Longhorn Life: UTmost Edition

MARCH 30, 2012

an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan

UTMOST BEST OF EDITION 2012

Best Textbook Vendor

Best Asian Food

Best Computer + Repair Best Dessert

Best Off-Campus Housing

Best Nail Salon

Best Pet Services

Best Coffeehouse

LONGHORN LIFE

Page 2

Friday, March 30, 2012

Editors’ Note

T

LONGHORN

he results are in! The

Longhorns have spoken! We would like to present to you the winners of our 2012 UTmost Best Of Survey.

We owe you, the readers, a big thank you for your help on this edition. Without your survey responses, none of this would be possible.

You have spoken and now the world (or at least the campus community) will know what businesses, groups and organizations are your absolute favorites! Check out who won on pages 13-23.

There is one more award we’d like to present: the UTmost fans and readers! And the winner is…

YOU!

(even though none of our beloved Facebook fans wanted to be featured in this edition!)

FIND US ONLINE!

This has been a booming semester for Longhorn Life so far and part of that is thanks to our readers. Without you guys, there would be no reason for Longhorn Life to make its way into The Daily Texan each month. We thank you all so much for picking us up in the paper, liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and reading our frequent online content. You’re simply the best!

Aside from the survey results, we’ve got a few other goodies in store for you this edition.

If you’d like to have your own UTmost awards, honor your friends with some of the fun partyplanning tips on page 5. If you’re looking to save some major cash, check out some of the best bargains on page 7.

longhornlifeonline.com

And of course, we have all of your regular favorites like the featured recipe on page 10 (learn how to make some seriously cute and yummy Easter cupcakes!), a hip, revamped food trailer in town (page 8) and our featured student organization, S.M.I.L.E. on page 12.

We hope you enjoy seeing who made the cut this year and that it inspires you to try out some of your peers’ favorites!

With UTmost regards, Emily Morgan and Christine Imperatore Special Editions Co-Editors

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twitter.com/txlonghornlife

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STUDENT STAFF Special Editions Editors Christine Imperatore Emily Morgan Writers Sylvia Butanda, Alison Killian, Channing Holman, Lauren Daly, Brittany Lamas, Alex Vickery, Jennifer Yang, Nathalie Lumang, Courtney Griffin, Megan Smith, Sarah Lindig Photographers Katrina Funtanilla, Joyce Isleta, Rachel Lau, Guillermo Hernandez Copy Editors Sarah Lindig Cover Design Felimon Hernandez TSM ADVERTISING & CREATIVE SERVICES Assistant Director Jalah Goette Advertising Adviser CJ Salgado Campus & National Sales Rep Joan Bowerman Broadcast & Events Manager Carter Goss Student Manager Ryan Ford Student Assistant Manager Veronica Serrato Student Account Executives Cameron McClure, Paola Reyes, Adrian Lloyd, Morgan Haenchen, Fredis Benitez, Ted Moreland, Emily Sides, Zach Congdon, Tyrell Elegonye, Ted Sniderman Student Office Assistant/Classifieds Rene Gonzalez Student Marketing Manager Olivia Wong Student Marketing Assistant Allison McMordie Student Buys of Texas Manager Lindsey Hollingsworth Student Buys of Texas Assistants Suzi Zhaw, Estaban Rivera Special Editions & Production Coordinator Adrienne Lee Senior Graphic Designer Felimon Hernandez Student Graphic Designer Aaron Rodriguez, Bailey Sullivan Longhorn Life is an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan produced by students in Texas Student Media’s special editions office. Reach us at specialeditions@texasstudentmedia.com.

Copyright 2011 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission.

CONTACT TSM: We are located in the Hearst Student Media building (HSM). For advertising, call 512-471-1865.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Noise

Longhorn Life

What’s in your bag?

Robert Gomez, history senior

Besides stuyding and reading for his Latin American history class, Robert spends his free time as a commercial photographer around Austin, whenever opportunities arise. (Perhaps he should add a camera to his packed-full bag?)

Page 3

Compiled by Sylvia Butanda | Photos by Guillermo Hernandez

Student chatter around the 40 Acres

LOVE THAT!

Irela Casanova

undeclared junior This stylish Longhorn shops at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and BCBG. Irela says she dresses differently depending her mood, but you’re not likely to find her wearing pants (but we did!) — she doesn’t own any jeans!

Wearing: Forever 21 top, ZARA leggings, Kipling bag, Urban Outfitters backpack; jewelry is a mix of gifts, antiques, family heirlooms and pieces from trips to Mexico.

new student housing coming fall 2013 to west campus

CALLAWAYHOUSEAUSTIN.COM The Callaway House–Austin will provide a unique all-inclusive experience featuring modern private or shared accommodations, on-site dining hall, resort-style amenities, housekeeping services and on-site management and maintenance.

Longhorn Life

Page 4

Friday, March 30, 2012

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS?

ON-CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Add these entertaining events to your calender of to-dos for the month of April.

(And head to the first one this afternoon!)

get out of my way! ut traffic angst

The UT Conflict Mediation class will be holding a public discussion with Jeri Baker, assistant director of Parking and Transportation Services, to brainstorm ways to help solve and prevent traffic problems around campus.

Date/time: March 30, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. | Location: SSB G1.310 Glen Maloney Room | Cost: Free

ORANGE & WHITE BALL DANCE LESSONS

Planning to attend the annual Orange & White Ball? Join Texas Ballroom for dance instructions so you can make sure you won’t be stepping on your date’s toes come April 27.

Date/time: April 19, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. | Location: Anna Hiss Gym, room 134 | Cost: Free

Texas revue

Watch your fellow Longhorns as they preform in this annual student-run talent show. Participants will compete in several categories, including dance, music and slam poetry.

Date/time: April 21, 7 p.m. | Location: Bass Concert Hall Cost: Free with UT ID

FREE MOVIES

All movie showings are from 9-11 p.m. in SAC 1.402.

Amélie April 11

Shruthi Rajashekar

Shannon Cunningham

radio-television-film junior

sociology junior

“The rooftop of the SAC, because I could go there at night and work on my laptop Also, it’s nice to be outside.”

“The little courtyard in Mezes, because it’s a really quiet place to be.”

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - April 5

Trace Pope English sophomore

“The South Mall, because it’s very open and you can see downtown from here.

It’s in the middle of everything.”

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo April 12

Guy’s perspective

Healthy doesn’t have to mean boring Brian Bogart Longhorn Life

E

very year we go through the same inner monologue over and over. This year is gonna be different, we tell ourselves. This is totally the year I’ll get in shape. But when we think like that in the first place, we’ve already lost half the battle. Getting in shape and staying healthy isn’t just something that you flip a switch on, it’s a gradual process of improving yourself day by day so you can ultimately be a healthy person. If you sign up for that gym membership on New Year’s Day and work out non-stop, chances are you’re going to be burned out in a few weeks and give it up by midFebruary. Getting in shape for the summer season is no different, and if you’re willing to read on, here are my own tips for you to begin

your healthy lifestyle.

What are you eating?

Whoever said “you are what you eat” was really onto something. Now of course it’s not all black and white; Everyone has different metabolisms, everyone digests food differently, and everyone has different eating habits. One thing that never hurts, though, (and always helps) is to be constantly aware of if you’re eating to ingest calories or if you’re eating just to taste something good. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy food, obviously, but is that 3 a.m. run to Whataburger really doing anything to improve your health? I doubt it.

Fun fact: If you sigh in the middle of eating a meal, it’s your body’s way of saying you’re full.

Make it fun One of the most common excuses people give for

not exercising is that “it’s just not fun,” and they’re not totally wrong. After all, I could make a long list of exercises I personally hate to do (calf extensions, are you kidding me?) but I get over it because I just don’t do them. Instead, I find physical activities that are fun to do. I know this sounds easy, but people often get discouraged because they feel like they have a hard time finding something they’re good at or really enjoy doing. But that’s one of the beautiful things about being on a college campus — we’re constantly surrounded by ways to channel our energy.

I was lucky enough to have exposure to a lot of sports when I was younger, and even boxed in high school, but by the time I got to college and had to find a less aggressive way to deal with my energy, I started picking up sports like basketball and racquetball. Even if I

didn’t play either of those as a youngster, it only took a few trips to the courts before I got confident enough in my game and began to get excited about going on a regular basis. Having fun while you exercise is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get healthy, and given the availability of activities at your disposal, it’s easier to do than you think.

Play with a friend Finding someone to join you on your odyssey to a healthier lifestyle quadruples your chance of success. Now even though that was a made up statistic, I do know that working out with a partner (be it a gym buddy or a “bromosapien”) is a great motivating factor in getting healthy and does wonders for your chances of actually sticking to your fitness plan. It doesn’t always have to be your BFF, either.

Sometimes having someone

you don’t see on a totally regular basis might be just what you need to find that eye of the tiger. Chances are, if you’re there to get healthy, your gym partner is also and that will inevitably turn into a competition. So smile big when you whip your partner of four weeks in that match of racquetball, because you will have earned it. Now go do some push-ups!

