The Daily Texan 5-6-10 by The Daily Texan

LIFE&ARTS PAGE 10

DTWEEKEND

Start having some fun in the sun because it’s beginning to feel a lot like summer

Couple’s restaurant is a family affair SPORTS PAGE 6

Adversity shapes Longhorn baseball star’s past

TH HE DAILY TEXAN Thursday, May 6, 2010

TODAY

Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

TOMORROW’S WEATHER

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Bareness for fairness

Staff appreciation The President’s Staff Awards Ceremony honors and recognizes University staff. Texas Union Ballroom, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

when I learned more, I thought it was a great thing — helping people get better working conditions and better wages,” said Alejandro Barrientos, a member of the organization and government sophomore. The group’s cause already has the support of prominent student organizations, but members would like their cause to go even higher. “We have the backing of College Republicans, University Democrats and Student Government,” Barrientos said. “Pretty soon we’re going to present this to President [Bill] Powers [Jr.], and hopefully he’ll

SWEATSHOP continues on page 2

FORUM continues on page 2

The University Yoga Club hosts a free classic yoga and meditation session. Texas Union Eastwoods Room, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Watch change

The Harry Ransom Center and Cine Las Americas host a screening of “El principio” as part of the Mexican Revolution Films of the ‘70s series. HRC Charles Nelson Prothro Theater, 7 p.m.

Talk nerdy to me

Nerd Nite talks about world domination, the rise of robots and a future space navy. Buffalo Billiards, 7 p.m.

Calling every body

The “Our Body: The Universe Within” exhibit is offering discounted tickets through May 15. Stark Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Coconuts, leis

Learn traditional and contemporary hula dancing in a 6-week course for beginners. Butler Dance Education Center, 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Today in history In 1937 The German zeppelin Hindenburg catches fire and is destroyed while attempting to dock in New Jersey, killing 36 people.

Inside In News: Water conservation necessary as city sees shortage page 5

In Opinion: Daily Texan columnist evaluates worth of Plan II degree page 4

In Sports: NBA playoffs showcase raw talent and old favorites page 6

In Life&Arts:

Sci-fi story plays out in live-action stage production page 10

‘‘

Quote to note “The facts are being put in the background. We are celebrating that we are Mexican.” — Linda Irizarry Crockett Coordinator at Mexican American Cultural Center NEWS PAGE 6

Chris Kosho | Daily Texan Staff

Leticia Silva, a biology and Latin American studies senior, uses an unconventional method of getting students to sign a petition Wednesday in protest against UT apparel made in sweatshops.

Student group demands UT affiliate with workers’ rights association By Radhika Sakalkale Daily Texan Staff Wearing only underwear, students draped signs over their bodies during the “Naked Rally” on the West Mall on Wednesday to protest poor conditions in sweatshops that manufacture official UT apparel. University of Texas Students Against Sweatshops is working to improve workers’ conditions in factories that make collegiate apparel. The members are demanding the University affiliate itself with the Worker Rights Consortium to ensure workers are making clothing under fair conditions. The five students who participated held signs with phrases such

as “Make UT Sweat-Free” and “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Sweatshop Apparel” to motivate other students and faculty to sign their petition. “UT is the No. 1 licenser of collegiate apparel in the country,” said Jacob Bintliff, a member of the organization and Latin American studies senior. “We don’t want to wear clothing that was made in a sweatshop.” Passers-by were asked to sign a petition in support of the group that will soon be presented to University officials. The consortium stemmed from Oxfam, which campaigns to prevent injustice worldwide. “Initially, I heard that I could stand out here naked, so I jumped on it, but

Registrar to consider Cenough for prerequisite By Shabab Siddiqui Daily Texan Staff The Office of the Registrar has decided to allow students hoping to move on to the next course in a sequence to make a C- in their class, as opposed to a C, in order to accommodate a change in the course catalog. A student receiving a C obtains a 2.0 grade point average for the class, while a student receiving a C- obtains a 1.67. Individual departments are charged with setting the prerequisites and grades students need in order to advance to the next course in a sequence. Shelby Stanfield, associate vice president for student affairs and University registrar, said all departments have been encouraged to allow “minus” grades to fulfill prerequisite requirements for registration in summer and fall 2010 classes. Even though the decision is a requirement for the summer and fall semesters, departments will be able to choose if they want to allow pluses or minuses to fulfill the requirements in the future starting in November, when students will begin registering for spring classes. “Basically, we’re going from whole letter grades to whole letter with a plus/minus option,” Stanfield said. “When registration for spring 2011 starts, that inference goes away.” Stanfield, in conjunction with the provost’s office, made the decision in order to avoid any confusion created by the course catalog, which is evaluated every three years. The plus/minus grading system came into effect for the first time in fall 2009. Consequently, the current course catalog, which was printed shortly before 2008, does not make any reference to whether students who receive a minus fulfill their requirements. The

REGISTRAR continues on page 2

Black leaders hold forum to encourage community By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff “If we’re going to have a community forum but we’re going to be spread out, we’re missing the point,” said Kyle Clark, urging those at a program for black students to move to the front rows of the auditorium. Clark’s words set the tone for the rest of the two-hour event Wednesday night titled, “We need to talk! State of the Community!” Clark, a student affairs administrator, and education graduate student Rian Carkhum addressed the oft-divided nature of black students on campus and encouraged the 200 students in attendance to take pride and leadership in the black community on campus by working in student groups, such as the Black Students Association or Greek organizations, and as individuals. “This is about forward movement, coming up with practical solutions and being a part of the process,” Carkhum said during her presentation. “I ask that you trust this process. The worst thing we can have is people in this room believing nothing can happen.” It is important for students to be accountable for their actions and represent both themselves and the community as a whole, she said. Too many students use social media to spread gossip and tension and refuse to consider their own behavior and its repercussions, she added. “When you act a certain way, you are giving permission to people to treat you a particular way,” Carkhum said. “Stop committing character assassination. All of you are bright and gifted and talented.”

Stretch your dollar

First Thursday on South Congress features music, food and shopping. Many stores will extend their hours, closing at 10 p.m.

Calendar

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Campus political groups elect officers College Republicans vote in candidates; UDems leaders win race by narrow margin By Nehal Patel Daily Texan Staff UT’s College Republicans and University Democrats elected new officers for the 2010-2011 school year Wednesday night at their final meetings of the semester. College Republicans elected history sophomore Melanie Schwartz as president and government junior Justin May as vice president. University Democrats elected government senior Michael Hurta as president and government freshman Billy Calve as vice president. “I was really encouraged to see a lot of underclassmen and dedicated members getting involved and running for positions,” current College Republicans President Ryan Ellis said. Schwartz said the most important mission for the College Republicans is to help elect conservative officials to the Texas House of Representatives and U.S. Congress in the November elections. There are currently 79 Republicans and 71 Democrats in the Texas House. “We need to show the [University Democrats] that the College Republicans are going to campaign hard and get conservative seats back,” Schwartz said. “I want to focus on recruiting new members early in the semester so we can [make] a bigger impact with block-walking and phone-banking.” Ellis said the new College Republicans officers plan to take office by the end of the week. “We’re trying to get [the new officers] working as quickly as possible so they can meet and plan agendas for the fall before they leave for the semester,” Ellis said. Hurta was elected to be the new president of University Democrats by a margin of four votes, and Calve, the new vice president, won by 12 votes. “We had several hotly contest-

Shannon Kintner | Daily Texan Staff

UDems presidential nominees Michael Hurta, left, and Jeremy Yager and outgoing President Melessa Rodriguez laugh at a joke during another candidate’s speech. Yager later congratulated Hurta on being elected next year’s president.

