07 25 2007

THE REAL WORLD

FALL FASHION FUSION Look cool despite hot weather

Alumni’s life after college ball SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

JULY 25, 2007

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 83

Administration halts ASG Constitution amendments

By Nick Georgiou News Editor Several amendments made to the Associated Student Government Constitution during the spring semester hit a roadblock after being reviewed by the administration.

John Garrison, associate vice president of student affairs, said the wording of some of the amendments, which were approved by a stu-

dent referendum in March, conflicts with university and Regents’ Rules, in addition to ASG’s three governing documents.

“There seems to be some conflict with regard to how all of that interacts and there was also concern with regard to some language in Regents’ Rules that’s not consistent with the language in some of the amendments that were proposed and passed,” Garrison said.

A committee will soon be appointed to address these conflicts and make sure the amendments are in compliance with the rules.

One amendment, for example, added a paragraph to the ASG Constitution preamble that says ASG “reserves the right to legislate, take up and act upon any issue affecting any student of Texas State University for any reason.”

The administration did not approve of this new wording.

“Adoption of this proposed amendment as originally worded could potentially result in ASG intervening on behalf of a student who does not want ASG intervention,” Garrison said.

He said the university would accept the following modification: “The Associated Student Government, in its role of representing the students of Texas State fairly and honestly, reserves the right to adopt legislation and pursue other appropriate initiatives to address

any expressed issues or concerns brought to ASG for resolution when those issues or concerns affect or have the potential to affect students or student organizations at Texas State.”

Another amendment with a conflict, Garrison said, is one that added the word “official” to Article 1, Section 2 of the constitution to say ASG is the primary official forum of See ASG, page 5

Construction projects seen through campus

By Laura Morehead News Reporter

Monty Marion/Star photo DANGEROUS DIVE: Despite warning signs, daredevils jump Saturday from the Spring Lake dam into the rushing waters near Joe’s Crab Shack after heavy rains caused water levels to rise significantly.

City Council nixes RR 12 public park

By Scott Thomas News Reporter The San Marcos City Council opted not to build a public park on the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Craddock Avenue at their meeting July 17.

Council members Pam Couch, Daniel Guerrero, Chris Jones and Mayor Susan Narvaiz reasoned the city could not endorse the park because it did not fit with the city’s master plan.

Original plans started with a citizen’s grass roots campaign to have the park built. However, Narvaiz questioned the intent of the campaign.

“I believe the motivation initially was you didn’t want development there,” Narvaiz said. “I don’t want that to be the motivation that moves this council.”

She was referring to commercial development that businesses and some citizens were hoping would occupy the land.

This includes a Wal-Mart that was seeking to purchase the land last year, which started the campaign to raise $5 million for the parkland.

“When I was campaigning I had people come up to me and say, ‘Bring something to this part of town,’” said place 5 councilwoman Couch.

Couch did propose a compromise which she said would allow for park space and commercial development on the land.

“I don’t like to think the

purchase means all or nothing,” Couch said. “I would like for us to have both commercial with walk ways.”

Another major factor for not supporting the park was the wellbeing of parks already in place.

“Right now we have a stronger need for upkeep and maintenance of what we have,” said place 3 Councilman Guerrero.

“Let’s ensure what we currently have is up to par.”

Place 2 Councilman Gaylord Bose, a supporter of the park, said the development would not hinder the upkeep of other San Marcos grounds.

He said obtaining a grant would allow the city to spread the funds out across the community.

“One thing most people don’t realize is most parks are down river,” Bose said.

He said there is not enough park space for adults in the Craddock area.

San Marcos resident Tom Rhodes, who lives on RR 12, told the council he contacted 22 homes and could not get a hold of anybody who opposed development of the park.

He said his neighborhood is a strong supporter of the park.

Sherry Gibson, another San Marcos resident, said she supported the commercial development of the land in order for economic growth, stating San Marcos needed more light-industrial, medical and higherpaying jobs.

Today’s Weather

Scattered Storms 83˚

Precipitation: 60% Humidity: 74% UV: 9 Very High Wind: SE 10 mph

he plan “T encourages use of alternate

modes of transportation (such as bicycles and use of the bus) to encourage fewer cars on the university property and in the city.”

—Nancy Nusbaum Master Plan project leader

Romey Swanson, wild life ecology graduate student. “I’m happy that the space will be used for more landscaping.”

Bobcat Trail will be converted to a shaded walkway that will run See PLAN, page 5

Former First Lady’s efforts felt nationwide

By Nick Georgiou News Editor Most Texas State students are too young to remember Lady Bird Johnson, but the impact the former First Lady had can be seen from coast to coast. From the bluebonnets and wildflowers rolling alongside Texas highways to the beautification of city parks and neighborhoods nationwide, the late Lady Bird Johnson left behind a lasting legacy.

“I just think we are really at an end of an era with her passing,” said Edward Mihalkanin, associate professor of political science.

“No matter what people though about her husband, there is uniform respect for Mrs. Johnson.”

Surrounded by family, the former First Lady died July 11 of natural causes at Seton Hospital in Austin. She was 94.

What followed was an outpouring of support and remembrance for the woman who devoted her life to making Texas and the nation a more habitable place to live.

Lady Bird was quoted as saying, “The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become.”

During her time as First Lady, she was involved with promoting the Highway Beatification Project, Society for a More Beautiful

Nation’s Capitol and the Head Start Program. Soon after, states across the county began implementing similar initiatives.

“Her passion for the beatification of our nation is why we can enjoy our nation’s national and local parks that many of us spend our weekends camping at,” said Cassandra Ragin, biology senior.

“And to make this more local look around our campus… It’s beautiful. I can honestly say that was a major factor in why I choose this university. We as students need to learn to take pride in the beauty of our campus.”

As a young girl, Ragin fondly recalled taking annual family trips to Brenham during the springtime, where they would take

pictures amongst the blooming bluebonnets and visit the Bluebell ice cream factory.

“As a child, I never really appreciated those things,” she said.

“It took until about two years ago when we had our last family trip to truly appreciate the family time and the beauty that surrounded us that I can honestly say Lady Bird had an impact on.”

In remembrance of Lady Bird, a memorial was placed by the LBJ statue, allowing students, faculty and staff to offer their condolences in a notebook which will be sent to the Johnson family. The memorial eventually had to be moved to the LBJ Student Center because of the weather.

Ragin, who is president of the Texas State Student Volunteer Connection, played a part in setting up a memorial.

“When we received word that Lady Bird Johnson had passed, we knew something needed to be done in her honor,” Ragin said.

“She and her husband have done too much for this university and Texas as a whole for us as students to not have an opportunity to pay our respects.”

Her husband, former President Lyndon Johnson, and grandson, Lyndon Johnson Nugent, earned their degrees from the university and in 1983, Lady Bird received an honorary doctorate from Southwest Texas State University.

Matthew Priest, finance and economics senior and president of the Student Foundation, played a role in establishing a memorial on campus, saying even though Lady Bird did never attended the university; she embodied the spirit of Texas State.

Monty Marion/Star photo “She was the person that was

FINAL GOODBYES: The ceremonial cortege carrying Lady Bird Johnson passes by July 15 near the Capitol Building in Austin as it makes its way to Johnson City.

Two-day Forecast Thursday Scattered Storms Temp: 82°/ 73° Precip: 60%

Road closings to start construction for the Concho Green Project is just one microcosm of the Campus Master Plan. Like some other plans set forth, the Concho project will eliminate parking space and roads to plant grass and trees.

The Texas State Campus Master Plan was launched in 2003 to outline plans for improvement of the university through the 2015 school year. It outlines the guiding principles and construction projects that are going to take place on campus.

One major project involves replacing ground parking lots with green spaces and building more garages to solve commuter problems. Green space can be large open grassy areas or garden spaces for pedestrians.

“I like that they are removing ground parking lots without sacrificing student parking,” said

Friday Thunder Storms Temp: 83°/ 73° Precip: 60%

Inside News ........... 1,3,5 Opinions ............ 6 Trends ............. 7,9

Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Diversions ........ 10 Classifieds ....... 11 Sports .............. 12

See FIRST LADY, page 5

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star

Page 2 - The University Star

NEWS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

NEWS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

African rebels intimidate locals wanting to move to U.S.

News Briefs Poisonous hot dog products recalled

Certain hot dog sauces and other products manufactured

by Castleberry Food Company are being recalled because of the possible contamination of botulism, an organism that can cause serious paralytic disease.

Two Texans, and two others outside the state, became ill with the virus after consuming Castleberry’s Austex hot dog chili sauce.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of the products that have a “best by” date from April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009.

