See the art in East Austin
East Austin Studio Tour opens its doors to the public See see the sights, pg. 6
First Copy Free
Nov. 22, 2011
Volume 14, Issue 5
theAccent.org
NEWS Students tour local universities with ACC | Page 4
CAMPUS Take a bite out of world cuisine on campus | Page 8
Campus Life → Elgin Campus
LIFE & ARTS Relive the fun from Fun Fun Fun Fest | Page 10 News → Community
History welcomes the future Buy a bar, save a child’s life
Two Degrees Food bar sold in campus bookstores helps provide malnourished children with nutrition packs with every purchase Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
SALUTATION — ACC President Richard Rhodes addresses a gathering of five hundred people for the ACC Elgin ground breaking ceremony, Tuesday Nov. 15.
Students can now satisfy their hunger and help malnourished children in Africa and Haiti by purchasing a new food bar sold in Austin Community College bookstores. Two Degrees Food manufactures the new food bars, and the company’s co-founder and president, William Hauser, said they draw inspiration from Toms Shoes, and they utilize a one-to-one business model. “What that means is that for every bar that we sell here in the U.S., we give away a nutrition pack in Africa and now in Haiti as well,” Hauser said. Two Degrees Food has given away over 70,000 nutrition
packs so far to kids in Malawi, Kenya, Somalia and Haiti, according to Hauser, and have committed to donating 100,000 more in the next couple of months. “The results of the stories that come from these donations are really incredible,” Hauser said. “It’s kids, who are on the verge of death, are put through treatments of these nutrition packs and come out on the other side being happy and healthy, so it’s really an incredible story.” According Two Degrees Food’s website, nutrition packs sent to malnourished children contain peanut-based bars that are high in protein and fatty acids.
See new food, pg. 7
Groundbreaking for ACC’s newest, ninth campus projects new growth in long established community of Elgin, Texas Era Sundar
Campus Editor
Although threatening thunder storms forced the celebration indoors, inclement weather could not extinguish high hopes or prospects for higher education during the Nov. 15 groundbreaking ceremony at the Stardust Ballroom Hall in Elgin, for what will be Austin Community College’s newest and ninth campus. Due to impending rain, the groundbreaking was moved a couple of miles away from the 98-acre property where the completed campus will stand in about two years. ACC groundskeepers brought soil from the actual site for the shovel ceremony. The change in venue posed no visible disruption to the ceremony, which hailed the past and embraced the future in actual and symbolic ways. Board of trustees Chair Barbara Mink read
a letter of congratulations from former ACC President and CEO Stephen Kinslow, under whose watch the annexation process occurred. ACC’s new President and CEO Richard Rhodes thanked the citizens of Elgin for welcoming ACC into their community. More than 500 people attended the groundbreaking including many members of the Elgin community. Among them were siblings Curtis Neidig, Roy Neidig, and Laura Vrana of the Neidig family, who sold the land for the new campus to ACC. According to 78-year-old Roy, the siblings were born and raised on the property. Expanding on Roy’s account and drawing a connection between the past and future, his brother Curtis, 76, said their father Robert Neidig shared his vision of how the land should be used while the two were picking cotton one day. “When [I was] growing up, Daddy always said he wanted See college, pg. 7
Kelly MacNiven • Staff Photographer
NEW ARRIVAL — Two Degrees food bars, available at selected ACC campuses, provide hungry children with nutrition packs for each bar purchased. The nutrition packs the organization supplies have a 95% success rate of treating severely and chronically malnourished children.
News → People
ACC Gay-Straight Alliance honors Gay History GSA teams up with local businesses to create, celebrate Tunnel of Oppression, Hall of Hope for gay history month fesitivities Aaron Davis Staff Writer
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
WET PAINT — Painter Christy Johnson creates corporeal artwork at The Power of Art Show and Action Block Party. The event, held at The Q Austin, promotes activism regarding a variety of social issues.
Austin Community College’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organization paid homage to the struggles and victories of the gay rights movement throughout the years by contributing to the Tunnel of Oppression and Hall of Hope in honor of Gay History Month Nov. 12. The Tunnel of Oppression is a campus grassroots diversity program that originated in 1993 at the Western Illinois University. It was designed to introduce participants to the concepts of oppression, privilege and power.
“The tunnel has been done by different colleges nationwide,” GSA President Megan Rue said. “We had the idea to do a queer theme, to help inform queer people of their past and what their brothers and sisters have experienced throughout history.”. The event also showcased art created by local artists, including Christi Johnson of Imagery Design Studios, who was also at the event, providing models with artistic airbrushing. Also in attendance were groups such as Get Equal, a national group dedicated to providing full and equal rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgendered and queer (LGBTQ) people, and CARE Programs, providing safe-sex education. CARE representative Ryan Broussard said he is a frequent volunteer at The Q Austin. Events like the Tunnel of Oppression are also a great way to network and provide community support, Broussard said. AIDs Services of Austin was also on-site to provide free HIV testing to anyone who was interested. November is Gay History Month, which aims to educate people about the struggle for equal protection and benefits
See queer, pg. 7
FORUM
page 2
Forum → Opinion Columns
From the editor’s desk: Looking to the future
Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
This will be the last installment on my reccuring column “From the Editor’s Desk.” In the next issue of the Accent, I will be writing my -30- column. I’m hesitant to let go of the helm and move on with my life because of all the memories I have built up working here, but its time for me to start saying my goodbyes. But before I say goodbye, I’m ready to say hello to a new set of editors who will be taking over the Accent next semester. We haven’t hired or interviewed anyone yet, but I’m looking forward to being able to pick up a copy of the Accent without scrutinizing every little detail and just enjoy reading it. There are a number of open editor positions available to be applied for, and I welcome anyone looking to gain real-world journalism experience to apply for a position that suits them best when editor applications begin rolling out later this month.
Positions include: Editorin-Chief, Assistant, Campus, Life & Arts, Layout, Web, Copy, and Multimedia Editors. From my experience being an editor in any role is a rewarding experience. The skill and knowledge gained by working as an editor has helped me not only to become a better writer, photographer and designer, but also taught me how to work in a team setting, managing staff members and actually experiencing what it’s like to work for a newspaper. This is what I want to do for my career after I leave the Accent. I want to work for a newspaper and I don’t really care what role I play there, I just want to be given the chance to have an impact on someone’s life either through a photograph or written words. Being an editor at a college newspaper is not for the weak. It’s a really challenging position to take hold of with real life benefits and consequences. If you don’t want to become an editor, but still want more experience working in our newsroom you can also apply for our in-training program. This program gives students the opportunity to shadow or get personal training in a role as a photo editor assistant, staff reporter or staff designer. In each of those roles, an editor will help teach you the skills you want to learn in addition to giving you the opportunity to learn what it’s like to work in a newsroom setting. Whether you apply as an editor, in-training staff member, or as a general staff photographer , I’m positive you will fall in love with college journalism.
Literary
Corner
Creative writing by Austin Community College Students
Timothy Rink
Guest Writer
I can’t say when it happened—or why. All I can say is that it did. I don’t know why it had to be me; there is nothing special about me, and there are many others more deserving. I suppose I was blessed with friendship—because someone found a way to communicate—with difficulty. She helped me see within myself, but still I was blind. Then she was gone, no longer there to hug and guide, so I began to search for that voice. I went to the places she discussed, but still she was nowhere, but something changed. I started seeing more of them, shadows in reality. The strangest part was that they could hear me, and they told me where to go in order to find her, yet they were still transparent shadows with half audible voices—when suddenly their voices became loud as if all the yelling and cars stopped. The wind could be heard; no one spoke. I was the only real object left. I felt so alone. Almost as if I was the one who was invisible, and as if my voice wasn’t heard. I was Nemo floating around in Limbo searching for recognition. Then it happened. The liquid and breath left my body; freeing me from life. The world in which I once lived was now the shadow, and the world that I was unable to see became more livid. What was strange was that I could see myself. He was me but not me. He was a monster, a greedy, impatient, unthankful thing with a halo above his head. I was disgusted to see him, and no matter what I did, I was unable to get away; he was still a part of me, a shadow cast on the ground. Everyone seemed different, hypocrites living a lie, demons living in filth, shadows living in sin. I almost didn’t care; the world that I could see now was beautiful. All the buildings, cars, and roads disappeared, and everyone was happy. They all were my friends and welcomed me. Even my sister welcomed me. Each one by my side, foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder, but one stood out of the crowd. The one for whom I had been searching, the voice which spoke, the arms which hugged, and the face which smiled. We would be together forever. There was nothing I need, and nothing I wanted, but I could still see the other world. Not wanting to be without my family and friends, I yearned for it, but I felt I could never go back; I was never like them. I always would see both worlds.
Want to be published? Please send your creative writing to editor@austincc.edu. We would love to add you to our Literary Corner.
www.theAccent.org
Nov. 22, 2011
Forum → Editorials
Proposition 3 didn’t help us
Karissa Rodriguez • Editor in Chief
New voter-approved Texas Constitutional amendment doesn’t solve financial aid woes for community college students Staff Editorial The recent Nov. 8 passage of Proposition 3 on the 2011 ballot to amend the Texas Constitution barely puts a dent into assisting the financial aid needs of community college students. This makes it necessary for the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to find a solution to assist the financial needs of future community college students. Proposition 3 authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance the College Access Loan (CAL) program. While the passage of Proposition 3 was a victory for all college students statewide, the impact it has on community college students is fleeting since most are not forced to rely on student loans to pay for school. The lack of community college students needing loans for school is due to the immensely lower tuition rate found at community colleges compared to four-year universities or colleges. In comparison, Austin Community College’s spring tuition rate is $57 per credit hour and spring undergraduate tuition at the University of Texas at Austin varies $1,406-1,615 per credit hour depending on which degree program a student is enrolled in. The problem that Proposition 3 doesn’t solve for community college students dates back to the recent state budget cuts that slashed state contributions to financial aid grant programs, like the TEXAS Grant, by more than $40 million, notably reducing the number of new students who will receive funding. An estimated decrease of 30,000 students will not receive a TEXAS Grant in the upcoming year due to the budget cut, according to Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) who wrote an opinion story in the Austin-American Statesman published Oct. 29 concerning the massive cuts that are impacting higher education in Texas. Yes, Proposition 3, which passed with 54.52 percent voter approval, will provide some relief to the budget crisis that has — and is — consuming Texas right now. Texas’ student loan program has been a success and its
continued funding is critical given the Legislature’s recent cuts to education spending because the program is self-supporting and is dependent on interest payments from loans, not general revenue. We fully support Proposition 3 and are happy that voters approved the amendment to the Texas Constitution. This amendment will allow millions of future college students to be able to attend and pay for college, with the only downside being the large debt they must take on as a trade-off. Despite the large success we will see as a result of the passage of Proposition 3, we see there is a bigger issue that needs to be fixed concerning financial assistance for community college students. We want the Legislature and Texas Governor Rick Perry to step up to the plate and fix the state-wide financial aid problem that will cause THECB to deny grants and other aid to individuals wishing to attend college. The best solution for fixing the financial aid crisis for community college students and four-year students alike, is also one of the most controversial topics that has been discussed statewide: tapping into the Rainy Day Fund. During the Legislative session, Perry refused to tap into the Rainy Day Fund which, at the time, held over $9 billion. After going back and forth with the Legislature, Perry finally opted late in the session to release some of the fund to help relieve the massive debt the state found itself in. Currently, $6 billion dollars is just sitting in the Rainy Day Fund. Perry has been adamant that the fund be left untouched in case of a major disaster. For us, we believe denying aid to millions of community college and four-year college students counts as a major disaster. We’re not saying to drain the fund, but it could have easily covered the $40 million in budget cuts to Texas grant programs and other important educational needs throughout the state. Students and higher education advocates need to reach out now to their state representatives and senators to express their concerns with the effect the state budget cuts have on higher education, debilitating the financial aid needs of college students. If we speak up now, we stand a better chance of actually being listened to during the next Legislative session.
