Accent, 09/21/09 Issue

September 21, 2009

www.theAccent.org

Volume 19, Issue 1

RGC garage opens for Fall Semester Students, faculty find old parking issues solved as new ones arise Diana Leite Staff Writer

The new Rio Grande Parking Garage is up and running for the fall semester. There is a total of 543 new parking spaces with 346 open for students, 195 reserved for faculty and staff and two additional spots for the retail space that is yet to open. The garage was opened to students and faculty on Aug. 24, the first academic day of the fall semester of 2009. Pamela Collier, parking manager, is proud to announce the construction was under the $15 million budget While the new parking garage is helping with the notorious parking problem at Rio Grande. It does get full. Its busiest hours are between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The large amount of students trying to find a spot are currently slowing down the traffic on 12th St. and causing competition for the scarce street parking. The safety officer’s have to check every one of the students’ identifications and parking permits, which takes a lot of time and may be the cause of the unusually long car line on 12th St. Safety Officer Gary Cronkhite, nevertheless, foresees the end of traffic complications. “Once the automatic gates are installed and people get used to the new garage, there won’t be long lines on 12th St. anymore,” said Cronkhite. The automatic gates will be activated by swiping a valid ACC ID for those who paid the parking permit fee. There have been some problems with students parking

Karissa Rodriguez • Staff Photographer

RIO GRANDE — Safety Officer Adam De Leon instructs drivers entering the parking garage on how to use their student or faculty ID’s to gain access to the parking garage. For the first few weeks of the semester safety officers directed students entering the parking garage before a gate arm could be installed. in faculty spots. “Soon we will be giving them warnings, and taking more drastic measures, depending on how many times an episode is repeated,” Cronkhite said. Collier agrees that there is a problem. “This current situation will be addressed soon in a meeting with campus management and administration members,”

Collier said. Nothing is confirmed, but the number of faculty and staff spaces may decrease in order to satisfy the demand for student parking spaces The columns on the sides of the entrance, protecting walls and the safety offices have all been hit by cars. Cronkhite said that the columns are too close to each other, making it difficult

Enrollment hits record high

for the cars to maneuver in the small space. ACC is aware of the problem. The parking garage was designed and built according to approved and tested standards. “Most of the students are not very experienced drivers. They should drive slower and more carefully to avoid scratching their painting jobs,” Collier said.

Michael Needham Staff Writer

ENROLLMENT INCREASE- Students and Austinites line up for food at the well attended Diez y Seis celebration at Riverside Campus Sept. 16. Attendance at ACC increased significantly this semester.

Nearly 4,500 more students than last fall Trevor Goodchild Staff Writer

Austin Community College’s official enrollment tally for fall 2009 is 40,248 credit students, an increase of more than 12 percent compared with fall 2008, when ACC had 35,798 credit students according to the Public Information and College Marketing Department. The differences in enrollment this year compared to last year has been noticed by ACC’S faculty.

“What was very different was the terrific increase of students this year,” said Vice President of Student Success Systems and Support Services, Dr. Kathleen Christensen. “We began registration a good two months earlier than last year,” said Christensen. “We were reaching 100 percent of where we were last year, before classes started, so I would say it is a good thing we did begin registration

earlier, because we were able to accommodate the extra 13 percent of students that came in after that.” Another way ACC coped with added number of students was by increasing the number of faculty members employed to maintain a 21 to 1 ratio of student to faculty. “The biggest concern I have is, the large numbers that came ȩȩ enrollment continues on pg. 4

As the Rio Grande community adjusts to the new parking garage the kinks are being worked out. “The parking garage was built to solve some of the parking problems,” Collier said, “but we were aware before the construction that it could not solve it completely. Some students will still have to park on the streets, unfortunately.”

Board seat will be left vacant Rivera exits board for national post

Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer

Stephanie Sides, an ACC student, drives 45 minutes twice a week for an afternoon class and says it’s a great relief to know there’s no need to drive to class earlier, in order to struggle for an expensive parking space on the street. “I have to pay less for my ACC parking permit than I had to pay for a parking space in my high school,” said Sides.

Veronica Rivera attended her final board meeting Tuesday Sept. 8, ending her five-year run on the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees. Now, Rivera is in Washington, D.C., starting her job as the education and policy attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). “I would just like to be remembered as one of the trustees that was very involved with serving the community college and hopefully I did it well,” Rivera said. Her teaching certificate significantly helped her as a board member, said Rivera. “It gave me empathy for faculty and staff as being the ones who are on the front lines in dealing with students, and helping them succeed,” said Rivera. Student activities provided some of Rivera’s

most rewarding experiences. “I always enjoyed going, not anyone knowing who I was, but just seeing how the students and staff interacted,” Rivera said. “It was great to see that our staff was doing a great job and that the students weren’t complaining, but thinking highly of the services that are involved.” At her new job Rivera will be working at the national level to prepare students for college and work. “We will be advocating for access to quality education,” Rivera said. According to a recent press release the Board has decided to leave Rivera’s seat vacant until May elections. The press release quotes Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs, praising the decision. “If the board had chosen to fill the position prior to the election, they would have had little time for an effective selection and appointment process,” Young said. The seat will be left open until the next regular Board of Trustees election in May 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Diana Cordell

In an e-mail interview Dr. Barbara Mink, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, expressed her appreciation for Rivera. “Ms. Rivera was a thoughtful and energetic member of the Board,” Mink wrote. “She was deeply concerned with student success and made many important contributions to the betterment of the college. I will miss my dear friend and colleague, and I know she will make many important positive contributions in her new role in Washington, DC.”

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Accent • September 21, 2009

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Karissa

Explains it

al l

Lack of Civility in Public Discourse

Texting While Driving Karissa Rodriguez Design Intern

On New Year’s Day of 2008, my family and I were driving in our Volkswagen Jetta heading south on Ranch Road 620 after leaving Lakeline Mall. Seconds after stopping at a red light we felt the impact of our car forced forward after a Toyota Tundra slammed into us at full speed. The driver of the Tundra did not brake nor did he see the stop light turn red because he was too busy looking down to pull out his ringing cell phone form his jeans’ pocket. Thankfully, our Jetta lived up to its slogan of “Safe happens.” My family escaped unharmed as well as our car for the most part. I can not say the same for the Tundra though, it was totaled. While we were lucky that our accident was not severe, I believe that cell phones are quickly rising as one of the main reasons for the causes of car accidents and that texting while driving is the more prominent reason for automobile accidents similar to mine. Both the Texas State Legislature and the Austin City Council agree, and are currently tightening driving laws concerning cell phone usage while driving. The Legislature has passed Texas House Bill 55, which outlaws the use of handheld devices in school zones and HB 339 which prohibits drivers under the age of 17, with restricted licenses, from texting or talking on cell phones. Both laws took effect on Sept. 1, however, I do not believe that they are enough to decrease the number of automobile accidents similar to mine from occurring. While these measures are a step forward in preventing drivers from driving while distracted, more can be done to ensure a safer motorway for all drivers.

The new law concerning driving while using your cell phone for drivers under 17 years of age should apply to drivers of all ages. Those above that age do share responsibility for creating such unsafe driving situations as well, including the 21-year-old who rear ended our Jetta. The Austin City Council’s unanimous decision on Aug. 31 to begin drafting an ordinance to ban texting while driving will fill the gaps in the Texas law, I believe. It is expected that the ordinance will enact a ban that will prevent drivers from using their cell phones for anything other than making phone calls or GPS. I like the ordinance the council has proposed over the new laws enacted by the Legislature because it focuses on the most dangerous way to use a cell phone while driving. On the other hand, a ban on texting while driving is not an end all situation. The ordinance will successfully lower the number of cell phone related motor accidents, but will not stop all drivers from texting when driving. The city will need to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving to ensure the maximum effect of the ordinance will take place. The recent texting while driving public service announcement released over the summer in Britain that has garnered international success on YouTube and numerous media outlets is an excellent, if not gruesome, example of how the city council could educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving. Texting while driving poses a greater risk than talking on your cell phone while driving, and both the state of Texas and the city of Austin are on the right track to creating a safer motorway for all drivers.

