Issue 150, Volume 76

life+arts

sports

Pride is in the air

Helping out, Cougar style

t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f h o u s to n s i n c e 1 9 3 4

THE DAILY COUGAR

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New findings on bacterium

TRAFFIC

Construction project to limit Wheeler to westbound traffic Starting June 27, a section of Wheeler Avenue between Cullen Boulevard and M.L. King Boulevard will be limited to westbound traffic only for 2 to 3 weeks. Vehicles traveling east on Wheeler during the closure will be directed to the following detour:

Recent discoveries about E. coli may lead to new methods of disease prevention and treatment

1. Turn right (south) onto Cullen Boulevard 2. Turn left (east) onto N MacGregor Way

Darlene Campos

3. Turn left (north) onto Calhoun Road

THE DAILY COUGAR

4. Turn left (north) onto M.L. King Boulevard to Wheeler

EVENT

Dedication ceremony to be held for petroleum engineering program There will be a dedication ceremony for the University’s new petroleum engineering program and building at 9 a.m. today in building 9A at the UH Energy Research Park.

The dedication ceremony will feature President Renu Khator welcoming industry leaders from companies such as The Madison Charitable Foundation, the Devon Energy Corp., Marathon Oil Corp., Southwestern Energy Co., El Paso Corp. and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Gulf Coast Section.

The petroleum engineering program, which made its debut in Fall 2009, has grown to nearly 100 students, with the first wave of graduates leaving the school in the spring of 2013.

There will be a special announcement regarding ConocoPhillips at the event, and a tour of the new facility will be offered after the ceremony. For more information, contact Mike Emery at pemery@uh.edu or 713-743-8186.

EVENT

Texas Music Festival to wrap up with grand finale on Saturday The Texas Music Festival will finish this week, ending with a grand finale concert at 7:30 p.m. on July 2 at the Moores Opera House.

The grand finale, lead by conductor Carlos Spierer and featuring cellist Brinton Averil Smith, will include works such as Op. 35, Antonin Dvorak’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakiv’s Scheherazade and Op. 104.

The Texas Music Festival features renowned conductors and musicians, with this year’s performances aimed at embodying the theme, “Made in America.” Sponsored by the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Foundation and the Texas A&M University’s Summer Performance Series, the festival was founded in 1990 to help challenege college aged, talented professionals in music.

For information on tickets and the schedule events, visit http://www.class.uh.edu/music/texasmusicfestival/index.html or call the Moores School of Music at 713-743-7274.

CORRECTIONS !!

Report errors to editor@thedailycougar.com. Corrections will appear in this space as needed.

Issue 150, Volume 76

RESEARCH

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You can chose to turn either direction onto Wheeler Avenue or continue north on Calhoun Road.

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“E. coli is a common bacteria investigated with rod shape and is native to warm blooded organisms, normally found in the gut,” Advincula said. | Eric Erbe/Wikimedia Commons

UH polymer chemist Rigoberto Advincula and his research partners have discovered effective concepts to the bacteria E. coli.

Their findings will be published in the June issues of two chemistry journals: Chemical Communications and Chemistry of Materials.

“E. coli is a common bacteria investigated with rod-shape and is E. COLI continues on page 3

STUDENTS

Graduate to teach English abroad Fullbright Scholarship opens opportunities Zahra Ahmed

THE DAILY COUGAR UH graduate Glenn Trujillo, who received his M.A. in philosophy this spring, was awarded a 10-month-long teaching assistantship in Germany from the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The scholarship, which aims to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” was awarded to only two graduate students from UH. “I’m excited to go to Germany and teach, humbled that I could get this fellowship and happy for my family and friends because they’ve been just excited as I have,” said Trujillo.

Trujillo will teach middle or high school students the English language and American culture through film, highlighting philosophical and cultural themes. He said mutual cultural exchange is beneficial for mental and emotional development, making aware, active and good citizens. “(The assistantship) would allow me to learn German even better and improve my teaching skills, which I take seriously,” Trujillo said. “So between my goals and the goals of the Fulbright Program, it just fit.”

SCHOLARSHIP continues on page 3

The LGBT Resource Center gathers their members behind a banner as they line up in preparation for the Houston Pride Parade, which was held Saturday on Westheimer. | Courtesy of the LGBT Resource Center

EVENT

UH LGBT represented at Pride Parade spreads awareness of often misunderstood minority Naheeda Sayeeduddin

THE DAILY COUGAR The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center ended its inaugural year by taking part in Houston’s largest gay pride celebration for the first time.

