The Ranger Feb. 13, 2009

RANGER THE

Feb. 13, 2009

Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Community College District

Volume 83, Issue 14

Single copies free

A forum of free voices

60thAnnual

Stock Show and Rodeo Sights, tastes and smells

Page 8

Build a habitat and a love life Page 3 Park Place for parking?

Page 5 Marijuana laws loosen Page 16

Hannah Wells, 7, and her father Ron Wells move their livestock through the cattle barn for the Future Farmers of America competition Tuesday at the 60th Annual San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo at Freeman Coliseum.

Photo by Lea Thompson

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

2 • Feb. 13, 2009

GED student stabbed near SPC campus

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@mail.accd.edu District 1: Dr. Bernard Weiner 929 Manor Drive, Ste. 7, San Antonio, TX 78228 Work: 735-9151 E-mail: bweinermd@satx.rr.com

The name of the victim in the stabbing case has been released.

By Rennie Murrell

District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com

Matari Jones Gunter, director of community and public relations at St. Philip’s College, has identified the victim in a Feb. 9 stabbing incident near that campus as GED student Daniel Segovia, 30.

The identity of the second GED student involved in the stabbing was not released.

Although the stabbing took place off campus, district officers from the department of public safety were involved because an unknown Samaritan brought the victim to the campus nurse’s station for medical attention, she said.

Students participating in the city-run GED program on the St. Philip’s campus are not students enrolled in the college, she said.

The San Antonio Police Department now has jurisdiction over the case, Gunter said, adding she had no other information to release.

District 3: Anna Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@mail.accd.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@mail.accd.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251 Phone: Not available E-mail: rzarate11@mail.accd.edu

Associate director of student life remains on administrative leave

District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way Helotes, TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Charles Conner 13306 Hunters Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78230 Home: 493-7176 Fax: 493-7909 E-mail: cconner8@mail.accd.edu

By Brianna Roberts Gil Castillo, assistant director of student life, continues on administrative leave.

Castillo, who was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 21, did not return phone calls to The Ranger this week, though he spoke to a reporter Feb. 5.

A staff member can be placed on administrative leave for many reasons and remains on administrative leave for varying amounts of time, but still continues to be paid and receive benefits.

After returning from administrative leave, the leave is not held against the staff member.

Both President Robert Zeigler and Jorge Posadas, the director of student life, declined to comment on Castillo’s situation citing personnel privacy.

District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@accd.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfus@mail.accd.edu

Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@mail.accd.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@mail.accd.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@mail.accd.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@mail.accd.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@mail.accd.edu

Online When you see this symbol, go to www.theranger.org for more info.

Black history is everyone’s history, columnist says Four finalists to interview for executive vice president Adjuncts score well in music business classes Love on the trade show floor Ribbon-cutting officially opens two buildings Cinefestival features local, national talent

Now behave:

Police Instructor Art Poore trains UTSA junior Michael Demarquis during a law enforcement training academy class Monday on how to use minimum force techniques to get a person safely into custody. Chief Instructor Bobby McMillan supervised.

Blotter San Antonio College Jan. 29 – An individual reported having no home. An officer transported the individual to a local shelter.

Individual reported an active alarm in Chance. All found to be secure.

An individual exposed himself to a female in the gymnasium. An investigation is being conducted.

Jan. 30 – An individual reported suspicious males in the area of Loftin selling magazines. No one located.

Feb. 1 – An individual reported a suspicious male walked into Chance. All found to be secure.

Feb. 2 – An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle in the parking garage.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Loftin. No one located.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported lost personal property in Fletcher.

An individual reported a careless driver in Lot 23.

Feb. 3 – An individual reported a female and male arguing in the parking garage. All found to be secure.

Non-district related individual was issued a criminal trespass warning.

An individual reported lost personal property in Nail. Item was located.

An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle in the parking garage.

Palo Alto College Jan. 29 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported a male and female arguing in Lot 11. No one was located.

An individual reported receiving phone calls from an irate former student.

An individual reported found property in student center.

Items placed in property locker.

Jan. 30 – An individual reported a male and female arguing in Lot 3.

St. Philip’s College

placed in property locker.

Jan. 29 – An individual reported theft of personal property in Sutton.

No suspects were located.

An individual reported damage to personal property.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of campus center.

All found to be secure.

Jan. 30 – An individual reported having a verbal argument with another male in Norris.

Feb. 2 – An individual reported a male assaulted her by touching her arm in the campus center.

Contact Information Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189

Feb. 2 – An individual reported an off-campus incident involving an exboyfriend.

An individual reported verbal argument with another person in campus center.

An individual reported lost personal property.

Southwest Campus

Jan. 29 – An individual reported damage to a district vehicle in Lot 5. No suspects were located.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported contractors creating dust near the vehicles in Lot 5.

Jan. 30 – An individual reported a disturbance in the area of Cypress.

Nothing found.

An individual reported an irate student in Cypress. Student departed before police arrived.

An individual reported an injury on the boardwalk. Campus nurse treated the individual.

An individual reported found property in Cypress. Item placed in property locker.

Feb. 2 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported found property in Lot 5. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported found property in Juniper. Item placed in property locker.

Individual reported found property.

Item placed in property locker.

Feb. 3 – An individual reported damage to personal property.

Prosecution declined.

Individual reported damage to a personal vehicle in Lot 2.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

Female arrested for criminal trespass in fine arts.

An individual reported found property in Lot 6. Item placed in property locker.

Jan. 29 – An individual reported damage to property in a vehicle accident in Lot 6.

Northwest Vista College

Jan. 30 – An individual reported theft of personal property in Building 8300. No suspects were located.

Feb. 3 – An individual reported found property. Item returned to owner.

Jan. 29 – An individual reported found property in Cypress. Item

Feb. 3 – An individual reported suspicious activity in Lot 10.

Northeast Lakeview College

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Feb. 13, 2009 • 3

Associate degree available after all those years With 15 hours here, degree holders from four-year institutions are eligible.

By Brianna Roberts

Associate degrees aren’t just for students anymore. President Robert Zeigler received a reverse associate degree from San Antonio College two years ago.

If a student earned more than 30 college-level credits from a community college and earned a bachelor’s degree from a public school in Texas, they are eligible for a reverse associate degree.

“At SAC, I took 66 hours; I just never graduated with an associate,” Zeigler said.

After leaving San Antonio College, every day.

Lady of the Lake University.

Zeigler went on to earn bachelor’s and The benefits of receiving For people like Ortega, there is master’s degrees in American history a reverse associate degree another, similar path to an associate from Sam Houston State University and are primarily personal gratidegree from San Antonio College. a Ph.D. in American history from Texas fication.

Faculty and staff members who did Tech University.

“It’s another degree,” not graduate from a public institution “Had it not been for SAC, I wouldn’t Martin Ortega, director of in Texas can send in their transcripts have gotten those other degrees, so for admissions and records, said, from the college they did attend and, me it’s a point of pride in the institution “It’s not an advanced degree, provided that they earned 15 credit that gave me so much.” but it is another educational hours from this college are eligible for At the 2006 commencement cerachievement that one can an associate.

Robert Zeigler Martin Ortega emony, Zeigler was surprised to receive own and claim.”

Because the college is honoring the the degree.

Ortega speaks from perdegree that the student already recieved, “I think I was the first person to receive one,” sonal experience. This spring he is applying for an the hours here do not need to be core classes. he said. “I’m really proud of having it.” associate of art and liberal arts.

Many faculty and staff members have those 15 Although Zeigler isn’t planning on continuUnlike Zeigler, Ortega did not graduate from a hours because of the six free hours that the district ing his formal education, he said that he learns public institution in Texas; he graduated from Our offers full-time employees each semester.

AP photos are available to students free for educational purposes. License fees paid by the college allow students to use professional photos in class projects while avoiding copyright infringement.

AP wire image database available for student projects Librarian promotes awareness and benefits of site to students.

By Jeff Reese

Thanks to the library’s Associated Press Images database, students may now find 100 years worth of AP pictures from worldwide news to help jazz up their class presentations.

Students may use databases’ content free of charge and without concern for copyright infringement, as the college has paid copyright fees for student to use AP Images for educational purposes.

Instructor and Librarian John Deosdade named this as a benefit to visit AP Images for a project such as a PowerPoint presentation.

“Most people, when they’re looking for an image, they go to Google, which is a way of doing it,” Deosdade said. “But the problem is, you are using images that are unauthorized, and if somebody wanted to press the issue, they could bring a lawsuit saying ‘You’re using my material without authorization.’”

When Edward James Olmos made a speech at the college in January 2007, Deosdade composed a PowerPoint presentation of Olmos’ career highlights from the databases’ pictures; the library announced its use of AP Images as a

promotion for the database.

While Deosdade often introduces AP Images to classes that come to the library and view research options, he said he and the other librarians do not receive the usage and feedback they crave from the database.

“I think the biggest problem is that students aren’t aware of it,” Deosdade said. “It’s not until we talk about it in a class that people are aware of what it can do for you.”

To shed light on the database, the library staff is currently considering placing pictures from AP Images in the display cases on the second and third floors of the library; these cases display seasonal advertising for traditions such

as Black History Month in February or Fiesta in April.