Art By • Karen Kuhn

Politician needs a lesson in manners -Staff EditorialRep. Joe Wilson (R) S. C. behaved with the decorum of a child when he screamed “you lie” at the president while the president addressed Congress about health care. Congress has formally voted to denounce Wilson’s behavior, but the vote was anything but unanimous, only 240-179. Only seven Republicans voted for the resolution. This outburst was a huge disrespect to the office of the presidency, and regardless of political party, should be denounced in the spirit of preserving some sense of decorum in government. This incident is a culmination of all the impetuous and hysterical rhetoric from the right being excepted as an appropriate way for people to engage in debates about national issues. Elected officials from both sides of the aisle should be held to a higher standard then, say, belligerent musicians at the MTV Video Music Awards. Wilson has actually turned into a right-wing hero as a result of his publicly admonishing the president.

For Devon’s Sake fffare Reform Devon Tincknell Staff Writer

Obama pledged to take on America’s health care problem while still on the 2008 campaign trail, but even at that early stage those that remembered Clinton’s quixotic quest shuddered at the thought of the oncoming ugliness. Health care reform is a deeply divisive political issue in America. We lag behind most of the other developed nations in terms of providing affordable, accessible care for our citizens. Costs have been sky rocketing for the last several decades while health insurance employment benefits have been diminishing steadily. The majority of personal bankruptcies in American are now related to the financial burden of health care, a symptom of insurance reneging on the coverage they had pledged to provide. For those of us who don’t vacation in the Hamptons, good health is quickly becoming an unaffordable commodity. Despite the seemingly blatant nature of the problem, the issue remains a contentious one. Fears of big government interference are being stoked by right wing media and the generous pockets of insurance lobbyists. Now that their bottom line is on the line, the pharmaceutical corporations and insurance giants are shelling out millions to preserve their lucrative status quo. In the last few months the already heated

debated became particularly outlandish as coherence and logic lost ground to anger and scandalous propaganda. Reform’s opponents are pulling out all the fear mongering stops with tales of death panels, gestapo grandma killers, and town hall temper tantrums. Ignorance and misinformation have always been enemies to the democratic process, but this health care reform debacle has seen them mount a full fledged assault on reasoning. At one town hall referendum, a senior citizen opposed to reform yelled, “Keep your government hands off my Medicare,” at Rep. Robert Inglis (R-SC). Medicare is, and always has been, a government program. While I was ready for the forces of ignorance and right wing ideology (and their human incarnation Sarah Palin) to actively campaign against reform, what has surprised me the most has been the enfeebled opposition. Obama and his congressional allies continue to use logic and reason in a debate that long ago devolved into a game of tug o’ war over America’s heart strings. The fictitious death panels invoked by Glen Beck and his Fox friends bear more resemblance to the plot of Logan’s Run than they do any element of the health care bill before Congress. If anyone in this debate was going to tell tales of heartless bureaucrats calculating the worth of a human life, it should be the health care reformists.

A little biased investigative reporting, like the kind done in Michael Moore’s documentary Sicko, unearths thousands of grim, heart wrenching stories about unfortunate Americans being denied coverage by the insurance companies they had mistakenly believed they could rely on. Though my own tale pales in comparison to the true horror stories of health care, as a young college student about to lose his parent provided coverage, mine is probably more relatable to those reading this column. I moved to Austin in the summer of 2008 and soon began to experience serious swelling in my left knee. Unlike many Americans in their early twenties, I was lucky enough to still receive health insurance from my father’s employer. After a series of x-rays and MRIs I was diagnosed with pigmented villonodular synovitis, one of those weird random conditions that people get for no apparent reason. The doctor said he could fix the problem by digging around inside my knee with a minibelt sander and some tiny cameras, a procedure known as arthroscopic surgery. I was insured and eager to get back on my feet so we set a surgery date while my doctor’s secretary called my insurance company to straighten out the paperwork. My insurance company, based out of Massachusetts where my parents live, were still wringing their hands over final approval

He has raised over a million dollars in donations. Donations he directly asked for in a web video he dispersed on Twitter, saying that he needed the money to help ward of attacks from political opponents. Most of the Wilson’s supporters are clinging to the idea that the outrage over his behavior is because he called the president a liar. It’s not It is about him flying off the handle in the middle of the president’s speech. This is not a debate about Wilson’s right to publicly disagree with the president. It’s about the fact that we shouldn’t have to remind politicians to behave themselves while in the process of trying to tackle complex national problems. If a student jumped up in the middle of class and yelled at a professor because they disagreed with the professor said, they would be reprimanded, not for disagreeing, but for rudely interrupting. Bottom line, if he had waited until after the speech and tweeted to his hearts content about how the president was lying he wouldn’t

when the surgery date arrived, but I was assured that was just a formality and went through with the procedure. When angry town hall attendees scream about the threat of having some bureaucrat get between them and their doctor, I’m amazed that they don’t realize that the insurance comanies’ thoughtless, pencil pushers already barring that path. About a week after my surgery, while I was still propped up in bed recovering, I got a call that my insurance had denied my request and I owed 10,000 dollars for my surgery. The insurance company said that I was out of network, aka I saw a doctor in Texas not Massachusetts, and so they weren’t covering me. It was a classic Catch 22. I received insurance because I was a student in Texas, but I could only cash in on that coverage if I was in Massachusetts, which meant dropping out of school. Which meant losing coverage. It’s frustrating, but a drop in the bucket compared to the life threatening, Kafkaesque nightmares insurance companies have subjected millions to as they rescind coverage for clerical errors and play phone tag while tumors grow. The debate rages on in Washington, but it is out here in Texas where the effects of this bill are going to be felt the most. We’re the most uninsured state in America, almost a quarter of all Texans have no health coverage, and as students emerging into an economy ravaged by unemployment, we’re the ones who need to make our voices heard. The health care industry is an economic powerhouse in the Lone Star state, but it’s we, the people, who need to demand that health be added to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” as one of the inalienable rights that every American should enjoy.

be getting a formal reprimand from Congress. Many public figures have lost their cool in public this week, but no one has rushed to defend Serena Williams for going crazy at a tennis match. There has been no uprising of Taylor Swift critics rushing to defend Kanye West’s outburst at the VMAs. Wilson shouldn’t be getting support for being a jackass to the President, even from people who disagree with Obama’s health care plan. Furthermore, West at the very least had an excuses, however inappropriate, for his inability to behave in public. So far there haven’t been any videos of Wilson drinking Hennessy out of the bottle and posing for the paparazzi before the speech. Voters should make sure that it is clear that these rude, uncontrolled, unresearched attacks are not part of what we want our government to be spending time on. There is a level of respect that is required in order to debate heated political issues effectively.

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OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE RGC, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 101.1 Austin TX 78701 Editor-in-Chief..................................................................................................................... Sarah Neve Assistant Editor.......................................................................................................... David Rodriguez Photo/Web Editor...............................................................................................................Hanlly Sam Layout Editor.........................................................................................................................Chris Scott Layout Intern............................................................................................................Karissa Rodriguez Campus Editor..................................................................................................... Christopher A. Smith Office Intern................................................................................................................... Teodora Erbes Accent Adviser........................................................................................................ Matthew Connolly Accent Coordinator.......................................................................................................... Lori Blewett Student Life Director................................................................................................... Cheryl Richard Writers Adrienne Annas, Trevor Goodchild, Jennifer Guerra, Jason Haydon, Anny Ibarra, Matt Iserman, Diana Leite, Shiphrah Meditz, Juliette Moak, Michael Needham, Matt Thompson, Devon Tincknell, Sarah Vasquez Photographers Teodora Erbes, Kevin Forester, Ali Rawaf, Nicolas Sabala, Tina Schumacher Artists Brock Caron, Karen Kuhn ACC President Dr. Steve Kinslow Board of Trustees Ms. Nan McRaven– Chair; Ms. Veronica Rivera—Vice Chair; Dr. James McGuffee—Secretary, Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Allen Kaplan, Mr. Jeffrey Richard, John-Michael Cortez, Tim Mahoney, Raul Alvarez All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Texas Student Publications. Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RGC’s Office of Student Life Room 101.1; e-mail articles to [email protected] or fax submissions to 223‑3086. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction please e-mail accent@austincc. edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent.

