The Rambler Vol. 94 No. 4 by The Rambler

THURSDAY

February 10, 2011

Vol. 94 • No. 4

www.therambler.org

The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

Don’t know what to do this Valentine’s Day?

Local Hamburger joint serves homemade burgers and fries. Arts & Entertainment, page 4

Opinion, page 2

Spring break comes early for Wesleyan Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Students, staff and faculty were granted a prespring break by Mother Nature last week. As the snow, rain and ice accumulated on rooftops and roadways Monday night, Jan. 31, students hoped for a short break from their class loads, only to find the next morning that the university would be shut down for inclement weather. A new record at Texas Wesleyan was set in the following days, as the university shut down for classes and activities for six consecutive days until Jan. 6. Just three days later, a second smaller snow storm blew through North Texas and the university was shut down on Feb. 9 as well. “I slept a whole lot, went sledding with my boyfriend and friends, and of course movies and game nights kept me sane,” Christina Daniel, sophomore undecided major, said. Following the decision to shut down the university each day last week, Steve Roberts, vice president of administrative services and human resources, sent out text message, phone and e-mail alerts through the Wesleyan Emergency Management System. “It was student and staff safety that we were mostly concerned with,” said William Bleibdrey, senior vice president for finance and administration. Unlike major school districts in Texas, Bleibdrey said the university does not have to make up any of these days at the end of the semester, and the semester will continue according to the same schedule. He also said the days off have not cost the university any extra money since most things, including heating,

are on a fixed rate for Wesleyan. “We obviously have to continue to heat the buildings so pipes don’t freeze up,” Bleibdrey said. “The real danger is to have a pipe burst, and of course the expenses.” Although most buildings were closed all week, faculty, staff and student workers were given the opportunity to pick up paper checks on Friday, their normally scheduled pay day. Employees at Dora Roberts Dining Hall also took on the icy roads to make the cafeteria available to students living on campus with meal plans. “The ones that were hurt most were those support services around the university,” Bleibdrey said. Although it remained open, Dora’s still lost some profit due to commuter students and faculty who normally visit the cafeteria not coming in to eat all week. Subway and other surrounding businesses also saw a lull in customers. On-campus students were restricted to their residence halls and outside areas, but they still found ways to pass the time. “When college kids get stuck in a dorm with no way of getting off campus, we tend to find ways to entertain ourselves,” Marcus Harris, junior accounting major, said. “If we are rowdy, let us be rowdy. We don’t have school so there would never be any noise complaint, especially if you know everyone around you.” Others were content to enjoy the leisure time indoors. “I sat in the crib and studied a little bit, but mostly played on NBA 2k11 on the Xbox,” Earnest Williams, junior exercise major, said.

Norma Edith Nieto | Courtesy Photo Above: Senior education ec-6 major Norma Edith Nieto takes advantage of the snow storm that blew through north Texas by building a “cheesehead” snowman in support of the Greenbay Packers, winners of Super Bowl XLV last Sunday. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. Left: The entire Wesleyan campus was covered in snow and ice from late Jan. 31 until late afternoon Feb. 5. Classes and activities were cancelled through Sunday for the university, but no days will have to be made up at Bradley Gray | Courtesy Photo the end of this semester.

 See photos, page 3

Love at Lou’s no longer

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Photo Illustration Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff

Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Less than 15 minutes before press deadline for The Rambler, the Valentine’s Day themed dinner at Lou’s Place, originally scheduled for Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. was cancelled due to lack of interest. The dinner was originally put together by greek organizations Lambda Kappa Kappa, Alpha Xi Delta and Gamma Sigma Sigma. “The school is starting to try to get the students more involved and I think if people got more involved with the Greek organizations that would help improve campus life,” said Jazmin Mendoza, senior EC-6 bilingual educa-

tion major and public relations coordinator for Gamma Sigma Sigma. LKK helped Blair Moore, coordinator of New Student Programs to sell and create Vale-O-Grams for the Wesleyan community, which were sold for 25 cents each. Moore said if someone bought a Vale-O-Gram that person should notify the recipient they have something to pick up at the Academic Success Center. If the purchaser of the ValeO-Gram does not want to notify the recipient Moore said she will send notification emails. Vale-O-Grams can be picked up today and tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Success Center.

Download any Mobiletag app and scan this barcode with your smartphone to see what Wesleyan students are doing for their significant others and with family members this Valentine’s Day.

Opinion

February 10, 2011

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Valentine’s Day still Romantic focus should worth celebrating not require special day from everyone in the class Shauna Banks too. If they Editor-in-chief had a Tootsie sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu Pop or Fun Dip attached to them—even better. In high A visit from cupid is just school, there was always around the corner. that one rah-rah organizaThis Monday, florists tion selling Love-o-grams, will have customers out the chocolate roses or carnawazzoo, and every woman tions, for any student to in even a semi-serious re- send to a special someone. lationship will hope her As an adult now, and as significant other at least cliché as it sounds, I really remembers that it’s Valen- think it’s the thought that tine’s Day. counts. Being a fan of anything Gifts don’t hurt, but a romantic, I must say, I’m simple homemade card completely smitten by the with a heartfelt message holiday. can brighten someone’s atMy boyfriend, like most titude for days to come. men, thinks the holiday is a Of all the gifts I’ve ever scam, and that love should received on Valentine’s Day, be shown every day for that I have to say the homemade special someone—not just cards I’ve gotten from my Feb. 14. boyfriend the past And although I love the two Valentine’s Days man to no end, and we have been the best. both make it a point to exFor those a little press our feelings on a daily less creative with basis—I still can’t dismiss creating cards on the big hooplah that’s made their computer or by over this lovey dovey holi- hand, I think a storeday each year. bought card is comMost people want to feel pletely acceptable, like they’re important to as long as a personal their significant others, or note is written inside. anyone else in general. There’s nothing Even in elementary worse on Valentine’s school, when we were all Day than opening a writing names of class- card to read a generic mates on our Power Rang- message that more ers, Disney Princess and than a million other Rugrats valentines, we se- people may be getcretly hoped we’d get one ting at the same time.

