RUNNING TOGETHER

Cross country runs deep for one Bobcat family SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

DEVILISH JOURNEY Spooky spectacles often seen at one of the most haunted regions in Central Texas SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

OCTOBER 24, 2007

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 97, ISSUE 27

ASG hosts final City Council debate ASG loses two senators to policy violations By Andy Sevilla News Reporter Two Associated Student Government senators were removed from office Monday for violating the organization’s Constitution and Code of Laws. ASG Sens. Christopher Fender and Michael Flowers lost their positions. Sen. Ryan Clay, public administration senior and chairman of the external relations committee for ASG, said Fender is one of his friends, but inevitably had to be removed because he has not shown up to at least three of the last meetings. He said it is inappropriate to keep someone in the Senate who will not attend scheduled meetings and actively participate in the democracy. In the weekly e-mail ASG Vice President Alexis Dabney sends to the senators, she said “there are 60 people in this organizaMonty Marion/Star photo tion, yet only about 20 people are truly acting like it.” MAKING A POINT: Gaylord Bose, Kim Porterfield, moderator Vincent Luizzi and Betsy Robertson Dabney, public relations selisten as City Council hopeful Jude Prather gives his opening remarks during the ASG-hosted debate nior, urged the senators to keep held Tuesday evening in McCoy Hall.

By Kristen Williams News Reporter San Marcos City Council candidates faced off one last time Tuesday night in preparation for early voting on the Texas State campus. The debate, hosted by the Associated Student Government and moderated by Vincent Luizzi, ASG adviser and philosophy professor, consisted of three parts. First, the candidates had two-minute introductions and then each was asked four questions. Finally, the audience was invited to pose questions. Kim Porterfield and incumbent Betsy Robertson are running for Place 1. Jude Prather and incumbent Gaylord Bose are running for Place 2. Bose said one of his main goals includes improving students’ quality of living. “In the future, I support the commuter train between Austin and San Antonio,” Bose said. “Together we can protect the river, recycle and continue to build bike and pedestrian facilities.” Bose said there is a need for housing because the population along the Interstate 35 corridor continues to grow. “There are apartment complexes going up because they were ap-

proved by the City Council,” Bose said. “I’m in favor of the rental permit system. All segments of the community system meet together so we can come out with a win-win situation.” Next up was Porterfield, Texas State director of community relations, who said economic development is key in the retention of Texas State graduates. “We have a major university in this country and all we are thinking is retail?” Porterfield asked. “We should look at what other universities do to try to find alternatives.” She further said the ongoing problems at Sagewood must be solved. “All the enforcement at Sagewood is leaving other areas of our city unprotected,” she said. “We can’t put Band-Aids on this issue and expect people to be satisfied.” Prather, public administration senior, said he wants to see more student involvement when it comes to city politics. “What’s our greatest export and resource?” Prather asked. “(It’s) college students. A group of students wrote the legislation bill that we took directly to our legislator (to change the university name to Texas State). I wasn’t experienced, but we saw the results.” If elected, Prather said he would

change the early voting procedures. “I want to see more days of early voting to increase the student vote because (Wednesday) and Thursday I guarantee you there will be lines,” Prather said. Robertson said if she is re-elected, she would pursue an economy where students have better jobs. “I want the city to be such a great place that you will want to stay here and have a job waiting for you when you graduate,” Robertson said. “I would like to concentrate on healthcare jobs, high tech jobs and (environmentally focused) jobs.” ASG Sen. Ryan Clay, at large, was present at the debate. “I support Prather and Porterfield because they have the best vision for where San Marcos needs to go,” said Clay, public administration senior. “They will provide the most economic development to the city and help reduce poverty and retain graduates in the city.” Anthropology sophomore Justin Krudop said he supports Prather, but still agrees with some of Bose’s ideas. “I endorse Jude because I think he can make a change,” Krudop said. “Jude has brought up the enforcement and city ordinances. Gaylord has brought students into his perspective. I think he’s got the right idea when it comes to Sagewood.”

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo EMPTY SEATS: ASG Senators wait for Monday night’s meeting to begin. There have been some issues concerning senators skipping out on the weekly meetings, leading to the removal of those chronically absent.

in mind they were elected or appointed for a specific reason – to represent the voice of the Texas State student body. “(Senators) were elected or appointed because (they) are the leaders on this campus and therefore (they) should be proactive in

taking on issues, writing legislation and being educated on the issues we vote on,” Dabney wrote. According to the ASG Constitution and Code of Laws, if See ABSENT, page 4

Texas State University System loses one school By Stephanie Kusy-Wilson News Reporter The Texas State University System is the oldest multi-campus system in Texas, which used to consist of nine institutions. Now, only eight remain. Effective Sept. 1, Angelo State University left the Texas State University System after five decades to join the Texas Tech University System. “This is a thrilling day for Texas Tech and a great day for ASU,” said Kent Hance, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. “It’s something that is a natural fit, and we are very excited about it. We look forward to working with the people at ASU.” Many groups, such as the Coalition for the Future of Angelo State University and the ASU Alumni Board of Directors believed realignment would provide numerous benefits for the school. Kyle Box, first vice president of the ASU Alumni Association, said Texas Tech currently rejects several thousand qualified student applicants each year because of limitations on the main campus infrastructure. He said applicants will now have the option to attend

ASU instead. ASU graduates in the honors program who are declared premed or pre-law will now be guaranteed acceptance into the Texas Tech medical school or law school if they maintain a particular GPA and earn a certain score on the entrance exams, Box said. He said the groups were not against the Texas State University System. However, many people found the Texas Tech University System related more to the ASU community including state Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, who authored the bill in Congress. State Sen. Robert Duncan, RLubbock, sponsored the same bill in the Senate, which was quickly passed by legislators. “I’m excited beyond words,” Darby said. “The work of a lot of people paid off.” While the switch became official Sept. 1, there was continual cooperation between the boards of regents from both systems to complete a smooth transition, Box said. The last step to realign the ASU to the Texas Tech University System will take place on Election Day, when the city of San Angelo will vote on Proposition 1. The constitutional amendment will relocate

the Higher Education Fund and other capital items to the Texas Tech University System. Currently 6,239 students attend ASU, down 26 from last year, according to its Web site. Freshman enrollment increased, though, by 108 students. ASU President Joseph C. Rallo said the figures revealed a need for more student housing. Construction on Centennial Village, a 526-bed residence hall, was scheduled to open this fall, but was left dormant for eight months under the Texas State University System, according to the ASU Web site. Construction has since resumed under the Texas Tech University System and is projected to open next fall. The Texas State University System did not return The University Star’s phone call. According to the Coalition for ASU’s Future, realignment has not affected the status of any students or faculty members at ASU and the university will not change its name now that it is part of the Texas Tech University System. “The San Angelo and Lubbock communities united on this issue, and I look forward to the great things ahead,” Duncan said.

New class schedule complicates commuting

Tina Phan/file photo Troublesome Transportation: The overcrowding of the Texas State trams is one of many issues that have arisen since the implementation of the four day class schedule.

