable.

They have been awarded $5.2 million as part of a federal contract with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research and development arm of the Department of Defense.

Today’s broken bone treatments employ bone grafts, held in place by screws and plates, which take an extended amount of time to heal and sometimes lead to additional complications.

The fracture putty research hopes to develop a nontoxic putty-like material, which will be placed at the site of a severe fracture, providing immediate support and promoting rapid formation of new bone.

Dr. Krishnamoorti, Dow Chair Professor of Chemistry and department chair at the University of Houston, said the putty is injected as a liquid, hardens upon contact with the bone and is dissolved by the body’s enzymes over time. As the putty dissolves, the bone actually grows back together.

“Much like cement, it hardens and makes sure the crack in the bone will heal,” Krishnamoorti said.

Although the putty is in the early stages

of development, those involved seem optimistic about the possibilities involved.

The putty is still being studied, and it is not yet clear how widely applicable it will be. Krishnamoorti said DARPA will, first and foremost, use it for the military.

Further down the line, it may be used more for civilians, but will not be commercially available for many years.

DARPA will make sure it is safe for general use and does not have any major side effects before releasing it to the public.

Though some of DARPA’s previous accomplishments, such as napalm, have had ethically murky outcomes, this technology does not seem to have any adverse side effects. The fracture putty development seems valid, applicable, and morally sound.

In a move of unprecedented transparency, U.S. Army officials announced Thursday that 24 veterans have reportedly committed suicide in January.

Seven of the deaths are confirmed to be suicides and 17 are still under investigation.

“If (the number of suspected suicides) holds true, it would mean that self-inflicted deaths surpassed the 16 combat deaths reported in all branches of the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and other nations considered part of the global war on terror last month,” Associated Press writer Pauline Jelinek reported.

An estimated The Army’s new relationship with media 20 percent of may stem from the veterans have shock of an annual report released Jan. 28, Post Traumatic confirming 2008 as having Stress Disorder the highest record of veteran suicides.

(PTSD), which While affected veterans can lead to may appreciate the Army’s suicide. candidness and intent to reform mental health services, efforts seem to be a little too late, and a bit retroactive.

An estimated 20 percent of veterans have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can lead to suicide. UH Veterans Services Office (VSO) program manager Allen Grundy said while there is not a program for assisting UH veterans with PTSD at the moment, the VSO is considering hiring a PTSD counselor.

“How do we know if a student will be suicidal?

We don’t,” Grundy said. “So we have to put a program in place.”

UH veterans on campus can receive mental health assistance at UH Counseling and Psychology Services, but they must travel to Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Assistance Medical Center to receive help with PTSD-specific issues. Bringing in a specialist to assist the campus would be a move in the right direction.

E D I TO R I A L P O L I C Y STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Daily Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author.

Opinions expressed in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 151, Communication Building; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

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Commentary should be kept to less than 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies to material already printed in the Cougar, but rather should present independent points of view. Rebuttals should be sent as letters. Deliver submissions to Room 151, Communication Building; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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Matthew Keever is a communication junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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Copy editing Trae Browne, Newton Liu, Production Mario Trinidad, Halimat Salami

SPORTS | LIFE & ARTS

The Daily Cougar

MENS BASKETBALL

Friday, February 6, 2009

City home to venues of all music flavors

By Chris Elliott THE DAILY COUGAR

Cougar Life & Arts Services

GREGORY BOHUSLAV THE DAILY COUGAR

Tom Penders, pictured above during the Cougars victory over East Carolina, has a 5-3 record against Rice during his time as UH head coach. matter and the talent gap won’t matter if everyone in the rotation is not ready to play full throttle for 40 minutes.

So far, it appears the Cougars have bought in.

“I’m really looking forward to playing against them,” junior guard Aubrey Coleman said. “It will be great competition. It’s a big game that’s going to depend on how we come out and establish ourselves.

But we still have to go out there and have fun.”

Coleman’s wing-mate, junior guard Kelvin Lewis, agrees.

Lewis, unlike Coleman and the other four Houston starters, received playing time in both games the two schools played last season. He knows how intense the rivalry can get.

