02 02 2006 by The University Star

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY

LONE STAR LEGEND

SEE TRENDS PAGE 6

SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

Science Fiction and Fantasy Society celebrates 25 years of playing make-believe

A tribute to the pioneer of Texas Baseball

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UniversityStar.com

FEBRUARY 2, 2006

THURSDAY

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 49

Applications for Fall ’06 resident assistants due soon

A BURNING PASSION

PYNE’S ON FIRE: Fire expert Stephen J. Pyne spoke to an audience regarding ﬁre’s effects on society at the Lovell Distinguished Lecture Series on Wednesday evening at Flowers Hall.

By Ashley Richards The University Star

keeping several returning RAs at each residence hall in order to balance the staffs. The application deadline is Bailey Brown, pre-mass comapproaching for students who munication freshman, applied want to be a resident assistant for a position as an RA for next next year. year and said she wants to reap Online apthe benefits of plication forms the job while and required she is required reference mato remain in the terial must be dormitories. completed and “My RAs got submitted to me interested in Residence Life applying. They by noon on are great people Feb. 6. and have really Students can made me feel find RA appliat home here,” cation forms at Brown said. “I the Residence hope that I can — Bailey Brown make other resLife Web site, pre-mass communication idents feel the which also has the reference freshman same way.” information On average, students must Ellison said turn in. there are two to three applicants “We need RAs with a variety for each vacant position, which of skills to suit the needs of our means not all students who apvarious communities and staffs,” ply will be offered an RA posisaid Lynn Ellison, assistant direc- tion. tor of staffing and leadership, in Ellison said an RA’s primaan e-mail. “However, most suc- ry duties include being a role cessful candidates have a strong model, providing customer desire to take on a significant service, enforcing policy, crises leadership role on campus, have management, helping build the a good understanding of the re- community and playing a role quirements of the position and in the academic success of the have good time management residents. skills.” “In order to perform these When considering an RA duties, the RA must develop a position, Ellison said students personal relationship with the should keep in mind their ability residents on his or her floor,” Elto successfully balance academ- lison said. ics and the RA job. Each year, A job as an RA is an opporEllison said, Residence Life hires See APPLICANTS, page 5 between 50 and 75 new RAs,

“M

y RAs got me interested in applying. They are great people and have really made me feel at home here.”

A.D. Brown/ Star photo

Lovell Lecture series promotes knowledge of geographical topics By Jacqueline Davis The University Star A self-described “pyromantic” brought the literal question “should we fight fire with fire?” to the forefront of a geography discussion Wednesday night. About 100 Texas State students, faculty and members of the surrounding community gathered in Flowers Hall to hear guest speaker, fire expert Stephen J. Pyne, lecture about fire’s significance in history and its present and future impacts on society. Pyne’s lecture was a part of the Eighth Annual Distinguished Lovell Lecture series. The goal of the annual lectures is to promote knowledge and interest in geographical subjects. The evening’s topic was “American history with fire in its eye: How we got

to a world with too much of the wrong fire and too little of the right.” Pyne took the group through society’s historical reactions and responses to fire on a grand scale. He focused on a longstanding debate carried by firefighters and geographers alike: should people attempt to completely contain fires, or should they reintroduce fire to the ecosystem in an attempt to control its likelihood to destroy again on a grand scale? Lovell Center Director Denise Blanchard said that Pyne, as a nongeographer, has better framed ideas of geography than actual geographers in regard to his persistent study of fire. Pyne delivered a PowerPoint presentation containing historical facts about fires, photographs and timelines that depicted repetitive responses of society to the destructiveness of fire. He sug-

gested that fire has had several stages throughout history—Aboriginal fire, agricultural fire, industrial fire, cooperative fire and friendly fire. People have handled fire by letting it roam free, by collectively fighting it, and by cultivating it as a preventative measure, Pyne said. “I thought it was pretty interesting the different steps they took throughout history to control fire,” said Melissa Levings, geography sophomore. Lauren Bilbe, geography senior, said the topics the lecture covered were not what she anticipated. “I didn’t realize that fire management is not a refined practice at this point and that there aren’t clear solutions to for fighting it,” Bilbe said. “It wasn’t what I expected. I thought the presentation would focus more on the present than the past history of fire.”

University professor appointed The Exonerated gives insight into lives to state social work committee of those falsely accused of homicide By Jacqueline Davis The University Star One of Texas State’s own department directors will play a pivotal role in deciding how issues such as foster care, mental healthcare and other social services are regulated in the state of Texas. Gov. Rick Perry appointed Dorinda Noble, director of the School of Social Work, to the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners at the end of last semester. The nine-member board is responsible for regulating all professions under the umbrella of social work in

Texas. The board is a state agency authorized by the Senate to create regulations and is associated with the Texas Department of State Health Services, according the board’s Web site. Noble said she is a part of a team that acts as a watchdog for more than 20,000 licensed social workers. She will assist in investigating situations where a social worker may not be properly doing their job. “What it does is protect the public. The state has a constitutional, guaranteed right to protect its citizens and to make sure its employees meet certain qualiﬁcations,” Noble said.

Noble, who has similar experience with social work regulation as the former chair of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, will help to ensure that Texas social workers are qualiﬁed for their various positions. This helps citizens gain conﬁdence that Texas physicians, psychologists, dieticians and others in health professions have taken nationally standardized tests, have clean criminal records, letters of reference and supervised work experience. Noble’s interest in social work stems from her childSee COMMITTEE, page 3

By Carl Norberg The University Star

“I

t’s about our court system, the greatest court system in the world, and that there are inherent ﬂaws in it, and there are things that go wrong..”

The Texas State Department of Theatre and Dance will present its re-creation of Jessica Blank and Eric Jensen’s award-winning play, The Exonerated, beginning Feb. 8 at the Texas State Theatre Center. Directed by theatre and dance lecturer Paige Bishop, the play chronicles the lives of six death row inmates who were wrongfully accused, incarcerated and later exonerated. “It’s the characters telling their stories,” said Zach Stecklein, assistant to the director and

— Zach Stecklein assistant to play director Paige Bishop

theatre graduate student. The play is a reconstruction of actual courtroom scenes and interviews with more than 40 death row inmates who have been absolved of their crimes. Every line is taken directly from court transcripts or interviews from an individual who has

been exonerated to produce an accurate portrayal of their lives and the events that took place after they reclaimed what was left of them. The Exonerated was originally produced as a stage readSee EXONERATED, page 3

Rio Vista Dam improvements to attract public with recreational areas By Ashley Richards The University Star Major cracks and crumbles discovered in the Rio Vista Dam have triggered city, state and federal ofﬁcials to begin planning a reconstruction of the area that will transform the 102-year-old dam into what they hope will be an inviting recreational area. A primary goal identiﬁed by Dan O’Leary, San Marcos city manager, was to maintain the water level because he said the existence of the dam affects the river level all the way to Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant. “The second goal was we wanted to maintain or enhance the tubing experience,” O’Leary

“I

t makes the whole area a lot safer — taking out the crumbling concrete, spreading out the drop off — all those things make a much more pleasant and safe area.”

—Melani Howard watershed protection manager

said. “The third goal was we wanted to try to have it completed by Memorial Day.” The City Council, engineers and contractors are still striving toward meeting the projected ﬁnish date, O’Leary said. Additionally, O’Leary said he asked that those working on the Rio Vista Dam project remain

Today’s Weather

Sunny 82˚/47˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 37% UV: 5 Moderate Wind: WNW 10 mph

aware and cautious of the endangered species in the area. Melani Howard, watershed protection manager, said some construction on the riverbank near the dam is scheduled to begin within the next week. That work will include scaling down the steep, vertical drop of the steep west bank, How-

ard said. The initial demolition work on the riverbank will involve pulling out concrete and moving dirt, O’Leary said. Howard said boulders measuring three to nine feet in diameter are going to be brought in for construction of rapids at the dam. Currently, the rapid has a six-foot drop, Howard said, but the transformation of the dam will change it to a twofoot drop. “We’ll take the extra four feet to make additional rapids with about two feet drops as well,” Tiffany Searcy/Star Photo Howard said. “It’s like taking one dam and spreading it out DAMMED UP: The Rio Vista Dam, located near the River Pub and Grill, will undergo a $1 million transformation. Reconstruction will over a 200-foot area.” The new, shallower drops include stabilizing the existing structure with the addition of white

Two-day Forecast Friday Sunny Temp: 77°/ 45° Precipitation: 20%

Saturday Sunny Temp: 70°/ 20° Precipitation: 20%

water rapids and construction of a sunbathing area. Construction should be completed by Memorial Day.

See DAM, page 5

Inside

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

Classiﬁeds ....... 11 Comics .............. 9 Crossword ......... 9 News ..............1-5

Opinions .......... 10 Sports .............. 12 Trends .............6-9

PAGE TWO The University Star

communityhappenings

Thursday in Brief

February 2, 2006

The American Association of Retired Persons and the San Marcos Public Library are co-sponsoring a free income tax assistance program. Beginning Saturday, volunteers from AARP will be on hand at the library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays to help the handicapped, low-income and elderly ﬁll out their

income tax returns. Taxpayers should bring a copy of last year’s income tax return, their Social Security card, a photo ID and any other tax-related information. For further information, call the library at (512) 393-8200 or drop by at 625 E. Hopkins St. and check it out.

News Contact — Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu

Calendar of

God is their rock The Crosstalk Student Ministry Band plays to a packed house Wednesday in the Alkek Library Teaching Theatre. Crosstalk meets every Wednesday evening for an upbeat Christian worship service set to music.

EVENTS Clubs & Meetings

students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CSC.

Monday

Career Services is holding a How to Utilize a Job Fair workshop from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the LBJSC Teaching Theater. For more information, please contact Career Services at (512) 245-2465. Saturday

Change For Life meets at noon in the LBJSC, Room 4-1.9, to discuss impoverished conditions in Third World nations. Optional donations and fasting.