By Ryan Seater News Reporter Students congregate Monday through Thursday at campus bus stops, waiting to elbow into

a tram already filled to capacity. Once aboard, students stand for the short ride to other stops or assorted parking lots. In extreme cases, students stand on routes servicing Austin and San Antonio.

Today’s Weather

Windy 77˚

Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 41% UV: 7 High Wind: N 14 mph

The crowded buses may be the result of what will be the uniform class scheduling system, or what many students call the fourday class schedule. “I’m one of the standees,”

said shuttle service manager Paul Hamilton. “Nobody likes to stand, and we’ve made every effort to accommodate.” The urban-transit routes have been split up and two buses are simultaneously servicing different stops. This increases the total number of riders traveling on the route at the same time. “There is a limit to which we can expand, partly due to the popularity of the routes,” Hamilton said. “Even though we’ve put more buses out there, more people are riding every single bus.” Auxiliary Services is looking into a federal grant in order to purchase two or three more buses for the inter-city routes. Under the current contract, the bus fleet is at maximum. Any additional vehicles will have to be paid for through grants or by the university. “When dealing with federal grants, nothing is quick,” Hamilton said. “We have to do the best we can with the fleet we have for the next two to three years.” As for on-campus and San Marcos routes, carrying capacity is being increased for the spring semester, Hamilton said. This will be done with the number of buses operating under the

Two-day Forecast Thursday Sunny Temp: 72°/ 45° Precip: 0%

Friday Sunny Temp: 77°/ 48° Precip: 10%

current contract. As the campus population rises, proportional increases in provided service could be made on certain routes. However, if too many buses are added, a new problem is created. Buses will overtake each other, and total carrying capacity for the route will suffer. Hamilton said long lines of buses will congest stops, causing delays and traffic jams. “As we can afford to add buses, there is a benefit, but there comes a point when you can’t add buses to a route and solve the problem,” Hamilton said. “We strongly suggest people come to class 40 to 50 minutes early instead of 30 when 5,000 other students are also traveling.” The new schedule started as a possible solution to meet the course requirements of students. “Students were having increasing difficulty scheduling a full class load,” said Michael Heintze, associate vice president of enrollment management and marketing. “We wanted to make class scheduling more uniform.” The administration looked at the old scheduling system and found a number of issues they wanted to address. More than 100 courses were offered during non-

standard times, creating a conflict between classes students needed to take in order to graduate on time. Subsequently, they found Tuesday and Thursday classes were more popular than Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes and the average GPA was higher. “If Tuesday/Thursday classes were most popular, would Monday/Wednesday classes be attractive to students?” asked Heintze. “A small task force was put together and one of the first things they asked was, ‘could you make this work?’” The task force conferred with university departments and was told the schedule was possible. Further positive input was given by the Associated Student Government. The schedule would provide more time to study and work on Fridays and would save driving time for commuters and necessitate less cost for childcare. So it was decided the new schedule was worth pursuing. “I think departments did a good job of offering courses to incoming freshman and sophomores,” Heintze said. “The first take is that it worked well. We do know

Inside

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News ........ 1,2,3,4 Opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 6,7

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Diversions .......... 8 Classifieds ......... 9 Sports .............. 10

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Today in Brief

Page 2 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Paul Chapa, University Police Department captain, was awarded the highest honor for Hispanic law enforcement in the nation, the “Aguila” (Eagle) Award by the The Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association. Chapa’s award is in special recognition of his service after a string of bomb threats last spring, following in the wake of the Virginia

Tech massacre. Chapa doubles as a student, pursuing a degree in organizational leadership. By pure coincidence, Chapa’s brother, Anthony, also received the award this year for his time with the Secret Service. — Courtesy University News Service

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

Calendar WEDNESDAY The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. in the St. Jude Chapel of the Catholic Student Center. Adult children of alcoholics dealing with dysfunctional families group will meet from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208. AITP will have a chapter meeting at 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 127 with special guest Amy Horiwitz, IT Manager at Global IT Operations for Dell in Austin. THURSDAY Texas State women’s volleyball will play Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum. The Counseling Center presents, “Stress Management Techniques: The Heart of Matter,” at 1 p.m. in LBJSC 3-5.1.

Group, will be 9:15 p.m. at 1700 Ranch Rd. 12, Suite C. SATURDAY Texas State women’s volleyball will play Northwestern State at 2 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

Men Against Violence meeting will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. in LBJSC 3.10. Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Group, a program of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center for Texas State Students will meet from 5 to 6:15 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Career Services presents the Fall Construction Job Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. in the LBJSC Ballroom. Women’s Personal Growth Group will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

GLBQ Pride Group meeting will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

The Catholic Student Organization will meet at 6 p.m. in the library of the CSC.

Facing the Fear — An Anxiety/Panic Group will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching, prayer and plenty of fun. Everyone is welcome to attend. FRIDAY UMADD New Organization Interest Meetings will meet from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in LBJSC 3.10.1. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3.4. Alcoholics Anonymous Newcomer’s Meeting, River

Oct. 14, 2:32 a.m. Criminal Mischief — Causes Substantial Inconvenience/College Inn An officer was dispatched for a criminal mischief report. A non-student reported three motor vehicles were damaged in the parking lot. This case is under investigation.

TUESDAY The CSC will have a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

Anger Management: Your Plan for Real-Life Coping will be from 5:10 to 6:25 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208. The CSC will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 5:45 to 9 p.m. in the St. Jude Chapel. Every Nation Campus Ministries will be holding a weekly campus meeting at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G02. There will be free food, fellowship and a message exploring the person of Jesus. Peter Gruning will give a free presentation, “Franciscan Spirituality- the way of the orders,” at 7 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo Philip Brown, undecided junior, takes a running start to jump into the San Marcos River at Sewell Park over the weekend.

Health Beat

Too much relaxing now leads to stress later

It is about that time of the semester. Midterms are over and relaxing seems like the thing to do. No reason why not, it seems, everyone needs a break. But several weeks later, the mind and body stay on vacation, while assignments pile up and end-of-semester pressure increases. However, the building workload can become manageable and enjoyable, allowing students to end the semester with success. Examine the ways you procrastinate instead of doing important tasks. Procrastination can lead to stress, anxiety and ultimately — poorer performance. People may feel they lack what is needed to get the job done: materials, information or skills. Or excuses like: “I don’t have the right study space” or “I’m just not in the right mood” are made. All this makes people feel out of control and under pressure, which inevitably leads to more procrastination. To get motivated, people should set goals consistent with their desires, as well as link completion of tasks with things they enjoy. Listing tasks allows a person to monitor what needs to be done. It is important for individuals to ensure goals are attainable and one step ahead of where they are now. If

a person has written the title of the essay, they should try to get the introduction done as well. Goals should be broken up into smaller, easier tasks and linked to deadlines. Furthermore, one should enjoy the process of doing a task and look forward to the information he or she will learn and the time spent in creativity. The process will be meaningful once the time is used wisely. Allocating enough time to do the task as well as time for breaks is important. Setting time aside will allow a person to target these obstacles more effectively and to seek support if needed. At the end of it all, a hard worker should acknowledge success and take credit for their work. A person should reward them self afterwards and take time to relish surviving another academic challenge. If a student is having trouble getting motivated or avoiding procrastination, they can call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208 or visit the Web site at www.counseling.txstate.edu. Also see SLAC or any of the learning labs around campus. —Courtesy of Student Health Center

