10/26/09

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THE DAAILY IL TEXAN SPORTS PAGE 12 Tigers declawed

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Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

Delayed benefits frustrate veterans

Low

High

Cake in a ball

Monday, October 26, 2009

By Lena Price Daily Texan Staff When students dial the number to check the status of their Post-9/11 GI Bill claims, they are greeted by an automated message urging them to be patient — not all of the requests have been processed yet. But with registration for the spring semester approaching, some students don’t have time to be patient.

Because an unprecedented number of veterans applied for benefits under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, more than 10,000 students from around the country are still waiting to receive their money from the government.

The new bill, which was implemented this August, offers tuition and housing reimbursement to veterans who served in any branch of the military for at least 90 days after Sept. 11, 2001. The number of benefits depends on where a veteran goes to school and the type of degree he or she pursues.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER

LIFE&ARTS PAGE 7

www.dailytexanonline.com

Long Live Life

Peter Franklin | Daily Texan Staff

Victor Martinez, left, stands beside Roman Ramos, both wearing skull masks known as careta, as they prepare for the parade celebrating Viva La Vida at Plaza Saltillo on Saturday.

INSIDE: Viva La Vida Festival on page 7

BILL continues on page 2

Lack of infrastructure stalls renewable energy

By Jim Pagels Daily Texan Staff Wind farms in West Texas make the state a leader in renewable power generation, but a lack of infrastructure leaves much of their potential electricity output blowing across the plains.

With more than 8,500 megawatts of wind capacity, Texas is the nation’s leading producer of wind power. It produces more than double the amount of wind energy than the next state, Iowa.

But the transmission lines across Texas can only handle about 4,500 megawatts of this production so thousands of megawatts of wind energy go to waste each day.

It only takes one year to build a wind farm but five years to build the power lines to transmit the energy, leaving a major surplus in the amount of power the current cable system can handle, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Web site.

The council manages the current power lines and has been planning for the past two years to regulate the construction of a new system of high-voltage transmission lines.

These will allow the distribution of wind energy across what is known as the “grid.”

The vast majority of this power

is generated in West Texas, where wind production has rapidly grown in the past three years, from 2,800 megawatts in 2006, to more than 4,000 megawatts in 2008, to its current capacity of 8,500 megawatts, said council spokeswoman Dottie Roark.

Roark said a large proportion of this growth is because of the state’s new policy of rewarding environmentally friendly companies. By using wind energy, companies receive Renewable Energy Certificates, which can be sold and traded with other companies, she said.

Much of this growth is also due to the deregulation of the Texas energy sector in 1999, which opened up opportunities for more companies to produce their own power, Roark said.

While largely produced in the western half of the state, most wind energy is used by the cities of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. There are not enough highvoltage power cables to transfer this energy across the state, said Paul Sadler, executive director of the Wind Coalition, a nonprofit association organized to promote the development of wind energy.

“If you put too much power on the line, it will overload,” Roark

WIND continues on page 2

Paul Wentzell | Daily Texan file photo

Texas leads the country in its use of wind energy; future growth of the state’s population will require further development of wind energy.

Pantry aids jobless, homeless

By Rachel Platis Daily Texan Staff Just a few streets away from UT at the University Presbyterian Church, a food pantry run by a coalition of churches and volunteers from the University and the city feeds hundreds of people a week.

Volunteers from 11 churches in the University area operate the Micah 6 Food Pantry, which has been serving the community for about five years. The pantry takes its name from a Bible verse in the Book of Micah that reads, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” It takes about 25 to 30 volunteers per shift to run the pantry smoothly and to perform tasks such as running the childcare center, bagging groceries or stocking shelves in the pantry.

The pantry serves between 450 and 500 people each week during the one-hour time slots it is open Thursdays and Saturdays.

“A year and a half ago, that number was 200 to 300 people a week,” said Gretchen Olson Kopp, president of the Mi-

Maddie Crum | Daily Texan Staff

Volunteer Greg Sells organizes shelves at the Micah 6 food pantry at the University Presbyterian Church. The pantry has been serving those in need for over five years. cah 6 board of directors. “[The increase] is pretty clearly related to what’s happening in the economy in Austin.”

As more people have lost their jobs, many have had to go through their savings, Olson Kopp said.

“Some people use the pantry to extend the time that they can survive,” Olson Kopp said.

“When someone has to decide

between paying their medical or utility bill or purchasing groceries, the pantry is a resource that can sustain them a little bit longer.”

Every person that shops is shopping for two to three other people, she said, so a donor has the potential to impact more than 1,000 people during a given week.

The 2009 food budget has in-

creased to $52,000 a year to accommodate the need, Olson Kopp said, and $30,000 has been raised so far.

About one-third or less of the people that visit the food pantry are homeless, Olson Kopp said.

The vast majority are unemployed and in housing but don’t have the money to put food on the table.

When visitors enter the pantry, they are assigned a number. After a range of numbers is called, number holders are allowed to descend the stairs into the food pantry’s waiting area to be checked in and to fill out a form that includes questions about name, address, age and household income.

Once a recipient enters the pantry, he or she is given a shopping basket to go through the pantry and pick out enough food to fill the basket. Volunteers are at the end of the pantry to help shoppers bag and carry their groceries.

“One important thing that distinguishes us is the kind of dignity and respect that we

PANTRY continues on page 2

Fiddler fights decibel level change

By Priscilla Totiyapungprasert Daily Texan Staff After being enticed by the live music scene, 21-year-old Bobby Fitzgerald packed his fiddle and moved from upstate New York to Austin four months ago, looking for what he thought would be “a fresh start in a fun city” to play music.

Shortly after moving, he expressed disappointment as he watched restaurant venues cancel performances and end shows early to stay in line with the city’s sound ordinance.

The sentiment prompted him, along with friends Will Bundy, Marcus Haddon and Cage Spoden, to start the Keep Austin Loud Grassroots Awareness Campaign earlier this month.

“Austin has a thriving music scene. It’s one of the city’s primary draws,” Fitzgerald

said. “It blows me away when I learn that people are trying to stop that. They’re choking the city out.”

Fitzgerald urged individuals to sign the online Save Austin Music petition after City Council lowered the maximum restaurant sound level earlier this year. As of Sunday, the petition has collected more than 1,200 signatures.

On March 12, City Council approved a revision to the sound ordinance that lowered restaurant sound levels from a maximum 85 decibels to 70 decibels. Outdoor music venues can go up to 85 decibels.

Although a 15 decibel change does not seem drastic, decibel levels increase exponentially, Fitzgerald said. The sound level of a conversation usually falls between 60 to 70 decibels, a telephone dial tone at 80 deci-

Sara Young | Daily Texan Staff

Jon Kemppainen, left, and Dave Bedrich, members of The Swingsters band, perform at Freddie’s Place on Sunday evening. bels and a lawn mower around the campaign. Some members 90 decibels. of the wait staff wear “Keep Uncle Billy’s, a restaurant Austin Loud” T-shirts on the and brewery on Barton Springs NOISE continues on page 2 Road, has shown support for

2

2

NEWS

BILL: Spike in applicants

contributes to long wait From page 1

Veteran’s Student Association, received her money from the VA several weeks ago. She had enough financial aid to cover her tuition and housing until the money came through. “I was one of the lucky ones,�

Brown said.

Brown said she was frustrated with the University for not setting up a tuition deferment plan for students who are still waiting on money this late in the semester. “I expected to see hold ups with the VA because it’s a new program and we’re dealing with the government,� Brown said. “But UT has absolutely not made exceptions for students who are still waiting.�

Emily Minter, a sociology and premed junior, served for four years in Korea, Fort Hood and Iraq. She did not get her money from VA in time to pay for this semester’s tuition and had to apply for one of the emergency checks. The $3,000 and the salary from her job was not enough to cover all her expenses, and she had to take out an emergency tuition loan. “Now, my emergency loan is overdue because I don’t even have enough money to pay it back,�

Minter said. “I’m not going to be able to register for classes next semester if I don’t get this straightened out.�

Minter said most student veterans only have time to work and study, and dealing with the VA should not be necessary this late in the semester. “[The department] needs to fix it for next semester.� Minter said. “We can’t really get any answers out of them, and we don’t know what’s actually taking so long. It’s been ridiculous, and it’s frustrating because I can’t do anything.�

Department of Veteran Affairs spokeswoman Jo Schuda said the department anticipated a backlog of claims because the program is new and the benefits can be used any time in the next 15 years. Students who weren’t planning on enrolling in college this fall still applied as early as possible, which further backed up the system. “This new program has a lot more required data than the existing GI Bill,� Schuda said. “It requires a more complex IT system that we are in the process of installing.�

In addition to the hold-up caused by the number of people who applied, the department could not start processing requests until states set tuition rates for individual universities, Schuda said.

Almost 300 UT students requested Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for the fall semester. Assistant registrar Vasanth Srinivasa said there are still some students who haven’t received their money, but she wasn’t aware of anyone who had to drop out because of it.

The VA offers emergency $3,000 loans to anyone who is still waiting on benefits when tuition payments are due.