Close to 40 faculty, staff and students gathered Saturday evening on Hazard Street to take part in the Houston Pride Parade.

Last year the group participated in the festival, but this is the first time UH had a group walking in the parade, said Lorraine Schroeder, director of UH LGBT Resource Center.

It was encouraging to see the response the UH walkers were getting as they threw coozies into the crowd, Schroeder said.

“UH being in the parade has an effect on

the LGBT community,” Schroeder said.

Walking in the parade gave the LGBT Resource Center an opportunity to show the gay community that UH is accepting enough to be in the parade and allowed those who don’t know about the resource center to see that they have a place on campus to fit in, Schroeder said.

There were faculty members and students in the crowd that did not know UH was participating in the parade. They were happy to see UH being represented. People from the crowd were yelling, “Go COOGS!” as they passed by, Schroeder said.

Lance Reyna, political science junior, agreed that this was a great opportunity to get the word out about UH’s LGBT community.

“I think that the parade really got the word out that UH is LGBT friendly,” Reyna said. “There are so many students who are preparing to enter college who may not be out of the closet so seeing all of us PARADE continues on page 3

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

CRIME LOG

SUMMER BOOK CLUB IS BACK! Join us in the Women’s Resource Center (2nd Floor, University Center) for refreshments and discussion.

Open to all UH Students, Staff, Faculty and Associates.

Pym: A Novel

by UH professor Mat Johnson

DISCUSSION

@ Noon,

Aug. 19TH

Copies are available on reserve at M.D. Anderson library.

SPONSORED

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Libraries // Women’s Resource Center

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The following is a partial report of campus crime between June 10 and June 18. All information is selected from the files of the UH Police Department.

The information in bold indicates when the event was reported to UHPD and the event’s location. Information or questions regarding the cases below should be directed to UHPD at (713) 743-0600.

Theft: 11:06 a.m. June 10, Cullen Oaks Apartments — A student reported that someone stole his unattended and unsecured football shoes and football equipment from the stairwell outside the hallway of his Cullen Oaks dorm. There are no suspects.

Theft: 2:41 p.m. June 10, Athletic Alumni Bldg. — A staff member reported that someone stole a UH-owned laptop computer from a secured office suite in the Athletic Alumni building. There are no suspects.

Theft: 5:59 p.m. June 12, Athletic Alumni Bldg. — A student reported that someone stole his unattended, secured bicycle from outside Athletic Alumni. There are no suspects.

Theft: 9:34 a.m. June 13, Power Plant Construction Site — A visitor reported that someone entered a secured storage container inside a secured construction site and stole two welding machines. There are no suspects.

Indecent Exposure: 08:55 a.m.

June 15, M.D. Anderson Library — A UH DPS security officer working at M.D. Anderson Library observed a man masturbating on the library’s sixth floor. The man, a visitor, was arrested for Indecent Exposure, issued a Criminal Trespass warning and transported to Harris County Jail.

Theft: 2:03 p.m. June 15, Cougar Village — A staff member reported that someone stole his laptop computer bag from a locked trash room in Cougar Village to which only custodians have access.

Failure to Comply or Identify: 7:38 p.m. June 15, Cullen Oaks Apartments — A fire alarm was activated

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by a student burning food while cooking at Cullen Oaks Apartments.

The student lied about his activities and caused HFD to respond. The student was issued Student Life and Residential Life Referrals.

Theft: 3:35 p.m. June 16, Science and Engineering Annex — A faculty member reported that someone stole two large steel items secured in an unattended and fenced area of the Science and Engineering Annex.

There are no suspects.

Traffic Offense: 4:59 p.m. June 16, Lot 18 B — A student reported that someone struck her unattended vehicle while it was parked in a university parking lot. The striking driver did not leave information as required by law. There are no suspects.

Theft: 7:33 a.m. June 17, Intramural Fields — A contractor reported that someone stole a backhoe from the Intramural Fields next to parking lot 16 D. There are no suspects.

Criminal Mischief: 5:13 p.m. June 17, Lot 1 A — A student reported that someone damaged her unattended vehicle while it was parked in lot A. There are no suspects.