In your words The Accent loves to hear feedback from its readers. Here are a few comments we’ve received on our website and on our Facebook page about articles published in our Nov. 8 issue: “I couldn’t care less about the smoking thing, but the parking at ACC Rio Grande is atrocious. The parking garage is full 99% of the time I’ve been there, and the parking lot at ARC that ACC students are supposedly able to use is 95% cordoned off 99% of the time. I’ve missed class a couple of times because I couldn’t find a place to park. I’ve taken classes at other ACC campuses and thought the parking was bad, but they’re problems are nothing compared to RGC. I’ll never register for a class at this campus again. Total nightmare. “Let’s stand up for ourselves. We work hard. We study hard. And we care about ACC. Thanks.” -Mark, in response to the Nov. 8 article “Board answers to students.” “Wow, I like this new president already.” -Sarah Vasquez, in response to the Nov. 8 news brief “ACC President Richard Rhodes launches podcast. “I love Dr. Lauderback!” -Anonymous, in response to the Nov. 8 installment of “What I’ve Learned” featuring Brad Burnett.
Want your comments and opinions published? Leave a comment on our website theaccent.org, like us on Facebook. com/AccentNewspaper and follow us on Twitter @theaccent or better yet, e-mail us a letter at editor@austincc.edu or accent@austincc.edu, and we’ll be more than happy to feature your comment in our next issue.
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RRC, 4400 College Park Drive, Room 2107 Round Rock, TX 78665 Editor-in-Chief....................................................................................... Karissa Rodriguez Assistant Editor .................................................................................... Natalie Casanova Photo Editor........................................................................................... Joey Gidseg Layout Editor.......................................................................................... Elizabeth Brown Web Editor............................................................................................... Dana Manickavasagam Campus Editor....................................................................................... Era Sundar Multimedia Editor................................................................................ Edgar Rodriguez Accent Adviser....................................................................................... vacant Student Life Director.......................................................................... Cheryl Richard Student Life Communications Coordinator............................ Lori Blewett Staff Reporters Nathan Bustillos, Layla Elayyadi, Birdie Michaels Lead Photographer Walter Challapa Staff Designers Kristen Sauls Writers Aaron Davis, Alexander Aries, Joey Galvan, Timothy Rink Photographers Janice Veteran, Walter Challapa, Adrienne Sparks, Jon Shapley, Kelly MacNiven, Bethany Wagner, Dana Manickavasagam Staff Artists Megan McKay ACC President Dr. Richard Rhodes Board of Trustees Dr. Barbara P. Mink—Chair, Jeffrey Richard—Vice Chair, John Michael V. Cortez—Secretary, Tim Mahoney, Nan McRaven, Dr. Victor H. P. Villarreal, Guadalupe Q. Sosa, Dr. James W. McGufee, Allen H. Kaplan All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Austin American-Statesman. Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RRC’s Student Publication Office, Room 2107; e-mail articles to accent@austincc.edu or fax submissions to 223-0904. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction please e-mail accent@austincc.edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent.
Nov. 22, 2011 Forum → Opinion Columns
www.theAccent.org
Forum → Opinion Columns
OF
From one veteran to another
ALL
TRADES
DIY DIY Chalkboards
Natalie Casanova
Assistant Editor
Being a college student during these economic times is tough on the wallet. Doing or making things yourself instead of buying products and services is one way students can save money. I’ve learned to be a Jill of all trades and I want to share my penny-wise ways with readers so in each issue of the Accent I’ll be covering do-it-yourself methods for all kinds of projects. One of my favorite classroom activities growing up was getting free time to draw on the chalkboard. Whether it was a green or black board, I enjoyed working out problems and putting my thoughts out on a large surface to better visualize an answer or solution. Chalkboards are also a great way to track reminders and notes on a smaller scale around the home or office, too. Traditional boards were made of thin sheets of slate, but with new advanced paint technology, the chalkboard effect can be achieved with a mere coat of specialty chalkboard paint. You can now find this paint at a variety of places on the web and in most
home improvement stores. The paint comes in different colors, in liquid and spray forms. To make your own chalkboard, big or small, you’ll need a few supplies: • Chalkboard spray or liquid paint (Rust-Oleum, Benjamin Moore, Behr, etc.) • Paint brush (size dependant on the amount of surface you will paint.) • Painter’s blue masking tape • Painter’s plastic sheets • Any size picture frame or flat surface (wall, table, etc.) you would like as a chalkboard First you’ll need to pick the right surface to turn into a chalkboard. Try a wall near the front door of your home for space to draw memos or a calendar, or in the playroom for children to draw masterpieces on — and not be reprimanded for it! If you choose a wall, be sure to place painter’s plastic on the floor below the wall, taping it to the edge of the wall or crown molding at its base. Also line the edges of the wall with tape so you don’t accidentally paint out of your boundaries. For picture frames and smaller surfaces, tape the edges of the desired chalkboard area, using painter’s plastic when necessary to keep other parts clean. Paint a couple of solid layers on the surface, covering every bit equally. When the paint has dried, remove the tape and the plastic to reveal your new chalkboard. Now many different types of white and colored chalk can be used to create whatever you desire on these boards, and they will be easily removed by an eraser or washed away without faint residues. Be careful not to scratch your new creation, because the paint may chip off, but if it should happen, you can always patch a bit of more paint on the area to refresh your chalkboard.
Forum → Opinion Columns
With semester half over, teachers begin teaching
Alex Aries Staff Writer
Procrastinating teachers all over the Austin Community College District have rolled up their sleeves, steeled their nerves and promised themselves to finally get down to teaching. “I’ve really been putting this off too long,” mathematics proffesor Jessica Toth said. “Now it’s really coming down to the wire.” On every campus, students are beginning to notice the increased tempo of their classrooms. “I don’t get it; it’s like all my teachers suddenly decided to start assigning homework and give quizzes,” freshman Jennifer Bowers complained. “I thought I had easy classes, but now I’m swamped with work!” Any seasoned student would recognize the increase in teaching as a sign that the semester is halfway done, forcing teachers to get to all that work they’ve been putting on the back burner. “I always mean to get to teaching, [but] there’s always something else to do,” chemistry professor Megan Moore said. “Even though I only have to
Forum | Page 3
teach one class on Mondays and Wednesdays, I barely have enough time to grade the little homework I assign. I guess I’ll have to stop going to 6th street every weekend.” Students wishing they could return to the slower pace of the first few weeks of the semester are sure to be disappointed, as experts predict that incidents of actual teaching will become more common on a weekly basis. “This is a very predictable cycle,” Karl Lebowitz said. “I’ve been at ACC for seven semesters now, and it’s the same story every time. Teachers put off teaching until the last minute, and scramble at the end of the semester to get all their work done.” Apparently, this phenomenon isn’t confined to just ACC. Students across the country have recently seen an increase in teaching incidents. “On one hand, it’s nice to know that it’s not just teachers here at ACC,” freshman Deva Baril said. “On the other, I don’t think it’s too much to wish that my teachers knew how to properly budget their time.” This increased pace has many students asking if things will ever change, or if next semester procrastination will catch up with teachers again. “Next semester I’ll stay on top of things,” Toth said. Strangely, this sounded like the promise made by teachers everywhere around the same time last semester. Editor’s Note: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered factual in any way. All opinions and viewpoints expressed are that of the writers.
Kristen Sauls Staff Designer
The military salute is supposed to be a gesture of courtesy and respect between enlisted personnel and officers, and even between officers of different ranks. It’s such a big deal that in basic training they made us salute ourselves in the mirror before every meal. But mostly, it’s just an inconvenience — for both enlisted and officers. My home station was much larger than most bases; it housed both the NATO Allied Air Component Command Headquarters and served as the headquarters base to all Air
Force units in Europe. In other words, there were a lot of highranking officers and foreign officers walking around. My hand might as well have been glued to my forehead. It was comical to see both enlisted people and officers duck around buildings to avoid a herd of salutes. Well, I always found it comical. I know others who take military traditions pretty seriously, but that ain’t me, babe. I was never a big fan of the salute, and I can count on one hand the number of officers I enjoyed saluting. It was a shock when I learned I could enjoy the salute at all. I found this out almost halfway through my enlistment. I worked in a wing headquarters building that was positioned right next to another wing headquarters building, forming an ‘L’ shape. This meant I interacted daily with many of the bases’ highprofile leadership, and saw sides of them that most airmen with only three stripes on their sleeve didn’t get to see. They weren’t always easy to respect. One morning I picked up a box from the post office that was so large, I had trouble seeing around it. I was walking
down to my building from the parking lot when I saw the new wing commander and an entire brass (officer) entourage exiting the building. I immediately started to panic, and wondered if I should set the box down so I could extend about 20 salutes. And then the craziest thing happened. Before I could decide what the proper protocol was, the wing commander — the highest ranking person in the gaggle — ran back to the door and held it open for me! Now, maybe this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it was. The previous wing commander never even acknowledged my presence despite the fact that we were in the same room multiple times — and it was a small room. I felt floored when this wing commander ran back to the door and held it open for me, when not one other person in his 20-person entourage had thought to. From that moment on, I had what we termed a “commander crush.” To be clear, this didn’t mean I had the hots for him. It meant I respected him, even liked him as a person. As someone who hated (and still strongly dislikes) authority, this
was a big deal. I had several more interactions with the wing commander that showed me how genuine he was. At the Air Force newspaper, we came up with a fun holiday feature story idea, and he came by our office for a photoshoot. Anytime I ran into him in the building, his affability put a smile on my face. Then one day it happened. I was outside, and the wing commander was getting in his car, which is an awkward situation where one might be able to skate by without saluting, but this time, I immediately hopped to attention and rendered a salute. It felt good, which weirded me out. I had to call my mom, a retired chief master sergeant with 24 years of service, and tell her about it. Over my four-year enlistment, there were a handful of officers who earned my bona fide salute, none of whom were nearly as high-ranking as the wing commander. I’ll never forget the hope the wing commander instilled in me; the hope that there are good, human leaders willing to take care of their troops in the military.
Forum → Opinion Columns
Study buddies, study breaks that might help you study or take a break from studying, I will be talking about what to look for in a tablet PC that’s going to help you stay on track throughout your college career, and what can help you when you need a break from it all.
Study Buddies
Nathan Bustillos Staff Reporter
Christmas is approaching rapidly and for most people that means lots of shopping ahead of them or time to fill out their Christmas list. For college students, one of the best and most convenient gifts is a tablet personal computer because of its portability and ease of use. In this issue of “Study Buddies, Study Breaks,” rather than discussing websites and services
The first thing that most college students should be concerned with when it comes to tablet PCs is the cost. With the various brand names out in the market, comes equally varying prices. Products like the Apple iPad 2 price at just over $500 while other products like the Samsung Galaxy Tab come in at around $200 and up. There are other tablets that are much cheaper, but they come with more drawbacks at the same time. This is the second factor to take into consideration when purchasing a tablet PC. The software programs that come with the tablet PC vary depending on the brand, as well. Almost every college
student will need a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, but there are limitations as to which devices it can run on. With a slight edge in cost-effectiveness, usability and advantage in terms of productivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is one of the better choices for tablets. It is able to run many programs, such as word processors. You can use these applications to increase to produce copious amount of essays and written projects for school.