Srinivasa said the University has tried to spread information about how obtain the emergency money and encourages anyone still waiting for money to contact the VA immediately. “If they are having more problems, we can contact the VA directly,� Srinivasa said. “We’re trying to do anything we can to help these students out.�

Journalism and English senior Brandy Brown, the president of the

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Monday, October 26, 2009

NOISE: Ordinance affecting business of local venues From page 1 weekends and the restaurant also offers the T-shirts for sale.

Ryan Fulmer, general manager of Uncle Billy’s, said he discovered additional restrictions after he renewed the restaurant’s music permit in August. The new permit asks the restaurant to stop live music, no matter what sound level, by 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Live music is permitted until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, he said. “There’s almost no point in having music on the weekdays,�

Fulmer said. “We’ll have a restaurant full of customers who ask if the band’s going to play more,

of if there’ll be another set.

We have to tell them no, the city won’t let us.�

Fulmer said the new hours have been detrimental to the musical atmosphere of Uncle Billy’s and that he has seen customers leave after the music stops. He also said the most likely reason for the time restric-

‘‘

This one guy calls every day to ask if we’re going to have live music just so he can call the police ahead of time.

It’s a nightmare.� — Ryan Fulmer general manager of Uncle Billy’s

PANTRY: Project ‘humanizes’ less

NEWS BRIEFLY

fortunate in eyes of volunteers From page 1 value and treat everyone with that comes through the pantry,�

Olson Kopp said. “Each person who comes in gets a shopping basket to pick the items they need the most.�

UT’s Honors Business Association began volunteering with Micah 6 last year and continues to serve the pantry on the first and third Thursday of every month. “[The experience] gives our members an opportunity to make a difference in our own backyard,� said Michael Daehne, the vice president of external affairs for the business group. “It’s really eye-opening to see the poverty in Austin and to be able to contribute a small part to our community.�

tions was because of residents in nearby neighborhoods who called the police. “This one guy calls every day to ask if we’re going to have live music just so he can call the police ahead of time,� Fulmer said. “It’s a nightmare.�

But a restaurant can apply to be reclassified as a cocktail lounge to have live music play at the original 85 decibels. Rusty Zagst, the general manager

Daehne said that he has had no problem getting organization members to volunteer. “They gain so much,� Daehne said. “Working and talking with the people who come in the pantry humanizes the homeless population and reminds us that we are all equal.�

Ruby Jaime suffered from a stroke eight years ago that paralyzed the left side of his body. He is now in a wheelchair, though he said that he has walked and even danced. He said that it could take two hours to receive food.

Jaime knows many of the volunteers at the pantry by name, and the volunteers often help him pick out food from his wheelchair. “When I see people that are hungry, I tell them to follow me to the pantry,� Jaime said.

U.S. emergency in form of H1N1, still no vaccines for UT students President Barack Obama declared the swine flu a national emergency Saturday, but University Health Services may not distribute the H1N1 vaccine until late November.

The declaration allows the health and human services secretary to waive some hospital requirements to address the growing need for screening and treatment. For example, hospitals may now request to set up an alternative screening location for patients away from the hospital’s main campus, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The H1N1 epidemic is moving rapidly,� says the department’s Web site. “By the time regions or healthcare systems recognize they are be-

From page 1 said. “There are many days when ERCOT tells wind generators that they have to back down.�

The passage of Senate Bill 20 in 2005 helped jump-start the current expansion project by mandating long-term planning for the transmission line and wind farm companies. These companies were previously one united corporation before the 1999 deregulation.

The bill introduced the concept of Competitive Renewable

Energy Zones, which designates eight areas around the state in which independent transmission companies can build their power lines.

According to Roark, a large amount of the land for these zones will be acquired via eminent domain.

Roark said the current plan to expand the power-line system is an expensive one. Developers estimate the project to cost more than $4.93 billion in the coming years, and they hope the new

grid can be fully functional by 2013, she said. “Private transmission line companies are encouraged to build these lines because they will receive a guaranteed rate of return [from their services],� Sadler said.

While there is no current shortage of energy, the sizeable growth of Texas cities in the past decade has caused concern for analysts about the future because expanding the system is a long-term project, said Terry Hadley, a spokes-

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man for the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “There is enough energy now, but Texas is a rapidly growing state, so there will be a need for more energy in the future,� Hadley said. “This plan [will be effective] for the next 10, 20 or even 30 years.�

Hadley said between 5 and 10 percent of Texas energy is generated from wind each day. “This is a significant increase from 10 years ago, when it was only about 1 percent,� he said.

THE DAILY TEXAN

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Director of Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jalah Goette Retail Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brad Corbett Account Executive/Broadcast Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter Goss Campus/National Sales Consultant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Bowerman Assistant to Advertising Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.J. Salgado Student Advertising Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Abbas Student Advertising Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Ford Acct. Execs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Aldana, Anupama Kulkarni, Ashley Walker, Natasha Moonka Taylor Blair, Tommy Daniels, Jordan Gentry, Meagan Gribbin, Jen Miller Classified Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teresa Lai Special Editions, Editorial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elena Watts Web Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danny Grover Special Editions, Student Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kira Taniguchi Graphic Designer Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Thomas, Lisa Hartwig Senior Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Felimon Hernandez

coming overburdened, they need to implement disaster plans quickly. Adding a potential delay while waiting for a National Emergency Declaration is not in the best interest of the public, particularly if this step can be done proactively as the president has done [Saturday].�

Between Aug. 30 and Oct. 10, states reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly 5,000 lab-confirmed H1N1 hospitalizations. As of Oct. 17, 46 states reported confirmed H1N1 illnesses.

The H1N1 vaccine was available early this month, with the first doses of live attenuated H1N1 flu vaccine administered Oct. 5, according to the CDC. Administration of the H1N1 flu shot began the week of Oct. 12.

But, according to its Web site, UHS has requested the vaccine and will offer it to students, faculty and staff as soon as it can. — Viviana Aldous

WIND: Population growth main cause of expansion

),$&

THE DAILY TEXAN

of Shady Grove, said his restaurant qualified for the classification and does not have the problems other restaurants face with the sound ordinance.

Kimberly White-Erlinger of the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association said in a Feb. 27 article in The Daily Texan that neighborhood associations were not trying to limit the music industry.

White-Erlinger said people who purchase a home or condo in Central Austin are generally aware of events that cause traffic and noise. The neighborhood associations only get involved when “it is clearly troublesome for the residents,� she said.

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Wire Editor: Micaela Neumann www.dailytexanonline.com

WORLD&NATION

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Monday, October 26, 2009

T HE DAILY TEXAN

Fla. police, family seek answers in girl’s death

Dennis Rivera | Associated Press

Firefighters battle a fire for a second day at a fuel-storage site in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on Saturday. Thousands of people living on the outskirts of the burning fuel-storage site that exploded Friday were urged to relocate to avoid toxic smoke still billowing from the fire.

Feds question cause of explosion

By Danica Coto The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — More than 100 federal authorities entered a smoldering fuel depot for the first time Sunday to investigate whether someone intentionally caused an explosion that forced hundreds to evacuate and spewed thick, toxic smoke across the region.

Both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sent more than 60 agents each to the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. in Bayamon, a city just west of San Juan, said ATF spokesman Marcial Orlan-

do Felix. Several agents flew in from the U.S. “Processing the scene is going to be hard,� Felix said. “It is big and complicated. ... They are going to take their time.�

Luis Fraticelli, head of the FBI’s office in Puerto Rico, said he is confident agents will be able to determine “exactly what happened.�

The fire resulting from the explosion affected 21 of the site’s 40 tanks, which supply Caribbean Petroleum Corp.’s 200 Gulf gas stations on the island and store jet fuel. Crews on Sunday were still battling flames from one of the jet-fuel tanks.

Interim Fire Chief Pedro Vazquez said the blaze “is almost completely extinguished.�

Gov. Luis Fortuno said initial damages are estimated at $6.4 million. He did not elaborate, and a Gulf spokesman said the company would release details at an afternoon news conference.

On Saturday, President Barack Obama designated the U.S. Caribbean territory an emergency zone and ordered federal aid to supplement local efforts.

Meanwhile, environmental officials began to clean areas surrounding the site. Both fuel and the foam used to put out fires

By Tamara Lush The Associated Press ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Investigators had more than a thousand tips but are still trying to figure out what happened when 7-year-old Somer Thompson disappeared on her walk home from a north Florida school last week.

At a fundraiser Sunday for Somer ’s family, children played in a bounce house as adults watched carefully. They vowed to find the girl’s killer and raised about $18,500 so her mother doesn’t have to go back to work immediately.

Somer ’s name and photo were everywhere at the carnival-like fundraiser, which was held in a tree-lined park in the town’s center. A silent raffle, a bake sale and even glittery makeovers for little girls were offered to help the family after the girl went missing after school Monday. Her body was found in a Georgia landfill Wednesday. “I’ve been crying since day one,� said Amanda Wendorff, a

co-organizer of the fundraiser. “When it’s a child, it just touches a community.�

Wendorff, the wife of a Clay County Sheriff’s deputy, has four children of her own. She urged people at the carnival to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious — underscoring the fear that is running deep in the community.

Meanwhile, detectives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are combing through tips: more than 1,150 calls from people around the U.S. have poured in regarding the little girl.