Public Intoxication: 2:48 a.m.

June 18, Lot 20 C — A student was arrested for Public Intoxication in lot 20 C. The student was released to a responsible adult.

Unlawful Carrying Weapon: 2:03 p.m. June 18, Cougar Village — A staff member reported that someone stole his unattended and unsecured laptop bag which contained an illegal 8” knife.

For the complete report and to view past reports, go to www. uh.edu/police/home.html

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NEWS

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E. COLI continued from page 1

native to warm blooded organisms, normally found in the gut. It is a bacterium that is commonly grown in laboratories and is easy to grow, a model organism for biotechnology and microbiological studies,” Advincula said.

E. coli is normally harmless, but certain types can cause food poisoning in humans, Advincula said.

“Most forms of E. coli are readily used in laboratory studies and are actually beneficial in the intestine gut or flora. However, certain serotypes can cause serious food poisoning when exposed or ingested in humans,” Advincula said. “This has caused alarm in the consumption of certain types of food products and recall. Mitigation in food packaging/handling or rapid testing and confirmation of harmful forms should be done.”

The chemistry journal Chemical Communications has featured a graphene material shown to be a successful antimicrobial against bacteria. Another journal, Chemistry of Materials suggests the use of a conducting polymer to fight E. coli, according to Advincula.

Advincula and his colleagues have produced a smart film to shut bacterial adhesions on and off, but also to discover bacteria.

“The group has been engaged in the design and synthesis of new polymers and nanocomposites with applications in anti-biofouling, anti-corrosion, and barrier properties,” Advincula said.

PARADE continued from page 1

representing UH may help them feel more comfortable or let them know it gets better.”

Students are planning on making next year’s walk even better because they were so hyped up from the success of this year, Schroeder said.

There are talks of even having a

Advincula collaborated with Professor Debora Rodrigues of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Deparment on E. coli’s anti-microbial and non-biofouling properties.

“We have investigated in the past the adhesion of various types of proteins and cells on surfaces. In particular, the use of non-fouling surfaces to prevent non-specific proteins such as fibr inogen, lysozyme, bovine serum albumin,” Advincula said.

“We have also looked at the grown of fibroblast cells on surfaces as well. While we have investigated the growth of E. coli in the past, this current work with professor Rodrigues investigated both antimicrobial and anti-adhesion properties of E. coli on two different materials: a conducting polymer and a graphene nanocomposite,” Advincula said.

Advincula and his research team plan further scientific investigations in the future.

“We plan to pursue other types of nanostructured surfaces with both biological and nanotechnology application, looking at the use of PEGylated structures that can enhance specific binding of enzymes and proteins or prepare molecular cues that are specific for growing certain types of cells,” he said.

Ultimately, Advincula thinks that his work with Rodrigues will lead to use in the biosensing and diagnostic fields, and will be configured in several different ways. news@thedailycougar.com

float, Schroeder said.

Reyna was one of the many students that walked in the parade.

He said he was grateful to get this opportunity.

Reyna said that having an openly gay mayor participate in the parade and the legalization of same sex marriage in New York only made the parade more meaningful.

New president appointed for UHV Naheeda Sayeeduddin

THE DAILY COUGAR The UH System Board of Regents will have the final vote on the approval of presidency for UHVictoria in their August meeting.

UH President Renu Khator recommended Dr. Philip D. Castille, former UH-Downtown professor, to the UH System Board of Regents in early June as the sole finalist for the presidency.

“I am delighted to be named the sole finalist for president of the University of Houston at Victoria,” Castille said in a statement released UH. “I greatly enjoyed my visit to UHV this spring, and I look forward to working with the Chancellor, the campus and the community.”

Castille served as an English professor at UHD from 1981-1994 and

SCHOLARSHIP continued from page 1

After the Institute of International Education deemed Trujillo a recommended applicant in January, it sent his application to the Pädagogische Austauschdienst, an international exchange service, and the Fulbright Commission in Germany. Now a grantee, he is waiting to begin his fellowship in September at a German school.

“I’ll focus mostly on teaching,” he said. “But I really just want to interact with my students and learn the culture

is currently the special assistant to the chancellor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, according to a UH news release.

In anticipation of the final approval by the board, Castille said he is eager to get to know the students, faculty and staff of UHV as well as the whole community as they plan for the future.