Study Breaks Tablet PCs are more than just work machines, they can easily be used for play as well. Devices like the iPad 2 come preloaded with an application store where you can download games and other programs at your leisure. Like most desktop and laptop computers, tablets have the capability to connect to the internet, play music, videos and
games as well. Most devices even come with Amazon’s free Kindle app, a software version of the company’s e-reader device. With this app, you can download digital versions of books and read them whenever you want. Once again, one of the most important things to look out for is the price. Some devices have very big price tags, which would deter most college students away from them. It is difficult to find a device that is better than the iPad in terms of the availability of apps for entertainment. With the e-reader apps as well as the many games available for the Apple platform, the iPad is one of the better devices that come equipped with all the right software you would need for leisure. The main problem with the device is the large price tag. If it weren’t for the high price tag, the iPad or iPad 2 would be one of the better tablet PCs available on the market and would make a great Christmas gift for any college student.
NEWS
Page 4
www.theAccent.org
News → Education
Taking one step forward
Nov. 22, 2011
News Briefs
ACC moves forward with design, planning Hays Campus After a lawsuit against the college was dropped in August, Austin Community College started planning the design and construction of Hays Campus. The project is in the middle of the schematic design phase, according to a campus update posted on ACC’s website. “On October 26, ACC held an Internal Steering Committee meeting, and the architectural firm Gensler presented the Phase I proposed floor plans and site plan to illustrate the shape of the building footprint and the relationship between programmed department areas on each floor,” the update stated. The committee approved the proposal. ACC administration are working with individual departments to receive feedback on what each department needs at the campus. A final set of floor plans will be presented again for approval by the departments, at which point, Gensler will begin developing building elevations and a 3D rendering,” according to the update. “We are targeting early December for the completion of schematic design.”
Spring registration for classes currently open to all students
Walter Challapa • Lead Photographer
TOUR DE TRANSFER — ACC Students venture toward the University of Texas at Austin Tower, a historical structure completed in 1937. Twenty eight students had the opportunity to be guided throughout two campuses, UT Austin and Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, comparing the differences between small and large universities.
Students attend walking tour of area universities during Austin Community College Transfer Academy’s Tour de Transfer event Walter Challapa
Lead Photographer
Sponsored by Austin Community College’s Transfer Academy program, 28 ACC students, who plan to transfer to a four-year university, were given the opportunity to visit Southwestern University (SU) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) thanks to the Tour de Transfer trip Nov. 11. ACC students were able to experience the two different, but local universities’ environments during the tour in Austin and Georgetown, Texas. Students on the tour were informed that both institutions have articulation agreements with ACC. “I want you to see first what will be good for you,” ACC tour guide David Deroven said before leaving for the tour. “Look first and you will decide if a small or a big educational institution will fit your plans,” he said. The tour was exciting for most students who were able to discover what the environments and available resources are like at each university. “[The tour was] very helpful because, otherwise, it is hard to know and what to do,” social work student Angela Roman said. “I liked the size of Southwestern University ... the intimacy of the campus and the student-teacher ratio.” Although SU has two
deadlines for new applicants, April 1 for fall entry, and Oct. 1 for spring entry, ACC students are welcome to apply until November 15 according SU’s partnership program. Gail Roberson, associate director of SU admissions, explained to the ACC students that SU offers automatic acceptance to students who meet the following criteria: Have completed at least 24 hours of transferable course work at ACC, have maintained a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and apply by the posted priority deadline. Students can also visit SU’s website for more information at southwestern.edu. SU has a student population of 1,372 who hail from 35 states and 10 nations. It has 38 majors with pre-professional programs in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, ministry, physical therapy and veterinary medicine. Following the tour of SU, students traveled to UT to peruse the campus and eat lunch at the Longhorn Dining Hall. Social work student Kelly Kann said: “UT is a large school and seems over whelming at first. It was a long day, but worthy. I may go for this university because they have classes for my major.” UT student Kelli Schultz served as the tour guide and led students in visiting
Rio Review student publication to be released at party at RGC Austin Community College’s creative writing department will be hosting their release party for this semester’s Rio Review student literary journal at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 in the Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater. The event is free and open to the public. The Rio Review features poems, prose, screenplays, and artwork by students and is sponsored by the creative writing department. The journal is published twice a year during the spring and the fall semesters. Submission for The Rio Review is open to all students, and faculty and administrative staff are welcome to submit if they have taken art or creative writing classes at ACC, according to the publication’s website. Students interested in becoming an editor of The Rio Review, may enroll in the Academic Coop (ENGL 2389) capstone class for creative writing majors designed to teach students the editorial process of a literary publication.
News → Community Walter Challapa • Lead Photographer
TOUR GUIDE — UT student Kelli Schultz shows ACC
students around the Austin campus Friday, Nov. 11. Students were able to compare UT Austin and Southwestern University, and learn more about transferring. More information about transferring can be found at: bealonghorn.utecas.edu/transfer and southwestern.edu/admission/transfer/index.php. classrooms, sports facilities and other buildings at the university. Schultz also informed students that it is possible to apply to UT with 30 transferable semester hours, however, admissions may be granted before completing 30 hours. For the spring semester applicants must apply to UT by the Oct. 1 deadline. For summer and fall, March 1 is the deadline. Online resources about transfer coursework can be found at bealonghorn.utecas. edu/transfer.
More information about transferring to SU can be found at southwestern.edu/ admission/transfer/index.php. The UT office of admissions can also be reached at 512-475-7387. The tour seemed to be very informational and successful for those in attendance. “Transfer day was fun and we saw the differences between large and small schools,” prenursing student Jessica Joiner said. “We should go to more schools because a lot of people are unaware about the choices they have.”
New → Education
Student organizations to host children’s book drive on all campuses ACC’s Silver Star Children’s Literacy Group to team up with Phi Theta Kappa, Travis County Sheriff’s Department for Brown Santa program Aaron Davis Staff Writer
As the end of the fall semester draws near and the holidays inch closer, many student organizations have begun brainstorming how they can help those in need. Austin Community College’s Silver Star Children’s Literacy Group have come up with an idea to help area children. Silver Star is partnering with Phi Theta Kappa to collect books for the Travis County
Sheriff’s department’s Brown Santa program. During the weeks leading up to the end of the semester, Silver Star will place donation bins at all campuses to allow students to donate new or gently used children and adolescent literature, which will then be turned over to the Sheriff’s Department and delivered to the homes of children in need, through the Brown Santa program. Only four members attended the Silver Star coordinating and planning meeting which took
Registration for spring semester classes is now open for all current, former and new students. Classes for the spring semester begin Jan. 17, and students can register using Austin Community College’s online services website. To view the spring semester schedule, students can pick up a copy at student services on any campus or view it online at austincc.edu/schedule. ACC has hundred of classes to choose from in a wide variety of departments. “ACC offers many academic programs and support services to help you succeed,” Dean of Student Services at Eastview Campus Dorado Kinney said in a press release. “Whether you want to earn a degree or certificate, prepare to transfer to a university, strengthen your resume, or learn new skills for personal enrichment, ACC has you covered.” The spring semester is also the third consecutive semester where tuition has been increased by the board of trustees. Tuition for classes will cost $57 per credit hour for in-district students and the last payment date is by 5 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2012.
place Nov. 11. The low member turnout reflects one of Silver Star’s challenges this semester. “Out of the 16 members we had last year, all but three graduated, so we had to pretty much start over from scratch,” David Lauderback, faculty adviser and ACC history professor, said. Silver Star President Marcos Larios plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin next semester. “We definitely need book donations,” Larios said, “but what we also need is student volunteers to act as campus managers, to help monitor donation boxes and help get the books from the campuses to the Sheriff’s office.” Larios helped create and launch Silver Star through his membership with the Center for Student Political Studies. “I didn’t start school until late,” Larios said. “I pretty much taught myself beforehand
with textbooks and journals. I guess that’s why I have such an interest in children’s literacy.” Larios’ interest in getting children to read is evident in past Silver Star programs, such as Literacy Circle. In this program, ACC students not only collected children’s books, but then visited local recreation centers and schools, and had children read to them, promoting a fun and engaging learning atmosphere. Past book drives have collected over three thousand books per event. The organization is hoping to collect enough books by Dec. 1 in order to have them turned over to the Sheriff’s Department in time for them to delivery to children’s homes for the holidays. Those wishing to contribute to Silver Star’s book drive can look for donation bins in campus libraries, police offices and campus manager’s offices.
Emerging student leaders to host annual fall festival ACC’s Emerging Leadership Challenge program students host festival to benefit Central Texas fire victims, aid youth education groups Aaron Davis Staff Writer
Students in Austin Community College’s Emerging Leadership Challenge (ELC) program hosted their free annual fall festival, from 12-5 p.m. Nov. 19 at Lake Bastrop Lodge in Bastrop, Texas. At the festival, titled “Fall Into a Good Time,” guests enjoyed live music from the Gustavo-Rodriguez Band, DJ Nick Mangum. There was face painting, henna tattooing, a moon bounce for the kids, a silent auction, hay rides around the lodge and food provided by H-E-B. All proceeds and revenue generated benefited Central Texas wildfire victims and Southwest Key Programs, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping youth with incarceration alternatives and transformative education. Festival organizers, ELC members and students Paula Smith and Jada GreyHernandez came up with this year’s theme and wanted to find a way to assist Bastrop fire victims through the festival. “We wanted to do something fun for the kids out in Bastrop who were affected by the wildfires, to maybe help them forget about all the bad stuff that has happened,”
Grey-Hernandez said. “That was the whole premise, to have some fun for the kids and the families, so they could start the holiday season off with a brighter outlook.” In addition to assisting the needs of Bastrop fire victims, Smith explains that they also wanted to aid youth in preparing for college. That’s where Southwest Key Programs ties in. “They have a college prep program, where they send children from East Austin in to try and prepare for college,” Smith said. “We wanted to bridge [them and the wildfire victims] together.” The ELC is a seven-week leadership training program limited to up to thirty ACC students, according to ACC’s Office of Student Life website. Students accepted into the program learn about themselves, their roles as a leader and how to work in teams. Students interested in joining the ELC program in the future can contact Emerging Leadership Adviser and Student Life Coordinator Eileen Galvez at 512-223-9172 or egalvez@austincc.edu. Prior to the beginning of the program, members take an online assessment to determine their leadership style. From there, they work together as a team to form service projects.
Nov. 22, 2011
www.theAccent.org
News | Page 5
News → Community
Racing
for the cure All photos by Bethany Wagner • staff photographer
SPEEDY— Participants in the timed portion of the Susan B. Komen Race For the Cure propel themselves past the crowd of onlookers Sunday, Nov. 13th. ▶DEVOTED — Loretta Edelen holds up a piece of paper pinned to her shirt that states who she is running in honor of. These pink pieces of paper could be seen everywhere throughout the race as people came out to support their loved ones and raise funds to find a cure for breast cancer.
▲ SPIRITED— Cheerleaders were stationed throughout the 3.1 mile stretch that looped throughout the streets of downtown Austin, offering high fives of encouragement.
▲ FAMILY TIES — A father leads his little girl towards the
finish line. Various generations convened Sunday, Nov. 13 for a common cause — a hope to, one day, live in a world without breast cancer.
� BRING IT ON — Gift bags were given to Susan G. Komen race participants and included pink crowns that stated “Fight like a girl”.
▲ ALL IN THE FAMILY — A family participates in the
Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure event held on Sunday, Nov. 13, lending visibility to the fact that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate between the sexes. About 75 percent of the funds locally raised help provide financial support to non-profit health care organizations that provide breast health services for the under-served men and women in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties.