The library’s home page features a database of the week and Deosdade will mention AP Images as the highlighted database for the week of Feb. 19.

A photography instructor could also use the database to show students examples of AP quality pictures, Deosdade said.

“You can even use it for compare and contrast,” Deosdade said. “If I’m an instructor and I want to evaluate how well a picture is composed, I might look at some professional photographs from something like AP Images and compare it not to denigrate or put down the student, but to use it as a learning tool and

Lights not a black, white issue Desire for security on campus conflicts with needs of astronomy students.

By Ralonda Green Instructor Alfred Alaniz’s classes are searching for a dark corner of the campus.

His Monday and Tuesday night astronomy labs are having trouble finding a dark enough place on campus to view the night sky.

ASTR 1170, Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory, focuses on practical observation techniques, including student-built instruments.

Observations are not possible because an increase in campus lighting for safety purposes on the south side of the walkway connecting Loftin Student Center and on the west side of the chemistry-geology building eliminated the dark area between chemistry-geology and Candler Physical Education Center that Alaniz’s classes have used in the past.

“Astronomy needs outdoor reservations obviously, and it’s hard to find a dark place on campus,” Alaniz said.

“I understand that security lights are needed. It’s just that we need to find a place,” he said. “We were thinking at the top of the parking garage, but it’s well lit, too.

“So, ideally we need the top of a building to have permanently mounted telescopes,” he continued. “The library would be great, but there’s an issue of people falling off.”

One advantage Alaniz and his classes have been quick to jump on is burned out lights.

“Before they can repair them, we’ll go out there and do some observations.

“We just wander around until we find some place dark,” Alaniz said.

Of course, the weather does not always cooperate either.

Overcast skies prevent field work, but he prepares his students with back-up lab plans.

Alaniz wondered if he could arrange to have control of the lights as Scobee Planetarium has with a lamppost in Lot 21 for Friday night viewings and when members of the San Antonio Astronomical Association set up telescopes the first Friday of each month.

Facilities Superintendent David Ortega said he had not heard of the astronomy lab’s ordeal, but people walking on campus at night is his main concern.

“Too many lights, that’s a good thing,” Ortega said. “We usually get complaints that it’s too dark.”

He listed from memory individuals who have complained in the past about the campus parking areas being too dark.

“There were some students walking from the Nail Tech building to the parking garage and came to us complaining that it was too dark,” he said.

(In the interests of full disclosure, the journalism-photography department lobbied for lighting on the steps leading up to the walkway between Loftin and Gonzales Hall.)

Ortega said that the lights on campus are not like a regular light bulb used in a home but have built-in sensors or a photo cell that detects changing light levels.

Ortega suggested that perhaps Alaniz could take his night classes to the Bennett Estate lawn at Dewey and Belknap places; however, trees can be found all around the Bennet Estate.

In any case, Ortega said he would be willing to help Alaniz to come up with some kind of solution.

give me some pointers.”

Deosdade said AP Images keeps students from searching through excess and possibly subpar images available on a site such as Google and narrows the number of available pictures to only the most elite pictures.

“If you go to Google images, you’ll go through hundreds of thousands of images, and you’ll be sitting at the computer for an hour looking for an image, whereas with AP Images, these were done by professional news photographers,” Deosdade said. “That is their bread and butter, and they would not have been published if they weren’t a great photograph; garbage doesn’t get on the site.”

Tyler Cleveland

Persistence pays: San Antonio Express-News columnist Cary Clack speaks to about 150 students about “The Quest for Black Citizenship,” in celebration of Black History Month Tuesday in Loftin. Clack said heroes like

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. inspired him to never give up on his dream of becoming a journalist. He advised students to be persistent in following their dreams as well. See related story online.

Building heart and homes?

Single volunteers constructing homes for low-income families.

By Krystina Hodge Most people spend their Valentine’s Day with that “special someone,” others spend it with close friends, and some of us who aren’t fortunate enough to have either of the two spend it tucked away in our beds or slouched on the couch eating delivered pizza or table dinners, while watching sobbing romantic love stories that further remind people of why we dread the holiday.

On a day when most think only about that special someone or special no one, one organization, Habitat for

Humanity, is thinking about everyone by hosting “Valentine’s Day Singles Build.”

According to a press release on the Habitat for Humanity Web site, the organization “can’t think of anything more meaningful (and yes, maybe even romantic) than helping a family in need achieve the dream of homeownership.”

For those who might find someone of interest during the event, “the build day will be over early enough to take advantage of more traditional Valentine’s Day activities,” the release said.

Volunteers at the event, taking place 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, will help in the construction of eight homes in the area surrounding Palo Alto College.

Jen Faught, Habitat for

Valentine’s Day Singles Build 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday.

To volunteer, call 223-5203.

Humanity’s volunteer coordinator, encourages volunteers to stay for the entire shift.

To volunteer for the singles build, call 223-5203.

For more information, go to the organization’s Web site at www.habitatsa.org.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

4 • Feb. 13, 2009

Tyler Cleveland

Pingpong prevails: Architecture freshman and Korean international student Sanjin Ha returns a shot from education sophomore Eleazar Galinob during the pingpong tournament sponsored by student life in Tyler Cleveland

Loftin Tuesday. Ha defeated Galindo 2-0. Engineering freshman Kyle Anderson defeated pre-nursing sophomore Kristian Garza in the final round and won an iPod Shuffle.

What’s in a name:

Tyler Cleveland

American Sign Language Instructor Melody Hull signs to her students during a campus tour Tuesday. Hull is describing Nail as being named after an instructor, not finger nails.

Gift of life: Nurse Sandra Quintanilla draws blood from early education sophomore Samantha Borrero Tuesday in a mobile blood donor station west of Scobee Planetarium. Students in good health can donate blood at any of the six South Texas Blood and Tissue Center locations from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For location information, call 731-5555.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Feb. 13, 2009 • 5

Tuition Freeze Program encourages graduation

By Vanessa M. Sanchez With the consistent rising of tuition prices, the Alamo Community College District has created the Tuition Freeze Program, which freezes a student’s tuition rate for a maximum of three years.

The project was approved in spring 2008 at Chancellor Bruce Leslie’s urging.

Dr. Adelina Silva, vice chancellor of student success, said the TZP program is limited to students with 12 or fewer hours and said, as of Tuesday, 793 students districtwide have registered in its first semester.

To qualify for TZP, students must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and complete nine hours in both the fall and spring semesters and at least three hours during the summer.

TZP students also must meet with a counselor

by Aug. 1 to make certain they are following their degree plan.

Silva added that if a student fails to abide by

any of the regulations, they will receive a second chance to apply the following semester.

The student will then be withdrawn from the program if they fail to meet the criteria a second time.

Silva said the idea was created to help students complete college and receive an associate degree within three years.

Those interested in signing up for TZP may apply before or during any registration period via an online application.

The next opportunity to sign up is for Flex 2, for which registration is ongoing and continues until classes start March 16.

Students may sign up for a minimum of one course if they choose, but as Silva said, must complete a total of at least nine hours at the end of the semester they enroll.

For example, a student enrolled in only one 16-week class this spring would have to add two Flex 2 classes or one Flex 2 class and a Maymester

class. Lina noted that Northwest Vista is an exception to this plan because that college counts the Maymester as a summer class.

She said she expects that difference to be resolved.

Also, students already enrolled in two threehour courses will need to add an additional threehour class.

Those students currently enrolled in three three-hour classes are already eligible.

Silva also suggested if a student is interested in the program, they should sign up for more than one class so as to not discourage themselves with the larger amount required to finish in the second half of the semester.

The students enrolled with TZP will be monitored to see that they fulfill qualifications and meet with counselors.

TZP was created to increase the number of students staying on their degree plans to earn an associate degree in three years; on the other hand,

students do not have to seek graduation to participate in the program.

Silva said this program is more for students to stay on the right track and maintain a good GPA, but if a student wishes to transfer before completing three years at this school, they may do so as long as they abide by the guidelines.

“It’s a wonderful program to help students do well and help them stay on a degree plan,” Silva said. “It’s a positive move we’re taking to help students stay in school.”

Though it was not ready for fall registration, the TZP application was available online last semester to inform freshmen.

Those interested in registering for TZP may print out an application at www.accd.edu/main/ html/registration/tuitionfreezeprogram.pdf or at the bottom of the ACCD’s registration Web site.

Return it to the bursar’s office in Room 210 of Fletcher Administration Center when tuition is paid.

Vacant houses remain standing on college property

Photos by Trey Randolph

By Trey Randolph Numerous lots around the campus area owned by this college remained unused.

The lot at North Main Avenue and West Locust Street has been cleared of the motor pool building, and many ideas have been tossed around concerning how to use the lot.

Ideas for use of the lot included putting the new chemistry and geology lab portables on it, as well as paving the lot for more parking.

When the motor pool building was demolished, the utilities were removed as well, meaning if the college wanted to put the chemistry-geology portables on that lot they would have to reinstall utility lines.

President Robert Zeigler said Thursday the motor pool lot would become a parking lot.

David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said the parking lot next to motor pool is the location planned for the new chemistry and geology portables, but doesn’t know when that will occur.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operations and construction management, said Tuesday the building permits were still being obtained for the portables.

