10 19 2006 by The University Star

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OCTOBER 19, 2006

THURSDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 24

City borrows money to fund road expansion By Zach Halﬁn The University Star

where it currently dead-ends at Hunter Road to Ranch Road 12, right outside of town. City Manager Dan O’Leary said the estimated $50 million project will be funded through the use of a pass-through toll agreement with the state. “This is an unusual funding mechanism,” O’Leary said. “The state of Texas says that they don’t have any more money to build roads, so if we want this road, we have to participate.” O’Leary said the city is going to borrow the money to conduct

The San Marcos City Council awarded a Houston-based engineering ﬁrm a $4 million contract Tuesday night for design and construction management of the planned Wonder World Drive extension project. Kellogg Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, was awarded the design and management construction portion of the project. The project will extend Wonder World Drive from

the project, and the state is going to make the payments on the debt incurred. “We are one of the ﬁrst ones in the state of Texas to use this type of funding mechanism,” he said. “It’s called a pass-through toll agreement. There is no toll on the road, but it’s using the same toll legislation,” O’Leary said. “We are doing a state project where we are fronting the money to do the road that they don’t have any money to do any more. We are borrowing the money; they are making the payments.”

The planned road is intended to relieve trafﬁc in the downtown area, O’Leary said. “It will basically be a bypass for San Marcos for people coming in from the Wimberley area,” he said. “They will be able to get down to the interstate without having to go through the middle of town.” The council also held discussion regarding a Community Development Block Grant project that would expand existing See COUNCIL, page 3

Karen Wang/Star ﬁle photo CITY GOVERNMENT: The San Marcos City Council, awarded the Wonder World Drive extension project to Houston-based Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root.

Our way or the highway Zoning laws forcing some students out of their homes

By Jacqueline Davis The University Star

By A.N. Hernández The University Star Monique Mounce stood in a nearly empty house Friday afternoon. In the living room, all that was left was an orange couch against a wall and a couple of board games in boxes. The kitchen, also in a state of frenzied moving, had white candles, saltshakers and other knickknacks gathered in small heaps, begging to be packed. Mounce, biochemistry junior, and her two roommates signed the lease at 1810 Nevada St. until next spring, but were notified by the city marshal’s office in late September that they were in violation of San Marcos’ single-family zoning law. They were issued a conditional ticket and had the option of staying in the house if one of the three left. But rather than splitting the rent between two of them, the three women decided to pack up and leave. “That’s one of the first things I asked before I signed the lease. I said, ‘Is this single-family zoning?’ and my landlord pointed across the street and said ‘that side is, but this side isn’t,’” Mounce said. “We wouldn’t have gotten this house if we knew this was going to happen.” Mounce said she and her roommates did “pretty well asking questions about the lease and the house,” considering they did not know everything about renting property. “This is all really inconvenient,” she said. “I am pre-pharmacy; I have a huge PCAT test next week and I have a Kaplan course I have paid for to prepare me for it and I have to miss it because I have to do things like move out of this place, sign a new lease and switch my electricity over to my new place.” She said one of her landlords, whose name is listed on the leasing contract as “R.E. Leal,” is the per-

David Racino/Star photo HEADING OUT: Joseph Michelbook, marketing junior, (left) helps Monique Mounce, biochemistry junior, move the last remnants from her former home Friday afternoon.

son she and her roommates made their checks out to every month. Because Mounce had the master bedroom, she paid $360 each month and her two roommates, Lori Kinser, undecided sophomore and Katie Corbin, marketing junior, paid $320. R.E. Leal declined to comment on the situation, saying only that he was under the impression that the housing was undergoing a “zoning transition” from single-family zoning to multi-family zoning. Holly Mullins, senior planner with San Marcos’ planning and development services department, said she was not aware that the owners of that address have applied for a zoning change. Mullins said her ofﬁce takes zoning-change applications all the time, and that the application, which is about half a page, takes 10 minutes to ﬁll out. She said once the application See ZONING, page 3

Good Neighbors program to act as bridge-builder By A.N. Hernández The University Star A new program is taking a proactive approach to making Texas State students good citizens and neighbors. The Good Neighbor Program, introduced in August and spearheaded by the Vice President for Student Affairs Ofﬁce, hopes to build a bridge between students and San Marcos residents by providing students with information on the city’s zoning codes, moving tips and ways students can break the ice with their neighbors. “We are not trying to be punitive; we are trying to be really proactive,” said Joanne Smith, vice president for Student Affairs. “We are just trying to get neighbors comfortable about students living

in their neighborhoods, because the reality is that they are there.” In late September, Smith sent an e-mail to 7,800 Texas State students living offcampus in San Marcos and surrounding areas. The e-mail provided students with links to the city’s student Web site and to the Off Campus Student Services Web site. Smith said one of the key purposes of the initiative is to make sure students graduate and boost Texas State’s retention rate. At more than 76 percent, the university’s retention rate is one of the highest in Texas. “We thought we just needed more outreach to give students the information they needed on how to be successful in living off-campus,” she said. “Pretty See NEIGHBOR, page 3

Cell phones slowly edging out traditional landline use By Chris Parrish Special to The Star Students use their cell phones to chat while driving in the car. They text while strolling through campus from class to class. Ring tones interrupt class lectures with the latest hip-hop hit. The wireless-communication age is here. It’s especially evident on the Texas State campus, and it seems that tra-

ditional landline telephone service has taken a backseat to cell phones. More and more people have decided to ditch their landline in favor of strictly using a cell phone as their only source of interpersonal communication. Cassie Cordoba, elementary education senior, recently decided to join this trend. “I didn’t want to pay the extra charge for a landline phone

Today’s Weather

A.M. Showers 69˚/49˚

State, local candidates slated to debate

Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 62% UV: 6 High Wind: N 16 mph

when I already pay for my cell phone,” Cordoba said. “I think students would prefer to have a cell phone because it’s such a more convenient way for people to get ahold of you.” Cordoba said cell phones are more appealing because of the mobility factor and the numerous tools associated with them, including address books, organizers and text messaging. “Last time I checked, I didn’t

Two-day Forecast Friday Sunny Temp: 77°/55° Precip: 20%

Saturday Partly Cloudy Temp: 84°/ 56° Precip: 10%

get any of these features with my home phone. Now I rely on them,” she said. The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released a study in May concerning the impact of cell phones. Their ﬁndings concluded a growing number of the American population, approximately 7 to 9 percent, is relying on cell phones and considering dropping their landline phones.

This growing percentage of “cell-only Americans” is characterized by the study as young, unmarried, politically liberal and less afﬂuent. Harris Bass, general manager of Grande Communications in San Marcos, said more than two-thirds of 18-24 year olds are cell phone users. “Interesting technological See PHONES, page 3

Candidates for state and local offices will debate at 7 p.m. Monday at the San Marcos Activity Center. The San Marcos Area League of Women Voters will host the debate. The event is free and open to the public. The debate will feature 24 confirmed candidates running for state, city and county races. While the debate focuses on 11 contested races in Hays County, uncontested candidates may also attend. After all candidates from each race have been given the opportunity to speak, candidates will field questions from the audience. In past elections, many of the races went uncontested. Jeannie Lewis, a member of the League’s voter’s service committee, said more candidates are vying for office in this election and as a result are generating increased voter interest. “We expect a big crowd,” Lewis said. “It’s a packed ballot, and so many races are hotly contested. There’s a lot of interest even though you usually don’t get that much interest mid-term.” The League will distribute a local voter’s guide, which features candidate information and early voting locations and dates. The 20-page guide provides voters with details of the candidates’ experience, education and background. The voter’s guide also includes information on 16 propositions to the San Marcos City Charter that will be on the November ballot. “We like to provide every opportunity we can to help voters be better informed,” Lewis said. Many candidates expressed excitement, and said they were looking forward to the debate. Pete Plotts, running for County Court at Law No. 1, said the debate is a great example of democracy. Plotts said he appreciates the opportunity to tell citizens who he is and why he believes he is the best candidate for the job. “I think these debates are invaluable,” Plotts said. “The people who sit in judgment should answer questions to make a case for their judgeship. It’s really fitting and proper.” While this is Plotts’ first run at office, others are veterans of debates. Republican Jeff Wentworth is running for his sixth term as state senator in District 25. Wentworth said past debates held by the San Marcos area League of Women Voters have been productive, balanced and fair. “I find the debates to be a very valuable resource,” Wentworth said. “I’m happy to be there, and I welcome the opportunity to answer questions.” The debate will be taped by Time Warner Cable and broadcast at 6 p.m., Oct. 25 on public access channel 22. The debate will be broadcast at varying times every day until Nov. 6. Early voting in Hays county starts Monday and runs through Nov. 3. On campus voting in the LBJ Student Center will be Wednesday and Thursday.

Inside News ..............1-5 Trends ...........7-12 Crossword ....... 12 Sudoku ............ 12

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

Comics ............ 12 Opinions .......... 13 Classiﬁeds ....... 14 Sports ......... 15,16

PAGE TWO The University Star

Thursday in Brief

October 19, 2006

starsof texas state Tenley Determan, psychology sophomore, has been named the Southland Conference Cross Country Athlete of the Week after leading the Bobcats to the team title and capturing individual medalist honors at the Texas Invitational last weekend. Determan finished the 5K course in 18:51, beating teammate Whitney Perkins, health and fitness management sophomore, to the finish line by three seconds. Texas State

had three of the top four ﬁnishers in the meet en route to the team title. Bobcat athletic training freshman Heather Bullin placed fourth in the meet. Texas State earned the team championship, ﬁnishing with 34 points. Texas-San Antonio was second with 59 points. — Courtesy of Public Relations

News Contact — David Saleh Rauf, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Recycled treasures THURSDAY

Job Corps.

Sigma Tau Delta will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of Flowers Hall in The Quad.

Students interested in becoming involved with the community, making business connections and learning leadership skills may attend the Students in Free Enterprise meeting at 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113.

The Organization of Student Social Workers will meet at 12:30 p.m. in the Health Professions Building, Room 234. Simple Silent Sitting Group will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Christian Community Center. An on-campus Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information call the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at (512) 245-3601. The Tennis Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. Contact Tennis Club President, Chris Harris, with questions at ch1282@txstate. edu. Every Nation Campus Ministries will meet at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02. There will be free food, fellowship and an inspiring message. The Rock - Praise & Worship will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Catholic Student Center. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. Enjoy contemporary worship, relevant teaching and prayer. Everyone is welcome. Call (512) 557-7988 or e-mail mail@texasstatechialpha.com. The ﬁfth-annual Community and Professional Conference on Family Violence will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gary

Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland. For more information call (512) 357-2049.

On this day...

FRIDAY Today is the International Education Fee Scholarship deadline for study abroad programs in winter 2006 or spring 2007. For more information contact the Ofﬁce of Study Abroad Programs located in ASB North, Room 302 or call (512) 2451967.

SATURDAY The Texas State Bobcats will play Southeast Louisiana at 6 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium. Students can participate in the 5K Walk/Run hosted by Campus Recreation and ProRec. To register, go to the Student Recreation Center or download an entry form from www.campusrecreation.txstate.edu. The homecoming two-person golf scramble begins with the Shot Gun start at 8 a.m. on the Texas State Golf Course. Visit campusrecreation.txstate.edu for more information and for registration forms. The limit is 40 golfers, so sign up today.

Go to www.UniversityStar.com and click on contact to view calendar and Stars of Texas State submission policies.

1765 — The Stamp Act Congress met and drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.

Jeannie Yamakawa/Star photo Morgan Lawrey, English senior, purchases books from Sarah Slusher, psychology senior (left) and Meredith Greenwood, English junior at Sigma Tau Delta’s book sale Wednesday morning in The Quad.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department

Oct. 14, 11:30 p.m. Suspicious Odor/Bexar Hall An ofﬁcer was dispatched for a report of suspicious odor. Upon further investigation, one student was issued a citation for minor in possession of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia. One student was arrested for possession of marijuana and issued a citation for MIP and PODP and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. Oct. 15, 12:02 a.m. Credit Card Abuse/ UPD Lobby An ofﬁcer was dispatched for a report from a student that he lost his wallet at Jones Dining Hall

and that charges had been made on his credit card. This case is under investigation. Oct. 15, Noon Medical Emergency/Intramural Fields An ofﬁcer was dispatched for a medical emergency report. A student had a head injury and was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for further evaluation. Oct. 15, 5:09 p.m. Theft Under $500/Bobcat Village An ofﬁcer was dispatched for a report of a student that stated her camera had been stolen. This case is under investigation.