Non-Castleberry products that were produced in the same plant include Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Morton House Corned Beef Hash, Cattle Drive Chili With Beans, Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, Meijer Corned Beef Hash and Bunker Hill Chili No Beans.

Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness.

Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, as the organism can be deadly.

Murder suspect flees to San Marcos Paul Salopek/Chicago Tribune WAITING AND WATCHING: A Kunama boy stands in the Shimelba refugee camp June 28 in northern Ethiopia. Insurgents depending on the camp for recruits and war taxes have been replaying old episodes of Roots to convince the unworldly Kunamas whipping posts and shackles await them in America.

By Paul Salopek Chicago Tribune SHIMELBA REFUGEE CAMP, Ethiopia — A strange thing happened recently on the long and twisting refugee trail to America.

More than 4,000 war-displaced pastoralists belonging to Eritrea’s Kunama tribe, some of them languishing in this malarial holding camp for years, received a golden offer the world’s 9 million other refugees only dream of: free resettlement in the land of riches and liberty, the United States of America. Yet, to the bewilderment of aid workers, the overwhelming majority of Kunamas answered with a resounding, “No, thanks.”

“People don’t want to be sold as slaves in America,” refugee Dawit Feliche, 30, explained matter-offactly in his dank camp hut. Sensing skepticism, he added gravely, “And they don’t want to be killed by your police.”

Or at least that’s the message emanating from a makeshift video parlor operated in Shimelba camp by local rebels.

In one of the more surreal cases of a liberation movement intimidating refugees, the insurgent — a tiny Eritrean group that depends on the camp for recruits and war taxes — have been replaying old episodes of Roots, the fabled 1970s mini-series about the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, to convince the unworldly Kunamas that whipping posts and shackles await them in America.

Kunta Kinte, the series’ hapless 18th-century protagonist, was on many refugees’ lips during a recent visit to the remote camp.

So were anxious questions about the ultra-violent cop shows that rebels were screening to impress the tribe with U.S. police brutality.

The result: By last week, barely 700 Kunamas, a disappointing fraction of the thousands of grizzled herders who have fled persecution in neighboring Eritrea, were packing up their sandals

and flying off to new lives in U.S. towns and cities.

“It’s pretty standard to run into interference from rebels in Africa,” said David Murphy of the International Rescue Committee, an aid group working in Shimelba camp. “But this is something else.

It’s just bizarre.”

And, for many Kunamas, tragic.

Most of the refugees duped by the rebels’ Hollywood fare won’t get a second chance to seek haven in the U.S., immigration experts said.

The doleful saga of the Kunamas began seven years ago, United Nations sources say, after Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a fierce border war that killed at least 70,000 people.

Though they are Eritreans, the independent-minded Kunamas backed the Ethiopians in that conflict — a decision that exposed the 100,000-strong tribe to brutal crackdowns in their homeland.

Eritrean security forces began arresting the largely illiterate pastoralists for sedition. Some Kunamas were shot. And by late 2000, the frightened herders were pushing their bony cows and camels across minefields into Ethiopia, where about 4,200 have been stuck in desolate camps ever since — one of the hundreds of displaced populations in Africa.

Then, in 2005, the Kunamas won the equivalent of the global refugee jackpot: The U.N. successfully nominated the oppressed minority for resettlement to the United States.

The U.S. takes in more refugees than any other nation in the world — about 41,000 in the last year alone. But hosting entire populations, such as the famous “Lost Boys” of Sudan, has become exceedingly rare.

“We got our first surprise when three-quarters of the eligible Kunamas didn’t even apply,” said a U.N. refugee worker who spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak with the news media. “We had people walking 50 kilometers (31 miles)

to tell us they didn’t want to go to America. That was new.”

Indeed, the Kunamas’ broad rejection of U.S. generosity has made them minor celebrities within aid circles in Africa.

Most refugee workers have pegged the tribe’s reluctance to leave Africa to romantic notions, particularly a deep attachment to the land. And many older people in Shimelba, who still cook their meals on the ground and are unfamiliar with the operation of a doorknob, did seem unwilling to stray too far from their nomad’s paradise of white thorns and red earth.

“I will stay,” said Tuqua Kena, 76, an elder in a dingy robe whose herd of 15 cows died of unknown sicknesses in the camp. “I have heard good things about America.

But it is too cold.”

But even a brief walk through the camp’s rain-sodden alleys revealed a different sort of chill blowing through refugees’ huts.

In separate interviews, more than a half-dozen frightened Kunamas detailed a crude but effective intimidation campaign being waged against U.S. resettlement by the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama, an obscure rebel group opposing the rule of Eritrea.

Several factions of the insurgents, numbering a few hundred guerrillas, are using the camp as a recruiting pool, the refugees said. The rebels were exacting a weekly tax of one Ethiopian birr — or about 11 cents — from each adult in the camp.

“They show the Kunta Kinte videos, and tell people that’s going to happen to them,” said a refugee who was too frightened to share his name. “They spread stupid stories. They tell the villagers that white people in America want to take the Kunamas’ organs.”

Such rumors are backed up with late-night visits by rebel enforcers who first cajole, then threaten to beat those who had signed up for resettlement, all of the refugees said.

“Only the most educated among us are still committed to going,” said a Kunama teacher who also asked not to be identified. “All of our old people don’t know any better. They accept everything the rebels say.”

The teacher sat forlornly in his hut, dressed in clean, handwashed shirt and polished shoes as if already waiting to board his flight to Florida or Nevada — two of the destinations slated for Kunama refugees.

In mud-smeared Shimelba, a rebel representative seemed unnerved when confronted with the accusations.

“The movies are for entertainment,” said Usman Saleh, a skinny insurgent clad in a T-shirt stenciled with the phrase “Together in Harmony.” “There is no pressure. What you are saying is impossible.”

Yet it isn’t, as most aid workers know. From Darfur to Lebanon, refugees have been coerced to stay put by local militias who have needed them for cannon fodder.

During Sudan’s recent northsouth civil war, rebels even forced refugees to settle near their bases at gunpoint, so as to “farm” their food aid.

On the hardscrabble plains of northern Ethiopia, the barrier to leaving wasn’t that dramatic.

It was a grass-roofed hut that showed bloody American videos on a generator-powered television. The Kunamas who chose to ignore them were to arrive in America this week.

A man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in Fort Worth was arrested July 14 in San Marcos after a four-hour standoff with the Hays County SWAT. The suspect, Charles Ford, apparently fled to a friend’s house the day after the shooting.

Fort Worth police contacted local authorities to tell them they believed the suspect was in the area. Law enforcement located the suspect and eventually got Ford to surrender without using force.

He was arrested and transported to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin for what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

ALERRT program receives federal grant The university’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Program will receive an almost $300,000 grant through the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act fund.

The program works to combat campus violence by training law enforcement authorities throughout the state on how to respond to matters of terrorist situations, including campus violence.

“Giving our students the opportunity to learn and grow in

a protected environment is essential to helping Texas youth achieve their potential,” said Gov. Rick Perry in a news release. “By training local and campus law enforcement, the ALERRT Program will better secure Texas schools and allow students to focus on their daily academic tasks.”

The governor’s Criminal Justice Division, which distributes grants from the Safe and DrugFree Schools and Communities Act fund, awards more than $113 million each year.

Parkland secured in joint effort The Spring Lake preserve, which encompasses 251 acres of parkland, was successfully secured by Texas State, the city of San Marcos and Hays County.

The $5.1 million needed to purchase the mostly-undeveloped parkland was completed after a $360,000 donation from the McCoy Foundation. A recent $10,000 donation will be used to build park trails.

City officials are planning a celebration for the park in August.

—Compiled from various news sources

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

NEWS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

FIRST LADY:

The University Star - Page 5

Beautification projects make nation ‘more habitable’ CONTINUED from page 1

willing to help,” Priest said. “She didn’t care who you were or where you came from, if you needed help and were willing to work for it, she was the kind of person to lend a helping hand.”

Unlike some other First Ladies, Lady Bird maintained a public presence and continued her civic engagement up until she died.

Mihalkanin said this showed the “commitment she had as a person, as a Texan and as an American.”

After leaving the White House, she led an initiative to clean up the shores of Town Lake in Austin and in 1982 she co-founded the National Wildlife Research Center, which was later renamed in her honor. According to the center’s Web site, their purpose is to “protect and preserve North Monty Marion/Star photo America’s native plants and natural landscapes.”

FINAL SENDOFF: Well-wishers line Congress Avenue July 15 in Austin to watch the procession carIt has since become an influenrying the Lady Bird Johnson pass the Capitol Building en route to Johnson City. tial and world-renowned facility.

Although the word “beatification” is commonly used to describe Lady Bird’s efforts, she never used the term.