Brian Bogart is a theater & dance junior, with a focus on acting and business foundations.

Longhorn Life

Friday, March 30, 2012

Page 5

ENTERTAIN

Be the host with the most

‘And the award goes to ...’

Honor your friends this spring with a celebratory awards party Lauren Daly & Christine Imperatore Longhorn Life

T

he Grammys, The Oscars, The Espys. You’ve seen all of the award shows honoring celebrities and their work. It’s always a big to-do with lots of over-the-top clothing and flashy song-anddance routines. Wouldn’t you prefer to see people you actually know win awards? Don’t you think your friends deserve awards just for being their

wonderful selves?

Tap your creative energy this spring and throw an award-ceremony soiree to express appreciation for your friends. You’ll have fun brainstorming clever honors and bonding with your student organization or a big group of your favorite people Start by making a free

online poll at pollcode. com. You can create your own questions and answers, giving you plenty of creative running space.

After making up all of your categories and answer choices, you can make a private event on Facebook with the link so that everyone invited can make their nominations.

Some category suggestions: prettiest smile, youngest spirit, worldclass lightweight, most likely to marry (insert hot actor’s name of choice), Samaritan award, best dancer, funniest laugh, perfect hair, daredevil party animal. Feel free to even make awards based on certain inside jokes.

Be sure to have an award for everyone in attendance (even if you have to make up your own) so you celebrate each and every person. That is why you invited them after all!

Pick up the latest issue of the

to find out about the real issues on UT campus

“

“

Be sure to have an award for everyone in attendance (even if you have to make up your own) so you celebrate each and every person.

That is why you invited them after all!

Depending on your budget, you can either buy fun, plastic trophies from Party City ($4 each) or buy a package of paper plates and use your mad drawing skills. Make them as goofy or as serious as you want. Make it an allSee PARTY, on next page

“ FAILURE “ Check our website to stay up to date on current events around the globe!

www.texastravesty.com

Longhorn Life

Page 6

Continued from previous page

night event by making it Hollywood-themed with popcorn, a red carpet and a few movies.

In keeping with the theme, you can Google some award-winning recipes for appetizers and display the finished product with note cards explaining where they came from, what contest they won and who created them. If one of your friends has a recipe that you especially love, ask them to make it – now you’ve already knocked one award off your list! It will be fun to have a mini “best of” tasting party to kick off the evening.

A cool idea for decorations is to create your own little “wall of fame.”

Get an 8-by-10 photo of each of your guests from a photo printing website like shutterfly.com or have them printed at a photo center like Target or Wal-Mart. Hang them up on the wall and as you announce each award, hang a plaque or note card with the award title under the winner’s photo.

Everyone loves to hear how great they are every once in a while; so get creative and celebrate your friends by letting them know just how special they are. Who knows, by the end of the night your friends might even be giving you the award for best party.

aaron rodriguez/Longhorn Life

PARTY

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Friday, March 30, 2012

BUDGET

LONGHORN LIFE

Page 7

Doing more, for less

Stay tech-savvy with these discounted electronics

A

lthough the idea of camping out over night to be one of the first to get your hands on a hot new gadget may seem exhilarating, waiting a few months could save you some serious cash. Practically every piece of technology goes on sale eventually, especially when companies are constantly releasing new-fangled models of their merchandise. We’ve compiled a list of a few items that have been significantly lowered in price, making those once out of reach essentials a lot closer than you think.

1. KINDLE TOUCH

This makes reading for class a little less dreadful, right?

If you couldn’t get it for Christmas or even Black Friday, with the release of the Kindle Fire (priced at $200), it seems pretty logical for the Kindle touch to be sliced over fifty percent off. In case you’re interested in saving money on textbooks in the future, the Kindle Touch is available for $79 at Best Buy and Amazon.com, a steal that’s really “on fire.”

— Channing Holman

2

1

2. IPAD 2

Apple continues to create mind-blowing technology that are becoming increasingly difficult to live without.

Now, with Apple’s new highly anticipated 4G iPad starting at $499, it’s reasonable that the iPad 2 has been reduced to $399, equaling $100 in savings just for waiting.

3. XBOX 360 WITH KINECT

The newest big thing is not only exercising at home, but exercising at home with a motion sensor to track movements and weight loss. This technology has taken working out to a completely different level. The Xbox 360 with Kinect currently retails for $300 at Walmart. But because of this new craze, the slightly older Xbox model is now only $250, that’s more than 15 percent off.

3

4

4. EXILIM

5. HDTV

Though some may find HDTV too realistic and somewhat creepy, others really want to feel like they are part of the action. With baseball season coming up it will be nice to feel like you’re out on the field with the players – can’t you just smell the fresh cut grass already? Now is a great time to trade in that old rear projection tube as Best Buy is currently selling select HDTVs for up to 25 percent off.

The next time you see a line around the Apple Store at 3 a.m., resist the urge to jump into it by thinking about all the dough you could save by waiting just a few more months. We promise those gadgets will still be just as cool by then.

5 PRODUCT IMAGES FROM COMPANIES AND RETAILERS

Disposable cameras were acceptable in middle school and maybe even high school, but now in college, digital cameras are becoming more of a necessity than a want.

The Exilim EX-S8 12 MP digital camera was originally priced at Walmart for $149 a few months ago and has recently been reduced to $89; that’s nearly half off!

LONGHORN LIFE

Page 8

FOOD

Friday, March 30, 2012

Good eats on a student budget

New to the menu

Cart specializes in dietary needs Courtney Griffin LONGHORN LIFE

watch for the next

LONGHORN

in The Daily Texan on April 27

D GRA the UIDE G

Sun Farm Kitchens is not just a restaurant but a bit of a revival act. A chain link fence next to the east side’s Victory Bar, on 1106 E. 11th St., surrounds the eclectically decorated food trailer. Founded in 2010, the trailer mixes food with community involvement, encouraging community gardens and conscientious health choices. Recently, however, the food cart has revamped menu items after taking on a new chef, Emily Spykman.

“Some exciting things are happening,” said a smiling Kesten Broughton, Sun Farm Kitchens’ owner and founder. “We just did a food-for-art trade, and got this.

He pointed to a glossy new mural on his trailer and the surrounding area. Unlike other food-trailer parks, Sun Farm Kitchens is surrounded by its own gardens, not other food carts.

“Most of our food we try and buy locally, and I say most because sometimes we’ll run out of carrots and have to quickly get some organic carrots. But, we get things from Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Wheatsville, Locinto Lamb for our lamb kabobs, Thunderheart Bison [and] Greenling Local,” Broughton said.

Sun Farm Kitchens specializes in gluten-free and vegan options, taking pride in providing dietary specialties.

“I’ve had a lot of experience in the service industry, as a pastry chef and as a line chef, but I’m mostly self-taught because of my own allergies,” Spykman said, referring to her Celiac’s disease, a disease that causes damage to the body’s small intestine due to its inability to properly absorb gluten.

The menu is reasonably priced and family-oriented, providing a bit for everyone. The Wow Salad! ($6) is perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike. The bright salad combines bits of green and red apples with green olives, fresh avocados and shredded golden beets on a bed of spinach. The mix of the olives and avocados, Broughton said, enables the salad to stand without dressing. It is one of his favorite salad recipes, given to him by a longtime friend.

The more filling Lamb Kabobs ($6) are served on a plate surrounded by celery greens, a warm

JOYCE ISLETA/LONGHORN LIFE

golden pita and bright orange, spicy carrot chutney. The kabobs are separated with firm mushrooms and hints of the grill used to prepare the meat. While nothing mind-blowing, the surrounding sides support the dish. The tzatziki is prepared vegan-style, meaning Tofutti is used instead of dairy, and served with fresh dill from Sun Farm’s garden. While the tzatziki provides a soft, fresh pop to the kabobs, the spicy carrot chutney does the rest of the legwork. The chutney’s texture is similar to a fluffy hummus, yet its nicely balanced flavors impart a strong, spicy kick without the after burn experienced with most spicy food.

Yet, the most surprising item on the menu is the Avocado Milkshake ($5). Served with a dollop of cream and a sprig of mint, the simple mixture of avocado, coconut milk, agave nectar and ice tastes equal to if not better than a regular milkshake. The rich and refreshing flavors of the avocado combined with the slight sweetness of the coconut milk and agave nectar make for a paradoxical creamy-yetlight experience, as if the foam of an espresso was avocado flavored, slightly thicker and suddenly cold.

With a new chef and new murals, Broughton said Sun Farms Kitchens is looking forward to the future. They hope to continue expanding their local gardens, someday partner with a local nutritionist to help educate the community about dietary needs as well as the cooking options available, and eventually become a zero-waste facility — composting and recycling on site.

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LONGHORN LIFE

Page 10

Friday, March 30, 2012

Recipe

Cadbury Creme Egg cupcakes ... enough said Sarah Lindig LONGHORN LIFE

W

e all have our food weaknesses — those yummy treats that make our mouths water instantly just at the thought of them.

For me, it’s all things sugary sweet.