So far, no one has come forward to say they saw the girl abducted or attacked. Investigators have ruled out all 161 registered sex offenders who lived within a 5-mile radius of Somer’s home.

Thompson’s mother, Diena Thompson, has praised the hard work of investigators. “These detectives — excuse my language — are busting their (expletive) to find it. Because it’s an it,� Thompson said Saturday, referring to the killer of her daughter.

Crime scene investigators bag evidence found in a vacant house Friday in Orange Park, Fla. near where Somer Thompson disappeared Monday.

had seeped into the ground and nearby water sources, said Luis Antonio Ocasio, spokesman for the Environmental Quality Board. Several ducks were found covered in oil.

The fuel-storage tanks exploded shortly after midnight Friday, sending earthquakeforce waves that were felt in the capital of San Juan as well as Guaynabo, Bayamon and two other communities.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated, and another 530 sought shelter at a nearby stadium. Several people were treated for minor injuries.

Phil Coale Associated Press

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Explore the wide scope of the law in a school devoted to the big picture.

www.CaliforniaWestern.edu

OPINION

4

Monday, October 26, 2009

Editor in Chief: Jillian Sheridan Phone: (512) 232-2212 E-mail: editor@dailytexanonline.com Associate Editors: Jeremy Burchard David Muto Dan Treadway Lauren Winchester

T HE DAILY TEXAN

GALLERY

VIEWPOINT

Horns up: Innocents exonerated University of Texas students from Austin and Arlington successfully helped exonerate two innocent men from a Dallas prison. The students, part of the UT-Austin Center for Actual Innocence and UT-Arlington Innocence Network, also received the confessions of the actual perpetrator, who is currently serving a 30-year robbery sentence, and of his accomplice, who has been taken into custody.

The students had been working on the case since 2005, when Claude Alvin Simmons Jr. contacted the center with his plea of innocence. After Simmons passed the initial validity process, which separates the legitimate claims among the 1,000 the center receives annually, students at the center took the case. Simmons and Scott were released this weekend after serving 12 years of their life sentences. The release of the two men marks the first time the UT-Austin center has played a direct role in a legal exoneration process in its short six-year history.

Of the millions of inmates in American prisons, most have proclaimed innocence at some point, making serious claims hard to sort out. Pair that skepticism with an already sluggish and flawed legal system, and the fact that the Dallas County district court was able to hear the case and act swiftly is impressive enough — but having University of Texas students at the helm of the exoneration is something to truly be proud of. Texas has a historically notorious legal system — the recent Willingham arson fiasco points to the uncertain and questionable nature of Texas’ sentencing process — so when University students team up to find the true murderers and vindicate the wrongfully imprisoned, Texans should take notice. It’s nice to know at least students take the ideas of law and justice seriously.

Horns down: Lying applicants In recent days, business honors senior Jeffery Chiang has gained notoriety for all the wrong reasons. An e-mail, which began circulating among the business community and later leaked into the blogosphere, revealed that Chiang blatantly fabricated a job offer from Bank of America (in which he misspelled the word “America,” no less) in an attempt to gain leverage in the interview process with Morgan Stanley. In addition, attached to the e-mail was Chiang’s resume, which possessed fabricated information as well, including the claims that he ran a five kilometer “marathon” and was involved in the honors program for a major in which he wasn’t even enrolled.

In addition to the personal embarrassment this has caused Chiang, his actions reflect very poorly on the business school and the University as a whole. We believe the University would be well-advised to review Chiang’s application for admission for any other fabrications, then reconsider awarding him a degree. As for any other students who have stretched the truth in regard to their qualifications, be on notice that word spreads fast. As an employee at Bank of America said in regards to Chiang, “This guy shouldn’t be able to get a job at McDonalds after a stunt like this.”

Horns up: City Council bans police from drawing blood Austin City Council unanimously voted to ban police officers from drawing the blood of suspected drunken drivers on Friday.

Police Chief Art Acevedo had proposed using officers — instead of trained professionals — to draw blood from suspects who refuse a Breathalyzer test in July 2008, because he said it would save the taxpayers money. Then, in March, he called for 50 officers to take 40-hour training courses to learn how to draw blood.

Currently, blood samples are taken by professionals hired by the police department, but APD Chief of Staff David Carter said the possibility of training officers to draw blood arose when the number of blood draws requested exceeded the capabilities of the Travis County Jail.

Resources and money are precious commodities, and time is of utmost importance when drawing a blood sample. But allowing police officers to draw blood from suspects is not the right solution to these problems.

City Council made the right choice to leave the blood drawing to the phlebotomists, who are extensively trained to draw blood and do so on a daily basis.

APD now has the responsibility of finding a way to conduct blood draws in a timely, efficient and — let’s hope — safe and respectful manner. Using phlebotomists is a good start.

Good writing

By Douglas Luippold Daily Texan Columnist Americans are constantly reminded how bad we are at math. The Institute of Education Sciences frequently ranks American students in the lower echelons of G8 countries in mathematics literacy. This deficiency is a pertinent issue and must be addressed, but intensely focusing on improving math skills allows parents and educators to ignore another important skill: writing.

The Nation’s Report Card is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, which gauges students’ educational progress. In the most recent findings, 82 percent of students performed at a basic achievement level, the lowest acceptable level, in mathematics as well as writing. These studies imply that we are just as bad at writing as math, and this must be addressed. Clear and effective writing skills are of the utmost importance in any profession and for society. Unfortunately, writing is often marginalized and does not receive the educational or social recognition it deserves.

College students write a lot. We text, Tweet, chat, blog, write on walls and then comment on the Tweets, blogs and wall postings. These mediums are informal and should stay that way. But because we write so much, it is easy to blur the line between formal and informal writing. The difference between writing a formal e-mail or paper and blogging or Tweeting is essentially the difference between writing and talking. An easy way to get embarrassed is to e-mail a professor the same way you would write on somebody’s wall. Because we do so much more casual writing, the value of formal writing suffers.

A changing conception of “the writer”

devalues the skill of writing. With evolving communications technology, many people are beginning to regard the writer as one who sits in front of his computer self-indulgently and pointlessly blogging about the size of his clothes or his hackneyed opinion of health care reform.

While this is certainly one type of writer, it is restrictive and ignores the utility of good writers. Charles Dickens, for example, created memorable characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist. Dickens also used his mastery of the English language as a journalist and helped reform labor conditions in England. Similarly, Victor Hugo used novels such as “Les Miserables” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to advocate convict rights, and he was influential in human rights campaigns that led several European countries to abolish the death penalty. Effective writing skills can be used to send a message, regardless of the genre.

Writing is not just an artistic endeavor; it is a necessary skill for professional success. The College Board recently sponsored a study that surveyed major businesses on the importance of writing, and the results are telling. According to the study, roughly 70 percent of salaried positions among responding corporations involve some responsibility for writing. These jobs extend to industries that are not typically associated with writing, such as finance, real estate and manufacturing. In most cases, writing ability could be your ticket in, or it could be your ticket out. Writing skills are fundamental in business, and writing that is not careful can be a signal of unclear thinking. It is not a coincidence that America’s revered thinkers, such as Lincoln and Einstein, were excellent writers.

Math is important, but one cannot forget about the value of good writing personally, socially and professionally.

Luippold is a government and journalism junior.

It’s hard to believe the energy in Zombieland When electricity is demanded, it needs to be made, and when electricity is made, it needs to be used. If more is demanded than is available, generators will

By Emily Grubert start to spin extra fast to compensate, usually resultDaily Texan Columnist ing in the generator either breaking or shutting off for safety, leading to blackouts.

My disbelief is legendarily easy to suspend.

If less electricity is demanded than made, generaMy mom usually figures out the resolutions of sub- tors will slow down until enough of them are turned plots in yet-to-be-written sequels of movies before I off, which can also be dangerous: The speed of the pick up on the fact that some incongruity is actually spinning generators matches the frequency of the mysterious. So imagine my horror when I realized that power coming out of your outlet, and many powI had stopped believing in Zombieland. er-consuming devices are unable to cope with such Almost as titularly explicit as Snakes on a Plane, low-frequency ranges.

Zombieland is a movie about zombies overrunning the Anyway, I find it hard to believe that the electric country. I was on board with that. I was also on board power system continues to operate in Zombieland, with the Texas vs. everyone premise, which emerged and I think that it’s important to make sure that we when an attractive girl zombie was recognize this as an incongruity. decimated by a toilet tank cover in a Electricity is produced because we dorm room in Austin. demand it, whether through houseThen some non-zombies decide to hold, industrial or commercial use. drive to Los Angeles, and it becomes Oil is produced because we demand immediately clear that they don’t it, and it’s refined into the products shop for cars based on fuel efficiency. that we demand, like gasoline (mostI promise you, if everyone is a zombie ly) and plastics.