“For her, I think, if you plant a bunch of shade trees, you don’t make it more beautiful; you make it more habitable, you make it more livable,” Mihalkanin said.

“Beauty sometimes is seen to be an add on — a luxury — and I think the reason why she rejected the term ‘beautification’ is not that she didn’t want the world to be a better looking place, but that she didn’t want people to think this was an add on; that this was an afterthought; that this was something we could do after we have taken care of everything else.”

Lady Bird was careful about the language she used, taking a different thought approach to environmental protection. She said it was about stewardship — a duty Americans have to maintain the land they inhabit.

Mihalkanin said this approach appealed to both sides of the congressional aisle.

“By using the certain language

that she did she was able to appeal to people who would otherwise dismiss it as, ‘Oh we are protecting a butterfly,’ but rather to expand the idea to say the land is what made us, us,” Mihalkanin said.

Lady Bird, born Claudia Alta Dec. 22, 1912, was raised on a plantation in the East Texas town of Karmack, which lies just miles from the Louisiana border. After her mother died when she was 5, she was mostly raised by her aunt.

In high school, she was very shy. It is said when Lady Bird was on path to be valedictorian for her high school class, she purposefully did poorly on her schoolwork so she would not have to be the one to speak at the graduation ceremony.

Somewhere thereafter, Lady Bird changed.

“There was a sheer force of will, and her intelligence and her graciousness that she transformed herself into the wife of one of the most public people in the U.S. in the 20th century,” Mihalkanin said.

ASG: Final committee report pending PLAN: Project will add more CONTINUED from page 1

student opinion.

According to Regents’ Rules, student government is not referred to as the official forum of student opinion on campus.

The rule states: “The student government on each campus shall be a recognized forum of student opinion.”

“This wording would indicate that student government plays a very important role in voicing student opinion, but it is not the only forum of student opinion,” Garrison said.

Kyle Morris, former ASG president for the 2006-2007 school year, said he is not aware of any conflicts.

“When you pass an amendment that’s approved by the student body then it changes it so there shouldn’t be any conflict,” Morris said.

The administration has authority over ASG and all amendments have to be approved by the university president and the vice president of student affairs.

“Any amendments have to come through my office and the (university) president either has to agree or not agree as it relates to amendments,” said Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs. “Part of that is taking a look at any conflict with (university and Regents’ Rules).”

Three other amendments to be reviewed relate to the reapportionment of the ASG senate.

These amendments were approved by the university pending the Constitutional Review Committee’s final report. The amendments redesigned the senate by increasing the number of senate seats from 40 to 60, decreasing college representation and instead creating on-campus, off-campus and at-large seats.

“There are various places where you need to make changes based on new structures,” Smith said. “So one of the things that we’re wanting to do is get a representative group together to take a look at the whole constitution and just make suggestions as to where there needs to be some changes based on some of the

amendments that were passed.”

The committee will further review ASG’s three governing documents — the constitution, the election code and the code of laws — to make sure the new Senate structure is in accordance with these documents.

Of the six amendments, one did receive final approval by the university. This amendment repealed the requirement that says ASG presidential candidates have to serve at least two semesters in student government in order to run for office.

The Constitutional Review Committee, which will be comprised of students, faculty and staff, is expected to be appointed soon and will work into the fall semester. The committee will write a report and submit it to University President Denise Trauth.

“This review will ensure that all ambiguities are eliminated, all conflicts with Regents’ Rules and university policy are addressed and all segments of the redesigned organizational structure of ASG are in place next year,” Garrison said.

green space, parking on campus CONTINUED from page 1

parallel to The Quad.

“The plan encourages use of alternate modes of transportation (such as bicycles and the bus) to encourage fewer cars on the university property and in the city,” said Nancy Nusbaum, project leader of the Texas State Master Plan and the associate vice president of Student and Support Services.

The Concho Green Pedestrian Mall is to be completed by next summer.

According to the executive summary, the plan strives to build on the best qualities of the campus. Some of these qualities listed by Nusbaum were The Quad, the pond and cypress tree area at J.C. Kellam, the Theatre Center, the Spanish colonial architecture, Old Main, McCoy Hall and the river.

“When I first came to school here, all of my classes were off The Quad,” said Mary Fleming, management senior. “I love all of the ‘60s and ‘70s architecture and I hope they don’t change it.”

The Campus Master Plan further aims to enhance the relationship with the greater San Marcos community. A new fine arts and communication center will be located on Moon and University streets to welcome city residents and

the university community. The parking garage for this building will be available for the San Marcos community for a parking fee.

“This will allow more visitors…since there are insufficient parking spaces in the downtown area,” Nusbaum said.

The university will be set off from the city using a visually defining green space that will extend from the Theater Center to the soon-tobe-built fine arts and communication center and university undergraduate academic center. According to the master plan, Old Main will remain the defining symbol of Texas State.

Research used to form the Campus Master Plan was obtained through web surveys of students, faculty and staff, presentations to the Texas State and San Marcos community and open forums. The plan is based on key assumptions.

Some of these include that the student body will not exceed 30,000, new doctoral programs will be added and the land area for the campus will not significantly change.

✯ FYI

The complete Texas State Campus Master Plan can be viewed on line at www.vpfss. txstate.edu/cmp/

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection For news updates throughout the summer, check out www.UniversityStar.com.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - Page 6

Opinions Contact — Sydney Granger, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

I

t’s been a summer of lawsuit settlement coverage for The University Star.

Texas State doled out $360,000 to settle two lawsuits; one brought by Ryan Rudnicki, a former tenured professor who claimed he was unlawfully terminated, and the other, Carroll D. Wiley, a former high-ranking staff member who claimed the university misused a $1.2 million donor fund. Wiley was fired a few months after reporting the potential misuse to law enforcement authorities.

The third and most recent settlement involved a Texas State student who was molested by a former San Marcos deputy sheriff in the back of his patrol car. That civil suit brought by the student ended with a settlement worth $125,000.

Because a majority of cases are settled out of court, it is not surprising the same thing happened in these lawsuits.

But what happens to justice when cases are settled out of court? Apparently, justice takes the backseat.

In the case of the former tenured professor, if a decision had been rendered by the court, it could have established a precedent regarding the controversial post-tenure review, a statewide policy which the university used to fire the professor. A court decision on the Wiley lawsuit would have determined if the school did in fact misuse the donor fund.

Instead, the plaintiffs walked off with a hefty check, the cases were dismissed by the court and forgotten. There is no clear winner or loser, no justice served, and as per the settlement agreement, no admission of guilt.

There are numerous reasons why so many cases end in a settlement. An important factor to consider is that with the sheer amount of lawsuits filed, the court system cannot handle so many cases; it’s congested and backed up enough as it is.

And the courts don’t have a problem with settlements. They even advocate for it by requesting mediation or settlement conferences.

Another factor to consider is the money involved in a lawsuit. Some parties cannot afford to pay court costs and legal fees, so they are more likely to agree on a settlement. At play here is money and power. Billion-dollar corporations have no problem paying a few hundred thousand dollars to settle lawsuits. Why go to trial when they can pay the money, avoid the possibility of losing the case and the subsequent bad publicity?

This scenario also spawns more lawsuits and works to plaintiffs’ advantage, who could bring forth ludicrous claims just because they think they can get some money from a settlement deal.

“For those that think plea bargains and settlements are unjust, one possible solution would be expand the court system so that more cases are heard in court,” said Gilbert Martinez, assistant journalism professor who teaches a course in media law. “This is an unworkable solution under our current system.

It would require many more resources devoted to the court system, and many more hours from citizen juries.”

So whether one agrees with the amount of cases settled out of court, the question remains whether justice should be served in the system created for it, or in this subsidiary system we’ve allowed to exist.

SETTLED

Support for local growers betters life, community

SUITS

While the area could do more, San Marcos doesn’t do too badly as far as food is concerned.

BILL RIX Chartwells is Star Columnist finally making strides in providing those vegetarian and vegan students with meal trades something to look forward to at the dining halls. The increased exposure is alerting more people to the existence of the local farmer’s market.

Well and fine are these advances being made, but extramural eats are found wanting: The health conscious residents often find themselves making a trek to Austin for the best nature can supply.

A paradox is presented, though, when trying to find the best. For the San Marcos area, many of the goods we purchase come from afar, as the local market scene isn’t as large as that of Austin.

Activists have been urging people to “buy local” for ages now, but what’s the fuss about? More than we’ve been privy to. Buying goods produced locally cuts down on the massive CO2 output caused by importing. Fruits, vegetables and other consumables from across the world must circumnavigate the globe before they make it to the supermarkets, most logging thousands of miles in the process.