Crime stoppers: UPD: 245-7867, SMPD: 353-TIPS

1781 — British General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrendered to U.S. General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. It was to be the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Library Beat Archives fair to be held in library The Alkek Library archivists are hosting a Central Texas Archives Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The event starts “Archives Week” in Texas, which runs through Sunday to Oct. 28. It is a time to celebrate the importance of records of enduring value and to enhance public recognition of the programs responsible for maintaining our communities’ vital historical and cultural records. The archives fair will be held on the 7th ﬂoor of Alkek in the special collections department housing the Southwestern Writers Collection, the Wittliff Gallery of Mexican and Southwestern Photography and the University Archives. Representatives from several other area repositories will be on

hand to discuss archival resources available to students, scholars and the general public. Expected institutions include: The Austin History Center, Barker Consulting, Inc., The Catholic Archives of Texas, The Center for American History, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, The George Bush Presidential Library, The Lower Colorado River Authority, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, the San Antonio Express-News, San Marcos Public Library, The Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The University of Texas at San Antonio Archives and others. The Archives Fair is free and open to the public. R.S.V.P.s or questions may be e-mailed to specialcollections@txstate.edu or (512) 245-2313. — Courtesy of Alkek Library

NEWS

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The University Star - Page 3

ZONING: Potential buyers not required PHONES: Market remaining competitive with package deals to be notified of codes CONTINUED from page 1

CONTINUED from page 1

is complete, the rezoning process usually takes several months and a series of steps. Kenneth Bell is one of four city marshals in San Marcos whose job is to enforce city codes, including those dealing with junk vehicles, single-family zoning, land development and building codes. And although he would not speak specifically on Mounce’s case, he said the unit has 57 active cases regarding multiple persons living in single-family zoning districts. This number is up from the 27 grievances filed in the spring, which resulted in only two fines being issued. He said not all were students; some turned out to be very large families. Bell said one of the main problems regarding more than two unrelated people living under a single roof is that the number of people visiting increases. “If they have friends and you have friends, and you both have friends over at one time, you just doubled the amount of people that may come to visit,” Bell said. “Usually in the instance of a single family, they have one set of friends.” Bell said the unit runs into very few cases where they are called out to a residence and people are minding their own business. He said there is usually a reason why grievances are filed and his job is to follow up on complaints, which are usually called in by neighbors. In the instance of a single-family zoning violation, he said all parties, tenants and landlords are notified. He praised the recent introduction of Texas State’s Good Neighbor Program as a “new evolution” in the university’s effort to educate its students and the public. The program provides Texas State students with tools to help them become or continue to be “good neighbors” and “good citizens in the community,” including information on the city’s zoning codes, moving tips and ways students can get to know their neighbors. Bell said the city marshals hope to make presentations regarding city codes and zoning to freshman classes in the future, because educating the public is one of his office’s main goals. “I think it’s a really good step in the right direction, bridging some gaps for the different types of people living in San Marcos,” he said. “A lot of folks travel through the community for a limited time and don’t really get to know the city and its codes and this is a good opportunity.” Joanne Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, said although she did not know all the details regarding Mounce’s recent move, she had heard about it. She said programs like Texas

David Racino/Star photo HEADING OUT: Monique Mounce (left) and Joseph Michelbook carry a couch around Mounce’s house from which she moved out of because of the city’s zoning restrictions.

State’s Good Neighbor Program would help resolve the confusion in situations like this. “My goal with this program is that we get a bond between the citizens and the students so that everyone enjoys living together,” she said. “In my neighborhood we all know each other, and we all watch out for each other and that’s what I hope happens in this community.” The single-family zoning ordinance has been on the books for more than 22 years, yet in the past few years, has become a hot-button issue. Many groups are pointing ﬁngers at one another, trying to resolve the issue. Camille Phillips, president of the Council of Neighborhoods Associations, said the purpose of city zoning is to put “all like things together, like big factories in one place and neighborhoods in another” and to protect them. She said single-family zoning laws protect the quality of life, safety and property value of single-family neighborhoods. “Neighborhoods are an investment; plenty of people who move in them are planning to make their homes there and stay for years, and if a young couple moves in they may want to begin their families and raise their kids,” Phillips said. This is the reason Phillips said she works to make sure the zoning ordinance is maintained. She attributed a lot of the problems between students and their neighbors to a “generational issue.” She understands there are parents looking to save money who will purchase a home for their students to use while they are in college. She said one reason the single-family ordinance is not being followed is that not all members of the San Marcos Area Board of Realtors are notifying their customers about the single-family zoning ordinance.

Roger Cosio, vice president for the San Marcos Area Board of Realtors, said enforcement of the single-family zoning ordinance is not in their jurisdiction, especially after they have sold the property. “This ordinance has a lot to do with personal property rights and a lot of people in the state of Texas don’t want to be told what they can or can’t do with their property,” he said. Cosio said notifying potential property buyers of city codes that may affect the use of property is in the board’s code of ethics and is highly urged but not required. Cosio said when a realtor is found to be in violation of the code of ethics, meaning they did not notify their buyer of the zoning or blatantly disregarded the zoning codes, a complaint could be made to the local or state boards. However, he said no complaints have been ﬁled this year. “The Board of Realtors is responsible for their members, but not the entire market,” he said. He said the organization is willing to work with the city and university to alleviate all single-family zoning concerns, but said he felt the city should focus more on nuisance problems. City council member John Thomaides said 75 percent of housing in San Marcos is multi-family zoning and only 25 percent is predominantly single-family. He said it’s a “community effort” to make sure everyone understands zoning ordinances. He said violators are not just students. “That’s why I have high hopes in the Good Neighbor Program,” Thomaides said. “As for the city council, I think we are headed in that direction. We are asking our committee groups and staff to bring us something that can be embraced by tenants, property managers and citizens.”

COUNCIL: Construction to alleviate downtown traffic CONTINUED from page 1

sidewalks near and around the intersection of Hopkins Street and the San Marcos River. Richard Mendoza, city of San Marcos director of public works, said the Hopkins Street phase one project will extend sidewalks by the San Marcos Activity Center, along Hopkins Street, and will create a pedestrian bridge over the San Marcos River. Janice Hendrix, CDBG technician, recommended that the council pull additional funding needed for the project from the Staples Road Sidewalk Project, another CDBG project. Mendoza said the Staples Road sidewalk project includes three smaller projects. One portion of the project, he said, includes a stretch of sidewalk leading to Bowie Elementary School. “Staples Road sidewalk project goes from Staples Road and Tampico to Bowie Elementary, about 900 feet long

and involves many driveway and mailbox improvements,” Mendoza said. Councilman John Diaz said the Staples Road project is more important than the Hopkins Street project and funding should be found elsewhere. “My concern is that the Staples Road project, because of the children walking to school, is more important that the Hopkins Street project,” Diaz said. “I would rather go forward with the Staples Road project than the Hopkins Street project.” Councilman Daniel Guerrero echoed the same concern for preserving the Staples Road sidewalk project. “We have the burden of ensuring the safety of those children trying to get to school,” Guerrero said. After a short discussion, the council directed staff to determine if funding for the CDBG projects could be pulled from other city project sources. All phases of the Hopkins Street side-

walk project, including the pedestrian bridge, are scheduled for completion by July 31, 2007. The council also adopted an ordinance on emergency to increase monthly residential city utility fees for the use of Green Guy Recycling Service’s dropoff Recycling Center. The fee was increased from $.52 to $.55, based on a request from Green Guy. In a letter to the city of San Marcos, Kelsy Hahn, Green Guy operations manager, cited an increase in business costs related to fuel expenditures and the Consumer Price Index as the sole reasoning for the increase. “This year we have handled over four million pounds of waste material for recycling, and we handled ﬁve million pounds of waste material in 2005,” Hahn said. “This is all material that would normally be dumped (into landﬁlls) or burned.”

and cultural developments are driving the acceptance of cell phones in our society,” Bass said. Meghan Cassiday, biology senior, is a cell phone technician for Verizon Wireless in San Marcos. “I think college students use (cell phones) more than anybody,” Cassiday said. “They are more apt to use technology and are really attracted to all the features they offer, like MP3 players, cameras and texting keyboards.” As mobile phone use becomes more dominant in communication and landline use dwindles, phone service companies are trying to remain competitive in the market. Central Texas companies CenturyTel, Time Warner and Grande Communications have appealed to the customer’s sense of value by offering bundle packages. The packages provide high-speed internet, cable television and land-line phone service at ﬂat monthly rates. Prices for bundles incorporating phone, cable television and Internet service range from roughly $100 to $130, whereas packages involving only local and long distance phone service range from $35 to $40. “We are bundling our services to provide value,” Bass said. “The best tool is to promote not only voice communication but high-speed Internet and digital television.” John Navarrette, CenturyTel general manager for San Marcos, said the bundles created in the industry are a direct result of cell phones reducing the attractiveness of landlines. “Everybody is now trying to be a one-stop-shop for wireless, video, cable, local and long distance services,” Na-

varrette said. Roger Heaney, director of public affairs for Time Warner, said there are advantages to landline phone service that cell phones cannot offer. “There is a lot to be said about having a visible, physical phone in your home,” Heaney said. “Another advantage is a security service police and emergency personnel use to pinpoint location through a landline phone.” Heaney, Navarrette and Bass all said landline phone service is still vital to the college community and subscriptions peak during certain times of the year. “Any time there is an inﬂux of students, such as during the beginning of a fall semester, we see a huge jump in subscribers,” Heaney said. Navarrette agreed. “Typically every fall, from July to October, we see a spike in demand, which is typical for any college town,” he said. Even with these packages, many college students still remain swayed by accessibility and budgeting issues as they choose their mobile phones instead of landlines. “At this time in my life, I just don’t need a landline,” said Brandon Landry, political science senior. “Just because that service is offered to me does not convince me to buy their package. I get high-speed Internet and cable TV for a good price elsewhere.” However, traditional landline communications companies remain conﬁdent that technological innovations, such as wireless technology, will keep them competitive in the future. “The telecommunications business is extremely important in the consumer marketplace,” Bass said. “It would behoove us to satisfy the mobile concern in the future.”

NEIGHBOR: SMPD issues citations case-by-case CONTINUED from page 1

much everyone knows the rules for living on-campus, but when they move off-campus, sometimes people don’t think about all the rules that govern not just students’ actions, but all people who live in the city.” Smith said that during the last couple of years, her office has heard complaints from neighbors about noise, parties and too many unrelated people living together. She said these situations often cause students stress, concern and possible legal implications if they are dealing with city police. She said these types of situations affect students’ “quality of life” and are proof that the Good Neighbor Program is warranted in San Marcos. “We just want to let students know we are trying to encourage them and their neighbors to talk to each other,” Smith said. One of the main goals of the Good Neighbor Program is the centralization of complaints, aided by the Community Alert Web site, which was launched this week. The Web site asks for the name and contact information of the person voicing the complaint, the type of complaint and the steps a neighbor has taken to resolve the issue. Once that is filled out, the alert can be saved and more information regarding the students involved may be added. Depending on the severity of an issue, Smith said, when a firsttime concern is received, her office will send the students a letter. Terence Parker, assistant director of the LBJ Student Center, oversees the Off Campus Student Services office. He said the office has received 10 to 15 phone calls and e-mails from neighbors complaining about students since the implementation of the Good Neighbor Program. Off Campus Student Services, working in collaboration with the Good Neighbor Program, offers an off-

campus survival guide that gives tips on moving, signing a lease and choosing a good roommate. The OCSS Web site provides a link to the city’s student homepage, where students can access the single-family zoning ordinance. Parker said it’s a “two-way street” between students and their neighbors. “As a university, we are trying to see if the neighbors have actually tried talking to the students about their concerns before they contact the university,” he said. “We want to see if they have made the honest attempt and students just blew them off.” San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams said his department gets 15 to 20 calls a month for loud music. He said the Sagewood neighborhood is the area that receives the most complaints. He said SMPD works on a “sliding scale” that boils down to the issue of “reasonableness standard.” The reasonableness standard is one the department keeps in mind when reporting on a complaint. He said his ofﬁcers will not issue citations in situations where they receive student cooperation, and, in situations where a conditional citation is issued — when no other ofﬁcer shows up at the property the same night — the citation is seen as a warning. Williams said in instances where several trips are made to the same address and no one is cooperative, violations will be given. He said Texas State’s efforts to educate students on behavior may be more effective than police enforcement. “I am hoping, with this program, the university will educate students on what the rules are so that, when it comes to living in the community, they are good citizens,” Williams said. “What a lot of people don’t understand is that the university has control over campus and when the students are on-campus, but once it comes to them living in the community, the university can’t control students and what they do.”

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Communication expert to present lecture on body language of politicians By Ashlee McConnell Special to The Star

Steven Beebe, chair of the Texas State department of communications studies, has attended Peter Collett, renowned expert Collett’s lecture before and said in communication and body he hopes students will take adlanguage, will present a vantage of the opporfree lecture, “The Body tunity. Language of Politics: “If students do not What Our Leaders Are attend, they are missReally Communicating an opportunity to ing,” at 11 a.m. Monday unravel the mysteries in the Evans Liberal of non-verbal commuArts Auditorium. nications,” Beebe said, The goal of the lec“not only of polititure is to teach the aucal leaders, but within dience how to decode themselves, as well.” Peter Collett messages of power and Beebe said the lecdeception hidden in the body ture will be beneficial not only language of politicians. Collett to communication majors but will also explain the “tricks” poli- to anyone who is interested in ticians use to convince the public learning more about themselves. they have the qualities necessary “He will provide insight into to lead. the power of message analysis.” The lecture will also contain Beebe said. “For example, when a video clips that provide ex- politician is trying to sound conamples of political figures, in- fident but is not being honest.” cluding President Bush, former Collett has also appeared as a President Clinton and Prime resident psychologist on the UK Minister Tony Blair. television series Big Brother, a re-

ality show that has gained popularity in a separate but similar U.S. version. With election time approaching, Beebe said Texas State students are fortunate to have a speaker on a topic of such timeliness. He said the lecture will help students with their own political analysis. “This is a chance for students to learn what about a person is credible, what makes some politicians likeable and what they do to increase their power and importance,” Beebe said. Collett has degrees in psychology, including a doctorate from the University of Oxford. He went on to work in the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford where he taught and did research. He has spent much of his career researching body language and has authored several books on the topic. His latest is The Book of Tells: Read People’s Minds From Their Actions.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Secretary of State visits Japan to discusses nuclear weapons By Warren P. Strobel and Emi Doi McClatchy Newspapers TOKYO — Japan told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Wednesday that it has no plans to develop its own nuclear weapons. Rice arrived in Tokyo, the ﬁrst stop of a four-nation tour, to reafﬁrm in person the United States’ long-standing commitment to Japan’s defense and snuff out any trend toward a regional arms race. Since North Korea’s Oct. 9 nuclear test, some Japanese politicians have asked openly whether the country should take another look at its own prohibition against nuclear weapons. “As far as Japan is concerned, we, the government of Japan, have no position at all to consider going nuclear,” Foreign Minister Taro Aso said after talks with Rice. Rice, at a brief news conference with Aso, warned North Korea that the United States will come to Japan’s defense if necessary. “The United States has the will and capability to meet the full range — and I underscore, full range — of its deterrent and security commitments to Japan,” Rice said. She was to meet Thursday with new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for talks that include how to enforce U.N. sanctions that call for inspecting North Korean cargo. Japan sees itself as a potential North Korean target and has announced its own unilateral sanctions, including a ban on ship visits and trade imports. Still, Aso emphasized diplomacy. “We intend to keep the door open to dialogue at all times,” Aso said. Rice agreed, saying the United States did not want to escalate the crisis. News reports this week said U.S. intelligence agencies have detected additional activity around North Korea’s underground nuclear test site, although it isn’t known whether a second test is imminent. The United States is committed to defending Japan under a 1960 mutual security treaty. Discussion of nuclear weapons is a sensitive topic in Japan, the only nation that has been attacked with them. Still, Japan has an extensive supply of plutonium for its civilian nuclear-power industry, and experts think it could develop nuclear arms in years if not months, if it chose to.