According to Women’s Day magazine, approximately 190 million cards are sold for Valentine’s Day each year in the United States. Sadly, it can be a makeor-break holiday for some couples. Fifty two percent of men propose on Valentine’s Day, and 53 percent of women will dump their boyfriends if they don’t receive anything on the holiday. However, simply acknowledging how you feel about your significant other can make the day a special one—which we can all use once in a while. With the stresses of everyday life, it’s good to be reminded how much someone else cares about us. Of course, a six-foot teddy bear and dozen red roses never hurt anyone.

Technology evokes mixed feelings was in complete darkness. I reached for my Stephanie Mejia cell phone to use A&E editor as a flashlight and smejia@mail.txwes.edu stepped into the hallway. I saw dim light coming from I had never really paid much the living room. My mom beattention to how much time I gan lighting every candle she spend glued to my computer or could find. my cell phone. I used to think the candles in In today’s society using these the living room were pointless devices is a part of our daily decorations. But at that moroutine; almost second nature. ment, I was grateful. However, I Everything runs smoothly could not help but feel like I was when our technology works in the dark ages. properly, but when our gadgets I sat on the couch next to my start to malfunction our lives dad and he surprised me when enter a state of chaos. This is he said in a sarcastic tone:“It’s what happened to me when the good to finally see you away electricity went out at my house from the computer.” for two hours last Friday. I rolled my eyes and laughed It was around 8 p.m. and I a little, but then I began to was in my room using my com- think. puter to check my e-mail when As college students, we spend suddenly the lights in my room several hours a day consumed started to blink on and off. Af- by our laptops and phones. ter a few seconds, everything Although computers can be went black. The electricity... out. used to help us with school I ran my fingers across the work, they also give us access to keyboard, but it did no good. things that distract us from getI had no Internet connection ting tasks accomplished. and my computer turned off I cannot count the times I because it was not charged. I have had trouble focusing on

The Rambler

Shauna Banks, editor-in-chief Barry Grubbs, opinion editor Eliana Mijangos, sports editor Meisa Keivani Najafabadi, photo editor Stephanie Mejia arts & entertainment editor Jonathan Resendez, multimedia editor Erica Estrada, graphic designer/cartoonist Wendy Moore, faculty adviser Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison

homework because I am scanning my news feed on Facebook or watching videos on YouTube. All hopes of finishing any assignment on time are gone. Aside from distracting us, computers also lessen our ability to be patient. When a website takes more than a few seconds to load, we quickly become frustrated. Cell phones are a little bit worse. Not only can we use these small devices to text friends, but we can also connect to the Internet. I sometimes think that in a few years we will all have twitching fingers because of the amount of time we spend texting every day. Although, I appreciate technology for all the ways in which it facilitates our lives, such as saving us from having to remember so many phone numbers; I also despise it for distracting me and consuming so much of my time. I have to admit that when the electricity in my house went out I was bored at first, but it felt relaxing to sit in the living room with my parents and have a conversation.

“We are not afraid to follow the truth ... wherever it may lead.” — Thomas Jefferson

Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University

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1201 Wesleyan St. Fort Worth, TX 76105 twurambler@yahoo.com (817) 531-7552 Advertising Inquiries: (817) 531-6525

The problem I have with ValenBarry Grubbs tine’s Day is the Opinion editor fact that it has bgrubbs@mail.txwes.edu been transformed into a ridiculous commercial farce. If you just have to celebrate ValSt. Valentine’s Day, or as entine’s Day, you can usumost people know it, Val- ally get your cards the day entine’s Day was established after Christmas. Seriously, by Pope Gelasius I in AD the card displays go up in 500. discount stores in late DeOver the years it has been cember. over commercialized in the Let’s face it. If you find same way a lot of other reli- yourself in a meaningful gious holidays have. relationship worth celebratI’m not against reserving ing, there is hardly any need a certain day to remember for you to wait until Feb. 14 a special event or an impor- to get your romance on. tant person. I am amazed at how easExchanging cards in el- ily retailers cash in on this ementary school still seems cheesy pseudo-holiday. If a little creepy to me, but you’re a man, you’re faced I never paid much atten- with two choices: either you tion to Valentine’s Day back go all out and deliver the then. flowers, chocolate or lingerie, or you take the risk sleeping on the couch. If you’re a woman, you hold all of the ammunition. There seems to be an unspoken expectation that men must go out of their way to be romantic on this special day. How groovy is the relationship that

needs a greeting card or a dozen roses to validate it? One year I decided to experiment with ignoring Valentine’s Day. It was a disaster I didn’t live down for many years to come. I did learn from the experiment however. Here’s an idea for you guys and gals who want to show that special someone how important they are to you. Tell them every day. Give them flowers when they don’t expect flowers, instead of when they do. Don’t make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. Instead, make a big deal out of your relationship. I have been around long enough to learn what works in relationships. A sappy greeting card with someone else’s love poem is a weak move. Candy and flowers are nice, but I see no reason to make the florists and chocolatiers rich just so you can stay out of the dog house. Do something original for that special someone instead of being predictable and corny. I struggle with most modern holidays but it’s because the original meaning in most of them has been replaced by frivolous commercialization. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do something romantic for those we care about, I just can’t stand the notion that I’m lining the pockets of some moneygrubbing profiteer.