Locally grown goods on the other hand, such as those found at farmers markets, might see only 40 or 50 road miles. This shortened traveling time decreases harmful emissions and ensures extra freshness. Which would you rather have, anyway — an ear of corn grown, harvested and packaged abroad or from a neighboring county, still warm from being in the sun earlier that day?

The weak dollar factors into this as well, making imports more expensive. Gas is affected by the economy — coupled with a wavering greenback, the price of acquiring goods harvested and made from afar grows daily.

There’s much to be said about a strong local economy. In a college town, where a vast majority of the money spent comes from the student population, it’s of utmost importance to the economy to recycle the money, to keep it in the hands of Central Texas employees and business owners. Why eat at Chipotle, anyway, when down the street you could eat better at Zooka’s, or around the corner at Taqueria El Charro? Same goes for Subway, Which Wich? and the rest of the big-business interlopers. For these businesses to even be around in a year will be a tragedy for local small business and a sore on the city.

It’s convenient to be able to fight and make a difference with your checkbook, but at some point such idle and ostensibly effete methods of protest will fall short of real action and politicking.

Healthy bodies and healthy economies are tied together, so ensure care of both.

Out of court settlements compromise legal process

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 University-San Marcos.

Claude Dylan Ramey/Star illustration

Misdemeanors served for those unable to use alcohol sensibly With the beginning of students driving around San the fall semester, students Marcos who drink alcohol and will see an increased police are not at least 21. If such a presence in the form of person is stopped, the wide more officers on the street discretion granted to the poas well as sting operations. lice makes it incredibly easy Because of this, it is as for a quick trip to Taco Cabana important as ever for stuto turn into a quick trip to dents to be acutely aware of Hays County lock-up. The first CARSON GUY their actions and potential offense for driving while under Star Columnist consequences for breaking the influence will result in a the law. Common tickets given to Class C misdemeanor, punishable by students include driving while intoxia fine not to exceed $500. It is likely cated, driving under the influence the offender will be required to atand providing alcohol to a minor. tend an alcohol awareness program, According to the Zero Tolerance complete community service and law passed in 1997, it is illegal for likely lose their license for 60 days. any person younger than 21 to Another common ticket handed drive with any detectable amount of out by the San Marcos Police Departalcohol in their system. The zeroment is driving while intoxicated. A tolerance aspect of this law grants a DWI is more serious than a DUI and wide berth to police officers in the intended for drivers at least 21 years field. Undoubtedly, there are many of age with alcohol in their system

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

Editor In Chief.................................Maira Garcia, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.....................Sydney Granger, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor...................................Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.......................Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor...................................Monty Marion, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor............................Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu

exceeding the legal limit of .08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration). With an offender’s first DWI, a $2,000 fine combined with between 72 hours to 180 days in jail based on the circumstances may be expected. The offender will most likely lose their license for between 90 days and 1 year. While a DUI is a Class C misdemeanor, a DWI is a Class B misdemeanor meaning it is more serious.

In a college town with people of varying ages, it is not uncommon for someone of legal age to be at the same place as someone who is not of legal age and is drinking. It may be illegal, but it is a reality people in the area must deal with. The consequences for giving alcohol to a minor are extremely stiff and might make you reconsider letting that kid drink in your garage. Providing alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor that

Copy Desk Chief.......................Colm Keane, starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor..................................Chris Clontz, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator............Les Stewart, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Advertising Sales Manager...........Jackie Pardue, starad2@txstate.edu Account Executive...............................Scott Lynch, sl1148@txstate.edu

could result in a fine of up to $4,000 and possibly confinement in jail for up to 1 year. The person 21 or older who knowingly provided or served the minor alcohol can be held liable for all damages caused by an intoxicated minor. Not only is the fine and level of the infraction very serious, but how would you like to buy a new car for someone because you gave beer to a minor who crashed into another?

All of these infractions are serious matters and require serious attention. Although some people may feel it is harmless to drive after drinking a beer or two, if you are underage the law disagrees and it will only take getting pulled over to change your life. Likewise, for people 21 and up it can be difficult to navigate the difference between how many beers are acceptable to drink while

still being able to drive. Anytime you drink and drive, no matter your age, it is a risk.

Imagine how horrible of a situation you would be in if a police officer arrives at your house and discovers your best friend who you hang out with everyday is only 20 years old and drinking at your house while you are 21. Even though your best friend might only be a few days younger than you, it does not matter in the eyes of the law and you are still exposed to the risk of getting a providing alcohol to a minor ticket.

With fees and consequences making it very costly to be caught on the wrong side of the law, students must be extremely diligent in following the laws in order to avoid fines, license suspensions, classes, probation and most importantly of all, hurting someone else.

Account Executive..................Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu Account Executive...........................Krystal Slater, ks1429@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

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 July 25, 2007. 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.

TRENDS

virtualcampus

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Texas State has become a gathering place in the online virtual reality game Second Life. In the computer game, the university is referred to as Bobcat Village. A video of the virtual campus can be seen on YouTube at www.youtube. com/watch?v=iRNP6IJwY90.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - Page 7

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Even Texas heat can’t cool fall’s hot fashions

By Elisa Botello Features Reporter

they make a statement in bright colors and bold patterns,” she said.

Get plenty of sleep, eat a big Joy Roberts, communication breakfast, strap on your walking studies senior, is a sales represhoes and defrost that credit card sentative for Two P’s and Calli’s in the freezer you have been hid- Boutique. Roberts said neutrals ing from yourare important self. The fall every fall, but fashion season this year black has begun, aland white are f you’re lowing students going to make going to to indulge in an impact. wear bright their cravings “If you’re for new fashgoing to wear colors or pastels, bright colors ions — as if they make sure you needed permisor pastels, sion. make sure you compliment it As the first compliment it with a darker fall merchanwith a darker neutral.”” dise shipments neutral,” Robarrive, local bouerts said.

—Joy Roberts tiques prepare For the communication studies for the demand fashsenior brave of the latest fall ionista, Adkins trends. Kristen suggests a Adkins, fashion merchandising sweater mini dress and knee-high junior, works as a sales repre- boots. For someone with a more sentative for Cricket’s & Lotz of conservative style, she suggests Shoes: A Unique Boutique. She a simple yet polished look with said spring and summer trends, trouser jeans and a solid top. such as skinny jeans and flats, However, fall fashions are will make an easy transition into not always easy to wear in the the fall fashion collections as out- hot Texas weather. Welkey said erwear becomes incorporated. choosing a cardigan made from Sharon Welkey, department natural fiber, such as cotton, of family and consumer sciences breaths better than synthetic fiassistant professor, said not to bers. Adkins recommends layergive your wardrobe an extreme ing light fabrics, so the outfit can makeover just yet — leopard adjust to unpredictable weather. prints, along with other animal “A white blazer over a dress prints, are not leaving the scene and boots would be a perfect outanytime soon. Prints such as fit,” said Adkins. stripes, plaid and floral are makUpscale hats such as the fedoing their ways into stores. The ra look chic with simple outfits. belted waist, skinny jean and “I would wear a fedora with a headband will also still be every- solid color — black would be cute where.

— and accessorize with silver Classic staples, such as blazers jewelry,” Adkins said. and trousers, will take on a fresh While Welkey believes designlook as designers and labels have ers are pushing hat trends, she added touches of volume and says they are rarely embraced by color to the season, Welkey said. the mass.

Jewel colors, especially purple, “I think most consumers think are expected to bring life to the they are being brave to just add a usual fall neutrals. scarf to their hair and that a hat “Leggings are efficient in the might draw too much attention,” cooler seasons, but this year said Welkey.

l a i c n a n fi s e t a r e g g a x e TV s w o h s e m ga h t i w y t i l a re

“I

graphic kland/Star Angie Stric

By Clara Cobb Trends Editor When the red lights begin flashing, then you know.

You know “The Banker” is making his move on the hit television show, Deal or No Deal, as the studio crowd boos and hisses.

Like many television shows, Deal or No Deal contributes more to its viewers than entertainment value.

Amy Jordan is director of the Media and the Developing Child research area of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

“If you consider what programs children are watching that are not specifically designed for them, there are a lot of life lessons to be observed,” she said. “It’s not a curriculum per se, but (television) does teach children a lot of implicit messages.”

American Idol is the No. 1 show viewed by children that is not designed for a young audience, Jordan said. On this show for example, life lessons children observe include how to handle criticism and what sounds pleasing.

Television broadcasts are government regulated, but network programming is done by corporate or non-profit groups for consumption by the general public, which she said makes the responsibility for programming dependent on individual perspective.

“America, our culture, has decided broadcasters do not have the same First Amendment rights as other vehicles for speech,” she said. “It is not compatible for gratuitous violence or graphic sex to be in the public interest. But, if the question is should NBC be allowed to show that bankers are bad, the answer is yes.”