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Entering the coliseum of Texas football

Diana Leite Staff Writer

I have never been a big sports fan. Since I was a little kid I hated all kinds of games, especially the ones involving balls, because apparently my head just attracts them. As a non-sports fan, I had not planned to go to any games in my first semester in Austin, especially a college football game. American football is not a very popular sport in Brazil, my home country, and I only watched the occasional Super Bowl game replay when my dad took over the living room television. I indulged him by pretending to understand the rules of the game he so excitedly explained to me. The idea to go to a Longhorn game was made on the spur of the moment, when the opportunity to get good tickets presented itself. I was curious to see what the commotion was all about. The day before the game I bought my first Longhorn’s t-shirt. I hate the team’s color, a dirty orange that resembles mud, too much for my taste, but since I was going to the game I might as well cheer for them properly. That night I became so excited about actually watching a live game of American football that I called home and had my father explain the rules again (I payed attention this time), so I could follow the game (more or less). Walking to the stadium some hours before the start of the big game, I realized exactly how important football is in Austin. I was stunned by the absurd

amount of people dressed in orange, the awful amount of girls in cowboy boots, men wearing white cowboy hats, the smell of Texas barbecue being grilled in the air and country music bursting from every corner. Despite a rather good live performance featuring an upright bass player. The whole town seemed to be waiting eagerly for the show. At that moment, surrounded by the tailgaters (a word I had not known before that day) I felt surrounded by devotees going to the holiest ceremony of their live’s, and it was only the first game of the season. The big show began even before the judge flipped the coin. Cheerleaders (male and female) jumped around the field, dressed in a lot of fringe, while the audience followed their lead and screamed some kind of ritual war chant in unison. I could only decipher an abundance of “Texas” being repeated. Moments later the greatest, loudest and most organized band I have ever seen stole the show. While performing a huge variety of music, including the national anthem, the Texas anthem and what I guess was the instrumental part that went with the “war chants.” During those parts everybody stood up and sung at the top of their lungs, something involving a lot of “Texas,”while putting one or both hand in the air and doing the longhorn hand symbol. The band then entered in to a series of intricate formations with impeccable synchrony. In between the shows both teams were engaged in a serious intimidation ritual, where they stretched and warmed up in a very “cavemanish” manner. I could almost see the players baring teeth and growling at each other. At some point, while I was mesmerized by the huge variety of shows unveiling right before

“I had a moment of connection with all those sadistic Romans, who enjoyed watching people being chased, taken down and eaten by lions in the Coliseum;”

Art By • Brock Caron

my eyes, the game began and everybody stood. In that moment everything changed. A ball flew, men ran, a Monroe player got the ball and was brutally dragged to the ground by a Longhorn seconds after. I thought the fight was over, but the possessed orange crowd wouldn’t sit, it was right then that I saw the Longhorn player yanking the ball from the Monroe player. “Is that even allowed?,” I remembered thinking. After half an hour I began to understand the game, or at least I had learned how to scream, cheer and clap at the proper

moments and before I noticed, I was enjoying the game! I had a moment of connection with all those sadistic Romans, who enjoyed watching people being chased, taken down and eaten by lions in the Coliseum; it was fun to watch, they all knew what was going to happen the moment the cages were opened, but the exciting part is to see exactly how the beasts were going to corner, scare and play with the live food. Maybe everyone of the football enthusiasts around me wanted to be in the field running after the man with the

ball, to yank, beat, and jump towards their targets, without being killed or suffering serious bodily injury? Halfway trough the game, the score read 45 to 13 for the Longhorns. I then began to sympathize with the enemy. Monroe couldn’t run even ten yards without being beaten down. The Texan team just kept going! Touchdown after touchdown. Could they show no mercy? It is a great feeling to cheer for the wining team, but there ought to be some kind of sports courtesy, shouldn’t there?

The rest of the game was uneventful. It didn’t make any sense to cheer for a game already decided and I found myself scanning the crowd for maroon T-shirts, at least one Monroe fan, but couldn’t find any. Every defeated team deserves a mourner, but it would not be me, because I went with the Longhorns. My compassionate self did enjoy watching the lions feasting on the poor souls. In the end I just embraced my sadistic self and went to celebrate, as a true Longhorn fan would: I went early, dressed orange, was loud and stayed late.

Rep. Doggett addresses ACC

Freedom of Speech

Rep. Lloyd Doggett I delivered my first Austin Community College commencement speech in 1977. In those days, the entire ACC graduating class could sit on the small front ledge at Symphony square. Austin, and its position in the global marketplace, also seemed a lot smaller back then. It was when 8-track cassettes were hi-tech and way before there was “an app for that.” But it was clear from my visit to ACC this summer for its Veteran’s Appreciation Day and Open House that some things haven’t changed: ACC’s commitment to a quality education and its pledge to—as its motto says—help its students start here to get there… wherever “there” may be. In Congress, I am working to ensure that higher education remains affordable and accessible. This is especially important with a weak economy. I strongly believe that all students should be able to get all of the education for which they are willing to work. Last January, when President Obama announced his economic recovery package, he invited input from Congress on how to make it better. I offered a proposal for you that he accepted. My proposal means that every student whose family pays up to $2,500 for tuition, textbooks and course materials this year will get the same $2,500 taken off their tax bill next year. Even if a family does not owe that much in taxes, it can still get up to $1,000 back in what is called a refundable tax credit. What does this mean for you? A two-year degree at Austin Community College costs about $3248 over two years for a full-time student. The American Opportunity Tax Credit makes the entire cost of that ACC education tax free. Outside the ACC district, students will have more than half of their tuition credited back to them in the form of tax

Anny Ibarra Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Dohl

relief. This $14 billion higher ed tax cut – together with the $500 increase in Pell Grants to a maximum of $5,550 – represents the largest increase in student financial assistance in recent memory. An additional 346,000 Texas families, who previously received no higher education tax credit, will benefit from this new law. In the coming weeks, Congress will consider a sweeping reform of the higher education loan system that will help Texas college students. This bill, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, expands student loan programs and simplifies related application forms to ensure students can afford the education for which they qualify. The bill adds $40 billion for Pell Grants, and $3 billion to bolster college access and increase completion rates. By simplifying the loan system and ending subsidies to lenders, these improvements

and investments are made at zero cost to taxpayers. We can be fiscally responsible even as we meet our responsibilities to higher education. I hope that, as a student, you will choose to become involved with government and public service. A wide range of community service opportunities are available and philosophically diverse political organizations, both on campus and in the community, would be enriched by your involvement. Please visit my website at www. house.gov/doggett where you can find helpful information about internship opportunities and student aid, fill out a survey on federal issues, subscribe to receive legislative updates, or send me an e-mail at Lloyd. [email protected]. I stand ready to assist you in matters of a federal nature. Have a safe, productive and memorable year here at ACC and let me know what I can do to help you “get there.”

Despite the fact that many had school, or work and were standing for two hours in front of the capitol under the sun, many were happy to finally be able to use their freedom of speech. Unfortunately in many countries freedom of speech cannot be exercised. At the rally many Venezuelans had the opportunity to express what they thought about Hugo Chavez and the way he was interfering with the politics not only in Venezuela but in Colombia as well. For the first time, these people felt they were not censured, or obligated to keep quiet, or even worse scared of being hurt, harassed or shot. The day the rally occurred in Austin, in many cities such as Miami, Houston, Washington, people gathered for the same reason. there were also, protestors in Spain, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Honduras. The rally was a success all over the world, but in Venezuela the government censured the TV stations, and radio stations and the information about the rally was suppresed. According to article 58 of the constitution, “Communications are free and plural” what happened to that? A couple of days later news broke out over the internet, about a student who organized a rally in one of the cities in Venezuela. Julio Rivas Castillo was arrested for organizing a student movement to lead a rally. The government claims, “the student leader was promoting hate against the government”. Julio is currently facing many years

Hanlly Sam • Photo/Web Editor

NO MORE- Student Marilu Ortega expresses her opposition to Chavez’s mandate at the Capitol.

in prison and was sent to one of the worst jails in Venezuela even though Venezuela’s constitution establishes on article 57 “Everyone has the right to express freely his or her thoughts, ideas or opinions orally, in writing or by any other form of expression, and to use for such purpose any means of communication and diffusion, and no censorship shall be established.” So I ask myself, are we not allowed to speak out? Are we not able to express our thoughts? If I was in Venezuela I would be persecuted for the same reason.