What are you going to be doing for Valentine’s day? “I will be cheerleading because we have two basketball games that night.” - Baily Williams, sophomore, psychology,history “I’ll be at the basketball game because we’re playing LSU Shreveport, winning with confidence.” - Taylor Pokluda, senior, exercise science “I’m going to try to go back home and surprise my girlfriend.” - Matt Castill, freshman, business management “I’m going downtown with my boyfriend and go to Texas de Brazil.” - Taylor Peters, sophomore,education

“I’m planning on doing something special for a young lady, a nice candle lit dinner, just me and her.” - Earnest Williams, junior,exercise science

“I plan on going out to eat with my boyfriend and then we are going to see the Roommate.” - Blanche Giquinto, freshman, biology

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, Student Press Law Center, College Media Advisers and College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers. Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

R ambler Contribution

Please send all news briefs to twurambler@yahoo.com. Submissions due by noon Friday to see brief in the following week’s issue. Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters. All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature. While every consider-

ation is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space. The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style. Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinion page.

3 Campus Blind professor adapts electronically

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Jonathan Resendez

jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu

Dr. R. J. Wilson, professor of education and department chair, takes slow, deliberate steps while he maneuvers his way around the second floor of Wesleyan’s School of Education building. He roams the thick-carpeted halls with his head tilted slightly back, sometimes stopping to chat with colleagues on the way back to his office. Although 10 liters of chromic acid left Wilson blind more than three decades ago, he navigates the halls with the same skill with which he runs his department. Wilson serves as chair of the undergraduate education program. Technology and a

February 10, 2011

love for teaching help him perform his daily duties as a teacher and departmental head, Wilson said. “I love to teach,” he said. “I can’t imagine myself doing anything else at this point.” A self-proclaimed “gadget guy,” Wilson uses a software program called JAWS on his laptop to check his e-mail, grade papers and perform administrative duties. JAWS features technology that reads all Microsoft documents out loud to him. The laptop syncs with his iPhone 4, which also talks to him. Wilson describes his classroom as being totally electronic because all of his lectures are delivered in some form of media. “While it may seem excep-

tional to some, the technology is there for everybody,” he said. “I just use it most.” Teaching however, wasn’t his chosen career path when he was studying biology at Quincy University in Illinois. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even like kids,” he said. Wilson spent six weeks in a state-run rehabilitation center after his laboratory accident. One of Wilson’s counselors arranged a last-minute, Friday evening meeting for him with a university representative from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. “Two and a half hours later, she convinced me I could teach,” he said. Wilson received his Ph. D in education in 1985 and came to Texas Wesleyan, where

he said he has witnessed a tremendous growth in the school of education. Wilson said 10 years ago, only seven faculty members resided in the school of education. Today the school boasts nearly 20 professors and 14 adjunct professors. Wilson said he undertook the tremendous task of reorganizing the school of education programs and hopes to increase its quality with a new direction. “Texas Wesleyan is an outstanding institution for producing teachers and we are trying to capitalize on that,” he said. Sue Passmore, education professor at Wesleyan for 43 years, was on the committee that hired Wilson.

Harlem b-ball bounces back Barry Grubbs

bgrubbs@mail.txwes.edu

The Harlem Ambassadors Professional Show Basketball team will return to Wesleyan’s Sid Richardson Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 19, taking on the Cowtown Kiwanis Club team. The Harlem Ambassadors are a family friendly Harlem-style basketball exhibition team that features a high-skills athletic performance including ball handling, slam dunks and a dose of comedy. The Ambassadors, who were originally conceived in 1997 by Dale Moss, work with non-profit and service organizations across the country to raise funds for local communities. This is the third consecutive year the Harlem Ambassadors will perform their unique show on campus. Wesleyan’s Community Outreach Coordinator, John M. Gonzales said, 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales are used to support

Fort Worth Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis projects within the community. “We mainly use it to implement education and leadership programs in the [local] elementary schools,” Gonzales said. One program served by the PolyWesleyan Kiwanis is the Bring Up Your Grades program at D. McRae Elementary and Sagamore Hills Elementary schools in Fort Worth. The program recognizes students for improving personal academic performance. Originally, the Harlem Ambassadors organization toured a single co-ed team, but a second team was added for the 2002-2003 season allowing the Ambassadors to put on more fundraising shows. “All of our players are positive role models,” Dale Moss, Ambassadors’ founder, said. “All of our performers have their college degrees. So, they not only talk the talk, they have walked the walk.”

Moss expressed pride in the diversity of the teams’ line-up. “Just being able to see our women players on the floor competing against and beating male opponents is sometimes, even in this day of gender equity, a real eye opener,” Moss said. The Ambassadors program has toured for more than 11 years throughout the country, as well as numerous overseas tours including Europe, the far East and South Pacific. Wesleyan students are looking foward to the visit from the Ambassadors tomorrow. “I’m really interested in seeing them,” said Wesleyan junior business major Ashley Bringol. “I think it’s awesome, especially since it’s [the team] both girls and guys playing together.” Tickets can be purchased for $5 and sponsorships are available by contacting John Gonzales at 817531-5814 or jgonzales@txwes.edu.

Dr. R.J. Wilson

“He’s extremely intelligent, beyond the norm,” she said. One of the only fears the committee held was the tendency for intellectuals to have

trouble with social skills. This wasn’t the case with Wilson, she said. “Even though he can’t see [the students], he learns most of them by voice on the first day of class,” she said. Not only did he connect with the students, he was able to incorporate his science background into his teaching as well. Wilson taught Sarah Smith, admission counselor and graduate education student, during the fall 2010 semester. She said although his teaching style was discussion based, most of her classmates found it educational and challenging. “He really gave a good foundation on what to ask and how to formulate good research questions,” she said.

