Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell

Riverbat Cafe: You Get Served

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, reporter

A quick bite to eat and then off to classes is how many ACC students operate on a daily basis. The Eastview Campus has an option for hungry students —The Riverbat Cafe, located in the campus courtyard.

The cafe offers two different menus, the regular menu which changes each week and the chef ’s special that changes every day. Both menus offer tasty food combinations that appeal to a variety of palates. If you are uncertain what to order, a friendly server will give you their opinion. Student’s can try the chef ’s special menu featuring items such as Albondigas En Salsa Chipotle, an appetizer of meatballs drenched in chipotle sauce. Entrées like the Chile-Seared Salmon with a sweet pear based sauce. To finish everything off — a delicious, spicy, chocolate chile cake with raspberry sauce. The food can come out within 10 minutes with the appeal of a fine dining restaurant. The flavors are so rich and unique that patrons will go back again and again.

During the day the cafe is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for dine-in customers and until 1:00 p.m. for to-go orders. The wait for both seating and service is about 10 minutes, while the wait time for togo orders is about 15 to 20 minutes. Many customers get their orders to go due to a busy lunch rush.

The Riverbat Cafe is a working classroom, that incorporates International Cuisine and a Dining Room Service class that meets Thursdays and Wednesdays. The cooks and wait staff are students of ACC’s Culinary Arts Department. While the department is located on the Eastview Campus, a state of the art culinary classroom is scheduled to be built at the Highland campus.

Go to the Riverbat Cafe for lunch as the cafe offers some of the best service and food that Austin has to offer.

Allies or Assets

New Group Supports Local Black Lives Matter movement in Unique Relationship

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, reporter

Photos by Anthony DeVera and Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, reporter

Black Lives Matter has a new ally, a resource of an organization called Allies for Black Lives.

“We are not part of the Black Lives Matter Austin general meetings,” Sacha Jacobson, coordinator for ABL, said. She said the separation was requested by BLM. “We respect that the members of BLM want their own space. We are not black,” Jacobson said in reference to the separate meeting rooms.

“ABL has a lot of work to do in order to catch up with current events about local issues regarding policing in the black community. ABL does not know what it is like to be black, and are lacking a strong grasp of understanding the history of racism in our country,” Jacobson said.

ABL supports BLM by providing financial support for public awareness projects, by informing Austinites BLM’s work to address racism and the importance of having conversations about racial injustice in our society.

“ABL provides education to ourselves and other non-black people in the Austin community and surrounding areas,” Jacobson said.

The relationship between BLM and ABL started in June. Jacobson contacted Margaret Haule, founder of the Austin chapter of BLM, to see if they would be interested in a crowd funded yard sign project. The project would produce signs reading “Black Lives Matter.”

BLM approved of the project and in 3 months, the project raised $3,625.

PUBLIC AWARENESS — Margaret Haule, founder of the Austin Chapter of Black Lives Matters addressed the Associated Collegiate Press conference in downtown Austin in November.

After the project, Jacobson kept in contact with Haule, who kept sending requests to Jacobson. The position to coordinate ABL, was given to Jacobson, after BLM expressed an interest in forming a separate support group.

BLM laid out guidelines for the new ally group to follow. Public criticism has caused BLM Austin to be media shy. Whenever the media is present, BLM checks with its members to see if they would be comfortable with the media in attendance.

Haule discussed suggestions on ways to get involved with BLM. She mentioned the best ways to get involved were to attend protest and rallies, but most importantly talk to the victims of police brutality.

Haule also kept reinforcing anyone interested to get more information from the BLM website. Not once did she mention attending a BLM meeting. As a keynote speaker at the National College Media convention in Austin in November, Haule answered questions but has declined face-to -face, phone and email interviews.

Jacobson wanted to make it clear that ABL is meant to “support as a resource and does not attempt to take lead.” She also went on to say that, “ABL allies are resources rather than members.” Which begs the question is BLM about unity?

Shyamalan Returns with Horror- Comedy “The Visit”

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, reporter

In a surprising twist, M. Night Shyamalan’s new horror-comedy “The Visit,” ends with — a plot twist.

Most people recognize the name M. Night Shyamalan as the director of the movies “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs.” After those two outstanding films, Shyamalan’s track record went down from there having made one poorly reviewed film after another. However, “The Visit” is a step toward his former glory.

The background is set as two siblings go to their grandparents’ house for a week while their mom and her boyfriend go on a cruise. The grandchildren are excited to finally meet and spend time with their grandparents. However, within a couple of days, the siblings realize that their grandparents are acting out of the norm, starting with a strict 9:00 p.m. curfew where the kids were told to not leave their bedrooms. Before the week comes to a close, everything around the house unravels with the grandparents acting more bizarre and the kids lives at stake. The kids uncover a secret that will throw the audience for a loop.