Our extreme and you’re trying to get to LA from Power plants are on because our unwillingness to Austin, the gas requirements of Humactions demand they be on. Oil commers and Escalades are going to cause panies explore remote areas of the pay a premium you some safety issues. world because we demand they profor more socially I was willing to let that problem go. vide a product. It’s easy to say that responsible energy If you’ve survived the zombie apocwe don’t demand the dirty or unalypse, you probably know how to ethical aspects of the energy that means we are get gas out of other cars or out of we are supplied, but our extreme demanding these gas stations. unwillingness to pay a premium But when the human characters get unpleasant things. for more socially responsible enerto LA and manage to turn on an entire gy means we are demanding these theme park by flipping a few switchunpleasant things. es, it got really hairy for me.

Coal-fired power is very cheap — First important point: We make and cheapest without pollution conelectricity. Electricity is not sometrols on the power plant and when thing you find in nature, unless it’s the coal is mined from areas that are lightning, and that’s not an awenot reclaimed and the waste is put some source to try to harvest. What we usually do is directly into rivers. In competitive markets, companies use fuel to boil some water that can spin some mag- that are able to avoid expenses are at an advantage. nets (in a generator) to generate an electric current, Cheap energy as currently framed — energy from irand the current only exists as long as we’re spinning responsible extraction of fossil fuels, for example — is those magnets. socially costly in the form of health impacts, land use Dude, seriously? If you are a zombie, you are prob- impacts and a host of other expensive problems. ably way more into munching brains than manning While using energy has done and will continue to a power plant or refueling theme park-sized backup do many wonderful things for human standards of generators. I’m just saying. living, it is important to acknowledge that we particSecond important point: Electricity is virtually im- ipate directly in the energy supply chain by virtue of possible to store on a large scale, so if all the lights our actions. When the zombies eat everyone, gasoline are on in Zombieland’s theme park, there’s a spinning production, electricity production and all the rest of generator somewhere. This is the main reason that the it will cease. Until then, our demand will dictate how intermittency of renewable electricity supply — the companies act. problem of the sun not shining at night and the wind Grubert is an energy and earth resources graduate student. not blowing constantly — is even a problem.

SUBMIT A FIRING LINE

RECYCLE!

E-mail your Firing Lines to firingline@ dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity and liability.

Please recycle this copy of The Daily Texan by placing it in a recycling bin or back in the burnt-orange stand where you found it.

LEGALESE

SUBMIT A COLUMN

Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.

The editorial board welcomes guest columns. Columns must be between 200 and 700 words. Send columns to editor@dailytexanonline.com. The Texan reserves the right to edit all columns for clarity and liability.

COUNTDOWN TO NOV. 3 AMENDMENT ELECTION

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STATE&LOCAL

Monday, October 26, 2009

Animal center’s health conditions fall below par

Andrew Rogers | Daily Texan file photo

Two roosters stand on a bench at Town Lake Animal Center last April. The center is the largest shelter in Texas, housing more than 23,000 animals each year.

Pumpkin contest so fun it’s scary

By Priscilla Totiyapungprasert Daily Texan Staff Kids dressed in a variety of colorful costumes arrived at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center with caretakers in tow and a mission on their minds: to carve the best pumpkin just in time for Halloween.

“My pumpkin is going to have a spider, and it has a face on the other side,” said Skyler Johnson, pointing at his snaggle-toothed jack-olantern. “He’s a happy pumpkin, but he’s scaring people.”

The museum hosted its third

annual Pumpkin Carving on the Dock on Saturday, inviting families to come and children to dress up in their Halloween costumes. Service organization The Links, Inc. and the museum support group, George Washington Carver Ambassadors, donated the pumpkins.

Museum staff and volunteers from both organizations helped run the event, including judging the costume and pumpkin carving contests. A green fairy, a lizard and Thomas the Tank Engine took top honors at the costume contest. The winning

pumpkin featured seeds oozing out of its wide grin.

During the pumpkin carving, the museum also held its weekly African drum class and Kiswahili African language class.

The museum became the first African-American neighborhood museum in Texas when it opened in 1980.

Museum archivist Faith Weaver said she hopes to see more families attend future events, including December’s Festival of Trees, which celebrates the winter holidays by lighting Christmas trees and meeting Santa.

By Hannah Jones Daily Texan Staff Austin’s Animal Adviso ry Commission has found the Town Lake Animal Center in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code by confining healthy animals with sick, injured or diseased animals.

The commission voted unanimously last week to find the center in violation and urged the center to bring its facilities to compliance with state law.

“We have no governing authority or enforcement authority. We can only advise and recommend,” said Larry Tucker, chairman of the commission.

“Our next recommendation is for the center to move sick cats to a separate location [from healthy cats], meaning don’t just throw up a curtain. Move them to a different location.”

The commission advises City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court on compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823, which focuses on animal shelters.

FixAustin.org, a local grassroots organization against the killing of lost and homless pets, works with the commission to help improve the outlook for Austin’s pets. The group did not have a role in the commission’s

finding, said FixAustin founder Ryan Clinton.

“Our main goal is we want Austin to be a no-kill city, and the current shelter manager is incapable of achieving no-kill,” Clinton said.

“It is time to hire a new progressive animal shelter manager.”

Dorinda Pulliam, director of the Town Lake Animal Center, could not be reached for comment, and inquiries were redirected to Carole Barasch, spokeswoman for the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. Barasch said in a statement through e-mail that the center meets state requirements. “ A u s t i n / Tr a v i s C o u n t y Health and Human Services is very confident that the Town Lake Animal Center is in compliance with state law,” Barasch said. “Our facility is regularly inspected by the state, and we passed inspection as recently as October 16th. We have a fulltime veterinarian on site who is very knowledgeable with respect to disease control in a shelter environment.”

Clinton said he thinks City Council, the state and the residing judge in a lawsuit between Pulliam and Cats Across Texas, an organization aiming to halt killing of animals at the shelter, can bring the shelter into compliance.

Phyllis Ntsoane, Rhonda Master and William Ntsoane carve pumpkins during an annual pumpkin carving event at George Washington Carver Museum Saturday.

Rachel Taylor Daily Texan Staff

A Friend Dies. Who Cares?

Toxic drinking is an epidemic on campuses all across America.

It means consuming so much alcohol the drinker passes out. But while “sleeping it off,” the victim may be quietly dying.

Working with experts, they fine-tuned a course in techniques to handle these alcohol emergencies. Red Watch Band members can act fast, when every second counts.They know the quick steps they can take to rescue a passed-out student from a drinking death, and can immediately summon professional help. Everyone completing the course is given the distinctive red watch for identification.

Since its inception at Stony Brook University in March 2009, approximately 40 schools across the country have signed on to implement this lifesaving program.

To prevent toxic drinking deaths, go to redwatchband.org

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 09090264

When you come right down to it, students themselves are the best ones to tackle this problem. So, in growing numbers, Stony Brook students have joined together in the Red Watch Band movement.

6 NEWS

6

UNIVERSITY

Monday, October 26, 2009

Professors receive grant, plan to find antiviral flu drug Tamiflu and Relenta, which are

By Priscilla Pelli directed against the [one strain Daily Texan Staff A $1.5 million grant awarded of the flu],� Krug said. “And to UT molecular biology pro- there’s already some resistance fessor Robert Krug and a Rice to one of them. It’s just a matUniversity assistant professor ter of time as far as lots of muwill allow the duo to create a tants. You can’t just rely on a more effective antiviral drug for single pass of drugs.�

Tao said her research group strains of influenza A, which inwill acquire the three-dimenclude H1N1 and bird flu.

Krug and Jane Tao, assistant sional structure of the nuclear professor of biochemistry and protein and plans to discover cell biology at Rice Universi- the packaging arrangements of ty, received the grant from the the eight genes that allow the National Health Institute to flu to replicate. “The nuclear collaborate on protein is very a four-year reimportant and search program places severstudying the al crucial roles strains. in doing the viThe research ral replication program plans It’s just a matter of p r o c e s s . We to investigate a nuclear protein’s time as far as lots of want to understand how the role in building mutants. You can’t detailed mechan RNA packjust rely on a single a n i s m c a r r i e s age, which is out its different critical for the pass of drugs.� functions,� Tao virus to repro— Robert Krug said. “With that, duce.

Krug said the UT professor [Tao’s research group] can come NS1 protein, othup with better erwise known as ideas about how the nuclear proto inhibit actein, can counter tivities for new antiviral flu releads for a new antivirus.� sponses to the human body.

Tao and Krug have collab“When a virus infects the cell, a host responds and has antivi- orated for several years, said ral responses,“ Krug said. “NS1 Jade Boyd, a spokeswoman for counters [the antiviral respons- Rice University. “She’s a structural biologist. es]. If you can stop NS1 protein from countering, the virus re- She does a lot of work to actually find out what the structures moves itself.�

Krug said it is only a matter of proteins are, and I know his of time before the current drugs specialty is somewhat differprescribed for the flu will no ent,� Boyd said. “The kind of longer be resistant to the strain the research they do in the lab complements each other very of influenza A. “Right now, there’s only well.�

‘‘

Lara Haase | Daily Texan Staff

Shiron Hill loads wood scraps into a recycling truck during a cleanup event at a site in East Austin on Saturday morning. The site will be developed into solar-powered condominiums and homes, many of which are reserved for low-income families, with a goal of having net- zero energy bills by using only the energy produced at the site.