Strybos said the placement of the portables could begin in the middle of March once a location is finalized, permits are obtained and utilities are installed.

He said the portable buildings could be in place and ready for use with a certificate of occupancy after the spring semester, as early as May 11, when classes are finished for the semester.

If that happened, Summer 1 semester could start using the labs.

The Building, Grounds and Site Selection Committee had bids for the motor pool parking lot expansion listed as agenda item No. 15 for the

Lot at 811 Ogden St. meeting to be conducted Thursday.

After that, Strybos said, a bid will be awarded at the Feb. 25 regular board meeting.

The lots at 807 and 811 Ogden St. that were purchased by the district at the beginning of fall 2007 remain unchanged except for temporary fences surrounding the two properties.

Houses still remain on both properties.

Strybos said the district was working on getting the buildings demolished.

He said the district advertised with selected contractors and received multiple bids.

Because of the initial advertising with contractors, a second contractor was chosen without further advertising once the first contractor fell through.

They are currently working on obtaining demolition permits from the city and releases from the state.

After demolition, Strybos said the lots could initially be used as dirt parking until further use can be determined.

Zeigler confirmed “we’re working with the city about trying to demolish those houses,” but did not know how the lots would be utilized once

Former motorpool lot at Locust Street and North Main Avenue cleared.

“After time, (the college) will identify what to do with those,” Strybos said.

The lot at 204 W. Evergreen St., which was purchased in December 2007 for $125,000, has been paved and surrounded with a brick wall.

Bids were received from 15 vendors on Sept.

Cupid’s arrow pierces couple in cafeteria Couple celebrates 34th Valentine’s Day together.

By Sharon Hensley In 1974, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” was playing in theaters and Barry White had the No. 9 hit of the year with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe.”

Alfredo Sanchez was a 21-year-old political science freshman and Adelaida Corona was a 20-year-old education freshman when their paths crossed in the cafeteria in Loftin Student Center that year.

Alfredo Sanchez tells the story. “The cafeteria was the place to be, here at SAC. It was called the sub. I knew one of her girlfriends, and there were seven girls in line. Being the big flirt I was back then, I went over and started talking to them.”

The then-Adelaida Corona took some initiative of her own.

Alfred Sanchez continued, “She called me up at work because she wanted to go to a wedding party. I was ecstatic. We just kept dating after that. We had a lot in common. I liked her.”

While dating, Sanchez and Corona decided to take a French course together.

“It was during this time that we were dating, I gave her a sweetheart ring for Valentine’s Day. I gave it to her at the San

Francisco Steakhouse,” Sanchez said.

It was a different time, the couple remembers.

“We were gentlemen back then,” Alfredo Sanchez said. “We would hold doors open. Everyone was really polite.”

The pair dated for seven years prior to getting married.

“When we were going around, you melted for your girlfriend. You literally melted. You don’t have that these days. It’s more seductive. I feel sorry for people, nowadays, that live together. The honeymoon doesn’t have the same exciting, loving feeling,” Sanchez said.

The lovers were married Nov. 14, 1981.

“I knew my wife was the right person.

When you have those vows together, you take them seriously and lovingly. Guys today have to understand when you get married, that’s it. Poor or rich, sickness or in health, till death do you part. The meaning is deeper than that. You help your children go through life with these words,” Alfredo Sanchez said.

He continued, “That to me is what’s

really missing today. Good parenting and strong relationships. There is always a richer man, or a better-looking man.

There is no ideal person. You have to be the ideal person. Do you look at the faults, or do you look at the beauty of the relationship? I’m not saying I’m perfect.

My wife has put up with some of the things I say. You make it work. You tell yourself marriage is forever.”

A d e l a i d a Sanchez said, “He doesn’t forget Valentine’s Day.” Her husband said, “I view Valentine’s Day as a big day. The affection is there.

It’s an attraction you can’t explain.”

In regard to having a successful marriage, Adelaida Sanchez said compromise is important.

“We don’t put ourselves first. There is no ‘I’m in charge, he’s in charge.’ We do it together. We’re always trying to do it for each other,” she said.

Sanchez and Corona are both from San Antonio. The couple has a son who was born in 1985, and their fraternal twin girls were born in 1986.

25, 2008, and the board meeting Oct. 14, 2008, awarded $152,300 to Alamo City Constructors for the construction of a “Dumpster pad and parking” on that lot.

Strybos said that location will be the site for a new recycling compactor, part of the college’s Green SAC initiative.

Park Place could be parking lot or new childhood studies building

By Trey Randolph Though the district acquired the Park Place office building at 1405 N. Main Ave. in December 2008, the district and college have yet to decide what to do with the property, the district’s construction chief said.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operations and construction management, said Tuesday he was unsure of what was happening with Park Place because the building is undergoing asbestos abatement.

That process must be finished before any demolition permits may be filed with the city.

The district board of trustees approved a purchase order of $170,546.83 to Bexar Environmental for asbestos abatement during its regular meeting Sept. 16.

Approval also must be obtained from the state department of health stating all asbestos has been removed before demolition can occur.

What happens with the lot depends, at least in part, on when it is demolished and cleaned, Strybos said.

President Robert Zeigler said Thursday the lot will be “demolished pretty quickly.”

The short-term plan for the lot is parking, but Zeigler said in the

long term it could be used as the site for a new early childhood studies building.

Strybos said they had worked on the air conditioning in the early childhood studies building “last week or the week before.”

“As users identify things that need to be fixed, we get those fixed,” he said. “At the same time, we’re actively working with programming and schematic design for a new center.”

He said right now a renovation on early childhood studies is an “unfunded project.”

There are many potential ways to fund a renovation or relocation for the building, and Strybos referred to the bond approval by the citizens of Bexar County that granted money for the new nursing and allied health complex and the academic instructional center, as well as the parking garage, as an example of how to obtain funding.

He also said that, as an example, the district could apply for a grant from the department of housing and urban development to cover some costs.

“Right now, we’re working on it,” Strybos said.

“The college is working on identifying a use (for the lot),” he said.

“It will happen soon, but not soon enough.”

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

McCreless theater expands

Leda Garcia

By Dani Williams

McCreless theater has been remodeled.

The McCreless theater has been around since 1952.

Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair, said the hall has not been updated since 1993, and the only renovation needed was a paint job.

It was brought to John Strybos’ attention by Hunt that the theater needed to be updated.

Strybos is the associate vice chancellor of facilities operations and construction management of the Alamo Community College District.

“It was time for a renovation; the theater was rundown, unattractive and parts of it were unsafe,” Hunt said.

“It was always a difficult situation for the actors.”

There were no dressing rooms inside the theater and actors would have to run from McCreless to McAllister Fine Arts Center to get dressed during performances, Hunt said.

There are now two dressing rooms inside McCreless theater.

The company that renovated the theater is the Baron Long Construction, Ltd. They submitted a proposal to render the best value to perform modifications to McCreless.

Remodeling began in May and was finished by the Christmas break.

“I was very impressed by this company,” Hunt said. “They met every deadline and were usually ahead of deadline.”

Hunt said the company allowed the department, faculty and staff to help them decide what needed to be done regarding the theater and didn’t mind them looking at their project while it was in motion.

“They never had a problem. It was an excellent, excellent company,” he said.

The cost of the renovations was about $458,000, according to the district’s Web site.

It was paid through the SAC maintenance tax notes 2006.

“We have a brand-new ticket booth, which hopefully will lend a little more professionalism to McCreless theater,” Hunt said.

Before the new ticket booth, the box office person would sit at a table, collect money and give out tickets to people who came to see the

presented show, Hunt said.

The seats before the renovation were uncomfortable; with the new seating, viewers will be able to enjoy the show relaxed, Hunt said.

Hunt said the original design of the theater was unsafe for its technicians, who had to climb tall ladders just to change the light bulbs.

To resolve this, catwalks were installed to lower the ceiling and new ceiling tiles were placed between the roof and the original ceiling, which allows the theater technicians to get up on to the catwalk and change and focus the lights easily, Hunt said.

McCreless theater has two extra storage spaces for keeping makeup, extra curtains and lighting equipment.

“We have a new extended lobby area,” Hunt said.

The company built a permanent floor on top of the lobby area, which extended the area out over the theater, and they put in a new light booth and sound studio.

The McCreless theater didn’t have a “Green Room” for the actors to prepare and rehearse their lines before they went on stage; the new space can also serve as a lounge, Hunt said.

Hunt said, the theater held 180 people before renovations; now the adjustments to the theater have taken away about 30 seats, because of the extension of the lobby and primarily spacing for spots for people with disabilities.

Hunt said that the new color for the carpet and paint was changed from brown to a dark blue, which gives the scene design a much better color.

“With the new ceiling, we have much better acoustics, and the acting classes can tell that the acoustic has really improved when they are performing. You can really hear the projecting of their voices,” Hunt said.

Another added improvement is a recording studio, which is used for announcements, sound effects and background music.

“With a theater program that’s growing and putting on five shows a year and three shows are being held in McCreless theater, the old theater just didn’t meet our needs,” Hunt said.

Donated furniture is needed; instead of throwing out furniture you no longer desire, it may be part of a set for a play.

Featured upcoming shows in the new

Feb. 13, 2009 • 6

Moody due for improvements

By Jeff Reese

McCreless improvements include new dressing rooms.