School of Journalism hosts political activism symposium The power to initiate change belongs to the citizens, and the community is responsible for improving civic and political engagement at the local level. The symposium for Central Texas, sponsored by the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication and hosted by graduate students from the Mass Media and Politics class, will provide a forum through which community leaders, local media, citizens, faculty and students can collaborate to enhance civic engagement, political knowledge and political participation in Hays County. In addition to encouraging political participation at the local level, the symposium will focus on increasing civic engagement among minority community members and the role that mainstream and

Lions Club announces scholarship The San Marcos Bluebonnet Lions Club is offering a $500 scholarship for the Spring 2008 semester to a Texas State returning undergraduate student. Students are eligible if they are a resident of San Marcos, independent by FAFSA criterion, a returning student with minimum of 24 hours, have an overall GPA of 2.0 (must be verified by

University Police Department Oct. 14, 1:20 a.m. Medical Emergency/Retama Hall An officer was dispatched for a medical emergency. A student appeared to be suffering from alcohol poisoning, was evaluated by EMS and transported to Central Texas Medical Center for further evaluation.

MONDAY

Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland. For more information call Lynn, (512) 3572049.

The Rock — Praise and Worship will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Jude Chapel of the CSC.

LEAP FROG

CRIME BL TTER

ethnic media can fulfill to achieve this goal. Guest speakers will include the Honorable Patrick Rose, from the Texas State House of Representatives, Richard Cheatham, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, civic leaders, representatives from local media outlets and professors. Question and answer discussions will follow presentations for each panel of speakers. The symposium will begin at 6 p.m., Tuesday in Old Main, Room 320. Free parking will be available in the Pleasant Street Parking Garage. — Courtesy of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Informational meeting will cover LGBTQ concerns

transcript or grade report) and can provide a personal statement of goals and financial needs. Applications can be found at home.centurytel. The Texas State University-San net/bluebonnetlions/. Marcos Allies will host a continuDeadline for the application is Nov. 1. ing education meeting featuring Scholarships will be awarded Dec. 15. a presentation called Becoming Visible: Bisexuality 101 from 2 to — Courtesy of Bluebonnet Lions Club 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the LBJ Student Center. Texas State Allies Coordinator Heather Aidala said the meetings are an effort to educate students, faculty and staff members about the university’s diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Aidala said the Texas State Allies strive to foster a safe, welcoming campus environment for all LGBTQ students. She said she encourages students and staff members to attend the meeting to learn more about the Allies program. The Allies training does not specifically target the topic of bisexuality, which is why it is an important issue to spotlight at the meeting, Aidala said. “The decision to focus on bisexuality came from our discussions about bisexuality in a broader sense,” she said. “There are more gay and lesbian role models in our culture, but there aren’t a lot of bisexual role models, which can cause some confusion.” Aidala said she will anonymously share stories from students who identify anywhere within the bisexual spectrum. She said she will share some of her own personal experiences. “I’ve been asking for students, who identify anywhere within the

bisexual spectrum, to bring their voices into the presentation,” Aidala said. “I encourage students to share their stories about falling in love with people regardless of their gender, and how they identify themselves and what that identity means to them.” She said she hopes the meeting will provide a safe place for those who are not ready to come out and share their voice. “There are a lot of myths about the bisexual identity, so hopefully we can clear up some misconceptions with accurate details,” Aidala said. “We also want to help people understand their own sexuality and give them an opportunity to reflect on their identities, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.” The first meeting, held last fall, featured a presentation by “TransGeneration” cast member Raci Ignaci. Aidala said Ignacio added a dose of comic relief when she shared her story about being filmed in the eight-episode documentary series while adjusting to college life as a male-to-female transsexual. Although the meeting focuses on education, Aidala said it’s also about having fun. “One of the important things about being an Allie is having a sense of humor, so we reconnect through laughter,” she said. Aidala said the meeting creates a connection for the Allies and offers one and a half hours of continuing education (CEU) credits for current Allies. Registration

Oct. 17, 12:46 p.m. Criminal Mischief — under $500/J.C. Kellam An officer was dispatched for a criminal mischief report. A non-student reported a motor vehicle was damaged while it was parked. This case is under investigation. Oct. 17, 8:21 a.m. Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Open Container/ Driving Under the Influence (Warning)/University Drive An officer was on patrol and initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for MIP, Open Container and DUI (Warning). Oct. 17, 11:17 p.m. Information Report/ Blanco Hall An officer was dispatched to assist an outside agency. The area was searched and cleared. A report was generated for this case. Oct. 17, 10:08 p.m. Expired Motor Vehicle Registration/Operation of Vehicle with Wrong License Plate or Registration Insignia/220 W Woods An officer was on patrol and initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for Expired Motor Vehicle Registration and Operation of Vehicle with Wrong License Plate or Registration Insignia. Oct. 18, 4:33 p.m. Criminal Mischief — under $1500/Canyon Hall Parking Lot An officer was dispatched for a criminal mischief report. A student reported a motor vehicle was damaged while it was parked. This case is under investigation. Oct. 18, 4:51 p.m. Burglary — Vehicle/Tower Garage An officer was dispatched for a burglary of a motor vehicle report. A non-student reported a motor vehicle was damaged and items were removed without consent. This case is under investigation. Oct. 19, 2:06 a.m. Drug — Possession of Marijuana/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Jackson Hall Parking Lot An officer was on patrol and observed several individuals by a vehicle. Upon further investigation, two students were issued citation for PODP and a student was arrested for POM and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. —Courtesy of the University Police Department is required. To learn more about becoming an Ally, visit: www.txstate.edu/allies or call (512) 245-9289. To register for the continuing education meeting, visit www. txstate.edu/allies/training_pro grams/registration.html. — Courtesy of the University News Service

NEWS

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Suspected arson causes evacuation of Blanco Hall By Lorna Stevens Special to The University Star Blanco Hall Residents were forced to evacuate the building after an elevator caught fire Monday night. “I heard that somebody started the fire, and it wasn’t electrical,” said Lindsey Smith, political science freshman. The fire was allegedly started when a student used a lighter to engrave a message on the elevator’s light protectors, which had been recently replaced. “It’s always a surprise walking into the elevators in Blanco,” said undecided freshman Jessie Crawford. “Students are constantly being destructive.” Apparently, the suspect fled the elevator after the fire broke out and did not report the incident. A resident assistant was informed of the potential danger and notified

the police. “The student who started the fire was not able to extinguish it and then endangered the lives of others,” said Manuel Hernandez, University Police Department investigator. Although no one was injured and the elevator sustained minimal damage, the fire brought up

here should “T be security cameras in

elevators because of all the damages.”

—Mary Ann Vina residence life custodian

an issue regarding security in the dormitories. “There should be security cameras

in elevators because of all the damages,” said Residence Life custodian Mary Ann Vina. “It makes it a lot harder to clean.” While police were investigating the scene, Blanco Hall students waited anxiously outside for more than 20 minutes. The recent cold front caused the outside temperature to significantly drop, making the wait uncomfortable for some residents. “I just got back from jogging, and then I noticed everyone outside,” Crawford said. “It was very frustrating not knowing what was going on. Plus, it was freezing.” Police are investigating the fire but have no leads. The incident is being regarded as an act of arson, which is considered a felony. Any information regarding the incident can be given to the UPD at (512) 245-2890. This was the first reported fire at Blanco Hall this semester.

