DtWeekenD go on, get crazy while you can SportS page 7 they came, they saw, we conquered toMorroWS WeatHer Low High 47 The Daily Texan Thursday, January 28, 2010 Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900 www.dailytexanonline.com Candidates gear up for GOP debate By Alex Geiser Daily Texan Staff Incumbent Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and the dark-horse candidate Debra Medina will hit the stage Friday night in Dallas for the second and final debate before the primary election March 3. The hour-long Republican debate, sponsored by Belo news corporation, will begin at 7 p.m. and will consist of four panelists asking the candidates questions and a moderator from television station WFAA. The outcome of the March primaries and the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election could bring changes to the University because of the governors role in higher education. The Texas governor appoints the Board of Regents the governing body for UT and the other eight universities and six health institutions that make up the UT System. The board, made up of nine members serving six-year terms, approves the Systems budget and sets tuition rates for the campuses. Perry appointed all nine of the current Regents. In addition to appointing the Regents, the governor works with the Legislative Budget Board to make recommendations and approve the states budget. The Regents determine tuition rates at the University in part by the amount of funding appropriated to the UT System from the budget. But misconceptions of the governors importance to the University have held students back from voting, said Paula Poindex- WHAT: Republican primary debate between Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County GOP Chairwoman Debra Medina WHERE: Friday at 7 p.m. WHEN: Broadcast live from Dallas by the Belo Corporation; KVUE-TV Austin (Channel 24) ter, a UT journalism professor. They dont see it directly affecting them, Poindexter said. If college-aged students dont pay attention to elections, politicians wont pay attention to them. When you start paying attention to politics, it becomes as exciting as a football game. But before anybody can get excited about politics, they first need to know the rules of the game, the key players and the big issues, Poindexter said. The three participating candidates formed their platforms around protecting state rights and decreasing property taxes, which are some of the issues that are expected to dominate Fridays debate. Hutchison, who has concerned conservatives in the past by voting to support abortion with restrictions, focuses much of her campaign on promoting transparency in the state government. Melanie Schwartz, campus cochair of Longhorns for Kay and vice president of the College Republicans, said she trusts Hutchi- DEBATE continues on page 5 Homeless icon still recovering By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff Leslie Cochran, Austins cross-dressing, homeless icon, is still recovering from a head trauma sustained Oct. 3 that nearly killed him. However, his injuries havent prevented him from sporting his usual dresses and broad grin. I am basically recovering, Cochran said. Im still a little dazed at some points, but not too bad. Ive been with friends, and Ive had a lot of support and that makes it all easier. The cause of Cochrans head injury is unclear because the head trauma caused memory damage. Cochran said he believes that he may have been attacked, but Debbie Russell, president of the Central Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said initial health reports suggested his injuries were caused by a fall. Lisa Cortinas, spokeswoman for the Austin Police Department, said there is no record of Cochran, or anyone on his behalf, filing a police report about the incident, so there has been no investigation into the case. After treatment at both the University Medical Center at Brackenridge and the Central Texas Rehabilitation Center, where Cochran said he received excellent care, he returned to his old South Congress haunts at the end of October and began to re-establish normal routines. Doctors recommended that he follow a rehabilitation regimen, but he said his transportation difficulties have prevented him from returning to the center. Cochran said the support he receives from the Austin community and his street smarts are among the reasons he was able to survive. Most homeless people dont have the survival skills and people skills that I do, Cochran said. When I got hurt, I knew how to take care of myself. Cochran is an icon in South Austin, where he frequently roams the streets in thongs or womens clothing and engages in conversation with locals and tourists. He has LESLIE continues on page 2 Corporations forgo Super Bowl ads By Chris Thomas Daily Texan Staff For only the second time in the history of the Super Bowl, advertising prices for a 30-second commercial will decrease. According to Kantar Media, an advertising analysis think tank, the asking price for a 30-second in-game television commercial fell from last years record price of $3 million to between $2.5 and $2.8 million this year. Ironically, a recent study by Nielsen found that 51 percent of Americans enjoy the commercials more than the game itself. UT advertising professor Wei-Na Engineering students to aid Haiti By Priscilla Pelli neering graduate student and a to understand what went on. By Deborah Briscoe Daily Texan Staff member of the engineering team, The investigative team will Daily Texan Staff Ellen Rathje, a UT civil engi said retrieving samples direct- work with other teams organized Though the Stage 2 drought neering professor, and a team of ly after an earthquake is the most by the Earthquake Engineering was lifted from Austin in late university engineers will con- efficient way to understand the Research Institute, a nonprof- November due to heavy rain, duct detailed mapping and sur mechanisms of ground failure. it technical society that attempts the city will remain at Stage 1 veying of Haitis damaged areas to reduce the risk of earthquakes until further notice. caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake by advancing the science of earth- According to a message from that left close to 200,000 dead. The quake engineering and advocat the Lower Colorado River Au- research could help prevent structural damage and minimize injuries from future earthquakes. The seven-person team will spend a week documenting the The best model that we can get is just a ing measures. Marjorie Greene, special projects manager for the institute, said the institute sends teams to different locations around the world after natu thority board, Lake Austins water level is currently 60 percent full, compared to 39 percent last summer, but the board still considers that level to be effects of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake and developing safer engi reality. ral disasters occur to bring back lessons for performance in strengthen- low. Residents must follow re neering design procedures for fu Oscar Suncar ing buildings. Collected data push strictions for Stage 1 droughts, ture building construction. The intensity of the earthquake created liquefaction along the civil engineering graduate student es engineers to make changes in building codes and practices. Learning from earthquakes is including limiting yard-watering of single-family homes to twice per week on designated coastline, causing the soil to pull one big endeavor, Greene said. days, said Jill Mayfield, Austin apart easily. I think that for the geotechni- Water Utility spokeswoman. By being able to look at what cal engineers in particular, [it is] We are urging folks to con- happened there, were trying to The best model that we can get critical to collect as much data tinue preserving [water] and help them rebuild in better ways is just a reality, Suncar said. We as possible. The more cases they making that part of their life- so it wont happen again, Rathje then can interpret if it came from see, the better models are creat style, Mayfield said said. Its so critical to observe a bad engineering judgment used ed and used in the United States Austin is currently experi how natural soils in the field re in constructing buildings or if the in analyzing sites before building encing El Nino weather pat spond to these extreme events. Oscar Suncar, a UT civil engi infrastructure was well-designed but the soil failed. Its a better way HAITI continues on page 2 LAND continues on page 2 Lee said that the main reason for the price decrease was the economic downturn. Big companies simply do not want to pay enormous prices for such an uncertain payback. In the current economic climate, regulars in Super Bowl advertising like PepsiCo and General Motors are hesitant to spend millions on a 30-second reminder of their availability, Lee said. Such an activity might be perceived as extravagant by consumers affected by the recession. By staying out of this years Super Bowl, said companies are protecting their image. The absence of large corporations leaves room for smaller companies to advertise. Lee said he expects an increase in the number of first-time Super Bowl advertisers. Advertising professor Neal Burns also attributed the price dip to the recession. This price decrease shows us that the economic climate is making it difficult for networks like CBS to attract advertisers, Burns said. The flow of new companies taking advantage of the lower prices should ensure that the gross revenue experiences little change. He commented further on a specific advertisement a 30-second ad by Focus on the Family promoting a ban on abortion starring former Florida State quarterback Tim Tebow. CBS has refused to air advertisements deemed too provocative before, Burns said. The fact that they are allowing a blatantly controversial commercial like this on the air shows they are desperate. CBS spokeswoman Robin Brendle said that there are still several spots left to sell. She was confident, however, that the total ad revenue would exceed the $213 million mark set by NBC last year. Drought improves; restrictions remain Boggy Creek Farm, an organic farm located in East Austin, relies on well water to grow healthy crops. Shelley Neuman Daily Texan Staff News Thursday, January 28, 2010 The Daily Texan LesLie: Lottery, Volume 110, Number 137 25 cents tips provide CONTACT US Main Telephone: living for Leslie (512) 471-4591 Editor: From page 1 Jillian Sheridan (512) 232-2212 gained notoriety through his editor@dailytexanonline.com own Wikipedia page, his own line of dress-up magnets and Managing Editor: several failed attempts to be- Ana McKenzie come the citys mayor. (512) 232-2217 Hes very polite, and he always managingeditor@ has a story to tell, said Catherine dailytexanonline.com Lauderback, a bartender at Cissis Wine Bar, a South Congress bar Retail Advertising: that Cochran frequents. Every (512) 471-1865 one in Austin knows Leslie. joanw@mail.utexas.edu Russell said she hopes that the Austin community will extend Classified Advertising: the same respect and concern they (512) 471-5244 showed Cochran during his trau classified@dailytexanonline.com ma to the homeless community as a whole. She said that although The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and complete- Cochran is a passionate advocate ly. If we have made an error, let us know for the homeless, his voice and re- about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail sources are limited. Leslies done a lot, and hes said a lot, but I dont see that its made a dent in peoples minds, managingeditor@dailytexanonline.com. COPYRIGHT Russell said. They still look at Shelley Neuman |Daily Texan Staff Copyright 2009 Texas Student him as if hes sort of a comedic re- Media. All articles, photographs Larry Butler, co-owner of Boggy Creek Farm, stands in front of the patch of arugla and mustard seed plants in November. The local farm lief in that population, and I dont and graphics, both in the print and lost many crops during the summer due to a lack of rain. think they look past him to see the online editions, are the property reasons people become homeless. of Texas Student Media and may Its a much bigger issue thats go- not be reproduced or republished ing to take some leadership from Land: Reserved funds vital for farm life in part or in whole without written our [city] council and from politi permission. cians to look at putting money to-From page 1 bles and fruit. Last summer, We lost a lot of crops, but bad season, she said. wards resources. the farm lost 400 bell pep-we made it through, she We just keep planting Cochran said that he does CORRECTION terns, a change in climate that per plants and said. thats our motto, she said. not believe he will ever stop be- causes increased rainfall in most of its other Had they We cant forecast the weath Wednesdays page one story ing homeless. He said that he is the Southern tier of the Unit-crops due to the not saved er, so we just keep planting, about the Fusion Center able to survive on tips, occasioned States, according to the record-breaking money from hoping for the best. misidentified the entity Austin al scratch-off card winnings and Police Department Assistant Chief National Oceanic and Atmo-heat and lack of Thats how life is. pas t h ar -Sayle said that following the revenue from a series of novelty David Carter reports to. Carter spheric Administration. This rain. Because the v e s t s , t h e harsh summer, Boggy Creek products such as the magnets and Everything is good for will report on a semi-regular could be good news for the farm gets its wa-farm would Farm was happy to see some that his most important resource basis to the Austin Public Safety city and should bring above-ter from a well a while, then you hit a not have had success for a few months be- is his passion for Austin, where he Commission. average rainfall that would and not from the bad bump.the financ-cause of additional rain in the has lived for 14 years. The Texan regrets the error. help fill the lakes, said Em-city, rain is an ab-es to contin-fall. She said that the win People in Austin are so good, lea Chanslor, LCRA spokes-solute necessity Carol Ann Sayle ue planting ter came too soon and that and Ive gotten so much sup-woman. for healthy crops. co-owner of Boggy for the next the cold and lack of sunshine port since I got out [of the hos TODAYS WEATHER We are being cautiously Without rain to season, Sayle were deadly to the plants. pital], and people have told me Creek Farm optimistic, Chanslor said. wash away the said. Farm-Thats how life is, Say- how happy they are that Im still High Low Carol Ann Sayle is a farmer sodium buildup ers have to le said. Everything is good around, Cochran said. Theres and co-owner of Boggy Creek at the roots, the save money for a while, then you hit a bad 65 43 only one thing I really need, and Farm, a local farm that sells crop may bloom, but there when they have a good year bump. But soon, things will thats one of those Longhorn homegrown organic vegeta-will be no fruit, Sayle said. to ensure a full crop during a be back up. STRAWBERRIES cheer outfits. This newspaper was written, edited and designed with pride The Daily Texan by The Daily Texan and Texas Student Media. Haiti: Soil testing could Permanent Staff campus watch Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jillian Sheridan Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ana McKenzie Associate Managing Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Mulvaney, Sean Beherec, Erik Reyna help prevent quake damage Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeremy Burchard, Dan Treadway, David Muto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Winchester, Roberto Cervantes, Claire Cardona ber reported receiving several Red, white and blue News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blair Watler Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pierre Bertrand, Lena Price unwanted and annoying e-mail From page 1 trip will be difficult, it will be Engineering Teaching Center, 204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claire Cardona, Viviana Aldous messages from another UT staff beneficial for the advancement of Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Rich, Audrey White, Alex Geiser East Dean Keeton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shabab Siddiqui, Bobby Longoria, Priscilla Totiyapungprasert member. Reported on 01/25/10 construction happens. science and research in the field Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nausheen Jivani Theft: A very patriotic red, AT 9:42 am. Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cristina Herrera, Vicky Ho, Matt Jones Russell Green, a professor at Vir-of geotechnical engineering. white and blue Trek 6700 bicy- Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .Olivia Hinton ginia Technical Institute and another From a personal standpoint, by Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shatha Hussein, Taylor Fausak cle was stolen while it was se . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veronica Rosalez, Mustafa Saifuddin member of the team, said that Haitis just observing, it gives a real appre- Special Projects Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thu Vo cured with a chain lock to the Sleepy ride Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Young poorly designed infrastructure will ciation for the work we are doing, Associate Photo Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bryant Haertlein, Peter Franklin bicycle racks located on the south San Antonio Garage, 2420 San make it difficult to collect data. Green said. It does impact society. Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Kang,Tamir Kalifa side of the building. Loss value: Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peyton McGee, Daniela Trujillo, Bruno Morlan The best situation you can have It goes beyond just benefiting the Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Wermund $300.00. Occurred on 01/26/10 Criminal Trespass Warning: Associate Life&Arts Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amber Genuske is when you have a First World nation but being very important Senior Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rob Rich, Frankie Marin, Jr. between 9:30 PM and 3:15 PM. A non-UT subject was report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Ross Harden, Lane Lynch, Kate Ergenbright country where buildings are built to for advancement in the field. Features Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gerald Rich, Audrey Campbell, Mary Lingwall ed as sleeping in one of the ele- Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blake Hurtik modern building codes with mon-The teams investigation will Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Sherfield vators. The elevator in question Bleacher bust itors, so when you have an earth-begin Saturday and will end the Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dan Hurwitz, Laken Litman, Austin Ries, Chris Tavarez appeared to be working properly. Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carolynn Calabrese quake, you know the intensity of following weekend. Gregory Gymnasium, 2101 Multimedia Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Juan Elizondo The subject was awakened and Associate Multimedia Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kara McKenzie, Rachael Schroeder shaking, and you can physically see Knowing that our investiga- Speedway Senior Videographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blas Garcia issued a written criminal trespass how the soil or buildings respond-tion is part of the University and Theft: A brown leather bi-fold Issue Staff warning citation. Occurred on ed, Green said. In a case like Hai-knowing that we are going to Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Priscilla Pelli, Erin May, Deborah Briscoe wallet containing various identi01/26/10 at 11:20 PM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dhanya Addanki, Audria Choudhury, Joshua Michaels ti, buildings are poorly designed conduct research that could help fication cards, a credit card a deb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Thomas, Allison Harris, Destinee Hodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Kandle, Max Scholten, Jeff Heimsath and constructed. We are only able avoid this disaster in the future is it card, two gift cards, a CPR cer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bobby Longoria, Scott Squires, Guillermo Hernandez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alessaundra Pierce, Kate Guerra, Gabriella Fontes to look at soil conditions. certainly something to be proud tification card, a residential key Causing a scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caitlin Billings, Nathalie Lumang, Hollis O'Hara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nam Nguyen, Gabe Alvarez, Julia Iocavello Green also said that while the of, Suncar said. and $35 in cash was stolen when Union Building, #4 West Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brianne Klirgaard, Hannah Chung, Michael Bowman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Murphy, Marc Nestenius, Joshua Flanagan it was left on the bleachers locat-Criminal Trespass / Assist Outed in the basketball annex while side Agency: A non-UT subject the owner participated in a bas-was reported as causing a disturketball PE class. Loss value: bance in the Showroom. The sub- Advertising $50.00. Occurred on 01/26/10 ject was found to have previous- Director of Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jalah Goette Retail Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brad Corbett between 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM. ly been issued a written criminal Account Executive/Broadcast Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carter Goss Campus/National Sales Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Bowerman trespass warning citation. The Assistant to Advertising Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C.J. Salgado Student Advertising Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathryn Abbas subject was also found to have an Student Advertising Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ryan Ford, Meagan Gribbin Student Account Executives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anupama Kulkarni, Ashley Walker, An Ly E-mail annoyance outstanding outside agency ar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cameron McClure, Daniel Ruszkiewkz, Lauren Aldana rest warrant for human waste vi- Main Building, #1 South Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laci Long, Tommy Daniels Classified Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teresa Lai olation. Occurred on 01/27/10 at Harassment: A UT staff mem- Special Editions, Editorial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elena Watts 1:29 AM. Web Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danny Grover Special Editions, Student Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kira Taniguchi Graphic Designer Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Thomas, Lisa Hartwig SKI SPRING BREAK 2010! Text-message tizzy The Daily Texan (USPS 146-440), a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78705. The Daily Texan is published daily except Saturday, Sunday, federal holidays and exam periods, plus the last Saturday in July. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX 78710. University Police Building, 2201 News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591) or at the editorial office (Texas Student Media Building 2.122). c Robert Dedman For local and national display advertising, call 471-1865. For classified display and national classified display advertising, call 471-1865. For classified word advertising, call 471-5244. Entire contents copyright 2009 Texas Student Media. Harassment: A UT student reported she received 22 unwanted The Daily Texan Mail Subscription Rates Vail Beaver Creek Keystone Arapahoe Basin One Semester (Fall or Spring) $60.00 and annoying text messages from 20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price. Two Semesters (Fall and Spring) 120.00 Summer Session 40.00 an unknown subject(s) between One Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) 150.00 To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 471-5083. Send orders and address changes to Texas Student Media, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713-8904, or to TSM Building C3.200, or call 471-5083. 12:45 PM and 1:38 PM. Reported plus t/s POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Texan, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713. on 01/26/10 at 3:20 PM. 1/28/10 Monday .............Wednesday, 12 p.m.Thursday.................Monday, 12 p.m. Texan Ad Tuesday.................Thursday, 12 p.m.Friday......................Tuesday, 12 p.m. Classified Word Ads 10 a.m. Compiled by UTPD Officer Darrell Halstead WWW.UBSKI.COM Deadlines Wednesday................Friday, 12 p.m. (Last Business Day Prior to Publication) 1-800-SKI-WILD 1-800-754-9453 www.dailytexanonline.com Thursday, January 28, 2010 World&NatioN The Daily Texan Concerned drivers express worries over Toyota recall By Dan Strumpf The Associated Press NEW YORK Toyota dealers across the country were swamped with calls Wednesday from concerned drivers but had few answers a day after the company announced it would stop selling and building eight models because of faulty gas pedals. Toyota insisted the problem sudden, uncontrolled acceleration was rare and infrequent and said dealers should deal with customers on a case-by-case basis. But drivers of Toyotas and those who share the road with them were left with uncertainty. In an unprecedented move, the company said late Tuesday it would halt sales for the eight models which make up more than half of Toyotas U.S. sales volume to fix the gas pedals. Last week, Toyota issued a recall for the same eight models, affect-ing 2.3 million vehicles. A private firm said it had identified 275 crashes and 18 deaths because of sudden, uncontrollable acceleration in Toyotas since 1999. Toyota has said the problem appears to be related to the buildup of condensation on sliding surfaces in the accelerator system that help drivers push down or release the gas pedal. The gas pedal mechanism can wear down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to spring back or stuck. The recall and sales are another blow to battered automakers, and a bruise for the image of Toyota, which spent decades building its image as a maker of safe, reliable cars and cultivated a fiercely loyal customer base made up largely of baby boomers. Toyota had little to say about how common the problem is. Honduran leader leaves for exile By Alexandra Olson & Juan Carlos Llorca The Associated Press TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras Former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya left his refuge in a Brazilian Embassy and flew into exile Wednesday, ending months of turmoil and his thwarted quest to be restored to power after a June 28 coup that drew international condemnation. The leftist leader drove past soldiers guarding the diplomatic compound in long caravan and headed for the airport accompanied by President Porfirio Lobo, said Hilda Cruz, an assistant of Zelayas wife. Before boarding the plane to leave Honduras, Zelaya shouted: Well be back! Well be back! Thousands of his supporters gathered outside Toncontin airport yelled Mel, our friend, the people are with you! as his plane took off. Zelaya arrived in the Dominican Republic a few hours later as a private citizen under a deal signed by Lobo and that Caribbean countrys President Leonel Fernandez, who flew to Honduras to accompany the former president. After landing in Santo Domingo, Zelaya thanked all those who supported his unsuccessful seven-month struggle to be reinstated. It was an effort that failed, but it was an effort that left us lessons to be learned, Zelaya said. Violence will always lead to bad decisions, weapons are not the road to democracy. He expressed concern about alleged persecution of his allies, but noted an amnesty approved by the Honduran congress Tuesday for acts carried out in months leading up to coup will be of some use in the process of national reconciliation. And he urged Lobo to do more to bring about reconciliation, the rule of law and an end to persecution. He gave no further details of his plans, saying it would be premature to formulate hypotheses about the future. Zelaya, who was ousted in a dispute over changing the Honduran Constitution, insisted he was still president up until the moment his four-year constitutional term officially ended Wednesday. He left with his wife, two children and an aide after four months holed up in the embassy. Zelaya remains under investigation for embezzlement in connection with $1.5 million in government funds. Editor in Chief: Jillian Sheridan Phone: (512) 232-2212 E-mail: editor@dailytexanonline.com Associate Editors: Jeremy Burchard David Muto Thursday, January 28, 2010 Roberto Cervantes Dan Treadway OpiniOn Lauren Winchester The Daily Texan GALLERY THE FIRING LINE Tuition not Texas priority In Tuesdays Overview, the Editorial Board praised President Obamas attempt to help college students with their student loans while chastising the state Legislature for not adequately financing public institutions. Maybe the Board has forgotten, but the state Legislature is responsible for prioritizing and providing for the needs of the state, not students. Students often wrongly look at legislators as the problem in higher education and demand action, but the state Legislature freed itself of providing previous levels of funding after the university systems were allowed to deregulate tuition. It should never be forgotten that more funding for higher education means higher taxes, and in this economy, more taxes may not be such a good idea. Whats more, higher education does not equally benefit society, and thus a higher burden of paying should fall on the students choosing to benefit from an education. To complain about the tuition that we choose