Campus update with SGA Fellow Students, I hope you have kept warm and safe these last few weeks. It's not very often that we get to have a "Spring Break" in the middle of February. Hopefully your break was well spent. Time to get back after it though. Luckily, our real Spring Break is right around the corner! I do have a few announcements: 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, is the deadline for the Travel Fund requests. If you want to be considered for some monies to travel this semester please come by the offices and pick up a form. Also, for the next two weeks the Student Government will meet on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Feel free to stop by and say hi. Lastly, any organization still needing money, we do have 14 $100 Honorariums left. Just grab the form and fill it out!As always...I hope to see you around! Heath A. Scott 89th President Texas Wesleyan University SGA

Snow Antics:

Wesleyan community enjoys six days off due to inclement weather

Bradley Gray | Courtesy Photo Texas Wesleyan saw a record-breaking number of consecutive snow days last week, Feb. 1Feb. 6. After just two days of classes, the streak continued when a second snow storm blew through North Texas and granted students and faculty another day off Feb. 9.

Black History Month Exhibit open in SUB and SGA Chamber Hallway

Those aren’t snowflakes. Download a Mobiletag App on your smartphone and scan the codes above to view videos of the Wesleyan community taking in, and talking about, the snow. You can also visit therambler.org.

Come check out the Black History Month Exhibit displayed in the SUB and SGA Chamber Hallway honoring the men, women and events that have changed the course of history for our nation and the world Pick up a quiz in the Student Life office (answers found somewhere in the Exhibit) and win a prize for answering all the question correctly!

PhysAssit Recruiters will be on campus They are hiring for business, biology, pre-med and exercise science majors March 1 10:30 - 1:15pm Library Over 150 jobs are now posted on Career Link www.txwes.edu/careerservices Username:Your full email address Password: Ramlink Password

Job recruiters on campus year round Texas Wesleyan Career Services Phone:817.531.6512 Fax: 817.531.4980 Email: careerservices@txwes.edu

Arts & Entertainment Goodbye Bella Swan, hello Sookie

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

February 10, 2011

BOOK REVIEW

Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Bella Swan and Edward Cullen look out. An array of irresistible vampires and one kickass barmaid are stealing your spotlight. An oldie, but definitely a goodie, Dead Until Dark, written by Charlaine Harris and published in 2001, is the first book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series. The book spins a story with just the right amount of romance to appeal to those still upset they don’t get a fifth dreamy installment of Twilight, and enough mystery and violence to appeal to all the boyfriends who wish they’d never heard the names Edward and Jacob. Written in Sookie Stackhouse,

the protagonist’s point of view, Dead Until Dark takes readers on the rollercoaster life she accepts when she meets Bill Compton, resident vampire—and lady killer. Like any other vulnerable female in supernatural novels, Sookie is intrigued from the moment Vampire Bill sets foot in Merlotte’s, the local bar she works in within the tiny town of Bon Temps, La. Even when he orders a bottle of TruBlood, synthetic bottled blood from Japan, she doesn’t spook. Of course, Sookie is not the most ordinary woman herself—she’s a telepath, and can read the minds of almost anyone, except Bill. Delighted to find someone she can relax around, she saves Bill’s life within an hour of knowing him, and then aligns herself with the brooding vampire, getting in way over her head before she even knows what’s hit her. What follows is a series of mysterious events, murders and vampire seduction, all so entertaining that it’s tough to put the book

down before bed. Who really needs to sleep? Probably one of the most interesting things about this book is how different it is from the drama television series on HBO, aptly named True Blood. On the show, Sookie, played by Anna Paquin is less badass, and a lot more sass. Not that the show doesn’t rock in it’s own respect, because it does. Director Alan Ball has definitely taken some editing liberties though, when it comes to character personalities and whether or not some characters even exist outside of the books by Harris. For instance, the show is chalked full of downright funny scenes involving Merlotte’s blue eye shadow wearing short order cook, Lafayette. Yet, in the book, he’s only a background character at best. If you blink, you just might miss the pages he’s actually mentioned on. Tara Thornton, Sookie’s best friend on the show from the get-

go, gets a single mention in this first book, and can hardly be considered more than acquaintance. My only complaint when comparing the first book to the show is that the book hardly mentions Eric, the stoic Viking vampire even older than Bill, who is sure to wedge himself Jacob-style into Bill and Sookie’s relationship. Overall, this book is the perfect setup for a series of books. The book is left somewhat open-ended to lead into the second book Living Dead in Dallas, but the main conflict in the story is resolved with a twist that readers won’t expect in the least. The show’s fourth season premieres at 8 p.m. June 12. on HBO, and Harris will release her 11th book in the series, Dead Reckoning May 3. Lovers of the show can eat up time by soaking up this truly entertaining book set and reading a vampire series where the bloodsuckers don’t sparkle, but they certainly do sizzle.

Ace Books | Courtesy Photo The eleventh book in the Southern Vampire series, Dead Reckoning will release May 3, and is sure to enterain just as much as the first.

Wesleyan graduate serves up tasty homestyle burgers RESTAURANT REVIEW

Stephanie Mejia & Rachel Peel smejia@mail.txwes.edu rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

The hamburger, a staple of American food, is present in popular franchises like McDonald’s, Sonic and Whataburger. However, those looking for a more homestyle burger in Fort Worth should look no further than Tommy’s Hamburger Grill. The restaurant has been serving up tasteful hamburgers since 1983. Tommy Smith, the founder of Tommy’s Hamburger Grill, graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1972. His daughter, Kelly, followed his footsteps and received her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan in 1990. “My parents opened the first Tommy’s down off of Lake Worth,” Smith said. “We had a Texaco convenience store and started grilling burgers down there.” After a few years, Smith decided to offer customers a complete meal, instead of only snacks. “We had a lot of Lockhead customers coming in just for snacks, and gas, and we decided to offer something for them to eat,” Smith said. The idea for a restaurant soon emerged and proved successful. The Camp Bowie location opened in 2002. Since then the Lake Worth location has closed down, Tommy’s Hamburger Grill has also expanded to Green Oaks. Walking into Tommy’s will definitely give you the feeling that