Events Thursday The Study Abroad Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Academic Services Building Breezeway. For more information, contact the Ofﬁce of Study Abroad Programs at (512) 2452322. The Society of Professional Journalists will host an internship event with Drew Marcks, assistant managing editor for the Austin-American Statesman, at 6:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 201. Marcks will speak of what newspapers look for in internship applicants. All students are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting on at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. Everyone is welcome. Contact (512) 557-7988 or mail@texasstatechialpha.com. The Rock, Praise & Worship will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center chapel. Monday A celebration for Criminal Justice Career Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. Numerous federal, state and local criminal justice agencies will be present. Students of all majors are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www. cj.txstate.edu. Tuesday The Latin American Business Certiﬁcate Program will be offering hands-on training in the basics of exporting from 6 to 9 p.m. in Derrick Hall, Room 339. There will be a free lunch for all

Campus Sports The Equestrian Western Horse Show will begin at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and continues through the weekend.

Miscellaneous

Friday The Writing Center will be holding a GSP review from 12 to 1 p.m. in Flowers Hall, Room G09. For more information, please call The Writing Center at (512) 2453018. The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test will be held. For more information, please call (512) 245-2182. Monday RA applications are due at noon. For more information, contact Lynn Ellison at (512) 245-3705. CALENDAR SUBMISSION POLICY Calendar submissions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events at starcalendar@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-3487 for more information. E-mailed press releases will not be accepted. If using e-mail, please submit as a simple bulleted list of essential information. Submissions are on a first come, first served basis and notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted every week they will take place. The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.

Do you know someone at Texas State who has recently celebrated a great achievement? Nominate your choice to appear in The Star as a “Star of Texas State.” Write an e-mail to starletters@txstate.edu with the subject line “Stars of Texas State,” and include your nominee’s name, his/her relationship to the university, contact information for yourself and your nominee, and a brief description of the achievement. Also include a photo of your nominee if available. Accepted nominees will be featured at the top of Page Two.

Monty Marion/Star Photo

Thursday Career Services is holding jobshadowing registration in the LBJSC, Room 5-7.1, through Feb. 7. For more information, please contact Career Services at (512) 245-2465.

STARS OF TEXAS STATE POLICY

Library Beat Alkek has bountiful supplies of research material Are you researching an author or genre in Southwestern literature? Are you writing a term paper, an article or a book on an aspect of regional culture? Or are you a photography student interested in the work of a speciﬁc artist collected by the Wittliff Gallery? If you answered yes to any of the above, then plan a research trip to the Special Collections Department. In addition to showcasing the collections in free exhibits, the department offers helpful public service in the reading room. To assist in planning a visit, the subject guide and other resources are available online; but to physically access the materials, those interested need to visit the library. The Southwestern Writers Collection contains a dazzling variety of archives, but the wealth of material can often be daunting. To point students to particular writers based on areas of study, assistant curator Steve Davis compiled a comprehensive subject guide to the materials. Here are just some of the many possible topics: African American studies, the Alamo, border studies, Chicano Litera-

ture, civil rights, J. Frank Dobie studies, drama, environmental literature, football, historical fiction, humor, LBJ studies, Lonesome Dove, magazine journalism, memoirs, Mexico, music journalism, mystery and detective fiction, poetry, politics, Katherine Anne Porter studies, religion, rivers of Texas, screenwriting, true crime and women writers of the southwest. View the complete guide at www.library.txstate.edu/swwc/ archives/writers/topics.html See the list of Wittliff Gallery photographers online at www. library.txstate.edu/swwc/wg/ artist/default.html. Those interested will quickly discover there is no replacement for the experience of working with an author’s personal papers and handwritten notes or a photographer’s original prints, seeing evidence of her or his creative process at work. Located on seventh floor, through the tiled foyer in front of the elevators, the Special Collections office and reading room is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Call (512) 245-2313, and they will be happy to help. —Courtesy of the Alkek Library

On This Day... 1790 - The U.S. Supreme Court convened for the ﬁrst time in New York City. 1861 - Texas voted to secede from the Union. 1919 - The ﬁrst Miss America was crowned in New York City. 2003 - NASA’s space shuttle Columbia exploded while re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. All seven astronauts on board were killed.

CRIME BL TTER San Marcos Police Department Blotter Feb. 1, 2:23 a.m. Possession of Marijuana/ 1610 N. Interstate Highway 35 Possession of marijuana under two ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 1, 12:23 a.m. Driving While Intoxicated/ Belvin and Endicotte Streets Driving while intoxicated and driving while license invalid. Jan. 31, 8:32 p.m. Criminal Mischief/801 N. I-35 Crime stoppers: UPD 245-7867

Criminal mischief less than $20,000. Jan. 31, 5:39 p.m. Warrant Arrest/2300 S. I-35 Warrant arrest. Jan. 31, 5:25 p.m. Possession of Marijuana/ 400 Roosevelt St. Two males were arrested for possession of marijuana under two ounces. Jan. 31, 2:25 p.m. Aggravated Assault/ 1180 Thorpe Lane Aggravated assault with arrest. SMPD 353-TIPS

Go fetch!

NEWS

Thursday, February 2, 2006

Science camps to benefit at-risk, minority students By Anna Hefﬂey The University Star About 150 children from six different schools will attend summer camp at Texas State University thanks to a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The students will attend Aquatic Science Adventure Camps where they will learn about water resources in Texas. Lyndon Gilpin, camp director, said the camp is geared toward at-risk and minority students. “The camp is to help expose students to science and activities like ﬁshing and environmental education,” Gilpin said. Most of the activities will be at the Edwards Aquifer Research Center, a Texas State department. The camp will hold six sessions, and 25 students from each school will attend. There are two

sessions in June and four in July. Students will spend four days and three nights in dorms at Texas State. In addition to the camp, the center will hold four regular week-long camps and several day camps open to the public. Twenty-nine applicants submitted proposals for the $235,000 in available Community Outdoor Outreach Program grant funds. Each participant can receive up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of equipment, supplies, transportation and facility use fees. Darlene Lewis, program director, said the CO-OP program enables tax-exempt organizations to introduce participants to outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation programs statewide. “For many of the participants, this will be the ﬁrst time they have experienced the outdoors

Texas Parks and Wildlife style,” Lewis said in a press release. “These programs have been developed to help families around the state not only learn more about our natural resources, but also to become better stewards to help care for our resources.” According to the 2003 statewide Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills summary reports, more Texas students are underperforming when it comes to science in schools. Grant director Tim Hawks said more of the CO-OP grant recipients trend toward science and nature projects. “It provides opportunities for people who don’t typically have the chance to do these types of things,” Hawks said. “We want people to learn more about the environment and perhaps use that knowledge to help it.” Tom Harvey, media relations representative for TPWD, said

EXONERATED: Directors aim for authenticity, unbiased viewpoint CONTINUED from page 1

ing in New York, and has been the winner of several awards for playwrights Blank and Jensen including the 2003 Outer Critic’s Award for Best Off-Broadway Play, as well as the Dramatist Guild Award and the John Gasner Playwriting Award. Brought to Texas State by Bishop, Exonerated provides its audiences with stories that are an honest look at the lives of the inmates before and after their exoneration, said Stecklein. While being run by a majority of students, the staff-advised and produced production car-

ries a hefty message, Stecklein said. “It’s about our court system, the greatest court system in the world, and that there are inherent ﬂaws in it, and there are things that go wrong,” he said. Stage Director and pre-theatre senior Laura Marshall said she believes that the play will provide students with “an unbiased viewpoint, because of how the script is written and how Paige has chosen to present it,” and “will hopefully be view-changing.” The Exonerated will run at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 through 11 and Feb. 14 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19 in the Theatre Center’s Studio

Theatre. Special guest speaker Joyce Ann Brown, a Dallas resident and former death row inmate sentenced to life without parole who was later exonerated, will address audiences after the Feb. 10 performance and Walter Long, a death row defense attorney will speak after the Feb. 11 performance. Students are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as seating in the Studio Theatre will be limited. Admission prices are $10 for the general public and $5 for students, and can be purchased the University Box Ofﬁce, located within the Theatre Center.

funding for the grant comes from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods. The budget for the recreational grants went down from $800,000 to $470,000 per year because of the state budget crunch. “The legislature cut the budget for the Texas Recreation Parks Account, which the COOP grant is a part of,” Harvey said. Other grant winners were Austin, Copperas Cove, Dallas, Houston, Pasadena, San Antonio and Temple.

For more information, contact TPWD at (512) 912-7124, or e-mail rec.grants@tpwd.state. tx.us.

It’s delicious!

The University Star - Page 3

COMMITTEE: Noble felt a ‘call’ to work with children CONTINUED from page 1

novations as an expanded online program for students hood, when her parents served pursuing a master’s degree in in foster care. She said she felt a social work. Pogue said that call to work with children and there are only two such profamilies and that social work grams in the nation and Texas was a satisState offers one fying purof them. It was suit. Noble Noble’s ennow works thusiasm and more in competence, ethics and with help from supervision other faculty, of broad that helped get groups of the program off social workthe ground, said ers, but she Pogue. places an “She’s very equal value much a visionon her new Pogue — Rene Pogue ary,” position. social work said. “She has “I reala vision that assistant professor ized what helps us fulfill an impact it our mission to has on the people in commu- make access to higher educanities,” Noble said. “I realized tion more open in the state of I could serve my first love of Texas.” children and families by makNoble will help ensure that ing sure people are competent the most vulnerable people in in their positions.” the state can have a measure Rene Pogue, social work as- of confidence in the social sersistant professor, has worked vices offered them, Pogue said, closely with Noble. Pogue said adding that Noble will also that as director of the School play a key role in setting rules of Social Work, Noble is an ex- to make sure Texas keeps pace perienced and dynamic leader with other states in regard to who helped push for such in- social work.

he has a “S vision that helps us fulﬁll

our mission to make access to higher education more open in the state of Texas.”