to pay at this university is absurd. At private universities in this very state, the tuition rate can be seven times the amount we pay now. Meanwhile, at other public universities across our nation, the tuition is twice the price we pay. By choosing to come to this university we chose to pay tuition and, compared to others, its not that bad of a deal. Justin G. May Government junior A few friendly fact-checks for the Perry Campaign/YCT I was not shocked to see that Young Conservatives of Texas endorsed Gov. Rick Perry for re-election. However, I was rather shocked when I read Perry spokesman Mark Miners statement regarding YCTs endorsement. Miner claimed that Perry is the most conservative candidate in the race, has a record of cutting taxes, balancing budgets, improving education and creating jobs. While my Debra Medina-supporting friends laugh about the most conservative candidate claim, I humbly present a quick fact-check regarding the governors record. Between 2003 and 2009, taxes increased by $1.59 billion. This tax increase is the largest increase under any governor in the past 30 years. He championed a huge tax on businesses, doubled the state debt, and increased spending by 50 percent. In addition to the fact that the Governor supported and lobbied for the bailout he is now so quick to criticize, Perry used $12 billion in onetime stimulus dollars to balance the state budget (rather than cut spending). Additionally, citing a balanced budget as a personal achievement is giving him too much credit. The Texas Constitution requires the state budget to be balanced, so lets not let the governor pat himself on the back too much he didnt do the number crunching, he simply signed off on it. It appears that Perry is under the impression that appointing campaign donors as regents at Texas universities is somehow a method of improving education. While the cash in his campaign account must be nice, such heavy-handed meddling displays a disturbing willingness to place reelection efforts over the integrity of higher education at state universities. For a governor who is so keen on slamming big government and espousing anti-Washington rhetoric, it is natural that the Perry campaign does not want you to know that thousands of jobs created under Perry were, you guessed it government jobs. The size of government in Texas increased by 10 percent under Perry. YCT is free to endorse whomever it wants in the Republican primary. However, it should do us all the courtesy of citing better reasons for this endorsement. Using recycled (and disproven) campaign rhetoric to support the front-running incumbent candidate is a disservice to fellow conservative Texans. Melanie Schwartz, Longhorns for Kay Bailey Hutchison Coalition LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Student leaders fail to be accountable I keep waiting for things nancial Officer Kevin Hagerty they told us that the informa-problems in pubic. to change probably be-turned our reporter away from tion discussed was complex. By Tuesday nights meeting, cause people keep telling me the Tuition Policy Advisory Maybe students wouldnt un-they were over it. It was just a that change is coming. As ed-Committee meetings, I was derstand. Finally, they told us misunderstanding, they told itor of this paper, I have been not surprised. After all, the im-they simply didnt want to be each other. We can produce in contact with UTs leaders age and work of the Universi-held accountable for their in-beautiful work together, if we throughout the year. I have ty is the administrations busi-put. They did not want stu-just respect each other. May-sat down with President Wil-ness. It does not represent stu-dents to know which ideas be we will talk about it next liam Powers Jr. and with stu-dents and has not agreed to be they advocated for. week. Debate over relevant dent leaders, including Stu-accountable to students. I understand that the TPAC legislation may have reached dent Government President I assumed that if elected stu-members felt the weight of the SG listserve, but it did not Liam ORourke, Graduate dent representatives had ac-their decision. Their recom-reach the public forum. Student Assembly President cess to information that was mendation on tuition could I am disappointed by the Daniel Spikes and Senate of relevant to students on this wound students pocket-leadership that has resorted to College Councils President campus, they would be do-books or result in campus job closed-door meetings to avoid Lauren Ratliff. ing everything in their pow-cuts. But I cannot accept their accountability and by the self- I dont claim to be an expert er to communicate it to us. If bunker mentality. described reformers who have on them personally, but Ive they held the keys to a series To the students credit, they not stood up to speak their gained a little insight into their of meetings with a significant were willing to discuss their fi-minds in the public forum. professional selves. impact on our tuition, surely nal decision with students. To Debate is productive. Trans- On many levels, I find my-the doors would be unlocked. my amazement, they stood parency breeds involvement. self commiserating with them: As it turns out, I was being by the committees decision Secrecy quashes the very purcountless e-mails to read and naive. On Sunday, the edito-to exclude students in the pose of a representative govrespond to check; cam-rial board sat down with the first place. ernment and is an insult to the paign promises to uphold student members of TPAC: Then, Monday night, SG students who SG so proudly check; endless meetings to at-ORourke, Spikes, Ratliff and representatives ran into the claims to represent. tend check; high expecta-SG representative-at-large Texan office. The legisla-Maybe next year, UT will tions to meet in a very public Celilia Lopez. Every single tion they were working on have a Student Government office check. one of them told us that if they was not going to be debat-that takes its purported mis- But there is one thing we could make TPAC accessible ed at the upcoming meeting. sion seriously. As campaign-just cant see eye-to-eye on to students, they would not do The legislation, which would ing begins, I, for one, will be that often touted, but seldom it. In fact, they admitted that check the power of the exec-asking each candidate to give followed, cliche of transparen-they had a role in keeping the utive branch, had been found me his or her definition of cy in government. meetings closed. unworthy by ... the execu-transparency. Any candidate I have learned to expect Why? First, they told us that tive branch. The representa-who cannot commit to run-evasiveness from the admin-they were afraid of provok-tives were up in arms, ready ning SG in accordance with istration. Powers nebulous ing student input that would to resort to the press. This was existing freedom of informaresponses to questions about affect their final decision. Ex-the culmination of a semes-tion laws should not seek the gender equity, domestic part-cuse me, I think that is the ter of unsatisfied whisperings endorsement of The Texan. ner benefits and the allocation point. As representatives, they and off-the-record complaints of the elusive faculty raises did should be inviting student in-from SG. Now, they were Jillian Sheridan for the not shock me. When Chief Fi-put, not shutting it out. Then ready to speak up, to air SGs editorial board Head high, horns up By Marc Nestenius do not want to think about what has are visibly optimistic. Instead of being let Daily Texan Columnist happened lately. down, they are content. Not just content Maybe it is the shot-down hopes. appreciatory. Thankful to the athletes While watching the basketball team Maybe it is the extremely high expecta-and staff for the sheer pride they have self-destruct this month, students prob-tions we have of our superhuman ath-provided the University. ably realized something January letes. Maybe it is the shock of Tiger Whereas one would expect a school has been the unluckiest month this Woods affairs. ranked second in three sports that sufnew decade. The recent melancholy reveals that Tex-fered three significant losses to immedi Dont believe me? It is impossible to as fans are outright obsessed. No, that is ately hire on-campus depression counsel-counter. Two Texas teams lost valiantly not the right word. Cultish! No, that one ors, nothing of the sort has happened. in two national championships, and the is reserved for another school. Loyal? The Texas fan focuses more on the basketball team is no longer undefeat-Yes, loyal. Texas fans are some of the heated motivation of the volleyball team ed. How much more heartrending can most devout in the nation. That is the rea-after its first loss to Iowa State and the it get? son we have such high hopes. We have future of Destinee Hooker in South Ko- The Dallas Cowboys lost. To some, put complete faith and little doubt in our rea. Also, only a true Texas fan would like myself, that loss felt like another superior academics, eccentric culture and talk mostly about the four great years Cabo that just needed a scapegoat. Argh, homely hospitality. This smugness natu-under McCoy,and the promising talent Jessica Simpson. rally spreads to our athletic programs. in Gilbert. Can there be any positivity? Does ev-We have the best all-around athletic And if you think the basketball team is ery cloud really have a burnt-orange school in the country. We know that. Any down and out, try telling that to Dexter lining? school that beats us cannot compete with Pittmans face. They are going to come Well, sports-wise at least, January has us in any other sport. We also know that. back more determined than ever to reach been good to us in the sense that this That is why coaches and players openly the Final Four. much sobbing has burned off all the calo-support those in other departments. That This is why Texas athletes and ries consumed during the holidays. Sob? is why whenever we are in elevators, we fans should be proud of themselves Me? you may ask. Yes, we all know how feel the urge to scream Texas Fight! in every respect from football to you felt on Jan. 7 after all your friends This is what it means to be a support-baseball season. from A&M, OU and Tech, especially, sent er of some of the most astounding sports So heres to you, Longhorn. Head high, you lovely text messages. people in the country. And this is also horns up. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Just why the very few defeats here and there And if you still need consolation, just take a look around West Campus on any are felt the hardest. remember, OU still sucks. night. You will find that Prozac pong But something surprising has hap-is the new game of choice. People just pened. Instead of feeling blue, students Marc Nestenius is a mechanical engineering freshman. A matter of perspective By Joshua Flanagan Daily Texan Columnist You are not Quentin Tarantino. Ive heard that in at least one lecture from every film professor on campus. Its a valid concession a quick glance at my drivers license reveals my name is, indeed, not Quentin Tarantino. Nor do I write brilliant, pop-infused dialogue or direct scenes with impressive bravado and gnawing tension. (Well, at least not now.) Of course, there are always some who dont heed the professors warning, and Im forced to endure screenings of edgy stories with clever dialogue reminiscent of a film that rhymes with Mulp Schmiction. Film students have been aping Tarantinos style since the early 90s, but theres a newer Tarantino trend festering in the local film scene thats a bit more disconcerting the blind appreciation of anything and everything obscure and independent. There are tons of great independent films, probably more than studio ones, but that does not mean every bizarre foreign film or recovered grindhouse flick is a work of genius. Even for films outside the Hollywood spectrum, its necessary to have a barometer for quality. Consider the age-old question: How can you know good if there is no evil? Well, how can you acknowledge a good film without admitting there are bad ones? Most fledgling filmmakers are quick to give their two cents on a poor studio effort but are reluctant to discuss the latest imported J-horror flick. Its not just Tarantinos style they cant lock down, its his perspective. Read an interview or attend one of his local QT Fests (a collection of screenings from his private collection at the Alamo Drafthouse), and youll hear why he loves these quirky films, whether its for an unconventional protagonist or an innovative twist on the mainstream formula. Tarantino knows how to extract good elements from bad movies, but that doesnt make the films any better. Can you learn from them? If Tarantinos work is proof, then the obvious answer is yes. But the local film scene is increasingly promoting indiscriminate appreciation of these films without proper context, and student filmmakers are eating it up. Easily the worst offender is Austin-based review Web site aintitcool.com. Peruse the review archives and youll find Awesome, Incredible and On par with [insert classic movie here] slapped onto countless undeserving genre films. For instance, throwaway in-dies like 2005s Feast (a bargain bin monster movie thats apparently f@#king awesome) are lumped in with high caliber films like Tarantinos own Inglourious Basterds, which is nonsense. Curiously, the site also faces continued scrutiny for reports of studio schmoozery and questionable journalistic integrity (how else does one receive a glowing write-up for 1998s Godzilla?), which further brings into question the legitimacy of their reviews. The aintitcool.com mentality has even bled into the beloved Alamo Drafthouse, which regularly houses fun screenings, such as Terror Tuesday or Weird Wednesday series, in proper tongue-incheek context. Every September, aintitcool.com and the Draft-house team up for Fantastic Fest, a genre mishmash serving up some of the strangest worldwide cinema available. Whether its worth attending is debatable, but if you do, be prepared to watch fellow filmmakers foam at the mouth in fervent idol worship over professional filmmakers who, frankly, arent worth the time. I attended last years screening of Survival of the Dead, and as the audience whooped and applauded at the misfired jokes and uninspired kills, I felt like the little boy in The Emperors New Clothes. The Emperor is naked, and this movie sucks. It boils down to this: As filmmakers, how can we make great films if we idolize the bad ones? We need a clear, quality perspective to be successful at what we do. Yes, film tastes are subjective, and we all have our guilty pleasures (for the record, mine is John Leguizamos The Pest), but you dont have to subscribe to this everything is great mentality. In this instance, its okay to be like Tarantino if that means you critique cinema with a discriminating eye. Appreciate the good elements in a bad film, if they exist just dont call the film f@#king awesome. Flanagan is a radio, television and film junior. GALLERY LEGALESE Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees. FIRING LINES E-mail your Firing Lines to firingline@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability. Thursday, January 28, 2010 News Debate: Taxes may be hot-button issue From page 1 son to work with University officials to ensure that the needs of the students will be met. She wants to make sure that the people making these decisions about tuition and how the University is run are listening to the students, not the governor, Schwartz said. I would trust Sen. Hutchison to make sure that the people at the University have my best interests at heart. Medina, who was invited to the Belo debate after reaching 12 percent in a Rasmussen poll, has focused her campaign platform on strengthening Texas autonomy and independence. In the arena of education, she promotes competition and local control of Texas schools. Similar to Perry, Medina does not promote the use of additional federal funding for educational purposes because it would pose a threat to state autonomy. Tyler Rosen, co-president of Students for Medina, said Medina represents the will of the people and is the only legitimate conservative choice. I think she will really protect individual rights of the students, Rosen said. Her focus is on getting the government out of the lives of the people, and that benefits everybody. Unlike Medina, both Perry and Hutchison have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, an oath to oppose any and all federal and state tax increases. But Medinas appeal to far-right conservatives could result in her taking votes away from Perry and bringing in a new crowd of people, said Gromer Jeffers Jr., a Dallas Morning News political columnist. Jeffers said Fridays debate may cement Medinas following and possibly push Perry and Hutchison into a run-off election. Perry, whose record reflects his fiscal conservatism and his concern for state rights, declined federal Race to the Top funding for education earlier this month. The Race to the Top fund, a $4 billion program announced by President Barack Obama, was offered to states to advance education reform. Perry chose not to accept funding, as he saw it interfered with the states vision for public education. Longhorn Students for Perry did not return calls from The Daily Texan by press time. Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said Hutchison and Medina would have also likely declined the money to ensure Texas autonomy. Perry, back in the fall, turned down additional unemployment funds because Texas would have had to change the system to be slightly more generous, Jillson said. Texas is about independence and autonomy. Texas always declines money. Another common thread among the candidates is their promotion of a decrease in property tax. In Texas, property taxes are distributed to cities and local governments to fund schools, hospitals, roads and other programs. Cutting the property tax would decrease such funds. Terrell Blodgett, professor emeritus in the LBJ School of Public Affairs, said if the property tax is decreased substantially, it could cause institutions like UT to receive less money from the state, and a tuition hike would likely follow. He said this would subsequently make it harder for some people to pursue higher education. If we dont put some more money into education, both public and higher, were going to wake up and have a very ill-educated society thats not equipped to handle this century or the next, Blodgett said. Medinas campaign includes eliminating property tax altogether and replacing it with a broader-based sales tax. In other words, Medina wants to expand the range of goods and services on which Texans are taxed. Max Sherman, professor emeritus and former dean of the LBJ School, said decreasing property tax would not have an immediate effect on the state budget but that increasing the sales tax would quickly increase the amount of money coming into the state. Any time you add more money, its a good thing, Sherman said. It is not a matter of the revenue. Its a matter of fairness of the tax that causes an issue. The sales tax increase Medina proposed is a regressive tax, which has caused concern with some voters. With regressive taxes, the tax rate decreases as the amount being taxed increases. It puts a heavier burden on poor people than it does on rich people, Sherman said. Fridays nationally televised debate will air on Belo-owned news stations: KHOU in Houston; KENS in San Antonio; KVUE in Austin; and TXCN, Texas Cable News. It will also be streamed live from all Belooperated Web sites. Gender-gap levelsout for collegeenrollment rates By Erin May Daily Texan Staff A gender gap in higher education favoring women has stopped growing, according to a recently published report by the American Council on Education. Nationwide, men make up 43 percent of enrollment in higher education, a statistic that has remained the same since about 2000. Women became sis, said the higher percentage of women enrolled is a reflection of the labor market. For women to compete in the labor market, they need to have a college education to even enter into some entry level jobs and especially for more competitive positions, King said. For most women, work is going to be a substantial part of their life. Despite the stabilization in the gender gap, King the majority on said the current college campus-economic downes in the second turn could be half of the 1970s sending more after the womens Eliminating the gap males to school to rights movement pursue higher ed and getting everyone and the Vietnam ucation. who wants, needsWar. Its possible Economics pro-and can benefit from that we could see fessor Daniel the male propor higher education is Hamermesh said tion grow a little the aim. there are multiple bit because of the theories to explain recession, King Donna Burns why there is a tra-said. Ive been Phillips ditionally high-hearing anecdoter percentage of director of the Office ally, especially at women than men community col- of Women in Higher enrolled in college leges, that [more] Education at ACE today nationwide. men over the tra There are all ditional college kinds of stories. are going One, of course, is that the gains for women in wages have gone up compared to men in the past 25 years, Hamermesh said. The benefits for going to college are greater than they used to be. UTs enrollment statistics support the evidence that gender proportions have leveled off. The overall male undergraduate enrollment at the University was about 49 percent for fall 2009 and about 49 percent for fall 2003, according to the Office of Information Management and Analysis Web site. Jacqueline E. King, author of the report and assistant vice president of ACEs Center for Policy Analyage back to school. Hamermesh agrees that the recession might change the disparity between men and women going to college. This has been a male recession. More men than women have lost jobs during this recession, Hameresh said. If there is a whiplash with more men going to university in the future, [the recession] would be why. Donna Burns Phillips, director of the Office of Women in Higher Education at ACE, said stabilizing the gender gap is not the goal. Eliminating the gap and getting everyone who wants, needs and can benefit from higher education is the aim, Phillips said. Advertisement Thursday, January 28, 2010 Sports Editor: Blake Hurtik E-mail: sports@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2210 SPORTS www.dailytexanonline.com Thursday, January 28, 2010 SIDELINE NCAAM Notre Dame 72 No. 3 Villanova 90 Texas Tech 83 No. 5 Texas 95 Florida State 56 No. 7 Duke 70 No. 10 BYU 72 New Mexico 76 No. 23 Vanderbilt 85 No. 14 Tennessee 76 No. 15 Temple 64 Charlotte 74 No. 19 Connecticut 66 Providence 81 No. 24 Ohio State 65 Iowa 57 Drake 51 No. 25 Northern Iowa 67 NCAAW Providence 59 No. 3 Notre Dame 84 No. 4 Nebraska 89 Texas Tech 47 No. 8 Texas A&M 53 No. 16 Baylor 61 No. 10 Xavier 88 Rhode Island 60 Seton Hall 31 No. 11 West Virginia 53 No. 12 Oklahoma 56 No. 18 Iowa State 63 No. 15 Georgetown 45 Marquette 52 NC State 60 No. 20 Virginia 73 Colorado State 51 No. 21 TCU 78 NBA Minnesota 95 Cleveland 109 LA Lakers 118 Indiana 96 Miami 103 Toronto 111 Memphis 99 Detroit 93 LA Clippers 87 New Jersey 103 Philadelphia 88 Milwaukee 91 Chicago 96 Oklahoma City 86 Denver 97 Houston 92 Atlanta 90 San Antonio 105 Utah 106 Portland 95 New Orleans 123 Golden State 110 NHL New Jersey 1 Buffalo 2 F/SO Carolina 5 NY Rangers 1 Montreal 0 Tampa Bay 3 SPORTS BRIEFLY Gregory Gym set to host regional round of NCAA tournament in 10 The University of Texas has been selected as a regional host site for the 2010 volleyball NCAA tournament. This will be Texas third time in five years to serve as a host site. If Texas makes its fifth straight regional appearance next season, it would be a welcome change from this past season when it had to travel to Lincoln, Neb., a de facto home match for Nebraska fans. The Longhorns beat the Cornhuskers, making it to their second consecutive Final Four appearance and losing in the championship match to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions their third consecutive national championship. Chris Tavarez THE DAILY TEXAN Horns bounce back against Texas Tech Texas regains its swagger with win over Raiders after consecutive losses By Will Anderson Daily Texan Staff The swagger is back. Damion James, who has unofficially borrowed the term from the football team, led the way with 28 points and 13 boards as the sixth-ranked Longhorns beat Texas Tech 95-83 at home on Wednesday. When we were going over the scouting report, the last word that was on the board was swagger, said James, who became the new record holder for career double-doubles in the Big 12 with his 48th. We just have to carry ourselves with swagger, and if we do that and play hard, then we are going to be great, he said. Texas (18-2, 4-1 Big 12) an swered a few of its most-pressing questions on Wednesday night. Peter Franklin | Daily Texan Staff Dexter Pittman emerged from a three-week disappearance. The Junior Dogus Balbay dribbles away from traffic in Texas first home win over Texas Tech Wednesday night. Balbay had a career-high 13 points. Mason posts season Wheaties on Wednesday. The two combined for 31 points and high numbers in win were a large part of No. 6 Texas 95-83 win over Texas Tech. over in-state rivals The two guards usually start By Laken Litman every game but play more of an Daily Texan Staff unsung-hero type of role, with a Justin Mason and Dogus heavy presence on the defensive Balbay must have eaten their side of the ball and never really FOOTBALL COMMENTARY Unpopular religious beliefs left out of sports You know that old, stereotyped slogan for pro-life groups that goes, What if Jesus/[insert important person] had been aborted? It turns out that the savior of college football, former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, had almost been in that situation. And youll hear and see the story firsthand come Super Bowl Sunday during a commercial produced by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family that stars Tebow and his mother, Pam. It tells the story of how Pam, on a mission trip in the Philippines in 1987, was advised to have an abortion while pregnant with Tim after coming down with an illness. Obviously, she didnt take her doctors orders, a choice for which every Gator fan is eternally grateful. The 30-second ad has caused quite the controversy. Pro-choice groups have hounded CBS, which will broadcast the game on Feb. 7, for allowing an advocacy group to buy airtime. The station has had a long stance on not allowing ads like this one but announced Tuesday that it has changed its policy. As with anything that involves the A-word, people on both sides are up in arms. But it seems to me that any organization short of neo-Nazis willing to pony up the $2.8 million for 30 short seconds of ad space will gladly have its spot wedged between Bud Light and Doritos commercials. For those who oppose the ad, Id say its time to start collecting some change of your own. But once you get past all the hubbub over the abortion issue, the most interesting aspect of the story is the new way Tebow is showing his faith. And hes not the only one. We ran a story in this very paper during football season about how much Texas football players leaned on their Christian faith. The first words out of quarterback Colt McCoys mouth after any game always dealt with giving the glory to God. He even dabbled in a little Christian-funded advertising of his own, appearing in the I Am Second series with a man who plays for a team that most Longhorn fans consider synonymous with the devil Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. Heck, even center Chris Hall headed to Bible school in California following the season and TEBOW continues on page 8 big man finished with 10 points, his first time back in double digits since a Jan. 5 game at Arkansas. He added seven rebounds in 18 minutes. Guard play, which was nearly nonexistent, came storming back. After a recent backcourt drought, the teams six guards combined for 52 points, and starter Justin Mason scored a season-high 18 points. The guards also made 15 assists and only 11 turnovers. What they did tonight was unbelievable, James said, referring to the performances of Mason and Dogus Balbay, who scored 13 points. I think we looked strong today, Balbay said. We were moving the ball around very well. Texas was back to form on the boards, too, as it snagged 19 more rebounds than its opponent. The team was still inept from the free-throw line, though, making just 16 of 29 of the uncontested shots. At one point in the first half, TEXAS continues on page 8 bounds and a season-high five assists. It was just about letting the momentum loose and going out there to play today, Mason said. I found the net on a couple of open jump shots, and MASON continues on page 8 getting much statistical glory. But that was not the case against the Red Raiders on Wednesday night. Mason appeared to have the hot hand early in the first half when he slammed the ball down the net after chaos ensued when three other Texas players missed a bouncing ball at the rim. He finished the first half with 13 points, going 6-8 in field goals with three rebounds in 15 minutes of play. He was extremely consistent through both halves and ended with a season-high 18 points, going 8-12 in field goals. He also tallied four re- BASEBALL Andrew Rogers | Daily Texan file photo Texas players wait by the dug out during a game last season. Both current and former Longhorns will gather for the annual alumni game on Saturday. Alumni gather for annual game to open new season By Austin Ries Daily Texan Staff On a cloudless late afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, the air is still and silent. There are no sounds of clicking from spikes across the dugout steps, the ping of an aluminum bat or the iconic munch of sunflower seeds or popcorn sounds synonymous with Americas pastime. Instead, there is only the loud pop of a catchers mitt echoing from right field, where former Longhorn pitcher James Russell is throwing in the bullpen