Mary Kang | Daily Texan Staff

Junior architectural engineering Tyler Greeves speaks during the College Republican elections Wednesday night. Greeves was elected as volunteer coordinator. ed positions, especially for president, cause of the [gubernatorial] election vice president and public relations di- coming in November.” rector,” current University Democrats Hurta said his most important issue for president Melessa Rodriguez said. “I the upcoming school year is to get more think the presidential position will be extremely important next year beELECT continues on page 5

NEWS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

FORUM: Students resolve to take action in community From page 1 Many students offered cheers and encouragement throughout the presentation, acknowledging that there are many opportunities to improve. Some said they were excited about exploring ways to work together to expand opportunities and awareness for the black community and UT as a whole. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As black students, we need to stop wearing chips on our shoulders,â&#x20AC;? said David Snell, a supply chain management junior who identified himself as a black student leader. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an African-American, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put stereotypes across white students, and there are white students who feel the same way. If we move forward as black students, we can diversify the community as a whole instead of having whites, blacks, Hispanics and Asians be so segregated.â&#x20AC;? As of fall 2009, black students constituted 4.5 percent of the UT population, according to the Office of Information Management and Analysis. Blacks are also a drastic minority in faculty and staff positions. This leads many black students to feel unmoti-

vated or as if they are not an important part of the UT community, which in turn makes many students feel they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t succeed, Clark said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotta put some teeth to this, put some legs on it and get it moving,â&#x20AC;? he said about the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see everybody in this room graduate. Everybody in this room has value.â&#x20AC;? In addition to discussing problems the community faces, Clark, Carkhum and students discussed solutions and ways to move forward. Ideas included more unified programming instead of having each organization organize separate events; creating resources for new students; and developing more media interaction. In an effort to reach out to as many students as possible, architectural engineering junior Brian Fontenot filmed the meeting and streamed it live on his website, o4ktv.net. â&#x20AC;&#x153;History can repeat itself if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know history, and this conversation goes on and on and on,â&#x20AC;? Fontenot said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can record this, it becomes a better educational tool. If everybody knows there is a

THE DAILY TEXAN Volume 110, Number 202 25 cents

CONTACT US Main Telephone: (512) 471-4591 Editor: Jillian Sheridan (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor: Ana McKenzie (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com News Office: (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com Web Office: (512) 471-8616 online@dailytexanonline.com

Shannon Kintner | Daily Texan Staff

Juniors Timi Komonibo and Aryele Bradford, along with the entire audience, stand up to show that they do not believe the African-American student voice is not recognized enough on campus.

Life & Arts Office: (512) 232-2209 dailytexan@gmail.com

problem and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to mend it, they will see we are not just talking about it. We are taking action.â&#x20AC;? It will take a cultural shift and

Photo Office: (512) 471-8618 photo@dailytexanonline.com

a change in perspective for black students to prove themselves as the critical University voice and powerful student leaders they are, Clark said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we perpetuate is an indication of what we value,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Values are what we do. Perhaps itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time we reevaluate.â&#x20AC;?

REGISTRAR: Catalog addresses grading SWEATSHOP: Activists urge University to change policy From page 1

2011-13 catalog will be printed later this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was kind of a one-time bridging strategy as we were switching catalogs,â&#x20AC;? Stanfield said. According to the Office of Information Management and Analysis, the average University-wide undergraduate GPA went up last fall, despite plus/minus grading. Steven Xie, an economics

and liberal arts honors freshman, said he dislikes the registrar â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision because he thinks students who do not deserve to advance in their degrees are receiving preferential treatment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With budget cuts at the University, class sizes are already increasing, and this just lets more unqualified people get into the upper-division classes,â&#x20AC;? Xie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weedout classes should actually be weed-out classes.â&#x20AC;?

Tim Wiener, a petroleum engineering honors freshman, said he hopes that most departments decide to allow minus grades to count for prerequisites in the future as it sets the system back to its status quo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should be able to get a C- and move onto the next course because previously, a C was a 70, and that was considered passing,â&#x20AC;? Wiener said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now you can get the same grade, and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t count.â&#x20AC;?

From page 1 see that many students are concerned about this issue.â&#x20AC;? Bintliff said techniques similar to Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rally have been effective at other universities. The organization will keep pushing this issue until the University changes its policy, he said. Organization members have been working on this effort since early this semester and hope to

Retail Advertising: (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu Classified Advertising: (512) 471-5244 classifieds@dailytexanonline.com

further push for the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affiliation with the Worker Rights Consortium in the fall, Silva said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I mean, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a question of justice,â&#x20AC;? Bintliff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really unjust that we have to support sweatshops to be a part of our school.â&#x20AC;? As of now, 186 colleges and universities have affiliated with the consortium, including all of the universities in the University of California system.

The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@dailytexanonline.com.

CORRECTION Because of an editing error, â&#x20AC;&#x153;soldierâ&#x20AC;? was misspelled in a headline that ran in Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper about the appointment of a UT System student regent. The Texan regrets the error.

PPD conducts medically supervised research studies to help evaluate new investigational medications. PPD has been conducting research studies in Austin for more than 20 years. Right now, PPD is looking for healthy and non-smoking women ages 18 to 40 to participate in a medical research study. The study will require the participants to have a BMI between 19 and 30 and weigh between 110 and 220 lbs. The study will require 2 weekends in our overnight research facility and multiple brief outpatient visits. Study participants will receive up to $4000 upon study completion.

PPD 462-0492

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Copyright 2010 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission.

TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WEATHER High

Spring 2010

Health Professions Lecture Series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Global Health, Infectious Diseases, Disaster Responses: One Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Careerâ&#x20AC;?

Welch 2.224 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Open to all UT students -

Friday, May 7th speaker: Ruth Berggren, M.D. Director, Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics, James Young Chair for Excellence in Medical Education UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

Refreshments provided

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Come on over, come on over baby.

THE DAILY TEXAN Permanent Staff

This newspaper was written, edited and designed with pride by The Daily Texan and Texas Student Media.

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jillian Sheridan Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ana McKenzie Associate Managing Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Mulvaney, Sean Beherec Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeremy Burchard, Dan Treadway, David Muto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lauren Winchester, Roberto Cervantes News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blair Watler Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pierre Bertrand, Lena Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claire Cardona, Viviana Aldous Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey White, Alex Geiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shabab Siddiqui, Bobby Longoria, Priscilla Totiyapungprasert Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nausheen Jivani Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cristina Herrera, Vicky Ho, Matt Jones Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Olivia Hinton Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shatha Hussein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veronica Rosalez, Mustafa Saifuddin Special Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thu Vo Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Young Associate Photo Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bryant Haertlein, Peter Franklin Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Kang,Tamir Kalifa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peyton McGee, Daniela Trujillo, Bruno Morlan Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Wermund Associate Life&Arts Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amber Genuske Senior Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rob Rich, Frankie Marin, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Ross Harden, Lane Lynch, Kate Ergenbright Features Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Rich, Mary Lingwall Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blake Hurtik Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Sherfield Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Hurwitz, Laken Litman, Austin Ries, Chris Tavarez Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carolynn Calabrese Multimedia Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Juan Elizondo Associate Multimedia Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachael Schroeder, Blas Garcia Senior Videographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Medina Web Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Murphy Editorial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Warren

Issue Staff

Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nehal Patel, Destinee Hodge, Radhika Sakalkale Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Kosho, Shannon Kintner, Bobby Longoria Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sameer Bhuchar, Matt Hohner Life&Arts Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allistair Pinsof Columnist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Player Page Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hollis O'Hara, Alexa Hart Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaitlin Kaufmann, Gabriella Fontes, Andie Shyong Wire Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Gardner Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabe Alvarez, Ryohei Yatsu, Nam Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Weiss, Kathryn Menefee, Jermaine Affonso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connor Shea, Victoria Elliott Web Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayla Young

Advertising

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 Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Ford, Meagan Gribbin Student Account Executives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anupama Kulkarni, Ashley Walker, An Ly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cameron McClure, Daniel Ruszkiewkz, Lauren Aldana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Josh Phipps, Tommy Daniels 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 The Daily Texan (USPS 146-440), a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78705. The Daily Texan is published daily except Saturday, Sunday, federal holidays and exam periods, plus the last Saturday in July. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX 78710. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591) or at the editorial office (Texas Student Media Building 2.122). For local and national display advertising, call 471-1865. For classified display and national classified display advertising, call 471-1865. For classified word advertising, call 471-5244. Entire contents copyright 2009 Texas Student Media.

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WORLD&NATION

Thursday, May 6, 2010

T HE DAILY T EXAN

Pirates take over oil tanker; warship speeds to scene By Katharine Houreld The Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Somali pirates armed with automatic weapons boarded an oil tanker with $50 million of oil on Wednesday but the shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Russian crew locked themselves into a safe room to wait for a Russian warship rushing to the scene, a European Union Naval spokesman said. The pirates launched the attack on the Liberian-flagged ship, which is named the Moscow University, at dawn. Cmdr. John Harbour, the EU Naval Force spokesman, said the crew evaded the pirates for several hours while sending out distress calls. They locked themselves in a secure room when the pirates boarded. A maritime patrol aircraft flew over the 106,000 ton ship on Wednesday afternoon, but it was not moving, Harbour said. It is unclear if pirates or the Russian crew retained control of the ship. The

ship is carrying 86,000 tons of crude oil, worth roughly $50 million. A Russian warship was heading to the ship at full speed but had not arrived by nightfall, Harbour said. He declined to say how long the warship would take to arrive or what action it might take, citing security. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely that they would use explosives to try to force open the door,â&#x20AC;? Harbour said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pirates know killing or injuring crew members would up the stakes considerably.â&#x20AC;? There was no word on the crewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition. Safe rooms are typically stocked with food, water and communications equipment and have reinforced metal doors that can only be opened from the inside if locked. The attack occurred about 500 miles east of the Somali coast. The ship was not registered with the Maritime Security Center, Harbour said. The

Damian Dovarganes | Associated Press

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa expresses his support for a proposal by Los Angeles City Council members that calls for an economic boycott to protest Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new immigration law on Thursday. The Boston City Council passed a similar measure Wednesday.