McCreless theater includes “The Mariner” which is about the life of Christopher Columbus; a huge comedy called the “Imaginary Invalid,” and a summer show called “Be Aggressive” which is about the culture of cheerleaders, Hunt said.

“I’m so happy that our college and our district put McCreless theater down as a priority,” Hunt said.

As part of the $450 million bond issue passed in November 2005, the Moody Learning Center will undergo improvements set to cost $4.4 million.

Improvements include new furniture such as lounge chairs, 20 group study rooms and research seating for more than 1,000 students; the library previously provided room for 400 students.

O’Connell Robertson and Associates, an engineering and architectural firm, will take on the project, which involves seven floors, including the three floors occupied by the library.

Circulation Librarian Ralph Domas said the design of the new facilities lends themselves well to student use.

“The best part of it is the aesthetics that make it more inviting for students to come do research and study,” Domas said.

Domas said that although employees will need to adjust the construction environment, the project is long overdue.

“Any time there’s a major remodeling project, there’s adjustment,” Domas said. “But the building hasn’t been remodeled in 40 years, so we all look forward to it.”

A key adjustment comes with the need for more staff, as hard economic times mean no money for new employees.

Domas said while the current staff will struggle, it must get accustomed to increased and different hours.

“We just have to make do with what we have by having different work hours,” Domas said. “Instead of someone working day shifts, they will work later shifts to make sure we have coverage at that time.”

The project somewhat reflects improvements to the Northwest Vista College library, which used $115 million of the same bond. The NVC upgrades were finished in time for the fall 2008 semester.

The project does not yet have a tentative date of completion, but each of the seven floors of classrooms, offices and computer labs will take three to four months to improve.

After these renovations, the architecture firm will proceed to the library. Domas said students who had not previously used the library should use the remodeled one, especially because of its research facilities.

“There is more seating for research, and it is going to be really nice,” Domas said.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Monarch slays in radio studio performance

Premiere

Feb. 13. 2009 • 7 Photos by Tyler Cleveland

Left: Slain Monarch guitarist Rick Cantu performs live with his band at the KSYM studio in Longwith Monday. With hope to “spark a change in the minds of listeners,” Cantu writes the band’s music, calling it an “avante-garde instrumental fusion.” It was the band’s first time being played on the radio.

State-of-the-art recording studio at KSYM provides local bands opportunity to perform on air.

By Jason Treviño The multitrack studio allows the radio-television-film department to host bands every Monday night in the Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building.

The performances are not open to the public, but students associated with the music business program in the radiotelevision-film department have the opportunity to watch and learn what it takes to be in the recording industry, RTF Lecturer Donnie Meals said.

With the implementation of this state-of-the-art recording studio, Meals, and Juan Diaz, promotions director for college radio station KSYM, have the opportunity to allow bands to perform.

“I go to a lot of shows. If I see a band that I like, I’ll ask if they want to perform here. I also look on band MySpace profiles,” Diaz said.

Students in the music business program record the bands, and then band members do an interview on “Live on KSYM” hosted by Obi Juan, the on-air name for Diaz. The bands leave with a demo tape.

Although the bands receive no compensation, the airtime alone is a great way to get their name out to the public, Diaz said.

On Monday, Slain Monarch, a local band, appeared on the show.

The band is composed of guitarist Rick Cantu, bassist Ben Cardenas and drummer Alton Jenkins.

With mellow instrumentals, the band plays its own style of rock music. If Mars Volta and Crimson Tide met and conceived a child, Slain Monarch would be the offspring, only without vocals, Cantu said.

Slain Monarch performed in the multi-track studio for about one hour Monday night.

The band’s name, Slain Monarch, has a meaning that guitarist Rick Cantu wants his fans and listeners to know. It reflects what he considers the lack of talent of many recording artists.

“It’s a giant metaphoric piece,” he said. “The monarch is representative of the music industry, the giant labels. You literally have to have no talent to produce a record today.”

Diaz interviewed the band for about 30 minutes and played a song they had recorded in the studio.

“There was so much energy in the room,” Cantu said.

“Something had to give. Us sweating so much was worth the time given to us.”

Slain Monarchs’ next show will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Best Buy at Loop 410 and San Pedro Avenue.

The radio-television-film department will host The Hawks (of Holy Rosary) at 7 p.m. Monday.

Listeners can tune to 90.1 FM. Bands who would like to appear can contact Diaz through the “Live on KSYM” MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ liveonksym.

Above: Slain Monarch drummer Alton Jenkins performs live with his band at the KSYM studio Monday.

Instrumental alternative band Slain Monarch performs live at the KSYM studio in Longwith on Monday. The band includes liberal arts sophomore

and bassist Ben Cardenas, percussionist Alton Jenkins and Rick Cantu playing guitar.

Boy band with a religious tone moves into San Pedro Playhouse

By Dani Williams In the musical “Altar Boyz,” a religious boy band sets out to help fans and listeners get reconnected with their lost souls to be closer to God. With the help of a computerized monitor, the band can detect how many lost souls are in the audience.

“Altar Boyz” was to open Thursday with additional shows at 8 p.m. today, Feb. 20-21 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 22 at the San Pedro Playhouse.

The cost of the show is $25 for adults, senior and active military is $22, and students with an ID are $15.

The play shows how the Altar Boyz come together to form a group of five with a bit of a difference in religious backgrounds: four members are Catholics and one a Jew. They work through differences in religion with dancing, humor and sexuality to develop friendship.

The bandmates go through their own trial of learning how to deal with their lives, the band and their religious beliefs.

Alexis Rico, assistant director and English sophomore, said, “This is the first time that I know of the play coming to San Antonio. It is an offBroadway production, and it just closed in New York.”

The book was written by Kevin Del Aguila and directed and choreographed

by Christopher J. Rodriguez.

“Chris, the director, was great to work with, and the guys are all amazing,” Rico said.

Miguel Ochoa, who plays Matthew, is a music education senior at the University of the Incarnate Word.

“He’s the band’s leader who knows his reasons for being part of the group. He has a strong faith and a quiet strength,” Rico said.

Late in the show Matthew also finds himself in a bit of a predicament, when a solo deal comes up.

Rick Sanchez, who portrays the character Mark, attends the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mark is misunderstood, presumably because of his sexuality but Rico sees him as being sensitive and in tune with everyone’s needs, especially

Matthew.

“It’s tongue in cheek meaning; you hear it one way and interpret it another way, and that’s what makes it funny,” Rico said.

Walter Songer, who attends St. Edwards University in Austin, plays Luke, the hip-hop clueless band member who has recently been released from treatment and rehabilitation for his addictions.

“Luke is the fun-loving one who parties a lot,” Rico

said.

Michael J. Gonzalez, who studied music at Texas A&M University-Commerce, plays Juan, the Latin lover and well-dressed ladies’ man, who learns devastating news about his parents.

“Juan takes everything with face value. He doesn’t think too much on things but goes with the first instinct,” Rico said.

UTSA student Ryan Ramirez plays the character Abraham, a Jewish young man who doesn’t know his place or where he fits in the world but is thankful to be a member of the Altar Boyz.

A live band helps the Altar Boyz set the atmosphere of saving lives by playing music and having the Altar Boyz perform inspiring songs such as “Jesus Called Me on My Cell Phone” and “Girl, You Make Me Want to Wait.”

Rico said that because it was a small cast, it was a great opportunity to work intimately with five talented young men, and to see the growth and development that had taken place in 10 weeks of rehearsal was amazing.

Rico said hearing the audience feedback is the best feeling in the world, and it feels good to know that she was part of it.

Rico said she wants the audience to take from this play that no matter their beliefs, the only thing that matters is the friendship and the bond that people share.

Rico also said she hopes the audience has a good time and laughs because laughter is important when you’re putting on a good show, you want to hear the positive responses.

Rico said the turning point for each character is revelation about themselves.

“Ultimately, what unites these five very different guys is their faith, friendship and love for each other,” Rico said.

8 • www.theranger.org

Feb. 13, 2009 • 9

The Ranger Monica Pinzon Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Petting ZOO

at the Stock Show and Rodeo

Lea Thompson

Jeff Gore, staff of Heads or Tails hat shop, shapes a cowboy hat by steaming it Tuesday.

Carlos Garcia

Destiny Mata

Logan Alnaguer, 4, son of Richard Alnaguer, rides Dr Pepper during the 60th annual Stock Show and Rodeo Monday on the grounds of Freeman Coliseum.

Crowds pet, feed and ride livestock

By Vanessa M. Sanchez

Children impatiently lingered over metal fencing as they tried to obtain a closer look at the Dorper sheep, one of the many animals presented Monday at the 60th annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s petting zoo.

Adults also shared an interest in the petting zoo; however, their greater interest was the viewing of the large, horned Hereford.

In a smaller nearby petting zoo, families helped their children feed llamas and donkeys as well as catch a look at the pigs.

There was a steady flow of people in boots with spurs and belts with buckles of all styles that had a Texas representation on it, and as they walked by the booths, attendants showed off their Texan friendliness.

One of the people enjoying the sights of the rodeo was Richard Alnaguer, who stood beside his son, 4-year-old Logan decked out in his cowboy clothes riding a pony named Dr Pepper.

