Students Rally Last Minute Voter Registrants

Every time the walk sign allowed pedestrians to cross Guadalupe Monday, Huey Fischer quickly joined the crowd with his 'Register to Vote' sign proudly waving in the air.  The government major is rallying for last minute voter registrants to sign up to vote on the last day before it's too late.

In 2008, UT students were able to gain 6,000 voter registrants, and this year the politically-minded young people are looking to gather even more.

The students stayed on the West Mall all day, and other locations around town also registered people to vote until midnight.  Early voting begins in just two weeks.  The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

New Political Paper Hopes to Grab Young Conservative Following

The start of fall hasn't only brought cooler weather.  This season is also starting with a new publication called New Texas Forum, written for the college audience across the state on all things politics.

"The goal of the New Texas Forum is to provide a conservative voice on college campuses and stoke a healthier political dialogue in the typically liberal university environment," said Austen Bailey, UT student and Republican Party of Texas Youth Outreach Director.

Bailey believes this new publication will be a useful tool for the Republican Party of Texas because it will provide information on issues and people committed to principles of limited government, economic freedom and the prosperity of Texas and the country as a whole.  "We are unabashedly conservative, proud to have earned the support of the RPT, and ready to find more like-minded organizations to stand with us as we expand across Texas," Bailey said by e-mail.

It's not coincidental the paper is launching just over a month before the general election.  Bailey confirmed the publication will be an ongoing project that will focus on political issues past the election.  Bailey hopes the paper will reach out to Independents, Libertarians, Moderates, Republicans and Democrats who do not want the government reaching into people's personal lives.

"It will be mostly written by and for college students," Bailey said.  "At times, there will be other writers who will contribute, but the target audience remains young voters."

Bailey thinks the paper will be an awakening for many young people who misunderstood conservative views before, or those who haven't realized they are a conservative.  " It's time that a conservative voice spoke up on college campuses and educated students on what true conservatism stands for, something I believe many people over look and don't truly understand and many politicians have strayed away from," he said.

The Democratic Party of Texas does not have a similar publication.  We contacted Kirsten Gray, the Texas Democratic Party's Communications Director, who says the RPT seems to have a problem with the most award-winning college newspaper in the country, "calling their publication 'an answer to the [University of Texas'] Daily Texan.'"  Gray says it speaks to how far outside the mainstream Texas Republicans are marching.

Democrats don't seem concerned about the new newspaper because their views have always been about supporting policies that college students care about, according to Gray. 

"Texas students, of course, are not a homogenous group politically, but the Texas Democratic Party has always been a “big tent” party – we support policies that resonate with a broad group of voters who simply want government to do its job and do it well," said Gray by e-mail.

Similar to the new paper, Democrats say they also fight for what's important to college students.  But the ways they go about it aren't exactly the same.  "We fight for the issues most important to college students - major priorities like cutting out-of-control tuition rates and fostering a strong economy and creating jobs so they can put their degrees to use after they graduate," Gray said.

While Bailey says the timing of New Texas Forum is "inconsequential" to the upcoming election, Democrats are confident with the path of each of their candidates on the ballot, including Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White, who faces Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry on November 2nd.

"It's just another example of how concerned the Republicans are with the serious challenge posed by Bill White and our stellar Democratic ticket," Gray said.

The New Texas Forum launched Oct. 1.

Multi-Million Dollar Grant to Help Prevent Teen Pregnancies

from Austin ISD

The Austin School District will implement a risk-reduction program to help prevent pregnancies with a $2.9 million grant awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health.

The REAL Talk program for middle and high school students will provide teens with the instruction to ‘Know More/Know How’ to prevent unplanned pregnancies.  As grant collaborators, LifeWorks and Planned Parenthood of Texas Capital Region will provide education services to seventh and eighth grade students, and ninth and tenth grade students, respectively.

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced the award on Thursday, September 30.  The Austin School District, LifeWorks and Planned Parenthood submitted the application for the five-year award in May 2009.

In anticipation of receiving the grant, last Spring a group of Akins High School students, in collaboration with the University of Texas’ School of Public Health, developed the ‘Know More/Know How’ social media marketing campaign to raise awareness of the need to implement a student driven campaign about teen pregnancy prevention.  Teen pregnancy was one of two major student health issues identified by participants of a community conversation hosted by the District’s Health Services Department and the School Health Advisory Council in October 2009.  Unplanned pregnancies, along with childhood/adolescent obesity, were cited because of their long-term impact on student health, school attendance and academic performance.