I would have had the same luck he had. Isn’t that a violation of my human rights? We are lucky to be able to express ourselves in the United States, and to be students that can organize movements without repression from the Government. We are fortunate to be able to dress how we want, say what we want, work for whomever and support the political party of our preference. Don’t take for granted the opportunities and freedoms you have in this country. freedom of speech is yours no one should take it away!

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Accent • September 21, 2009

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36.5 acres could lead to 200 new spaces for Pinnacle Campus, which could relieve some parking problems Juliette Moak Staff Writer

In an attempt to relieve the Pinnacle Campus parking problems Austin Community College purchased 36.5 acres of land near the campus. The land will be the home to two more parking lots, creating an additional 200 parking spots for students. In September 2008 city ordinance required that students stop parking in the unpaved areas around the parking lot at the campus. These areas are now blocked off, leaving approximately 525 parking spaces to the 3,641 students currently enrolled at the campus. This deficit has left students with few options, and some have resorted to parking at nearby churches, businesses and in the wooded areas that are private property adjacent to the campus, at the risk of being towed or fined. “It’s impossible to find a parking spot after 8:45 a.m.,” Pinnacle student Claire Davis said “You might as well not even try.” The school’s solution to the inadequate parking is a shuttle service, which runs during the

day, transporting students from Oak Hill Plaza to the Pinnacle Campus every 20 minutes. “It works very nicely,” said Judy Van Cleve, Pinnacle Campus Manager, to alleviate “a problem which most college campuses deal with.” The shuttles have become heavily used, with a reported 2,221 students having taken them Monday through Thursday on the first week of classes. The system, however, has its drawbacks. This service comes at an expense to the college, and as a school that attracts a diverse group of students the shuttle is not the best solution for those who cannot afford to plan their days around it. Those who plan to park and ride must still arrive early to ensure their place in line, or risk being left waiting an additional 20 minutes for the next scheduled shuttle. This development will be a relief to faculty and student alike. Completion is expected in August of 2010. “It has been challenging,” says ACC police officer Alex Luce, “but [the] ACC Police Department is here to keep things flowing as smoothly as possible.”

Ali Rafaw Staff Photographer

photo by: Ali Rowaf

LOT FULL — The parking lot fills up early at Pinnacle Campus. ACC has implemented shuttle bus system and will open up more

parking soon to try and alleviate the congestion.

By the Numbers

in at the end of registration. I worry those students are so unprepared they won’t succeed in this semester, both in terms of retention and doing well as far as grades go. Everyone is concerned about this, and there is talk about eliminating late registration for new students,” Associate Professor and Counselor for Student Services, Jorge Lynch said. Lynch has been counseling students both academically and personally for two and a half years. He has been teaching at ACC for twelve and a half years. All seven campuses experienced growth compared to fall of 2008. Rio Grande Campus (RGC) grew by sixteen percent, Northridge (NRG) by eleven percent, but South Austin Campus (SAC) increased even more. Last fall

SAC had 3,041 credit students and this year has 3,861, an increase of twenty-seven percent. “Big campuses like NRG, RGC and Riverside were already so close to capacity, so the smaller campuses on the outskirts like Cypress, Pinnacle, and SAC picked up the over flow, which is why you see such huge increases at other campuses...” Lynch said. “The college has always worked to get the message out, and even before the downturn in the economy, we were seeing enrollment that surpassed projections,” said Alexis Patterson, ACC’s Media Relations Coordinator, about the increase in enrollment this semester. “The recession, however, shined a spotlight on community colleges, both locally and across the nation, and that certainly contributes to our growth.”

Record Enrollment

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By the Numbers

Community expands, teacher to student ratio stay within ACC’s goal 2009 2008 Total

35,798

40,248

Female

20,312

22,576

Male

15,486

17,672

White

20,754

23,043

Black

2,978

3,543

Hisp

8,846

10,065

Asian/pac. Is.

2,029

2,222

Am. Ind./AK.

306

349

Search for mascot begins, student input encouraged

Big Read Comes to ACC

Matt Thompson

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

While no official list of choices has been put out, ACC is in the beginning stages of adopting a mascot to represent the school. Students walking around campus during the first week may have noticed stands to submit their ideas, and a strange, sad pink bunny with a sign asking student’s not to let him become the mascot. “The college is in the very beginning stages of choosing a mascot; the search process just got underway. No mascot yet… but we’re hearing a lot of good ideas” executive director of Public Information and College Marketing Brette Lea said. With the Student Government Association recently forming a school spirit committee and attendance at a record high, the college is beginning a search for a mascot, but the idea is not new. “The college has been considering a mascot for years. Something that creates college identity, builds school spirit, and can go out in the community to help us raise public awareness.” Lea said. Currently the goal is to have a mascot by the end of the ’09-’10 school year. “The most important thing is to take the time to do it right and to get a lot of input.” Lea said. Soon the Marketing Committee will launch a mascot webpage to keep track of all of the suggestions and continue to encourage students to submit their advice through any Student Life office.

Trevor Goodchild • Staff Photographer

ACC MASCOT — ACC is searching for a mascot but the fluffy

Pink Bunny does not want to be chosen. Students are being asked to submit their own ideas for a mascot to represent the school.

Matt Iserman The ACC Division of Arts and Humanities kicked off its Big Read on Wednesday, September 16. ACC is one of 269 organizations to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the program. The NEA awarded the Arts and Humanities Division $20,000. The NEA’s Big Read program promotes literary reading throughout the nation. “Literary reading seems to be on the decline in the United States,” dean of the ACC Division Arts and Humanities, Lyman Grant said. “The program is designed to specifically target what the NEA calls ‘lapsed and reluctant readers.’ The person reading Faulkner everyday is probably not who this program is aiming at.” Although the Big Read program has been around since 2007, this is the first time ACC has participated in the program. The selected reading for the event is Sun, Stone, and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories. “Given our proximity to Mexico, and the importance of Mexican influence on our society, Sun, Stone, and Shadows is the perfect book for Austin,” Grant said. There are weekly events planned throughout Austin promoting the book culminating with a Day of the Dead celebration November 1st. The premier

Tina Schumacher • Staff Photographer

BIG READ — ACC’s Dean of Arts and Humanities, Lyman Grant, kicks off the first Big Read event Wednesday Sept. 16. Grant was instrumental in acquiring the $20,000 NEA grant.

event of the program will be held on Sept. 23, at the Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium, featuring reading from the book by Austin actors and special guest Jorge F. Hernandez, editor of the anthology. Meant to coincide with Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebrations, the opening event of ACC’s Big Read was held Sept. 16, at the Riverside Campus Auditorium. Board of Trustees member Raul Alveraz

introduced the main speakers Rosa Davila, an ACC Spanish Professor, and writer Dan Arellano. Davila, who grew up in Mexico, spoke of her connections with the stories in the Sun, Stone, and Shadow’s book and then urged the audience to, “connect with and embrace your heritage. It is part of who you are.” Davila also encouraged the audience to, “reconnect with the pleasure of reading.”

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Briefs Congress passes Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act 253-171

Accent • September 21, 2009

News w w w.the Accent.org

Last two Dillo routes shutting down

Congress passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act on Sep 17 2009. The bill passed with a vote of 253 to 171. Originally introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) July 15, 2009 is supposed to generate almost $100 billion in savings. The money will then be used to supplement financial aid. There are also plans to simplify the FAFSA and strengthen college access support programs. “This legislation means that more students will enter college; that they will graduate with less debt; that the federal loan initiatives that they and their families depend upon are strengthened for decades to come; and that taxpayers will save money. It is fiscally responsible, following the strict standards of pay-as-you-go spending.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a press release from her office. “This legislation seizes the opportunity to strengthen our nation by making a historic commitment to our students and a landmark investment in our future.”