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Located on the Camp Bowie strip, Tommy’s Hamburger Grill offers customers a friendly environment and a tasteful variety of hamburgers and sandwiches. Customers can also choose from a variety of sides, including mashed potatoes, fries, tater tots, okra, cheddar pops or homemade chips.

you’re in the lone star state. There is an eye-catching mural with a longhorn hung over it at the entrance. The mural features the restaurant’s awards. As soon as I sat down, a waitress brought a menu and asked what I wanted to drink. I decided to keep things simple and ordered tea. However, the tea was not sweet enough for my taste and required me to use two packets of sugar. The burger I ordered weighed a

half pound and was juicy and full of flavor. The bun was warm and soft. I played it safe and stuck with the basic condiments: lettuce, tomatoes, mustard and pickles. I also ordered the homemade chips and ranch sauce. The lettuce was fresh and crisp and the pickles added a nice tart flavor to the burger. Each bite of the chips delivered just the right amount of crunchi-

ness. The ranch sauce was slightly tangy and sweet, and complimented the chips perfectly. Tommy’s menu features the green chili cheeseburger, bacon swiss burger and mushroom swiss burger to name a few. For a full menu visit their website www. tommyshamburgergrill.com For the more health conscious Tommy’s also offers the veggie burger, grilled chicken sandwich, turkey and swiss sandwich, the

Download any Mobiletag app and use your smartphone to scan the barcode to find out which YouTube videos made the cut for Wesleyan students’ all-time favorites.

classic BLT and the southwest chicken sandwich. All burgers and sandwiches are less than $10 and are served with your choice of mashed potatoes, fries, tater tots, okra, cheddar poppers or homemade chips. Tommy’s is located at 5228 Camp Bowie Blvd. The restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Want to find out quick when the University closes for winter weather? Be our friend on Facebook, and receive timely status updates with the goods! facebook.com/txwesleyanrambler

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Religious Life at Texas Wesleyan University Chapel: Live music with brief time of worship Tuesdays at 12:15 in PUMC Chapel Free lunch after on PUMC 3rd Floor – Room 312

Common Meal:

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Free lunch and discussion/dialogue Thursdays at 12:15 in PUMC Chapel PUMC 3rd Floor – Room 312 “Faith seeking understanding” – ALL are welcome! For info: http://www.txwes.edu/religiouslife/index.htm

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Arts & Entertainment

February 10, 2011

Donkey Kong returns full force GAME REVIEW

Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

Donkey Kong Country Returns with a complicated, action-packed journey that will leave any gamer frustrated to no end. Donkey Kong Country Returns allows the gamer to become Donkey or Diddy Kong, as they navigate through the island. Trial skills include running by spiders, jumping from platform to platform, swinging from vines, capturing banana coins and locating the infamous “KONG” letters. The key to success for this game is patience and timing. As the gamer navigates through this new version, he will notice the classic moves of the original Donkey Kong as they try to conquer the is-

land master. Like the classic Super Nintendo Donkey Kong games, it uses a map that allows the player to move from levels one through eight, in order to reach the top of the mountain. Once the player reaches the top of the mountain to access level nine, he must go back through the entire game and get all the “KONG” letters in every level. Donkey and Diddy can be played in a one-player or two-player setting, but play becomes more difficult as players are added. To remedy this problem player two, Diddy, can hop onto Donkey’s back and take on a more passive role in the game. In one-player mode Diddy Kong rides on Donkey Kong’s back making Diddy’s jet-pack available throughout the levels, this allows the player to add more lives. The game allows the player to attempt to complete the

level eight times. If a player is unable to complete a level, the game offers the player a chance to complete the level with Super Kong. Upon completion of the level with Super Kong the player can move on to the next level but does not get to keep the items collected. The game was developed by Retro Games and was released Nov. 21, 2010 by Nintendo. The last game released before it was Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. The original Donkey Kong was release in 1981 and has come a long way since. The graphics have been revamped and the content of the game has been upgraded to work with all the current game systems. Donkey Kong Country Returns is only available for the Wii game systems. Donkey Kong Country Returns is available at most retail stores for around $50 Photo Illustrationby Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff and is recommended for The video game Donkey Kong is back with the new version Donkey Kong Country Returns. The ages 8 and up. game shares similarities with previous versions and is sure to challenge Wii gamers.

Wild Rooster offers rockin’ time BAR REVIEW

Angie Ruiz

ayruiz@mail.txwes.edu

Angie Ruiz | Rambler Staff The Wild Rooster offers customers a lively environment, good deals on drinks and tasteful food. The bar features a full kitchen and serves up tacos, burgers and their famous rooster balls.

The Wild Rooster is a bar that’ll have you cock-a-doodle-dooin’ all night long. This place is the perfect bar with a kick. The definition as stated on their website is, “The Wild Rooster Bar. Cold Beer. Great Music. Cool-Ass Vibe.” It’s always rockin’ at the

THE RAMBLER

Rooster. You’re welcome to grab a beer and some San Antonio-style brisket tacos. In addition to beer and liquor, they have a full kitchen whipping up great tacos, burgers and their famous rooster balls. No, not literally. These friendly treats are made of creamy breaded potatoes stuffed with crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, cheddar cheese and dusted with seasoning. They are then served with Ranch dressing. Wow! If your mouth isn’t water-

ing, then you’re not worthy of these scrumptious balls. If the food doesn’t grab your attention, maybe the drink deals will. Most college students like a good deal on beer, and if you’re fan of Tecate, LoneStar and Pabst Blue Ribbon, all day every day you can enjoy a can for $1.50. A group of friends, PBR, some Brisket tacos and Rooster Balls are all you need to have a great night. But, if you’re more of a lone hen, The Wild Rooster will

be more than happy to cheer you up with some live music and a round of pool. The Wild Rooster is one of my favorite places to hang out. I’m always guaranteed cheap drinks, good food and if not live music, a great game on one of their flat screen TVs. If you’re a pool junkie I’m sure you’ll enjoy the pool tables. There’s always a stranger up for a challenge. So if you’re feeling wild, stop by the Wild Rooster Bar. You’re in for a rockin’ time.