Karl Mondon/Contra Costa Times STRONG WARNING: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco May 27, 2005. Rice warned North Korea while visiting Japan that the United States is prepared to come to the full defense of Japan if aggressions occurred.

On Sunday, the policy chief of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Shoichi Nakagawa, said in a televised interview that Japan’s Constitution didn’t rule out the option of possessing nuclear arms. “There could be an argument that possession of nuclear weapons diminished the likelihood of being attacked, as we could ﬁght back in such an event,” he said. “There can be discussions, of course.” While Nakagawa later softened his remarks, they provoked a backlash. Tetsuo Saito, of the New Komei Party, the Liberal Democratic Party’s coalition partner, said Japan will never possess nuclear arms. “We should not even discuss the matter, as it causes concerns to the world,” Nakagawa said. Regarding the U.N. sanctions, Rice assured the Japanese that they aren’t meant to be “a blockade or a quarantine” on North Korea. They include a ban on exporting or importing nuclear and missile-related materials, heavy conventional armaments and luxury goods. Japanese ofﬁcials and aides to Rice were discussing procedures for inspecting North Korean ships carrying suspicious cargo. Yomiuri Shimbun, a leading Tokyo daily newspaper, reported Wednesday that Japan would tell Rice that its Maritime Self-Defense Forces will cooperate in ship inspections.

NEWS

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Sectarian violence, death tally in Baghdad rises By Nancy A. Youssef McClatchy Newspapers BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. military announced Wednesday that 11 American troops had been killed in Iraq since Tuesday, mostly in Baghdad, the apparent result of the United States’ latest attempt to quell intensifying violence in the capital. So far, 70 American troops have been killed in Iraq this month. If the death toll continues at this rate, the monthly tally will be the highest since Nov. 2004, when the U.S. military staged an offensive on the Iraqi city of Fallujah and the number of Americans killed during the month was 137. U.S. troops increasingly have been patrolling the streets and conducting house-to-house sweeps in the capital in an attempt to stop the sectarian violence, which in some places has divided

neighborhoods street by street. The troops have helped clean up streets littered with garbage and in some places the remnants of car bombings, and they’ve encouraged shop owners to reopen their businesses. But the security plan, in place since the summer, hasn’t produced evidence of signiﬁcant improvements. Securing Baghdad is the linchpin of sustaining the Iraqi government and allowing American forces to leave, many experts say. The plan also has exposed some of the weaknesses of handing over operations to Iraqi security forces. So far they haven’t appeared prepared to tackle the burgeoning sectarian violence. On Wednesday, at least another 29 Iraqis’ bodies were found throughout the capital, including three in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Dora and two in Shaab, in eastern Baghdad — two

of the areas that U.S forces targeted in the security sweeps. Police think residents often are killed in one neighborhood and their bodies dumped in another. Although statistics in Iraq are no longer reliable, police reports collected from the top provinces show that nearly 800 Iraqis have been killed so far this month. In a recent military operation in Baghdad, Iraqi forces, who were supposed to take the lead, leaned heavily on U.S. troops for guidance. Many Sunni Muslim residents said they allowed the mostly Shiite Muslim Iraqi security forces to search their homes only because American troops accompanied them. The early stages of the operation yielded few arrests or weapons, prompting many to think that the insurgency had left the targeted communities. Wednesday’s announcement suggested that they were moving back in.

Tony Overman/The Olympian ON WATCH: Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Du (foreground) and Sgt. Brian Kerrigan keep watch in the Al Jazzar neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq.

Battalion hopes to curb deaths of innocent by fighting enemy’s strategy By Jay Price McClatchy Newspapers CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq — It was 9 a.m. and the start of another day of U.S. Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers’ hands-on approach to counterinsurgency. Most go well, at least by the perilous standards for Marines operating in Anbar province, the heart of Iraq’s Sunni Muslim insurgency. Wednesday, however, would not. By the end of the day, one Marine would lie badly injured from a sniper’s bullet and another would be shaking from a close call that struck the goggles perched atop his helmet. Attention has been focused in recent weeks on U.S. patrols in Baghdad, where American and Iraqi soldiers are trying to seize control of neighborhoods from Sunni insurgents and Shiite Muslim militiamen responsible for dozens of deaths daily. On Wednesday, the U.S. military announced that 11 American troops had died since Tuesday in and around Baghdad, raising the number to 70 of Americans killed so far this month in Iraq. But fighting hasn’t slowed in Anbar, where most U.S. casualties in the war have come, and commanders here have acknowledged they don’t have enough troops to beat the insurgents with sheer force. So Desgrosseilliers, the lean, soft-spoken commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., is hoping to persuade the enemy to quit. “I want them to stop fighting,” he said. “We fight their strategy, we don’t fight them.” That makes it crucial to avoid hurting or killing innocent civilians, and the men in Desgrosseilliers’ battalion are counseled constantly not to return fire unless they’re certain of their target, no matter how bad the incoming fire.

“It takes a lot of individual courage on the part of these Marines,” Desgrosseilliers said. “But if we do that, if we show the locals that we are willing to put ourselves at risk for their security, they will respect us.” Since it arrived in July, the 3rd Battalion has lost eight Marines, a translator and two other U.S. troops working with it. Most of the casualties came in a one-month stretch when the Marines were on an offensive, which meant that the chances of any one Marine in the unit getting killed that month were about 1 in 100. Desgrosseilliers’ personal detachment of 15 Marines, known as the battalion jump team, began its day Wednesday with a briefing from its fast-talking platoon commander, Lt. Jon Mueller, of Denver. Then the Marines strapped body armor over their fire-resistant jumpsuits, pulled on their Kevlar helmets and flame-resistant gloves and climbed into their armored Humvees. The mission was typical: Drive west from Camp Habbaniyah toward Ramadi, checking in with several of the 15 small outposts where Marines are scattered along a stretch of road between Fallujah and Ramadi. The Marines’ goal is to build a string of outposts all the way to Ramadi so that stretches of road now closed to civilians can reopen, Desgrosseilliers said. Then they’ll hand over the area to Iraqi forces. On the way to the third stop, a burly Marine who was traveling with the jump team but wasn’t a member of it reminded a reporter to keep moving when outside the Humvee. The patrol was in an area where a sniper had been active, he said. Two minutes later, when the patrol stopped so Desgrosseilliers could check in with a team of Marines with tanks, the burly Marine stepped out of his Humvee and walked about 15 yards toward the tanks. The flat snap of a shot rang out from about

150 yards away in the direction of a mosque, houses and shops. The bullet hit just under the left side of the Marine’s jaw and passed through his mouth, knocking out some teeth and exiting through his right cheek. He fell to the pavement and a pool of blood began spreading around his head. The shooting continued. Cpl. Mario Huerta, 22, of Dallas, was standing outside his Humvee when he heard the ﬁrst shot and looked back. A bullet whirred just above him, then another smacked into the goggles on his Kevlar helmet, rocking his head and denting the goggles but not hurting him. “Son of a b***h,” said the turret gunner in Desgrosseilliers’ truck, ducking and peering through the bulletproof glass. Desgrosseilliers turned when he heard the initial shot, saw that the burly Marine was down and sprinted nearly 100 yards, ignoring the bullets zipping past his head. Desgrosseilliers ordered the Humvees drawn into a circle to block the shots. Then he and Grant ran a breathing tube up the wounded man’s nose so he wouldn’t drown in his own blood. The closest ﬁeld hospital was about 4 miles back, down a road where improvised bombs are common. Desgrosseilliers’ Humvee took the lead, its siren blaring to clear the road. Another unit began surrounding the area where the shots had come from and going door to door.

Within eight minutes, the jump team slid to a stop in front of the surgical unit at an air base near Camp Habbaniyah. Desgrosseilliers joined several jump-team Marines and orderlies in carrying the wounded man inside on a stretcher. After a few minutes, Grant came out, blood all over his jumpsuit, and sat on the ground, wordless. Later a doctor came out and told Navy corpsman George Grant it looked as if the Marine would live, that he’d been stabilized and would be flown to a larger hospital. Desgrosseilliers emerged and stood silent as Mueller gathered the members of the jump team in a circle and told them that they’d done a good job and he was glad they were safe. Earlier in the war, maybe, or under a different commander, the Marines might have returned heavy fire in the general direction of the sniper to make him stop. This time, they hadn’t fired, not even once. No one could see exactly where the shots were coming from, and a stream of bullets into the town could have hit innocent civilians and seriously damaged Desgrosseilliers’ plan to calm the area. Back in camp, he said he was proud of his men for being so disciplined. “I think the insurgency is trying to get us off our message by getting us to return fire and maybe kill some innocent people,” Desgrosseilliers said. “But it’s just not going to work.”

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Thursday, October 19, 2006 - Page 7

happeningsof the week

Thursday

Friday

Cheatham Street Warehouse Cheatham Street Warehouse Ray Turner Brandon Rhyder Lucy’s San Marcos Lucy’s San Marcos Hayes Carll/The Dedringers Carter Falco The Triple Crown The Triple Crown 13th Victim/Raditude/The Lonesome Heroes Black Water Gospel/The Warblers Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu Jennifer Williams/ Star photo DYNAMIC DIAPHRAGM: Jackie LaFlamme, undecided freshman, shows off her singing voice with both Dirty Man and Amazing Grace at the Homecoming Talent Show Wednesday night.

Saturday

Cheatham Street Warehouse Asylum Street Spankers Lucy’s San Marcos Word Association The Triple Crown Opposite Day/Wind Up Bird Chronicle

Twirler takes the prize

Ten acts perform at SACA’s annual Homecoming Talent Show By Ashley Gwilliam Special to The Star Wednesday’s Homecoming Talent Show opened with a bang. The curtains opened, displaying a full drum line against a bright red background. The annual Talent Show, put on by the Student Association for Campus Activities, drew in a packed crowd at Evans Auditorium. “I didn’t even know there was a cash prize until I read it in the paper today,” said grandprize winner Vanessa Trevino, athletic training junior. Trevino took home $500, winning first place overall in Wednesday’s 2006 Homecoming Talent Show. Her baton twirling brought on eruptive applause from the packed auditorium. Trevino’s stunts included doing splits, rocking the baton on the back of her neck with no hands and a number of other difficult feats. Trevino said she wanted to try out for the talent show because she wanted to show her peers what she was capable of. “I have been twirling for so long; I haven’t been able to show it off and show people what I can do,” she said. The show featured 10 acts broken down into three categories: miscellaneous/variety, small group music and solo music. The winner of the miscellaneous/variety category was grand-prize winner Trevino. The winners of the small group music category were Dean Patch, music performance freshman and Joel Sutton, pre-music freshman with their alternative version of “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” First place for the solo-music category went to Cathy Colvin, biology junior, representing Chi Omega, who sang a self-written song called “Faith.” Colvin said her inspiration for writing “Faith” came from her relationship with God. By stumbling through tough times, she learned perseverance. She plans to donate some of her money to charity and to use some to help pay the bills. The first-place winners of each category received $200, while the second-place winners received $100. An additional $300 was given to the grand-prize winner. The momentum of the show was propelled by

Jennifer Williams/ Star photo HIGH KICK: Vanessa Trevino, athletic training junior, displays her ability to twirl a baton and dance Wednesday night in the Evans Auditorium.

the comedic banter of hosts Reagan Pugh, English sophomore and Karl Hebert, communication design senior. At one point in the show, the duo attempted to light their farts on ﬁre with a Dallas Cowboys lighter. The crowd roared with laughter, giving the hosts constant support. “The crowd at its peak was phenomenal. It was supportive of every act. All of these acts have prepared really hard. It takes a lot of guts to get up here,” Pugh said. Judges for the talent show included Jackie Cooper, assistant professor of education administration; John Garrison, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students; Michelle Nance, assistant professor of the department of theatre and dance; Blanca SanchezNavarro, supervising counselor and Andrae Turner, president of the International Fraternity Council. During the show’s intermission, the Homecoming court was announced, although the Homecoming king and queen will be announced Saturday at the Homecoming halftime show. The show closed with special performances by Jimmy McNeal and Harambee. McNeal, who was the winner of last year’s talent show, sang his song, “How I am Gonna Love You.” Before his performance, McNeal said the song could possibly be the ﬁrst single off of his new album. The Harambee step team, a crowd favorite, will perform again at the Homecoming halftime show. Homecoming Court Dukes and duchesses: Dana Bonner, Alejandra Hering, Matthew Ferreira, Drew Harrell, Arielle Laster, Brittany Oskey and Sasha ChapaJackson. Gaillardian winners: Pamela Carrales, Amy Hall, Kimberly Hunt, Amanda Oskey, Jennifer Thompson, Nikki Weekley, David Bowman, Steve Djie, Kevin Medina, Kyle Morris, Charles Perryman and Christopher Thompson. Nominees for king: Matthew Bungo, Vito Fortunato, Benjamin Howard and Blake Ramsey. Nominees for queen: Ashqelynn Ayers, Megan Dominguez, Lacey Hall and Jonna Kennie.