I can pass on the basket of bread, skip the chips, say no to just about any junk food, but dessert is always a temptation I struggle to resist. And there are two occasions during the year that really get me: Halloween and Easter.

I make the excuse that my favorite candies during these holidays are seasonal, so they’re only available for a few weeks. That means the indulgence is justified, right?

During Halloween I’m a sucker for Brach’s Mellowcreme Pumpkins. But around Easter — oh, glorious Easter — it’s all about Cadbury Creme Eggs!

I wasn’t just excited, I was positively giddy when I spotted the first Cadbury eggs of the season in a gas station on South Congress a few weeks ago. So,

in honor of the diabetic coma I will surely find myself in by Easter Sunday (April 8), here is a recipe to make those fondant-filled Cadbury Creme Eggs even more decadent.

INGREDIENTS

Cupcakes

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1/3 cup cocoa powder 3/4 cup hot coffee (you can use instant coffee) 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoon white vinegar 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature 14 Cadbury Creme Eggs

Ganache

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

SARAH LINDIG/LONGHORN LIFE

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

14 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

16 ounces cream cheese 3/4 cup unsalted butter 6 Tablespoons cocoa powder 6-7cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted Pinch of coarse salt 14 marshmallow Peeps baking directions on next page

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Directions

Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin tin with liners. The recipe yields about 14 large cupcakes, so you may want to use a jumbo muffin tin to avoid overflow in the oven.

2. Prepare the coffee.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chocolate, cocoa powder and hot coffee until the mixture is smooth.

Place it in the refrigerator until cooled, about 20 minutes.

4. In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

5. In a saucepan over medium heat whisk the butter and sugar until butter is melted and the mixture is well combined.

6. Transfer the butter-sugar mixture to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until slightly cooled, about three to five minutes.

7. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go to make sure all the ingredients are blended.

8. Remove the chocolate mixture from the fridge and add it in along with the vanilla and vinegar.

9. On low speed, add in the flour mixture in two parts alternating with the sour cream. Beat until just combined.

10. Distribute the batter in the muffin tin so each cup is about 3/4 full. Place a Cadbury Creme Egg in each, and cover with one or two additional spoonfuls of batter.

11. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway after the first 10 minutes. Remove when a toothpick comes out clean.

Tip: don’t insert directly into the center of the cupcake or you’ll hit the creme egg instead of the cake.

12. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for the first five to seven minutes then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.

Ganache

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream to a simmering boil.

2. In a medium bowl pour the heated cream over the chocolate, let stand for one to two minutes.

Q UARTERS ON CAMPUS

3. Whisk until blended and smooth.

4. Place in fridge until thickened and cool, whisking every five to 10 minutes.

5. Spread over the tops of the cooled cupcakes.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of boiling water, melt the chocolate. Set aside to cool until just barely warm.

2. In a large bowl mix together the cream cheese and the butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about three to four minutes.

3. Reduce the speed and slowly add in the cocoa powder and salt.

4. Add in the first 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar and then adjust to taste a halfcup at a time.

5. Beat in the cooled chocolate until icing reaches desired consistency and texture. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk. Add additional confectioners’ sugar to thicken it.

Tip: The more sugar you use, the less cream cheese you will taste.

6. Frost each cupcake generously. If you have leftover ganache you can drizzle it over the top of the frosting.

Decorate each cupcake with the marshmallow Peeps. Add sprinkles or sugar decorations to make them extra festive.

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Page 12

orgs.

Longhorn Life

Friday, March 30, 2012

Getting involved on campus

S.M.I.L.E. ready for Shave for the Cure Brittany Lamas Longhorn Life

After attending meeting upon meeting for different groups around the UT campus, Sofia Buitrago was beginning to think she would never find an organization that both made a difference in the community and made its members feel completely welcome.

Fearing she would never be satisfied with existing groups, she created her own.

“I was really involved in different groups in high school, but coming to a place as big as UT, it was difficult to find an organization that I really fit into,” said Buitrago, who is a Hispanic studies and pre-med senior.

Buitrago enlisted the help of friend Danika de Veyrato to found a new kind of service organization for people who shared similar interests.

“I knew that the name had to be SMILE, and I knew I wanted to make an impact, but it was Danika who actually came up with the words for the acronym,” Buitrago said.

Students Making Impacts through Love and Empathy, or S.M.I.L.E, was made an official organization in September 2008, and has since focused on community work in pediatric clinics around Austin.

Members have the opportunity to

rachel lau/Longhorn Life

Making a difference: Members of S.M.I.L.E. gather for a meeting to prepare for their upcoming Shave for the Cure event this Saturday.

attend weekly visits to a pediatric oncology clinic as well as scheduled trips to the Dell Children’s Hospital.

After hearing about the organization from a friend, English sophomore Lan Le said the group was a good fit for her.

“I wanted to be able to volunteer, have fun and actually make a difference,” she said. And since joining, Le said she has volunteered at different

“I knew that the name had to be SMILE, and I knew I wanted to make an impact, but it was Danika [de Veyrato] who actually came up with the words for the acronym — Students Making Impacts through Love and Empathy.” ­- Sofia Buitrago,

WEEKEND HAPPENINGS

founder of the student organization S.M.I.L.E.

FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Consider spending some quality group time together by attending one of these on-campus events.

clinics around Austin and feels she is indeed making a difference.

“It was really hard to get started,” Buitrago said. “It took a lot of work to get people to trust us and let us come volunteer.”

What started out with volunteer trips once a week has grown into daily happenings, she said. The group also participates in national fundraising events, and for the first time will host the annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave for the Cure.

The UT Shave for the Cure will be held at the Main Mall this Saturday, and is a unique fundraising event where participants commit to shaving their heads to raise money and promote empathy for children with cancer.

“This fundraiser impacts the kids so much more,” Le said, who plans to volunteer at the event. “Seeing people

GSA 5K

dedicated to going bald for them is more powerful than just handing them money.”

Founded in 2000, more than 189,000 St. Baldrick’s participants and donors have raised approximately $117 billion for cancer research.

The inaugural year of UT’s event will host 163 campus participants who have raised nearly $47,000 for the cause.* Participant Kalie Kubes, human development and family sciences sophomore and a three-time pediatric cancer survivor herself, said the main focus is to help the children.

“St. Baldrick’s really cares about the kids and gives them a huge chance to overcome cancer,” Kubes said. “Ultimately, I want to help save lives and hopefully find a cure for pediatric cancer!”

Kubes, who was bald as a child due to treatment for stage four Neuroblastoma in her femur at age 3, said her family was initially confused by her decision to shave her head on Saturday, but the cause was really important to her.

“It’s deeply embedded in my heart as a survivor,” she said. “These kids deserve a chance to live and go to prom, go to college, get married and have a family like their healthy peers.”

The carnival-style event will host booths with games and crafts for all ages. There will also be door prizes auctioned off to further raise funds.

All students and family members are encouraged to join in the festivities.

The head-shaving event will take place at noon.

“We’ve invited patients and their families, and the event is open to anyone,” Buitrago said. “All of the money raised will go toward our St. Baldrick’s total.”

* as of press time

“Starstruck: Own the Night”

The Graduate Student Assembly is hosting a 5K run/walk to raise money for graduate student education and travel expenses for professional development. Register to participate at utgsa5k. com. Refreshments will be served.

Join the UT Longhorn Singers for a night of singing and dancing as they present a showcase of diva songs for their annual spring show. Visit facebook.com/longhornsingers for additional information.

Time: Sunday 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Location: Gregory Gym Plaza Cost: $25 for students, faculty and staff; $30 for community members

Time: Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

Location: Performing Arts Center, McCullough Theatre Cost: $10

UTMOST pg. 13

W

elcome to the results of the 2012 UTmost Best Of Survey!

We closed this year’s survey on March 16, and UT students, faculty, staff and members of the Austin and campus communites submitted their favorites. The following nine pages reveal the first-, second- and third-place winners in various categories in the sections Food & Drink, Shopping & Services and Campus Life. Enjoy!

If you have any questions about the survey, please email marketing@ texasstudentmedia.com.

Text gathered and written by Longhorn Life staff members Emily Morgan, Christine Imperatore, Ali Killian, Brittany Lamas, Lauren Daly and Alex Vickery.

All photos were either taken by Longhorn Life staff, pulled from Texas Student Media file images, or submitted courtesy of the business. Feel free to contact us at specialeditions@texasstudentmedia.com.

FOOD & DRINK

Best sandwhich shop

Best HAPPY HOUR TRUDY'S

Location: 409 West 30th St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.

Online: trudys.com

From fruity margaritas to on-tap beer to tasty appetizers, Trudy’s is always a hot spot for Happy Hour. The back bar as well as the indoor restaurant are perfect for a group of friends looking to veg out after a long day. Trudy’s Happy Hour is Monday-Friday, starts when doors open and ends at 7 p.m. So grab a few of your buddies, head over to beat the rush and load up on great food and drink specials.

Just be careful with those Mexican Martinis ... perhaps that’s why Trudy’s limits customers to two.