Lorna Stevens/Star photo CHARRED CHAMBER: Blanco Hall residents were evacuated from their dormitory after a fire was started in one of the elevators Monday night. The cause of the fire is presumed to be from someone burning a message into the overhead light.

NEWS

Page 4 - The University Star

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Flames engulf California coast, force mass migration

Kathleen Gorby/U.S. Navy News/MCT EXPEDITED EXODUS: Smoke from the Harris Wildfires billows behind the San Diego skyline Tuesday in California.

By Barbara Kollmeyer and Russ Britt MarketWatch LOS ANGELES — President Bush declared a state of emergency Tuesday in parts of California affected by wildfires that

have killed one person, burned hundreds of homes and forced more than a quarter million people to flee. The move comes as firefighters continued to battle more than a dozen wildfires driven by 70 mph Santa Ana winds throughout

Southern California. Similar hot, windy, dry weather is expected at least until Thursday. Some 265,000 people in a 150-mile stretch between Malibu and the Mexican border were told to evacuate their homes Monday. More than 600

FRIDAY: ASG voices schedule concerns CONTINUED from page 1

that students were able to schedule classes. How students do academically has yet to be seen.” The new schedule has had many secondary effects on students. ASG recently passed a resolution, listing a number of concerns brought on by the switch to the new scheduling system. The legislation makes recommendations on what might be done to resolve these issues, including a more balanced schedule between Monday/Wednesday and Wednesday/Friday classes for core curriculum. “The resolution was meant to bring up the current state of operations at Texas State and how

some factions of the university are negatively affected by the four day class schedule,” said ASG President Reagan Pugh in an e-mail. “We aren’t going to try and solve every problem individually — there are simply too many areas that are affected by the new class schedule.” He said the focus on a fourday schedule was not researched thoroughly enough, and ASG was displeased they were not contacted regarding its continuation into the spring semester. “One side of the issue that I am resolute on, however, is that we should be keeping our new students here on Fridays for their core classes, period,” Pugh said. “Our underlying objective is to directly address the problem with freshman

students leaving campus for three day weekends and the long term negative effects that presents.” He said keeping new students on campus allows the opportunity to explore their new home and become a member of the university. With few students here on the weekend, he said the institution fails in its obligation to provide opportunities to students. “We as a student body are afraid of investment, and it is frustrating,” Pugh said. “This time in college is time for students to learn and grow as individuals, but there are bigger things going on. In preparing people for life after college, we cannot provide the illusion that you get what you want when you want it, sometimes we have to give.”

homes and buildings have already reportedly burned. Bush’s move clears the way for federal aid and assistance overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. On Monday, Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared state

of emergency in seven counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura — and called out 1,500 National Guard troops to assist in firefighting and public-safety efforts. More than half of the state’s residents, some 21 million people, live in the seven counties. Almost 10 million alone live in Los Angeles County and another 3 million live in San Diego County. California officials also appealed for help from other states to augment firefighters dispatched from throughout California to assist local firefighters. At least 310 square miles have burned in the current outbreak. Satellite photos show plumes of smoke from the fires stretching hundreds of miles out to sea. Hardest-hit Monday was the San Diego area, where 250,000 families were ordered out of their homes and at least 62 square miles already had been burned. Qualcomm Stadium, the home of the NFL San Diego Chargers, was turned into an evacuation center. Public-safety workers evacuated area hospitals and jails, and schools and colleges were closed. By nightfall, one person was reported killed, dozens more injured

and hundreds, if not thousands, of homes destroyed by the unrelenting wind and flames, according to The Associated Press. Witnesses in San Diego said the saw windwhipped flames jump west over the 10-lane Interstate 15 freeway, the AP reported. The Santa Anas, a seasonal phenomenon in Southern California, were so fierce that retardant-carrying planes were grounded, according to media reports. Those same gale-force winds scattered embers into dry brush that has accumulated during a record drought year, igniting multiple fires in an area, according to reports. Firefighters said they lost valuable time and resources trying to persuade stubborn homeowners to obey the evacuation order, the AP reported. Resources are stretched thin because so many fires were burning at once across the region. “We’ve been talking about the drought and the Santa Ana (winds), and with very low humidity it is a design for disaster,” said P. Michael Freeman, Los Angeles County Fire chief. He indicated he’s hoping to get resources from Northern California, Arizona and Nevada to aid strained efforts.

ABSENT: Business put before feelings CONTINUED from page 1

a senator has two or more unexcused absences either from general assembly or committee meetings in one semester, they can be removed from office. In accordance with the Code of Laws, a senator must submit an excuse for their absence to the chairperson or senate clerk on the Friday of the week the meeting is missed. Under the Code of Laws, an excused absence includes: death in the family, illness, school-sponsored out-of-town trips, extraordinary circumstances — as defined by the chairperson or senate clerk — and representing the Senate in an official capacity.

ASG Sen. Skyler Varnadore, broadcast journalism and philosophy senior, said she agrees with removing senators from their posts if they are not fulfilling their responsibilities. She said senators were elected to represent their constituents and it is not fair to the student body when their leaders are not showing up to meetings. “It’s disheartening when they don’t show up,” Varnadore said. Flowers was removed from the Senate because he does not fulfill the requirement of enrollment hours, while Fender was removed because of his unexcused absences. Clay said regardless of dear friendships or close acquaintances, the senators have a duty to enforce the ASG Constitution

and Code of Laws and if a senator breaks the rules then there will be consequences. “Personal feelings shouldn’t get in the way,” Varnadore said. “I do think (the senators) should get removed — it’s in our bylaws (and) it’s in our constitution.” Dabney said she has at least 10 applications of students wanting to take part in ASG and more coming in each week. She said senators should become more active and value the position they hold. “It’s a really good experience — the senators really get a lot out of it,” Dabney said. “I know I did and still do.” In Monday’s meeting, ASG Sens. Ashley McCown, Sein Leon, Ryan Whitley and Joe Wozny were not present during roll call.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection The University Star is in the process of creating a new Web site. Check out www.UniversityStar.com in the following weeks for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.

Page 5 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Opinions Contact — Bill Rix, staropinion@txstate.edu

Candidate focuses on student job market for stronger community

THE MAIN POINT

W

ith the upcoming city council elections for Place 1 and 2, it is imperative residents and students do not lose sight of what really matters.