District figures regarding teen pregnancy rates, supported community perception that too many young women were becoming mothers too soon.  Student Health Services data show that after a multi-year decline to 251 students identified as pregnant in 2006, the trend reversed.  Students identified as pregnant in 2007 climbed to 296, in 2008 to 348, in 2009 to 375, and 2010 to 395.

The REAL Talk program will focus on abstinence as the only 100 percent effective means of preventing pregnancy.  Additionally, students will learn about types of behaviors that are likely to increase the risk of pregnancy and contraceptive options to prevent pregnancy.  Per AISD policy, contraceptive devices will not be demonstrated nor will they be disseminated in District facilities.  Additionally, students who wish to participate in the program will be required to have parental or guardian permission.

“I’d like to congratulate AISD, LifeWorks and Planned Parenthood for working so hard to secure this grant, and the City is proud to support their efforts,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.  “Addressing teen pregnancy is critically important work – especially here in Texas, where we have the third highest rate of teen births in the nation.”

Mayor Leffingwell as well as Congressman Lloyd Doggett authored letters of support for the collaborative REAL Talk application.

Next steps include the development of an implementation plan, starting in the Fall of 2011-2012 school year, and implementation of the ‘Know More/Know How’ social media campaign.  For more information regarding the REAL Talk program, contact AISD’s Health Education Coordinator Tracy Lunoff at 414-4778.

Professor Believes High Achieving Students Can Become Dangerous

Friends and former classmates of the University of Texas gunman, who took his own life Tuesday after parading through campus with an AK47, say they are stunned by his actions.

Colton Tooley came to campus clad in black and a ski mask, carrying the assault weapon, shooting into the air and the ground near the University Catholic Center.  Tooley then went to the Perry-Castaneda Library, known as the PCL, where he passed a security guard.  The men exchanged hellos, but the guard quickly called UT police dispatch.  Police say although Tooley did not hurt anyone else, he certainly had the opportunity to.  Tooley ended the incident Tuesday morning when he fired one round at himself on the sixth floor of the library.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tooley was a math major and a bright student, according to people who knew him.  They say he showed no signs of being disturbed.  The university is looking into behavioral problems, but so far no records have pointed to evidence this would happen.  According to Lone Star Texas News, James Allen Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University, says high-achieving students like Tooley can become dangerous.  Often times, these students isolate themselves from the world around them when Fox says they need a balance in their lives.

Craig Shapiro, the principal of Austin's Crockett High School where Tooley graduated, said the Crockett community is shocked and saddened by Tuesday's tragedy.  "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Colton Tooley," said Shapiro in a statement.

Colton was ranked seventh in his 2009 class and was an excellent student, according to Shapiro.  "[He] excelled in every subject.  His teachers recall him with words such as “brilliant,” “meticulous,” and “respectful,” Shapiro said.

Crockett High School will have additional counselors on campus to assist students and staff who request their services.

Video below from The Daily Texan.

Players Scores Big With Generations of Hungry Hamburger Customers

Walk into Players (300 West MLK) on the UT campus in central Austin and you'll likely by greeted by one of these gentlemen, Daniel and his uncle, Carlos Oliveira.  Carlos and partner Eddie Hempe started Players nearly 30 years ago and obviously has a winning recipe for great hamburgers, excellent customer service, affordable food and easy access to a wide variety of people.  The Longhorns graduates know how to cater to their audience.  You may spot the Longhorns head football coach Mack Brown or any number of sports team members eating a Players burger, maybe a politician or two, workers from neighboring businesses, and of course plenty of college students.  The name comes from the arcade games in the dining room, the number of sports team members who love to eat there, and the large flat screen TV you can always be sure to catch a game on!

I first walked into Players several years ago because someone I worked with recommended I go there immediately.  I did and yes, it's one great burger.  I've been in to dine many other times, so when I walked in Thursday with the intention of reviewing Players, I ordered a burger I normally don't get - the jalapeno cheese burger.

What you'll notice eating the burger right off the bat is that it's juicy and is loaded down with the fixings.  But what you'll notice after getting all the way through it is it stays enjoyable and juicy the entire time!  Some burgers will start off great, juicy, and full of flavor but gets less juicy and flavorful the closer to the end you get.  That's a big difference!

