The Paisano Volume 48 Issue 2

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Vincent Valdez brings “America’s Finest” to the McNay pg 6 UTSA Men’s basketball falls to Texas State to remain winless in conference pg 8

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Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

{SINCE 1981}

Forbes Magazine ranked San Antonio third on its list of New Tech Hot Spots.

January 22, 2013

Issue 2

{WWW.PAISANO-ONLINE.COM}

Shootings lead to national, state debates on gun control

Will Tallent / The Paisano

{San Antonio}

Volume 48

{Texas} State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) has introduced a bill which would allow hard liquor to be sold on Sundays, and for sales after 9:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday.

Christopher Hinojos was shot and killed on the 300 block of Allendale Oak last week

16-Year-Old arrested for fatal shooting near UTSA

{Sports} Last week, Lance Armstrong publically admitted for the first time that he used performance enhancing drugs during his 7 Tour de France victories.

In this week in 2003 UTSA’s Rec Center opened its doors for the first time.

{Quotes} “My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it—so long as we seize it together.” -Barack Obama in his second inaugural address.

{Basketball} UTSA’s teams will take on Seattle University Thursday Jan. 24. The women take on the Redhawks at home at 7:00 P.M. while the men go on the road seeking their first conference victory, tipping off at 9:00 P.M. C.S.T.

Staff Writers

news@paisano-online.com At a White House press conference on Jan. 12, Barack Obama signed 23 executive actions pertaining to gun control.

These marked the president’s first actions in response to a school shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. on Dec. 14.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of 20 students and six staff members.

The executive actions detailed several measures, including the nomination of a permanent director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, removing legal red tape for police investigations on shootings and launching a national dialogue on mental health.

Obama also urged Congress to pass legislation that bans assault rifles and high-capacity gun magazines, as well as to implement universal background checks on all gun purchases, which would, in part, close the “gun show loophole,” according to CNN. At the press conference the president called his proposals “common sense measures” that would prevent shootings such as the one in Newtown from

happening again while “still protecting the 2nd Amendment and the rights of gun owners.”

Since the Newtown shooting, there has been an increased call for gun control measures in both the political and public spheres. According to a New York Times/CBS Poll, support for a nationwide ban on semiautomatic weapons and a ban on the sale of high capacity magazines has risen to 53 percent and 63 percent nationwide respectively.

In the same poll, the call for tightened gun control laws has risen to 54 percent, up from 39 percent in April. Gun control supporters such as the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg have praised the actions and public response to guns. Bloomberg also helped to spearhead legislation in New York state to strengthen some of the toughest gun control laws in the country, and the first since the Newtown shooting.

There has been backlash against these new gun control actions, however. The National Rifle Association (NRA)—a vocal opponent of new gun control laws and policy—accused Obama’s policies of “attacking firearms and ignoring children” and “not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation” in a statement released last week.

James Calder, a political sci-

Will Tallent/The Paisano

{History}

Bridget Gaskill David Glickman

ence professor at UTSA and a registered gun owner, commented on whether Obama’s executive actions were the proper course of action or would just create more “red tape.”

“I think it’s going to add to enforcement, but, like anything else, you can’t know at this point. You can’t know about the effectiveness of any one single executive order until time has passed,” said Calder, who teaches a course on public policy.

“Clearly more red tape—as people like to use that term—is something that we need in this gun management problem that we have in American society,” said Calder.

The NRA had proposed their own solution in response to the Newtown shooting, calling for volunteer armed guard troops to be placed in every school to protect against shooters. The group released a highly publicized TV ad before Obama’s actions last week, calling the president a “hypocrite” for his response on gun control.

The ad suggested that while Obama publically opposed the group’s proposal, his own daughters already attended a school with its own armed guards; the claim was later proven false by multiple sources.

A few places have begun implementing armed guards in schools, including Marlboro, See GUN CONTROL, Page 3

“You

don’t wake up one morning and commit a murder.”

William McManus

Will Tallent / The Paisano

Will Tallent / The Paisano

{Sports} {Arts}

Tal Palo Tal Astilla opens Wednesday Jan. 23 at the UTSA Art Gallery, in the Arts Building. The exhibit features work by contemporary artists inspired by Mexican heritage. heritage.

Police said that the victim might have known his killer, Web Editor whose name will not be released web@paisano-online.com because of his age.