▲ SOLE SISTERS — ACC’s Sole Sisters, lead by faculty member Stacey Stover, begin the non timed portion of the 5k race.
page 6 | News
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Nov. 22, 2011
News → Community
See the sights in East Austin East Austin Studio Tour provides students, public with opportunity to discover new art, local artists at hundreds of locations throughout Austin area Jon Shapley
Staff Photographer
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
LIGHT AND SHADOWS — Viewers explore a portion of Scott
Proctor’s wall length photograph, during E.A.S.T. The exhibit, seen at Art Post, included dozens of Austin based artists.
For its 10th anniversary, the East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) offers a dizzying array of galleries, studios and artists. Two years ago, this nine-day arts festival was expanded to two consecutive weekends to encompass more of Austin’s growing arts scene. A plethora of exhibition spaces offered a sampling of media and many aesthetic tastes. Large communal spaces such as Pump Project and Art Post and festival organizers Big Medium composed expansive exhibitions featuring many artists, while smaller spaces such as Lewis Carnegie and OK Mountain fashioned more concise presentations. Many patrons and aficionados said they were drawn to E.A.S.T. because of the intimate, collaborative atmosphere which permitted a more stimulating interchange than the typical white-walled gallery show. This creative synthesis produced a satisfying sense of discovery when
visitors stumbled into a previously undiscovered space to find their new favorite artist. Nestled next to HOPE Farmer’s Market, in the Reji Thomas Studio, the Austin Community College Faculty and Student Exhibition fit the E.A.S.T. profile. The sunlit room featured work from ACC’s creative community and visitors streamed through the room to see the offering. Juan Carlos Amorrortu’s rendition of a formerly-deceased Mona Lisa turned many heads, and Shanti Matulewski’s reflective digital print invites careful examination. Rounding out the exhibition, a number of sculptural objects filled the space. These explored a variety of topics that ranged from formalistic manifestations of art, color and narrative to the social implications of surveillance systems. Given the breadth of the work presented in this show, a stop at next year’s ACC Faculty and Student Exhibition at E.A.S.T. is a must.
SEE IT IN INK: — A shopper visit the Squid
Ink Kollective, shopping for gifts, during E.A.S.T. This yearly arts festival happens each Nov.
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
YOURS, IN ERUDITION —
Retired clinical psychologist and ACC art student Jack King with his sculpture, seen at Art Post during E.A.S.T. King, who holds two doctorate degrees, spoke highly of ACC’s art program.
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
CAPACIOUS OFFERING: — As part of E.A.S.T., the ACC Faculty and Student
Exhibition presented work in many different media and showed a broad survey of the college’s arts program.
BATHED IN LIGHT — Gayle Sterling’s sculpture was on display at the ACC Student and Faculty Exhibition, as part of E.A.S.T. Near the entrance, ample yet gentle sunlight accentuated nuanced colors and tones.
Queer frameworks continued from pg. 1 for the LGBTQ community, from The Stonewall Riots of 1969 to recent victories including the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the many state judiciaries and legislatures that are providing equal marriage rights for their citizens. While the tide seems to be turning for equality, many gay people still face hardships both legally and personally. Last year saw a series of suicides by gay youth who had experienced constant bullying and harassing at their schools, including Seth Walsh, who was only 13 years old. Programs such as GSA and The Q hope to provide better understanding of these struggles, according to DC McLean, social chair of GSA. “[Events like these] are a good way to just learn more about the issues,” McLean said. “The focus is not only to showcase art, but to get informed. I believe this is a good place to do it, it was a great event, I had a lot of fun. And also dressing up in drag!”
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
INTO THE LIGHT — The Tunnel of Oppression, which explored significant events in the struggle for LGBT rights and equality, educated visitors with a variety of media.
IT’S ABOUT FRIENDS: — The
Power of Art Show and Action Block Party highlighted growing awareness about many social issues and strove to build community around a sense of activism. Here, history student Megan Rue, and sociology student David McLean embrace in a playful hug. Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
HALL OF HOPE: — Traveling through The Tunnel of Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
THE ORGANIZER — Daniel Holland, lead
coordinator at The Q Austin, organized this year’s The Power of Art Show and Action Block Party. The event, which brought out a large crowd, was built on education and entertainment.
Oppression, one arrived at The Hall of Hope; an ethereal, candlelit terminal meant to highlight the evolving nature of the LGBT movement. Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
CAMPUS LIFE Nov. 22, 2011
www.theAccent.org
Page 7
New food bars sold on campus
Campus Life → Rio Grande Campus
Giving life one pint at a time
Rio Grande, Riverside campuses experience high turnout at mobile blood drives as students respond to call to donate Aaron Davis Staff Writer
Dozens participated in the mobile blood drives sponsored by the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas on Nov. 10 at Austin Community College’s Riverside and Rio Grande campuses. Blood drives are a regular occurrence on ACC campuses and take place about every two months. “The college needs to be involved,” Sue Bloodsworth, ACC administrative assistant for the English and journalism departments, said. She said mobile drives on college campuses allow students the opportunity to get involved, and may encourage students to start donating at a younger age based on the convenience that they provide. This may also lead to higher donor turnout. The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas received 40 donations between the two campuses. Out of the 20 people who showed up at the Rio Grande Campus, six were deferred, and out of the 26 who came to the Riverside Campus, only two were deferred. “During a five-hour work day, we can expect between 20 and 40 donors per mobile unit,” said Rich Blanchon, supervisor of mobile centers. Roughly one-fourth of all donors will have to be deferred, or not allowed
to donate, due to certain circumstances, according to Blanchon. “Deferral can happen due to current or previous health problems, travel history or certain types of personal activity,” he said. In order to determine whether donation is feasible, potential donors answer a series of questions and have their vital signs checked. The entire screening process takes about 10 minutes. Blanchon said it is common for donors to be nervous about the process, in general, or about needles specifically. “I tell them I’ve been doing this for a long time and it’ll be an easy poke,” Blanchon said. “Now, if they are truly scared or just way too nervous, we’re not going to let them donate today. We’ll have them try again later.” There were no incidents of high anxiety that day, not even among first time donors, Blanchon said. “This is my first time donating,” student Allen Blakely said. “I’ve always wanted to. I just never followed up on it.” Blakely said he was a little nervous about the procedure, but that it wasn’t as scary as he thought. The Blood and Tissue Center will be on campuses again for another mobile donation drive on Feb. 9, 2012 at the Riverside and Rio Grande campuses.
continued from pg. 1 As for the bars themselves, they are vegan, low-sodium, gluten-free and come in three flavors. ACC student Marissa Garza purchased a Two Degrees Food bar and said the concept behind the food bars is one of the reasons she plans to purchase more in the future. “I love the Two Degrees bars,” Garza said. “I mean, I’ve tasted better vegan food which is the only thing I eat, but I’m incredibly happy that this company isn’t just in it for the profits. They are actually being proactive and aiding a good cause.” Garza’s only gripe is that she wishes there were more flavors to choose from. “We’ve got a new flavor coming out in a couple of weeks,” Hauser said. “It’s chocolate banana. It has no nuts so it’s a particularly good fit for elementary schools and kids who have allergies.” Currently, Two Degrees Food bars are sold in every Whole Foods in the country, on about 200 college campuses, and at large corporations like Microsoft, HP and AOL, according to Hauser. In addition, the bars are sold at smaller retailers like coffee shops, gyms and museums. With the bars being sold on college campuses, the company has begun hiring students as campus directors to help market and sell their product. “[The campus director program] is a pretty entrepreneurial activity where students are challenged to sell and market Two Degree bars on their campus and to spread the mission,” Hauser said. Students wishing to inquire about the program can visit the company’s website at twodegreefoods.com/college. One of the reasons Two Degrees Food is on college campuses in particular, is because they believe college students have shown a large interest in helping different causes. “Something that we’ve seen is an abundance of good intentions on college campuses, and it’s not exclusive to college campuses, but I think it’s particularly pertinent,” said Hauser. “But there is a gap that we’ve also seen between good intentions and good actions that, while people want to do good there are barriers to that in a number of forms.” Two Degrees Food serves as a way to bridge that gap, according to Hauser. “It’s a very easy, simple and tangible way for a college student and anyone else to really get involved in a really important cause if there is a way to do it without changing a daily behavior,” Hauser said. “College students, every day, are going to buy some snack, and if he or she buys a Two Degrees bar it has an enormous impact on a hungry child.”
Janice Veteran • Staff Photographer
DONOR — Nursing freshman Cassie Anyaehie prepares to give blood at ACC Riverside’s mobile blood bank on Thursday, Nov. 10. Nurses locate Cassie’s vein by smearing iodine over the area and covering it with gauze, letting it stand for one minute.
College celebrates new campus indoors continued from pg. 1 the land to be used for a college or a hospital,” Curtis said. The family still raises cotton, corn and cattle on portions of the land that they retained. In keeping with Robert’s vision, annexation committee Co-Chair David Glass said that he saw the community’s need for a technical school where low income residents could get an education and better their lives during his tenure as president of the Elgin Independent School District Education Foundation. “ACC is the perfect mix of technical training and core college courses,” Glass said. Community support for the project had always been high with the exception of a few nay-sayers who doubted that anyone would agree to build a campus in such a small, remote town, according to Glass. “Now we can draw people from even further
east, for whom it would be inconvenient to travel to Austin,” he said. One concept that may have garnered the support of Elgin residents was the promise of an economic payoff. “The economic spark helped voters decide,” Glass said. Concerning a potential boost to the economy, President Rhodes said ACC would use local materials wherever and whenever possible which could include the use of bricks produced in Elgin. The Elgin community will also benefit from the school’s energy efficiency and the use of sustainable materials. Richard Burnight, principal-in-charge for the project by O’Connell Robertson, the engineering firm designing the campus, said, “This building incorporates many sustainable materials, features and energy efficient systems.” Burnight
Courtesy of Austin Community College
said the building is designed to achieve a LEED rating certification of Silver. Energy efficiency was not the only economic benefit that Elgin residents considered. Community members whose children are grown and may
not take classes themselves, would benefit from the businesses that tend to develop around college campuses, according to Elgin community member and secretary of the Elgin Development Cooperation S.H. McShan.
Board of trustees member Guadalupe Sosa also spoke of the projected, positive economic impact of the new campus. “We are such a great economic engine,” Sosa said. “Great things are going to happen in Elgin.”
rant & rave
Want to see the world? Study abroad with ACC. Find out more at austincc.edu/intstudy.
ACC broke ground on its new campus in Elgin (Tuesday, Nov. 15). What do you think about ACC expanding in such tough economic times? Patricia Garcia Bu
dm ess A inistrati sin o
Jorge Hernandez n
I think regardless of economic conditions, education is a great thing. More expansion provides more jobs and learning opportunities. Many campuses are too full and this [frees] some students to travel.
C
uter Scienc omp
e
I think it is great that ACC is expanding to Elgin. It will definitely benefit the students of Elgin as they would no longer have to drive all the way to Austin.
Linh Nguyen Nursing
[Even though the economy is tough right now, ACC expanding can be a good idea. More ACC campuses being built creates more opportunities for people to go to school.]
Interviews and photos by Walter Challapa
page 8 | Campus Life
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Campus Life → Eastview Campus
Nov. 22, 2011 Campus Life → Northridge Campus
Serving up the world WCC bridges
cultural divide through food International cuisine crosses borders, feeds cultural curiosity among students Walter Challapa
Lead Photographer
Era Sundar • Campus Editor
QUALITY CONTROL — Chef and culinary arts professor Brian McCormick receives a preview of the dinner menu to be served Nov. 10 at Eastview Campus’ Bistro 3158. The dinner service is the final project before graduation from the culinary program.