Alnaguer, who said he and his wife have visited the rodeo for five consecutive years, said the rodeo is fun and the children are amused by it, but it was primarily the music and concerts that attracted them.

The building designated for the cattle competitors was filled with young children, who washed their animals with the help of their elders before being judged.

The rodeo has always been a gateway to family entertainment and competitions.

The Wells family, for example, with the 5W Cattle Company, dressed in matching flannel styles, were washing their large cattle together.

If walking outside in the heat is not as appealing to some, the rodeo has many indoor, air-conditioned shops where people can purchase some Texan culture, such as jewelry, crafts, arts or furniture made from leather and wood.

Also indoors is the Rodeo’s Hall of Fame, where viewers can see photos of past rodeo winners, presidents, chairman and “The Livestock Committee,” the rodeo’s first volunteer group.

Indoors or out, one thing the rodeo will deny anyone from forgetting is the stench of the competition of domestic and wildlife animals.

The San Antonio rodeo has always been a place where people from South Texas could showcase their animals. The odors come with the territory.

The rodeo will continue through Feb. 22 and offers dollar days today and Feb. 20 and College Night Thursday, where college students may enter complimentary with their current college ID. Hannah Nickel, 10, strokes a llama at the petting zoo during the 60th annual Stock Show and Rodeo Tuesday at Freeman Coliseum.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Dario Arellano, 4, watches a show with his father, Miguel Arellano, Tuesday.

Jose´ Castillo

Casandra Gonzales and her 4-year-old son Justin Gonzales enjoy the pony ride at 60th annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Tuesday on the grounds of Freeman Coliseum.

Fine dining it ain’t

By Laura Garcia

Cody Halloway, 10, washes his pig “Georgie” with dishwashing liquid before the big show on Monday at the Stock Show and Rodeo.

Destiny Mata

Giant turkey legs, funnel cakes and fresh squeezed lemonade may be the preferred rodeo staples, but there are other options available if one is looking to give the taste buds something to remember.

There’s more fun to be had at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo than just the rides, games and barns; search out the seriously odd snacks to be bought.

On the midway, you can find such nutritious treats as chicken fried bacon, hot beef “sundaes” and fried Snickers candy bars.

Hot beef “sundaes” are layered with a hearty portion of roast beef, three scoops of mashed potatoes with gravy and cheese, a slice of toast and a cherry tomato for garnish.

“It’s very uniquely presented,” Lori Moreno, a psychology sophomore at Northwest Vista College, said.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

“It’s a whole meal.”

Moreno has worked at the stand for two years and admitted finishing off only two “sundaes” in all that time.

Other notable choices include Mediterranean gyros, Chan’s Chicken on a Stick and wok-fired “Island” Soba noodles.

Most interviewed stuck with tried-and-true items like made-to-order jumbo corn dogs, sausage-on-astick or standard barbecue plates.

But not all rodeo-goers think alike. People of all ages and sizes lined up at food stands.

So be sure to check out the chuck wagons on the fairgrounds at Thursday’s free College Night or visit today before 5 p.m. for $1 admission to the grounds.

Spend the money you saved at the gate on a snack you won’t soon forget.

For more information, log on to www.sarodeo. com.

The office of student life is coordinating Wild West Roundup, which will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesday.

“We decided to give a rodeo for students who have never been to a rodeo or otherwise couldn’t go because of transportation or lack of funds,” student activities specialist Carrie Hernandez said.

“We are going to have local riders and entertainers,” she said.

The rodeo will have a mechanical bull, trick roper, juggler, trio performance and caricature artist.

Eleven student organizations will sell food or have games.

The organizations are MexicanAmerican Student Association, On-Stage Drama Club, Teaching Academy Program Peers, San Antonio Education Partnership, Gay and Lesbian Association, American Institute of Architecture Students, Catholic Student Center, Psych Club, Kinesiology Club and Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native American Scientists.

The food sold by clubs will be Jacob Sepmoree washes cattle during the 60th annual Stock Show and Rodeo Tuesday.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Wild West Roundup comes to mall

By Theodore Knapinsky

Lilliana Pesina, a second-grader at Wilshire Elementary School, feeds a sheep in a petting zoo during a class field trip to the 60th annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

Delicious snacks and even a made-to-order whole meal can be purchased at the food stands on the fair grounds.

less expensive than the food at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, she said.

Prices will be no more than $2 or $3, with the exception of funnel cakes, which may be a dollar or two more, she said.

Other foods to be sold are chicken fajitas, funnel cakes, sodas, nachos, sausage wraps, beef fajitas, corn on the cob, brisket sandwiches, Frito pie and popcorn, The Psych Club will have a roping game.

“Whatever money the clubs make, they get to keep,” Hernandez said. “This is a fun thing for students, and they should take advantage of it, and with the economy and the way things are right now, we try to keep things simple for students and faculty to enjoy.”

The Rough Riders will perform acoustic music, The Wild West Roundup is in its third year.

“Last year, the weather was very nice,” Hernandez said. “We had armadillo racing and a live steer.”

For questions, call Hernandez at 486-0128.

Linda Fletcher walks her horse through a barn.

Upcoming

10 • Oct. 10, 2007

Today SAC Event: Black Student Alliance dating game 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the food court of Loftin. Call 733-2118.

Performance: “Fabulation Or, the Re-Education of Undine,” social satire at 8 p.m. at Jump Start Theatre, 108 Blue Star. $20 general admission, $15 military and students and $13 seniors. Continues at 8 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday through March 1. Call 656-0349.

“Friday the 13th”

Event: PC clinic 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Port of San Antonio, 312 Clarence Tinker. Call 486-3412.

Monday SAC Transfer: Appointments with Texas State 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0864.

Thursday SAC Opens: Classes meet as scheduled after postponement of Employee Development Day.

SAC Event: Information table on eating disorders provided by Peer Educators 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in mall or in the Fiesta Room in Loftin in case of rain. Call 486-1448.

SAC Event: The Patron Motorcycle Club 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the mall. Call 733-2806.

SAC Event: Catholic Mass by Father Luis Leal sponsored

by Methodist Center and Catholic Student Association at 12:15 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 736-3752.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the second floor lobby of McCreless. Call 486-0864.

SAC Event: Film “Eyes on the Prize,” Vol. 1-4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Continues Feb. 2324. Call 486-0589.

SAC Event: Active shooter training 8 a.m.-9:15 a.m., 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m., 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. and 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 486-0930.

Event: University of Texas at San Antonio health professions day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the health center of UTSA 1604 campus. Call 458-7584.

SAC Event: Karaoke Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 733-2641.

NLC Event: Mardi Gras celebration 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Campus Greens. Call 486-5497.

SAC Event: Coffee night and open mic sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese Club 6:30 p.m. in Loftin. Free for SAC students, $1 public. Call 486-0649.

SAC Event: CSA Social Justice 12:15 p.m. -1:15 p.m. in Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland. Call 7363752.

SAC Performance: Church and the Guilding Clouds gospel concert 7 p.m. in the auditorium of McAlllister. Free for students with SAC ID; donations from faculty and staff.

Call 733-2680.

SAC Event: Student Government Association open forum at 2 p.m. in the cafeteria of Loftin.

Call 267-7469.

Performance: “Icarus’ Mother” and “Action”

by Sam Shepard at 8 p.m. Continues at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m.

Sunday through Feb. 28 at Trinity University.

Call 999-8515.

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Tuesday

Feb. 21

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SAC Lecture: “African Presence in Mexico” 9:30 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 733-2896.

ACCD Meeting: Board of trustees 6 p.m. at the George E. Killen Community Education and Service Center, 201 E. Sheridan. Call 485-0030.

Speaker: “Just Suppose” by photographers Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor at 7 p.m. in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. Call 999-8406.

SAC Performance: Faculty recital with Dr. Mark Alexander 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 7332731.

Event: “Weekend Family Adventure: Build It!” 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Witte Musuem, 3801 Broadway. Adults $7, seniors $6 and children $5. Call 357-1900.

SAC Event: American Sign Language talent show and scholarship fundraiser 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in the theater of McCreless. $5. Call 733-2071.

Feb. 23 SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.11 a.m. in the second-floor lobby of McCreless and appointments 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0864.

Wednesday Feb. 24 SPC Event: Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 10 a.m. in Watson Theater. Call 4862887 or 486-2587.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. in the second-floor lobby of McCreless and appointments 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in the second floor lobby of McCreless. Call 486-0864.

This reviewer also enjoyed:

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SAC Tournament: Yu-gi-oh card tournament sponsored by office of student life 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Sign up Tuesaday. Call 733-2920.

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JJ All right movie.

JJJ Halfway decent.

JJJJ Worthy of highpriced concession prices.

JJJJJ Don’t do anything until you see this movie.

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Ranger rating system

SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 9 a.m.-noon in the second-floor lobby of McCreless and appointments noon-1 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0864.

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“The Evil Dead,” directed by Sam Raimi, and the original “Friday the 13th,” directed by Sean S. Cunningham.

SAC Event: Field trip to Microsoft Data Center hosted by the Computer Club at 1:30 p.m. in the parking garage by the elevators. For reservations, call 785-6160.

SAC Performance: Latin jazz combo 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

Feb. 25

SAC Meeting: Psych Club 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 644 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-1266.