“It was not a random act of On the morning of Thurs- violence,” McManus said. “You day, Jan. 17, officers arrested a don’t wake up one morning and 16-year-old male for the car- commit a murder.” jacking and fatal shooting of The suspect was among six 18-year-old Christopher Hino- teens who were arrested for jos that occurred in the Maver- several robberies on Bandera ick Creek neighborhood near Road. The teenager allegedly UTSA on Tuesday, Jan. 15. assaulted the arresting officer “Nobody wins. This is a tragic and attempted to gouge his eyes story no matter how you look at out, McManus stated in Friday’s it,” Stephen Enriquez, Hinojos’ press conference. stepfather, told KENS 5. “But, “The fact that this individual ultimately, I believe that justice is brazen enough that he tried will be done.” to gouge out the officer’s eyes San Antonio Police Chief Wil- shows you what kind of indiliam McManus said in a press vidual we’re dealing with,” Mcconference Friday that the sus- Manus said. pect would be charged with Hinojos’ murder is among capital murder. many violent crimes in the area.

Neighbors reported that In October, San Antonio Poaround 11 p.m., they heard Hi- lice responded to two armed nojos yellrobberies in ing that three days at someone the Outpost was stealing apartments his brown on UTSA 2001 Toyota Blvd.

One Camry. The week earlier, suspect alCharles Duolegedly shot to was robbed Hinojos in and shot in the hand as the chest the victim while walking opened the to his apartdriver’s side ment at the door in a Outpost. He San Antonio Police was rushed struggle to stop the susto University Chief pect from Hospital in taking the critical condivehicle, the police report stated. tion.

The suspect drove off, but did Although the cases remain not make it far before he decid- unresolved, the San Antonio Poed to turn around. As Hinojos lice Department has not ignored knocked on one neighbor’s door the remarkable surge of criminal for help, the suspect got out of activity near UTSA. McManus the car and allegedly shot the stated that they are “aware of victim multiple times. these crimes.” He believes, howHinojos died on the porch of a ever, that these recent arrests home on the 300 block of Allen- will curb much of the violence in dale Oak at around 11:15 p.m. the university area.

Natalie Frels

San Antonio hosts the country’s largest MLK Day parade each year.

For more photos turn to page 3.

NEWS

2 January 15, 2013

NEWS

3 January 22, 2013

Will Tallent / The Paisano

San Antonio’s MLK Day March in photos: Organizers estimated that over 100,000 people participated in San Antonio’s annual MLK Day March, many of them representing UTSA and its student organizations. Participants marched through the East Side before finishing at Pittman-Sullivan Park to listen to music and speeches. This year’s event also coincided with President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, which was shown

Will Tallent / The Paisano

Robert Levy, chairman of the Cato Institute, a libertarianleaning think tank, told the New York Times “to reduce the risk of multi-victim violence, we would be better advised to focus on early detection and treatment of mental illness.”

Earlier this month, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick proposed legislation that would require courts to send all relevant mental health records to the state’s criminal justice information system so the federal government could include this information in a national gun license registry.

Sally Satel, psychiatrist and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, debated on the New York Times opinion page that the severely mentally ill commit only a small fraction of homicides, about 3 to 5 percent. “I applaud efforts to improve the way we care and monitor the mentally ill, but it’s not the cure for gun violence,” stated Satel.

There are varying opinions on the level of proper response to the recent tragedies that have struck our nation. Whether improving each state’s mental health resources, from private institutions to neighborhood counseling centers, or enacting provisions to reduce the country’s arsenal, Calder asserts we have “to create some sort of comprehensive legislation that addresses a variety of aspects of this problem.” Whichever course of action, “something has to be done.”

Will Tallent / The Paisano

training that would deputize school employees to use firearms as the last resort during an attack, said the Texas Tribune.

Calder argues Dewhurst’s policy is dangerous and could result in “an arms race in the classroom.”

The Texas Tribune also stated that State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) plan to file legislation that would require background checks at gun shows and for other unregulated gun distributors as well as training for individuals buying specific firearms.

“How many more tragedies must we endure before we step up and take action?” Ellis asked in a public address. Without specifically addressing the issue of gun shows in his press release on Jan. 16, Perry insisted the political left is using the media and the death of the children in Connecticut as a method by which to advance a preexisting political agenda. “Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help.”

However, there are arguments that gun control is not the main issue to be examined, but rather the issue is mental health care accessibility and funding to state hospitals. Funding for mental health programs varies by state, with Texas ranking 49 in per capita spending in mental health agency expenditures, according to National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute.