Self-made millionaire seeks to motivate Hispanic community By Jessica Sinn The University Star Ruben Ruiz, a nationally recognized financial planner and self-made millionaire, wants to share the secret of his success: the power of belief. Ruiz, a Texas State alumnus, penned his first book, The One-Hour Hispanic Millionaire, to inspire Hispanics to believe that they have the right to become wealthy. “The main reason why some people don’t try to become wealthy is because they really feel like they can’t or don’t deserve it,” Ruiz said. Gabriella Rosales, a biology senior and member of the Hispanic Business Student Association, said she thinks many Hispanics are bogged down by self-defeating attitudes. “It seems that a lot of Hispanics doubt themselves, so I think it’s great that he’s inspiring them to become wealthy,” Rosales said. Ruiz believes that the idea of becoming a millionaire is quickly dismissed by Hispanics because of the “rules” they were taught in childhood. He said Hispanics are taught to finish high school, hopefully go to college and ultimately raise a family in middle-class America. Ruiz believes that progress can’t be achieved if Hispanics continue to be stuck in a middle-income rut. “So many Hispanics are middle-income,” Ruiz said. “It’s a good income, you have a nice house and a family, but it’s not wealth. If they don’t learn the principles of wealth, they’ll stay

middle-income forever.” Ruiz instructs his readers to apply one hour a week to establish goals and develop wealth-building strategies. He said that even though it’s a gradual process, one hour a week will lead to success. “One hour a week will lead you to your first opportunity, which then leads to your first investment, and it just builds over time,” Rivera said. “Your values start coming into place and you start increasing your net worth automatically.” Ruiz created The One-Hour Hispanic Millionaire by sporadically journaling key strategies and concepts that helped him become a millionaire. Once all the principles were applied, he pieced it all together into a reader-friendly guidebook. “When I got to the point to where I gained a million-dollar net worth, I just started writing the principles that I learned,” Ruiz said. “I got a notebook, put about forty tabs in it and started writing about different subjects.” Ruiz plans on writing six more personal finance books that will expand more on the topics in The OneHour Hispanic Millionaire. Ruiz said that wealth-building resources are out there; the challenge is getting people to take the initiative to learn the curriculum. “There’s a whole curriculum out there to become wealthy, but it’s really not at a traditional school,” Ruiz said. “There’s no structured learning environment for it. That’s why you

have to go and learn from an unstructured environment, which is the hardest thing to do.” In his book, Ruiz acknowledges Jack Farley, who was an assistant professor in the department of management and marketing. Ruiz said Farley taught him how to make his ﬁrst presentation in front of a large audience. According to Ruiz, much of his success as a public speaker is attributed to Farley’s teaching. Ruiz has conducted numerous motivational presentations at seminars, ﬁnancial-planning boot camps and workshops all over San Antonio and South Texas.

“W

hen I got to the point to where I gained a milliondollar net worth, I just started writing the principles that I learned. I got a notebook, put about forty tabs in it and started writing about different subjects.” — Ruben Ruiz author, ﬁnancial planner

Jeannie Yamakawa/Star photo AMERICAN DREAMER: Texas State alumnus Ruben Ruiz hopes to encourage Hispanics to break out of their middle-class attitudes and realize their potential with his book, The One-Hour Hispanic Millionaire.

TRENDS

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The University Star - Page 8

Gallery opening starts off art professor’s retirement By Todd Schaaf The University Star

time in particular is the 30 years that professor Greer has given to teaching and service to the uniCarole Greer has accumulated versity,” Stump said. a lot of art — 30 years worth of Greer said she is pleased with it. how the exhibit has come toGreer, professor in the art and gether. design department, has been “Mary Mikel did a fabulous at Texas State for 30 years and job of putting this show togethwill retire at the end of the fall er. She looked at probably 1500 semester. To celebrate her time slides of work from the beginat Texas State, a collection of ning to now,” Greer said. her work will be featured in an Greer, who is a former direcexhibition titled Notions in Gal- tor of the gallery, said she knows lery I of the Joann Cole Mitte what it takes to put together Art Building. exhibits and is very impressed M a r y with Stump’s M i k e l abilities. he thing Stump, diThrough the rector of the organization that JCM art galof Notions, happened while lery, is excitGreer was able ed about the to look back putting this show exhibit. on many of together was the “It’s not her works. going-downoften that “The thing we get to that happened memory-lane kind see what 30 while putting of thing. years worth this show to— Carol Greer of work gether was the looks like, going-downart and design professor to see the memory-lane changes that kind of thing,” have happened. I think that it’s Greer said. a real opportunity for students, Though Greer teaches drawstaff and the university commu- ing, the exhibit will feature a vaMonty Marion/Star feature photo nity to celebrate one of our own, riety of mediums. someone who has given such a “There are some sculptural ON DISPLAY: Texas State Professor Carole Greer’s collection of 30 years worth of art will be on display in Gallery I in Joann Cole Mitte tremendous amount of their pieces; there are some drawings; Art Building beginning Tuesday. time and talent to the univer- there are some paintings and sity,” Stump said. there are some collage pieces. fine arts from a background in phing themselves into graphic Greer said. to see, and the shows change evNotions will be a retrospective It’s spanning a period of 30 years fashion. She left behind a career elements in her work,” Stump Stump urges people to attend ery month. I just hope people exhibit. from when she first came out of in fashion design to go back to said. this and other shows in the gal- utilize it,” Stump said. “It is not just the most current graduate school,” Stump said. school, so you see those influ“I think the show speaks for leries. The gallery is open from 8 work that the artist has done, Greer wasn’t always an art ences very early in her career itself, and I think that’s a more “It’s always here and free of a.m. to 10 p.m.. The exhibition but it is looking back over a pe- teacher, though. — obviously fresh out of the interesting thing because it’s charge. There are two galleries, will run from Tuesday through riod of time, and this period of “Professor Greer came to the fashion industry — sort of mor- non-verbal communication,” each with very interesting things Nov. 19.

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Theatre department to present Frame 312 in intimate play setting By Jeffery D. Hooten The University Star Sometimes the real history of a nation can be hidden behind one woman’s personal secrets. That’s the premise of the play Frame 312, which the theatre department will be opening tonight. Frame 312, written by Keith Reddin, is the story of Lynette Porter, a suburban housewife who worked for LIFE magazine at the time of the Kennedy assassination. The plot of the play revolves around

the connection Lynette has to the Zapruder film — the definitive video of the Kennedy assassination — which LIFE magazine acquired after the shooting and the fact that Lynette has the original copy. The title refers to the frame of the Zapruder film in which Kennedy was actually shot, a frame that supposedly proves the second-gunman theory and was removed from FBI’s copy of the film. “I really wanted to do something that would be a challenge rather than something I knew we could do easily,” said

Amanda Gass, theatre graduate student and director of the production, which will be performed in a smaller, more intimate studio theatre. Gass said the fact that the play has a mostly female cast also played a role in her decision to do the production. “It’s really hard to find a play with one strong female character, much less four or five,” Gass said. The play is split between two settings in time and takes place on Lynette’s first birthday after the death of her husband in the 1990s, as well as in 1963, directly after the Kennedy assassination.

Tasha Straley, theatre senior, plays the younger version of Lynette. “Lynette is an independent woman stuck in a society that asks something else of (her),” Straley said. Throughout the play, the audience is shown how Lynette’s possession of the unedited version of the Zapruder ﬁlm has affected her life and her family. Quinn Walton, pre-theatre freshman, plays the editor of LIFE magazine. “The most interesting part of the play, to me, is how everything ties together,” Walton said. “You see both the connections and changes that have oc-

curred for (Lynette).” The cast also includes Heather Falks and Elizabeth Watts-Jones, theatre seniors; Chris Cornwell, pre-theatre senior; Megan Sullivan, pre-theatre sophomore and Jennifer Yeats, theatre junior. Frame 312 will be performed at 7:30 tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Studio Theatre of the Theatre Center. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, call the theatre department box ofﬁce at (512) 245-2611 or the departmental ofﬁce at (512) 245-2147.

Lampasas holds Common Experience ‘Protest and Dissent’-themed artwork By Krystal Castaneda The University Star Protest and dissent are lining the walls of the Lampasas Building. The Serie Print Project, on display at Mitte Honors in Lampasas, is an array of prints from the Austin-based Coronado Studio. The display portrays work based on this year’s Common Experience theme of “Protest and Dissent.” The Common Experience is an initiative to cultivate a common intelligent conversation across the community. Sam Coronado, owner and founder of The Serie Project Inc., depicts the theme of racial prejudice from a Hispanic perspective. Coronado is a ﬁne arts graduate from the University of Texas and is currently teaching design, Courtesy of www.assassinationresearch.com drawing and illustration at the Northridge Campus of Austin CONSPIRACY THEORY: Frame 312 focuses on the Zapruder ﬁlm, which captured the assassinaCommunity College. tion of President John F. Kennedy, and how a missing frame has caused turmoil for the protagonist Curator Linda Kelsey-Jones, Lynette and her family. along with a few students such as Michelle Sotolongo, studio art senior, helped retrieve and arrange the art. “Seeing how many artists share the same views that I do and have the courage to express them in such a creative way is inspiring,” Sotolongo said. “Contributing to the Common Experience Gallery is a great opportunity to help ex-

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rt is a very important way to reach people with ideas. It is more than just a pretty picture; it is a form of powerful communication. Artists are keen observers of the world.”

— Linda Kelsey-Jones art and design department curator

pose the entire campus to issues it may face every day but does not actually discuss.” Kelsey-Jones is a lecturer in the art and design department as well as an artist. She has been organizing art exhibits for social changes since the 1960s. “Art is a very important way to reach people with ideas. It is more than just a pretty picture; it is a form of powerful communication. Artists are keen observers of the world,” Kelsey-Jones said. “An artist can break through and show a different perspective. Coronado is a good combination for the Latino presence by asserting to the culture. The art is not something you normally see, therefore it is worth visiting.” The Serie studio is now in its 14th year of production and is based on the purpose of producing, promoting and exhibiting works by established and emerging artists. The exhibit displays work from a variety of compos-

ers, each inspired by a different reason but sharing one goal: to educate. “Some of the serigraphs are visually powerful in their colors and symbolism. A couple that stand out to me are “Gallos” and “Bicultural Tablesetting”, which depict the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico,” Sotolongo said. “I think that anyone who has experienced both sides of the border can relate to the imagery.” Sotolongo said her concept of the Common Experience theme of “Protest and Dissent” is an exploration of struggles in the U.S. and what their role in history is. “Most of the pieces exhibited tie into the theme by illustrating the emotions caused by such struggles and sending a message that may be contrary to mainstream perspectives,” she said. Coronado will make an appearance at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the exhibit to discuss the function of the studio.

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Thursday, October 19, 2006

The University Star - Page 9

Austin Film Festival to draw screenwriters, filmmakers Wide variety of films, shorts to entertain audiences By Charlotte Almazan The University Star

Photos courtesy of www.austinﬁlmfestival.com THE BIG SCREEN: Actress Sigourney Weaver stars in Jake Kasdan’s ﬁlm The TV Set, which will be screened on opening night of the Austin Film Festival.

Photos courtesy of www.austinﬁlmfestival.com FLASHBACK: The Academy Award-nominated Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman, will be a retrospective ﬁlm screened at the Austin Film Festival.

The Austin Film Festival recognizes more than the obvious aspects of a film. The Austin Film Festival, scheduled to begin today and run until Oct 26, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the narrative aspect of film, television and new media. While other festivals concentrate on the actors, directors and filmmakers, the Austin Film Festival remembers to recognize the writers. “At this festival, the celebrities are the screenwriters. There’s not this whole velvet-rope atmosphere. You can sit down with Lewis Black and have a conversation,” said Maria Bergh, Austin Film Festival public relations representative. Created in 1994 as the first film organization to focus on the writer’s craft, the Austin Film Festival creates a personal atmosphere where both established and aspiring writers and filmmakers can comfortably interact. “It’s a great atmosphere. The thing about the Austin Film Festival is that it’s very laid back, much like Austin is. A lot of people fly in from places like (Los Angeles) and let their guard down,” said Kelly Williams, Austin Film Festival program director. The film festival presents multiple film screenings that are categorized by competition, retrospective, special and marquee

“I

t’s a great atmosphere. The thing about the Austin Film Festival is that it’s very laidback, much like Austin is. A lot of people ﬂy in from places like (Los Angeles) and let their guard down.”

— Kelly Williams Austin Film Festival program director

screening. “We have the festival split up into sections. Most of the films in the marquee section get the wider distribution. I’m sure they will all eventually get released, but the ones labeled ‘Special’ or ‘Competition’ will only be shown at the festival,” Williams said. Opening night will commence with a Paramount screening of Jake Kasdan’s The TV Set, a comical depiction of the television industry. Kasdan, well known for his work on Freaks and Geeks, will be in attendance. “I always recommend going to opening night because it’s where everything starts. From there, you can then check out the films you’ve never heard of. Those are where you find the real gems,” Williams said. This year’s awards will be presented to director Sydney Pollack, screenwriter Shane Black and television writer David Milch. The retrospective films for screening will include Pollack’s academy nominated film Tootsie and Black’s The Long Kiss Good-

night. David Milch is known for his work on Hill Street Blues and as co-creator of NYPD Blue. Another aspect of the festival is the conference panel presentation by industry writers for aspiring writers who want to detail their skills. Some panel topics include “Common Mistakes Writers Make” and “Writing RRated Comedies.” “We have different kinds of badges … which will get you into the conference panels. If you are a movie person, the conference will give you more insight into the movies you love. The (conference) panel is really where you get to talk to folks like Sydney Pollack,” Williams said. One of the creative features of the festival is the presentation of short programs compiled in similar groups for screening. “Obviously, the documentary and animated shorts are together,” said Chris Holland, marketing coordinator for the Austin Film Festival. “Shorts are the weird, trippy shorts. Shorts six are all shot on 35mm. Another short program has a theme all on growing up.”