ACC Culinary Arts students cook, serve international cuisine at Bistro 3158 classroom with finale dinner in sight Era Sundar
Campus Editor
White table linens, gleaming silverware and soft lighting added to the elegant atmosphere during the Nov. 10 dinner service at Eastview campus’s Bistro 3158 which featured the cuisines of London and Sri Lanka. Bistro 3158, named for the classroom in which it is housed, marks the culmination of Austin Community College’s Culinary Arts program and is run entirely by students. The dining room is run by first year students and the kitchen is run by seniors. “It’s like our thesis,” Justin Whalin said. He was one of two chefs who showcased their six-course menus during the last official cooking class of the program. Whalin, whose menu included beef samosas as an appetizer, a fish curry soup course and a pineapple and cashew chicken entrée served with yellow rice, said that the dinner service went well. Having been involved in the restaurant business in one way or another for several years, including jobs as a bartender and waiter, he said he was used to the pressure. With the goal of starting his own restaurant in mind, Whalin said he prepared rigorously for the event by cooking for two consecutive days and testing the recipes on his family. “I’ve gained 10 pounds and my house always smells wonderful,” Whalin’s wife Jessica said. Whalin’s classmate, Edna Eilerts was the other chef presenting a menu that night. Eilerts’ menu included Welsh rarebit as an appetizer, deconstructed shepherd’s pie as the entrée and a molecular gastronomy salad of tomato, cucumber and yogurt. Eilerts, who has a degree and 20 years experience in architecture, said her interest in culinary arts started out as a hobby, but developed into a whole hearted endeavor once preparation for this final project began. After the service she said, “I loved it. It was a lot of stress in the weeks leading up to it, but now I can relax.” Throughout the evening, first year dining room service students supported Eilerts and Whalin by serving as the wait staff. Lyla Summa, who is working toward a pastry arts certification in addition to a culinary arts degree said, “I like working in a fast paced environment. When it gets busy it’s really fun.” This semester Bistro 3158, which has been in operation since 1999, has been busier than ever. Chef Brian McCormick, who has been a professor of culinary arts at ACC for more than 12 years, said the restaurant usually handles 30 covers (customers) per night but has averaged 50 this semester during their 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. dinner hour. Students are responsible for all areas of the dinner service including menu selection, food orders, and cooking. “It’s up to them, I am like a consultant,” McCormick said. “Each chef is given a budget and can lose significant points if it is exceeded, because controlling costs is such an important part of restaurant management. If I feel they are over budget, I tell them to fix it but I don’t tell them how.” In addition to its international dinner services, Bistro 3158 will present its grand finale on Dec. 1, which will feature a 10-course international menu. Mc.Cormick said he would like to see the operation expand into a full-time restaurant that is open 7 days a week. He said the expansion would allow the culinary arts program to conduct all of its training there and offer internships. “The
Lines formed quickly and stomachs were filled when the World Community Club (WCC) treated students to a mid-day culinary world tour via its International Food Festival Nov. 8 at the Northridge Campus. The hour-long event featured flan from Mexico, guava paste and sweet chips from Puerto Rico, bratwurst from Germany, papas a la huancaina (creamed potatoes) from Peru, lingon berries and cookies from Sweden, macaroons from France and baklava from Syria. Students were exposed to world flavors and the concept of harmony in the midst of cultural diversity. “The main purpose of WCC is to join students from different countries,” club secretary Angello Rodriguez said. “They can integrate into the college community as well as the Austin community through social events and community service.” Rodriguez said the club’s mission also includes increasing awareness of current events through news presentations at meetings and strengthening bonds between U.S.-born and international students through the Peer Mentorship Program. Discussing exposure to different cultures through their cuisines, English student Thais Rutledge said she liked the opportunity and attended the International Food Festival. She said she enjoyed the Mexican food
provided by Karen Rodriguez, a pre-pharmacy student and president of WCC. Rodriguez said she is very interested in other countries and addressed a common misconception that other students have expressed to her about the club. “Students don’t have to be anything other than American to join. We welcome everyone,” she said. WCC is comprised of about 32 members including club vice-president Fatima Ahmed, and treasurer Danica Baker. The club has hosted and participated in other events promoting cultural awareness this semester. The Mediterranean Festival held about a month ago in downtown Austin and an event hosted at Northridge exploring the conflict between North and South Korea, provided additional opportunities for cross-cultural understanding. The International Food Festival has been held for two consecutive years and according to Rodriguez, has been held in previous years as well. She said the most rewarding thing about being involved with the club has been the chance to understand more about other cultures WCC adviser and geography professor Don Jonsson said he was pleased that the event succeeded in its goal of providing students with an opportunity to cross international borders through food. The club is based at the Northridge Campus and meets every two weeks.
Era Sundar • Campus Editor
PREPARATION — Justin Whalin (foreground) and classmate Deidra Stinnett prepare a warm salad of Malay pickle for the Nov. 10 dinner service at Bistro 3158 at Eastview Campus. Whalin and Stinnett are seniors in the culinary arts program program has already grown to the point where a third kitchen is needed,” McCormick said. In addition to a growing culinary arts program, Bistro 3158 is supported by positive customer reviews. Math and sciences administrative assistant Mark McCaffery has been coming to Bistro 3158 on and off through the years and said, “It’s always wonderful.” Susan Calver whose son was a waiter shared McCaffery’s approval and said, “I like that there are several courses from different countries and the presentation is very nice.” Bistro 3158 serves dinner on selected Thursdays and seating is from 6 - 7 p.m. with its grand finale on Dec. 1. Cash, major credit cards and checks are accepted. For more information visit austincc.edu/cularts/Bistro.php.
Walter Challapa • Staff Photographer
CULINARY DIVERSITY — ACC students taste different
types of food during the International Food Festival held Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Northridge Campus. The festival was hosted by the World Community Club .
Campus Life → Riverside Campus
ACC student veterans share stories on Veterans Day Students, staff, faculty participate in Honoring the Service veterans event Birdie Michaels
Staff Writer
An evening of literary works written and presented by veterans honored those who have served their country in the military Nov. 11 during this year’s Veteran’s Day commemoration at the Riverside Campus. The event was hosted by Austin Community College’s Arts and Humanities Division, Center for Public Policy and Political Studies, Creative Writing Department and Veterans Affairs
Department. Austin Community College’s President and CEO Richard Rhodes and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell addressed the gathering which provided a forum for veterans, active duty military and their family members to share their experiences and express their feelings in a sympathetic environment. Charlotte Gullick, Chair of ACC’s Creative Writing Department, said, “I’ve had veterans say to me that they’ve
never had an institution or department specifically reach out to them in this way, and that’s extremely powerful.” Mark E. Harden, U.S. Army CW3 (ret.), a veteran whose nearly thirty years of military experience has seen him serve in Germany, Korea and Somalia, among other places, contributed to the works presented. He is currently the manager of Veterans Affairs at ACC and also serves as an adjunct professor. “I don’t think I can count the times that my students have referenced to Mark,” said professor of creative writing Christine Leche in her introductory speech. Leche has undergone combat training herself and is very
experienced with teaching active duty military, Gullick said. Nathan Ingles, Marine Lance Corporal, who wrote an essay on a specific experience in the Middle East, spoke of his transition back into civilian life, “I haven’t fully started participating in the civilian world again,” he said. “I’m avoiding it still.” Ingles is 25 years old and has served twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. Karl Mulling, Army PVT, suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He, like Ingles, shared a provocative essay. His wife, Marie Mulling, read a piece on the effect of Mulling’s TBI and PTSD in specific relation to their two young children.
Jonathan Gould read a poem containing strong elements of his call to duty. Gould will spend nine months in Afghanistan following his deployment in June. “It’s really easy to be at ACC and be in the military. They do a lot for the military as far as working with us. If I went to a bigger university, I’d have to take breaks all the time, and ACC works with me a lot better that way,” Gould said. Gullick and Leche have attended national conferences, promoting the importance of classes channeled specifically toward veterans. “I think it’s a pretty genius move to allow the veterans to see that their writings are contributions to society,”
Gullick said. “I have had a number of veterans in my courses. I am aware of how certain assignments can trigger memories.” The military composition classes are a means to deter many veterans’ tendencies to internalize what they have seen. With the support of fellow classmates and the military, they are able to produce works that convey elements that are often too painful to otherwise divulge. Gullick said a powerful way in which one can honor a service member is simply by giving that individual their attention. That was certainly a vehicle by which honor and respect was paid to the veterans of ACC’s Honoring the Service event.
Nov. 22, 2011
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Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
After graduating in 2004, Raquel Mendez began taking classes at Austin Community College as a way to figure out what she wanted to do in her life. “I started taking classes at ACC in September of 2004, the semester after I graduated high school,” Mendez said. “I really didn’t want to go to school, because I had no idea what I wanted to ‘be when I grow up,’ but my mom told me that if I didn’t go to school I’d have to move out.” Mendez spent her time at ACC trying out a multitude of majors. “I started as a business administration major, then spent the next four years bouncing from business administration, to theatre, to sociology, then psychology and finally landed on education,” Mendez said. Once she chose education as her major, her mom informed her that if she changed her major one more time, she would’t pay for her to take classes anymore. After finding her calling in education, Mendez transferred to Texas State University in Spring 2009 and graduated from there May 2011. “I was two classes shy of an associate, but decided to get to Texas State as soon as possible simply because I needed a change,” Mendez said. Currently Mendez works at Town & Country Children’s Montessori as an assistant teacher. “My duties [at Town & Country] mostly include assisting the teachers in transitioning the students from playground to circle time, circle time to work time, work to lunch, etc.,” Mendez said. “I help with behavior and time management, small group instruction, arts and crafts and — of course — maintaining a clean classroom.” In addition to being an assistant teacher, Mendez also works at ACC. “At ACC, when they are short handed I’m either an hourly adviser or assessment test proctor,” Mendez said. Taking classes and working at ACC has been part of Mendez’s family for decades. “ACC feels like home to me,” Mendez said. “My mother has been working here for 30 years, I grew up at HBC and EVC. I was volunteering in the Child Lab, Summer Youth Academy and for random festivals on campus.” Mendez credits three people in her life for helping her succeed at ACC: Professor Omar Rodriguez, who she says patiently helped her understand math, Dr. Giao Phan and her mom Juanita Mendez who is the campus manager for Eastview Campus and an ACC professor. “Dr. Giao Phan was an awesome Education teacher,” Mendez said. “Thinking back through
my education classes from ACC to Texas State, her special populations classes are one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. She is extremely blunt and straight-forward and one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She completely took care of my fear of public speaking and provided great insight into the teaching profession. There’s advice that she gave in that class that rings in my head on a weekly basis at my current job.” For Mendez, her mom has been the biggest influence in her life even though she never took any of her classes. “Although I never took her Excel or Word classes, she’s certainly a teacher at ACC who helped me,” she said. “I don’t think I would have begun taking classes if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to pay for school without her, and I wouldn’t have my bachelor’s without her.” Mendez recommends ACC to future college students because of the low tuition rate and small classes. “One semester at ACC would run $700$1,000 whereas a semester at Texas State was $6,000-$8,000,” Mendez said. “I also liked the smaller classrooms. I was able to become comfortable in my class and I like that kind of learning environment. I remember a Physics class I took at Texas State with around 200 students, it was completely overwhelming and the teacher had no idea who any of us were. Since it was a straight-from-the-book lecture, I usually just signed in and left. I did the readings from home and managed to get a ‘B’ in the class without actually learning anything or having a ‘classroom’ experience or learning the name of anyone in the classroom. At ACC, the classes usually had less than 30 students, most of those students either shared the same campus or major as me. It was nice getting to know some people, if only to ask, ‘What’s due tomorrow?’ when bumping into them at Simon’s Cafe.” From her experience as a student at ACC, Mendez offers the following advice for current ACC students: “One — don’t feel like you need to have a major and future mapped out from day one,” Mendez said. “If you’re unsure, stick to the core basics, meet with the advisers and do some career aptitude tests. Take intro classes to get your feet wet, but don’t feel like you need to lock a major down right off the bat.” “Two — stick with it!” Mendez said. “I know you’ll feel overwhelmed and stressed and see no light at the end of the tunnel, but that pride, that feeling of accomplishment, having your degree... it is so worth it.”