Will Tallent / The Paisano

New Jersey, where uniformed police officers now patrol school grounds, according to the New York Daily News. However, the proposal has been criticized as well, such as by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who on CNN said the idea of armed guards in every school was not a “wise idea.”

The gun management problem, according to Calder, is “probably not going to be addressed very easily by a weak piece of legislation—it’s going to be addressed by going after those pieces of legislation that seem to create the most serious problems.”

While some politicians believe that the solution lies within President Obama’s proposed stricter gun laws, others insist that individual resourcefulness is the proper course of action.

Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst believe that the president’s call to Congress to ban high capacity magazines and assault weapons violates the Constitution, and is a strategic effort to enact specific left-wing initiatives.

Dewhurst announced at a conservative policy summit in early January that he intended to propose that the state consider funding specific firearm and defense training programs for school administrators and employees. His proposal was met with praise and criticism.

State Representative Jason Villalba (R) visualizes a program similar to the federal air marshal

Will Tallent / The Paisano

From Page 1

Will Tallent / The Paisano

GUN CONTROL: National, state leaders offering opposing solutions

OPINION

5 January 22, 2013

{The Paisano} Editorial Editor-in-Chief: Katy Schmader

Managing Editor: Stephen Whitaker

News Editor:

Matthew Duarte

Paseo Editor: Sarah Gibbens

Arts Editor:

Jennifer Alejos

Sports Editor: Sheldon Baker

Photo Editor: Will Tallent

Web Editor: Natalie Frels

Who shows up to class?

The fact that a student is enrolled in college-level courses concedes that they recognize the value of a degree. On the first day, many students walk into their class and immediately size up the professor’s expectations. Students gauge the standard of effort by asking many questions: How many exams will there be? What is the reading like? How much do absences matter? Students expect to

gain knowledge within a classroom environment.

Expectations are expressed to a student on the first day of class. When a professor fails to meet a student’s expectation, students feel it is appropriate to miss class. As an effect, oftentimes, students are penalized for missing class.

Attendance reflects the final grade in that the student who chooses to be absent misses

vital information that could be found on quizzes and exams, therefore students who show up are awarded by being prepared.

However, in some cases, how vital is class time?

If students are required to attend class, class should be appropriately invaluable to an education. In a digital age in which information is so readily available, professors need to

Comics

Jenelle Duff

Vulpes Vulpes by: Christopher Garcia

Business Manager: Senior Copy Editor:

Lance Armstrong waited too long to tell the truth to his fans

Alyssa Torres

{Staff Writers} Daniel Crotty, David Glickman, Corey Franco, Valeria Rodriguez, Magalieh Acosta, Amanda Dansby, Valeria Perez, Bridget Gaskill, Christina Coyne, Randy Lopez, Lictor Prianti, Alex Camacho, Shelby Hodges

{Staff Photographers} Ruth Olivares, Alyssa Gonzales

{Contributing Writers} Julian Montez, Ethel Asberry, Leann Acuna, John Poplawski, Council Royal, Eliana Briceno, Marialuisa Bianchi, Ross Hutchinson, Erin Boren, Rachel Corbelli, Philip Taele, Eric Mondragon, Delaney Marlowe, Doug Ricther

{Contributing Photographers} Scott Cochran

Alongie by: Joonki Min

{Interns} Amanda Dansby, Janae Rice, Erin Boren, Sheldon Baker, Marcia Perales

{Advisor}

Diane Abdo

{Advisory Board}

Steven Kellman, Mansour El Kikhia, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed towards:

Editorial

Gun violence hits close to UTSA on January 15

© The Paisano 14545 Roadrunner Way San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210)690-9301 Fax: (210)690-3423 Will Tallent / The Paisano

E-mail: editor@paisanoonline.com

{Send letters to} editor@paisano-online.com

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The Paisano reserves the right to edit all submissions.

Crime scene tape still hangs from the fence at the corner of Allendale Oaks and Agency Oaks in the Maverick Creek subdivision a week after Christopher Hinojos, 18, was gunned down after having his car stolen around 11:15 last Tuesday night. While Hinojos was not a UTSA student, the neighborhood is home to many UTSA students. The shooting, coupled with the rise in crime at area apartment complexes brings the debate of gun control to the doorstep of UTSA. Read the Paisano’s coverage of the shooting on p. 1 and write a letter to the editor with your feelings towards gun control and safety at UTSA.