Speaker takes on graffiti art at Iowa State University By Julie Joung Iowa State Daily (Iowa State U.) (U-WIRE) AMES, Iowa — Graffiti today is more than gangbangers with spray paint, said a speaker at an Iowa State University lecture Tuesday night. “Graffiti is the first art movement started by kids, for kids,” said Steven Grody, author of the upcoming book, Graffiti LA: Street Styles and Art. Grody discussed the history of graffiti, along with technique, crew dynamics and ethical and litigious issues associated it in his lecture, “Contemporary Graffiti, Art and Culture.” “There is a lot of work that is illegal, but I would not consider vandalistic,” Grody said. Although several examples

“G

rafﬁti is a way of selfexpression and gets the message across to a lot of people.”

—William Ghrist Iowa State University art and design senior

are clearly vandalism, many “writers” are merely trying to express themselves. “These young men and women have a very developed graphic sense,” Grody said. He said several factors contribute to grafﬁti design, including can control, color palate and tip size. As a part of the lecture,

Grody exhibited several graffiti photographs from his collection, which includes more than 11,000 slides. Images varied from artistic “tags,” which are calligraphic signatures, to popular icons, such as Mickey Mouse. “The single thing (graffiti) is most judged for is a distinctive style,” Grody said. Yet another variety of graffiti expressed social commentary, ranging from a piece celebrating the 50th anniversary of DDay to a mural depicting recent church scandals. Grody spoke to a full audience, with more than 75 people in attendance. “Graffiti is a way of self-expression and gets the message across to a lot of people,” said William Ghrist, senior in art and design, who attended the

www.UniversityStar.com

lecture. Other lecture attendees echoed his sentiment. “It’s the most widespread and public form of art,” said Ken Slaba, ISU alumnus from Boone, Iowa. “From trains to tags on the side of telephone poles, (graffiti) is everywhere.” Grody also gave a brief “vocabulary lesson,” including terms such as “bombing,” which is doing illegal work, and “biting,” which is plagiarizing another artist’s style without attributing credit. Grody acknowledged that though a lot of graffiti is ganginspired, the artists themselves are highly diverse. “Graffiti culture is highly ecumenical,” Grody said. He explained that in order to have respect in the graffiti community, a person must be will-

ing to take risks. “You can get arrested, you can get ﬁned and you can get

killed,” Grody said. “There is a considerable amount of risk involved.”

Page 10 - The University Star

Thursday, October 19, 2006

TRENDS

Page 11 - The University Star

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Ojos para volar Works of Mexican photographer to be on display in Wittliff Gallery By Carmel Rose Special to The Star The renowned works of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide will be the latest featured collection at the Wittliff Gallery on the seventh ﬂoor of Alkek Library. “This exhibition gives the campus community an opportunity to view the work of one of Mexico’s greatest photographers,” said Michele Miller, coordinator of marketing and promotions for the Alkek Library. The exhibit, titled Ojos para volar/ Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide, will open Saturday. A visit from Iturbide is scheduled for Oct. 28 and will include a book signing, reception and a chance to meet and talk with Iturbide herself. Selections of her most famous photographs were used to create the exhibit. Her book, Eyes to Fly With: Portraits,

Self-Portraits, and Other Photographs, is based on a conversation with writer Fabienne Bradu. The book is the ninth volume of photographs featured at the Wittliff Gallery. Connie Todd, curator of special collections, said the book maps Iturbide’s creative path and is another piece of that “world-class” collection. “The book lends prestige to the collection,” Todd said. Michele Miller said that Iturbide’s work makes up one of the core archives of the Wittliff Gallery’s permanent collection of contemporary Mexican photography at almost 200 photographs. “The Wittliff Gallery owns the largest collection of Graciela Iturbide’s photographs in the United States,” Miller said. Iturbide took her eye and camera around the world and created a visual story that speaks to her very personal journeys as well as to archetypal myth we can all access, said Miller.

Thursday Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration The “greatest hits” of the permanent archives, including the 1555 edition of Cabeza de Vaca’s La Relación y Comentarios, a songbook made by an eleven-year-old Willie Nelson, costumes and props from Lonesome Dove and much more. The archives are located in the Southwestern Writers Collection in Alkek Library on the 7th Floor. Exhibit hours: Monday/Tuesday/Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday/Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact (512) 245-2313 for more information. Drew Daly Exhibit Seattle-area sculptor Drew Daly makes works that fragment, deconstruct and reconstruct everyday materials and objects that allow the viewer to rethink the relationship to the commonplace. The exhibit is located in Gallery I of the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call (512) 245-2664 for more information. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Tim Roda Exhibit New York photographer Tim Roda’s work casually travels between borders of installation, photography and ceramics. Roda’s photographs are made from sculptural installations (props that are often ceramic) that are autobiographical. Each vignette is based in the artist’s childhood, family history, memories and emotions and encourages the viewer toward a multi-layered interpretation of meaning, both in implication and inference. The exhibit is located in Gallery II of JCM. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call (512) 245-2664 for more information. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Philosophy Dialogue: Children and Morality Lecturers: Chris Ford and Lance Luckenbach, Philosophy Dialogue students Time: 12:30 p.m. Location: Psychology Building, Room 132 Frame 312 The Texas State department of theatre and dance presents an intriguing portrayal of the decay of a nuclear family and its unusual connections with the Kennedy assassination. Frame 312 (a reference to a frame supposedly removed from the Zapruder ﬁlm) delves deep in to the past and present of a former Life magazine employee whose life was turned upside-down by the tragic events of Nov. 22, 1963. Written by Keith Reddin and directed by Amanda Gass. Tickets available at the University Box Ofﬁce in the Theater Center, located at the corner of Moon Street and University Drive and by phone at (512) 245-2204. Showtimes: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $8 general admission, $5 students Jazz Lab Band The band will perform under the direction of Pete Rodriguez in Evans Auditorium. Contact (512) 245-2651 for more information.

“Her very strong, momentous images speak to — and far beyond — the poetic breadth of her country, from its indigenous and rituals to its urban city life,” Miller said. Some awards Iturbide has won include the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in 1988, the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography in 1987 and the Consejo Mexicano de Fotografía in 1983. Photo courtesy of the Witliff Gallery Iturbide is well known for her pictures of Mexico, especially within its WOMAN ANGEL: Graciela Iturbide’s Mujer Angel, taken in 1979, will be on disindigenous population. She studied the play along with other prints in the Wittliff Gallery on the seventh ﬂoor of the Alkek everyday rituals and ceremonies of the Library where Iturbide will visit Oct. 28. Zapotec Indians in Juchitan, Mexico. Juchitan is a small, independent city Outside of Mexico, her work has led for people to get to know one of today’s where the political and social power is, her to travel to places like India, Argen- already legendary photographers,” said for the most part, controlled by women. tina and the U.S. Miller. Out of Juchitan, Iturbide produced Miller said Iturbide will make an apThe opening reception, supported in her most famous work, Juchitan de las pearance at the Texas Book Festival in part by Time Warner Cable and the Ausmujeres, or Women of the Juchitan. Austin the weekend of her opening re- tin American-Statesman newspaper, is Iturbide spent years studying and pho- ception at the Wittliff Gallery. open to the public and will be in English tographing the Zapotec Indian women. “This is a very exciting opportunity and Spanish.

Faculty Recital Senior music lecturer Richard Hall will perform electronic music at the University Performing Arts Center. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $2 general admission, $1 students Frame 312

Tickets: $2 general admission, $1 students

Tuesday Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration Carole Greer — 10times3 Exhibit

Saturday

Austin Film Festival

Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide

A native of Japan, Houston artist Mari Omari makes sculptural installations that revolve around the notion of identity, self and cultural memory through a variety of materials and media.

The exhibit includes self-portraits, portraits, famous works and never-before-exhibited images by one of Mexico’s greatest photographers from the Wittliff Gallery’s major collection of Iturbide’s work. This show coincides with publication of the ninth volume in the Wittliff Gallery Book Series from the University of Texas Press. The exhibition is located in the Witliff Gallery of Southwestern and Mexican photography in Alkek Library, 7th Floor.

Mari Omari — Sculptural Installation

The exhibit is located in Gallery I of JCM. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call (512) 245-2664 for more information. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Exhibit hours: Monday/Tuesday/Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday/Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact (512) 245-2313 for more information.

Mass Comm Week

Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration

Featured Events: Bill Celis, NY Times and USC; 12:30 p.m.; Old Main, Room 234

Austin Film Conference and Festival

Politicos-Working with the Media: St. Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and director Mark Curtis; 2 p.m.; Old Main, Room 320

Carole Greer — 10times3 Exhibit This exhibit is retrospective and a celebration of Professor Carole Greer’s 30 years at Texas State. Professor Greer will retire at the end of the fall 2006 semester. The exhibit is located in Gallery II of JCM.

Professionals in the mass-media ﬁeld visit campus to discuss issues and topics relating to the media.

Philosophy Dialogue: Trying to Understand God: The Evolution of Consciousness Lecturers: Chris Hopf and Andrew Young, Philosophy Dialogue students

Gallery hours: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Contact (512) 245-2664 for more information.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The Society of Professional Journalists will host screenings of journalism-related ﬁlms in Old Main, Room 320.

Voice Studio Recital

Location: Psychology Building, Room 132 SPJ Film Festival

Students of music professor Bert Neely will perform in the Music Building recital hall. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information.

Time: 6 p.m.

Time: 2 p.m.

Time: 9 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

The event is free and open to the public

Jazz Night at George’s

Frame 312

Sunday Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration Carole Greer — 10times3 Exhibit

Austin Film Conference and Festival

Austin Film Festival

Carole Greer - 10times3 Exhibit

Mari Omari — Sculptural Installation

Chess Championship/GED Fundraiser

Mass Comm Week

Roberto Renuad will host a chess tournament at Tantra Coffeehouse. Proceeds from the tournament beneﬁt the Hays County Literacy Action, which helps GED students pay for their tests. The winner will collect part of the registration money

Featured Events: Account Planning: Jenny Buschhorn, McGarrah Jesse Advertising; 10 a.m.; Old Main, Room 201 John Quinones, ABC News; 11 a.m.; Old Main, Room 320 Philosophy Dialogue: How We Received the Bible as We Know it Today

Tickets: $2 general admission, $1 students

Time: registration at 9:30 a.m., rules at 10:30 a.m. and matches begin at 11:30 a.m.

Austin Film Conference and Festival

Texas State Symphony Orchestra

Time: noon

The thirteen-year-old event celebrates the importance of narrative storytelling in film and screenwriters’ contributions to film and television. The conference takes place at the Driskill Hotel, and films will be screened at Austin theaters. Visit www.austinfilmfestival.com for a schedule and more information.

Associate music professor Howard Hudiburg will direct the orchestra at Evans Auditorium. The event will also include Lorelei Davis’ graduate instrumental conducting recital. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information.

Location: Psychology Building, Room 132

Time: 3 p.m.

Sinae Kwon, senior student of music professor Timothy Woolsey, will perform in the Music Building recital hall. Contact (512) 245-2651 for more information.

Tickets: $95 badge, $35 ﬁlm pass

Tickets: $2 general admission, $1 students

Time: 6 p.m.

Frame 312

The event is free and open to the public.

Time: 8 p.m.

Friday Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration Austin Film Conference and Festival Central Texas Archives Fair

Lecturer: Steve Springer, occupational education professor

Junior Recital Program

SPJ Film Festival

Monday

The Society of Professional Journalists will host screenings of journalism-related ﬁlms in Old Main, Room 320.

Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide

Time: 6 p.m.

Treasures of the Southwestern Writers Collection: A 20th Anniversary Celebration

SACA Movie Night

Austin Film Festival

The Student Association for Campus Activities will host a screening of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby at the LBJ Amphitheater.

Philosophy Dialogue: Faith and Action: Can We Interpret God’s Will?

Time: 8 p.m.

Lecturer: Joe DeLaCerda, psychology senior

The event is free and open to the public.

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Time: 1 p.m.

Jazz Faculty Recital

The event is free and open to the public

Location: Psychology Building, Room 132

Philosophy Dialogue: Stories for Children

Jazz Orchestra

Lecturer: Kyle Prunty, philosophy alumnus

The orchestra will perform at Evans Auditorium under the direction of music professor Keith Winking. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information.

Texas State faculty musicians Pete Rodriguez, trumpet; Keith Winking, trumpet; Freddie Mendoza, trombone; Morris Nelms, piano; and Hank Hehmsoth, piano will perform in the Music Building recital hall. Contact (512) 245-2651 for more information.

Hosted by Alkek Library archivists, the fair begins “Archives Week” in Texas and is one of many events across the country in October observing the signiﬁcance of archives and historical records. Representatives from several area repositories will be on hand to discuss archival resources available at Alkek.

Carole Greer - 10times3 Exhibit

Time: noon Location: Psychology Building, Room 132

Time: 8 p.m.

Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $2 general admission, $1 students

Page 12 - The University Star

✯Star Comics

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, October 19, 2006

RIX’S

TECHNOLOGY FIXES

Don’t turn your nose up at low-quality Internet TV, it’s free For all of the console Candy, among othgames I play, I must ers — are broadcast to admit: I don’t actually some extent of legalown a television. ity on SHOUTcast TV. I basically live in a There are only 320 or closet, so space is a big so streams as of this issue. I don’t have the writing, but they offer a BILL RIX bank for a decent ﬂatdecently wide variety of Star Copy Chief screen LCD HDTV, programming, includso that option is out. ing mainstream movies, Additionally, I can’t stand most old television shows, Asian soap television shows, so that’s even operas and a bevy of Family Guy less of an incentive for me to and American Dad episodes, buy one. On occasion, however, sure to satiate the drunkest of I get the urge to watch some frat boys. While they are broadof my favorite programs from cast at low quality, they are still years past. Sadly, they aren’t in worth checking out and they syndication anymore (with the are, well, free. exception of The Fresh Prince of If television shows aren’t reBel-Air, which airs on TV Land) ally your bag, consider the offerso I’m out of luck — almost. ings of the lesser providers. Do a Enter SHOUTcast TV. Google search for “free TV” and Now, let me clarify something look at the results. One of the I said in the lead: I don’t dislike best (relatively speaking) sites all television. There are some out there is AmericaFree.TV, a shows worth watching, but site that offers visitors a choice those are few and far between. between several “channels” of Lucky for me, most of the shows programming. The channels are I do enjoy — Mystery Science genre based and include offerTheater 3000 and Strangers with ings such as crime dramas, hor-

ror, sci-ﬁ and animated movies. It’s true that the quality of the shows and movies are sometimes stuff that The Mads would even pass on. But hey, this stuff is free for a reason. I did catch the seminal Carnival of Souls on the Horror Channel over the summer, so it was deﬁnitely worth the time it took to watch. Let’s say, though, you want to watch DVDs instead, but you’re as television-less as I am, and your computer doesn’t have a DVD-ROM. If you have a DVD player and the right monitor, you can buy a cheap A/V-to-SVideo cable and hook up the DVD player directly to the display. I have a Dell 2007WFP that has an S-Video and a composite video connection, perfect for hooking up consoles and video players alike. Beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to looking for something free to watch over the Internet, and until IPTV becomes more practical, we’ll have to make do with what we get.