Bill Chittenden, associate professor of finance and the assistant chairman of the department of finance and economics at Texas State, said he sees inaccuracies in media portrayals of financial institutions.

“Hollywood usually gets it wrong,” he said. “Anything you see in the media is an extreme case, but that’s what makes it interesting.”

However, he believes Deal or No Deal reflects public opinion.

“Banks are typically viewed as big bad institutions who are greedy and want to take all your money,” Chittenden said. “I believe that’s partially true the criticisms are usually accurate. As competition between banks increases and their profits get squeezed, they have to find new ways to nickel and dime you.”

Jordan believes one of the problems with media messaging, or life lessons in television, is parents are not watching with their children. She said watching television together gives parents opportunities for “teachable moments.”

“It’s a problem because they don’t have the opportunity, for instance, to say, ‘Hey, you know Uncle Ned is a banker, and he’s not a bad guy, or when

these people gamble, they are taking a risk.’”

Risk is something Keith Whyte is familiar with, as he is the executive director at the National Council on Problem Gambling — the second negative life lesson that could be taken from the show.

He said game shows requiring no skill absolutely perpetuate gambling. Deal or No Deal, in particular, has a Web-based play-at-home game where site users can gamble alongside contestants. Whyte believes the lack of “responsibility messages,” or viewer warnings, is part of problem.

“If you’re going to show something on one end, like Deal or No Deal or something on the other end, like the World Series of Poker, it is important to have some warning message or tagline,” he said.

“Can you imagine a world series of tequila shots?”

Gambling can be an addiction, like alcohol and tobacco, two products that do come with warning labels.

“Gambling is a treatable, preventable disease,” Whyte said. “That’s why it is important to minimize the harm.”

He said like any addiction, symptoms of gambling addiction include preoccupation, loss of control and harm.

“Most of us believe we’re luckier than other people,” Whyte said. “We have a lot of self confidence.

People with gambling issues believe they are going to win — they know they are going to win and they know they have to win.”

Jordan said these messages can impact impressionable people.

“As a parent, often times broadcasters will create an environment or characters without thinking of the audience,” she said. “As much as broadcasting is driven by great profit, they need to have a larger since of impact.”

Chittenden said television shows such as Friends or Sex in the City portray young professionals living in circumstances beyond their means for the jobs they have.

“I think there is a since of entitlement, in that most students have no true appreciation for life costs,” he said.

This attitude is similar to the booing, hissing viewers of the show.

“At least on The Price is Right, you have to have a basic knowledge of what things cost,” Chittenden said. “But I’m not sure watching a game show gives people that since of entitlement. I’d love to win that $1 million question, but I don’t think I’m entitled to it, and I don’t believe students think they are either.”

He said people should be more responsible financially, but aren’t. He used credit card agreements gone sour as an example.

“You signed the application and all that (pertinent) information is on there,” Chittenden said. “If you don’t choose to read it, that’s you decision. It is a contract. I you don’t understand it, have the common sense to have someone explain it to you.”

The same is true with any type of consumption, he said.

layers

lids

leggings

rs and n Outfitte lectic. a b r U f sy o Econoc s courte — Photo

Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson lives on at Austin flower conservation center luebells were Mrs. Johnson’s “B favorite.”

By Cristal Martinez Features Reporter

In the southwest outskirts of Austin you can find a legacy of Lady Bird Johnson’s commitment to preserving the native beauty of Central Texas.

“Bluebells were Mrs. Johnson’s favorite,” Johnny Ramirez said. The last time Johnson toured the center, she saw the wildflowers flourishing.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a refuge for those who want to see how Central Texas looked before development altered the natural landscape. Ramirez, the center’s weekend manager, said one of the purposes of the center was to gain control of how urban development was destroying the native flora.

Ramirez said at the time the center was established, people were not aware of how development was affecting the environment. Development caused the natural environment to become unbalanced and made it hard to sustain life.

At the time Lady Bird decided to conserve native plants, there was the impending risk of extinction for 30 percent of

— Johnny Ramirez Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center weekend manager

North America’s flowers.

Since the time the center opened, Ramirez has seen an increase in wildflowers in the region. The city is working with the center to conserve native plants.

The Department of Transportation is now allowing plants coloring the Texas highways to grow to full potential. In the past, plants and flowers were mowed down before the vegetation could flourish.

At the center, there has been an increase in the types of plants and flowers exhibited.

Saralee Tiede, director of communications at the Wildflower Center, said the center has grown to exhibit plants from different Texas regions. It has more become more diverse over the years.

Currently, she said the center has turned to focusing on how native plants are affecting greenhouse gasses. Researchers at the center have been working with Mithun, an architecture and planning firm, to build a carbon calculator.

This is a way to determine the carbon footprint, or the amount of greenhouse gasses being released into the atmosphere from new development, Tiede said. Native grasses show they reduce emissions by trapping some of these gasses in the soil.

The center houses different types of animals such as snakes, birds and frogs. One of its major functions is to harvest rainwater.

The center is one of the largest rainwater

harvesting locations in Texas. Most summers there is a 40 to 60 percent ratio for the water collected, and this year it has hit the 100 percent mark, said Ramirez.

Harvested rainwater can be recycled and cuts back on how many resources it takes to sustain the centers inhabitants, he said.

Ramirez said Johnson wanted to bring knowledge about the native environment to the citizens of Central Texas. He said Johnson’s favorite pastime at the center was to stroll the gardens.

In her final years, Johnson would visit once or twice a month on Sundays, said Ramirez. The purpose of the wildflower center was to preserve the native plants and wildlife found in Central Texas and other regions.

There is currently has a butterfly center, where visitors can see the different stages of development. The center has café at the center for visitors to enjoy lunch. There are natural and architectural attractions to visit, according to the center Web site.

Summer attractions include Native Night Thursdays, a time when the center is open until 9 p.m. Thursday night events are educational and bring in experts from different fields to speak to the community about some aspect of the Texas environment.

The LBJ Wildflower Center continues its mission by maintaining its plant and wildlife through funding received by admission fees, a gift store, private donations and membership fees.

Ha Lam/Fort Worth Star-Telegram Lady Bird Johnson is pushed by Damon Waitt, director of education, April 9, 2002 as they tour the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center outside Austin.

Page 8 - The University Star

TRENDS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

TRENDS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Local coffeehouses offer faceto-face contact in digital age

By Chris Copple Features Reporter In San Marcos and other college towns across the country, the coffee shop scene is alive and well, but in a state of transformation.

Coffee house regular Lauren Hofmann said as social networking Web sites MySpace and Facebook continue to grow and replace human interaction with messaging, the concept of the coffee shop is fast becoming one of the few places still around where face-to-face communication occurs.

“MySpace and Facebook play a huge roll in keeping people home,” she said. “We all need touch and communication but people stay home instead of going out now and are forgetting how to talk to people.”

Hofmann said she believes coffee shops are now a place of solitude, to read or study, offering free Internet and tables instead of intellectuals and overstuffed sofas.

Alejandro Martinez, English freshman agrees. He said as corporate coffee chains infiltrate small towns and drive out local shops, the remaining local shops have to keep up forcing them to evolve into study spots. He believes even in the face of corporations and change local coffee shops do their best to stay down to earth.

“Local coffee shops are an oasis in a sea of corporations who have the corner on the

Tracking Tre n d s Approximately 26,000 students were polled by www.collegehumor.com students to explore the weird social games people play on the Web site Facebook. Survey results found 60 percent of women and 36 percent of men used a friend’s account to access a profile they shouldn’t have access to. Sixty-five percent of users have checked up on an ex using the site. The survey also found nearly 75 percent of users have logged on while drunk.

market of almost everything,” he said.

San Marcos boasts many locally owned coffee shops, each with different specializations.

Adam Goodman, Mochas & Javas manager, said coffee shops are a relaxing place to study. “(Coffee shops) do their best to make it a study atmosphere by keeping the music mellow and low,” he said.

Martinez said there is much more going on than people studying at coffee houses. He said people are connecting to one another and students are drawn here to find connection with other likeminded individuals.

“It’s the environment and social, down-home atmosphere that people crave,” he said. “People come here to be part of the culture that is outside the box, outside what is being thrown at them.”

Coffee shops all over town are glad to provide a place of shelter to anyone who is looking for somewhere that still endorses a long, face-to-face conversation, Goodman said.

Hofmann agrees.

“A lot of intellectual people from all over come here,” she said. “Places like Tantra [Coffeehouse] are our only way to dabble into so much diverse culture in town.”

With personal communication beginning to be lost to the Internet, Hofmann said coffee houses in San Marcos are still places of community and interaction between people of all walks of life.