Houses to be CO2 emission free

By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff UT’s Center for Sustainable Development in the School of Architecture is partnering with a variety of local organizations to build the world’s first affordable net-zero energy subdivision.

The center will work with the Austin Community Design and Development Center, the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation and the city of Austin to provide 90 or more homes for low- to moderate-income families.

Equipped with solar-electric and solar-thermal energy, the homes will be completely carbon neutral. “It’s extreme green, taking the

sustainable design to the next level,� said Michael Gatto, executive director for the Austin Community Design and Development Center, the group that is designing the homes. “Net-zero means these homes won’t be contributing to CO2 production.�

The site of the subdivision is a brownfield, which means contamination makes it currently unlivable. Catherine Esparza, city brownfield project manager, explained that the area was previously an illegal dump site for tires and other waste.

Thirty volunteers and representatives from the three organizations and the city took the first

steps toward readying the 11-acre site Saturday in an event called Get Clean to Get Green. The volunteers cleared 244 tires and about 2,300 pounds of other debris such as shopping carts and small trash.

The city’s solid waste services did a special pick up to clear almost five tons of material. “This is one of the things we love to do on a regular basis, and re-investing in the community is important to help sustain these neighborhoods,� said Melissa Prescott, a division manager with solid waste services.

Once the area is cleared, the designs for the homes will begin to take shape. E.B. Brooks, a research associate for the Center for Sustainable Development, said affordability is a key element of the homes. Although solar energy is a popular trend in building homes, the technology is very expensive and usually out of reach for people with lower incomes. “There are other net-zero subdivisions and even one in Austin being built right now, but this is the first that is truly affordable,�

Brooks said. “There’s a great economic divide, but the technology is out there. The fact that it’s af-

fordable is the really novel thing.�

Brooks said they are following the standard of affordability set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homes in the subdivision will cost 60 percent of median family income or less. The area will also include community gardens and a park.

The University’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is helping re-channel the river to prevent flooding in the area. Brooks said the organizations also hope to coordinate home-buyer education classes and distribute information on the viability of solar-energized homes.

The Saturday kickoff date coincided with 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action, part of an initiative to help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 386 parts per million to 350 parts per million. “350.org has encouraged people to organize marches, rallies, projects, some sort of action to stand up for climate change,� Brooks said. “This is to show how many millions of people around the world care. In 170 countries right now, more than 4,500 actions are taking place, and we’re part of it.�

NEWS BRIEFLY

positively affect customer satisfaction and help us reduce wait times because there will be more people available to wait on people wanting to renew their licenses or get new licenses,� Mange said.

The changes will take effect Oct. 29 except in the Austin office, which will change its policy on Oct. 30. Texans who need these services can visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Web site. Processing for both services was previously available online and will still take about seven to 10 days to finish. This means those who need a driving record for a court appearance must plan ahead.

Mange said the department hopes to create a system that would make it possible to order and download a driving record instantly, but it is still in the planning stages. — Audrey White

Department of Public Safety cuts services to decrease wait In an effort to increase efficiency at the Department of Public Safety’s four busiest driver’s license facilities, the department will no longer reinstate suspended licenses or process driving record requests in those offices.

Four offices in Garland, Universal City, Houston and Austin are the only locations in the state that offer these services, and according to spokeswoman Tela Mange, they have some of the longest wait times. Workers at those offices who currently deal with license reinstatement and driving record requests will be reassigned to other duties. “Those offices are in very busy cities, and we believe that it will

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Life&Arts Editor: Leigh Patterson E-mail: lifeandarts@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2209 www.dailytexanonline.com

7

Monday, October 26, 2009

T HE DAILY TEXAN

Colorful festival celebrates living

Peter Franklin | Daily Texan Staff

Veronica Chidester adjusts Chris Konstantinidis’s mask before the Viva La Vida parade at Plaza Saltillo on Saturday.

Mexican art, altars of deceased Austinites enrich ‘Viva la Vida’ event

By Emily Royall Daily Texan Staff Downtown city streets transformed Saturday as Austin celebrated the 26th annual Viva La Vida Festival sponsored by the Mexic-Arte Museum.

Turning the corner of East Fifth Street, one could catch a glimpse of a number of diverse festival sights: a giant Frida Kahlo head lightly bouncing above a congregation of ornate skulls, painted faces, luchadores and paper mache skeletons. Even U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett came, perched atop a Cadillac with one hand waving to a lively crowd.

The Viva La Vida (“Long Live Life”) Festival marked the upcoming Dia de los Muertos holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and Latin America.

With roots in ancient Aztec culture, Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a gathering of friends and family to commemorate deceased relatives. This is typically

conveyed with the construction of private alters decorated with gifts for the departed.

Though the holiday persists in predominantly Hispanic communities, the Mexic-Arte Museum

This year, the Mexic-Arte chose “life” as its central theme, presenting Dia de los Muertos as a celebration of life and environment through art and culture.

“A goal of the festival is to bring

‘‘

We want this to be accessible for people regardless of their cultural background”

— Alexandra Landeros, Festival Coordinator

annually exposes Austin to this lively, colorful and rich cultural tradition.

“Mexican American traditions have a universal theme ... honoring the dead and regenerating the past,” said Festival Coordinator Alexandra Landeros. “The whole [Mexic-Arte] museum is dedicated to this event.”

together a diverse range of groups and encourage participation,” Landeros said.

Visitors explored the holiday’s theme through a variety of activities including educational “sugar skull” and paper mache workshops, lectures and exhibitions.

For a more intimate experience,

‘Thrillerfest’ raises undead, funds to aid local charity

By Gerald Rich Daily Texan Staff Underneath the historic Seaholm Power Plant’s smoke stacks Saturday, hundreds of zombies shuffled and stomped along to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” choreography.

The Alamo Drafthouse’s “Thrillerfest” was a part of a larger event called Thrill the World, in which participants around the world danced simultaneously to the famous “Thriller” dance from Jackson’s video. Saturday night, 776 Austin participants danced with roughly 23,000 other people in different locations worldwide.

Proceeds from the Austin event went to SCARE for a CURE, a nonprofit that raises money for breast cancer resources and recovery in an annual Austin haunted house.

After the event, the Alamo Drafthouse’s “Rolling Roadshow” projected Jackson’s music videos onto a screen and hosted a dance party and sing-along.

Austin set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Thriller Dance” in one location last year with 881 people.

Austin also helped set the “Largest Simultaneous Thriller Dance” in multiple locations record with 4,179 dancers in 10 different nations.

But last month Mexico City smashed Austin’s single location record when they performed the dance with about 13,000 people.

Nevertheless, Henri Mazza, Thrillerfest organizer and Alamo Drafthouse creative director, remains optimistic for next year.

“Next year, we’ll do it bigger and better,” he said. “I’ll

THILLER continues on page 8

guests browsed personal altars commemorating local community members and heroes.

Each altar was a cultural masterpiece, aflame with heartfelt insight into the lives of individuals who had great impacts on the Austin community.

Additionally, the Mexic-Arte Museum exhibited traditional art from west Mexico featuring intricate replicas of ancient funerary artifacts.

Curious visitors were also supplied with activity booklets highlighting the history of the Dia de los Muertos and encouragedtoparticipateinhandsonactivities, inspiring a valuable cross-cultural dialogue.

“We try to market to as many crowds as we can,” Landeros said.

“We want this to be accessible for people regardless of their cultural background.”

The festival’s end was marked with a grand procession, departing

FIESTA continues on page 8

ON THE WEB: Video Viva La Vida Festival @ dailytexanonline.com

Rachel Tylor | Daily Texan Staff

Laurel Dundee leaves Thrillerfest on Saturday at the Austin Seaholm Power Plant.

Guitarist shares favorite eats, tunes Cakery has a ball with unique creations Local business owner discusses inspiration behind creative snack

MUSIC MONDAY

By Brad Barry Despite increased fame, member of Austin band leads ‘mild’ life with wife One of Austin’s most popular musical exports, Explosions in the Sky has become a perennial favorite on the large music festival circuit.

Additionally, the group’s guitar-heavy instrumental music has made it onto late night TV shows, various film scores and wrote the sound track to the film “Friday Night Lights.”

Though the band hasn’t released a proper album since 2007’s All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, members have been touring extensively and are now working on new songs.

This week, guitarist Chris Hrasky tells the Texan about his rather mild lifestyle both on and off the road.

Courtesy of Explosions in the Sky

One of Austin’s most popular musical exports, Explosions in the Sky has become a perennial favorite on the large music festival circuit.

Food Network at the time and I just liked the creative element of it,” Bridges explained. “[Baking] just happened to be in a different medium from what I was used to using, like leather or cloth.”

After taking the course, Bridges was encouraged to start a business. Once a Web site was up and running, she began taking orders for cake balls as well as wedding cakes and cupcakes.

“Most cake balls out there are tasty but not pretty,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that they

CAKE continues on page 8

after we played a Fourth of July I try not to remember what they show at KVRX. were.

4

7

5 6

8 9 10

What was the worst show Where is your favorite you’ve ever played? place to eat in Austin?