Daniel and Carlos say the secret ingredients to their success include fresh products, made to order burgers and patties cooked over an open flame.  Carlos says he also doesn't salt the fries, but rather leaves them plain so the customer can decide how salty to make it.

The affordable price is worth mentioning again.  Customers rarely can find a meal under $10 for lunch these days.  My jalapeno burger, along with a half order of french fries and a soda, cost me $7 flat.  For comparison, last week at Your Mom's Burger Bar, I paid a little over $14 for a hamburger, soda, an order of regular fries for me and an order of sweet potato fries for the little guy.  Carlos told me he knows workers nearby and college students can't afford to pay $10 or more for a hamburger.  He keeps his prices low and the burgers tasting great.  That, along with his winning combination of tasty food and being a truly local business in Austin, means you can't go wrong with Players.

Give Players a call at (512) 478-9299 and drop by to get a burger.  This is one Austin staple you can't afford to pass up.  You can listen to the podcast with Carlos and Daniel by clicking the play button above, and scroll through the pictures on the slide show below.

Under new Federal Trade Commission guidelines, which require bloggers to disclose information regarding potential conflicts for items reviewed in their blogs, the Austin Citysphere was not compensated for this story.

Texas Beats 'Worn Down' Texas Tech Team

The University of Texas Longhorns defeated the Texas Tech Raiders Saturday night in a showdown between two rivals.  It's the third straight win for UT this season in a season many consider as a rebuilding year.

Commentators kept referring to the 2008 Tech upset over UT when wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught a last second pass from Tech QB Graham Harrell, scoring a touchdown that gave the Red Raiders a 39-33 lead in the last remaining seconds, putting the Red Raiders ahead of the #1 Longhorns in a heartbreaking moment not easily forgotten.

But 2010 turned out to be different as the Longhorns started strong, off to an early lead.  By halftime, the score tied up at 14.  But the third and fourth quarters proved to be successful ones for UT.  The final score to enter the record books was 24 to 14 UT.  Read more about the Longhorn victory on SBNation.  (Photo by SBNation)

Uncover the Secrets of Our Body, the Universe Within

Sunday, the widely talked about human body display, titled Our Body: the Universe Within, will leave the University of Texas Stark Center.

The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center, a fairly new addition to UT, is the home of a vast collection of athletic accomplishments developed by co-director Dr. Terry Todd.  As we first posted in May, when the exhibit opened, the exhibit helps tell the story of why Dr. Todd has loved the world of physical fitness all of his career.  The body is a compelling and complex entity.  "Our hope is, when people come and see this kind of amazing, almost miraculous complexity revealed, that it will increase people's gratitude for what they have and sense of wonder at exactly what a marvelous machine it is and perhaps they'll take better care of it," said Todd.

The Stark Center is a place Dr. Todd has created to house his extensive collection of artifacts concerning the human body.  He and his wife, Dr. Jan Todd, have worked years to gather miles worth of magazines, books and other materials related to physical fitness.  They have thousands of pieces, plus actual antique equipment, including a vintage double exercise bike system in which two people "race" as the tracking device ahead of them tells who's in the lead.

The State of the Fourth Estate Through the Eyes of Two CBS News Icons

CBS News icons Lesley Stahl and Morley Safer offered a rare look inside their experience "growing up" with the Tiffany Network, working alongside newsman Walter Cronkite during some of the biggest stories in history.  The conversation touched on topics like how the 60 Minutes legends met Cronkite, women in the media, and the current state of the Fourth Estate.

Stahl, an eloquent speaker, told the audience inside the LBJ Auditorium at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas that she got her start, as many women did in broadcast journalism, because of affirmative action.

"There was a lot of concern the audience would not accept women as authoritative because we had never been in that position to tell the public what went on today," said Stahl.  "Would they accept us?  So we all had to lower our voices.  I remember very deliberately wearing glasses, which I do need.  But I could have taken them off for the camera.  My mother was always fighting me on this.  She kept saying, 'no one's ever going to ask you on a date if you wear your glasses!'  We were always trying to present ourselves as people of gravitas, people who had authoritative sounding voices, look serious."