Boston pushes Arizona boycott Councilors insist Boston sever ties, investments with Arizona after law

Associated Press

Marines escort a suspected pirate, who attacked a ship, on April 27. Pirates attacked a tanker with $50 million worth of oil Wednesday.

The resolution, passed by a voice vote, also asks city employees not to travel to Arizona for city business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re asking that the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s By Russell Contreras money, the people of the city of The Associated Press Boston ... that their money (not) BOSTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Boston City be used to support something Council approved a resolution like this,â&#x20AC;? said Councilor Felix G. Wednesday that urges the city to Arroyo, who co-wrote the resolucurtail economic ties with Arizo- tion with City Council President na by pulling investments, end- Michael Ross. ing city contracts and halting Ross, the son of a Holocaust purchasing agreements to protest survivor from Poland, said he the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recently passed immi- was compelled to act because he gration law. strongly disagreed with Arizo-

naâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s law, which requires police to question people about their immigration status if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reason to suspect theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the country illegally. He said various Boston immigrant groups contacted him and asked if there was something they could do from Boston to fight that law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have many issues before us now,â&#x20AC;? Ross said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we have to take a moment to speak out against the erosion of basic and fundamental civil rights wherever it occurs.â&#x20AC;? Ross said that once city offi-

cials find out what investments Boston has with Arizona and Arizona cities, he might ask for a city ordinance to outlaw those investments. Councilors said they had received a slew of angry calls from people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; many of them prompted by area talk radio hosts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who support Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s law. Councilor Ayanna Pressley said some of those e-mails trying to persuade councilors to vote against the resolution were written in â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most harshest and offensive possible language.â&#x20AC;?

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OPINION

Thursday, May 6, 2010

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

T HE DAILY T EXAN

GALLERY

VIEWPOINT

God called on to invade, blamed for oil spill God made the news again this week when Gov. Rick Perry suggested that, among other possibilities, He may have had a hand in the disastrous British Petroleum Gulf oil spill, which resulted in the deaths of 11 men and the potential destruction of hundreds of miles of coast. In a speech given in Washington, on Monday in which he cautioned people to avoid a knee-jerk reaction of halting drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, Perry suggested that “We don’t know what ... allowed for this massive oil to be released” and that “from time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God that cannot be prevented,” according to The Associated Press. Naturally, opponents of Perry jumped on the opportunity to chastise the remarks in true, overblown political fashion. According to the Austin American-Statesman, leading political consultant for the Texas Democratic Party Matt Angle retorted, “Perry’s point of view is bizarre and disrespectful. Would he claim that God oversaw coal mines in West Virginia, inspected brakes at Toyota or manned the bridge on the Exxon Valdez? There is no understanding, no compassion and no accountability in Rick Perry crassly calling the BP oil disaster deaths and environmental ruin as an ‘act of God.’” Of course, it’s important to note Perry never directly called God out as the sole perpetrator in any of those recent tragic events, as Angle’s politically shrewd comment suggests. Other leading Texas Democrats took their digs at Perry as well, though in a decidedly less bombastic tone. Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Bill White authored a 10-page report in which he describes, in layman’s terms, what probably led to the sudden explosion, what the implications are and the importance of approaching off-shore drilling (which White supports) safely — by all accounts, a much more proactive approach to the catastrophe than Perry’s backfiring attempt to assuage fear. But even White couldn’t help but revise the report, written before Perry’s comment, to include references to Perry such as, “We cannot afford an energy policy that is based on either wishful thinking or irrational fear. Claims by those in public office or the industry that somehow this tragedy was unavoidable or some ‘act of God’ are not helpful to reasoned discussion.” But given a chance to respond outside the Texas Capitol, Perry had this to offer: “If you will go look up the definition of ‘act of God,’ we’ve used it in legal terms for a long time in this state. Nobody knows what happened, and I said that in my remarks that there were a lot of speculations. It could have been an act of God ... it may be an accident and it may be something else.” Despite what can only be seen as his best attempt to give a speech and not say something politically threatening or potentially embarrassing for the state of Texas, Perry’s poor word choice has led once again to a discussion of God as a political character, one often championed by the far right. Perry’s claim wasn’t the first time this week God was referenced by state politicians. At an event Saturday titled “May Day: A Cry to God for Our Nation In Distress,” Texas State Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar prayed aloud for God to “invade our schools, invade our country, invade our homes, invade our churches with Your presence that we would truly hunger for righteousness and for truth,” according to the Austin AmericanStatesman. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Dunbar expressing her religious zeal, her cry for God to “invade our schools” makes it harder to believe her when she says she would never “try to coerce [people] to have beliefs through a governmental position.” After all, Dunbar has played a key role in the controversial rewriting of history textbook requirements for Texas schoolchildren, a goal of which seems to be influencing an emphasis on Christian thought in public schools. Both Perry’s and Dunbar ’s comments point to the ongoing struggle in separating overwhelming religious influence from public matters that shouldn’t rely on such a personal and polarizing subject. And much to the chagrin of Perry and Dunbar, we find it hard to believe that God would want to spend His time meddling with state politics nearly as much as they suggest. But just like Perry and Dunbar, all we can do is suppose — and, unfortunately for us, God did not return calls by press time. — Jeremy Burchard for the editorial board

Holistic education? More like Whole Foods education By Dave Player Daily Texan Columnist “Oh, that’s great! I have a master’s in history myself.” The words hit me like a Floyd Mayweather punch, in part because I am a history major, and in part because I was talking with a cashier at Whole Foods. Not that there is anything wrong with that occupation. It’s just not the expected destination for someone with five to six years of university education under his or her belt. In reality, I should not have been surprised. After three years of classes and with one left to go, my classmates and I are rapidly approaching the juncture where we will be expected to apply the skills we learned in our time here toward a career. Many seniors who are about to embark on that journey will attest that, because of the current state of the national economy, the job market is unwelcoming for many recent grads. The National Association of Colleges and Employees recently released its spring update, revealing that first-time job offers are projected to decrease by 7 percent from last year’s already-low numbers, continuing the recent trend of job scarcity for recent graduates. While future economic growth projections will vary, it is unlikely that the competition for those jobs will alleviate any time soon. According to a Labor Department report released last week, just more than 70 percent of American graduating high school students enrolled in college, meaning there will be increased competition for those remaining entry-level positions. However, the same study noted that ma-

Don’t wear Bevo

By Garrett Mize Daily Texan Guest Columnist

We think of our mascot as a Longhorn, but in actuality, our mascot is simply a type of bovine. As students of this University, we treat Bevo with reverence — which he deserves, but our University treats other bovines in very cruel ways. The University Coop does this by selling leather. Bovines are known to be intelligent and, in many cases, more intelligent than dogs. They also feel pain to the same extent that dogs and cats do. They have personalities. Many people even keep them as pets — so why would we turn them into leather? I used to purchase and wear leather, until I realized the environmental and ethical implications involved. Producing leather uses an excessive amount of resources. To raise just one animal to slaughter, tens of thousands of gallons of water have to be used. Also, the animal has to eat thousands of pounds of grain — grain that could be fed to starving people. Raising bovines and other animals for meat and leather is the No. 1 cause of global warming, according to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Sometimes, cows’ skin is removed while the animals are still fully conscious. Once the skin is ripped off, workers in tanneries, or leather factories, must use highly toxic chemicals to preserve the skin; otherwise, it

would decompose. These toxic chemicals are dangerous for the workers who handle them, and the waste from these factories is a common source of water pollution in communities near these factories. We wouldn’t dump toxic sludge in the rivers near campus, expose workers to dangerous chemicals or skin animals alive and expose them to a life of cruelty — so why should we support these practices by buying leather? We should stand up for the environment, for workers and for animals and boycott these products at the Co-op. The sale of leather products at the Co-op does not match the integrity that the University Honor Code calls us to live by. It is hypocritical to profit from the sale of the skin of Bevo’s relatives. Bevo is our mascot, the iconic emblem of our school. No other university profits from the death and sale of the body parts of its own mascot. It would be unacceptable for Texas A&M or Louisiana State University to do so, and UT should be no exception. We are proud of our school and proud of Bevo. The student organization I founded, University Vegetarians, is working with another group on campus, Students Against Cruelty to Animals, to ask the Co-op to stop selling these products. We believe the Co-op can serve as an example of the University’s commitment to the en-

vironment, workers, animals and its own Honor Code. This is why we met with the University Co-op to ask them to phase out their leather products over the course of the next year and replace them with cruelty-free, environmentally friendly leatheralternative products. Unfortunately, these discussions ended with no progress, so our organizations are being forced into action. The Co-op’s continued sale of these products will be seen by our organizations as an endorsement of animal cruelty. We are calling on all students who care about animal welfare, the environment and worker’s rights to boycott the Co-op’s leather products starting today. The good news is that we can still enjoy all of the products that we’re used to and that represent Texas culture so well, thanks to leather alternatives. Cowboy boots, belts, purses and wallets made from synthetic material are better for the environment, better for workers and better for animals. We are protesting in front of the University Co-op storefront on Guadalupe today at 12:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to wear school colors to show pride in our mascot. We can no longer sit back while the University puts profits before ethics. Mize is a government senior and co-founder of University Vegetarians.