Page 4 - The University Star

Thursday, February 2, 2006

NEWS

Thursday, February 2, 2006

DAM: Facelift could cost up to $1 million, San Marcos city manager said CONTINUED from page 1

will also create a safer recreational environment, Howard said. Visitors will be able to ﬁt canoes, kayaks and tubes down the rapids and Howard said the pools below each rapid will be deeper once the new design is completed. “It makes this entire area a lot safer — taking out the crumbling concrete, spreading out the drop off — all those things make a much more pleasant and safe area. It makes it a lot more fun too,” Howard said. Howard has submitted the application for permits for the project and said she is still optimistic about getting the project started by March 1 and completed by Memorial Day. The dam is not closed to the public yet, but will be once full construction begins. Howard said there are signs posted by the city to warn the public that the area is not safe due to cracks in the concrete. O’Leary said he thinks people will be satisﬁed with the transformation, as it will bring a safer and more natural looking recreation area. “Our hope is that people are really going to think it’s an improvement,” O’Leary said. “We’re going to improve access

ecause the structure is more than B a century old, Howard said it has been cracking for decades, and the most recent crack found is thought to be too dangerous to ignore. to the dam. We think we’re going to create a prettier spot.” The Rio Vista Dam was originally constructed in 1904 out of cypress posts and cement. Howard said the Europeans who first settled had a gristmill that was used to process grain at the dam. The pressure from the water flow was used to turn the mill’s wheel and grind the grain. However, the dam’s history as a recreation spot has lasted longer than its use as a gristmill, Howard said. Because the structure is more than a century old, Howard said it has been cracking for decades, and the most recent crack found is thought to be too dangerous to ignore. San Marcos residents, students and visitors can also expect to find a sunbathing area near the bank at the dam once the project is completed, as well as a newly located picnic pavilion.

O’Leary said he expects the transformation project to cost at least $1 million, although Howard is optimistic that $1 million will be the maximum possible cost. The city council is working on ﬁnding a means to pay for the unplanned project, O’Leary said. “We’re trying to identify sources. The city basically has a savings account that we have saved up for emergencies like this, but the council still has to decide on that,” O’Leary said. “(The City Council) could borrow the money also. That’s really the only two real options that City Council has.” O’Leary said in the end everyone working on the project hopes the visions of the new Rio Vista Dam area will be what the dam is physically transformed to. “We’re hopeful that people will be proud of the ﬁnished product,” O’Leary said.

APPLICATIONS: Resident assistant perks include rent deals, meal plans CONTINUED from page 1

tunity to become a leader at the university and positively inﬂuence other student’s lives, Ellison said. “I think I would make a good RA because I love making new friends and helping others make friends as well,” Brown said. “I have had experience in peer counseling and I would love to help residents feel as comfortable as possible in the dorms.” Skills such as teamwork and leadership, which Ellison said are acquired while working as an RA, are qualities that future employers will appreciate.

“Often, because of the RA’s community building efforts, life-long friendships are made between the RA and his (or) her residents,” Ellison said. In addition to the skills developed, RAs receive rent for half of a double occupancy dormitory, a meal plan and a small monetary stipend. Applicants will be interviewed from March 3 to 5. Readiness to answer questions about time management capabilities, offering reasons for seeking an RA position and insight on student and residence hall issues are some of the interview topics Ellison said the applicants should

be prepared for. “Most importantly, applicants should be themselves and not try to be the ‘perfect’ RA candidate,” Ellison said. “We want to get to know each candidate and their unique qualities so we can make the best choices for our communities and staffs.”

Applications are available online at www.reslife.txstate.edu.

The University Star - Page 5

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Thursday, February, 2006 - Page 6

happeningsof the weekend san marcos Thursday Cheatham Street Warehouse – Reckless Kelly The Triple Crown – Liquid Cheese, Humble Riley’s Tavern - Karaoke

Friday Cheatham Street Warehouse – Walk Wilkens The Triple Crown – The Spiders, The Hatchets, Enemy of Mankind Riley’s Tavern – Lil’ Bit & The Customatics

Saturday Cheatham Street Warehouse – Shelley King Band The Triple Crown – Psyche Origami, Word Association, Just Born Riley’s Tavern – Roger Wallace

Trends Contact — Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu

SCI-FI fans: the gathering Fantasy Club still a reality after 25 years By Nixon Guerrero The University Star While a good number of societies and groups on campus disappear as quickly as they were contrived, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Society shows no sign of fading away. As a matter of fact, the society just recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at Texas State. Nick Larkin, president of the society, had some time to sit down and discuss the society and his experiences in the genres. Star: How long have you been president of the society? Nick Larkin: I’ve been since last fall. Star: What can you tell about your first sci-fi experiences and how did you know that the Spencer Millsap/Star photo genres were for you? OUT OF THIS WORLD: Michael Shepard looks on as David Abdullahad and Ivy Knight play a game of Magic during the Science Fiction NL: Maybe it was sitting down and watching science fic- and Fantasy Society meeting at the LBJ Student Center last night. tion shows and movies with my show. And of course you really more serious and scarier I guess father, you know, like Star Trek novels and movies? Star: What else is out there can’t go wrong with Star Trek. you could say, especially at the NL: At the moment I would and Star Wars. And it kind of snowballed after that. I’ve got- have to say, as far as novels are that now too many people know That such a classic and there’s end when Vader reveals to Luke ten into the book, movies and concerned, would be the nov- about? Films like Serenity? nothing really wrong with that he’s his father. That is just els of H.G. Wells. He did War of NL: Yeah, there’s Serenity, that. the games. It’s a lot of fun. a great movie moment. the Worlds and Time Machine. Babylon 5, that’s a really great Star: What do you feel the Those are some of the first real show. There’s also Farscape, Star: Now, this may be a Star: How does the society diforigins of sci-fi are in regards to science fiction novels. and that’s another really great tough question. Then again, it fer from other groups on cammay be a simple one. But what’s pus? NL: Well, we’re really not big your favorite Star Wars movie partiers. We mostly hang out and why? NL: (Lengthy sigh) Wow, I’d and discuss books and play have to say, either the original games. Star Wars: The New Hope … or Star: A lot of people dismiss The Empire Strike Back. sci-fi and fantasy fanatics as Star: Why those two? geeks, freaks and “trekies” and NL: Well, The New Hope is go out of their way and say just a classic, and it was just so “You’re a loser freak.” How does ground breaking. It changed that make you feel? the genre of science fiction and NL: It makes me feel proud. fantasy ever since. So, I mean, When someone says something it a hero’s tale, and that’s what like, “You’re a geek,” or, “You’re I like about that one. And for a trekie” I say, “Why, thank The Empire Strikes Back, well, you.” I take it as a compliment. it’s just a little darker a little But a lot of us are not necessar-

ily the stereotypical, hard core, clichéd geek, I should say. We just get really into something. It’s just like into anything else; anyone can really get into a book or movie. But it is interesting to see how adamant, sometimes, people can get. Star: What do you feel is missing from the sci-fi and fantasy world if anything? NL: Well, there are a lot of clichés going on. It seems that a lot of recycling of the same stories is going on. There really are not a lot of original stories out there. There are some, but as of late, it seem that a lot of stories and movies are just being remade. Star: Now, it seems that every sci-fi movie has been set in space or on a ship of some sort. Does it always have to be that way? NL: Well, (laughs) yeah. Ever since Star Wars and Star Trek, that’s been the standard. Star: What do you want for the future of the society, what would you want to add? NL: I want to do more. We do a lot, but I would want to do more. I would really like to have more events. Star: Do you think getting more students on campus to share yours and the society’s love for the genres is something that is possible? NL: Anything is possible, yes. I’d love to see that happen. Science fiction is such a great genre. There are so many great things about it that can be appreciated despite who you are or what you do. It’s a great thing. Star: Is there anything personal you’d like to add or say to Texas State students? NL: If you want to have fun, come to the meetings. We have a great time hanging out talking about movies and playing some great games. And we’ll be going to a lot of conventions this semester like AggieCon and Excalibur Fantasy Faire in Lockhart.

TRENDS

Thursday, February 2, 2006

The University Star - Page 7

Kaleidoscope’s debut album shows stellar guitar rhythms By Stephen Lloyd The University Star

of this, the instrumental sections sound overly mechanical and (The Sounds of) Kaultimately dull. leidoscope prove that By the time “Suite-T” psychedelia isn’t dead rolls around, the psycheon their debut album delia is back in full swing. From Where You Were After a compressed, music To How You Got There, grungy intro, the song invoking early Pink review launches into a driving Floyd as well as bands rhythm that would feel ✯✯✯ like Sonic Youth. at home with any of the (The Sounds of) The first track, “Be- Kaleidoscope classic psychedelic bands cause I Am Haunted” From Where You from The Electric Prunes is a perfect example Were To How You to Pink Floyd. of this, with detached Got There With “Certain Colour spacey vocals a-la Syd Hackshop Records Sky,” the band starts to Barrett and dissonant rock harder, still emmonotone guitar playploying guitar fuzz but ing a-la Sonic Youth. The band with harder strumming. Faint also adds its own warbling wall of electric organ in the background sound in the background, which augments the sound. The song takes the spotlight in an extended also features one of the only true instrumental section that takes guitar solos on the album, and it up nearly half the song. kicks off with reckless abandon, “Oh My Mind” is slightly more leading the rest of the instrutraditional and riffy, reminiscent ments with it in a fashion not of The Vines in many ways. The unlike that of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fuzz-heavy “Secret Service” is “Freebird.” Following the unnecsimilar but with more meat on essary and repetitive interlude its bones, similar to Oasis. “New “Sequence Chair,” “Funny CigaLanguage” is filled with reverb rette” begins, employing a simiCourtesy of Hackshop Records and delay instead of fuzz. The lar driving guitar rhythm. But minor key and sweeping gui- this time it’s bouncy, invoking GROOVY GUITAR: Douglas Bailey, Alex Hacker, Mike Hirst and Damien C. Taylor are (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope, whose debut album From Where You Were To How You Got There will be released Feb. 21. tar rhythms are akin to The the sounds of The Beatles. Smashing Pumpkins, as is the The album closes with the aptdrumming. “Th’ Strangebirds” ly titled “End,” a 48-second head- similar to the finale of The Bea- refreshing in a musical climate thing is a statement as opposed almost begs to be listened to all is probably the most riffy on trip with buzzing violins and an tles’ “A Day In The Life.” It’s the where an album is rarely ever to just one or two singles. Each in one sitting, which is definitely the whole album, but because ever-escalating rhythm that’s culmination of an album that’s about the journey. The whole piece has its purpose. The album an enjoyable experience.