with assistant coach Skip Johnson. While Russell doesnt report to Arizona for spring training until Feb. 17, he has another game to prepare for with a group of old teammates and lifelong friends Saturday in the Texas Alumni Game. Russell played one season with Texas in 2007, leading the team in strikeouts, innings pitched and games started. The southpaw, who currently pitches for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, cant wait to ALUMNI continues on page 8 CLUB SPORTS Mens volleyball gaining popularity due to womens run to Final Four Derek Stout | Daily Texan Staff Members of the mens volleyball team, a club sport that is growing in popularity, thanks in part to the womens teams success, practice in Gregory Gym. All skill levels are welcome on the team. By Kate Guerra Daily Texan Staff With more traditionally masculine sports getting all the attention, attracting male interest in volleyball isnt easy. Ironically, the success of the Longhorns NCAA womens team is helping the Texas mens club volleyball team fill its roster. I think a lot of people who came out ... came out because they liked womens volleyball, said senior outside hitter Garrett Fleming. Sponsored by Rec Sports since 1986, the group competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association which includes six other Texas teams, LSU and the University of Arkansas. The Texas club is composed of one higher-level team called the Orange Team and a second one called the White Team. Team president Matt Rush knows that in Texas, where varsity mens volleyball is nonexistent, it can be hard to see past the dominant womens teams. Where I come from, its thought of as a womens sport, he said. But people that really know the game, and men who play the game, they know how intense it is and how hard it is to pick up. Coaching a sport in which players have little to no experience is one thing. Being successful with the group is another, and coaches Elbert Ortiz and Lucas Johnson are managing both. A former club volleyball player for West Texas A&M University, Johnson was told he would have to instruct players at various skill levels, but that didnt scare him off. I wanted to get involved with teaching volleyball, he said, I feel like there needs to be more coaching. Ive gotten a lot out of the sport, and I want to give a little back. As it turns out, Johnson got more than he could ask for. His team had many successes over its fall season, including a first-place Silver Division win in a tournament at Texas State University in October. Though lacking the official title, the club has all the dynamics CLUB continues on page 8 SportS Thursday, January 28, 2010 texas: Texas holds off late surge to stay perfect at home From page 7 the Longhorns were shooting just 40 percent from the line. But as Texas coach Rick Barnes was quick to point out, his team still made more free throws than Tech attempted, and down the stretch the Red Raiders just could not match their opponents depth. There is a lot of stuff that we have to clean up, especially from a defensive standpoint, said Texas Tech coach Pat Knight. But I cannot be upset with these kids. They gave me everything they had tonight. John Roberson scored a team-high 27 points for Tech (14-6, 2-4). Mike Singletary, the Red Raiders Justin Mason, who had a season-high 18 points, goes up for a layup in Texas 95-83 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday night. Peter Franklin Daily Texan Staff leading scorer, added 20 points and six rebounds but got into foul trouble after picking up his fourth with 10 minutes left. They cut us up and got what they wanted, Barnes said about the Red Raiders. We got better defensively in the second half, but again you really have to give [Knight] a lot of credit. Texas jumped out to an early 11-5 advantage, but Tech methodically climbed back into contention with accurate shooting and a chance 3-pointer. The Red Raiders took the lead about eight minutes in and nearly stole the first half with a late 16-10 run, but Texas scored the final three baskets to enter the break down by just five. There were seven lead changes or ties in the first five minutes of the second half. Neither team could create any momentum until Texas went on a 13-7 run to give itself a little breathing room. Then Avery Bradley hit one from long range to give his team an 11-point lead. The freshman hit another 3-pointer two minutes later to put the score at 85-73, and Tech never got closer than 10 after that. This is a special team, Knight said about the Longhorns. I felt bad for them losing two in a row. People start talking, but when this season is over, that is just going to be a bump in the road for this team. They are just loaded. mason: Balbays career night helps James, Pittman open up From page 7 I was just trying to find the rim a little more. Thats the game plan every night. Though he had more of an offensive effort, he didnt let his defense slip. Mason protected the ball and didnt give up a single turnover, though the Longhorns had a total of 11. Balbay played the role of the crowd-pleaser Wednesday night as the Bal-Bay, Bal-Bay chant rang throughout the Frank Erwin Center a couple of times. Like Mason, Balbay played more of an offensive-minded game, but his most memorable moment was a defensive block on 6-foot-1 Texas Tech forward Theron Jenkins. Jenkins, who is five inches taller than Balbay, was driving for a slam dunk when Balbay came flying into register his 12th block of the season. It happens, Balbay said nonchalantly. I knew he was going to try to dunk, so I just turned around and jumped and blocked it. I had to do it. No easy baskets. Balbay scored a career-high 13 points, topping the 11 he scored at home against Texas Tech last season. He went 5-8 in field goals and had seven rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes. This is part of our offense, Balbay said. [Mason] was open, and he took his shots, and when I was open, I took my shots. Its just how we play. With the movement Mason and Balbay provided, seniors Damion James and the big man, Dexter Pittman, were able to get going. Our offense gets moving when the guards can score, Balbay said. Dex can get the ball inside. If we keep driving and reversing the ball, well be much better on offense and wont have to force shots. It looks as if the new game plan for this team is to get the guards going first, that way everyone elses job will be much easier. If they can do that every night, well win every game, James said. alumni: Horns earn preseason No. 1 From page 7 hang out with his old teammates again. We dont get a good chance to see most of these guys during the season, so its always exciting to hang out in the locker room and reminisce, Russell said. Im really excited to see Kyle Russell and my good friend Joseph Krebs. Russell played in his first alumni game last January, but he thinks this years will be better thanks to the extra time and preparation. And thats not the only thing Russell thinks has improved. I dont think well win, Russell said, laughing. They had a good team last year, but I think they have a little better team this year. After a string of Omaha magic, Texas came up one game short last season to lose to LSU in the College World Series. The team hasnt forgotten. In fact, even though the game is part of a fun day celebrating Texas baseball tradition, coach Augie Garrido and the Horns see the game Saturday as a scrimmage and a chance to work. Its always fun, and we joke around, but we play serious, said senior outfielder Kyle Lusson. Its a good chance to see some major-league talent and get better. The Alumni Game is the finale of the annual Baseball Fan Appreciation Day to kick off the 2010 season. The gates open at 9 a.m., when fans can get autographs from players, take pictures with Bevo and play catch in the outfield before the alumni squad takes batting practice. Its just awesome to see the fans and supporters out here for this, Lusson said. I think everyone has a good time. The alumni squad has a lot of familiar names for Longhorn fans. Along with major leaguers Huston Street, Drew Stubbs, Taylor Teagarden and Curtis Thigpen, more recent players like Russell, Brandon Belt and Austin Wood will suit up, as well. Former Texas players and major leaguers Burt Hooton, Brooks Kieschnick, Greg Swindell and Jose Tolentino will coach for the alumni. Its great to see these guys playing in the big leagues, so we can see their work ethic and what it takes to play at that level, sophomore infielder Brandon Loy said. It makes us that much better. With five returning starters and a starting pitching staff that ranked second in earned runs allowed last season, Baseball America gave the Horns the No. 1 pre-season ranking. And while Texas players know it is a reflection of their hard work and success last season, they also know that, just like other Texas teams have learned, it can disappear. We dont worry about the rankings because anything can happen, Loy said. We dont need to work harder. We just need to keep doing what weve been doing, and things should fall into place. tebow: Christianity dominates sports image From page 7 plans to become a minister. And all involved are truly genuine about their convictions. Just try to get through a conversation with Hall without him saying, Praise the Lord. All of this perpetuates the image that athletes, collegiate ones in particular, are pretty much all Christians. There are no stories about the atheist on the team who, instead of thanking God after a touchdown, thanks his teammates. And the only times Muslims are ever mentioned are when they change their name, like Muhammad Ali or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar both African Americans who converted to Islam. Otherwise, we view them all as good ol Christian boys with crosses either dangling from their necks or tattooed on their bodies. And thats a view thats lagging behind society. True, all-toooften are peoples religious beliefs stereotyped by their outward appearances. Who wouldnt assume a guy like McCoy or Tebow isnt a Christian? But slowly, people are starting to check those assumptions at the door. Were simply too diverse to do otherwise. Mainstream sports still dont reflect that diversity, but that doesnt make it right to assume all players share the same faith. So while Tebow enjoys that status and right to star in a Christian-funded commercial during the Super Bowl, his atheist, Muslim or Jewish teammates should feel just as able. But when was the last time you heard anything from an athlete who subscribes to beliefs outside of the mainstream? Pat Tillman, the former Arizona Cardinals safety who was killed while fighting in Afghanistan, identified himself as an atheist. Austins own Lance Armstrong is a well-known agnostic. But other than that, theres not much to be said for non-believers. The Christian influence is simply overpowering in American sports. I challenge you to find someone who played football growing up who didnt participate in a team prayer before taking the field. In fact, thats how I learned the Lords Prayer. Not from a church, but from a pious football coach. club: Team shows talent despite lack of experience From page 7 of an NCAA team. The players are dependent on each other to succeed, always together and sacrifice time away from normal college activities to become better. The men practice twice a week for three hours, during which they cover strategy and conditioning. Johnson realizes an NCAA team requires more time on the court and in the workout room, but he said he prefers the club regime. I know a lot of women who play volleyball at the NCAA level get really burned out. Johnson said. We have a whole different element because were taking guys who have never played before, so theyre learning along while theyre playing. Johnson, who coaches the White Team, was impressed with his squads initial talent, considering the limited number of opportunities for men to develop their volleyball skills before entering the University. I had never played before college, Dassow said. I wasnt really good until I started playing with people better than me. The same is true for most of the players. Aside from a few who grew up in larger urban areas where volleyball was available through city leagues, the athletes typically learned the sport playing on sand courts or through local gyms. A lot of these guys do come in with very sparse knowledge of the game, Orange Team coach Ortiz said. For the players, its about having fun, playing some ball and representing their school. One thing that this team tries to take pride in is that we are Texas, Ortiz said. Thursday, January 28, 2010 News Walk the line Bruno Morlan | Daily Texan Staff Students walk across the pedestrian bridge on Dean Keeton on Wednesday morning. The bridge connects the engineering quad and relieves pedestrian traffic on Speedway and Dean Keeton Street. Report finds grads likely to be hired in Austin By Allison Harris Daily Texan Staff Despite the nationwide economic recession, college graduates have a better chance finding jobs in Austin than graduates in most other large cities, according to a new report. A report compiled by Beverly Kerr, vice president for research at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, will be released in February with a comparison of Austin unemployment statistics with those from the 50 largest metropolitan areas across the country. According to a preliminary report, the Austin area ranks second behind Virginia Beach in retaining the most jobs, with a decrease of less than 1 percent, between December 2008 and December 2009. The considered jobs do not include the agriculture sector. Of the 50 cities, Austin had the wasnt completely unscathed by sixth-lowest unemployment rate the recession. during that time. However employment in Aus [In] our relative position, were tin will suffer from the residual efgoing to still be the best-perform-fects of the recession. ing [city], Kerr said. Texas had the highest job growth of any state in the nation during the past decade with an increase of more than 9 percent in private-sector jobs between December 1999 and December 2009. Of the Small business tends to hire people locally. Michelle Frith Small Business Development Program Tom Pauken, chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, said the recession will decrease the chances of a college graduate getting a job in the particular field in which he or she studied. What worries me is that people will fall behind on 10 states with the largest eligible working population, only Florida and Texas had positive job growth during that time. But unemployment in Austin their career path, Pauken said. Those people who have more experience are more likely to be hired than someone just graduating from college. Michelle Frith, outreach and marketing coordinator of the citys Small Business Development Program, said the high number of small businesses in Austin contributed to the citys economic resiliency. Of the citys small businesses, 94 percent employ fewer than 50 people, compared to 86 percent of small businesses nationally. Because small businesses