College police department acknowledged for best practices The ACC District Police Department have been awarded a

“Recognized Status” for best practices by the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation. ACC is the only community college that’s police department has been awarded that status. The award is in acknowledgment of the department meeting or exceeding all of the identified criteria for best practices in Texas law enforcement, in areas such as patrol and investigative operations and protection of citizen rights. “This recognition reflects the college’s commitment to having the best police operations possible,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO in a press release from the college marketing department “ACC students, employees, and the community can be assured that our police department operates with the highest of standards.”

Nicolas Sabala • Staff Photographer

CAPITAL METRO — A Dillo makes a stop along Congress Street but Dillos will soon become extinct. To save money Capital Metro will discontinue Dillo service on Friday Oct. 2.

Debate at LBJ Auditorium celebrates Constitution Day

Metro avoids additional raise in fares by suspending service

The Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS) and the ACC Social and Behavioral Sciences Division will host a Constitution Day Debate on Sept. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the LBJ Auditorium on the University of Texas campus. Students are invited to attend and be prepared to debate issues dealing with the Constitution and its application in modern life. “It will be chance to get acquainted with the Constitution. It will be a chance to debate and get involved in a hands on way instead of just being lectured to,” said Peck Young, Director of the CPPPS. The keynote speaker this year will be Norma Cantu, Professor of Law and Education at the University of Texas. Students will be broken up into groups of 20 to 25 and they will be given a set of topics to discuss. There will also be Constitution experts and ACC Facilitators to help guide the debate.

Staff Writer

Matt Iserman Staff Writer

Jason Haydon Capital Metro had proposed a fair increase for January, however, instead of pursuing that, they are eliminating the remaining Dillo routes. The Dillos will be permanently discontinued on Friday, Oct. 2. The previously approved additional fare increases for August 2010 will raise fares to

$1 for a one way trip and $2 for a day pass. For 25 years Capital Metro operated without an increase in bus fares. Then, because of budget shortfalls, caused largely in part to decreased sales tax revenue, fares were raised last October. “No one likes to pay more for the services they use, but I think most riders also recognize the incredible value they are receiving, even with the increase. Capital Metro still has one of the lowest fares in the country,” a representative of Capital Metro, Erica McKewen said. With a $164 million operating budget, and a projected 5 percent decrease in tax revenue in 2010, they began

looking for ways to operate in budget. Early public reaction to a fair raising proposal for January 2010 was not good, and the board of directors decided to find other ways to meet their economic needs. Money obtained through the economic recovery act is being used to help counter the shortfall, along with some other alternatives to raising fares twice in 2010, including, a continuing hiring freeze, wage freeze for administrative employees, and postponing purchases of new buses. Some minor schedule reductions are planned for January 2010 “It will certainly be a lean year for us next year, but we’re

fortunate to be able to use federal stimulus money to help us balance the books, rather than passing those costs on to customers through a January fare increase.” Stopping Dillo services is another attempt at balancing the budget. Ridership on the two routes still in service peaked in 2003, and has been decreasing ever since. McKewen added, “It doesn’t make economical sense to operate routes that carry just eight passengers per hour. Fortunately there are several other routes that serve the downtown area, so few customers will be adversely affected by the suspension of the Dillos.”

College Awarded Grant to Fund Green Job Education Jennifer Guerra Staff Writer

The U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau has awarded ACC a $59,800 grant that will be used to recruit and inform women of programs that are offered in solar technology, wind power, green building and weatherization. The grant, which Austin Community College received in August, will focus on preparing women for Green jobs in fields like renewable energy. “ACC is at the forefront of Solar Certifications and this grant will focus on increasing the percentage of women in this field of study here at the college to 20 percent by this time next year,” Interim Executive for Continuing Education, Kirk White said. The grant, still in its early stages of development, is an internal grant and is not any type of tuition assistance or scholarship program. “With this grant we are

trying to understand why women feel hesitant to come into this field and what we have gathered so far is giving us ideas on how to help overcome them, such as women only classes in the continuing education curriculum and letting them know that they can make it in a male dominated workforce,“ White said. The recruitment process will utilize present non-profit organizations to assist and will be directed towards recent high school graduates, current ACC students, and women that are using local workforce and nonprofit agency services. Suzanne White, a student at ACC and executive Consultant for the Business Assessment Testing Center is excited about the grant. “I cannot wait to be a part of this grant, and help women see that these courses are so diverse, and allow them opportunity to meet the right people.”

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Campus News

Accent • September 21, 2009

w w w.the Accent.org

Sacred stories resonate across cultures, generations Christopher A. Smith Campus Editor

David Thompson does not want the audience to remember his face. As he takes hold of the microphone he hopes that they will not recall his large round glasses, his trimmed grey beard, the expressive wrinkles on his forehead or his long, curly brown hair. When Thompson tells a story the only thing he wants the audience to remember are the words. Thompson stands at the microphone and collects his thoughts as people adjust themselves on the hard plastic chairs. He begins the last story of the night by singing softly, rhythmically in Gaelic. The strange sounds cast a spell, like a blanket, over the audience. Students lean forward and listen to the rising and falling of Thompson’s voice as it becomes a whisper, then stops. “The Hound of Ulster!” Thompson shouts, and he begins the Irish tale of Cu Chulainn, one of his favorites. For the next 15 minutes Thompson’s words were the only sound in the auditorium. Thompson was the guest speaker at the Sept. 10 Religious panel discussion hosted by the ACC Philosophy department on Sacred Story and the Art of Storytelling. The evening began with ACC students Danielle Warden and Cynthia Bennett as well as Comparative Religion professor Melinda Rothouse sharing the speaker’s table with Thompson. The students asked questions about the storyteller’s role and Thompson gave examples of Islamic, Jewish and Russian stories. For Thompson, storytelling

is his religion, the way he connects to the world. Standing alone, telling the last story of the evening, Thompson no longer simply talks about sacred storytelling but demonstrates it. He is no longer just a guest speaker. Thompson is now a preacher, the audience his congregation. In his more than 30 years as a professional storyteller Thompson has practiced his art in four of the five continents, been featured on NPR, done command performances for the leader of the Clan MacTavish in Scotland and is a four time Irish story telling champion. But the first time Thompson told in front of a large crowd was when he was only 16 and at that age he did not envision telling stories the rest of his life. “My father was in the Kiwanis Club and at the state convention they had a talent show,” said Thompson. “I got up there and I told the Babylonian story of how beer was made. So you got 3,000 drunk Kiwanians in the place and they loved it!” Thompson remembers his first telling experience with joy, but also recalls how it originally inspired him to go into acting. Thompson went on to study theater with the aspiration of making it on Broadway. Instead, after college, Thompson found himself in the classroom teaching theater to high school students. It was while he was teaching and working on a Masters degree in Education in London that he got his first storytelling gig. “They actually paid me,” said Thompson with a smile. He had built up a reputation of something of a storyteller

at the high school where he taught. His students enjoyed his stories from America and he meanwhile soaked up their English tales. When the school put on a fundraiser, they hired Thompson and he honored them by telling the story of a local Saint. “It was 15 pounds, so around 30 to 35 dollars,” recalled Thompson. It wasn’t much but he had found an audience and his calling. “I found that storytelling, when I really started getting into and studying it and doing research, and I started finding my voice, finding my part, it provided a creative outlet,” said Thompson. Storytelling today is going through a major resurgence and storytellers can be found at fairs, on the radio and in classrooms. And while many people think of storytelling as something for children, Thompson disagrees. “Children have storytellers. Adults need storytellers,” said Thompson. Most of his stories are geared toward adult audiences and deal with mature themes like death, morality, and the gods. Thompson also sets himself apart from many modern storytellers by not falling into the trend of telling only personal stories. “The person who tells only personal narrative(s) is a coward,” said Thompson. “You have all these wonderful stories, and sagas, and ballads, and legends and teaching things that have been around for ages and are gradually being forgotten.” “The spoken word is necessary,” said Thompson. “We are so busy with our sound bytes. We are so busy