Cat Power’s The Greatest purrs its way to perfection By Stephen Lloyd The University Star

tars in the background. Marshall’s own piano playing Cat Power, the stage is a bit more upand recording monibeat than usual. The ker of Chan Marshall, whole song is a bit opens her seventh fullmore upbeat than length album with the music her standard work, title track “The Great- review but there’s no point est.” The song features in recording the same ✯✯✯ thing over and over all of her trademarks, including a plaintive, Cat Power again. “Could We” is laid-back piano and her The Greatest similar, though even mournful, smoky yet Matador Records more bouncy. ethereal singing voice. Even with the new But there are subtle difsounds, Marshall ferences to her sound definitely doesn’t this time around which mani- abandon the enjoyable refest themselves as the album laxed dynamic that characterprogresses. In the past, Mar- izes her music. In many ways, shall has been characterized by it wouldn’t matter what the a stripped-down approach, but music sounds like because her with this music she employs voice is always at the forefront. a group of Memphis In “Lived in Bars,” which is soul musicians similar to “I Don’t Blame You” to fill in the from her last album, the horns cracks. help creates a smoky jazz dy“Living namic which serves the song Proof ” is well. driven by “Empty Shell” marks the bouncy first time Marshall’s own percussion guitar playing shows up and is defiprominently on the nitely soulalbum. Some flavored, might call it with buzzbad just being horns, cause it’s bean elecyond simple, tric organ but someand quick, times less is funky more. The guimuffled strum-

Shawn Mortenson/Matador Records ALMOST PURRFECT: Chan Marshall’s newest album, The Greatest, is her seventh under the moniker Cat Power.

ming compliments her singing well. Otherwise, this song is a bit of a letdown. The backing vocals, done by Marshall herself, don’t quite sync up with the lead vocals. “The Moon” is one of the album’s best tracks, mostly because of the lyrics, an ode to the track’s namesake. This is a great example of Marshall’s lyrical style of quiet observation and reﬂection. The guitar and backing vocal reverb adds to the cosmic theme of the song. The last few tracks on the album get a little more dangerous. In keeping with the style of her last tour and much of her previous recorded work, “Hate” is stripped down to the bare essentials, guitar and voice. Marshall plays a bluesy, minor key dirge-like rhythm on the guitar that recalls Tom Waits, whereas the vocals are like those of a more subdued Grace Slick. “Love & Communication” features a forever rising rhythm driven by organ, violin and guitar work that could ﬁnd a place in hard rock if it weren’t buried in the mix. With The Greatest, Marshall tried something new with her sound. And it works most of the time. When it doesn’t, the songs sound shallow. But there are not enough of these to hinder what could be the best release of the new year so far.

Solo artist gets creative in album with help from friends By Ben Wener The Orange County Register We were wrapping up “our annual chat,” as Jenny Lewis calls it, when we got ’round to the topic of famous friends. The chief singer-songwriter for Los Angeles band Rilo Kiley, whose last album More Adventurous ﬁnally turned Lewis into some kind of indie-rock queen, enlisted several guest stars for her country-laced solo debut, Rabbit Fur Coat, which arrived in stores last week. Two of the Maroon 5 guys played on it. Newcomer Johnathan Rice lent a hand. Saddle Creek guru Mike Mogis helmed half of the intimate production. The gospel voices of the Watson Twins got cover billing for their heavenly work, a la Laura Nyro and LaBelle’s “Gonna Take a Miracle,” a crucial inﬂuence on this set. And, most obviously, Conor Oberst, a.k.a Bright Eyes; Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie; and Matt Ward, a.k.a M. Ward on his own discs, assisted Lewis in a faithful re-creation of the Traveling Wilburys’ deceptively sunny hit “Handle With Care.”

“That song really divides people,” she said. “Some people really hate the fact that I covered it.” Check what powerful, indieobsessed receptacle Pitchfork (www.pitchforkmedia.com) said: “Some Fork staffers hate this cut with a burning bile,” Chris Dahlen wrote. “I just think it’s cute that the quartet set themselves up as aged Bob Dylans or Roy Orbisons — even if it’s an easier sell to aim a few years younger and call them our Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Stephen Stills and, of course, Linda Ronstadt.” Which is absurd on a number of levels — for one, Jack Johnson is the new James Taylor. “I think people assume that I think we’re as great as those greats, which of course is not the case,” Lewis said. “It’s about paying tribute, and it’s not ironic in any way. It’s sincere. I chose the song because the lyrics ﬁt nicely within the record, and then I started fantasizing about my friends playing the parts.” The key word: “Friends.” Lewis, after all, has contributed to albums by Bright Eyes, M. Ward and Gibbard’s side

project the Postal Service. Reciprocation was in order. “It’s a natural extension of things,” she said. “I’m lucky to have very talented friends who are willing to work for lunch.” She’s also fortunate to be in a band with breathing room to explore outside its conﬁnes. Doing so has almost become an expected practice now: The same day Rabbit Fur Coat was released on Oberst’s new Team Love label, Rilo guitarist and co-songwriter Blake Sennett issued his delightful second effort with his other band, the Elected. The warm, appropriately titled Sun, Sun, Sun (on Sub Pop), which often feels like a long-lost country-rock gem from the ’70s, further pulls Sennett away from trite Elliott Smith comparisons and establishes him as a notable writer in his own right. “We wanted to do a Kisstype thing,” Lewis joked about the simultaneous releases. “But then wouldn’t all four of you would have to put something out?” I wondered. “I know. It’s half of an effort. I don’t mind. As long as I don’t See JENNY, page 8

TRENDS

Page 8 - The University Star

Thursday, February 2, 2006

Halftime with the Stones has producers ready for anything ere it’s a very different kind of group. You don’t “H necessarily know what they’re going to do. There’s more moving around, more raw energy, more By Brian McCollum Detroit Free Press

Seven hundred and twenty seconds. That’s what it comes down to. Twelve minutes. The Super Bowl halftime show, the world’s most-watched annual music event, involves millions of dollars, thousands of people and 15 months of preparation. And it lasts 12 minutes. That ﬁgure doesn’t come with any give-or-take this-or-that. Talk to the professionals behind Sunday’s halftime show featuring the Rolling Stones, and you discover new deﬁnitions for words like “precision” and “rigor.” “There won’t be a frame of video that we haven’t pored over and discussed thoroughly beforehand,” said Bob Toms, senior producer of ABC Sports, which is broadcasting this weekend’s Ford Field festivities. “It’s the culmination of a whole lot of

unpredictability. There’s no question that’s going to make my job more difﬁcult.”

— Don Mischer executive producer for Super Bowl XL

work.” “People look at what we do and call us stress junkies,” said Don Mischer, executive producer for Super Bowl XL entertainment. “You just say to yourself, ‘If I’m going to fall on my butt, what better place to do it than in front of a billion people?’” Mischer, whose resume includes three Super Bowls and a Summer Olympics opening ceremony, said his task is even tougher this year: As of Monday, Stevie Wonder still hadn’t settled on the songs for his pregame

set, where he’ll be joined by soul crooners John Legend, Joss Stone and India.Arie for a Motown retrospective. As for the Stones, well … they’re the Stones. Unlike every other performer Sunday, and virtually every Super Bowl performer of the past decade, the band won’t be playing along with the safety net of a taped track. The Stones will be “live, live, live,” as one NFL executive stressed — and stressed is what it leaves Mischer. “With Paul McCartney last year in Jacksonville, the decisions

had all been made early, he’d rehearsed it many, many times and as a result it was a very clean kind of coverage,” Mischer said. “Here it’s a very different kind of group. You don’t necessarily know what they’re going to do. There’s more moving around, more raw energy, more unpredictability. There’s no question that’s going to make my job more difﬁcult.” To the delight of Super Bowl organizers, the Stones have proved to be masters of keeping secrets. The band is tightly guarding its set list, and was still

mulling over song possibilities this week, Mischer said. “The options are wide open,” he says. “Decisions could be made up to the very last minute in terms of what the Stones do.” In the Super Bowl’s early days, entertainment was provided by such squeaky clean performers as Bob Hope, Carol Channing and Up with People. In 1967, while the Rolling Stones were busy producing an album called Her Satanic Majest’s Request, the University of Arizona marching band handled musical duties for the pregame, National Anthem and halftime segments of the inaugural Super Bowl. By 1992 the NFL realized it had a problem. An alternative halftime program offered by the upstart Fox network — frisky comedy skits from In Living Color — had lured millions of viewers away from CBS, where the Super Bowl and its Dorothy Hamill halftime were being aired.

Many didn’t click back, and Super Bowl XXVI finished with the game’s second-worst numbers in two decades. A year later, Michael Jackson became the first modern superstar to headline halftime. “The league had to respond to stay on course with what the audience wanted,” says ABC’s Toms. “You can’t forget that people are watching because of the quality of the game, and the rest of the telecast has to reflect that.” As the Super Bowl moved into its XXX s, the entertainment grew up, too: Mariah Carey on a National Anthem here, Kiss on a pregame there, U2 on a halftime over here. “It had been kind of ignored before that,” recalled Mischer, who produced Jackson’s 1993 appearance. “Disney would do halftime with characters dancing on the field, that kind of stuff. It’s become much more intense over the years.”