Yesterday’s solutions:

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

Yesterday’s solutions:

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection What do you think of the city’s single-family zoning ordinance? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in next Thursday’s issue of The University Star.

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - Page 13

*This is not a scientiﬁc poll

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

an Marcos wouldn’t be much of a city without Texas State students. The university, outlet malls and other businesses and institutions thrive because of students, but no one exactly lays out the welcome mat for students.

NO WARM WELCOME HERE Improper education of zoning ordinance unfair to off-campus students

Problems concerning the city’s singlefamily zoning ordinance have made it clear what the city thinks of students. The ordinance has been around for 22 years but has recently become a heated issue. Under the city’s land-development code, houses in certain districts are designated for “singlefamily use” and only two people who are not related may occupy the same house. At an Oct. 5 San Marcos City Council debate, residents asked questions and candidates focused on the ordinance and its problems. Mayor Susan Narvaiz said the problem with the ordinance was a behavioral issue. City Council Place 1 candidate Betsy Robertson said the community must teach the students to be good neighbors. All candidates present supported the ordinance, but much of the debate consisted of candidates and residents pointing fingers at students. All the complaints would give the impression that the 7,800 students living off campus don’t have any common sense when it comes to being neighborly. Not all fault can be placed on students. If students aren’t made aware of the ordinance, how are they supposed to know? Real estate agents need to inform their customers about the ordinance. The city also needs to find a way to hold property managers accountable for informing their clients. Most importantly, the city needs to take responsibility for informing students and residents of the ordinance. So far, it has failed to do this. The university has started to take some action. Recently, the vice president for Student Affairs Office launched the Good Neighbor program in hopes to strengthen relations between students and San Marcos residents by providing students with information they need about the city’s zoning codes, moving tips and ways students can break the ice with their neighbors. The office sent e-mails to 7,800 students living off campus late September. Another part of the program included launching a Web site at which residents could report complaints. Residents can report violations of the zoning ordinance, disorderly conduct and loud parties. Outreach and education are necessary components to mending this problem. City Marshal Kenneth Bell said in The University Star that the number of grievances recently filed has risen dramatically. During the past three months, 57 grievances have been filed. During the Spring 2006 semester, 27 grievances were filed. Bell also said in The Star that the city marshals hope to make presentations regarding city codes and zoning to freshman classes in the future. An on-campus presence is necessary to let students know not just how to be “good neighbors” but what the law is. It is unfair for students to be held accountable for the actions of unscrupulous landlords as it is for older residents to be forced to cope with rowdy students.

In response to the Oct. 5 column “Maines called it: Outspoken Dixie Chick right on all accounts,” I would have thought that university students would not make comments in their writing that they have no facts to back up. I spent two and a half years researching the battle for An Nasiriyah to produce an accurate account of that battle in my novel Marines in the Garden of Eden. Mr. Afflerblach states in his recent column, “… and before Jessica Lynch’s rescue was exposed as a farce.” The rescue of Jessica Lynch was anything but a farce. Lynch was the first American POW rescued since World War II. The rescue was professionally planned and executed. It was such a success that not a single American or Iraqi was injured during the operation. Jessica was on an American helicopter being flown to safety within 7 minutes of the first Navy SEAL on the ground. Some say the rescue effort was not needed, but they too are disregarding the facts. U.S. Marines had been battling fanatic Iraqis for more than a week in Nasiriyah and only hours before the rescue the remaining Baath loyalists had abandoned their uniforms at the Saddam Hospital and fled north. It would have been irresponsible for the military commanders to go in to rescue Lynch with anything less than what they did. Jessica was a mere 70 pounds and near death when she was rescued. Please be more careful with what you claim to be fact. Richard S. Lowry Marines in the Garden of Eden author

Online Poll Results College Democrats

Think you have something to say? Log on to www.universitystar.com and click on the letters link to read old letters and submit new ones.

hat do you think of the Oct. 4 resignation of College Democrats President Eric Heggie?

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.

Kelly Simmons/Star illustration

Last teardrop falls for bridge-building musician “I

As Hispanic Herirelations. tage Month wound Indeed, the history down last weekend, of Mexican-AmeriFreddy Fender, an can relations can be authentic example of told through Fender’s the Hispanic culture’s life. South Texas has impact on America, long been a place of died from lung cancer conflict between farm FRED AFFLERBACH workers and their emat his Corpus Christi Star Columnist home. ployers, the workers Fender, born crying out for better Baldemar Huerta in 1937 in pay and working conditions. San Benito, Texas, did more Fender experienced this firstfor Mexican-American relahand. As a child he worked as tions than Vicente Fox, George a migrant worker, picking cotBush, Rick Perry and NAFTA ton and other crops with his combined. It’s sad that after parents. an artist such as Fender spent Fender lost his father at an a lifetime building bridges beearly age and grew up in a tween cultures, politicians want poor neighborhood in the Rio to build a fence. Grande Valley town of San Fender brought us together Benito. His first guitar had no through bilingual lyrics in such back, yet he won a talent show songs as “Before the Next Tearcontest at the age of 10. The drop Falls” as well as acting in prize was a valuable commodthe critically acclaimed movity: Food. Representing the ies Lone Star and The Milagro melding of cultures along the Beanfield War, which address Texas border, Fender picked Mexican-American history and up on the “conjunto” sound, a

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

Letter to the Editor Lynch ordeal not a ‘farce’

lively combination of German polka played with a push-button accordion and traditional “ranchero” Mexican music. Today, some call this style TexMex, or Tejano. Even the name change from Baldemar Huerta to Freddy Fender represents the melding of cultures. He chose Fender because he played a Fender guitar, yet remained true to his Hispanic heritage. Steve Davis, assistant curator at the Southwestern Writers Collection at Alkek Library, said Fender was a good example of the social interaction between Mexicans and Anglos in the Southwest. “He’s an amalgamation of American, Texas and Mexican cultures. He’s from that great tradition of intermingling and great artists pick up on that,” Davis said. Fender’s signature song, “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” is the story of unrequited love, a

Editor In Chief...................................Jason Buch, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.........................Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor..............................David Saleh Rauf, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor....................Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor...................................Monty Marion, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..................................Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

theme that transcends races. He sings both in English and Spanish. The song wouldn’t have the emotional impact if it were only sung in English, or only Spanish, and somehow, regardless what color the skin is, this duality makes a connection straight to the listener’s heart. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” also broke across the border between country and pop. In 1974, it hit No. 1 on Billboard’s pop and country charts. In the ‘90s, Fender hit his stride when he joined the Texas Tornados, the quintessential Tex-Mex band, featuring Doug Sahm, Flaco Jimenez and Augie Meyers. The Grammys stacked up and things were going well until Fender’s health failed. His daughter donated a kidney in 2002 and he had a liver transplant in 2004. Fender also suffered from hepatitis C and diabetes, possibly the effects of earlier bouts with alcohol and

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ndeed, the history of Mexican-American relations can be told through Fender’s life.”

drugs. But Davis recalls bumping into Fender at a San Marcos grocery store, buying soda. Davis said his mother in-law was a big fan and his wife grew up listening to Fender on the kitchen radio. One day they saw Fender at H-E-B and his wife insisted on approaching him. Davis said he was down-to-earth. “He was very gracious and buying a six-pack of Diet Coke,” Davis said. “He was able to make it and be true.” Davis said.

Fred Afﬂerbach is a mass communication senior

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His decisions presented a conﬂict of interest

52% He should not have resigned

34% Not sure/I don’t know

14%

Results compiled from The University Star Web site online poll. This is not a scientiﬁc survey.

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 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright October 19, 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.

C �LASSIFIEDS �� THE ��UNIVERSITY ��STAR ��

�� ad policiesand costs

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - Page 14 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33 ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREE PETS ARE THE RESULT OF UNWANTED PET BREEDING. Unwanted surplus and stray pets are often destroyed. Please fix your pets!!! Should you need financial assistance to spay or neuter your pet, please call (512) 754-PALS. Pet Prevent A Litter (PALS) is a nonprofit organization which is dedicated to the ending of pet overpopulation and pet homelessness. Volunteers and new members are needed. www.preventalitter.com. PET FEST will be held October 21, 2006 at the San Marcos Plaza Park 10-6.

AUTO 1990 CHEVY LUMINA. Good condition. Great car for student or in town use. High miles. $500 cash. (512) 878-4210 or dr1103@txstate.edu. 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT XLS, Exc. Cond., Leather, Sunroof, 155k commuter miles, $6,500, OBO. (512) 308-0874.

FOR RENT A FULL MONTH FREE, NO APP. FEES!! We have what you are looking for! 2BD/21⁄2BA with a study, 3BD/2 1⁄2 BA, or a 3BD/31⁄2BA...all have 2 car garages and full size washer and dryer, located on Sagewood Drive. Get in now before prices go up. CALL TODAY! VJE, (512) 353-3002. HISTORICAL MANSION, A PLACE TO CALL HOME! A cozy 1BD/1BA space available. Hardwood ﬂoors & a big cast iron tub to relax the day away! Newly remodeled, call for more information. VJE, (512) 353-3002. ROOMS 4 RENT. New 3/2 in Buda. $500/mo. ABP. (361) 676-3780. PLANNING A JAN. 1 MOVE? See 5 very beautiful & very different 2BR duplex possibilities in one stop near W. campus. Various features; Quite Neighborhood, 16’ Vault, Skylights, Crown Mold, Tile, Fans, Drapes, W/D, DW, Microwave, New Kitchens & Baths, Storage, Courtyard, Decks, Walk-ins. Fenced Wooded Yards. Exceptional at $575 to $650. Non-smoking, No dogs. (512) 353-8384.

FOR RENT

1/1.5 LOFT. 700 sq. ft. 2BD/1.5BA, has backyards, includes W/D. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $0 DEP., $345, MOST BILLS PAID. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. 3BD/2BA ON 4 ACRES, 10 min. TSU, $750/deposit. (512) 805-0339. BIG 2 BEDROOM 900 SQ. FT. $585! Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. OK! OK! LISTEN! Bills paid, located in the historical district, move into 605 W. San Antonio Street today! 3BD/11⁄2BA, washer & dryer, pets welcomed, very private! Call VJE, (512) 353-3002. BIG DOGS OK! 1/1 - $450 & 2/2 $450, pay partial water, free cable. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $199 TOTAL MOVE-IN! 1 bedroom, $460. 2 bedroom, $525. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. HOT GOSSIP! WE’VE GOT IT! Live in a place that everyone is talking about...”The 605!” Plastic surgery was performed and she’s a beauty! Bills paid, new sexy stainless steel appliances, be the ﬁrst to live here, right next to campus where all the action is! Call Stacey, (512) 396-2673. APTS. OR HOUSE next to campus, roommate matching, wooden ﬂoors, good condition, free internet and cable, $250-$350 per person. Call (512) 757-1943. IT’S ALMOST HOT TUBBING SEASON! Langtry Apartments are steaming hot with it’s new look! We offer 2BD/2BA and 1BD/1BA spaces, located on the TXState shuttle route. Call for all the juicy details! Stacey, (512) 396-2673. TOWNHOME 4-2.5, All bills paid, W/D included. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. 0 DEPOSIT, 0 APP. FEE. 1 month FREE! Cable, internet, water, trash paid. W/D included. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $1-1 $375. 500 sq. ft.! Some bills paid. Cheapest in town. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $149 TOTAL MOVE IN! 1 bedroom, $420. 2 bedroom, $525. On TXState shuttle. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123.

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 eds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifi Classifieds starclassifieds@txstate.edu

FOR RENT-APTS

NO DEPOSIT! FIRST MONTH FREE! 1BD/1BA apartment close to campus. $460 per month. (281) 546-8857. APARTMENT IN WIMBERLEY. Spacious 2BD/1BA, 1,000 sq. ft. , built in 2002, with ﬁreplace, large kitchen, balcony, sunset hill country views, and free health club membership, available ASAP. Ideally suited for professor, married couple or grad student who appreciate beautiful, quiet, serene surroundings. Quick easy access to Austin and San Marcos, near RR12 on RR3237. $875/mo. Call (512) 560-6761, e-mail ironsarah@aol.com. 2/2 APARTMENT DOWNTOWN ON THE SQUARE. Available immediately. Call (432) 664-3256. APARTMENTSTOGO.COM. Free list of apartment prices and amenities or visit our ofﬁce on The Square! (512) 353-FREE.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX 239 CRADDOCK FOR LEASE. 2BD/1BA with W/D included. $545/ mo. Extra large closets and on the shuttle route. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy, (512) 665-0350. 900 HAZELNUT. 3BD/2BA/1 Carport for a REDUCED $895/mo. W/D connections. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy, (512) 665-3321. BRACEWOOD CIRCLE has large 2BD/1BA with W/D connections beginning at $475/ mo. Call Legacy Real Estate for particulars at (512) 665-0350, and visit legacyrealestate.biz for viewing. 612 MILL STREET. 2BD/2BA duplex with W/D included. On the shuttle. $700 per month. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy, (512) 665-3321. SUBLEASE MY DUPLEX. 2BD/ 1BA near campus. Huge yard, pets welcome. $700/mo. 1st month free. Lease ends mid-June. Call (512) 878-2057 for more details.