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Letters must be less than

the professor who should be penalized for failing.

A degree should stand as testament to effort. Are students qualified to succeed in such a competitive job market if they are failing to meet the standards of the degree that students are paying for?

If UTSA should rise to the occasion, the question should be asked: who’s accountable for student’s education?

Commentary

Kevyn Kirven

Ads Manager:

provide unique and engaging information that not only supplements their students’ course work, but also raises the standard of success. When a student is absent from class yet still succeeds, the question must be raised: Should the university hold the professor accountable for the level of difficulty expected of a college level course?

It is not the student who should be penalized for succeeding but

It has been quite a week since the last issue of The Paisano hit the stands.

A media circus surrounded former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and the story of his deceased girlfriend that turned out to be a twitter hoax perpetrated by a man named Tuisasasopo. Others have written volumes on this topic in the past week.

Continuing the story of sports stars falling from grace was Lance Armstrong, who finally publicly admitted that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France seven times from 19992005, among other honors Armstrong won on a bicycle in his career. He came clean to Oprah Winfrey on her network.

The Lance Armstrong saga is unique in the history of American sports because no star athlete has ever fallen farther from grace than Armstrong since he last put on the yellow jersey in Paris’ Champs Elysees as Tour de France champion in late July 2005.

On that day, Armstrong was at the height of his fame. He was in a class of his own for cycling and had a place among the all-time greats of American sports. Then there were his accomplishments off the bike.

Before he conquered France seven times on his bicycle, he survived testicular cancer in the 90s. His defeat of cancer added to his status as American hero.

Had he stayed clean of performance-enhancers, he would have been forever remembered as the man who brought com-

petitive cycling to the forefront of American sports.

Then the rumors began that he had used performanceenhancing drugs in his career.

From the first accusation of doping, Armstrong steadfastly denied ever using performanceenhancing drugs. For 14 years, from his first Tour de France victory in 1999 until his admission to Oprah, Armstrong lied his way out of the pantheon of American sports heroes and into the group of shamed heroes that had “doped.”

While Armstrong ruined his integrity by using performanceenhancing drugs, he also did irreparable harm to it by lying about his drug use for as long as he did. If he had come out and been truthful with the American people and admitted his wrongdoing, his steroid use would still be remembered but it would also be remembered that he had been truthful.

Armstrong’s wrongdoing led to his being stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and an Olympic medal as well as his being banned from cycling for life. He was wrong to cheat, and he was wrong to lie to the American public. His delay in telling the truth will most likely hurt him more in the long-run than if he had just been honest with his fans.

The Armstrong story will go down in sports history as a cautionary tale of what can happen to someone when he or she climbs to the top by cheating and then tries to deny that cheating for years. It will also most likely set back the American support of professional cycling for a long time, at least until an American wins the Tour de France without performance-enhancing drugs.

Stephen Whitaker Managing Editor

PASEO

4 January 22, 2013

UTSA professor investigates tick borne disease ments. Many of those infected will continue to have swelling in the joints, giving the disease more chronic characteristics.

“Our main focus is, how do we stop this bacteria from going from a tick to a host, which will be a human or other domesticated animals,” explains Seshu. “What we’re trying to see is, what are the molecular organisms that allow this bacteria to go from a tick to a host and what are the things we can do to stop it.”

The agent of Lyme disease is a spiral bacterium which is highly motile in its ability to spread. Ticks act as a carrier for the bacteria, transmitting the infection to various hosts. Seshu elaborated on his research efforts by explaining, “Our main goal is to either lock the transmission from the tick to the host, or prevent the transmission from the host back to the tick.”

Once the bacteria in the tick population can be reduced, infection in humans will decrease proportionally.

Tick bites are most common in heavily forested regions and during the summer. While a majority of ticks can be found in the northeast regions of the U.S. and around the Great Lakes, roughly 150 cases were reported in Texas last year, predominately in the Houston area.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture takes a keen interest in reducing the number of cases because of the potential threat ticks pose to cattle and sheep.

Ranches in the South Texas region focus heavily on eradicating ticks so that the financial loss of livestock is reduced.

“Basically it’s a big problem in

the U.S.,” posits Seshu. “We had a vaccine that has been discontinued for a variety of reasons, mostly economic. There is still a huge need to identify the ways to reduce this infection in humans.”