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Monday-‐Friday: 7am-‐10pm Saturday: 9am-‐1pm Sunday: 12pm-‐4pm Morton #: 817-‐531-‐7589

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Community Awesome Cutz cleans up Polytechnic

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

February 10, 2011

Stephan Moritz

srmoritz@mail.txwes.edu

Formerly a convenience store, Awesome Cutz, a dog and cat grooming salon in the Polytechnic Heights community, is working to clean up local streets. Although the business is quickly gaining customers, they have earned praise for more than their grooming abilities. Owners and sisters, Joelle Koehler and Jodi Hardgrove took over the space in Oct. 2010 from homeless squatters, in an effort to clean up the neighborhood surrounding Texas Wesleyan University. Koehler and Hardgrove have had to restructure the building in order to maintain cleanliness and promote a safe working environment. “When we got in here, there was a bunch of trash and beer bottles,” Koehler said. “So we cleaned it up. We had to rewire the electricity too.” Hardgrove said the facility is still a work in progress, but that she and her sister have come a long way and have plans to do more than clean up the building. “For people who can’t afford to groom pets, they can pick a block and we help them clean up and groom their dog,” Koehler said. Her Pick-A-Block plan provides an opportunity for residents to help clean up the area they live in. Kenny Howard, resident since 1971, is the first to join the effort. With the help of Awesome Cutz, Howard plans to use friends and volunteers to clean up the block across from the business. He has a shih-tzu that will receive free grooming. “I’m doing it for the cleanup… not just for the groom,” Howard said. “It’s where I live and I respect the area. I want my neighborhood back.” Howard said he believes clean-

Stephen Moritz | Rambler Staff Owner Joelle Koehler pampers one of her shih-tzu clients wtih a hair cut and style at Awesome Cutz, a grooming salon only a block from Texas Wesleyan.

ing up the area will benefit Texas Wesleyan University students as well as Poly residents. He is worried that prospective students who visit may see the neighbor-

hood as undesirable and choose a different school to attend. Howard also said he thinks cleaning up the area will help provide a safer campus.

Awesome Cutz is seeking students, staff and faculty looking to take pride in the community and help volunteer during the PickA-Block neighborhood cleanup

event at noon Feb. 12. For more information about the volunteer event or grooming services at Awesome Cutz call 817531-PETS (7987).

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7 Community Purchasing from breeders cautioned

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

February 10, 2011

Stephan Moritz Staff writer

srmoritz@mail.txwes.edu

With all the movies, television shows and books about dogs out there, it’s easy to understand why they’re so popular. For those thinking about bringing home a new dog, there are a few things to consider. Are you ready to accept the responsibility of being a dog owner? What breed of dog will best fit your home and lifestyle? After answering these questions, the search for a new dog can begin. While searching for a new dog, you will find there are many available, from different sources, and they all want to come home with you.

If determined to purchase a specific pure breed, the best option is to contact a registered American Kennel Club breeder. These dogs are bred by experts committed to improving the breed’s standard. “Most breeders will put more money into health testing and care for the dogs, they rarely turn a profit,” said Nicole Miller, a kennel technician for the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control and a show dog handler. They are sold with a pedigree lineage depicting which champion’s bloodline your new puppy is bred from. A reputable breeder will answer any questions about the breed, and will usually allow the buyer to meet the parents and view the kennel. “Be sure to ask questions wherever you’re getting the dog,” Miller said. “Ask about health and if it has any breed-associated diseases.” Due to the quality of skill required to produce a pure breed true to its standard, these dogs are usually very expensive,

sometimes ranging in the thousands, depending on the popularity of the breed. One alternative to the high prices of a pure-bred dog is going to a pet store. Pet Zone, a local pet store sells purebred and mix-breed dogs, for about $200-$300. An employee at Pet Zone said the dogs come from registered breeders, but not registered with the AKC. Some of the puppies come with papers but it is hard to know exactly where a puppy comes from, and seeing the parents is nearly impossible. Some pure-bred dogs sold in pet stores come from puppy mills, where inhumane living conditions are the standard. Females can be required to produce up to eight or nine litters all for the sake of money. Buying a puppy from a pet store can allow puppy mills to continue these inhumane practices, so long as they keep making a profit. Don’t buy a dog from a pet store. The best thing when planning to take on

the responsibilities of a good dog owner is to rescue a dog from a local shelter. At the time this article was written, petfinder. com had 168,132 dogs across America looking for a permanent home. “I would go to Petfinder or a shelter if I was looking for a dog, and I would advise going to more than one shelter,” said Mary Romine, a veterinary technician at Hulen Hills Animal Hospital. On petfinder, you can search for a specific breed by zip code, view pictures and a description of each dog and contact the shelter or foster parent where the dog is living. It’s much better to adopt a dog rather than to buy one. “Most humane societies keep them up to date on shots and adoption fees usually include spay and neuter costs,” Romine said. “Also, mix breeds tend to be healthier, but risk exists anywhere you get a dog.” This is the second story in a series.

S.E.A.R.C.H suffers loss due to economy, continues to serve community Melissa Bates

mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

In a small, five-room building on the corner of Rosedale and Collard, Sharon Armstrong sits in front of a space heater warming her hands, ready to start the day helping people. Armstrong, the executive director at Southeast Area Churches is the only employee in the organization, started in 1974. Even though the building is small, Armstrong and S.E.A.R.C.H. offers a multitude of services to help the community Texas Wesleyan is nestled in. “It was started through Polytechnic United Methodist Church,” Armstrong said. “One of the pastors saw that the community was changing and a lot more people needed help and services so he set up a nonprofit organization.”