CAIN & Abels Check out: $1 beer night on Tuesdays Location: 2313 Rio Grande St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Online: cainandabels.com

pg. 14

potbelly

A quick stop on the drag, Potbelly offers a mouthwatering array of sandwiches, soups and salads. For the sweet tooth they also feature smoothies, shakes and other sweet treats. “We always try to go for the vibe of a friendly neighborhood shop,” said shift leader Lance Merlo. Merlo has worked at multiple locations and feels this one has the most regular customers that he knows by name. Upon hearing about the nomination, Merlo said, “ I think it’s a testament to the great employees we have and the simple food we serve.” The shop also offers some variety for any size appetite with their “skinny” sandwich option. Any sandwich can be made “skinny” by swapping in “thin-style” bread and using less meat, cheese and veggies than the original.

CUATRO'S Try the: $3.50 margaritas during Happy Hour Location: 1004 W. 24th St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: cuatrosaustin.com

Best COFFEE HOUSE Mozarts

Location: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.midnight; Friday 7 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight Online: mozartscoffee.com

which which

Try the: iced caramel macchiato Location: 504 W 24th St. Ste. B Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.midnight; Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m.midnight Online: starbucks.com

CAFfE MEDICI Try the: cappuccino Location: 2222-B Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.10 p.m.

Online: caffemedici.com

jimmy john's

Try the: Wicked sandwich Location: 2348 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: whichwich.com

Try the: Italian Night Club Location: 601 West Martin Luther King Blvd.

Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-3 a.m.

Online: jimmyjohns.com

Best vegetarian veggie heaven

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and Bakery is a well-rounded, unique coffeehouse that offers gourmet coffee, live music throughout the week and a scenic view of Lake Austin.

Mozart’s has been an alternative study hall for students for 18 years now and provides a relaxing off campus environment. “The thrill of Mozart’s is that nothing changes,” general manager Jack Ranstrom said. “You can always trust that we are going to be what we are and that we are always going to be here. It’s such a thrill for people who come in as freshmen, graduate and return as customers to know that the place they studied in college is still there; it’s not all new and unfamiliar.”

STARBUCKS

Location: 2316 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Online: potbelly.com

Location: 1914 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.8:45 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon-8:45 p.m.

Online: veggieheavenaustin.com

Veggie Heaven is dedicated to serving up healthy vegetarian food with a twist. With its convenient location by the Guadalupe and MLK intersection and oriental-style cuisine, it’s no wonder Veggie Heaven is a favorite among UT students. Also, they work with Longhorn Delivery, a distribution system for restaurants in the Austin area, so even if you’re feeling lazy that day, you can still get some Veggie favorites; just drop them a line or place an order on longhorndelivery.com to see why Veggie Heaven is a Longhorn favorite.

MOTHER'S Try the: Tofu enchiladas Location: 4215 Duval St. Hours: Monday-Friday 11:15 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: motherscafeaustin.com

pita pit Try the: falafel pita Location: 2350 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: pitapitusa.com

FOOD & DRINK

Best dessert

amy's ice creams

Location: 3500 Guadalupe St. | Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.| Online: amysicecreams.com Amy’s Ice Creams is a local Austin staple that has put a smile on the face of Longhorns since 1984. The store is known not only for its delectable flavors but also for its eclectic mix of employees who perform “tricks” while preparing your ice cream. Workers often throw ice cream in the air doing spins and catch it behind their backs.

Open late and located close to campus, students often dominate the store’s scene. “The whole year surrounds the students, it pretty much runs our store,” said assistant manager, Starr Timmons. The store offers a 10% discount for students, and if you go in on your birthday they may even include you in the fun and throw you your ice cream.

Campus candy Try the: black cherry frozen yogurt Location: 2322 Guadalupe St. Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.11 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Online: campuscandy.com

mozarts Try the: canolis or mystic fruit tart Location: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.midnight; Friday 7 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight Online: mozartscoffee.com

Best late-night food

pg. 15

Best neighborhood bar cain & Abel's

Cain and Abel’s calls itself a Texas establishment. The bar’s menu states an important mission for the restaurant is to provide great drinks, hearty portions and familiar service. Known for Tuesday $1 night and their home made potato chips, Cain and Abel’s offers quality food with a college atmosphere. Not only can students enjoy watching sports and hanging out with friends, Cain and Abel’s serves everything from chips and queso to grilled salmon salad and their renowned “512” burger, named for its ingredients and city of course. Located in West Campus, the overall company goal is to give students and the community a fun and laid back place that customers call home.

trudy's

the local love goat Location: 2610 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day noon-2 a.m.

Online: thelocalpubandpatio.com

Try the: Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich Location: 2800 Guadalupe St. Hours: 24/7 Online: whataburger.com

big bite Try the: Phat Longhorn Location: 415 W 24th St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-4 a.m.

Online: bigbiterestaurant.com/

Location: 2716 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Facebook: Love Goat

Best Downtown bar

kerbey lane

what-a-burger

Location: 409 West 30th St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.

Online: trudys.com

Tie:

Location: 2606 Guadalupe St. Hours: 24/7 Online: kerbeylanecafe. com

We all know the cures for latenight hunger vary from savory to sweet to salty to deliciously greasy — and we all know Kerbey Lane’s the spot perfect for it all. From the Kerbey Queso to the buttermilk pancakes and sweet potato french fries, this student-friendly diner is sure to please you and the crowd you came with.

Location: 2313 Rio Grande St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Online: cainandabels.com

blind pig

Location: 317 East Sixth St. Hours: Every day 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Online: theblindpigpub.com

It’s no wonder why this “dirty sixth” hot spot has won a special place in the hearts of Longhorns. For the past 10 years, The Blind Pig Pub has proven itself as a downtown landmark and prides itself on its Facebook for having that “neighborhood bar next door feel.” With a large roof top deck that features live and local music daily and happy hour drink specials Tuesday through Saturday until 8 p.m, the Blind Pig is the place to be when the sun goes down.

Tie:

the stage pure

Check out: Live country music every night Location: 508 East Sixth St. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; closed Mondays (hours may vary each day for shows) Online: thestageonsixth.com

**PURE HAS CLOSED**

Roial Check out: their rooftop bar Location: 120 W. Fifth St. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; closed SundayTuesday Online: roialaustin.com

FOOD & DRINK

Best trailer food

Best sports bar pLUCKERS

Location: 2222 Rio Grande St. Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 a.m.

Online: pluckers.com

A staple for UT, Pluckers Wing Bar provides a sports bar atmosphere combined with large portions of food and drinks perfect for students. Originally thought up in a dorm room on campus, Pluckers was founded in 1995 as a quality wing bar that offered dine-in, take-out and delivery to the entire Austin community. Pluckers strives to offer flavors and options for die-hard wing fans and the occasional eater. Menu items range from burgers, to salads, to massive boneless wings. With TVs placed at just about every angle you could need, Pluckers is the place for any sports for any sport fanatic. The restaurant also holds weekly trivia nights every Wednesday and “Wingo” (Bingo with a twist) for patrons to enjoy games and the chance to win prizes.

CUATROS Try the: pitcher of their Ruby Red Breeze cocktail Location: 1004 W. 24th St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: cuatrosaustin.com

THIRD BASE Check out: Free Fantasy Poker on Thursdays Location: 1717 West Sixth St. Hours: Sunday-Friday 11 a.m.midnight; Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Online: thirdbaseaustin.com

Best BBQ Location: 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619 Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: saltlickbbq.com

Salt Lick can trace its lineage back over 40 years to Thurman Roberts, father of current owner, Scott Roberts, who turned to his family’s decades-old aptitude for making barbeque as a way to keep his family from moving constantly. Since then, Salt Lick has been recognized by many stars and popular channels, including actress Sandra Bullock and host of Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food, Adam Richman. “We fill the public’s need for expert barbeque from the hill country in a beautiful hill country setting,” Scott Roberts said. “Our goal is to adhere to a 47-year-old tradition of quality product, friendly service and undying commitment to making sure the smiles on our customers’ faces are as large as they can be.”

Try the: cream corn Location: 2451 S. Capital of Texas Hwy. Hours: Monday-Thursday 6 a.m.9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Online: rudysbbq.com

hey cupcake!