employ the most people, thats why we did better in the downturn, Frith said. We have a diverse employer base. Small businesses offer unique opportunities for recent college graduates, she said. Small business tends to hire people locally, Frith said. Of course, students who have graduated may choose to start their own business as their first job, and we can help with that. UT sees positive rise in student interest in Asian studies courses By Joshua Michaels Daily Texan Staff While the number of other foreign language classes in elementary and secondary schools nationwide has been decreasing, there has been a swell in interest in Chinese classes in the last 10 years. The number of Chinese classes at elementary and secondary schools nationwide increased tenfold, from 0.3 percent in 1997 to 3 percent in 2008, according to a survey from the Center for Applied Linguistics. The center reported that foreign-language instruction decreased from 31 percent to 25 percent in elementary schools and from 75 percent to 58 percent in high schools. Spanish remained the most commonly taught foreign language, while French classes dropped below 50 percent, with less than half of high schools offering it in 2008. The Texas Education Agency began offering a Chinese teaching certification in October 2007. Until the certification became available, Chinese language instructors were restricted from working in public schools. Since then, four public high schools, one middle school and two private schools in Austin have adopted an optional Chinese language class into the curriculum, according to the Chinese Language Teachers Association in Texas Web site. Kelly Long, the Chinese instructor for Anderson High School and Murchison Middle School, worked as a math teacher in Austin Independent School District for seven years before switching subjects in 2007. In Texas, Spanish is the most popular foreign lan- Enrollment in Chinese classes increases steadily guage, but internationally, Chinese is much more important, Long said. The business we do with Mexico is not comparable to the business we do with China. Anderson High School introduced Chinese in part because of increasing parent requests, Long said. The program at Anderson originally began because several of the parents, especially those whose work takes them abroad, wanted their kids to take Chinese at school, she said. Andersons program started with 40 students and no promotion. By its second year, the program had doubled, Long said. UT has seen a positive increase in interest in both Chinese language and foreign languages as a whole. From 2006 to 2010, the number of foreign language bachelors degrees increased from 2.81 percent to 3.4 percent. In fall 2009, 102 undergraduate students were registered as Asian cultures and languages majors. In 1996, seven students, including undergraduates, masters and doctoral students, were registered as Asian cultures and languages majors. Joel Brereton, chairman of the Asian Studies Department, acknowledged that in order to cope with student demand for Chinese language classes, the department intends to expand student enrollment in individual classes. 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COMICS Thursday, January 28, 2010 Yesterdays solution 1 4 9 5 2 3 6 9 5 2 6 8 4 1 5 1 3 7 3 6 8 4 5 6 7 2 4 3 8 7 3 3 8 9 7 2 4 5 1 6 1 2 5 6 8 9 7 4 3 4 6 7 1 3 5 2 8 9 7 5 4 8 9 3 1 6 2 8 9 1 5 6 2 4 3 7 6 3 2 4 7 1 8 9 5 5 7 6 9 1 8 3 2 4 2 4 8 3 5 6 9 7 1 9 1 3 2 4 7 6 5 8 Thursday, January 28, 2010 Life&Arts Rockin for relief In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Bono, left, and Rihanna perform at the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Reliefon Jan. 22 in London. MJ Kim Associated Press NEW YORK The all-star Hope for Haiti Now album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the first digital-only album to hit the top spot. Nielsen SoundScan said Wednesday that the compilation CD of performances from last weeks charity telethon sold 171,000 units over the weekend. The CD features performances by U2, Beyonc and Madonna, among others. More than 80 million people tuned in for Fridays telethon, which organizers have said raised $66 million. The event, which also streamed live online, featured appearances by former President Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali, Brad Pitt and other stars who encouraged donations for Haiti, hit by a devastating earthquake on Jan. 12. On the Net: http://www.hopeforhaitinow.org The Associated Press ARTIST: Former Longhorn inspired by women in sports From page 12 school, and Im curious about the human body, and with the human body comes our sex and then comes gender. Spectator Sport explores the relationship between sports, gender and the human form, culminating in a thought-provoking experience for viewers. The work is inspired by sportswriter Michael Sokoloves controversial book Warrior Girls. The book argues that since female bodies are biologically different than male bodies, women must train differently to prevent the current injury epidemic in the world of womens sports. [Warrior Girls] got me interested in womens sports and feminism in general, Walker said. I think it just seemed like a natural investigation with what I was already doing. Spectator Sport is Walkers first solo museum project and her largest to date. During her creative process, Walker found that she adopted a different approach to her large-scale installation than to her smaller works. Ive never built a model before. I talk about the idea of model-building a lot with my students, and I think its an important concept to many peoples work, but Ive never had to do it because my work has never been large enough, Walker said. But with Spectator Sport, since it was such a large space, I built a model and worked from it for six months. Spectator Sport, like many of Walkers other artistic ventures, is constructed primarily of fabric and found objects, such as discarded boxing gloves, hand weights and crutches. She said one of her favorite places to search for cheap material is Goodwills Blue Hanger Outlet, where every item is $1.25. Its really disgusting, like the end of the line before you go to the landfill, Walker said. Walker, an avid traveler, finds the Austin art community to be a nurturing environment for the creative process and also receives help from friends in the community to collect the material for her work. I feel like whats unique is the camaraderie in this community, she said. When people know your work, they start to collect for you and for other artists in town. Although Walker may gather materials from the community at times, her finished product comes purely out of her own artistic ingenuity. [Walker] has created a work of art that is simultaneously anthropomorphic and abstract, masculine and feminine, competitive and inert, attractive and repulsive, beautiful and bizarre, Mellard said. Spectator Sport will be on display at the Austin Museum of Art until Sunday. DATE: Gamers fight trolls, find romance From page 12 Additionally, the game can sider another date. seem extremely confusing Even with the half-orc bar-is the potential of being stuck to first-time players. Know-barians massive strength with a bad date. While play-ing when to roll an eight-sid-points, one bad roll of the die ers can always leave at any ed die versus a five-sided die had Esmereldas whirling at-point in the game, doing so to add up the power of an at-tack miss the snakes. Instead, is frowned upon, since it al-tack can seem arbitrary. Peo-she sliced her hand, marking ters the remaining players ple who have a strong phobia her exit from the game and, strategies. of math might want to con-sadly, the date. RADIo: New station takes a turn for the worse From page 12 Talking Heads and Fleetwood Mac. If someone wanted to hear late-90s, early-00s buzz ballads, they would have to turn the dial. The stations deejays became local celebrities as they hosted the citys annual music award ceremony and played various free shows around town. They became recognizable in voice, appearance and musical taste. Now, 93.3 listeners must endure hours of some of the worst music to come out of the last three decades from A Flock of Seagulls to Cracker to Snow Patrol just to catch a glimpse of the real Radio Austin. Facebook pages populated with outraged longtime listeners attest to the citys loss. A wall post on one, aptly titled KGSR Dont Flip Formats on my Radio Austin, sums things up perfectly. Flock of Seagulls? it reads. F*k that! We want Flaco Jimenez! Life&Arts Editor: Ben Wermund E-mail: lifeandarts@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2209 Life&Arts Thursday, January 28, 2010 www.dailytexanonline.com The Daily Texan Gaming couples quest for love Players escape to world of Dungeons & Dragons for unique date By Layne Lynch & Gerald Rich Daily Texan Staff A fellowship of fighters, rogues and druids crowded into a dimly lit temple in a cultist village. Glowing pillars illuminated pools of water covering the floor. Suddenly, flaming snakes and a massive Naga half-man, half-snake slithered out, leaving behind a trail of flames as it arched its back and spit flames. Crowded around a large sheet of graph paper, Dungeons & Dragons players intensely debated their next moves at BattleForge Games, a gaming center on West Anderson Lane that hosts role-playing gatherings like these. Dreadnought the Goliath fighter and Esmerelda the half-orc barbarian, two other members of the party battling the snakes constricting tails, were one of many couples playing the game that were also on a date. You should start out with a whirling attack, advised Harmony Medley, a Level 6 elven druid who plays the game with her boyfriend, the quests dungeon master. That way, you wont hit any of us. She then quickly transformed her druid into a cat in preparation for the battle. Medley met her boyfriend, James Howard, through a mu- By Ben Wermund Daily Texan Columnist At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Smashing Pumpkins 1979 played over the airwaves of 93.3 KGSR, Radio Austin a 1995 hit by a Chicago band. At 1:32 p.m., Stevie Ray Vaughans rendition of Voodoo Chile took over. It was one of only three songs by an Austin artist the station had played since 5:00 a.m. The other two were S.R.V., by Eric Now, 93.3 listeners Johnson and Jim- must endure hours mie Vaughan, and of some of the worst Metal and Steel, by Bob Schneider. music to come out of The rest of the the last three decades songs played in from A Flock of the eight-and-ahalf hour span Seagulls to Cracker to were comprised Snow Patrol just mainly of the likes to catch a glimpse of of Dido, Sarah McLachlan, Bare-the real Radio Austin. naked Ladies, Dave Matthews Band and Natalie Imbruglia an adult contemporary lineup so separated from anything here or now I would have thought I was listening to Mix 94.7 circa seventh grade. I grew up in Leander, a small town north of Austins city limits but within the reaches of its radio airwaves. Both my parents cars tual friend and fell in love with him while playing D&D. Medley learned how to play from Howard, who mastered the game while he was serving in the military overseas. Its up to Howard to narrate the story and play as many enemies the characters may face presently, Howard was moving the Naga into position to fire a barrage of arrows at the adventuring party. Unlike other board games, role-playing in Dungeon & Dragons involves players creating characters with their own distinct strengths and weaknesses, where numerous dice are used to determine the suc- Listeners bid farewell to former Radio Austin radio dials were permanently set to 107.1, KGSRs old station number. It was all I heard, and looking back, Im thankful for that. But at the end of 2009, with the frequency switch to 93.3 supposedly only aimed at broadening the stations listening range and the exit of the stations content manager and on-air host Jody Denberg, KGSR changed. I was raised on Texas music from progressive country icons like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Steve Earle to more current local acts like Spoon, Alejandro Escovedo, Eliza Gilkyson and Guy Forsyth that sounded, felt and often was important. Local and regional artists made up the foundation of a KGSR that earned its Radio Austin title. The station wasnt exclusively Texan, but what wasnt local or regional generally skewed toward quality. Texas artists resided alongside indie upand-comers and musical giants like Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, RADIO continues on page 11 cess or failure of any action. There are several alternative fantasy-themed games similar to D&D, ranging from some involving vampires and zombies to others based on Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. The beauty of these games is the bonding time the players share and the words of encouragement not unlike the kind found in everyday human relationships like Medley and Howards. Dreadnought and Esmerelda, on their first D&D date, were learning this firsthand. Throughout the game, players must maneuver their way through encounters to accom- Apple enters new territory with introduction of iPad By Gerald Rich Daily Texan Staff Wednesday marked the much-anticipated announcement of the iPad, Apple Inc.s first foray into tablet computers. [Its] so much more intimate than a laptop and so much more capable than a smart phone, said Apple CEO Steve Jobs during his presentation Wednesday. Coming in at roughly 1 1/2 pounds and a half-inch thick with a 10-inch screen, the iPad could revolutionize portable computing with its surprisingly low price tag of $499 for the lowest-end model much lower than the originally speculated $1,000. Although it does not come with a disk drive like some tablets, there will be fully capable Wi-Fi and 3G versions to be released in March and April, respectively. The iPad will also include the same basic capabilities of an iPhone, such as multi-touch technology to surf the Web, view photos and listen to music, and the ability to download and use almost 140,000 of its applications. What is yet to be known, though, is whether we will see tons of students hunched over their iPads on the 40 Acres bus. Ive had the iPhone ever since it first came out, said Keagan LeBlanc, a radio-television-film junior and Information Technology Services help-desk employee. But one of its biggest problems plish their ultimate goal of finishing the groups quest. Encounters can range from rescuing villages to meeting firesnake-worshiping cultists and pillaging dank dungeons. In doing so, players begin to see the level of patience and understanding their significant other can offer, and they often rely on each other for help. Esmerelda looked around the temple, confused about what to do next, as players kindly advised her to charge forward at one of the flaming snakes. Dreadnought left her alone to bash his shield against a large, encroaching snake. Something to keep in mind on a date like this is that it should be both relaxing and noncompetitive. The date is about embracing free thought and imagination to its fullest extent. Being able to do this