SAC Meeting: Faculty Senate meeting with David Winney, associate vice chancellor for human resources, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 4860667.

SAC Performance: Brass ensemble 2 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

Feb. 26 SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the second-floor lobby of McCreless. Call 486-0864.

SAC Performance: Jazz ensemble 2 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

Feb. 20

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Director: : Marcus Nispel Producer: Walter Hamada, Guy Stodel, Michael Bay Actors: Julianna Guill, America Olivo, Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker Rated: R Plot: Jason, the hockey maskwearing killer, is back once again to terrorize the people trespassing onto Camp Crystal Lake. It begins with five young people camping at the lake with hopes of finding a marijuana field for their profit. The campers are then stalked by Jason and suffice to say, they do not get their weed. Six weeks later, San Antonio’s own Jared Padalecki goes to Crystal Lake looking for his lost sister, one of the campers, Amanda Righetti. He meets up with a group of college students, including Danielle Panabaker, staying at a house near Camp Crystal Lake. With the help of Panabaker, Padalecki’s search continues. At the house, the college students get settled in, and Jason finds them, killing them off one by one. The movie follows the horror formula step by step, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. Though this version of “Friday the 13th” does seem to simplify itself compared to the classic Jason movie, it still has modern effects, which are disappointing at best.

In theaters: Today Rating: JJ David M. Lazo

Saturday

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

SAC Event: Dental Festival 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the lobby of the nursing and allied health complex. Call 486-1502.

SAC Event: Transfer Fair 9 a.m.-noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0864.

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Speaker: Poetry reading by Stephan Burt at 7 p.m. in the gallery of Dicke Art Building of Trinity University.

Call 999-7516.

SAC Performance: Faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

Feb. 27 SAC Performance: Choral concert at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

SAC Lecture: “Tales From the Field” by Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Call 733-2482.

SAC Concert: Choral concert sponsored by music department at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.

Event: Transfer Day at Texas State University-San Marcos. Call (512) 245-8871.

Feb. 28 Event: Habitat for Humanity sponsored by Methodist Student Center 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Continues March 21.

Call 733-1441.

Event: “Hotel For Dogs” event 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Regal Cinemas Alamo Quarry, 255 E. Basse. Call 804-1115.

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March 1 SAC Performance: Guitars Galore 2 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College SWC: South West Campus For coverage in Upcoming, call 486-1773 or e-mail to sac-ranger@mail.accd.edu two weeks in advance

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Feb. 13, 2009 • 11

Memorial service emphasized compassion of nursing professor

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Dr. Lou Ann Cook, who died Dec. 17, is remembered by colleagues.

By Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Dr. Lou Ann Cook, nursing professor who died Dec. 17, was memorialized by at least 45 current and retired faculty members, administrators and family at a ceremony Feb. 6 in the nursing and allied health complex.

Cook was a nursing professor at this college 25 years.

She was born Jan. 9, 1938, in Lakewood, Ohio.

Three colleagues — Carol Lewis, Kathy Church and Gayle Monnig — were three of her best friends who coordinated the gathering.

It was scheduled on the day of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new complex.

Church almost cried as she described how they celebrated birthdays together and how gracious and welcoming Cook was.

“I can still hear her laugh,” Church said.

Church described Cook as “an advocate of students of every group.”

She said Cook encouraged students to stand up and fight for their rights.

She said Cook was meticulous about grammar, correcting page after page at faculty meetings.

Dr. Hector Gonzalez, chair of the nursing education department from 1972-1992 who hired Cook, said she liked to personify people’s names.

When he once called her “cookie” for Cook, she asked what it was in Spanish.

From then on he called her his “galletita.”

He also recited poetry from Khalil Gibran and proverbs by Winston Churchill and handed out a poem he wrote: “Life is not just a journey to the grave

Dr. Héctor González, former chair of nursing education, speaks at Dr. Lou Ann Cook’s memorial Feb. 6 in the new nursing and allied health complex. with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and perfectly preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally wornout and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’”

Cook graduated from this college as a registered nurse and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a doctorate of education at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Lou Ann helped thousands of students. … You could always count on her to do what she said she would do. … She was always so much fun,” Lewis said.

One retired faculty member reminded others of how at the end of meetings, faculty were asked if anyone had any other concerns.

Cook always raised her hand and once expressed concern over how the toilet tissue rolls weren’t rolling right.

A niece who called her “Mimie” remembered how she would kiss everyone on the lips.

Chair Ruth Dryer-Richard said a scholarship endowment is being established in Cook’s memory and that donations can be sent to the nursing department.

Monnig said she was too emotional to speak.

Celebration: Susan Espinoza, director of college and grants development, observes Martha Buchanan, academic support specialist, cut a cake during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 6. See related story online.

Professor treated during Cook memorial

By Priscilla Reyna-Orvalle A retired nursing professor became ill at a reception at the end of the memorial ceremony for Dr. Lou Ann Cook Feb. 6, and Emergency Medical Service was called.

The retired professor has been identified as Dr. Cecilia Kinsel.

She was seated at a table

with other nursing faculty when she became ill.

Her colleagues responded quickly by checking vital signs and using a stethoscope until the EMS unit arrived within 10 minutes.

On Tuesday, Michael Guerrero, administrative assistant in the nursing education department, said Kinsel had been well enough to go home.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

12 • Feb. 13, 2009

T-shirt hooks passersby for ‘fisher’ men

George Torres

Tyler Cleveland

Group to visit campus weekly to distribute literature.

By James Bosquez A group from Grace Community Bible Church used the mall east of Moody as a pulpit to spread their message of salvation Feb. 10.

The group was led by James Jennings, a former student at this college, who proudly wore a T-shirt declaring, “Jesus Christ saved me from pornography addiction.”

Jennings declared himself a porn addict after he said he spent more than eight years watching Internet pornography, all the while attending church regularly.

Jennings said that even when he wasn’t watching pornography, he would think about it.

“I had it in the hard drive of my brain,” he said. “I couldn’t get rid of it.”

When Jennings realized he was not the only member of his church who lived a hypocritical lifestyle, he decided to distance himself from the traditional church setting.

“It was all tickle of the ear and false fire. Anyone can set up a band and have a rock concert on a Sunday morning,” Jennings said.

Jennings said it wasn’t any one person or message that turned him away from his porn addiction, but when he began reading his Bible, he realized that not only was he living in sin, but he was ignoring the very sin that he saw in the church each week.

“More people go to hell because of the church than any bar,” Jennings said. “The greatest hour of idolatry is on Sunday mornings.”

He said the pageantry, showmanship and focus on celebrity personalities are forms of idolatry.

Jennings says he wears his T-shirt proudly hoping that it will not only draw the attention of

James Jennings people passing, but also to show that he is not ashamed to admit and discuss his faults.

“You might think I’m a pervert, but I don’t have shame,” Jennings said. “I am being real.”

Jennings hopes to use technology to spread his word as well.

His group plans on shooting footage for a short film that they will put on their YouTube channel.

Jennings already has videos featuring himself on the Web site along with other videos of various testimonials and sermons.

The group plans to visit the campus once a week for the remainder of the semester and will pass out free literature and DVD sermons by Paul Washer, a youth minister from Alabama.

Jennings said he plans to make more T-shirts for people interested in attending Grace Community Bible Church.

The new T-shirts will be formatted like his, but in the place of pornography addiction, the shirt will display the individual’s personal vice.

The church meets at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday for worship services and 7 p.m. Wednesday for a prayer meeting at Fatty’s Burgers and More at 1624 E. Commerce St. For more information, log on to www.youtube.com/illbehonest or www.gccsatx.com.

San Antonio Aids Foundation member Glenda Small tells students to get informed on HIV/AIDS. A native of New Orleans, Glenda was relocated to San Antonio after Katrina.

HIV/AIDS speakers share stories

By Giselle Guadron People who are “intimate in any way with anybody” need to get tested for HIV, Glenda Smith, an HIV-positive person, told a crowd of 46 at the National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day Monday presented

by BEAT AIDS and Peer Educators at this college.

Small said she tells her story to audiences to “put a face that HIV is alive.”

“If you see someone who is HIV positive, it makes a difference,” she said.

Small was diagnosed with the HIV virus in 1992 after having unprotected sex.

She had flu-like symptoms that would not go away so she decided to go to the hospital. HIV testing then was not as quick as it is today.

She received the results two weeks later and was shocked to know she was HIV positive.

Being HIV positive also affects one’s family because they love the person, she said. Her family has stood by her.

In her aunt, she found someone she could talk to since her mother had died.

Her aunt told her that everything was

going to be OK. “I must do everything I can to live,” she said, noting she follows a diet, exercises and takes all of her medications.

Her HIV status now is undetectable.

She still has HIV and wants people to understand that just by looking at somebody, people can’t tell if they have HIV. “Don’t take a chance with your life; know the individual you’re involved with,” she stressed.

She also wants people to remember that “being HIV positive can change your life forever so if you can’t live with it, then don’t do it.”

“Knowledge is power,” said M. Lynn Selzer, senior community liaison specialist with Gilead Sciences Inc. His interest in HIV prevention and education happened when he was infected with HIV. He has had experience in HIV/ AIDS prevention, education and treatment for the past 15 years.