Campus Life | Page 9
Learned What I’ve
Raquel Mendez
Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer
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LIFE & ARTS Page 10
www.theAccent.org
Nov. 22, 2011
Life & Arts → Music
New Austin band golden
Fortnight Forecast This Will Destroy You Saturday 11/26 | 9:00PM Emo’s
This four-piece instrumental band from central Texas has been gracing the states with it’s heavy, ambient, cinematic-instrumental bliss for the last seven years. Having gained increasing notoriety over the years, This Will Destroy You’s stage presence is both scientific and trance-like. Movie Under the Stars: A Christmas Story (Official Austin Shop Crawl Event) Friday 12/02 | 6:00PM OsakaSoul in the South 1st Food Court
Jon Shapley • Staff Photographer
Tamale Workshop
MY GOLDEN CALF — Tim O’Neill, Dabney Dwelle, Brian Tomlin and Joe Salinas of My Golden Calf take a break to pose for a shot in their South Austin practice space. Look for upcoming shows in January, and download their album free at mygoldencalf.bandcamp.com.
Saturday 12/03 | 10:00AM Central Market Cooking School
New local band My Golden Calf releases poetic, intriguing debut album for free Natalie Casanova
Assistant Editor
Some live music performances can be so captivating, they stay lodged in your memories for months on end. Austin band My Golden Calf’s powerful and clever lyrics, saturating rhythmic melodies and catchy tempos definitely have this effect on listeners. Their debut album, “Rituals To Make New,” is now available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, and can be downloaded for free on their BandCamp website. Jangly folksy-rock is one way lead vocalist and guitarist Dabney Dwelle describes the band’s sound. Their unconventional, bluesy beats convey a sense of mystery and allure listeners to the stories contained in Dwelle’s bewitching lyrics. They offer a more sincere and unique sound than many of the other thousands of indie rock bands out there. They worked on recording the album over the summer without looking into signing with a label yet, Dwelle said, and are offering the album for free to see if they can round up interest in their music. The band’s first connections began when Dwelle played with drummer Tim O’Neill before joining a different band, then later reconnected with him in 2008 to work on some songs Dwelle wrote. My Golden Calf formed with the
addition of bassist Joe Salinas and keyboardist and guitarist Carlos Cardona. Due to recent scheduling difficulty, a new keyboardist, Brian Tomlin, has joined the band in place of Cardona. One track on the album, “Fruit For Our Guest,” tends to stick out as a fan favorite. It has a lot of different parts and reveals a brooding, poetic and unclear story seemingly about a predator. The tone and mood of the song ride a rollercoaster of emotions and leave you longing for more of its catchy melody. Another song, “Bee In Your Bonnet,” has a sinister bass line and obscure lyrics. Listening to it makes you feel like you’re nosing around a town in a mystery movie, trying to find a culprit guilty of humiliating you. In the song, Dwelle talks of being too shy to pose questions, and the fear that others will find him strange. Dwelle’s lyrics are personal but camouflaged, so unless you were in the situation, it would be hard to grasp exactly what has happened. His phrasing and syntax could be characterized as somewhat Biblical language, although the content is not religious. “It just comes out that way, not exactly on purpose,” he said. “I’m not a very literal singer, I push myself to exercise muscles in the brain and write lyrics more creatively.” He said he likes it when
people listen and think about the words to find their own interpretation because, ultimately, the listener draws the meaning of a song. Dwelle does most of the songwriting, but the rest of the band has a lot of input and helps better arrange the music after he creates initial demos on his electric Wurlitzer piano. Some of the band’s influences include folk music and old-style country singers like Jimmy Rogers, The Zombies and Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers to name a few. Dwelle said he also grew up listening to musicals, and still watches movies to help him write. He also draws character from many indie bands he heard while traveling in Chicago during the mid 90s. Dwelle has been playing music in bands since the age of 12, but never sang vocals until he was about 24. He said he never had the drive to sing until no one else around him chose to be vocal, so he put himself out there and found a new instrument – his voice. After that, he said, performing took on a whole new life for him and made music feel new again. The name ‘My Golden Calf’ is a reference to the idea that music has become somewhat of a false idol to the band, distracting each of them from other life pursuits. The goal of their music is not to become mega rockstars making millions of dollars, but to be a
Make sure to bring your own seating to this family friendly viewing of a classic holiday movie favorite! Refreshments are to be provided, and bring your Austin Shop Crawl badge for access to other freebies on site. Get your free badge at austinshopcrawl.com/#/ sign-up/4552275102.
The event, which is three hours in total duration, should provide you will all the necessary knowledge to make your own traditional Christmas tamales this year. The menu will include a vegetarian option. The National with Local Natives Sunday 12/04 | 9:00PM Austin Music Hall
Album art courtesy of My Golden Calf
healing elixir to their own ears and issues. The music itself has selfish origins, Dwelle admits. “I had dreams when I was younger [that being a musician would] float me away on this crystal, magic cloud, but now I’ve accepted the reality that music is just something you want to do without the expectation that you’re headed to world fame,” Dwelle said. “I write more for myself sort of as a form of therapy … any attention the band gets is just a bonus.” With Salinas on crutches after ankle surgery, O’Neill in the process of building the band a recording studio and Tomlin catching up to speed, learning all their songs, Dwelle said the band is taking a break
form playing shows. When they feel comfortable and confident with their performances they’ll start booking venues again, he said, which may be as soon as January 2012. The band is already working on new material, Dwelle said, and once construction of their new studio is complete they will start recording again. My Golden Calf also applied to play in the 2012 South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival, but still have not received confirmation if they will be a part of the official lineup or not, as it takes a long time to process. Dwelle said they will play unofficial shows at various venues around Austin if they are not accepted into the official lineup.
The bassy vocals of frontman Matt Berningers paired with the pulsing, rackety and satisfying beat constructs a whimsical yet melancholy home atop a dark and vulnerable foundation. It could be said that Local Natives has mastered the most refined three-part harmony since Crosby, Stills and Nash. Their youthful, clap-happy Los Angeles-based sound is born out of sheer vocal and electric mastery. Free Thursdays at the Blanton
Every Thursday 10:00AM Blanton Museum of Art
Don’t let the modern architecture fool you: this museum contains an array of diverse art as well as revolving concepts and installments.
Northridge Campus
Layla Elayyadi
Staff Reporter
Best study spot
Best hang out
Best guilty pleasure
The Tea Lounge 1700 W. Parmer Lane • TeaLoungeTx.com As soon as you step foot in The Tea Lounge, you automatically feel relaxed and ready to drink and study. They have a range of different flavor drinks served hot or cold, and with or without tapioca. Choices include green tea, coffee, smoothies and much more. The best thing about The Tea Lounge is that you may feel like you are in a spa lounge with plush seating and relaxing environment. The free Wi-Fi they offer all customers is also a plus. If you get a little tired of studying and want to have fun, pick up their free board games they have stacked up in the corner. The Tea Lounge really makes their customers feel at home andis a great hangout spot. So bring your study group, friends and family over to share this experience.
Lick it, Bite it, or Both 11101 Burnet Rd. #140A • LickItBiteItOrBoth.Com
The Canary Roost 11900 Metric Blvd #D
The name of the business says it all! They have some of the best cupcakes on this side of Austin and you have the choices of licking it, biting it or heck why not do both. They have a variety of cupcake flavors that will have your mouth watering as well as their homemade ice cream. This includes their signature cupcake of the month called ‘Sweet potato coffee cake, and fan favorites such as strawberry lemon, Bavarian cream and Italian cream. If you come here, you have to get both items. Trust me, you will not regret it! They are this issues guilty pleasure for a really sweet reason.
They do not make many hangout places that are perfect for the college crowd seven days a week any more. Across the street from the Northridge Campus, dwells The Canary Roost Bar, which has karaoke everyday and trivia every Thursday. Lets not forget the pool tables and great prices on drinks, and if you are hungry you can bring in your own food. The best time to come in is during UT games or during the Super Bowl in which they have a free buffet and crazy football fans who enjoy a good time. On Fridays and Saturdays they stay open until 2 a.m. so you and your entire crew can hang out all night long. Bethany Wagner • Staff photographer
Nov. 22, 2011
www.theAccent.org
Life & Arts | Page 11
Life & Arts → Culture
Festival generates sustainable fun
Thrive Austin Festival entertains, encourages green living, social responsibility among community members Era Sundar
Campus Editor
Live music, sustainability workshops and environmentally-themed carnival games put an entertaining spin on green living during the Nov. 11 Thrive Austin Festival held at the Pine Street Station in downtown Austin. The festival, which was a collaboration among the Amala Foundation, the Sustainable Living Roadshow (SLR) and Go Local Austin, raised $3,000 for the Amala foundation, event organizers said. Amala is an international humanitarian service organization which runs youth summer camps and assists immigrant and refugee youth in Austin. According to Amala Executive Director Ryan Jordan, as many as 3,000 refugees are relocated to Austin each year. Organizations such as Refugee Services of Texas refer many of the displaced youth to Amala. “Amala endeavors to create a safe space for youth that have suffered abuse, war, neglect and religious persecution among other injustices,” Jordan said.
Era Sundar • Campus Editor
AWARENESS — Game host Sirraum “Chatterbox” Nash (left) explains the consequences of fossil fuel overuse during the environmentally-themed game played by 12-year-old Andre Reign at the Thrive Austin Festival Nov.11 at the Pine Street Station in downtown Austin . Lights in the game area were run by solar power.
“We follow up with the youth every six weeks, have talking circles [for them to express themselves] and provide opportunities for them to help others.” Festival attendee Anais Rose-Carter said that she has participated in several Amala camps and has volunteered with the group on numerous occasions. “When everyone comes together it’s the best feeling ever,” she said. “You know you’re helping people and changing the world.” Also concerned with global impact is festival co-sponsor SLR. Based in Oakland, California, SLR consists of
volunteers who have spent the past four months traveling the country in a caravan of two biodiesel (vegetable oil) fueled buses in order to raise awareness of sustainable practices and other social issues. SLR volunteer Sirraum Nash said during its current tour, the group has engaged in anti-fracking protests, visited Occupy movements in Washington D.C. and Ashville, North Carolina and has participated in a march against genetically modified foods. The group’s mission is to promote sustainable solutions to everyday problems,
according to SLR co-founder and fleet manager Jonathan Youtt. In keeping with the group’s message of sustainability, Youtt set up portable solar panels that powered the lights that illuminated the festival’s outdoor activities, including the environmentally-themed carnival games. The games consisted of an alternative fuels beanbag toss in which players knocked over boards picturing conventional energy sources to reveal environmentally-friendly alternatives. Another game consisted of timed free throws where players shot newspaper
and plastic bottles through basketball hoops into recycle bins. “The fair is great and teaches kids a lot,” said twelve-year-old Andre Reign, who participated in the alternative fuels game. According to Erin Hickok, of Go Local Austin, supporting local products can reduce fossil fuel usage. Hickock said promoting locally owned, independent businesses rather than big chain stores is beneficial to the local economy. “Supporting local businesses creates more jobs, keeps more money circulating locally and keeps Austin unique,” she said. “That’s what the keep Austin
weird movement is all about.” Dani Slabaugh, owner of Yard to Table Gardens, takes the local movement even further by promoting home vegetable gardens. At the festival she planted a food forest, which is an intensive perennial garden that mimics the patterns of nature. Slabaugh teaches classes on gardening, water conservation and composting, and said she participated in the festival to she advocate green living. “It seems these guys are not just about changing light bulbs, but going further,” Slabaugh said, “and I am all about sustainable living.”