Location: 1600 block of S. Congress Avenue Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday noon-9 p.m. (or until sold out) Online: heycupcake.com “Our goal is to provide Austin with a fun vintage experience at our airstream trailers through our classic, down-home cupcakes,” said Christina Martin, Hey Cupcake!‘s general manager. No matter where you go in Austin, there’s sure to be a Hey Cupcake! trailer nearby to satisfy your sweet tooth. It all started with two friends and a dream to create the ultimate cupcake, and Hey Cupcake! has now expanded to six different locations, including one trailer that’s constantly on the move. Check out their website to find a list of all their locations. Can’t make your way to the trailers? Hey Cupcake! will come to you. They have delivery and catering services available for your next Longhorn event, or even if you and some friends just want a classic dessert.

the mighty cone Try the: Hot & Crunchy Chicken Cone Location: 1600 block of S. Congress Avenue Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mondays Online: mightycone.com

torchy's tacos Try the: taco of the month, Ace of Spades— filled with sausage, brisket and a fried egg Location: 1311 South First St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online:torchystacos.com

Best BREAKFAST

salt lick

rUDY'S

pg. 16

FRANKLIN Try the: Tipsy Texan Location: 900 E. 11th St. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-sold out (lunch only); closed Mondays Online: franklinbarbecue.com

KERBEY LANE

Location: 3704 Kerbey Lane Hours: 24/7 Online: kerbeylanecafe.com

If Kerbey’s campus location is perfect for late-night eats and gatherings, the original Kerbey Lane Cafe (obviously located on Kerbey Lane) is excellent for breakfast, really any time of day. One of the most delicious breakfast items is the oatmeal, complete with butter, brown sugar, raisins, milk, the works! If you’ve got an empty stomach and need something to fill you up, try the Eggs Francisco. It will both fill you up and leave you pining for more. Head to Kerbey on Kerbey Lane to change things up a bit, but if you go on weekends, be sure to get there bright and early.

mAGNOLia cafe Check out: Location: 1920 S. Congress Ave. Hours: Monday 8 a.m.-midnight; Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-4 a.m.; Sunday 5 a.m.-4 a.m.

Online: themagnoliacafe.com Try the: Don Juan Location: 2300 Cesar Chavez St. Hours: Every day 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Online: juaninamillion.com

juan in a million

FOOD & DRINK

Best asian food madam mam's Location: 2514 Guadalupe St. | Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: madammam.com

Madam Mam’s is a Thai cuisine restaurant that prides itself on upholding traditional customs and cuisine. They dedicate themselves to using the freshest of ingredients and providing fast and efficient service to their customers. The origin of Madam Mam’s is traced back to Mam herself, who opened her own Thai restaurant in Bangkok, along with her husband, Sap, who assured quality ingredients and great service. With Madam Mam’s reasonable prices, it is no wonder that UT students call this restaurant one of their favorites. “We serve authentic Thai style food with comfort,” said Char Chongchitmate, restaurant manager. “Our focus is to provide Austin with a delicious Thai food experience one customer at a time.”

ming's cafe Check out: various live music events Location: 2604 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: facebook.com/mingscafe

pei wei Try the: lettuce wraps with minced chicken Location: 1000 E. 41st St. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: peiwei.com

Best mexican food TRUDY'S

Location: 409 West 30th St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.

Online: trudys.com

Opening in 1977, this was the first Trudy’s location, “the one that started it all,” as they say on the Trudy’s website.

And it’s been going strong ever since.

Truly a beacon to guide Longhorns to its delicious Mexican food in the campus area, Trudy’s menu offerings are not to be ignored. It’s one of the most famous dishes, but you can’t go wrong with the restaurant’s Stuffed Avocado.

chuys

Try the: Big As Yo’ Face Buritto Location: 1728 Barton Springs Rd. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; FridaySaturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: chuys.com

Check out: the weekend brunch, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Location: 1206 W. 38th St. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Online: santaritacantina.com

santa rita cantina

pg. 17

Best breakfast taco Torchy's

Location: 2801 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: torchystacos.com

Started as a food trailer on First Street, Torchy’s Tacos combines unique flavors and ingredients to make great tasting breakfast tacos. “Torchy’s only uses the freshest ingredients in each of our menu items,” said Brittany Neighbors, director of communications. “We prepare our breakfast tacos omelet-style instead of scrambling our eggs to ensure there’s a bit of damn good ingredients in each bite.”

Founded by Mike Rypka, Torchy’s was a way of following his dreams. A professional chef, Rypka quit his day job to start the new business. Now, Torchy’s has spread across Texas, but maintains their uniqueness through listening to customer requests. “We have a wide open-door policy and encourage our customers to speak their mind,” Neighbors said. “We acknowledge every concern, request and bit of feedback with the highest regard. A majority of our menu items are composed of tacos that were literally begged onto the menu by many! Torchy’s also gives back to UT and the student community, Neighbors said. Not only is the small shop on the Drag one of the oldest and most busy shops, Torchy’s makes an effort to donate and offer discounts to student organizations, she said.

JUAN IN A MILLION Try the: Huevos a la Mexicana Location: 2300 Cesar Chavez St. Hours: Every day 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Online: facebook.com/juaninamillionrestaurant

TACO DELI Try the: Jess Special Location: 4200 N. Lamar Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Online: tacodeli.com

Best burger HOP DODDY

Location: 1400 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 190A Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: hopdoddy.com

Hopdoddy’s distinct name, a combination meaning beer (hop) and a Scottish nickname for a cow (doddy), fits in well with the surrounding eccentricity that is Austin. Hopdoddy’s juicy burgers stand out, too, so it’s easy to see why UT students love them. In addition to supporting local agriculture, Hopdoddy’s burgers are hormone and antibioticfree. What truly makes a burger are its companions, though, and Hopdoddy’s buns and fries are made fresh every day. To top it off, the establishment is environmentally cautious, with their 100% compostable cups, lids, bowls and numerous other products. Check out this Longhorn favorite down on South Congress, a short 10-minute ride from campus.

p.terry's Try the: cheeseburger and root beer milkshake Location: 3303 N. Lamar Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday 8 a.m.-midnight; Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: pterrys.com

hut's hamburgers Try the: Hut’s Favorite burger Location: 807 W. Sixth St. Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: hutsfrankandangies.com

shopping & services pg. 18

Best boutique strut

Best grocery store Location: 3500 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: shopstrut.com

Strut is a local boutique that aims to sell good-quality, trendy clothing at an affordable price.

What first started out as a shoe store has now expanded into a clothing and accessory shop with multiple locations in Texas.

General manager Elisa Wilson stresses the college-friendly pricing of Strut’s clothing. “We really care about affordability. Young women in Austin want to look unique, and we offer a huge range of good-quality products for the price,” she said. Strut offers a 10% discount to all students.

They also offer a mobile boutique that can be reserved for parties and events where Strut will take its products to your event.

FRANCESCA'S COLLECTIONS

c.jane Check out: the new-to-thestore FEED Guatemala tote bags Location: 2346 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Facebook: c.jane

Check out: the Pick of the Week promotion, posted weekly on the Facebook page Location: 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 490 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: francescascollections.com

H-E-B

Location: 1000 E. 41st St.| Hours: 24 hours | Online: heb.com

Although you may not believe it, H-E-B started in 1905 as a family-owned store in Kerrville, Texas. Between Howard E. Butt taking over his mother’s business in the 1920s and today, H-E-B has expanded to more than 150 cities, including quite a few right here in Austin.

The closest store to campus, located at Red River and 41st, is even open 24 hours, so busy Longhorns can easily stop by whenever they find time in their schedule. Also for convenience, you can find printable coupons on the H-E-B website. Whether you need something from the pharmacy or a couple boxes of cereal for your dorm, head over to H-E-B and see why this store won the hearts of so many Longhorns

WHOLE FOODS Try the: prepared food section Location: 525 N Lamar Blvd.

Hours: Every day 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: wholefoodsmarket.com

WHEATSVILLE CO-OP Check out: the locally grown produce Location: 3101 Guadalupe St. Hours: Every day 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Online: wheatsville.coop

Best for textbooks

Best liquor store

TWIN LIQUORS

university co-op

Location: 1000 E. 41st St., Ste. 810 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Sunday Online: twinliquors.com

Location: 2246 Guadalupe St. | Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Online: universitycoop.com The University Co-op has been the textbook seller since Longhorns were buying textbooks. With quite literally every book for every class, the Co-op won’t disappoint. You can even purchase all your books in a bundle and pick it up in time for classes to begin. The Co-op also has a textbook-rental program, so you don’t have to bother trying to sell anything back (though they can help you there, too).

Whether you’re planning a huge cocktail party or just having a few close friends over for drinks, Twin Liquors has what you need. The location at the Hancock Center has proven to be an especially convenient stop for UT students and staff. Twin Liquors frequently runs special deals on products and hosts fun events to showcase new merchandise.

spec's Try the: wine of the month, Sala Vive Brut NV Location: 5775 Airport Blvd. #100 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Sunday Online: specsonline.com

centennial Check out: miniature chocolates with liquor-filled centers Location: 2932 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Sunday

AMAZON.COM Check out: Amazon Student, a free membership program for college students with benefits such as six months of free twoday shipping

WEST CAMPUS BOOKS Check out: The Rental Plan (less than $400 to rent books for two semesters) Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact: 512-271-6921 Online: westcampusbooks.com

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West 15th • 400 W. 15th St. • 512-344-8604 Ʉ

Red River • 3221 Red River St. • 512-344-8655 Ʉ

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Member FDIC. 122934 02/12

shopping & services pg.20

Best spa

Best thrift/resale

viva day spa

Location: 1811 W. 35th St. Hours: Every day 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Online: vivadayspa. com

What Longhorns love about Viva Day Spa is that it’s unpretentious. Unlike other spas that are showy and ostentatious, Viva Day Spa caters to its customers’ individual needs in a warm, relaxed environment. The three women who founded Viva Day Spa in June 2005 are locals to Austin, so they know what’s important to the community, such as organic products. Viva Day Spa uses natural products in all of their services, and they also sell some for you to take home. The best part? Have your UT ID in hand Monday through Thursday and you’ll get a 10% discount on any service.

milk + honey

Try the: Spa Partisan body treatment Location: 204 Colorado St. Hours: Every day 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Online: milkandhoneyspa.com

Tie:

mecca gym & spa Try the: Mayan massage Location: 524 Lamar Blvd., 3rd Floor Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Online: meccagymandspa.com

spa reveil Check out: the Spring Celebration Package Location: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 140 Hours: Monday-Tuesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: spareveil.com

Best HAIR/NAIL SALON g31 nails

Location: 3016 Guadalupe St. Contact: 512-320-5488

G31 Nails is an affordable nail salon many UT students turn to for their manicure needs.