Will the children make it out of the house safely? What is this secret that their grandparents are hiding, and will the little ones be rescued? Well … you will just have to watch the movie and find out.

A Shyamalan film wouldn’t be right if it didn’t have intense, graphic scenes to make people jump out of their seats, and that’s exactly what’s packed into this movie. However, the film is filled with comedy that helps release some tension.

The grandchildren, played by Ed Oxenbould and Olivia Dejonge, performed their roles with excellence. The thrill, horror, suspense and comedy are all there.

I score this movie 6.5 out of 10. Still, with it receiving a 58 percent from Internet review site Rotten Tomatoes, I recommend at least seeing it at the dollar theater or waiting until it comes out on DVD.

Christian Rap Gets Students to Clap

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, reporter

A lifetime of passionate lip syncing in the shower may have been the ticket to winning big at Student Life’s Riverbat Bash.

The fifth annual Riverbat Bash on Sept. 17, welcomed students and the community with free food, family activities and chances to win Austin City Limits passes. More than 500 attended the event at the Highland Campus.

ACC’s mascot R.B. did the R.B. step, which is ACC’s official dance, with students. But the main crowd pleaser was the lip sync battle which offered two one-day ACL passes to the first place winner. The contest filled up quickly as students tried to win the passes. The second-place prize included two tickets to a John Fullbright concert and a $30 gift card to Los Palmas restaurant and third place was two tickets to see John Fullbright at the Paramount Theater. The competition was intense with Wini Evans taking first place. She impressed the crowd by performing a Christian Rap song by Lecrae titled “Round of Applause.” Evans hyped up the crowd by giving high-fives and dancing with audience members.

“I felt great about my performance,” Evans said. “The lip sync battle wasn’t about winning or losing for me, it was about empowering students through a song I felt had a meaningful message.”

Zach Bryant-Amos, who finished second in the lip sync contest,talked about how much he enjoyed his time at the Riverbat Bash. “It was fun,” he said. The vendors were helpful in helping me obtain some much needed school supplies.

Music: Poetic Lyrics Elevate “To Pimp a Butterfly”

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, Reporter

West Coast rapper and Compton native Kendrick Lamar unveiled his new album “To Pimp A Butterfly” on March 15. Lamar’s poetic lyrics bring America’s issues to life with upbeat tracks, a heavy jazz influence and strong vocals.

Lamar shows growth from his previous album “good kid m.A.A.d city” by pushing listeners to think deeply about how they can bring about social change in America.

The order in which Lamar lays out his tracks allows listeners to journey through his mind, experience thoughts and emotions. The album challenges popular views on politics and racism. It also addresses the depression and suicidal thoughts Lamar has faced.

In the song “Mortal Man,” Lamar includes audio from a 1994 interview with the last great king of Hip-Hop, Tupac Shakur.

In the interview, taken from Swedish radio show P3 Soul, Lamar realized the best way to reach out to teens and help them change the world is through music.

“In my opinion, only hope that we kinda have left is music and vibrations. A lot of people don’t understand how important that is,” Lamar said.

“To Pimp A Butterfly” should be listened to closely in order to discover its full meaning. Online music magazine Pitchfork has ranked the album No. 2 on its highest rated album of 2015 list. Parental advisory is on the album for use of profane language.

Courtesy picture by Hypebeast.com, Interscope Records,Top Dawg Entertainment

Brides’ Commitment Outshines Conflict

For better and for worse, in sickness and in health, devoted couple focus on health and family as the issue of same-sex marriage engages Texans in social debate

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, Reporter

Sarah Goodfriend and Suzanne Bryant’s relationship is more than a sensational news blurb.

Before becoming the first same-sex couple to legally marry in Texas, the two shared a 30-year relationship.

Goodfriend and Bryant met during their undergraduate program at the University of North Carolina.

“I’ve always considered Suzanne my life partner and she feels the same way,” Goodfriend said.

The couple’s relationship has seen many developments over the years including the adoption of two daughters.

Dawn Goodfriend, 18, and Ting Goodfriend, 13, are biological sisters and were adopted from China. Both girls came to United States when they were about 2-years- old. Dawn arrived in 1999 and Ting arrived in 2003.

“I really cannot describe what it is like to travel to China and finally — after the paperwork, the waiting, and having a little tiny picture — to finally have the human being you have been waiting for placed in your hands and under your care,” Goodfriend said.

As in any relationship, happy times are tempered by trials.

Goodfriend was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer last May. Although the couple had considered marriage over the past 30 years, the cancer diagnosis created a new sense of urgency to get married. Bryant and Goodfriend felt it was important to have protections in place that would give Bryant rights to the couple’s children if Goodfriend died. They then filed for a Texas marriage license.

The court order granting their marriage license was directed specifically to Goodfriend and Bryant because of Goodfriend’s cancer.

Responses of the marriage varied, but were mostly favorable, Goodfriend said.