“Dr. Castille offers a wealth of administrative experience, academic insight and personal commitment to the ideals of higher education,” said Khator in a news release. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber available to continue our efforts to help UHV fully realize its potential as a destination university.”

Castille wants to establish UHV as a fast-developing institution with a strong reputation for student success and satisfaction.

of my host community through service projects and the extracurricular activities I have planned.”

As an undergraduate at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Trujillo studied philosophy with minors in German and religious studies. His German professor first encouraged him to apply for the scholarship when he was a senior. Instead, Trujillo pursued a master’s in philosophy at UH. As a graduate student, he decided to apply for the scholarship in October 2010.

“At St. Edward’s University, I developed my love for other cultures and social justice,” he said. “The University

“My style is to be first and foremost a good listener — to ask for advice and listen closely to counterpoints. I take seriously my obligation to lead, but without forsaking flexibility and good humor,” Castille said.

Upon the board’s approval, Castille will replace current UHV Interim President Bob Smith, who has served since August 2010.

“The central theme of my career in higher education has been attaining student success by bringing together the whole university experience — academic, social and athletic,” Castille said. “The entire university has to be a learning environment, including the interactions that students have with faculty and staff. We all have to be dedicated to student success.” news@thedailycougar.com

of Houston allowed me to mature more. I gained valuable experience as a T.A. for the Department of Philosophy, learning different teaching styles.”

After his assistantship in Germany, Trujillo will continue to focus on furthering his studies by earning a doctorate in philosophy. He later hopes to become a professor at a small university or a liberal arts college.

“People who are able to do (the Fulbright assistantship) can draw from broader historical, cultural and intellectual resources, which help them lead a fulfilling life,” he said. news@thedailycougar.com

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The Daily Cougar

opinion THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR LIFE

& ARTS EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Jack Wehman John Brannen Taylor McGilvray, Julian Jimenez Joshua Siegel Mary Baak Daniel Renfrow

STAFF EDITORIAL

LGBT New Yorkers gain equality, second wind

T

his June marked the 42nd anniversary of the infamous Stonewall riots in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Next June will mark the 43rd anniversary of the riots, and the first anniversary of marriage equality in the Empire State.

On June 24, 2011, the New York State Senate voted to increase the number of US states where same sex couples can legally get married from five to six. The addition of New York to this group of states has doubled the amount of same sex couples in the US who can legally get married in their home state.

This was not an easy victory for LGBT New Yorkers, many of whom have fought tirelessly for the last 42 years to give themselves a voice in their communities and to de-stigmatize their same sex relationships.

Their continuous courage in the face of tremendous adversity has finally allowed them to break one of the last obstacles to LGBT equality. They should be applauded for their perseverance, and for giving the greater US LGBT community a much needed second-wind.

This victory will hopefully inspire LGBT individuals in other states to continue their fight for marriage equality until there is not a single state in the United States where they cannot marry their partners. And, this victory will hopefully teach bullied LGBT teens that perseverance, not suicide, is the answer to their current situations.

For the first time in our country’s history, a majority of Americans are in favor of same sex marriage. If the federal government continues to keep itself out of the issue, Texas will likely be one of the last states to legalize same sex marriage. However, that does not mean that UH students have nothing to be proud about.

UH students should be proud that they live in the largest US city to elect an openly gay mayor.

UH students should also be proud that this University has an LGBT Resource Center and an LGBT Studies minor. This shows that even though our state is lagging behind, UH is pushing forward.

E D I TO R I A L P O L I C I E S 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 7, University Center Satellite; 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.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements published in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

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 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

EDITOR Daniel Renfrow E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/opinion

IN FOCUS: OBAMA WAR RECORD

U.S. interventionism abroad has failed, Obama fails to bring troops home

Unkept promises F

or a candidate that ran just three years ago on a platform of opposing futile and ineffectual wars that needlessly drain our country of resources, President Barack Obama sure seems to be gung-ho for adventurous foreign military conflicts these days. In fact, since accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, Obama has commanded more active military troops and launched more tomahawk missile attacks than any previSteven ous peace prize-winner Christopher in history.

the fact that Osama bin Laden is dead and gone, administration officials maintain that gains in Afghanistan are fragile and easily reversible. One would think that after ten years we would have achieved something slightly more solid than that, but that would require the dubious assumption that “gains” in Afghanistan are even a distinct possibility. If the Soviet experience in Afghanistan in the 1980s should have taught us anything, it is that there is no winning in Afghanistan.