jors such as finance, accounting, business administration and engineering are still in high demand. That means the bulk of unemployed grads are coming from nontechnical or business-related fields, primarily liberal arts. Three years ago, I found myself, like many of my peers, trying to select a college major from UT’s hundreds of different offerings. I settled on the Plan II Honors Program, which billed itself as a well-rounded undergraduate education. The program, which is part of the College of Liberal Arts, describes itself as “a challenging interdisciplinary honors major” that requires students to take major-specific courses in biology, physics, social science, philosophy, world literature and a variety of seminars. The program employs numerous highly acclaimed professors and proudly touts itself as a magnet for the state’s brightest minds. However, what sounds like a solid blueprint for an ultra-qualified undergraduate is anything but in reality. Seminarstyle classes over topics like “Reading Don Quixote,” “Genesis in Jewish & Christian Art” and “Theory of Subject,” while interesting, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, provide little in the way of personal development. Instead, three years of hyper specialized classes that seemingly have no overlap in course material has resulted in an accumulated body of knowledge that is at best sporadic and at worst, worthless. Courses founded on material with no practical application results in students who, while on paper may appear “smart,” in reality are not qualified for entry-level positions in nearly any white-collar industry. The only upside to Plan II’s open-ended curriculum is that its lack of technical classes often leaves student free to take up a sec-

ond major. I chose to improve my technical skill set by taking up a history major. For being part of a student demographic that clings to its “honors” label, that was not the smartest move. For those Plan II students who did not have the foresight to pick up an additional major, postgraduate options are limited; most choose to enroll in graduate schools. For students who have already accumulated thousands in student loan debt, more school coupled with the loss of potential income from not working may not be the most promising option. An advertising major will graduate with a degree implying that they have been endowed with knowledge pertinent to that industry. Even though the economy is in the midst of a downturn, that graduate still has a marketable skill set with which to enter the job market. As a Plan II major, I will leave the university qualified to talk about de Tocqueville, quote Foucault and generally sound like a jerk at cocktail parties. Plan II is not the only major that finds itself becoming increasingly irrelevant. Other liberal arts majors such as American studies or philosophy offer little in the way of promising and clear career paths. Perhaps next year’s bleak career options will be a just punishment for spending four years on classes like “Czech Literature” and “The History of Rock Music.” Sadly, personal enrichment has come at the expense of social productivity. If I could travel back to May 2007, I would like to think I would have been more pragmatic as to my career opportunities. However, hindsight is 20/20. Maybe I should have been an optometrist. Player is a Plan II and history junior.

GALLERY

SUBMIT A FIRING LINE

LEGALESE

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.

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

UNIV P5

NEWS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Cinco de Mayo: more than just an excuse for a fiesta because at one time, the people reBy Bobby Longoria siding here were of one culture unDaily Texan Staff A mariachi band played tradi- der a Mexican nation. People of tional tunes to a crowd of more Mexican descent still feel a solidarithan 200 in downtown Aus- ty with Mexico, and as a result, the tin, some in sombreros and oth- day has been embraced by Texas as ers wearing colorful shawls that well as the nation, she said. Cinco de Mayo is a commemocomplemented the small Mexican flags flying above the bar. People ration of the Mexican army’s vicof all ages — ranging from tod- tory over the French army at the dlers to 20-something profession- Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. During holidays associated with als to elderly couples — and of all ethnicities attended, and as the drinking alcohol, including the sun set, their commonality was Fourth of July, New Year’s and an appreciation for Mexican her- Halloween, the Austin Police Department stages itage. a DWI initiative “Cinco de Mayo that targets drunk is made more of a drivers. But, Cinco big deal in a place Mayo has nevlike Austin beThe Hispanic market de er shown the need cause the city likes is one of the biggest for a similar inito party,” said Austin resident Shaumarkets in the U.S., tiative, said APD Cpl. Scott Perry. na Danos, who and the markets are “Cinco de celebrated Cingoing to grab any Mayo is just the co de Mayo at the downtown block opportunity. They are fifth of May. It’s party. “We kind just milking the party just another day,” Perry said. “There of use any holiday end of it.” has never been as a reason to para n y p ro b l e m s ty and celebrate. — Linda Irizarry during that time, I think we make Crockett and we don’t andrinking a larger component than it Mexican American ticipate any this either.” might be in a traCultural Center year, Just like the ditional Cinco de coordinator Fourth of July and Mayo sense.” St. Patrick’s Day, The day’s sigpeople will celenificance has bebrate this holiday, come more diluted by a marketing concentration and some may do so with alcohol on alcohol consumption and ex- in mind, Crockett said. However, cessive celebration, said Linda alcohol consumption is not an inIrizarry Crockett, a coordinator herent part of Cinco de Mayo — it at the Mexican American Cultur- has simply been an aspect exploital Center. The center held a pan- ed by mass marketing, she said. “The facts are being put in the el discussion with several distinguished professors who talked background. We are celebrating about the relationship between that we are Mexican,” Crockett Texas and Mexico and how Cinco said. “The Hispanic market is one de Mayo is a pivotal part of that of the biggest markets in the U.S., and the markets are going to grab relationship. Crockett said the relationship be- any opportunity. They are just tween Texas and Mexico is special milking the party end of it.”

Don’t shoot!

‘‘

Bobby Longoria | Daily Texan Staff

Students gathered at the Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex on Wednesday afternoon for Splash Bash, an end-of-year party featuring bands, free food and pool activities. With Super Soakers in hand, Courtney Chen and Jonathan Chang duel as other UT students swim about, enjoying the sun.

City looks to decrease Austinites’ water usage River Authority says Central Texas still faces possible water shortage By Destinee Hodge Daily Texan Staff Austin may implement steps in the coming months to reduce residents’ use of water by 30 gallons per person per day if the Austin City Council passes a resolution next week. Mayor Lee Leffingwell and council members Chris Riley and Randi Shade will propose a resolution for a water conservation program at the May 13 council meeting. The City Council creat-

ELECT: UDems prep for governor’s race From page 2 students on campus involved with the November elections through volunteering. He plans to bring Houston mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill White to campus, along with other local candidates. “I think if students can meet the candidates, they’ll become excited about the Democratic Party and will see how great the candidates are,” Freed said. “University Democrats supports all of the Democratic candidates, but because we’ll have limited manpower and time, we’ll have to decide in the fall how we should divide our resources among the candidates.” Rodriguez said the new UDems officers will take office in the fall but will use the rest of the semester and summer as a transition period to work with current officers and prepare for their term.

Election results University Democrats

College Republicans

t President: Michael Hurta (winner), Ben Freed, Jeremy Yager t Vice President: Billy Calve (winner), Arielle Ennis, Shana Mirhosseini t Public Relations Director: Cameron Miculka (winner), Caitlin Miller, Grace Zhang t Secretary: Jacklyn Verdin t Treasurer: Elise Miller t Volunteer Coordinator: Alejandro Barrientos, Caren Garcia t Events Coordinator: Dancey Glover t Historian: Katy Eyberg (winner), Bret See (withdrew)

t President: Melanie Schwartz (winner), Geoffrey Geiger t Vice President: Justin May (winner), Saul Mendoza, Lauren Pierce t Public Relations Director: John Chapman, Kathleen Wong t Secretary: Adriane Purdom t Treasurer: Cassie Wright (winner), Danny Rash t Volunteer Coordinator: Tyler Greeves (winner), Jessica Reynoso t Events Coordinator: Catherine Palmer (winner), Francis Cruz t Historian: Jessica Laberge

ed the Citizens Water Conservation Implementation Task Force in 2006 to assess Austinites’ water usage and to suggest which steps should be taken to provide more sustainable means of using water in the city. The resolution includes more than 100 recommendations based on the task force’s suggestions, said Mark Nathan, spokesman for the mayor’s office. Austin residents currently use 170 gallons per capita per day, according to information released by the mayor’s office. With this resolution, the task force hopes to reduce that number to 140 gallons, a number

deemed ideal by the state government, by the year 2020, Nathan said. Per-capita totals are calculated by dividing the total number of gallons pumped into a home by the number of people who live there, he said. “[It was] the task-force effort that suggested these ideas,” Nathan said. “It’s being analyzed by city staff now, and then they’re going to be prioritized.” With the recent drought in the Central Texas region, the government has been supportive of steps that would make the city save water, he said. Despite recent rains, Central Texas still faces a water shortage,

according to a report released by the Lower Colorado River Authority in March. If the resolution passes, the City Council will prioritize which recommendations to implement. “It’s far from cold,” Nathan said. “We’re starting by setting the goal; then, we move next into specific plans.” He said the mayor ’s office plans to get the public involved and bring awareness to the need for water conservation in Austin. “A big part of this is going to be public outreach,” Nathan said. “And communication strategies will be a priority.”