“Our mailman man left us a card with two wedding rings saying congrats and about time,” Goodfriend said.

“I would love to see [same sex marriage] become more acceptable in our society,” ACC mass communications major Megan Hall said. “I believe discrimination against same-sex marriage is unfair. Society needs to be more open minded to change nowadays.”

The marriage also generated disapproval.

“The reason I don’t support the marriage is because of my religious views,” John Thomas Baize, radiation therapist major, said. ”I wouldn’t call it a marriage. A marriage is between a man and woman.”

The varying public reactions and media attention taught the couple the importance of having a good sense of humor. Goodfriend said millennials are more accept- ing of same-sex marriage and hopes that in the future it won’t be an issue.

Hours after Goodfriend and Bryant received their marriage license, Texas Attorney General declared the license void. However, Travis County Clerk Dana Debeauvoir holds the license as valid.

Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether gay marriage bans nationwide are unconstitutional.

With media attention waning, the couple would like to finally go on their honeymoon.

Goodfriend said that she is six months away from her last chemotherapy treatment and that everything looks good so far.

Courtesy picture of The Austin American Satesmen

TIPA 2015

Six members of Accent’s student staff attended the 2015 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference April 9-11 in San Antonio.

Congratulations to Accent Editor in Chief Noor Alahmadi who was elected Secretary of the 2016 TIPA student executive committee.

Congratulations to the following Accent students for being recognized in five categories including two First Place awards:

First Place Critical Review – Joseph Van Vranken, Multimedia Editor
First Place Picture Story – Dave Creaney, Photographer and Preston Bezant, Layout/Design Editor
Honorable Mention News story – Manal El-Haj, Reporter
Honorable Mention Feature Page Design – Preston Bezant, Layout/Design Editor
Honorable Mention Illustration (Non-photo) – Daniel Groh, contributor

TIPA was established in 1909 at Baylor University and is the oldest collegiate press association in the nation.

This year 442 students and 76 advisers attended the convention from 62 member colleges and universities. The convention hosted journalism contests ranging from TV News Broadcasting to Newspaper Headline Writing. Professional journalists and journalism professors held workshops on networking, resume writing, and various aspects of journalism.

“The contests were very competitive and drove me to put my best foot forward,” Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, Accent reporter and business clerk said. “The workshops were detail oriented and gave me a lot of information that I can apply in my career.”

Accent Staff — Accent’s spring 2015 staff members complete registration at their first Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference April 9 at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. This was the time attending the convention for (left to right) Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, Chloe Kwak, Noor Alahmadi, Gaius Straka, Joseph Lee and Shannon Mullery.

ACC Spring Break Preparation 2015

Story by Ryan Fontenette-Mitchell, Reporter

Survival tips gave students a new perspective on spring break, today at the Rio Grande Campus. The Office of Student Life held a spring break preparation fair from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Austin Police Department attended to provide students with safety tips on spring break.

Students were advised to travel in groups and never leave their drinks unattended. APD provided a pair of goggles that simulate the effects of intoxication and had students perform field sobriety tests while wearing them to show the effects of alcohol on vision and response times.

Dosomething.org reported that at least one spring breaker dies from falling off a balcony every year. The site mentioned alternatives to typical spring break activities such as partying. For example, last year 10 University of Washington students spent spring break building houses in Denver.

For more tips on having a safe spring break or other alternatives visit these links:

https://bethanyguidetocollege.wordpress.com/tag/spring-break-statistics/

http://www.usnews.com/education/slideshows/12-alternative-break-trips-for-college-students

Leadership and Diversity Conference

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Story and Photos by Ryan Fotenette-Mitchell

Thought provoking conversations took center stage at the Nov. 21 Leadership and Diversity Conference. Attendees at the Highland Campus event explored lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender issues.

Austin Community College Student Life staff member Angela Roberston discussed the main objective for conference.

“So today, our intent was to challenge students to learn to love and respect one another even when they disagree,” Robertson said.

A religious panel addressed LGBTQ issues in the context of faith and Biblical references. Michael Saenz, a student at ACC, said that we should consider a more modern approach than that laid out in the Bible.

“A lot of people are basing what they believe on what was written thousands of years ago. The views that were applied then don’t apply now,” Saenz said. “If someone loves someone else, it baffles me that its illegal for them to get married.”

Robertson talked about how she challenged students to make their own opinions and beliefs, as well as having respect for people with different beliefs than them.

“There were people that were challenged. There were people that were emotional,” Robertson said. “And that’s kind of what has to happen. We have to get uncomfortable so that we can grow.”

ACC student Elizabeth Cognetti felt called into action by the event.

“I’ve always been empathetic towards people who struggle day by day.” Cognetti said. “It makes me want to be able to stand up and really do something about it.”

ACC holds a Leadership and Diversity Conference every year. For more information visit the Student Life website.