Improving San Marcos structurally should be the top concern of every local politician. The horribly damaged roads, full of seemingly punctilious and pungent potholes waiting to destroy your car’s suspension, tires and wheels are simply unacceptable. Before Mayor Susan Narvaiz makes grandiose claims about turning San Marcos into the small business capital of Texas — as she did in her State of the City Address — she should be asked about the current state of roads. Until recently, Sessom Drive was a veritable minefield waiting to detonate on distracted drivers. Rather than address the sorry state of this artery through campus during the summer, when the number of drivers would be lowest, the city decided to begin construction in the middle of the fall semester. The University Star questions this logic. What did the city do during the flooding of Central Texas during the summer? Crews were dispatched to Sessom and placed bright orange sandbags on each sewer lid. While The Star applauds the city for being proactive during this crisis, one can’t help but question the lack of sandbag retrieval. The bags stayed on the sewer lids long after the floods — until unknowing drivers pulverized them into oblivion. Surprise, your newly re-aligned car is now worse than before. Thanks, San Marcos. If the situation on Sessom was an isolated event, it would almost be excusable. Sadly, this is not the case. Post Road, which runs along arguably one of the most densely populated areas of San Marcos, has been under intermittent construction for what seems like eons. Some students have begun as freshman and graduated from Texas State during the Post Road construction time frame. Why does it take so long to repair one street? The Star does not need to remind readers of the dangers of parking illegally. It seems there are more parking spots designated for towing drivers who break a rule written in small print than open places. This issue is a very real concern considering the growing numbers of students, residents and potential small business owners who operate automobiles. The traffic light concerns have been slightly addressed, but before any talk of installing red light cameras begins, issues should be resolved completely. What good is a red light camera if, when a driver is alone in the middle of the night, the light does not change? Several cycles sometimes occur before one side is granted a green light. The aforementioned problems are just a sliver of structural woes plaguing San Marcos from the inside out. Before politicians focus on long-range goals of putting the city on the proverbial map, they should focus on the small things — like fixing roads in a timely manner.

By Gaylord Bose Place 2 Candidate Why should you vote for someone who is not a student? I am asking for your vote because I have stood up for and support many issues that are important to students in my three years on city council.

City council candidates should focus platform on fixing current problems

• Recycling at apartments This fall, the city will review the garbage and recycling contract. I support adding recycling at apartment complexes so more students can participate. • Skate park I have strongly supported the skate park my opponent opposes. My opponent has exaggerated the cost and forgets to mention much of the money came from grants. I am pleased to see the number of college students who use that facility. I supported the skate park for many reasons — it’s a safer place for especially young kids to skate; it helps combat childhood obesity, and it sends a message to prospective employers looking to bring their companies here that this is a community that provides park and recreation facilities for all ages including university students. • Career jobs for students I continue to work on creating incentives to attract businesses here that would provide high-paying career type jobs for college graduates. An example is our recent incentive to Kulabyte Media, a local start-up software company that has hired graduates from Texas State. Two weeks ago I gave the opening address at Blogtober Fest. This social-media conference brought Web loggers from all over the United States to San Marcos to discuss the benefits of blogging, especially to start-up businesses. As a result of that conference, we have already had several inquiries from individuals looking to locate here who are involved in Internet communication. • Lower rents through lower taxes Another stance I have taken that affects students was my vote against abolishing the Freeport Tax. My opponent says this tax, which local manufacturers have paid for many years, was keeping other manufacturers from locating in San Marcos. Against my recommendation, the tax was abolished. Now the city taxpayers, including students, will have to make up the difference. The bottom line is your rent will go up because your landlord will have to pay more tax. We already give numerous incentives to manufacturers.

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.

Pat Stark/Star illustration

Comedy Central’s presidential candidate more than joke Staff Editorial Daily Forty-Niner (Cal State-Long Beach) LONG BEACH, Calif. — If you’re lucky enough to afford cable, you’ve probably seen Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Host Stephen Colbert, a Bill O’Reilly-esque character who plays the conservative card to comedic perfection, has announced he will be a presidential candidate in the South Carolina primaries. He grew up in the state. This brilliant move from the dead-pan comedy actor could be seen as a marketing strategy for his recently released book I Am America (And So Can You!). Then again, all is fair when most presidential hopefuls have a book to plug. Whatever his ulterior motive is, Colbert’s latest move can be the beginning of something different

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

• Defend the river I was one of only two council members who questioned the location of the conference center being put above the lake at Aquarena Springs. I was concerned about the negative environmental impact on the springs and San Marcos River. Finally, the rest of the council agreed to place the conference center where it is being built now — on the interstate at McCarty Lane near the mall. I have shown the courage to stand up and protect the river while still supporting economic growth.

taking shape in our society. As anyone who’s seen his show knows, Colbert’s take on conservative journalists is hilarious and can at times bring him a few skeptics. When O’Reilly had Cobert on his show, “The O’Reilly Factor,” he said the only audience Colbert attracted was college stoners. What Colbert is doing, like Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” is giving the same information that “legit” news media toy around with, only in a different format. Sure, they aren’t your grandfather’s Walter Cronkite, but they’re our generation’s news saviors. They’re gathering the events that we lazily catch on our local newscast and using satire to poke at the real agenda of any given top news story. Can Colbert be taken serious as a candidate? Suppose he isn’t taking his candidacy seriously and it’s all a big hoax. He sure is being taken seriously by

Editor In Chief.................................Maira Garcia, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.......................Sydney Granger, starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.......................Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................................Bill Rix, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...............................Spencer Millsap, starphoto@txstate.edu

Sunday morning talk shows, like “Meet the Press.” The talk show, which can hardly claim a youth following, had Colbert as a guest on Sunday. Colbert who, like Sascha Baron Cohen, stays in character in every interview, made it clear that he was serious no matter what the media say. Even if the guy is pulling our chain, he has people talking. More importantly, young people are talking. It’s a known fact the young vote is getting the least attention because, well, we don’t vote. But Colbert’s attempt at the presidency could potentially mean a hike in young voter participation. What Colbert is doing in his own satirical way is changing the way news is viewed and bringing awareness to the 18- to 25-year-old demographic. Many might criticize his methods, but at least he’s making one or two sleepy college students think twice about the way government works.

Sports Editor............................Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief.......................Colm Keane, starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor................................Daniel Currey, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator....................................starsysadmin@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Advertising Sales Manager...........Jackie Pardue, starad2@txstate.edu

• Continuing projects of interest to students 1) Commuter rail 2) Bike and pedestrian facilities 3) Continued attraction of hightech industries These are some of the projects that I want to complete; so I’m asking you to support me for another term to continue working for you.

Account Executive...............................Scott Lynch, sl1148@txstate.edu Account Executive..................Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu Account Executive...........................Krystal Slater, ks1429@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

✯ The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright October 24, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

TRENDS NDS

pumpkinparty pumpkin

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Bring home this newspaper when you are finished reading it to help create a pumpkin masterpiece. Trace the outline for a Texas State-themed pumpkin or the grey boxes for a traditional face. Then, reuse the newspaper when cleaning the inside of the pumpkin.

Page 6 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

carving pumpkins Artsy gets spooky when it comes to Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

By Ashley Gwilliam Senior Features Reporter

CREATIVE CARVINGS: Karris Nicholas, interdisciplinary studies sophomore, gets into the Halloween spirit by carving pumpkins at the Park Hill Apartments Monday morning.