“It’s a heated rivalry,” Lewis said.

“It (gets) a lot of respect around here. Every game we play, they’re coming in hard. We know what see BASKETBALL, page 6

UH NOTEBOOK

Coogs capture honors Cougar Sports Services Saturday will be rivalry day for Cougar basketball as the men’s and women’s teams will host crosstown rival Rice in a double-header at Hofheinz Pavilion.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with the women’s tipoff, and the men’s game will start at 8 p.m.

The men are coming off a dominating 97-69 victory over Central Florida on Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. Junior guard Aubrey Coleman led the Cougars with 30 points and 10 rebounds.

The women will look for a sweep over Rice after defeating the Owls 66-56 Wednesday.

Sophomore center Cobilyn Hill led the way for UH with 18 points, and her surge has given the Cougars extra pep in their step.

“I’ve been more focused (and) tuned in and doing what I have to do,” Hill said.

Admission to both games is free to those who have a CougarOne card or approved groups of 10 or more people.

Play Ball The UH softball team opens its season against USA Softball No. 14 California at noon at the Cathedral City Kickoff in Cathedral City, Calif.

The Cougars will also face UC-Riverside at 2:30 p.m. Friday UH will hook up against James Madison at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and No. 12 Fresno State at 8 p.m. The team closes out the weekend at 11

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Look to Houston for diverse scene

UH to face rival The Houston-Rice hardwood rivalry hasn’t been one to disappoint in the five years Tom Penders has called the shots as the Cougars’ head coach.

Despite how much more talented and athletic the Cougars appear to be, the Owls have kept the scores close, at least until the final four minutes.

The Cougars need wins, especially at home, and will look to support from the student section to give them a much-needed homecourt advantage.

“Rice always plays it like it’s the biggest game of the year,” Penders said. “We’ve got to be ready to match their intensity. We need the students to come out in droves. We’ve got to have that home-court edge.”

It’s what Penders has come to expect from the annual matchups.

The Cougars (13-7, 4-3 Conference USA) will begin the first of a two-game series with its inter-city rival at 8 p.m. Saturday at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Rice will take the court garnering a 7-14 overall record and a 2-5 output in conference play.

The owls are only putting up 63.3 points per game this season, the worst in C-USA, and have only won two of its previous nine games.

Penders’ job as a coach is to get his relatively inexperienced team to understand how the rivalries work.

Records don’t matter, stats don’t

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One of the greatest things about Houston is our music selection. No matter the day, a concert can be found practically anywhere in the city.

Want to listen to some blues?

Look no further than The Big Easy.

Located on Kirby Drive in Rice Village, this small, non-descript club is known for only bringing the best in blues. The Big Easy is known for cheap cover and the most authentic blues music outside of New Orleans.

If blues isn’t your type, then check out Walter’s on Washington, located at 4215 Washington Ave. This venue typically showcases lesser-known and coming rock and alternative bands. Entry is all ages, so the crowd’s age range can vary extremely, depending on the band.

House of Blues., contrary to its name, features much more than the blues. Coming acts include Cradle of Filth, Katy Perry, Pitbull, Etta James and UB40.

HOB contains a restaurant and full bar within its walls and also hosts a gospel brunch every Sunday, serving traditional Southern food and performances by gospel choirs from around the region.

The Meridian is another local venue that hosts a wide variety of music, from the punk-metal

Irish band The Flogging Molly’s to eclectic alternative They Might Be Giants. Located near the Toyota Center, this venue attracts top acts and good-sized crowds on a regular basis.

Warehouse Live, a venue situated on the Eastern edge of downtown, also brings in a diverse group of musicians as well. Set in a warehouse built in the 1920s, the site offers two venues: one that holds 300 for more intimate concerts and another that fits 1500 for larger shows.

The ever-popular Numbers is host to a variety of alternative acts and attracts an incredibly diverse, albeit mostly punk/goth crowd.

Located at 300 Westheimer Street for more than 20 years, Numbers has featured performances by artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Cake, Bjork and 30-Foot Fall.