Located on the Drag, G31 accepts walk-ins and maintains a reasonable price for their services. They’ve been given an overall 3 out of 5 stars on Yelp, and have been said to be worth it. Not to mention, convenience is key to any girl needing an hour of pampering, and with an ideal Guadalupe location, it’s clear why Longhorns love G31.

URBAN BETTY Check out: the online appointment booking option Location: 1206 W. 38th St. Hours: Monday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Online: urbanbetty.com

4-way tie:

l7 salon

Online: l7salon.com

MILK+HONEY

Online: milkandhoneysalon.com

WEST END SALON

Online: milkandhoneysalon.com

KELLY NAILS

Online: kellynails.vpweb.com

buffalo exchange Location: 2904 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Online: buffaloexchange.com Kerstin Block decided to open Buffalo Exchange, a popular resale shop, because of her love for thrift stores. Kerstin opened the first Buffalo Exchange in 1974 in Tucson, Arizona.

At first it was a small, humble business but has now expanded its stores to 15 states. The company prides itself on social integrity and providing a positive atmosphere for its customers. “Our company’s focus is to be the most rewarding place to buy and sell trade,” said Katherine West, associate manager at the Guadalupe location. “All transactions should be beneficial to all parties involved. It’s not just about the profit, but actually the experience of the customers. We concentrate on fairness, honesty and integrity so that every customer comes out with a positive experience.” Buffalo Exchange sells and trades both vintage and current styles while also offering reasonable prices, so it’s no wonder they were nominated first by budget-conscious Longhorns.

goodwill Check out: valuable collectibles in the “bid case” Location: 5555 N Lamar Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Online: austingoodwill.org

cream vintage Check out: $10 sale on vintage flannel and $14 dresses Location: 2532 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday noon-8 p.m.

Facebook: Cream Vintage

Best FOR UT GEAR university co-op Location: 2246 Guadalupe St. | Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Online: universitycoop.com Housing anything and everything Longhorn, burnt orange, “hook ‘em” and UT pride-related, the University Co-op is your first stop for items to get you in the school spirit! Not only do they have walls of T-shirts, there are plenty of gift options for family or friends as well as UT-clad school supplies. Truly a one-stop shop for UT gear, the Co-op definitely won’t let you down when you need Longhorn apparel or paraphernalia.

TYLER'S Check out: the plethora of stylish Longhorn clothing Location: 2338 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Online: tylersaustin.com

ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS Check out: the burnt orange sports equipment Location: 7513 North IH 35 Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Online: academy.com

shopping & services pg. 21

Best bike shop

MELLOW JOHNNY'S Location: 400 Nueces St. | Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Online: mellowjohnnys.com

Austin loves its bikes almost as much as it loves its music. Or at least that’s what Lance Armstrong’s Mellow Johnny’s aims for. “We hope to see Austin become a cycling city so that when people think of Austin they think of the food, live music, people and bikes,” said general manager Craig Staley. Bikes are an environmentally friendly method of transportation and a quick way of avoiding most of the city’s traffic congestion; you’ll often see tons of them on any given day, which is why Austinites need a reliable bike shop that suits all of their needs.

“We wanted to break out of the mold of conventional bike shops,” Staley said.

“We strove to have a nicer, upscale environment with boutique shopping and as well as a coffee shop in our store.” The shop’s mission is to introduce people to a biking lifestyle by not only providing bikes, parts and apparel but also services like training, bike rental and showers and storage space for commuters.

ozone BIKE DEPT. Check out: free bike maintenance classes Location: 3202-C Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: ozonebikes.com

FREEWHEELING Check out: their mountain bikes Location: 2401 San Gabriel St. Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays Online: freewheelingbicycles. com/

Best autocare

groovy lube Location: 3511 Guadalupe St. | Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays | Online: groovyautomotive.com

Groovy Lube is a truly unique fusion between the music-ridden locale of Austin and auto care. Bobby Delmonico founded Groovy Automotive in 1993 under a different title, but once the public nicknamed the shop full of instrument-playing servicemen “Home of the Groovy Mechanics,” Groovy Automotive was born. Groovy Lube’s goal is to operate an honest garage with hardworking musician-mechanics, and to keep the business centered in Austin. “We’ve had a lot of people try to buy us out, and we’ve said ‘no’ every time. We want to keep it homegrown,” Delmonico said. In addition to their honesty, Longhorns love Groovy Lube because they’ll give you a 20 percent discount (10 percent for Groovy Automotive) with your UT ID.

ARBOR CAR WASH Check out: free car wash with oil change Location: 3120 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Online: arborcarwash.com

JIFFY LUBE Check out: their online coupons Location: 3809 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.7 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Online: jiffylube.com

Best tattoo/piercing diablo rojo Location: 2604 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-8 p.m.

Online: diablo-rojo.com Being conveniently close to campus isn’t the only reason this tattoo and piercing studio has Longhorns impressed. In addition to clean, quality service and a nearly 5 star rating on Yelp, Diablo Rojo also designs and sells their own line of organic, safe body jewelry. They also offer a unique and eclectic collection of Asian influenced masks and tribal drawings for purchase, which makes this eclectic shop one-of-a-kind.

platinum ink Check out: $15 piercings on Sundays Location: 5128 Burnet Rd. Hours: Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday noon-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon-midnight; closed Mondays Online: platinumink.net

true blue Check out: the shop’s art on the walls Location: 607 Red River St. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 1 p.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Online: truebluetattoo.com

Best computer & repair apple store

Location: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: apple.com/retail

With MacBooks becoming increasingly dominant around campus, the Apple Store is the go-to spot for Longhorns to get their tech problems solved. There are three Austin locations, including one at The Domain and one at Barton Creek Mall.

With discounts available for college students on their most popular products and various methods of personal tech support, Apple makes switching to their products appealing and easy. Students that have used their in-store services praise Apple employees for being attentive and helpful, answering their questions thoroughly and explaining what needed to be fixed. Online scheduling and walk-ins are welcome.

CAMPUS COMPUTER STORE Check out: the selection of computer bags and cases Location: Flawn Academic Center 109 Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Saturdays & Sundays Online: campuscomputer.com

UT Information technology services (ITS) Check out: online chat support Location: Flawn Academic Center lobby Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Saturdays & Sundays (walk-in service) Online: utexas.edu/its

shopping & services

Best PET SERVICES dirty dog

Location: 3016 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Online: dirty-dog.com

This traditionally self-serve dog wash that gives you everything you need to get Fido sparkling clean after that roll-around in the park. “ I think what makes Dirty Dog so popular with Longhorns is that we offer an affordable way for people to take care of their furry family members,” said co-owner Blair Smith. From tearless shampoo and conditioner to hair dryers and brushes, Dirty Dog has it all. For the less DIY inclined, Smith also recommends their full service grooming. “If you don’t have time to do it yourself, we have excellent groomers to take care of them, too,” she said. And for those who only want the best for their prissy pooch, they offer feather extensions and non-toxic hair coloring services. Check their website for various locations and to schedule appointments online.

Petsmart

Check out: the various animals Location: 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Online: petsmart.com

3-way tie:

Austin vet hospital Online: austinvethospital.com town lake animal center Online: austinanimalcenter.org austin pets alive Online: austinpetsalive.org

Best BARBERSHOP birds barbershop An old-fashioned barbershop for the new generation, Birds Barbershop provides an old school atmosphere while giving students quality hair cuts for cheap prices, including a $2 student discount.

“We understand that students are on a budget,” said co-founder Michael Portman. “We provide salon quality service for a low price.” A unisex barbershop, Birds strives to make getting a cut or color enjoyable by providing a fun atmosphere that most barbershops and salons don’t. The shop gives customers the opportunity to play classic arcade games while they wait, and even supply a Shiner beer with every hair cut (to those 21 or older). “We wanted to have an added bonus to coming and getting your hair done,” Portman said. “We try to take the chore out of it.” Birds also strives to make you wait less, therefore appointments are only required for color services.

the wooten barber shop Try the: clean shave Location: 2106 Guadalupe St. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-noon; closed Sundays Online: wootenbarbershop.com

pg. 22

Best APARTMENT LOCATOR WEST CAMPUS LIVING Location: 504 W. 24th St. | Contact: 512-588-2969 | Online: westcampusliving.com Founded in 2008, West Campus Living is a home finding service that specializes in finding students and investors suitable off campus properties in the Austin area. Students can use an online database search to find anything from houses to condos, or utilize a leasing agent who searches based on the specifics of the student. To stay competitive, West Campus Living shows properties in all of the major student neighborhoods including West and North Campus, Hyde Park, Far West and Riverside. The company also manages a blog where students can find information on certain neighborhoods, recent activity in Austin,and frequently asked leasing questions. A repeat winner of the UTMost award, West Campus Living takes students on free tours to their favorite properties, and also walks students through the leasing process. Because the company works directly for the student, and not for any particular complex, they offer unbiased support. Anyone who has signed a lease before knows that it comes with a lot of confusing paperwork including application fees, guarantors and deposits.