Seshu and his team studied

“There is greater recognition of our research efforts as a university.”

Dr. Janakiram Seshu

Associate Professor of bacterial pathogens

how diseases and bacteria are spread through vectors, disease carrying agents. One of the most beneficial aspects of the study is that principles discovered by researchers can be applied to other bacteria transmitted by vectors.

One such prevalent vector is the mosquito that can transmit

malaria and West Nile virus. According to the World Health Organization, in 2010 malaria infected and killed an estimated 660,000 people and, in cities as close as Dallas, large outbreaks of West Nile virus have been reported.

Discoveries made using the tick model for Lyme disease will be copied to limit these diseases.

“By enhancing our collaborative efforts, we are trying to make sure animals and plants can be identified as infected

and not allowed to come into the U.S.,” explains Seshu of the close scientific relations between the U.S. and China.

In their travels to China, Seshu and his team hoped to increase the methods of pathogen detection in different vectors common to domestic Chinese animals. While not all goods produced in China are exported to the U.S., Seshu and his team believe vector research is important in reducing the diseases responsible for significant agricultural loss.

“It’s a mutual benefit. When those diseases in China are eliminated, you can be sure products coming out of those parts of China are free of disease,” says Seshu.

Seshu believes the economic rationale for collaborating with China is high, because future threats to the U.S. in areas of health and agriculture can be reduced.

Plans to collaborate research efforts will continue between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and China. Seshu believes connections established between the two countries are invaluable with potential for long-term benefit.

“From a UTSA perspective, students will have an opportunity to interact with centers from China. Most importantly, there is greater recognition of our research efforts as a university.”

Will Tallent / The Paisano

Will Tallent / The Paisano

United States Trade Representative, U.S. goods and services traded with China totaled $539 billion in 2011- with $411 billion in imports alone. China is considered the largest supplier of goods to the U.S. and the fifth largest supplier of agricultural goods.

This high level of interaction between the two countries easily facilitates the spread of infectious disease from one to the other.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (shown Lyme disease has above). This spiral bacteria is highly motile, allowing it to spread quickly. also been a major Sarah Gibbens research on these small organ- problem in both China and the Paseo Editor isms and learn how to reduce United States. It is the most paseo@paisano-online.com the exchange of pathogens be- common tick-borne infection with over 30,000 cases reported tween the two countries.

Few organisms can make a The expedition was part of a to the Center for Disease Conperson’s skin crawl more than collaborative effort between the trol every year. “We are very the blood sucking arachnid U.S. Department of Agriculture interested in finding out the known as the tick. While most and the Ministry of Agriculture mechanisms by which we can people have to worry about in China. The trip was funded reduce these infections and these tiny creatures only when by a proposal written through prevent this infection from caring for a dog or cat, ticks UTSA and the USDA facility happening,” claims Seshu.

While ticks are highly effeccan cause a variety of problems in Kerrville. The grant awarded tual in areas concerning trade, to Seshu and the other scienranging from the disruption of the small insect can also have tists creates what is considered trade to Lyme disease. dangerous health implications. a scientific exchange program Dr. Janakiram Seshu, associWhen bitten, bacteria are deand allows investigators from ate professor of bacterial pathoposited onto the skin leaving a the U.S. to visit a number of difgens in the UTSA department red legion.

From there the bacferent places in China. of biology, has devoted time teria can spread to the joints China was a particular area and energy to learning about and cause painful swelling.

In of interest to the study of tickticks and ways to prevent carworst-case scenarios, the bacborne infectious diseases berying of disease. According to Seshu, “This is a major problem cause of the high level of in- teria can spread to the heart or for not only human infection teraction between the U.S. the brain. The most common but also a number of diseases and China. “The USDA is very and painful manifestation of particular about making sure Lyme disease is swelling of the that affect domestic animals.”

This past June and July, Seshu we are not bringing in what are joints and arthritis.

Antibiotics can clear the and two other researchers from known as ticks or other insect the United States Department vectors that carry disease into body of bacteria; however, the virus is almost never completeof Agriculture in Kerrville, TX the U.S.,” says Seshu.

According to the Office of the ly eliminated, even after treattravelled to China to conduct

Arts&Life

6 January 22, 2013

{Local Events}

Jennifer Alejos / The Paisano

Jennifer Alejos / The Paisano

Tuesday, Jan. 22.