FOR RENT-HOUSES AVAILABLE NOW! Awesome new 3BD/3.5BA house. Marble counters, stainless appliances, huge porch. No pets. Must see. 1497 N. LBJ. (713) 882-9069. KYLE-PLUM CREEK. 3BD/2.5BA/ 2LA. 1,750 sq. ft., with huge kitchen and master. 15 min. from campus. No dogs/no smoking. $1,100/mo. Call Mike at (512) 695-6117. AVAILABLE JANUARY 1. Beautiful new 3BA/3.5BD. 1495 N. LBJ, (512) 665-6500 or (512) 396-4488. No pets. 1405 RANCH ROAD 12: HOUSE FOR LEASE. 3BD/1BA with converted garage that would be a great recreation room. $775 per month. Call Legacy Real Estate, (512) 665-3321. GATED. 2BD/2BA, ﬁreplace, W/D, yard, cable, phone, internet, and water included. (512) 396-4488 or (512) 665-6500. 1499 N. LBJ.

FOR RENT-HOUSES

3BD/2BA. Washroom, huge lot, carport. Must see. Great location. $1,000 mo. (512) 392-2443.

FOR SALE DIAMOND, CERTIFIED 1 CARAT PRINCESS CUT, BEAUTIFUL STONE WITH CERTIFICATE. Will meet at any jewelry store for veriﬁcation. $3,000. Cory (512) 557-4234. TWO 12’’ FOSGATE POWER DVC’S w/4000 watt MA audio amp w/extras. Call (512) 665-5138. MATCHING DRESSER, CHEST, AND NIGHTSTAND. $125 or better offer. Call Karina (210) 875-0230. JAPANESE MADE POWER SCOOTER, 50CC engine, fully automatic, 55/60 miles per gal., top speed 55/60, used 2 months. (512) 392-6742.

HELP WANTED P/T CHILD CARE, 2 children, M-F 3-6:30 p.m., Manchaca, Texas, $420 monthly. (512) 825-1695. $ $ $. GREAT Money! Seeking BARTENDERS, servers, and entertainers. PT space FT space, ﬂexible schedules, fun loving atmosphere. SUGAR’S 404 Highland Mall Blvd (Across from Highland Mall). (512) 451-1711. TUTOR/NANNY POSITION available in San Marcos through May 18, 2007. Prefer Interdisciplinary Studies/Education Generalist 4-8 major with GPA of 3.0 or greater. Nonsmokers only. Pays $7+/hour depending on experience plus bonus opportunities. Call (512) 787-7609 for an application. More info on Jobs4Cats #5123. Interviewing now! NOW HIRING NIGHT COOKS AND WAIT STAFF, all shifts, for Juan Henry’s Restaurant. Apply in person after 2 p.m., 500 River Road, Wimberley, Texas. PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDS FEMALE MODELS for fashion and glamour photography $20/hr. No exp. needed. Call (512) 395-8972. EXTREMELY GIFTED NEEDS HIGHLY SKILLED WRITER FOR PRESS RELEASES. Please email portfolio to shannon@extremelygifted.com or call (512) 396-4438. ATTENTION STUDENTS! POSITIONS AVAILABLE •$13 Base Appointment •Flexible Schedules •Customer Sales/Service •No Experience Needed, will train •All Ages 17+ •Conditions Apply Call today (512) 392-7377 www.workforstudents.com PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR is seeking friendly, outgoing cocktail waitresses with big smiles and hardworking doormen. We are open and accepting applications Tues.-Sat. 6:30-8:30 at 421 E. Sixth St., Austin, Texas. EARN $800-$3,200 A MONTH to drive brand new cars with ads placed on them. www.DriveAdCars.com

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING. Experience preferred. Breakfast Host, Housekeepers, Housemen, Front Desk Associates, Night Auditor, Maintenance. Apply within. (512) 353-7770. Part-time. Flexible. Perfect job for student. ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc. $75-200/hr. No exp. needed, (512) 684-8296. EQUESTRIAN AND PHOTO MODELING OPPORTUNITIES. Apply on-line @ www.texasarabianhorses.com EXTREMELY GIFTED IS LOOKING FOR A BLOG WRITER! Pay per blog, creative writers please call (512) 396-4438 or email portfolio to shannon@extremelygifted.com. CYPRESS CREEK CAFE IN WIMBERLEY, wait staff wanted, all shifts. Call for appointment (512) 847-2515. CLEAR SPRINGS CAFE IS NOW HIRING energetic, high-volume, food servers, bussers, hostess and kitchen help. Full and part time. Must be available for weekends. Apply in person between 2-5pm M-F at 1692 Hwy 46 South (3 miles off IH-35 between New Braunfels and Seguin). BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM. We need Paid Survey Takers in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys. WIMBERLEY ATHLETIC CLUB. Open 7 days a week. Part-time positions, front desk, must be working on a related degree, $6 per hour. Ideally suited for kiniesology/physiology majors looking to develop into a full time professional ﬁtness trainer upon graduation. E-mail resume to ironsarah@aol.com and call (512) 560-6761. BARTENDER-GRUENE HALL. Responsible energetic bartender needed to serve beer & wine at fast paced live music venue. Must be 21 & must be able to work Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., weekends & holidays. Apply in person Mon. 3-5 p.m. or Tues. 7-9 p.m. or Wed., Fri., Sun. 1-5 p.m. At Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. NEED EXTRA CASH? After school tutor needed M-Th. for two middle schoolers in Kyle. Education Major preferred. Reliable transportation a must. Contact Cynthia at (512) 787-5975 and leave a message. NEWSPAPER LAYOUT DESIGNER AND WRITER NEEDED. Excellent organization and communication skills, extensive knowledge of QuarkXpress and Adobe Photoshop. Competitive salary, great beneﬁts. E-mail resume to chris.lykins@seguingazette.com or fax to (830) 379-8328. ATHLETIC MALE MODELS WANTED for physique photography in Austin. $200-$1,000 per session. Call Wu at (512) 927-2448. HILL COUNTRY BAR LOOKING FOR WAITRESS/BARTENDER. Same distance and money as working in Austin. Texas Iron Horse Saloon, Blanco, Tx. (512)659-7991. No calls before noon.

HELP WANTED

JOHNNY ROCKETS “THE ORIGINAL HAMBURGER” located at Prime Outlet Mall is now hiring for all positions! Have fun at work and be apart of the team that serves fun food with a 50’s ﬂare. Food service experience desired, but not necessary. Please apply in person Monday-Thursday, 3pm - 8pm NANNY NEEDED, afternoons, Elementary Education major preferred. Call Tamara, (512) 203-0810. !BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 x 157. PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED IN NEW BRAUNFELS. Duties range from help around the house to assistance in the ofﬁce. Starting pay $7/hr. (830) 237-9993.

MISCELLANEOUS HORSE BOARDING, NEW STALLS, SAND ARENA, FULL CARE, $295 w/ hay (Seguin). Ashley, (830) 556-4640. INTERESTED IN MEDIEVAL ARMORED COMBAT, FENCING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, BELLYDANCING, OR MUSIC? Check into the local chapter of the SCA at http://ffynnon-gath.ansteorra.org AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE! http://www.CathleenCranford. mynetquotes.com.

ROOMMATES ROOMMATE WANTED ASAP FOR NICE 2/1 HOUSE NEAR CAMPUS. Located across street from Mitte. Large backyard. Pets OK. $300 plus 1/2 bills. (361) 877-0019.

SERVICES EXPERTISE IN MLA, APA, AND CHICAGO WRITING STYLES, Bellafay Creative Works offers affordable typing, proofreading, editing, and manuscript formatting. Contact bella@bellafaycreativeworks.com. WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM

SUBLEASE THE RIDGE SUBLEASE, 2BD/2BA, Nov. 06-Aug 07, no deposit, $439 mo, all bills paid except elec., pets ok. (512) 715-2157 or fo1003@txstate.edu

WANTED USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. (512) 353-4511. COME WORK FOR THE STAR! The Star is currently hiring for the following positions: •News reporters Must be able to gather information, conduct interviews and come into the newsroom to have stories edited. •Opinions columnists Must be able to write well-organized and thought-provoking columns about on-campus and local happenings. Pick up an application at the Trinity Building, or download one at www. universitystar.com.

SPORTS

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The University Star - Page 15

SLC honorees work to rebuild basketball programs “I

think we have a lot of kids who can play and have the talent to play really well on both ends of the ﬂoor. I think Joyce knows she needs to be a good leader and I think she will be.” - Suzanne Fox women’s basketball coach

By Jacob Mustafa The University Star With the basketball season looming ahead for Bobcats, Charles Dotson and Joyce Ekworomadu were both honored on the Preseason All-Southland Conference Teams, with Ekworomadu ﬁnding herself on the ﬁrst squad. Dotson, a preseason secondteam pick, is beginning his senior year and his second season at Texas State. The senior was voted in by the by the league’s coaches, who spent the latter half of Dotson’s junior season watching him improve his game and score over 20 in three consecutive games

during league play. Coach Doug Davalos said Dotson can become a leader as a senior, on and off the basketball court. “We’d like Charles to lead in basketball, in school and in his personal life,” Davalos said. Dotson will need to lead a team that had a disastrous 200506 season, which included a 3-24 record and a 1-15 in-conference mark. Dotson’s ﬁrst year at Texas State was full of promise, as he averaged 11.8 points and six rebounds per game as a power forward, adding an impressive .520 shooting percentage that was good for seventh in the conference. The Tennessee native ﬁnished

the season as the Bobcats’ leading scorer after transferring from Navarro College in Corsicana where he averaged a doubledouble of 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. “Charles is a senior, so I hope he succeeds and works hard in his last year,” said Davalos. “But that’s up to him.” While Dotson and the Bobcat men work to rebuild, Ekworomadu hopes she can help the women’s team build upon last year’s successful campaign, when she was the only junior named to the league’s second-team. Coach Suzanne Fox said she expects the same leadership from the junior Ekworomadu

does of herself. “I think we have a lot of kids who can play and have the talent to play really well on both ends of the ﬂoor,” Fox said. “I think Joyce knows she needs to be a good leader and I think she will be.”

Dotson

Ekworomadu

Last year Ekworomadu started in all but one game and posted averages of 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The junior’s scoring average raised seven points from her freshman year, making her the team’s second-leading scorer, behind only alumna Tamara Thompson, who ﬁnished her career at Texas State as an AllSLC First-Team selection after the 2005-06 season. Ekworomadu said she hopes to bring production and leadership similar to Thompson’s in her third year as a Bobcat. “I know I do need to be more of a leader.” Ekworomadu said.

FOOTBALL: Epsilon Williams listed as day-to-day after injury CONTINUED from page 16

Cotton Miller/Star photo QUICK CROSBY: Sophomore wide receiver Morris Crosby runs past the Texas State defense during Wednesday afternoon practice. Texas State is set to take on Southeastern Louisiana 6 p.m. Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

Home scrimmage gets tennis set for five-day tournament By Gabe Ramirez The University Star The tennis team scrimmaged against St. Edward’s Tuesday at the Tennis Courts. Having come off impressive showings at the first two tournaments of the season, the Bobcats used the scrimmage as a tune-up. The combined practice started out with doubles play, and followed with singles match ups between the two teams. After finishing with an overall 29-12 record at the Stephen F. Austin State Invitational in Nacogdoches two weeks ago, the Bobcats returned for their only home event until Feb. 9, when Texas-Pan American comes to town. The scrimmage gave Coach Tory Plunkett an opportunity to evaluate her squad at this point in the season. Overall, she said she was very pleased with their performance and spoke highly of their play versus St. Edwards. Plunkett also recognized an area where the team could improve. “They’re very strong right now, and they played together as a team today,” Plunkett said. “We

had a bit of a setback in doubles play, but it was an eye-opener to show that we have to play every opponent the same way, whether it’s Texas or a smaller school.” The team is led by talents such as sophomore Ashley Ellis and junior transfer student Alejandra Gulida. Ellis and Gulida are coming off strong performances at the SFA tournament, where each won their respective singles brackets. They both won each of their three matches in straight sets. In the first tournament of the season at the Red Raider Shootout, hosted by Texas Tech, Ellis reached the finals of the “Red Draw” singles tournament and finished as the overall runnerup. After two strong outings, she saw this week’s scrimmage as an opportunity to work on her game. “This semester I’m trying to work on my net game and my volleys in singles and doubles as well, so that’s what I was looking at trying to improve today,” Ellis said Tuesday. Plunkett said she expects great things from her team, and the addition of Gulida makes her

squad that much stronger, as the player’s scrimmage performance showed. “(Gulida) proved to me she is a very good player, and is someone who can play against any of the top players anywhere,” Plunkett said. “She is an excellent addition to this team.” The ITA Regional Tournament begins this weekend in Fort Worth, where Ashley Ellis will be the ﬁrst Texas State player under Plunkett to make it to the main draw. Ellis recognized how signiﬁcant this accomplishment is. “I couldn’t believe it when (Plunkett) told me,” Ellis said. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great learning experience for me.” Despite St. Edwards being a smaller program, the university made for a great practice partner, and gave the team an opportunity to work together. After the scrimmage the Bobcats were optimistic about where the team is headed. “We’re a very young team, but we’re learning to work together and play together so we’re going to be really good,” Ellis said.