SPTS P6

SPORTS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

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

T HE DAILY T EXAN

SOFTBALL

BASEBALL

Horns hope to clinch conference title tonight

Green’s perfect record leads UT

By Matt Hohner Daily Texan Staff Softball head coach Connie Clark is thrilled her team has earned a share of the Big 12 championship. But Texas doesn’t want to share first place — especially when it might be shared with Oklahoma. “That’s not the mindset of this team and staff,” Clark said. “Especially with the Sooners.” Texas can put the Sooners away for good with a win at Baylor tonight to clinch the Big 12 title. The Longhorns demolished the Bears in their first matchup in Austin 8-0 and will look to do the same in Waco. “They’ve really been diligent day in and day out,” Clark said, referring to her team. “They put hard work in and have a very businesslike approach.” Clark is thrilled about her team’s accomplishments, but she’s even more excited for her seniors to earn it. “I remember some conversations with the seniors over the summer, and they were adamant about putting this team on their backs,” Clark said. “They said ‘We want championships’ and took that to heart.” Clark mentioned that last year’s team might have been too caught up with its game-to-game and week-to-week performances. That’s not the case this season. “I want them to talk about the World Series,” Clark said. “They’re talking about the big picture and not having to apologize about that. That’s an expectation and target we want to get to, and let’s talk [about] how we’re going to get there.” Big bats and Blaire Luna are the

SOFTBALL continues on page 7

NBA Playoffs San Antonio 102 Phoenix 110 Phoenix leads series 2-0

NHL Playoffs Boston 4 Philadelphia 1 Boston leads series 3-0 Chicago 5 Vancouver 2

MLB National League Arizona 2 Houston 4 NY Mets 4 Cincinnati 5 F/10 St. Louis 0 Philadelphia 4 Atlanta 7 Washington 6 Chi Cubs 2 Pittsburgh 4 San Francisco 3 Florida 2 Colorado San Diego Bruno Morlan | Daily Texan Staff

Cole Green pitches from the stretch in Texas’ win over Baylor on Saturday. Green extended his scoreless streak to 30.2 innings before giving up an unearned run in the top of the ninth inning. Green is second in the nation in wins with a perfect 9-0 record.

Milwaukee LA Dodgers

Pitcher operates with professional mindset, balanced life on, off field

American League

By Austin Ries Daily Texan Staff On the mound, Cole Green has been perfect. Of course, that’s no secret to anyone who has watched him pitch even a single inning this year, and certainly not to the Big 12, which named Green conference pitcher of the week three times this season. Still, Green’s stellar 9-0 record often goes unnoticed. Standing almost 6 inches shorter than Texas’ two other weekend aces, Green doesn’t have the strikeout presence of Taylor Jungmann or the dominating fastball of Brandon Workman. No, he has a style all

his own. With his pant legs nostalgically pulled up to his knees, Green already resembles a veteran professional who has accepted his role and his style of pitching — fewer pitches, lots of strikes and a mess of groundballs that make inning after inning look as scripted as fungo practice. “His forte is pitching to contact, not trying to strike guys out,” pitching coach Skip Johnson said. “He throws to the target one pitch at a time and learns from his positive experiences.” Green has been learning a lot this season with a 1.62 ERA, three complete games and two shut-

WOMEN’S GOLF

outs, rising to the top of this superb Texas pitching staff. And his stretch of 30.2 straight scoreless innings the past three starts isn’t too bad, either. Off the field, Green is better than advertised. “Cole is finding balance in his entire life,” head coach Augie Garrido said. “He knows who he wants to be now and is more consistent. It’s called maturity.” Green takes care of his schoolwork, can cook and even keeps his room spotless. Just don’t ask him to do the dishes; that’s somebody else’s job. “He cooks, so I do the dishes,” roommate and first baseman Tant

Shepherd said. “He’s really clean and even sometimes picks up my shoes or clothes that I leave around and throws them in my room.” Pet fish aren’t Green’s or Shepherd’s strong point, either. Just ask the beta, redtail shark, tiger barb and suckerfish they’ve brought home as pets the past couple of weeks. They had as much of a chance at survival as most opposing batters have had against Green this season — zero. “We left them when we went to A&M for a night, but I think it was just bad water,” Green said.

NBA

the course any harder.” Depending on how the Longhorns fare, the regional tournament could be the last for the blond-haired Fish. On a team that boasts the reputed “Freshman Foursome,” along with sophomore Nicole Vandermade, Fish’s steadiness and experience have been invaluable for the young team. While five players compete for each team, only the best four scores are counted toward the overall team score. Fish’s score has counted for the team in every single round she has played this year. “Shannon’s done a really good job for us all spring,” head coach Martha Richards said. “I think she does a good job of keeping things in perspective. She’s really matured a lot over the last three years.” Fish suffered a wrist sprain in November and had to sit out two

tournaments in the spring to recover. The coaches and medical staff decided to rest her early in the spring semester so she can be ready for the end of the season. She also missed a tournament in the fall after catching the flu. “I’m not a very patient person by nature, and that injury forced me to be patient,” she said. “I tried to take it as positively as I could.” Fish returned from injury with a bang, leading the team at both the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational and the Big 12 championship. She also earned All-Big 12 Honors for the first time in her career. “I really wasn’t expecting it at all,” she said. “It’s really humbling, and I’m glad to know that all my hard work has paid off here.”

GOLF continues on page 7

Sara Young | Daily Texan file photo

Toronto 5 Cleveland 4 Baltimore 5 NY Yankees 7 Detroit 4 Minnesota 5 Texas 1 Oakland 4 LA Angels 1 Boston 3 Tampa Bay 8 Seattle 3

SPORTS BRIEFLY Carlos Lee hits his first homer as Astros stop eight-game skid

Tony Dejak | Associated Press

Boston’s Ray Allen fouls LeBron James in Game 1 in the second round of the conference semifinals. While James’ elbow has stolen the show, Rajon Rondo led Boston to a Game 2 win in Cleveland to even the series at 1-1 before the teams tip off on Friday in Boston.

Lebron’s elbow steals headlines, tweets By Sameer Bhuchar Daily Texan Columnist

Shannon Fish watches her ball after teeing off against Texas State last year. Fish is the only Longhorn to have scored in every single meet she has competed in this year.

Kansas City 2 Chi White Sox 9

GREEN continues on page 7

Fish leads young Horns in NCAA tourney at Stanford By Shabab Siddiqui Daily Texan Staff The golf season dictates traveling across the country like no other college sport does. Despite the 1,500-mile journey to the NCAA West Regional Championships, senior Shannon Fish and the rest of the Longhorns might as well be at their second home. The No. 10 Longhorns tee off today for the third time this year at the Stanford Golf Course in Palo Alto, Calif. The three-day, 54hole tournament will be the battleground for 24 teams trying to earn a top-eight finish for a spot in the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships later this month. “It’s a different type of competition level,” Fish said. “But I’m comfortable because we’re at Stanford, and we’re familiar with this course. Just because it’s called ‘NCAA Regional’ doesn’t make

SIDELINE

The NBA playoffs are already well into the secondround series, and your favorite team may still be a part of them. Heck, your favorite team may not have even made it into the playoffs (I’m looking at you, Houston), but regardless, basketball fans around the world will still come together to watch the awe-inspiring spectacle that is the NBA Finals. There are still a few weeks leading up to the holy grail of basketball, though, so in the meantime, take a seat in front of the couch and cozy up for the rest of the second round and the upcoming conference finals. Here are the two most intriguing series to keep an eye on in the second round:

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics This is the biggest nail-biter of all the conference semifinal series. The two Eastern Conference powerhouses are clawing for dominance on the court, but that’s almost taking a backseat to the off-court story lines. After Game 2, the questions from the media all revolved around one big issue: Lebron’s elbow. The elbow has been elevated to such star status that it recently opened up a Twitter account in order to Tweet to its concerned fans all-important messages such as, “I was told Justin Bieber was at the game. I hope she enjoyed it.” And my personal favorite, “MRI at the clinic. Great. Terrific. Just keep the radiation coming. When my first child is born, it’s going to have seven nipples and a mustache.”