When it comes to living with HIV, he has a saying, “I put HIV in the passenger seat when I’m driving because I’m in charge.”

“HIV is not a death sentence, but it

only takes one time to get the virus,” he said. “Anybody who makes a wrong decision or a wrong choice can get HIV.” He wants people learning about HIV to know the facts.

During 2007, there were 33 million people living with HIV in the world and in the U.S. 1.3 million. There were also 56,380 new infections.

He also went through some common questions about the HIV virus. Mosquitos will not transfer the HIV virus, and Magic Johnson is not cured, but his HIV status is undetectable. In the age range 18-27, one in 50 are HIV positive and they do not know it. When he said that, some students turned to look at their peers. Before he ended and pizza was served, he talked about the story of Hansel and Gretel. One student gave a quick recap of the story of a brother and sister who left bread crumbs in a path to find their way home, but the crows ended up eating the crumbs and then they couldn’t find their way home.

“There are a lot of crows in this world.

So we need to look out for the crows and leave more bread crumbs to find our way home.”

Pulse

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Lexie Burton

Feb. 13, 2009 • 13 Tyler Cleveland

Pool winners pocket prizes Education sophomore Luis Villarreal shoots the last game of a match, which he won 2-1 Feb. 4 in Loftin.

By Terry Ruiz Architecture sophomore Jeremy McKinney beat the defending champion of the eightball pool tournament, electrical engineering sophomore Nguyen Tran, in the final round Feb. 4.

The tournament attracted 28 contenders at four pool tables and 13 spectators to the game room in Loftin Student Center for the tournament sponsored by the office of student life.

“I figured I’d give it a shot since my friends signed up, just for the fun of it and for the chance to win the iPod since mine broke recently,” McKinney said after his victory.

He said he has been playing pool for about two years.

Tran, who won the tournament in the fall, said he has been playing four years.

“I competed in a pool tournament in Vietnam as well,” he said.

The tournament followed basic eight-ball rules, with the winner of the best two out of three games going on to the next round all the way to the final game, intramural specialist Sonya Bryant said.

Complying with the World Pool-Billiard Association standards, the basic premise of the game is for players to make their set of assigned

balls 1-7 (solids) or 9-15 (stripes), legally into any one of the six holes, providing they indicate to their competitor which ball and which hole or pocket they will attempt to make using the cue/white ball.

After they have shot in all of their assigned balls, the first to legally pocket the eight-ball wins the game, according to the association’s Web site at www.wpa-pool.com.

Sociology sophomore Jimmy Jiron made it to the fourth round before losing to McKinney.

“My uncle had a pool table at his house when I was kid, so I would always go over and play, so I’ve been playing for about 12 years now, just for fun.”

He and Tran went away with a red SAC slinger backpack, the prize for third and fourth round losers.

Although Tran appeared to have the experiential advantage, McKinney won the first game in a two out of three final competition.

Though it was a close call with both competitors trying to pocket the eight-ball toward the final shots, both competitors kept scratching or missing their shot.

The game continued back and forth until McKinney finally made his winning shot.

He also won the second game against Tran and the tournament.

Urban Journalism Workshop at San Antonio College

25th annual program open to high school seniors, juniors and sophomores Application deadline Feb. 20 For an application, visit

theranger.org

Another win:

Business freshman Dermon Smith slaps the ball away from Houston CyFair players during the final minutes of a game in Candler Gym Wednesday. The Rangers applied more defen-

sive pressure and converted off steals to win their fourth game 60-51. Hoping to remain undefeated, the Rangers will visit CyFair in Houston Saturday.

Tip off is at 1 p.m.

Over-the-counter-drugs available at health center

By Alice Gonzalez Students are now able to withstand aches and pains during school. The health center povides students with over-the-counter medications.

These medications include Pepto-Bismol, Advil, Tylenol and Sudafed.

Medications are also provided to any person on the faculty staff, Coordinator Paula Daggett said in an interview on Feb 9.

The amount allowed for students is a maximum of two doses, Daggett said.

The health center also provides two beds for students who need to rest. The beds are primarily used for emergencies only; however, if they are not in use, students are able to rest for one hour, Daggett said.

If a student is unable to walk to the health center for care because he is experiencing signs of

a heart attack, seizures, or has fallen and sustained an injury that prevents them from walking, this would be considered an emergency, Daggett said.

Students are welcome to call or visit the health center with any type of medical questions. If the health center is unable to help, referrals are provided depending on the circumstances, Daggett said.

The health center provides pregnancy testing, glucose testing, and HIV testing in which the results are highly confidential.

“If, and only if, subpoenaed by the court would we release medical information,” Daggett said.

The health center does encourage safe sex and condoms are available. Birth control requests, however, are referred to Planned Parenthood.

For more information, contact the health center at 733-2790 or visit them 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday -Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday in Chance Academic Center, Room 119.

Opinion

14 • Feb. 13, 2009

Editorials

www.theranger.org • The Ranger Edgar Puente

Campus safety needs to be a district priority on their own for the most part.

The district’s sexual harassment training was just as ill-suited to the majority of situations on campus.

The district has also said an email alert would go out to employees and those students who signed up for it, but the district’s Internet access is notoriously unreliable.

With the new telephone system, when the Internet goes, so does the telephone. Brilliant planning. Is there a back-up plan? This feels like a step backward.

The district has been installing security cameras everywhere — 56 in the parking garage alone — but does anyone actually monitor them as a real-time security measure?

The weekly blotter is filled with items that show the Department of Public Safety receives calls and responds to calls but rarely finds the source of the complaint.

We are not blaming DPS. This district continues to grow while spreading its resources thinner.

How does this contribute to our safety? It’s time to make the realities and needs of the colleges a district priority.

Come search for parking with the rest of us With the closing of faculty Lot 22, as well as the redesignation of three lots from faculty to open parking and three student lots becoming open as well, staff and students will soon have something else in common — the daily fight for parking.

Students have never been guaranteed a parking spot, and now staff members get to join the hunt.

Of the 1,100 parking spaces available in the parking garage, 23 spaces (about 2 percent) are reserved for deans, directors and a few other college positions including “administrative visitors.” While the president, vice president and many deans put their reserved spaces to good use because of frequent trips off campus, others including “administrative visitors” could find parking just like the rest of us — by hunting and hoping. Why shouldn’t they be required to hunt for parking like everyone else?

As reported in The Ranger during the spring 2008 semester, when the parking garage first opened, the parking garage only netted about 400 more spots than were available before construction.

Chances are good that the administrators who often stay on campus would get stellar parking without having a guaranteed spot, based on the time at which they need to arrive at work and the availability of prime parking spots at those early times.

In some cases, they could probably get a spot closer to their offices.

While the garage provides ample protection from the elements for these guaranteed spots, is that meant to suggest that teachers’ and students’ cars are not worth protecting?

The numerous college-owned lots around campus could be put to good use as parking lots — starting immediately.

Rather than wasting time debating what to do with the lots, the college could simply advocate their use as desperately needed parking.

The cost would be minimal and the work could be done quickly, resulting in benefits far outweighing the current utilization of the lots — which is nonexistent.

Furthermore, money already exists in the form of interest money from the 2005 $450 million bond issue that could be used to implement these improvements.

Isn’t it fair that if you take away crucial parking areas to use as staging areas for construction, you supply a fair and equal alternative to ease the already terrible parking situation we all face?

The money is there. The need is real. The college and the district must acknowledge the needs of the entire student and faculty population and provide necessary parking options.

Correction The Ranger incorrectly reported Feb. 6 that Project Cuidar provides books for all participants.

RANGER THE

Recent events have raised debates about guns on campus. Legislation has been discussed that will allow concealed weapons in schools, and the tragic shooting death at Northeast Lakeview College reminds us how suddenly unsuspected violence can erupt.

Now, there are revisions being made to the procedure concerning what to do if a shooter comes onto campus. Plans include locking down the building containing the threat, but then what? Has anyone been trained and drilled in what to do next?

A video was shown in active shooter presentations that employees were encouraged to attend. The video is now available for checking out from media services. But this isn’t training no matter how many times you call it that.

Faculty has often asked about situation-specific training not only in dealing with the extreme of a shooter, but simply in dealing with an emotionally charged individual in the classroom.

At least during the day, lots of people are around in other classes or offices, but at night, faculty are

Staff

Editor Martin Herrera Managing Editor Trey Randolph Opinion Editor Brianna Roberts Photographers Tyler Cleveland Melissa Toscano Lazcano Photo Team Lexie Burton, José Castillo, Carlos Garcia, Leda Garcia, Destiny Mata, Monica Pinzon, Lea Thompson, George Torres Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos, Fred Nockroes, Edgar Puente Production Manager James Bosquez Production Team Rebecca Ohnemus, Regis L. Roberts Staff Writers Laura Garcia, Alice Gonzalez, Ralonda Greene, Giselle Guadron, Kristina Hodge, Theodore Knapinsky, David M. Lazo, Rennie Murrell, Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle, Jeff Reese, Terry Ruiz, Vanessa M. Sanchez, Jason Treviño, Jade Villarreal, Dani Williams Web Administrator Charles Cima Circulation Eddie San Miguel The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Journalism-Photography, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

News contributions accepted by telephone (486-1773), by fax (733-2868), by e-mail (sac-ranger@mail.accd.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request (486-1765).