In the wake of the president’s recent address to the nation, the media called much attention to the fact that troop levels in Afghanistan would be reduced by 30,000 by the end of 2012. As Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.,

PROMISES

One look at our continued military involvement abroad will lend itself to the conclusion that the United States is in a perpetual state of war and will remain that way into the foreseeable future. In Iraq, a US military presence remains on the ground at the president’s discretion seven and a half years after Saddam Hussein was captured

by American forces. Although troop levels have been reduced since January of 2009 and our “combat role” supposedly ended in 2010, 45,000 American troops in Iraq continue to be mortared, rocketed and car bombed on a weekly basis.

Further east in Afghanistan, American troops are still fighting with insurgents over 10 years after our war there began. Despite

According to the AP, the White House even went so far as to claim that our violent assaults in Libya don’t amount to “hostilities” subject to the War Powers Act. Now, you and I might ask, “We are firing missiles and performing air raids on foreign military targets, so what’s the difference?” Apparently this question, among countless others, deserves no substantive answer.

Now call me crazy, but this whole thing sounds an awful lot like “the past eight years,” as candidate Obama so often derided on the campaign trail. Sadly, the foreign policy sold to the anti-war crowd in 2008 is virtually the same as that of Bush, merely rebranded and sold in shiny and

POLICY

pointed out on his website, what they conveniently failed to mention was the fact that there would still be 70,000 troops remaining after the drawdown – more than there were at the end of Bush’s presidency.

As if this wasn’t enough for Obama, he has since decided to selectively launch a war in Libya against an oppressive dictator, who could have arbitrarily been picked among half a dozen others in the region.

The administration prefers not to use such language as war, however, because it sounds much too violent and expensive. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes prefers the mystifying euphemism, “kinetic military action.”

deceptive packaging.

Military interventionism abroad has failed in as epic a fashion as governmental interventionism at home. Unfortunately, politicians in both major parties fail to acknowledge this, and instead continue trying to save the world through American empire even as the republic crumbles at home. When a charismatic candidate pledged to “fundamentally change” our nation in 2008, evidently an end to our current role as nation-builders and world police wasn’t part of the program.

Steven Christopher is a first year graduate student in the C.T. Bauer College of Business and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

US caution necessary in Syrian crisis

O

nce again, another Middle Eastern dictator is being asked to step down, whether it is under the aim of a rifle or under promise of peace. As one of the oldest countries in the world, Syria’s history has often been anything but peaceful. Damascus has been the home Marcus of powerful empires, Smith and throughout time the country has traded one violent dictator and great leader for another.

It must be a frightening time for Syrian president Bashar Assad, watching his brothers fall quickly or suffer slowly, knowing that any day could be his last in power. His promise of national dialogue and more political parties were answered with protestors in the streets — and with foreign pressure mounting so heavily, the normal retaliation with violence is no longer an option.

The truth is, even though the promise of political parties sound nice, it won’t

matter. The party leaders will likely be figureheads at most, and the Syrian people recognize this. They know that reform, no matter how progressive, doesn’t wipe away blood and old wounds. Criticism has been placed on America’s caution and lack of commitment to the Syrian situation, with some calling for the Obama administration to say definitively that Assad must go. But rushing in head first is not the best option either.

For the administration to just say Assad is out is unwise. And it’s not so easy to tell a man known for doing anything to keep power that he’s out of it. It’s clear nobody wants another Libya where the dictator will promise to fight to the last bullet, and the people will be forced to use guns and not words to decide their countries direction. It is only sensible to use caution with the uncertainty of the Libyan situation.

Support for Syria shouldn’t go much further than keeping pressure on the government, participing in peace talks and controling the flow of weapons and supplies if it comes to it. But not America’s

troops, and certainly not alone.

The Syrian people want a democratic government, equal rights and humane treatment. So it’s only natural that Syria takes the lead. It remains Syria’s battle and the task falls to them to win it.

There will be no chance for a more democratic government unless Bashar Assad is removed from office — that much is certain. Assad stated proudly earlier this year that he was in no danger of being overthrown because of his anti-West, antiIsrael policies. President Assad, the Syrian people and the world seem ready to reply to that with a big, “We’ll see.”