NBA continues on page 7

Carlos Lee hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth inning that propelled Houston over the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Wednesday night and ended the Astros’ eight-game losing streak. Kaz Matsui drew a leadoff walk before Lee sent a long drive to left field off Juan Gutierrez (0-4). Lee had averaged nearly 30 homers and over 100 RBIs in his first three years with Houston. This home run came in his 100th at-bat of the season — the three-time AllStar slugger began the day hitting just .198. Astros closer Matt Lindstrom (1-0) gave up back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth, but got out of the jam when Kelly Johnson grounded into a double play. Starters Rodrigo Lopez and Brett Myers each gave up two runs in seven innings. Lopez yielded a season-low three hits and struck out four before Aaron Heilman took over for the eighth. Tommy Manzella’s first career home run — a two-run shot to left field — put Houston ahead 2-1 in the second. It broke a streak of five straight games without a home run for the Astros and gave them double the runs they’d managed in the previous two games combined. Lopez retired 13 of the next 14 batters after the homer. He walked Lance Berkman in the seventh inning before Hunter Pence grounded into a double play. Myers got some help from center fielder Michael Bourn in the seventh inning. Bourn sprinted almost to the wall in right-center field to snag a fly ball hit by Johnson for the first out. Bourn then slipped and fell as he was chasing a fly ball by Stephen Drew, but managed to stretch his glove out just enough to catch that one, too. Myers gave up six hits and struck out six before Brandon Lyon pitched a perfect eighth inning. Arizona took the lead in the second when Gerardo Parra hit a runscoring triple that hit just above Lee’s head on the wall in left field. Parra added an RBI double in the fourth that made it 2-all. — The Associated Press

SPTS P7

SPORTS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

GREEN: Fun-loving

attitude, pitch variety contribute to success From page 6

Peyton McGee | Daily Texan Staff

Freshman pitcher Blaire Luna winds up to pitch against Texas Tech in April. Luna, along with Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bats, has led the Longhorns to a share of the Big 12 regular season title. A win tonight against Baylor would give Texas the outright conference championship.

SOFTBALL: Luna on strike with legend one another with their at bats,â&#x20AC;? Clark said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are seeing the two big reasons why the team has ball extremely well, and their pagotten to where it is. tience has been significant for us. In the Longhornsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 15 Big 12 We have become more patient games, Texas has been solid in and drawn more walks in the all three phases of the game. Tex- second half of the season, and as leads the Big 12 with a league- that has been a big differencebest .328 batting average, the No. maker for us.â&#x20AC;? 1 team earned-run average (0.82) Another big difference-maker and the top team fielding percent- has been the right arm of a local age (.977). freshman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have continually had a lot Luna has started every Big of good chatter going on in the 12 contest, leading the league in dugout with our hitters helping wins, strikeouts and ERA. The

From page 6

USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year candidate is slowly creeping her way toward the freshman records of former Longhorn legend Cat Osterman. Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 0.92 ERA only trails Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (0.52) in Texas history, and she barely trails in opponent batting average (against Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s .096) as well as strikeouts per seven innings, and she has already begun her assault on the single-season charts. With 27 wins, she is chasing Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 38 from 2006

NBA: Sunsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; jerseys take political shot

and Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshman mark of 35. Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 24 complete games are only two shy of Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshman mark of 26, and her 11.64 strikeouts per seven innings trail Ostermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (12.92) for the UT freshman record. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it?â&#x20AC;? Clark said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Physically sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifted, but the challenge of having the mentality to grind it out with the long season and having to balance academics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just never sure until you get into the thick of things.â&#x20AC;?

ager Rick Smith asking him to pay him more money. And, of Whether the elbow Tweets course, there was Tennessee Tiare truly its own thoughts or tans owner Bud Adamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; midsome random fanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remains to dle-finger salute to the Buffabe seen. The fact of the matter lo Bills after beating them last is that while the elbow is get- season. Some of these gestures ting a lot of airtime, it is not the were more warranted than othreason for the Cavaliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sluggish play in the first two games. Cleveland is getting beat by Rajon Rondoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to outsmart the Cavs and pick at every weak point in their defense. Rondo had an unprecedentThe Spurs look bent ed 19 assists in Game 2 to folbut not broken. If low his 27 points in Game 1. they hope to win, The Big Three (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce) their own Big Three now have a sidekick to do all will need to have the dirty work for them while the type of series they reap the point rewards in the stats column. they had against The Celtics may be an oldthe Mavericks in school team, but they certainthe first round, but ly are not showing any signs of aging. sadly, for Spurs fans, For the Cavaliers to even the depth of the Suns dream about winning one of the may be too much. two upcoming games in Boston, Cleveland needs to establish some sort of an inside game. Shaquille Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal scored nine points in Game 2, and without him posing any inside threat, it allows the Celtics to shift their ers, but none really held political messages. defense and focus on James. It is a beautiful thing when I still see the Cavs being able sports can bridge the gap beto close out this series, but at the rate theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going, do not tween its corporate, moneyexpect it to happen in less than making nature and what is right in the name of civil libsix games. erties. Though the Suns won, I will go as far to say that they No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 7 also won a bigger battle in Game 2 than an extra number San Antonio Spurs This series also has an inter- in the win column. Politics aside, this series esting off-court narrative that does have an exciting baskethas made its way to the foreball component to it. These two front. The Phoenix Suns chose to don their Hispanic-inspired teams have met in the playoffs â&#x20AC;&#x153;Los Sunsâ&#x20AC;? jerseys for Game 2 many times before, and the of their best-of-seven against Spurs have won most of those the San Antonio Spurs. Suns series handily. But now, things management made this con- are different. The Suns look that scious decision to protest the much quicker and that much controversial new Arizona im- more inspired. Steve Nash is migration law that seems to playing like he is 23 again, and Jason Richardson has decided implicitly target Latinos. I find this to be a bold state- to show up out of nowhere â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not to mention that every time ment that deserves praise. Athletes often make sym- Amarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;e Stoudemire dunks the bolic gestures during games ball, a seismograph rattles. I to commemorate a number think he is the reason for all of of things. Bo Kimble made the recent earthquakes around a symbolic gesture when he the world. The Spurs look bent, but not shot with his left hand to pay his respects to his fallen Loyo- broken. If they hope to win, la Marymount teammate Hank their own Big Three will need Gathers. There was the mes- to have the type of series they sage on former Houston Texans had against the Mavericks in cornerback Dunta Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first round, but sadly, for cleats to Texans general man- Spurs fans, the depth of the

From page 6

GOLF: Fish plans

to step away from golf for law school

Suns may be too much.

The other two series To the fans of the other two series, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry, but the predictions are not anything terribly difficult. If you are keen on watching the Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks series, then who am I to stop you? But the fact that Orlando won by 43 points in Game 1 is enough to make me figure that the Hawks have no way of stopping this extremely tall, extremely long team of prolific scorers. The Magic will close this one out in no more than five games, and when they do so, the Cavaliers will need to have more of a game plan than they did last year in order to beat Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Real Housewives of New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;? while this series continues, which, by the looks of things, will not be for very long. As for you Utah Jazz fans, Deron Williams and company will win the next game against the Los Angeles Lakers at home in front of a firedup crowd before Kobe Bryant decides to quiet them with another 30-plus point performance in each of the remaining games. I still stand by my prediction that the Lakers will not take the title this year, but in no way will it be the Utah Jazz who keep them from trying to achieve it.

From page 6

THE JOB

Fish said she has enjoyed watching the rest of the team grow. She said she likes to stay in the background but wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to call out the freshmen if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing something they shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be doing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that the freshmen are almost sophomores, and it feels like yesterday when Nicole [Vandermade] was on her recruiting visit,â&#x20AC;? Fish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They know that if they need me, they can come to me. Just because my physical time [playing golf] is finished doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean my friendships are going to go away.â&#x20AC;? The native of Spring, Texas, plans to graduate in December and hopes to attend law school the following fall. While she has toyed with the idea of turning professional, she will need some time to think. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to take a step away from golf for a little bit, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to doing some things I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to do,â&#x20AC;? Fish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve prepared myself well [knowing that] this is going to be coming to an end.â&#x20AC;? With a shot at the championship still on the horizon, Richards expects sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be needing Fishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services for one more set of rounds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not focusing too much on this being Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last tournament,â&#x20AC;? Richards said.