Jenny Polson/ Star photo

Ladies and gentlemen, the pumpkins have arrived. The October appearance of the basketball-sized orange fruit promises the nearness of cooler weather and the coming of Halloween. And what better way is there to get into the Halloween spirit than exercising those arts and crafts muscles by carving a pumpkin? The University Bookstore is encouraging students a n d

faculty to enter an original carved carv or decorated pumpkin in its annual Gr Great eat Pumpkin Decorating Contest on WednesWednesday. Customers and employees will vote on their favorite pumpkins. The winning designers will receive first-, second- or third-place trophies. Pumpkins are for sale at both San Marcos H-E-B locations and Wal-Mart. Lauren Williams, University Bookstore assistant manager, said when she began working at Texas State in August, she altered the contest rules to include decorated pumpkins because there are a lot of intricately painted and glittered pumpkins exuding just as much artistry as their carved counterparts. Despite the versatility afforded by pumpkins, carving still seems to be the activity of choice for many Texas State students. Danielle O’Connell, French junior,

said though she hasn’t carved a pumpkin since she was 9-years old, she is going to give it another shot this year. “We’re having a girls’ night and we’re all carving pumpkins,” she said. “My roommates bought Disney princess cutouts. I think we’re going to do some Texas State ones as well.” How to Carve a Pumpkin Dustin Belcik, H-E-B manager-in-training, said the process of successfully carving a pumpkin begins with selecting the perfect one. “You want one that’s nice and round,” he said. “Look for soft spots — that means it was dropped or bruised.” Belcik said the type of design someone wants to execute should determine the size and shape of the pumpkin. Shawn Medina, H-E-B perishable food representative, said he

looks for a long stem when when choosing his pumpkin. “You can tell more or le less ss if the inside is thick and healthy by the length of the stem,” he said. After selecting the pumpkin, prepare a work area by covering a sturdy table or countertop with newspaper. This allows for easy cleanup. Next, use a sharp knife, with a long blade to cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Make sure the hole is large enough to reach in and clean out the seeds and stringy membrane. After hands are washed, draw a design on a sheet of white paper. If drawing isn’t a person’s forte, there are numerous Web sites offering free stencil printouts. Next, secure the stencil to the pumpkin with transparent tape. Score the design on the pumpkin by carefully punching through the paper with a large nail. Now, cut out the design. Williams said the best advice she can offer serious pumpkin carvers is to use a linoleum cutter. “It’s a really sharp tool that has different heads you can change out,” she said. “You can cut out a lot of detail with it.” Another alternative is to use a plastic “pumpkin carving” knife, a tool available at many supermarkets during the Halloween season. When finished cutting, push out the pieces and behold the pumpkin-carving masterpiece. Some people may want to snap a photo just in case the pumpkin becomes a victim of a smashing. Medina said he recommends bringing carved pumpkins inside during the day to extend their life for a twoto three-week period and to reduce the likelihood of the fruit getting smashed. Pumpkin entries may be brought to the University Bookstore between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday.

TRENDS

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Ghosts in the hills: By Jessica Sinn Senior Features Reporter

Amid a narrow ridge of large hills and deep canyons lies a mysterious region with an ill-omened name: The Devil’s Backbone. To Bert Wall, the Backbone is one of the most beautiful — but profoundly haunted — spots in the state. According to Wall’s collection of ghost stories on or near the area, spirits of Native Americans, Confederate soldiers, cowboys and Spanish monks continue

Monty Marion/Star photo HAUNTED HILLCOUNTRY: The historic viewpoint Devil’s Backbone off Hwy. 32 near Canyon Lake is said to be one of the most haunted sites in Texas.

to roam the scenic valleys. Wall, who owns a ranch on the Devil’s Backbone, has penned a series of books about ghostly encounters in the Texas Hill Country. The book series include: The Devil’s Backbone: Ghost Stories from the Texas Hill Country, Ghostly Chills: The Devil’s Backbone 2, Haunted Land: The Devil’s Backbone 3. Wall’s two novels, The Long Gray Tunnel: A True Story of Crisis, Spirit, and Recovery and Welcome Home Jake Slaughter, exhibit elements of the supernatural. Ghost stories are more than just spooky tales to tell on Halloween night, Wall said. To tell the story well, he said one must genuinely believe in the paranormal. “What I like about ghost stories is finding out why and what caused a situation to happen,” Wall said. “I completely believe, and know from experience, that they do exist. If you want to write about ghosts, and write about them properly, you’ve got to believe in them.” On a cold winter’s night, Wall said he encountered the ghost of a Spanish monk at his ranch house. He said he felt comfort, rather than fear, when he saw the otherworldly apparition. “It was one of those nights when I was really having a hard time,” Wall said. “I looked outside to find that my dogs were barking, but there was nothing there to cause them to bark. I looked again and saw a Spanish monk standing outside the window. Later on, during a time when I was feeling down, he came to me again to reaffirm that everything was OK.” When the weather and the leaves start to change and the nights grow longer, Wall said people are more in tune with ghosts and ghosts are more in tune with

The University Star - Page 7

Local area has numerous

haunting reports, sightings

the living. But Halloween isn’t the only time of year to experience a brush with the paranormal. “Ghosts can be anywhere; you can run into one on a pretty, sunny day in the middle of August, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Halloween,” Wall said. Wall said ghosts drive people away from a certain place or object to protect what they believe is still theirs, or to ward off an individual with undesirable characteristics. “I’ve seen areas where you know ghosts are there,” Wall said. “For instance, let’s say you take someone to one of these places. Pretty soon, they’ll start getting headaches, feel dizzy and disoriented, and they have to leave. Much later, you’ll see that they are not the people you thought they were. And in my opinion, the spirits were trying to warn you to be careful of that particular person. I’ve seen that happen more than one time.” The Devil’s Backbone Tavern is known for great barbecue, good beer and rowdy ghosts who like to slam doors and rearrange furniture, said Elizabeth Riedlinger, Devil’s Backbone Tavern bartender. The legendary bar is a great place to tip back a few beers and swap ghost stories with the local patrons, she said. “I haven’t seen a ghost here at the tavern, but a couple of the bartenders say that they’ve seen chairs move around and doors open by themselves,” Riedlinger said. The Ghost Hunters of Texas, a team of paranormal investigators who scientifically research haunted places, set forth to determine whether or not the Devil’s Backbone Tavern is, in fact, haunted. Ghost Hunters of Texas founder Bertie

Denby said the team’s investigation produced inconclusive results. Before venturing into the tavern, Denby said she and her ghost hunting team conducted a much more exciting investigation at a nearby rest stop. She said the team arrived at the spooky rest stop late at night, where they documented a surprising amount of hair-raising evidence on sound recorders. “All six of us sensed a presence at the rest stop,” Denby said. “Some of the EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) were very strange. You can hear things like loud chanting, clapping and a tambourine, followed by someone saying ‘Merry Christmas.’” Denby said because it overlooks the canyons on a well-lit highway, the rest stop is a fun place to look for ghosts or to take in the beautiful surroundings. She said some people claim to have seen the figure of a lady in white while driving along Purgatory Road and Ranch Road 12. There have also been stories about an apparition that flies toward the windshields of cars on Purgatory Road, she said. Whether the region encompasses the restless spirits of Native Americans or residual hauntings of reenacted battles, Denby said the possibilities are endless. “There are so many different types of hauntings,” Denby said. “Depending on how a person passed, it could be the residual emotions that overpower you and make you feel sick. Or it could be an evil presence. The strange, sickening sensations could be an indicator that a house is bad, or perhaps someone in your party is bad. The thing is, you have no way of knowing unless you have a portal into the other side where you can just ask.”