Stahl remembered the time she smiled during a standup, when a reporter speaks directly into the camera for a story.  "I remember I told a funny story and I smiled.  The producer was livid at me because it was late and on deadline.  I had to go out and do it again.  It was funny but I wasn't allowed to smile because I was a woman and it would take away from my image."

Image in that day was very important as the evolving role of journalism slowly took hold of the American audience.  Safer said he learned Cronkite, who had a humorous side - throwing parties, doing impressions, and acting out a "strip tease" for his guests - would always stick up for his correspondents.  "He was a wonderful friend.  As a correspondent working 13,000 miles away, you really felt secure that he was somehow watching your back."

Stahl met Cronkite twice.  The first was at the local CBS affiliate, where she worked, in Boston.  Later, she was invited to a dinner party, similar to Safer, where she earned even more respect for him than she had before.  "My first story with having my first dinner with Walter Cronkite, getting to meet him personally,  was such a head spinner, I walked out kind of almost as if I was punch drunk in a funny way."  Stahl believed she became 'one of the guys' because Cronkite told these vile jokes with a woman present.  If he could do that with a woman in the room, she figured, she was in the club.

Broadcast Journalism, A Changing Scene

As time goes on, journalism has changed.  It's hard to believe, considering broadcast news still seems in its early years, that the media is changing even more.  Technology has a lot to do with it.

"We worked in film," Stahl said of her early career.  "Film had to be developed.   So you had actual time to think.  You had hours to make phone calls.  You could actually call people and get opposing views.  You could call an analyst and get some depth.  Then video came in and that time shrank.  The deadline wouldn't be so early.  And now it's instant.  They don't think at all.  The President speaks and two seconds later, the reporter's right there and he's telling you.  Or the story happens and before you can make a single phone call, you're called upon."

Safer, who credits 60 Minutes for still using the old fashioned formula of story telling and important investigations, believes the shrinking think time for journalists nowadays is sad.  "It really does a disservice to the audience."

Asked of the legacy Walter Cronkite left behind, and if it's still around:  "I think the legacy diminishes each year.  Part of it is the whole nature of broadcast news has changed so much," said Safer.

Stahl had a different take on Cronkite's legacy, saying the newsman actually shaped history.  "Time and again because Walter Cronkite was so trusted, the public listened to him more than they listened to the politicians.  He was able to affect the course of history and I would say his legacy is strongest in that sense."

Plenty has changed in broadcast journalism, but many things remain the same.  Despite the critics who choose not to trust the news, there are many journalists like Safer and Stahl who continue to make journalism an honored profession with people who work hard for viewers and the people whose stories they tell.

What's the Tech "Silent Treatment" Really About?

Sports media in Texas is abuzz with regard to the reports that Texas Tech is planning to give the Longhorns the silent treatment when they take the turf at Jones Field in Lubbock on Saturday. According to Red Raider fan blog "The Tortilla Retort," the Student Government Association at Tech sent out a message to the student body that read as follows:

Fellow Red Raiders,
The Student Government Association would like to share a new and exciting tradition to support our school spirit and sportsmanship at football games. We are calling it “The Silent Treatment!” The Silent Treatment is something SGA feels will be a new, intimidating way to get students excited for the game this weekend. As the opposing team runs onto the field and the visiting band plays their fight song, everyone in our stands will go silent . As we all go silent, everyone in the stands will turn to face our Double-T scoreboard and put our guns up. Not only is this intimidating, but it will also catch the opposing team completely off-guard. Once our players run out, we want our fans to go crazy with school spirit.

We believe this could be extremely effective if everyone participates, but we need students to help us promote this new tradition. Only with your help can this become a reality. Let’s make it happen Texas Tech!
Wreck ‘em!
Jenny Mayants Internal Vice President
Guns Up!
Drew Graham President

According to Mike Graham at the Dallas Morning News, some media outlets have reported that the Tech students planned to continue the tactic through the entire game, whenever UT has possession of the ball. However, Graham points out that it's only intended to last through the Longhorns entering the stadium and the UT band playing "The Eyes of Texas" before the game.

Graham also mentions that there has also been a campaign on the Texas Tech campus to sing their own fight song without adding obscenities to the lyrics.

KENS 5 in San Antonio spoke to Drew Graham, Tech's SGA president, who believes the "Silent Treatment" will be "more threatening to any team than anything else" since most teams are used to getting yelled at when they play in Lubbock.