with your significant other represents a level of trust and comfort you share with your partner. Couples should realize, however, that only after a serious time investment in the game will anyone decide to bow out when facing fiery dragons or tricky minions. Another concern with the time commitment games can last up to seven hours DATE continues on page 11 UT alum featured in contemporary museum series By Kate Ergenbright Daily Texan Staff In creating her latest work of art, UT alumna Jade Walker has compiled discarded pieces of trash, battered sports equipment and used medical paraphernalia to explore the relationship between gender, sports and pain. Walker has managed to create a jarring yet beautiful experience for viewers. Walkers latest work, Spectator Sport, is a large-scale installation and the inaugural piece for the Austin Museum of Arts new project space and New Works series, which showcases contemporary art from local artists. The Austin Museum of Art chose Jade Walker to kick off our New Works series because we thought she was ready for the challenge of a large installation, said Andrea Mellard, assistant curator at the Austin Museum of Art. [She] set the bar high. Walker, whos had her work displayed at Domy Books, Women & Their Work and various other regional galleries, is also the director of the Creative Research Lab, a small, off-campus art gallery in East Austin that showcases student and faculty work from the Department of Art & Art History. Weve been able to do some really rad programming for the community, but also a little more cut-ting-edge stuff because were not dealing with so many things that you deal with on campus, said Walker, who for the past three years has taught a 3-D Foundations course for the Department of Art and will also be directing its Visual Arts Center upon completion. The downside is that there arent as many students that can come through that space. Much of Walkers work explores gender and the blurred lines between masculinity and femininity as a central theme. Im always interested in gender, and Im always trying to decide if thats what my work is about or thats just an interest of mine, Walker said. I studied gender in graduate ARTIST continues on page 11 is that things are hard to see on the screen. Apple hopes that the iPad will be able to better utilize many of the games available on its app store in addition to selling full books through its iBook app. Print media groups like the New York Times Company, Cond Nast and HarperCollins are already designing applications for the iPad. Its not meant to replace computers, though, LeBlanc said. Its for use on the go. Despite the ability of users to respond to e-mails and view and write documents with iWork Apples answer to Microsoft Office everything is stored on a flash drive. That means youll have to sync it up like an iPod or iPhone for storage. And while LeBlanc remains enthusiastic about the iPads larger, crisper screen and its familiar interface, its design might be a problem for some. Im worried that the screen will crack, said Kathryn Pendleton, a biochemistry junior and computer enthusiast. My high school had tablet computers. I never used one, but I just remember that they cracked easily. Pendleton was skeptical about using the on-screen keyboard. That means I constantly have to hunch over if I want to see what I write, she said. I guess it could work, but Id have to see it used first. dtWeekend 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS food & drink 4 Good eats and drinks at The Good Knight by BRENNAN LAWLER 5 Rage on Minimum Wage by HAN PARK & MARLA SEGURA characters 6 More than a cab ride by JESSICA BILLEAUD music 9 Catch the Blues by MARK LOPEZ 10 Grungy Fun at Emos by JOE HOLLOWAY arts 12 Dancers give More by JANNA ROCK EDITOR Rachel Meador ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Billeaud COVER ARTIST Giulio Yaquinto DESIGN DIRECTOR Shatha Hussein PHOTO EDITOR Lauren Gerson COPY EDITOR Nausheen Jivani WRITERS Brennan Lawler Han Park Marla Segura Janna Rock Mark Lopez Joe Holloway PHOTOGRAPHERS Derek Stout Aaron Polinard I-Hwa Cheng contact us at dtweekend@gmail.com editors note When my good friend Frankie passed the DT Weekend torch off to me, he offered minimal advice then flashed me his big, beautiful trademark grin. Theres really not much I can tell you, Frankie said. It will all just come together in the end. Despite my best efforts to prove him wrong and put myself ahead of schedule, Frankie was right. After one month of planning with my homegirlturned-associate editor Jessica, two weeks of recruiting writers and finding cool events to tell yall about, it has all come down to the last minute. So this is my message to you, wonderful students: Enjoy your weekend to the maximum. Get out of your apartment despite the impending arctic blast and floss in your best winter swag. Put your pride aside and succumb to dirty Sixth Street ($5 liquor pitchers at Shakespeares on Thursday and $.25 drinks at Pure on Sunday should do you just fine) and strike up a conversation with your cab driver on the way home. Do what you do, and do it to the max, because after this weekend, academic responsibilities will seriously hinder your playtime. It will work out in the end. All good things do. Love, RECCOMENDATIONS 3 this weeks recommendations by Rachel Meador and Jessica Billeaud Fiery Furnaces Thursday, 8 p.m. The Parish off guard with their live performances. Plus, youll be in for a treat with but Missions brings some darker disco undertones. The Austin-based group Austin for two nights, dropping dirty jokes and F-bombs. He may not If you love a good fusion of blues, jazz and funk, then look no further than Another indie band hail- opening act Drug Rugs walks a fine line between have his bong in hand, The Greyhounds. This lo ing from Brooklyn, this brother-sister duo em- eerie, poppy tunes. And who doesnt love weird the chill and the dance-able. like his loveable Weeds character Doug, but you cal act has been a regular on the groove scene and bodies everything their name denotes, making themselves fierier and odder than most. Weav pop music and drama? Missions Friday, 10 p.m. Kevin Nealon Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. never knowhe may be stoned. The Greyhounds live performances are their forte whether its instinctive head bobbing, casual foot tapping or full ing in synth-pop and experimental rock, they are known to catch fans The Mohawk These days electronic tracks are a dime a dozen, Cap City Comedy Club Dark comedy genius Kevin Nealon descends upon Saturday, 8 p.m. Momos on ass shaking, you cant help but move to their funky jams. 4 FOOD & DRINK Good eats and good drinks T ake a step through the heavy wooden door at The Good Knight, 1300 E. 6th St., and youll feel like youre taking a step back in time. The small bar is reminiscent of Prohibition-era speakeasies with its dark wood interior and secluded seating arrangements. Bar manager Billy Hankey likens the atmosphere to the ambience after a good house partyits a place for just a few drinks more and a great conversation with friends. The meals are reasonably priced, between $6 and $16, and showcase the talents of chefs Christopher Con-cannon and Lisa Newmeyer beautifully. The small menu offers a surprising large selection of hearty American dishes, comfort-chic, featuring a hearty veal and pork meatloaf with bacon ($12), and a chicken pot pie that is always in demand ($10.50). The pork belly confit ($12) is a rich and filling dish for the more adventurous visitorpan-fried slices of slow-cooked pork that melt in your mouth. For vegetarians, The Good Knight offers the savory and unique cheese and nut roast ($12), a smoky dish with crimini mushroom, walnut, cashew and gruyre terrine and a smoked tomato sauce. Vintage cocktails like the Bees Knees ($7), a tasty gin-based treat with flavors of lemon and honey, compliment the food and the feel of the bar perfectly. You also cant go wrong with the June Rose ($10), which is named after Hankeys grandmother, featuring an intriguing mixture of Henrdicks cucumber-infused gin, basil and grape. If youre not a gin drinker, another Hankey-original, and the signature cocktail of the bar, The Good Knight ($8), is not for the weak at heart. The cocktail is a bold combination of rye whiskey, Paulas Lemon liquor and sweet vermouth. The Good Knight also offers an extensive wine list and has six rotating beers on tap. Join The Good Knight for happy hour, 5 p.m. -7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and all day Sunday, for a $5 glass of the house wine, $1 off any draft beer and half-off selected appetizers, like the Southern classic fried tomatoes. The Good Knight serves up an eating experience all its own. The place delivers a great atmosphere, good drinks and superbly prepared food without relying on gimmicks or shortcuts. Whether youre looking for a new place to eat a good meal, or looking for a place to meet up with an old friend for drinks, swing by The Good Knightyoull be glad you did. BRENNAN LAWLER FOOD & DRINK5 Rage on Minimum Wage A COLUMN BY HAN PARK & MARLA SEGURA B ambinos is dead. In its place is The Rooftop. Perhaps booze will be more successful than another sandwich place on the Drag. The Rooftop just opened its doors, stirring the curiosity of returning students on their daily commutes. Although it doesnt offer daily or happy hour specials quite yet, its not a deal-breaker, since The The Rooftop is ready to hook up West Campus with drinks and an aerial view. It is the newest edition to the Drags bar scene. PHOTO BY I-HWA CHENG BLACK CAT TATTOO (512)4764007 Rooftop is best at night. As the name suggests, the bar offers a cozy rooftop patio featuring a full bar, plenty of seats and a view of the University and West Campus area. As for the regular crowd, the Rooftop obviously appeals to a West Campus crowd thanks to its proximity to the area, and the bar definitely plays this up. I mean, its right by FIJI, so expect INDUSTRIAL PRIMITIVES BODY PIERCING (512)4766343 315 EAST 6TH the worst. The speakers play radio hits all night, the cocktails are colorful and super tasty, and theres never a long wait to get a drink. Best of all, the sleek interior completes the modern atmosphere of the bar. Really, my biggest problem with the place is that they dont carry Lone Star. My opinion stands that every bar in Texas should carry Long Star for one reason: Lone Star is good to drink. Overall, despite the lack of happy hour specials and a sparse, yet to-be-expanded, bar menu, the Rooftop is a fun place for a drink. Its not really my crowd, and the lack of Lone Star is a detractor, but the coziness of the patio brings the bar crowd. 208 NUECES ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 WWW.AUSTINMUSICHALL.COM TICKETS ON-SALE SAT 1/30 @ 10 AM THRU WWW.FRONTGATETICKTES.COM FRI MAR 12 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.AUSTINMUSICHALL.COM 6 CHARACTERS More than a cab ride PHOTO BY DEREK STOUT Austin cab driver Carl Swanson takes time to do what he does best, tell stories, at Pease Park Tuesday afternoon. A mid the yellow cars weaving throughout Austin, there is one cab whose light shines a bit brighter than the rest. Whether youre desperately flailing your arms in the air after a drunken night downtown or anxiously awaiting your ride to the airport, when you slide open the door of the van, youre greeted by a cheerfully mellow, Hey there, howve you been? Depending on your mood and willingness to chat,this cab ride could change your life, or at least your day. But dont let Carl Swansons occupation fool youthe 55-year-old has had more experiences than you could fit in a thick novel. As his longtime friend Anthony Gray puts it, Hes done so much in life you really cant make this shit up. Carls life is like a slowly, unintentionally formed mound of life lesson after life lesson that defines his own guidelines for livingphilosophies that seem so simple, but are hard to come by in our pessimistic world. This is the deal: Life is what you make of the moment, he says, his words entangling with Buffalo Springfields For What its Worth thats playing at Joes bar, where I find Carl perched in a red leather booth in the corner. The song perfectly suits Carls old hippy, relaxed vibe, and this statement is just one of many philosophies peppered throughout his stories. He takes a heaping bite of meatloaf, briefly closing his eyes as a look of satisfaction washes over his face, which prompts another life lesson: You know, the two things that transport people to a better place, when they dont try to control it, is music and good food. With a nod of his head, he adds, For a minute, you get to look at that person as that person really is, and theyre just happy and relaxed and theyre diggin the music. Same with good food, that first bite, and you can see it, theyre thinking about the food and nothing else, and theyre just happy. Its just like all the bullshits stripped off. Carl deeply values that kind of honesty and realness in people his kind, hazel eyes make such lasting contact when he speaks that his intuition and sincerity is palpable. Carl, product of two drunken, sarcastic people, comes by his sardonic frankness honestly, and is visibly comfortable in his sun-worn skin. He raises his eyebrows and says, You know what side of the bread the butters on with me. Todd Price is just one of the many Austinites who has come to love Carl and his quirkiness. Two years ago, the 24-year-old was in a tight spot; he just finished filming his final project when he realized he left his car on the other side of Austin. He would be late to work, again. With a tripod strapped on his back and two large cameras hanging from his neck, Todd labored down Barton Springs Road in the scorching summer sun, pushing his bike in obvious desperation. Suddenly, a cab pulled over. Carl poked his head out of the window, shouting, Hey, man, looks like you need some help. Todd was relieved and astonished. With the sliding of the vans door, the two began a friendship. He was just frickin hilarious. I was having an awful day, and he saved me, says Todd, who instantly became one of Carls regular customers. Todd passed Carls card around among friends, saving it for those he knew would click with Carl. Referrals and regular customers make up over 80 percent of Carls business he rarely needs to take calls from Yellow Cab. While Carls life would not be deemed normal by most standards, with its fair share of ups and downs, he is truly candid about it all, regretting nothing. He grew up in a small town in Connecticut and dropped out of high school at 17 to join the Army. From there, his life looks like a map a child scribbled all over; Carl likes to move around, packing up when one opportunity dries up, all the while thinking about his next possible destination and business venture. Its a life that evolved from a lesson he learned early on: You can either just react to whats going on, or you can control whats going on around you. For now, Carls current gig suits him fine he loves being a cabbie because he gets to drive around town and listen to music. And talk. What more could you