Food for thought: Round Rock Jessica Blair
Staff Writer
IT’S TIME TO LIVE UP TO YOUR OWN EXPECTATIONS.
Figuring out what to eat between classes is an important decision for any college student. All campuses have some form of a Simon’s Cafe. However, stepping away from the campus provides other choices to fill those tummies. Accent will feature several restaurants around the different campuses. In this issue, we feature Round Rock Campus.
Let St. Edward’s University help. Your Degree Coach will answer your questions, provide direction and keep you on track to finish that degree.
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Wow! What a place to have a great time. With a very rustic and busy atmosphere, The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que allows you to have a nice family meal without feeling pressured or like you are crammed in like sardines. This is the second location of the world famous barbecue joint, the flagship is just south of Austin in Driftwood, Texas. The Travel Channel and several celebrities, chefs and food critics have named The Salt Lick the best barbecue in America. The Turkey Plate was perfect. It had a savory potato salad, smokey beans and cold, crisp coleslaw. You should really bring a full appetite when coming here, because the food never disappoints. The service was also exceptional and very tentative to what costumers might want all while being very friendly and cordial. Finding this treasure was easy as well. It is located next to the Dell Diamond. The price ranges between $10 to $15, so while it is not too expensive, it can be reserved as a once in a while dining treat. Overall, I highly recommend this to everyone who loves barbecue as much as I do.
Scale: $ = under 15 dollars an entree $$ = 15 to 20 dollars an entree $$$ = 20 to 25 dollars an entree
$
Photo by Dana Manickavasagam • Web Editor
page 12 | Life & Arts
www.theAccent.org
Nov. 22, 2011
Life & Arts → Culture
Relive the fun
PUT YOUR HANDS UP — Passion Pit performs at Fun Fun Fun Fest inciting fans to dance Nov. 4. Passion Pit served as the festival’s headliners for the first day of the three-day festival held at Auditorium Shores. This year was the first year Fun Fun Fun Fest was held at Auditorium Shores after construction began at Waterloo Park last year, the festival’s former venue.
Fun Fun Fun Fest dusty, but thrilling with musicians, comedians, celebrities, more Natalie Casanova
Assistant Editor
All photos by Karissa Rodriguez Editor in Chief
A giant mass of what looked like hipster-gangsters and train robbers kicked around dirt and dust Nov. 4-6 at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest (FFFF). Over 150 diverse and engaging bands performed for the bandana-clad concertgoers at FFFF’s sixth annual gathering, located at Auditorium Shores this year. The festival showcased musicians from a manifold of genres and styles. One of the most talked and tweeted about happenings that weekend was Ryan Gosling touring the festival, shooting scenes from his upcoming film “Lawless.” He was seen dancing on the side stage for several artists’ performances and even walking around the park “fighting” with co-star Rooney Mara.
The Sony Social Club tent offered gaming on several flatscreen TVs, each setup with PS3 consoles and the new interactive game “Everybody Dance.” A Sony representative walked around, demonstrated the game and said players could record themselves playing and upload the videos to various social media. This game is definitely heading in the right trend direction with these new sharing options. Mohawk, Beerland, The Parish, Beauty Bar and a few other venues hosted Fun Fun Fun Nites, presenting extra performances and disc jockey sets from big names like Passion Pit and Neon Indian. On Sunday night, Gosling, Diplo and several other FFFF musicians made an appearance at Beauty Bar to close the festival and go out with a bang. Here’s the lowdown on the sounds and sights of many of the amazing bands that played.
Heartless Bastards Lead singer Erika Wennerstrom’s slow-burning, soulful vocals and the band’s melodic, heavy blues-rock could be heard resonating blocks away from the venue. Wennerstrom exhibited incredible talent on her cream and gold Gibson guitar that perfectly matched the backbeats and strumming of her bandmates. The beautiful ‘crying eye’ illustration on their kick drum made for a captivating centerpiece to the gorgeous downtown Austin skyline in the backdrop of the open out-door stage.
Pictureplane The merging of edgy synthesizers and late 80s-style samples by Travis Egedy, the brain behind Pictureplane, reminds listeners of a more sensual and unusual era of music. Egedy sang over his trance-style mixes and was accompanied by two Lady Gaga-ish costumed dancers moving and locking in place eerily to the bumpin’ beats. The heavy, punchy rhythms swayed most viewers into dancing and pulsing to retro, early-90s electro sound.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears This Austin-centric, classic, blues-rock band’s sound has a very ‘Chuck Berry’ big band feel to it. The super enthusiastic rock ‘n’ roll riffs, the over-thetop trumpet and saxophone players, and the 50s-esque girl screams at the climax of musical bridges all bring back a sense of timeless, waning blues. Black Joe Lewis is definitely a crowd pleaser, and evocates soulful voices like James Brown and Little Richard.
Matt Bearden
DREAMY — Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino
sings one of Blonde Redhead’s songs on Nov. 6. Blonde Redhead features Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace.
Austin-based comedian Matt Bearden is no stranger to awkward. He constantly crosses the line in his jokes, and is quite funny, but seems to swing and miss at who his audience is and what they will laugh at. He made self-proclaimed inappropriate jokes on topics ranging from Randy Savage
ROCK ON — Lead singer and guitarist Joe Lewis of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears plays his guitar on the orange stage of Fun Fun Fun Fest on Nov. 4. The band is a local Austin band which originally formed in 2007. “snapping into the Slim Jim of death” to the recently trendy and easy jabs the at the Occupy movements. He seemed less confident than usual and talked about the nature of his jokes a little too much, but ultimately finished with a hilarious edition of puppet karaoke.
Miles’ doctor recommended he rest his voice for a few days, so they could finish the tour. Their healthy performance in Austin was a display of sometimesdissonant harmonies, full and symphonic instrumental collaborations, subtle lyrics and a smooth pop sound.
Passion Pit
M83
If you don’t know the sweet story behind Passion Pit’s formation by Michael Angelakos, – you’re missing a key element to interpreting the super lovey-dovey lyrics behind most of his songs. The first group of tracks, which later became his “Chunk of Change” EP, were written by Angelakos as a Valentine’s Day gift to his then girlfriend. The electroindie-pop clashing of sounds and wicked good beats are inescapably groove-inducing, and his high pitched catchy vocals are pleasant to sing along to. Passion Pit has had some disappointing live sound mixing in the past, but this performance was a spectacular display of lights and sounds.
I truly hate the overuse of the word ‘epic,’ but this French ambient dreampop, shoegaze group played a show of epic proportions. Fans crowded the stage to hear M83’s bassy, dreamy synth and to see them rock out to their dissonant yet harmonic noise collaborations. The super-dancy, repetitive but creative mixing of noise got the crowd bumping and cheering when the band reached a teethclenching climax.
Ra Ra Riot FFFF fans were lucky to catch a solid melodic, bouncy baroque pop-rock set from indie chamber pop band Ra Ra Riot, due to lead singer Wes Miles’ off-and-on vocal wellness. The band has canceled a few shows after their stint in Austin after
guitarist Kerry King from the photo pit on Nov. 6 at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Slayer performed a one and a half hour set as the festivals overall headliners.
Baths
Childish gambino
Flying Lotus
I’m not sure if Donald Glover is a better as a comedian or as rapper Childish Gambino. He is super-facially expressive, energetic, bouncy and captivating in both acts. As Childish Gambino he was very animated and spit clever lyrics over fun beats, sampling a variety of tracks like “Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear and “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. He never stopped moving and ran around the stage like a kid on a sugar high, even climbing on the mega-speakers to reach the top of the outdoor stage and activate the crowd, who cheered after every stanza of his lyrics.
Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim musical hero FlyLo tore up the stage, spinning legit experimental, electro beats. FlyLo dedicated a song to all the nine-to-fivers that had an amazing sampling of “Radicals” by Tyler the Creator. The clashing, clacking heartbeats of sound pulsed through the crowd as everyone swayed to his analog-like claps and beats from outer space. Some tracks leaned more toward a scary, hauntedelectro reprise of classic melodies, complete with bassy ‘barumps’ and drumbeats.
Grimes
SNAP — A photographer aims to take a photo of Slayer
This Canadian, churchy new wave group performed a collection of synth mixed with steady percussion and bells. A hipster favorite, lead singer Katie Stelmanis expressed her gratitude of Fun Fun Fun Fest when she said, “It’s fun to be here NOT for South by Southwest!” The band ran into slight technical difficulties on stage, but their overall performance was entrancing and deliciously original.
Flowers covered the stage for indie pop, western rock band Girls as a symbolic reminder of lead singer Christopher Owens’ childhood growing up in a cult. His bluesy pop lyrics were supported by soothing soulful backup singers, while the band’s sliding rock riffs filled out the rest of a country-esque, poprock musical spectrum.
Girls
Lykke Li
performing “Azz Everywhere” during her set at Fun Fun Fun Fest at the blue stage on Nov. 4. Big Frieda is most widely known as the undisputed “Queen Diva” of bounce music.
Austra
The unorthodox mingling of electro-noise, chillwave-like samples and percussive beats of Will Wiesenfeld is the crossgenre genius behind Baths. Wiesenfeld uses awkward syncopation and unusual rhythms to create danceable melodies and crowd-riling bridge breakdowns. Fans threw up their ‘animal hands’ and swayed to Baths’ popular track “Aminals,” which is an attractive collaboration of odd sounds and samples including adorable baby talk.
Flowy curtains and heavy fog accompanied the indie, dreampop rock set of Swedish singer, songwriter Lykke Li. Her beautiful, sensual image matched with her melodic voice and punchy beats really drew attention to her on stage as a unique and ambitious artist, playing her heart out for the fans. The electro-pop sound of the music is perfectly balanced with Lykke Li’s strong, soulfully smooth vocals.
BOOTY BOUNCE — Big Frieda points to the crowd while
used sounded much like a wahwah pedal, but for a keyboard, and her voice reached unusually high, haunting pitches.
Fans pulsed to the heavilydistorted 80s dance beats and toy vocals of Grimes’ mastermind Claire Boucher. Forest-floor style reverb, lengthy delays and looping shaped the sounds she mixed while she paused to sing over her freshly created tracks. The effects she
Blonde Redhead The soft, psychedelic vocals of lead singer Kazu Makino make this alternative dreamy rock band an act you can’t miss. The symphonic male and female voices combine for a sultry, swaying melody sung to a primal and foreign reign of drumbeats and rhythmic guitar riffs. Special light bulbs scattered around the stage seemed to be harboring a fire within them, creating illuminated silhouettes for the audience to gaze up at. They encountered slight technical difficulties a few songs into the set, but with cheers and support from the audience they jumped right back into an ambient collaboration of soothing lyrics and mellow, bluesy rock sound. For in-depth interviews with Heartless Bastards, Baths and Flying Lotus, visit theaccent.org.