CH: I don’t know this CH: My wife and I are one, either. Wherever particularly fond of Mait was, it was probably bad for dras Pavilion. They have great some boring reason. We’ve nev- vegetarian Indian food. er had lighting rigs fall on our Do you have a day job?

What album have you heads or people throw bottles at CH: At this point, the listened to the most in us or anything. band is my day job. I’m the last week?

What is your favorite pretty happy about that.

Chris Hrasky: Bitte song to play live?

Orca by the Dirty Projectors.

CH: “The Only Moment What is your favorite We Were Alone” [from The website?

If you could collaborate CH: Petfinder.com with any musician in the Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place]. world, who would it be?

When you were forming What is a perfect CH: This is a really tough the band, were there any day for you? one. Daniel Johnston, maybe? alternate band names you CH: Eating didn’t pick? s o m e w h e re n i c e What was the best show CH: Breaker Morant was our with my wife, walking the dog, you’ve ever played?

CH: Honestly, I don’t name for a while. There were watching a movie. Nothing too know. We got our name some others in the running, but exciting.

1 2 3

By Audrey Campbell Daily Texan Staff In a nondescript brown building off Anderson Lane, employees of Austin Cake Ball work diligently to meet impending deadlines.

Doing all of their baking in a production kitchen that they share with a few other companies, the employees gather around a large stainless steel table in an assembly line, chatting as they mix, roll, dip and decorate the cake balls that

have become a favorite with residents and businesses throughout Austin.

“We’re really seeing the popularity of cake balls in weddings grow,” said Stacey Bridges, the founder of Austin Cake Ball.

“They save a lot of problems — they’re small, portable, not messy and people can try different kinds.”

Bridges started her business after receiving a master’s degree in costume technology at UT. While doing a bit of freelance costume design work, Bridges was encouraged to take a beginner’s baking course by her boyfriend.

“I was watching a lot of the

Daniela Trujillo | Daily Texan Staff

Espresso cake balls are one of Austin Cake Balls signature house recipes.

11 ENT

8

LIFE&ARTS

Monday, October 26, 2009

CAKE: Bite-sized version of a

classic dessert a hit at parties From page 7 looked as good as they tasted.”

What exactly is a cake ball?

Cake balls are made from large sheet cakes that are baked and then crumbled up. After adding an adhesive like icing or ganache to the dry cake, they are scooped and rolled into moist, bite-sized balls. Last, they’re hand-dipped in confectioner’s chocolate and decorated according to a client’s request.

“It’s kind of like if a truffle and a petit four hooked up,” Bridges explained. “Each ball takes about eight minutes to make from start to finish. Right now, I think we are averaging about 5,000 per week.”

Cake balls have become a staple at many upscale events around the city.

Since the business officially started in August 2008, Austin Cake Ball has been taking orders from Ballet Austin, Whole Foods Market and Dell Children’s Medical Center. Bridges said she also receives many private orders for birthdays, showers and weddings.

“I’m finding more and more

couples lean toward incorporating cake balls in their ceremonies,” she said.

One wedding in particular has become a crowning achievement for Bridges and the staff.

Two weeks ago, Bridges presented the Austin Cake Ball version of the 2006 Rose Bowl Game as the groom’s cake for a Longhorn football enthusiast.

“We built an entire stadium with spectators and we designed the players’ helmets for USC and UT,” she said. “The whole thing ended up being about 4 feet wide. It was definitely a group effort.”

Bridges said she enjoys collaborating with clients and also being given the freedom to use her artistic talents.

“I just like being creative,” she said. “And I do like a challenge, that’s for sure.”

Although Bridges misses her former work as a costume designer at times, she says the booming dessert business now has her full dedication.

“I never set out to be an entreDaniela Trujillo | Daily Texan Staff preneur. It was just kind of a hobby,” she said. “I miss costuming, Amanda Simon prepares a batch of Austin Cake Balls’ specialty buttercream frosting. Simon has worked at Austin Cake Balls for nine months after studying pastry design at Texas Culinary Academy. but this is my focus right now.”

THRILLER: Dancers don FIESTA: Event marks upcoming Dia de Los Muertos

zombie attire, makeup From page 7 finalize the location a lot sooner so we know where we’re going, but last night was really great.”

Participants went all out in their “Thriller”-themed attire, with costumes ranging from grotesque zombies with gaping wounds and hanging flesh to versions of Michael Jackson from “Thriller,” “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.”

Debbie Cerda, a longtime SCARE for the CURE volunteer and coordinator, was also on hand to help with makeup for the hordes of undead.

“I loved seeing the diversity of the crowd,” she said. “You had people of all ages participating. There were even some young girls encouraging their mother

to be zombiefied.”

ON THE WEB: Thrill Video of the World’s Thrillerfest roots trace @dailytexan back to 2006, online.com when Ines Markeljevic taught 62 people in Toronto the “Thriller” dance and established the first single location “Thriller” record. Since then, Markeljevic has traveled around the world to help teach the song’s choreography.

After Saturday’s festivities, Mazza hopes to work with Austin’s dance instructors to break down the more complicated moves from other Jackson videos.

From page 7

Maria Santiago sells dahlias, Mexico’s national flower, on sixth street and Congress Avenue during Viva la Vida Fest on Saturday evening.

from Saltillo square and marching through the streets of downtown Austin.

Hundreds of local artists, cyclists and excited community members embarked in a stream of color, throwing candy and small toys out to onlookers.

In an effort to raise awareness of environmental issues, floats and public art pieces were all constructed from recycled materials.

As the procession passed, Austin residents perched on apartment balconies beamed from above, and bystanders below smiled as they observed this unique celebration of the human cycle of life.

Such a response is all that Landeros could have asked for, as “people just having fun” was most certainly, “the best measure of success.”

Mary Kang Daily Texan Staff

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NEWS

Monday, October 26, 2009

Protesters voice opposition to death penalty

By Bobby Longoria Daily Texan Staff Hundreds of signs adorned with crossed out nooses and photos of executed men were held by protestors on the steps of the state Capitol on Saturday as they called for the exoneration of executed Texas man Cameron Todd Willingham.

Anti-death penalty activists have gathered in Austin every October since 2000 to show support for the abolition of the death penalty. This year ’s March to Abolish the Death Penalty marks the event’s return to Austin after two years in Houston.

The march was sponsored by more than 50 organizations and included appearances by three exonerated men and the families of current death row inmates. “I’ve lost all my friends, I lost my family and I am angry,� said Curtis McCarthy, who spent 19 years on death row in Oklahoday, before month day, 2008 ma being exonerated in May 2007 by DNA evidence. “I know how the family of Willingham feels. I don’t know what to do about it ... I am here. I don’t SEdo.� know what Eelse RTIto V D A Willingham DENaT !resident Uwas T S R of Corsicana who ION convictYOU Nmurder ZATwas I ed of capital of his three A ORG who were killed in a daughters fire at their home Dec. 23, 1991.

Willingham was accused of setting the fire and spent more than 10 years in the trial process claiming he was innocent.

After unsuccessful appeals, Willingham was executed Feb. 17, 2004. The incident has been given increased attention after several independent reviews of the arson investigation claim it based its conclusions on faulty reasoning.

Demonstrators also voiced their opposition to Gov. Rick Perry’s comments and actions

this month regarding Willingham’s execution.

At a press conference after a Texas Association of Realtors luncheon two weeks ago, Perry called Willingham “a monster� and said that multiple testimonies and the fact that the court upheld the jury’s verdict proved that Willingham was guilty. Perry told the media to not be misled by anti-death penalty “propaganda.�

The Texas Forensic Science Commission hired Baltimore fire expert Craig Beyler to investigate Willingham’s case. “The investigators had poor understandings of fire science and failed to acknowledge or apply the contemporaneous understanding of the limitations of fire indicators,� Beyler said in his August report. “A finding of arson could not be sustained.�

On Sept. 30, two days before the commission was set to meet and review Beyler’s report, Perry removed three members of the commission, including the chairman, who he replaced with Williamson County District Attor-

Rising gas prices concern vendors as well as drivers Oil companies charging more to compensate for shut-down refineries

Bruno Mortan | Daily Texan Staff

Jane Chamberlain holds her homemade sign as exonerated prisoners talk about their experiences on death row during an anti-death penalty march held on Saturday afternoon. 1

ed. He probably never would “[Lawmakers] need to fix the have even been tried,� said LASSIFIEDS Wal- procedural problems with police ter Reaves, Willingham’s lawyer and prosecutorial misconduct in this state before we even think about executing people,� said Jeff Blackburn, chief counsel to The Innocence Project of Texas.

After an examination of Willingham’s case, the project beI’ve lost all my friends, I lost my family, and I am lieves he was unjustly put to death, Blackburn said. angry. I know how the family feels.�

Multiple families appeared at — Curtis McCarthy, exonerated prisoner the event showing support for men currently on death row including Rodney Reed, who is accused of the 1996 rape and murder of Stacey Stites. “I am out here every chance I get and I am going to keep on ney John Bradley. Bradley can- during the appeals process. celed the Oct. 2 meeting, which Reaves said he is seeking post- doing it even after my brother has yet to be rescheduled. mortem exoneration of Willing- comes home because the death “If we had any of the number ham as well as a formal apology. penalty is wrong,� said Roderof experts that have come forth He said that reports by arson ex- ick Reed, Rodney Reed’s brothnow and given testimony in this perts indicating that Willingham er. “I got involved because of case, Todd Willingham would did not set the fire were not giv- my brother, but I am going to have never been convicted. He en a fair consideration during stay with it until the end to see it is abolished.� would have never been execut- the appeals process.