The Ranger is available online at http:// www.theranger.org.

The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Associated Press.

©2009 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words.

Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages.

Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Journalism-Photography, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@mail.accd. edu or faxed to 733-2868.

Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s printed name, classification, major, Social Security number and telephone number. For more information, call 486-1773.

Single Copy Policy: Because of high production costs, members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue.

Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office.

Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Pondering my Valentine’s Day dilemma I find myself torn on the topic of Valentine’s Day. One hand is pushing me to be a Scrooge, saying “bah humbug” Viewpoint by to anything Trey Randolph pink, chocolate or plush.

The other hand — the one my girlfriend Rebecca usually holds — is trying to slap some sense into me.

Whichever side wins, one thing is certain — Valentine’s Day is upon us yet again.

Yes, it is tomorrow. I know you forgot, but relax — it is just one day. While tradition has taught us it is a day not to be ignored in the annals of love, the real importance should lie in the other 364 days a year when we’re not inundated with reminders.

I relish the chance to show my girlfriend how much I love her. Not only does it let her know how often I think of her and what she means to me, but also allows me to see her smile. However, I don’t enjoy a day being chosen for me. I prefer a more chivalrous approach; I’d rather see her face light up because I surprised her when she wasn’t expecting it, rather than her expecting something special and potentially being disappointed because my funds or creativity did not match what has been ingrained in our minds as a “proper” Valentine date.

This isn’t to say I won’t be doing something for her on Valentine’s Day. I simply mean any day can be a great day to tell your significant other how you feel, as long as you mean it. Reserving a specific day is almost a handcuff for spontaneous romance.

No one even knows the true reason for celebrating the Feb. 14 “holiday.” Some say it is to celebrate St. Valentine’s death around 270 A.D. Some think it was an effort by Christians to counteract a Roman fertility festival that began Feb. 15 every year.

According to the History Channel’s Web site, the Catholic Church recognizes three saints named Valentine or Valentinus, and all died as martyrs.

Coincidence? Or simply keen storytelling?

Legends surrounding the three saints include Valentine performing wedding ceremonies against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II, who wanted unmarried men for his army; Valentine helping Christians escape brutal Roman prisons; and Valentine sending his love, perhaps his jailer’s daughter, a love letter from prison signed “From your Valentine.”

Whatever the case, the patchy history leans toward painting a romantic picture of the person. It is a safe bet, however, that if you forget or shun your loved one on Valentine’s Day, you’ll end up feeling quite martyred, too.

Somewhere along the way, heroic romantic gestures such as the debated saints’ gave way to oversized chocolate boxes, teddy bears and my personal favorite, chalky candies with cheesy writing — all of which involve hearts.

Last I checked, the heart was not perfectly shaped; it was a large, squishy, bloody muscle that is absolutely not full of chocolate.

Anyway you slice it, Valentine’s Day can see the highest, lowest and most diverse amalgam of emotions in a single 24-hour period.

We’ve all heard the term “Hallmark holiday” when referring to the impending financial crisis known as Valentine’s Day.

Stargazer lilies, Rebecca’s favorite flower, were given to her by her late father every year on her birthday. This year, she will get them for Valentine’s Day. While Hallmark certainly did not create the day, the company does not hesitate to cash in every year. History Channel’s Web site says the Greeting Card Association estimates about 1 billion cards are sent every Valentine’s Day, second only to Christmas’ estimated 2.6 billion.

The flower industry could potentially see even more upside to the holiday. The flower delivery Web site 1-800-FLOWERS has a dozen long-stemmed roses listed from $40-$53. FTD has a mixed rose bouquet starting at $30. I bought a dozen beautiful roses at

Central Market for my girlfriend two weeks ago, when no one told me I should, for $10. Prices rose Saturday to $20 for the same roses.

The funny thing is if you bought roses the day the prices jumped, they would still be dead, or at least wilted beyond salvation, by Valentine’s Day. At least greeting cards have some shelf life.

I will give in to tradition and do something special for my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, but I will show her how I feel the other 364 days of the year because I want a realistic chance at a repeat Valentine’s Day effort.

Feb. 13, 2009 • 15

Letters

Outage outrage Editor: I’m registered for an English 1302 Flex I class on the Web, and we have been having a lot of problems with Blackboard Vista.

These put us behind in homework and assignments. The instructor is working with us by extending our deadlines, but the issue is the education that we have paid for is not being given to us because of technical problems.

These started at the beginning of the semester; the end of the Flex 1 semester is around the corner, and the students are still having problems.

I missed one quiz because of an outage.

I have two jobs, and I’m an online student. The only time I can log in is at night when they usually make all the updates or correct technical problems.

I missed my quiz thinking that the professor would extend the hours because of the outage, but no.

So, thanks to the technical problems with the BlackBoard Vista, I have a zero on my quiz.

I hope the situation gets better for Flex 2. It’s only three weeks until Flex 1 ends, and I have no hope at all that it will get better.

If this continues, I will not register for Flex 2 classes, which means having to postpone my transfer date to fall instead of the summer.

Yazmin Hernandez Business Adminstration Sophomore

No justice

Editor: One thing I learned quickly and the hard way at a young age was to pay for auto insurance because the ticket for no insurance was expensive. Next thing I learned was to pay ALL my tickets for parking violations or my car would be towed or booted.

I am sure it cost us/the city more than $900 to process Mr. Herrera’s towing and nonpayment of parking tickets.

That’s what should have been done day one. There was no justice.

Ruben Rangel Copy Center Supervisor

16 • Feb. 13, 2009

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Where the states stand

Medical Marijuana Alaska California Colorado Hawaii Maine Michigan Oregon

Rhode Island Montana Nevada New Mexico Vermont Washington

ounce

Decriminalized Marijuana Alaska California Colorado Maine Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi

Nebraska Nevada New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Source www.norml.org

less than an

Story by Krystina A. Hodge • Illustration by Juan Carlos Campos

T

he state of Massachusetts became the 13th state to pass the “Marijuana Bill,” in a yes vote on the Nov. 4 ballot. The bill states anyone older than 18 caught with an ounce or less of marijuana will be subject to a fine of $100 along with confiscation of the drugs.

Anyone under the age of 18 caught with marijuana will not only be fined $100 along with the confiscation of the drugs but will also be required to complete community service and participate in a drug awareness program.

Jail time would not be given for any offenders, therefore, making it easier for those who do get fined to still have benefits such as financial aid and when applying for jobs because their record would not include an offense.

This decriminalization comes at a time when “change” has become the country’s motto.

The issue has raised many questions in medical and legal circles about whether this will open the door to eventually legalizing marijuana and if it should be legalized.

Critics worry this could possibly allow more access to the drug, possibly increasing its usage, especially among those underage.

S o m e agree with the passing of this bill and lightening the punishments given to offenders.

“I think

For more information on HB 164, Marijuana Affirmative Defense Bill, or to send your comments to the state Legislature, log on to: www.texascompassion. com or www.mpp.org/ states/texas.

the laws are severe, I think there needs to be more education about marijuana. Some illegal drugs are more harmful than illegal drugs,” sociology Chair Gloria Pimentel said.

While there are those who agree with decriminalization, there are those who fear that the decriminalization of marijuana could become a hindrance to society.

Derek Caknupp, communications major at St. Philip’s College, said, “I feel it would be a hindrance because if you keep putting users back into our society, then we are not solving anything.”

With the economy in the downslide that it is, decriminalization happens to benefit the government’s and the taxpayers’ bottom line by lowering criminal justice costs associated with prosecuting and incarcerating offenders.

As much as it is a benefit, the repercussions can also, in some people’s opinion, be detrimental when it comes to the economy today.

“In today’s economy, corporate America has not been held to a higher standard,” Caknupp said.

“They have not been held accountable for a lot of their actions leading to the collapse of our economy.

Decriminalization of marijuana in our society would be detrimental to our current situation, and I feel there should be penalties that should be put in place and

upheld in order to prevent further immoral behavior.”

And for those who agree that it’s not so much the act of using the drug but the behavior of those who use it, Pimentel agreed, saying, “Substance abuse of alcohol is not the problem; it’s the behavior. America values getting drunk.”

Pimentel said the case is the same with marijuana; however, she said she believes “marijuana should be legal for medical purposes.”

Properties of marijuana have been found to be helpful to glaucoma patients in relieving ocular pressure and to ease nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Other benefits include its impact on the autonomic nervous system to expand breathing and relax the body, relieve pain in chronic cases and reduce the risk of asthma in some cases.

Despite the reports of its benefits, the issue has especially become a concern to the medical profession.

Last week, the Medical Marijuana Affirmative Offense Bill was introduced to the Texas Legislature by District 49 state Rep. Elliot Naishtat, D-Travis County.

The bill would allow physicians to make written and/or oral recommendations stating that the potential benefits of marijuana would outweigh the health risk for a particular patient.

The bill also states that if the patient is caught in possession of marijuana, that he or she would be able to assert an affirmative defense to the charges.

The patient would be able to avoid jail time, but the patient would not be protected from the actual arrest.

Texas is one of 37 states in which marijuana has not been decriminalized or legalized for medical use.