Kevin Forester • Staff Photographer

EASTVIEW CAMPUS — Storyteller David Thompson spoke about the transformative and emotional power of story at the first religious panel discussion held at Eastview Campus. with our little short texting that we forget the spoken word.” Thompson is passionate about epic tales and it is obvious as he tells the story of Cu Chulainn at the ACC religious panel on Thursday night. He is able to bring his voice to such intense heights that it fills and overwhelms

the auditorium, then he draws in his audience by whispering and murmuring, almost like a mother sighing into her child’s ear. He tells how Cu Chulainn stood alone, defiantly, against a field of enemies. Thompson’s eyes blaze and his voice almost trembles, no longer telling the story but instead letting the

story flow through him. He actually feels the story possess him and he can watch himself standing, arm held high in the air, as if holding Cu Chulainn’s sword aloft. Thompson ends by singing once more in Gaelic, softly, like a one-man choir singing a hymnal, bringing the sermon to an end.

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Campus News

s u p Campus Briefs Ca m S outh e f Cypress Creek hosts Star Party Li w w w.the Accent.org

In honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s work on the telescope ACC is holding a series of talks. These lectures correspond with the International Year of Astronomy. The first of these talks was on Sep. 18, 2009 at the Cypress Creek Campus in Cedar Park. Dr. Jim Heath, ACC professor of astronomy and physics, was the speaker, and the presentation was on the development of the scientific method through the ideas of famous philosophers. There was a “Star Party” scheduled for after the lecture. ACC is working with Friends of the Austin Planetarium, a non-profit that is working on building a planetarium in Austin. More lectures are scheduled for Oct. 16, Nov. 13, and Dec. 4, all events ar eopen to the public.

Constitution Day art on display The 2nd annual Constitution Day Celebration and Art Exhibit was held at HBC on Sept. 17. The celebration and exhibit is sponsored by the ACC Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS) along with the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division and the Arts and Humanities Division. Prizes were given for 2-D art, 3-D art, poetry, fiction, political cartoon, personal essay and research essay. First, second and third place in each category received prizes of $200, $100, and $50 respectively. The CPPPS awarded over $1,000 in prize money last year and expects to award over $2,000 this year. The art will be on display in the HBC lobby until Sept. 30.

Accent • September 21, 2009

Austin

C ampus Shop?

Where To:

The Book Exchange

Sarah Vasquez

Staff Writer/Photographer

5316 Manchaca Rd

Eat?

Students who love leisurely reading will love this affordable used bookstore, The Book Exchange. Upon walking in the door, you are immediately surrounded by shelves upon shelves full of books. There are more than 90,000 books in stock from various genres such as science fiction, romance, non-fiction, etc. However, one thing they don’t have is text books. The staff is super friendly and willing to help you locate something you’re looking for through the organized store. Books are offered at half the cover price, but with a trade-in, you receive an even bigger discount.

Subsin’s Authentic Thai Food 5517 Manchaca Rd

Located directly behind South Austin Campus, Subsin’s Authentic Thai Food offers a variety of meals within a student’s tight budget. Whether your preference is mild or spicy, this restaurant has you covered. Students over the age of 21 can also bring their own beverage to enjoy with their meal. One snag that maybe inconvenient is the hours of operation. Afternoon eaters will have to wait until 5 pm to enjoy dinner as they are closed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. But I’m sure it is worth the wait.

Hang?

Students mix it up at BSSC Black Carpet Event

Blazer Tag Adventure Center 1701 W. Ben White Blvd. #1

The Black Student Success Committee (BSSC) hosted their fifth annual “Black Carpet” mixer Sept. 17 at the Eastview Campus Auditorium. There was free food, prizes and entertainment at the event that ran from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students also had a chance to meet and talk with faculty and staff. The mixer is meant to introduce students to the many programs and resources available to them at ACC and is part of BSSC’s commitment to the recruitment and graduation of AfricanAmerican students.

What better way to relieve some school related stress than to put on a Blazer Tag vest and fire at your friends for good fun. Located on Ben White Blvd, in the Southwood Shopping Center, it’s hard to miss the huge 3-story lime green building. Open late most nights, Blazer Tag offers affordable specials including games and food, including a special package for students with a valid ID. Along with laser tag, students can also enjoy the video arcade where they can win tickets redeemable for a prize from the huge wall at the redemption center.

Diez y Seis celebration at Riverside Campus Shiphrah Meditz Staff Writer

The Diez y Seis de Septiembre Festival, hosted by ACC’s Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS) and the Latino/ Latin American Studies Center, “El Centro”, was celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Riverside Campus. “Hosting the festival helps the CPPPS fulfill its mission to identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures,” Associate Director of CPPPS Carla Jackson, said in an e-mail. Jackson lauded the festival as an example of the diversity of cultures attending ACC. “Riverside Campus was chosen to host the event because of the high number of Latinos/ Latinas who attend the campus and the rich, cultural heritage they bring,” Jackson explained in an e-mail. Diez y Seis de Septiembre is the celebration of Mexico’s Independence from Spain. The celebrations held throughout Mexico and the U.S. commemorates the day, Sept.16, 1810, the day that Father Miguel Hidalgo declared Mexico’s independence and launched the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. Admission to the ACC event was free, and open to the public. This was the third annual Diez y Seis celebration at ACC. The event was celebrated at the state capital for 28 years before it was moved to ACC’s Riverside Campus. State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, relocated the festival to ACC when he retired. “I think it’s an important event to acknowledge because so much of Texan(s’) history is rich with Mexican culture,” said Dr. Frank de la Teja, first state historian of Texas, professor at Texas State University, and a key speaker at the event. Lively music by Johnny Degollado and the Conjunto Band, Los Tres Amigos and the Pepe Mariachi Group, and Boca Abajo impressed the crowd, as did Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklórico. “I know there are students of Mexican descent studying at ACC right now. I think they will be proud to have this event commemorate their heritage,” Dr. Teja said.

BALLET FOLKLORICO- Performers wore highly detailed

regional and traditional costumes, as the one above, from the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. All Photos by Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer

Right: Savanna Faulkner and Kelsie Mason, juniors at San Juan

Diego, create musical instruments and decorative objects. Traditional wares of mexican culture. Below: Every campus celebrated Diez y Seis de Septiembre its own different way. Here at the Rio Grande Campus Laura "Yohualtlahuiz” Rios Ramirez, a local traditional dance teacher of Azteca Chichimeca, performs a mexican ritual dance.

VIVA MEXICO - Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico has performed at ACC’s Diez y Seis Celebration in the past. The group performed dances while students enjoyed typical mexican dishe

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Accent • September 21, 2009

ENTERTAINMENT w w w.the Accent.org

A chilling noir thriller, Bolano’s earliest David Rodriguez Assistant Editor

“From the Calle Bucareli, in Mexico City, to murder, you must be thinking…But it’s not like that at all, which is why I’m telling you this story…” These are the closing lines of the first lengthy paragraph of “The Skating Rink,” Roberto Bolano’s most recent translation by Chris Andrews released Aug. 28. “The Skating Rink” is the only Bolano translation that will appear on American shelves this year. Since his death in 2003 eight of his novels have been published including the renowned “The Savage Detectives” (2007) and arguably his greatest work “2666” (2008), which the latter is rumored to contain a sixth and unpublished part. “The Skating Rink” was Bolano’s first novel to find its way to the printing presses (originally published in Spanish in 2003). The novel is tight, formulated

and is far from the layered madness of his later works. The book is told from the vantage point of three men living and working in the touristy coastal town of Z. “The Skating Rink” is part confessional, part monologue and very rhythmic in that uniquely Bolanian way, intrinsically poetic and calculated. First, there is the Mexican Remo Moran, a successful businessman and poet turned novelist. Second, is also a Mexican, Gaspar Heredia, a wanderer and drifter who was also a poet who reconnects with his old friend Moran in Z. Moran employs Gaspar as a late night security guard at his campground. Third, there is the overweight Catalonian Enric Rosquelles who is a social worker and aspiring politician in the town of Z. The three men piece a puzzle together with vignettes of their version of the story, each sharp piece rapidly creating a whole. All of this is adhered by the

same murder in an abandoned palace, containing a secret skating rink up the coast from Z in Y. The layering of “The Skating Rink” is fairly uncomplicated due to Bolano’s metronome like prose. It is a detective story, a whodunit, complete with a red herring and a manipulative dame. Reading the novel, even with Bolano’s sometimes distant description it is easily envisioned in black and white, a noir thriller. At times an orchestral score was expected to kick up in the background, but the crashing waves of the sea filled the void of the orchestra’s chairs. Elements such as the sea, unattainable love, loneliness and the positivity of loss, acceptance and then moving forward pervade this older work. Bolano, even in his budding stages as a novelist was toying with these elements that came to dominate the monolithic and intricate web that became “2666.” What is so unique about