To make things easier for the customer, West Campus Living specializes in helping students through the document signing process.

512 REALTY Check out: their online search engine Location: 2404 Rio Grande St. Contact: 512-322-0512 Online: 512realty.com

UPTOWN REALTY Check out: their pre-leasing section for students Location: 2309 Rio Grande St. Contact: 512472-0048 Online: austinuptownrealty.com

CAMPUS LIFE

Best STUDENT ORG texas sweethearts Texas spirits

texas wrangler darlins

Best campus event 40 acres fest hex rally

explore ut

campus life

Best CAMPUS FOOD

Best WEST CAMPUS HOUSING

CHICK-FIL-A

Location: Texas Union, Student Activity Center Hours: varies by location Online: chick-fil-a.com

Longhorns definitely “eat mor chikin.” Stop by the Texas Union or the Student Activity Center during lunchtime and you’ll more than likely see a winding line for Chick-fil-A. The fast food restaurant’s fresh, boneless chicken, tasty Chick-fil-A sauce and waffle fries have students craving it every day of the week; especially on weekends when the campus locations are closed. It’s simple and quick, yet you feel that you’re eating a quality meal. Chick-fil-A was rated as the number one large fast-food chain in terms of food, facilities and service ratings in the 2011 Zagat Fast Food Survey and ranked as the fourth most popular chain overall. Get your Bevo Bucks ready because it looks like Chick-fil-A’s popularity is here to stay.

zen

pg. 23

Try the: Angry Bird sushi roll or Hungry Hippie taco Location: Student Activity Center | Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Saturday-Sunday |Online: eatzen.com

26 WEST (formerly jefferson 26) Location: 600 W. 26th St. | Contact: 512-477-3400 | Online: 26-west.com 26 West really is luxury living in the heart of West Campus. With some major upgrades in the works to be ready this fall, including an expanded fitness center, renovated clubhouse and new pool furniture, this apartment building is a great option for any student wanting to live in the are. The location can’t be beat and the list of amenities never stops. But hurry, if you’re interested, fall spaces are going fast.

the quarters

3-way tie:

visit utexas.edu/ cypress bend student/housing for hours kinsolving dining littlefield patio cafe

Best CAMPUS COFFEE STARBUCKS

Try the: dirty chai latte Location: 2402 Guadalupe St., Ste. C Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Online: coffeebeanaustin.com

Check out: their online photo tours Location: 2501 Pearl St., Ste. 101 Contact: 512-634-8099 Online: theblockoncampus.com

Best OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING Location: Texas Union, Student Activity Center and Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Hours: varies by location Online: starbucks.com

Nestled inside the Texas Union, Starbucks is a hotspot for UT students looking for their coffee buzz. Whether they are recovering from a wild night, preparing for long hours of studying or just grabbing their daily caffeine fix, Longhorns have chosen Starbucks as their favorite campus coffee. “We have an unbeatable staff,” said barista Ben Fisseler. “We are mostly students so we know what students need.” This location also accepts Bevo Bucks, which is definitely a plus for students in the convenience department.

the coffee bean & tea leaf

the block

Check out: their parking options (even for non-residents) Location: 2222 Rio Grande St., Bldg.

D, Ste. 200 Contact: 512-531-0123 Online: quartersoncampus.com

Tie:

jp's java caffe medici

Location: 2803 San Jacinto Blvd.

Hours: MondayThursday 6 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 6 a.m.11 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-1 a.m.

Online: jpsjava.com

Location: 2222B Gudalupe St. Hours: MondayFriday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; SaturdaySunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Online: caffemedici. com

Tie:

DOBIE THE TRIANGLE This cant-miss off-campus dormitory is literally across 21st Street from campus.

With plenty of amenities, a great location and dormstyle living, we can see why Dobie made the No. 1 spot in this category.

Location: 2021 Guadalupe St. Contact: 888-523-0890 Online: dobiecenter.com

Situated right at a convenient spot where Guadalupe and Lamar cross paths, The Triangle is close to campus, walking distance to great retail shops and comfortable yet decked out — a clear choice for this category.

Location: 2021 Guadalupe St. Contact: 888-523-0890 Online: dobiecenter.com

Texan north campus Scottish rite dormitory

Location: 5117 N. Lamar Blvd.

Contact: 512-476-1976 Online: texannorthcampus.com/

Location: 210 W. 27th St. Contact: 512-476-9131 Online: srd.org

Longhorn Life

Page 24

our campus

Friday, March 30, 2012

A spotlight on UT faculty and staff

Expert Q&A

Government prof. talks Texas primary Alex Vickery Longhorn Life

Regardless of whether politics is your “thing” or not, it affects each and every one of us. With the presidential election this year, who takes office next January can affect everything from our education to job search to personal choices.

With the Texas Primary Election on May 29, which was moved from its original April 3 date due to redistricting disputes, Longhorn Life sat down with Jason Casellas, Ph.D., assistant professor in government to talk about his views on the 2012 presidential race.

Longhorn Life: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Why did you choose to study politics and government? How did you narrow your interest to race and ethnicity?

Jason Casellas: I wrote my first book on Latino representation in state legislatures and Congress, so my area of interest is Latino politics, but I also study congressional elections and state politics. In college as a political science and history major, I wrote a senior thesis on the relationship between political parties and the Latino community and it struck me as I was writing that there is not a lot of literature or work on this topic, partially because the Latino community is growing at such a massive rate. After taking a year off to think about what I wanted to do, I decided to go into a Ph.D. program in politics.

LL: As you specialize in Latino politics, what do you think of Mitt Romney’s mid-March win in Puerto Rico? Do you think he and other candidates are ap-

pealing to the Latino population in the right way?

Casellas: I think we can assume that Romney’s win in Puerto Rico is sort of indicative of larger appeals to the Latino community in the United States. Even Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico are different than Puerto Ricans in New York or Florida, because there are different issues that appeal to them. The turnout in Puerto Rico is much higher than in New York, so I don’t think we can assume that Mitt Romney will do well among Puerto Ricans generally in the U.S. Puerto Ricans are really strong Democrats, so I can imagine that Obama will do much better among them than Romney, not withstanding his win in Puerto Rico.

LL: Romney announced the Puerto Rico win at the Illinois rally and told the crowd, “I intend to become our nominee and I intend to get Latino voters to vote for a Republican and take back the White House.” Do you think Latinos will vote for a Republican?

Casellas: Certainly he needs them to and that’s one of the issues that Republicans have had in the past. George W. Bush did a good job trying to appeal to the Latino community. His compassion, conservatism and speaking Spanish — even if it wasn’t good Spanish — at least showed that he cared; whereas what we see with the Republican field today is quite the opposite, I think.

LL: What do you think is the biggest challenge for presidential hopefuls in the 2012 election?

Casellas: The President’s challenge is to make sure that he can make the

talk: Assistant professor Jason Casellas, Ph.D., discusses his views on the 2012 presidential race.

Rachel lau Longhorn Life

case to the American people that the economy will be getting better, unemployment will be getting lower and that there will be stability worldwide in terms of Iran and other challenges.

Should Romney get the nomination, his challenge is to convince the American people that he will do a better job than Obama with the economy. With the Latino community, Obama’s challenge is getting Latinos to turn out to vote. Many are upset with Obama for not doing a lot to help the Latino community, espe-

cially with immigration. His challenge will be to get Latinos as excited as they were in 2008 to go to the polls. For Republicans, Romney needs to do a better job of appealing to Latinos. He needs to get much more than the latest poll of 15 percent of the Latino vote.

LL: What is your view on the role that social media plays in politics and political campaigns?

Casellas: Social media has an See Q&A, on page 28

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LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, March 30, 2012

Page 25

Behind the Scenes

Admissions, more than just a paper trail Ali Killian LONGHORN LIFE

T

here’s no debate that the Tower is a beacon

of pride for UT students, but

have you ever thought about

what’s inside that beautiful

spectacle?

Among many important

offices — including that of

President Powers — resides

the office that serves as the

first step in the process of

RACHEL LAU/LONGHORN LIFE

becoming a Longhorn: the

ASSISTANCE: A University of Texas student makes an inquiry at the Office of Admissions in the Main Building.

Office of Admissions.

Vice Provost and Director of Admissions Kendra Ishop, Ph.D., and her staff, along with three associate directors and the directors of research and transfer senior admissions, call Room Seven on the Tower’s ground floor home.