“Its not the coffee that makes a great coffee house, it’s the people,” Martinez said.

Drew Carey will succeed Bob Barker as the host of The Price Is Right. Carey, a Cleveland native, “came on down” to the Late Show with David Letterman, where he confirmed his job.

Gruene Historic District was recently named one of the “1000 Places to See in the U.S.A. and Canada Before You Die.” The travel guide of the same name by Patricia Schultz features Gruene as the place to go to experience a legendary Hill Country dance hall, and tells about a bit of the city’s unique history.

The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo is hosting the 6th Annual Sporting Clay Tournament Aug. 3 at the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch and Pavilion. Registration is currently taking place for teams of five for the 8:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. shoot. For more information, visit www.rodeoaustin.com.

The Austin Community College Video Games Development Program is hosting its summer information session 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 1 at ACC Highland Business Center, room 201. Students who love to play video games and want to learn how to make them can have their questions answered and visit with faculty and industry professionals.

The New Braunfels Art League will host Hot Art After Hours, 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 in their gallery. The monthly theme is Texas art. Light refreshments will be available and the event is free.

The Texas Renaissance Festival is hosting a 2007 job fair 9 a.m. Aug. 11 and 12 at the festival location on FM 1774.

The festival, located 50 miles north of Houston, runs eight consecutive weekends, Oct. 6 to Nov. 25.

Teen literature molds future celebutantes They wear highwithout trivializing fashion ensembles, sex and destructive smoke pot and have self-indulgent behavsex in posh departior. I would like to bement store dressing lieve most girls read rooms. No, these these books with critiare not characters cal alertness, and halfintended for a trashy heartedly flip through JESSICA SINN prime time soap the pages as they do Assistant Trends Editor opera; they are the with fashion magaheroines of Cecily zines. But realistically, von Ziegesar’s book there’s a good chance series, Gossip Girl. fans of the series use the books Just steer toward the young as social climbing roadmaps. adult section at the local bookMuch like the reality shows store and there will be an en- dominating prime time televitire wall of Gossip Girl books sion, the Gossip Girl series and spin-offs, such as “A-list” contains a cast of unlikable charand “Clique,” are overpower- acters with nasty dispositions, ing the shelves. These unrated which for some awful reason, book covers, displaying images attracts readers and viewers by of couture-clad conventional the millions. Take one part Sex beauties, strutting out of limos and the City, add a dash of Mean and striking poses on poolside Girls, sprinkle a healthy dose of lounge chairs, are luring mil- Cruel Intentions, shake it up and lions of young “celebutante” you’ve got Gossip Girl, a new TV wannabes to bookstores. series slated for the fall lineup.

Sadly, the growing popularity The CW, home of the Gilmore of these books is a sign of the Girls and Seventh Heaven, is times, reflecting our culture’s targeting the tween audience tumultuous fascination of nar- with its new girl-power themed cissistic, reckless lifestyles led series. by the likes of Paris Hilton.

This prime-time drama gives It’s disturbing to think millions an inside look at the dark, of young readers devour these glossy world of New York City’s novels to vicariously live cyni- teen socialites who have their cal, mean-spirited lifestyles that dirty laundry aired out by a mysare apparently ubiquitous in terious inside source. Veronica Manhattan’s elite, Upper-East Mars star Kristen Bell anonySide. mously dishes out the in-crowd’s In our dizzying technology dirty secrets with the venemous age, convincing children to put enthusiasm of an tabloid redown the iPod and pick up a porter as she busily writes Web book can be an impossible task, blogs for the sensational gossipwhich is why so many parents girl.net Web site. O.C. Creator are happy to toss these racy Josh Schwartz teamed with the teen books in their shopping CW, and aims to fill the Gilmore carts. It seems as though par- Girls demographic by fusing an ents are willing to stoop to new an ensemble cast of beautiful lows to see their children read young actors including Blake for pleasure. As long as she’s Lively (The Sisterhood of The reading, who care’s if the hero- Traveling Pants,) and a slew of ine has casual sex in hot tubs, those who look as though they calls her friends “sluts” and just fell out of the Abercrombie shoplifts at Barney’s? & Fitch catalogue.

Of course, many would arIn addition to the wide array gue these books reflect reality, of eyecandy, viewers will inevitaand say it’s the parent’s job to bly contract an addiction to the discuss the racy material with juicy plotlines, myriads of love their children. But is it really triangles and gratuitous backnecessary to catapult teenaged stabbings. Teen drama junkies girls into a whirlwind of adult sit- will to tune in each week to uations, pushing them to grow watch the priviliged prep school up too fast? students self destruct. With its It’s unfortunate to see the intricate plotlines and teen mass quantities of these nov- angst melodrama, Gossip Girl els are phasing out Judy Blume will undoubtedly be a surefire classics that help young readers guilty pleasure for One Tree Hill make sense of adolescent angst and O.C. fans.

The University Star - Page 9

FunkyBatz FunkFest II will be presenting live jazz, soul, boogaloo and funk music July 27 to 29 in Austin. A portion of the festival proceeds benefits Meals on Wheels. For more information, visit www.funkybatz.com.

— Photos courtesy of MCTdirect, — Compiled by Clara Cobb/Trends Editor

Wednesday July 25 Erickson Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Karen Abrahams Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Kent Finlay’s Songwriter’s Circle Cheatham Street Warehouse, 9 p.m.

Electric Mayhem Lucy’s San Marcos, 9 p.m.

Eric Hicsaw Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Chief Fuzzer, Muchos Backflips, Opposite Day* Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

Thursday July 26 Phil Stevens Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Pauline Reese Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Ryan James Cheatham Street, 8:30 p.m.

Shotgun Party Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Ryan Lentell, Pataphysics, Silver Pines Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

A Minute Will Reverse Lucy’s San Marcos, 10 p.m.

Robbie & The Robots Lucy’s San Marcos, 11 p.m.

Friday July 27 Highly Likely Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Miles from Nowhere, Chris Knight Gruene Hall, 8 p.m. porterdavis Cypress Creek Cafe, 9 p.m.

Chadd Thomas & The Crazy Kings Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Mark Jungers Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

Mr. Brown Lucy’s San Marcos, 10 p.m.

Saturday July 28 Gary Claxton & Friends Gruene Hall, 1 p.m.

Amanda Mora Clifford’s Original Wine Bar, 8 p.m.

Keith Davis Cheatham Street, 8:30 p.m Texas Unlimited Band Whitewater on the Horseshoe, 8 p.m.

W.C. Clark Cypress Creek Cafe, 9 p.m.

Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros* with special guest Austin Collins Gruene Hall, 9 p.m.

One-Eyed Doll Lucy’s San Marcos, 9 p.m.

Joel Hofmann Band Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Sloppy Kisses, Clay Nightingale, Three Leaf Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

Bloodshot Pyramid Lucy’s San Marcos, 11 p.m.

Sunday July 29 Matt the Electrician Gruene Hall, 12:30 p.m.

Shake Rusell Trio Gruene Hall, 5 p.m.

Open Mic Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Quickwidit Lucy’s San Marcos, 9 p.m.

Open Mic Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Monday July 30 Bruce Curtis Band Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Brian Keane

In August, Borders and Waldenbooks in Austin will work with the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area, offering educational programs to promote literacy and give books to children in need throughout the Austin community by hosting a month-long book drive. Donations may be dropped off or purchased at any bookstore location.

Victoria Beckham said in photographs she can look “a bit l i k e a miserable b***h.” However, Posh promised to smile more for America while chatting on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Big John Mills Cheatham Street, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday July 31 RC Banks Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Eleven Hundred Springs, Two Tons of Steel Gruene Hall, 8 p.m.

Trainwreck Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

The Dedringers Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

Wednesday August 1 Missoula Slim Cheatham Street, 5:30 p.m.

Josh Daniels Band Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle Cheatham Street, 9 p.m.

Electric Mayhem Lucy’s San Marcos, 9 p.m.

Thursday August 2 Patio Boys San Marcos Plaza, 7:30 p.m.

The Dedringers Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Live Oak Decline Lucy’s San Marcos, 11 p.m.

Friday August 3 Ezra Charles Gruene Hall, 8 p.m.

Michael Ballew Cypress Creek Cafe, 8:30 p.m.

John Arthur Martinez Cheatham Street, 9 p.m.

Saturday August 4 Jeff Plankenhorn

Gruene Hall, 1 p.m.

The Mother Truckers, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Gruene Hall, 9 p.m.

David Hess Clifford’s, 8 p.m.

Scott Leger, MeridianWest Whitewater, 8 p.m.

Sunday August 5 The Hudsons Gruene Hall, 12:30 p.m.

Guy Forsyth Gruene Hall, 5 p.m.