Unhooked: Brassiere sizing no small matter for some By Mackenzie Steffen Features Reporter The bra is one of the most important pieces in a woman’s wardrobe; it offers support, improves posture and, of course, enhances the bust. Yet approximately 70 percent of women wear the wrong size, according to the Web site www. playtexfits.com. Wearing an ill-fitted bra can cause discomfort, visible back fat and overflowing cups, according to the Web site. Luckily, many companies now offer professional bra fitting services in their stores and online. L’eggs Hanes Bali Playtex of the Tanger Outlet Mall offers the service free of charge. Megan Sweeney and Katrina Santos, both interdisciplinary seniors and sales associates of the lingerie store, are trained in the fine art of bra fitting.

“We measure right under the bust and add three to five inches, depending on the customer. We add five for petite women and three for fuller-figured women. Then, we measure around the fullest part of the bust and subtract one from the other to find the difference. Every inch equals a cup size,” Sweeney said. Many women are reluctant to change their bra size, she said. “We see women wearing the wrong sized bra all the time, and they refuse to accept their new size. They don’t like it if you tell them they’re bigger than they thought,” Sweeney said. Fashion expert Tim Gunn includes proper-fitting lingerie as part of the makeover on “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.” On the Bravo TV show, Gunn considers undergarments one of the most important elements of a woman’s clothing. On the show, he said women should seek help from a professional fitter to determine their bra size.

Sweeney said it’s important to measure the customer to help them find the right type of bra. She advises knowing the fit of the brand, as respective brands and styles fit differently. “Not all bras fit the same way. Each brand offers different qualities, some are more supportive,” Santos said. “Once we get them into the correct size, they get really excited about how much better it feels. They thank us, buy at least five new bras and go home to throw away all of their old bras.” Having the correct fit can be more comfortable for all-day bra wear, Santos said. “I had a customer the other day who just loved how her new size felt, so she bought that bra in every color. She was happy,” she said. The hands-on approach of the professional bra fitter is the most accurate way to go, but one could do it virtually. Web sites are now offering the doit-yourself option. Playtex includes an interactive

online bra specialist as well as a printable tape measure with instructions. This method may work for some, but customers have come into the store reporting mixed results. “One lady said she was told she was anywhere from a B cup to a double-D,” Santos said. “At that point she was pretty confused.” The Web site www.myintimacy.com includes breast care tips and the top 10 bra myths and mistakes. “There is a perfect bra” and “My body is to blame for poor fit” are listed as the top two bra myths. According to the Web site, there is not a universally perfect bra, but with a fitting, all women can find the ideal one. Whether a woman goes to a favorite department store, lingerie specialty shop or brave the tape measure at home, it is important to know one’s true size and treat one’s body to all the comfort and support it deserves. Katie Allinson/Star photo

Page 8 - The University Star

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

101 Hedonism

✯

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF, YOUR

LOVER FOR BEST RELATIONSHIP

Joy, Strife & College Life

by Cecila de Jesus

You never feel the municate it to your need to snuggle and partner. be close with someAdditionally, don’t one more than you change who you are for do during the colder whomever you’re with. months. However, That can be a hard trait some people make to spot, but look out for ANNA TAUZIN the same damaging warning signs such as mistakes while in changing music loves, Star Columnist a relationship, even eating habits and friendthough they’re simple to avoid. ship circles. Do you notice a First, it’s important to repattern of change for each partmember even though you’re ner you’ve been with? That’s a in a relationship — you are still sure sign you’re not being your your own person. Just because own person, and that could your partner wants to go watch lead to codependent habits. the football game doesn’t mean Do not lie about what you you have to tag along. Recall want from a relationship. I’ve what you did before you were in been guilty of this many times. the relationship. What makes When you don’t want to get you happy? Go to a movie with serious, make that known. If friends or head to a museum you’re looking for something or book signing alone. Bringing long term, your partner is the variety to the relationship is a most important person to tell. sure way to combat and prevent Additionally, talk about the stagnation. importance (or not) of being Along the same vein, you loyal. need to be true and honest Though it’s often forgotten, with yourself, especially while encourage and give your partin a relationship. Meaning, if ner praise. It’s easy to forget you have feelings or desires the importance of telling somethat are not being met, you one how much he or she means need to admit that and comto you, especially after you’ve

been together for a while. Even if it seems meaningless to you, a well placed, “You look so hot in that shirt,” or “I’m so proud of you,” can mean the world to your lover. Don’t be bitter or claim you haven’t heard anything like that in awhile. Sometimes you need to give praise before getting it in return. The easiest way to avoid making careless mistakes in relationships is simply to communicate, though it may not be simple at first. Communication may not be what you want to do on a Sunday morning, but it’s vital to the health of your relationship. Without honest and open communication, issues you have won’t get discussed, resentment will build, arguments will become more frequent, and on and on until the desire to be with this person is completely gone — and all of this is completely preventable. The University Star does not claim Anna Tauzin is a sexpert. Tauzin and The Star do not condone or support unhealthy or unsafe sexual behavior.

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

10/23 Solutions:

10/23/07

CLASSIFIEDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Page 9 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

RATES AND POLICIES Cost - 25¢ per word (1–6 days); Cost - 20¢ per word (7+ days) Deadline - 2 business days prior by noon All classified ads must be paid in advance, unless credit is established. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. We do our best, but please check your classified ad for accuracy. Any corrections to your ad must be made by the second day of publication. As a free service to you, all classified ads will be published on-line on our web site at www.universitystar.com. However, 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 Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

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SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

batterup Fans will get their first taste of 2008 Texas State baseball when the Bobcats take on Texas in a fall exhibition. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Admission to the game is free, and a full nine innings will be played.

Page 10 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Sports Contact — Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu

Cross country family combo proves winning formula By Lisa Carter Sports Reporter Editor’s note: This is the first of a four-part series featuring family ties within Texas State athletics. Most people have heard of the phrase, “Like mother, like daughter.” For Texas State cross country coach Grigori Viniar and his daughter Kristina, a member of the team, there is an exception to the rule. “It’s cool to have my dad as my coach and to have him cheering me on,” Kristina Viniar said. “I’m lucky to have him there at my track meets because most athletes’ parents are too far away to watch their kids’ events.” Kristina, international studies junior, has been a runner since she was seven years old. She won a 3K race at her elementary school in Florida and began to compete in 5K events as a student in St. Petersburg, Russia. In high school, the time when her father began to take her under his wing, Viniar was named Best Hurdler and qualified for state in track and cross country at San Marcos High School. “My dad filled in the gaps for coaches,” Kristina Viniar said. “He began helping me mostly with basic endurance.” The teamwork between father and daughter did not stop there. Grigori Viniar officially became Kristina’s coach in 2005, her freshman year at Texas State. Viniar said he has enjoyed being his daughter’s current coach.