C

Campus

By Priscilla Pelli Daily Texan Staff The price of gasoline in Texas spiked 14 cents last week, according to studies conducted by AAA Texas.

Gas prices have increased because of refineries temporarily closing down while undergoing maintenance for the winter season and because of the rise of the cost of oil from $69 to $81 a barrel in the last two weeks. “The refining capacity is down pretty significantly because refineries in winter undergo maintenance to switch over to a different type of gasoline,� said Dan Ronan, spokesman for AAA Texas. “More refineries than expected are down for maintenance.�

AAA Texas looks nationwide at fuel gage reports to determine prices and refinery usage. “I just follow the trend, and the trends have been up be-

d wor

ad s

on l y

Contact Joan at 512-232-2229 or email joanw@mail.utexas.edu

Anne-Marie Huff | Daily Texan file photo

Vehicles rush down Highway I-35 near the Frank Erwin Center.

Gasoline prices have increased recently due to the temporary closing of oil refineries.

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cause of this,� Ronan said. “Depending on if the oil demand remains high and the economy shows some signs of recovering, maybe this will change, but it is still far too early to tell.�

David Johnson, manager of Eddie Slack Riverside Chevron, said that his station made more money when gas was $4 a gallon rather than current prices at $2.50 to $2.60 a gallon. “I sold more gasoline at $4 then than I do at $2.50 or $2.60, which was [during] a different administration,�

Johnson said. “The economy has changed under new administration. I can’t tell you why this is happening. Oil companies are the people making the prices, not me.�

Oil refineries send company and station prices twice a day in order to force gas stations to follow guidelines, according to Johnson. “It’s just one of those things I don’t have control over,�

Johnson said. �I have to go off whatever they give us.�

ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the first day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its officers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, printing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement. All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.

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SPORTS

Monday, October 25, 2009

BREAKOUT: Sophomore receiver helps team in victory Horns down Bears in scrimmage

Freshman pitcher Josh Urban fields a ground ball in an exhibition game with Baylor on Sunday.

Texas won the scrimmage 10-8.

From page 12

Edmarc Hedrick | Daily Texan Staff

Texas receiver Malcolm Williams tries to allude two Missouri defensive players in Saturday’s win. Williams finished with five catches for 53 yards in his first game as a starter.

Oklahoma to catch seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

With Davis going with more three-wide sets with a down tight end, Shipley was able to work more from his natural position in the slot. “It doesn’t really matter to me [where I play],� Shipley said. “I just try to do the best I can wherever they put me.�

Even Chiles had his biggest game in weeks, despite not getting the start for the first time this year.

He had two catches for 45 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown in which he made a nice move on his defender to get wide open. “My goal for this game was to just make plays any chance I got,� Chiles said. “I took it as a challenge to come out and work harder.�

That’s an encouraging sign for Texas, which finds itself with a reinvigorated and motivated receiving corps. “We consider that whole group [of receivers] to be starters,� Davis said, “and they’re going to continue to rotate and make plays.�

LESSONS: Relentless attack proves to be overwhelming on your schedule, especially the one who took you out behind the I am sorry Blaine, I don’t think woodshed for a 60-minute beating that was very fun for you. But look last year. Unless all your alumon the bright side: Your coaches ni are masochists. Then continue won’t ever have another chance to abuse you against Texas again.

So Tigers, in case you didn’t take notes Saturday, here is a quick rundown of the lessons you learned: This isn’t intramurals, 1. Please, don’t run ridiculous trick plays against Texas. Ever.

This isn’t intramurals, brother. It’s the Big 12, and not the Big 12 of yesteryear. It is quickly morphing this tactic.

3. Never leave Jordan Shipley into its sloppy, defensive-minded open, not 1 inch, because that is cousin, the SEC. 2. Never schedule homecom- all a fishing buddy needs to hook ing against the toughest opponent a completion.

From page 12

4. Shakespeare’s pizza might be the best thing in Columbia, but it isn’t that good once it cools and grease congeals into a blob resembling Chase Daniels’ belly.

brother. It’s the Big 12.

5. Never ask your bumlegged quarterback to outrun one of the most athletic defenses in the nation.

Hopefully, with these lessons

ingrained in your heads, you can avoid the catastrophic results of the last two years.

Missouri trying to score against Texas was like me trying to hobble into Harpo’s, the legendary downtown Columbia watering hole, which refused to let any more patrons into its historical walls on Saturday night — it wasn’t going to happen.

And even when the doorman was gracious enough to let me step just inside the door, so I could complete the prerequisites to an authentic Columbia visit, I knew exactly how the Tigers felt earlier in the night when they scored their lone touchdown.

Bryant Haertlien Daily Texan Staff

In Texas’ first action since its loss in the College World Series to LSU back in June, the Longhorns welcomed IH-35 foe Baylor to UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Sunday afternoon for a scheduled 14-inning affair with the Bears.

Outfielder Russell Moldenhauer, a key contributor to the Longhorns’ success in Omaha, picked up right where he left off last summer, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a walk, four runs and four RBI to

help lead Texas to a 10-8 victory.

Chance Ruffin and Cole Green were among five pitchers who produced strong outings on the mound.

Ruffin threw two perfect innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced. Green also pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

Texas welcomes Texas State to Austin next Sunday for its second and final fall exhibition contest at 12 p.m. — Wes DeVoe

SPORTS BRIEFLY

Next up, New York hosts defending champion Philadelphia in the World Series opener Wednesday night. Cliff Lee is expected to face ALCS MVP CC Sabathia in an enticing pitching matchup between former Cleveland teammates — and the past two AL Cy Young Award winners.

Ridiculed in the past for his October flops, Alex Rodriguez earned his first trip to the Fall Classic during a 16-year career. — The Associated Press

Yankees clinch World Series berth after winning ALCS 4-2 The New York Yankees, baseball’s biggest spenders, finally cashed in with their first pennant in six years Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 in Game 6 of the AL championship series behind the savvy pitching of that old October pro, Andy Pettitte.

RALLY: Two late goals secure Texas’ spot OFFENSE: Second-half team shows it can From page 12 was happy with the draw, as it showed the Longhorns’ resilience. “We fought all the way to the end, which is a big quality round. It’s nice to see them continue to fight and get a draw out of a game like this,� he said.

While Friday was a high-scoring affair, Sunday’s “Senior day� match against the Colorado Buffaloes (8-8, 5-3 Big 12) was a defensive exhibition. Texas goalie

Alexa Gaul faced a pressing forward line from the Buffaloes numerous times but handily thwarted their advances. “She was solid, and she keeps getting better,� Petrucelli said about Gaul. “If you look at her now compared to when the season started, she is a much better goalkeeper.�

The teams took a 0-0 tie into double overtime when the Longhorns finally broke through. Sophie Campise scored her first

goal of the year in the 104th minute of overtime to give Texas the 1-0 win. “I saw Leah [Payne] crossing it, and I was just sneaking in the back, and I don’t really know what I was thinking,� Campise said, “I just saw it and scored.�

With the win, the Longhorns are tied for third in the Big 12 conference and have clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship tournament.

click on all cylinders early in big games From page 12 But there was none of that to be found Saturday, as McCoy found an early rhythm with his receivers, completing passes to new starters Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin with regularity.

The Longhorns answered their one challenge. After the Tigers completed their lone scoring drive to cut the lead to 21-7 with 5:53 left in the first half, Texas marched the ball 87 yards for the backbreaking score.

In 11 plays, McCoy led his team down the field, completing 6-of8 passes, with one ball dropped, and finding Shipley on a simple post route for a 28-7 lead.

The defense held a grudge from the previous scoring drive.

After getting an earful and formation adjustment from coordinator Will Muschamp, the Longhorns forced a three-and-out, making the Tigers punt from their five.

After missing a chance to block the kick against Oklahoma last week when Brown played for the return instead, the Longhorns

made up for it this week.

Curtis Brown was the first in a line of Longhorns to get his hands on Jake Harry IV’s punt, which was recovered by Williams in the end zone for a touchdown with 45 seconds left in the half. “I said, ‘Duane [Akina], don’t even ask me, just go block it,�

Mack Brown said.

Nursing a 28-point lead, the Longhorns reverted to first-half form in the second period. Texas kicked two field goals while pitching a shutout and grinding down the clock.

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Monday, October 26, 2009

Sports Editor: Austin Talbert E-mail: sports@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2210 www.dailytexanonline.com

T HE DAILY TEXAN

FOOTBALL COLUMN

TEXAS 41 MISSOURI 7 Balanced squad teaches Longhorns pounce Tigers in rout many lessons in big victory

By Austin Talbert Daily Texan Columnist

COLUMBIA, Mo. — It was about time.

Texas had yet to start a game off quickly; to prove it was one of the best teams in the nation; to completely destroy an opponent mercilessly from the opening kickoff.