Bolano, and his novel’s, is his illusory effects. He allows the reader to empathize with his characters as if they were the center of the story while really the intrinsic characters are larger than just three men a woman and a murderer. Bolano, through his storytelling, is able to breathe life into inanimate objects as he does in “The Skating Rink.” The cold and illicit rink is a character and the sprawling palace it is tucked away in is very much an integral character in the drama that eventually unfolds. The reader begs to know just as much about the nooks and crannies of this mysteriously abandoned coastal palace as the narrators and the idiosyncrasies that make them tick. “The Skating Rink” is pulp fiction, but with a deeply visceral and human element exposed in the briefest of encounters, essentially the novel never begins or ends. It is just a glimpse, a vignette of vignettes.

Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer

Hella Broke hosts hoards of culture Sarah Vasquez Staff Writer

Bringing together art, hip hop, and skateboarding, the “Hella Broke” art and music show is the catalyst that brought these three cultures under Red 7’s roof on Sunday, Sept. 13. From the mind of one of the featured artists, Niz, an idea was formed to put together an art show with a wide spectrum of artists. With a medium of their choosing the artists displayed their work on skateboard decks instead of canvases, walls or City of Austin’s property. “I’ve been doing skateboard art for a long time... so I asked a bunch of different artists to do their work on skateboards,” said Niz. As the show was being assembled, the idea then evolved to include hip hop acts to perform while the crowd admired the art. “We decided that we wanted to make it into a big hip hop showcase so a couple of production companies hopped on and we made it into a bigger thing,” said Niz. With acts in the line-up such as 2Mex (Visionaries), Riddlore (Chillin’ Villian Empire), and Austin’s own Phranchyze, Boomset (Fools Inc.) and Barry Whitesnake, “Hella Broke” provided diverse entertainment for eclectic fans in Red 7’s outside stage area.

Sarah Vasquez • Staff Photographer

SKATEBOARD ARTWORK - Spray paint, stencils, marker, oil and latex paint were some of the mediums prevalent in the paintings. The decks were available for sale. As for the art show inside, various mediums were used to present work from both sides of the spectrum: street and traditional art. Graffiti artists Spain, Sloke, Spik and stencil artists such as JR4, James Stacy, and Dave Lowell were displayed alongside conventional artists, Christa Palazzolo and Bryn Coats. What is a skateboarding art show without skateboarders?

Positioned near the outside stage, there was a small quarterpipe provided by local Find N Grind Skateshop where skateboarders took turns showing off their skills for a videographer. The event was enjoyed by many. As a result, more showcases might be in the future to continue to bring more multicultural gatherings under one roof.

“We might be doing events like this in the future,” said Niz. “The whole point is to get a bunch of people from different subcultures together in one place so they Sarah Vasquez • Staff Photographer can all do their thing, ART N GRIND — Simon Bingham attempts a frontside feeble stall at the all make a big event “Hella Broke” art show Sunday Sept. 13. The art show featured hip hop out of it.” music, art and skateboarders slarshing a small quarterpipe.

Notable New and Live

David Rodriguez Assistant Editor

At Book People on Monday, Sept. 21, the Ludicrous Speed Book Club will be discussing “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. on the second floor. Also, at Book People on Friday, Sept. 25, meet and greet Dr. Ronald Chevalier at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Chevalier is the author of “Cyborg Harpies,” and his most recent release “Brutus & Balzaak.” “Trotsky: A Graphic Biography” is an illustrated depiction of the man that Lenin felt so threatened by he had him murdered by pick axe. Renowned graphic novelist Rick Geary is the author and illustrator. It will be available Sept. 29 from Hill and Wang. “Most Evil: The Further Serial Murders of Dr. George Hodel” is a very interesting saga of possibly one of the most prolific serial killers in history, the Dr. was pinned as the Black Dahlia killer, by his son and author of this novel Steve Hodel. Ralph Pezzulo contributed to this book also, and it will be available Sept. 22 from Penguin. “Nocturnes” is Kazou Ishiquoro’s (“Remains of the Day”) most recent work. Nocturnes is five short stories interconnected by the universal language of music. The book will be available Sept. 22 from Double Day. New Hampshire punk rockers, The Queers, will be performing on Oct. 3 @ RED 7-Outside. The doors open at 9 p.m. and the

admission is $10. The show is all ages and The Leftovers and TA80 will be opening up.

the likes of Will Arnett (Blades of Glory), which promises to be colorful. The film opens Sept. 25 in select theatres.

Madchester pre-rave crazy men The Happy Mondays will be playing with The Psychedelic Furs on Sept. 24 @ Stubbs. The Happy Mondays came from the same camp as Joy Division (Warsaw) and very forward thinking but unsuccessful Factory Records. Amusement Parks on Fire will also be performing.

Relatively young writer/director Antonio Campos’ film Afterschool looks to be a twisted tale set in a prep school with lots of television on television shots. The film opens Oct. 1 at select theatres.

Already running at The Salvage Vanguard Theatre is a puppet rendition of Upton Sinclair’s highly influential novel “The Jungle,” a ground breaking expose of Chicago’s meat packing industry. Trouble Puppet’s will be putting on the show along with imagery by Lettuce Turnip Media Services. The show runs through Oct. 4, begins at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets are $15. Audrey Tatou (The Da Vinci Code) is starring in the new bio-pic Coco avant Chanel about the meteoric rise of couture legend Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The film has virtually opened everywhere, but in the United States, but it is coming Sept. 25 to select theatres. The late David Foster Wallace’s adaptation of “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men” and the film with the same title is a dark comedy about a man coping with his tough break-up by conducting short interviews with men. Interviewees include

British funny-man Ricky Gervais (the original The Office sitcom) co-wrote, co-directs and acts in The Invention of Lying. Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development) also are in the film, so it should be funny to say the least. The film opens Oct. 2 nationwide, for real. Be on the lookout for Zombieland, a new film whose title explains it all. Woody Harrelson (No Country For Old Men) stars alongside of bombshell Amber Heard (The Informers), in what appears to be gory fun, hopefully, peppered with social commentary. The film opens Oct. 2 nationwide. Rapidly becoming a household name, Lebron James chronicles his basketball life in a new documentary, More Than A Game. The film also follows four of his high school teammates and their tribulations. This looks like a true piece of visual candy and they seemed to have pulled out a lot of stops for this sports docudrama. The sound track is also going to be hot. The documentary opens Oct. 2. The unparalleled brotherly genius of the Cohen brothers (Blood Simple) are back with A Serious Man, a black comedy period piece set in the mid-west during 1967 rumored to be autobiographical. The Cohen brothers rarely disappoint. The film opens Oct. 2 nationwide.