want? he asks, with a chuckle. And so he tells his stories, many of which Ive heard during rides downtown (in the front seat, where his usual customers prefer to sit). Once he was at the climax of a really good one, and so we drove around the block a few times so he could finish it he didnt charge me. Carl seamlessly weaves in detail after minute detail while telling his stories, to an extent that makes me wonder if some are slightly enhanced, but Ive heard some stories several times and the details never change. His acute memory is an effect of his syndrome; Carl was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome several years ago. The autism spectrum disorder typically causes difficulties in social interaction and some physical and linguistic clumsiness, but it is unique from autism in that it preserves linguistic and cognitive development. For most, its not easily recognizable, especially not so in Carl. He doesnt do well in big social scenes; nerves lead him to prefer to simply observe people, because, thats where the good shits at. Fumbling his words at times, he swears the syndrome makes him a bad conversationalist, blaming Aspergers for his eagerness to dive into stories. But again, dont be fooled. Of his mental library of stories, one is particularly telling: As a music junkie, Carl spent plenty of time soaking up Austins music scene when he moved here in the late 90s. When he noticed there were no late-night food places in the Warehouse District, Carl again saw opportunity. Mustards Last Stand was the first food trailer in the area, behind Antones and for the next eight years, Carl enjoyed the people-watching just as much as serving his hearty hot dogs (just mustard, ketchup and relish). As he always does, Carl put his unique spin on the hotdog stand, CONTINUES ON PAGE 8 8 CHARACTERS FROM PAGE 6 placing a gallon jar on the cart for the money he didnt want to dirty his hands with dollar bills. So he told people to just throw their bills in the jar and make change if they needed. But his trust never made him come up short, he explains, adding, Ive always felt that if you give people the opportunity to do the right thing, then they usually do, and if they dont, thats not on your back. One night, this drunk guy from Amsterdam had a problem with Carls level of trust he only had $1, and so Carl gave him the hot dog anyway, simply asking him to throw a couple bucks in next time. He told Carl he just couldnt do that no one is that trusting. It just really freaked me out how many people were reticent about that jar, he says, summarizing the explicative-heavy argument that ensued with the slurring man. Carl won, sarcasm as his reliable weapon. Carl recounts, So he came back two years later and said, You dont remember me I answered,Yeah,youre that asshole from Amsterdam. And he continued, Well I just wanted to tell you that you changed my whole outlook on life people have all said that Im just happier. And nicer. Just wanted to say thanks, man. Instances such as these are common in the stories of Carls life. People notice him, remember him and end up having an urge to befriend him. Its a certain unexplainable spark that surrounds his enlightened view on life. I dont think its pay it forward, I think lifes about ending up where you think you want to be like when youre gonna die, maybe you do end up where you want, he says softly. Lifes what you make of it. And so Carl is a cab driver now, but as for his next possible venture, hes thinking about starting a free-range chicken farm in the Hill Country. As he explains his current dream of a quiet life with some chickens in the hills, he giggles as he acknowledges how batty he must sound. But he just shrugs his shoulders, in that Aw, shucks manner that cloaks his wisdom. With no trace of arrogance in his voice, he says, If you know who you are, then you are truly liberated, in a matter-of-fact manner that tells me hes one of those rare people who has long-since known exactly who he is. JESSICA BILLEAUD MUSIC9 Catch the blues B acked by a cello and guitar, Grace Rowlands voice emanates from a deep place, containing a soulful and dynamic twinge that is not often heard on the airwaves. The Blue Hit, an Austin band, has been gaining momentum and good criticism in the last two years for its classical, yet soulful approach to music. The event that brought this threesome together was the Kerrville Folk Festival, in which cellist David Moss said he met singer Grace Row-land as she was coming out of her shell. Already crashing on a couch with guitarist John McGee, the three came together and started writing songs. However, Rowland had a slightly more unorthodox launch into the art of writing and recording music. I was having a bad mushroom trip, and I was in the middle of nowhere with a small group of friends, Row-land says. When I started to feel really anxious, a friend of mine said to play a song, so I did, and I started to feel a lot better. I noticed that my stress level went down, and then I started to write more music and play with bands. From this chance meeting, the band has already played over 400 shows within the past two years, and has recorded its first full-length album, Move In, which was released in May 2009 and was built on their EP from summer 2008. I feel really good about the recognition, McGee says. In the music business, you really have to pay your dues, and its cool to finally see all this hard work pay off. The members, whose in- minimalist, yet cool and in fluences range from Radio telligent. The smoky, sultry head to Sufjan Stevens, de- feel evoked by the combina scribes their sound as simple, tion of cello, guitar and vocals melodic and very orchestrat will surely satisfy both the ed. However, with a second folk music lover and the blues album in the near future, the aficionado. band would like to expand its MARK LOPEZ sound by adding a string sec tion and possibly drums on some of the tracks. The Blue Hits vibe is very What: The Blue Hit Where: Stubbs When: Saturday, 9pmTickets: $8 FREE PARKING IN THE DOBIE GARAGE /ZZAV]ea$EWbV1]ZZSUS72 eeeZO\R[O`YbVSOb`SaQ][ BACK TO SCHOOL POSTER SALE! DATES: January 29th 31st TIMES: 29th: 3:00PM 10:00PM PHOTO BY AARON POLINARD 30th 31st: 12:00PM 10:00PM Local groovy group, The Blue Hit, formed over an odd chance meeting. They play at Stubbs Bar-B-Q Saturday. DENZEL WASHINGTON GARY OLDMAN Fri: (4:00) 7:00, 9:40 SatSun: (1:15, 4:00) 7:00, 9:40 MonThur: 7:00, 9:40 HEATH LEDGER CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER A FILM BY TERRY GILLIAM Fri: (4:15) 7:15, 9:50 SatSun: (1:45, 4:15) 7:15, 9:50 MonThur: 7:15, 9:50 A FILM BY JON WOO Fri: (4:45) 8:00 SatSun: (1:30, 4:45) 8:00 MonThur: 8:00 A FILM BY WES ANDERSON Fri: (5:15) 7:30, 9:30 SatSun: (2:30, 5:15) 7:30, 9:30 Mon: 9:30; TuesThur: 7:30, 9:30 SHOWTIMES VALID FRI, JAN. 29 THUR, FEB. 4 0O`UOW\AV]ebW[SaW\ JOIN OUR FILM CLUB AT FILMCLUB.LANDMARKTHEATRES.COM (&&/BJ9 10 MUSIC Grungy fun at Emos Local band Full Service is primed to slay S uppose the reggae-rock band 311 bumped into the indie-jam band Dispatch on the street. The two begin to date and before too long, the relationship results in the birth of a child. Now suppose that child is walking along one sunny day, growing out a nice set of dreadlocks and humming whoa, amber is the color of your energy, when he falls into a dark pit in which a heavy-metal band lives. The band holds him hostage for years, teaching him in the ways of shredding and facemelting before he finally escapes, a mesh of all three. This child is Austins very own Full Service, and the band will be opening for the Sub lime cover band Badfish and Scotty Dont at 8 p.m. Sunday at Emos. If its anything like the last show we had with Badfish, itll be bad ass, said Full Service drummer and vocalist David Kepner, better known by his nickname Hoagman. There was a huge crowd last time. The show is the first that Full Service has played in Austin since early December and is part of its first tour since November. Hoagman says the band is ready to get back to playing live gigs and touring with Badfish. Everybody loves Badfish. Were just riding the coattails, he said. But its different here because we bring out all our Austin fans. So its like a double whammy. Its the Badfish fans, then our fans come, and its this huge show. Pat Downs, singer and guitarist for Badfish and Scotty Dont, which are composed of the same people, only Scotty Dont plays originals while Badfish covers Sublime, seemed equally excited in a phone interview. The fun part about Austin is its a music town. People are always there to listen and have fun. The crowd is very receptive and is def- Full Service, a local band formed upon guitar shreds and crowd surfs,team up withBadfish and Scotty DontSaturday nightat Emos. PHOTO BY I-HWA CHENG initely there to experience the show to its fullest potential, Downs said. I feel like it makes us play better. I always love going back to Austin. Full Service guitarist, vocalist and Hoagmans brother, Bonesaw, said hes particularly excited about the show at Emos because hell be playing on the same stage that his favorite band has played on. The only concert Ive ever been there to see was Mastadon. Ill get to play on the same stage they played on, he said. That shows going to be really cool because, unlike the other venues on this tour, its super grungy. Downs echoed that sentiment. The whole half-indoor, half-outdoor, cement floor, dirty stage thing is awesome, he said. Its fun to be in a nice, polished up beautiful theater but its really nice to go back to the nitty-gritty. Bonesaw indicated that the proximity of the fans to the stage at Emos might allow him to get creative with his stage diving and crowd surfing. He just got this surfboard. I was thinking maybe we could actually crowd surf with a surfboard, Hoagman said. Doesnt that make sense? Its easier to hold somebody and you dont hurt anybody because its a flat surface. Bonesaw said hed be up for the stunt. The last time, I just had the board on stage he said. Im going to do it. Itd be really sick to do it while shredding a solo. In addition to crowd surfing antics, the band will also debut its cover of the Beach Boys song Surfer Girl, featuring full four-part harmonies. Its been a freaking nightmare to rehearse. Its very confusing, all the movements. Its sort of an old style. Its awesome practice. Its definitely elevated our game. This is like the apex of my harmony execution, Hoagman said before turning to his brother. Also I think for Surfer Girl we should invite a girl on stage and serenade her. Youve got to bring the surfboard out. Full Service will also have some brand new items on sale for the first time during the tour including a live DVD and a compilation album for fans new to the band. The Austin show promises to rock. Were so psyched about it. We havent had one in a while. We feel like we havent been at bat in too long, and were ready to get back at the plate, Hoagman said. Were totally primed to slay. JOE HOLLOWAY 12 ARTS Dancers give Austin More Philly dance company digs deeper P hiladelphias Headlong Dance Theater will serve up quite the dose of experimental virtuosity at The Rollins Studio at The Long Center for the Performing Arts this weekend with its most recent work, More. Headlong is revered as a leader in avant-garde, collaborative and brash performance, and its newest piece upholds that reputation. The company makes an austere bound with More, as its creative process led to material that is darker and stranger than anything it has ever presented, according to codirector Andrew Simonet. At this point in his 17-year collaborative career with co-directors David Brick and Amy Smith, Simonet couldnt be livelier. Dance has so much to give people, I think its a really generous and nourishing thing. Part of the humor and lightness on our part is to make connections to bring people close to our work. To show that theres not some secret you have to know to understand dance, said Simonet. This piece tries to show something that is difficult to talk about how being in a body is both exhilarating and boring, and so many things at once. More offers a unique perspective of sensibility as it meanders through the nuances of daily life and sheds light on what we humans, with our personal awareness, could possibly make of it all. [What is] interesting to me is the reality of the body in the present, how incredibly mundane things like getting a text message and putting on deodorant are seconds away from monumental thoughts and decisions about relationships and life events, Simonet said. This work is defined by an amazing and complex layering of the mundane and monumental. No story wins, and the progression exists in the way things are changing and the way things go away. Headlong collaborated on this project with sought-after choreographer Tere OConnor, who is an accomplished industry leader noted for his dynamic choreography and distinguished philosophic view on dance. The production of More drove the three artistic directors far beyond their comfort zones. Rather than beginning their collaboration immediately, as they were accustomed to doing, OConnor instructed them to work independently, top secretly, even, with the same cast of dancers before bringing it all together. Can you say, potluck? Tere has an emphatic thing were he wants an artist to let the images and ideas emerge from movement rather than predetermining them, Simonet said. This was a chance to let each artist do their own work, and it cast a sort of secret shadow onto the piece. OConnors involvement ul- ILLUSTRATION BY Joe Holloway and Durt Darden What: Headlong Dance TheatreWhere: Center for the Performing Arts When: Friday and Saturday, 8pmTickets: Tickets available through Danceumbrella.com orby calling 512-450-0456.Web site: www.headlong.com timately presented Simonet, who made the final technical decisions, with an unusually structured piece in which sensitive trial and error was the only option for its resolution. The culmination was tough to find because you could change one thing, and it would all be different, Simonet said. The layering is very delicate and hard to figure out, but we eventually found it. The companys mission statement concludes with the aim to dance [their] way into the blind spots and hot spots of our strange times, and thats what they have done. Works from Headlongs cannon have been hailed by critics to be smart, hilarious, bright, fiendishly inventive, charming and nothing short of remarkable, among other notable testaments to this companys lasting wit, impact and ingnue. Their work remains broad enough for different experiences and has the capacity to incite a range from dead silence to raucous laughter and applause in the middle of the performance, sort of like the 10 pirouette moment in a ballet, Simonet said. Andrew Simonet warns the audience not to expect slapyour-knee funny. However, he divulges that the company hasnt given up the humor in More, which lurks in the corners and leans more toward the bizarre. This weekends audience should look forward to a performance more like a David Lynch movie but with the music of Doris Day. JANNA ROCK