SOCCER: Seniors to start against Northwestern State Sunday CONTINUED from page 16

for Senior Day following the contests with the Cowgirls. The Bobcats beat McNeese State 2-1 in an overtime match in 2005, and then went on to knock the team out of the ﬁrst round in the league’s playoff tournament. Texas State will have to be on the lookout for Kamryn Koch, Cynthia Torres and Ja’Nae Powell, who lead the Cowgirls in goals, points and assists, respectively. “McNeese likes to go to Powell, who is a dangerous forward up top,” said Coach Kat Conner. “We will also be looking to shut down Cynthia Torres.” Texas State will continue to attack with the three-front drive, but may turn to a different strategy for the Cowgirls. “With the three-front, everybody tends to go straight at the goal,” Conner said. “Now we need to be patient enough to work around the goal. That will disguise the run and not make it so readable.” The Bobcats are in search for their second-consecutive-con-

ference win, having beat Nicholls State 6-1 last weekend. “McNeese will come out attacking like crazy so we need to just keep our composure and take our shots,” said goalkeeper Brittany Beltramini. “It will be a big battle with them.” Sunday’s opponent, Northwestern State, has recorded nine points so far this season and is hanging on to a one-point lead over Texas State for the fourth playoff spot. The Lady Demons are 3-5-1 on the road, but have always considered the Bobcats one of their main rivals. “The home ﬁeld has always been a plus in this rivalry,” Conner said. “We have a hard time playing at their place and they have a hard time playing at ours.” Leading the offensive attack for the Lady Demons are forwards Lauren Miller, Julie Zavala and midﬁelder Erin Hebert, who leads the team with six goals. “It will be a very physical game as in, we might be taking them out or they might be taking us out,” Beltramini said. “They are probably one of our biggest ri-

vals.” Mixed in the heat of this divisional rival game is Senior Day, when nine players will say their farewells to their beloved fans and a Bobcat Soccer Complex filled with memories. “Senior day will be an emotional and tough day,” Beltramini said. “We’ll go out with our hearts and leave it all on the field.” Senior defender Ashley Brown served along side of Kristy Collison as team captain this season, and said she has great expectations for Sunday’s battle. “Emotion is what we feed off of, so anytime we have extra reasoning to give it our all, we take it,” Brown said. “I think everyone will be pushing themselves extra hard. We are evenly matched teams and it will come down to which team wants it more.” Conner and company are hoping for an energetic fan base to back them up and help the seniors go out with a win. “On Sunday all the seniors will be starting,” Conner said. “They want to leave their legacy on the field and I’m hoping that they just relax and play their game.”

Musgrove was selected as the SLC’s Defensive Player of the Week after a two-interception, five-tackle effort last week against McNeese State. Musgrove is ranked fifth nationally with four interceptions on the season. “He’s very deserving. His first interception (in the McNeese State game) was amazing,” Bailiff said. “He is the hardest working young man you’ll ever meet, and this is a fitting tribute to everything he has worked through.” Roster shakeup Senior running back Daniel Jolly has been taking repetitions at fullback. According to Bailiff, the position change was to find a spot on the field for Jolly. Jolly was inactive for games against Southern Utah and SFA, seeing his first action in three weeks against the Cowboys. Banged-up Bobcats Senior defensive back Epsilon Williams is listed as 50-50

to play in this weekend’s game. Williams was on the stationary bike Tuesday nursing a thigh injury. He is listed as day-to-day. According to Bailiff, redshirt freshman Alvin Canady should be available after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury. Wasson adjusting well Chase Wasson is making a smooth transition from quarterback to wide receiver. The junior has the second most receptions on the team, with 13, trailing only Morris Crosby’s 20. “Chase has been absolutely fun to watch. He only had a few days to work on routes and footwork, but he continues to get better,” Bailiff said. George reaches 1,000 George now has 1,061 yards passing in six games, only three of which he started. George is averaging 176.8 yards a game and has six touchdown tosses. “After playing professional baseball for ﬁve years, it says a lot about his work ethic. I think

his age factors into his work ethic,” Bailiff said. “We didn’t give up any sacks last week, and some of those were because he was able to step to avoid sacks.” Crosby expected to play After sustaining a broken nose in last week’s game, Crosby is expected to be in action this weekend. “He looks like a boxer. His nose and eyes are swollen,” Bailiff said. “He broke it on a big third-down play; all he wanted to know on the sidelines was if he got the first down.” Ireland perfect After a rocky start of the season for Bobcat kickers, sophomore Andrew Ireland has capitalized on each of his four field goal attempts and all seven of his extra points. The Baylor transfer is second on the team behind Wasson in scoring, with 19 points. “We have a lot of confidence when we run (Ireland) out there,’ Bailiff said. He’s responded well to everything thrown at him, and he’s consistent.”

SPORTS

volleyball travels

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

The Bobcats hit the road for two contests this weekend against Central Arkansas and Northwestern State, riding a four-game winning streak. The volleyball team has won six of its last seven contests, and now holds a 5-2 Southland Conference record, good for third place in the league’s West Division. Northwestern State and Central Arkansas sit in third and fourth in the East, respectively. After the pair of matches, the Bobcats return home for a four-contest home stand, starting Thursday against Texas-Arlington.

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - Page 16

Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

Soccer set for Senior Day, rivalry game By Carl Harper The University Star It has been a long season for the Bobcats. The soccer team has had its ups and downs throughout their schedule. During the campaign the Bobcats once suffered a sixgame losing streak, only to rebound by winning three of the next ﬁve matches, with a doubleovertime tie thrown into the mix as well. Despite the rough turbulence, Texas State is very much alive in the race to the Southland Conference tournament, slated for Nov. 2 in San Marcos.

Texas State, 2-1-1 in league play, gears up to face McNeese State on the road Thursday, sitting in sixth place in the division with eight points. Central Arkansas holds the ﬁfth-place spot, but according to the NCAA mandated rule, is not eligible for the tournament. Any school that made the transition from Division II to Division I during the off-season cannot participate. Coming from the Great South Conference, this is Central Arkansas’s rookie season in the SLC. Texas State returns home Sunday against Northwestern State See SOCCER, page 15

Cotton Miller/Star feature photo HARD HITTER: Senior linebacker Jeremy Castillo led Texas State with 10 tackles during the Bobcats’ victory over McNeese State over the weekend.

Austin Byrd/Star ﬁle photo ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Senior forward Natalie Holder beats out two Nicholls State defenders to the ball during Texas State’s game last weekend. The Bobcats next play at home Sunday versus Northwestern State.

Win against Lions in Homecoming game crucial

WILLIAM WARD Star Columnist Don’t let us down, Bobcats. You just spanked McNeese State in front of a television audience. The offense was good, but the defense was scary. Good teams win the games they’re supposed to win, which didn’t happen versus Stephen F. Austin, but the ability to bounce back is another important quality of a good team. We, the collective student body, need you to do it again on Saturday. The 1-4 start was nothing short of embarrassing, but winning is the quickest way to make people forget. A blowout Homecoming win will put you at 2-0 in our hearts. That’s my word. The home ﬁeld advantage is going to be insane this week, and you can bet the same people who drove SFA’s players and coaching staff to act like fools will be out in full force. Bradley George is looking better and better as quarterback as each game goes by, and I’m wondering if maybe the team wouldn’t be in better standing if he had been given the reins from game one. The passing game has really come alive, and George is a big reason why. He’s starting to look like he can run the offense exactly how it should be. When all is said and done, he could go down as one of the greatest in Texas State history. George has the wheels to take off when he needs to, but thanks to superb line play and improved timing with the receivers, that’s not very often. McNeese had more success passing than rushing and that’s

been the story of the Texas State defense the whole season. The reason this game was different is that, even though they allowed two touchdowns through the air, they snatched five interceptions. The important thing about shutting down the running game — even if they’re scoring through the air — is that if the opposition is only scoring with the passing game, it’s not on the field very long. If they can ground out a drive and then score, that’s a huge blow because they’ve controlled the clock. McNeese ran well but couldn’t control the clock and had to pass more often than they wanted to. The Bobcats need to do the same thing Saturday. The Southeastern Louisiana Lions are primarily a running team but are still capable of passing. It’s important that our boys in maroon and gold show up and shut down (or at least slow down) the running game and make the Lions win the game through the air. Our defensive secondary has started off poorly but, if the McNeese game is any indication of what they’re capable of, I want to see the opponents throwing as much as possible. Their quarterback, Seth Babin, is in his first year as a starter and, hopefully, plays like it. I predict that our Bobcats will come out strong and control things early. The key will be playing smart, controlled football for four quarters and not repeating what happened against SFA. The Bobcats are the better team from top to bottom, but the Lions can’t be allowed to benefit from Texas State shooting itself in the foot. This is a statement game. It will be the first home game since blowing it against SFA and is also the Homecoming game. This will be a defining moment of the season not only for the fans, but the alumni who travel here to see the game. William Ward is a political science sophomore

Quiet riot

Softspoken linebacker makes transition on football field By Nate Brooks The University Star Jeremy Castillo is hard to miss on the football field. All one has to do is look for the ball, and he’s there making a play. Whether he’s making a tackle, picking off a quarterback’s pass, or causing a ball carrier to fumble, the senior linebacker is there. It’s strange to see the same man who attacks opposing offenses with unbridled tenacity on the field completely different once the helmet and pads are off. “He’s as quiet and good of a person as you’ll meet,” said Coach David Bailiff, “but you put a football helmet on him and he goes through a transformation. Something special happens to him.” Castillo transforms from a shy, reserved, humble student into an intense and aggressive competitor whom his teammates look to for leadership. The transformation process is inexplicable, even to Castillo himself. “I don’t know (what causes it),” Castillo said. “The field is where I feel comfortable at. Everything comes out when I touch that field.” In fact, the football field is the only place anyone can pry any-

thing out of the incredibly quiet and methodical 21-year-old. In over three years at Texas State, Castillo has rarely given interviews to the media — not because he has something against the press, but because he doesn’t see how he can possibly talk for just a few minutes, especially to someone he doesn’t know. “I think this is the first interview he’s done in the three years I’ve been here,” Bailiff said. “He won’t even do the radio show because he says, ‘Coach, I can’t talk that long.’” Castillo may be a man of few words off the field, but on the field he has loudly announced his presence this season, leading the team with 41 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. “He’s extremely important to our defense,” said Linebackers Coach Rick LaFavers. “You can tell when he’s not in the game and not at practice. His presence makes everyone around him better.” Castillo’s presence comes across as much larger than his 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pound frame lets on. “He’s not the biggest (player), but he’s got tremendous instincts and plays with a fanatical effort,” LaFavers said. “He’s really one of the best linebackers I’ve been around, and that in-

cludes when I coached at TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M.” Castillo is also one of the best linebackers and defenders in Texas State football history. He enters this Saturday’s contest against Southeastern Louisiana with 277 career tackles, just 11 shy of reaching the school’s all-time top-10 list for a career. Castillo acknowledges the opportunity to etch his name into the record books, but said he isn’t greatly concerned about individual accomplishments. “It’s not a big deal to me,” Castillo said. “I just want to be known as a great student athlete, dedicated team member, hard-worker and a winner.” It’s also not a big deal to him that he has yet to be named to an all-conference team despite a stellar career, but the coaching staff has taken notice. “He’s led our team in tackles every year I’ve been here, and he’s never gotten all-conference,” Bailiff said. “It’s hard to explain.” Bailiff said he thinks Castillo’s quiet demeanor may have something to do with the reason he is overlooked. “I think it is because he is such a shy and reserved kid,” Bailiff said. “But he’s ﬂamboyant on the ﬁeld.” The Southland Conference didn’t think 95 tackles (13 for

a loss) and four-and-a-half sacks were flamboyant enough last season, only giving Castillo honorable mention despite his name appearing near the top of almost every major defensive category. But Castillo said none of that bothers him, just like offensive linemen who will try to block him on Saturday don’t bother him. “As long as we win, I’m good,” Castillo said. “The most important thing is the team goals.” Even though his senior season is not producing the amount of wins everyone expected, with a 2-4 start, one team goal of importance to Castillo still remains: a conference championship. The league title is a goal that remains alive — thanks, in part, to Castillo. With just over one minute remaining in regulation last week at McNeese State, he deflected a Mark Fontenot pass into the waiting hands of Walter Musgrove, sealing the biggest victory of the Bobcat’s season so far. There was Castillo, once again making a play. It was not the typical flamboyant play fans are used to seeing him make on the field; it was more subtle and quiet, like the Jeremy Castillo off the gridiron.

Homecoming cat fight: Bobcats hope to

knock the Lions out of conference title contention By Gordon Taylor The University Star

The Texas State Bobcats are coming off a 27-17 win over McNeese State last week and are heading into another conference game Saturday against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. This weekend’s conference battle doubles as the Bobcat Homecoming game. The Bobcats are 40-28-1 in homecoming games, and have won their

last two such match-ups. Kickoff for the homecoming game is set for 6 p.m. Saturday. The Lions are coming off a hard fought, come-from-behind 24-17 overtime victory against Northwestern State. Texas State has won all nine meetings against Southeastern Louisiana, and when the Bobcats and Lions last tangled in San Marcos, the Bobcats emerged victorious in a double overtime thriller. Although this game is signiﬁ-

cant to fans as Homecoming, both squads stand at 1-1 in the Southland Conference standings and a victory for either team would keep them in the hunt for the conference title. “With it being homecoming and stuff, there are going to be a lot of alums and stuff around,” said quarterback Bradley George. “We’re not getting caught up in all that; we’re looking at this game as our next win in conference. All those alums can celebrate when we win.” Coach David Bailiff said the Lions run an offense similar to Texas Tech, and had a speciﬁc formula for success against the “air raid” offense. “We cannot get beat deep,” Bailiff said. “We’re going to need great tackling. That type of offense depends on some broken tackles for big plays. We’re going to have to be disciplined and have great ﬁeld distribution.” Bailiff and George also have an idea of what is going to be needed offensively to help come

out. “We’re not changing very much. We’re trying to improve on what we already do,” George said. “They have a few different schemes they like to run up front, but we’re not changing. We’re just going to try to execute even better than we have been.” Bailiff said physicality on offense and winning the turnover battle is going to be key. “With any offense, you need to establish the run, and that’s what we’re going to try to do,” Bailiff said. “We need to be physical up front on the line, and we need to commit fewer turnovers.”

Football Notebook Musgrove handed weekly defensive honors Senior

cornerback

Walter

See FOOTBALL, page 15

10 19 2006

Published on Oct 19, 2006

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