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painful breaths later, all three Greens knew he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Luckily for the Horns, Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The family rushed Cole 40 miles job on the field has nothing to do to the Throckmorton County Mewith fish. With a perfect 9-0 re- morial Hospital before he was cord that was two outs away from taken by helicopter to Fort Worth, reaching double digits last week- where doctors discovered he had end against Baylor, the junior is a punctured lung, lacerated liver, throwing better than ever. a ruptured vertebrae and a few His dominance comes from his fractured ribs. Cole needed until pitch variety. Apart from his fast- Christmas to be healthy again. ball, Green has three other pitches â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a hard thing to get he can throw with as much con- through for a year or two,â&#x20AC;? Cole trol as an artist and with as much said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever I get on a trailer I precision as a surgeon. think about it, but other than that, His sinker disappears from the itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just something we look back zone. His slider is virtually unhit- and laugh on.â&#x20AC;? table, and his recently developed One of those laughs comes changeup is, well, not even fair. from Shepherd. But the Coppell native almost â&#x20AC;&#x153;You shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it to UT. Not af- standing there,â&#x20AC;? Shepherd joked ter finding himself pinned to the to Cole. ground under the scorching July He knows better now. Cole sun, looking up at the 3,000-pound is avoiding trailers and staying trailer that rolled over his body. where he belongs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on the baseWith his life in jeopardy, Green ball field, winning and keeping had one thought. his team relaxed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That could have been it for â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to have fun and help me,â&#x20AC;? Green said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought it others on the team have fun,â&#x20AC;? was over.â&#x20AC;? Cole said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You work harder Cole, a 14-yearthat way, and it old at the time, gets everybody was helping his fired up and father Mitch and competitive.â&#x20AC;? grandfather Max Earlier this cut and pick up month, Cole and I like to have fun oil pipes on a some other pitchand help others on ranch outside of ers pretended to the team have fun. Archer City. Bebe snipers, using fore Cole or anytheir fingers to You work harder one else noticed, shoot people on that way, and it gets the field, comhe was in troueverybody fired up ble. Big trouble. plete with binocâ&#x20AC;&#x153; S o m e h o w, ulars made from and competitive.â&#x20AC;? Cole lost his balplastic cups. Last ance,â&#x20AC;? Max Green â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Cole Green week, Cole was said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His shoefirst Pitcher coaching lace got caught base while the in the grass and position players under the tire, scrimmaged, reand it pulled him laying fake signs down.â&#x20AC;? to batters and runners on base. Cole had fallen between the â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Cole] is a clown, but I think trailer and the truck and was thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workman rubbing off on trapped. A week before planning him,â&#x20AC;? Shepherd said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He spends to leave for Colorado with his too much time with Workman.â&#x20AC;? On the mound, though, Cole summer team, the Dallas Tigers, to battle for a summer-league is all business, and has been since world series, Cole found himself Shepherd faced him during the playoffs in high school. in a battle for his life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was probably the most As Mitch slowly inched forward along the road, the trailer dominating pitcher in the moved from Coleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leg to his chest Metroplex, and everyone knew and up his shoulder before Max about his slider,â&#x20AC;? Shepherd said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody wants to face a screamed for the trailer to stop. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember holding him and guy like that.â&#x20AC;? Lucky for Shepherd, he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thinking that I just ran over my son with 3,000 pounds,â&#x20AC;? Mitch have to anymore. All he has to do Green said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just kept thinking is field ground balls, play catch that the truck was inches from and watch opposing batters run back to the dugout with their crushing his head.â&#x20AC;? On the ground and in his fa- head down. They better get used to it betherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms, Cole somehow felt cause when Cole is on the mound, fine. A couple of steps and a few itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to happen a lot.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Bruno Morlan | Daily Texan Staff

Junior pitcher Cole Green had to overcome a near-death experience as a child to become one of UTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best pitchers.

! " !

# " $ "

COMICS P8

COMICS

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Thursday, May 6, 2010

ENT/CLASS P9

MOVIE REVIEW

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best worstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; movie follows cast, crew of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;90s horror film â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Troll 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122; filmmakers, stars come to terms with their cinematic failure By Allistair Pinsof Daily Texan Staff If â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Worst Movieâ&#x20AC;? were revealed to be a complete farce one day, impeccably acted by the cast of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2,â&#x20AC;? I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it. What I find even harder to believe is that the cast and crew of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a 1990 straight-to-video horror film with a Rotten Tomato rating of zero percent and a seemingly permanent place in Internet Movie Databaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bottom 100 films â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are passionate, serious and, above all, insane. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Worst Movieâ&#x20AC;? is a documentary that follows the cult classic â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2â&#x20AC;? and its fan base. The subject matter is limited, and all the information given in its 90 minutes could have been delivered succinctly in 20. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good thing, then, that the film is structured more like a comedy than a documentary â&#x20AC;&#x201D; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be doing a lot more laughing than thinking. The film introduces us to George Hardy, an actor-turneddentist who played the role of the dad in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2,â&#x20AC;? while he is making himself a protein shake in his comfortably sized Alabama home. Hardy has found a career in dentistry, but the resurgence of the cult following of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2â&#x20AC;? has reignited his interest in acting. He is the main subject throughout the film, and we are introduced to past costars, the fan base and convenday, month day, 2008

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Thursday, May 6, 2010

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tions through his eyes. There is a reason for this: He is the most sensible person in the entire production. The rest of the cast is too delusional to fit even within a Christopher Guest film. Mental patients, a crazy cat lady and brainless megalomaniacs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you name it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Worst Movieâ&#x20AC;? has it. It would spoil the experience to reveal too much about the rest of the cast, but there is one character who is especially exemplary of the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (unintentional) comedic genius. Don Packard, who played the drugstore owner in â&#x20AC;?Troll 2,â&#x20AC;? is revealed to have been a mental patient who played his role in the film a week after leaving the asylum. He claims to have really wanted to harm the child (played by Michael Stephenson) in the film and delivered his lines not as an actor but rather completely convinced of his role because of his mental state. In text, this all seems a bit tragic, and the same can be said of all the lives that surround â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troll 2.â&#x20AC;? Even Hardy, introduced as a fun-loving dentist, becomes a profiteering hack by the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end, going door-todoor in Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ghettos telling residents to attend his filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local screening because â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best worst movie ever!â&#x20AC;? Yet, in execution, there is comedy to be found in all of this tragedy. It recalls â&#x20AC;&#x153;American Movieâ&#x20AC;? more than any mockumentary: The tragedy is all too real, but the laughs are even bigger because of it.

Grade: A

CUISINE: Chefs met in culinary school

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFLY

Jodi chose the Culinary Institute of America in New York for their culinary training, and the two met in their preliminary classes. They dated off and on, and when it came time to pursue a career, Jodi chose to go to London, and Ned stayed in New York City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She told me I should come with her, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I was ready for that,â&#x20AC;? Ned said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I missed her, though.â&#x20AC;? The two realized they were meant for each other, and after Jodi returned from London, she chose to move back up to New York and they got married. Af-

CNN, CBS talk about potentially joining forces due to economy

From page 10 at my next-door neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d go in all day and do the grunt work, but I really appreciated the camaraderie the whole kitchen had.â&#x20AC;? After a year of playing basketball at the University of Montana, Ned, like his wife, also realized college wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the path for him. Little did he know that his decision to pursue culinary school would lead to a successful career and the introduction to his future partner-in-crime. Ultimately, both Ned and

ter moving to Portland, Ore., and raising their daughter Bille Van, the two ultimately decided to move to Austin to be closer to family. Now, as they wait for the opening of their restaurant, they want the Austin community to know that although they can deliver a plate of upscale cuisine, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want families to break the bank at their restaurant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a family, too,â&#x20AC;? Jodi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, we want people to know that we have created something that people can both equally enjoy and afford.â&#x20AC;?

COMIC: Show receives positive audience response From page 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it was crazy,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. Neulander, who describes himself as â&#x20AC;&#x153;not really a superhero guy,â&#x20AC;? had been searching for a way to translate â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? into a visual medium. Around that time, Graham Reynolds, composer for â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? and graphic-novel fan, began recommending graphic novels for Neulander to read. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I definitely started getting engaged by the graphic novel as a medium,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As I was reading more of them, I sort of understood how stories were told that way, which made it easier to think of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as a comic book.â&#x20AC;? In 2008, Neulander left the Salvage Vanguard Theater to pursue â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? full-time. Like the rest of the nation, though, he felt the effects of the economic downturn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started fundraising in 2008, and a month later Lehman Brothers collapsed, and the economy collapsed, and my fundraising completely dried1 up,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was without work and without a future. It was pretty scary.â&#x20AC;?