10 a.m. Exhibit: “Fiesta, Fete, Festival”

An oil piece titled “John” hangs at the McNay Museum as part of “America’s Finest.”

Thursday, Jan. 24.

10 a.m. Exhibit: “Aphrodite and the Gods of Love”

And the Award for ‘America’s Finest’ Goes to Vincent Valdez

arts@paisano-online.com Men with bloody faces combat in the ring while a soldier struggles to keep his composure. These are truly “America’s Finest.”

“America’s Finest” is Vincent Valdez’s second solo exhibition at the McNay Art Museum, which is an impressive feat since Valdez is the youngest artist to do so in the museum’s history.

Valdez, a San Antonio native, graduated from Burbank High School and earned his degree at Rhode Island School of Design. Currently, Valdez is teaching at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio.

In “America’s Finest,” themes of nationality, strength, courage and manhood are depicted in each of Valdez’s paintings.

The exhibit explores the internal and physical struggles of men fighting for pride. The subject consists of male boxers

glory, the jabs at their spirits are left unscathed.

The subjects displayed in each of Valdez’s pieces are literally fighting for the same thing—survival.

Valdez’s next body of work complements the pieces in “America’s Finest” by its internal themes of manhood, struggle and freedom.

“Excerpts by John” is an accompanying exhibit to “America’s Finest” that chronicles the funeral prossession of John, a longtime friend of Valdez who served in the armed forces and suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Valdez chose work that celebrates the life of John with his honorable duty overseas and his role as a friend. In the exhibit guests are given a glimpse of John’s life and his experiences in war.

John’s fear radiates through the studio space. In his portrait one sees a man shaken to his core by the traumas of war.

The look of shock on his face

It’s a Dog-Eat-Dog World UTSA students dig in to gourmet hotdogs on campus Marcia Perales Intern

arts@paisano-online.com Biker Jim’s concept is to provide “good street food” in a way no one has done before.

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs food truck is the best at the Wurst. The little “rockin’” truck, offers up a variety of gourmet sausages in a unique way. It can’t be missed; the smell of the grilled food is captivating and the rock n’ roll music playing can be heard from yards away.

Originating from Denver, Colo., Biker Jim’s has been showcased on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.” Now a branching mobile truck rolls between the dorms, parking lots, and the Downtown campus of UTSA. The owner of the brand, the concept and the product line is Jim Pittenger. Aramark manages the UTSA food truck under their guidelines, but Pittenger ensures his concept remains the same.

Biker Jim’s uniqueness stems from the variety of meat offered.

Pittenger states that his source for uniqueness is his “little twist on the wiener business by using sustainably sourced meats that are (mostly) hormone-andanti-biotic free and [doesn’t] use nitrites or nitrates as preservatives.”

Pittenger recognizes that “hot dogs have always been the food of the masses,” and he wanted to jump on the food truck wagon

when his previous profession as a repo man was not bringing home the sausage to pay the bills.

Someone looking to find reindeer, duck, elk and Texas wild boar served on a roll from a food truck doesn’t need to go far.

Biker Jim’s top seller, the elk jalapeno cheddar weiner, has jalapeno embedded into the sausage, which gives the dog the perfect kick. Elk too daring? The all-beef hot dog is juicy and not as gamey as the other meats.

Their dogs are always fresh, steaming hot and messy; napkins are a requirement when devouring the yummy goodness.

The crispy french fries, an add-on must, are thin and full of salty flavor. Biker Jim’s also offers up a vegetarian Tofurkey brat for the vegetarian consumers. The tofu turkey flavored sausage is just as mouthwatering as their top meat options.

All the dogs are split down the middle and filled with unique topping of warm, melted cream cheese and perfectly caramelized onions. The Brat can be personalized by adding any one of the free toppings: jalapenos, sauerkraut, banana peppers, cheddar cheese and the basic mustard and relish combo.

Pittenger states, “Our food is good, our people are known for good customer service and we have the jokes.”

Pittenger’s love for bike’s and the “biker” environment triggered the eye-catching, winged-

helmet wearing-skull, logo for his brand. The name was obvious, and Pittenger states that “it sounds way better than ‘Jim-the guy that lives in the suburbsGourmet Dogs’...doesn’t it?”

Their dog prices average $4$6; it’s a great deal for what is grilled up. For the not-so-hungry moments, try one of their sliders, which is about half the size of the regular.