For America, Syria and the rest of the Middle East, the world is no longer as small and as isolated as it once used to be.With global economy this, global communication that, it’s still important to know our place, how far our reach can extend, our goals, our roles and how we’re viewed abroad.

Marcus Smith is a creative writing sophomore and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Daily Cougar

sports overtime

EDITORS Joshua Siegel E-MAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/sports

FOOTBALL

Cougars to help local youth UH hopes to impact the community on and off the field Joshua Siegel

THE DAILY COUGAR COURTESY OF UH ATHLETICS

SOFTBALL

Coach honored for playing achievements Head coach Kyla Holas became the first fastpitch softball player to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.

While pitching for Louisiana-Lafayette, she earned AllAmerican honors three times, two of which were First-Team selections. Holas owns the state’s top career winning percentage at .839 with a 104-20 record and a 0.50 career-ERA, the 12th best mark in NCAA history. In 1992 she posted a 30-4 record with a 0.23 ERA, the 20th best single-season mark, and a 31-3 mark in 1994, also the 20th best single-season winning percentage in NCAA history.

“I was always someone who was about goals,” Holas said in a release. “It’s in my personality. I like lists, I like goals and I like having a direction and a path. I always want to be moving. Now being a coach and having coached All-Americans, I look back and appreciate my teammates even more.”

— Cougar Sports Services

TRACK AND FIELD

Carter fares well against pros Chris Carter may not be ready to break the world record in the triple jump, but he made his case that he belongs on the professional circuit.

He placed fourth in his event Saturday, with the best mark of his career at the USA Track & Field Championships last Saturday in Eugene, Ore. “I was real thankful and excited about my jump,” Carter said in a release. “I didn’t know that it was the second best in Houston history but that’s something I’m real proud of.”

Sprinter Errol Nolan advanced to the semifinals of the 400-meter dash, clocking in at 46.07 seconds — good for 14th place.

— Cougar Sports Services

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Cougars fill assistant coaching void UH continued to add new faces for the 2011-12 season with the addition of assistant head coach Leah Foster.

Foster spent the last three seasons as an assistant at Dartmouth University and two seasons at Texas State prior to that and helped both schools to NCAA Tournament appearances.

“I am thrilled to join the University of Houston women’s basketball program and become a part of the Cougar family,” Foster said in a release.

“Coach Buchanan and his staff have developed such a high level of excellence in the short amount of time they have been on campus. This is such an amazing time in the history of the program, and it is an honor to be a part of it.”

During her playing career, Foster was a four-year letterwinner at St. Edward’s University, leading the Hilltoppers to the Heartland Conference championship as a senior.

— Cougar Sports Services

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) helped UH announce the Cougars’ involvement in a program that she said could save lives.

The Youth Impact Program is intended to educate at-risk youth on gang prevention, conflict resolution, and leaderships, as well as positive role models through working with UH players on the football field.

“We’re in the exact position that a lot of these guys are dreaming to be in one day,” former UH linebacker Matt Nicholson said. “So they’re going to listen to us because they see that we’re doing it. We’re not just talking about it — we’re living that life. Maybe some of those kids don’t have somebody to look up to and maybe we can step in and fill that role.”

Nicholson, who graduated this spring, was named as the head coach for the program. He will team with current UH athletes to work with the over 100 teens that have signed up, while local middle school teachers will spend time with them in the classroom.

“As student-athletes, we know what it takes and you have to have both sides — the academics and the athletics,” Nicholson said. “We’re hoping that we can really get to these guys and show them that if you do things the right way, you can do anything that you want.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades and the Cougars will team up with the Houston Texans and Houston Independent School District to provide a program that educates and leads local at-risk youth in the right direction. | Jack Wehman/The Daily Cougar

VOLLEYBALL

Coach learns from Far East voyage Joshua Siegel

THE DAILY COUGAR Head coach Molly Alvey recently returned from a two-week trip to China, where she served as an assistant coach for the USA Development Blue Team in the China-USA Challenge Invitational.

The competition pitted 24 US collegiate players on two teams against the top Chinese competition. The teams had three days to train in Anaheim, Calif., before departing for China from June 7-21.