If jazz is an option, try Red Cat Jazz Cafe, located at 925 Congress Street. This relaxedatmosphere cafe plays only jazz and serves cajun and creole food in the restaurant portion of the establishment.

Regardless the day of the week, there is always something playing in Houston. The band may not be well-known and the crowd might be small, but for live music lovers, there’s always something worth listening to. arts@thedailycougar.com

What are you doing this weekend?

Staff picks

runs batted in (57), on base percentage (.498) and slugging percentage (.826).





Hill

Coleman

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

Jones

Pozdniakova

a.m. Sunday against Oregon State.

After a 2008 campaign in which the Cougars set a school record 54 wins, UH will be hard pressed to deliver another wonderful performance this season.

However, the Cougars are returning seven starters, including senior infielder Jessica Valis and senior outfielder Laurie Wagner.

UH’s dynamic duo were selected to the Amateur Softball Association of America’s Top 50 Watch List for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award.

Valis set a UH single-season record in batting average (.431), hits (88), runs scored (51), stolen bases (25) and triples (7) in 2008.

Last season, Wagner hit 19 home runs to set a single-season Conference USA record. She also set UH single-season records in

Conference honors  Valis Sophomore sprinter Christie Jones earned this week’s C-USA Female Track and Field Athlete of the Week Award for her performance on Jan. 30-31 at the Houston Indoor Invitational.

Jones won the 60-meter dash, setting a NCAA provisional time of 7.4 seconds. She topped her previous personal-best by 0.11 seconds and holds the fastest time in C-USA this season.

The Cougars will continue their season at the New Balance Invitational in New York City today and Saturday.

In swimming, Anastasia Pozdniakova was awarded her 11th career C-USA Diver of the Week honor. The accomplishment is the junior’s seventh award this season, tying a C-USA record.

Pozdniakova was the only diver to earn more than 300 points in both the 1-meter (337.7) and 3-meter (364.8) diving events at the LSU Invitational last weekend.

Both scores broke pool records, and marked the eighth consecutive event in which Pozdniakova won both diving events. sports@thedailycougar.com

“The men’s & women’s basketball teams are playing Rice at Hofheinz on Saturday.

I’ll be there, will you?”

— Matt Miller, Sports editor

“I have so many Oscar movies to watch and art exhibits that I want to see, but I’ll probably end up relaxing at home and catching up on homework.”

— Sarah Krusleski, Features editor

“I’m going home to do laundry. I’m starting to run out of things to wear.”

— Sarah Tucker, Life & Arts editor

“As our basketball teams visit wrath on the Owls, gamer unity takes hold at OwlCon, Houston’s longest running convention and the only gamers’ con in the city. Come early, come often.”

— Shaista Mohammed, Opinion editor

6

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SPORTS

Friday, February 6, 2009

The Daily Cougar

BASKETBALL

GAMETIME Rice at UH

continued from page 5

Sound like you?

These symptoms could be more than just PMS — they can also describe PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).

they’re going to bring. They’re going to bring a lot of intensity and a lot of toughness to the game, and we’ve got to be ready for that.”

The Cougars will give plenty of attention to Rice guard Rodney Foster. He lit up the Cougars for 22 points in his last outing at Hofheinz Pavilion, shooting 6-16 from threepoint range.

Baylor College of Medicine is conducting a clinical study of FDA-approved drugs ,YAZ and YASMIN, to determine if they are effective in relieving PMDD stress in women ages 13 to 20. Participants will complete a diary in addition to receiving medication in this study.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Hofheinz Pavilion On the air: 790 KBME Live coverage: uhcougars.com Penders and the Cougars know this won’t be a normal game.

Neither will any of the remaining ones on the schedule.

The Cougars need to neutralize the Owls’ leading scorer if they

Though The Daily Cougar strives for accuracy and fairness in its reporting, mistakes happen. Please report any errors you see in the paper to the editorial staff. Corrections will run on Page 2 as needed to amend the record. To report a correction, e-mail editor@thedailycougar.com or call (713) 743-5362.