At a crossroads, Neulander turned to Cliff Redd, the executive director of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, in search of a job. Redd had something else in mind, though. He proposed using the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dell Hall as a performance space for â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesis.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My initial response to that was that it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work because the live radio drama already struggled to work in auditoriums with over 1,000 seats. Part of the visual part is watching the sound effects being created, and when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the nosebleed section, you just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then it hit me. If you can combine the comic book artwork with the live show, we might have something that could be actually visually spectacular.â&#x20AC;? Coincidentally, the Long Center had a state-of-the-art projection system that had never been used and was perfect for projecting large comic-book illustrations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like the perfect wedding of my idea and their technology,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said, laughing. According to Paul Beutel, managing director of the Long Center, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? has â&#x20AC;&#x153;got a huge appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of faith in the project as an Austin-born project that has already been embraced by the community and beyond. We just think it has a great potential, and getting behind Austin artists is part of what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about,â&#x20AC;? Beutel said. Neulander is working hard to prepare for the premiere by testing out pieces of the show on audiences at the Alamo Drafthouse before feature films. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cool thing about it is, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re testing the material on audiences that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually buy into the concept,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great, kind of scary way to see if the material works, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting honest responses. So far, the audience seems to really love it.â&#x20AC;? WHAT: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? preview WHERE: Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar WHEN: Before the 7 p.m. showing of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iron Man 2â&#x20AC;? on Friday, Saturday and Sunday WEB: www.originalalamo.com TICKETS: $10.25

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NEW YORK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; CNN and CBS News have romanced each other off and on for more than a decade, and they are checking again to see if the time is right for a serious business relationship. Talks aimed at joining forces have floundered in the past due to questions of editorial control and complex labor issues. But the gloomy financial outlook for broadcast network news and CNNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need to kick-start its domestic networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ratings gives executives at both organizations a greater incentive to overcome the problems. Jeff Bewkes, chairman of CNN parent Time Warner Inc., said Wednesday that â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secretâ&#x20AC;? that CNN talks with broadcast networks and suggested they need CNN more than CNN needs them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a lot of fiscal strength at CNN that essentially puts us in a pretty good position offering a solution to the cost problems and profit squeeze that go on in network news,â&#x20AC;? he said during a conference call with investors. Executives at both news organizations, speaking under conditions of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks, said nothing is imminent. But there appears to be a seriousness of purpose that was missing in the past. Both CBS and ABC News have been losing money as viewers increasingly get their news through cable networks or the Internet. Both news divisions have sharply cut back on staff; ABC cut its news staff by a quarter over the past couple of months, primarily through buyouts. Neither network has the advantage of NBC News, which is not only atop the ratings but can amortize costs through cable affiliates MSNBC and CNBC. The two networks may not necessarily enter into an official merger, but simply extend agreements to share resources, executives said. Both CNN and CBS would not comment publicly on their discussions, first reported by New York magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Associated Press

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 Texanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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THE PERFECT LOCATIONS! Five minutes to campus, pool, shuttle and Metro, shopping, parking, gated patio, summer rates available. Century Plaza Apts. 4210 Red River (512)452.4366 Park Plaza and Park Court Apts. 915 & 923 E. 41st St. (512)452.6518 V. I. P. Apts. 101 E. 33rd St. (512)476.0363 apartmentsinaustin.net

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370 Unf. Apts.

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NOW LEASING IN NORTH CAMPUS Studios, 1 & 2 bedrooms available for Summer or Fall move-in. Starting at $650!!! Most bills paid! Le Marquee Apts located at 302 W. 38th St Monticello Apts located at 306 W. 38th St Melroy Apts located at 3408 Speedway Office hours M-F 8:305:00. Please visit us at www.wsgaustin.com, call 512.499.8013 or email wsgaustin@yahoo.com

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Central Properties has furnished apartments at several locations in the Hyde Park neighborhood and near St. Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Center. Send info request to manager_greg@wans.net or call 512-458-4511.

15 Locally Owned and Managed Locations. Efficiencies to 3 bedroom duplx/house/twnhms. Some with all bills paid. Waugh Properties, Inc. 512-451-0988

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CONDO FOR SALE $233,800/Lease $1,950. Oltorf & Congress. 3/2.5 two-story w/kitchen/ bath updates. Great location! 281-468-7707. x ID 2917568 2/2/834sqft $1200/31stSt, 2/2/880sqft $1250/21stSt, 1/1/725sqft $650/Riverside, 3/2/1186sqft $1050/ Farwest, Contact Evergreen Agent text/email 512.771.4734 leasewithevergreen@yahoo.com

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ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE END OF THE WORLD as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to know it. One unfathomable person prophesied by all the major world religions will soon speak to everyone simultaneously in their own languages via a satellite linkup. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll inspire humanity to see itself as one family; to rebuild the world based upon the principles of sharing, justice, brotherhood, & love; and to permanently eradicate the scourges of political corruption, unbridled greed, war, hunger, poverty, & environmental degradation. He will not endorse any religion over any other, nor will He work as a religious figure. Read all about it! www. Share-International.org

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785 Summer Camps

SWIM INSTRUCTOR We need summer swim coaches for beginner swimmers ages 4 to 7 years. Program begins June 1-August 20. $12/hr Wed-Fri 9am-noon. Mopac/2244 Area. Email at joyner.rachel@gmail. com. 512-266-8400

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THE DAILY TEXAN CLASSIFIED Regular rate 15 word minimum for $12.50 $.50 per additional word 15 words for one day =$12.50 15 words for one week =$42.08 15 words for two weeks =$67.20 All ads appear online at no charge unless you opt for enhancements which will incur additional nominal charges.

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ENT P10

LIFE&ARTS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Life&Arts Editor: Ben Wermund E-mail: dailytexan@gmail.com Phone: (512) 232-2209 www.dailytexanonline.com

T HE DAILY T EXAN

Comic-book series becomes tangible as live-action show

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Mary Kang | Daily Texan Staff

Restaurant employees Mark Holmes and Staling Ridings clear out boxes from the Foreign & Domestic restaurant on Wednesday afternoon.

Couple serves up bargain cuisine By Layne Lynch Daily Texan Staff On the facade of a modest brick building at 53rd Street and Avenue H is a pig with gold wings. Awaiting its May 20 opening, the restaurant Foreign & Domestic is flying on the wings of faith that its modern cuisine can take it to new culinary heights. The restaurant is the creation of Jodi and Ned Elliot, a couple that has trained in restaurants owned by chefs such as Thomas Keller and Michael Symon. When the restaurant opens, Jodi will serve as the pastry chef and Ned will be the executive chef. Conceivably, the two could have opened a five-star restaurant in an up-

town district, but instead the couple has chosen to open a reasonably priced establishment that is the embodiment of modern cuisine paired with a comforting, relaxed atmosphere that Ned calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;modern, but honest.â&#x20AC;? Even though the pair is putting the final touches on its restaurant, both admit they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always know they would work as restauranteurs. As a little girl growing up in San Antonio, Jodi adored the hours she would spend baking with her grandmother in the kitchen, making items such as pumpkin bread and buttermilk pie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I loved baking with my grandmother because even though I

was a picky eater, I always loved sweets,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could see myself becoming a pastry chef, even if [at the time] I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what those words even meant.â&#x20AC;? Although many signs pointed to culinary school, when it came time to make a decision about what post-adolescent path to pursue, Jodi ultimately chose to attend UT. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I chose college at first because I thought I was going to get my business degree first. [But,] after two weeks of going to class and living in Jester, I just realized it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for me and called my mom and told her I wanted to leave,â&#x20AC;? Jodi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was really supportive and told me that if I

really wanted to do this, I needed to go and try it out.â&#x20AC;? Growing up as a teenager in Cincinnati, Ned was a star athlete, playing five sports in high school. Never before had he considered working in a kitchen until his neighbor gave him a job in a restaurant. After doing much of the grunt work in the restaurant, he discovered the team spirit of a kitchen staff resembled that of his high school sports teams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was always playing something, whether it be basketball, golf or baseball, but I just enjoyed staying active,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, when I had free time, I started working

CUISINE continues on page 9

By Kate Ergenbright Daily Texan Staff Jason Neulander is a busy man and a ball of energy in every sense of the phrase. But with the job he has ahead of him, he has to be. Neulander is currently working on translating his nationally known radio drama and comic-book series â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? into a feature-length â&#x20AC;&#x153;live-action graphic novel.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? is a sci-fi story set in the 1930s chronicling the wise-cracking reporter Molly Sloan, her dopey assistant Timmy Mendez and the enigmatic villain Mysterion the Magnificent. In 1994, Neulander changed the landscape of the Austin theater scene by founding the Salvage Vanguard Theater, a company that targets a young, hip audience and produces successful, original material. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Intergalactic Nemesisâ&#x20AC;? was born when musician Ray Colgan approached Neulander about doing a sci-fi radio drama. Inspired by the concept, Neulander and Colgan set out to create the first 10 ep-

isodes of the series at the Little City Espresso Bar and Cafe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The writers would start working on the episodes on Monday; Friday, we would have the scripts; Saturday, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have a rehearsal with actors; Saturday afternoon, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be rummaging through our houses to try to find all the crap that might make sounds for the sound effects â&#x20AC;&#x201D; literally, like playing with spatulas and seeing what sounds they made. Then, Sunday night, we did the show,â&#x20AC;? Neulander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was amazing that people came, and not only did they come, it was packed. We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit everybody into the venue.â&#x20AC;? In 2006, Neulander took the live version of his show on the road in a national tour, performing in 30 cities across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made this giant leap. I mean, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been performing the show in these 100-seat venues, and then all of a sudden, to launch our national tour we were in the 1,200-seat Hogg Auditorium in a sold-out performance

COMIC continues on page 9

Eric Ou | Daily Texan Staff

Jason Neulander, founder of the Salvage Vanguard Theater, is currently working on turning his sci-fi radio drama into a live theatrical show.

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