Open Mic Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Redd Volkaert San Marcos River Pub & Grill, 7:30 p.m.

Eleven Fingered Charlie Lucy’s San Marcos, 11 p.m.

Monday August 6 Mike & Rob Haedge Cheatham Street, 5:30 p.m.

Brian Keane Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Big John Mills Cheatham Street, 9 p.m.

Open Mic Lucy’s San Marcos, 9 p.m.

Tuesday August 7 Two Tons Of Steel Gruene Hall, 8:30 p.m. * Indicates CD release party If your live music event is not listed, please e-mail starentertainment@txstate.edu.

Listings must be within a 20-mile radius of the San Marcos campus.

Page 10 - The University Star

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

✯ YouTube dominates online video YouTube’s meteoric school” for helpful rise to success has left hints on how to better many bitter startups in your video filming and its wake. editing.

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video, offering those super users Director status, and does a decent job of finding and offering related and similar videos by other directors and regular, non-business or corporation-associated users.

It’s a catch-22 for YouTube: If they were to endeavor to purge all the video from non-regular users, including music videos, movies and TV shows, it would be so massive an undertaking as to never get done — YouTube’s 67 employees can’t possibly handle the strength of millions of home users uploading copyrighted materials. By the same token, if they did manage to clamp down on the illegal material, then another Web site would take its place almost immediately. YouTube’s reign is a precarious one at best.

With Google’s billion-dollar backing, it is unlikely YouTube will ever fall too far from grace.

Shortcomings aside, YouTube’s hegemony is far-reaching enough to squash competitors without lifting a finger. Only time will tell whether YouTube can hold its grasp on the online video crown. © Pappocom

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

7/11 solutions:

Monty Marion/Star photo GOING UP: Skateboarder Justin Robledo performs an ollie at the San Marcos Skate Park located behind the City Activity Center.

this space for sale

Call (512) 245-3487 or email starad1@txstate.edu for details.

7/11 solutions:

this space for sale

Call (512) 245-3487 or email starad1@txstate.edu for details.

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Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - Page 11 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

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AUTO

1997 JEEP CHEROKEE, excellent condition, new tires, 12 CD player, $2,700. (512) 353- 3224.

FOR RENT 2BD/1BA ON SHUTTLE ROUTE. Adorable layout. Perfect for students!!

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FOR RENT-APTS BEAUTIFUL 2BD/2BA IN DOWNTOWN SAN MARCOS. Call (830) 609-6162 or (830) 832-4914.

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PLACE YOUR AD NOW FOR OUR TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 WELCOME BACK SPECIAL ISSUE. Email starad1@txstate.edu for more info.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS at Dominoes Pizza for General Managers. Please call Eileen (210) 818-7091.

TEACHERS NEEDED: Now hiring part-time & full-time teachers. Education major/experience/bilingual preferred, but not required. Quality child development center in Kyle.

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THE KACTUS KIDZ CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF SAN MARCOS is needing teachers and director. Flex schedules available. Call (512) 878-8159.

FRONT DESK CLERK WANTED. Duties include: answering phones, reservations, guest check in, and check out handle cash & credit card transactions and guest services. Will train.

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EXPERIENCED SERVERS, HOSTS, AND COOKS WANTED AT PALMER’S. Apply in person between 2-4 p.m. daily. EOE. No phone calls please.

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DIRECT CARE OPPORTUNITIES: CORE Health Care is looking for individuals who would like a rewarding employment experience in the health care field. Great opportunity to work with brain injured or psychiatric residents. Full-time and part-time opportunities available in Dripping Springs. Looking to fill weekend and overnight shifts during the week. Candidate must be 21 years of age and have satisfactory driving record. Background check and drug screening required. Pay begins at $8.50, but commensurate with experience and education. Qualified candidates may be eligible for health insurance, PTO, 401K and monthly gas allowance. If eligible there is a sign-on bonus of $200. Please fax your resume to Kerri at (512) 858-5104, or e-mail kalvis@corehealth.com. For questions call (512) 894-0701. Visit our website at www.corehealth.com THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. Come by our office in the Trinity Building to pick up an application or email stareditor@txstate.edu for more info.

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SPORTS

fromrussia with love

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Former Texas State women’s track star Liudmila Litvinova anchored a Russian relay team that set a championship and meet record in the 4 x 400 meter relay with a time of 3 minutes, 26.58 seconds at the European Under23 Championships held last weekend in Debrecen, Hungary. Litvinova, the 2007 Southland Conference indoor champion in both the individual and relay 400 meter events, repeated that feat as she took the individual 400 meters gold with a time of 51.25 seconds for a Russian medal sweep. The EAA U-23 Championships are held every two years and are put on by the European Athletics Association, Europe’s governing body for athletics.

—Courtesy of Texas State Athletics Web site

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - Page 12

Sports Contact — Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu

Where are they now?

Four members of the 2007 Bobcat baseball program have decided to test their skills at the professional level. Here’s the rundown of whom and where, and how they have fared at the time of print.

Justin Fiske, LHP, 5’11”, 185 lbs: Fiske, who compiled a 9-3 record with a 2.01 ERA for the Bobcats during the 2007 campaign over 19 appearances, signed June 19 with the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League. A native of College Station, Fiske was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team, maintaining a 3.92 GPA while majoring in exercise and sports science in addition to his stellar season on the mound.

The southpaw led the Bobcats in strikeouts, racking up 110 in 111.2 innings of work. He threw five complete games, with two shutouts in his 13 starts. Fiske’s contract was sold July 4 to the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization. He was used solely as a reliever for the JackHammers, tallying a 0-0 record with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances for the ballclub. Upon being acquired by the Cardinals, Fiske was assigned to their short-season Class A affiliate, the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Pennsylvania League. His first appearance for the Muckdogs came July 9 and saw Fiske throw 1.2 innings of scoreless ball in relief, as the team fell to the Staten Island Yankees 5-3. Since joining the Muckdogs, Fiske has thrown 5.2 innings spanning four appearances without allowing a run. He has also racked up six strikeouts without issuing any walks.

David Wood, 1B, 6’2”, 210 lbs: The Kansas City Royals inked Wood, a lefthanded slugger, to a free agent deal after he went undrafted this June.

Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Wood led the Bobcats during his senior season in batting average (.380), doubles (20), home runs (14), RBI (77) and hits (97) in 2007. He eclipsed the school record for hits, accumulating three more than the previous gold standard set in 2002 by Jacob Spencer. Wood also had the most RBI in a single season in Texas State history. Through 23 games in the Arizona League, Wood is hitting .333 (30-90) with 17 RBI, one homer and eight doubles. He is tied for fourth in the league in doubles, tied for sixth in RBI, tied for seventh in hits and tied for tenth in batting average.

Josh Walter, RHP, 6’5”, 250 lbs: The lone selection via draft of the 2007 Bobcat baseball squad, Walter was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 47th (1371 overall) round of the MLB Draft.

Walter, as a junior, made 13 appearances for the Bobcats last season, going 0-1 with an 11.81 ERA while striking out 12 in 10.2 innings. Walter, a converted pitcher, only gave up one homer, but issued 16 walks while allowing opponents to hit at a .341 clip against him in his first season as a Bobcat. Walter transferred from Richland College in Dallas, where, as a hitter, he garnered regional and conference accolades in 2005 as a freshman and helped lead his team to the Junior College World Series. 2007 was only his second season as a pitcher.

Jason Baca, RHP, 6’3”, 217 lbs: Baca has made his way to the Independent ranks of the professional baseball system, signing with the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League. Baca finished the 2007 season with 30 appearances, all in relief for the Bobcats, registering a 4-2 record while earning three saves with a 3.30 ERA. He struck out 74 batters in his 71 innings of work. Since joining the RiverHawks, Baca has been successful. In 21 innings spanning 17 games, all in relief, he has amassed a 4-2 record to go with a 2.57 ERA and one save. He has limited opponents to a .178 batting average and recorded 20 strikeouts.

1

First Team Offense QB RB FB WR WR TE C OG OG OT OT

Ricky Santos, New Hampshire Kevin Richardson, Appalachian State Jerome Felton, Furman Alex Watson, Northern Arizona Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina Blake Martin, Sam Houston State Brennan Carvalho, Portland State Kerry Brown, Appalachian State Matt Alfred, Eastern Washington Chad Rinehart, Northern Iowa Brandon Hale, Sam Houston State

2

Offense QB RB FB WR WR TE C OG OG OT OT

Josh Johnson, San Diego Lex Hilliard, Montana Broderick Cole, Nicholls State Clyde Edwards, Grambling State Ramses Barden, Cal Poly Chris Wagner, South Dakota State Billy Krause, UT-Martin Mitch Erickson, South Dakota State Peter St. John, Portland State Cody Balough, Montana Matt Austin, Massachusetts

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Dolphins waived troubled defensive lineman Fred Evans June 28 as the organization carried out coach Cam Cameron’s vow the situation would “be dealt with seriously.”