Call 713-798-5295 volunteer@bcm.edu

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plan on winning Saturday and continuing a chance to string together the winning streak needed to have a chance at landing in the NCAA Tournament.

“I feel that the win Wednesday kind of put us back on track,” Coleman said. “It gave us a positive attitude that we need to get to where we’re trying to go. We still have to take in one game at a time. Rice is the next game on the schedule.”

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Manufacturing/ industrial/ Mechanical engineer Part-time internship position. Assist in the day-today Production Operations, Time Studies & Costing.

4-6 hours per day/$12 per hour.

Plaza Research, a local focus group company in the Galleria, is looking for Hispanics to participate in paid focus group discussions. There is absolutely no sales or solicitation involved, we are only interested in your thoughts and opinions. Our groups are ongoing and include topics such as pets, travel, consumer products, sports, politics, magazines, books, medical conditions, food, beverages, etc.

Submit resume to susie.palacios@emerson.com

Please call Plaza Research at 713-840-9500 and ask to speak to someone regarding ‘Hispanic’ studies.

Get paid for your extra time!

Those who participate are compensated $35-65 per hour for their time.

THE GREATEST SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE

deadlIne

CAMP PONTIAC

Ad material and payment is due two business days prior to publication.

Is coming to the University of Houston!

eRRoRS

Located in NY State Camp Pontiac, a premier co-ed overnight camp in New York, is looking for fun, enthusiastic and mature individuals who can teach and assist in all areas of athletics, aquatics, the arts, or as general bunk counselor. Please view our website at www.camppontiac.com

The Daily Cougar will be responsible only for the first incorrect insertion.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, February 11th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM University Career Services 106 Student Service Center 1

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OFFICE COORDINATOR Coordinate work w/ office, outside vendors & agents for a Real Estate Mgmt. Co.

Monday - Thursday 8-12 pm. $10/hr.

SELL your stuff. Get cash in your picket.

Call 713-743-5356 to buy an ad!

Clark McDowell and Kic Realtors

(713) 528-5311

WE ARE SEEKING a full-time or part-time International Purchasing Assistant in the 610 Loop & Richmond area, with strong organization, verbal, and written communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. This is a good opportunity for those majoring in International Business. Please contact 713-527-9912

Summer jobS available

Direct sales.

Very good pay.

Call Nick 281-498-3232

Please e-mail: stefanie@camppontiac.com or call Stefanie at 516-626-7668 to set up an interview

Rentals

Rentals

3BD 2BA $199/MO 5%dn, 30yrs @8% Start Saving Money! For Listings 800544-6258 ext T594

HOUSTON HEIGHTS. 30 minutes from the UH campus. 1 bedroom and 1 bath - $750; 2 bedroom and 1 bath - $950.

CALL 713-682-7142.

FEW BLOCKS from UH,a big studio $300;1 bdrm $360; 3- 11/2 $800 with utilities. No pets. Call 713-8344209.

VACANCY? Advertise your rental property here and reach thousands of potential tenants. Call 713-743-5356 for more information.

STUDENT/STAFF SPECIAL: U of H AREA$99. 1st mo rent. Minutes from campus.

1bdrm $429. & 2bdrm $529. with a 1 YEAR LEASE. 3629 MacGregor WayOffice 713-523-0225.

YOUR AD HERE. Think about it. Call 713743-7556 for more information.

Jobs. Apartments.

Always in reach.

View Classiftieds online at

thedailycougar.com/ classifieds

HIRING

Certified lifeguards, desk staff,

*STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM* PAID survey takers needed in Houston. 100 percent FREE to join! Click on Surveys.

swim instructors and water aerobics/fitness instructors.

Great pay & flexible hours! Call 713-662-5892 or 713-662-5387 for information.

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MAKE UP TO 75 DOLLARS per online survey, www.cashtospend.com MONTESSORI school near Museum dist.