“I now get to do the things some of her other coaches didn’t do,” he said. “I am her coach now, and I am now able to work with her on (aspects such as) basic endurance.” Kristina Viniar did not just follow in his footsteps. Her mother was a talented distance runner who competed in the 800, 1500 and 3000 meters. The pedigree extends to Viniar’s sisters as well, whose personal records in the 800 meters she expects to top this year. “Running is in my family all the time,” Viniar said. “It’s impossible to get away from it.” Viniar said it has been beneficial her father is able to own the title of coach as well. The unique opportunity affords the two a chance to share memories they have missed out on in the past. “It’s great to have him there at all of my track meets,” Viniar said. “That didn’t happen in high school because he couldn’t be in two places at once.” With her father as her coach, Viniar recognizes his 35 years of experience is not to be taken lightly. She trusts dad has her best interest at heart. “I know that the work I do will eventually benefit me, even though I don’t see that right now,” Kristina Viniar said. “It’s great to see the workouts pay off.” Viniar said it is fulfilling to help Kristina on the field, but she receives the same treatment the rest Adam Brown/Star file photo of the team does. RUNS IN THE FAMILY: Kristina Viniar, junior cross country team runner, speaks to her father and “I like that I am helping my daughter,” Viniar said. “But at practice, she is not my daughter; she is one team head coach Grigori Viniar on the sidelines. The cross country team will be in Corpus Christi more athlete that I have to coach.” Saturday for the Southland Conference cross country championships.

Former World’s Strongest Man admits steroid use By Kristin Bender Oakland Tribune

over that bar,” he told the group. The physical education students in the high school gym, sitting on the wooden bleachers in BERKELEY, Calif. — The self-proclaimed the middle of a rainy Tuesday, listened as KaWorld’s Strongest Man bent a frying pan into the zmaier gave his talk about focusing on goals and shape of a taco with his bare hands Tuesday at soaring with the eagles and leaving the turkeys Berkeley High School. behind. That’s a feat Bill Kazmaier is pretty proficient But after the talk, a few students said some of at. In fact, he did the exact same thing 40 times the information probably wasn’t absorbed fully. in a row recently, injuring a shoulder so badly “I think half the people listened and half the he’s had to take a break from people didn’t. The people who weightlifting and pulling things, listened will benefit from it,” said such as buses and tractors. Saeed Strayhorn, a junior. What But that doesn’t seem to the students really wanted to bother the 53-year-old Kazmaiknow is if the muscle man used er. He’s too engrossed in his nasteroids during his powerlifting tionwide motivational speaking career. tour to high school students to He did, he said. They weren’t care much about bench-pressillegal then, he said. ing 661 pounds or deadlifting Some of the students seemed —Saeed Strayhorn 887 pounds like he once did, he to only be interested in the fryBerkeley High School junior said. ing pan bending and the tug of “I still (work out) the most war. important muscle in my body ... Using his left hand to grip metmy heart,” he told about 150 high school students al handles attached in the middle to each side of a Tuesday. long rope, he successfully defeated eight students And he’s encouraging young people to follow tugging on either side of the rope. They were trytheir hearts and use their heads while they finish ing to make Kazmaier break his one-handed grip high school and prepare for adulthood, college on the handles, but they couldn’t do it. and careers. When a teacher was added to each side, the “Every day there is a bar that is set for you group overtook the strongman, who said he was guys when you get out of bed and head to school. impressed. You’ve got to make the decision if you want to get Born in Wisconsin, Kazmaier played fullback at the University of Wisconsin from 1973 to 1974 before leaving school to pursue powerlifting full-time, according to a Web site biography. In 1979, he won the American powerlifting and the International Powerlifting Federation world championships. Kazmaier won the World’s Strongest Man title three times, in 1980, 1981 and 1982. Created in 1977, the World’s Strongest Man competition combines a series of unique tests of strength to determine the victor. Kazmaier, Jon Pall Sigmarsson, Magnus Ver Magnusson and Mariusz Pudzianowski captured multiple titles and each can claim to be the sport’s greatest champion, according to background information on the event. Kazmaier was the first person to bench press 661 pounds in competition, according to his bio. In recent years, he has appeared on ESPN as a commentator on Ray Chavez/Oakland Tribune/MCT World’s Strongest Man broadSTRONG SMASH: Bill Kazmaier, the World’s Strongest Man, casts. Kazmaier also wrestled unfolds a pan during a demonstration to students on Oct. 16 at briefly for World Championship Wrestling in 1991, his bio says. Berkeley High School in California.

think half “I the people listened and

half the people didn’t.”

World Series pitcher hopes to follow in idol’s footsteps By John Lowe Detroit Free Press BOSTON — Lefthander Jimmy Key got the clinching victory that secured the World Series for Toronto in 1992 and for the Yankees in 1996. He’s the only pitcher in the past 28 years to twice win a game that ended a World Series. If things go OK for right hander Josh Beckett and the Red Sox for the next several nights, he could match Key with the second World Seriesclinching victory of his career. The first came in 2003, when he pitched a shutout for the Florida Marlins in Yankee Stadium. But Beckett’s opponent in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night, and his scheduled opponent for Game 5, is Colorado lefthander Jeff Francis. And guess whom Francis admires and sees as his pitching model? “One of my favorite pitchers, from when I was a kid, was Jimmy Key,” said Francis, who grew up in British Columbia and watched Key on Canadian TV when he pitched for the Blue Jays. “I loved watching him throw, and I think there are some similarities in the way that I throw with the way he threw. “We’re not overpowering. We have to think ourselves through the game. I don’t remember him getting overly anxious at a lot of things.” The way Francis pitches is the way Key pitched. Colorado bench coach Jamie Quirk, who batted against Key, said, “You knew what Jimmy Key was going to give you, and Jeff is that way. He makes you hit the ball, isn’t going to walk people and isn’t a high strikeout guy.” Detroit fans might recall how Key held down

the Tigers on the final day in 1987. But Key lost, 1-0, and the Tigers clinched the American League East. In ’92, Key beat Atlanta in his first World Series start, then got some huge outs in relief in the 10th and 11th innings to become the winning pitcher in the Game 6 clincher. Four years later, he started for the Yankees and beat the Braves again in a Game 6 clincher. Francis looks as imperturbable as Key. In the Rockies’ two playoff sweeps this season, he won Game 1 on the road. His pitching opponent Wednesday night has noticed. “The thing that really impressed me about Jeff, watching him in October, was that he never changes his moods — they always stay the same,” Beckett said Tuesday. “It was really impressive to watch him pitch in both of those playoff games and be the No. 1 guy in both series. “It didn’t matter what happened in the first inning — (the) second inning was the second inning, (the) third inning was the third inning. It impressed me how even-keeled he was.” The even-keeled Francis might be exactly what the Rockies need Wednesday night as they play their first World Series game — and their first game in nine days. If anyone else on the team is anxious, Francis probably won’t be. “He is genuinely cool,” Quirk said in the clubhouse Tuesday. “Look over your shoulder at him right now.” As Quirk spoke, Francis didn’t have a visible ounce of tension on his face or in his body. He stood with two objects in his hand, and he looked as loose as they were. The two objects were rubber bands.

— Courtesy of MCT