Find where Biker Jim’s will be located, their hours of operation every day, and more information about Biker Jim’s on their website at BikerJimsDogs.com, their Facebook page, /BikerJimsUTSA, and on Twitter @BikerJims_UTSA.

Join us!

The Paisano has meetings every Wednesday 6 p.m.

14545 Roadrunner Way

Jennifer Alejos / The Paisano

Local artist Vincent Valdez brings tales of trauma and despair into his work on display at the McNay Art Museum.

and their struggles in the ring.

Battered men encompass the canvases with bruised faces and strong egos. Set across a bright, white background, graphite and charcoal make a strong contrast to the infinite space where the subject is positioned.

One may assume that this was intended by Valdez to create the illusion of a man’s frame of mind when fighting. The stark-white background guides the viewer’s focus to the subject being represented.

Filled with symbolism, each drawing shares the culture of the men being depicted. A man that is represenational of the Native American culture is struck with arrows on his legs, arms and torso, yet he stands with a strong confidence that radiates throughout the rest of Valdez’s work.

Valdez’s breathtaking compositions reveal a hidden meaning behind the men with the big leather gloves. With their minds set on victory and

Wednesday, Jan. 23.

8 p.m. UCPC Coffeehouse UCPC Coffeehouse presents an intimate performance by The Doyle Brothers. The event is free for all UTSA students and will be held in the UC Ski Lodge.

Guests view “Home,” a visual of John’s, a longtime friend of Valdez, funeral prossesion at the McNay Art Museum.

Jennifer Alejos Arts Editor

San Antonio’s past is celebrated throughout this exclusive exhibit that commemorates the history of the annual city event, known as “Fiesta.” The McNay Art Museum (6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.) presents “Fiesta, Fete, Festival” as part of its Tobin Collection. Admission is $5-$10..

translates well in the piece. The viewer is given only a view of John’s body with his gear in tow while bombs cascade in A boxer fights for his life in the ring in “America’s Finest.” the background. brother or sister.

John’s perspective The San Antonio Expressisn’t shown, but one can only News featured “America’s Finguess that the scene is grim.

A video titled “Home” shows est” in its Best of 2012 Art segJohn’s funeral procession and is ment. Valdez has successfully present in the background of managed to combine the feelthe exhibit. A floating coffin is ing from various men into one taken through his own neigh- brilliant installation.

For more information on borhood, his community and “America’s Finest,” you can visit eventually his resting place.

The heartbreaking visual the McNay website at mcnayserves as a reminder that those art.org. The exhibit will conwho are in war have lives out- clude its stay at the McNay on side of the military and may Jan. 27. be someone’s son, daughter,

The San Antonio Museum of Art (200 W. Jones St.) presents “Aphrodite and the Gods of Love,” an exhibit featuring 125 statues, vases, jewelry and other valuables from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Admission is $3-$8.

Friday, Jan. 25 9 p.m. UCinema Night: “Here Comes the Boom” UCPC presents “Here Comes the Boom,” a comedy starring Kevin James as a high school biology teacher who turns to UFC fighting to win money to save an extracircular program at his school. Admission is free for UTSA students.

For the week’s full calendar, visit: paisano-online.com

Sports

7

Courtesy of UTSA athletics

Courtesy of UTSA athletics

January 22, 2013

UTSA has lost 12 out of 13 games. The Roadrunners look for their first WAC victory in school history against Seattle on Jan. 24.

The Roadrunners have won 4 out of 6 games. The team looks to extend its winning streak to 4 on Jan. 24 against Seattle.

Sheldon Baker

Delaney Marlowe

UTSA falls to rival Texas State The Roadrunners get revenge sports@paisano-online.com For any university’s sport program, big or small, the rival game is the most important— UTSA is no exception. On Jan. 19, the UTSA men’s basketball team lost, in an upsetting manner, to Texas State 81 – 78.

The Bobcats’ victory over the Roadrunners extended UTSA’s losing streak to seven and snapped Bobcats nine game losing streak.

“You always want to win the rival game, but sometimes the ball doesn’t fall your way. We got to keep pushing for a win,” senior point guard Michael Hale III said.

With a stouthearted performance, Hale scored a career and team high of 31 points.

get their first-ever WAC victory, but the Bobcats diverted the loss: Kannon Burrage took an awkward jump shot after spinning half way into his defender and throwing up the shot off the back of his heel.

During overtime, the Roadrunners scored first, but the Bobcats quickly went on a 9-2 run to outlast the Roadrunners.