One aspect of admissions solely handled in the

Tower is the processing of all undergraduate application information. Once all the materials for undergraduate and transfer applications are submitted, the applications are read by staff members in each office on campus and in regional offices around the state. Then, the Office of Admissions makes academic decisions while consulting

with certain colleges and schools, such as the College of Fine Arts and the School of Architecture, to determine if the applicants meet their programs’ specific requirements. “[The School of Architecture] is a very small college, so there’s only a number of applications they can handle, and it’s the same thing

for [the College of ] Fine Arts — they make the artistic determinations,” Ishop said.

The Graduate and International Admissions Center in Walter Webb Hall processes graduate and international applications. The graduate student applications are then sent to the relevant college or school for admissions decisions. And then the colleges and schools report decisions back to the Office of Admissions for its step in further processing applications.

Although the staff in the Tower mostly handles new students, they can be a valuable resource for current UT students as well. Ishop said a current student would seek assistance in the Office of Admissions if they’re planning or have taken college credit somewhere else.

Admissions staff members help students figure out their transfer credit and then go through a formal evaluation.

In addition to transcript evaluations, the staff in the

Main Building will help you with questions about taking a break from school, studying abroad and research. If they don’t have the answers you’re looking for, you’ll be redirected to someone who can better suit your needs, like the counseling staff in the Undergraduate Admissions Center in John Hargis Hall. The Office of Admissions makes most of their information available online, too, so scope out the UT website to see if you can find answers to your questions.

For more information about the Office of Admissions in the Main Building, the Undergraduate Admissions Center and the Graduate and International Admissions Center, visit the Be A Longhorn website at bealonghorn. utexas.edu/meetus

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Longhorn Life

Page 26

5 Things I’ve Learned Patricia Roberts-Miller, Ph.D Professor Departments of English and Rhetoric and Writing [12 years at UT]

Dave Garlock ‘Going to Abilene.’ It’s basically asking someone if they want to go out to dinner [or Abilene] because you think they want to go out to dinner, and they say yes because they think that you want to go out to dinner.

But, really, neither of you want to go to dinner, and now you are going out to dinner.

3

Be OK with being uncomfortable.

Especially when both trying to do and learn new things and when you’re going different places. It’s an important aspect of learning.

1 2

Never stop learning. I feel like that’s fairly obvious.

Don’t assume you know what others are thinking or feeling. Even when you think you’re good at it, you’re not. It saves a lot of time to just ask the other person. My family calls it

Friday, March 30, 2012

4

Time management is the single most important skill to have. It’s not like any of us are that good at it, but you should really try to be.

Senior Lecturer School of Journalism [23 years at UT]

1

Teaching college is a lot like the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day”…every day was the same as the previous one. The students remain 19 to 22 while [I] age considerably.

2

I have learned that, regardless of age, you have to evolve with the students to reach them.

3

Students hate to be lectured to. They want you to converse with them and make them a part of the class.

5

Music is just as good now as it ever was. People just forget that there was a ton of crappy stuff, even from the ’60s, you just don’t ever hear it now.

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4

I’ve learned to listen to what my students have to say and realize they can Google my lectures and show me where I’m wrong.

5

I learned that there was a lot more interest in magazines at UT than I realized.

Holly Williams Professor Department of Theater and Dance [17 years at UT]

1 2 3 4 5

Life is a fast dance, so keep moving.

Try to find someone to “tango” with on a regular basis.

Ask questions.

Always ask questions.

Don’t assume others have all the answers.

Save money, no matter how hard that is, so you can dance later on.

Have five lessons to share with colleagues?

We’re always looking for entries! Email us at specialeditions@ texassstudentmedia.com

Longhorn Life

Meet the ... (one of two)

PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN

Page 27

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PHOTO BY Jou-Chia Huang/Courtesy of Facilities services

Name: Kiersten Legge

Title and Department: Pest Control Technician in the Landscaping Department of Facilities Services Years at UT: 10

What is a typical day for you? Ever since the drought, most of the insects have backed off and gone into hiding. The main problem now has been rodents; they are everywhere. They can be in the ceiling areas or around the trash area. We also deal with squirrels, but with them we catch and release. We just take them off campus first.

do you ever try catching the famed albino squirrel? No, we never try catching that one. He hangs out by the Pharmacy Building and Welch. what are the best and worst parts of your job? The best part is educating our clients about what is happening, and also educating ourselves because different stuff happens all the time. The worst part is when you know people are scared. You feel for people when they are uncomfortable. Our main goal as pest control technicians is to keep things calm.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SCARED OR UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE ON THE JOB? If you ever go down in the basement of the [Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center] it looks like a weird underground area. One time, there was a foot-long centipede that was the freakiest thing I think I’ve ever seen. It moved like a snake and was really aggressive. In an area that’s so established, it’s weird thinking that there are things around us like that. how do you and the other technician, troy Muller, take on the pests? We work separately.

We usually split the campus in half so he does one side and I do the other. how is your job different each year?

It all depends on the weather — for example if we’ve had a long winter or a lot of rain. But with the drought, it tends to push rodents into our environment because they are looking for food and water. Most other pests, like insects, hide out — ants usually go underground until the fall. We received donations of pesticides that we will be able to experiment with so that, hopefully we can have better control.

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Friday, March 30, 2012

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Page 28

Friday, March 30, 2012

Q&A

Continued from page 24

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increasingly important and critical role with Twitter and Facebook, and it’s a good way for candidates to get their messages out. However, it can be a double-edged sword because sometimes they do too much or tweet things that are controversial.

And while campaign surrogates do this more often than the campaigners themselves, they still have to be careful not to say or do anything that would harm their campaign.

That’s the larger issue with this 24-hour campaign.

These campaign embeds are following them everywhere and listening to everything they say, so any little thing you say that can be taken out of context will be covered.

LL: What predictions for the Texas Primary Election?

Casellas: On the Republican side for the presidential race it appears that Rick Santorum will probably win in Texas. This is a delegate fight in terms of who gets the most delegates, and I think, at the end of the day, Romney will probably get the most.

But, it will be a slow uphill climb, especially given that Texas has a lot of delegates and a lot of other southern states have already gone for Santorum.

LL: What advice would you give to students and others that would encourage them to get involved and exercise their right to vote?

Casellas: It’s important to learn about the candidates and not just vote for someone because they are a Democrat or a Republican.

It’s important to look at and study the issues and go to campaign websites, and also realizing that campaign websites will put a spin for their side so it’s important to look at other independent agencies. The group PolitiFact fact-checks all the claims by different candidates and you can see if the claims made by them are true, so that’s a good website for students to go to. More generally, there is a website called Project Vote Smart, which looks at issues of all the candidates in a very non-partisan way. You can even do a questionnaire and, by showing which issues you support, it will match a candidate that best supports your issues — all the way from presidential candidates to school board officials.

Check out what’s going on with

TEXAS STUDENT MEDIA The Daily Texan: dailytexanonline.com Texas Student Television: texasstudenttv.com KVRX 91.7 FM: kvrx.org Cactus Yearbook: cactusyearbook.com Texas Travesty: texastravesty.com

utexas.edu/tsm/

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LONGHORN LIFE

Friday, March 30, 2012

Page 31

Union updates, renovations continue Nathalie Lumang LONGHORN LIFE

If you’ve passed by the Texas Union lately, you’ve likely noticed men in hard hats and heard late-night construction. Renovations for this historical building have been underway since May 2011 and are now just a couple of months away from completion.

Plans for updating the Texas Union began in May 2010, but actual construction did not take place until the following year.

This was done in order to keep up to date with the Texas State Fire Marshal codes, said Bart Kleiman, project manager in the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction.

“The last time the Texas Union had big renovations was some time in the ’90s,” said Kleiman.

“We have been fairly safe with the safety measures before, but with the new Student Activity Center opening last year, it has been easier to shift our focus on renovating the Texas Union.”

Since the building is older than most of the other buildings on campus, built in 1933, Kleiman said they have been trying to preserve the look and feel of the architecture. It has been complicated because the Union is more sensitive than other UT buildings because of the infrastructure of

the building.

The primary construction projects at the Union include refurbishing the AC system, fixing pipes and adding some new fire sprinklers. There are also renovations in some meeting rooms, the theater, the Texas Union Ballroom and the north and east patios.

“The ballroom is one of our bigger projects, as we are trying to not only fix the floors, but also add on an exit from the west side of the room,” Kleiman said. In most other rooms, floors have been repaired and a fresh coat of paint has been added.

“We’re also trying to add on a patio in the north end, to have an open feeling for those coming from west campus,” he said.

Renovations are scheduled to be completed this summer, and construction crews have already finished a large portion of the Texas Union renovation project during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks, Kleiman said.

With the building still open to students, businesses, faculty and staff, Kleiman said, most of the work has to be done at night.

However, Kleiman doesn’t believe this will affect their deadline. “If everything goes as planned, the building will be up and running by late August to early September,” Kleiman said.

PHOTOS BY JOYCE ISLETA/LONGHORN LIFE

Bart Kleiman explains the current construction renovations happening at the Texas Union, which includes updates to the Union Ballroom and the theater.

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