Q: How was the trip and what did you learn from this experience?

A: The trip was absolutely amazing. I

have traveled to a lot of different places; however, China is one of the most foreign. I think the amazing part is being engrossed in a completely different culture and experiencing it from the inside. We had a Beijing native as our host who lives and coaches in the US but is very much rooted in China. Our itinerary changed from one hour to the next and getting clear translations was sometimes difficult. I think these are the instances, though, that add value and excitement to a trip like this. You just learn to go with the flow.

As you know, I served as the assistant coach for the USA Development Team.

From an experience like this, as a head coach, you learn to observe more then what you are accustomed to. We spend so much time talking and running the show, it was an interesting perspective for me to take the second seat as the assistant. I relearned to watch the game from a different view. In the international game, only the head coach can stand. The assistants must stay seated the entire match. I am a mover when I am coaching — up and down the sideline, back and forth from the court.

Oddly enough, it was nice to take a seat and observe all that was happening within the match. I learned a lot from the interaction the Chinese coaches were giving their players. I could see this even with the language barrier.

Q: What was it like having such a short period of time to get to know new players and then traveling to foreign country?

A: The short period of time was prob-

ably more difficult for the players. There was no time to acclimate. When we started our training in Anaheim, the competition was immediately on for our team. We had three practices in two days to determine who would make the starting lineup. One bad practice or slowly

warming up to the dynamics of the team could put you at a major disadvantage.

As time passed on the trip, we had more opportunities to get to know each player on a personal level. The meaningful part for me was giving information, new or old or reiterated in a different way, to a player and helping her game improve.

Sometimes hearing the same piece of information but in a different way can turn the light bulb on for players. I also enjoyed hearing about each one’s individual college experience and how it either differed or compared to what we are doing at UH.

Q: What was the competition like?

A: The competition was very good.

The difference for the most part is the Chinese players’ ability to be more than one-dimensional. We get into a habit in the USA of pigeonholing kids into one particular role or position. The players we played against could do several skills well, not just those particular to their positions.

I believe the serving was much tougher as well. If we struggled with anything, it was passing consistently every single set.

They definitely put us at a disadvantage with incredibly tough serving. The higher level teams that we played, had a much VOLLEYBALL continues on page 8

6

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

LIFE&ARTS

The Daily Cougar

playlist Âť

Barbecue celebration songs

T

his weekend, families and friends across the nation will gather over barbecue and margaritas to celebrate July 4th.

Even though there’s a missing puzzle piece in our traditional Fourth of July celebrations with the recent burn-ban across Texas, we’ll still be able to enjoy a day off in the sun with a few of our favorite folks. In honor of America’s 235th birthday, here are the 10 best songs for an Independence Day barbecue — or any outdoor shindig for that matter. — Mary Baak Born in the USA Bruce Springsteen

Crooked Teeth Death Cab for Cutie

Summertime Sublime

Firework Katy Perry

Since 1978, Pride Houston has organized a week of celebrations for the LGBT community. This year marks the 33rd year of the parade and, according to the website, was the first Pride parade in the United States to be held at night. | Nine Nguyen/The Daily Cougar Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett

American Girl Tom Petty

Surfing in the USA The Beach Boys

Your English is Good Tokyo Police Club

Back Down South Kings of Leon

Let’s Have a Party Led Zepplin

AROUND TOWN

Houstonians step out to show Pride Alexandra Kuchik

THE DAILY COUGAR The annual Houston Pride parade filled the Montrose streets with celebration this past weekend.

The Montrose area is wellknown for its tolerant culture, especially for being a gay and lesbian-friendly neighborhood.

This festivities kicked off Friday and concluded Sunday.

Montrose was filled with not only

Houstonians, but people from all over Texas.

There were hundreds of exhibitors, multiple concert stages and Montrose-area businesses celebrating with Pride Houston.

It was estimated that over 100,000 people were in attendance.

The Houston Pride parade is the biggest LGBT event in Texas.

Hordes of people flocked to the streets of Montrose to celebrate their identity.

It was clear that not everybody

there adorned rainbow flags all the time, but rather people letting loose and having a fun-filled weekend. “What is a party without a little glitter and mayhem,� attendee Nathan Starmbrough said.

Saturday was the muchanticipated parade, as festival patrons waved rainbow flags in pride while they marched and smiled in the streets.