And, of course, it came against Missouri, the same team whom Texas exploded to the tune of a 35-0 lead last year. This year, at the Tigers’ homecoming game, where thousands of alumni flocked to the quiet and quaint burg of Columbia to reveille in all things Mizzou, they got to see the destruction first-hand.

Not that the Tigers were actually trying to help their own cause. Instead, they forgot the turning point of last year’s beatdown — their failed first play which set the tone of failure last year, a tone so strong it carried over into this season.

So to make sure this doesn’t happen again in 2012 — the next time the Longhorns face the Tigers, potential Big 12 Championship showdowns withstanding — let me give you a personal word of advice.

DO NOT RUN A SLOW-DEVELOPING TRICK PLAY AGAINST TEXAS. I don’t care how cool it looks on a white board, or how exciting it is in practice, they are stupid. The double-reverse you ran to start the game last year turned out slightly better than Chernobyl. But yet, you had to one-up it this year, so you have your already injured quarterback, who can barely jog on and off the field, trying to complete the most ridiculous flea-flicker attempted this side of the Mississippi. The results: total and catastrophic failure two consecutive years.

LESSONS continues on page 11

Erik Reyna | Daily Texan Staff

Backup Missouri quarterback Jimmy Costello is tackled

by Dustin Earnest in Saturday’s loss to Texas.

SOCCER

Late rally clinches Horns Big 12 berth

By Sameer Bhuchar Daily Texan Staff The Longhorns ended home play with a collective sigh of relief after clinching a spot in the Big 12 Championship tournament following their nail-biting weekend at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium.

On a cool Friday night, the Longhorns (8-7-3, 4-2-3 Big 12) faced Texas Tech (8-7-2, 3-3-2 Big 12). The calm weather was about the only peaceful part of that evening as Texas was forced to play catch-up all game.

In the 16th minute, Red Raider freshman Dawn Ward connected on a corner kick from Connor Williams.

Tech scored again in the 49th minute, sending Texas into panic mode down 2-0.

Finally in the 73rd minute, Amanda Lisberger scored on a rebound, putting the Longhorns within one goal.

To cap off the comeback, senior Emily Anderson scored in the final minutes of the game to send the match into overtime. No goals were scored in the extra session, and the thrilling game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Coach Christopher Petrucelli wanted the win but

RALLY continues on page 11

Bruno Morlan | Daily Texan Staff

Texas defender Casey Mogk and forward Becka Rivera attack Colorado’s Amy Barczuk during Sunday’s game.

Erik Reyna | Daily Texan Staff

Texas receiver Jordan Shipley breaks free from two Missouri defenders in Saturday’s win over the Tigers. Shipley finished with 108 yards receiving.

McCoy mirrors last season’s romp over Missouri to spoil homecoming festivities

By Michael Sherfield Daily Texan Staff COLUMBIA, Mo. — When the Texas offense trotted onto the field with the clock reading 15:00 Saturday night, it must have mistaken the opening kickoff for the second half.

After a season spent as a second-half team, Texas finally found its first-half rhythm, pouring it on early against an overmatched Missouri team.

The Longhorns sputtered to one first-half offensive touchdown in their first three Big 12 games, but scored twice before the Tigers had gained a first down in a 41-7 demolition.

“This was a whole lot easier [and]

a lot more fun,” said offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who came under criticism for the offense’s slow starts. “My wife said she’d like to do this every week.”

In front of a stunned Faurot Field crowd, packed with gold and black and ready to celebrate homecoming, Colt McCoy completed his first 11 passes, leading three consecutive touchdown drives to start the game after the Tigers had elected to kick the Longhorns the ball. It was the first game this season that Texas (70) had the first possession.

“It was big for us,” McCoy said.

“The defense has been lights out, we had to give them something to play

for. We clicked in the first half.”

The Tigers didn’t have an answer. Their offense stalled, gaining only 102 yards and scoring once in the first half.

They didn’t put up much fight on defense either, allowing McCoy plenty of time and plenty of open targets. He finished 26-of-31 for 269 yards and three scores in three quarters of play.

“We had protection up front,” McCoy said. “That’s where it starts.”

McCoy threw two touchdowns to Jordan Shipley, both against almost non-existent single coverage, and one to an even more open John Chiles, who slipped behind the sec-

ondary on a play that saw three Texas receivers uncovered. “[Shipley] got single coverage on the blitz and he came up with a play,” Davis said.

Shipley returned to his more natural slot position and lined up in different spots on the field throughout the game after a reshuffling of the receiving corps.

A week ago, the Longhorns saw their passing attack almost completely nullified — gaining only 127 yards — by an aggressive Oklahoma defense that was determined to take Texas out of its comfort zone.

New starter Williams steps up on big stage for Longhorns receiving corps

Longhorns’ deep receiving corps.

Through six games in 2009, he was Texas’ sixth-leading receiver with just eight catches for 84 yards.

But when given the chance to start for the first time this season Saturday at Missouri, Williams proved his worth in the Longhorns’ 41-7 win.

Williams and freshman Marquise Goodwin replaced struggling receivers James Kirkendoll and John Chiles in the starting lineup, a move that paid off in every aspect of Texas’ offense. Quarterback Colt McCoy returned to form with 269 passing yards and three touchdowns while spreading the ball to eight receivers.

For his part, Williams had a career-high five catches for 53 yards.

He also made an impact with his

downfield blocking.

The difference for him was putting last year behind him.

“It’s focus,” Williams said. “I felt like earlier in the year, since I had a good year last year, I was trying to do more than I could. Now, it’s just to the point where I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do and let everything else happen after that.”

Williams had been a special teams force for Texas this season — as he showed again Saturday by recovering the punt Curtis Brown blocked in the Missouri end zone — but hadn’t factored into the offensive game because of his inconsistency in practice.

Over the past few weeks, he’s been working hard to reverse that trend.

“We’ve put a lot of stock in practice,” said Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis. “Malcolm has been practicing better and better and deserved to play.”

He did have one big drop on a pass that could have been a touchdown, but he made up for it with a couple of tough catches, one on a ball thrown behind him and another on a tipped pass.

“When we can have a big guy at [a receiver] like Malcolm, he makes it work,” McCoy said.

It wasn’t just Williams’ game that was rejuvenated by the personnel shuffle. Shipley rebounded from a quiet performance against

By Blake Hurtik Daily Texan Staff COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sometimes a breakout game on the national stage can do more harm than good.

Just ask Malcolm Williams.

The sophomore receiver was the lone bright spot in Texas’ heartbreaking loss to Texas Tech last year, hauling in four passes for 182 yards and two scores — one going for 91 yards.

Instead of building on that performance, Williams regressed back into relative anonymity in the

OFFENSE continues on page 11

BREAKOUT continues on page 11

VOLLEYBALL

TEXAS 3, COLORADO 0

No. 2 Texas, Hooker make quick work of Buffaloes Faucette and Doris each finish with eight kills to overpower undermatched Colorado at home

By Jordan Godwin Daily Texan Staff All that Colorado outside hitter Kerra Schroeder could do was laugh at herself.

She had just fallen victim to the wrath and fury of a Destinee Hooker kill.

“I thought the ball was going out, so the fact that she touched the ball was great,” Hooker said. “It was unfortunate that it happened to hit her in the face.”

It was early in the match when Schroeder’s face attempted to block Hooker’s attack, but much like her team, she was only left discombobulated by the quickness of defeat.

The Longhorns trumped their evolutionary relatives in sweeping fashion with plenty of time to spare before the football game.

“We know that we can win a lot of matches,” said head coach Jerritt Elliott. “But for us to be successful, we have to have our own standards that we force ourselves to live up to when we execute our wins.”

Colorado entered the match close to the basement of the Big 12 Conference. Last Saturday, second-ranked Texas took on Texas Tech, ranked dead last in hitting percentage,

ON THE WEB:

opponent hitting percentage, assists, digs and kills. Ranked just ahead of Tech in each of those categories is the lowly Colorado.

Second-ranked Texas entered the match with every reason to dominate the Buffaloes.

But with All-American setter Ashley Engle still sidelined with a top-secret ankle injury, the Texas attack looked sluggish at times.

Hooker’s facial reconstructive surgery of a kill on Schroeder was her only kill in the first set, a rare occurrence, considering she’s averaging nearly five kills per set on the season.

But Hooker made her share of contributions and then some on her serving. Not only did she double her season high and outdo her career high, but Hooker’s six service aces matched a Big 12 Conference season high.

Five of those aces came in the first set.

“I was just trying to be aggressive,” Hooker said. “I tried not to take anything off of the ball and after the first few, I began to get into a rhythm, and everything turned out great from there.”

Juliann Faucette and Jennifer Doris led the way for the Texas attack, each finishing the match with eight kills. Texas was uncharacteristically balanced across the board, with all but two players collecting kills and seven Peter Franklin | Daily Texan Staff players having at least three.

“It shows the depth of our team and how Texas’ Destinee Hooker jumps up to make a kill in Saturday’s contest against Colorado at Gregory Gymnasium. well we can step up,” Faucette said.

Coverage from weekend men’s swim meet @dailytexanonline.com