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Accent • September 21, 2009

ENTERTAINMENT w w w.the Accent.org

Writers Gather to Share Literature Adrienne Annas Staff Writer

The Student Literary Gathering (SLG), held monthly at Austin Java, proved to be an event not only for ACC students, but also fellow Austinites with a yearning for literary prose. Professor John Herndon opened the gathering discussing The Big Read, an event founded by the National Endowment for the Arts and meant to excite people about reading and literature. From Sept. 15 to Nov. 1, events will be held at various campuses, the Mexican American Cultural Center, Austin Public Libraries and Austin area schools, just to name a few. The Big Read will focus on Mexican culture and will feature guest readers, such as Jorge F. Hernandez (editor of “Sun, Stone and Shadows”). More information about upcoming events can be found at austincc. edu. The guest speaker at the SLG was Jorge Antonio Renaud, a former copy editor for the Austin American Statesman and the Waco Tribune-Herald and a former prison inmate who drew upon his experiences behind bars to write inspirational poetry. Renaud authored “Behind the Walls: A Guide for Families and Friends of Texas Prison Inmates” and the awardwinning poem, “Prison Moon.”

He recited the renowned poem, as well as six others which were inspired by his experiences in prison. “The prison experience is inherently dramatic,” Renaud said. According to Renaud, he does not “belabor the obvious, but finds the commonality of what makes us human.” Renaud’s poems are a powerfully profound and educational insight into the emotions of prison inmates, and the trials they encounter while incarcerated. Ray Shea mentioned that he found out about the event through the ACC course catalog. Shea read a short story inspired by the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina entitled “The Remains,” he then was awarded a copy of “Sun, Stone and Shadows 20 Great Mexican Short Stories” from Herndon. Reading during the open mic portion of the gathering were five other poets and writers, most of whom were not ACC students. The Gathering lasted about an hour and half and featured a wide array of original literary creations. Gathering organizer, Herndon, jokingly admitted to plugging the Sept. 14 event on Facebook as the “best open mic in Austin.” His statement proved accurate, as 80 percent of the readers were, in fact, not Austin Community College Students.

Adrienne Annas • Staff Photographer

STUDENT LITERARY GATHERINGS— Prof. John Herndon kicks off the gathering by reading a poem. Herndon has taught at ACC for 27 years and now he serves as Associate Director of the Balcones Center for Creative Writing.

Erasers follows Resistance

Neon Indians’, Psychic Chasms

Photo Courtesy of Dagny Piasecki

NEON INDIAN — Indian Alan Palamo hides his mouth behind an analog synthesizer. Neon Indian will soon release their freshamn effort “Psychic Chasms” on Oct. 13.

Neon Indian bridges the divide between two of Brooklyn’s most prominent musical scenes Devon Tinknell Sarah Vasquez • Staff Photographer:

NEW ALBUM- The States’ lead singer/guitarist Chris Snyder performing earlier this year at

SXSW . Snyder and his band will be releasing their newest album on Sept. 22.

The States’ most recent release focuses more on the trio’s music than the layering of production Sarah Vasquez Staff Writer

“We Are the Erasers” is the newest EP from Brooklyn’s The States, available Sept. 22. After previously releasing two full length albums (“Multiply Not Divide” in 2006 and “The Path of Least Resistance” in 2007) full of high production, this record has five strongly-written songs with hints of an evolution of their distinct sound. In usual fashion, the two preceding albums were heavily produced with lots of details such as multiple vocal harmonies and three guitar parts added on top of the songs which created extensively detailed tracks. Unfortunately, translating all these tracks into a live

performance is usually difficult for the bands to accomplish, due to the limited resources within the three band members. With “We Are the Erasers,” the band focused more within the group and their dynamic in the recording studio, rather than cram the songs full of production. “We really wanted to focus on three guys in a room,” lead vocalist and guitarist, Chris Snyder said, “Trios are special for a reason and I think that came across,” Snyder explained. Maybe it was after the addition of the new bassist, Pete Connors, or maybe The States were already heading towards that direction, regardless, the result of there focus is more of an

organic indie rock album. “The Fight” starts off as a simplistic acoustic song with just Snyder, his guitar and slowly starts progressing with more instruments, but “The Fight” never reaches a predictable grand climax. Add endearing lyrics to reassure his mother “I’m doing ok. I just had a rough day,” this track is one of the more content songs musically, but with a thoughtful contemplation about life. “Erasers” is one of the strongest songs on the EP with its upbeat melodies that contradict the lyrics’ serious and dark theme about erasing minds. “We Are the Erasers” is a nice appetizer to give fans a taste of what is to come.

Staff Writer

The heart of Neon Indian’s ethereal debut, “Psychic Chasms” to be released Oct. 13, beats to a subtle disco rhythm. Like pioneering new wave acts The Human League and Depeche Mode, Neon Indian merges synthetic soundscapes with droll, monotone vocals, creating music that is as emotionally resonant as it is aesthetically artificial. The shimmering MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) beats and dead pan delivery make “Psychic Chasms” a lost relic from the skinny tie era, albeit one that suffered severe audio quality deterioration in the interim. Like a once beloved cassette tape that has been played too many times, kicked around the car and left to bake on the dashboard, “Psychic Chasms’” tones are warped and well worn. Bridging the divide between two of Brooklyn’s prominent scenes, lysergic electro-dancers like MGMT on the left and grit, and grime 4-track aficionados Blank Dogs on the right, Neon

Indian pulls equally from the two modern movements and ends up with something inadvertently retro. This is ironic, because while the Brooklyn influence is apparent, the group’s only non-musical member resides in New York City. A long distance collaboration between Austinite Alan Palamo (of VEGA and Ghosthustler) and former Texan/visual artist Alicia Scardetta, the two Neon Indians’ identities were kept secret as the first few tracks surfaced on the blogosphere. Now that everything is out in the open Palamo has admitted to being the man behind the music while Scardetta’s visual contributions should become apparent once the group begins touring. Neon Indian is slated to perform at an Austin City Limits after party and for an appearance at Fun Fun Fun Fest at 6:35 on Nov. 7 on the blue stage. VEGA is slated to perform at 3:35 that same day on the same stage. Though Neon Indian’s multimedia dimensions are

still a mystery, the audio alone carries itself quite nicely. At first, “Deadbeat Summer” sounds like it is suffering from a tracking problem, but as soon as the warped keyboard demo rhythm gives way to Paloma’s hushed, gasping vocals and blasé chorus, the song becomes an infectiously catchy slacker anthem. “Should Have Taken Acid with You,” with its pulsing, lackadaisical beat, could have perfectly sound tracked an 80’s teen comedy about barbiturate abuse, had John Hughes ever decided to make one. Throughout all the phase shifting affects and digital decay, “Psychic Chasms” holds onto a warm human tone, thanks in large part to Paloma’s sleepy voice. Dispensing with the sterile, robotic vibe put forth by electronic innovators like Kraftwerk, Neon Indian lives up to its name and blends their fluorescent glow with an earthy aesthetic. The result is a toe-tapping sound track to an aimless Austin summer.

SL Celebrates Beginning of Fall Semester Held every fall semester, the Welcomepalooza event is a place of entertainment but also educates attendees as they learn more about their community and the services offered by ACC and the Student Life office. Students, faculty and employees who attended the event made new connections and discovered activities that they can enjoy on or off campus during the school year. This year’s event was held at each campus between Aug. 31 and Sept. 10. At each campus various Austin community associations were present among local artists and eateries. Attendees also played different activities set up by Student Life, such as basketball hoop shooting and ring tossing.

Photos • Teadora Erebes

FREE DRINKS — Students wait in line to try flavored enerWELCOME BACK — Ambasadors perform a routine in the student lounge. Ambasadors volunteered to entertain and inform students about student life organizations and how they can get involved.

Right– Local physical

comedian Ben Schave performs juggling routines in the front lawn of Rio Grande. Schave, from Schave & Reilly “Baggy Pants” Comedy Duo, was among a number of classic carnival acts hired to perform for students during Welcomepalooza events.

Left– Ms. Poppy The Clown fabricates a balloon animal for a student in the Rio Grande student lounge. Welcompalooza attendees were able to receive a variety of free merchandise and services from local artists and vendors from the Austin area.

getic limonades from one of the many beverage and food booths offered at Welcomepalooza. Booths were comprised of local Austin vendors who offered free samples.