Regardless of what happens on Saturday, the game is sure to be physical on both sides as the Longhorns look to take back some dignity after the ugly loss in 2008. What do you think about the "Silent Treatment" planned by the Red Raiders, and how do you think the game will go?

Punch Brothers Rock Bluegrass Like No Other at Bass Concert Hall

What fan gets to meet the members of their favorite band?  What fan gets to meet them three times?  If you answered Ryan and Sarah Loyd, you'd be correct!

Friday we saw Punch Brothers at the Bass Concert Hall on the UT campus.  It was a much different show than we've ever seen Chris Thile or the Punch Brothers perform - although all of the times we've seen him/them, it's been a different experience.  I'll clarify.  We've seen Chris a total of four times: two times with Nickel Creek and two with Punch Brothers.  The first Nickel Creek concert we ever went to was in Helotes at Floore Country Store.  That's where we also met our friend, Billy Jacob (pictured right with Sara Watkins).  We also saw NC in Dallas at the House of Blues.  That's the only time we did not get to speak with the band afterward.  More on that in a moment.  Our first Punch Brothers concert was at the Cactus Cafe, also on the UT campus.  Our most recent, of course, September 10, 2010.

They hit it out of the park, as always.  But Chris Eldridge, guitar, couldn't perform because of an apparent illness.  We hope he gets better soon.  So the remaining four, Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Paul Kowert (bass) had to do a little readjusting of their play list to make things work.  And it worked just fine!  We saw some amazing musicians, who may have not given the most polished performance, at their best.  I believe the last statement to be an excellent compliment because, although a little awkward, the men made up the absence of a very important fifth member.  Thile unplugged at one point, with the rest of the band off stage, made the spot light guy work and move the light to the edge of the stage, as he played Bach's Gigue from the Partita in D minor for solo violin.  Impressive.  Here's a YouTube video of him playing the same piece in New York.




I finally got to sit and think at the concert why I am so intrigued by Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Chris Thile.  It's because the music is so driven and complex.  It keeps my busy mind focused and concentrating on every note, word, and instrument.

The fact that I've gotten to see Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek is crazy, but the fact that we've gotten to talk to the band members is incredible.  We spoke to Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, as well as Chris, outside of their tour bus at the Helotes show.  In Dallas, there were so many people there and we were at the back of the music hall that it was just impossible to get to the front or know where they were going to be afterward, so we didn't get to speak with them then.

After the first Punch Brothers show we saw at the Cactus, we didn't think we'd get to chat with any of them, but sure enough there they were!  Chris had a beer in his hand and I went right up to him.  I forgot to 'interview' him for the podcast until after I talked with him once!  So, I went up to him again after he finished chatting with some other folks and asked him a few questions. Check out that interview below.


Once again, with the exception of a line and a more organized meeting and talking to the band mates after the show, this most recent post-show was just as great!  I didn't get to ask Chris all the questions I wanted, but it's still cool that this band shows its fans a personal side and comes off the stage to talk.

The show, no matter how it's presented, is always fantastic.  We can't wait for PB to come back to Austin.  Until then, Antifogmatic will keep spinning in our cars.  At the signing table, from closest, is Paul, Chris, Gabe and Noam.

Come back to Austin soon, guys!

New Arrests in Connection with 2009 West Campus Murder

Friday Austin police made two arrests in connection with two murders that happened in the 900 block of West 21st Street last summer.

21 year old Roy M. Renick and 19 year old Samuel H. Gifford are charged with capital murder for the deaths of Stacey Barnet, 22, and Jonathan Goosey, 21 (pictured right/Austin Chronicle) on July 21, 2009. 

Police say they made both arrests only hours apart but by separate units of APD and an outside agency.  Renick, arrested at 12:45 p.m., was taken in by the APD Intel Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.  Gifford was arrested at 2:30 p.m. by the APD Cold Case Unit.  Police say both arrests were without incident.

Another man, Ricky Thompson, was previously arrested in connection with the murders.  Police reported Thompson was in debt to Goosey for marijuana he'd taken but never paid for.  According to officers, they believed Thompson felt he had no other choice than to kill Goosey.  According to police, Barnet apparently had no knowledge of Goosey's drug dealings or the extent to which he bought and sold to people like Thompson.

Thompson also faces capital murder charges.