Nov. 22, 2011
www.theAccent.org
Life & Arts | Page 13
Life & Arts → Video Games
Life & Arts → Music
‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’ breaks sales records
Relo working to release first full-length album ‘Childhood Obesity’ Spring 2012
Call of Duty: MW3 lives up to Dallas indie-rock band Relo avid gamers’ expectations offers quirky, rich harmonies
Birdie Michaels
Staff Reporter
Joey Galvan Staff Writer
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” (COD: MW3) is the latest installment of the critically acclaimed first-person shooter series from developers Infinity Ward. Through the course of the past several years the “Modern Warfare” franchise has continuously broken sales records with a growing popularity, including this edition of the game. The single-player game takes off like a freight train right out of the gate, violently throwing you into a world where the very future of America is in your hands. It seems you are always teetering on the brink of death in each level’s beginning, whether by surviving helicopter crashes, collapsing buildings or the double cross of a rogue agent. “COD: MW3” is a visceral experience where most of your fighting is done from your stomach while copious amounts of bullets are flying overhead in every direction. As damage is incurred the screen reflects it by becoming opaque with the cracking of glass, providing a wonderful sense of realism. The single player experience of this game is truly superb. At times the lines of reality begin to blur because the game feels so genuine. The environments are painstakingly crafted to perfection, combined with one of the most solid game engines ever created. The “Modern
Photo courtesy of Activision
Warfare” series is a large reason why first-person-shooters still reign in popularity, and this game will lure even more people to the franchise. The variety of weapons in “COD: MW3” is abundant. You get to choose your desired weapon in multiplayer modes, giving a greater sense of detail. The player has the options to choose assault rifles, submachine guns, light machine guns, sniper rifles and shotguns with options for at least five different firearms for each category. As you venture further into the multiplayer experience, more weapons become unlocked in addition to features such as kill streak reward. The more experience points you garnish, the more truly rewarding the endeavor is. The player has the option of choosing many different variances of multiplayer choices as well. You can choose formats such as team deathmatch, free for all, capture the flag and domination just to name a few, making the online play anything but monotonous. There is even a special features menu on the main title screen that takes you to an online co-op gameplay mode which provides hours of entertainment. For the extreme “Call of
Duty” fanatics there is an option to purchase the “Call of Duty Elite” package for around $50 which lasts the duration of year. This online based function boasts some amazing features such as free downloads of map packs, year round competitions for real prizes in addition to digital trophies and recording your live gameplay into streaming video. While the single-player experience is wonderful, the multiplayer format is what is heavily invested upon the most. There are weeks upon months worth of gameplay to try and tire from. The pay option for the elite status seems a risky venture to lure diehard fans, but after spending a small amount of time in this virtual world purchasing it should be simply a no-brainer. “COD: MW3” is the most solid release in the franchise’s history. The environments are immersive, enemies are challenging, single-player experience is compelling and the multiplayer format should be the industry standard of what a successful first-personshooter online experience could be. While the single player game can be beaten in a few days, the online gaming is an example of sheer beauty, exceeding expectations of what they have done in the past.
Life & Arts → Music
Country band dreams wide Texas native Casey Donahew Band releases fourth full-length album ‘Double-Wide Dream’ Nathan Bustillos Staff Writer
Country Music singer and Texas native Casey Donahew and his band have released their fourth record “Double-Wide Dream” just two years after the release of their third album “Moving On.” The new album was released Oct. 25 and it is, at the time of print, in the 81 spot on the iTunes Top 100 chart, and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Country Album chart. This fourth album released on Almost Country Records contains 10 tracks total, and is similar to the band’s previous album in that it is dominated by an upbeat sound with a mix of slower country ballads. The album’s title track “DoubleWide Dream” is one of the many upbeat tracks on the album. In a press release for the
album Donahew said, “Double Wide Dream is one of those songs that’s just really fun. Not every song has to change your life, there’s got to be some entertainment in the world.” Donahew said the band is sticking to their country roots with this album just as they have with previous efforts. The following track titled “Give You a Ring” switches the tone and brings a slower-ballad, love song sound with acoustics and soft lyrical content. Fans that like music from artists such as Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Gary Allan will thoroughly enjoy this album with a similar sound musically and lyrically. The tracks that follow continue a back-and-forth switch from upbeat, fast-tempo tracks to slower-tempo tracks such as the song “Regrets.” The chorus of this song presents the message “Regrets, they are the hardest lessons learned.”
Donahew’s lyrics not only make many of the tracks easily relatable to fans of the genre, but they also make this album, easy for fans to listen to and enjoy. According to their website, the band has been on tour promoting the new album and tour dates include several stops in Texas throughout November and December. The Casey Donahew band will be in Odessa, TX on Nov. 23 followed by shows in Granbury and Winnie, TX on Nov. 25 and 26 respectively. On December 10 you can see the band perform at Cowboy’s Dancehall in San Antonio. “Double-Wide Dream” can be purchased online on iTunes and Amazon.com or through the band’s website at caseydonahewband.com. You can also purchase a copy of the album from Best Buy and Walmart stores.
Relo, a four-piece Dallas-based band asserting contagious, richly harmonious layers, has been likened to bands such as Radiohead, The Pixies and even the Deftones due to their quirky, complex multi-instrumental chord progressions. Relo initially started as a project between Will Rakkar and Adam Sewell. Their union was instigated with the aid of a Craigslist ad written by Rakkar, who had never previously used the website apart from selling and purchasing. “I found this weird, kooky kid named Adam. He’s really talented and gifted,” Rakkar said of his co-founding and current bandmate. Rakkar and Sewell were soon accompanied by the talents of drummer Caleb Stelzer and bass player Tyler Epstein, musicians for whom Rakkar credits networking within the ever-amplifying Dallas music scene.
Rakkar said this local music scene is re-evolving into a “weird creature” whose predominance hasn’t been beheld since the early 90s. “I wouldn’t say that we’re really a rock band at all. I’ve always thought of rock as an outdated term,” guitarist and vocalist Rakkar said. Rock resonates with Rakkar as something reflective of the 1950s to 1980s time period, simplistic in its power-chord mentalities. “We’re sort of Britpop meets punk meets electronica,” he said. “We do have elements of that era of [rock] music as well.” The band has been refining their sound since coming together in November 2010. Their forthcoming, fulllength album, “Childhood Obesity,” differs from its precursor, an EP titled “Sunsplosion,” which has already been released digitally. “I think the intensity has really skyrocketed,” Rakkar said of the full-length, set to release in Spring 2012. “Sunsplosion” is an
embodiment of clear, electric sound with discernible vocals and unconventional timing. The music is diversely altered with the classic sound of a cello, played by Rakkar’s father, a doctor and professional musician who attended the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. “People use the term ‘thrashy’ to describe their genre of music. I would use that to describe our playing style, but not in the typical sense of the genre,” Rakkar said of Relo’s mechanical art medium. Though effects pedals and synthesizers can provide an excitedly individual sound, Rakkar esteems live performances as the most favored part of his musical career. Delivering music to the ears of talent-hungry fans in central Texas venues is just as important as recording new tracks. Relo is anticipated to play a show with the Austin-native band Mira Loma in midJanuary at Austin’s 29th Street Ballroom. For more information, visit relomusic.net. Their EP “Sunsplosions” can be purchased online at relo.bandcamp.com.
page 14 | Life & Arts
www.theAccent.org
Nov. 22, 2011
Life & Arts → Culture
Comic Con corrals costumed fun
Natalie Casanova
Assistant Editor
The Austin Convention Center was crawling with creatures and costumes from all sorts of cult classic comics, movies and TV shows Nov. 11-13 for Austin’s second annual Wizard World Comic Con. The disguises alone were enough of a reason to regret missing out on this year’s ultimate nerd gathering. Over 80 exhibitors and retailers sold comics, costuming supplies, toys, autographed memorabilia and more. Several artists and celebrities were on hand at booths all over the convention center ready to sign autographs, take photos, present artwork and even draw custom requests. Obsessed fans and enthusiasts attended Q-and-A sessions featuring actors, writers and artists from several shows and films such as Doctor Who, Walking Dead, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Wars and Stargate. Lee Vanwallene, creator of webcomic Half Man Half Monkey All Hero (HMHMAH),
hosted an artist booth at Austin Comic Con for his second year. “I’m a huge nerd, have a deep knowledge of anime and love comics and books,” Vanwallene said, “I want to break into the industry.” After working on others’ projects for a while, he started drawing HMHMAH in 2008 and has produced at least one comic a week for the past year and a half. Vanwallene said his comic is not affiliated with any major company, and its content is usually all over the map, ranging from internet memes to more serious topics like political and economic issues. He described himself as an anarchocapitalist, stating that in a true utopian society people wouldn’t need government, and as an independent artist he likes having the freedom to express these ideas in his artwork. “It’s like [my comic] is on a little boat and goes where the internet goes,” he said. “I [also] use it as a platform, and take advantage of it while I still can.” Vanwallene said brandishing artwork at Comic Con is a great way for artists to get exposure on a massive scale. Even if no artwork
or merchandise is sold, the display garners a spike in artists’ website traffic and popularity. A common source of short-lived traffic for him is the online forum reddit.com, but he said better quality, more loyal supporters are acquired by meeting face-to-face with potential fans. Chris Calilung, Vanwallene’s friend and fellow artist, drew parodies of Marvel and DC comic characters live at the HMHMAH booth, and took custom requests for his silly works including a drunken Iron Man drawing. Calilung is a veteran of several Comic Cons all over the country, and recommended that attendees bring a backpack full of snacks and comfortable shoes. Also, he said it’s wise to save big purchases until the last day of Comic Con because many artists and sellers will slash the prices of their merchandise to get a final push in sales and reduce the amount of stuff they pack up and take home. Comic book creator and writer Jeffery Stevenson and his 10-year-old, artist daughter Astin Eschele Stevenson set up camp at an artist booth showcasing both of their work. As a first-time seller at the Austin Comic Con,
Jeffery has been drawing comics for about 10 years and said he hoped to draw more interest to his Norse mythology themed graphic novel and webcomic Brathalla. Astin drew adorable creatures and characters at the table, and said she wanted to sell them to help her save for college. She wants to attend the Art Institute of New York. Jeffery offered some advice to future Comic Con fans and sellers about the convention and networking. With three days of activities and a superabundance of art, comics, goods and memorabilia to peruse, time management can be difficult for an attendee. “Pace yourself; there’s a whole lot [of merchandise] and if you spend all of your money upfront, you’re going to miss all this great stuff that’s in the back,” he said. “[Sellers should] always have something to leave behind [like] a business card, that way if [fans] are interested in your stuff, but they’ve run out of money, they can get in touch with you somehow.” Overall the convention brought together a fascinating collection of sci-fi and fantasy aficionados, geek icons old and new, astonishing and ingenious artwork, plenty of wacky photo opportunities and a multitude of trinkets, crafts and novelty toys that would satisfy anyone’s nerd-culture cravings.
BROWSING — Comic Con
attendees walk through one of the many aisles of displays. Crowds had the opportunity to shop for collectibles, art and autographs, visit local artists and attend workshops with some of their favorite actors.
INSPIRED — Lockhart artist Eric Lamas works on a painting during the Austin Comic Con. Lamas had paintings on display, and worked on new paintings during the event.
MONKEY BUSINESS— Lee Vanwallene, creator of the webcomic Half Man Half Monkey All Hero, sports a self-designed T-shirt at his artist booth Nov. 12. FANS — Doctor Who fans crowded around a Dalek
who was making it’s way to the Doctor Who Fan Club of Austin booth. The Doctor Who Fan Club was one of many booths that celebrated fans favorite shows at Comic Con Nov. 11-13.
DRESSED UP— Dressed as Flutter Shy from
My Little Pony, Megan Celaya drove from San Antonio to attend her first Comic Con. Celaya was only one of many Comic Con guests dressed in costume during the three day event hosted by Wizard Wold.
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