Looking for PT/FT. Infant to EC teacher assistants. Call Tara 713-520-0738

Jobs. Apartments.  download classifieds daily at thedailycougar.com/classifieds

Sign up for daily e-mail updates: www.thedailycougar.com

The Daily Cougar

COUGAR COMICS The Waves by Bissan Rafe

Dim Sum by Ho Yi Lau

Man Law by Chris Jacobs

At the Hot Dog Stand by Mishele Lamshing

COMICS & MORE Online at thedailycougar.com/comics

Friday, February 6, 2009

TODAY’S CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Bridge 5 Cuzco builders 10 Ruins a nylon 14 Doozie 15 Gandhi associate 16 Pointed arch 17 Aussie rock group 18 Stomp or clump 19 Cabbage cousin 20 Rings out 22 Tree frogs 24 Taiga animals 27 Beat decisively 28 Gestured 32 Splotches 35 Bullfight yell 36 Contributed 38 Limerick makers 40 Ben Jonson works 42 Doctrine 44 Patella site 45 Skating venues 47 Get mellower 49 Bump hard 50 Gazing at 52 Of the sea 54 Mansion staffer 56 Bell-shaped flower 57 Strut 60 DeMille movies 64 “Daily Planet” reporter 65 Coast along 68 Think-tank output 69 Tug sharply 70 Slander’s kin 71 Agrees silently 72 Really skimps 73 Winding curves 74 Winner’s feeling DOWN 1 Whack 2 Eggplant color 3 Swit costar 4 Molecule cores 5 Elected ones 6 Table-tennis divider 7 Guy 8 Wanted-poster word 9 Excellent

1

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Answers online at thedailycougar.com/puzzles 3

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10 It’s just for laughs (2 wds.)

11 Culture dish goo 12 Thickens 13 Understand 21 Wade through 23 Low-grade book 25 Woven 26 Cut, as ties 28 Heather habitat 29 1950s record 30 Really small 31 Overalls material 33 Film canine 34 Mist 37 India neighbor 39 Arid 41 Vail wear (2 wds.)

43 Garr of “Mr. Mom” 46 Unforeseen prob-

TODAY’S SUDOKU (Difficulty: 5/5)

48 51 53 55 57 58 59 61 62 63 64 66 67

34 39

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lem Giza’s river Snicker Business class Cold-cuts emporiums Drench Zinfandel, e.g.

Barbecue favorite Temple image Grant, as land Courtesy env.

Caustic solution Aberdeen’s river Overhead trains

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2009 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.

Previous puzzle solved A R F S

C I A O

E C R U

S H E L F T U S P A I N C R E E D A I R S MM I A S P E A R W I MOC H A A L A I C E L L S O L E

A D H O C

B R O O K

L E R A NO I S T D P Y A L P O L A L I K E N ME T E S U T O S S GU N I S P L U R S U B S C H I NO CONG A SWE E T

H O L L E R

E D I E

A I D A

L E S T

I S G L U E N T K I D E R S N T O

T R A D E

Y O D E L

E G O S

S O B S

Answers online at thedailycougar.com/puzzles

How to play

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3-by-3 boxes must also contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Previous puzzle solved

Limbo by Paulo Aninag

In the time it takes you to update your

Facebook you could get in the yearbook.

Here’s how:

HOUSTONIAN YEARBOOK PHOTO WEEK • 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

February 16–19 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

February 20 Claudette Room, UC Satellite Shoots available by appointment.

Walk-ins welcome. No sitting fees!

Visit uh.edu/sp/houstonian or call (713) 743-5350 for registration info.

8

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ADVERTISING

Friday, February 6, 2009

The Daily Cougar

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Plus, get a 20% faculty and staff discount.

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Customer Agmt, Calling Plan, rebate form & credit approval. Up to $175 early termination fee/line & other charges. Certain Alltel customers not joining Verizon Wireless. Mobile to Mobile available to Verizon Wireless customers now; most Alltel customers Feb. 17, see alltel.com for updates & eligibility. Offers and coverage, varying by service, not available everywhere. Device capabilities: Add’l charges & conditions apply. Rebate debit card takes up to 6 weeks & expires in 12 months. Voyager is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. used under license by Verizon Wireless. Limited-time offers. While supplies last. Network details and coverage maps at verizonwireless.com. © 2009 Verizon Wireless.

MPSU