Though it looks like all fun and PRIDE continues on page 8

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COMICS & MORE

The Daily Cougar

comics

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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7

crossword

That Monkey Tune by Michael A. Kandalaft

Must Be Something in the Water by Brandon Alexander

sudoku 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

ACROSS 1 Static — 6 Bushy styles 11 Pat on 14 Timex competitor 15 Brooding 16 Historian’s word 17 Towers over 18 Eyes impolitely 19 Drumstick 20 Have vibes about 22 Longbow’s sound 24 Very hot 28 Truth 29 Tentacle possessors 30 Dirt 32 Moby Dick pursuer 33 Improbable wish 35 Short rests 39 Tumble about 40 Cartoon shriek 41 Gizzard 42 The Banana Boat Song (hyph.)

43 Barn toppers 45 Improve, as skills 46 Brand of spandex 48 Crawled with 50 Stroller 53 Realty sign (2 wds.)

54 Tunisia’s neighbor 55 Slack-jawed 57 Not keep up 58 Poe’s night visitor 60 Showy lily 65 Grounded bird 66 Recumbent 67 Wool fabric 68 — and yang 69 Words of approval 70 Gill openings DOWN 1 Half of D 2 Thai language 3 Equal, in combos 4 Pick-up-sticks game 5 Loose talk

We can’t hear you.

Mostly because we’re a newspaper and we don’t have ears.

But we would love to get your voice heard. Send us a guest column, around 400-600 words on a topic of your choosing, to opinion@thedailycougar.com.

THE DAILY COUGAR

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Surrounded by Low-lying clouds Cameo, maybe Shelley offering Casino patron’s quest — Lama Double — Like a swamp Sooner city Plumber’s tools Piece of lumber LPGA star Lorena Gondolier’s land Type of pine Pep Davis of “The Fly” Libertine Tail end Oven emanation Committee Garbo or Bergman

23

43 DVD predecessor 44 Traffic sign 47 Annual 49 Constructs 50 Back street 51 Orange Bowl city 52 Air rifle (2 wds.)

53 Dracula’s teeth 55 Rara — 56 Trait determinant 59 Skipper’s OK 61 Leather punch 62 Oahu welcome 63 Grant approval 64 Commercials

61

2010 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.

Previous puzzle solved J I L T S

A S I D E

CO E N E O T B O N E

R U D E R

B A L S A

B A A C A C R E GU L N A Y R A L OW C E WA D I T A I L S NG E E I E Y T S E A T S

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F L A U B P I E B E R R A N I T R N S T Y L B L COR D OG A D E N E E D

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

PRIDE continued from page 6

games, a lot of work went into organizing the Pride festival.

Information on the progress of the parade and affiliated events are easily accessible on a website where patrons can find information on the musicians playing, as

LIFE&ARTS

well as times of events.

People interested in volunteering to help the parade are encouraged to visit the page.

“This is my second year working on Pride,” volunteer Michelle Kay said.

“I work and live in the area.

Though I am not gay I fully support the festivities — who am I to judge?”

The Daily Cougar

Though many share Kay’s view, many do not and choose to stay away from the area over the weekend themselves.

Houston is a city with an incredibly diverse culture — Houston embraces not only differences in racial culture, but gender and sexual orientation as well.

At a small bookstore in the

area, many gathered to speak about New York’s recently-passed marriage law and chatted on how they hope the rest of the states are not too far off on allowing gay marriage.

“I don’t understand why people are still afraid of us,” attendee Isreal Pena said.

“We love the same just as everybody else.”

POP. 06

Faj itaR itaV ille

VOLLEYBALL

itaVille Þ taR

continued from page 5

If we took away one shot with the block, their attacked would hammer the ball the opposite way.

It was apparent these kids had played volleyball for a long time.

Competition was great for us.

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This year marked the 33rd annual Pride parade in Houston.

The LGBT festival has really come a long way over the years, and now has huge community sponsors like 104 KRBE and The Houston Chronicle.

Every year the festival has a theme, and this year’s theme was “Live. Love. Be.” Not only does the theme sum up the mood of the whole weekend, but it is something that can be carried throughout the rest of the year. arts@thedailycougar.com

Þ Faj i

8

This interview has been edited for space. The entire transcript of this interview can be found at www. thedailycougar.com

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