Evans’ release comes after his June 23 arrest in the early morning hours in Miami Beach, where he was charged with battery of a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespassing.

A seventh-round draft choice in 2006 out of Texas State, Evans was already serving a year’s probation in Texas for possession

of marijuana at the time of his most recent arrest. The Texas case was resolved June 6.

Considering Cameron’s promise to bring players of “high character” to the Dolphins and the recent disciplinary penalties imposed on Adam “Pacman” Jones and Tank Johnson by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Evans could face problems with the NFL as well as the law.

The Dolphins had no comment on the release. Evans’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn’t return a phone call.

Evans, who had been playing well, was competing with Kevin Vickerson and rookie Paul Soliai for playing time on the defensive line.

Third Team Offense QB RB FB WR WR TE C OG OG OT OT

Eric Sanders, Northern Iowa Donald Chapman, UT-Martin Bobby McClintock, Portland State Micah Rucker, Eastern Illinois Bruce Hocker, Duquesne Louis Irizarry, Youngstown State Stephen Field, Cal Poly Jon Compas, UC Davis Matt Jenkins, Texas State Nate Safe, North Dakota State David Hale, Weber State

Defense

Defense

Defense

DE DE DT DT LB LB LB S S CB

DE DE DT DT LB LB LB S S CB

DE DE DT DT LB LB LB S S CB CB

CB

Bryan Smith, McNeese State Kroy Biermann, Montana John Faletoese, UC Davis Mychal Savage, Youngstown State Joe Mays, North Dakota State Kye Stewart, Illinois State Jason Hatchell, Massachusetts Corey Lynch, Appalachian State Bobbie Williams, Bethune-Cookman Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State Andrew Berry, Harvard

CB

Kendall Langford, Hampton Brian Johnston, Gardner-Webb Mark Huygins, Northern Iowa Justin Brown, Furman Donald Thomas, Eastern Illinois Colin Disch, Albany Mike Gallihugh, Colgate Brent Webber, Sacramento State Tony LeZotte, James Madison Brandon Jackson, Georgia Southern Ricky Wilson, Northern Arizona

Eric Bakhtiari, San Diego Mike Boyd, Texas Southern Tim Washington, App. State Geoffrey Woods, Tennessee Tech Ryan Shotwell, Cal Poly Andrew Jones, Furman James Terry, Youngstown State Chris Parsons, Northern Iowa Jarmaul George, Southern Casey Gough, Holy Cross Jerome Touchstone, App. State

Special Teams

Special Teams

Special Teams

K P RS

K P RS

K

Blake Bercegeay, McNeese State Mike Dragosavich, North Dakota State Steven Whitehead, McNeese State

Rob Zarrilli, Hofstra Brandon Lane, Elon Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State

P RS

Parker Douglass, South Dakota State Chris MacDonald, Texas State Jayson Foster, Georgia Southern

Former NBA referee allegedly bet on games

By Mitch Lawrence New York Daily News NEW YORK — Quite simply, this is the NBA’s worst nightmare.

For commissioner David Stern, 30 NBA owners, some 400 players and 60 refs, it can’t get any worse than having a referee caught smack in the middle of a mob-inspired, point-shaving scandal.

The integrity of the NBA is open to question because referee Tim Donaghy allegedly bet on games he officiated and made calls over the last two seasons that affected the point spread of games.

The rumbling you heard July 20 was the foundation of a pro sports league shaken like it has never been in 60 years.

“There’s nothing worse for the integrity and credibility of the game,” said one ownership source. “This is horrible.”

That’s because when you buy a ticket for an NBA game, as for

—Compiled by Scott Strickman/Sports Editor Photos courtesy of Texas State

By Craig Barnes South Florida Sun-Sentinel

3

Second Team

Aaron Garza, OF, 6’0”, 190 lbs: Garza joined Baca in the Frontier League, catching on with the Traverse City Beach Bums. Garza batted .341 for the ’Cats in ’07, starting in all 60 games. He hit five home runs, drove in 40, stole 16 bases and was hit by pitches a team-leading 17 times. Garza splashed onto the scene for the Beach Bums, blasting a grand slam for his first career professional hit July 1. He is batting .280 (7-25) with two homers and nine RBI in only eight games. Garza and Baca were reunited, in opposite dugouts, July 19-22 when Traverse City hosted Rockford. Garza hit a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Beach Bums a 12-9 win in the final game of the four-game set.

Former Bobcat arrested, released by Dolphins

2007

College Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams

Photo courtesy of MCT

ALTERIOR MOTIVES: Dallas Mavericks Raja Bell, left, and Dirk Nowitzki question a call Jan. 2003 by former NBA official Tim Donaghy who allegedly bet on NBA games he officiated.

other pro sporting events, you are putting your hard-earned money and trust in the fact that the action is on the up and up.

It’s not supposed to be pro wrestling.

For the most part, fans can walk away knowing, no matter who won, the fix was not in.

Not anymore, at least when it comes to games in question in which Donaghy worked. At the very least, a giant shadow of doubt has suddenly been lowered over the NBA court, no matter how the feds’ case turns out against him and the mobsters he allegedly conspired with to pocket thousands.

Donaghy worked 68 regular-season games last season and another five playoff games, ending with his May 12 appearance in the SunsSpurs second-round series.

But in how many other games were the sinister forces at work, so as to finish with a point differential allowing Donaghy to pay off his gambling debts? That is the very question the NBA fears. If its product isn’t legitimate, it has no choice but to pack up and go.

As soon as Donaghy’s name surfaced Friday, general managers, coaches and players were thinking back to the games he worked and reviewing them for strange calls. That is not what the NBA needs. It comes off a one-sided Finals last month in which few fans watched, and its officiating, while professionally executed for the most part, has often come under fire. If the home team isn’t getting the benefit of the doubt on a controversial call, some superstar usually is.

Stern is a lawyer by trade and knows all about the presumption of innocence for the accused. Yet in his statement addressing what would be the first such instance of point-shaving by an official in league annals, he ditched the normal attorney line you have heard coming out of the NFL offices about Michael Vick, now facing felony charges involving dogfighting.

Stern said, “We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again.”

That is a statement made by a commissioner who knows how his league can be brought down by mob shenanigans aided by someone on the inside like a Tim Donaghy.

One time is bad enough. The NBA has had its share of bad days, whether it’s Stephen Jackson firing off his gun or Ron Artest purportedly beating up his wife or the Knicks and Nuggets brawling inside the Garden.

Ironically, Donaghy worked one of the NBA’s very lowest points, the infamous brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Back then, in 2004, he and the other refs were cited for allowing Artest and Jackson to run into the stands to fight the unruly fans and for not taking control of the situation.

That was bad. But when a ref takes too much control of the game, it can’t get any worse.

U.S. soccer receives Beckham booster shot The squeals of deQuestions about Becklight echoing throughham’s toughness, characout the stadium were ter and commitment to a sound once directed soccer were only a few solely to members of of the overwhelmingly boy bands. Much to the unfair criticisms spewed chagrin of American during the time leading Colm Keane sports pundits everyup to the game. Beckham where who did not exput it best when replying Copy Desk Chief pect him to play, David to a question July 19 durBeckham made his debut — all ing the Major League Soccer All12 minutes — July 21 in the Los Star game against Celtic Football Angeles Galaxy friendly against Club. “I am here for five years, Chelsea Football Club. not just Saturday,” he said.

Hollywood’s newest golden boy There are high expectasuffered a nagging ankle injury tions for Beckham to bring the in June, and word spread like world’s game to the forefront of wildfire across the sports media.

American sports. The hype ma-

chine started as soon as speculation of his move from Real Madrid to the Galaxy began last year. ESPN’s primetime showing of “Becks’” debut was a step in the right direction. However, the constant “Beckham Cam” (with the majority of his time spent on the bench) was laughable, at best.

After the final whistle, Beckham’s detractors shifted from criticizing his dedication to scrutinizing his inability to find the back of the net.

In a post-match interview with ESPN, Beckham reiterated his role on the soccer

field as an assist specialist. He explained the expectation for him to go out and score three or four goals like Pelé is unfair.

While Beckham’s bag of tricks notably includes his knack for penalty kicks, his best quality is the ability to slice apart defenses with long crosses and bullet passes.

The arrival of Beckham truly is a momentous occasion for soccer. The MLS has never experienced a spotlight quite so bright. With this much publicity, the number of American fans and players of the beautiful game will finally grow.