We Are Scientists dance-rock genre truly enjoyable for listeners By Vanessa Lau The University Star

is that the group comes across as unpretentious as a local bar band. The talents of lead singer It’s true that what and guitarist Keith We Are Scientists is Murray, bassist and doing has been done back-up vocalist Chris before. Cai, and drummer MiThe twelve tracks music of dance-rock with review chael Tapper are most moments of audible ✯✯✯ evident in the strong punk influences can We Are Scientists mix of electric guitar be considered echoes With Love and riffs and ever-present of recent releases from Squalor drum rhythms that The Killers, Franz Virgin Records score each song. With Ferdinand and The three previously self-reBravery. While every leased albums, the trio nuance of their style is not orig- from New York City is definiteinal, every track on their debut ly seasoned in the business. An album, With Love and Squalor, appearance at last year’s South has something — at least a little By Southwest Festival helped variation, from the previous or the band sign with mega-lanext track. bel Virgin Records to produce The most important theme their first major album. that runs throughout the album The first single from the al-

bum, “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt,” is a lighthearted anthem with the strongest sense of playful lust present on the album. The hook declares the teasing sexual nature of the song: “My body is your body/I won’t tell anybody/If you want to use my body/Go for it.” Not every track’s lyrics center around sexual relationships. “Callbacks” and “Cash Cow” deal with the band’s experience with the ﬁckle music industry and reveal a more intelligent side to the songwriters. Other standout tracks include “Inaction,” “The Great Escape” and “It’s a Hit.” If you listen to “Lousy Reputation,” you’ll swear it was recorded live. Catchy melodies that surround witty and inventive lyrics are guaranteed to get stuck

in your head. Sing-a-longs are deﬁnitely possible with each of the twelve songs on this fast-paced, fun album. Fans of bands like The Killers, Incubus and Franz Ferdinand will ﬁnd a kindred spirit and sound in this offering from three skinny nerds, who pose holding kittens on the album cover. Already making a splash in England, We Are Scientists are on its way to the U.S. charts with this musically solid and all-around enjoyable debut record. Courtesy of Virgin Records

ROCK SCIENCE: With Love and Squalor is We Are Scientists’, Michael Tapper, Keith Murray and Chris Cai, major label debut.

JENNY: Artists get Adventerous with Lewis for solo debut CONTINUED from page 7

have to be Gene Simmons.” “You’d be Paul Stanley?” That brought a groan. “He’s had some unfortunate haircuts. Maybe Ace Frehley?”

“But Ace is so decrepit now. Last time I saw Kiss he looked like he was gonna fall down dead right there on stage.” “Yeah, well, the road will do that to a hard-rockin’ man.” What the road did for Lewis was inspire

Courtesy of Team Love Records GOIN’ SOLO: Jenny Lewis (center) enlisted the help of the Watson Twins on her ﬁrst solo album Rabbit Fur Coat.

a set of very personal, yet also very cryptic, songs that “I wanted to record before I forgot them.” As for their country feel, that grew out of “I Never,” a weepin’ ‘n’ wailin’ throwback from More Adventurous that took Lewis back to the albums her mother played while she was growing up in San Fernando Valley. From what few details she has shared, it was a rocky relationship, colored by her parents’ divorce when Lewis was very young. The stark title track is the most revealing she’s ever been about this, but good luck trying to decipher what pain is real and what has been embellished. “There’s really no way to ﬁnd the absolute truth, and I think it’s better to learn those things about songs much later. In revealing too much too soon you either out your private life or destroy the source of the song. Ultimately, mystery is more appealing.” Something else that is still mostly a mystery: Lewis’ romance with Sennett in Rilo’s earlier days. Curious fans with big imaginations like to think there are sly comments about that in every love-related song Lewis writes. The reality, however, is far more elusive. What matters, she says, is that their creative bond is intact. “We’ve been in a very long and tumultuous partnership, and now it’s comforting to know that neither of us necessarily needs the other. We can each go somewhere and play or record songs. And I think the more I play live, the more interested I become in the craft of songwriting. That’s what keeps me going. That’s the most important thing for me.”

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, February 2, 2006

✯Star Comics

The University Star - Page 9

my latest tunes Sun, Sun, Sun The Elected Favorite track: “Fireﬂies in a Steel Mill”

Kicking Television: Live in Chicago Wilco Favorite track: “Airline To Heaven”

Born to Run Bruce Springsteen Favorite track: “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”

Entertainment Editor Kyle Bradshaw reveals what he’s been listening to this past week.

SU-DO-KU Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Tuesday’s solutions:

Michael Mepham/Los Angeles Times

Wednesday’s solutions:

Go to www.UniversityStar.com for today’s answers.

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

quoteof the day

Thursday, February 2, 2006 - Page 10

“Our nation can’t give in to the coercion of some bully countries who imagine they are the whole world and see themselves equal to the entire globe.”

”

— Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a speech to supporters following President Bush’s State of the Union address. Ahmadinejad said his country would resist pressure from the United Nations to give up its nuclear programs. (Source: FOXNews.com)

Opinions Contact — Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

Bush’s claims of success just a veneer to disastrous year The tone for President Bush’s State of the Union address was set before he ever entered the House of Representatives chamber at the Capitol on Tuesday night, when anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in the Iraq war, was handcuffed and arrested by Capitol Police for “unlawful conduct” after revealing a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan at her seat in the gallery. She had been invited to the speech by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif. Dismissing dissent continued to be a theme throughout the president’s address, even as he promised to address differences with his critics “in a spirit of goodwill and respect.” The past year saw his cronies tragically botch the response to an enormous natural disaster, his party plagued with allegations of rampant corruption, his war exceed 2,000 American casualties with no end in sight, bipartisan condemnation of his policies of torture abroad and suspension of Fourth Amendment rights at home, the near disintegration of a cornerstone American industry and record-low approval ratings. Yet to hear Bush speak, you’d think this had been a year of unbridled U.S. successes with few malcontents. Examples abound: • On trade policy and the economy: “We are seeing new competitors like China and India. This creates uncertainty, which makes it easier to feed people’s fears.” Yet reconsidering our economic policies would be “economic retreat” that would lead “toward a stagnant and second-rate economy.” As opposed to our current first-rate economy, in which American automakers are forced to lay off tens of thousands of workers to avoid extinction. • On the devastation in New Orleans: “The answer is not only temporary relief, but schools that teach every child, and job skills that bring upward mobility, and more opportunities to own a home and start a business.” This statement followed a litany of federal assistance currently being administered to the region, yet there was neither acknowledgement of nor apology for the woeful absence of that all-important “temporary assistance” that could have saved so many lives immediately before and after Katrina. • On wiretapping: “If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.” Here again, the issue has been distorted beyond recognition. Contrary to the president’s implication, requiring a modicum of reasonable suspicion and judicial oversight (secret and after-the-fact judicial oversight, even!) for the government to spy on Americans is not the same as rejecting domestic surveillance wholesale. Perhaps the greatest disconnect between rhetoric and reality was evident after the president recited the foundational dogma of his foreign policy: “Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror.” One of the brave new democracies Bush cited was the Palestinian Authority, where the terrorist group Hamas just took power in an electoral landslide. Pressing ahead oblivious to the contradiction, Bush called on Hamas to “recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace.” Right. And Cindy Sheehan might be invited to dinner at the White House. It seems that even when everything is going against him, Bush can’t seem to imagine a world in which he might occasionally be wrong. If the American people are paying attention, perhaps he’ll get a much-needed reality check in November. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State UniversitySan Marcos.

New Orleans, La. — Jan. 31, 2006

Jeffery Cole/Star illustration

Campus, world full of real survivors I’ve been giving Keep dreaming. some thought to That emptiness fear lately. scares the hell out I’m turning 30 in of me to be hona few months and est with you. Too ﬁnd myself stuck many people get in an existentialial pulled under befunk. It’s hard to cause of it. There SEAN WARDWELL feel good about are those who don’t Star Columnist your life when you have the luxury of are much older technological illuthan the kid sitting next to you sions of contentment. They and your friends from when get crushed by a reality they you were 18 have jobs and can’t afford to ignore. They families. I know that I’m at have kids that need to go to the least going somewhere, and I doctor and need food. They know that I’ve had a good life. have no time for life because However, Texas State can be a they are too busy trying to pretty lonely place when the keep alive. Some turn to drugs. bars and parties lose their lus- Some turn to God. Some just ter, and the only thing you are turn up dead and alone. Some left with at the end of the day don’t turn up at all. is that small voice questioning Peppy column so far, huh? where you are heading next or Well, I’m not in the pep busieven if you care about where ness today. These things hapyou are now. pen, and they are far too real, We have passion. We have and we spend too much time intelligence. We have our in- trying to pretend they don’t. dividual ghosts constantly at Perhaps we need to spend our sides whispering in our more time being uncomfortears. We have our iPods, the able. I know people on this Internet, Starbucks Coffee campus who have literally had and all manner of material to run for their lives. Some of gadgets. Yet something is lack- these people have had life exing. There’s an emptiness that periences that go so far beyond is palatable and somehow we the pale that you wouldn’t be think if we toss more money able to sleep for a week if you in it, it will eventually ﬁll up. went through a fraction of

what they went through. I’m talking about horror and suffering that is just unimaginable. They’re here. They’re your fellow students. People who sail through things effortlessly don’t impress me one bit. I love the underdogs. I love the people who have to get up every morning to go to a job they hate and go home to a dilapidated shack at night. Why? Because they keep doing it. Despite hardship and toil, they get it done for themselves and their families. They get it done knowing that Horatio Alger was full of crap and upward mobility is becoming a thing of the past. We should make presidents out of such people. I’m bringing all this up because I don’t think we go far enough in our culture to fully embrace the horror. It’s always someone else’s problem. Nobody seems willing to take responsibility anymore, not for causing the strife, but for stepping up to try and fix it. Fixing it means more than sending 10 bucks to the Red Cross, then patting yourself on the back for being such a magnanimous chap. To fix a problem you have to first intimately know it. You have to

look it right in the eyes and let it look into you. You have to know it in your soul. The people I was referring to know this, and that’s why I trust them more than I will ever trust the social gazelles that seem to get everything the easy way. Call it bitterness. Call it class warfare. Call it whatever you want. But, please, prove me wrong. When it all comes crashing down, that’s who I want at my back. They know ugly, and they know how to face it. In fact they usually give a determined grin, look fate in the eye, and say, “What else you got?” If you think this is a bummer, I really don’t care. Your comfort level simply does not matter to me. This column isn’t for you. Go read something else. This column is dedicated to the survivors. Those people are my heroes. They help me manage my minor fears by showing me some major ones. I don’t think they get enough ink so this is my minor love note to them. So keep swinging folks, keep right on swinging. I know it isn’t easy, but in the words of Sam Cooke, “It’s been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come.”