Suffering from the economy, Armstrong said the organization uses space heaters to warm the building. “Money is always a problem because people will donate clothes and stuff, but you always need money because you can’t keep the lights on or pay the other bills unless you have money,” Armstrong said. Armstrong said S.E.A.R.C.H. tries to help everyone they can in the community, but sometimes hit roadblocks when the organization doesn’t receive enough help itself. “We try to answer the need that is in the community and there is a lot of need that is not being addressed,” she said. “People don’t realize that the need is really tremendous, it really is.” In addition to donations, S.E.A.R.C.H. also needs volunteers to help sort through clothing and put away donated food. Students at

Wesleyan can volunteer by contacting Armstrong at 817-531-2211. Armstrong has been the executive director for seven years, originally beginning as a volunteer. In summer 2011, she said repairs will be made to the old Scout Hut near the S.E.A.R.C.H. building, to expand it into a clothing building for clients to look through donated clothes. Right now, all donated clothes are piled in a room, filling the room nearly to the ceiling. “It is amazing to me what they do with the small amount of financial resources they have,” said Willie Sears, president of United Methodist Men at PUMC. Sears said S.E.A.R.C.H. and programs like it have suffered because church congregations have decreased in the past 20 years. “When congregations shrink,

their finances shrink,” Sears said. “Not only their finances but the number of people that will volunteer.” Sears said the UMM group tries to do everything they can to help S.E.A.R.C.H. “A couple of years ago when we found out the financial difficulties they were having, we made a decision that any financial aid we came by we would direct it to S.E.A.R.C.H.” Gwen Robinzine, representative from PUMC on the S.E.A.R.C.H. board said, “We’ve lost lots of organizations we’d write for funding. A lot of them have gone out of business. This church has really saved S.E.A.R.C.H.” S.E.A.R.C.H. donations can be put in the food box in the main hall of Polytechnic United Methodist Church on campus.

Angie Ruiz | Rambler Staff Sharon Armstrong, executive director at Southeast Area Churches, sifts through clothing donated to the organization to help families in need within the Polytechnic Heights community during this cold weather season.

Dining Services

Also featuring at the SUB: • Tuesday: Fiesta Tuesday

Visit our website: http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/ CSSW/TexasWesleyan/

• Thursday: $3Thursday for faculty only. • Friday: Wings and Fish Friday night: Hot dogs, hot links, and hamburgers.

**All specials include a small fry or salad and a small drink.

February 10, 2011

Campus

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

Congressman Hatton Sumners represented Texas from 1913 to 1947. The Foundation encourages the study, teaching and research into the science and art of self-government, to the end that the American People may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and be guided thereby in shaping governmental policies.

This Man Made a Difference

YOU CAN TOO

The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship Up to $3,500 per semester for your junior and senior years is just the beginning. Sumners Scholars gain access to special programs such as lectures given by the National Center for Policy Analysis—followed by private briefings with the guest speaker. You’ll even attend a four-day leadership conference at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT Austin. The scholarship is focused on those studying political science, pre-law, history, or social studies. However, any student who demonstrates high academic achievement, is involved in campus or civic activities, and exhibits leadership and a strong sense of community responsibility may be considered. How about you?

Application Deadline: February 22, 2011

T E XAS

Wesleyan UNIVERSITY

Apply at the Office of Financial Aid • For More Information, Call 817-531-4420 • www.txwes.edu/sumners

9 Sports Ram baseball team fights for rings

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

February 10, 2011

Emma Fradette

ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

With spring sports now in full swing, the Texas Wesleyan Rams baseball team is preparing to start the season off right. The team entered the off-season with 72 players, but head coach Michael Jeffcoat cut the roster to 58. “The team is never completely finalized because of the number of games we play. We have 55 in regular season not counting the playoffs,” Jeffcoat said. Jeffcoat has high expectations for his team, as they are defending the conference title. “Our coach is an ex major leaguer who knows a lot about baseball and he puts together a competitive team every year,” said Drew Cavender, senior right handed pitcher. Players have been practicing weekdays beginning at 2 p.m. and on the weekends around 1 p.m. “The goal for this season is to make it to the World Series,” Vince Winter, sophomore outfielder, said. “The past two seasons we’ve fallen one game short, but with the team this year I think we have a really solid chance of getting there.” Although there are many on the roster, players are still getting to know each other and forming team bonds.

“There are a lot of new faces on the team but the chemistry is still strong, this team has a real chance to win a lot of games this season,” Winter said. Not only does the team strive for discipline on the field, but also off the field. They have an 11 p.m. curfew once the season begins, unless they are traveling and come back late. Curfew violations do not go without consequences. “Depending on the severity of the violation, the players may have extra running, suspension of games, or we have dismissed players in the past for breaking team rules,” Jeffcoat said. Jeffcoat said he enforces these rules because he has his players’ best interests at heart and wants to keep them focused Winter said the entire coaching staff has helped him hone his skills and improve aspects of both his game and life. Currently, the Rams have a 60 man roster, a huge cut compared to last semester’s line up. With this team’s depth, Jeffcoat said he is really excited about this year’s opportunities. The baseball team’s next game will be against the University of Dallas Feb. 15 at their home field, LA Grave, at 2 P.M.

“The goal for this season is to make to the World

Series. The past two seasons we’ve fallen short, but with the team this year I think we have a really solid chance of getting there. ” Vince Winter

Sophomore Outfielder

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Thomas Vasquez, sophomore second baseman, hustles for a hit from his coach during field practice at Sycamore Park Feb. 8. His teammate and outfielder backs him up on the play ready to get an out at third base.