“We’re so limited. There wasn’t a whole lot of things we could do. It’s back on the road.

Hopefully, we can get back to the drawing board tonight,” Thompson said.

UTSA hits the road, yet again, to play Seattle on Jan. 24 and Idaho on Jan 26. The Roadrunners don’t return to the Convocation Center until Jan. 31 when they play Denver at 7 p.m.

Contributing Writer

sports@paisano-online.com After an embarrassing 20point loss at their last meeting, UTSA faced the Texas State Bobcats Saturday, Jan. 19, with one goal in mind: revenge, which is exactly what they found.

The UTSA women’s basketball team extended their winning streak to three (all of which have been on the road) with their 56-46 victory over the Bobcats.

“Defense is our key,” Coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair said of her team, “It seems like every night, someone steps up,” which was definitely the case Saturday with three players in double figures.

The Roadrunners were the first on the board, opening the game with 6-0 run. They led for a majority of the game with their highest lead being by 16 in the second half.

Whitney Wright led the team with 15 points and four blocks.

According to Wright, “[defense is] one of our M.O.s… that’s what we stick to, that’s what wins us games.” The Roadrunners are number one in defense in the WAC, holding opponents to an average of 54.8 points per game. Defensively, the Roadrunners performed incredibly, by holding the Bobcats (who average 73.1 points per game ) to a season low of only 46 points.

Yet again, defense came into play for the Roadrunners scoring, 13 points off turnovers throughout the game.

“We slowed the ball up, and I thought, defensively, that was the key for us,” said RippetoeBlair who returned after missing two games for undisclosed medical reasons.

With the Roadrunners’ victory Saturday, the ‘Runners come within one game of the Bobcats’ rivalry. Since they first met, the Bobcats have won 30 games while the Roadrunners have won 29.

“We came in here jacked to play them,” Wright said, “we came in here mad, just looking for revenge.”

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“I wish I could’ve gotten a win with it,” Hale said.

Key injuries, as of late, to Jeromie Hill and A.J. Price have hampered UTSA’s cohesiveness on offense and defense.

Because of the injuries, players have to switch positions, which has been an advantage for teams playing UTSA. “We’re playing so many guys out of position. We can’t run the sets we normally want,” Head Coach Brooks Thompson said.

And the Bobcats capitalized.

Texas State had five players score in double figures: Corey Stern (18), Phil Hawkins (13), Koenen Reid (10), Ray Dorsey (23) and Joel Wright (16).

The Roadrunners held a sixpoint lead with 3:41 left in the second half. Texas State came back to tie the game. The ‘Runners had a final opportunity to

sports@paisano-online.com

Liz Dalton leaves UTSA Sheldon Baker Sports Editor

sports@paisano-online.com

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UTSA Deputy Athletic Director Liz Dalton will leave the university to become St. Mary’s University’s first fulltime athletic director on Feb. 11, 2013.

The Rattlers’ baseball coach, Charlie Migl, served as both the athletic director and head baseball coach.

“This is a huge loss for UTSA. I’ve known her since she was a student athlete at Texas A&M, but this is a great step for her,” said Lynn Hickey, Dalton’s longtime mentor and boss of 12 and half years.

Dalton, a McArthur High School alumna, played soccer for Texas A&M and then joined the Aggies’ athletic staff after graduation. Dalton, then, worked for the Notre Dame athletic department as a football administrator from 1997-2000 before she joined the Roadrunners’ staff in 2000.

“When we were starting football, the networking she had and the knowledge she had about the little pieces of what you did to have a program, were outstanding,” Hickey said.

Will Dalton bring a football team to St. Mary’s? Dalton comes from a football background and was an integral part of bringing major college football to UTSA. “Our plan for St. Mary’s, for however many years, is to be the best division II program in the country. That’s

what our focus will be right n o w ,” Dalton said.

In her new position, she will oversee 14 division II Liz Dalton men’s and women’s athletic teams: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, dance, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

St. Mary’s is currently constructing a new $16 million sports complex.

“She’s going to bring [St. Mary’s] a tremendous amount of knowledge and a great work ethic,” Hickey said.

Dalton plans to replicate the work she did while at UTSA. “What I’m most proudest of is taking care of people. We have taken care of our student athletes. We’ve recruited and been able to keep an unbelievable staff. It’s always about the student athlete and then our coaches,” Dalton said.

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8 January 22, 2013