Rants about class served with a sides of Super Bowl, Oscars What did you think of the State of the Union Address? “I thought it was pretty good. He did a good job when he was talking about how the Democrats did not necessarily initiate the Social Security Act and then saying ‘now you have all these problems,’ and everyone stood up and clapped.” — KRISTOPHER RAVEN mass communication junior

“I didn’t watch it, because I think Bush would piss me off. I don’t personally care for anything he has to say. I don’t think anything he says is important.” — AMY BERG sociology sophomore

“I was looking forward to it all week. I watched it twice. I tried to get my friends to watch, but they said they’d rather shoot themselves in the head. I watch it every year.” — RYAN HAECKER history freshman

Compiled by Jason Buch

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Hello you ’Cats right away. While of Bob. OK, right she is unpacking off the top I have a her chalk, I spring bone to pick. That’s into action. what she said! Seri“Um, profesora? ously, folks. I was I don’t think we in Spanish class the know what we are other day and la supposed to be doSHAWN A. profesora was muy ing in this class.” FREEMAN tardy. It’s still early I totally get the Star Columnist in the semester and skinny on what is most people don’t going on for the know each other yet, so the entire class. La profesora does usual awkward comments have a plan, and it’s a good were floating around. one. Here’s my point, none of “Hey did you get the book those girls asked her. I did it yet?” “Do you have a class for them, and do you know before this?” Serenity, now. what? Not a one of them slept Eventually people started with me after class. Not one. talking about what we are doThe good thing about my ing in the class, because so far Spanish class is that I see a we all feel like we aren’t do- high amount of crack on paing anything. Suffice to say, a rade. Gals, when you pull your clear vision has not been pre- shirt down over your jeans sented by la profesora up to after you sit down, that’s genthis point. When I say people erally a smart move, because were talking, it was four of the yes, I am totally looking. That seven hottest girls in the class other guy who slides by on and a couple of guys. his looks and doesn’t have to “What are we supposed to worry about asking girls out be doing?” “Has she taught us because they fall in his lap anything yet?” “I’m confused.” — he’s also looking. That girl You get the picture. So la pro- — yeah, she’s looking too. fesora comes in and does the Anyway, is everybody ready whole “Buenos dias” thing like for the bowl of super? If you five times in a row because, of watch it at my house, here’s course, nobody answers her what you can’t do. First and

foremost, you can’t talk during team introductions or commercials. I want to know what school the players came from, and we all know that the commercials during the bowl of super are the best ever. Terry Tate — ofﬁce linebacker — enough said. The other thing you can’t do is take the big piece or the last piece of anything. If you watch the game at a guy’s house who for whatever reason needs to have washboard abs, I’m sure this isn’t the law; but at my house a good way to get your ass cracked is to take the last delicious deviled egg or the last Shiner. Even taking the last celery stick isn’t a good idea around me. As far as my pick goes, growing up in a non-pro football city, I don’t really have a team per se so I generally cheer against teams rather than for them. I basically don’t ever want to see the following teams win: the Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles, Giants, Buccaneers, Saints, Rams or 49ers. I also don’t like for any team to win for too long. I hated the Rams for being so good that when I picked them to lose in the 36th bowl of su-

per, it was only because I was tired of seeing them win. This year I got tired of seeing the Patriots and that Michigan Wolverine quarterback of theirs win bowls of super, so when they lost to the Broncos of Denver this year I was glad. Is it sad that I cheer against teams? Probably. Even in my favorite sport — Formula 1 — I have a few teams I cheer for, but one team I always cheer against: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and that damned Michael Schumacher. Devil his due, but I just don’t like him. Only 37 days until Bahrain. Oscar nominations came out this week. I can’t figure out how Munich got nominated for best picture. Meanwhile, The Aristocrats and 40-Year-Old Virgin get snubbed by the Academy. Did you know that the Ambiguously Gay Duo was voiced by Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert? And finally, for those of you on misplaced modifier alert: A transfer student said to me yesterday as we walked through The Quad, “What is with the statue of the horses with the naked guys on them with huge balls?”

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Editor In Chief..................David Michael Cohen, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..................................Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor......................................Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor.........................Jason Buch, jb1163@txstate.edu Trends Editor..............Christina Gomez, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor......................................A. D. Brown, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor...................................Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

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The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright February 2, 2006. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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Thursday, February 2, 2006 - Page 11 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

ANNOUNCEMENTS SEMESTER, YEAR, SUMMER PROGRAMS IN SPAIN AND COSTA RICA $1985 includes: Tuition (4-9 credits), airfare,board, excursions.mlsa@sprintmail.com www. mlsa.com Tel. (815)464-1800.

FOR RENT $99 INCLUDES DEP. App. and 1st month rent. Beautiful property! 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123. $1-1 $375 500 SQFT! call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 $350 FULLY FURNISHED cable, internet, water paid, W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123. WALK TO CAMPUS. $99 totalmove-in 2-2 $599. 1-1 also available. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123. LARGE T-HOME, $99 total movein free cable, internet, and phone. W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123. 1628 POST ROAD 1 bedroom unit available for $400 per month. On the shuttle. Visit legacyrealestate.biz, and call Legacy Real Estate at (512) 665-0350. $0 DEP. $0 APP. Large Condo 1 & 2 bdrms available. Some bills paid. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 or check out more apartment specials at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com

$0 DEP, $345 MOST BILLS PAID. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

2 BEDROOM 2 BATH with w/d $550 per month. Park North Condos. 353-7644 $149 TOTAL MOVE IN! $420, 2bdrm $525. On TX State shuttle. Call apartment experts (512)805-0123. TOWNHOME 4-2.5, all bills paid, W/D included call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 1/1.5 LOFT, 700 SQFT. Backyard and w/d included call apartment experts (512)805-0123 ROOM FOR RENT. Outpost Apartments, fully furnished, on Texas State Tram Route. All utilities paid minus electric. Immediate move-in available. Poolside! 832-515-6533 ROOMMATE NEEDED. $300 month. 1/3 bills. Close to campus. Contact Jason 713-992-0263 1 BEDROOM 670 SQ FT $420. 2 bedroom 835 sq ft $495/ For more info call Apartment Experts 805-0123. CHECK OUT OUR current apartment specials online at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com or call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123. NEED LOW RENT? Roommate matching could be the answer. Call and we’ll set you up. Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

BIG 2 BDROM 900 SQFT. $585! call Apartment Experts (512)8050123.

FOR RENT-APTS ROOMS NEXT TO CAMPUS free internet, cable, and other free utilities $325-$375 call 392-2700.

APARTMENTS NEXT TO TEXAS STATE now leasing for May and August. Beautiful wooden ﬂoors, no shuttle or parking worries. Rooms, 1B, 2B, 3B and roommate matching. Free internet, cable and some utilities. $300 - $605 per person. 392-2700 SUBLEASE 2BD APT. $600/mo. Begin Feb. w/Feb. paid by owner. Near School. Contact Wessam 878-6224.

APARTMENTS FROM $371/ MO. Near stadium. Gas, water paid. 353-5051.

3 BEDROOMS WITH 3 FULL PRIVATE BATHS.

Extra large kitchen, washer/dryer, fridge, dishwasher, 3 carports, storage building, and FREE phone-cable-high speed internet. $845. Agent, 512-289-4864.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOMES 2/2, 310 PAT GARRISON, Pets OK. Rent $625.00, dep $150.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOMES $785 2/2.5 TOWNHOUSE.

3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. 396-4181.

BRACEWOOD CIRCLE. Upstairs and downstairs units available for immediate move-in. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 800 sq. ft. with W/D connections. Starting as low as $450 per month. Visit legacyrealestate.biz, and call Legacy Real Estate (512) 665-0305.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX FOR RENT DUPLEX 3br/3.5ba 107 Cedergrove (on bus route). Fenced backyard/pets ok. $1050 per month. 512-557-2557

NEED A SHORT-TERM LEASE? Advance Street duplexes available with complete appliance packages including full size W/D. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths for only $750/mo. Visit legacy realestate.biz and call Legacy Real Estate at (512) 665-0305. DUPLEX FOR LEASE for immediate move-in. 2/1 at 1107 Marlton for $650/mo. Easy terms. Call Legacy Real Estate (512) 665-0350, and visit legacyrealestate.biz.

DUPLEX READY FOR IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN. Newly remodeled. Only $450/mo. Water/waste water paid. Visit legacyrealestate.biz, and call Legacy Real Estate at (512) 665-0350 3/2, 907 ALLEN ST. Rent $925.00, Dep $925.00. C-21 512-787-2982. SAGEWOOD DUPLEXES preleasing for 6/1 &8/1, bus route, 3/3.5 garage, W/D inc., Call 512-699-9759 DUPLEX READY for immediate move-in. 2/2 for $650. 519 Hutchison. Easy bike ride to campus or just walk. Visit legacyrealestate.biz, and call Legacy Real Estate at (512) 665-0350.