Lady Ram softball continues efforts in hopes of nationals Emma Fradette

ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

With their first game just around the corner, the Lady Rams softball team at Texas Wesleyan is gearing up for their 2011 season. Head coach Shannon Gower said she is ready for the coming season despite the resignation of her assistant coach, Shian Smithermar. “She resigned for personal reasons,” Gower said. “This will not change anything and hasn’t changed anything that we as a team are working for. The girls have been working hard since the day after the occurance.” Gower is receiving help right now from two Wesleyan alumna athletes. She has established a winning record at Wesleyan and expects to go even further than that. “My expectations are very high this year,” Gower said. “We only lost a few athletes from last season and we gained an extreme amount of talent and expe-

“This group of girls is very different than any oth-

er group in the past. we will win the conference tournament and go to compete in Nationals.” Tara Martinez

Senior Utility Player

rience to add to our roster.” She also expects her team to be in the conference tournament this season, but is also pushing the Lady Rams to advance to Nationals. The softball players are very confident and have tremendous drive to go to nationals as well. “This group of girls is very different than any other group in the past,” Tara Martinez, senior utility player, said. “We will win the conference tournament and go to compete at Nationals.” The team practices at 2 p.m. Mon-

days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. “Making it to Nationals is not going to be easy but we are just going to have to remember where we are coming from and everything we’ve accomplished last year,” said junior utility player Caitlin Bradley.

90 Years of Leadership

Rachel Peel | Rambler Staff Caitlin Bradley, junior utility player, runs down a solid fit to the outfield and looks to make a quick double play in a practice at Sycamore Park Jan. 31.

Treat your Valentine to some of the best basketball in the country!

2010

1920 Contact Us at Phone: 817-531-7550 Email: stugov@txwes.edu

Visit us at

OC Hall 202 and 204

The Lady Rams tip-off at 2 p.m. in the Sid Richardson Center prior to your 6th ranked Rams hosting 3rd ranked LSU-Shreveport at 4 p.m.

February 10, 2011

Sports

The Rambler | www.therambler.org

New coach brings experience, energy to Wesleyan Baseball Emma Fradette

ekfradette@mail.txwes.edu

The Texas Wesleyan baseball team picked up a new pitching coach for the 2010-2011 baseball season. DeWayne Vaughn joined the baseball team and brought along with him a tremendous amount of experience. “With head coach Mike Jeffcoat’s contact from his own major league career, the team has had opportunities to learn from some very accomplished players and coaches,” said athletic director Kevin Millikan. “Coach Vaughn definitely fits that description.” After a successful collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, Vaughn turned to the Major Leagues. Like head coach Michael Jeffcoat, Vaughn is a former major league pitcher. He played for the New York Mets, Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. Jeffcoat and Vaughn established a relationship as teammates and pitchers for the Texas Rangers in 1988.When the pitching coach position opened up, Jeffcoat said he couldn’t think of a better fit for the Wesleyan baseball program. “His knowledge of the game and the posi-

tion is the reason we brought him in. I expect that he will be a great resource for this year’s talented pitching squad, as well as help identifying and recruiting other players in the future,” Millikan said. The players are welcoming Vaughn and soaking up his experience. They too, said they look forward to what he has to offer. “He has definitely made a difference just by showing up and brings positive energy to practice every day. He just really knows his stuff,” said senior pitcher Drew Cavender. Not only are the pitchers of the Rams noticing Vaughn’s positive energy, but so are players from other positions. “Coach Vaughn reinforces the knowledge of the game to everyone. He is fun and energetic and brings comic relief to some pretty intense practices,” said sophomore first baseman Landon Meeker. Meeker said the most important part of Vaughn’s impact is that he does not just impact the pitchers, he influences the team as a unit in a positive way. To check out Ram pitchers in action, cheer them on at their next home game which will take place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 at La Grave Field, against Dallas Christian College.

Angie Ruiz | Staff Photographer Left: Joseph Lassiter, junior outfielder, catches a fly ball and hurries to get a man out at second base during a practice at La Grave Field Feb. 8. Above: Derek Vaughn, son of the Ram’s new pitching coach, DeWayne Vaughn, throws a ball home during a cold practice at the Ram home field, La Grave Jan. 31.

Upcoming Sports: Game

Time/Place

2/12

Men’s Baskeball vs. Wiley College

4 p.m. in Sid Richardson Center

2/12

Women’s Basketball vs. Wiley College

4 p.m. in Sid Richardson Center

2/14

Men’s Basketball vs. LSU Shreveport

7:30 p.m. in Sid Richardson Center

2/14

Women’s Basketball vs. LSU Shreveport

5:30 p.m. in Sid Richardson Center

2/15

Men’s Baseball vs. University of Dallas

2 p.m. at The Cat’s Field

2/15

Women’s Softball vs. Austin College

5 p.m. in Sherman, Texas

Wesleyan Week in Sports • Rams Baseball goes in with a double header for their season opener against Texas Lutheran University. The Rams suffered a 9-8 lost game one and swept the Bulldogs 3-0 in game two. • Ram Baseball hires a new pitching coach, DeWayne Vaughn, previous member of The Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles. Head Coach, Mike Jeffcoat said his experience will bring a lot to the already strong Ram baseball team • Lady Ram Softball moves past the resignation of their assistant coach and onto the road of conference titles with Senior Utility Player, Lateah Lucero, member of the 2101 Softball All- American Team leading them • Lady Ram Basketball took on Red River Athletic Conference ranked num-

ber two, Southwest Assemblies of God University Feb. 31 and took a 63-58 win moving the Lady Rams up to the second spot in conference ranking. However, after a six point loss against RRAC number four Our Lady of the Lake University Feb. 7, Lady Rams were bumped back down to third.

• Ram basketball beat Our Lady of the Lake University with a huge dunk by senior guard, Jonathan Blake, to give them a two-point win in San Antonio and set them up for a tie with LSU Shreveport, ranked number one in the Nation, for first place in Red River Athletic Conference Rankings. The Rams will take on Louisiana State Univeristy Shreveport at the Sid Richardson Center Feb. 14 at 7:30 P.M.