FOR RENT-HOUSES 1120 ALAMO, 4/2/2, no pets, Rent $1350.00 dep. $1000.00. C-21 512-7872982. 3/2/1, 1104 GIRARD, pets OK. Rent $1150.00, Dep $1000.00. C-21 512-787-2982. 4/2, 1605 POST RD. Rent $1200.00, deposit $1000.00. C-21 512787-2982. NEW HOUSE FOR RENT. 3/2. 1900 sq. ft; W/D. Very good neighborhood. $1300/mo. Call (512) 554-5080 or (830) 257-4339. 3/2 HOUSE, close to campus and the San Marcos River, ceramic tile bathrooms, ch/ca, $980.00/mo. Call Maris 512-472-2123

VACATION RENTAL GUEST HOME on the S.M. river in Martindale Jan.-Feb, special, 2b/2b/ $95.00 nightly $450.00 weekly, 1,150 month www.marilisa.com/vacationrental.htm. 754-1851. 3/2/2, 1109 PERKINS. Rent $1200.00, Dep $1000.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

4B/2B HOUSE NEXT TO CAMPUS. Hardwood ﬂoors, 2 car garage converted to game room, large kitchen & dining room. Excellent condition. Free internet & cable. 392-2700. HUGE 3/2, W/D, ETC. 1600 sq ft. $950 per mo. 713-774-5953. FOR RENT-3/2 house, two rooms available. Close to campus. Call Kenneth at (210) 825-1948.

FOR RENT-HOUSES SPECTACULAR & BARGAIN, 2br beautiful decor, all new, $12k renovation, 1 mi. from W. campus, 803A Hazelton, open house daily, 96. 20ft mirror wall, crown mold, tile, fans, W/D, microwave, lg fenced yard & more. February Free $585. No Dogs. 353-8384.

FOR SALE ‘89 HONDA ACCORD. Baby blue, under 90K miles, sunroof, power locks and windows, new tires, spacious trunk, fun car! $4000. Contact Sara 787-7072. 3/2 MOBILE, Nice, extras, fenced rented lot, Hunter Rd. $29K 396-2374

HELP WANTED TEACHERS NEEDED: PT immediate openings. Quality child development center in Kyle. Early Ed. Majors or experience a plus (not required). 2:30-6:30 Monday-Friday 512-405-3700 or 512-405-3701. www. rockinghorseacademy.com. SPRING BRANCH AD AGENCY seeks part time graphic designer. Working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator required, Quark helpful. Email resume to margaret@getousset.com. CHARTER AIRLINE seeking part-time ﬂight attendants. Contact Chris at (512) 353-2379, or e-mail resume to chris@berryaviation.com. TEXAS LIONS CAMP is looking for students to make a positive difference in the life of a child. No experience is required and training is provided. It is a paid job, including room, board, laundry services, and a scholarship program is available. Come to Summer Job Fair Feb. 9th in LBJ Student Center for an application or see website at www.lionscamp.com.

HEALTH FOOD STORE. Part-time employee needed. Must have experience with vitamins and herbs. Friendly and responsible please. Little Shoppe of Health. 396-4325 across from University. HEALTH CLUB open Monday thru Saturday. Part-time positions, front desk and training with athletic background required. must be working on a related degree. 512-560-6761. Email resume to ﬁtnessdoctors@aol.com. RANCH HAND: a jack of all trades. Efﬁcient and dependable. Apply online at www.texasarabianhorses.com. HELP NEEDED for a Specialty Tree Care Company. Candidates should be detail-oriented and appreciate demanding outdoor work. Job Location- Wimberley. OAK WILT SPECIALISTS OF TEXAS 888-453-1593

OUTGOING STUDENT NEEDED to distribute ﬂiers on Feb. 13-14 ﬂexible hours $10 per hour. 1-800-927-9194.

LOOKING FOR A FUN AND EXCITING JOB THAT IS FLEXIBLE? Well, check out Wonder World Park! Now hiring tour guides for spring and summer. Apply in person Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1000 Prospect St. or call 392-3760. NOW HIRING experienced child care teachers M-F afternoons. 512295-2329

SPRING BRANCH AD AGENCY seeks part time writer. Publication background helpful. Email resume to margaret@getousset.com.

BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM WE NEED Paid Survey Takers in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

HELP WANTED !BARTENDING!

Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ ok. 800-965-6520 x 157.

WAITPERSON NEEDED. Fine dining restaurant (Little Texas Bistro) seeks back waiter to work Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Hourly plus great tips. Some restaurant experience preferred. Please contact Beth or Paul at (512) 312-5828.

ON-SITE REAL ESTATE SALES. Need energetic, organized person to operate an on-site sales office in San Marcos area residential subdivision. Full-time position, flexible hours, flexible compensation package with possible housing in subdivision. E-mail resume to norton27@sbcglobal. net.

ENERGETIC, DEPENDABLE, RESPONSIBLE student needed for cleaning 3 separate family homes in Wimberley on weekly/biweekly basis. All 3 families have young children; additional babysitting jobs are a potential too. Please call (512) 847-8477. Leave name and number along with days of week available. Please have references available. DIRECT CARE STAFF for group homes. San Marcos area. Call 830-372-0276 or apply at 1575 N. Austin, Seguin

HAVE THE SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE at a prestigious coed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania 2 1/2 hours from NYC. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any Team & Individual Sports, Tennis, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Mt. Bike, Theatre, Tech Theatre, Circus, Magic, Arts & Crafts, Pioneering, Climbing Tower, Water Sports, Music, Dance, Science, or Computers. Kitchen and maintenance positions also available. Great salaries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. On-campus interviews on February 9th. Apply online at www.islandlake. com Call 800-869-6083 between 9 and 5 eastern time on weekdays for more information.

THE SAN MARCOS PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT needs energetic individuals to work Spring Break Madness Camp (March 13-17, 2006). Hours are 7:30am5:30pm. Call Lisanne Foster at 393-8283 for more information or to set up an interview. Application deadline is Feb. 15. E-mail: foster_lisanne@ci.sanmarcos.tx.us.

HELP WANTED

ROOMMATES

CAMP COUNSELOR POSITIONS AVAILABLE at Camp

NEED ROOMMATE AT LES CHATEAUX. 2/1, $275/mo free

Weequahic, a co-ed children’s sleepaway camp in northeastern PA, about 1/2 hours from New York City. We will be at the University on Thursday, February 9th, for the Summer Job Fair, and will be happy to meet with you there. Positions are available for all areas of sports, including tennis, gymnastics, baseball, softball, roller hockey, golf, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and others, as well as waterfront, including swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurﬁng and waterskiing. We will pay for training and certiﬁcations where required. Other positions may be available in hobby areas such as archery, dance, aerobics, theater, piano accompanist, rocketry, woodworking and ceramics. We also need a nurse (either LPN or RN) and will help you to obtain the PA license. Salaries start at $200 per week, plus room, board and travel expenses. Please visit our website at: www.weequahic.com for more information and to FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION. You may also contact us by e-mail at newsweeq@aol.com. Please be sure to leave a phone number, including area code, where we can reach you. We will contact you prior to the 9th to set up an appointment to meet with you at Camp Day.

cable and high speed internet. Can walk to campus. Call Daniel 512-557-1307 ROOMMATE WANTED 3/2 house, $300/mo plus utilities, call if interested 361-688-8629

MISCELLANEOUS TUTOR in self-defense, guitar, ﬂying (ground school), writing, and scholarship, etc. Downtown San Marcos. Dr. Reed Harp. 512-787-7855 ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc $75-200/hr, no exp. needed, (512)684-8296.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP AVAILABLE: Summer Internships ($10.00/hr). Positions available in the Planning and Recreation departments of Community Associations of The Woodlands. Students should be working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism or related ﬁeld. Candidates must pass an extensive background check and pre-employed drug screen. Resumes may be mailed or applications may be submitted to: Community Associations of The Woodlands, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77387, Attn: HR/SA. Fax 281-210-3970 or email hr@catw-tx.org. For more information, visit our web-site at www.thewoodlandsassociations.org.

SUBLEASE FEBRUARY FREE! Subleasing a 1b in a 3b/3.5b on Sagewood for $315mth. Pets OK. 512-917-6722. SUBLEASE 1/1 Bobcat Village $750/mo. LEASE now until August 2006. All bills paid including elec., water, gas, cable, phone, internet. Fully Furnished with full size washer/dryer. Call Gina at (512)395-5331/512-5240942, or e-mail at rh1078@txstate.edu. ASAP!!

TRAVEL SPRING BREAK Mazatlan Party bus $399 with hotels and meals. http:// www.mazatlanexpress.com 1-800-366-4786.

WANTED BUS DRIVER NEEDED Transport preschoolers to and from Child Development Centers in Hays & Caldwell Counties. Part-time position schedule: M-F 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 4 p.m./Mon.,Tues.,Thurs. 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Salary range: $10.50-$15.00 hourly, DOE. For detailed listing visit www.communityaction.com. Pre-employment screenings required. Applications available at 101 Uhland Road, Suite 107, in San Marcos, or download from Web site. Position open until ﬁlled. EOE. Drug-free work environment.

WANTED: USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition. Running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. 512-353-4511.

Let us know where you would like to see The Star on-campus and in San Marcos. Email starad1@txstate.edu with your suggestions.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

sports snortsquotes from the sports world “I’ve been asleep all week but now I got woke up. I’ve got my first taste of blood, and now I’m thirsty for more. Until now, it was ‘Watch what I say,’ Ì can’t say this,’ Ì can’t say that,’ `Don’t do anything silly,’ but I’m ready now.” —Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter barked back after comment by Jerramy Stevens announcing a Seattle victory on Superbowl Sunday. (Source: ESPN News)

Thursday, February 1, 2006 - Page 12

Sports Contact — Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Nolan Ryan, the king of Lone Star baseball Who’s up for a the pitcher cited his riddle? All right: wish to leave the Name this superstar, hustle and bustle of this really big baseball the big city. superstar. He has 321 In the Angels home runs, he’s played organization, the for four different Ryan Express went teams, he has 5,714 to work under the strikeouts, and he’s a shadow of pitching Texas baseball pioneer. MARC CLEVERLEY coach Tom Morgan. I hope you all guessed Sports Columnist In Ryan’s first season Nolan Ryan. It was with the Angels, he the home runs that recorded the lowest tripped you up, right? ERA he ever would with the Ryan has been an iconic base- team, 2.28, along with an amazball figure for even the most ing 329 strikeouts and a .171 casual followers of the game. opponents’ batting average, the The second half of Ryan’s career lowest of his career. Ryan tossed staged him in Houston playing the first no-hitter of his career for the Astros for a solid nine on May 15 of the ’73 season, years, only to head up north followed exactly two months to finish his stellar career with later by his second no-hitter. five years of service in the Texas Ryan was finally given the notoRangers organization. riety he deserved in California To understand the legend, a as he made his first trip to the history of Ryan’s childhood is All-Star game in 1979. The ’79 a necessity. Baseball’s strikeout season would be his last in the king grew up in Alvin, a small Golden State, as Ryan jumped town less than an hour’s drive at the opportunity of returnsouth of Houston. He had a ing to the great state of Texas to reputation in high school for play with the Astros. having an awesome fastball but Ryan’s performance took a little or no control. The New dip with his return to the NaYork Mets took a chance with tional League, although he did the skilled teenager and selected manage to record his 3,000th him in the 10th round of the career strikeout on July 4, 1980. 1965 free-agent draft. He was He returned to his fiery self the introduced to the major leagues following year, posting a caa year later with astonishing reer-low 1.69 ERA in 21 games results, in a bad way. Ryan was of work. He gave up only two terrible in his first two games, home runs the entire season, with an earned run average of the lowest number of his career 15.00 in just three innings of for a full year of work. work. He had six strikeouts, Ryan recorded his 4,000th three bases on balls and an opcareer strikeout in 1985 and ponents’ batting average of .357, followed that up with 194 more than .100 points above strikeouts in 178 innings durthe average at the time. ing the ’86 campaign. Ryan’s Ryan played no more of the blazing fastball, which regularly ’66 season and spent much of touched down on the 100 milethe ’67 season in military serper-hour mark, dominated hitvice. He returned with a bang ters throughout his career, but in ’68, posting 133 strikeouts was especially amazing during in 134 innings along with an his years in Texas as he neared opponents’ batting average of his late 30s. The Express moved .200, foreshadowing what was to the Rangers organization in to come. After the ’71 season, 1989 to cap off his career with the Ryan “Express” arrived in five more seasons in the AmeriCalifornia after a trade in which can League.

Ryan captured his 5,000th strikeout in the ’89 campaign against Rickey Henderson on Aug. 22. He threw his sixth nohitter the next season, followed by his final no-hitter in 1991 at the age of 44. The Ryan Express was known for his gritty and tough attitude throughout his career even at the somewhat tender age of 46. After he nailed Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox, Ventura took offense. He charged Ryan, hoping to knock him down, but instead was caught in a headlock and pummeled by Ryan until the umpire stopped the brawl. The 1993 season would be Ryan’s last as he posted below-average statistics across the board. The strikeout king’s cowboy-like demeanor left a lasting impression on Texas baseball as he took his place in the baseball revolution that brought up many homegrown ballplayers with bulging arms and previously unimaginable strength. Ryan’s final season was highlighted by a special event at Arlington Stadium, the home of the Rangers. Any fans that were named either “Nolan” or “Ryan” were welcomed to engage in a parade around the field prior to an evening game. More than 1,000 fans turned out for the event, leaving a mark of Texas pride that mirrored Ryan’s expansive personality. With his pitching days over, Ryan turned his skills towards running his numerous ranches and becoming the main shareholder of the Jackson Generals, a Double-A franchise of the Texas League. Ryan and his son Reid relocated the club to Round Rock, just outside of Austin, where it became a Triple-A team in the Pacific Coast League. The Ryans would wait months until a vote on the name of the new club among the townspeople became official, but in hindsight it seems

Texas State football new editions Texas State 2005 Signing Class: Karrington Bush RB 5-10 176 Whitewright, Texas (Whitewright HS) Will Conners OL 6-4 285 San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft HS) Jervoress Crenshaw DB 6-0 185 Delray, Fla. (American Heritage HS)/Reedley College Alex Darley WR 6-3 185 Corpus Christi, Texas (Four Bluff HS) Darrin Edwards DL 6-3 315 Wharton, Texas (Wharton HS)/Navarro JC Bryan Ferris OL 6-3 290 Katy, Texas (Katy HS) Da’Marcus Griggs WR 6-0 160 Bay City, Texas (Bay City HS) Taylor Haese OL 6-1 275 Burnet, Texas (Burnet HS) Kenneth Hampton DB 6-1 180 Tyler, Texas (John Tyler HS) Travis Houston DL 6-2 216 Converse, Texas (Converse Judson HS) Chris Jenkins DL 6-2 285 Sugar Land, Texas (Lamar Consolidated HS) Crawford May OL 6-1 292 Miami, Fla. (Jackson HS)/Reedley College Andre McCorkle RB 6-2 190 Corpus Christi, Texas (Flour Bluff HS) Ric Palmer LB 5-11 205 Pittsburg, Texas (Pittsburg HS) Trinity Valley Robert Ramirez OL 6-1 311 Houston,

Texas (North Shore HS) Winston Ruelas OL 6-2 286 Victoria, Texas (St. Joseph HS) Morgan Taylor DB 5-11 191 Friendswood, Texas (Clearbrook HS)/Cisco JC Orlando Toldson DL 6-0 284 Texas (Westﬁeld Senior HS) Justin Wesley WR 6-1 169 Cuero, Texas (Cuero HS)

Texas State Spring Roster Additions: Kyle Bronson PK 6-0 190 So./TR Tampa, Fla./Wharton HS/South Florida Jake Brown WR 6-0 180 Fr./TR Ennis, Texas/Ennis/Texas Tech Rick Culbert WR 6-0 180 So./TR Vidor, Texas/Vidor HS/Arkansas Julian Humble DL 6-4 250 Jr./TR San Antonio, Texas/Judson HS/Blinn JC Andrew Ireland PK 5-8 194 So./TR Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS/Baylor Cameron Luke WR 6-2 205 So./TR Klein, Texas/Edison HS/Utah State David Ramirez QB 6-2 202 Fr./TR Red Oak, Texas/Grace Preparatory Academy/ Purdue Mark Washington DL 6-3 250 Jr./TR Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly/Arizona St. Jamal Williams RB 5-11 195 Jr./TR Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale HS/Reed

Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch THE MAN: Former Houston Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan throws out the ceremonial ﬁrst pitch. The St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros faced off during game three of the National League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Oct. 15, 2005.

almost presdestined. The team was named the Express, in honor of all the hard work and diligence Ryan had paid to the state of Texas and its baseball programs. In January 1999, Ryan was elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., in his ﬁrst year of eligibility. Ryan’s current business interests include partial ownership

of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League. He also appears in TV ads for Advil. Ryan threw out the ﬁrst pitch of Game 3 of the 2005 World Series in Houston, the ﬁrst series game ever played in Texas. He recorded just over 2,800 strikeouts and three of his major-league-record seven no-

hitters with Texas ball clubs. No one has been or will be remembered more for his accomplishments on the Texas diamond than the Express, nor will anybody else ever exert the inﬂuence he has on a generation of hard-nosed ballplayers with the determination and drive he imposed on the Astros and Rangers organizations.

Texas State signs 19 freshmen in preparation for 2006 season

Additions to team make for major renovations on the field

to the program from Division I schools along with two junior college transfers who have already joined the program. “We had to have offensive and defensive linemen, and we had to get big defensive backs,” Bailiff said. “We were able to fill those needs. But beyond that, you look at all the young men who went to the playoffs and played in the postseason. We signed a lot of young men who know how to win. “If we retain them and graduate them, a lot of great things are going to happen to this bunch.” The Bobcats junior college signees included a pair of players off a Reedley College team, which won a conference title and produced former Texas State defensive backs Derwin Straughter and Melvin Webber. Texas State signed defensive back Jervoress Crenshaw and offensive lineman Crawford May off Reedley’s championship team. Texas State’s other junior college transfers include Navarro Junior College defensive lineman Darren Edwards, Trinity Valley Community College linebacker Ric Palmer and Cisco Junior Spencer Millsap/Star photo College defensive back Morgan Taylor. GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Coach David Bailiff of the Texas State Already enrolled at Texas Bobcat football team signs Clarissa Schwab’s souvenir helmet State this spring is former South following the 2006 Texas State Football Recruitment Ceremony in Florida kicker Kyle Bronson, the Sac-n-Pac Room at Bobcat Stadium Wednesday night. Texas Texas Tech wide receiver Jake State signed 19 national letters of intent. Brown, Arkansas wide receiver Rick Culbert, Baylor kicker AnBy Ron Mears class numbers and we were able drew Ireland, Utah State wide Texas State Media Relations to do that with the high school receiver Cameron Luke, Purdue and junior college signees as quarterback David Ramirez and Texas State football coach Da- well as the transfers, which en- Arizona State defensive lineman vid Bailiff and his staff signed rolled here this semester.” Mark Washington. 19 student-athletes to national With the loss of 27 seniors The ’Cats had two junior letters of intent on Wednesday, from last year’s 11-3 South- college transfers enroll for the the first day of the NCAA’s na- land Conference championship current spring semester. Both tional signing period. team, the Bobcats looked to fill Blinn Junior College transfer “I think this is a very talent- the void with the signing of 14 Julian Humble and Reedley ed bunch,” Bailiff said. “I be- high school seniors along with College transfer Jamal Willieve we are going to win a lot five junior college transfers. liams will take part in spring of football games with them. Additionally, Texas State has drills starting later this month We’re still trying to balance our seven spring semester additions at Texas State.

02 02 2006

Published on Feb 2, 2006

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